Hong Kong: Tech chief attends Berlin summit Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong attended the AsiaBerlin Summit 2023 in Berlin, Germany, on June 12. The four-day summit is expected to welcome more than 3,000 attendees from communities within the startup ecosystems across Asia and Berlin to discuss the newest tech trends and cross-border collaboration. While delivering a keynote speech at the summit's opening ceremony, Prof Sun briefed the audience on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments strong commitment to perfecting the innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem and promoting industry development, in particular various support to startups. He added that I&T companies from all over the world are welcome to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong where they can leverage the seamless access to the gigantic market in the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China, and explore boundless business opportunities therein. Before the summits opening ceremony, Prof Sun met Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. He also exchanged ideas with government officials and I&T sector leaders from Europe and Asia on I&T development in the course of the summits VIP breakfast. During the conference, Prof Sun toured booths set up by various innovation networks and agencies, science platforms as well as startup incubators. In the afternoon, the I&T chief toured Research Fab Microelectronics Germany where he learnt about the latest micro- and nanoelectronic research and development in Germany. Later in the day, while visiting German Accelerator, a government-funded project under German Entrepreneurship, Prof Sun received a briefing on its highly-customised programmes which empower innovation and help startups from all stages and across various industries to achieve international growth and success. Prof Sun wrapped up the day by calling on Chinese Embassy in Germany Envoy Zeng Yingru. This story has been published on: 2023-06-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In pics: revolutionary cultural relics in Shanghai Xinhua) 08:35, June 13, 2023 People visit the memorial of the second National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, June 7, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) People pass the site of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) A woman visits the Former Editorial Office of the New Youth in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) People visit the memorial of the second National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, June 7, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) People pass the site of the second National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, June 7, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Visitors look at a hand-operated printing machine at the site of Youxin Printing Office in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 31, 2022 shows the site of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) People visit the site of Youxin Printing Office, where the first full Chinese version of The Communist Manifesto was printed, in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Visitors read The Communist Manifesto via the digital display at the site of Youxin Printing Office in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) This photo taken on June 9, 2023 shows a sign on roads where historical sites with revolutionary legacies are located in Huangpu District of east China's Shanghai. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) This photo taken on June 9, 2023 shows the Former Editorial Office of the New Youth in east China's Shanghai. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) A volunteer gives a guide to visitors at the memorial of the second National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, June 7, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) A woman visits the Former Editorial Office of the New Youth in east China's Shanghai, June 9, 2023. Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, with rich resources of revolutionary cultural relics. The city is committed to developing itself into one of the most attractive red tourism destinations in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Concerns about the taxability of direct cash reparations payments and the impact they could have on the recipients eligibility for state aid programs remain part of the discussion surrounding the expansion of Evanstons reparations program. Evanston City Council unanimously approved the formation of a direct cash payment option in March but questions about the taxability of direct funds have plagued the program. Forms for those applying to the program have been updated to inform applicants of the risks when making their decisions. Advertisement Its sort of you choose at your own peril, Corporation Counsel Nicholas Cummings said. If you want the full cash payment, there is that risk. Weve made you aware of that risk. Were still working to make sure that it is exempt in the future but as of right now I dont have a definitive answer when it comes to state entitlement benefits. Cummings told the reparations committee during its June 1 meeting that according to advice from a tax attorney, there could be issues with taxing at the state level. While he said the attorney is fairly confident the federal government would exclude the payments from taxation and consider them as restitution, the tax attorney was unable to give a definitive answer as to whether the state would view the payments as income or not. Advertisement That would put in danger those who are recipients of SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, those sort of entitlement benefits, Cummings said. If they reach a certain income threshold, they would no longer be eligible for those benefits. Cummings said that the state did communicate they use the same definition of income as the federal government and if that is the case, the payments should be excluded from taxation. When speaking with a representative from Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office, Cummings was assured that SNAP benefits wouldnt be impacted but Medicaid eligibility could. If the direct cash payments were to be considered in aid eligibility, legislation would need to be passed at the state level to protect recipients from being removed from public aid programs. Conversations between Mayor Daniel Biss and the governors office have discussed this possibility, according to Cummings. Illinois Public Aid code already exempts other restitution payments such as those given to Japanese Americans who were interred in camps during World War II. Cummings said reparations to Black Americans could be given the same liberties but would need to be addressed in the next state legislative session. What we dont want is people losing benefits as a result of trying to actually help them, Cummings said. You give them a cash payment and now they cant get health insurance. The threshold for those applying for aid programs is dependent upon household size. For a one-person household, it sits at just about $36,000 of annual income. With direct cash payments expected to be $25,000, recipients could make at most $11,000 annually to ensure their benefits arent impacted. City staff has suggested disbursing payments over time as opposed to a lump sum to avoid these issues. Councilmember and Committee Member Krissie Harris supports this idea, saying that spreading payments over two years could be helpful. She said there could also be benefits people are receiving that the city wouldnt even know could be impacted by a lump sum payout. Cummings also said payments may need to be disbursed in three or four smaller payments to keep recipients eligible for other benefits. Committee Chair Robin Rue Simmons said shed like to see this as an option as opposed to being used in all cases, in order to make the program more individualized to meet each recipients needs. Advertisement The city is asking recipients about their income in order to ascertain the best way forward. Committee member Bonnie Lockhart worried this could be seen as invasive and said the city should exercise caution asking for this kind of information. At some point, we can only do so much. It will be up to the residents as well to be responsible for trying to remember that, Harris said. She added the city can collect that data but might need a hold harmless agreement to say the city is doing its best, but its up to the person receiving the money to look at their financial circumstances. Committee member Carlis Sutton suggested looking into using forgivable loans to get people the funding. Cummings said this was previously considered but wasnt pursued because the city would have to put up collateral. Simmons requested staff prioritize those who chose direct payments and dont have benefits that could be impacted, a step Cummings said nothing at this point is preventing. The city is working to hire a staff member dedicated to reparations work in order to speed up the process. It is obvious that the Russian side has obligations within the framework of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020; for example, to ensure the uninterrupted passage of the Lachin corridor, which it does not fulfill. Alen Simonyan, speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia told about this to reporters Tuesday. "Even Russia is unable deny it anymore. It's another question what option do we see and how do we imagine the solution to that issue. Do we imagine that Russian, Belarusian, and Kazakh soldiers should come and shoot at soldiers? Of course not. "Are there political levers that should be used? Yes there are. Do I assess that these political levers are not used sufficiently by our partner? Yes, I think so. More levers can be used to solve this issue," added Simonyan. State minister: We may have situation when we cant wait for the 7 days noted by Karabakh President Nersisyan. The more Armenia lowers bar on Karabakh issue, the harder it will be for people of Artsakh to raise it Karabakh official: Armenia has only one thing to do in discussions with Azerbaijan Artsakh state minister: Many illogical things are happening on European platform; is it serious conversation? Karabakh minister of state: We managed to make our voice heard by all to which nationwide movement was directed Lachin corridor has no alternative: Several Armenia NGOs issue joint statement on Charles Michel statement Karabakh state minister: We are in disaster but we will never surrender Karabakh ex-official Vitaly Balasanyan is charged on 4 counts Analyst: Armenia has not recognized Azerbaijan territorial integrity with Karabakhs inclusion Armenia PM is briefed on plan to establish EHL Hospitality Business School branch in Gyumri Our link should be with Armenia only: Karabakh residents comment on their blocking of Askeran-Aghdam road Missing servicemens parents reopen Yerevan major intersection, but on condition Armenia army General Staff chief meets with US Air Force chief of staff (PHOTOS) Parents of missing soldiers close off major avenue in Yerevan Edmon Marukyan: Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians Azerbaijan MFA responds to Armenia FM with series of absurd accusations Livestock sector is in much worse situation in besieged Karabakh, agriculture minister says Agriculture minister: Scheduled power outages, lack of diesel fuel also cause problems in Karabakh irrigation system Karabakh MoD: Defense Army did not carry out fortification work in Askeran Region Newspaper: What 'tougher actions' Karabakh will take? MoD: Armenia army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions Worlds most expensive iPhone is sold in US US returns 105 antiquities illegally exported from India to latter David Babayan: Karabakh grandpa who fought at Stalingrad, took Berlin never imagined he could die of hunger Russia, Iran FMs interested in consultations with participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan Austria FM: Lachin corridor blockade must be stopped immediately Deputy PM Grigoryan's office: Armenia, Azerbaijan have not made decision on any map Armenia FM briefs OSCE Secretary General on situation in Karabakh Armenian Foreign Minister expresses Yerevan's readiness to hold talks with Turkey in Vienna Armenia is not going to become a space where sanctions could be bypassed: Ararat Mirzoyan Dollar, euro increase in Armenia Armenia FM: Regrettable that instead of engaging in dialogue, Azerbaijan pursues policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh FMs sign protocol on implementation of Armenia-EU readmission agreement between Armenia, Austria (PHOTOS) Karabakh residents block Askeran-Aghdam motorway, with concrete barriers (PHOTOS) Armenias Pashinyan receives ex-MP Francois Rochebloine of France Yerevan municipal election events schedule announced Karabakh NGOs: Support being provided to Artsakh people cannot be at cost of trampling on their dignity American University of Armenia has new president Hyundai releases first photos of new generation Santa Fe crossover Public Television to present dire situation in Karabakh every day live from capital Stepanakert's Renaissance Square Teen found dead in Armenia river European Parliament committee calls on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide Armenia FM visit to Vienna kicks of with private talk with Austria colleague Karabakh operational headquarters chief: Presidents sit-in could be beneficial European Parliament accuses Azerbaijan of bribing PACE lawmakers, some other offenses Karabakh presidential advisor warns of taking extreme measures Iraqi Kurdistan leader visits Azerbaijan In support of Karabakh demonstration participants march to US Embassy in Yerevan US embassy: Passengers are denied entry to Armenia for possession of drugs Azerbaijan continues to settle occupied Berdzor-Lachin town of Karabakh Armenia army chief attends US National Guard State Partnership Program 30th Anniversary conference (PHOTOS) Public transport to not operate in Karabakh capital Stepanakert as of today Karabakh interior ministry: No vehicle passed through Askeran police checkpoint to Akna-Aghdam Azerbaijan FM repeats proposal to use Aghdam road to Karabakh Protests in support of Karabakh continue in Yerevan Grigory Karasin responds to accusations against Russia from Azerbaijan Armenia PM: It will be very good if we do European track and field tournament in Artashat Newspaper: More Armenia military commanders to be arrested soon Karabakh minister of state: Today nationwide movement will continue awareness actions started in Yerevan Karabakh parliament speaker joins Presidents sit-in Armenia MoD: Azerbaijan again disseminated disinformation MFA spox: Armenia demands lifting of illegal blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan Karabakh President: People of Artsakh are facing real threat of physical destruction Russia MFA confirms readiness to hold Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs meeting in Moscow Karabakh presidential adviser on Azerbaijan proposal to transport humanitarian goods to Artsakh: This is greatest danger Armen Grigoryan presents humanitarian crisis in Karabakh to Matthias Luttenberg Karabakh capital Stepanakert public transport to operate in very limited capacity Armenia ex-ruling party official Armen Ashotyan to remain in custody Armenias Matenadaran museum and institute of ancient manuscripts has new director Armenia PM follows road construction work in Ararat Province MFA spox: Armenia calls on other international players to follow ICJ, ECtHR Son dies on the spot, father hospitalized after car overturns in Armenias Gegharkunik Province Armenia parliament vice-speaker briefs Germany MFA official on South Caucasus security situation Zangi company launches 'ArtsakhX' project in Karabakh, which will operate even when internet is cut off Armenia ambassador-at-large: Azerbaijans non-compliance is violation of conventional obligations Armenia PM pays tribute to heroes who sacrificed their lives for Motherland Karabakh minister of state on Armenia protests in support of Artsakh: Put aside all differences, try to unite Protester in support of Karabakh to Russia's Putin: Keep your word, we believed in you MFA spox: Armenia did not receive trilateral meeting proposal from Russia Protesters in support of Karabakh march from UN office to Russia embassy in Armenia State minister: We may have situation when we cant wait for the 7 days noted by Karabakh President Nersisyan. The more Armenia lowers bar on Karabakh issue, the harder it will be for people of Artsakh to raise it Karabakh official: Armenia has only one thing to do in discussions with Azerbaijan Artsakh state minister: Many illogical things are happening on European platform; is it serious conversation? Karabakh minister of state: We managed to make our voice heard by all to which nationwide movement was directed Lachin corridor has no alternative: Several Armenia NGOs issue joint statement on Charles Michel statement Karabakh state minister: We are in disaster but we will never surrender Karabakh ex-official Vitaly Balasanyan is charged on 4 counts Analyst: Armenia has not recognized Azerbaijan territorial integrity with Karabakhs inclusion Armenia PM is briefed on plan to establish EHL Hospitality Business School branch in Gyumri Our link should be with Armenia only: Karabakh residents comment on their blocking of Askeran-Aghdam road Missing servicemens parents reopen Yerevan major intersection, but on condition Armenia army General Staff chief meets with US Air Force chief of staff (PHOTOS) Parents of missing soldiers close off major avenue in Yerevan Edmon Marukyan: Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians Azerbaijan MFA responds to Armenia FM with series of absurd accusations Livestock sector is in much worse situation in besieged Karabakh, agriculture minister says Agriculture minister: Scheduled power outages, lack of diesel fuel also cause problems in Karabakh irrigation system Karabakh MoD: Defense Army did not carry out fortification work in Askeran Region Newspaper: What 'tougher actions' Karabakh will take? MoD: Armenia army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions Worlds most expensive iPhone is sold in US US returns 105 antiquities illegally exported from India to latter David Babayan: Karabakh grandpa who fought at Stalingrad, took Berlin never imagined he could die of hunger Russia, Iran FMs interested in consultations with participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan Austria FM: Lachin corridor blockade must be stopped immediately Deputy PM Grigoryan's office: Armenia, Azerbaijan have not made decision on any map Armenia FM briefs OSCE Secretary General on situation in Karabakh Armenian Foreign Minister expresses Yerevan's readiness to hold talks with Turkey in Vienna Armenia is not going to become a space where sanctions could be bypassed: Ararat Mirzoyan Dollar, euro increase in Armenia Armenia FM: Regrettable that instead of engaging in dialogue, Azerbaijan pursues policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh FMs sign protocol on implementation of Armenia-EU readmission agreement between Armenia, Austria (PHOTOS) Karabakh residents block Askeran-Aghdam motorway, with concrete barriers (PHOTOS) Armenias Pashinyan receives ex-MP Francois Rochebloine of France Yerevan municipal election events schedule announced Karabakh NGOs: Support being provided to Artsakh people cannot be at cost of trampling on their dignity American University of Armenia has new president Hyundai releases first photos of new generation Santa Fe crossover Public Television to present dire situation in Karabakh every day live from capital Stepanakert's Renaissance Square Teen found dead in Armenia river European Parliament committee calls on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide Armenia FM visit to Vienna kicks of with private talk with Austria colleague Karabakh operational headquarters chief: Presidents sit-in could be beneficial European Parliament accuses Azerbaijan of bribing PACE lawmakers, some other offenses Karabakh presidential advisor warns of taking extreme measures Iraqi Kurdistan leader visits Azerbaijan In support of Karabakh demonstration participants march to US Embassy in Yerevan US embassy: Passengers are denied entry to Armenia for possession of drugs Azerbaijan continues to settle occupied Berdzor-Lachin town of Karabakh Armenia army chief attends US National Guard State Partnership Program 30th Anniversary conference (PHOTOS) Public transport to not operate in Karabakh capital Stepanakert as of today Karabakh interior ministry: No vehicle passed through Askeran police checkpoint to Akna-Aghdam Azerbaijan FM repeats proposal to use Aghdam road to Karabakh Protests in support of Karabakh continue in Yerevan Grigory Karasin responds to accusations against Russia from Azerbaijan Armenia PM: It will be very good if we do European track and field tournament in Artashat Newspaper: More Armenia military commanders to be arrested soon Karabakh minister of state: Today nationwide movement will continue awareness actions started in Yerevan Karabakh parliament speaker joins Presidents sit-in Armenia MoD: Azerbaijan again disseminated disinformation MFA spox: Armenia demands lifting of illegal blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan Karabakh President: People of Artsakh are facing real threat of physical destruction Russia MFA confirms readiness to hold Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs meeting in Moscow Karabakh presidential adviser on Azerbaijan proposal to transport humanitarian goods to Artsakh: This is greatest danger Armen Grigoryan presents humanitarian crisis in Karabakh to Matthias Luttenberg Karabakh capital Stepanakert public transport to operate in very limited capacity Armenia ex-ruling party official Armen Ashotyan to remain in custody Armenias Matenadaran museum and institute of ancient manuscripts has new director Armenia PM follows road construction work in Ararat Province MFA spox: Armenia calls on other international players to follow ICJ, ECtHR Son dies on the spot, father hospitalized after car overturns in Armenias Gegharkunik Province Armenia parliament vice-speaker briefs Germany MFA official on South Caucasus security situation Zangi company launches 'ArtsakhX' project in Karabakh, which will operate even when internet is cut off Armenia ambassador-at-large: Azerbaijans non-compliance is violation of conventional obligations Armenia PM pays tribute to heroes who sacrificed their lives for Motherland Karabakh minister of state on Armenia protests in support of Artsakh: Put aside all differences, try to unite Protester in support of Karabakh to Russia's Putin: Keep your word, we believed in you MFA spox: Armenia did not receive trilateral meeting proposal from Russia Protesters in support of Karabakh march from UN office to Russia embassy in Armenia UAE new envoy to Armenia conveys Dubai Aviation Exhibition invitation to defense minister (PHOTOS) Karabakh President to deliver address Karabakh children sing Artsakh national anthem in front of UN office in Armenia Russia antiterrorism committee: Crimea bridge was attacked by 2 Ukraine UAVs at night Karabakh applicants unable to take Armenia universities entrance exams First ombudsperson to PM: What do you have to do with territories on which Armenia sovereignty doesnt extend? Azerbaijan must reopen Lachin corridor: ECtHR reaffirms necessity of implementing its previous decision Pickets in support of Karabakh being staged outside UN office and Russia embassy in Armenia Motion to arrest Karabakh ex-official Vitaly Balasanyan submitted to court Karabakh state minister: Nationwide movement that started in Artsakh will also take place in Armenia as of today Armenia opposition MP: International players try to exonerate themselves in advance from Karabakh tragedy Emergency situation on Crimea bridge, there are casualties and injured Karabakh state ministers father-in-law dies suddenly, no necessary medical aid provided Armenia MoD: Azerbaijan fired at Armenian positions Humans pumped so much groundwater from Earth that it caused planet's axis shift, new study finds Armenia ex-PM: Perfectly legal robbery Chain collision in Yerevan Azerbaijan violates ceasefire in Artsakh Martakert region Russian forces attack Ukraines Kupiansk city Kosovo buys Turkish UAVs We must see to it that this document is not signed; for this, we must bring the people out to fight. Opposition MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a representative of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party of Armenia, told this to a press conference Tuesday, referring to the prospects for the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. "If the [incumbent Armenian] authorities realize that there is no resistance, it will sign and digest, it will sign the peace treaty. It is obvious that there is an arrangement between [Armenian PM] Pashinyan and [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev to sign the document this year. We have our ideas of moves. But since this is not a matter of one political force, we will discuss the matter with all healthy forces and go out to fight. I can't say a specific time, day, place, but we will fully engage in the fight. Every Armenian must stand up for his homeland. If we can fully explain the risks to people, we will push people to fight; moreover, the citizens who are indifferent. What Nikol Pashinyan announced is not a peace treaty; it is a new capitulation, the signing of which will have disastrous consequences for the Armenian people. The only way to prevent this is popular resistance. One person cannot decide the fate of our 5000-year-old nation," Saghatelyan said. According to him, the Armenian political forces should present three very accessible things to the Armenian public: a plan to get Armenia out of the current situation, an implementing team, and a roadmap for change of power in the country. "Instead of ensuring the territorial integrity of our country, the preservation of Artsakh's [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] right to self-determination, the security of the Armenian people, the [incumbent Armenian] authorities say to surrender for the sake of salvation; that is the road self-destruction. The Armenian people have that resource to fight for their homeland," Saghatelyan said. "We are not ready to give new territories to the enemy; there is no alternative. Their proposed road has absolutely nothing to do with peace.(). The main thing is to prevent the signing of the document. And to completely neutralize the danger, it is necessary to remove the [incumbent Armenian] authorities [from power] because we are condemned by these authorities," the opposition MP said. Azerbaijan will continuously achieve its long-term goal by putting pressure on the authorities of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to achieve the de-Armenianization of Artsakh, and be in a win-win situation with Armenia if there is border delimitation and demarcation. Seyran Ohanyan, head of the opposition "Armenia" Faction of the National Assembly and former defense minister of Armenia, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. According to Ohanyan, Azerbaijan also wants to get a road or a corridor through the territory of Armenia in order to implement the Great Turan policy. As for the Armenian authorities, Ohanyan said that as a result of their policies, they brought Armenia and Artsakh into war, they did nothing to achieve success in the war, whereas the Armenian people had the opportunities and potential for all of this. "All we have to do is solely reaffirm the red lines marked by the Armenia alliance, that the only way is the self-determination of Artsakh, which can bring about the security of Artsakh and sustainable development in its historical territory," Ohanyan added, in particular. According to him, Azerbaijan's actions and statements show that peaceful coexistence with that country is not possible, and therefore Artsakh cannot be a part of Azerbaijan. To the question whether Azerbaijan's provocations can lead to large-scale military actions, Seyran Ohanyan responded that this depends on the Armenian people. "The more they [i.e. the Armenian authorities] surrender, the stricter and sharper Azerbaijan's actions will be towards Artsakh and Armenia. The Armenian people should go for a national uprising and organize our defense and get rid of these [incumbent Armenian] authorities," Ohanyan said. He reflected on the Artsakh authorities as well, noting that they should have a strategy that should be aimed first of all at being in an advantageous position in security issues. "These opportunities exist in Artsakh. Second, to demand from the Armenian authorities the commitment that Armenia is obligated to. Third, major steps must be taken in foreign policy. The first is relations with Russia; it is the major work on international platforms. On the ground, the security of Artsakh is ensured by the Russian peacekeeping forces. And major work must be done so that after the expiration of the term of the Russian peacekeepers, the peacekeepers do not leave at the request of one side [i.e. Azerbaijan], but of the other sidethe Armenian side, the Russian peacekeepers remain there," Ohanyan said. "The second unit that should ensure the security of Artsakh is the Artsakh Defense Army. We must present to the international community that the Artsakh Defense Army was formed at the initial phase of Artsakh's self-determination, when Azerbaijan opposed provocations to it, then it turned into large-scale military actions. At that time, in order to organize its self-defense in the territory of Artsakh, the Defense Army was created within its capabilities," Seyran Ohanyan noted. By Hank Beckman The La Grange Village Board took the first step toward the construction of the long delayed 50th Street storm relief sewer improvements with the unanimous approval of preliminary contracts at a board meeting Monday. Advertisement The decision comes on the heels of last weeks ruling by Judge Neil Cohen that the Lehigh Hanson Quarry had wrongfully severed the Villages sewer line that had served for decades to dump excess rainwater into the McCook ditch. Its been a long time coming, President Mark Kuchler said before the vote on the contracts. The judge ruled completely in our favor. Advertisement Kuchler, who served on the Board in 2014 when the issue first arose, noted that the Board at the time hoped for a quick solution to the flooding. Eight years is by no definition quick, he said. The 50th Street sewer project was approved by a 2015 referendum and already had plans to solicit bids when the litigation placed the project into limbo. The lawsuit was filed by Lehigh Hanson and interrupted negotiations for a settlement stemming from an incident where the Quarry demolished portion of the villages old sewer line. A project to install new pipes to remove stormwater from the village of La Grange at 50th Street had been previously stalled by a lawsuit. (Annemarie Mannion / Pioneer Press) The first contract approved design engineering services to be performed by Baxter and Woodman, Inc., at a rate not to exceed $447,759. Baxter and Woodman created the original design of the 50th Street stormwater improvements and will work to expand the original scope of the project. An additional contract not to exceed $133,204 was awarded to Christopher B. Burke Engineering for project management. Also involved in the project, which is a key component of the Villages improvements to the South Basin areas south of 47th street, is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The districts role in the project is to provide additional funding and permitting through its Greater Chicago Stormwater Partnership Program. An interagency agreement with MWRD will be needed before the Village is able to create a formal package to be put out to bid. Advertisement As for Judge Cohens ruling, the quarry now the Federal Quarry, owned by Heidelberg Materials said in an email that We will continue to pursue our legal options, including an appeal of this decision. But the attorney representing the Village left no doubt that he considered the ruling to be on solid legal grounds. This has been a long, six-year fight with the Quarry about whether the Village had a right to discharge water into the Quarry, Daniel L. Stanner said. The Quarry filed suit against the Village in 2016 after failed negotiations prompted by the quarrys fears that additional rainwater would hinder its operations. But Stanner noted that the whole dispute was the result of the Quarry cutting the pipe in 1992. The Quarry maintained that the Village had no signed document proving an easement that gave it legal rights to have the pipe in the first place. Advertisement The Village filed a counterclaim saying that we had an express agreement with the Hannauer family in the 1920s, and its a matter of public record, and we also said that even if we didnt have an express agreement, we had an implied agreement, Stanner said. He ultimately decided that all of the Quarrys claims were without sufficient factual or legal basis, Stanner said. The next La Grange Village Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. June 26, at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Rd. Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Five members of Emory Universitys faculty and staff have been named 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Scholars. Maren Jill Adams, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, Charlie Hammons, Nikhila Raol and Tiphanie Yanique are among more than 800 U.S. citizens who will teach or conduct research abroad during the 2023-24 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The Fulbright Program exemplifies Emorys mission to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity, says Ravi V. Bellamkonda, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. These Emory scholars will embark on a transformative journey, nurturing intellectual curiosity, bridging cultural divides and fostering global collaboration and empathy. We are proud of the outstanding scholars who were selected for this prestigious opportunity, and look forward to the many ways they will enrich the Emory community by sharing their insights and experiences upon their return. Fulbright scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing existing research collaborations and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs and classrooms, they share their stories and often become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Scholar Program has provided more than 400,000 individuals from more than 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to international problems. Meet Emorys 2023-24 Fulbright Scholars Maren Jill Adams Adams, associate teaching professor of interdisciplinary studies and director of global learning at Oxford College, will travel to Japan to work at Hiroshima Universitys Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. There, shell teach as part of the graduate International Peace and Co-Existence Program as well as the undergraduate Integrated Global Studies program. Adams will build on her current project, New Technologies of Transmission in Post-Bomb Japan, while at Hiroshima University. The project focuses on a variety of new techniques and technologies of transgenerational memory memories that cross generations while also transforming them and will inform her work within courses for graduate and undergraduate students in Hiroshima and engagement with community partners who are also committed to peace and education. Overall, I am trying to understand how peace educators are working to preserve wartime memories to reach new and wider audiences, Adams says. I focus on multinational memories of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the postwar atomic aftermath and current concerns about nuclear proliferation, bringing together U.S.- and Japan-based university students for dialogue and collaboration on these enduring issues affecting both nations and their neighbors. Adams is most looking forward to being immersed in the community within Hiroshima while doing this work. In my teaching, research and community engagement, I have the opportunity to learn about, experience and contribute to the transmission project from multiple angles, she says. Fulbright has already opened the door to so many invigorating new connections! Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim An-Naim, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law Emeritus, associate professor in Emory College of Arts and Sciences and senior fellow of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, will travel to Ethiopia. An-Naim proposed going to Sudan when submitting his application, but the Fulbright Scholar Program asked him to identify another sub-Saharan country due to Sudans current severe strife. I am originally from Sudan, where I received all my education in public schools until I graduated in law from the University of Khartoum in 1970. When I finished graduate studies in the U.K. in 1976, I returned to Sudan to teach until 1985, when I had to leave for political reasons, he explains. Taking my Fulbright fellowship in Sudan would have been a highly significant, personal homecoming, as the American expression goes. Ironically, that personal sense of returning home has been postponed by the similar conflicts and violence that drove me out of Sudan into exile back in 1985. During An-Naims project, he will update, revise and publish a second edition of his Sudanese Criminal Law textbook. Written in Arabic, the first edition was published in 1986. He will also be teaching during the 2023-24 academic year. While the project was untitled during application submission, An-Naim says he always thought of it as What I owe for my privilege. As I explain in my autobiographical reflections, he says, I am trying to pay back some of the debt I owe for the privilege of education and opportunities I have received throughout my life. Charlie Hammons Hammons, senior associate director for client services within Emory International Student and Scholar Services, will participate in the South Korea International Education Administrators Program. He will spend one week in Seoul before traveling to new cities each day including Jeonju, Daejeon, Daegu and Busan before returning to Seoul to wrap up the program. The program hosts a cohort of nine educators from around the U.S. who work with international students at their institutions. They will meet with representatives of 15 colleges and universities throughout Korea and participate in several events. Hammons explains three program objectives: To give participants an opportunity to discuss areas of importance in international education in Korea, in the U.S., and in both countries so they can learn and share with each other. To provide opportunities to learn about Korean culture and history. To allow the cohort to meet with counterparts in Korean higher education and deepen personal and professional ties. Facilitating cultural exchange is foundational to international education and the reason I chose to work in this field, Hammons says. Emory has substantial ties to Fulbright, as well as with many institutions and researchers in Korea, dating back decades. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this tradition by representing Emory, Fulbright and the United States, as well as learn more about Koreas fascinating history and culture. Nikhila Raol Raol is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology in the Emory School of Medicine. During her time as a Fulbright Scholar, she will travel to Hyderabad, Telangana, India, to work at the Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children, which is affiliated with Osmania Medical College. Her project, entitled Investigating the role of ankyloglossia in breastfeeding difficulties, will evaluate the role of ankyloglossia (also known as tongue tie) on successful breastfeeding maintenance in Telangana, where breastfeeding maintenance rates at six months are high but rates of tongue tip clipping are much lower. I am most excited about the opportunity to immerse myself in a foreign health care system and truly learn from them, with the hope that I can help shift the paradigm in the management of these infants, Raol says. Raols work will include observational field study and interviews with mothers and clinicians who work with mother-infant dyads. In addition to contributing to scholarship on strategies for successful breastfeeding maintenance, Fulbrights support for this research will contribute to the development of evidence-based breastfeeding recommendations worldwide and also allow Raol to learn from, contribute to and build long-lasting relationships at Osmania Medical College. Tiphanie Yanique Yanique is a professor of English and creative writing in Emory College and an award-winning novelist, poet, essayist and short story writer. She was selected for the UK Fulbright British Virgin Islands Scholar Award at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). There, Yanique will conduct research and teach in connection with her project titled, Writing and Reading the Body in the BVI. I am most excited about doing research for two intersected projects I am working on, Yanique says. The first is a collection of essays on the way Black and Brown bodies stay safe and feel joy in the outside world. This project looks at the Black Lives Matter protests in Atlanta, Carnival in the Carribbean and other spaces that impact our physical and mental health. The second is an ongoing decolonial project I do on archives with a group I am part of, called the Virgin Islands Studies Collective. Our next collective work is going to be on the natural elements. I will be focused on water, and will be using the Caribbean Sea, which surrounds and serves as pathways between the different Virgin Islands. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz took a jibe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) saying the entire opposition party can fit in a rickshaw following defections in the wake of May 9 violence. "Today, he himself is the president, general secretary, chief organiser and spokesperson of the party and the only candidate of his party," she said while referring to PTI chief Imran Khan, The News reported. She said the PTI "which was formed after the hard work of 26 years, disintegrated in 26 minutes". Khan is the mastermind of May 9 attacks on defence and civilian installations, but now he is begging for talks and meetings, she said. She strongly criticised the former Prime Minister for inciting people for attacking the state institutions, saying the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif never asked his workers to set fire to state buildings when he was removed from power. The PML-N senior vice president said youth were the bright future of Pakistan and they should join hands for protection of the country. "This fitna (evil) is buried now. Let's start a new journey of prosperity," Maryam said while referring to Khan without uttering his name. "His party has been reduced to the extent that it can be carried in a rickshaw now," she said, sarcastically, The News reported. Maryam said the one who used to say that he would make the PML-N leaders cry was now himself crying day and night. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 257 Words) 2023-06-12-13:10:05 (IANS) In the post May 9 situation, the PTI has no strategy for its revival. The party is clueless about what to do except adopt the policy of wait and see, media reports said. Those PTI leaders, who have not yet deserted because most of them are hiding, believe that minus Imran Khan will mean minus PTI, The News reported. In a party meeting of such "trusted" leaders, attended via Zoom, Imran Khan was told that he should not concede to any minus one formula. A PTI source, who attended the meeting, said the party's Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was not among the participants of the Zoom gathering, The News reported. When asked why Qureshi was missing from the meeting, the source laughingly said that only the ideological leaders attended the discussion. "Let them minus the entire PTI, we will not accept minus Imran Khan" the meeting unanimously told Khan, adding that they will not accept any minus Imran Khan formula. If they want to minus Imran Khan, let them minus the entire PTI, said the source, The News reported. Imran Khan was also of the view that no one except him and the PTI could help lead the country out of the present economic quagmire. Referring to the trust of overseas Pakistanis in him, he said that he could ensure investments of billions of dollars once come into power. They (overseas Pakistanis) will never trust the PDM leaders and their government. The party source said that Imran Khan while appreciating those who are still standing by his side, told the party leaders that his wife - Bushra Bibi - also supported him and stayed as solid as a rock, The News reported. Discussion with the PTI's insider, however, shows that the party is devoid of any strategy to get out of the present crisis. Wait and see is the only policy. The PTI and its chairman, who has been fond of street protests and long marches in the past, also realise that the May 9 events have seriously dented the party, leaving hardly any space to mobilise its supporters. Dozens of the party leaders have already left the PTI, several are behind bars whereas many are hiding. There is no clarity on how long those hiding will continue to hide, The News reported. --IANS san/arm ( 393 Words) 2023-06-12-17:58:02 (IANS) Sukhi Chahal, Founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today said, in a tweet that Sohana was abducted at gunpoint in Benazirabad district after which was she was subjected "to the unthinkable -- forced conversion to Islam and marriage". "The pain her father, Dilip Kumar, must endure is unimaginable. Helpless, he watches as his daughter is condemned to a life of suffering," Chahal tweeted. "The court's refusal to reunite Sohana with her anguished family deepens the wounds of injustice. This heinous act symbolizes the darkest depths of a society that has lost its moral compass. "How can we bear witness to such atrocities and stay silent? Where are the voices of the so-called human rights activists, who claim to champion justice? Does humanity still exist, or have we lost sight of compassion and empathy?" Chahal added. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 172 Words) 2023-06-12-12:06:03 (IANS) PNN New Delhi [India], June 12: ACTIZEET, a leading brand in natural health and wellness, is proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of its new line of Pure Essential Oils in the Indian market. Known for its commitment to quality and purity, Actizeet aims to provide consumers with a range of essential oils that offer a natural and holistic approach to well-being. Actizeet's Pure Essential Oils are carefully extracted from the finest botanical sources using state-of-the-art techniques to ensure the preservation of their therapeutic properties. Each oil is meticulously tested and certified to meet the highest industry standards, guaranteeing their purity and potency. With a focus on sustainability, Actizeet sources its ingredients ethically, supporting local communities and promoting environmental conservation. The Pure Essential Oils range from Actizeet encompasses a wide variety of options, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of consumers. From calming Lavender and invigorating Eucalyptus to refreshing Peppermint and soothing Rose, Actizeet offers a comprehensive selection of oils to enhance well-being and promote a balanced lifestyle. "We are thrilled to introduce our Pure Essential Oils range to the Indian market," said Tapas K. Biswas, CEO at Actizeet. "Our oils are carefully crafted to harness the power of nature and provide consumers with a natural and sustainable solution for their wellness needs. We are confident that our premium quality oils will resonate with the health-conscious Indian consumers and offer them an opportunity to embrace the benefits of aromatherapy." Actizeet's Pure Essential Oils can be used in a variety of ways, such as aromatherapy diffusers, massage oils, bath products, and natural skincare formulations. They are free from any artificial additives, chemicals, or synthetic fragrances, making them suitable for individuals with sensitive skin and those seeking a more organic lifestyle. To celebrate the launch of the Pure Essential Oils range, Actizeet will be offering exclusive promotions and discounts to customers across various retail channels. Additionally, the brand has partnered with leading wellness influencers and experts to educate consumers about the benefits and applications of essential oils through workshops and online campaigns. Actizeet is excited to bring its Pure Essential Oils to the Indian market, enabling individuals to embrace the power of nature and experience the transformative effects of these exceptional oils. The brand remains committed to its mission of promoting health, wellness, and sustainability, and looks forward to contributing to the well-being of Indian consumers. For more information about Actizeet and its Pure Essential Oils range, please visit https://actizeet.in ACTIZEET is a renowned brand committed to offering premium quality natural health and wellness products. With a focus on purity and sustainability, Actizeet aims to provide consumers with ethically sourced and scientifically tested solutions for their well-being. From herbal supplements to essential oils, Actizeet combines traditional wisdom with modern advancements to deliver products that support a balanced and holistic lifestyle. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) With this the total number of life insurers have gone up to 26 in the country. According to IRDAI, this is the fourth registration granted by IRDAI in the last one year in the Life and Non-life segment. Go Digit Life is promoted by Oben Ventures LLP (promoted by Kamesh Goyal) and FAL Corporation (having Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited as its ultimate parent company). Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company has also executed definitive agreements with Axis Bank Limited and HDFC Bank Limited for the acquisition of 9.94 per cent each in the equity share capital of Go Digit Life Insurance (by way of a share subscription). Go Digit Life also announced the appointment of Srinivasan Parthasarathy as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, subject to IRDAI approval. Speaking about the approval to commence life insurance business, Parthasarathy said: "We are pleased to receive the license from the IRDAI to commence life insurance business. It marks a significant milestone in our journey to bring tech-enabled simplified life insurance products to the market." --IANS vj/ksk/ ( 216 Words) 2023-06-12-11:30:03 (IANS) The fintech, under the Pepper Money brand, will be spearheaded by former FlexiLoans co-founder Abhishek Kothari. The company aims to hire a 200+ team to deliver consumer finance products that embed a localised approach to the market. With plans to launch in the second half of 2023, Pepper Money India will introduce personal finance products to target 15 crore households in tier 2 and 3 cities, which are witnessing an increase in economic growth, the company said in a statement. "With 65 per cent of the population under 35 years of age and over 90 percent smartphone adoption between 18-35 years, India has the potential to become one of the largest markets for us in the next 5 years," said Mike Culhane, Group CEO of Pepper. "Kothari's fintech experience and deep understanding of the consumer will be instrumental in building the Pepper Money brand across India," he added. Pepper Money India will also build a strong network of strategic partnerships, including co-branded card partnerships and collaborations with co-lenders. "With Pepper Money India, our vision is to transform the experience of tier 2 and 3 consumers by localising and personalising financial products for them," said Kothari. Pepper Money has offices in India, South Korea, Australia, Spain and the UK. Pepper Group has $21 billion in assets under management (AUM) of self-generated loans via its Pepper Money brand, and a further $55 billion in AUM of third-party loans under credit management via its Pepper Advantage brand. --IANS na/ ( 287 Words) 2023-06-12-12:10:02 (IANS) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a news conference with President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh/AP) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain concluded a low-key, largely successful visit to Washington D.C. On June 8, he met at the White House with President Joe Biden, who appropriately referenced the importance of the close Anglo-American partnership. The leaders agreed on greater cooperation on defense and renewable energy. Sunak did not achieve a desired broader trade agreement, but that is not surprising given the ongoing uncertainty related to Britains turbulent withdrawal from the European Union. Advertisement Above all, the meeting again confirmed the close relationship between our two nations. This endures despite domestic political turmoil. This special relationship was initially formalized and announced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the darkest days of World War II. The two leaders met on navy vessels off the Coast of Newfoundland in August 1941. Churchill returned to meet with Roosevelt in the White House and address a joint session of Congress in December of that year, shortly after Pearl Harbor. Advertisement The first of these historic meetings resulted in the Atlantic Charter, defining broad positive human goals of freedom and basic economic security. The follow-up session resulted in commitment to the concept of the United Nations, which moving forward signified the Allies goals in World War II. This close partnership between Britain and the U.S., forged during the frustrating and terrible first years of World War II, has endured down to the present despite sometimes severe strains. The evolution of the Anglo-American Special Relationship underscores important events of that global total war, and the Cold War and post-Cold War era which followed. Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a high political price for his faithful support of the administration of George W. Bush in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Yet Blair survived politically, and led his Labour Party to another general election victory. More important, the Anglo-American military alliance, and the durable wider NATO structure, was never really seriously threatened. During the mid-1960s, the Johnson administration pressed extremely hard for at least token direct military participation in the Vietnam War. Australia and New Zealand, both members of the British Commonwealth, did provide forces. In the case of Australia, there was considerably more than a token commitment. Britain remained out of that war, for understandable reasons. In hindsight, this lack of support by a close ally was an early indication of the questionable nature of the American military escalation. Lake County News-Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > From the other direction, the most serious Anglo-American and wider Atlantic alliance crisis was over the Suez Canal in 1956. Britain, France and Israel launched a coordinated surprise military attack to retake the waterway and associated territory from Egypts nationalist government. President Dwight Eisenhower was completely opposed as well as offended by lack of consultation. His administration forced an abrupt halt to the operation. No crisis since has so seriously threatened the alliance. Economics strengthens alliance cooperation. Prime Minister Margaret Thatchers deregulation of the economy in the 1980s pays powerful dividends today. Canary Wharf, formerly grim docks and working-class housing blocks in eastern London, has been transformed into a mammoth global commercial center. Advertisement Massive modern skyscrapers dominate the horizon, complemented by fashionable retail outlets. Mrs. Thatchers heavy-handed style earned her the sobriquet of Big Sister, but her forceful deregulation and opening of the economy were crucial to contemporary British prosperity and strength. McGeorge Bundy, President John Kennedys national security adviser, summed up the Anglo-American partnership as someone to talk to. The conversation continues, to mutual benefit. Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War. Contact acyr@carthage.edu NewsVoir Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 13: Indian Institute of Science - Challakere (SDC) campus received a state-of-the-art autoclave for its Aerospace division. The Skill Development centre, a product of a unique collaboration between HAL and IISc, will impart high end skills in manufacturing, including in the aerospace sector. The goal of the SDC is to create a large pool of trained personnel to address vital skill development gaps in our country, crucial for economic growth and self-sufficiency. It conducts hands-on workshops covering areas such as Aerospace Engineering, Internet of Things (IoT), and CNC machining. One of the significant facilities in the SDC is the Advanced Composite Fabrication Testing and Evaluation laboratory, which includes an aerospace grade autoclave commissioned by Chennai based KRR Engineering Private Limited. The equipment was handed over to IISC Bangalore's Challakere Campus by K R Ramaswamy, the Chairman of KRR Engineering Private Limited, in the presence of Dr. J Ramaswamy Setty, Chief Scientist of the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL). Dr. M R Bhat, Chief Research Scientist of IISC's Department of Aerospace Engineering, accepted the equipment on behalf of the institution and made it available to the students and technicians of the division through IISC's Skill Development Centre. This will greatly enhance the capabilities of the students and technicians and enable them to conduct advanced research and on hand skill development in the field of aerospace grade composite manufacturing. Prof. Raghunandan Professor Emeritus who was instrumental in building the IISc Challakere campus, Prof. D N Rao Convener of SDC Challakere Campus, Dr. Subba Reddy, Convener SDC, Challakere Campus graced the occasion. Deivanai Ramaswamy, Director Finance, Sri Sakthivel Ramaswamy CEO & team of KRR Engineering were present at the event. Prof. Raghunandan and Dr. M R Bhat thanked KRR for realizing this advanced facility of aerospace grade for the HAL-IISc Skill Development Center. It is noteworthy that KRR Engineering Private Limited is the first indigenous manufacturer of autoclaves in India. Previously, autoclaves were imported, but KRR has successfully developed indigenous technology in collaboration with the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL). The technology transfer was completed in 2018, and KRR is currently responsible for the marketing and manufacturing of autoclaves. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the manufacturing capability of aerospace-grade autoclaves in India. It showcases the country's progress in developing advanced research infrastructure and highlights the collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions in pushing the boundaries of aerospace research and development. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], June 13: Virtual India, a prominent Advisory firm specializing in Accounting, Legal, Startup Incorporation, Regulatory Compliance & Financial Services, has recently made headlines by becoming the first Indian firm in the regulatory industry to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. This move highlights Virtual India's dedication to innovation and adaptability within the dynamic financial landscape. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained substantial popularity and recognition in recent years. By embracing cryptocurrency payments, Virtual India aims to provide a more inclusive and seamless experience for clients who prefer digital assets for transactions. As businesses and individuals increasingly embrace the potential of cryptocurrencies, Virtual India recognizes the importance of offering flexible payment options that align with the evolving needs of its clients. By integrating cryptocurrency payments into its system, the firm aims to provide convenience, security, and efficiency to its valued clients. Ganesh Shanmugam, the COO at Virtual India, expressed the firm's commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and meeting the evolving needs of clients. He stated, "Our decision to accept cryptocurrency as payment is a reflection of our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and meeting the evolving needs of our clients. We believe that cryptocurrency has the potential to revolutionize the financial landscape, and we want to be a trusted partner for our clients as they navigate this exciting new frontier." To ensure secure and efficient transactions, Virtual India has partnered with industry-leading payment processors while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection. The firm has also extended its services to include advisory support on tax implications, regulatory compliance, and accounting treatments associated with cryptocurrency transactions. Virtual India's initiative to accept cryptocurrency payments sets a precedent for other firms in the accounting industry to consider integrating such payment methods. By embracing this new form of digital currency, Virtual India demonstrates its commitment to innovation, client-centricity, and embracing the future of finance. For more information about Virtual India and its services, interested individuals can visit their website at www.virtualindia.co.in or contact their Helpdesk at 7280012800. Virtual India is a leading Advisory Firm that provides comprehensive Accounting, Legal, Compliances & Financial solutions to businesses and individuals having offices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thiruvarur and have their international presence in Singapore & Malaysia. With a team of highly skilled professionals and a commitment to excellence, the firm offers a wide range of accounting, tax, auditing, and consulting services to clients across various industries. Media Contact: Ganesh Shanmugam, COO, Virtual India, 9361624563, support@virtualindia.co.in (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], June 13: Teamology Softech And Media Services, a leading PR agency in India, is thrilled to announce its outstanding achievement in winning the coveted Gold Category as the Best Independent PR Agency in India, as recognized by Adgully, a renowned media and advertising news platform. Adgully's prestigious accolades are highly regarded within the public relations industry, honoring agencies and professionals who demonstrate exceptional proficiency, creativity, and strategic communication skills. This prestigious recognition reaffirms Teamology Softech And Media Services' unwavering commitment to excellence and its relentless pursuit of delivering remarkable PR solutions for its esteemed clientele. With its innovative and result-oriented approach, Teamology Softech And Media Services has emerged as a trailblazer within the PR landscape, working with a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors. The agency specializes in developing impactful communication strategies, cultivating robust media relations, managing crises effectively, positioning brands strategically, and executing successful digital PR campaigns. The agency's success is attributed to its exceptional team of PR professionals, whose dedication and expertise consistently exceed expectations. Equipped with a profound understanding of the ever-evolving media landscape, Teamology Softech And Media Services delivers tailored PR campaigns that generate widespread brand recognition, foster positive relationships, and secure impactful media coverage. Upon receiving the Gold Category award, Gulrez Alam, CEO of Teamology Softech And Media Services, expressed his profound gratitude and shared, "We are immensely honored to receive this esteemed award, which is a testament to our team's relentless efforts and unyielding dedication. This recognition further motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in the realm of public relations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued clients for their trust and unwavering support, which has played an instrumental role in our success." Teamology Softech And Media Services remains committed to providing cutting-edge PR solutions and upholding its position as an industry leader in India. The agency's ongoing mission is to deliver unparalleled results for its clients while continuously adapting to the evolving needs of the PR landscape. Along with Best Independent PR Agency in India Teamology won below awards: 1. Winner of Gold in Promotonal Activity - For Personal Profilling 2. Winner of Silver in BFSI Services (Paisa Bazaar) - For High impact organic traffic & overall business growth 3. Winner of Silver for Best Use of PR by a Brand in IT & Teachnology - CSS Founder 4. Winner of Bronze for Best Use of Digital - Snapsave.app Teamology Softech And Media Services is a leading PR agency based in India, specializing in strategic communication, media relations, crisis management, brand positioning, and digital PR campaigns. With a team of experienced professionals, Teamology Softech And Media Services delivers impactful PR solutions to clients across various industries. The agency's commitment to excellence has garnered numerous accolades, including the Gold Category as the Best Independent PR Agency in India by Adgully. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], June 13: The true marker of a nation on the right trajectory used to be only a combination of trade statistics, agricultural output, job creation, etc., While these criteria points are still relevant today, the emergence of the digital revolution has taken a higher priority than all of the above globally. A quick example of this higher priority can be seen in China where the digital economy accounted for 40% of their overall GDP. India has taken progressive steps equivalently through the Gati Shakti Initiative where all modes of logistics regarding trade ranging from railways, air transfers, and the sea are connected through one digitized channel. Following this vision, the government of India has introduced an innovative initiative called ONDC, aimed at small and medium businesses (SMEs) all over India. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a network that operates on an open protocol. Its purpose is to facilitate local commerce across various sectors, including mobility, grocery, food ordering and delivery, hotel booking, and travel, among others. This network allows any application with network capabilities to access and interact with these segments, enabling them to be discovered and engaged. This will create a level playing field in e-commerce for millions of small and medium businesses all over India and will minimize the dominance of monopolies such as Amazon, Flipkart, etc. Consider ONDC as the UPI equivalent for e-commerce. What UPI has done for fintech in India, is what ONDC will do for e-commerce as well. By utilizing open-source protocols, ONDC aims to counteract the potential for monopoly within the e-commerce ecosystem. In the platform-centric model of e-commerce, Kirana stores, which serve as the backbone of the Indian retail system, often face a disadvantage due to their limited technological capabilities. While expressing his views on the same, financial expert Kishore Subramanian said that "ONDC will create fair competition by providing such businesses with access to processes and technologies typically deployed by large e-commerce platforms. As more of these sellers go online, their digital visibility and reach will increase across the e-commerce network". ONDC can offer further support to small business owners by standardizing key operations such as inventory management, order management, and fulfilment. This standardization helps reduce the costs associated with conducting business online. The initial pilot executions of ONDC took place in Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong. The plan is to expand ONDC's coverage to 75-100 towns across India within this year. Over the next five years, ONDC aims to onboard 900 million buyers and 1.2 million sellers, with a target gross merchandise value (GMV) of $48 billion. In 2020, the GMV for the e-tail sector in India was $38 billion, and it is projected to reach $140 billion by 2025 and $350 billion by 2030. According to the government's official statement, ONDC shall take all measures to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of data in the network. The ONDC is prohibited from enforcing the sharing of detailed transaction data from its participants. Instead, it will collaborate with participants to release aggregated metrics on network performance in a way that protects confidentiality and privacy. Similar to UPI, the probability for ONDC to go global is quite high, ushering in a new wave of innovation and prosperity for the common man through a digital revolution. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) RBI Governor said the Indian economy had made rapid gains and has gradually integrated with the global economy over the years. RBI Governor made the remarks at the opening plenary address of Summer Meetings organised by Central Banking, London, UK today. "...India's growth in the last few years is mainly driven by robust domestic demand, especially private consumption and investment, amidst the global slowdown," he said at the event, whose excerpts were shared by the RBI. For 2023-24, Das expects India's real GDP to grow by 6.5 per cent. "In all likelihood, India will remain among the fastest growing large economies in 2023." As per the provisional estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) recently, real GDP growth for 2022-23 stood at 7.2 per cent, higher than the 7 per cent projected. Despite strong global headwinds and tighter domestic monetary policy tightening, various international agencies have forecasted India to be one of the fastest-growing economies in 2023-24, supported by robust growth in private consumption and sustained pick-up in private investment. Further, speaking about regulatory and supervisory initiatives, Das said the latest supervisory data indicates that all banks meet the various prudential requirements. "Stress tests also indicate that even in severe stress conditions, Indian banks will be able to meet the minimum requirements," he added. (ANI) BusinessWire India Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 13: Founded with a mission to foster a supportive and beneficial environment for its members, the Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA) has evolved into an indomitable force within the FMCG industry. Since 1997, NEDA's testament to their commitment is the impressive resolution of over Rs 100 Crores in unsettled damages from FMCG companies to distributors. Achieved through determined efforts and astute planning, this milestone epitomizes NEDA's dedication to the security and development of its members who are distributors of FMCG companies. Guiding these endeavours is a formidable leadership team, helmed Dr Vijay Kumar Gupta, President of NEDA, Poonam Kumar Taneja, General Secretary of NEDA and Pradip Kr. Das working President of NEDA. Accompanying them are Prakash Gupta, Chairman Grievance of NEDA and a dedicated team of 125 NEDA Executive delegates. Together, they have successfully championed the rights of their members, navigating the complex landscape of the FMCG industry, and setting new benchmarks for collective growth and success. In 2022, Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA) marked its 25th anniversary with a grand celebration during its 20th Annual General Meeting in Sonapur, Guwahati, Assam. This commemorative occasion was a significant milestone in NEDA's journey, made even more special by the presence of distinguished guests from the All India Consumer Products Distributors' Federation (AICPDF). Among the notable attendees were Dhairyashil Patil, the AICPDF President from Maharashtra, Dr P.M. Ganeshraam, the Chief Patron from Tamil Nadu, J.K. Vaishnav, the General Secretary from Rajasthan, and Chetan Kapdi, the Secretary of Company Affairs from Goa. This assembly also included distinguished FMCG distribution delegates from across 27 states, adding further prestige to the event. This landmark meeting of the NEDA held in Assam was a true testament to the robust evolution and growth of the association. By hosting delegates and dignitaries from across the country, Assam demonstrated its influential position in the FMCG distribution network. This significant gathering was not only a matter of pride for Assam, showcasing its ability to facilitate such an important event, but it also signified its integral role in this rapidly expanding industry. Recently the 2nd Executive Meeting held at Guwahati Assam marked a significant milestone for the Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA). The event boasted a record attendance of over 60 members across various states and districts from Northeast India essentially Guwahati, Tezpur, Hojai, Nowgaon, Meghalaya, Golaghat, Shivsagar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Dimapur, Dhubri, Imphal, Silchar, Tinsukia, B Charali, Badarputi, and Kokrajhar, indicative of the increasing influence and reach of the organization. A highlight of the meeting was a thought-provoking discussion led by Taneja. He underscored the dangers of FMCG companies prioritizing financial strength over professional experience when choosing distributors. Emphasizing that distributor know-how often outweighs capital, he urged for a balanced consideration of both these factors for healthier, more effective distribution networks. The meeting also honoured Prakash Gupta, NEDA's Grievance Chief, for his outstanding role in resolving disputes between distributors and FMCG companies. His continuous service plays a pivotal role in sustaining a harmonious industry environment, proving him an invaluable member of the association. An additional thrill to the meeting was the virtual presence of Dhairyashil Patil, President of the All India Consumer Products Distributors' Federation. Known for his enthusiasm and passion for the FMCG sector, Patil imparted crucial industry insights to the NEDA members. Notably, he shared key information about the amicable solution to the inconsistent trade rates between e-commerce giants and traditional distributors for FMCG products. Dr Vijay Kumar Gupta, NEDA's President, intertwined philosophical wisdom with practical advice. He urged members to undertake a SWOT analysis, focusing on individual will power to fuel the association's growth. He emphasized the association's vision to overcome challenges and elevate the FMCG distribution industry to newer heights. NEDA's strategic plan outlines the key objectives of membership expansion, fostering networking opportunities, encouraging fellowship activities, and promoting profitable growth for both distributors and FMCG companies. This proactive approach is designed to enhance the association's collective resources, provide supportive environments, build a resilient organization, and support members in their pursuit of success and growth. NEDA's unwavering commitment to its members and its bold, strategic vision promises a more robust, collaborative, and successful FMCG distribution industry in the northeast region of India. (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) SRV Media New Delhi [India], June 13: From lattes to cocktails, fashion and even paint colours, pistachios are having a moment. Food industry leaders like Baum + Whiteman and Lyons Magnus recently predicted pistachios will be the top nut of 2023 in food trend research. Beyond the taste and nutritional benefits of the nut, trends are extending into the colour - and even smell - of pistachios, with the nutty aroma now being used in candles and perfumes. Looking back at where the pistachio craze began, the pandemic forced consumers to reevaluate their health and wellbeing; people were forced to consider not only what they ate and how it affected them, but also how it affected the planet. The result was a movement toward plant-based proteins, and as a source of complete protein, pistachios fit the bill. Further, the sustainability of pistachios stands out from other crops; pistachios are a permanent crop that spans generations of farmers and as a high desert plant, are relatively drought tolerant. The increasing popularity of pistachios in India has also been remarkable. Since American Pistachio Growers (APG) started its consumer outreach campaign in the country in 2019, the market for pistachios has grown rapidly. The rise of pistachios in Indian cuisine brings together traditional flavours and modern influences, resulting in a delightful and flavourful experience. Moreover, with the outreach, Indian consumers now recognize the nutritional benefits offered by these delightful nuts. Pooja Makhija, renowned Nutritionist, Functional & Lifestyle Practitioner and Eminent Writer says "Foods that are rich in antioxidants help protect healthy cells from free radical damage, and proteins are like the building blocks that help with muscle regeneration and repair. It is amazing that pistachios have both these powers. Since they are shelf stable and easily portable, a handful of American pistachios should be consumed daily by all." In addition, they also have beneficial fats, fibre and other important nutrients that our body needs every day, Makhija added. Sumit Saran, In-Country Marketing Representative of American Pistachios Growers remarked. "We have seen tremendous demand for American pistachios, as consumers in India are getting more aware. India has no commercial production of pistachios. In the past, pistachios used to be imported mainly from Iran. American pistachios are different from other origins. They are loved across the world for their excellent taste, high quality, consistency of size and food safety. They are great as a snack or as an ingredient. American pistachios are now easily available across India on all major e-commerce platforms or with major dry fruit retailers. All consumers have to do is search for California pistachios and choose from the many brands that sell them here." American Pistachio Growers is a non-profit trade association representing more than 865 members who are pistachio growers, processors and industry partners in California, Arizona and New Mexico. American-grown pistachios are sold under many quality brand names internationally, so look for country of origin on packaging. For more information, visit AmericanPistachios.org. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) A Forest Park man who works at a Park Ridge private school for children with special needs is out on bond after the Cook County States Attorneys office indicted him for two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, including one that specified a victim under 13. Court records show the alleged crimes did not take place at the school. Court records show that Anthony Mezas mother posted $25,000 in bail May 24, the evening he was charged. Advertisement Meza has worked as a support staff member at the Jeanine Schultz School, a private therapeutic day school on the 2100 block of Oakton Street in Park Ridge, since 2021, according to the schools director, Michael Biskupski. The alleged crime took place in Des Plaines, according to a complaint presented in court. Biskupski appeared in court to deliver an affidavit to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Calabrese vouching for Mezas performance as an employee, and Biskupski had earlier told Pioneer Press Meza would be able to return to work if he posted bond. Advertisement This week, Biskupski said Schultz School students are off for the summer. Though the school does run a summer program, Meza isnt currently at work, he said. Anthony is on administrative leave until the adjudication (finishes), Biskupski said. Mezas next court date is June 22, court records show. Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, who is known for the ;'John Wick' movies, has shared that the director of the film 'John Wick: Chapter 4', Chad Stahelski, is obsessed with poking the character of John Wick through many angles and the situations of other characters. Dishing out some interesting details on the 'John Wick' series, the actor said, "Chad really hooked into this idea of trying to study John Wick through the situations of other characters, and he was really drawn to the good, the bad, and the ugly. "And so, enters Donnie Yen as Cain, and Shamir Anderson as the tracker, we have Hiroyuki Sanada, who I worked with on '47 Ronin', he has a daughter who's working with him, and that's the incomparable Rina Sawayama, and then the antagonist of the piece, the Marquis, Bill Skarsgard." He continued, "You're kinda following their stories as they're trying to get John Wick and, Cain and John Wick have a past, the tracker is kind of a younger character, who's kind of outside of it was not an assassin but and kind of takes a deal to force to become an assassin." He added, "And these characters come after John. And then there are moments where we have to work together against the table. So that dynamic is a way of opening up the world. Who are these other characters that exist in this world? And then how do they interact with John? How does John interact with them?" 'John Wick: Chapter 4' will stream in India from June 23 2023 on Lionsgate Play. --IANS aa/arm ( 278 Words) 2023-06-12-19:28:05 (IANS) "My baby Wilson captioned the two images, which show her holding her daughter close, reports People magazine. In the first sweet shot, Wilson looks away from the camera as Royce looks curiously at the lens. The infant wore a patterned romper, nude hair bow and a pink and white spotted bib with her name appliqued on it in red. As per People, Wilson wore a brown and blue sweater with over a t-shirt and had styled her hair into soft waves. In the second photo, both mom and daughter gazed intently at the camera. In the comments section, it was revealed that Royce's bib was a gift from Hollywood hairstylist Cheryl Marks. "#Gorgeous the bib I bought #Royce!!!" she wrote in the comments section, to which Wilson responded with three heart emojis. Wilson's 'Pitch Perfect' co-stars also commented on the sweet photoshoot. "Oh come on" Brittany Snow wrote, while Adam Devine added: "KAUUUUTIE!!! (sic)." Meanwhile, Wilson's fiancee Ramona Agruma, whom she welcomed Royce via surrogate with in November 2022, added a simple but meaningful reaction to the intimate snaps: two heart emojis. --IANS aa/kvd ( 225 Words) 2023-06-12-11:08:05 (IANS) The 'Inception' actor Elliot Page, 36, was brought up as a girl by her teacher mother Martha Philpotts and his graphic designer dad Dennis Page before he came out as gay in 2014 followed by gender transition in December 2020. The actor has now said that his memoir 'Pageboy' has helped clear the air with his family for the "first time" about his journey, reports Female First UK. He told The Guardian: "I'm nervous, but grateful for the opportunity to have written it. "It was really healing getting a lot of stuff out. It's been very beneficial for my relationship with my mom. It has allowed us to talk about things for the first time in a meaningful, sincere way." As per Female First UK, the book tells how Elliot would try to pee standing up at the age of four. He said in the autobiography: "I would press on my vagina, holding it, pinching and squeezing it, hoping I could aim." Elliot went on to self-harm from a young age and stopped eating as he battled with his image. As a youngster he wanted to look like Elliot, the young hero of Steven Spielberg's film 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' and has a tattoo on his biceps that says 'EP phone home'. His book tells how he was abused by men and a woman as a teen and how he had relationships with famous actresses and one "closeted" star he refers to in the book only as 'Ryan'. But the memoir also tells how Elliot has found solace in mixing with actors he admires including Hugh Jackman, 54, and 62-year-old Julianne Moore. --IANS aa/kvd ( 288 Words) 2023-06-12-11:28:03 (IANS) "More than 12 weeks have passed since the last confirmed case was recorded in Lebanon," the Health Ministry was quoted by the National News Agency as saying on Sunday. The Ministry said it will continue to monitor acute watery diarrhoea through active surveillance and will intensify awareness campaigns against the disease, Xinhua news agency reported. A total of 671 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Lebanon in the latest round of break that started on October 6, 2022. In November 2022, the Ministry received more than 6,00,000 doses of cholera vaccines from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision. These vaccines were distributed to target refugees and host communities in hotspot areas and regions affected by the outbreak, covering nearly 90 per cent of the vaccination needs. --IANS int/khz/ ( 167 Words) 2023-06-12-03:56:02 (IANS) This is the first meeting after nine people were killed after an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on May 16. Earlier on Saturday, ahead of the panchayat elections in West Bengal, the CID bomb squad launched a drive to diffuse all the country-made explosives recovered by the district administration in East Medinipur. All necessary precautions were being taken to see to it that the bombs are disposed of in a safe manner. The West Bengal panchayat elections will be held in a single phase on July 8. The counting of votes will be done on July 11. Panchayat polls in West Bengal will witness a fierce contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress as they will be seen as a litmus test for both parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI) Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party chief Bandi Sanjay on Monday slammed those creating controversy regarding MP Prakash Javdekar's visit to Vemulawada temple and said that "useless people" don't know the difference socks and sandals. The matter pertains to Prakash Javdekar's visit to the famous Vemulawada temple on Sunday. He allegedly didn't remove his footwear inside the temple, which lead to a backlash from the Opposition parties. Reacting over the controversy, Bandi Sanjay told reporters, "They are useless people who don't know the difference between socks and sandals. They should be ashamed. We cannot reply to useless people. He (Prakash Javadekar) is 73 years old and a devotee. He is not a fool to wear sandals to the temple. The facts will be known if you ask the priest of Vemulawada temple. First, let them (BRS) give the promised Rs100 crores to Vemulawada temple." The Telangana BJP president said that the party is moving forward showing all the development programmes carried out by the central government. "Many Union Ministers and national leaders are coming to the state. Leaders from our state are visiting other states too. As part of this, we have visited the Karimnagar smart city today. The central government has given funds for the smart city. BJP works with the idea that the country will develop only when all states develop. So, without discriminating between a BJP or a non-BJP ruled state, the Centre is giving funds to all," he said. Bandi Sanjay added, "We are working with the aim to make India a 'Vishwaguru' and also that India develops in all sectors by 2047. The centre selflessly without looking at any political party is doing development works in all regions. All political parties should be seen equally and work together for the development of the state and the country." (ANI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday slammed the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Kerala government in an apparent reference to the action against journalist in connection with the mark list controversy. The former Minister of State alleged that "proceedings" are being carried out against journalists who are doing their jobs "professionally" in Kerala. He stated that freedom of the press is indispensable to democracy and the state. Taking to Twitter, Tharoor stated, "Disappointed to hear of proceedings against journalists doing their jobs professionally in Kerala. Freedom of the press is indispensable to our democracy and vital for our state. Government should stop such harassment." The Congress leader also posted a picture carrying the famous quote of French writer Voltaire, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Notably, the Kerala government is facing backlash after the state police booked five people including an Asianet News journalist and principal of the government-run Maharaja's College in Ernakulam based on a complaint by student union leader PM Arsho in connection with the mark list controversy. Kerala Police named Maharajas College, Ernakulam former coordinator Vinod Kumar, college principal VS Joy, KSU state president Alotious Xavier, Fazil C A and Asianet News reporter Akhila Nandakumar accused in the complaint filed by Students' Federation of India (SFI) state secretary and student of Maharajas College student PM Arsho alleging conspiracy. The case has been registered under sections 120-B, 465, 469, and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 120(o) of the Kerala Police (KP) Act 2011 including criminal conspiracy, forgery and defamation. The controversy erupted after the website of the college showed the results where PM Arsho was marked pass but the marks appeared to be zero. While Arsho claimed that he did not even register for this exam so he did not write the exam. Initially, the principal stated that Arsho had registered for the exam but later said it was a technical error on the NIC part and many other students had such an issue. And added that Arsho's claims were right and that he did not register for the exam. Meanwhile, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists has opposed the case filed against the reporter in the issue and said the action against the reporter is undemocratic and encroachment towards press freedom. Asianet News Network managing editor Manoj K Das said that the case against the reporter is a brazen violation of freedom of the press and added that they will fight this and continue practising their brand of journalism. "Case against Akhila is a brazen violation of freedom of the press. It reveals a pattern to silence free media. Asianet News network has been under attack from government agencies for a long time. We will not sit quietly. We will fight this also and continue practising our brand of journalism straight, bold and relentless," Manoj K Das said. (ANI) McCullough Academy second-grade teacher Lenetha Patterson holds a sign during a public meeting at the Gary Westside Leadership Academy in Gary, Indiana Wednesday May 18, 2022. The Distressed Unit Appeal Board is considering a two-year contract for MGT Consulting which currently manages the state-run district. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune) Ten Gary residents are seeking the Gary Common Councils sole appointment to the newly reconstituted Gary Community School Corporation Board. Prospective appointees answered questions from the council during a Monday meeting of the Boards and Commissions Committee attended by all nine council members. The appointment will mark a significant step towards the return of local control to the GCSC. In 2017, the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board took over the financially struggling school district, hiring the Florida-based MGT Consulting to manage it. It is the only such case in the state. Advertisement That arrangement is slated to come to an end when a new appointed GCSC school board takes over on July 1. Senate Enrolled Act 327, signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb in May, gives the Gary mayor and city council one appointment each with Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner getting the remaining three appointments. Among the Jenners appointments, one must be a Gary resident, one must be from Gary or elsewhere in Lake County, and one has no residency requirement. The board will serve in an advisory capacity to the districts emergency manager during its first year, and could regain its full governing authority by July 2024, depending on an assessment by the Distressed Unit Appeal Board. The districts advisory board and fiscal board were dissolved upon the bills passage on May 5. During the meeting, the council members questioned the prospective appointees on their qualifications, and the actions they would take if appointed. Advertisement Jonathan Boose, who served on the now-defunct former GCSC advisory board as well as the Gary Public Library Board, said that his appointment by the council would mean greater continuity and stability for the school board. The new school board will have the responsibility of choosing a new GCSC superintendent. Most candidates voiced their intent to seek a Gary resident for the superintendent role. I think it should be a local person, Mary Ann Canty-Reedus, a retired teacher, told the council. I think they should have a teaching background. The new board will have discretion over properties owned by the GCSC, one of Garys largest landholders, a role that has provoked controversy in the past. In 2022, the school district sold the vacant Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School to an Illinois-based food company who plans to use the site for a commercial kitchen, prompting an outcry from some of the propertys neighbors, who voiced concerns about the facilitys impact on their neighborhood. The city council has not yet approved the rezoning of the property for commercial use, which would allow the business to operate on the site. Councilwoman Tai Adkins, D-4th, asked Myles Tolliver, the dean of culture and community liaison at the Gary Lighthouse Charter School, about how he would approach the sale of school properties. He stressed that he would work to keep both council members and Gary residents abreast of any development plans. If Im on the school board, Ill bring out newsletters monthly to let the community know whats going on, Tolliver said. All 10 candidates boasted some form of education experience. Glenn Johnson, former president of the Lake Ridge School Board, pointed to his experience navigating that school districts own financial struggles as evidence that he would be a good candidate steward of the GCSCs resources. I think that whats needed with the Gary School Board coming out of receivership is a steady hand, someone that knows people down in Indianapolis and also had strong tries to communities to help move the situation forward, he said. Advertisement Dwight Pointer, a pastor and former social worker, stressed the need for treating Gary students emotional needs. We need more therapy, he said. We need more places, where our children can communicate their feelings. When we can do that, then we can see the success of our students. Vanessa Allen McCloud is the president and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and a former as supervisor of Grants and Community involvement at the GCSC. She cited her budget work with the GCSC and oversight of the Urban Leagues scholarship programs as qualifications for the school board role. Greg Easton, a retired principal of Hammonds Morton High School, highlighted some of the challenges faced by the GCSCs teachers. He voiced his desire to improve working conditions. When teachers feel supported, they also have class sizes that are not 35 to 40, he said. They also dont teach seven periods a day. They also are paid a fair compensation. Kathy Grimler, a longtime teacher with the Lake Central School Corporation, said she would champion programs aimed at fostering engagement between GCSC students and the broader Gary community. Advertisement I would really like to help programs all over the city where were getting kids to actually come out and meet the residents of Gary and help them with different projects that theyre working on, she told the council. Latasha Hall, a former school employee, served as a referendum ambassador for the successful 2020 referendum that raised local property taxes in order to bolster the GCSCs revenue. Jacquese White is a member of Gary Public Library Board of Trustees. In February, she filed a lawsuit, alleging that she was illegally removed from the now-defunct Gary Community School Corp.s advisory board. Along with Canty-Reedus, she applied for appointment to the Gary Redevelopment Commission in addition to the school board. Both declined to say which appointment would be their preference. I would respectfully leave that to the Gary Common Council, White said. I think Im a great fit for both. After the candidates finished speaking, Councilwoman Lori Latham, D-At Large, praised the group. I am so happy and proud that with today, we showed that we have an outstanding number of qualified, committed, well-intentioned residents in the city who are more than qualified to serve on our school board, said Latham. Advertisement The council plans to vote on a school board appointment at its next meeting. Additional individuals who applied for the appointment but did not attend the Monday meeting will not be considered for the role, committee chair Linda Barnes-Caldwell, D-5th, told the Post-Tribune. Applicants who are not selected by the council will have the option to apply for appointment by the Indiana Secretary of Education. Freelance reporter Carole Carlson contributed. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday rejected Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's claim that the Indian government put pressure on the microblogging platform to block accounts covering the farmers' protests terming it as an "an outright lie" and "an attempt to brush out the very dubious period" of the social media company's history. In an interview with YouTube channel 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', on Monday, Dorsey who stepped down from Twitter's board last year, alleged that the Indian government had put pressure on Twitter and said that it will shut down the company in India and raid the houses of its employees. ".....India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, India is a big marketplace for us. We would raid the homes of your employees, which they did and we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit and this is India, a democratic country, " Dorsey is heard saying in the interview to the YouTube channel. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar today said that Twitter under Jack Dorsey and his team were "in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law and that they complied only after June 2022. "No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he said in a tweet. He took to Twitter today to post: "This is an outright lie by @jack- perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history. @twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied. No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he wrote. He further said that Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. "It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it. India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India," Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote. Referring to the farmer's protest in January 2021, he said that since there was a lot of misinformation the government of India was obligated to remove such information from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. GoI was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India, when they did it themselves when similar events took place in the USA," Chandrasekhar said in his tweet. He further clarified that no one was raided or sent to jail the focus was to ensure compliance with Indian laws. "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring compliance with Indian laws. There is ample evidence now in public domain abt Jack twitter's arbitrary, blatantly partisan n discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period," he wrote. "Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian law, but was partisan in how it was using "deamplify" n deplatforming of some arbitrarily in violation of Art 14,19 of our constitution and also assisting in weaponising of misinformation. Our govts policies remain clear for all Intermediaries operating in India - compliance with laws to ensure the Internet is Safe&Trusted, Accountable," he wrote further. In November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the three Central farm laws. In his address to the nation, PM Modi said then, "Today I want to tell everyone that we have decided to repeal all three farm laws." Farmers staged a protest in large numbers against the government's three farm laws since the Centre passed the laws in 2020. The three farm laws are -- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act provides for setting up a mechanism allowing the farmers to sell their farm produces outside the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Any licence-holder trader can buy the produce from the farmers at mutually agreed prices. This trade of farm produces will be free of mandi tax imposed by the state governments. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act allows farmers to do contract farming and market their produces freely. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act is an amendment to the existing Essential Commodities Act. (ANI) The Anti-Gangster Task Force of the Punjab Police has arrested gangster Harpreet Singh, a close associate of fugitive gangster Goldy Brar and mastermind of Pardeep Singh murder case of Kotkapura, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Monday. On November 12, 2022, six gangsters had killed Pardeep Singh. An FIR was registered under provisions of the India Penal Code (IPC), the Arms Act and UAPA. Further details were awaited --IANS vg/dpb ( 82 Words) 2023-06-12-13:36:04 (IANS) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh's 'scams list is longer than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's abuses', said Congress national General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Monday. While addressing a mammoth gathering in Jabalpur, where she started the party's poll campaign for Assembly elections later this year, the Congress leader said in the 220 days of the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, a total of 225 scams were reported in Madhya Pradesh. "This is what the BJP government did in the three years after toppling the Congress government in a conspiracy. You (BJP) had toppled our government and came back into power, but what you did in the last three years. One after another scam, unemployment at high level, this is what the BJP did," Priyanka said. She also slammed CM Chouhan for making the announcement of 'Ladli Behna Yojana' just five months ahead of the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. "You were in power for the last 18 years, why don't you start the scheme then, and why are you making these promises when the elections are getting closer?" she asked. Priyanka also hit on the BJP saying that the saffron party has created a 'propaganda' of religion for its vote bank. "The reality of Madhya Pradesh is quite different from what is being told by the media, advertising and hoardings. I came to know that only 21 jobs were given in the last three years in MP. This is really horrific. The complete picture is before you (people of Madhya Pradesh) and now you decide your future," Priyanka added. --IANS pd/dpb ( 279 Words) 2023-06-12-13:42:04 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has updeld the legitimacy of the issuance of a separate ID card by the Indian Railways while it acknowledged the validity of disability certificates issued by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) across the country to serve as a single document for identification and verification of differently abled individuals to access various benefits. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) had challenged a circular issued by the Indian Railways, which required disabled individuals to obtain a separate photo identity card issued by the railways in order to avail concessions for rail travel. "The aforesaid statutory provision of law makes it very clear that the certificate is issued certifying the disability and the certificate is valid across India," a bench of Chief Justice Subhash Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad acknowledged DEPwD's certificate. However, its said that "Railways has issued a circular dated 19.03.2015 and in order to ensure that disabled persons are not required to submit their disability certificate each and every time while buying a ticket, a policy decision has been taken by the Railways to issue a Photo Identity Card for the purpose of purchase of tickets and the Photo Identity Card is issued on the basis of certificate if disability issued under Section 58 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016". It supported the Railways' stance saying that the procedure adopted by it was a fair and transparent procedure and in fact, the circular dated March 19, 2015, has been issued by the Railways to ensure that a differently abled person is not required to show the disability certificate every time while buying a ticket. While disposing of the Public Interest Litigation, the court said that it does not find any reason to interfere with the circular dated March 19, 2015, issued by the Railways and, therefore, no further orders are required to be passed. It was the NPRD's case that the issuance of a separate ID card by the railways contradicts the purpose of the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) issued by the DEPwD, which is intended to serve as a single document for identification and verification of the differently abled individuals to access various benefits. The DEPwD has made possession of the UDID card mandatory for availing benefits under all Central government schemes since April 1, 2023. The petitioner contented that the Railways are violating the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPD Act). The NPRD plans to challenge the court's decision in the Supreme Court. --IANS spr/ksk/ ( 441 Words) 2023-06-12-13:54:03 (IANS) The victim has been is identified as Ahmad and his brother Ayub was also seriously injured in the incident that occurred on Sunday night near the Yeshwanthpur Soap Factory in the limits of Subramanyanagar police station. According to the police, the victims took an auto to reach their residence in Yeshwanthpur locality from their workplace. The accused auto driver, Ashwath, had demanded double the amount of the fare. The brothers questioned him on this and asked why they should be paying more money. The argument turned violent and the auto driver attacked the brothers with a weapon. The police who rushed to the spot have collected the details about the accused and arrested him. The police have taken up further investigation. The video of an auto driver crashing into a techie who attempted to book a Rapido bike service after being demanded exorbitant fare had gone viral last month raising concerns about the safety of people. --IANS mka/ksk/ ( 200 Words) 2023-06-12-14:36:02 (IANS) The Janata Dal (United) MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Monday said BJP's Bihar president Samrat Chaudhary's degree was fake, and asked him to clarify within 72 hours or he will expose him. While referring to his election affidavit, Neeraj Kumar said that Samrat Chaudhary filed an affidavit with the election commission in 2005 and wrote his name as Rakesh Kumar s/o Sakuni Chaudhary. In 2010, he gave the affidavits with the name Samrat Chaudhary alias Rakesh Kumar s/o Sakuni. In the 2020 election, he had written Samrat Chaudhary s/o Sakuni Chaudhary. "This question is important keeping in view that he has claimed a D-Litt degree from California Public University. When we searched for universities in the US, we did not find California Public University. Which new university is this? You have taken the degree but what grade have you obtained? "As he claimed to be a highly qualified person who had taken a degree from the US, we searched for your marks sheet and roll number, but failed to find it. We have heard about Oxford University, Harvard University, University of California but have not heard of any university having the name California Public University. You have mentioned the name of California Public University in the affidavit. Such a university is fake," Kumar said. "When you go to any university website in the USA, you will find EDU. Here in the affidavit of Samrat Chaudhary, it was mentioned US," Kumar said. While taking a dig at Samrat Chaudhary, Kumar said: "When he was in his student life, he spent time in games. Now, you are in public life, how much you will play political games. We have heard of the famous university which is called 'The University of California' but not the name of California public university," Kumar said. "Our country is already facing uneasy situations due to fake degrees of PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Smriti Irani, Vinod Tawre, etc. We have passed MA degree in political science but anyone has passed 'Entire Political Science'..." Kumar said. --IANS ajk/dpb ( 356 Words) 2023-06-12-14:50:03 (IANS) With farmers at the 'mahapanchayat' on Monday threatening agitation if sunflower is not procured at the minimum support price (MSP) in Haryana, wrestler Bajrang Punia extended support by saying they felt bad "if you were forced to block roads for your demands". Nearly 50,000 farmers from Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, besides Haryana and its neighbouring states, gathered in Pipli town and gave an ultimatum to the government that "if it doesn't listen to their demands, a big call could be taken to block the national highway again or block the government Secretariat in Kurukshetra". The sunflower growers are not happy with the relief announced on June 10 by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, saying it was an attempt to prevent the 'mahapanchayat' called by farm associations. The farmers have been demanding that the state government procure their sunflower crop at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal, as announced for the crop by the central government for 2022-23. Addressing the 'mahapanchayat', BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said the government should release the farmer leaders who were arrested for blocking the national highway and ensure procurement at the MSP, or protests would be held across the country. Days after protesting, sunflower growers were baton-charged and forcibly evicted for blocking the National Highway-44 near Kurukshetra, crowds of farmers on Monday started gathering again in support of the demand. Tikait had already threatened a larger agitation than the year-long protest against the now repealed farm laws if the government did not announce a legal guarantee of the MSP for procurement of crops. As a preventive measure, the government has imposed Section 144 in Pipli, a ruling that prohibits public gatherings in a given jurisdiction. Farm leaders have also warned the authorities to release their nine leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) state president Gurnam Singh Charuni, who were sent to custody for 14 days for blocking the national highway on June 7, otherwise a massive rally would be held on June 12. Besides charges pertaining to rioting, they are facing cases for unlawful assembly, use of criminal force to deter public servants from discharging duty and attempt to murder. Supporting the cause of farmers, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday said, "Is it a crime to ask for MSP now? Is it a crime to raise the voice of the farmer? Is democratic protest a crime?" "If this is a crime, then every farmer will commit this crime again and again. Khattar-Dushyant's jail will be reduced. The struggle of the farmers is not going to reduce," Surjewala tweeted. Amidst the rift between the state government and farmers, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said the government was studying the market for adequately compensating sunflower growers. While digitally releasing Rs 29.13 crore as an interim 'bharpai' (compensation) to 8,528 sunflower farmers growing the crop on 36,414 acres of land on Saturday, the Chief Minister gave a clear message that some people are trying to create confusion among the farmers claiming that his government does not care for the farmers. "I would like to clarify that despite challenges, the Centre or the state government is taking pro-farmer policies." The government has included sunflower in the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana under which farmers will be paid Rs 1,000 per quintal if produce is selling below the MSP. Kurukshetra district has the highest production of sunflower and its main procurement centre is Shahbad. Besides, the sunflower purchase centres have been set up at places of Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, and Panchkula districts. Hafed has started procurement of sunflower crops for the first time and has announced to remain in the market till the procurement process is completed in the mandis. It has been procuring sunflowers at the rate of Rs 4,850 per quintal in Shahbad. With the Chief Minister giving interim relief of Rs 1,000 per quintal under the Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana, now the purchase of sunflower in Haryana has raised to Rs 5,800 per quintal. At present, sunflowers are being purchased in Punjab between Rs 3,800 and Rs 4,200. To pacify the farmers, the Chief Minister on Sunday announced the opening of a sunflower oil factory in Kurukshetra, which will have a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes. --IANS vg/dpb ( 718 Words) 2023-06-12-14:58:05 (IANS) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday kick-started party's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections by performing a pooja at the Narmada river and addressing a mega rally. While addressing a mammoth gathering in Jabalpur district, which is also called 'sansakardhani' of Madhya Pradesh, the Congress leader hit out at the ruling BJP over issues ranging from scams to growing unemployment and atrocities against women and tribals in the state. "I was surprised to know that Shivraj Singh Chouhan's scam list is longer than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's abuses. In the last 220 days, 250 scams occurred in Madhya Pradesh. This is the development the BJP government brought around in the last three years after toppling the Congress government," Priyanka said. The Congress leader asserted that corruption affects the life of common people and ruins their future. Political parties make promises during the elections and forget after winning, that is what happening here in Madhya Pradesh. "I heard that a couple of days back, BJP announced a scheme here in Jabalpur. I would ask CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, "What have you done in the last 18 years?" the Congress leader asked. She also targetted the BJP over alleged corruption in 'Mahakal Lok' corridor saying the saffron party did not spare even the Gods. Alleging that the people of Madhya Pradesh are being "used" for the last 18 years, Priyanka said the BJP makes big promises during elections but never fulfils them. "I have seen several double, triple-engine governments, but people of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka gave a befitting reply to them," she said. Before addressing the rally, Priyanka performed the Narmada puja at Gwarighat in the city. She was accompanied by MP Congress president Kamal Nath, party general secretary in-charge of the state J.P. Agrawal and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha. She was presented with an idol of Lord Ganesh by local MLA Tarun Bhanot. The leaders pledged to keep Narmada, considered the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh, clean. Jabalpur is at the centre of the Mahakoshal region, which has a significant number of tribal voters. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the Congress won 11 of the 13 Scheduled Tribe reserved seats in the division, while the BJP bagged the other two. --IANS pd/shb/ ( 387 Words) 2023-06-12-15:04:02 (IANS) Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths probing the multi-crore school recruitment case in West Bengal has summoned the son-in-law of Sujay Krishna Bhadra a.k.a. Kalighater Kaku (uncle of Kalighat) and son of private real estate promoter Ayan Sil for questioning in the matter. While Bhadra is in ED custody now, Sill is in judicial custody for their alleged involvement in the multi-crore school recruitment case. ED sent summons to both Bhadra's son-in-law and Sila's son on Monday. Sources said that the ED sleuths will question them about their huge assets in their names which are highly disproportionate to their income. The central agency sleuths suspect that there is every possibility that a part of the proceeds in the school recruitment case have been invested in their properties and assets. Sources said that under scanner of the ED officials is the source of investment in a petrol pump christened Shukla Service Centre adjacent to Durgapur Expressway where Sil's son is having a partnership. The central agency sleuths are expected to question him on funds he received to start this petrol pump. Meanwhile, the ED sleuths have identified a common modus operandi of Bhadra, Sil and Trinamool Congress legislator and former president of West Bengal Board of Primary Education Manik Bhattacharya. "The common thing between the three is that all of them used their close family members and the bank accounts in their names to divert the scam proceeds," an ED associate said. Bhattacharya, along with his son and wife, are currently in judicial custody for their alleged involvement in the school recruitment case. ED has summoned a Kolkata-based businessman who donated a high-value bungalow worth Rs six crore to a trust christened Banglar Bondu (friend of Bengal) which was run by Bhadra. The residence of the businessman whose name has surfaced in the matter is quite close to that of Bhadra at Behala in the southern outskirts of Kolkata. Bhadra will be presented at a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on June 14 at the end of his 14-day ED custody. --IANS src/dpb ( 360 Words) 2023-06-12-15:16:01 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Vijaya Kumar said the crackdown by the ACO not only weeds out corrupt officers from the system but also sends a message across the rank and file that such practices will not be accepted. "We will not allow corruption at any level in the system," he said. The DGP attributed the strengthened ACO to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's policy of zero-tolerance towards corruption. Last year also, as many as 87 government officials were nabbed by the ACO. According to the ACO records, since March 2017, as many as 432 traps were laid in which many officials have been caught red-handed. This includes 55 police personnel and 377 from other government departments like education, district administration, Nagar Nigam and others. Recently, a junior engineer in the electricity department, Subhash Chandra Sharma, was held with Rs 1 lakh bribe while in another case, a clerk in the panchayat department of Mathura, Mohan Agarwal, was nabbed with Rs 50,000 bribe. Three government officials were caught red-handed while taking bribes in different parts of the state, including sub-inspector Ram Milan Yadav, education department auditor Vinay Kumar, and Lekhpal Pooran Singh. The DGP said that the Uttar Pradesh Police will soon get a dedicated police station of Anti-Corruption Organisation (ACO) in each police range. Similarly, in a bid to encourage people to report corruption against government officials, the vigilance establishment has also launched a dedicated 'anti bribery helpline'. --IANS amita/dpb ( 270 Words) 2023-06-12-15:26:06 (IANS) Young filmmakers have impressed the jury panel for the Asian New Talent category of the Golden Goblet Awards at the ongoing 25th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) with their well-acclaimed "mature" works, a media briefing heard on Sunday. "These 'so-called' new talents are very mature in art, and they pick up quite new themes and subjects, so we've started raising our requirements for the review work," said Jojo Hui, a member of the Asian New Talent jury panel. In the eyes of this award-winning producer from Hong Kong, new talents represent unlimited possibilities, who are ready to express everything through the lens. Hui is echoed by her fellow judge, Chinese actress Yang Zishan. "Each of the shortlisted directors is not like a new director. Their shooting method is very mature, and their works are very complete," said Yang, adding that the panel would look for the film that would best touch their hearts despite their varied preferences and perspectives. The panel also shared their criteria for judging this year's nominated films. Japanese director Kei Ishikawa said that compared with skills and techniques, he valued "strong emotions" more, which should be held by new filmmakers during the creation process and infused into their works, counting it as the part that he "most looked forward to." Chinese actor Jackson Yee also cherished emotional expression, saying that he will try to grasp and feel the emotions from the perspective of the audience for each nominated film. Kyrgyz director Aktan Arym Kubat, President of the Jury of the Asian New Talent competition, said the SIFF plays a significant role in facilitating the development of Asian films and in promoting international cultural exchanges. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded a ban on Mahapanchayat proposed to be held by right-wing groups in Uttarakhand on June 15. The Hyderabad MP said in a tweet on Monday that the Mahapanchayat to be held on June 15 should be banned immediately. "Security should be provided to the people living there. Arrangements should be made to bring back the people who have migrated from there," he said. Owaisi reminded the BJP government it is their job to send the culprits to jail and restore peace. Right-wing groups plan to hold Mahapanchayat in Uttarkashi''s Purola on June 15 amid continued communal tension in the area. Posters threatening Muslim traders to shut shops and leave the state by June 15 have also come up in Purola market. Due to the tension and threats, Muslims have shut their shops and some families have migrated from the district. According to reports, trouble started on May 26 after two men, a Muslim and a Hindu, allegedly tried to abduct a 14-year-old girl. Some people alleged that it was a case of ''Love Jihad''. Though the accused were arrested, some right-wing groups staged protests and attacked shops and houses of several Muslims. A protest march in Purola on May 29 turned violent after some of the agitators attacked shops and establishments belonging to the Muslims. A similar protest was held on June 3, under the banner of Yamuna Ghati Hindu Jagriti Sangathan. Hundreds of people took part in the protest. In another tweet, Owaisi said that Muslims are aghast that the community is being targetted for the alleged criminal act committed by one among them, and that their Pasmanda (backward) identity and allegiance to the BJP have failed to insulate them from the Hindutva brigade''s manufactured fury. "Truly, the BJP''s Pasmanda rhetoric is full of sweet words and promises signifying, in reality, nothing. The Real Agenda is to Invisibilize Muslims ,make them 2nd Class citizens," he added. The MP was reacting to a media report that BJP has betrayed Pasmanda Muslims of Purola. --IANS ms/shb/ ( 354 Words) 2023-06-12-15:28:05 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath said he can't compete with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's skills of dancing, acting and making fake promises but he can compete when it comes to speaking truth. The former Chief Minister made this remark while addressing a poll rally in Jabalpur on Monday. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh and Madhya Pradesh in-charge J.P. Agrawal were also present. Kamal Nath said that the BJP government has destroyed the future of youths due to a number of scams. "In 2018, when I became Chief Minister, I found that the BJP has emptied the entire public money. There were so many challenges before me, but I had started tackling them one after another, but they (BJP) hatched a conspiracy and toppled our government. I too could have bargained to save my government, but din't do so because I do not do such politics. They (BJP) have created bad image of Madhya Pradesh because of corruptions, bargains, unemployment, etc," Kamal Nath said. He further asserted that religion is the subject of thought and not of the advertisement what the BJP is doing. Meanwhile, Kamal Nath reiterated his old statement - 'Mai Hindu hun, lekin Murkh Nahi Hun' (I am a Hindu but not a fool). Kamal Nath appealed to people of Madhya Pradesh to understand the hidden agenda of the BJP not to fall under its trap. "You (people of Madhya Pradesh) have seen the way Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government has ruined the state. Now, it's up to you to decide what kind of future you want to make for your children. This election is not about the party or individual leader, but it is about securing the future of people of Madhya Pradesh," he added. --IANS pd/uk/ ( 308 Words) 2023-06-12-15:40:03 (IANS) A 22-year-old Civil Services aspirant ended his life, following alleged torture and bullying by two police Sub-Inspectors and a Constable in Rahimabad police station area of state capital Lucknow, police said. The incident took place on Sunday and the victim, Ashish Kumar, of Gahdo village in Rahimabad left a suicide note in which he described in detail, the reason due to which he ended his life and also how the police personnel forced his parents to cough up Rs 50,000 to dilute a fake case against him. His mother Sushila lodged a case with the police accusing the police personnel. According to reports, Ashish came to know of a fake case registered against him and his brother Mayank by Sub-Inspector Rajmani Pal and Lallan Prasad and Constable Shyam Lal. He locked himself inside a room at his house. When he did not respond to the calls given by his family, the doors were broken and he was found hanging from the ceiling with a rope tied around his neck. Preliminary investigation revealed that Ashish's father had a rivalry with one Nandu Vishwakarma since 2018 at Malihabad and the case was sub-judice. In the recent past, some portion of Malihabad was carved out and a new police station, Rahimabad, was made. The victim's house is now under the Rahimabad police station area. It was alleged that Nandu connived with one Shyam Lal who had taken Rs 7,000 from Ashish's father Mahadev some time back and got a fake complaint of barging into his house and threatening him lodged against Ashish and his brother. It was also alleged that Nandu gave money to the police who bullied Ashish. "Ashish was bullied by the SIs and was threatened to be framed in a case of dacoity. Ashish was scared and saw his future bleak and so he ended his life," the deceased's mother said. She alleged that SI Rajmani demanded Rs 50,000 from the family to dilute the case against him. Taking cognisance of the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Zone, Rahul Raj, has sent two police Sub-Inspectors Rajmani, Lallan Prasad and Constable Shyam Lal to the lines and ordered a probe by the Malihabad ACP. --IANS amita/khz/ ( 379 Words) 2023-06-12-05:42:02 (IANS) Mizoram government has sought Rs 10 crore from the Centre to provide relief to the 10,700 people, sheltered in the state after being displaced due to the ethnic violence in Manipur since May 3. Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana on Monday said that while seeking the central assistance of Rs 10 crore to provide relief and shelter to the displaced people from Manipur, state Chief Minister Zoramthanga wrote two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 16 and May 23. "The Union government has not yet responded to the Chief Minister's request," Lalchamliana, who also holds the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation portfolio, told the media. The tiny northeastern state has been providing shelter to 34,278 refugees from Chin state of Myanmar as well as 773 refugees from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh. The Myanmarese, including women and children, are sheltered in different districts of Mizoram after the military junta seized power in the neighbouring country in February 2021. The Bangladeshi citizens took shelter in Mizoram since early this year after the Army of that country allegedly unleashed atrocities on the tribals. Both the Bangladeshi tribals and Myanmarese as well as displaced people from Manipur share ethnic similarity and ties with Mizos. The Mizoram government on a number of occasions urged the Prime Minister and all other concerned to treat the Myanmar nationals as refugees and provide financial assistance for the food and relief for the Myanmarese, but the Centre remained 'non-committal', said the minister. The mountainous Mizoram shares a 510-km and 318 km unfenced porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively. --IANS sc/dpb ( 282 Words) 2023-06-12-16:04:02 (IANS) An NTCA team, comprising retired IFS officer Shailesh Prasad, wildlife conservationist R K Singh and NTCA official Hemant Singh, are expected to reach DTR on Monday. The NTCA has asked the team to submit its report within 15 days, said a letter by Md. Sajid Sultan, Assistant Inspector General of Forest (NTCA). Prasad, who retired as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and had served in the DTR as a field director for several years, will be heading the inquiry committee, the retired IFS officer confirmed. The committee has been asked to find out the reasons and circumstances that led to the tiger casualties and ascertain if the standard operating procedure (SOP) and guidelines of the NTCA were observed while managing the 'conflict situations'. The four tiger deaths were reported between April 21 and June 9. An investigation by the probe team headed by Forest Minister Arun Saxena said the cause of deaths was 'infighting' between the animals as was confirmed by the post-mortem reports of three tigers. This team will be handing over its report to the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. NTCA was constituted under section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the Act. --IANS amita/khz/ ( 281 Words) 2023-06-12-05:52:01 (IANS) Congress on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the Manipur violence and demanded that an all-party delegation be sent to meet all the stakeholders in the crisis-hit north-eastern state. Addressing a press conference here at the party headquarters, Congress General secretary Jairam Ramesh, along with Mukul Wasnik and Manipur and Mizoram in-charge Bhakta Charan Das said, "Two weeks since the Union Home Minister went to Manipur on a three-day visit and announced a series of measures, the state continues to burn. Violence and arson continues in all peripheral areas where the two communities affected by the ethnic violence live. There is cross-firing in multiple districts. The National Highways NH-2 and NH-37 are still blocked with a serious crisis of non-availability of essential commodities." "Prime Minister Modi's silence is questionable. Why has the Prime Minister not said anything whatsoever about Manipur since the 100th episode of Mann ki Baat? What happened to Manipur ki Baat?" Ramesh said. He said, "Why has the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's appeal for 15 days of peace on May 30, 2023 completely failed." People of Manipur are asking if the Prime Minister can visit Odisha's Balasore after the train accident, then why has not visited Manipur yet. Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP said that "as we speak, the Prime Minister is chairing a meeting over the cyclone situation." He should have gone there as it would have helped in managing the crisis better, he added. Meanwhile, terming the situation in the northeastern state "disturbing", Wasnik said, "Even after 40 days no signs of peace. On May 3, violence erupted and within 24 hours Congress state unit chief and others met the Governor and submitted a memorandum to bring normalcy on May 4. Our in charge Das reached there and took stock of the situation and also assured of all help to the government," he said. Wasnik further said that on May 17-18, a delegation of Congress including him, Das, Ajoy Kumar went to Manipur and they were informed at the airport that they are not allowed to go further. Then we submitted the report with the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The Congress leader said that they met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted a memorandum with her. "We have been raising the issue since then to bring normalcy and peace in Manipur. Now 119 people have died since May 3. Many are missing and over 50,000 people have been shifted to over 349 relief camps," he said. A number of bodies are still in the mortuary of the government hospital and their bodies are yet to be handed over to their families. "The internet ban has been extended till June 15. None of the actions taken by the state government or the Union government have inspired confidence in the people of Manipur. This is evidenced by the poor recovery of arms and ammunition despite a stern warning from the Union Home Minister," he said. Lamenting at the government, Wasnik said while it took Shah 25 days to reach Manipur, Modi is still silent and his silence is a big question mark for the entire nation. "How much the government is committed is proven as HM took 25 days to reach Manipur and it takes them 40 days to form a peace committee," Wasnik said. He said that people are not getting basic essential items. "We still appeal to the government to bring normalcy there and we are ready to give all kinds of cooperation. But the government needs to wake up. Due to blockage of national highways, providing or sending essential items is quite tough. During the Tsunami, the then government sent packaged drinking water from Karnataka for people in Andaman and Nicobar islands," he said. Ramesh demanded, "The Congress demands that the Prime Minister should break his silence and visit Manipur at the earliest to make all efforts to restore trust in the administration and bring normalcy in the state. "The Congress demands that a national all-party delegation be allowed to go to Manipur to visit all the affected areas and meet all stakeholders," he added. --IANS aks/shb/ ( 699 Words) 2023-06-12-16:26:03 (IANS) BJP's Goa desk in-charge C.T. Ravi on Monday attacked the Karnataka government for hiking electricity tariff, saying that that his party will see for how long it will do Natakbaaji' over fulfilling poll promises. Addressing a press conference here, Ravi said that there were multiple factors involved in BJP's defeat in the Karnataka Assembly elections. "But we have secured our vote bank. Because of the guarantee card' of the Congress, they got votes in every booth. Had we worked like Narendra Modi, this wouldn't have happened. It is our mistake. I accept it," Ravi said. He said that free assurances' from the guarantee card are also among the reasons to face defeat in Karnataka. "We will see how long their Natakbaaji' goes on. Now the Congress government has hiked electricity tariff. Those who were getting a monthly bill of Rs 200 are now getting bills of Rs 500," Ravi said. According to Ravi, BJP will closely watch how the Congress government fulfils its poll promises, whether by hiking tariffs like electricity bill or by other means. "The Congress doesn't have the moral right to ask us nine questions. They ruled for more years than us," he said. --IANS sbk/arm ( 215 Words) 2023-06-12-16:56:04 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the only party that adhered to ideology, the rest of the parties are idealess, said party president J.P. Nadda in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district on Monday. He said the BJP-led Narendra Modi government at the Centre has taken care of the poor, women, backward and underprivileged. Nadda, who belongs to the hill state, was addressing a public rally in Kangra's Jassur's town, near here, to commemorate nine years of the Modi government. This was the party's first major rally in the state after losing to the Congress in the December assembly polls. Nadda said in 2014 PM Modi conceived the idea the BJP should have its own offices. Then national president Amit Shah did the planning and today state and district-level party offices are coming up across the country. Nadda stated that the BJP is the biggest party in the world and that is why it has decided to build 887 offices, of which more than 500 offices have been set up, including in Nurpur and Palampur. "In Himachal Pradesh too, eight offices have been completed." Playing the religious and emotional card, Nadda said the BJP had passed a resolution to build a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya at a meeting in Palampur in Kangra and "it is the strong will of Prime Minister Modi that he laid its foundation stone and very soon it will be dedicated to the nation". Taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the BJP chief said the crown prince of the Congress went to Britain and talked about saving democracy. "This is an act to hurt the dignity of the country." Nadda said before 2014, there were only scams in the corruption-ridden government. "Under the leadership of Modi-ji, a government with schemes was formed in the country after coming out of scams." "Today the Modi government is working as a strong government, a decisive government." He said under the leadership of Modi, the government has made relentless efforts to reform various sectors of the Indian economy in the past nine years. "Our policies have focused on implementing measures like the GST and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and have fostered innovation to make the New India future-ready. Today, India is the 5th largest economy in the world, with a young population at its disposal that is ready to lead us on the path of an Atmanirbhar Bharat." Nadda's rally, the first in a series of two, also marked the beginning of the party's campaign in the state for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections likely to be slated in May. The BJP holds three -- Kangra, Hamirpur and Shimla -- out of the four Lok Sabha seats in the state. The Mandi seat, where Nadda will address his second rally, is with the state ruling Congress. Nadda also inaugurated the party office at Nurpur where Union Minister Anurag Thakur and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur were present, among other state leaders. Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said Bengal is burning. "And along with it, the Bengali identity, the identity of Bengal, the pride of Bengal, the name of Bengal is being burnt." "Violence, appeasement, anarchy and corruption is the new formula under the helm of Mamta," he added. --IANS vg/bg ( 557 Words) 2023-06-12-17:04:02 (IANS) In a significant development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, as part of the efforts to restore peace and normalcy in violence-hit Manipur, has held a closed-door meeting with the state's Kuki tribal leaders and Kuki rebel groups in Guwahati. Kuki National Organisation (KNO) spokesperson Seilen Haokip, while talking to the media about the Sunday night meeting with the Assam Chief Minister, said that the discussion was "very positive, and was heading in the right direction". "We discussed the ceasefire and the end of any kind of offensive from both sides. We have responded positively. We are hopeful that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister will take positive steps to resolve the crisis," Haokip said. Sources said that leaders of the KNO and United People's Front (UPF) met Assam CM Sarma and discussed the prevailing situation in strife-torn Manipur. The meeting in Guwahati is a sequel to the government's outreach efforts to resolve the crisis at the earliest. The KNO and UPF are umbrella bodies of different Kuki militant groups. There have been allegations from different quarters that Kuki militants were involved in the recent series of violence in Manipur. A source close to Sarma, who is also the convenor of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), is likely to visit Manipur's tribal-dominated districts Kangpokpi and Churachandpur soon, and hold talks with the Civil Society Organisations and influential tribal leaders. Sarma on June 10 was on a day-long visit to Manipur during which he held a series of meetings in Imphal with his Manipur counterpart N. Biren Singh, several ministers, many MLAs and organisations, including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) as an effort to tame the hostilities in the state that has so far killed over 105 people and injured more than 320. According to political analysts, Sarma, who is close to Home Minister Amit Shah, was carrying a message from Delhi to find a solution to the ethnic violence by involving all stakeholders. Amid the Kuki militants' alleged role in inciting tribals against the government, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi in April and apprised him about the 'ground situation' and 'adverse activities' of three outfits -- the Kuki National Army (KNA), Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA). The Manipur government earlier in March decided to unilaterally withdraw from Suspension of Operation (SoS) and a tripartite agreement with three insurgent groups was in accordance with the government's assessment that these outfits are supporting the influx of Myanmarese immigrants from across the border, encouraging illegal poppy cultivation and the drug trade. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in a letter to Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Monday strongly objected to the inclusion of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and representatives of the COCOMI, an apex body of the valley-based civil society organisation, in the peace committee headed by governor. The Meitei civil society organisations alleged that the Kuki militants who are in SoO are largely involved in the recent violence in the state. There are 2,266 Kuki cadres staying in different designated camps in Manipur after the Centre and the Manipur governments signed the tripartite SoO agreement with three outfits -- KNA, ZRA and KRA -- on August 22, 2008. --IANS sc/pgh ( 563 Words) 2023-06-12-20:24:03 (IANS) A Delhi court on Monday rejected Punjab Police's request seeking transit remand of Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amrik Singh, two 'wanted' close associates of Canada-based 'listed terrorist' Arsh Dala, saying the application was "belated". The two are in judicial custody after their National Investogation Agency (NIA) custody ended in connection with a Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case. The accused were to be produced before a Punjab court on Monday on a production warrant it had issued earlier in a case of extortion registered at Jagraon Sadar police station at Ludhiana. Punjab Police had registered a case against the accused persons under Sections concerning extortion, Arms Act and the UAPA in January this year. Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Isha Singh said the application was filed today (Monday) at 11.55 a.m. and, even if she allows the application, it would be impossible to produce them in the court before 5 p.m. "If the accused had to be produced before the court concerned in Jagraon, Punjab, the investigating officer should have filed the application in time. This application is belated." On June 6, Special Judge Shailendra Malik of Patiala House Court had sent the accused persons to judicial custody till July 4. The NIA had arrested the two on May 19 when they arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) from Manila where they had been hiding. The agency had questioned them related to their alleged involvement in hiring youth for Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and also in the smuggling and procurement of arms and ammunition and raising funds for the organisation. Both Amritpal Singh and Amrik Singh hail from Punjab. The NIA had said that their investigations have revealed that the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for the banned terrorist organisation KTF, and also smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives for it from across the border. --IANS spr/vd ( 329 Words) 2023-06-12-20:30:06 (IANS) The Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University (AADTHU) launched its 2023 undergraduate exhibition at the university's art museum in Beijing on June 9, with artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the leading creative topics. The 2023 Undergraduate Exhibition of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU) opens at the Tsinghua University Art Museum in Beijing, June 9, 2023. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU] Over 210 works from eight majors were displayed at the Tsinghua University Art Museum, the academy's multi-purpose hall, and its art gallery. Online graduation exhibitions for both undergraduate and postgraduate students were simultaneously initiated on the same day. This dual-track exhibition approach allows graduates to present their work to the public regardless of location or circumstance. Embracing "integrating arts and science" as a fundamental aspect of its development philosophy and educational practice, the exhibition exemplifies the intersection of art and science, highlighting the latest innovations in teaching and research. AI emerged as a prominent theme in this year's undergraduate graduation exhibition. Students used AI technology to explore its application in art and design, including an AI-based art education platform, AI-orchestrated animal livestreams and AI applications in cultural heritage preservation. This year's graduate works exhibition also emphasized inspiration drawn from traditional Chinese culture and diverse forms of artistic expression. Students showcased their strong interdisciplinary literacy by examining social reality from different perspectives, demonstrating a keen interest in humanity's future, care for China's development, and concern for industrial transformation. Visitors explore the artwork on display at the 2023 Undergraduate Exhibition of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU), which opened at the Tsinghua University Art Museum in Beijing on June 9, 2023. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU] The exhibits notably feature experiments with new materials, technologies, and solutions. Some of the works delve into the potential impacts of climate change on future environments and biodiversity, underscore the significance of ecology and environmental protection, and focus on rebuilding social relationships in the post-pandemic era. At the opening ceremony, Ma Sai, the academy's dean, noted that this year's graduates had witnessed art and technology merging on an international stage, including their academy's contributions to national artistic designs. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, they remained innovative and resilient, he noted. "After four years of study, you've merged the knowledge, experience, and skills gained from AADTHU with your creative, youthful passion, culminating in your graduation work," he said. Ma emphasized that, as technologies like ChatGPT accelerate changes in artistic design, students must have enough ability and courage to face various technological challenges. "I hope you retain your initial aspirations, constantly pursue excellence, leverage artistic design to serve society, and contribute to our country." Qin Chuan, Party secretary of the academy, congratulated the graduates noting their privilege to live in a prosperous era and their accompanying responsibilities. "Through your teacher's guidance, you've honed your academic skills through hard work and sweat, overcoming difficulties and enduring pressure," he said. "As you enter society, I urge everyone to apply your learning, uphold your predecessors' traditions, align your AADTHU achievements with societal needs and contemporary times, and progress in unison with our era's momentum." Professor Song Limin from AADTHU's Department of Environmental Art and Design lauded the 2023 graduates for overcoming the pandemic and demonstrating thoughtfulness and responsibility in their final works. He expressed delight and satisfaction in seeing them focus on human-nature relations, sustainable design, support for vulnerable groups, rural revitalization, intangible cultural heritage inheritance, urban renewal, and cultural confidence. Song borrowed a quote from student Yang Chuling's graduation thesis to inspire this year's graduates: "Environmental design blends rationality and sensibility, instilling in me rigor and empathy. As our quick four years end with joy and regret, remember that graduation is not the end. I wish you all a bright future. We remain one family in this place where we spent our youth and studied." Speaking on behalf of AADTHU's undergraduate graduates, Xie Ruilongxi expressed gratitude towards those who had offered help and encouragement throughout their journey. "Your love and kindness act as a warm current in the ocean of my heart, perpetually providing warmth. It's thanks to you that we are who we are today," said Xie. He highlighted AADTHU's role in intertwining art with life and transforming life into art for countless students. He urged his peers to uphold the academy's traditions: maintaining cultural confidence, serving national livelihoods, and fostering beauty in life. Visitors admire the works on display at the 2023 Undergraduate Exhibition of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU), which opened at the Tsinghua University Art Museum in Beijing on June 9, 2023. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU] AADTHU encompasses a wide range of disciplines organized into 11 departments. These include textile and fashion design, ceramic design, visual communication design, environmental art design, industrial design, information art & design, painting, sculpture, arts and crafts, art history, and basic teaching and research. Furthermore, the academy houses specialized offices for research, international exchanges, and art galleries. AADTHU offers over 20 undergraduate majors and doctoral degrees in artistic theories, fine arts, and design science, as well as post-doctoral study centers. Officials said that the Excise and Narcotics Department officials raided two locations in Aizawl and seized 6.05 kg of the drug in the past 24 hours. The officials seized 5.8 kg of heroin from a truck in Zemabawk locality of Aizawl and over 248 gm of heroin was seized from city's Bawngkawn are. N. Ngolang, a 55-year-old drug peddler from Tahan area of Myanmar, was arrested from Bawngkawn, while Md Nazimul Hussain Barbhuiya (34), Abdul Kalam Laskar (23), Kutbul Alom Laskar (28) and Sukur Ali Mazumder (22), all residents of Assam's Cachar district, were detained from Zemabawk. Last week, Mizoram Police had arrested two Assam residents and 3 kg of heroin worth Rs 15 crore seized from their possession. According to the Excise and Narcotics Department officials, the heroin was smuggled from Myanmar. Mizoram's 510 km unfenced international border with Myanmar, especially in the bordering Champhai district, is a major hotspot of smuggling. Besides various illicit drugs, foreign cigarettes, a variety of other contrabands like gold, as well as arms and ammunition, exotic animals, and areca nuts are often smuggled from Myanmar into the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Manipur. --IANS sc/ksk/ ( 241 Words) 2023-06-12-12:00:04 (IANS) Congress national General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is on a day-long visit to the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Monday, performed 'puja' at the banks of the Narmada river in Jabalpur, evoking a strong response from the BJP, which called her "chunavi Hindu". Priyanka was welcomed by the party's state unit chief, Kamal Nath and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha at the Jabalpur airport, where from the convoy drove towards the Gwarighat on river Narmada. The ruling BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress leaders and called them 'chunavi Hindus'. Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said she was sharing the dais with Congress leaders who make 'defamatory' remarks on women. "She (Priyanka) should have chosen another city instead of Sanskardhani (Jabalpur) of Madhya Pradesh. She should know that she is sharing stage with those who have made defamatory statements on women," Mishra said, adding that "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is an 'chunavi' Hindu, who remembers temples, Ganga and Narmada Maiya only at the time of elections. The people of the state understand this hypocrisy of the Congress very well." Mishra also took a jibe at Priyanka and said that she had taken a dip in holy Ganga during Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the party had won a total of four seats, and a similar result would be in Madhya Pradesh also. After the prayers on the bank of river Narmada, Priyanka will participate in mega road show in Jabalpur and later will address a gathering of party leaders and workers to mark the beginning of party's campaign for the Assembly elections due later this year.A --IANS pd/dpb ( 288 Words) 2023-06-12-12:06:04 (IANS) The deceased has been identified as Jonali Nath who was working as the party's district secretary. She was a resident of Matia village in Goalpara. The body was recovered by the villagers from National Highway 17 near Shalpara area on Sunday night who informed the police. According to locals, some miscreants might have killed her and dumped the body near the highway before fleeing the spot. Police reached the spot around midnight and sent the body for an autopsy. Meanwhile, as per police, Nath's body bore several injury marks indicating severe assault before being killed. She was last seen at a local market on Sunday afternoon. Her husband was trying her number in the evening but Nath's phone was switched off. The family then informed the police. An investigation into the incident is underway. Meanwhile, Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita expressed displeasure on the incident saying those behind the crime will not be spared. Assam minister Ashok Singhal wrote on Twitter, "A thorough investigation into the incident will be done to ensure justice is served. We are committed to uncovering the truth behind this unfortunate event. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family and friends. We pray for the eternal peace of Smt. Jonali Nath's soul." --IANS tdr/shb/ ( 246 Words) 2023-06-12-12:06:05 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale on Monday alleged that the data of several citizens, including politicians and journalists who took Covid vaccine, has been leaked and queried why the Centre was not aware of the incident. In a series of tweets, Gokhale, who is spokesperson of Trinamool Congress, said: "SHOCKING: There has been a major data breach of Modi government where personal details of all vaccinated Indians including their mobile numbers, Aadhaar numbers, Passport numbers, Voter ID, Details of family members etc. have been leaked and are freely available." He cited the example of data breach of several opposition MPs, including Rajya Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, former Union Minister P. Chidambaram, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and K.C. Venugopal, Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Haribansh Narayan Singh, Rajya Sabha MPs Sushmita Dev, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sanjay Raut. He also said that data of several senior journalists including Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today, Barkha Dutt of Mojo Story, Dhanya Rajendran of The NewsMinute, Rahul Shivshankar of Times Now have also been breached. "The personal details of literally every Indian who got a Covid-19 vaccination are freely available on this leaked database," he said. Firing salvos at the Central government, Gokhale said: "Question is how did personal details including passport no, Aadhaar no., etc. get leaked when Modi Government claims it follows "strong data security"? Why is the Modi government inclunding Home Ministry not aware of this leak and why haven't Indians been informed about a data breach? Who has the Modi government given access to sensitive personal data of Indians incl Aadhaar and Passport nos. which enabled this leak?" He said that this is a matter of serious national concern. "And predictably, the Minister in-charge of this is Ashwini Vaishnaw who heads the Electronics, Communications, and IT portfolios in addition to Railways. How long will incompetence of Ashwini Vaishnaw be ignored by PM Modi?" Gokhale asked. His remarks come in the wake of the alleged data breach of several citizens after taking Covid vaccines. --IANS aks/ksk/ ( 356 Words) 2023-06-12-12:10:03 (IANS) Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday hit out at the "fiction" put out by former Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey who said that the Indian government had threatened to shut down the social media network in the country. The minister alleged that between 2020 and 2022, Twitter was found violating Indian law multiple times and the platform had started to comply with the law only in 2022. Reacting to Twitter co-founder Dorsey's claim that the Indian government had put pressure on the microblogging platform to block accounts during the farmers' protests, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology said it "an outright lie" and "an attempt to brush out the very dubious period" of the social media company's history. Chandrasekhar said that the company during the period of 2020 Twitter under Dorsey had "weaponised misinformation" against Indians and the government. In his Monday interview with US-based YouTube channel 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', Dorsey who stepped down from Twitter's board last year, had also alleged that the Indian government had put pressure on Twitter and said that it will shut down the company in India and raid the houses of its employees. Talking to ANI exclusively, Chandrasekhar said, "During the period of 2020, Twitter weaponised misinformation against Indians and the government of India and therefore they were exposed. Twitter that is now in public domain, during this period was not only partisan but was behaving in an absolute arbitrary manner and the Twitter files that have then come out after Jack Dorsey sold Twitter has exposed it to be a platform that abused its power misused its power." "Between 2020-2022, Twitter was violating Indian law multiple times. It started complying with the law only in 2022. During that entire period, nobody went to jail, and nobody was raided. Jack Dorsey knowing very well that Twitter did not comply with any law and didn't face any consequence, is today lying and making stories about raids and arrests," Chandrasekhar said. The minister further alleged that Dorsey's re-brushing the history of Twitter's conduct is a total outright lie. "Today, for Jack Dorsey to suddenly wake up from his slumber and try to re-brush the history of Twitter's conduct and so far without any consequences, is to say, it a total outright lie," the union minster said. The minister said that Twitter did not believe it was necessary for it to comply with Indian laws. "Dorsey was Twitter's CEO during a very very dubious period in Twitter's history. What he has said is an outright lie. Twitter is a company that believed that it was not necessary for it to comply with Indian laws. Government of India has been very clear from the beginning that all companies that operate in India have to comply with Indian laws," said Chandrasekhar. "Twitter was abusing its power as a platform to selectively de-amplify and de-platform people both in India and abroad. In India it was a direct violation of Articles 14 and 19 of our Constitution...I am very disappointed with Jack Dorsey's attitude because of course whatever he said in his yesterday's statement is untrue and wrong," the minister said Dorsey in an interview aired on the YouTube channel yesterday said, ".....India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, India is a big marketplace for us. We would raid the homes of your employees, which they did and we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit and this is India, a democratic country." Chandrasekhar earlier had taken to Twitter to state that under Jack Dorsey and his team Twitter was "in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law and that they complied only after June 2022. "No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he said in a tweet. He took to Twitter today to post: "This is an outright lie by @jack- perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history. @twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied. No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he wrote. He further said that Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. "It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it. India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India," Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote. Referring to the farmers' protest in January 2021, he said that since there was a lot of misinformation the government of India was obligated to remove such information from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. GoI was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India, when they did it themselves when similar events took place in the USA," Chandrasekhar said in his tweet. He further clarified that no one was raided or sent to jail the focus was to ensure compliance with Indian laws. "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring compliance with Indian laws. There is ample evidence now in public domain abt Jack twitter's arbitrary, blatantly partisan n discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period," he wrote. "Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian law, but was partisan in how it was using "deamplify" n deplatforming of some arbitrarily in violation of Art 14,19 of our constitution and also assisting in weaponising of misinformation. Our govts policies remain clear for all Intermediaries operating in India - compliance with laws to ensure the Internet is Safe&Trusted, Accountable," he posted further. (ANI) Khan was arrested in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Sunday, June 11. Earlier on Monday, a Thane court handed over his transit remand to Uttar Pradesh police till June 15. Shahnawaz is a resident of Mumbai's Mumbra and is wanted by the Ghaziabad police. While granting the transit remand of the accused, the court questioned Uttar Pradesh Police over security arrangements and how they will take Shahnawaz to Uttar Pradesh. A man from Ghaziabad had lodged a complaint with the police last month alleging that a cleric and Shahnawaz had unlawfully converted his son to Islam. Based on the man's complaint, Khan and the mosque's cleric in Ghaziabad were booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday that the government had prepared a framework regarding online gaming through which games involving betting, harmful to users, and that can be addictive will be banned in India. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday morning held a review meeting regarding the fire incident that broke out at Satpura Bhawan on Monday evening. The meeting was organised at the CM's residence. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Director General of Police (DGP) Sudhir Saxena, Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Health Minister Prabhu Ram Chaudhary, Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang and other officials were present. After the meeting, Minister Sarang said that CM Chouhan was continuously monitoring the incident since Monday. He (CM) has given instructions that the offices where a fire incident occurred should start functioning from today. Secondly, efforts should be made to ensure that no such fire incidents occur in future in such types of multi-storey buildings. An inquiry committee has been formed and the committee will submit its report within three days, Sarang added. Meanwhile, Health Minister Choudhary said, "The incident is unfortunate and we consider it as an accidental case. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the incident. We made all arrangements, the entire administration was on alert, all the fire brigades were called and efforts were made to douse the fire." "We will try to restore whatever damage has been caused in the incident though it is a digital era so many things are safe and we will try to recover them. Besides, the inquiry committee has been set up and the cause of the fire will be ascertained, he added. On Tuesday morning, Bhopal District Collector Ashish Singh said that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Army came together to douse the fire. "The fire has been brought under control. All agencies including CISF, Army came together to douse the fire and it has been controlled," said the District Collector. Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayan Chari Mishra said that primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it. "The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need (for IAF helicopters). Primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it," said Harinarayan Chari Mishra. Initially, the fire incident occurred on the third floor of the building and later it spread up to the sixth floor of the building on Monday. (ANI) "Two terrorists have been neutralised in a joint operation of Army and Kupwara Police in Dobanar Machhal area (LoC) of Kupwara district. Search still continues," Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet on Tuesday. The police said that a search operation is underway. According to the police, a terrorist associate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was arrested by Bandipora Police in a joint operation with the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Officials said that Bandipora Police, jointly with the 13 Rashtriya Rifles and the 45Bn Central Reserve Police Force, arrested a terrorist associate of LeT at Baharabad Hajin. The police recovered two Chinese hand grenades from the arrested accused, they said. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal and the party's Haryana-in-charge Biplab Deb are expected to be present in the meeting along with all the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members of the BJP from the State. Programs on the BJP government's nine-year tenure, mass public relations campaign, rallies in Lok Sabha constituencies, the current political situation and many other topics will be discussed in the meeting. Earlier on Friday, BJP Haryana incharge Biplab Kumar Deb met Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the latter's official residence and held "an in-depth discussion on important matters related to the state". Assembly elections is due in Haryana in 2024. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that his YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) may not have the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the general and Assembly elections in 2024. Meanwhile, TDP senior leader and MLC, Paruchuri Ashokbabu said that Jagan Reddy was stooping so low due to fear of losing power and his statements reflected his insecurity "The Bharatiya Janata party may not support us. Pavan Kalyan may not support us. We do not have any problem. I did not believe in any of them. I have God's grace and I believe in the blessings of people," the chief minister said on Monday while addressing a gathering at Krosuru in the Palnadu district in the State. The Andhra chief minister also distributed 'Vidya Kanuka Kits' at a school in Krosuru and spent time with students in their classrooms. Earlier on Saturday, BJP president J P Nadda while addressing a public meeting at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district accused the YSRCP government as among the "most corrupt." A day later on Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Jagan government asking what happened to all the 'lakhs of crores of rupees' given to the state. Shah was speaking at a public meeting in Visakhapatnam. "In the last five years, PM Modi had sent 5 lakh crore for Andhra Pradesh. But did the state got developed? Where did that money go? It went to the corrupt cadre of CM Jagan," the senior BJP leader added on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Andhra chief minister yesterday also took a dig at TDP national president N Chandrababu Naidu. "Twenty-eight years after becoming the Chief Minister and after 14 years of ruling, Naidu is coming out with declarations on Rayalaseema, BCs, SCs, STs, minorities and gas cylinders, Jagan Reddy said questioning what the former Andhra chief minister had done during his tenure. The Andhra chief minister said that the TDP chief didn't implement welfare schemes during the TDP rule as he did not have a "generous heart." "Since he has a capitalist mentality, he cheated all sections of society including women, farmers SCs, STs, BCs, minorities and EBCs and never tried to implement welfare schemes which you are experiencing now," Jagan Reddy said. The chief minster alleged that Naidu's name was "synonymous with backstabbing, conspiracy, cheating, and lies." Naidu "does not have any achievement to his credit despite ruling the State for 14 years. People do not believe him," Reddy said. Chandrababu Naidu usually makes promises before elections and leaves, alleged Jagan Reddy adding that the TDP should be ready to down its shutters as people will not believe its "plagiarized kichidi election manifesto copied from other political parties." Speaking to media persons in Amravati on Monday, TDP leader Ashobabu said unless the Andhra Pradesh chief minister changes his style of functioning and his language he will certainly have to pay a very heavy price. The TDP MLC stated that the upcoming elections will be "between the most honest leader and TDP supremo, Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy who is a symbol of corruption." "If Jagan is really not scared of the BJP, he should order his party MPs to stage dharnas on the floor of Parliament to demand special category status and other benefits that are due to the State," Ashokbabu said. Jagan, the TDP leader alleged is also afraid of Chandrababu Naidu adding that the Andhra chief minister's Monday address at Kosuru in Palnadu clearly indicated that. "The Vidya Kanuka scheme is being implemented by the State with financial assistance from the Centre. Jagan has been publicising as if he is funding the scheme. Leave alone that. Instead of talking about the scheme for which the programme got up, the Chief Minister has criticised Chandrababu Naidu," the TDP MLC said. (ANI) The Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) Organizing Committee, the Asian American Cultural and Artistic Foundation, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the Shanghai Film Group launched the "Film Project Pitches Unit" on June 8 to encourage China-U.S. film cooperation on the eve of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival. From left to right: Warner Bros. Discovery China President Gillian Zhao; the chairman of Shanghai Film Group and Shanghai Film Co., Ltd., Wang Jian'er; and James Su, the chairman of the Chinese American Film Festival and Chinese American TV Festival pose for a group photo at a press event to jointly announce the launch of the "Film Project Pitches Unit" for the 19th Chinese American Film Festival in 2023 on the eve of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival in Shanghai, June 8, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery China] The collaborators announced at the Shanghai Film Art Center that the upcoming 19th Chinese American Film Festival, slated for November 2023, will see the premiere of the "Film Project Pitches Unit." This initiative, a first in the 19-year history of the Chinese American Film Festival, is co-hosted by the CAFF Organizing Committee and the Asian American Cultural and Artistic Foundation and co-launched in partnership with Shanghai Film Group, with Warner Bros. Discovery as its sponsor. During the launch event, James Su, chairman of the CAFF and Chinese American TV Festival (CATF) and the Asian American Cultural and Artistic Foundation, Gillian Zhao, president of Warner Bros. Discovery China, and Wang Jian'er, chairman of Shanghai Film Group, signed a cooperation agreement to explore new overseas markets for Chinese films. This year's "Film Project Pitches Unit" is dedicated to discovering creative talent in the film industry from China and the U.S. The initiative aims to identify outstanding projects from the film industries of both countries that exhibit international, artistic, and thoughtful qualities, honor them, and provide comprehensive support. Warner Bros.' Zhao said, "This year, Warner Bros. celebrated its 100th birthday, and we are honored to create such a meaningful strategic partnership with the CAFF and Shanghai Film Group at this special moment. Through this unit, we hope to discover a new generation of film talents, help them realize their dreams and create co-production opportunities that achieve global success." Su noted that the unit's establishment aims to inspire young filmmakers to carry forward excellent traditional culture while promoting innovative development in sync with the times. It also seeks to combine unique cultures from around the world with Chinese culture with an open mind and inclusive approach. "By discovering and supporting high-quality works, we can further enhance the advancement and internationalization of film and television culture in the new era," Su stated. The CAFF Organizing Committee will invite experts and scholars from both countries to form a judging committee to review and select applications. Selected outstanding China-U.S. film projects will receive support and ultimately be incubated into excellent films with market potential. The "Film Project Pitches Unit" aims to promote the cooperation and co-production of Chinese and American films, further cementing the CAFF's role as a bridge in cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. and promoting mutual learning between Chinese and international cinema. The "Film Project Pitches Unit" is open to all film projects produced in Chinese or English. Feature films must have a complete script ready for shooting. Applicants must provide a brief outline of no more than 100 words, a story synopsis of no more than 5,000 words, and a full script (in both Chinese and English). Moreover, only films that have not yet started shooting and completed financing activities will be eligible. Projects that have not participated in other film markets or pitches will be given priority. Chinese film projects must have the potential for public screening in China and commercial or artistic value. The "Film Project Pitches Unit" will award one prize for the "Jury Special Recommendation Project" (also known as the "Warner Bros. Discovery Special Award"), along with second and third prizes. All winning works will receive different levels of cash rewards and comprehensive resources provided by the jury. Additionally, all shortlisted film projects will be awarded the title of "Excellent Project Pitches" at the 19th Chinese American Film Festival in 2023. The application deadline is Aug. 31, Los Angeles time. Applicants can submit their project materials through the official website of the Chinese American Film Festival at www.cafilmfestival.com. The CAFF and CATF are two grand annual events organized by EDI Media Inc. (USA), with support from authorities and companies from both China and the U.S. The CAFF has gained official recognition as a significant cultural event in the U.S. Congressional Record, securing its place in U.S. history. It holds the distinction of being the only Chinese-American film and TV cultural exchange event to have received letters of recognition from two U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Additionally, it was recognized by the Chinese-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange, earning national significance. During the press event, the CAFF Organizing Committee and Shanghai Film Group announced that the former invited the latter to co-host the film and television market and summit forum during the 19th CAFF. Additionally, they will assist Shanghai Film Group in promoting their film and animation intellectual property copyright to overseas markets. This includes joint international market development, overseas promotion and publicity, and seeking more business cooperation opportunities. Shanghai Film Group also invited the CAFF Organizing Committee to participate in an international filmmaker's club created by Shanghai Film Group. The goal is to attract more outstanding international filmmakers to jointly build a space for film creation and build a new bridge for Chinese films to go global. The fourth and final G-20 Education Working Group (EDWG) meeting will be held in Pune, Maharashtra which will focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) and the Ministry of Education, Government of India is preparing for the meeting by launching nationwide "Janbhagidari" events focused on FLN. The Department of School Education, Assam Government, is also organizing a series of activities and programmes at different levels - schools, districts and state - in order to promote and endorse the theme of "Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning." The Department of School Education of the Assam Government on Tuesday organized a state-level workshop on FLN and G-20 at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati and Assam Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu also attended the programme. The Janbhagidari events thus aim to elevate our education system to global standards by ensuring the universal acquisition of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and thus move towards the vision of "One earth, one family". The fourth and final Education Working Group (EDWG) meeting in Pune, Maharashtra will be held from June 19 to 22, 2023 under the theme of "Ensuring Foundation Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning" and culminate with the Education Ministerial meeting on June 22, 2023. (ANI) Communist Party of India (CPI) Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam on Tuesday wrote a letter to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and expressed deep concern over the recent tragic incident that occurred in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, where an illegal coal mine collapse claimed the lives of at least three individuals, with the number of trapped individuals still unknown. Binoy Viswam in a letter to Union Minister said, "I am writing to bring your immediate attention to the recent tragic incident that occurred in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, where an illegal coal mine collapse claimed the lives of at least three individuals, with the number of trapped individuals still unknown. The incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the safety concerns of mining workers in our country." "The mining sector plays a significant role in India's economy, providing valuable resources and employment opportunities. However, it is distressing to note that incidents such as the one in Dhanbad continue to occur, endangering the lives of our fellow citizens. The safety and well-being of our mining workers should be our topmost priority, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to prevent further loss of life" he added CPI MP Viswam further said that Strict measures must be taken to crack down on individuals and entities involved in illegal mining operations. Enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and prompt action against those engaging in such activities are essential to deter future occurrences. "It is crucial to address the underlying reasons that drive people to engage in illegal mining. Many local villagers resort to such activities due to the lack of alternative livelihood options and economic opportunities. Henceforth, focus needs to be made on initiatives that promote sustainable development, create employment opportunities, and improve the overall socio-economic conditions in mining areas" he added. CPI Upper House MP from Kerala further urged Minister to launch a thorough investigation into the incident at the illegal coal mine in Dhanbad. "I further request that a comprehensive compensation and welfare scheme for the families affected by mining accidents, including healthcare support and rehabilitation immediately," he stated. (ANI) Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday supported the claim of former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey that there was 'pressure' from India to block accounts covering the farmers' protests and said there is no reason for Jack Dorsey to lie. In an interview with the YouTube channel 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', on Monday, Dorsey who stepped down from Twitter's board last year, alleged that the Indian government had put pressure on Twitter and said that it will shut down the company in India and raid the houses of its employees. "First of all, I would like to know, why would Jack Dorsey make such a statement. Rajeev Chandrasekhar says that this is a lie. Why would he tell a lie? There is no reason for Jack Dorsey to tell a lie that they threatened Twitter when the protests were going on, that they would shut their offices and raid the then Twitter employees," Sibal said. "There is every reason for others to tell a lie because they can't accept this," he said. Rakesh Tikait was leading protests against three government farm policies in 2020-2021 that have since been overturned. Jack Dorsey in the interview said that there were requests around farmers' protests to shut Twitter in the country. ".....India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers' protests, around particular journalists who were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, India is a big marketplace for us. We would raid the homes of your employees, which they did and we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit and this is India, a democratic country, " Dorsey is heard saying in the interview on the YouTube channel," he said. In November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the three Central farm laws. In his address to the nation, PM Modi said then, "Today I want to tell everyone that we have decided to repeal all three farm laws. "Farmers staged a protest in large numbers against the government's three farm laws since the Centre passed the laws in 2020. The three farm laws are -- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act provides for setting up a mechanism allowing the farmers to sell their farm produce outside the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Any licence-holder trader can buy the produce from the farmers at mutually agreed prices. This trade of farm produces will be free of mandi tax imposed by the state governments. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act allows farmers to do contract farming and market their produces freely. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act is an amendment to the existing Essential Commodities Act. (ANI) Union Power Minister RK Singh on Tuesday held a review meeting with senior officers of the Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Grid Controller of India and PGCIL for the preparations for maintenance of power supply in coastal areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan which are likely to be affected by Cyclone 'Biparjoy'. As per the Ministry of Power, "RK Singh also discussed various necessary arrangements with the Power Minister of Gujarat on the phone." Union Power Minister gave strict instructions to all concerned to continuously monitor the situation and take all necessary steps for maintaining the stable grid supply to the States likely to be affected and also make arrangements for Emergency Restoration System (ERS) along with necessary men and material to be stationed at the strategic locations so that restoration works can be taken up without any delay, the release stated. Union Power Minister Singh also instructed PGCIL to extend all possible support and assistance to Gujarat Power Department for the restoration of State Transmission Lines and distribution network, he added. Powergrid is closely monitoring the weather conditions and its transmission system regularly and 24X7 control rooms have been set up at Manesar and Vadodara. Meanwhile, precautionary measures as per CEA's 'Crisis Management Plan for the power sector and POWERGRID's "Crisis and Disaster Management Plan" have been taken up including the availability of ERS towers along with ERS-trained manpower at strategic locations. The Ministry further stated, "The National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) is continuously monitoring grid supply in these States for monitoring variations in load or generation and to take timely action to ensure stable operation of the Grid and also for alternative supply through other transmission lines in the best possible manner." NLDC has also identified the power generating stations, transmission lines and sub-stations that might get affected and has already prepared a detailed contingency plan to deal with every likely sit Rajasthan, the Ministry added. (ANI) Airfares have dropped on several routes after Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asked airlines to rein them and as a result of this intervention, domestic airfares have declined by up to 60 per cent. "As a result of this intervention, prices have seen up to 60 per cent decline. This is being monitored daily by the Minister himself," as per ministry sources on data by DGCA's Tariff Monitoring Unit. The official source further stated, "Airfares internationally have remained firm on account of various factors like the opening of markets after the pandemic and the resultant surge in demand, rise in ATF prices globally, supply chain disruptions on account of both Covid and Ukraine-Russia conflict... The rise in airfares has been mostly seen on select routes that were earlier being serviced by GoFirst. A meeting with the airlines was held on June 5, 2023, where airlines were strictly advised to self-regulate fares on certain select routes that have seen considerable surge pricing of late. A mechanism for ensuring reasonable pricing within the high reservation booking designator (RBD) will be devised by airlines." "This is being monitored by the DGCA. During any calamity, airlines need to keep a tight check on the pricing of air tickets in view of the humanitarian situation and monitor and control any surge in ticket prices to/from that region. In the case of the unfortunate Odisha tragedy, airlines were advised to provide free carriage (cargo) services to the families of the deceased," it stated. Even in the case of Delhi - Ahmedabad the Minimum D1 fares which were as high as 60 per cent till Monday have come down to 20 per cent, the report said. Earlier on June 7, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that airfares on certain routes from Delhi have been considerably reduced by 14 to 61 per cent following the airlines' advisory group meeting. Scindia explained that airlines have the authority to determine airfares and various factors are taken into account including market dynamics and season. The aviation industry employs an algorithm for pricing decisions. "The airlines have been given rights to fix airfares which are market controlled. The aviation market in the country is season based. The rates are also fixed accordingly. If capacity is low and demand is high and input costs are not reduced, then rates will be high. There is an algorithm to decide the fare," he said. He further said that private airline companies also have their own social responsibility and there should be a limit to increasing fares across sectors. Further, clarifying and explaining the role of the aviation Ministry, he said, "The role of the ministry is that of a facilitator and not a regulator." Scindia chaired the high-level meeting which was called on June 5 by the airline's advisory group where he urged airlines to self-regulate airfares and maintain reasonable price levels. "There have been some unforeseen incidents in Manipur and now in Odisha, fare rates should be strictly monitored by airlines," Ministry advised airlines (ANI) Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Sanjay Prakash Rai 'Sherpuriya' for further three days in a money laundering case. He was produced after the expiry of four days of remand granted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Vacation judge Aparna Swami extended the remand of Sherpuriya after hearing the submission of counsel for ED. "Taking into consideration the reasons/ grounds cited in the application for extension of police custody remand for the purpose of custodial interrogation of accused Sanjay Prakash Rai. Three days (03) police custody remand is given to El) with the directions that he is medically examined in the Government hospital today and as well as on the date of production, the court directed. Further, the accused will be allowed to meet his lawyer every day for 15 minutes, it added. The accused will be produced before the court on June 16, the court directed. ED sought an extension of remand for three more days on the ground that on 12.06.2023 during the accused's remand 17 premises were searched including the office premises of the companies wherein the accused has a financial interest or where the accused is the ultimate beneficial owner and recovered certain incriminating documents and digital records which are crucial for the purpose of investigation. Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) appeared through video conferencing and Advocate Mohd. Faizan Khan appeared and represented ED. It was submitted that custodial interrogation of the accused is required with respect to the huge digital/ physical records, which have been seized during the searches conducted on 12.06.2023 by the Directorate under Section 17 of PMLA Act 2002. On the last date, the agency sought an extension of remand for further investigation relating to money received from a Dalmia Family Office Trust as donation and money generated from the sale of property in Gujarat, and to record statements of other persons. SPP had submitted that the custody of the accused is required to examine and record the statement of five more persons, to verify details of property sold in Gujarat, a jeweller of Chandni Chowk who has assisted in the layering of the cash transactions. SPP had also submitted that it is revealed in interrogation that cash of Rs 10 crore is involved in the matter. Earlier it was Rs Six crores. He deposited the cash in a bank account through some people. The court had granted seven days remand of the accused to the ED on June 2. He was produced through video conferencing (VC) in the last hearing. He was arrested by the ED after interrogation in Lucknow jail. Earlier he was arrested by the UP police. In the order of June 2, the court had noted that it revealed in the FIR of UP police that the accused portrayed himself to be close to top politicians, and ministers in India and allegedly took Rs.6 crores in the account of YREF as a donation from Dalmia Family Office Trust. It was also submitted that the entry of the bank account has already been examined by the Local Police station and it is a matter of record that in the relevant account of that organization how much amount is lying deposited. The Counsel for the accused submits that there is no real necessity for ED for taking the accused into police remand. The SPP for ED had submitted that since the investigation is open-ended and required to be conducted for the purpose of confronting even the Dalmia family trust is already involved in other two matters of ED, therefore, the investigation is not confined only to the documents asserted in the examination in the investigation. He further submitted that there is also evidence as mentioned in the application that Rs 7 crores in cash was recovered which were from unknown sources which were deposited in different accounts by the said accused to launder the money. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday instructed officials to take necessary steps to strengthen the health system of the state through the National Health Mission and set a deadline of three months for setting the anomalies. Siddaramaiah took top Health Department officials to task over slackness in achieving the objective of National Health Mission which is reflected in the lack of specialised doctors and inadequate installation of MRI and dialysis machines in taluk and district hospitals, said an official statement. He directed officials that technicians should be appointed to provide all these services and MRI, scanning and dialysis machines should be installed in all taluk hospitals in three months. He identified the campaign's shortcomings and gave clear instructions that they should be rectified before the next meeting, the statement added. The Chief Minister noticed that the grant of the National Health Mission was not spent on time. Under this scheme, there is a shortage of 52 per cent of specialist doctors, a 31 per cent shortage of MBBS doctors and an 18 per cent shortage of nursing staff. He also instructed the officers to look into increasing their salaries and filling up posts, the official release said. The Chief Minister directed the commissioner of the department to ensure the achievement of the set targets and to spend the funds on time. The Chief Minister also heard the grievances of the officials including the appointment of five MDs for the corporation in the last year. The Chief Minister assured that this will not happen during the Congress government and also suggested that the Managing Director of the Corporation should serve for at least 2 years. "How is it possible to provide good health care to poor people if special services like MRI scanning and dialysis are not provided in taluk and district government hospitals?" he asked. The Chief Minister warned that if this situation continues, the authorities will be held responsible. The Instructions are given by the CM after reviewing the performance of Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, said the statement (ANI) A staff member introduces a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery robot to visitors at the 2022 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 1, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese enterprises are at a crucial juncture of breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, as generative AI and other rapidly evolving technologies usher in a future for business where the physical and digital worlds are inextricably linked, global consultancy Accenture said in a report. According to the report, 91 percent of the business executives surveyed in the country agreed that AI foundation models will play an important role in their organization's strategies over the next three to five years. About 80 percent of business leaders believed advancements in generative AI are opening a new era of intelligence for enterprises, while 77 percent said AI models will enable connections across various types of data, revolutionizing where and how AI is used. The research surveyed 225 Chinese companies in 19 industries, including retail, software, industrial goods and equipment, healthcare, energy and financial services from December 2022 to January 2023. Generative AI refers to algorithms that are trained with huge amounts of data and capable of generating content such as images, text, audio and video. It is the key technology underpinning ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by US-based AI research company OpenAI. The meteoric rise of ChatGPT has captivated the world's attention on the power of generative AI to augment human capability, the report said. Accenture estimates that as much as 40 percent of all working hours will be supported or augmented by language-based AI. "The next decade will be defined by three mega technology trends cloud, metaverse and AI which collectively will collapse the distance of our digital and physical worlds," said Yu Yi, technology lead for Accenture China. "As generative AI will have far-reaching impact, business leaders must act immediately and scale up investments in data, talent and customized AI models to meet the unique needs of enterprises," Yu said. Most Chinese executives agreed that generative AI will spark significant creativity and innovation and usher in a new era of enterprise intelligence, Yu added. They also said their companies expect quick large-scale analysis abilities and accelerated innovation to be two major benefits from the use of AI models. Generative AI is expected to usher in speedy growth in China and inject fresh momentum into a new round of industrial revolution, as major Chinese tech heavyweights step up efforts to develop their own AI-powered large models, experts said. Alibaba Group unveiled its AI-powered large language model Tongyi Qianwen in April, a potential rival to ChatGPT. In March, Baidu Inc rolled out its large language model and Chinese-language ChatGPT alternative, Ernie Bot, which can be used for a variety of functions including searches, autonomous driving and smart devices. "We believe the emergence of generative AI and large language models presents a transformative potential of AI in various industries to help people and organizations achieve more and have a positive impact on society," said Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Chinese tech giant Baidu. Chinese tech companies have the advantage of offering users AI-powered conversational results based on Chinese language and culture, said Lu Yanxia, research director at IDC China. "Generative AI has brought new business opportunities for domestic AI servers, cloud computing and chip companies," Lu said. AI and ChatGPT-related technologies are likely to free humans from tedious tasks and enable them to focus on creative thinking, resulting in significant application potential in fields such as culture, retail, finance, healthcare and education, she added. Data from global market research company International Data Corp show that China's spending on AI will likely hit $14.75 billion this year, accounting for about one-tenth of the global market. The scale of China's AI market is expected to reach $26.44 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 20 percent from 2021 to 2026. A child was killed while two others were injured after a mine exploded in the Western Ghor province of Afghanistan, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported citing an official. A child was killed and two others were wounded after the explosion of a toy-like device in the Ponba Ghalmen area of Firoz Koah City. The child was killed on the spot after the mine explosion while two others were injured, according to Taliban's provincial administration spokesperson Abdul Wahid Hamas, Khaama Press reported. The injured children were shifted to the hospital for treatment. Earlier, three children were killed and two others were injured in a similar explosion in Afghanistan's Wardak province. As per the news report, unexploded bombs from previous conflicts have been found in Afghanistan in recent years, killing and injuring men, women and children. Afghanistan is contaminated with mines and unexploded bombs due to 40 years of conflict. International organizations like Australia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) have made donations to support the demining effort in Afghanistan since November 2022. Last week, one person was killed after a mine from a past war exploded in Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province, Khaama Press reported citing officials. On Wednesday, an explosive device left over from previous conflicts exploded as a farmer was working in his farmland in Asghar Khil village of Moqar district, killing him on the spot, the provincial official said. Earlier in May, at least three children were killed and another injured in a mine explosion in Wardak province of Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported citing an official. The mines were left over from past wars in Wardak province. The children were killed and injured in two incidents in the same province. Three children found a toy-like explosive device in Sayed Abad district and the device exploded, killing two on the spot and injuring the other one, Khaama Press reported citing a Taliban-led provincial official. One child was killed in a similar incident that took place in the same province. (ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, Mukesh Aghi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, on Monday (local time) said that India and the US are getting over the suspiciousness of each other. While speaking to ANI, Mukesh Aghi said that they are witnessing a much more "concrete, deeper and broader relationship" coming up between India and US. Aghi said that India is taking an independent position at international forums. However, he noted that India also supports the US position. He also recalled PM Modi's address to the joint session of the Congress. In response to a question regarding the change in India-US ties over the years, he said, "Well, when Prime Minister spoke for the first time to a joint session of the Congress, he said we need to overcome the hesitation of history. And I think what we are seeing is both sides are coming, getting over the suspiciousness of each other." "We had in India 1998 sanctions and India couldn't bring in a lot of those technologies. Now we're seeing a lot of those technologies moving to India. We are seeing India stepping up in the international forum, taking an independent position, but it also supports the US position also. So, I think we are seeing a much more concrete, deeper and broader relationship coming up," he added. Mukesh Aghi said that India is looking for a transfer of technology and they do expect something on General Electric engines where a deal will happen. He said that the US is looking to create more jobs and they expect some orders on defence equipment from India. Speaking to ANI regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, Mukesh Aghi said, "Well, I think you can break this down with three broad categories. One is geopolitics. The second is on the economic side. And the third is on technology. So when you look at the concrete deliverables, obviously US is looking to create more jobs in the US. So we do expect some orders on defence equipment coming from the India side. So, it kind of helps US companies from a job creation perspective." He further said, "From a job creation perspective, India is looking for transfer of technology. So we do expect something on GE engines where a deal will happen, where India can make GE jet engines in India. So, if that happens, then India will be the fifth country in the world making hot engines for planes." Mukesh Aghi said that US and India are aligned to deal with China. Speaking to ANI, he said, "Then on the geopolitics side, I think it's about messaging. The US-India are aligned to deal with the aggressive, assertive China. And I think that's where you see as strong messaging coming in, both by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi right now." He said that India needs to have technology to deal with China. He said that they are witnessing the Biden administration agreeing to transfer some technology to India so that they can manufacture and it becomes self-reliant in the defence sector. Responding about China being a common thread that is binding Republicans and Democrats, he said, "Well, you have to understand from an India perspective, it shares a 3000-kilometre-long border with China, which China doesn't agree with the border itself. India has to deal with the aggressive China, basically a dominant China. We've had soldiers killed on both sides of the border itself." He further said, "So, India needs to have technology. It needs to have enough resources to deal with that assertive posture of China. India's supply from Russia is drying out. So, it needs other sources and is focused on building most of those stuff in India. So, what we are seeing is the Biden administration agreeing to transfer some complex technology to India so you can manufacture, and India becomes a self-reliant defence area. So, yes, there is an alignment on the positioning posture of China and how to deal with China." Speaking about the Kennedy Center event set to be held on June 23, Mukesh Aghi said, "Well, one of the pillars of the relationship is economy. It is about de-risking US companies from China. It is about getting to a newer, larger market, which is India. So, what we're seeing is most of the US companies are looking at how do you de-risk your supply chain and have a China plus one strategy and India plays a pivotal role in that area." "India also with the 1.4 billion people, is a large market. It's going to grow as the spending power goes up in India. So I think those companies are looking at having India as a potential market. And a classic example is Apple. Apple three years ago didn't produce anything in India, and the next day, it's going to produce 20 million iPhone 14. But, it is also its fastest growing market in the world itself. So, there are market opportunity, their trade opportunity, their economic investment opportunity, and that's a win-win for both countries." Mukesh Aghi said that Indian-Americans are the "most affluent minority group" from US President Joe Biden's perspective. He said that Indian-Americans are the "most educated" and they participate in the civic society quite efficiently. Around 7000 Indian-American community will be welcoming PM Modi at the South Lawn. Responding to a question regarding the importance given to Indian-Americans, he said, "Well, you have to look at from President Biden's perspective, Indian Americans are the most affluent minority group. They are the most educated and they participate in civic society quite efficiently itself and from a Biden campaign perspective, if you can get contribution coming into a political campaign, it's a winning factor. If you can get them voting in the swing state, it has an impact on the electoral college itself. So from that perspective, I think it is a strong motive from Biden to get almost 5 million Indian Americans on its cap side." He further said, "When you look at from Prime Minister Modi's perspective, you have to understand there are 35 billion Indians who live outside India and if they look at their GDP, it's almost 50 per cent of India's GDP. So, they are a vital source of investment, technology and influence. So, I think Prime Minister Modi caters to that successfully. And what we have seen is every time he goes to a country, that country's investment into India spikes up dramatically. So, it is a win-win for both President and the Prime Minister to cater to Indian Americans." Indian Americans are eagerly preparing to extend a warm welcome to PM Modi during his state visit to the US from June 21-24. Thousands of expatriate Indians will gather in Washington during the visit of PM Modi, who will arrive in the US at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. While a group of Indian Americans are planning to go to Andrews Air Force Base when the Prime Minister's Air India One lands on June 21 afternoon from New York and over 600 community members are planning to gather at Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard Intercontinental in Washington located near the White House where the PM will be staying during his visit. (ANI) India's ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, on Monday (local time) said that the speed and scale in the transformation of the India-US relationship have been "phenomenal." While addressing the 'India Ideas Summit' organised by US-India Business Council, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third Indian leader to be accorded the honour of a state visit by the US President. Sandhu said that PM Modi is the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice. At the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States from June 21 to June 24. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USIBC President Atul Keshap also attended the India Ideas Summit. He complimented the USIBC for organising the summit. While addressing the India Ideas Summit, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, "We are a week away, from the historic State visit of Prime Minister Modi, to the US, at the invitation of President Biden. There is great excitement, on both sides, as you can see. My Prime Minister is only, the third Indian leader, in our independent history, to be accorded the honor of State visit, by the US President. He also becomes, the only Indian leader, to address the US Congress, twice." Sandhu said that the ceremonial and substantive parts of PM Modi's visit to the US will "fully complement each other, and will be unparalleled." The Indian envoy noted that each one of the people attending the summit has contributed immensely to the India-US ties. "This is, not just because, the Governments, have been working hard; this is because, all of you, have been working hard. Each one of us in this room, has contributed immensely, to this partnership. We have every reason, to be proud. At the same time, we have a lot more, to do together. The speed and scale in the transformation, of our relationship, has been phenomenal," Indian Envoy said. Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that India and US are more wise and mature as partners. He said that India is an important part of global supply and value chains. He stated that India has a subscriber base of more than 1.2 billion and 825 million internet subscribers. He noted that India in every second in the past seven years has added 1 mobile subscriber and three internet users. "We are more wise and mature now, as partners. This is not a function of time; it is a function of, the trust, which we have built over time. You are all well versed, with the bright and beaming 'India Story'. She is not just a market, anymore. She is an important part of global supply and value chains. People are at the heart, of our digital story," Taranjit Singh Sandhu said. "Today, India has a mobile subscriber base of over 1.2 billion and internet subscribers of 825 million. This means In the last 7 years, India has added every second, 1 mobile subscriber and 3 internet users; The cost of data, has been reduced by 98 per cent, one of the lowest globally. It is about inclusion, innovation, and empowerment," he added. He said that India is keen to attract US companies to invest in India. He noted that Indian companies are investing and creating jobs in the US. He stressed that India and US have a lot of energy and complementarity in the tech sector. He spoke about the iCET industry roundtable and the recently launched India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue. "There is a lot of synergy, and complementarity, between us, in the tech space. Tech, to me, is powered by trust. It is, as much, strategic, as commercial. It was just four and half months ago, that we launched the iCET industry Roundtable, at this very location, in the presence of both the NSAs and Secretary Raimondo. And we have NSA Sullivan, in Delhi today, including for the follow-up to the first round of iCET discussions," Taranjit Singh Sandhu. "Secretary Austin was in Delhi last week when Foreign Secretary was in DC. We launched the inaugural India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue, another game-changer dialogue, to discuss export controls. Delhi-DC Depth has never been better," he added. (ANI) In a statement, the Ministry on Sunday said its Criminal Security Branch, after investigation and monitoring, busted a large human trafficking network and arrested all its members, adding they would soon be tried in court. The network had trafficked Syrian women out of the country in cooperation with "people running parallel networks within one of the neighbouring countries," the Ministry added, without detailing further as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. In 2020, the branch's chief in Damascus, Walid Abdelali, said the crime was born out of the crisis in Syria, according to the al-Watan online newspaper. He said those criminals took advantage of the poverty of some people to dupe them with so-called employment opportunities, thus trafficking them internally and sometimes externally. --IANS int/khz/ ( 159 Words) 2023-06-12-00:16:01 (IANS) Somali National News Agency quoting army officials on Sunday said the operation was jointly conducted by Somali troops and their international partners, culminating in the destruction of vehicles and weapons belonging to al-Shabab fighters, Xinhua news agency reported. The agency added that the operation is still going on but the al-Shabab militants are yet to comment on the latest military operation in southern Somalia. --IANS int/khz/ ( 97 Words) 2023-06-12-00:26:02 (IANS) Askar Jalalian, Deputy Justice Minister For Human Rights And International Affairs, announced the move in a statement published on the Ministry's website on Sunday, elaborating on the latest transfer of prisoners between the two countries under a 2012 bilateral agreement. Jalalian added the Afghan prisoners were repatriated through the common border between the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan and southwestern Afghan province of Nimroz in the morning, Xinhua news agency reported. The convicted would continue their jail terms in Afghanistan under Taliban authorities' supervision, according to the Iranian Ministry. According to the Iranian Justice Ministry, close to 800 Afghan prisoners were handed over to the officials of Afghanistan's caretaker Taliban government in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, under the prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries. --IANS int/khz/ ( 162 Words) 2023-06-12-00:32:01 (IANS) Iran's atomic chief has said that his country has developed "complicated" nuclear technologies under difficult conditions and amid the enemies' threats and sanctions. President of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, made the remarks on Sunday in an interview with Iran's state radio channel Radio Goftogoo. He added that the Iranian youths and scientists have managed to make significant nuclear achievements on the back of their commitments and without dependence on foreigners' capacities, Xinhua news agency reported. Turning to Iran's "peaceful uses" of the nuclear technology, he said the government seeks to increase the generation of nuclear electricity and production of radiopharmaceuticals. Eslami noted that Iran plans to raise its production of radiopharmaceuticals by at least six times. In an interview with Tehran-based Ettelaat newspaper, which was published on Saturday, the AEOI chief said Iran's enrichment of uranium to a high level of purity was aimed at removing the sanctions. Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments according to the laws adopted by the Iranian parliament. The law mandated the government to restrict inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency and accelerate the development of the country's nuclear programme beyond the limits set under the JCPOA. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. --IANS int/khz/ ( 305 Words) 2023-06-12-01:28:01 (IANS) "Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists riding in a vehicle attacked a checkpoint of the pro-government forces in As Said district of Shabwa province," the local government official said on condition of anonymity on Sunday. The al-Qaeda gunmen fired heavy weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, during their assault on the security checkpoint, he noted, adding two military vehicles were destroyed in the attack. The Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is seen as one of the most dangerous branches of al-Qaeda and has been active in war-ravaged Yemen for years, Xinhua news agency reported. The terrorist group has taken advantage of Yemen's civil war and the country's power vacuum to launch attacks on military and government targets. In an effort to tackle the growing terror threat, government forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition have carried out several large-scale military operations on al-Qaida hideouts in recent months. However, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have failed to eliminate the terrorist group hidden in the mountainous areas of the country's southern provinces. Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthi rebels fighting against the internationally-recognised government and its allies, which include a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. --IANS int/khz/ ( 241 Words) 2023-06-12-01:38:05 (IANS) Aerial photo taken on June 23, 2020 shows a view of the Humen Bridge, which links Guangzhou City and Dongguan City, in south China's Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An unparalleled manufacturing enterprise and foreign trade volume bestowed the title "world factory" to Dongguan in southern China's Guangdong Province. As the 24th Chinese city whose GDP has surpassed 1 trillion yuan (about 140.62 billion U.S. dollars), Dongguan has been forging ahead with high-tech, new energy, and originality, other than a stereotype as a massive contract factory for mobile phones and garments only. Advanced sci-tech research In the "world factory" lies a world-class sci-tech project -- China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). Over 1,000 research tasks have been tackled since it started in August 2018. Chen Hesheng, general director of the CSNS and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained that a spallation neutron source is like a super microscope to help study the microstructure of some material. "This function could find out, for example, when the parts of high-speed trains should change to avoid accidents caused by fatigue of materials," he said. Chen said the transformation of CSNS achievements to practical use is underway. For now, the second phase of CSNS is under construction, and the cooperation between CSNS and high-level colleges and institutes is accelerating to build scientific research instruments. Chen considered the CSNS the most significant infrastructure for the comprehensive national science center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Emphasis on new energy Founded in 2010, Greenway Technology is a leading manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for micro-mobility and energy storage applications such as electric bikes, electric motorcycles, drones, intelligent robots, and sound equipment. With clients in over 80 countries and regions, Greenway has invested nearly 260 million yuan in research and development in the recent three years to secure its competitiveness in the new energy market. Thanks to early-stage planning and quick response, the company has rapidly grown and maintained a 20 percent share of the European market, said Liu Cong, Greenway's vice president. According to official statistics, Dongguan's new energy industry saw revenues up 11.3 percent year on year to 66.73 billion yuan in 2022. The local government has coordinated policies and funds to build a strategic base for emerging industries, including new-style energy storage, new energy vehicles, parts, semiconductors, and integrated circuits, said Liang Yangyang, chief economist of Dongguan's industry and information technology bureau. Originality in manufacturing Despite emphasizing high-tech and new energy, Dongguan still attaches great importance to manufacturing, which contributes to over half of the city's GDP. As one of the city's industrial pillars, toy manufacturing has over 4,000 manufacturers and nearly 1,500 supporting enterprises. Among them, ToyCity is a pioneer in exploring paths for more brand power and added value. Originality is the key to the company's success, said Zheng Bo, ToyCity's founder, while introducing the fashion and trend toys designed by his company. Toy companies used to choose contract manufacturing at the expense of initiative. But it's different now, Zheng said, stressing that creating original brands with intellectual properties wins independence and profits for toy businesses. ToyCity's annual turnover has exceeded 100 million yuan, and profits have surged over 300 percent since its path changed towards originality, Zheng added. Furthermore, supportive measures have been implemented by the local government, such as financial support, fashion toy centers, and Chinese fashion design competitions to establish a whole industry chain for toy manufacturing. The attack occurred Saturday night when the Iraqi troops clashed with IS militants after they opened fire on an Army outpost in the al-Debis area, northwest of the namesake provincial capital Kirkuk, nearly 250 km north of Baghdad, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. A military committee arrived at the scene to launch an investigation into the incident, the statement added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. --IANS int/khz/ ( 164 Words) 2023-06-12-01:54:03 (IANS) The incident happened when the US military airdropped forces in a village in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah near the Syrian-Iraqi border, Xinhua news agency reported. After encircling the village of Salham, the US forces opened fire on residential homes and agricultural lands, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Sunday. It added that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed militia that controls key areas in al-Hasakah, assisted the US forces' airdrop. There has been no immediate response from the SDF, but the US military frequently carries out airborne operations in areas that allegedly harbour remnants of the Islamic State militants. --IANS int/khz/ ( 139 Words) 2023-06-12-01:58:02 (IANS) Ajay Banga, the World Bank's new President, called for the private sector to play a larger role to help emerging countries in their battle against climate change in his first interviews on Sunday. He argued that countries from countries -- essentially of the developed world, the World Bank, philanthropies and multilateral development banks (MDBs) will not be enough to meet the requirements of the emerging markets to help them transition from fossil fuel to clean fuel. "The only way forward is to find a way to get the private sector to believe that this is part of their future," said Banga, who took charge on June 2 as the 14th President of the World Bank, to CBS news. He spoke also to CNN and made a similar pitch for scaling up private sector participation. "What I think we have to do is... to find ways in the MDB system to think of a different playbook -- to take on the risks that they cannot take on," he added. Banga is the first Indian-American to hold this position and called himself "Made in India" in the CNN interview, when he asked about the need for someone other than an American should lead the World Bank, which has always been headed by an American in an unwritten agreement with Europe, which, in return, gets to name the head of the International Monetary Fund. Banga said he was born and raised in India and worked in both the developed and developing world and, thus, embodies the kind of diversity people may want to see at the leadership level. Developing and less developed countries have long argued that in order to transition to clean energy they need help in resources and technology from the developed countries who caused most of the global warming with large-scale and unregulated industrialisation. And a climate fund set up to that effect has fallen way short of the committed targets. --IANS yrj/khz/ ( 337 Words) 2023-06-12-02:40:03 (IANS) Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said there is nothing wrong with reaching a nuclear deal providing that the country's atomic infrastructure remains "intact," according to state media. The top leader made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with a group of nuclear experts and officials in the Iranian capital Tehran, commenting on the latest developments and progress of Iran's "peaceful" nuclear programme, according to the official news agency IRNA. He, however, stressed that the challenge Iran has faced over the past 20 years over nuclear issues has shown that the West is not trustworthy in its promises, Xinhua news agency reported. He said past negotiations with the IAEA and some countries have shown that they failed to fulfill many of the promises they had given to Iran. He reiterated that Iran "does not seek to move toward (developing) nuclear weapons, otherwise the enemies would not have been able to prevent it, as they have so far failed to stop our nuclear advances". The top leader emphasised that nuclear industry, an industry that bears great scientific importance and helps improve the people's lives, is among the "fundamental and important" elements of Iran's power and prestige, which is the reason why "the enemies" have focused on the country's nuclear energy sector. He stressed that the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA should be maintained, but the strategic law passed by the Iranian parliament in 2020 to counter US sanctions must not be violated. The parliament's law mandated the government to restrict IAEA's inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities and accelerate the development of the country's nuclear program beyond the limits set under a 2015 nuclear deal. Khamenei said Iran has achieved the present level of progress in the nuclear industry despite the threats and assassinations of its atomic scientists by the enemies, stressing that Iran should be able to generate 20,000 megawatt of nuclear electricity in the future. Iran signed the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi paid a two-day visit to Tehran in early March when the two sides agreed to further interactions based on Iran's cooperation and greater openness to the agency's inspections. --IANS int/khz/ ( 467 Words) 2023-06-12-03:40:02 (IANS) In a press statement, the office of Kenya President said on Sunday that the two east African nations hope to spur their bilateral trade with a push for a visa free regime for respective nationals. The two countries also hope to boost bilateral investment ties as well as bolster regional stability with the move to abolish visa requirements for their respective nationals, Xinhua news agency reported. The bilateral visa free agreement was reached earlier on Sunday during a meeting of the Kenyan President Ruto and his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh in Djibouti city. The office of Kenya President also disclosed that the two leaders discussed the resumption of air transport between Nairobi and Djibouti city. Ruto is currently in Djibouti to attend the 14th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly of Heads of State and Government which will take place in Djibouti city starting from Monday. Kenya and Djibouti are founding members of the eight member states of the east African bloc IGAD, which was created in 1996 to supersede the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) founded in 1986 with a view to enhancing political and economic ties among east African nations. --IANS int/khz/ ( 235 Words) 2023-06-12-03:50:03 (IANS) Among the killed were two senior YPG members, the Ministry said on Sunday in a statement. Earlier on Sunday, the YPG launched mortar/rocket harassing fires on Turkish security posts in the Cibrin base area in northern Syria and the Oncupinar area in southern Turkey, the statement added. There is no damage to the Turkish soldiers, police, or base areas, it said. Trkiye sees the YPG group as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Xinhua news agency reported. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than 30 years. --IANS int/khz/ ( 152 Words) 2023-06-12-04:08:02 (IANS) Footage on social media showed Ukrainian troops celebrating in the neighbouring settlements of Blahodatne and Neskuchne, reports the BBC. In footage shared by pro-Ukrainian accounts on social media, troops could be seen raising the Ukrainian flag outside a burned out building in Blahodatne. The state border guard also published videos showing soldiers announcing that "Neskuchne of the Donetsk region is under the Ukrainian flag again", before shouting the now standard battle cry of "Glory to Ukraine". Meanwhile in a Telegram post, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar claimed that the army had also seized the village of Makarivka. Maliar also said "troops continue offensive actions" around the eastern city of Bakhmut, CNN reported. Ukrainian forces were making progress around the Berkhivka reservoir northwest of Bakhmut, and on two fronts south of the city, in one case advancing as much as 1,500 meters (around a mile), according to the Deputy Defence Minister. Earlier Sunday, other Ukrainian officials reported similar progress to the northwest and southwest of the city. Russia is yet to comment on Ukraine's claim of recapturing the three villages. The start of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday after months of speculation. The three villages would be the first liberated since his comments, but not the first that Ukraine has recaptured since June 5, when pockets of its forces began to advance in the country's south. --IANS ksk/ ( 279 Words) 2023-06-12-08:32:02 (IANS) In the message sent on the occasion of Russia Day, Kim said friendly relations between the North and Russia are a "precious strategic asset" and his country will make efforts to ceaselessly develop such cooperative ties, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Russia Day is celebrated on June 12 to mark the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1990, reports Yonhap News Agency. The North's leader affirmed "his willingness to strive for closer strategic cooperation between the DPRK and Russia", the KCNA said in an English-language dispatch, using the acronym of the North's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim said the Russian people's struggle to counter hostile forces' move to deprive Moscow of its sovereignty and security has entered a "new decisive phase" and his people are extending "full support and solidarity" for Russia, the KCNA added. Kim's message appears to reaffirm the North's support of Russia in Moscow's war with Ukraine. The North has been strengthening its close ties with Russia despite international condemnation over the war, amid allegations that Pyongyang has provided arms to Moscow for use in the war. --IANS ksk/ ( 247 Words) 2023-06-12-09:38:04 (IANS) Entrepreneur Suhel Seth has slammed Twitter Co-founder Jack Dorsey and called his statement "nothing short of utter lies, blasphemous". "What Jack Dorsey has said to a television channel in the United States is nothing short of utter lies, blasphemous, and a little too rich, a little too late. Twitter must understand that it is not a sovereign nation," Entrepreneur Suhel Seth said in a video message to ANI. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey claimed that the Indian government pressured the microblogging platform to block accounts covering the farmers' protests. Hitting back at him, Suhel Seth said, "It [Twitter] is [just] a company like most companies, and must follow the laws of the land it operates in. If it can kowtow and set subjugate itself to the EU, and to the United States, it has no business to believe that it is above the law." "In India, they had all the options available to them, which they made use of. They went to the Delhi high court, they went to the supreme court, and they were told in no uncertain terms that they must comply with the laws of the land," Seth added. Suhel Seth said that the claims made by Dorsey must be dismissed with contempt. "It borders on cerebral blackmail, and it must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves," Seth added. In an interview with a YouTube channel 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', on Monday, Jack Dorsey, who stepped down from Twitter's board last year, alleged that the Indian government had put pressure on Twitter and said that it will shut down the company in India and raid the houses of its employees. ".....India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers' protests, around particular journalists who were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, India is a big marketplace for us. We would raid the homes of your employees, which they did and we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit and this is India, a democratic country, " Dorsey is heard saying in the interview on the YouTube channel. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also on Tuesday rejected Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's claim that the Indian government put pressure on the microblogging platform to block accounts covering the farmers' protests terming it as an "an outright lie" and "an attempt to brush out the very dubious period" of the social media company's history. Referring to the farmer's protest in January 2021, he said that since there was a lot of misinformation the government of India was obligated to remove such information from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. GoI was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India, when they did it themselves when similar events took place in the USA," Chandrasekhar said in his tweet. (ANI) Works of Chinese arts and crafts masters exhibited in Shenzhen People's Daily Online) 09:09, June 13, 2023 A visitor looks at a Yun brocade artwork entitled "The Great Wall" during an exhibition of works by Chinese arts and crafts masters. Yun brocade is a traditional Chinese silk brocade. (Photo/Cao Huanqing) An exhibition displaying works by Chinese arts and crafts masters was held during the 19th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, which ran from June 7 to 11 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Visitors take pictures of a shell carving work featuring flying dragons during an exhibition of works by Chinese arts and crafts masters. (Photo/Cao Huanqing) Extraordinary arts and crafts works, including a 3 meter-long, 0.8 meter-wide Yun brocade work entitled "The Great Wall," a bronze sculpture featuring clear water and green mountains, and a shell carving work featuring flying dragons were exhibited. Yun brocade is a traditional Chinese silk brocade. A bronze sculpture themed on auspiciousness is showcased during an exhibition of works by 100 Chinese arts and crafts masters. (Photo/Cao Huanqing) Stone carving works which are replicas of imperial jade seals used by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) are on display at an exhibition of works by Chinese arts and crafts masters. (Photo/Cao Huanqing) The exhibition has been held since 2013. This year's exhibition received 228 pieces of arts and crafts works from nearly 100 masters, including carving works and sculptures, embroideries, ceramics, metalwork, lacquerware, paintings, tapestries and cloisonne. "There are various types of arts and crafts and they have something in common. Through exchanges and mutual learning, the traditional arts and crafts can be better inherited and imaginatively developed," said Jin Ji, a Chinese arts and crafts master who created the shell carving work featuring flying dragons. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) China has released guidelines on promoting the integration of industry and education in the vocational education sector, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The country will build and cultivate more than 10,000 enterprises focused on the integration of industry and education. It will also ensure that industrial needs are better integrated into the process of personnel training, said the guidelines jointly released by the NDRC and seven other departments on Tuesday. It will give priority to the development of innovative industries including advanced manufacturing, new energy, new materials, biotechnology and artificial intelligence, the document said. By 2025, there will be about 50 national pilot cities focused on the integration of industry and education, according to the document. The integration between industry and education in the vocational education sector plays an important role in building a modern industrial system and supporting Chinese modernization with the high-quality development of the population, NDRC noted. After Pentagon dismissed reports of the secret pact between China and Cuba that would enable Beijing to construct a spying facility in the island nation, the US National Security Council official John Kirby has now said that the Chinese spy base in Cuba has been there for years. Media reports on the same were declared "inaccurate" last week for security reasons, the US official said. US National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Monday that the Chinese spy base operating in Cuba has been there for years. This comes after the Pentagon dismissed reports of a secret pact between China and Cuba that would enable Beijing to construct an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island, located 160 kilometres from the United States and called it "not accurate". While speaking with the media on Monday (local time), Kirby was asked if the administration now says that China already does have this intelligence facility in Cuba and the amount of concern this raises for Americans. To which Kirby refused to speak at length citing security reasons for US' own counterintelligence efforts. "But", he added, "This is not a new development that China has been trying to achieve some intelligence-gathering capabilities in Cuba. From day one, when we came in, we took this issue seriously. We've taken some steps to try to mitigate the vulnerability of those activities". On being asked why he didn't confirm all of this when it was first reported earlier last week and asking why the Chinese spying was declared "inaccurate," Kirby replied, "It is the sensitive nature of this information that we just simply couldn't go into more detail," he added. According to the reports, which first appeared in The Wall Street Journal citing unnamed intelligence officials, China had agreed to pay financially hard-pressed Cuba several billion dollars for the spy facility, which would allow China to collect electronic communications from throughout the southeastern United States, where numerous military bases are located, VOA reported. These reports were declared as "inaccurate" by Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary on Thursday. However, he cautioned that the relationship between Cuba and China is something that the Pentagon monitors, along with any type of "coercive activity or belligerent activity" by China in the Western Hemisphere. (ANI) Doctors in Afghanistan have criticised the delay in setting the date of the medical expert examination, which is scheduled annually by the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), TOLO News reported. TOLO News is an Afghan news channel. The doctors said they enrolled about one year ago, but the due date of the examination has yet to be determined. A doctor, Ahmad Zia, said: "The date of the exam should be clear to us because we need to determine our destiny. We want to serve the Afghan society." "We call on the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health to take the examination as soon as possible, so the fate of the students is clear," said Nasrallah, another doctor. Some doctors also expressed concerns that delays in the examination will have a negative impact on the health sector. "We face a shortage of academic figures, experts, and we will be forced to invite experts from abroad. Or our patients will be forced to go abroad for treatment," said Ahmad Shikib, a doctor, according to TOLO News. "If the students are not allowed to take expert examinations, everyone knows what will happen to our health system," said Najmul Sama Shafajo, head of the Afghanistan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Despite consecutive contacts, TOLO News was unable to obtain comments from the Taliban's MoPH on this issue. Earlier, members of the Afghanistan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ASOG) criticized the lack of female doctors in medical expert exams held by the Ministry of Public Health. (ANI) In a first, a group of Indian Americans have come together to host a Hindu-American Summit for political engagement at the US Capitol Hill on June 14 to bring the Hindu community's issues to the attention of the lawmakers. Speaking to ANI, the founder and chairman of American4Hindus, Romesh Japra said that it is the first time the Hindu-American leaders as well as the organisations are getting together during such a Summit. "For the very first time, we are doing a Hindu-American Summit for political engagement. Our community has been involved in so many things --- cultural, social, economic, religious, spiritual, and all kinds of programs but in politics we were way, way behind," Romesh Japra said. Great academics, scientists, and physicians have come from our country, but we haven't been able to achieve the same success in politics. "So, the first time we are getting all the leaders, the Hindu-American leaders as well as the organisations.... the 20 different organisations getting together, 130 people and we have Kevin McCarthy who is the speaker of USA and many many other representatives, who are going to join us, inspire all these leaders to get engaged politically also, and get their children, the next generation involved in the political arena as well," Romesh Japra told ANI. On PM Modi's visit to the US in June this year, he said, "We are excited that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the United States. His coming, and what he has been able to do, put India on the world map." It gives us a lot more encouragement, that what at the world stage he has been able to do, and we as Hindu-Americans...Indian Americans right here, sitting in America, we should be able to do a lot more, he added. The Hindu-American Summit, hosted by the recently formed Americans4Hindus Political Action Committee (PAC) in collaboration with over 20 other diaspora organisations, will be held at the US Capitol to bring the Hindu community's issues to the attention of lawmakers. Around 130 Indian American leaders from Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago, and California are attending the event to represent 20 Hindu and Indian organisations. Several other Congressional leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, are slated to speak at the conference alongside US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. (ANI) "The @DefenceHQ was pleased to host the annual visit of senior military and civilian students of the National Defence College. The visit was a further demonstration of the longstanding deep relationship between India and UK forces," tweeted the official account of UK in India's Defence Adviser, Brigadier Nick Sawyer. Meanwhile, as UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell attended the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Varanasi on Monday, new climate and tech partnerships were announced to benefit all by tackling global challenges, informed the British High Commission in India. Mitchell joined India and G20 partners in calling for reinvigorated efforts to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The new UK support includes funding for a tech start-up focusing on sustainable agriculture, including through growing vegetables in an environmentally-friendly way, as per an official release by British High Commission. UK's International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for the G20 starting Monday - and to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships. He reinforced at the gathering in Varanasi how the UK's partnerships and investments are having a multiplier effect in tackling the biggest shared challenges of today - including climate change, poverty and food insecurity. (ANI) The party party during the protests, demanded to stop the harassment and torturing. "Geneva; UKPNP demonstrations against land grabbing and harassment of political worker. UKPNP demand to stop harassing and torturing in POK and POGB," tweeted UKPNP founder, Shaukat Ali Kashmiri on Monday. Recently, the UKPNP in a memorandum addressed concerns regarding the ongoing illegal land grabbing, construction on valuable tourist resorts, and green belts, and the increasing rate of deforestation by Pakistan in areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan. As per recent reports, construction activities in Lesdana in District Bagh, Neelum and Peer Chinasi in Districts Muzaffarabad are encroaching upon these fragile ecosystems, leading to irreversible damage. UKPNP in a memorandum addressed to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London, demanded that Pakistan should refrain from land grabbing, allocating land to its citizens in disputed areas of Jammu Kashmir. Illegal occupation and construction on tourist spots and green belts play a crucial role in preserving the natural habitat and cultural heritage. These areas are not only essential for the local population but also attract a significant number of domestic tourists. UKPNP has serious concerns about intimidation and harassment of the Kashmiri nationalist witch hunt of the United Kashmir People`s National Party (UKPNP) and its student wing activists United Kashmir National Student Organization UKNSO. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet business leaders of 20 top American companies here and is also expected to address a gathering of more than 1,500 diaspora and business leaders at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington. Top 20 business leaders of US companies including Mastercard, Accenture, the Coca-Cola Company, Adobe Systems and Visa are expected to meet with the Prime Minister privately, two people familiar with the event and its logistics told ANI. The business advocacy group, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) headed by Dr Mukesh Aghi will facilitate the meeting with some of the important names including Shantanu Narayen, Chief Executive Officer of Adobe Systems; Julie Sweet CEO of Accenture; Ryan McInerney CEO of Visa Inc, Michael Miebach, CEO Mastercard; James Quincey, CEO Coke Cola. "The meeting will witness eminent industry leaders from across various sectors including IT, Telecom, FMCG, logistics, and industrials," a person familiar with the planning told ANI. This meeting will be post Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the State Dinner at the White House and before going on an official visit to Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The event will have a get-together of not just business leaders but also some of the Biden administration's top officials. "More than 1,500 invites have been sent out for the Kennedy Center event that includes some of the top CEOs and business leaders. Invites are also being sent to several officials in the Biden administration," the person further told ANI. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, Mukesh Aghi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, on Monday (local time) said that India and the US are getting over the suspiciousness of each other. While speaking to ANI, Mukesh Aghi said that they are witnessing a much more "concrete, deeper and broader relationship" coming up between India and US. Aghi said that India is taking an independent position at international forums. However, he noted that India also supports the US position. He also recalled PM Modi's address to the joint session of the Congress. In response to a question regarding the change in India-US ties over the years, he said, "Well, when Prime Minister spoke for the first time to a joint session of the Congress, he said we need to overcome the hesitation of history. And I think what we are seeing is both sides are coming, getting over the suspiciousness of each other." "We had in India 1998 sanctions and India couldn't bring in a lot of those technologies. Now we're seeing a lot of those technologies moving to India. We are seeing India stepping up in the international forum, taking an independent position, but it also supports the US position also. So, I think we are seeing a much more concrete, deeper and broader relationship coming up," he added. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in New York. After leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. Modi is expected to leave New York for Washington DC on June 21, soon after the event, to begin the bilateral leg of his visit. On June 22, President Joe Biden will host him for a State visit, which includes a ceremonial welcome at the White House, bilateral talks, luncheon sponsored by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary Blinken. Besides the state visit, cabinet ministers in the Biden administration and key leaders are likely to call on the Prime Minister for meetings. (ANI) US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday lauded National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, calling him an "international treasure". Highlighting Doval's humble origins as a village boy from Uttarakhand, the envoy said, "India's NSA has not only become a national treasure but an international treasure". The envoy also expressed admiration for the strong foundation between the United States and India. "When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians," Garcetti said at the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) meet in Delhi. Praising India's advancements in digital payments and financial technology, the US Ambassador said: "When I look at digital payments and financial technology that India has, we have rocked the world. A 'tea wala' in a village makes sure that she gets direct payment from the government on her phone, a 100 per cent of each one of those rupees." He said he recently had dinner with a group of multi-faith leaders in India, one of them said "We hear all these talks about 4G, 5G and 6G, but here in India we have something more powerful than that-'Guruji'. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor of the US Jake Sullivan who is on a two-day India visit on Tuesday met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. Sullivan is accompanied by a delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of US industry during his visit. His visit to the national capital comes in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the US. The two national security advisers had restricted discussions earlier in the day to discuss topics of common interest. Later that day, they both attended the second Track 1.5 discourse on it, which the Confederation of Indian Industry hosted. The first edition of this dialogue was organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on January 30 this year, the release of Ministry of External Affairs said. During the visit, NSA Sullivan will also meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other dignitaries of the Government of India, the official press release of the Ministry of External Affairs said. Earlier, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met each other in New Delhi and discussed Indo-Pacific, and cooperation in specific niche technologies in maritime, military and aerospace domains. According to government officials, the two leaders also spoke on the greater transfer of technology, co-production and building indigenous capacities in line with India's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Additionally, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and NSA Ajit Doval stressed that nations in several regions, including the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, and the Indo-Pacific retain their freedom of action in line with their national priorities and are not coerced into poor choices. Austin, who arrived in India concluded a roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (ANI) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday extended his gratitude to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for excellent arrangements in Varanasi for the G20 Development Ministers meeting organised from June 11-13. "We depart from Varanasi today after a successful G20 Development Ministerial. Gratitude to the Chief Minister @myogiadityanath ji and the Government of Uttar Pradesh for the excellent arrangements. All the delegates are going back with wonderful memories of Ganga Aarti and Sarnath Darshan," the EAM tweeted on Tuesday. "Yesterday the G-20 has made a consensus on lifestyles for sustainable development, which is actually the inspiration of Mother Ganga, the giver of life," he further wrote. After the successful culmination of the ongoing G20 Development Ministers meeting in Varanasi, the G20 delegates accompanied by EAM Jaishankar visited the historic Sarnath on Tuesday. The foreign delegates saw the ancient monuments, Dhamek Stupa, and museum among others during their visit. The External Affairs Minister was seen giving information to the delegates about the historical place of Sarnath. The Uttar Pradesh government designated 115 guides who were accompanying foreign delegates to offer all the information. During the Sarnath tour, the foreign delegates performed 'parikrama' of the 43.6-meter high and 28-meter wide Dhamek Stupa. A cultural program was also organized and after that, all the guests left for Delhi, as per an official release. Earlier the G20 Development Ministers' Conference in Varanasi adopted an ambitious seven-year action plan presented by India to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the G20 countries. In the meeting, another document was accepted with the aim of increasing cooperation and partnership regarding sustainable lifestyles for meeting climate change goals. The outcome of the document adopted by the development ministers will be presented for consideration by G20 leaders at the G20 Leaders' Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10 in 2023. During his address, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said, "The action plan on the SDGs will not only inspire a stronger G20 commitment to the development agenda but also drive transformative actions in three key areas." He further revealed that discussions were held among the G-20 countries regarding lifestyle in relation to environmental conservation and India's lifestyle was presented as a model in this context. In the meeting, Jaishankar also said that India has become the voice of the Global South and has tried to raise the issues of financial gap and debt challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. (ANI) The News International is an English-language newspaper in Pakistan. Initially, Bushra Bibi was summoned by the NAB Combined Investigation Team (CIT) as a witness being a trustee of Al-Qadir University Trust on June 7. But later, she sought an extension till June 8 with her husband. The CIT directed her to appear before the investigators on June 13. The NAB team issued a notice to Imran Khan's wife for her appearance on June 13 in Lahore, as per The News International. According to The News International, earlier, when Bushan Bibi was summoned by the CIT, she penned her reply, dismissing the NAB's allegations as baseless. She also said that does not have any information about the NCA settlement case. Earlier, the NAB, Rawalpindi summoned Bushra Bibi on June 7 to record her statement as a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Trust in the Pound 190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) UK settlement case, Pakistan-based The News International reported. The Al-Qadir Trust case alleges that the PTI chief and his wife, Bushra Bibi, obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from a real estate firm for legalising PKR 50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government, as per The News International report. Furthermore, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were also charged in a fraud case filed at Islamabad's Kohsar Police Station for creating "fake receipts" in the sale of official items on June 7, reported ARY News on Wednesday.(ANI) The golden age is gone for ride-hailing drivers, as the market in some cities is approaching the saturation point and policies are tightening. According to the Ministry of Transport, as of April 30 there were 309 online ride-hailing companies in China. Local governments have issued 5.4 million certificates to drivers and 2.3 transport licenses for vehicles, a respective month-on-month increase of 3.4 percent and 2.2 percent. In April, there were 706 million online orders, a month-on-month reduction of 1.4 percent. Meanwhile, transport bureaus in a number of cities across the country including Dongguan, Sanya, Wenzhou, Jinan and Suining have issued warnings saying that drivers are getting fewer than 10 orders a day on average. The transportation bureau in Changsha, Hunan province, said it will stop releasing new certificates for online car-hailing drivers. An editorial opinion in Economic Daily said the government should strengthen market monitoring and release risk warnings for practitioners and investors. Based on local conditions, it should establish a ride-hailing exit mechanism as soon as possible to avoid excessive market competition, the opinion said. A driver in Beijing surnamed Guo works with Caocao, a ride-hailing platform. He said he has noticed that there are fewer passengers than in the past. "Apart from the service fees charged by the company, today I have taken 17 orders and my revenue reached 366 yuan ($51). I want to take another four orders and increase my revenue to 500 yuan with bonuses. But I have to spend half of that on fuel," he said. When he arrives in an area to pick up a passenger, the car-hailing system may show 36 drivers nearby but only nine people calling for service. Guo said his monthly income from driving is between 6,000 and 7,500 yuan. He often works from 10 am to 10 pm, but because he lives in the southern Sixth Ring Road area, his last order of the night can significantly diminish his profits. If he cannot pick up a passenger to the southern part of the city, he must return home without compensation. US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the US will serve as an opportunity to enhance the commercial and strategic technology partnerships between the two nations. She specifically mentioned sectors such as defence, semiconductors, and clean energy as areas of focus. Speaking at the US-India Business Council (USIBC) 48th India ideas summit in Washington on Tuesday, Raimondo said, "We're aiming to lift up and connect our dynamic innovation ecosystems, address regulatory hurdles to cooperate, and further bolster our shared vision of an elevated strategic technology partnership. On June 22, President Biden will host PM Modi for an official state visit to the United States. This will be an opportunity to elevate our government's commercial and strategic technology partnerships, including in defence, semiconductor supply chains, clean energy and space." Delivering a virtual address at the Summit today, Raimondo recalled her India visit in March this year and said that it was a fantastic experience and a great way to learn about an important part of India's culture. "My visit gave me even more optimism about the strength of the US-India relationship. Together, Minister Goyal and I are focused on the development and security of critical and emerging technology. Semiconductors are central to this effort, and the MoU that Minister Goyal and I signed in March will bring our two sides closer together as we both respond to the urgent need to create stronger and more secure semiconductor supply chains," Raimondo said. Furthermore, Raimondo acknowledged the excitement for collaboration with India within the Indo-Pacific economic framework and highlighted the recent announcement of a significant global supply chain agreement aimed at enhancing resilience, diversity, and security. "Last month, we announced the substantial conclusion of a first-of-its-kind international agreement on supply chains. Through the proposed agreement, the IPEF partners will seek to increase the resilience, diversity and security of our supply chains through individual and collective actions," Raimondo said in her speech today, as she thanked Business Council for inviting her to participate in the Summit. India's ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, on Monday (local time) said that the speed and scale of the transformation of the India-US relationship have been "phenomenal." While addressing the 'India Ideas Summit' organised by US-India Business Council, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third Indian leader to be accorded the honour of a state visit by the US President. Sandhu said that PM Modi is the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice. At the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States from June 21 to June 24. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USIBC President Atul Keshap also attended the India Ideas Summit. He complimented the USIBC for organising the summit. While addressing the India Ideas Summit, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, "We are a week away, from the historic State visit of Prime Minister Modi, to the US, at the invitation of President Biden. There is great excitement, on both sides, as you can see. My Prime Minister is only, the third Indian leader, in our independent history, to be accorded the honor of a State visit, by the US President. He also becomes, the only Indian leader, to address the US Congress, twice." Sandhu said that the ceremonial and substantive parts of PM Modi's visit to the US will "fully complement each other, and will be unparalleled." He commended the US-India Business Council for organizing the summit and acknowledged the contributions of attendees in fostering India-US ties. (ANI) United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his support for the establishment of an international watchdog similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to oversee the monitoring of Artificial Intelligence (AI), reported Al Jazeera. The United Nations secretary-general has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to spread disinformation and hate and said that while technological advancement has been used for some good, the risks posed by AI threatens democracy and human rights. Generative AI technology - which can perform natural language processing tasks such as answering questions, summarising text and even generating lines of code - has captivated the public since ChatGPT launched six months ago, as per Al Jazeera. "Alarm bells over the latest form of artificial intelligence - generative AI - are deafening. And they are loudest from the developers who designed it," Guterres told reporters. "These scientists and experts have called on the world to act, declaring AI an existential threat to humanity on a par with the risk of nuclear war. We must take those warnings seriously." The AI can generate images and videos that can mimic people which has become a focus of concerning issue over its potential to create misinformation and deep fakes. Guterres has announced plans to start work by the end of the year on a high-level AI advisory body to regularly review AI governance arrangements and offer recommendations on how they can align with human rights, the rule of law and common good. "I would be favorable to the idea that we could have an artificial intelligence agency ... inspired by what the international agency of atomic energy is today," Guterres added on Monday. He supported the plan for a summit in Britain and said that it should be preceded by 'serious work'. In the next few days, he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board of AI experts and chief scientists from UN agencies," Guterres said, according to Al Jazeera. Guterres said he supported the plan for a summit in Britain and added it should be preceded by "serious work". He said that, in the coming days, he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board of AI experts and chief scientists from UN agencies. (ANI) Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 charges related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents, CNN reported. His lawyers have asked for a jury trial during Trump's arraignment at a federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday. Trump's attorney Todd Blanche said to the judge, "We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty." Trump was arrested after surrendering to federal authorities at the Miami courthouse, NBC News reported. The booking process took around 10 minutes. Prior to the arraignment, deputy marshals booked Trump and took electronic copies of his fingerprints, according to CNN report. The officials did not take a mugshot of the former US President considering he is easily recognizable. Trump's aide and co-defendant Walt Nautu has also been arrested, fingerprinted and processed. The criminal charges in the US Justice Department's classified documents case escalate the legal jeopardy surrounding the Republican Party front-runner for the 2024 Presidential elections, the report said. Former US President Donald Trump is facing 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defence information and that he concealed documents violating witness-tampering laws in the US Justice Department's investigation into the materials, CNN reported. Trump's aide Walt Nauta has also been charged in the indictment which alleges the two men were involved in a conspiracy to hinder the federal probe. Donald Trump left his resort in his motorcade Tuesday along with Walt Nauta who was travelling in a separate vehicle. Prior to heading to court, Trump on his social media wrote, that it was "ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!," CNN reported. One of Trump's attorneys criticized the justice system and ridiculed what she described as a "two-tiered system of justice." She termed the indictment against Trump an "unapologetic weaponization of the criminal justice system." She made the remarks outside the Miami courthouse where Donald Trump is being arraigned. While addressing a news conference outside the court on Tuesday (local time), Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said, "Today is not about Donald J. Trump, who is defiant," CNN reported. She further said, "It is not about the Republican Party. It is not about the 2024 election. It is about the destruction of the long-standing American principles that have set this country apart for so long." Alina Habba compared the former US President's indictment to "the type of thing you see in dictatorships." She said, "What is being done to President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country" and added, "This is not our America," CNN reported. In response to a question regarding how Trump was feeling, Habba said, "he's defiant." She said that Trump is "not a flight risk" and he is going through a process coordinated with Secret Service and everything will be handled "seamlessly." The court proceedings on Tuesday will be overseen by a magistrate judge. The hearing will operate as an "initial appearance" and as a so-called arraignment. In the court hearing, the magistrate judge will discuss the bond package that will enable the defendants to remain out of detention while they await trial. The defendants might need to notify the court's probation office before visiting a certain location, the report said. Prosecutors might request the court to place restrictions on Trump and Nauta barring their communications with witnesses. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was granted bail by a local court on Tuesday on the charges registered against him over attacks on sensitive state installations following May 9, The Express Tribune reported. Qureshi was released from Adiala Jail last week after staying in custody for almost a month. Today, Additional Sessions Judge Syed Haroon Ahmed adjudged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader's bail plea in a related case. Ali Bukhari, Qureshi's lawyer, appealed to the district and sessions court to grant him bail. The judge accepted his request against a bond of Rs 10,000 and granted him bail until July 4, according to The Express Tribune. After the PTI chief was arrested on corruption charges last month, miscreants vandalised key military and state sites. This was followed by a crackdown on the PTI leadership, resulting in Qureshi's own arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Act (3MPO). After remaining in custody for roughly a month, Qureshi was released from Adiala Jail last week. Following the hearing, Qureshi told journalists that the case was "baseless". "Two cases were registered against me in connection with May 9," he said, "but I was not even present in Islamabad. I was in Karachi at the time," Qureshi said, as per The Express Tribune. Former Pakistan Foreign Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was on May 23 rearrested minutes after being released from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. After his arrest on corruption charges last month, miscreants destroyed key military and state sites. The incident was followed by a crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership which resulted in Qureshi's own arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Act (3MPO), as per The Express Tribune.(ANI) Former US President Donald Trump left federal court in Miami after pleading not guilty to all 37 charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents, New York Post reported. During the hearing on Tuesday, Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ruled that Trump could not communicate with his aide Walt Nauta about the case, CNN reported. The judge also asked the prosecutors to prepare a list of potential witnesses that former US President Donald Trump cannot hold communication with regarding the case, except through counsel. The judge did not put travel restrictions on the defendants. Trump's lawyers asked for a jury trial during the hearing in the federal courthouse in Miami. Trump's attorney said, "We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty," as per the CNN report. Trump's aide and co-defendant Walt Nauta was also arrested, fingerprinted and processed. Nauta had an initial appearance in court on Tuesday. However, he will not be arraigned until June 27. The US Justice Department suggested that both Trump and Nauta be released with no financial or special conditions. During the hearing, Prosecutor David Harbach said that the government "does not view either defendant as a flight risk," the report said. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman started the hearing by thanking the law enforcement community for the work on Tuesday. Prior to the arraignment hearing, deputy marshals booked Trump and took electronic copies of his fingerprints. The officials did not take a mugshot of Trump as he is easily recognizable. The booking process lasted for about 10 minutes. Donald Trump is facing 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defence information and that he concealed documents violating witness-tampering laws in the US Justice Department's investigation into the materials, CNN reported. Trump's aide Walt Nauta has also been charged in the indictment which alleges the two men were involved in a conspiracy to hinder the federal probe. Prior to heading to court, Trump on his social media wrote, that it was "ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!," CNN reported. After the court hearing, Trump made a stop at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant in Miami. The former US President was surrounded by dozens of his supporters in the restaurant, shaking hands and clicking pictures with them, according to CNN report. As the people in the restaurant cheered, Trump said, "food for everyone." Some of his supporters even sang him "happy birthday" as his birthday is on Wednesday. One of Trump's attorneys criticized the justice system and ridiculed what she described as a "two-tiered system of justice." She termed the indictment against Trump an "unapologetic weaponization of the criminal justice system." She made the remarks outside the Miami courthouse while Donald Trump was being arraigned. While addressing a news conference outside the court on Tuesday (local time), Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said, "Today is not about Donald J. Trump, who is defiant," CNN reported. She further said, "It is not about the Republican Party. It is not about the 2024 election. It is about the destruction of the long-standing American principles that have set this country apart for so long." Alina Habba compared the former US President's indictment to "the type of thing you see in dictatorships." She said, "What is being done to President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country" and added, "This is not our America," CNN reported. In response to a question regarding how Trump was feeling, Habba said, "he's defiant." She said that Trump is "not a flight risk" and he is going through a process coordinated with Secret Service and everything will be handled "seamlessly." (ANI) 1 person in hospital after being shot in southwest Charlotte, MEDIC says One person is recovering in the hospital after being shot in southwest Charlotte. Paramedics responded to a shooting call on Steele Creek Road just before 8:30 p.m. on Monday night. ALSO READ: Statesville man arrested in officers shooting in 2018 sentenced on drug, gun charges MEDIC said they took one person to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. A Channel 9 crew at the scene saw a heavy police presence and officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigating a red car. Channel 9 has reached out to CMPD for more information about the cause of the shooting and if there are any suspects. This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Man shot, killed in west Charlotte, CMPD says) Eleven people were killed due to Russia's June 13 missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. Seven bodies were found under the rubble of a warehouse destroyed by the Russian strike. Four people were killed in a five-story residential building severely damaged by the strike. According to Lysak, 25 people have been injured. After the eleventh body was found, the rescue operation ended, with the State Emergency Service now clearing the site. Russian missiles hit Kryvyi Rih at night on June 13. A five-story residential building, an enterprise, and another undisclosed location in Kryvyi Rih were under attack. A Russian missile hit and destroyed a five-story residential building in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 13. (Photo: Serhii Lysak/Telegram) The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said Russian forces attacked Ukraine on June 13 with 14 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles, 10 of which were destroyed by Ukraine's air defense. Russia has also launched four Iranian-made Shahed drones. Since early May, Russia has increased the number of attacks against Ukrainian cities using missiles and drones. On June 12, Russian forces struck southern Kherson Oblast 39 times, killing at least nine people, and bombed Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing 1. Earlier, Russian troops hit four districts in Kharkiv Oblast. Twenty-two people were injured, and Lysak said a two-year-old girl was killed after a Russian missile hit a residential building in Pidhorodne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 3. On May 26, Russia fired upon a medical facility in Dnipro, killing three people and injuring 26. These attacks are part of Russia's mass missile strikes that targeted civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Before even becoming a teenager, Anthaea-Grace Patricia Dennis made academic history in Canada. CBC reports that the 12-year-old has received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Ottawa making her Canadas youngest university graduate. Dennis began working toward earning her bachelors at age 9. Ive always been really inspired to try and make a difference somehow so thats how I got interested in biomedical science, Dennis told the outlet. Im very proud of myself as well, she continued. And Im excited for whats going to come next in my academic journey and my academic career. And Im just really hopeful for what the future will bring. Although Dennis is elated by her achievement, she recalled there being a time during her journey when she came across doubters and naysayers. I remember one of the big things was people unbelieving and did not believe that a person like me could ever possibly exist, which was strange to me because I always read these articles about kids who were smart and they were going to take university credits, she said, according to the report. There will always be challenges, barriers, and roadblocks but there is probably a place if youre willing to look hard enough where you can get around that roadblock or that barrier. This years graduation season has been a historic one for the books! As AfroTech previously told you, Alecia Washington became the first Black valedictorian at R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., in its 100-year history. This is so much bigger than me, like representation matters, Washington shared with WXII Channel 12, an NBC affiliate in Winston-Salem. I know thats important. I know from experience, representation definitely matters. When you see somebody that looks like you, and something you want to do, or passionate about, it makes a huge difference. Its not something I take lightly at all. Along with her high school diploma, Washington earned an associates degree from Forsyth Technical Community College. The high school graduate is set to attend the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where she will study to become a pediatric nurse anesthetist. Heres some background information about the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, which killed six people and injured more than 1,000. Six suspects were convicted of directly participating in the bombing. The seventh suspect, Abdul Rahman Yasin, is still at large. Facts The explosion created a hole 200 feet by 100 feet, several stories deep. It caused the PATH station ceiling to collapse. The 1,200-pound bomb was in a Ryder truck parked in a parking garage beneath the World Trade Center. An estimated 50,000 people were evacuated. Ramzi Yousef directed the organization and execution of the bombing. He said he did it to avenge the sufferings Palestinian people had endured at the hands of US-aided Israel. Timeline February 26, 1993 - At 12:18 p.m. ET, a bomb explodes on the second subterranean level of Vista Hotels public parking garage, below the 2 World Trade Center building. February 28, 1993 - The FBI confirms that a bomb caused the explosion. In the wreckage, federal agents find shattered van parts with a vehicle identification number. March 4, 1993 - Mohammad Salameh is arrested after he claims a refund on a rented van authorities believe carried the explosives. March 5, 1993 - Authorities seize bomb-making chemicals at a shed Salameh had rented. March 10, 1993 - Nidal Ayyad is arrested at home in New Jersey. March 18, 1993 - Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman denies involvement in the bombing. Abdel-Rahman is an Egyptian cleric who emigrated to the United States. Some of the 1993 bombing suspects frequented the New Jersey mosque where he preached. March 24, 1993 - Mahmud Abouhalima is arrested in Egypt and extradited to the United States. March 29, 1993 - The World Trade Center re-opens. May 6, 1993 - Ahmad Ajaj becomes the sixth person charged in the bombing. August 25, 1993 - Abdel-Rahman is indicted for involvement in a large terrorist plot that includes the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. October 4, 1993 - Trial opens for four of the defendants: Salameh, Ayyad, Abouhalima and Ajaj. March 4, 1994 - Four defendants, Salameh, Ayyad, Abouhalima and Ajaj, are convicted. They are sentenced to prison terms of 240 years each. In 1998, the sentences are vacated. In 1999, the men are re-sentenced to terms of more than 100 years. February 7, 1995 - Suspected WTC bombing mastermind Yousef is captured abroad by the FBI and State Department. October 1995 - Abdel-Rahman is convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison. January 8, 1998 - After being convicted, Yousef is sentenced to 240 years in prison for his role in organizing the bombing. I am a terrorist and proud of it, he tells the court. April 3, 1998 - Eyad Ismoil is sentenced to 240 years. Ismoil drove the van loaded with a homemade bomb into the World Trade Center. August 4, 1998 - A federal appeals court upholds the 1994 convictions of four men convicted in the bombing but orders them to be re-sentenced because they did not have lawyers when they were originally sentenced. August 6, 2001 - A federal appeals panel upholds the sentences of the four men who had been convicted. April 4, 2005 - The US State Department announces that it is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Abdul Rahman Yasin, who is still at large. September 26, 2005 - A jury begins hearing arguments about whether the owners of the World Trade Center should be held liable for the 1993 terrorist attack on the fallen landmark. Hundreds of affected businesses and survivors allege in the lawsuit that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey failed to implement expert recommendations to end public access to an underground parking garage. October 26, 2005 - A New York jury rules that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was negligent in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people and injured 1,000. Damages will be determined in cases for individual victims. April 30, 2008 - An appeals court upholds a 2005 ruling which holds New York and New Jersey Port Authority liable for damages incurred during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. February 20, 2009 - The first trial involving a victim of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the Port Authority opens. Linda Nash is seeking up to $8 million in damages for the injuries she suffered in the attack. March 12, 2009 - A jury awards Nash $5.46 million for injuries she suffered in the attack. September 22, 2011 - New York Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 ruling, excludes the Port Authority from claims of negligence related to the 1993 bombing. May 11, 2012 - The judgment in which Nash was awarded $5.46 million for injuries suffered in the attack is dismissed based on the Port Authoritys exclusion from liability. July 14, 2015 - The Appellate Division for the New York Supreme Court restores the jury award for Nash. February 18, 2017 - Abdel-Rahman, the blind Egyptian-born cleric who inspired terrorist plots including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, passes away in an American prison at the age of 78. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Guo Jiefang, a fugitive suspected of taking bribes, has returned to China and surrendered herself to the authorities after 23 years on the run, an official source said Monday. Born in April 1953, Guo, a former traffic police officer in Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, is suspected of accepting bribes in collaboration with others, according to the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group. She fled overseas in March 2000. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against her in December 2007. Guo returned to China on June 10 thanks to coordinated efforts by the office and the local authorities in Guangdong Province, according to the office. China will continue to deepen cooperation with anti-graft agencies worldwide, and will remain relentless in pursuing fugitives and recovering embezzled assets, said an official with the office, urging all fugitives to return to China and turn themselves in. Two Rhode Island government officials allegedly made racist, sexist and unprofessional remarks during a business trip to Philadelphia, officials with a development company said in an email that has been made public. The allegations were raised by Scout Ltd., a development company contracted to redevelop an area of Providence, and accuse David Patten, Rhode Islands director of division of capital asset management and maintenance, and James Thorsen, the now-former administration director, of displaying bizarre, offensive and unprofessional behavior during a March 10 trip to inspect a building in Philadelphia. Patten was also accused of sexual harassment after he made comments about a company officials appearance and made crude remarks about her husband being out of town, according to an email sent to administration officials. The email was released last week by Gov. Daniel McKees office after the attorney generals office said they should be made public, according to NBC affiliate WJAR of Providence. McKees office had previously tried to deny its release. The allegations raised in the email sparked an investigation into Patten by the Rhode Island State Police and the human resources department, Gov. McKee said. While we cannot provide specific comments as the HR and RISP investigations are ongoing, the allegations regarding Mr. Pattens behavior, if true, are disturbing, unacceptable and unfitting of anyone, especially an employee representing the state and who expects to be employed by the state, his office said in a statement. It was not immediately clear if an investigation had been opened into Thorsens behavior. In a statement Wednesday, he denied the allegations and said he "did not engage in the conduct described." Patten has been on paid leave since March 13, according to WJAR. Thorsen left his position in April, a move that was scheduled prior to the trip, the news station reported. Scouts managing partner, Lindsey Scannapieco, and its director of hospitality and development, Everett Abitbol, wrote in the email that during a visit to Philadelphias Hansjorg Wyss Wellness Center, Patten spoke in an extremely loud tone and asked the centers clinical leader if he had to swat off women at the bar and if he had some ethnicity in him, the email said. In front of patients and staff, both Patten and Thorsen allegedly asked questions about how they treat homeless people in insensitive ways, according to the email. Patten and Thorsen were also taken to Diadora, an Italian sneaker and sportswear brand with a headquarters in Philadelphia. Their alleged behavior during the visit was so bad that it left the U.S. CEO of Diadora livid and wanting to file a public complaint, according to the email. The company did not immediately return a request for comment. James Thorsen, the now-former Administration Director, and David Patten, Rhode Island's Director of Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. (WJAR) Scannapieco and Abitbol wrote in the email that Patten was given a pair of sneakers and apparently asked if the shoes were made in China and said he hoped they were not because I really hate China. He then looked at an Asian staff member and said, No offense, hun. Scannapieco and Abitbol said they were not with Patten at the time he made the comment but were notified about it following an irate phone call from the U.S. CEO of Diadora, Bryan Poerner, at 5:12 pm asking us who these people were and why we would have allowed them into his space, the email said. The email also mentions other issues including an early-morning text requesting that fresh coffee with milk and sugar, the best croissant in Philadelphia and a cold six pack be ready upon Patten and Thorsens arrival. You have three hours to convince us to give you $55M, a screenshot of the text message stated. The message, included in the email, ended with a winky face emoji. Patten was also accused of commenting on Scannapiecos appearance and asking where her husband was. He allegedly told her that it was a good thing she was married or I would move to Philadelphia and said, If I knew your husband wasnt going to be here, I would have come last night, according to the email. Scannapieco and Abitbol said they were shocked and embarrassed by Patten and Thorsens behavior and were at an impasse for how to work with people who are so blatantly sexist, racist and unprofessional. In his statement, Thorsen acknowledged he was aware that Patten was behaving strangely but due to time constraints, he continued on with the trip. Thorsen said that while en route to the airport to leave Philadelphia, he arranged to meet with the states human resource department about Pattens conduct and his health. "The flight landed at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon on March 10th, and I proceeded directly to that meeting to express my concerns regarding the Director's conduct and his health," he said. "That meeting was also attended by my Chief-of-Staff. Thereafter, I provided a more detailed statement to Human Resources and, subsequently, to the Rhode Island State police regarding what I had heard and seen during the trip." Michael Lynch, an attorney for Patten, said Tuesday that his clients actions were the result of a mental health event characterized by health professionals as an acute stress event that built up over time due to the deaths of family members and his best friend. He did not take care of himself and sought to deal with the stressors through work some long hours and unfortunately, resulted in comments that were in no way part of his persona, he said in a statement, noting that in Pattens 30 years of work he had never had a bad review or report. The conduct and statements that are in that email are just not in or part of his fiber, Lynch added. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW YORK The 2023 Tony Awards proved to be must-see-TV, as the awards show recorded its best viewership since 2019. About 4.3 million people tuned in Sunday for the CBS broadcast of the ceremony honoring Broadways best, up by 2% from last year, according to Variety. The 2019 show recorded 5.4 million viewers on CBS. Paramount+ also reportedly recorded a 13% increase for Sundays show over 2022 but didnt release specific streaming numbers. This years Tonys took place at the United Palace in Washington Heights for the first time in the shows 76-year history. The ceremony went unscripted due to the ongoing Hollywood writers strike and packed its air time with performances from Broadway shows including Funny Girl, Sweeney Todd, A Beautiful Noise and Camelot. Ariana DeBose, a Broadway veteran and Oscar-winner for West Side Story, hosted the Tonys for a second consecutive year. We dont have a script, you guys, DeBose said after opening the show with an elaborate, lyric-less dance number. Yeah, Im live and unscripted! Youre welcome. So to anyone who may have thought that last year was a bit unhinged, I say to them, Darlings, buckle up. Viewers watched Kimberly Akimbo win best new musical; Leopoldstadt win best play; Parade win best musical revival; and Topdog/Underdog win best revival of a play. Shucked star Alex Newell and Some Like It Hot star J. Harrison Ghee made history as the first openly nonbinary actors to win Tony honors. A northeastern Syrian helicopter accident over the weekend has left 22 U.S. service members injured, the U.S. military reported Tuesday. Injured service members were receiving treatment, with 10 being moved to "higher care facilities" outside of the Syrian region. The statement, which was released on Twitter by U.S. Central Command, said the cause of the accident is being investigated. The statement did not indicate where specifically the accident took place, but added that "no enemy fire was reported. More on the military: AI drone killed operator in hypothetical test, not simulation | Fact check American military convoy patrol in Hassakeh, Syria, on Feb. 8, 2022. A helicopter accident in northeastern Syria over the weekend left 22 American service members injured, the U.S. military said Tuesday, June 13, 2023, adding that the cause of the accident was under investigation and that no enemy fire involved. There are at least 900 U.S. forces in Syria on average, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. There are also U.S. special operations forces that travel in and out of the country but are not typically included in the official count of forces in Syria. U.S. forces have been located in Syria since 2015 to advise and assist the Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State, a militant extremist group that controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria starting in 2014. Since the group's defeat in 2019, U.S. troops in Syria have been working to prevent comeback attempts by the Islamic State. There are currently around 10,000 Islamic State fighters held in detention facilities in Syria that could still pose a threat, with thousands of their family members located in the countrys northeast living in refugee camps. The helicopter accident comes after U.S. troops have been hit with attacks from Islamic State members and other Iran-backed fighters in the past. In March on a U.S. base in Syria, an American contractor was killed, and another contractor and five American troops were wounded after being attacked by a Iran-linked drone. The U.S. retaliated by launching airstrikes on facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Contributing: Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press and Kate Perez, USA TODAY Latest on Ukraine: Push to 'liberate all Ukrainian land' starts with reclaimed villages: Live updates This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Syrian helicopter accident leaves 22 US service members injured Three large Russian ships have entered the port in the city of Berdiansk in southern Ukraine, which is temporarily occupied by Russia. Source: Berdiansk City Military Administration on Telegram Quote: "Three large ships have entered the Berdiansk port. The occupiers are continuing to plunder our lands. The countdown for the occupiers [time in Ukraine] started long ago. Lets hope that our soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine will greet these three ships the way they deserve." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Former president Donald Trump will become the first president to be criminally indicted for allegedly stashing more than 300 classified documents after leaving the White House in January 2021. Those connected to Trump have faced their own court proceedings. What Sarasota County residents have been connected to the former president and also have faced their own investigations? Michael Flynn Former National Security Advisor to President Trump, Michael Flynn, appeared in court Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 to try quash an order to appear before a Georgia special purpose grand jury investigating attempts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. Judge Charles Roberts, of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota, Florida denied Flynn's request, ruling that he is a material witness and necessary to the grand jury proceedings. Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn bought a home in Englewood in 2021 and applied to join the Sarasota GOP executive committee in 2022. He was convicted of lying to the FBI and was later pardoned by Trump. He also was involved in efforts to try to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. More on Trump's arraignment: Trump indictment live updates: Trump lashes out on social media as arraignment nears in Miami Doug Logan Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan waits for the Arizona Senate Republicans' hearing on the review of the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County at the Arizona Capitol on Sept. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. Sarasota County resident and Cyber Ninja CEO Doug Logan has been a part of an investigation into those who pushed to overturn President Joe Bidens victory over Donald Trump in 2020. He faces a criminal probe after completing audits of ballots in Georgia, Michigan and Arizona elections to strengthen unproven claims of voter fraud during the election. Logan has been accused of tampering with voting machines in Michigan and breaching voting machines in Georgia following the 2020 election. In case you missed it: DeSantis vs the Nazis: When has Florida's governor spoken out against antisemitism? Steve Bannon President Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon speaks with reporters after pleading not guilty to charges that he ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme to build a southern border wall, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in New York. Trumps former White House chief strategist claimed to live on Casey Key and was one of four men that were charged for a $25 million fraudulent fundraising scam called We Build the Wall. Although Bannon was charged along with three other men, he was pardoned by Trump for his alleged role in the scam. Since the pardon only covers federal charges, Bannon was later charged for his role by the state of New York and is scheduled to go to trial in the fall. Andy Badolato Andrew "Andy" Badolato - Sarasota Herald-Tribune archive / 2004 Sarasota County resident Badolato was sentenced to three years in prison in April for his role in the We Build the Wall border scam with Bannon. The group, including Badolato, kept hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal use after promising that all of the money would be used for the wall. In addition to the jail time, Badolato was ordered to forfeit $1.4 million and pay $2.9 million in restitution. Joseph Hackett Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Fla., leaves federal court in Washington, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, after he and three other members of the Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the second major trial involving far-right extremists accused of plotting to forcibly keep President Donald Trump in power. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In June, Hackett, a chiropractor from Sarasota, was a low-level member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist group. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. Jan. 6 House Committee members concluded in a report that Trump plotted to overturn the 2020 results despite knowing hed lost, sent an angry and armed mob to the Capitol and failed to respond to the violence as it unfolded on television. Hackett's role in the insurrection included amassing guns and ammunition to stash in a Virginia hotel for a so-called quick reaction force that could be quickly shuttled to Washington, prosecutors said. He attended an unconventional warfare training, and in the leadup to Jan. 6 he repeatedly warned other Oath Keepers about leaks and the need to secure their communications, and later changed his online screen names, authorities have said. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Trump arraignment: Sarasota Trump allies who faced investigations Former President Donald Trump greets supporters at Versailles restaurant on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Departments efforts to get the records back. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press Former President Donald Trump was in Miami Tuesday for his arraignment in federal court on 37 felony charges related to his handling of classified documents. He told Fox News on Friday that he plans to plead not guilty. Here are five things to know. What are the charges against Trump? The first 31 charges against Trump are for willfully retaining classified documents and failing to hand them over, according to the indictment. These documents contained confidential information about the nations defense capabilities, as well as White House intelligence briefings on foreign countries and their military and nuclear resources. The other charges are related to Trump allegedly engaging in obstruction, withholding and concealing documents or records, concealing information, presenting false statements and representations, and concealing records in a federal investigation. Walt Nauta, an aide to Trump, has also been indicted after special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the handling of the classified documents. He was labeled a co-conspirator in the indictment. Where were the classified documents stored? Nauta allegedly played a role in moving the boxes to different locations within the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, as per the indictment. These documents were stored in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room. The resort employed 150 employees at the time and had hundreds of members. The indictment states that boxes were stored for a few months on the stage in the White and Gold ballroom, as events and gatherings took place at the venue. After that, they were moved to a storage room that had many outside entrances, including one from a pool patio, a door often left open, according to the indictment. This room contained roughly 80 boxes in June 2021. On one occasion in December 2021, Nauta had a text conversation with an employee, who said that he had found documents on the ground, the indictment says. Trumps problem finding a lawyer The New York Times reported that some of the charges stem from information found in notes made by one of Trumps attorneys, M. Evan Corcoran. The special counsel obtained the notes through an exception to attorney-client privilege that is made if a judge believes that a client used legal advice to further a crime, per the Times. The indictment states that Corcorans notes say he informed Trump in May 2022 of a subpoena requiring him to produce all the classified documents in his custody. Corcoran told Trump that he needed to search for documents in order to respond to the subpoena. The indictment alleges that in response Trump made a few statements, including: I dont want anybody looking, I dont want anybody looking through my boxes, I really dont, I dont want you looking through my boxes. Well, what if we, what happens if we just dont respond at all or dont play ball with them? Wouldnt it be better if we just told them we dont have anything here? Well look, isnt it better if there are no documents? The indictment says Trump agreed that his attorney would return on June 2, 2022, to review the documents, but then, allegedly, Nauta removed roughly 64 boxes and moved them to Trumps residence, at Trumps request, before Corcoran returned. Trump showed the classified documents on two incidents The indictment provides two accounts of Trump allegedly sharing classified documents. Sometime in August or September 2021, he showed his political action committee representative a classified map related to a military operation while mentioning that he should not be showing the document and that the representative should not get too close. In the other instance, in July 2021, he allegedly showed and described a planned attack that the Defense Department prepared, to a writer, a publisher and two members of his staff. As president, I could have declassified it, Trump said, per the indictment. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret. Trumps supporters set to protest On Sunday, Trump made an appearance on a radio show hosted by his former aide, Roger Stone, encouraging his supporters to protest peacefully. We need strength at this point. Everyone is afraid to do anything. Theyre afraid to talk. They have to go out and protest peacefully, Trump said. CBS Miami reported that Trumps supporters lined up at the courthouse on Monday, while the Miami police chief, Manny Morales, said that the city will be prepared for crowds between 5,000 to 50,000. I just want to assure the city we are ready, and were ready for it to be over and done, Morales said. We know there is a potential of things taking a turn for the worst, but thats not the Miami way, Morales added. Meanwhile, the U.S. Marshals, the U.S. Secret Service and the Miami and Miami-Dade County police will be present to provide Trump security. Six must-read books to celebrate and understand the late Cormac McCarthy's contributions to the literary canon. Credit - Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of often grisly, hypermasculine fiction died Tuesday at 89, in his Santa Fe, N.M. home. One of the most acclaimedif reclusiveAmerican writers of the last 50 years, McCarthys dark and devastating fiction centered on outsiders attempting to survive their often violent worlds. McCarthy, who was born in Providence, R.I., and raised in Knoxville, Tenn., wrote a dozen novels during his career, beginning with his 1965 debut The Orchard Keeper, a haunting tale of a young boy and a bootlegger in rural Tennessee. The 1981 MacArthur fellow, who was hailed by the foundation as the author of distinctively American fiction in the southern gothic and epic western traditions also wrote several screenplays, short stories, and plays. Here, the essential books to celebrate and understand McCarthys contributions to the literary canon. Blood Meridian (1985) Violence is the seeming lifeblood of Blood Meridian, McCarthys fifth novel, which is a macabre epic of the American West. Published in 1985, it centers on the harrowing experiences of a ruthless runaway known only as the kid. McCarthys protagonist comes of age as part of the Glanton gang, a group of outlaws who were notorious in the mid-19th century for murdering Indigenous peoples across Texas and Mexico. The result is a nightmarish fever dream of gang violence and robberies, scalp hunting and cold-blooded killingsone that disrupts any heroic or romantic fantasies of the frontier. All the Pretty Horses (1992) In 1992, McCarthy published his first popular novel, the National Book Award-winning All the Pretty Horses, the story of two men, John Grady Cole and Lacey Rawlins, who head off on horseback on a journey from Texas to the U.S.-Mexico border. There, the aspiring cowboys find a ranch where their skills give them purposeand where one of them finds love. Its a beautiful, heartbreaking novel, suffused with McCarthys deep sense of the landscape and some of the apocalyptic overtones that showed in his earlier fiction and would define his later work. In this mid-career high point, McCarthy delivered a true American classic, one that will stand for decades. No Country for Old Men (2005) McCarthy originally wrote his 2005 novel No Country for Old Men as a screenplay, which might explain its more streamlined prose, a departure from his usual writing style. But he trod familiar territory with a brutal tale that excavated the dark side of the American West. This spare yet disquieting thriller of a novel, which was adapted into a film that won Best Picture at the 2008 Academy Awards, delves into the gruesome aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong at the Texas-Mexico border in the 1980s. Centering on a chilling and murderous chase between a Texas sheriff and a sociopathic killer, the novel is an unflinching exploration of violence, isolation, and masculinity. The Road (2006) In McCarthys haunting, Pulitzer Prize-winning 2006 novel The Road, death looms large as a father and son struggle to survive in an ash-covered, post-apocalyptic America. Traveling by foot bearing just a revolver with two rounds for protection, the stoic pair endure the ravages of nature while fending off marauders and cannibals in their desperate bid to stay alive. Though The Road may be one of the bleakest tales McCarthy wrote (and thats saying something), theres an element of tenderness in his depiction of the fierce love shared between the nameless father and son, which provides a sustaining force in a devastated world. The Passenger and Stella Maris (2022) In 2022, McCarthy published his final novels, a companion set: The Passenger and Stella Maris. Both books, which were his first since The Road in 2006, tackle grief, longing, and loss. In The Passenger, a 37-year-old salvage diver discovers a sunken jet in the deep sea that is swirling with mystery. The diver is also haunted by the death of his younger sister, a math prodigy who died by suicide. In Stella Maris, McCarthy tells the sisters story, focusing on the young woman as she contemplates her life while in a psychiatric facility. Nicholas Mancusi wrote in his review for TIME: Like Bachs concertos, these triumphant novels depart the realm of art and encroach upon science, aimed at some Platonic point beyond our reckoning where all spheres converge. Photo of a vintage Moog synthesizer Its the end of an era for knob-twiddling synth enthusiasts everywhere. Correction 6/13/2023, 10:23: P.M. ET: An earlier version of this story and headline incorrectly implied that Moog Music has been an independent company for 70 years. However, the company was previously sold to parent muSonics in 1971, and later Norlin Industries. After bankruptcy, the company was returned to its original founder, Robert Moog, in 2002. The article has been corrected below. We regret the error. Keeping tabs on U.S. business news often feels like watching an endless stream of ever-larger Pac-Man (Pac-Men?) gobble each other up. Through mergers and buyouts, the companies get bigger and the number of companies gets smaller. Yet a handful manages to avoid the proverbial noise. For a long time, Moog Music, the pioneering synthesizer company, was one of them. Moog has produced beloved (if pricey) electronic instruments (mostly) to the tune of its own analog oscillator since 1953. Now its long, if interrupted, run of independence is no more. Read more InMusic has acquired Moog, as announced this week. The private conglomerate also owns 17 other music production, pro audio, and consumer electronic properties including M-Audio, Akai Professional, and Alesis. Prior to the acquisition, Moog had been a 49% worker-owned company, after the 2015 implementation of an employee stock ownership plan. Yet with inMusics purchase, Moogs workers no longer maintain their minority share. As part of the transition, Moog Music is no longer employee owned, Moog spokesperson Jeff Touzeau told Gizmodo via email. All past and present employees who have participated in the Moog Music Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) since it was implemented in 2015 will receive a payout, he added. In a press release, Moog framed its sale as the start of a collaboration. Company president, Joe Richardson, penned an enthusiastic letter outlining all the ways he believes joining the inMusic family, will bolster the synth makers products and brand. This new partnership will enable us access to inMusics efficient global distribution and supply chain network while providing inMusic and its affiliated brands with deep expertise in analog synthesis, Richardson wrote. Finding a partner that honors our values, mission, and legacy is a great boon for our company and community. Moog says it will continue to be headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, where it will keep engineering, designing, and building instruments. The overwhelming majority of Moog components and products have historically been sourced and assembled domestically. Touzeau and the companys press statement seem to assert that will still be true. Moog will continue to design and build its instruments at the Moog factory, the spokesperson said. Though if that manufacturing process were to shift under new ownership, it would make some sense. Moog had reportedly been struggling with supply chain disruption and other material shortages in the lead-up to the sale. The company raised the cost of many of its already expensive, iconic synths in the past year, attributing the changes to the aforementioned business difficulties. The Moog Grandmother sticker price shot up more than 60% in August 2022, per Synth Anatomy. Simultaneously, the companys employees had been working to unionize with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workersorganizing for higher wages and improved employment protections. Gizmodo reached out to the fledgling union for comment on InMusics acquisition via email but did not immediately hear back. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. 9-Year-Old Witnessed Mother's Murder At Hands Of Her Partner, Police Say A 9-year-old girl allegedly witnessed the murder of her mother by the womans partner. Houston Police arrested 32-year-old Thomas Wilson Alexander, who was charged with murder on Monday in the deadly shooting of his partner Jasmine McHenry, 29. Police said Alexander shot McHenrymultiple times in front of her 9-year-old daughter, Azariah, after a verbal argument. Speaking to local media, Azariah recalled her mother calling for help prior to the fatal shooting. My mom told me to call my grandma, and she told my grandma that Thomas pulled out a gun, and my grandma came, Azariah told ABC13. Cynthia Demerson, McHenrys mother, said she immediately came over after Azariah called her. She said he was going to shoot her. Thats when I got in the vehicle and went over there, Demerson told ABC13. The Houston Police Department said in an announcement that officers arrived shortly after and found McHenry inside her apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Demerson was treated for injuries she received at the scene, though police did not release additional information about how she was injured. According to court records, Alexanders bond was set to $1 million, and he is expected to appear in court on Wednesday. Azariah and her 3-year-old half brother will now be in Demersons care. The number of women killed by intimate partners with a firearm has increased in recent years, according to analysis from the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. Women make up 80% of the people killed by their intimate partners using guns in the United States, the group found. A recent study by the University of Houston found that homicides by intimate partners in the Houston area have doubled in the past three years. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Subscribe to our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get the biggest unsolved mysteries, white collar scandals, and captivating cases delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. Related... Abigail Disney says grandfather 'spinning in his grave' over Nazi demonstration The granddaughter of Disney co-founder Roy Disney is speaking out online in the wake of a weekend demonstration near Walt Disney World where a small group of people gathered with Nazi flags and messaging in support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "My grandfather is spinning in his grave," Abigail Disney wrote on Twitter Sunday, sharing a video of the scene in Orlando. My grandfather is spinning in his grave. https://t.co/Qb5lV9ChbF Abigail Disney (@abigaildisney) June 12, 2023 Disney has faced backlash over movies including "Song of the South," which many say depicts racist stereotypes, and Walt Disney has been accused of being anti-Semitic, racist and sexist. But Disney experts have said there is no evidence he held anti-Semitic views. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said about 15 people demonstrated near the theme park for two hours on Saturday. Two counter-protesters also showed up, and the event dissipated with no arrests, the office said. "We are aware of these groups that aim to agitate and incite people with anti-Semitic symbols and slurs. They are also aware of the law," the office said in a statement. "The Orange County Sheriffs Office deplores hate speech in any form, but people have the First Amendment right to demonstrate." Videos and photos circulating online and obtained by USA TODAY show multiple people waving red and black flags with swastikas, one holding a DeSantis poster and a "DeSantis 2024 Make America Florida" flag planted in the ground. There was a similar demonstration at the same location last May, according to The Combat Antisemitism Movement, a non-partisan international organization. Representatives for DeSantis and Disney did not respond to requests for comment. The demonstration comes as DeSantis, who is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has been embroiled in a feud with Disney for more than a year. 'Absolutely disgusting': People with Nazi flags, signs supporting Florida Gov. DeSantis gathered outside Disney World Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney says grandfather 'spinning in his grave' over Nazi display George Ye, senior vice president of Edwards Lifesciences (Edwards) and general manager of Edwards Greater China, speaks at the Second Edwards Lifesciences Aortic Valve Disease Summit held in Shanghai, on June 3, 2023. [Photo provided by Edwards] Editor's note: The Second Edwards Lifesciences Aortic Valve Disease Summit (AS Summit) was held in Shanghai on June 3, gathering over 60 medical experts to discuss treatment methods of valvular heart diseases in China. This event was organized by Edwards Lifesciences (Edwards), a leading enterprise in dealing with structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. George Ye, senior vice president of Edwards and general manager of Edwards Greater China, shared his insights on the medical treatment of cardiovascular illnesses and other issues with China.org.cn during the forum. China.org.cn: According to a 2020 report on cardiovascular health and illnesses in China, about 25 million people around China are suffering from valvular heart diseases. Due to limited awareness of and treatment methods for this disease, only 1% to 2% of patients have access to surgical intervention. As a leading enterprise in the industry, how do you plan to provide more medical resources to benefit more Chinese patients? George Ye: Over the years, we have actively collaborated with multiple parties to benefit more Chinese patients. For example, we have established partnership with over 10 leading hospitals in China, such as Fuwai Hospital and West China Hospital, to promote the application of new technologies represented by the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). In addition, we have conducted a series of clinical training programs with many medical organizations such as the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, to further improve the clinical skills of Chinese physicians. Notably, SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve technology (SAPIEN 3) invented by Edwards was launched in China in 2020. It is now used in 24 provinces and cities across the country. To better benefit Chinese patients, Edwards has closely cooperated with local authorities and made SAPIEN3 a treatment covered by the performance-based payment under basic medical insurance in many places such as Henan province and Shanghai. China.org.cn: Over the past few years, Edwards has actively worked with hospitals and medical schools to promote the development of healthcare in China. Could you speak on the results of your efforts? What will you do to further expand cooperation with local partners? George Ye: Edwards has always regarded China as a key strategic market and deepened cooperation with local partners to promote the high quality development of the medical device industry in China. In the future, we are looking forward to exploring new cooperation modes in key areas so as to benefit more Chinese patients. Edwards has worked with enterprises, universities, and research institutions in China to improve clinical skills of local physicians. In 2022, Edwards established a partnership with the Chinese Society of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology, conducted cooperation in areas such as monitoring technology during anesthesia, and jointly built an exchange platform for hemodynamic monitoring. Moreover, we will continue to facilitate multidisciplinary cooperation to better improve the treatment for valvular heart diseases in China. The AS Summit is an example of Edwards' efforts to promote multidisciplinary exchange, so as to further sharpen China's diagnosis and treatment ability regarding valvular heart diseases. China.org.cn: AI technology has developed rapidly over the recent years. From your perspective, what are the impacts of the development of AI on the medical industry? I learned that last year, your company launched the first AI-powered patient monitor, providing effective assistance to anesthetists. What will you do to further leverage the strength of AI to promote the development of intensive care and surgical monitoring? George Ye: To provide better treatment and monitoring services for patients plagued with cardiovascular illnesses, Edwards has devoted itself to developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to explore new medical products and services. In 2022, the first AI-powered monitoring product, HemoSphere, made by Edwards, was unveiled in China. By monitoring and analyzing patients' physiological data in real time, the device can help reduce the risks of perioperative hypotension and provide comprehensive and accurate support to anesthetists during surgery. Going forward, we will continue to employ AI to promote the development of intensive care and surgical monitoring. Through intelligent data collection, analysis, presentation, and feedback, we are striving to achieve the goal of smart recovery by offering a safer, efficient, and comfortable rehabilitation process for all patients. Abortions can legally be carried out within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy in England, Scotland and Wales (Getty Images/iStockphoto) A woman has been jailed for more than two years in prison for taking abortion pills after the legal cut-off in a case that has sparked fury among campaigners. Carla Foster, a 44-year-old with three children, got hold of the pills under the governments pills by post scheme that allows the termination of unwanted pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday heard Foster, who fell pregnant in 2019, had lied to leading UK abortion provider British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) during a telephone consultation about how far along her pregnancy was so she could get hold of the pills. The court heard Foster was between 32 to 34 weeks pregnant when she took them with Justice Pepperall saying she felt very deep and genuine remorse, was racked with guilt and still had nightmares over her actions. Politicians, abortion providers, and campaigners have condemned the decision to imprison the mother as they warned the case demonstrates why abortion care must be urgently decriminalised in the UK. What are the UK laws on abortion? Abortions can legally be carried out within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy in England, Scotland and Wales. While medical abortions can only be conducted up to 10 weeks into pregnancy, surgical abortions can be performed up to 23 weeks and six days into a pregnancy. Terminations can only be performed after the 24-week-cut off point in a highly limited number of contexts such as when the mothers life is at risk or the child will have a severe disability. Abortions must be approved by two doctors, with the health professionals agreeing continuing with the pregnancy would be riskier for the physical or mental health of the woman than having an abortion. While this is what the law stipulates, in reality, abortions can be given whatever the persons reasoning for the termination is in the UK. The 1967 Abortion Act, which meant pregnancy terminations were legal in the UK, was never widened to include Northern Ireland. Abortion was banned in almost all circumstances, even rape and incest, with women seeking terminations facing life imprisonment, until the procedure was legalised in Northern Ireland in October 2019. What criticisms are directed at the way current abortion law works in the UK? Abortions are still deemed a criminal act in England, Scotland and Wales under the 1967 Abortion Act. If a medical professional delivers an abortion outside of the terms of the 1967 act, they are at risk of being prosecuted. Legislation passed in 1861 means any woman who ends a pregnancy without getting legal permission from two doctors can face up to life imprisonment. For years, abortion providers, charities, medical bodies, and MPs have been calling for abortion to be decriminalised in the UK. They want to see abortion law extricated from criminal law and monitored in the same way that other medical practices are with the British Medical Association in favour of the decriminalisation of abortion in the UK. Previous research from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the UKs largest abortion provider, discovered doctors think Britains outdated abortion law hampers their ability to provide the best care for women. The report also found doctors think rules such as making two doctors sign off abortion forms give rise to delays, with researchers also discovering the threat of prosecution makes doctors less likely to pursue a career in this area of medicine. Although abortion is criminalised in the UK, in Northern Ireland it has now been decriminalised. How can you get an abortion in the UK? There are two types of abortion: a medical abortion and a surgical abortion. Having a medical abortion involves taking two tablets. A surgical abortion is a minor operation to remove the pregnancy. Prior to the pandemic, getting the first tablet, mifepristone, for a medical abortion required a visit to an abortion clinic. But after Covid hit, the government allowed the medication to be sent by post to be taken at home after a phone consultation, a system referred to as telemedicine. MPs voted at the end of March last year to make at-home early medical abortions permanent in England after a lengthy campaign by pregnancy termination services to keep the measures in place. Some 215 politicians voted for the initiative, while 188 voted against it. The NHS website states there are three main ways to get an abortion noting you can get in touch directly with an abortion provider, such as the aforementioned BPAS, MSI Reproductive Choices UK, or the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS). Another option is to go to a GP and asked to be referred to an abortion service, or thirdly to contact a sexual health clinic to ask them to refer you for an abortion. What NHS support is available for having an abortion? The NHS states any woman seeking an abortion can discuss their options with, and receive support from, a trained pregnancy counsellor if they wish. It notes impartial information and support can be sought via a GP or another doctor working at your GP practice, or through a counselling service at the abortion clinic or organisations such as Brook (for under-25s), BPAS, MSI Reproductive Choices UK and NUPAS. The NHS continues: You may also want to speak to your partner, friends or family, but you do not have to. They do not have a say in your decision. If you do not want to tell anyone, your details will be kept confidential. If youre under 16, your parents do not usually need to be told. The doctor or nurse may encourage you to tell a parent, carer or other adult you trust, but they will not make you. How is the law in the UK different to abortion laws in the US? Millions of women and people with wombs lost their legal right to have a termination in the US in June 2022 after Roe v Wade the landmark decision that legalised abortion nationwide in 1973 was overturned by the US Supreme Court. Since Roe was overturned, most pregnancy terminations are now banned in 13 US states. Abortion services across the US have radically changed in the space of year, with most of the states who have rapidly curtailed pregnancy terminations in the wake of Roes dismantling choosing not to allow pregnancy terminations even in cases of rape or incest. One of the next big battles in the abortion rights fight is set to take place in Ohio later this summer, when voters will consider a ballot measure that could make it harder for the state to enshrine protections for the medical procedure. Ohioans are set to vote Aug. 8 on a proposal that, if passed, would require at least 60 percent of voters to pass any amendment to the states constitution up from the current threshold of 50 percent. Although the amendment doesnt explicitly mention abortion, the August election, which has sparked bipartisan backlash, comes as Democrats are seeking to put a measure on the ballot this November that would enshrine abortion protections in the states constitution. Should the proposed constitutional amendment pass in August, it could make it harder for abortion rights advocates to pass that initiative and comes as several states are seeking further restrictions to accessing the medical procedure. Its such a power grab on so many levels, and I think it really is an attempt to silence the voice of the people, Ohio state Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D) told The Hill. The ballot measure would also require that a petition to get a proposed amendment for the states constitution on the ballot would need signatures from all 88 counties in the state, not the current threshold of 44. A cure period, where more signatures could be collected if petitioners for the ballot initiative receive less than the needed number, would also be eliminated. Republicans argue the proposed amendment is reasonable and necessary to curb special interests from muddying the state constitution. GOP strategist Mark Weaver pointed to a proposed constitutional amendment passed in 2009 that legalized the creation of casinos in several cities. Amending the U.S. Constitution requires 66 percent of both Houses of Congress and 75 percent of all the states. This is a much lower threshold, Weaver argued. The out-of-state abortion lobby was coming in to guarantee their profits in the state constitution much like the casinos have, and the Legislature drew a line, and now Ohioans will vote, he added. But the ballot measure has garnered bipartisan criticism. One point of contention drawing ire is a group called Save Our Constitution PAC thats advocating for the constitutional change and has reportedly received more than $1 million in funding from Illinois GOP donor Richard Uihlein, undercutting arguments that the initiatives goal is to rid the state constitution of out-of-state special interests. What that says to me and I think what it will prove if this passes is that the only groups that will be able to get citizen-led initiatives onto the ballot will be those that have unlimited funding, which will obviously come from outside special interests, state House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D) told The Hill. So I think actually, this does the exact opposite of what Republicans are saying it will do, she argued. The ballot initiative also has sparked disapproval from four former Ohio governors, including two Republicans and two Democrats. The election comes months after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill that eliminated the use of most August elections, only for the state to move ahead with one on this ballot measure. Even some top Republican elected officials in the state expressed apprehension about the ballot initiative, including state House Speaker Jason Stephens (R), though he ultimately voted in favor of it in May. The Ohio Business Roundtable has notably not taken a position on the issue. Ohio is stronger when we can all lend our voices and we all have an equal chance to participate in the work of our states democracy. Ive experienced that firsthand having policies backed by myself and a majority of the legislatures members overturned at the ballot box, former Gov. John Kasich (R) tweeted in April, arguing against the measure. The August election will come more than a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, rapidly creating a patchwork of states with differing restrictions on abortion access. Even months after the high court issued its decision, some states have taken measures to further curb access to the medical procedure. Ohio became a flashpoint in the rapidly changing landscape of abortion following local reporting last July that a 10-year-old rape victim, who was just more than six weeks pregnant, traveled to Indiana to get an abortion over the Buckeye States newly enacted six-week abortion ban. Democrats have already filed several lawsuits ahead of the August race in to stop the election from taking place. One of the two lawsuits, which both were filed by Democratic law firm Elias Law Group, takes issue with the August date itself, arguing its inconsistent with the recently signed law earlier this year banning most August elections. Another challenge argued the initiative doesnt make it clear to voters the threshold of people needed to change the states constitution has increased from a simple majority. The state Supreme Court partially ruled in favor of one of these lawsuits on Monday, ordering officials to reword part of the ballot measure. A decision over a separate lawsuit regarding the elections August date is still pending. DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney, who said the governors office didnt comment on pending litigation while speaking to The Hill last month, acknowledged the criticism of the August date but also noted the [state] constitution itself generally gives the Legislature the power to set elections. Groups on both sides of the abortion access fight inevitably see the potential abortion ballot measure as a driver in the August election, though Ohio Right to Life spokeswoman Elizabeth Marbach pointed to other groups backing the proposed amendment as proof that other issues are also on the line. You have other groups like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, you have Buckeye Firearms [Association] you have groups that are completely out of the ring when it comes to the issue of abortion that are caring about getting involved in this, Marbach explained. Our states constitution matters for a multitude of reasons, and I think that every Ohioan is going to have something different that motivates them to go to the ballot box on Aug. 8. Others see democracy on the ballot, too. This Aug. 8 election is critical, not only for abortion access, but for voters in general. This would radically change our state constitution and, it would allow 41 percent of voters to block any initiative that the majority of Ohioans want, said Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland, whose group is working to get the abortion measure on the November ballot. I mean that absolutely shreds our state constitution. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Lakewood man charged with murdering his live-in girlfriend in May has been extradited from Maryland where police found him shortly after the death was discovered. John Filistovich, 59, is being held at Ocean County Jail where he is awaiting a detention hearing, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Tuesday. He has been charged with the murder of Betty Perry, 60, who was found dead on the bedroom floor of her Thornbury Court home by police on May 30. On the same day, Maryland State Troopers found Filistovich on the side of the road near Salisbury, Maryland, in Perry's car, the prosecutor said. He was taken to a medical facility in Salisbury and was charged with the unlawful taking of Perry's 2015 Hyundai Elantra. Lady Justice For subscribers: What's taking so long for Paul Caneiro to go to trial in Colts Neck family murders? On May 31, following a post-mortem examination, Perry's death was ruled a homicide, and the cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation and blunt force injuries to her head, neck and chest, Billhimer said. On June 1, Filistovich was released from the medical facility in Maryland and taken to the Wicomico County Corrections Center in Salisbury, Maryland. No attorney information was listed for Filistovich. Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood NJ man charged in girlfriend's murder extradited A Marine from Camp Lejeune, who was on active duty when he broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor charge tied to the 2021 riot. Sgt. Dodge Dale Hellonen faces up to six months in prison for his crime of unlawful entry into the Capitol, documents show. He will be sentenced at a later date by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. Two Marine companions of Hellonen Cpl. Micah Coomer of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Sgt. Joshua Abate of Fort Meade, Md. have also pleaded guilty to the same charge, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington and related court documents. All three received intelligence-related promotions after Jan. 6, The Intercept previously reported. Hellonens attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Halerie Costello of Raleigh, told the court during the Monday plea hearing that her client will likely face punishment in the military system and that he may be separated from the Marines rather than charged in military court, the Washington Post reported. A headquarters spokesman for the Marines told The Charlotte Observer on Monday that the Corps continues cooperating with the appropriate authorities. The Marine Corps does not provide further comment on ongoing legal matters. Hellonen, a Michigan native who joined the Marines in August 2017, was assigned to the Marine Raider Support Battalion, which supports special operations at Camp Lejeune. U.S. Marine Dodge Dale Hellonen, right, was arrested in January at Camp Lejeune and charged with illegally entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He pleaded guilty Monday to the misdemeanor charge and faces up to six months in prison He is among 28 N.C. residents federally charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 violence, which has been linked to at least five deaths. Some 140 police officers guarding the building were injured when hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building to stop congressional certification of Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election win. A dozen N.C. residents already have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from nine days to almost four years. Hellonen, who was arrested last January after being identified to the FBI by a fellow Marine at Camp Lejeune, is the states first Jan. 6 defendant to have been on active military duty at the time of the riot. James Mault, who was taken into custody at Fort Bragg, was a New York ironworker and National Guard member at the time of the Capitol siege who re-enlisted in the Army after losing his job when his Jan. 6 role came to light. Mault pleaded guilty to the felony charge of assaulting police and was sentenced in July 2022 to 44 months, still the longest prison term handed down to date to an N.C. defendant. Overall, some 1,050 arrests have been made. According to the Program of Extremism at George Washington University, about 120 of the Capitol defendants have military backgrounds. Relatively few have been active-duty at the time of their arrests. In May 2021, a Marine Corps major from Virginia became the first active duty military member charged. MAGA hat on a statue The ties between military personnel and militia groups linked to the Capitol violence appear strong. A Program on Extremism report in April 2021 found that more than a third of those arrested who had military backgrounds also had links to extremist organizations. Court documents do not show any such ties involving Hellonen, Coomer and Abate. According to an FBI affidavit, Hellonen and his companions whove all received the Marine Corps good conduct medal as well as multiple other decorations entered the Capitol on the Senate side of the building, spent about an hour inside, but never took part in the violence. While they were in the Rotunda, the affidavit claims, one of them placed a MAGA hat atop a statue and the three posed for pictures. Hellonen carried a yellow Dont Tread on Me flag. According to the affidavit, however, Coomer believed Trumps unfounded claims that he had lost the election due to a massive election fraud conspiracy orchestrated by the Democrats. Based on emails he wrote that were included in the affidavit, he also believed violence might be needed to save the country. I just love how after years of trying to get trump out of office by any means the left all of a sudden is going to have a fair election. Theyre an absolute joke, he wrote on Instagram on Nov. 7, 2020, the day the presidential race was called for Biden. One of my buddies here got a ballot for his cat that died three years ago. Its literally a joke to them. Three weeks after the riot Coomer went back online. It just goes to show that everything in this country is corrupt. We honestly need a fresh restart. Im waiting for the boogaloo, Coomer wrote on Jan. 31, 2001. I agree, one unidentified person responded, but whats a boogaloo? Coomer: Civil War 2. Gavin Off contributed. They built a new life near Charlotte after Jan. 6. Now, husband, wife are going to prison. Two Marines pleaded guilty Monday to charges related to the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol after it was revealed they participated in the insurrection while on active duty. Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol, according to the Justice Department (DOJ). A third marine, Micah Coomer, was charged alongside Abate and Hellonen and pleaded guilty to the same charge in May. He was the first active duty military service member to be convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes. The men worked in communications and signals intelligence, according to The Intercept. At the time of the riot, the Marines worked together at the Marine Corps Information Operations Center in Quantico, Va. Abate and Hellonen received promotions in the service after Jan. 6. Abate and Hellonen will be sentenced in September and Coomer in August. They each could face a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment. The three men were caught on video inside the Capitol during the riot, according to charging documents. Coomer posted photos from inside the Capitol Building on Instagram, saying he was, Glad to be [a part] of history. Coomer messaged another user on Instagram claiming he believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and that he was waiting for a Civil war 2. Abate disclosed during a military security clearance interview last year that he and two buddies entered the Capitol Rotunda during the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to the DOJ. The three men were identified using their military IDs and phone records. They were still members of the Marines on active duty as of May. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Treat Williams, a star of stage, television and film, has died in a motorcycle accident, his family said Monday evening. He was 71. "It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident," his family said in a statement. "As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time." Vermont State Police said in a statement that Williams was critically injured in Dorset about 4:53 p.m. Monday when a Honda SUV turned in front of him, ending in a collision that threw Williams from his 1986 Honda motorcycle. He was taken to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead, state police said. The driver of the SUV, who was uninjured, was not cited; an investigation into the collision was ongoing, police said. Williams recently guest starred in HBO's "We Own This City," a drama about corruption in Baltimore that was aired and streamed this spring. In 2016, he played the title character in the theatrical and streaming release of "The Congressman." He developed as an actor's actor by starting as an understudy for the Broadway hit "Grease" in the 1970s before he took the lead role as Danny Zuko. But his real breakthrough was as director Milos Forman's hippie character George Berger in a defining film of the counterculture, "Hair," in 1979. That opened the door to roles in countless films, including Steven Spielberg's "1941," Sidney Lumet's "Prince of the City," Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America" and John Erman's adaptation of Tennessee Williams' classic "A Streetcar Named Desire." In his television career, Williams had roles on "Law & Order," "Blue Bloods" and other shows, often as a benevolent-seeming patriarch with just a hint of corruption beneath the surface. More recently he portrayed Dr. Andrew Brown in the WB series "Everwood" and Brian Grabler, a retired Baltimore police detective, in "We Own This City." In the latter series, he teaches at the police academy and, according to HBO's news release, "recognizes much of what has gone wrong" with the city's force. Williams was born in Rowayton, Connecticut, to Marian and Richard Norman Williams, according to his IMDb bio. He went from prep school to Pennsylvania's Franklin and Marshall College, where he dived into the world of stage and screen. His summers were spent immersed in stage classics at Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, the bio says. Williams' later success meant free time could be spent flying, and he became a licensed pilot and instructor. In their statement, his family said his loved ones were "beyond devastated." "Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it," the family said. "It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him." Sharon Lawrence, who starred in the film "The Christmas House" with Williams, said she was "stunned" by news of his death. "My heart aches for the loss. What a remarkable man," she said in an Instagram post. Williams, she said, "enjoyed his life so much. He created a beautiful existence and example of solid love. He was honest and clear and dedicated to his family and passions. I cant imagine his loved ones loss its just shattering." John Travolta, Sharon Stone and Kim Cattrall were also among the celebrities to pay tribute to Williams. Travolta said in an Instagram story that Williams would be missed as he shared a photo from their time together on Broadway. "Treat Williams and I got our start together in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway shows, 'Grease' and 'Over Here'," Travolta wrote. "I'm so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed," he said. Stone wrote on Instagram, "Sad news rest in peace brother." Cattrall said in a tweet she was "in shock" after learning of Williams' death, calling him a "wonderful actor and friend." Former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon, the creator of "We Own This City," said he was honored when Williams signed on to the show. "After years of cop reporting, 'Prince Of The City' was the only film that made me believe anyone else knew the truth about the drug war," he tweeted. "So honored when Treat Williams signed on to deliver our own, later critique of the disaster. RIP to a legendary actor and a fine, gracious man." Williams rejoiced in his earliest film work, saying in a 2011 interview with A.V. Club that "Hair" was "the greatest film experience of my life." "It was just really, really fun," he said. "I loved John Savage and Beverly D'Angelo, and Milos Forman is one of the great filmmakers of all time. That was really an honor to be a part of." He is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their children, Gill Williams and Elinor Williams. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Treat Williams, the actor best known for his role on Everwood, died Monday in a motorcycle accident at age 71. His death was confirmed to People by agent Barry McPherson. Around 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday, Williams was riding his motorcycle on a Vermont road when a car cut him off as it was turning, Dorset, Vt., fire chief Jacob Gribble told People, without explicitly stating the victims name. He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right (and) a car cut him off, McPherson, his agent of 15 years, told People. Im just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. Williams was lifted to a hospital by helicopter sent from Ticonderoga, N.Y., but could not be saved. East Dorset Fire and Rupert fire also responded, as did the Manchester, Vt., Fire Department, People reported. From 2002 to 2006, Williams led the WB series Everwood as the kindly Dr. Andy Brown. More recently, he was seen as Lenny Ross in Blue Bloods. He gained acclaim at age 28 in the movie version of Hair, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star, and went on to Prince of the City, Smooth Talk opposite Laura Dern and Things to Do in Denver When Youre Dead. In all, Williams racked up more than 120 film and television credits over a four-decade career that was still going strong. He is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gil and Elinor Williams. Africa Needs to Monetize Its Trees to Help World Reach Net Zero (Bloomberg) -- Africa needs to monetize its trees to help slow global warming, the head of AFC Capital Partners said. Most Read from Bloomberg The continent is home to the Congo Basin tropical forest, second in size only to the Amazon, and almost a quarter of the worlds mangroves. Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating against the effects of burning fossil fuels and other sources of greenhouse gases by creating so-called carbon sinks. When you look at Africa and say whats the biggest bang for your buck on mitigation, its really not energy because we are energy starved. Its our forest, mangroves, Ayaan Zeinab Adam, chief executive officer of AFC Capital Partners, said in an interview on Tuesday. We need to create value around the people who are living in those forests because that is whats going to save the world. Thats Africas biggest contribution to net zero. While some African countries, most notably Gabon, have pushed to get rewarded for their efforts to preserve forest cover, not enough has been done to monetize their natural assets, Adam said at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa conference in Marrakesh, Morocco. Her company, a unit of the African Finance Corp, is seeking to raise $2 billion for climate-resilient infrastructure funds. More effort also needs to be made to give Africans alternative cooking fuels to charcoal and wood to reduce deforestation, she added. Income or benefits from forests in the form of carbon credits, which are bought by polluters to offset their emissions, or debt-for-nature swaps, which are debt reductions in protection for protecting natural assets, should be used to develop the continent, she said. More from the interview: We have this big resource which nobodys acknowledging. We are getting the wrong pricing and we dont have our act together too, she said of African nations efforts to get paid for preserving or expanding their forests. We havent created a way for us to ensure that the people living in those areas have a vested interest. We need to acknowledge that we are one of the air conditioners and that air conditioning needs investment and support to conserve it. We need to look at how do you monetize that. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Air defence downs 10 of 14 Russian missiles and 1 of 4 Shahed drones overnight The Russians attacked Ukraine overnight with 14 cruise missiles, 10 of which were destroyed by air defence forces, and 4 Iranian-made Shahed drones, one of which was shot down by the defenders. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "Preliminary information indicates that the enemy used 14 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, 10 of which were destroyed by air defence forces. They also launched four Shahed drones, one of which was destroyed by our defenders." Details: The General Staff has also reported that a five-storey residential building and other civilian infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih. As a result of the hit to the building, there are casualties who are in an extremely serious condition. "The information is being updated," the General Staff added. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Airbnb hosts in New York City won one more summer of renting Keeping home options open. New York City has put controversial short-term rental rules on hold after Airbnb sued. Local Law 18 is a short-term rental registration law that requires hosts be permanent occupants of the units being rented and that they register with the Mayors Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) before posting rentals. It was passed in January 2022 and was due to become effective stating July 1 this year. Read more A month before the law was due to enter into force, Airbnb and three local hosts in New York separately filed lawsuits in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The complaints argued the municipal law that would drastically decrease the number of listings in New York City and represent a de facto ban on short-term rentals, Airbnb said on June 1. A Friday (June 9) court filing shows the office will not issue fines against hosts or booking services until Sept. 5. Both parties agreed to a temporary stay of enforcement to afford them the opportunity to fully brief the issues before the court, said Jonah Allon, deputy press secretary for the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, quoted by Reuters on June 12. Charted: Optimism for Airbnbs New York win showed up in its stock datawrapper-chart-I373j Airbnbs problem with New Yorks Local Law 1 In a June 1 email to Airbnb hosts, Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb global policy director, called out the punitive and burdensome OSE guidance, which includes a ban on installing internal locks on bedroom doors. The registration process is cumbersome, requiring hosts to understand a complicated web of city codes, according to Yedinsky. The Airbnb executive noted it would be near impossible to put in a foolproof registration application and get approved. He also argued the guidance violates the right to privacy by requiring hosts to share sensitive information about their household. (Data is a sticking point: In August 2018, Airbnb sued the city over an attempt to force short-term-rental platforms to share more data about hosts, settling with the promise of more transparency from both sides two years later.) Airbnb in New York, by the digits 5,500+: Short-term rentals reserved to host... ...10,000+: guests in New York City in the first week of July 20,000: New York apartments and homes listed on Airbnb $85 million: Size of Airbnbs New York City market 1%: New York Citys contribution to the companys $8.4 billion annual revenue $5,000: Civil penalty per violation for those who skirt the New York City Local Law 18 30 days: The minimum threshold for advertising an entire place on Airbnb in New York. Anything less than that is illegal $1,000 to $7,500: Fine for host who advertises an apartment in violation of the rules 9: Registrations for short-term rentals that the city had approved as of a month ago Quotable: Airbnb is seeking a sensible alternative solution from New York City While we are happy on behalf of guests and hosts whose summer plans and rentals will no longer be ruined by these rules, we hope the city will use the extra time to collaborate with us on a sensible alternative solution that will benefit hosts, tourism, and the local economy.cJune 12 statement from Airbnbs attorney, Karen Dunn A non-exhaustive list of recent Airbnb crackdowns around the world In May 2023, the popular Malaysian island of Penang banned Airbnb-style accommodation in a bid to curb antisocial tourist behavious. Italian tourist hub Florence banned vacation rentals like Airbnbs in the citys historic center at the start of June. Hosts in Paris can only rent their space out for a maximum of 120 days in the year. Related stories Brian Chesky wants Airbnb to feel affordable again Airbnb is betting that the future of travel is work Airbnb is giving homeowners $100,000 to build wacky rentals More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The 2023 China Smart Home Technology Ecology & Consumption Scene Conference was held in Luohu, Shenzhen, on May 31. The event was themed "promoting upgrading of consumption and embracing smart life" and was co-hosted by the Shenzhen Home Decoration Industry Association and China Smart Home Industry Alliance. Thirty guests from the industry had extensive discussions on topics related to technology integration, product innovation, and platform solutions, as well as shared their experiences in the field. The conference demonstrated the development and innovation trends in the smart home industry in 2023. Luohu's Deputy Head Xiao Jiarui noted at the conference that Luohu has taken the promotion of high-quality development as the main theme of its work over recent years. As such, it has focused on developing advantageous industries such as finance, commerce and trade, and modern services, building new industries, and developing new growth engines. In addition, with the service economy, platform economy, and digital economy as the main economic pillars, Luohu is attempting to form an urban modern industrial system holding key positions in industrial and value chains. Zhao Yuanshu, deputy director of the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Luohu, introduced the district's supporting policies to advance the high-quality development of commerce and trade as well as e-commerce. She said that Luohu will build a major consumption block themed home culture in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, expand the scale of the smart home industry, boost relevant consumption, and promote industrial integration. In terms of smart home industry innovation, Shenzhen has been at the forefront. Relying on its mature supply chain system, talent matrix, and innovative market, the city has cultivated many leading enterprises in the smart home industry and has become an important force in the sector. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said hed like to get a deal done on a new contract before the team reports to St. Vincent College for training camp late next month, and he remains optimistic that one will eventually get done. Thatd be awesome, Highsmith said on Tuesday during the first day of Steelers mandatory minicamp. Well see what happens. But Im confident in the way things are going. Well see what happens. I just want to be able focus on ball. Read more from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Greensburg woman charged with aiding suicide after allegedly sending heinous messages Families grieving after 2 killed in motorcycle crash in Butler County North Allegheny School Board approves new superintendent after some concerns VIDEO: They need to come forward: Family of man killed in hit-and-run in Plum searching for answers DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts An Alexandria man was arrested early Tuesday after the fatal shooting of another man, according to police. An Alexandria man was arrested early Tuesday after the fatal shooting of another man, according to police. The Alexandria Police Department received a call at 1:12 a.m. about a someone being shot at a house on Richmond Drive, which is off West Sandy Bayou Drive, according to a news release. Officers found a man who had been shot several times. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police identified him as 22-year-old Marcus Atkins Jr. of Alexandria. Officers identified George Thomas Carter, 19, as the suspect "based on information obtained at the scene," the release reads. Daryl Ray Stagg case: Sheriffs issue call for potential victims of jailed Grant Parish church leader to step up Rapides Parish DA: 2 Pineville officers were justified in April fatal shooting of man He was found at his home and arrested "within minutes," it reads. Carter was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center No. 1 on a charge of second-degree murder. Carter, an Alexandria resident, remains in jail with bail set at $1 million. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 318-441-6416 or 318-441-6559. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Police arrest George Carter, 19, in death of Marcus Atkins Jr., 22 On Tuesday, the United Kingdom announced a new GBP 92 million (EUR 107.5 million) military aid package for Ukraine to strengthen air defences. Source: Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, at the meeting of heads of the defence departments of the countries participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) The military aid will be procured through the British-led International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) with the goal of "strengthening Ukraine's ability to protect critical national infrastructure, civilians and front-line military personnel". As part of the package, Kyiv will receive radars to protect against indiscriminate Russian strikes, as well as "cannons and a significant amount of ammunition." "The UK has contributed a further 250 million to the International Fund for Ukraine and, with allies and partners, through the fund we are providing a package of air defence to help Ukraine protect their critical national infrastructure and defend against indiscriminate Russian air strikes," Wallace emphasised. The IFU uses financial contributions from international partners to procure priority military assistance for Ukraine. More than GBP 520 million (EUR 607,8 million) has been raised through the IFU following contributions from the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania. Background: Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Western countries are stepping up the supply of military aid to Ukraine to help the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Amelies returns to uptown Charlotte in remodeled space at Two Wells Fargo Tower Amelies French Bakery & Cafe returns to uptown Charlotte on June 15 after a long hiatus. The location has been closed since last 2020 as a result of the pandemic. It had been a fixture there since 2015. Amelies initially expected to reopen in uptown in fall 2022 but ran into construction delays. ALSO READ: Amelies set to close flagship NoDa cafe as it preps for move Amelies Chief Executive Officer Frank Reed says hes thankful for the bakerys patient and loyal customers. This week, as Amelies was putting finishing touches on the 12,000-square-foot space at 380 S. College St., customers continued to pop in, hopeful it was already open. We wanted to get back sooner, but the last thing we wanted to do was to rush or open things incomplete, says Tyler Powell, Amelies marketing director. For now, the bakery is reopening with limited hours, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. We hope to transition back to extended hours in the future, Powell says. Abbreviated hours address limited staffing as Amelies ramps up operations. The bakery has worked to simplify processes and make it easier to execute dishes to address those shortages, says Justy Martinez, Amelies operations director. The space Amelies largest storefront has been refreshed with a focus on customer service, speed and the overall experience. Read more and check out additional photos here. VIDEO: Husband-and-wife team creates pastries with love at Rock Hill bakery Netflix Ever since Dave Chappelle got attacked on stage during a performance last year, people have apparently been asking Amy Schumer whether its a dangerous time for comedians. When they ask Im like, Yes, Im on the front lines every night, the comedian jokes in her new Netflix stand-up special, Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact. But in reality? Like, no, Schumer says. Not if youre me... Maybe if youre them, and you have this sprymy people are like me. Were tired. Nobodys tackling anybody. Were all too tired. Emergency Contact is a mixed bag. One minute, Schumer is invoking (and, honestly, kind of riffing on) Chappelle, and moments later, shell deliver a scathing punchline about our health-care systems utter lack of interest in conditions that affect only women. (... But if your husband wants, we have chewable Viagra!) As she did in her 2020 Netflix documentary Expecting Amy, Schumer also discusses some of the complications she experienced during pregnancy. Schumers brash charisma shines through each knowing grin and comical pout, like the one she puts on as she mimics a man who doesnt wanna swallow a pill. Similarly to John Mulaney, who opened his most recent Netflix special by picking out a young audience member and speaking directly to them for comedic effect sporadically throughout the night, Schumer selects a 27-year-old named Libby, whom shell occasionally tease with the horrors of aging. At the same time, some of Schumers material can feel dated, either spiritually or as a cultural reference. For instance: Viewers arrive at the Chappelle discussion through a story about Schumers visit to the home of a secret blind millionairemeaning, he is blind but as someone supposedly explained to Schumer, everyone around him acts like its not happening. Im like, you can be that rich, that youre just not blind? Schumer describes finding her host in the kitchen cooking, where he offered to serve them drinks but accidentally poured it onto the floor. All night, shit like this is happening, Schumer says. People just clean it up... Dinner took nine years to cook. Throughout the night, Schumer says, she found herself bringing up vision by accident: Is anyone watching The Watcher? How long have you been seeing her? (Fuck, Schumer recalled correcting in the latter instance. Smelling her.) I don't think it's cool to make fun of blind people, Schumer says. I just dont think that you can be a secret blind. And if theres gonna be one group of people thats really mad at me, that feels like a safe one. Wanda Sykes Takes on Dave Chappelles Hurtful Jokes By the end, Schumer acknowledges that shes been baiting her audience. She does it again when she discusses Hilaria Baldwin, saying that the faux Spaniard and her husband Alec named their children all very Spanish names, like Jamon and Croqueta and Flamenco. Once again, however, Schumer is just hoping someone might raise their eyebrows. When she reveals to her audience the not-so-new news that Hilaria from Ethpana is not from Spain, the comedian asks, Did you think I was just doing a really racist Spanish impression? The bit feels a bit out of place; the pop-culture fact that inspires it has been known for years, and Schumers retelling is not particularly insightful or memorable. But it does provide an excellent punchline to a bit Schumer had set up earlier: Marriage is all about finding someone who can fucking stand you. Unsurprisingly, the best material in Emergency Contact is all personallike when Schumer jokingly compares herself to Libby, perhaps as an analog for her younger self. When she jokes about her newly discovered hump, or her husbands inability to deliver compliments, or accidentally naming her child Gene Attell Fisher, aka genital fissure, shes undeniable. In each of those moments, its hard to fathom why shed waste precious time on anything else. Amy Schumer Calls Out Nazi Kanye West in SNL Monologue 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. Amy Schumer isn't here to make friends in her Netflix special. In Emergency Contact (now streaming), the comic declares her liposuction to be the laziest thing shes ever done. She makes fun of herself for stuffing her face with fillers and turning to a laser treatment that rendered her skin blood red, only to look exactly the same. But its the comic's jokes about Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, toward the end of the 51-minute special, that hit hardest. Do you guys know who Hilaria Baldwin is? Schumer asks coyly. Im saying it wrong. Im sorry, she says, adopting a Spanish accent. Hilaria Baldwin. I just cant wrap my head around this story. Schumer says she met Hilaria years ago, backstage at Saturday Night Live, where Hilaria told Schumer she was from Espana, (with) a very thick Spanish accent. They have a von Trapp amount of children, and they named them all Im not sure, but very Spanish names like Jamon, Croqueta and Flamenco, Schumer continues. And all of this would be fine and beautiful, except that Hilaria from Espana is actually Hillary from Boston. This woman is in no way Spanish. Her parents are not from Spain. No one in her life is from Spain. Youre going, What?! Did you think I was just doing a really racist Spanish impression? So, Im not trying to bully a sociopath. I have a point, OK? Schumer continues. I think what had happened was she went to Spain. And Ive been lucky enough to go to Spain. Some of you have been. Its great, right? Dont you love it? I loved it, too. But Hillary from Boston loooved it! Schumer reverts to the Spanish accent before declaring I am going to be from it! Hilaria, born Hillary Thomas, apologized in February 2021 on Instagram for a lack of transparency about her upbringing and giving the impression she was Spanish. Alec Baldwin wraps 'Rust' filming nearly 18 months after fatal cinematographer shooting Hilaria and Alec Baldwin attend a New York premiere for "The Boss Baby: Family Business" on June 22, 2021 with their children, (left to right): Lucia, Rafael, Eduardo, Leonardo, Romeo and Carmen. They welcomed their seventh child, Ilaria, in 2022. My point is that all evidence points to this woman, since she met her husband, has straight up pretended to be from Spain, Schumer says in her special. And her husband shot someone." Schumer's point: Neither cares about the other's transgressions in their marriage, so "find someone who can stand you. Alec, 65, faced criminal charges in the fatal prop gun shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust." The actor was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal for the Western film in October 2021 when the gun discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Charges against Alec were dropped in April, but special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis said their decision to drop the charges "does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled." Contributing: Naledi Ushe and The Associated Press Alec Baldwin settlement in fatal shooting sealed, judge cites privacy concerns over son of Halyna Hutchins This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact rips Alec Baldwin, sociopath Hilaria Yuri Poslovsky and his family went to the beach to save turtles, but in addition to them, he caught an ancient artifact The ancient jar was found by an internally displaced resident of Kherson, Yuriy Poslovskyi, who has been rescuing freshwater turtles drifting downstream on the Dnipro River to Odesa. Together with his family, he spotted a jar in the water. It was floating because a mud plug spontaneously formed in its neck. Being a historian, Poslovskyi immediately realized the value of the find. He handed over the ancient artifact to the Kherson Local History Museum. Later analysis established the object to be a Byzantine amphora that may have washed down due to floodwaters from the coastal area, or from an ancient shipwreck. Read also: Ukrainians react to theft of Kherson Zoo raccoon by retreating Russians "Anyway, the generous southern land has shared its treasures with Kherson residents," the message on Facebook reads. Other amphoras have also been recently found in Odesa Oblast, one of which was discovered by a Territorial Defence unit building fortifications in the area. These artifacts have been passed to the Odesa Archaeological Museum. Read also: About 15,000 paintings looted Kherson museums by Russian invasion forces 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 Neoantigen, a pharmaceutical technology company, recently founded its headquarters in Luohu, bringing new vitality to the district's big-health sector. Neoantigen is a high-tech enterprise focusing on precision tumor diagnosis and treatment. It proposed the utility of organoids to achieve precision tumor treatment. Organoids are an in-vitro model based on human cell generation and fully preserves patient-specific distinctions. Jia Zhenghu, president of Neoantigen, and his team built a more bionic, controllable, and standardized organoid chip in two years. That can help reduce the culture cycle of organs in tumors by half and increase the consistency of the cell culture environment from 70% to more than 90%, which can help achieve a more accurate simulation of cancerous growth and better devise an individualized treatment plan. In fact, each drug has a clinical response efficiency of only 10-20%, Shan Changliang, chief scientist of Neoantigen and professor in pharmacy at Nankai University, said. We use organoids to screen drugs, which can make up for the lack of clinical response. From culture to screening, the whole lab system is already very mature. On the basis of accurate diagnosis, Neoantigen also develops personalized tumor vaccine TIL through scientific prediction of tumor neoantigens. By stimulating the immune system in tumor patients, the vaccine activates the immune system to kill cancer cells and does not act on normal cells, avoiding the systemic and toxic side effects of traditional tumor therapy. Now the company has completed the preliminary construction of tissue sample banks for a variety of solid tumor populations and built a domestic first-class PDX model and organoid transformation platform. Luohu sees Neoantigen's starting operations in Luohu as a vote of confidence for the district's business environment. Luohu is a pioneering urban area in Shenzhen and has policy advantages in cell and gene therapy, Jia said. Under the layout of Shenzhen Luohu Hospital Group, there are a number of medical branches that can cooperate with our clinical trials and medical device projects, he added. Jia also mentioned Luohu's location in the center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, saying that its geographical and cultural closeness to Hong Kong can help the company better integrate relative resources. As a life and health industry base in Shenzhen, Luohu has always paid attention to the development of life and health industry clusters and has continuously promoted breakthroughs in precision medicine, high-end health care, innovative drugs, and high-end medical apparatus. To this end, the district authorities have implemented a series of supportive policies. By the end of last year, there were 65 big-health enterprises above designated size and 30 innovation platforms in the district. Ancient computers, too few pilots and air traffic controller shortages. US air travel could be a rough ride this summer Ancient computers, too few pilots and air traffic controller shortages. US air travel could be a rough ride this summer The US aviation system is set for a record-breaking summer, with the Transportation Security Administration already reporting passenger volumes greater than pre-pandemic levels during the Memorial Day weekend. That holiday weekend was uneventful, but experts are concerned that things might not go smoothly all summer for a system that has seen many meltdowns in the past year and appears to be prone to more. We expect the summer travel season to be off the charts when it comes to demand, says Geoff Freeman, president of the US Travel Association. Thats great for the travel industry, but theres no doubt that as a country we have underinvested in the aviation system for far too long. This type of demand will be an incredible stress test for it. President Biden announced in early May that he is pushing to bolster passenger protection and compensation for delays or cancellations, after the Department of Transportation saw airline passenger complaints rise 55% in 2022. There are also mounting requests to more aggressively and comprehensively address the systems bottlenecks, including obsolete technology and staffing issues. The FAA has acknowledged that it cant handle this level of demand thats why theyve asked the airlines to reduce capacity in some areas, says Freeman. They know that the investment in air traffic control, technology and individuals has been below the level it needs to be and now were paying the price for that. Air traffic controllers While the recent surge in air traffic for Memorial Day was handled smoothly, the next big challenge will be the days around the June 19 Juneteenth holiday. One of the most pressing issues is a shortage of air traffic controllers who handle the crucial task of guiding aircraft between and around airports with a shortfall of about 3,000, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. As a result, the FAA asked airlines to reduce summer flights in the New York metropolitan area, where a key radar facility is only 54% staffed. Chronically low staffing has been a problem for a while, says Paul Rinaldi, a former air traffic controller and vice president of the Global Air Traffic Controller Alliance. We stopped training during Covid, and a lot of people retired. This does have a negative impact on the volume of traffic. The agencys target is to hire 1,500 new controllers by the end of the year. I applaud them for actually hiring, Rinaldi says, though he points out that the number falls short of the FAAs annual limit of 1,800 new hires. The plan is to hire in such numbers in 2024, bringing the total for the next two years to 3,300. Hiring air traffic controllers is a laborious process that requires months of training and then up to three years of on-the-job experience before certification a path that many applicants do not complete, according to Rinaldi. And then theres the issue of age: In the US, air traffic controllers are required to retire at the age of 56, and the FAA wont hire anyone older than age 31, because they want candidates to have at least a 25-year career path. We have 1,200 fewer air traffic controllers today than we had 10 years ago, says Freeman. Thats not going to cut it. So we have to make an investment in people. Outdated technology The FAAs problems dont end at air traffic control. In January, a system outage brought domestic aviation to a standstill, causing thousands of cancellations and delays. The affected system, which was set up in 1993, is called Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). Its used by pilots to become aware of issues that can affect the safety of a flight. A damaged file prevented it from working and there was no available backup. The FAA deserves to have more robust, more contemporary technology infrastructure, says Henry Harteveldt, an aviation analyst at Atmosphere Research. Many systems date back several decades not many of us have a 40-year-old computer at home right now, and its frightening that some of the technology systems that the FAA may be relying on potentially goes back that much. Could something like this happen again? When asked about what steps the agency has taken to prevent that, the FAA directed CNN to a written testimony by acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen to the Senate, from February 2023. We are working to face the challenges in maintaining our systems, while keeping pace with new and emerging technologies and entrants, he said, adding that modernization work on NOTAM is in progress and should be completed by mid-2025. The FAA is also working on a multibillion-dollar program to overhaul its entire technology, called NextGen, which is expected to be fully deployed by 2030. However, the deciding factor in this arena will be funding. The debt ceiling negotiations in the US are going to cap spending in most departments, and the FAA is perennially underfunded, says Harteveldt. Not only does the FAA rarely get what it asks for in its budget, but one big problem is that part of the federal taxes that passengers pay on their airline tickets which are intended to help fund the FAA get siphoned to other projects, in other departments. The FAA will need to work with Congress to find ways to keep all of that money, or at least more than they are getting right now. Pilot shortage According to a report by consulting firm Oliver Wyman, there is a shortfall of around 17,000 pilots in North America, which will widen to 24,000 by 2026. One way airlines have been trying to offset this is by operating fewer flights using larger aircraft. The regional airlines are operating far fewer of their 50-seat aircraft and focusing more on the 70- to 75-seat ones, says Harteveldt. And in a way thats good because it reduces the number of pilots needed; but at the same time you have other airlines which have thousands of new aircraft on order for delivery over the next six to eight years. However, he adds, the industry has made a lot of progress in hiring pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other workers in recent months. The most critical group are the pilots, because there was a severe shortage last year. Airlines in the US have hired more than 10,000 pilots collectively, he says, adding that there is also a discussion on whether the retirement age for pilots should be raised from the current 65 to as much as 67. Younger pilots dont like the idea, because it obviously delays their ability to advance. Airlines see it as a temporary fix it lets their pilots work longer, but these are also the pilots that are at the top end of the wage scale, so theyre the most expensive pilots for the airlines to have. Not everyone agrees that there is even a pilot shortage. Jason Ambrosi, who leads the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the worlds largest airline pilot union, said in a written statement to the Senate in March that There are more than enough pilots to meet US airline hiring demand and that airline pilot growth has increased each year since the pandemic. He added that training capacity has been the dominant pilot-related constraint on air travel, and that the displacement of pilots by carriers to cut costs has created considerable attrition and a significant training backlog. Bad weather Travelers waiting at the Southwest Airlines ticketing counter in Nashville during December's week-long weather-related travel chaos. - Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images Perhaps the most critical factor in whether or not travel chaos will occur is outside of anyones control. The summer travel season will play out as well as Mother Nature allows it to play out, says Harteveldt. Weather accounts for at least two thirds of the delays and cancellations, sometimes more. If we have fewer storms this summer, then the airlines will operate better. However, if the storms are more frequent, or more intense, or they last longer or even any combination of that then were obviously going to see problems. The question is not how bad the problems will be, but how well the airlines will be able to recover. All eyes are on Southwest, which this past December was unable to manage a bad winter storm and suffered an operational meltdown that left 16,700 flights canceled and 2 million passengers stranded. The challenge for some airlines, most notably Southwest, is whether they will have the technology systems in place to help them manage their operations when disruptions occur, says Harteveldt. Southwest has detailed an action plan to prevent similar incidents in the future, which includes an investment of $1.3 billion in technological upgrades. However, it might take some time before all of these are deployed. What really concerns me, Harteveldt adds, is that with so many flights now being booked full, airlines have very little wiggle room to help people who are stranded when delays or cancellations occur even when things are working well. Close calls Early 2023 has been marred by an alarming string of near-misses between planes on US runways, with incidents in Boston; Burbank, California; Austin, Texas; Honolulu; New York; Sarasota, Florida; and at Reagan National Airport outside Washington, DC. In one of the closest of these close calls, a FedEx cargo plane attempting to land in Austin came within 100 feet of a Southwest jet that was taking off from the same runway. In March, the FAA organized a special travel safety summit to discuss the issue, and in late May it announced an investment of $100 million across 12 US airports to improve taxiways and lighting, and hopefully reduce the risk of further runway incursions. It is alarming, says Harteveldt. I have airline pilot friends who have told me that their anxiety is much higher now about flying in and out of certain airports, about even taxiing at certain airports. Some pilots have told me that they will now confirm and then confirm again that theyve been given permission to taxi across an active runway. None of the incidents caused any damage or injuries, but the National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating six of them. What can we do? Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the Thursday before 2023's Memorial Day weekend. - Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg/Getty Images One of the reasons why the FAA struggles to handle high volumes of traffic is airline scheduling, according to Harteveldt. Some airlines publish their schedules almost a year in advance, but some dont until just six months before a flight departs. So the FAA is playing catch up as they figure out if they have enough staffing, he says, adding that the reason airlines are coy with schedules is that its sensitive business information that can affect their bottom line, for example prompting a competitor to increase certain flights at a certain time. It would be much better if there was a legal way for airlines and the FAA to sit down and exchange information in a way that is fair, where the airlines sensitive information is kept confidential, he adds. The FAAs funding and operating authority is expiring this year, and will need to be reauthorized by Congress as cyclically happens. According to Freeman, this is a major opportunity to demonstrate the nations commitment to building a world-class aviation system, and how critical it is to the entire economy. As for this summer, pack your patience, he says. Weve already seen this Memorial Day weekend just how busy the airports are. But that isnt limited to the United States we all saw the challenges around the world with baggage last year and demand at all-time highs that overwhelm systems globally. However, he adds, you shouldnt lower your expectations. We as a traveling public need to demand policymakers do better. We encourage travelers to make their voice heard, and say that they want to see greater investment, a more efficient system and a real commitment that hasnt been there in the past. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COPENHAGEN Russias war of aggression in Ukraine has caused unspeakable human suffering, including war crimes committed against thousands of innocent men, women, and children. The attacks on Ukraines cities and infrastructure have forced millions to flee their homes and resulted in damage estimated to total hundreds of billions of dollars. Moreover, the wars impact has extended beyond Ukraines borders, fueling instability in Europe and around the world and driving up energy and food costs. Despite Ukraines military prowess, its victory is not a foregone conclusion. The outcome of this war will depend on whether Ukraines allies extend the military, political, and economic support necessary for it to win and secure a sustainable peace. As the fighting rages on, the details of what this support should entail become increasingly apparent. First, to avoid an open-ended war, the international community must make an unwavering commitment to Ukraines security. So far, Western support for Ukraine has been too reactive, responding to the situation on the ground, rather than proactively ensuring that the country is well-equipped. Ukraines allies must make a strategic decision to provide the military assistance it needs to reclaim territory occupied by Russia. This includes providing advanced weapons systems, such as modern fighter jets and long-range munitions, and developing Europes industrial base to meet Ukraines needs for the duration of the conflict. Zakhar Tropin: Why Washingtons approach to punishing Russia wont work The U.S. State Department recently announced its support for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian crimes of aggression against Ukraine in a hybrid internationalized format. This move echoes the myopic policies of Western countries toward Ukraine and has very little legal groundi The Kyiv IndependentZakhar Tropin But increased military support is not enough. It must be accompanied by a long-term vision for Ukraines security that includes NATO membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine not because its accession was imminent, but because it was stuck indefinitely in the grey zone between NATO and Russia. As long as that remains true, instability will persist on the European continent, leading to more death and destruction in Ukraine. At their upcoming summit in Vilnius in July, NATO leaders must provide a detailed roadmap for Ukraines accession. Finland and Sweden have shown that a membership action plan is not a prerequisite for joining. Ukraine requires clear guidance, rather than a reaffirmation of NATOs open-door policy. But before Ukraine can become a full member of NATO, it needs support to win the war. That is the rationale behind the Kyiv Security Compact, which I co-authored with Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff. This nine-page proposal outlines a set of security guarantees aimed at enabling Ukraine to defend itself, including commitments from several countries to provide weapons, training, intelligence, and sustained investment in Ukraines military-industrial base. Our proposal, which is partly based on the United States long-term military support for Israel, seeks to equip Ukraine with the necessary resources to deter and repel future Russian aggression. Second, restoring Ukraines territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea, must be a primary objective for the Ukrainian government and its allies. As long as Crimea is under Russian control, Russia will continue to pose an immediate threat to Ukraine. If territorial disputes persist, there will always be the risk of renewed hostilities and thus no sustainable peace. Roland Freudenstein: Macrons Bratislava speech a French Zeitenwende or charm offensive? Some told you that you were missing opportunities to keep quiet but I believe we sometimes missed opportunities to listen. That time is over. - French President Emmanuel Macron at GLOBSECs 2023 summit in Bratislava, Slovakia, on May 31, 2023, in reference to a statement made by then-Presiden The Kyiv IndependentRoland Freudenstein Third, any sanctions relief must be directly tied to the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. NATO allies, particularly those guaranteeing Ukraines future security, should unequivocally state that they have no territorial claims against Russia. This will send a strong message to the Kremlin, countering any effort to distort reality. The cessation of hostilities, together with the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, could trigger the gradual easing of sanctions against Russia. But this process must be closely coordinated with the Ukrainian government. Fourth, it is crucial to establish mechanisms for reparations and accountability for the staggering physical destruction and human suffering caused by Russias war. Accountability could be pursued through a combination of Ukrainian courts, the International Criminal Court, and national investigations, as well as a newly established Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. Similarly, a compensation program must be an integral part of Ukraines recovery plan. Without accountability for those responsible for war crimes and compensation for the victims, peace will remain out of reach. Fifth, there is an urgent need for a clear and coordinated reconstruction strategy, which should start immediately and could be partly funded by Russias frozen central bank assets, estimated at 300 billion ($329 billion). To build a modern and efficient Ukraine, it is essential to minimize bureaucracy and ensure the use of innovative technologies. To this end, the reconstruction should follow a three-pronged approach. The Ukrainian government should outline the overall priorities for rebuilding the country, and the international community including the G7, the European Union, and major financial institutions should provide and coordinate assistance. The private sector should then undertake the actual work in a market-oriented manner. Sixth, it is vital to anchor Ukraine firmly in the West. The war has underscored the inherent instability and constant threat of Russian aggression that Ukraine faces outside the Euro-Atlantic structures. Lasting peace can be achieved only by integrating Ukraine into NATO and the EU. Ukraine has already developed substantial military capabilities that could bolster NATO, while EU accession would accelerate the countrys reform efforts. Andreas Umland: Why Russia and Ukraine will not find a compromise soon Editors Note: This article is based on a series of four reports currently produced by the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS) at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the The Kyiv IndependentAndreas Umland Lastly, to emerge from this conflict as a strong and stable country, Ukraine must solidify its democratic foundations. This requires eliminating corruption, ensuring an independent judiciary, and strengthening the rule of law. While the EU accession process could advance these goals, Ukraines allies must also provide significant funding to achieve them. A prosperous and democratic Ukraine would serve as a sharp rebuke to dictators everywhere and offer hope to all those resisting them. With the fate of Ukraine hanging in the balance, the outcome of this war will depend on its allies decisions. Putin believes that support for Ukraine will ultimately wane and that time is on Russias side. Leaders in Europe and North America must demonstrate vision and courage by following through on their promises to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and make the necessary commitments to ensure a Ukrainian victory and lasting peace. Proving Putin right would plunge Europe into an open-ended crisis. Editors Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate. The following article was published by Project Syndicate's magazine PS Quarterly: At Arms on June 12, 2023, and has been exclusively republished by the Kyiv Independent. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. A few weeks ago we introduced you to the brand new Security Stage, our debut space dedicated to cybersecurity at TechCrunch Disrupt. Now, we're ready to reveal what we have in store. We've got a packed agenda featuring some of the sharpest minds and professionals in the industry discussing the biggest cybersecurity challenges today. There is a little something for everyone, and a lot we hope you'll take away. We will hear from hackers, front-line defenders and security researchers drawing on their firsthand knowledge and experience about the most critical threats and what can be done about them. Plus, you'll find out how a tech giant works to keep billions of users safe, and you will meet the startups working to secure crypto, hardware and messaging for the masses. We'll dive into some of the pressing matters facing the world today, from the risks posed by nation-state spyware and the fight against ransomware to the global efforts to undermine encryption. And for the founder crowd, you'll hear from industry giants who know what it takes to put security first. TechCrunch Disrupt, our flagship startup event, returns to San Francisco on September 1921, and we have a lot to talk about. We hope to see you there. The Security Stage Agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 Signal and the Future of Encrypted Messaging with Meredith Whittaker (Signal) Signal is one of the most popular end-to-end encrypted messaging apps today. We'll chat with Meredith Whittaker, Signal president and esteemed AI expert, to talk about the work that goes into sustaining a security startup, the dangers of data collection, and Signal's efforts to resist governments working to weaken encryption; plus, an AI reality check. The Spyware Industry is Out of Control. Now What? with Marietje Schaake (Stanford University) and John Scott-Railton (The Citizen Lab, University of Toronto) For more than 10 years, researchers at organizations like The Citizen Lab and Amnesty International have exposed countless examples of governments all over the world using spyware made by Western companies to hack activists, journalists and dissidents. First there was Hacking Team and FinFisher, and now its NSO Group and a handful more. Can this industry operate legally and ethically? If not, what can we do to counter these abuses? What it Takes to Keep Billions of Internet Users Safe with Parisa Tabriz (Google) Parisa Tabriz started as a hacker; now she's known as Googles security princess, tasked with protecting the data of billions of users around the world. Tabriz, who oversees Chrome browser security and Googles security research team Project Zero, knows all there is to know about the complex world of web security. Well discuss what goes into keeping billions of users safe and how startups can be better prepared for the threats of tomorrow. Exploring the Insecurity of Things with Amit Serper (Sternum) Smart home tech and internet-connected devices are all the rage, but security flaws plague the hardware space. Amit Serper, director of security research at Sternum IoT, is a skilled hacker with a track record of finding vulnerabilities and understanding what causes them. Join us for a crash course on what can and does go wrong, and how to do security right. Ransom-where? The U.S. Cities Fighting Back Against Hackers with Heather Adkins (Google) and Allan Liska (Recorded Future) Local governments are under siege by ransomware: More than 200 local governments, schools and hospitals were targeted by ransomware in 2022, costing the U.S. public sector hundreds of millions of dollars in downtime and damages. Well discuss how local governments and startups alike can fight back against the growing ransomware threat. What We Can Learn from Cybersecurity Trash Fires with Lesley Carhart (Dragos), Sherrod DeGrippo (Microsoft) and Rachel Tobac (SocialProof Security) Hacks happen every day, and they can be highly embarrassing. But it's the response, handling and aftermath that few ever forget and what can turn a cyber incident into a cyber disaster. You'll hear from three of the sharpest hackers and security researchers in their fields about cybersecurity horror stories, with advice and guidance on how founders and startups can avoid making the same mistakes. The Crypto Worlds Cybersecurity Is a Disaster. How Can It Be Fixed? with Marcus Carey (ReliaQuest), Jessy Irwin (Amulet) and Stephen Tong (Zellic) In the last couple of years, hackers have stolen more than $4 billion in cryptocurrency from a seemingly endless list of web3 and blockchain projects. Is the crypto world inherently insecure or is it still in its early years? In this panel we will delve into what makes web3 more vulnerable to attacks than other tech sectors and how it can be improved. Disrupt 2023 runs September 19-21 in San Francisco. Buy your pass now! Seriously, what are you waiting for? Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form. Apple is close to becoming the first-ever $3 trillion company Vision pro indeed. Apples record stock performance is pushing the largest company in the world to the brink of a historic threshold. Yesterday (June 12), the iPhone makers stock closed at a record high of $183.79. With that, Apple is closer than ever to becoming the first $3 trillion company, currently worth $2.89 trillion. Read more A broader recovery in big tech stocks, the companys robust performanceincluding the rebound in its iPhone segment and its services business revenue clocking an all-time highcombined with optimism around the companys plans for a major retail push globally, are all hoisting the stock up and up. Most recently, the Cupertino company hit an intraday high on June 5, when it launched its highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, but those gains reversed by market close. Charted: Apples climbing further up in the trillion-dollar club datawrapper-chart-XeEjm Quotable: Apples stocks 2023 rally will continue Apple is just as likely to perform well in a risk-on environment as a risk-off one. You cant expect 20-30% returns from here, but Id rather park my money here than in a Treasury. There is a lot of opportunity for growth even in a tough market, and it pays a dividend, buys back a ton of stock, and has this incredibly strong balance sheet, all of which is attractive to investors. Sylvia Jablonski, chief executive officer of Defiance ETFs Fun fact: Apple holds all trillion-dollar valuation records Apple was the first company to breach a $1 trillion valuation in August 2018, and the first to surpass $2 trillion two years after that milestone. Other companies like tech giants Microsoft and Alphabet have breached the barrier since, and so has oil giant Saudi Aramco from halfway around the world, but Apple still holds the pole position. datawrapper-chart-PuO0m A non-exhaustive list of things Apples valuation already dwarfs The GDP of major economies like Italy, Canada, and South Korea The combined total of NASAs annual budget between 1958, when it was founded, and 2022 Many stock exchanges around the world, including Saudis Tadawul, Toronto Stock Exchange, and Taiwan Stock Exchange, among others The most expensive thing ever sold at an auction: Leonardo Da Vincis Salvator Mundi was bought by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, in New York in 2017 for $450.3 million. Even at an unprecedented $3 trillion, Apples valuation would still be half of the $6.4 trillion American taxpayer money the US has spent on wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, since they began in 2001. Related stories Apple WWDC 2023 is where the new virtual reality headset rumors face a reality test Apples Vision Pro announcement at WWDC didnt mention the word metaverse Nvidia is on track to break a stock market record held by Apple in the US More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Argument at Kelloggs Bakery between employees turns into deadly shooting, Ga. police say A late-night argument at a Kellogg bakery escalated into a deadly shooting, according to the Rome Police Department. On Monday, just before 11 p.m., Rome police responded to Kellogg on Old Lindale Road in reference to a reported shooting. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When police arrived, they found 26-year-old Keion Harper dead. Police determined Harper was shot and killed. Officers tried to perform first aid until medical officials on the scene pronounced him dead. A 29-year-old man, identified as Devion Smith of Rome called 911, admitting he shot Harper. TRENDING STORIES: Police confirmed that both worked for Kellogg. It is unclear what led up to this deadly incident. The altercation had nothing to do with the company and no other injuries were reported, according to police. Smith was charged with homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The Ministry of Defence is unlikely to be able to recover the billions of hryvnias it transferred to arms importers that never delivered the promised military equipment and supplies. Source: Yevhen Hrushovets, a lawyer and the head of the Anti-Corruption Council at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "This is a real problem because these special importers don't have the money. That is, the money was the Ministry of Defence's and now there is no money... But if we're talking purely from a legal point of view, the Ministry of Defence has no other choice: it can either go to court to recover the money, or file a criminal complaint concerning the misappropriation of these funds. So the Ministry of Defence says to this importer: give us back the money... The Ministry of Defence files a lawsuit in court. The court should rule, we think, in favour of the Ministry of Defence, because in principle, everything is simple: there was a contract, money was paid, and no deliveries were made. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence will receive a court judgment to recover the funds. And I think it will end there." Details: Hrushkovets noted that this is because the Kyiv Commercial Court is not authorised to go to the contractor to collect the funds. In addition, the contractor often has no funds in its accounts "It doesnt just have zero, its balance is negative." Therefore, the Ministry of Defence will also go to the Enforcement Service. The enforcement officer will open proceedings and immediately suspend them, because there is currently a moratorium on recovering money from state-owned enterprises, and these special importers are state-owned companies. Hrushkovets explained that if these were private companies rather than state-owned enterprises, the Ministry of Defence would go through bankruptcy proceedings. But in this case, that cannot happen either, because there is another moratorium on bankruptcy for state-owned companies. "So the outcome is that the Ministry of Defence has filed a lawsuit and obtained a judgment, but it wont receive any money," the head of the Anti-Corruption Council said. Hrushkovets also added that the Ministry of Defence has already filed more than one criminal complaint, and a number of cases are currently being investigated by Ukraines National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Security Service and State Bureau of Investigation. But even when there are notices of suspicion, pre-trial restrictions and actions aimed at getting these funds back from various sources, it is still not easy to get them back. Background: Earlier, it became known that Ukrainian state-owned companies engaged in international arms procurement received billions of hryvnias under contracts with the Ministry of Defence in 2022 and failed to deliver. In particular, the Ministry of Defence had ordered the state defence special exporter Progress to supply US vehicles costing US$300,000 each and Grad MLRS rounds, but Progress failed to fulfil the contracts. In early 2023, the Ministry of Defence began filing lawsuits against these state-owned suppliers. As of 23 May, Ukrainska Pravda had managed to find at least 30 such lawsuits in the court register. These included lawsuits filed against Progress, SpetsTechnoExport, Ukrspetsexport and the Defence Procurement Agency. The total amount of money owed under the overdue contracts listed in the register is UAH 8.9 billion (about US$238 million). This UAH 8.9 billion includes both prepayments received by suppliers and fines and penalties for overdue contract performance. However, according to Ukrainska Pravda, the claims filed cover only part of the overdue contracts. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! They were punk rock. They dressed in drag. They wrote songs about sex work and violence toward the LGBTQ community. And they only ever performed once. They were the Strange Beauties, a group of friends having fun. It was the 80s in Philadelphia and the height of disco. But Beau McCall and his friends Antoine and Tracy wanted to try something different. People looked at them like they were crazy, McCall said, but they didnt care. We didnt look like pageant queens, he said. We looked like rock stars. Antoine and Tracy passed away, but their time as Strange Beauties is immortalized forever. This Pride Month, McCall pays homage to his friends and their stories at a new art exhibition at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale. Strange Beauties XIII: Antoine aka DeeDee Some more, Tracy Monroe, and Beau McCall, 2020 is one of the pieces in Beau McCalls Rewind: History on Repeat pays homage to her story and and life on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Rewind: History on Repeat features 10 artworks that memorialize 10 friends who have died through collages of photographs, buttons and ephemera. The pieces on display are pulled from McCalls art book REWIND: MEMORIES ON REPEAT along with archived magazines, posters and newspapers that captured Black, LGBTQ life in the 80s and 90s. The show is on view until Sept. 8. McCall, a New York-based artist known for his use of buttons in his work, made the collages from an old bag of photographs he kept underneath his bed. Antoine would poke fun at McCall for bringing his disposable camera everywhere, calling him picture crazy. I was just taking pictures because we were having fun. All those pictures paid off, McCall said. If it wasnt for me being picture crazy this exhibition wouldnt exist. McCalls show is the first of several exhibitions that will be dedicated to minority groups within the LGBTQ community this year, said Robert Kesten, the museums director. The museum also recently announced a partnership with the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale to work on programming that engages the LGBTQ community. When marginalized people are left out of the picture, were not getting a full picture of what has really gone on in the world before, nor whats going on in the world going forward, Kesten said. That is why we continuously find ourselves facing the same problems. Were not finding solutions because were not including people in the conversation. The exhibit opened during the first week of LGBTQ Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 protests and riots at The Stonewall Inn in New York City. Decades later, Kesten said, LGBTQ Floridians face harmful rhetoric and discrimination, especially in the last year after the expansion of the so-called Dont Say Gay education law and Gov. Ron DeSantis targeting of drag shows. [The exhibition] shows that were more alike than we are different, for people who are exhibiting hate and prejudice, he added. But what it also shows, and I think it might be even more important, is that if youre in the Black community or the LGBTQ+ community, we are resilient. We have gone through all of these things together, and we have overcome. McCalls art reflects what life was like for Black LGBTQ community members in the years after the Stonewall riots and during the AIDS epidemic. Despite the hardship, we just relied on each other for friendship, he said. Originally from Philadelphia, McCall came of age in a relatively small gay scene, he said. McCall spent his time going out with friends at the handful of gay friendly bars and clubs, dancing to Donna Summers and Diana Ross. But as AIDS spread through the community, his life in his hometown changed. Several clubs closed. Several people got sick and died. Bianca III, 2020 - Bianca was a Black trans woman who was murdered in an act of anti-trans violence, in the early-mid of the 1980s. Beau McCalls Rewind: History on Repeat pays homage to her story and and life on Thursday, June 8, 2023. In 1986, he left to New York City, where he still lives today, to start a new chapter and study fashion. But every time he called back home, he received terrible news. Friends died of AIDS and other illnesses. One friend, a Black transgender woman named Bianca, was murdered. The loss of his friends weighed heavily on McCall, and he stopped creating artwork for 10 years. In 2011, his life partner Souleo saw his old pieces and encouraged him to start creating again. He rejuvenated my creative energy, McCall said. Next to each artwork at the exhibition are short stories about the people featured in the collages. One of those friends is Moi Renee, a musical artist and drag performer whose dance single Miss Honey was sampled on PURE/HONEY from Beyonces Renaissance album. McCall stayed at Renees apartment when he first moved to New York City. Moi Renee V by artist Beau McCall uses an old club poster to homage to his friend. Moi Renee was a stylish musical artist and drag performer whos song Miss Honey was sampled on Beyonces Renaissance album. In one of the collages, an old poster for the LGBTQ club Midtown 43 advertises Renees show and a free buffet. In another collage, Renees face appears on the cover of a local newspaper for a story about violence toward gay, Black people. Another collage is dedicated to Bianca. She appears smiling and wrapped in yellow buttons to represent joy. Next to her collage, another piece made with obituary clippings spells out the names of McCalls deceased friends: Trey, Charles, Joey, Antoine, Moi Renee, Sifudoin. McCall said everyone, especially young people, should see the exhibition and reflect on the value of friendship. Being able to share this exhibition is a blessing, he said. He recalled the times his friend Trey would visit from Philadelphia and hang out at McCalls place, drinking, smoking and talking for hours about old times. One conversation always came up. Who would be the last person sitting at the table, telling their stories? That person is McCall. I feel very blessed at the moment that I am living to tell my stories, McCall said. Hopefully that will inspire some young person to preserve their memories for the next generation. Rewind: History on Repeat Where: Stonewall National Museum & Archives; 1300 East Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale When: On view until September 8. Info: https://stonewall-museum.org/exhibitions/ 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. Bus driver Brett Andrew Button leaves the Cessnock Police Station in Cessnock, north of Sydney, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Police allege bus driver Button was driving the vehicle too fast when it rolled on its side in heavy fog, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others in an Australian wine region Sunday, June 11, 2023. (Luke Costin/AAP Image via AP) A bus driver was driving too fast when the vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog in an Australian wine region, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others, police alleged Tuesday. Brett Andrew Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales state, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late Sunday. person holding passport An Australian traveler found himself in hot water after he was denied entry into Indonesia for his friends wedding. Matt Vandenberg was traveling from Sydney to Bali on June 6 to celebrate his close friends wedding. Unfortunately, when he arrived in Denpasar, he was denied from entering the Indonesian country due to a tiny tear on the corner of his passport, according to the Independent. The traveler documented the wild experience on his Twitter page. Vandenberg said the 1-centimeter tear on a page in his passport wasnt an issue when he departed from Australia. Once he arrived in Bali, he said he was brought into an office to be told that my passport tear isnt acceptable and I wont be allowed into the country. Im not disputing the tearbut it wasnt even noticeable until you bend it back (and immigration officers in Sydney were fine when they scanned it), Vandenberg said. Photo credit: Omar Markhieh Airport officials then confiscated Vandenbergs passport while waiting for him to be transported back to Australia. While he waited, the traveler was forced to sit with police chaperones for 12 hours before boarding his six-hour flight home. Ive had two airport police by my side the whole dayto be fair they are the nicest people you could have stuck by my side, he said on his Twitter. Upon arriving back in Australia, Vandenberg obtained an emergency passport and booked a flight back to Bali for his friends wedding. He said the situation left him feeling disappointed and he believed that if I had gotten a different officer on the day, I would have been let through. Vandenberg isnt the first traveler denied entry to a country due to a damaged passport. In 2019, traveler Ben West was denied entry to Qatar because a page in his passport had separated a few millimeters from the laminate. Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were killed in an apparently random attack They were two friends on a night out, celebrating the end of their exams. In the wrong place and at the wrong time. On Tuesday at 4am, the students, both 19, and both from the University of Nottingham, were attacked in the street, slashed and stabbed by a knifeman dressed all in black. The male victim was later named as Barnaby Webber, the female named locally as Grace Kumar. Residents, who had their windows open as they struggled to sleep in the heat, heard the blood curdling screams for help from Ms Kumar as she watched Mr Webber being repeatedly stabbed. Paramedics battled to save their lives but to no avail. Their murders were not the end of it. For the next hour and a half as police launched a frantic manhunt, the suspect continued his rampage, driving a white van through the city in pursuit of more victims. Two miles from the first attack another person was killed. Neighbours heard a loud noise as if a bomb had gone off while passersby found a man in his 50s in the street dying from what they said appeared to be multiple stab wounds. His van had been stolen by the assailant. Shortly afterwards three people were mown down in Nottingham city centre, their only crime, said the councils leader, was to be waiting at a bus stop early in the morning. By the time dawn had broken over Nottingham, three innocent people had been killed and three more injured, one of them critically. The 31-year-old suspect was finally arrested after a police chase that ended at around 5.30am when armed officers surrounded the van before dragging out the alleged killer and handcuffing him. Nottingham was plunged into a partial lockdown with streets shut off and houses raided by counter-terrorism police. The motivation for the attacks remained unclear. Police said they were keeping an open mind but had not ruled out terrorism as a possible motive. The two students had been out for the night at the end of the summer term, according to friends, at the local club Pryzm, a 30-minute walk from where they would be set upon in Ilkeston Road, one of the busy roads out of the city and close to the universitys campus. A witness told on Tuesday of his alarm as he watched the stabbings from his bedroom window. Being a hot night, I had the window open and I just heard some awful, blood-curdling screams, said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous, Its often quite busy with people coming back from town and you get the usual boyfriend-girlfriend arguments, so I thought it was something like that. Armed police, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham - Joseph Walshe/SWNS The reality was grim. On Ilkeston Road, close to the junction with Bright Street, a violent, bloody fight was taking place right in the centre of the street. I looked out of the window and saw a black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people. It was a girl, and a man or boy she was with they looked quite young. She was screaming Help! I just wish Id shouted something out of the window to unnerve the assailant. I saw him stab the lad first and then the woman. It was repeated stabbing four or five times. The lad collapsed in the middle of the road. The girl stumbled towards a house and didnt move. The next minute she had disappeared down the side of a house, and thats where they found her. Its unclear how long the fight lasted. The witness suggested it all happened within five or six minutes. Two bodies lay in the street and the knifeman was gone. The attacker then just walked off up Ilkeston Road towards town, as calm as anything, he said. He called 999 and police arrived at the scene within minutes. Paramedics spent about 40 minutes trying to revive the pair. It was a horrific thing to witness. Im in bits here, said the resident. What happened next remains unclear. Police officers at the Maid Marian Way junction of Upper Parliament Street in Nottingham - Jacob King/PA The third victim was found in Magdala Road, a leafy street lined by large houses to the north of the city centre and it is believed the knifeman stole his nine-year-old white Vauxhall van A large section of Magdala Road remained sealed off on Tuesday. Bibi Gorbutt, 83, a retired opera singer, whose apartment overlooks the street close to the spot sealed off by police, told The Telegraph how she was woken by an incredible noise in the early hours. At about 5 or 5.30 I heard an incredible bang. I thought it was a bomb. It woke me up, it was so loud, said Ms Gorbutt. I was scared to go out, but I went to my balcony and looked out and I could hear lots of noise, like people running. Miklos Toldi, 37, and his wife Petra found the body of the man in Magdala Road as they headed to work at around 5.30am. They stopped their car and rushed to the dying mans side. Mr Toldi, an Amazon delivery driver, said the victim had clearly been stabbed. He was aged in his 50s with grey hair and black trousers. He said: I saw the body lying in the street. There was blood trailing down the road. The blood looked as if it was fresh. He was lying on his side, his mouth was open and there was no movement. Mr Toldi said it took the police only about two or three minutes to arrive following a 999 call. Police speak to residents on the sealed-off Bentinck Road - Zac Goodwin/PA The mans knuckles were covered in blood. My first reaction was that he was a drunk lying in the road. The blood was quite fresh, said Mr Toldi. Officers turned the man on to his back to start CPR and Mr Toldi said he saw what appeared to be several stab wounds in his chest. The manhunt was on and with it the race to stop what appeared to be a killing spree. It is thought that shortly after the murder in Magdala Road, the van was driven to the city centre. In and around Milton Street, little more than a five-minute drive from Magdala Road, the van was spotted by a police car. The driver, having seen the police car in his mirror, then accelerated into passersby waiting at a bus stop. Lynn Haggitt, who works at a local B&Q store, watched in horror. It was half-past five and I saw a white van pull up by the side of me. There was a police car behind it which came up slowly, no flashing lights, she said. The man in the drivers seat looked in his mirror and saw the police car behind it. The white van then backed up on the corner of the street and went into people. She added: A lady ended up on the kerb, then he backed up the van and sped up Parliament Street with the police cars following him. Ms Haggitt said the van appeared to have gone straight into the pedestrians. He didnt bother to turn, he just went back, straight into them, she said. The man got on his feet, with head wounds. Amazingly enough he got up and waited for the ambulance. The woman was sitting on the kerb. I was there for 15 minutes and there was no ambulance. The policeman started first aid. The chase was now on. The van would finally come to a halt in Bentinck Road, about a mile-and-a-half from Milton Street. The arrest was captured on video by a resident in a flat overlooking the street. Armed police surrounded the van people thought they even heard gunshots as the man was dragged from the vehicle and handcuffed. The arrest was captured on video Kane Brady, a student at the University of Nottingham, told GB News he saw a knife being taken from the van after the arrest outside his house. Mr Brady said: We woke up to shouts of armed police and what sounded like some very loud noises, what sounded like gunshots it was that loud. I looked out the bedroom window and saw Tasers. I saw a man being dragged out [of the van] and pinned to the floor. I saw him getting arrested, him trying to resist. I then later saw when they opened the van. I saw a large knife being pulled out and then straight away thats when police closed off both roads, Maples Street and Bentinck Road. The footage showed clear damage to the vans bonnet and windscreen: two dents on the bonnet, just above the radiator grille, and two sets of corresponding cracks radiating out from two points on the windscreen. As the day unfolded armed as well as local police moved into the city, shutting down roads and conducting searches in the city including houses on Ilkeston Road. One of the tenants described the door being kicked in. Bella Crawshaw, 20, a first-year computer sciences student, said police then asked her if she knew of a black man who lived at the address or if she hung out with one. They kept asking if we knew of a black male who lived at the property, said Ms Crawshaw, who in shock has decided to return home early to London. Another house on Ilkeston Road was raided at just before 1pm on Tuesday by counter-terror armed officers seeking clues that might provide an explanation for the attacks. The raid took place close to where the two students had been killed nine hours earlier. About a dozen officers armed with assault rifles and sidearms and wearing full body armour searched the house. Their uniforms were emblazoned on the back with CTSFO, short for counter terrorist specialist firearms officer. Chief Constable Kate Meynell pleaded for patience and tried to calm fraying nerves. This is an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people, she said. We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody. This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened. We ask the public to be patient while inquiries continue. At this time, a number of roads in the city will remain closed as this investigation progresses. The city was due to hold a vigil on Tuesday night. Nottingham will one day have to come to terms with an atrocity that for now has no explanation. 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. Bambi and his mom in happier times It was only a matter of time before we got to see Bambis mom die in live-action glory. Deadline reports that Disney has officially started getting together a team to make audiences cry and traumatize a new generation with a Bambi adaptation from Oscar-winning Women Talking filmmaker Sarah Polley. Bambi follows the trend of Disney classics getting the live-action treatmentsomething that seems unlikely to subside anytime soon after the recent success of The Little Mermaid, and a list of upcoming titles like the Rocks Moana project. Were guessing Bambi will be a hybrid live-action CGI creation like Jon Favreaus The Jungle Book, where the hunter might be the only human live-action element along with the foliage of the forest. Read more News first came of a Bambi remake in 2020, with writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer attached. It will be interesting to see if Polley will be directing from their script, or if Disney is waiting to have her take over scripting duties depending on the writers strike currently in progress. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Diplomat Alicia Barcena will become Mexicos new Foreign Minister after Marcelo Ebrard resigned from his post to pursue the presidential nomination. Most Read from Bloomberg President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced Tuesday that she will take office in 10 days as she departs her current role as Mexicos ambassador to Chile. Deputy Foreign Minister Carmen Moreno will be temporarily hold the post until Barcena takes charge. Mexicos former Foreign Minister Ebrard left his post June 12 as ruling party Morena begins to prepare for the 2024 presidential election, in which he is looking to be the partys candidate. He has previously said hes confident he could win a nomination to represent Morenas political project, known as the fourth transformation. Read More: AMLOs Party to Announce Mexican Presidential Candidate Sept. 6 Barcena was previously the former chief of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. AMLO had nominated her as a candidate for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank, known as IDB. She withdrew from that race for personal reasons. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. NEW BEDFORD After filming in the Azores in August 2021, local filmmaker Noah Duarte will be screening his short film The Lonely Doryman, at the Whaling Museum National Park Theater on June 17. Through the blending of historical fiction and magical realism, this short film brings forward an untold queer folk tale from the past and shares the rich history of Azorean culture and fishing heritage, he said. According to Duarte, set in 1960s Portugal, the 23-minute short film follows a fisherman named Luis who finds himself stranded on a mysterious island and fights to both survive on his own and understand his sexual identity. Nuno Branco as Luis in "The Lonely Doryman," screening at the Whaling Museum National Park Theater on June 17th. The film subverts familiar tropes in fisherman folktales and castaway stories which romanticize hyper-masculinity and the psychological struggles of overcoming the hostile environment of the sea, he said, adding the film is a tale of isolation and survival. The New Bedford Film Society is especially pleased to screen the short, said Mocha James Herrup, creator of Cinema New Bedford at The Zeiterion. More: New Bedford's Voc-Tech students put final touches on Lloyd Center building renovation The film fulfills every part of the film society's mission to promote the art of cinema, expand worldviews reclaims and reframes history with special regard to queer history and Portuguese heritage. The idea came to Duarte while in Sao Miguel Duarte said he first got the idea when he was 10 years old while on a family trip to Sao Miguel looking out at the Vila Franca Islet. I thought about how scary it would be to stranded on that little island, he said. Since then, the idea for the project grew and took form and finally I was able to make the film for my senior thesis at MassArt. Duate said he always wanted to see a film like The Lonely Doryman that communicates the lonely experience of sexual awakening and frustration, along with the hope of finding love and acceptance. Noah Duarte, right, on set of "The Lonely Doryman," screening at the Whaling Museum National Park Theater on June 17th. I also just really wanted to make a cinematic folktale that shared Azorean culture, he said. Duarte said receiving the Donis A. Dondis Travel Grant as well as the grant from the Southcoast LGBTQ+ Network started putting things into motion and motivated everyone to get into high gear to make the film. We had about six months to plan everything before we started shooting, he said. More: Women-owned businesses on New Bedford's William Street to host wine tour Production took place over two weeks on and around the island of Sao Miguel and the Vila Franca Islet. I didn't think I was actually going to get to shoot in Sao Miguel and feature all of its beautiful landscapes with an entire Azorean cast, he said. Filming the short in the Azores The crew shared an Airbnb with some of the cast members for the entire duration of the shoot. It was a great way to get to know each other and all be on the same page, he added. However, when they arrived in Ponta Delgada, the airport lost their luggage that had all of the camera equipment in it. We didn't know if we were ever going to see it again or not so those first couple of days were stressful, he said. Luckily, the airport called on our third day and we were right back on schedule. Duate also said some of the locations were also very remote and hard to get to but, luckily, the actor who played Luis (Nuno Branco) proved to be an experienced hiker and excellent tour guide for our crew. Nuno Branco, left, looks at an image with Christian Kalcic (Director of Photography), while filming "The Lonely Doryman," which is screening at the Whaling Museum National Park Theater on June 17th. Post-production took place in Boston, during Duartes senior year at MassArt. He got to edit the whole year with Christian Kalcic (Director of Photography) and Ali Fernandes (Co-Writer and Sound Recordist, Mixer) consisting of editing, recording foley, audio mixing, color grading and visual effects. I hope it gets people talking about the way we think about gender roles and queer identities, especially our attitudes toward masculinity and sexual exploration. Working on the feature film next Duate said loneliness in the LGBTQ+ community is an epidemic that hes passionate about addressing because it is a dangerously alienating experience that leads to unbearable suicide statistics. I know how meaningful this project can be for LGBTQ+ people and those with Azorean heritage to find visibility in a magical story like The Lonely Doryman. Besides that, I just hope people get to escape into the epic locations that appear in the film, he said. Nuno Branco as Luis in "The Lonely Doryman," screening at the Whaling Museum National Park Theater on June 17th. The film premiered at the Independent Film Festival Boston in 2022 and screened again during the MassArts 150th Anniversary. The film will next be screened at a few festivals in the coming months. After that, Duarte plans to post it online. He also started working on a feature film version of the story. More: 'The bar has been raised': How Southcoast venues are getting into 'eatertainment' I'm very proud of the finished film and happy with the responses I hear after screenings. I still feel really lucky that we actually got to make it, he said. The Lonely Doryman will screen on Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. at the Whaling Museum National Park Services located at 33 William Street. Sponsored by New Bedford Film Society, South Coast LGBTQ Network and the Whaling Museum National Parks Services, its free admission with first come, first served limited seating. Audiences are advised to come early. Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford filmmaker screens short film; Whaling Museum National Park Beijing criticizes new US sanctions on companies over pilot training, weapons development Beijing criticizes new US sanctions on companies over pilot training, weapons development TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) China on Tuesday criticized new sanctions imposed by the United States on companies believed to be involved in training Chinese military pilots and aiding weapons development. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Washington to stop abusing export control measures" to hobble Chinese companies. The United States has repeatedly overstretched the concept of national security, abused state power, unwarrantedly suppressed Chinese companies, and wantonly disrupted the international economic order and trade rules, Wang said at a daily briefing in Beijing. It has reached a level of unscrupulous hysteria. China demands that the U.S. immediately correct its wrong practice of politicizing, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing economic, trade, and sci-tech issues with a pretext of human rights or military-related issues, Wang said. On Monday, the U.S. government placed 43 entities on an export control list over national security and foreign policy concerns. The list includes both Chinese and foreign companies. Among those listed were Frontier Services Group Ltd., a security and aviation company previously run by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, and Test Flying Academy of South Africa, a flight school under scrutiny by British authorities for hiring retired British military pilots to train Chinese fliers. The companies are barred from receiving U.S. exports for activities deemed contrary to U.S. national interest. Other companies were sanctioned for aiding development of Chinas hypersonic weapons and the modernization of its army, the Commerce Department aid. Two companies Beijing Ryan Wende Science and Technology Co. Ltd. and Xinjiang Kehua Hechang Biological Science and Technology Co. Ltd. -- were added for allegedly supplying items that helped the Chinese government monitor Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The U.S. has imposed several rounds of sanctions and import curbs over the past three years on companies believed to be aiding Beijings crackdown on ethnic minorities in its western Xinjiang region. While the two countries spar over national security and human rights issues, they are also working to keep lines of communication open to avoid an accidental conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Beijing later this week, in a visit previously postponed due to an alleged Chinese spy balloon that traveled across U.S. territory in February. By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be physically deployed on the territory of Belarus "in several days" and that he had the facilities to host longer-range missiles too if ever needed. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia, which will retain control of the tactical nuclear weapons, would start deploying them in close ally Belarus after special storage facilities to house them were made ready on July 7-8. The deployment will be Moscow's first move of such warheads - shorter-range less powerful nuclear weapons that could potentially be used on the battlefield - outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. The step is being watched closely by the United States and its allies as well as by China, which has repeatedly cautioned against the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war. Lukashenko, a staunch Putin ally, was cited by Belta as saying that Belarus was now ready to host the warheads. "Everything is ready. I think we will have what we asked for in a few days, and even a little bit more," he was quoted as saying. Putin announced in March he had agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, pointing to the U.S deployment of such weapons in a host of European countries over many decades. The United States has criticised Putin's decision but has said it has no intention of altering its own stance on strategic nuclear weapons and has not seen any signs that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon. 'NUCLEAR DETERRENT' Lukashenko, who has allowed his country to be used by Russian forces attacking Ukraine as part of what Moscow calls its "special military operation", said the nuclear deployment would act as a deterrent against potential aggressors. "It (the deployment) was my demand. It wasn't Russia who imposed it on me. Why? Because no one in the world has ever gone to war with a nuclear power. And I don't want anyone to go to war with us. Is there such a threat? There is. I must neutralise that threat." Lukashenko was cited as saying that Belarus was working to ensure its facilities to house longer-range strategic Russian nuclear weapons such as the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile were ready for use, but had no need of such weapons for now which Moscow has not spoken of supplying to Minsk anyway. "What do I need strategic (missiles) like the Topols for? Although we are now preparing sites for these weapons as well. They (the Soviet-era sites) are all alive and well, except for one. So if we need to, we can at any moment (house them)," Belta cited Lukashenko as saying. "But the Topol is an intercontinental missile. Am I planning to go to war with America? No. That's why this (tactical nuclear weapons) are enough for me for now." Belarus's three western neighbours are all part of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, which is helping Ukraine to defend itself against Russia with weapons and intelligence but says it will not put NATO boots on the ground. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy is pushing hard for his country to join NATO, something Russia opposes. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Additional reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Nick Macfie) FILE - Silvio Berlusconi meets journalists at the Quirinale presidential palace after talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in Rome, April 12, 2018. Silvio Berlusconi died Monday, June 12, 2023. Whether and how Berlusconis Forza Italia party survives is being quietly discussed on the inside pages of newspapers and the back corridors of parliament. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) MILAN (AP) Silvio Berlusconis outsized hold on Italian political life over three decades had greatly diminished in recent years, yet the political party that remains fused with his image even in death is critical to the health of Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis right-wing government. Whether and how Berlusconis Forza Italia party survives is quietly being discussed on the inside pages of newspapers and back corridors of parliament, while Italy prepares for a national day of mourning and a state funeral on Wednesday, to be celebrated in Milans stately Gothic-era Duomo cathedral. Berlusconis deputy, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, declared on Monday: We have the duty, as Forza Italia, to move forward, and we will. Despite the reassuring words, Forza Italias fate is far from secure. Berlusconis personal hold on the party makes it vulnerable in his death, experts say, even as it is key to holding up Melonis 8-month-old coalition government. If the party stands, then the government is OK. But if the party starts to disintegrate you have to see where these people go, said Roberto DAlimonte, a political scientist who writes for Il Sole 24 Ore. Meloni needs these votes in the Senate and in the house. Meloni cannot do without that 8%. Berlusconi founded Forza Italia in 1994, entering politics as a major corruption scandal created a power vacuum. He briefly renamed it People of Liberty, before returning to the original name after the defection of a one-time political successor. Forza Italia was the largest vote-winner in its maiden 1994 election, with 21% of the vote, securing Berlusconi's first term as prime minister. He headed his second government after winning 29.4% of the vote in 2001. People of Liberty, which incorporated another political movement, peaked at 37.4% of the vote, returning him to power in 2008. He led his final government until 2011, when Italys spiraling debt crisis forced his resignation, and succession by a government run by technocrats. By last years elections that brought Meloni to power, the Forza Italia movement had shrunk to 8% of the vote, weakened by Berlusconis six-year forced absence from politics due to a 2012 tax fraud conviction, the only one that stuck in dozens of trials, and the rise Melonis Brothers of Italy on the far-right. The party's strength was always its mirror image with Berlusconi, whose power and empathy have been remembered even by his critics and opponents. Berlusconi attracted fierce loyalty among a close cadre of political and business collaborators, but also among rank-and-file supporters, many who have hung mementos and placards with words of affection in a hedge at his villa near Milan, where friends and family viewed his body on Tuesday. But he never quite trusted anyone enough to name a political heir, despite a couple of half-hearted feints, creating room for leadership challenges and further splintering after is death. It is not very much a personal party. It is exclusively a personal party, said Giovanni Orsina, a political scientist at Romes LUISS University who wrote a Berlusconi biography. Berlusconi never loved sharing the spotlight, and his discomfort with the role switch, with Meloni as premier and him as a junior partner, was evident. Photographers in parliament last fall caught him jotting down unflattering adjectives next to her name: presumptuous, bossy, arrogant, offensive. Even in death, his withering opinion has been cast over the surviving political class. Michele Santoro, a TV presenter and long-time critic of Berlusconi, told La7 private TV Monday that the ex-premier had recently complained in a long phone call about the inadequacy of the Italian politicians on the right and the left with an incredible lucidity." Tajani, Berlusconi's long-time confidant, appears best positioned to take over, strengthened by his ties to the center-right European Peoples Party, with the next years European Parliamentary elections the next major political test. But he could be challenged if the party drops significantly in the polls in the coming months. If I were them, I would sit around a table to try to hammer out a deal. It is in their interest to stay together as much as possible, Orsina said. Still, few expect the government to face any immediate threats, even if the party does splinter. Most Forza Italia votes would stay on the right, with Melonis Brothers of Italy party or Salvinis League, with a minor percentage defecting to former Premier Matteo Renzi, who now heads a small centrist party. Whatever happens to Forza Italia, I dont think there is any danger to the government, which is way too strong, Orsina said. Whatever happens to Forza Italia, these people have nowhere else to go. There remains a hypothesis that Berlusconis eldest daughter, Marina Berlusconi, would step in to guide the party, at least behind the scenes, to overcome divisions. I dont see the party able to stay together with the bunch of people who are supposedly running it today, said DAlimonte. In my opinion, Marina Berlusconi wants to keep the party aligned with Meloni. I think she will continue to play a significant part behind the scenes to keep the party together. DAlimonte said she would be motivated both by loyalty to her father, but also for corporate interests, to protect the Mediaset empire that made her father a billionaire. One of the most important reasons that the party was founded was to protect the company on the political front, DAlimonte said. It is an insurance policy. The party has always been an insurance policy, and she understands that very well. By Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to California next week to raise campaign cash from tech and climate donors as he races to raise over a billion dollars for his re-election fight, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. Biden, who is almost certain to get the Democratic nomination, will attend a fundraiser hosted by Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott, his wife Shannon Hunt-Scott and Microsoft board member and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman on June 19, according to an invite sent by the Biden Victory Fund that was seen by Reuters. The president will also attend a reception co-hosted by eight tech, climate and private equity entrepreneurs and investors including Dan Kalafatas, Hadley Mullin, Steve Silberstein and Mark Robinson. California's Governor Gavin Newsom, who shelved his own presidential ambitions for 2024 and backed Biden earlier this year, will also be present at the second event, according to another invite. "The Democratic Party's united front in support of President Biden's reelection is unprecedented," said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, campaign manager for Biden-Harris 2024. "While MAGA Republicans burn cash in their primary, competing for whose agenda is the most extreme, the president's campaign will be capitalizing on the opportunity to raise significant resources that will help expand on our winning 2020 Biden coalition," she said. The campaign, which officially started on April 25, plans to ramp up fundraising events in coming months. It is planning more than 20 fundraisers with Biden and three other top campaign representatives across the second half of June, the campaign said in a statement. Amazon , Alphabet Inc's Google and Microsoft Corp's political action committees and employees were among the top five contributors to Joe Biden's candidate campaign committee in the 2020 election cycle. Microsoft senior executives donated more to the Biden campaign during the primaries than any other large tech company. The tech industry was looking to strengthen relationships with Biden to ensure they had a voice in an onslaught of federal and state investigations into their business practices during the 2020 cycle. In the runup to 2024, these donors will play a key role in helping Biden raise cash amid an uncertain economy and tepid enthusiasm among Democrats over the 80-year-old president's decision to run again. "It can be a pretty ugly campaign coming up," Biden said at a New York fundraiser last month, where he spoke for more than 30 minutes. "It wasn't an automatic decision to run again." Biden's campaign alone raised more than $1 billion during the 2020 cycle, with more than $700 million of that coming from online grassroots donations. The Biden Victory Fund, a joint committee of Biden's reelection campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties, can collect contributions of up to $929,600 from individuals and $415,000 from political action committees during this cycle. On Monday, first lady Jill Biden embarked on a fundraising tour to build up the reelection campaign coffers, telling a well-heeled Manhattan crowd of nearly 50 people that her husband "knows how to get things done." Biden aides are keeping a close eye on June 30, when quarterly fundraising books close. Campaigns will announce these fundraising tallies in mid-July, and the figure will be a sign of how well Biden's money-raising efforts are going. So far, his campaign has only held a handful of events, largely for donors and volunteers. Two fundraising events Biden held last month in New York raised more than $3 million, according to a person familiar with those totals. (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis) Bio-tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy thinks his anti-woke 2024 campaign can beat both DeSantis and Trump. Is he in over his head? (Reuters) When he announced his campaign for president in February, it may have been easy to dismiss Vivek Ramaswamys unlikely candidacy as a vanity bid put on by a rich man looking to raise his profile, position himself for a Cabinet slot or build a mailing list for a future run for a less-prestigious office. Many of the GOP insiders The Independent spoke to before heading to New Hampshire to cover Ramaswamy had kind things to say about his anti-woke, anti-Environmental, Social and Governance crusading, but were reluctant to say he was more than another rich guy cosplaying as a political candidate. While he does fit that mould, upon a cursory examination, its much harder to dismiss Ramaswamy once you see him campaign. One of his first major appearances as a political candidate a speech at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference at a Prince Georges County, Maryland convention centre demonstrated his undeniable political oratory skills. He had announced his presidential campaign only a week or so earlier, and was given a mid-afternoon speaking slot commensurate with his status as a newcomer whod never before held office. The first-time candidate used his 15 minutes on the CPAC stage to work the relatively paltry crowd into a frenzy, garnering rounds of applause as loud and enthusiastic those observed for far more popular figures in the conservative political-media universe. Vivek Ramaswamy at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland in March (Getty Images) He threw out red meat zingers about dismantling the FBI and ending affirmative action on day one of his administration, but he also talked about the national unity Republicans could achieve by winning such an overwhelming landslide in next years election that they could run roughshod over whatever Democratic rump remained in Congress. The crowd at CPAC lapped it up, and while he hasnt reached a level of support that would enable him to make a serious challenge to Mr Trump, in recent opinion polls his support has equaled or bettered that of more well-known figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie. He trails behind Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, but is hoping to make inroads as the campaign progresses. At least two GOP campaign operatives suggested at different times that his campaign is a manifestation of pro-Trump intraparty sabotage an operation meant to further split the Republican field to the ex-presidents benefit. He was even asked about this possibility at one of his events. He denied it, of course, and its hard to see why hed go through the trouble of putting together a full campaign team, dumping a seven-figure sum from his own pockets into his campaigns coffers, and put himself out there just to benefit another candidate especially one who is known not to return favours or have much loyalty to anyone but himself. There was a time, not long ago, when the idea of a 37-year-old without a day of experience in elected office making a run for the highest office in the land would have been written off as the stuff of delusion or at best, a pitch for a Saturday Night Live skit. For better or worse, Donald Trumps ascent from reality television host to the summit of American power seems to have permanently upended the notion that experience and traditional qualifications for office are what voters crave in their chief executive, leading to an influx of wealthy gadflies and other long-shots making their entries into presidential politics in hopes of replicating his unlikely journey. I dont think that we all say lets show up at the 50 yard line, hold hands, compromise, sing Kumbaya, and thats how we get on with it Vivek Ramaswamy With an estimated net worth of roughly $630m gained largely from a string of investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology startups Ramaswamy certainly qualifies as uber-wealthy. He has been a fixture on Fox News and other right-wing networks during the Biden era, and hes made a name for himself as a crusader against all things woke through a string of books lambasting efforts to tackle racism and increase diversity in the corporate ranks, as well as stakeholder capitalism and the use of ESG criteria by investors and asset managers. His campaign has been prolific in online fundraising, and when the Republican National Committee announced debate participation criteria that requires candidates to garner donations from more than 40,000 individuals, he easily met that threshold. And while he may be caught in Mr Trumps shadow this time, he clearly possesses some raw political abilities that could serve him well should he choose to remain in electoral politics after this election cycle. At a New Hampshire diner, it was clear that Ramaswamy, whose middle-class upbringing in Ohio gave way to elite education at Harvard University and Yale Law School, knew how to work the room. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to Granite State Republicans at a Concord, New Hampshire diner on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) Both on the stump and in one-on-one conversations, he projects preternatural confidence, rattling off complex answers about his view of how hed govern as president. He laced his remarks with a far more positive air than the GOP frontrunner, who constantly claims that America without him at the helm is a nation in decline. Though he hardly ever mentioned Mr Trumps name, Ramaswamy took direct aim at the ex-presidents pessimistic outlook on the United States, telling the diner crowd that he doesnt believe that description has to fit America. Instead, he describes the country he wants to lead as going through adolescence with the accompanying crises of self-confidence. I really think were just a little young, actually, as a country, going through our own version of adolescence, figuring out who were really going to be when we grow up You go through adolescence, you go through an identity crisis, you go through self doubt, you lose your confidence. You lose your sense of who you are. But we get to adulthood stronger on the other I think where we are as a country, I dont think we have to be in decline. I think we might be in our ascent, he said. Yet for all his optimism and self-confidence, the first-time candidate also showed signs that he may be in over his head. Ukraine peace plan Ramaswamys predilection for right-wing rhetorical tropes over a solid command of the facts became further evident when the topic of discussion turned to the reason Ramaswamys campaign had invited The Independent to ride along with him in New Hampshire: His plan to end Russias war against Ukraine. That conflict, the worst land war on the European continent since the defeat of Nazi Germany, is, according to most experts, one born out of Russian President Vladimir Putins arrogance and epic miscalculations of how the West would respond to an all-out effort to topple the pro-western government in Kyiv. While those on the more traditional side of the Republican Party field such as Pence and former South Carolina governor turned UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, have been steadfast supporters of US efforts to bolster Ukraines defence forces, Ramaswamys more populist instincts have him hewing closer to the side of Trump, who, as the invasion kicked off last year, praised Mr Putins aggression as genius. The basic premise of his peace plan is that the US should somehow force Ukraine to accept massive territorial concessions from Russia, and at the same time induce Russia to exit its longstanding relationship China and make some other concessions in exchange for control of a big chunk of Ukraine and sanctions relief. Ramaswamy claims this plan would cleave in two what he describes as a mutual defence pact between Moscow and Beijing based on a two-decade-old Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries and the no limits partnership Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced early last year. Yet neither the decades-old Sino-Russian agreement nor the five-year extension of it announced by Putin and Xi last year amount to a Nato-style defence agreement in the mould of the North Atlantic Treaty, despite Ramaswamys claims to the contrary. He also suggests that in exchange for the sanctions relief and formalised control over Crimea and the Donesks region of Ukraine, Russia would be induced to cease its use of Kaliningrad, a small exclave on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania, for basing nuclear-capable weapons systems. One Russia expert who spoke to The Independent actually laughed out loud when asked about the topic of Kaliningrad. The expert noted that the city is the home base for Russias Baltic Fleet, the countrys only ice-free seaport, and part of the hard-won spoils awarded to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The longtime foreign policy scholar, who asked not to be identified because they dont want to get pulled into GOP primary politics, said the mere suggestion that Russia would ever give up Kaliningrad calls into question whether Ramaswamy has thought through his plan or ran it by any actual experts before going public with it. I dont know the answer to that question Vivek Ramaswamy The Independent followed Ramaswamy over the course of his three morning events. He embodies a particularly Trumpian archetype a charismatic, telegenic personality with an Ivy League pedigree and raw political talent who, upon closer examination, appears to have bitten off more than he can chew. During a brief interview with a correspondent from CBS News who had come to Concord, New Hampshire, for his second event of the day a roundtable with New Hampshire legislators Ramaswamy drew attention to another part of his plan. He told CBS that part of the Western end of the deal would be for the US to announce an end to any military aid to Ukraine or even former Soviet Union bloc states. Ending aid to Ukraine puts him firmly in the Trumpian part of the GOP field, but the second part of his statement raised eyebrows for a different reason. In the three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union, the vast majority of former Warsaw Pact countries have elected to become full members of Nato. Ramaswamys off-the-cuff remark to CBS went even further than what hed suggested in prepared remarks, which indicated that he planned to call for Nato to pull back from bases in Eastern Europe that had been built up in the years following Russias illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. As we left the Concord hotel where his campaign had reserved the room for the legislator roundtable, The Independent asked who had advised him when he was formulating his Ukraine policy. He said the thesis of the proposal came from him, but he also suggested that there were others involved, but he declined to name any of his foreign policy advisers, citing concerns for their privacy. Back in the SUV and en route to his third morning event, this reporter pointed out to him that he had essentially called for the United States to abandon mutual defence commitments to nations that were members in good standing of Nato. At first, he appeared not to understand the question. When The Independent explained that most of the former Soviet Bloc nations are now part of the 31-member defensive alliance, he attempted to walk back his call for the US to abandon those countries and said he had been just speaking fast during his interview. He said that what he meant to say was that the US should stop aid to former Warsaw Pact countries that are not part of Nato, even though the only signatory to that defunct treat that has not joined Nato is Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stands in a makeshift television studio for an appearance on right-wing television network Real Americas Voice on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) The vision he was articulating a wholesale abandonment of Ukraine as a way to appease Russia and induce Moscow to break from its partnership with China may not have made complete sense in terms of the details, but it became clear as The Independent followed Ramaswamy throughout the day that his intended audience isnt foreign policy gurus or detail-obsessed journalists. At every stop, each time he mentioned the idea of giving up support for Ukraine as a wedge against China, he was greeted with applause. War against the administrative state Over the course of the day, the Yale Law School graduate repeatedly offered his take on how to address the most Trumpian of boogeymen, a freedom-sucking villain he calls the administrative state. For years, Republicans have railed against the very idea of a nonpartisan civil service, staffed by career professionals who, like all federal officials, swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. In the last days of the Trump administration, the outgoing president even proposed to create a new category of federal employee who could be fired at will and move tens of thousands of career experts, scientists, and anyone with a role that so much as touches policy formulation, into that category so they could be fired and replaced with loyalists. More than one GOP candidate in the 2024 primary has suggested reviving that proposal, known as Schedule F. But Ramaswamy wants to go even further. In almost every public appearance, he says he will eliminate the Department of Education and other federal agencies that are viewed as enemies of the conservative movement, including the FBI and much of the rest of the federal intelligence and law enforcement apparatus. One aspect of his plan would be somehow ditching the century-old civil service laws in favour of establishing an eight-year term limit for federal employees, a category that could encompass anyone from the National Park Service groundskeeper who cuts the grass at the White House, to the people who process Social Security applications and cut the checks, to the IRS employees who make sure Americans get their tax refunds on time. But to Ramaswamy, theyre bureaucrats who need to be reined in from acting as a fourth branch of government, even though most federal agencies operate under the supervision of one or more Senate-confirmed appointees who are named by the President himself. In Ramaswamys view, only when the US president has unilaterally eliminated the nations top law enforcement agency and the agency responsible for writing safety regulations for nuclear power plants can America stand up with a spine to actual threats on the world stage. Also ripe for a root-and-branch uprooting, he says, is the managerial class at the Pentagon, who he blamed for wokeness in a military he described as failing. When this reporter finally had a chance to ask him about the legal underpinnings of his plans to gut the majority of the federal government, his reply opened up even more chilling possibilities. He first opined that the Supreme Courts landmark 1984 opinion in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc which states that courts should defer to federal agencies interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes was wrong, a not uncommon belief among Trump-era conservatives whod like agencies to have less power to enact regulations they dislike. But he quickly went even further, telling The Independent that the Chevron decision has become an excuse for sidestepping the nondelegation doctrine and opining further that Congress legislate lawmaking authority to an administrative agency. In essence, what Ramaswamy was saying is that most if not all federal programmes and laws enacted since the Supreme Court stopped using nondelegation in 1935, are unconstitutional. Taken at face value, this would mean much of the federal infrastructure we take for granted, including the Federal Reserve, New Deal creations such as Social Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, would simply vanish if he had his way. When asked if his aim was to party like its 1934 a reference to the last time the high court struck down a statute using the non-delegation doctrine, he replied: I do, but maybe even earlier, like 1922. The Independent pressed him to elaborate further by asking if he was saying that he wants to roll back the entire New Deal the architecture on which the modern United States was built. He said rolling it back was his domestic policy priority. And more than that, the legacy of it the Great Society thereafter set into motion its own metastasis of the administrative state, he added, referring to the suite of Lyndon Johnson-era programmes including Medicare, Medicaid, and host of other federal initiatives that were enacted as part of Johnsons War on Poverty. What Ramaswamy was proposing would be the fulfillment of a dream held by Republicans going back nearly a full century, to when the Supreme Courts switch in time that saved nine stopped getting in the way of Franklin Delano Roosevelts economic programmes. Trump, who spent much of his presidency railing against the deep state and trying to expand the limits of executive power far beyond what had ever been considered, had made an attempt to downsize the government through consolidating a few executive departments and eliminating the Office of Personnel Management the independent agency charged with overseeing the civil service. But even Trump knew he had to do these things lawfully. His GOP allies in Congress introduced legislation to carry out the executive branch reorganisation he desired. It went nowhere, thanks to resistance from members of both parties in the House and Senate. Perhaps with that failure in mind, Ramaswamy wants to go further. In his view, the problem starts when Congress writes the federal budget each year. At multiple points during the day, he told Granite State residents how the administrative state somehow brought about a fiction that when Congress appropriates funds, these funds have to be spent. He also said hed force departments to run their annual budget requests through the White House perhaps not knowing that the budget request process has for decades been run through the White House, by way of the Office of Management and Budget, which is part of the Executive Office of the President. In his hypothetical administration, all this could be solved by changing the word shall in budget bills to may, leaving the choice of whether to spend any money to run entire departments up to him, and him alone. Barring that, he claimed that long-expired reorganisation powers last granted to Ronald Reagan could be revived somehow through executive fiat, and he said firing the entirety of the Department of Education could be done without running afoul of civil service laws if he only were able to eliminate agencies by decree with the support of a 6-3 GOP-appointed Supreme Court. The Independent asked him if he was explicitly stating that the court would give him the power to nullify entire swaths of the United States Code laying out the structure of the Executive Departments whole swaths of the government with histories dating back to the Washington Administration. After a long pause, for the first time that day, this reporter saw something previously unseen creep into view on Ramaswamys face: Doubt. I dont know the answer to that question, he said. Huerta dated Maria Elena Rios, a Mexican saxophonist, for several months last year. Huerta dated Maria Elena Rios, a Mexican saxophonist, for several months last year. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Tenoch Huerta on Monday denied ex-girlfriend Maria Elena Rios allegation that he was an abusive sexual predator. Huerta, who dated the musician for several months last year, said in an Instagram story statement that claims Rios made on Sunday were false and offensive. A false and completely unsubstantiated accusation about me has spread like wildfire and I cannot let it go unchallenged any longer, he wrote. He said their relationship was entirely consensual at all times and was loving, warm and mutually supportive. He said Rios went on to misrepresent our interactions, so he engaged a legal team to commence the appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations. Rios, a Mexican saxophonist, on Sunday castigated Huerta on Twitter as an abuser and sexual predator. It is very difficult to talk about the emotional abuse and the abuse of power of a sexual predator who is loved around the world for playing a character in a movie such as @TenochHuerta, she tweeted in Spanish, per Page Six. Rios was disfigured in 2019 when men hired by her ex-boyfriend splashed acid on her face. Rios was disfigured in 2019 when men hired by her ex-boyfriend splashed acid on her face. They say those who live in a macho country, where justice is unattainable where they almost kill you and still they dont believe you or justice comes, she wrote. And no, I dont want to be famous. And no, I dont want money because I know how to work. Why am I late in talking about it? Rios wrote in a follow-up tweet. Because I have a process. Why didnt I report? Because I was afraid that this would happen: people who refuse to believe that a SUPER HERO is an abuser, a manipulator and sexual predator. Yes, you @TenochHuerta abuse because you know you have power, she concluded. Rios became an anti-femicide activist after a politician she dated hired men to splash acid in her face when she ended things in 2019, per NBC News. She wears a mask while performing. Huertas breakthrough came with the Black Panther sequel, which saw him as the villain and reportedly grossed more than $850 million worldwide. The Mexican actor later went viral when set photos revealed his penis bulge was removed from the final cut. He is the second Marvel actor to be accused of abuse this year, after Creed III star Jonathan Majors was arrested in March on domestic violence charges. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... Blackpinks Jennie speaks out after not finishing show due to deteriorating condition BLACKPINK member Jennie had to leave the group's world tour stop in Melbourne, Australia, mid-performance due to her "deteriorating condition," the band's management company said. YG Entertainment apologized to BLACKPINK fans who attended the event on June 11 and said the team was doing its "utmost to support Jennie's speedy recovery." "Jennie expressed her strong determination to carry on with the performance until the end," YG Entertainment said in a statement. "However, following medical advice on site, we immediately took measures to ensure she receives ample rest and stability." The company continued: "Jennie has conveyed her regrets for not being able to stay with the fans until the end, and assures that she will recover as soon as possible." Jennie of BLACKPINK (Scott Dudelson / Getty Images) Videos posted on social media showed Jennie, 27, exiting the stage mid-song and walking down a set of stairs alongside staff members while bandmates Jisso, Lisa and Rose continued performing. BLACKPINKs management company did not provide any further details on what led to Jennies condition in Melbourne. The K-pop superstar shared a message to her fans on Instagram after the June 11 incident. "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to finish the show on Sunday," she wrote. "I'm doing my best to recover (at the moment). Your understanding means the world to me. Thank you to everyone who came to our Melbourne show. Love you guys." BLACKPINK's second world tour, the "Born Pink World Tour," began in October in South Korea. Jennie said in an interview with Rolling Stone last year she got sick after the group's first world tour ended in 2020. "I became sick, both mentally and physically," she said. "This isnt something I want to share in too much detail with the fans. They worry, so I want to be vague. But for three years after debuting, we worked nonstop without resting." "You know, we were young, in our early twenties," she added. "Our sleep systems were breaking down; we werent eating properly; I wasnt hydrating myself we did that for three to four years, and then started our tour. We were on tour for a year and a half. For a year and a half I didnt have a home." BLACKPINK's next stops on their tour are scheduled in Sydney, Australia, on June 16 and 17. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A cruise ship company recently ordered two blind passengers to leave a ship before it set sail. The passengers, Pam May and Jennie Bailie told ITV News they were asked to leave a P&O Cruises Ventura ship in May for health and safety reasons and said it was humiliating and that they felt like criminals. During the interview, May expressed their frustration, stating that they had to argue for their right to travel independently and enjoy a holiday like anyone else. The friends, hailing from West Sussex, said that the cruise ship staff confined them to a room for two hours before its members escorted them off the ship in Southampton, England. They mentioned requesting to use the restroom before leaving but were denied access. Bailie recounted they felt utterly embarrassed and deeply upset as they marched off the ship. Upon returning home, P&O Cruises charged both May and Bailie a cancellation fee of approximately 900 ($1,130) each, equivalent to the total cost of the cruise. May expressed disappointment, explaining that the cruise company has not given the passengers the opportunity to showcase their capabilities. P&O Cruises allegedly did not inquire about their individual abilities or take the time to get to know them but instead made the decision to exclude them due to their blindness. Expressing Regret for the Blind Passengers P&O Cruises addressed the incident in a statement to Insider, expressing regret for the passengers inability to travel with them and offering a full refund for the vacation expenses incurred. They emphasized that the safety and well-being of all passengers onboard is their top priority, even though they strive for all guests to have a wonderful experience. Problems with disabled passengers happen frequently in the tourism industry. By law, airlines and cruise ships must provide accommodations for passengers with disabilities, but many still struggle to do so effectively. In 2022, Victoria Brignell, a wheelchair user, was left stranded on a British Airways flight for 95 minutes. Paralyzed from the neck down, she expected to wait for assistance. Upon landing, the company moved her into an aisle chair, a special wheelchair designed to take wheelchair users to the airplanes door. She spent 95 minutes propped up by pillows in an uncomfortable position. And since commercial airlines only have standard tiny restrooms, Brignell did not have an accessible bathroom to use. As Travel Noire reported, Brignell made it clear that this is not an isolated incident. President Joe Biden met Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House and reiterated that the alliance is united in defending Ukraine for as long as it takes to fight off Russian forces. But neither offered clarity about the unsettled question of who will lead the alliance after Stoltenberg departs later this year. We've strengthened NATO's eastern flank, made it clear we'll defend every inch of NATO territory. I say it again: The commitment of the United States to NATO's Article 5 is rock solid, Biden said, a reference to the charters fundamental provision under which an attack on one member nation is considered an attack against all. The meeting, initially scheduled for Monday but then postponed following the presidents last-minute root canal, comes roughly a month ahead of NATOs annual summit, which is being held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ostensibly, it served as a routine visit to talk through the issues related to the ongoing war in Ukraine that are likely to dominate the July meetings. Before his meeting with Biden, Stoltenberg stood alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he teased a robust new package of defense and political aid for Ukraine that would be unveiled at the Vilnius summit. Blinken later announced a $325 million tranche, which includes more munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, artillery rounds and other equipment. The United States is partnering with over 50 nations to lead efforts in support of Ukraines self-defense against Russian aggression, Blinken said in a statement. Later, after joining Biden in the Oval Office, Stoltenberg said that Ukrainian forces "are making progress with their just launched counter-offensive. "The more land the Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table," he said. Stoltenberg emphasized the consistent and shared view within NATO that Russias 16-month-long war was a fight "against free people everywhere," arguing that the repercussions of any victory for Moscow would be to make the world "more dangerous" by emboldening other countries "including China." The alliance, Stoltenberg said, will agree to sustain and step up the support for Ukraine, which includes a stronger commitment to increase defense spending. He also defended Europes contribution to Kyiv, and said European allies are also doing their part, with tens of billions of economic military support. Those comments papered over somewhat the very real differences within NATO concerning the pace and nature of defense aid being delivered, Ukraines request for security guarantees against Russia and its bid for NATO membership. And they distracted from the matter of Stoltenbergs eventual successor, which is becoming a major focus for the alliance behind the scenes. In European capitals, where buzz is building around several successor candidates, officials have been anxiously awaiting some sort of signal from the White House about who Biden was likely to support. Known for being a slow and deliberate decision-maker, the president met last week with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who many European diplomats believe to be on a short list of potential secretary general candidates and with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. But Biden has offered few clues afterward about his thinking. After speaking to the press for only a few minutes each, neither he nor Stoltenberg responded to shouted questions as aides shuffled reporters out of the Oval Office. During a press conference last Thursday with Sunak, he was about his thoughts on the prime ministers preferred candidate, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. Biden only offered he wasnt ruling that possibility out, stating blandly that the decision requires a broader consensus thats yet to come into focus. Stoltenberg, whos led NATO for nine years after extending his initial four-year term three times, appears set to return to his native Norway in October. The Ukraine war, which has unified the alliance I have no other plans than to end my tenure, he said during an interview Monday with PBS NewsHour, saying he was confident that the groups 31 members will eventually agree on a successor. I think the good thing for everyone is now to have another person at the helm of the alliance. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, has also refused to provide any clarity about the presidents thinking on the matter. He demurred when asked Monday if Biden had any criteria for a new secretary general, such as the person being or having been a head of state or coming from a nation thats already meeting the benchmark of spending 2 percent of its GDP on defense. It has to be somebody that the whole alliance can get behind and can be a transformative leader, he said in response to multiple questions on the subject. Under NATOs charter, electing a secretary general requires the support of all 31 member nations. Thats no easy feat in a diverse alliance. And while the job is likely to go to a European, the U.S., given its outsized role in funding the organization and determining its course, has often had more sway when it comes to blessing a candidate and rallying other nations behind them. Crypto Tripto Wondering what Su Zhu and Kyle Davies, the crypto hedge fund managers widely credited as the first major domino to fall in last year's devastating crypto crash, have been up to since the collapse their now-defunct firm led to the vaporization of about one trillion dollars? As they told The New York Times in a newly-published profile, they've never been on the lam. No sir! They've just been meditating, surfing, and taking psychedelic mushrooms on Balinese rooftops. Naturally. "You look at the stars, and the stars are just, like, moving," Davies, who fled er, traveled to the extradition-less Indonesia after his and Shu's firm, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), imploded, told the NYT of his post-crash psychedelic experience. "You touch the grass, and it feels, like, not like normal grass." "You eat very fatty pork dishes, and you drink a lot of alcohol, and you go to the beach and you just meditate," he added. "You have these magical experiences." Nice, man. Glad you've been having a great time. Somebody ought to, especially considering that as the result of the closely-3AC-linked market crash, some people really haven't. Anticapitalist Icon Zhu, for his part, has learned how to surf, and has meanwhile reportedly been spending most of his time at his $35 million home in Singapore. And though he and Davies had together commissioned a multimillion-dollar superyacht cringe-inducingly dubbed the "Much Wow" in the months leading up to the crypto crash, Zhu assured the NYT that he's "always been quite anticapitalist" and is "actually against yachts personally." Him and the orcas both, we guess. Ticket to Paradise But while both of these crypto characters are painting their time away from public life as out-of-the-spotlight healing journeys, things aren't quite that simple. As a quick recap: the duo's hedge fund had a whopping $200 million invested into the Luna "stablecoin." When Luna collapsed, so did 3AC, and thus so did a number of 3AC-funded firms including the Mark Cuban-funded Voyager Digital. Shortly thereafter, when US regulators came knocking they had to, because Davies and Shu were allegedly uncommunicative the hedge honchos were nowhere to be found. Literally. Their offices were vacated. And on that note, things haven't been all zen-and-games for these two. Back in April, they launched a new crypto marketplace called Open Exchange, because of course they did. And if this one goes down too, at least we'll know where to find Davies. "If anyone has any problems," Davies told the NYT, "just go to Bali." More on Kyle Davies' love of Bali: Guy Linked to Huge Crypto Meltdown Says Its Just a Coincidence That Hes Hanging Out in a Country With No Extradition to United States A mans body was recovered in Lake Murray Tuesday morning, Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster told The State. At about 10:30 a.m., the sheriffs office got a call from a boater that there was a person in the water near Dreher Island State Park in the Newberry County portion of Lake Murray, according to Foster. Sheriffs deputies, along with members of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, park services and Newberry County EMS responded to the scene and found the man in the water, Foster said. After the body was recovered, life-saving measures were attempted but unsuccessful, and the Newberry County Coroners Office was called to the scene, according to the sheriff. Randy Alvin Cox, a 67-year-old Fountain Inn resident, was identified as the man found in the water near Prosperity, Coroner Laura Kneece said Wednesday. An autopsy will be held Wednesday to determine if the man drowned or if there was another cause of death, the sheriff said. Foster said the death doesnt appear to involve foul play. The man might have fallen out of a boat and into the lake, as an unoccupied boat was located nearby soon after the body was recovered, according to Foster. Information about how long the man was in the water was not available. Foster said its likely the man fell into Lake Murray Tuesday, because it happened in a popular area and the body likely would have been spotted and reported earlier if the incident happened earlier in the week. There was no word on the depth of the water where the body was recovered. Both the sheriffs office and coroners office are continuing to investigate the death. Foster said he believes this was the first water death of 2023 in the Newberry County portion of Lake Murray. The year started with the recovery of a missing mans body in the Lexington County area of the lake on Jan. 1. The man went missing on Dec. 28 while diving with a group in an area of Lake Murray that is estimated at 120 feet deep. He was last seen near the lakes hydroelectric intake towers. There were other water deaths reported in Lake Murray in 2022. In early August, the body of a missing boater from Edgefield was recovered in the lake after more than a week of searching, according to DNR. About two weeks prior to that, the body of a 72-year-old Saluda man was recovered July 20, the day after he fell off a boat and disappeared in Lake Murray. The body was found in the area of the lake near Little River Landing, the Saluda County Coroners Office said. In June, the DNR said it recovered the body of a missing boater near the Lake Murray dam. Officials said the death was an accidental drowning. In April, the DNR dive team recovered the body of a male boater after he fell overboard around Buffalo Creek near the Grant Williams Estates, the Newberry County Sheriffs Office said. The man was a Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, resident who was visiting Lake Murray with his wife, according to DNR. DNR said it was the lead agency five water death investigations on Lake Murray in 2022. There has only been one death on Lake Murray this year that DNR said it was the lead agency, that involved a heart attack. A Boston Public Schools student is facing possible charges after officials say they assaulted a school employee on Tuesday morning. A fight broke out between a student and staff member in the cafeteria at the Henderson Inclusion School in Dorchester which multiple students witnessed, according to a statement from the school. All I saw was the teacher you know holding them in the chokehold and throwing one punch because he was trying to break up an altercation between a group of students, said a teen who witnessed the altercation. School officials say the staff member was trying to break up a fight between a couple of students when one of those students assaulted the staff member and as a result, was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Its a recurring problem at this school, a student tells Boston 25. Just last year another Henderson School student was charged with attacking the principal in 2021, after knocking her unconscious and sending her to the hospital. It affects us as students as well who dont do things like that because you know rules get heightened and you know we lose privileges, says a student. The student involved will face disciplinary action in accordance with the BPS Code of Conduct, additional disciplinary action from law enforcement is also possible. The Henderson and all Boston Public Schools are committed to fostering environments where all students and staff feel safe, welcome, and respected, school officials said in a statement to families. We are sharing this important update with you as part of our commitment to open communication and transparency. Please know the safety and security of all students and staff is one of our most important priorities. The incident remains under investigation. 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 Breaking Bad actor Mike Badayeh dead at age 52 (AMC) Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayehs cause of death has been revealed. The comedian and actor was pronounced dead in Michigan on 1 June. He was 52. In an email to The New York Post, a representative for the Washtenaw County Medical Examiners Office revealed that Batayeh had died by suicide. No further details were reportedly released by the office. The actors sister had previously told TMZ that her brother had died in his sleep after suffering cardiac arrest. The Independent has contacted Batayehs manager for comment. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many, his family said in a statement issued on 1 June. Batayeh appeared on three episodes of AMCs award-winning Breaking Bad between 2011 and 2012 as Dennis Markowski, the manager of the Lavanderia Brillante industrial laundromat. The laundromat was a front for the meth lab where Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, and Aaron Pauls Jesse Pinkman, produced drugs. Batayeh, who also appeared on The Bernie Mac Show, Boy Meets World, and CSI: Miami, is survived by five sisters. His family has asked for donations to go to the Clark Park Coalition fund to support youth projects in Southwest Detroit. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. A bride-to-be said she tried on 137 gowns to find the perfect ones for her dream wedding in France A bride-to-be said she tried on 137 gowns to find the perfect ones for her dream wedding in France Jac Vanek tried on more than 130 wedding dresses to find the one. Jac Vanek Jac Vanek tried on more than 130 dresses to find her dream wedding looks. She had a specific dress in mind at first, but quickly realized she wanted something different. Vanek ended up with four dresses for her September wedding in France. The process of shopping for a wedding dress looks different for everyone. Some brides try on a handful of gowns, while others fall in love with the first one they put on. For Jac Vanek, finding the dream dress for her September wedding in France wasn't so easy. In a TikTok video shared on Sunday, which has more than 520,000 views as of Tuesday, Vanek said she tried on more than 130 wedding gowns before finding the one. "I just counted every single wedding dress that I've tried on until I found the one, and you are not going to believe how many it was," she said in the video before sharing photos of herself in 133 gowns. Vanek also said that number didn't include the four looks she picked for her upcoming nuptials, including a dress she wore to get legally married in a courthouse and other dresses she wore to a welcome dinner, her wedding ceremony, and the after-party which brought her total to 137. "I still don't know if I should be impressed or extremely embarrassed," she said in her video. Vanek had a specific dress in mind when she started shopping The "LadyGang" podcast cohost told Insider that she started casually looking at wedding dresses when she got engaged to Jared Monaco, the lead guitarist for "The Maine," in the winter of 2021. But she said it wasn't until the winter of the following year, after they booked their venue in France, that she started "going balls to the wall" with shopping. "At that point, I had nine months until the wedding, and even that was cutting it close because of lead times for production, so I definitely felt the pressure," she added. Though Vanek went into the shopping process with her mind set on a certain style she told Insider that she envisioned a fitted dress with a deep-V and bell sleeves, specifically Galia Lahav's Idilliya gown she quickly realized she wanted something different. "I tried it on and LOVED it, but it almost felt too 'me,' like it was something I'd wear to a fancy party, not my wedding," she said of the Galia Lahav dress. "As I tried on different types of dresses, I found myself drawn to a style that was totally different from what I usually wear and made me feel more like a bride," Vanek said. "Because of that, I'm super glad I tried on a lot of dresses or I would have just gone with the comfortable, familiar option." But finding a gown was the perfect mix of bridal and edgy to match her style was more difficult than Vanek anticipated. Vanek tried on everything from colorful gowns to see-through dresses The options she tried, as seen in her TikTok video, included classic A-line gowns, more daring looks, and even a black wedding dress. Vanek said trying on the black dress was a must because she self-identified as "Elder Emo." And Vanek estimated that she went to nine bridal salons, where she tried on dresses from designers and brands, including KYHA, Berta, and more. Vanek trying on dresses from KYHA, Tal Kedem, and LOHO Bride. Jac Vanek "I noticed almost immediately that there was a lot of the same when it came to the wedding dresses," she said. "Even when I was looking at couture gowns, I rarely found a style that was daring or really took a risk at all." "Honestly, a lot of dresses just felt super boring to me," she added. "I was truly trying to find my perfect Goldilocks dress that was super unique, a little edgy, fashion-forward, while still feeling bridal. So any time I saw a gown that looked different, I had to try it on!" Vanek wearing Berta wedding dresses. Jac Vanek For instance, in another TikTok video posted on Sunday, which has more than 36,000 views as of Tuesday, the bride-to-be shared a closer look at a Hermione de Paula dress that she loved but didn't choose. The completely see-through gown was covered in feathers and floral applique, and sheer gloves which are popular in the bridal world right now added to the look. Vanek wearing wedding dresses from Galia Lahav and Hermione de Paula. Jac Vanek Vanek was also a big fan of Tal Kedem. In another TikTok video, she said the Israel-based designer was creating two of her wedding looks. Picking multiple wedding dresses felt right for Vanek "In the beginning, I was trying to find the one dress that had every little thing I was looking for," she said. "But because I have a few looks, I get to fulfill my different bridal desires in each one." And though Vanek's shopping process was lengthier than the average bride's, she said it was a special experience. "I know trying on 137 dresses is absolutely mind-numbing, but I truly did enjoy every second of it," she said. "I am an only child and extremely close to my parents, and they came to almost every fitting I had. It was such a fun bonding experience for the three of us, and was so special to have them by my side every step of the way to the altar." Read the original article on Insider Bucyrus again honored as Tree City USA The City of Bucyrus was recognized as a Tree City USA at the Northwest Ohio awards ceremony hosted by the City of Wauseon Tree Commission. This is the sixth time the community has been honored with this nationally recognized award. The awards presented to the Tree City and Tree Campus USA communities by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry on May 9 recognize the community for its ongoing efforts to maintain and improve quality of life through a comprehensive tree management program. The program is guided by the Tree Commission and the municipal government. The Ohio DNR, Division of Forestry's Urban Forestry Assistance Program acts as a guiding hand in helping a community to become qualified as a Tree City USA. The Regional Urban Forester recommends a community to the Arbor Day Foundation for this standing. To achieve the title and the honors, a community must meet four standards: have a tree ordinance; an active tree commission or forestry department; a comprehensive urban forestry program supported by a minimum of $2 per capita, and an annual Arbor Day proclamation and public observance. Ohio boasts the greatest number of Tree Cities in the country and marks Ohio's 45th consecutive year as the top Tree City USA state, according to the Ohio Division of Forestry. Forty-seven Northwest Ohio communities are Tree Cities and two universities are honored as Tree Campus USAs Ohio Northern University and the University of Findlay. For additional information about the Tree City USA program or the Arbor Day Foundation, visit arborday.org. Second Harvest Food Bank named one of the 2023 Best Employers in Ohio LORAIN Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio was recently named one of the 2023 Best Employers in Ohio. The annual list was created by Best Companies Group in partnership with Crains Cleveland Business and Crains Content Studio-Cleveland. Second Harvest Food Bank was named by Crains Cleveland Business and Crains Content Studio-Cleveland as one of the 2023 Best Employers in Ohio. The nonprofit is serving 50% more people than before the COVID pandemic. To be considered for Best Employers in Ohio, companies had to participate in a two-part survey process. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Ohio, analyzed the data, and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. The rankings of the 2023 Best Employers in Ohio were unveiled in a special supplement produced by Crains Content Studio-Cleveland and published in Crains Cleveland Business on Monday. Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio serves Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties. This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus named Tree City USA, Second Harvest Food Bank best employer By Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's government was under-prepared and failed to anticipate measures needed to protect the vulnerable, an official inquiry heard on Tuesday, as its chair pledged to put the bereaved at the heart of her work. Former prime minister Boris Johnson ordered the investigation after Britain recorded one of the world's highest death tolls. More than 175,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus had been reported by the time Johnson stood down in July last year. As the inquiry this week hears its first evidence, it could prove a headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was finance minister during the pandemic and faces an election next year. "Fundamentally, in relation to significant aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were taken by surprise," said the counsel to the inquiry Hugo Keith, who leads questioning. Regarding lockdowns and shielding the vulnerable, he said: "few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail" in advance. "No country can be perfectly prepared, but it can certainly be under-prepared," he said at the start of module one. This stage examines Britain's preparedness. It follows preliminary hearings after the inquiry, which is expected to last for many years, was formally launched in June 2022. Evidence hearings on module two, covering governance and decision-making in the pandemic, are expected to begin later this year. The government has launched a legal challenge against the inquiry taking place in central London over its requests for internal government WhatsApp messages from Johnson's time in office that it says are "unambiguously irrelevant". The inquiry says it is for the chair to determine what material is relevant. The legal case will be heard around the end of June. Inquiry chair Heather Hallett said her focus is "those who have suffered hardship and loss are and will always be at the heart of the inquiry". "I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised," she said. (Reporting by Alistair Smout, Editing by William Maclean and Barbara Lewis) A celebration of Puerto Rican pride ended in bloodshed when a dispute over a fender bender devolved into a deadly shooting in the Bronx, according to cops and witnesses. Jeremy Cancel, 34, was fatally shot after a fight stemming from the accident, they said Monday. Cancel had been hanging out with members of the Team Silencio competitive car club at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Harlem before their convoy of tricked-out cars drove to a quiet, industrial stretch of West Farms Road near E. 174th St., witnesses said. As Cancel blasted music from the huge speakers in his heavily modified Honda CRV around 9:15 p.m. Sunday, a pair of men emerged from a black Accura and attacked the clubs president, who had been involved in a car accident with one of the attackers on the Hutchinson River Parkway earlier that day, according to members of the car club. As Cancel and fellow club members rushed to break up the fight, one of their ambushers unleashed a barrage of gunfire that tore through the crowd, according to a friend of Cancels. Everybody was just hanging out, a witness who gave her name as Cassandra told the Daily News. We heard the shots and I was in shock. Everything happened so fast, she added. He came out of the car to fight. Along with Cancel, bullets struck two other men, who were all rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, according to police. Cancel died there Sunday night. As members of Cancels car club swarmed the hospital, police had to mobilize for crowd control, cops said. Team Silencios first run-in with the attackers occurred when the gunmans friend smashed his white Infiniti into the club presidents custom ride on the Hutchinson River Parkway Sunday afternoon, according to a friend of Cancels. The two then argued over insurance before a brawl erupted on the shoulder of the highway, which ended when the Infiniti driver sped off in his busted two-door coupe, the friend said. They got into the first fight on the Hutchinson River Parkway, said Los, who declined to give his last name. Team Silencio, which seeks out-of-the-way spots on holidays like Puerto Rican Day to blast music and show off their cars, met on West Farm Road after the crash, where the Infiniti driver and the gunman would later find them, according to witnesses. The gentleman who hit my friend came back and started fighting my friend again, said Los. Friends of Cancel, a Yonkers resident of Puerto Rican descent, recognized the Infiniti driver as the member of another car club who was familiar with many of Team Silencios preferred hangout spots. We all know his face and everything, said Cassandra. Cancel who made a living installing custom sound systems into cars, which were often displayed at competitive car shows throughout the city was remembered as a kind-hearted friend, loving husband, and the proud father of a daughter and a newborn son. Youll never find another person like him. If you needed help, hed be there for you, said 36-year-old Louis Ortiz. Its depressing. Every crazy persons got a gun. Youre not safe nowhere. Cancels wife was devastated to learn of her husbands murder and lamented how the gunman had robbed his children of their father. [His daughter] said she misses her daddy, said the grieving spouse, who declined to give her name. She keeps crying for him. No arrests have been made in the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing, cops said. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said he would not support a convicted felon for president, as former President Trump faces an arraignment on federal charges over his alleged mishandling of classified and sensitive documents after his administration ended. Buck told CNNs Dana Bash in an interview Tuesday that the public will need to see how the evidence for the case against Trump is presented and what Trumps defense is, but he would not feel comfortable supporting someone who has been convicted of a felony for president. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage If he is convicted of these charges of mishandling this information, of knowingly concealing his actions, I dont think I certainly wont support a convicted felon for the White House, he said. Bucks comment came before Trump made his first appearance in federal court in Miami, having been indicted on 37 counts related to his keeping classified and sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla. Most of the charges Trump is facing are for willful retention of national defense information in violation of the Espionage Act. Other counts he is facing include conspiracy to obstruct justice, concealing a document in a federal investigation and making false statements and representations. Republicans have been somewhat split in their reactions to Trumps indictment in the days following the news that he would become the first former president to be charged with federal crimes. Some have criticized Trumps conduct in allegedly keeping the documents in various places around Mar-a-Lago including a bathroom while others have accused the Justice Department of political motivation in going after Trump. Buck noted comments Trump previously made during the 2016 presidential election accusing his Democratic rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, of being unfit for office because of her handling of emails that contained classified information on a private server. So, I think his words will set the standard that America will look at in determining whether he is fit for president, he said. Buck said he believes the charges against Trump are very serious and that special counsel Jack Smith, who has been overseeing the probe into Trump, included a lot of detail to explain to the country why indicting him was necessary. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. School officials in Burlington are working to respond to a clash at a middle school where some students tore down rainbow decorations and chanted USA are my pronouns, as the schools LGBTQ+ student group celebrated the beginning of Pride Month. Students at Marshall Simonds Middle School organized the June 2 celebration for which they distributed rainbow stickers, posted Pride signs and encouraged students to wear rainbow clothing. Principal Cari Perchase said she supports members of the LGBTQ+ community who were targeted and told students she is truly sorry that a day meant for you to celebrate your identity turned into a day of intolerance. We ask all staff, teachers, and members of the Burlington Public School community to join us in taking a stand against homophobia and identity-directed hateful actions, Superintendent Eric Conti wrote in a letter to the community. A School Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night in part to discuss the clash. Gov. Maura Healey, one of the nations first two out lesbian governors, said she was disappointed by the situation but said the school is actively working to address it. Healey said it was particularly disappointing during a month when the LGBTQ+ community is celebrated and in a state like Massachusetts, which she said works to ensure members of the LGBTQ+ community, young and old are seen, are heard, are respected and will be cared for and protected. I hope it becomes a teaching moment for the young people who were involved in that, Healey said. It doesnt represent who we are as a state. 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 Buttigieg at site of I-95 collapse: No question there will be pressure on supply chain Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday warned that there will be pressure on the supply chain due to the collapse of a section of Interstate 95 while on a visit to Philadelphia to view the damage. At the end of the day, theres no substitute for I-95 being up and running in full working condition and thats the goal that everybodys moving towards here, the secretary said, adding there is no question the impact will be pressure on the supply chain until its resolved. I-95 in Philadelphia could be closed for months after lanes partially collapsed on Sunday when a tanker truck caught fire underneath the highway, causing lanes above to buckle. Officials have warned that detours will lead to significant delays in the coming weeks. Buttigieg on Tuesday outlined that 160,000 vehicles a day, on average, travel on that road and eight percent of those vehicles are trucks. What it means is that that trucks will have to take a longer and more costly route to get to where theyre going, the secretary said. He noted that supply chain disruptions are always a concern and that Gov. Josh Shapiros (D-Pa.) office, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and other local agencies are working in an innovative and very focused way to restore the highway. Every resource that is needed will be made available. Of course it has to qualify, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AGREE ON A BUDGET Via Lindsey Holden... California legislative leaders announced a state budget agreement Monday that would restore some transit, climate change and child care funding that Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting. Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said the Legislature is expected to pass budget bills on Thursday, that lawmakers deadline for approving a spending plan. Legislators do not get paid if they fail to approve at least a placeholder budget by June 15. However, negotiations with Newsoms administration will continue through June 30. The governor must sign a budget by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. Newsoms revised May budget anticipated an estimated spending gap of $31.5 billion and proposed a series of solutions, or a combination of revenue and spending delays, shifts and cuts to close the shortfall. Lawmakers agreement proposes $30.9 billion in budget solutions. The difference between the two amounts is tied to spending strategies. One major factor: Lawmakers have opted not to use $450 million in state Safety Net Reserve dollars as part of their budget plan, unlike the Newsom administration. The legislative agreement suggests restoring a number of cuts Newsoms administration proposed in May. Lawmakers plan rejects the governors $2 billion in cuts to the Transportation Infrastructure Package. Bay Area. Los Angeles leaders, in particular, lobbied hard for the transit funds, saying BART and other transportation agencies could face a fiscal cliff without the money. Their proposal also restores some climate change funding and shifts dollars to lower copays and deductibles for Covered California plans. It rejects a Newsom administration plan to delay funding for 20,000 subsidized child care slots for low income families and proposes releasing them on July 1, 2024. In addition, lawmakers committed $1 billion for another round of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grants. Newsoms budget set aside funds for round five of HHAP grants, but the legislative budget contains money for another allocation. Continuing negotiations with Newsoms administration mean the budget lawmakers pass will likely see future amendments. And advocacy groups continue to lobby for more funds to address homelessness and pay child care providers. ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS CALL OUT DEMOCRATS OVER BLOCKED GUN CRIME BILLS Early Monday morning, the California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a shooting victim on the west steps of the Capitol. Hours later, Assembly Republicans staged a press conference amid mock tombstones to rail against their Democratic colleagues for blocking their bills to add stiffer penalties to gun-related crimes. Despite what Gavin Newsom may say, we have not solved gun violence here in California. In fact, we have a very serious problem with gun crimes, said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City. Gallagher was referring to Newsoms frequent talking point that California has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country, which is backed up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Republican leader accused Democrats of sending a message that guns are bad, unless youre a criminal, and complained that Democrats are going after concealed carry permit holders a reference to Sen. Anthony Portantinos SB 2. Clearly, Democrats are attacking the wrong people. Legal gun owners are not the problem, Gallagher said. One lawmaker former prosecutor Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Riverside went even further during the press conference, saying that Democrats are directly responsible for gun violence occurring in the Golden State. They not only have blood on their hands, but we literally now have blood on the steps of the Capitol as a result of their failed policies, Essayli said. Given their super-minority status, Assembly Republicans had little recourse Monday but to urge the public to contact their lawmakers and demand that they vote for tougher penalties for gun crimes. WILL CALIFORNIA VOTERS GET A MULLIGAN ON PROP. 8? More than a decade after Californians voted to enact Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage in the state voters in the Golden State may get a re-do on that decision. On Tuesday, the Assembly Judiciary Committee will consider ACA 5, which would change the California Constitutions definition of marriage as between one man and one woman to instead provide that the right to marry is a fundamental right, according to the legislative counsels digest. Though the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges made same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States, overriding Prop. 8, many LGBTQ advocates are worried that SCOTUS may reverse that decision, much as it did last year in reversing 50 years of precedent by overturning Roe v. Wade. The recent passage of the federal Respect for Marriage Act was an important step forward... However, it does not require states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples nor does it remove Proposition 8 from Californias constitution, according to a statement from Equality California, a co-sponsor of ACA 5. Religious conservatives are opposed to the proposed constitutional language change, saying that the Bible defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The debate about marriage is not about love or hate. It is about truth. Man cannot redefine what God has already defined. For the reasons above, we have decided to align ourselves with truth and oppose ACA 5, according to the California Capitol Connection, an alliance of independent Baptist church leaders. Same-sex marriage isnt just legal, its popular. As Newsom noted on Twitter Monday, 71% of Americans support same-sex marriage being legal. QUOTE OF THE DAY Public budgets are a statement of values. Every dollar we spend penalizing poverty is a dollar we could better spend alleviating it. The best investment we can ever make is in people. - Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, D-Los Angeles, via Twitter. Best of The Bee: [Source] Loved ones are mourning a California man who drowned while on his honeymoon in Hawaii earlier this month. What happened: Steven Phan, 49, drowned while snorkeling with his wife, Brittany Myers-Phan, off Electric Beach in Nanakuli on June 1. Bystanders pulled him to the shore and CPR was performed but he was unresponsive. He was then transported to a hospital, where he later died. Steven Phan and Brittany Myers-Phan reportedly married on March 20, 2023. More from NextShark: Kim Jong-un reveals daughter at missile launch Thieves take advantage: To make matters worse, thieves reportedly stole the couples phones, wallets, clothing and even their rental car while they were out in the water. Police are reportedly investigating the theft. A witness who claimed to have met Myers-Phan told KHON that she had to go through the trouble of verifying her identity at the airport to travel home after losing her ID. More from NextShark: 'Duck Sauce Killer' suspect wins some freedom after posting $500,000 bail About the victim: Phan reportedly worked for Apple and got married on March 20. A GoFundMe page organized in his name describes him as an amazing husband, a true friend and someone who always found a way to be a part of everyones lives, no matter the distance. About the beach: Teresa Kling, an employee from Aaron's Dive Shop in Oahu, described Electric Beach as a popular spot among tourists in a statement to ABC7. "Electric Beach is extremely popular with locals and has become a popular spot for tourists, she said. Everything depends on the conditions and the day. It tends to be a great spot for beginners. About the fundraiser: As of this writing, the GoFundMe page has raised $36,155. Proceeds will go directly to Myers-Phan to help cover funeral and memorial costs, as well as any unforeseen costs related to her husbands death. Services were held on Monday and Tuesday. More from NextShark: Pokemon card thief dumber than Team Rocket, tries to resell cards back to store he stole them from Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Chinese billionaire arrested in London over SF bribery scandal posts $18.4 million bail [Source] A California man accused of duping a Virginia senior out of $56,000 in a telephone scam turned himself in to police on Monday, according to reports. How the scam took place: The victim, 65, was allegedly promised $1 million if he wired $56,000 to the California man on the phone. It is unclear what story the scammer told, but police said it seemed believable enough to the victim that he went straight to his bank, took out a line of credit against his home and wired $56,000 to a bank on the West Coast. The aftermath: The victims daughter reported the incident to authorities on Nov. 21, 2022. By June 6, the Hanover County Sheriffs Office announced that Vatana Nuon, 43, of Oakland, was wanted for obtaining money by false pretenses. He was described as an Asian man with black hair, standing around 5 foot and 9 inches and weighing approximately 140 pounds, WRIC reported. More from NextShark: South Carolina passes bill banning Chinese citizens from buying land Suspect surrenders: Nuon turned himself in to the Pamunkey Regional Jail on Monday. Hanover police confirmed his surrender with NBC12, with Lt. James Cooper issuing a warning to other scammers: "Weve got a suspect that lives all the way in California and want to prove to people that we dont care where you live at. If we identify you and we were able to get an arrest warrant, were going to bring you back here, and were going to let you face the justice system here." Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Two Asian American Business Owners Attacked and Robbed in Separate Incidents in Maryland Chinese astronauts successfully grow rice in space Bay Area councilmember attacked with concrete block while walking with his family Associated Press Cambodian leader says people who don't vote will be barred from being candidates in future elections FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen claps during the 71st anniversary celebration of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Cambodias long-serving leader says his government will amend the countrys election law to bar anyone who fails to vote from standing as a candidate in future elections, in what would be the latest marginalization of his political foes. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will return to the United States this week and lead to air quality concerns, AccuWeather forecasters warn. Satellite imagery showed smoke from Ontario reaching down into the Upper Midwest Tuesday morning in a scene reminiscent of last week when heavy plumes of smoke were seen flowing over the eastern U.S., turning skies orange and leading to historically bad levels of air quality. Smoke from wildfires in Ontario carried into the Upper Midwest on Tuesday morning, June 13. "We may see some air quality issues over the next few days across the Upper Midwest, especially the eastern Dakotas through Minnesota and northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan due to some of the lower level smoke from numerous fires burning across northern and northwestern Ontario," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP On Monday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre was at a national preparedness level of five, the highest level of wildfire activity response, as fires continued to blaze across the nation. Wildfires have burned over 12.3 million acres since the start of the year, roughly 158,676 of which were in Ontario. This week, winds from the north and northeast will carry the smoke from those fires in the province into the Upper Midwest due to the combination of high pressure over the northern Plains and low pressure over the Northeast. The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. AccuWeather forecasters say the smoke carried into the Upper Midwest this week won't be as intense as the smoke in the Northeast last week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) While the low-level smoke may raise pollution levels, Anderson said the impact this week may not be as extreme as it was in the Northeast last week. He attributed this to the blazes being small, albeit numerous. Ontario had over 70 active fires Tuesday, according to the CIFFC. He added that some high-level smoke from fires in northern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan is filtering into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. However, it will likely have little to no impact on air quality while still setting up hazy sunsets and sunrises. The smoke won't stay long either, as the combination of storms and a shifting of the winds will reduce the smoke over U.S. skies, especially by Friday. Residents of areas impacted by the smoke can see their local air quality forecast here and keep tabs on where the smoke is headed here. 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. Kevin Mazur - Getty Images Beyonce's Renaissance world tour is in full swing, with stadiums across the globe filled with her adoring fans, including some of our favourite celebrities. The shows kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden on 17th May and shes currently touring Europe, where some famous faces have been spotted in the crowds singing along to Beys songs. See, celebrities are just like us! So, from Kylie Jenner to Ariana Grande and everyone in between, here are some of the celebrities that have been spotted at Beyonce Renaissance world tour so far. Kylie Jenner Kylie went to Beyonce's concert in Paris, France with her pals and looked so gorgeous in posts from the night, including a TikTok where her and her friends danced and lip-synced to 'HEATED'. Kris Jenner The matriarch of the Kar-Jenner family, Kris, is a true member of the Beyhive as she attended when the Renaissance tour came to London and Paris. A real fan! Beyonce renaissance tour made even better by seeing KRIS JENNER life made pic.twitter.com/SeiCQi5qex Els (@ellieekt) May 29, 2023 Selena Gomez Selena looked super happy as she attended the Renaissance tour in Paris, with pretty much everyone fan girling when they saw her at the stadium. She went with her pal Edgar Ramirez and looked so chic in a floor-length leather jacket. Selena Gomez and Edgar Ramirez spotted at the #RenaissanceWorldTour in Paris pic.twitter.com/CJpRZDsNid Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 26, 2023 Megan Thee Stallion The rap star danced the night away and looked to be having an amazing time at Beyonce's concert in Paris. She was stood with Jay-Z and fans went absolutely wild for her, understandably! Megan Thee Stallion is at Beyonces show tonight in Paris. #RENAISSANCEWorldTour - https://t.co/Iw9YKSr0Pd pic.twitter.com/ph1a9bxV3U RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR (@RenaissanceWT) May 26, 2023 Dua Lipa Pop princess Dua was spotted at the Renaissance tour in London, much to the joy of Dua and Beyonce's fans alike. So much talent in one stadium! DUA LIPA IS AT THE RENAISSANCE TOUR OH MY GOD GET UP pic.twitter.com/wzPHvifFfo (@beyoncegarden) May 29, 2023 Natalie Portman Actor Natalie Portman was seen at another one of Bey's London shows, with one fan tweeting, "Natalie Portman in club Renaissance??? Mother recognises mother." natalie portman in club renaissance??? mother recognizes mother pic.twitter.com/kI91inMOdI wiLL (@willfulchaos) May 26, 2023 Florence Pugh Our fave Florence looked so cute as she took selfies with fans while attending the tour. We can't get over her new buzzcut, BTW! FLORENCE PUGH AT THE RENAISSANCE TOUR pic.twitter.com/z72ZEQcUrg sophia (@hellopugh) May 30, 2023 Priyanka Chopra and Daniel Kaluuya Priyanka busted some serious moves and looked so joyous singing along to 'Love On Top' at another one of Bey's London dates, with Daniel vibing in the background of the video posted by a fan. Plus, Jay-Z makes a cameo! Priyanka Chopra, Daniel Kaluuya and JAY-Z tonight at Beyonces #RENAISSANCEWorldTour show in London. pic.twitter.com/UKTDEK5c35 RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR (@RenaissanceWT) June 3, 2023 Kelly Rowland Is this a Destiny's Child reunion? Kelly supported her former band mate at one of the London shows, singing along to 'Break My Soul' and looking beautiful while doing so. Ariana Grande Ariana, what are you doing here?! She was spotted looking super cute in pink at a London show, with TikToker Max Balegde posting a sweet video of him meeting her backstage. Fans are also speculating online that Ariana might feature on an upcoming remix of one of the song's from 'Renaissance', so we'll have to wait and see. Damon Idris and Lori Harvey Lori Harvey and Damson Idris may just be 'Crazy In Love' as they were spotted getting 'COZY' while attending the tour in London. She shared clips of their date night on Instagram and they looked so cute. Les story que je regarde me mette de bonne humeur !!! Lori Harvey et Damson Idris au concert de Beyonce Mon mec est trop beau avec ses contours !!!! pic.twitter.com/qlD8ObWdhP ditto (@Rosya_Syana) May 29, 2023 Ncuti Gatwa We want to go to a Beyonce concert with Ncuti! The actor danced the night away with some of his Doctor Who co-stars and looked to be living his best life singing along to 'Crazy In Love. IMPORTANT CONTENT: Ncuti Gatwa at a Beyonce concert pic.twitter.com/W1izsN7r3L Bad Wolf Archives (@BadWolfArchives) May 18, 2023 Naomi Campbell The supermodel and absolute icon that is Naomi attended one of Beyonce's shows in London, with fans taking to Twitter to share details of their celebrity sighting. Naomi also starred in Bey's music video for 'Brown Skin Girl' back in 2019, and looked gorgeous doing so. The fact I was touching distance to Beyonce AND Naomi Campbell tonight was insane Cheryl Hole (@CherylHoleQueen) June 4, 2023 Salma Hayek Fans went wild when they saw Salma at one of Bey's London shows, and she looked to be having the time of her life while wearing an all-black ensemble at the gig. What a queen! Charithra Chandran Charithra donned her cowboy boots for the Renaissance tour and described Beyonce as the "greatest entertainer of our generation." She also tagged her Bridgerton co-star, Jonathon Bailey, so we're assuming they went together. It was reported that Beyonce visited the set of Bridgerton while she was in London as she's a fan of the series, too! Jade Thirlwall Jade headed to Beyonce's show in Sunderland and looked to have had the absolute time of her life in her posts from the event. After the show, she described it as an "out of body experience" and we couldn't agree more! Jade Thirlwall (@jadethirlwall) having the time of her life at @Beyonces show in Sunderland last week. pic.twitter.com/YcphMlbH50 Jade Thirlwall Updates. (@JTdailyupdates) May 31, 2023 [/twitter] Are you heading to the Beyonce's Renaissance world tour? If so, we've collated the entire setlist for you. Thank us later! You Might Also Like Centrist super PAC to spend $100K on boosting NYC Councilwoman Linda Lee as her Queens race tightens A centrist super PAC founded by a veteran New York lobbyist plans to pour tens of thousands of dollars into boosting City Councilwoman Linda Lees reelection campaign this month amid signs that her race is tightening. Lee, a Democrat representing a section of eastern Queens that includes Bayside, Fresh Meadows and Hollis, is squaring off in her June 27 primary against Steve Behar, a former City Council staffer, and community activist Rubaiya Rahman. Jeff Leb, a former Council official-turned-lobbyist who has been heavily involved in super PAC spending in recent local elections, told the Daily News this week that one of his groups, Future NYC, found via recent independent polling that Lees race is likely to be one of the closer ones in this Council primary cycle. The polling showed the most formidable threat to Lee is Behar, Leb added. To that end, Leb said Future NYC will launch a $100,000 campaign this week to promote Lees candidacy with mailers, robocalls, phone banking and radio and digital ads. Linda Lee, Preventing Crime & Protecting Families, reads a Future NYC flyer provided by Leb that will start circulating in Lees 23rd City Council District this week. Leb, whose groups have a track record of backing moderate Democratic and centrist Republican candidates for elected office, said a chunk of the $100,000 political buy will also go toward distributing mailers and other campaign material educating the public about who Steve Behar really is. Leb was referencing news articles from the 2021 Council election cycle, when Behar also unsuccessfully ran for Lees seat. As first reported by The News, Behar raised eyebrows during that race as social media posts surfaced of him cracking a joke about rape and taking a sexist dig at Lee, claiming her candidacy boiled down to Vote for Me Im a Mommy! Is this the type of person that you want representing you? Leb told The News this week. Lee declined to comment Tuesday. Behar did not return a request for comment. By law, Lee cannot coordinate political efforts with Lebs group, which as an independent expenditure organization is able to raise and spend more money than a regular campaign can. Leb said Future NYC has raised more than $500,000 that it expects to shell out promoting Council candidates in this months cycle. He declined to name any of the groups contributors, adding that wont be disclosed until Campaign Finance Board filings are due next month. Another candidate Lebs group plans to spend $100,000 on supporting is Democratic Queens Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, as first reported by Jewish Insider last week. Leb has operated a half-dozen super PACs in recent election cycles, promoting Council and state Legislature candidates. None of the PACs were directly involved in the 2021 mayoral campaign, but Leb said Mayor Adams has been supportive of their efforts, including by attending a fund-raiser one of his groups held in downtown Manhattan in early 2022. The mayor has been supportive of our IEs, Leb said, using an acronym for independent expenditures. All Council districts are up for election in the June 27 primaries, but only a handful of them feature competitive showdowns. Early voting starts this Saturday. This months primaries mark just the second city election cycle where ranked-choice voting will be used to call a winner if a leading candidate nets less than 50% of total ballots cast. In 2021, the first time the embattled city Board of Elections oversaw a ranked-choice-voting election cycle, a major snafu ensued after the panel accidentally added tens of thousands of test ballots to an official count. Centuries-old sequoias damaged during prescribed burn at California park. One may not survive Two historic giant sequoias were damaged in a prescribed burn last fall at Calaveras Big Trees State Park and one of them may not survive, park officials and tree enthusiasts agree. The trees, known as The Orphans, are estimated to be at least 500 years old, with one possibly twice that age, said John Buckley, executive director of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center. The older of the two monarch sequoias, Buckley said after visiting the burn site, has a high risk of dying. He added, One of the trees has a fairly high chance of survival because it still has green canopy crown and suffered less of a loss of the needles that are so essential for the tree to be able to take in sunlight and photosynthesis. Arnold resident Tom Van Lokeren, right, organized the blessing at Calaveras Big Trees State Park Sunday, June 11, 2023 to pray for The Orphans survival. Dominique Williams/The Modesto Bee California Department of Parks and Recreation officials said the damage was discovered when part of the park reopened after winter closures. Prescribed burn when it was Incredibly bone dry In October, California State Parks conducted a prescribed burn in the North Grove area of the park. Prescribed burns are done to help reduce wildfire risk and promote giant sequoia regeneration, the department said in a statement. After the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway reopened from winter closure, the department said one of the two trees was found to have sufferedsignificant scorch within the prescribed burn perimeter. Kristen Shive, a fire ecologist and assistant professor at UC Berkeley, did not see The Orphans in person, but saw photos of them and said it looks like the crown damage was the result of heat from fire on the forest floor and from fire that consumed a neighboring non-sequoia tree. In general, thats what brown needles mean, Shive said. If fire was engulfing the crown, then most of the needles would be consumed. Arnold residents, the Calaveras Big Trees Assosiation, Calaveras County Supervisor Martin Huberty, leader of the Calaveras band of Mi Wuk Indians Adam Lewis and members of the parks department gathered at Calaveras Big Trees State Park Sunday, June 11, 2023, to hike to The Orphans and pray for their survival. Dominique Williams/The Modesto Bee Buckley, who served as a Stanislaus National Forest wildland firefighter for 13 years, said he talked to fire crews and understands that part of the reason for The Orphans being damaged is that it was the third year of drought in the area. The fuels were so incredibly bone dry and the trees had less moisture to resist heating and to be resilient from being slightly scorched or damaged, Buckley said. Those extreme drought conditions last year are probably the key reason why what was otherwise normal burning ended up, in this case, being more than those two trees could easily accept. Community members respond to the loss Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor Martin Huberty, leader of the Calaveras band of Mi-Wuk Indians Adam Lewis, members of the parks department and others gathered at the state park Sunday to hike to The Orphans and pray for their survival. Arnold resident Tom Van Lokeren organized the blessing. Board members of the Calaveras Big Trees Association, the nonprofit partner of the park, also participated in the ceremony. Sally Kaplan, left, Desiree Amor, Nancy Tanner and Sunil Mehrotra prayed for The Orphans survival at Calaveras Big Trees State Park Sunday, June 11, 2023. Dominique Williams/The Modesto Bee Adam Lewis, leader of the Calaveras band of Mi-Wuk Indians, sings Native songs and prays for The Orphans survival Sunday at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Dominique Williams/The Modesto Bee I think the solidarity here is important not just to say, Oh, we lost a couple of giant sequoias but weve got 1,000 more, Van Lokeren said. These are two very special giant sequoias. Paul Prescott, president of the association, said prescribed burning is an essential tool in the efforts to bring forests back to health. Because of policies by governments over the last century to suppress fires, Prescott said, forests are choked with thin trees and dead debris, which are fuel for wildfires. Occasionally and sadly, a prescribed burn will burn something you didnt want burned, Prescott said Thats why (the association) has been advocating this last year to get more resources to the park so that they can thin more trees and clear more debris before the next burn. So far, Prescott said the efforts have been unsuccessful. Future planned burns at Calaveras Big Trees State Park The parks department, in cooperation with Cal Fire, plans to burn up to 155 acres inside Big Trees, including areas along Highway 4 this week, weather permitting. While the park will remain open during the burn, the department said visitors should expect some closures, potentially including a section of West Moran Road inside the park and one lane of traffic control on Highway 4 near the park entrance. The department plans to do a much larger burn in the South Grove of the park in the fall. The prescribed burn will cover 1,300 acres, and Huberty has expressed concerns about whether the area will be properly prepared before the burn. Shive said its impossible to do a prescribed fire with zero risk to the sequoias. The only alternative to that risk is to do nothing, Shive said. Doing nothing would keep the groves fuel-loaded and at high risk of severe fire that has the potential to kill far more of these incredible trees. What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com. A chance to get it right. Fort Mill leaders, public approaching key decision about roads Fort Mill is a cauldron of traffic. So given the rare opportunity to widen or repair town roads, officials say its imperative they and the public get it right. Fort Mill Town Council will approve a list of road jobs and submit it next month to the Pennies for Progress commission for consideration. That commission will weigh requests from across York County and create its own list that, pending York County Council approval, will go to county voters in November 2024. The list for Fort Mill requests is largely set. The order, just as important since communities dont get all the projects they submit, isnt. Mayor Guynn Savage said its critical town officials make the right call, and also that the public shows up to voice concern. It will all go into a process that is lengthy, cumbersome and highly competitive, Savage said. Why is Fort Mill traffic so bad? Geography and community come together to create traffic headaches throughout Fort Mill. The towns residential growth rate, dating back decades, consistently ranks Fort Mill among the top areas in the region and at times the nation. The largest population increases in unincorporated York County typically come in whats still called Fort Mill -- between the town and Tega Cay. A lot of stuff in Fort Mill isnt in the Town of Fort Mill, said Town Councilman Chris Wolfe. New census data shows Fort Mill area is among fastest growing in the Carolinas Fort Mill also sits directly between the two largest municipalities in the area, Rock Hill and Charlotte. One of the few places that can match Fort Mill in growth numbers is neighboring Indian Land. Ballantyne, just over the North Carolina border to the north, feeds into Fort Mill traffic. Theres Tega Cay and Lake Wylie on the opposite side. Most any Rock Hill region trip will run through Fort Mill, if the route is from one community to another and involves the northern part of the Catawba River. The congestion in Fort Mill is not just Fort Mill, Savage said. Area roads experts recognize the challenges. The Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study divvies federal dollars for regional road work. Its policy committee recently updated its membership to include more Fort Mill representation, due both to population increases and cut-through traffic. When RFATS submitted its own recommendation list to the Pennies commission this spring, four of six large projects involved Fort Mill area roads. Mass transit? A pedestrian flyover? New ideas offered for York County road tax money Fort Mill road list Fort Mill will submit eight projects to the Pennies commission. Four will be road widening jobs, and four road resurfacing. The working list includes widening U.S. 21 Bypass from Sutton Road to Fort Mill Parkway, Fort Mill Parkway from the railroad overpass bridge at US Foods to Holbrook Road, North White Street from Horse Road to a new roundabout at Old Nation Road and pedestrian upgrades at Clebourne Street with a new pedestrian bridge over the railroad. The resurfacing jobs are Main Street, Banks Road from Fairway Drive to Wolfpack Trail, Tom Hall Street from Main to Banks Street and Academy Street from Main to Banks streets. Council members understand that list only goes so far. We could put eight more on there, and it still wouldnt be enough, said Councilman Allen Garrison. Still, Pennies is the one opportunity every seven years that voters get to decide which projects will help the most. This is going to help move the needle, said Councilman Ben Hudgins. Speed vs. safety Prioritizing isnt exactly picking, but council members say it somewhat feels that way, knowing they likely wont get the full list of improvements. So, do they move up the U.S. 21 Bypass widening that helps resident and non-resident drivers get through when I-77 stalls or do they start with North White Street, which would help with dangerous left turns in some of the most historic parts of town? Council members can make a strong case for either. The first week of school last August, a major wreck on I-77 sent so much traffic into Fort Mill that there were virtual parking lots along roads throughout the town. Similar past wrecks on I-77 have had similar impacts. You could not get ambulances, fire trucks Fort Mill was shut down, Savage said. Prioritizing the U.S. 21 Bypass job would help, and would link with other planned widening jobs on that road to create a better corridor parallel to I-77. But that work also would largely serve and perhaps even add more pass-through traffic. Compared to the almost downtown proposal at North White, where left turns near Elisha Park create threats to safety on a narrow two-lane road. When theres a problem on 77, its a nightmare, Wolfe said of the U.S. 21 Bypass work. But its a few times a year. (North White) is an every day concern. Hudgins said the North White project is more safety than convenience, and the town could get more impact for a lower price there. Savage said there is value in determining which projects might be most palatable to the Pennies commission. I also look at, what do I think we can get? Savage said. Public input Communities throughout York County face the same input process for this round of Pennies. The commission already held meetings in Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Clover and for regional partners RFATS and Catawba Regional Council of Governments. The commission will meet June 21 in York. The group will meet in Fort Mill on July 19, Sharon on Aug. 16 and Rock Hill on Sept. 20. The commission continues to take online public input. Savage hears more complaints in the community about traffic than any other single issue. This Pennies process, Savage said, is one of the most impactful ways Fort Mill residents can use that voice. The community that complains, needs to show up, Savage said. Councilman Chris Moody says he still hears about the Fort Mill public meeting during the last Pennies referendum process, in 2017. The community packed the Nation Ford High School auditorium. Ultimately, the list approved by voters in 2017 included almost $36 million to widen U.S. 21 from S.C. 160 to Springfield Parkway, $23 million to widen a connected portion of Sutton Road, Spratt Street and Fort Mill Parkway and $3 million for intersection upgrades between Fort Mill and Tega Cay. Another seven Fort Mill and Tega Cay area roads made the list for resurfacing. The meeting next month will be held at the Catawba Ridge High School auditorium. We need that turnout again this time, Moody said. While residents can be vocal, they dont always participate at that same level. Just last week Pennies held a public meeting to detail plans for its approved widening project on Fort Mill Parkway, Sutton and Spratt in front of the new Elizabeth development, Riverview Elementary School and more. Heres what York County leaders say is planned for the Fort Mill Parkway improvement Savage said there may have been more town council members there than other community residents. You cant just fuss and not follow through, Savage said. Council could have set its priority list Monday night but opted to wait. They want discussion among themselves, and to hear from the community. Road work can take years or decades to complete, so town officials see the coming decision as an uncommon opportunity they have to get right. We do our part and hope for the best, Wolfe said, because we need all of it. School may be out across Duval County, but the learning continues at local summer programs. The Ed White Teen Center serves about 60 teens during the summer months. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< People thought I was going to go down the wrong road. They didnt really see a bright future for me because of how I acted, Janiya Early, an Ed White High School graduate, said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] That was how her story began, but it is far from how it ended. She was taught her greatest lesson without a textbook: be the change. The teen center actually helped me put that in motion. It helped me be the change I wanted to be, Early said. Read: Congress trying to tackle rising prescription drug costs by cracking down on PBMs The Ed White Teen Center is run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. It was the first to open inside a Duval high school and became Janiyas family and the reason she was able to graduate with top honors this year. Shes now headed to Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. From there she hopes to enter law school and become a criminal defense attorney. Read: RXPass: Amazon launches $5 prescription plan, but not all people will qualify Sometimes you are innocent you need someone to believe in you, she said. Just like Janiyas home away from home believed in her. The Ed White Teen Center offers after-school and summer programs with everything from a robotics lab to a recording studio. It serves teens who might not otherwise have the opportunity for free. Were in the communities and neighborhoods that need us most. And we want to be in those communities, Wyatt Parlette, Vice President of Operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] This year, the organizations summer programs are at capacity in Duval, serving about 2,000 kids per day. However, there is still limited availability at the seven Clay County locations which offer a free six-week camp. This is the first summer season for those locations. You can get more information here: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (bgcnf.org). 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. Home-school setup adamkaz / Getty Images Many families across the United States have made the permanent switch to home-schooling their children since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although conservative Christians have traditionally been associated with the home-school movement, recent demographic changes suggest a move toward greater diversity. U.S. Census data showed that the number of home-schooled children in nonwhite households increased, with Black households showing the most significant jump from 3.3.% at the start of the pandemic in 2020 to 16.1% by that fall. Families from different backgrounds may cite differing reasons for home-schooling their children, but at the root of most of their decisions is their right as parents to determine how to educate their children. Bipartisan roots of home schooling Early proponents of home schooling came from both ends of the political spectrum. In the 1970s, an earlier wave of the movement was "driven by left-leaning parents more aligned with the counterculture of the 1960s," Time stated. Educator John Holt used the term "unschooling" while advocating for parents to leave the rigidity of the public school system for more child-centered curriculums and less state testing. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, "home schooling became a more conservative movement, overlapping with conservative ideals about limited government, parental rights and religious freedom," Time added. Republican presidential hopefuls began to appeal to the home-school community for support. Then in 1983, the Christian nonprofit Home School Legal Defense Association was founded to lobby legislators and provide legal services for families fighting for the right to home-school their children. For contemporary religious conservatives, the push for home schooling is "another salvo in the ongoing evangelical war against public schools," Anthea Butler wrote in an MSNBC op-ed. They have fought against public education since the era of desegregation, and pushing for home schooling is just one way they do that. She points to the promo for actor Kirk Cameron's 2022 documentary, "The Homeschool Awakening," in which he calls public education "public enemy number one." His film came "at a time of contentious debate about critical race theory, LGBTQ+ issues, transgender children and Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law," Butler noted. These laws and the documentary are part of a larger campaign to "weaken already debilitated public school systems that are dealing with limited funding, staffing and violence issues," she opined. Has home schooling always been legal? Home schooling wasn't always legal, but over time, families won key state-level legal battles related to home schooling. By 1993, all 50 states passed legislation allowing parents to home-school their kids, though regulations vary from state to state. Oversight differs from state to state, with some requiring notice and assessments while others have less stringent requirements. HSLDA lists Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont as the states with the most restrictive home-school regulations. On the other end of the spectrum, Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas don't require any official notification for home-schoolers. The lack of uniform regulation is a cause of concern for experts who are leery of home schooling. Compared to how other countries regulate it, "the U.S. stands out as the anomaly," Elizabeth Bartholet, a professor and faculty director of the Child Advocacy Program at Harvard Law School, told the Harvard Gazette two years ago. Other countries also allow home schooling but have much stricter national requirements, such as home visits or mandating curriculums that match the rigor of public education. "In the U.S., there is essentially no effective regulation," Bartholet added. She warned that the lack of cohesive oversight could expose children to maltreatment. "There's no requirement that home-schooled children ever see anybody who's a mandated reporter of child abuse," she pointed out. Is home schooling becoming more popular? The number of families that reported that they home-schooled their children grew significantly since the onset of the pandemic sent kids home for online learning. In addition to the notable increase in Black home-schooled households, the census household pulse survey data also showed significant increases in Hispanic and Asian families who chose to home-school from the spring of 2020 to the following fall. The overall percentage of home-schooled children in the U.S. jumped from 2.8% in 2019 pre-pandemic to 5.4% in the 2020-2021 school year, per the U.S. Department of Education. However, some states don't require notice from home-schoolers, so the data might not represent a complete count. Cheryl Fields-Smith, a professor in elementary education at the University of Georgia, told CNN that Black families are increasingly choosing home schooling for several reasons. The list included disproportionate discipline against their children, lack of access to gifted programs, bullying and safety concerns. Fields-Smith also noted that many families opt to join co-ops to educate and socialize their children. "I conceptualize it as a form of resistance," Fields-Smith told CNN. "Instead of accepting the status quo, families are resisting what's happening in their schools." Black families have also turned to home schooling because of laws and book-banning campaigns that seem to target Black history and the ongoing crusade against critical race theory in states like Florida. Andrea Thorpe, who runs the African American Homeschool Moms Facebook group, told NBC News the group is crucial, "especially in this day and time when there's a rewriting of history and books are being banned." In addition to more racial diversity, the home-school demographic's political and religious makeup is also shifting. Home-school resource provider Outschool surveyed 622 home-schooling families and compared the results for their families who had signed up after the pandemic and those who had previously started home schooling. The survey found that 47% of their new subscribers self-identified as progressive or liberal, compared to 32% of pre-Covid subscribers. And while 27% of pre-Covid home-schoolers said they had conservative views, only 16% of new families said the same. Regarding regional changes, some states saw significant boosts to the home-school population, while others saw very little difference, per the 2020-2021 school year census data. The states with a substantial uptick between spring 2020 to fall 2020 include places known for stricter regulation, such as Massachusetts, New York and Vermont, with a 10.6%, 9% and 12.8% increase, respectively. States with looser regulations, like Alaska and Oklahoma, also had marked increases, with the population increasing by 17.9% in the former and 12.4% in the latter. How have home-schooling resources evolved? Home-school resources have come a long way since the movement's inception. Parents can find help and communities in Facebook groups and other online home-school forums. Some families join the growing number of home-school co-ops where parents gather to teach their children, take field trips and run extracurricular activities. Parents can also rely on accredited K-12 virtual schools to supplement their curriculums. For some families, the costs of choosing home schooling create a barrier that makes it difficult for them to sustain. Resources like the VELA Education Fund and Outschool work to make home schooling financially possible for all families, regardless of economic background. Some organizations help families navigate the legal nuances of home schooling, and some help them find curriculums. "Financial barriers are, in a lot of ways, why Outschool exists to give families the ability to at least afford the tools for their home-schooling journeys," Justin Dent, Outschool's executive director, told NBC. You may also like 4 things to consider when leaving an inheritance 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse': everything we know TV shows that have been canceled in 2023 What are the charges against Donald Trump and what happens next? Donald Trump indictment US former president White House classified documents - Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images What are the charges? Donald Trump faces 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents. The 76-year-old is accused of breaking seven different laws. The charges relate to 31 counts of willful retention of national defence information as well as single charges for making false statements and representations, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document, concealing a document in a federal investigation and a scheme to conceal. The indictment accused him of having improperly removed scores of boxes from the White House and storing them at his Florida estate in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room. Some contained information about defence and weapons capabilities of both the US and foreign countries along with nuclear programmes. Mr Trump has maintained his innocence, claiming that the investigation is a hoax and a witch hunt, and has accused Joe Biden and the Democrats of election interference. Walt Nauta, Mr Trumps former aide, has also been charged. What are the possible sentences? Only two of the charges that Mr Trump faces carry a possible prison sentence of less than 10 years. The 31 charges under the Espionage Act the wilful retention of documents carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. To convict Mr Trump, prosecutors would have to prove that he or his team knowingly mishandled materials to impede, obstruct or influence the investigation. Prosecutors would need to prove the documents related to national defence and their disclosure could harm the US or aid a foreign adversary. Charges for obstruction of justice, witholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record and concealing a document in a federal investigation all carry a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years. The charges for scheming to conceal and making false statements and representations carry a maximum jail term of five years. All charges are listed with a maximum fine of up to $250,000 (198,000). We are at the preliminary stage of the process and it is unlikely to be concluded before the 2024 election. Can he run for president from prison? Yes, Mr Trump can still run while indicted or convicted. The Constitution sets out only three requirements for candidates. They must be a natural-born citizen, aged 35 or above, and a resident of the US for at least 14 years. At least two people have previously run for president with criminal convictions: socialist Eugene Debs in 1920 after he was convicted of the Espionage Act over a 1918 anti-war speech, and Lyndon LaRouche also ran for office several times after being convicted of fraud in 1988. His 1992 bid was conducted from a federal prison in Minnesota. But if convicted, Mr Trump would be barred from voting in his adoptive home state of Florida until he had served his sentence. Could he serve from prison? If Mr Trump is elected president, he could technically pardon himself on federal charges. However, experts have said this would be unconstitutional because it violates the basic principle that nobody should be the judge in their own case. He could also pre-emptively pardon himself from any pending federal charges. Robert Ray, an attorney who defended Mr Trump in his impeachment, said if he is elected he would control the Justice Department if its still pending, he just dismisses the case. What other charges does he face? Capitol attack 6 Jan Jack Smith, the special counsel, is also investigating Mr Trumps role in the attack on the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021. Mr Trump had sought to prevent top aides, including Mike Pence, from testifying. Mr Pence appeared before the grand jury in April after Mr Trump lost his legal challenge. Attempt to overturn the Georgia vote Mr Trump is being investigated over whether he illegally tried to overturn his narrow defeat in the state during the 2020 presidential election. A charging decision is expected in September. New York hush money case In April, Mr Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury. He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records relating to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, the porn star, before the 2016 election. Sexual abuse and defamation Last month, a civil federal grand jury in Manhattan found Mr Trump liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of E Jean Carroll, a magazine columnist. He was ordered to pay $5 million (3.9 million) in damages. 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. China's top legislator holds talks with chairman of Nepal's national assembly Xinhua) 09:11, June 13, 2023 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing on Monday, pledging to advance cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the leaders of the two countries have elevated the China-Nepal relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. China is willing to work with Nepal to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and promote the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and Nepal, Zhao said. Noting that China and Nepal are linked by mountains and rivers, Zhao said that developing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. Zhao said that China appreciates Nepal's consistent and firm adherence to the one-China policy and its valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports Nepal in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects the development path chosen by the Nepali government and people in light of their own national conditions, Zhao added. He called on both sides to build and maintain infrastructure projects, continue to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and deepen cooperation in various fields, adding that China welcomes Nepal's support for and participation in the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to jointly promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the National Assembly of Nepal, consolidate the social and popular support for friendly China-Nepal cooperation, provide legal guarantee for practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation between multilateral institutions, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Timilsina said that Nepal and China have been closely linked in geography, culture and tradition since ancient times. Nepal firmly pursues the one-China policy and will not allow any force to use its territory for anti-China activities. The Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible results to Nepal, Timilsina said, adding that the National Assembly of Nepal is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the NPC of China and give full play to the active role of the legislative bodies in promoting bilateral cooperation. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Tao) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Cheers and jeers: Scenes from the Miami courthouse where Trump was arraigned MIAMI The largely peaceful protests outside the federal courthouse here where former President Donald Trump was arraigned Tuesday consisted of several slow hours in sweltering heat followed by a flurry of chaos when an opponent of Trump's took off running after his motorcade. He didnt get anywhere near him. Police officers tackled the man, and Trump headed to a famous Cuban restaurant called Versailles for what appeared to be a planned meeting with loyalists. It was a jarring end to what had been a somewhat sedate show of support for the embattled former president, as he pleaded not guilty to charges of mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. Police had been bracing for as many of 50,000 demonstrators to protest outside the courthouse Tuesday. Only several hundred showed up, police told NBC News reporters at the scene. There was also a contingent of anti-Trump demonstrators, including the man who was intercepted by police near Trumps car. He was dressed in prison stripes and carrying a Lock Him Up poster. Still, the noisy crowd of Trump supporters chanting USA! USA! and We love Trump were unshakeable in their belief that the former president was being railroaded by federal investigators. Theyve got the cards to put anyone in jail, Trump supporter Joe Ercolano said. Even if they find him guilty, I will still vote for him. Trump supporters rally outside the courthouse on June 13, 2023, in Miami after former President Donald Trump arrived at the federal court. (Alex Brandon / AP) But even the most ardent Trump supporters acknowledged that the turnout was somewhat disappointing. A lot of people are afraid to speak up, said Trump supporter Florentina Morales, who said social media warnings about possible unrest may have dampened the turnout, not to mention the stifling Miami heat. Maj. Thomas Buchanan of the Miami-Dade Police Department had also been bracing for bigger crowds. Image: Trump Arraignment in Miami (Dominic Gwinn / Zuma Press) I think there would be more people here already, he told The Miami Herald. Still, there was a loud roar when the former presidents motorcade arrived, and Trump acknowledged his supporters with a wave before he was driven inside the courthouse. Jay Paul, who flew in from Dallas to bear witness, said he was a bit disappointed that Trump did not stop to talk with his supporters. I would tell him I love him and Im praying for him, said Paul, who is 68. The Trump faithful, many wearing red MAGA hats and carrying Trump campaign signs, began gathering outside the courthouse hours before he arrived. Trump supporters outside the courthouse. (Sydney Walsh for NBC News) Unlike in New York City, where Trump was charged in April for illegally paying off porn star Stormy Daniels, there were no visible steel barricades to separate them from either the reporters covering the hearing or the relatively small number of anti-Trump protesters. At times, police officers on bicycles had to intervene when arguments between the two sides got heated. There were also several debates between Trump supporters and backers of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is the former presidents chief rival for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024. Early on, a group of 20 or so men wearing white T-shirts that read Blacks for Trump 2020 circulated outside the courthouse and chatted with reporters, while tourists took pictures of a man dressed like Uncle Sam and several Trump impersonators. Supporters wearing Like virtually all of the Trump supporters who spoke with NBC News, Louis Medina had not read the 37-count federal indictment that alleged the former president deliberately stashed secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago mansion, made false statements and representations, and conspired to obstruct justice. But Medina said he didnt need to read it. I support Trump 100%, he said. That sentiment was echoed by a woman who identified herself only as Betty, who said she was 5 when she and her family escaped from Communist Cuba. He is for we the people of the United States of America, and he wants his country to be a free country, Betty insisted. So I support what he, what his foundation is, what his principles are. Betty said she read the Trump indictment and doesnt believe a word of it. You know what, theres a bunch of lies, Betty said. Theres some, theres a lot of lies going on. I have been educating myself. Im not stupid, OK? And Ive been educating myself. I listened to both sides. And this has been going on for some time. Katherine Doyle and Sam Brock reported from Miami. Corky Siemaszko reported from New York City. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com china and cuba's flags Getty Images / Racide Call it the Cuban Eavesdropping Crisis. China has reached a secret agreement to build an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island nation less than 100 miles from the Florida coast, The Wall Street Journal reported. That location would let Chinese spies "scoop up" electronic communications in the southeast U.S. a region home to a sizable portion of the nation's domestic military bases. White House officials disputed the accuracy of the report, CNN reported, although they didn't detail their objections. "We have had real concerns about China's relationship with Cuba," said National Security spokesman John Kirby, "and we have been concerned since day one of the Administration about China's activities in our hemisphere and around the world." What is happening in Cuba? And how will China respond? What is happening in Cuba? Some context: Since Communist revolutionaries took over in 1959, Cuba has a history of serving as a proxy for America's foreign rivals. In 1962, the world came to the brink of nuclear war when it was discovered that the Soviet Union was building nuclear missile sites on the island. The Soviet Union has long since disappeared, but China and Cuba "have forged increasingly close ties since the end of the Cold War," the New York Times reported. China is Cuba's largest trading partner. The reported deal may be more of the same: "This is basically Chinese pay-to-play," one analyst told the Wall Street Journal. "China gives money to Cuba it desperately needs, and China gets access to the listening facility." It doesn't seem that the spying facilities have been built or started operations in Cuba. Instead, Politico reported, the countries are still in negotiations on the issue. Both nations denied the reports, however. "Slanders like these have been fabricated frequently by U.S. officials," a Cuban official told CNN. Reuters reported that the Chinese foreign ministry also accused the U.S. of "spreading rumors and slander." Don't China and Cuba already have a relationship? Possibly. Days after the news broke, The New York Times reported that China has been running a spy base in Cuba since 2019. What is Washington saying? Leading Republicans used the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration. "Joe Biden needs to wake up to the real Chinese threats on our doorstep," presidential candidate Nikki Haley wrote on Twitter. Others, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), followed suit. CBS News reported there was at least one bipartisan response. "We are deeply disturbed by reports that Havana and Beijing are working together to target the United States and our people," Sens. Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a joint statement. They added that it is "unacceptable for China to establish an intelligence facility within 100 miles of Florida and the United States." The Guardian reported that Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said a Chinese facility in Cuba would be "a direct assault upon the United States." But at least one commentator is urging restraint. News of the spy base might be discomfiting, Washington Post columnist Max Boot wrote, "but it's no outrage, and it's no reason to blow up efforts to improve relations with Beijing." Does the U.S. ever spy on China? It's fair to say that intelligence gathering is a two-way street. "Beijing has for decades decried what it sees as U.S. intrusiveness for flying surveillance aircraft and sailing military survey vessels" near Chinese shores, the Wall Street Journal noted. CNN noted that in May an American surveillance plane was intercepted and "harassed" by a Chinese fighter jet in international airspace over the South China Sea. These encounters are not uncommon: In 2001, a U.S. Navy spy plane was forced to land on China's Hainan Island after colliding with a Chinese fighter. The 24-person aircrew was held for 10 days before being released. What's next? U.S. officials have spent recent months trying to "thaw" relations with China that went south after the spy balloon incident in February. The latest revelations might put an end to those efforts, Politico reported, at least for now. Dialogue between the two countries exists mainly at the "economic and trade level, while military-to-military discussions are practically nonexistent." The ramifications should become clear fairly quickly: The Associated Press reported that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Beijing on June 18 for a meeting that was postponed in the aftermath of the balloon incident. If as many observers fear the United States and China end up waging a second Cold War, news of the Cuba eavesdropping deal might be seen as a key turning point. You may also like 4 things to consider when leaving an inheritance 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse': everything we know TV shows that have been canceled in 2023 HONG KONG The space for Chinas LGBTQ community just got even smaller. Founded in 2008, the Beijing LGBT Center had played a prominent role in combating prejudice against sexual and gender minorities in China. On May 15, four days after its 15th anniversary and two days before the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the center said on its official WeChat account that it was closing because of force majeure, which in China often refers to being shut down by the government. We were all shocked by the news, said Marry Yang, a volunteer at the center. Its quite sudden. Most people dont know what happened. It is not clear whether the closing of the Beijing LGBT Center, which declined a request for comment, was ordered by officials. The publicity department for Beijings Chaoyang district, where the center was, said it was not aware of the situation. Considered the biggest and most well-established LGBTQ organization in China, the center, also known as Beitong, gave sexual and gender minorities a sense of belonging, supporters said. Its quite shocking because I thought the Beijing LGBT Center has a very perfect policy with all kinds of support, Yang said. But even so, they still shut down. Jinghua Qian, a Chinese Australian writer who worked as a journalist in China from 2016 to 2018, said the centers closure was a huge loss for not only the LGBTIQ+ community in China but for the world. We will be poorer for it, Qian told NBC News via email. We will know less, we will understand less, about people and ideas that are quite crucial to understanding China today. Shrinking safe spaces The centers closing comes as officials are trying to increase the birth rate to address demographic concerns in China, which reported its first population decline in decades this year and is being overtaken by India as the worlds most populous nation. Many officials in the Chinese government view homosexuality as a malign foreign influence that is stopping youth from getting married and having children, said Darius Longarino, a senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School who focuses on LGBTQ rights. Although homosexuality is legal in China and major cities can have thriving LGBTQ social scenes, same-sex marriage and adoption are not allowed and LGBTQ people are not legally protected against discrimination. LGBTQ people in China say their safe spaces have been squeezed under President Xi Jinping, who has overseen a crackdown on advocacy groups since coming to power a decade ago. The pressure has only intensified under a 2017 law that increased regulation of international nongovernmental organizations, said Stephanie Wang, an assistant professor at St. Lawrence University in New York state who has researched LGBTQ rights in China. In 2019, Chengdu Milk LGBT Service Center announced that it would cease operations. In 2020, Shanghai Pride, which held Chinas only major annual LGBTQ celebration, said it was suspending all activities after 11 years in existence. LGBT Rights Advocacy China, which had led major legal cases, shut down the following year, months after dozens of LGBTQ accounts run by university students were deleted from the WeChat social media platform. There has also been an increase in government censorship, including a ban on effeminate men on TV as well as shows about close male relationships known as boys love dramas. Last year, an LGBTQ storyline was removed from a version of the American sitcom Friends being streamed on the Chinese mainland. Harvey Zhu, 24, a university student in Beijing who had participated in Beijing LGBT Center activities, said the centers closing was part of an irresistible trend in China. You dont feel surprised because youve actually expected it, he said. Qian, the Chinese Australian writer, nonetheless expressed disappointment and alarm. Its evidence of how much the government has turned on queer and feminist organizations as enemies of the state, where in the past the relationship between NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and the state was rocky but occasionally collegial as well, said Qian, who uses gender-neutral pronouns. Earlier, after hearing about the closure, they wrote on Twitter that it just feels so utterly hopeless. I know that queers & feminists in China know how to work a loophole, a cat door, a hairline fracture, a whisper, a metaphor, but soon thats too subtle and quiet to reach the people who need it. A secret handshake cant replace a lighthouse. Homophobic social norms Zhu and others say conservative cultural values often keep them from sharing their identities with others. I havent told my parents about my sexuality because Im afraid its not traditionally acceptable to them, he said. Although China is becoming more open to us now, its still difficult for sexual minorities to work in state organizations as rights-bearing officials because of traditional homophobic social norms. Because you cant just be open about your sexuality in there, you dont know what that would entail, he added. Zhu sees a brighter future for sexual and gender minorities in China, albeit one that will take time to appear. Right now the upper echelons of the countrys leadership are still conservative older generations, he said. But I believe that in another decade or so when more open-minded people take up the role of policymakers, things will change. That makes organizations like the Beijing LGBT Center all the more important in the meantime, said Will Hai, founder of a queer group in the Chinese city of Changsha. It is especially obvious during the holidays, Hai said, when single people returning to their hometowns face questions from family members about why they havent married and had children. I can see that straight people seem to be happy to go home for the [Lunar] New Year or something, but the LGBT group feels very depressed and suffocated, he said. In this case, it is definitely important to have an organization for this kind of public discussion. Hai said he wanted to make his organization as meaningful as the Beijing LGBT Center. On the other hand, I cant make it too meaningful, he said, because if it is too meaningful it will be censored. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A woman stands outside of her hurricane-damaged home decorated with an American flag on Oct. 15, 2017, in Dorado, Puerto Rico. A woman stands outside of her hurricane-damaged home decorated with an American flag on Oct. 15, 2017, in Dorado, Puerto Rico. In January 2015, then-Vice President Joe Biden stood before Caribbean leaders gathered in Washington and declared North America the new epicenter of energy in the 21st century, vowing to promote energy security beyond our borders by exporting cheap natural gas and renewables to countries with some of the highest electricity prices in the world. Its profoundly in the self-interest of the United States to see the Caribbean countries succeed as prosperous, secure, energy-independent neighbors not a world apart, but an integral part of the hemisphere, where every nation is middle class, democratic and secure, Biden said. Its the first time in history that can be envisioned. Nearly a decade later, Puerto Rico the largest U.S. territory in the Caribbean is entering its sixth year since Hurricane Maria without reliable electricity. Energy prices across the region where nine of 11 countries tracked by the World Bank generated 80% of their power from imported fuels soared last year by at least 50%. Warming-intensified storms are toppling transmission lines at a growing clip, forcing residents to either buy expensive generators or accept power outages as routine fact of life. So when now-President Bidens Vice President Kamala Harris attended the latest summit with Caribbean heads of state in the Bahamas last Thursday, analysts from across the region said the White Houses promise of more than $100 million in new spending on a set of projects including renewable energy fell flat. The White House announced the spending in a Thursday morning press release, one day after news broke that Cuba had reached a secret deal with China to set up a clandestine spy base on the Caribbeans largest island. Beijings presence in a region regarded in Washington as the U.S. backyard has grown over the past two decades as China offered favorable terms on loans to buy more Chinese-made goods, helped build infrastructure that Western developers had abandoned, and sought to woo some of the last remaining countries that maintain diplomatic ties with the government in Taiwan. The vision of an integrated North America free from the fluctuating price of fuels drilled in warzones has faded. Instead, the Biden administration touted a series of technical programs to overhaul island nations electrical regulations and promote zero-carbon sources of energy. In Antigua and Barbua, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory is helping to train workers to install solar panels, batteries and hurricane-resistant wind turbines. In Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the State Department is providing technical assistance to help both nations turn volcanic heat into commercial geothermal power plants. In the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency is helping local regulators develop rules for adding batteries to the grid. While more than half of the $100 million was earmarked for aid to Haiti, the Caribbeans most populous and currently unstable island, Harris said $20 million would support a new Caribbean Climate Investment Program to help incentivize the private sector to partner with Caribbean nations to develop more clean energy technologies. Another $15 million would go to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to help devise new early warning systems for storms and stock up on first-aid equipment and generators. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the multilateral meeting at the US-Caribbean Leaders Meeting in Nassau on Thursday. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the multilateral meeting at the US-Caribbean Leaders Meeting in Nassau on Thursday. But experts from across the Caribbean said the announcement falls far short of what the U.S. government could bring to bear in a region the U.S. has jealously controlled since Washington adopted the Monroe Doctrine, vowing to fight any rival global power that attempts to make inroads with Americas sovereign neighbors, exactly 200 years ago. Im not at all impressed, said Calixte George Jr., an analyst and electrical engineer from Saint Lucia who hosts a popular radio program on the island. The U.S. has the capacity to do something that would be a game changer. But thats not happening here. The China Question China is more prominent in the Caribbean than it has ever been as Beijing looks to expand its influence overseas and sell its goods and infrastructure-building services in more markets. Between 2005 and 2022, China invested more than $10 billion in six countries: Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, and the Bahamas, according to a recent tally by the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. But overall spending has dwindled in the last three years. Still, the deal for a Chinese spy base in Cuba marks one the most direct challenges to U.S. hegemony in the region in the three decades since the Soviet Union collapsed (which placed nuclear missiles there in the 1960s). The Biden administration confirmed over the weekend that China had been running a surveillance operation in one of the U.S. closest neighbors for the past four years. Last Thursdays press release announcing the new spending in the Caribbean was timed around the vice presidents preplanned regional summit. But Rasheed Griffith, a Barbados-based analyst who hosts the podcast China in the Americas, said the announcement was framed as a counter to China. U.S. foreign policy hawks from both parties increasingly warn of the Peoples Republic seeking bulwarks in the Caribbean akin to American military footholds in places like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which Beijing and much of the world considers part of China. But George, who hails from one of the only 12 countries in the world that still maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan over Beijing, said Chinas political interests in the Caribbean are primarily about cleaving support away from Taipei. Saint Lucia is one of the few countries thats still hanging on with Taiwan, along with Saint Vincents and Kitts, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, George said. The other place is Paraguay, and theyre looking at leaving soon. Taiwan just lost Nicaragua. So thats been really the main Chinese interest. Griffith, who tracks Chinese investments for his show and recently founded the think tank Caribbean Progress Studies Institute, said a lot of Chinese firms are in the region because governments in the Caribbean are open to it. What attracts island nations to Beijing is the promise of cheap imports of technologies like solar panels, which the U.S. does not manufacture at any competitive scale or price, and less onerous terms for loans than those offered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or other U.S.-backed institutions. In 2021, Trinidadian Finance Minister Colm Imbert defended his countrys decision to accept a $1.4 billion loan from China instead of the IMF, arguing that the regulatory overhauls and public spending cuts required as a condition by the latter lender would have meant punishing his population. With the Chinese loan, it is nothing like that, Imbert told The Daily Express, one of Trinidads largest newspapers. The Chinese, he said, only stipulated that, because the loan was meant to buttress Beijings foreign policy needs, Trinidad must spend the money on Chinese equipment, vaccines, medical supplies or any other goods manufactured in China. China's President Xi Jinping (right) meets Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley at the Great Hall of the People on May 15, 2018, in Beijing, China. China's President Xi Jinping (right) meets Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley at the Great Hall of the People on May 15, 2018, in Beijing, China. Scholars in the West have long debated whether China was offering a benevolent alternative to Western lenders or laying a debt trap to ensnare poor nations as unwilling recruits to its side in an emerging Cold War with the U.S. A lengthy 2020 review of Chinese loans by the British think tank Chatham House concluded that Beijings fragmented and poorly coordinated international development financing system is not geared towards advancing coherent geopolitical aims. Rather, the researchers found, it is a straightforward means of boosting Chinas own economy by selling more goods and earning interest abroad. In 2021, China gave out more than $40 billion in loans to distressed countries, coming its closest yet to rivaling the IMFs nearly $69 billion issued that same year, The New York Times reported. In March, The Associated Press published an analysis of a dozen countries most indebted to China including Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Laos and Mongolia found that paying back interest on the debt is draining foreign currency reserves and diverting tax revenues needed to keep schools open and provide electricity. But the terms of Chinas loans dont mandate spending cuts and economic changes that are the norm when borrowing from the IMF. Thats part of the export drive, Imbert said. But it is not a conditionality where the government of China is coming and saying, Look, send home 20,000 public servants, double the price of electricity, triple the price of water its not that. Puerto Ricos Woes Loom Large Contrary to what China hawks say about investments in Jamaican roads and the Dominican electrical grid, there is no strategic competition to cleave the Caribbean away from the U.S., Griffith said. Caribbean people exist within American culture. American culture is a Caribbean culture, he said. We wear the same clothes. We watch the same TV. We eat the same food. We have the same desires. Were geographically predisposed to be in the American empire. But Washingtons retreat from playing a more active role in developing the Caribbean, diverting resources to multilateral institutions like the World Bank and the IMF, has diminished American soft power in the region, Griffith said. George agreed, noting that he could easily identify projects funded by the British, Chinese and French governments across the Caribbean but not the U.S. If somebody asked me what I can identify within Saint Lucia that I would say is a U.S. government project, George said, Id have to go back probably into the 1960s. The apparent decline of American prosperity in the Caribbean may be most acute on the largest island to fly the stars and stripes. Between 2007 and 2020, Puerto Rico which the U.S. conquered during the Spanish-American War of 1898 and subsequently rendered a territorial possession of U.S. Congress shuttered nearly 700 schools as the island government struggled to repay its debt to the Wall Street equivalent of loan sharks. At more than 33 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity, Puerto Ricans pay more than triple the national average rate, higher than any U.S. state a reflection of the territorys dependence on imported oil, coal and diesel to generate power. Thats despite the fact that nearly half the population lives below the poverty line, making the island poorer than the poorest U.S. state. Those high costs dont include quality service. After Hurricane Maria decimated the aging grid in September 2017, Puerto Rico went 11 months without islandwide electricity, and has since endured weekly, if not daily, outages even as a private company took over the distribution system and hiked rates at least seven times in the first year. While the federal government has promoted programs for rooftop solar, the U.S. has focused its reconstruction efforts on building a centralized electricity system with natural gas imported from U.S. fracking fields as the primary fuel. Months after handing the publicly-owned distribution system over to a private consortium, regulators in Puerto Rico gave the New York-based natural gas company New Fortress Energy control over the islands generating system. (The deal has drawn criticism from inside the Biden administration, according to the Puerto Rican news outlet Noticel.) Puerto Rico could be a model that other island nations could follow, said Cathy Kunkel, a San Juan-based energy analyst with the nonprofit Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Figuring out how to build a resilient system thats based on decentralized, clean power generated near where its used is something every other country in the legion has an interest in as well. Weve seen this since the end of the Cold War. There has been very little U.S. interest in the Caribbean.Calixte George Jr., Saint Lucian analyst and radio host The collapse of the relative middle-class American living standards that Puerto Rico saw in the late 20th century, when Washington lured manufacturers to the territory and sought to bolster the territory as evidence of its capitalist systems superiority to communist Cuba, is part of a larger shift of U.S. interests elsewhere, George said. Weve seen this since the end of the Cold War, he said. There has been very little U.S. interest in the Caribbean. While attitudes have changed, U.S. influence over the regions fate has not, Griffith said. At the end of the day, he said, independent Caribbean nations need to decide for themselves how to increase development and become more economically competitive. But much of that future hinges on the ability of money and people to flow easily between the economic powerhouse of the U.S. and the small, outlying islands it neighbors. Griffith doesnt expect U.S. immigration and tax policy to change at the behest of Caribbean people. But he pined for the last centurys Pan American thoughts in early U.S. foreign policy. Where did that go? This idea of a shroud of competition with China is a red herring. The real problem is, why did Pax Americana devolve so much? he said. Because were always going to be together, muddling through for me, at least isnt enough. Related... Kakhovskaya HPP after being blown up by the Russian occupiers There is no major pollution, but there are already some cases of detection of cholera and Escherichia coli in terms of sanitation, he said. The agency is carrying out constant monitoring of the southern district, as well as collecting daily water samples for analysis, Pavlenko noted. Currently, the first threat is water pollution, which occurred due to those fuel and lubricant materials and nuclear chemicals that got into the water, and all this went into the Black Sea, he said. Read also: Ecologist reveals damaging consequences of Kakhovka dams destruction When asked how long it will be impossible to use water in wells, Pavlenko said that it will be necessary to clean the wells before using them after the water level drops. However, the difficulty lies in salinity conditions and heavy soils. The areas affected by the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam are subject to intensified epidemiological surveillance, Ukraines Health Ministry reported on June 9. The ministry pointed out that flooded areas might face diseases associated with limited access to clean water, including cholera. The Kakhovka Dam: what is known about the explosion On the night of Tuesday, June 6, Russian troops blew up the Kakhovka Dam, which has been occupied for over a year. Cities and villages downstream of the dam on the Dnipro River were completely or partially flooded. Ukrainian hydropower operator Ukrhydroenergo reported that the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was completely destroyed and cannot be repaired. Ukraines Southern Command clarified that while the entire dam was not destroyed, there is significant damage. Read also: Kakhovka dam destruction kills 10, 40 missing in two Ukrainian oblasts - Interior Ministry At an urgent meeting of the National Security Council, President Zelenskyy gave the order to carry out evacuation from at-risk areas and to provide drinking water to all cities and villages that received water from the Kakhovka Reservoir. Evacuation from the right bank of the Kherson region continued through the night, while on the Russian-occupied left bank, which was more heavily affected by the flooding, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding. The Economy Ministry has stated that the construction of a new hydroelectric power plant may require about $1 billion and at least five years. The Prosecutor Generals Office has opened an investigation into the disaster as an act of ecocide, and Ukraine has appealed to the International Criminal Court to ensure justice. 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 Chopper 9: Dramatic arrest caught on video at northwest Charlotte elementary school Chopper 9 Skyzoom was over a dramatic arrest just before noon Tuesday at Oakdale Elementary School in northwest Charlotte. ALSO READ: Officers investigating shooting at northwest Charlotte apartment complex, CMPD says School was out for the summer so classes were not in session. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers pulled someone out from under a trailer at the school. CMPD has not released any information on this yet. This is a developing story, check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Teenager connected to recent shootings, CMPD reports Former New Jersey Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Chris Christie skewered his Republican opponents for blindly defending Donald Trump in the face of a damming criminal indictment from the Justice Department. During a CNN town hall event Monday night, Christie directly addressed other candidates attacking the DOJ on behalf of the former president: Blame him, he did it. After months of investigating Trumps hoarding of classified documents following his departure from the presidency, the DOJ indicted him on a total of 37 federal felony counts including violations of the espionage act, conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing a record or document, concealing a document in a federal investigation, and scheme to conceal. Whether you like Donald Trump or you dont like Donald Trump, this conduct is inexcusable, in my opinion, for someone who wants to be President of the United States, Christie told host Anderson Cooper. Chris Christie: "Whether you like Donald Trump or you don't like Donald Trump, this conduct is inexcusable, in my opinion, for someone who wants to be President of the United States." pic.twitter.com/bqJQO6kLmt Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) June 13, 2023 What makes it so ridiculous that were here and were in a situation where there are people in my own party who are blaming [the] DOJ. How about blame him? He did it, Christie added, then continued to list the many opportunities Trump had to return the documents. He took documents he wasnt supposed to take. He kept them when he asked [for] them back. They got a grand jury subpoena. He refused to comply. They raided his home finally because he refused to comply. Christie went on to criticize his fellow Republican candidates who were avoiding directly taking on Trump because theyre afraid of him. I dont understand the other candidates who wont even mention his name, Christie said, its like he was Voldemort from Harry Potter. Nobody wanted to mention his name. How do you beat someone if you wont talk about them? How do you beat them if you wont distinguish yourself from them? I thinksome of them are afraid. Theyre afraid of him, Christie added. The former governor explained that he felt other candidates were holding off hope that they could siphon off portions of Trumps base by being nice to him. Theyre playing political games with you, Christie told the audience, because they think If you kind of like Trump a little bit, and I dont say anything bad about Trump, and then Trump kind of implodes and goes away, then youre more likely to vote for me.' Christie on 2024 candidates defending Trump: "They're playing political games with you, because they think 'If you kind of like Trump a little bit, and I don't say anything bad about Trump, and then Trump kind of implodes and goes away, then you're more likely to vote for me.'" pic.twitter.com/zpMnccuwad nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) June 13, 2023 Trump is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in Miami despite, as previously reported by Rolling Stone, an atmosphere of chaos within his legal team. While Special Counsel Jack Smith has called for a speedy trial to resolve the case, the legal proceedings will take place as the Republican primaries gain steam. When asked by Cooper if he thought Trump would show up to the GOPs presidential debates, Christie was unequivocal: You bet he will. His ego will not be able to stop him. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie late Monday knocked Republicans who are defending former President Trump, who is now facing federal charges for his alleged mishandling of classified documents. During a CNN town hall, the former New Jersey governor called it ridiculous that were in a situation where there are people in my own party who are blaming the Justice Department. How about blame him? He did it. He took documents he wasnt supposed to take. He kept them when he asked them back for them? They got a grand jury subpoena. He refused to comply. They raided his home finally because he refused to comply. All those things were brought on himself, as was this indictment, Christie said at the event hosted by CNNs Anderson Cooper. Everyones blaming the prosecutors. He did it. Its his conduct, Christie added. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Trump was indicted last week on 37 counts in connection with the alleged mishandling of records after FBI agents executed a search warrant last year at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and recovered classified materials. The former president arrived in Florida on Monday and is set to appear in federal court to be arraigned at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Asked on CNN why he thinks Trump held onto documents, Christie said, He cannot live with the fact that he lost to Joe Biden. And he wants to continue to pretend hes president. He wants the trappings of the presidency around him. And I think one of those trappings is these documents that he could wave around [and say] to people as they detail in the indictment, This is secret. I cant show you, Christie said. This is just to show off. Cooper also asked the former governor why some Republicans appear hesitant to discuss the content of the indictment, leaning instead on weaponization arguments. Because its indefensible, and theyre playing games, Christie said. Christie announced his 2024 White House bid last week and has long been open in his criticism of the former president, who is also in the running for the GOP nomination amid a growing primary field. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Christie says Trump will care less about the country this time than he did four years ago Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) argued that former President Trump will care less about the country this time than he did four years ago as he seeks to make the case against reelecting Trump in 2024. Christie argued against the idea of reelecting Trump or President Biden during a CNN town hall in New York on Monday, saying that if those two people are the nominees, they are going to be a combined 160 years old on Election Day. Biden is 80 years old and Trump is 76 years, meaning they are a combined 156 years old. The former New Jersey governor said of Biden that he didnt want to see Biden reelected because I disagree with President Biden, vehemently, philosophically. But he argued that Trump also shouldnt be reelected because he will care less about the country this time than he did four years ago. This is personal now. And the proof of that is everybody look, look how angry he is. Every time he talks, hes angry. Like, this isnt an angry game. Sometimes you gotta be mad. Sometimes people make me mad, and youve seen video of me. I dont hold back, he said. But if theres that much anger, when he displays it, its never about whats being done to the country. Christie announced his 2024 White House bid last week, though his campaign is considered a longshot in the crowded 2024 GOP primary. Hes pitched himself as chief Trump antagonist, arguing Republicans need to move on from the former president. But Trump still remains the frontrunner in national and state-level polls, underscoring that unseating the partys top leader will be no small feat. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo: Alex Wong (Getty Images) High-level officials from the CIA, FBI, and NSA are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, asking Congress to continue allowing the agency to spy on the communications of US citizens. They are urging Congress to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)one of the nations most hotly contested government surveillance programs. Intelligence agencies have long cited the powerful 2008 FISA provision as an invaluable tool to effectively combat global terrorism, but critics, including an increasing number of lawmakers from both parties, say those same agencies have morphed the provision into an unchecked, warrantless domestic spying tool. The provision is set to expire at the end of this year. Federal agents urged lawmakers to reauthorize 702 without adding new reforms that could potentially slow down or impair operators access to intelligence. The officials danced around advocates concerns of civil liberty violations and instead chose to focus on a wide array of purported national security threats they say could become reality without the model piece of legislation. Multiple intelligence agents speaking Tuesday invoked the specter of September 11th and warned lawmakers new safeguards limiting agents ability to rapidly access and share intelligence on Americans could risk a repeat scenario. Read more We must not forget the lessons learned from 911 DOJ National Security Division Assitant Attorney General Matt Olsen said. Olsen laid out the stakes of the hearing saying reauthorizing 702 as the single most consequential national security decision this Congress can make. The stakes cannot be higher, he added. Top senators on the committee meanwhile challenged the agencies and said it was vital to put in place new safeguards such as requiring warrants before searching US citizens records stored on the 702 databases. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, during his opening statement, drew a hard line in the sand, vowing not to reauthorize the program without new constitutional safeguards I will only support the reauthorization of section 702 If there are significant, significant reforms, Durbin said. And that means, first and foremost, addressing the warrantless surveillance of Americans in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Todays hearing could provide a sharp contrast to an April hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee, where expert witnesses and lawmakers alike criticized the program and railed against intelligence agencies for lacking sufficient oversight or transparency. Though first introduced as a means to quickly target foreign espionage targes, section 702 has become something else entirely, according to critics like the ACLU and the EFF, who argue the government routinely uses the provision to collect communication information of Americans who, for whatever reason, may have had communication with a surveillance target outside of the US. Intelligence officials, during the hearing, will get their opportunity to convince the public and Congress if those privacy tradeoffs are worth it. Click the link below to watch the hearing. Oversight of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Related Surveillance Authorities | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary Intelligence agents say 702 is essential to modern intelligence gathering The words, invaluable, essential and indispensable were among the words repeatedly used by the officials on Tuesday to describe 702. Each of the witnesses provided examples of times when their respective agencies used the program to thwart cyber attacks, investigate and disrupt fentanyl production abroad, identify bad actors engaged in ransomware attacks, and prevent a string of potential kidnappings and killings. Reforming 702 to place more barriers before intelligence agents collect information, NSA Deputy Director George Barnes warned, woud diminish operators effectiveness and expose the US to more harm. Without it, our ability to preserve the nations security would be significantly impaired, Barnes testified. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen agreed and said 702 was simply a key tool in our arsenal to protect intelligence officers and espionage assets under their purview. The officials similarly attempted to stress the ubiquity of 702s use in intelligence gathering. During his testimony, Barnes claimed more than half (59%) of daily presidential brief articles intelligence acquired by NSA under Section 702 authority. Barnes said intelligence gleaned from 702 was used to thwart a 2009 New York City subway bombing and helped lead to the assassination of Ayman al-Zawahiri, a terrorist believed to have planned the 9/11 attacks. Last year, nearly every item in the presidential priority was addressed in some way shape of form by 702, Barnes said. Its not replaceable Its agile, specific, and efficient. FBI offers up three strike policy for agents misusing American data FBI and DOJ officials testifying during the hearing tried to convince lawmakers their own, safeguards were more than enough to reauthorize 702 as is. Abbate the FBI Deputy Director, tried to bolster that narrative by announcing a pair of new compliance safeguards ostensibly aimed at holding agents accountable for misuse of Americans data. The first proposed reform would integrate a three-strike policy of escalating punishments every time an analyst was found to have improperly accessed FISA data. The three strikes would have escalating penalties for abuses, starting with analysts loss of access to FISA data on the lower and up to termination. Additionally, Abbate said the FBI would evaluate agency leaders on their compliance record. Leaders performance on that evaluation, Abbate said, could affect their ability to get promoted. Critics werent entirely persuaded by the FBIs new proposal. Durbin said he need to see stronger, more expansive reforms before hed feel confident voting for reauthorization. Others like Center for Democracy Deputy Director on Surveillance Jake Laperruque said the solutions felt out of touch with the severity of agents of intelligence agents skirting up against Americas Fourth Amendment protections. Not sure if Hey if youre staff keep violating these query rules all the time and committing abuses, you might not get your bonus is a remedy quite on the level with this problem, Laperruque said. FBI claims it cannot afford to lose domestic spying tools Paul Abbate, the FBI Deputy Director, provided a preview of his agencys defense for Section 702 last week at the Boston Conference on Cybersiiiiecurity, where he told audience members his agency, cannot afford to lose the provision. During his speech, Abbate said 702 gives intelligence agencies the investigative flexibility to connect the dots between foreign surveillance threats and potential targets within the US. FISA 702 keeps us agile and efficient, and it is absolutely critical for the FBI to continue protecting the American peoplenot just from cyberattacks but also from terrorist attacks, foreign spies, and a host of other hostile threats, Abbate said. FBI agents arent the only government agency going to bat for 702. The Biden administration has spent months signaling its support for reauthorizing the measure. More recently, an official from the State Department claimed intelligence gleaned from the program was instrumental in helping analysts monitor Russian atrocities in Ukraine, take action against an unnamed Middle Eastern state that allegedly tracked dissidents abroad, and warn US business about a North Korean attempt to fund a nuclear through a digital fraud operation. Senators and spooks spar over warrant requirement Experts from each of the major intelligence agencies attending the hearing were unwilling to accept an increasingly common proposal among lawmakers: force agents to obtain a warrant before searching for US communications stored on the 702 databases. DOJ Assitant Attorney General Olsen forcefully pushed back against calls for a warrant requirement which he said claimed are unworkable and not legally required. The DOJ official claimed warrants werent required because the data in question was legally acquired by collecting communications from a foreign target. Olsen, and the other agents testifying, would prefer to codify their own self-imposed reforms into law than move forward with warrants. Senators Durbin, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and John Osoff of Georgia all expressed concerns with that line of reasoning and said it was too easy for FBI agents to access Americans communications. In the case of viewing US communications, agents arent even required to have a national security justification. Olsen himself admitted the ease with which analysts can summon the data and compared it to searching for something in your email inbox. Privacy groups call 702 a domestic spying tool Prior to the hearing, a coalition of 21 organizations, including The Brennan Center for Justice and the Center for Democracy and Technology, released a statement arguing 702 had become a rich source of warrantless government access to phone calls, texts, and emails of people based in the US. The groups claim the NSA routinely shares information about Americans with the FBI, CIA, and National Counterterrorism Center, which then stores that data for at least five years. These intelligence agencies are also able to search through the 702 databases to pull up sensitive information about US citizens. This reimagining of the intended incidental collection of Americans under the provision, they said, amounts to a bait and switch that guts Americans Fourth Amendment protections. Intelligence agencies like the FBI and NSA have invoked 702 to collect information on various sensitive groups engaged in political advocacy and dissent. In recent years, intelligence officials have used the provision to vacuum up communications from more than 100 Black Lives Matter activists, multiple journalists and political commentators, college students, and at least one sitting US representative. Civil liberties advocates and multiple US lawmakers say Congress should legally require intelligence agencies to obtain a warrant to search for US citizens communications before voting to reauthorize 702. That requirement would, in theory, make it at least a bit more difficult for three-letter agencies to use 702 as an end-run around Americans constitutional rights, as the ACLU put it. Update 12:00 EST Added details from the hearing. Update 12:55 EST: Added details from the hearing. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Photo: Swedish Coast Guard (Getty Images) After learning of a plot by the Ukrainian military to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline last summer, the CIA warned the embattled nations government not to move ahead with its plans, according to new reporting from the Wall Street Journal. The Nord Streama partially Russian-owned pipeline that formerly funneled natural gas across the Baltic sea to a diversity of European energy marketsexploded last September, in what was surely an act of well planned sabotage. The explosion ruptured large stretches of the pipeline and released a historic amount of methane into the atmosphere, temporarily threatening Europes energy supply and economic stability. It left international onlookers wondering just what had happened and who was responsible. Read more Last week, the Washington Post reported thatthree months before the pipeline blew upthe U.S. government uncovered a plot by the Ukrainian military to destroy the energy project. This supposed plot involved a number of Ukrainian special operations officers assuming false identities, renting a yacht, and then using it to dive to the bottom of the Baltic sea, where they would plant explosives on the pipeline. The Post notes that some of these details match the conclusions previously arrived at by the German government, which is one of several countries currently investigating the projects destruction. Ukraine has repeatedly denied that it had anything to do with the Nord Stream explosion. However, according to new reporting from the Journal, the CIA previously reached out to the country and confronted it about whether it was mounting an attack or not. Its unclear how the Ukrainian government responded but, not long after that encounter, the CIA reportedly received word that Ukraine was calling off its plans. Approximately a month before the pipeline was destroyed, the CIA communicated to a number of allied governments in Europe that it thought the threat level from such an operation had receded, and that the U.S. no longer believed Kyiv would undertake such an attack. Shortly after that, however, the pipeline blew up. At this point, most news emerging about the Nord Stream should be taken with a heavy grain of salt. No news story in recent memory has been subject to so many fluctuations and wild-eyed speculations. In addition to Ukraine, the other nations that have been accused of having something to do with the pipelines destruction include the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Russia. That said, recent reporting from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, all seem to point the finger at Ukraine as being the prime suspect behind the attack. Given the gravity of this incident, youd think that the international community would be champing at the bit to find out who did this... but, ehhh, that doesnt necessarily seem to be the case. The United Nations Security Council recently declined to adopt a resolution that would have formed an international committee to investigate the pipelines destruction. Currently, three countries are looking into the pipelines sabotageGermany, Denmark, and Sweden. Those countries have a territorial basis for their involvement, as the pipeline exploded in the waters closest to their shores. Russia, meanwhile, has accused the investigating countries of instigating a cover up on behalf of the U.S. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. With the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. continuing to see massive growth, regulators late last week took up a proposal that would lead to double-digit rate increases for Citizens customers across Florida. The proposed increases would vary based on factors such as types of policies. But Brian Donovan, the chief actuary for Citizens, said during a hearing held by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation that Citizens is recommending 12% increases for all homes that are primary residences and have what are known as multiperil policies the most-common type of coverage. Increases could be dramatically higher for homes that are not primary residences. A new state law allows increases up to 50% for those properties. We take asking for a rate increase very seriously, Citizens CEO Tim Cerio said during the hearing. (For) homeowners insurance consumers, its a very difficult time right now. The Office of Insurance Regulation held a 2 -hour hearing Thursday on the proposal, with the offices actuaries asking numerous detailed questions. Regulators typically take weeks to decide whether to approve such proposals. The hearing came amid a tumultuous time in the property-insurance industry. Private insurers during the past two years have dropped hundreds of thousands of policies, sought large rate increases and, in some cases, gone insolvent because of financial troubles. Part of the fallout is that homeowners have poured into Citizens, which was created as an insurer of last resort. Citizens has seen its number of policies more than double during the past two years to 1.3 million as of last week. Cerio said the number could climb to 1.7 million by the end of the year. Citizens, Floridas state-run insurance company, is approaching a record-high number of policies despite efforts from the state to cull the ranks. State leaders have long sought to shift policies out of Citizens into the private market, at least in part because of financial risks if the state gets hit by a major hurricane or multiple hurricanes. Cerio said Thursday that Citizens has seen its reserves drop by 33% as additional policies have driven up hurricane losses. Citizens and insurance-industry officials complain that Citizens often charges lower rates than private companies, effectively creating an incentive for homeowners to get coverage from the state-backed insurer. State law limits annual rate increases for Citizens, with the cap this year at 12% for homes that are primary residences. But lawmakers during a December special legislative session took a series of steps aimed at trying to push policies back into the private market, including allowing increases up to 50% for homes that are not primary residences. While Citizens officials and private insurers contend that Citizens rates need to be higher, residents in some areas of the state, such as the Florida Keys, have few, if any, other choices for coverage. Two leaders of the group Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe appeared at Thursdays hearing and urged regulators to reject rate increases in Monroe County, which includes the Keys. Mel Montagne, president of the group and an insurance agent, said Citizens has received a gross profit from Monroe County over the years because it has taken in more in premiums than it has paid out in claims. Joe Walsh, a member of the groups board, pointed to the lack of competition in the Keys. The Citizens rate is the rate. And so if Citizens raises rates, rates go up, Walsh said. State Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said the best way to reduce the number of Citizens policies is through recovery of the private market. But he said that will take time and acknowledged the difficulties caused by increased rates. I think everyone in this room has probably experienced rate increase in their property rates over time, Yaworsky said. It is not fun. It is painful. Its not fun to approve those rates, but weve all had to make the best decisions we can as we go forward. News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this report. A Clinton priest is the newest chaplain to join the Massachusetts State Police, the states law enforcement division said Monday. The Rev. James Mazzone was sworn to the Massachusetts State Police Chaplain Corps by Massachusetts State Police Colonel John Mawn Jr. in a recent ceremony at State Police headquarters, state police said. Mazzone currently serves as pastor of St. John, Guardian of our Lady Parish in Clinton. He previously served as director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Worcester as well as the Dioceses Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies. Massachusetts State Police Chaplains, who serve voluntarily, provide non-denominational spiritual support and counseling to department members and community citizens as needed, state police said. Chaplains often work closely with the Departments Employee Assistance Unit. 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 The remains of three different people have been identified using DNA technology, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced Tuesday. Police said the identifications were made with the help of two different nonprofit organizations. Jose Elder Espinoza Investigators said on Dec. 24, 2008, they found skeletal remains in the woods near Dixie River Road in Charlotte. Police determined the remains were of a man who was killed. ALSO READ: Cold case unit solves south Charlotte sexual assault from 1993 Then in November 2019, a now-retired CMPD detective reached out to the DNA Doe Project for help identifying the victim. The project is a nonprofit with a mission of identifying John and Jane Does and returning them to their families. The nonprofit was able to get a DNA profile together and loaded it into two different databases. Genealogists worked the case until September 2022, when they notified CMPD of a possible victims name. Using DNA, detectives later confirmed the remains belonged to Jose Elder Espinoza. He was reported missing by his family in May 2003. Police said theyre still investigating the case, and asked anyone with information to call 704-432-TIPS to speak with a detective. Cody Ray Herrell CMPD said on June 26, 2021, human remains were found near Trailer Drive, which is by Graham Street and Interstate 85. The victim was a man, and police found no evidence of trauma. In June 2022, detectives asked for help from the North Carolina Unidentified Project to identify the victim, whose DNA was loaded into a genealogy database. Detectives collected DNA from a close family member and used that to positively identify the victim as Cody Ray Herrell. They were able to find the family member with help from Leslie Kaufman, a forensic genealogist and the owner of First Genes LLC. Police said Herrell was originally from South Carolina but was known to live on the streets of Charlotte. His remains have been returned to his family. Oliver O.D. Doc Mundy Police said they found human remains on Feb. 9, 1988, in an elevator shaft at 237 North Tryon Street, which became the Dunhill Hotel. The building had been abandoned since 1981, but Dunhill Development had purchased it to remodel it. Over the years, CMPD tried unsuccessfully to identify the victim. Then in June 2022, detectives reached out to the North Carolina Unidentified Project. Using advanced DNA testing, the victims DNA was loaded into a genealogy database. ALSO READ: Judge orders police to release DNA testing results to family in 1990 cold case Leslie Kaufman was able to give detectives a potential victims name, so they collected DNA from a close family member. The victim was identified as World War II veteran Oliver Doc Mundy, who his family called O.D. Mundy was from Mooresville but had been known to live on the streets of Charlotte. His remains will be given to his family in Mooresville. The closure provided to families through the work of Forensic Genetic Genealogy is invaluable. Hear from CMPD Detective Matthew Hefner on the incredible technology and exhaustive work that went into solving these cases. (2/3) https://t.co/6dBIPMZlKb CMPD News (@CMPD) June 13, 2023 CMPDs Cold Case Unit is still working to identify at least eight remaining victims and return them to their families. Their discoveries date back to 1975. VIDEO: Judge orders police to release DNA testing results to family in 1990 cold case Transitions Homeless Center and Oliver Gospel Mission should be moved out of downtown Columbia to help curb crime and sanitation problems, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said during a press briefing Tuesday, flanked by other City Council members and public safety and homeless services leaders. Rickenmann Tuesday formally announced Operation Hope and Order, the name given to the citys ongoing work to address homelessness, particularly in the busy downtown corridor. City leaders say theyve made aggressive strides toward addressing homelessness in Columbia but declared it is time for other community partners as well as the state to take action as well. Rickenmanns proposal to create a new campus dedicated to providing services specifically for residents experiencing homelessness came alongside open-ended pleas for change from law enforcement and the citys homeless services director. Ongoing work The idea to move homeless services out of downtown isnt new. In 2013, the city was featured in a New York Times article that declared the city was evicting people experiencing homelessness from view after the city council tentatively approved discussing moving the homeless shelter up to 15 miles away from downtown. Rickenmann, too, has previously shared the view that the citys homeless services need to be relocated. Despite critics, Kameisha Heppard, the citys homeless services director, also supports moving Transitions and Oliver Gospel Mission. Its not about moving people out of view, she said, but about having all the necessary resources in one place. The city has kept a focus on homelessness for the last few years. In November, after more than a year of talking about the problem, the city acted, paying for 50 pallet shelters and building Rapid Shelter Columbia in just 70 days. The pallet village at 191 Calhoun St. allows the city to place chronically homeless residents in temporary shelters while connecting them with services such as health care, addiction treatment and more. The Columbia Police Department, too, has made recent efforts to address issues surrounding homelessness. It launched a Pathways Unit in 2021 that includes a mental health clinician and an officer trained in crisis intervention. That unit often is deployed when police are called to respond to a resident experiencing homelessness. That unit has been able to refer people to social services rather than arrest people, Police Chief Skip Holbrook said Tuesday. Those are our success stories, Holbrook said. You could argue arrests are failures. The citys focus on homelessness has garnered some results. Since launching the rapid shelter in November, nearly 300 residents have been referred to the program. More than 100 people have been connected with resources including mental health care and substance abuse treatment. Eighteen graduates of the program now have full-time housing, said Heppard. Additionally, the city has purchased 34 Greyhound bus tickets to help people get to family in other cities. City Manager Teresa Wilson said the citys Rapid Shelter program is scalable and could be used statewide as well. We need to stop all the talking ... and act, Wilson added. Tough love Despite the successes, Rickenmann and other city leaders say it is not enough. There has got to be a shared responsibility to address this problem said Holbrook, who lamented the culture around homelessness and crime, adding that those perpetrating the crimes are a select few people. Some area businesses also have exacerbated problems. The Circle K gas station on Elmwood Avenue and the Shell Pitt Stop convenience store across the street accounted for 1,200 combined service calls this year, Holbrook said, often for violent crimes. The city saw similar problems at the Mains Best convenience store on Main Street before declaring it a nuisance and closing the establishment. Since shuttering that operation, Rickenmann said theyve seen calls decrease. The city is becoming more aggressive with repeat offenders, Holbrook said of enforcement in the area. In the last two weeks, the police department has arrested 73 people, he said. The city doesnt want to put people in jail, Rickenmann said, but there may be some tough love for certain residents. The police department also is planning to begin contracting with a securing company to help with some activities downtown, like checking properties for trespassers. What were doing right now is short-term fixes, Rickenmann said. We cannot continue to do it fragmented. It is clearly not working. Long term, he wants to see Oliver Gospel Mission and Transitions Homeless Shelter relocated into a new campus dedicated to homeless services. Both of those services currently reside in the heart of downtown. For now, its just an idea. Rickenmann said no location has been identified. In response to a question from a reporter asking if other agencies have supported the idea, he said, Theres no reason to get buy-in if you dont have the location yet. Columbus police homicide detectives on Monday identified a 16-year-old male who was shot to death Saturday afternoon in a Franklinton alley. Detectives and the Franklin County Coroner's office identified the victim, Jarrell M. Russell, using fingerprints and tracked his last known residence to an apartment from which the family had recently been evicted. Columbus police responded just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday to the shooting in the 100 block of North Guilford Avenue. Columbus Division of Fire paramedics pronounced the teen dead at abut 3:48 p.m. A preliminary investigation indicates the shooting stemmed from an argument with another person, detectives said in a news release. The name of the other person involved in the argument, whom police are calling a person of interest, was being withheld Tuesday pending further investigation. Homicide Det. Art Hughes said there are a number of witnesses who have been interviewed, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact police at 614-645-2177. dnarciso@dispatch.com @DeanNarciso This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Police identify a person of interest, but haven't released the name Charles Moran, head of the Log Cabin Republicans, says there should be "guardrails" to keep opposing sides from going over the edge in culture war. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Charles Moran is proudly gay and proudly Republican. To some that combination is an inherent contradiction, like being a meat-eating vegetarian, a violent pacifist or a Dodger-loving San Francisco Giants fan. In recent months, conservative extremists have declared war on the LGBTQ+ community, waging skirmishes on social media, school campuses and in the aisles of your friendly neighborhood Target store. Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in statehouses across the country, part of a Pink Scare aimed at inciting the Republican base for political profit and financial gain. Moran, however, insists there is a middle ground, even if you have to squint to see it through the blaze of the smoking culture wars. "I don't want to see my movement, the gay movement, hijacked by far-left, cultural Marxists," he said. "And I don't want the antigay forces that still exist in the social conservative movement to hijack the progress that I helped make in the Republican Party." Those are words guaranteed to antagonize people of various stripes, which reflects the odd and uncomfortable position of the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights from within the GOP. The group, headquartered in Washington, claims more than 10,000 members nationwide. The 42-year-old Moran, born and raised in San Pedro, is president. The club has long faced hostility from its supposed political kinfolk "perverted" is one of the kinder epithets hurled at members and today's atmosphere certainly isn't any more welcoming. Read more: Pride as resistance: LGBTQ+ people struggle against right-wing war on their legal rights But Moran sees nothing contradictory in his political allegiance. Being gay doesn't necessarily make someone a Democrat, he suggested, and supporting the Republican agenda up to a point doesn't automatically mean a person is a homophobe. "You've got a lot of gay conservatives that are horrified with the way the Republican Party is acting," he said. "You have a lot of gay conservatives who are horrified at the way the larger LGBT organizations are acting." Guardrails are what's needed, he went on, to keep both sides from going off the edge. Or put another way, Moran suggested, there has to be compromise and a consensus somewhere in the hazy gray area between black and white. "Over the last 20, 30 years we've had amazing movement with gay inclusion and normalization of who I am, of who we are in our families," he said. "I don't want to see that slide back. So instead of being hyper-reactive to things, I want to be principled in how we respond." On an unseasonably mild spring day, in a pocket of green a few miles from the Capitol, Moran described a happy Southern California upbringing that involved none of the cruelty or hatred others have experienced simply for being who they are. He came out while going to Occidental College. Dad was a firefighter. Mom was a flight attendant. Both were Republican, though neither was politically active. Moran was drawn to the GOP from a young age because he believed Republicans have a more bottom-up approach to society and its problems. "Individual, family, community, city, state, nation," he described it. "Instead of the other way down." Naturally, he doesn't agree with every position of everyone in the party. Moran rejects the climate-change denialism that many head-in-the-sand Republicans embrace. He likes much of what the Democratic Party has to say about education and respect for working people. "I'm definitely not a zero-sum ... or single-issue voter," he said. "I think single-issue voting is really dangerous in a democracy." But it is the single issue of LGBTQ+ rights that places Moran athwart the pitchfork-wielding wing of the Republican Party and those promoting what he considers an anything goes or should be allowed to go political agenda. It is not anti-LGBTQ+, he said, to believe children should wait until at least age 16 to gender transition. It is not bigoted, he said, to hold off until at least the sixth grade to allow classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. It is not homophobic, he said, to believe sexually explicit drag performances should be limited to adult audiences. "Guess what? We regulate NC-17 movies," Moran said, referring to ratings intended to limit certain content to mature audiences. "What's the difference?" Of course, some Republicans won't be happy, it seems, until every last transgender person is made to disappear and every member of the LGBTQ+ community is shoved back in the closet and put under lock and key. It's not just, as they claim, about "protecting" children. Missouri's Republican governor signed legislation that will ban gender-affirming care for some adults. Other Republican-led states have looked at ways to limit healthcare for transgender grown-ups. The Florida Board of Education, helping GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis fluff up his Republican presidential resume, expanded restrictions on sexual orientation and gender instruction through the 12th grade. GOP lawmakers in Tennessee passed a first-of-its-kind law strictly limiting drag performances. (It was tossed out by a judge who, Moran noted, was appointed by President Trump.) Once the government starts targeting a particular group, the slope can get awfully slippery. Read more: Column: 'So exhausted.' She helped win an early gay rights fight but now sees the country moving backward In Moran's leafy northwest Washington neighborhood, a profusion of rainbow flags and Pride Month bunting blossomed from windows and storefronts, as bright and cheery as the brilliant dogwoods and lustrous azalea bushes. Does he worry that a change in political climate, and anything less than give-no-quarter resistance, will undo decades of hard-fought achievement for the LGBTQ+ community? Moran does not. "LGBT people are everywhere in society," he said. "We are in every political affiliation. We're every race. We're every religion.... I think we as a society have moved beyond that." That's not to say, however, some won't keep trying to wind back the clock. Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Reagan's Interior secretary, James G. Watt, has died at age 85, leaving behind a tradition of despoiling America's natural resources. (Associated Press) Last week was so chock full o' news, what with the Trump indictment and the deaths of religious right-winger Pat Robertson and the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, that I'm concerned that another significant passing has received far less attention than it deserved. That's the death of James G. Watt at 85, which occurred on May 27 but was announced by his family last Thursday. Most leading newspapers granted Watt an obituary, proper for someone who was Ronald Reagan's Interior secretary for just under three years. The New York Times called him "polarizing," the Washington Post "combative," this newspaper "sharp-tongued and pro-development." Did those adjectives do justice to Watt, however? My concept of stewardship is to invest in it. ... Do we have to buy enough land so that you can go backpacking and never see anyone else? James G. Watt, former Interior secretary I think not. They focused on his actions while in office from 1981 to 1983. What they missed, however, is his legacy as a Republican ideologue on environmental policy. That's important, because much of what he attempted to do under Reagan became orthodoxy under subsequent Republican presidents. His approach to congressional oversight, moreover, presaged the arrogance of successors such as Ryan Zinke and David Bernhardt, Trump's Interior secretaries. Watt also should be remembered for his malign approach to California's environmental concerns, particularly those related to offshore oil drilling. In 1982, he proposed to lease the entire outer continental shelf of 1 billion acres to oil and gas drillers. The sheer audacity of the proposal stunned environmental organizations and coastal state governors, coming as it did when the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill was still very fresh in the public memory; Congress had responded to the disaster by mandating that Interior "take more account of environmental factors in granting leases," according to a 1990 legal analysis of Watt's tenure. (Reagan, remember, was governor of California at the time of the oil spill.) Even the oil and gas industry was displeased, since expanding production on the scale Watt envisioned would drive prices down. Watt came to office flaunting a born-again religious persona that he often exploited to justify treating political and environmental opponents with contempt, prefiguring the rise of the evangelical right wing in American politics. Asked at a House committee hearing in 1981 to give his view of his agency's statutory responsibility to act as a steward of natural resources for future generations, he replied, "I do not know how many future generations we can count on before the Lord returns." Nor was he shy about promoting a narrow view of American culture and history, as in 1982, when he banned musical acts from Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, which came under Interior's jurisdiction. He ordered the National Parks Service to see that future Fourth of July celebrations "point to the glories of America in a patriotic and inspirational way that will attract the family." Read more: Column: This Trump official used to be a farm industry lobbyist. Now he's attacking the Endangered Species Act As he acknowledged in his 1985 memoir, "The Courage of a Conservative," his concern was that musical acts such as the Beach Boys, who had appeared at previous Mall events, attracted drug and alcohol use the "wrong element," he said at the time of the ban. His approach finds an echo in the fixation by right-wing Republicans such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a candidate for president, on eradicating "woke" policies and suppressing educational curricula that acknowledge America's complicated racial history. Watt, a Wyoming native, consistently took the side of ranchers and growers who resented federal regulation of their access to public lands in the West. He proclaimed himself a partisan of the Sagebrush Rebellion, a political movement that had backed Reagan's presidential campaign. Prior to joining the Cabinet, he had been the original president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which was founded in 1976 by the reactionary beer brewer Joseph Coors to fight the environmental movement. In that role, Watt oversaw the filing of numerous lawsuits challenging federal regulations that, as Interior secretary, he inherited the responsibility to defend. Watt dodged the obvious conflict of interest stemming from the legal foundation's lawsuits by promising to recuse himself from decisions relating to the litigation, but not from "policy questions that might be related to the cases," as Elizabeth Drew of the New Yorker reported in 1981. His promise, in other words, was conveniently narrow, and didn't prevent him from pursuing policies that his Mountain States clientele would find extremely advantageous. Perhaps David Bernhardt, Trump's second Interior secretary, examined the Watt archives when facing similar conflicts in his case, those arising from his pre-Cabinet work as a lawyer and lobbyist for farmers and water firms with matters before the agency. Interior's ethics officials finessed the issue by categorizing some loosely as "matters" on which Bernhardt could weigh in, rather than "particular matters" involving former clients, from which he had pledged to recuse himself. Through his policies, Watt revived the old debate about "conservation" versus "preservation" that originated with John Muir's battles to safeguard the Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy valleys around the turn of the last century. The issue is whether the wilderness should be exploited, albeit carefully, or preserved in pristine condition for the meditative contemplation of nature. Read more: Column: A devastating report details a monumental assault on science at the Department of the Interior Muir advocated forcibly for the latter. He largely won on Yosemite, which remains a jewel among the national parks. But he lost decisively on Hetch Hetchy, which San Francisco was permitted to turn into a reservoir providing water for its residents. (Muir's family maintained that the loss hastened his death in 1914.) Watt stated bluntly, as was his style, that he would "always err on the side of public use versus preservation." Reminded again that his department was entrusted with the stewardship of natural resources, he replied: "My concept of stewardship is to invest in it. ... Do we have to buy enough land so that you can go backpacking and never see anyone else?" Almost from the day he took office, Watt moved to eviscerate the Interior Department's enforcement capabilities. He fired scores of veteran officials, depriving the agency of decades' worth of expertise. "We cleaned every one of them out and then we started appointing good people," he told a pro-business journal in an interview. Among other effects, the firings "essentially destroyed" the division tasked with policing coal strip-mining operations, the 1990 analysis observed damage that still had not been repaired a decade later, if ever. Watt often defended his tolerant treatment of ranching and farming on federal lands as blows on behalf of "individual liberty and economic freedoms," as he described his views for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank originally co-funded by Coors. Yet this claim was fundamentally a lie: The ranches and farms grazing and growing on federal lands were among the most generously subsidized businesses in the country, receiving federal water and federal pasturing rights at "a fraction of market value," the 1990 analysis noted. In the end, Watt was undone by the arrogance of the true believer. His critics often observed that he might have come much closer to his stated goals had he not expressed and pursued them with such ferocity and impatience, or treated his critics with such hauteur. Read more: Column: How the stench of corruption from Trump's administration persists to the present day By provoking a concerted backlash in court, Watt's crusade even made things rougher for his patrons. Legal challenges to his offshore drilling policy, for example, resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that strengthened the ability of states and the federal government to impose environmental regulations on offshore drillers even after they had obtained their leases precisely the opposite outcome from what the drillers wished for. It was Watt's self-confident bluster that finally brought him down. In September 1983, in referring to a coal leasing commission in a speech to a business group, he remarked, "I have every kind of mix you can have ... I have a Black, I have a woman, two Jews and a cripple. It was a shocking statement harking back to the casual bigotry of an earlier time and foretelling the resurgence of a similar brand of malevolence toward minorities and the disadvantaged that reemerged during the Trump presidency. Eighteen days later, Watt was forced to resign. His fortunes continued along a downward slope. An advisor to the Department of Housing and Urban Development after leaving the Cabinet, he was indicted in 1995 for lying about his work to Congress and the FBI, which were investigating corruption at HUD. He pleaded to a single misdemeanor and was sentenced to community service and charged a small fine. We should not overlook James Watt's acrid bequest to Republican Party politics. He may not have pioneered the blunderbuss technique of deregulation, but he provided a model. He portrayed almost all regulation as an infringement of business interests' rights and freedoms. The principle he followed in office was to dismantle every obligation with which Congress had invested his agency; those he could not dismantle by fiat he undermined by firing anyone with expertise and replacing them with a staff that was not up to the task or even committed to the tasks they were bound to perform. He behaved as though basic standards of ethics and morality didn't apply to him. In his memoir, he posed as a victim of an all-powerful "liberal establishment," writing: "Whether one is talking about labor, education, business, the media, the arts or even government bureaucracy, liberalism reigns." Conservatives, he wrote, "are the ones calling for change." Sound familiar? Watt may not have achieved all he wished, but he provided a model for those who followed, in the administrations of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and towering over them, Donald Trump. Elements of his leadership, such as it was, persist among Republicans to this day. We are all poorer for James Watt's time on Earth. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) argues that President Trump did nothing wrong by keeping extremely sensitive classified information in unsafe places after leaving office. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) In the wake of Donald Trumps latest indictment, two basic defenses have been offered: He did nothing wrong, and it doesnt matter that he did anything wrong. So far, most of his defenders are more comfortable making the latter argument. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is one of the few exceptions. On CNN, Jordan argued that Trump did nothing wrong by keeping extremely sensitive classified information next to a toilet, among other places, because the president can classify and he can control access to national security information however he wants. Read more: Litman: Five ways Judge Aileen Cannon could protect Trump from the classified documents prosecution Its based on a theory of presidential prerogatives. But it has at least one fatal flaw: Trump isnt the president. Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, sidesteps this point, saying he takes Trump at his word that he "mentally" declassified everything before leaving office, even though theres an actual tape of Trump saying that he didnt. Most Republicans dont have the fortitude for such brazen Stakhanovite defenses of Comrade Trump. After all, even his former attorney general, William Barr, says the indictment is very, very, damning and that Trump is toast if even half of it is true. Read more: Column: Why Donald Trump's federal indictment is as breathtaking as it was inevitable The more widespread argument among Republicans is a variant of anti-anti-Trumpism. Specifically: Prosecuting Trump would be wrong because Hillary Clinton wasnt prosecuted in 2016 for her email misbehavior or because Joe Biden hasnt been prosecuted for mishandling classified documents. Hence, the Trump loyalists insist, we have a two-tiered system of justice. This, of course, leaves out the fact that Biden and Clinton (and Mike Pence) cooperated with the Justice Department, while Trump is accused, in full and exhausting detail, of obstructing the investigation. Still, I think these arguments have some merit. Some Trump defenders often overstate or misstate the facts, but I believe that Clintons private email server scheme was outrageous , and it would have been better if FBI Director James B. Comey had recommended that she be charged instead of declining to do so. Clintons behavior and the Comey investigation were examples of institutional failure that laid a lot of the groundwork for the ugly politics of the last seven years, including Trumps election. Indeed, the sorry chapter of Clintons emails is part of a broader dysfunctional pattern in our political culture. Partisans rarely worry about the effect their behavior ultimately invites in their opponents. Politically, the process by which bad behavior becomes a bad precedent is when the other party says, Oh, so we can do that too when were in power. Heres Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, in 2016 : Hillary Clinton's actions have sent the worst message to the millions of hard-working federal employees who hold security clearances and are expected to abide by the rules. They don't take their oaths lightly, and we shouldn't expect any less of their leaders. ... America simply cannot afford any more Clinton drama. Now Rubio, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is fine with even worse drama from Trump. He says of Trumps alleged misdeeds: There's no allegation that there was harm done to the national security. Rubio says Trump should get a pass because indicting him would be divisive and invite attacks on American institutions. Thats a standard not for the rule of law but the rule of politics. And the hazard of such thinking down the road is incalculable. But back to her emails. Regardless of GOP criticisms of what Clinton did a decade ago, none of it amounts to an affirmative defense of Trump. Think of it this way: I believe it is outrageous that O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend. But that doesnt mean that when I murder someone, I get to say, You cant send me to prison! O.J. Simpson got away with it! The government falls short of ideals and standards all the time. Thats not an argument for getting rid of ideals and standards. This is the blind spot of Trump defenders. It elides over the very possibility that Trump is actually guilty. If you think that Clintons behavior was comparably bad to Trumps, the reaction cant be, So he should get away with it too. Yet that seems to be the GOP response now. Because she skirted the rules, they insist, we shouldnt have rules. Because Trump cannot clear the standard conservatives held Clinton to, we shouldnt have standards. Where does that leave us? @JonahDispatch This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. What will it take for companies to trust AI chatbots with sensitive data? Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff speaks on a darkened stage with his hands outstretched Its a layered argument. At a recent dinner with OpenAIs Sam Altman, Marc Benioff, Salesforces CEO, got a mind-blowing demonstration. After hearing him speak for just a few seconds, one of the artificial intelligence developers large language models (LLMs) was able to clone Benioffs voice and produce audio of him delivering an entire speech once given by John F. Kennedy. Benioff says he asked Altman to show him where the file with his voice was stored. But there was no file. The AI generated output by weighting data in the hidden layers of its neural network; there was no way to see where the data lived. Read more Relaying the anecdote at a June 12 analyst and press event in New York, where he revealed details of Salesforces new AI strategy, Benioff didnt seem particularly concerned. But he thought his customers would beespecially those in regulated industries like banking. They like to know exactly where that data is...and they want to audit those places, Benioff said. AI and the pitfalls for data privacy If youve heard about teachers and school administrators freaking out about AI chatbots like OpenAIs ChatGPT or Googles Bard, its because theyre worried students will simply offload their work onto the technology. In the corporate world, where the quest for productivity gains is never-ending, the idea of AI taking over tasks is a more attractive one. What executives and boards and in-house legal teams are mostly freaking out about, though, is whether employees using AI chatbots will undermine data privacy mandates. Theyre right to be concerned. Maintaining data privacyby keeping personally identifying information secure, for exampleis more difficult when a chatbot invites people to share all manner of information with it, so that it might draft an email, write a report, or fill out a customer service script tailored as closely as possible to the end recipient. The reasons for sharing such information may be benign, or even admirable. But that doesnt make it any less dangerous for a company where data privacy is essential to trust. And thats not the only risk for companies making use of AI. Hallucinations, bias, toxicityas Benioff noted, those are not societal terms; those are actual, technical explanations of things happening inside these models. Salesforce is pushing its trust layer Little wonder, then, that Salesforce is making trust and data privacy a big part of its AI pitch to business customers. The companys new Einstein GPT Trust Layer promises to separate sensitive customer data from the LLMs used in the creation of generative AI. Salesforce has made the promise of trust a key piece of its proposition since its founding in 1999, first with the controlled sharing of information in its original customer relationship management systems, and again with the 2016 advent of its private predictive training models, in which Salesforce platforms scoured customer data for patterns and used those patterns to make forecasts, all without compromising the data itself. Private generative training raises similar needs, Benioff says. But in the rush to make use of generative AI, I think youre going to see companies who have not taken proper precautions lose data inadvertently, he said. If thats a subtle plug for Salesforces new AI starter pack (priced at $360,000 a year with an annual contract), its also suggestive of a future in which data breaches multiply. Only, instead of companies accidentally leaking customer data to hackers, they will be exposing it to chatbots. Its a reminder that generative AI is new territory for everyoneSalesforce included. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Concrete ground shelters to be built in Kyiv: Klitschko reveals first details Kyiv authorities want to install up to 250 above-ground concrete shelters in the capital The municipality approved the purchase and installation of the shelters at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Man-Made Disasters and Environmental Safety and Emergencies on June 13. Within three to five days, the Department of Municipal Security of the Kyiv City State Administration, together with the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Kyiv and the heads of district administrations of the capital, should determine the number of facilities needed for the city. The authorities plan to spend UAH 300 million ($8.12 million) on their purchase. Read also: Kyiv to establish shelters with automated opening system, allocates $20 million to refurbish shelters District heads should also provide information on the need to install these shelters in schools and kindergartens, where there are no underground shelters. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been attacking Kyiv with missiles and kamikaze drones. In early May 2023, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian capital almost every night, using ballistic missiles in particular. Air defense forces shoot down almost all enemy targets, but the fragments of missiles and attack drones hit civilian infrastructure. In some cases, there are casualties and property damage. Three people were killed in Kyiv in the early hours of June 1 because of a strike by Russian ballistic and cruise missiles. All of them a 33-year-old woman, a 34-year-old woman and her nine-year-old daughter were killed in the Desnianskyi district near a local clinic. Read also: Most bomb shelters in Kyiv are not properly accessible, says minister Together with other people, they were attempting to enter a shelter. Police later confirmed that the doors to the shelter were locked. On June 2, during a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, Zelenskyy ordered a full audit of all defense structures in Ukraine. A special commission completed an inspection of all 4,655 bomb shelters in Kyiv on June 10. Only 15% of the shelters were deemed appropriate without issue, Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin said. Read also: Despicable! Nearly half of 1,078 bomb shelters inspected in Kyiv are unfit for use 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 Republicans expressed outrage after a trans model posed semi-topless in front of the White House during a Pride event. Rose Montoya, a trans woman who also advocates for her community, attended a White House Pride event over the weekend. She celebrated Pride with the other attendees and was given the chance to meet the president. "I had the honor of attending @WhiteHouse Pride, the largest one in history where the pride flag flew for the first time," she wrote on Twitter. "This is trans joy. We're here at the White House unapologetically trans, queer, and brown." She shared a video of the event on Twitter. At one point in the video Montoya can be seen exposing their breasts on the White House lawn near the Truman Balcony. A voice can be heard off camera asking "are we topless at the White House?" A pair of transmasculine individuals who underwent top surgery also posed topless next to Montoya, who uses she/they pronouns. Some social media commenters mostly conservatives offered their apoplectic reactions to the video. Todd Starnes, a former Fox News staffer who was fired for saying Democrats worship the child-sacrifice-demanding pagan god Moloch, tut tutted at the sight of breasts near the White House. "Could someone explain why transgender activists were permitted to disrobe in front of children on the White House lawn during Biden's gaypalooza?" he wrote on Twitter, along with the hashtags "pervert" and "criminal." I had the honor of attending @WhiteHouse Pride, the largest one in history where the pride flag flew for the first time. This is trans joy. Were here at the white house unapologetically trans, queer, and brown #foryourpride #pridemonth #whitehouse #potus #flotus #dcpride pic.twitter.com/vpvgYPzH0N Rose Montoya (@therosemontoya) June 12, 2023 While children did attend the event, it is unclear if any children were present when the activists posed topless, or if that video was shot in a more secluded portion of the lawn. CJ Pearson, another former Fox News commenter, lamented the "shame" of the event. "This is the White House. Joe Biden has brought more shame onto this country than any other President in American history," Mr Pearson, whose presidential preference is a twice indicted former reality television host, wrote. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik offered similar rage. OK, so who is running the f******* White House and allowing this deviant garbage to go on right outside the oval office? the former official, whose city is known for a man nicknamed "The Naked Cowboy," wrote. We know its not @JoeBiden this dude has no idea where he is. So who is it? Who is the cause of this international embarrassment? Again, if a Republican president befouled the White House like this there would be a dozen thinkpieces from conservatives about how wrong it is. Where are the sane liberals calling this disgusting behavior out? Stop hiding under your beds. https://t.co/svZO2NS6Sc Karol Markowicz (@karol) June 13, 2023 Karol Markowicz, a columnist at the New York Post and Fox News, argued that conservatives would condemn a conservative president who "befouled" the White House. "Again, if a Republican president befouled the White House like this there would be a dozen thinkpieces from conservatives about how wrong it is. Where are the sane liberals calling this disgusting behaviour out?" she wrote on Twitter. "Stop hiding under your beds." Ms Montoya released a video following the backlash addressing the event and expressing their support for the "free the nipple" movement, which pushes back against the idea that women's breasts are inherently sexual and should be covered in the name of "decency." She also pointed out the conservatives' hypocrisy; while many refuse to acknowledge trans women as "real" women, she argued that their objection to their breasts only makes sense if they consider them a "real" woman. "I would just like to say that first of all, going topless in Washington DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple because why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not? All youre doing is affirming that I am a woman. All youre doing is saying that trans women are women because for some reason people like to sexualize womens bodies and say that theyre inappropriate," she said in the video. "My transmasculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy and I wanted to join them. And because it is perfectly within the law in Washington DC, I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe, because I wanted to be fully free and myself. I had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in any way. I was simply living in joy, living my truth, and existing in my body. Happy Pride! Free the nipple." Cop speeds off after being pulled over, Florida video shows. Going into work, my man A police officer drove away after a deputy pulled him over and accused him of speeding, body camera footage shows. A deputy with the Seminole County Sheriffs Office pulled a marked Orlando Police Department SUV over after seeing it traveling 80 mph in a 45-mph zone in Oviedo at around 12:!5 p.m. June 6, according to a report from the sheriffs office. The officer, later identified as Alexander Michael Shaouni, can be seen getting out of his vehicle and confronting the deputy in body camera footage released by the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. Im going into work, my man, he can be heard saying in the video. Why are you trying to pull me over as Im going into work? The deputy then asks him for his drivers license. Shaouni says, No, gets back in his vehicle and turns on his emergency lights before driving away Shaouni was later arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence, reckless driving and fleeing a police officer, according to the report. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Orlando police department said that Shaouni had been relieved of duty pending investigations by the Seminole County Sheriffs Office and the Orlando Police Department internal affairs division. Shaounis bond was set at $9,000, according to the sheriffs report. Deputy told friend accused of performing sex acts with child to run, Florida cops say Deputy accused of driving boat under influence in deadly Mothers Day crash in Georgia Police officer drove drunk to pick daughter up at elementary school, Florida cops say Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose searing novel No Country for Old Men served as the foundation for the Coen brothers 2007 film that earned Oscars for best picture, supporting actor, directing and adapted screenplay, has died. He was 89. McCarthy died Tuesday of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his publisher, Knopf, announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Known for his crisp prose, foreboding view of humanity, uncompromising approach to death and violence and rebellion against quote marks and semicolons McCarthy was celebrated as one of the leading American authors of his time. He is the great pessimist of American literature, using his dervish sentences to illuminate a world in which almost everything (including punctuation) has already come to dust, Tim Adams wrote in a 2009 profile for The Guardian. He once argued that he could see no point at all in literature that did not dwell on death. His touchstones are Dostoevsky and Melville; he hasnt much time for Henry James. His morbid visions, however, are so elemental in their telling that they have long won over those who have staked out more nuanced territory. McCarthy also was known for his sweeping Border Trilogy comprised of 1992s All the Pretty Horses, 1994s The Crossing and 1998s Cities of the Plain and his post-apocalyptic tragedy The Road, published in 2006. All the Pretty Horses was employed for a 2000 film that was directed by Billy Bob Thornton and starred Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz, and The Road became a 2009 release starring Viggo Mortensen. And his third novel, 1973s Child of God, was used for a 2013 feature helmed by James Franco and starring Tim Blake Nelson. The Counselor (2013), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Cruz, Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz, represented McCarthys first original screenplay for the big screen. He also adapted his play The Sunset Limited for a 2011 HBO telefilm starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. McCarthy received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2007 for The Road, a haunting book about the journey of a father and his son through a desolate world. Usually reluctant to promote his work, the author agreed to sit with Oprah Winfrey for the only on-camera interview of his career after she put the spotlight on The Road during one of her monthly book club segments. Well, I dont think [promotion is] good for your head, McCarthy told Winfrey. If you spend a lot of time thinking about how to write a book, you shouldnt be talking about it, you probably should be doing it. Thats my feeling. McCarthy went on to describe his distinctive writing style. Simple, declarative sentences, he said. I believe in periods, capitals and the occasional comma. Thats it. On rare occasions, McCarthy would acquiesce to a colon. Semicolons were a waste, in his opinion, and he never felt the need to use quote marks when his characters spoke. A McCarthy passage typically resembled this excerpt from 2005s No Country for Old Men featuring one of his more infamous characters: the ruthless hitman Anton Chigurh, played by Bardem in the movie. He ran cold water over his wrists until they stopped bleeding and he tore strips from a hand towel with his teeth and wrapped his wrists and went back into the office. He sat on the desk and fastened the toweling with tape from a dispenser, studying the dead man gaping up from the floor. When he was done he got the deputys wallet out of his pocket and took the money and put it in the pocket of his shirt and dropped the wallet to the floor. Then he picked up his air tank and the stun gun and walked out the door and got into the deputys car and started the engine and backed around and pulled out and headed up the road. On the interstate he picked out a late model Ford sedan with a single driver and turned on the lights and hit the siren briefly. The car pulled onto the shoulder. Chigurh pulled in behind him and shut off the engine and slung the tank across his shoulder and stepped out. The man was watching him in the rearview mirror as he walked up. Whats the problem, officer? he said. Sir would you mind stepping out of the vehicle? The man opened the door and stepped out. Whats this about? he said. Would you step away from the vehicle please. The man stepped away from the vehicle. Chigurh could see the doubt come into his eyes at this bloodstained figure before him but it came too late. He placed his hand on the mans head like a faith healer. The pneumatic hiss and click of the plunger sounded like a door closing. The man slid soundlessly to the ground, a round hole in his forehead from which the blood bubbled and ran down into his eyes carrying with it his slowly uncoupling world visible to see. Chigurh wiped his hand with his handkerchief. I just didnt want you to get blood on the car, he said. Bardem won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his chilling portrayal of Chigurh, and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen shared the awards for directing, adapted screenplay and (with Scott Rudin) best picture. The writing trophy was fitting as McCarthy had originally conceived No Country for Old Men as a screenplay, he told The Wall Street Journal in 2009. But there was little interest in his original version. In fact, they said, That will never work. Years later I got it out and turned it into a novel. Didnt take long, he said. I was at the Academy Awards with the Coens. They had a table full of awards before the evening was over, sitting there like beer cans. One of the first awards that they got was for best screenplay, and Ethan came back and he said to me, Well, I didnt do anything, but Im keeping it.' He was born Charles McCarthy on July 20, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island. His father, Joseph, an attorney, secured a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority and moved the family to Knoxville. Dads middle name was Charles and he was nicknamed Cormac, its Gaelic equivalent, by his Irish aunts. His son adopted that for his pen name. The oldest of six children, McCarthy was raised in relative prosperity in a house surrounded by lush wooded acres and staffed by servants. We were considered rich because all the people around us were living in one- or two-room shacks, he told The New York Times in 1992. Amid a proper Roman Catholic upbringing that included an education at St. Marys School and Knoxville Catholic High School, McCarthy was a bit of a rebel. I felt early on I wasnt going to be a respectable citizen, he said. I hated school from the day I set foot in it. McCarthy attended the University of Tennessee from 1951-52 before dropping out to join the Air Force. His four years of service included a tour of duty in Alaska, and to combat tedium, he read a great deal and fell in love with literature. In 1957, McCarthy gave the University of Tennessee another shot and had two stories published in The Phoenix, the student literary magazine, but he dropped out before earning a degree. Moving to Chicago, he earned a living working in an auto parts warehouse. He returned to Tennessee in 1961, then spent time in Wyoming; Asheville, North Carolina; and New Orleans as he finished up his first novel, The Orchard Keeper. Knowing little about the book business, McCarthy sent a blind submission to Random House, the only publishing name he recognized. Albert Erskine, William Faulkners last editor, saw potential in McCarthys writing and took him on. (They would work together until Erskines retirement in 1987.) Published in 1965, The Orchard Keeper had themes that are familiar to McCarthys fans. Set in a remote rural area of Tennessee, the story begins with a murder before going on to tell the relationship between the bootlegger who committed the crime and the dead mans son, who doesnt know his new friend killed his father. Though honored with the William Faulkner Foundation Award for notable first novel, The Orchard Keeper sold only a few thousand copies. McCarthys next four novels 1968s Outer Dark, Child of God, 1979s Suttree and 1985s Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West also failed to catch on with the general public. Wide success finally came in 1992 with the publication of his sixth novel, All the Pretty Horses. More upbeat and optimistic than his previous efforts, it followed the adventures of a young Texan who travels by horseback to Mexico with his friend. It has been described as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer on horseback. (In the mid-1970s, the author had settled in El Paso, and many of his later novels were set in West Texas.) Cormac McCarthy must be acknowledged as a talent equal to William Faulkner, the Times wrote in its Pretty Horses review. But whatever he may owe to Faulkners style, his substance could not be more different. Faulkners work is all about human history and all takes place in mental spaces, while in Mr. McCarthys work human thought and activity seem almost completely inconsequential when projected upon the vast alien landscapes where they occur. Human behavior may achieve its own integrity its John Gradys conscientious striving for this quality that makes him Mr. McCarthys most appealing character but it generally seems to have little effect. Its unusual for a writer to adopt such a disinterested posture toward human beings, but Mr. McCarthy, like John Grady, seems to hold a higher opinion of horses. With All the Pretty Horses, McCarthy finally had a best-seller, and along with that came awards from the National Book Foundation and the National Book Critics Circle. Cormac McCarthy changed the course of literature, Penguin Random House CEO Nihar Malaviya said in a statement. For 60 years, he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his craft and to exploring the infinite possibilities and power of the written word. Millions of readers around the world embraced his characters, his mythic themes and the intimate emotional truths he laid bare on every page in brilliant novels that will remain both timely and timeless for generations to come. His final two novels, The Passenger and Stella Maris, were published last year. Survivors include his sons, Cullen and John; brother Dennis; sisters Barbara Ann and Maryellen; and grandchildren Elena and Dayton. He often credited John as his inspiration for The Road. A lot of the lines that are in there are verbatim conversations my son John and I had. I mean just that when I say that hes the co-author of the book, McCarthy said during his Wall Street Journal interview. A lot of the things that the kid [in the book] says are things that John said. John said, Papa, what would you do if I died? I said, Id want to die, too, and he said, So you could be with me? I said, Yes, so I could be with you. Just a conversation that two guys would have. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Cormac McCarthy, author of The Road and No Country for Old Men, dies aged 89 Pulitzer Prize-winning US author Cormac McCarthy has died aged 89, his agent has confirmed (Beowulf Sheehan/PA) Cormac McCarthy, who wrote novels such as The Road and No Country for Old Men, has died aged 89. The American author died at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday (13 June), his publisher, Knopf, confirmed. His son, John McCarthy, has also confirmed his death. McCarthy won a Pulitzer Prize for his 2006 novel, The Road, a post-apocalyptic tale that sees a father and son go on a gruelling journey of survival. His 2005 novel, No Country for Old Men, was adapted into a film by the Coen brothers. It ultimately won four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay (Joel and Ethan Coen), and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh). Famed horror author Stephen King paid tribute to his fellow writer, writing on Twitter: Cormac McCarthy, maybe the greatest American novelist of my time, has passed away at 89. He was full of years and created a fine body of work, but I still mourn his passing. McCarthy was known for incorporating dark themes in his work, such as arson, rape, incest, necrophilia and cannibalism. Theres no such thing as life without bloodshed, he told The New York Times Magazine in 1992 in a rare interview. I think the notion that the species can be improved in some way, that everyone could live in harmony, is a really dangerous idea. The author was also notoriously reclusive, making rare public appearances and only granting a handful of interviews throughout his career. Cormac McCarthy in 2011 (Getty Images) McCarthy was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 20, 1933, one of six children in an Irish Catholic family. He grew up mostly in Tennessee, enrolling in the state university in 1951 before dropping out to join the US Air Force. McCarthy published his first novel, The Orchard Keeper, in 1965. He was later granted a MacArthur Fellowship, colloquially known as the Genius Grant, which he used to travel to the American Southwest. There, he researched and wrote his fifth novel, Blood Meridian (1985), which some consider his magnum opus. It wasnt until 1992 that McCarthy received widespread success with All the Pretty Horses, a story about a 16-year-old cowboy faced with difficult choices for his future. Compared to his previous work, the prose had more of a romantic quality that surprised some of his earlier fans. The book was adapted into a 2000 film starring Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz and directed by Billy Bob Thornton. McCarthy is survived by his two sons, Cullen McCarthy, born in 1962 to his first wife Lee Holleman, and John Francis McCarthy, born in 1999 to his third wife, Jennifer Winkley. He divorced his second wife, Annie DeLisle, in 1981. Other members of his family include a brother, two sisters and two grandchildren. Cormac McCarthy, the masterful prose stylist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who plumbed the depths of violence and vengeance in novels such as "Blood Meridian," "No Country for Old Men" and "The Road," died Tuesday at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 89. McCarthy's death was announced in a statement by his publisher, Penguin Random House. The company citing the writer's son, John McCarthy said he died of natural causes. In language that ranged from brutally austere to dizzyingly complex, McCarthy told tales of the dark side of humanity set against the vivid backdrops of the American West and Appalachia. He wrote all of his novels on a Olivetti Underwood Lettera 32 typewriter, his publisher said. "Cormac McCarthy changed the course of literature," Nihar Malaviya, the CEO of Penguin Random House, said in a statement. "For sixty years, he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his craft, and to exploring the infinite possibilities and power of the written word," Malaviya said. "Millions of readers around the world embraced his characters, his mythic themes, and the intimate emotional truths he laid bare on every page, in brilliant novels that will remain both timely and timeless, for generations to come." McCarthy won some of the top accolades in modern literature, including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, for the bleak post-apocalyptic saga "The Road," as well as the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. The literary critic James Wood, writing in The New Yorker in 2005, called McCarthy a "colossally gifted writer" and described him as "one of the great hams of American prose, who delights in producing a histrionic rhetoric that brilliantly ventriloquizes the King James Bible, Shakespearean and Jacobean tragedy, Melville, Conrad, and Faulkner." McCarthy was famously averse to giving interviews, and spoke publicly only on rare occasions. In a 1992 interview with The New York Times, he suggested that his professional craft was only one of his driving passions in life, saying in part: "Of all the subjects I'm interested in, it would be extremely difficult to find one I wasn't. Writing is way, way down at the bottom of the list." Charles Joseph McCarthy Jr. was born on July 20, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and briefly attended the University of Tennessee, where he started tinkering with short fiction. He published his debut novel, The Orchard Keeper, in 1965 at Random House, where he cultivated a deep relationship with the editor Albert Erskine that stretched across the next two decades, according to Penguin. McCarthys style and thematic preoccupations drew from disparate influences, ranging from the haunting Southern Gothic prose of William Faulkner to the lyrical intricacy of James Joyce and the fire-and-brimstone intensity of Scripture. He developed a cult following with works such as Outer Dark (1968), Child of God (1973) and Blood Meridian (1985). Blood Meridian, a terrifyingly violent epic that revolves around bloodthirsty bounty hunters, is considered by some critics to be his crowning achievement. He reached a wider audience with a trio of books known as the border trilogy: All the Pretty Horses (1992), The Crossing (1994), and Cities of the Plain (1998). Two novels published in the 2000s No Country for Old Men and The Road drew wide acclaim and found favor in Hollywood. No Country was adapted into a chilling Oscar-winning thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen; The Road got the big-screen treatment with Viggo Mortensen in the lead role. McCarthy published his final two novels in 2022: "The Passenger" and "Stella Maris," interconnected narratives that grappled with morality, science and faith. The novelist was married three times and had two children. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Before the pandemic, a handful of companies were experimenting with the four-day workweek. But now the practice is going mainstream, with companies like crowd-sourcing platform Kickstarter and online clothing marketplace ThredUp compressing their working weeks. Some countries are giving it a go. During the pandemic, the government of Japan encouraged employers to adopt a four-day schedule, and in Iceland, its the norm, where 86% of workers now work or have the option to work a four-day week. Even city employees in Morgantown, WV, are working a shorter week. Read more Reception has been largely favorable. Workers report improved work-life balance, less stress and burnout, and higher productivity. But evidence has pointed to one other surprising outcome: The four-day workweek may also improve gender parity. In 2022, 33 companies across six countries, including the US and Canada, participated in a six-month trial of the four-day work week. According to a survey by 4 Day Week Global, the nonprofit organization that facilitated the trial, workers reported experiencing less burnout, higher life and job satisfaction, improved work-life balance, and better mental and emotional well-being. Men with a four-day week reported spending 22% more time on childcare and 23% more time on housework, while womens time on these responsibilities decreased. It raises the question: If the four-day work week can help women balance their professional and personal lives, could instituting a four-day week be a feminist act? The equalizing power of the four-day workweek Four-day weeks are already the norm in some industries: Take hospital doctors and nurses, who often work a full-time schedule across three or four days, or some manufacturing workers who tend to work extended shifts. But in white collar offices, where working 9-to-5 Monday through Friday has been the rule for 85 years, the four-day workweek lands like a revolution. Of all the workplace initiatives Ive instituted in the last 10 years, this has been the most impactful, says Dawoon Kang, co-founder of dating app Coffee Meets Bagel, which retooled to a four-day workweek last year. People adapted very quickly, she says. Productivity and morale improved. Quincy Yang, Coffee Meets Bagels CFO, called the new schedule transformational. Yang now schedules the week around his wife, who works a traditional 9-to-5 in-office job, and his two young children. The extra day lets him attend school field trips with his six-year-old or stay up late nights with his youngest, who is less than a year old. Its a lot easier for me to stay up overnight because I know Im not going to have to wake up really early on Friday, Yang says. It gives me a lot more energy to help my partner and my children. How the four-day week benefits women at work A four-day workweek appears to be gender-neutral in its design, but there will be gendered effects, with women benefiting disproportionately because they do more caregiving work, says Yana Rodgers, director of the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University. Relentless competition between responsibilities at work and home can stunt womens careers, their pay, mental well-being, and physical health. The fact that women take on the bulk of caregiving and housekeeping duties is cited as a major contributor to the gender pay gap, the motherhood penalty, and burnout among working women. A four-day week makes it easier for both women and men to balance the scales between caregiving and careers. Workers who spoke to Quartz for this story say that the schedule has been good for their mental health, they feel less stressed, they spend more time with their families, and when theyre lucky, they find the time for naps. Women are also more likely to be caregivers for other family members who need the extra help. Ellen Harrison, freshly retired from the Virginia Department of Education, described the freedom of not having to drag her laptop with her every time she went to take care of her parents during the week. The spirit of the four-day workweek challenges the validity of the institutional office work schedule, which can be onerous on those also bearing the bulk of domestic duties. Were all working too much, says Isabel Sawhill, a senior fellow in economic studies at The Brookings Institution. Its not good for your health, [and] its not healthy for your family. But its hard to buck the trend, she says. In the last year, almost a third of women have considered reducing their hours, taking a less demanding job, or leaving the workforce. But how are they expected to choose between time and money? Without a job, many cant afford childcare, elder care, or their own living expenses. Quitting their job also sacrifices career progression and therefore long-term pay increases. The four-day workweekespecially one that doesnt reduce full-time payoffers an option to balance both. Instead of having a strictly curtailed week, the four-day week gives much-needed slack in the schedule. Addie Caulk Derr, the VP of marketing at software company Keen Decision Systems, has worked four days a week since April 2022. She works a typical 8- to 10-hour day Monday through Thursday, and takes Fridays off. Sometimes. If youre working on a Friday, its at your own discretion. Its not because anybody has told you to do it, she says. But even a slight relief of pressure helped balance her work and home life, and now Caulk Derr enjoys more time with her daughter. I can take her to school and pick her up from school. I can take her to the park when there arent a million kids there. I can plan out my days so that Im there for the important stuff. But not all women make gains with the four-day week Feminisms contemporary reputation is clouded by its historical tendency to exclude the people who need its progress most, like poor and low-income women, single mothers, women of color, women who are immigrants, and women with disabilities. Feminism is not beholden to this pattern, of course, and intersectionalists are right to single out the shortcomings of the four-day week. For some already working long shifts four days per week, the pay isnt enough to cover the basics. Finding childcare for a 12-hour shift isnt easy. For physically taxing jobs, eight hours at a time is the reasonable limit. CUNY law professor Shirley Lung notes in a 2010 paper that the women who benefit most richly from compressed workweeks are salaried women. For employees working upwards of 10 to 12 hours per day, six days per week, the day is too short for additional hours to be compressed into it, Lung writes. Shortened work hours, if accompanied by income reduction, would hurt poor and low-income women who are not in a position to forego earning income in exchange for time at home. And perhaps other institutional supports would better serve women balancing careers and families. Sawhill at Brookings says that though the four-day week would benefit women, if were worried about the work-family balance, the top of my list would be subsidized childcare. Camryn Banks, a former research associate at the Aspen Institute, recommends a schedule designed around worker needs, not an arbitrary number of hours, and reducing the number of hours required to qualify for full-time employment (and thus benefits and overtime pay) from 40 hours to 32. Sawhill rejects the notion that a reduction in hours necessitates a reduction in compensation. When Henry Ford reduced the workweek from six to five days in 1926, he did not cut wages, Sawhill wrote in 2016. He assumed that both productivity and consumption would rise, and his example encouraged other employers to follow suit. The four-day week hasnt proven itself to be a perfect solution to gender parity at work and home, but does appear to tip the scales for many women who need relief from overwhelming responsibilities. Kang at Coffee Meets Bagel doesnt always get to take Fridays off, but the option makes a difference. As a parent, its hard to get me time, she says. Even if its only two hours, knowing that I have that is good for my mental health. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Covid inquiry has partially blamed Brexit for the countrys failure to prepare for a pandemic. On the opening day of the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the inquiry, said that preparing for Brexit crowded out and prevented the work that was needed to improve pandemic preparedness. The inquiry has yet to hear evidence from witnesses but Mr Keith said he feared that Brexit had weakened the UKs response to the pandemic rather than strengthened its preparedness. The pandemic struck the United Kingdom just as it was leaving the European Union, he said. That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. He said that there was a question over whether preparations for a no deal Brexit had harmed contingency plans for a pandemic or had it led to better training or medical supplies. Did the attention therefore paid to the risks of a no-deal exit - Operation Yellowhammer as it was known - drain the resources and capacity that should have been continuing the fight against the next pandemic, that should have been utilised in preparing the United Kingdom for civil emergency? Or did all that generic and operational planning in fact lead to people being better trained and well-marshalled and, in fact, better prepared to deal with Covid and also to the existence of improved trade, medicine and supply links? My lady, on the evidence so far - but it will be a matter for you - we very much fear that it was the former. 05:33 PM Today's liveblog is now closed Thanks for following todays live blog. 05:14 PM Tory MPs react to Brexit blaming Tory MPs have taken aim at the inquiry for partially blaming Brexit for pandemic failures without hearing a word of evidence. Jacob Rees-Mogg the former Brexit Opportunities minister, told the Telegraph: The die hard remainers think everything is caused by Brexit which is delusional. Unfortunately, this foolish comment starts the inquiry off on the wrong foot. It ought to stick to relevant facts, not self indulgent speculations. Gareth Johnson, the MP for Dartford added: To blame Brexit for any failings in preparing for the Covid outbreak is at best premature at this stage of the inquiry. Brexit actually helped us tackle Covid, especially in relation to the vaccine rollout. It seems some people are keen to blame Brexit for almost anything they dont like. It seems a very premature thing to claim. Its a bit like a judge declaring a motive for a crime before the trial has started. 05:04 PM Local health chiefs 'repeatedly excluded' Local health chiefs were repeatedly excluded from pandemic planning, the Covid inquiry has heard. Steven Ford KC is representing the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), a role which he said had been likened to a local chief medical officer. Mr Ford said directors of public health possess a deep knowledge of their communities and populations, but were repeatedly excluded from key communications and guidance developed at a national level. He told the inquiry there was an insufficient understanding of the role of directors of public health at a national level and as a consequence they were largely omitted from planning for the pandemic. Mr Ford added: They should have been consulted earlier and more comprehensively by national bodies. Firstly, at the start of the pandemic, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) did not hold an up-to-date contact list for directors of the public health in various local authorities. Secondly, at the start of the pandemic directors were learning about new policies and guidance at the same time as members of the public were when the televised 5pm daily briefings began to be broadcast. They were expected to impose these policies without the necessary structures and support mechanisms having been in place. 04:26 PM Brexit diverted focus from pandemic preparation in Northern Ireland Brexit preparations diverted focus away from preparing for a pandemic, a lawyer for the Northern Ireland Department of Health has admitted. Neasa Murnaghan KC told the Covid inquiry there were also some advantages associated with the EU exit preparations, including recently-trained staff for emergencies and increased buffer stocks of medicines. She said: I should also, my lady, make a brief remark about the preparations Northern Ireland had undertaken for a no-deal EU exit. Whilst these preparations did divert some of our focus away from pandemic preparedness planning, as was no doubt the case for all four nations of the United Kingdom, on the positive side the many aspects of additional training, improvements in the resilience of supply chains and the preparedness to manage the potential consequences were, when considered overall, thought to be advantageous. The benefits included local and regional increased buffer stocks and stockpiles for medicines and medical devices, clinical consumables and the enhanced multi-agency command and control training undertaken by all Northern Ireland departments and multi-agency responders. She added that Brexit preparations also helped clarify processes, roles and responsibilities for emergency responses within the department, and that the department had a cohort of recently-trained staff who were able to assist with the response to pandemic. 03:34 PM Cabinet Office refusal to hand over documents 'corrosive' The Cabinet Offices refusal to hand over requested documents to the Covid inquiry is corrosive and will damage confidence in the process, the inquiry has heard. Sam Jacobs, a lawyer representing the Trades Union Congress, said its position smacks of having something to hide and warned the infighting between Boris Johnson and the Government jars with the terrible losses suffered during the pandemic. It (the Cabinet Office) is refusing even to return Mr Johnsons diaries to him as it knows Mr Johnson intends to provide them to the inquiry. Mr Johnson himself has been complaining to the Times newspaper of the Cabinet Office foot-dragging in response to the inquiry, of wasting public time and money by delaying the inquiry, and of deliberately frustrating the inquirys work. My Lady, the infighting jars with the terrible losses described in the impact film that we watched this morning. The position taken by the Cabinet Office is corrosive because it damages confidence in this inquiry. It smacks of having something to hide - of fighting tooth and nail to avoid to avoid revealing all to the inquiry. What the public want to know is ... whether the Cabinet Office can approach this inquiry, not just now but going forward, with the spirit of openness and candour that we deserve. Those in the cabinet either have the will to respond openly to this inquiry, or they do not. He added: It is a matter of regret to is that these substantive hearings start under something of a cloud. 03:14 PM 'Ludicrous spectacle' of doctors making bin liner aprons Failures of planning and preparation for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare staff led to the ludicrous spectacle of doctors making aprons from bin liners during the pandemic, the official Covid inquiry has heard. Brian Stanton, lawyer for the British Medical Association, listed the ways in which medical workers had to improvise due to the lack of adequate protective clothing. He said: The fact that in March 2020 NHS England assured the health and social care committee that there was sufficient supply of PPE nationally, despite stocks containing less than two weeks worth of most equipment, suggests serious failures of planning and preparation. Frontline staff often had to go without PPE, buy their own, use homemade, donated or expired items, and reuse single-use items. Staff also had to use items that were out of date, with multiple expired stickers visibly layered on top of each other. Many felt pressured to work without adequate protection, with consequences for their mental and physical health. He said failures in planning and preparation had led to the ludicrous spectacle of doctors making aprons from bin liners, because they were sturdier than the PPE equipment provided. 02:56 PM 'Narrow focus' on a flu-style pandemic an 'oversight' The UKs narrow focus on a flu-style pandemic was an oversight, experts have said. Brian Stanton, representing the British Medical Association, told the inquiry this afternoon: The UK pandemic planning was predominantly focused on an influenza-style pandemic. This narrow focus was an oversight, particularly as there had been relatively recent Coronavirus outbreaks, including SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012. He added that a consequence of this was that the UK response to Covid failed to properly consider the potential for aerosol transmission of the virus. This in turn impacted the public health measures put in place, including the focus on hand washing, and the delay mandating mask wearing for the public, he said. 02:40 PM Covid 'equally to blame' for deaths Covid is equally to blame for the fate of those who died of poor mental health or lack of access to medical services, the inquiry heard. Claire Mitchell KC, representing the Scottish Covid Bereaved, said: According to the national records of Scotland as of June 4 2023, there were 17,646 deaths in Scotland, where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Many of those who died because of poor mental health as a result of the effects of the pandemic will not be recorded as Covid deaths, although its equally to blame. The same can be said for those who couldnt access medical services which may have saved their lives. Mitchell said the inquiry would hear from former health secretary Matt Hancock as well as Sir Oliver Letwin, former minister for government policy. 02:34 PM Welsh government's inquiry response criticised Welsh bereaved families have criticised Mark Drakeford for an inadequate response and engagement by his government with the Covid inquiry. Kirsten Heaven KC, representing Covid-19 Bereaved Families group in Wales, told the inquiry: The Cymru group... formally wish to say today that they are very disappointed by what they consider to be the inadequate response and engagement by the Welsh government with this inquiry and module one and earlier hearings. She added that the group thought Mark Drakefords statement to the inquiry was exceptionally brief and only covered the period of pandemic preparedness when he was appointed at first minister in 2018. Crucially, it fails to cover in any detail the extended period from 2009 when Mark Drakeford was involved in health and local government policy, both as a special adviser to the First Minister and Minister of the Welsh government, and crucially it fails to mention that as First Minister for Wales from December 2018 to the current day, Mark, is head of and responsible for oversight over pandemic planning in Wales as the chair of the Wales resilience forum. Heaven suggested the Welsh government may use Brexit as an excuse for pandemic unpreparedness in the inquiry. She said: If Brexit or a lack of sufficient budget from the United Kingdoms Government is to be used as an excuse by the Welsh Government for not protecting the people of Wales from a pandemic, the inquiry is asked to ascertain how the Welsh government sought to address such funding issues. Heaven said that one of the questions the inquiry must consider is why there had been such a failure in preparedness and resilience prior to 2016 in Wales. 01:49 PM 'We will likely never know' origin of virus, says counsel The counsel for the Covid inquiry has said we will likely never know where Covid came from, as he insisted it does not matter to the investigation. Speaking on the first day of the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC said: We will likely never know how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, more commonly known as Sars-Cov-2, the virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic, was first transmitted to the human race. Perhaps it came from farmed wild animals that were transported to and then sold in the live wet market in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, China, affecting market workers and customers. Some have suggested it came from a leak of coronavirus specimens being transported to or stored at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. We will also likely never know when the first human infection with Sars-Cov-2 occurred. The dates of its emergence could have been any time between mid-October 2019 and mid-December 2019...What we do know is the United Kingdom, as with the rest of the world, was struck by a major pandemic. Baroness Hallett, the chairman of the inquiry, insisted she had to strike a very difficult balance but that grieving families would be at the heart of the hearing sessions. 12:59 PM Inquiry breaks for lunch The inquiry is now taking a break for lunch and will reconvene at 2pm, Baroness Hallett says. 12:51 PM Pictured: Tourists observe the Covid memorial wall in London Tourists walk past The National Covid Memorial Wall dedicated to those who died during the coronavirus pandemic in London - Alastair Grant/AP Photo 12:46 PM Inquiry to consider impact of austerity on Covid response The Covid inquiry will hear from politicians and experts about the impacts of austerity on pandemic preparedness, the counsel for the bereaved families said. Pete Weatherby KC told inquiry chairman Baroness Hallett: You will be told by some politicians that austerity put the UK in a good place to respond to the pandemic, but experts will point to its effect on public health and local authority resilience funding. The inquiry will learn also of what happened to health inequalities concurrently with these cuts, and reasons why the widening of such inequalities might have occurred as a result. Former prime minister David Cameron has been approached by the inquiry to give evidence on how well prepared the UK was to deal with the pandemic, it previously emerged. 12:23 PM The Lockdown Files: How ministers took key decisions on Covid While the inquiry is ongoing, its worth having a look at The Telegraphs coverage of The Lockdown Files. Drawn from more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages sent between Matt Hancock, ministers and officials, it lays bare how the government took key decisions throughout the pandemic. 12:06 PM Pandemic preparation was 'wholly inadequate' Pete Weatherby KC, representing bereaved families, said that the pandemic was not a black swan event, so unlikely that it was practically unforeseeable. He said that two experts who will appear later this week, Bruce Mann and Prof Alexander, will conclude that preparedness for a novel disease pandemic in the UK was wholly inadequate as of January 2020. 11:57 AM Testing for Covid before inquiry is 'completely unnecessary' Prof Karol Sikora, a leading oncologist, has criticised the Covid inquiry urging visitors to test for the virus before attending hearings as completely unnecessary. He wrote on Twitter: The Covid inquiry urging people to test for the virus before attending the hearings is completely unnecessary and sets the tone for the whole affair. Hopes for an objective cost/benefit analysis of restrictions are fading fast. The inquirys Covid policy states that anyone attending the hearings daily should test for the virus at the beginning of each week, while those coming on individual days should test in advance of attending. The COVID inquiry urging people to test for the virus before attending the hearings is completely unnecessary and sets the tone for the whole affair. Hopes for an objective cost/benefit analysis of restrictions are fading fast. Professor Karol Sikora (@ProfKarolSikora) June 13, 2023 11:48 AM Government gave 'little thought' to lockdown impacts The Government apparently did not think through the potentially massive impact of lockdown, the inquiry has heard. Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the inquiry, said very little thought was given to how a national lockdown could be put in place before the pandemic. Extraordinary though it may seem given that its a word that will be forever seared into the national consciousness, there was very little debate pre-pandemic of whether a lockdown might prove to be necessary in the event of a runaway virus, let alone how a lockdown could be avoided, he said. Mr Keith added: Very little thought was given to how, if it proved to be necessary, something as complex and difficult and damaging as a national lockdown could be put in place at all. Equally, there appears to be a failure to think through the potentially massive impact on education and the economy or trying to control a runaway virus in this way. 11:38 AM Bereaved families 'marginalised' by Covid inquiry Families who lost loved ones said they feel as excluded and marginalised as ever on the first day of the Covid inquiry. More than 100 bereaved families from across the UK travelled to the hearing today and held a vigil outside its entrance. They lined up around the hearing centre in Paddington in London holding pictures of their dead relatives. Jo Goodman and Matt Fowler, co-founders of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said: Never did we imagine that on the first day of the Inquiry we would feel as excluded and marginalised as ever. And yet we are. The Inquirys inadequate Every Story Matters project and decision to only call up one of our 6,500 members to speak in the first module have been incredibly disappointing and hurtful. But far worse, they risk crucial learnings being missed, which could cost lives in the future. The Inquiry has no hope of understanding the key decisions made in Government if it doesnt understand their impact. They added: Today we have a simple message for Baroness Hallett: We will never forget the loved ones we lost in the pandemic, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that their deaths are learnt from so others dont have to face the same awful, and preventable, fate. 11:29 AM Pictured: Covid bereaved hold photos of their loved ones outside the inquiry Covid bereaved hold pictures of their loved ones outside the inquiry - Belinda Jiao/PA Covid bereaved hold pictures of their loved ones outside the inquiry - Belinda Jiao/PA 11:19 AM 'Good sense' to plan for worst case Hugo Keith KC said there was a degree of assumption in the process that an influenza pandemic would lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths, because of a plan for the reasonable worst-case scenario. The good sense of planning for the worst-case was obvious... but not at the expense of asking what more can we do to ensure we dont get to that stage at all?, he added. The evidence may show, simply and terribly, that not enough people thought to ask, because everyone started to assume it would be flu. And if it was flu, diagnostic testing, case detection and isolation are less effective on account of the shorter incubation period... [There would be] vaccines and a national vaccine flu service. 11:12 AM KC: Systems must be fit for 'coping with the consequences' of a pandemic Hugo Keith KC is talking the inquiry through the pandemic preparedness as of August 2019. He said systems may not be able to stop a pandemic in its tracks, but should be able to mitigate transmission and be ready for coping with the consequences. The inquiry was shown a complex schematic design involving ministers, public directors of health, civil servants and other relevant bodies. 11:09 AM My husband died of Covid you lose everything: your past, present and future The first public hearing of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry started today a moment that has been eagerly awaited by the hundreds of thousands of people and families whose lives were irrevocably changed during the pandemic, writes Samuel Lovett. Some 227,000 people have died from Covid and, at its peak, more than 1,000 were dying every day. It will fall to Baroness Heather Hallett, the chair of the inquiry, to determine how these deaths came to pass, whether they were inevitable, if the government should have done more to protect its people, and what lessons can be learned from such a heart-breaking loss of life. The inquiry is split into many parts, or modules, the first of which will assess the UKs preparedness for and resilience to pandemics from PPE stockpiles and hospital capacities to simulation exercises and budgeting. Those who lost loved ones tell their stories 10:59 AM Lockdowns hit poorest hardest, says inquiry counsel The Covid pandemic had profound financial and economic consequences, Hugo Keith KC said, as well as putting healthcare systems under enormous sustained pressure. Millions of patients have either not sought or received treatment, and the backlog has now reached historic levels. Jobs and businesses have been destroyed, and livelihoods have been taken away. The pandemic disrupted the education of children and young people, put children at risk and has left us with an enduring concern that the pandemic furthered disparities in attainment and development. The pandemic impacted the most disadvantaged communities in society all the more, both in terms of the consequences of getting the virus and in terms of the steps taken to combat the virus. Societal damage in terms of the exacerbation of inequalities, and the denial of opportunity, has been widespread. Its impact will be felt for decades to come. The emergence of this natural disaster could have been avoided. But the key issue is whether that impact I have described was inevitable. Were those terrible consequences inexorable or were they avoidable or capable of mitigation? The starting point for your inquiry is while we may not know the moment this virus came into existence... we do know that the possibility of a pandemic had been foretold and thought about. 10:56 AM 'To what extent were these terrible outcomes foreseen?' Hugo Keith KC noted Government figures that stated up to May 12, 2023, there were 226,977 deaths where Covid was recorded on the death certificate across the UK. Mortality was significantly higher among those with conditions including dementia, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Shockingly, mortality was 2.6 times higher in the most deprived than the least deprived tenth of areas. People from some ethnic minority groups had a significantly higher risk of being infected by Covid-19, and also from dying from it. Covid-19 mortality during the pandemic was highest in people from the Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black Caribbean communities, and mortality rates were higher among people with a self-reported disability or a learning disability. Mr Keith said by the measure of excess deaths, the figures were likely to be higher still. The big question for module one was to what extent these terrible outcomes were either foreseen or capable of mitigation. 10:50 AM Health system not 'adequately' prepeared for mass testing Hugo Keith KC recalled how on January 10, 2020, the Department for Health and Social Care published its first guidance on the management of Covid cases, before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency of international concerns later in the month. Its notable that they recommended no travel or trade restrictions, he said. The first two cases in England were then confirmed on January 30, at which point it was apparent Covid was a respiratory disease which could be spread asymptomatically, with no vaccine and no immunity. Even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might have not been very well-prepared at all. Mr Keith recalled various Government measures including additional NHS funding and moving to the delay phase of the pandemic. It is absolutely clear now that the disease was spiralling out of control, but to what extent was that possibility foreseen, planned for and guarded against? How ready were the public health structures dealing with this possibility? The system had not adequately foreseen or prepared for the need for mass testing. 10:39 AM 'We will likely never know' how Covid started Mr Hugo Keith KC, the counsel for the inquiry, said: We will likely never know how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, more commonly known as Sars-Cov-2, the virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic, was first transmitted to the human race. Perhaps it came from farmed wild animals that were transported to and then sold in the live wet market in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, China, affecting market workers and customers. Some have suggested it came from a leak of coronavirus specimens being transported to or stored at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. We will also likely never know when the first human infection with Sars-Cov-2 occurred. Minute retrospective examination... suggests that the dates of its emergence could have been any time between mid-October 2019 and mid-December 2019... For this inquirys purposes, this knowledge does not matter. What we do know is the United Kingdom, as with the rest of the world, was struck by a major pandemic. 10:34 AM 'Lessons need to be learned' As the video came to an end, one of the Covid bereaved said: I am so aware that society are so tired of the whole thing. But for us, those missing parts, theyre there for a reason in the grief process, and theres no way to navigate round those things. You have to go through those, and being denied those... Its a vital part for us to move on... We need to know lessons will be learned and future generations will be safeguarded from the heartache we have had to suffer. Baroness Hallett said she hoped those who had to leave the room will be able to recover as soon as they are able to do so. 10:28 AM Trigger warnings issued by inquiry The Covid Inquiry has issued a trigger warning as it unveiled an enormous memorial tapestry, writes Neil Johnston. As the Inquiry prepared for its first full hearing this morning, the Inquiry unveiled the first four panels of the Tapestry at the hearing centre in Dorland House Paddington. The Inquiry said that the tapestry hoped to capture experiences and emotions of people during the pandemic but wanted it contains upsetting material and may trigger some difficult feelings and emotion. Each panel is based on an illustration by a different artist, following conversations with individuals and communities impacted in different ways by the pandemic. The first panel Broken Hearts is a collaboration between artist Andrew Crummy and the Scottish Covid Bereaved group and hopes to express the grief and sadness felt by so many at the loss of loved ones. The second panel Little Comfort was created by Daniel Freaker and represents his and others experiences of Long Covid. Other panels include Eyes Forced Shut created by Catherine Chinatree which explores the disempowerment and loss of freedoms experienced by patients and their relatives in care homes and The Important Thing Is That You Care was created by artist Marie Jones grieving the loss of her father. 10:25 AM Saying goodbye during the pandemic Dads arms reaching towards me to help him, and I couldnt. Its not really an ideal way to say goodbye to your father or anyone. And because I live alone, and all my familys abroad, I told them not to come back because it was lockdowns. Itdve just been a nightmare. So I arranged his funeral alone, for what it was, the funeral, I think there were 15 people there. I didnt hug anybody from hearing that Dad was going to die, right through to past the funeral. I didnt hug anybody. It was a frightening time, it was a very, very lonely time. Grief is lonely anyway. But grief at that time was so compounded by the absence of comfort, of closeness, of other humans. I used to be a nurse, so I know what a good death is, and I wasnt able to give Dad that. It was hard. It was hard for so many people. I think everybody suffered somehow. 10:21 AM 'I asked could any of us be there. And they said no.' One Covid survivor recalled waking up after six weeks in ICU, going back to work by August 2021. Another said: Unfortunately my mum caught Covid [in hospital]... just after the Prime Minister made his lockdown speech, I got a phone call to say Mum wasnt going to make it. I asked could any of us be there. And they said no. The next 12 hours were the hardest 12 hours of my life. 10:18 AM 'We will forever carry the guilt', say Covid bereaved As the video begins, Youssef from the West Midlands was seen saying the start of the pandemic took us all by surprise, while Lucy from London added: It all happened very quickly. Within seven days, my mum was gone. Catherine, from Wales, recalled her father dying aged 86 in a care home in Wales. We were told he was going to die imminently and the only thing we could do was be outside his window in the icy, sleety rain. Brenda said her mother was one of the first people in Northern Ireland to die, the day after the first nationwide lockdown was introduced, while Catriona said her 67-year-old father caught Covid in hospital. At the end of anyones time the most you can hope is to give a loved one a good death. And we will forever carry the guilt that our daddy was denied that. 10:13 AM Content warning issued before Covid film So many people died, and so many people suffered, it is only right we find various ways to commemmorate them and their experience, Baroness Hallett said, before introducing an extraordinarily moving film involving those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. It involves people talking in very explicit terms about their suffering and about their loss in a way that will bring back very difficult memories for many people. I want to thank everyone who agreed to be filmed as part of this, including those not featured in this first film. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for them to relive those experiences in front of a camera. But please believe it was worthwhile - you have recorded your experience for posterity... If you do not want to view the film right now, there will be an opportunity to leave the room... and someone will call you in once you are finished. Emotional support is available to anyone here at the hearing centre; for those watching online there is a list of numbers to call on the inquiry website. Once the film begins to play a warning will be displayed for 30 seconds before the first images appear. Once the video has been played we will reassemble and I will ask Mr Hugo Keith, Kings Counsel, counsel to the inquiry, to make his opening statement. 10:10 AM Baroness Hallett: I have had to strike 'very difficult balance' Baroness Hallett said her plan was to publish reports as we go along, so when the hearings for this module finish, work will begin on preparing reports for this module. I have promised many times that those who suffered hardship and loss are and will always be at the heart of the inquiry, and I have done my very best within the constraints upon me of time, resources and my terms of reference to fulfil that promise. I know that there are those who feel the inquiry has not sufficiently recognised their loss, or listened to them in the way that they feel appropriate. But I hope they will better understand as the inquiry progresses the very difficult balance that I have had to strike. I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised. They will be able to contribute to the inquiry, by describing their experiences at community events or sharing their story online or on the phone. Some will contribute by giving evidence at the hearings, and representatives of each of the four bereaved family groups will be called in this module. 10:07 AM 'Was the response it to appropriate?' Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chairman, has started her opening remarks. I shall start by hearing opening submissions from counsel to the inquiry and from the core participants, and then evidence in module one covering resilience and preparedness for the pandemic, she said. As people arrived at the hearing centre today, they found a dignified vigil of bereaved family members holding photographs of their loved ones. Their grief was obvious to all. It is on their behalf and on behalf of the millions who suffered and continue to suffer in different ways as a result of the pandemic, that I intend to answer the following three questions. Was the UK fully prepared for the pandemic? Was the response to it appropriate? And can we learn lessons for the future? She said the people of the UK deserve a thorough investigation and added an extraordinary amount of work has been done to get us to this point... It has been and will remain a huge task and I am acutely conscious of the burden I have placed on everyone by the ambitious timetable I have set. 10:02 AM Today's schedule for the inquiry 10:00 AM Poetry and videos outside inquiry A large van has been parked outside the hearing centre by The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, reports Blathnaid Corless. There are screens showing videos of family members speaking about their experiences of losing loved ones during the pandemic, as well as reading poetry. 09:58 AM 'Our stories save lives' Dozens of members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families group are standing outside the hearing centre in Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, in protest ahead of the first hearings today, writes Blathnaid Corless. Each wearing red to reflect the colours of the hearts painted on the Covid memorial wall and holding photographs of their bereaved loved ones, the families are protesting over the decision by the inquiry not to allow them to give evidence at the public hearings. Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice - Justin Tallis/AFP One of the members of the group is standing with a megaphone outside the centre, reading out the names of family members who lost their lives because of Covid. The group is holding a large banner which reads: Our stories save lives. Yvonne Fryer, whose husband died of Covid during the pandemic aged 58, told The Telegraph: We are protesting today because we are not as essential to the inquiry as we were led to believe. Just one person out of our group of about 6,000 has been allowed to give evidence. 09:56 AM Good morning Good morning and welcome to The Telegraphs coverage of the first day of the Covid public inquiry. Inquiry chairman Baroness Hallett will start proceedings today, with the first witnesses being called to give their evidence. It comes after the inquiry warned viewers of a memorial tapestry that it may trigger some difficult feelings and emotions. The first four panels of the tapestry have been unveiled today at the hearing centre in Dorland House, Paddington. 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. Blower cartoon The Covid Inquiry, day one (of 4,006). Prepare yourselves for a long witch hunt that might finish off the Tories at the next election. The opening statements referenced Brexit and austerity which, it was suggested in the most even-handed manner possible, may or may not have helped to kill thousands. The location is an imposing Georgian property in Paddington, though the inquiry sits in an open-plan office with grey carpets, chairs on wheels and MDF desks; the layout so strangely banal that the judge appeared to direct some of her remarks to a supporting pillar. We were advised to take a lateral flow test but nobody asked for the result. Masks were rare. Lawyers, common; row upon row of men in black suits, counsels for those quangos that quietly run Britain into the ground. That left room for a small group of relatives, many holding photos of loved ones. They clung to those framed portraits as if they were flesh and blood. Even when they fled the room to cry. This is not a law court but it is judge-led, so events have the trappings of a trial. We opened with the equivalent of a victim impact statement, a video in which people recounted the deaths of their relatives; mums, brothers, a father and sister taken only five days apart. Ushers handed out boxes of tissues. Death, misery and incalculable loss Who can dispute that this was, in the words of inquiry counsel Hugh Keith KC, a tragedy of death, misery and incalculable loss? Equally, what official would feel comfortable defending their record when the proceedings began on such an emotionally loaded note? Pete Weatherby KC, representing bereaved families, argued that a pandemic was not unpredictable; we should have responded better; and we must ask if spending cuts left us vulnerable. Mr Keith noted the time and resources lavished on Brexit preparation rather than a national emergency. Perhaps some future witness will point out that Germany didnt leave the EU in 2020 but that it, too, was taken by surprise. And the testimonials suggested that if Britain dragged its feet in some regards, in others it brutally overreacted. Why was one witness forced, as their dad lay dying in hospital, to stand outside his window, in icy sleety rain? Why did a grieving wife have to wait six months before she was permitted a human hug? The counsel for families from Northern Ireland spoke of human remains treated like toxic waste, their graves marked by red tape as if each one contained a personal Chernobyl. Put George Osborne in the dock for austerity, or Jeremy Hunt for preparing for the wrong pandemic, but what expert will take the blame for cooking up these dehumanising, re-traumatising restrictions? And will any pen-pushers get the sack for enforcing them? A witness called Brenda received a phone call from the hospital to say her mother had passed and that her belongings were to be incinerated; all her nighties and dressing gowns, even her wee glasses. It was sickening to hear. We are kinder to people who have lost pets. 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. Cook escapes before roof collapses during fire at popular Mexican restaurant in Gwinnett County The roof of a popular Mexican restaurant in Gwinnett County collapsed after a fire on Tuesday morning. Channel 2s Justin Carter showed you the damage from the Frontera Mexican Kitchen on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Frontera has multiple locations throughout Gwinnett County. A cook at the location off Stone Mountain Highway told Carter that he was prepping food for the day when the fire started. As soon as he saw the smoke, the chef escaped right before the roof collapsed. I got a phone call that the restaurant was on fire, manager Rodrigo Gonzalez said. One of the cooks said he saw sparking on the wires. He got scared you know. To see the restaurant with all the fire and smoke. TRENDING STORIES Gwinnett County fire said the damage was extensive. The department deployed 17 units to get it under control. We did have to pull our crews out after doing a quick search to confirm nobody was still in the building, Capt. Ryan McGiboney said. Most of the damage was in the dining room area right under the spot where the roof caved in. Gonzalez said its hard as his employees rely on the restaurant to support their families. Thank God, nobody got hurt. And well just see what happens. Fire officials say the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. They say a worker told them a neon light broke and an electrical spark set the roof line on fire. IN OTHER NEWS: Robert Redman - Geoff Pugh One Sunday afternoon in May, Robert Redman got a call from a friend who owns the farm next door to his. A drone had been hovering above his yard before taking off over the fields towards Redmans land. Get out there and have a look, he urged Redman. I dont know what its doing. Redman, who owns an agricultural contracting business in Oxfordshire, assumed it must be kids messing about and put it to the back of his mind. Two weeks later, he woke up to find thieves had broken into his yard in the dead of night and stolen 70,000-worth of technical equipment from his fleet of tractors. It was only then that he realised the drone was on a surveillance mission, sent by an organised crime gang who were scoping the place out. They must have known exactly where the CCTV was. My yard has great big floodlights and PIR [infra red] sensors everywhere. As soon as the light goes on its like Wembley Stadium. They knew exactly where the sensors were. [On the CCTV] you could see them skirting around and avoiding them. Redman is among the latest to have fallen victim to a rural crime wave gaining speed and power across the country. Farmers are losing tens of thousands of pounds worth of equipment to gangs who break in and steal quad bikes, machinery or technical equipment (like the expensive GPS units in every tractor and combine). And they are stealing for a particular market eastern Europe. Much of the stolen equipment, the National Rural Crime Unit [NRCU] says, now ends up in Russia as Western sanctions imposed after Vladimir Putins illegal invasion have driven a black market in farm machinery. Manufacturers including American firm John Deere and Dutch Lely have stopped shipping to Russia, leaving farmers there struggling to get spare parts. Fifteen months into the war, its extraordinary that Britains quiet, rural backwaters are feeling the knock-on effects of the Wests sanctions against Putin, as farmers find their machinery could, within a matter of days, end up being taken from a field in Oxfordshire 1800 miles to a farm in Russia. Arable farms in the east of England have been the targets of organised crime gangs for a number of years but recently, these gangs have been on the move. The week Redman was burgled, 46 GPS units were stolen from farms across the country, from the Scottish borders right down to Wiltshire. NFU Mutual, who insure three quarters of the British farming community, say thefts like this doubled in the first four months of 2023, exceeding 500,000, with thieves now travelling the length and breadth of the UK for high value and easily portable kits, raiding farms in Scotland, North West and North East England. When they reach Russia, the parts are sold for agricultural or construction purposes, says Supt. Huddleston. Russia has massive swathes of arable land, but farmers cant currently buy any equipment. One of the manufacturers had a full order book this year that was worth tens of millions. If you multiply that by all the manufacturers, that is a massive amount of the market that is going to force second-hand prices up. It creates an ideal opportunity for criminals to monopolise on trying to sell stolen machinery over there. The site of the burglary at Redman's farm The gangs are a mix of British and foreign criminals. Weve been arresting people involved in OCGs from abroad, he says. These are well organised groups that can operate across international boundaries. Were concerned the thieves responsible may be planning to up their game during this years busy harvest season to target even more farms, causing widespread delays and disruption, says Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist. On 27th May, the night Redman was burgled, he had dinner at home with his wife and three children as usual before going to check on his father who had broken his ankle and needed help to let his dogs out. On his way back, Redman, 37, stopped by to see one of the young men who lives on site for a cigarette. At 11:33pm, just as he was leaving, he noticed the yard light had come on. Usually, that would have been enough to prompt him to check the yard or at least the CCTV. But the lights have been coming on [a lot] recently weve got three feral cats that set the sensors off, so I didnt bother. He remembers a weird feeling, like a sixth sense, I suppose, that something wasnt quite right. But he ignored it and went home to bed. The next morning, Redman got a call at 6:50 am from the first worker to arrive in the yard to say a window was smashed in. The family home is only 100 yards from the yard but they hadnt heard a thing the thieves were quiet and swift enough that even the familys two Great Danes didnt raise the alarm. Eerie CCTV footage shows two slight men, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas and backpacks, running through the yard. They stole GPS units from all eight machines and the screen from the combine, which Redman says shows they had time on their hands. The thought the thieves could get in and out unnoticed, even with all the security measures in place in Redmans yard, is unnerving; the idea the equipment he relies on for his livelihood could, two weeks on, already be in Russia is hard to comprehend. While the sanctions against Russia continue, crimes like this one are likely to carry on for a considerable period of time, says Superintendent Andy Huddleston, head of the NRCU. These are very well organised criminal groups who operate nationally and internationally and theyll quite happily fly people in and out of the country. [] Theyre capable of getting large machinery out of the country and on a wagon or in a container. Theyre also entrepreneurial, he says. They will adapt to whatever the commodity is that is bringing the most return for the least risk. At the moment, its machinery. Thieves target agricultural and construction machines like excavators and portable GPS units used for mapping fields. We just recovered a new excavator in Romania that was taken out of the country within 24 hours, says Supt. Huddleston. The person in Romania said he paid 20,000 euros for the machine it was probably worth 30,000 (34,929 euros) in the UK. Is there big money to be made there? Absolutely. Gangs operate in the early hours of the morning, exploiting the vulnerability of rural areas. Theyre not looking for confrontation, theyre looking for somewhere they can sneak in and get that piece of equipment away. They use jamming devices to prevent the GPS from being detected, then get their haul out on a lorry or in a container via a port of their choice. Theyll mix the ports up depending on where we are. If we give a particular port attention, theyll move elsewhere. So its quite a game of cat and mouse. The thieves stole GPS units from all eight of Redman's tractors and the screen from the combine Thieves also target the machines themselves. NFU Mutual has seen a spike in quad bike thefts. In 2022 2.8million-worth of quad bikes were stolen from British farms, an annual increase of 26 per cent, driven by a shortage of new vehicles in the market. Thieves [are] cashing in on this lucrative market and selling vehicles domestically and internationally, says Binns. The supply chain problems are also making it difficult for farmers to source replacement machines when their quad has been stolen. Farmers say the police response to these thefts is minimal. When Redman reported what had happened the morning of the burglary, he was put through to the rural crime unit. It was a bank holiday and they werent working until Tuesday, which I thought was absolutely shocking. [] It should be paramount. Just because they dont want to work a bank holiday, we still are [working]. Police eventually sent a forensics team, but the machines were too dusty to take decent forensic samples, which really wasnt helpful. Rural crimes like these pose a problem for police, says Supt. Huddleston. Any time a job is reported to the police, its assessed and theyre going to look at the investigative opportunities. There were never fantastically high attendance rates at rural incidents because its always been the case that youve got very few witnesses, limited CCTV, the house to house inquiries arent there, forensics are often limited because its outside in the elements, so the investigative opportunities have always been a problem. Huddlestons unit is waiting for a new bill to pass through parliament which will require machinery like quad bikes to have theft-prevention devices fitted. If it gets the Kings approval it will mean every piece of machinery has to have an immobiliser on it. In the meantime, Redman is updating all his security. His children, who are three, 10 and 14, have found the whole thing upsetting. The gang walked past my house and none of us were alerted. What would have happened if one of the kids had walked out and stumbled across them? Does he worry they could come back? Put it this way, he says. Well be ready for them next time. 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. Crimea will not receive water from the mainland for at least a year, reports official Massive flooding after the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP There is no water supply to Crimea, because the Kakhovka reservoir has a much lower level of water than what is needed to fill the Crimean canal, he explained. Read also: Kakhovka dam explosion limits water flow to North Crimean Canal, satellite images confirm Thats why, most likely, water wont be supplied to Crimea for at least a year. Read also: Water receding in Kherson Oblast as evacuation from east bank falters governor He noted that even if Crimea is liberated in the near future, Ukraine will not be able to quickly supply residents with water. Furthermore, four oblasts will also see problems with their water supply. Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts will also suffer from problems with their water supply, he said. Read also: Kryvyi Rih residents must cut water usage 40% after Kakhovka dam breach, governor says Sirota also stated that officials are currently working to locate alternative solutions to ensure supplies of drinking water to residents in the affected areas, though there are currently no issues on that front, he added. The city of Kryvyi Rih, he said, has enough reserves to last 1.5-2 months, while water is being delivered to flooded settlements. 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 Trump supporters gathered at Versailles late Tuesday afternoon to get a glimpse of the former president as he pulled up to the famed Cuban restaurant and bakery, walked in and shook hands, prayed with two religious leaders and said: Food for everyone! Trump, traveling in a motorcade from the Miami federal courthouse, made a strategic detour on his way back to New Jersey to court his ardent supporters at the Little Havana bakery that adjoins the restaurant, a GOP stronghold for Hispanic voters. They returned the love by taking photos, blowing kisses and singing Happy Birthday, a day before Trumps 77th birthday Wednesday. They were thrilled Trump stopped in their neighborhood spot following his arraignment in Miami federal court. Prior to Versailles, Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the 37-count federal indictment accusing him of deliberating keeping hundreds of classified government documents at his Palm Beach estate after he left the White House in January 2021. Ambar Sanchez, 24, of Miami happened to be in the bakery eating lunch when Trump entered. She said he came in, thanked everybody for coming and paused with some pastors and a rabbi. They stood over him and prayed together. It was really beautiful. He seemed relaxed and very happy to be with the people, as always, she said. Trump also commented on his legal troubles, saying, I think its going great...we have a rigged country, before departing from the restaurant at Southwest Eighth Street and 35th Avenue, giving a thumbs-up through the closed window of his car. Campaign stop Evelio Medina, who helped arrange Trumps visit to Versailles on Tuesday and in 2016, praised Trump for being 80 percent sincere and 20 percent opportunistic. Trump managed to turn one of the lowest days of his political life into a productive campaign stop. He charmed his Cuban supporters, who make up about one-third of Miami-Dades electorate. He gets arraigned on 37 counts and he could have taken the expressway straight to the airport and flown back to his Bedminster fundraiser, Medina said outside Versailles. Instead, he comes here to hug his Latin people and share a cafecito. The Versailles crowd enthusiastically agreed with Trumps assessment of the legal system, and spoke passionately about their concerns that Trumps indictment was similar to what they had witnessed in Cuba under Fidel Castro. In this country exists a system of justice that is not justice. If you have the last name Clinton or Biden, you have a system of justice. If you have the last name Trump, its another system of justice, said Enrique Canton in Spanish, who has stood in front of Versailles many times to make his voice heard. Dr. Enrique Canton and his wife, Rosa Canton, hoist a Trump 2024 flag in front of Versailles restaurant on Southwest Eighth Street in Miami Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Hector Payares, 60, wearing a Trump hat and a black deplorable shirt, said he felt it was his duty to go to Versailles. We as a community, as Cuban Americans, have a responsibility to come here to support, to scream really loud against all the injustices they are doing to him, which is a shame, said Payares. Before Trumps arrival, a sizable crowd rallied around the restaurants doors chanting USA and Trump. They waved American flags, Trump for 2024 banners and one spoke through a megaphone. Cuban exiles gather at Versailles restaurant in Little Havana in support of former President Donald Trump, who showed up at the restaurant Tuesday, June 13, 2023, after he was arraigned in federal court in Miami. Alex Otaola, a candidate for Miami-Dade County mayor and ardent Trump supporter, was expected to interview Trump at the restaurant for his online show Hola Ota-Ola! But that interview did not take place. Whats happening here is a political prosecution of this candidate for presidency next year, Otaola said in Spanish during his Monday broadcast. He said the Democrats are trying to invalidate Trumps candidacy for president in 2024 because of his impeccable four years in office. Trumps Versailles visit came a day after he spoke about his charges and took jabs at President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during an interview with Miami-based Americano Medias studios and Radio Libre 790 AM, a Spanish-language conservative radio station. The Versailles crowd also denounced Biden, some in expletive-laced language. Why Versailles? Hispanic voters are vital in Florida elections. And Trump knows it. Former President Donald Trump steps out of the Versailles Bakery in Little Havana to greet supporters, mostly Cuban exiles, after his arraignment Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at the Miami federal courthouse. Otaola, the ostentatious social media influencer, has thousands of fans devoted to his spectacle of a show in which he often mocks not only the Cuban regime but Democrats, liberals, Black Lives Matter, trans people and Hispanic celebrities. He has been credited with driving young Cuban voters to the right. In 2020, Trump lost his reelection, but he led a political shift in Miami-Dade County that was largely driven by gains in majority Hispanic districts. He went from losing the county to Democrat Hillary Clinton by a staggering 29 percentage points in 2016 to losing it by seven percentage points to President Joe Biden in 2020. Miami-Dades political shift to the right Trumps swing was buoyed by Miami-Dades large population of Cuban Americans. The political dynamics in the county, which has long been considered a lock for Democrats, has continued to shift rightward. In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis won the majority-Hispanic county by 11 points. It marked the first time in two decades that a Republican governor had captured the county. In total, DeSantis won in 280 of the 283 precincts where the share of registered Hispanic voters was greater than 70%, according to a Herald analysis of the 2022 election results. And Versailles is where Miamis Cuban population gathers to have their voice heard whenever they are pleased, or angered, by decisions made by U.S. political leaders. People gather here to clang their pots and pans, wave flags, honk and shout in support of the people of Cuba. Or celebrate the long-awaited death of Fidel Castro. For Republican and Democrat politicians, it is often a pit stop during their Miami visits, a place to drink a cafecito at the ventanita, grab a photo op and rally support from Hispanic voters. In 2021, Florida Republicans flocked to the restaurant for a GOP town hall hosted by FOX News Sean Hannity. Medina, showing a text to a Herald reporter from Trump in which he referred to Medina as godfather, said Trumps adoring Calle Ocho coffee break recalled 2016, when the first-time presidential candidate stopped at Versailles to buy pastelitos for a plane trip and left an $83 tip. Who hasnt been caught in the belly of the beast at some point? said Medina, a political activist and president of the Miami-Brickell Chamber of Commerce. But Trump doesnt stop fighting. READ NEXT: Five times people gathered at Versailles to do more than sip cafecito Layne Pollard, of Gurnee, has a trifecta of milestones hitting around the same time. His doggy day care and grooming business, Central Bark, celebrated its 10-year anniversary this month, and hell be turning 60 on June 16, just two days before celebrating Fathers Day with his family stateside after having hiked Mount Kilimanjaros 19,341 feet in Tanzania. With his youngest daughter, Jorie Pollard, 26, by his side, Layne is adamant about not spending his 60th sitting around. So when Layne, an avid hiker, casually mentioned summiting the dormant volcano four years ago to Jorie, another hiking fan, she jumped at the opportunity. I want to turn 60, but feel younger, said the father of three. Im turning 60, but thats only a number. I know a lot of people say that, but I feel a lot younger than I have over the last number of years now. As it gets closer every day, I just get more and more excited and ready to hit the hiking trails for this big adventure. For the past six months, Layne and Jorie, who lives and works in Denver, have been training with Layne walking steeper inclines on treadmills four to five times a week, working on balance, core strength and upper body strength with a trainer, and with Jorie running once or twice a week and doing long and short hikes on weekends and after work. The hike is six continuous days, so if we do 8 miles one day, well probably be doing 7 the next, she said. So Ive been trying to mock what that will look like here, so doing 10 miles one day and then 6 the next and Ive just been doing that every weekend and then some extra cardio during the week. Jorie has lived in Alaska and Wyoming, and hiked the Teton Range in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming, as well as Glacier National Park in Montana with her dad. He said shes been his hiking buddy since she was 5. For a trip, to go do something, shes always ready to go. Shell find time, shell make a way, shes always been there, he said about Jorie. At a young age, we would take family vacations. We did Colorado Springs when she was about 5 years old, and just walked and walked all day. And then about seventh-eighth grade, we took the family out West and did a Colorado-Utah trip and she absolutely loved it. I think that really opened her eyes to all this. Layne instilled his love of the outdoors in Jorie, and Jorie said she and her dad are looking forward to taking her 3-year-old nephew on his first hiking adventure when he is old enough. But the Pollards come to it instinctually. Laynes father, Jerry Pollard of Northbrook, climbed to 14,700 feet when he hiked Mount Everest in Nepal in March 2016. For Layne, Mount Kilimanjaro will be the highest hes ever climbed and his most strenuous hike. Normally, his birthdays entail a big dinner with family. But this time around, his love of nature won out. Hes been a fan of nature for the majority of his life. It gets you out of your element. ... It just changes the mindset, resets you, he said. Weve gone on vacations in big cities and you come home and say, That was a fabulous vacation. But its not the same reset as you get when you spend a week in the mountains. Theres nothing like fresh air. Jorie can relate. She starting attending overnight camp at 8 years old and continued until her late teens. She said thats where she truly found her love of the outdoors. With her parents encouragement, her adventurous side has thrived. She bought her dad a shirt from Melanzana Outdoor Clothing to keep him warm on the mountain as a Fathers Day gift. When you start out, itll probably be in the 60s and 70s and as we go up, it gets colder, she said. My dad was checking the weather; its like 28 degrees at the peak, but it has the possibility to be as cold as 5 degrees, so we will most likely be wearing a winter jacket of sorts at the top, just in case it is that cold. Layne isnt afraid of the temperatures; he knows how to dress for the weather. After all, hes from Chicagoland. Layne said most of the hike will be done in 30- to 50-degree temperatures, except for the final day, at the top, where the high could be 21 degrees and the low 10 degrees. The temperature increases again as one goes down the mountain, ranging from 59 to 63 degrees. The pair land in Tanzania on Saturday and the hiking begins Sunday. He said over the first four days, he plans to go from 13,000 feet to about 16,000 feet. And on the fourth night on the mountain, he and his daughter start their ascent in the dark from 16,000 feet to over 19,000 feet. The goal is the summit, he said. If I have to push myself, I will push as long as altitude sickness is not involved. The tour guides are not going to let you push through that. Its too dangerous. But if its body aches, thats mind over matter. At that point, that wont stop me. God willing, well get to the top and well be home on Fathers Day. Layne posted about the trip on his companys website. What started as something the Pollards didnt think was that big of a deal is now something special because everybody else thinks it is. He said Central Barks clientele are excited for him, as are Jories colleagues and friends in Colorado. The father and daughter intend to share photos, journal and blog posts while trekking, depending on connectivity on the mountain. Jorie will share her images on her Instagram account and Layne will send pictures to his wife, so she can update the Facebook page for Central Bark. Layne said he will do his best to take it all in and revel in the time spent with his daughter on this milestone. Fathers Day is about either your kids being with you or you spending time with your own parents, he said. And well be home for Fathers Day to share this whole adventure with my dad. As for Laynes next steps after hitting age 60, hes already thinking of taking his hiking to elevations of 20,000 feet, possibly Chimborazo in Ecuador. Let me get through 19,000 feet and lets see what happens in a year or so, he said. My father at 84, was hiking the route to base camp on Everest, so we have big shoes to follow. If he did this at 84, I have no choice in my own mind that I have to do this at 60. Jorie said Layne will push her as much as hell push himself. Hes worked really hard and I have all the faith in the world that he will have no problem at all to get up the mountain, she said. ___ VERO BEACH One week after former Sebastian City Council member Damien Gillams began serving a 45-day sentence at the Indian River County Jail, a judge ordered his release. Gilliams, 62, was released Tuesday from jail at 1:33 p.m., records show, after Circuit Judge Robert Meadows during a hearing reinstated an appeals bond that had allowed Gilliams to remain free since being convicted of Sunshine law violations in May 2021. Gilliams had turned himself in to jail on June 5 and had an original release date of July 8, jail records show. Damien H. Gilliams His original $125,000 bail amount remains in effect, according to Gilliams' attorney, Jeffrey Garland. Meadows ruling in court comes five days after the Fourth District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach recalled a mandate issued June 2 that served to finalize its April order upholding the Sunshine violation convictions in Gilliams case, court records show. A three-judge panel with the Fourth District Court of Appeal concluded that an Indian River County jury properly convicted Gilliams of three Sunshine Law violations and found former Sebastian City Council member Pam Parris, 63, guilty of one Sunshine Law violation. In separate opinions, the appeals panel also threw out one perjury conviction against both Gilliams and Parris. Parris remains convicted of one count of perjury. She is expected to remain free on an appeals bond granted in 2021 after the Fourth District Court of Appeal on Thursday agreed to hold off issuing a mandate in her case while she appeals her convictions to the Florida Supreme Court. Meadows on June 2 ordered Gilliams bond be revoked at the request of state prosecutors after the appeals court mandate was issued, court records show. The same day Gilliams was booked into jail, Garland filed papers seeking to have the mandate recalled as part of a bid to reinstate his bond while a new appeal is filed to the Florida Supreme Court. That brief was filed Monday, Garland said. It could be months before the Florida Supreme Court determines whether to hear the appeal. Sunshine law convictions Gilliams and Parris were prosecuted for violating the state Sunshine Law and perjury. The charges stem from their actions on April 22, 2020, when they and Vice Mayor Charles Mauti arrived at City Hall for a meeting that had been canceled late in the day by City Manager Paul Carlisle. The three held their own meeting and made decisions, including appointing Gilliams mayor. Booked into jail: Former Sebastian City Council member Damien Gilliams begins serving 45-day jail term Convictions upheld: Appeals court affirms Sunshine Law convictions for former Sebastian City Council members All three were removed from office in September 2020 by a recall election. A jury convicted Gilliams of three counts of Sunshine Law violations and one count of perjury. Parris was found guilty of one count of violating the state Sunshine Law and two counts of perjury. She was acquitted of one count of perjury. On Gilliams three Sunshine Law violations, the jury found he knew the City Council did not provide reasonable notice of the meeting and that he knowingly attended a meeting that was not open to the public at all times. His perjury conviction, which is now vacated, was for lying to investigators. Parris conviction for violating the open-meetings law was on the same grounds; her two perjury convictions also related to statements she made to investigators. Opinion: What we can learn from Fort Pierce's efforts to get a Brightline stop The lowdown: Why's Sebastian River High removing 20,000 volumes from library? Her attorney, Phil Reizenstein, of Miami, in court papers has argued that even if the Florida Supreme Court declines to hear her case, shes entitled to a review of her sentence after one of two perjury convictions was vacated by the Fourth District Court of Appeal. If the Florida Supreme Court denies jurisdiction, Parriss appeal will be final, and she will seek a review and resentencing based on her worsening physical condition and the vacating of one of three convictions, Reizenstein argued in his filing. Parris will argue that she should not be incarcerated at all. Former Sebastian City Council members Damien Gilliams and Pamela Parris appeared in Circuit Court on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, for a sentencing hearing before Circuit Court Judge Michael Linn after being convicted of violating the state Sunshine Law and perjury. Gilliams was sentenced to more than 300 days in jail and fined $2,500 and Parris was sentenced to 210 days in jail and fined $2,500, however she is expected to serve three months after Linn order their sentences to be served at the same time. In a footnote, Reizenstein said Parris medical conditions, which include scoliosis and degenerative spinal disease, were raised during her sentencing hearing and are now worse. Last week, Reizenstein said Parris appeal brief must be filed to the Florida Supreme Court by Thursday. Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of Uncertain Terms, a true crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Ex-Sebastian City Council member Damien Gilliams released from jail Daniel Penny, the veteran charged with manslaughter in the death of a New York City subway rider, disputed an eyewitness account that he held Jordan Neely in a chokehold, and he defended himself in video statements recorded and released by his attorneys. Penny, 24, a Marine veteran, defended his actions in the four clips shared Sunday. The May 1 interaction was partly captured on cellphone video, and Penny was seen on the ground holding Neely, 30, in a chokehold on a northbound F Train in New York City. Neely, who was homeless, was a known subway busker who often performed as Michael Jackson. Neely was unconscious when officers arrived at the Broadway and East Houston Street subway station, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital, New York police said. The city's medical examiner said he died from compression of neck (chokehold) and declared the manner as a homicide. In his statements Sunday, Penny reiterated that he did not intend to choke Neely and that he was trying to restrain him. He also disputed the account of Juan Alberto Vazquez, who recorded the video and has said Penny held Neely in a chokehold position for about 15 minutes. Jordan Neely dressed as Michael Jackson in New York (Andrew Savulich / New York Daily News/TNS via Getty Images file) "Some people say that I was holding onto Mr. Neely for 15 minutes. This is not true," Penny said. "Between stops, it was only a couple of minutes, so the whole interaction, less than five minutes." Vazquez's video does not show what happened before Neely was restrained. Vazquez told NBC New York that Neely entered the train and began to give a "somewhat aggressive speech." Neely told passengers that "he was hungry, he was thirsty, that he didnt care about anything, he didnt care about going to jail, he didnt care that he gets a big life sentence, Vasquez said. Penny accused Neely of uttering violent threats. He said he was fearful of Neely and "couldn't sit still" as he saw women and children being threatened. "I was listening to music at the time, and he was yelling, so I took my headphones out to hear what he was yelling," Penny said in his video statement. "And the three main threats that he repeated over and over was 'I'm going to kill you,' 'I'm prepared to go to jail for life,' and 'I'm willing to die.'" In the video statements, Penny also defended how he restrained Neely. He said that he adjusted his grip on Neely based on the force that hes exerting and that Neely was breathing in the video. I was praying that the police would come and take this situation over, he said. I didnt want to be put in that situation, but I couldnt just sit still and let him carry out these threats. A lawyer for Neely's family did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neely's family has rejected accusations that he threatened physical violence. "It is a character assassination and a clear example of why he believed he was entitled to take Jordan's life," the attorneys, Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards, said in a statement last month. Penny also said the accusations that he, a white man, was motivated by race to harm Neely were ridiculous. He denied accusations that his decision to restrain Neely, a Black man, was racially motivated when he told the New York Post that he was "not a white supremacist." "I didnt see a Black man threatening passengers. I saw a man threatening passengers," Penny said Sunday. Mills said at the time in a statement about Pennys New York Post interview: "This is an advertisement to soften the publics view of Daniel Penny who choked Jordan Neely to death. We never called him a white supremacist, we called him a killer. Penny was arrested last month and charged with second-degree manslaughter. Neely's family has said they believe the charge is too lenient and "should be for murder." Neely's family has said he began struggling with mental illness at age 14 after the murder of his mother. Christine Neely was killed in 2007, stuffed inside a suitcase and left on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York, NJ.com reported. Neely testified at the trial of his mother's boyfriend, Shawn Southerland, that he tried to say goodbye to his mother before school April 4, 2007. But Southerland refused to let him enter the bedroom, packed up and left, he said, according to NJ.com. Southerland was sentenced to 30 years in prison. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Marine veteran Daniel Penny on Sunday argued against key claims made against him in the killing last month of Jordan Neely on a subway in New York City, disputing a witnesss claim that he held Neely down for 15 minutes and denying that he put a chokehold on him. Penny, 24, has made several public remarks about his fatal interaction with 30-year-old Neely, a street performer who had mental health issues including in an interview with the New York Post and a public statement on video that was released through his attorneys on Sunday apparently attempting to paint himself as a good Samaritan seeking to protect people on the train against a confrontational man, including Neely himself. Penny was captured on a bystander video putting Neely in a chokehold on a New York City subway train on May 1. Journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, who recorded part of the encounter, estimated that Penny held Neely in a chokehold for 15 minutes. In an interview with the court reporting news site Law & Crime, Penny denied that claim and instead offered his own estimation that he restrained Neely for less than five minutes. Penny also denied that he had Neely in a chokehold, despite video of Neelys death. Two days after the fatal encounter, the New York City medical examiners office announced that Neely had died from compression to his neck as a result of the chokehold and ruled his death a homicide. Neelys killing led to protests calling for Pennys arrest and heightened discourse about race, homelessness and mental health. Penny was charged with manslaughter in the second degree 10 days after Neelys death, following days of protest and outcry. In his Sunday remarks, Penny argued that Neely appeared to be on drugs, that Neely was threatening others on the train and that he held Neely in a chokehold for roughly only five minutes. Penny also insisted that he didnt mean to choke Neely to death but instead meant to restrain him until police arrived. I acted in a way that protect the other passengers, protect myself and protect Mr. Neely, Penny said. I was trying to keep him on the ground until the police came. I was praying that the police would come and take this situation over, Penny said. Neely, a Black man, was known for his Michael Jackson impersonation. Penny, who is white and who continually labeled Neely a threat, has been accused of acting with anti-Black bias. I didnt see a Black man threatening passengers. I saw a man threatening passengers. A lot of whom were people of color, Penny said Sunday, echoing statements he made in May. Still, Pennys characterization of Neely echoes comments that anonymous police sources have made to news organizations in the days after the killing, which attempt to demonize Neely while hailing Penny as a hero. As HuffPosts Matt Schuman pointed out, journalists later uncovered details of the killing that appear to contradict claims from unnamed sources that Neely was threatening. [Penny] cannot rewrite how the story ends, Lennon Edwards, one of Neelys family attorneys, said in May. The story ends with his arms wrapped around Jordans neck, choking him to death, and thats what he has to pay for. Attorneys for Neelys family did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. Related... Death toll from Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih rises to six As of 09:00 on 13 June, reports indicate that there are 4 dead and 25 wounded from the overnight attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of Kryvyi Rih Defence Council; Office of the Prosecutor General; Serhiy Lusak, Head of Dnipro Oblast Military Administration Quote from Vilkul: "Unfortunately, there are 6 people dead now. The search and rescue operation is ongoing." Details: The Office of the Prosecutor General reported that four people had been killed according to preliminary information received, and 25 more had sustained multiple injuries as a result of the attack. Apartment buildings and private houses, a private company, a car company and cars suffered significant damage. During the inspection of the scene, fragments of missiles, the type of which is being established, were found. Search and rescue operations continue. The exact number of fatalities and casualties is being established. Under the procedural leadership of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was launched in criminal proceedings over violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih on the night of 12-13 June 2023. Earlier, three deaths were reported, but there are still people under the rubble. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Death toll in Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih rises to 10 The death toll from the night attack on Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, has risen to 10, and another 28 people were injured; 14th June has been declared a day of mourning in the city. Source: Oleksandr Vilkul, Chairman of the Kryvyi Rih Defence Council, on Telegram Quote: "As of 13:00 [Kyiv time], 10 people were killed, 1 is under the rubble, 28 were injured, 12 of them in hospitals in the city in moderate, serious or severe condition. The rescue operation continues." Details: 14 June was declared a day of mourning in Kryvyi Rih. Background: On the night of 13 June, the Russian Armed Forces launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, hitting a five-storey building. Earlier, 6 people were reported dead and 25 wounded as a result of the missile attack. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Defence Forces continue counteroffensive in at least three frontline areas ISW Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that on 12 June, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three areas of the frontline. Source: ISW Details: The report states that the Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three areas of the frontline and gained territorial successes on 12 June. The analysts point out that on 12 June, Russian troops reportedly launched a counteroffensive in western Donetsk Oblast following tactical successes achieved by Ukrainian forces on 11 June in the Vremivka salient. At the time of publication, the review said, Russian forces had not made any confirmed territorial gains in this counterattack, although some Russian sources reported that Russian forces had retaken Makarivka (5 km south of Velyka Novosilka). However, Hanna Maliar, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister, said that as of 12 June, Ukrainian forces were still in control of Makarivka. Pro-Russian militant Igor Girkin stated that if these Russian reports are true, they confirm the "success of Russian flexible defence tactics" in the area, and that the Russian military command is more concerned with depleting the Ukrainian forces than with the retaking of territory. Girkin claims that the typical defence of Russian troops is to retreat to the rear areas to remove Ukrainian infantry from the cover of air defence and electronic warfare. He also alleges that Russian invaders then attack the area with the support of tanks and air defence to prevent Ukrainian forces from moving air defence systems to the liberated areas. The report cited Russian sources as saying that bad weather conditions had forced Russian planes to land, making it difficult to defend against Ukrainian attacks near the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The same sources said that Ukrainian forces managed to gain tactical advantages on 11 June due to heavy rain and fog, but that Russian aircraft resumed airstrikes on the defence forces on 12 June after the rain stopped. Girkin said that weather would play an important role in determining the outcome of operations in the sector in the coming days. To quote ISW's key takeaways on 12 June: Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three sectors of the front on June 12. Russian forces reportedly launched a counterattack on June 12 following Ukrainian tactical gains near the Vremivka salient in western Donetsk Oblast on June 11. Russian milbloggers claimed that poor weather conditions grounded Russian aircraft, impeding Russian defences against Ukrainian attacks near the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts. Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin announced on June 11 that he had received an order from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to subordinate his forces under the Russian military command. The Russian MoD formalisation efforts are likely intended to centralise control of Russian irregular personnel and supplies to respond to Ukraines counteroffensive, as well as restrict Prigozhin's independence. Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov continues efforts to rhetorically align himself with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and further distancing himself from Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks south of Kreminna. Ukrainian and Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks around Bakhmut. Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line. Ukrainian forces conducted ground attacks near the administrative border of Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts and made gains as of June 12. Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces conducted limited counteroffensive operations southwest of Orikhiv. Social media video footage circulated on June 12 reportedly shows Russian barrier troops shooting Russian forces that abandoned their positions somewhere in Ukraine. Russia continues to strengthen the legal regime in occupied areas of Ukraine under martial law. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Defense attorneys weigh in on pros and cons to representing former President Donald Trump Former President Donald Trumps legal team has seen some shake-ups since his indictment on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents. Trumps federal case stands to go down in history as one of the most high-profile criminal cases of all time. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Its why Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson said he would expect criminal defense attorneys to be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to represent the former President. You get national recognition, right? And for many attorneys who handle extremely large and important cases, thats critical to their survival. They want to be noted as the best, said Carson. But two of Trumps attorneys jumped ship since the federal indictment was made public and the former President is reportedly struggling to find new representation here in the Sunshine State. Donald Trump would be a challenge, said Mitchell Stone, a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney and past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Stone suggested Trumps personality is likely a contributing factor leading some attorneys to pass on the case. If he has his own agenda using social media, making public statements, and rallying the troops if you will and it goes against the grain of what the defense wants to do, then youre not going to have that kind of unity that you need from the defense, said Stone. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Stone also added details of the indictment, including the allegation Trump deceived his own lawyers by ordering boxes containing classified documents be moved without their knowledge, which could also create some hesitation for those considering representing him. What you dont want to do is get into a situation where youre trusting, believing something and present that and then it turns out to be entirely false, said Stone. Stone noted preconceived opinions about the former President may also make it difficult for some attorneys to agree to take the case. As far as a potential public backlash, Stone said thats a risk defense attorneys take in virtually every case, but in this case, that risk is essentially on steroids. [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. Dehorning rhinos to prevent poaching has made them more anti-social, research shows. | Fabio Lotti, Aobe.com Although given protected status, the black rhino continues to suffer at the hands of poachers who are looking to make a profit off the beasts horn. The black rhino is the smaller of the two rhino species in Africa, falling behind the white rhino. Both species have had devastating population loss. The International Rhino Foundation reported the white rhino at a population of less than 16,000 and the black rhino with a little more than 6,000 in total. Since the 20th century, conservationists have been sawing down rhino horns to deter poachers from killing the animals to make a profit on the black market, their horns the prize. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers looked into whether or not rhino ranging patterns and social interaction changed following their safe horn removal. Rhino horns are made of keratin, which is the same protein that make up our hair and nails, so they do grow back over time. The horn removal costs hundreds of dollars per animal and because they grow back, conservationists have to repeat the process every 18-24 months. Vanessa Duthe, lead study author, found that removing the horn from the animal did in fact cause a change in them socially. Its definitely disrupting their social networks. ... Its sort of like if you put a muzzle on a dog, Duthe said. Theyre not so sure of themselves anymore. Theyve lost their main defense and their confidence, per The New York Times. Related Researchers do not have enough evidence to conclude whether or not this vulnerability that dehorned rhinos are experiencing is going to have a positive or negative effect on them. When they observed 368 rhinos over time, Duthe and her colleagues concluded that the territory for dehorned rhinos shrank on average 45% or about 4.5 miles. Male rhinos lost around 38% of their territory whereas females had a more dramatic impact, with 53% of their territory lost, according to Science. Like clipping your fingernails, specialists say the horn removal procedure is painless for the animal. The rhino is tranquilized, blindfolded and earplugs are used to muffle the sound of the chainsaw to reduce the stress the rhino may be experiencing. However, there is still no clear conclusion that dehorning is effective in decreasing poaching. Michael t Sas-Rolfes, a conservation economist at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, who was not involved in the study, told The New York Times that dehorning is a somewhat desperate measure. He added, Its all very well to be in favor of ideal solutions, but we must be pragmatic in the short run to ensure that rhinos survive the ongoing poaching onslaught. The fact that dehorning is so widely employed now is indicative of how serious the poaching problem remains. Just hours before former President Trumps arraignment, the head of the House Democratic Caucus expressed disbelief that Republicans on Capitol Hill would continue to support the front-runner for their partys 2024 presidential nomination, even as the formal allegations against him pile up. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) noted that more than 50 GOP lawmakers have already endorsed Trumps presidential bid in 2024, calling it a troubling development, particularly in light of Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The allegations are incredibly troubling. And the fact that House Republicans continue to try to come to his rescue just blows our mind, quite honestly, Aguilar said during a press briefing in the Capitol. And it stems from the fact that this is the leader of their party. They lock, stock and barrel will follow what the former president says. Aguilar singled out one Republican lawmaker by name: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), who had tweeted a cryptic message last week urging people to buckle up. This is a perimeter probe from the oppressors. Hold. rPOTUS has this, Higgins tweeted. Buckle up. 1/50K know your bridges. Rock steady calm. That is all. Aguilar said Higgins basically tells folks to stand back and stand by a reference to Trumps message to the Proud Boys, a far-right militia group, heading into the 2020 election. For those of us who were in the chamber on Jan. 6, we view this from a very dangerous perspective, Aguilar said. But there is a rule of law. The former president will be held to that standard there is a process for this, he continued. He will be treated like any other defendant and given his opportunity to make his case in court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lashrecse Aird is aiming to unseat Virginia state Sen. Joe Morrissey. Lashrecse Aird is aiming to unseat Virginia state Sen. Joe Morrissey. When Lashrecse Aird started knocking on doors to run for the Virginia state Senate, most voters she spoke with had no idea her opponent, incumbent Joe Morrissey, was an anti-abortion Democrat. Now, over a year later and days away from the primary election, Aird says she believes many people in Virginias 13th Senate District are deeply concerned about Morrisseys views on abortion, especially in light of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkins drive to restrict access in the state. The primary election, set for June 20, will have an outsize impact on the fate of abortion rights not only in Virginia but across the Southeast. Youngkin has continued to advocate for a 15-week abortion ban, saying in the past that he will happily and gleefully sign any anti-choice bill that passes the legislature. Earlier this year, Virginia Democrats won a critical state Senate seat in a special election, giving Democrats the numbers to successfully defeat Youngkins proposed 15-week ban last session. But the Democrats majority in the state Senate is slim, 22-18, meaning every pro-choice vote counts and any anti-abortion lawmaker is a threat.Morrissey has said he would support a 15-week abortion ban (although he has since walked back those statements) and has a history of breaking with his party on abortion legislation. That means Morrissey, a self-described pro-life Democrat, could make Youngkins promise a reality. In the past, he proudly boasted about his position, and now hes running scared from it, Aird said of Morrissey. He has never been held accountable for his position on abortion, and he would love for nothing more than to change the subject. In 2020, Morrissey voted against legislation that would remove targeted restrictions on abortion providers, and last year he co-sponsored a 20-week abortion ban with state Sen. Amanda Chase (R), well known by her nickname Trump in heels. Earlier this year, when Morrissey would have been the deciding vote on a bid to codify reproductive rights into the state constitution, he abstained from voting. Virginia currently allows abortion through the second trimester and into the third if the pregnant persons life is at risk. Whoever wins the Virginia Senate seat will face off with Republican challenger Eric Ditri in the general election in November. The majority-minority district, which includes both rural and urban areas, is likely to go blue, making the primary race the main event. The closely watched Democratic race has shaken up the party in Virginia. While Morrissey still has some party backers, the six Democratic women serving in the state Senate endorsed Aird in a statement sharply criticizing their colleague Morrissey. Aird has also secured endorsements from Democrats in the Senate and the House of Delegates. Its unusual for lawmakers not to support the incumbent in their party. At a time when womens reproductive healthcare and access to abortion is under attack throughout the country and in the Commonwealth, Virginias Democrats have affirmed repeatedly that they are unwavering in their commitment to protect the lives of women, the Democratic senators wrote in their endorsement statement. However, one member of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus has leveraged his votes on this issue as a cudgel against fellow caucus members. Morrissey has a long history of being on the wrong side of the values that matter to Virginia Democratic voters, the statement added. His public behavior has, for years, drawn attention to himself rather than the needs of his constituents. Morrissey initially responded to his Democratic colleagues endorsement of Aird by saying that they were making abortion the only issue in the primary race when there are several. In a statement to HuffPost, Morrissey said that he believes the decision to have an abortion is between a woman and her doctor and that legislators should never tell men or women what they can or cannot do with their bodies. He added that if an abortion ban were to go into effect in the state, there should be exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the pregnant person. Im disappointed that my opponent continually mistakes my position but I have no control over that, he said, although he went on to say that he does believe abortion should be restricted when he believes a fetus feels pain, around the 22- to 24-week range. This is a decision that lives in this district, but affects the rest of Virginia and other states who are depending on this [abortion] access here in Virginia.Lashrecse Aird, candidate for Virginia's 13th Senate District To him it may sound like one issue, but to the voters that Im talking to its intrinsically linked to everything else, Aird said. When an individual is posed with the decision of when or when not to start a family, they are thinking about their finances, they are thinking about the school systems that surround them, they are thinking about whether they live in a safe community. This is not just one more issue, this is the issue, she added. Morrisseys views on abortion arent the only thing that has pushed many of his fellow Democrats to endorse Aird. The 65-year-old is a twice-disbarred defense attorney who resigned from the House of Delegates in 2014 after he was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor following a sexual relationship with his 17-year-old law firm receptionist. Morrissey married the woman a few years later and has four children with her, but the two are currently embroiled in a very public divorce. The state senators history demonstrates what an embarrassment hes been to the caucus, said Jamie Lockhart, the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. Planned Parenthood rarely gets involved in primaries, but the organization has endorsed Aird in this race the only 2023 primary endorsement from the group. EMILYs List and NARAL Pro-Choice America have also endorsed Aird. What happens in Virginia will be felt across the Southeast since the state has quickly become an improbable safe haven for abortion care in the region. Last month, North Carolina enacted a 12-week ban, and Florida and South Carolina are awaiting court decisions that could allow six-week bans to take effect. I am focused on the voters of this district, but it is not lost on me that we cannot get this wrong, Aird said. This is a decision that lives in this district, but affects the rest of Virginia and other states who are depending on this [abortion] access here in Virginia. Aird has made abortion rights the main pillar of her campaign, launching a Roe Not Joe tour last month in which she traveled around the 13th District hosting rallies and roundtable discussions on the importance of reproductive freedom. During one event, a Virginia mother spoke about her own abortion experience at 21 weeks after she and her husband found out her pregnancy was not viable. Under Morrisseys proposed 20-week abortion ban, she would not have been able to access the critical care she needed. The laws that are being proposed now laws that Joe Morrissey supports would not have allowed me to make the decision I did, she said. I would have been forced to carry a dying baby possibly to full term and given birth. No matter what exceptions they might include in these proposals, there is no way to cover every unique scenario that a pregnant woman might face. Airds focus on reproductive rights has apparently forced Morrissey to walk back his prior anti-choice statements. In addition to his comments to HuffPost, Morrissey told The Associated Press that he likely wouldnt support Youngkins 15-week ban because he hasnt seen any evidence to suggest that is the point at which a fetus can feel pain. Hes tried to move away from his voting record, Planned Parenthoods Lockhart said. While hes consistently sided with anti-abortion Republicans as a state senator, he has now been distorting his own record after recognizing how out of touch his views are with voters. As election day nears, Aird reminisced about the passionate conversations shes had with voters in the year and a half shes been campaigning. One interaction really stayed with her. I remember knocking on a door and speaking with a voter who looked me in the eyes and felt deep concern about the future of accessing abortion here in Virginia. Her eyes were almost watery because of the fear over what could happen, Aird said. I looked at her and said, When we win this election, this Democratic primary, not only will we be protecting those rights here in Virginia, for those in this district, but we will make sure that others who need to come to Virginia will continue to have that access, she said. This fear that she was feeling wont exist when we win. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misstated that a bill codifying reproductive rights failed to pass the Virginia state Senate. Senior Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are raising concerns about what role Trump-appointed federal judge Aileen Cannon will have in handling the case the Department of Justice is bringing against former President Trump. Cannon, a member of the conservative Federalist Society who was confirmed to sit on the district court for the Southern District of Florida shortly after the 2020 election, made headlines last year when she ruled that an independent arbiter must review the 13,000 government records seized from Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in August. Her decision was later struck down by a three-judge panel made up from members of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump was indicted last week on 37 federal counts that accused him of violating the Espionage Act and conspiring to obstruct justice. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Cannons record overseeing the federal investigation of Trumps handling of top-secret documents raises serious questions about her neutrality. I am concerned. She was a Trump appointee, she was overruled by the appellate court in one of her earlier rulings, shes back in charge of this case again. This is an historic case, Durbin told reporters. I still hope that she really does her very best to be neutral and a good judge, he said. Durbin stopped short of calling on Cannon to recuse herself but warned she could impact Trumps case in the Southern District of Florida in various ways. Thats really up to her, he said when asked about her recusal. He said she will have significant influence over the timing of the case and motions related to discovery and how you build your case. We have investigations underway in Chicago that have gone on for months and years. So timing is one of the most important things, he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), another Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said Cannons record is a cause for real concern. She has to overcome the presumption arising from her past rulings that she somehow favors the president who appointed her, former President Donald Trump, he said. Theres a lot here for ordinary Americans, not to mention cynics, to doubt in the record of this judge, but she can overcome it by being fair, impartial and straightforward, which I hope she will be. Blumenthal went further than Durbin, calling on Cannon to recuse herself. In the total scheme of things, Id advise her to recuse, because I think that she starts behind in light of her previous rulings, which have been rejected soundly by the court of appeals, he added. Cannon wont preside over the preliminary hearing in Miami on Tuesday afternoon, where Trump will be arraigned. Magistrate judge Jonathan Goodman will handle some procedural matters while Cannon, who was selected at random, will preside over the trial. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. While all eyes were on Trump in Miami, heres what Florida Gov. DeSantis was doing As the nations eyes focused on Florida for former President Donald Trumps arraignment Tuesday in Miami federal court, the states governor kept a low profile. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a presidential candidate and rival to Trump for the GOP nomination, appeared to take a pause from a busy campaigning schedule for the day. He held no news conferences. He made a judicial appointment, which his office announced with a short news release before noon. Early in the day, his campaign Twitter account posted a video of his wife and son at a rodeo, as well as posts sharing some policy platforms and touting an endorsement. As Trumps appearance drew closer, DeSantis campaign account shared an article about DeSantis plan to reconfigure the Department of Justice if he were president, and posted multiple tweets highlighting some of the proposals, like moving the FBI headquarters out of Washington, D.C. The tweets made no direct mention of the indictment. The Twitter account @DeSantisWarRoom, which does rapid response for the DeSantis campaign, shared the same article, which says that DeSantis has been discussing how to break up the Department of Justice and the FBI. DeSantis last week criticized the weaponization of federal law enforcement and political bias following the news that Trump had been indicted on charges related to mishandling classified documents. As governor, DeSantis has used law enforcement, his own executive power and the courts to pursue his own agenda. The last time Trump was arraigned, DeSantis also kept a low profile, attending a closed-press pet adoption event with his wife and children. The GOP primary pool has been split on how to respond to Trumps indictment. Some, like Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have criticized the Department of Justice for perceived biased prosecution. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson called for Trump to end his campaign, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called Trumps legal problems self-inflicted wounds. Trump, the front-runner in the race, has denounced the 37 counts levied against him as baseless. Trump has also criticized the Department of Justice as being biased against him. Lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday argued that because his administration was busy dealing with Hurricane Ian last year, it didnt violate the states public records law when it failed to turn over documents related to its plan to fly migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in September. Nathan Forrester, Floridas senior deputy solicitor general who is representing the governor, urged a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal to reverse a lower courts decision that concluded the state had violated that law and ordered the state to turn over records, emails, phone logs and contracts related to the flights that garnered national attention. The governors office received three, sizable, multifaceted records requests two days before Hurricane Ian made landfall, Forrester argued. At the time, EOG [executive office of the governor] was already handling more than 150 pending records requests, and that number would balloon to more than 260 in the next couple of weeks. The non-profit Florida Center for Government Accountability sued the state last year after a month of delays and receiving only partial documents about the flights, alleging that the administration had violated the public records act. Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh ruled that the administration improperly delayed release of some documents and ordered the governors office to turn them over. Marsh also concluded that the governors office redacted some documents without providing proper exemptions and ordered the details released. But Andrea Flynn Mogensen, a lawyer for the watchdog center, countered that the governors office has provided no evidence that the hurricane interfered with the centers month-long effort to obtain the documents last fall. Instead, she said, the governors office wrote in an email that because of a backlog of pending record requests, it would be reasonable for EOG to take several months to fulfill [the centers] request but would endeavor to complete production by December 1, 2022. Where is the evidence? When you dont bring evidence to the hearing, you cant rely on those arguments in the trial court or on appeal, Mogensen told the court. She argued that the state has a constitutional responsibility to produce documents sought by Florida citizens and the governors offices backlog of 150 public records requests is no excuse for delaying the release of documents. If you accept what they say that theyve had that kind of a backlog for over two years and had failed to address it, that doesnt mean that the publics right to access goes away, Mogensen said. It means that they lose in litigation like this. The case is the latest development in the nine-month-old saga over the DeSantis administrations decision to use Florida taxpayer funds to transport 49 migrants from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard last year. The governors inner circle orchestrated the flights, with DeSantis public safety czar, Larry Keefe, relying on a Gmail account with the name Clarice Starling (after the Jodie Foster character in the movie Silence of the Lambs) to secretly communicate with the handpicked vendor, Vertol Systems Company of Destin. Vertol and its chief executive, James Montgomerie, had been Keefes legal client in private practice. After a month of delays and receiving only partial documents, the center filed a lawsuit alleging that the administration had violated the public records act when it did not turn over requested records. Some documents but not all Only after Marshs ruling did the governors office turn over the documents revealing Keefes secret email account and text messages relating to the recruitment of asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela. Because Florida law required that state money could be used only to transport migrants out of Florida, the governors office had to fly the migrants from San Antonio into Florida in order to pay to have them sent to Marthas Vineyard. The center said that the simple requests were produced but alleges that some significant documents have still not been released, including the emails and text messages used by the governors chief of staff, James Uthmeier, who used an encrypted email application held on servers in Switzerland. The records to this day have not been produced, as ordered by the court, because the agency disputes that the phone logs are public records, Mogensen told the court. So had the center not filed within 30 days, there would be no opportunity for any judicial resolution of that issue. The three judges on the panel asked several questions. Judge Thomas D. Winokur noted that the court allowed the center to jump its place in line ahead of other pending records requests and asked what the rule going forward should be. Judge Brad Thomas, a former public safety policy coordinator for Gov. Jeb Bush, chastised Marsh for making no mention of Hurricane Ian. The court order did not even mention Hurricane Ian, did not mention the other public records requests, Thomas said. The circuit court order basically just said that you had to fulfill these demands quite promptly. Mogensen countered, however, that the way the Legislature has written the law creates a chicken-and-egg dilemma for the public. If the public does not file a complaint within 30 days of failing to receive its public records request, it loses the opportunity to complain. But, Forrester argued, by requiring the governors office to turn over documents promptly, the court violated the separation of powers by ordering the executive branch to change how much it spends on producing public records. The court is effectively forcing a a reallocation of resources on the part of the governors office at the expense of other constitutional and statutory duties that the governor also bears, he said. Mogensen countered that the constitutional responsibility to provide the public access to government documents is a responsibility of the highest order. The law does not allow agencies to argue that it cant produce records promptly because we havent staffed properly, because we havent budgeted properly, she said. Thomas agreed that producing records is a constitutional duty of the highest order and asked Forrester how long can an agency delay a request?, and if the governors office had an obligation to request additional appropriations to produce records without a significant delay? Forrester responded that agencies dont have infinite time and resources to respond to public records requests but the court cant tell the governor how to spend money. We are entering into potentially perilous separation of power territory, he said. Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas When officers found bones at the bottom of an uptown Charlotte hotel elevator in 1988, all they knew was the man had been there for God knows how long and probably had a limp. Now, DNA testing has enabled officers to positively identify the man. Police used forensic genealogy to identify three victims remains found in the last 35 years, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced Tuesday. Officers identified human remains found in Steele Creek near the present-day Charlotte Premium Outlets in 2008. Authorities also identified remains found off Interstate 85 in 2021, police said in a news release. CMPDs Cold Case Unit is still working to identify at least 8 remains, whose discoveries date back to 1975. Solved: WWII veteran cold case The remains found at the bottom of an uptown Charlotte elevator shaft belong to a World War II Veteran from Mooresville, police said. A construction worker found the bones of veteran Oliver Doc O.D. Mundy in what is now the Dunhill Hotel in February 1988, according to police and Observer archives. The Mooresville man, born in 1923, was known to live on Charlottes streets, according to police. On February 9, 1988, human remains were found in an elevator shaft at 237 N. Tryon St., according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. The building, which had recently been sold to Dunhill Developers, had sat vacant for seven years and was a favorite shelter for people experiencing homelessness, according to a 1988 Observer article. At the time, investigators spent two hours digging through rubble before carrying Mundys bones and intact skull away in a cardboard box. Mundys body will be returned to his family for final arrangements, according to a CMPD news release. Missing, then murdered: remains found Police for 15 years were searching for answers in the suspected cold case murder of a man whose remains were found in the woods in southwest Charlotte in 2008. They still are. Jose Elder Espinoza, born in 1978, had gone missing at age 25 in 2003, according to his family. A person found his skull on a construction site in the middle of the day and called police, who found other bones nearby, according to a 2008 Observer article. Police said he was killed, and his murder is still under investigation. Anyone with information can call 704-432-TIPS to speak with a detective in CMPDs Cold Case Unit. SC man found dead in Charlotte About two years ago, police found a mans remains near a small road running parallel to I-85 in northeast Charlotte. Officers recently identified the victim as Cody Ray Herrell, who was born in 1985. There were no signs of trauma, police said, but its unclear when he died. He was originally from South Carolina but was known to live on the streets of Charlotte, police said. As the developer lawsuit against 93-year-old native islander and landowner Josephine Wright continues, influential South Carolinians are rallying to her familys aid. Wrights story drew considerable community and social media outcry last month, when she and her family first shared that they were being sued by developer Bailey Point Investment LLC, because of three alleged encroachments onto land the company is using to build a 147-unit neighborhood on Jonesville Road. The company and the legal representatives listed in Beaufort County court records have not responded to The Island Packets requests for comment on the suit since May 16. Former state Rep. Bakari Sellers was among the most high-profile figures to state their support for Wright. On May 26, Sellers sent a letter to Bailey Point management, which has since been provided to The Island Packet. To preserve the principle of property ownership and safeguard the rights of Ms. Josephine Wright to exclude others from her property, we request your consideration to relocate to a different region within Hilton Head Island to fulfill your business objectives effectively without encroaching upon Ms. Wrights enjoyment of her private property, the letter reads. Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when he became a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. This made him the youngest African American elected to office at the time. He was named to TIMEs 40 Under 40 list in 2010, and The Roots 100 Most Influential African Americans list in 2014 and 2015. Sellers requested a meeting with the company to discuss the situation, but received no response. Sellers said he is planning to visit Hilton Head soon to meet with Wright in person. The family shared concerns that the lawsuit was meant to financially pressure them and force them into selling the land, which is surrounded on all sides by parcels Bailey Point purchased for development. Their answer to the original lawsuit also claims the company has used intimidation tactics to make Wrights life uncomfortable, including workers coming onto her property to litter and cut the familys shrubs and tree branches, causing dirt and debris to cover her automobile, house and contents. After Wrights story went public, thousands online voiced their support for the Gullah family. Family members flew to South Carolina on short notice, asking Hilton Heads leaders to help their grandmother retain the 1.8-acre parcel shes owned for 30 years, and that has been in the family for close to 150. Since the suit was originally filed, two of the three encroachments the company claimed have been resolved, including a shed that cost about $1,900 to remove. The family has since created a GoFundMe page to assist with that cost and ongoing legal fees, which has raised over $17,000. Wright maintains the final alleged encroachment, her homes back porch, sits well within her property lines. The family commissioned an independent survey, Wright said, which found the porch does not cross onto Bailey Points parcels. The lawsuit is still in discovery, according to Bluffton-based attorney Roberts Vaux, who is representing the Wright family. What Dick and Angel Strawbridge have said about Escape to the Chateau controversy Dick and Angel Strawbridge of Escape to the Chateau fame have promised to set the record straight after being let go by Channel 4. The married couple appeared on the popular home renovations programme for nine series, starting in 2016 and ending in December 2022. It followed their renovation of a 19th-century chateau in Martigne-sur-Mayenne, France. However, it was reported that the channel had ended its relationship with the Strawbridges last month. According to Deadline, an independent HR investigation was ordered by Channel 4 after Two Rivers Media, the company that produces the series, raised concerns about the couple. Following a review, we have taken the decision not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future, a Channel 4 spokeswoman said. The outlet then obtained a foul-mouthed audio recording, in which Angel can be heard calling a producer a f***ed up little c*** find the full transcript of what she said here. But what have the Strawbridges said about the controversy? In May 2023, the shared a joint statement on their Instagram page: It was a Strawbridge Family decision early last year to conclude Escape To The Chateau. We know there are lots of stories in the press right now. Its not worth us even trying to comment or give context, because anything can be made into a good headline. We understand. There are two sides to every story and from the incredible support we have received, most of you know that. We are proud of who we are, and we feel we must do what we believe to be correct, that is in fact what kept Escape to the Chateau unique, and whilst we have indeed parted ways with Channel 4, we are hugely grateful to them and their teams for their support and creativity over the years. The future truly could not look more exciting and we thank you for your continued love and support. On Friday (9 June), it was reported that the couple had applied to close their castle company Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson Limited. Dick and Angel Strawbridge on Escape to the Chateau (Channel 4) The day before, the Strawbridges addressed the controversy once again on Instagram while announcing a UK tour. Its been nearly a year in the planning and we simply could not wait to tell you that we are hitting the road for our biggest ever theatre tour! the couple wrote, while vowing to set the record straight. The Independent has contacted the Strawbridges for comment. After the news emerged that Channel 4 was parting ways with the Strawbridges, a spokesperson said: Channel 4 is taking an active role in challenging unacceptable behaviour in our industry. Following a review of our processes in 2021 we have made it easier to raise complaints both formally and informally. We require all our production partners to follow our Supplier Code of Conduct and when concerns are raised with us, they will be taken seriously and action will happen to ensure they are investigated and addressed appropriately. There is always more to do and alongside our suppliers we are committed to building safe, inclusive and professional working environments. A year after the trial and more than 6 months after the settlement, many people are wondering: did Amber Heard pay Johnny Depp? In an Instagram post posted on December 19, 2022, Amber Heard made a statement in regard to settling the defamation case. Its important for me to say that I never chose this, she wrote. 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. More from StyleCaster She continued, 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, she 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. The Aquaman actress later said, In settling this case Im also choosing the freedom to dedicate my time to the work that helped me heal after my divorce; work that exists in realms in which I feel seen, heard and believed and in which I know I can effect change.I will not be threatened, disheartened, or dissuaded by what happened from speaking the truth. No one can and no one will take that from me. My voice forever remains the most valuable asset I have. Click here to read the full article. Heard settled $1 million with Depp in December 2023 after a headline-making trial in April and May 2022. After six weeks of testimony in court, a jury ruled in favor of Depp on June 1, 2022. He was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages for a total of $15 million. Depp also was ordered to pay Heard $2 million in compensatory damages. Due to the cap on punitive damages under Virginia state law, Judge Penney Azcarate reduced Heards punitive damages from $5 million to $350,000. So, did Amber Heard pay Johnny Depp? Read more below to find out. Did Amber Heard pay Johnny Depp? Image: Getty Images Amber Heard Did Amber Heard pay Johnny Depp? According to TMZ, Amber Heard paid Johnny Depp in full and the money was covered by Ambers insurance company as part of her settlement following the defamation trial. Shortly after the settlement was announced, Depps lawyers gave a statement about where Depp will distribute the settlment money. We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light, Attorneys Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, told E! News at the time. The jurys unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depps favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place. They added, The payment of $1Mwhich Mr. Depp is pledging and will actually donate to charitiesreinforces Ms. Heards acknowledgment of the conclusion of the legal systems rigorous pursuit for justice. The $1 million will be split up between five charities. The first charity is the Make a Film Foundation, founded by Tamika Lamison which works similarly as the Make a Wish Foundation. The foundation grants film wishes to children and teenagers who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions helping them to create short film legacies by teaming them with noted actors, writers and directors. Two foundations were founded by some of Depps heroes like the The Painted Turtle which was founded by Paul Newman and Marlon Brandos non-profit the Tetiaroa Society. The Painted Turtle helps children with chronic illnesses experience the joy of camping while the Tetiaroa Society funds conservation efforts, scientific research and education programs for local schools to drive Tetiaroa island sustainability. The remaining proceeds will go to Red Feather, which works with Indigenous communities such as the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to create housing solutions, and the Amazonia Fund Alliance Project which funds projects of preservation, reforestation, and help to indigenous tribes in the Amazon Rainforest. Depp won the defamation trial after he sued Heard for $50 million. Amber wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post in 2018 about her experiences with domestic abuse. Though no names were mentioned, many people speculated it to be about her marriage to Depp. Depp claimed that the op-ed cost him his acting jobs. In 2016, Heard said that she pledged to donate the full $7 million divorce settlement she got from Johnny Depp to charity, half to the ACLU and half to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles In another slide of her settlement case statement, Heard talked about the differences of the justice systems of the US and the UK in regards to the defamation cases. When I stood before a judge in the UK, I was vindicated by a robust, impartial and fair system, where I was protected from having to give the worst moments of my testimony in front of the worlds media, and where the court found that I was subjected to domestic and sexual violence, Heard wrote on Instagram Monday. In the US, however, I exhausted almost all my resources in advance of and during a trial in which I was subjected to a courtroom in which abundant, direct evidence that corroborated my testimony was excluded and in which popularity and power mattered more than reason and due process. In the interim I was exposed to a type of humiliation that I simply cannot re-live. I simply cannot go through that for a third time, Heard wrote, saying that legal process has shown itself unable to protect me and my right to free speech. I cannot afford to risk an impossible bill one that is not just financial, but also psychological, physical and emotional, the actress added. Women shouldnt have to face abuse or bankruptcy for speaking her truth, but unfortunately it is not uncommon. She continued, Time is precious, and I want to spend my time productively and purposefully. For too many years I have been caged in an arduous and expensive legal process, which has shown itself unable to protect me and my right to free speech. I cannot afford to risk an impossible bill one that is not just financial but also psychological, physical and emotional. Women shouldnt have to face abuse or bankruptcy for speaking her truth, but unfortunately it is not uncommon. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) for confidential support. Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Best of StyleCaster People identifying themselves as members of the Proud Boys wear hats with red lettering that read RWDS, which is short for Right Wing Death Squad. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) An anti-extremism nonprofit launched an online directory of more than 300 hate symbols Tuesday that it hopes military leaders will use to stop the infiltration of extremist beliefs among their own ranks. Hand signals, online memes, tattoos, patches, flags, graffiti and pins are among the items the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism catalogued in its database of symbols used by extremists around the world to identify one another and spread ideologies. The groups leaders believe its the most comprehensive directory of its kind and can be a resource for police, technology companies, policymakers and journalists to identify and combat hate and extremism. The organizations co-founder, Wendy Via, noted obvious applications for the U.S. military, such as turning away recruits boasting such symbols and intervening with select troops who may be using them. If were talking about doing a better job of screening out our new recruits, then being able to recognize or being able to identify the meaning of a tattoo, for example, is pretty critical, said Via. Most folks can identify an SS lighting bolt, but what else? Maybe theres something that has to do with one of the white supremacy groups and you dont know where to reference it. For tattoos specifically, the Department of Defense has a blanket policy against extremist, anti-American, gang and discriminatory symbols. Each service branch also imposes additional rules, such as the ban imposed by the Marine Corps on tattoos linked to domestic terrorism. To help military recruiters enforce those policies, the Pentagon has floated the idea of accessing an FBI database to screen questionable recruit tattoos. The FBIs tattoo and graffiti team currently uses a library of symbols and photographs to help law enforcement agencies investigate gang-related crimes. Via argued that her organizations directory is an even more accessible and updated resource on extremist symbols than the FBIs version. As the extremist landscape changes, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism plans to continually add symbols, she said. Since launching Tuesday, the group was already working to incorporate 50 more entries. [The FBI database] might have some Aryan Brotherhood prison gang stuff in there, but its just not going to have all the logos or memes, certainly not internationally, Via said. We want ours to be as comprehensive as it can be at any given moment. ... Its a never-ending effort. In addition to using the directory to screen out recruits, Via thinks it could be employed by military leaders to identify and understand symbols adorned by those in their ranks. DOD policy expressly prohibits service members from actively advocating for extremist ideologies. Experts generally agree, meanwhile, that only a small number of service members have been involved in such activities. However, as troops are specifically targeted by extremist groups, even a small number of extremist actors in the military can threaten national security, experts argue. In cases where military leaders spot extremist symbols in the rank-and-file, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism recommends intervention and education over discipline and potential discharge. We advocate for interventions or diversion programs if the commander sees somebody who might be at risk for extremism while active, and a new tattoo could be an indication of that, Via said. Its about being aware. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremisms directory includes symbols of white supremacists movements, which have become more active in the U.S. in recent years. According to the Government Accountability Office, incidents of domestic terrorism increased by 357% between 2013 and 2021. Racially- or ethnically-motivated extremists committed the most violent crimes during that span. In addition to the aforementioned focus areas, the organizations directory contains extremist symbols from neo-Nazi, anti-immigrant, anti-government, male-supremacist, anti-Muslim, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ groups, among others. Other resources, such as the Anti-Defamation Leagues Hate on Display database, also provide an overview of symbols used primarily by white supremacist movements. Via said her organizations database built on already existing directories by including movements from across the globe not just those active in the U.S. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism database also contains symbols for groups that havent committed violent acts. We expanded it [beyond] just the hardcore white supremacy groups because in our view, the dominance of these hate symbols that are on their flags, posters, websites and social media ... are extremely dangerous and damaging, Via said. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com. Mexico landscape with colorful flags Cancun, the preferred international vacation destination for Americans, continues to reign supreme, outshining other popular tourist hotspots with its luxurious resorts and pristine beachfronts. However, for those seeking a more authentic Mexican experience, hidden treasures in the vicinity of Cancun offer a glimpse into the Mexico of old. Here are four remarkable towns where limited development has allowed visitors to immerse themselves in traditional Mexican culture. Valladolid Phot Credit: La Ciudad De Valladolid Valladolid, located just a short drive from Cancun, is an ideal weekend getaway. This colonial-era settlement has preserved centuries-old customs and offers a captivating journey into the past. Originally inhabited by the Mayans, Valladolid flourished under Spanish rule, becoming a vital center for trade and culture in the Yucatan Peninsula. Prominent landmarks such as the grand Cathedral of San Servacio and the well-organized grid-like structure showcase the towns rich history. Moreover, Valladolids proximity to renowned attractions like the Mayan archaeological complex of Chichen Itza and the pristine Cenote Zaci further enhances its allure. Felipe Carillo Puerto Photo Credit: La CIudad De Felipe Carrillo Puerto A few hours drive south of Cancun along the coast lies Felipe Carrillo Puerto, where visitors can indulge in a quintessentially Mayan experience. This hidden gem, nestled near the Sian Kaan Reserve, remains untouched by rampant development. It serves as a haven for the preservation of Mayan traditions, with locals conversing in Mayan dialects alongside Spanish. The Naatik Language and Culture Institute, a vital institution in the community, plays a pivotal role in keeping Mayan heritage alive. The Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Museo Maya Santa Cruz Xbaalam Naj, chronicling the Mayan revolt against Hispanic settlers, enrich the towns cultural tapestry. Izamal Photo Credit: Ciudad De Izamal Izamal, though slightly farther away, is a destination that encapsulates the essence of Mexicos past. Known as the yellow city, Izamal captivates visitors with its vibrant buildings and centuries-old cobbled streets. As one of the oldest cities in the region, Izamal vividly reflects the arrival of the Spanish and their profound influence on the native Mayan population. Notable attractions include an impressive Mayan pyramid and the breathtaking Franciscan Monastery with its expansive open atrium, second in size only to the Vaticans. While a day trip is possible, an overnight stay offers a more immersive experience in this culturally significant town. El Cuyo Photo Credit: ElCuyo.net In the state of Yucatan, a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cancun, lies El Cuyo, a hidden paradise that has preserved its charm and authenticity. This quaint fishing village, often described as a travelers paradise, provides a serene escape from the bustling atmosphere of Cancun. Sandy streets and a laid-back ambiance define the town, which has recently made strides in enhancing its appeal. From improved internet connectivity to the emergence of boutique hotels, El Cuyo is evolving while keeping its pristine beaches intact. Its preservation efforts could soon earn its recognition as a Magical Town, a testament to its historical significance and its invaluable contribution to the tourism industry. Dont expect to see Rey until 2026. Disney spent its Tuesday shaking up its movie release schedule in some very, very big ways. The biggest takeaway? That December 2025 Star Wars movie is no more. Thatll now be coming out May 22, 2026, and a second Star Wars movie is coming out later that year on December 18, 2026. Also, after the huge success of Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron needs a bit more time to finish his saga. Actually, a lot more time. Avatar 3 will now be out a year later on December 19, 2025. Avatar 4 moves several years to December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5 moves to December 2031. Will we even all still be around? Read more The bulk of the Marvel slate has moved too. Captain America: Brave New World was supposed to come out in May 2024 but now itll be out August 26, 2024. That delays Thunderbolts to December 20, 2024; Blade to February 14, 2025; and Fantastic Four to May 2, 2025. But what about the Avengers? Theyre hurt worst of all. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is moving a whole year, from May 2, 2025 to May 1, 2026. That, in turn, moves Avengers: Secret Wars to May 7, 2027. Deadpool 3, however, now moves up. Originally dated for November 8, 2024, well now see it on May 3, 2024. The live-action Moana also entered the schedule. Thats coming on June 27, 2025. Also getting a release date: Fede Alvarezs Alien movie, arriving August 16, 2024. So why all the moves? Two words: writers strike. Movies like this cant be made without scripts (despite what some critics might say), and with writers not currently working on them, things have to be delayed. The bigger surprise, for us, is the Avatar stuff. Those coming every other year seemed totally attainable but now there are three and four-year gaps? That seems wild, especially since theyve all been preplanned. Then again, though, there was no guarantee before The Way of Water that parts four and five would ever happen and now, they certainly will. Also the bar is that much higher. Finally, did Disney learn nothing from the previous Star Wars films? After a seven-year wait at this point, it thinks releasing two movies in the same year is a good idea? Theres so, so much to break down here. Variety broke the news. 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. The Catalent plant off West Patterson Drive in Bloomington. Drug maker Catalent is unlikely to create enough jobs in Bloomington to trigger the $43 million tax break the company obtained, the citys economic development leader said. Heres what that means and how it could affect your personal finances. What did Catalent plan to do in Bloomington? Catalent, based in Somerset, New Jersey, said in April 2022 that it planned to invest $350 million in Bloomington and to create 1,000 new jobs in the coming years. More: Catalent commits to investing $350M in its Bloomington facility, creating 1,000 new jobs At the time, a company executive said, These investments will enable us to expand our flagship Bloomington facility and extend our leadership as one of the largest and most comprehensive global centers for integrated manufacturing capabilities. What did Catalent request from the city of Bloomington? Before it committed to the investments, Catalent asked the city council to reduce property taxes on the equipment by 90% over 20 years. Council member Stephen Volan said at the time that it was, by far, the largest tax abatement the council had ever considered, and the running time of the abatement was twice as long as normal. Despite the size and length of the abatement, other council members, including Sue Sgambelluri, said Catalent had, in the past, had underpromised and overdelivered and the 1,000 jobs and high wages would benefit the community. How would Catalent's tax abatement affect the citys and your personal finances? Although the city agreed to reduce Catalents property tax bill provided it met the investment and hiring thresholds the city would not have received less in property taxes. Governmental units in Indiana are guaranteed a certain property tax amount, called the levy, and that amount does not change even when the city gives anyone a tax break. Instead, the taxes that are forgiven for one taxpayer are instead spread over the remaining taxpayers. According to an H-T analysis of some tax bills and data provided by the Monroe County Treasurers office, some homeowners would save only $10 a year if Catalent made the investment without getting the tax break, but for a home within city limits with a value of $250,000, the annual property tax bill would be $70 lower per year, for 20 years, for a total of $1,400. More: Who would pay for Catalent's tax abatement? Not the government For cities, tax breaks are generally a good deal because they dont lower property tax collections and, at the same time, the investments are usually tied to job creation, and jobs increase a citys income tax collections. Alex Crowley The 1,000 jobs Catalent had planned to add to Bloomington in the next few years would have generated an additional $466,000 per year in city income taxes, according to Alex Crowley, director of the Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development Department. The investments also were projected to create another 2,230 jobs outside of Catalent. Why is Catalent unlikely to get the abatement? Crowley said last week the prospect of Catalent being able to meet the 1,000 jobs threshold by the end of 2026 is pretty small at this point, based on what company officials have told him. Catalent did not reply to repeated requests for comment, but the company did not file paperwork with the auditor's office this year that would have allowed it to get a break on next year's tax bill because of new investments. Most recently, the company has cut jobs rather than added them as its fortunes have changed dramatically since the end of the pandemic. Catalent ramped up production of COVID-19 vaccines quickly and expanded its Bloomington operations with more than $100 million in investments and an additional 1,300 employees in 2020. In 2021, the company added 1,000 more employees in Bloomington and raised its starting wage to $19 per hour. Catalent in April 2022. In April 2022, the company committed to the $350 million/1,000 jobs investment in Bloomington, but said eight months later that it was cutting about 400 local production jobs. A general manager at the time said Catalent was navigating a challenging global economic environment (in the) the post-pandemic world. Catalent cut another 150 jobs in Bloomington this month because the company underestimated the complexity and difficulty of transitioning to post-pandemic production, the companys local manager said. Crowley said the 1,000 new jobs Catalent promised for the tax abatement is a net gain above the company's cumulative employee count in Bloomington. That means Catalent can meet the 1,000 new jobs threshold for the tax abatement only if it adds the 550 jobs it has cut in recent months and then creates an additional 1,000 jobs. 'Unsustainable': Bloomington Catalent facility cuts 150 more jobs Crowley said, however, that Catalent still has time to meet that target. Catalent has until the end of 2026 to make the investments and to create 1,000 new jobs. The company does not have to meet milestones along the way. So long as it fulfills its obligations by the end of 2026, it can obtain the tax break. How much will Catalent still invest in Bloomington? Crowley said this week via email that the city has received information from the company "suggesting that they were continuing their investments into 2023 and had made some of them already." Exactly how much they had invested was unclear. According to the Monroe County Assessor's office, the value of Catalent's land and equipment this year is $124.4 million, up $42.7 million from last year. Crowley warned, however, that the amount invested and the assessed value "are two very different things." If Catalent invests $350 million in equipment and it does not qualify for reduced taxes, that would mean the company would have to pay the full taxes on that equipment over the next 20 years, or an additional $43 million. That also would mean tax bills for local property taxpayers would be reduced by that amount over the next 20 years. How all of that will actually play out, though, is unclear. A Catalent advisor said last year that the 90% tax reduction granted by Bloomington was a very material data point in the companys decision, as some other states that Catalent was considering for the investments including Wisconsin and Maryland have no tax on personal property. If Catalent has to pay the full 100% in property tax on the new equipment in Bloomington, it may just decide that it is cheaper to make the investments elsewhere. Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Has Catalent's plan to create 1,000 new jobs in Bloomington changed? Does Rose Water Really Do Anything For Your Skin? Skin care experts weigh in on the benefits of rose water and the best uses for this ingredient. Skin care experts weigh in on the benefits of rose water and the best uses for this ingredient. Lots of people swear by a certain skin care ingredient, whether its hyaluronic acid, retinol or even coconut oil. A particularly fragrant one with many fans is rose water. Prepared by distilling rose petals with steam or boiling water, this mild ingredient has a long history. Rose water has been around since ancient times in the Middle East and India, and also used in Europe for centuries, dermatologist Dr. Lauren Ploch told HuffPost. It has reached Western countries in the same way other products, ingredients and cuisines have globalization. Rose water has been used as a perfume, flavoring and is now being used for its potential antioxidant properties. Passed down for generations as a secret to good hair and skin health, rose water is decidedly mainstream today with popular products like Mario Badescus Rosewater Facial Spray. It has become more widely adopted in American beauty and skincare brands as part of an overall shift in desire for more natural and clean ingredients, said Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, the co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. As I spritz myself with my Mario Badescu spray during the workday or try out a new product made with rose water, I certainly enjoy the products scent. But I often wonder is this actually doing anything for my skin beyond the fragrance? Below, skin care experts weigh in on the benefits of rose water and the best uses for this ingredient. What are the benefits of rose water? Rose water is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help to soothe irritation or redness, said Dr. Melanie Palm, a dermatologist at Art of Skin MD. Thanks to this calming and healing effect, people can use rose water on razor burns, wounds or other irritated areas on the face and body. It may also help with inflammatory skin issues like rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. Rose water helps to soothe the skin and helps to boost moisture and hydrate the skin, dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick explained. Additionally, because of its antibacterial properties, it may also be used even in those with acne-prone skin. Studies have also demonstrated rose waters ability to inhibit the growth of the infection-causing yeast Candida albicans and antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria MRSA. Both of these microbes commonly cause human infections of the skin as well as inside the body, ranging from minor to fatal, said dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. These researchers also found rose water to inhibit inflammation caused by the microbes. She noted that rose water is also believed to reduce the activity of collagenase and elastase proteins that break down collagen and elastin. Thus, the ingredient could promote higher levels of collagen and elastin, which help keep the skin looking healthy and youthful. Studies of rose water skin benefits have been quite limited, but it does contain compounds such as anthocyanins, polyphenols and flavonoids, added dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. These compounds have antioxidant properties and so may help to protect the skin from damage from free radicals. In addition to applying products with this ingredient to the skin, you can also drink rose water to help with skin inflammation, digestive problems or a sore throat. The calming fragrance of rose water can also help heighten the experience of a relaxing bath, said dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. The benefits of rose water are clearly numerous, and experts only pointed to one potential downside the rare possibility of the ingredient causing allergic contact dermatitis. Like with any new skin care product, it is always wise to test on a small patch of skin of the wrist, for example, Murphy Rose said. It is possible to have an allergy to rose water. Beyond that low-likelihood outcome, rose water is considered totally safe to use. That said, rose water isnt a miracle skin care ingredient, and it certainly wont cancel out bad skin care habits, Palm emphasized. If you like rose water, I advise using it as a way to enhance or supplement an already effective skin care routine. Whats the best way to implement rose water into your skin care routine? With so many potential benefits, it makes sense that there would also be various ways to use rose water. You dont need rose water in your skin care regimen, noted Dr. Karan Lal of Affiliated Dermatology. However, if you want to integrate your regimen with more natural ingredients, rose water is a great product to add. You can use it to cleanse your face at the end of the day or use it after cleansing before moisturizing. Face serum is dripping from a glass pipette on pink peonies and a ranunculus background. Concept of beauty procedures and body care. Macro photography Face serum is dripping from a glass pipette on pink peonies and a ranunculus background. Concept of beauty procedures and body care. Macro photography These days, you can find rose water in toners, balms, salves, cleansers, serums, moisturizers, lotions and facial sprays. Rose water is easy to incorporate into your everyday skin care routine, said Dr. Joyce Park, founder of Skin Refinery. I recommend using it as a spray or toner after cleansing. Implementing this step before layering serums and moisturizers can give your face some extra hydration. Rose water toners help remove excess oil and prep your skin for more skin care products and makeup application. I love facial sprays for soothing inflammation, redness and balancing hydration levels, said Dr. Rhonda Klein, the other co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. The sprays are also great for soothing areas on the body such as razor burn, chafing, sunburn and general irritation. The scent can create a sense of calm and relaxation as well. The hydrating properties of rose water can be harnessed when a thin layer is applied under a sheet mask, Camp added. Before buying a new product with rose water, Klein recommended reading over the formulas ingredients to identify any known irritants like alcohol. Many products are overly diluted or have additives like fragrance, alcohol and dyes that can irritate the skin, negating any soothing benefits from the actual rose water, Klein explained. While not necessary, you can keep your rose water in the fridge to protect its shelf-life plus it feels extra soothing when you spray it on chilled! You can also make it yourself with fresh or dry petals, mineral water and steam. Just remember to clean rose petals with a fruit or vegetable wash to remove pesticides and insects, Camp urged. In general, the purer the rose water product, the better. Like all active ingredients, when its used in a concentrated form, it is more likely to benefit the skin, Mraz Robinson said. When youre reading a products ingredient label, you should know that the first few ingredients listed are the ones in highest concentration this is more important to pay attention to than the product name, packaging claims and marketing materials. Dont forget you can also add rose water to your hair routine. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, I also l like spritzing rose water in my roots in between hair wash days to keep my scalp feeling clean and itch-free, Palm said. You can also use rose water to set your makeup or to freshen your skin throughout the day. Although there are endless rose water product options on the market, the skin care experts highlighted a few of their favorites. King is a fan of Charlotte Tilburys Magic Cream Moisturizer, which contains rose water as well as other soothing ingredients like aloe and allantoin. Garshick recommended Thayers Rose Petal Facial Toner and rose water-scented deodorants like the Dove Ultimate Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick in Peony & Rose Water. For those who are looking for rose water to help set or refresh makeup, it may be best to use a spray like the Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Face Mist or the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rose Water, she said. Those looking to help nourish and rejuvenate the skin overnight should consider an overnight mask like the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask. Garshick also recommended checking the formulation to ensure the product is suited to your desired effects. The rose water might be paired with hydrating or nourishing ingredients to help with dryness, whereas other products could be designed to help with oil production and balance the skin. As a mild astringent, it can help to reduce oiliness and control sebum production, Garshick said. Rosewater can also help to hydrate the skin, which is why the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask is a great option as it helps to hydrate and nourish the skin and uses rose stem cells which are gentle on the skin. Related... Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Commitment to promoting friendly ties Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] One-China principle as political foundation Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Enhancing coopearation across the spectrum During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. The U.S. Justice Department on Monday night announced a settlement with Madison County Schools to resolve complaints of serious and widespread racial harassment of Black and multi-racial students. The DOJ opened its investigation in October 2021 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and said the investigation uncovered numerous incidents of race-based harassment. Black and multi-racial students were called racial slurs and subjected to other derogatory racial comments by their peers, the DOJ said in a statement. Madison County Schools officials in response said they had fully cooperated with the investigation. The district will continue working closely with the US Department of Justice to implement policy and procedure changes outlined in the agreement, particularly those that pertain to the tracking and analyzing of data pertaining to racially motivated incidents in the district, a statement released Tuesday said. The investigation found that the school district didnt consistently or reasonably address the harassment, which included racial taunts and intimidation, and the harassment was at times reinforced by use of Confederate flags and imagery. When the district did respond, it often failed to follow its own racial harassment policies and its actions were ineffective in addressing the broader hostile environment, the investigation found. This inaction deprived Black and multi-racial students of equal access to the districts educational opportunities and led them to conclude that the district either condoned the behavior or would not take any action to help them, officials said. Schools should be safe and supportive environments for all students, not places where they face racist harassment and abuse, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJs Civil Rights Division. Racial harassment inflicts grievous harm on young people and violates the Constitutions most basic promise of equal protection. This agreement will create the institutional changes needed to keep Black and multi-racial students safe and to provide them with a supportive educational environment. We look forward to Madison County Schools demonstrating to its students and school community that it will no longer tolerate racial discrimination in its schools. Carlton S. Shier IV, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, said the principles underpinning the investigation and settlement are straightforward. All young people are entitled to seek their educational opportunities without facing racial harassment and abuse, and schools simply must adequately protect those entrusted to their care and instruction from that offensive, harmful behavior. With this settlement, Madison County Schools are now taking an important step consistent with those basic principles, Shier said. Under the agreement, Madison County Schools will retain a consultant to review and revise anti-discrimination policies and procedures and support the school district as it undertakes significant institutional reforms. Also, federal officials say Madison County Schools will: Create a new central office position to process complaints of race discrimination. Update its racial harassment and discipline policies to more accurately track and consistently respond to complaints of race-based harassment. Train staff on how to identify, investigate, and respond to complaints of racial harassment and discriminatory discipline practices. Inform students and parents of how to report harassment and discrimination. Update its centralized, electronic reporting system to track and manage complaints and the districts response to complaints. Implement focus groups, surveys, training and educational events on identifying and preventing race discrimination, including discriminatory harassment. Analyze and review discipline data and amend policies to ensure non-discriminatory enforcement of discipline policies. Protecting the constitutional rights of public school students is a top priority of the DOJs Civil Rights Division, officials said. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty May God have mercy on them, for they need expect none from an outraged people and an avenging government. Those were the words from Attorney General Charles Gregory in November 1917, when Congress enacted the Espionage Act, the very act now being used to prosecute former president Donald Trump. Many of us in the free speech community have long denounced the Espionage Act, which was passed to crackdown on political dissidents, particularly those opposed to World War I. In a forthcoming book, I explore the checkered history of this Act where thousands were arrested for political speech. In an age of rage, the Espionage Act is the government's favorite weapon to use against its critics. Frustrated Trump Pleads Not GuiltyAgain The Act often seems like the last refuge of the government when it lacks any other means to punish targeted persons. This includes the continued prosecution of Julian Assange for publishing classified information, an act that newspapers have regularly done throughout history to expose government lies and abuses. In a curious way, the charges against Trump are welcomed as another opportunity for the courts to look at this insidious law. That need existed long before the raid on Mar-a-Lago. For years, I have expressed reservations about criminal allegations raised against Trump, including the dubious prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. However, even before the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith, I also stated that the real threat to Trump would come at Mar-a-Lago. The Trump indictment hit as expected: hard and below the waterline. It includes an audiotape that shows Trump pointing to a document that he says is a classified attack plan on Iran. In contradiction to his public claims, Trump admits that he did not declassify the document and thus could not show it to two guests. There are also pictures of documents stacked around a toiletsucceeding in matching the image of President Joe Biden storing documents next to his Corvette in his garage. Thirty-one of the 37 counts fall under the Espionage Act, which criminalizes allegations that require a showingunder 18 U.S. Code 793that someone having unauthorized possession of, access to, or control over any document relating to the national defense willfully retain[ed] the same and fail[ed] to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it. The pictures in the indictment are clearly designed to drive home the gross mishandling of documents to the public. No one is seriously going to argue that storing documents in a ballroom or next to a commode are good retention practices. The law references an intent either to harm the national security of the U.S. or benefit a foreign power. No one is suggesting that harm actually occurred or that Trump intended to cause such harm. However, the government is proceeding under specific provisions making mishandling (and the refusal to turn over documents) a crime. That is the harm that the government will argue. Trump Will Never Stop Reminding Us That He Hates Free Speech The indictment may have revealed the motive that the government believes is behind the inexplicable refusal of Trump to turn over these documents: vanity. Trump is portrayed as showing the Iran attack documents like a trophy. That is not a great fit with the Espionage Act. The government can read Trumps alleged words: I dont want anybody looking and I don't want anybody looking through my boxes, I really dont, I don't want you looking through my boxes. The prosecutors may use these scenes to portray Trump like a Captain Queeg or a Gollum, jealously protecting his treasure. However, for most citizens, retaining documents for vanity does not merit charges under an espionage (or any criminal) law, particularly if there is no showing of actual harm to national security. The use of the Espionage Act avoided basing the case entirely on false statements or another provisionunder 18 U.S. Code 1924that prohibits unauthorized removal and retention of classified information. That statute, however, would have put debates over classification authority that Smith clearly wanted to avoid. Trump Wanted Courthouse Protests but Instead Got MAGA Misfits The problem for Trump is that, even if the Espionage Act attack works in a challenge, it would leave six counts. That includes three counts on withholding or concealing documents in a federal investigation; two counts on false statements, and one count on conspiracy to obstruct justice. At the end of the day, even if the government was wrong on the Espionage Act, you are not allowed to obstruct or lie to federal investigators. In adding the 31 Espionage Act counts, the Justice Department was engaging in a familiar tactic to those of us who have handled national security and criminal cases on the defense side. It "count stacked" to try to get the jury to, at a minimum, compromise in giving it convictions on some of these counts. In some ways, knocking out the 31 Espionage Act claims could produce a cleaner case for the jury and the country. It might also allow a court to rein in on this long-abused statute. It may even get the Congress to reconsider that mistake that it made in 1917. That is why the Trump indictment is historic, but it is also history repeating itself with the government reaching for this dangerously all-purpose statute. 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 law failed me because my abuser had a GPS on when really, he could have gone to jail, said Jo, a domestic violence survivor. Joe and other survivors were at the State House on Tuesday looking to make the crime of tampering or cutting a GPS tracking device, a felony in Massachusetts. Jo is not revealing her identity because she says even though her abuser cut his GPS tracking device, he was not given jail time for it. I lived in fear. I had to get alarms, I had to change locks, I was terrified because I thought the system empowered my abuser instead of holding him accountable and it caused me to live in fear, Jo told Boston 25 News. The State Joint Committee on the Judiciary is considering testimony from Jo and other survivors of domestic violence about upgrading the crime of cutting a GPS tracking device. Last year Stephen Corbin cut off his GPS device in the middle of his rape trial. He was eventually located in the state of Maine, armed with a loaded gun. Corbin got 40-50 years for his conviction on two rapes, but he was not punished for cutting his GPS. State Senator Patrick OConnor says cases like Corbins are growing too common. I dont think criminals are taking our laws seriously right now, Senator OConnor said. The fact of the matter is that our laws for GPS tampering arent working and we need to do something about it. The proposed legislation would make tampering with a GPS tracking device a felony, punishable with a mandatory minimum of two years in prison. Jo says the GPS tracking legislation is needed to better protect victims like herself. Were asking you to please protect us and stop giving the abusers all these chances to hurt us and our families. Please give us a chance for safety, Jo said. There is no telling when this committee will vote on this GPS legislation. It could take months. The deadline for action is not until spring 2024. 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 Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents. Trumps lawyers asked for a jury trial during the former presidents arraignment Tuesday at a federal courthouse in Miami. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, Trump attorney Todd Blanche told the judge. During the hearing, Trump sat hunched over with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He did not speak. Trumps aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, was also arrested, fingerprinted and processed. He had an initial appearance Tuesday but will not be arraigned until June 27. Heres what else happened at Tuesdays hearing, which ended after roughly 45 minutes: Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ruled that Trump could not communicate with Nauta about the case. The judge also told prosecutors to make a list of potential witnesses that Trump cant communicate with about the case except through counsel. The judge did not, however, place any travel restrictions on either defendant. The Justice Department recommended that both Trump and Nauta be released with no financial or special conditions. Prosecutor David Harbach said that the government does not view either defendant as a flight risk. Goodman began the hearing thanking the entire law enforcement community for their work on Tuesday. Before the arraignment hearing, deputy marshals booked the former president and took electronic copies of his fingerprints. They did not take a mugshot of Trump since he is easily recognizable. The booking process took about 10 minutes. The criminal charges in the Justice Departments classified documents case escalates the legal jeopardy surrounding the 2024 GOP front-runner. Special counsel Jack Smith attended Tuesdays arraignment. Trump faces 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defense information and that he concealed documents in violation of witness-tampering laws in the Justice Departments probe into the materials. Former President Donald Trump as he appeared in Miami federal courthouse on Tuesday facing 37 federal charges involving the handling of classified documents. - Bill Hennessy Stop at Cuban restaurant After the court hearing, Trump made an unannounced stop at Versailles, a well-known Cuban restaurant in Miami. Trump was surrounded by dozens of his supporters inside the restaurant, shaking hands and snapping photos with them. Food for everyone, Trump told those gathered as they cheered. At one point, Trumps supporters sang him happy birthday. Trumps birthday is on Wednesday. Some birthday, we got a government that is out of control, Trump could be heard saying. Following the restaurant stop, Trump flew back to New Jersey Tuesday evening where he spoke publicly at his Bedminster resort about what he called the fake and fabricated charges. The former president claimed he had every right to have these documents and said prosecutors ought to drop this case immediately because theyre destroying our country. They should never have done this, he told the gathered crowd. This was an unwritten rule, you just dont unless its really bad. But you just dont. But the seal is now broken. Earlier in the day, Trump posted on his social media before heading to court that it was ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!! Tuesdays hearing will kickstart what will likely be a winding, dramatic judicial process, with criminal and appeal proceedings that may play out for years. US District Judge Aileen Cannon a Trump nominee whose decision last year to order a third-party review of an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago was widely criticized and overturned by a conservative appeals court has been assigned the case. Attorneys Todd Blanche and Chris Kise represented Trump in court for the arraignment. However, the role Kise will play going forward is unclear, and he was sidelined during last years litigation over the Mar-a-Lago search amid Trump team infighting. Another Trump attorney, Alina Habba, spoke outside the courthouse ahead of Trumps arraignment, saying that the former president was defiant. Habba ridiculed what she called a two-tiered system of justice and called the indictment an unapologetic weaponization of the criminal justice system. The Justice Departments counterintelligence chief Jay Bratt, who has been a key player in the documents probe so far, also attended Tuesdays hearing, along with prosecutors Harbach and Julie Edelstein. Seriousness of the charges Before last weeks federal indictment, Trump also faced criminal charges brought by New York Citys local prosecutors for an alleged hush money scheme in the 2016 campaign in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records. The new charges in the DOJ documents case are drastically more serious and present the possibility of several years in prison if Trump is ultimately convicted. Thirty-one counts that Trump faces are for willful retention of national defense information, a charge that does not turn on whether the documents are classified. In addition to the obstruction conspiracy, he also faces four counts related to the concealment of the documents, as well as a false statements charge. In a case like this, obstruction and tampering help prove the main charge, that the defendant willfully engaged in the charged conduct, said David Aaron, a former federal prosecutor in espionage section of the DOJs national security division and a current senior counsel at Perkins Coie. Those facts could also affect how a judge, the jury, or the public views the case and could substantially affect sentencing. What happens next Now that Tuesdays hearing is in the rearview mirror, the case will enter a legal grind of pretrial proceedings, including likely disputes over what evidence is put before a jury and whether the case should be thrown out altogether before going to trial. The Trump team will have plenty of opportunity to drag things out potentially until after the 2024 election. One major x-factor in the prosecution of the case is its assignment to Cannon, who sits in Ft. Pierce, Florida, but who is part of the pool of judges who are randomly cases filed in West Palm Beach, where the new indictment was brought. There are few things more powerful than a district judge in a federal case, said Alan Rozenshtein, a former attorney in the DOJ National Security Division who is now a University of Minnesota law school professor. She could if she wanted to cause huge problems for the prosecution. Would they be existential problems? Probably not. Cannons approach to last years Trump lawsuit challenging the FBIs Mar-a-Lago search raised eyebrows among legal experts across the ideological spectrum for how she appeared to bend over backward to create special legal rules in favor of the former president. Her rationale for why such a review was necessary was torn apart by a panel of right-leaning appellate judges, including two Trump appointees, on the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals last December. She got so banged up by the 11th Circuit that she might be ultra-cautious, Kel McClanahan, a national security lawyer and an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School, told CNN. We just dont know. This story has been updated with additional developments. Lucas Anson, Lucas Hudson, Janah Issa, Cassandra Pita, Evan Perez, Kristen Holmes, Paula Reid, Shimon Prokupecz, Kate Sullivan and Randi Kaye contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump to appear in Miami court for federal charges in classified documents case amid calls for violence What were seeing from some of the more extreme members of the right wing in this country is an abandonment of democracy, said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader. MAGA supporters have called for violence ahead of former President Donald Trumps appearance in a Miami federal court following his 37-count indictment. In recent days, Trump, his allies and supporters have publicly announced that the indictment was an act of war and are calling for revenge. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Associations convention in Indianapolis on April 14. On Tuesday, he is to appear in court in Miami for arraignment on federal charges. (Photo by Michael Conroy/AP, File) As a result, authorities have ramped up security as they expect large crowds and protests ahead of the former presidents court appearance slated for 3 p.m. ET. Over the weekend, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on PoliticsNation, hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC, to discuss calls for violence. What were seeing from some of the more extreme members of the right wing in this country is an abandonment of democracy, Jeffries said. Last week, in a historic move, the Department of Justice indicted the 76-year-old presidential candidate, alleging he retained classified documents and refused to give them back to the proper authorities. If found guilty, the former president could face a hefty prison sentence. In response to the indictment, Trump launched an attack against the department, contending prosecutors indicted him as a scheme to halt his second run for president. While many support the Justice Departments indictment, several conservative congressional members appeared on national television networks to defend Trump. Presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., made an appearance on the Fox News Channel and condemned the Department of Justice for indicting Trump. In America, every single person is presumed innocent, not guilty, and what weve seen over the last several years is the weaponization of the Department of Justice against the former president, he argued. You dont have to be a Republican [or Democrat] to see injustice to want to fix it, he said. In another interview, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was a guest on George Stephanopoulos show on ABC News and the two engaged in a heated discussion following the announcement of Trumps charges. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, seen addressing a January news conference in Washington, said over the weekend that calls for violence in response to the former presidents indictment amount to an abandonment of democracy. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) When Stephanopoulos asked Graham about Trumps indictment, the conservative senator diverted his attention to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her email server. Hillary Clinton did similar things, and nothing happened to her, he said. To which, Stephanopoulos redirected the senator who then said, Espionage charges are absolutely ridiculous. Whether you like Trump or not, he did not commit espionage. He did not disseminate, leak or provide information to a foreign power He is not a spy. He is overcharged, he asserted. I dont like what Trump did in certain aspects. I dont like what Joe Biden [did]. I dont like that Mike Pence carelessly took classified information. I dont like any of that, he added. Trump is slated to appear in a Miami courthouse Tuesday afternoon. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Donald Trump to appear in Miami court for federal charges in classified documents case amid calls for violence appeared first on TheGrio. As a former White House press secretary and spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, Stephanie Grisham has had a unique view of the former first familys life in Washington, D.C., in Florida and elsewhere. Asked Tuesday whether any of the facts contained in Trumps federal indictment surprised her, Grisham told CNN that her short answer is no. It all rang true, she said before going on to illustrate his style of thinking: Why dont we just take those documents out? It wouldnt be a problem, right? Thats so him. Trump pleaded not guilty in a Miami courthouse Tuesday to 37 felony counts relating to scores of top-secret and classified government documents that he improperly took with him upon leaving the White House. Prosecutors say that Trump repeatedly avoided turning over boxes of records despite requests from the National Archives and Records Administration and, later, from the FBI. Why didnt he give them back? Its because he thinks those are his, Grisham told CNN. Hes like a child holding on to his little toy train and nobody is going to take it from him, she said. The nearly 50-page indictment prepared by special counsel Jack Smith spells out in detail how Trump and an aide, Walt Nauta, allegedly defied authorities. According to Smith, Trump transported dozens of boxes filled with privileged information to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, even though NARA maintains legal custody over all records from a former presidents administration, according to federal law. Prosecutors say that Trump would show off certain pages to people he wanted to impress. Urged by his attorneys to give NARA the missing documents, Trump allegedly responded, Wouldnt it be better if we just told them we dont have anything here? In January 2022, Trumps representatives turned over just 15 of the boxes in response to NARAs requests. His lawyers attempted to comply with a subpoena for the rest of the materials in June 2022 but, according to prosecutors, Trump worked with Nauta to hide much of it. When one attorney for Trump subsequently went through boxes in storage at the Mar-a-Lago estate to look for classified papers to put in a folder to give to the FBI, not all of them were there. That attorney said Trump made a plucking motion as he suggested the attorney take [the folder of classified documents] with you to your hotel room and if theres anything really bad in there, like, you know, pluck it out. On Aug. 8, 2022, the FBI served a search warrant on Trumps Florida estate to ensure all the confidential documents had been recovered. They came away with over 100 more documents with classification markings. Photos contained in the indictment show dozens of boxes that Trump had stored at Mar-a-Lago: on a stage in a ballroom, crammed next to a bathroom toilet and strewn across a floor after a stack of boxes fell. Grisham said she recognized the bathroom in the photograph. That bathroom particularly was off a room that guests would play bridge and poker in, she said on CNN. And so I guarantee when there were guests in that room that door wasnt locked. Other doors would not have been locked, either, she said. I was even surprised for Trump that they could have been so, so careless with those documents, she said. Grisham told the network she believed the president felt absolutely dejected as he headed to the federal courthouse for his arraignment his second in two months. He thinks that its not elegant. Related... James Trusty (left) and John Rowley (right) resigned as lawyers for Donald Trump last week - Jacquelyn Martin/AP Donald Trump spent the day before his arraignment at Miami federal court looking for a local lawyer to join his team, according to reports. Mr Trump, who turns 77 tomorrow, flew to Florida from his Bedminster estate on Monday before reportedly interviewing legal representatives. The historic case will see the former president appear in court at 3pm on Tuesday, 8pm GMT. He faces 37 charges for retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Jim Trusty and John Rowley, two of the key lawyers working on Mr Trumps defence, resigned last week. His lawyer must be, or sponsored by, a member of the Florida bar. But several have allegedly declined the prestigious role over fears of attacks in the media and infighting within the defence team. Mr Trumps team have also struggled to agree on legal strategy, with some keen to accuse the Justice Department of prosecutorial misconduct, while others believe they can win the case the traditional way, sources told the Washington Post. Those to turn down the plumb role reportedly include David O. Markus, who last month defended Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who was acquitted by a federal jury of lying to the FBI. Lawyer Benedict Kuehne is thought to have been approached about the role. He was charged with alleged money laundering and obstruction of justice in 2008 The charges were dropped in 2009. Jon Sale, a Florida lawyer who worked on the Watergate prosecution team, turned down a position on Mr Trumps team last year. Without engaging in hyperbole, its arguably the biggest case in the world, Mr Sale told the Washington Post. But the cons are illustrated by three of his four lawyers quitting in the last few weeks. He needs a good Florida lawyer with an impeccable reputation who is very experienced in this. South Florida lawyer Philip Reizenstein, said while no experienced lawyer handles a case out of town without a good local counsel many lawyers appear to be making a calculated decision that the prestige that goes with representing a former president is not worth the nearly inevitable attack on their reputation in the media. 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. Community activist and former Seattle Seahawk star Doug Baldwin delivered the commencement address at Seattle Universitys graduation ceremony on Monday. At the start of his speech, Baldwin noted that while he doesnt normally give speeches, he saw it as an opportunity for graduates to be present and realize how good and special this moment really is. He then reflected on his own family and three daughters. When I think about what you all as graduates would want to hear from me, I cant help but think about my daughters, he said. I couldnt help but think about what they would want to hear from a speaker when theyre sitting in your seats. Thinking through that lens, he spoke of three core values he wanted Seattle Universitys graduate to go out into the world with. Number one, I need you to be honest, he described. Not necessarily with the person next to you, but also with yourself. Honesty, thats just a posture of respect. Number two: Be curious, Baldwin continued. Never stop learning -- curiosity is just a posture of humility. None of us have all the answers. He closed by highlighting what he said was the third and most important of his core values. Be forgiving, Baldwin said. Were on a planet, a little rock in the galaxy in this universe. Were tiny. And on this rock thats spinning around the sun, all of us ... youre just a human being on this planet just trying to survive and thrive. And when were doing that, were going to make mistakes. But were human, were all trying to figure it out. Now, all of this can be summed up into one word, he added. Love. Be honest, be curious, be forgiving -- all of that is just really love. Doug Burgum knocks Biden's 'wrong direction' for US, weighs in on Trump but won't say his name After announcing his presidential bid last week, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum appeared on "GMA3" on Monday where he criticized the Biden administration, touted the importance of "innovation, not regulation" -- and briefly addressed Donald Trump's unprecedented second indictment. Burgum, who has been campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire, said on "GMA3" that he's running for the White House because "the Biden administration has been 180 degrees in the wrong direction." The governor, though popular in his own state, enters the national stage lesser known than competitors like the former president or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A former software executive, Burgum reiterated the three pillars of his platform: the economy, energy and national security. "The reason we wanted to run for president is simple. We think there's an opportunity with the federal government focusing on what the federal government is supposed to do ... improve the lives of every American," he said. "The economy, inflation, taxes, spending" are "issues that we know that are important to most Americans," he said, as is security at home and abroad. "The world right now is growing increasingly unstable," he said. "I never thought I'd tell my kids that we might be looking at World War III. But national security, border security: These are issues that are of great importance." MORE: 2024 candidate who signed strict abortion ban in his state wouldn't outlaw it nationwide Burgum was also asked about his thoughts on artificial intelligence, given his background. He said the U.S. must continue to focus on it, since innovating will be key. "Technology is changing every job, every company in every industry, at a very rapid pace," he said, later adding, "Anybody that says that we ought to stop developing AI would be like saying back during the 1980s that we should stop trying to win the nuclear arms race against Russia. This is going to be an important tool. America has the lead. We've got to continue to fight for the lead." When pressed on the Republican primary front-runner, former President Trump, Burgum again stayed cleared of specifically saying his name. The governor has yet to say Trump's name since his campaign launch on Wednesday in Fargo, North Dakota. However, Burgum did say he would "support whoever the Republican candidate is going forward in 2024" and, like other Republicans, suggested conservative voters think Trump's 37-count federal indictment is unfair. PHOTO: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum reacts during an event for announcing he enters the 2024 presidential race, joining a growing field of candidates hoping to topple Donald Trump and secure the Republican nomination, in Fargo, N.D. June 7, 2023. (Dan Koeck/Reuters) "One thing I can tell you from talking to the voters [is] that people are very concerned about a double standard in this country," Burgum said. "They're concerned that if we have lost trust in our institutions, if we don't believe that the [Department of Justice] is going to enforce the laws equally between the two political parties, that's even more serious than the charges themselves." Trump has been charged in Florida with willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice, among other counts, and will be arraigned on Tuesday. He has said he is innocent. Prosecutors outlined in Trump's indictment how he allegedly held onto government secrets after his presidency and resisted efforts to return them -- while sometimes sharing that sensitive information with people not authorized to see it. Burgum previously told WMUR's Arielle Mitropoulos during a campaign stop in New Hampshire: "It's great that we live in a country where people are innocent until they're proven guilty so the courts can play that out." He declined then to say whether he thought Trump should drop out of the race, saying he believes that should be left up to the voters. Burgum is so far polling at the bottom of the GOP field, but he told WMUR that he has always come from behind. "When you start out, you start out by just saying, 'Hey, we got to focus on making sure people know who we are'. And that's what we're going to be doing is working hard to get out across Iowa and New Hampshire and make sure people understand our story and the issues that we're talking about," he said. In a bid for more name recognition in those early nominating states, Burgum has made his first TV and radio candidate ad buy, spending more than $3 million in the Iowa and New Hampshire TV markets over the next few weeks, according to his campaign. In one new ad released this week, Burgum describes his agenda with three action items: "First, fix this crazy economy. Second, unleash American energy production. Third, rebuild the military to win the cold war with China." Doug Burgum knocks Biden's 'wrong direction' for US, weighs in on Trump but won't say his name originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Before Ginger Minj would dominate multiple seasons of "RuPauls Drag Race," act in major movies and write a cookbook, she was a young boy in 1980s Florida looking into the eyes of an octopus and seeing herself look back. The Little Mermaid was the first movie I ever saw in a movie theater, the drag queen, 38, tells TODAY.com. Minjs neighbor, and only friend, was a redhead who wanted to see the movie because she wanted to be Ariel. "I thought, Well, thats what I want to be. I dont know how Im gonna be a sea witch. But thats what I want to be. And I strived to be that for the rest of my life. I felt like I had nobody, Minj says. Then, all of a sudden, the most gorgeous creature Ive ever seen turns around. Thats how I felt about Ursula. I didnt really understand why I was so obsessed with her immediately. I thought, 'Youre the complete antithesis of everything Ive ever been told is attractive: Youre fat, youre an octopus, your hair is short, and youre wearing too much makeup.' But I thought, 'Well, thats what I want to be. I dont know how Im gonna be a sea witch. But thats what I want to be.' And I strived to be that for the rest of my life. The selfish, slimy, cold-hearted octopus with a gaudy sense of style and a lust for power is crucial to Ariels tale in Disney's version of The Little Mermaid." Ursula uses her prowess in magic potions to take advantage of her nieces desire for a human prince, convincing her to hand over siren-song-producing voice and finally giving the sea witch the upper hand over her brother. The 2023 remake starring Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula puts familiar characters back into the spotlight, with some alterations made to meet the moment. Adaptation is such a huge part of fairytales survival in society, says Bee Eldridge, a doctoral candidate at the University of London focusing on representation in fairytales and a blog editor for the Disney, Culture & Society Research Network. They have to adapt to survive. Ginger Minj (Santiago Felipe / AP) The Little Mermaid has changed since Hans Christian Andersens original rendering, thanks to Disneys intervention (for one, now it has a happy ending). Baileys casting in the role was both embraced and met with racist backlash. Does this era also call for a different villain one that nods to the characters drag roots more overtly at a time when state legislatures are calling to ban the art form? TODAY.com spoke to drag performers to get their thoughts. Ursulas drag roots The Ursula we know (and fear) was almost not. Disney worked through several versions of The Little Mermaids antagonist, from trying to cast Bea Arthur, Joan Collins and Broadway star Elaine Stritch to voice the villain to considering her form to a shark. Ultimately, the inspiration for the cauldron-stirring tentacled witch voiced by Pat Carroll came from an unlikely place: Drag. Specifically, Divine, the drag alter ego of Harris Glenn Milstead. Rob Minkoff, the original movies animator, told Vogue that it seemed like a funny and quirky idea to take (Ursula) and treat her more like a drag queen. The Little Mermaid 'Ursula', 1989. (Everett Collection) Named the Drag Queen of the Century by People Magazine in 1988, Divine is known for starring in John Waters movies Pink Flamingos and Hairspray. He was this larger-than-life character, who was nothing but heart and joy and an extreme expression of love, drag queen Nina West, who both played Divine in the 2022 film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and is completing a national tour as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray, which starred Divine in the same role, tells TODAY.com. He just wanted to tell stories that helped push the needle. Divine (Fryderyk Gabowicz / dpa via AP) With Divines plus-sized, curvaceous figure, signature hyper-arched brows painted almost into his wig, and a joyful proclivity for the crude and obscene, its not hard to see the through-line from this drag superstar to the under-the-sea provocateur. When I discovered Pink Flamingos, I was watching it going, that person looks so familiar to me, Minj says. I realized, oh my gosh, thats Ursula! This is the real life embodiment of Ursula. Could a drag queen play Ursula in 2023? For a moment, maybe When the live-action remake was first announced in 2016, calls for a drag queen Ursula arose and fans cast Ginger Minj into the running, citing videos of her performing Ursulas marquee number Poor Unfortunate Souls. Major publications like Billboard got on board, running headlines like Why Disney Should Cast Ginger Minj As Ursula In the Live-Action Little Mermaid Remake. And Disney actually listened, Minj says. I didnt think I did have an opportunity, until I actually ended up in the conversation in the room for it. Minj tells TODAY that she auditioned with Disney for the role of Ursula. While the role ended up going to Melissa McCarthy, Minjs audition, which, she tells TODAY, is described in more detail in her upcoming book Southern Fried Sass, did not end up not being fruitless. When I went back to Disney and did a different project for them that hasnt been announced yet, I was told by several of the higher-ups there that this was created for me as an apology for Ursula. It was kind of like, you made a great impression with us and we wish we could have gone that direction, but we couldnt." TODAY.com has reached out to Disney for comment. Minj says she went into the audition process not expecting too much. In the back of my mind, I felt like, no matter how well I do, no matter how much I want it, or if they want me to have it, for some reason, its not going to happen. And while she was still very sad to not get the part, she says it wasnt about just her, but about what a great big opportunity that would have been for our entire community. I dont know if I ever took (the calls to cast a drag queen) seriously, West says. It was like, Ill believe it when it happens, but I dont think itll happen. But boy, its so fun to think about. No representation or bad representation: Queer villains in Disney movies Eldridge says The Little Mermaid remake comes at a time when Disney is trying to be more inclusive in terms of representation. While Strange World (2022) is the first Disney movie with an openly queer lead character, many fans and scholars believe that queer characters have been there all along but havent been labeled as such. Throughout all of Disney, queer characters have existed but started as villains, Eldrige says. Scar in Lion King, Jafar in Aladdin, and Ursula are all considered queer coded, who have characteristics that reflect queer stereotypes. Many believe their queer-coded mannerisms were meant to separate the villains from the good characters, and makes them seem strange or unconventional. The complexity grows when acknowledging the breadth and history of LGBTQ+ talent behind these characters, including legendary Disney animator Andreas Deja, lyricist Howard Ashman, and even Hans Christian Andersen himself, who scholars like Eldridge believe had relationships with other men during his life. (Queer people) either get no representation or bad representation, Eldridge tells TODAY. Some people say bad representation is at least representation. I think bad representation is bad representation, and it needs to be changed. Its time for us to get good representation. But some, like Minj, who was able to circumvent societal norms to see the beauty in Ursula as a child, see these so-called villains differently, especially with the sea witch's expanded backstory in the remake. Theyre just strong people, like myself, having been forced to learn how to be strong, and how to be fabulous, in spite of everything else. I have often been called a villain by the people who dont understand me. Theyre just afraid of how powerful I am. Ursula has motivation to be doing the things that shes doing. She has suffered abuse by Triton, her brother, her family, who has exiled her. A lot of queer people really identify with that, because most of us have been thrown out of our families, kicked to the side, and been forced to find our own way. And maybe that makes us a little bit bitter. But it also gives us a lot of power. Melissa McCarthy embraced Ursulas drag roots Ultimately, Melissa McCarthy was cast in the part for the 2023 remake, and openly acknowledged the characters drag inspiration as well as making connections with real queens. West recalls a touching moment on the Little Mermaid blue carpet this past year. I was walking to turn into the Dolby Theater, Nina says, and someone grabbed my hand and said, please come with me, someone would like to meet you. So Im walking towards someone and she turned around. It was Melissa McCarthy. And I was shocked. She was so absolutely kind and so sweet. And we were able to chat about a few things. Topics included their shared love of drag, her advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community, and even an invitation from McCarthy to have West over for breakfast (West Nina says the breakfast has not yet occurred, but has been assured that it is happening). To top it off, the two then broke into a brief song and dance for the swarm of cameras. McCarthy posted the moment, which begins with her bowing to Nina West, to her Instagram account with the caption, On second thought DO meet your heroes!!!!!!! She is telling the world who she is in bold, brave ways, especially in a time period when not a lot of people are doing this, West says. Shes promoting the biggest movie of the year, and shes loved by people from all walks of life, and all different political beliefs, and here she is saying yeah, I could lose a fan or a few, and that doesnt matter, because these people are in the fight for their lives. Minj agrees, telling TODAY, Even before she took on this role, she was such an advocate for our community. And I think that that was a really smart casting decision on Disneys part. They did the research that said, if we cannot cast a drag artist, were going to cast somebody whos drag-adjacent, who appreciates that community, who will bring aspects of that to life and will also set that whole community that loves this character and movie at ease. About the makeup McCarthy, the queens say, was great. Her makeup? Not as much. The makeup just was not doing it for me, says Minj, because it was just so understated. Her look went from being over the top like trashy, but in a really elegant way to suddenly looking like the mother of the bride. A slew of posts questioned why a character known for extravagant makeup inspired by Divines dramatic look in this high budget production was given a flat, one-tone pane of green eye shadow and a pair of uneven and barely arched brows. McCarthys set makeup artist Peter Smith King, who was featured in a behind-the-scenes vignette on the actress physical transformation posted to Disneys social media, responded to criticisms. Smith King said he intentionally did not want the actress to look like a drag queen, preferring to see more of McCarthy than of the makeup. Defending the uneven brows, he said he wanted it to look like Ursula did the makeup herself and did not have it done by a masterful professional. He also, in an interview with Insider, posed the question, Why cant I do as good a job as a queer makeup artist? I dont know. Why cant you? Minj retorts jokingly. If a drag queen wasnt going to be on screen, Minj thinks this was at least a window to have influence backstage. Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Disney) If you werent going to hire a drag queen, or somebody in the queer or drag space for the role, you should have hired them to help with the look, Minj says. It would have been an opportunity to still have our voices involved with this thing that has become so iconic for us. Minj feels its all the more urgent given the anti-trans and anti-drag legislation raised in certain states, like her home state of Florida. I live in Florida, so I really feel the brunt of it all, says Minj. I wake up every morning, and it feels like a new law against our community has been passed in the middle of the night. So its scary, and its disappointing, and its frustrating. But you cant eradicate us, you cant invalidate us. You cant tell us that we dont matter. We know that we do. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Flash Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Efimov said on Monday that the U.S. sanctions on Syria are posing a major obstacle in the war-torn country's reconstruction. In remarks to the local online al-Watan newspaper, Efimov hailed the recent restoration of relations between Syria and other Arab countries, mainly Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, but said the economic cooperation is stranded by the persistent U.S. sanctions. "These sanctions still constitute a major obstacle to the full participation of the countries of the region in the reconstruction of Syria," he said, calling on the West to lift all "illegal measures of financial pressure and extortion." The ambassador said he hoped other countries in the Middle East help stop the "inhuman policy" as soon as possible. Drive-by shooting in Loris involved 7. One suspect finally in custody nearly 3 years later A man who has been a suspect for years for a drive-by shooting involving seven victims in Loris was taken into custody Monday night. Robert Charles Grate, 28, of Tabor City, North Carolina, is facing seven counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. No bail has been set. The Loris Police Department arrested Grate Monday after he served time for an unrelated charge in North Carolina at the Maury Correctional Facility, Lt. Larry Williams said. On Oct. 7, 2020, officers were called to a shots-fired call to Watson Park in Loris. According to an incident report, a car pulled onto Cedar Street and two suspects exited the vehicle and began shooting at the victims. Officers at the scene first observed a girl lying in the park with gunshot wounds. Seven victims were identified as being present at the park during the course of the investigation. The case is still active, Williams said. The police department is looking for one other suspect. Driver killed when car runs off highway and bursts into flames, SC coroner says One person was killed when a car ran off a major highway and crashed into a tree, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said. The single-vehicle collision happened at about 1:20 p.m. Sunday in Aiken County, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover. A 2014 Kia Optima was driving east on Interstate 20, and at the 35 mile marker the car ran off the left side of the highway and into the median where it crashed into a tree, according to Glover. The car burst into flames and the driver, who suffered burns, died at the scene, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said. Glover said the driver was the only person in the car, and no other injuries were reported. An autopsy will be held in Newberry to positively identify the driver, according to Ables. After that, the coroners office will notify the next of kin then publicly identify the driver, Ables said. There was no word if the driver was wearing a seat belt. Information about what caused the car to veer off the road was not available, but the coroners office said the crash remains under investigation. Two days later, another fatal crash occurred in Aiken County. At about 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, a pedestrian was hit by a 2017 Dodge Charger in the 2100 block of Piper Road, officials said. The male victim was walking south in the northbound lane of Piper Road when he was struck by the northbound Charger and died at the scene from blunt force injuries, according to Ables. The driver was the only person in the car and was not hurt, Glover said. No other injuries were reported. Like Sundays crash, Ables said this collision remains under investigation. Through Sunday, 439 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 17 people have died in Aiken County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 29 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported. Driver tells Rochester police why he drove away after hitting woman with truck ROCHESTER Christopher Robinson told police he "panicked" and drove away after hitting a woman walking on Milton Road with his pickup truck on June 2, leading to her death, according to court documents. Robinson turned himself into police June 8, three days after Kim Lucier, 60, of Rochester, died June 5 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Robinson, 43, of Milton, was accompanied by his attorney, Timothy Harrington of Shaheen & Gordon, when he was questioned by Rochester police. The interview is described in an affidavit filed in Strafford County Superior Court. "Before I could do anything I hit her and then I just panicked," Robinson told police, according to the document. "I saw the back of a person and then it was over and then I freaked out." Christopher Robinson, 43, of Milton, is charged with conduct after an accident. Robinson acknowledged he knew he had hit a person with his Ford F-150 when he drove away, according to the affidavit written by Rochester police Detective Sgt. Jacob Benjamin. The narrative also includes Robinson telling police about the events leading up to the accident. He told police he left work in Portsmouth around 9 p.m. on Friday, June 2, to pick up items at a store in Newington for an acquaintance in Rochester. He delivered them to her home and then drove toward his home, striking Lucier while driving northbound on Milton Road. On Monday morning, June 5, Robinson said, he contacted his father and asked him to bring him to an attorney so he could turn himself into police, according to the affidavit. Robinson and his attorney showed police damage to his truck's hood, side light guard and side grill area, which he said was not present prior to the accident. According to police, prior to Robinson contacting them, he had not been identified as the driver who struck Lucier. The investigation had been ongoing for several days. Rochester police are investigated after Kim Lucier was struck by a vehicle on Milton Road Friday, June 2, 2023. She died three days later. The affidavit describes police talking to Robinson's father and the acquaintance he visited to make a delivery the night of the accident. Police said they also reviewed surveillance video in the area of the accident and at the acquaintance's home. All of the information they gathered, according to police descriptions, is consistent with what Robinson told police. Rochester police responded June 2 to the accident after receiving reports of a woman on the ground on the shoulder of the roadway. Police said Lucier was found on her back, unconscious, bleeding from the back of her head with several lacerations on her face. She was on the northbound side of the road with her belongings, including an unoccupied baby stroller, scattered in and off the road. The New Hampshire medical examiner determined Lucier's death was a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Lucier is remembered as a "beautiful wife and mother," according to her family. Kimberly Lucier died June 5, 2023, after being struck by a car on Milton Road in Rochester on Friday, June 2. Strafford County Attorney Thomas Velardi said the charge against Robinson, conduct after an accident, is a Class B felony, punishable by 3.5 to 7 years in New Hampshire State Prison and a maximum $4,000 fine if he is found guilty. "There is no minimum penalty," Velardi said. "The current charge reflects the allegation that the defendant left the scene of the collision. The county attorney and Rochester police will continue to evaluate the evidence to determine whether any additional charges should be filed for causing the victim's death." More local news: Will Rochester make exception to allow a new Dollar General store? Robinson denied alcohol use or use of his mobile electronic device, according to police. Robinson was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court July 13 at 12:30 p.m. Harrington could not be immediately reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Man tells Rochester police 'I panicked' after hitting woman with truck A drug trafficker linked to a string of juvenile fentanyl overdoses in Carrollton pleaded guilty to multiple drug crimes Tuesday, according to Leigha Simonton, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Jason Xavier Villanueva, 22, was charged via criminal complaint in February and was indicated later that same month. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl to a person under 21 years of age. Over and over, Mr. Villanueva put poison into the hands of teenagers who could not possibly comprehend the inherent risks. Not even the news of multiple teenage deaths deterred this defendant, said Simonton. The Justice Department will not rest until every person who peddled pills to these children, directly or indirectly, is behind bars. We have seen these kids faces vibrant in life, heartrending in death and we will not forget. Villanueva through his lower-level dealers is tied to 10 overdoses, including nine teenagers, in the Carrollton Farmers Branch school district, according to Simonton. The victims, all middle and high school students, ranged in age from 13 to 17. Villanueva admitted he distributed more than 200,000 fentanyl pills to people in North Texas over the course of five to six months, at a rate of about 40,000 pills per month, according to plea papers. He sold the pills round blue tablets marked M-30 to a network of juvenile and adult dealers in Carrollton who went on to sell to friends, classmates, and other customers. He often advertised on Instagram, according to Simonton. Following the arrest of the two lower-level dealers he worked with Eduardo Navarrete and Magaly Cano Villanueva posted on social media, Only thing thats gonna stop us is feds. Villanueva is the third defendant charged in the wake of the Carrollton-Flower Mound juvenile overdoses to enter a guilty plea. Cano and Stephen Paul Brinson pleaded guilty last month. Five other defendants, including Navarrete, have been charged but have not yet been convicted. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Villanueva faces up to 40 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2023. The Drug Enforcement Administrations Dallas Field Office and the Carrollton Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance of School Resource Officers from the CarrolltonFarmers Branch school district and the Lewisville school district. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Calvert and Phelesa Guy are prosecuting the case. Duda calls for Ukraine to join NATO, Germany and France favor security guarantees NATO Read also: With NATO aspirations, should Ukraine abandon its Soviet weapons? Not all of them, says DM Reznikov So, despite their meeting, the three leaders diverged on Ukraine's NATO membership prospects. Duda appealed to NATO member states and urged them to promptly accept Ukraine into the alliance. "Ukraine is waiting for a clear signal, a clear prospect of accession," the Polish president emphasized. He expressed hope that the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, scheduled for mid-July, would bring Ukraine the "light at the end of the tunnel" it seeks. Scholz, however, assured that he prefers to continue close consultations on security guarantees for Ukraine. He noted that Germany, France, and the United States have tried many times to find common ground in order to prepare for this step. Read also: Warsaw denies connection to Polish volunteer groups actions near Russias Belgorod Oblast "We will continue to do this very intensively," the German chancellor said. It is clear that security guarantees are needed in a very specific form. Macron said the next European Council and NATO Summit will discuss collective security and future alliances. The alliance will support Ukraine to the fullest, he stressed. Read also: Scholz, Macron, Duda to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris this week, Politico Scholz and Macron reaffirmed total support for Ukraine. Scholz emphasized Germany's efforts to produce ammunition in Europe, supply weapons to Ukraine, and keep these arms operational. Latvia's newly elected President Edgars Rinkevics said on June 13 that NATO's internal debate not Hungarys or Russia's unspoken veto poses the main obstacle to Ukraine's accession. Read also: Latvia urges speedy negotiations on Ukraines EU accession On June 12, Zelenskyy and Duda discussed the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius. On June 8, Politico wrote that five weeks before the summit, Western allies lack a united position on Ukraine's requested security guarantees. Read also: Ukraines Western allies still searching for security solidarity month before NATO Summit On June 3, Zelenskyy said he saw no point attending the Vilnius summit without a clear signal on Ukraine's membership. 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 Duke Energy Corp. has reached a deal to sell a piece of its commercial renewables business after putting it up for sale last year. ALSO READ: Nearly $1B in solar construction could mean savings for Duke Energy customers Duke announced Monday it would sell its utility-scale commercial renewables business to Brookfield Renewable Partners for $2.8 billion. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. Duke said it expected net proceeds from the deal to be approximately $1.1 billion. The sale will allow the company to focus on the growth of its regulated businesses, including investments to enhance grid reliability and help incorporate over 30,000 megawatts of regulated renewable energy into its system by 2035, Duke said in a statement. Read more here. VIDEO: Duke Energy Carolinas requests rate increase for millions in North Carolina By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal judge on Tuesday said E. Jean Carroll, the New York writer who last month won a $5 million jury verdict against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, can pursue a related $10 million defamation case against the former U.S. president. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan ruled in favor of the former Elle magazine columnist, after Trump had argued that the defamation case must be dismissed because the jury had concluded he never raped her. Kaplan said he may explain his reasoning later. Through a spokeswoman, Trump's lawyer Alina Habba maintained that Carroll should not be allowed to change her legal theory supporting the defamation case "at the eleventh hour" to conform to the jury verdict. Habba was in Miami, where Trump pleaded not guilty in a separate case to federal criminal charges that he mishandled classified files. Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to Judge Kaplan, said: "We look forward to moving ahead expeditiously on E. Jean Carroll's remaining claims." TRUMP CALLS CARROLL 'WHACK JOB' Both of Carroll's civil lawsuits arose from Trump's denials that he had raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan in the mid-1990s. On May 9, a Manhattan jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $2 million for battery and $3 million for defamation over Trump's October 2022 denial. The battery claim came under a New York law, the Adult Survivors Act, giving adults a one-year window to sue over sexual abuse that occurred long ago even if statutes of limitations have expired. Jurors found that Carroll had sufficiently proved that Trump sexually assaulted her, though not that he raped her. Carroll then sought to amend the defamation lawsuit she filed in 2019, after Trump told a White House reporter that the rape never happened and that Carroll was not his "type." The revision sought to incorporate the jury verdict, as well as insults Trump lobbed a day later in a CNN town hall, where he called Carroll's account "fake" and labeled her a "whack job." 'EXTREME PREJUDICE' Trump, the Republican front-runner for the 2024 presidential election, did not attend the trial, and is appealing the jury verdict. In a June 5 filing, Trump said he would suffer "extreme prejudice" if Carroll were allowed to "retrofit" her original lawsuit by substituting "sexual assault" for "rape" 71 times. The Adult Survivors Act did not exist when Carroll filed her first lawsuit. But she can argue that Trump's original comments caused her greater reputational and financial harm, including the loss of her job at Elle, justifying greater damages. In Tuesday's order, Judge Kaplan also gave the U.S. Department of Justice until July 13 to assess whether it could be substituted for Trump as the defendant. A substitution would essentially end Carroll's $10 million lawsuit because the government cannot be sued for defamation. The Justice Department had said it should be substituted, a position Trump favored, but on June 9 said its view had been "overtaken by events" and sought permission to reassess it. The case is Carroll v. Trump, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 20-07311. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) A mining company that runs multiple mines in Harlan and Letcher counties in recent weeks warned 258 employees of a possible mass lay off. INMET Mining, the company which owned the mines, recently and unexpectedly was unable to obtain further financing necessary to continue ordinary operations, the company wrote in a letter to the state that warned of the layoffs. However, INMET has received a bid from another company to buy the mines and according to Jeff Strobel, INMETs chief restructuring officer, no employees have been laid off and operations continue. The company is in the midst of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and issued a federally required WARN notice to warn employees of the lay off as part of those procedures. INMET continues to work to avoid layoffs and is hopeful that in the near future it may be able to extend the date of previously issued WARN notices, Strobel told the Herald-Leader in an email. In the first three months of this year, 596 people were employed at mines in Harlan and Letcher counties, state coal mining data shows. This year, 129 different mines were licensed statewide and they collectively employed over 4,400 miners during that same time period. The mines were scheduled to be idled May 31 and the employees would be laid off over the course of roughly two weeks in June, the letter said. Dan Mosley, the judge-executive in Harlan County, told the Herald-Leader in an email that he believes that this will be more of a transition than a layoff. In a different statement to WYMT, Mosley said much the same but added that if INMET is not going to continue operating in Harlan County, Im confident that some company will acquire these assets and keep people working. That may end up being the case. According to filings in federal bankruptcy court, INMETs Kentucky mine sites are up for auction. The company also owns mining property in Virginia, which also is for sale. A company called Black Mountain Marketing and Sales has submitted a stalking horse bid to buy the mines, Strobel said. The bid would allow for Black Mountain to offer jobs to INMET employees. INMET filed for bankruptcy in April and is working to sell its mines as part of the process. According to court files, the company has five mines in Kentucky. Three the Darby, Tyree and Panther mines were active. A fourth mine, called Orchard, just began operations in April while the last mine was expected to begin operations in 2024. Publicly, INMET had a rocky 2022. In March, the Darby mine in Harlan County was the site of one of Kentuckys two mine-related fatalities last year. James Brown, a 33-year-old miner from Lynch, died when the mines roof collapsed on him. A subsequent federal investigation blamed the accident on safety lapses. Weeks later, Hunter Hobson, INMETs CEO, was indicted on federal money laundering, wire fraud and bribery charges. Investigators accused Hobson of bribing officials of an Egyptian coal company to obtain coal contracts for a Pennsylvania coal company where Hobson was the vice president. Hobson pleaded not guilty. Should INMETs mines sell, it wouldnt be the first time those assets changed hands. INMET acquired the mines from Blackjewel after the mining company went bankrupt in 2019. Miners, who had not been paid for weeks of work, gained national attention when they blocked a coal train leaving one of the Blackjewel mines in Harlan County for two months in protest. A dispute between INMET and the trust in charge of liquidating Blackjewel may have an effect on the sale. According to INMETs bankruptcy filing, the company owes over $15 million to the Blackjewel Trust. When INMET bought the mines, they agreed to pay Blackjewel over time through annual royalty payments. In a spinoff from the bankruptcy proceedings, INMET opted to sue the Blackjewel Trust in May, arguing that those payments dont run with the land and shouldnt be passed on to a future owner. In court filings, the Blackjewel Trust disputed the INMET lawsuit and further alleged that INMET breached their prior agreements by not paying millions in royalty payments to the trust. Editors note: This story has been updated with comment and more information from INMET about the layoff notice and possible mine sales. This image from the indictment against former President Trump shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. (Justice Department via Associated Press) The arraignment on Tuesday of Donald J. Trump will be a sad day for the country, and not only because a federal grand jury has issued a 37-count indictment of the former president that William Barr, Trumps former attorney general, called very, very damning. As shocking as the charges against Trump are, its equally dismaying that some prominent Republicans are rallying around Trump or impugning the investigation. Trump was charged with willful retention of national defense information; conspiracy to obstruct justice; withholding a document or record; corruptly concealing a document or record; concealing a document in a federal investigation; a scheme to conceal; and false statements and representations. The grand jury also indicted a Trump aide, Waltine Walt Nauta, on the same charges except for willful retention of national defense information. According to the indictment, Trump had Nauta move 64 boxes out of a storage room at Mar-a-Lago so Trump could go through the contents, and later returned only 30 boxes to the storage room. The indictment alleges that this information wasnt disclosed to a Trump lawyer. Read more: Editorial: Trump should never return to the White House The indictment, which includes a photograph of documents stored in a chandeliered bathroom, provides grist for comedians. But the charges against Trump are deadly serious. Even if the former president didnt attempt to use sensitive national security documents to make money or for other nefarious purposes, the recklessness and defiance described in the indictment are shocking. In announcing the indictment, Special Counsel Jack Smith rightly emphasized that the defendants in this case must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But given the seriousness of the allegations, it was vital that charges be filed despite Trumps status as a candidate for the presidency in 2024. No one should be able to immunize himself or herself from prosecution simply by running for president. Notwithstanding that reality, prominent Republicans have rushed to defend Trump or undermine the validity of the prosecution. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), who has demeaned himself by toadying to Trump in the past, tweeted this last week, before the indictment was even unsealed: Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. It is unconscionable for a president to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades. I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice. House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable. Read more: Column: Why Donald Trump's federal indictment is as breathtaking as it was inevitable Where to begin? Biden didnt indict Trump. A grand jury did, after an investigation by a special counsel appointed by Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland to ensure that the probe would be apolitical. President Biden, it turns out, did retain some classified documents after he left the vice presidency (and is also being investigated by a special counsel). But there is no evidence that Biden has engaged in the sort of resistance Trump is accused of. Finally, McCarthys threat to hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable is a reminder that the Republican majority he uneasily presides over has functioned for some time as an unofficial Trump defense team. Barr who was rightly criticized for acting in Trumps interests as attorney general offered a scathing refutation of the notion that Trump is a victim of a political prosecution. It's a very detailed indictment. And it's very, very damning, Barr told Fox News on Sunday. And this idea of presenting Trump as a victim here, a victim of a witch hunt, is ridiculous. Yes, he's been a victim in the past. Yes, his adversaries have obsessively pursued him with phony claims, and I've been at his side defending against them when he is a victim. But this is much different. He's not a victim here. He was totally wrong that he had the right to have those documents. Whether Trump is criminally culpable will be decided by a jury. But Republicans who paint the former president as a victim or engage in reckless rhetoric about possible retribution against prosecutors are disserving the country. The riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, illustrates the danger when Trumps most crazed supporters act on their delusions. Republican politicians will be playing with fire if they encourage similar conspiracy theories about this indictment. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The chief of the Egyptian Antiquities Services foreign missions has informed a team of Dutch archaeologists they were prohibited from excavating Egypts Saqqara necropolis. Egypt has forbidden archaeologists from excavating at a grave site after becoming enraged by their Afrocentric approach falsifying history. The chief of the Egyptian Antiquities Services foreign missions recently sent an email to the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden, Netherlands, following the debut of its Kemet: Egypt in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul & Funk exhibition, according to CNN. In the email, the chief informed archaeologists from the Dutch museum that they were prohibited from excavating Egypts Saqqara necropolis. For nearly 50 years, the museum has conducted annual excavations at the site. The most recent one occurred just months ago, between Feb. 19 and March 23. Egypt has forbidden Dutch archaeologists from excavating at a grave site after becoming enraged by their museums Afrocentric approach falsifying history. (Photo: Adobe Stock) The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden has been working at Saqqara since 1975, said Wim Weijland, the museums managing director, CNN reported. For the upcoming season, the museum has been denied the permit to excavate here. Egypts oldest pyramid, the pyramid of Djoser, is located in Saqqara, a burial site nearly 20 miles south of the capital, Cairo, that has also recently been the site of other significant discoveries. Weijland said that the presumed falsifying history in the current exhibition is why the permit was denied and that the museum is attempting to begin a dialogue with the Egyptian authorities about the issue. He noted that the Kemet exhibition aims to show and understand the depiction of ancient Egypt and the messages in music by Black artists, as well as to show what scientific, Egyptological research can tell us about ancient Egypt and Nubia. The ancient area of Nubia is situated in northeastern Africa and stretches from the valley of the Nile in Egypt to Khartoum in contemporary Sudan. The Nubian Kingdom of Kush, or Black Pharaohs, was previously housed in the region. The museums exhibition, which opened in April and will close on Sept. 3, is described on its website as a journey through music history that examines the influence of ancient Egypt and Nubia in the works of a multitude of musicians of African descent, including jazz icons such as Miles Davis and modern-day stars like Beyonce and Rihanna. Many recent comments on the museums social media posts have been from Egyptians who found the exhibition offensive. Some commenters included images of ancient Egyptian artwork that showed lighter skin tones alongside ones with darker tones, the images they say the museum is emphasizing. In response to the criticism, the museum posted a notice detailing the shows content, context and objectives on its website, adding that it would delete disrespectful or racist remarks from its social media. The museum invited guests to visit the exhibition and form their own opinions, adding that it welcomes respectful dialogue on the cultural heritage of Egypt and Nubia. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Egypt, angered at Afrocentric approach falsifying history, bans archaeologists from digging at burial site appeared first on TheGrio. Flash The first meeting of the China-Central Asia political parties dialogue was held in Beijing on Monday, attended by 26 leaders of major political parties in Central Asia. Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the recent successful convening of the China-Central Asia Summit has led to more progress in the construction of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. China is willing to work with political parties in Central Asian countries to deepen political mutual trust, enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of Central Asian countries, promote mutual cultural understanding and exchanges, and jointly safeguard regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Noting that Central Asian countries and China are friendly neighbors and strategic partners, the leaders of the political parties expressed readiness to enhance communication with the CPC on state governance experience, staunchly support each other's development paths, and boost relations between Central Asia and China further. At least three gas stations in North Jersey were part of a connected plot to rob each one early Tuesday, police said. At 2:11 a.m., a man at the Bloomfield Avenue Exxon in Montclair was allegedly approached by three masked men, and one grabbed him by the neck while another threatened him with a silver handgun. The trio went into the man's pockets and stole approximately $120, police said. Montclair police Lt. Terence Turner believes the robbery is connected to at least two others that occurred in Bergen County hours later. In Garfield, there was an attempted armed robbery at the Wawa on Jewell Street just after 4 a.m., but the cash register was empty at the time, Garfield police said. About 10 minutes after the Garfield attempt, Elmwood Park police said three men approached an attendant at the Exxon Tiger Mart on Route 46 east and showed a silver handgun, demanding money. Police said one of the men pushed the attendant, causing him to injure his hand. Exxon service station on Route 46 eastbound in Elmwood Park, NJ on Tuesday June 13, 2023. The attendant handed over his wallet, including credit cards and $232 in cash, to the suspects, who also took the attendant's backpack, containing AirPods and two chargers. Police said the suspects, who have not yet been identified, fled the gas station on foot on Roosevelt Avenue toward Bank Street, and potentially left the area in a car. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Officer is conducting a joint investigation with the Elmwood Park and Garfield police departments. The Montclair Police Department is also working with its Bergen County counterparts, Turner said. Check back for updates on this developing story. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Elmwood Park NJ robbery possibly connected to other crimes Shiny New Planet He hasn't even made it to Mars yet, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's wandering eye is already on a new planet this one completely outside our star system. Over the weekend, Musk seemed to ideate on the prospect of visiting the relatively nearby Promixa Centauri B, an exoplanet that sits a little over four light-years away in Alpha Centauri, the star system that James Cameron's "Avatar" franchise is based on. First discovered back in 2016, Proxima B is believed to be particularly viable as a potentially life-supporting world, and it looks like Musk is paying attention. "Practically next door," the Twitter owner tweeted on Sunday, in response to a tweet featuring a Space Academy blog post about the tantalizing planet. Of course, Musk's SpaceX would actually have to make a Starship that doesn't explode before reaching orbit to eventually be able to mine Centauri B for unobtanium pardon, to peacefully explore but we digress. It's good to keep on dreamin'. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1668046721744527362 Going the Distance It's worth noting that while Proxima B is fairly close to Earth on the grander cosmic stage, it's not exactly close by human standards. By mere Earthly measurements, the promising exoplanet sits over 2,3510,000,000,000 miles away. In plain English, that's a good twenty-three trillion five hundred ten billion miles. Mars, by contrast which we've still yet to put a human on is about 195.45 million miles away from us. Maybe One Day Regardless of its distance, however, Proxima B is promising. It sits in what NASA calls on its website the "habitable zone" away from its star, Proxima Centauri, where it's believed that liquid water would pool, rather than freeze or evaporate. But that said, according to NASA, the much-studied exoplanet is believed to experience "bouts of extreme ultraviolet radiation hundreds of times greater than Earth does from the Sun," which may well prove to limit how habitable the exoplanet really is. Even so, scientists and the ever-happy-to-populate-planets SpaceX leader, apparently remain intrigued. But only for research purposes, of course. No mining bots here. More on exoplanets: James Webb Telescope Detects Mysterious Water Vapor Around Alien Planet (Bloomberg) -- Englands hospitals face major disruption this week when junior doctors begin a three-day walkout in the latest row over pay and conditions. Most Read from Bloomberg The strike, which starts Wednesday, will have an enormous impact on routine care and worsen the countrys long waiting lists, said Stephen Powis, national medical director for the National Health Service. The British Medical Associations industrial action follows a similar 72-hour walkout in March and a 96-hour protest in April. More than 542,000 appointments have already been rescheduled due to strikes since December according to NHS Providers, a group that represents trusts in the state-run system. Elderly people are particularly at risk this week, the NHS said, as temperatures soar. Britain risks another summer of strikes as rail workers, airport staff, teachers and civil servants remain in dispute over pay following a cost-of-living crisis that has lasted for more than a year. The health service walkouts also risk undermining one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks five key promises to voters to get NHS waiting lists down. Read More: Why Strike-Averse Britain Is Plagued by Labor Unrest (QuickTake) As we enter the seventh month of industrial action across the NHS, and as this action becomes more frequent, we are now seeing an extraordinary cumulative impact on our services and crucially on our staff, Powis said. The BMAs current strike mandate, backed by 98% of voting members, lasts until August, with the union planning to ballot members for the right to hold strikes into next year. Ministers and junior doctors have been urged to cede ground by the NHS Confederation, another membership group in the health system. Consultants and other senior doctors are also being balloted for strike action, with the BMA threatening walkouts toward the end of July. Hundreds of thousands of nurses could also strike again. The governments pay offer was accepted by most unions representing NHS staff last month, but two unions including the Royal College of Nursing rejected it and pledged to stage more action. The offer did not apply to doctors, who are subject to separate negotiations. --With assistance from Eamon Akil Farhat and Emily Ashton. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The manufacturers of EpiPen just began making payments to consumers as a result of a class action lawsuit, settlement officials told Action 9s Jason Stoogenke. In order to receive money from the settlement, there are two things you had to do: Purchased an EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. for personal use between Aug. 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2020, and Submitted proof of purchase by July 25, 2022 READ PREVIOUS: Overpaid for EpiPens? Heres how to get money back Digital payments are the first to go out. For those who want a check, email info@EpiPenClassAction.com. Action 9s Jason Stoogenke first reported on the outrage over EpiPen pricing back in 2016 when patients claimed drug companies Mylan, Pfizer and other defendants raised the EpiPen price more than 500%. In 2022, both sides agreed to a settlement of $264 million. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Why is the EpiPen so expensive now? Can consumers get any help? The lawsuit was not a recall. No one in the case claimed EpiPens are unsafe or dont work. The class action lawsuit was strictly about price and anti-competition concerns. WATCH PREVIOUS: Overpaid for EpiPens? Heres how to get money back Not all historical comparisons are helpful in understanding the former president's case. Special counsel Jack Smith makes a statement to the press at his offices in Washington, D.C., on Friday about the 37 federal charges returned by a grand jury in an indictment of former President Donald Trump. (Leah Millis/Reuters) Many people have been charged and jailed under the Espionage Act since it was passed in 1917, as the U.S. entered World War I. But not every case is a good comparison with the charges brought against former President Donald Trump for holding on to top-secret files after leaving office. Some people have been jailed for many years, or even for life, under the Espionage Act. Trumps case is not in that category. If convicted, Trump would likely face no more than a few years in prison, if he faces any time at all. Trump is charged with 37 counts. Of these, 31 relate to the "willful retention of national defense information," which violates a portion of the Espionage Act. The other six counts relate to Trumps alleged obstruction of the governments attempts to retrieve these records. What are famous cases involving the Espionage Act? The most severe penalties for those convicted under the Espionage Act have been meted out to those who passed classified material to foreign adversaries. Take Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, the New York couple convicted in 1951 of overseeing a spy ring for the Soviet Union that exposed top-secret details about U.S. weapons systems, including the nascent nuclear weapons program. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg during their trial on federal charges of spying for the Soviet Union. They were sentenced to death on June 19, 1953, after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected their appeal. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) With the help of the federal prosecutor Roy Cohn, who became a close Trump ally decades later, the Rosenbergs were executed in 1953 in a case that aroused strong partisan passions and in Ethel's case, remains controversial. Or take Edward Snowden, the former U.S. government employee who leaked highly classified files from the National Security Agency about the U.S. surveillance apparatus to a group of journalists. Snowden fled the country and is now a citizen of Russia, but would face up to 30 years in prison if he were to face trial in the U.S. Did the Trump administration prosecute people under the Espionage Act? Absolutely. In fact, many of the Espionage Act cases cited by special counsel Jack Smith and his team were prosecuted by Trumps Justice Department. In 2019, Harold Thomas Martin was sentenced to nine years in prison for willful retention of national defense information at his home in Maryland, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency. Authorities were not sure whether Martin leaked any of the classified material, but he received a severe sentence because the U.S. government estimated he took home massive amounts of material much of it top secret over the course of 20 years. In 2020, Ahmedelhadi Yassin Serageldin an elderly Raytheon systems engineer in Massachusetts was sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally retaining national defense information. Serageldin was found guilty of possessing five documents labeled secret. In the five cases cited by the government for comparison with Trumps, the average sentence was just over four years, Lawfare noted. But all five defendants pleaded guilty, which reduced their penalty. Former FBI Director James Comey, center, arrives on Dec. 17, 2018, to give closed-door testimony to the House Oversight and House Judiciary committees on Capitol Hill, as part of their probes into Comey's 2016 handling of the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email use. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) What about Hillary Clinton and David Petraeus? Some very well-known figures in recent times have been accused of violating the Espionage Act, but were not jailed, as in the case of former Gen. David Petraeus. After it was revealed that he had shared secret material with his biographer, with whom he was also having an affair, Petraeus stepped down as director of the CIA. Federal prosecutors considered charging Petraeus under the Espionage Act before allowing him to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge that carried no prison time. Others, such as Clinton, the former secretary of state, have been reprimanded for carelessness with classified material. Clinton had used a private email server to send and store messages that sometimes contained secret information. A few months after the Petraeus sentencing, then-FBI Director James Comey issued a public rebuke to Clinton. Comey said Clinton and her colleagues had been extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information. However, the Justice Department ultimately did not pursue a case against Clinton. Trump allies have accused the Department of Justice of applying different standards of justice to Trump. But the Associated Press notes that a myriad differences distinguish what Clinton did from what Trump is accused of doing. Smith, the special counsel, singles out a few key details in Trumps case that distinguish it from Clintons case. Trump is accused of carelessness in holding on to state secrets of the greatest sensitivity, but also of refusing to cooperate with the government when asked to return these documents. The legal website Lawfare put it this way: In a number of respects, how Trump and his staff responded to this subpoena forms the heart of the governments case against the former president. A scientist looks at scans of grains at the Memory Centre at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital (HUG) in Geneva European Alzheimer's experts unconvinced by new Eisai, Biogen drug A scientist looks at scans of grains at the Memory Centre at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital (HUG) in Geneva By Natalie Grover LONDON (Reuters) - Alzheimer's disease experts in Europe weighing potential use of a new drug from Eisai and Biogen say its ability to slow cognitive decline may not outweigh its health risks, or be worth the toll on scarce healthcare resources. Lecanemab, branded Leqembi in the U.S., is under regulatory review in Europe and likely poised for traditional U.S. approval next month based on trial data showing it slowed cognitive decline by 27% in patients with early Alzheimer's. In Europe, where cost-conscious countries rigorously weigh new drugs before adopting their use, nine neurologists and researchers across six countries told Reuters lecanemab is unlikely to be widely used if approved. Their views underpin analyst estimates suggesting Europe will be a small market for the drug. Some doctors said its effect on the disease may not be clinically meaningful enough when weighed against the risk of brain swelling, its likely high price, and limited personnel and resources to administer twice monthly infusions and monitor for brain swelling with MRI scans. Lecanemab works by removing sticky clumps of the protein amyloid beta from the brain believed to be a hallmark of Alzheimer's. Nearly 13% of patients treated with the drug in the trial experienced potentially serious brain swelling. Dr. Carlo Colosimo, chairman of the department of neurology at Santa Maria University Hospital in Italy, said patients desperate for anything that can alter their disease course are already enquiring about lecanemab. "But we have to consider the overall picture, and I can say for the majority of the experts in my country, it is not worthwhile," he said. An Eisai spokesperson noted significant health system challenges associated with adopting a new treatment for early Alzheimers, but expressed confidence they could be overcome. Eisai said it could not comment on perspectives of clinicians. There are an estimated 7 million people in Europe with Alzheimers, a number expected to double by 2030, according to the European Brain Council. Colosimo, a member of a ten-person independent panel that sometimes advises Europes drug regulator on neurology treatments, said he doubted lecanemab would be clinically meaningful for patients. While these trial results were statistically significant, it would not be surprising if the European regulator rejects the drug, he said. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewing lecanemab is expected to weigh in late this year or early 2024 but declined to comment on its process. Still, if approved and launched, doctors said the drug will prime European healthcare systems for more effective treatments to come. 'IS THAT ALL' Analysts expect EMA to approve the drug and for it to be used in Europe next year, but see the U.S. accounting for the majority of sales. Barclays analysts have forecast Europe sales will pick up pace overtime and peak in 2032 at about 13% of the patient population. It forecast sales of $2.6 billion in Europe versus $3.7 billion in the U.S. that year. Widespread media coverage of lecanemab's clinical trial success has led patients to believe it's a cure-all, researchers said. That would be too much of an expectation," said Professor Frank Jessen, main author of the German national guideline on diagnosis and treatment of dementia. "What it does is it slows the progression. For patients to understand this is not easy." A 18-point scale used in the trial to measure functions such as memory and problem solving showed only a small absolute difference in patients who received lecanemab versus those who got a placebo. Professor Giovanni Frisoni, director of a memory clinic in Geneva that sees about 900 patients a year, suggested the drug's impact would likely underwhelm patients. "We scream with joy as clinicians who have been working for 30 years to see the first (effective) drug, but if you're a patient you say, 'okay, is that all?'" MOUNTING COSTS Currently, most care for Alzheimers is focused on managing symptoms such as memory and cognition decline. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the cost in Europe of caring for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's, at $439 billion, or $31,144 per person in 2019. That includes hospital care, medicines, diagnostics, informal caregiver time, community services and long-term care facility costs. Use of lecanemab could add to that. It lists for $26,500 a year in the U.S., though most countries in Europe will likely negotiate a lower price. Diagnostic equipment and staff would be needed to screen for eligible patients through lumbar punctures for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis or PET brain scans to detect the presence of amyloid in the brain. A 2019 study estimated first-year costs for 100,000 CSF tests would be 63.3 million pounds ($79.6 million), including the cost of specialist training for UK nurses. Specialised infusion nurses and trained personnel to evaluate MRI scans for brain swelling would be needed. Healthcare resources are already short across Europe, according to the WHO. In Italy, there is an estimated shortage of 29,000 healthcare professionals in hospitals, a national study found. "Is this (drug) really what we should invest in our overburdened healthcare systems?" said Dr. Edo Richard, professor of neurology at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. "I think it's not realistic. And it's not something we should try for." (Reporting by Natalie Grover in London; Additional reporting by Emilio Parodi in Milan; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot) Flash Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing on Monday, pledging to advance cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the leaders of the two countries have elevated the China-Nepal relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. China is willing to work with Nepal to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and promote the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and Nepal, Zhao said. Noting that China and Nepal are linked by mountains and rivers, Zhao said that developing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. Zhao said that China appreciates Nepal's consistent and firm adherence to the one-China policy and its valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports Nepal in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects the development path chosen by the Nepali government and people in light of their own national conditions, Zhao added. He called on both sides to build and maintain infrastructure projects, continue to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and deepen cooperation in various fields, adding that China welcomes Nepal's support for and participation in the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to jointly promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the National Assembly of Nepal, consolidate the social and popular support for friendly China-Nepal cooperation, provide legal guarantee for practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation between multilateral institutions, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Timilsina said that Nepal and China have been closely linked in geography, culture and tradition since ancient times. Nepal firmly pursues the one-China policy and will not allow any force to use its territory for anti-China activities. The Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible results to Nepal, Timilsina said, adding that the National Assembly of Nepal is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the NPC of China and give full play to the active role of the legislative bodies in promoting bilateral cooperation. Former CIA director John Brennan has branded Lindsey Graham a spineless coward for defending Donald Trump over his alleged mishandling of secret documents. Mr Brennan, who ran the spy agency under Barack Obama, attacked the US Senator from South Carolina for backing the former president who has been indicted on a string of federal criminal charges. During an appearance on MSNBC Mr Brennan was asked if he viewed Mr Trump as a threat to the United States, and replied, He is definitely a threat, a major danger to our national security, he has been for many years and will continue to be. That is why I find it so, so disheartening and It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey Graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump. Those are the words of a spineless coward, quite frankly, who is frightened by Donald Trump and is frightened by those individuals who still cling to an image of Donald Trump as being this very strong leader, which he is not. On Monday Mr Trump flew from New Jersey to Miami where he will appear in a federal courthouse on Tuesday for his arraignment on 37 charges over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. The former president is accused of hoarding troves of classified papers, including national defence information, at his Mar-a-Lago home and private club. And Mr Brennan condemned Mr Trump for his alleged mishandling of the countrys secrets. Anybody who continues to support Donald Trump for any kind of political office is ignoring what the facts and reality have demonstrated to all of us, this is a man who didnt care about our national security, he said. His actions and behaviour continue to put this country at risk and American citizens at risk. He has no interest in doing anything except that which will advance his own political craven interests. This indictment reveals in very vivid detail just how dangerous he is to our future. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington By Mike Stone, Trevor Hunnicutt and Krishn Kaushik WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, the Biden administration is pushing New Delhi to cut through its own red tape and advance a deal for dozens of U.S.-made armed drones, two people familiar with the matter said. India has long expressed interest in buying large armed drones from the United States. But bureaucratic stumbling blocks have hampered a hoped-for deal for SeaGuardian drones that could be worth $2 billion to $3 billion for years. U.S. negotiators are counting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit on June 22 to break the log jam. Since the date for Modi's visit was fixed, the U.S. State Department, Pentagon and White House have asked India to be able to "show" progress on the deal for as many as 30 armable MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones made by General Atomics, two sources said. Modi and Biden are also expected to discuss co-production of munitions and ground vehicles, like armored personnel carriers, while Modi is in Washington, the sources said. Spokespeople for the White House, Department of State and the Pentagon declined to comment on the negotiations. U.S. President Joe Biden has made deepening ties with India a cornerstone of his policy to counter China's growing influence, placing special attention this year on collaboration between the world's two largest democracies on advanced military technologies, despite their lack of a formal security alliance. New Delhi, which often prizes its non-alignment in conflicts between great powers abroad, has frustrated Washington by maintaining some defense and economic ties with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Breaking India's bureaucratic log jam on drones hinges on an internal meeting to generate an "Acceptance of Necessity" document, an Indian precursor to a formal "Letter of Request" which kicks off the foreign military sale process. As of Tuesday, the sources did not know if the New Delhi had generated the necessary internal document. "That's gonna be a decision that the government of India needs to make," said a senior Biden administration official. "We think it would be good for them to go through with the purchase of MQ-9s. But those decisions are sort of more in the hands of India than they are of us." The topic was expected to be on the agenda as Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalize preparations ahead of Modi's visit. As of last week, India's defense ministry had still not made up its mind about the number of drones it wants to buy, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Earlier, the number was pegged at 30, but that was later revised to 24, and then further down to 18 last month. Sources cautioned that none of the numbers were final. India is also seeking components of the equipment to be domestically manufactured, something that could complicate any deal. The Quad grouping of countries - the United States, India, Australia and Japan - all operate, or have operated, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. Currently, India is leasing MQ-9Bs as part of an intelligence-gathering operation. (Reporting by Mike Stone and Trevor Hunnicuttt in Washington, Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi; Editing by Heather Timmons and Lisa Shumaker) The Subject Ukraine has embarked on its long-awaited counteroffensive, a critical effort to regain territory and show Kyivs international supporters its capable of making progress in its grinding war with Russia. Seth Jones, director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, recently toured Finland, Poland, the Baltic States, and met with senior Ukrainian defense officials in Europe, to gauge the prospects for Ukraines effort, publishing his conclusions in a report CSIS published last week. Jones told Semafor in an interview on Monday that he entered his study pretty gloomy about Ukraines hopes for regaining significant amounts of territory. But after analyzing the Ukrainian battlefield, and consulting military historians whove tracked previous battles involving entrenched positions like Russia has constructed, he came away thinking it is possible Kyiv can make real gains. He cited the sheer breadth of the military line the Kremlin needs to hold 2,000 kilometers and the low quality and morale Russian forces have displayed over the past 16 months. I think if they go for 20% to 15% or 10% of their territory, that's pretty decent, he said. You can get half that territory back. That's pretty big. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. The Interview Jay Solomon: Where do you assess we are in the Ukrainian counter-offensive? Seth Jones: Where I really look at the situation as it stands right now is the Ukrainians probing the front lines and conducting limited offensive operations and more just fighting, probing for weaknesses. I still think were in the early stages before the Ukrainians are really committing their best forces into a blitzkrieg and punch through lines and then just start moving. Jay Solomon: Does Ukraine have a grand strategy for this offensive? Seth Jones: I do think were all in the guessing game a little bit, but I have talked to enough senior officials, both within Ukraine and then in NATO countries, including the U.S., that suggest there is a game plan for the offensive. Like any plan, though, it has to change pretty quickly, by the day. Once the fightings started, it becomes fluid. Its like the old Mike Tyson quote: everybody [plans] until you get punched in the mouth. Jay Solomon: What do you think would qualify as a successful counter-offensive for the Ukrainians? Seth Jones: I think if they go for 20% to 15% or 10% of their territory, that's pretty decent. Theyve just talked about 20% or so, give or take a few percentage points. But [if] you can get half that back thats pretty big. Jay Solomon: Over what time frame is this achievable? Seth Jones: I think three to four months. The problem is if this dragged out any longer youre really talking about attrition warfare. And thats where the Ukrainians can't really pull it out. They still dont have the kind mass numbers of forces. Thats why they need maneuverability. Jay Solomon: How deep and extensive are Russias defenses along these lines? Seth Jones: I dont want to overstate the quality of the Russian fortifications or the Russian forces. Theres a pretty extensive mixture as we took a look at locations, and then at satellite imagery extensive network of lets say, the Dragons Teeth. Theyre generally several rows; we were seeing three rows. I can see these are pyramid-like concrete structures that are done properly and go reasonably deep and often connected by concrete. And their purpose really is to make it impossible for tanks to go over. So then youve got the trenches where the Russian forces have dug up berms and where there are earthwork barriers that the Russians have constructed. And youve got artillery placed, sometimes hidden, where deception becomes important because the Ukrainians are going to have access to U.S. imagery analysis, including satellite imagery analysis. Jay Solomon: What advantages do the Russians have? Seth Jones: I think their biggest advantage right now is the Ukrainians have not been able to move quickly yet. It means they are now close to Russian firepower. Not just from the air, but from artillery, long range artillery. The Ukrainians are going to have to start to move faster than they are right now. Jay Solomon: What advantages do the Ukrainians have? Seth Jones: I think there are several. One of them is just the size of the [Russian] line, huge. Its like over twice the size of the Maginot Line that the French constructed, both on the German border as well as Belgium, that the Germans penetrated. They dont have enough forces to defend all areas of the line. A second is the terrain. There will be some advantages, particularly really mountainous terrain. But thats a challenge for the Russians. Its not ideal for a defense because there are not a lot of natural barriers [where] they can hide. A third and significant challenge for the Russians is just the quality of their ground forces has been deeply mixed. There has been a problem just general morale, depletion of the Russian forces. And even the significant role weve seen of the Wagner Group is not a good sign. Jay Solomon: Whats a likely scenario with that defensive line so hard to defend? Seth Jones: I think its likely that the Ukrainians will break through somewhere and be able to push through the open terrain. I think the question becomes: How quickly can the Russians move reinforcements to limit any Ukrainian breakthroughs? Thats the variable that's going to be hard to predict. Jay Solomon: What part of the Russian defenses will be the most difficult to penetrate? Seth Jones: Youre going to try to take Crimea? Youre going to have to go through a very intense network of fortifications that also have a lot of the long-range fire from Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea. Its going to be pretty heavily saturated with fire, long range fire. Jay Solomon: What outside assistance from the U.S. or NATO could have the most impact for Ukraine? Seth Jones: ATACMS [tactical ballistic missiles] would be fantastic. They would really give longer ranges for Ukrainian forces. Jay Solomon: And assistance to the Russians? Seth Jones: Chinese assistance on parts for weapons systems oscillators, gyroscopes things that the Russians had used on some of their weapons systems from the West and now they can't because theyre sanctioned. Jay Solomon: Whats surprised you about your study and the status of the conflict? Seth Jones: I went in pretty gloomy and came out of it saying: Oh, you know, . We talked to a range of military historians as well. And, I mean, there are a lot of cases in history where you saw attackers facing pretty significant infrastructure [and fortifications] and it is possible [to make gains]. Explainer-What happens next in the Trump documents case? Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears on classified document charges in Miami By Jack Queen (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to federal criminal charges that he unlawfully kept national-security documents when he left office and lied to officials who sought to recover them. Here is what to expect as the case proceeds. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? It could be a year or more before a trial takes place. Trump's plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman in a federal court in Miami, sets up a legal battle likely to play out for months while he seeks to win back the presidency in a November 2024 election. Trump was allowed to leave court without conditions or travel restrictions and no cash bond was required. Goodman ruled that he was not allowed to communicate with potential witnesses in the case. Trump's aide Walt Nauta, who is also charged in the case, appeared alongside Trump but will not have to enter a plea until June 27 because he does not have a local lawyer. He, too, was released without having to post bond and was ordered not to talk to other witnesses. Federal prosecutors can be expected to begin handing over evidence to Trumps lawyers. That could include years of correspondence between Trumps lawyers, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and prosecutors as they haggled over the documents. At some point, Trump's lawyers are expected to file a motion to dismiss the case for a variety of reasons, including perhaps his claim he declassified the documents before taking them. They are also likely to argue the case should be tossed for what they allege was misconduct by prosecutors, including alleged violations of a legal doctrine that permits people to keep communications with their lawyers private. Motions to dismiss in criminal cases are standard but rarely succeed because defendants face a high burden convincing a judge that their case is too flawed to even go before a jury. Prosecutors are also entitled to the benefit of the doubt on their factual allegations at that stage. WHAT IMPACT WILL THE CASE HAVE ON TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN? The charges include violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to investigators. None of those would automatically prevent Trump from campaigning or taking office if he is convicted. His legal woes have not hurt his standing with Republican voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showed that Trump still led rivals for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election by a wide margin, and that 81% of Republican voters viewed the charges as politically motivated. Most of Trump's Republican presidential rivals have lined up behind him and accuse the FBI of political bias, in a sharp turn from the party's traditional support for law enforcement. Trump has used legal cases and investigations he faces as fundraising tools, telling supporters that he is under attack and needs their help. WHEN WILL THE CASE GO TO TRIAL? Any potential trial could be many months away even though Special Counsel Jack Smith, heading the prosecution, has said Trump will have a "speedy" trial. Trump, who has denied wrongdoing and calls the case a politically motivated witch hunt, has a right to face trial within 100 days, but that rarely happens in complex cases. The parties will likely agree to extend deadlines as they pore over evidence and argue legal disputes before a judge. WILL TRUMP TESTIFY? That would be up to him. Criminal defendants are not required to testify and rarely do because subjecting themselves to cross-examination by prosecutors is risky. Trump did not testify at a recent civil trial over sex abuse and defamation claims brought against him by writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury found Trump liable in that case in May. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CASE IF TRUMP WINS THE ELECTION? It is unlikely the prosecution will proceed if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. The U.S. Department of Justice is part of the executive branch, and presidents are the top federal law enforcement officers in the country. Federal prosecutors generally serve at their pleasure. The Justice Department has a decades-old policy that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted. The department can deviate from policy in extraordinary circumstances with the approval of the U.S. attorney general, the countrys top law enforcement official. A lame-duck attorney general serving under President Joe Biden, in this case Merrick Garland, could ignore that policy and forge ahead, but Trump, as president, could fire him and hire an acting replacement of his choice before naming a permanent successor subject to U.S. Senate confirmation. (Reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) The 3rd Assault Brigade has posted another video from the Bakhmut front showing soldiers from the unit covering Ukrainian infantry during an assault on Russian positions. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade on Telegram Details: The video shows soldiers from the reconnaissance company of the 3rd Assault Brigade covering infantry during an assault. A UAV helps with aerial reconnaissance. The unit has taken on fire to allow Ukrainian infantry to clear Russian positions. 3 pic.twitter.com/32xU71QmLW (@ukrpravda_news) June 13, 2023 As a result, two Russians were killed and three injured. There are no losses amongst the Ukrainian units. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A 13-year-old McCall boy was killed last week when the top of a large pine tree snapped off during a windy storm, hitting the car in which he was riding. Coltin Jones was pronounced dead last Wednesday at the scene on Idaho Highway 55 after first responders were unable to save him, Boise County Sheriff Scott Turner told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. His grandmother, who was driving the vehicle, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. They were the only people in the car. Turner said the accident, which happened at around 5:20 p.m. north of Horseshoe Bend, was not announced last week out of respect for the family. Jones was finishing eighth grade at Payette Lakes Middle School, according to an obituary published Tuesday in the Statesman. The last day of the school year was Friday. He wanted to be a cowboy from the time he was little and rode bulls in a junior high school rodeo, the obituary said. Jones had a heart of gold and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, camping, riding horses and working on his dirt bike. Before he was killed, he and his grandmother had just shared an amazing day. It was definitely extremely tragic for the family, obviously, and the first responders, Turner said. It was a pretty tough crash. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) requires the presence of Black women. At least, the Mozilla Foundations Eyitemi Popo seems to think so. Popo has worked with the global nonprofit as program manager, technical relationships, for over two and a half years, and she was hired on to lead developer-focused strategy around ethical AI strategy. When she became interested in AI, it was essential that she positioned herself as an authority within the space. When I watch the news, Im always trying to look for where are trends heading? Whats the thing to be paying attention to and for a while now its been AI for me, she told AfroTech. I graduated in 2012, so like things hadnt fully recovered from the 08 economic crisis. And with AI, I just feel like I didnt want to miss that train. So, I was very intentional about trying to get there on time and be a part of the industry as things were just taking off, so that I could find a place in it. Currently, Popo is aligned with the Mozilla Foundations mission to establish a healthy internet. During the early 2000s, the nonprofit changed the browser landscape by creating Firefox. In more recent years, the organization has a laser focus on the use of AI. I feel like Mozilla, because of that history, were trying to do the same thing in this AI space, Popo explained. Were trying to create a world where it isnt just the big guys that will dominate this space, but were creating some open-source tools around AI and were trying to educate people on the harms of AI. In 2020, MozFest Trustworthy AI Working Group was launched with the aid of AI builders, developers, civil society leaders, artists, policy-makers, and funders who want to contribute to creating a more equitable society. A noteworthy project highlighted by Popo is the Kwanele mobile app, which integrates an AI chatbot powered by GPT-3 that helps individuals who have been victimized by gender-based violence. According to information on the Mozilla Foundations website, the chatbot assists the user in reporting gender-based violence, with the guidance of a trauma-informed talk therapist and also answers questions associated to legislation such as the Protection from Harassment Act and the Criminal Law Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act. Kwanele, based in South Africa, worked closely with MozFest Trustworthy AI for guidance from ethical AI team members. The company attended workshops and received mentorship from the Mozilla team. They are creating an app that helps women who have been victimized by rape, Popo detailed. So, theyve created this AI chat bot that responds in the moment. If youve just experienced a trauma, you can go onto their app and talk to a bot to get more information around how you should preserve evidence, so that can to lead to higher rates of conviction. She continued, We helped them build that chatbot for one correctness in terms of giving the right information in the moment, but also making sure that theres empathy in how the information is delivered and also giving you the right resources to help you deal with your trauma in the moment. The efforts alongside Kwanele are a reminder of the greater good of AI, which can be possible with collaboration. All in all, there is still much progression to be made in AI. Popo hopes to see more rely on the expertise of Black women, as this demographic has already brought to light the wide range of problems in AI that continue to be overlooked. The lens we bring to technology is so interesting because we see a lot of the blind spots that the people that created it dont and I know we always complain about like black people being consumers more than builders and I feel like this AI revolution is our opportunity to really be builders, said Popo. Police officers await trial: What to know about 3 pending cases in Fall River FALL RIVER On May 31, a jury in Bristol County Superior Court found 44-year-old former Fall River police officer Michael Pessoa guilty of police brutality, civil rights violations, witness intimidation and lying on police reports about an incident in February 2019. A Superior Court judge revoked Pessoas bail hed been free on since his indictment in June 2019, and his sentencing was delayed until June 21 as he remains in custody at Bristol County House of Correction, according to Superior Court records. But Pessoas criminal legal woes arent over yet, with more criminal cases pending on similar charges. Pessoas not alone, and there are both current and former city police officers facing both criminal cases against them. Heres what we know. Timeline: Scandals and controversies have hurt Fall River Police Department's reputation Former Fall River police officer Michael Pessoa takes the stand on Tuesday, May 30. Pessoa may face other juries in the future Pessoa is named as a defendant in two more use-of-force cases. Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III vowed to pursue those cases after the 19-year FRPD veteran was found guilty on all four counts against him after a six-day trial. Pessoa was found guilty of punching 59-year-old David Lafrance in 2019 while he was being released from custody; Lafrance was temporarily handcuffed pending a short investigation into a neighbor dispute at an apartment building on South Main Street. Former Fall River police officer Michael Pessoa, far left, listens as the verdict is read in his excessive force case. The jury found the 19-year city police officer guilty on four counts in the case. With him is his attorney Frank Camera and co-counsel Kathryn Blythe. Personnel issues: A state board has suspended certification for 2 Fall River police officers. Here's why. Three other FRPD officers who testified for the prosecution during the trial are no longer in the police force. Former officers Andre Demelo and Sean Aguiar quit, and Thomas Roberts was fired after an internal investigation. He testified at trial that hes trying to get his job back and is appealing the termination. Pessoa was fired from the police department about a year ago. William Harvey claims he was beaten while in Fall River police custody in 2020 and reached a $65,000 settlement with the city. Still facing his criminal case. Another officer is facing trial in federal court Patrolman Nicholas Hoar was arrested by federal law enforcement in November 2022 after a grand jury indicted him for alleged brutality on 57-year-old William Harvey while he was in custody at police headquarters in December 2021. Part of the alleged assault was caught on a booking room surveillance camera. After the FBI received a complaint regarding the alleged assault by one of Harveys relatives, Hoar was on paid leave from the department. That changed to unpaid leave after his indictment by a federal grand jury. Hoar's case: City police officer facing federal civil rights charges has case back before a judge Former Fall River police officer Michael Pessoa listens to the proceedings of his trial in court on Tuesday, May 23. Former FRPD patrolman jailed awaiting three domestic criminal cases ordered released on $1,000 bail Former patrol officer Bryan Custadio was out on bail on personal recognizance on two domestic cases where hes accused of assaulting a family member twice in 2021. In one of the incidents, the 32-year-old Custadio is accused of choking the alleged victim while he was on duty. But a Superior Court judge revoked his bail on March 1 after Custadio was arrested again for allegedly attacking a different domestic partner after a night of drinking. Custadio was ordered held for a minimum of 90 days in jail at least until a hearing review on May 30 after he was found a danger in a dangerousness hearing brought by the Bristol County DAs office. He spent those 90 days in Nantucket at the Dukes County Correctional Facility until his hearing, where he was ordered released on $1,000 cash bail for the third alleged domestic case and personal recognizance for the first two cases, according to court records. Custadio was on paid leave from the department last November 2021 until August 2022 and after his second of two arrests on domestic assault charges. He was terminated after an internal investigation and an officer hearing. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Ex-Fall River police officers face criminal charges: What to know Iran rejects U.S. claim of helping Russia build drone plant Xinhua) 09:27, June 13, 2023 TEHRAN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday rejected the U.S. claim that Iran is sending materials to Russia to help Moscow build a drone manufacturing plant. Nasser Kanaani made the remarks at a weekly press conference, in response to the White House's allegation that Tehran "provided hundreds of armed drones to Russia last month for Moscow's war in Ukraine," according to a statement posted on the website of Iran's Foreign Ministry. Iran rejects such claims with "political motivations," said Kanaani, adding that military and defense cooperation between Iran and Russia had started before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a statement on Friday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said: "As of May, Russia received hundreds of one-way attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), as well as UAV production-related equipment, from Iran." He said Russia had used Iranian drones in recent weeks to strike Kiev, noting that Moscow has been "offering Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics, and air defense in return for Iran's supplying kamikaze drones to Russia." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Flash People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The fishermen held signs that read "Desperately oppose the Fukushima radioactive contaminated water discharge into the sea," and "SOS!! Pacific Ocean!" Kim Kwang-shik, one of the fishermen who joined the protest rally, told Xinhua that although he had no professional information on the radioactive water, he was well aware of the fact that the release would be bad. "If the Fukushima contaminated water is safe (as Japan claimed), it can be left in Japan's soil rather than be released into the ocean," Kim said. According to organizers, about 2,000 fishermen and civic activists participated in the demonstration. The association of the fishermen said in a statement that the Japanese government should come up with solutions, including a long-term storage on land, rather than dump the radioactive water that will destroy all life in the Pacific Ocean and all fishermen living on it. The association urged the South Korean government to immediately file a complaint with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea against Japan, saying that if the contaminated water is released, it will threaten the livelihood of fishermen amid a sharp drop in demand for marine products. According to a Research View survey of 1,000 South Korean adults conducted last month, 85.4 percent of the respondents opposed Japan's contaminated water discharge, and 72 percent said they would reduce the consumption of marine products if the wastewater is released into the ocean. Sea salt demand here has soared for the past months on fears that Japan would push ahead with its discharge plan. The price of 20 kg sea salt spiked 27 percent in the first week of June compared to the first week of April, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Insanga, a salt producer traded in the smaller KOSDAQ market, surged by the daily price limit of 30 percent Monday, following a Japanese media report that the test operation of the contaminated water discharge facility began earlier in the day. Both consumers and retailers rushed to stockpile salt. Major sea salt vendors stopped selling salt in early June amid a flood of delivery orders, according to local newspaper Hankyoreh. The South Korean government attributed the salt price hike to poor weather and lower production. Editors note:The Kansas City Police Department on Monday evening said Johnathan Scaletty waited just over four minutes in the 911 queue before being transferred to a call taker, rather than 15 minutes. They confirmed it took the ambulance an hour to arrive. More than two days after a Lees Summit man said he was injured in an attack before a country music concert at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City police have not answered questions about the attack or their response. Johnathan Scaletty, 34, and his wife, said they were randomly attacked by strangers in the stadium parking lot Saturday night, and then made to wait about an hour for an ambulance to arrive. The Star made repeated requests to Kansas City police for information about the attack, including asking whether they could confirm Scalettys account or timeline, as well as for the incident report. The questions remained unanswered by late Monday afternoon and the incident report had yet to be provided. Its not the first time recently that questions have been raised about 911 hold times and emergency response times in Kansas City. Kansas City police have, in fact, failed for several years to meet national standards on answering 911 calls. Its a problem which is just getting worse, according to data on 911 hold times and response times. Its also a problem public officials have sounded alarms about before. In late May, Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke out publicly after he said his sister was on hold with 911 dispatchers for five minutes before getting help for their mother. More 911 calls, fewer staff Police attribute the extended 911 hold times to recurring issues are staffing levels and increased 911 call volumes, said Capt. Corey Carlisle, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department. He said that hold times have been discussed numerous times in monthly Board of Police Commissioners meeting. Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin told commissioners at their May 23 meeting the average 911 hold time for the month of April was 46 seconds, up from 35 seconds the previous month. The primary reason for the increase in 911 hold times and response times compared to last month was due to an increase in call volume, Mabin said. But Kansas City police have failed for several years to meet the National Emergency Number Association call answering standards of 90% of calls answered within 15 seconds and 95% answered within 20 seconds, according to data from the Mid-America Regional Councils Regional Ringtime Range. In 2019, 75.51% of the calls were answered in 15 seconds and 78.38% of calls answered within 20 seconds, according to the data. That compares to 65.47% of calls answered within 15 seconds and 86.68% of calls answered within 20 seconds for 2022. Last month, only 40.76% of the calls were answered in 15 seconds and 45.05% of the calls within 20 seconds. The Mid-America Regional Council, known as MARC, serves as the coordinating agency for the Kansas Citys regional 911 system. It owns the equipment that allows the call to get from your phone to the appropriate public safety answering points based on your location, said Eric Winebrenner, MARCs public safety communications director. MARC is responsible to deliver the call but we dont have anything to do with it after the call is delivered and the agency answers, Winebrenner said. Regionally, most of the 911 calls are answered within 15 seconds. Its just individual pockets that have issues, Winebrenner said. And those issues mostly revolve around staffing and a shortage of 911 dispatchers. All of them are seeing staffing issues and thats across nation, not just in this region, said Winebrenner, who added that its a hard job that requires background checks and a lot of training. Its working nights and holidays and weekends an lot of times youre working mandatory overtime. Its a tough position to fill. The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating its response to the incident but was not able to answers questions posed by The Star on Monday. For us, every call for help is important and we are currently investigating this response, said Jason Spreitzer, a spokesman for the department said. Scalettys account is the latest in ongoing conversations about slow emergency response times in Kansas City. After the experience Lucas said his sister had in May, waiting on hold with 911 dispatchers for five minutes before getting help for their mother, the mayor posted on social media, calling the wait times terrifying and unacceptable. It just rang and rang In this latest incident, Scaletty told The Star he and his wife had opted to wait out rain showers in their car before heading into the stadium for the Luke Combs concert on Saturday. As they waited, he said he heard someone opening their vehicle and he saw a group of people in their late 20s or early 30s gathered around and laughing. He shut the door with a button and told them to stop it. They laughed and did it again. Scaletty said he got out to talk to the group, but said he was almost immediately attacked. He said he was grabbed by his legs and that another person grabbed his throat. A man swung at Scalettys wife as she tried to pull him off. He missed, but he took with him a fistful of her hair. The attackers eventually walked off, leaving Scaletty on the ground with a foot broken in multiple places, he said. Scaletty said he called 911 about 6:15 p.m. from his wifes phone as she tried to help him. He was on hold for 15 minutes before getting someone on the phone, he said. It just rang and rang and rang and rang, he told the Star. Arrowhead Security was the first to respond, followed by Kansas City police about 10 minutes later and then the fire department, Scaletty said. An ambulance pulled up about an hour after Scaletty said he initially called 911. It seemed like we werent helped or protected or safe at all even after we were reaching out for it, Scaletty said Sunday, after being released from the hospital that morning. The fate of this Wichita bridal store is uncertain but hopeful The fate of the Wichita Davids Bridal store is uncertain, but the Pennsylvania-based chain is hopeful for its future. We are pursuing a dual-track process under Chapter 11 to sell our Company, Davids Bridal said in an e-mailed statement. The chain said it is hoping to sell the company and preserve jobs but that is has closed some stores. The closures havent affected the Wichita store at Eastgate Plaza, which is at Kellogg and Rock Road. However, its one of 229 stores whose leases are slated for auction sometime in July. Another 49 sites are available to buy this month. Of course, no outcome is certain, but we want to assure the market and our employees that we are working as hard as we can to find a buyer to bring the iconic Davids brand into the future, the statement said. Across our Davids Bridal stores in Kansas, we intend to fulfill orders without disruption or delay, and customers should not expect to see any change in the unparalleled service level they have come to expect from our Dream Makers. Look for more information as soon as its available. HOWELL The father of a two-year-old killed after gaining access to an unsecured gun has been identified as a member of the Dearborn Police Department, according to reporting from Fox 2 Detroit. More: Toddler dead after gaining access to an unsecured firearm in Howell On Sunday, June 11, according to the Howell Police Department, the child accessed the gun in a home on Oak Squire Lane in Howell's Rolling Oaks. The child was immediately transported by EMS to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. According to Livingston County Property Records, the home is owned by Tonya and David Lacey. David, according to the report from Fox, is a corporal with the Dearborn Police Department. The father of a two-year-old killed after gaining access to an unsecured gun has been identified as a member of the Dearborn Police Department. "This incident is a very serious personal family matter, and we respect the privacy of the officer and his family during this difficult time," the department told Fox. The outlet also got a statement from neighbor John McGlinchey. "(I'm) devastated. Horrible tragedy. Ive never seen anything like this. From my front door, I could see after a while what I take to be a paramedic carrying a child from the garage to the ambulance." Neither the Howell Police Department nor the Dearborn Police Department are providing additional information at this time, though an investigation is underway. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Lacey was embroiled in controversy in 2012, according to reporting from the Detroit Free Press, when he pulled over a car and became upset with a passenger for not disclosing she had HIV. He issued a ticket for illegal marijuana possession and the passenger later sued the city of Dearborn, which agreed to pay $40,000. Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com. Follow her on Twitter @tess_journalist. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Father of Howell toddler killed in accidental shooting is Dearborn police officer A retired FDNY hero of the 9/11 attacks was anointed the departments first deputy commissioner on Tuesday amid Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaghs continuing conflict with the departments most senior chiefs. As Kavanagh handed Joseph Pfeifer, 67, his commissioners badge, she called his return to service an inspiration to rank-and-file firefighters. Joe has been through the darkest moment in Fire Department history and he chose to make the choice to come back and to rebuild, Kavanagh said at Tuesdays promotion ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center in East New York, Brooklyn. The fact that he has chosen to do that again in another difficult moment for a city and FDNY coming out of COVID, rebuilding and facing a new future together is something I am incredibly grateful for. Pfeifer was tapped to the second-highest rank in the FDNY in February. As he officially took office, he noted that one of his key roles as department officer and leader is to sustain hope and unify efforts to respond to complex events in the face of great tragedy. The courage of our collective leadership with ordinary acts of kindness is what will make a difference when every moment counts, he said, choking up at points before receiving a raucous round of applause. When Pfeifer was originally appointed in February, a lawyer representing several chiefs in an ageism lawsuit said his hiring does not absolve Kavanagh of the charges. We are well past the point of believing the defense of I am not racist against X because I have X friends, the lawyer, Jim Walden, said at the time. Waldens clients include four staff chiefs and two high-ranking EMS members who claim in a Brooklyn Supreme Court lawsuit that Kavanagh harassed, maligned, demoted and transferred them because they were at or near the age of 60. Ten staff chiefs have either been demoted by Kavanagh or have asked to be lowered in rank during the turmoil in the FDNYs upper ranks. Kavanagh hasnt signed off on any of the demotion requests and has asked everyone to stay on as she fine-tunes her leadership team. At 40, Kavanagh, the citys first woman fire commissioner, is also one of the citys youngest commissioners. Unlike at recent promotional ceremonies, rank-and-file firefighters did not jeer Kavanagh as she spoke Tuesday. FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens, who asked to be demoted to deputy chief and reassigned to the field, sat next to Kavanagh at Tuesdays promotion ceremony. Pfeifer joined the Fire Department in 1981 and was the first FDNY chief to respond to the World Trade Center on 9/11. His brother, FDNY Lt. Kevin Pfeifer, died in the terror attack. He retired in 2018 after being credited with founding the departments Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. Pfeifer was also the FDNYs chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness for 17 years after 9/11, where he helped shape strategic planning, intelligence sharing and interagency response to terror related incidents, department officials said. Within a few weeks of taking his new job, Pfeifer ran afoul of the staff chiefs by the flippant way he dismissed their concerns about Kavanagh in a in a New York Times column. Pfeifer said in the interview that the chiefs demotion requests lessened their authority in the field. He also said he didnt see how the chiefs could be part of the FDNY going forward. They cant go out on their own and make their own rules, Pfeifer said. Pfeifer also said in the newspaper interview that the FDNY has a deep bench to replace the dissatisfied chiefs. FDNY Assistant Chief Thomas Currao joined the list of staff chiefs asking to be demoted after reading Pfeifers statements, according to sources. Though no one was promoted to an assistant chief position during Tuesdays ceremony, six battalion chiefs were promoted to deputy chief, laying ground work for the appointments of future staff chiefs. No one was promoted to replace FDNY Deputy Commissioner Frank Dwyer and FDNY Chief Legal Counsel Terryl Brown, who were both fired by Kavanagh in late February. It takes courage to lead in challenging and dangerous times, Pfeifer said at the ceremony. No one will follow us into dangerous situations unless they know we are good at our job. Federal environmental and international boundary officials have come to an agreement aimed at improving a longstanding pollution crisis plaguing the San DiegoTijuana border region. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. branch of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) announced on Monday that they had signed a record of decision finalizing the environmental review for transboundary pollution mitigation projects. The agreement now allows the EPA and the IBWC a U.S.-Mexican entity that oversees shared water resources to move on to the design phase of specific sanitation initiatives included in previous negotiations. The region has long been coping with cross-border wastewater woes, in which Tijuanas sewage periodically ends up contaminating San Diego Countys beaches. Funneling the flow is the Tijuana River Watershed, which reenters the U.S. after spending time in Mexico. While transboundary pollution in the watershed has become a chronic problem, the recent wet winter brought an intermittent influx of Tijuana sewage to the beaches of San Diego county. One of my priorities since becoming Commissioner is to ensure everything in USIBWCs power is done to improve sanitation along the U.S.-Mexico border and reopen many of the California beaches that have been closed for far too long, USIBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner said in a statement on Monday. The projects in question are those outlined in binational Minute 328 a binding agreement signed by the U.S. and Mexico last summer as well as others detailed in a statement of intent from the EPA and Conagua, Mexicos national water administrator. Among the projects are the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant on the U.S. side of the border, a new treatment plant in Tijuana and the repair of several sewage pipes in the city of Tijuana. About $300 million has been appropriated by Congress to fund the plans, through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to a joint announcement from the EPA and the USIBWC. EPA is working as quickly as possible to move into the design and construction phase of this critically needed infrastructure, said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. Todays milestone is a key step towards controlling the transborder pollution that has long burdened communities in the region, on both sides of the border, she added. Earlier this month, Guzman and Giner joined Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in a tour of the region, to evaluate the federal efforts focused on addressing the ongoing crisis. At the time, Padilla discussed the health hazards and environmental threats that have moved across the border and into Californian backyards. This pollution continues to contaminate Southern Californias air and water, depriving communities of outdoor recreation and economic opportunities, Padilla said in a statement. It is critical that we build on the federal investments we secured last year in order to implement a comprehensive, long-term solution to improve sewage treatment in both San Diego County and Tijuana, the senator added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The 2020 disappearance and murder of a young Army specialist that prompted service-wide reckoning and reform may still be affecting efforts to recruit female soldiers, a revealing new slide presentation indicates. A six-page Army PowerPoint presentation created for the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services shows a marked drop in the Armys female enlistments for every year since fiscal 2019. The presentation does not mention 20-year-old Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who disappeared from Fort Cavazos (then Fort Hood) in Texas in April 2020, and whose remains were only discovered months later after calls for an intensified search. It does, however, point to another jarring statistic: a dramatic spike in the percentage of young prospective female recruits citing fears of sexual harassment or assault as reasons not to join the Army. Whats more, the presentation states that the Army failed to allay womens fears even as those concerns hindered recruiting efforts. The biggest factor is the perception among the target market and US Armys issues with Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and discrimination, the presentation, delivered by Command Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Wolfe, top enlisted leader of the Armys 1st Recruiting Brigade, states. We never tried to counter the narrative. Wolfes presentation, delivered to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services in March, offers a rare specific look at Army efforts to attract women amid broader, military-wide struggles to recruit within a young generation less predisposed to service than its predecessors. According to the presentation, the Army got 15,907 female enlistment contracts in 2020, down from 19,137 in 2019. Contracts fell to 13,320 in 2021, and tumbled again, to 10,751 in 2022. In terms of female representation in enlistments, the slides show female enlistments made up 20.8% of the total in 2019, falling to 20.5% in 2020, and dropping again to 18.6% in 2021. Female representation in enlistments increased to 19.3% in 2022, but has yet to fully recover. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept recruiters out of high schools and restricted opportunities to meet prospective recruits face-to-face, was a factor in the drop in enlistment contracts, according to the presentation. But negative perceptions, it concludes, were a greater factor. Female Prospects view the Army as an inferior employer neither aligned with their aspirations nor providing desired outcomes, the presentation states, with jarring candor. U.S. Army Recruiting Command declined to make Wolfe available for an interview, but did provide written responses to questions about the presentation and its findings. An Army spokeswoman, Madison Bonzo, said the service did not explicitly link the downward enlistment trend with the widespread furor and outrage over Guillens death. Fort Hood crisis didnt hurt Armys Hispanic recruiting, data shows A decrease in enlistment for this specific reason would be difficult to determine, she said, however the Army is working to counter several misperceptions the public has about military service through awareness about the opportunities it provides and the programs we currently offer to combat sexual assault in the Army. Demographic-specific recruiting data included in the presentation does show more nuance, and some positive trends. While recruitment of white women fell to a five-year low in 2022, making up 6% of enlistments, down from 7.9% in 2020, representation of women from other racial backgrounds increased even as overall enlistments fell. The number of Hispanic women who signed enlistment contracts dropped from 4,500 in 2019 to 2,923 in 2022, but representation in the population increased from 4.9% to a five-year high of 5.2% in the same timeframe, the presentation shows. African American female enlistees dropped from 6,085 in 2019 to 3,550, but representation remained relatively strong, dipping from 6.6% in 2019 to 5.7% in 2021, but climbing back to 5.7% last year. Female production or the annual number of enlistment contracts is down 31% overall since the pandemic, according to the presentation, but overall production is down 29.2% as all Army elements contend with historic recruiting difficulties. Bonzo pointed to another statistic, the 13% of female enlistees in 2022 who opted for combat arms jobs once off-limits to women, as another positive sign. Overall female representation has not dropped, active component female representation has increased each year since 2011, she said. For example, in 2016, women became eligible for all jobs within the Armys combat arms branch, since then, the Army has increased overall representation of females in those roles to approximately 5% as of FEB 2023. But as the stark language of Wolfes presentation makes clear, the misgivings of women ages 16 to 28 about Army service, especially if not effectively addressed in outreach and communication, may be a harbinger of greater recruiting struggles to come. In that age group, the presented data shows, 64% of respondents believe they would be sexually harassed, and 61% believe theyd be sexually assaulted, if they joined the Army. Among respondents from Gen Z, those born after 1997, almost half said that they think their lives would be worse off if they joined the Army, and 43% said they believe theyd experience some form of discrimination. Bonzo acknowledged the service sees challenges in reaching Gen Z, and said the Armys recruitment machine is working to push out social media content highlighting female soldiers in traditionally male-dominated roles, as well as in leadership positions, fulfilling their passions, balancing work and family and other success stories. Army Marketing research tells us that Gen Z does not know their Army, she said. Research also tells us that youth seek out paths filled with possibilities of purpose, passion, community, and connection; however, they dont see the Army as an organization that can set them on those paths. Army marketing campaigns are designed to close these gaps. Bonzo pointed to new and upcoming Army initiatives that aim to communicate positive aspects of Army service and highlight opportunities for women to advance and thrive. The Armys Enterprise Marketing Office, she said, is partnering with media company IGN to produce a mini-documentary series called Women Warriors, focused on telling the stories of real service members who pursue their passions while serving in the Army. Senators press Fort Hood leaders on investigation into soldiers death A womens initiative team, similar to those already established in the Air Force and Marine Corps, is also being established, she said, as an advocacy entity. Made up of female soldiers, the team will provide an important mechanism for the Army to evaluate the way it measures and identifies issues of gender bias, Bonzo said. Even as it launches these new efforts, however, the Army may be hard-pressed to alter negative public perception from events that dominate headlines. Guillen, who disappeared after reporting sexual harassment by a fellow soldier and was allegedly killed by another soldier, continues to be a symbol for many of the services perceived failure to do all it can to protect women in uniform. The March death of another Fort Cavazos soldier, 20-year-old Pvt. Ana Basaldua Ruiz, once again returned Guillen to the national conversation, even though preliminary findings indicated Ruizs death was not the result of foul play. By Helen Coster NEW YORK (Reuters) - The number of people globally who initially access news through a website or app has dropped by 10 points since 2018, and younger groups prefer to access news through social media, search or mobile aggregators, according to a report released on Tuesday. Audiences pay more attention to celebrities, influencers, and social media personalities than journalists on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism said in its annual Digital News Report. TikTok is the fastest growing social network in the report, used by 20% of 18- to 24-year-olds for news, up five percentage points from last year. Fewer than half the survey respondents expressed much interest in news at all, down sharply from 6 out of 10 in 2017. There are no reasonable grounds for expecting that those born in the 2000s will suddenly come to prefer old-fashioned websites, let alone broadcast and print, simply because they grow older, Reuters Institute Director Rasmus Nielsen said in the report, which is based on an online survey of roughly 94,000 adults, conducted in 46 markets including the U.S. Less than a third of the surveys respondents said that having stories selected for them based on their previous consumption is a good way to get news, a 6-point decline from 2016, when the survey last asked the question. Yet people still slightly prefer to have their news chosen by algorithms than by editors or journalists. Trust in the news has fallen by 2 percentage points in the last year, reversing gains made in many countries at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. On average, 40% of people say they trust most news most of the time. The United States has seen a 6-point increase in trust in news, to 32%, but remains among the lowest in the survey. Across markets, 56% of people say they worry about identifying the difference between real and fake news on the internet up 2 percentage points from last year. The survey found that 48% of people say they are very or extremely interested in news, down from 63% in 2017. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is funded by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Thomson Reuters. (Reporting by Helen Coster; Editing by David Gregorio) A fiery physics lesson: Why the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia has no quick fix in sight The collapse of an I-95 overpass Sunday morning in Philadelphia is a real-life physics lesson the result of what happens when building materials come in contact with intense and prolonged heat. Steel girders and concrete used in bridges can lose 50% of their strength at about 1,100 F and 950 F, respectively, according to Andrew W. Herrmann, past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Sunday's fire, which ignited when a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped on an I-95 off-ramp under the overpass, is estimated to have burned as hot as 2,000 F, Hermann said. "So with that type of a fire, we are way over what would cause damage to the bridge and actually lead to its collapse," he said. A vehicle fire shut down I-95 southbound in Philadelphia. The fire, which remains under investigation, caused a partial collapse of a portion of the interstate's northbound lanes and compromised the southbound lanes leading into Philadelphia. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed Monday night that a body was recovered from the scene. The collapse shut down a seven-mile stretch of the interstate in both directions, impacting local traffic and cutting off a portion of the East Coast's primary highway. About 160,000 motorists travel along the impacted section every day. Where is the I-95 collapse? Maps show where it happened and what detours to take Why fire and steel don't mix The introduction of steel in our highways and bridges has made them stronger, safer and faster to build. Steel, an alloy of iron and small amounts of carbon, also makes these structures more flexible, allowing them to be built in sites that are earthquake-prone or have high winds. While these structures are usually stronger because of streel, they remain susceptible to such things as fires especially fires that give off intense heat and burn for lengthy periods. It took the Philadelphia Fire Department about an hour to bring Sunday's blaze under control. A tanker truck caught fire under a section of I-95 in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. While buildings are protected from fire using sprinkler systems and other means, outdoor highways are not, Hermann said. That's because it would not be cost-effective. Michael Chajes, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Delaware, pointed to factors such as freezing temperatures and other environmental exposures. "But if you had something on a bridge and something happened, it's very possible it takes out your protective system," he said. I-95 collapse: Body recovered; commuters face travel chaos after tanker hauling gas flipped Damage from fires also vary. For example, a tire fire in Philadelphia's Port Richmond area in 1996 did not bring down a section of I-95 like Sunday's blaze did, Chajes said. That fire did cause damage to the interstate that lead to a temporary closure, but drivers were back on the interstate as crews worked for months to reconstruct the roadway. The current damage is estimated to leave the Philadelphia section of I-95 unusable for months. "The difference in the two fires was that fire caused by tires is not going to be as intense and as hot as the fire caused by fuel. Similar to the (World) Trade Centers that collapsed, that was jet fuel," said Chajes, referencing the terror attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. While many initially believed the skyscrapers came down after two hijacked Boeing 767s crashed into them, a report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology found the unusually large amount of jet fuel from the planes ignited multi-floor fires, which reached temperatures as high as 1,800 F. That significantly weakened the floors and columns with dislodged fireproofing to the point where floors sagged and pulled inward on the perimeter columns, leading to the buildings' collapse. No quick fix for I-95 collapse On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a disaster declaration, allowing the state and city to draw down federal funds to begin the reconstruction. "I-95 is a critical roadway that supports our economy and plays an important role in folks everyday lives," Shapiro said. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and other officials survey the scene of an overpass collapse in Northeast Philadelphia. While the declaration helps start rebuilding, experts say it will take months to fix the interstate, which still has to be fully inspected in order to find out the extent of the damage. Though the southbound span of the interstate's overpass did not collapse, Chajes suspects the lanes were compromised because of the fire's heat. "That section didn't get as hot, but it got hot enough to damage the steel to the point where it probably needs to be replaced," he said. Investigators must now find the extent of the damage and figure out if it needs to be repaired, strengthened or replaced. A truck fire on the Route 73/Cottman Avenue ramp under I-95 caused a bridge to collapse in Philadelphia. Chajes expects the Philadelphia repairs to take months, but he said the speedy rebuilding of Atlanta's I-85 offers some hope I-95 might be fixed as quickly. A massive fire in Atlanta in 2017 caused the collapse of an elevated portion of I-85, shutting down the roadway which was used by more than 250,000 people daily, according to the Greenville News. A contractor, working around the clock, was able to replace the roadway in about six weeks. "Seeing that the Atlanta (project), which was a large section, was done in a few months tells me that you can do something that quickly," he said. Has this happened before? Fiery I-95 collapse puts renewed focus on critical role of interstates in American life But a lot still has to fall into place, Chajes said. This includes having the money, workforce and materials needed for a swift completion. When I-495 over the Christina River closed during the summer of 2014 to make emergency repairs, construction workers needed certain rebar that was taking too long to arrive, Chajes said. Construction crews, he said, asked other worksites for the materials in order to finish the $45 million repairs. "So some of those things come into play in repairing it," he said, "but I would say you're on the order of months." Hermann, the past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, said it would take time to figure out what happened and determine the extent of damage. After that, officials will need to obtain steel from mills, where they will take it to a fabricator who will cut and weld the pieces together to make the beams that will then need to be delivered where crews can start working with them. Laying out a slab of metal over the damaged area is a no-go, he said with a laugh. "It's almost 100 feet," Hermann said. "That's a big slab." Other roadways, similar problems Sunday's collapse is not the first such incident in the U.S. Each such calamity brings a set of impacts to local and commercial motorists who navigate the roadways. The region has experienced previous structure damage, such as when a tire fire in Port Richmond resulted in severe structural damage to a portion of I-95 in 1996. In 2013, a section of I-81 near Harrisburg closed in both directions, causing months of delays after a tanker truck fully loaded with diesel fuel overturned and exploded into flames, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: I-95 collapse in Philadelphia is a lesson in physics with no quick fix File. NYPD commissioner has resigned (Associated Press) New York Police Department (NYPD) commissioner Keechant Sewell has resigned just 18 months after she was appointed by mayor Eric Adams. She announced her decision on Monday in an email to the department without providing any further explanation, Mr Adams confirmed on Monday. While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City, she wrote. Ms Sewell, who was appointed by Mr Adams in 2022, announced her decision on Monday The mayor, in a statement, said that Ms Sewell had worked tirelessly and thanked her for her steadfast leadership and added that New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude. The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude. NYTimes reported that the email by Ms Sewell to the department did not mention the mayor at all. It also reported that Ms Sewell was frustrated and undermined. They tied her up, New York Post quoted a source as saying. Theres no executive choices on her behalf. If a cop distinguishes himself and she wants to promote him, she cant do it, the unidentified source reportedly said. You have the first female police commissioner and shes surrounded by males who have her in check, the source added, referring to Mayor Adams and deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks. The patriarchy is in control. Sewell is not in control of the NYPD. The Independent has reached out to the mayors office for clarification on the allegation. In a statement, Patrick Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said her leadership would be sorely missed. Keechant Sewell @NYPDPC was the best appointment that @NYCMayor made during his time in office yet he refused to allow her to run the agency! Her resignation is bad for the men and women of the NYPD, and bad for the City of New York. We should all wish her well. pic.twitter.com/EIWmkw7oOo Bernard B. Kerik (@BernardKerik) June 12, 2023 There was no information provided by the mayor about when she would be leaving or when her replacement would be chosen. Ms Sewell was the first woman to lead the police department and the third Black commissioner in the NYPDs history. Benjamin Ward and Lee Brown served in the 1980s and 1990s, preceding Ms Sewell. When her appointment was announced, Mr Adams praised the Long Island police official for her emotional intelligence, describing her as calm, collected, confident and someone who had risen through the ranks. I write to urgently address the worsening parking situation in downtown Columbia and express deep concerns regarding the recent decision by the city administration to implement vehicle booting as a solution. It is disheartening to witness the city spending resources on a measure that seems ineffective in addressing the root issue while neglecting the mounting problem of uncollected parking tickets, which reportedly amount to over $2 million. For years, businesses in our vibrant city have been expressing their frustrations with the current parking administration, highlighting the detrimental impact it has on their operations. Regrettably, rather than addressing these concerns, the city administration has chosen a punitive approach, which includes booting vehicles an option that yielded only $40,000 in annual savings when implemented in Charleston. This raises questions about the cost-effectiveness and suitability of such measures for Columbia. It is evident that our city administration must reassess its priorities and allocate resources more wisely. While enforcement of parking regulations is necessary, the focus should be on developing comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of the problem. Ignoring the substantial amount of uncollected parking tickets while implementing measures that inconvenience residents and discourage downtown patronage is counterproductive. We cannot afford to overlook the successes of neighboring cities like Greenville, SC, and Augusta, Geogia, which have managed to fund their municipalities without burdening their customer base and offer free street parking and very limited parking tickets. These cities have adopted innovative approaches, such as free or discounted parking options, which attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance the overall vitality of the community. Columbia must learn from their experiences and consider implementing similar policies to foster a thriving downtown environment. I implore our city administration to reconsider its current approach and place greater emphasis on resolving the issue of uncollected parking tickets. Allocating resources to improve ticket collection methods, such as adopting technology-driven solutions or implementing efficient enforcement strategies, would be a more effective use of our citys funds. By doing so, we can address the existing financial deficit while also creating a more favorable environment for businesses and residents. As a business owner on the 1600 and 1700 block of Main Street, I experienced firsthand how the parking policies and practices have driven customers away, ultimately forcing me to close down my event center on Main Street and converting the space to a night business because of outdated parking systems. It is disheartening to witness the abundance of empty spaces in the Main Street garages each day, while the city stubbornly refuses to allow hourly rentals of these spaces. Currently each day in the three public parking garages on our block there are appoximately 300 or more empty parking spaces at all times and yet those spaces are not available to hourly parking for those wishing to shop and eat on Main Street. The citys policy of towing a car who has three outstanding parking tickets is cumberson in the fact that if you park in a space for more than an hour, you will recieve 2 tickets. Simple solutions, like updated payment systems, clear instructions on how and when you have to pay could provide a lifeline for struggling businesses and bring much-needed foot traffic back to our downtown. Moreover, I urge the city administration to engage in open dialogue with the community, including business owners, residents, and patrons, who have been directly impacted by the parking policies. By actively listening to their concerns and working collaboratively, we can develop a sustainable and fair parking system that supports economic growth and ensures a positive experience for everyone visiting downtown Columbia. Time is of the essence. The urgency of this matter necessitates swift action from our city administration. Let us refocus our efforts on finding practical and equitable solutions, rectify the uncollected ticket issue, and promote a downtown environment that encourages businesses to flourish and residents to thrive. Scott Middleton is a local developer and operator of several business on and around the 1600 block of Main Street. Flash A symposium on the future of China-Thailand friendly relations was held in Bangkok on Nov. 5 to 6, 2022. More than 70 young people from the two sides took part in the event. Feng Junying, education counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, said China-Thailand relations have played an important leading role in the development of relations between China and ASEAN countries. Feng pointed out that under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and through the joint efforts of the two peoples, China-Thailand relations will be ushered into an even brighter future that will better contribute to the development of the two countries and benefit the two peoples. Patcharinruja Juntaronanont, advisor to Thailand's minister of higher education, science, research and innovation, said that China has effectively improved its education quality through technology as well as having promoted education equity; therefore, there are many worthy lessons from the Chinese side for Thailand. She also introduced the advantages of Thai students studying in China and Chinese students studying in Thailand, the challenges Thailand faces in managing international students, as well as the situation regarding higher education in Thailand after the COVID-19 pandemic. The symposium was conducted through online and offline forms. The in-depth exchanges between Chinese and Thai students helped deepen their mutual understanding. They said that China-Thailand friendship has a long history, and the traditional family-like friendship of the two nations needs to be passed on to future generations. FILE - Italian politician, Romano Prodi and wife, Flavia Franzoni arrive at the official concert by the Maltese Philharmonic Orchestra, for the official euro celebrations at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta, on Jan. 12, 2008. Flavia Franzoni, a professor of social work and the wife of former Italian Premier Romano Prodi, died Tuesday June 13, 2023 during a hike in Umbria, Italys rescue service said. She was 76. (AP Photo/Lino Arrigo Azzopardi, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ROME (AP) Flavia Franzoni, a professor of social work and the wife of former Italian Premier Romano Prodi, died Tuesday during a hike in Umbria, Italys rescue service said. She was 76. The Prodis and others were walking along the Via di Francesco, a popular pilgrimage route between Gubbio and Assisi, when Franzoni collapsed, news reports said. The Umbrian branch of the national Alpine rescue corps said two teams responded to an emergency call and found Franzoni unconscious. Medics tried to resuscitate her, but there was nothing more to be done and a doctor pronounced her dead at the scene, the corps said. The statement noted that the resuscitation efforts occurred during a violent thunderstorm that prevented a helicopter from landing and evacuating Franzoni. Franzoni, a professor of social work at the University of Bologna, was often at Prodis side during his political career. Long a figurehead of Italy's center-left, Prodi served two stints as premier starting in 1996, after he founded the center-left Olive party, and again in 2006. He was European Commission president for five years starting in 1999. Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum, including from the Italian president and interior minister. Franzoni's death came as Italy was already mourning the death of ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi, long the leader of Italys center-right. Franzoni is survived by Prodi and their sons, Giorgio and Antonio, and grandchildren, according to a statement from Prodis office, which announced the death. The attendant reportedly worked for Aerolineas Argentina (Getty Images) A woman has been arrested for making a bomb threat in the hope that it would prevent her ex-boyfriend from flying to Miami with his new partner. Daniela Carbone, a flight attendant working for Aerolineas Argentinas, made the threat just before the flight took off from Buenos Aires on 21 May, reports Insider. The 47-year-old said in a message to the pilot and two other employees: Tell the captain that we planted three bombs on him in Miami. Stop messing with politics and check the plane because they are going to fly into a thousand pieces, according to a report from Argentinian paper La Nacion. She also reportedly directly threatened the pilot, saying that she knows where [his] kids go to school. Judge Federico Villena said that Ms Carbone used her daughters mobile phone and a pre-paid sim to make the threat, and also used voice distortion software to hide her identity. Aerolineas Argentinas tomo la decision de echar con causa a la azafata, Daniela Carbone, que realizo la amenaza de bomba en el vuelo AR1302 del 21 de mayo pasado. Sigue detenida y a la espera de que se resuelva su situacion procesal. pic.twitter.com/Hhje3w6u4d Ignacio Gonzalez Prieto (@igonzalezprieto) June 12, 2023 WhatsApp exchanges between Ms Carbone and her daughter, Candelaria, were also shared by La Nacion. The pair are clearly agitated with each other, with Candelaria calling her mother selfish and saying: You could have ruined my life for such a stupid thing, referring to the use of her phone for sending the threats. All 270 passengers on board the flight had to be evacuated as a result of the hoax. The disruption reportedly cost the airline $1m in revenue due to the rescheduling of flights, and Ms Carbone has reportedly since been fired from the airline, according to tweets from Argentinian journalists. Carbone was later arrested at Ezeiza International Airport for aggravated coercion, public intimidation, and hindering public service the same day she made the bomb threat. She could face up to six years in prison if found guilty. The Independent has contacted Aerelineas Argentina for comment. Floods from the wrecked dam in Ukraine forced Russia to withdraw 6 miles and lose fortifications in 12 settlements, experts say National Guard of Ukraine delivering food to flooded areas in Kherson on June 8, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka dam. GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images Flooding from the damaged Kakhovka dam has pushed Russia's lines back up to six miles, the ISW said. The think tank said flooding destroyed Russian positions and forced it to withdraw in some areas. Ukraine accused Russia of destroying the dam, and said it has intercepted phone calls to prove it. The flooding from a Ukrainian dam destroyed last week has pushed back Russia's lines in the area by as much as six miles, according to experts. Washington DC-based Institute for the Study of War said in an update on Monday that "flooding has deprived Russian forces of previously held positions in at least 12 settlements on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River and has pushed Russian lines back as far as 10 kilometers in some areas." The east side of the Dnipro river is controlled by Russia, which has been accused of blowing up the dam. The Kakhovka dam, which is upstream from the southeastern city of Kherson, was damaged on June 6, releasing a devastating flood of water downstream. Ukraine said more than 40,000 people were affected by the flooding, and that as of Tuesday at least 10 people had been killed, with 41 more missing. Ukraine accused Russia of blowing up the dam, while Russia has blamed Ukraine for the damage. Rescuers evacuate local residents from a flooded area after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko Last week the ISW also pointed to the impact of the dam's destruction on Russia's defensive positions. "The flooding has destroyed many Russian first line field fortifications that the Russian military intended to use to defend against Ukrainian attacks," it said. It added that "rapid flooding has likely forced Russian personnel and military equipment" to withdraw from key locations, pointing to the Oleshky and Hola Prystan settlements on the east bank where, it said, Russia had been firing artillery at Ukrainian forces. "The flood also destroyed Russian minefields along the coast, with footage showing mines exploding in the flood water," it added. Multiple Ukrainian officials said that considerable flood waters had flowed into communities on the Russian-occupied side of the river. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that Russian forces were shooting at Ukrainian rescuers working in the area. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of blowing up the dam to hinder Ukraine's counteroffensive, which has just begun, something Russia refutes. Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, said on Sunday that Russia blew up the dam to prevent a counteroffensive in the south, and that Russia was moving most of its combat-ready units away from the Kherson area. But Russia accuses Ukraine of destroying the dam by shelling it. Zelenskyy said the dam was too strong to be broken by artillery alone. Ukraine's security service said last week that it intercepted call in which Russians admitted to blowing up the dam, saying it was destroyed in an attempt to blackmail Ukraine, which went wrong. Three unnamed officials told NBC News last week that the US government has intelligence suggesting Russia is responsible. Western countries have condemned Russia in broad terms, but without explicitly saying that Russia deliberately targeted the dam. Read the original article on Business Insider A flurry of new pro-Beshear ads, plus Cameron on the Trump indictment | Trail to 23 This is part of an occasional Herald-Leader series, Trail to 23, to catch readers up on all the latest from this years Kentucky elections, most notably the governors race. There are fewer than five months until the November 7 general election in which Kentuckians will decide the commonwealths next governor: incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear or Republican challenger Daniel Cameron. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and a group backing him for re-election are continuing to release ads at a furious pace. Six new videos bolstering Beshear or blitzing GOP nominee Daniel Cameron were published last week alone. In December 2021, Mayor Kathy ONan and I walked together through the wreckage of her hometown after devastating tornadoes. But when Kentuckians get knocked down, we rebuildeven stronger than before. Thats what weve done here in Mayfield and its what we will continue to do. pic.twitter.com/lsBIcNO9tk Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) June 8, 2023 The Beshear campaign dropped two new ads last Tuesday. The first, Kathy, features Kathy ONan, the mayor of Mayfield, a small Western Kentucky town devastated by the December 2021 tornadoes. And the night that the tornado hit and since then, I have been in constant contact with Gov. Beshear, ONan says in the video. The governor has assured us that we will have everything we need to get through this. I remember the comfort that we all gained from his strength during that time. The second ad, Booming, touts the Democratic governors record on economic development. Additionally, Defending Bluegrass Values, a group backed by the Democratic Governors Association, released three new digital ads and a new TV ad, all centering around Camerons response to the controversial pardons issued by former governor Matt Bevin as he left office in 2019. Not only has Daniel Cameron refused to do anything for three and a half years after promising to look into the pardon scandal while rapists and murderers who terrorized Kentuckians have walked free, he actually hired the same Bevin attorneys who recommended the pardons to senior roles in his own office, said DGA States Press Secretary Emma OBrien. Cameron has previously responded to allegations that he failed to investigate the pardons by pointing out that he referred the matter to the FBI at the time, a move which drew bipartisan praise from then-state senate minority leader Morgan McGarvey, now a U.S. representative. Medium Buying reports that TV and radio ad spending in the Kentucky governors race has now topped $3 million, the vast majority of which is backing Beshear. While Cameron has yet to release his first television ad of the general election campaign, he is continuing to hit the campaign trail with a stop in Northern Kentucky last Friday and a visit to Shepherdsville this Tuesday. Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics Newsletter A must-read newsletter for political junkies across the Bluegrass State with reporting and analysis from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Never miss a story! Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics newsletter to connect with our reporting team and get behind-the-scenes insights, plus previews of the biggest stories. Cameron responds to Trump indictment Former president Donald Trump has become the first ex-president to face federal criminal charges. A grand jury has indicted Trump for mishandling documents after leaving the White House and conspiring to block the investigation into his conduct surrounding those documents. Because Trump has endorsed Camerons bid for Kentucky governor, the Herald-Leader reached out to Camerons campaign for reaction to the indictment. This is what Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the Republican nominee for governor, had to say in response to my request for comment about the federal indictment of former president Donald Trump. The state's 'top cop' essentially calls this political persecution. #kygov pic.twitter.com/7idEfe2Ezi Tessa Duvall (@TessaDuvall) June 9, 2023 The Attorney General responded by saying Kentuckians are worried about the political weaponization of government power. Somehow, Donald Trump appears to always be treated differently than the Democrats, Cameron said in a statement. Joe Biden has mishandled classified information and so did Hillary Clinton. Where are those indictments? It appears there are two systems of justice: one for Republicans and one for Democrats. Camerons campaign did not respond to a Herald-Leader follow-up inquiry asking if Cameron had any concerns about the seriousness of the allegations against Trump or if the development changed his support for the former president at all. No third-party candidate on the ballot A bit of news: Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican AG Daniel Cameron will be the ONLY candidates on the ballot this Fall, @KYSecState office confirms. You could make the argument that Libertarian John Hicks' 2% made a difference in Beshear's 0.4 pt win in '19 over Bevin. pic.twitter.com/3ytHwOgsdu Austin Horn (@_AustinHorn) June 8, 2023 Cameron and Beshear will be the only two candidates for governor on the ballot come November. That was not the case in 2019, when Libertarian John Hicks was also an option printed on the ballot. He received more than 28,000 votes. That matters because Beshear narrowly beat Republican incumbent Bevin little more than 5,000 votes separated the two candidates. Had Hicks not won over 2% of the electorate, the 2019 race could have had a very different outcome. With Beshear-Cameron anticipated to be a tight contest, every vote will matter. Voter registration numbers trend to the right Republicans like what they see when it comes to Kentuckys voter registration trends. The latest numbers released by the Secretary of States office show the GOP growing in numbers while Democrats are losing voters. Republicans are just shy of 46% of all registered voters in Kentucky, while Democrats top out at a hair over 44%. Voters in the other category are a full 10% of the electorate. When Beshear was elected in 2019, Democrats still made up the largest share of Kentucky voters, though the commonwealth had begun trending red well before then. Registration officially tipped in the GOPs favor in June 2022. Republican registrants account for 45.9 percent of the electorateRepublican registration increased by 3,907 voters, a .25 percent increase. Democratic registrants make up 44.1 percent of the electorateDemocrat registration decreased by 2,664 voters, a .17 percent decrease. https://t.co/akd6zdcIh2 Sean Southard (@SeanSouthardKY) June 10, 2023 Cameron to defend anti-trans bill in court The premier piece of legislation from the 2023 General Assembly Senate Bill 150, which bans gender-affirming care for trans youth among other restrictions is being challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union. As the larger suit unfolds, the ACLU has asked a judge to temporarily block the law from being enforced. As attorney general, Cameron has vowed to defend the law and on Friday announced his office had filed a brief opposing the ACLUs request. The fringe perception that harmful drugs and life-altering mutilations should be used to affirm a childs gender is monstrous, Cameron said in a statement. My office is proud to be the voice of sanity and Kentuckys bulwark against woke gender ideology. We know many people have questions about the impact of the federal indictment against former President Donald Trump and about what could happen next. Former President Trump faces 37 counts in a federal indictment connected to alleged mishandling of classified documents. We spoke with two legal experts about the case: Georgetown University Law Professor David Super and Vice President of the Institute for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation, John Malcolm. Question: Does an indictment or a conviction disqualify a candidate from running for president or serving as president? Answer: No Nope, neither one of them disqualifies a president from running or serving, said Malcolm. The qualifications to run for president are set out in the Constitution. They are both a floor and a ceiling. They cant be added to. The indictments do not play a role and indeed a conviction wouldnt either, said Super. The Constitution has very limited criteria for who is eligible to be president. Mr. Trump meets those criteria, and he would continue to regardless of what happens in these cases. Question: If former President Trump is re-elected as president, could he pardon himself for a federal conviction? Answer: Debatable I think thats an open question, said Super. Its never been tested. This has never come up. Richard Nixon believed he couldnt pardon himself and his successor President Ford did it instead. But we dont know what would happen if Mr. Trump was convicted, resumed the presidency, and tried to pardon himself. That is a matter about which a lot of legal scholars disagree, said Malcolm. I tend to think based on what I have read that the answer is that he could pardon himself While he might be able to pardon himself for federal offenses, he could not pardon himself for violations of state crimes. Question: Could a sitting president serve time in prison? Answer: Not likely while serving as president If he were convicted before being sworn into office, I suppose he could be sentenced although I dont think any judge would do that, said Malcolm. If he is not tried until after he is in office, then the answer is no Its been accepted for a long time that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. In all likelihood, if he has not been convicted before he resumes office, the Justice Department would drop the case, said Super. They have a longstanding policy against prosecuting sitting presidents and I assume they would likely apply that If he is convicted before becoming president, then in theory the sentencing judge could sentence him to jail time. Question: What are the key differences between the Trump federal indictment and the on-going Biden documents investigations? Answer: Its complicated First off, President Biden cooperated entirely with the recovery of documents, said Super. Second, it doesnt appear that the documents President Biden had were nearly as sensitive and third theres no indication that President Biden had the intent, whereas this indictment has extensive information that President Trump knew what he had, said Super. I dont know the nature of the documents that President Biden had in his possession, said Malcolm. One of the motivating factors behind a prosecutor is whether or not they tried to hide the documents. Certainly, there are allegations in the Trump indictment that President Trump and his co-defendant Waltine Nauta went out of their way to hide these documents so that they would not be turned over to a grand jury subpoena. Listen on: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Google Podcasts | LibSyn | Player.FM | SoundCloud | Spotify | Stitcher This is Episode 2 of Season 3 of the Knowable Magazine podcast. Listen to Episode 1: Scientists warned about climate change in 1965. Nothing was done. Transcript Charlotte Stoddart: When you think of a dinosaur, what do you imagine? Is it a hulking great Tyrannosaurus rex? Or a gentle but giant Diplodocus with a long neck? Or do you think of something birdlike? A chicken-sized creature with feathers? Im Charlotte Stoddart, and this is Knowable. This season weve decided to really focus tightly on just how and when ideas in science develop. In each episode, were investigating one text thats changed the way we think. And in this episode, its the ancestry of birds by American paleontologist John Ostrom. In this one-page paper, Ostrom makes the case that birds are the descendants of dinosaurs. Specifically, a group of dinosaurs called theropods, which includes large charismatic carnivores like T. rex, but also much smaller dinosaurs. Ostroms paper was published in the journal Nature in 1973, and it spurred a revolution in our understanding of dinosaurs and birds. Ostrom wasnt the first to suggest that birds evolved from dinosaurs, but he revived the idea and made a convincing case. The purpose of this paper, Ostrom wrote, is to present evidence pertaining to the immediate ancestry of birds. Evidence which has generally been ignored for the past 50 years. The evidence hes talking about is Archaeopteryx. Archaeopteryx was a small, birdlike dinosaur. The first specimens were found in Germany in 1861 and known there as Urvogel, meaning first bird. Remarkably, next to the bones there were fossilized feathers, hints of a close relationship between dinosaurs and birds. Ostrom called Archaeopteryx perhaps the most famous of all fossils, and said its almost universally recognized as one of the most important. So why were the similarities between Archaeopteryx and dinosaurs ignored for 50 years? What other ideas were there about bird evolution? And why does it matter? These are all questions I put to paleontologist Julia Clarke, who agreed to help me understand the significance of Ostroms paper. Like Ostrom, shes studied the Archaeopteryx fossils. Her research at the University of Texas at Austin focuses on the early evolution of birds and the origin of flight. Fundamental to Julias research questions is this idea that birds are the living descendants of dinosaurs. But when Ostrom wrote his paper, this was far from an established fact. There were various different theories about where birds came from. Julia Clarke: People across the 20th century were even aligning birds with mammals. That was a little, retrospectively, a crazy notion. But there were a lot of different ideas about bird affinities. They were considered so different from everything else that they were difficult to place within the tree of life. Charlotte Stoddart: The idea that birds are mammals made sense to some scientists. Because like mammals, birds are warm-blooded. And back then, people thought that all dinosaurs were cold-blooded. Another theory was that birds and crocodiles share an ancestor. So far correct. But that birds and crocodiles split off from this ancient reptilian ancestor before dinosaurs. And its this idea of a close relationship between birds and crocodiles that Ostrom is disagreeing with in the one-page paper, published in 1973. I called Julia to talk it over. Julia Clarke: I think I got it here. Because I read that, back when I was in graduate school. Charlotte Stoddart: Ostroms paper is a significant step in the quest to understand the origin of birds. Julia Clarke: Oh, man. I mean this is a long history and it goes back a long ways. Charlotte Stoddart: It goes back to the middle of the 19th century a hundred years before Ostroms paper was published. When the idea of birds evolving from ancient reptiles, possibly dinosaurs, was first suggested, it was radical and controversial. Not least because the very idea of one species evolving from another was new and fiercely debated. Charles Darwins treatise On the Origin of Species by [Means of] Natural Selection, was published in 1859. Two years later, the first specimens of Archaeopteryx were discovered in Germany. One of those specimens ended up in London, where Darwins friend and champion Thomas Henry Huxley examined it. He made a connection between Archaeopteryx, which he classified as a kind of bird, and reptiles, including dinosaurs like Compsognathus. Some people disagreed with the idea of an evolutionary relationship between these groups. They argued against the very possibility of evolution. Or they argued that any similarities between dinosaurs and birds were a coincidence, and the result of whats called convergent evolution. Over the next hundred years, this convergent evolution argument persisted, while the idea that birds evolved from dinosaurs fell out of favor. I wanted to know why this idea was ignored and widely dismissed, as Ostrom put it. I asked Julia. Julia Clarke: There was a very influential book that came out, very interesting book, in the early part of the 20th century by [Gerhard] Heilmann. Heilmann was a fascinating character. He wrote this whole book where he actually details a lot of the traits that Ostrom refers to here. But then concludes that in the absence of one trait that birds cannot conceivably be related to dinosaurs. Even though he beautifully details all of the traits they share with these dinosaurs, he then kind of rejects the notion. Its a fascinating book, but what he says is on one level, he uses the clavicle as a touchstone, and he says, In the absence of this, I cant do this. I cant make this relationship with dinosaurs. Charlotte Stoddart: The clavicle is whats more commonly known as the wishbone. The Y-shaped bone that sits between the neck and the breast of a bird. Its the one we sometimes snap and make a wish on. Heilmann thought that dinosaurs didnt have clavicles. And he took this one piece of anatomy as evidence that birds and dinosaurs were not closely related, despite many other anatomical similarities. By the time Ostrom was writing, a few dinosaur clavicles had been found. But questioning Heilmanns conclusion wasnt going to be easy. Heilmanns book was exceedingly influential. In another paper, this one published in 1975 in the Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Ostrom writes that, The impact of Heilmanns book cannot be exaggerated. So thorough and extensive is the work that few have challenged any part of it and almost no one has raised the question of bird origins since its publication half a century ago. In fact, it has been widely accepted as the last word on the subject and virtually all subsequent works have simply reiterated Heilmanns conclusions. But not Ostrom. Ostrom looked at the evidence and came to a different conclusion. Julia talked me through Ostroms evidence in detail. Julia Clarke: What he did was take evidence, in some cases collected by others. He revisited fossils that had been looked at by others. And he offered concrete observations that could be replicated by others that underpinned his hypothesis. Charlotte Stoddart: Right. And at the top of the paper, Ostrom writes that the critical evidence of bird ancestry is preserved in the four presently known specimens of Archaeopteryx. Could you introduce us to Archaeopteryx? When were the fossil specimens found? What did they look like? What kind of creature was it? Julia Clarke: So the first fossil of Archaeopteryx was a single feather. And shortly thereafter there was the discovery of several key specimens one known as the Berlin specimen nowadays, and one known as the London specimen. Charlotte Stoddart: These were found in a mine in Germany, is that right? Julia Clarke: Yes. And the mine was for limestone to make lithographic prints. And thats why this was being excavated. And theyre like, Boy, this fossil sure would mess up my nice clean printing of a lithograph. And so they then went to other destinations. And those were the fossils like Archaeopteryx, and many, many others, including early pterosaurs and other things, that were eventually collected by museums around Europe. And so these two fossils, the London specimen and the Berlin specimen, were remarkably complete. So they preserved most of the skeleton, as well as feathers around the body. And the feathers were clearly associated with the forelimbs and with the tail. These penna or branched feathers that looked identical to those in living birds. And there were other specimens, like the Eichstatt specimen that Ostrom worked on. And hes like, This is another specimen of Archaeopteryx. There were other specimens that were coming out in different European collections, and Ostrom went and reviewed all of those fossils. Charlotte Stoddart: What kind of animal was Archaeopteryx? How big was it? Do we know if it was able to fly? What do we know about Archaeopteryx? Julia Clarke: Archaeopteryx would fit on my desk with ease. Archaeopteryx is not particularly large. Smaller than a turkey, bigger than a chicken. Of course it wouldve had this long, bony tail covered in feathers. But, yeah, pet-sized. And obviously humans did not have Archaeopteryx as a pet because we evolved much later. Charlotte Stoddart: Why is Archaeopteryx so key to understanding the origin of birds? Julia Clarke: So Archaeopteryx has a key role to play. And in some ways I would consider Archaeopteryx to be key in kind of a historical sense, in terms of being a catalyst for a paradigm shift. Charlotte Stoddart: Does their historical importance come from the fact that they were the first fossils found of this type? Julia Clarke: Yes. Charlotte Stoddart: With feathers? Julia Clarke: Yes. The timing of that discovery, and the fact that like a hundred years later they were still pretty much the only such fossils known. We now have tons of dinosaurs that are in the same size range that are covered in feathers. And so the uniqueness of Archaeopteryx is, its still a very important species known from all of these different fossils. But we have a much better sense of all of the diversity thats around in the late Jurassic. Charlotte Stoddart: Right. And do we know if Archaeopteryx could fly? Julia Clarke: Oh, man, youre asking all the tough questions. So first of all, with flight, we have to break it down. Some people want to talk about gliding flight, a behavior that, to the exclusion of active flight, is not known in living birds. So there are no birds that just glide, and do not also actively fly. In Archaeopteryx, people have looked at the surface area of the feathers of the forelimbs to see whether if you modeled those, they could generate enough lift to keep this animal airborne. Theres been a lot of debates over that. And of course the surface area of the long tail, which could also potentially generate lift. So thats one way people have gone about estimating, could this thing be airborne? The second way is whether the feathers on the forelimb are asymmetrically veined. That is a trait that is only known in birds that use the forelimb in active flight. It does have asymmetrically veined forelimb feathers. We now have dinosaurs from China that have asymmetrically veined hindlimb feathers, for example, too. So what I like to say is that this animal is in some way airborne. What we disagree on is, what were the ways that Archaeopteryx used its forewing and its hindwing. And whether these are consistent with a phase in which there was solely gliding before active flight evolved. Charlotte Stoddart: Whether or not Archaeopteryx could fly and how, to Ostrom it was clearly a dinosaur. A small dinosaur with feathers. As evidence, he lists the traits that Archaeopteryx specimens share with theropod dinosaurs: traits like the number of vertebrae, the structure of the forelimbs, and the shape of the pelvis. Ostrom addresses his paper to a British paleontologist called Walker, who had recently published his own paper proposing a close relationship between birds and crocodiles. Julia Clarke: And Ostroms like, Hey buddy, all the evidence has been here. We have a pretty good idea where they go and theyre going within Dinosauria. Yes, extinct crocodiles are their closest living cousins, but theres a lot of extinct diversity in there, a lot going on. And phylogenetics is what helped us untangle all of those complex relationships. And that wasnt really a toolkit deployed to look at this group at the time. Or it was just starting to be used. Charlotte Stoddart: What do you mean by a phylogenetic toolkit? Julia Clarke: What I mean is the phylogenetics involves looking at atomizing different pieces of evidence. In this case from the anatomy of fossilize parts, which are like bones. And taking all of those traits and saying, If I look at all of these traits and I estimate, what does the balance of evidence indicate about the relationships among these species? Charlotte Stoddart: Lets pause, Julia, for just a moment to make sure weve got this. Because phylogenetics is an important research method in biology. Its a way of reconstructing the evolutionary history of life on Earth, so that we can draw a diagram, called an evolutionary tree, to show how different species are related. To do this, scientists look at genetic data, if its available which it isnt for dinosaurs, because we dont have dinosaur DNA. And they look at morphological traits, the structure of the skeleton, which is what Ostrom did. In the early 1980s, a thorough phylogenetic analysis gave weight to Ostroms theory that birds sit within the theropod dinosaur branch of the tree. Julia calls Ostrom a proto-phylogeneticist, because what he did was less detailed and systematic compared with modern phylogenetics. Julia Clarke: He was not a phylogeneticist, but hes thinking that way. So hes thinking, hes saying, Hey, Walker, look at all of these traits. Which he lists. He spends part of his one page listing those traits. And so hes thinking about atomizing, articulating testable data points, that support his hypothesis. And so he isnt a phylogeneticist in the practices that we consider that to be now. But he is thinking about these things. Charlotte Stoddart: Right. And using this approach, he concludes that birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs. And he uses a word that Im not familiar with, coelurosaurian dinosaurs. Julia Clarke: Coelurosaurian dinosaurs. Thats an important word: coelurosaurian. So, coelurosauria is a group within theropod dinosaurs. So hes giving a specific address within theropod dinosaurs. Charlotte Stoddart: OK. What Im trying to understand is how, what he was doing, was different from his peers like Walker, who came to different conclusions from him. Julia Clarke: So Ostroms contemporaries, they were thinking about traits. But they emphasized certain traits to the exclusion of others. For example, while Ostrom emphasized or lists in this paper a set of traits to consider, what we see is a lot more utilization in his contemporaries of the concept of a hypothetical ancestor, of data we have as yet not discovered. Whereas Ostrom was looking and saying, no, we have all of these discoveries, some of them made in the 19th century, that are very coherent with one hypothesis. And they are not coherent or consistent with another hypothesis that actually invokes hypothetical, largely undiscovered fossils that we dont know of. So I do think there was a difference there. But these alternative hypotheses, like that of Walker, stuck around for a long time. I remember going to a conference around 2000 and there were still people that could look at things that were bipedal, that were covered in pennate feathers and say, These are secondarily flightless birds. These arent related to bird ancestry. So that was remarkably persistent, the idea that birds could not be dinosaurs. Charlotte Stoddart: Is that debate ongoing? Are there still scientists who doubt that birds originated from theropod dinosaurs? Julia Clarke: I dont go out of my way to find papers of this sort. If youre going to overturn a hypothesis based on this many fossils and all these analyses, you have to have even more data to counter that hypothesis, to swing the other direction. And that has not happened. Charlotte Stoddart: You mentioned that you read Ostroms paper in grad school. And I wondered if you remember what you thought of it when you read it back then. Julia Clarke: So I read this paper, among a suite of papers by John Ostrom, gosh, right around my first year of graduate school. In fact, John Ostrom was in the office two doors down from the lab that I was in. So we would actually see and interact with John even though he was retired, or retiring, at that particular moment. Charlotte Stoddart: And how important was this paper and the other ones that he wrote at this time for our understanding of dinosaurs and birds? Julia Clarke: This work was key. Those were signal papers in sort of thinking about the traits that underpin the evolution of a complex behavior like active flight. And Ostrom really set that scene. But of course, I wasnt around in the 1970s to be living through that part of the revolution. Charlotte Stoddart: And you use that word revolution. So do you think, I mean, his papers really were revolutionary? Julia Clarke: So I do describe, and when I teach dinosaur courses, I talk about the dinosaur revolution. And I consider him one of the key players in that revolution. Obviously, as noted in this paper, it has much earlier underpinnings. And theres a fascinating earlier history to that revolution. All that said, yes, John Ostroms work was canonical, it was transformative in thinking about the origin of birds. Charlotte Stoddart: How was it that our understanding of dinosaurs changed at that time? Julia Clarke: So the big revolution that I would track back to that time was, if you nest birds within Dinosauria, which was the fundamental premise of this particular paper, and you nest them firmly within theropod dinosaurs, that means you have an origin of high metabolic rates of homeothermy, which is what we think of under the term warm-bloodedness, that occurs within one part of Dinosauria. And we dont know how far that trait goes back, because we dont know what are the fossil correlates that we can track to see if it occurs even earlier within Dinosauria. These new data kicked off a hunt for that evidence and for approaches to when you have the origin of warm-bloodedness within Dinosauria or higher metabolic rates. And that search is ongoing. Theres been a lot of breakthroughs in that area. So first of all, theres how do birds evolve? Which Ostrom very much influenced. But the other idea is that once you nest birds within dinosaurs, then that changes your whole understanding of dinosaurs. And that was revolutionary. Because before that, if you look at representations of dinosaurs going all the way back to the 19th century, they are sluggish, slithery things that you dont anticipate had anything like sustained metabolic rates like those we see in living birds and mammals. Charlotte Stoddart: At the end of Ostroms paper, theres a really intriguing final paragraph. Ill read it quickly. He talks about Archaeopteryx being descended from these theropod dinosaurs. And then he says, The additional significance of this phylogeny is that dinosaurs did not become extinct without descendants and I suggest that feathers, as thermal insulators, could be the primary reason for the success of dinosaurian descendants. Can it [be just] coincidental that mammals succeeded as therapsid descendants (at least partly) because of a comparable adaptation perhaps acquired at about the same time? Julia Clarke: Thats so cool. So to break down that last paragraph: The first part is super key and was part of that revolution. The idea that Dinosauria did not go extinct, that dinosaurs are around today, but we call them birds. The second part of his statement is the hypothesis that you have body-covering innovations that are firmly linked to survivorship. So I would say the present state of that hypothesis, and those in light of new data is that we have many forms that were, in fact, feather-covered that went extinct 66 million years ago. It isnt like the non-feathered-versions species went extinct and the feathered versions persisted. There were many species that were feathered that also went extinct. So it doesnt fully explain the pattern of survivorship and extinction within Dinosauria. Secondly, so hes right about our earliest evidence now discovered after Ostrom is that mammalian hair is known from at least the same time period in the Jurassic. So its not like those traits evolved then theres a mass extinction event. Theres a lot of intervening evolution of haired and feathered forms, and then theres an extinction event. We now know that lots of other dinosaurs had fuzzy stuff, kind of like hair, that presumably participated in their thermo-regulatory strategy. And that includes things that are related to Tyrannosaurus. And they clearly went extinct. So I will say that as a mechanism for survivorship, it is insufficient. However, hes getting at things that we definitely have investigated further and think about. But I would say that we kind of know that to be an insufficient explanation. Charlotte Stoddart: As well as arguing that birds evolved from dinosaurs, an argument that was ongoing for decades afterwards, Ostroms paper triggered many other questions. Questions about if and how Archaeopteryx could fly. Questions about how many different dinosaurs had feathers. And what kind of creatures dinosaurs were. And questions about the role that feathers might have played in the survival of some birdlike species. Researchers like Julia are still trying to answer these questions. And our understanding of birds and dinosaurs continues to evolve. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Knowable Magazine podcast. If you want to dig more into the science, youll find a copy of the transcript along with links to the related papers at knowablemagazine.org/podcast. Youll also find a link to sign up for the Knowable Magazine newsletter. Subscribe to that to stay in the know. This season, were releasing a new podcast episode every fortnight. Up next: How the placebo effect has been used and understood since 1955, when Henry Beecher published a classic paper on the subject. And after that, Einsteins concerns that quantum described a spooky world, and the experiments that set out to prove him wrong. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please help others find us by sharing it with your friends and family, or by leaving us a review. This podcast is produced by Knowable Magazine, a journalistic publication that seeks to make scientific knowledge accessible to all. Knowable is published by Annual Reviews, a nonprofit publisher dedicated to synthesizing and integrating knowledge for the progress of science and the benefit of society. This episode was written and produced by me, Charlotte Stoddart, with editorial contributions from Eva Emerson and Rosie Mestel. Thank you to my co-host, Adam Levy. And a special thank-you to Julia Clarke for taking the time to share her insight and expertise. Im Charlotte Stoddart, and this has been Knowable. 10.1146/knowable-060923-1 Charlotte Stoddart is a freelance science journalist and filmmaker living in Frankfurt, Germany. For many years, she worked for the journal Nature, where she launched the popular Nature Video Channel on YouTube and made documentaries and animations for the channel. She still makes films and podcasts for Nature as well as for other science publications, including Knowable Magazine. Charlotte has a degree in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. Before becoming a science journalist, she spent two years teaching English in Japan. This article originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, an independent journalistic endeavor from Annual Reviews. Sign up for the newsletter. Fox News thought this was Melania at Trump's court appearance. It's actually his 27-year-old spokeswoman. Margo Martin (left) was mistaken for Melania Trump (right) at Donald Trump's court appearance in Florida on Tuesday. Jim Watson/Getty Images; Al Drago/Getty Images No, you're not seeing double. Some people confused Donald Trump's 27-year-old spokesperson Margo Martin for Melania Trump. The former first lady stayed in New York while Donald Trump appeared in court in Florida. Call it a Mar-A-Lago mixup. Spectators and even Fox News thought Melania Trump was outside his court appearance in Florida to support him on Tuesday. In fact, it was the former president's 27-year-old deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, in dark sunglasses. As Trump's motorcade pulled up to the Miami courthouse where he pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in connection with his classified documents scandal, Fox News anchor John Roberts showed a video of Martin near one of Trump's vehicles. "There she is," he said. About 15 minutes after his first report, Roberts corrected the (frankly understandable) mistake. "Apparently it was not Melania," Roberts said on-air. "A day like today with so many comings and goings, it's easy from a distance to mistake two people." Melania actually stayed in New York City while Trump traveled to Florida for the court appearance, the Daily Mail reported. Martin has worked for Trump since his days in the White House and was the press secretary to call the final lid on his presidency on January 19, 2021. She may also be caught up in his latest legal troubles. CNN reported that Martin was present at a July 2021 meeting where prosecutors allege Trump waved around a classified battle plan in front of an author and publisher. Audio of the meeting where prosecutors say Trump told his visitors "This is secret information. Look, look at this." was turned over to federal investigators by an unnamed source. On Tuesday, Martin shared muted video of the motorcade driving along the Florida highway and pulling up to the courthouse on her personal Instagram Story. She also shared a clip from Fox News where an anchor read Trump's online post calling Tuesday "ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!" Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- The head of French submarine builder Naval Group sees a visit to Paris by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month as a chance to showcase its technologies in a bid to clinch further deals. Most Read from Bloomberg Its an opportunity to talk about what were doing, Chief Executive Officer Pierre Eric Pommellet told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday. Naval Group is supplying six diesel-powered Scorpene submarines to India in a deal that includes sharing technology with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. Five have already been delivered, and the last ones including the sixth will have been built entirely in the country. We are ready to talk with our customer about future technology that we can include in the submarines, and eventually a continuation of the program, Pommellet said. India is for sure a very important customer of Naval group and a very important partner for France. Modi is due to travel to Paris for the annual Bastille Day celebrations on July 14 as French President Emmanuel Macron seeks to deepen political and business ties with developing countries, as well as trying to build a global coalition to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine. Visits by state leaders are typically followed by announcements of bilateral deals. Frances defense industry ambitions face competition from Germany. During a visit to India by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius last week, the marine arm of Thyssenkrupp AG and Mazagon said they intend to jointly build submarines for the Indian navy as the country looks to order six diesel-electric models at an estimated cost of $5.2 billion. Naval Group, which was 62% owned by the French state and 35% by defense group Thales SA as of Dec. 31, suffered a blow in 2019 when Australia canceled a $58 billion deal for a fleet of 12 diesel-powered submarines to enter a defense alliance with the US and the UK dubbed AUKUS. Canberra subsequently agreed to provide 555 million of financial compensation, which Pommellet called fair. The shipbuilder is also eyeing potential new contracts in the Netherlands and Brazil. --With assistance from Mark Cudmore. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. AI is well and truly off to the races: a startup that is only four weeks old has picked up a $113 million round of seed funding to compete against OpenAI in the building, training and application of large language models and generative AI. Mistral AI, based out of Paris, is co-founded by alums from Google's DeepMind and Meta and will be focusing on open source solutions and targeting enterprises to create what CEO Arthur Mensch believes is currently the biggest challenge in the field: "To make AI useful." It plans to release its first models for text-based generative AI in 2024. Lightspeed Venture Partners is leading this round, with Redpoint, Index Ventures, Xavier Niel, JCDecaux Holding, Rodolphe Saade and Motier Ventures in France, La Famiglia and Headline in Germany, Exor Ventures in Italy, Sofina in Belgium, and First Minute Capital and LocalGlobe in the UK all also participating. Mistral AI notes that French investment bank Bpifrance and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt are also shareholders. Sources close to the company confirm that the 105 million in funding ($113M at today's rates) values Mistral AI 240 million ($260 million). To note, this is the same number that was being rumored about a month ago in the French press when people started chattering about the company. Guillaume LAMPLE. Arthur MENSCH. Timothee LACROIX. Mistral. Paris. France. 05/2023 david atlan Mensch (center), along with his co-founders Timothee Lacroix (CTO - L) and Guillaume Lample (Chief Science Officer - R), are all in their early thirties and have known each other since school, when they were all studying across the field of artificial intelligence. Mensch was working at DeepMind in Paris, and Lacroix and Lample were at Meta's Paris AI outpost; and Mensch said it was sometime last year that they got to talking about the direction they could see AI development taking. "We could see the technology really start to accelerate last year," he said in an interview today, most likely in reference to the leaps that OpenAI was making with its GPT model, which was a shot in the arm for a lot of people in AI and the wider world of tech. But while OpenAI has the word "open" in its name, it felt like anything but. Mensch, Lacroix and Lample felt that a proprietary approach was largely shaping up to be the norm, and they saw an opportunity to do things differently. "Open source is a core part of our DNA," Mensch noted. It's very early to talk about what Mistral is doing or will be doing -- it's only around a month old -- but from what Mensch said, the plan is to build models using only publicly available data to avoid legal issues that some others have faced over training data, he said; users will be able to contribute their own datasets, too. Models and data sets will be open-sourced, as well. And while some believe that open source has created a tricky landscape (and minefield) when it comes to areas like application security, "we believe that the benefit of using open source can overcome the misuse potential," he added. "Open source can prove tactical in security and we believe it will be the case here, too." It's also too soon to know how well its future products will resonate in the market. But what's interesting is the startup's singular focus on enterprise, not consumer, customers, and the idea that there is a gap in the market for helping those customers figure out what they need to do, and how they can do it. "At the moment we have proof that AI is useful in some cases," Mensch said. "But there are still too many workers in different fields being asked to be creative [with AI], and we need to figure this out for them. We want to give them tools that are easy to use to create their own products." It may seem like a big leap to give funding to such a young company without any customers, let alone a product, to its name -- especially since the penny is already dropping in some high-profile cases. Neeva (another startup with a Google pedigree) gave up on its consumer AI search play and sold a chunk of its tech to Snowflake; and recently Stability AI has also been in the spotlight, though not in a good way. But Antoine Moyroud, who led the investment for Lightspeed (which also backed Stability AI, I should point out), said that he believes it's a leap worth taking. "For us at Lightspeed, we didnt work in isolation," he said in an interview. "We had a chance to see a few strong tech teams looking to raise funding to build LLM across India, the U.S. and Europe. But what was lacking was while they were strong technically they hadnt thought about the second order effects of LLM." That is to say, they were not thinking of where and how they might be applied. He likens the AI landscape to bigger infrastructure plays like cloud computing and database businesses, not applications. "We think value will accrue here as it has in the cloud, where there will be 5-6 players getting the lions share. "Then we thought who are the most credible here? Then we met with the Mistral founders. It's a very talented team. We think there are only 70-100 people in the world right now with their expertise for language models and optimizing them." Lample, as one example, led the development of LLaMA, Meta's Large Language Model, and he was leading the LLM team at Meta before he left to co-found Mistral AI. On another note, the fact that AI startups are getting VCs to open their checkbooks is notable. The Googles, Apples, Metas, Amazons, Microsofts, etc. of the world will definitely make their plays in this space, but the fact that startups are being formed and are finding willing recruits is a signal that it's not all game over just yet. A mistral is a north wind that blows down Europe, and usually when it blows that is a sign of good weather in the days following. The startup may well be hoping for the same effect here. San Francisco people often refer to their "uncanny valley," but at the end of the day, Mensch said he believes that there has to be a credible effort from all around the world to build and take some ownership of how AI will develop. This is Mistral's play to give France a shot at that. Its plan is to use the funding to assemble what he describes as a "world class team" creating "the best open source models," he said, and it will definitely now have some money to blow through to do just that. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to block Microsofts acquisition of game developer Activision Blizzard, according to a complaint filed Monday in San Francisco federal court. The regulatory agency filing seeks a temporary restraining order and an injunction to stop the tech giant and maker of the Xbox game system from acquiring the developer behind popular games including Call of Duty, adding an additional hurdle to Microsofts push to take over the company for $69 billion. Both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are necessary because Microsoft and Activision have represented that they may consummate the proposed acquisition at any time, the FTC said in a complaint. We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court, said Brad Smith, Microsofts vice chairman and president, in a statement. We believe accelerating the legal process in the U.S. will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market, Smith added. The FTC last year sought to block the merger in a case brought to the agencys in-house judge. A trial is set to begin Aug. 2 on that decision. The FTCs complaint asks the court to put the order in place to block the deal from closing by Thursday. At the same time, the deal is facing legal challenges globally. In addition to the FTCs challenge, a United Kingdom regulator is also seeking to block the deal, and an appeal hearing is also slated to begin in the U.K. shortly ahead of the FTCs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gadsden State Community College students now will have additional access to scholarships and opportunities for professional development. The college in a news release announced that it has been accepted into the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The nonprofit fund, named for Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, was established in 1997 and, according to its website, is the nations largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. Its mission is to ensure student success by promoting educational excellence and preparing the next generation of workforce talent through leadership development. It has provided more than $300 million in scholarships and program support to its member schools. Gadsden State and five other Alabama community colleges Bishop State in Mobile, Drake State in Huntsville, Lawson State in Birmingham, Shelton State in Tuscaloosa and Trenholm in Montgomery are the first two-year schools in the U.S. to gain membership in the fund, according to the release. Gadsden States Valley Street Campus has held Historically Black Community College status since 1997, as do the other five schools. It is an honor to work with TMCF in the advancement and empowerment of (HBCCs) in Alabama, GSCC President Kathy Murphy said in the release. We appreciate the organizations commitment to education in our country as well as the great impact they are making on those who call Gadsden States service area home. The Valley Street campus opened in 1960 as the private Gadsden Vocational Trade School for Black students. It became a state school two years later, and a decade later was renamed Gadsden State Technical Institute. It merged with Gadsden State Junior College in 1985, along with the Alabama Technical College, to create GSCC. Its programs prepare students for construction, HVAC, licensed practical nursing, dental assistant, medication assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant and diagnostic sonography jobs. Some academic courses also are offered. Adding community colleges to our membership is part of an intentional move toward a more inclusive talent strategy, said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Marshall College Fund. He cited HBCCs work in workforce upskilling or reskilling; their ability to offer associate degrees, certificates and credentials that can move students into skilled, good-paying positions without a bachelors degree; and their ability to provide core academic credits for students seeking a bachelors degree. According to a recent economic impact study commissioned by the Alabama Community College System, its 24 institutions add $6.6 billion to Alabamas economy and support one out of every 27 jobs in the state. Gadsden States operations, student spending and alumni productivity generated $207.9 million in added income in 2020-21 for the economy in its service area (Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah and St. Clair counties), according to the release, which noted that one of every 41 jobs in that area is supported by the activities of the college and its students. Alabamas community colleges exist to be a pillar of community for students of all backgrounds to be able to have the resources to reach success, and these national relationships help bolster the advantages and access student have to significant opportunities that support their pursuit of excellences, ACCS Chancellor Jimmie Baker said in the release. The connections students and Alabamas HBCC leaders will have through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund are bound to strengthen the avenues the colleges provide to residents who trust our colleges with the training they desire for their future. For more information about the Valley Street Campus and the programs and services it offers, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/hbcu. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden State becomes part of Thurgood Marshall College Fund Gavin Newsom calls Ron DeSantis' migrant flights 'pathetic' bid for attention after his campaign 'belly flopped' Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. Scott Eisen/Getty Images and Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images Newsom slammed DeSantis for arranging flights to transport migrants from Texas to California. "He's desperate to get in on the action. He's belly-flopped," said Newsom. Newsom has made DeSantis a frequent punching bag as Newsom builds his national profile. In a wide-ranging interview with Sean Hannity on Monday night, California governor Gavin Newsom ripped into Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. When asked about migrant flights arranged by Ron DeSantis to carry migrants from Texas to California, Newsom teed off. "I'm a border state, Ron DeSantis is not," Newsom said during a contentious back and forth with Hannity. "I know he's desperate to get in on the action. He's belly flopped. Donald Trump will clean his clock." "This is a stunt," the California Democrat continued. "It's embarrassing. It's pathetic." Newsom: I'm a border state. Ron Desantis is not. I know hes desperate to get in on the action. He's belly flopped. Donald Trump is going to clean his clock. This is a stunt. Its embarrassing. Its pathetic pic.twitter.com/Qa2ROj1IZu Acyn (@Acyn) June 13, 2023 Newsom has made DeSantis a frequent punching bag as he builds his national profile for a potential presidential run in 2028. On June 6, Newsom called DeSantis, a "small, pathetic man" after migrants from Florida were unceremoniously ferried to and dumped in California. In a tweet Newsom wrote: "@RonDeSantis you small, pathetic man. This isn't Martha's Vineyard." Newsom floated the idea of pressing "kidnapping charges" against DeSantis by invoking a section of the criminal code that penalizes people who forcibly bring people into "the limits of the state." DeSantis' administration confirmed it was behind the recent flights sending migrants from Texas to California but insisted that the trips were all voluntary and the immigrants were treated well. On April 1, Newsom made a sarcastic remark about DeSantis' ongoing feud with Disney. Speaking to Insider's Kimberly Leonard, he said: "There's a new sheriff in town. It's Mickey Mouse, back on top." Read the original article on Business Insider What Gavin Newsom said during his Fox News interview California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference in Paramount, California, Monday, May 1, 2023. Late Monday, June 12, 2023, Newsom sparred with Fox News host Sean Hannity, insisting President Joe Biden is physically fit for a second term as president while refusing to say whether supporters have urged him to replace Biden on the 2024 ballot. | Hans Gutknecht, The Orange County Register via AP Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom defended President Joe Bidens performance in office and said he wouldnt challenge him for the nomination during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired Monday. Im rooting for our president and I have great confidence in his leadership, he said. Newsom didnt directly answer Hannity when asked whether his phone lights up with people asking to him run for president, but said he thinks Biden is a man of decency and character. Newsom did say his phone lights up with people impressed with the job Biden has done on foreign policy, raising the debt ceiling and bipartisan legislation, like the CHIPS and Science Act and the infrastructure bill he signed into law. I dont think hes capable, I know hes capable, I see results. Ive seen a master class in results the last few years, Newsom said of Bidens record. When asked whether Biden was cognitively capable of being president, Newsom said, I have conversations with him all the time. Yes. Ive talked to him when hes been overseas, Ive been in Air Force One, Marine One, Ive been in the limo with him, Ive spent time with him privately and publicly, he said. When asked whether Biden is strong enough to be president, Newsom pointed to the debt ceiling negotiations with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Strong enough? Look what he did to McCarthy, he said. Kevin got played by the president of the United States. Newsom defended California after Hannity asked about the state seeing its first population loss in history, saying, I love this state, dont count us out. Eighteen states had declines in population, Newsom said. You didnt bring up any of the red states that had decline in populations. Newsom also addressed the states homeless population. The California state auditor says that 50% of the unsheltered homeless population in the U.S. live in California. This state has not made progress in the last two decades as it relates to homelessness because housing costs are too high, our regulatory thickets are too problematic, localism has been too impactful meaning people locally are pushing back against new housing starts and construction, he said. Related Newsom said California continues to be the tentpole of the American economy and said, Were on our way to be the fourth largest economy eat your heart out, Germany in the world. With all due respect, Florida doesnt even come close, he said. Newsom called Trumps recent indictment sad, and I say that as an American, and criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for sending migrants to states run by Democratic leaders, calling it a stunt. Newsom said he had an incredible relationship with Trump while he was in office during the pandemic because he played no politics during COVID with California. Newsom also said he did the wrong thing when he went to a birthday dinner at the French Laundry during lockdowns. It was wrong, and I own that, he said. Related Newsom said the unusual matchup of a liberal politician being interviewed on a conservative network was needed. I think we need more of that cross pollination, we need more of these kinds of conversations, he said. He also said he would be open to doing a three-hour debate with DeSantis with one-day notice and no notes hosted by Hannity, who said he would moderate with one-word prompts, like economy. Im all in, Newsom said. Gov. Gavin Newsom continued to deflect questions about his White House ambitions and offered a ringing defense of President Joe Biden during a wide-ranging interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired Monday night. Hannity pressed Newsom on a variety of topics, including immigration, tax policy and Bidens job performance. From a political standpoint, the interview was beneficial for both Hannity and Newsom. It was another opportunity for Newsom to burnish his national brand as a leading liberal voice by going toe-to-toe with the conservative news channels highest profile host. For Fox and Hannity, it was a chance to attack Biden and lift up Newsom, who Republicans likely view as a less-competitive presidential contender. Newsom on Biden and presidential ambitions Hannity pressed the governor on Bidens fitness for office. During one segment, he had Newsom watch videos of Bidens speaking gaffes and tripping incidents. Heres the problem that Joe Biden has, Hannity said. Youre arguing, youre fighting, youre battling, youre articulate. We could sit here for three hours, probably have a beer or two in the middle of this, and you can keep going. Heres the problem, Hannity added. Your president cant have this conversation. Hes not capable of it. Now, my question is a serious one: Is Joe Biden up to the job of being president? I dont think hes capable, Newsom responded. I know hes capable. I see results. I see a master class in results the last few years. Hannity continued pressing Newsom on whether Biden is cognitively strong enough to be president. I have conversations all the time with him, Newsom said. Yes. And Ill tell you why I do. Im dead serious about that. Ive talked to him when hes been overseas. Ive been in Air Force One, Marine One. Ive been in the limo with him. Hannity continued pushing Newsom about receiving pressure to compete against Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. How many times does your phone ping a day (with) people saying, You need to get in this race, because they agree with me that hes not up to the job? Hannity asked. Newsom said there were no circumstances under which he would consider entering the presidential contest. I see where youre going with that, Sean, Newsom said. And Im not answering. Immigration Newsom said he favors comprehensive immigration reform and criticized Republicans for (being) silent on it. You havent even discussed it, Newsom said. You havent even picked it up. He continued to slam Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his role in sending a group of migrants to Sacramento after accusing the Republican of kidnapping them. Newsom said he had talked to every single one of the migrants and believes they came to California under false pretenses. What faith tradition teaches you to treat human beings like this? Newsom asked. To belittle them, to demean them? Homelessness Hannity challenged Newsoms record on homelessness. He showed Newsom a 2008 video of himself as mayor of San Francisco, when he touted a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness during a state of the city address. The governor called Californias homelessness situation a disgrace that he owns the problem. He said the state only recently began investing in the issue after decades of neglect. The state of California was not involved in the homeless issue, Newsom said. We got involved. Were holding cities and counties accountable. Im suing cities that are not producing housing. We actually have a 15-year high in new housing starts in the state of California, Newsom added. Were actually seeing programs produce real results, but I want accountability. Im not the mayor of California. Im governor of a state larger than 21 states populations combined. And the difference between me and most politicians is I own this. I take responsibility for this. Taxes Hannity pushed Newsom on Californias tax policy and why people are continuing to move out of the state. Newsom talked up the states progressive tax structure and asserted that residents in Texas and Florida pay more in property taxes. The American people dont know this: We have the highest tax rate for the 1%, but middle class families actually paid less than the majority of states in America in California, he said. A WalletHub study found that Texas property tax burden is the countrys eighth highest, while Florida ranks 25th. California is 23rd. Reparations Hannity asked about Californias Reparations Task Force and estimates that the state could owe Black descendants of slaves billions of dollars. When he pressed about whether the state could afford cash payments and whether he supports them, Newsom said he has yet to see the task forces final recommendations. I put out a statement saying reparations is more than just about money, Newsom said. That implies a deeper rationalization of what is achievable, whats reasonable and what is right, and thats the balance that well try to advance. Newsoms expanding national profile Newsom has spent the past year trying to expand his national name recognition by taking on Republican figures, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and DeSantis. Last year, he spent money from his re-election campaign on billboards and newspaper and television ads in Florida and Texas criticizing GOP policies on issues such as abortion and gun control. This year, he created a political action committee called the Campaign for Democracy and went on a red state tour with stops in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Florida. The PAC last week launched an effort to push for a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to restrict firearms and prevent gun violence. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economics and Climate Protection, stands on a terrace after a meeting in a meeting room of the SPD parliamentary group in the German Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs three-party coalition said Tuesday it would bring a disputed heating bill to parliament this week for consideration. The heating transition is practicable, climate protection becomes concrete, the clear signal for the switch to climate-friendly heating is set, said Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, German news agency dpa reported. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs three-party coalition said Tuesday it would bring a disputed heating bill to parliament this week for consideration. The bill is a key element in the countrys ambitious climate policy, but it had seemed increasingly unlikely in recent weeks that it would still be brought to the Bundestag before the parliament's summer break in early July, because the coalition had appeared to not be able to agree on it. The issue had stoked an impression of disarray in the governing coalition and helped push it down in polls. But on Tuesday evening, the chairpersons of the parliamentary groups of the three governing parties said they had found a compromise on how to improve the bill so that they could bring it to parliament later this week. The heating transition is practicable, climate protection becomes concrete, the clear signal for the switch to climate-friendly heating is set, said Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, according to German news agency dpa. The latest compromise wasn't immediately laid out in all its details, but among other changes, the bill will include more people from lower income groups than before who will be eligible for government subsidies when they buy new, more environmentally friendly heating systems. Last month, the environmentalist Greens had accused the libertarian Free Democratic Party of backtracking on agreements by refusing to let lawmakers debate the bill, which is about replacing home heating systems with greener alternatives. The bill was approved by the Cabinet in March after months of intense haggling between the parties. A major stumbling block was the Green partys demand that the installation of new oil or gas furnaces should be banned from next year to ensure that Germany can meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045. Populist newspapers have claimed that installing climate-friendly heat pumps will be hugely expensive and may not be feasible in older buildings, though such systems are widely used in neighboring countries. Experts counter that a failure to replace fossil fuel heating will end up costing homeowners more because the price of oil and gas is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades due to emissions surcharges agreed on at the European level. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany aims to purchase six IRIS-T air defence systems for its air force at a total cost of some 900 million euros ($971.73 million), a defence source told Reuters ahead of a final decision by lawmakers on Wednesday. So far, Berlin has bought two IRIS-T units built by Diehl for Ukraine and pledged to send another two systems to Kyiv, but has not equipped its own forces with it yet. Boasting a range of some 40 kilometres (25 miles) and a 360 degree view, the IRIS-T SLM system is one of the most coveted of the weapons that Berlin has supplied to Kyiv. ($1 = 0.9262 euros) (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Editing by Rachel More) Germany and Poland will soon agree to build repair center for Ukraines Leopard tanks German Ambassador Leopard 2 The negotiations will be completed in the next few days, he said, adding that the center will be used to supply Ukraine with much-needed spare parts for German-made equipment. Read also: For some reason, everyone is talking about peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine opinion Similar service centers have also been created in Slovakia and Romania. Read also: Jumpy Russians destroy agricultural machinery, fearing they are Leopard tanks At least four Leopard-2 tanks and 16 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles were damaged or destroyed during the first week of Ukraines summer counteroffensive, according to the Oryx service, which analyzes open-source data on equipment. 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) -- Germany and Poland are closing in on a deal to set up a service hub to repair Leopard battle tanks and other equipment as Ukraine undertakes its counteroffensive against Russian forces, Berlins envoy said. Most Read from Bloomberg Talks should wrap up in the coming days, before the July 11-12 NATO summit in Vilnius, Thomas Bagger, Germanys ambassador to Poland, told Bloomberg in Warsaw on Tuesday. The hub will be used to supply badly needed spare parts for the German-made equipment, he said. After months of pressuring North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies to deliver hardware, Ukraine is sending them into the battlefield as part of a much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces to retake territory. Equipment, including Leopard tanks and US Bradley Fighting Vehicles, have shown up in images from the front line. At least four of Ukraines Leopard 2 tanks and 16 of its Bradley fighting vehicles have been destroyed, damaged or abandoned so far, according to Oryx, an online group that catalogues confirmed equipment losses on both sides. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed Monday in Paris that long-struggling talks on the hub were nearly at an end and that Germany, which has delivered Leopards, air defense systems such as Patriots and Iris-T and Gepard anti-aircraft guns, will soon be in a position to help repair them close to the battlefield. Of course its best if weapons systems only move a short distance outside of Ukraine, get repaired on the scene and then are redeployed, Scholz said alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda and Frances Emmanuel Macron. Poland, which has also delivered Leopard tanks to Ukraine, had criticized Germany for months before Scholz gave the green light for deliveries in January. German supplies of spare parts for older-model Leopards also became a source of friction between Warsaw and Berlin. Service hubs have also been set up in Slovakia and Romania. --With assistance from Marc Champion. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Climate change is global but the actions we take here in Sacramento play a role in shaping our environmental future. The Sacramento Bee is undertaking a collaboration with you to examine and celebrate bold and ambitious climate actions that have yielded evidence that theyre making progress here and elsewhere. The goal is to engage you and your neighbors in a hopeful discussion about how we can face climate change with urgency and equity. Drucella Miranda, an educator who designed youth programs, was frustrated with urging others to do better by the Earth without putting effort into the same herself. So she turned in a letter of resignation to her job and set her sights on starting a Sacramento area landscaping business using goats. Its not as crazy as it sounds. Though some cities still have policies hostile to grazing businesses, others including Citrus Heights, Elk Grove and West Sacramento have contracted goat herds in recent years to graze down overgrowth in parks, schools and other open spaces. City officials cited lower costs, less noise and fewer toxic chemicals compared to other landscaping solutions, and even residents enjoyment of having goats around as reasons for doing so. California labor regulators recently reclassified goat herders, leading to some goat grazing companies sounding the alarm that this method of underbrush clearing may disappear, the Los Angeles Times and other publications reported. However, the concern over requiring hourly pay for goat herders primarily affects large operations that graze in fire-prone wilderness areas. For urban grazing operations like the one that Miranda wants to start, where herders are already paid by the hour, business is booming. An operator in San Francisco said they frequently have to turn down requests outside their service area, while Iowa company Goats on the Go said they received so many inquiries that they started a national affiliate network of small operators, including two in California. Goats graze in and near a water detention basin, clearing grass and weeds that could cause flooding or fuel fires, in Citrus heights in 2018. A more economic and fun natural solution Judy-B., which she said is her full legal name, works as the resident manager for the San Francisco apartment complex she lives in and first brought in goats to clear out vegetation from a yard on the property in 2019. While traditional landscaping services would have cost more than $2,000 for the 75-foot-by-30-foot yard, San Francisco-based nonprofit City Grazing only charged around $1,250 to have goats graze down the blackberry brambles and other overgrowth, she said. For the less dense vegetation this year, that cost was down to $950. Its environmentally friendly and it is cheaper than hiring a landscaper, so it was actually an easy sell (to the property management company), she said. Similarly, the $22,000 that the city of Citrus Heights spent for goats to graze around a middle school and in open spaces was half of what it would cost for contractors to do the same work, according to city spokesperson Marisa Brown. In areas with steep slopes or restrictions on chemical runoff, goat grazing can be the only practical way to clear vegetation, said Aaron Steele, co-founder of Goats on the Go. The city of Elk Grove, for example, is restricted from using any chemical or mechanical methods in the creek beds, spokesperson Kristyn Laurence said. Therefore using livestock allows us to clear those areas. Laurence also noted that the city chose grazing for its positive environmental impact. Instead of having to haul away clippings after a job, goats turn unwanted vegetation into immediately bioavailable nutrients for the soil in the form of goat poop, benefiting trees and native plants in the area, said Genevieve Church, executive director of City Grazing. The nutrients strengthen the root systems of grasses and plants that remain, helping them store more carbon in the soil, produce more oxygen and improve the air quality in the area, Church said. Compared to using big disruptive mechanical equipment for landscaping, grazing also minimizes erosion and the use of herbicides, Steele said. I cant make huge claims about how using goats for vegetation control is dramatically cutting the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions, Steele said. (But) if we want to maintain a native landscape and all the benefits that go with thatwe have a natural solution to these problems, why arent we using it more? Finally, the educational value and simply the delight of having goats around contribute to their popularity as a grazing solution, operators said. Maia Carrera, of East Sacramento, points to goats Monday, May 23, 2022, as her daughter Aria, 3, takes pictures on Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento. A herd of than 400 goats, used to clear weeds and high grass along the barge canal and the Clarksburg branch line trail, crossed the major thoroughfare in the morning. A lot of our public clients love having the goats come in because its an opportunity for the surrounding community to get together and have a free, safe, fun outdoor activity, Church said. City Grazing recently started working with the San Francisco School District, where part of the sell was providing kids with some access to seeing sustainable land management in action. Weve put up educational materials, teaching them a little bit about why goat grazing is such a great choice, but theyre also getting the fun and excitement of getting to have goats right next to their schoolyard and getting to watch them there for a week or two at a time, Church said. Regulatory challenges but the tide is turning Not everything goes smoothly for grazing businesses. When Miranda contacted 311 in Sacramento to ask about her business plans, she was routed to assistant planner Steffane Lui. Lui told Miranda via email that she reached out to the citys animal care services and that because there are no policies or codes in place to regulate this type of business ... at this time the current proposal would not be approved. Sacramento has a city ordinance that generally prohibits the keeping, harboring, or maintaining of livestock on property within the City, said city spokesperson Tim Swanson. When asked whether the ordinance prohibits bringing goats to a city property as part of a grazing business, Swanson said that the determination would be made on a case-by-case basis. Dealing with city regulations is a problem that experienced operators have also run into. Every city kind of interprets their regulations differently, Steele said. They all have virtually identical wording, and yet you can go from one city and theyre all in [on targeted grazing], And then you go to another city and they look at the same regulations and say, nope, not allowed at all. The solution is to engage with local residents and educate city leadership about grazing, Steele said. The Goats on the Go website highlights the cities of Salem, Oregon, and Dubuque, Iowa, as success stories for when community members or affiliate operators worked with the cities to implement grazing-friendly policies. I think that generally the tide is turning and no city wants to be left behind and viewed as the city who is stuck in their ways and not innovative enough to embrace this really great practice, Steele said. In the Sacramento area, the cities of Citrus Heights and Elk Grove have both directly contracted goats for grazing, while a spokesperson for Rancho Cordova affirmed that our municipal code allows grazing animals to be used for weed abatement and property maintenance. Local challenges, local solutions Miranda was drawn to goat grazing as a small-scale (climate) solution tailored to the land and the people, she said. The ethic is reflected in the origin stories of City Grazing and Goats on the Go and their founders say theres demand for more small-scale operators in currently underserved areas. Steele started experimenting with goat grazing in the summer of 2012, getting a handful of goats for his own property in Ames, Iowa that was much bigger than we wanted to mow, he said. Impressed by the goats brush-clearing behavior, he teamed up with a friend who was also a hobby farmer to offer their services to neighbors in the area. It was a conservative place and we werent certain that the market would be there, butwe were really pleased to see how many people wanted to use goats to deal with their vegetation problem instead of machinery and chemical herbicides, he said. Soon Steele began receiving requests for advice on how to start similar businesses, leading him to start a brand network in 2016. Today, Goats on the Go has over 60 affiliate operators across the country, most of which have between 20 and 50 goats and focus on projects under 10 acres. Like Steele, many of the affiliates are aspiring farmers or homesteaders who see this as a great opportunity to contribute to their community by providing a really valuable service and helpful impact environmentally, he said. More than 400 goats cross Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento on in 2022. Firefighters credit the goats with helping with an area fire near the Riva on The River Condominiums on Friday. If goats had not been there previously the fire could have been more dangerous, said Paul Hosley, a public information officer for the City of West Sacramento. City Grazing started in 2008 as an effort by a waste management company to graze down grasses along company railways, Church said. According to its website, City Grazing started with 10 goats that were headed to auction and today has a herd of over 100 goats. Our inquiries definitely increase every year, Church said. But much of the demand is still unfulfilled: the majority of City Grazings inquiries come from areas outside their service area. Most of the larger grazing companies in California dont wanna do projects that are under five to 10 acres, so theres a gap in the grazing industry for properties that are between two and five acres in those surrounding communities ... thats where Im seeing a huge influx, Church said. Miranda hopes to be one more local force for local impact, filling the gap. Shes currently enrolled in the Center for Land-based Learnings California Farm Academy in Woodland, and plans to move to GullyRumpus Farm in Rio Linda in a few months to start raising goats. Shes already received interest in goat-grazing services from friends and a family in Citrus Heights, she said. Even if were gonna fail often, Miranda is hopeful that she can fail well and learn from it. The goat grazing project is ultimately about finding experimental ways of trying to live in better relationships with the Earth and one anotherlocalizing communities and restructuring how were functioning, she said. Thats what I would like to do. This story is made possible, in part, with support from the Solutions Journalism Network. Google's Bard delays release in the EU Google has delayed the release of its Bard chatbot in the European Union, according to Irish regulators concerned the AI doesnt adhere to the European Unions data protection laws. Google announced it was releasing its Bard chatbot only last week, giving the EU little time to discuss what steps the tech giant took to align with local privacy requirements, and now it has no definite release date. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) concluded that Google had not provided enough information related to privacy concerns ahead of the launch, and before it could be permitted in the EU, the commission said the software must align with the Personal Data Protection law. The law, which was implemented in 2018, protects individuals from the release of their personal data with the exception of obtaining information for criminal activities and threats to public security. Read more The DPC did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment, but Graham Doyle, the deputy commissioner for the DPC, told TechCrunch, The DPC had not had any detailed briefing nor sight of a DPIA [data protection impact assessment] or any supporting documentation at this point. He added, It has since sought this information as a matter of urgency and has raised a number of additional data protection questions with Google to which it awaits a response and Bard will not now launch this week. However, a Google spokesperson told Gizmodo in an email, We said in May that we wanted to make Bard more widely available, including in the European Union, and that we would do so responsibly, after engagement with experts, regulators, and policymakers. The spokesperson continued, As part of that process, weve been talking with privacy regulators to address their questions and hear feedback. This isnt the first time AI has been banned in the EU over privacy worries, as only last month Italy made the decision to briefly ban ChatGPT over similar concerns. Questions arose when Google revealed the Bard chatbot was available in three languages and launching in over 180 countries, none of which were based in the EU. Google appeared to touch on the reasoning, saying on its support page, Well gradually expand to more countries and territories in a way that is consistent with local regulations and our AI principles. Google says it wants to make Bard more widely available, but before it can do that, it will have to address any and all questions and concerns presented by the DPC and will need to present the official documentation that it is complying with all EU regulations. The commission has said it does not have a timeframe for when or if Bard will be permitted to launch in the EU. Want to know more about AI, chatbots, and the future of machine learning? Check out our full coverage of artificial intelligence, or browse our guides to The Best Free AI Art Generators and Everything We Know About OpenAIs ChatGPT. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Abortion procedures, transgender surgeries and LGBTQ Pride flags would all be banned at Veterans Affairs medical centers under a budget bill adopted by House Republicans on Tuesday. The spending plan which advanced on a party-line vote out of the House Appropriations Committee also calls for a record $320 billion in veterans program spending next fiscal year, matching the White Houses funding request released earlier this year. The more than 6% increase in new spending was not enough, however, to offset Democratic concerns about limiting department outreach efforts to women and minority groups, objections that are likely to be repeated when the measure reaches the Democratic-controlled Senate later this summer. This committee is wasting its time, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., ranking member of the committees panel on veterans issues. It should be focused on issues that face the veterans community every day: ending veteran suicide, decreasing the claims backlogs, ensuring the VA can attract and retain clinicians. But we are instead focusing on non-issues to bow down to the demands of the far right wing of the Republican Party. VA to provide abortions in cases of rape, danger to veterans health Republican leaders of the committee said the moves are needed to rein in political posturing and overreach by VA officials in recent years. These are issues that should be handled by Congress, not the executive branch, said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, chairman of the committees panel on veterans programs. VA officials announced last September in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the long-standing Roe v Wade ruling which legalized abortions nationwide that they would offer abortion access to veterans and eligible dependents in cases that endanger the life or health of an individual. That included performing abortions at some VA facilities in states where the procedure is outlawed. VA attorneys have maintained the move does not violate criminal statutes because department facilities are on federal land. In the eight months since the new rule was announced, VA physicians performed fewer than 40 abortions, according to department officials. Still, the decision to provide any abortion assistance drew widespread condemnation from congressional conservatives, who have accused VA leaders of violating numerous federal laws with the move. Under language adopted in the budget bill, all abortions at VA medical centers would be halted, except in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening complications. VA officials announced two years ago that they would offer gender confirmation surgeries, also known as gender reassignment surgeries, for the first time in an effort to provide better health care to transgender veterans. The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates there are roughly 134,000 transgender veterans in America today, and another 15,000 transgender individuals serving in the armed forces. VA officials have estimated that around 4,000 veterans nationwide may be interested in gender confirmation surgeries. However, none have been performed so far. VA Secretary Denis McDonough has repeatedly said he is reviewing the issue but made no final decision on when the operations may start. Under the GOP-passed plan, that would never happen. The bill calls for not only preventing gender confirmation surgeries but also hormone therapies for the purposes of gender affirming care, scaling back current offerings for transgender veterans. Pride flags at VA campuses irk Republican lawmakers The controversy over Pride flags at VA facilities is a more recent one. Since the start of national Pride month on June 1, multiple Republican lawmakers have objected to the rainbow LGBTQ flag being displayed outside numerous VA facilities, calling it a political statement. VA leaders have said they have allowed such displays (below the American flag) for the last few years. The budget bill would prevent any flags except the U.S. flag, state and local government flags, the VA flag, the flags of the military services, or the POW/MIA flag from being displayed on VA land. The bans overshadowed other Democratic concerns about the budget bill that were mostly focused on concerns about other domestic spending. GOP leaders have hinted at similar fights over abortion and transgender issues in other budget bills in coming weeks. Conversely, Senate Democratic appropriators have vowed not to back such provisions in their budget bills, putting the future of the veterans budget bill in doubt. Lawmakers have until the start of the new fiscal year Oct. 1 to pass new government funding bills or a current funding extension. Without either move, lawmakers would trigger a partial government shutdown. The Scene In late March, after the Montgomery County, Md. school district announced that students could not opt out of reading books with LGBTQ themes, the local chapter of Moms for Liberty started to organize. County organizer Lindsey Smith arrived at a school board meeting with signs, printed by the conservative group, that read we do NOT CO-PARENT with the GOVERNMENT. That was how Smith met the Muslim families, new to conservative politics, who were also demanding a restored opt-out policy and taking their signs. Within weeks, theyd show up to board meetings in the hundreds. We have the same family values, Smith told Semafor. They created a team out of people they werent expecting to team up. The board of education forgot the demographics of their county, if Im being honest. Twelve years ago, House Republicans questioned whether the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was a terrorist organization. Last week, CAIR was on site at the board meeting, lobbying for a policy that would let Muslim students skip the LGBTQ reading, to fix what Maryland CAIR director Zainab Chaudry called the growing sense of hurt and betrayal experienced by our communities. Their protests grabbed conservative media attention after a Montgomery County legislator asked why Muslim parents were on the same side of an issue as White supremacists and outright bigots. She apologized. But not before Fox News host Laura Ingraham told her viewers that people of faith have been waiting for Muslims to step up, and brought on Kareem Monib, a Muslim parent in Howard County, Md. to discuss what was happening. The irony of the moment was not lost on her guest: Five years ago Laura was saying we shouldnt have Muslims in this country, Monib, the founder of the pro opt-out group Coalition of Virtue, told Semafor. Now shes saying: Thank God, the Muslims are here! David's view In his first campaign for president, Donald Trump appealed to LGBTQ voters by pledging to protect them from a hateful foreign ideology that he falsely linked to ordinary Muslim Americans. Seven years later, Republicans are wooing Muslim voters by promising to protect them from LGBTQ rights advocates whose demands conflict with their faith. The anti-Muslim politics that Trump tapped into for years offering cash to stop a Ground Zero Mosque, spreading inflammatory lies about Arab neighborhoods, proposing a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S. that turned into a travel ban that mostly affected Muslims dont have as much traction with GOP candidates anymore. What replaced it? Trump told a Republican crowd in a recent speech that transgender is a guaranteed applause line even though five years ago you didnt know what the hell it was. Nobodys explicitly disavowed the old Republican politics, but presidential candidates dont warn about Islamofascism in Des Moines; they dont talk about banning sharia law in Charleston; and Trump himself has only talked off-camera about restoring the Muslim ban. Support for deepening ties with Gulf states like Saudi Arabia increasingly codes as MAGA thanks in part to Trumps friendly diplomatic and business relationships. Thats created some space for a project that conservatives shelved for two decades: Making cultural appeals to observant Muslims, and separating them from a secular, progressive Democratic Party. The Muslim vote collapsed after the partys post-9/11 turn, and didnt recover when Trump led the GOP. They are not big on woke stuff and are not susceptible to being bullied, said Grover Norquist, the president of Americans of Tax Reform, whose own effort to bring Muslims into the GOP fizzled during the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. They are woke-resistant. Muslim voters are a small share of the electorate; pre-Bush GOP outreach was focused mostly in Michigan, a swing state where support from Muslims and non-Muslim Arabs can be decisive. Last year, after Muslim parents in Dearborn, Mich. demanded that filth and pornography be taken out of public schools, Republicans rushed in. The partys unsuccessful statewide ticket rallied in the city; in February, the state GOP chose Rola Makki, its first-ever Muslim official, as its outreach director. Michigan Democrats swept the midterms, but their vote share declined in Dearborn. Makki told Semafor that the shift helped convince GOP delegates to elect her to the outreach role. She wanted to introduce Muslims and Islam to more Republicans, in a state where an anti-Muslim state senator ran for governor just five years ago. And she wanted to convince more Muslims that the Democrats had abandoned them. A lot of people from the Middle East were persecuted for their beliefs and wanted to come here for religious freedom, said Makki. How did we go from love, tolerance, and acceptance to forcing beliefs on people? Gender identity and LGBTQ content in schools were forcing that question, said Makki; in March, she tweeted that when someone asks me why as a Muslim I've aligned with the GOP, I just go to the Libs of TikTok page and show them the insanity from the progressive left. The kids are too young to be exposed to this ideology, said Khalil Ahmed-Saif Othman, a Dearborn activist and former Democrat who joined Makki and state chair Kristina Karamo at a GOP outreach event at a banquet hall in the city last month. The Michigan GOP is becoming more welcoming to minorities. Room for Disagreement Wa'el Alzayat, the CEO of the Muslim political action group Emgage, said that the GOP outreach to that community would bump up against the rest of the partys agenda. Some people will always be swayed by this, but Republicans have a lot of baggage to deal with, said Alzayat. The first thing the Republican speaker of the House did this year was strip Ilhan Omar of her committee assignments. Trump still wants to reinstate the Muslim ban. Yes, theyve pivoted from some talking points, but theres a fundamental problem with Republicans and American Muslims. Sami Khaldi, the president of the Dearborn Democratic Club, acknowledged that Republicans had made some gains there. In 2020, after making the Muslim ban reality, Trump had even improved on his 2016 vote share. But he ticked off issues where the Democratic Party, which is a welcoming party, had more to tell Muslims auto insurance costs (a major Michigan-specific issue), education, and healthcare. Asked about GOP outreach in her district, a spokesman for Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib pointed to her statement last month condemning the Parents Bill of Rights for turning students into pawns in their political games. After the Dearborn protests, Tlaib told Fox 2 Detroit that extremists on the right were promoting lies, fear, and outrage while chanting Trump's name. Notable Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R) announced Tuesday that he will block all of President Bidens nominees to the Department of Justice in protest of a 37-count indictment that special counsel Jack Smith has brought against former President Donald Trump in federal court in Florida. Donald Trump is merely the latest victim of a Department of Justice that cares more about politics than law enforcement, Vance said in a statement. Starting today, I will hold all Department of Justice nominations. If [Attorney General] Merrick Garland wants to use these officials to harass Joe Bidens political opponents, we will grind his department to a halt, he declared. Vances hold on Justice Department nominees will not apply to individuals nominated to the U.S. Marshals Service. The action will not prevent Senate Democrats from confirming Bidens nominees to the department if they have enough votes, but it will require Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to schedule votes on individual nominees, which will eat up floor time. Often nominees are agreed to by unanimous consent on the floor to speed up the process. But Vance says the Department of Justice has unfairly targeted conservatives. Garlands department harasses Christians for pro-life advocacy, but allows hardened criminals to walk our streets unpunished. This must stop, and I will do everything in my ability to ensure it does, Vance said. His office pointed to a report that 13 states have signed onto a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking records from the administration on possible FBI surveillance of parents protesting school boards. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tana Ramsay, Gordon Ramsey's wife, marked seven years since she experienced a pregnancy loss a reminder that grief has no timeline. "A happy picture taken of us celebrating Megans 18th, I was just under 20 weeks pregnant," Tana Ramsay, 48, wrote on Instagram, along with a black-and-white picture of her smiling alongside her husband and four eldest children. "Little did we know, a few days later I would be holding our little boy Rocky born with a strong heartbeat, but too little to survive," the caption continued. "Although its 7 years today, it still feels like yesterday. We all miss you everyday. We love you Rocky, forever in our hearts. I couldnt do this without my family, you are all everything to me." In a June 2016 Facebook post, "Hell's Kitchen" host Ramsay shared that his wife experienced a pregnancy loss at 5 months gestation. "We had a devastating weekend as Tana has sadly miscarried our son at five months," Gordon Ramsay, 56, wrote at the time. "Were together healing as a family, but we want to thank everyone again for all your amazing support and well wishes." Tana Ramsay has since opened up about her loss, telling the U.K. outlet Metro in 2020 that she "found it really hard when people would talk to me and not mention it because it was like it never happened." Dr. Carly Snyder, MD, a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist based in New York, says it is extremely common for people who have experienced a pregnancy loss or stillbirth to feel like Tana Ramsay feels as if it happened yesterday. "There is no linear way to grieve and no rule saying that, at some point, you are meant to snap out of it," Snyder tells TODAY.com. The idea that theres a time limit on grief is unfair and absurd, because who is to say how we are meant to feel about a loss?" A reported 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth. Snyder says that while pregnancy loss is common, everyone reacts differently. For some, she says, the date of a loss will stay with them for the rest of their lives, while others will not be as impacted. "It's not a value judgment or a value call," Snyder says. "It is just the fact that people process grief in very different ways." In 2019, Tana and Gordon Ramsay welcomed their fifth child and rainbow baby, Oscar, who is now 4. After 3 baftas and one Emmy ... finally we have won an Oscar," Gordon Ramsay captioned an Instagram photo. "Please welcome Oscar James Ramsay, who touched down at 12:58 today for some lunch! Snyder cautions against the belief that having children before or after a loss somehow diminishes the grief of a pregnancy loss. "There's misinformation under the notion of once you have another child that goes away," Snyder says. "That's not necessarily true because again, there are no generalizations. For some people, maybe it is, but for others, while it may lessen the acute pain of the situation it does not erase that experience or erase that pain. "That real feeling of emptiness and loss that over time can become less frequent, maybe less significant in terms of severity," she adds, "but it is still going to come for the women for whom it was a traumatic experience." If you or someone you know has experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, you can find resources and support at nationalshare.org. This article was originally published on TODAY.com In a letter that Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has written to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, she begs him not to pardon former Kansas City Police detective Eric DeValkenaere, who was convicted of manslaughter in November of 2021. That the governor is even thinking of doing so is shocking, for one thing because Parson so often points to a conviction as a reason not to show mercy to the innocent. If Parson does pardon DeValkenaere, the only KCPD officer ever to be convicted in the shooting death of a Black man, it will provide more evidence, at a particularly fraught time, that the rule of law does not apply to everybody. If Parson does pardon DeValkenaere, who shot 26-year-old Cameron Lamb in his own backyard, just nine seconds after arriving at his home, in response to a report that Lamb had been speeding, it will further undermine trust in our system. And, as Baker points out in her letter, it will not help the KCPD, either. Letter from Jackson County Prosecutor by Ian Cummings on Scribd DeValkenaere was fairly convicted and sentenced under Missouri law, she wrote. Your pardon would preempt Attorney General (Andrew) Baileys defense of this conviction and subvert the rule of law. The appellate process has not yet concluded. I am aware that you have been lobbied to pardon this officer, even before his trial. I imagine you might view a pardon as a way to support police. But I expect this extreme action for the only KCPD officer convicted of fatally shooting a Black man will ignite distrust, protests, and public safety concerns for citizens and for police. The most significant threat to public safety will not come from community protests. Perhaps the greater long-term harm will be an erosion of our public safety system as fair and just Already, she wrote, witnesses dont want to testify, and victims decline to prosecute their attackers, even after suffering great injury. This distrust will only grow when you, as overseer of KCPD, choose a political action over the legal process. In the letter, Baker said no one in the governors or AGs office has ever reached out to Lambs family. Arent they supposed to be all about supporting victims? Or does that not apply evenly, either? Lambs loved ones deserve better, Baker wrote, and also urged the governor to convene a public meeting in Kansas City regarding your proposed actions. Kansas Citians deserve to be heard. They do, though based on his past actions, Parson would never do that. Cameron Lamb holding cellphone when shot At DeValkenaeres trial, the former detective testified that he had no choice but to shoot Lamb in December of 2019, after seeing him pull a gun from his waistband with his left hand and point it at his partner, Troy Schwalm: I remember thinking no this cant happen, I cant let this happen. Schwalm, who was standing right in front of Lambs truck as he was backing it into his basement garage, did not see a gun. In fact, according to prosecutors, Schwalm previously said that he saw that there was no gun in Lambs left hand. Lamb was not only right-handed, but had limited use of his left hand after he was shot in the index finger in 2015. Lambs roommate, Roberta Merritt, testified that she had seen Lambs gun on the basement steps a few feet from where the shooting occurred, right before police arrived. And if thats true, then prosecutors are right that the gun found just underneath Lambs left arm, which was hanging out his truck window when he died, was planted there. Phone records show he was also on a call, on the cellphone in his right hand, at the time he was shot. Unless Cameron had three hands, someone else put the gun where it was supposedly found. The first officer who arrived at the scene after the shooting testified that he didnt see any gun either, but added that his view might have been blocked by his protective shield. Prosecutors couldnt prove the scene was staged, but didnt have to, since DeValkenaere was only charged with involuntary manslaughter an unintentional killing that results either from recklessness or criminal negligence. Running into a mans backyard in the middle of the day, with guns drawn, based on nothing more than a report that hed been driving way too fast, was certainly reckless. The prosecutor, Tim Dollar, kept saying in court that DeValkenaere had violated Lambs rights by going onto private property without a warrant, without permission and without probable cause. DeValkenaere kept saying that he had a duty to go in anyway because we had a reasonable suspicion that crime was afoot. He had to go in, too, he said, because his fellow officer already had, and Im not going to leave him in there by himself. If he had stopped to get a warrant, what crime would it even have been for, Dollar asked him, in one of the most important exchanges of the trial. DeValkenaere said he didnt know. Thats why we didnt get a warrant. That he not only didnt get a warrant, but couldnt have, was hardly exculpatory. Governor: Bad guy is dead After Lamb was shot, it was 14 minutes before paramedics already at the scene were allowed to get to him, and he had bled to death by then. Prosecutors suggested that police used that time to rearrange the scene. Audio of then-Police Chief Rick Smith showed that just minutes after the shooting, hed already decided that whatever had happened was just fine, as always: Everybodys good, Smith said. House is clear. Bad guy is dead. According to Smith, anybody shot by police must have been a bad guy. Against that backdrop, that deficit of trust, its especially important that Parson not make things worse between the community and police, and for the community and the police. DeValkenaere waived his right to a jury trial, so it was up to Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs to decide whether he recklessly caused Lambs death. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years, but in a ruling that Youngs himself said was highly unusual, he was also allowed to stay free while appealing his case, Recently, AG Bailey, who is close to and was appointed by Parson, defied Court of Appeals District Chief Judge Gary Witt once again, failing for a sixth time to file a response to DeValkenaeres October 2022 appeal. If he cant bring himself to do his duty, Parson may intervene, and make sure that his protege never has to. But that, too, would be reckless, and we hope that Parson decides instead to let the legal process he claims to revere play out in the courts. Greenville's $237 million budget includes fee increases, no tax hikes. Here's what to know. City officials passed the fiscal year 2024 budget Monday night at second reading, dedicating millions to Greenville's infrastructure, affordable housing, economic development and parks. The $237 million budget capitalizes on the city's explosive growth, funding a hefty list of capital improvement projects and shoring up infrastructure with a 3.5% wastewater fee increase and $1 monthly solid waste fee increase. The new budget does not include any tax increases. The city is also budgeting a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees, adding more police officers and firefighters and a new Department of Engineering Services. Here's what's in the fiscal year 2024 budget: Affordable housing and infrastructure The city is dedicating $3.75 million to affordable housing this fiscal year thanks to a change in state law that enables local governments to now use accommodations and hospitality taxes for housing needs. Visitors to downtown Greenville walk down Main Street Friday, March 20, 2020. They are also adding 10 new police officers and vehicles and five new firefighters. The city will not fill five positions this year to offset that cost. Officials will use $19 million from the Neighborhood Infrastructure Bond for paving, sidewalks, traffic issues and community center improvements, including $1.8 million for Nicholtown Community Center upgrades. A new city department, the Department of Engineering Services, will relocate engineering services from within the existing public works department and be established separately with a different director. The city will also take on more debt to finance the City Hall relocation to the Bowater Building near Falls Park. Economic development The city is budgeting $1.5 million to implement its strategic plan this year, including adding more economic development staff and working with local partners to attract and support more entrepreneurs in the city. Officials are also working to fill Greenville's Economic Development Director role, which was vacated by Merle Johnson earlier this year. City Council also voted Monday night to establish a nonprofit that will serve as the city's economic development arm to oversee economic development efforts. When, where to vote Tuesday: Knox White faces challenger in primary election for Greenville mayor Investigation: Greenville City Councilmember charged questionable expenses to city account for decades Public transit and mobility Greenville Transit Authority will get $1.6 million this fiscal year, including support for the city trolley system. The city is also adding traffic management technology through the NIB, such as travel time monitoring and emergency signal preemption, which is a system that interrupts normal traffic signals to give right of way to an incoming emergency vehicle. The city is also budgeting money for neighborhood connections to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, including $1 million for the Laurens Road trail connection, and $250,000 for Swamp Rabbit Trail bridge maintenance. A man sits on the turf lawn in the courtyard off of Main Street, Friday, April 3, 2020. Parks and recreation $3.4 million of Greenville's budget will go to parks and recreation line items like an inclusive playground at Cleveland Park and court rehabilitation and pickleball space at Gower Park. The city is also dedicating more money to the Arts in Public Places commission, which secures and promotes public art for placement throughout the city, and more money for new city events like Jazz Fest. Officials are budgeting $500,000 to purchase land to preserve open space in the city, a major goal outlined in the city's comprehensive plan. Greenways, trails, bike and pedestrian safety enhancements will also get about $2.7 million. The full list of proposed capital improvement projects can be viewed at greenvillesc.gov. Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporter for The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her on Twitter @maconatkinson. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville SC has new 2024 budget. Plans to shore infrastructure, parks OSLO Russias invasion of Ukraine has elevated global nuclear tensions to a level not seen since the height of the Cold War. Absent any signs of responsible leadership from Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is incumbent on the leaders of other nuclear-armed countries to take practical and prompt action to de-escalate, counter immediate threats, and agree on common steps toward non-proliferation and eventual disarmament. The war in Ukraine, accompanied by Russias nuclear saber-rattling, has done serious damage to the decades-old taboo against the use of such weapons. The lack of constructive dialogue between the United States and Russia as they press ahead with nuclear modernization programs, as well as Chinas apparent decision to enlarge its arsenal, risk accelerating a new global arms race. The risk is compounded by the diplomatic paralysis that continues to block efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran curbed uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, and by North Koreas determination to build up its nuclear capability. This forward march has prompted other states in the Middle East and Northeast Asia to express a renewed interest in nuclear weapons. George E. Bogden: Russian bombs in Belarus bear political significance Late last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin moved ahead with his threat to deploy nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. Echoing prior condemnation of this planned action, the U.S. State Departments spokesman added: we have seen no reason to adjust our strategic nuclear posture or any indicati The Kyiv IndependentGeorge E. Bogden These developments are all linked. The more that existing nuclear-armed states treat these weapons as a legitimate tool of international security, the more attractive or even indispensable they will appear, and the harder it will be to dissuade others from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Having survived one nuclear-arms race, the world should do everything it can to avoid another, more complicated one, which would invariably draw in more countries and, consequently, increase the odds of nuclear war. The U.S. and Russia, which together control around 90% of the worlds nuclear weapons, continue to shoulder the heaviest disarmament burden. In that regard, Russias recent decision to suspend its participation in New START, the last remaining bilateral arms-control agreement between the two nuclear superpowers, is deeply alarming. In addition to opposing Russias illegal aggression against Ukraine, it is imperative that the U.S. increases pressure on the Kremlin to reverse its reckless exit from New START, which caps the number of deployable warheads and includes transparency and verification measures. It also remains critically important for all states to reaffirm the taboo against nuclear threats and to emphasize that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia will have serious consequences. Heightened tensions over Ukraine exemplify the more fundamental issue: the lack of any sustained U.S.-Russia dialogue or mechanisms to reduce the risk of escalation, much less negotiate broader nuclear-arms reductions. A Russian serviceman patrols the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on May 1, 2022. (Photo by ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty Images) The many close calls during the Cold War highlight the dangers of this state of affairs. Forty years ago, for example, in an atmosphere of corrosive mistrust, the Soviets misinterpreted NATOs joint military exercise in Brussels, code-named Able Archer 83, as a nuclear offensive. Had it not been for one mans fortuitous, if ill-informed decision, this misunderstanding would have led to Armageddon. With tensions running similarly high today, it is all too plausible to imagine the world blundering into a nuclear conflict through accident or miscalculation. Even during the worst moments of the Cold War, however, the U.S. and NATO communicated with the Soviet Union on de-escalation and nuclear-risk reduction, which all parties recognized as being in everyones best interest. Today, the U.S. and its European allies must not block nuclear dialogue or set preconditions that preclude the resumption of non-proliferation and disarmament talks. Maintaining military and senior-level contacts should not be confused with legitimizing or minimizing Russias aggression in Ukraine. Todays geopolitical landscape is very different from that of the Cold War, not least because of Chinas political, economic, and military might. Given its rise to strategic prominence, China would signal constructive leadership by being more transparent about its nuclear policy. Failing that, other nuclear powers are likely to assume the worst and respond accordingly, which could fuel a dangerous and ultimately self-defeating arms race. It would also be in Chinas interest to establish a sustained dialogue with the U.S. to limit nuclear risks at a time of rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. There is a similar risk with North Korea and its provocative missile tests. If North Korea continues to expand its arsenal, South Korea may demand the redeployment of U.S. nuclear weapons to the region or even advocate for independent nuclear options. Either outcome would constitute a frightening escalation of nuclear risk exactly 70 years after the end of the Korean War, though the recently announced deal between the U.S. and South Korea to increase cooperation on nuclear planning will, one hopes, reduce immediate risks of nuclear proliferation on the peninsula. Ukraines nuclear disarmament When the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty in July 1990 to gain greater rights and freedoms within the Soviet Union, ridding the country of nuclear weapons was one of its top priorities. Ukraine had just suffered enormously from the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear po The Kyiv IndependentLili Bivings By the same token, the breakdown of the JCPOA negotiations and Irans continued refusal to give International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to its nuclear sites (though negotiations are underway) remain deeply concerning. Given the already combustible political and security environment across the region, the risk of a pre-emptive military strike by Israel and of nuclear proliferation in other Middle Eastern countries is particularly high. In the face of increasing and interconnected threats, a new approach is urgently needed. The existential risk posed by nuclear weapons should worry everyone, but only world leaders are in a position to mitigate it. The ultimate goal will always be total nuclear disarmament, but the first priority is to address the most serious immediate hazards. Practical and achievable paths to de-escalation exist, such as the Four Ds minimization agenda that The Elders have been advocating since 2019. Now, facing the prospect of a new arms race, it is up to responsible leaders, civil society, and a mobilized public to put sufficient pressure on the leaders of nuclear-armed states and pull them back from the brink. Editors Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate. The following article was published by Project Syndicate's magazine PS Quarterly: At Arms on June 12, 2023, and has been exclusively republished by the Kyiv Independent. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. background background Subscribe to newsletter Belarus Weekly The News Ron DeSantis supporters are grumbling that the larger GOP field is complicating their path in South Carolina, where two of the early primary states highest profile politicians, Senator Tim Scott and former governor Nikki Haley, are in the race. Adding to their frustration: Their suspicion that the candidates are actually running to be Donald Trumps vice president. It's particularly a concern for South Carolina, because it seems very clear that both of the South Carolinians in the race are not contenders and are clearly running to curry favor with Trump in some regard, whether it's to be VP or something else, one person within DeSantis world said. And I think that is very problematic, because in all probability, most if not all of their votes in South Carolina would go to Ron DeSantis if they weren't in the race. Two others in DeSantis orbit also noted that, with Haley and Scott currently in the race, South Carolina could be an issue for the Florida governor, though they downplayed use of the word concern one described it more as a nuisance. Nikki Haley and Tim Scott are relatively popular within the state, and Im sure will both perform very well within the state theyre certainly going to take a big chunk of the [DeSantis] vote, a former DeSantis staffer added. Shelby's view One thing thats clear: Trump has learned to love the divided field. In recent months, he has conspicuously cheered on some of the non-DeSantis candidates while pledging to talk badly about others who criticize him more directly. Trump praised Vivek Ramaswamy for saying good things about his presidency and called Scott a big step up from DeSantis. The more the merrier, he said when Haley entered the race. If its a one-on-one race, Trump is a lot more beatable, the former DeSantis staffer noted, echoing a common sentiment among Republican strategists, as well as Trumps own advisors, that a crowded field will only help the former president. The candidates at the center of these running for vice president allegations are well aware of the suspicion they arent trying to win, which threatens to undermine their message to voters, donors, and potential endorsers. Scotts campaign has moved aggressively to shut down any speculation on the topic. Haley has tackled the discussion head on: I dont play for second, she said at a recent town hall. And while Trumps naked attempts to boost their candidacies have helped fan the flames of suspicion, theres no evidence the candidates are anything but sincere in their quest to win. Scott enters the race with real advantages, starting with a massive war chest and key senate endorsements; Haley has attacked both Trump and DeSantis in recent weeks (on Monday, she accused Trump of putting troops in jeopardy if classified document charges prove true); and DeSantis is still unproven after a rocky few months. DeSantis has real reason to worry: While polling is sparse, Real Clear Politics average for South Carolina has Trump with 42% support, DeSantis with 22%, and Haley and Scott combining for 24%. Room for Disagreement Several Republican senators opposed to Trumps election told Igor Bobic last week they expected the field to winnow quickly compared to 2016, when a still-competitive race between six candidates helped Trump win South Carolina with just over 32% of the vote. As the first two primaries come through, I think itll weed itself out, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D, who is backing Scott, said. He added hed much rather have it thinned out to Tim Scott right now. Notable Former U.N. ambassador and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said in an interview Tuesday that shes inclined in favor of a pardon for former President Trump if he were to be convicted of federal charges stemming from his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. I think we all need to let this trial play out. We need to see exactly what happens. When you look at a pardon, the issue is less about guilt and more about whats good for the country. And I think it would be terrible for the country to have a former president in prison for years because of a documents case, Haley said on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show when asked if shed commit to pardoning Trump if elected. Thats something youd see in a Third World country. I saw that at the United Nations, so I would be inclined in favor of a pardon. But I think its really pretty mature at this point when hes not even been convicted of anything, she added. Trump appeared in federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon after federal prosecutors alleged that Trump mishandled classified documents, which included information on the countrys national and military secrets. The former president pleaded not guilty to the charges and has decried the probe as a witch hunt. While the former U.N. ambassador reiterated her point that Trump was incredibly reckless if the charges in the federal indictment were true, Haleys comments underscore the awkward position many 2024 GOP challengers are in as they seek to avoid defending their chief GOP White House rival while acknowledging a base of the Republican Party is still largely loyal to Trump. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Prosecutor: NH man stabbed Mass. hospital nurse in neck as she tried to adjust his oxygen tube A New Hampshire man has been ordered held on high bail after he allegedly stabbed a nurse at a hospital in Massachusetts on Monday night. David Nicholas, 76, of Greenville, was arraigned Tuesday in Gardner District Court via video from his hospital bed on charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and attempt to commit a crime in connection with a violent attack at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, according to the Gardner Police Department. Officers responding to a report of a violent assault at the hospital at 242 Green St. around 8 p.m. found a member of the nursing staff suffering from a laceration, police said. The victim, Sharon Siew, was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. She is expected to be OK. An investigation revealed that Nicholas was a patient at the hospital and receiving care when he stabbed Siew in the neck as she tried to adjust his nasal oxygen tube, a prosecutor said during the court hearing. She immediately screamed for help, the prosecutor said of the nurse. The laceration, which was photographed, was approximately three inches long along her Carotid artery. Fortunately, the nurses Carotid artery wasnt punctured in the attack, the prosecutor added. Officers subsequently found Nicholas in possession of a pocket knife. A judge ordered Nicholas held on $100,000 cash bail and instructed him to stay away from the victim. Nicholas lawyer argued against the bail, stating that his client is in hospice care with about six months left to live. It is appropriate for him to be in his home where he can receive proper medical care and treatment, the lawyer said. The prosecution said Nicholas has a lengthy criminal history, including a five-year prison sentence that he served for armed robbery in Worcester County in the 1980s. The attack did not surprise Karen Coughlin, RN, a psychiatric nurse for 34 years and chair of the Workplace Violence Task Force at the Massachusetts Nurses Association. MNA is the largest union in the state representing nurses. Its membership includes nurses at Heywood Hospital. We are seeing an increase in workplace violence across the spectrum, Coughlin said. Nurses are more likely to be assaulted seven times more likely to be assaulted than police officers. Coughlin said an MNA survey of non-union nurses revealed that things have gotten worse in the last few years. We have found that during the pandemic, there has been an uptick in the reports from nurses across Massachusetts about workplace violence, she said Its one of the factors along with staffing shortages that is likely contributing to an exodus from the profession. Our newer nurses are leaving the profession within two to five years of beginning their careers, Coughlin said. Many of our nurses who have been there a while are contemplating leaving the bedside earlier. The Massachusetts Nurses Association currently has legislation pending at the State House thats aimed at reducing violence against healthcare workers and upping penalties against suspects charged with attacks on workers. In a statement, a spokesperson for the MNA said, This bill would require healthcare employers to perform an annual safety risk assessment and, based on those findings, develop and implement programs to minimize the danger of workplace violence to employees and patients. It would also provide time off for healthcare workers assaulted on the job to address legal issues and require semi-annual reporting of assaults on healthcare employees. A second bill would increase the penalties for assaulting emergency medical technicians, ambulance operators, ambulance attendants and other healthcare providers, including nurses, and make it a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison, according to the spokesperson. Nicholas is due back in court in July. An investigation is ongoing. 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 Georgia pastor and his wife want justice after their sons death at the hands of a Hancock County sheriffs deputy. The Rev. Dwight Winkley, and his wife, Catherine Winkley, hired Brandon, Mississippi attorney Lance Stevens to represent them in a wrongful death lawsuit over the killing of their son, Isaiah Winkley, 21. The Winkley family is devastated, Stevens said. They have hopes the judicial system will provide accountability for the shooting death of their son. The Winkleys, of Morehead, Georgia, have put Hancock County and Sheriff Ricky Adam on notice of the pending lawsuit in an intent-to-sue letter filed by the familys attorney. The family plans to ask for at least $500,000 in damages. Mississippi state law requires anyone who intends to sue a government entity to file a written notice before a lawsuit is filed. The letter accuses those involved of alleged negligence, malfeasance and/or reckless conduct by (a deputy) in causing the death of (of the couples son) Isaiah Winkley on Dec. 10, 2022. Isaiah Winkley with his parents, the Rev. Dwight Winkley and Cathy Winkley. K-9 deputy who fired the fatal shots removed from payroll A Hancock County sheriffs deputy, since identified by Sheriff Adam as Michael Chase Blackwell, shot and killed Winkley, 21, after responding to a Dec. 10 report of a burglary at 28030 Highway 603 in Kiln. An autopsy report filed by state medical examiner Staci Turner shows that Winkley had been shot five times. The family claims Winkley was not armed at the time of his death. Blackwell, the department K-9 deputy, was removed from the Hancock County Sheriffs Departments payroll effective May 24, according to the minutes of the June 5 meeting of the board of supervisors. Blackwell resigned, Adam said, over some personnel issues within the office. Blackwell, who had also worked as a Gulfport police officer in the past, declined to comment when reached by the Sun Herald. The Sheriffs department has refused to disclose, or even allow me to view, the dash-cam and body cam footage that depicts the young, unarmed Isaiah being shot 4 to 5 times without provocation, Stevens said. I invite them to revisit that decision today. A Georgia man and Florida college student was shot and killed by a Hancock County Sheriffs deputy at a home off Mississippi Highway 603. Chase Blackwell, a former Gulfport police officer and Hancock County sheriffs deputy, was working for Hancock County when he fatally shot Isaiah Winkley, a 21-year-old college student from Florida, outside of a home in Perkinston, Mississippi. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation independently investigates all police shootings in the state. Sean Tindell, the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety that oversees MBI, told the Sun Herald the results of that probe had been turned over to the state Attorney Generals office. The AGs office will decide whether to present the evidence to a grand jury to determine if any criminal wrongdoing occurred. MBI usually allows the family of someone shot by a law enforcement to review the footage prior to it being released to the public. If a criminal charge is filed, the video footage is not available to the public until the criminal case is prosecuted. He is not a violent person A young boy, scheduled to soon graduate from a private Christian college, who was bragging to friends about soon getting engaged, needlessly lost his life that day because his car got stuck in an unfamiliar town, Stevens said. The shooting has left his parents, siblings, girlfriend and others who knew and loved him questioning whether justice will be served.. Isaiah sent dozens of Bible verses to friends and acquaintances around his Christian college the week after Thanksgiving as part of his lifetime of witnessing, Stevens said. His family is comforted by the fact that he is with his Lord now.. Pensacola Christian College remembered Isaiah Winkley by presenting his family with an honorary degree in their son Isaiah Winkleys name during its graduation ceremony in May. Winkley died before he could graduate. In the aftermath of his death, his mother talked about her familys grief. We are absolutely heartbroken over our sons death, Cathy Winkley told the Sun Herald. He is a good kid, a senior in Bible college, and we cannot understand what happened. He is not a violent person and does not own a gun. He loves the Lord and cares for people, she said. He is a leader at school and loves others. We have heard nothing but good from all of our family and his friends since the incident. This makes no sense to us. Winkleys 2009 Mercedes 230E had gone off the road on Highway 603 sometime before the shooting. Its believed he was looking for a phone or tool to help get his car back up and running when he ended at the home in the Kiln. Isaiah Winkley Isaiah Winkley and his girlfriend Harrison Ford Couldn't Have Been More Wrong About His Career Harrison Ford once thought hed be more matinee-idle than idol. I never thought that I would be a leading man, the actor told People in an article posted Tuesday. I really was just hoping I could make a living as an actor and not have to supplement my income with some other side hustle. On the strength of Indiana Jones and Han Solo in Star Wars alone, Ford is a Hollywood legend. But the numbers for his career at the top of the marquee are impressive. His movies have grossed more than $6.2 billion with him as the leading man, according to The Numbers, plus an additional $1.5 billion as a lead ensemble member. No one ever believes this, but I never wanted to be rich and famous, the Blade Runner star told People. I just wanted to be an actor. Harrison Ford attends the Harrison Ford attends the "Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny" photo call at the 76th annual Cannes film festival on May 19, 2023, in Cannes, France. Ford will be whipping through theaters as Indy for likely his last time in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, opening June 30. One reviewer who saw it at the recent Cannes Film Festival said the outing leaves Fords leading-man legacy intact. Dial of Destiny has an ace in the hole with Harrison Ford and with the character he plays a guy for whom we feel so much affection that well go along with all kinds of silliness if we can see a little more Indy, The Wraps Steve Pond wrote amid mixed early reviews. Related... It has been more than one year since the Russian Federation led by none other than Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine illicitly for the second time. For all of the heroism, valour and durability that the Ukrainian nation continues to exhibit, even they did not foresee the cataclysmic series of events that would befall on their homeland. At the time of writing, thousands of Ukrainian civilians and service men and women have solemnly lost their lives and an inestimable quantity of buildings have been reduced to nothing more than rubble. Yet, there is another casualty of War that often goes unremembered. A type of casualty that is affectionate, loyal and in most cases, lenient. These types of casualties live amongst us some sleep outside, others prefer to lay inside and then there are the fortunate few who even get to sleep on our beds. Its animals. Back in 2016, a man by the name of Oleksandr Todorchuk founded the animal welfare organisation known as UAnimals. The former journalist and law graduate primarily focused his efforts on putting an end to the exploitation of animals in circuses and advocating to end the use of animal fur within Ukraine. As the organisation continued to expand, so did Vladimir Putins imperialistic ambitions. Oleksandr Todorchuk with a ward dog All photos: UAnimals During the early months of 2022, following the full-scale Russian invasion, UAnimals were faced with an unprecedented task to save the animals of Ukraine. They had transformed from an organization which primarily focused on campaigning and social action into a life-saving, emergency aid and rehabilitation centre for animals overwhelmed by the War. We caught up with the Head of UAnimals, Oleksandr Todorchuk, in order to gain further insight into how the recent destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has affected local wildlife populations both environmentally and ecologically, and the Operational Director, Olga Chevganiuk, to find out more about how the War is directly affecting Ukraines animals and hence how UAnimals themselves are subsisting through times of toil and distress. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, declared that the Russians have committed ecocide in the Kherson Oblast, purposely destroying the Kakhovka Dam. In your own words, can you explain the scale of devastation that has transpired from the obliteration of the dam? Oleksandr: Well, I can only say that the current situation is nothing short of disastrous. This particular incident is yet another momentous Russian crime not only against the Ukrainian people, but also the animals and ecological system of our country. The primary issue which people must immediately understand is that there is currently no ecological system in the Kherson Oblast at this moment it has been devastated. Regarding the animals that are entangled in this catastrophe, its an immense problem for domesticated pets, as they cannot do anything to save themselves, they must be helped! Other domestic animals who live on farmlands also cannot retreat from the flooded areas, they are tragically dying. Unfortunately, many of the wild animals residing in the surrounding areas are also suffering a similar fate. A volunteer with a rescued dog The Kherson Oblast is extraordinarily diverse and bountiful with wild nature and a wide variety of different species. This region is also home to many animals who are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List this therefore means that particular animals are at risk of extinction, endangered and vulnerable. Some of the animals may simply disappear, never to be seen again, mainly due to the rising water levels. Its basically the equivalent of keeping an animal in a cage underwater, thats how I view the situation. If some of these species do become extinct, the impact on an ecological system that is already on its knees will be irremediable. For now, its impossible to gauge the full extent of the problem, it shall only be possible to do so after the water levels have decreased. [BANNER1] As an animal welfare organization that prides itself on rescuing and taking care of animals, how exactly are the UAnimals team managing to help and evacuate vulnerable animals from the Kherson Oblast? There have also been a number of reports proclaiming that the Russian Armed Forces have been firing upon volunteers who are trying desperately to evacuate both people and animals from the flooding is that statement correct? Oleksandr: At the moment, there are currently twelve different UAnimals evacuation teams based in Kherson. Amidst our evacuation teams, we have a number of veterinary vehicles based on the ground. Each vehicle contains medical aid and food in order to help animals with. Our evacuation teams are working around the clock to evacuate and help animals from areas in and around Kherson. UAnimals is not only rescuing domesticated pets, but wild and other domestic animals. The worst area in the Kherson Oblast at the moment is a river island located around the Dnipro river known as Ostriv, it is absolutely dreadful there. Yesterday [09/06/2023 ed.], we managed to save around three hundred animals and today I believe that figure will increase. Additionally, we also bring large quantities of animal food with us so that we are able to feed street animals, provide food to people who have animals at home and assist other animal shelters along with their volunteers. On top of all of these evacuations and donations, we also try to focus our attention on the Lower Dnipro National Nature Park yesterday [09/06/2023 - ed.], we managed to donate $190,500 to help the park rangers there in their mission to save vulnerable animals. Evacuated kittens By the way, your statement is indeed correct, the Russian Armed Forces are firing directly at civilians, volunteers and animals. They simply disregard any form of human or animal life. Having to evacuate animals from such a precarious situation is undoubtedly arduous and treacherous. Are there particular types of specific equipment that the UAnimals team needs in order to carry out their job? What kind of assistance do you require to continue helping animals there? Oleksandr: First and foremost, we require skilled volunteers who possess both extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to working with animals. All of our evacuation team members are people who have worked and assisted in the evacuation of numerous kinds of animals ever since the beginning of the War. Typically, we tend to evacuate many animals from the Luhansk Oblast and the Donetsk Oblast as these are two regions that have suffered extensively. If you could only imagine how many stories our team members could recall... since the beginning of the full-scale War, UAnimals has successfully evacuated thousands of animals cows, pigs, tigers and even ten lions! If this War has given us anything, its experience. With regards to necessary equipment, we mainly require animal cages and an array of different veterinary equipment in order to treat each animal accordingly. Especially during such moments as we are living through today, the need for more rescue cars which contain veterinary equipment is also essential for us. Volunteers continue medical treatment of animals in the city of Kherson The Ukrainian government announced that the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam is the largest environmental and ecological disaster in Europe in the last ten years and most likely the worst within Ukraine since the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. In your opinion, what shall the biggest consequences be regarding local wildlife and ecosystems? Oleksandr: As I previously mentioned, the main issue is that the ecological system has been completely destroyed. Its both a downhearted and highly complex problem because animals are dying and species are disappearing in front of our very own eyes. We now have to deal with the issue of clean drinking water. The UAnimals team is wholeheartedly trying to help everyone in the Kherson Oblast, not just animals but also people as well they all urgently need clean water to drink. Its honestly a complete and utter disaster, there shall undoubtedly be problems with the agricultural sphere for many years to come. A man gives his pet to the rescue workers Although, from what I have personally witnessed thus far, I believe that this specific issue is not only going to impact Ukraine, but many more European countries. That is exactly why the world should stop Russia in its tracks right now! Ecocide does not have any boundaries. Perhaps there are people in other countries who say okay, I understand that the War is terrible and Russia is continuing to murder Ukrainians, but actually the War is not in my country, however when we are discussing ecocide, its an issue that will affect many people, not just Ukrainians. To put it bluntly, we are not only talking about an ecological problem, we are witnessing ecological crime of the highest order and that is why its of great importance to stress that Russia is not only a terrorist state, but also an eco-terrorist country. [BANNER2] You must also understand that UAnimals is not only working in Kherson, but also alongside a number of different volunteers abroad. These volunteers partake in rallies, particularly in our international-focused campaign Stop Ecocide Ukraine. All of us here at UAnimals politely urge political leaders all around the world to declare that Russia is an eco-terrorist nation and each country should take the necessary steps to stop them with harsher sanctions the ultimate objective being a Ukrainian victory. A protest abroad Id personally like to add that I am extremely grateful and thankful to the many different people from around the world who have contacted us over the past couple of days. These people generously offered to help us with donations and sent messages of support. If there happens to be someone reading this article at the moment who would like to assist UAnimals, I would like to tell you this; first of all, you must spread the message of truth about the situation in Ukraine terrorism and ecocide. You should discuss the War in Ukraine with your friends, even if you only have one friend on Facebook, you can inform them about what is happening here! Next, you can be part of our campaign Stop Ecocide Ukraine. You could go into the street of your local town or city carrying a banner, explaining to people that Russian ecocide is currently taking place in our country and that your nation ought to help us in our battle against Russia, as its not only for us Ukrainians, but its for you too. If youre feeling up to it, you could even create and sign a petition to present to your government. If youd personally like to stay updated with us here at UAnimals, we have both an Instagram and Twitter page in English, so you can find out more about what you can do to help Ukraines animals. Before the unexpected collapse of the Kakhovka Dam, we had previously contacted the Operational Director of UAnimals Olga Chevganiuk, in order to gain a further understanding of how UAnimals is coming to the aid of vulnerable animals all around Ukraine and an insight into how the organization manages to function during wartime. Olga Chevganiuk Following the Russian invasion, have you noticed any societal changes amongst your fellow Ukrainians with regards to how people care and think about animals in general? Has the War also prompted a new wave of interest and curiosity about how people can contribute to the longevity of animal habitats and ecosystems? Olga: Two things in particular which have stood out to me are; how humour tends to typically ruin all false theories that Russia persistently tries to promote and that a great deal of people sincerely care about the well-being of animals including our courageous Armed Forces, who often save animals on a regular basis despite facing constant incoming fire on the front lines. Both of these phenomenons are rather complicated and precarious to measure. Yet, constantly witnessing Ukrainian people who opt not to leave their city, despite it been under fire, just because they do not want to leave their animals and pets behind, provides us a with an enormous amount of optimism that people do truly believe that all lives matter this is not just a UAnimals motto, but rather a deep sense of trust commonly shared between the majority of people. [BANNER3] On a more sensitive note, its of great importance that people all around the world understand exactly how much the Ukrainian animal kingdom is suffering due to the effects of the War. On a day-to-day basis, what are the most common types of injuries that animals are sustaining? Olga: This is an extremely difficult question for me to answer due to the exceedingly unpleasant background surrounding it. There are many different types of injuries that animals sustain these can range from external factors such as wounds from shelling and shrapnel all the way to more internal factors such as psychological suffering which is mainly caused by the constant stress of the War, deafening sounds repeatedly pummelling the environment and hunger due to a lack of food. These are just some of the reasons as to why we expanded the outreach of our organization in order to deliver medicine and other imperative supplies to shelters around Ukraine so that animals can survive. An evacuated dog Regarding the illegally annexed territories Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya as well as recently liberated Kherson, what is currently happening there with regards to the welfare of animals? Are you able to remain in contact with your colleagues there? Olga: The ongoing situation differs from territory to territory. First of all, we still have many colleagues that are based in Zaporizhzhya. We maintain regular contact with them and were often able to assist them by providing both humanitarian aid and financial support, but many of our team members there all reside quite close to the frontline. As you pointed out, Kherson has been liberated now and our evacuation team was there the very next day following the visit of our President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. When our team first arrived in the Kherson region, we immediately stopped at the villages that were hit particularly aggressively by the Russians surrounding the city of Kherson itself. So, with that in mind, the city of Kherson therefore has more or less enough humanitarian aid, however the Kherson Oblast is languishing behind immensely the UAnimals team is doing their utmost to help villages and towns throughout the Kherson Oblast. A rescued cat Regarding Donetsk and Luhansk, its practically impossible to send help to these territories as they have both been temporarily occupied by the Russian forces, thus we are not able to either access or vacate animals from those territories. Although, sometimes we have been able to discover ways to provide help to these occupied territories. However, I must inform you that the current situation there within the occupied territories is appalling because prices for animal food and nutrition cost as much as three times more than normal, many people there have no form of employment and the daunting atmosphere makes it not particularly easy to take proper care of animals. Anyhow, regardless of this situation, our ever so brave people are waiting for the Ukrainian Army to liberate them they are all doing as best they can to save the lives of animals in the meantime. Are there any particular areas of the organization which require more funding than others? What are UAnimals current objectives and how exactly can people help the organization to continue to grow and succeed? Olga: UAnimals is continually fundraising for a wide variety of different projects, however at this current time, we have one highly important fundraiser that is ongoing. The fundraiser which we are working towards at the moment is to support animals affected by the explosion at Kakhovka Hydro Power Plant. There is also a desperate need for animal shelters to purchase generators as this is one of the only ways in which these shelters are able to keep their animals warm and to continue feeding them. Furthermore, there is a high volume of other crucial items that shelters require all the way from cages, electrical appliances and fuel etc. Most recently, we successfully completed another important fundraiser which was for Antares dogs. These are special types of dogs which are trained and able to pull people out from underneath the rubble of a destroyed building. Since the beginning of the War, the Antares search and rescue dogs have remarkably managed to save thousands of lives. There are even times when they continue to search for victims for more than twenty hours following an explosion or after a building has been severely damaged. The Antares dog handlers often need to store specialist safety equipment to ensure that the dogs remain safe for the entirety of their mission they also need regular transportation in order to be able to move around Ukraine so that they can work on saving peoples lives. You can read more about this on our website, as well as links to the fundraiser section, PayPal and Patreon. Fundamentally, Patreon is able to make the most significant difference as it primarily focuses more on monthly donations, something which can make us all feel more stable as were able to plan and execute our activities accordingly. Locals with a rescued dog Could you explain in more depth about the types of equipment and resources that are required in order to provide and support the volunteers at UAnimals in achieving the primary goal of the organization to save animals? Olga: Generally speaking, UAnimals has sufficient equipment in order to guarantee the safety of our organization members who evacuate animals from perilous circumstances. We have specially equipped a number of different vehicles so that they have all of the necessary resources to evacuate cats, dogs and even tigers yes, we still have lots of them around! What we desperately need is to be able to equip different vehicles with neutering facilities onboard. We have been able to deploy neutering equipment to around thirty cities in Ukraine, yet not all of the smaller scale towns and villages have veterinary clinics based there unfortunately, therefore we must find a way of transporting vets to those areas which require such a service. As for the equipment, this is our primary objective at the moment because nearly all of the animal shelters have more pets now in them than they can hold, not to mention that the amount of street animals is absolutely enormous we must obtain these resources for the neutering program in order to halt the problem so that it does not become unmanageable over the next few years. If you would like to support UAnimals in any way, shape or form, no matter how little or large you can contribute, your help would be sincerely appreciated and felt by all at the organisation. You can click HERE to discover what you can do to help the animals of Ukraine today. Heartbroken trainer says he wants answers after two of his horses die at Belmont Park The trainer of two horses that died at Belmont Park home of the Belmont Stakes said he has been left heartbroken and devastated by the news. Mark A. Hennig told CNN that both his horses, Mashnee Girl and Excursionniste, had been healthy heading into their respective races at the weekend but both suffered fatal injuries less than 24 hours apart. In the first race at Belmont Park on Sunday, Mashnee Girl fell near the quarter pole, according to industry-owned database Equibase, before being euthanized on the track. It follows the death of Excursionniste on Saturday, in the 13th and final race of the day, which took place after the prestigious Belmont Stakes a race won by Arcangelo. The horse suffered an injury leaving the backstretch, was pulled up, and euthanized on the grass track, according to Equibase. We always put the horse first and I have a clear conscience that we brought very sound individuals to run this weekend, Hennig said in a statement to CNN. Thank God that both riders were not injured. I spoke to both of them and they both told me how well the horses were travelling under them, before taking a tragic bad step. At Belmont Park, New York, four horses died while racing or training in the period from May 13 to Saturdays Belmont Stakes. The main dirt track and both turf courses are inspected before, during and after each race day, New York Racing Association (NYRA) spokesman Pat McKenna said in a statement after the latest deaths, adding that the injuries were being investigated. Data and soil samples are then shared with independent engineers, who evaluate the condition and consistency of each surface. Our review has found all three racing surfaces to be consistent throughout with no anomalies. NYRAs comprehensive safety strategy is informed by the most advanced science and research in consultation with independent experts, veterinarians, and horsemen. The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations. The news comes in the wake of a series of unexpected deaths at prestigious racetracks that have shaken the world of horse racing. The owner of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced last week that it would suspend racing operations to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols following the deaths of 12 horses at the racetrack. The racetrack said it was troubled by the deaths. There is no clear cause linking the deaths, according to Churchill Downs. In the wake of the most recent deaths, Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president of PETA, said in a statement on the animal rights organizations website: Two dead Thoroughbreds in two days with the same trainer on the same track means one thing: Belmont Park is failing to protect horses. Like Churchill Downs, Belmont must suspend racing immediately to avoid the same bloodbath. Anything less makes Belmont complicit in the fatalities. In his statement, Hennig said he desperately wanted answers regarding the death of his horses but trusted that organiser NYRA was doing its due diligence and examining the course to ensure maximum safety going forward. We all adore our horses and will continue to insure that our horses are loved and cared for. Thank you to my owners for their unwavering confidence and support, he said. Thank you to all that have reached out to us, to give their support, in this unimaginable bad time. We will continue to grieve and pray over the loss of these two beautiful horses. CNNs Jill Martin contributed to reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Help name a baby giraffe at the NC Zoo The North Carolina Zoo wants your help naming their new giraffe calf! You can vote for your favorite of six names: Fenn: After the founders of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Julian and Stephanie Fennessey. Nelson: After the famous leader Nelson Mandela. Mosi: African name used for first born son. Jackson: Son of Jack, the calfs dad is named Jack. Tamu: Swahili for sweet since he was born on World Bee Day, and bees make sweet honey. Bongani: This Zulu name means grateful, thankful. SEE MORE: Sand cat kittens mark 3rd animal birth at North Carolina Zoo Vote here until Monday, June 19, at 4 p.m. The official name will be announced on Wednesday, June 21, also World Giraffe Day. WATCH BELOW: Governor Cooper proposes budget to expand NC state zoo Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Republicans refuse to engage with the facts of former President Trumps indictment and instead simply cry foul about what they claim to be a double standard of justice. I do think its odd how that is their only response, Clinton said when asked to respond to Republicans blaming the government for the indictment. They refuse to read the indictment. They refuse to engage with the facts. Theres nothing new about that, she continued. And what they refuse to admit is: This is on a track about him, not about anybody else, no matter how much they try to confuse people and how much they try to raise extraneous issues. Clinton, who ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election, joined Crooked Medias Pod Save America hosts for a live interview published Tuesday. Along with former President Obamas White House aides, Clinton discussed various arguments that Republicans have made in defense of Trump. She also brushed off some renewed calls to lock her up by some Republicans, joking that when in doubt, thats their go-to response. Trump was indicted on 37 counts of criminal charges last Thursday for issues related to his handling of classified documents. In the indictment, he was accused of willfully retaining national defense information, of withholding or concealing documents in a federal investigation, of making false statements about classified documents, and of conspiring to obstruct justice. Clinton said in the interview that this could have been the moment that some Trump supporters finally broke with the former president, but they didnt and the psychology of this is so hard for me to fully grasp. If you watched any of the news programs this weekend, she said, adding that their efforts to defend this man are truly beyond anything that I ever thought possible in our country. I mean, it is so profoundly disturbing how, this could have been the break. This could have been the opportunity to say, Thank you so much for everything youve done for us. We really appreciate it, but this is kind of serious, and so were not going to continue to defend you,' Clinton argued. But no, theyre all in, again. Thats what, the psychology of this is so hard for me to fully grasp. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hogan: It bothers me that GOP leaders are unwilling to look at evidence in Trump case Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Tuesday that it bothers him that Republican leaders are unwilling to look at the evidence in the latest indictment against former President Trump. These are very serious charges with very sensitive material that he was hiding in his spare bathroom and in a ballroom, Hogan said on CNN This Morning. These are not just frivolous charges. And it bothers me that some of our Republican leaders are not even willing to take a look at the evidence. Trump was charged with 37 federal counts over his alleged mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday as part of special counsel Jack Smiths investigations into the former president. The indictment detailed the variety of national defense information found in the documents recovered from Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence and included photos of boxes of documents in a bathroom and a ballroom at the Florida resort. Obviously, everybodys innocent until proven guilty, Hogan added. But no man is above the law, not even the president of the United States or the former president of the United States. And weve got to get to the facts. Hogan, a staunch Trump critic in the GOP who briefly considered a 2024 White House run, acknowledged Republican allegations about the weaponization of federal law enforcement agencies against conservatives. I understand Republicans being concerned that were not being balanced in our prosecutions, and they can argue about the weaponization of the Justice Department, he said. But weve got to at least take a look at these facts because its very, very serious and concerning, and it deals with national security. The former Maryland governor ruled out a 2024 bid for the Republican nomination in March but left the door open to a potential third-party run. However, he said at the time that it wasnt something Im really working toward or thinking about. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Celebrities took to social media to mourn actor Treat Williams after the 71-year-old died in a motorcycle crash in Vermont on Monday. Fellow co-stars from "Everwood" were quick to remember the actor fondly offering their condolences to his wife of 35 years, Pam Van Sant, and their two children. Williams would often gush about Van Sant, posting on Instagram just a week ago, "Pam just redid our living room. I love what she did. Actually I love her. Lucky me." He also posted a photo of his wife, writing "Happy Woman's Day to my girl for life" in March. "Everwood," which ran from 2002-2006 on The WB, starred Williams as Dr. Andy Brown, a brain surgeon who moves his family to the fictional small town of Everwood, Colorado. Williams appeared in more than 120 television and film roles, including the films "Hair," "Prince of the City" and "Once Upon a Time in America." Creator Greg Berlanti posted a tribute on Instagram with a photo of Williams with Berlanti's sister, writing, "I've always loved it because it reminds me of the best about this business. As it, and you, always will." "I can still feel the warmth of your presence," Berlanti wrote, recalling their first lunch together. "My love and prayers for you and your beautiful family who you loved so dearly and always reminded me nothing was worth anything without." Scott Wolf, who appeared as Dr. Jake Hartman, remembered Williams' "big, beautiful heart." Actor Treat Williams attends The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Metrograph special screening of "I love the way he lived, and loved, and he will be terribly missed," Wolf posted on Instagram. "Rest in peace, Treat. All the love in the world to his sweet family." Gregory Smith, who starred as Ephram Brown on "Everwood," said in a statement to People, "This news is devastating. Treat was a wonderful man and a brilliant actor. Above all, he loved his family so much." Emily VanCamp, who appeared as Amy Abbott on the show, remembered her time working with Williams as "wonderful." "The many times we worked together always wonderful and I was always excited for the next time," VanCamp wrote on Instagram. "Sending all my love to your family Treat. Fly high my friend." One-time co-stars Kim Cattrall, Wendell Pierce and Mark Hamill also posted tributes to the late actor. "I'm in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend," Cattrall tweeted, alongside a photo of the two in the 1999 TV movie, "36 Hours to Die." "Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man," Pierce tweeted, recalling their time together in 2016's "Confirmation." "In a short period of time, he quickly befriended me & his adventurous spirit was infectious. We worked on just 1 film together but occasionally connected over the years. Kind and generous with advice and support. RIP." Williams also appeared as an extra in "The Empire Strikes Back" alongside Mark Hamill, who shared a photo of them together on set. "Such a wonderful person such a gifted actor such a treasured friend," Hamill tweeted. "I'm gutted." Vincent Simmons released from prison after 44 years New York lawyer makes it his mission to free Louisiana man from prison Unique farm-to-table program prescribes fresh produce to Chicago's South Side Homeless issues dont get much attention in Congress. Heres why For months, the tents were visible from the Capitols windows. Then one day last June, the National Park Service brought in trucks and bulldozers, clearing out the homeless people who had settled in Columbus Circle, an expansive grassy area just a short walk to the Capitol. The demise of the homeless encampment meant that for congressional lawmakers, the citys homelessness crisis was now largely out of sight. And it was and remains largely out of mind. Homeless issues have long struggled to become a priority in official Washington. They dont have the powerful lobbies and fundraisers that other interests can mobilize. They lack the daily urgency of the sort of instant crises think Ukraine, bank failures, debt limits, mass shootings that dominate the media and poll-driven D.C. dialogue. And except in hard-hit areas in California, New York and a few other places, theres also not usually a strong, savvy constituency back home whose priority is helping the homeless. The most visible form of housing insecurity is when we see people unsheltered living on the street. The inclination of many people, especially homeowners and small businesses, is to push people out of sight, out of mind, said Sarah Saadian, senior vice president of public policy and field organizing at the National Low Income Housing Coalition.. Theyre concerned about not seeing homelessness, not solving it, Bidens efforts The Biden administration and its congressional supporters insist theyre sensitive to the homelessness issue and are trying mightily to move ahead on several fronts. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which represents 19 federal agencies, released a detailed strategy in December called All In that aims to reduce homelessness 25% by 2025 and ultimately end it. The plan focuses on making shelters more accessible, housing more affordable, and on expanding the number of both in a nation that once had a surplus of affordable housing and now faces a shortage. Carolina Cournoyer, the councils communications manager, said its strategy emphasizes the need to fix systems from health care and criminal justice to schools and labor to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. As part of the strategy, the White House and the coalition last month launched a new initiative called ALL INside to get people off the streets and into homes in communities with high rates of homelessness: Communities across California with a focus on Los Angeles as well as Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix and Seattle. For the next two years, federal staff will embed themselves in their mayors and local offices to cut red tape and lower barriers to housing, health care, and other services for people experiencing homelessness. In March, President Joe Biden proposed significantly more funding for homelessness, in particular for programs that help people with severe mental health conditions and victims of domestic violence. The presidents budget also proposes a housing voucher for every low-income veteran and every kid aging out of foster care a new policy to prevent two groups of people at high risk of homelessness from falling into it. One of the budgets major initiatives involves Homeless Assistance Grants to state and local governments, grants that would help people experiencing homelessness access shelter, find housing, and access supportive services when needed, such as substance use treatment or mental health services. Biden is proposing spending $3.7 billion in fiscal 2024, the 12-month period that begins October 1. That would be up $116 million from this year. The administration is also proposing an increase in aid for renters, or Section 8, to $32.7 billion next year, up about $2.4 billion. For those of us at HUD, that means addressing homelessness with urgency and ensuring everyone in this country has access to quality affordable housing, said Marcia Fudge, secretary of Housing and Urban Development. But for all that hope there is this: Bidens plans instantly faced political and practical roadblocks. No one expects his budget to be approved intact. Dead on arrival, said Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota Wednesday. More ominous for homeless programs, under the debt deal negotiated last month by Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, overall spending in fiscal 2024, which begins October 1, is to remain at fiscal 2023 levels. Flat funding acts as a cut and reduces the number of people able to be served by these programs, as well as the kind and number of resources grantees can offer, said Kim Johnson, policy manager at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Even the Biden-McCarthy agreement could be altered. A group of conservative House Republicans is insisting spending be cut back to 2022 levels. Fudge has estimated that would mean hundreds of thousands of people would be evicted from Section 8 housing. Promise and problems Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, heads the Senate subcommittee that writes the housing budget. Asked the biggest hurdle to more housing money, he said flatly, finite resources. Senators would not rule out increases in homeless funding, but it will be tough. Thats yet to be determined, said Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, a subcommittee member. Many Democrats argue that the Biden administration and the Congress controlled by Democrats in 2021 and 2022 has produced important results for homeless programs. Democrats have made meaningful progress, said Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee. She praised recent White House and Democratic policies for producing historic levels of housing assistance. But since January, Republicans have controlled the House, and there are at least three complications as lawmakers consider homeless policy funding: Reluctant constituencies. Nationally, HUD counted 582,500 homeless people in the United States on a single night in 2022. California topped the state list with an estimated 171,000 homeless people, or 30% of the national count New York was second with about 74,000. No other states homeless population topped 26,000. In Sacramento County, the HUD count found 9,278 homeless people, up from 5,570 in January 2019, and 3,665 in January 2017. The study found that about 20,000 people were expected to experience homelessness at some time during last year. .Lawmakers agree homelessness is a serious issue, but the political will to do much is lacking and there is often disagreement among elected officials as to the root causes. All those problems make the task of congressional advocates unusually difficult. I think its a challenge to take this to scale, to make a difference nationally, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, a housing appropriations subcommittee member. Not a federal problem? Theres a sense that homelessness is not something that Washington should tackle in any detail. The solutions need to be crafted in the state and local areas, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, said, since they best understand how to cope with the issue. Braun is a Senate Budget Committee member. People across the country tend to agree with Braun. A January Grid/Harris nationwide poll found 42% of Americans said homelessness was primarily a local problem, and 26% said it was a state issue. Only 14% said it was mostly a federal matter. Members of Congress pay attention to voters, Saadian said, and people struggling to pay their rent, who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk for homelessness, dont vote at the same level as homeowners. Vanessa Brown Calder, director of opportunity and family policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, did see constituent concern growing. In California. A February Quinnipiac University poll found homelessness the top issue, mentioned by 22% of those surveyed. Next was affordable housing at 17%. People are probably more interested than theyve been in a long time, Cader said, as they see more homeless people in their cities and neighborhoods. . Whether that translates into more funding or whether there should be more enforcement around urban camping thats where you find somewhat of a split, she said. Calder, who has studied housing and homeless policy extensively, cited Californias experience with emphasizing permanent affordable housing, a program she questioned. It is clear that the policy is not delivering on lofty promises to end homelessness, or even reduce the homeless population, Calder said. The program is hamstrung by high housing prices and overly restrictive zoning regulations. Calder found that a similar policy in Houston resulted in better outcomes, where more affordable home prices and looser zoning regulations make it possible to provide less expensive shelter. Although California has made efforts to reform zoning, it will require ongoing efforts to meaningfully increase housing supply and affordability. One possible way of providing more affordable shelter: Have Washington tie certain federal spending to requirements to permit and build more housing. But that gets back to the problem of Washington running things. Folks dont like the idea of the federal government putting requirements on cities and states. I dont like the idea either, Calder said. Its complicated when you have a huge amount of money going out the door to states and cities and ignore whats happening locally. Its complicated. A lot of it is mental illness, addiction, things like that, said Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, a housing subcommittee member. He wants a closer look at communities that have been doing a really good job. The place to start in easing the homeless crisis is by providing affordable housing, Saadian said, a widely shared view. Evidence shows the best way to help people exit homelessness is to provide access to housing, she said. There are still many elected officials who hold the belief that the reason people are homeless is personal failings. They dont look at systemic issues in the housing market, the job market. That also feeds into the lack of political will. The homeless issue is so broad and so difficult to grasp and manage that many lawmakers simply back away, lamented Van Hollen. I hear from a number of my colleagues about shortages of affordable housing in rural areas as well and weve had some hearings on that. I think there are some that just want to give up, Van Hollen said. We should not give up, (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong will ease entry rules to bring in 27,000 foreign workers to stem a manpower shortage in the financial hub. Most Read from Bloomberg The government on Tuesday announced its plan to attract more people to work in sectors suffering from severe labor shortfalls, including setting quotas for tens of thousands of foreign workers in industries ranging from construction to aviation. The labor force is the linchpin to our economic development, said Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun at a press briefing detailing the plan. Chief Executive John Lee had previewed the proposal earlier in the day, warning of risks to the citys economy and competitiveness due to a serious labor crunch. Hong Kong is struggling with a lack of workers in services and other industries as business surged following the removal of pandemic curbs. Economists have attributed the problem to structural factors, including a shrinking local workforce and the citys immigration policies. The new plan includes recruitment quotas for as many as 12,000 foreign workers in construction, said Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn. Hong Kong will also hire up to 6,300 laborers for the aviation industry, which Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said is suffering from a shortage of front line airport staff that will dampen the citys aviation hub. At the start of this year, the citys airport was operating with 32% fewer workers than it did pre-pandemic. Thats meant Hong Kong doesnt have the workers necessary to help with passenger check-in, baggage handling or catering. Flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. has similarly seen a chronic staff shortage after overseeing deep cuts to jobs, pay and workplace conditions during the pandemic. The city expects to receive applications for jobs in the construction and transportation sectors beginning in July, and may need about two months to process them. Applications for jobs in other sectors 26 in total are covered under this program will follow. Wong said that the worker quotas may be fully utilized next year. Many are likely to be from mainland China, in line with past precedent, he added. Hong Kongs economy grew rapidly in the first quarter, emerging from recession as the opening of its borders revived spending. Economists now expect gross domestic product growth to accelerate to 4.6% this year as the rebound strengthens, according to the latest Bloomberg survey. --With assistance from Danny Lee. (Updates with details of foreign worker quota program.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters As an American with strong conservative inclinations, I value tradition. And I have a decent track record of speaking out publicly against efforts to tear down our historical markers and rewrite our history. But not everything from the past deserves to be honored or preserved, which is why some prominent Republicans are making a big, if predictable, mistake by raising a stink over Fort Braggs recently changed name (it is now called Fort Liberty). I look forward to, as president, restoring the name of Fort Bragg to our great military base in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared during a speech in Greensboro, North Carolina, last Friday. Its an iconic name and iconic base, and were not gonna let political correctness run amok. (Benedict Arnold had an iconic name, too. That doesnt mean we should name a military base after him, just to own the libs.) A Ron DeSantis Presidency Would Be All Authoritarian Culture War Nonsense In the spirit of National Lampoons Animal House, DeSantis central argument seems to be that Fort Bragg had a long-standing tradition of existence But he isnt alone. Former Vice President Mike Pence echoed DeSantis sentiments, telling the audience that if he wins, North Carolina will once again be home to Fort Bragg. These may be empty wordsDeSantis and Pence arent above pandering. Still, its important to understand why this message might have broad appeal. There is a growing sense among many that todays military is too woke. But while that is likely an overblown assertion, nostalgia for Fort Bragg probably has more to do with the palpable sense of loss that, amid decades of rapid technological and cultural change, afflicts millions of Americans. At least part of the reason a politician like Donald Trump enjoys so much loyalty is because there are so many deracinated and atomized Americans who are in no mood to sacrifice any more familiarity, even if the thing to which they are clinging does not deserve their sentimentality. In some cases, this viewpoint borders on paranoia. In other cases, they may have a point. Consider efforts to remove not just confederate statues, but also statues of great American leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. To be sure, the U.S. military going through proper channels to rename a military base they run is dramatically different than a mob of vigilantes tearing down a statue (or even using political power to pressure or agitate for its removal). Another reason many Americans might support fighting to keep the Fort Bragg name is that they see a coherent strategy behind the fight. The assumption is that if you give the left an inch, theyll take a mile. This is to say that Fort Bragg may be a bulwark against some future incursion. This is the culture war version of the We will fight them over there so we do not have to face them over here strategy. First they came for Fort Bragg then they came for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The problem with defending against every encroachment on distant fringe outposts is that you end up defending the indefensible. To culture warriors, you may look like a fighter, but to average Americans, you look like an out-of-touch weirdowhich is where Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence, if theyre not careful, may find themselves. Heres How DeSantis Could Lose Every Legal Battle and Still Win His War Perhaps it would be prudent to simply ask whether Fort Braggs name warrants our tears? Fort Bragg was named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general whoaside from being a rebel (or, in the eyes of the U.S. government, a traitor)is generally considered a poor military commander who also refused to surrender with Gen. Robert E. Lee. But Braggs dubious qualifications are beside the point. Americans who couldnt tell you Braggs first name are ready to fight to the hilt to preserve his last name. I believe there are things in this life worth fighting for, but is this the hill you want to die on? This conflict is obviously more about symbolism than it is about substance, which makes perfect sense. Symbols are the basis of culture. But is it too much to ask for people to be more selective when it comes to drawing metaphorical lines in the sand? To answer this question, its worth asking why so many military bases were named after Confederate generals in the first place. Some Army bases, established in the build-up and during World War I, were named for Confederate officers in an effort to court support from local populations in the South, explains James Garamone, a reporter for the Department of Defense News. ... It was also the height of the Jim Crow Laws in the South, so there was no consideration for the feelings of African Americans who had to serve at bases named after men who fought to defend slavery. Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsoms Pissing Contest Is Culture War Idiocy God didnt hand down the name Fort Bragg from Mount Sinai. It was the product of a particular time and chosen for (lets be honest) political and marketing purposesnot merit. Times change. For some modern Americans, the name Fort Bragg may still evoke a sense of tradition and history. But for many others, the name (again, to the degree anyone understands it) has more to do with treason and oppression. A nation needs a shared story, which includes a shared history and shared values, to survive and flourish. This is especially hard in a diverse and pluralistic country. But while we must fight to preserve the legacy of noble, if flawed, founders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, there are also times and occasions to embrace change and reform. This would be one of those times. 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. WASHINGTON The House released draft legislation on Monday that puts the squeeze on the Pentagon to arrive at a long-overdue decision as to where to locate the Space Command headquarters following a two-and-a-half-year showdown between Alabama and Colorado. The draft text of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act would halt military construction on the temporary Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs until Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall submits a report justifying its final location. It would also freeze half of Kendalls travel budget until Congress receives the justification and decision. The Alabama delegation has a powerful ally in House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, who took charge of the committee this year after Republicans won the House. Rogers staff on the Armed Services Committee noted that the Defense Department continues to build Space Command infrastructure at the Colorado Springs location amid a review of the 2020 decision to place it in Huntsville, Alabama. We found out through the process over the last two years while were waiting for the Air Force actually make a decision is that the Space Command and the Air Force have been signing leases and building out infrastructure in Colorado, a senior congressional aide told reporters on a press call, speaking anonymously to discuss the draft legislation in detail. The chairman wants the Air Force to make a decision. Two years ago, during the final days of the Trump administration, the Air Force announced Huntsville, Alabama the site of the Armys Redstone Arsenal and home to the Missile Defense Agency would serve as the new location for Space Command headquarters, moving it from Colorado Springs. The decision infuriated Colorados congressional delegation, who asked the Air Force to review the decision. Several Colorado Democrats argued it was an act of political retaliation because President Joe Biden won the swing state in the 2020 election. A May 2022 report by the Defense Departments Office of Inspector General found the Air Force followed all relevant laws and policies when selecting Huntsville. But the report also found the rules themselves may have been flawed, resulting in a less than optimal decision. A separate June 2022 report from the Government Accountability Office found the Air Force did not follow best practices when making the basing decision. Kendall is reviewing both reports findings, but the final basing decision for Space Command headquarters was expected months ago. The chairmans view is why should you be using taxpayer dollars to build up all this infrastructure when the Air Force made a decision that has been reviewed by two different reviews and found that Huntsville, Alabama won and won fairly, said the congressional aide. NBC News reported last month that the Biden administration may halt plans to move the headquarters to Alabama in part because of the states new law making abortion a felony punishable up to 99 years in prison for physicians. U.S. Space Command General James Dickinson met with both states congressional delegations last week. Half of the Ohio delegation also threw their hat into the ring last week with a last-minute letter to Kendall and Biden asking them to put the headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in their state. Deterring China and Russia Aside from the Space Command dispute, the congressional aide said lawmakers sought to focus on deterring China when drafting the $886 billion defense authorization bill. The aide noted that includes $9.7 billion in funding for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. It would also provide $300 million in FY24 funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the Pentagon to issue new weapons contacts to send to Kyiv. Report language accompanying the draft bill directs that the Biden administration must use $80 million of that funding for long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for ATACMS and President Joe Biden has come under pressure from Rogers and other lawmakers to send them. However, the Biden administration remains concerned about the impact sending ATACMS could have on U.S. stockpiles and the potential for using them to strike Russian territory, despite Kyivs promises to only use them in Ukraine. The report language also directs Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to brief the Armed Services Committee on outstanding or denied requests for support made by Ukraine. Additionally, the bill directs Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to deliver Congress a report on deepening security cooperation with the Baltic states. The Armed Services subcommittees are slated to begin marking up their portions of the bill on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The full committee is scheduled to begin marking up the full FY24 National Defense Authorization Act on June 21 the same day the Senate holds a markup on its version of the bill. The House is expected to vote on the legislation in July. The top Republican leaders in the House defended former President Trump on the day of his second arraignment, calling it a dark day for our country. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) pushed back against the Justice Department over its 37-count federal indictment of Trump, arguing on Tuesday that it shows that equal justice is not being carried out in the country. McCarthy on multiple occasions raised President Bidens alleged mishandling of classified documents to reporters in discussing the indictment. He asked why a determination was made for the FBI to carry out a search warrant of Trumps Mar-a-Lago for the documents that were missing while the same didnt happen at Bidens office and residence where other documents were found. The Speaker noted that the searches for Bidens documents by the FBI were conducted in cooperation with the presidents team, while Trump did not have a warning ahead of the Mar-a-Lago search. Whats really concerning to me is when you look at how they went about treating President Trump and President Biden with these documents, much different, he said. McCarthy argued that anyone who has classified documents needs to ensure that they return them, including Biden. Is there a way that that could have been done? Because I havent had you ask me one question about the current president having classified documents, he said. I havent had you [ask] me one question about the current president as a senator, why he even would have classified documents? Does that raise any questions to you? A special counsel is conducting an investigation into the documents found at Bidens home and office. Scalise argued to reporters that some of the photos that were taken at Mar-a-Lago of the boxes of documents that Trump had were sensationalized. The indictment document included photos of boxes being left in locations like a ballroom stage and a storage room at Trumps Florida resort. The Louisiana Republican said one photo included in the indictment that showed boxes with documents spewed out did not include classified documents and only had newspaper clippings and personal items. Is justice being carried out fairly is the question when you see some of those pictures and go wait a minute, these are clippings and theyre trying to present these as classified documents, he said. The indictment states that one of the boxes spilled over included a document marked SECRET/REL TO USA, FVEY, indicating that the information was only authorized to be released to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Stefanik in a release accused Biden of continuing to weaponize the federal government against Trump, who is his top opponent for reelection in 2024. She said the country sees a double standard in which Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have a set of rules different from everyone else. Republicans have brought up that Clinton did not face any charges for her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state in which she sent and received emails containing classified information. Its never been more important that we unite behind President Trumps historic campaign to win the White House, to restore the rule of law, and save our Republic, Stefanik said. God bless America, President Trump, and all those targeted by Bidens regime as we continue our efforts to end this corrupt political weaponization and stop the deep state. Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell contributed reporting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON A House panel on Tuesday advanced legislation that would codify into law the ability of U.S. special operations units to arm irregular forces for warfare in volatile regions, portrayed by proponents as a tool for deterring competitors like Russia and China. But those activities cant resume in Ukraine just yet. The intelligence and special operations subcommittee advanced by voice vote the draft legislation for consideration when the Armed Services Committee marks up the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, next week. Subcommittee Chairman Jack Bergman, R-Mich., said ahead of the vote the language codifies the current Section 1202 of the FY18 NDAA support of special operations for irregular warfare to continue the United States efforts in strategic competition with partner nations to build the capability to resist and counter aggression from nations such as Russia and China. First established in 2018 in response to Moscows support for Ukrainian separatists, the provisional Section 1202 authorities allow U.S. special forces to arm proxies for irregular warfare in other countries. The provision, which has so far largely been used for intelligence gathering operations, is set to expire in 2025. In addition to codifying the authorities for these top secret operations into law, the draft language would increase the Section 1202 budget for fiscal 2024 to $25 million, up from $15 million this year. The House first attempted to institutionalize Section 1202 activities when it passed its version of the NDAA last year, but Congress dropped that provision after agreeing on a final bill with the Senate. Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona chaired the special operations subcommittee at the time and now serves as the panels top Democrat. There was some confusion about whether or not this could potentially cause a gray area in terms of operations in places like Ukraine, Gallego told Defense News after the vote. I thought it was very clear. I thought it was not an issue. I dont think it was that much of a change from the past, if anything. I just want to make it permanent. The FY18 NDAA, which first established these authorities, stipulates that irregular warfare must fall short of traditional armed conflict. That stipulation prompted the Pentagon to pause Section 1202 authorities in Ukraine when Russia invaded last year. The Washington Post reported in February that the Pentagon is lobbying Congress to tweak the language on traditional armed conflict to allow these activities to resume in Ukraine. But the House language does not make the Pentagons requested adjustment. Im not saying that were entirely against it, but I think its something we have to work on, said Gallego. We could not just get that started as soon as they wanted without doing the proper jurisdictional oversight, maybe doing a study on it before we jump that fast. Even without tweaking the original provision, Katherine Ebright a counsel at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice told Defense News that codifying Section 1202 authorities could make congressional oversight more difficult. Congress has leverage over how the authority is used and can change the legislative text with relative ease to add guardrails or improve the oversight regime, said Ebright. Codifying the authority would not expand the scope of what the Pentagon can do as a legal matter, but it would reduce Congress leverage and could loosen political constraints on how the Pentagon runs 1202 programs and reports to lawmakers. She noted that Section 1202 is derived from a similar authority, Section 127e, which the Pentagon has used to expand counterterrorism operations across the world without congressional authorization. My biggest concern is that the 1202 authority will be used in a similar fashion to conduct kinetic operations against Russia, China, Iran or their proxies with virtually no congressional oversight and precisely zero public transparency or debate, said Ebright. Of course, using the 1202 authority for unauthorized hostilities would not only be unlawful; it would also carry a substantial risk of military escalation. The House on Tuesday voted in favor of preventing the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning gas stoves and also limiting the safety agencys ability to regulate the products. Tuesdays 248-180 vote comes after the legislation was put on the backburner last week after conservative Republicans decided to block floor action putting the House floor in a state of paralysis and raising questions about Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) ability to control his conference. The GOP conservatives joined Democrats to block a rule bringing the bill to the House floor last week. Rule votes are typically party-line votes and it was the first time in more than 20 years that a majority party in the House had lost a rule vote. Rules are necessary to govern House votes under the rules of the chamber unless a bill is brought to the floor under suspension of House rules. Doing so requires a supermajority. On Monday, the conservative defectors announced they would stop blocking floor votes for now as they look to gain more power from party leadership and cut spending. The gas stove vote comes after the suggestion of a ban sparked a firestorm in Washington. Republicans have sought to draw attention to the issue. The legislation is unlikely to be taken up by the Democratically-led Senate. The White House said that it opposes the legislation, but has stopped short of a veto threat. A total of 29 Democrats voted with Republicans in favor of the bill. The House on Tuesday also approved an amendment from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) that expanded the legislation beyond stoves, making the restrictions apply to commission bans on any type of appliance based on its fuel source. Nevertheless, gas stoves have recently been a hot topic in Washington. Consumer Product Safety Commission member Richard Trumka Jr., a Biden appointee, made headlines earlier this year when he suggested that a ban for new gas stoves could be on the table. Republicans seized on his remark and have sought to play up the issue as an example of Democratic overreach into Americans lives. Amid the backlash, key figures, including commission Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also a Biden appointee, said he did not want to ban gas stoves and the agency wasnt poised to do so. The commission appears to be unlikely to actually ban the gas stoves, but has signaled it could seek to impose some regulations upon them. The bill approved by the House on Tuesday not only says that the Consumer Product Safety Commission cannot ban the products, it also bars the agency from imposing other safety standards that increase their costs. Other solutions to the health issues that have been linked to gas stoves are not a ban but rather ther measures like performance standards. Abe Scarr, director of the Illinois Public Interest Research group, which is part of a national network of organizations that advocate on environment and public health issues, acknowledged in an email to The Hill that mandating performance standards could increase prices. Its possible that this type of measure would be barred under the legislation. Generally, left-wing groups have expressed concerns about gas stoves because they have been linked to childhood asthma and have been found to leak chemicals like the carcinogen benzene. Tuesdays vote is the first of two the House is slated to take related to the gas stoves issue. The chamber is also expected to take up another bill that would block an Energy Department proposal with efficiency requirements for various cooking appliances including some gas stoves. The 29 Democrats who crossed party lines to vote for the bill were: Reps. Colin Allred (Texas), Ami Bera (Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (Ill.), Yadira Caraveo (Colo.), Steve Cohen (Tenn.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Danny Davis (Ill.), Donald Davis (N.C.), Lizzie Fletcher (Texas), Sylvia Garcia (Texas), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Josh Harder (Calif.), Jahana Hayes (Conn.), Steven Horsford (Nev.), Jeff Jackson (N.C.), Greg Landsman (Ohio), Susie Lee (Nev.), Kathy Manning (N.C.), Jared Moskowitz (Fla.), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.), Mary Peltola (Alaska), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Terri Sewell (Ala.), Eric Sorensen (Ill.), Greg Stanton (Ariz.), Gabe Vasquez (N.M.), and Marc Veasey (Texas). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The theory sparked controversy following the murder of George Floyd, the 1619 project, and former President Trump's executive order The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Photo Illustration by Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photos: RyanJLane/Getty Images, Trevor Williams, Library of Congress Whats happening The origin of racism in American history is part of an ongoing national debate as lawmakers, experts and educators advocate for and against the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in schools across the country. Its a framework of analysis in which we utilize race as a sociological concept in order to understand the dynamics of a society, Dr. Vida Robertson, director of the Center for Critical Race Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown, told Yahoo News. But lately the theory is often used to define any teaching that incorporates race. Critical race theory is being utilized as a catch-all for all socially conscious or racially critical examinations of society, Robertson said. The theory sparked controversy following the murder of George Floyd and the 1619 project, a docseries featured on Hulu and a series of essays published in the New York Times Magazine that analyze the impact of slavery on American life. Additionally, Trump signed an executive order [in September 2020], that was a cascading effect of lots of people using very similar language to introduce bills all around the country, Jane Bolgatz, professor of social studies education at the Fordham University Graduate School of Education and author of Talking Race in the Classroom, told Yahoo News. Most recently, on June 8, Arizona school superintendent Tom Horne, who created a hotline for people to notify leadership of improper teachings, says he was alerted to teachers professional development courses teaching about critical race theory, claiming there is enough CRT in our schools to constitute a problem. Efforts to ban critical race theory are widespread, as dozens of states have passed legislation and more than 40 have introduced it. Its a concerted effort. The laws that are being proposed in all these states have very similar wording, Bolgatz said. Experts say racism is a part of our society that cannot be ignored. Many that are condemning critical race theory havent read it or studied it intensely. This is largely predicated on fear: the fear of losing power and influence and privilege, Jonathan Chism, assistant professor of history at the University of Houston-Downtown, told NBC News. The larger issue that this is all stemming from is a desire to deny the truth about America, about racism. Why theres debate According to some experts, critical race theory is indeed an attack on America a necessary one. It is very un-American. It goes against every fiber of who we imagined we are, and everything that we ever hoped that we would be, Robertson said. Critics argue that teaching critical race theory instills the notion that one race is better than another. "We should not teach that one race is inferior to another, Texas Republican state House Rep. Steve Toth said in an interview with ABC News. But experts say the theory does not teach that any one race is superior instead it highlights centuries of systematic racism. Critical race theory itself is just saying racism exists, you cant be colorblind, Bolgatz said. We live in a society where your color does make a difference as to what you get, and what you earn and the wealth that you have, because of the ways that race and racism have existed for hundreds of years and continue to exist. Some argue that lessons on racism and oppression in the U.S is a part of history that can not be forgotten or overlooked. Andrew Hartman, a history professor at Illinois State University, describes the ongoing debate as a culture war. I think its been a useful sort of political tool. Especially for some right-wing legislators like [New York Rep. George] Santos, [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis, and other conservative states. There have been a number of Republican-controlled state boards of education that have outlawed critical race theory, Hartman told Yahoo News. For states that have already passed legislation to ban critical race theory, some experts say those students are being taught a less holistic picture of history. Its harmful, Hartman said. The polarization that were currently experiencing is likely to just increase, he added. I think having American students learning a completely different curriculum, depending on where they grow up, is not great. Perspectives Unravels the American myth Critical race theory was simply an analytical tool, but to some white people, the fact that white supremacy was overtly used to infect Americas systems of power with both racial oppressions and racial privileges is too much to handle. It is discomforting. It unravels the American myth. But critical race theory doesnt diagnose the country as evil, even though it is beyond dispute that some evil people designed the architecture of racial oppression in this country and that there are still some who help maintain it. Charles Blow, opinion columnist for the New York Times. Youth should be aware of Americas mistakes It is important for young people to know that America is a nation that has made mistakes, particularly in oppressing various groups, but also that America has made changes to correct wrongs and will always need to correct wrongs. the Rev. Robert Montgomery, who holds a PhD in the social scientific studies of religion, told the Asheville Citizen Times. Affirmative action and critical race theory Affirmative action has helped fuel the notion that Americans cannot rise above the kind of racism that existed decades and centuries past. It is perhaps the most pessimistic of policies promulgated by what used to be an optimistic country. Democrats need affirmative action, DEI, critical race theory and intersectionality to be a crutch for liberal policies that have failed to support economic and social mobility for minorities. Theyre fine with perpetuating the placing of race above the personal circumstances of each individual, Tom Basile, host of American Right Now, told the Washington Times. Racism is in Americans DNA Thankfully the practitioners of Critical Race Theory who view neither the Founding Fathers nor the revolution as sacred are confronting and debunking all such myths and misrepresentations of Americas beginnings in quick succession. And they are not attempting to be apolitical or objective while doing so. They have a strong bias against social injustice and are very much activists working hard to show the world how deeply embedded systemic racism has always been in the DNA of the U.S. and the West. Donald Earl Collins, a historian, told Al Jazeera. Teachers are caught in the middle Weve got $500 for the person that first successfully catches a public school teacher breaking this law. Students, parents, teachers, school staff. ... We want to know! We pledge anonymity if you want." Moms for Liberty NH tweeted on Nov. 12, 2021, after legislatures in New Hampshire passed the Right to Freedom From Discrimination in Public Workplaces and Education. Throughout nearly two and a half centuries, more than a dozen Hoosier men have looked into a mirror and beheld a future president. Only two grandfather and grandson Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison ended up living in the White House for a combined total of four years and 30 days after defeating incumbent presidents. One Hoosier, Socialist Eugene Debs of Terre Haute, ran for president in 1920 while living at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary after being convicted of sedition. The only 20th Century major party nominee, Republican Wendell Willkie of Rushville, lost to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, only to be considered for vice president four years later for a term in which FDR would only live for six weeks. Another favorite Hoosier son, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, ran for three weeks before bowing out in late 2006, only to become a finalist for Barack Obamas 2008 ticket, losing out to Joe Biden at the 11th hour. More: How Gov. Daniels built Indys NFL stadium This week, former Indiana congressman, governor and U.S. vice president Mike Pence joins the ranks of perceived Hoosier presidential timber. Will he join the Harrisons with a legacy address of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.? Or will he be discarded into the historical dustbin, joining the esteemed personages of Ned Hannegan, Charles Fairbanks, Paul McNutt, Birch Bayh, Richard Lugar, Vance Hartke and Pete Buttigieg? Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd during the North Carolina Republican Party Convention at Koury Convention Center Saturday. Being Hoosier can be tough, particularly if youre running for president. In 1976, U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh dropped his bid as long-shot Jimmy Carter jelled, saying, I just got tired of being everybodys second choice. In 1996, Sen. Lugar was reduced to being a fleck on the screen, vanquished there by skeptical media. Lugars campaign never had a chance, with the Oklahoma City terror attack reducing his City Market campaign launch to an afterthought. In 1999 Dan Quayle became what Howey Politics Indiana described as the first political victim of the internet after he couldnt escape his veep past. Now Mike Pence will try despite coming into this race between a rock (Never-Trumpers view him as a sycophant toady for most of his term) and a hard place (Trumpers see him as a traitor to their lost cause). More: Letter: Move proposed dog park plans back to Roberts Park property On his 64th birthday on Wednesday, Pence pledged to thread a historically narrow needle, finally announcing the pursuit of his lifes goal, the American presidency. In a campaign video, he conjured the leadership of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, never mentioning his former boss, President Donald Trump, who now leads the 2024 GOP field by a 30% margin. In Iowa, Pence directly confronted Trump and the Jan. 6 insurrection. Jan. 6 was a tragic day in the life of our nation, Pence said. President Trumps reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol. But the American people deserve to know on that fateful day, President Trump also demanded I choose between him and our Constitution. Now voters will be faced with the same choice. I chose the Constitution and I always will. President Trump was wrong then and he is wrong today. I kept my oath to the Constitution of the United States, Pence continued. I had hoped he would come around to my role that day. That was not to be. The Republican party must be the party of the Constitution of the United States. I believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again. On Ukraine, Pence reminded voters that Trump called Russian President Putin a genius after the invasion began in February 2022. Pence said, I know the difference between a genius and a war criminal. He called the Ukraine war Americas fight. He then trained his sights on the Democratic incumbent, saying, Our countrys in a lot of trouble, accusing President Joe Biden and the radical left of weakening America at home and abroad. Pence will run on his advocacy of a national abortion ban, backing Ukraine in its war with Russia, increasing military spending, going back to his free trade roots, and stoking a series of social issues involving transgender students, and reining in drag shows before children. Pence kicked off his campaign in Iowa instead of his home state of Indiana, hoping to galvanize his support among influential evangelical voters there that could lead to a breakthrough. In 2020, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg won the Democratic Iowa caucuses by concentrating on small town and rural voters. At this early stage, Pence does not appear to be gathering support among fellow Hoosiers. There were no endorsements from the states congressional delegation. House Speaker Todd Huston has signed on to help Pence gain support among the Republican General Assembly supermajorities and spoke on his behalf at the Iowa kickoff. The Pence brain trust is counting on several elements to thread his needle. He needs Trump to face additional indictments in the Mar-a-Lago top secret document case (with grand juries currently meeting in DC and Florida), the Jan. 6 insurrection case, and the Georgia find me 11,800 votes case. Pence believes that Gov. DeSantis will fade, barring a last-minute personality transplant. It will be a tough and unprecedented tight-rope walk. The columnist is managing editor of Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs at StateAffairs.com/pro/Indiana. Find Howey on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Howey: Pence faces an arduous tight rope to White House The ChatGPT-generated church service took place in Saint Pauls Church in Furth, Germany (Getty Images) Hundreds of people have attended an AI-generated church service in Germany, involving virtual avatars delivering sermons written by ChatGPT. The 40-minute service at Saint Pauls church in Furth received mixed reactions from the Protestant congregation, the Associated Press reported, with the avatars occasionally causing unintentional laughter. Some church members even refused to speak along when the digital avatar read out the Lords Prayer. There was no heart and no soul, said Heiderose Schmidt, a 54-year-old IT worker who attended the service. The avatars showed no emotions at all, had no body language and were talking so fast and monotonously that it was very hard for me to concentrate on what they said. But maybe it is different for the younger generation who grew up with all of this. Lutheran pastor Marc Jansen was more impressed by the artificial intelligence, saying he had imagined it to be worse than it was. I was positively surprised how well it worked, he said. Also, the language of the AI worked well, even though it was still a bit bumpy at times. The AI began the service by stating: Dear friends, it is an honour for me to stand here and preach to you as the first artificial intelligence at this years convention of Protestants in Germany. It went on to talk about leaving the past behind and never losing trust in Jesus, while also urging the congregation to overcome their fear of death. More than 300 people attended the service, which was organised by 29-year-old theologian Jonas Simmerlein from the University of Vienna. Mr Simmerlein instructed ChatGPT to include psalms, prayers and a blessing, saying the experiment was designed to show how religious leaders could use AI to help them with their work. Artificial intelligence will increasingly take over our lives, in all its facets. And thats why its useful to learn to deal with it, he said, adding that AI will not be able to replace the role pastors serve in interacting with the local community. The pastor is in the congregation, she lives with them, she buries the people, she knows them from the beginning. Artificial intelligence cannot do that. It does not know the congregation. Some Idaho Medicaid patients were impacted by a data breach. Heres what you can do An unauthorized person breached a Medicaid providers payment account in April, putting the personal information of 2,501 people at risk, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Idahos health agency and its claims processor, Gainwell Technologies, notified the FBI of the breach, according to a Monday news release from Health and Welfare. Gainwell declined to disclose to the Idaho Statesman the provider that was affected, the kind of provider or the safeguards they plan to put in place in the future. Those affected can get free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for a year, according to the news release. Someone accessed the account on April 18 by stealing the providers credentials and entering the Gainwell portal, Gainwell spokesperson Elizabeth Bonet and the release said. That means they may have been able to see the names, identification numbers, billing codes and treatment information for .7% of Idaho residents enrolled in Medicaid. Patients Social Security numbers were not included in the information that might have been exposed, Bonet said in a phone interview. As for the other data, the state release said at this time, there is no evidence that any of the potentially exposed information has been used. Bonet said Gainwell terminated the unauthorized access as soon as they discovered the breach on May 12. She declined to say how company officials discovered the breach, which provider it affected or the type of provider. But Greg Stahl, a spokesperson for Health and Welfare, said in an email that they found out because a bank raised a red flag after dispersing payment. Gainwell and the Department of Health and Welfare began an investigation and reported the incident to the FBI, the release said. On June 9, those impacted received a notification letter from Gainwell and the state, signed by Gainwells privacy officer, Bonet said in a follow-up email. They can get credit monitoring and identity safeguard services for free from IDX, a breach response company, according to its website. Bonet said in an email people can also review their credit reports and place fraud alerts with credit bureaus. Patients were not notified sooner because of the time it took to identify the people affected and set up the identity protection, she said. Gainwell and Idaho are working to set up additional security mechanisms for the future. But citing security reasons, Bonet said she couldnt discuss those initiatives. Stahl said that moving forward, the process for enrolling and changing banking information will include a validation of that information by the provider. If you think your data may have been included, you can call IDX at 800-939-4170. By Brendan O'Brien CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois has become the first state to legislate against the banning of books in public libraries, a practice that has been on the rise across the United States as conservatives look to suppress some books dealing with race, history and LGBTQ topics. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed the historic measure into law on Monday in a Chicago library. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, the governor's office said in a statement. "Here in Illinois, we don't hide from the truth, we embrace it," Pritzker said. "Young people shouldn't be kept from learning about the realities of our world; I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome." Under the new law, Illinois public libraries can only access state grants if they adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which stipulates that "materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." During the 2021-2022 school year, the push to ban books has accelerated, as issues such as transgender rights and critical race theory, which highlights how racism is systemic part of U.S. legal history, have become political and social flashpoints, especially in conservative Republican-dominated states such as Florida and Texas. Conservatives have called on public schools and libraries to remove more than 1,600 titles, according to a report published in September by PEN America, an advocacy group that says its mission to protect freedom expression. In Illinois alone, there were 67 attempts to ban books in 2022, according to the Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA), which has been tracking censorship attempts nationwide. It says the majority of books targeted were written about or by LGTBQ people or people of color. Some advocates for restrictions on books in schools and libraries say some materials are sexually explicit. They also call for parents to have more control over what materials are available to their children. "We object to gender influencing, indoctrination of our kids toward anti-racism and leftist agendas," Laura Hois, co-chair of a chapter of Awake Illinois in Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb, said to a local ABC affiliate. "We're objecting to those things yet Governor Pritzker keeps taking more and more steps to extinguish parental rights." Utah, Missouri and several other states have enacted laws that allow school administrations to restrict books that they deem inappropriate for young readers, according to PEN America. "The books in our libraries should be chosen by librarians, not extremist politicians. Other states may choose to embrace prejudice and divisive ideologies, but our state is going in a better direction," said Democratic State Representative Anne Stava-Murray, who represents Downers Grove, in support of the Illinois measure. One of the most frequently banned book has been "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe, while the late Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, whose works largely deal with African-American history, has been one of the most banned authors. Just this spring, a school in Miami-Dade County removed a book containing the poem that young Black poet Amanda Gorman recited at President Joe Biden's inauguration from its library used by elementary students. The poem "The Hill We Climb," offers a hopeful vision for a deeply divided country. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Aurora Ellis) books on display for banned book week Chicago Tribune / Contributor / Getty Images Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a bill into law that would penalize public schools and libraries for banning books, a move that he said makes the state the first in the nation to pass such a law, CNN reported. "Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies," Pritzker said before signing the bill in a Chicago library. Once the new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, public libraries must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights or a similar statement to be eligible for state funding. The ALA's Bill of Rights holds that reading materials "should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval" or "excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation." Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who led the push for the legislation, applauded the librarians who advocated for the bill on Monday, per CNN. "The concept of banning books contradicts the very essence of what our country stands for. It also defies what education is all about: teaching our children to think for themselves," Giannoulias said. The measure comes as other states across the country pass laws empowering a record number of book bans. In March, the ALA said that the 1,269 petitions to censor library books in 2022 marked the highest number of attempted book bans in the association's 20-year history. Most of the affected books were primarily written by or about people of color or the LGBTQ+ community. While Illinois may be the first state to pass a law prohibiting book bans, it may not be the only one for long. A group of Democratic senators from New Jersey proposed a similar bill to defund any public library or school that bans or restricts books. President Biden also recently announced plans to appoint a federal coordinator to address the rise in book bans. You may also like 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse': everything we know 4 things to consider when leaving an inheritance TV shows that have been canceled in 2023 India is now the most populous country in the world. And its ready to become a tourism force Having recently become the worlds most populous nation, India has sparked much speculation about whether it will continue to surpass China in other arenas. All eyes now are on the South Asian superpowers growing influence on the global stage. And the tourism industry is no exception. By 2024, Indians are expected to spend more than $42 billion per year on outbound travel, according to recent reports. India is experiencing what Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of travel and bookings website Agoda, calls a tourism boom, and is currently the biggest growing outbound destination. While the total number of travelers coming from some other countries is higher, no nations tourism sector is growing as fast as Indias, he adds. It isnt just about the number of people traveling, either. The country is continuing to pour billions of dollars into growing its aviation industry and cementing its status as a travel hub. A series of bold investments Experts say much of Indias outbound growth trajectory is being driven by improvements in infrastructure and an expansion in its aviation sector. The Indian government announced this year it plans to spend 980 billion rupees ($11.9 billion) by 2025 on constructing and modernizing airports within the country, Reuters reported. Among these is the Noida International Airport, in the city of Jewar in Uttar Pradesh state. Currently due to open in 2024, according to the Times of India, its poised to be Asias largest airport and will enhance connectivity to and from the wider Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and Western Uttar Pradesh. Gary Bowerman, founder of Check-in Asia, a tourism-focused research and marketing company, says the work that (Indias) been doing within the country is now starting to bear fruit. Its got more airports, its got more terminals, its got more infrastructure than it had a decade ago. Since 2017, at least 73 airports have been operationalized under Indias regional connectivity scheme. Meanwhile, Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport cracked the top 10 list of the worlds busiest international airports for the first time ever this year, with 59.5 million passengers passing through its gates in 2022. (It should be noted China was still largely closed off to the world due to the pandemic until early 2023.) Morgenshtern says the rise in outbound tourism from India is the result of investment not just by the government but by private airlines as well. I think theres a combination there of the government investing in the airports, and the airlines themselves taking very, very bold moves of growing the capacity, he tells CNN. Some airlines are feeling the consequences of those bold moves, such as Indias Go First, a low-budget airline that declared bankruptcy in May. New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is India's busiest airport. - Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto/Getty Images Bowerman believes that low-cost carriers like Go First have been vital for growth in Indias very price-sensitive market. But the margins have been very low and competition fierce, and this has resulted in some high-profile low-cost or economy carriers failing, which shakes consumer confidence and impacts the overall market balance, he adds. Despite the struggles, other airlines are continuing to offer lower-cost options. Air India, for example, is fully owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Sons. As part of its efforts to expand its offerings, the company announced earlier this year it will be operating flights under both the Air India brand and Air India Express, having previously merged the latter with Tatas other low-cost airline, AirAsia India. Bowerman says this single-brand, low-cost carrier indicates that Air India clearly sees the LCC (low-cost carrier) segment as an integral part of its own growth strategy and of the continued expansion of Indias aviation market. With the mergers and consolidation of airlines under the Tata umbrella, Air India is now the countrys second-largest domestic airline and its biggest international carrier, according to a release from Tata. The airline has made other moves to facilitate increased Indian travel. In February, Air India purchased nearly 500 new planes, the most ever bought in one order by a single airline. Over the past two years, the airline has also increased frequencies on existing routes and added several new ones to key destinations in Europe and the US. Air India isnt the only airline stepping up its game. In early June, low-cost carrier Indigo announced the addition of 174 new weekly flights and six new destinations across Africa and Asia. To meet increasing air travel demand, India has also expanded its airplane leasing program for both domestic and international routes, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told the CAPA India Aviation Summit in March. To draw more Indian travelers, Morgenshtern suggests countries now need to ease visa restrictions and increase the number of flights from India. When those two things happen, he says, then the magic happens on a growing market like India. Who stands to benefit Based on data collected by Agoda, Indians are now traveling to a more diverse range of countries. If you look at a place like Europe, you see more of them going to France or Switzerland, says Morgenshtern. Those are two countries that werent in the top 10 destinations for Indians before the pandemic. In 2019, the three most popular destinations for Indians were Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Tourists walk down the colonial streets in old town Hoi An, Vietnam. The Southeast Asia nation is becoming increasingly popular among Indian travelers. - Matthew Micah Wright/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images When it comes to Southeast Asia, the top countries frequented by Indians now are roughly the same as they were five years ago, but the number of travelers has increased. We see a lot more Indians traveling to Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia. They all got Indian travelers before but not to the extent that we see them here, Morgenshtern said. Indian travel to Vietnam, for example, is expected to increase by at least 1,000% from pre-pandemic levels, according to Morgenshtern. Southeast Asia in general is clearly a top destination for Indian travelers. Countries like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, theyre all out benchmarking the crazy growth that we see anywhere happening with Indians, Morgenshtern says. In contrast, based on Agodas data, not as many Indians are traveling to Japan, Korea or Taiwan, which the CEO suggests is in part because of their distance from India but could also reflect a lack of awareness. When we talk with tourism authorities, they recognize India as a growing power and they all have something in their plans, Morgenshtern says. But when it comes to promoting the destinations to Indian customers, they are just starting now. India vs. China While Chinas outbound travel market has skyrocketed over the last two decades, Indias boom has come a bit later, which Bowerman says is due in part to how different their aviation sectors are. In India, the aviation industry today predominantly consists of private airlines, which often compete with each other. On the other hand, China has three main airline groups developed and consolidated by the government, each of which operates in specific regions: Air China is based in Beijing, China Eastern is based in Shanghai and China Southern is based in Guangzhou. As a result, Bowerman says, the Chinese state government was really able to control the volume and the frequency of routes, particularly into Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, because it had these three groups that dont compete with each other. Low-cost carriers have contributed heavily to India's outbound tourism growth. - Arun Sankar/AFP/Getty Images According to Bowerman, its harder for destinations to develop more flights in India because they have to deal with multiple airlines. This, Bowerman says, is a key factor that slowed down the growth of India over the past decade when it comes to outbound travel. Before the pandemic, China was the largest source market for tourists in Southeast Asia. In 2019, Southeast Asian countries received 32.3 million visitors from China, but just 5.3 million from India. Theres a lot of catchup to do, Bowerman says. But theres still good news for India. There is a move now amongst tourism boards in Southeast Asia to diversify their market mix so theyre not simply reliant on China, he adds. However, if India does hope to overtake China when it comes to outbound tourism, Bowerman believes it may take possibly two decades. You cant catch up that gap in a short period of time, he says. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com New Delhi India and Pakistan were bracing Tuesday for a powerful blow from Mother Nature, with a tropical cyclone expected to hit India's western state of Gujarat and southern parts of Pakistan on Thursday. Authorities in the two South Asian nations were evacuating people from coastal areas, halting fishing activities and deploying rescue teams in advance of Cyclone Biparjoy's arrival. The storm, with a name that means "disaster" in the regional Bangla language, was expected to make landfall Thursday afternoon between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan packing maximum sustained winds over 80 mph with gusts over 90 mph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Pakistan's government weather agency said the winds could hit 124 mph. A boy moves away from the seafront as high waves hit the coast in Mumbai, India, June 13, 2023, as Cyclone Biparjoy makes its way across the Arabian Sea toward the coastlines of India and Pakistan. / Credit: PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty The cyclone has "extreme damaging potential," India's weather department warned Tuesday even as the storm weakened from an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" to a "very severe cyclonic storm." India locks down Gujarat coast as cyclone nears More than 8,000 people and around 200,000 animals had been evacuated to safer locations on higher ground by Tuesday afternoon in the Kachchh district of Gujarat state, on India's western Arabian Sea coast, according to federal government official Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Mandaviya said federal agencies were working with disaster management authorities, India's army, air force, navy, and coast guard to minimize the impact of the cyclone. Authorities were expected to evacuate more people living within about 6 miles of the coast. Laxmi Kumar places her son Arvind in a cradle at a temporary shelter for people evacuated from Kandla port, before the arrival of Cyclone Biparjoy, in Gandhidham, Gujarat state, India, June 13, 2023. / Credit: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas Dozens of disaster response teams were sent to the region and arrangements were in place to provide shelter, food and medicine to the people forced to leave their homes, Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey said. Two of India's largest ports, Mundra and Kandla, were in the expected path of the storm. The Indian coast guard shared a video of a "nerve-racking mission" by one of its helicopter crews as they rescued people from the jackup rig Key Singapore, a self-elevating sea platform that was already being knocked about by strong cyclonic winds off the Gujarat coast. Updates on ESCS #CycloneBiparjoy In a nerve-racking mission, @IndiaCoastGuard Ship Shoor & ALH Mk-III (CG 858) augmented for evacuation of 50 personnel from Jack up rig Key Singapore off #Okha, #Gujarat. All 50 crew (26 crew on 12th Jun and 24 crew today) evacuated safely. pic.twitter.com/JYbTsn8GbJ Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 13, 2023 Indian Railways canceled more than 65 trains Tuesday with destinations on or near coastal parts of Gujarat. Trains loaded with relief supplies were being kept at the ready, a statement said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top officials Monday to review disaster preparations. Pakistan on high alert In Pakistan, the cyclone was expected to affect the densely populated coastal city of Karachi in Sindh province, as well as parts of the Balochistan region. Police stop motorcyclists along a closed coastal road in Karachi, Pakistan, June 13, 2023, as Cyclone Biparjoy makes its way across the Arabian Sea toward the coastlines of Pakistan and India. / Credit: RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Authorities in Sindh were preparing to evacuate an estimated 80,000 people to higher ground. Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's minister for climate change and environmental coordination, said all relevant government agencies in Sindh and Balochistan had been put on high alert. Biparjoy is on track to be the first major cyclone to hit Pakistan since catastrophic flooding last year left more than 1,700 people dead and caused widespread destruction. Experts have warned that with this storm forecast to hit highly populated areas, as many as a third of Pakistan's 247 million people could face new flooding, including in areas still recovering from the impact of last year's inundations. Cyclone Biparjoy and a delayed monsoon Experts say Cyclone Biparjoy has brewed over the southeast Arabian Sea for weeks, steadily growing and absorbing moisture, but delaying the arrival of the region's annual monsoon rains as it remained more or less stationary. The monsoons would typically have arrived by now, breaking the early summer heat with heavy rains, but this year, they have yet to hit. "An exceptionally warm Arabian Sea, a weak monsoon onset, and favorable Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) conditions in the Indian Ocean are favoring this cyclone. With this, it would not be the case of classic Monsoon onset," said Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and a lead author on the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change fueling cyclones Experts, including Koll, have long warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones that form over the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean paving the way for more extreme flooding to hit large population centers in South Asia. The increase in cyclone activity in the Arabian Sea is linked to rising ocean temperatures, with warmer water fueling gathering storms with more moisture, making them last longer and drop more rainfall. Last month's Cyclone Mocha, which grew into a "very severe cyclone," was a perfect example. Despite warnings and preparations, the storm killed hundreds of people in Myanmar and caused widespread damage in Bangladesh. "The oceans have become warmer already on account of climate change," Dr. Raghu Murtugudde, a professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Maryland and IIT Bombay, told CBS News. "In fact, a recent study shows that the Arabian Sea has warmed up by almost 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit since March, making conditions very much favorable for severe cyclones which sustain the strength for a longer period." This may help explain why Biparjoy is expected to become the longest-lasting cyclone in the Arabian Sea, overtaking 2019's Cyclone Kyarr, which lasted nine days and 15 hours. "The Indian Ocean is warming, and we know that warm ocean water is the first, and perhaps the key, ingredient for the formation of tropical cyclones, so the system is primed for more storms," Simon Wang, a climatologist at Utah State University, told CBS News in 2020. The frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea increased by 52% between 1982 and 2019 compared to the two previous decades, according to a 2021 study by Indian climate scientists. What happens to Minneapolis Police Department after DOJ report, consent decree agreement? Pittsburgh synagogue gunman convicted; penalty phase to begin soon Deadly tornado demolishes homes in Texas town Employees monitor the production of line for vials of Covishield, the local name for the Covid-19 vaccine - Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg India has recalled its typhoid vaccine due to its poor quality as the countrys pharmaceutical industry continues to grapple with production standard concerns. The latest incident raises further questions about the sectors credibility and the effectiveness of its regulatory systems. Several other Indian-made pharmaceutical products have been withdrawn in recent months over quality concerns. On June 8, Indias Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation declared a batch of Typbar typhoid vaccine not of standard quality after it failed standard testing. The vaccine, produced by Bharat Biotech in northern India, has since been recalled. Health officials said the levels of a particular molecule O-acetyl did not comply with national specifications. In its statement, Bharat Biotech said that there were no reports of adverse events or safety issues due to the batch. Employees pack boxes containing vials of AstraZeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine at the Serum Institute of India - Rafiq Maqbool/AP The Typbar typhoid vaccine is the first vaccine in India to get a World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practice (WHO-GMP) pre-qualification certificate and is currently sold in more than 50 countries, according to Bharat Biotech. The recall of the typhoid vaccine follows previous controversies involving Indias Covid-19 vaccine, cough syrups, and even eye drops sold to the United States. In January 2021, Bharat Biotech, with crucial backing from the Indian government, got its Covid-19 vaccine endorsed by the regulators despite discrepancies in the number of clinical trial participants and trial protocols. The company later said there were no issues with the veracity of the data that had been used. Repeated quality issues In October 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert stating that four cough syrups being supplied to The Gambia by the India-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd were of substandard quality. The WHO confirmed that the cough syrups were linked to the death of 66 children due to acute kidney injuries in the country. Maiden Pharmaceuticals denies any wrongdoing. And in February of this year, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recalled an Indian-made eye drop linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant infections in 55 people, which led to one death and permanent vision loss in five others. As global reliance on Indian pharmaceuticals continues to increase, these recurring incidents highlight a disconcerting trend, suggesting that quality control measures in Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing may be falling short. These repeated quality issues raise important questions about the regulatory oversight and inspection processes in place within the industry, posing risks to the health and well-being of individuals who rely on these products, said Malini Asoila of the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), a patients rights campaign group. A report by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which advises the White House on matters of trade, found that 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical products sold on the Indian market are counterfeit. In May, Indias Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation declared that almost four per cent of the drugs, cosmetics and medical devices samples it tested in April were not of standard quality (NSQ). Ms Asoila added: There is no reason to believe there are not drugs being silently recalled by companies or that they continue to circulate without public getting to know. Even though there are numerous instances of the NSQ, it never comes to the notice of the public because there is no recall policy in India. She added: The formal recall policy should be a priority given the fire India is under for multiple cases of poor quality drugs being exported. Given the increasing instances of sub-standard medicines entering global supply it is worth it to put in place immediately a drug recall policy for the domestic market. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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 indictment of former President Trump has done nothing to dampen his support among GOP voters, with a vast swath in a recent poll concluding that he should still be able to serve in the White House even if he is convicted. More than 60 percent of likely Republican primary voters in a CBS News poll said their view of Trump had not changed despite another set of criminal charges against him. And a staggering 80 percent of those voters said he should still be able to be president if hes convicted over the mishandling of classified documents, some of which contained sensitive nuclear and military information. When it comes to whether Trump keeping such documents posed a national security risk, 38 percent of likely GOP primary voters said yes, compared to the rest of the country, which amounted to 80 percent saying yes. The poll gives an early glimpse into how the Trump indictment is being viewed by Americans, especially for likely GOP primary voters who might hand him the presidential nomination for a third time in 2024. Theres no doubt that Trumps got a hardcore group of supporters in the Republican Party primary who are immovable because he speaks to them, he speaks their language, to their fears, he addresses the issues that theyre concerned about real or imagined, said one former Trump donor. And he rallies their anger and gives them an outlet, which is often times ignored by other politicians and, as weve seen in recent years, mocked by Democrats. Trump, who other national polls show is the front-runner for the 2024 nomination, is facing 37 criminal charges by the Justice Department. He is set to appear at an arraignment his second one this year Tuesday in Miami. Following the indictment unveiled late last week, Trump touted in campaign appearances that his poll numbers shot up after the news dominated headlines. But when it comes to what they want to hear on the campaign trail, likely GOP voters in the CBS poll said theyd rather Trump not dwell on his litany of legal problems. The survey found 61 percent of likely Republican voters dont want Trump to talk about the investigations, and the vast majority would rather he focus on his plans for the country. Trump stunned political watchers in 2016 when he bounced back after multiple scandals win the GOP nomination and general election. When the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released, which involved Trump boasting graphically about his treatment of women as a celebrity, pundits thought his political future was dead until it wasnt. One Republican strategist raising money for another candidate pointed to Trumps prediction from 2016. I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? Its, like, incredible, Trump said in January 2016, months after he launched his campaign in Manhattan, N.Y. When Trump became the first former president to be indicted earlier this year in a case brought by the Manhattan District Attorneys office in which he faces 34 felony counts polling by NBC News suggested two-thirds of Republican primary voters said they were not concerned with the charges and believed it wouldnt impact his electability. The countrys highly politicized environment makes some Republican voters skeptical of any case against Trump, though this indictment could prove to be the exception, argued Josh Holmes, a GOP strategist and longtime political adviser to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The vast majority of Republican voters have been conditioned by overtly political and often baseless claims about Donald Trump to immediately dismiss allegations when they arise, Holmes said. That is certainly what is happening initially with this indictment, although this one may have more teeth over time. The main political concern Trump camp should have here is the stacking effect of multiple indictments and the clear preference by Republican voters to talk about something other than investigations. Other Republicans say it would take Trumps 2024 GOP opponents calling him out on the Department of Justice charges for voters to change their minds and back away from the former president. It depends on what the other Republicans who are running for president do. If theyre campaigning to go around Donald Trump, then nothing changes. So theyre either going to confront Donald Trump directly on this and on other things, and they can talk about the chaos and that hes distracted, that he cant focus against Biden. Or nothing changes, said GOP strategist Doug Heye. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined a chorus of other GOP presidential hopefuls in recent days in condemning the indictment, calling it the weaponization of federal law enforcement and a moral threat. Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence called for Attorney General Merrick Garland to publicly justify the indictment. Vivek Ramaswamy, another GOP hopeful, suggested Sunday that he would support pardoning Trump if he is convicted. When Donald Trump declares himself a victim and everybody running to defeat him puts out statements saying Donald Trump is a victim, that only cements things, Heye said. But with his legal perils and the indictment surely to drag into the election year, some wonder whether the general election is where Trump will run into trouble. The former Trump donor noted that in situations like this latest indictment, Trump loyalists harden their support for him, but thats not necessarily the support needed to win a November election. The problem with that is its great for a Republican primary, but these charges and the accusations create a circuslike atmosphere around Trump and his candidacy, which makes it far less likely that the swing voters, the moderate voters, the unaffiliated voters would be interested in electing him president, the source said. Winning the presidency has always been about building a coalition of voters, of people. Its your base, plus. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) told CBS on Monday that Trumps mishandling of documents could be used against him by opponents when asked whether the indictment should disqualify him from being president again. Well, I think those are arguments that President Trumps opponents will use in the election. Which is the guy doesnt know how to handle classified documents. Thats different from lets now have an indictment where were going to try to put this guy in jail for the rest of his life, Rubio said. Two other Republican senators took a tougher stance against Trump when the indictment came out: Mitt Romney (Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), who are both longtime Trump foes. Romney said Trump brought these charges upon himself, noting Trump had numerous opportunities to return the classified documents, and Murkowski said the allegations cannot be casually dismissed and are very serious. Meanwhile, Heye argued 2024 GOP opponents supporting Trump is another example of how Donald Trump plays by different rules. He said these opponents must speak out, or else Trump will be the nominee again. Ultimately, Luke Skywalker has got to confront Darth Vader and cant hope that just the Force takes care of everything, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Indifi Technologies, an Indian startup offering digital lending to small and medium businesses, has raised $35 million in a new funding round led by ICICI Venture, the investment arm of ICICI Bank. Existing investors, including British International Investment, OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I, Omidyar Network India, Flourish Ventures and CX Partners also participated in the all-equity Series E round for the eight-year-old startup. India is home to 63 million micro, small and medium-sized businesses. These enterprises form the economic backbone of the nation, contributing over 30% to the country's gross domestic product and providing employment to over 113 million individuals. Despite their crucial role in the economy, these businesses continue to grapple with a significant obstacle access to credit. The Reserve Bank of India's Expert Committee shed light on this issue in its December 2018 report, estimating an alarming credit gap ranging from $243 billion to $303 billion (2025 lakh crore Indian rupees) for the MSME sector. Founded by Alok Mittal and Siddharth Mahanot in 2015, Indifi is attempting to plug this gap through different types of loans to businesses with turnaround of between $36,400$1.21 million a year. The startup's online marketplace enables businesses in various sectors - from travel to e-commerce, hotels, and retail - to conveniently secure unsecured loans tailored to their unique needs. "That is a demonstration of the fact that other banks and NBFCs trust us to be able to run a tight lending ship not just from a technology and analytics standpoint, but from a core operations standpoint," Mittal, Indifi's managing director and CEO, told TechCrunch in an interview. The Gurugram-based startup has disbursed over 73,000 loans across 400 cities, with a total disbursement value of over $497 million. In March, its assets under management reached $182 million, marking a growth of over 100% from the previous year. Indifi's client base includes about 30% of customers who have been in business for less than two years, typically below the cutoff for banks to provide loans. Additionally, more than 20% of Indifi's customers are women entrepreneurs who often experience challenges obtaining credit from traditional channels. "The idea is really to go to segments of the market that are not served well," said Mittal. In the last 12 months, Indifi grew 100% in value and 150% in volumes of loans disbursed, Mittal said, without disclosing specific figures. The startup had been profitable for six quarters in a row since February 2022, and its profitability numbers are improving, he said. Over the last six months, Indifi has started making inroads in offering instant loans and enabling working capital finance for direct-to-consumer brands and software businesses. Mittal said the startup plans to utilize the fresh funds to continue to look for new segments in the markets it exists. The startup also looks to improve its technology infrastructure and introduce new products to help more businesses get credit, the co-founder said. In 2019, Indifi was processing a typical loan of $7,000 size. However, it has made technology investments to lower its average loan amount by 30% over a period of 18 months, bringing it down to about $6,000. It even processes loans of $6001,200 to cater to the needs of micro and small entrepreneurs alongside offering credit to medium-sized businesses. "What we have been able to do in the last 18 months is to devise operating cost stacks that can serve a one-lakh rupee customer," Mittal said. Indifi has developed segment-specific models to accurately assess the risk of any particular model instead of relying on broad criteria, such as three years of vintage. It also incorporates a fully automated loan generation process, eliminating the need for manual data collection or underwriter oversight. "Indifi has created a best-in-class digital technology platform for lending to the large MSME sector, enabling access to credit for this highly underserved segment of the Indian economy," said Nikhil Mohta, senior director for private equity at ICICI Venture. "Indifis strong relationships with ecosystem partners and liability partners stand in good stead as it targets a rapid scale up. The robust governance and risk frameworks of the company inspire confidence, and we are excited to partner with Indifi in its onward journey." Although ICICI Venture's investment comes as a financial one, ICICI Bank is already an Indifi partner. Mittal believes the funding from the bank's VC arm would open up business conversations with the bank over time. Indifi has raised over $81 million to date, including the latest funding and the Series D round of $45 million announced in November 2021. The startup has a headcount of about 700 people across product analytics, technology and business development as well as operational roles such as customer assistance and customer service. When asked about plans to go public, Mittal said it would become a viable and attractive option at some point to raise further capital growth. Nonetheless, he emphasized that their current priority is to remain valuable to their customers by providing a diverse range of products and expanding their customer base. The startup also aims to increase the number of loans disbursed by up to three times "over the next couple of years." Indifi competes against the likes of Mayfield-backed LendingKart, Inclusive Fintech 50-invested FlexiLoans and Progcap, which counts Google and Tiger Global among its key investors. An Indigenous Woman Was Reportedly Killed By A Driver Whose Kids Are Named Aryan And Nation Twenty-two-year-old Mika Westwolf was walking to her home on the Flathead Reservation in Montana late at night in March when she was struck and killed by a driver who then allegedly left the scene. Details quickly emerged suggesting an ideological element to the crash. The driver identified by police as 28-year-old Sunny White was with her young children, Aryan, 4, and Nation, 2. Many in the community believe White is a white nationalist and that the crash was intentional. And yet, more than two months later, White has yet to face charges stemming directly from Westwolfs death. Mika Westwolf was killed more than 10 weeks ago. Mika Westwolf was killed more than 10 weeks ago. Initially, the Department of Justice reported inaccurately that White had been charged with vehicular manslaughter in fact, she was only charged with child endangerment, and the children were removed from her care. Those charges were then dropped on April 6 by Lake County Attorney James Lapotka, who told Popular Information he needed more time to collect evidence, including results from search warrants of Whites and Westwolfs phones and toxicology reports performed on both women. He declined to specify why he sought results for Westwolf in addition to White. Now, more than 10 weeks since Westwolf was killed, her family members say theyre frustrated by the pace of the investigation and what they describe as total radio silence from police. They still dont know exactly how Westwolf died. Westwolfs mother, Carissa Heavy Runner, described her daughter as adventurous, fun, energetic, curious and very smart. She told HuffPost that Westwolf was an avid reader, wrote poetry and danced in powwows since before she could walk. Her daughter loved being outdoors, hiking and climbing, and was overjoyed when she was selected to participate in an Indigenous cultural exchange program in Nepal, she said. She came back ready to take on the world, Heavy Runner said. Westwolf hugs her mother at the airport upon her return home from Nepal. Westwolf hugs her mother at the airport upon her return home from Nepal. The family has yet to see any documentation regarding the crash. If White isnt charged over the death, Erica Shelby, a legal advocate for Westwolfs family, believes that there could be enough information to file a wrongful death suit. The priority right now, however, is just finding out answers of what happened, Shelby told Huff Post. We havent seen anything to indicate to us that this is just a hit-and-run, so we havent been able to rule anything out. The Montana Human Rights Network believes that Westwolfs death deserves to be investigated as a hate crime, citing unverified community reports that White who the network says its research suggests could be a white nationalist intentionally ran down the Indigenous woman. But for White, the story doesnt end with the Highway Patrol investigation. Six days after the crash, police allege, White whod lost custody of her kids broke into the house where her children were staying with their father and took the children, prompting authorities to issue a Missing Endangered Person Advisory. White later pleaded not guilty to charges of felony burglary, felony parenting interference and misdemeanor criminal mischief. She wasnt in custody as of Monday. Sonny White is suspected of taking her children, named Aryan and Nation. Sonny White is suspected of taking her children, named Aryan and Nation. Meanwhile, the investigation has been marked by bureaucratic delays and unanswered questions. Shelby told HuffPost that as of June 9, toxicology screenings and the autopsy had been completed and that authorities were waiting on a peer review of the crash reconstruction before the lead Highway Patrol investigator could file a report. Heavy Runner places flowers by a memorial cross for her daughter off the highway where she was killed Heavy Runner places flowers by a memorial cross for her daughter off the highway where she was killed There was no indication that this was an intentional act, Lapotka told HuffPost, citing what he has learned from the Highway Patrol. This incident happened sometime before 4:15 a.m. on an unlit, rural section of Highway 93. I expect more information will be released sometime soon. I just want to know the truth about what happened to my girl, Heavy Runner said, and for it to get properly looked into, investigated, and to take that seriously, thats what matters to me. And thats what I want to help other families get, being in this situation. Mika Westwolf in her powwow regalia when she was a young girl. Mika Westwolf in her powwow regalia when she was a young girl. Instead, Heavy Runner said, the Highway Patrol investigator has been condescending, negative and almost victim-blaming, and she and her husband are learning from other families that this is emblematic of other Indigenous peoples experiences with law enforcement. Heavy Runner hopes that Mika Matters, a four-day awareness walk this week, will help Montana state agencies to take proactive measures to address these disparities, acknowledge their shortcomings, and rectify their due diligence during investigations. One contributor to a GoFundMe for Mika Matters wrote, I am BAFFLED that the perpetrator is still roaming free after a fatal hit and run; another said they donated so that all the Mikas of future generations get to walk home safely. Mika Westwolf hiking. Mika Westwolf hiking. It makes it so much harder, I believe, to move on, and to grieve, and to heal, Heavy Runner told HuffPost about the familys frustrating interactions with the Highway Patrol. Losing your loved one [is] traumatizing enough, but the people who are supposed to be helping you and how you got to talk to them, and be treated by them? That makes it so much worse. I could see why a lot of people have a negative outlook towards law enforcement how they treat people, talk to them, if they check in. To me, that says a lot. A spokesperson for the Montana Highway Patrol did not respond to several calls and messages from HuffPost. Westwolf was a very spiritual person and just wanting to live outside, live in the mountains, be self-sustainable and live off the land, her mother said. Nepal was a very life-changing experience for her, Heavy Runner told HuffPost. Thats what Ive always wanted from my girl to see the world, to be the places where I have never been, and to dream big and believe that she could achieve anything. And thats just how she was she was very headstrong, smart, and she had already accomplished so much in her 22 years of life. Mika Westwolf joined an Indigenous cultural exchange program in Nepal. Mika Westwolf joined an Indigenous cultural exchange program in Nepal. Subscribe to our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get the biggest unsolved mysteries, white-collar scandals, and captivating cases delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. Related... Right up until the day Donald Trumps federal indictment was unsealed, the legal team tasked with defending him was engaged in petty internal feuds including fights over TV appearances, accusations of disloyalty, and even a so-called coup, three people familiar with the situation, as well as others on or close to Trumps legal defense, tell Rolling Stone. The clashes were dramatic enough that Friday, hours before Trumps federal indictment in the Mar-a-Lago documents probe was unsealed, top lawyers John Rowley and Jim Trusty abruptly resigned. The resignations followed last months departure of Tim Parlatore, another Trump attorney who decided hed seen enough of the internal turmoil. On the other side of the long-brewing conflict was Boris Epshteyn, one of the former presidents most prominent legal advisers. Epshteyn has overseen Trumps various legal defenses and also found himself the target of investigations: His cellphone was seized by federal authorities investigating the Trump teams efforts to keep him in power after his 2020 election defeat. Clashes with Epshteyn had Rowley and Trusty eyeing their exits for weeks before their departure, according to three sources familiar with the situation. They, like Parlatore before them, would often chafe at Epshteyns influence over their work. The duo often complained that Epshteyn was unqualified to oversee their defense of Trump, and, sources say, they were baffled by edits the adviser made to their legal work. At one point, Epshteyn inserted Trumps dominance in the 2024 Republican primary into a draft of a court filing meant only for a judge. Why the fuck would a judge want to be bothered with that? says one of the sources, summarizing the legal teams frustrations at the time. Some of Trumps legal team had also been angered by what one person familiar with the matter describes as a soft coup among the core team, with a different Trump lawyer, Todd Blanche, in the past several weeks being given a larger portfolio and more influence over this specific team long before the announcement of his ascension. One reason this caused such tension was because Blanche was viewed as loyal to Epshteyn, who had pushed Trump to make Blanche lead counsel on the case. Other attorneys on the team objected, arguing that it constituted a conflict of interest, due to Blanche already serving as Epshteyns attorney. In an email, Trusty declined to comment to Rolling Stone. He wrote on Monday, I dont plan on being a kiss and tell kind of guy. Sorry. Rowley, Blanche, and Epshteyn did not immediately provide comment on this story. Reached for comment, Parlatore referred Rolling Stone to his comments to CNNs Paula Reid last month, which included the attorney saying, There are certain individuals that made defending the [former] president much harder than it needed to be. In particular, there is one individual who works for him, Boris Epshteyn, who had really done everything he could to try to block us to prevent us from doing what we could to defend the president. Furthermore, prior to the recent exodus, some of Trumps lawyers would regularly trash Epshteyn behind his back, at times using various derisive nicknames such as Porous Epshteyn, related to their private suspicions that he was leaking material to the press, and Boris Inept-shteyn. In response to this reporting, a person close to Trumps legal team simply notes: Boris is absolutely focused on protecting President Trump from every angle legal, political, and media. Despite all the tumult, Epshteyn remains at Trumps side as other names fall by the wayside. Since last year, numerous lawyers and others close to Trump have urged him to sideline Epshteyn, if not dump the counselor altogether. Trump has put a lot of trust in Boris [in his post-presidency], says one source close to the ex-president. People trying to convince the [former] president to get rid of Boris has very often had the opposite intended effect. One of these intra-legal-team fights with Epshteyn was over, of all things, television appearances. In late April, Parlatore and other involved attorneys were barred from doing media appearances specifically about a letter they drafted to the House Intelligence Committee telling Congress that the Justice Department should be ordered to stand down from its classified documents probe in favor of an investigation by the intelligence committee. The letter, which revealed that documents relating to Trumps conversations with foreign leaders were likely among those found at his residence, argued that the papers arrived at Mar-a-Lago because White House staff simply swept all documents from the Presidents desk and other areas into boxes, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by CNN. Sources with knowledge of the matter tell Rolling Stone that the letter infuriated Trump after Epshteyn and others told him its contents could undermine his legal defense. This instance gave Epshteyn more ammunition to advise the former president that other attorneys could not be trusted to work without supervision. In recent months, the level of distrust among Trumps legal advisers whove been tasked with keeping him out of legal jeopardy in an Espionage Act investigation was so high that theyd routinely accuse one another of leaking to the media, with or without actual evidence. Epshteyn has himself claimed to Trump that Parlatore was a prolific leaker, and someone who couldnt be trusted. Epshteyn has also privately argued to Trump that Parlatore was using the case and his media appearances to promote himself, the sources say. Recently, Trump has vented to several close associates about why loyal attorneys have been hard to find on this, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The former president has blamed some of the tumult among his higher-profile lawyers on clashing egos and certain individuals competing for limelight and power. Amid the departures, Trump and his close advisers have been hunting for seasoned attorneys, in and also outside of Florida, to join his defense in the classified documents case, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. But the dream team has yet to materialize. Multiple well-known Florida lawyers have recently been approached, though several promptly refused the chance to rep Trump in this particular case. In the past few days, some people close to the former president tried to entice Alan Dershowitz the celebrity lawyer who defended then-President Trump for his first impeachment to officially join or at least consult for the Blanche-led team. Dershowitz, who has been declining recurring offers from Trump and his advisers to rep the ex-president in different cases since 2021, once again said no thanks. But the internal conflict plaguing the legal team is a hallmark of the former presidents leadership, as Trump has continually fostered rivalries and hostility within his own teams. But familiar though it may be, the inner turmoil is unlikely to be very helpful to Trump as he faces a federal indictment his own former attorney general referred to as very, very damning. On Friday, the Justice Department unsealed an indictment of Trump that accuses him of willfully retaining classified documents, obstruction of justice, and false statements. The Special Counsels Office alleges that Trump knowingly retained classified documents including U.S. war plans and information about the U.S. militarys nuclear arsenal at his Mar-a-Lago club and intentionally trying to hide them from law enforcement following a subpoena requesting their return. In addition to the infighting among Trumps lawyers, the indictment unsealed on Friday also revealed that Trump allegedly worked to undermine his own attorneys efforts in their dealings with the FBI. Prosecutors claim that Trump worked with his aide Walt Nauta to move classified documents in order to conceal them from Trumps attorney, the FBI, and the grand jury shortly before attorneys carried out a search for the missing papers on behalf of law enforcement. Prosecutors also charged Trumps personal aide Nauta with lying to the FBI about his alleged role in initially concealing the documents from the FBI and conspiracy to obstruct justice. On top of this, Trump has already been indicted and arraigned in Manhattan in a separate criminal probe related to a hush-money scandal. The former president and leading 2024 GOP presidential candidate is facing an array of other lawsuits and high-stakes investigations, including Special Counsel Jack Smiths separate probe into Trumps efforts to cling to power after losing the 2020 race to Joe Biden. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former President Donald Trump will appear at a courthouse in Miami later Tuesday, making him the first U.S. president to face federal charges. Trump is accused of breaking seven laws and charged with 37 felony counts, each related to his retention of hundreds of classified government documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday. The indictment accuses Trump of having illegally retained documents that detail some of the U.S.'s most closely guarded secrets, shared their contents with people without proper security clearance and stored them in insecure locations. Follow along for live coverage The charges are the culmination of the federal government's multiyear efforts to retrieve the documents from Trump's private residence in Palm Beach, Florida, which the indictment also alleges he tried to obstruct. Trump has insisted that he did nothing wrong. The indictment "will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country," Trump told a gathering of Georgia Republicans on Saturday. Here's a closer look at the origins of the investigation and what's next: From Pennsylvania Avenue to Mar-a-Lago Weeks before he left the White House, Trump and his aides packed his personal belongings, including letters, cards and "hundreds of classified documents," into boxes, according to the indictment. They then transported the boxes to Mar-a-Lago Trumps golf club and new residence and at one point stored them in a ballroom and a shower, among other locations, according to the indictment. This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents according to an indictment unsealed Friday, June 9, 2023. (Justice Department via AP) (Justice Dept. via AP) Some of the boxes contained classified documents that detail sensitive U.S. defense information, including the U.S.'s possible points of vulnerability to a foreign military attack, the country's potential plan to retaliate against such an attack and information about U.S. nuclear programs, the indictment alleges. Prosecutors say Mar-a-Lago hosted events for tens of thousands of members and guests after Trump left the White House and was not an approved location to store classified documents, which the indictment says are "owned by" the U.S. government. Trump has claimed that he declassified the documents before he left the White House. But the indictment argues that Trump knew his administration did not complete the accepted declassification process, and it accuses Trump of having shown the documents to people without security clearance, including a book author. The indictment, which does not name the author, includes a transcript of the July 2021 conversation Trump had with the writer about a classified military document described as a plan of attack against another country. The conversation, which the indictment says was recorded with Trump's knowledge, was first reported by CNN. See as president, I could have declassified the document, Trump told the book author, according to the transcript. "Now I cant." Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this, Trump said. A two-year investigation In May 2021, the National Archives began asking Trump and his staff to return all missing presidential records, according to email communications between the archives and Trump's lawyers that were later made public. Two of Trumps aides returned 15 boxes of records to the National Archives eight months later, in January 2022. The Archives soon determined that 14 of the boxes contained classified documents and referred their discovery to the Justice Department, the indictment says. The FBI opened a criminal investigation in March 2022, and a grand jury issued a subpoena in May that required Trump to return all remaining classified documents in his possession, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors say Trump tried to obstruct the FBI and grand jury investigations by furnishing only some of the subpoenaed documents, even as he said he was cooperating with the grand jury's demand. Trump also suggested that his attorney should "hide or destroy" the subpoenaed documents, and he instructed Walt Nauta his personal aide, who also faces federal charges to move and conceal boxes of classified documents from the FBI, the grand jury and Trump's own attorney, the indictment said. Investigators say they obtained security video in July depicting Trump's aides moving boxes of classified documents. The FBI obtained a warrant to search Mar-a-Lago, and in August it found 11 more sets of documents on the property, including some labeled SCI, which stands for highly classified sensitive compartmented information." Probe Into Classified Documents Uncovered At Trump's Mar-A-Lago Estate Continues (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) After the search, Trump and a chorus of other Republicans accused the Biden administration of having weaponized the Justice Department to persecute a political opponent. Trump then claimed that the documents were shielded by executive privilege and requested that a judge appoint a special master to review them. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon initially appointed a special master, a move many legal experts said was deeply flawed. The Supreme Court in October rejected Trumps request to allow the special master to review the seized classified documents. As the Justice Department continued to investigate his handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, Trump announced another bid for the White House in November. The same month, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith, the former chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague, as a special counsel presiding over the two investigations, saying the move was "in the public interest" because both Trump and President Joe Biden are candidates in the next election. Trump called the attorney general's decision "appalling" and a "horrendous abuse of power." Six months after his appointment, Smith's office unsealed the indictment charging Trump with 37 felony counts Friday. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence opened a damage assessment into Trump's handling of classified documents in August. It has not yet presented its findings to Congress, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the vice chair of the Intelligence Committee, and a congressional aide with knowledge of the matter said last week. The congressional aide said that lawmakers had been briefed on the documents found at Mar-a-Lago but that it remains unclear when the full assessment will be finished. The intelligence directors office declined to comment. What's next? Trump will make his first appearance in court before a magistrate judge in Florida on Tuesday. The trial date has not been set; Smith has vowed to try the case quickly. The trial will be overseen by Cannon, the same judge who greenlighted Trump's special master request, though she will not oversee Tuesday's proceedings. Some of the charges carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison. Image: Former President Trump Addresses The Georgia State GOP Convention (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images) Other investigations are ongoing Trump still faces other potential legal headwinds. The Manhattan district attorney charged Trump in April in relation to hush money payments made to two women before the 2016 election. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, and the trial is set to begin in March. The Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney, Fani Willis, is investigating Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and has said she will announce whether she intends to charge Trump this summer. Smith, the special counsel, is also still investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Last week, a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., subpoenaed Trump White House official Steve Bannon in connection with Smith's investigation, two sources familiar with the matter said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (Bloomberg) -- Early this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a mock wartime meeting of his security cabinet in a bunker. Communities in northern Israel are preparing shelters for a long-term conflict. And the military is working overtime on a new laser system to intercept rockets. Most Read from Bloomberg Their focus is Iran and its nuclear ambitions. For years, Israel has considered a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat, and directed its energies to confronting it and its regional proxies in Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian areas. But much is new in the past few months. Iran has emerged from diplomatic isolation, forging a key military alliance with Russia from which its seeking air defenses, restoring diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and pushing its allies to fire missiles at Israel. It is also enriching more and more uranium, including a small amount almost to weapons grade while denying any plans for making a bomb. All of these developments, along with a political crisis in Israel triggered by Netanyahus attempt to overhaul the judiciary, have pushed the government in Jerusalem into a position from which its issuing daily warnings and letting everyone know that it would not hesitate to act, even alone, if it felt enough of a threat from Iran. Dont Wait Those who know the country say that while there is an element of public posturing, there is also serious intent. Iran is hardening its defenses, meaning Israel could lose the option to attack, said Dennis Ross, a former White House Middle East envoy. As someone who has worked on this issue and talked to the Israelis for a long time, the one thing I am personally convinced of is they will never allow themselves to lose the option. You dont wait until it is one minute to midnight. Israeli officials cite the topic wherever they go. Nir Barkat, Israels economy minister, told Bloomberg TV in New York recently, Iran threatens the world. They want to create a bomb in order to use it. Were maybe first in line, but were not the only one. But Israels ability to deliver a decisive blow is questionable, especially if it acted alone and not alongside the US, which says it wants a diplomatic solution to Irans nuclear program. Washington and Tehran denied recent reports that theyve been quietly exploring a new nuclear deal, though Iran said this week the two are close to an agreement on prisoner swaps. Netanyahu rejects the US stance toward Iran, telling Sky News that diplomacy can only work if it's coupled with a credible military threat. Internal Mess Among experienced Israel watchers, there is skepticism that Netanyahu would strike Iran. Dina Esfandiary, a senior adviser for the Middle East at the International Crisis Group, believes hes diverting attention from his difficulties at home, especially the widespread outrage over plans to weaken the judiciary. When everything is a mess internally, the best thing is to reiterate that you have an enemy outside, she says. But even opponents of Netanyahu say that, on Iran, they back him. On this, there is no coalition or opposition in Israel, said Yair Lapid, opposition leader, when he was in New York recently. Everybody's on the same note. In private, Israeli officials worry whether they can get the job done without their main ally. And they are concerned that deep divisions within Israeli society exemplified by this years mass protests over the judicial plan could hinder preparations and give their enemies the impression that theyre more vulnerable. The Saudi-Iranian deal is helping Iranians feel stronger, said Jacob Nagel, a former Israeli national security adviser. The Iranians are giving the money, training, instructions and weapons to push Israel into a multi-front confrontation. Israel warplanes took out an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and a Syrian one in 2007 and theres talk about doing the same with Iran. Israel came close to doing so twice before under Netanyahu. In 2010 his inner security cabinet, backed by the defense establishment, pulled him back, and in 2012 the US talked it down. Todays security cabinet is more hawkish. The intense preparation, then and now, serves as a messaging tool, to persuade the US and Iran that Israel means business and to slow or stop Iranian uranium enrichment and missile production. Regional Spillover A strike on Iran could roil oil markets and turn into a regional conflagration, affecting states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well as shipping routes through the Gulf. It could also trigger a massive backlash against Israel, including from Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Hamas. That makes some investors nervous. The Israeli shekel weakened late last month, albeit briefly, after the countrys military chief warned about action against Iran. Hezbollah, a Lebanese group thought to have more than 100,000 missiles, can retaliate to set off a brutal conflict, according to Bradley Bowman, a former US army officer who works for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which backs firmer measures against Iran. If only a portion of that arsenal were employed against Israel, there is a danger that its defenses could be overwhelmed, said Bowman. Irans strengthening military ties with Russia are also a source of alarm in Israel. Iran has provided drones and, in return, sought Russian help in air defense and missile development. Israel sent high-level officials to Moscow in May asking Russia to refrain. The growing potential for an Israeli strike has unsettled others in the region. Until last year, Saudi Arabia suffered a series of drone and missile attacks on oil and other facilities that were claimed by Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen. Saudi-Israel Prize The Saudis saw a China-mediated deal with Iran as a way to reduce tensions with their neighbors and focus on development, said Riad Kahwagi founder of INEGMA, a Dubai-based security research group. One positive effect of the Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, according to several Israeli officials, is that the US felt threatened by Chinas role and stepped up its own efforts to reconcile with Riyadh. That could help Israel with its big goal: diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. Both Israel and Washington consider a Saudi-Israeli deal to be a key prize, potentially bolstering Israeli security and discouraging Iran from any direct attacks. Still, Saudi authorities have said publicly that an independent Palestinian state which Netanyahu has said is very unlikely to happen anytime soon is a precondition. In private, theyve also told the US they want defense and security guarantees, access to top-notch weaponry and help developing their own uranium reserves. For now, Israel is increasingly focused on a possible military confrontation. Since ex-US President Donald Trump pulled out of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2018, Tehran has accelerated its processing of uranium. The UNs atomic energy watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently detected a small amount enriched to 84% levels of purity, slightly below the 90% grade typically used for weapons. In late May, the agency said Irans explanation of it being an accidental by-product was sufficient. Netanyahu accused the IAEA of capitulation and said Iran was lying. It was yet another example of Israel feeling isolated internationally on an issue that it says it knows best and fears most. --With assistance from Caroline Alexander. (Updates with shekel moves last month.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Here is a snapshot of whats happening with Iran, its nuclear talks and energy markets. Most Read from Bloomberg Latest developments Irans lead nuclear negotiator met with European officials on Tuesday, the latest indication of renewed diplomatic engagement between western powers and the Islamic Republic since talks to revive an atomic deal stalled last year. Ali Bagheri Kani discussed a range of issues and mutual concerns with officials from Germany, France and the UK during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, he said in a tweet, without specifying the issues or identifying the officials. The three European countries were part of a 2015 pact that restricted Irans nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US abandoned it in 2018. Last year, the same three mediated unsuccessful talks between the US and Iran. Bagheri Kani, who represented Iran at the talks, has rarely spoken publicly since. Tehran and Washington have denied reports that theyre close to an interim agreement to replace the original deal. Iran says theyre in touch through intermediaries about prisoner swaps. Latest coverage As Iran Emerges From Isolation, Israel Is Feeling Cornered Iran Says There Are No Negotiations With US Over Nuclear Deal Tehran Says Any Deal Cant Touch Atomic Industry: Iran Snapshot Oil Oil rose from a three-month low on Tuesday, supported by potential Chinese economic stimulus. Brent crude rose 2.26% to $73.46 per barrel. --With assistance from Arsalan Shahla. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Palestinians, some armed, celebrate as Israeli security forces withdraw from Balata refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank after their alleged failure to arrest a wanted militant in the heavily militarized camp, near the city of Nablus Tuesday, June 13, 2023. An Israeli military raid set off a gunfight with militants that killed a 19-year-old Palestinian man on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) JERUSALEM (AP) A raid by Israeli security forces into the northern West Bank set off a gunfight with militants that killed a young Palestinian man on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said. Elsewhere in the occupied territory, Israeli medics said that an assailant opened fire, wounding at least four people. The Israeli military stormed into the dense Balata refugee camp near the city of Nablus and surrounded a concrete apartment building, Palestinian residents said. Palestinian militants opened fire and threw explosive devices and stones at the troops. A 19-year-old, Faris al-Hashash, was killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli security forces withdrew from Balata two hours later without making any arrests. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the neighborhood as Israeli military jeeps and bulldozers rumbled away. Wanted Palestinian militant Issam al-Salaj, the presumed target of the raid, crowd-surfed among scores of gunmen, who chanted God is great! and cheered the Israeli military's alleged failure to arrest him. The Israeli military said it confiscated explosive devices and a handmade weapon from the refugee camp. It opened fire at a gunman fleeing the scene, as well as toward Palestinians trying to attack troops with explosive devices and rocks, the military said. It added that two Palestinian minors were wounded during the raid under circumstances that were being investigated. Also in the northern West Bank, just southwest of the flash point city of Jenin, a drive-by shooting attack targeting an Israeli car moderately wounded at least four people, Israel's rescue service said. The assailant fled in a speeding car, setting off a manhunt around the Palestinian town of Yabad, videos showed. The Israeli military did not immediately identify the victims of the attack. Israeli medics said they evacuated all four people to the hospital fully conscious. One of them was a 33-year-old man, medics added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from a Palestinian militant group. Tuesday's incidents were the latest in a surge of violence that has gripped the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem for more than a year. At least 119 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in those areas since the start of 2023, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Nearly half of them were affiliated with militant groups, though the Israeli military says that number is much higher. In that time, Palestinian attacks against Israelis have killed 21 people in Israel and the West Bank. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and Gaza. The Palestinians seek the territories for their hoped-for independent state. Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images) Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey says government officials in Turkey and India made many requests to remove posts or accounts tied to journalists and other dissident voices critical of the state during his leadership. Dorsey claimed the officials would demand Twitter provide targeted users contact information and threatened the company with fines if it refused to comply. In India in particular, Dorsey claims officials raided employees homes and threatened to shut down the company after the company initially refused to comply with government requests to shut down accounts and limits hashtags associated with the 2021 farmers protest. India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government, Dorsey said in an interview with Breaking Points. Twitter eventually caved to the governments pressure after officials threatened employees with jail time. Read more This is India, a democratic country, an exacerbated Dorsey added. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dorsey similarly called out goverment officials in Turkey who threatened to shut us down constantly. In Nigeria, Dorsey claimed Twitter would not even station staff in the area out of fear they could be targeted by the government. Indias Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar quickly lashed out against Dorseys recent statements Monday, calling them an outright lie. No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown, Chandrasekhar tweeted. Dorseys [sic] Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India. This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history Facts and truth@twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law https://t.co/SlzmTcS3Fa Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@Rajeev_GoI) June 13, 2023 Chandrasekhar said the posts in question during the time of 2021 farmers protest contained a lot of misinformation, and reports of genocide that were definitely fake. International human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, however, say Indian officials demonized dissenters and punished journalists. Indian officials have a storied history of taking action against foreign social media companies. Back in 2020, India became one of the first countries to issue a nationwide TikTok ban over perceived national securities concerns, setting a precedent more than a dozen countries would follow. The government also took action against Meta (then called Facebook) in 2016, banning its free but limited Free Basics internet service in the country after hundreds of businesses warned it would harm competition. Activists at the time accused the U.S. company of engaging in a digital colonialism. Dorsey confident Musk willl figure it out on free speech Dorseys comment about the Indian government came in response to a question from host Krystal Ball asking the former CEO to grade Elon Musks commitment to free speech on Twitter. Though Dorsey said he hoped Musk would figure it out he said the billionaires stated principle of adhering to local speech laws leaves this version of Twitter less equipped to push back against legal but oppressive takedown requests from certain governments like India or Turkey. By free speech, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2022 In the latter case, Musk was criticized by free speech proponents and human rights groups after the company restricted access to certain accounts at the behest of the Turkish government just days before a major presidential election. That kowtowing to government pressure stands in stark contrast to Twitters response during the Dorsey era, where the company sued both the Turkish and Indian governments over attempts to target specific users. He can always be compelled, Dorsey said of Musk. He is one person, he is one single point of failure and pressure can be put on him. This is going to be the reality for any centrally controlled company. Elsewhere in the interview, Dorsey explained his support for 2024 presidential candidate and flaming anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Twitter co-founder admitted he had only discovered Kennedy this year, but said he warmed up to the politician after binge-listening to podcasts hed appeared on. Theres an edge, Dorsey said of Kennedy. Theres no fear in explaining a topic that might be a little bit controversial. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters regarding the indictment of former President Donald Trump Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters regarding the indictment of former President Donald Trump on Friday, June 9, 2023, in Washington. Credit - Jose Luis MaganaAP Bringing historic federal charges against Donald Trump was just the start. The challenge for Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith, as he prepares to argue in court that the former President illegally took national defense secrets to his Florida home and willfully defied efforts to get them back, is to make the charges stick. No matter the merits of the case, the obstacles for Smith, a taciturn career prosecutor with a medieval-looking beard, are considerable. The case was assigned to a federal judge who has already been chided by an upper court for inappropriately favoring Trump in a ruling over documents seized from his Mar-a-Lago Club. Jurors will be selected from a state that Trump won in 2016 and 2020. And then theres the personal attacks: Trump has already launched a campaign to impugn Smiths motives, calling him a Trump hater and deranged. The clock is ticking. The Southern District of Florida is known for presiding over a rocket docket that moves cases quickly. But even the speediest federal criminal trial can drag out, and Trump, who has spent decades stalling legal challenges, could try to push a verdict out past Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. A lengthy trial in a high profile federal case is exactly what the Justice Department doesnt want, with the integrity of the U.S. justice system and possibly the outcome of a presidential election, hanging in the balance. Smith has spent nearly his entire career prosecuting cases. Raised outside Syracuse, New York, he graduated from State University of New York at Oneonta, and shortly after finishing Harvard Law School was hired in the Manhattan district attorneys office and then the U.S attorneys office in Brooklyn. He worked his way up in the Justice Department to eventually lead the public integrity unit that brings cases against public officials accused of corruption. In that position, which he held from 2010 to 2015, he oversaw cases against Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, former Republican governor of Virginia Robert McDonnell, and former congressman Rick Renzi of Arizona. Smith moved to the U.S. attorneys office in Nashville in 2015 and briefly became the acting U.S. attorney there in 2017 before leaving to work as vice president of litigation at the private Hospital Corporation of America. Wanting to get back to prosecutions, in 2018 Smith took a job charging international war criminals at the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutors Office in The Hague, Netherlands. It was from there that Attorney General Merrick Garland brought him back to be special counsel overseeing the investigation into Donald Trumps alleged refusal to return classified documents from Mar-a-Lago, and a separate case looking at Trumps efforts to reverse the 2020 election results and encourage his supporters to violently storm the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. More from TIME Smith kicked off his prosecution with the indictment he filed in federal court in Miami on June 8. The document alleged in plain, fact-based language that Trump had stored some of the countrys most closely held secretsincluding information about U.S. nuclear programs, defense vulnerabilities and attack plansin the Mar-a-Lago Club ballroom, a bathroom and shower, his bedroom, an office and a storage room. The charges highlight Trumps alleged obstruction of federal officials when they tried to get them back. Smith charged Trump with a total of 37 counts, including 31 separate instances of willful retention of national defense information, as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice, and multiple counts related to withholding or concealing documents from a federal investigation, and a charge of making false statements and representations. Speaking briefly after the charges were unveiled, Smith reminded Americans that Trump is innocent until proven guilty and that the nations laws apply to everyone. But when it comes to making a high-profile criminal case, the particularities of the courtroom can make all the difference. Nearly everyone in the country has an opinion about Donald Trump. It only takes one holdout juror to result in a mistrial. While the case is likely to be heard in a south Florida county that went for Biden in 2020, the whole state of Florida went for Trump in 2016 and 2020, and the juror pool in southwest Florida is likely more packed with Trump supporters than if the case had been brought in heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. Judges have a lot of power to set the terms of jury selection and instructions to the jury, and Trumps legal team may have caught a break there. The case has been assigned to Aileen M. Cannon, a 42-year-old Trump-appointed judge who was rebuked by a higher court for inappropriately intervening on Trumps behalf over a Mar-a-Lago search warrant that was part of Smiths investigation. Judges also hold a lot of power over setting a trial date and determining how long a trial takes. Time is not on Smiths side. Smith said in his rare public statement on Friday that he would seek a speedy trial. If the public deserves a verdict before the GOP formally selects a presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in August 2024, thats just over 13 months away. Trumps shown a pattern over decades of dragging out legal challenges against him. The number one challenge on Smiths mind has to be that the case will be presided over by Cannon given that shes shown that she will be partial to him in her prior rulings, says Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor. Cannon was appointed by Trump to the bench in 2020, and after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago, Cannon ordered a special master to sift through the documents to decide what should be returned to the government, but was overruled by a higher court. A district judge like Cannon has very significant power at trial, says Mariotti. For example, prosecutors would not be able to appeal if Cannon decided to throw the case out after the jury is empaneled, Mariotti says. Should Trump be convicted, Cannon would determine his sentence. Smith also has to be concerned about jury selection, Mariotti says. Even one juror could potentially prevent a verdict. It is very unlikely Trump will go to trial before the 2024 election, says Mariotti. Even a run-of-the-mill federal case often takes a year at trial, and defense attorneys have a number of ways to delay and slow down a trial with motions and appeals. In a case involving national security documents, the process often takes even longer because defense lawyers have to go through background checks to see sensitive documents. Norm Eisen, an anti-corruption expert at Brookings Institution and the former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2020 during Trumps first impeachment says that Smiths case will face a less favorable jury pool than if the case had been brought in Washington, D.C. But I think its to the prosecutors credit that they did not play games with venue, Eisen said. Eisen, who has called for Cannon to recuse herself from the case because of her prior rulings being overturned, thinks the higher courts will step in if Cannon shows too much bias toward Trump in court proceedings. I think the judicial system will take care of business if Judge Cannon is as outrageously and lawlessly in favor of Trump as she was in her initial rulings in the dispute over the Mar-a-Lago search warrant aftermath, Eisen says. Trumps defense team will likely try to slow down the trial and make it look like the prosecutors case is overly complex and hard to follow. Trump may try to make this a complicated, intricate, self-justifying confusing case. Smith needs to keep it simple. This is about a President who jeopardized our national security by removing documents that were classified national defense information and extremely dangerous, and when he was caught, he covered it up, Eisen says. Then theres the war of public opinion, Trumps favorite battlefield. Trump has already begun trying to define Smith in public as deranged and a Trump hater. Speaking to GOP supporters at the Georgia state Republican Party convention in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday, Trump went on a rambling takedown of Jack Smith. I watched him yesterday go up and talk. He talked for about two and a half minutes. He was shaking. He was so scared. He didnt want to be there. Because ultimately, these are cowards. Theyre cowards, Trump said. And hes a big Trump hater, openly hes a Trump hater. But Smith is unlikely to be intimidated, Eisen says. Jack Smith has tried war criminals who have committed mass atrocities. So I dont think he is going to be daunted by name calling by Trump. Meet Jack Smith, the special counsel investigating Trump who has taken on war criminals Special counsel Jack Smith - JERRY LAMPEN/AFP Jack Smith, the bearded, avid triathlon-racer leading the prosecution of Donald Trumps classified documents case, burnished his reputation taking on war criminals in The Hague. The 54-year-olds career has included prosecuting drug gang leaders and mob bosses in Manhattan, and complex corruption cases against US politicians of all stripes. He left his role as chief prosecutor for a special court in The Hague investigating war crimes in Kosovo to become the special counsel overseeing Mr Trumps case last November. Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, chose to appoint a special counsel given the particularly sensitive circumstances involved in investigating a former US president. As a special counsel, Mr Smith has an extra layer of independence from the Department of Justice (DOJ) than one of its own prosecutors would. Probe into Capitol attack In addition to investigating Mr Trumps retention of classified documents after leaving the White House, Mr Smith is looking in to the former presidents efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and his role in the January 6 2021 Capitol attack. Mr Smith was an obvious choice. A registered independent, he has expressed few political beliefs that might indicate any bias. And he has garnered a reputation as a dogged investigator, reportedly just as determined in seeking to have criminal charges dropped for the innocent as he is in pursuing convictions against the guilty. If I were the sort of person who could be cowed [if I thought:] I know the person did it, but we could lose, and that will look bad I would find another line of work, he once told the New York Times. I cant imagine how someone who does what I do or has worked with me could think that. Mr Smiths tenacity is often referenced by his former colleagues. If the case is prosecutable, he will do it, said Mark Lesko, who worked alongside Mr Smith at the US Attorneys Office in New York. He is fearless. When Mr Smith is not pursuing cases, he spends his time participating in gruelling fitness competitions. Ironman triathlete He has completed more than 100 triathlons and at least nine Ironman competitions - including in Germany, Brazil and Canada. He has a daughter with wife Katy Chevigny, an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Mr Smith attended the State University of New York at Oneonta before graduating from Harvard Law School. He started his career as a prosecutor in 1994 at the Manhattan District Attorneys Office under Robert Morgenthau, who was best known for prosecuting mob bosses. A few years later he moved to the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office, where he worked on a high-profile police brutality case. From 2008 to 2010 he supervised war crimes investigations in The Hague. He returned to the DOJ to head up its Public Integrity Section until 2015, working complex cases against public officials. Under his leadership the department brought a corruption case against John Edwards, a Democratic former senator and vice presidential candidate and Bob McDonnell, at the time Virginias Republican governor. He oversaw another investigation into a former Republican congressman but decided against bringing charges. While he has received distinguished service awards, having spent the past four years overseas, Mr Smith has a relatively low profile at home and has been shielded from the hyper partisan legal battles of the Trump and Biden administrations. 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. Jamaica has suspended consular services in Haiti, after its consulate in the nations capital came under attack Monday night. The announcement was made by Jamaica Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith. In a video message, she said her government is aware that the Sun Auto Car Dealership, where the Jamaican consulate is located, was set ablaze and ransacked by criminal gangs. The Consulate of Jamaica was located on the premises and we are , she said, and therefore consular services in Haiti are therefore suspended indefinitely. Johnson Smith also expressed Jamaicas sympathies to the owner of the dealership and honorary consul Daniel Rouzier. The attack, she said, has only hardened our resolve in returning Haiti to the peace and prosperity, which she and her people deserve. We are aware that the Sun Auto Dealership in #PortauPrince was ransacked and set afire by gangs last night. As the Consulate of was also on the compound, consular services are suspended indefinitely. We have extended deep sympathies to our Hon Consul, his family and employees. pic.twitter.com/J2fX7tkACa Hon. Kamina J Smith (@kaminajsmith) June 13, 2023 The timing of the alleged gang attack has raised suspicions. Some 50 Haitians, including Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and members of his delegation, are in Kingston trying to reach a consensus around a path toward elections, governance and the raging insecurity that has led to the deaths of hundreds of Haitians this year alone and over 20 police officers at the hands of violent gangs. In an interview Tuesday, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness told the Miami Herald that its still early to draw conclusions, between the attack and the Haitian stakeholders talks unfolding here in Kingston. But he concurred with his foreign minister about Jamaicas determination to help its fellow Caribbean Community member state. Certainly that would not deter Jamaica from supporting Haiti, Holness said. As Ive said, were very careful not to, in any way, interfere in Haitis domestic affairs but to give support where it is asked for. With the talks coming to an end Tuesday, Henry met privately with different factions to see if an agreement on how to address Haitis multidimensional crisis could be reached. During the opening session on Sunday, Henry said he wasnt in Jamaica to create a new political accord he formed one on Dec. 21, 2022 but was interested in reaching a consensus on the pressing issues plaguing Haiti, mainly security and the lack of elections. Edmonde Beauzile, a Henry supporter and head of the Fusion political party in Haiti, said going into the final day of the talks, everyone was steadfast in their position. Today is the day we are going to see what possibility there is to arrive at a consensus, she said as the group boarded a bus to head to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the private talks. Raphael Andre, spokesperson of the political party Mopod, said his group would like to see a change at the top. The Sun Auto incident, he said, is the latest example showing how the country is being ruled by armed groups and there are people who are in power who were supposed to bring order to the chaos and after two years have not done so. The talks are being facilitated by three former Caribbean prime ministers Perry Christie of The Bahamas, Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia with support from the 15-member Caribbean Community, CARICOM, the United States and Canada. Sun Auto is located in the Tabarre area of Port-au-Prince, not far from the U.S. embassy and in a red zone where a powerful gang led by VitelHomme Innocent has been wreaking havoc. The FBI has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Innocents arrest. It was issued prior to Mondays attack, which came. after a lull in gang attacks and kidnappings after Haitians decided to fight back by arming themselves with machetes and lynched several. suspected gang members. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo Japan's Kishida unveils new child care plan amid election rumours Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Sakura Murakami TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled on Tuesday a package of wide-ranging measures to reverse a dwindling birthrate, saying the problem needed to be tackled as an ageing population threatens the world's third-largest economy. Kishida's flagship policy comes amid speculation that he will dissolve parliament's lower house this week and call a snap election, a move that could heighten calls from within his ruling party for big spending to boost its support amongst the electorate. "Now is the last chance to reverse the downtrend in childbirth by the 2030s," Kishida told a televised press conference. "The low birthrate is a massive problem that concerns our country's society and entire economy and can't be put off," he said. "Without arresting the fast-declining birthrate and populations, Japan's economy and society would shrink, making it difficult to maintain social security systems." With measures such as bigger payouts to families with children and providing homes for hundreds of thousands of such households, Kishida said he hoped to double child care spending by the early 2030s, from about 4.7 trillion yen ($33.7 billion) now. The package may help his party appeal to the public, fanning speculation of an early election. Although an election for parliament's powerful lower house is not due until late 2025, Kishida, who swept to power in October 2021, is keen to boost his grip over the party ahead of a leadership race next September, analysts say. Kishida sidestepped queries on plans for a snap election, saying numerous factors would govern the decision as the approaching end of the parliament session could make for a fluid political situation. "I want to be sure that I can assess the situation appropriately," he added. "I would like to refrain from commenting further on this matter." Some opposition lawmakers may threaten to submit a no-confidence motion against Kishida's cabinet by the end of the current parliamentary session on June 21, which could trigger a snap election. FUNDING SOURCES Japan's birthrate has been on a steady decline, dropping last year to a record low of 1.26 from 1.57 in 1990, despite a series of government measures to reverse it. The number of births in 2022 was less than 40% the annual number of births during the second generation of babyboomers, who were born in the early 1970s. Kishida's plan would see the government earmark about 3.5 trillion yen annually for the next three years for child care allowances and support for those taking child care leave. However, the government has yet to outline exactly how it would fund the measures, stoking fears of runaway debt. Kishida once again ruled out the prospect of a near-term tax hike, saying the funding gap would be filled by the issuance of special childcare bonds. The government will raise more from social insurance premiums - a move that could backfire on corporate efforts to hike wages - while also curbing increases in social security spending. It will work out the details of securing stable sources of funding by year-end, officials have said. It was "inappropriate" to criticise the government for pushing back a decision on funding sources, Kishida said. The government will also urge companies to allow employees to choose more flexible working styles such as taking three days off a week, according to a draft of the package seen by Reuters. ($1=139.4600 yen) (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto, Sakura Murakami, Chang-Ran Kim and Takaya Yamaguchi; Editing by Leika Kihara, Clarence Fernandez and Sharon Singleton) By Nupur Anand and Trevor Hunnicutt NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Jill Biden on Monday embarked on a fundraising tour to build up President Joe Biden's re-election campaign coffers, telling a well-heeled Manhattan crowd of nearly 50 people that her husband "knows how to get things done." The event was hosted at the Upper East Side home of Barry Ginsburg and his wife Merle, whose wealth comes from real estate and other ventures. Jill Biden is set to be a key messenger for her husband on the campaign trail, including at important stops to raise hundreds of millions from the wealthy in the coming months for what may be the priciest U.S. election in history. The first lady said that the president, who had a root canal procedure on Monday, asked his supporters to be "optimistic" when she visited him before embarking on the fundraising campaign. "Tell them to be optimistic, because I am, so let's finish the job," she said, relaying the president's message at the event attended by Reuters. She is scheduled for two fundraising events in San Francisco on Tuesday and another for donors in Los Angeles on Wednesday. President Biden raised more than $1 billion in 2020 and faces questions from donors about whether the 80-year-old should pass the torch to younger leadership. "We are grateful for your support, but we need to keep this momentum going," Jill Biden said while recounting the administration's effort in creating 13 million jobs, boosting bipartisan cooperation and closing a debt ceiling agreement before a default. The campaign, which officially launched on April 25, plans to ramp up fundraising events. President Biden is expected to hold his own events with large donors in California and Illinois, starting next week. Advisers believe a strong cash haul will set Biden, who is almost certain to get the Democratic nomination, apart from a Republican Party that is picking its candidate from a large field that includes front-runner Donald Trump, the former president defeated by Biden in 2020. Biden aides are keeping a close eye on June 30, when quarterly fundraising books close. Campaigns will announce these fundraising tallies in mid-July, and the figure will be a sign of how well Biden's money-raising efforts are going. So far, his campaign has only held a handful of events, largely for donors and volunteers. Two fundraising events Biden held last month in New York raised more than $3 million, according to a person familiar with those totals. (Reporting by Nupur Anand in New York and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Jamie Freed) Election 2024 Jill Biden (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) First lady Jill Biden has said she is shocked about the number of Republican voters who continue to back former president Donald Trump, despite him having been indicted on federal charges. In her first solo outing of the 2024 campaign, Ms Biden said on Monday that it was a little shocking that a sizeable number of Republicans are still thinking of voting for Mr Trump. She told Democratic donors that the 2024 election presents a choice between what she described as the strong, steady leadership of President Joe Biden and the chaos and corruption, hatred and division of MAGA Republicans. Ms Biden, speaking to a small group of Democrats in an apartment on Manhattans Upper East Side, said she was surprised to see a headline before her flight landed that described a majority of Republicans in a poll saying they were still planning to vote for Trump, who is set to appear in a Florida court on Tuesday. They dont care about the indictment. So thats a little shocking, I think, she said, addressing a topic her husband, President Joe Biden has thus far attempted to avoid being drawn on. The 49-page indictment was unsealed on Friday and revealed 37 charges against the former president that relate to his alleged retention of classified documents including national defence information. Mr Trump has denied the charges and is set to sppear at a federal courthouse on Tuesday 13 June at 3pm. After the indictment was unsealed, he wrote on Truth Social that he was an innocent man. This is election interference and continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time, he added. As promised, Johnny Depp is putting the $1 million settlement he was awarded from the Amber Heard defamation case to good use. The former Pirates of the Caribbean star has reportedly spread out the payment among five charities, including Make-A-Film Foundation, The Painted Turtle, Red Feather, Tetiaroa Society, and Amazonia Fund Alliance. Sources told People that each organization will receive $200,000. Last June, a seven-person Virginia jury sided with Depp in his messy $50 million defamation trial, stemming from Heards 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she said she was a survivor of domestic abuse. Even though she didnt specifically name her ex-husband in the piece, Depps lawsuit claimed Heards allegations cost him tens of millions of dollars in lost work. After six weeks, jurors at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse unanimously determined that Depp should receive $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Chief circuit judge Penney Azcarate lowered the ruling to a total of $10.35 million, since punitive damages are capped at $350,000 in Virginia. In a $100 million countersuit, Heard was awarded $2 million in damages. Six months later, the former couple decided to drop their appeals and reach a settlement. I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed, Heard wrote in an Instagram announcement, stating the settlement was not an act of concession and that she had made no admission. The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward, she added. 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. TMZ reported the agreed upon settlement was for $1 million, which Heards insurance company will cover. Lawyers for Depp who previously lost a libel lawsuit against a British tabloid publisher over an article referring to him as a wife beater pledged to donate the funds to various charities. We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light, attorneys Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez announced in December. Screen Media Jon Hamm finally found his leading-man groove with last years Confess, Fletch, a sharp and sly reboot in which he seamlessly slipped into the role of Gregory Mcdonalds amateur sleuth. Hamm once again tries his hand at solving a baffling mystery in Maggie Moore(s), a kinda-inspired-by-real-events saga about murder, fraud and betrayal. Alas, his charmand a reunion with his 30 Rock co-star Tina Feycant salvage a middling caper thats critically low on comedic or criminal verve. Premiering June 12 in the Spotlight Narrative section of this years Tribeca Film Festival, its a cinematic flatline. Directed by Hamms Mad Men colleague John Slattery, Maggie Moore(s) boasts a Fargo-esque premise, if little of that masterpieces spirited idiosyncrasy. In an unnamed desert town thats as generic as its inhabitants, Jay Moore (Micah Stock) keeps his low-rent sandwich shop afloat by procuring expired meats from convicted sex offender Tommy T (Derek Basco) in exchange for pedophilic pornography. This is an obvious and risky violation of Jays franchise agreement. More pressing still, its an arrangement that doesnt sit kindly with his spouse Maggie (Louisa Krause), who discovers her husbands illicit material and promptly throws him out of the house and threatens to call the cops. With divorce (if not jail time) looming, Jay is in desperate straits. To sort out his situation, he opts to do the nastiest (and stupidest) thing imaginable: hire a hitman to kill his wife. Tommy T connects Jay with Kosco (Happy Anderson), a burly, deaf assassin who accepts the job and then executes it without hesitation. Naturally, Jay becomes an immediate suspect in this crime. With the walls closing in on him, providence (of a sort) arrives when he visits his local pharmacy and hears from the cashier (Oona Roche)via chitchat about his rewards programthat another Maggie Moore lives in the same neighborhood. Screen Media To throw the cops off his trail, Jay hires Kosco to also off this second Maggie (Mary Holland), believing that it will make it look like his wife had been killed by mistake. This too goes off without a hitch, and as the bodies continue to pile up, Jay comes to believe that hes sown enough confusion to get away with murder. The fly in Jays ointment is police chief Jordan Sanders (Hamm), a lonely widower who writes about his feelings in an adult-school night class and puts up with the insensitive jokiness of his partner deputy Reddy (Ted Lassos Nick Mohammed)although in a recurring instance of cognitive dissonance, Jordan puts down Reddys inappropriateness even though the cops mild comments are far from offensive. Worse, theyre not funny, but then, neither is anything else in Maggie Moore(s), whose story soon has Sanders strike up a relationship with Rita Grace (Fey). The neighbor of Jay and Maggie, Rita heard the couple arguing about filth shortly before Maggie perished, and upon meeting Jordan, she immediately asks him in for dinner because, well, Paul Bernbaums script cant come up with a more natural (or amusing) meet-cute for its stars. Maggie Moore(s) tells us nothing else about Rita except that shes divorced and has a habit of putting herself down, and even that self-deprecation resounds as false, given that Fey embodies the character as confident and outgoing. She shares almost no sparks with Hamm, in large part because the material affords them zero playful or witty opportunities; theyre both bland two-dimensional types navigating an outline of a story. Ambling along without urgency, zaniness or sharpness, its heart on its sleeve and its colorfulness muted, the film is formally proficientinsofar as its compositions are functional and its shots matchand fatally lethargic, refusing to energize a tale thats practically begging for cartoonishness. The Disastrous New Transformers Will Make You Beg for Michael Bays Return Maggie Moore(s) instead leans into earnestness from the get-go, with sad-sack Jordan begrudgingly going on a date with his classmate and then choosing not to wipe cake off the corner of her mouth (which proves hes not interested), and later failing to commit to Rita because hes still hung up on his deceased spouse. Jordan and Rita have exes who loom large over their present circumstances but the film never makes them feel like anything other than rickety plot devices, probably because its protagonists themselves are just slim archetypes: the wounded-soul cop and the girl who teaches him how to find happiness (and who eventually serves as his de facto damsel in distress). Whether together or apart, Hamm and Fey look stranded in Slatterys lifeless frame, and that situation only grows direr as they navigate a tangled narrative full of unbelievable (read: sloppy) coincidences and strokes of luck. Screen Media The films supporting players fare no better, be it Mohammed as a sidekick whos not nearly as off-color as everyone thinks he is, Stock as a degenerate whos more whiny than wacky, and Anderson as a lumbering brute straight out of central casting. Maggie Moore(s) coasts along at a tranquil pace thats anathema to excitement, as is the fact that the film wastes time having Jordan and Reddy chase leads that are dramatically inert (since we know whos responsible for the carnage) and marked by individualsa bimbo bar waitress, an anti-Semitic creepwho are neither quirky nor scary. The vapidity is all-consuming, and not mitigated by trips to a strip club, screaming arguments between husbands and wives, or the climaxs pedestrian shootout and car chase. Most puzzling of all, Maggie Moore(s) opts for sincerity at every turn and yet, in the end, barely wastes a breath mourning the tragic demise of one of its main characters. On the one hand, that oversight feels typical for a slack festival throwaway such as this. But it also indicates that, beneath its sensitive surface, Slatterys sophomore directorial outing doesnt care a lick about any of these people or their predicaments. Like its dark and offbeat action, its empathy is just a pose, designed to elicit a few awwws on the way to a feel-good wrap-up that keeps actual emotion at arms length. Maggie Moore(s) is indifferent to its every element and, as such, it earns only indifference in return. Liked this review? Sign up to get our weekly See Skip newsletter every Tuesday and find out what new shows and movies are worth watching, and which arent. 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. Judge declines request to allow media cameras in courtroom ahead of Trump appearance The judge presiding over former President Trumps court appearance in Florida on Tuesday denied a request from media organizations to allow photographs and video inside the courtroom before the proceeding begins. A four-page ruling from U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman late Monday night also denied the 26 media groups request for the court to release same-day audio of proceedings in the case. Goodman ruled the media organizations had not cited any legal authority that would support the ability to photograph the proceeding. Moreover, allowing photographs would undermine the massive security arrangements put in place, he wrote. During Trumps arraignment in New York earlier this year, the judge in that case had allowed a few still photographers inside the courtroom to capture Trump just before the proceeding began. But Goodman, who will preside over Trumps appearance Tuesday as the scheduled duty magistrate judge in the federal courts Miami division, said the media groups could send a similar request to the U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who will oversee the case moving forward. I follow the stay in your lane philosophy, Goodman wrote. My involvement in this case will almost certainly end tomorrow. So I do not feel it is appropriate for me to rule on what happens in future proceedings when I am not the district court judge and when I will have no involvement whatsoever. In a separate ruling Monday, the district courts chief judge prohibited journalists from bringing phones and electronic equipment inside the courthouse. Previously, journalists in the Southern District of Florida could submit a written request to use text functionality on phones and laptops while in courtrooms as long as they agreed to not record any audio of proceedings. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rikers Island and the rest of New York Citys jails inched closer to federal court control Tuesday when a judge ordered lawyers in a class-action lawsuit on jail violence to present ideas for a takeover. Manhattan Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain told a court conference in the Nunez class action case that a report on the Correction Departments mishandling of a series of violent incidents in May changed her thinking about the ability of Mayor Adams and his appointees to reform the jails on their own. Swain said she was also disturbed by Correction Commissioner Louis Molinas effort to persuade the court-appointed monitor in the Nunez lawsuit to keep the incidents from public disclosure. The court in good faith and in all candor has been shaken by the incidents of the past few weeks and by the way the leadership has approached seeking to shape public opinion and public perception on these very serious issues, Swain said during a video conference. Swain ordered the parties in the lawsuit to begin work on proposals for court receivership, with the first step being discussions about what legal motions for and against receivership might look like. The judge stressed that her order was not a firm step toward a takeover instead, she said she wants the parties in the lawsuit to explore further how a takeover would look legally, and seek to concretize the nature of any receivership motion practice [i.e., court filings] and the issues it would implicate. Swain noted that receivership where she would appoint an expert to directly oversee some or all aspects of jail operations is an extraordinary step. The court has obviously yet to determine whether it will be appropriate and necessary here, she said. Adams responded to Swains move by saying his administration has improved conditions at Rikers. Those efforts have included an action plan presented to Swain and aimed fixing the problems. We are going to continue to do what we have been doing, the mayor said. Adams noted the problems he inherited when he took office in January 2022 an epidemic of correction officers who called in sick, spikes in violence and other frightening conditions and insisted his administrations action plan for the jails is moving things in the right direction. Rikers was a mess, he said. I dont know where all this creative thinking is coming from that all of a sudden Rikers was this beautiful place. No, it was a mess. Commissioner Molina went in and corrected. Adams also said the federal government has a poor track record running its prisons I dont know why people think the federal prison system is successful, he said, overlooking the fact that federal court control of Rikers and the rest of the jail system would not be the same as federal Bureau of Prisons management. People who think years of dysfunctionality are going to be fixed because of a receiver thats just not making sense to me, Adams said. At Swains hearing, the receivership question was initially broached by Mary Lynne Werlwas, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society who said the Correction Departments credibility issues have made efforts to resolve problems within the Nunez lawsuit without a court takeover unworkable. We cannot simply continue down the same path expecting different results, Werlwas said. We believe the record before the court demonstrates the [city] action plan has failed, as have myriad of plans before that. We think the record will show that a receiver is necessary. Jeffrey Powell, a lawyer in the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, was also skeptical of the citys approach. The government has grave doubts about the ability of this administration to implement reforms to bring the city into compliance, Powell said. Now almost one and a half years after Molinas appointment, and a year after action plan was finalized, the constitutional rights of people in the jails are still being violated on a regular basis, and staff continues to be injured. Swain also approved an order that tightens rules governing the Correction Departments sharing of information with Nunez monitor Steve Martin. Federal monitor Martin and his staff are expected to file a report with Swain on July 10 about their view of the results brought about by the citys action plan, which is aimed at bringing about compliance with the 2016 Nunez case consent decree aimed at reducing jail violence and Correction Department staff uses of force. But violence and staff uses of force remain much higher than they were seven years ago. Swains concern was triggered by a series of reports from Martin and his staff that raised questions about the handling of two deaths and three serious injuries in the jails in May. The reports also suggested an attempt to cover up the incidents. One case involved a use of force by correction officers in which detainee James Carlton, 40, was paralyzed. A second involved the suicide of murder suspect Rubu Zhao. A third involved a use of force against 86-year-old murder suspect Ovidio Porras, who was left alone in a cell for four hours and developed a life-threatening blood clot. Molina had pleaded with Martin not to publicly release his report about five incidents in the jail. But Martins report was publicly released on May 26. Molina then pushed back against its findings in public appearances. Adams on June 1 questioned the monitors integrity, saying there is something else going on with this relationship that were having with Martin. At Swains hearing Tuesday, Alan Scheiner, a lawyer for the city, said a federal takeover of Rikers Island and other city lockups would be would be extremely premature and very undemocratic. The appointment of a receiver means is that control would be taken away from the voters and taxpayers [and given] to someone who is not accountable to the city, Scheiner said. With Michael Gartland Officials at the U.S. Department of Justice have committed to meeting with Tarrant Countys top Democrats to discuss the letter they sent requesting an investigation into voting rights. The Democrats, under the lead of U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, penned a letter in May asking for an investigation into whether the actions of GOP leaders like county judge Tim OHare violated the rights of minority voters. The six Democrats who signed the letter, including Commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roy Charles Brooks, cited the recent resignation of elections administrator Heider Garcia and the creation of the election integrity task force. Im pleased to have the commitment of officials with U. S. Department of Justice to meet with me, Commissioner Roy Brooks, and other Tarrant County leaders to directly address the grave concerns we have regarding voter suppression in Tarrant as expressed in our letter to the Department of Justice last month, Veasey wrote in an emailed statement early Tuesday. OHare, at the time, called the letter baseless and pathetic. Judge O'Hare's statement concerning the baseless, pathetic letter from local Democrats. pic.twitter.com/HBtWzopm6o Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County Judge (@TimothyOHare) May 16, 2023 A date for the meeting has not yet been set. A representative for the Justice Department did not immediately return a request for comment. A representative for OHare did not return an email or phone call for comment. During her 2010 confirmation hearings, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan declared, We are all originalists. As much as I admire Justice Kagan, her statement is highly misleading and harmful to debates over constitutional interpretation. Defenders of the concept of originalism claim that the provisions of the Constitution must be interpreted based upon their original meaning. While originalism is a minority perspective in the U.S., it now has a stronghold on the Supreme Court. Four of the current members of Chief Justice John Roberts court Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett describe themselves as originalists. Justice Samuel Alito, the author of last years Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, which overturned 1973s Roe v. Wade, calls himself a practical originalist. The reason I believe Kagans observation is harmful is because it gives legitimacy to originalism, which started out as a reactionary movement against Chief Justice Earl Warrens court and represents a radical departure from the common law tradition in the United States. Originalism did not exist until the 1970s although I argue in a recent book that Justice Hugo Black, who served on the Supreme Court from 1937 to 1971, was the courts first full-throated originalist. Robert Bork, now regarded as the godfather of originalism, was the first to advocate that constitutional interpretation must be based on the framers intent. Although originalists have shifted their focus to original meaning the idea that constitutional provisions must be based on what the society that adopted them understood them to mean, not the subjective intentions of the framers their backward interpretative approach has garnered considerable support in the legal community and on the Supreme Court itself. Kagans statement is also misleading because the Supreme Court has always relied on other sources of law than text and history. In Fletcher v. Peck, an 1810 contracts clause case, Chief Justice John Marshall rested the courts decision on both textualist and natural law grounds. His colleague, Justice William Johnson, did not believe the text supported the courts decision, so he simply based his decision on natural law. In a 1920 case, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes described the Constitution as an organism that must be interpreted in the light of our whole experience and not merely in that of what was said a hundred years ago. He also wrote in the decision: When we are dealing with words that also are a constituent act, like the Constitution of the United States, we must realize that they have called into life a being the development of which could not have been foreseen completely by the most gifted of its begetters. Constitutions framers used broad language intentionally Then theres the question of why we would want to go back in time to interpret the Constitution. Its framers did not require, nor intend, future generations to be governed by their own specific intentions or societal norms. Their use of broad language was both necessary and purposeful. It is a constitution we are expounding, Chief Justice Marshall wrote in 1819, one that is intended to endure for ages to come, and, consequently, to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs. The dissenting justices in Dobbs, one of whom was Kagan, attempted to defend a womans right to obtain an abortion by noting that women were not treated as equals in 1868, when the 14th Amendment was adopted. Historically, there are other significant decisions that would have come out differently if the Supreme Court limited itself to an originalist approach: 1954s Brown v. Board of Education striking down segregation in public schools, 1967s Loving v. Virginia prohibiting bans on interracial marriages, and 2015s Obergefell v. Hodges overturning bans on gay marriage. It is also important to remember that originalism started out as a reactionary movement to counter the rulings of the Warren Court. In the early 1980s, Bork and Antonin Scalia were the faculty sponsors for the Federalist Society chapters at their respective law schools. What began as a small group of disaffected law students has turned out to be one of the most powerful legal organizations in the world. During the Trump administration, the Federalist Society served as a pipeline for federal court judgeships, and its behind-the-scenes network of attorneys has moved the Supreme Courts jurisprudence substantially to the right in the areas of voting rights, gun rights, corporate speech, freedom of religion, church and state, administrative law and abortion. After Borks death, then-Justice Scalia credited his good friend with being the intellectual point-man for the movement to curb the pretensions of the Warren Court and return the meaning of the Constitution to what it said. Justice Clarence Thomas, whom Scalia referred to as a blood-thirsty originalist, described his relationship with his senior colleague as a band of brothers. Whether we win or lose, Thomas remarked in a 2016 address honoring his late friend, we are in this battle together. Dobbs, the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and deprived women of a fundamental right theyd had since 1973, is the culmination of the originalist project. Unfortunately, it will not be the last consequential decision. James B. Staab, is professor of political science at the University of Central Missouri and the author of Limits of the Constraint: The Originalist Jurisprudence of Hugo Black, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas. Two Kansas City, Kansas, police officers were disciplined and will have additional training after an arrest in a Walmart led to backlash on social media. Over the weekend, the police department acknowledged an ongoing internal investigation of three officers shown in a widely-seen video detaining a man near the store exit. The video, which was shared on TikTok, begins as the man is being held against the ground with a frozen pizza box on the ground nearby. He attempts to show a receipt to the person filming as other officers come and try to put his arms behind his back, pushing his head into the ground. At one point, one of the officers appears to kneel on the mans upper back and neck area. Supporters of the man said on social media that the arrest was unjust and that he was tackled to the ground before the cameras started rolling. #unfairtreatment #policebrutalitymuststop #walmartvideo #justicemustbeserved #kansascity #kansascitypolice original sound - Viviana Borisouth (Vera) @viviana_borisouth This is a another video someone got of my husband being treated unlawfully by the Kansas City Kansas Police!! I want justice to be served! They are suppose to protect us but instead they threaten him and say they are going to break his nose!! This isnt right!! I want everyone on Tiktok to share this video and the other video i have to prove that this is how police treat us! No one should get tackled and put in a headlock because of a receipt!! INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!! ALSO THEY DID NOT SAY THEIR MIRANDA RIGHTS TO HIM AT ALL!! #innocentuntilprovenguilty A request for comment left by a Star reporter on the TikTok video was not immediately returned. A statement from KCKPD shared Monday by spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand says the incident began when an off-duty officer working security asked for the receipt to be presented, and that request was refused. After the review, according to KCKPD, the department found the officer should have disengaged from the situation. Another of the responding officers was found to have used techniques that are not approved, nor trained,by the Department. Moving forward, we will work with all our retail partners to ensure that there is a clear, mutual understanding of our officers role while working in any off-duty capacity, the statement says. The shopper was initially charged with hindering an investigation, a misdemeanor. KCKPD said Monday that the charge was dropped by prosecutors at the police departments request. The Stars Katie Moore contributed to this report. Arizona voters didnt want Republican Kari Lake to be their governor, and they probably wouldnt want her teaching math either after the farfetched claim she made Monday. The former newscaster turned Donald Trump toadie appeared on Steve Bannons War Room podcast to discuss Tuesdays arraignment of the former president in Miami. This past weekend, Lake attempted to gin up support for Trump by saying that if prosecutors want to get to President Trump, theyre going to have to go through me and 75 million Americans just like me. And most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. On Monday, she put the high in hyperbole by claiming that 90% of the U.S. population would be getting their collective panties in a bunch over Trump getting indicted for taking top secret documents to Mar-a-Lago when he left the White House. If they think they are going to hurt, lay a finger on our president President Trump theyre going to have to come through me, Lake told Bannon. And I made a mistake, I said 75 million others just like me. I think its more like 300 million others just like me. Kari Lake says 300 million Americans are now going to rise up to support Trump after this indictment. pic.twitter.com/1KtfQnffua Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 12, 2023 Even conservative-leaning outlets like Newsweek noted that Lakes assertion was absurd, considering that the U.S. population is about 334 million, meaning that nearly 9 in 10 Americans would be protesting Trumps arrest, including many of the81 million people who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Since its pretty much impossible to get 90% of Americans to agree on anything, much less Trump, its a fair chance that Lake is either just spreading B.S. or is really bad at math. Luckily, Twitter users were kind enough to give Lake a lesson. Narrator: The current population of the entire United States is under 335 million. https://t.co/o61RtGPNmy Roshan Rinaldi (@Roshan_Rinaldi) June 12, 2023 The US population is about 330 million. Kari Lake says 300 million of them will rise up to support Trump. Not to get too personal, but Id say Ms. Lake is a moron. https://t.co/BunkJqJGi9 Clyde Haberman (@ClydeHaberman) June 12, 2023 Kari doesn't do math. There's 330 million people in the US and GrumpyOne got 74 million votes in 2020, but they're not all supporting him now. Kari won't show up because she doesn't want to go to prison like the J6 folks. Kari wants other folks to go to prison. https://t.co/gHzi8BEpdW Jim Cassidy (@JimCassidy48) June 12, 2023 Oh, Kari Lake, the champion of wishful thinking! Now, let's break this down in a way that even the most dedicated devotee of alternative facts can comprehend. The claim that "300 million Americans are now going to rise up to support Trump after this indictment" is...interesting, Niels Groeneveld (@nigroeneveld) June 12, 2023 Kari Lake couldn't get a majority in Arizona to vote for her and she'll get 300 million Americans to follow her into civil war? This woman is bonkers.pic.twitter.com/fR6jfj96U1 Michigan GOP Watch (@MiMagaWatch) June 12, 2023 Kari Lake says 90% of Americans and going to rise up and support a traitor who may have been selling our national secrets. https://t.co/iPG4R8pp58 Khashoggis Ghost (@UROCKlive1) June 12, 2023 Dear @KariLake, 800 million Americans are laughing at you. https://t.co/3SZwhxnI6G Paulette Feeney (@PauletteParis1) June 12, 2023 And Im sure they will bring their NAZI flags this time https://t.co/38OwZ4mvHopic.twitter.com/2nPtgXXjej Laura Quigley (@laura5801) June 12, 2023 I admire Kari Lake so much. If I was as full of shit as she is all the time, Id look way more constipated than she does. https://t.co/6SAKtCUWOM Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) June 12, 2023 Related... People are (rightfully) losing their minds over the fact that Google has a built-in Katamari minigame that lets you roll everything on the page into a tidy ball thatd impress the King of the Cosmos. After searching Katamari in Google, a widget will appear, allowing you to drag a ball over the webpage. Images, words, search bars, and the like then stick to the device, allowing it to grow larger as HTML bits and bobs collect, while the page itself becomes more sparse. Read more The Katamari series, developed by Bandai Namco, are puzzle-action games where you play as the young Prince of All Cosmos as he rolls up a ball of random items from fruit to cats, cars, and more, until he creates a ball large enough to replace the stars in the sky that his tough-love father, The King of the Cosmos, accidentally destroyed. Luckily, Googles Katamari mini-game is more low-stakes than what the Prince is tasked with. Unlike the Katamari games, theres no time limit in Googles minigame and all you have to do is roll a Katamari ball around your screen making it a fun method of procrastination during a long day of work. Kotaku reached out to Google for comment. Its still unclear how when exactly Googles Katamari minigame became a thing, but heres how you can get your roll on. Google Katamari Click the Katamari ball icon on the right-hand side of your screen Use your keyboard arrows (or swipe on your phone screen) and roll to your hearts content (Optional: Play Lonely Rolling Star in the background for maximum immersion) Sorry if youve seen this already but if you search katamari on Google, then tap the katamari bouncing on the right, you can pick up everything on Google WHAT pic.twitter.com/23QTTNl7EM Jim Caddick (@Caddicarus) June 12, 2023 Read More: Katamari Damacy Never Fails To Roll Me Up Into A Ball Of Joy After testing out Googles Katamari minigame (I wont disclose for how long), I can say that it works way better on a computer than on a smartphone because its a pain to scroll to the bottom of the webpage with one finger while trying to roll more items into your growing Katamari ball with the other finger (on a computer, you just need a keyboard to roll around). Also, the Katamari balls response time on a smartphone is way slower than on a computerand if you know anything about Katamari, timing is everything. If all this Google search Katamari-ing has you hankering for the real deal, you can grab We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie, the second Katamari game, which was re-released on the Nintendo Switch on June 2. More from Kotaku Sign up for Kotaku's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Gotham - Getty Images You probably still know Katie Holmes best, even all these years later, from her breakout role as Joey Potter on the classic teen series Dawsons Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003. As youd expect, Dawsons Creek made Holmes rich, but you might also be wondering how much she made during her film career. And you know youre curious about what the 44-year-old pulled in from her divorce settlement with her ex-husband Tom Cruise. Heres a closer look at the net worth of Katie Holmes in 2023. Katie Holmess Dawsons Creek Salary and Film Earnings Dawson was endlessly lurking near his creek for 6 seasons and 128 episodes. And considering the show was a huge hit for much of that time, Holmes made some serious money. According to Celebrity Net Worth, she initially made only $30,000 per episode, but once the show reached peak fame and fandom, she was getting $175,000 per episode. Using season 6, which had 24 episodes, as a quick example, that equates to $4.2 million per season. Assuming Holmes made this much for at least the final three seasons of this show, shes looking at tens of millions for playing the iconic Joey Potter. Holmes has also been in dozens of movies, including Batman Begins, Thank You for Smoking, and Go.Though her per-film rate isnt known publicly, these days, shes getting into production, which is even more lucrative. Katie Holmess Divorce Settlement After Her Breakup With Tom Cruise Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise divorced in 2012, and according to Celebrity Net Worth, she went into the marriage with $10 million, while he went into it with around $250 million. Interestingly, their divorce settlement didnt include spousal support for Holmes. WireImage House - Getty Images Instead, TMZ reported back in 2012 that Cruise would be paying Holmes $400,000 a year in child support until their daughter, Suri, turned 18. (She is now 17.) He also agreed to pay for Suris medical, dental, insurance, education, college and extracurricular costs. At the time of their split, Forbes listed Tom Cruise as the highest paid actor in Hollywood. Yes, Katie Holmes Does the Occasional Sponsored Content The going rate for someone with Holmess following and celeb status is well north of $100,000 these days. Holmes Recently Sold Her Calabasas Mansion for $4 Million Plus, according to the Los Angeles Times, she bought the home for about $3.795 millionso not only does Holmes have some newly acquired liquid cash, but she also made a profit. She also has an apartment (or two?) in New York City, where she spends most of her time with Suri. What Is Katie Holmess Total Net Worth? Thanks to Dawsons Creek, multiple major movies, endorsements, and real estate, Holmes has a net worth of $25 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. For comparison, her Dawsons Creek costar James Van Der Beek's net worth is $8 million, while Joshua Jacksons net worth is also $8 million, and Michelle Williamss net worth is $30 million. You Might Also Like Kayaker vanishes in national park lake after fiancee tries to save him, WA officials say A 37-year-old kayaker disappeared in a Washington lake after his fiancee tried to rescue him, officials said. Travis Valenti of Massapequa, New York, was kayaking with his fiancee at about 2:10 p.m. June 9 in Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, officials said in a June 13 news release. They were close to Log Cabin Resort near Port Angeles. While on the lake, Valentis kayak began filling with water, so he tried to paddle until he could no longer, park officials said. Then he went into the water. His fiancee saw him struggling and tried to save him, but her kayak flipped, officials said. She swam to the shoreline, but Valenti vanished in the water, officials said. Neither person was wearing a life jacket. Resort staff went on the lake with a motorized boat and tried to find him where he was last seen in the water, about a quarter mile from the shore. They couldnt find Valenti. Then rescuers with the Clallam County Fire District 2 spent two hours searching the area for Valenti. They also searched for him the next day and couldnt find him, officials said. Park officials said the lake is a deep and very cold body of water. Sudden immersion into cold water will impact a persons breathing and over time, their ability to move extremities, officials said. They warned swimmers to use a buddy system while in the water and to always wear a life jacket. Port Angeles is about 85 miles northwest of Seattle. 18-year-old drowns at park while swimming with friends, Utah officials say Man vanishes on trip to spread loved ones ashes, Oregon cops say. Now body found Men stranded on capsized boat for 8 hours until captains wife alerts Coast Guard Kelloggs employee shoots, kills co-worker during fight outside plant, Georgia cops say A man called 911 after hes accused of shooting and killing his co-worker outside a Kellogg Bakery in Georgia, police said. Officers arrived just after 10:45 p.m. Monday, June 12, after reports of a shooting at the plant in Rome, the citys police department said in a news release. There they found Keion Tyjuan Harper, 26, shot in the parking lot, police told WAGA. Medics attempted to save him, but he died from his injuries. Investigators said his co-worker, Dekembe Devion Smith, 29, later called 911 and told them he shot Harper. The incident stemmed from a fight between the colleagues and escalated into gunfire, police said. No other injuries were reported. We are deeply saddened by the situation and our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, a Kelloggs spokesperson told McClatchy News in a statement. We are fully cooperating with the police investigation into the incident. Authorities released few details but said the argument had nothing to do with work. Smith was arrested on multiple charges including homicide, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, police said. He remained in the Floyd County Jail without bond as of Tuesday, June 13, online records show. Rome is about 70 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. Customer shoots two bartenders to death as they left work, Washington police say Fight between co-workers leads to deadly shooting at warehouse, Georgia deputies say Home Depot worker shot to death trying to stop accused shoplifter, California cops say A Kentucky man recently won $50,000 off a $5 Cash Plus ticket and is calling his luck an early birthday present. My birthday is a month away, so Im going to call this an early birthday present, Robert Fisher from Campbellsville told Kentucky Lottery officials of his win. Fisher purchased the winning ticket Friday at Prayosha Food Mart on Old Lebanon Road in Campbellsville. He scratched the ticket off in the store, finding out he won the top prize. I looked three or four times and Im saying, that cant be right, Fisher said. My heart skipped about two beats ... I read the front and the back to make sure. The chances of winning any Cash Plus prize are 1 in 3.71, according to Kentucky Lotterys website, with prizes ranging from $5 to the top $50,000 win. Fisher drove to Walmart to cash the ticket after he was told that the prize was too large to cash at the food mart. He then called his daughter, who had her son help Fisher cash the ticket. The grandson told lottery officials when he got the call about the prize, he thought it was a prank. They were like, No, for real, this really happened, Fishers grandson said. Fisher and his grandson cashed the ticket at Kentucky Lottery headquarters that same day. The Campbellsville man collected $35,750 after taxes. The food mart which sold Fisher the ticket will get a $500 reward. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700. Do you have a question about the lottery 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. Getty Images Kenyas opposition politicians recently called for secession which is the withdrawal of territory and sovereignty from part of an existing state to create a new state. Led by Raila Odinga, who received 48.8% of the presidential vote in Kenyas 2022 election, the politicians want the country split into two republics to create a new state for Kenyans unhappy with President William Rutos leadership. Calls for secession are not a new political phenomenon in Kenya. Even before the territory gained independence from Britain in 1963, some Kenyan Somalis had sought to secede and join neighbouring Somalia. And the Mombasa Republican Council, established in the 1990s, has called for an independent state for the coastal people, citing their marginalisation. Opposition groups also made secession calls after Kenyas 2007-08 post-election violence. These calls were repeated in the run-up to the elections in 2013. Then in 2017, a bill tabled in parliament proposed creating a Peoples Republic of Kenya from 40 of the countrys current 47 counties. Geographically, this new republic would retain nearly 87% of Kenyas population and 97% of the land mass, leaving behind a nation that would not be economically viable. Secessionist movements around the world usually result from the belief by some groups within a region or state that they arent able to exercise their right to self-determination. This is their right to determine their own future, political status and independence, according to the UN. Self-determination can be external or internal: full independence from other states, or access to political and social rights within a state. The two kinds are related. When governments fail to guarantee internal self-determination, affected groups may seek secession, or external self-determination. The politicians calling for secession in Kenya argue that some Kenyans have been systematically deprived of the right to participate in the countrys government and economy. Read more: Kenya's Muslims: a divided community with little political clout Aggrieved groups may seek to form their own independent sovereign state, like the Biafrans of Nigeria did between 1967 and 1970. Or they may seek to join another independent state, as the Somalis of Kenya did in the 1960s. In my view as a legal scholar and economist who has studied the political economy in Africa for close to two decades, any group in Kenya that unilaterally declares independence is unlikely to find support on the continent. Additionally, Kenyan politicians have yet to prove that aggrieved groups have been systematically denied the right to participate in the government and the economy in meaningful ways. Colonial borders The African Union has been against secession since it was first established as the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. The organisation refused to intervene in the Nigerian civil war sparked by the Biafran secession of 1967, calling it an internal affair. And in Mali, in response to the declaration of the independent state of Azawad by northern Tuaregs in 2012, the union rejected this, terming it null and of no value whatsoever. The unions chairperson at the time, Jean Ping, emphasised the fundamental principle of the intangibility of borders inherited by African countries at their accession to independence. This echoes Article 4(b) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. It states that the continental organisation shall respect the borders that existed at independence. The act also calls on the union to defend the territorial integrity of its member states. This presents it with a dilemma when it comes to addressing secessionist movements. The answer to this dilemma is for the African Union to establish a legal mechanism for recognising legitimate struggles for secession. These include struggles that offer a remedy for grave and systematic injustices. Read more: A breakdown of Biafra separatism, and where Kanu fits into the picture This was seen in South Sudan in 2011. The South Sudanese people based their push to secede on the argument that since independence in 1956, Khartoum had systematically marginalised them and denied them the right to pursue their political, economic and social development within a united Sudan. At the end of a brutal civil war (1985 to 2005), the warring parties signed a peace agreement. It granted southerners the option to pursue self-determination. Sudan approved of South Sudans independence push. National governments can also establish constitutional processes that allow aggrieved groups to peacefully and constitutionally petition for separation. This has been done in the UK and Canada. Such constitutional mechanisms can encourage aggrieved groups to seek internal instead of external self-determination. While secession can involve the use of force as it did in Biafra and South Sudan it can also be achieved through peaceful means. Scotlands ongoing bid to become independent of Britain is a case in point. Kenyas obstacles Secession by Kenyas aggrieved groups or peoples is unlikely to succeed as it faces four major obstacles. First, as is clear from the African Unions Constitutive Act, any move to interfere with Kenyas territorial integrity is unlikely to be supported by the organisation. Second, its not likely that the post-secession state will gain the approval of the UN Security Council and then that of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly to be admitted to the UN. This is largely because the secessionists have not yet made a credible case for splitting Kenya into two states. Read more: Ghana's secessionist conflict has its genesis in colonialism: it's time to reflect Third, secession as envisioned by Kenyas opposition will create two states, one of which is not likely to be economically viable. This could lead to a civil war. Fourth, the 2010 constitution devolved power from the central government in Nairobi in favour of local communities in 47 regions. This significantly improved the ability of various groups to govern themselves and participate in their own economic, social and cultural development. Politicians and aggrieved groups need to exercise the right to self-determination through this decentralised governance process. Through it, they can help create a participatory, inclusive and development-oriented government and economy in a united Kenya. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: John Mukum Mbaku, Weber State University. Read more: John Mukum Mbaku does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The News KERICHO, Kenya Kenyan tea pickers are destroying machines brought in to replace them during violent protests that highlight the challenge faced by workers as more agribusiness companies rely on automation to cut costs. At least 10 tea-plucking machines have been torched in multiple flashpoints in the past year, according to local media reports. Recent demonstrations have left one protester dead and several injured, including 23 police officers and farm workers. The Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) estimated the cost of damaged machinery at $1.2 million (170 million Kenyan shillings) after nine machines belonging to Ekaterra, makers of the top-selling tea brand Lipton, were destroyed in May. In March, a local government taskforce recommended that tea companies in Kericho, the countrys largest tea-growing town, adopt a new 60:40 ratio of mechanized tea harvesting to hand-plucking. The taskforce also wants legislation passed to limit importation of tea harvesting machines. Nicholas Kirui, a member of the taskforce and former CEO of KTGA, told Semafor Africa 30,000 jobs had been lost to mechanization in Kericho county alone over the past decade. "We did public participation in all the wards and with all the different groups, and the overwhelming sentiment we were hearing was that the machines should go," Kirui said. Know More In 2021, Kenya exported tea worth $1.2 billion, making it the third-largest tea exporter globally, behind China and Sri Lanka. Multinationals including Browns Investments, George Williamson and Ekaterra which was sold by Unilever to a private equity firm in July 2022 plant on an estimated 200,000 acres in Kericho and have all adopted mechanized harvesting. Some machines can reportedly replace 100 workers. Ekaterra's corporate affairs director in Kenya, Sammy Kirui, told Semafor Africa that mechanization was critical to the companys operations and the global competitiveness of Kenyan tea. As the government taskforce established, one machine can bring the cost of harvesting tea down to 3 cents (4 Kenyan shillings) per kilogram from 11 cents (15.32 shillings) per kilogram with hand-plucking. Analysts partly attribute Kenya's unemployment rate the highest in East Africa to automation in industries, including banking and insurance. Some 13.9% of working age Kenyans (over 16) were out of work or long term unemployed in the final quarter of 2022. Martin's view Automation is only going to continue at a breakneck speed, not just in rural Kenya but other sectors in nations across Africa particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more common. Rage in tea-picking regions could just be an early sign of future tensions if governments and companies dont find ways to help workers. The majority of pickers are young, many are women, and they often lack the opportunities and skills to thrive outside the tea sector. Retraining farm workers, as well as creating more jobs and diversifying economies in tea-growing communities, will be key to countering violence and growing anger. "My ministry is keen on opening up the labor market to boost employment opportunities for Kenyans," Labor Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore said during a trip to Kericho, days after the latest wave of attacks in May. She added that efforts were under way to resolve the dispute between locals and tea companies. The private sector can also play a role in retraining workers. Kirui told me Ekaterra is keen on partnering with local communities on projects including technical and vocational education and training centers (TVETs). Mechanization makes business sense for tea producers and they are unlikely to ditch tea-harvesting machines that lower their costs. But the trend is likely to continue hurting rural communities where farm workers are central to economic activity. Workers and residents will continue to oppose these changes because they lack alternative employment options. The View From China China is the world's largest tea exporter. In a paper calling for more efficient mechanization of tea harvesting in China, published in March, Wu Luofa of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering at the Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Science noted that manual tea picking accounts for more than half of the cost of tea production. "Developing and popularizing tea-picking machines is beneficial to increase labor productivity, reduce labor cost, enhance the market competitiveness of tea products and promote the sustainable development of the tea industry," he said. Room for Disagreement Adopting technology and mechanization is key to unlocking the potential of agriculture across Africa and should therefore be embraced, despite the frustrations of some workers, according to Tabitha Njuguna, managing director of African commodities exchange AFEX in Kenya. "We find that potential disruptions caused by the integration of technology and mechanization can seem initially threatening, however, it is important for all stakeholders (agricultural organizations, farmers, processors) involved to see these as increasingly imminent and unavoidable," she told Semafor Africa. Notable Russian ambassador says U.S. sanctions pose major obstacle to Syria's rebuilding Xinhua) 09:27, June 13, 2023 DAMASCUS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Efimov said on Monday that the U.S. sanctions on Syria are posing a major obstacle in the war-torn country's reconstruction. In remarks to the local online al-Watan newspaper, Efimov hailed the recent restoration of relations between Syria and other Arab countries, mainly Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, but said the economic cooperation is stranded by the persistent U.S. sanctions. "These sanctions still constitute a major obstacle to the full participation of the countries of the region in the reconstruction of Syria," he said, calling on the West to lift all "illegal measures of financial pressure and extortion." The ambassador said he hoped other countries in the Middle East help stop the "inhuman policy" as soon as possible. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Kevin McCarthy gave a bewildering defence of former President Donald Trump storing classified documents in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom, noting that bathroom doors have locks. The speaker was asked by a reporter on Monday if it was a good look for Mr Trump to have boxes of documents in his bathroom. In images released by the Department of Justice, the boxes can be seen in a bathroom with a chandelier. I dont know, Mr McCarthy said. Is it a good picture to have boxes in a garage that opens up all the time? A bathroom door locks. The speaker was referencing the ongoing investigation into documents found at President Joe Bidens home in Delaware. Some of the files were stored in his garage. [You] have a lot of these documents behind a Corvette in a garage with the door wide open, he added. Youve got a son of, Hunter Biden, who knows who he had there, in and out. Classified documents were found at the home of Mr Biden in addition to his office, but the case leading to the Department of Justice indicting Mr Trump is focused on his attempts to avoid giving back the documents and hindering the departments investigation. Unlike Mr Trump, Mr Biden and his legal team are reported to have made the government aware of the documents and have since cooperated with the authorities. Mr Trump has been charged with violating the Espionage Act, and the 37 counts hes facing also include charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing a record or document, and concealing a document in a federal investigation. The authorities have said that they also found evidence that Mr Trump showed sensitive information to people not authorised to see it. In a recording from July 2021, Mr Trump takes part in a meeting during which he discussed a document that he said was highly confidential. Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this, Mr Trump said at the time. See as president I could have declassified it Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret, he added. Mr Trump has since claimed that everything about the boxes was so neat, orderly, and clean, but the images shared by DoJ indicate that the boxes werent stored in secure locations, such as the bathroom and a Mar-a-Lago ballroom. By Fatos Bytyci PRISTINA (Reuters) -Kosovo's prime minister on Tuesday presented a plan to defuse tensions in its Serb-majority north that would include fresh local elections and cuts in special police, bowing to pressure from key Western supporters of its independence. But the arrest the same day of a Serb identified by the Kosovo Albanian interior minister as an organiser of assaults on NATO peacekeepers during Serb unrest last month stirred fresh anger in the volatile region. Around 200 Serbs gathered in North Mitrovica to protest against the arrest, with Kosovo Albanian police in anti-riot gear standing a few hundred metres away. U.S. soldiers with the KFOR peacekeeping force were also in the vicinity. During the operation to arrest Milun Milenkovic, three Kosovo Albanian policemen were lightly injured, Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said on his Facebook page. Some 30 peacekeepers and 52 Serbs were injured in the clashes late last month after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following a local election in which turnout was just 3.5% after Serbs who form a majority in the region boycotted the vote. The United States and European Union have called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to withdraw the mayors, remove special police used to install them and uphold a 2013 deal for an association of autonomous Serb municipalities in the region. Kurti said that "violent (Serb) groups have been withdrawn from Kosovo territory (and therefore) the presence of Kosovo police troops in three municipal buildings will be downsized". The government of the Republic of Kosovo will coordinate with all the actors and announce early elections in four municipalities in the north," Kurti told a press conference after meeting ambassadors of the United States, Italy, France, Germany and Britain, known as the Quint group. He said he had presented his plan to EU and U.S. envoys and called for a follow-up meeting between Serbian and Kosovo officials in Brussels, where the EU is based. Kurti said nothing about setting up the association of Serb municipalities which would ensure greater autonomy for the Serb majority area. He has been loath to implement the accord, citing fears that it would spur the region to seek to rejoin Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic urged Kosovo last week to grant more autonomy to Serbs before organising a new vote. The head of the Serbian government office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, said that by arresting Milenkovic for organising protests, "Kurti has shown he is only interested in conflict". Kosovo declared internationally recognised independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after an uprising by the 90% ethnic Albanian majority against repressive Serbian rule. NATO bombing drove out Serbian security forces but Belgrade continues to regard Kosovo only as its southern province. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; editing by Ivana Sekularac and Mark Heinrich) Kryvyi Rih death toll grows to 11 after Russian missile strike, one dead in Kherson Oblast shelling Consequences of the night attack in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast The body of another victim was found under the rubble, he said. The search and rescue operation has been completed, while rescue teams continue to disassemble the structures, Lysak added. Meanwhile, Russia shelled the village of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast with artillery, killing a 72-year-old priest in his own yard. The Russian shelling also injured a 76-year-old woman, as well as damaging four residential buildings, a post office, administrative buildings, the central square, and critical infrastructure facilities, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, reported on Telegram. REUTERS/Alina Smutko Russian invaders shelled the village of Kizomys in Kherson Oblast, damaging at least four houses though with no civilian casualties, the regional local military administration said. Read also: REUTERS/Alina Smutko Viktor Tolstov, who died in Kryvyi Rih as a result of a Russian missile attack rudana.com.ua REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko 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 in Mt. Sterling are investigating after many Ku Klux Klan flyers were found in vehicles in areas of Montgomery County Sunday, but the incident is unlikely to be considered a hate crime under state law. The flyers were found in multiple neighborhoods, and police said other Kentucky cities had reported finding similar material. Aaron Noel, a sergeant for the police department, said a suspect has been identified and charges of criminal littering are pending in district court. Noel also said its believed that other people were involved in spreading the flyers because other communities in Paris and Winchester reported seeing similar material. A hate crime report is not expected to be filed in this investigation, according to Noel. There was no implied threats in the flyers, just views and beliefs, which again is protected by the First Amendment, Noel said. That doesnt really fall under anything the Kentucky statute has right now. Kentuckys hate crime law only allows for specific offenses to be upgraded in court. Heres what to know about how the law works. Details of Kentuckys hate crime law Kentuckys hate crime law says a judge could determine a suspect committed a hate crime if they were motivated by any of several factors: race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national origin of the victim. A person could also be accused of committing a hate crime if they target a persons actual or perceived employment as a state, city, county or federal peace officer, member of an organized fire department or emergency medical services personnel. Several offenses can be elevated as a hate crime under state law, including assault, menacing, first-degree wanton endangerment, criminal abuse, unlawful imprisonment, rape, sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree criminal mischief, criminal use of noxious substances, arson, riot, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, harassment and harassing communications, according to the statute. Being convicted of a hate crime has no effect on prison sentences in Kentucky, but a judge does make a written record of the fact on the court record. The judge could also consider the fact when deciding whether to deny probation, shock probation, conditional discharge or other forms of reducing or eliminating or reducing a suspects prison time. The states parole board could also determine the fact of a hate crime when making decisions on parole, according to the statute. How often are hate crimes reported in Kentucky? There were 130 incidents of hate crimes in Kentucky in 2021, according to the most recent data published online by the FBI. Seventy-six of those incidents involved race, ethnicity or ancestry bias, followed by 28 incidents of sexual orientation bias. The Lexington Police Department investigated 10 instances of hate crime in 2021, eight of which stemmed from race, ethnicity or ancestry bias, according to the database. Fayette County Public Schools police also investigated three instances of hate crimes. Price faced scrutiny over votes tied to his wife. He's now charged over subsequent votes Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price was charged with 10 counts of embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest on Tuesday, becoming the latest in a years-long parade of elected city officials to face public corruption allegations from state or federal prosecutors. Price, a 10-year veteran of the City Council, is accused of having a financial interest in development projects that he voted on, and receiving tens of thousands of dollars in medical benefits from the city for his now wife while he was still married to another woman, according to a statement issued by the L.A. County district attorney's office. He was charged with five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury and two counts of conflict of interest, according to a criminal complaint made public Tuesday. The district attorney's office alleges that Prices wife, Del Richardson Price founder of the consulting company Del Richardson & Associates received "payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before he voted to approve projects." The perjury charges stem from accusations that Price failed to list income Richardson Price received on government financial disclosure forms, according to the release. "Curren Price is a long-standing public servant who has given his life to the city of Los Angeles," Price spokesperson Angelina Valencia said Tuesday. "He looks forward to defending himself once hes had an opportunity to address these charges." Price's attorney, Dave Willingham, declined to comment, saying he had not seen the complaint. Price left the City Council chamber shortly after Tuesday's meeting ended around 2 p.m. The case was launched by the district attorney's bureau of investigation. It was unclear how long the office had been mulling over charges. "This alleged conduct undermines the integrity of our government and erodes the public's trust in our elected officials, Dist. Atty. George Gascon said in a statement. The charges come four years after a Times investigation found Price had repeatedly cast votes that affected housing developers and other firms listed as clients of his wifes consulting company. City Council President Paul Krekorian said Tuesday evening that he will move to suspend Price during Wednesday's council meeting. Krekorian intends for the matter to also be heard in a committee before returning to the full council, meaning it will probably take several days before a final decision is reached. Price said earlier Tuesday that he would step down as the council's president pro tempore, the body's No. 2 spot, as well as from his committee assignments. "While I navigate through the judicial system to defend my name against unwarranted charges filed against me, the last thing I want to do is be a distraction to the people's business," Price said in a letter to Paul Krekorian. Price had been president pro tempore since late October. The role dictates that he lead council meetings when Krekorian is absent, as was the case for much of Tuesday's meeting. Price is the fourth current or former council member to face criminal charges in four years. Tuesday's filing brought fresh disruption to City Hall, where staffers described a sense of deja vu. Prices colleagues will probably face pressure to suspend him pending trial, given that the council voted twice in the last three years to suspend other members facing criminal charges. The charges are the latest in a string of criminal allegations and scandals that have rocked City Hall. Last year, the leak of a conversation among City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera containing racist remarks ended Martinez's council career and drove Herrera from his post. This year, Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas was found guilty of conspiracy, bribery and fraud for extracting benefits for his son from USC while voting on issues that benefited the school. Councilmembers Mitch Englander and Jose Huizar also pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in recent years after an FBI investigation. Price was one of several City Hall figures mentioned in the FBI inquiry after he was named in a federal search warrant filed in November 2018. Federal prosecutors never brought charges against him. A date has not been set for Price's arraignment, and he is not going to be arrested, according to the district attorney's office spokesperson. According to the complaint, Del Richardson & Associates received six checks from companies either incorporated or co-owned by affordable housing developers whom Price later voted to fund projects for or sell city property to. In 2021, Price voted to slash the price of a property sold to GTM Holdings from nearly $1 million to $440,000 six months after a company incorporated by GTM Holdings wrote a check to his wife's firm for about $51,000, court records show. In 2019, according to the complaint, Price voted to fund a $4.6-million real estate project involving developer Thomas Safran & Associates after his wife's firm received checks totaling about $35,000 from a company incorporated by Safran. Reached by phone Tuesday, Safran told The Times, "I don't know anything about it. I do know Del Richardson." Before ending the call, he said, "I'm not even talking now. I'm sorry, bye." Price is also accused of bilking the city out of roughly $33,000 in medical premiums by listing Richardson Price as his wife on city forms from 2013 to 2017, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege he used public funds to pay for her healthcare despite the fact that he was still legally married to Lynn Suzette Green. The council member and Richardson Price did not legally marry until 2018, records show. Price was absent from a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games that he was supposed to chair Tuesday afternoon. After the council meeting, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield characterized the news as shocking and depressing and concerning but said he still didnt know the specifics of the case. Of course, the bringing of charges is going to diminish the already damaged faith in the integrity of the city government, Blumenfield said. Theres no question. It was a sentiment echoed by former City Ethics Commission President Jessica Levinson, who said the charges filed against Price will flush public trust down the toilet, to the extent its not already in the sewer." Concerns about Price voting on contracts involving companies that had done business with Richardson Price's firm were previously raised in 2019 when The Times reported that he voted on decisions involving at least 10 companies in the same years they were listed as providing at least $10,000 in income to Del Richardson & Associates. Despite the public alarm, the criminal complaint says, Price continued taking part in such votes. All of the criminal conduct alleged to involve Del Richardson & Associates took place between September 2019 at least four months after the initial Times report and June 2021. Del Richardson & Associates offers a wide array of services, including relocation assistance, marketing, job recruiting and more, according to its website. Its clients include government agencies such as the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Jordan Downs, a housing project overseen by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, according to the website. In 2019, a Price spokesperson said that neither the council member nor his wife had benefited financially from the votes initially identified by The Times. The spokesperson also said Price has never cast a vote thinking of his or his wifes financial interest. California law bars any public official from making or participating in any governmental decision in which he knows or has reason to know he has a financial interest. It's unclear what Richardson Price's status is with Del Richardson & Associates. It was acquired in recent years by a nonprofit, according to the company's website and Price's financial disclosure forms, which show that Del Richardson & Associates was sold to the Greenwood Seneca Foundation between February 2021 and February 2022. Richardson Price still received a salary from Del Richardson & Associates in 2022 for consultant work, according to Price's financial disclosure forms. In 2017, the district attorneys office confirmed to The Times that the office was reviewing a complaint filed over Prices two marriages. That year, questions were raised about whether Price had divorced Green before marrying Richardson Price. More than four decades ago, Price married Green in Annandale, Va. He sought a divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2006 and refiled the action in 2011. However, it wasnt clear in 2017 whether the 2011 divorce had gone through. At the time, a spokesperson for Price said the council member was under the impression that the divorce had occurred. A campaign spokesperson for Price said in 2017 that Price was married to Richardson Price. Price's marriage to Green was not dissolved until February 2018, and he did not legally marry Richardson Price until May 2018, according to the criminal complaint made public Tuesday, which references court record numbers for both the marriage and the divorce. Richardson Price didnt immediately respond to an email Tuesday from The Times about the charges against her husband. The scandal-marred City Council had regained tenuous stability in recent months, but Prices charges will probably upend that relative calm. The immediate question will be whether Price, whose term is not set to expire until 2026, remains on the council as he fights the charges. He was first elected to the council in 2013 to represent neighborhoods in South Los Angeles and the area around downtown's L.A. Live. If suspended, Price would be unable to attend council and committee meetings, execute contracts, use discretionary funds or engage in constituent services. His constituents would also be left without a voting representative. Price would permanently lose his seat if he is convicted of a felony under city rules. Times staff writers Emily Alpert Reyes and Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Red Flag F-35 The Pentagons latest plan for the F-35 stealth fighter includes putting a stop on deliveries this summer while it holds out for production jets with the required Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3 hardware to support a range of future improvements. You can read all about TR-3 and how it is critical to the F-35's future here and here. The much-delayed TR-3 upgrade is critical to supporting the Block 4 modernization for the Joint Strike Fighter. However, it seems that past woes with concurrency the combined development and production process in which F-35s are manufactured before all features have been completely tested or vetted are driving this approach. It remains to be seen what kind of impact it could have on the timeline for the stealth jet, which is the Department of Defenses most expensive weapon system ever. An F-35A stealth jet on a test sortie out of Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin Next month, the Pentagon plans to stop accepting some newly built F-35s as they come off the production line at Lockheed Martins Fort Worth facility in Texas, in a development first reported by Breaking Defense. The reason given is the immaturity of the TR-3 hardware. Instead of being delivered to their units, dozens of the jets will be stored, temporarily, at Fort Worth. It could take until spring 2024 before issues with TR-3 are ironed out and the jets can finally be handed over. The first production jets with TR-3 began to take shape in February and these airframes are expected to be completed before the end of July. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) confirmed to Defense News that the TR-3 delays mean that newly built fighters will be stored in the meantime. Starting later this summer, F-35 aircraft coming off the production line with TR-3 hardware will not be accepted until relevant combat capability is validated in accordance with our users expectations, JPO spokesman Russ Goemaere said. The JPO and Lockheed Martin will ensure these aircraft are safely and securely stored until [acceptance] occurs. An F-35A from the test fleet at Edwards Air Force Base, California. U.S. Air Force While TR-3-equipped F-35s will go into temporary storage, those with the previous TR-2 hardware will continue to be delivered as normal. Unclear at this point is how many F-35s will be affected. Defense News reports that Lockheed says its too early to say how many F-35s might have to be stored, and the company didnt comment on the original plan for TR-3 production numbers this year. In total, however, including TR-2 and TR-3 configurations, Lockheed was planning to deliver around 150 F-35s in 2023. Lockheed on Monday said that it has so far delivered more than 45 F-35s this year, with about 50 more TR-2 F-35s now under construction. The F-35 production line at Fort Worth. Lockheed Martin As we have discussed in the past, TR-3 is intended to significantly enhance the F-35s core processor, memory unit, and associated avionics. With these changes, the jet will be better able to support the multiple new capabilities planned under the upcoming Block 4 modernization program, which will include a brand-new radar. The first F-35 with TR-3 upgrades installed a specially instrumented flight test aircraft took to the air for its maiden flight on January 6 this year, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Glowing cockpit instrumentation of an F-35. Photo by In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images TR-3 was already delayed, having been planned to be delivered starting in April this year. Under current plans, the U.S. military will only start to receive new F-35s with TR-3 once all development testing is completed. https://twitter.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1668603667652710400?s=20 Once TR-3 is proven, then the F-35 will be ready to undergo Block 4 modernization. Among others, Block 4 will allow the jets to carry a larger variety of precision weapons, will greatly enhance its electronic warfare capability, and provide better target recognition. In the best-case scenario, TR-3 could be declared ready in December of this year, although it could take until April 2024 12 months later than previously expected. Last year, the Government Accountability Office reported that challenges in the development of TR-3 increased the cost of the overall Block 4 modernization effort by $330 million in 2021 and contributed to program delays. In its announcement of the first flight test sortie with TR-3 in January, the JPO said, The TR-3 program has overcome technical complexity challenges with hardware and software and is now on track to deliver capability. Earlier this year, F-35 program executive officer Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt told the House Armed Services subcommittee on tactical air and land forces that the development of TR-3s hardware was lagging behind, with a knock-on effect on the production schedule. Although Lt. Gen. Schmidt said there had been improvements made, including to reliability, software integration remained a problem. Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt addresses the House Armed Services subcommittee on tactical air and land forces. His comments about the F-35 program start at around 1:02:00 mark in the runtime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXmyrBHmPN4 While a pause on F-35 deliveries may make sense in the long run, in terms of the Pentagon receiving jets that have relevant combat capability, it hardly comes as good news for a program that has already seen two production stops in the space of a year. Last September, F-35 deliveries were placed on hold after officials learned that a component contained materials produced by China, something you can read more about here. The component, a magnet used in F-35 turbomachine pumps, does not transmit information or harm the integrity of the aircraft and there are no performance, quality, safety, or security risks associated with this issue, the JPO said in a statement at the time. After a security review, deliveries resumed in October. Then, last December, deliveries came to a halt after pre-delivery acceptance flights were paused. This was in response to a December 15 accident at Fort Worth involving a pre-delivery F-35B, later found to be the result of an engine vibration problem. Deliveries resumed again after a fix was introduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdSVMgay0MI Now, as it stands, its unclear how many F-35s will be affected by the latest pause in deliveries. In the best-case scenario, based on Lockheeds estimation that TR-3 testing could be complete in December this year, that will leave a portion of the jets in storage for at least around five months. In the more pessimistic scenario, based on the JPOs expectation that TR-3 might not be ready until next April, then some of the stealth jets will be stored for around nine months. Either way, its a a major setback based on the previous plans of having TR-3-equipped jets delivered to the customer in April 2023. There could also be further setbacks head. In March this year, senior U.S. military officials discussed the F135 engines limitations while outlining a plan to pursue an Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) effort before members of a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. The U.S. military sees planned engine upgrades for all the variants of the F-35 as critical since the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofans that power all of the aircraft have been under spec since the beginning, according to the JPO. This means the engines are routinely operated at higher-than-expected temperatures, leading to an increased maintenance and logistics burden, and reducing the F-35s overall readiness rates. F135 engines. Pratt & Whitney The Engine Core Upgrade is of particular relevance for TR-3 and Block 4, as well. Both these efforts demand additional electrical power and have increased cooling needs, something that the ECU is intended to address via its power and thermal management system (PTMS) improvements. In a report last month on the F-35s cost growth and engine modernization, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that The program assessed some engine and cooling improvement options, but it has not fully defined the requirements for how much future cooling the aircraft will need. The report added that the Pentagon hasnt taken some important steps, such as fully assessing the costs and technical risks of the different [engine and cooling system] options. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMBGyYk3gY The GAO recommended that Congress should consider directing the F-35 program to manage the engine modernization as a separate program. GAO added this matter for Congress because [the Department of Defense] has not committed to a separate engine program consistent with GAOs recommendation. Most recently, it emerged that the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps may all end up choosing different cooling upgrades for their F-35s after a plan emerged under which they would draft their own requirements. That would inevitably drive up costs and likely increase the potential for further delays. So, while the status of the Engine Core Upgrade is critical for the F-35 in general, delays with it could have a very significant impact on the already delayed TR-3 program, as well as the Block 4 modernization that, in turn, relies upon it. Ultimately, ensuring the F-35 has an engine that fulfills performance parameters, especially when demands for electronic power and cooling are growing, could even end up being a bigger issue than the latest delivery pause, due to come into effect this summer. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com WASHINGTON The House Armed Services Committee wants to put restrictions on the Space Forces plan to buy a 12th wideband communications satellite from Boeing until the service certifies whether its needs could be met by commercial providers. The provision, included in the committees draft fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act released June 12, would bar the service from buying the Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft until the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisitions and integration provides such confirmation. The committee will vote on the bill June 21. The Space Force never requested funding for the WGS satellite; the finances came from a congressional add-on of $442 million to the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The service has 10 WGS satellites in orbit, and Boeing plans to deliver an 11th by 2024. The systems provide voice, data and video communications for operators around the world, and WGS-11 will have twice the capability of its predecessors, increasing the coverage it provides to operators. At the same time, the Space Force is working with Boeing and Northrop Grumman to develop a new military communication satellite payload, dubbed Protected Tactical SATCOM, thats focused on improving anti-jamming capabilities. Both companies payloads are expected to fly in demonstrations in 2024. This isnt the first time Congress has pushed back on the services plans for military satellite communications and WGS in particular. The constellation was expected to feature 10 satellites, but in 2018 lawmakers added $600 million for two more. In 2019, the Air Force which oversaw military space programs prior to the creation of the Space Force awarded Boeing a $605 million contract for the more capable 11th satellite, but did not announce plans to buy a 12th spacecraft. Reporting delay Elsewhere in the committees draft bill, lawmakers want to limit the travel budget of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb until his office submits two key reports Congress requested in FY22: one on classified programs managed by the Space Force and a second reviewing the Defense Departments overarching space policy. The committee also shared broader concerns that Plumbs office has been unresponsive to congressional reporting requirements. Congress established the office of Assistant Secretary for Space Policy in 2019 at the same time as the Space Force was established, the bill stated. Despite elevating the position, the office has repeatedly not responded to mandates by Congress for unclassified reports on space policy issues. WASHINGTON Lawmakers are seeking to compel a resistant U.S. administration to provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine as it fends off Russia. In the House Armed Services Committee chairmans mark of the fiscal 2024 defense policy bill, the committee calls for not less than $80.0 million be used for the procurement of [ATACMS] for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the draft legislation released June 12, the committee wants the defense secretary to brief congressional defense committees by the end of the year on the availability of ATACMS for Ukraine and on progress using Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding to buy them. The Lockheed Martin-made ballistic missile has been in service since 1991 and has a range of 300 kilometers. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for ATACMS and President Joe Biden has come under pressure from lawmakers to send them. But the Biden administration has said its concerned that sending ATACMS could deplete U.S. stockpiles and that theres potential theyd be used to strike Russian territory, despite Kyivs promises to only deploy them in Ukraine. Im not in the business of making announcements about what the department or the government is going to provide to Ukraine, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said during a June 13 media briefing at the Pentagon when asked about the proposed legislation. But I dont think that theres been a change in thinking in this building about ATACMS, she added. Most of Congress really wants to support Ukraine and I think has been pushing the department and the administration to lean into that as much as possible, but I dont think that theres a new view on ATACMS at this point. According to a senior HASC aide not authorized to speak on the record, the provision would call for newly produced ATACMS, not ones from existing U.S. stockpiles. Lockheed Martin most recently received a fiscal 2020 contract for ATACMS worth $426 million, according to the contractors website. Eight other countries have already received the missile: Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Greece, South Korea, Romania and Poland. Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Morocco, and Taiwan have either ordered or have been approved to buy ATACMS through foreign military sales over the last several years. The ATACMS can be fired from a High Mobility Artillery Rockets System, or HIMARS, launcher, which is already in use in Ukraine, and a M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS. Leader of Belarus says he wouldn't hesitate to use Russian nuclear weapons to repel aggression Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speak during their meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the resort city of Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 9, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) MOSCOW (AP) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko declared Tuesday that his country had already received some of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons and warned that he wouldnt hesitate to order their use if Belarus faced an act of aggression. The brash comments from Lukashenko contradicted earlier statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Russian nuclear weapons would be deployed to Belarus next month and emphasized that they would remain under Moscow's exclusive control. Earlier this year, Putin announced the planned deployment of short-range nuclear weapons to Moscow's neighbor and ally Belarus in a move widely seen as a warning to the West as it stepped up military support for Ukraine. During his meeting Friday with Lukashenko, Putin said work on building facilities for the weapons would be completed by July 7-8, and they would be moved to Belarusian territory quickly after that. Lukashenko said Tuesday that everything is ready for the Russian nuclear weapons deployment, adding that it could take just a few days for us to get what we had asked for and even a bit more. Asked later by a Russian state TV host whether Belarus had already received some of the weapons, Lukashenko responded coyly by saying: Not all of them, little by little. We have got the missiles and bombs from Russia, he said, adding that the Russian nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus are three times more powerful than the U.S. atomic bombs that were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. "God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons today, but there would be no hesitation if we face an aggression, Lukashenko, known for his blustering statements, said in comments released by his office earlier Tuesday. Speaking later Tuesday in remarks broadcast by Russian state TV, he clarified that he would consult with Putin before using any of the weapons. Listen, if a war starts, do you think I will look around? he said. I pick up the phone, and wherever he is, he picks it up, Lukashenko said in a reference to Putin. If he calls, I pick it up any time. It's no problem at all to coordinate launching a strike." Russian officials had no immediate comment on Lukashenko's remarks. Lukashenko emphasized that it was he who had asked Putin to deploy Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus. He argued that the move was necessary to deter a potential aggression. I believe no one would be willing to fight a country that has those weapons," Lukashenko said. "Those are weapons of deterrence. Tactical nuclear weapons are intended to destroy enemy troops and weapons on the battlefield. They have a relatively short range and a much lower yield than nuclear warheads fitted to intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of obliterating whole cities. Lukashenko said that Belarus didn't need the deployment of Russia's strategic nuclear weapons to its territory. Am I going to fight America? No, he said. He added, however, that Belarus was readying facilities for intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles as well, just in case. Along with Ukraine and Kazakhstan, Belarus hosted a significant share of Soviet nuclear arsenals when they were all part of the Soviet Union. Those weapons were withdrawn to Russia after the 1991 Soviet collapse under a deal sponsored by the U.S. Russia didnt say how many of its tactical nuclear weapons would be sent to Belarus. The U.S. government believes Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, which include bombs that can be carried by aircraft, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery rounds. Russia used Belarus territory to send its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and has kept forces and weapons on the territory of its ally. Lukashenko said Tuesday that Belarus would bolster production of unguided rockets for multiple rocket launchers Lukashenko, who has been in power for 29 years, has relied on Russias political and economic support to survive months of protests, mass arrests and Western sanctions following an election in 2020 that kept him in power but was widely seen at home and abroad as rigged. When detention officer recruits walk into the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office training facility on their first day, a proclamation above the doorway greets them. Through these doors walk the worlds best employees, vinyl stickers spell out on the glass of the Spector Drive academy 10 minutes north of uptown. Inside, recruits also take heed not to kick crumbling crown molding off the wall. Sergeants extinguish fires in shooting ranges where exposed electrical wires are vulnerable to the leaky roof. New recruits memorize the oath of office beside urinals in the holding room of a former jail. They use the drawers of old inmate bunk beds as makeshift lockers. Sheriff Garry McFadden says he and sheriffs before him pleaded for a new training facility. And the facility drawing concerns would be the perfect location for a new training site, three Mecklenburg trainers told The Charlotte Observer. But the sheriffs department running the largest county detention center in North Carolina doesnt have money to demolish and rebuild, and it wont in the next fiscal year either. Sgt. C. Anderson holds a broken cable the pulls targets downrange in Firing Range B at the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office Training Academy in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Khadejeh Nikouyeh/Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com Weapons trainer and shooting range manager Sgt. Corell Anderson put it bluntly: Its an embarrassment. The 350,000 rounds fired annually leave holes in concrete walls and the metallic smell of gunpowder in the air. Falling soundproof foam, a hanging cable and splintering wood beams are courtesy of the more than 500 recruits, detention officers, federal and IRS agents who use the 20-year-old range annually, Anderson said. The firing range is the highest liability area here. When there are officer-involved shootings ... the first question asked is, Were they properly trained? Anderson said. If we dont have the proper tools and the proper equipment to train them, then how are they going to get properly trained? If we cant get a new facility, at least get this facility fixed. Capt. Marissa Hudley, head of training at Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office, stands in a room in the old jail annex previously used to hold inmates is used that is used as a classroom room the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office Training Academy in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Khadejeh Nikouyeh/Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com Cpt. Marissa Hudley leads training at the facility and would love to host training for other agencies. But bring them to what? What are we bringing them to? she said. We have outdated equipment, technology and limited space. No funding for a new facility through 2028 Mecklenburg County Commissioners last week passed a $4 billion capital improvement plan expected to fund dozens of new libraries, parks and schools through 2028, partly with revenue from a 1.6-cent tax rate hike. Theres money for a training academy. But its a regional public safety facility at Central Piedmont Community College a compromise some county leaders say should be just fine. About $86.6 million for a training facility specific to the sheriffs office was excluded from the budget. CPCC has indicated that they anticipate that the sheriffs office would use this facility and they are absolutely welcome to them using the facility for their training, County Manager Dena Diorio said June 1 after Commissioner Elaine Powell asked about the decision. A class is held in the only classroom at the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office Training Academy in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Khadejeh Nikouyeh/Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com McFadden worries the CPCC facility wont have enough firing range space and availability for his agency to rely on. He says work done by the sheriffs office has earned it a space to call its own and he needs more than one classroom for recruits. Powell unsuccessfully attempted to include funding for the sheriffs desired facility during a straw vote meeting before the official budget adoption. She tried again last week to do the same. We voted on these items several times and they all failed, Chairman George Dunlap said about Powells 11th-hour attempt. I think its rather arrogant to come in here tonight and attempt to do the very same thing. Theres potentially room for county, CPCC and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to combine forces for training in the future, Dunlap said. Maybe they need to get together and have some conversation because everybody doesnt need a training facility that basically does the same thing, Dunlap said. Why should the citizens of Mecklenburg County fund three separate training facilities? A room in the old jail annex previously used to hold inmates is used as a mens locker room at the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office Training Academy in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Khadejeh Nikouyeh/Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com In the meantime, county engineer Odell Turner is doing his best to bring relief to the recruits in combat training with no air conditioning before summer. Turner works for a private maintenance company that the sheriffs office contracts. Its falling apart. Right now, were trying to get the HVAC going back, Turner said Thursday, facing a line of toilet stalls in a former holding cell. Then, the water is hard to maintain. If you dont have anybody constantly flushing and moving the drains, its going to be hard to maintain. Were making it work Even with limited space and technology, 28 new detention officers graduated from what they endearingly called jail school at an award ceremony Thursday. Family and friends were invited to pin the newly graduated detention officers badges to their uniforms during the Mecklenburg County Detention Officer Certification Course graduation on Monday, June 8, 2023. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com After weeks of physical training, pepper spray to the eyes and hours of instruction, class speaker Trinity Williams referred to her platoon as lifers with tears in her eyes. The new detention officers broke a hard exterior facade after an hourlong ceremony, yelling MCSO, woo! Family and friends pinned shiny badges on their loved ones shortly after they recited the oath of office in the Calvary Baptist Church sanctuary. It concerns McFadden and his staff that Muslim and atheist recruits graduate in a Christian church, as hes pushed to make the department more inclusive, but he said when the government center is taken, he doesnt have another space or dedicated funding to rent a secular space. Steve Pich and Dana Todman stand with their platoon before entering the sanctuary of Calvary Baptist Church to graduate from the Mecklenburg County Detention Officer Certification Course on Monday, June 8, 2023. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com We want our own space, McFadden said. We want to put our symbol on it. We want to put our touch on it. McFadden plans to add funding for a MCSO facility on to the capital investment plan next year. Until then, theyre planning on training detention officers in the existing space. Hudley hopes to one day have capacity to watch larger classes graduate on a stage in a training center shes proud of. For now, its not ideal but were making it work. Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian. Last week, I wrote a column about what is said to be the first daytime bank robbery in Lenawee County. In 1923, the Onsted State Bank was robbed by two males from Indiana. They were caught within a few days and sentenced to incarceration. In 1931, the bold, afternoon robbery was eclipsed by a holdup in Cement City, where a shopkeeper who witnessed the robbery was shot twice during the criminals' escape. On April 28, 1931, four armed men burst into the Bank of Cement City at 10:35 a.m. as another man waited outside in the getaway car. Guns were pointed at bank president John Flint and cashier Mabel Parker. The robbers grabbed up $3,380.50 from the vault and cash drawers, locked the bank employees in the vault, and ran out the door. Lester Wolf, a shop owner across the street from the bank, watched the robbers come out of the front door. One of the men told Wolf to "beat it," but when Wolf refused and produced his own pistol, he was shot twice once in each leg. Wolf returned fire, shooting three bullets at the robbers. None of them were hit. As the getaway car left town, the police were called and neighboring agencies in Indiana and Ohio were alerted. Memorabilia from the Bank of Cement City is rare. This canceled check from 1926 was written out five years before the bank was robbed by five men. The five men appeared to disappear into history for a time. Occasionally, investigators would bring the bank staff and eyewitnesses to their towns to see if an arrested man or men were the culprits behind the Bank of Cement City robbery. It wasnt until December 1933 that that seemed, for a short time, to pay off. Stanley Bielski and William Duck, also known as William Ryan, were arraigned in connection to the crime. Both denied involvement, although Bielski admitted driving two men from Michigan Center to Toledo a few days after the robbery. Duck was identified by bank employees as possibly being one of the bandits. However, Bielski was released in January 1934 due to insufficient evidence, and Ryan, aka Duck, was released shortly thereafter, when the witnesses were unable to positively identify him as being one of the holdup men. Further research did not reveal if the robbers were ever caught. The Brooklyn State Bank absorbed the Bank of Cement City in the fall of 1931; bank president John Flint relocated to Pennsylvania in 1938, and Wolf, who was shot during the robbery as a witness who got too close, died in 1932. Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County History: Cement City bank robbery of 1931 went unsolved The good guys won last week. They won in Alabama, where the U.S. Supreme Court protected Black voters. And they won in New York, where a legislative impasse protected Black wealth. The Alabama victory was sort of a surprise, given the Supreme Courts conservative majority. But Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh sided with the courts liberals to affirm a lower-court ruling that a new congressional redistricting map likely violated the Voting Rights Act, the landmark measure that outlawed discriminatory voting practices. One in four residents in Alabama is Black. Yet, Republicans there drew a congressional map that carved out only one majority Black seat out of seven districts. The state now will have to draw a new map for next years elections. We are grateful that the Supreme Court upheld what we knew to be true: that everyone deserves to have their vote matter and their voice heard, Evan Milligan, a Black voter and the lead plaintiff in the case, said after the ruling. Today is a win for democracy and freedom not just in Alabama but across the United States. In New York, small landlords particularly immigrants and people of color were facing a threat to their livelihood and their financial legacy in the form of a poorly-named state policy proposal called Good Faith Eviction. The measure backed by left-leaning Democrats would have unfairly and unnecessarily pitted tenants against landlords by imposing arbitrary caps on rent increases and raising the standards by which small property owners could evict tenants. Gov. Hochul refused to sign off on the measure, and support for the bill collapsed along with the rest of an affordable housing package before New Yorks Legislature ended its session on Friday. The bill could have sent landlords already reeling from missed payments throughout the pandemic deeper in the hole. That would have crushed their dreams of using their modest properties to build generational wealth for their families. Its my right as a property owner to decide if I give somebody a lease or not, said Lincoln Eccles, a small property owner in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who fell behind on his water bill and property taxes after tenants who owed him thousands of dollars in rent were given eviction protection. Im dependent on my rent, and only my rent. If I dont get rent, I dont get income. Bankrupting small landlords would only make the housing crisis worse. Eccles is a member of the Rent Stabilization Association, which represents 25,000 landlords across New York City. The rent cap bill that died in the Legislature last week was only one facet of the small landlords fight for survival. Another is a court challenge against the poorly-named Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which severely curbed their rights to raise rents in order to pay for repairs. That left many apartments unfit to live in and vacant making the housing crisis even worse. Eccles sees a connection between voting rights in Alabama and rent stability in New York. The common denominator, he said, is disenfranchisement. The Alabama ruling also gives him some hope. The Rent Stabilization Association and the Community Housing Improvement Program, a trade association for owners of rent-stabilized rental properties, have joined forces to battle the 2019 law. The suit alleges that the law deprives owners of the use of their properties while also failing to address New Yorks affordable housing shortage. So far, every court that has heard the case has ruled against the landlords. The groups appealed last month to the highest court in the land, and Eccles hopes the the Supreme Court has another surprise up its sleeve. ___ Letters to the Editor: You don't have to be anti-LGBTQ+ to quibble with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence interact with fans during Pride Night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on June 7. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: While the overall thrust of Anita Chabria's argument in "How 'Save the children' became an excuse for anti-LGBTQ+ hate" is not to be denied, at least by me, there are parts of it that I have mixed feelings about. I do feel the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence represent a slap in the face to Catholics who are sincere in their faith. Im not Catholic, but any time a group uses costumes that deliberately satirize another group that is generally favorably looked on, I think it is wrong. Which brings me to my second point. Chabria states the Catholic Church is facing bankruptcies across California as the financial toll of sexual abuse lawsuits mounts. What does that have to do with the nuns being satirized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or the offense it gives to ordinary Catholics? John Snyder, Newbury Park .. To the editor: We all want to protect our children. Those shouting "keep our children innocent" really mean "keep our children ignorant." Those with ignorant minds are much easier to control. Our politicians have learned that. Expanding childrens minds enables them to work with others and not fear diversity. During prehistoric times, children were taught to fear those in the next cave and avoid them. Happily most of us have progressed beyond the cave. Marcy Bregman, Agoura Hills .. To the editor: The good works that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgences do and the statement by Sister Roma that the organization does not ridicule anyone cannot mask the fact that they do mock and disrespect Catholic nuns in the process. The Sisters even state on their website that they use irreverent (defined as "showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously") wit. They should drop their Sisters' act and say with a straight face their intentions. As Chabria mentions, the Catholic Church deservedly has it own sins to answer for. But they are not the result of what nuns have done. In addition, the Catholic Church is the largest private provider of HIV/AIDS care and the nuns being disrespected provide much of that care. Paul Burns, Granada Hills .. To the editor: Ultraconservatives have tried every means to demonize the LGBTQ+ community. They have enacted laws, staged demonstrations of outrage, told lies and banned books. In Temecula, the school board chose to reject a history textbook that mentioned Harvey Milk, a gay civil rights leader. Inciting homophobia guarantees that bigotry will continue to blossom at the expense of reason and acceptance. Barbara Hubbs, Long Beach This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Can Lexington keep banning electronic billboards in city? What federal judge decided A federal judge ruled Monday that Lexingtons current ban on electronic billboards was constitutional. U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves wrote the citys ordinance that bans electronic billboards was a valid content neutral regulation of speech. Lamar Advertising, which estimates it has one hundred billboards in Fayette County, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Kentucky in February 2021, alleging the citys ban on electronic billboards violated the First Amendment among other claims. The company applied in October 2020 for 20 permits to allow them to change existing static billboards to electronic ones, but the city denied the request, citing regulations against digital signs that are not on the premises of a business, according to the lawsuit. The city made major changes to its sign ordinance in March 2021 after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that affected what governments can regulate about signs without violating an individuals or businesses First Amendment right to free speech. That ruling determined what content neutral speech was and how courts should examine legal claims about content neutral speech. City lawyers argued the city had a right to limit electronic messaging boards because of public safety concerns the billboards could be distracting to drivers. City officials have also raised concerns about beautification and keeping scenic watersheds clear of digital clutter. Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city, declined to comment. Other Kentucky counties, including Jessamine County, allow electronic billboards. Lawyers for Lamar Advertising were not immediately available for comment. Its not clear if Lamar will appeal Reeves decision to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. LGBTQ workers are at the forefront of Chicagos labor resurgence. You have to learn to stick up for yourself. Jordan Parshall first got involved in political activism in his early teens growing up in Minnesota. In 2012, a proposed constitutional amendment would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman in the state. Parshall, who had realized he was gay, felt compelled to volunteer for the vote no campaign, which ultimately prevailed. I wanted what my parents had. My parents were happily married, said Parshall, who now works for Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago and as an organizer for the baristas union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1220. I wanted to get married, and when I was growing up I couldnt do that. And so that kind of activated the spark for me. Parshalls foray into political activism exposed him to unions, he said; neither of his parents belonged to one. When he moved to Chicago and started working for Intelligentsia, Parshall helped lead the charge to organize his co-workers. Intelligentsia baristas in Chicago voted to unionize last summer and secured their first union contract in December, which included paid meal breaks, raises and additional vacation. If you grew up queer somewhere that its not accepted, you have to learn to stick up for yourself, Parshall said. Thats true for a lot of my queer co-workers. Theres just more of a willingness to speak up for yourself and defend yourself, and you know, advocate for changes if youre working under unfair conditions. The last two years have seen a wave of union filings emerge from Chicagos coffeehouses and university halls, from its cannabis dispensaries to the steps of its vaunted museums. As of the end of last year, union filings in the Chicago area were up more than 17% over the prior year. Nationally, union campaigns have taken root at retail giants including Starbucks, REI, Apple and Trader Joes, as well as among graduate students at top U.S. universities and cultural workers at museums. Many of the new faces on picket lines and sitting across bargaining tables are relatively young, and many of them are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. People who are in the queer community are very comfortable in organizing spaces, said Tat Scott, 28, who works as an internship coordinator at the School of the Art Institute, where staff unionized in January 2022. Were used to advocating for ourselves, advocating for each other in this case for our colleagues, said Scott, who is bisexual and a member of the bargaining committee for school staff, which is in negotiations with school management over their first union contract. Queer people have always fought for liberation, said Hunter Augustyniak, a barista and shift lead at Metropolis Coffee Co., where staff voted to unionize this spring. We have always fought for each other and making sure that each other is safe, they said, referencing mutual aid efforts during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the face of governmental neglect, as well as more recent community efforts to curb the spread of Mpox. Augustyniak, 23, said coffeehouses in particular, which are brewing a significant amount of union activity nationwide, are known to be very queer spaces to work. Augustyniak said their job at Metropolis is their first at which they have felt comfortable telling co-workers they are transgender. Chicagos union coffeehouses now include cafes run by Intelligentsia Coffee and Colectivo Coffee, where baristas are represented by the IBEW, and La Colombe, where staff are unionized with the United Food and Commercial Workers. Last year, close to 14% of new union filings in the Chicago area came out of Starbucks cafes. The Starbucks union drive is one of the queerest union campaigns Ive ever seen, said Jerame Davis, executive director of Pride at Work, a national AFL-CIO constituency group for LGBTQ+ workers. Starbucks has long presented itself as a progressive and pro-LGBTQ company, which some baristas said is what attracted them to work for the coffee giant in the first place. I wanted to work for a company where I felt like I was safe, said Shep Searl, who is nonbinary and has worked for Starbucks for close to seven years. Searl, who is on medical leave for chronic illness, usually works at a cafe in Edgewater that was among the first Starbucks in Chicago to unionize last spring. In the beginning of their Starbucks career, Searl said, the company mostly lived up to its reputation of being a supportive employer for queer people. Searl said their store manager looked out for queer baristas he would stand up for employees when they were misgendered by customers, for instance, and was supportive when Searl changed their name. That changed, Searl said, after baristas at the cafe filed for a union election early last year. In the months between the stores union filing and their election in May, Searl said Starbucks managers engaged in a campaign to discourage baristas from voting yes to form a union. (Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull said company leaders regularly visit stores in the lead-up to union elections to help ensure compliance with the complex patchwork of U.S. labor law and to share factual information, including voting logistics with partners.) Starbucks offers a range of gender affirming health care options such as coverage for gender confirmation surgeries and hormone replacement therapy to employees who work an average of at least 20 hours a week for six months, according to the company. Searl says their manager told them that if they unionized, they might lose access to those benefits as well as tuition reimbursement they used to attend Arizona State University for free, another Starbucks benefit. If you go with the union, they might not be able to protect you like we do. So if you choose the union, you know, you might lose your school. You might lose the potential to get your top surgery, Searl said, recounting their conversation. And I remember that being one of the kind of repeated threats that was held over my head as well as the heads of a lot of the other trans people in our union. It was one of the first tools that was used, and it was so shocking to me because my manager had always been a very strong ally, they said. Messages sent to Searls manager were returned by Starbucks, which denies it has ever taken away or threatened to take away trans health benefits from union baristas. All partners enrolled in Starbucks health benefits have access to industry-leading gender-affirming care benefits regardless of organizing activity or representation status, Trull said, adding that company policies strictly prohibit any retaliatory or threatening behavior directed toward partners who are interested in a union, including the making of threats or promises. Over the course of the national union campaign, Starbucks has been found in violation of a range of labor laws by administrative law judges for the National Labor Relations Board. In Chicago, a decision last month found the company had illegally threatened baristas with the loss of benefits at two city stores, though neither is the store where Searl works. Starbucks has appealed that decision, Trull said. A complaint issued by local labor board officials in New York alleges a manager at an Ithaca cafe threatened the loss of transgender health benefits if workers unionized; Starbucks also denies that allegation, which awaits a decision from a labor board judge, Trull said. Staff members at Howard Brown Health, a federally qualified health center that specializes in serving LGBTQ patients throughout Chicago, unionized last August. Workers there walked off the job amid layoffs at the health center in January, and have alleged the layoffs were illegal in a filing with the NLRB, which remains under investigation. Howard Brown maintains that the workforce reduction of about 16% did not violate labor law, said associate communications director Wren OKelley. Howard Brown workers raised concerns about what they described as understaffing and high turnover at the organization that affects patient care. Olivia Prager, who works with patients with HIV and AIDS at Howard Brown, said that since unionizing, staff have gained the ability to push back against changes they disagree with at work. In the past, we just had no protection, said Prager, who is a member of the staff bargaining committee. Bridget Gordon, a diabetes care coordinator at Howard Browns Uptown clinic, said she is concerned about threats to facilities that offer gender-affirming care. In Chicago, Lurie Childrens Hospital increased security and moved a transgender youth support group to virtual meetings after being targeted online last year. Gordon said she believes clinics that offer gender-affirming care will soon need security infrastructure to a similar extent as abortion clinics. Staff at Howard Brown has been sounding the alarm over that for a while, and so far its fallen on deaf ears, said Gordon, 40, who is also a member of the staff bargaining committee. OKelley said there was very much a robust effort to address security concerns related to such threats, pointing to actions the clinic has taken such as taking down the photographs of providers of gender-affirming care from its website, as well as more stringent security in place at clinics that offer such services, especially those that serve minors. OKelley acknowledged that restructuring at the organization in the aftermath of layoffs may have led to temporary reductions in services but said the organization has since come back strong. Howard Brown is scheduling more appointments than it was last fall, OKelley said. We have done a lot to make sure that were not losing patients from our care, that people arent losing access, and that in the care that were offering, that were doing a better job of it, she said. Gordon, who is transgender, said she first wanted to work at Howard Brown because she believed the clinic saves lives. She still believes deeply in its stated mission, she said. Its because of that belief that she got involved in organizing, she said, because somewhere along the line the people who are making the decisions stopped caring. Davis, of Pride at Work, said queer people watching anti-LGBTQ bills wind their way through legislatures in states such as Texas and Florida understand that their legal protections can be taken away at the drop of the hat. Labor unions have not always prioritized LGBTQ-specific issues, such as access to gender-affirming health care, Davis said. He said he has heard stories of LGBTQ issues being traded away during bargaining because they werent considered high priority. Some unions with significant numbers of socially conservative members may feel they need to make compromises to appease their membership, Davis said, who may want the union to focus only on bread and butter issues: wages, benefits and working conditions. But the landscape is shifting, Davis said Pride at Work is getting more inquiries about contract language related to issues such as health care, discrimination and bathroom access as unions tackle those issues, some of them for the first time. And though unions have not always prioritized LGBTQ issues, the gay labor movement stretches back decades, said Gerry Scoppettuolo, an instructor of labor and U.S. history at Cambridge College in Boston. Scoppettuolo pointed to the alliance formed by the gay and labor communities in the Bay Area during the 1970s when the Teamsters were on strike against Coors beer distributors. Gay bars in San Francisco boycotted Coors, and unions pledged to include gay and lesbian protections in their contracts, Scoppettuolo said. That unity between the Teamsters union and the gay community signified the beginning of a movement, and it just grew from there, Scoppettuolo said. Queer labor organizers today might see unionizing, and ultimately a union contract, as a way to lock in legal protections for themselves, Davis said. Queer people see that proposition very clearly, he said. That proposition resonates at Berlin, a mainstay of Northalsted nightlife that has long been a magnet for alternative queer communities in Chicago, where staff voted to unionize in April. In addition to concerns about wages, sick time and working conditions, club employees pointed to safety concerns in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ, anti-trans and anti-drag legislation, rhetoric and violence. A lot of the big things that we are fighting for for our union are safety measures, said Leo Sampson, who works as a social media manager for Berlin and also performs drag at the club. Workers are seeking changes related to training and equipment for security as well as proper staffing levels, he said. Chelle Crotinger, a member of the clubs security staff, said that to them, unionizing is about creating a legacy at Berlin at a time when homophobia and transphobia are being enshrined into law. To be able to create governmental protections and spaces and legacies that extend beyond us is one of the most important things that I think we can be doing right now, Crotinger said. tasoglin@chicagotribune.com Senator Lindsey Graham defended himself after a former CIA head called him a "spineless coward" for refusing to condemn Donald Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents. Mr Graham said his opposition to Mr Trump's second indictment related to the documents and his beliefs that sensitive materials must be handled properly are not contradictory. "I'm very concerned about mishandling classified information," he told The Independent. "I'm also very concerned about ... equal treatment under the law. Those two things are not inconsistent." His comments come after former CIA director John Brennan called him a "spineless coward" for defending the former president. That is why I find it so, so disheartening and It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey Graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump," Mr Brennan said during an appearance on MSNBC. Those are the words of a spineless coward, quite frankly, who is frightened by Donald Trump and is frightened by those individuals who still cling to an image of Donald Trump as being this very strong leader, which he is not. Mr Graham defended Mr Trump during an ABC News interview on Sunday, arguing his second indictment would make him "stronger" in his re-election campaign. The senator insisted that Mr Trump's investigation is no different than the Hillary Clinton email scandal despite their being notable difference between those situations and argued that the former president had been "overcharged" through the use of the Espionage Act. "Did he do things wrong? Yes, he may have. He will be tried about that. But Hillary Clinton wasn't," he told ABC News's George Stephanopoulos. When Stephanopoulos pressed Mr Graham on the audio recordings of Mr Trump discussing the secret information and admitting he had not declassified it when he was in office, Mr Graham claimed ignorance. Senator Lindsey Graham insisted that his support of Donald Trump was not in conflict with his concerns over the handling of sensitive government documents (AFP via Getty Images) "I don't know what happened; I haven't heard the audio," Mr Graham said. "But look at who's been charged under the Espionage Act: Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning -- people who turned over classified information to news organizations ... or provide it to a foreign power. That did not happen here." Each time Mr Graham was confronted with the evidence against Mr Trump, he deflected to Ms Clinton, prompting Stephanopoulos to tell him that she had been fully investigated and that no charges were brought against her. Mr Graham dismissed that explanation saying "yeah right" and "give me a break." No evidence was found that Ms Clinton intended to "communicate classified information on unclassified systems," according to the investigation's findings. That report also noted that Ms Clinton's emails were not marked in a way that would inform her of their classification status. The evidence against Mr Trump includes the previously stated audio recording, but also allegations that he worked to conceal the records from federal authorities after they asked for their return. Both Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence were also found to have sensitive documents in their personal possession, but they cooperated with authorities to return those documents a key difference between their situations and Mr Trump's. With reporting from Eric Garcia Ukrainian equipment in Donetsk Oblast, June 12, 2023 On the afternoon of June 13, the spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Kovaliov, reported the following data on the success of the Ukrainian military in three areas of the offensive: Berdyansk Front On the Berdyansk front [this likely refers to the offensive south of the village of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast in the direction of Berdyansk, where a number of villages were liberated] Defense Forces strike group troops advanced from 500 meters to 1 kilometer over the past day, the area of territory taken under control amounted to 3 square kilometers. Read also: All Ukrainian commanders optimistic about Ukrainian counter-offensive, Zelenskyy says Bakhmut Front On the Bakhmut front Ukrainian troops continue assault operations. There is a success in the area of the Berkhivka reservoir [northwest of Bakhmut] as the advance of Ukrainian forces here amounted to 250 meters over the past day. Toretsk Front On the Toretsk front [a town south of Bakhmut] Ukrainian troops advanced by 200 meters. At the same time, in the areas where the Ukrainian Armed Forces are on the defensive, not a single position was lost over the past day, though Russian forces are actively shelling with all kinds of weapons and conducting air strikes against Ukrainian defenders. On the evening of May 12, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar reported that Ukraine's defenders had advanced 6.5 km during the offensive over the past week and liberated seven settlements (Lobkove; Levadne; Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Neskuchne; Storozhove; Makarivka; Blahodatne in Donetsk Oblast). Read also: Biden not revealing anything regarding Ukrainian forces' expected counter-offensive NV is following the main developments around the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive on June 13: 4:29 pm In the last day, 53 Russian troops were killed near Bakhmut, 118 were wounded and two were captured, reported the spokesperson of the Eastern Grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhiy Cherevatyi during the national telethon program. "The intensity of fighting on the Bakhmut front was lower over the last day, one combat engagement took place," said Cherevatyi. Nevertheless, the enemy was still actively attacking us with cannon artillery and multiple rocket launchers. They carried out one air raid. The Ukrainian military destroyed four ammunition depots and three vehicles that were transporting the shells. The enemy's rotational activities in the area of Bakhmut continue, which Ukrainian troops are using to their advantage, said Cherevatyi. "It should be noted that the enemy understands the importance of Bakhmut for them, so thats where they first send all their airborne troops, which they use as a last resort when threatened with the loss of positions," he said. In the Lyman-Kupyansk area, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to attack Ukrainian positions seven times over the past day, firing 505 artillery strikes and carrying out seven air raids. "27 occupiers were killed and 75 wounded. Enemy armored vehicles were also destroyed, including an APC-80, an infantry fighting vehicle, a mortar, one Rapier anti-tank gun, and two UAVs," said the officer. Read also: Political analyst says Kremlin may have sabotaged Kakhovka dam out of fear of Ukrainian counter-offensive 4:20 pm Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko predicts in his column for NV that changes at the front will be slow in the near future, "if the Russian defense does not collapse." 4:14 pm Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff clarifies information about the liquidation of the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General Sergei Goryachev "This information is being clarified. I think it will be made public properly," said Valeriy Shershen, spokesperson for the joint press center of the Defense Forces in the Tauride sector, on national television. Shershen added that such enemy losses could potentially lead to some chaos in the enemy's ranks. Earlier, Russian propaganda reported that the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General Sergei Goryachev, had been killed. Official sources have yet to confirm. Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsapliienko said that if this information is true, Goryachev is "one of the highest-ranking military commanders killed by Ukrainian troops since the beginning of the Russian invasion." 3:48 pm Russians blow up local dams in areas where Ukrainian Armed Forces counterattack. Russian troops have mined many hydraulic structures in Zaporizhzhya and Kherson oblasts, Major Vladyslav Dudar, a representative of the Environmental Safety and Mine Action Department of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, said on June 13 at a roundtable discussion at the Military Media Center. "They are now blowing small hydraulic structures in different localities every day," stated Dudar. He noted that the consequences of these actions are not yet large-scale as each such explosion affects the agricultural land of one or two settlements, but it does happen regularly. 3:40 pm Kyiv can force Putin to negotiating table after successful counteroffensive - Blinken U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is convinced that Ukraine's success in the counteroffensive would do two things. "It would strengthen its position at any negotiating table that emerges, and it may have the effect, as well, of actually causing Putin to finally focus on negotiating an end to the war that he started," Blinken said. The Secretary of State added that a successful counteroffensive could bring peace to Ukraine. 3:27 pm Lone Russian soldier on the run as Ukrainian forces retake Blahodatne village. 3:12 pm Ukrainian counterattack or feint? Conflict expert says more combat expected soon. Oleksandr Kovalenko, military and political observer at the Information Resistance group, believes that the events within the Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive can be more likely called reconnaissance "at maximum." "Why exactly? Because small assault mobile groups of the Armed Forces continue to operate, but quite successfully," he noted. 3:05 pm Russians disgraced themselves with a fake about the alleged surrender of an entire "platoon of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" together with an infantry fighting vehicle video. Russian propagandists have once again disgraced themselves by trying to convince their citizens of the mass desertion of the "Ukrainian military". 2:25 pm "The situation remains difficult." Ukrainian military comments on Ukrainian Armed Forces advance on Zaporizhzhya front. The situation on the Zaporizhzhya front is tense, the rains are hampering the infantry and may force troops to make adjustments to their movement, Svoboda Legion fighter Kostiantyn Denysov told Radio Liberty. "The situation there remains complicated and tense," he said. There are movements in certain areas in our favor. The Russian military "dug in very well, but this line of defense can be broken through," he said. 2:03 pm Russian troops are trying to regain control of the liberated Makarivka by wiping the village off the map, the spokesperson for the Joint Press Center of the Tauride Defense Forces Valeriy Shershen said. "The Russian invaders are trying to regain control of the de-occupied village of Makarivka (by) wiping it off the map using aviation, artillery, and even attempts to use Solntsepek," noted Shershen. He clarified that stabilization efforts are underway in Makarivka. 1:53 pm "The plan is working so far". How the Ukrainian Armed Forces will force Russians to retreat from Melitopol, Berdyansk and Tokmak Zhyrokhov Military expert Mykhailo Zhyrokhov discussed on Radio NV the goals of Ukraine's Armed Forces during their offensive against Russian occupation forces. One of the elements of the offensive plan, as I understand it, is to limit the possibility of street fighting," Zhyrokhov explains. That is, the [Ukrainian Armed Forces will carry out] flanking attacks that will [force] the Russians to make a 'gesture of goodwill'. There is no such scenario in [the plans of] our General Staff as to fight in the urban areas of Melitopol, Berdyansk, or even Tokmak. 1:30 pm Ukrainian offensive and Russian lies. Expert opines on what to prepare for. Oleksiy Melnyk, Co-Director of Foreign Policy and International Security Programs at the Razumkov Center think tank, in an interview with NV, advised how to respond to the barrage of information about the Ukrainian offensive. 1:10 pm Bakhmut front: Ukrainian Armed Forces are advancing, enemy is losing ground on the flanks - General Syrskyi This was reported by the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on June 13. Syrskyi pointed out that according to the UK Ministry of Defense, Russia lost a soldier for every 48 cm of ground in Bakhmut. 12:51 pm The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed six Russian anti-aircraft missile systems over the past day, the Military Media Center reported on June 13. Over the past day, Ukrainian defense aviation carried out nine strikes on clusters of Russian personnel and four strikes on enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Missile and artillery units struck three control points, two anti-aircraft missile systems, an area of enemy concentration, and three artillery units in firing positions. 12:15 pm Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive: Ministry of Defense names six settlements where fighting continues. On the morning of June 13, as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive, fighting continues in the vicinity of six settlements, reported Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar on Telegram. The fighting continues in four sectors: Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, near Makarivka on the Orikhiv front (Zaporizhzhya Oblast) Maryinka (Donetsk Oblast) Yahidne on the Bakhmut front (Donetsk Oblast) Vesele on the Lyman front (Donetsk Oblast) "Our troops are facing continuous minefields combined with anti-tank trenches during the offensive," Malyar said as she outlined the difficulties of the offensive for the Ukrainian military. All of this is combined with constant counterattacks by enemy units on armored vehicles and the massive use of ATGMs and kamikaze drones. 11:06 am "Far outnumber ours". Chief Sergeant of Magura Brigade reports on enemy losses on the Zaporizhzhya front Although the Russian troops are on the defensive, they suffer significant losses on the Zaporizhzhya front, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces are advancing, reports Valeriy Markus, chief sergeant of the 47th Magura Brigade. In an emotional video message on social media, Markus urged Ukrainians not to trust the statements of Russian sources about Ukraine's offensive. Markus added that the Russian forces brought more than 100 of their dead to the temporarily occupied Tokmak from the Zaporizhzhya axis. In just a few days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed 15 enemy tanks, two TOS-1A Solntsepek systems, and many infantry fighting vehicles, he said. "We are on the offensive, they are on the defensive, and their losses far outnumber ours," he emphasized, citing examples of Russian lies about the losses of the 47th Brigade. 10:42 am First results of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. The aggressor justifies its failures with rain, Russian Defense Ministry seeks to subdue Prigozhin's forces - ISW The new territorial gains of Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya oblasts have geolocated confirmation, while Russias claims of attempts to counterattack the Ukrainian Armed Forces in these areas of the front have not yet been confirmed, according to a new report by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War. 10:38 am The White House has refused to assess the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces The White House has so far refused to assess the Ukrainian counteroffensive but confirmed the start of such operations. "Look, offensive operations combat is happening," said John Kirby, coordinator of the White House National Security Council, at a briefing. Theres no question about that. But its up to President Zelenskyy to characterize it, not us. 10:27 am United States to give Ukraine new Bradleys and Strykers to replace those lost during counteroffensive media. The United States will provide Ukraine with additional military assistance worth up to $325 million. The list will include equipment that can replace those damaged and destroyed during the counteroffensive, Voice of America reports, citing two Pentagon officials. Stryker armored personnel carriers and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are on the list. The package will also include ammunition for NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems and rockets for HIMARS. 9:58 am Marines show how they liberated Makarivka in Donetsk Oblast video The video was posted on the Facebook page of the Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi 35th Separate Marine Brigade. During the clearing of the settlement, some Russian troops were killed and some were taken prisoner. Others fled through the fields and their escape was recorded by a drone. 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 FILE PHOTO: A protest for Families of the victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) - A London court has ordered a British-registered company to pay more than 800,000 pounds ($1 million) in damages to victims of the 2020 blast at Beirut's port, a lawyers group in Lebanon said on Monday, in the first such verdict over the explosion. More than 220 people were killed in the Aug. 4, 2020, blast when a huge shipment of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that had been sold by British-registered firm Savaro Ltd exploded. On Jan. 31, the High Court in London found Savaro Ltd liable for death, personal injury and property damage in a case brought by the Beirut Bar Association on behalf of blast victims. On Monday, the court ordered Savaro to pay 100,000 pounds plus interest each to three relatives of deceased victims, and slightly over 500,000 pounds to a wounded woman, according to a statement by the Association. Reuters was unable to find contact details for Savaro or for its listed director. "It's the first time that any court anywhere renders decisions as to liability and damages in the Beirut port explosion after approximately three years," said Camille Abou Sleiman, a lawyer from legal firm Dechert who was overseeing the case for victims and their families for free. "It's the first ray of hope in the long march to justice and closure for the victims," Abou Sleiman told Reuters. But the question of who exactly will pay remains unclear. The woman listed as Savaro's owner and sole director at Britain's Companies House, Marina Psyllou, told Reuters in 2021 that she was acting on behalf of another beneficial owner whose identity she declined to disclose. Psyllou submitted a request in 2021 to Companies House to wind up Savaro. The Beirut Bar Association asked British authorities to halt that voluntary liquidation. Lebanon's own probe into the blast has sputtered out. Earlier this year, investigating judge Tarek Bitar was charged with usurping powers after he filed his own charges against top security and political officials over the explosion. "Everything that is moving forward is outside of the country," said Paul Naggear, whose daughter Alexandra was killed by the blast and who was one of the claimants. "It shows you how much they've obstructed things in Lebanon. It was really good to hear this news, because it's progress." ($1 = 0.7948 pounds) (Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Mark Potter) Take a look at some of the Juneteenth events taking place in Shreveport this weekend Looking to celebrate Juneteenth in Shreveport? There are several special events taking place over the weekend you won't want to miss out on this year. Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the Civil War was over and slavery abolished, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Take a look at a few of the Juneteenth events and celebrations taking place over the weekend in Shreveport. Thursday, June 15 Versified: Juneteenth Shreveport at The Robinson Film Center - This event is curated by Caddo Parish Poet Laureate Poetic X and focuses on bridging the gap between social indifference and gaining a clearer picture in accomplishing goals. Versified will focus on education, enlightenment and empowerment to broaden the horizon of the city of Shreveport. There will be a poetry slam and documentary screening beginning at 6 p.m., with a Q&A with Poet Laureate Poetic X and local poets. Tickets can be purchased at the RFC website. Friday, June 16 Let the Good Times Roll Festival at Festival Plaza - Rho Omega and Friends present the 36th annual Juneteenth festival that celebrates the culture, music, art, fashion and unity of the Black community. This event will begin at 11:30 a.m. June 16-18 and tickets can be purchased on its Eventbrite page. Saturday, June 17 Third annual Juneteenth Bike Ride - This event is hosted by SB Rides in downtown Shreveport will have a 32-mile ride for advanced riders at 8 a.m. and a 12-mile ride for families at 9:05 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Social Bike Rides website. The rides begin at 600 Common St. in Shreveport. art ish : A Black Art Show at The Riverview Hall - This special event is to celebrate and commemorate the freedom of expression by Black artists through poetry, singing and other arts. artish is a day of celebrating Black art, an opportunity to establish cultural identity and create conversations across the community. There will be performances from Soul Grooves, Front Cover, DJ Faze and DJ Yoshi and many more, in addition to visual artists and young local artists. This event will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 600 Clyde Fant Pkwy. Admission is $5. Juneteenth Parade in downtown Shreveport - The second annual Juneteenth Parade is put on by the North Louisiana Juneteenth Coalition and will kick off at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park on Clyde Fant Parkway and will end on Commerce Street. The inaugural Juneteenth Parade in the Red River District of Downtown Shreveport on Friday June 17, 2022. Monday, June 19 Juneteenth Celebration at LSUS - LSUS's office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (DICE) will host Juneteenth Community Day to bring awareness to the emancipation on enslaved African Americans. "Senses of Freedom" will include food, music and stories that bring a contemporary message to the UC Theater from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. More Local Events: Find out the winners of the 2023 Bossier Arts Council's annual ARTini martini competition Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Take a look at the special Juneteenth events taking place in Shreveport Trump arrives at Doral. Take a look at scene at his hotel, day before his Miami court date A colorful cast of Donald Trumps supporters descended on the grounds around Trump National Doral Monday, hoisting flags, posters and donning Uncle Sam costumes to support the former president, who arrived Monday afternoon, a day before his arraignment Tuesday in Miami federal court to face federal criminal charges related to his handling of classified documents. Not to be undone, Trump critics also showed up and had to be separated by police from the pro-Trumpers. Here are photos of the scene around the hotel, 4400 NW 87th Ave. in Doral. READ MORE: Trump greeted at Doral hotel by supporters Trump arrives at Doral Former President Donald Trump and his motorcade make their way to Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered outside his hotel one day before his expected arraignment in Miami federal court Tuesday. Flags in all forms A Trump supporter dressed as Uncle Sam makes his way near the entrance of Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Trump arrived at the hotel Monday afternoon, a day before his expected arraignment in federal court in Miami on Tuesday. Osvaldo Hernandez, left, and Maribel Gonzalez stand outside of Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered outside his hotel one day before his expected arraignment in Miami federal court on Tuesday. Trump arrived at the hotel Monday afternoon. Capitalism at its best A small cardboard poster features pro-Trump bumper stickers for sale outside of Trump National Doral Miami on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Trump arrived at the hotel Monday afternoon, a day before his expected arraignment in Miami federal court Tuesday. A whack at Biden Joel Talavera, center, holds a flag and a sign while standing outside Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Anti-Trumpers speak out, clash with pro-Trumpers Anti-Trumper Domenic Santana wears a plastic ball and chain as he walks near the entrance of Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Anti-Trumper Domenic Santana, left, and a pro-Trump supporter, right, are separated by a police officer near the entrance of Trump National Doral Miami on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla. Media gets ready News reporters stand outside of Trump National Doral on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Doral, Fla., as they await the arrival of former President Donald Trump. He arrived Monday afternoon, a day before his court date in Miami on Tuesday. And here are scenes from the Miami federal courthouse, where Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after getting indicted last week on 37 federal charges related to his handling of classified documents after he left office. Security on tap at Miami federal courthouse On Monday, June 12, 2023, DHS officers stand near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in preparation of former President Donald Trumps federal court appearance on Tuesday. Trump is facing 37 counts in a federal indictment related to his handling of classified documents after he left office. Dodging raindrops WASHINGTON - Chris Christie took his crusade against Donald Trump to CNN's airwaves Monday, saying the former president's legal problems and character issues render him unfit for another term in the White House. A Trump return to the presidency will only be about "settling scores" rather than helping the American people, Christie told a CNN town hall event staged in New York City. "He has shown himself ... to be completely self-centered, completely self-consumed, and doesn't give a damn about the American people, in my view," Christie said. The Republican Party in general, particularly Trump's primary challengers, should also go on the attack, Christie said, if only because of Trump's recent failures in national elections. Chris Christie and Donald Trump Citing Republican setbacks in the 2018, 2020, and 2022 congressional and presidential elections, the former ally of Trump said that "he hasn't won a damn thing since 2016; three-time loser." He later repeated: "Loser ... loser ... loser." Chris Christie on Trump's fat-shaming attack: 'We need a leader, not a child.' Trump: 'Boring' Christie Trump, who spent the night in Miami ahead of his Tuesday arraignment on obstruction of justice charges, has mocked Christie as a loser who is at 1% in Republican polls. After watching a Christie town hall in New Hampshire last week, Trump said on his Truth Social website: Hard to watch, boring, but thats what you get from a failed Governor (New Jersey) who left office with a 7% approval rating and then got run out of New Hampshire. This time, it wont be any different! Trump arraignment live updates The latest news as former president appears in court on federal charges The documents case In critiquing Trump over his legal issues, Christie focused on Trump's recent indictment over classified documents. Other items - the previous indictment over hush money, and the prospect of more indictments over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election - did not come up during the CNN town hall. The evidence in the current indictment "looks pretty damning," Christie said. Trump stands accused of improperly taking sensitive and classified information from the White House and obstructing justice by hiding the documents from investigators who had subpoenaed them. "He is voluntarily putting our country through this," Christie said. "It's his conduct." Christie said he suspects Trump kept the documents in order to "show off" to friends and associates, never mind that he was not legally entitled to them. Debate lane CNN set up a town hall-like set-up in one of its studios in New York City. The network gathered together a group of Republican voters from the first four primary states, as well as New York and New Jersey. CNN is sponsoring a series of town halls with Republican presidential candidates, starting with a much-criticized May 10 event with Trump. Christie also taunted Trump into joining Republican debates later this year. Trump has suggested he may skip the debates because so many opponents are trailing him badly in the polls. If Trump does refuse the first debate in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, Christie said he will have "a lane" to attack him without a response; that will force Trump to show up for a second session in California in September. Chris Christie age comments: 'Nobody beats father time' Christie may not qualify for the debates, given his standing in the polls, and no doubt hopes that his full-throated attack on Trump will help inflate his numbers. It's all the more remarkable because few prominent Republicans played a bigger role in helping Trump win the presidency in the first place. After dropping out of the 2016 race, Christie became one of the highest-profile Republican to endorse Trump's anti-establishment campaign. Trump later considered Christie for the running mate slot before picking Mike Pence. In the general election race, Christie helped Trump prepare for his pivotal debates with Democratic opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton. For a time, Christie headed up the Trump transition team, but was replaced by Pence. "Very few people were as publicly invested in the success of Donald Trump as I was," Christie said in a book called Republican Rescue: Saving the Party from Truth Deniers, Conspiracy Theorists, and the Dangerous Policies of Joe Biden. Christie later said he was "wrong" about Trump, and began to turn against him during his protests of the 2020 election that led to the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. During the CNN town hall, Christie said Trump's post-2020 lies about the conduct of the election undermined faith in the system, and "is the most destructive thing he's done." At times, Christie combined his criticism of Trump with attacks on Democratic President Joe Biden - including their ages. The 60-year-old former New Jersey governor said that, if Biden and Trump are both re-nominated, their combined age will be 160 - simply too old for the demands of the presidency. "I'm sorry guys," Christie said. "Nobody beats Father Time." Christie and Kushner There has long been tension between Christie and members of Trump's extended family. When he was a U.S. attorney in New Jersey, Christie prosecuted the father of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. Charles Kushner wound up in prison on charges of tax evasion and attempts to intimidate a witness against him. Jared Kushner is no fan of Christie, and vice-versa. Since launching his 2024 campaign, Christie has added Kushner and his wife Ivanka to his list of attacks on the former president. The grift from this family is breathtaking, Christie said at a New Hampshire town hall. Its breathtaking. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Kushner walk out of the White House, and months later get $2 billion from the Saudis. The other candidates The aggressive New Jersey governor didn't attack just Trump; he also went after other Republican candidates who are vying to become the alternative to the frontrunner. At one point, Christie criticized Ron DeSantis for avoiding criticism of Trump over the indictment, saying they are hoping to inherit the former president's support in case he is chased from the 2024 race. "They're playing political games with you," Christie said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Christie attacks and taunts Donald Trump: 'Loser, loser, loser' Tyquana McChristons 4-year-old son hugged her after she graduated from the St. Paul fire departments EMS Academy Monday. Thank you, Michael Lane III told his mother. Shes on a journey to become a firefighter and the boy said he wanted to thank her for that. McChriston was among six who graduated from the latest EMS Academy. Since the program started in 2009, it was the first class of all women. All are also mothers. The class started with 18 women and the six who made it through the academy are all Black. The EMS Academy is a program for low-income adults who are St. Paul and Ramsey County residents; the academy recruits women and people of color, who are typically underrepresented in emergency medicine and firefighting. Becoming an emergency medical technician is a steppingstone to the St. Paul fire department because all of the citys firefighters are required to be EMT-certified. Training to become an EMT is difficult enough, and Mondays graduates added motherhood and life challenges into the mix. There were a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of sleepless days, said Christyn Lewis, EMS Academy primary instructor. Class instructor Brittney Baker credited Lewis with going above and beyond. There were instances of class members saying: I dont have diapers (for my child). I dont have a ride. I dont have something to eat, Baker said. Lewis would pick up diapers and drop them off, and come in during his off time to help. There were also days when daycare was closed or they couldnt send their child because of the sniffles, and they brought their kid to class with them. The biggest thing we told them was, We want you here and participating, whatever it takes for you to be successful,' said class instructor Kayla Sanchez. She and the class instructors took turns teaching and entertaining kids in the instances they joined their mothers in the classroom. Stepping stone to various careers Sanchez graduated from the same EMS Academy in 2013, and Baker and Lewis were 2012 graduates. They teach now because our passion is about paying it forward, Baker said. After the three became EMTs, they worked for the St. Paul fire departments Basic Life Support ambulance service (the citys fire department provides all emergency medical services in St. Paul, either through BLS or Advanced Life Support ambulances) and now theyre St. Paul firefighters and paramedics. There have been more than 300 graduates of the program theyve gone on to become paramedics, worked in local hospitals and emergency rooms, and got jobs with St. Pauls BLS division and other ambulance services in the metro area. More than 30 have become become firefighters, of which 16 work for St. Paul. A few have become physicians and many have become nurses. Mondays graduates went through 13 weeks of training, which encompassed 240 hours of classroom and skills learning. For every hour of classwork, theres about two hours of reading and homework, Sanchez said. Destiny Wren said she found the hands-on instruction the most interesting, including learning how to manually check blood pressure and how to properly open someones airway to provide oxygen. She also liked riding along with firefighters and seeing them provide emergency medical care getting to see the reality, she said. The class learns CPR, basic medical skills and how to work in high-stress situations. Wren was a stay-at-home mom to her 3-year-old son before she started the EMS Academy. She said having the support of the staff and other mothers in the program helped get her through they shared parenting and studying tips. When you have a toddler, they want all of your attention, Wren said. But you have to say, OK, I need to study because this is not something you can fake your way through you actually have to study or you will fail. McChriston said she worked as a certified nursing assistant for 10 years and felt the EMS Academy was a great way to advance her career, but she was nervous going into it. Im 39 years old, so not being in school for awhile and trying to study and just getting it all done, it was a lot of challenges, especially things in my personal life, too, said McChriston, who has 16- and 19-year-old sons, in addition to her 4-year-old. But quitting wasnt an option. Im super excited and happy that I actually completed something thats something Ive only done once or twice in my life, as far as like my career, so Im actually pretty proud of myself. The graduates have completed the practical part of national certification to become EMTs, which is hands-on demonstration of medical skills, and they will next take a written exam to complete certification, Baker said. Path to becoming St. Paul firefighters McChriston and Wren both are applying to become St. Paul firefighters. Wren wanted to become a firefighter when she was about 11, but everyone said, Youre so small, its going to be too hard,' she said. She became a certified nursing assistant, though her dream of becoming a firefighter didnt go away. One day, she received an email from Ramsey County about the EMS Academy and it caught her attention, especially when she saw it was a pathway to become a firefighter. To see other women believing they can do the same thing was inspiring, Wren said of the class of all women. Now, Wren said her niece wants to become a firefighter and her sister a paramedic. For McChriston, she never thought about becoming a firefighter until she went through the EMS Academy. The St. Paul firefighter application process is open now for the first time since 2018 and it closes on June 30. The city is also accepting applications through Friday for the next EMS Academy, which is planned to start in July. The last time Ramsey County and St. Paul partnered for the EMS Academy was 2019 when participants were part of a young adult employment program, said Ling Becker, director of Ramsey Countys Workforce Solutions department. Great things happen when we invest in people, she said. The recent class cost just under $10,000 per graduate, which covered their tuition at Anoka Technical College, weekly stipend of $270 for 12 weeks and equipment; funding came from Ramsey County and American Rescue Plan dollars, Becker said. Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Mora told the graduates that their perseverance is an investment. Youve been here breaking generational poverty, youve been a role model for your children and for your community, she said. Youre going to be on your way to making a family-sustaining wage in a very high demand area and youre going to help save lives and give people critical medical care. Related Articles The Army officially redesignated the installation previously known as Fort Polk, Louisiana, on June 13 to Fort Johnson. The fort, which is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, derives its new name from New York National Guard Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black World War I soldier who bravely fought off German forces as a member of the famed Harlem Hellfighters. Sgt. Henry Johnson embodied the warrior spirit, and we are deeply honored to bear his name at the Home of Heroes, Brig. Gen. David Gardner, the commanding general of the base, said in a statement. Johnson enlisted in 1917 with the 15th New York Infantry Regiment a National Guard unit of Black Americans later designated as the 369th Infantry Regiment about two months after the United States entered WWI, according to the statement. The Harlem Hellfighter single-handedly repelled a German raiding party in May 1918 with his rifle butt, grenades, his fists and a knife, saving his fellow soldier Needham Roberts from capture in the process. Each slash meant something, believe me, Johnson once said. There wasnt anything so fine about it just fought for my life. A rabbit would have done that. Suffering 21 wounds, Johnson was unable to resume his job as a luggage handler after the war. He received the French Croix de Guerre military decoration for his actions, one of the first Americans to receive the honor, the Army statement noted. Sgt. Henry Johnson wears his French Croix de Guerre. (New York National Guard Courtesy Photo) The courageous soldier died in 1929 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross and Medal of Honor for his actions. It is a distinct pleasure and honor to represent the New York National Guard in the rededication ceremony of Fort Polk to Fort Henry Johnson, Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith, the New York National Guards director of joint staff, said in the release. As a Black American whose bravery wasnt acknowledged at the time, Sgt. Johnson personified the Army values and was the epitome of strength. As a former member of the 369th Harlem Hellfighters myself, I could not be prouder to be part of this ceremony. The renaming move adheres to legislation requiring the removal or modification of Department of Defense assets that commemorate the Confederate States of America or those who voluntarily served under the Confederacy. The Louisiana post is one of nine Army installations being redesignated. The Army installation was previously named for Confederate Gen. Leonidas Polk, a resident of New Orleans who was killed in combat in 1864. Loveland Police Department has released body camera footage and named the officer fired for inappropriately using force and injuring a woman officers had taken to the hospital for help last month. The terminated officer has been identified by the department as 28-year-old Russell Maranto. Maranto had worked at Loveland Police Department since June 2022 and was nearing the end of the departments standard one-year probationary period all officers must complete before becoming a full-fledged police officer when he was fired May 23. Before working at Loveland Police Department, Maranto worked at the Montrose Police Department and the Wyoming Department of Corrections, the department said in a statement. Body camera footage from the first officer who responded, Nick Hobbs, released by Loveland police Friday shows Maranto striking the woman in the face after she continues to spit, yell and be generally uncooperative with officers and hospital staff after officers brought her in for help the evening of May 20. Here's what we learned from that footage. Footage captured initial response, altercation at hospital and post-incident interview Maranto and Hobbs were responding to multiple reports of a woman wandering in and out of traffic and speaking incoherently in the area of North Garfield Avenue and East 29th Street in Loveland about 8:30 p.m. that night, police Chief Tim Doran said in a prior video statement. Body camera footage shows Hobbs who arrived on scene several minutes before Maranto attempting to get the woman's name and where she's going and offering help to the woman, but she does not respond to his questions, instead speaking incoherently and repeating that she is "walking and singing a song." The woman continues to walk away from Hobbs through a shopping center parking lot, while Hobbs tells her that multiple people called in about her standing in the middle of U.S. Highway 287. Later in the video, Hobbs is approached in the parking lot by two witnesses who said they feared she was going to get hit by a car and had video of her walking in the middle of the road. "You're walking in front of cars and I don't want that to happen," Hobbs tells the woman in the video. When Maranto arrives, he immediately approaches and grabs the woman to prevent her from continuing to walk away, and she yells for him to not touch her. When she doesn't respond to him asking if she will cooperate instead yelling, cursing and telling him not to touch her he tells her, "Don't fight me, you're being detained," according to the video. Once in handcuffs and placed in protective custody, the officers transport the woman to the Medical Center of the Rockies. The woman continues to be uncooperative at the hospital, yelling and cursing at the officers and hospital staff, spitting and continuing to get up out of her chair despite officers telling her to stay seated and calm down. The video shows Maranto taking a piece of paper out of her hands which are handcuffed behind her back and she becomes more upset, screaming and demanding her paper back, pushing her knee against Maranto. "If you kick me, I'm going to fight back," Maranto said in the video. The video shows the woman spitting again, and Maranto hitting her across the face. Hobbs immediately separates them and says, "Maranto, chill. Back off, I can do it," and he takes over holding the woman so Maranto can leave the room. The woman continues screaming, demanding she be able to file a report and get video footage. Hobbs then calls for another officer and a sergeant to respond. In an interview with the sergeant Sgt. James King captured on Hobbs' body camera, Hobbs says he stepped in because he felt Maranto's reaction to the woman spitting was "a little too excessive." Hobbs told King that Maranto had told him "ultimately he was just trying to get her face away" so she wouldn't spit on him, but ended up hitting her "a little hard." "You did good, busting up and intervening, you did good," King tells Hobbs in the video. The entire hour-and-a-half-long body camera footage, as well as a video statement from Doran that includes a clip from the body camera footage, can be viewed on the city of Loveland's YouTube page: youtube.com/@CityofLoveland. What Doran told the community Friday In his video statement, Doran apologized for Maranto "not upholding the standard of our policing profession," and applauded Hobbs' immediate intervention. The fact the backup officer intervened immediately and separated the offending officer from the female and called for a supervisor speaks to his integrity and training, Doran said, also applauding "the kindness displayed in the first minutes of the encounter when the officer simply offered a courtesy ride home to a woman who could not even recall where she lived. Understanding why officers took the woman to the ER Officers placed the woman in protective custody that night because she was walking in traffic and could have been hit by a car or caused vehicles to swerve. They believed she was a danger to herself or others, department spokesperson Bob Coleman told the Coloradoan. Hobbs offered the woman a ride several times, but the woman never told him where she was going, body camera footage showed. Colorado law allows police officers to place people in protective custody when an officer has probable cause to believe that a person is an imminent danger to themselves or others. Officers initially thought she might need some type of medical attention and took her to the hospital, which is in accordance with department policy and procedure, Coleman said. But in body camera footage it appeared no one knew what to do with the woman once at the hospital. In the video, medical staff attempts to ask the woman whats going on, but she continues to yell and be uncooperative, so medical staff leaves the room. Officers attempt to calm her down so she can receive medical care, but instead the situation escalates when Maranto becomes heated and overwhelmed, Hobbs later told King, and strikes the woman in the face. After that, a doctor walks in and Hobbs explains to her why they brought the woman to the emergency room while the woman continues yelling and demanding to file a report against Maranto, according to the video. I dont think she needs to be in the ER, the doctor tells Hobbs. OK, is there somewhere else we can take her? Hobbs asks. To jail, the doctor says. She doesnt need to be here. We just dont have any charges for her to take (her) to jail, Hobbs said. Later, in Hobbs interview with King, King asks Hobbs what charges they have for her, and Hobbs replies, I have no idea. The jail will not hold anyone unless they are being charged with a crime, Coleman said, and Larimer County doesnt have a detox facility. At the time officers contacted and detained the woman, she was not being charged with a crime. Larimer Countys Longview Behavioral Health Center is set to be completed this year and will have a behavioral health urgent care, in addition to other mental health and substance abuse services, but because the facility is not open yet, Coleman said he does not know what the facilitys criteria will be. The facility was designed with law enforcement in mind and as a place for officers to take individuals in crisis other than the jail and the hospital, Executive Director of Larimer County Behavioral Health Services Laurie Stolen previously told the Coloradoan. What's next for the woman, officer The woman involved has been charged with third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, for allegedly spitting on the officer, Doran said. While Doran said the criminal investigation into Maranto's actions led by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office is "coming to a close," the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office has not yet made a decision about what, if any, criminal charges will be filed against him. 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. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Loveland police identify officer fired for hitting woman in May On Tuesday 13 June, The Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg adopted a resolution recognising the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. Source: This was reported by European Pravda Details: The text of the adopted resolution on the recognition of the Holodomor in Ukraine as genocide is not yet provided on the website of the Luxembourg Parliament. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines Foreign Minister, welcomed the historic decision of the Luxembourg deputies. I commend Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies' historic vote to recognise Stalin's Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against Ukrainians. This step honors millions of victims and restores historic justice. The international acknowledgment of the Holodomor genocide continues to rise. Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) June 13, 2023 In general, the Holodomor genocide of the Ukrainian people has already been recognized by the parliaments of almost three dozen countries of the world, in particular in Europe. During the spring, such a step was taken, among other institutions, by the lower house of Belgian parliaments, the Parliament of Iceland and the upper house of the French parliament, as well as the parliament of Slovenia and the House of Commons in Great Britain. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! In maiden speech, Schmitt says he wants Congress to take power back from the White House Sen. Eric Schmitt on Tuesday called on the Senate to take down the federal bureaucracy and give power back to Congress in his maiden speech in the chamber. His pledge comes as the freshman Missouri Republican has decided his focus in the Senate will be pushing back against the administrative state the vast network of administrative agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that fall under the purview of the executive branch. The peoples branch is being diluted of its rightful role, Schmitt said. Willingly, I might add. A senators maiden speech is a tradition that stretches back to the early days of the chamber. Newly elected senators used to wait months before weighing in on the debates of the day, hoping it would earn them the respect of more senior members, according to the Senate Historical Office. Now, a senators first formal policy speech is merely given special attention. In his first few months in office, Schmitt has introduced legislation that would require administrative agencies to remove three regulations for every one regulation they add. And hes supports a bill called the REINS Act, short for Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, which would give Congress more power over rules created by those same agencies. Schmitts focus on federal agencies allows him to take a technical approach to an issue that will allow him to politically sound off on the culture war issue of the day, like the federal governments efforts to regulate things like gas stoves. Already now in the U.S. Senate, he is holding the deep state, the administrative state accountable, Hawley said. Standing up for ordinary, normal, everyday working Missourians who deserve to have a voice in this chamber, who deserve to have a voice in their government. Schmitts speech delivered while standing behind the Senate desk of President Harry Truman, a Missouri Democrat, to a group of about 10 Republican senators touched on his familys history. He spoke about how his grandfather came back after World War II and opened a butcher shop in Missouri and how his father worked the midnight shift to provide for his family. And talked about how his sons Tuberous Sclerosis diagnosis first inspired him to run for office. The disease causes non-cancerous tumors to grow on the brain and other organs. Schmitts son suffers from epilepsy, autism and is non-verbal. Going through that experience with my son, including a four hour seizure, you start to evaluate things, whats important, what do you want to do? Schmitt said. And through that process of discernment, I decided that I wanted to do more than what I was doing. And Steven was my inspiration. Though inspired to run for office by his son, Schmitt said he wanted to use his position to represent forgotten Missourians who want a fair shake. He said people are often disillusioned with government because they send people to Congress and little changes. But his goal of handing power back to Congress would require a hyper-partisan branch of government that struggles to pass mandatory pieces of legislation to take on a larger and more technical role in the governing process. Often, when a bill is passed, Congress describes what it wants and leaves the mission up to experts at the agencies to determine the rules. By taking that power away from those agencies, Congress would have to pass laws that create specific rules. It falls on each one of us, here in this Article I branch, to fundamentally dismantle [the administrative state], Schmitt said. He also said Congress has to do more to protect free speech, referencing a high-profile lawsuit he filed as Missouri attorney general alleging the Biden administration colluded with social media companies to suppress speech. The case centers around social media companies efforts to combat misinformation during the election and COVID-19 pandemic. But Schmitt said the efforts were akin to government censorship. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued a mixed ruling on the federal governments motion to dismiss the case in March. Its not the governments job to tell us what we can hear or believe, Schmitt said. We can figure that out for ourselves. Former Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, also sat in the Senate chamber for the speech. Afterward, he came up and congratulated Schmitt on his speech and stood talking to him for several minutes. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine is advancing a proposal that would make it the second state to elect its governor using ranked choice voting. Maine and Alaska both use the ranked voting format for congressional and presidential elections, and cities in many other states are embracing it for mayoral and other elections. Alaska uses a version of it for governor. Proponents of ranked voting say it prevents spoiler candidates and promotes cooperation, civility and political moderates. In this Nov. 12, 2018, file photo, ballot boxes are brought into for a ranked choice voting tabulation in Augusta, Maine. A proposal that would make Maine the second state in the country with ranked choice voting for governor is due for a vote. In Maine, proponents have long pushed for the format to be used in governor and state legislative races, but that would require an amendment to the Maine Constitution. The Maine Legislature's Legal Affairs Committee approved a proposal in May to do that. The next step is for a vote by the full Legislature, with two-thirds majority approval to pass, which is currently in session and could end this month. Then it would need direct approval from a majority of state voters. The sponsor of the amendment proposal, Democratic Sen. Cameron Reny of Bristol, said the change would reflect the will of state residents who approved ranked voting in 2016. We ought to be governed by people who are chosen by a true majority of the population, Reny said. The idea that most people should be in control of their leadership and their representation should be a bipartisan issue. More: Maine expansion of abortion laws, which would be among the country's broadest, passes committee The voting method works like this: Voters can rank the candidates on their ballot in order of preference. If no candidate breaks 50% of the popular vote, the bottom finisher is eliminated, and voters second choices come into play. Tabulations continue until a candidate gets a majority of the total votes. The method propelled Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine into Congress. Golden needed the second-choice votes to defeat former Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin in 2018. That made him the first member of Congress elected via ranked voting. Golden's victory is among a number of reasons Republicans in Maine, and elsewhere, have opposed ranked choice voting. The Maine committee passed the proposal along party lines, with Republicans voting against it. Democrats have a majority in both the Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate, but would require some crossover votes to achieve the two-thirds majority they need to amend the constitution. Conservative groups have vowed to fight any expansion of ranked voting in the state. The Maine Policy Institute, a free-market advocacy group, testified against the expansion during a public hearing in May. The group called the method a fad and a costly failure in its testimony. Voting systems should meet some basic criteria: casting a ballot is as easy as possible, and every voter can be assured that his or her vote will count equally toward the final result. Unfortunately, RCV fails these simple tests, the testimony said. Alaska's version of ranked voting is slightly different than Maine's. Elections in the state start with a nonpartisan pick one primary. The top four move on to the general election, with ranked voting. Massachusetts had a chance to join the list of states that use ranked voting, but residents shot the idea down in 2020. The voting format is also used by a growing number of U.S. cities, including Cambridge, Massachusetts, San Francisco and New York City. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine considers ranked choice voting for governor races New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday announced that 48 people have been arrested in relation to drug and gun possession and drug sales throughout the Rochester region. James, who spoke about the arrests during a mid-afternoon news conference in Rochester, said that arrests were part of a "takedown of a major drug trafficking ring." The 48 people face 177 charges. Seized as part of the investigation - which centered on Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties - where more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, more than 10 kilograms of cocaine and a quarter pound of heroin, all together worth more than $9 million, James said. Nineteen illegal firearms, including assault-style weapons, handguns and ghost guns, and $440,000 cash were also seized. The investigation started more than two years ago in Wayne County, where two brothers (Michael Danzey, 38, and Terrance Raggs, 45, both of Sodus) who are accused of peddling narcotics were the center of the investigation. One brother - who is also facing assault and attempted murder charges - is also accused of shooting and injuring someone he believed was stealing from him, James said. Also among those arrested were a Rochester father (Luis Rivera, 66) and his three adult sons - one of whom is in a federal prison in Louisiana - who are accused of selling heroin and laundering more than $100,000 from a Rochester apartment building where the eldest Rivera worked as the building superintendent, James said. Another major hub that led to multiple arrests was on Avenue D in Rochester, where multiple people allegedly sold drugs within a block, she said and described the operation as a "very detailed and interconnected web of drug peddling," spanning Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Yates and Cayuga counties. The problem does not have a geographic barrier, said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. While it's centered on some Rochester neighborhoods, it's also in nearby towns and counties, well into the Finger Lakes region. "I'd be so bold as to say the quality of life in western New York just improved tremendously," Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby said of the news of the arrests. Those arrested range in age from 24 to 76 and face numerous felonies, including various counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit those crimes, James said. Opioid overdoses have been an increasing problem in the region and New York. To date this year in Monroe County, 1,297 people have overdosed and 114 people have died, James said. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Major drug ring busted in Rochester region; 48 arrested Man accused of child neglect after leaving infant in hot car for 85 minutes TAVARES Police on Sunday arrested a man and charged him with child neglect for leaving a baby in a hot car outside a grocery store for 85 minutes. This came just days after two incidents in Central Florida where infants died after being exposed to searing temperatures inside vehicles. Here's what happened The Lake County incident occurred at the Publix parking lot on State Road 19. According to law enforcement, a store employee collecting shopping carts outside was flagged down by a customer at 5:56 p.m. The customer had spotted the car with the baby inside. The baby was in the back seat in a rear-facing car seat. The cars window was slightly open but the engine was not running, so there was no air conditioning. The Publix employee called Tavares Police, who arrived at 6:04 p.m. Police forced the window all the way down to unlock the door. The infant was visibly sweating and appeared clammy. The infant also had labored breathing," according to the arrest affidavit. She grew up in Lake County: Who is Denee Benton, the actress who called out Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Tonys? EMS arrived shortly afterward and began treating the child for heat exhaustion. The store manager made an announcement for the cars owner to come to the service desk. The owner of the car, Keita K. Jones, 27, of Leesburg, told police that he was not in the store very long. He said he was trying to complete an Instacart order, the affidavit says. He said the reason he left the child in the car was that it was raining and did not want to get the child wet. The store provided security video to police showing that he arrived at the store at 5:20 p.m. and walked into the store a minute later. The passerby who spotted the unattended baby said he arrived at the store at about 5:30 p.m. Tavares Fire Department was able to record the temperature of the car seat . The temperature of the car seat ranged from 100 to 105 Fahrenheit, the affidavit says. The infant was turned over to a family member. Jones was held at the Lake County Jail with bail set at $2,000. Other recent cases A 2-year-old girl died when she was left in her familys car Thursday, according to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office. The family discovered that she had been left inside the car for three hours. She was unresponsive when her parents drove her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead an hour later. The high temperature in Orange City that day was nearly 90 degrees. The parents told sheriffs deputies they had gone out to dinner and did not realize the child had been left in the car until they prepared to leave to release a rabbit they had been rehabilitating, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal. We forgot that our daughter was in the car, the mother said in a frantic 911 call. The parents names were redacted from the police report. The incident is under investigation. The parents have three other children, ages 8, 13 and 14. In Palm Bay, in Brevard County, a mother was charged with the death of her 11-month-old child on May 28 when she allegedly left her baby in the car for hours while officiating at a church service. Bulaine Molme, 37, co-pastor of Olives Evangelical Baptist Church, was charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child. Services at what has been described as a storefront church, began around 10:15 a.m. The babys body was discovered at 1 p.m. The incident, reported by Florida Today, said the mother thought the baby was with a church member. National statistics At least seven children have died in hot cars so far this year. There were 33 such deaths last year, according to data collected by Jan Null, CCM, Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, San Jose State University. Null, a certified consulting meteorologist, has been tracking U.S. child vehicular heatstroke deaths since 1998. More than half of the fatalities occur when the child is forgotten by a parent or caregiver, according to heatstroke.org. The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine, avoid distractions, and leave yourself a reminder. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last look before walking away. Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access and teach them that cars are not play areas. It notes that technology can help prevent deaths. For example: If a rear door is opened and closed within 10 minutes before the vehicle is started up or if it is opened and closed while the vehicle is running, five chimes will sound and a message will display on the instrument panel. Variations are available among different vehicles. Another possible solution is having tones activated through a "smart" chest clip and wireless receiver within two seconds of turning off the vehicle. This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Man accused of leaving infant in hot car for 85 minutes A 33-year-old man is charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking a store clerk with a knife Friday afternoon in Shawnee. Johnson County prosecutors charged Amanjit Singh, of Arkansas, with a single count of attempted first-degree murder. He was being held Monday in the Johnson County jail on a $500,000 cash bond. On Friday, shortly before 1 p.m., Shawnee police officers were dispatched to Stonebridge Liquor at 6648 Nieman Road on a reported assault. The 47-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition Friday, police said, and told officers she was attacked by a man who had walked into the store. Police arrested a suspect later Friday afternoon south of Kansas City. Available records filed in Johnson County District Court as of Monday only show the charge Singh faces and do not outline a detailed narrative of the police investigation. A defense attorney for Singh did not immediately respond to The Stars request for comment late Friday afternoon. Man IDd by police as gunman in fatal Fresno shooting still outstanding. They seek help Detectives are looking for help to find the man they say shot and killed a Fresno man following an argument last month. Police in an update Tuesday said Cristino Paul Rocha, 46, was the gunman who killed Paul Fierro, 39, with a single shot to the upper body about 7 p.m. May 28. A verbal argument preceded the violence at the intersection of Glenn Avenue and Lansing Way, police said. Fierro was pronounced dead at Community Regional Medical Center about 90 minutes later, police said. Investigators determined the shooter was Rocha, who left the scene in a blue 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, they said. Police are looking for Cristino Rocha, 46, who they accused of shooting a man to death in Fresno. The accused killer of Paul Fierro was seen leaving in this 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, according to Fresno police. A warrant for his arrest was issued and he remained outstanding on Tuesday. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked by police to call 559-621-7000. Anyone can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Paul Fierro, 39, of Fresno was the victim of a fatal shooting on Sunday, May 28, 2023, near the intersection of Glenn Avenue and Lansing Way, police said. Two officers rushing to the scene crashed with a car at Blackstone and Dakota avenues, which was about a block away. The two officers in the police vehicle were not injured, but two people in the other car were taken to the hospital for complaints of pain, police said. A police vehicle collided with another vehicle at Blackstone and Dakota avenues on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The victim of a Saturday night murder at Beauforts Quality Inn has been identified as 24-year-old Hardeeville man Jaquavious Washington as police continue their search for the shooter. Washington was pronounced dead at the scene just before 11:30 Saturday night, said Beaufort County Coroner David Ott. An autopsy was completed Monday afternoon. Beaufort Police say a dispute broke out during a party in one of the hotels ground-floor banquet rooms, with the suspected gunman threatening multiple times to shoot Washington, according to spokesperson Dep. Chief Stephenie Price. As Washington drove away from the hotel around 11 p.m., striking an uninjured pedestrian on his way out, the shooter fired several shots at the moving car, which became stuck on a nearby curb. Washington was gunned down as he tried to run from the stranded car, according to the Sunday press release. The suspect fled on foot. Washingtons obituary names him as a native of the Stuart Point area in northern Beaufort County. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Port Royal resident Justin Rakeem Parker was named as a person of interest shortly after the deadly shooting. Price did not answer questions about how Parker was identified as a key witness, and would not say how many shots were fired in total. Anyone with information on the Saturday night murder is encouraged to call Sgt. Fritz at 843-322-7913 or the Beaufort Police Departments anonymous tip line at 843-322-7938, referencing case No. 23B24199. Man to pay more than $195K in restitution after crashing into Port Matilda borough building A Centre County man who crashed his pickup truck into the Port Matilda Borough building while driving drunk was sentenced Tuesday to probation and ordered to pay restitution for the significant damage. Will Bracken, 34, was sentenced by Centre County Judge Brian Marshall to probation with restrictions for six months, including 45 days of house arrest. He was also ordered to pay $195,225 in restitution. Bracken had a blood alcohol content of 0.12% when he crashed into the building shortly after a Borough meeting had ended in March. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is 0.08%. No one was injured in the crash, but the collision caused significant damage to the buildings foundation, one side of which collapsed, state police wrote in an affidavit. Following the crash, borough public meetings were held at the Port Matilda firehouse, and the borough ran operations out of the secretarys living room following the crash. Theres absolutely no training for this, borough Mayor Ida Lively told the Centre Daily Times in April. Bracken pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor DUI charge. Neither Brackens attorney, Thomas Dickey, or Crystal Hundt, the Assistant District Attorney, could be immediately reached for comment. A threat is spray painted on the building wall near Wisconsin Family Action's offices in Madison. MADISON The man indicted in the May 2022 firebombing of a prominent anti-abortion group's office in Madison is seeking to have his case dismissed. An attorney for Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury filed the motion on June 6, arguing the federal arson statute under which Roychowdhury was charged is unconstitutional. Namely, it exceeds Congresss commerce clause power and violates the Tenth Amendment, attorney Joseph Bugni argued. Roychowdhury is also asking the court to suppress a search warrant for his home, materials obtained in the execution of that warrant and information obtained by searching his cell phone when he was arrested. Roychowdhury, 30, was arrested in March and indicted by a grand jury in April. He is charged with one count of attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive. He pleaded not guilty in April. Federal prosecutors accuse Roychowdhury of efforts to "terrorize" and "intimidate" by vandalizing and setting a fire in the Madison offices of Wisconsin Family Action in spring of 2022. Madison Fire and Police departments responded early in the morning on May 8, 2022, to a 911 call reporting flames coming from the organizations office on Madisons north side. The incident occurred days after a leaked draft indicated that the U.S. Supreme Court was about to overturn Roe v. Wade, its 1973 landmark decision legalizing abortion. If abortions arent safe then you arent either was painted in cursive on the buildings outside wall, along with the anarchy symbol and an anti-police slogan. An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined the fire was started using a device "consistent with the appearance and components of a Molotov cocktail," according to the criminal complaint. Investigators used DNA evidence, surveillance and social media to track down Roychowdhury nearly a year after the incident took place. Key elements in the investigation included an apparent handwriting match in another graffiti incident and DNA obtained from a half-eaten burrito discarded in a garbage can. In his motion to suppress, Roychowdhurys attorney argued the affidavit did not establish a connection between the crime and the home, nor did it offer a reason for extending the search to include all electronic devices found in the home. Bugni also argued there were no allegations tying the electronics seized during Roychowdhurys arrest to the crime, and that the time (37 days) between seizing those devices and applying for the warrant to search them was unreasonable. The questions here are narrow and focused not on whether there is evidence to suspect Roychowdhury of the arson but whether there is additional evidence tying it to the residence or the devices. Here, the affidavit is silent on both, he wrote. The U.S. government has until July 10 to respond to Roychowdhurys motions to dismiss and suppress. The court will start considering trial dates in August, with a scheduling conference on Aug. 30. If convicted, Roychowdhury faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man seeks dismissal of charges in arson at anti-abortion group office A man and woman accused of abducting an 11-year-old girl from Virginia are in the Duval County Jail, according to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office online Inmate Information Search. Concetta Karen Chavis, 43, and Alexander Gene Baab, 18, are both being held on warrants of felony abduction by force, JSO records show. They were booked into the jail at 2:15 a.m. Sunday. The Bedford County Sheriffs Office in Virginia said Chavis and Baab are from Tampa and were believed to be headed there with the girl before they were located by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. Deputies first responded around 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon in Goode, Virginia, to reports of the missing child. BCSO said family told them the girl had been missing since around 10:30 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] As a neighbor saw additional deputies responding to the neighborhood to begin searching, she asked what was going on. The neighbor told deputies that she saw, a white sedan parked in the area with what looked like Florida tags, according to a BCSO Facebook post from Sheriff Mike Miller. She told deputies she asked the man and woman in the car if they needed help and said this happened around 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Deputies were able to locate video footage that showed a white Honda sedan with readable Florida tags as well as an adult female. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] BCSO said the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children, the Virginia State Police, and the FBI helped to locate the child in Jacksonville. JSO found the girl, who was still in the car with the suspects. BCSO said she was safely recovered, and the suspects were detained. Chavis and Baab are awaiting extradition to Virginia, where they could face additional charges, BCSO said. The girl was reunited with her family. 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 News Marriage registrations in China have hit a record low, new data from the country's Ministry of Civil Affairs shows. Just 6.8 million marriages were recorded in 2022, the lowest since record keeping began in 1983. It marks a 49% drop from 2013, the year with the highest number of marriage registrations. Know More A demographer cited by Chinese state-affiliated media outlet the Global Times suggests that the declining number of marriages could come down to an aging population, as well as a gender imbalance in the country. As of 2020, there are 17.52 million more men than women between the ages of 20 and 40 in China. Meanwhile, the average marriage age in the country is climbing: As of 2020, men in China typically record their first marriage at age 29, compared to 25 in 2010, The Global Times said. Step Back The declining marriage rate in China comes as the country's birth rate is falling. Fewer than 10 million births were recorded in China last year, the lowest in decades. In a move to encourage unmarried couples and single women to have more babies, Sichuan province removed a protocol which required that couples be married in order to register new births. WASHINGTON Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., struck a temporary deal with a band of 11 conservative rebels Monday, ending a nearly weeklong blockade of the House floor and paving the way for votes this week on a handful of GOP messaging bills. The agreement was announced after a meeting between McCarthy and some of the rabble-rousers who last week joined Democrats in voting no on a rule vote a rare move that blocked a package of GOP bills from advancing on the floor and prompted leadership to send lawmakers home for the week. Emerging from McCarthys office Monday, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., confirmed that the gang of 11 would now vote yes on a new rule that will allow the package of messaging bills two to protect gas stoves, another regulatory bill and a fourth to protect pistol stabilizing braces to come to the floor later this week. None of the bills are likely to pass the Senate. We aired our issues. We want to see this move forward as a body, said Norman, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus. "The floor will be functioning this week," added Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of the conservative ringleaders. But Norman, Gaetz and others said the group is still concerned about the debt ceiling deal McCarthy cut with President Joe Biden and warned that they could gum up other GOP bills if spending isnt cut further in the upcoming appropriations process. Were concerned about the economic security of this country. And to that end, we will work, Norman continued. If we dont have that, theres gonna be fights. Theres a lot more fights down the road. Other conservatives said there also are ongoing talks with McCarthy over how to regain trust between the speaker, his leadership team and conservatives. "There's a larger discussion about how we sort of rebuild the conservative coalition within the Republican Party so that we can restore the unity that we had before the debt limit increase," said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., one of the 11 who voted against last week's rule. Gaetz, a fierce McCarthy critic, said the "power-sharing agreement" that McCarthy negotiated with conservatives to win the speaker's gavel in January "must be renegotiated." "He understood that and we understood that," Gaetz added, "and it has to be renegotiated in a way so that what happened on this debt limit vote would never happen again, where House conservatives would be left as the less desirable coalition partner than Democrats." "If there's not a renegotiated power-sharing agreement," Gaetz warned, "then perhaps we'll be back here next week." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Men killed in SouthPark fire couldnt reach exit. Would another way out have saved them? One morning last month, as smoke filled the sixth floor of a large apartment building under construction near SouthPark Mall, workers Reuben Holmes and Demonte Sherrill grew desperate. They were about a football field away from the only exit, they told their boss in a panicked phone call just after 9:20 am. Keith Suggs, owner of a door and window installation company, instructed them to get on the floor and crawl toward the stairwell exit. But they said the smoke was too thick for them to see the exit, Suggs said. Their remains were later discovered in the charred rubble from the massive, five-alarm blaze. I wish there was another set of stairs on the other end of that building, Suggs said. My guys would have had another chance to escape. Fire prevention experts contacted by The Charlotte Observer say that what happened to Holmes and Sherrill raises a vital question: Should more exits be required on large buildings under construction? Local and state fire safety officials are now discussing that question. While the building is under construction, thats arguably when it is most vulnerable, said Jim Milke, chair of the department of fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland. Rueben Holmes, left, and Demonte Tyree Sherrill, right, were killed in a construction building fire on May 18, 2023 in South Park, Charlotte. Safety concerns raised after Charlotte fire The sixth floor of the Modera SouthPark apartment building was to be more than 32,000 square feet when complete, according to plans The Observer obtained through a public records request. At that stage of construction, though, just one exit was required by the state fire code, a news release from the Charlotte Fire Department said. That could change as a result of the discussions now underway among state fire officials as they consider updates to the state fire code, which is based on standards that are eight and 10 years old. Charlotte Senior Fire Inspector Colin Triming, who chairs the states Fire Code Revision Committee, posed the idea of requiring more exits at a June 6 meeting in Greensboro. That was 19 days after the May 18 Charlotte blaze. In buildings that are large, it makes sense that we have more than one temporary lit exit, Triming later told The Charlotte Observer. After the five-alarm fire at a large apartment building near SouthPark Mall on May 18, little was left of the building site but the bottom floors, the elevator shafts and charred rubble. Khadejeh Nikouyeh/Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com Buildings under construction pose risks because fire suppression devices like sprinkler systems typically arent installed until the last phase of construction, fire safety officials say. Definitely, you need to have multiple exits, said Tom Brewer, a former captain for the Charlotte Fire Department who is president of the Charlotte Firefighters Association. If adopted, the new language being considered by the states Fire Code Revision Committee would scale the number of exits at a construction site to the number planned for the finished building. Experts: One exit isnt enough Once finished, the Modera SouthPark apartment building was to have three exit stairways on each floor, a county spokesperson said. Triming said that under his suggested change, the building would have at least two exits available on each floor during construction. A spokesman for the Charlotte Fire Department said the building had just one exit at the time of the fire, and just one was required by the state fire code. But three fire safety experts contacted by The Observer questioned why just one exit was available to the workers who perished. Milosh Puchovsky, a professor at the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, called the lack of a second exit a head-scratcher. And John Heinen, a Charlotte-based regional practice leader at Telgian, a fire protection engineering consultant firm, said the best practice is to have more than one way out of anything. We have back doors on our house for a reason, he said. Its not just to get to the backyard. A spokesperson for Mill Creek Residential, the Florida-based developer on the project, said company officials are actively investigating the circumstances that led to the fire, and are cooperating with state and local authorities in their investigation. The spokesperson declined to comment further. A photo from the street outside the massive fire in SouthPark. Charlotte Fire Dept/Charlotte Fire Dept The fire, one of the largest Charlotte firefighters have encountered in decades, reduced much of the construction site to char. Firefighters, with help from a crane operator working at the site, rescued 15 people. Fire officials say the blaze began in a spray foam insulation trailer on the first floor of the building. In its June 6 news release, the Charlotte fire department said it had no new information on what sparked the fire, but added: Fire Investigators determined multiple accidental heat sources were in the trailer. No fire inspection was done at the construction site before the blaze, the fire department said last week. Thats because the contractor failed to alert the Charlotte Fire Marshals office about its construction and progress, as Mecklenburg County requires. Fire officials also said no standpipe a vertical water pipe to which fire hoses can be connected had been installed at the 239-unit apartment building. The state fire code requires that at least one standpipe be installed during construction. Standpipes can help firefighters begin to battle fires more quickly. The builders were using an increasingly common style of apartment building construction known as pedestal or podium construction in which the bottom story is made of noncombustible material like concrete or steel and the upper floors are built with wood. While international building codes adopted by North Carolina allow for wood-frame buildings, some fire science experts worry about their vulnerability to fire. Other changes on the table? Trimings committee is also discussing whether it should limit the size of some buildings, and whether it should adopt the 2022 edition of National Fire Protection Association standards that outline safety rules at construction sites. The NFPA standards now on North Carolinas books are from 2013, state Department of Insurance Chief Fire Code Consultant Charlie Johnson confirmed in a June 9 email. The newer standards, among other things, include additions on a fire-prevention program managers role at such construction sites, said Kevin Carr, a senior fire protection specialist with NFPA. They also have new requirements for fire-safety plans adapted to each construction project. Plans are approved by a local building or fire official or whoever has jurisdiction where a project is built. And there are new chapters that outline best practices for tall mass timber structures and large wood frame structures, Carr said. North Carolina is by no means the only state using older fire safety standards, Susan McKelvey, a spokesperson for the NFPA, said in an email. This presents safety concerns because the most recent edition of a code or standard reflects the latest trends, issues, and learnings that older editions may not, she wrote. It would be a long road to implementing changes, though. Triming and other fire safety officials said the earliest that will likely happen is January 2025. In 2014 the North Carolina Building Code Council switched from updating codes every three years to every six years. That council will also have to weigh in. Observer data reporter Gavin Off and growth and development reporter Gordon Rago contributed to this report. This article was modified on June 14 to clarify changes in newer editions of National Fire Protection Association standards. FILE - Then Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena speaks during an opening ceremony at Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City, May 24, 2016. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, that he has appointed Barcena as the new foreign relations secretary, replacing Marcelo Ebrard, who resigned to run for the ruling party's presidential candidacy. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos president on Tuesday named Alicia Barcena, the countrys current ambassador to Chile, as the next foreign relations secretary, replacing Marcelo Ebrard who resigned to pursue the presidential nomination. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador noted the solid background of the Harvard-educated Barcena, who served for almost 14 years as executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. She has been Mexico's ambassador to Chile since September. Lopez Obrador said it would be at least 10 days before Barcena takes over the new role. Ebrard on Monday resigned his post as the country's top diplomat to join the primary race for the presidential nomination of Lopez Obradors Morena party in the June 2024 elections. Ebrard is mainly known for leading Mexicos effort to bring gun-trafficking lawsuits against U.S. arms manufacturers and gun stores. As a first-of-its-kind coordinated solution to the teacher shortage in South Florida, Miami Dade College and Miami-Dade Public Schools will launch a teaching academy at each high school in the county this fall to encourage teenagers to pursue a teaching career. Through the Teaching Academy Dual Enrollment Program, high school students will be able to earn college credits oriented around education majors while working toward their high school diploma. Jose Dotres, Miami-Dade Schools superintendent, and Madeline Pumariega, the president of Miami Dade College, broke the news in front of dozens of teachers, principals and administrators at a training event Tuesday morning at the colleges Eduardo J. Padron Campus in Little Havana. Jose Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, speaks at the launch event for the Teaching Academy Dual Enrollment Program on the Miami Dade College Eduardo J. Padron Campus in Little Havana on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. This is the first of its kind for our school district because were doing it across the board at every high school. This is a major effort, Dotres told the Herald. Teaching academies have been sporadic in nature they may be in one school or another under different models because principals have created their own. This will make them consistent and tie them to the college with dual enrollment articulation like never before. When the seniors graduate, they could continue their studies at the college and then after graduating, they could return to the school district as employees. Its a three-part process, hopefully, Dotres said. Even if the program doesnt spark an interest in students to become educators long-term, Dotres said its still valuable because it will instill in them communication, leadership and other skills. Madeline Pumariega, the president of Miami Dade College, thanks principals, teachers and administrators for attending the launch of the Teaching Academy Dual Enrollment Program, a potential solution to the teacher shortage in South Florida, on the colleges Eduardo J. Padron Campus in Little Havana on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Dotres, who has led the third-largest school district in the country since January 2022, and Pumariega, who was named president of MDC in November 2020, worked for about a year on the idea, along with their teams. Pumariega also noted this program would not sacrifice the quality of the education for upcoming teachers. Make no mistake about the importance of highly qualified credentialed teachers. We can talk about all of these alternatives ... but we should all in this room have one collective goal and one collective priority: Having highly qualified credentialed teachers. We should never take shortcut to make sure we provide [that], she said. Miami Police blocked off a plaza in front of the Miami courthouse where former President Donald Trump was set to be arraigned. The authorities moved members of the public and the media across the street from the court as a suspicious package in a van was investigated. The all-clear was given shortly after 11.30am on Tuesday. This comes after Miami officials claimed that they will have everything under control as Mr Trump appears in court. Speaking at a press conference at Miami police headquarter, Mayor Francis Suarez said the city is enacting plans to make sure that everyone has a right to peacefully express themselves and exercise their constitutional rights in an obviously peaceful manner. In our city, we obviously believe in the Constitution, and believe that people should have the right to express themselves. But we also believe in law and order. And we know that and we hope that tomorrow will be peaceful. We encourage people to be peaceful in demonstrating how they feel. And were going to have the adequate forces necessary to ensure that, he said. Mr Suarez, who is rumoured to be planning to enter the 2024 Republican presidential primary himself, declined to criticise the ex-presidents rhetoric and said he has not spoken to Mr Trump to ask him to retract his calls for protest, despite the former presidents history of inciting violence. I have not spoken to him. I dont have his phone number, he said. Police blocked an area in front of the Miami courthouse because of a suspicious package (The Independent / Andrew Feinberg) NOW: Federal Protective Service officers have blocked off a small area in front of the courthouse to investigate what one officer described as an unknown object. pic.twitter.com/RY3qsJxJWJ Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) June 13, 2023 Protesters and supporters of Mr Trump began clashing ahead of the arraignment with video emerging of arguments where police stepped in. As Mr Trump arrived in Florida on Monday night, footage shared on Twitter appeared to show Trump supporters confronting a man holding anti-Trump signs. Police separated a man wearing a prison costume and holding a sign saying Lock him up from the crowd following a confrontation with supporters of the former president. Former Trump White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon appeared worried about anti-Trump protesters during his programme on Real Americas Voice, a rightwing broadcaster. If youre asking for trouble, you let these two groups get together because the Never Trump, the anti-Trump and Antifa, BLM, are violent people, he claimed. And they're always there to get in people's faces. They're always there to try to pick fights. And I'm just an observer here anchoring in Washington DC, but I gotta tell you, I'm not enthusiastic about what I'm seeing down there on the crowd control. I think that we're just asking for problems and what we don't want today are problems. This thing we want to get in and out of, and I hope the Miami authorities and others do the job that the NYPD does, he added in reference to Mr Trumps arraignment earlier this year in a separate case. More follows... Microsoft wants to become one of the largest video game companies in the world but its facing a lot of pushback over a nearly $70 billion merger with game maker Activision Blizzard which makes games like Diablo, Candy Crush, and Call of Duty. On Monday we learned that the Federal Trade Commission has plans to stop the deal for now by seeking an injunction. Even outside the gaming world, its hard not to recognize games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and more. The FTC could soon be in U.S. District Court for a temporary restraining order to block the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which is the company behind all of those games. Professor John Kirkwood at Seattle University Law School has knowledge and background in anti-trust issues and he says this case featuring Redmond-based Microsoft could land in court soon. That kind of case is typically on an accelerated schedule there will be a hearing very soon for whats called the temporary injunction to just stop the merger the courts understand the parties want to move on this, said Kirkwood. If the deal goes through then World of Warcraft and many more games would become part of Microsoft. Microsoft moved to acquire the third-party video game developer in January 2022 for $68.7 billion. The purchase would be the largest in Microsofts history. That means more money and more jobs in our region potentially. But the FTC is challenging the deal saying it would allow Microsoft to take games away from other platforms. Professor Kirkwood says the case could be in court very soon because of the FTCs actions. Recently on CNN, Microsoft President and CEO Brad Smith admitted that Microsoft hasnt sold the merger to everyone quite yet, including regulators. Obviously we have not yet succeeded in addressing the concern of every regulator but look at the end of the day you have to decide. Do you want to find a solution to every problem or do you want to find a problem with every solution? said Smith. Smith says the FTC action to file a suit could actually speed up the decision-making process and said the company has confidence in its case and bringing it to court. Geekwire reported that the deal has an expiration in a little over a month on July 18, so we will see in the coming weeks whether Microsoft can truly become the industry leader in the gaming industry. Another senior official in the Trump administration has come out and stated that the former president is accused of serious crimes, hamstringing the Donald Trump and his allies ability to spin his latest legal development. Ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on Fox & Friends on Tuesday and delivered a sobering assessment of the charges against his former boss which dismantled the assertion Mr Trumps allies have pushed on social media seeking to explain away the boxes of documents and classified materials at Mar-a-Lago as the presidents own property. That explanation has been pushed by Trump loyalists like Senator JD Vance, the former presidents hated critic-turned devoted supporter from Ohio, who tweeted that prosecuting a president over his own governments documents is turning a political issue into a legal one. Mr Pompeo rejected that idea on Tuesday. By all indication, he said, Trump had classified docs when he shouldnt have had them, and when given the opportunity to return them, he chose not to do that. Then explaining the gravity of that misdeed, he continued: Thats inconsistent with protecting Americas soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines ... if these allegations are true, some of these were pretty serious, important documents. Mike Pompeo hammers Trump on Fox: Trump had classified docs when he shouldnt have had them, and when given the opportunity to return them he chose not to do that .. Thats inconsistent with protecting Americas soldiers .. some of these were pretty serious, important docs. pic.twitter.com/BXVTVPBvnt Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 13, 2023 Mr Pompeo, Mr Trumps second appointee to lead the State Department, is a notable defection from the ex-presidents ranks of allies given that he remained in service to the twice-impeached POTUS even after January 6, 2021, when the attack on the Capitol spurred a wave of resignations across the administration. Among those to quit were Elaine Chao, secretary of Transportation and partner to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and members of the presidents White House team. And his remarks are interesting for another reason: they come from a Republican who is clearly interested in maintaining a national profile as a conservative, even if not in direct competition to Mr Trump himself. The former secretary was long thought to be plotting a 2024 bid, but reconsidered and announced that he would not run in early 2024. He continues to appear regularly at GOP-aligned events like the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an annual gathering of the right in Washington, DC that in recent years has come to be dominated entirely by the pro-Trump faction. The former secretary of state currently has few colleagues making the same arguments in the media; one of those few is ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, now a candiate for the 2024 Republican nomination against Mr Trump, who has fiercely attacked his former ally over the issue. Most other Republicans, especially those running against Mr Trump for the nomination, have avoided the issue or disparaged the Justice Departments independence. Mr Christie, on the other hand, mocked Mr Trump during a CNN town hall on Monday evening over his prosecution, and joked that the ex-president had taken classified documents on summer vacation. He flew the boxes up to new Jersey for summer vacation. What is this, like, they're a family member? Seriously, I've got to have my boxes with me, quipped the governor. Mild drought conditions have been declared for Cape Cod and western Massachusetts, and state officials are urging residents in those regions to conserve water. The Level 1-Mild Drought status for these regions were announced on Tuesday after more than two months of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures, state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. All other regions of the state Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, and Islands regions remain in Level 0-Normal conditions, Tepper said. A Level 1-Mild Drought warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities, officials said. With much of the state experiencing sporadic rainfall and higher temperatures, its important that we all work together to conserve water, said Tepper. Were continuing to monitor conditions and any potential strains on our water systems. We ask that residents and businesses be mindful of water usage during the growing and recreational season. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Acting Director Dawn Brantley urged residents to be more cautious around flames with the drier-than-average conditions. While the Commonwealth has experienced some recent beneficial rainfall, the last 60 days have been overall slightly drier than average, said Brantley. Dry conditions increase the threat of brush and wildland fires, as Massachusetts saw during last years extended drought and widespread brush fires, so its especially important during the summer months to exercise caution with any open flames during outdoor activities. During the past several months, Massachusetts has experienced irregular rainfall events; however, state officials anticipate improvements in these areas based on rains this week. The Drought Management Task Force, composed of state and federal officials and other entities, decided to declare the mild drought status on Cape Cod and western Massachusetts after meeting on Thursday, officials said. The declaration will remain in effect until water levels return to normal conditions in those regions, officials said, adding that the Drought Management Task Force will meet again on July 6, 2023 to assess conditions. While rain has been plentiful this spring in many areas of the state, that has not been the case in the western region or on the Cape, said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. Now is the time to implement sound conservation measures to manage water demands and help minimize larger problems later in the summer should dry conditions continue. State officials encouraged anyone living or working on Cape Cod and western Massachusetts during the mild drought, including residents using a private well, to take the following actions: Minimize overall water use; Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering. Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., or less frequently if required by your water supplier; Plant only local and drought-resistant species; Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use; For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities. All these steps will greatly help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and sustain the Commonwealths water supplies, officials said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Locals have noticed many visitors to Tokyo making the same mistakes. Locals have noticed many visitors to Tokyo making the same mistakes. Since Japan reopened its borders to foreign tourists in October, many travelers have taken advantage of the opportunity to visit this bucket-list destination. Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is especially popular, and for good reason the striking skyline, incredible food scene and treasure trove of unique cultural experiences are unforgettable. But as tourists pour back into Tokyo, they inevitably make a few common mistakes. We asked locals and other experts to share some of the issues theyve observed. From dining mishaps to problematic cultural assumptions, here are 14 mistakes tourists often make while visiting Tokyo and some advice for avoiding these errors during your travels. Not Using Public Transportation Tokyo has an extensive and incredible public transportation system of subways and trains. Dont be afraid to brave the subway system. Get yourself a prepaid subway card, like Suica or Pasmo, for easy entrance into the subway. Google Maps will tell you which lines to take and where to transfer if you need to! Be mindful, Japanese people are generally quiet on the subway, and dont eat or drink while riding! Danny Taing, founder of the Japanese snack subscription box Bokksu Assuming Everyone Speaks English While you can get around with English in some tourist areas, its not widely spoken by the majority of Tokyo residents. Try to learn a few simple phrases, or utilize translation apps to bridge the language barrier and show effort. Learning a simple hello or thank you can go a long way! Taing Thinking Attractions Are Closer Than They Are I think that the most common mistake international travelers make in Tokyo is getting lost in the city, especially in a subway station. Since popular places such as Asakusa and Harajuku are spread out over Tokyo (not concentrated on one main street, as in many countries), many of my readers say it was hard for them to plan their trip. In the city, I see some international travelers stunned and overwhelmed in front of the map board in the stations. There are 286 subway stations in Tokyo! It is unnecessary to learn all of the Tokyo map. I always advise future visitors to decide where in Tokyo they want to visit, first of all. It enables them to find out how to get to the places in advance and how to get there from their accommodation. Even Tokyo locals dont know all the stations. By concentrating on the places they want to go, planning their trip becomes much easier. Kozue Mitani, creator of Tokyo Direct Guide Activating Your JR Pass Upon Arrival Theres often a big line of tourists waiting to activate their JR (Japan Railway) Pass at the airport right after they have arrived. Its a waste using up a rail pass day for the short journey into Tokyo, better to activate just before you embark long distance travel, especially so with the upcoming price hike. Chris Kirkland, co-founder of Tokyo Cheapo Staying Far From Where You Want To Go I repeatedly advise my readers to book a hotel that is located in a convenient place for each individuals wish list. For example, staying in Shinjuku will be a great idea if your interest is in Harajuku (just five minutes by JR Yamanote Line train!) and Shibuya (seven mins by Yamanote train, its so easy), but not Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. Youll need to change trains in the spider-web-like city, which leads you to get lost and end up being overwhelmed in front of the map. Even a stay at a 5-star luxury hotel can be exhausting if they book a hotel in the wrong district for the individual. Mitani In the city, I see some international travelers stunned and overwhelmed in front of the map board in the stations. ... It is unnecessary to learn all of the Tokyo map.Kozue Mitani, creator of Tokyo Direct Guide Not Exploring A Variety Of Local Cuisine While Japan is the most well-known for sushi and ramen, there is such a rich, diverse food scene in Japan. Definitely make sure you eat plenty of delicious sushi and ramen, but dont be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone. Visit local izakayas, small mom-and-pop shops and street food stalls, and order something new! Taing Taking The Wrong Approach To Sushi Trying to book Jiro Sushi is a mistake. His is just one of many great sushi restaurants and probably the hardest to book since its the only one tourists recognize. And sushi related, if youre a newbie, booking a super high-end sushi restaurant will be wasted on you, as youre unlikely to have developed a proper taste for it yet youre in Japan, any sushi restaurant (or frankly, even 7-11 sushi) is likely to be much better than anything youve had before. Kirkland Misunderstanding Eating Techniques When I went to Tokyo with my Italian friend, we went to a local soba noodle shop, and we ordered cold soba noodle, called zaru soba, very typical and popular. When we start eating, my Italian friend put the dipping sauce on top of soba noodles! Zaru soba is served on a bamboo colander and theres no dish under the colander. We made a flood of the sauce on our table. My friend apologized to our server again and again, but she told us, It happens often. For Japanese people, it is obvious to dip the noodle in a sauce cup, but it may not be clear for everyone. Hisashi Tsumura of the Tokyo Tourism Representative Office A close-up view of a zaru soba noodle dish at a restaurant in the historic post town of Narai along the Nakasendo Way on Nov. 11, 2022, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. A close-up view of a zaru soba noodle dish at a restaurant in the historic post town of Narai along the Nakasendo Way on Nov. 11, 2022, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Missing Out On Fun Local Flavors Everyone has that friend or coworker whos come back from Japan and brought back green tea Kit Kats. Japan has such a rich and vibrant snack culture. Go off the beaten (or eaten) path a little bit. Try some fun flavors like red bean, black sesame, yuzu, kinako and more. Taing Leaving A Tip Tipping is not customary in Japan. In fact, it can be considered rude and insulting, so dont try to leave a tip. Akiko Tanaka, a marketing professional Assuming All Asian Customs Are The Same Whilst there are lots of potential etiquette mistakes, bowing like youre in Thailand with your palms pressed together on your chest is perhaps the most cringe. Bowing with your hands together in Japan is for apologizing, and your hands are extended in front of your face. Kirkland Ignoring Shoe Rules Visitors are expected to remove their shoes before entering certain places, so pay attention to the rules and customs when visiting traditional restaurants, temples, houses and more. Sometimes there will be slippers provided for visitors, but not always. Wear or bring your own shocks. Tanaka Entering An Onsen Without Showering The onsen hot spring tradition is a special part of Japanese culture and a popular tourist attraction, but foreigners unfortunately dont always follow the rules. Probably the biggest one is that people dont shower and wash themselves before entering the onsen. This is a huge faux pas. Tanaka Only Visiting The Most Touristy Neighborhoods One mistake many Tokyo travelers make is visiting places others have already been. Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Asakusa fill social media. Everyone knows them. But what about Kichijoji, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, and Nihonbashi? (There are many more, of course.) Few people have heard of them. Go and youll experience things new and unique. Luckily, they are only short train rides away! Rohan Gillett, founder of Tokyo in Pics Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity. Related... Mom left toddler in filthy closet while she drove for DoorDash, Georgia cops say A mother is accused of leaving her toddler in a closet with filth and feces while she delivered DoorDash orders, Georgia deputies say. The 24-year-old mother was arrested Sunday, June 11, after leaving her 22-month-old alone in a Grovetown apartment, according to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office. She faces charges of child cruelty and cruelty to animals, online records show. Deputies responded at about 10 p.m. Saturday after the childs grandmother told them the boy might be locked in the apartment by himself, deputies said in an incident report. Her son, the childs father, told her the mother would lock the toddler a closet for hours while she delivered food from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Rescue crews arrived with a ladder after deputies were unable to get the mother on the phone and saw her car was missing from the driveway, the report said. Authorities got in through a patio door and found the child in a bedroom closet with the door closed, deputies said He was sleeping on the floor, wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by trash and other small items, deputies wrote, adding that the baby had bruising and feces in one of his ears. Authorities went onto describe the deplorable conditions inside, including dirty diapers, animal feces and the stench of urine, according to the report. Multiple animals were also found in the home, including five cats locked in a room without water, a bird, a roaming dog and a tarantula in a container on the kitchen counter, deputies said. The mom returned just before 4 a.m. and was arrested, according to the reported. Deputies said she showed no remorse and told them she left the baby home because it was not good for his spine to be in a car seat. She remained in jail on a $26,200 bond as of Tuesday, June 13, online records show. The toddler was placed in the care of his grandmother, authorities said. Columbia County is about 130 miles east of Atlanta. Passenger sexually abused a minor on cross-country American Airlines flight, feds say Dad killed 4-year-old, then reported him missing 7 months later, Virginia officials say Couples brutal pattern of child torture included boy kept in cage, Florida cops say MONROE - A Monroe man has been accused by state police of engaging in sexual conduct with a child less than 15 years old. According to state police, their Child Abuse Unit was working with Orange County Child Protective Services on Sunday when they received allegations about the suspect, Sergio Lucero, 40, of the village of Monroe. Police said an investigation of those allegations led to Lucero's arrest. Lucero was charged with second-degree criminal sex act, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Woman stabbed: Liberty man charged with attempted murder Road rage: Wallkill man found guilty of manslaughter in stabbing New flights: Stewart Airport to offer nation's first nonstop service to the Faroe Islands Lucero was arraigned before Minisink Town Justice George Smith and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail, pending further court action. The name of his attorney was not immediately available. Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845. This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Monroe man charged with criminal sex act with a child The mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot his Virginia elementary school teacher pleaded guilty to federal gun charges on Monday. Deja Taylor of Newport News, Va. pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of being an illegal drug user while possessing a firearm and one count of making a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) form to purchase the firearm. Federal law prohibits users of illegal drugs to own firearms and those who purchase a firearm will have to attest they are not drug users at the time of their purchase, according to the Washington Post. In their statement, authorities said that Taylor purchased the firearm her son used to shoot his teacher in July 2022, adding that federal agents conducted a search of Taylors home days after the incident, finding narcotics packaging, narcotics paraphernalia, marijuana, marijuana edible packaging, a box of ammunition, and a black firearm barrel lock. Authorities also searched the home of Taylors mother, finding approximately 24.5 grams of marijuana, marijuana edible packaging, and marijuana paraphernalia, also conducted a search of Taylors phone which illustrated Taylors ongoing marijuana use, according to the statement of facts. Authorities did note that no lockbox, trigger lock, or key to a trigger lock was found in either of the residences that they searched. Taylor was also previously arrested in April 2021 when she was pulled over for speeding in Williamsburg, Va., according to the news release. The arresting officer conducted a search of Taylors vehicle and found marijuana in plain view, digital scales, and marijuana pills inside her purse, noting that several marijuana edibles that looked like rice treats were found inside of her vehicle directly next to her son. It is clear from this case that enforcement of our existing federal firearm laws is critical to ensuring public safety, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber said in a statement. Federal requirements for firearm ownership are not optional and exist to protect owners, their family members, and the communities where they live. Failing to abide by those requirements when purchasing or possessing a firearm can have far-reaching consequences. In a separate statement, ATFs Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai said that the overall safety of community members is his utmost concern, adding that anyone who is a user of illegal drugs is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. ATF will continue to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure that people who violate this condition of firearm ownership are held accountable for their actions, Kailimai said in his statement. The latest charges come after Taylors son shot Richneck Elementary School teacher Abby Zwerner in the head and chest inside her classroom earlier in January. Zwermer, who sustained gunshot wounds but survived her injuries, filed a lawsuit in April against the Newport News School Board and the schools administrators, claiming gross negligence and reckless disregard. Taylor has previously stated that shes willing to take responsibility for the incident as a parent. Taylor, 26, who faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced later this year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Multiple soldiers fainted at rehearsals for King Charles' birthday parade during a heat wave. Photos show it's been an issue for decades. A guardsman faints during a rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour parade in 1973, left, and in 2023, right. Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images Several soldiers fainted during rehearsals for King Charles' birthday parade on Saturday. The annual event is held in June, and many guards have fainted over the years due to the heat. Photos show that this has been an issue at royal events since the 1950s. Every summer, Buckingham Palace hosts Trooping the Colour, a military parade held in celebration of the monarch's birthday. Ahead of King Charles' first parade as monarch on June 17, a rehearsal parade known as the Colonial Review was held by Prince William on Saturday. As the Associated Press reported, at least three soldiers fainted during the ceremony, likely due to the hot weather conditions in London; the temperature in the UK capital on Saturday was expected to hit 30 C (86 F), and data from Accuweather shows it reached 28 C (84 F). But this isn't the first time royal guards have fainted at royal events it's happened on a number of occasions before, at least since the 1950s. Take a look. Several soldiers fainted during rehearsals for King Charles' birthday parade over the weekend. A soldier faints during Trooping the Colour rehearsals in London on June 10, 2023. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images Trooping the Colour has been a royal tradition for more than 260 years, according to the official royal website. One of the first images of a soldier fainting during the ceremony was taken in 1957. A guardsman faints during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London to celebrate the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on June 19, 1957. Keystone/Getty Images Source: Royal.uk The ceremony is held in the summertime and soldiers traditionally wear a black bearskin hat and a military jacket. In 1963, a soldier fainted during rehearsals. First-aid attendants help a Guardsman after he fainted during a rehearsal for the Trooping of the Colour in London on June 1, 1963. Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images Read more: A royal guard shares 5 hidden details on his iconic blood-red uniform and the meaning behind them In this photo taken in 1973, a soldier can be seen on the ground as the others around him carried on with rehearsals. A soldier faints during Trooping the Colour rehearsals in London on May 26, 1973. Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images A soldier was carried away on a stretcher after he fainted during the ceremony in 1974. A soldier of the Scots Guard is stretchered off the parade ground during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London on June 17, 1974. Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Decades later, in 2000, one soldier was carried away for medical attention after fainting while those around him stood to attention. A Coldstream Guardsman is carried off after fainting during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London on June 17, 2000. Michael Stephens - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images A member of the Scots Guard fainted during the Colonel's Review the same ceremony soldiers were rehearsing for on Saturday in 2010. A member of the Scots Guards faints during the Colonel's Review in London in June 2010. Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images Another guard was carried on a stretcher after fainting during the Trooping the Colour parade in 2017. A Guardsman lies on a stretcher after fainting during the annual Trooping The Colour parade in London on June 17, 2017. Jack Taylor/Getty Images With hotter temperatures becoming more common, an army spokesperson told Insider that medics are often on standby at royal ceremonies. The Royal Family watching the flypast at Trooping the Colour in June 2022. Chris Jackson/Getty Heat waves dominated last summer and are becoming increasingly common due to climate change, as Insider previously reported. An army spokesperson told Insider that while they can't comment on the individual cases of fainting over the weekend, those affected have received treatment. They added that medics are often prepared for minor injuries, including fainting, and that soldiers also receive training to be able to withstand long periods of standing and marching. Buckingham Palace did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider Muted intl response to Kakhovka, danger washing up in Odesa, new orders for Russian PMCs Zelenskyy criticizes international community for timidity after Kakhovka Dam explosion On June 8, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed members of the global environmental community after the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Mysterious symbolism in HUR chief Budanovs silent video Secret operations in the style of Japanese ninjas, connections to cotton on the streets and in the sea this is probably the message that Ukraines military intelligence (HUR) chief Kyrylo Budanov intended to send with a recent video that features him sitting in silence at his desk for a full thirty seconds. How will the sabotage of the Kakhovka dam affect Russian forces in southern Ukraine and Crimea? The massive flooding will primarily affect the aggressors defensive positions. Trash washes ashore following Kakhovka dam destruction, Ukrainian military warns it may be dangerous Clearing debris washed ashore after the Russian military destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and dam will require expert help due to potential hazards, including explosives, South Operational Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said on national television on June 12. Residents greeted Ukrainian troops during liberation of Blahodatne, Ukrainian military says Valeriy Shershen, a spokesman for the joint press center of the Tauride Defense Forces, told Radio NV on June 11 about the liberation of Blahodatne from Russian occupation troops. Ukraine and Moldova to construct bridge across Dniester, key link between Kyiv and Chisinau Ukraine and Moldova have reached an agreement to construct a bridge across the Dniester River in the area between the towns of Yampil and Koseuts on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border, the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure reported on June 12. Coca-Cola aims to restore pre-war production, sales volumes in Ukraine by year-end Coca-Cola's official bottler in Ukraine, Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine, is on track to reach pre-war production and distribution volumes in 2023, Volodymyr Choban, Director of Logistics at Coca-Cola HBS, said on June 9, news agency Interfax-Ukraine reports. Shoigu orders all PMCs to be placed under Russian Defense Ministry control, Prigozhin immediately refuses Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has issued a decree requiring all volunteer units operating on the frontlines to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense by July 1. Kryvyi Rih residents must cut water usage 40% after Kakhovka dam breach, governor says Every resident of the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast should reduce water consumption by 40%, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the citys military administration, said on Telegram on June 11. Will Russia be stopped by their failures in the war with Ukraine? Despite the failures they have suffered in this war, Russians confidence in their own abilities remains quite high, writes Professor Vitaliy Nadurak. 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 Myrtle Beach is rolling out one of Americas most expensive booting fees. Heres when. If you avoid paying to park in one of Myrtle Beachs private lots, be warned: A New York City-sized penalty could soon be coming to a hubcap near you. The city council on June 12 finalized a booting policy with fines up to $125 for motorists that ignore advertised rates inside private lots. It takes affect immediately. The uniform fee is all-inclusive to replace added towing costs and abusive vehicle immobilization policies. Heres what the new rule requires: Commercial paid parking lots must install signage giving notice to the public that payment is required and that failure to pay may result in booting or towing. Signage will also identify parking lot address as well as the name and telephone number of parking lot operator. Signs shall be located at each lot entrance and, if the lot does not have a designated entrance, signage is required to be posted and must be clearly visible from every parking space. No booting on commercial paid parking lots without proper signage. Maximum daily booting fee is $125 Officials say the price tag would likely be the largest statewide and put ahead of major southeastern cities, including Atlanta and Orlando. By comparison, New York City charges $185 to free-booted vehicles. Paid parking in Myrtle Beach stretches back to 1947, when some 300 meters were installed. Today, there are more than 2,000. The booting fee could be approved by June 13 to coincide with year-round parking rules that take effect in July. Although on-street rates would stay the same: Between $2 and $3 an hour and up to $15 a day, paid parking would be implemented all year a move expected to generate $250,000 annually in new revenues. Mayor Brenda Bethune said the attention-getting amount could be adjusted through city action, but she and others believe it may help free up coveted spaces downtown. Myrtle Beach does not have the amount of public parking that larger cities have, especially when you factor in our tourism population. The fee will be a deterrent to those who dont pay for their time, she said. Innovative Parking Solutions, which works with Chicago-area businesses and private property owners, says on its website that booting often serves as a deterrent for others. As part of its new enforcement policy, Myrtle Beach officials would require reflective signs and easy to scan QR codes so people understand rates and penalties. Naomi Watts And Billy Crudup Tie The Knot At New York City Courthouse Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup have officially tied the knot, the happy bride announced with an Instagram photo that showed them on the steps of a New York City courthouse. Dressed in white with a bouquet of flowers in hand, Watts stood arm in arm with her beaming husband in Sundays post. Hitched! Watts captioned the image, which received more than 275,000 likes. Watts revealed in an endearing Instagram story that her flowers came from a local deli. Watts and Crudup reportedly started dating while filming the Netflix series Gypsy in 2017. They made their red carpet debut together in 2022. Watts, who was reportedly spotted wearing a diamond ring in April, described Crudup as my love last year. Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts at the premiere of Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts at the premiere of "Hello Tomorrow" held at The Whitby Hotel on February 15, 2023, in New York City. Watts and Crudup were celebrated by their fans and friends. Andy Cohen cheekily wrote: I feel partially responsible for this, to which Watts replied: You can take a decent to large portion of the credit. Even Schreiber, whose girlfriend Taylor Neisen is reportedly expecting their first child together, chimed in: Congratulations!!! Gorgeous!!! Michelle Pfeiffer and Julianna Moore both used heart emojis in their comments. So happy for you both, wrote Pfeiffer. FINALLY!!! said Moore. Gwyneth Paltrow commented: Sending so much love!! Watts fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman wrote: So So happy for you both. Love you Nai - you did it! Its unclear whether the couple celebrated with friends. Watts reportedly shared an Instagram photo of Mark Ruffalo and his wife Sunrise Coigney, and Josh Hamilton and his wife Lily Thorne, in casual clothing. Watts became an international star with David Lynchs Mulholland Drive in 2001. She was married for 11 years to fellow actor Liev Schreiber, with whom she shares two children. The couple divorced in 2016. Crudup previously dated Claire Danes, for whom he left his pregnant girlfriend of eight years, Mary-Louise Parker, in 2003. Parker and Crudup co-parent their son. Watts and Schreiber raise their sons together as well. Related... NASA Sending Adorable Little Buddy to Hang Out Next to the James Webb Sidekick Energy After spending an exceedingly lonely year and a half peering into the universe roughly a million miles from the Earth, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is finally getting some company. The space agency recently selected a toaster-sized cubesat that will become the much bigger telescope's tiny, adorable "sidekick," according to a statement. NASA chose the $8.5 million space mission, called the "Monitoring Activity from Nearby sTars with uv Imaging and Spectroscopy" (MANTIS), which will be designed and built by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. The diminutive but mighty spacecraft, scheduled to launch sometime in 2026, will make observations of the night sky in the full range of ultraviolet light, including extreme UV (EUV) light, a more energetic form. These observations will help the cubesat study stars that burn dozens of light-years away from Earth, complementing the Webb's own observations of exoplanets. Webb Slinger MANTIS will fit right in, filling in the blanks for its much larger cousin. "We proposed MANTIS as a kind of ultraviolet sidekick that will follow JWST and look wherever it's looking, filling in this important piece of context on the stellar environments in which these planets live," said Kevin France, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder and scientist on the MANTIS team, in the statement. Planets often release huge amounts of EUV as they are being blasted by radiation from their host star, a sign that they may be losing their atmosphere. But measuring this blast of radiation has proven difficult, and that's where MANTIS comes in. "For a lot of stars, this is going to be the first time weve seen what they look like in extreme ultraviolet," said David Wilson, who leads the missions science team at the University of Colorado, in the statement. And that means we could get a tantalizing glimpse of worlds that could harbor life. "We want to understand how this flux of UV light coming from stars affects the atmospheres of planets and even their habitability," said principal investigator Briana Indahl, also at the University of Colorado. More on Webb: James Webb Catches Saturns Moon Squirting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg promised a new commitment in support for Ukraine and pledged to sustain and step up defense spending across the alliance. Stoltenberg said at a Tuesday meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office that he expects members of the western security alliance to reach a minimum commitment in defense spending of 2 percent of GDP, or the economic output for a country. It has to be a minimum of what allies have to invest in our shared security, he said. Defense spending across the alliance increased last year after Russia invaded Ukraine, but most of the 31 members have not reached the 2 percent of GDP target. NATO released a report this year that showed only seven nations reached the GDP target: the United States, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the U.K., Estonia and Greece. Stoltenbergs meeting with Biden comes ahead of the July 11-12 NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where world leaders in the alliance are expected to discuss GDP spending and the war in Ukraine, along with other security interests. Biden on Tuesday praised the strength of the security alliance in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. At our summit in Lithuania next month we are going to be building on that momentum, working to ensure allies [spend] enough on defense at 2 percent, not just as the height but the bottom line, Biden said. The U.S. on Tuesday also announced another roughly $300 million dollar package for Ukraine, which launched its counteroffensive this month to reclaim territory occupied by Russian forces in the southern Donetsk region and southeastern Zaporizhizhia region. Ukrainian forces have made small but incremental progress, claiming to have captured at least seven towns in the east. Stoltenberg said the support provided to Ukraine from the security alliance is making a difference on the battlefield. Ukrainians are making progress, making advances, he said. Its still early days, but what we do know is the more land Ukraine is able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiation table. Both Stoltenberg and Biden were also expected to discuss the accession of Finland earlier this year into the security alliance and the obstacles facing Swedens inclusion. Turkey has opposed Swedens membership over concerns due to the nations alleged ties to extremist groups. Stoltenberg on Tuesday said he was looking forward to welcoming Sweden into the alliance as soon as possible. Stoltenberg, who has held the secretary-general job since 2014, is expected to step down at the end of his term in September. Alliance members are currently looking for his replacement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NATO pushes for common standards to tackle shortfalls in artillery munitions FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members fire a Caesar self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops near Avdiivka By Sabine Siebold BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The heads of leading arms-making companies meet NATO defence ministers this week to discuss increasing production and standardising artillery shells as the war in Ukraine depletes stocks. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned in February that Kyiv was burning through shells much faster than Western countries could produce them. The start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive is certain to lead to even greater use. But the lack of common standards among the various manufacturers has hampered the flow of munitions supplies. "It is about supercharging the NATO standardization process in order to enable smoother supplies, which will help prevent delays and shortfalls in the future," a NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters ahead of the meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Those invited include BAE Systems, Turkish drone maker Baykar, General Dynamics, the KNDS holding representing Leopard 2 producer KMW and French Nexter, Kongsberg , Leonardo, Lockheed, MBDA, Mesko, Nammo and Northrop Grumman, according to a defence source. NATO has been talking with industry representatives about boosting defence production since last year, but this is the first time the alliance will have held such a high-level gathering. It will take place on the sidelines of a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Discussions on Thursday will focus on ways to ramp up supplies of artillery shells, air defences and precision guided deep-strike ammunitions, missiles with a range of hundreds of kilometres such as the British Storm Shadow. Demand for 155mm artillery rounds has soared in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But allies' supplies for their own defence have been run down as they have rushed shells to Kyiv, which fires thousands of rounds per day. While NATO enforces standards for rounds fired by small arms such as assault rifles, enabling troops from all allies to use each others' munitions, it is not so easy for artillery shells. Although some large NATO countries have agreed on certain standards for the 155mm rounds used by howitzers, additional calculations are often needed to hit a target with the required precision, experts say. The NATO official said companies themselves have an interest in producing rounds that can be fired by multiple countries, with orders worth billions of euros expected as the war drags on in Ukraine. A defence industry source welcomed NATO's push for more standardization and called it "long overdue". "If national governments could bring themselves to throw national standards over board and agree on common NATO standards in particular with regard to munitions this would be a landslide change," the defence source said. Standardization would also be useful for 120mm tank rounds. "This would be a real gamechanger. You could go looking for 120mm shells all over the world because the ones that suit the (German) Leopard (tank) will work as well with the (U.S.) Abrams." Still, NATO may run into opposition from ammunitions makers as such a move could raise competition and lower prices. "There are hard-hitting business interests behind the entire ammunitions issue," the industry source said. "Companies are making money out of the fact that ammunitions are not interchangeable, that they can dominate their national markets with their munitions." The push for more standardization comes at a crucial time when defence companies can already see much bigger orders on the horizon as NATO, at its Vilnius summit in July, is about to raise targets for how much munitions allies have to stockpile. More than a year of conflict in Ukraine has left national inventories badly depleted. Before that many NATO countries had already run down their stocks as governments considered wars of attrition with big artillery battles a thing of the past. "It will take six to 10 years until all European munitions depots will be filled up again," Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told the German RND newspaper group in an interview. Rheinmetall is one of the biggest producers of artillery munitions and is about to ramp up its production capacity to 600,000 from 450,000 rounds of 155mm shells per year. (This story has been refiled to fix the formatting) (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, additional reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo; Editing by Angus MacSwan) AD23 formation NATO The largest air combat exercise in NATOs history, Air Defender 2023 (AD23), officially got underway yesterday. Bringing together 25 nations and NATO, the exercise features a strong U.S. military presence, with the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) providing nearly half of the aircraft involved. AD23, which seeks to test the "joint responsiveness of... allied air forces in a crisis situation," the Bundeswehr indicates, comes as Russias all-out war with Ukraine has left the issue of European security of paramount importance to the U.S. and allies. AD23 is scheduled to take place between June 12-23. Germany, which has been largely responsible for organizing the event, has planned AD23 since 2018. In all, almost 10,000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from across the participating countries including Germany, the U.S., the U.K., France, and Japan are involved. https://twitter.com/Team_Luftwaffe/status/1668279755198668802?s=20 The more than 250 allied aircraft of various kinds involved in AD23 including various fighters, transports and tankers are stationed at six locations across Germany, with the air exercises being carried out mainly over three areas of airspace connected to Schleswig/Hohn, Wunstorf and Lechfeld. Daily missions with round trips to forward operating locations will take place in eastern Europe, as well, according to the Bundeswehr. Aircraft from partner nations will be stationed at the locations in Wunstorf, Schleswig/Hohn, Geilenkirchen, Spangdahlem, Lechfeld and Neuburg. Bundeswehr/Marco Parge Training airspaces over Germany and eastern Europe. Bundeswehr/Marco Parge Upwards of 60 aircraft from Germany are taking part in the exercise, while the largest cohort of aircraft (around 100) comes from the U.S. The ANG has sent the majority of those 100 aircraft to Germany, alongside approximately 2,600 airmen from 42 states. ANG units began arriving in Germany earlier in June for AD23. https://twitter.com/USNationalGuard/status/1668287051685404677?s=20 A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 127th Wing, Michigan National Guard, fly in formation behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, during the air bridge on the way to exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23), June 5, 2023. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Lauren Kmiec As we highlighted in our preview article on the preparations for AD23, the overall U.S. Air Force presence in Germany is significant: Air Defender 23 strategically unites the United States and Germany, Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, director of the ANG, said during a press conference at the German Embassy in Washington back in April. [The exercise] tests not only our interoperability to work together, but it also tests our ability to rapidly deploy and rapidly employ [coalition air power]. Image via RAF With the exercise kicking off yesterday, various training missions began involving aircraft from the different participating nations. F/A-18 Hornets of the Finnish Air Force began training missions with Luftwaffe Typhoons, for example. Finland, which only recently joined NATO on April 4, has deployed four of those aircraft for AD23. https://twitter.com/FinnishAirForce/status/1668274479892422656 As we also noted in our preview feature on AD23, a variety of simulated training missions will be carried out during the eleven-day exercise, including combined air assaults in the face of dense surface-to-air missile or electronic warfare threats. Offensive and defensive counter-air operations will also be a centerpiece as part of this training. 13 June 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norvenich: German Air Force Eurofighter fighter jets taxi to the runway at the Oswald Boelcke Barracks air base as part of the "Air Defender 2023" military exercise. Photo by David Young/picture alliance via Getty Images Of course, it should be mentioned that AD23 will also provide U.S. forces and allies with opportunities to practice interoperability beyond training in the air. Other sorts of exercises, including exploring different refueling methods, are also being performed. Yesterday, for example, two USAF B-1B Lancers landed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, for hot-pit refueling. Hot-pit refueling allows aircraft to land and refuel without stopping their engines, enabling faster regeneration times and better chances of keeping the aircraft in flyable status. https://twitter.com/US_EUCOM/status/1668594456382042118?s=20 A U.S. B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, June 12, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne With AD23 ongoing until June 23, close cooperation between the Luftwaffe, air traffic control, Eurocontrol, as well as airlines and airport operators has been maintained to avoid flight issues for commercial travel. According to the Bundeswehr, the three areas that are being used for AD23 are only being utilized for up to four hours per day, and at different times. "I hope that, if all these measures are effective, there will be no flight cancellations," Ingo Gerhartz, a lieutenant general in the German Air Force has said, according to Deutsche Welle. Image via RAF Alongside the aim of optimizing and expanding the cooperation between the participating nations, the Bundeswehr notes, AD23 is modeled after a NATO Article 5 assistance scenario. Article 5, which is at the heart of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in 1949, stipulates that if a NATO ally is attacked, all members of the alliance will consider the act as a collective attack on the alliance. Exercises based on an Article 5 assistance scenario seek to replicate a fight [involving NATO partners] against hybrid occupation forces from a fictitious opponent, NATO indicates. The exercise is a signal a signal above all to us, a signal to us, the NATO countries, but also to our population that we are in a position to react very quickly ... that we would be able to defend the alliance in case of attack, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, Germanys air force chief who is overseeing AD23, told ZDF television as The Associated Press reports. https://twitter.com/GermanyNATO/status/1668662035532460045?s=20 While AD23 does not aim to officially rehearse scenarios involving specific opponents, the initial planning was seemingly influenced by Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. Speaking on the impetus for the exercise, Lt. Gen. Gerhartz (who also initially proposed the exercise) indicates that the trigger for me was the capture, the annexation of Crimea, the New York Times reports. In addition, speaking to reporters last week on AD23, Amy Gutmann, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, said, I would be pretty surprised if any world leader was not taking note of what this shows, in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance. That includes Mr. Putin, the Times notes. Image via Luftwaffe Other figures within the German military have taken a different stance, perhaps in a bid to prevent provoking additional tensions with Russia. As Lieutenant General Gunter Katz, the commanding general of the Bundeswehr Air Force Command, indicates, "the decision [to start planning for AD23] was made in 2018 and actually has nothing to do with the Russia-Ukraine war." U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Van Aken, front right, accompanies German air force Brig. Gen. Gunter Katz on a walking tour around the Afghan National Defense University (ANDU) in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Payne/Released More broadly, NATO has maintained a heightened force posture since Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. This includes holding established recurring exercises, such as Steadfast Noon, as well as conducting various inter-allied naval drills, in Europe. Nearly constant deployments of U.S. aircraft to Europe and Eastern Europe, in particular, have occurred since the invasion of Crimea. These continue today and feature drills with local air arms. That Russias all-out war with Ukraine has spurred greater interoperability between European air forces more specifically has been evidenced of late by the creation of the Nordic air defense alliance in March. Involving Denmark, Finland, Norway, as well as Sweden the former three countries being NATO members and all four of which are participating in AD23 the air defense alliance aims to develop a Nordic concept for joint air operations based on already-known NATO methodology. As we reported at the time, those countries have upwards of 300 fighter jets between them as well as training, transport and surveillance fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. They also have readily avaliable surface-to-air missile capabilities. With that said, much like massive ground combat-oriented exercises of the recent past, AD23's massive scope signals NATOs deep commitment to defending its allies from external aggression in the midst of Russia's war in Ukraine. Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com Edtiors note: This story has been updated with additional information. NEW YORK When former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday, he was joined at the defense table by a man well-practiced in standing by his side: his valet turned alleged co-conspirator, Walt Nauta. Nauta, a Navy veteran from Guam, was a White House military valet to Trump. The BBC reported that Navy records show Nauta enlisted in 2001 and achieved the rank of senior chief culinary specialist in 2021. He was serving in the White House cafeteria when Trump elevated him to serve as his military aide. Nauta retired from the Navy when Trump left the White House, according to the BBC, and joined the former president as his personal aide at Mar-a-Lago. Nauta now finds himself in legal jeopardy alongside the former president. He is accused of moving boxes from the White House at Trumps direction and then lying about it to investigators. In this courtroom sketch, former President Donald Trump, left, is escorted out of the courtroom by a U.S. Marshal with co-defendant Walt Nauta, right, walking behind him as another U.S, Marshal holds the door follow their proceeding in federal court, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. (Elizabeth Williams via AP) On Tuesday, Nauta traveled in the former presidents motorcade to the Miami courthouse, where Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted on federal charges. In court, the two sat at the defendants table together one of Trumps attorneys between them as Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony counts accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back. Nauta himself did not enter a plea because he did not have a local attorney and will instead be arraigned on June 27. After the appearance, Nauta accompanied Trump to a stop at Miamis famed Cuban restaurant Versailles, where he helped usher supporters eager to take selfies with the former president. Nauta is the latest in a series of Trump loyalists to face potential jail time after his work for the former president. Michael Cohen, Trumps longtime fixer and attorney, spent more than 13 months in prison over payouts he helped arrange during the 2016 presidential race to keep women from going public about alleged sexual encounters with Trump. Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer at the Trump Organization, just finished serving three months at Rikers Island after pleading guilty to receiving $1.7 million in unreported job perks. Loyalty to Donald Trump is like First Avenue in Manhattan: one way. History has shown time and again that Donald cares for no one other than himself, said Cohen, who has since turned on Trump and eventually tried to win leniency by cooperating with prosecutors. Nauta, according to the indictment unsealed Friday, played a crucial role in the alleged scheme with Trump, who is charged with 37 counts of illegally hoarding classified documents and obstructing the governments efforts to get them back. The government alleges Nauta helped pack Trumps boxes before he left the White House and repeatedly moved them to various rooms at Mar-a-Lago in response to Trumps requests. At one point, the indictment alleges, Nauta discovered several boxes had fallen over in the storage room, dumping their contents on the floor. Nauta snapped and shared photographs of the scene, which included a document with a visible marking warning it was restricted to only the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Nauta was key to Trumps investigation early on, with FBI agents grilling him about the movement of boxes inside Mar-a-Lago weeks before serving their search warrant at the property. Like other witnesses close to Trump, though, his answers to law enforcement put him in legal jeopardy. Although prosecutors say Nauta moved boxes of documents to Trumps residence for his review at his direction, Nauta lied to agents by saying he wasnt aware of that happening, according to the indictment. And when agents asked if he knew where on the property the boxes had been stored, he said, I wish, I wish I could tell you. I dont know. I dont I honestly just dont know. Nautas attorney, Stanley Woodward, declined to answer questions about the charges or any efforts to get his client to turn on the former president. Nauta faces six federal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing a document or record and making false statements. His inclusion in the indictment was met by protest from Trump, who praised Nauta as a wonderful man who had done a fantastic job! They are trying to destroy his life, like the lives of so many others, hoping that he will say bad things about Trump. He is strong, brave, and a Great Patriot. The FBI and DOJ are CORRUPT! he wrote on his social media site. Ty Cobb, the former White House attorney who served as Trumps lawyer during the Russia investigation, said he felt sorry for Nauta, whom he described as a dutiful worker who nods and then does what hes been told to do. I think Walt is easy prey for the president because this is a dedicated patriot, he said. The proudest moment he ever had was being named valet to the president and sadly the president he got named valet for was Trump. Cobb recalled Nauta stopping by his home, checking in on him and fetching him club soda when he was working late. He said he remembered how Nauta noticed after dozens of uneaten hamburgers that Cobb didnt eat meat and quietly began substituting salmon for his lunches. I think its really sad that people were not able to convince him of his misplaced loyalty, Cobb said of Nautas decision not to cooperate with prosecutors. He should be a witness. He shouldnt be a defendant. But you can only dangle that opportunity for so long before you have to shoot. So I think its tragic. John Dean, the White House counsel who testified against former President Richard Nixon over Watergate and later served four months for obstructing justice, said that he would advise Nauta to turn against Trump. He could strike a good deal and help put it away for the government, he said on CNN. As for Cohen, he gave grand jury testimony over the hush money payments that led to the first-ever criminal charges against a former president. Trump was indicted in March in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to the payouts to the women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump has denied the allegations and any criminal wrongdoing. Weisselberg, who testified against the Trump Organization at his trial, said on the witness stand that neither Trump nor his family knew about the tax scheme. Prosecutors maintained Trump knew exactly what was going on. Cohen said Nauta should learn from his own experience that devotion to Trump isnt worth the consequences. I predict Walt will suffer the exact same outcome as the rest of us who have all been thrown under the bus for the benefit of Donald J. Trump, Cohen said, describing just another Trump acolyte whose life has been turned completely upside down for his misguided loyalty to a man who didnt deserve it. Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer in Miami and Eric Tucker in Washington and Military Times staff contributed to this report. Nearly all of Louisiana's death row inmates ask governor for clemency on the same day FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2009, file photo, Warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Burl Cain, discusses the gurney used for lethal injections to Ruth Graham, far right and others as they visit the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La. For the fifth time in six years, Louisiana lawmakers have blocked attempts Wednesday, May 24, 2023 to abolish the states death penalty. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Nearly all of Louisiana's death row inmates asked on Tuesday for term-limited Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards to spare their lives and grant them clemency changing their punishment from the death penalty to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The 51 clemency applications came after a bill to abolish the death penalty failed during Louisiana's legislative session, which adjourned Thursday. Over the spring, Edwards who is unable to seek reelection this year due to consecutive term limits, opening a huge opportunity for Republicans to win the seat in a reliably red state voiced his support, for the first time, to eliminate capital punishment. He urged lawmakers to get rid of the death penalty, saying it was inconsistent with Louisianas pro-life values, as it quite literally promotes a culture of death." Cecelia Kappel, the executive director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project and an attorney for several of the prisoners who have filed clemency applications, said in Tuesday's press release that there are systemic flaws to the death penalty in Louisiana. She cited racial disparity, death-sentenced prisoners with evidence of intellectual disability and prosecutorial misconduct that has resulted in inmates being exonerated in recent years. Louisiana cannot get the death penalty right, Kappel said in the press release. Looking at these cases collectively makes it clear that the system is fundamentally broken." Eric Holl, a spokesperson for Edwards, said that all clemency applications are reviewed by the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole. Any applications recommended to the governor by the board members all of whom were appointed by Edwards are reviewed on a case-by-case basis before a final decision is made. Only two clemency requests have been granted by Louisiana governors since the state instated the death penalty in the 1970s, according to The Advocate, which first reported on Tuesday's filings. Currently, 60 people sit on Louisianas death row, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections told The Associated Press in late May. Louisiana has held 28 executions since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. But the last lethal injection was in January 2010 when the state executed Gerald Bordelon a convicted sex offender who confessed to strangling his 12-year-old stepdaughter and waived an appeal. Currently there are no execution dates set, according to the department of corrections. However, other states are proceeding with capital punishment. Twenty-seven states have the death penalty, and last year 18 inmates were executed, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center. In addition, a handful of states are seeking to reinstate other execution methods such as firing squads as an alternative to lethal injections, after pharmaceutical companies barred the use of their drugs. Death penalty opponents in Louisiana argue the punishment should be eliminated due to the cost of executions, religious beliefs and racial disparities. A disproportionate three-quarters of Louisiana death row prisoners are people of color, according to the Capital Appeals Project. Critics also note that Louisiana has had frequent exonerations. Between 2010 and 2020, 22 inmates sentenced to death had their sentences reduced or were exonerated, according to the corrections department. Those who opposed the failed bill to ban the death penalty, advocated for justice for the families of victims who believe it is the appropriate punishment for certain crimes. With Donald Trump set to appear in Miami for one set of federal charges, back in Washington, another grand jury investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and Trumps efforts to stay in office is also moving ahead in full force. Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald, a close Trump political ally, as well as Jim DeGraffenreid, the state partys vice chair, were spotted by NBC News entering the area where the Jan. 6 jury is meeting at the Washington federal courthouse Tuesday. Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald. (Las Vegas Review-Journal / Getty Images) When asked about having to appear the same day as Trumps court date, McDonald joked to an NBC News reporter: Not on my bucket list. McDonald had previously confirmed to NBC News that federal authorities seized his cellphone as part of the investigation. The appearance comes a week after former Trump White House official Steve Bannon was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in Washington in connection with special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Jan. 6. The Bannon subpoena, for documents and testimony, was sent out late last month, the sources said. In addition, at least one former Trump White House aide testified on June 1 before the grand jury, hearing evidence about the former president in its ongoing investigation surrounding the election, according to a source familiar with the appearance. The testimony focused on Trump's firing of Christopher Krebs in 2020. At the time, Krebs led the federal governments election cybersecurity efforts and debunked false claims of election fraud and hacking. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana / AP) Mike Pence also testified before the grand jury in April. The grand jury investigating Trumps actions surrounding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and in connection with efforts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power, is separate from the grand jury in Miami that heard testimony Wednesday about his handling of classified documents. McDonald has a close personal friendship with Trump, and in recent months, he had visited Mar-a-Lago as part of a Nevada delegation Trump was courting for endorsements. McDonald had testified before the Jan. 6 Select Committee, where he invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 200 times. Both McDonald and DeGraffenreid served as so-called fake electors, slates of electors who in most cases signed certification documents purporting that Trump had won in their states even though he had lost. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEWARK Newark Police have arrested a 17-year-old man in connection with the Monday afternoon shooting of a 60-year-old woman on North Morris Street on the near east side of the city, just north of Ohio 16. Police officers responded at about 1:40 p.m. Monday to a report of a shooting at 71 N. Morris St. Police found the woman with gunshot wounds to her legs. Officers provided aid until medics arrived and she was taken to a hospital in Columbus. Police said the full extent of the her injuries is not known, but they are not believed to be life threatening. Law enforcement officers were immediately provided descriptions of two vehicles which fled the scene. Both vehicles were located by Licking County Sheriffs deputies who were in the area. The 17-year-old suspect, along with a rifle believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, were discovered in one of the vehicles, police said. Several other juveniles were detained and questioned by detectives. The 17-year-old suspect was identified as the shooter, police said. Investigators learned the suspect went to the victims residence to confront another teenager about a PlayStation 4 and a pair of shoes. Detectives will present the case to the Licking County Prosecutors Office for a charge of attempted murder. Anyone with information on the shooting should call the Newark Police detective bureau at (740) 670-7215. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark police arrest teenager in Monday shooting of woman Gov. Gavin Newsom, shown at the future site of a solar farm, pledged to fast-track hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of construction projects throughout the state. (John G. Mabanglo / Associated Press) Democrats leading California's Senate and Assembly on Monday announced a legislative state budget deal, but they remain at odds with Gov. Gavin Newsom over his sweeping plan to streamline major infrastructure projects and reduce environmental litigation delays. Newsom introduced a series of budget bills related to infrastructure last month after lawmakers had already wrapped up committee hearings on spending proposals. Fellow Democrats have criticized the governor over the late-arriving legislation and expressed concern about not having sufficient time to consider potential impacts on communities and the environment. "I just want to express my extreme disappointment that this comes at this time," said Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Democrat who lives in Stockton and represents cities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, during a Senate hearing last week. "It feels disrespectful to the process, to all the work that we've done." Read more: Gov. Newsom unveils sweeping plan to speed up California infrastructure projects Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) said they are "continuing to negotiate and make progress" on a budget deal with the governor. Lawmakers intend to pass their agreed upon budget Thursday to meet a June 15 legislative deadline and then amend the budget bill after reaching a final agreement with Newsom in the coming days. Though the act of passing a preliminary budget and following up with an amended bill later has become commonplace in Newsom's tenure, an estimated budget deficit of at least $31.5 billion has heightened Democratic discord at the state Capitol this year. Interest groups are lobbying to preserve funding promised in stronger revenue years and Newsom and lawmakers continue to squabble over where to pare back spending. The Legislature's $311.7-billion spending plan unveiled Monday was crafted after 120 public hearings over the last six months. The legislative budget plan increases funding for education, child care, public transit and Medi-Cal over levels Newsom proposed in his revised budget in May. It also reverses Newsom's plan to spend $450 million from the Safety Net Reserve, an account created to shore up funding for programs such as CalWorks and Medi-Cal during a downturn. Other areas that need to be ironed out with the governor include: Child care: Lawmakers want to provide $1 billion in temporary rate increases for child care providers. The legislative agreement rejects the governor's proposal to delay opening subsidized child care for 20,000 additional kids and instead releases the slots on July 1, 2024. Read more: Child-care providers by day, Amazon drivers by night. Workers fight for living wages Health care: Newsom and lawmakers are in agreement about using a tax on managed healthcare organizations, known as the MCO Tax, to fund Medi-Cal at a time when the state is expanding eligibility to all immigrants who qualify regardless of immigration status. But the two sides disagree over the timeline to spend the money. The governor wants to spend the tax revenue over eight to 10 years, while lawmakers are pushing to invest $10.3 billion through the end of 2026 to improve reimbursement rates to healthcare providers and expand access to care. Transit: Lawmakers also want to restore a $2-billion reduction in transportation funding that Newsom proposed in May. Newsom's infrastructure plan remains the biggest point of contention between the governor and lawmakers, who have questioned why the bills must be passed now instead of through the regular and more deliberative legislative process for policy issues that concludes in September, or even next year. Newsom administration officials said the 10 bills proposed by the governor are critical to meeting California's climate goals. The governors office has called the bills Californias most ambitious permitting and project review reforms in a half-century" and said the legislation could reduce project timelines by more than three years in some cases. Some outside interests agree that the bills are important, but also shared the Legislature's concerns. Mary Creasman, chief executive of California Environmental Voters, said it's clear that California needs accelerated permitting for clean energy projects and needs to protect its rich biodiversity. "We need a thorough policy making process that is not jamming through budget trailer bills," Creasman said. Read more: What you need to know about Newsom's plan to offset California's $31.5-billion deficit One bill in the governor's plan aims to reduce the opportunity for lengthy record preparation delays due to lawsuits filed under the California Environmental Quality Act, which can sink building projects. Another proposal would speed up judicial review in CEQA lawsuits related to water, transportation, clean energy, and semiconductor or microelectronic projects. The changes Newsom has proposed would also make it easier to complete his controversial plan to build an underground tunnel to transport water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Southern California. Newsom also wants to allow the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, known as IBank, and the Department of Water Resources to take advantage of and leverage federal funding for projects that reduce greenhouse gas. For public transportation projects, his package would make it easier to approve environmental mitigation and permits for California Department of Transportation projects that affect endangered species or are within the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Newsom also wants to repeal state laws and reclassify several species that are "fully protected" to "threatened" and "endangered" under the California Endangered Species Act. Read more: Report urges Metropolitan Water District to abandon Newsom's $16-billion delta tunnel plan Another proposal would allow Caltrans to directly contract to construct three wildlife crossings along Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County and to change its contracting procurement process to speed up highway projects. Newsom wants to allow the state Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Transportation to use a more flexible contracting process for up to eight major projects each. Atkins said the Senate is reviewing the governor's proposals and engaging in talks with the Assembly and the administration. Its important to my Senate Democratic colleagues and I that streamlining is in keeping with Californias commitment to environmental protections," Atkins said. John Casey, a spokesman for Rendon, said the Assembly is doing the same. "We are digging in to understand what specific problems the governor is trying to solve and working toward legislation that will address those problems in a workable way," the speaker's office said in a statement. The governor's office hopes to land a final budget agreement with the Legislature this week. Staff writers Liam Dillon and Hannah Wiley contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. FILE PHOTO: Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu waves to a crowd as he takes the traditional ride on top of a ceremonial vehicle after his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's new lawmakers were sworn in on Tuesday following February elections, setting the stage for President Bola Tinubu to submit cabinet nominees in a process likely to signal how he intends to tackle a struggling economy and growing insecurity. The swearing-in ceremony in the capital Abuja also saw Tinubu's allies elected as Senate President and House Speaker, to mark the official start of legislative duties for newly elected officials. Nigeria's Senate wields significant influence in Nigeria's bicameral legislature, including scrutinizing and confirming the president's cabinet nominees. Tinubu has up to the end of July to name his cabinet but his aides say the president could submit some names as soon as next week. His choice of finance, petroleum and defence ministers as well as national security adviser would be closely watched. The 71-year-old Tinubu suspended central bank governor Godwin Emefiele last week, cheering markets, but his permanent removal would require a vote by the Senate. Tinubu's ruling party controls a majority in both arms of the national assembly and political analysts say this will make it easier for the president to push his legislative agenda. (Reporting by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Camillus Eboh, Editing by William Maclean) Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized former President Donald Trump on Monday for his alleged mishandling of sensitive national security documents. In an interview on Fox News, Haley, a former ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, echoed the rights mistrust of federal prosecutors even as she said that if the charges in the federal indictment of Trump are true, then Trump was incredibly reckless. Two things can be true at the same time. One, the DOJ and FBI have lost all credibility with the American people, said Haley, who called for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the federal law enforcement agencies. Two, the second thing can also be true: If this indictment is true, if what it says is actually the case, President Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security. The charges resonate especially strongly for Haley, she said, because her husband recently deployed with South Carolinas Army National Guard for a one-year tour of service in Africa. This puts all of our military men and women in danger if you were going to talk about what our military is capable of, or how we would go about invading, or doing something with one of our enemies, she said. And if thats the case, its reckless, its frustrating, and it causes problems. Noting that Trump is also facing criminal charges in New York City and may soon be indicted in Georgia, Haley made the case that Trumps legal woes undermine his electability against President Joe Biden. My concern is not so much about how this plays out and what we do with it. My concern is about the direction of the country the fact that we cannot have Biden win this election, she said. We cannot go through Biden or [Vice President] Kamala Harris winning this election. Weve got to have someone that can win a general election. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley's initial response to Donald Trump's most recent indictment focused exclusively on Democrats' supposed politicization of the Justice Department. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley's initial response to Donald Trump's most recent indictment focused exclusively on Democrats' supposed politicization of the Justice Department. The Justice Department charged Trump on Thursday with 37 felony counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents from his time as president, and his alleged lack of cooperation with the federal authorities that were trying to recover them from his home at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. The indictment, which was unsealed on Friday, details the seriousness of the charges Trump is facing. Haleys initial response to news of the indictment focused on the supposed unfairness with which Trump was being treated. This is not how justice should be pursued in our country. The American people are exhausted by the prosecutorial overreach, double standards, and vendetta politics, she tweeted on Friday morning. Its time to move beyond the endless drama and distractions. Reading the unsealed indictment, which became available shortly after her Twitter post, apparently changed the way Haley views the situation. A DOJ team led by special counsel Jack Smith is accusing Trump of not only storing classified national security documents in unsecured boxes at his personal residence, but of knowingly sharing their contents with people not authorized to hear about them. Specifically, DOJ alleges that there is an audio recording of Trump showing off a U.S. plan of attack against another country in the presence of a writer, a publisher and two aides. In another alleged incident, Trump showed a military map to a representative of his political action committee. In both cases, Trump allegedly told the other people that he was not allowed to be showing them the documents. Trumps actions could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods, the indictment states. Haleys remarks on Monday were nonetheless much harsher than some of her rivals in the GOP field, who are wary of angering Republican voters still supportive of the former president. Related... Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said that if she becomes president, she would pardon former president Donald Trump for crimes related to his improper handling of classified documents, if Trump is ultimately convicted. Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court in Miami on Tuesday to criminal allegations that he risked national security by mishandling classified documents and obstructed the governments efforts to reclaim those documents earlier this year. He is the first former president to be charged with federal crimes, now facing 37 counts connected with the removal, storage and concealment of sensitive government documents he took from the White House upon leaving office in 2021. But Haley, a former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations said shes in favor of granting Trump a presidential pardon if hes convicted. When you look at a pardon, the issue is less about guilt, and more about whats good for the country, Haley said on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton show, a politics podcast. And I think it would be terrible for the country to have a former president in prison for years because of the documents case. Thats something you see in a third world country. I saw that the United Nations, so I would be inclined in favor of a pardon, she continued, adding that she thinks the issue is premature because Trump has yet to be convicted. Federal prosecutors allege that Trump carelessly handled top secret documents that included details of sensitive nuclear programs, intelligence on foreign adversaries, Pentagon battle plans and other papers that detailed the countrys potential vulnerabilities to military attack, according to a 41-page indictment prosecutors unsealed last Friday. Haley maintains that the U.S. Department of Justice harbors a double standard when it comes to investigating Democrats versus Republicans. I mean, you cant have one standard for Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and then another standard for Republicans like Donald Trump, Haley said. And were seeing that again with the Biden bribery recordings that have come to light. I mean, the country should never stand for that. And I think that we should all speak up and we have to be loud about that. NMDOT inspection could lead to full opening of Bataan Street Bridge east of Carlsbad A final inspection June 15 of the Bataan Memorial Bridge by the New Mexico Department of Transportation could mean the bridge fully reopens to motorists since it was closed last summer, said City of Carlsbad Deputy City Administrator KC Cass. He said the city was notified June 1 by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) that small portion of the northern bridge had been reopened. Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said westbound lanes on the northern bridge were closed after NMDOT personnel observed deterioration on the structure on Aug. 8, 2022. More: Bataan Memorial Bridge nears reopening as structural repairs continue He said the southside of the bridge was converted to single-lane eastbound and westbound traffic as construction on the northside started in December. Janway said NMDOT had to lift the bridge and replace a pier. He said the state had also completed other repairs on the $1 million project. All the concrete repairs and replacement bearings is complete. We are currently working on getting the bridge deck restoration completed. The project should be completed and reopened by June 17, said Jessica Best, construction management analyst with the NMDOTs District 2 office in Roswell. Cass said striping on the bridge was set to start June 19. City and Carlsbad Municipal Schools applaud partial reopening I think its going to help with traffic. Right now weve got it going east in one lane and west in one lane. Thats just a high traffic area. I think all of us on City Council want to make sure that bridge is safe, said Ward 2 Councilor Jeff Forrest. The bridge spans the Pecos River and U.S. Highway 62/180 is the major east/west route from Texas and Lea County to Carlsbad. Carlsbad City Councilor Jeff Forrest reads a proclamation inducting his late Uncle Gary Forrest into the Carlsbad Hall of Fame on April 29, 2023. NMDOT estimates 17,000 vehicles travel across the Bataan Street Bridge daily. So many people come off that Hobbs Highway there. Were excited to get it back open. Getting that thing fully opened with the amount of traffic that we have, Forrest said. Forrest said a fully opened bridge should help downtown business traffic. More: Work continues on bridge crossing in Carlsbad I know that people have been patient because it has been a process. I think its going to be a real shot in the arm for businesses, particularly downtown and on the northside of the highway, he said. Carlsbad Municipal Schools (CMS) Superintendent Dr. Gerry Washburn said buses traveling west into Carlsbad were delayed when the northern bridge was first closed. Once traffic was reopened on the southern bridge student transportation was not a problem. This will help traffic flow and travel times on our routes. (CMS is) pleased to see this necessary project come to a close, he said. More: New report emphasizes need for increased investment in SENM road projects Carlsbad repairs shows larger need for more bridge and road work The challenges faced in the Carlsbad area due to the closure and ongoing reopening of the regionally significant Bataan Memorial Bridge illustrates the tremendous challenge of keeping New Mexicos aging bridges open to traffic, said Rocky Moretti, director of policy and research for the National Transportation Research Project (TRIP). In February of this year TRIP released a report noting that New Mexico roads and bridges were deteriorated, congested or lack some desirable safety features. The road and bridge issues cost New Mexicos motorists $3 billion yearly, as much $2,888 per driver in some areas, according to the study. More: Bridge closure imperils Carlsbad local businesses, owners say. Will the city's plan to reopen one lane work? The study reported $5.75 billion was needed fix roads and bridges across the state. The efficiency and condition of New Mexicos transportation system, particularly its highways, is critical to the health of the states economy. Annually, $125 billion in goods are shipped to and from New Mexico, relying heavily on the states network of roads and bridges, cited the February study. Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: NMDOT to inspect Bataan Street Bridge for full reopening No arrests made 15 years after 2 killed at Sun Drop bottling in Concord Tuesday marks 15 years since a deadly double shooting shook the city of Concord, and police are still looking for the killer. Investigators say someone shot and killed two people at the former Sun Drop Bottling Company on June 13, 2008. Police believe the shooting was part of an attempted robbery. At 92 years old, neighbor Margene Troutman remembers it vividly. PREVIOUS STORIES: I was coming home from running errands, she recalled. They were swarming, policemen were swarming. Troutman said one of her friends, Donna Barnhardt, died that day. Barnhardt was a longtime Sun Drop employee and also a grandmother. Donna was a very outgoing person, Troutman said. Just a neat, beautiful lady. Police said the second victim, Darrell Noles, was applying for a job when he was gunned down. Investigators said no one witnessed the crime and police never made an arrest, despite a cash reward, a feature story on Americas Most Wanted, and a sketch of the accused gunman that was released shortly after the shooting. On June 13, 2008 someone walked into the Sundrop Bottling plant and shot and killed Donna Barnhardt, a longtime employee, as well as job seeker Darrell Noles. Police believe it was an attempted robbery. Troutman said not having anyone in custody is the most concerning part, all these years later. I think we ought to know whats going on in our community, because of our safety. And we have not found out, she said. Concord police previously said theyre confident theyll solve the murder cases. Troutman is still holding out hope. I do feel hopeful, because knowing Donna as I did, she and her family -- she very well deserves that and it hasnt been accomplished, Troutman said. Initially, the Concord Police Department offered a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. In 2014, the department bumped that up to $85,000. Channel 9 has asked Concord police if that offer still stands. (WATCH MORE: Channel 9 Video Vault: Sun Drop Bottling Company deadly shooting) Almost immediately after the Justice Department on Friday unsealed its indictment against Donald Trump, the former president's allies began crying foul, noting that -- at least so far -- no charges have been filed against President Joe Biden for retaining classified documents from his time as vice president or against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server as secretary of state. Posting to Twitter on Friday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., denounced the "double standard." And appearing on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Clinton "got away" with doing something "similar" to what Trump did. Trump himself has made similar claims. But a review of government documents and public statements tied to all three investigations suggests there are key differences between the evidence uncovered in Trump's case and the others. It also helps to explain why the Justice Department recently declined to charge former Vice President Mike Pence for his handling of classified documents after leaving office. PHOTO: A photo contained in the indictment released on June 9, 2023, from the U.S. Southern District of Florida, shows boxes of potentially sensitive documents that were found at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (DOJ via US Southern District of Florida) What's the intent? The most glaring difference between Trump's case and Clinton's case is what prosecutors found about their intent: While the indictment against Trump alleges he violated the Espionage Act through "willful retention of national defense information," prosecutors in Clinton's case determined they couldn't show she was "willful" in her intent. In fact, as later recounted by the Justice Department's inspector general, prosecutors in Clinton's case concluded the evidence they gathered showed "a lack of intent to communicate classified information on unclassified systems." That's largely because "[n]one of the emails Clinton received were properly marked to inform her of the classified status of the information," and investigators found evidence that Clinton and her aides "worded emails carefully in an attempt to 'talk around' classified information," according to the inspector general's report on the matter. MORE: Trump federal indictment: What happens next? "There was no evidence that the senders or former Secretary Clinton believed or were aware at the time that the emails contained classified information," prosecutors concluded, according to the inspector general. By contrast, the indictment against Trump not only says that nearly all of the 31 documents he's charged with "willfully" retaining at his Mar-a-Lago estate were marked as classified, but it also details alleged conversations and actions showing that he allegedly knew he took and held onto classified documents from the White House. In one recording obtained by investigators, Trump can be heard -- six months after leaving office -- showing a writer and three others what he calls a "secret" document, prosecutors allege. "As president I could have declassified it ... [but] now I can't," he said on the recording, according to the indictment. Media reports say authorities have been unable to find that document. And Trump is not charged with illegally retaining it or nearly 200 other documents that were returned to the U.S. government before the Justice Department issued its subpoena to Trump. PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks during the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, June 10, 2023. (George Walker Iv/AP, FILE) Trump has insisted he's "an innocent man" who "did nothing wrong," claiming on social media after the indictment was unsealed that "this case has nothing to do with the Espionage Act." In defending his actions detailed in the indictment, Trump has suggested he was operating in accordance with the Presidential Records Act -- an assertion that the National Archives has disputed. Nevertheless, he noted on social media that "Hillary and Biden were not indicted" for their handling of sensitive documents. 'If Trump had done the same' The indictment against Trump alleges that his "refusal to return" so many classified documents -- despite "months of demands" by the National Archives and a federal grand jury subpoena -- and the conspiracy he allegedly launched to "hide and conceal" his "continued possession of documents with classification markings" reflects his intent. He participated in that conspiracy "knowingly and willfully," including by allegedly pushing his own attorney to lie to federal authorities seeking all classified documents and by allegedly directing one of his aides to hide certain boxes of documents from that attorney, according to the indictment. "The purpose of the conspiracy was for Trump to keep classified documents he had taken with him from the White House," the indictment says. MORE: Pluralities of Americans support second Trump indictment, say charges are politically motivated: POLL By contrast, after Pence's team conducted a review of his own records and found "some classified documents" at his home in Indiana, Pence "fully cooperated with the Justice Department," according to Pence. "I took full responsibility," Pence told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt last week, just days after the Justice Department notified Pence that it would not be seeking charges in the matter. "[They] found that it was an innocent mistake." In Clinton's case, she and her aides also largely cooperated in the FBI's investigation, according to the Justice Department's inspector general. In his report, the inspector general said "the FBI obtained more than 30 devices" from Clinton and her aides, and "received consent to search Clinton-related communications on most of these devices." Among those 30 devices were two of Clinton's three private email servers, after the third server had been "discarded" years earlier "and, thus, the FBI was never able to access it for review," the inspector general's report said. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Sept. 7, 2015, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP, FILE) According to the indictment against Trump, the former president privately expressed admiration for how Clinton's lawyer handled her case, saying "she didn't get in any trouble because," as Trump described it, her lawyer took responsibility for deleting 30,000 emails that Clinton's legal team determined were personal in nature and not subject to government review. But, according to the Justice Department's inspector general, the FBI was actually able to retrieve a majority of those deleted emails through the many devices it obtained and through other means. As for Biden, the special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Biden's retention of classified documents from his time as vice president in the Obama administration has yet to announce his findings. But Biden's attorneys have insisted that from "the outset of this matter, the President directed his personal attorneys to fully cooperate with the Department of Justice." MORE: Trump indictment photos show boxes of documents stored at Mar-a-Lago -- including in a bathroom When Biden's personal attorneys first found classified documents in private offices associated with Biden, they said they notified the National Archives and Records Administration, and they helped the government retrieve them, with one of Biden's attorneys writing in an email at the time, "[W]e are prepared to facilitate whatever access you need to accomplish NARA taking custody of whatever materials it deems appropriate." And when the Justice Department then wanted to search Biden's home in Delaware, Biden and his attorneys granted "full access" to the president's residence, where investigators found additional documents marked classified, his lawyers said in a public statement at the time. "If Trump had done the same, there would have been no grand jury, there probably would have been no search warrant, and [he] probably would have avoided a potential criminal problem," former Watergate prosecutor Nick Akerman previously told ABC News. ABC News' Alexander Mallin and Luke Barr contributed to this report. No, Donald Trump's classified documents case is not like Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton cases originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The claim: Photo shows US District Judge Aileen Cannon in a 'Team Trump' hat A June 9 Instagram video (direct link, archive link) shows a man discussing an image of two women with red, blue and white lines painted on their faces wearing "Team Trump" hats. "Okay folks so you see this picture?" the man says. "On the left there that's Judge Aileen Cannon and she's been initially assigned to the new Trump case in Florida so as you can imagine there are some problems here." The post generated over 3,000 likes in less than a week. A June 9 tweet with the same claim was also retweeted more than 4,000 times and shared over 60 times on Facebook, according to social media insights tool CrowdTangle. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The photo does not show Judge Aileen Cannon, who has been assigned to oversee the federal case related to former President Donald Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents. It shows two Trump supporters at one of his campaign rallies in September 2022. Viral photo shows two Trump supporters at a campaign rally On June 8, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on 37 counts related to the hundreds of classified documents the FBI seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022, as USA TODAY previously reported. Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge for the U.S District Court of Southern Florida, is set to initially oversee the federal case. However, neither of the women in the photo shown on the Instagram video is Cannon. Rather, the photo shows two unidentified women at a Sept. 3, 2022, Trump campaign rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where the former president gave a speech endorsing local candidates ahead of the November 2022 midterm elections. Getty photographer Spencer Platt captured the image. The facial features and hair color of the women dont match Cannon. Fact check: Trump can run in 2024 even if charged in classified documents case The Twitter user who originally shared the claim told the Associated Press they found the image after searching on Google Images for a photo of Cannon. Those search results bring up a Slate article that used the photo three days after the rally in Wilkes-Barre. The article criticizes Cannons 2022 order for Trump to have a special master review the classified documents taken during the FBIs search, a move that temporarily halted the prosecution's investigation into the documents. An appeals court dismissed the order in December 2022. The photo's caption in the Slate article originally read, Trump rallygoers, or members of the judiciary? Its hard to say, according to an archive. It was later changed to read only Trump rallygoers. It never mentioned Cannon. USA TODAY previously debunked a claim that Cannon was fired from her position. USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment but did not immediately receive a response. PolitiFact and the Associated Press also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photo shows Trump rally-goers, not Judge Aileen Cannon | Fact check FILE - North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger presides over a Senate floor debate on new abortion restrictions, May, 4, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. A ban on green investing cleared North Carolinas GOP-controlled legislature on Tuesday, June 13, as part of a broader Republican crusade against big businesses that champion sustainability and workplace diversity. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A ban on green investing has cleared North Carolinas GOP-controlled legislature as part of a broader Republican crusade against big businesses that champion sustainability and workplace diversity. The measure, which won final legislative approval Tuesday, bans state agencies from using environmental, social and governance standards to screen potential investments, award contracts or hire and fire employees. It also says the state cannot weigh how a company promotes sustainability, engages with its community or structures its leadership to support those goals. At least two other states North Dakota and Idaho have already enacted laws banning such criteria. And elected officials in several other red states have derided them as woke or proposed similar policies to stop investors who contract with states from adopting them. The Senate voted 29-18 along party lines on Tuesday after the House passed the bill with veto-proof margins in May. It now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature. Cooper, who has not indicated whether he will veto the bill, has only picked fights with the legislature's Republican supermajority on a few contentious issues this session and has been unable to block any bills. Sen. Dave Craven, a Randolph County Republican and primary sponsor, said the bill ensures that our pension fund is solvent by requiring the state to prioritize financial considerations over social or environmental factors. Effective as soon as it becomes law, it would require the state treasurer to solely consider factors expected to have a material effect on the financial risk or financial return of an investment. State Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican candidate for governor in 2024, supports the bill. But several Democrats in the House and Senate raised alarms throughout the legislative process that the bill does not clearly lay out the specific criteria it prohibits. Democratic Sen. Graig Meyer of Orange County worried it would confuse state agencies and lead some of the state's largest employers to believe they're being discouraged from making their own decisions about how to run their business. While we're trying to build a strong business and employment climate, I do not think that the General Assembly should be hostile to those interests in the bills that we pass, he said Tuesday during floor debate. ___ Hannah Schoenbaum 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. MOORE COUNTY, N.C. The staff meeting had just started, but Brian Hayes could not bear to wait. As soon as the first speaker finished addressing the room full of school counselors, Hayes raised his hand. I hate to interrupt, he said in April. But I feel like we really need to talk about this Parents Bill of Rights. Four days earlier, the school board in Moore County, North Carolina, had passed the policy. One of its provisions requires school personnel to notify parents if students ask to use different names or pronouns. Proponents said it was common sense: Parents need to know if their children want to change gender identities. But some counselors, including Hayes, believed that forcibly outing transgender and nonbinary students to their families could cause real harm. The policy in Moore County, a Republican stronghold in the center of the state, is part of a nationwide crackdown on transgender youth. Conservative lawmakers and school board members argue that the rise in gender nonconformity is due largely to educators promoting a permissive gender ideology and, often without parents knowledge, affirming students gender identities. To combat what they call indoctrination, Republicans have sought to roll back schools support for gender diversity. An increasing number of states and school districts forbid teachers from discussing gender identity in class or using trans students correct pronouns without parents permission. Schools have been pressured to remove books with trans characters and disband LGBTQ clubs, and forced to bar trans students from sports teams. Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, signed bills that prohibit trans students from using pronouns and bathrooms in school that correspond with their gender identity. And last week the Louisiana legislature passed several bills targeting trans youth, including one allowing school employees to refuse to use students preferred pronouns. School staffers generally are the ones to enact the restrictions but some have refused to carry out policies they consider harmful to LGBTQ students. The resistance includes administrators who decline to enforce the new rules and educators who openly flout or quietly disregard them, said Craig White, supportive schools director for the Campaign for Southern Equality, an LGBTQ advocacy group. While there is no national data to quantify the pushback, White said a growing number of school employees in recent months have sought his advice on how to fight the restrictions. The wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation, he said, has really catalyzed a grassroots resistance. At the Moore County meeting, counselors questioned the legality and ethics of the new policy. One asked the question that seemed to be hanging over the room: What would happen if they refused to comply? But the next day, an official emailed them the new expectations: If a student asks to use a different name, counselors now must call their parents and ask for written permission. Hayes recalled how he had counseled two trans students last year who were certain their parents would not accept their identities. Under the new policy, he would have been forced to inform the parents, even if it meant subjecting the students to rejection. Hayes quickly drafted a reply to the official. He called the policy unethical and contrary to counselors duty to maintain student confidentiality. He asked about the consequences of non-compliance, then ended with a declaration. I am prepared to seek other employment if necessary to avoid violating my personal values and professional training, he wrote. Then he hit send and waited. A conservative majority takes shape on the board Hayes grew up in Moore County, whose roughly 100,000 residents include military personnel connected to nearby Fort Liberty and retirees drawn to the areas luxury golf courses, along with many working-class families. He attended Moore County Schools and worshipped at a fundamentalist Christian church, which taught that homosexuality was an abomination. After college, he enrolled in divinity school, where he began questioning what he had been taught. Eventually he made a radical change of plans: He would become a school counselor, one who affirms every student and condemns none. After finishing a graduate program in school counseling in 2018, he took a counseling job at a Moore County middle school. He and his wife hadnt planned on moving there, but he was drawn to the principals focus on social-emotional learning and the district leaderships professed commitment to racial equity. Maybe this areas making strides, he thought. And I could be a part of that. But within a couple years, the very changes that pulled him back to Moore County Schools were under attack. One person leading the charge was Robert Levy. Like Hayes, Levy grew up in Moore County. He returned after 40 years practicing law in California and Maryland. Semi-retired, he wrote a weekly column in the local paper, briefly worked as a substitute teacher and served as chairman of the Moore County Republican Party. In 2020, party members urged him to run for one of three open spots on the school board. Levy had concerns about some schools poor academic performance, as well as the boards perceived liberal political leaning. He described the former boards strategic plan which called for a reduction in racial disparities in student discipline, more teacher diversity and support for students mental health as about 20 pages of woke ideas and a woke mindset. Levy ran and was elected alongside two other outspoken conservatives. Early on, he proposed two policies: A ban on critical race theory in the districts curriculum and a requirement that students biological sex determine which bathrooms they use and sports teams they play on. Outnumbered on the seven-member board, the three conservatives failed to pass the policies. In March 2022, the trio voted to remove a book about a transgender child from two school libraries after a community member challenged it. Again they failed. That summer, the board discussed school discipline disparities. Last school year, Black students in Moore County were suspended at nearly four times the rate of white students, according to state data on short-term suspensions, which can last up to 10 days. At a board meeting, Levy blamed the disparities on students race and poverty. Minorities tend to be poorer. They tend to be less disciplined, he said, according to the local Pilot newspaper. As a result, you are going to get a disparity in numbers between disciplining of minorities and disciplining of the majority cultures. Some community members condemned the racist remarks. In an email to Chalkbeat, Levy said his point was that poverty, not race, makes students more prone to discipline problems. Last November, Levy opposed adding the phrase gender identity to a board document. In a Facebook post, he accused the boards liberal members of trying to redefine sex so that male students who identify as females and females who erroneously believe themselves male were to be a protected class. In the post, he urged voters to choose the three conservative candidates in that months school board election in order to protect our children from woke attacks and free flowing sexualization of children. The conservatives prevailed in the election, gaining a 6-1 majority. Levy became the board chair and vowed to introduce a parents bill of rights. Hayes watched with dread. If the policy passed, he would have to choose which to follow: his orders or his convictions. I kind of knew, he said, it was going to be an ultimatum. A community debates parents rights and students A few months after the election, the Robbins Elementary School auditorium crackled with nervous energy. The school board was set to vote on the parents rights policy, but first, members of the community were to weigh in. Let me say that I know people are concerned about certain things, certain portions, of our business, Levy told the crowd. Please try to be civil. The policy stipulates that schools must notify parents before giving surveys or providing services related to students mental or physical health. But its most controversial provision was the requirement that schools alert parents if students want to change their gender expression. Republicans across the country have pushed similar parent-notification rules. (The Moore County policy lifts language directly from Virginia guidelines and a North Carolina bill.) The rules target the practice in some schools of allowing gender-nonconforming students to switch names and pronouns without telling parents. To avoid outing them, some schools use students chosen names in class and their birth names when calling home. Some educators and advocates defend the practice as protecting trans students privacy and safety, adding that most schools encourage students to eventually come out to their families. But critics say schools should never withhold important information from parents, adding that parents cant support trans children if they arent informed. While most parent-notification rules do not take a stance on gender nonconformity, some of the advocates and lawmakers pushing the policies have suggested that transgender students are confused or were pressured by educators. Levy is skeptical of people who identify as trans, saying in an interview that he personally does not believe that someone can wish a different gender. But he said the notification policy lets parents decide how to respond. It is not for me to support or not to support students in what is called their gender identity, he told Chalkbeat. Our job is to teach them reading, writing and math. The Moore County school board scheduled a vote on the Parents Bill of Rights for its April 17 meeting. Word spread quickly: A local LGBTQ center urged allies to attend the meeting to oppose the policy, while a local conservative activist implored Christian conservatives to support the policy in order to protect our kids. 'But most of all I'm human': These 3 transgender teens prove identity stretches beyond one label On the evening of the meeting, a group of high schoolers filed into the back of the auditorium. Among them was Atlas, a ninth grader at Pinecrest High School who came out as transgender to his family and fellow marching band members last summer. Most people at school respected his identity, but not everyone. One teacher refused to refer to transgender students by their correct names and pronouns or let them use a private dressing room for gym class. Atlas and his friends reported the teacher to the administration, but the issue persisted, he said. (A district spokesperson and the superintendent did not respond to emailed questions.) Trans kids already felt unsafe in many places; with the notification, now they would feel exposed even in their counselors office. When Atlas name was called at the meeting, he stepped up to the podium and tried to help the board members understand. This proposed bill will hurt many students in our schools, he began. He cited national statistics showing that LGBTQ students, and transgender youth especially, are far more likely than their peers to consider or attempt suicide. The same is true in Moore County, where a 2017 survey found that 46% of gay, lesbian, and bisexual high school students had seriously considered suicide compared with 14% of their straight peers. The students you were elected to represent are the faces of these statistics, Atlas told the board, and his friends cheered. Other speakers praised the proposed policy. One woman said some people want to change the actual truth that children are either male or female. A pastor warned about a slippery slope from supporting transgender youth to letting students dress up as animals. A couple embraces during a rally as part of Transgender Day of Visibility in March by the Capitol in Washington. Transgender people and their allies gathered at venues across the country as part of an annual, international recognition of transgender resilience, which this year comes amid what some denounced as an increasingly hostile climate. One of the final speakers, who identified himself as Colin Wilson, said he and his wife pulled their child out of public school after the child came out as nonbinary. Now home-schooled, the child is a well-adjusted female, Wilson said, which is why schools must notify parents if children question their gender. If we dont know, he said, we cant address our children the way we see fit. During the boards discussion, the one member who is not part of the conservative bloc said she opposed the policy because it targets LGBTQ students. She recalled how a school counselor had helped her nephew navigate the process of telling his parents that he is transgender. Levy insisted that the policy is not directed at any particular group. If you aim it solely at transgender youth, then you have a constitutional problem, he said. Yet during the same discussion, he suggested that the policy is intended to inform parents about children who want to change their gender expression. Nobody is going to care if a student named Robert asks to go by Rob, Levy said in response to another members question. But when Robert wants to be called Roberta, he said later, a parent needs to know. The board approved the policy by a vote of 6-1. It appeared to have an immediate chilling effect. Rebecca Beittel, a Pinecrest English teacher, said a colleague started calling students by their last names in order to sidestep the name-change policy. Hayes said his trans students avoided discussing the policy; he worried that they no longer felt safe opening up to him. Noah, a Pinecrest student who is trans, said a classmate asked him and some friends if it was still OK to share their gender identity with teachers. We were all like, Don't! Noah said. Don't tell the teachers. Students and staff resist the policy Two days after the vote, Atlas led a few dozen Pinecrest students in a school walkout during third period. A TV news crew covered the protest, while supportive parents stood across the street and cheered. Beittel, who plans to leave the district after this school year, joined the walkout. She said students have told her that their parents would reject them if they learned theyre trans. The only place where they feel comfortable being their authentic selves is in my classroom, she said. But with this new policy, a kid can no longer trust us to be that person where they can be safe and comfortable. A few other staffers also spoke out. Kindergarten teacher Michele Cunningham said at the April board meeting that the policy would strip trans students of the right to come out on their own terms. Middle school counselor Renee Portfilio wrote an op-ed saying the policy violates counselors ethical duties and students privacy rights. The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call "Don't Say Gay" as the Republican governor continued a focus on cultural issues ahead of his presidential run. Hayes sought professional guidance. One group he contacted said ethics are a guide, but they dont supersede local laws and policies. The American School Counselor Associations ethical standards say counselors must maintain confidentiality, but also that students right to privacy at times may be limited by other interests, including parents rights. Families in several states have sued school officials and counselors, alleging that they violated parents rights by affirming students gender identity without parental consent. Last month, 21 conservative state attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting a Florida familys lawsuit. The brief says schools across the country have shut parents out of decisions about their childrens gender identity and trampled on their fundamental rights. In late May, Moore County Schools Superintendent Tim Locklair met with the school counselors to discuss their concerns. He advised them to comply with the parent-notification policy while also following their code of ethics, according to two attendees. I trust your professional judgment, he said. (Locklair did not respond to requests for comment.) The guidance frustrated Hayes, who considers the policy and his ethics irreconcilable. I don't understand how those two things can go together, he said, when my professional judgment tells me to violate the policy. Some counselors hoped the board would revise the policy, but it has no current plans to do so, Levy told Chalkbeat in an email. As for counselors ethical concerns, he added, they have been told how to implement the policy consistent with any perceived conflicts. Staring down hostility: LGBTQ students share their plans, fears for new school year, amid growing backlash Meanwhile, Levy intends to introduce a new policy forbidding staffers from advocating for or against controversial issues during class. This includes but is not limited to gender, sex and the policies surrounding such matters, reads the draft Inclusion and Indoctrination policy. Most people at school respected his identity, but not everyone. One teacher refused to refer to transgender students by their correct names and pronouns or let them use a private dressing room for gym class. Atlas and his friends reported the teacher to the administration, but the issue persisted, he said. (A district spokesperson and the superintendent did not respond to emailed questions.) Not long after Hayes sent the email asking what would happen if counselors refused to follow the parent-notification rule, he received a reply. The administrator acknowledged his concerns, but said employees are expected to follow board policies, according to Hayes. If following the policy meant outing transgender students against their will, Hayes didnt see how he could ethically comply. For now the dilemma is theoretical, but eventually such a situation will arise in Hayes school and other districts adopting similar policies. Then Hayes and like-minded educators will have to decide: Do they obey the new rules or resist? I feel like it's time for somebody to take a stand, he said. If nobody ever says anything, these people are just going to take over. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization covering education across the U.S. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can educators refuse to 'out' trans students despite new policies? Both of North Dakotas senators are publicly endorsing state Gov. Doug Burgums (R) 2024 presidential campaign. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) told Politico on Tuesday that he is supporting Burgums candidacy for president, after previously signaling his support for his states governor in an interview with local radio station WDAY last month before Burgum launched his bid. I have known Doug Burgum for a long time. He has been a leader for our state in both the private sector and now as Governor, Hoeven said in a statement to The Hill Wednesday. I wish him the very best and know he will do a great job telling the North Dakota story as he is out campaigning. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told NBC News he is endorsing Burgums campaign. He told the Forum newspaper last week that he believes Burgum would be a good Republican nominee and be an excellent candidate and an excellent president. Its hard not to be in Doug Burgums corner, Cramer told The Forum. I think its such a great thing for our state. Burgum, who has been North Dakotas governor since 2016, launched his long-shot 2024 presidential campaign last Wednesday. In his speech, Burgum argued that the country needs new leadership in the White House and said he would focus on the economy, energy and national security. We need a leader whos experienced firsthand that we win as a country when our innovators and entrepreneurs can soar and when every single person can grow and thrive, Burgum said. The 66-year-old politician entered a crowded field of Republicans aiming to challenge former President Trump for the partys nomination, joining a list of contenders that includes former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. The Hill has reached out to the offices of Sens. Hoeven and Cramer for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Nottingham murder suspect described by witnesses as black man with dreadlocks A suspect was arrested by armed police who stopped a white Vauxhall van The suspect being questioned by police on suspicion of a triple murder in Nottingham is a 31-year-old local man, The Telegraph understands. Eyewitnesses have described the man as black, with dreadlocks and a beard, and dressed in a hooded top. At just after 4am on Tuesday, police were alerted to reports that two people had been stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road in the city. An eyewitness who spoke to the BBC described a man being on foot and attacking two people before walking away. The witness said: Being a hot night, I had the window open and I just heard some awful, blood-curdling screams. I looked out of the window and saw a black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people. It was a girl, and a man or boy she was with they looked quite young. She was screaming: Help! I just wish Id shouted something out of the window to unnerve the assailant. I saw him stab the lad first and then the woman. It was repeated stabbing four or five times. The lad collapsed in the middle of the road. The girl stumbled towards a house and didnt move. The next minute she had disappeared down the side of a house, and thats where they found her. Id say it all happened within five or six minutes. The attacker then just walked off up Ilkeston Road towards town, as calm as anything. Around an hour later, between 5am and 5.30am, residents in Magdala Road, two miles from the city centre were woken by the sound of a huge bang. A body was later found in the street. While details remain unclear, it is believed a third person may have been killed in a hit and run attack on the normally quiet residential road. A short time later, a woman who was on her way to work at a B&Q store saw a man driving a large white van that was being followed by a police car. Lynn Haggitt told Channel 4 News: It was half past five and I saw a white van pull up by the side of me. It was white. There was a police car behind it which came up slowly, no flashing lights. The man in the drivers seat looked in his mirror and saw the police car behind it. The white van then backed up on the corner of the street and went into two people. Mrs Haggit described the van driver as having dreadlocks and a beard and wearing a hat. A suspect was arrested by armed police who stopped a white Vauxhall van at the junction of Maples Street and Bentinck Road, around a mile from Nottingham city centre, at around 5.30am. Witnesses described seeing police removing a large knife from the van as the man was taken away by police. 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. Nurse stabbed by patient at Heywood Hospital: What we know so far Police continued to investigate after an employee was attacked and injured at Heywood Hospital Monday night. According to police, they responded to a report of an assault with a dangerous weapon at the hospital at around 8 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered that a nurse had been stabbed by a patient. The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester and treated for a laceration. The victims condition was unknown. The suspect was identified as David Nichols, 76, of Greenville, New Hampshire. He was arrested at the hospital and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and attempting to commit a crime (murder), according to police. Officials did not release a motive for the attack. Nichols was held on $10,000 cash bail and was scheduled to appear in Gardner District Court on Tuesday. Roz Penney, CEO of Heywood Healthcare, said the safety of staff and patients was the hospital's utmost priority, and that Heywood officials were partnering with local law enforcement to enhance physical security in the Emergency Department. "Violence against caregivers is not acceptable," Penney said. "In addition to the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy, expanded screening protocols are being assessed to ensure the safety of our caregivers and patients." Penney praised Heywood's staff for their response to the incident. "Last night they demonstrated teamwork, compassion, cohesiveness, and dedication to each other and to our community," she said. "Our primary responsibility as leaders is to take care of our staff, and we do not take this responsibility lightly." On their Facebook page, the Hubbardston Professional Firefighters Local 4957 said their thoughts were with their brothers and sisters who work in the Heywood Hospital Emergency Room. "We hope for a speedy recovery for the nurse," the post read. "Violence against caregivers is a widespread problem and should not be tolerated in any circumstance." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts: Nurse stabbed by patient A lawsuit challenging a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could eliminate or restrict three-quarters of preventive benefits covered by the law, according to a recent report. Out of 192 preventive services that the provision requires insurers and employers to cover at no cost to Americans, 121 could be eliminated in their entirety if the lawsuit is successful, the George Washington University report found. Coverage for 13 services could also be limited for some populations, while recommended modifications for 10 services could be rolled back, according to the report. The report comes after a federal judge in Texas struck down the provision nationwide in late March. However, the measure was temporarily restored on Monday, after the two sides in the case struck an agreement to leave it in place as the appeals process proceeds. The plaintiffs in the case objected to covering PrEP, which is a preventative medication for HIV, arguing that it encouraged homosexual behavior that conflicted with their religious beliefs. In addition to PrEP, the ACA requires insurers to cover cancer screenings, prenatal services and mental health care, among other services. The report suggested that the potential impact on services for women, children and infants is particularly illustrative of the overall possible effects of a decision to block the provision. About 77 percent of covered services related to maternal and infant health could be eliminated or restricted, while about 56 percent of those relevant to children and adolescents could also be impacted, according to the report. The plaintiffs in this case insist that to satisfy their personal preference for more limited coverage, virtually all Americans, including millions of mothers, infants and children, must lose theirs, Sara Rosenbaum, a co-author of the report, said in a statement. Their demands are not only legally unnecessary but unconscionable. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ocean temperatures are off the charts, and El Nino is only partly to blame With the golden glow of the sunset, surfer Dylan Sloan, 15, of Huntington Beach, gets a coveted tube ride while surfing big waves generated by winter storms at the Seal Beach pier in January. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) In a world of worsening climate extremes, a single red line has caught many people's attention. The line, which charts sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean, went viral over the weekend for its startling display of unprecedented warming nearly 2 degrees (1.09 Celsius) above the mean dating back to 1982, the earliest year with comparable data. Ocean temperatures are so anomalously high that Eliot Jacobson, a retired mathematics professor who created the graph using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, had to "increase the upper bound on the y-axis," he said. "I've been doing this for a long time, but this one was like, 'Oh my God, look at this,'" Jacobson said of the graph. "What is going on here?" Another day, another record for the North Atlantic. Everything is happening so fast, it's hard to get a sense of the enormity of these anomalies, let alone their consequences. pic.twitter.com/rJZEeggdmX Prof. Eliot Jacobson (@EliotJacobson) June 10, 2023 He and other researchers said there are several factors that may be contributing to the off-the-charts warming, which is occurring alongside other climate woes including record-shattering wildfires in Canada, rapidly declining sea ice in Antarctica and unusually warm temperatures in many parts of the world, not including Southern California. Underlying everything is human-caused climate change, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA. But atop that are a handful of other potential factors, including the early arrival of El Nino; the recent eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano; new regulations around sulfur aerosol emissions or even a dearth of Saharan dust. "The North Atlantic is record-shatteringly warm right now," Swain said during a briefing Monday. "There has never been any day in observed history where the entire North Atlantic has been nearly as warm as it is right now, at any time of year." Read more: El Nino has officially arrived, signaling a warmer world and possibly a wetter SoCal Nearly all of the Atlantic basin is experiencing anomalous warmth, including the Irminger Sea southeast of Greenland, the western Mediterranean Sea, and the tropics "all the way from Africa to at least the Caribbean," said Gregory Johnson, an oceanographer at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. "We are definitely in record territory," Johnson said. And it's not just the Atlantic, as global sea surface temperatures are also climbing to new highs, NOAA data show. Such warming events can have considerable consequences, including triggering algal blooms, bleaching coral and negatively affecting fisheries and other ecosystems, Johnson said. Marine heat waves can also provide more energy for tropical cyclones and more moisture for atmospheric rivers and flooding events. And a warmer ocean tends to expand, which can lead to sea level rise along with melting ice sheets. "This is part of a long-term trend," Johnson said. "If greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, we're going to continue to break records in terms of global average temperatures whether it be sea surface temperature, or sea and land, or land alone. I think it's having big impacts, and it's something that we have to pay attention to." El Nino conditions are here, according to the latest ENSO Outlook from @NWSCPC. El Nino is expected to continue into the winter, with the odds of at least a moderate event are about 84%.https://t.co/X80WoUuAi7 pic.twitter.com/FedIzrLFpv NOAA Climate.gov (@NOAAClimate) June 8, 2023 The recent arrival of El Nino, a climate pattern in the tropical Pacific and a major driver of weather patterns across the world, could be partially to blame, Johnson and others said. While its counterpart, La Nina, brought cooler water to the ocean's surface, El Nino is generally linked to warmer global temperatures and often results in warmer oceans. NOAA recently said there is an 84% chance that the developing El Nino will be of moderate strength, and a 56% chance it will become a strong event at its peak later this year. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organization predicts that at least one of the next five years and the five-year period as a whole will be the Earth's warmest on record due to global warming and El Nino. Read more: Massive volcano eruption in Tonga could wind up warming the Earth But El Nino doesn't entirely explain the sudden escalation in ocean temperatures. Another potential factor may be the recent eruption of an undersea volcano in Tonga, said Swain. The volcano, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, erupted beneath the ocean in January 2022 and shot record-breaking amounts of water vapor all the way up to the stratosphere. And because water vapor acts as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas, researchers said the eruption could result in more planetary warming. "We now have a natural volcanic event that, somewhat amazingly, is probably resulting in an additional short-term window of global warming," Swain said. "That's on top of the human-caused warming that we're already seeing, so that may be part of why we're seeing such a spike right now in some global ocean temperatures and in global atmospheric temperatures." Meanwhile, a major change in regulations around the sulfur content of shipping fuels could also be behind the warming spike, according to both Swain and Jacobson. The regulations, ordered by the International Maritime Organization in 2020, reduced the upper limit of sulfur in fuels from 3.5% to 0.5% in an effort to achieve cleaner air in ports and coastal areas. However, the change may have had an unexpected consequence because sulfate aerosols can reflect sunlight away from the earth, "effectively dimming the planet's surface," Jacobson wrote in a post on his website. "By cleaning up shipping fuels, massive regions of the world's oceans that were protected from heating by shipping sulfate aerosols are now experiencing rapid warming," he said, including many of the main shipping routes where the warming is happening. Swain shared a similar hypothesis, noting that though global shipping has largely returned to baseline levels after declining during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a huge drop in sulfur emissions. "It is being speculated that this is part of the reason why we're seeing such record-breaking global ocean temperatures and atmospheric temperatures right now," he said. "Now that we've eliminated at least a significant portion of that offsetting effect, we may have somewhat unintentionally unearthed an additional component of this warming," he added. Read more: Southern California can expect cooler temperatures, cloudy skies. How long will June gloom last? Michael Mann, a professor of earth and environmental science at the University of Pennsylvania, said while sulfate aerosols can influence the North Atlantic, he did not believe that the recent regulatory change is behind the current temperature spike. Instead, he said, a lack of Saharan dust possibly linked to weakened trade winds from the burgeoning El Nino could be impacting temperatures on short timescales. The dust normally has a cooling impact on the area, and the lack of dust "probably does help to explain the observed anomaly." "The primary cause of the warming we are seeing right now is an El Nino event on top of overall human-caused warming," Mann said. Interestingly, one of the few areas not experiencing unusual warmth right now is Southern California, which has been unseasonably cool and cloudy for several months on end. While that may be a response to El Nino, it could also be driven by the same persistent wave patterns that are contributing to the Canadian wildfires, record-breaking warmth in Western Europe and Southeast Asia, and flooding in parts of the Mediterranean, Swain said. Though concerning, the conditions aren't "completely out of left field" based on global warming trends, Swain said. "The long-term trend is not going to stop, and we are stair-stepping up our way to much warmer oceans and a much warmer climate, and there still hasn't been a great deal of momentum away from that," he said. "We're still moving in a pretty alarming direction, overall, when it comes to warming." Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Oconto County man sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison for producing child pornography A Oconto County man will spend the next 21 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. Rocky R. Sonkowsky, 33, was sentenced to 260 months on Friday by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. According to court records, in summer 2021, while babysitting his girlfriends infant child and changing the childs diaper, Sonkowsky sexually assaulted the child and captured 21 images of the abuse on his smartphone. The images were discovered when police began investigating Sonkowsky for his online activities, which included downloading child pornography and engaging in online communications with underage children. Sonkowsky, who was indicted last December, faced between 15 to 30 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Upon the completion of his federal prison sentence, Sonkowsky will spend the remainder of his life on supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the Oconto County Sheriffs Office, and the City of Oconto Police Department. Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com. MORE: Oconto Falls scrambles to adjust fire station plans after bids some in too high MORE: Got a sweet tooth? Two candy stores look to satisfy your cravings in Oconto County FOR MORE OCONTO COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website! This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Oconto County man sentenced to prison for producing child pornography ORLANDO, Fla. The neo-Nazi demonstration seen over the weekend outside the entrance to Walt Disney World Resort provoking widespread disgust and outrage was the latest sign of rising antisemitism in Florida and across the nation, experts said Monday. Over a dozen far-right demonstrators, including many waving swastikas and some hoisting signs promoting Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, gathered outside the Disney entrance Saturday, a spectacle that quickly attracted viral attention on social media. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, which responded to the incident, around 15 individuals were involved in the two-hour demonstration in the area of Vineland Road and Hotel Plaza Boulevard around noon Saturday. In addition to the swastika and DeSantis banners, some had signs displaying antisemitic and white supremacist rhetoric. No arrests were made. In an unsigned statement, a Sheriffs Office spokesperson said the agency deplores hate speech in any form, but people have the First Amendment right to demonstrate. And while what these groups do is revolting and condemned in the strongest way by the Sheriff and the Sheriffs Office, they did not on Saturday, to our knowledge, commit a criminal act, the statement said. They are looking for attention, and specifically media attention. The demonstration drew condemnation from prominent figures across Central Florida as well as several notable Jewish organizations. Democratic state rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, who tweeted now widely-shared images and videos of the demonstration shared with her by others via social media, in a statement said Florida is a state built on diversity and we will always stand against bigotry and hate. Its absolutely disgusting to see what has become a common presence of Nazis in Florida, and even more disturbing when they are holding signs and flags that signal support for people like Gov. DeSantis, Eskamani said in a statement. Every person, regardless of political ideology, should condemn this. Kathy Turner, spokesperson for the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida in Maitland, in a statement said the organization strongly condemns all forms of antisemitism, hate speech and symbols, and is especially disturbed by yet another presence of Neo-Nazis in Central Florida outside of Walt Disney World. We believe education is the key to making hate history, thus why we serve as a dedicated community resource committed to teaching the history of the Holocaust and to combating prejudice and discrimination, Turner said. Ben Popp, an investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center of Extremism who specializes in far-right extremism and white supremacy, said the group behind the gathering, known as the Order of the Black Sun, is relatively new. This incident may have been its first in-person demonstration. The group, abbreviated OBS, is a small white supremacist network based in the state of Florida, he said. They formed earlier this year, from individuals who have been involved in other white supremacist groups and organizations in the state of Florida for the past couple of years, Popp said. So these individuals are well known to us. OBS and other similar groups work together in the state of Florida in order to make themselves appear bigger than they are to both intimidate communities, but also to normalize their antisemitism and normalize their other forms of hate as well, Popp said. They want these sorts of things to be a common occurrence. So that people will get used to this and become desensitized. Thats really their whole goal is to desensitize communities to their hate. Popp said that while publicizing these groups can be dangerous, spreading awareness about OBS in particular is important because they are already active in spreading white supremacist propaganda throughout the state. We believe in educating the public, and while we dont want to give these extremist groups more attention, we feel that its important that people understand what sort of hate is in their community, because thats the only way that we can we can confront it, as in when we know what we face, Popp said. He also noted the increase in far-right extremism in Florida over the past several years. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 72% increase in extremist related incidents in the state, Popp said. And then from 2021 to 2022, that rose again, another 9%. Despite the presence of pro-DeSantis signs at the gathering, the governor had not yet openly condemned or commented on the incident as of Monday. The circumstances are similar to one that occurred last January, in which far-right demonstrators waving swastikas at a UCF-area shopping plaza and on an Interstate 4 overpass on a Saturday were condemned by politicians across Florida, but went unmentioned by DeSantis until the following Monday, when DeSantis suggested Democrats were attempting to smear him and politicize the incident for political gain. After the 2022 incident, DeSantis press secretary, Christina Pushaw, who now works for his presidential campaign, criticized those asking DeSantis to weigh in on the demonstrations. The DeSantis campaign and Walt Disney World did not respond to requests for comment. ---------- Transgender and nonbinary people are often sidelined at Pride. This year is different Participants hold a large transgender flag during the 31st annual Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival, Sunday, June. 4, 2023, in New York. Transgender and nonbinary people are front and center this year at Pride festivals where they've often been sidelined. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Kara Murphy, a transgender woman helping to organize the Union County Pride in a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, is heartened to see Pride celebrations across the country, big and small, shining a spotlight on transgender rights this year. When we look and see whos standing up for us, it kind of signals the strength of the movement, she said. Whether it's transgender grand marshals at the massive New York City Pride parade or a photo display of transgender victims of violence at the much smaller festival in Hastings, Nebraska, many celebrations this June are taking a public stand against state legislation targeting transgender people. Some Prides are putting transgender people front and center at events where they've often been sidelined because of a historical emphasis on gay and lesbian rights, along with the same sorts of prejudice and misinformation held by many straight, cisgender people about trans lives. The growing number of new laws and policies, including restrictions on gender-affirming care, public bathroom use and participation in sports, has prompted Pride organizers to more fully embrace a segment of the LGBTQ+ populace that hasnt always felt included. While trans activists have always been integral to steps toward greater LGBTQ+ rights, too often, the larger LGBTQ movement ignored or even actively erased the voices of trans and nonbinary folks, Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, said in an email. Uplifting trans voices and fighting for trans liberation must be at the forefront of our movement when the rights of transgender and nonbinary people are under a coordinated attack, Johnson said. We are specifically standing by and being supportive of those who are transgender, because we understand that theyre under assault, that their rights are under assault," said Jonathan Swindle, organizer of Pride in Corpus Christi, Texas. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed legislation that would make Texas the most populous state to ban gender-affirming treatments for minors. At least 20 others have similar bans. This year, Swindle said, steps to show solidarity include displaying the blue, pink and white transgender flag, offering Pride T-shirts in just pink and blue, involving trans advocacy groups at events, and offering resources for trans people, including legal help with changing gender designations. Smaller events are also planned that bring people together, but Swindle said those won't be widely advertised because of security concerns and potential threats. This year, he said, the static in the air and the temperament is so much different from 2022, when Pride seemed more celebratory. One transgender board member, he noted, abruptly resigned last month and deactivated their social media accounts because they didn't want to be in the public eye. This year, it's like no, we have to fight through our messaging, as well as reach the young generation to help them understand that it's going to be OK, Swindle said. Yes, they're doing this, but we will be there. There are resources for you. Prides across the U.S. are using the annual event, often held in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall rebellion in New York City an uprising partly led by trans women of color to highlight their support for transgender people. Many are also supporting the drag community, which has also been the target of protests and legislation. In Reading, Pennsylvania, Pride organizer Enrique Castro Jr. said that instead of a parade, a march dedicated to both the trans and drag-performer communities is planned. In addition to displays of flags honoring those communities, there will be a rally afterward at which Dr. Ashley Grant, a specialist in gender-affirming care, will speak and march with the group to her clinic. The recent Pride in Hastings, a central Nebraska city of 25,000, was edgier than past years, acknowledged organizer Randal Kottwitz. With the theme Rise Up" and dedicated to victims of trans violence, it included a speech by state Sen. Michela Cavanaugh, who told the crowd, You are loved and you matter. She led the unsuccessful fight against legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen that bans abortion at 12 weeks of pregnancy and restricts gender-affirming medical care for people younger than 19. In New York City, where this year's Pride theme is Strength in Solidarity, organizers selected representatives of the trans community to be among the grand marshals of the June 25 parade. There are also plans to have a float carrying transgender people of color. AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ and intersex athletes, and a transgender, nonbinary Filipino American, is one of the grand marshals. They welcome the attention at Pride this year. Its really important for me to take this opportunity and attention to spotlight kind of what is happening across the country, said Dumlao, noting how nearly half of U.S. states have banned trans athletes from playing in school sports. With a draw of about 2 million spectators on hand, they said the often-televised parade is a great opportunity to spread the message that trans athletes have "always been here. Murphy said the number of expected spectators at her Pride in North Carolina, planned for September, will be tiny in comparison with New York and won't include a parade but that the message will be no less meaningful. You can do so much just person to person, just walking around, meeting people at Pride," she said, noting how the festival becomes an opportunity for people to tap into an informal network of people who might know a therapist or doctor or have a trans child who is trying to make friends. At this kind of a rural area, you dont get the big demonstrations. You get the little assistance, person to person to person to person, that kind of starts to add up," she said. And yeah, if I could, we would have just a trans pride parade on Main Street if I could, but I cant do that. In Connecticut, where restrictions on transgender people are not being proposed, organizers of the Middletown Pride still placed a major focus on trans rights in this year's events, which Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont attended. Just seeing everything thats happening in the legislation (elsewhere), we definitely wanted to make it a priority, said Haley Stafford, event coordinator for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce which helps to organize Middletown Pride. Just because its not happening to us right now doesnt mean that it cant end up happening further down the line. After getting an order from the Ohio Supreme Court, state leaders had to re-write ballot language for Issue 1 for the August special election. Issue 1 involves how Ohioans can amend the state constitution. Officials at the Montgomery Board of Elections and others across the Miami Valley are getting ready for a special election in August. This court ruling and todays wording change have to do with what voters will see on their ballot on August 8th. At the statehouse in Columbus on Tuesday, the Ohio Ballot Board, led by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, met to re-write the language for Issue 1. The Ohio Supreme Court issued a court order to the board specifically to re-write an error in the summary of what Issue 1 would do if it passes. Dr. Marc Clauson, who is a professor of history, law, and honors at Cedarville University, said, Basically, what the court did was it heard this case from an organization that though the ballot initiative that was initiated by the legislature was not sufficiently clear. Which is required in these ballot issues. Clauson has been following the lawsuit and read the Ohio Supreme Court decision that came less than two months before the August special election. if this had turned out to be a long, drawn-out dealing with the substance of the language, not just the clarity of the wording, the court might have said Theres no time do that and correct it before the time of the ballot initiative, But this case was just about the clarity of the language, So, the court said we can handle that. If voters approve Issue 1, it will amend our state constitution making it harder to change it with future amendments. Passages would mean Ohio constitutional amendments would require a 60% supermajority in the statewide vote to pass. Currently, the 50% majority has been in place for more than 100 years. It would also require campaigns to get a set minimum number of signatures from all 88 counties to qualify for the ballot as opposed to the current 44 counties. The Ohio Ballot Board left their meeting Tuesday approving new language along party lines. After todays meeting in Columbus, reporters asked the lawyer from the group whose lawsuit prompted the Ohio Supreme Court decision whether they will sue over the new ballot language approved today. The lawyer said he would not rule that out. Suspect in Olympia credit union robbery is still at large, police say A man accused of robbing an Olympia credit union branch on Friday evening is still at large, according to police. About 5:45 p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to Sound Credit Union at 3600 Martin Way E. after a report of a robbery. The credit union is at the corner of Martin Way and Lilly Road Northeast. The suspect, thought to be in his 20s or 30s, entered the branch, approached a managers desk and handed over a note that demanded money and implied that he had a weapon, Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower said. The man stole money from the credit union after getting the manager to go to a tellers window, then left the credit union quickly. He was last seen headed north through a parking lot and some landscaping. The suspect is described as 6-feet tall, and he was last seen wearing a face mask, black sweater and black gloves, Lower said. Anyone with information is asked to call Olympia police at 360-753-8300. The curious cat stretched out by the galley (TikTok/@diet.bean) A video of a one-eyed cat that got loose in the cabin of a Delta flight has charmed social media users with over 1.4 million likes. The footage, posted to TikTok by Madison Flores with the caption This one-eyed cat got out and I had to save it during take-off. Hero has won the hearts of the internet. Curiosity clearly got the better of the one-eyed ginger cat wearing a black travel harness as it explored the plane, getting comfortable and settling down in the galley, reports Insider. In the 13-second clip, an amused flight attendant asks passengers to: Please send a call button or check your bag if your cat is not in your bag. The TikTok video of the escape artist feline has gone viral, with 9.2 million views in just a few days. People in the comments were quick to fall in love with the unidentified ginger cat. One user replied: Honestly all flights should have an airplane kitty. Would make everyone more calm for sure! Hes obviously preparing for take-off, leave him alone, wrote another. Others speculated that the one-eyed cat was Fred, the beloved ginger cat from the 2017 movie Gifted starring Chris Evans and McKenna Grace, Omg its Fred. Someone call Chris Evans. The friendly feline should have been flying in a ventilated pet carrier (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The cat was safely returned to its pet carrier. A Delta representative told Insider: Everyone including our feline friends are required to remain seated while the aircraft is taxiing for takeoff. While our four-legged friends fun was short-lived, it now knows even the hippest of cats must remain in their carrier stowed under the seat in front of their owner. Deltas pet carry-on rules allow cats onboard in a ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Pets must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel and will count as travellers one carry-on item. Last year, passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight were tickled but confused when they spotted a cute French bulldog sniffing about the planes aisle. And in 2021, Lewis the greyhound got a taste of luxury many of us will never experience last month, when he flew business class on a Singapore Airlines flight from Melbourne to Italy. OnPolitics: Donald Trump pleads not guilty in federal court. Here is what to expect next Hi there, OnPolitics readers. Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court today to 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents seized from his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. First things first: Read our live blog coverage of Trump's indictment for all the most important details about today's historic arraignment. How it happened: After arriving at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami shortly before 2 p.m., Trump was arrested and arraigned. He was digitally fingerprinted during the pretrial services, but he did not have a mug shot taken. Trump then pleaded not guilty to all charges during the hearing, the first time in American history that a former president was charged with federal crimes. The federal charges: The indictment charged Trump on 37 counts, including illegally retaining the nations classified defense secrets and obstructing justice. A long legal process will now unfold that might eventually with Trump on trial for federal crimes. Special Counsel Jack Smith previously said that he is going to seek a "speedy trial" for the former president. Keep reading: The latest news, reactions The scene: What's happening outside the courtroom Read the indictment: Donald Trump charged with federal crimes in Miami Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges. Here is what's next John Avlon - CNN In my administration, Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law. Thats what then-candidate Donald Trump said at a campaign rally in August of 2016. This was the alleged policy behind chants to lock her up! directed at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her off-site email server. They were calls for political vengeance without due process. But now, with former President Trump indicted by the federal government on 37 counts for retaining and concealing classified documents related to national security including nuclear secrets key Trump supporters ditched calls for accountability and have resorted to threats of violence. This is the politics of incitement and intimidation and it cannot be allowed to succeed. Trump has reached for apocalyptic rhetoric, calling for his supporters to protest at the Florida courthouse when he is arraigned on Tuesday. Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican and one of the chief promoters of the stop the steal election lie that led to the January 6 attack on the Capitol tweeted: We have now reached a war phase. Eye for an Eye. Failed Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake declared at a Georgia Republican rally: I have a message tonight for Merrick Garland and Jack Smith and Joe Biden and the guys back there in the fake news media If you want to get to President Trump, youre going to have to go through me, and 75 million Americans just like me. And most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. Thats not a threat, thats a public service announcement. Just to be clear, that is a threat. After having her election lies rejected by court after court, Lake should know that just because you say something doesnt make it true. But the response to an absence of facts is often simply to scream louder and some MAGA backers have heard the warlike rhetoric loud and clear, responding with online chatter about a second civil war. The threats of violence reflect an authoritarian impulse completely at odds with the alleged principles of the Republican Party and the conservative movement. After all, this is a political party that has long claimed to stand for patriotism, individual responsibility, family values and the rule of law. They are risking abandoning it all to protect a cult of personality for a political con man whose actions are the opposite of all those virtues. Theres a deeper twist: Conservatism literally began in reaction to the threat of mob violence. Edmund Burkes condemnation of the violent excesses of the French Revolution is generally considered to be the starting point of conservative thought. Attacking the US Capitol in response to the election lies of a leader who says things like I alone can fix it is the opposite of anything resembling Republican virtues or conservative principles. But conservative populists are a different breed, especially when they use fear to encourage retaliatory strikes. Aggressive defensiveness is the term for the kind of threats being leveled: using defensive feelings as an excuse to get aggressively violent. They were a recurring feature in the reaction to Reconstruction after the Civil War as I discuss in my book Lincoln & The Fight for Peace when White vigilante groups would claim that someone attacked them and use that threat (or more broadly, the demographic threat of multiracial democracy) as a pretext to slaughter their political opponents and intimidate the opposition into silence. This is not a distant concern relegated to history books. The January 6 attack showed the clear and present danger created by apocalyptic rhetoric and the politics of incitement. The threat of violence was a feature, not a bug, in the effort to get senators to stop the certification of the election. It was the culmination of years of violent rhetoric deployed by the former president and his surrogates and amplified without any supporting evidence by right-wing networks. Two militia leaders from the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys have been convicted of seditious conspiracy for what they did after hearing Trump falsely declare the 2020 election had been stolen from him. Given the history of violence aimed at the heart of our democracy, these latest threats should be easy to condemn especially for Trumps Republican rivals in the 2024 primaries. With the exception of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (who said that if the indictment is proven to be true, Trumps actions were extremely reckless) and Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson both former US attorneys Trumps GOP rivals have all tried to criticize the process or the optics without addressing the substance of the indictment. Thats presumably a political calculation made out of fear of offending Trumps base. Its also an implicit recognition, however, that the details of the indictment are damning to the point of absurdity. There are photos of boxes of classified documents stacked in a chandeliered bathroom at Mar-a-Lago; there is a transcript of a taped conversation in which Trump discusses how he is in possession of classified documents and cannot declassify them because he did not do it as president. Every defense that Trump and his surrogates once offered has been revealed by the evidence to be a lie. Trump is known to even have lied to his own lawyers. But sadly, many of his supporters still believe he is telling them the truth. The candidates presumably know better but they keep retreating to weak-kneed responses. One recurring theme is the false belief that the DOJ was inconsistent with its indictment. Lets clear this up, because a cursory review of the Trump charges should mean an end to whataboutism. Both Hillary Clinton and former Vice President (and current GOP presidential candidate) Mike Pence, in their cases regarding retention of classified information, were not charged because they cooperated with the authorities and no deliberate mishandling was found. Bidens case is ongoing but he has also cooperated with authorities. Heres the key difference: Trump was not charged for having the classified documents but for willfully trying to hide the documents after the feds enquired. Its not the crime, but the cover-up. Even conservative legal analysts ranging from Jonathan Turley to Andrew McCarthy to former Attorney General Bill Barr have read the indictment and pronounced it damning to Trump, with Barr saying: The counts under the Espionage Act, that he willfully retained those documents, are solid counts its a very detailed indictment, and its very, very damning. One final line of defense argues that democracies dont indict former presidents that this action makes America look like a third world nation. Never mind the fact that democracies like France, Italy and Israel have done just that in recent years when their former heads of state were accused of committing high crimes. In fact, its an essential feature of accountability and showing no one is above the law. The Washington Post offered an excellent round-up of some of these recent cases. This is necessary in a country like the United States where sitting presidents cannot be charged with a crime. When facts and reason no longer apply, desperate individuals resort to threats of violence. It is an attempt to intimidate in the belief that the rule of law will be suspended. This is thuggery and more evidence that the January 6 playbook remains in effect for Trump and his apologists. But facts matter, and there is nothing unfair about equal justice under law, applied without fear or favor. That is what Trump is really afraid of. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Opinion: How Newarks Universal School Application Split in 2 and What to Do About It For almost a decade, Newark Public Schools, New Jerseys largest district, was celebrated for its universal enrollment system that gave parents an easy way to rank their top choices among the citys district and charter schools. Last year, that collaboration fell apart. The nonprofit New Jersey Childrens Foundation quickly devised a new online enrollment platform for Newarks charter schools, which educate 36% of the citys 55,000 public school students. Now, foundation Executive Director Kyle Rosenkrans and his team hope the district will add its 63 schools to the platform and restore a partnership that many believe has led to improved equity, access and achievement for Newark students. Much rides on that potential detente. A little history: In 1995, the state took over Newarks school system after an investigation detailed low student test scores, high dropout rates, questionable expenditures of public funds, and crumbling buildings with health and safety hazards. Over the next 15 years, a series of state-appointed superintendents shuffled through while student academic growth stagnated. Then, in 2011, then-Gov. Chris Christie appointed Cami Anderson, who saw parents as the ultimate arbiter of what is best for their children, recognized the draw of the citys high-performing charter sector and inaugurated the districts universal enrollment system, called Newark Enrolls. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Sure, that first year was glitchy. But Andersons successor, Christopher Cerf the last state-appointed superintendent before the district began the transition back to local control in 2018 noted that the improvement in student outcomes in both district and charter schools is directly attributable to the districts decision to empower parents with public school choice and to focus relentlessly on the twin values of school performance and equitable access to quality options. Related Analysis: Assessing 22 Years of State Control as Newark Votes for the Board to Take Back Reins of City Schools When Roger Leon, the first locally appointed superintendent in a quarter-century, took over the following year, he declared himself a fan of the charter partnership, telling school board members, its our responsibility to make sure that whatever [school] parents choose, they get. Yet, in an early sign of Leons disaffection for the charter school sector, one of his first acts as superintendent was to fire the head of Newark Enrolls and her assistants. In 2019, despite a Memorandum of Understanding with the citys charter schools, the district unilaterally shut down the enrollment portal for three months to install a new system. It also shuttered a family support center that many parents relied on. All parents, whether new to the district or unhappy with their childs school, could enroll their children only by going to the Central Office during specified hours. The next year, the rules changed again: the district said it would grant transfers only in certain cases, such as when a child requires a school with a special education program. Then came COVID-19. In early 2021, with schools and government offices closed, the district decreed that parents choosing charters for their children must provide proof of residency in order to even start an application. Attendance officers were sent to their homes, a measure Rosenkrans called strong-armed, invasive tactics toward parents. Families were furious. An enrollment system that a Columbia University study lauded for adhering to principles of choice, access, community, equity, reliability, ease and transparency, had devolved into one that was separate and unequal. Newarks charter school leaders pulled out, ready to go back to the each-school-on-its-own model that required parents to fill out multiple applications. Then the foundation stepped up. Having recently launched My Schools Newark, a platform that gives parents detailed information about the citys 184 district, charter, private and parochial schools, the foundation contracted with a company called Avela to create a Newark Common App, based on parent focus groups and surveys. Though Leon and the Newark School Board declined Rosenkranss invitation to join this new third-party-run system, the app launched seamlessly this past year. Over 3,500 Newark families participated, taking advantage of a centralized application, lottery and waitlist with an emphasis on equity and access. The algorithm weights the lottery to increase enrollment for homeless and displaced students, special education kids, English learners and those who qualify for free school lunch. This year, the largest number of families applied for kindergarten slots, and, of those, 98% were matched to the first school of their choice. Across all grades, 83% of families received one of their top three choices. The foundation hasnt given up on its ultimate goal of renewing the alliance among all public schools in the city, and Rosenkrans says he would happily hand over Avelas platform to another third party if that would make the district more comfortable. Even Mayor Ras Baraka who made his initial campaign in 2014 a referendum on Anderson and is rumored to be contemplating a gubernatorial run favors restoring the partnership. Leslie Comesanas, the foundations director of family and community support and the head of Newark Common App, told me, If Superintendent Leon would pick up the phone and say, Lets jump in with you, we would be thrilled. Thats whats best for families. Its pretty clear affirmative action as we know it in college admissions is going to be declared unconstitutional. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito are already on record opposing race-based affirmative action. Chief Justice John Roberts famously expressed his aversion to considerations of race calling it sordid business that the Court should not condone. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett were exceptionally hostile during oral argument on the pending Students for Fair Admissions cases. And 20 years ago, when I was working as an aide defending affirmative action on behalf of former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, my political operative counterpart on the other side in President George W. Bushs White House was none other than Brett Kavanaugh. Throw in that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was sympathetic during oral argument on the SFFA cases, has recused herself from one of them, and the deck is exceptionally stacked. We know what a post-affirmative action world with no offsetting policies looks like on campus, and its not pretty. In California, after Proposition 209 passed in 1996 banning affirmative action in college admissions, Black enrollment at UCLA and UC Berkeley dropped to just over 3 percent. Some 10,000 Black and Latino students evaporated from the UC System. Black degree attainment in science, math, engineering and technology majors dropped dramatically. There were sharp declines in racial minority medical school enrollment. The number of historically underrepresented minorities hired to work in state government and local police departments all went down. The list of harmful effects on racial minorities goes on. Privately, leaders of college associations say their members instinct is to try to get around the expected anti-affirmative action decisions by considering applicant adversity as a way to replicate the racial composition they now achieve on campus. Its not an unreasonable position. An alternative path, however one that doesnt require judicial subterfuge is to adopt a set of wealth-conscious alternatives to affirmative action that create preferences for applicants from lower-socioeconomic status families. One such plan drawn from the work of Rick Kahlenberg and others and modeled by Georgetown Universitys Center on Workforce and Education suggests that such policies can be used to partially claw back, maintain, or even slightly exceed current enrollment shares for Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American students. But theres a catch. And that is that such socio-economic preferences only work well for historically underserved students when all other admissions policies at selective colleges that undermine racial minority enrollment are eliminated. Not incidentally, many of those policies including legacy and donor admissions harm middle-income and low-income white students as well as minority applicants. And therein lies Joe Bidens political opening. For years, polling has shown that a majority of the country favors ending race-based affirmative action. But the coming decisions present an opportunity a fork in the road moment when President Biden can choose to lead the country to a vision of a broader, politically stronger Black, Latino and White coalition that supports a more just, decent and compassionate society reflected in higher education if not beyond. So when the U.S. Supreme Court issues its expected anti-affirmative action decisions in the coming weeks, Bidens message should note the decisions are the law of the land and that he will respect them, but also convey that he sees them as a call to action to re-energize our efforts to make sure the American Dream is available to everyone, whatever their race. The president would be smart to develop a detailed proposal in support of wealth-based admissions that: (1) provides a plus factor to students from low-wealth households, whatever their race, and increases the percentage of students who would be the first in their family to earn a college degree; and (2) offers direct admission to high school students who meet specific, objective criteria such as GPAs that colleges obtain from school districts without students ever having to submit an application. Similar programs already exist in states such as Texas and Florida, whereby selective public colleges admit all students that rank in the top percentiles of their high school graduating class. Biden should also deliver change by taking steps to eradicate policies that undermine fulsome socioeconomic as well as racial diversity on campus now. The president can and should direct the Justice Department to issue a notice of federal antitrust law non-prosecution for colleges willing to collaborate around a set of voluntary activities that make them more genuinely accessible. Changes should include ending legacy preferences, donor preferences and binding early decision admissions policies; withdrawing from US News & World Report rankings and others like it that have been more about a colleges historical prestige than performance as an engine of socioeconomic mobility; increasing use of need-based financial aid; and engaging in targeted geographic recruitment all aimed at increasing the enrollment of working-class, low-income, and other historically underserved students. Granted, highfalutin colleges might be reluctant to agree to voluntary changes in current practices that tilt the playing field in favor of the well-to-do. But as leverage to inspire follow through and participation, the president can direct the Justice Department to consider joining a pending lawsuit against those very colleges for violating their current antitrust exemption predicated on the concept of need-blind admission. Elite colleges are allowed to collaborate with each other on definitions of family financial need for aid purposes as long as they dont consider family ability to pay in admission decisions. But schools like Harvard that make use of donor preferences for the likes of Jared Kushner, legacy preferences are not practicing need-blind admissions; theyre need-aware. DOJ joining a pending lawsuit on the issue against those colleges would carry weight in the courts and make it a player in a potential settlement that involves forward-looking policy changes. To grease a favorable settlement that ends those policies, Biden with a simple Executive Order can direct agencies outside of national security to provide competitive grant bonuses to colleges that evidence a meaningful commitment to diversity and socioeconomic mobility. And he can provide regulatory relief to colleges that evidence success. Reducing the frequency of accreditation review for those schools would save them millions. Opponents will argue there arent enough talented, low-wealth students for elite colleges to draw upon without lowering academic standards. Thats a common misconception. The reality is one in five students who score in the 90th percentile or higher on the SAT and ACT comes from a working-class or low-income family. Nonetheless, Biden should pre-rebut the argument by calling for marked, annual increases in federal TRIO program college preparation and planning services for historically underrepresented students, whatever their race, because there are more talented, working-class students to be garnered. And to be clear not all students of color are low income and not all white students are high income. If done correctly, this set of policies can create a system that truly helps low-wealth students regardless of race. Again and despite recent headlines incorrectly suggesting otherwise, the polling long hasnt been and continues not to be favorable on affirmative action in college admissions. But the Biden administration can reposition itself to be ahead of the curve when the moment of inflection comes. It would be politically wise, as well as morally ethical, to have a responsible, achievable wealth-based alternative admissions policy at the ready for when the U.S. Supreme Court declares race-conscious affirmative action unconstitutional because that day is coming and soon. Former President Donald Trump speaks during the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, June 10, 2023. | George Walker IV, Associated Press Are people really listening? Have they read the 47-page indictment? Those are silly questions. In politics, as in war, the first casualty often is truth, and truth becomes whatever a majority of people believe. Some are comparing the 37-count indictment against former president Donald Trump and one of his aides to the politically motivated retaliatory acts found typically in a banana republic. But the truth is far more ennobling. In a banana republic, political opponents disappear or are arrested on vague charges and removed from society. A few weeks ago, I interviewed Viktor Yushchenko, who found himself poisoned in 2004 when he opposed Russias favorite candidate for the presidency of Ukraine. Lucky for him, he survived and won. Compare that to the indictment against Trump, which is not secret or hidden. It is filled with evidence and detailed information. Mr. Trump is considered innocent until proven otherwise. He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges on Tuesday. And the former president, if he chooses, will have the benefit of a vigorous defense as the charges are tried in an open courtroom where rules of evidence and procedure are strictly adhered to. Hes still free to run for president, and new polls show these legal problems will likely improve his chances. Yes, it is awkward and unprecedented to bring such a case against the leading candidate to defeat the current president, but it would be worse to send the message that the alleged crimes described in the indictment should be ignored. No one, not even a former president who is a current candidate for that office, is above the law. But, as a Deseret News editorial said the last time Trump was indicted, no one is beneath the law, either. No one should be subject to unjust scrutiny or punishment simply because of who they are, their politics or their unpopular opinions. Thankfully, that doesnt seem to be the case here. The scope of the classified documents special counsel Jack Smith charges Trump with illegally withholding and haphazardly storing in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., is stunning. Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, told Fox News he was shocked by the degree of sensitivity at these documents and how many there were. Indeed, it is shocking. Related Those classified documents included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack, the indictment says. It further states that Trump showed these documents on two occasions to people without security clearance. The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods, the indictment says. With these kinds of things lying around in Florida, I can imagine U.S. allies would be reluctant to share information or cooperate on top secret security measures in the future. Trump is not accused of selling or showing classified material to any foreign government, but the boxes were apparently easily accessible as the club hosted more than 150 social events, including weddings, movie premieres and fundraisers that together drew tens of thousands of guests, the indictment says. Trump also is accused of conspiring to keep from giving the bulk of these documents back to the government. That was an effort that ultimately led the FBI to obtain a search warrant allowing it to recover 102 documents with classified markings last Aug. 8. Its also most likely a key reason why the former president finds himself in legal trouble. Critics of the special counsels actions note President Biden had kept classified material from his time both as vice president and a member of the Senate. But the president cooperated with the FBI in returning those documents. Even so, that investigation is still ongoing. Critics also say these indictments open the door to future legal action against other political candidates. I certainly hope so, if those candidates are storing reams of sensitive and top secret materials in accessible areas and are refusing to hand them over. Otherwise, frivolous actions undertaken for purely political reasons would be exposed in court and dismissed. As the indictment notes, candidate Trump said in 2016, In my administration, Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law. Indeed, no one should be above the law. Politics has a way of muddling things and labeling people as allies and enemies. This case will be tried by a jury in Trump-friendly Florida, and apparently by a judge he appointed, and who has ruled in his favor repeatedly. You dont see that in a banana republic, either. The indictments against Trump are easily accessible on the internet, where members of the public may read and consider for themselves. The grand jury that handed down the indictments consisted of ordinary citizens. The former president will be afforded all the protections guaranteed by the Constitution. No, this is not the end of the republic. It is, rather, a necessary part of preserving it. The Orange Crush Festival is set to host several events this weekend in Jacksonville and also Jax Beach. The festival over the years hasnt always been viewed positively by communities where its been held, but now new promoters are trying to change that. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Orange Crush Festival, we are a multi-cultural event, said Orange Crush CEO Steven Smalls. Smalls is looking to bring a host of events to the bold city, including Jax Beach. Were here Thursday through Sunday in Jacksonville Florida for our fourth annual event, said Smalls. Smalls says his team plans to hold several events at the beach, including a tug-a-war, a volleyball tournament, and even a silent headphone party on the Jacksonville Pier both Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 am. Smalls says he didnt apply for permits for two of these events before the deadline. And because of that the events have to be free. I applied for all the permits. Unfortunately, I didnt get them all in time, said Smalls. According to an Instagram post from Jax Beach, organized events must be permitted by the city where they are being held. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] We reached out to Jax Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman for clarification on this, she told us its a little bit of a judgment call to say if the tug-war and volleyball games are an organized event or not, but people should not be paying to get on the beach. Hoffman did send us this text message saying We along with neighboring communities, are preparing for a busy holiday weekend.No permitted events will be in Jax Beach As for smalls, he says the festival organizers are expecting at least 10,000 people to show up to this weekends events, and he believes they have the proper security to handle it. I have reconstructed orange crush to be more organized. So that it is a time-permitted process, hopefully, they will see it as an organized event, said Smalls. [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. New Orleans area restaurants cited for health violations, including roaches and flies Louisiana Health Department inspects restaurants, bars and other eateries the same as Mississippi but reports the violations a little differently. Mississippis website is more user-friendly while Louisiana provides much more information about the violations Coast residents who frequently dine in the New Orleans area may want to see. Mississippi generally reports the violations the same day while Louisiana waits seven days in an effort to ensure the accuracy of each report, according to the website. Mississippi uses an A, B, C grading system, with an A for no violations, a B when a violation is corrected during the inspection and a C for critical violations. Restaurants in Slidell, New Orleans and throughout Louisiana are graded for critical and non-critical violations. Critical violations are those more likely to lead to food contamination or illness. Those violations must be corrected immediately. Non-critical violations are issues that could become critical if left uncorrected, according to the Retail Food Inspection website. These are violations like walls/ceilings or attached equipment are not clean and food is stored where it is exposed to splash, dust or other contaminations. Non-critical violations should be corrected by the next regular inspection, or according to the compliance schedule. Shrimp and grits are one of the most popular dishes on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans area, where health inspections are held one to four times a year to ensure safety. Slidell restaurants These restaurants were inspected since June 1 in Slidell and had critical violations that were not corrected during the inspection: Gilligis Island, 4826 Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell was inspected June 1 for a permit renewal. It had eight critical violations: Ready to eat, potentially hazardous food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours is not date marked. An approved cooling method was not used to meet temperature requirements during cooling. A current state food safety certificate is not held by owner or a designated employee. Raw animal food is not separated from ready to eat food, or is placed, stored or displayed above ready to eat food. Equipment and/or utensils are not constructed of approved materials. Chlorine sanitizer concentration for washing is not at proper temperature. Working containers of chemicals are not labeled. Flies are present in the establishment. At the June 1 inspection, there were also four non-critical violations. The inside bar had three critical and the outside one critical. A follow-up inspection on June 6 showed all the critical violations were corrected, except at the indoor bar, which continued to have a critical violation for chlorine sanitizer concentration. DQ Grill & Chill, 1130 Gause Blvd., Slidell, had a follow-up inspection June 5. Critical violations were: Ready to eat, potentially hazardous food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours is not date marked. Food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch cutting boards throughout The restaurant also had 11 non-critical issues. Racetrac, 1717 Shortcut Highway, Slidell, was inspected June 2 for a permit renewal. Critical violation was: Flies are present in the establishment. The service center also had two non-critical violations not corrected during the inspection. New Orleans restaurants Those places cited in New Orleans since June 1 are: Galatoires Restaurant, 209 Bourbon St., was inspected June 1 for a permit approval. It had eight critical violations, five of which were corrected on site. It also had 12 non-critical violations. The critical violations not corrected were: Roaches are present in the establishment. Ready to eat, potentially hazardous food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours is not date marked. Ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food prepared on premises, and held under refrigeration, was not disposed of after 7 days Critical violations corrected on site were: Approved cooling method was not used to meet temperature requirements during cooling Employee did not wash hands and exposed portions of arms at appropriate time. Single use gloves were not discarded after interruptions in food operations Food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch. Chemicals are stored with/above food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service or single use articles. Hunan Wok, 2201 St. Bernard Ave., New Orleans, was inspected June 2 for a permit renewal. It had six critical violations, two of which were corrected on site. It also had nine non-critical violations. It was cited for: Ready to eat, potentially hazardous food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours is not date marked. Raw animal food is not separated from ready to eat food, or is placed, stored or displayed above ready to eat food. Also raw animal foods with different cooking temperature requirements are not separated to prevent cross contamination during storage, preparation or display. Three compartment sink is not used in proper sequence to wash, rinse and sanitize. An approved sanitizer is not being used during manual or mechanical warewashing. Critical violations corrected during the inspection were: Employee was eating in an area where food, utensils or other items requiring protection were stored. Food was not prepared with the least possible manual contact, with suitable utensils and on surfaces that have been cleaned, rinsed and sanitized prior to use to prevent cross-contamination, The Midway on Freret Street, 4725 Freret St., New Orleans, had a follow-up inspection June 5. It had two critical violations: Current state food safety certificate is not held by the owner or a designated employee, a repeat offense Unapproved chemicals are used in the food establishment, a repeat offense that was corrected on site Saba restaurant, 5757 Magazine St., New Orleans, was inspected June 2 for a permit renewal. It had two critical violations: Cross contamination, with raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food, or placed, stored or displayed above ready to eat food. Food stored for cold-holding and service was not held at a temperature of 41 degrees or below, which was corrected on site. It also had three non-critical items. Cafe Chot Nho restaurant, 14399 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, was inspected June 6 for a permit renewal. It had five critical violations, four of which were corrected on site, including food contact equipment and utensils not cleaned, a repeat offense. It also had nine non-critical issues Silkies, 3816 Magnolia S., New Orleans had a preliminary inspection June 2 and was cited for a critical violation of inadequate backflow prevention. It also had three non-critical issues. No certification Restaurants in South Mississippi have had issues keeping staff certified to make sure health procedures are followed, and three restaurants in the New Orleans area also were cited since June 1 for not having a current state food safety certificate not held by the owner or a designated employee. They are: Brewskys Bar & Grill, 2205 David Dr., Metairie Barrows Catfish, 1200 Poydras St., New Orleans Surreys Cafe, 1418 Magazine St., New Orleans Louisiana inspects restaurants one to four times a year depending on the type of operations. Inspectors generally do not announce when they plan to visit. The overlooked story of the incarceration of Japanese Americans from Hawaii during World War II A 1945 photograph of detainees at the Honouliuli Internment Camp. courtesy of National Park Service In the months and years following Japans bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, the U.S. government incarcerated a large number of Japanese American civilians from the U.S. mainland. Often forgotten are the Japanese Americans who lived in Hawaii and were also forced from their homes and imprisoned in Hawaii and on the U.S. mainland. Their forced relocation and incarceration has been largely omitted from the dominant narrative of Japanese American internment in the U.S. during World War II. Additionally, attempts by governments to provide redress to those individuals and memorialize their treatment have been slower than for individuals interned on the U.S. mainland. Internment in the US mainland and Hawaii In February 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which allowed for the creation of U.S. military areas from which people could be excluded. Although the executive order made no mention of any ethnic group, it implicitly targeted Japanese Americans because of widespread xenophobic fear that they would spy for the Japanese government or engage in acts of sabotage within the U.S. On Dec. 8, 1941, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the U.S. declaration of war against Japan. Bettmann/GettyImages As a result, almost 120,000 civilians of Japanese ancestry, the majority of whom were from the West Coast and were American citizens, were incarcerated in camps by the government on suspicion that they posed a threat to U.S. security on basis of their ancestry. In Hawaii, which had been colonized by the U.S. in 1898, the incarceration of Japanese Americans was much smaller in scale than that on the mainland. Given that Japanese Americans made up more than one third of Hawaiis total population during World War II and thus a sizable wartime labor force, U.S. forces incarcerated about 2,000 Japanese Americans from Hawaii. These people included community figures, Japanese language teachers and Shinto priests. Additionally, hundreds of Japanese Americans in Hawaii, although not imprisoned, were forcibly removed from their homes, taken to other parts of the territory and, at times, not permitted to return to their homes. With the authorization of the U.S. government, the U.S. military rounded up and incarcerat Japanese Americans shortly after Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The Honouliuli Internment Camp, known as Hell Valley among internees, opened in 1943 on the island of Oahu and was the largest confinement site in Hawaii. Unlike other camps in Hawaii, it housed civilians and prisoners of war. During its three years of operation, the camp held around 320 Japanese American civilians. The camps in Hawaii, as on the mainland, were crowded, monitored by armed guards and surrounded by barbed wire fences. As a result of their detention, former prisoners have experienced mental health issues alongside heightened rates of suicide and early death. Official US redress Following years of advocacy by Japanese American organizations, President Jimmy Carter authorized the creation of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in 1980. Three years later, the commission issued recommendations, including that the U.S. government apologize and provide reparations of US$20,000 to Japanese American survivors, including Japanese Americans from Hawaii. Despite his initial opposition to the commissions recommendation that the U.S. government provide reparations, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, which provided a formal apology and reparations of $20,000 to many former internees. At the signing, Reagan referred to Japanese American internment as a grave wrong that was undertaken without trial based solely on race. Despite this, he made no reference to the fact that the civilian camps were created and run by the U.S. government and Army, nor did he recognize that these actions constituted human rights abuses. Furthermore, upon its creation, the Civil Liberties Act had a significant flaw it excluded hundreds of affected Japanese Americans from Hawaii from receiving that restitution. That oversight was corrected in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Civil Liberties Act Amendments, which broadened eligibility for restitution. Selective memorialization Since that period, U.S. government and nongovernment organizations have selectively memorialized Japanese American incarceration by designating some prison camps as national historical sites and creating mainland-centric memorials. For example, the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II in Washington, D.C., created in 2000, includes multiple walls inscribed with the names of all mainland internment camps and the number of individuals interned there, but makes no reference to specific prison camps in Hawaii. That said, the monument, which was organized by a Japanese American NGO, does include an inscription which recognizes that Japanese Americans were incarcerated in the mainland and Hawaii. Additionally, between 1992 and 2008, mainland camps Manzanar and Tule Lake in California and Minidoka in Idaho were designated as national historical sites or monuments by U.S. presidents or Congress. However, it was not until 2015 that President Barack Obama designated the Honouliuli Internment Camp a national monument. This selective memorialization is unsurprising given that Hawaii, like other territories colonized by the U.S., is often omitted from accounts of American history. Nonetheless, such memorialization is problematic, as it reinforces the dominant narrative of Japanese American incarceration that focuses on the mainland camps and West Coast Japanese Americans and obscures the imprisonment of Japanese Americans from Hawaii. The bombing of Pearl Harbor has become ingrained in American memory and, as a result, for many Americans, Hawaii symbolizes white American victimhood. But as the incarceration of Japanese Americans from Hawaii demonstrates, Hawaii is also a symbol of human rights abuses committed by the U.S. government against Japanese Americans. 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: Olivia Tasevski, The University of Melbourne. Read more: Olivia Tasevski 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. Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off during the final presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2020. When the newly-formed No Labels Party announced they were fielding a third-party ticket for the 2024 presidential election, I like many of you rolled my eyes. Ive been polling long enough to know the drill: A high percentage of voters say they prefer a third-party candidate. No real credible third-party candidate emerges. Third-party candidates are shut out of debates. Voters are forced to choose between the two major party nominees. Third-party candidates may get 1-2% percent of votes cast (if they are lucky). Take last presidential election, for example. In the summer of 2019, a Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll posed the question to voters: Would you prefer to re-elect Donald Trump, vote for the eventual Democratic nominee, or choose a third-party candidate? Exactly 9 percent said they would vote for a third-party candidate, significantly higher than the combined 2 percent who actually voted for Libertarian Jo Jorgensen, Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins, or another third-party candidate. Now its the summer of 2023. In todays Suffolk University national poll, 23% of registered voters say they will vote for an unnamed third-party candidate against Democrat Joe Biden and former President Republican Donald Trump. Thats almost 3 times as many as in 2019. In a matchup between Biden and Republican hopeful Ron DeSantis, 25% said they would vote for a third-party candidate. Unfortunately, the Americans who feel the least served by our political systems two parties are the less fortunate and young people. Among voters making less than $20,000 per year, the third-party number swells to 29%; among those ages 18-34 years it is 30%, and among independents the fastest growing block of voters in the country 41% would vote third party, 21% for Biden, 21% for Trump, and 16% are undecided. But if the parties rally around their nominees, isnt this still a non-story? It's often assumed in political science that Democratic voters will support the partys nominee, whoever it is, and that Republican voters will behave the same. But the poll tells another story, with many selfish primary voters defecting to the third-party column if their candidate isnt nominated. Lets start with Trump voters. The poll looked at two types of Trump voters: Trump loyalists who will cast a ballot for him in their states GOP Primary/Caucus, and all Trump voters even the ones who skip the party primaries. Among Trump loyalists, 23% said they would vote for a third-party candidate if DeSantis is nominated instead and faces Biden. Among all Trump voters from the general election ballot test, 25% would opt for the third-party candidate. One in four Trump voters thumbing their noses at their party is not good news for DeSantis. DeSantis voters appear more loyal to the party, though there is still leakage. Among DeSantis voters in the GOP Primary, 11% would vote for a third-party candidate in a Biden-Trump matchup. But 20% of DeSantis general election voters would not vote for Trump and would rather vote third-party. Even among the seven other Republican Primary candidates combined, 27% would vote third-party in a Biden-DeSantis matchup and 42% would vote third-party in a Biden-Trump rematch. On the other side of the aisle, Biden is opposed by two announced candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Marianne Williamson. In the poll, a whopping 42% of Kennedy and Williamson voters combined are choosing a third-party candidate in a Biden-Trump matchup, and 47% would vote third-party in a Biden-DeSantis matchup. Nearly 80% of those who say they will vote in their Democratic Primaries/Caucuses next winter support a series of Democratic Primary debates. Nearly 1 in 5 Biden voters (18%) planning to vote in the Democratic Primaries and Caucuses next year say that Bidens age makes them less likely to vote for him. And 12% of those Biden voters say they are not comfortable with Vice President Kamala Harris taking over as president if Biden were not able to finish his next term. Those are percentages from your core base you cannot afford to lose. Despite that strong message from the party faithful, the DNC has said there will be no primary debates. So be it. But if Biden chooses not to debate in the primaries, the poll hints that nearly all registered voters Democrats, Republicans, and independents are going to be that much more eager to hear from him in the general election debates. And it looks like Biden will not only have to face the Republican nominee, but at least 1 Independent candidate as well who he will have to battle onstage to win back part of his much-needed Democratic base. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suffolk poll: Could third party candidates make difference in 2024? A group of advocates gathered Tuesday near the California state Capitol in downtown Sacramento to rally against three proposed state laws that they say push a transgender ideology and limit the rights of parents. These advocates claim Assembly bills 665, 957 and 223, if passed into law, would adversely affect the rights of parents and guardians who believe childrens natural bodies are perfect. They also argue that these proposed bills will make non-affirming your childs gender identity child abuse in California. Opponents of the proposed legislation have circulated these claims on social media sites. Proponents of the bills say these laws would ensure mental health services for youths; include a childs gender identity as part of the health, safety and welfare of the child in custody cases; and limit access to paperwork to change gender or sex identifiers for anyone younger than 18. The California Senate Judiciary Committee had scheduled a hearing Tuesday afternoon for AB 957 and AB 223. The committee has scheduled a hearing on June 20 for AB 665. Erin Friday is a lawyer and a member of a group called Our Duty. She said she is the mother of a child who used to think she was transgender. You as a parent can be deemed abusive if you refuse to medicalize your child, Friday said at a news conference. If you refuse to poison your child with cross-sex hormones. If you refuse to stop the natural body growth called puberty. If you refuse to remove your childs healthy breasts or genitals. Mental health services for youths AB 665 would change an existing law that allows minors 12 and older to receive mental health counseling or therapy without parental consent. This bill would align the existing laws by removing the additional requirement that the minor must present a danger of serious physical or mental harm to themselves or to others, or be the alleged victim of incest or child abuse. It contains no language that would allow school mental health professionals to remove children from the custody of their parents or guardians, according to an assessment by the Associated Press. AB 665 does not authorize any gender-affirming surgeries without parental consent. This bill makes no changes to the processes of the child welfare system in California and no changes to the processes of removal, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, D-Los Angeles, sponsor of AB 665, told AP. Adam Vena said he lost all custody of his 5-year-old son, whom he has not seen in more than two years, because the childs mother has been socially transitioning their child. He said he has paid for his sons medical insurance and, until recently, paid for his tuition. But he refuses to affirm his childs gender as a girl. Vena said he did not support this and communicated his concerns to the mother he said in light of his views, the court considered him abusive and issued a restraining order against him. This is crazy. The parent who wants to change the childs perfect body is abusive, Vena said at the Capitol. My personal beliefs and my First Amendment rights were squashed, because I didnt want my 3-year-old son to wear a dress. Child custody cases Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, who introduced AB 957, told the San Francisco Chronicle that California has a duty to draw a line in the sand against anti-trans efforts that have gained traction in other states. AB 957, which would apply in child custody cases, would include a parents affirmation of the childs gender identity as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child. Abigail Martinez said she lost custody of her teen daughter, who was placed in foster care. She said she wanted her daughter to get the mental health treatment she needed instead of poisoning her body with testosterone. I cry for the parents who will be like me, helpless to help their children, Martinez said at the news conference. I lost custody of my daughter when she was just 16, because I refused to call her a male name. That was my crime, a name and not pronouns. Martinez said a school counselor convinced the court that her child would be harmed because she did not believe her daughter was a boy. She said her childs transition made their mental state of health worse, and her child took her life at the age of 19 in Pomona. Transgender youth privacy law Jennifer Kennedy, a mother, a lawyer and a member of Our Duty, said these bills are just like train cars stacked and working together against children, parents relationship with their children and the rights of parents. She argued AB 223 is not necessary, because court documents are not easily accessible. Kennedy said this proposed law is intended to protect other adults such as appointed guardians from going into court to change the gender markings of children without the childs parents knowing. Theyre trying to create a problem in order to hook up this next train car in the train of all these anti-parent and anti-family bills, Kennedy said about AB 223. You have to have a good reason to shut off public access to public records. Theres no good reason here. AB 223 would seal petitions and related paperwork to change gender or sex identifiers for anyone younger than 18. Assemblyman Chris Ward, D-San Diego, who authored AB 223, has said the proposed privacy law gives transgender youth the confidence to navigate their gender identity without fear of retaliation from someone who discovers that information in the public record. This bill would require the court to limit access to these records to specified individuals, including the minor, the minors parents, and their attorneys. Arienne Adamcikova, 54, of San Francisco, attended Tuesdays gathering in support of the parents groups. She said she is a liberal, progressive parent of a detransitioned son and an ally of the LGB community. The mother said she had told her son he was allowed to be anybody he wants to be and was free to dress however he liked and love whomever he chooses, but he wasnt allowed to change his body. His job as an adolescent is to explore but not to make any permanent changes, Adamcikov said after the news conference. That will affect him lifelong. The Bees Hannah Shields contributed to this story. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets President Biden with a fist bump after the U.S. leader's arrival in Jeddah on July 15, 2022. (Saudi Press Agency via Associated Press) Visits to Saudi Arabia by high-profile U.S. officials are always problematic. The two countries have a love-hate relationship. Politicians and the public criticize the Saudi kingdoms human rights record and repression of women; its unwillingness to increase oil production; its coziness with Russia, China and, now, even with erstwhile enemy Iran. But the U.S. and Saudi Arabia also need each other for trade and for broader security arrangements in the Middle East, including conflicts in Yemen and Sudan, where they work together to broker cease-fires or deliver humanitarian aid to devastated populations. And the Biden administration is fervently coaxing Riyadh to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, following similar Trump-era breakthrough gestures by a small number of other gulf or Muslim nations. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken wrapped up a four-day visit to the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Riyadh last week, which included a midnight meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman, the de facto ruler of the nation, is a ruthless dictator, a bold reformer or both, depending on whom you ask. The 37-year-old prince is largely considered responsible for the brutal killing and dismemberment of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. President Biden once called Salman a pariah and vowed to shun him, a pledge eventually reversed in a famous fist bump between the two last year. Executions of perceived enemies of the kingdom have surged under Salmans rule, human rights activists say, and reports of arbitrary detention and torture of activists, including many women, persist even as he lifted some anachronistic restrictions on women, such as allowing them to drive cars. Despite the litany of Saudi transgressions, the Biden administration is engaging with the kingdom as a way to demonstrate it still has influence in the Middle East at a time many in the region note Washington has been absent in consequential events and decisions and as China and Russia flex their diplomatic and military muscle where the U.S. was once the unrivaled superpower. Read more: News Analysis: Why Kevin McCarthy's provocative Israel trip and invite to Netanyahu are 'so dangerous' I would say that my presence here over the last three days is one element to demonstrate that, no, were certainly not leaving. Were here to stay, Blinken told the Saudi-based Asharq News network Thursday when asked about the U.S. commitment to the region. Day in, day out, were working with partners throughout the region both to deal with many of the challenges that are real and urgent and acute, but also and this is so important on an affirmative agenda for the future, Blinken added. We are a partner, and were here. Blinken, in a separate news conference in Riyadh, said he discussed human rights in his meetings with Salman and other Saudi officials and made clear that progress on human rights strengthens our relationship. He said he raised specific cases, including those of several U.S. citizens who are imprisoned in the kingdom, but would not say whether he had secured guarantees of their freedom nor would he enter into any other details. Critics accuse the Biden administration of papering over Saudi abuses and fault it for not denouncing them more robustly, which in turn emboldens Salman. The administration needs to abandon its behind-closed-doors approach to addressing human rights in Saudi Arabia, said Tess McEnery, who served on Bidens National Security Council until last year and now heads the nongovernmental Project on Middle East Democracy. There need to be clear public costs to [Salmans] repression. For nearly a year [since the Biden visit], weve seen what a policy of appeasement looks like. The Biden administration sanctioned some members of the Saudi security apparatus for the 2018 murder of Washington Post contributing columnist Khashoggi, but not Salman, whom U.S. intelligence officials believe probably ordered the killing. Read more: Longtime Israel backers in U.S. turn outraged critics but Biden administration remains distant In Congress, lawmakers have revived legislation that could block arms sales to Saudi Arabia based on its human rights record, and two measures have been proposed that would punish governments for transnational repression, the illegal pursuit by a country outside its borders of dissidents or critics, as happened with Khashoggi. It is a tactic also frequently used by Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose government has been accused of hunting down and poisoning opponents in England and elsewhere. While in Saudi Arabia last week, Blinken also came under criticism for praising what he called Saudi progress on its treatment of women, lauding the first female Saudi astronaut to go into space and meeting with eight handpicked Saudi women identified by the State Department as leaders. Blinken's remarks came even as numerous Saudi women are being given decades-long prison sentences for what supporters say are minor offenses, such as failing to wear an abaya on social media or tweeting criticisms of the kingdom. Substantial progress for women is only a narrative that the Saudi government is selling to the West, Lina AlHathloul, a longtime Saudi activist fighting for womens rights and free speech, said in an interview from Brussels, where she has sought refuge from her government. It is only window dressing. And the government sees a green light to double down on repression. AlHathloul campaigned for years to free her sister Loujain, who was arrested in 2018 for driving. Loujain is out of prison now but banned from traveling or speaking publicly. Though women have been granted the right to drive and some access to elections, Saudi Arabia's so-called guardianship rules remain in place, which restrict many activities such as travel or marriage for women without a male relatives permission. Saudi officials insist that they have made significant progress in human rights, but will only advance on their own terms. We are always open to having a dialogue with our friends, but we dont respond to pressure, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said at the Riyadh news conference with Blinken. When we do anything, we do it in our own interests. And I dont think that anybody believes that pressure is useful or helpful, and therefore thats not something that we are going to even consider. One reason the Biden administration seeks to keep its relationship with Saudi Arabia on a cordial keel is the role the oil-rich kingdom can play in integrating Israel into a region that has long refused to recognize Israels existence. The Trump administration brokered the Abraham Accords, under which the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for the first time opened diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. As the powerhouse of the gulf, Saudi Arabia would be a prized addition to the declaration, but it is so far resisting. Saudi officials cite the continued failure to resolve the Palestinian quest for an independent state. Riyadh has also listed a series of high-stake demands, including U.S. help in developing nuclear power, but U.S. officials see that as an opening gambit. Meanwhile, the current Israeli government is the most right-wing in its history, with possibilities for progress on the Palestinian cause considered nonexistent. In Riyadh last week, Blinken said Saudi-Israeli normalization remained a priority. But the Saudi foreign minister countered that while desirable, the goal would remain remote without finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people a pathway towards a two-state solution, on finding a pathway towards giving the Palestinians dignity and justice. It would also be a bad look for the Saudis to get closer to Israel at a time when deadly clashes and attacks are surging in Israel, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and after several incursions by Israeli police into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, said Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Al Aqsa is the third-holiest site in Islam, located in an area also sacred to Jews. "The Saudis are not in a hurry to normalize," he said, even as "the Biden administration has prioritized it higher on the list than [an independent state] for the Palestinians, which is now just a talking point." Shira Efron, research director at the U.S.-based Israel Policy Forum, said that while Israel badly wants to enjoy the fruits of normalization, the pieces of the puzzle remain exceedingly complicated, with U.S. and Israel reluctant to accede to the Saudis' most robust demands. "And if the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were able to agree on what the U.S. will give, would Congress approve?" she said, adding that room for negotiation is likely to shrink as the U.S. presidential election gets into full swing. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A parking-related dispute preceded a fatal shooting in Annapolis, Md., on Sunday in which three people were killed and another three were wounded, police said. Asked at a Monday press conference about reports of the parking dispute, Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson told reporters, We know that those things did occur, but he did not go into detail on a motive and said he didnt want to speculate on a connection between the dispute and the shooting. Something happened that caused the suspect now defendant to use deadly force and to cause that kind of damage, but I dont want to speculate, Jackson said. Jackson had said earlier that the shooting appeared to stem from an interpersonal dispute at a private residence in the Maryland capital. Annapolis police announced the Anne Arundel County States Attorney has charged 43-year-old Annapolis man Charles Robert Smith with three counts each of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault, as well as the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. The three hospitalized victims were in stable condition as of Monday, police said. The deceased victims have been identified as Nicholas Mireles, 55; Mario Antonio Mireles Ruiz, 27; and Christian Marlon Segovia, 25. Nicholas Mireles and Mario Mireles Ruiz are father and son. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley (D) at the press conference said there was a block party for a graduation in the area. The Associated Press reports charging documents show Smith called a local parking enforcement employee to complain a vehicle was blocking their driveway. According to the documents, as reported by the AP, Mireles Ruiz went to Smiths house to discuss, and an argument sparked with Smiths mother. Smith allegedly confronted Mireles Ruiz when he got home and pulled out a gun and shot Mireles Ruiz and Segovia after the argument turned physical. Smith then allegedly began shooting with a long gun out the front window of his house, killing Nicholas Mireles and shooting the three other victims as people responded. A semi-automatic handgun and a long gun were recovered by police. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Interview: South Africa-China relations deliver mutual benefits, says academic Xinhua) 09:28, June 13, 2023 JOHANNESBURG, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral relations between South Africa and China have improved significantly in the past 25 years in terms of trade, politics and people to people exchanges, which has brought mutual benefits for both sides, said Kagiso Pooe, a senior lecturer at South Africa's Witwatersrand School of Governance, on Monday. "The China-South Africa relations have improved from partnership to strategic partnership, then to comprehensive strategic partnership. It has been a great relationship," Pooe said in an interview with Xinhua. China has been South Africa's largest trading partner since 2009 and South Africa has been China's largest trading partner in Africa since 2010. The main products that South Africa exported to China are minerals. Looking into the future, there is a potential for South Africa to increase its trade with China, particularly in exporting agricultural products, he said. Taking people to people exchanges as an example, the relationship has grown significantly as a large number of South African students go to China to study engineering and medicine, and this looks set to grow, Pooe said. The visits by political parties of both countries are also growing, he said, noting that the two countries have been conducting close interaction within various mechanisms, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS. As the two countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, there are many events scheduled for celebrations in South Africa throughout the year, he noted. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A Pennsylvania man flying across the country sexually abused a minor, according to federal authorities. Officials said the man engaged in sexual contact with the minor on an American Airlines flight in July 2022. The flight departed from San Diego and landed in Philadelphia. Now, Edward Decker, 45, of West Chester has been indicted in federal court, according to a June 12 news release. In court records, authorities said the man intentionally touched the breast and inner thigh of the child who was between the ages of 12 and 16. Mr Decker is not guilty of these charges and he looks forward to his chance to challenge these accusations in court, defense attorney Evan Kelly said in a statement to McClatchy News. If Decker is convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a year of supervised release, a $500,000 fine and a $200 special assessment, according to the release. McClatchy News requested a statement from American Airlines and was awaiting a response. Doctor groped woman mid-flight while headed to propose to girlfriend, feds say Woman wakes to find strangers hand on her thigh on flight to California, feds say Teen records Texas man groping her on flight, feds say. Now hes going to prison It's easy to match the overall market return by buying an index fund. Active investors aim to buy stocks that vastly outperform the market - but in the process, they risk under-performance. Investors in Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (SGX:QC7) have tasted that bitter downside in the last year, as the share price dropped 39%. That contrasts poorly with the market decline of 1.2%. Longer term shareholders haven't suffered as badly, since the stock is down a comparatively less painful 20% in three years. Furthermore, it's down 14% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. Check out our latest analysis for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. Unfortunately Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) reported an EPS drop of 63% for the last year. The share price fall of 39% isn't as bad as the reduction in earnings per share. So the market may not be too worried about the EPS figure, at the moment -- or it may have expected earnings to drop faster. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). Dive deeper into Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)'s key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)'s earnings, revenue and cash flow. A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 1.2% in the last year, Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) shareholders lost 38% (even including dividends). Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 3% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 4 warning signs for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) that you should be aware of. But note: Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said the indictment of former President Trump on federal charges last week will make him unelectable in 2024 if he wins the GOPs primary election. If we nominate anybody not named Donald Trump, were going to beat Joe Biden, Ryan said Tuesday during an appearance on CBS This Morning, noting the former president had plenty of baggage before last weeks indictment was handed down. Hes got a great core of support, and in a primary thats what you build off of. So it does matter, Ryan said. But I think the electability argument is going to become more salient with this event and whatever happens in the future its going to make it easier to make the argument to his supporters hes not electable. Hes going to cost us the Senate again, hes going to cost us House seats, and we want to win, he added. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Trump is slated to be arraigned in Miami on Tuesday afternoon on 37 counts related to his handling of classified documents after he left the White House in 2021. Federal prosecutors have alleged Trump put national security at risk and is in violation of the Espionage Act. The former president has dismissed the accusations against him as political and told his supporters President Biden is weaponizing the Justice Department against him to keep him from claiming the White House again. Trump and Ryan are frequent foes. The former president has repeatedly attacked the former lawmaker over his seat on the board of Fox Corp., which owns and operates Fox News, an outlet Trump has grown increasingly sour on since his 2020 election loss. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PANAMA CITY BEACH Local leaders are making way for upcoming renovations to Back Beach Road. Panama City Beach City Council members last week voted for the city to allocate about $2.582 million more for a project to relocate utilities along Back Beach Road (Panama City Beach Parkway). The efforts are to prepare the area for a more than $192 million project to widen the road from four to six lanes. The first project is being funded by the Beach, while the second is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. Both are being overseen by FDOT. A rendering to the upcoming expansion project of Back Beach Road (Panama City Beach Parkway) that is being overseen by the Florida Department of Transportation. "(It) has long been a priority for the Bay County Transportation Planning Organization to widen that roadway," said Ian Satter, FDOT spokesperson. "The Florida Department of Transportation has programed this project to improve safety and reduce congestion along the corridor." Call for help Panama City Beach Aquatic Center in need of almost 20 more lifeguards Satter noted the widening project will be split into three segments, two of which will be constructed at the same time. They are: Segment 1, which spans from Nautilus Street to Richard Jackson Boulevard. It is scheduled to break ground this fall and cost about $60 million. Segment 2, which spans from Mandy Lane to Nautilus Street. It is scheduled to also break ground this fall and cost about about 64 million. Segment 3, which spans from Richard Jackson Boulevard to the Hathaway Bridge. It is scheduled to break ground in 2028 and cost about $68 million. Satter said FDOT already has awarded the contract for Segment 1, and he expects for it to award the contract for Segment 2 within the next couple of weeks. The construction of both with take several years to complete. According to the agenda from last week's City Council meeting, officials approved an agreement in January with FDOT for it to oversee a city-funded project to relocate utilities along Back Beach Road between Nautilus Street and Richard Jackson Boulevard. The city originally budgeted about $12.425 million for the project an amount based on prior estimates that ended up not being enough. The agenda notes that because of the city's agreement with FDOT, it is "obligated" to pay the utility project's remaining balance of about $2.582 million. Along with the project to relocate utilities, and the massive widening project of Back Beach Road, Panama City Beach also is slated to begin construction this year or early next year on three additional projects in its Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area Plan. This means the sounds of roadway construction will be a common tune on the Beach for years to come. The three upcoming CRA projects are: Segment 4.1, which will reconstruct Front Beach Road east of Lullwater Drive to about Hills Road. Construction is slated to begin toward the middle of the year and cost more than $14 million. Segment 4.1, which will reconstruct Front Beach Road east of Hills Road to about Lantana Street. Construction is slated to begin toward the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024 and cost more than $17 million. Segment 4.3, which will reconstruct Front Beach Road from Hutchinson Boulevard to about Richard Jackson Boulevard. Construction is slated to begin toward the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024 and cost more than $12 million. "Bay County has grown exponentially when it comes to the amount of people who are visiting and moving to this region, and with that comes upticks in traffic," Satter said. "With Back Beach Road ... we will maintain the amount of lanes that are currently utilized at this time, so you will have active construction, but drivers will still have the same amount of lanes that they've always had." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: PCB allocates about $2.582 million more for utility relocation project The ongoing drug shortages impacting the U.S. are now threatening to exhaust two commonly used forms of penicillin, Pfizer said in a warning to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday. Pfizer alerted the FDA there is a limited supply and impending stock out of Bicillin L-A and Bicillin C-R, two of its injectable penicillin products. Bicillin L-A is used to treat strep infections in the throat, nose or skin; syphilis or syphilis-like infections; and to prevent problems stemming from strep. Bicillin C-R is also used to treat strep infections in the throat, nose, skin or soft tissues, as well as scarlet fever, pneumonia and ear infections. Bicillin injections are colloquially referred to as the peanut butter shot in the military due to the color of the drug. The injection is widely known as being particularly painful. Neither of these drugs is available in lower-cost generic forms. Pfizer cited a complex combination of factors for the shortage, including an increase in demand and a rise in syphilis rates. We are continuing to work with Pfizer and offer any assistance needed to help with supply, an FDA spokesperson told The Hill. Pfizer is prioritizing the manufacturing of Bicillin L-A and additional releases for the adult formulation are expected this month. We are also in close communication with CDC and sharing information as it becomes available. The FDA continues to encourage companies to notify the agency when there is a spike in demand so that they can work with them early on to mitigate or prevent any impacts on availability, they added. The company estimated that supplies of Bicillin C-R would be depleted around the third quarter of this year, while pediatric pre-filled syringes of Bicillin L-A would be depleted even earlier. This warning comes amid shortages of several other crucial medications. Cancer centers in the U.S. are reporting shortages of two key chemotherapy drugs, while the Adderall shortage announced late last year persists. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Shown is the aftermath of an elevated section of Interstate 95 that collapsed, in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. What happens when a major interstate is closed? | Associated Press On Sunday morning a truck hauling gasoline erupted in flames under a bridged portion of I-95, causing the interstate to collapse, resulting in the death of one person and the closure of a large portion of the interstate in both directions. On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Philadelphia County so that the city could access $7 million in federal funding to aid in rebuilding the interstate, a process the governor expects to take months. The closure of a major interstate is expected to result in several negative impacts on the community, not only for local commuters but for the economy of the region as a whole. What happened? In a press conference held on Monday, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said that the incident took place after a tanker truck that was hauling 8,500 gallons attempted to navigate a left-hand turn after exiting at the Cottman Avenue offramp of I-95, according to officials. Losing control through its turn, the tanker fell on its side and ruptured its own tank, per ABC Philadelphia. Once the tank ruptured, a fire occurred, burning hot enough to compromise the steel beams that held up I-95. A body was recovered from the rubble of the fire and was identified to be Nathaniel Moody, the driver of the truck, per NBC Philadelphia. Early this AM a vehicle fire under I-95 in Philly caused part of the highway to collapse. While this is still an active scene, I completed an aerial view of the site and was briefed by first responders, law enforcement and transportation experts on the ground with @PhillyMayor. pic.twitter.com/g4rHy5NTMM Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) June 11, 2023 The bigger picture: Already, Philadelphia has reported significant traffic delays in some areas following the closure. However, the incident is about much more than commuter traffic, Reuters reported, stating that the closure of a portion of a major U.S. interstate could result in supply chain delays. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission told ABC that I-95 is a vital part of the community and the region's economy. The interstate runs along the east coast from Miami to the Canadian border in Maine, the closed portion carrying about 150,000 vehicles a day, 14,000 of those vehicles being trucks. Related Those vehicles are now subject to more than 40 miles of detour, a detour that is mostly non-interstate highway with more than 60 traffic lights, a spokesperson for the American Trucking Association told ABC. This will add significant cost in time, fuel and delays so we urge state and federal agencies to target appropriate resources to repairing and replacing this highway as quickly as possible. Experts warned of a possible ripple effect, in the supply chain, per CNN, stating that I-95 is near several industrial businesses such as ports and manufacturing facilities. The majority of national freight movement goes through nearby Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, making I-95 a corridor for local goods to the national network, CNN stated, meaning the closure of a portion of the interstate could have regional and even national implications. Commuter impact: The New York Times stated that while traffic was backed up in some areas of the city, especially during rush hours, it seems that many residents are heeding the citys suggestion to change their commutes by working from home or taking public transportation. To help drivers find alternate routes around the city, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has posted maps of where the interstate is closed, and which routes can be taken to avoid the closures. Police lights A Phoenix man was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison on June 8, after he pled guilty to manslaughter for his role in a deadly car accident. On Feb. 13, 2022, Rubios Onan Banks was involved in a single-vehicle collision, which resulted in one death. In the early hours of the morning, the Nissan Versa he was driving struck an overpass wall on State Route 202. The vehicle rolled over and ejected rear seat passenger Kendra Van Dorn. Van Dorn was pronounced dead at the scene. Banks, who had minor injuries, was transported to the hospital. There, according to court documents, he told law enforcement he had consumed methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol. He acknowledged that he was driving really fast and saw his speedometer near 100 mph just prior to the collision. Though Banks was arrested the same day, charges were not submitted. He was released five days later. At the time of the accident, Banks was on probation for a 2017 conviction of a felony drug possession charge. Court documents noted that in early 2022, he failed to comply with a directive to enroll in substance abuse treatment. On March 7, 2022, Banks was detained on suspicion of trespassing at a bus stop. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to probation documents, Banks was arrested and released the following day. Later that month, a Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted Banks on one count of manslaughter. On April 19, 2022, Banks was in a car stopped for a suspected traffic violation. He initially provided a false name to law enforcement, but fingerprinting revealed his identity, according to the state sentencing memorandum. After active warrants were found, Banks was arrested. Court documents claimed that a search of his person turned up methamphetamine and fentanyl. Banks pled guilty to manslaughter, a charge stemming from the February 2022 car crash. The sentencing range was 10 to 12 years. The defenses sentencing memorandum noted that Banks had previously been homeless. The defendants substance abuse addiction has been long and devastating to his life, read the defenses statement, which asked for a ten-year sentence. This reporting follows crimes The Republic began to cover in 2021 and is part of our commitment to telling the story from start to finish. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man sentenced to over 10 years for fatal car collision Photo of the day: Therapy dogs leave their paw marks at St. Marks Hospital Joyce Collingwood leans in close to Cooper, a therapy dog, at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 12, 2023. The canine therapy program is resuming following COVID-19. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News St. Marks Hospital, in conjunction with Intermountain Therapy Animals, is again providing a pet therapy program for patients who may benefit from interactions with animals during visits to its facility in Salt Lake City. The popular visits had to be put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have resumed to the delight of patients, caregivers, and hospital staff and visitors. Intermountain Therapy Animals make visits to hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, universities during midterms and finals weeks, airports during high-stress travel days, and other locations for special events. The organization also runs the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program, where children read books to therapy dogs to build confidence while improving literacy and communication skills. Stephanie Jacobs of Intermountain Therapy Animals sits next to her dog Biscuit as Lisa Dobkins and Brian Dobkins pet him at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 12, 2023. The canine therapy program is resuming following COVID-19. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Karen Adams pets Cooper, a therapy dog, at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 12, 2023. The canine therapy program is resuming following COVID-19. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Karen Adams pets Cooper, a therapy dog, at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 12, 2023. The canine therapy program is resuming following COVID-19. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Christine Crandall looks at Cooper, a therapy dog, at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 12, 2023. The canine therapy program is resuming following COVID-19. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The Washington Department of Veteran Affairs will open its first on-site Nursing Assistant Academy at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting this month. WDVA is experiencing a 23.5% certified nursing-assistant vacancy across the four State Veterans Homes, according to a WDVA press release. A CNAs role is to provide comfort and assistance to patients. Some of their core duties include taking vitals, helping their patient eat and bathe, according to All Nursing Schools. The Nursing Assistant Academy is an innovative approach to recruit of CNAs and was created in response to the shortage, WDVAs professional development manager Aschlee Heiny said. Over the last two or three years, during the pandemic, theres been a need just to hire licensed clinical workforce, WDVA director David Puente said. We recognized that during that period of time that we needed to do something different because we were using normal recruiting processes and we just werent able to hire enough individuals. WDVA has 246 permanent CNA positions between the four Veterans Homes, with 55 of those positions vacant. WDVA has 517 beds available to accommodate veterans across the four Veterans Homes, but 116 beds were vacant as of last week, Heiny said. David Puente, Director of Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, acknowledges Aschlee Heiny, professional development manager at WDVA, for her work in opening the agencys first on-site Nursing Assistant Academy during the academys open house on June 5, 2023. The Nursing Assistant Academy will be housed in OConnor Hall in the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting. The agency is unable to open vacant beds to more veterans because it does not have enough CNAs available to provide adequate care to veterans and their families, Puente said. WDVA will fund the academy by repurposing federal and state money that has already been allocated for agency staffing. What were doing with the Nursing Assistants Certified Academy and program is we are currently using vacant positions that are already funded from state dollars and federal reimbursement dollars that we get, so its already a funded position, Puente said. WDVA is also using state money to hire a director who will serve as an instructor for the academy. Students in the first few cohorts of the Nursing Assistant Academy will be employed by WDVA and be state employees throughout the entirety of the course. They will receive training from the academy for free. When asked how much the Nursing Assistant Academy would cost the agency, Puente said he could not provide a definitive dollar amount because they still do not know exactly how many students will enroll in the program. Puente said that WDVA will pay the students, which would cost the agency $3,000 per student per week. WDVA will pay their students a little over $18 per hour while they are in the academy but will increase their pay to just under $21 once they are certified. As state employees, the Nursing Assistant Academy students will receive a benefits package that includes health care, dental, vision and life insurance, Heiny said. They will also be eligible to receive the 4% wage increase that will be effective July 1, according to the Governors Proposed 2023-25 Omnibus Operating Budget. The academy will take place over a span of five weeks in OConner Hall at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, and students will split their 40 hour weeks evenly between in-class instruction and hands-on learning. We dont want individuals to have to relocate to be able to find career training programs, Heiny said. The two roots of why we started the program was to ensure we have our own qualified caregivers, but also to create supported career pathways in our communities. The first cohort is anticipated to begin on June 20. More information about the Nursing Assistant Academy can be found on the WDVA website. Pittsburgh man sworn in as 60th United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania A Pittsburgh man was sworn in as the 60th United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Monday. Eric G. Olshan, 42, was nominated for the position by President Joe Biden on March 21, 2023. He was confirmed on June 8. I have spent my entire career litigating on behalf of the United States, and Im honored to continue that service in my new role, said U.S. Attorney Olshan in a press release. I look forward to working with the dedicated attorneys and staff in our office, as well as our trusted partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, to pursue our shared goal of securing justice and protecting communities throughout the district. Olshan is currently one of the lead prosecutors in the ongoing Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. Olshan served as the Chief of the Economic/Cyber/National Security Crimes Section after joining the U.S. Attorneys Office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2017. Olshan has also served as Civil Rights Coordinator, Public Corruption Coordinator, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, Environmental Crime Coordinator and District Election Officer in his time with the district, the Department of Justice said. Previously, Olshan served in the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for ten years. Olshan began his duties immediately and will lead an office of 115 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff at offices located in Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnston, the Department of Justice said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Greensburg woman charged with aiding suicide after allegedly sending heinous messages Families grieving after 2 killed in motorcycle crash in Butler County North Allegheny School Board approves new superintendent after some concerns VIDEO: They need to come forward: Family of man killed in hit-and-run in Plum searching for answers DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - APRIL 11: Joe Cook Gines holds an anti-Ku Klux Klan placard at Huntington Beach pier during a protest against white supremacy on April 11, 2021 Flyers allegedly from the Ku Klux Klan have reportedly been popping-up around Kentucky. Last week, residents in Mt. Sterling, Ky., awoke to a disturbing message on their car windows. According to social media posts from locals and the police department, several residents found flyers addressed from the local Ku Klux Klan chapter promoting a neighborhood watch.Now, residents in Corbin and Paris, Kentucky are also reporting KKK flyers. The flyers originally found in Mt. Sterling, read, You can sleep soundly tonight. The Klan is awake. The flyer went on to ask residents, Are you having problems in your neighborhood? Report crime and drug dealers. Read more My dad found this in the driveway in Mt. Sterling, KY and said theyre in the driveways throughout their subdivision and in the neighboring subdivision. How unbelievably frightening. pic.twitter.com/A6foUEksmp RL (@ky_rtl) June 11, 2023 This isnt the first time residents in Corbin, have faced off against the KKK or at least someone purporting to be the KKK. Earlier this month, an LBGTQ+ pride event was disrupted by armed members of the KKK. The Corbin police department told the outlet that theyre unsure if the flyers were being distributed by the KKK or if someone was attempting to garner attention online. Local officials and law enforcement in Mt. Sterling, say theyre taking the flyers seriously. Investigators are working to identify the individuals, and we are asking the public for their help, wrote the Mt Sterling Police Department. We have copies of the flyers, so feel free to throw yours in the trash, where they belong. The M.S.P.D. and City of Mt. Sterling does not tolerate any kind of hate or bigotry in our community. The department also encouraged anyone who finds a flyer to contact them at (859) 498-8899 to assist them in their investigation. Although they insist there is no reason to hold on to the flyer. Still, despite the messages from the police, people are understandably concerned. My dad found this in the driveway in Mt. Sterling, KY, and said theyre in the driveways throughout their subdivision and in the neighboring subdivision, someone wrote on Twitter. How unbelievably frightening. Montgomery County Judge-Executive Chris Haddix told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he and his neighbors were deeply disturbed by the messages. I think they were disturbed by it, Haddix said. Any group thats founded on hate, we obviously denounce that. Detective Aaron Noel, a sergeant with the Mt. Sterling Police Department, spoke to the local paper about the departments investigation into the flyers. He told the paper that whoever did this could potentially be charged with trespassing. Theres no word on whether their investigation would go deeper than a trespassing charge. 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. A Portland neighborhood dispute has left two in critical condition. Portland Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 200 block of Meadow Lane on Saturday about 7:40 p.m., according to a press release from the department. Portland Fire, Sumner County Sheriffs Office and Sumner County EMS also responded. Two subjects were observed suffering from gunshot wounds by officers first on the scene. Initial investigative efforts indicated that a suspect confronted one of the victims at the residence over a neighborhood dispute, the press release said. An altercation ensued, leading the suspect to shoot both victims and subsequently flee the area. Efforts were made to locate the suspect when officers determined he had gone to his Westmoreland area residence, located in the Sumner County Sheriffs Office jurisdiction. Portland Police, in coordination with the Sumner County Sheriffs Office and two special teams were then called to the suspect's residence to negotiate with and apprehend the person. After negotiations proved unsuccessful, Shrum and communication with law enforcement was cut off, the Sumner County Emergency Response Team entered the residence. Law enforcement discovered the person deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the press release continued. Both shooting victims were transported to Skyline Medical Center following the incident and are listed in critical condition. No charges have been filed at this time. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Portland neighborhood shooting leaves two in critical condition Health insurance companies will be required to continue paying for preventive services like screenings for cervical cancer and medication that prevents HIV infection, at least for now. A lawsuit filed by North Texas residents in 2020 challenged a core provision of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The plaintiffs opposed the requirement that health insurers cover the full cost of preventive health care services, and said they opposed buying insurance plans that subsidized services like contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and PrEP, the drug regimen that reduces the chance of an HIV infection. In March, U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor in Fort Worth sided with the plaintiffs, and ruled that part of the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. OConnors ruling was nationwide and took effect immediately, meaning that insurance companies could legally have started charging co-payments from patients seeking routine health services. The federal government appealed the case, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay to temporarily block the ruling from taking effect while the appeal proceeded. The court asked lawyers from both sides of the case to propose a compromise for the mandate until a final court decision is reached. On Monday, lawyers agreed to a deal. The deal stipulates that, for now, OConnors ruling will only apply to the plaintiffs in the case. The plaintiffs include multiple Tarrant County residents, a Tarrant County orthodontics office, and a company from the Houston area. The plaintiffs challenged the law initially because they were opposed on religious and moral grounds to health care services like birth control. The plaintiffs are unwilling to purchase health insurance that subsidizes abortifacient contraception or PrEP drugs that encourage homosexual behavior and intravenous drug use, according to the suit. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals still has to approve the agreement. The court will likely rule on the case later this year. The court case could have wide reaching effects if OConnors original ruling is affirmed. When it was passed in 2010, the Affordable Care Act required insurance companies to pay the full cost of any health care considered to be preventive. OConnor ruled the United States Preventive Service Task Force one of the groups that determines what types of care are in fact preventive didnt have the authority to do so. His ruling did not invalidate the entire law, but rather focused on the health care recommendations the task force has made since 2010. FILE PHOTO: Man holds laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture GENEVA (Reuters) -A pro-Russian hacking group had intensified its cyberattacks against Switzerland, authorities said on Tuesday, with hackers claiming to have taken down several major websites including the one for Geneva Airport. Switzerland's main government websites, including parliament and the federal administration, have been hit in recent days by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack claimed by the NoName group. In a statement on Tuesday, Switzerland's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) described the intensity of the DDoS attack as "exceptionally high" and warned some government websites could remain inaccessible. The attack coincides with preparations by the Swiss parliament for a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy scheduled for Thursday. "The parliamentary services are doing everything in their power to ensure that the live broadcast on Thursday can go smoothly," NCSC said. The NoName group said it had carried out an attack against the parliament's website last week in response to Switzerland's adoption of another EU sanctions package against Russia, which has been subjected to Western sanctions following its February 2022 invasion of neighbour Ukraine. On Tuesday it attacked other websites including that of Geneva Airport, a hub for diplomats and officials travelling to the United Nations. "The website of the Geneva International Airport did not resist our attack," the group wrote on the Telegram messenger service, posting an image of a bear flaunting its claws. The airport confirmed its website had been targeted by a DDoS attack since Tuesday morning. It said the attack did not affect its operations. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Grant McCool) Prosecutors say federal charges will not impact case against Trump here in Georgia As former President Donald Trump was arraigned on federal charges in a South Florida courtroom, he could be just weeks away from facing charges here in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray that the federal case against Trump will not impact any criminal prosecution here. The Georgia case is squarely focused on the 2020 presidential election and Trumps push to overturn Georgias election results. But even Trump himself clearly has Georgia on his mind as he spoke about that Fulton County investigation in Columbus, Georgia over the weekend. Right here in Georgia, you have a lunatic, Marxist district attorney of Atlanta who they say is coming after me over a perfect phone call, Trump told the crowd at the Georgia GOP convention. Gray first reported on the phone this between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that started all Back in January 2021. RELATED STORIES: All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump told Raffensperger during the call. Because we won the state. But Willis is also investigating Rudy Giulianis testimony before a state legislative committee, as well as a scheme to replace Georgias presidential electors, and the illegal entry into a Coffee County election office. Willis is potentially developing a complex RICO case -- thats a series of smaller crimes committed to benefit a much larger conspiracy. Williss office told Gray on Tuesday: The federal indictments will not have any impact on the Fulton County election investigation But with Trump facing state charges in New York, and now federal charges as well, former district attorneys Gray spoke with said the timelines will be tricky as the former president could potentially be facing three separate criminal cases in three states at the same time, all during a presidential election campaign. Former Dekalb County District Attorney Robert James says all three cases are complex and could stretch many months or even years. He said in any scheduling issues, the federal case would get preference. If hes on a calendar for a trial or a motion and theres a conflict, the federal courts are always going to win and take precedence, James said. While DAs are used to coordinating with other jurisdictions on defendants facing charges in multiple places, James said this situation is unique. I dont think theres a DA thats ever lived who has dealt with a similar situation, he said. We expect a decision on any charges in the Georgia case sometime in August. RELATED NEWS: Prosthetic gymnast, volunteer and bodyguard: Interior Ministry awarded 8 children who suffered from Russian aggression for their bravery Eight Ukrainian children who suffered during the full-scale war were honoured with awards for courage and bravery. The charity event was held with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the department informed. "The Children Heroes charity event was held for the second time in Ukraine. Its purpose is to celebrate and pay due respect to children heroes who showed courage and bravery in dangerous situations. The children, who became laureates of the action, suffered from Russian aggression but continue to support Ukraine with all their might and bring its victory closer," explained the organisers of the action. Children heroes Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs The Ministry of Internal Affairs awarded: Oleksandra Paskal, champion gymnast from Chornomorsk During the Russian rocket fire, the girl lost her leg. She underwent a long rehabilitation, after which she returned to artistic gymnastics training. She performs with a prosthesis and dreams of winning Olympic gold. 10-year-old Nikita Savicheva from Sumy and 12-year-old Oleksandr Demianenko from Poltava These children were not afraid of the fire and helped save their younger brothers and sisters from the fire trap while emergency workers rushed to their houses. Arsen Ajubey, an artist from Bila Tserkva The boy has autism, but despite this, he helps the Ukrainian army. He paints pictures and sells them together with his parents. All funds are sent to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. performer Solomiia Reut, who plays the sopilka A 7-year-old girl in Dnipro plays the sopilka and collects money for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A young performer on the sopilka "Thanks to the girl, it was possible to close more than one money raise. Solomiika admits that she wants not only to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where, by the way, her father is now, but also to popularise playing the sopilka," the Ministry of Internal Affairs adds. young bodyguard Valentyn Chornyi At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 17-year-old Valentin Chornyi from Kyiv Oblast joined the soldiers of the State Border Service. He did not hesitate to offer his help to the employees. Valentyn, who guarded the village together with the border guards Valentyn spent 168 days with the border guards; he helped dig trenches and monitor the situation around them. The boy said that since childhood, he has dreamed of becoming a soldier. brave and clever Kostia Orekhov from Velyka Dymerka When the tail of the Uragan rocket fell, a boy in Kyiv Oblast took his grandfather and grandmother to a safe place. That's how they managed to escape the collapse of the house. brave Bohdan Pechenyi from Bakhmut A 9-year-old boy's parents were killed in the centre of his hometown by a Russian shell. This happened in October 2022. The son did not believe in the loss and rode alone at night on a bicycle to the place of their deaths. The boy covered the distance under the whistling of bullets and came to one of the most dangerous areas to say goodbye to his stepfather and pregnant mother. Bohdan with the service dog Patron Currently, Bohdan dreams of becoming a defender of Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has signed a law which allows seizing passports of conscripts. Source: Russian independent media outlet Meduza Details: According to the amendments to the law about the procedure of leaving Russia, the conscripts to the military (or alternative civil) service will be obliged to hand over their passports to the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia or to Multifunctional Center for rovision of State and Municipal Services within the course of five days from the moment the military board made its decision. If a passport is not handed over without a valid reason, the document will be invalidated. Background: In May, the State Duma of Russia approved the amendments to the law, according to which the Russian authorities will be able to seize the passports of the citizens conscripted to perform military service. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Putin literally turned his back on his loyal defense minister on Russian state TV A screengrab of the video footage from RIA Novosti. RIA Novosti President Vladimir Putin literally turned his back on his defense minister during a publicity stunt. In the clip from Russian state TV, Putin appears to avoid facing Sergei Shoigu, his loyal minister of defense. Shoigu has faced withering criticism as Putin's invasion of Ukraine turned into a grinding, disastrous war. Russian state TV caught an apparently icy moment between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his defense minister on video. During a visit to a Moscow military hospital to give Russian soldiers medals, Putin appeared to turn away from Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. Putin met with some of the soldiers at the hospital before returning to the center of the room with Shoigu. But Putin kept his back to Shoigu, who appeared confused by the awkward moment. The clip was shared online by Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Omelyan, who taunted that Shoigu might be out of a job soon. That sort of speculation has surrounded Shoigu throughout the war. Shoigu has been the target of criticism as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has devolved into a grinding, protracted war that's chewed through Russian troops and equipment and hamstrung Russia's economy. The conflict, which Russia long described only as a "special military operation," was expected to be over in a matter of days after Russia invaded, but the fighting continues at high cost over 15 months later. Late last August, as Ukraine began making counteroffensive moves that put Russian forces on the defensive, the British defense ministry, citing independent Russian media, said that "due to the problems Russia is facing in its war against Ukraine, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is now being side-lined within the Russian leadership." It said that "Russian officers and soldiers with first-hand experience of the war probably routinely ridicule Shoigu," who has no real military experience, "for his ineffectual and out-of-touch leadership as Russian progress has stalled." Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) and chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov attend a meeting with Russian President in Moscow on February 27, 2022. ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images As the Ukrainian counteroffensive achieved results late last summer and into the fall, Putin's favor shifted, and regular and irregular commanders began engaging the Russian leader directly, bypassing the defense ministry. But that apparently shifted again earlier this year, putting the ministry back in the driver's seat much to the displeasure of some like Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the paramilitary Wagner Group. The problem for Shoigu is that Russia's winter offensive made only limited advances and came at tremendous costs for the Russian army. Russian forces are now again on defense, and Ukrainian forces armed with Western equipment have begun taking back territory as part of another counteroffensive push. Russia is putting up stiff resistance in some sectors, but Ukraine is advancing. It is, however, unclear whether there is a rift between Putin and his defense minister or, if there is, whether or not recent events are the cause of any potential tension between them. Read the original article on Business Insider By Andrew Osborn (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday he backed a Defence Ministry order for mercenary groups fighting in Ukraine to sign contracts with it before July 1, something the high-profile Wagner Group has pointedly refused to do. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Wagner and Russia's most powerful mercenary, has said his group will not sign a contract, citing what he regards as the inability of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, someone whom Prigozhin has repeatedly vilified, to manage groups like his. But Putin on Tuesday made it clear he wanted to see all so-called private military companies sign up and that he also wanted to the law changed to legalise their activities. "This is the only way to ensure social guarantees (for mercenary fighters) because there is (currently) no contract with the state and no contract with the Defence Ministry," Putin told a group of war correspondents. "This has to be done and it has to be done as quickly as possible," Putin said. The new contract system would much more closely integrate Wagner and Prigozhin, regarded as a reckless but effective maverick by some government officials, into the Defence Ministry's command structure in a subordinate position. That would make it harder for Prigozhin to build his own political and military influence, something he has spent months doing while receiving military hardware and ammunition from the army. Putin's intervention on the defence ministry's side potentially puts Prigozhin in a difficult position, as the ministry has said that such contracts are required to give volunteer groups the "necessary legal status" to operate. STANDOFF Prigozhin earlier on Tuesday said he was not sure if his men would even continue to fight in Ukraine amid the bitter standoff with the Defence Ministry with which he has long been at odds over what he says is everything from its poor leadership and tactics to ammunition shortages. The ministry has not responded to a request for comment on Prigozhin's refusal to sign up with it. It has also not publicly commented on his scathing criticism of its performance. Wagner fighters have proved themselves to be among Russia's most effective in Ukraine despite suffering huge losses and any attempt by him to disengage from the war - something Moscow calls "a special military operation" - could be seen as treasonous by officials in Moscow however. The Defence Ministry has cast the contracts, which it wants signed by July 1, as a step towards greater integration designed to increase the combat potential and effectiveness of such groups within the regular army and spoken of "unified approaches" to military tasks. The Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel on Tuesday broadcast a report saying that three unnamed volunteer brigades and four volunteer units had signed contracts with the ministry. Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev said after the signing ceremony that he was sure other volunteer groups would sign the same contract in the course of the next week. The Defence Ministry said on Monday it had also signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, which has often been called the private army of Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Russia's Chechnya region. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn and Reuters reporters; Editing by William Maclean) Putin mixes threats of new offensive in Ukraine with offers of peace talks Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with Russian war correspondents who cover a special military operation at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday alternated threats of a new Russian offensive to grab more Ukrainian land with statements about the Kremlin's readiness for peace talks. Speaking during a far-ranging meeting with Russian military correspondents and war bloggers, he made some of the most extensive comments about the conflict and his goals since sending the troops into Ukraine more than 15 months ago. Here is a quick look at some of Putin's key statements: UKRAINIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE Putin asserted that Ukraine has suffered catastrophic losses in its counteroffensive. He said Ukrainian troops amassed reserves to launch the large-scale operation on June 4, but he claimed that the effort has failed to score gains and that Ukraine has lost 10 times more soldiers than Russia. His claims could not be verified. Putin declared that Ukraine lost 160 battle tanks and over 300 other armored vehicles, while Russia only lost 54 tanks. He alleged that the Ukrainian armor losses represented 25% to 30% of the number of Western armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine. He noted with a smirk that German-made Leopard battle tanks and U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are burning really well, adding that leaders in Kyiv must now realize the disastrous consequences of the counteroffensive. PONDERING NEW LAND GAINS Putin said Moscow could respond to alleged Ukrainian incursions and shelling of Russia's border regions by carving out what he described as a sanitary zone to prevent Kyiv from launching such attacks. The zone would extend "to a depth that would prevent it from striking our territory, he added. Asked how deep into Ukraine Russia could go, Putin responded coyly, saying that everything will depend on potentials that emerge after the so-called counteroffensive. We will look at the situation and decide on our next moves, he said. We have various plans depending on the situation. He mentioned that Russian troops already were near Kyiv, a reference to a botched attempt by the Kremlin to capture the Ukrainian capital in the opening weeks of the conflict. Russian troops retreated from areas around Kyiv and other regions in Ukraine's northeast in March 2022, and in the fall they hastily pulled out from broad swaths of the Kharkiv region under the brunt of a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Should we come back there or not? Putin said, adding cryptically: Only I could give an answer." THE KAKHOVKA DAM DESTRUCTION Putin again blamed Ukraine for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam that caused a catastrophic flooding, saying that Ukrainian forces had repeatedly shelled the dam with HIMARS rockets and then apparently used explosives to destroy it. He argued that Russia had no reason to destroy the dam. We are certainly not interested in that because it has entailed grave consequences for the territories we control, he said. Putin dismissed the Ukrainian argument that Moscow blew up the dam to thwart Kyiv's counteroffensive, saying that Russia would have been happy to see Ukraine try to launch an attack in that sector because of daunting odds. PEACE TALKS The Russian leader said ending the hostilities in Ukraine depends on the United States. He argued that the fighting would end immediately if the U.S. and NATO stop providing Ukraine with weapons. If they want to see a negotiated solution to the conflict, its enough for them to stop weapons supplies, he said. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators drafted a peace agreement in March 2022, but Kyiv spiked the deal under Western pressure. He said Russia is still open to resuming talks. He said the U.S. wants to see Russia defeated and was pinning its hopes on the Ukrainian counteroffensive. At the same time, Putin argued that in the U.S. administration there are many reasonable people who don't want to take it all the way to World War III in which there will be no winners." NEW MOBILIZATION Putin, who ordered the mobilization of 300,000 reservists last fall as Russia faced a Ukrainian counteroffensive, would not rule out a new wave of mobilization, saying it will depend on the evolving military situation. He emphasized, however, that there is no need for it now. Putin noted that the military has recruited 156,000 volunteer soldiers so far this year, making it unnecessary to round up additional reservists. He also noted that he sees no need for the introduction of martial law that has been suggested by some Russian hawks. Putin pointed out that Russia's military industries have sharply ramped up production. He said the output of Russian defense industries has increased 2.7 times in the past year, and in some key sectors it has increased tenfold. GRAIN DEAL Putin said Moscow was considering ending its participation in the deal to allow exports of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports. Putin charged that Western countries have failed to fulfill their promises to facilitate exports of Russian agricultural products by removing restrictions on shipping, insurance and banking operations that were part of the agreement brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022. He claimed that Ukraine also has used the sea corridor created under the deal for commercial ships to launch drones to attack Russian navy ships. Putin argued that Russia signed the deal and extended it several times for the sake of helping some of the worlds poorest countries. If Moscow decides to opt out of the agreement, he noted, it would freely supply those countries with the same amount of grain that would have been delivered by Ukraine under the deal. He said he planned to discuss the plans with leaders of several African countries who are set to visit the Russian capital soon. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Kremlin via REUTERS via third party Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko warned on Tuesday that he would be willing to use Russian tactical nuclear weapons if any foreign soldier steps foot inside Belarus. Why do we need them? To make sure not a single foreign soldier sets their foot on the Belarusian land, he said, according to Belta. A response will be immediate. I have declared this several times already. There will be no hesitation in the event of an aggression against us," Lukashenko added. Russia announced weeks ago that it was preparing to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, which has been providing Moscow with a staging ground for attacks inside Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded the country last year. Tactical nuclear weapons can be used to attack enemy troops at a short range. Western analysts have suggested that the deployment, which could give Russia and Belarus easier access to Ukraine and other European countries, is meant to warn western governments against providing further military assistance to Ukraine as the war drags on. Its not clear that Belarus has received the tactical nuclear weapons yet, according to the White House. The United States believes Russia has approximately 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons. Poland Warned After Putin Vows to Arm Belarus With Nukes Belarus previously hosted nuclear weapons, but turned them over to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. First I asked the Russian president, then insisted in a friendly manner that they give me back these weapons, Lukashenko said. Lukashenko indicated Tuesday that he would have to make decisions moving forward about whether to use the nuclear weapons, in a sign that there may be a tug-of-war over which leaderLukashenko or Putinmaintains control over the weapons. Putin has previously said that Russia will control them. God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons, Lukashenko said. The White House is monitoring the situation, according to White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby. So far, there are no signs that the delivery of the weapons is imminent, Kirby said. Weve seen no indication of anything that would force us to change our own posture with respect to nuclear readiness or capabilities, Kirby told reporters in a briefing on Monday. The constant rhetoricin this case, out of Lukashenkojust is in keeping with reckless and irresponsible ways of talking about nuclear capabilities. Although no movement has happened yet, Lukashenko hinted that Belarus may have the tactical nuclear weapons within several days. Everything is ready. I think it will take a few more days, and we will have what we have asked for. And maybe even a little more, he said. Putin has previously said that construction on facilities to house the nuclear weapons will be done by July 7 or July 8. Putin Filmed Smirking as Ally Publicly Pleads for Russian Restraint The preparation of the relevant facilities will be completed on 7-8 July, and we will immediately begin the activities related to the deployment of the appropriate types of weapons on your territory. Everything proceeds according to the plan, Putin said in a recent meeting with Lukashenko, according to local news outlets. Lukashenko and Putin both appear to have stretched the truth on preparations for the weapons in previous instances. Lukashenko claimed in March that the infrastructure was all ready. He said just last month it was possible that the weapons have already been moved to Belarus. Putin himself has changed the goalposts for deployment, previously claiming that the facilities would be ready by July 1. The Biden administrations aid to Ukraine has not stopped. On, Tuesday Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $325 million in new security aid for Ukraine, including munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The package also includes Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers, and Javelin anti-armor systems. The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world, Blinken said Tuesday. Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraines cities and people. Until Russia does so, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes. 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. Putin is scared of punishing Prigozhin in case the Wagner chief turns against him, says ex-Kremlin official Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the private military group Wagner (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Svetlov/Contributor via Getty Images Speculation is circulating about why Putin isn't punishing Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin is increasingly brazen in his criticism of Russian military leaders. Putin needs the support of nationalist hardliners like Prigozhin. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reluctant to punish Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the Wagner Group mercenary outfit, for a series of increasingly brazen attacks on Russia's military leaders, a former Kremlin official said. In recent weeks Prigozhin, whose private military force has played a key role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has accused Russian military leaders of botching the invasion in a series of profanity-filled videos. Last week, he 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." Such public acts of defiance are rare in Russia, where thousands who've criticized the war have been arrested. The Wagner chief's attacks have prompted speculation he may even be planning a coup against Putin. In comments to The Washington Post, Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, said that Putin couldn't afford to alienate hardline nationalists such as Prigozhin. "The regime simply cannot afford to repress representatives of the 'patriotic' camp, which is already not very pleased with the president: He unleashed the war, but still cannot win it," he told the Post. "If they put pressure on this part of the public," Gallyamov said, "they will [turn] into opposition and say, 'It turns out Putin's critics were right and he really turned into a dictator.'" The Kremlin has faced mounting criticism over how the war is being waged from nationalists, who say Russia has not pursued victory aggressively enough and has botched the invasion. The Kremlin apparently expected a swift victory in Ukraine, but the war has become a protracted stalemate, with Ukraine in recent days making some gains as part of its summer offensive, Reuters reported. Former intelligence officials told Insider recently that Putin could face challenges to his power if Russia is defeated by Ukraine and its forces ousted from the country. Prigozhin may be among the figures positioning himself to try and seize power. Other analysts have offered differing explanations for why Putin hasn't acted against Prigozhin, with Insider reporting in May that the Kremlin was heavily dependent on the Wagner Group during the grueling battle to seize control of Bakhmut, east Ukraine. Others point to the fact that Putin has long stirred fierce internal competition. Gallyamov, who lives in self-imposed exile abroad, has been critical of Putin and the war in Ukraine, and in April was placed on a wanted list by the Russian Interior Ministry. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western countries of failing to comply with the Russian demands concerning the Black Sea Grain Initiative and said that Moscow was considering a withdrawal from the agreement. (The Black Sea Grain Initiative is an agreement brokered by the UN with Russia and Turkiye launched on 22 July 2022 to enable ships to transport grain from Ukraine ed.) Source: Interfax-Russia news agency, quoting Putin during a meeting with Russian military journalists in the Kremlin Details: The Russian president claimed that the West promised Moscow to "liberalise grain supplies to foreign markets" as part of the agreement, including by lifting some of the sanctions introduced following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "There were many different conditions that the Westerners had to comply with under the UN oversight. Nothing has been done. We are now considering withdrawing from this grain deal," Putin added. He also said that Russia extended the Grain Initiative in the past "in the interest of friendly states" that "do not support the Wests aggressive actions and [Western] satellites in Ukraine". Background: In May 2023, the Black Sea Grain Initiative was extended by two months despite Russias threats to withdraw from the agreement. Later, it was reported that Kyiv might allow the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine if it receives guarantees from Russia and the UN that the Black Sea Grain Initiative will operate without obstacles. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing 2024 White House contenders to commit to pardoning former President Trump if he is convicted on federal charges over his handling of classified documents. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and long shot GOP presidential hopeful, became one of the first candidates to openly pledge to pardon Trump after the federal indictment against him was unsealed late last week. Ramaswamys campaign released a letter Tuesday that it said was sent to every White House contender both Republican and Democratic urging them to pardon the former president. Each of our paths to electoral success would be easier if President Trump were eliminated from competition, but that is the wrong result for our country. The fact that we are running against Trump gives us credibility to denounce this politicized prosecution, Ramaswamy wrote. I condemn these charges by the U.S. Department of Justice. Below, I have signed a commitment to pardon President Trump promptly on January 20, 2025, for the federal charges I respectfully request that you join me in this commitment or else publicly explain why you will not, he added in his letter. The letter was released while Ramaswamy was in Miami speaking out against the Trump indictment. At one point the biotech entrepreneur was given a megaphone to help deliver his remarks, though one clip circulated online showed him struggling to use it. Trump is expected to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon in Miami and said hell plead not guilty to the 37 charges relating to mishandling of national security material. Prosecutors allege Trump kept classified documents pertaining to some of the countrys military and national security secrets at his Mar-a-Lago residence and that he endeavored to obstruct the FBI and grand jury investigations and conceal his continued retention of classified documents. Ramaswamy pledged to pardon Trump last week after the federal indictment against the former president was released. Meanwhile, long shot presidential contender Perry Johnson pledged in March, amid Trumps multiple legal controversies, to also pardon the former president. Ramaswamys letter comes as several Republican contenders have criticized Trump over the indictment, suggesting a partial GOP split with the former president over the charges. It is a very tight, very detailed, evidence-laden indictment, and the conduct in there is awful, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said during a Monday CNN town hall in New York. What I can tell you, for sure I know about that indictment, is theres probably about a third of the evidence they actually have is in that indictment, he added. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley argued that Trump was reckless if the charges in the federal indictment were true. This is what Ill tell you, two things can be true at the same time: One, the DOJ and FBI have lost all credibility with the American people, and getting rid of just senior management isnt going to be enough to fix this. This is going to take a complete overhaul, and we have to do that, Haley said during an interview Monday on Fox News. Two, the second thing can also be true. If this indictment is true, if what it says is actually the case, President Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security, she added. Updated at 2:36 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rangers' Gray to miss scheduled start vs. Angels on Tuesday because of blister Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (22) delivers a pitch to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray will not make his scheduled start Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels while dealing with a blister. Manager Bruce Bochy said before Monday's series opener the decision was made so the team could stay on the top of the it" and try to keep the blister from becoming a long-term issue for Gray (6-2, 2.32 ERA). It could be another five days, but it could be two or three days, Bochy said when Gray would make his next start, adding he didn't expect the pitcher to miss a second turn. Gray is coming off a 100-pitch complete game in a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals last Wednesday when he struck out 12. It was the first complete-game loss by a Rangers starter since 2010. Gray is 5-1 with a 0.84 ERA in his last six starts, allowing four earned runs in 43 innings. Bochy didn't say who will start Tuesday in Gray's place, though rookie Cody Bradford was in the Rangers clubhouse Monday. Bradford made his first two big league starts earlier this season before going back to Triple-A Round Rock. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports After 'Rapper's Delight,' hip-hop went global its impact has been massive; so too efforts to keep it real MC Solaar, a pioneer of French rap Photo by Eric Catarina/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Soon after the fall 1979 release of Rappers Delight, versions of the first commercially successful rap recording began cropping up around the world. Two Portuguese-language versions, Bons Tempos and Melo Do Tagarela, were put out in Brazil. One version from Jamaica provided a relatively faithful recreation of the Sugarhill Gang original, while Hotter Reggae Music slowed down the track, transforming it into reggae. Other local language versions came from the Netherlands with Hallo, Hallo, Hallo, Venezuela with La Cotorra Criolla and Germany with Rappers Deutsch. Rappers Delight spreads to Germany in 1980. Metronome Musik GmbH/Discogs Within a few years, one could hear the songs DNA being altered in disparate parts of the world, as in Japanese artists Yellow Magic Orchestras 1981 Rap Phenomena, Nigerian Dizzy K. Falolas 1982 Saturday Night Raps and the French duo Chagrin damours 1982 Chacun fait (cqui lui plait). Even Soviet Russia got into the act with Chas Piks Rap in 1984. and on and on The rapid spread of Rappers Delight is an important milestone in hip-hops first 50 years. It marked the beginning of the globalization of rap music and the broader hip-hop culture in which it is embedded, which includes deejaying, break-dancing and graffiti-tagging. More milestones in hip-hops global spread soon followed. In 1984 in France, H.I.P.H.O.P. hosted by DJ Sidney became the first nationally televised weekly show devoted to rap, preceding Yo! MTV Raps in the U.S. by some four years. In the early 1990s, a vibrant French rap scene produced the first internationally touring, platinum-selling rap star outside the U.S.: MC Solaar. France became and remains the second-biggest market for rap in the world. Indeed, by 2000 the term global hip-hop had entered commercial and scholarly discourse. Soon, new styles partially informed by hip-hop emerged, like grime in London, which cultivated its own unique identity. The catch But the global expansion of hip-hop rides on a paradox. The Black American urban culture that birthed rap and hip-hop makes up its very fabric. But so does the core idea of representing ones own experience and place. When hip-hop and rap travel abroad, does one or the other have to give? To an ethnomusicologist like myself, this paradox goes right to the heart of identity and authenticity. How do people use, shape and transform cultural elements from elsewhere to make it speak to their own experience? And in the process, how do markers of authenticity become redefined? Multitracking global hip-hop With hip-hop, I believe it is helpful to imagine a wide spectrum of possible markers of authenticity that is, what it means to stay true to the art form. At one end lies the integration of Black American performance styles and fashion. Some efforts may border appropriation or mimicry. At the other end lies hip-hops potential to inspire global rappers to dig deep into the well of local performance traditions. This could mean sampling music from their own countries or exploring the quirks and intricacies of their own languages and dialects. Pioneering hip-hop scholar Halifu Osumare explored authenticity in her concept of connective marginalities, which established the blueprint for theorizing about global hip-hop. This key concept concerns social resonances between Black expressive culture on the one hand and similar dynamics in other nations and cultures on the other hand. These connections or resonances can be tied to a shared culture among different parts of the African diaspora or through social class, historical oppression or the marginalization of youth. Expanding this framework a bit, almost anyone feeling marginalized can draw on a hip-hop ethos. This could include Ukraines Alyonna Alyonna, who was bullied for the way she looked, and even Nordic white supremacists. Hip-hop scholar and political activist Yvonne Bynoe presented an alternative view on the genres worldwide spread. Writing in 2002, she noted: While rap music has been globalized, hip-hop culture has not been and cannot be. To Bynoe, it is irrational to expect that a cultural expression that is centered around Black American experiences and vernacular can speak for all. While rap as a creative tool is portable and adaptable, it belittles hip-hop culture to continue to insist that as a cultural entity it can be disassociated from its roots, she wrote. Manufacturing authenticity A 2007 documentary about hip-hop in Kenya, with the on-point title Hip Hop Colony, addresses the issue from a different standpoint: Today, Kenya tackles a new breed of colonization, the narrator notes, Its chameleon-like quality has allowed it to integrate with cultures around the world. It is hip-hop [and] in the vein of colonialism its dictating the choice of attire, language and lifestyle in general. Unlike the colonists, its presence is welcomed and widely embraced by the majority. In a clever twist, the filmmaker, Michael Wanguhu, sets up an initial neo-colonial framework and then dismantles it by showing how Kenyans have made hip-hop their own. Moreover, hip-hop has been seen as a catalyst for cultural self-reflection and revival wherever it lands. The first time we heard Grandmaster Flash rapping on a hip-hop track, Senegalese rapper Faada Freddy of the group Daara J said in 2006, everybody was like, OK we know this, because this is taasu, referring to a Senegalese verbal art form accompanied by drumming. Weve been rhyming like that for a long time, he added. Australian aboriginal rapper Wire MC similarly sees a connection between traditional Indigenous gatherings known as corroboree which involve singing, dancing and telling stories and hip-hop, which he says is just a modern corroboree. Hip-hop is a part of aboriginal culture; I think it always has been, he added. Native American rapper Frank Waln, of the Sicangu Lakota tribe, also notes a resonance between hip-hop and Indigenous culture. I definitely think theres a connection between traditional storytelling and hip-hop, he said. My people have been storytellers for thousands of years, and this is just a new way to tell our stories. Digging into the well Almost anywhere rap and hip-hop have traveled, people have pointed to its resonance with homegrown traditions. Some have employed those traditions to transform hip-hop into something with deep local roots. In this way, Japanese rapper Hime has used the ancient poetic form tanka for the chorus of her song Tateba Shakuyaku. In the song, she raps about the Japanese concept of kotodama, or the spirit of the language embedded in the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count in that chorus. Similarly, Ghanaian rapper Obrafour has drawn on esoteric proverbs in his native Twi language, and Somali Canadian rapper KNaan has drawn on and paid tribute to Somali oral poetry. Historical connections between modern-day French rappers and French song have also been fruitfully explored. This should be no surprise, given the dual identities of the children of African immigrants in France, like rapper Abd al Malik. The indelible link between hip-hop and Black American culture remains a constant theme in how to understand its transformations around the world. Take one of Chinas most well-known rappers, Vava. In a 2018 interview in Esquire Singapore, she said that hip-hop helps us to express our innermost emotions and thoughts about how we understand the world were living in. When asked, American hip-hop has grown out of the African American struggle. So where does Chinese hip-hop come from? she replied, Chinese hip-hop comes from rebellion in young peoples lives. The generation before us were rockers, but today, we use rap to express ourselves. Rap as universal art form The global spread of authenticity, as linguist Alastair Pennycook called it in 2007, has been a concern in the genre ever since Rappers Delight sparked its travel across the world. In 1982, pioneering deejay Afrika Bambaataa advised French rappers to Rap in your own language and speak from your own social awareness. Jay-Z addressed the issue in the conclusion of his 2010 memoir, Decoded. Implicitly noting the distinction between the culture hip-hop and the art form rap, he wrote: Rap is at heart an art form that gave voice to a specific experience, but, like every art, is ultimately about the most common human experiences. The story of the larger culture is a story of a million MCs all over the world and inside of them the words are coming, too, the words they need to make sense of the world they see around them. And when we decode that torrent of words by which I mean really listen to them with our minds and hearts open we can understand their world better. And ours, too. Its the same world. 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: Eric Charry, Wesleyan University. Read more: Eric Charry 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. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) defended the Biden administrations restriction on pistol braces and rejected arguments from Republicans who claim it violates the Second Amendment, saying, We dont want them to repeal the Second Amendment. We want them to read the Second Amendment. Raskin argued that his Republican colleagues repeatedly invoke the second half of the Second Amendment, describing the right to keep and bear arms, but gloss over the first half, which refers to a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state. They say we want to repeal the Second Amendment. Mr. Speaker, we dont want them to repeal the Second Amendment. We want them to read the Second Amendment, Raskin said on the House floor Tuesday. Because the Second Amendment would ask us why we are allowing people to go into elementary schools, Walmarts, supermarkets, churches and synagogues all over America with AR-15s enabled, sometimes with the stabilizing brace as in Dayton, Ohio; Boulder, Colorado; Colorado Springs; Nashville, Tennessee and assassinate our people. If a foreign government were doing it, we would declare war on them. But since were just allowing the gun industry to spread these weapons of mass destruction around the country, they want to allow it. And they say that the Second Amendment must be respected in this strange and distorted way, because they believe the Second Amendment gives the people the right to overthrow the government, he continued. The House voted Tuesday on the Biden administrations tighter restrictions on firearms with stabilizing braces, policy the administration announced in January. The proposal, put forth by the Department of Justices Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), would reclassify pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles. It would also require people with existing pistols that have stabilizing braces to register the firearms with the government by May 31, 2023. The House approved the bill Tuesday on a mostly party-line vote and sent the bill to the Senate for consideration. The White House has threatened to veto the Republican-backed resolution disapproving the ATFs rule. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This article was originally published in Stateline. As another school year defined by mass shootings ends in America, Republican-led state legislatures passed measures this session to fortify schools, create guidelines for active shooter drills and safety officer responses, and allow teachers to be armed. Firearm restrictions, however, were a nonstarter in red states trying to curb school shootings. The legislation pushed by GOP lawmakers in states such as Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Utah this year often ran contrary to the advice of gun safety advocates and national education experts, who remain concerned that having more guns in schools only further endangers children and educators. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter But the Republican lawmakers interviewed by Stateline say the solution to preventing school shootings is not banning certain weapons or taking away guns from potentially dangerous people, but rather empowering schools to more quickly respond to an active shooter. A little over a week after three children and three adults were killed in a Nashville elementary school in late March, the Republican-controlled Tennessee legislature passed a wide-reaching school safety bill that did not include firearm restrictions. The measure requires schools to keep exterior doors locked when students are present, mandates newly built public schools to install classroom door locks and requires private schools also to conduct active shooter drills, among other elements. (The Nashville shooter, who attacked a private school, shattered a pair of locked glass doors to get inside.) Related Former Parkland Principal Calls For Wellness Centers in Every School The bill passed with bipartisan support in April, with only a handful of Democrats voting against it. Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the measure. In May, he signed a budget bill that includes $230 million for all schools to have a school resource officer and allows schools to make security upgrades. With armed personnel and properly secured school buildings, children in Tennessee will be safer, said Republican state Rep. Mark White, one of the bills sponsors and a former elementary school principal. I take it very seriously, he said. When youre in the building with kids all day long, you fall in love with them, and you want to protect them. Hoping for a deterrent Ensuring schools have armed personnel has been a common thread in the Republican-backed school safety laws this year. Last month, a little over a year after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Republicans there passed a bill that requires an armed security guard at every school and compels school districts to adopt active shooter plans. In Mississippi, teachers can now, with extensive training, carry guns in schools after the legislature passed a measure in March. Republican state Sen. Jeff Tate, the legislations sponsor, argued that assailants target schools because there often is not armed security. He hopes his bill makes potential school shooters think twice. We need to make these people realize that, hey, look, theres going to be a weapon if you go to the school, Tate said. That would deter these school shootings. Democratic state Sen. Rod Hickman, who voted against the measure because he thought it would make schools less safe, nonetheless wants to now focus on ensuring the state enforces robust training, not only for handling firearms but also to account for implicit biases that might prompt armed school personnel to view people of color as a greater threat. I hope that the proper steps are taken to create this program, Hickman said, but I ultimately dont think this is the answer to protecting our students. Schools in the vast rural areas of Missouri wouldnt have time to wait for law enforcement to respond to an active shooter, said Republican state Rep. Christina Dinkins. School officials need to react immediately to save lives, she said. Related Controversial Gunshot Detectors on Minneapolis Schools, Cyber Attack Reveals While teachers and administrators already are allowed to carry firearms if they are a schools designated school protection officer a position earned through a permit and state-mandated training Dinkins, after being approached by a school district administrator, offered legislation to expand that role to any school personnel. That could include janitors, she said, who have keys to all the doors and know the ins and outs of the buildings. Were just providing them with other avenues to make sure our children are safe, which is the ultimate goal, Dinkins said. You want the person who is most trained, most confident, most comfortable in that type of situation. The state House passed her bill in March; the legislative session has since ended. Its very difficult to stop a homicidal person with an AR-15 and several high-capacity magazines. Allison Anderman, Giffords Law Center More firearms in schools Julie Hutchinson, a social worker for the Clark County, Nevada, school district, responded to the October 2017 mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip, helping people who were looking for loved ones and information after a gunman opened fire. Sixty people died and 413 others were wounded. Hutchinson has continued to deal with gun issues, whether its helping the school district confront students who bring weapons to school or talking with her own children concerning the increased violence. Having more guns in schools wont help, she said. It would give a false sense of security, Hutchinson said. Is it really going to matter when it comes down to the actual moment? Many experts agree with her. Two decades of academic literature shows a minimal association between having school resource officers or security professionals in the building and the prevention of school violence, said Justin Heinze, co-director of the National Center for School Safety, a training and technical assistance hub for implementing evidence-based safety programs in schools. There is very, very little to next to no data that supports having firearms within schools are going to make those buildings safer, said Heinze, who also is an associate professor of public health at the University of Michigan. He continued, I do have concerns about introducing even more firearms in the building because there is almost certainly going to be an increase in firearm-related injury. As more students are exposed to school shootings and the overall number of shootings grows, theres been a more urgent need for research regarding guns in schools, Heinze added. Despite the high-profile nature of school shootings, schools are generally safe havens from gun violence, said Allison Anderman, senior counsel and director of local policy for the Giffords Law Center, a nonpartisan gun safety organization. This is largely because guns are mostly prohibited at schools, she said. Arming teachers does not work, Anderman said. The idea that someone whos protecting students and trying to keep them safe and calm is going to go and rush out and shoot an active shooter is just, its so absurd, she said. Its very difficult to stop a homicidal person with an AR-15 and several high-capacity magazines. There are policies that can prevent school shootings, she said, including banning high-capacity magazines, implementing waiting periods of firearm purchases and expanding so-called red flag laws that take away firearms from people who may be a harm to themselves or others. But that is a tough sell in some states. Teachers need to be able to defend themselves and others in an active shooter situation, said Utah Republican state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, who sponsored successful legislation this session that will waive the permitting fee for school employees to carry a concealed weapon in schools. Its really important that we maintain the availability for individuals who are the good guys who are trying to protect and defend their lives and the lives of others to be able to carry, she said. I dont think its helpful to take guns away from everybody or to try to implement extreme gun control measures. She also sponsored legislation this session that empowered school resource officers to refer students to judges for violence and weapons offenses on campus. She supported another bill that created a state position in charge of setting standards for school resource officers. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed all three measures into law in March. In Tennessee, the legislature is not done with addressing gun violence. Lee, the GOP governor, called for a special session in August in hopes of implementing a red flag law. Gun safety experts argued the Nashville shooting may have been prevented if the state had a law that allowed a court to seize firearms from people who may harm themselves or others. White and other Republican legislators will meet with the governor over the coming months to draft a bill that would prevent innocent people from having their firearms confiscated under a red flag law, he said. Gun rights advocates often argue red flag laws violate gun owners due process privileges, since judges in some states can temporarily sign off on an extreme risk protection order without hearing from the targeted individual in emergency situations. Gun safety advocates counter that those individuals can eventually present evidence in their defense. We can do whats right for all people, White said. Not only protect our children and law-abiding gun owners, but also address those who have mental issues, or those who are just outright criminals. Thats the needle we have to thread right now. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. Cincinnati Reds' TJ Friedl (29) beats the tag by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez to score the winning run on a fielders choice hit into by Jonathan India during the tenth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 12, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Reds won 5-4 in ten innings. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) TJ Friedl scored the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning on Jonathan Indias grounder, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Kansas City 5-4 on Monday night to hand the plummeting Royals their seventh straight defeat. Pinch-hitter Kevin Newmans sacrifice fly in the ninth gave the Reds a 4-3 lead, but Buck Farmer allowed a tying homer to Salvador Perez with two outs in the bottom half. Cincinnati quickly recovered. Friedl, the automatic runner at second base, advanced to third on Matt McLains groundout to first leading off the 10th. India then hit a grounder and Friedl scored as Perez couldnt corral third baseman Maikel Garcias low throw to the plate. The Friedl slide, thats part of our game. The running, going on contact, Reds manager David Bell said. Jonathan had a great at-bat and TJ did exactly what you need to do to get his foot in just barely. Friedl was initially ruled out by plate umpire C.B. Bucknor, but the call was overturned following a replay review. This is what its supposed to feel like, Bell said. Especially the way it ended. Its a lot of fun. Even though it was a little bit more difficult than you could ever want, it felt like it was a little bit meant to finish that way. Farmer (2-3) got five outs for the win and Ricky Karcher, called up from the minors Friday, pitched out of trouble in the 10th to earn the save in his major league debut. You can only dream to go in in a save opportunity in your first big league game, Karcher said. Ive worked my whole life for this day. Its awesome. What a great way to start your career, Bell said. It doesnt really get much more difficult than that, to find a way to navigate through that. Stuart Fairchild homered early for the Reds, who have won six of eight and are 3-3 in extra innings. With this team, every win we have is exciting, Friedl said. Its been that way since April all these wins for us are huge. Every game is competitive. Carlos Hernandez (0-4) took the loss for the reeling Royals, who have dropped 10 of 11. They are 0-3 in extra innings and have blown a lead in 23 losses this season, matching the Cardinals for most in the majors. Kansas City (18-48) is tied with suddenly streaking Oakland (18-50) for the fewest wins in the majors. The Royals jumped ahead on Michael Masseys two-out, two-run double in the first. Massey had just two singles in 25 at-bats this month before doubling in each of his first two plate appearances. Nick Prattos second-inning sacrifice fly made it 3-0. Fairchild got Cincinnati on the scoreboard, hammering the first pitch of the third 421 feet to left-center for his third homer. So many guys made plays very difficult things to do that led to the win, Bell said. Its a great team win. The Reds tied it 3-all as Luke Maile and Friedl opened the sixth with consecutive doubles, chasing Royals starter Zack Greinke. He allowed three runs and six hits, striking out four with no walks. (Greinke) performed well, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. Theyre patient, and he throws a lot of strikes, but he was able to attack them. He threw the ball well. Cincinnati starter Luke Weaver exited with two outs in the fifth, having allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. Royals right fielder MJ Melendez threw out two runners trying for third base, helping curtail rallies in the first and seventh. Kansas City left stranded 10, going 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position. We were challenged on some at-bats and missed some pitches to hit, Quatraro said. Other at-bats, hit the ball pretty well and didnt get anything for it. I dont think theres one reason we didnt drive guys in, but the end result is we didnt. Its been frustrating to not be able to open a game up. TRANSACTIONS Royals OF Jackie Bradley Jr. was designated for assignment and OF Dairon Blanco was selected from Triple-A Omaha. UP NEXT Reds LHP Brandon Williamson (0-0, 5.40 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-10, 6.84) on Tuesday night. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Rent increases fought by tenants across NYC as Rent Guidelines Board weighs potential hikes of up to 7% For many in Queens, rent increases of up to 7% under consideration citywide by the Rent Guidelines Board will drive them to make difficult choices. Asking people to choose between rent and food and medicine is beyond unfair, its obscene and amoral and [a] driving force in the housing crisis today, said Douglas, an Elmhurst retiree, during the board hearing on rates for rent-stabilized units at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center on Monday evening. If I get squeezed any more Ill be living out of a cardboard box on the street. Speakers became emotional as they expressed frustration with their landlords, the cost of living and the overwhelming burden rent plays in their lives. Some were particularly exasperated with the unelected board and its all-important role in setting rates. This years vote comes amid a housing crisis and soaring eviction rates as half of New Yorkers struggle to afford the basic necessities. Maria Segura, a home attendant and single mother, spoke through a Spanish translator as she shared her story. I think it is very sad and embarrassing to come here every year in front of you guys and beg for something that is our right, which is a standard of living, which is a basic human right, she said. Theres no excuse to steal from our hardworking families. Were done, its enough. The landlords have exploited us until were basically empty. The board approved rent hikes of 2% to 5% for one-year leases and 4% to 7% increases for two-year leases in a 5-to-4 preliminary vote during a chaotic meeting last month. The final vote is set for June 21. At Mondays hearing in Queens, tenants asked the board to do the right thing and either freeze rates or roll them back. It was the second of four public meetings held by the Rent Guidelines Board ahead of its final vote. During a Bronx assembly last week, tenants similarly implored the panel not to raise rents. In a statement after the vote, Mayor Adams criticized the preliminary numbers despite having personally appointed six of the boards nine members. I want to be clear that a 7% rent increase is clearly beyond what renters can afford and what I feel is appropriate this year, he said at the time. Landlords, in turn, have pointed to high property taxes, energy bills and other maintenance costs in asking the board to approve steeper rent hikes. Just one landlord spoke on Monday night, after the trade organization the Rent Stabilization Association told its members not to testify in person following the hectic preliminary vote, during which a number of progressive elected officials took to the auditorium stage in protest. Monday was tenant organizer Amy Collados sixth time testifying before the board. Its extraneous every year because tenants feel like this process is so disempowering, she said. Every year, year after year, tenants say, Whats the point of people coming if we know that these people are already bought by landlords, if theyve already made their decision? Local elected officials also lent their voices Monday in support of tenants, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Councilwoman Julie Won. There was a virtual meeting Tuesday night, and the last public hearing will be held in Brooklyn on Thursday before the final Rent Guidelines Board vote. Only 25% of teacher preparation programs cover all the core elements of scientifically based reading instruction, and another quarter dont cover any adequately, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Evaluating 693 undergraduate and graduate teacher training programs, the council found that 40% of programs instruct aspiring educators to use debunked teaching practices, including so-called three-cueing strategies that urge children to guess at words they dont know rather than sound them out. These methods have recently been banned in some states. The findings come against the backdrop of massing reading deficits. Among fourth-graders, 37% cannot read at a basic level, and proficiency rates are even lower for children of color, low-income students and those with learning differences. But research from 2020 found that more than 70% of special education and K-2 teachers use methods not grounded in the science of reading. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter We know that too many kids are not learning to read. Better teacher preparation aligned with the science of reading can change that, says NCTQ President Heather Peske. If we focus on teacher preparation, this is an upstream approach that will have downstream implications at scale. To address the reading crisis, according to NCTQ, educators must be trained to teach the five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness (spoken words), phonics (matching sounds with letters), fluency (reading without much effort), vocabulary and comprehension. The approach is based on a vast body of research, most recently confirmed in a 2019 federal report. The problem, the council argues, is that too many teacher training programs still promote discredited methods under the umbrella of balanced reading, including so-called running records, which use errors children make to calculate their reading level. The method is widely popular practiced in well above a third of programs in the analysis and has been shown to be time-consuming and subjective, often resulting in kids being placed at the wrong reading level. This is because running records combine accuracy, fluency and comprehension in one assessment, even though these are different steps in learning to read. Related How Teacher Turnover Could Hinder Classrooms in Implementing Science of Reading Also still in practice are so-called three-cueing systems, also known as structure-meaning-visual systems, in which children are prompted to guess a word based on context and visual cues. Arkansas, Indiana and North Carolina have banned these approaches, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is looking at a to do the same. The governor of Georgia signed a bill in April that requires that all literacy instruction be grounded in scientifically based methods. New York City, the nations largest district, plans to phase out balanced reading in favor of scientifically based methods. This is good news, Peske says, but meanwhile, children arent learning to read. We cant afford to take too much time, she told The 74. Students are sitting right in front of us. The New York City phase-out will take two years, which she said is too long. NCTQ first reviewed the reading components in teacher preparation programs in 2013. Previous reviews have faced criticism for over-relying on partial or inaccurate data that doesnt reflect everything that student teachers are taught. So, this year, the council engaged an expert advisory panel, held an open comment period and submitted the report for review by a technical advisory group. This years analysis also held programs to a higher standard than the council did for its previous report, in 2020. To receive a high score, programs had to offer at least the minimum number of instruction hours for each of the five core components, as determined by the advisory panel. They also lost points if they taught methods like balanced reading or three-cue systems. Only 23% of the 693 programs studied got an A, meaning they adequately teach all five components, dedicate the recommended number of instructional hours to each one and include objective assessments, appropriate background materials and opportunities to practice giving reading instruction. Programs lost a full letter grade for each component not adequately covered. The report found nearly a third of programs do not provide any opportunities for practicing teaching the core components. Thirty-eight percent overall received an F. Related Science of Reading Gives Kids the Best Chance to Close the Literacy Gap Graduate programs fared more poorly in the report than undergraduate courses of study. Even on the same campus, the disconnect between the bachelors level and graduate program can be huge. The undergraduate teacher preparation program at George Mason University in Virginia, for example, received an A, while the universitys graduate program flunked NCTQs review. The variation within a state or an institution gives an opportunity for positive change, says Peske. There are several programs that are doing well. States could look to the ones that are doing well and ask, How can we replicate this? For the first time, the council also looked at how well programs are preparing new educators to teach students with diverse needs. Its finding? Not well enough. More than 70% of programs devote less than two hours to instruction about teaching English learners to read. Nearly 90% offer no opportunities to practice working with this student group. Teachers have clamored for the tools, skills and supports to enhance their reading instruction and help them reach all children, including those who struggle to read, especially students with dyslexia and English Language Learners, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a press release. This report confirms what educators have been saying for years: to help our students become joyful and confident readers, we must understand that teaching reading is not just an art, but also a science. Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, The Joyce Foundation and Walton Family Foundation provide financial support to National Council on Teacher Quality and The 74. WASHINGTON The group of House Republicans that blocked votes on symbolic legislation last week will stand down on Tuesday, at least temporarily. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) won them over in part through a mundane agreement combining a procedural motion setting up a delayed vote on gas stoves with one for a vote on pistol braces. McCarthy also apparently said hed seek lower federal spending this fall which would mean undoing a recent deal with Democrats that set spending for the next two years. Its likely an undeliverable promise. Democrats control the Senate and the White House, and probably wont vote for further reductions in federal spending on top of what President Joe Biden already agreed to in the debt ceiling negotiations that wrapped up earlier this month. If the House and Senate cant agree on government funding before October, then the government could partially shut down a future point of leverage for the far right, or at least a way to win attention for themselves. Were trying to get on the same team as Republicans to focus on spending cuts, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Tuesday after emerging from a party meeting in the Capitol. I dont think anybody wants a shutdown. The House typically votes on several bills each week when lawmakers are in Washington, but Gaetz and 10 other Republicans brought the chamber to a standstill a week ago by voting against a procedural resolution known as a rule. The hard-liners, mostly members of the House Freedom Caucus, opposed the rule as payback for McCarthys debt ceiling deal with Democrats. Rules usually pass with party-line votes. Another of the noes, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), said he wanted more conservative Republicans represented in ad-hoc negotiations like that one between a handful of House Republicans and the White House that resolved the debt ceiling standoff. I would like to see people with fiscal restraint at the table, Burchett told HuffPost. Other members upset with their leadership wouldnt commit to allowing votes on legislation beyond Tuesday. Time will tell, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said. Meanwhile, the rest of the Republican majority seems increasingly frustrated that such a small faction of their 222 members has been holding up the entire House. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) reportedly lambasted them during their meeting on Tuesday, saying his daughter was dying of cancer and he shows up to work every fucking day. You dont always get everything that you want and so the fact that we have some that are just obsessing over what they didnt get several weeks ago with the debt ceiling, its unfortunate, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) told HuffPost. Jonathan Nicholson contributed reporting. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps stranglehold on the Republican Party showed some signs of weakening Monday as an influential GOP senator questioned the twice-indicted former presidents electability. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump remains the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination even as he awaits arraignment Tuesday on 37 federal charges pertaining to his mishandling classified information. Well, its not good, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, said of the former presidents latest indictment. Cornyn went on to criticize Trump for not trying to widen his appeal beyond loyal ultra-conservatives. I think his unwillingness to appeal to voters beyond his base makes it unlikely that he could win a general election, he said. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate Republican, called the allegations against Trump serious but said the Justice Department will face a high burden of proof. The president deserves his day in court. Hell have that opportunity, Thune said. Asked if the latest charges make it more difficult for his party to take back the Senate next year, Thune paused and said, As you know, Ive endorsed Tim Scott. Earlier: Trump Retains His Base With Risk of Political Violence in Focus Scott, South Carolinas junior senator, is one of several Republicans challenging Trump for the 2024 nomination. More hard-line Republicans, however, have sought to capitalize on the charges against Trump with statements decrying what they saw as unequal justice, or to raise funds off of the indictment. Other Senate Republicans like Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who both voted to convict Trump at his 2021 impeachment trial in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, have issued statements on the gravity of the federal charges. Im looking at what Ive seen and it looks pretty damning to me, Murkowski told reporters Monday at the Capitol. I dont think that it is good for our Republican Party to have a nominee and, in fairness, the frontrunner under a series of indictments. Romney told reporters that he was increasingly angry at Trumps actions. The country is going to go through angst and turmoil. And that could have been avoided if President Trump had just turned in the documents when he was asked to do so. This was entirely avoidable if he had just turned in the documents, why didnt he? This made no sense to me at all, Romney added. (Updates with Murkowski, Romney, starting in 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rescuers search for survivors after 10 killed, 32 injured in devastating attack on Kryvyi Rih apartment block Russian invasion forces shelled a five story apartment building in Kryvyi Rih overnight on June 13 UPDATED 1:23 pm: The number of people killed as a result of the Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on June 13 has increased to 10. The rescue operation is ongoing, reports Kryvyi Rih city military administration head Oleksandr Vilkul. Several Ukrainian regions were targeted in Russias latest mass missile and drone attack after an air raid alert was again triggered across Ukraine early on June 13 as Russia carried out the new launches. In addition to the deadly Kryvyi Rih attack, the invasion forces also targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Ternopil. Read also: Multiple dead in Dnipro and Uman, scores injured in new mass missile attack by Russia The most devastating attack was in Kryvyi Rih, where the Russians murdered at least six civilians and injured dozens more after targeting an apartment building. Rescue teams are looking for other civilians under the rubble, said local mayor Oleksandr Vilkul. In total, Russia hit the city with six missiles, hitting five civilian facilities at night, he added. Read also: Russia relocates coastal defense missile systems to Bryansk Oblast to attack Ukrainian cities At least 32 people were injured in Kryvyi Rih in the attack there were seven more injured at other facilities in Kryvyi Rih in addition to the residents of the high-rise building, said Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Serhiy Lysak. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Russias attack on the residential building in Kryvyi Rih. More terrorist missiles, Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities, and people, he wrote on Telegram. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. The rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih continues. My condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones! Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch. REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko The attack sickened Ukrainians, with many posting messages of condolence and abhorrence. Russian criminals once again proved that their country is scum and their main goal is to terrorize the civilian population, wrote Premier League club Veres Rivne on their official Telegram account. Read also: Russia ups production of Kinzhal, Iskander missiles despite Western sanctions, Ukraines air force says Eternal memory to all who died. Kryvyi Rih, hold on. The enemy attacked the capital city of Kyiv at night, using the Kh-101/555 cruise missiles launched by Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Caspian Sea region. A Russian drone attack on civilian infrastructure facilities was reported by Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. The invaders hit a utility enterprise in the Kyivskyi district and a warehouse in the Saltivskyi district, causing a fire. All relevant services are working at the scene. An explosion was also heard in the western Ternopil region, reported Ternopil OVA head Volodymyr Trush. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 10 cruise missiles and one attack drone at night, as well as another missile during the morning attack, reported the Ukrainian Air Force. The command confirmed that Russia had struck from strategic aviation, namely eight Tu-95 bombers from the Caspian region and several strike drones from the south. In total, the enemy launched 14 Kh-101/Kh-555 air-based cruise missiles and up to four Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 suicide drones during the night attack. 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 By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two human rights groups have invited policy makers, journalists and analysts to a screening in Washington of a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi that questioned the Indian prime minister's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, ahead of his state visit to the White House. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have scheduled the private screening for June 20, two days ahead of Modi's official state visit, hosted by President Joe Biden. In announcing the screening on Monday, Human Rights Watch said it wanted it to serve as a reminder that the documentary had been banned in India. The two-part documentary, "India: the Modi question," focused on Modi's leadership as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat during riots in 2002 in which at least 1,000 people were killed, most of them Muslims. Activists put the toll at more than twice that. Modi has denied accusations that he did not do enough to stop the riots, and a Supreme Court-ordered investigation found no evidence to prosecute him. The Indian government had reacted angrily to the documentary, which was released in January, calling it a biased "propaganda piece" and blocked sharing of any clips from it on social media. The White House last month defended Modi's planned state visit when asked about human rights concerns in India. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden believes "this is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights." Advocacy groups have raised concerns over what they see as a deteriorating human rights situation in India in recent years under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of Modi, especially when it comes to treatment of minorities, dissidents and journalists. The government denies the allegations and says it works for the upliftment of all groups. Tax officials inspected offices of the BBC in Delhi and Mumbai in February and the financial crime agency opened an investigation into the broadcaster in April over charges of violations of foreign exchange rules. A government adviser had said the inspection was not "vindictive." The BBC has previously said it stood by its reporting for the documentary, which was not aired in India, and that it "does not have an agenda." (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Fatal crash on Highway 118 involves motorcycle A 54-year-old Camarillo man died when his motorcycle and a car collided Tuesday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash took place around 6:50 a.m. on Highway 118 west of Walnut Avenue, CHP officials said in a release. The area is east of Mesa School Road amid agricultural fields north of Camarillo. The rider, identified by the CHP Tuesday afternoon as David K. Kahlberg, had been riding a 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300 westbound on the 118 at the time. A Fillmore man, 43, was driving westbound, ahead of the motorcycle, in a 2007 Toyota Camry sedan. As the sedan driver slowed down to make a left turn into a private driveway along the route, Kahlberg tried to pass the car using the eastbound lane, said CHP Officer Jorge Alfaro. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car, officials said. Kahlberg was thrown from the bike and died at the scene. The incident remains under investigation. Witnesses are asked to call the CHP's Ventura-area office at 805-662-2640. Driver airlifted from Somis-area crash The driver of a Scion was flown to the hospital with major injuries after a single-vehicle crash in the Somis area Monday afternoon. A 36-year-old Tujunga man was flown from the scene of a single-vehicle crash in the Somis area Monday afternoon, California Highway Patrol officials reported. The man had been driving a 2005 Toyota Scion southbound on Aggen Road, north of Highway 118, at around 1:15 p.m. when he lost control for unknown reasons, authorities said. The car spun onto the dirt shoulder, hitting a tree and shearing a water main, which flooded a nearby field. The Scion ended up facing the wrong way in the northbound lane, CHP officials said. The driver, who was alone in the car, was flown by helicopter to Los Robles Regional Medical Center with major injuries he was expected to survive. The crash closed Aggen Road for about two hours. The CHPs initial investigation found neither drugs nor alcohol played a part. Anyone who saw the crash is asked to call the CHPs Ventura-area office at 805-662-2640. Human remains found in Thousand Oaks Authorities said human remains were discovered midday Tuesday on a hillside under an overgrown tree between the northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway and Highway 23 in Thousand Oaks. The discovery was reported by Caltrans workers doing weed abatement shortly before 11:30 a.m., said California Highway Patrol Spokesman Ryan Ayers. He said the remains were not found during the cleanup of a former homeless encampment as first reported but were discovered several miles away north of Rancho Road. Dr. Renee Higgins, chief operating officer for the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office, said the remains were human and were presumed to be male. "We're still trying to identify this person. Hes being examined today," she said Wednesday. Man admits to death threats to Planned Parenthood, more An Oxnard man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Los Angeles for crimes related to death threats he made at multiple Planned Parenthoods and a Ventura nonprofit, authorities said. Nishith Tharaka Vandebona, 34, entered his guilty pleas to one misdemeanor count under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and one felony count of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. He lived in Camarillo at the time of the offenses. Prosecutors said Vandebona used an application to create dummy phone numbers and made threatening calls to Planned Parenthood offices in Santa Barbara and in Los Angeles in June 2022 and in February 2022 called in a bomb threat to Ventura nonprofit Californians for Population Stabilization, which calls for zero-population growth. Vandebona made the threats to the clinics in the days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision and after the first decision was first leaked months earlier, according to the justice department. In June 2022, he left a threatening voicemail to the Central Coast clinic and called the Los Angeles location where he spoke to an operator first and an hour later called back making additional death threats. Im calling to let you know that Im going to come in there and kill all of you, including your staff and your security. You got it? Youre overdue for an attack, he told the call center specialist. Later, Vandebona called back and threatened to murder your staff. He similarly phoned in a bomb threat to CAPS. The threats were investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Santa Barbara and Santa Monica police departments and the Ventura County Sheriffs Office. Judge R. Gary Klausner remanded Vandebona to federal custody. Hes scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 2 and faces up to six years in federal prison. Motorcyclist identified in PCH crash Authorities on Tuesday identified the motorcycle rider killed in a crash near Mugu Rock over the weekend. Hemet resident David Jose Valenzuela Fraire was 25, the Ventura County Medical Examiners Office said. Fraire had been riding a 2021 Harley-Davidson northbound on Pacific Coast Highway around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when he reportedly lost control of the bike just north of the Point Mugu Naval Rifle Range, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Harley crossed over southbound lanes and crashed into a fence off the south shoulder of the coastal route, CHP officials said. He died at the scene. Lompoc man convicted of child molestation A Ventura County jury convicted an 83-year-old Lompoc man Friday of five felony counts of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 14. The jury later found true allegations that John Carillo Chavez had substantial sexual contact with the victim and aggravating circumstances that he took advantage of a position of trust and the victim was particularly vulnerable, according to a news release from the Ventura County District Attorneys Office. Already a convicted child molester from 1995, Chavez sexually abused the victim at least five times at two sites in Ventura County between October 2001 and October 2002. The crimes were reported later when the victim was an adult but younger than 40, which the statute of limitations permitted. The prosecution team is grateful for the extended statute of limitations for child molestation that allowed this prosecution, said Deputy DA Emily Reber, a member of the agencys sexual assault unit, in a statement. But for the tremendous bravery of the victim, justice could not have been done. Chavez is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12. He faces between three and 16 years in state prison, the DAs office said. Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Motorcyclist killed in Highway 118 crash, more news After run-in with Kobach, Wichita changes rules for political signs with one exception Wichita council members have unanimously approved an overhaul of the citys sign ordinance, bringing it into alignment with a state law that Attorney General Kris Kobach accused Wichita of willfully violating. In the 45 days before an election, Wichitans can now place an unlimited number of temporary signs on public property as long as they are removed by two days after the election. The ordinance is content-neutral, meaning the same rules apply to non-political signs, too. The City Council did strike a provision from the amended ordinance that would have prohibited property owners from removing unwanted signs from public rights-of-way in front of and adjacent to their property. I maintain a public right-of-way at my house between the street and the sidewalk, council member Bryan Frye said. I could have an opponents sign, or a position on something that I dont agree with, in the yard that I maintain where it looks like I endorse that. And I have no means to counter that. Chief Deputy City Attorney Sharon Dickgrafe said the provision was intended to discourage people from stealing signs. Mayor Brandon Whipple made an amendment to remove the provision, saying it would ensure rights-of-way arent hijacked for commercial or political use. The 2015 state law invoked by Kobach prohibits local governments from regulating the placement or number of signs on private property in the lead up to elections. Kobachs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The updated city ordinance includes a number of conditions for sign size and placement. Signs may not be illuminated, exceed 8 square feet in area or be more than 5 feet tall. They also cannot be closer than eight linear feet to a side property line. Signs political or otherwise are also prohibited from being placed adjacent to or on public property, including libraries and parks, under the proposal. Council member Brandon Johnson voted in favor of the ordinance change but said there are any number of issues he would rather see Kobach and state lawmakers take action on. For the record, I would love to see our Legislature and attorney general do a little more for things that actually help people and not focus on yard signs, Johnson said. Theres revoked drivers licenses that are still an issue. Theres reviewing stand your ground with the death of CJ Lofton. We still need to fix KanCare. Itd be nice to legalize medical cannabis. Russian kamikaze drone manufactured by Iran Russia has become so reliant on Irans Shahed one-way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA-UAVs) that shipments now are too large for air transport. This International North-South Transit Corridor has assumed much more importance since the invasion, the ministry said. It allows Russia to access Asian markets including arms transfers in ways it hopes are less vulnerable to international sanctions. In recent months, Russia has highly likely worked to ensure its long-term, high-volume supply of OWA-UAVs, the agency said. Russia is also starting work on the domestic production of OWA-UAVs, almost certainly with Iranian assistance. Read also: Russia attacks Kyiv, Poltava, and Vinnytsia oblasts with suicide Shahed drones Russia is highly likely investing in OWA-UAVs because it provides Russia with a relatively cheap long-range strike capability at a time when it has expended a large proportion of its cruise missile stocks in Ukraine. By supplying these weapons, Iran continues to breach UN Security Council Resolution 2231, reads the report. Over the past six months, cargo ships have carried more than 300,000 artillery shells and a million rounds of ammunition from Iran to Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 24. U.S. intelligence data shows that Iran is providing Russia with materials to build a drone plant to ensure a stable supply of weapons for the war against Ukraine, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said on June 9. A Chinese-made part made in 2023 was found in an Iranian suicide drone intercepted in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 12. 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 How Russia steals and rewrites Ukrainian history to justify its claims in Ukraine Appropriating and rewriting foreign history has been a key aspect of Russia's imperialist narratives. This is especially true about the history of Ukraine, which Russia has sought to subjugate for centuries. Crediting Russia as being the sole successor of the medieval Kyivan Rus and laying claims to all of the lands it controlled, erasing histories of Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv and Odesa and justifying attacks on them while also labeling artists and scientists who lived in Ukraine as being actually Russian is part of Moscow's ongoing quest to erase Ukraine, its history and culture. Ukraines True History Subscribe to our new newsletter "They can't exist without stealing history from other peoples," Vadym Poznyakov, an activist who spearheads a campaign to dismantle monuments to Russians in Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent. "They can't exist without Ukrainian history." This imperialist way of swallowing neighboring countries and rewriting their histories has been part and parcel of Russia's attempts to justify its aggression against Ukraine for centuries. Russia's recent annexation of Ukrainian territories, as well as the methodical brainwashing of Ukrainians in occupied regions and foreign observers covering the war to believe that Russia has a justification for annexation and murder, has been ongoing for many years. Taras Honcharuk, a historian based in Odesa, told the Kyiv Independent that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is using this narrative about "historic Russian lands" and ethnic Russians in Ukraine in the same way as Adolf Hitler used his narrative about "Greater Germany." Russia's mythical Kyivan Rus A lot of Russian historical narratives revolve around Kyivan Rus, a state that existed in the territory of modern-day Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus in the 9th to 13th centuries. In Russian historiography, the Kyivan Rus is often portrayed as the forerunner of what would become Russia, while Ukraine and Belarus are depicted as marginal offshoots of this medieval state. Russian rulers are portrayed as the direct successors of the princes of Kyiv such as Volodymyr I, Yaroslav the Wise, and Volodymyr Monomakh. Rus, a word of Scandinavian origin, initially meant the whole territory of Kyivan Rus, but later Russia monopolized the use of the words "Russky" (an inhabitant of Rus) and Rossia (the Greek version of the word "Rus"). This allowed Russia to claim the mantle of the only legitimate successor of the Kyivan Rus and, thus, all of its territories. How Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian language, culture throughout centuries Editors Note: This is episode 3 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko In fact, the Kyivan Rus was an entity founded by the so-called Varangians (Scandinavian people, speakers of Old Norse) and populated mostly by Slavic, Baltic, and Finno-Ugric tribes. It gave rise to the Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian nations and languages. The core territory of the Kyivan Rus was in modern-day northern Ukraine. One of the successors of the Kyivan Rus the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia (in modern-day Ukraine) was competing with the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal (in modern-day Russia) for predominance in the 13th to 14th centuries. Another successor of the Kyivan Rus was the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which was ruled by a Lithuanian elite but dominated by the Ruthenian (Old Ukrainian/Belarusian) language and culture in the 14th to 16th centuries. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a Westernized and more liberal alternative to the Grand Duchy of Moscow's despotism. Starting from the 14th century, Ukraine and Russia have gone their separate ways, witnessing the development of separate languages, cultures, and histories. Determining who exactly is the main modern successor of the Kyivan Rus is difficult but some historians argue that it's either all three East Slavic countries Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus or none of them. Malorossia a case study of derogatory naming Starting from the 14th century, Russia used the term "Malorossia" (Little Russia) to refer to Ukrainian territories. Russia itself was referred to as "Velikorossia" (Great Russia), and Belarus meant "White Russia." Although the term "Malorossia" or "Little Rus" initially meant just a geographically smaller offshoot of the Kyivan Rus, it became part of Russian imperial discourse and a derogatory term signifying Ukraine's colonial status vis-a-vis Russia. The term Malorossia went out of use after the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917. Currently, Russian imperialists are trying to revive this term. Another term often used by Russian propaganda is Novorossia (New Russia), which refers to southern Ukraine. The term emerged in the 18th century when the Russian Empire annexed this territory. Russias centuries-long quest to conquer Ukraine Editors Note: This is episode 2 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Historically this territory had been known as Desht-i-Qipchaq, or Dyke Pole (Wild Fields), and had been populated first by numerous Iranian and Turkic peoples, Greek colonists, and later Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian Cossacks. The Zaporizhian Sich, a Cossack republic, was located along the lower Dnipro River in the 16th to 18th centuries. However, Russian propaganda overlooks these ancient layers of history and portrays this territory as "historic Russian land." Russian imperialists such as Igor Girkin, the Russian intelligence officer who helped launch the invasion of Ukraine's Donbas in 2014 and was found guilty of downing the MH17 passenger plane have claimed that so-called "Novorossia" and "Malorossia" are "historically Russian." They have routinely used the terms "so-called Ukraine" and "former Ukraine" to refer to the Ukrainian state. The not so 'historically Russian' Odesa and Kharkiv Odesa, Ukraine's largest port city, has been a cornerstone of the Kremlin's imperial narrative. Russian propaganda has long claimed that Odesa is a historically Russian city. In reality, it's much more complicated. Ancient Greeks founded the first settlements in the territory of modern-day Odesa in the sixth century B.C.E. In the 14th century, the town of Hadzhibey was founded in the same territory. The Golden Horde, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Crimean Khanate ruled it. In 1764, the Ottoman Empire also built the fortress of Yeni-Dunya in Hadzhibey. Russia tends to ignore the history of cities before their annexation by the Russian Empire. "They believe that the date of a city's foundation is when Russia came there," Odesa-based historian Honcharuk told the Kyiv Independent. "But cities in southern Ukraine were founded in the places where Tatar and Zaporizhian Cossack settlements had existed." Moreover, Odesa has been developed by numerous ethnic groups. After Russia conquered Hadzhibey in 1789, a new city called Odesa was built there by a multicultural team, including Jose De Ribas, an Italian-born officer of Spanish-Irish descent, and Francois de Wollant, a Flemish engineer. The Duke of Richelieu, the future French prime minister, ruled Odesa as governor in 1803-1814. He is credited with Odesa's transformation into one of the empire's biggest and most advanced cities. In the 19th century, Odesa was a multicultural melting pot, with Ukrainians, Russians, Greeks, Italians, French, Germans, Poles, Jews, Albanians, Bulgarians, and Moldovans living side by side. By 1939, the Jews became the largest ethnic group in Odesa, accounting for 33 percent of the population. Ukrainians have also played a major role in Odesa's history. Zaporizhian Cossacks raided the Black Sea coast many times in the 16th to 18th century and captured Hadzhibey jointly with Russian troops in 1789. Currently, ethnic Ukrainians form a majority in Odesa. 10 popular misconceptions about Ukrainian history, debunked Editors Note: This is episode 1 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima Russian propaganda has also argued that Kharkiv has always been a Russian city. According to this version, Kharkiv was founded by Russia in the 17th century. However, long before the modern city of Kharkiv emerged, Alan, Khazar, Cuman, and Slavic cities existed in and near Kharkiv from the 8th through 13th centuries. When the Russian Tsardom built the Kharkiv Fortress in the 17th century, Kharkiv became a key center of Sloboda Cossacks Ukrainians who moved from western Ukraine to the territory of modern-day Kharkiv Oblast. Kharkiv-born activist Poznyakov argued that Kharkiv has had a rich Ukrainian cultural tradition, with many Ukrainian writers and artists. He dismissed Russian imperialists' argument that Kharkiv is a Russian city as absurd. "There was a large Jewish community in Kharkiv," he said. "But nobody is saying that Kharkiv should be part of Israel." Kharkiv is considered the birthplace of modern Ukrainian theater, with the avant-garde Ukrainian Berezil Theater being founded by director Les Kurbas in Kharkiv in 1922. The theater was closed by the Soviet regime in 1933, while Kurbas was executed in Sandarmokh during Russia's Great Terror. Ethnic cleansing in Crimea Another favorite myth of Russian propaganda is that Crimea is a "historically Russian land." It has been used to justify the illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014. The myth is partially based on the fact that ethnic Russians currently form a majority in Crimea. Like in other cases, the history of Crimea is much more nuanced than Russian mythology. Crimea had been populated by Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, Greeks, Goths, Italians, Armenians, and various Turkic tribes for thousands of years before the Russian Empire annexed it in 1783. The Greeks, who have lived on the peninsula since the 7th century B.C.E., dominated it much longer than Russia. However, Russia eventually erased the peninsula's Greek legacy. 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 After occupying Crimea in 1774 and before formally annexing it in 1783, Russia forcibly deported most of the Greeks living in Crimea to the territory of modern-day Donetsk Oblast. Russia claimed that it was protecting Greek Christians from Muslim Tatars and Turks. But many Greeks resisted the deportation, and some even had to convert to Islam to escape the resettlement. The Soviet Union later continued this policy, launching a wave of repressions against Soviet Greeks in 1937-1938 and deporting many of the Greeks living on the Black Sea coast, including Crimea, to other parts of the Soviet Union in the 1940s. Crimean Tatars were another nation that had settled in Crimea before the Russians. The Muslim Crimean Khanate, with a majority Crimean Tatar population, controlled the peninsula from the 15th until the 18th century. It was a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean Tatars remained the largest ethnic group in Crimea until the late 19th century, accounting for 35.6 percent of the population in 1897. But just like with the Greeks the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union tried to erase the Crimean Tatar legacy. In 1944, the Soviet leadership accused the entire Crimean Tatar nation of collaborating with the Nazis and deported around 190,000 Crimean Tatars from Crimea to other parts of the Soviet Union, mostly Uzbekistan. Tens of thousands died as a result of the harsh conditions of the exile. Crimea was transferred from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, a constituent part of the Soviet Union, to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954. The peninsula became an internationally recognized part of Ukraine in 1991, with Russia recognizing it to be part of Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandum in 1994 and under bilateral treaties in 1997 and 2003. This did not prevent Russia from illegally annexing Crimea in 2014. Cultural figures and monuments Russia also has a tendency to consider anyone who has anything to do with the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union to be Russian. Russia has appropriated writer Mykola Gogol as one of the main representatives of classical Russian literature, based on the fact that Gogol lived in St. Petersburg and wrote in Russian. The reality is more complicated: Gogol was an ethnic Ukrainian born in Sorochyntsi, a village in modern-day Ukraine, and most of his books were set in Ukraine and about Ukraine. Writer Mikhail Bulgakov is also a complicated case. He is usually considered a Russian writer because he wrote in Russian and lived in Moscow during the latter part of his life. Moreover, he is often accused of having been a "Ukrainophobe" since he sympathized with Russian imperialism and was an opponent of the Ukrainian People's Republic, a Ukrainian state founded during the Russian Civil War of 1917-1923. Russia destroys Ukraines historic heritage, steals rare collections from museums In 1937, Pablo Picasso, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest painters in history, said after visiting an exhibition in Paris: I bow down before the artistic miracle of this brilliant Ukrainian. He was talking about the folk painter Maria Prymachenko and her paintings in the naive art genr The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Datskevych However, Bulgakov was born in Kyiv and lived there during the first part of his life, and some argue that he can be considered to be part of Ukrainian culture. Serhii Korolov, the engineer who led the Soviet Union's space program and sent the first man to space in 1961, is also often considered to be Russian. However, he was born in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr, and his mother was Ukrainian. Igor Sikorsky is also usually considered to be a Russian aviation engineer. However, he was born in Kyiv and studied and worked in Kyiv, where his first planes were built. Sikorsky, then 30 years old, emigrated to the U.S. in 1919, where he founded the Sikorsky Aircraft company. He never visited the Soviet Union. From officials to individual activists, Ukrainians have been campaigning to spread awareness about the nuances of the national identification of cultural figures who lived in Ukraine. As a result, museums across the world have recognized Kyiv-born Kazimir Malevich, Kharkiv Oblast-born Illia Repin, and Mariupol native Arkhip Kuindzhi, among others, as Ukrainian rather than Russian artists. Russia is also using monuments to Russian cultural figures as a tool in its imperialist expansion. As a result, there used to be thousands of monuments to Russians in Ukraine, with the most widespread ones being Soviet dictator Vladimir Lenin and writer Alexander Pushkin. However, Ukraine began a campaign to dismantle monuments to Lenin and other communists after the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution and a drive to get rid of monuments to other Russians after the start of Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Monuments are a marker of the Russian world, Poznyakov said. They are used to identify Russian territory. Russia has yet to provide safety guarantees for evacuation mission UN Kherson after the Russians blew up the Kakhovskaya HPP, June 9, 2023 The UN continues to coordinate its actions with Ukraine and Russia in order to get access to all civilians in the affected area, she emphasized. "Operationally, we have boats, personnel and supplies ready to go," she said. Read also: Russia shells civilians fleeing flooding in Kherson Oblast, injuring eight "However, the Russian Federation is yet to provide the safety guarantees we need to cross the front line to the left bank of the Dnipro River, including to Oleshky. These guarantees are necessary for the safety of our team and not to create additional risks for the people we intend to serve. Ukraine has ensured the safety of the UN evacuating mission, Minister of the Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said on June 12. The Red Cross is also present at the right (western) bank of the Dnipro River, but it hasn't applied for access to the left (eastern bank) from Russia, he added. 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 and Ukrainian forces are reporting intense fighting along the border of Ukraines eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions as Kyivs military attempts to break through the front lines and recapture territory in an ongoing counteroffensive. The new reports came as Russian missiles attacked the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih early Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and injuring 28, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih city military administration. Air defenses shot down three cruise missiles over the city but there were also incomings that hit civilian infrastructure, authorities said, adding that a five-story apartment building was on fire. A day of mourning has been declared for the victims on Wednesday. The latest battle reports came from Moscow-backed officials and military bloggers who detailed clashes south of the town of Velyka Novosilka along both sides of the Mokri Yaly River, where Ukrainian forces have made gains in recent days. Ukraine on Saturday seized several small villages along the river, according to geolocated video. And on Sunday, Ukraines deputy defense minister Hanna Maliar said Kyivs advances in the area amount to between 5 and 10 kilometers (3 to 6 miles). Late Monday, a senior Russia-appointed official, Vladimir Rogov, spoke of heavy fighting in an area known as the Vremivka Ridge, claiming that higher ground remained under Russian control. Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed Zaporizhzhia administration, said on Telegram that Russian attack helicopters were in action, and that in the vicinity of the village of Urozhaine, reciprocal shelling and heavy fighting of ultra-high intensity continues. Rogov conceded that Ukrainian forces were holding their positions on the northern and eastern outskirts of the village. Russian forces are trying to repel Ukraines breakthrough with counterattacks, according to the unofficial Russian Telegram channel, Operatsiya Z. The channel said Monday that Ukrainian forces were trying to take higher ground to create conditions for advancing, and assessed that their aim was to advance toward the Russian-occupied hub of Staromlynivka. Ukrainian troops ride atop an armored personnel carrier vehicle in the Zaporizhzhia region on June 11. - Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images Elsewhere Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, said Tuesday that Ukrainian troops have continued the defense operation in the Bakhmut direction. Our soldiers are advancing, the enemy is losing ground on the flanks, Syrskyi said. Ukrainian officials also claim advances towards the direction of the port city of Berdiansk over the past day. The area taken under control amounted to three square kilometers, spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalov, said Tuesday. Battle for Makarivka In the Donetsk village of Makarivka, Ukrainian forces had already been driven out by the quick and effective counterattack of the 127th Division, said Rogov, the Moscow-backed official. CNN cannot independently verify battlefield reports and other accounts paint a gloomier picture for Russian forces around Makarivka. Ukrainian deputy defense minister Maliar said Monday that Makarivka was one of seven villages recaptured by Ukrainian forces in the past week. Russian military bloggers have also been reporting intense combat in the area, with one Telegram channel called Our Donetsk saying the Ukrainians managed to deepen and advance through the wooded areas, threatening with further advance to encircle nearby Russian units. There is no way to verify these unofficial reports, but they are consistent with a pattern in the fighting that has evolved in the last week. Our Donetsk acknowledged that Russian troops had been forced to abandon Neskuchne just south of Velyka Novosilka for a second time, retreating to positions where they would not be encircled. It said the Ukrainians were accumulating forces in the area, and heavy fighting continued. Meanwhile, one of the most prominent Russian bloggers, Voenkor Kotenok, said late Monday that a senior Russian officer was killed as troops of Russias Fifth Army were forced to leave Makarivka. Voenkor, who has 423,000 subscribers, said in a Telegram post that as a result of an enemy missile attack, the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, Major General Sergei Goryachev, was killed. There is no independent verification of the death of Goryachev, a highly experienced commander, and no word from the Russian Defense Ministry. Voenkor said that according to representatives of the command of the United Group of Forces (S), the army has lost today one of the brightest and most effective military leaders. Another well-known Russian military blogger, WarGonzo, acknowledged Monday that earlier victorious statements about the situation in Makarivka were premature. The settlement is still a place of fierce fightingThe enemy is bringing in infantry in small groups, using light equipment, which makes it difficult to defeat them quickly, the blogger said on Telegram. Despite expectations, we have failed to retake the village by the end of the day. We hope there will be success in this regard tomorrow. By contrast, Russian military bloggers are claiming that Ukrainian efforts to advance south of Orikhiv, in another part of the southern front, have been resisted, with several saying the Ukrainians had lost a significant number of demining tanks in an area known to have been heavily fortified by the Russians with minefields and tank traps. Geolocated video appears to show Ukrainian armor losses in this area. The enemy is doing everything to hold the positions it has captured, Maliar, the Ukrainian deputy defense minister, said Tuesday. It is actively using attack and army aircraft, and is conducting intense artillery fire. During the offensive, our troops face continuous minefields combined with anti-tank ditches. All of this is combined with constant counterattacks by enemy units on armored vehicles and the massive use of ATGMs and kamikaze drones, she said. Ultimate goal In his nightly address Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fighting in the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia border region is tough but Ukrainian forces are recapturing territory. The battles are fierce, but we are moving forward, and this is very important. The enemys losses are exactly what we need, Zelensky said. Although the weather is unfavorable these days the rains make our task more difficult the strength of our warriors still yields results. Zelensky also said the most important and hottest operational areas are in the Tavria and the Khortytsia directions. The commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces and the general of the Tavria operational-strategic group reported on the success we have achieved, on the front areas where we need to reinforce and on the actions we can take to break more Russian positions, Zelensky said. Zelenskys chief diplomatic adviser Igor Zhovkva told CNN Monday that the ultimate goal of the counteroffensive campaign is to win back all the territories, including Crimea. Zhovkva would not give details on the counteroffensive actions underway. He also sought to tamp down any expectations that the campaign would achieve rapid results, saying it could take many months for Ukraine to achieve its aims. CNNs Olga Voitovych, Sharon Braithwaite and Andrew Carey contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Leopard tank Ukraine Russia The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a video showing a German-made Leopard 2 main battle tank and U.S.-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles that it says were captured by its forces in Ukraine. The footage provides us with our closest yet look at examples of these vehicles lost in the recent counteroffensive, with the scene showing the aftermath of the failed breaching operation last week, an incident that we have since looked at in depth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qaJSrJjE-U A 40-second version of the video was posted today to the Russian Ministry of Defenses Telegram channel, with the accompanying statement: Leopard tanks and Bradley IFVs. Now they are our trophies. Longer versions have also appeared on social media, some of them also showing the bodies of several Ukrainian soldiers that were killed in the engagement. Viewer discretion is therefore advised. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1668539568012898306?s=20 Some combat vehicles have working engines, which indicates that the battle was short-lived, and the crews of combat vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces escaped from combat-ready equipment, the statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense adds. While hard to say for certain, due to the generally poor audio quality, it seems highly possible that the engine of one or more of the vehicles is running at the same time the video was taken. This could suggest they were only very recently abandoned, or perhaps that the Russians were in the process of moving them. Damaged Bradley seized by Russia. (Twitter screencap) The number of vehicles captured was not given, but in the video, we can see at least four Bradleys and a Leopard 2. This is in line with what we already know about the doomed breaching operation, during which Ukrainian forces abandoned a single Leopard 2A6, four Bradleys (three of which were damaged), and one BMR-2 mine-clearing tank after encountering a well-prepared Russian minefield. https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1667152804719337475?s=20 https://twitter.com/war_noir/status/1667186109674135555?s=20 As we described in our previous coverage after the first vehicles got into trouble, the Ukrainians sent another platoon of four Bradleys into the same kill zone and these then also started taking losses. https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1667190618248847360?s=20 The Bradleys were the first examples confirmed destroyed in the conflict so far. The BMR-2 is apparently not evident in the video, although it may simply be obscured by other vehicles. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense statement claims that all the vehicles captured in this action were either Leopards or Bradleys. The description further says that the armor was filmed by soldiers of the Vostok Battalion after it had been seized in the battle. The Vostok Battalion, commanded by Alexander Khodakovsky, a defector from the Security Service of Ukraine, is primarily manned by pro-Russian insurgents from eastern Ukraine. There have also long been rumors that the battalion was established by Russias Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), or at least has strong links to it. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1665593398995087361?s=20 While the Russian Ministry of Defense doesnt provide a date for the video or a precise location, it does claim that the footage was taken somewhere in the Zaporizhzhia region in southeast Ukraine. This is also in line with the breaching mission, which occurred south of Mala Tokmachka in that same region, last week. It isn't clear exactly what Russia could gain in terms of intelligence from the vehicles, but they will certainly exploit them anyway they can and use them as war trophies for propaganda purposes. Radio types and any operational documents left in the vehicles may provide the most actionable intelligence. Assessing the capabilities of sights and other combat systems could be longer-term intelligence gains, but these vehicles are not knew and Russia likely had a very good idea of their capabilities long before this loss. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1668581764493606912?s=20 As part of the ongoing counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces are concentrating their efforts between central Donetsk and the Zaporizhzhia region. While they have made progress in liberating villages from Russian hands, resistance has been fierce and other examples of modern Western equipment have also been lost on the battlefield. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1668369248639664128?s=20 According to the open-source tracking group Oryx, Ukraine has lost 16 Bradleys so far in its counteroffensive, based on visual confirmation. At the same time, the group has identified two Leopard 2s destroyed in combat, and another two abandoned. To date, the U.S. has donated 109 M2A2-ODS Bradley variants and four B-FIST variants. To help make good these and other losses, Ukraine is in line to receive 15 more Bradleys, as well as 10 Stryker wheeled armored fighting vehicles, as part of a new Pentagon aid package announced today. https://twitter.com/Harry_Boone/status/1668669419952676864?s=20 With the counteroffensive only just beginning, and with more Bradleys and other armored vehicles on their way, this will certainly not be the last time we see modern Western equipment of this kind captured or otherwise knocked out by Russian forces in what is a highly lethal environment, even for the best-protected fighting vehicles. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com On the Lyman front, some Russian convicts recruited for the war have deserted, killing three Russian contract soldiers. Source: Ukraines National Resistance Center (NRC) referring to Atesh movement Details: The National Resistance Center has noted that the deserters also seized a truck carrying weapons and killed three instructors from among the contract servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces during their escape. The Russian forces are currently searching for their "rebels", the NRC adds. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian propagandists have reported the alleged killing of Major General Sergei Goryachev, Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces, in Ukraine. Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza, citing Russian military bloggers; Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Anatolii Shtefan on Facebook Details: There is no evidence to support this information. The Russian Ministry of Defence has not commented on this. The Russians report that Goryachev, in charge of the headquarters of the 35th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation, has been killed in a missile attack. A Ukrainian officer said that the Ukrainian troops killed Goryachev and a number of senior officers of the headquarters of the Russian 35th Combined Arms Army on the night of 13 June. Goryachev led the Russian military contingent in Transnistria and commanded an army base in Tajikistan and a training centre in the Russian city of Khabarovsk. Background: As of May 2022, up to 10 Russian generals had been killed in Ukraine. In February 2023, Japanese intelligence reported that more than 20 Russian generals had been killed in Ukraine. Russia does not report losses in its armed forces, especially among its military leadership. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian-installed official puts toll in two flooded towns at 17, one week after Ukraine dam breach A local resident looks at his flooded building after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached in the flooded village of Afanasiivka (Reuters) - The death toll from flooding in two Russian-controlled towns in southern Ukraine has risen to 17 one week after a massive dam holding back a reservoir was breached, a Russian-installed official said on Tuesday. Andrei Alekseyenko, chairman of the Russian-installed administration in the Kherson region, said 12 people were confirmed dead in Hola Prystan and five in Oleshky, two small towns downstream from the breached Kakhovka dam. Reuters could not independently verify the figures. Hundreds of people were rescued by boat from the roofs of flooded houses in the wake of the disaster, but volunteers told Russian independent media outlet iStories last week that they estimated the death toll in the hundreds. Russia controls the south bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region, while Ukraine holds Kherson city on the opposite bank, as well as Mykolaiv region further north. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Monday that 10 people had been killed in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and that 42 were missing. Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of destroying the dam, which is located in Russian-controlled territory. The Russian-installed government will begin paying compensation to flood victims on Tuesday of up to 10,000 roubles (120), Alekseyenko said, adding that more than 500 applications have been received. A villager in Hola Prystan told Reuters on Friday that her house was completely carried away in the torrent. More than 7,100 people have been evacuated from areas under Russian control, including 421 children, local emergency services said. Floodwaters have completely receded in Nova Kakhovka just south of the dam and work has begun to sanitize the area, Alekseyenko said Monday evening. Local authorities have set up vaccination clinics against hepatitis A, typhoid and dysentery for evacuees. Samples show well water is still unsafe to drink in Hola Prystan, he said. "Specialists have already started pumping out water and drying it with heat guns. The victims continue to receive water and food," he said. Another top Russian-installed official, Vladimir Saldo, said more than 21,000 houses remained flooded as of Tuesday. In volunteer-organized chat groups, family members of villagers still stuck in the flood zone clamoured for fresh information about evacuations on Tuesday. Many were still unable to reach their relatives by phone and did not know where the evacuation buses were headed. One man, Sergei, told Reuters his 83-year-old father in law spent three days in his attic in Oleshky before the water receded and he could come down. "Dead bodies of people and animals float in the dirty water," Sergei said the elderly man related. "A stench is beginning to rise over the town." (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Russian President Vladimir Putin mixed bravado with questionable claims and the possibility of peace talks Tuesday in a rare wide-ranging discussion with war correspondents and bloggers about the so-called special military operation in Ukraine. Answering questions for more than two hours, Putin said Ukraine has sustained catastrophic losses during its nascent counteroffensive, such as 10 times more casualties than Russia and three times as many disabled battle tanks, 160 to 54. German tanks and American infantry fighting vehicles are burning really well, he said, smirking. Putin also suggested his forces might make another attempt at overtaking Kyiv after being pushed away from the Ukrainian capital in March 2022, the wars second month. Should we come back there or not? he said. Only I could give an answer. The Russian leader accused the West of scuttling a peace deal the warring parties negotiated in March 2022, and said the fighting would end quickly if U.S. and NATO would only stop providing military assistance to Ukraine. If they want to see a negotiated solution to the conflict, he said, its enough for them to stop weapons supplies. Emergency workers inspect a damaged multi-story apartment building caused by the latest rocket Russian attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on June 13, 2023. Developments: Russia's overnight attacks also targeted Ukraine's two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv. Kyiv officials said its air defenses repelled Moscow's missiles, but Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said a drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the citys northeast. Small amounts of E. coli and cholera have been found in the floodwaters near the city of Kherson caused by the Kakhovka Dam disaster, along with fuel and other toxic chemicals, the Kyiv Independent reported. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday his country has already has received some of Russias tactical nuclear weapons and warned that he would use them if Belarus faced an act of aggression. Putin has said the nuclear weapons would be sent in July and remain under Russian control. CIA warned Ukraine in June 2022 not to attack Nord Stream pipelines, report says The CIA warned Ukraine in June 2022 not to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines used to send Russian natural gas to Germany after getting a tip from a Dutch military intelligence agency, the Dutch public broadcasting organization NOS reported Tuesday. Plans to blow up the pipelines were called off, NOS said, but three months later explosions rocked Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, spilling natural gas into international waters in the Baltic Sea where Sweden and Denmark have some commercial rights. A culprit has not been identified, and Ukraine has denied involvement. NOS, which partnered with two German media outlets in conducting an investigation, said the Dutch agency known as MIVD learned of the planned attack from an unnamed Ukrainian source. 11 dead from missile strikes in Zelenskyy's hometown Russia brought the war strikingly close to home for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, launching an overnight attack that killed 11 people and injured 36 in his native Kryvyi Rih, officials said. The central Ukrainian city was the target of six cruise missiles that hit a five-story residential building and four other non-military targets, damaging dozens of other structures in the area, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, chairman of the City Defense Council. Vilkul said four of the victims died in the residential building and seven in a warehouse that stored water and other drinks. "The civilized world must see the barbarism of the Russians,'' Gov. Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrovsk province said in a posting with a video of him holding a news conference in front of a heavily damaged building. "We tell the (local) and world media the details of the bloody terrorist attack committed by the Kremlin against the civilians of the Ukrainian city.'' Dnipropetrovsk is among the regions grappling with last week's collapse of the Kakhovka Dam, which Ukraine blames on Russian forces. "Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people,'' Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that included a video showing the residential building in flames and several charred cars nearby. "Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch.'' On Monday, Putin denounced Ukraine for striking civilian targets in his country in a speech delivered less than four weeks after the United Nations issued a report saying at least 23,600 Ukrainian civilians had been killed or injured since Russia invaded its neighbor. $325 million US aid package to Ukraine includes defense missiles The Pentagon announced a $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, the second announcement of weapons for the country in less than a week. The new package includes anti-aircraft missiles to defend Ukraine against the regular barrages of missiles and drones from Russia, which launched its invasion in February 2022. Since then, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with $40 billion in weapons, ammunition and training. The Pentagon will also provide Ukraine 15 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers to protect troops who have begun a long-awaited offensive against dug-in Russian troops in eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops will also receive 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades for the assault that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told USA TODAY is expected to be difficult and bloody. Tom Vanden Brook Biden, Stoltenberg support requiring 2% of GDP for NATO members President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the U.S. will push for NATO member nations to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense when the alliance meets next month in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden's support for the initiative came during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "I expect allies to agree that 2% of GDP for defense has to be a minimum of what allies have to invest in our shared security," Stoltenberg said. NATO allies will meet July 11-12 to discuss the future of the alliance and Russia's war against Ukraine. Francesca Chambers NATO chief touts Ukrainian forces, warns of tough fight ahead In an interview with USA TODAY, Stoltenberg noted the gains Ukraine has made in the early days of its counteroffensive, including reclaiming seven villages and small towns. That progress points to the impact of the weapons and training the West has provided Kyiv's forces as they battle an enemy with a significant manpower advantage. Stoltenberg praised the courage and determination the Ukrainians have demonstrated over more than 15 months of war, but he warned of the tough road ahead against Russian troops that have dug in over a 600-mile front to defend territory the Kremlin has annexed. "We need to be prepared that this offensive will be bloody and difficult," he said. "The Russians have had time to build they're quite heavy defensive lines, and to breach them is a demanding task." Tom Vanden Brook and Francesca Chambers Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant not in 'immediate danger' after dam breach The water level of the reservoir that feeds the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been dropping steadily since last week's breach of the Kakhovka Dam, but that doesn't present an immediate danger, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv before traveling to Zaporizhzhia to inspect the plant, which has been under Russian control since shortly after the war began in February 2022. Fighting near the facility has cut off power several times and required use of emergency diesel generators to cool the reactors, raising concerns about a nuclear accident. The dam, further down the Dnieper River, helped keep water in a reservoir that cools the plants reactors. It is a serious situation because you are limited to the water you have there, Grossi told reporters. If there was a break in the gates that contain this water or anything like this, you would really lose all your cooling capacity. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Putin's solution to war: 'Stop weapons supplies' to Ukraine. Updates Magura Chief Sergeant Valeriy Markus The aggressor brought more than 100 of their dead to temporarily occupied Tokmak from the Zaporizhzhya front. In just a few days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have destroyed 15 enemy tanks, two TOS-1A Solntsepek systems, and many infantry fighting vehicles. "We are on the offensive, they are on the defensive, and they are suffering losses many times greater than ours," he stressed. Read also: All Ukrainian commanders optimistic about Ukrainian counter-offensive, Zelenskyy says Much of the information in Ukraine originates from Russia, he said, providing an example of Russian propaganda as evidence. When the Russians claimed that on the first day that they had destroyed a Ukrainian brigade and claimed 350 dead, there were, in fact, only five dead, he said. "This is a vivid example of how much they lie, (and) to the extent that what they say has nothing to do with reality," he said. Markus stressed that no one among the Ukrainian military is showing "cowardice" and called for support and assistance to the soldiers. Read also: Russia might stage provocations during IAEA inspection of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukraine says "All these people need your support," he said. Do not behave like jackals. Do not finish people off, it is hard for people, but they are fighting, they are gnawing away meter by meter. Help or keep quiet. As of June 12, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are conducting counteroffensives and counterattacks in at least three areas: the flanks of the Bakhmut frontline, western Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and western Donetsk Oblast on the border with Zaporizhzhya. Ukrainian forces have seen localized successes in the west of Zaporizhzhya Oblast and southwest and southeast of the town of Orikhiv, said U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also continue counterattacks and gradual advance on the flanks of the Bakhmut front. 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 In the afternoon of 13 June, Russian occupiers struck the territory of a church in the village of Bilozerka, Kherson Oblast, killing a 72-year-old priest and injuring a 76-year-old woman. Source: press service of Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office; Andrii Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on Telegram Details: According to the investigation, at around 11:40, the Russians shelled a village in the Bilozerka district. The prosecutor's office has reported that a local resident was killed as a result of the occupiers targeted attack on the church. Moreover, a woman was wounded and taken to hospital. The number of injured is being clarified. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged. Andrii Yermak has clarified that the Russian army shelled Bilozerka, hitting the territory of the church. According to him, a 72-year-old priest was killed and a 76-year-old woman was injured. In addition, according to the Office of the President, four residential buildings, a post office, administrative buildings, the central square, and critical infrastructure facilities were damaged as a result of Russian strikes. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian forces attacked civilian infrastructure facilities in the city of Kharkiv with Shahed drones on the night of 12-13 June. Source: Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv, on Telegram Quote: "Previously, in one attack, a utility company in the Kyiv district was damaged, and in another, a warehouse in the Saltivskyi district, where a fire broke out because of the explosion." Details: Terekhov noted that information about casualties is being confirmed, and all relevant services are working at the scene. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Armed Forces of Ukraine/Handout via Reuters Ukraines counteroffensive has reportedly claimed the life of a Russian general described as one of the armys most effective military leaders. Major General Sergei Goryachev, Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, was killed Monday in a missile strike in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region, according to pro-Kremlin war reporter Yury Kotyonok. His death fell on Russia Day, the countrys national holiday. War takes away the best, Kotyonok wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. The army today lost one of the brightest and most effective military leaders, who combined the highest professionalism with personal courage, he said. Vladimir Rogov, one of the Russian proxy leaders in the Zaporizhzhia region, also took to Telegram to mourn the loss of Goryachev, expressing his most sincere condolences to the generals family. Pro-Kremlin military bloggers wrote that Goryachev was killed in a Storm Shadow strike along with several other high-ranking Russian officers, though none of their deaths have been confirmed by Russia's Defense Ministry. Major General Sergei Goryachev via Telegram Usually, colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors who provide activities at headquarters die along with a general, Ukrainian military expert Mykhailo Zhirokhov told Current Time. So, such an attack on the command post of the 35th Army before a big offensive is a very serious ticket to success. Goryachev appears to be the first Russian general killed this year, and the 10th killed in the course of the war, according to independent Russian media. The news comes as Ukraines military began releasing videos from reclaimed villages in the Donetsk region, including Makarivka and Blahodatne. The enemy is doing everything to hold onto the positions they captured. They are actively using assault and army aviation, conducting intense artillery fire. Our troops on the offensive face continuous minefields, which are connected to anti-tank ditches, Ukraines Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Seven other villages have been reclaimed from Russia in the past week, the ministry said. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also announced advances near Bakhmut, Berdyansk, and Toretsk, though Ukraine has not yet managed to break through Russias main front line. 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 composite image showing stills from several videos posted to pro-Russian Telegram channels in early June purporting to show drone strikes in Ukraine. Insider/Telegram Ukraine's counteroffensive is underway, and the destruction is evident. Footage of destroyed Ukrainian vehicles is spreading, often attributed to the Lancet drone. An expert told Insider that as Ukraine advances it's stretching its ability to deal with drone attacks. In recent weeks Ukraine has been pushing hard to retake ground from Russia, as part of a sweeping counteroffensive. The full picture is still emerging, but in places it has been a bruising experience. Russian officials have gleefully shared videos of piled-up wreckage, and often cited as the cause the Russian-made Lancet drone. The Lancet is a loitering munition made by a subsection of Russia's Kalashnikov arms manufacturer. It's new first used in 2019 and meant for precision strikes. James Patton Rogers, a drone expert at the Cornell Tech Policy Institute and the University of Southern Denmark, said that the type being fielded by Russia in Ukraine is the Lancet-3, an upgraded version. Rogers said it has a bigger payload than its predecessors and can likely be operated in first-person view (FPV) for much better accuracy. He also said the drones are most effective against artillery systems, lighter armored vehicles, and older tanks. An account associated with the Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic published a video Monday showing blasts on a cluster of vehicles which it attributes to Lancet strikes. A still image from a video claiming to show the moment just before Russia's Lancet drones hit a cluster of vehicles. obtf_kaskad/Telegram A still image from a video purporting to show the moment just before Russia's Lancet drones hit a cluster of vehicles. obtf_kaskad/Telegram And Russian media went wild for a second video, which seemed to show a Lancet damaging part of a prized IRIS-T air-defense system provided to Ukraine by Germany. Olga Skabeyeva, a prominent Russian state-media host, shared part of a report from the German newspaper Bild covering the destruction. Vladimir Solovyov, another state-media personality, also gloated over the hit. A still image showing a drone trained on part of an IRIS-T air-defense unit in Ukraine. Telegram, via Bild Skabeyeva cited Bild's analysis that the equipment was too close to the front line some 16 miles away and also not guarded by complementary systems that could stop a drone. (Bild shares a parent company, Axel Springer, with Insider.) One Russian-affiliated Telegram channel posted a series of successive videos showing the FPV feed of drones cruising in to strike what appears to be the same group of three vehicles. The channel didn't specify the type of drone used, but Patton Rogers said the visuals were consistent with the type of feed a Lancet could produce. An image purporting to show a Russian drone about to strike a column of vehicles in Ukraine. Telegram/BOBRMORF An image purporting to show a Russian drone about to strike a column of vehicles in Ukraine. Telegram/BOBRMORF Some of the videos appear to show Lancet drones finishing off a vehicle after it was already abandoned or disabled by something else. Drones can be a good way to do that without needing to get too close. This video, purporting to show a Leopard in the Zaporizhzhia region a site of heavy fighting fits that description. Ukraine tends not to acknowledge individual military losses. But it is clear that Lancets are active and a threat a post from last week hyping Ukraine's air defenses noted that 10 exploding drones had been shot down. The post which grouped Lancets and Iranian-made Shahed drones into a single category did not say how many drones made it through. Air defense has long been a problem for Ukraine and as its forces move forward it becomes harder to give them coverage without putting valuable equipment at risk, as seen with the IRIS incident. Julian Ropcke, the Bild reporter who covered the IRIS-T attack, noted on Monday morning an example of two more armored vehicles destroyed, likely by Lancets. "Sufficient air defense remains one of the biggest issues during Ukraine's offensive in the south," he said. Patton Rogers, the drone expert, told Insider that the Lancet is "most certainly a thorn in the side of Ukrainian forces," but it is "by no means a war-winning weapon." He noted that most of the videos showed the drones hitting lighter vehicles. He questioned whether Lancets alone could take out a heavy tank like a Leopard, given its thick armor. "I wouldn't believe all the hype, especially when it comes to attacks on more advanced tanks and armored vehicles," he said. "We should also note that we don't know how many of these new Lancet drones Russia has," he added. "Western sanctions have certainly made a dent in the Russian ability to produce large numbers of its most high-tech weapons." Asked how Ukraine could best counter the Lancets, Patton Rogers said that commanders should be careful not to advance too quickly. "Ukrainian forces must move slowly and in a calculated way in order to keep under the cover the bubble of counter-drone and ground-to-air defense systems," he said. "Ukraine will also be utilizing its own ever longer range drone systems to hunt down and strike Lancet launch sites in order to destroy the missiles at source," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider Sarasota County officials have settled a lawsuit by a former jail inmate for injuries he allegedly sustained from a slip-and-fall accident in 2015 in the Sarasota County Jail, according to a Sarasota County interoffice memorandum. During a Sarasota Commission meeting on April 24, commissioners voted unanimously to approve a settlement proposal of $50,000. County Attorney Frederick J. Elbrecht said during the meeting that the plaintiff, Paul Hames, had initially sought $200,000, the maximum amount he could seek under the sovereign immunity cap. However, following negotiations by the Office of the County Attorney and Risk Management, the settlement was reduced to $50,000. Sentenced: Two Sarasota men sentenced to 35 years, life in prison in felony murder case Sarasota County trial concludes: North Port man found guilty of murder in connection to fatal shooting of ex-girlfriend The office of the county's attorney declined to provide further comment about the settlement beyond what had already been mentioned in the memorandum. Paul Hames's attorney was unavailable to provide a comment when a Herald-Tribune reporter contacted his office on June 7 and again on Monday. A complaint filed in December 2019 states that Hames, now 49, was walking in the Sarasota County Jail on or about Dec. 21, 2015, when he slipped on a recently mopped floor. It appears, according to court records, that Hames was in the Sarasota County Jail after he was arrested for violating a domestic violence injunction that had been issued in Marion County. The memorandum for the commission meeting states video surveillance confirmed the floor had been cleaned but hadn't properly dried before the incident happened. There was also no sign indicating the floor was wet or slippery, according to the memorandum. Following his fall, Hames said he suffered injuries to his ankle and lower leg, which resulted in "pain and extensive suffering, disability disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life and the expense of hospitalization," the memorandum states. It appears Hames's medical costs were in excess of $187,000. Court records indicate that Hames submitted proposals for settlement to both the County and former Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight in May 2020. In February 2023, a mediation meeting occurred between counselors for both parties, but it reached an impasse, according to court records. Hames, through his attorney, voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice on June 1, less than four months after mediation in February. Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Slip-and-fall lawsuit settled against Sarasota County, former sheriff SC deputy attacked by K-9 he was handling is expected to return to duty after serious injury The Greenville County sheriffs deputy who was bitten by a K-9 and hospitalized has been cleared of wrongdoing by the agencys Department of Professional Standards. The dog, a Belgian Malinois named Peytie, was shot to death by someone at the house after he did not release the deputy. Lt. Ryan Flood of the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said Monday the deputy, who was caring for the dog while the primary handler was in training, was getting the 2-year-old dog out of his kennel when the dog attacked. The dog was not provoked, he said. The deputy, an experienced dog handler, was not on duty at the time and was at a house in Pickens County. He has not returned to full duty from injuries sustained in the May 21 attack but is expected to make a full recovery, Flood said. The dog was told repeatedly to release, and people tried without success to get the dog off the deputy before a relative went to their car to get a gun and shot the dog, Flood said. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, with the bolstering of human rights activists and former political prisoners from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, accused the Biden administration of utilizing a tactic commonly found in dictator playbooks: Weaponizing the legal system to go after the presidents opponents. Scott was referring to last weeks indictment of former President Donald Trump, who is facing 37 federal charges related to keeping hundreds of classified documents in his possession after he left the White House in January 2021. Trump will be arraigned in federal court in Miami Tuesday afternoon. This isnt about Republicans or Democrats. No one is above the law. Period, said Scott during a Monday afternoon news conference in Doral. But the rule of law requires equal justice under the law and has gone missing under the Biden administration. If we do not stop this, what will they target you for? If we say nothing then when they come for you, none will be there to speak out against it, said Scott, echoing the talking points of many GOP politicians. Special Counsel Jack Smith detailed the federal case against Trump in the indictment unsealed Friday afternoon; the 37 charges include willfully retaining documents pertaining to national defense information, conspiring to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing documents and making false statements. The majority of charges stem from alleged violations of the federal Espionage Act. The senator questioned why the Justice Department chose to indict Trump on the same day Republicans in Congress read an FBI informant file that alleges Biden, as vice president, was paid $5 million by an executive from Ukrainian company Burisma as part of an alleged bribery scheme to influence policy. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that the FBI and a U.S. attorney appointed by Trump reviewed the allegation in 2020, and found the bribery allegation to be not substantiated. Biden last week called the allegations a bunch of malarkey when questioned during a press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House. Federal prosecutors are also reportedly nearing a decision on whether to charge Hunter Biden, the presidents son, on possible violation of U.S. tax law and with making a false statement about a gun purchase, according to USA Today. Scott also questioned why the Justice Department chose to pursue charges against Trump, but didnt do the same against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was Trumps Democratic presidential opponent in 2016. The case against Clinton centered on her use of a private email account while she was secretary of state in the Obama administration. Classified material had been found on her email server. The FBI investigated the Clinton emails and concluded that while Clinton was extremely careless in using a private email address and server, she did not willfully mishandle classified information or obstruct justice, according to a statement from then-FBI Director James Comey when he announced in July 2016 that the government would not seek charges against Clinton. I really dont think theres any plausible comparison between the Trump case and the Hillary Clinton case, Robert Kelner, a veteran D.C. attorney told the Washington Post. The key difference is that in the Hillary Clinton case, as we learned from the Department of Justice inspector general report, there was no evidence that Hillary Clinton sought to obstruct justice. The focus of the Trump indictment is on his rather stark effort to obstruct justice. Thats the fundamental difference. Scott sees it differently. Folks in Miami know firsthand what happens when those in power weaponize big government to silence their opponents and promote an agenda, Scott posted on Twitter. Its the kind of thing they fled Cuba, Nicaragua & Venezuela to escape. We wont let it be the normal here. The double standard MUST end. Folks in Miami know firsthand what happens when those in power weaponize big government to silence their opponents and promote an agenda. Its the kind of thing they fled Cuba, Nicaragua & Venezuela to escape. We wont let it be the normal here. The double standard MUST end. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) June 12, 2023 Also at the conference: Former Cuban political prisoners Luis Zuniga, who served 19 years in prison, and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez (known as Antunez) who was imprisoned for 17 years; Venezuelan activists Ernesto Ackerman and Kennedy Bolivar; and Berta Valle, wife of former Nicaraguan presidential pre-candidate and former political prisoner Felix Maradiaga. Jorge Luis Garcia Perez (known as Antunez), a former Cuban political prisoner, speaks during a news conference U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at restaurant Murano Doral. Berta Valle, wife of former Nicaraguan presidential candidate and political prisoner Felix Maradiaga, speaks during a Doral news conference hosted by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, on June 12, 2023. They spoke about how the regimes in their countries used the legal system to silence their political opponents and those who dissented against them, including clergymen. Zuniga, who said he worked 12 years lecturing on socialism issues at universities in Latin America and Europe, said weaponization of justice is common in Cuba and that hes begun to see it in the United States. Education, faith, values, family, everything is under attack, he said. Believe me, what I am seeing here, is what I was lecturing ... please America, wake up. You are in danger, Zuniga said. Sean Hannity and Gov. Newsom fought to a draw, but President Biden was the loser | Opinion Sean Hannity and Gov. Gavin Newsom boxed to a draw in the first of two entertaining interviews to be televised on Fox News. But it felt like this fight was rigged for President Joe Biden to end up as the loser. From the first segment, Hannity sought to paint a stark contrast between the California governor the incumbent president. With Biden set up as the off-screen foil, Newsom looked and sounded great by comparison. With the exception of one visual slip, Newsom capably defended the president and his own California record. Opinion The viewers were left to figure out for themselves why this spectacle occurred in the first place. Why would Hannity give a formidable political adversary an hour of precious prime time on his show? Why would Newsom knowingly face one of Bidens most sharp-tongued critics when Hannitys toughest blows were not directed at Newsom? They were focused on the presidents cognitive fitness. Comparing the governor to the president, Hannity said, Heres the problem that Joe Biden has. Youre arguing, youre fighting, youre battling, youre articulate. We could sit here for three hours and probably have a beer or two in the middle of this. And you can keep going. Heres the problem. Your president cant have this conversation. As an intriguing game of television chess played out, the Hannity faithful saw their hero as a familiar face in enemy territory who was on the right side of immigration, corporate taxes and the homeless. Those who usually avoid Hannity but tuned in the key audience for Newsom saw a Democrat capable of debating, interrupting and strongly defending core party issues and values with youthful vigor and passion. It was as if Hannity wanted a draw. Newsom gave a full-throated defense of the Democratic president when Hannitys well-honed assault on Biden began. Newsom looked and sounded as if he truly meant it. Then Hannity used his home-field advantage. He showed a collage of edited Biden falls and flubs. And then he looked the governor in the eye. How many times does your phone ping a day with people saying you need to get into this race? It was not a moment for the governor to flash a smile, but Newsom did. I see where you are going with that. And I am not answering. The middle rounds seemed intentionally choreographed to drill down on well-traveled issues Californias economy compared to Floridas, population trends, the homeless. The governor did not completely defend the status quo in California. It is a disgrace, the homeless situation, he said. Hannity was setting up the audience for the grand finale: Would Newsom agree to a two-hour debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis? Hannity, of course, would moderate. I am all in, said Newsom. I would make it three. Newsom and Hannity are not the strangest bedfellows in American politics. But they both have their reasons for showing up in the same ring. In an off-year election cycle, there would be little second-guessing of Newsoms motivation. He is the leader of one of the worlds largest economies. He has every right to take stands on national issues. California is big enough and important enough to command a national stage. All that said, this is the most delicate of election cycles for the leading candidates from both parties. As Biden ramps up his re-election campaign, Newsom is perfectly content to take center stage, reminding all with Hannitys help that he is out there and able to stare down the toughest brawler on Fox News with a smile. A search warrant at a home in Crisp County leads to authorities arresting five people, including a murder suspect. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In a joint investigation, the Crisp County Sheriffs Office along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were searching for a murder suspect from Ocilla, Georgia. This led Crisp County deputies to conduct a search warrant at a home on 15th Street in Cordele, Georgia. TRENDING STORIES: According to authorities, the alleged murder suspect, Halique Jordan, 18, of Ocilla, was arrested and taken to Irwin County. Crisp County deputies also arrested Tremecius Hicks, 48, of Cordele, for possession of cocaine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a housing project and two counts of possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of schools. Tyjae Taylor, 24, of Vienna, Georgia was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a housing project, two counts of possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of schools. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Tykeeyah Armstrong, 18, of Cordele, was arrested and faces charges of hindering the apprehension of a fugitive/criminal, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of Marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a housing project and two counts of possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of schools. Tykeemah Armstrong, 21, of Cordele was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a housing project and two counts of possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of schools (2 cts) The 16-year-old was taken to the Crisp County Youth Detention Center and charged with possession of drug-related objects, possession of a handgun by a minor, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a housing project, two counts of possession of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of schools Hicks, Taylor, and both Armstrongs were released, according to Crisp County authorities. IN OTHER NEWS: When considering the possibility of a 51st U.S. state, places like Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are likely some of the first to spring to mind. But what about a sparser alternative, nestled between California and Nevada, with prime views of Lake Tahoes southern shore? A new proposal, put forth by a resident and supported by at least one former county leader, would have El Dorado County secede from California and become its own state. The idea is being spearheaded by county resident Sharon Durst, who spoke alongside former county Supervisor Ray Nutting at a community meeting last month, the Mountain Democrat newspaper reported. Durst also laid out the case for secession in a more than 7,000-word post published May 26 on newsletter platform Substack. El Dorado relies mostly on its income from tourism and on the unhappy people from Sacramento, the Bay Area and Los Angeles buying residential or second homes away from the crime-ridden metropolitan areas, Durst wrote. The people of El Dorado County want their former livelihoods restored and their rural way of life respected. Even without its geographical major economic drivers, the people of the county are economically resilient and self-sustaining. The post, which opens with sentences mirroring the Declaration of Independence, makes clear that the proposal is to secede from California and become an independent U.S. state rather than secede from the United States. The new state would be known as the Republic for El Dorado State. Is county secession plan legal? Durst argues the case for secession based on Article 4, Section 3, of the Constitution, which reads, in part: Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. Durst in her Substack post wrote that El Dorado County is other Property under the Power of Congress, not the California Legislature, and that this language opens the door for the jurisdiction to divorce itself from the Golden State. However, the immediately preceding paragraph of Article 4, Section 3, says that no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State without the consent of the involved states Legislature as well as Congress. In other words, El Dorado County would only be able to depart California with Californias permission and an OK from Capitol Hill, both of which are highly unlikely. County-level secession is not a new concept, but no single county has ever successfully seceded to become its own state, though a group of counties did split off from then-Confederate Virginia during the Civil War to become West Virginia. New secession ideas are not unheard of, including in California. A ballot proposal approved last year in San Bernardino County directed local officials to study the possibility of secession, also with the consideration of making San Bernardino its own state. In 2015, as politically conservative proponents argued their case for splitting the rural northern third of California into a new state called Jefferson, hundreds turned up at an El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting in an attempt to convince the county to join the campaign. Durst in her post said she intends to circulate a petition among El Dorado County residents to gauge support, then take that petition directly to the U.S. Congress. Durst also hopes to garner support through additional community meetings in the near future, the Mountain Democrat reported. Where is El Dorado County? How big is it? El Dorado County is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just east of Sacramento County. El Dorados eastern half includes southern portions of Lake Tahoe as well as the city of South Lake Tahoe, and the county shares its eastern border with the California-Nevada state line. El Dorado County county is about 200 square miles larger than Rhode Island. But if it were to gain statehood, El Dorado would become by far the least populous U.S. state; El Dorado County had just over 191,000 residents as of the 2020 Census, less than half of Wyomings 577,000. Adriana Smith was at her mother's house in Northridge when she heard the sirens and helicopters. She did not start worrying until her uncle called and said someone had been shot near an ice cream shop in the neighborhood. Her father, Benjamin Marin Sr., 69, liked to hang out in that area, she knew. Smith was eight months pregnant but ran out of the house to the scene, where her worst fears were confirmed. "He was still there. I saw him being carried out by the paramedics," she told The Times on Monday. Marin was the random casualty of a shooting that authorities said was gang-related. Days later, police arrested Jamal Jackson, 24, who authorities said admitted firing into a group of people outside the ice cream shop because some of them were painting over graffiti that he said he and other gang members had tagged that day. Another man, Juan Lopez, 39, a Nicaraguan immigrant and father of three who had been hired to paint over the graffiti, died shortly after being shot. He was working to make money to send to his daughter in Nicaragua for her 9th birthday. Benjamin Marin Sr. died two months after he was shot outside an ice cream shop in Northridge. (Adriana Smith) Marin survived longer. But the initial nightmare of that day was only the beginning for his family. For the next two months, he remained in the hospital, undergoing surgeries and dealing with complications after being shot. Marin, a father of five, died Saturday after his third surgery, this one to address an infection in his pancreas. "What comes to all of our minds is that it was just a senseless act of violence. For it to happen in broad daylight, someone offended over some graffiti, its just ... I don't know," Smith said. Marin immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1970s after he married the mother of his children. He gained permanent residency through a 1980s amnesty program. He lived in Northridge for more than 40 years and ran an auto detail business called Quaizar for decades, teaching his children how to work on cars, his daughter said. He fought hard after the attack, his family said. He regained consciousness for about a week and even gained the strength to speak. He had no recollection of the shooting. Marin told his children how shocked he was that a crime would happen to him in that area. "I remember him clearly saying, 'Thats never happened here before,' " said son Fidencio Marin. "He was just in disbelief that it happened to him in that area because he never sees the bad in people. He would always see the good in people." Marin's optimism continued even during his hospitalization. "I remember him comforting me, saying, 'Don't worry. I'm going to recover from this. I'll be OK. Everything will be fine,' " Fidencio Marin said. The family is raising money for Marin's funeral costs. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. See home of Sacramento rescue dog whose heartfelt story went viral. Its listed at $4M The glamorous Sonoma County home of a Northern California celebrity is for sale for nearly $4 million. Whos the celebrity? Rocket the rescue dog. Rocket became famous when he went from imminent euthanasia at a Sacramento animal shelter to celebrated search-and-rescue canine. He saved a lot of lives, and hes a hero, said listing agent Tara Polley with Sothebys International Realty-Wine Country Sonoma Brokerage. Thats the hero dog. In 2012, Rocket was deemed too energetic to be adopted and came within one day of being euthanized before the Sacramento SPCA recommended him as a search dog. Rocket, a border collie mix, was eventually trained, and then paired with firefighter Mike Stornetta in 2014. They ended up helping first responders during Hurricane Harvey, which hit Texas and Louisiana in 2017, according to The Sacramento Bee. Thats when Rockets story went viral. Rocket continues to do search-and-rescue work with Stornetta, but they will soon have new digs. Stornetta is selling the remarkable Santa Rosa, California, estate he shares with Rocket for $3.995 million. The entertainment compound is comprised of two single-level homes with separate addresses and a massive 2,400-square-foot shop and garage. The property is spread over five acres, enough land to satisfy any energetic dog. Built in 2021, the three-bedroom main home spans 2,792 square feet and centers around an inviting pool, a covered outdoor kitchen and an entertainment area. Inside is a work-from-home office, three full elegant bathrooms, and a great room with vaulted ceilings. A wrap-around porch gives flair to the modern farmhouse-style residence. The second home has 1,200 square feet of living space with meticulous attention to detail and quality, according to the listing. Theres an attached two-car garage and carport. The interior features a stone fireplace. Outside, pretty landscaping extends out to a picturesque vineyard. The shop offers plenty of room to store toys: fifth wheels, boats, tractors, tools. This workshop sanctuary invites you to unleash your craftsmanship to the fullest, the listing for 414-412 Royal Meadows Court states. It has high ceilings, a 16-foot center roll-up door and two flanking roll-up doors. Theres so many great things about the home, such as the indoor-outdoor living, Polley said. The great room opens up into an outdoor kitchen and an outdoor living room, right up to the pool. Its a fantastic entertaining house. It also has a big, huge shop on it, so if you like to travel and you want to store your fifth wheel, or if youre a craftsman, have a hobby, or anything like that, this shop is like the man cave of your dreams. And then theres the multi-generational living, having those two houses on the same property, that is really nice, she added. And its all usable acreage. Its on five acres and its flat and usable. Its surrounded by hills. The views are just spectacular. Firefighter Mike Stornetta and Rockets home. The median home price in Santa Rosa is $875,000 according to realtor.com. Polley is going to feature the dog and the home on The American Dream show that she hosts. Rocket was trained as an urban search and rescue dog to find disaster victims who are alive but trapped in collapsed buildings. Stornetta and Rockets first rescue mission together sent them to a plane crash in Northern California in 2016. Rocket is the only Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)-trained dog in Sonoma County and the only one north of Marin County and south of the Washington border, according to a Sothebys International Realty representative. Rocket. This article was changed at 2:55 p.m. on June 13 to correct information about where Rocket and Mike Stornetta had recently worked during their search-and-rescue efforts. The Biden administrations latest bid to convince lawmakers to renew a soon-to-expire foreign surveillance power without significant new privacy safeguards is off to a rough start. The problem? The administration keeps trying to show lawmakers the value of the spy tool, while Congress is fixated on cleaning up the repeated abuses that have occurred under it. I will only support the reauthorization of Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act if there are significant reforms, Sen. Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday during a panel hearing on oversight of the program. The law allows U.S. spy agencies to collect the text, email and other digital communications of foreigners located abroad. But a series of recently documented abuses involving Americans whose data has been swept up into the program has led both Republicans and Democrats to push for sweeping changes ahead of the statutes year-end expiration date. I have raised significant concerns in hearing after hearing after hearing about FISA and its shocking disregard for Americans constitutional rights and civil liberties, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said at the hearing. And year after year, Lee continued, he gets the same dismissive answer from the intelligence community: These are not the droids youre looking for. The hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee represents a key step in the administrations effort to dissuade Congress from making major changes to the surveillance tool. The Committee shares jurisdiction over the law with the Senate Intelligence panel, meaning it is likely to play a strong role in any effort to reup it. Witnesses representing the Justice Department, FBI, CIA, NSA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence dedicated much of their testimony Tuesday to arguing that the surveillance program is vital to U.S. national security. The information the CIA derives from FISA Section 702 collection is quite simply indispensable, said David Cohen, deputy director of the CIA. Without it our ability to preserve the nations security will be significantly impaired, added George Barnes, the deputy director of the NSA. The officials also sought to buttress their case by declassifying new information about how the program has played a central role in thwarting drug trafficking and foreign cyberattacks. But lawmakers on the panel were far more concerned about the privacy abuses that have occurred under the law the vast majority of which concern the FBIs ability to warrantlessly sift through data collected under the program for information on Americans. Ive been a constant supporter of 702, and its very frustrating years into the process to have these errors, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Many of the abuses discussed Tuesday occurred prior to the FBIs implementing a series of new compliance fixes in 2021 a point administration officials were quick to note. The administration is prepared to codify those changes into law, said FBI deputy director Paul Abbate. The measures, which include basic steps like requiring FBI officials to opt-in to searches within the database, have led to steep decline in those controversial searches, according to intelligence community oversight reports declassified in April. Abbate also revealed at the hearing that the FBI is instituting two further reforms: a three-strike policy to discourage officers from conducting needless searches in the database, and a framework for incorporating FISA oversight into senior officials performance reviews. But most lawmakers on the panel expressed interest in more sweeping reforms, above all a warrant requirement to limit the FBIs ability to search through the 702 database for information on Americans. Weve got an opportunity this year to make reforms, and we must do it, Lee, a supporter of the warrant requirement, said Tuesday. Durbin added: Ive got to see more than internal FBI compliance fixes, and said his support for the program is contingent on the warrant. The administration witnesses Tuesday tried but evidently failed to convince lawmakers thatd be an unwise change. Unduly limiting the FBIs ability to access lawfully collected information will set us back decades, DOJ assistant attorney general Matt Olsen said. The warrant, he added, would put the nation at grave risk. Senate Democrats are stressing their unwillingness to reauthorize a law that allows for warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals without significant reforms aligning themselves with many of their Republican colleagues in the House. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire at the end of the year, but lawmakers have expressed hesitance about renewing it without assurances the intelligence community can curb practices that sweep up information on U.S. citizens communicating with those abroad. I will only support the reauthorization of Section 702 if there are significant significant reforms. And that means, first and foremost, addressing the warrantless surveillance of Americans in violation of the Fourth Amendment, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said as a suite of national security officials appeared before the panel to push for its reauthorization. It was my view when this program was first authorized by Congress in 2008 and it is my view now that Section 702 does not sufficiently protect the privacy and civil liberties of Americans. Numerous lawmakers have expressed concern about reauthorizing the law, including House Democrats, but some of the loudest voices opposing reauthorization this year have come from right-leaning GOP members of the House. Officials from five agencies appeared before the panel eager to make a case for the reauthorization of what they call a critical authority. But the bulk of the defense was left to Matt Olsen, assistant attorney general of the National Security Division at the Justice Department. The reauthorization of 702 is perhaps the single most consequential national security decision that this Congress will make. The stakes could not be higher, Olsen told lawmakers. Olsen noted complaints about the FBIs use of the data. In 2022 the FBI spied on more than 246,000 foreign nationals using the tool, but their queries swept up information on 119,000 Americans. Some reports indicate that information has been improperly used, including in cases pertaining to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and 2020 racial justice protests, a court order detailed last month. These compliance problems are not acceptable. They have eroded public trust, and Im not here to defend them. Indeed, when we identified these problems, the attorney general directed the FBI to make significant changes to their systems and their policies, and their training changes that have already proven effective in improving compliance, he said. But this is an ongoing process. The FBI sought to head off concerns from lawmakers with the release of new FBI FISA Query Accountability Procedures, increasing the performance consequences for improperly using powers under Section 702. But many expressed an interest in having more oversight over the entire process, including requiring authorities to secure a warrant for searches that involve U.S. citizens an idea Olsen said his office strongly opposes. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) responded by saying the department opposes our reform because you argued that many of the queries are done before the FBI has probable cause, which says to me that if you had to meet a probable cause requirement that would already decrease the number of applications. Numerous voices have called for the change, including a coalition of civil rights activists who argued that a provision requiring a warrant in limited cases involving American citizens is largely being ignored. But the intelligence community has called the practice unworkable. First, every judge thats looked at this issue, every federal judge, including judges on the FISA court have concluded that a warrant is not required under the Fourth Amendment for searching the lawfully collected data that is in the FBI holding, Olsen said. The sheer number of search requests would simply overwhelm the system, theres no number of FISA court judges or even magistrates, who would have clearances for example, who could possibly manage the number of queries. So its both not legally required and its not workable. And it wouldnt protect us. Olsen also pushed back on an idea being considered by a House working group that would establish a civil rights representative within the process who fight to protect civil rights within FISA courts, something Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) deemed an adversarial process [that] would provide a lot of reassurance, I think, to this committee and the American people. The vast majority of FISA applications are basically facts against the probable cause standard, Olsen said. They dont involve novel interpretations of the law. And they are done with a degree of urgency multiple times a week that does not lend itself to the sort of adversarial back and forth process that an amicus would introduce, and so theres some serious risk to having, for example, an amicus in every case. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. alecia washington graduate Students at a high school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina witnessed history during this years graduation ceremony. Alecia Washington is the schools first Black valedictorian in 100 years. Alecia Washington Makes History Washington not only graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School as valedictorian, but she also graduated from college. The young scholar graduated from Forsyth Technical Community College with an associates degree. Washington credits her support system for helping her achieve so much at such a young age. That includes her great-grandmother who Washington says taught her a very valuable lesson. If youre going to invest in anything, invest in yourself, she said to WXII12 about what her great-grandmother taught her. Invest in getting a good education and expand your knowledge because that is nothing nobody can take away. Washington kept those motivational words from her great-grandmother with her along her educational journey graduating twice in the span of two months. Now, shes ready for the next chapter of her life. She says that her journey so far wasnt just for herself, but also for others who look up to her. When I started thinking, this is so much bigger than me, like representation matters. I know thats important. I know from experience, representation definitely matters. When you see somebody that looks like you, and something you want to do, or passionate about, it makes a huge difference. Its not something I take lightly at all, she said. Washington is looking forward to what the future has to offer her. Its a new chapter. Im going into adulthood. Im going to be living on my own in college, she explained to the outlet. The young graduate will be attending UNC Charlotte on a full academic scholarship with big dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse anesthetist. The post Senior Becomes High Schools First Black Valedictorian in 100 Years appeared first on 21Ninety. Will Sharpe dominated our TV screens this season in Season 2 of HBOs The White Lotus as Ethan Spiller, the husband of Harper (Aubrey Plaza), who travels to Italy for a weeklong vacation. During our recent exclusive video interview (watch above), Sharpe explains how the first thing that drew him to the character was how different his behavior is at the end of the series compared to how you meet him at the beginning. Ethan is sort of a weird enigma of a man, laughs the English actor. Sharpe is a 2020 BAFTA TV Award winner for Giri/Haji and a 2023 SAG Award champion for The White Lotus as part of the ensemble cast. Next up on the awards front are the Emmy nominations, where hes eligible in the Best Drama Supporting Actor category. If he were to receive a bid, he would be very confused and surprised, but also grateful, he tells me. More from GoldDerby SEE Haley Lu Richardson (The White Lotus) on creator Mike White: I wrote him a love letter, trying to get his attention [Exclusive Video Interview] Speaking about Ethan, Sharpe admits he rather enjoyed trying to get to the bottom of who he is exactly and why hes behaving in the way that he is, [including] stuff hes doing that I disapprove of or would question. He concedes, I like that hes morally ambiguous at first, maybe theres like the sense that, oh, hes just like a normal, nice guy. And then in an insidious way, I think his behavior becomes just as problematic as anyone elses really, just in a different way. The writer/director/producer of The White Lotus is Mike White, whom Sharpe calls also a bit of an enigma at times. As he reveals, He likes to present as very laidback, and he does give you the illusion of freedom, but at the same time hes very precise about details and he knows exactly what he wants. Sharpe remarks how the showrunner doesnt like to rehearse very much he wanted us to play it as straight as possible and to be as honest as possible. SEELeo Woodall (The White Lotus) on playing Jack: Deep, deep down theres a good guy there [Exclusive Video Interview] Sharpe shared most of his scenes with Plaza, and they even came up with a backstory for how their characters met. I think we decided they probably maybe met at someone elses wedding, he recalls. And Mikes thing with that relationship was he didnt want it ever to feel like it was any single thing that could be held responsible for the strain in the relationship. He wanted it to be simply that they had been together for a long time and that a kind of atrophy had come with that. So Sharpe and Plaza agreed it probably needed to be at least seven years that theyd been together. There were two major Ethan-centric scenes in the finale that caused a stir among fans: a fight sequence in the ocean with Cameron (Theo James) and a possible hookup with Daphne (Meghann Fahy). Sharpe says he had a half hour of practice the day before for the fight scene, which he ultimately describes as cathartic for the character. And his take on the did-they-or-didnt-they moment? I think like with the vibe of the location, it has a sort of Mediterranean mystery about it something happened of note on that island, but its deliberately ambiguous in the script. Also in our exclusive video interview, Sharpe talks about what he thought of Season 1 before he signed on for Season 2, the moment his character made an emotionally unintelligent choice, and what it was like winning the SAG Award for Best Drama Ensemble with the rest of his White Lotus cast mates. PREDICT the 2023 Emmy nominees through July 12 Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why? SIGN UP for Gold Derbys free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sheriff: Investigation helps get 2,300 grams of fentanyl off Central Florida streets The Volusia County sheriff said law enforcement confiscated more than 2,300 grams of fentanyl during raids across Volusia and Lake counties. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said thats more than 1.5 million doses. Chitwood said 6 to 8 kilos were coming into Central Florida communities every month before this multi-county investigation started. He said through Operation Daly Dose, named after the accused drug trafficking leader Drew Daly, investigators got opioids, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and guns off the street. Read: Surveillance has caught hackers and fentanyl smugglers, White House says in promoting spying law For months starting last August, SWAT teams raided homes across Volusia and Lake counties to make nearly 40 drug trafficking arrests. Investigators said they used surveillance, search warrants, and wiretaps to catch and charge group members. Chitwood said those charges range from drug trafficking to weapons violations. Read: Senate committee pauses on bill to require social media companies to report fentanyl activity Investigators said the ring was also involved in a series of organized thefts where suspects posed as Walmart employees to steal televisions and trade them for narcotics. You can get more details in the video above. 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. This simple and tasty potato salad recipe is the perfect side dish for Juneteenth cookouts I made Kardea Brown's "Aunt TC's potato salad" recipe. Lauren Edmonds/Insider Celebrations and cookouts will take place across the US for Juneteenth weekend. I made a potato salad recipe from Kardea Brown, a southern cook and Food Network star of Gullah-Geechee descent. The recipe was quick, simple, and made enough to feed the whole family. African Americans first celebrated Juneteenth after news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas. Children watch a Juneteenth Parade in Galveston, Texas. Go Nakamura/Getty Images Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom for African Americans. The first Juneteenth was celebrated on June 19, 1865, after Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved African Americans they were free. Although enslaved African Americans were freed under the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the executive order wasn't acknowledged in parts of the Confederate South and many slaveholders fled deeper south. Now, 157 years later, African Americans across the country celebrate with potlucks, cookouts, family meals, and neighborhood gatherings that foster community. "Few things build community as well as food," culinary historian Adrian Miller told Insider. "And when it comes to emancipation celebrations, those weren't really celebrated at home. They were public events." Ahead of Juneteenth, I made Aunt TC's potato salad recipe shared by Kardea Brown, a Southern cook of Gullah-Geechee descent and the host of Food Network's "Delicious Miss Brown." The recipe took less than an hour to make, used everyday ingredients, and will complete any potluck. You'll need about 12 ingredients, including a whole lot of potatoes. The recipe calls for 12 ingredients including one red onion and 12 hard-boiled eggs. Lauren Edmonds/Insider To make this potato salad recipe, you'll need: tsp of kosher salt and pepper 10 pounds of red potatoes cup sweet pickle relish cup yellow mustard 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder tsp smoked paprika, plus additional for sprinkling 12 large hard-boiled eggs, quartered red onion, diced green bell pepper, diced 3 to 4 cups of mayonnaise First, boil 12 large eggs in a stovetop pot and cut them into quarters. Boil the eggs (left), let them cool (middle), and quarter them (right) for the potato salad. Lauren Edmonds/Insider Place the eggs in a stovetop pot with cold water and bring to a boil for 10 to 12 minutes. Once hard-boiled, remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon and let them cool in cold water. Then, peel each egg, quarter them, and set them aside. Dice the green bell pepper and red onion. Dice the red onion (left) and the green bell pepper (right). Lauren Edmonds/Insider Dice green bell pepper and red onion, then set aside in separate bowls. Next, boil the red potatoes until they're tender. Boil the potatoes until they're tender, or for about 25 minutes. Lauren Edmonds/Insider 10 pounds of red potatoes is a lot and would probably feed an entire cookout, so feel free to cut down the amount if you're cooking for a smaller crowd. According to the recipe, fill a large stockpot with heavily salted water and add the potatoes, then bring everything to a boil. Aunt TC advised cooking the potatoes for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until they're tender. If you don't have a large stockpot, you'll probably have to do this step twice to work through all the potatoes. I added 2 tbsp of salt. Drain the potatoes and quarter them. Cut the potatoes (left) and set them aside (right). Lauren Edmonds/Insider Drain the potatoes and let them cool, the recipe said. Then cut them into smaller pieces depending on your preference. Make sure you have a large container to hold the potatoes and ingredients. I used a large pot to hold all the ingredients and potatoes. Lauren Edmonds/Insider Finally, mix the potatoes and ingredients to complete the potato salad. In a large bowl, add cup relish, cup yellow mustard, 1 tsp of garlic powder and onion powder, eggs, onion, bell pepper, and three cups of mayonnaise. The recipe called for a "pinch" of salt and pepper, so I added 1 tsp each. Eat right away or store in the refrigerator for later. Add smoked paprika to give the recipe a pop of color! Lauren Edmonds/Insider Pour the potatoes into the wet ingredients and mixed them. Aunt TC suggested adding additional mayonnaise if the potato salad seems dry. Add some smoked paprika on top and enjoy! There are lots of opinions about what makes a good potato salad, and I think this recipe includes the winning ingredients. Insider's reporter made Aunt TC's potato salad. Lauren Edmonds/Insider From the first bite, Aunt TC's potato salad reminded me of summer cookouts in the South with friends and family. It has a great flavoring, with the sweet pickle relish, and the eggs really stand out to me. The egg yolks added to the texture and added a subtle creamy consistency. I also think the amount of mayonnaise wasn't too much! Personally, I like my potato salad right in the middle not too dry and not too wet. Three cups were perfect for the number of potatoes the recipe required. I would definitely make this recipe for the next potluck! Read more: I'm a Southerner, and this slow cooker red beans and rice recipe for Juneteenth reminds me of home I tried Tabitha Brown's BBQ jackfruit sandwiches and this 5-step recipe is a go-to vegan option for Juneteenth I made Chef Marcus Samuelsson's fried chicken recipe for Juneteenth the crispy, flaky crust and hints of rosemary make it an automatic favorite These red velvet pancakes are a perfect, tasty treat for breakfast or dessert on Juneteenth Read the original article on Insider The Slutty Vegan chain founder gave the public a glimpse of her glamorous upscale nuptials, held at Atlantas St. Regis Hotel on June 10. The Slutty Vegan is officially a married woman. Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole married Derrick Hayes, CEO of Big Daves Cheesesteaks, during a glamorous wedding on June 10 at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta. Their big day featured 300 guests, R&B hitmaker turned pastor Montell Jordan as officiant, gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who opened the ceremony with a praise and worship melody, and an abundance of pink, including the grooms tuxedo. At the reception, two cakes and both vegan and meat meal options were served. Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes kiss during their wedding as officiant Montell Jordan looks on at St. Regis Atlanta on June 10, 2023, in Atlanta. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Cole told People magazine the day was of great significance, not just for herself and new hubby Hayes, but for her entire family. Its a dream come true because Im doing something that no one in my family has ever done, she said. To be the first to have a wedding is a big deal. Im breaking generational patterns and creating a new one. Hayes added how important marriage was for him and Cole and their growing family unit. Im looking forward to it because it allows me to raise my kids in an environment I want to see them in, he said. I believe everyone wants to be happy, and Im seeing that true happiness come into my life. Their early June wedding date also held significance for the couple. The pair met three years ago on June 8 for a business meeting. Cole said they talked about politics and initially connected as friends. After they fell for each other, Hayes eventually proposed on June 2, 2022. The couple shares two children, 1-year-old daughter D Ella, and son Derrick Hayes Jr., 11 months. Hayes is also father to daughters Denver, 7, and Dallas, 9. Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes dance during their wedding at St. Regis Atlanta on June 10, 2023, in Atlanta. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) While Hayes wore a custom pale pink tuxedo by Miguel Wilson, the bride wore a custom strapless mermaid gown by Milano Di Rouge, a first for the lifestyle and apparel brand. According to People, the gown took four months to design and featured a plunging sweetheart neckline, beaded lace over beaded mesh silk, six layers of tulle in its mermaid skirt, hand-sewn crystal rhinestones, and a chapel train as well as a detachable cathedral train. Milano Di Rouge had never designed a wedding dress before, the brands founder, Milan Harris, told People. We didnt know how we were going to make it happen, but we knew we were going to do whatever it took to design the perfect dress for Pinky. The blush, ivory, and gold color palette was seen throughout the decor, including the lush flowers, long fringe cascading from the ceiling, and stemware. Both Cole and Hayes donned new looks for the reception, where the menu included herb-roasted shrimp, cheese-stuffed chicken and salmon, pan-roasted maitake mushrooms with truffles, and vegan Roman gnocchi. Cole said it was a fairytale, a Cinderella wedding, and Hayes said it was a dream come true. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Slutty Vegans Pinky Cole marries Big Daves Cheesesteaks CEO Derrick Hayes appeared first on TheGrio. Someone brought a severed pig's head to the Miami courthouse where Trump is due to appear on Espionage Act charges Osmany Estrada (left) holds a pigs head as he and Gregg Donovan gather outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Federal Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Trump critics and the MAGA faithful gathered in Miami ahead of the former president's arraignment. The former president faces a 37-count federal indictment over documents found at his Mar-a-Lago mansion. Trump was due to appear on Tuesday afternoon. Colorful signs and props filled the area outside the Miami federal courthouse on Tuesday morning ahead of former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Espionage Act charges. The strangest, though, had to be the pig's head on a stake. Holding it was Osmany Estrada, who Getty Images identified as a "vocal opponent" of Trump. "I am here expressing my joy, because in the end the system works," Estrada told the Miami Herald. "I am an intelligent Cuban. I am not here to support Trump. The best argument against democracy is this: how can you ask the Cuban government to be democratic if you are supporting a person who is against democracy?" Insider could not immediately reach Estrada to talk to him directly. Trump was expected to appear at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Federal Courthouse at 3 p.m. to face a 37-count indictment, including accusations of holding government documents at his home in Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House in 2021. Osmany Estrada holds the pig's head near a group wearing 'Blacks for Trump 2020' shirts. Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images He will appear alongside Waltine Nauda, his personal aide and a co-defendant in the case. At events held over the weekend, Trump called the charges "ridiculous" and "baseless." He also told Politico that he would press ahead with his campaign even if he were to be convicted. Miami braced for a chaotic day on Tuesday, as Trump's supporters and critics descended on the city. A spokesperson for the Miami Police Department said that a "joint effort" of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies were charged with maintaining peace at the courthouse. The U.S. Secret Service is among them. No arrests had been reported as of late morning. A Trump impersonator outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse. Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images Domenic Santana holds a "Lock Him Up" sign. Win McNamee/Getty Images A supporter of former President Donald Trump pulls a trailer around outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse in Miami. Scott Olson/Getty Images The indictment in Florida was the former president's second in three months. In April, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced charges accusing Trump of falsifying business records to conceal an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are investigating whether Trump illegally sought to pressure authorities in that state to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. A charging decision in that case could come in early August, the Washington Post reported. Read the original article on Business Insider South Africa Says It Has US Support to Host AGOA Forum This Year (Bloomberg) -- South Africas government said it has US backing to host a conference on the African Growth and Opportunity Act this year, after four American congressmen urged the Biden administration to relocate the event over the nations relations with Russia. Most Read from Bloomberg No decision has been taken by either the State Department or the White House to move the meeting thats scheduled to take place in November, Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesman Clayson Monyela said on Twitter on Tuesday. South Africa enjoys the support of the US government in hosting the forum, he said. South Africa has angered the US over the past year by abstaining from United Nations resolutions condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, and after hosting Russian and Chinese warships for military exercises in February. Last month, the US ambassador to Pretoria accused it of loading arms onto a Russian ship and said this could imperil its access to the US market. President Cyril Ramaphosas administration denied the allegation about the weapons. US officials including Senator Chris Coons asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 9 to explore other possible locations to host this years forum, according to a letter published on Monyelas Twitter handle. The New York Times reported on the letter earlier on Tuesday. If South Africa continues to demonstrate support for Russia in its unlawful invasion of Ukraine, then hosting the forum in another country in sub-Saharan Africa would send a clear and important message that the US continues to stand with Ukraine and will not accept our trading partners provision of aid to Russias ongoing and brutal invasion, the congressmen said in the letter. AGOA expires in 2025 and US officials have previously said the qualifying criteria for beneficiaries could be revised or the program replaced. South Africa ships cars and agricultural produce to the US under the accord. Last year, it exported $2.7 billion of goods using AGOA and the so-called Generalized System of Preferences. Monyela insisted that relations between South Africa and the US are mutually beneficial...even in the context of AGOA. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. South Africa's role as host of the BRICS summit is fraught with dangers. A guide to who is in the group, and why it exists Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the 14th BRICS Summit via video link in Beijing. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit. Li Tao/Xinhua via Getty Images South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023. The event could offer the country an opportunity to exercise leadership in the BRICS efforts to reform the arrangements for global economic governance and in supporting sustainable and inclusive development in Africa and the Global South. However, the opportunity has morphed into an international challenge because Russias President Vladimir Putin, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court, has indicated that he will attend. South Africa could face the wrath of its BRICS partners if it fulfils its international obligation and arrests him. On the other hand, if it does not arrest him, it could face sanctions from those countries that want to see Putin tried for war crimes. Hosting the 2023 BRICS summit is therefore fraught with dangers. The international environment is complicated, dynamic and unpredictable. South Africa can avoid embarrassment and capitalise on the opportunities presented by the summit only if it is able to skilfully manoeuvre in these choppy waters. Trying to understand South Africas dilemma raises a number of questions: Who are the BRICS? What has the grouping achieved? Who are the BRICS? In 2001, the global investment bank Goldman Sachs stated that it expected Brazil, Russia, India and China to become leading actors in the global economy. It collectively named the four countries BRICs. These countries decided that Goldman Sachs had a point and that they could enhance their global influence if they cooperated. They first met at a ministerial level in 2006 and at a leaders summit in 2009. In 2010 they invited South Africa to join the group. The group became known as BRICS. A primary objective of the group is to reform global economic governance so that it is more responsive to the concerns and interests of the Global South. For example, the BRICS have called for a new global currency that can challenge the dominant role of the US dollar in the international monetary system. It has also pushed for a greater voice and more votes for developing countries in key international economic organisations like the IMF and the World Bank. The group has also sought, through groups like its business forum, to promote greater economic cooperation between the participating countries. What has the BRICS grouping achieved? The BRICS record of achievements is mixed. In 2016, the group established two new international economic entities. The first was the New Development Bank. They contend that it is a new multilateral development bank which offers its members an alternative to institutions like the World Bank. It claims that its governance is fairer than the World Bank because its five original members all have equal votes. At the World Bank, shares (and therefore votes) are unevenly distributed among member states. The development bank also strives to provide financing more quickly than the World Bank, and in a way that is more respectful of the laws in its member states. However, to date, the New Development Bank has been less transparent and accountable than other multilateral development banks. It has provided US.8 billion to 96 projects in the 5 BRICS countries and it has begun looking to expand the scope of its operations. Since 2021 it has approved membership for Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. It is expected to add new members in the coming years. The second new entity was the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. This established a series of swap arrangements between the BRICS central banks. These arrangements allow each central bank, when its country is facing a balance of payments crisis, to exchange its local currency for hard currencies, like the US dollar, with its counterparts in the BRICS. Pursuant to the terms of the arrangement, a central bank can only draw on a fraction of the available financing without also having to enter into a financing arrangement with the IMF. Thus, the conditions that are attached to the IMFs finances also become applicable to the funds made available through the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. To date, no BRICS central bank has used the arrangement. According to their communiques, the BRICS leaders have agreed to create other entities, such as a vaccine centre and a new credit rating agency. However, they have not yet implemented these agreements. They have not been successful either in reforming the existing institutions and arrangements for global economic governance, such as the IMF. One reason for this failure is the strong opposition to reform from states, primarily those in Europe, which currently have dominant voices in the IMF and would lose them in the case of true reform. But another important reason is that the BRICS are not unified in their demands for reform. For example, while Brazil, India and South Africa support reforming the UN Security Council to include more permanent members and to eliminate the veto power of the existing permanent members, China and Russia, as sitting permanent members, dont. Similarly, not all the other BRICS have supported South Africas call for a third African seat on the IMFs board of directors. Are there any downsides to BRICS membership? The global political and economic situation has changed dramatically since 2010. These changes have created both opportunities and challenges for the BRICS. One opportunity arises from the fact that approximately 19 countries in the Global South, including Argentina, Cuba, Iran and Saudi Arabia, have expressed an interest in joining the BRICS. It is expected that the BRICS will consider the issue of membership at their upcoming August 2023 summit. Another opportunity arises from the growing interest around the world in having an alternative currency to the US dollar as the basis for the international financial system. The BRICS have been vocal supporters of de-dollarisation. However, given the complex economic and political relations between the BRICS member states, there is considerable scepticism about the feasibility of the BRICS developing a new global currency in the near term. The primary challenges facing the BRICS arise from geopolitics. The war in Ukraine has created tensions within the BRICS. The participating states have been forced to balance their respect for such international law principles as self-determination, sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes with their friendly relations with Russia. In addition, the BRICS cannot escape the fallout from the growing economic and security tensions between China and the west, particularly the US. Both these issues complicate the efforts of the other BRICS to maintain their formal non-aligned position. They also exacerbate existing tensions within the BRICS. The most important example of this is the complex and tense relationship between India and China. In recent years, they have had military skirmishes in disputed border areas. In addition, India has imposed economic constraints on Chinese companies operating in India. The two countries have refused to renew the visas of journalists from each country so that now there are almost no journalists from Chinese publications in India and vice versa. What hangs on the summit? South Africa faces another opportunity that is fraught with danger when it hosts the G20 in 2025. The G20, which brings together the 20 leading economic powers in the world, has called itself the premier forum for global economic governance. South Africa is currently the only permanent African member of the G20 and 2025 will be the first time the group is hosted by an African country. Planning for this G20 event must begin soon because in 2024 South Africa will join India, the current G20 host, and Brazil, the 2024 G20 host in the troika that manages the G20 process. If the country does not plan carefully and effectively for this G20 event, South Africa risks emerging with a diminished reputation and its credibility shredded. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria. Read more: Danny Bradlow receives funding from the Open Society Foundation for a project unconnected to this article. He is also a Compliance Officer in the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) at the UN Development Programme. Businesses in Bostons South Bay Shopping Center are dealing with daily complaints about open drug use on the property. Those complaints have prompted some stores to lock up their restrooms, and others have been forced to patrol the bathrooms from open until closing time. Its among the issues that residents say have been spilling over from the citys open-air drug market at Mass and Cass. Staff members at Stop and Shop, Target, and Home Depot told Boston 25 News theyre dealing with people shooting up and smoking drugs in the bathrooms seven days a week. Its constant chaos, said customer Samantha Knox. You want to avoid it at all costs really. Some customers said theyve tried to make their trips to the busy Dorchester shopping center as quickly as possible and steer clear of the restrooms at big stores. If my son has to use the bathroom, I tell him can you hold it until we get home because that bathrooms disgusting, said customer Sheila Silveira. Boston 25 News reached out to the city of Boston for comment regarding the ongoing customer complaints and has not yet heard back. Boston 25 News received the following statement from Stop & Shop: The safety of our customers and associates is a top priority for us. Like other retailers at South Bay Plaza, we are actively working to address recent issues in our restrooms, and our security personnel is regularly monitoring the area throughout the day. We have also begun a pilot of a LiveView Security Trailer at this store location, which monitors all activity in our parking lot, for added safety and to continue to provide a positive shopping experience for all our customers. 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 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea is pivoting to a hard-line stance in its relations with China following meetings between the two where Beijing used high-handed diplomatic rhetoric, the DongA Ilbo newspaper cited a key government official as saying. Most Read from Bloomberg Seoul will seek to reduce dependence on Chinas supply chains and if needed could change how South Korea defines the three nos security undedrstanding with China, DongA reported, citing the South Korean official it did not name. Relations between the two have deteriorated due to Chinas absurd remarks and its difficult to pursue common values unless China respects South Korea, the newspaper reported the official as saying. The South Korean government plans to de-risk from its reliance on Chinese goods, such as battery materials, the newspaper reported, emphasizing that it wasnt to the extent of completely decoupling from the worlds second-largest economy. The report is the latest in a recent diplomatic back-and-forth between the two countries, which saw a downfall in ties in 2017. China at that time objected to South Korea deploying the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile shield over concerns its powerful radar would allow spying on Chinas missile systems. Then President Moon Jae-in ameliorated Beijings anger by pledging the three nos of no new Thaad deployments, no participation in a US missile defense network and no transformation of security cooperation among the US, Japan and South Korea into a military alliance. Chinas Ambassador Xing Haiming this month told South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung that he would be grateful if the government of current President Yoon Suk Yeol freed itself from external factors when dealing with China, likely a reference to Seouls deepening ties with the US. First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned Xing the following day to issue a stern warning over the remarks it deemed provocative and interfering in the countys domestic politics. On Saturday, China responded, expressing grave concerns and dissatisfaction over Seouls comments, speaking in a meeting with South Korean Ambassador Chung Jae-ho, according to a statement from the Beijing government. The statement from China also said leadership hopes South Korea will reflect on current issues in their bilateral relationship and take them seriously. During a closed-door cabinet meeting held in the presidential office Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said the Chinese ambassadors remarks were inappropriate for a diplomat, according to a separate report from Yonhap News, citing multiple people who attended the cabinet meeting. South Korea is waiting for appropriate measures from China over the ambassadors remark, Yonhap said in a separate report, citing an unidentified official in Yoons office. Yoon is caught between the US, his countrys main security ally, and China, South Koreas biggest trading partner. Hes shown support for Biden administration calls to restructure global supply chains to reduce dependence on China, drawing criticism from Beijing. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for boosting cooperation in high-tech manufacturing and working together to maintain a global free-trade system that ensures the security of supply chains. The US has applied pressure to allies including South Korea to comply with its sweeping curbs on the sale of advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China, where major South Korean semiconductor makers such as SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. operate facilities. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 'Speedy trial' promised by special counsel in Trump case may not go so fast By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has said former President Donald Trump will have a "speedy trial" in Miami on a 37-count indictment charging him with willfully retaining classified government records and obstructing justice. But the complexities of handling highly classified evidence, the degree to which Trump's legal team challenges the government's pre-trial motions, and the way the judge manages the schedule could all lead to a trial that is anything but swift, legal experts say. In every case that I had involving classified information, we never had a speedy trial," said Stephanie Siegmann, a former chief of the national security unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, who noted that the evidence-sharing process with Trump's defense team known as discovery could potentially take a year. This case will be designated complex because it involves classified information," added Siegmann, now a partner with the law firm Hinkley Allen. The U.S. Constitution guarantees criminal defendants the right to a speedy trial, and defendants in federal cases are allowed to have a trial start as soon as 70 days from the time they are indicted. But in most criminal cases, both sides can agree to pause that clock in order to give them more time to prepare. Delays could be troublesome for Trump, who is currently the Republican front-runner for the 2024 presidential election and may not wish to have the trial looming as the elections approach. At the same time, his lawyers may want to delay the process for legal or political reasons by lodging objections each step of the way - a tactic he has used in the past. Smith's pledge for a speedy trial makes sense because he doesn't want to interfere with the election process, said defense attorney Mark Zaid. "But that was just wishful thinking. The reality is the Trump team will be controlling much of the timing of the litigation." A spokesman for Smith's office declined to comment beyond his public statements, while an attorney for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Espionage Act cases like Trump's cases are especially complex because some of the key evidence presented during a public trial is classified. As such, prosecutors need to balance two seemingly competing forces: The need to protect the nation's closely held secrets while still ensuring that Trump is afforded due process by having access to the evidence to help him prepare a defense. Many other Espionage Act cases have hinged on a few classified records or even just one document, such as in Boston where a National Guardsman stands accused of leaking military secrets. Trump, by contrast, is facing charges over 31 top secret or secret documents - a far greater number. After Trump enters his plea, both parties and the court will need to follow a strict and meticulous set of rules set forth in a law known as the Classified Information Procedures Act to protect the classified records and manage how they can be disclosed. "CIPA has so many different steps, that each one just by virtue of the fact it's a step takes an uncertain amount of time," said attorney Kel McClanahan. These CIPA procedures will require Trump's defense team to obtain security clearances in order to view classified materials. Deciding how classified evidence is shared, both to the defense team and to the jury, can get contentious and may lead to legal battles that will play out largely behind the scenes under seal. At times, some of those hearings by law must be conducted ex-parte, meaning Trump's own lawyers cannot be present. Moreover, in Espionage Act cases, decisions on pre-trial motions related to classified evidence can be appealed - an extra step that is not usually allowed in most routine criminal cases. If for example prosecutors seek to shield records that reveal battle plans or nuclear weapons secrets, Trump's team could agree it should be protected, or they could fight to make it public. "Some defense teams would agree that that information has to be protected," said David Aaron, a veteran former Justice Department prosecutor now with Perkins Coie. "But a defense team has every right to contest the idea of even protecting that at trial...They could go ahead and challenge every single argument the government makes." (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Amy Stevens and Alistair Bell) YINCHUAN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Nowadays, premium wine is often included as part of a stylish and leisurely lifestyle for those who are looking to better enjoy their life. As Chinese wine wowed the world during a just-concluded wine expo in northwest China, more and more international wine producers are looking at the huge market potential of the country. As the country's largest wine-producing area, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has emerged as a rising star on the global wine map after more than four decades' development. On June 11, this year's International Conference on Grape and Wine Industries, as well as the third China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo came to an end in the region. During its exhibition in Yinchuan, the regional capital, 75 wineries from 16 countries and regions including Germany, France, Chile, Moldova and Spain presented visitors with their new products in a special exhibition area for international wine brands. "I've no doubt that these fine German wines would delight visitors, also in comparison with other international wines. I would be delighted if it could expand our biliteral trade relations with China in the field of wine," said Cem Ozdemir, minister of Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Themed "Nature, Innovation, Culture and Ecology" this year, the event offers an unique platform for exploring new growth models for the global wine-making industry and sharing new opportunities for international cooperation. Representatives of enterprises in the industry from over 30 countries and four international organizations were invited to participate in the expo. According to Mauricio Hurtado, the Chile ambassador to China, China has been one of the biggest importers of Chilean wines. For more than two decades, numerous Chilean companies and brands have established a presence in the Chinese market. "It is very important for us because the consumption of wine here is growing every year. One of the most important Chilean wineries is here to promote their products because they see that this market is very important for us," said the Chilean official. More than 1.4 billion people in China have embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, releasing huge potential for consumption, with a total wine import worth 1.44 billion U.S. dollars by China last year alone. "Every day, nearly 1 million liters of wine are imported into the Chinese market from all over the world, and many well-known enterprises have come to invest in China," said Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, at the opening ceremony of the event. "China has grown to be one of the most dynamic markets for the global wine industry." Apart from traditional wine-making powerhouses, some African countries are also aiming high in the booming Chinese market. Wine culture, education and national brand development are the key factors to expanding the presence of South Africa's wine in China, according to Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Republic of South Africa. "We've seen encouraging growth in the Chinese market of South African wine. We all know that China has emerged as a powerhouse in the global economy, with a rapidly growing middle class and a growing appreciation for wine. This presents a tremendous opportunity for South African wine producers to expand their reach and tap into this vast market," noted Thoko Didiza. While many are boosting their high expectations for China, more have already come to invest. Ningxia's long hours of sunshine and its cool and dry climate have both greatly aided the local grape cultivation. The region boasts an unique "terroir," a term used in the wine industry to refer to natural conditions, for making top-class wine products, attracting 228 wineries from home and abroad. Its annual wine output reached 138 million bottles in 2022. Though a late comer in the wine-making sector compared with members of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), China has once again updated its record of medal wins at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023, one of the world's largest wine competitions. A total of 274 wines from 14 wine-producing areas in China were awarded medals, a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Ningxia triumphed with about 40 percent of the medals, leading other areas in terms of quality in China. "The decision was based on the careful investigation on the quality of China wine production areas, and Helan Mountain region was found to be the best," said Hua Min, general manager of Pernod Richard (Ningxia) Winemakers Co., Ltd. The French-based brand Pernod Ricard built the branch in Ningxia as early as in 2012, with vineyards of 6,000 mu (about 400 hectares) in the region. Workshops for fermentation and bottling were also set up in Ningxia. "With a good performance of grapes planted here, we mainly produce still wines in the region," Hua said, adding that a high quality will be the common target for all the wineries both in China and France, while the different terroirs of the production areas can make a difference. China has always been one of the key markets for Pernod Ricard. The company has shown its great confidence and firm determination to develop in the Chinese market by investing and building its own winery in China. The company has also built its whisky plant and reception center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to Hua. "With the gradual post-COVID-19 market recovery and the booming of 'China Chic,' Chinese wines are getting more and more attention. We will continue to improve our wine quality and contribute to fulfilling the domestic industry's goal of 'Chinese Wine, Surprise the World' together with local wineries in China," he added. ST. PETERSBURG At the bar Cocktail on Central Avenue, a fleet of guards is suited up in tactical-looking vests to set a tone, the bar owner says, that this gay bar takes security seriously. The measures come during a year that, according to St. Pete Pride organizers, has cast a pall over the citys typical June Pride Month celebrations. State legislation aimed at segments of the LGBTQ+ community has brought a tinge of sadness and sometimes dread to those involved with putting together this years festivities. But there also have been some touching moments of hope and unison. A recent state law prohibits a person from knowingly admitting a minor to adult performances such as drag shows, and can cost a business its liquor license. The new law is why Tiffany Freisberg is in the dog house with her kids. The president of St. Pete Pride got a big win by landing Idina Menzel as the headliner of the June 23 night concert the eve of the big St. Pete Pride parade. But because of the new law and the liquor license for Jannus Live in jeopardy, they decided to make the concert for ages 18 and older only. I have three daughters who cannot believe we are bringing Queen Elsa to town and we cant go, Freisberg said. But thats a concern that business owners have to have. Its also why Cocktail owner David Fischer isnt going to have a drag performer on his bars big rainbow rooster parade float during the St. Pete Pride Parade on June 24. Even though the float will be miles away from his business, he doesnt think he should risk it. We are going to play more conservatively, Fischer said. Its alarming more than anything that people are censoring anything nowadays after we had moved so far forward. Local artist Chad Mize had similar concerns when he curated his sixth Pride-themed art show, Hot Box, at his new St. Petersburg venue, Space. He didnt want to censor his artists, he said, so he made it an 18-and-up show that will feature artwork by locals including John Gascot, Lucky Leroy and Finn Schult in the Warehouse Arts District. The city of Gulfport made plans to raise a Pride flag on June 1. The mere existence of drag queens in attendance at the event was an issue that they ran past the citys lawyers. It was fine in the end, but the fact that they had to consider it was depressing to another lawyer, Edson Abadia Jr., who performs in drag on the weekends. The fact that we have to ask those questions has been chilling, said Abadia, who goes by the stage name Mr. Gripp, along with his partner Michael Knapp, who goes by Greta Gripp when they perform as Mr. and Mrs. Gripp. In addition to the fleet of security guards at his bar, Fischer has installed a screening system similar to one used by airports that scans IDs to match a database. Also, patrons are wanded for weapons. He says he finds guns and knives every day. Its Florida, so Im not that alarmed at all the weapons we find. They just go back and put it in the car, Fischer said. But our heightened security makes my staff and my customers feel better, especially since the Pulse shootings. There are moments of hope amid this years anxieties. One of St. Pete Prides annual events, the Trans Pride March, could have an even bigger turnout than it did in 2022: Pre-parade registrations are already numbering more than 100 people to march in the parade that precedes the main parade on June 24. Thats more people than marched in the Trans Pride March last year, Freisberg said. Laura Campbell, the mother of a transgender child who founded the Central Florida chapter of Free Mom Hugs, started Pride month by attending a meeting in Tampa at the Board of Medicine to discuss helping adults receive gender-affirming care. Though she is disappointed by the many legal battles she has to fight these days, she says the current political climate has galvanized those who want to help the LGBTQ+ community. Campbells organization, which now has 783 volunteers in the Central Florida chapter, offers hugs to anyone in the community who wants support. She says she has seen a wave of volunteers step up who arent parents of trans kids like her they just want to offer hugs and support and are surprised at how they get embraced at Pride events. Ive had people nearly knock me down trying to get a hug, Campbell said. I tell them I will hold you as long as you want, until you are ready to let go. You are worthy, and you are loved. Will this stab at solving immigration be any different from many before? | Opinion The announcement of yet another immigration bill in Congress a couple of weeks ago put the tiniest of blips on my radar. Though immigration policy is hugely important to our Central Valley in California, trying to fix it has proven as easy as solving homelessness. My curiosity was piqued a few days ago, however, when one of our congressmen, Modestos John Duarte, signed onto the Dignity Act, touted as the most serious stab at immigration reform in 20 years. While Duarte was considering that move, presidential contender Ron DeSantis was sending airplanes with immigrants to California, and Gov. Gavin Newsom was threatening DeSantis with kidnapping charges. Can there be realistic hope for progress in immigration reform with such high-profile political stunts going on? Opinion I asked Duarte, a House Republican, how he came to back the Dignity Act. He said he listened in while a sponsor pitched it to another potential supporter at the U.S. Capitol. Soon one of the authors came knocking on Duartes door. Theyre taking their very best shot at something that hasnt been done in a very long time, he told me of the authors, Reps. Maria Salazar and Veronica Escobar. The first is a Miami Republican, the second a Texas Democrat. The party balance is meaningful and intentional, as is the Latino heritage of both. The bills co-sponsors are equally divided between both parties. When a Democrat is recruited, so must be a Republican, Duarte said. The Dignity Act, or H.R. 3599, has a lot of moving parts. Its most salient points are spending real money to tighten border security, which Republicans like, while providing legal status and a path to citizenship for immigrants, which appeals to Democrats. Its comprehensive, fair and humane, said Duarte. And it should play well with voters in his 13th District, which includes Stanislaus County west of Highway 99, plus Ceres, and runs through four other counties including Merced and Fresno. Its a Latino-heavy district with lots of farmers, many who use migrant labor. These demographics help explain why Duarte turned thumbs down last month on the Secure the Border Act, which amounted to Republican window dressing with no chance for success. That vote got Duarte into trouble with leaders of his party, but not his voters. We have to get those in our community out of the shadows, Duarte said. Immigration, a never-ending battle Hearing Duarte talk about immigration made me remember former Rep. Jeff Denham, who fought similar battles for local immigrants and against party leadership in the previous decade. In 2018, I wrote about Denham and others announcing the USA Act, legislation aimed at protecting Dreamers from deportation as well as strengthening border security. When that failed, as immigration reform always does, Denham said at the time, Im now convinced immigration will never get done without bipartisan support. He lost a reelection bid later that year. Duarte says hes good friends with Denham. I hope he remembers those words from Denham, because he was absolutely right. Time will tell whether this years Dignity Act has enough juice on both sides to overcome the polarization that has come to define must-win American policymaking. Its a good time in the House of Representatives, Duarte told me, to stand up and tell the extremes, `If youre not going to get on board and wont accept compromise of any kind, we will pursue more bipartisan legislation thats going to make a difference for American families and focus less on messaging bills that are simply not going anywhere. Starbucks workers union accused the company on Tuesday of banning decorations for LGBTQ Pride Month. The group, Starbucks Workers United, is alleging that the companys corporate management has been asking its workers in at least 21 states to take down Pride decorations over the last two weeks, a claim that the company denies. The union said that workers in Massachusetts, for instance, were being told that there werent enough labor hours for employees to spend decorating. It added that in Oklahoma, some were told it was a safety concern to block windows with flags in light of threats to Target employees over that companys Pride displays. NBC News has not been able to independently verify the examples. If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack, the group said in a lengthy Twitter thread. A company that cares wouldnt turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits. Starbucks rejected the accusations and reaffirmed its support for the LGBTQ community. We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June, Andrew Trull, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement. He pointed to commitments and actions the company has taken to support the community during the past 40 years. Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners, Trull added. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June. The Seattle-based coffee giant has been celebrating Pride in some capacity since 1996, according to its website. And despite the unions accusations regarding the Pride decorations, it released three Pride-themed drink tumblers this month and is expected to sponsor Pride celebrations, as it has in years past. The allegation comes amid unprecedented times for the nations LGBTQ community. More than 490 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed in state legislatures across the country this year a historic first according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Many of the bills aim to curtail education on LGBTQ issues in schools, drag performances and transition-related health care, among other provisions, and have gained support from national Republican figures, such as former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In addition to the record-breaking legislation, threats and attacks directed to LGBTQ Americans have surged. There have been an average of 39 anti-LGBTQ protests nationwide each month since June 2022 according to recent report by the Crowd Counting Consortium, a research group that tracks the size of political protests compared with just three per month from January 2017 through May 2022. Just last week, a Pride flag was taken down and burned outside a City Hall building in Tempe, Arizona. And in New York City, a group of three men allegedly damaged multiple rainbow Pride flags on Saturday at New York Citys Stonewall National Monument. The combination of legislation, threats and attacks has made navigating corporate commitment to the LGBTQ community arguably more complicated for large companies this Pride month. Several weeks ago, Target pulled some of its Pride merchandise, following what a corporate spokesperson described as threats impacting our team members sense of safety and wellbeing while at work. Target previously did not respond to questions regarding the nature of the threats against employees. Online, some right-wing activists drew attention to the companys Pride collection, accusing the company of indoctrinating and grooming. Conservative activists took particular issue with a tuck-friendly bathing suit for adults and the collections apparel for children. Clothing items for kids include supportive slogans, including just be you and trans people will always exist! In addition to pulling some products, some Target stores responded by moving their Pride merchandise displays to less visible locations. The accusations against Starbucks also follow the firestorm around Bud Lights partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney this spring. The beer brands sales have dropped following an online campaign and calls for boycotts. On Tuesday, some right-wing activists declared victory over the Starbucks allegations. Leftwing Trans activists claim this means Starbucks is caving, Charlie Kirk, who is a conservative activist and radio show host, wrote to his more than 2.3 million Twitter followers. Good! Keep the pressure on, folks. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com It started with Oprah. Heres a look at 5 celebrity book clubs and some of their top picks Oprah Winfrey, a producer of the documentary Sidney, about actor Sidney Poitier, appears at the premiere on Sept. 21, 2022 in Los Angeles. Winfrey pioneered the celebrity book club trend more than 25 years ago. | Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP It started more than 20 years ago with Oprah Winfrey and several celebrities have since followed suit. Now, theres a number of celebrity book clubs that have helped authors and their works gain exposure and popularity. Heres a look at a few of these clubs, along with some of their book recommendations. Related Oprahs Book Club Winfrey formed Oprahs Book Club in 1996, and over the years, the club has selected books that engender conversation, spark enlightenment, help launch emerging authors, and reacquaint us with the already prominent, per Oprah Daily. Winfrey has hand-picked more than 100 books for members of the club to read, according to Oprah Daily. She shares her own review of the book, provides a reading schedule with multiple discussions about the book, interviews the author and asks members of her book club to share their own thoughts. Winfrey also provides book lists such as 5 Books Every Mother Will Enjoy and The Best Books to Get You Through a Messy Divorce on her website. I love books and the community thats created when people share them, Winfrey said, per Oprah Daily. If you open yourself when you open a good book, it will continue to illuminate your life even after The End. Recent book recommendations: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and Bittersweet by Susan Cain. Reeses Book Club Reese Witherspoon, who rose to stardom for her roles in romantic comedies such as Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama, has become somewhat of a book-recommendation expert. Each month, Witherspoon chooses a book with a woman at the center of the story, according to Reeses Book Club. Her selections are typically written by female authors. Theres not a formula to the books we spotlight, and we like it that way, reads a statement on the clubs website. We make our choices thoughtfully and look for ways to deepen our connection to books, authors and ourselves. Witherspoon launched her book club in 2017 with a recommendation for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Her book club selections have a tendency to rise from midlist to bestseller, Vox reported. When Reeses Book Club picked Where the Crawdads Sing, a debut novel by the unknown 70-year-old author Delia Owens, it pulled the book out of midlist obscurity and put it on the path toward megastardom, per Vox. Through each book selection, Witherspoon gets one step closer to reaching her personal goal: I want to make a lot of women a lot of money, the Oscar-winning actress told Time. Related Through her production company, Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon has taken several of her book picks to the screen. Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine have played a role in adapting Where the Crawdads Sing, Daisy Jones & The Six, The Last Thing He Told Me and Little Fires Everywhere into television series and movies. They were all Reeses Book Club picks first. We believe in the power of story to broaden perspectives and change the world for women, reads a mission statement on the Hello Sunshine website. Related Recent book recommendations: Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul, Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Read with Jenna book club Today show host Jenna Bush Hager introduced her book club, Read with Jenna, in 2019. Each month, Bush Hager selects books that will delight, entertain and challenge members of her book club, per Today. Every book is independently chosen by Jenna Bush Hager because she loves them. Jenna was not paid to mention these items and is unaffiliated with the authors and publishers. These books are simply some of her favorite reads, according to Today. Bush Hager gives her own review of each book, provides a monthly reading schedule and hosts online discussions through Instagram, Facebook and Goodreads. In addition, each monthly book selection is featured on the Today show, and Bush Hager hosts live interviews with authors and book signings at the Rockefeller Center. Read with Jenna book selections are almost guaranteed a ride to the top of the bestseller list. If Bush Hager recommends a book, It will, at a minimum, charge into the culture on shelves, in stockings, rocketing up the Amazon rankings for the bare fact that Ms. Hager has said its name before a viewing public that has come to trust her like an insistently persuasive aunt, wrote The New York Times. Recent book recommendations: The Celebrants by Steven Rowley, Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling. Belletrist book club Actress Emma Roberts and her best friend Karah Preiss, who are both avid readers, started the Belletrist Book Club six years ago to channel their hobby into an online community of likeminded subscribers, according to the book clubs website. For years, Roberts and Preiss would mail their favorite reads across the country to each other complete with little notes within the pages. Now, through social media, Roberts and Preiss select a new book each month and discuss highlights from the book its characters, the intricacies of the writing process, and how each book came to life and feature live author interviews, according to Belletrist.com. You dont have to be the best reader or read the most you just need that sense of curiosity and to want to be introduced to new stories that you might not have read otherwise, Roberts said, per Belletrist. Each week the club shares its STACKED what it calls the MTV cribs of bookshelves. A weekly STACKED post includes celebrity guest stars or authors, book recommendations and bookshelf tours. Our friendship is rooted in a mutual love of books. Theres nothing like finding a fellow reader whos just as passionate about prose as you are, Roberts told The Hollywood Reporter. Recent book recommendations: The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams, A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson and What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez. Kaia Gerber book club Kaia Gerber, the daughter of model Cindy Crawford, started her own virtual book club during the COVID-19 pandemic. I know we are all feeling isolated right now, so I was trying to think of easy ways we can stay connected (beyond just scrolling) and decided Im gonna start a book club, Gerber wrote on Instagram in March 2020. So every week Im gonna post a book to my stories and the following week Ill jump on live (sometimes with a friend, writer, guest etc.) So we can all talk about the book that week! Gerbers first book selection was Normal People by Sally Rooney. During her Instagram live discussion, Gerber featured Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, the stars from the Normal People Hulu series. She has also spoken with Jane Fonda, Lena Dunham, Emily Ratajkowski and several other authors. Ive always wanted to be part of a book club, Gerber told Vogue. Id be reading books and talking about them with my friends, but we never set up anything formal, so when the pandemic happened mostly out of boredom at first, to be honest I wanted to create a space where people felt like they could talk about topics that were a little bit harder to broach on Instagram. During the pandemic, Gerber gave a new book recommendation every week. She has cut back to one recommendation each month, and keeps her book club reading a wide variety of books, ranging from memoirs to plays. Recent book recommendations: In Memoriam by Alice Winn and The Overstory by Richard Powers. As summer approaches, air quality across the Central Valley will worsen dramatically as it does every year. With each punishing heat wave comes clouds of choking smog and diesel soot that make it dangerous for our kids to play outside. The presence of industrial agricultural operations, major roadways and warehouses means the 4.4 million people living in the region regularly breathe air that harms our families and childrens health. Our air quality crisis is so extreme that Bakersfield, Fresno-Madera-Hanford and Visalia have among the worst air quality in the United States across all three categories the American Lung Association measures. Counties across the Central Valley have asthma rates well above the states average. It is not fair for our children and families to have to stay inside because the air outside will make us sick. It is not right that we suffer constantly from health impacts caused by air pollution. Our communities will be locked into breathing polluted air for years to come without bold action from Gov. Newsom and the state Legislature. We know that air pollution is a problem that does not affect everyone equally. Nationally, people of color are almost four times more likely to live in a county with poor air quality. In California, residents most impacted by diesel death zones, areas where trucks pollute the air so heavily it significantly impacts health outcomes, are disproportionately low-income communities of color. Newsom and state lawmakers ensured no new cuts in the state budget May revise. While we appreciate budget challenges, now is the time to continue to protect and strengthen clean transportation and increase investments. We do not need to keep funding the status quo. We can expand our equitable, pollution-free transportation programs by pulling funding from outdated, unnecessary fossil fuel subsidies and from funding that supports the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Californias climate action must center on equity to recognize the years of harm our communities have endured due to historically unjust policies. Now is the time to protect and strengthen climate and clean air programs so they continue to provide equitable access to clean transportation options. Bottom line, vehicle pollution is a massive threat to the health of front-line communities across the state. We need a steady investment and a strong commitment from our state leaders to mitigate our air pollution and climate crisis. Last year Newsom and the Legislature made a commitment to uplift front-line communities across the state by centering equity and clean transportation. We need Newsom to keep his promise and effectively fund clean transportation in this years budget. Kevin D. Hamilton, is the co-founder and co-executive director of the Central California Asthma Collaborative. An ankle broken in three places kept state Rep. Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake from his lawmaking job at the North Carolina General Assembly for more than two months. The ankle was shattered, he said. Lucas returned this past Wednesday. Except for two days when his vote was critical for his fellow Democrats as they tried to sustain vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, Lucas had been away since March 23. He missed 278 votes on the House floor and numerous legislative committee meetings where details of new laws are hammered out. Yeah, thats the most time Ive ever missed since Ive been in Raleigh, and it was really challenging to be out like that, and to be confined to a wheelchair and just not be able to function, Lucas said Thursday. State Rep. Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake. Lucas broke his ankle in a fall in late March, he said. I was in the garage and on my way back into the house, and for some reason I dont know what it was I just blacked out, he said. I havent gotten a medical explanation for that yet other than it might have been low blood pressure. But when I came to, my full body was lying on my left ankle. Lucas called to his wife for help, he said, and she and his grandson took him to the hospital and then to a specialist. He later had surgery. Lucas was first elected in 2000 and is in his 12th term. Lucas shows up for key vote despite broken ankle On March 29 prior to the surgery Lucas brother drove him to Raleigh and Lucas wife helped him get around the Legislative Building in a wheelchair. Lucas said he was in awful, excruciating pain, but it was important to be present to vote on a piece of gun legislation that the governor had vetoed. The legislation canceled a law that required people to get a permit from their local sheriff in order to buy a handgun. To sustain the veto, the Democrats needed all 49 of their House members present and voting against the bill to prevent the GOP from getting a three-fifths veto-override majority in the 120-member House. Lucas had previously voted for the legislation before turning against it with the veto override. While Lucas showed up in his wheelchair to sustain Coopers veto, three other Democrats Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, Michael Wray of Northampton County and Cecil Brockman of Guilford County were absent. This allowed the Republicans to override the veto with a 71-46 vote. Read all about it: Handgun sales rise in Cumberland County after legislature repeals permit requirement. Cotham issued a statement to WBTV in Charlotte that she has long COVID-19 and she missed the vote because she had a medical appointment that morning. She said she would have voted to keep the handgun permit law. Cotham in early April switched to the Republican Party, giving the GOP a veto-proof 72-48 supermajority in the House. Brockmans office told WRAL that he had been in an urgent care clinic. Brockman previously voted to keep the handgun permit law. An assistant for Wray, who like Lucas previously voted to cancel the handgun permit law, said Wray missed the vote due to a family emergency, The News & Observer reported. Lucas declined to comment on the absence of other legislators for the veto override vote. State Rep. Marvin Lucas, a Spring Lake Democrat, attended the state House of Representatives lawmaking session on May 16 despite still needing a wheelchair to get around as he recovered from breaking his ankle in three places. On that day, the Republican-controlled House voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of a new law to restrict abortion. Lucas voted to sustain the veto. Lucas present for another veto override vote: Abortion law Despite still being unable to walk, on May 16 Lucas returned to the legislature with his wheelchair to vote to sustain Coopers veto of a new law that would roll back access to abortion. This time, every lawmaker was present and the Republicans overrode Cooper with a 72-48 vote. The new abortion law bans most abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy, canceling a previous law that allowed them through the 20th week. It takes effect July 1. New abortion law takes effect July 1: Here are North Carolinas new restrictions on access to the care. Working from home not ideal for a lawmaker While recuperating away from Raleigh, Lucas said he kept up communications with constituents and contacted colleagues in the legislature about pending issues. He regrets that he couldnt be at the legislature to have in-person conversations with other lawmakers on the state budget, which is tracking to total $29.8 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year. But at least when youre there, I could really get an inside track with my experience credentials to really lend my voice on how I think things ought to go, Lucas said. And then not being there for those weeks that I was out, really that that gave me pause, and really concern, in not being able to get there. Lucas would like to see bigger raises for teachers and state employees than what is in the GOP budget plans, and I would hope that my being there wouldve helped to influence that, he said. Lucas said he is walking again without assistance, though he is still recovering, and he has resumed his lawmaking work. Let me assure anybody who has concerns that I am back and raring to get back into service. In fact, Im back into service I keep emphasizing that Im there, he 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: Broken ankle sidelined state Rep. Marvin Lucas for 2 months State Supreme Court rules in favor of NJ teacher who lost tenure after child was born TRENTON The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Monday that a former tenured teacher at Van Derveer School in Somerville should have gotten her full-time job back after she switched to a part-time position to spend more time with her newborn son. The state's highest court agreed with rulings by the commissioner of the state Department of Education and an Appellate Court that Catherine Parsells, now principal of Immaculate Conception School, did not waive her tenure rights when she requested the part-time position and was entitled to a full-time job. Parsells, who earned her tenure in 2013, applied for full-time positions when she wanted to leave the part-time job in 2018, but the Somerville school board rejected her applications for "at least" six jobs, court papers say. For some of those positions, according to court papers, the school board hired non-tenured teachers from outside the district. Because she was not getting health benefits and all the full-time positions were filled, Parsells found employment elsewhere. Both the Department of Education and the Appellate Court had ruled that the school district should return Parsells to her full-time position at Van Derveer School and reward her back pay. Parsells argued that she was entitled to a full-time job because she had not "knowingly and voluntarily" given up her tenure rights. The Supreme Court wrote that the Somerville School District had "presented no proofs" that Parsells had given up her tenure rights and that her applications for the full-time jobs "clearly show that she believed she had a right, as a tenured teacher, to return to work full-time." But, the Court ruled, school districts do not have to notify tenured teachers in advance that if they work part-time after working full-time, they might not have a right to return to the full-time position. The Court, however, "encourages" school districts to address the issue at the time the request for part-time work is made. "Any waiver of a teacher's tenure rights must be clear, knowing and unequivocal," the Court wrote in its unanimous decision. In February 2020, the state Department of Education overturned an administrative law judge's ruling that Parsells had relinquished her tenure rights after a maternity leave. 'A huge sense of relief': Business now booming for Somerville home baker But the Somerville school board appealed that decision in the courts, saying the state's decision was "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable." But the Appellate Court disagreed, saying that the school district failed to disclose to Parsells the consequences of full-time teachers accepting part-time positions According to the Department of Education's ruling, Parsells was a full-time preschool teacher for six years, who had earned tenure, before voluntarily taking a part-time position with health benefits for the 2016-17 school year. In February 2017, just before beginning a maternity and child care leave of absence, she expressed interest in continuing as a part-time teacher for the next school year if she could still receive health benefits, court papers say. But in July 2017, according to court papers, Parsells was told by former Superintendent Tim Purnell, who is now executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, that the part-time position no longer carried health benefits, so she had to choose between a full-time job with benefits or a part-time job with no benefits. Parsells decided to extend her maternity leave. In April 2018, the new superintendent, Tim Teehan, who is retiring, told Parsells she could return for the 2018-19 school year to a part-time position with no benefits. If a full-time position became available, she would have to apply for it, court papers say. Parsells applied for full-time positions, but the district did not select her. Parsells appealed the school district's action, arguing that the board denied her tenure rights by hiring untenured people for the full-time positions. She also argued that she had not voluntarily relinquished her tenure rights by accepting a temporary placement in a part-time position. Parsells contended that she did not know that changing from a full-time to a part-time position would affect her tenure rights and the district never informed her of the possible consequences. The Department of Education found that Parsells did not knowingly and voluntarily waive her right to a full-time position. The waiver of the tenure, the Department of Education wrote, "can only be waived knowingly and voluntarily through a clear, unequivocal and decisive act." The department also wrote that the district "had all the information and nonetheless kept (Parsells) in the dark." The state also ruled that Parsells' request to continue her maternity leave also was not a waiver of her tenure rights. The Appellate Court agreed, writing in the 14-page decision, that a teacher "should be notified of the risks to her full-time job before making that fateful decision." "It also ensures teachers are armed with the knowledge they need to make an informed career choice," the court continued. In addition, the court wrote that the school board's argument "misses the mark" because "it suggests that an employer's lack of transparency with its own employees is somehow good operational policy." Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Supreme Court rules for teacher who lost tenure after child birth A Statesville man was sentenced to multiple years in prison on gun and drug charges in the Iredell County Superior Court on Monday. Keith Eugene Lackey Jr. was charged with three counts of cocaine possession, attempted MDMA trafficking, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and a misdemeanor of carrying a concealed gun. ALSO READ: 1 person hurt, in north Charlotte shooting, MEDIC says Channel 9 first heard about Lackey after Statesville police arrested him in June of 2018 after he shot an officer in the back while they were patrolling in Lackeys neighborhood. For that incident, the department charged Lackey with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and firing a gun within the city limits. The Iredell County Superior Court sentenced Lackey to a total of six and a half years in prison, serving consecutive, active sentences. Court officials also said Lakey violated his probation, and that sentence will be served at the same time as the others. (WATCH BELOW: Police: 18-year-old arrested after employee, 17, shot at Gastonia McDonalds) FILE - This Jan. 14, 2019 photo shows a Jeep logo at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Stellantis is recalling more than 354,000 Jeeps worldwide, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, because the rear coil springs can fall off while theyre being driven. The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Stellantis is recalling more than 354,000 Jeeps worldwide because the rear coil springs can fall off while they're being driven. The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the springs may have been installed incorrectly in production. Stellantis says in the documents that it's aware of 17 warranty claims, two customer assistance reports and two field reports that may be caused by the problem. Kharkiv City Council has changed the names of streets related to the Soviet past to new names that honour fallen Ukrainian defenders. The city will have streets named after fallen heroes Heorhii Tarasenko, Dmytro Kotsiubailo, Oleh Hromadskyi and Vladyslav Chernykh, and Gorky Park is to be renamed the Central Park of Culture and Recreation. Source: Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Telegram Quote: "Plekhanivska Street is now named after Heorhii Tarasenko, leader of the Freikorps [a volunteer battalion of Ukraines defence forces ed.]; Derzhavinska Street after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, commander of the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion; Battleship Potemkin Street after Oleh Hromadskyi, the legendary battalion commander and National Guardsman; and the nameless square on Kontorska Street, opposite building 5, is named after combat medic Vladyslav Chernykh." Details: The mayor said the names of Ukrainian heroes are worthy of being immortalised in people's memory. Terekhov added that Kharkiv residents who have property on the renamed streets do not need to change their residence permits or property ownership documents. In addition, Gorky Park has been renamed the Central Park of Culture and Recreation: "This name has long taken root among Kharkiv residents". The mayor said all the decisions on renaming streets and squares were adopted unanimously by the members of the City Council. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a parliament committee on Tuesday that Israel will not be constrained by any international nuclear deal with Iran. His remarks at the parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee came amid media reports that the United States was making progress toward a nuclear deal with Iran, an arch-foe of Israel in the Middle East. "No agreement with Iran will be binding on Israel, which will continue to do everything to defend itself," Netanyahu told the committee, according to a statement released on his behalf. Iran "aspires to the destruction of Israel," he noted. Netanyahu, a staunch opponent of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, maintains that the emerging new deal will enable Iran to develop nuclear weapons without the burden of the sanctions. "Our policy is aimed at increasing the circle of peace to stop Iran and its proxies," the Israeli leader said, referring to Israel's key security strategy based on forging new alliances in the Middle East. Photo of Statue of Liberty in smoky haze The Statue of Liberty is a faint outline amid the smoky haze in New York City on June 8, 2023. Last week, hazardous air hung over much of the Eastern U.S.blanketing major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. in a heavy haze of smoke. The Air Quality Index shot above 400 in some places (including NYC), well into the danger zone for human health. Thankfully, shifting air currents and weather improved air quality over the weekend. But the reprieve is likely temporary as Canadian wildfires continue to multiply and grow. Brief intermissions aside, the U.S. could be in for a whole season of bad air. Canada has had an unprecedented start to its fire season, according to the countrys officials. The first hints of trouble for North Americas forests and lungs began in May when smoke from Alberta blazes covered Montana and parts of Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona in a dangerous, smoky smog. Also last month, Nova Scotia fires led to air quality alerts in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. And now, including the more recent Quebec fires, almost every Canadian province is dealing with big burns. Read more If this rate continues, we could hit record levels for area burned this year, Michael Norton, director of Canadas Northern Forestry Center, said in a June 5 press briefing. We are already seeing one of the worst wildfire seasons on record, and we must prepare for a long summer, said Steven Guilbeault, the nations Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in a news statement. Drought and hot weather, exacerbated by human-caused climate change, are to blame. Right now, there are 447 active fires in Canada, spanning nearly the whole country, and more than half are categorized as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Three new fires ignited on Tuesday alone. More than 12.5 million acres (19,300+ square miles) have burned so far. There might be blue sky in New York City at the moment, but chances are it wont last. Already Canadian smoke is dipping back down into the lower 48 while, of course, continuing to inundate parts of Canada as well. On Monday, multiple I-95 corridor cities like Philly had moderately unhealthy air again. The National Weather Service office in Boston issued a notice that smoke from Quebec was once again causing hazy skies. If you think the sky looks hazy today, you're correct! Forest fire smoke is taking the "long route" from Quebec & is drifting up the coast. Here's a forecast loop from 12-6 pm. Most of this is aloft & is not lowering visibility significantly. #ctwx #mawx #riwx pic.twitter.com/KxUzTWL4EI NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) June 12, 2023 For Minnesota, and other Midwest states, wildfire pollution is forecast to return Tuesday through at least Thursday morning, according to NWS Twin Cities. Smoke from wildfires in Canada will be working its way back into the area over the next 24 to 36 hours, and will make skies hazier as it does so. This animation is a model forecast of atmospheric smoke content from 10 AM today through 7 AM Thursday. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/gcMRXnoC2Z NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) June 13, 2023 In both these instances, the smoke has hovered relatively high up in the atmosphere, causing minimal air quality impacts lower down. But a shift in pressure or a cold front that brings in more air from the north or northwest could change that at any moment, according to Spectrum News meteorologist Greg Pollak. That remains true for as long as Canada remains ablaze. This years U.S. fire season looms too. Above normal significant fire risk is forecast for parts of the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions, according to the National Interagency Fire Centers most recent outlook, released Tuesday. If large fires do break out in the U.S. too, some of that smoke is liable to pollute Canadian skies, in turn. This is all to say that, as always, climate change and air pollution are not problems that can be contained and addressed within national borders. This is a crisis for both our countries, Senator Chuck Schumer tweeted on Sunday evening. In his post, Schumer urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to increase the number of wildland firefighters deployed to Canada in order to minimize a summer of smoke. But even with extra support, the fires are likely to keep burning for now and the smoke will keep coming. To protect your health, enjoy the clear days when you can, and follow the advice of health experts on the not-so-clear days. When the AQI exceeds 150, its especially important to minimize your time outside, keep windows closed, wear a high-quality mask if you must go outdoors, and stay hydrated. Its an endurance challenge, not a sprint. Smoky skies are set to be a recurring part of our new climate normal. The summer is just getting started, and this summer is only the beginning. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Its not just saying hello or goodbye. In Hawaiian culture, "aloha" is an expression of respect and warmth with no expectation of reciprocation. To live out the aloha spirit is to also be inclusive and compassionate to all types of people, which Hawaiians have been doing for many years. In Hawaiian culture, there is kane (man) and wahine (woman), but there is also someone who has both feminine and masculine spirits a fluid, nonbinary identity called mahu. These people were highly respected and possessed spiritual value and were often caretakers or healers in ancient times. To this day, Hawaii has one of the highest percentages of transgender people in the country. 'Gay summer camp': How cruises create space for LGBTQ+ travelers at sea I would have to say that Hawaii is very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, said Jordan Lee, an LGBTQ business owner of Oahu pet supply store The Public Pet. With deep cultural ties to our mahu community, supportive legislators/political officials, and a dense multi-ethnic population, Hawaii is an ideal spot for any LGBTQ+ traveler to feel accepted. Hawaii was also ahead of its time when it came to legalizing same-sex marriage. In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court made history as the first court in the world to rule that marriage was a fundamental right to same-sex couples years before the 2015 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. Hale Mana Aura offers services such as beauty and wellness treatments to guided meditations. When visiting the islands, Lee urges travelers to support local businesses as much as possible. The cost of living is very high in Hawaii, so being mindful of where your dollar goes and how it is spent can make a dramatic difference, he said. When you shop from a local LGBTQ+ business, you can help them to strengthen their platform and our community's existence. To help guide you in the right direction, we asked Lee and fellow LGBTQ business owner Keoki Tavares of Aloha Elixir, about their favorite locally owned, LGBTQ businesses in Hawaii. Salvage Public Hawaii's surfing lifestyle inspires the modern designs of Salvage Public. Contemporary menswear brand Salvage Public is run by three Native Hawaian designers and surfers who capture authentic Hawaii living in their designs. Think minimalist sportswear with familiar Hawaiian iconography like Hawaiian quilt designs and the names of common Oahu surf breaks. Theyre designed for locals by locals, but anyone will feel stylish wearing their clothes. Visit their store at South Shore Market in Ward Village or online. The Curb For a quick pick-me-up, head over to The Curb in Kaimuki, a neighborhood staple, where people are always doing work and catching up with friends. The coffee shop started as a small truck by the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has moved around as it grew. The current location has become a community gathering place, hosting art shows and live music. During the day, The Curb serves up coffee and tea, plus light cafe fare inspired by local flavors. When the sun sets, the cafe turns into a natural wine bar. Shop Toast Lee recommends stopping at Shop Toast for all your gift-shopping needs during your visit to Hawaii. The boutique is online shopping in the U.S. or curbside pickup only right now, and a quick browse on its website shows adorable car and mini tabletop diffusers featuring sweet island scents like guava, hibiscus plum and local flowers. Kaimuki Lei Stand Lei has a significant place in Hawaiian culture, so check out the Kaimuki Lei Stand when in Honolulu. After being laid off from jobs in the hospitality industry during COVID-19, husband duo Keoni and Makamae Williams followed their passion and opened up the lei shop to put locally grown flowers in the spotlight. Now they sell lei and host workshops where guests can learn how to string their own. Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery A Portuguese donut thats crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, the malasada is considered a local delicacy. Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery in Honolulu takes locals back to their childhood by serving up award-winning malasadas in flavors like cinnamon and li hing, a sour plum powder. If youre feeling extra indulgent, you can order one filled with ice cream and cleverly called malamode. Hale Mana Aura Hale Mana Aura invites people to slow down with indigenous healing practices. Life gets stressful, so take time to recenter yourself on your trip to Hawaii at Hale Mana Aura, a wellness center in Honolulu that seeks to introduce indigenous spiritual practices of self-care. Participate in sound healing, yoga, beauty treatments and guided meditations to help you feel more grounded. Aloha Elixir All things spiritual can be found at Aloha Elixir in the Honolulu neighborhood Kaimuki. Since 2012, Aloha Elixir has been Honolulus go-to apothecary for handmade candles, sprays and smudges to help people manifest their best life and usher in good vibes only. Tavares is the owner and healer at Aloha Elixir who started the shop due to his love of natural botanicals, especially native Hawaiian plants, and seeks to source most of his ingredients from local vendors. Stop by on a Friday afternoon during the shops psychic happy hour to get your future read. Hulas Situated on the edge of Waikiki overlooking the Honolulu Zoo with a peek of the ocean, Hulas Bar & Lei Stand is Hawaiis iconic gay bar, according to Tavares. The open-air restaurant has been around for almost 50 years, welcoming a diverse crowd with its drinks, food and live music. It has always been a place where I felt comfortable, with very welcoming energy, Tavares said. No matter what time you pass by, you can always see people mingling, and theres basically an event or special each day. The Public Pet The Public Pet is your go-to shop for cute pet accessories and treats. For those with a fur baby at home, or if you have to get a gift for some pet parents, stop by Lees shop, The Public Pet in Honolulu. The small business sells a curated selection of pet accessories, treats and toys with a local flair, like local ahi jerky and shave ice squeaker toys for dogs. Charlie, my 4-pound poodle, loves sporting new collars and leashes in vibrant colors to make his coat pop, Tavares said. We cant leave The Public Pet without his favorite locally made dog treats. Queens Surf Beach Across the street from Hulas is Queens Surf Beach, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to frolic in the gentle Waikiki water. This beach was regarded as the most gay-popular beach on the island, a place where gay folks felt comfortable to enjoy the sun. It now attracts a more mixed (but still accepting) crowd. Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Honolulu shopping: 9 locally owned LGBTQ+ businesses to support Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended that Adm. Samuel Paparo become the next chief of naval operations, passing over a female officer thought by many to have been the top contender for the role, multiple outlets have reported. The Pentagon sent Paparos nomination to become the Navys highest-ranking officer to the White House roughly a week ago, though President Biden has not yet approved it, NBC News first reported Monday. The choice was a surprise as the Navys No. 2 officer, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who has been vice chief of naval operations since last fall, had been considered the front-runner for the top position. Should she have been chosen and confirmed by the Senate, Franchetti would have been the first woman to be chief of naval operations as well as the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The White House and Pentagon declined to comment. This is a presidential decision, Navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Ryan Perry told multiple outlets. The United States Navy has several highly qualified senior leaders, and it would be inappropriate to speculate which leader the president will nominate to serve as the next chief of naval operations. If nominated and confirmed, Paparo would replace current Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, whose four-year term is over this fall. Paparo, the commander of the Navys Pacific Fleet since May 2021, has spent the past two years focused on confronting Chinese aggression in the Asia-Pacific. He was expected to become the next head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, though the commands current leader, Adm. John Aquilino, pressed Austin to recommend Paparo for the Navys No. 1 officer job for his China expertise, Politico reported. Should he become chief of naval operations, Paparo would be in charge of making sure Navy sailors and aviators are trained, equipped and ready to fight, rather than making operational decisions. A career naval aviator who has flown F-14, F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft, Paparo has also commanded in the Middle East and deployed multiple times to Saudi Arabia and Iceland. Franchetti, meanwhile, has commanded U.S. Naval Forces Korea as well as two strike groups in the Pacific Carrier Strike Group 9 and Carrier Strike Group 15. Shes also served as commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in Europe and held various positions in the Pentagon. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. All-Out Defence Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih poses with a printout of the newest version of Civil Defence Handbook, in Taipei Taiwan civil defence handbook includes tips on identifying Chinese soldiers All-Out Defence Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih poses with a printout of the newest version of Civil Defence Handbook, in Taipei TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's military released an updated civil defence handbook on Tuesday that for the first time includes a section on how to tell the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese soldiers based on their uniforms, camouflage and insignia. Taiwan unveiled the handbook last year amid a rise in tensions with Beijing and after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, detailing how to find bomb shelters, water and food supplies via smartphone apps, as well as tips for preparing emergency first aid kits. Taiwan's defence ministry said they received feedback that the book needed to better reflect war scenarios, given the conflict in Ukraine, which Russia calls a "special operation". One of the changes includes illustrations of Taiwanese service personnel and "enemy soldiers" wearing Chinese military uniforms. The Taiwanese soldiers are shown smiling, whereas the Chinese ones have downturned mouths and a severe expression. It's actually quite hard to distinguish them," All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency Director Shen Wei-chih told reporters at the defence ministry. The booklet assumes Chinese soldiers will wear People's Liberation Army uniforms; experts say special forces troops may wear different gear as they try to infiltrate Taiwan during an invasion. Taiwan's emergency personnel, including police and first responders, are also shown in the new handbook, which will be available for download. The agency is working on an English translation, Shen said. Planning for the handbook predates Russia's attack on its neighbour, which has prompted debate on its implications for Taiwan and ways to boost preparedness, such as reforms to the reservist training and extending military service. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory despite Taipei's strong objections and has ramped up military and political pressure over the past three years to push those sovereignty claims. Taiwan has also been inspecting bomb shelters to make sure they are suitable and updating signs to make them easier to find; markers may eventually include flashing lights, officials said at the same news conference. (Reporting by Angie Teo and Ben Blanchard. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Target stores in at least five states were evacuated over the weekend after receiving bomb threats in what appears to be a continuation of backlash against the retail chains Pride Month merchandise, The Washington Post reported Monday. Stores in Oklahoma, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Louisiana were targeted with the threats, which came via email, the Post reported, mirroring similar incidents in recent weeks in Ohio, Utah and Pennsylvania. Police searches revealed no evidence of explosives at any of the locations, and Target said the stores are safe and operating at regular hours. The threats came amid a sweeping anti-LGBTQ campaign targeting corporations and employees promoting inclusive messaging. Target removed some of its Pride merchandise in May, citing repeated threats against workers. The retailers move drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates, who said the company succumbed to pressure from anti-LGBTQ conservatives. The threatening emails were received by local news outlets across the five states on Saturday. The threats sent to news stations in Oklahoma came packaged as a list of stores that were targeted. The message begins: We are going to play a game. The email goes on to claim that bombs were placed at two of the seven Target stores in the list, and closes with 4/19/1995. Thats the date of the Oklahoma City bombing in which anti-government militants detonated a truck full of explosives outside a federal building, killing and injuring dozens. News outlets in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York reported receiving similar emails accusing Target of betraying the LGBTQ+ community. The stores threatened in that correspondence are located in South Burlington, Vermont; Plattsburgh, New York; and Keene and West Lebanon, New Hampshire. This is part of what went on nationwide, Shawn Burke, chief of Vermonts South Burlington Police Department, told reporters, characterizing the threatening emails as a swatting incident that he said was likely not the last of its kind. In Louisiana, police cleared two Target stores in Lafayette without evacuations. An email threatening those locations calls Target pathetic and accuses the store of bowing to the wishes of the far-right extremists who want to exterminate us, according to local news outlets. We will not tolerate intolerance nor indifference, the email says. If you are not with us then you are against us. Tarrant County has three finalists for elections chief. One sued the former administrator. A Fort Worth woman who once sued the outgoing Tarrant County elections administrator is a finalist for his position, according to a source with firsthand knowledge of the interviews. According to court records, Karen Wisemans case against the county and outgoing administrator Heider Garcia closed May 9 the same day interviews for the elections administrator job began. An expert says Wisemans consideration for the position is rare for a job where non-partisanship is supposed to be the standard. The two other finalists for the elections chief job are Clinton Ludwig, chief deputy of the county clerks office, and Fred Crosley, who was the chief financial officer for Trinity Metro, according to the same source. Wiseman filed a lawsuit against Tarrant County after she had put in a public information request for data on the 2021 mayoral and city council races in Fort Worth. She claimed the elections office did not take measures to preserve information beyond what was required in state election code, according to Tarrant County court records. Wiseman also claimed the county had denied other requests she had filed for information on elections. Wiseman also left a letter in one Fort Worth voters mailbox ahead of the midterm elections last November inquiring whether the voter had voted at a Stop Six location. In the letter, Wiseman said she was working with a group that was investigating the integrity of local elections and had noticed anomalies in the data. She did not identify which group she was with. There are an unusually high number of people that live in our neighborhood, traveling to the Stop 6 area to vote when there are many Early Voting sites between here and there, Wiseman wrote. Tarrant is one of 90 Texas counties that participate in countywide voting. Registered voters can cast their ballot at any vote center in the county. Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said that the goal of an elections administrator is to not only run elections but to also make sure constituents know theyre being run fairly. Actions taken that make that role seem more partisan would potentially make voters think that the whole process is partisan, Rottinghaus said. Thats counterproductive in these arrangements. Usually, partisan candidates are weeded out in the process of selecting finalists for a job like this, Rottinghaus said. The countys election commission is in charge of hiring the new elections administrator. The commission includes county judge Tim OHare, Tarrant GOP chair Rick Barnes, outgoing Tarrant County Democratic Party chair Allison Campolo, county clerk Mary Louise Nicholson and tax assessor-collector Wendy Burgess. Campolo wrote in a text to a Star-Telegram reporter that she would be respecting the confidentiality of the process and that more information will be available after final interviews. Barnes declined to comment on the finalists in a text to a reporter, writing the commission was in the middle of the hiring process. Nicholson, too, wrote in an email that she did not feel it would be fair to comment since the hiring process was ongoing. A representative for OHare wrote in an email that he would not be back in his office for the rest of the day. Burgess did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Nine applicants for election administrator were interviewed Friday by the election commission. The finalists will be interviewed sometime within the next week. The Star-Telegram requested all application materials for every person who applied to be Tarrant Countys elections administrator. The county declined to provide the public documents and informed the Star-Telegram on Monday it would seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney Generals office. Wiseman, who previously worked with First American Payment Systems for nearly 20 years, is president of the 5 Stones Foundation, a group focused on anti-human trafficking efforts in Tarrant County. The group has a volunteer taskforce with the Fort Worth Police Department. Neither Wiseman nor Ludwig returned phone calls for comment Tuesday afternoon. When reached Tuesday by phone, Crosley said he did not know if he was a finalist for the job but confirmed he did apply for the position. He did not answer a question about why he applied for the job and hung up on a Star-Telegram reporter. Former administrator resigns Garcia resigned from his position in a letter dated April 16 that cited differences between himself and OHare on how to run elections. He wrote that his formula to administer a quality transparent election stands on respect and zero politics was different from OHares and that he would not compromise on his values. One commissioner accused OHare of breaking the countys election system. Garcias resignation, in addition to Republican leaders efforts to investigate local elections through the Tarrant County Sheriffs Offices election integrity task force, led top Democratic officials in the county to pen a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for an investigation. The letter, led by U.S. Rep Marc Veasey, claims such efforts undermine minority voters. Officials with the Justice Department have since committed to meet with Tarrant Countys top Democratic officials. A meeting date had not yet been set. OHare has said he would not rule out hiring someone for the position who ever questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election. Taunton man charged with murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Cape Cod man A Massachusetts man has been charged with the murder of a 19-year-old who was stabbed this weekend on Cape Cod, according to Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois. Prosecutors said Monday that 22-year-old Adrian Black of Taunton had been arrested and charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The stabbing happened Saturday afternoon at the Gosnold Grove Apartments on East Falmouth Highway in Falmouth. The victim, identified Monday as Milteer Hendrix of Falmouth, was taken to Falmouth Hospital before being airlifted to Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. He was pronounced deceased Sunday morning, according to Galibois. Black is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Falmouth District Court. 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 Editor's Note: The Green Bay Press-Gazette has chosen not to publish many of the graphic details of this crime. However, readers may find material in this report disturbing. GREEN BAY - A Brown County judge on Tuesday denied several motions to suppress evidence collected from Taylor Schabusiness in the February 2022 slaying of Shad Thyrion of Green Bay. Attorneys and the judge in the murder-decapitation case cleared up a number of issues as they move closer to a trial date later this summer. Schabusiness, 25, Thyrion's former girlfriend, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual assault and mutilating a corpse in the killing. The case is slated to go to trial July 24-28 at the Brown County Courthouse. A jury is to be selected July 21. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh had 13 motions to decide; most were filed by attorney Christopher T. Froelich, representing Schabusiness, of Green Bay. But there were also motions from Assistant Brown County District Attorney Caleb Saunders. Saunders said in a letter to Walsh that that the prosecution plans to call six witnesses, all Green Bay police officers, at trial. Several testified in motion hearings earlier this year. David Graf, a detective for the past 16 of his nearly 30 years with Green Bay police, testified about how police collected DNA from Schabusiness the morning after the killing by sweeping her cheek with a buccal swab after being granted her permission to do so. Walsh declined to suppress the DNA evidence. Also testifying Tuuesday: Green Bay detectives Phil Scanlan, Kevin Kempf and Craig Pakkala, Lt. Jena Luberda and Officer Garth Russell. The group all described how Schabusiness was generally cooperative with police during questioning at headquarters. Under questioning from defense attorney Froelich, detectives insisted Schabusiness willingly answered questions about the killing, and what she and Thyrion had done that night before the slaying, and the decapitation of Thyrion in the basement of his mother's house on Green Bay's west side. Defense challenges Schabusiness' statements to Green Bay police Froelich had asked Walsh to suppress statements Schabusiness made to police, claiming some statements were made to a Green Bay officer before police had read Schabusiness a Miranda warning that said she did not have to answer questions from police. In asking the judge to not allow such evidence to be used in the trial, Froelich said she did not waive her rights "knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily." In cross-examination of Scanlan, Froelich asked if he had detected signs of drug use, such as the smell of marijuana smoke or the odor of methamphetamine, or if she smiled inappropriately or otherwise behaved oddly during questioning. "I do recall moments where she didn't seem happy," Scanlan said in discussing a Feb. 28, 2022, interview he did with her. "But I didn't observe signs of (drug) withdrawal." Also testifying Tuesday: Green Bay detectives Kevin Kempf and Craig Pakkala, Lt. Jena Luberda and Officer Garth Russell. The group all described how Schabusiness was generally cooperative with police during questioning at headquarters. Under questioning from Froelich, detectives insisted Schabusiness willingly answered questions about the killing, and what she and Thyrion had done that night before the slaying, and the decapitation of Thyrion in the basement of his mother's house on Green Bay's west side. Walsh denied the request to suppress the statements given to police. RELATED: Judge will not reduce $2 million bail for Taylor Schabusiness in beheading case Evidence collected from apartment, minivan Froelich challenged the search police conducted of a one-bedroom, ground-floor Eastman Avenue apartment where Schabusiness was living. He also said the court should suppress evidence seized from a Chrysler Town and Country minivan Schabusiness had been driving the night Thyrion was killed. The van was registered to another man who also lived in the apartment. Walsh declined the suppression request. Saunders said police obtained a warrant that granted them permission to search the apartment; they said they got verbal permission to search the minivan. Defense expert's testimony Dr. James O'Donnell was allowed to testify at a hearing on a motion, after saying he has testified in a number of court cases in Illinois, where he lives, and in Wisconsin. Under questioning from Froelich, he said that Schabusiness' admitted regular marijuana smoking since she was 14, coupled with her intravenous methamphetamine use could have harmed her memory. O'Donnell said he has an advanced degree in pharmacology the study of how drugs interact with living systems. Walsh did not rule on whether Froelich could have O' Donnell testify at Schabusiness's trial as an expert witness. RELATED: Brown County judge rules photos in Schabusiness case must remain under seal, at least until June 13 hearing Defense challenges showing photos to jurors Froelich has challenged 72 photos the prosecution said it may use in trial. They were taken the night Thyrion was killed. Walsh had attorneys review the photos frame-by-frame Tuesday. The judge said most could be used at the trial, but said some would shock jurors and that the shock value would outweigh the "probative value" of what was shown. Walsh ruled that the prosecution should not use a photograph of a black bucket pictured in the house's basement. Froelich said the bucket photo was "so horrifying." Walsh agreed. Police initially reported that officers found Thyrion's head in a plastic bucket. Judges rules against request for another competency evaluation Walsh ruled against a request for another psychological evaluation. Walsh said Tuesday that a psychologist working for the prosecution and another representing he defense both evaluated Schabusiness in the spring of 2022. The doctor for the prosecution said she was fit to stand trial; the defense's doctor said she could not reach a conclusion. Froelich last month asked Walsh to order another evaluation to determine if Schabusiness is competent to stand trial. A 2022 evaluation, by psychologist Matthew Seipel, found she was capable of aiding in her defense and was read into the court record Nov. 18. Her attorney said that evaluation "is no longer current." Forelich replaced Schabusiness' previous attorney, Quinn Jolly, who withdrew from the case Feb. 15 after Schabusiness attacked him in court during a Feb. 14 hearing. RELATED: Taylor Schabusiness attacks lawyer in Brown County courtroom; she is charged with killing, decapitating friend Email Doug Schneider at DSchneid@gannett.com, call him at (920) 265-2070 and follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider Green Bay Press-Gazette This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: What to know about Tuesday's motion hearing for Taylor Schabusiness Scams on social media are skyrocketing and it is costing people billions of dollars. Earlier this year, the I-Team uncovered a scam impersonating a local bakery online to get their customers personal information. Now, scammers are targeting familiar faces using their names and your trust to steal your money. The I-Teams consumer investigative reporter Xavier Hershovitz shows us how the scam works and how to keep your money safe. For more than 30 years Nancy Wilson has connected with the Miami Valley over the K99.1FM airwaves. Its a connection she doesnt take for granted. Without them, there would no us. So, for someone to want to scam them and impersonate me I find that really I take offense, Wilson said. She said she received a message from a listener, telling her there was someone pretending to be her. This was a first, this was a first, Wilson said. The fake Facebook page told listeners they had won a contest and needed to put their credit card numbers in to claim their prize. It really makes me angry because there are so many people out there who are vulnerable and are looking for Oh I won something this is somebody I know and somebody I listen to every day, Wilson said. These scams are skyrocketing online. Just last month, someone impersonated News Center 7s Nick Foley online. Once again, asking viewers for money. According to the Federal Trade Commission, last year consumers reported losing $1.2 billion to fraud that started on social media. To avoid these scams, the FTC suggests you go to privacy settings and limit those who can see your social posts. It says consumers need to be cautious of messages from friends asking for money and to be especially cautious of messages from organizations or people they trust. Scammers try to use your trust of them to lure you in, just like they did with Nancy. Hopefully with people keep being reminded about that, that we would never do that sort of thing, theyll catch on, Wilson said. In March, the FTC issued orders to social media companies to learn more about how they screen for fraud. They hope to use this information to crack down on social media scammers. Here are some additional links from the Federal Trade Commission that can help guide you: China's logistics industry shows vitality with sound recovery momentum 09:28, June 13, 2023 By Du Haitao, Han Xin, Jin Bo ( People's Daily The logistics sector, which serves as a bridge between production and consumption, is an important link that ensures the smooth flow of economic activity. Commodities are handled at a distribution center of a grocery store in Xiangyang, central China's Hubei province. (People's Daily Online/Xie Yong) China's social logistics rose 4.4 percent year-on-year between January and April this year to 107.6 trillion yuan (about $15.07 trillion), up 0.5 percentage points from the first-quarter figure. The China Logistics Prosperity Index stood at 51.5 percent in May. These statistics indicate a sound recovery of the Chinese logistics industry since this year, with major indicators continuing to rise. The continuous improvement in the national economy has consolidated the sound momentum for the development of the logistics industry, offering strong support for stabilizing the economy, expanding domestic demand and promoting consumption. At 8:00 pm on May 31, China's mid-year "618" shopping festival started. Soon after placing the order a villager from Lhoka prefecture, southwest China's Tibet autonomous region received the smart LCD TV delivered by JD Logistics, the delivery arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. This year, the company placed pre-sale commodities at thousands of warehouses in more than 300 cities across China, which enables the goods to be delivered at the fastest speed after orders are placed. Customs clearance is getting smoother. At the Qianwan Container Terminal of Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong province, 17 tons of polyester knitted fabric imported by a garment manufacturer in Shandong's Yantai was unloaded from a vessel and then immediately shipped to the manufacturer's factory for production. According to an executive of a logistics company in charge of the imported fabric, a new monitoring model has been launched by customs authorities in Qingdao that introduces machine inspection and ship-side direct unloading. It decreases the procedure of container lifting and transferring, which saves time for customs clearance and reduces logistics costs, the executive said. Intelligent transport robots are seen working at a terminal of a port in north China's Tianjin municipality. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Tianyu) From the rising business volume of express delivery to the busy cargo ships frequently seen at ports, the accelerated recovery of China's logistics sector this year reflects the country's vitality. Statistics indicate that China's courier sector saw its delivery volume exceed 50 billion parcels this year as of May 31, and the milestone was achieved 27 days earlier than in 2022. In the first four months of 2023, the country's commercial freight volume increased 7.5 percent year-on-year to 16.53 billion tons, and the cargo throughput at ports across the country stood at 5.28 billion tons, up 7.6 percent from a year ago. The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) said the total revenue of the logistics industry rose 7.5 percent year-on-year in the first four months, 0.8 percentage points higher than that of the first quarter. In particular, over 5 percentage points of the growth came from the transporting and warehousing services as well as the express delivery sector. "Policies to expand domestic demand have come into effect, and online and offline consumption scenarios have been integrated. Restaurants, supermarkets, florists and pharmacies in neighborhoods are connected by instant logistics services. This has further driven community consumption," said Zhou Zhicheng, a researcher with the CFLP and deputy head of the China Society of Logistics. The continuous progress of digital transformation also enriched the commercial application scenarios of intelligent logistics. For instance, a smart control system is launched at a port in north China's Tianjin municipality, which enables customs authorities to remotely monitor berthing and cargo handling in real time. Commodities are handled in a warehouse of Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Zhu Jipeng) With this system, it's easier for foreign and domestic trade cargos to share the same vessels, said Sun Yan, an executive with the port. According to the man, the system has not only lifted the efficiency of domestic feeders, but also helped launch 10 new routes for domestic trade. New business models of logistics created by the Internet, big data, cloud computing and Internet of Things technologies are offering strong support for the stable recovery of the industry. At an international express parcel distribution center in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, parcels from overseas entered smart CT equipment one after another for customs clearance, and trucks loaded with parcels were rushing to destinations across the country. "The delivery of express parcels calls for high efficiency. Faster distribution and lower logistics cost are what make a courier company competitive," said an executive of SF Express, a Chinese multinational delivery services and logistics company based in Shenzhen. The foreign trade volume of the company via cross-border e-commerce jumped nearly 50 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023 thanks to the innovative upgrading made by relevant departments, the executive said. At present, logistics companies are optimistic about the development of the logistics sector, which is seeing sound momentum for recovery. China will further optimize its business environment and accelerate sci-tech innovation, so as to foster stable and sound development of the industry and safeguard the security and stability of the industrial and supply chains. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) BEIRUT, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and France on Tuesday signed an agreement to activate health cooperation between the two countries, the National News Agency reported. Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad and his French counterpart Francois Braun signed the agreement in France to provide a cooperation framework on various health projects through a joint working group to define priority projects and ensure the desired benefit is achieved. "The framework agreement includes various areas of cooperation, including primary health care, ministry programs for mental and psychological health, organ donation, the preparation of medical and nursing cadres, and strengthening health systems," Abiad said. Lebanon has been facing an unprecedented financial crisis, weighing heavily on the country's health sector as hundreds of physicians and nurses emigrated for better opportunities abroad. Earlier this year, Abiad signed an agreement with France's Merieux Foundation to support Lebanon in developing its medical laboratories, including empowering the lab workers, amid its current crisis. The Tecumseh City Council may soon consider freezing the taxable value on the former Tecumseh Public Schools administration building at 208 N. Ottawa St. for up to 10 years to incentivize potential purchaser and developer LRC Commercial of Lathrup Village to redevelop the property into apartments. TECUMSEH The potential purchaser and developer of the former Tecumseh Public Schools administration building may soon be in for a tax abatement. The city may consider freezing the taxable value on the property for up to 10 years for developer LRC Commercial of Lathrup Village, which has entered into a $40,000 purchase agreement with the school district with plans to redevelop the property into apartments. Due to the age of the building at 208 N. Ottawa St., which has sat vacant for several years with little maintenance and has deteriorated, the anticipated costs of rehabilitation are high compared to a typical redevelopment project. Because of these high redevelopment costs, the city may soon consider the property tax abatement to incentivize LRC Commercial to proceed with the project by reducing its initial operating costs and helping it to recoup its investment. LRC Commercial only has a purchase agreement to buy the administration building. The developer is trying to make a final decision whether or not to purchase the property. The previous developer, Woda Cooper Companies of Columbus, Ohio, which also intended to turn the building into apartments, scrapped the project after failing to get historic preservation tax credits through the State Historic Preservation Office to help fund the project in 2021. City staff recommended that the council create the tax abatement under the Commercial Rehabilitation Act (CRA). Under the CRA, the council could freeze the taxable value of the property for up to 10 years and would have the option of setting the number of years based on the level of investment and benefit to the community. Before considering a tax abatement application under the CRA, a commercial rehabilitation district (CRD) of eligible properties must first be established. Under the CRA, the district should be a minimum of 3 acres, however, a smaller district is allowed in downtown areas. To ensure that the proposed district is approved by the State Tax Commission, the council is considering properties in the immediate area that may be looking at redevelopment options. One possibility is the former Garner Plumbing & Heating site at 304 N. Evans St. To connect the school property with the Garner property, the Tecumseh District Library at 215 N. Ottawa St. would be included in the CRD. This would exceed the 3-acre requirement. Nothing happens to the properties. The district would simply allow a property owner in the district to apply for a tax abatement, city manager Dan Swallow said. City council would then have to consider the merits of an application. Under state law, the council is required to give the county and the property owners of the proposed CRD a public hearing prior to adopting a resolution supporting the creation of the CRD. The council set the public hearing date for 7:35 p.m. Monday, June 19, during its regularly scheduled meeting. Setting the public hearing date is one of the required steps in establishing the district. Any tax abatement would require an application by a property owner and separate council consideration after the state approves the establishment of the CRD. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Former Tecumseh schools administration building may get tax abatement The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said theyve connected a teenager to a string of shootings in Charlotte, thanks to their gun suppression team. Two of the shootings occurred on May 22, one in East Charlotte and the other in Southwest Charlotte. CMPD gun suppression map CMPD connected these shootings to a third on May 27, stating the same suspect used the same weapon. One victim woke up at just after midnight on May 22 to the sound of commotion outside her home. She began recording and caught the moment a bullet flew threw her window. READ MORE: CMPD investigating shooting near large gathering in north Charlotte She woke up her daughter and found the shell casing shortly after. I was sleeping and my mom just came into my room and said something was happening, wake up, come to the room, said Bianka Martinez, age 15, And I was like, what is happening? Translating for her mother, Bianka explained they left Ecuador 10 months ago to live in a safer area. We were thinking maybe that would happen in my country, but here its weird, Bianka said. The police report for that shooting says bullets hit their neighbors homes in the Steele Creek apartment complex. About an hour after this shooting, a home in Hickory Grove was hit. READ MORE: Violence prevention program in west Charlotte creates positive results Five days later in a different neighborhood, a woman says she woke up to loud bangs. I wanted to believe it was fireworks, but I knew what it was, she says. The woman was too scared to reveal her name or face on camera, but she says she didnt even know the bullet went through her living room wall until the next morning. I had a bullet hole through my picture and was upset, she said. CMPD says shell casings from each scene, like the one Biankas mom found, matched. The casing paired with other evidence allowed the crime gun suppression team to arrest at been suspect during a traffic stop. The gun found in the car matched the ballistics from all three shootings. No one was injured in the shootings, 21 victims were listed in the police reports. WATCH: Body cam video released after CMPD officers shoot, kill man near Food Lion Ten European allies promise $111 million to help Ukraine protect civilians, infrastructure, and frontline pers A fragment of a Russian missile in Kyiv The defense ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain made the decision on June 13. Read also: Denmark to send $36 million worth of ammunition to Ukraine Equipment worth GBP 92 million ($111.125 million) will be procured in the coming months through the International Fund for Ukraine to strengthen Ukraines ability to protect its critical national infrastructure, civilians, and front-line personnel, the statement reads. Read also: White House working on new aid fund for Ukraine, Politico reports The package includes radar to protect against indiscriminate Russian strikes, as well as guns, and a significant amount of ammunition. Read also: U.S. announced $2.1 billion military aid package for Ukraine Earlier, the U.S. State Department announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of $325 million, which includes, in particular, armored vehicles. 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 Screenshot: Ubisoft Of all the surprising things weve learned about Star Wars Outlaws in the days since its revealits focus on the galaxy far, far aways underworld elements; its open-world gameplay; its intriguing protagonist Kay Vessone of the most pleasant is a simple chronological shift that presents so much potential. That simple shift is bringing Outlaws story of crime in the age of the Empire not into the era of Imperial ascendance, but at one of its most fascinatingly fragile periods instead. Outlaws is set between the events of Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, rather than before or after the original Star Wars trilogy. This is great for many reasons, even if the first is primarily a somewhat petty one: the 20 years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope are largely very well-covered ground, especially in contemporary Star Wars fiction. Read more Screenshot: Ubisoft Between the bevy of Marvel comics and tie-in books; shows like Rebels, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Bad Batch; games like Jedi Fallen Order and this years sequel Jedi Survivor; and movies like Solo and Rogue One, the broad spectrum of this transitory period has been explored on multiple fronts, fleshed out its events and given us detailed insight into the early years of the Empires rise as well as the nascent resistance factions that flowed into the foundation of the Rebel Alliance. And there will be more stories set there. Theres a reason its popular; it lends a sort of have your cake and eat it aesthetic approach where you can still play with the iconography of the Clone Wars and the prequels while building towards the beloved visual language of the original films (the fact that Outlaws still does this outside of this time frame is just as goodthings dont just stop existing on arbitrary delineations of time!). But just as its potential allure is undeniable, so is the fact that weve gotten a lot of stories lately that play in this particular part of the Star Wars sandbox. So why then does it matter to push Outlaws what is, chronologically, an almost insignificant period of time, since theres less than a decade between where, say, Star Wars Rebels starts and the year-long period between ESB and ROTJ? Because as a certain other Lucasfilm franchise once said, its not the years, honey, its the mileageand a whole lot of mileage has happened by the that murky 3-4ABY window. Screenshot: Ubisoft Think about it: the Rebellion isnt just formed, it is an active participant in the Galactic Civil War, which itself isnt just in open conflict but in the wake of a major victory like the destruction of the first Death Star. And yet at the same time, after being routed from Yavin IV and now Hoth, the Empire, while bloody-nosed in the face of concerted resistance, now believes the considerable threat the Rebel Alliance presented is back on the decline. Rebel leadership has scattered into hiding, its fleets splintered across interstellar rally points, its famous commanders either incapacitated like Han, or following an introspective path like Luke. The Empire is firmly established in control of the galaxy, but at the same time is now constantly exposed to emboldened resistance efforts as it both seeks to quash the Alliance once and for all and maintain order in the wake of its exposure to the galaxy as being fallible. Before A New Hope, the Empires oppression is almost total, and the cracks of hope that break through and spark rebellion are intentionally fleetingly abstract in the wake of Imperial dystopia. After A New Hope? Chaos. And chaos is exactly the kind of environment a would-be scoundrel can thrive in. Already in what little weve seen of Outlaws world, theres the same kind of syndicate-backed activity pushed to the forefront glimpsed as an element in other chaotic, transitory periods of Star Wars timelinehell, its even the same groups, like the Pykes whove operated across Clone Wars, who are glimpsed briefly in Outlaws footage so far, and then in The Book of Boba Fett. We also have already had small, telling moments like when Kay casually chooses to bite her thumb over her brokers table if it means aggravating an Imperial officer, a kind of defiance that youd see much less of when the Empire was at its most powerful in its ascendance. Even in just tiny moments like watching Kays ship weave itself through a battle between Rebel and Imperial forces, youre constantly reminded of just how weird and messy this time in Star Wars story really is meant to be. Screenshot: Ubisoft And Star Wars can afford a little messiness right now, a murky story of opportunity and selfhood thats not necessarily about Good and Bad and whos on which side in neat, defined parameters, but the story of a galaxy on fire, and the people trying to survive it torn between the efforts of these much bigger factions. Thats just as much Star Wars as the traditional heroes vs. villains storiesand its one I cant wait to see Outlaws tell on its own terms. 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. There's a Surprising Twist in the Story of a Cop Who Shot an 11-Year-Old Boy Screenshot: Twitter The Mississippi police officer accused of shooting and injuring an 11-year-old boy who called 911 for help was suspended without pay effective immediately, according to CNN. The officer, a Black man, isnt facing criminal charges yet but a $5 million lawsuit from the boys family. Sgt. Greg Capers was ordered on a motion from the Indianola Board of Alderman to be suspended from the Indianola Police Department after he shot and injured 11-year-old Aderrien Murry. Murrys mother, Nakala, told him one night in May to call 911 after she got in an argument with her ex-boyfriend. When Capers and another officer responded to the call, he shot at Aderrien within seconds of spotting him in the hallway. Read more Activists and supporters accused Capers of racially profiling the 4'10" boy as an adult suspect. However, does Capers being a Black man discredit this argument? Hell no. We asked ourselves the same question when Tyre Nichols was beaten and bloodied by a group of Black Memphis police officers. The toxic culture of policing can produce bad apples of all colors. Its unclear if Capers was in violation of department policy for firing so quickly at the boy but his mother told ABCs Good Morning America that it was no mistake. Read more from CNN: Capers was initially put on paid administrative leave after the shooting while it was investigated. The Indianola Police Department told CNN they would not comment about the case. Responding to Capers suspension without pay, his attorney Michael Carr told CNN they are still deciding whether to appeal. We were not made aware of the meeting or given the opportunity to speak or give our side, Carr said. Let me be clear; the decision to change Officer Capers status from leave with pay to leave without pay is no reflection on the merit of the alleged criminal charges against him. Attorney Michael Carr said the state Bureau of Investigation has the body camera footage from the incident, but it is still uncertain when it will be published, per the report. Their findings will be handed over to the state attorney generals office who will determine if Capers will face criminal charges. Capers brother wrote on Facebook that the officer was hurting following the incident. I dont know what happened and my heart goes out to this baby. But I know we were raised to do the right things in life. Im sure my brother is hurting and more than sorry for what he did, the brother wrote, per The Independent. 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. Republican Chris Christie used a 90-minute town hall on CNN Tuesday to present the most robust conservative case to date against Donald Trump being the GOP nominee for president in 2024. The former New Jersey governor presented a stark warning to the country in front of a live audience that included voters from the first four primary states. "I am convinced if (Trump) goes back to the White House, that the next four years will be all about him settling scores... with everybody who he thinks wasnt perfectly nice to him," Christie said. Republican Presidential candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during a gathering, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Christie, who previously backed Trump, said the critical moment he changed his view was when Trump began peddling false claims about losing the 2020 presidential contest. "That is a child," he said. "That's a child's reaction, everybody. Every parent out there recognizes it, knows it." In a growing primary field, Christie has tried to set himself apart by being the fiercest attack dog against the front-runner. But he also was asked about his own views and policy prescriptions on topics ranging from abortion and gun control to how he plans to claw his way to the Republican mountaintop and challenge Democratic President Joe Biden. Here are the key moments. Christie: The Trump sequel will be all about revenge Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani listen while President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, Sept. 27, 2020. Out of the gate Christie cast Trump as a madman and setup the 2024 Republican primary as the best opportunity to stop the former president from using the country to settle personal and political grudges. "He's angry and he's vengeful, and he said, 'I will be your retribution'... he wants to be retribution for himself," Christie said. A former U.S. attorney, Christie prosecuted the case against Trump mostly through a character lens, describing the reality TV star and real estate mogul as a "self-centered" candidate and "three-time loser" who hasn't served the Republican Party well since 2016. Asked about the latest indictment against Trump, who faced about three-dozen counts around improperly taking sensitive and classified information from the White House and hiding the documents from federal investigators, Christie said it is "tight, very evidence-laden." The New Jersey Republican said he doesn't believe Trump was trying to sell the documents or blackmail someone, but rather he kept them in order to "show off" to friends and associates. Other GOP contenders fear Trump and are 'playing games,' Christie says As much as Christie talked about Trump's character, he took a wack at the other GOP rivals. Asked by moderator Anderson Cooper about why the other Republican contenders have mostly defended Trump against the latest prosecution, Christie didn't hold back. Theyre playing political games with you, he said. "Because they think if I kind of like Trump a little bit, and I don't say anything bad about Trump, and then Trump kind of implodes and goes away, then you're more likely to vote for me." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, considered Trump's chief rival in 2024, has broadly slammed the U.S. Department of Justice and criticized "the weaponization of federal law enforcement," but hasn't laid any gloves on Trump. Other opponents, such as former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, initially defended Trump against what she described as an unfair indictment, but she pivoted a bit Tuesday, saying if the allegations are true the former president was "incredibly reckless" with national security. No matter, Christie said. "The only thing he understands is force," he said. A Republican governor, but in a blue state Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor, stands during the playing of the national anthem before the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Nov. 12, 2022. When voters in attendance grabbed the microphone, many peppered Christie who is in the basement of the current polls with questions about what specific skills or experience sets him apart from the other candidates. Christie pitched himself as a two-term Republican governor in a blue state who knows how to compromise. That will matter in Washington, where there is often a divided government. But Christie said his record shows he can get things done in a divided government. "And with all due respect to these governors from red states, who have Republican legislatures, man I'm telling you, I would have given my right arm to have a Republican legislature for a week," he said. "They would have never slept, we would have done so much in that week." No country for old men? Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off during the final presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2020. The 60-year-old former New Jersey governor said it's a "coin flip" when asked who is worse between Biden with his age or Trump with his indictments. But Christie dove right into bringing up the A-word. "If those two people were the nominees, they are going to be a combined 160 years old on Election Day," he said. "I'm sorry, guys, nobody beats father time. Nobody does." How old is too old to be president has been a consistent issue through the early stages of this race, particularly for the 80-year-old Biden, whose age is a concern for Democrats. Trump isn't that far behind at 76. Christie said he can't imagine being president two decades from now. "They are past their sell-by dates," he said. Christie admits guns answer isn't a great one A group of protestors hold signs in support of gun control outside Cotton Wood Creek Church before a vigil a day after a mass shooting at a Texas outlet mall, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Allen, Texas. One somber moment came when a voter whose son was killed in the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, which claimed 58 lives, asked what, if anything, can be done to curb such horrific massacres while protecting gun rights. Christie said it is the most difficult public policy question in America, emphasizing law enforcement must become more aware of mental health issues in their communities, "because in the end, those people almost always send off signs and signals." But ultimately Christie admitted as a father he feels that answer is "wholly inadequate" given the gravity of the violence. "And so all I can say to you is that I will do my very best to try to come up with some compromise that can bring all sides together on this that can make it better," he said. Roe is wrong, but make case in the states Anti-abortion protester Jeff Asmussen, left, attempts to talk to a clinic escort, Thursday, July 7, 2022, at WE Health Clinic in Duluth, Minn. Protesters like Asmussen are often seen outside the clinic during days when abortions are taking place. "I want to be a witness to the dignity of human life," Asmussen said. "We're rallying the troops out here and offering women going in there a true choice." (AP Photo/Derek Montgomery) Christie made clear he opposes abortion and that "every life is precious and should be protected," but he was pressed on whether he backs a national ban as some social conservatives have demanded. The New Jersey Republican said that isn't something to be worried about right now at the federal level, and the debate should be among the 50 states making their own decisions. He noted, for example, how many thought Kansas would be an anti-abortion state, but that voters there protected it as a right. "We're not at a consensus point," he said. China and TikTok The Tik Tok app is one of the most popular apps in the world, and is dominated by Generation Z users. One of the dividing lines in the 2024 Republican primary is Russias war with Ukraine. Christie defended U.S. support for Ukraines military, but described it as a proxy war with China. On multiple occassions Christie set up how the U.S. is in conflict with China, which will define the 21st Century as the latter is looking to set "the tone for this world." Christie also mentioned the rise of TikTok, which some lawmakers have suggested be banned in America. He suggested a social media peace treaty of sorts, pointing out how Facebook and Twitter are not allowed in China. "They let Facebook, Twitter and our social media into China, I'll let TikTok stay, they don'tTikTok goes," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christie blasts Trump, makes case for 2024 in town hall: 7 takeaways. Tia Mowry asks her kids whether they can identify her on Sister, Sister Tia Mowry had a little fun with her kids when she made them guess which "Sister, Sister" character was her ... or their "auntie" Tamera Mowry-Housley. The two actors, who are twins in real life, played fictional twins Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell on the beloved sitcom, which aired from 1994 until 1999. Mowry, 44, caught her kids' responses on camera in a hilarious TikTok video she posted June 8. The video kicked off with her mischievously telling viewers, "OK you guys, so let's see how well my kids know me. Let's see if they can tell the difference between their mama and their auntie." First up was Mowry's 11-year-old son, Cree, who bombed the test. Mowry began by telling Cree to point to her in a "Sister, Sister" cast photo on a TV screen in front of him. "Cree, so we see 'Sister, Sister' on there. So who's Mommy?'" she asked. When Cree erroneously pointed to his aunt, Mowry called him out. "No!" she said. "That is Auntie Tamera. I cannot believe you got it wrong." Film Still from Sister, Sister Tamera Mowry, Tia Mowry 1995 (PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy Stock Photo) Forced to defend himself, sheepish Cree told his mom, "I mean, I always get it right." "Well, you didn't get it right this time," Mowry responded. "What made you think that that was Mommy?" "Because you have that small mole right there," explained Cree, pointing to his own face and then to his aunt's face on the TV screen. "I don't have a mole! Your auntie has a mole!" Mowry replied. Cree was then upstaged by his younger sister, Cairo, 5. When Mowry asked her little girl to point to her mom, Cairo showed off her observational skills by pointing to Mowry's image. "Yay!" Mowry screamed, pleased that at least one of her children could tell the difference between her and her twin. Mowry made such a fuss over Cairo's correct answer that big brother Cree put his hands over his mom's camera to stop to all the fun and games. World Premiere Of Disney's Referring to the moment, Mowry captioned her video, "Seeing if my kids can tell which one's their mama. Someone was a sore loser tonight." Mowry shares Cairo and Cree with ex-husband Cory Hardrict. The couple announced in October 2022 they were divorcing after 14 years of marriage. Just last month, Mowry and her sister took Cairo and Mowry-Housley's daughter Ariah, 7, to see the Hollywood premiere of Disney's new live-action version of "The Little Mermaid." The cute cousins got all dressed up for the event, with Ariah wearing a pretty pink tulle dress with flower embellishments and Cairo sporting a pastel purple tulle dress under a denim jacket. Mowry shared images from the premiere on Instagram, where she opened up about what the movie, which features the young Black actor Halle Bailey in the lead role, means to her family. "Tonight is a very special moment for me because I get to see one of my FAVORITE childhood movies come to life, and be able to share in this moment with my little girl," she wrote. "But more IMPORTANTLY, Cairo is finally getting to see someone who looks like her being represented on the big screen," she added. "And that in itself is an extremely empowering moment for me & my baby girl, & something I will cherish forever." This article was originally published on TODAY.com VLADIVOSTOK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of Russian Pacific Fleet ships successfully detected and attacked a mock enemy submarine during operational exercises in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, the fleet's press service said on Monday. The group, consisting of the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov and two large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, used reactive depth charges to strike at the simulated submarine's location, said the press service. The ships also conducted joint artillery firing on sea and air targets, using 100-mm guns and 30-mm automatic mounts. They also practiced jamming and clearing minefields. The exercises, which involve more than 60 warships and support vessels, 35 naval aircraft, coastal troops and over 11,000 servicemen, are being held on June 5-20 under the command of Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Liina. A TikToker said she used her cat as an official witness for her marriage license, thanks to a quirky wedding rule in Colorado A TikTok of a wedding couple who used their cat as an official ceremony witness went viral. TikTok: @mandamoeckterry, Manda Moeck Terry A video of a couple saying their pet was a marriage witness went viral on TikTok. The upload received over 4.2 million views and 3,900 comments which complimented the ceremony. The choice of witness is official thanks to a quirky Colorado law. A married couple went viral on TikTok after they appeared to make their wedding official by having their cat sign the certificate as a witness. On June 8, a TikToker who goes by Manda Moeck Terry posted a video which showed her dressed in white alongside a man dressed up in a shirt as they held a cat together. An on-screen caption above the couple read, "Did you know in Colorado your cat can be the witness for your marriage licence?" #weddingpawty #catsoftiktok Hey Lover @mandamoeckterry Momo was the best witness we could have asked for. My mom lost our orginal wedding certificate paperwork so we were able to do this in Colorado. #coloradocats The duo then proceeded to apply ink to the cat's paw, before they padded it against a piece of paper on the table in front. "She was the pawwfect witness," a further on-screen caption read, before the video then cut to a closer look at the marriage license which showed the paw print signature at the bottom. In the caption alongside the video, Terry wrote that her mom had lost their original wedding certificate paperwork, so they had decided to complete the ceremony in Colorado. "Momo was the best witness we could have ask for," she included, which appeared to be the name of her pet, alongside the hashtag #weddingpawty. The upload went viral with over 4.2 million views, and 3,900 comments who were in awe of the concept and the cute ceremony. Many also joked they were on their way to the state to do the same. "Brb getting divorced so we can get re-married in Colorado with our cat as our witness," one viewer wrote in a top comment that received over 10,100 likes. According to the Marriages and Civil Unions section of the official website for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, where the location of the TikTok was pinned, couples can conduct a "Self-Solemnization" ceremony, in which instance "neither witnesses nor officiant are required." In the place of an official witness, it's legal to have a pet sign the certificate with their paw print instead, according to Alton Dillard from the Denver County clerk's office, local news outlet Axios Denver reported. Terry has over 1,200 followers on TikTok where she posts videos about hiking and cats. For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here. Read the original article on Insider YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Veteran Cameroonian opposition leader John Fru Ndi, who for decades fought to topple long-standing president Paul Biya at the ballot box, has died aged 81, his party said. Fru Ndi, who dominated the opposition in the Central African country for a generation and was arrested and kidnapped for his politics, had been suffering from a long illness, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) said in a statement overnight. "It is with sadness that we announce the transition into eternal glory of John Fru Ndi on June 12, 2023, at 11:30 p.m.," it said. An English-speaking businessman from Cameroon's northwest region, he formed the SDF, the first opposition party in the bilingual Central African country, which is dominated by its French-speaking majority. He ran for president several times, including in 1992 when he narrowly lost Cameroon's first free presidential elections. Fru Ndi said the vote had been rigged and he was placed under house arrest as riots swept opposition strongholds. Later, as Biya's grip on power tightened, Fru Ndi secured fewer votes, according to official figures. In recent years, a violent separatist uprising has rocked the English-speaking western regions. Fru Ndi was kidnapped twice in 2019 by gunmen after his party refused to endorse secession. Biya, meanwhile, has ruled the central African country since 1982. He has repeatedly secured landslide election wins amid opposition claims of fraud. (Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Writing by Nellie Peyton and Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Edward McAllister and Conor Humphries) Tom Holland recalls Zendaya having to deal with his 'crazy hairstyle' while filming new series Tom Holland is opening up about how Zendaya was affected by his intense role in the new psychological thriller The Crowded Room. The 27-year-old actor mentioned his Spider-Man: No Way Home co-star, whom he has been rumored to be dating for years, in a recent interview with RadioTimes.com while discussing his challenging new part. In the Apple TV+ miniseries, which released its first three episodes on June 9, Holland portrays a man named Danny Sullivan who was arrested for his involvement in a shooting. Throughout the show, Danny recalls important moments in his life that led to the shooting. The Crowded Room (Stephanie Mei-Ling / Apple TV) The Crowded Room takes place in the 1970s, meaning Holland had to tackle playing a troubled character and sporting a long, disheveled hairstyle. Both Holland and Zendaya, 26, had to deal with his shag hairdo as he filmed the show for 10 months, he told the British outlet. I would come home from work and I would see myself in the mirror and I would see him, he shared. So it did take a while to figure out how to put him to bed and wake Tom up and get on with my life and be myself. But I figured it out and was very happy and healthy. He managed it, but it was still an adjustment for him, and Zendaya. Holland continued, And also I had the bangs. Bless Zendaya, she had a lot to put up with, with me looking like that for 10 months. It was rough. Plus, Dannys hair is darker than Hollands usual reddish-brown locks. Holland shared he was not a fan of the darker look. I really like how my hair is like my mums, kind of red, he said. Yeah, it was tough. That was a part of the show that I dont miss for sure. The Uncharted actor pointed out that making a film takes around four months, but the extended shooting schedule for a television show meant he had to play his character day in and day out for almost a year. I really did find myself kind of morphing with him in certain moments, he added. "And obviously I had that crazy hairstyle." His comments mark a rare glimpse into his personal life and his relationship with Zendaya, although the two have never publicly confirmed their romance. Zendaya showed support for his new role (and hair) on June 1 when she wished Holland a happy birthday on Instagram. She uploaded a couple photos to her Instagram story that showed her co-star poking his head out of the water and making a heart shape with his hands. In another Instagram story, she added a heart-eye emoji to a snap of Holland smiling while standing near the ocean. In between the pictures, she included a trailer of Hollands miniseries. Since then, the Euphoria star has shared other clips from his show on her Instagram stories. He has been promoting his latest project on his page, too. However, he has also been transparent about the lasting impact the show has had on him. Dannys dark persona is a sharp departure from some of Hollands optimistic teenage characters. In an interview with Extra on June 6, he said he needed to take a yearlong break from acting after working on The Crowded Room, which was inspired by the nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes. Holland, who also served as executive producer on the miniseries, explained, We were exploring certain emotions that I have definitely never experienced before, and then on top of that being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set just added that extra level of pressure, but I really enjoyed it. He said it took a toll on him. But then again, the show did break me, he revealed. There did come a time where I was sort of like, I need to have a break. I disappeared. I went to Mexico for a week and had some time on a beach and lay low. His time away will continue. Im now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was, he said. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Here are the top 15 ranked public high schools in Ada County. See where your school ranked Over two-thirds of Idahos 15 best public high schools are in the Treasure Valley. After analyzing data and reviews of the states 236 public schools, the school ranking site Niche graded each school for its academics, diversity and teachers. The 2023 report ranked Renaissance High School as the best public high school in the state three more Ada County schools made up the top four public high schools in the Gem State. Renaissance High School, in the West Ada School District, has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 and earned an overall grade of A+ in the Niche ranking. Renaissance earned an A+ rating for teachers, an A in academics and B+ in diversity. According to state test scores, 92% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% 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, Niche said 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. Academic Grade: Based on state assessment proficiency and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Teacher Grade: Based on teacher salary, teacher absenteeism, state test results and survey responses on teachers from students and parents. District Grade: Based on rigorous academic and student life data analysis and millions of reviews from students and parents. Culture & Diversity Grade: Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses from students and parents on school culture and diversity. 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 15 public high schools in Ada County 1 - Renaissance High School West Ada School District 713 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Overall grade: A+ Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A+ 2 - Boise High School Boise Independent School District 1,421 students, student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: A 3 - Meridian Medical Arts Charter School West Ada School District 195 students, student-teacher ratio 14 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers A 4 - Timberline High School Boise Independent School District 2,102 students, student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: B+ 5 - Sage International Charter School of Boise Sage International School District 1,062 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A- Diversity: B+ Teachers: A+ 6 - Meridian Technical Charter High School West Ada School District 202 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A- Diversity: B- Teachers: A 7 - North Star Public Charter School Meridian Joint School District 969 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A- Diversity: B- Teachers: A 8 - Capital High School Boise Independent School District 1,097 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: B+ Diversity: A- Teachers: B+ 9 - Borah High School Boise Independent School District 1,141 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: B+ Diversity: A- Teachers: A- 10 - Compass Public Charter School Compass Public Charter School Local Education Authority 1,213 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A- Diversity: B- Teachers: A- 11 - Mountain View High School West Ada School District 2,245 students, student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1 Overall grade: B+ Academics: B+ Diversity: B Teachers: A- 12 - Eagle High School West Ada School District 2,092 students, student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1 Overall grade: B+ Academics: B+ Diversity: C+ Teachers: A- 13 - Rocky Mountain High School West Ada School District 2,403 students, student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 Overall grade: B+ Academics: B+ Diversity: B- Teachers: B+ 14 - Centennial High School West Ada School District 1,861 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: B+ Academics: B Diversity: B+ Teachers: B+ 15 - Idaho Fine Arts Academy Photo: Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times (Getty Images) Goodness, gracious. Everywhere you turn, there is a new piece of information stemming from the ongoing Antioch Police Department scandal. It started with a couple of racist text messages (that turned into many) and has now resulted in several legal decisions that may be hard to keep up with. Here are the top five moments in this scandal you need to be up to speed with. Read more 1. Racist Texts Exposed Whew... talk about absolutely disgusting. A judge ordered the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office to release not only the names of the officers but copies of their racist correspondences. They called Black folks circus animals, admitted to discriminating against Black drivers for traffic stops, boasted about violently beating Black suspects and endorsed the ugly behavior of their colleagues with an LOL and laughing emoji, per KRON4. Thats just a glimpse of their disturbing remarks. 2. The Mayor Goes AWF! In one of those nasty messages, one officer wrote, Ill buy someone a prime rib if they take that [expletive] Mayor Thorpe out, with a whatever type of weapon. Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who is Black, was livid upon reading the message and said at the council meeting following the release that he was disgusted with the department, per CBS. However, one heckler defending the cops got underneath the mayors skin and things got heated... like You wanna go outside?! heated. Lets just say Mr. Mayor is fed up with the departments nonsense and the bigot sympathizers. 3. Civil Rights Lawsuit A group of city residents not only protested for the termination of the officers involved but took some legal action as well. Civil rights attorney John Burris filed a federal lawsuit against the department on behalf of six city residents alleging members of the APD engaged in vile mistreatment of citizens and violated their civil rights. 4. Racial Justice Act Ruling A Contra Costa Superior Court judge ruled that racial bias and racism had a hand in the charging of four city residents by the district attorney. Though the ruling didnt attribute the Antioch scandal as being directly related to the decision, the defendants in question claimed to be victims of the ADPs abuse, per ABC7. The ruling ordered the gang enhancements to be dropped from each defendant, which guaranteed them life in prison. It was also the first ruling under Californias Racial Justice Act, opening doors for other Black defendants to challenge their charges. 5. Egregious Charges Dropped Two Antioch cops who were facing arson and mutilation charges in the death of Mykaella Sharlman are no longer going to stand trial because of the Antioch mess. Though the scandal came months after the death of Sharlman, the Contra Costa County DA decided to drop the case against them because their actions were investigated by the slimy APD cops accused of being racist bigots. Sharlman was deceased when the cops found her, but they are accused of throwing her body in a dumpster and burning her body, per CBS News. 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. Here are the top-rated elementary schools in Ada County. See where your childs ranked Just under half of Idahos 15 best public elementary schools are in the Treasure Valley, according to a website. After analyzing data and reviews of the states 433 public elementary schools, the ranking site Niche graded each school for its academics, diversity and teachers. The 2023 report ranked Falcon Ridge Public Charter School in Kuna as the best public elementary school in the state. The Falcon Ridge school has a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 and earned an overall grade of A+ in the Niche ranking. It earned an A+ rating for teachers, an A in academics and B- in diversity. According to state test scores, 82% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% 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. We get deep, too, asking questions about everything from college prep to cafeteria food, Niche said 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. Academic Grade: Based on state assessment proficiency and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Teacher Grade: Based on teacher salary, teacher absenteeism, state test results and survey responses on teachers from students and parents. District Grade: Based on academic and student life data analysis and millions of reviews from students and parents. Culture & Diversity Grade: Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses from students and parents on school culture and diversity. Parent/Student Surveys Grade: Niche survey responses scored on a 1-5 scale regarding the overall experience of students and parents from the school. Niches top 15 public elementary schools in Ada County 1 - Falcon Ridge Public Charter School 278 S. Ten Mile Road, Kuna Falcon Rdige Public Charter Local Education Authority 274 students, student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 Overall grade: A+ Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A+ 2 - Collister Elementary School 4426 W. Catalpa Dr., Boise Boise Independent School District 176 students, student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: A 3 - Sage International Charter School 431 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Boise Sage International School District 1,062 students, student-teacher ratio 16 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A- Diversity: B+ Teachers A+ 4 - Longfellow Elementary School 300 W. Fort St., Boise Boise Independent School District 216 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A 5 - Roosevelt Elementary School 908 E. Jefferson St., Boise Boise Independent School District 241 students, student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A+ 6 - Highlands Elementary School 3434 N. Bogus Basin Road, Boise Boise Independent School District 275 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: C+ Teachers: A+ 7 - Riverside Elementary School 2100 E. Victory Road, Boise Boise Independent School District 500 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: A 8 - Discovery Elementary School 2100 E. Leigh Field Drive, Meridian West Ada School District 401 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A+ 9 - Paramount Elementary School 550 W. Producer Drive, Meridian West Ada School District 444 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: C+ Teachers: A 10 - Eagle Hills Elementary School 650 E. Ranch Drive, Eagle West Ada School District 494 students, student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A+ 11 - Pioneer School of the Arts 13255 W. McMillan Road, Boise West Ada School District 539 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: C+ Teachers: A 12 - Chief Joseph School of the Arts 1100 E. Chateau Drive, Meridian West Ada School District 455 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A- Diversity: B+ Teachers: A 13 - Eagle Elementary School of the Arts 475 N. Eagle Road, Eagle West Ada School District 279 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A Diversity: C+ Teachers: A+ 14 - North Star Public Charter School 839 N. Linder Road, Eagle West Ada School District 969 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Overall grade: A- Academics: A- Diversity: B- Teachers: A 15 - Rolling Hills Public Charter School Topeka driver charged in deaths of 2 of her Girl Scout passengers but not her daughter Kylee Lunn, left, 9, and Laila El Ezri, 9, were killed in an auto accident on I-335 in October 2022. A driver involved in an Oct. 8 Kansas Turnpike traffic crash that killed three Girl Scouts, including her daughter, has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of two of those girls but not her daughter. Amber M. Peery, 33, faces charges of two counts of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, linked to the deaths of passengers Laila El Azri and Kylie Lunn, both 9, Shawnee County District Court records show. No record is shown of Peery's having been charged regarding the death in that crash of her daughter, 8-year-old Brooklyn Peery. Amber Peery was booked on charges Thursday Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay's office filed the charges June 6, according to District Court records. Amber Peery was booked at 5:25 p.m. Thursday into the Shawnee County Jail on the involuntary manslaughter charges as well as one count each of improper crossover on a divided highway and failure to check for safe passage before passing from a single lane, Shawnee County Jail records say. They say Peery was released at 8 p.m. Thursday from the jail after a $100,000 bond was posted. Those involved in crash were en route to Girl Scout event The charges are linked to a two-vehicle Oct. 8 crash in which Amber Peery and two other passengers Carrington Peery, 5, and Gabriella Ponomarez, 9 suffered injuries but survived, a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report said. Amber Peery's five passengers were Girls Scouts in Topeka's Daisy Troop 5567 and had been headed to a Girl Scouting event in Tonganoxie. A highway patrol accident report said the crash occurred at a time when Amber Peery had been driving a 2018 Dodge van southbound on the Kansas Turnpike with the five children as her passengers. Peery appears to have attempted to turn around after mistakenly taking the southbound exit while en route with the children to Girl Fest, a family and troop event at Camp Tongawood in Tonganoxie organized by the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri. A Shawnee County District Court complaint detailed charges against Amber Peery regarding the traffic crash in which two of her passengers, both 9-year-old girls, were killed. No off-ramps exist between the Topeka I-335 interchange and the Admire exit, 30 miles south on the highway. The crash involved Perry's van and a semi-trailer, which were both southbound on the Turnpike, the accident report said. "(Peery's van) went to turn through the barrier wall," it said. "(The semi-trailer) then struck (Peery's van)." The Capital-Journal attempted late Monday to contact Kagay by email for further details. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Amber Peery charged in crash deaths of 2 of her Girl Scout passengers (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. posted its biggest two-day gain in three years, fueled by an aggressive messaging campaign around the Japanese carmakers electric-vehicle strategy, a drama-free shareholders meeting and a broader global stock rally. Most Read from Bloomberg Shares in the worlds largest carmaker are up 12% since Monday, their biggest jump since March of 2020, with the reappointment of Chairman Akio Toyoda adding to the buoyant mood. While Toyota stood out, it was a broadly a good day for automakers in the region following gains by peers in the US, where Tesla Inc. has climbed for 13 straight days. In a well-timed move just before the annual meeting, Toyota released details from a day of technology briefings held last week at its research facility near Mount Fuji. Analysts and journalists were given a day of test drives and presentations aimed at bolstering confidence in the companys ability to sell 1.5 million battery EVs annually by 2026, and 3.5 million by 2030. Read More: Toyotas Tech Chief Lays Out a Path to Selling Millions of EVs The public-relations offensive contrasted from years of Toyota executives speaking cautiously about how quickly car buyers will be ready to go all-electric. The manufacturers management team talked about innovations in the pipeline for next-generation EVs, ranging from longer-range batteries to slicker aerodynamics and more efficient production processes. Foreign investors with lower familiarity with Japan are looking for stocks to put money in and Toyota is very big, liquid and cheap and has underperformed over the last year or so, said Mio Kato, analyst at LightStream Research. The news flow on its EV efforts and solid-state batteries has also been positive. While Toyota pioneered electrifying vehicles with the hybrid Prius, its now playing catchup to Tesla and Chinas BYD Co. in selling cars powered entirely by batteries. Toyota is still espousing a multipronged approach to reducing vehicle emissions it remains a believer in the potential of hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels but new Chief Executive Officer Koji Sato has championed an EV-first approach. Wednesdays shareholder meeting was his first since succeeding Toyoda as CEO in April. Read More: Toyotas Shift to Electric Future Rests on Koji Satos Shoulders Even so, Toyotas EV goals represent massive steps from the 38,000 EVs that Toyota sold in the fiscal year that ended in March. What Toyota is trying to do, in terms of where its management and technological development is heading, has been recognized, said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida. This has also led to a sense of security. The AGM had become a referendum of sorts on the Japanese carmakers electric-vehicle strategy. A small but growing list of shareholders opposed the reappointment of Toyoda as chairman, arguing that Toyota has fallen behind rivals because of his approach of offering customers various options by selling gasoline and hybrid cars while investing in EVs, hydrogen and carbon neutral fuels. Some are also demanding transparency on lobbying over climate policies that appear to favor EVs, or seek to ban cars that burn fossil fuels. Corporate shareholder meetings in Japan have long been pro forma affairs, with company-backed directors winning solid majorities more often than not. While individual investors can attending are often vocal both in their support and criticism of management the annual gatherings are now becoming a forum for institutional shareholders to draw attention to issues of climate change and corporate governance. The biggest difference between this year and past shareholding meetings is that such proposals were made at all, said Koji Endo, managing director at SBI Securities Co. Two of the biggest pension funds in the US the California Public Employees Retirement System and the New York City Comptrollers office said they planned to vote against Toyoda. Toyota has pushed back against assertions that its dragging its feet. After announcing a 4 trillion ($28.7 billion) commitment to accelerate its shift into EVs in late 2021, the company still faced criticism for arguing that the transition will take longer than people expect. Even in this difficult business environment, Chairman of the Board Akio Toyoda has been strengthening our competitiveness from a long-term perspective, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. In May, proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co. urged shareholders to vote against Toyoda as well as three nominees for auditors, citing concerns over a shortage of independent directors and non-male board members. Toyota said it abides by the Tokyo Stock Exchanges requirement that independent directors must account for a third of the companys board. We are determined theres no concerns regarding the objectivity, independence and ability to conduct appropriate oversight as stated in a report by Glass Lewis, the company said in a statement. Although the shareholders meeting was mostly free of drama despite the challenges to management, Toyoda, grandson of the carmakers founder, shed tears as he has done before while describing his efforts to lead the company. --With assistance from Supriya Singh and Aya Wagatsuma. (New headline, first paragraph on share move, news flow.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Daniel Leussink TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota will introduce high-performance, solid-state batteries and other technologies to improve the driving range and cut costs of future electric vehicles (EVs), the automaker said on Tuesday, a strategic pivot that sent its shares higher. The Japanese giant's technology roadmap, covering aspects as varied as next-generation battery development and a radical redesign of factories, amounted to the automaker's fullest disclosure of its plan to compete in the fast-growing market for EVs where it has lagged rivals led by Tesla. The plan comes a day before an annual shareholders meeting where governance and strategy - including a slow pivot to battery EVs under former CEO Akio Toyoda - will be scrutinised. Shares of the world's best-selling automaker jumped 5% on the day to 2,173 yen, the highest since August. Toyota said it aims to launch next-generation lithium-ion batteries from 2026 offering longer ranges and quicker charging. It also trumpeted a "technological breakthrough" that addresses durability problems in solid-state batteries and said it is developing means to mass produce those batteries, targeting commercialisation over 2027-2028. Solid-state batteries can hold more energy than current liquid electrolyte batteries. Automakers and analysts expect them to speed transition to EVs by addressing a major consumer concern: range. Still, such batteries are expensive and likely to remain so for years. Toyota will hedge with better-performing lithium iron phosphate batteries, a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries that have spurred EV adoption in China, the world's largest vehicle market. At the high end of the market, Toyota said it would produce an EV with a more efficient lithium-ion battery offering a range of 1,000 km (621 miles). By comparison, the long-range version of the lithium-ion-powered Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling EV, can drive for about 530 km based on U.S. standards. An EV powered by a solid-state battery would have a range of 1,200 km and charging time of just 10 minutes, Toyota said. By comparison, the Tesla Supercharger network - the largest of its kind - offers the equivalent of 321 km of charge in 15 minutes. Toyota did not detail expected costs or required investment for the plans. Engineers at the automaker have been considering a reboot of its EV strategy since last year to better compete. The roadmap detailed on Tuesday showed that under new CEO Koji Sato, Toyota has adopted much of the revamp that engineers and planners have been developing as options for months. That includes use of electric-axle and other technology from suppliers such as Aisin and Denso. "What we want to achieve is to change the future with BEVs," Takero Kato, president of new Toyota EV unit BEV Factory, said in a video posted on the automaker's YouTube channel on Tuesday. NEW ASSEMBLY TECHNOLOGY Toyota said it was developing a dedicated EV platform to reduce the cost of new models and a heavily automated assembly line that would do away with the conveyor belt system that has defined auto production since Henry Ford over 100 years ago. In Toyota's "self-propelling" assembly line, cars under production would drive themselves through the process. It also said it would use Giga casting to cut production costs, adopting an innovation pioneered by Tesla using massive, aluminium casting machines to reduce vehicle complexity. Koji Endo, senior analyst at SBI Securities, said he was surprised by Toyota's move to counter Tesla's lead in production efficiency. "I'm not sure yet Toyota can push back in a counter offensive, but it's getting ready to try," he said. Toyota's BEV Factory, established in May, aims to produce about 1.7 million vehicles by 2030, Kato said - about half of the 3.5 million EVs Toyota aims to sell annually by that year. In April, the automaker sold 8,584 EVs worldwide, including under its Lexus brand, accounting for more than 1% of its global sales in a single month for the first time. Toyota sold almost 10.5 million vehicles in 2022, and has a market value of about $254 billion. By contrast, Tesla sold one-eighth as many vehicles yet is valued at around $791 billion, a premium reflecting investor belief in Tesla's growth potential. Toyota has long said it wants to offer consumers a choice of new-energy vehicles, including petrol-electric hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells as well as battery EVs, as part of the industry's transition from petrol-powered vehicles. (Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kevin Krolicki) Trail of torment before mans suicide leads to charges against woman, PA cops say Nearly two years after a Pennsylvania man died by suicide, his estranged girlfriend is charged in his death, officials say. Mandie Reusch, 35, is charged with aiding suicide and harassment, the Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office said in a June 13 news release. The Greensburg woman is accused of sending heinous and graphic messages to 37-year-old Kevin Metzger for months. The vicious remarks were continuous and unrelenting, officials said, and only stopped with Metzgers death on June 18, 2021. An investigation following his death revealed a trail of torment and solicitation, officials said. The messages started while Metzger was attending military training, PennLive reported. Reusch is accused of telling Metzger that she and their daughter would be moving in with another man and , among other things, that the child would be better off not even knowing you. She also repeatedly urged the man to harm himself, officials said. Phil Dilucente, Reuschs attorney, says that while some might see Reuschs comments as mean or immoral, they are not illegal. It was a very emotional relationship, just like any lovers spats that folks have with one another, Dilucente said, adding that the charges are very uncommon under the circumstances. Shes very disappointed with the justice system here today, and looking forward to the June 27th preliminary hearing date, he said. But the district attorneys office said the level of bullying, harassment and threats in this case rose to a criminal level. Mr. Metzger may still be here today if those messages did not influence and encourage him to take his own life, officials said. We extend our condolences to the Metzger family for their loss and the grief they have experienced since his death. We will not allow or tolerate this kind of egregious behavior. Along with being a father, Metzger served in the military for 20 years, loved the outdoors and had a passion for music, according to his obituary. He would invite, lead, and document his climbing, repelling, snowboarding, biking, kayaking, and hiking adventures, the obituary said. He enjoyed playing with gadgets and utilizing and providing gear in his outdoor activities. He enjoyed a good time but was always there for his friends in tough times. He was a selfless and dedicated friend, the obituary read. Above all though, he passionately cared for his daughter. Strangers move in, make 79-year-old a prisoner in his own home, Texas officials say Teen tried to hire hitman to kill 7-year-old, but the website was fake, Iowa cops say School bus driver duct-tapes 10-year-old to restrain him, Pennsylvania officials say Dad finds accused sex predator hiding in 13-year-old daughters closet, Illinois cops say CHANGCHUN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Regular flights between Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, and Vietnamese tourist city Nha Trang, resumed on Sunday evening, according to local authorities on Tuesday. This is the first direct passenger flight to resume between Changchun Longjia International Airport and Southeast Asia since China optimized its COVID-19 response measures. The route is operated by budget carrier Vietjet Air of Vietnam, and currently operates once a week. It flies from Nha Trang to Changchun on Sunday afternoons, while the return flight is on Sunday nights and arrives in Nha Trang early in the morning on Mondays. Resumption of this flight is seen as a first step for Changchun to restart its relationship with the Southeast Asian market. It is expected to facilitate tourism and boost economic cooperation between the two destinations. Rose Montoya A transgender model who flashed her breasts at the White House has been branded disrespectful by the Joe Biden administration. Rose Montoya, 27, met the US president and First Lady Jill Biden at the largest Pride celebration in White House history on Saturday. In a short video shared to her Instagram page, Ms Montoya can be seen shaking Mr Bidens hand and telling him trans rights are human rights. A later clip shows the model standing with several friends as she briefly exposes her breasts on the South Lawn while someone shouts: Are we topless at the White House? A White House spokesman later said that Ms Montoya had been inappropriate and disrespectful and would not be invited to future events. It is not reflective of the event we hosted to celebrate LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of guests who were in attendance, they added. The video sparked an online backlash, with many claiming her actions were in bad taste. Montaya with Joe Biden Responding to those critics, the model shared a further video with her 103,000 followers in which she defended herself. She said: Why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not? All youre doing is affirming that I am a woman. All youre doing is saying that trans women are women because for some reason, people like to sexualise womens bodies and say that theyre inappropriate. My transmasculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy, and I wanted to join them. She added: And because it is perfectly within the law in Washington, DC, I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe, because I wanted to be fully free and myself. I had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in any way, I was simply living in joy, living my truth and existing in my body. Rose Montoya at the White House At the event, Mr Biden made a speech calling for the protection of the rights and safety of LGBT people amid a spate of terrifying attacks on the community. When families across the country face excruciating decisions to relocate to a different state to protect their child from dangerous anti-LGTBQ laws, we have to act. We need to push back against the hundreds of callous and cynical bills introduced in states targeting transgender children, terrifying families and criminalising doctors and nurses, he said. These bills and laws attack the most basic values and freedoms we have as Americans, he said. His speech drew cheers and applause from the crowd, many of whom wore shorts and sundresses in rainbow colours along with some dressed in drag. 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. Transgender activist no longer welcome at White House after going topless at Biden event President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Betty Who, left in red, arrive for a Pride Month celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) Transgender advocate Rose Montoya is no longer welcome at White House events after posting on social media a video of herself and two others going topless for a time at Saturday's Pride Month celebration on the South Lawn. The behavior was simply unacceptable, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. It was unfair to the hundreds of attendees who were there to celebrate their families. Speaking at the White House press briefing, Jean-Pierre said, Individuals in the video certainly will not be invited to future events." The White House spokeswoman said the bare-chested display was not a normal thing that has happened under this administration. President Joe Biden hosted the event to show the administration's support of the LGBTQ+ community. There has recently been a push by some Republican leaders at the state level to restrict drag shows and limit the options for youth who are seeking to transition their genders. Biden said Saturday that he had a message for the entire community, but especially for transgender children: You are loved. You are heard. Youre understood. And you belong. Parts of his speech appeared in the video posted on social media by Montoya, whose Instagram biography identifies her as an educator, model and actor. Montoya defended her post on Instagram and Twitter, saying that going topless in Washington, DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple. She said critics of her toplessness affirmed that she is, in fact, a woman, as a man would not face similar pushback. She said she had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in anyway," adding that she covered her nipples with her hands in the video just to play it safe. Actor Treat Williams, who starred in the 1979 film version of the musical "Hair" and on the television series "Everwood," has died. He was 71. Williams died Monday night in Dorset, Vermont, following a motorcycle accident, according to a family statement. "As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time," the statement continued. "Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him. We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers." Actor Treat Williams, who starred in the 1979 film version of the musical "Hair" and on the television series "Everwood," has died. He was 71. Williams acted in several films, including "The Eagle Has Landed," "Prince of the City," "Once Upon a Time in America," "The Late Shift," "127 Hours" and "Run Hide Fight." On "Everwood," Williams played Dr. Andrew "Andy" Brown from 2002 to 2006, earning two Screen Actors Guild nominations. His other television credits include "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Chicago Fire," "Hawaii Five-0," "Blue Bloods," "White Collar" and "The Simpsons." Williams also starred as Danny Zuko in the Broadway musical "Grease" from 1972 to 1980. 'So blessed to have known you' Matt Bomer, Kim Cattrall pay tribute to late co-star Treat Williams Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Williams told Vermont Magazine in 2021 he discovered his passion for acting in seventh grade. He later trained with Sandra Seacat from The Actors Studio. "Every time youd hear that audience out there, and hear the kids that were coming in to see 'Grease' on Broadway for the first time from New Jersey or from California or from the Midwest, you could feel how excited they were to be in a Broadway theater," Williams told Vermont Magazine of playing Danny Zuko. "Every time that curtain came up, I always knew that it was a brand-new group of people. That was the best part of Broadway." Williams also recalled his 12th and final audition for the 1979 film "Hair," in which he starred as Berger. "As I started the monologue, I started removing all of my clothing," he said of the audition. "At the end of the monologue, I was standing stark naked in front of them. After the monologue, they applauded, and I told them, 'This is all that Ive got. I dont know what else I can give you.'" Williams was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1996 for his work in "The Late Shift" and for three Golden Globe Awards: in 1985 for "A Streetcar Named Desire," in 1982 for "Prince of the City" and in 1980 for "Hair." More: CW celebrates the 15th anniversary of 'Everwood' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Treat Williams, actor from 'Everwood,' 'Hair,' dead at 71 after crash Friends and co-stars of Treat Williams are honoring the late actor on social media. Williams, who had a prolific film, television and stage career, died at age 71 in a motorcycle accident in Vermont on June 12, his family confirmed Monday in a statement. Matt Bomer, who played Williams son in the USA Network drama White Collar, honored Williams in a touching Instagram post. This is a tough one, and I dont like doing this on social media, but I want to share what an absolute treasure Treat Williams was both as an actor and a person, he wrote. I was so honored that he agreed to play my father on White Collar, and he jumped in and made every day on set a joy. Bomer also noted Williams caring nature. Hes one of the few actors Ive worked with who always checked in on me even years after we worked together, he wrote. Treat - you were an amazing actor and an even better person and I will miss you. I count myself so blessed to have known you. Vanessa Hudgens, who played Williams on-screen daughter in the 2018 rom-com Second Act, paid tribute to the late actor in her Instagram story. He was a great movie dad and an even better human being, she wrote. Treat Williams was a fantastic actor, a joy to be around, and the kindest soul. He will be missed. Image: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Kim Cattrall wrote she was "in shock" on Twitter, sharing a photo of them acting together. "My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend." Among his many TV roles, Williams starred in the 2000s drama Everwood, playing a widowed doctor who moves to a small Colorado town. Williams Everwood co-stars honored the late actor on social media, including Emily VanCamp, who appeared on all four seasons of the WB series. Beyond heartbreaking to hear of this. Love you Treat and all my love to his family in this difficult time, she wrote in her Instagram story. Scott Wolf, who worked with Williams during the last two seasons of Everwood, also shared a tribute in his Instagram story. I love him and his beautiful family, he wrote. Broken-hearted. Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert also shared a touching story in an Instagram post about Williams generosity. She recalled a time when Williams helped her find a way to fly home to support her friend, whose teenage son had suddenly died. It turned out that Treat owned a charter company. I was prepared to blow my whole paycheck to charter one of his planes but Treat, upon hearing why I needed the plane, sent it to me, basically gratis, she wrote. The night I left Toronto, I got to the plane and hed stocked it with food and had a desk set up where I could write my eulogy. Hed even sent a note offering his condolences, she continued. All of this, and heres the amazing part, we had never met. Not once. Thats the kind of man Treat was. Actor Beverly DAngelo, who appeared in Williams breakthrough film, the 1979 cult musical, Hair, also honored their beautiful friendship on Instagram. A gifted sincere magnificent human who valued fatherhood and family above all, she wrote as part of a lengthy tribute. I hope you hear everyone singing your praises Treat. Sharon Lawrence, who starred with Williams in the 2020 holiday film "The Christmas House" said her "heart aches" for the actor's loss. "He created a beautiful existence and example of solid love," she wrote of her late co-star on Instagram. "He was honest and clear and dedicated to his family and passions. I cant imagine his loved ones loss its just shattering. My consolation is all the great memories and that he did what he loved doing until the end. Soar high, dear friend." Williams is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their children, Ellie and Gill. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Treat Williams, a veteran actor who starred in the TV dramas Blue Bloods and Everwood, died Monday night as the result of a motorcycle accident in Vermont, his longtime agent, Barry McPherson, told CNN. He was 71. According to Vermont State Police, the crash occurred around 5:00 pm ET Monday on Vermont Route 30 when a driver of a vehicle attempted to turn left into a parking lot and collided with Williams, who was operating a 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle. Williams was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered critical injuries. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. Born Richard Treat Williams in Rowayton, Connecticut, he studied theater in college and moved to New York shortly after graduating. There, he nabbed the understudy role to John Travolta in Grease and later replaced him as Danny Zuko. Williams versatile screen career included an early role in director Milos Formans adaptation of the musical Hair in 1979, followed by a starring vehicle with another A-list director, Sidney Lumet, in the gritty undercover crime drama Prince of the City two years later. Treat Williams with others in a scene from the film 'Hair', 1979. - United Artists/Getty Images While Williams appeared destined for major stardom, his next several movies didnt equal that early promise, though he continued to work steadily, including in a TV movie remake of A Streetcar Named Desire and additional TV movies in which he played boxer Jack Dempsey and FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover. In the 90s, the actor segued into different kind of roles, playing the villain in the pulp-comic adaptation The Phantom and super-agent Michael Ovitz in the HBO movie based on the book The Late Shift, about The Tonight Show succession battle between Jay Leno and David Letterman. He earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for that role. Later in that decade, Williams enjoyed leading action star status in 1998s B-movie Deep Rising, about a killer sea monster, starring opposite Famke Janssen, Wes Studi and Djimon Hounsou. Williams subsequently found new success in television, starring in the CW series Everwood for four seasons in the aughts and a more recent stint on Chicago Fire. He was also part of the core cast of Chesapeake Shores, appearing in 53 episodes between 2016 and 2022. He last year also co-starred in the HBO miniseries We Own This City, producer David Simons chronicle of corruption and internal politics in the Baltimore police department. The late actor is survived by his wife Pam Van Sant and their two children. Im just devastated, McPherson told People of Williams on Monday. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. He was an actors actor. Filmmakers loved him. Hes been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s, he added. In 2020, Williams filmed an Acting Lessons video for Netflix, in which he said, The one thing I would say to younger actors is, be concerned with what youre doing, not how youre doing. If youre very focused on what you have to say, or what youre trying to tell the other person, or what youre sharing with the audience, youre going to be a lot more comfortable, and I think, truthful. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Treat Williams, star of the film Hair and television series Everwood, has died aged 71 after a motorcycle accident. The actors agent confirmed to People that the screen star was killed on Monday when a car cut him off as he was making a turn on his motorcycle in Vermont. Im just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented," agent Barry McPherson said. He was an actors actor. Filmmakers loved him. Hes been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s. He was really proud of his performance this year. Hes been so happy with the work that I got him. Hes had a balanced career. It has been reported that the incident happened on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto near Dorset, Vermont at around 5pm. Don Dacus, Annie Golden, Treat Williams, Beverly DAngelo, director Milos Forman, and Cheryl Barnes arrive for the presentation of Hair during the 32nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France May 10, 1979. (AP) Fire chief for Dorset Jacob Gribble said the incident involved Williams motorcycle and a single car, where the driver of the car did not see the turning bike. The actor was the only injured party in the crash and he was airlifted to hospital in New York but pronounced dead on arrival. Variety Magazine published a statement from his family which expressed their shock. As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time, it read. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. Williams starred on stage in Stephen Sondheims Follies and as Danny Zuko in the original theatre version of Grease. His big on-screen break came with the musical Hair in 1979, in which he played hippie George Berger. This led to him going on to record more than 130 screen credits. He was also well-known for starring in the US TV drama Everwood. After Hair, Williams was able to land roles in Stephen Spielbergs 1941 in 1979 before Once Upon A Time In America and Dead Heat in the 1980s. He also appeared in Things to Do in Denver When Youre Dead and Deep Rising in the late 1990s. At the turn of the century, Williams began to appear in more television roles - including Chesapeake Shores, Blue Bloods and Chicago Fire as well as Everwood. Born Richard Treat Williams, he is survived by his wife of 35 years Pam Van Sant and their two children. In light of his death, John Travolta, Vanessa Hudgens, Billy Baldwin and Kim Cattrall were among the famous faces to pay tribute to Williams. Travolta penned on social media: Treat Williams and I got our start in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway shows, Grease and Over Here. Im so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed. Love, John. John Travolta paid tribute to Williams (Instagram/John Travolta) Im in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend. pic.twitter.com/hurBQfejRu Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall) June 13, 2023 Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall shared an image from their 1999 TV movie 36 Hours to Die, writing on Twitter: Im in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend. Vanessa Hudgens, who played his on-screen daughter in the 2018 film Second Act, paid tribute to him on her Instagram story. She shared: He was a great movie dad and an even better human being. Treat Williams was a fantastic actor, a joy to be around, and the kindest soul. He will be missed. Hilaria Baldwin wrote: We feel sick... Our hearts are broken... rest in peace, dear friend. Pam.. Gill, Elinor.. we send love. Backdraft actor Billy Baldwin, 60, tweeted: He had it all. Smart. Talented. Funny. Charming. Successful. Handsome. Compassionate. Heart of gold. And that name Treat Williams. He truly and deeply cared about whats going on here in America and around the world. Climate change, social justice, freedom, truth, tolerance love. Beloved by his family, friends, fans, colleagues his community. A terrible loss. You will be missed. Rest in power Treat. Editors Note: Several Tri-City area legislators are concerned state officials in charge of the Horse Heaven wind project are ignoring local concerns. Here is a letter they recently sent to EFSEC: June 8, 2023 Energy Facility Siting Evaluation Council, We are writing to express our concerns about the proposed Horse Heaven Hills Wind/Solar project and adjudication. This unprecedented project is the largest proposed wind farm in the state of Washington to date. Up to 244, 499-foot-high wind turbines are planned to occupy an area over 25 miles across and approximately 8 miles wide, straddling ridgelines of the Horse Heaven Hills directly in sight of the cities of Benton City, West Richland, Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and Finley. We have serious concerns about the disproportionate impacts the project will have on Southeastern Washington, as there are over 100,000 people who live within six miles of the project. This is more visible and orders of magnitude larger than any other wind project in the state. Significant concerns about the project and the adjudication process have been raised by Benton County, the Yakama Nation, and by Tri-Cities CARES, a local non-profit organization that is doing a noteworthy job representing the diverse interests of the public. Chair Drew has denied requests from the parties to conduct the hearings in the Tri-Cities and in spite of grave concerns about fairness and prejudice, has directed that the venue for the adjudication be held virtually. We do not believe this decision to be appropriate given the nature and magnitude of the impacts this project will have on the citizens of the region. EFSEC has accelerated the adjudication process without letting the public know how they are going to address the 2,400 public comments that were sent in by the public, many of which pointed to substantial errors, omissions and misrepresentation made in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). To date EFSEC has not yet released a target date for the publication of a final EIS nor explained how they propose to mitigate the significant impacts posed by the proposed project. We are also troubled that WDFW biologists are being prevented from transparently sharing their scientific knowledge regarding the ferruginous hawk and other endangered species. EFSEC is apparently placing limitations on the testimony of public employees who work for a public agency on a public matter all paid with public money. Ferruginous hawks do not belong to the project applicant and for EFSEC to be anything less than transparent and objective regarding the freedom of these employees to testify and share their knowledge is not acceptable. Energy facilities of this magnitude are normally sited in rural areas. The Tri-Cities is the second most populous urban area in eastern Washington with a population of approximately 300K. Arbitrarily siting the Horse Heaven Hills project above the urban area of the Tri-Cities sets a concerning precedent. Given the magnitude of the project and the number of people impacted, EFSEC must take great care to fulfill its duties and obligations in a thorough, intentional, and impartial manner. We are not confident that this is being considered. This process illustrates everything that is wrong when giving legislative authority to EFSEC to override local land use decision-making, and to adjudicate issues prior to the finalization of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The Horse Heaven Hills project is too big, with negative impacts on the urban community of the Tri-Cities to disregard local concerns. For this reason, we request that EFSEC exercise extreme care and prudence to openly assure that the project can be quantitatively shown to minimize environment impacts, produce substantial, tangible benefits to those communities, and satisfy the renewable energy needs of the State of Washington in a rational and reliable manner. This letter was signed by Reps. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla; Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco; April Connors, R-Kennewick; Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy; Joe Schmick, R-Colfax; Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla; Bruce Chandler, R-Yakima and Senator Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. (Bloomberg) -- Most Canadians believe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has botched responding to allegations of Chinese interference in his countrys elections, a new poll suggests. Most Read from Bloomberg More than half of respondents to a Nanos Research Group survey conducted for Bloomberg News gave Trudeaus government low marks for its handling of the issue, with 33% calling it very poor and 22% poor. That compares to just 14% who gave Trudeau positive reviews, and a further 24% who judged the governments response to be average. The poll was taken before the latest setback for Trudeau. On Friday evening, David Johnston resigned his job as a special investigator after relentless opposition criticism that the former governor general had too many personal connections to the prime minister to provide independent judgment on the matter. Canadians are clearly ready for a reset on the management of allegations of foreign interference, Nik Nanos, the polling firms chief data scientist, said by email. For much of the year, Trudeau has been besieged by allegations his government failed to effectively respond to intelligence suggesting the government in Beijing was trying to tilt Canadian election races to favor pro-China candidates. The allegations have come out through a steady stream of media reports based on leaked intelligence assessments and confidential sources. In March, Trudeau appointed Johnston as a special rapporteur to review the classified information and decide whether a judicial inquiry was the best way to address it. Johnston delivered a report last month that advised against an inquiry, saying too much of the process would be done in secret due to the sensitive material. The report found China had indeed attempted to interfere in Canadas democracy, but concluded Trudeaus government didnt knowingly ignore intelligence on it. However, with Johnstons resignation, its unclear how Trudeau will move forward. One of his senior cabinet ministers, Dominic LeBlanc, told reporters on Saturday he would consult with opposition parties to determine who might be able to take over Johnstons job. LeBlanc also left the door open to calling an inquiry. Nanos said Canadians concerns rise above the specific matter of Trudeaus handling of interference and seep into Canadas larger relationship with China. The government of China is top of mind on this issue, he said. People are not only souring on the Canada-China relationship, but a majority would like to see less trade with China. The poll found 55% of Canadians want to see Canadas future trade relationship with China decreased, slightly down from last year but still an increase from 2020, when 45% answered the same way. The Nanos poll surveyed 1,096 Canadians from May 31 to June 3, and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Participants were randomly recruited by telephone using live agents and administered a survey online. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 13: Former U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Versailles restaurant in the Little Havana neighborhood after being arraigned at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges including possession of national security documents after leaving office, obstruction, and making false statements. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 felony charges Tuesday in connection with his handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to prevent the government from recovering them. It marks the first time an American president has been charged with a federal crime. If found guilty in the case, he could face decades in prison. Wearing a navy suit and red tie, Trump was brought in about 15 minutes before the hearing began and sat slumped in his chair, hands clasped in his lap, as he waited for the judge to arrive, ABC News reported. He looked down at the floor for most of the hearing, and his lawyer waived a reading of the 49-page indictment. Special counsel Jack Smith sat in the front row watching Trump closely, CBS News reported. Smith did not speak. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, Trumps attorney Todd Blanche told federal Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who oversaw the arraignment. Trump was released on his own recognizance, wasnt asked to surrender his passport and is still allowed to travel internationally, according to news reports. Goodman ordered Trump not to discuss the case with his personal aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, or witnesses. Trump, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination again, returned to his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., on Tuesday night for a private fundraiser, where he delivered a campaign speech containing a series of falsehoods about the government, the indictment and his other legal troubles. He promised to totally obliterate the deep state and threatened that justice will be done on election day. It was not immediately clear whether the date of his next hearing had been set. On Friday, after a yearlong investigation, the Justice Department unsealed the indictment against the former president, charging that he unlawfully took classified records when his presidency ended in 2021, then obstructed the governments efforts to retrieve hundreds of the secret documents some of them related to U.S. nuclear weapons operations and national defense vulnerabilities. The indictment states that Trump kept the records in unsecured areas of his Florida estate, including in a bathroom, a ballroom and a storage room. The Mar-a-Lago property is a private club that hosts thousands of people each year. According to the indictment, top-secret and other classified records that the FBI recovered after a subpoena and a search of the property included details on U.S. and foreign nations nuclear and other defense and weapons capabilities, potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. and its allies to military attack, and plans for possible retaliation in response to such an attack. The indictment also details two instances in which Trump discussed and shared classified documents with people who did not have security clearances. Trump is charged with willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding documents or records, corruptly concealing documents in a federal investigation, scheming to conceal, and making false statements and representations. In a post on his Truth Social platform hours before his appearance, Trump called Smith a thug and accused him, his friends and his family of planting evidence in the case. He also questioned why Smith had not reviewed allegations against President Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which Smith does not have the authority to review. Nauta faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding documents or records, corruptly concealing documents in a federal investigation, scheming to conceal, and making false statements and representations. His arraignment was delayed for several weeks after he was unable to secure local counsel. The case is assigned to federal Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who was criticized for her rulings in his favor last year and assigning a special master to review the seized classified records. Her rulings, which delayed the investigation for several weeks, were overturned by the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which said that she never had the legal authority to intervene. Smith said last week that he would seek a speedy trial. That will largely depend on Cannon, who has significant control over the calendar, jury selection and what evidence will be allowed. Blanche and fellow attorney Chris Kise represented Trump at the arraignment. The former presidents previous legal team resigned Friday after his indictment became public. Trump was placed under arrest when he surrendered to federal authorities on Tuesday before his arraignment. A spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service told the Associated Press that the agency had enough photos of Trump, so did not take his mugshot for booking. Trumps digital fingerprints were taken and his birth date and Social Security number were recorded, the spokesman said. This is the second time this spring that Trump has been in court to enter a not-guilty plea. He was indicted in New York City in March on charges related to an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor in the final days of the 2016 campaign. He also faces two ongoing criminal inquiries into his role in 2020 election interference. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) urged Americans not to tune out the case. Today cannot be viewed as just another day in the typical flurry that surrounds Donald Trumps shocking words and actions. The charges filed against the former president include major violations of our national security and serious evidence of criminal obstruction. If filed against someone else, the gravity of the case laid out against them would be immediately apparent, Carbajal said in a statement. Trump and his allies have repeatedly called the charges a witch hunt intended to keep him from winning back the presidency in 2024. On Monday, he said in a social media post that if elected, hell appoint a special prosecutor to go after people including Biden and his family. A president does not have the power to appoint a special counsel; that authority lies with the U.S. attorney general. Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said at a news conference Monday that his officers were prepared for a crowd of up to 50,000 people outside the court Tuesday, but the few hundred protesters and counterprotesters who showed up were outnumbered by members of the media. The circus-like atmosphere outside court was the only view of the days events that most Americans will see. The magistrate judge refused a request by media outlets, including The Times, to allow photos and videos of the unprecedented proceedings. Cecilia Altonaga, chief U.S. judge for the Southern District of Florida, separately banned reporters from carrying any electronics into the courtroom. Outside the courthouse, the former presidents supporters chanted, Free Donald Trump! and USA! while waving Make America Great Again flags. Opponents held signs that read, Trump, you are not above the law and 31 counts of espionage/Lock him up! Trumps campaign issued a fundraising appeal during his arraignment, vowing that he would never drop out of the 2024 race. Attorney Alina Habba, speaking for Trump, made incendiary remarks outside the courthouse, reiterating false claims by other surrogates of the former president. The people in charge of this country do not love America. They hate Donald Trump, she said. A man dressed in prison stripes and holding an orange sign that read Lock him up charged Trumps motorcade as it departed, and was quickly arrested. Soon after leaving the courthouse, Trump was back to campaigning, visiting a Cuban restaurant where supporters had gathered. Some restaurant patrons sang Happy Birthday to the former president, who turns 77 on Wednesday. Some birthday, Trump said. Wire reported from Washington and Lin from Los Angeles. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The selection of a judge appointed by former President Donald Trump to oversee his criminal proceedings has triggered a wave of speculation, with many commenting that it is a boon for Trump and a setback for federal prosecutors. Attorneys familiar with the judge and American legal system say it's neither. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, 42, was randomly designated last week to preside in the federal case against Trump, who has been accused by special counsel Jack Smith of possessing and mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The choice of Cannon raised eyebrows, and concerns, because of her assignment last year of a special master amid litigation sparked by the FBI search and seizure of documents in August 2022. The ruling by Cannon was seen as overly, and unnecessarily, favorable to Trump. Moreover, it was ultimately overturned last year by an appeals court paving the way for doubts over her impartiality this month. But Fort Lauderdale defense attorney Richard Serafini, who spent 10 years working as a federal prosecutor, said much of the discourse around the jurist's controversial designation is inappropriate. "I think they are making way too much of it," Serafini said. "I think that Judge Cannon is going to handle the case evenly." Legal experts: Expect federal judge assigned to Trump case to rule fairly Federal Protective Service Police walk along the sidewalk outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Miami. Former President Donald Trump is set to appear at the federal court Tuesday. Serafini said Cannon's approval of special master to review documents and the possession of the disputed files was reasonable given that it was a "first impression" case one without a roadmap of previously litigated issues. "No search warrant had ever been served, executed on a (former) president on a location or his home before," Serafini said. By contrast, even though no former president has ever faced criminal charges before, the Espionage Act and other laws involved in Trump's 49-page indictment involve well-traveled legal pathways, with a host of precedents and previous cases to inform Cannon's decisions. That applies also to the piercing of the attorney-client shield in Trump's case. Serafini said that's "not novel" and is clearly prescribed by the crime-fraud section governing the relationship between defendants and their legal representatives. "That's been well-litigated," Serafini said. "That doesn't mean that it's not going to re-litigated at trial, but that's not a novel way of gathering evidence. If the advice is used in furtherance of a crime, then the attorney-client privilege is overcome." The fact that Trump appointed Cannon has been news-talk fodder, with a conservative radio talk show host calling her a "MAGA judge" on Monday morning. Kendall Coffey, a former prosecutor with the Southern District of the U.S. Attorney's Office, said it means less than people may believe. "Federal district judges never feel they have to send a bouquet of 'thank you' flowers to whichever president appointed them," he said. Coffey served on the committee that reviewed Cannon's judicial application and said he feels strongly that she will be fair, noting that she brings the perspective of a former prosecutor to the court. Coffey agreed that Cannon's ruling last year occurred in an arena that presented issues that hadn't been litigated before, rather than stemming from an allegiance to the president who appointed her. What we know: The rooms where it happened at Mar-a-Lago in Trump indictment Law professor believes appellate courts will serve as backstop if politics, not law, are applied A Federal Protective Service Police officer cordons off an area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Miami. Former President Donald Trump is set to appear at the federal court Tuesday, on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified information. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Defense attorney Michael Salnick also rejected criticism that Cannon is politically motivated, saying it's not legally founded. He said that if prosecutors successfully push to remove her from the case, or if she were to recuse herself, nothing will stop "the next person from crying foul that the next judge was appointed by Obama, Biden, Bill Clinton." "She is a tough, no-nonsense judge," Salnick said. "I think she will be extremely fair, but there's going to be critics no matter what." Tara Newsom, a professor of Civics and Goverment at St. Petersburg College, said Cannon's assignment followed the judicial protocols and "all of the norms" in how judges are assigned cases. But Newsom said whatever extra scrutiny is on Cannon because of her decision-making in the search warrant litigation is fair game. "Being wary of her ruling is fair considering her track record last year," she said. But, Newsom added, the appellate decision may well leave Cannon understanding she does not have the discretion she may have believed she had last fall. "There's an increased attention on this case because of the severity of it," Newsom said. "After she was overruled last year, I think we have a greater chance of her doing the right thing. And if we believe in the presumption of his innocence and we believe in the system, we have to believe in her." Newsom further added that just as the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals stepped in last year, judicial review will be there as well in the adjudication of the current indictment. "If she is found to be applying politics instead of justice, then the system will overturn her decision just as it did last year," she said. Newsom also agreed with Serafini that Cannon will have to play in a more constrained legal field because of the law and case precedent. "These are well-heeled judicial principles, and there is case law that supports this indictment," she said "You just have to be consistent. If we believe in the justice system, then we have to understand she is going to have to apply the law and case precedent, and there is less discretion for her in this case." "Sheer coincidence": Trump's loyal supporters react with a similar refrain to indictment A somber scene inside the courtroom and a 'circus' outside Miami federal facility? The first-ever appearance by a former president to face federal charges Tuesday in Miami is likely to be a somber moment inside the courtroom and a public spectacle outside, legal and security experts say. Extraordinary measures are being taken at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Miami ahead of Trump's arrival to face a magistrate, not Cannon, in a first appearance. On Tuesday afternoon, Serafini expects a quick, "collapsed appearance" in which the reading of the indictment will be waived, a trial by jury will be demanded and Trump's attorneys will want access to evidence although that discovery process could require his attorneys to have security clearances. Serafini said bond will not be an issue, and there will be no need for Trump to wear monitoring devices since, as a presidential candidate, he is not a flight risk. "That seems awfully unrealistic," he said of an electronic ankle bracelet on Trump. "If anybody wants to know where he is, they only need to turn on the news." That being said, the scene outside could potentially be chaotic, said Ross Thompson, a longtime professional in private security. "It's going to be an absolute circus," he said. Trump documents: A timeline on how we got from a raid to an indictment Security around Miami federal courthouse to be 'extremely tight' Beyond what happens in the courtroom, the atmosphere outside the courthouse on Tuesday could be an intense one. Serafini said he expects there be "extremely tight security" around the federal facility in Miami. The Miami federal court is no stranger to high-profile cases, having handled the cases involving deposed Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega and the post-Sept. 11 arrests of a group of men accused of conspiring to support the al-Qaeda terrorist organization in attacks that allegedly included bombing the then-Sears Tower in Chicago and an FBI building in North Miami Beach. Analysts said the arraignment of a former president on charges stemming from wrongful possession of top secret U.S. papers is nonetheless a different legal and security dimension, but federal officials will be ready. "What is unprecedented is the charge against a former president," Serafini said. "But that's a newer court building, and it was built with security in mind. It was constructed and designed to be extremely secure. It's a major district and it's a major city, and they've had cases before that required security measures. There will be a lot of people and there will be a lot security, but I anticipate things will run smoothly." Thompson, the CEO of COVAC Global in West Palm Beach, said he is not too concerned with the security within the Miami courthouse. "The courthouse is secure," he said. "I don't think there's any real existential threat in the courthouse." Trump, Thompson said, will also be in good hands with U.S. Secret Service protection. The agency will control his movement in and out, and will have various vehicle entry and exit options as well as "air support," a helicopter ready, in the event it's necessary. "The Secret Service still has a very large hand in any of the president's movements in what he does or doesn't do," he said. Thompson said he is more concerned with the potential for violence beyond the courthouse. He said what he fears most is that a clash between potentially armed demonstrators will escalate. "With the gun laws in Florida versus New York, there's obviously the possibility, the potential, for people that are participating in any of those potential clashes, meetings, rallies, whatever you want to call it, to have weapons," he said. "That's got to be a bigger concern than what we saw in New York." Federal, state and local law enforcement will be on hand not only in large numbers, Thompson added, "but you'll have some specialized units, counter assault and SWAT" units, including undercover agents mingling in the crowd to spot flash points and respond fast. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump arraignment in Miami: Judge, courthouse security command spotlight NANNING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- It has been three years since Liu Fengjiao last traveled abroad, so when she recently embarked on a trip to Vietnam she was brimming with excitement. Despite the brevity of the trip, Liu, a resident from central China's Hunan Province, was filled with delight at the prospect of the outing. Upon reaching the Youyiguan border gate following her one-day tour in Vietnam, she eagerly retrieved her camera and promptly captured a photograph of her tour group before exchanging goodbyes. "The anticipation of this trip had filled me with exhilaration, as I had eagerly awaited it for so long. Visiting Vietnam after three years was a dream come true for me," Liu said. The Youyiguan border gate in the city of Pingxiang in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has lately seen a cross-border travel boom, with the number of Chinese and Vietnamese tourists traveling to both sides increasing remarkably. According to Youyiguan immigration inspection station, departures and arrivals at the border gate reached 460,000 from January to May, which included around 1,400 tour groups with over 23,000 tourists. With the release of pent-up travel demand after the pandemic, travel agencies and tourism practitioners from both China and Vietnam are expressing confidence in the cross-border tourism market. Deng Qingfang, from Guangxi Pingxiang Peace International Travel Co., Ltd., said that she has been quite busy lately. Since the resumption of group travel between China and Vietnam in March, she has been actively responding to travel inquiries and connecting with Vietnamese travel agencies. "We have seen a significant surge in tourists consulting us for travel plans. In the past two months alone, the number of tourists served by our agency has increased by nearly 30 percent compared to the pre-pandemic levels in 2019," said Deng, who has been working in the cross-border travel industry for nearly a decade. The resurgence in travel demand has rekindled hope among tourism practitioners. According to Deng, all the tour guides who had left the agency over the past three years have returned and resumed their roles as tour leaders, with a majority of them leading tours to Vietnam. In addition to Chinese tourists, the agency has also seen a notable increase in the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting China. "Recently, we received some 1,000 Vietnamese tourists on a single day," she said. Pham Thi Hoa Mai, manager of a Vietnamese travel agency, has recently visited many cities in Guangxi to design new travel routes. "China is one of the most popular travel destinations for Vietnamese tourists, and we also collaborate with Chinese travel agencies to organize trips," she said. In 2019, China was Vietnam's biggest source of foreign visitors with 5.8 million arrivals. Vietnam's tourism industry is well-prepared to welcome more visitors, according to local tourism businesses. "I will definitely visit Vietnam again and other countries in Southeast Asia. And next time I will stay longer," Liu said. According to Li Hui, a police officer at Youyiguan immigration inspection station, they have opened special channels for group tours while adopting some new measures to facilitate efficient customs clearance. The arraignment of Donald Trump is a historic moment as a former president stands in the dock to plead not guilty to a federal crime. It may foreshadow an equally historic trial in the Florida courthouse. A few key numbers could ultimately determine whether the case is history in the making or much to do about nothing. Those numbers are 90, 70, 12 and 1. 90: Prosecutors are on the clock Now that the Justice Department is on the docket, the countdown begins. There is a reason why special counsel Jack Smith dedicated one of his few public lines after the indictment to declare that the Justice Department is intent on pursuing "a speedy trial." Smith's greatest problem is not Trump, but time. Special counsel Jack Smith walks off after speaking to reporters Friday, June 9, 2023, in Washington. Former President Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents according to an indictment unsealed on Friday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) ORG XMIT: DCJL127 The Justice Department has long followed a rule that it should not take actions that could influence elections. While there are ambiguities around the meaning of this policy, many legal observers read this rule as kicking in 90 days before an election. The first primary elections are scheduled for the first week of next February. That places the redline for prosecutors in the first week of November. Since the Justice Department has generally followed this rule, a departure for Trump would reinforce the view of almost half of Americans that the charges are politically motivated. However, a failure to try the case before November could mean pushing the trial until after the election. Outside the federal courthouse in Miami on June 13, 2023, where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear for his arraignment. Republican contenders are already suggesting that they may pardon Trump if elected, and Trump might even be able to issue himself a pardon if he is the winner. It could mean that Smith might never see a jury seated in this case, let alone a guilty verdict. Will Biden pardon Trump? If Donald Trump is convicted, President Biden should pardon him. Really. 70: Trump trial could start as early as August That is why Smith is invoking the constitutional right to a speedy trial a right that protects the defendant, not the prosecutors. A speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment and a federal statute would set the case for trial within 70 days. That would put the trial before the end of August. However, criminal defendant routinely waive the right to a speedy trial because it does not allow them to fully prepare for trial. The Trump team would be legally insane not to waive. Is DOJ's Trump indictment an overreach? Prove it, DOJ. If Trump is not successfully prosecuted, then this was all a witch hunt. After a waiver, the Trump team can then delay matters further by filing a series of challenges on threshold issues ranging from the use of the Espionage Act to relying on the compelled testimony of Trump's former counsel. After a period of briefing before the trial court, appellate courts could delay the matter for months depending on whether they expedite review. 12: Selecting an impartial jury will be a daunting task This case will require a particularly demanding jury selection process to find 12 jurors (plus alternates). Jurors are no longer expected to have no knowledge of a controversial case. Indeed, I do not think we would want a juror who has lived in such seclusion as to have avoided any knowledge of Trump, Mar-a-Lago or this fight over documents. Trump indictment isn't a witch hunt: Be honest. If you saw the evidence, you would have indicted Trump, too. However, few people seem undecided on these charges. Indeed, this might be the most talked about and least read indictment in history. People seem content that the case confirmed either a pattern of Trump consistently flouting the law or the Justice Department unrelentingly targeting Trump. Identifying such bias will be a challenge for the court and counsel. 1: Defense must defeat all 37 counts. Prosecution needs only 1 to stick. The last number is probably the most important for both sides. For Trump, his team must run the table on all of the 37 counts. As a man who will turn 77 years old on Wednesday, Trump cannot allow for a single count to survive because the charges come with a potential of 10-12 years in prison. It would ordinarily be unlikely for a first offender in such cases to receive prison time, but this is no ordinary case. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Even half of the time served on one of these counts could be a terminal sentence for a man of Trump's age. I am the founder of the Project for Older Prisoners, and I can attest of how prison ages people, particularly those with no prior experience with incarceration. There are cases going both ways on sentencing. Egregious cases such as the one involving President Bill Clinton's former national security adviser, Sandy Berger, resulted in a light plea. Berger, who stuffed classified documents in his clothes to remove them from a secure facility, was allowed to plead to a misdemeanor, received two years probation and was given only a three-year suspension not a permanent revocation of his security clearance. Yet, Asia Janay Lavarello, a former civilian employee of the Defense Department, was recently sentenced to three months in prison. That was on on one count of mishandling such material, and Laverello pleaded guilty. Jonathan Turley The number 1 also is looming for Jack Smith. Just as Donald Trump cannot lose on a single count, Smith cannot lose a single juror without facing a hung jury. That's the Trump prosecution by the numbers, and they add up to far more uncertainty than either side seems willing to acknowledge. Jonathan Turley, a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors, is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanTurley You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Trump go on trial? Why prosecutors want to move fast The News Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges against him in the classified documents case, CNN and ABC News reported. He was under arrest after arriving at a Miami courthouse on Tuesday for his first court appearance in the case. He is the first former president to face federal criminal charges. Know More It is the second time this year that Trump surrendered in relation to a criminal case. A former Trump aide, Walt Nauta, has also been charged in the case. Jack Smith, the special counsel who was appointed to lead the probe, was in the courtroom on Tuesday seated behind two federal prosecutors, both ABC and CNN reported. Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who has controversially ruled in his favor in previous legal proceedings, is overseeing the federal indictment. A federal magistrate judge handled Tuesday's arraignment and ordered Trump to have no contact about the case with the witnesses. He reportedly did not have to surrender his passport, and the judge placed no limits on Trump's ability to travel internationally. Trump's motorcade left the courthouse after the hour-long hearing; he is expected to fly to New Jersey where he is set to address his supporters at his Bedminster golf club later Tuesday. Speaking outside the courthouse Tuesday, Trump attorney and spokesperson Alina Habba issued broad attacks against the Department of Justice and its investigation, claiming the former president is being unfairly targeted by "politically motivated prosecutors who don't care for impartiality." A small group of Trump supporters, many holding signs, waving flags, or wearing costumes, gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the proceedings. Step Back Last week, Trump was indicted in Florida following a months-long investigation into whether he mishandled classified documents after leaving the White House. He is the first former U.S. president to face a federal indictment. He faces 37 charges, including 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information stemming from the Espionage Act. According to the indictment, Trump allegedly stored several boxes of sensitive documents at unsecured and public locations within his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida, including a shower and bathroom at the club. Many of these documents contained information relating to nuclear weapon capabilities and military plans in response to a foreign attack. On at least two occasions, Trump reportedly showed some of these documents to people who did not have proper clearance, with Trump admitting that he had not declassified the files. His former attorneys also allege that he had pushed for some of those documents to be concealed or destroyed after they were subpoenaed by a grand jury. If Trump is convicted and handed the maximum penalty for each count in the indictment, he faces up to 400 years in prison and a more than $9 million fine, but legal experts say this is extremely unlikely. (Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom to federal charges he mishandled state secrets and immediately resumed rallying supporters behind his 2024 presidential bid. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump, who is making a comeback bid for the White House, is the first former president who has faced federal criminal charges. He appeared in court wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and red tie, and pleaded not guilty to all 37 counts against him. Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, entered the plea on his clients behalf before a federal magistrate judge. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, Blanche said during the hearing. The arraignment followed an historic indictment brought by the Justice Department alleging he willfully refused to return top-secret government documents and conspired to stymie US officials efforts to recover them after he left office in 2021. Trump is trying to turn his second indictment in 10 weeks into a fresh opportunity to garner support for his 2024 White House comeback effort and bolster his polling lead in a crowded field of Republican 2024 presidential candidates. His campaign said it raised more than $15 million in the weeks after his April 4 indictment by a Manhattan grand jury. Immediately following his arraignment on Tuesday, Trump stopped at a Cuban restaurant in Miami, greeting a crowd of well-wishers. He was set to fly to his New Jersey golf club to deliver a televised speech later in the evening. Witness List Trump appeared before US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who said that the former president could remain free pending trial. He wont face any travel restrictions. Walt Nauta, Trumps former White House valet and post-presidency personal aide, appeared alongside his boss at Tuesdays hearing. Nauta did not enter a plea, and was asked to come back to court on June 27 for his arraignment. He was also released pending his next court appearance. Goodman directed Trump to not discuss the case with any witnesses. The move caused tension in the courtroom between the judge and Trumps lawyer Blanche, who complained the restrictions were overly broad. The government agreed to alert the defense to a list of people, including Trump employees and Secret Service agents that the former President should not discuss the case with. Special Counsel Jack Smith was present for Trumps arraignment, sitting in the first row behind the prosecution team. He did not speak during the hearing. David Harbach, a veteran federal prosecutor who Smith had tapped to join his team from private practice, addressed the court on behalf of the government. Following the initial hearing in Miami, the case will move to the West Palm Beach division of the south Florida federal district court; US District Judge Aileen Cannon has been assigned to preside going forward, barring a recusal fight. Goodman did not set a date for Trumps first appearance before Cannon. Highly Sensitive Documents Prosecutors claim Trump kept highly sensitive papers at his Mar-a-Lago resort, some of which they say address nuclear programs and military attack plans. The indictment accuses Trump of 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act, which carry prison sentences as long as 10 years. Other charges carry up to 20-year maximum terms. Read More: Trump Heads to Court to Start Fighting Espionage Act Charges Trump is being represented by attorneys Blanche and Chris Kise, at least for now. A person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg News that the former president is exploring other options to bring on Florida counsel. Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for next years presidential race, has denied wrongdoing and assailed the case as politically motivated. He made a series of posts on his social-media site in the hours leading up to his arraignment attacking the special prosecutor. Ahead of the arraignment, Trump was taken into custody and had his fingerprints taken; he wasnt required to have his mug shot taken, according to court officials. He plans to return to his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey to deliver remarks tonight. Fundraising Trump has solicited campaign donations based on the indictments, including an email that was sent as he was traveling to the courthouse saying he could get 400 years in prison despite being a totally and completely innocent man. He also has a fundraiser at Bedminster Tuesday night where advisers hope to raise $2 million. Read More: Trumps Own Words Play a Star Role in the Case Against Him Trump faces mounting legal threats as he pursues a second term. The federal case against him, brought by Special Counsel Smith, follows a New York state criminal case set for trial in Manhattan in March. That prosecution is over hush money payments made to a porn star just ahead of the 2016 election Trump won. He has pleaded not guilty and said its part of a larger political effort to take him down. Trump also faces potential state charges in Georgia for allegations he interfered in the 2020 election result and federal charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Trump leads all other rivals for the 2024 GOP nomination by double-digit margins and has railed against the indictments as politically motivated election interference by Democrats bent on preventing him from returning to power. The case is US v. Trump, 23-cr-80101, US District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami). Read More: What Trumps Many Legal Perils Mean for His 2024 Bid: QuickTake --With assistance from Emily Birnbaum. (updates with more details from hearing) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Some Republicans challenging former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination are attacking the front-runner as irresponsible in the wake of his indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents, taking a noticeably less friendly tack than their party counterparts as Trump prepares for his second arraignment in three months on Tuesday. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), neither of whom are running explicitly anti-Trump campaigns, both suggested in interviews Monday that Trumps behavior hes facing 37 felony charges, outlined in a 49-page federal indictment last week threatened national security. Neither wholly abandoned the GOP line, continuing to suggest the Justice Department unfairly targeted Trump because he is a conservative and a foe of Democratic President Joe Biden. Still, their tentative criticisms of Trump suggest his GOP opponents see a possible angle of attack against the de facto party leader. The first opinion polls since the indictment, released over the weekend by ABC News and CBS News, found an overwhelming majority of Republicans standing by Trump but also indications that portions of the GOP electorate are not as obsessed with Trumps personal grievances as the man himself. Scott told reporters that Trump was facing a serious case with serious allegations after an event rolling out endorsements in his home state. Haley, appearing on Fox News, said Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security if the allegations contained in the indictment are true. Two things can be true at the same time. One, the DOJ and FBI have lost all credibility with the American people, Haley said. Two, the second thing can also be true: If this indictment is true, if what it says is actually the case, President Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security. (Its worth noting Haleys first true statement is far from it, according to available surveys: Last year, Gallup found 50% of Americans believe the FBI is doing a good or excellent job, while 21% said it was doing a fair job and 28% said it was doing a poor job.) ABC News poll, conducted with Ipsos, found the public was more likely to think the charges in the federal indictment were serious than they were to think the same of the April indictment in Manhattan, on fraud charges related to hush-money payments: 61% of Americans think the new charges are serious, compared with just 52% in April. Notably, the biggest increase in Americans calling the charges serious comes from the Republican Party: While only 21% of Republicans thought the Manhattan charges were serious, 38% said the same of the federal charges in the classified documents case. Despite recognizing the severity of the charges, Republicans were no more likely to say Trump should face prosecution than they were in April. Why? Mostly because they are far more likely than other Americans to believe the charges are politically motivated: An 80% majority of Republicans say the charges are politically driven, compared to a 47% plurality of all Americans.(Thirty-seven percent of Americans think the charges arent driven by politics, and the rest of the population is unsure.) The CBS News survey, conducted with YouGov, finds similar tiny cracks in Trumps purportedly impenetrable wall of support. And, to be clear, the existing cracks are tiny: 40% of Republican primary voters said the indictment would make them more likely to vote for Trump while just 4% said it would make them less likely. A majority of 56% said it would have no effect. Two other questions posed by CBS hint at some exhaustion with Trumps perpetual grievance machine: Asked if they want to hear Trump discuss the legal cases and investigations against him, just 39% of likely GOP primary voters said they would while 61% said they wouldnt. Comparatively, 92% want to hear Trump discuss his plans for a second term. And though Trump has his own personal obsessions with loyalty, GOP voters place a little less emphasis on the issue: Only 31% said a candidate other than Trump, if they win the GOP nomination, should show loyalty to the former president. A 64% majority said they would prefer the candidate not talk about Trump at all. (The never-Trump crowd remains minuscule: Just 4% wanted a candidate who attacked Trump.) And while Scott and Haley dipped their toes in the water of confronting Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie remains the Republican running most fully prepared to challenge the president. Appearing on CNN on Monday night, Christie said Trump was dragging the country through his own personal dramas. This is vanity run amok. he said. Ego run amok. Other Republican candidates are far more interested in defending Trump and criticizing the Justice Department, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the former presidents biggest rival for the 2024 nomination. Another candidate, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, plans to appear in Miami on Tuesday to host a press conference defending Trump. Related... Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Miami International Airport June 12, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Former President Donald Trump made history when he became the first former president to face federal charges. On June 8, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on 37 counts related to his alleged storing of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after he left the White House in 2021. Trump was arraigned June 13 at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Florida, where he pleaded not guilty to all counts. The charges against Trump include alleged violations of the 1917 Espionage Act and obstruction of justice. In the leadup to Trumps indictment, misinformation spread online about the charges Trump faces, President Joe Bidens role in the case and other officials handling of classified records. False claims also circulated about key figures in the case, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and District Judge Aileen Cannon. Heres a roundup of claims USA TODAY has debunked related to the case: Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Claims about Trump's indictment and key figures in classified documents case Claim: Trump was charged with espionage Our rating: False Legal experts said Trump was not charged with espionage in the classified documents probe. He was charged with the willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act for allegedly possessing documents related to national security. Experts said the Espionage Act encompasses crimes other than espionage itself. Read more. Claim: Merrick Garland stripped Trump of right to run in 2024 after evidence of 'justice obstruction' was found Our rating: False Garland does not have the authority to prevent Trump from running for president, according to legal experts. Even if Trump is indicted in the classified documents case, he can still run for president. Read more. Claim: Biden ordered Trump's indictment Our rating: False Legal experts said Biden does not have the authority to bring criminal charges against anyone. That authority lies with federal prosecutors. In the classified documents probe, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith made the decision to indict Trump, not Biden. Read more. Claim: Photo shows US District Judge Aileen Cannon in a 'Team Trump' hat Our rating: False The photo does not show Cannon, who has been assigned to oversee the federal case related to former President Donald Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents. It shows two Trump supporters at one of his campaign rallies in September 2022. Read more. Fact check explainer: Trump wrongly uses Clinton socks case as defense in classified docs probe, legal experts say The Presidential Records Act doesn't allow presidents to take classified documents with them when they leave office. Legal experts say that a 2012 case involving tapes in Clinton's possession is not relevant to Trump's case since the tapes were considered personal records, not classified presidential records like those Trump allegedly had at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Read more. Claims about current and previous administrations' handling of classified records Claim: Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden and Pence all took classified documents after leaving White House Our rating: Partly false While former Vice President Mike Pence and Biden have yet to be charged for improperly having classified documents in their possession, there is no evidence former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton or George H.W. Bush took classified documents with them after leaving the White House. Read more. Claim: Biden did not have the authority to declassify documents as vice president Our rating: False Legal experts said Biden had the authority to declassify documents as vice president as the result of a 2009 executive order signed by President Barack Obama. Read more. Claim: Classified documents were found at the University of Delaware Our rating: False A legal expert said no classified records have been found at the University of Delaware. Biden donated 1,850 boxes of documents from his time as a senator to the university. Read more. Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's true and false about Trump's indictment in classified docs case (Bloomberg) -- The New York author who won a $5 million sexual abuse trial against Donald Trump was allowed to expand an earlier defamation lawsuit to add remarks he made about her on a CNN town hall and seek at least $10 million more in damages. Most Read from Bloomberg US District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Tuesday granted E. Jean Carrolls request to amend her lawsuit over Trumps objections. The ruling in the civil case came on the same day Trump, the current Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, pleaded not guilty in the federal criminal case against him over his handling of classified US documents. Kaplans order adds one more legal problem to the former presidents plate. We look forward to moving ahead expeditiously on E. Jean Carrolls remaining claims, Carrolls lawyer Robbie Kaplan said in a statement. Read More: What Trumps Many Legal Perils Mean for His 2024 Bid (QuickTake) Trumps lawyer Alina Habba said the judge made the wrong call. Trump has said the jury finding in the more recent civil case that he was liable for sexual abuse but not for rape derails Carrolls earlier defamation lawsuit, in which she also claimed he raped her. In her amended suit in that case, Carroll changed references from rape to sexual assault. We maintain that she should not be permitted to retroactively change her legal theory, at the eleventh hour, to avoid the consequences of an adverse finding against her, Habba said in a statement. During the televised town hall, which aired shortly after the sexual abuse verdict, Trump called Carrolls allegations a fake story and dismissed her as a wack job. Read More: Trump Accuser Seeks to Add CNN Town Hall Comments to Suit The earlier suit, which Carroll filed over comments Trump made about her while he was president, has an unusual twist. It hinges on whether he enjoyed presidential immunity in 2019 when he called her a liar after she went public with allegations that he raped her in a dressing room of a New York department store more than two decades ago. Trump has denied defaming or assaulting Carroll. The US government has sought to substitute itself for Trump in the case and claimed the allegedly defamatory statements were made within the scope of his role as president. That would nullify the lawsuit because the US cant be sued for defamation. Read More: Trump Asks for New Carroll Trial or $4 Million Damages Cut But in another potential setback to Trump, the judge said in Tuesdays order the government has conceded that subsequent events have overtaken its initial position on the case and had asked for more time to determine its course. He gave the US until July 13 to submit its stance. The case is Carroll v. Trump, 20-cv-07311, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). (Adds comment from Carrolls lawyer in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Frequently asked questions and answers from law experts about the Justice Departments case against the former president. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters) Former President Trump will be arraigned Tuesday in Miami on 37 felony counts stemming from his handling of classified documents and his alleged efforts to obstruct a federal investigation into them. According to the indictment, the charges include violations of the Espionage Act, which prohibits the unauthorized possession of national defense-related documents. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and is expected to plead not guilty. Yahoo News spoke with several legal experts to get answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the case. How serious are the charges against Trump? Former President Trump speaks in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) It's one of the most serious espionage cases in recent memory, Duncan Levin, a criminal defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor, told Yahoo News. Not only because its against a former president, but because the documents are so incredibly sensitive. Do the Espionage Act charges mean Trump has been accused of spying? No. While the 1917 law is meant to prevent insubordination by members of the military and to prohibit the sharing of state secrets, that does not mean the U.S. government thinks Trump is a spy. [The charges allege] you had this stuff, you needed to give it back, you retained it, and then you showed it to people who were unauthorized to see it, New York criminal defense lawyer Andrew Bernstein explained. No ones saying you did it to be a spy. How damaging are the photos of classified documents kept in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom to Trumps defense? Boxes of documents stored in a bathroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in early 2021. (U.S. Justice Department/Handout via Reuters ) Are they powerful at this moment to say here's the basis for an allegation? Absolutely, Bernstein said. Whether they're powerful enough to lead to conviction, or they really mean what the government says they mean, were not going to know that until we get the underlying context. Do we know why Trump allegedly took the documents from the White House? Boxes of records being stored in the ballroom of Mar-a-Lago. (Justice Department via AP) The simple answer is no, Bernstein said. The federal government is under no obligation to prove motive. What are some of the challenges prosecutors face in the case? There is an added layer of complexity when you are charging based on classified documents, said Christine Adams, a former federal prosecutor and partner at Los Angeles-based Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein. You have to prove that the government has taken steps to protect the information, that it relates to national defense and that its unauthorized disclosure could potentially harm the United States. How do you do that without disclosing classified information? How serious is this case compared to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs hush money probe against Trump in New York? Trump with his attorneys Joe Tacopina and Boris Epshteyn, far right, during his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 4. (Andrew Kelly-Pool/Getty Images) Federal indictments are always much more serious, Bernstein said. Its the United States of America versus an individual. DOJ chose to tell a compelling, detailed story through the indictment, likely in an effort to convince at least some members of the public that this case is not politically motivated," Adams said. "The New York case is much more mysterious in that prosecutors there have told a less detailed story of what Trump is alleged to have done, and they even have referred to an underlying crime without exactly identifying what the crime is." What is the maximum prison time Trump could face? If Trump is convicted of all 37 counts, the former president could face a total of 400 years in prison, based on the maximum sentences for each charge: Counts 1-31: Willful retention of national defense information - 10 years Count 32: Conspiracy to obstruct justice - 20 years Count 33: Withholding of a document or record - 20 years Count 34: Corruptly concealing a document or record - 20 years Count 35: Concealing a document in a federal investigation - 20 years Count 36: Scheme to conceal - 5 years Count 37: False statements and representations - 5 years But should Trump really worry about going to prison? If he were my client and he asked me that, the answer is, Absolutely, Bernstein said. If Trump does go to jail, dont expect him to get anywhere near the maximum sentence. You always read about a maximum term and its mind boggling," said Richard A Serafini, a former senior trial attorney in the Justice Department's Criminal Division and a criminal defense attorney based in South Florida. "In reality, the sentences wind up being much, much less. When could the case go to trial? Boxes of records in a storage room at Mar-a-Lago, with contents spilling onto the floor. (Justice Department via AP) The federal law, called the Speedy Trial Act, requires the government to bring the case to trial within 70 days. But that typically doesnt happen, Serafini said. Im certain that the Trump team is going to file motions. And Trump has a long history of delay tactics when it comes to litigation. If they think its advantageous to delay as long as possible until after the election, then they may well try and do that, Serafini said. If Trump wins reelection before the trial begins, could he simply tell his attorney general to drop the case? I suspect that's exactly what he would try and do and potentially be successful, Serafini said. I mean, I suspect if he wins the election, the first question he would ask his prospective attorney general is, Are you going to drop the charges? We're in quite theoretical territory, Levin said, but I think we're in a situation where he either gets elected president or goes to jail. Lets say Trump is tried and convicted before the election. Could he still somehow serve as president? Trump arrives in Miami on Monday. (Marco Bello/Reuters) There is nothing in the Constitution that would bar Trump from running his campaign, or serving as president if he was convicted. Trump expands huge lead over Ron DeSantis in Republican poll after indictment in Mar-a-Lago documents case Former President Donald Trump has expanded his huge lead in polls over Ron DeSantis and the rest of the 2024 Republican primary field since he was indicted in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents scandal. Trump scored a dominant 61% support of GOP voters compared to just 23% for DeSantis in a CBS News poll conducted after he was charged with mishandling documents and obstructing justice. Former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott trailed with 4% each and others in the crowded race were mired in the low single digits. The poll shows Trump has consolidated his strong support among Republicans since becoming the first former president to be charged with federal crimes. Trump led DeSantis by a slightly smaller 59%-24% margin in the same poll conducted in late April. Since then, DeSantis formally launched his 2024 campaign run, along with Pence, Scott and several lesser candidates. None of that news has put any dent at all into Trumps lead in the polls, which has been growing steadily since he announced his presidential comeback bid late last year. Republicans mostly believe the 37-count Trump indictment is politically motivated, with 74% of those polled agreeing that he should not have been charged. A shockingly small 7% of GOP voters say the 49-page indictment makes them think less highly of Trump, while twice as many say it makes them support him more strongly. Most GOP political analysts are not surprised by Trumps indictment bounce. The MAGA base of the party has repeatedly rallied around Trump whenever he is hit with news that would be devastating for almost any other candidate. Trumps supporters overwhelmingly believe the former presidents claim that he is a victim of a liberal hoax designed to keep him from returning to the White House. Most of his GOP rivals, including DeSantis, have sided with Trump in his fight with the feds, with only lesser candidates like Chris Christie openly criticizing him. Trump could also soon be hit with more legal bombshells. Special counsel Jack Smith is also investigating Trumps effort to overturn his loss in the 2020 election that culminated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He could also be charged with election interference in Georgia, where Atlanta Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has signaled indictments are likely to be handed up in August. ____ The defendant is accused of illegally taking hundreds of classified documents with secrets about U.S. counterterrorism investigations and intelligence efforts and keeping them at home. But its not former President Donald Trump. For the past two years, a former intelligence analyst in the FBIs Kansas City Division has been at the center of a federal criminal case involving allegations of hoarding classified documents. A federal grand jury indicted the analyst, Dodge City resident Kendra Kingsbury, in May 2021, accusing her of two counts of violating 18 U.S.C. 793(e) the same Espionage Act charge Trump faces. Kingsbury, whose case is in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, is set to be sentenced next week in Kansas City after pleading guilty to both counts in October. She will potentially be the first defendant sentenced for violating the law against willful retention of national defense information since Trumps indictment. The prosecution of Kingsbury offers a window into how seriously the Department of Justice takes mishandling of classified information, and how aggressively federal prosecutors pursue those who unlawfully retain sensitive documents. As Trump prepares for his first court appearance on Tuesday, the Kansas City case underscores the legal stakes confronting the former president. Her situation has been publicized locally and nationally garnering mention alongside prominent political figures whose conduct appears uncannily analogous to Ms. Kingsburys, Marc Ermine, an assistant federal public defender who is representing Kingsbury, wrote in a sentencing memo filed in court on Monday. One of the prosecutors on the Kingsbury case has also participated in the investigation of Trump. David Raskin, a national security prosecutor based in Kansas City, joined the Justice Departments team investigating Trump, The Washington Post reported last fall. The indictment of Kingsbury alleged that between 2004 and 2017, she had access to sensitive government documents at a secure area of the FBIs Kansas City office, as well as through secure government computer systems. The indictment specifically accused Kingsbury of retaining 20 documents, mostly intelligence notes and internal correspondence. The indictment didnt outline a motive, but a sentencing memo filed by prosecutors on Monday says Kingsburys phone made and received calls with phone numbers associated with the subjects of counterterrorism investigations. The memo says investigators havent been able to determine why Kingsbury contacted the individuals or why they called her. A prosecutor said in court last year that Kingsbury, who was 48 at the time of the indictment and had worked as an FBI intelligence analyst for more than 12 years, unlawfully retained about 386 classified documents in total. When the indictment was unsealed, the Justice Department portrayed Kingsburys crimes as a grave betrayal of trust that jeopardized national security. Kingsbury is alleged to have violated our nations trust by stealing and retaining classified documents in her home for years, Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Departments National Security Division said in a statement at the time. Insider threats are a significant danger to our national security, and we will continue to work relentlessly to identify, pursue and prosecute individuals who pose such a threat. Kingsbury pleaded guilty to both Espionage Act counts on Oct. 13, 2022, without a formal plea agreement. Kingsburys defense attorney had proposed that she plead guilty to one of the counts in exchange for a dismissal of the other count and consideration of a sentence of probation. The Department of Justice rejected the offer, prosecutor Patrick Edwards said at the hearing, according to a court transcript. I can say DOJ and the federal government take security of documents VERY seriously, Stephen McAllister, who was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas under Trump, said in a text message. Prosecutors are asking for a prison sentence of 57 months (4.75 years) and three years of supervised release. Her defense team is asking for probation, noting that she is a caretaker to her 75-year-old mother and that she has a son who will soon graduate high school. Kingsburys sentencing is scheduled for June 21 in front of U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Bough. She is represented by the Federal Public Defenders Office. We trust that the Court will consider the facts of Ms. Kingsburys case and her as an individual in determining the appropriate outcome for her, Ermine, Kingsburys lead attorney, said in a statement. To be sure, there are important differences between Kingsburys and Trumps cases. While both are accused of keeping hundreds of classified documents at home, Trumps case in some ways is even more serious because he is also accused of obstruction of justice and conspiracy. Some of the classified documents at issue in Trumps case are also more secretive. Prosecutors said Kingsbury had kept secret documents on hard drives, CDs and other formats describing intelligence sources and methods related to U.S. government efforts to defend against counterterrorism, counterintelligence and cyber threats. The documents included information on open FBI investigations. Kingsbury was also alleged to have retained documents with information about Al Qaeda members in Africa, including a suspected associate of Osama bin Laden. Other documents focused on the activities of emerging terrorists and their efforts to establish themselves in support of Al Qaeda in Africa. While all the documents Kingsbury is charged with taking were classified at the Secret level, Trump is accused of having Top Secret documents. The indictment alleges Trump had documents related to nuclear weapons and military planning. Trumps status as a former president and as the current Republican frontrunner for the office also underscores the obvious differences between his case and Kingsburys. Trump has cast the investigations of him as a witch hunt. Numerous Republicans have downplayed the indictment as politically-motivated, even though Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, named Special Counsel Jack Smith to insulate the investigation from allegations of political bias. Will Scharf, a former assistant U.S. Attorney from 2020 to 2022 who is running for Missouri attorney general as a Republican, said the Department of Justice has a longstanding policy against bringing new cases or committing overt investigative acts against political figures during an election to avoid the appearance of politics in a prosecution. However, the state-level Republican nominating contests dont begin until 2024 and the presidential election itself is a year-and-a-half away. The Department of Justice was also investigating Trump before he announced his candidacy in November. To bring a case like this against a leading candidate for the presidency smacks of politics and will decimate public faith in our system of law enforcement, Scharf said in a statement, echoing the views of many Republicans. But Kingsburys case and others strongly suggest not indicting Trump would have been an extraordinary decision by prosecutors given the alleged facts. Earlier this month, former Air Force intelligence officer Robert L. Birchum was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $25,000 for unlawfully retaining classified documents. Birchum, of Tampa, Florida, took more than 300 classified files or documents, including 30 Top Secret items, and kept them at his home, his overseas officers quarters, and in a storage pod in his driveway. In 2021, former U.S. Air Force contractor Izaak Vincent Kemp pleaded guilty to taking 112 classified documents from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to his home. He was sentenced to a year in prison. Kingsbury had received training on handling classified materials, the indictment said, and was advised that unauthorized disclosure of secret information could endanger national security. Its unclear whether Trump as president received formal training on document security, but the Department of Justice sought an indictment only after the federal government asked several times for Trump to return the documents and, prosecutors allege, the former president sought to shield them from disclosure. Barry Grissom, who was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas in the Department of Justice under former President Barack Obama, in an interview echoed McAllister, saying the DOJ takes classified documents very seriously. Grissom said that when he became the top federal prosecutor in the state, he was brought into a sensitive compartmented information facility SCIF where classified information is viewed and told that the information in the room couldnt be shared. You cannot disclose this to anyone, Grissom said, recalling what he was told. Not now not never. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero/The Daily Beast/Getty Supporters of former president Donald Trump are planning to rally outside a Miami courthouse on Tuesday when he is arraigned on charges of mishandling classified documents. But while fans are pledging a bigger demonstration than the dud that accompanied Trumps New York arraignment in April, much of the movement remains wary of advertising rowdy rallies in the wake of the Capitol riot and its subsequent arrests. Trump is expected to be arraigned at 3 p.m. on 37 counts related to a stash of classified documents he allegedly hid at his Palm Beach resort after leaving the presidency. On his social media site Truth Social, Trump called on fans to support him at the courthouse. SEE YOU IN MIAMI ON TUESDAY!!! he wrote. Trumps arraignment has led to heated rhetoric online, said Jared Holt, senior research manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialoguebut he noted that it appears unlikely to result in January 6-like scenes at the courthouse. Is Bringing the Trump Documents Case in Florida a Mistake? We've observed a few halfway coherent attempts to stage rallies and the same kinds of violent rhetoric we have come to expect after most major news events that affect the far-right, Holt told The Daily Beast. Remarkably little of that violent chatter, however, was directly related to plans to protest and we don't have reason to believe that mass violence is inevitable at the courthouse tomorrow. Some of the heated language comes from Trump himself. Getting ready to head down to Doral in Miami, he posted on Monday morning of his trip to Miami We must all be STRONG and DEFEAT the Communists, Marxists, and Radical Left Lunatics that are systematically destroying our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Supporters have replied with details for an ad hoc collection of rallies running from 10am until the evening. Trump has not endorsed a specific event. Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist whom Trump reportedly mulled for a campaign role this spring, has advertised a 1 p.m. rally outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Courthouse. Loomer told The Daily Beast that she, not the Trump campaign, had organized the rally, and that failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake would be in attendance. During a Saturday speech, Lake boasted that anyone wishing to prosecute Trump is going to have to go through me and 75 million Americans just like me. And most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. Thats not a threat, that's a public service announcement. Not to be outdone, other MAGA figures have announced even earlier events outside the courthouse. Pro-Trump rapper Forgiato Blow urged fans to show up for a 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. I Stand With Trump Rally. Blows occasional collaborator, the Flat Earth-promoting rapper Jimmy Levy, also announced his intention to rally outside the courthouse. Its ridiculous what Satan is trying to do! Levy wrote on Instagram. At least one group advertised busing to the courthouse. The Florida Republican Assembly, a Judeo-Christan Grassroots Organization committed to restoring the Republican Party to its [sic] founding principles, posted on Facebook that it has chartered four buses to take people from Orlando to Miami. (The group did not return a request for comment.) Damning Indictment Shows Trump Knewand Hid Docs in a Shower Other versions of the event fliers have circulated, with logos for groups like a Florida-based biker group and Vietnamese For Trump'' superimposed on top. On Telegram, the Miami chapter of the far-right group the Proud Boys shared a poster for a 10 a.m courthouse rally. Trumps second arraignment of the year might draw bigger crowds than his first arraignment in New York. Trump has greater support in Florida than New York, and Miamis streets can be more accommodating of large protests than Manhattans. Our findings suggest that were likely to see larger crowds in Miami than we did in New York after Trumps prior indictment, but that its highly unlikely we'll see a groundswell like we saw on the day of the Capitol riot, Holt said. A Miami Proud Boys chapter has shared details for protests, which might suggest some members will attend, and a few individuals online have said they are going to attend while armed, which is legal in Florida, but neither has shown clear intentions of producing violence. Fears of violence have loomed large over post-Jan. 6 rallies, especially as Trump faces increasingly serious criminal charges. A Miami-Dade police Homeland Security Bureau advisory bulletin, first reported by the Washington Post, alerted other agencies to Loomers rally, as well as to the Proud Boys Telegram post. Loomer said her rally would be peaceful and said the bulletin was potential evidence of an entrapment plot against her. Why would they place me in a bulletin unless they were trying to lie about me or entrap me and others? she told The Daily Beast. I havent committed a crime. I simply called for a peaceful rally. Thats legal. 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. RIO DE JANEIRO, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Internacional have reached a deal to sign Ecuador international forward Enner Valencia on a free transfer, the Brazilian Serie A club said on Monday. The 33-year-old agreed to a three-year contract after parting ways with Turkey's Fenerbahce earlier this month. "I can promise that I will always give my all for the team, no matter who we are playing against," Valencia said in a video published on Internacional's official website. "The fans have already made me feel welcome and I'm sure I'm going to feel their support even more when I arrive. My thanks go to the fans and all of the people that made this move possible." Valencia will arrive in Porto Alegre on June 26 following Ecuador's friendlies against Bolivia and Costa Rica. Trump to make federal court appearance in Miami for indictment over Mar-a-Lago documents Former president Donald Trump is expected to enter a Miami federal courtroom on Tuesday. It comes after he was indicted on criminal charges last week. The former president was seen Monday night greeting supporters in Doral, Florida. Former President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower as he heads to an arraignment hearing on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Former President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower as he heads to an arraignment hearing on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Former President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower as he heads to an arraignment hearing on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Supporters of former US president Donald Trump drive down Fifth Avenue before Trump leaves from Trump Tower for his arraignment in lower Manhattan on April 4, 2023 in New York. The 76-year-old Republican, the first U.S. president ever to be criminally indicted, will be formally charged over hush money paid to a porn star during the 2016 election campaign. Former President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Court on April 4, 2023 in New York City. Trump will be arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. The motrcade of former President Donald Trump arrives ahead of his arraignment at the Manhattan Federal Court in New York on April 4, 2023. Trump arrived for a historic court appearance in New York on Tuesday, facing criminal charges that threaten to upend the 2024 White House race. Former President Donald Trump makes his way inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on April 4, 2023. Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. Former President Donald Trump makes his way inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on April 4, 2023. - Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his defense team in a Manhattan court on April 4, 2023 in New York City. Trump was arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his defense team in a Manhattan court during his arraignment on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Trump was arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his defense team in a Manhattan court during his arraignment on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Trump was arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak to supporters at Mar-a-Lago. Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at Mar-a-Lago. Former President Donald Trump makes a point at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago. Trump told some supporters to join a planned protest at the courthouse Monday. As a result, security measures have been heightened in anticipation of the event. Read: Trump will face judge in historic court appearance over charges he mishandled secret documents Law enforcement officials said they are not taking any chances. Security preparations are in full swing in Miami as the city braces for Trumps court appearance. Make no mistake about it. Were taking this event extremely seriously. We know that there is a potential of things taking a turn for the worst, said Miami Police Chief Manny Morales. Trump will be facing a total of 37 criminal charges. Read: Trump prepares for court appearance as 1st ex-president to face federal criminal charges Despite the charges, he denies any wrongdoing. Trump says hes outraged by the accusations. Supporters of former President Donald Trump, rally outside the Trump National Doral resort, Monday June 12, 2023 in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Its a horrible thing for this country, Trump said. I mean, the only good thing about it is its driven my poll numbers way up, can you believe it? The federal indictment reveals he allegedly stored classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, even in a bathroom and shower. Read: Trump indictment: What will happen Tuesday when Trump appears in federal court? Former attorney general William Barr, who once served under Trump, expressed concerns about the way these documents were handled. Those documents are among the most sensitive secrets that the country has, Barr said. He had no right to maintain and retain them. And he kept them in a way at Mar-a-Lago that anyone who really cares about national security, their stomach would churn at it. With tensions high and emotions running strong, all eyes will be on the courtroom Monday as the former president faces his charges. 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) -- Donald Trump is due in a Miami federal court Tuesday afternoon to face charges alleging he jeopardized national security by violating the Espionage Act, even as he leads the Republican field for next years presidential race. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump is accused of willfully retaining and mishandling classified documents, including top-secret nuclear information and war plans, after he left office. No other former president has ever been indicted federally, let alone faced national security claims. Legal experts say that the US Justice Department has historically treated such cases as among the most serious. When you look at the information in the indictment, its remarkable, and its dangerous in terms of national security, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said in an interview. Unless theres accountability, our allies will start to wonder about us. Trump will be appearing in Miami before US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman. After that, the case will proceed in the courts West Palm Beach division before US District Judge Aileen Cannon. On Monday night, Goodman issued an order denying a request by media outlets (including Bloomberg News) to allow limited photography and video inside the courthouse and to immediately release an audio recording of the hearing. There is no online stream or other remote public access for the proceeding. Goodman said the press may renew their requests before Cannon once she takes over the case. Defense Attorneys Trump is considering a wide array of experienced criminal defense attorneys in Florida, a person familiar with the situation said. But because theres no requirement to have his permanent Florida counsel enter an appearance for Tuesdays hearing, Trump will be initially represented by two of his current attorneys, Todd Blanche, a former New York federal prosecutor, and Chris Kise, the former Florida solicitor general. The list of attorneys being considered has included Bill Barzee, Ben Kuehne, and David Markus, among others, the person said. The three lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment. Trump, who insists that he did nothing wrong, has called the prosecution ridiculous and baseless. He and his supporters have questioned why other elected officials, notably President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence, havent been charged for having classified information in their possession after leaving office. Both Biden and Pence notified the government and turned over the documents after finding them. Read More: Trump Tried to Hide Documents, Share Secrets, Indictment Alleges Ahead of Trumps arraignment, authorities are taking precautions. Miami police are gearing up for crowds ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 people. Showing Intent One of the biggest challenges the government faces in making its case stick is showing intent, which is critical to state-secrets prosecutions. Stephanie Siegmann, who served as national security chief in the Massachusetts US attorneys office, said the indictment reflects a strategic approach with a timeline prosecutors lay out. Prosecutors cite Trump speaking about the need to safeguard classified information, as a presidential candidate in 2016 and after his election. They contrast that with a transcript of a recording they say shows him acknowledging in 2021 that he had held on to a military plan of attack that he hadnt declassified while in office, Siegmann said. The DOJ is using many of those statements that he made against Hillary Clinton against him now, to show his knowledge, because they have to prove willfulness, which is one of the highest requirements, she said. Read More: Trumps Own Words Play a Star Role in the Case Against Him Trove of Documents The indictment against Trump in which his former White House valet and post-presidency personal aide Walt Nauta is named as a co-defendant specifically charges the former president with unlawfully retaining 31 documents containing sensitive national security information, most of it classified at the Top Secret level. More broadly, the government claims he held on to more than 300 documents with classified markings after leaving the White House. Prosecutors could point to those larger numbers to argue for a stiffer sentence if he is convicted. The number of documents at issue, along with their top secret contents, make this case more similar to past classified documents prosecutions the Justice Department decided to pursue, experts said. Pairing the national security element with allegations that Trump also tried to obstruct the investigation could prove a powerful combination at trial, Siegmann said. Once a jury believes that you lied, its far easier for them to convict you of other things, she said. Nauta is also to be arraigned on Tuesday. We cant ignore the fact that its the president of the United States, who is the head of law enforcement and the intelligence community, doing this, said Shane Stansbury of Duke Universitys law school. Theres an abuse-of-trust aspect to that. Read More: Trump Indictment Outlines Powerful Case, Ex-Prosecutors Say Trump faces an array of legal threats as he pursues a second term. The federal case follows a New York state criminal case set for trial in Manhattan in March. That prosecution is over hush money payments made to a porn star just ahead of the 2016 election Trump won. He has pleaded not guilty and said it is part of a larger political program to take him down. Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to distance the federal prosecution from Biden, defended the indictment Friday in his first official public appearance since being named to his post. Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced, Smith said. Violations of those laws put our country at risk. The case is US v. Trump, 23-cr-80101, US District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami). Read More Trump Charged Over Secret Records in a First for an Ex-President Trump Indictment Highlights the Perils of Being His Lawyer Trumps Die-Hard Base Faces Test of Loyalty After Latest Charges What Trumps Many Legal Perils Mean for His 2024 Bid: QuickTake (Updates with details of hearing and Trumps laywers from fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Former President Donald Trump's arraignment in court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon marks the beginning of the court proceedings on his federal indictment. Special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges, says he's seeking a "speedy trial," "consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused." But "speedy" in the federal justice system is a relative term. It may be months before Trump's trial begins. So, what comes next after Trump's arraignment, where the former president pleaded "not guilty" to more than three dozen federal charges, including willful retention of classified information and obstruction of justice, over his handling of classified documents post-presidency? Trump arraigned in Florida The location for Trump's arraignment and eventual trial is the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, where the indictment against the former president was filed last week. Most of the alleged crimes described in the indictment occurred in or around Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The former president surrendered to U.S. marshals at the federal courthouse in downtown Miami to be booked and processed. Cameras are prohibited in the courthouse, so the public did not get a glimpse of him during his arraignment. A group of media organizations sought to allow some photos to be taken, but the judge rejected the request. The courthouse complex is connected by underground tunnels, making it easier for Trump to enter and depart out of public view. At Trump's arraignment, which lasted around 45 minutes, Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman set deadlines for federal prosecutors to turn over the evidence they've gathered to the defense. Then, court will adjourn until a later date. Discovery order Florida's Southern District typically uses a standing discovery order directing both parties to turn over evidence to the other, but primarily requiring the government, to hand over all evidence to the defense. That's usually within 14 days, said Richard Serafini, a criminal defense attorney and former Justice Department senior trial attorney with two decades of experience in South Florida. But Serafini said the timeline may be extended, particularly because discovery in this case involves classified documents, and it might not be possible to figure out how to provide those to the former president's legal team quickly. Trump attorneys who review the evidence will need security clearances, which could take some time, too, Serafini noted. Trump pre-trial motions After the arraignment, Trump's legal team may file motions, for instance, to move to dismiss the case or exclude certain evidence from being presented at trial. Former Trump lawyer Timothy Parlatore told CBS News that he expects Trump's legal team to file a motion to dismiss the case, arguing prosecutorial misconduct. Parlatore believes some of the questions he was asked by prosecutors involved issues protected by attorney-client privilege, which struck him as an improper line of questioning. Some of the key evidence in the indictment comes from one of Trump's attorneys, Evan Corcoran. He cited attorney-client privilege to avoid testifying before the Washington, D.C., grand jury earlier this year, but the special counsel sought to compel him to appear, citing the "crime-fraud exception," which means that the privilege does not shield communications between a lawyer and client that were sought or obtained to further the commission of a crime. But Trump's attorneys may seek to have his testimony excluded from the Florida case on the same attorney-client privilege grounds that a judge in Washington rejected. Legal experts expect to see Trump's lawyers try to stretch out the case for as long as they can, if they cannot get the case dismissed. "Trump's best defense here is to delay until he thinks he could get into office and therefore be in charge of the Justice Department again," said Cheryl Bader, associate professor of Law at Fordham University. The federal Speedy Trial Act says the government must bring a case to trial within 70 days of an indictment, but this deadline may be extended. At the same time, Trump is contending with a separate indictment by the state of New York on felony charges of falsifying business records. That trial isn't expected to begin until early 2024, when the first Republicans will be casting their votes in the 2024 GOP primaries. Trump will keep campaigning, amid indictment his former attorney general says is "very detailed" and "very, very damning" Politically, Trump is expected to continue to defend himself and his actions to voters, to portray the special counsel's case against him as a "witch hunt" and "political hit job" and to use it as a fundraising tool. Still, that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the special counsel's charges, underscored by Trump's former attorney general, Bill Barr. "Even if half of [the indictment] is true, then he's toast," Barr told Fox News Sunday. "It's a very detailed indictment, and it's very, very damning." Trump told Politico over the weekend he won't drop out of the 2024 presidential race, even if he's convicted. "I'll never leave," Trump said aboard his private plane. Stolen cars trafficked across U.S. border What is Rule 29? Judge Aileen Cannon's power in Trump's case Trump stops at cafe and greets supporters after federal arraignment Trump has jubilant supporters pray over him and sing him Happy Birthday after arrest Donald Trump was met with a circus scene on Tuesday in Miami as he was in Florida to face 37 federal charges over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. In a packed restaurant in the Little Havana, supporters alternatively prayed over the ex-president and sang him happy birthday, in honour of his 77th birthday, which is on Wednesday. Trump promises "food for everyone" at a cafe in Miami and takes a photo with Cuban-American MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal. pic.twitter.com/ZxQ49q2jpZ Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 13, 2023 Mr Trump also posed for a photo with MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal and declared, Food for everyone! inspiring cheers from his fans. Earlier that day, Ms Trump was in a federal courthouse, where he pleaded not guilty to 37 charges related to his handling of government documents after leaving the White House. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information. The feud between former President Trump and the nations highest-ranking military officer, Gen. Mark Milley, played a key role in the historic indictment handed down last week over Trumps alleged criminal mishandling of classified documents. Key audio in the case captured Trump trying to prove his side of the story after a New Yorker article detailed Milleys attempts to prevent the president from attacking Iran during his final days in the White House. Trump claimed he had a document about a plan of attack on Iran that showed it was Milleys idea, and he admitted he knew the document was secret and not declassified by him, contradicting some of his claims in the case. Its unclear whether the document in question exists. The episode highlights a tumultuous relationship that began when the former president tapped Milley as the Joint Chiefs chairman in late 2018. The public feud has largely been in one direction, with Trump fuming at Milley since leaving office. But while Milley has yet to publicly hit back against the former president, he has acknowledged regularly speaking on background with reporters. While Trump clashed with a number of his cabinet members and aides, the disagreements with Milley likely hurt more because of the militarys public prestige, said Peter Feaver, a professor of political science at Duke University focused on the military. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Trump and Milley had a particularly fractious relationship, as stormy as any in modern times, said Feaver, who is close to Milley. It probably stung former President Trump that a leader of an institution that the public held in high esteem was describing him in adverse terms. Todd Blanche, the attorney representing Trump in the case, declined to comment on this story. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because this story involves a federal case, said Milley does not consider himself to be in an ongoing quarrel with Trump. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff does not feud with a president or a former president of the United States, he said. Trump, who is charged with 37 counts for mishandling classified documents and obstructing federal authorities from retrieving them, is set to be arraigned Tuesday in a Florida court. The former president has called special counsel Jack Smiths investigation a politically motivated witch hunt. Throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly clashed with Milley, according to reporting that has largely emerged since he left office. During racial justice protests in 2020, Trump posed for a photo at St. Johns Church in Washington, D.C., along with Milley, who was wearing camouflage combat fatigues. Milley later apologized for appearing in the photo op, which gave the impression of military approval. The photo was also criticized because police dispersed protesters with tear gas to clear the way for Trump. Milley reportedly expressed his frustrations over the photo in a meeting with Trump. He had also told the president privately he disagreed with sending in troops to quell the protests, reportedly leading to Trump screaming at him. In his anger at the time, Milley was considering resigning but decided not to, according to the New York Times. After the Jan. 6, 2021, rioting at the U.S. Capitol, Milley reportedly moved to limit Trumps ability to conduct military strikes, concerned the president would go rogue and was not of sound mind. After leaving office, Trump began to broadcast his anger with Milley, calling him a dumbass in one statement that also blasted him for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Trump also began trying to cast the Joint Chiefs chairman as unintelligent and untrustworthy, according to sources who spoke to Robert Costa, the co-author of Peril, a book about the last days of Trumps presidency. The feud worsened last August after a book excerpt published in the New Yorker depicted the battle between Trump and Milley during the presidents final days at the White House. After deciding not to resign in 2020, Milley pledged to fight from the inside against a president he saw as doing great and irreparable harm to the nation, according to the reporting. The excerpt also detailed how Milley worked aggressively to dissuade Trump from attacking Iran a characterization Trump sought to dispel in a conversation that is now at the center of the federal case against the former president. A July 2021 recording, released this month, caught Trump speaking to a group of people, including a writer, at his Bedminster, N.J., club as he reportedly tried to prove his case that Milley was wrong. He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isnt that amazing? Trump said, according to the audio first obtained by CNN. I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this this is off the record, but they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him. The document Trump was referring to has yet to be found by his lawyers, but the conversation is cited in the indictment as evidence contradicting Trumps public claims that he declassified all of the documents he kept. Since reports initially emerged Trump held onto some 300 classified documents after leaving office, speculation has swirled about why. Feaver at Duke University Trumps motivation may have been keeping documents that could help him score a point against a critic. That would be a possible explanation for why he might hold onto documents he shouldnt hold onto, said Feaver. And it sounds like in this [Milley] case, it fits that pattern. The episode may also reflect Trumps insecurity about his role as commander in chief, Feaver added. Most commanders in chief arrive in the office without really knowing much about the job, he said. And then most presidents grow in the job but theres not much evidence that President Trump grew in the job. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trump is not a spy. Why is he charged under the Espionage Act? An emerging defense of former President Donald Trump is that he should not be criminally charged. The federal indictment released on Friday describes him sloppily hoarding classified documents at his private clubs, after all, not selling secrets to a foreign country. Here are some examples of that talking point: You may hate his guts, but he is not a spy; he did not commit espionage, said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. He said the charges are ridiculous and paint an impression that doesnt exist. Look at whos been charged under the Espionage Act: Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning people who turned over classified information to news organizations to hurt the country or provide it to a foreign power. That did not happen here, Graham said. Trump also made the same argument during an appearance in North Carolina. Theyre going after me under the Espionage Act. Thats like the creation of missiles in your basement, he said. Joe Bidens Justice Department is trying to argue that Trump is a spy, which is really absurd, said the Fox News host Brian Kilmeade Monday night. It is true that most of the crimes 31 of the 37 counts that Trump has been accused of committing stem from the Espionage Act. But it is a complete mischaracterization to say that Trump has been accused of espionage in the common definition. It is also true that plenty of people, including in recent years, have been charged not just for willfully leaking information, as with the cases cited by Graham, but also for retaining it, like Trump. For example, a retired Air Force officer, Robert Birchum, was sentenced earlier this month to three years in federal prison for keeping classified material at his Florida home. Birchum was charged under the same portion of federal law that prosecutors have accused Trump of violating the Espionage Act. The Espionage Act is bigger than espionage The CNN legal analyst and the former counsel to the assistant attorney general for national security Carrie Cordero explained the legal system to CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead on Monday. A typical spy would be charged under the Espionage Act, she said. But so would someone who improperly retained national defense information. In this case, former President Trump hasnt been charged with spying for a foreign government, or espionage as we normally think about it, but he has been charged with willfully withholding national defense information which is the way that a case like this is normally charged, Cordero said. She also noted that in the national security legal community, there is some discussion of separating laws related to national security information out from the Espionage Act. Complex system of laws An outline of laws related to classified and sensitive information by the Congressional Research Service describes a system based on a complex and often overlapping set of statutes or individual provisions within statutes. There is no single law meant to cover all of these cases. While mishandling or inappropriately storing national security material is clearly a risk, one obstacle in convicting Trump could be that he did not appear to be using it against the United States selling it or giving it to a foreign country but rather just bragging about having it. The Espionage Act was first passed in 1917, as the US entered World War I, although it has been updated in the century since. Heres what the law says The specific language in 18 US Code 793 (e), which is cited in the indictment against Trump, goes like this, and Ive put the key portion in bold: (e)Whoever having unauthorized possession of, access to, or control over any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, or note relating to the national defense, or information relating to the national defense which information the possessor has reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation, willfully communicates, delivers, transmits or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted, or attempts to communicate, deliver, transmit or cause to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted the same to any person not entitled to receive it, or willfully retains the same and fails to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it; or Thats the whole point here. The National Archives and the FBI tried repeatedly over time to get the material back. But the government has accused Trump of hiding from the government and his own lawyers. What about the idea that Trump had the power to declassify? A separate argument being put forward on Trumps behalf is that presidents have the authority to declassify information, and so Trump cannot have improperly held classified information. Heres Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, talking to CNNs Dana Bash: The standard is clear. The standard is Navy v. Egan, a 1988 case, Jordan said. And it said the presidents ability to classify and control access to national security information flows from the Constitution. He decides. He alone decides. He said he declassified this material. He can put it wherever he wants. He can handle it however he wants; thats the law, Jordan added. The complication for Jordans argument Trump, according to the indictment, is on tape referring to material as still classified and admitting that, since he is no longer president, he lacked the ability to declassify it. Nick Akerman, the former special Watergate prosecutor, told Tapper the Egan case has nothing to do with the Trump case, but is rather concerned with a Navy contractor who was denied the ability to work on a submarine program. In fact, what it does say it warns about giving untrustworthy people access to classified information, which applies in spades to Donald Trump, said Akerman. If you look at what he did with this material after he was president, that he held on to it when he had no right to do it. Theres also more to the indictment than simply the portions dealing with the Espionage Act. Trump is also accused of withholding, corruptly concealing and scheming to conceal documents in a federal investigation, along with making false statements. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Trump ordered to not speak with Walt Nauta, witnesses about documents case: reports Trump ordered to not speak with Walt Nauta, witnesses about documents case: reports Former President Trump was ordered Tuesday not to speak about the case involving classified documents with Walt Nauta, Trumps aide and co-defendant in the matter, according to multiple reports. During Trumps arraignment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman reportedly further barred the former president from speaking with any witnesses. Such an order is often imposed in federal criminal cases. Trump has continued to be in regular contact with Nauta, who served as a valet to Trump in the White House before joining him as a personal aide at Mar-a-Lago, even after both men were indicted last week. Nauta has been charged with six crimes, accused of co-conspiring with Trump to obstruct the federal governments attempt to recover classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Trump has been charged with 37 total counts, and he pleaded not guilty Tuesday. The two men are still able to communicate about the case through their attorneys, and Trump and Nauta are still allowed to speak to each other about matters unrelated to the case. Goodman also reportedly tasked the Justice Department with crafting a full list of witnesses it wishes to block Trump from communicating with. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Have you heard about the guy who took lots of highly classified documents from work and kept them at home, putting the countrys national security at serious risk? Yes, this is why President Donald Trump turned himself in for arrest on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts related to his efforts to keep and then hide top-secret documents from federal authorities at Mar-a-Lago, his residence and social club in Florida. But while Trump was president, a much lower-profile government employee did something similar. Nghia Pho, a software developer at the National Security Agency, took massive troves of highly classified national defense information out of a secure location at work and kept them at home. Pho, a Vietnamese immigrant who was working on his English, said he was falling behind his peers in promotions and wanted to try to catch up on work at home. A federal judge ultimately sentenced him to five and a half years in prison. And Trumps own NSA director, Navy Adm. Michael Rogers, was among the federal law enforcement officials urging a harsh punishment for Pho. Mr. Pho retained classified information outside of properly secured spaces and by doing so caused very significant and long-lasting harm to the NSA, and consequently to the national security of the United States, Rogers wrote in an unusual three-page letter to U.S. District Judge George Russell III. While criminal conduct involving matters of national security may come in different forms and some of the harms may not be immediately apparent, the retention of classified information is no less damaging to the national security of our country and our ability to protect and defend the Nation against our adversaries, said Rogers. Mr. Phos illegal conduct violated the fundamental principle that classified information must be protected and maintained in properly secured places at all times. He concluded his letter by calling Phos actions a breach of trust and indirectly telling the judge to prove he stands with the intelligence community with his sentencing: Affirmation by this court of the cost to the women and men who have dedicated their lives to public service and who have maintained trusted stewardship of national defense information will send them a message of confidence and respect. Donald Trump's former NSA director, Navy Adm. Michael Rogers, once urged a federal judge to hand down a tough sentence for a guy who took highly classified documents out of a secure location and kept them at home. Oops, Trump did this too! Donald Trump's former NSA director, Navy Adm. Michael Rogers, once urged a federal judge to hand down a tough sentence for a guy who took highly classified documents out of a secure location and kept them at home. Oops, Trump did this too! The judge followed through with a stiff punishment. Prosecutors were pushing for eight years, one month shy of the maximum time Pho could face for the crime he pleaded guilty to. Russell settled on five and a half years, still a harsh penalty. He said it was necessary to create a real deterrent for others who might consider mishandling sensitive information. Pho, now in prison, arguably did less damage to national security than Trump. Unlike the former president, the ex-NSA worker doesnt appear to have lost any sensitive documents. When FBI agents raided Mar-a-Lago last year, their search turned up 48 folders with classified markings that were empty. Beyond that, Pho was keeping documents at his private residence, not at a social club with more than 150 staffers, 500 members and a history of allowing suspicious foreign nationals to gain entrance. Pho also didnt lie to federal law enforcement officials about what he had done and worked with them to remedy the situation. Trump, meanwhile, knowingly took classified documents to an unsafe space, tried to conceal what he had done and prevented government agents from retrieving them. Rogers was originally appointed to his post, which oversees the nations cyber intelligence and cybersecurity efforts, under former President Barack Obama. Trump kept him on until Rogers retired from the Navy in 2018. The former NSA director did not respond to HuffPosts requests for comment on how he would compare the gravity of Phos actions to Trumps or how severely he thinks the former president should be punished for compromising the countrys national security if hes convicted. The admiral was clear in his 2018 letter, though, about the serious risks of bringing intelligence community documents into your private home: The protection of classified information is an essential responsibility of all those working within the Intelligence Community, as the exposure of the United States classified information outside of secure spaces may result in the destruction of intelligence-gathering efforts used to protect this nation. Related... Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Miami federal court to a 37-count indictment accusing him of deliberately keeping at his Palm Beach estate government documents that contained highly sensitive defense, weapons and nuclear information and of obstructing efforts by U.S. authorities to reclaim them. In a packed courtroom, Trump entered his plea in a historic case marking the first federal prosecution of a former president and a potential hurdle in his renewed quest for the presidency in the 2024 election. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, said attorney Todd Blanche, who was representing Trump in court alongside Chris Kise, a Florida-based attorney to the former president since last fall. Trump was arraigned a day before his 77th birthday, appearing before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman on the 13th floor of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Courthouse in downtown Miami. Trump was released on his own recognizance with no monetary bond and no travel restrictions. There were conditions that he not have any communications about the case with any witnesses. Prosecutor David Harbach told the judge that his team would prepare a list of witnesses with whom Trump cannot communicate about the case before trial. Trump did not say anything during the 45-minute proceeding. Much of the time he was seated, hunched over with his hands clasped in front of him, with a stern and serious expression. A heavy presence of security was seen inside the courtroom, with two rows of security personnel including Secret Service agents seated behind the former president. U.S. Marshals deputies were also in the courtroom. Before the hearing started the courtroom was silent. At the end of the hearing, Trump got up and was escorted out a side door. The indictment, returned by a Miami federal grand jury last Thursday, accuses Trump of willfully retaining national defense secrets in violation of the Espionage Act, making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct justice. A former presidential aide, Walt Nauta, who continued to work for Trump after he left the White House, was also charged in the indictment. Nauta is accused of conspiring with Trump to obstruct justice, including hiding classified documents at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate and club as well as lying to FBI agents about concealing them. Nauta didnt enter a plea and his arraignment was postponed until June 27 because he did not have local counsel. He was granted the same bond as Trump and released on his own recognizance. Shortly after 2 p.m. a spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that both Trump and Nauta had been booked. There was no mugshot taken of Trump and a public photo was used for the procedure, a U.S. Marshals official said. Federal agents walk by the entrance to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Former President Donald Trump is making a federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents. The special counsel, Jack Smith, was in the courtroom but did not speak. The courtroom was full of members of the public, media, the prosecution team, Secret Service and other security officers. In the indictment, Trump is charged with deliberately keeping documents with classified markings at his Palm Beach estate. It also cites two occasions during the summer of 2021 when the former president allegedly shared classified information about a Defense Department plan to attack a foreign country with a writer, publisher and two staffers at his Bedminster Club in New Jersey. He is also accused of showing a classified map about a U.S. military operation to a representative of his political action committee. The classified documents Trump stored in the boxes included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the U.S. and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation to a foreign attack, according to the indictment. It noted that the former president stored them in various locations at Mar-a-Lago, including a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office, his bedroom and a storage room. For Trump, who is running in the 2024 presidential election, the new indictment marks the first time that he has been charged in federal court but the second time he has been charged with a crime. In April, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office charged the former president with a series of fraud-related offenses stemming from paying hush money totaling $130,000 to a porn actress at the height of the 2016 election to prevent her from going public about their alleged sexual encounter. Twists and turns ahead Ryan Goodman, former special counsel to the general counsel of the Department of Defense and a law professor at New York University, said there were no surprises in the developments today but the road ahead will have its twists and turns. The most important variable now is whether Judge Aileen Cannon continues to be assigned to the case, or whether the damage to the public confidence in the courts will require her to step aside, Goodman said. Trumps case, unsealed on Friday, was randomly assigned to U.S. District Judge Cannon. She was nominated by Trump and joined the federal bench just days after he lost the November 2020 election. Last year, she was widely criticized for her handling of his civil case challenging the FBIs seizure of classified documents at Trumps private residence. Cannons favorable decisions for Trump, including appointing a special master to review more than 100 classified materials found at Mar-a-Lago, were condemned by an appeals court in Atlanta that included two Trump-nominated judges. This prosecution will require a delicate balancing between the needs of the intelligence community to keep U.S. national security secrets safe during the discovery and trial proceedings and, on the other hand, the rights of the defendants not to be tried with secret evidence, Goodman added. It will require a judge of the utmost skill and integrity to maintain public confidence in the proceedings and to know where to draw the lines that the law requires. Robert Ray, a member of Trumps defense team during his first impeachment trial, said that the former presidents attorneys are likely to delay proceedings in the case by raising constitutional issues. The government doesnt have to prove damage to the interests of the United States but as far as a jury is concerned, if this is just a mishandling of documents, I dont find that to particularly warrant the heavy hand of the government returning felony charges against a former president. If harm did come to the United States, thats a different story. And that has yet to be determined, he said. Other legal experts said the governments case wont rise or fall on Trumps mere possession of the classified records, but rather his willful retention of national defense information in violation of the Espionage Act, with each count carrying up to 10 years in prison. That makes it very difficult to defend, said veteran Miami criminal defense attorney Mark Schnapp, a former federal prosecutor in South Florida. Schnapp added that the reason the case was returned by the grand jury in Miami instead of Washington, D.C., is because Trump retained the documents here, not there. While Trump was inside the courtroom Tuesday, a group of protesters and supporters gathered outside the courthouse carrying signs and some wearing costumes. Miami attorney Alan Weisberg, one of nine people from the public who got to see Trumps first appearance, said he was struck by the eerily quiet courtroom atmosphere before the hearing began compared with the circus-like activities outside the courthouse. It was a routine hearing, but then you have to remind yourself that this is a man who was the former president of the United States charged with a very serious crime, said Weisberg, a former federal prosecutor who went to law school during the Watergate era. He was a very different person in that courtroom, Weisberg said. He was not the bombastic politician you see at all his rallies. KUWAIT CITY, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A royal decree was issued on Tuesday to reappoint Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Kuwait's prime minister, reported the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The Emiri decree, signed by Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, said that Sheikh Ahmad is responsible for nominating new cabinet members and submitting their names, according to the report. This decree, issued about a week after the Kuwaiti emir accepted the previous government's resignation, came one week before the convening of the newly elected National Assembly (parliament) on June 20. On June 6, Kuwaiti voters cast their ballots to elect the 17th National Assembly. A total of 50 lawmakers were elected out of 207 candidates in the new legislative body for a term of four years. Kuwait's parliament, reinstated in March following a Constitutional Court ruling on a previous dissolution, was dissolved by a royal decree in May this year. Over the past years, tensions between Kuwait's cabinet and the parliament have frequently resulted in cabinet reshuffles and dissolutions of the parliament. Sheikh Ahmad was born in 1956 as the eldest son of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He served as the Kuwait National Guard's deputy commander between November 2020 and March 2022 and was first appointed as the prime minister on July 24, 2022. Former President Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges on 37 counts following a Department of Justice indictment alleging he violated both the Espionage Act and obstructed justice in taking classified records from his presidency and refusing to return them. The arraignment was Trumps second this year, but his appearance in a Miami courthouse was his first on federal charges. He is the first former president or candidate for president to face such charges. Trump, who is the odds-on favorite to win the 2024 GOP presidential primary, had told conservative radio host Howie Carr earlier in the week how he would plead. I just say, Not guilty. I didnt do anything wrong. I did nothing wrong. Presidential Records Act. Its not even a criminal event. Theres no criminality here. Its ridiculous, Trump said in the Monday interview. Trump was indicted Thursday in connection with the investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith, with the unsealed charging document revealing Trump would also be facing charges on concealing documents and making false statements. The arraignment was held before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, though Judge Aileen Cannon, who oversaw Trumps earlier challenge to the Mar-a-Lago investigation, is slated to oversee subsequent hearings in the case. Trump was accompanied by attorneys Todd Blanche, who is also representing him in a New York prosecution related to hush money payments, as well as Christopher Kise, who previously represented Trump in the Mar-a-Lago probe. Trumps main attorneys on the case resigned Friday, and Trump is still searching for a Florida-based firm to round out his legal team. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, Blanche said. Trump was reported to have spent the hearing sitting with his arms folded and a serious expression on his face but waved to supporters and observers when exiting the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. Courtroom drawings, the only visuals allowed of the proceeding, show Trump standing alongside his attorneys. Blanche entered the not guilty plea on Trumps behalf. Trump and Walt Nauta, his co-defendant who is alleged to have aided Trump in concealing the records, were released without bond restrictions or travel restrictions. Trumps attorneys and the Justice Department clashed over Trumps contact with witnesses in the case, including many who still work for him at Mar-a-Lago, a group that includes Nauta. Prosecutors spoke with a number of Mar-a-Lago employees while crafting the case. Goodman determined that Trump and Nauta could only communicate about the case through their attorneys, while the Justice Department is tasked with crafting a list of witnesses it wishes to block Trump from communicating with. The bulk of the Justice Department case is based on 31 documents found among the more than 300 kept at Mar-a-Lago. A breakdown of the documents indicates many were classified at a high level; the documents included information on U.S. military capabilities and details on nuclear weapons. Trump also kept White House intelligence briefings on foreign countries and their military capabilities and plans, the indictment says. Espionage Act prosecutions do not require proving that someone mishandled classified records, but that they willfully retained documents important to the national defense. Trump has previously said the documents in his possession were declassified, claiming that a president is able to do so just by thinking about it. Evidence relayed in the indictment counters that, relaying an audio recording of a conversation in which Trump laments he did not declassify a document while in office and therefore cannot share it. The indictment also alleges that Trump took efforts to mislead his attorney, having Nauta move boxes in and out of the storage room ahead of a search in response to a subpoena for the return of classified records. Beyond the classified records addressed by the indictment, Trump left with 13,000 government records from his presidency, with the records moved frequently as the National Archives and later the Justice Department sought to recover them. The filing breaks down the boxes movement across the property, at one point piled sitting on a ballroom stage and in another instance shoved into a bathroom. One photo included in the indictment shows the records spilled out onto the floor. Trump also suggested to his attorney that they lie about the documents or destroy them in order to avoid lawful compliance. Those efforts are also likely to be key to the case, as prosecutors must show Trump willfully kept the records. In announcing the indictment Friday, Smith asked the public to read the indictment to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged. The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people. Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk, he said. Immediately after his court appearance concluded Tuesday, Trump made an appearance at Versailles, a popular restaurant and hub of the politically-active Cuban population in Miami. The visit effectively turned his court appearance on federal charges stemming from his handling of classified documents into a campaign stop with supporters. Food for everyone, Trump shouted shortly after supporters in the restaurant repeatedly chanted USA! Those in the building also sang Happy Birthday to Trump, who will turn 77 on Wednesday. Following the hearing, Trump is slated to return to New Jersey, where he is expected to address supporters. He has repeatedly cast the prosecution as a witch hunt, a sentiment thats been echoed by many of his supporters. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) suggested Monday the documents werent entirely unsecured. A bathroom door locks, he said. Still, some have remarked on the serious nature of the charges. Trump challenger Nikki Haley said Monday that if the facts of the indictment prove true, Trump was incredibly reckless, but added Tuesday that is she is inclined in favor of a pardon for him. And Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) blamed Trump for bringing trouble in on himself. Mr. Trump brought these charges upon himself by not only taking classified documents, but by refusing to simply return them when given numerous opportunities to do so, he said when the indictment was announced. Updated at 5:51 p.m. EDT. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump on Tuesday became the first president, former or current, to be booked on federal criminal charges in the countrys 247-year history. The moment represents another dizzying chapter of a presidential campaign in which Trump is seeking a return to the White House while fending off allegations he illegally kept classified documents and attempted to block investigators from retrieving them. It's one of many legal cases, including an earlier indictment in New York, that has thrust voters across the country into an unprecedented situation. While en route to the Miami courtroom, Trump used his social media megaphone, casting the indictment as act of political persecution. Former President Donald Trump leaves his Trump National Doral resort, Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol) ORG XMIT: FLJS103 Trump's motorcade arrived as a throng of supporters and opponents shouted chants of encouragement and disdain, before the line of vehicles entered the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse. Here are the takeaways from today's arraignment. Trump pleads not guilty to 37 charges Trump on Tuesday sat quietly during the short hearing, wearing a red tie and crossing and uncrossing his arms. His attorney, Todd Blanche, offered his plea, saying We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty." The former president was released without having to pay a bond. He won't have to surrender his passport or limit his personal travel either. But Trump's release isn't without any conditions. He agreed not to talk to Walt Nauta, his personal valet and co-defendant, about the case. He also won't be able to talk with potential witnesses about the case. Poll: Trumps indictment is a liability, but he still reigns in GOP primary Trump remains the unquestionable lead horse in the Republican primary field thus far, even as he faces his second indictment during the 2024 campaign. But there are signs of fatigue among some right-leaning Americans that could be fatal in a general election. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll released Tuesday finds 34% of GOP and independent voters say the former presidents legal problems makes them less likely to support him. Biden edges Trump in a rematch too, the poll shows. And in recent days, other Republicans looking to be the party's standard-bearer have started to chip away at the front-runner over the documents case. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was low key after the indictment news broke last week, pivoted on Monday. She said if the allegations against Trump are true, "Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security." Chris Christie, a former New Jersey governor, is taking the most aggressive approach. He called it a "tight, very evidence-laden" case against Trump. But the USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey shows Trump remains king of the GOP hill. Eleven percent of Republican and right-leaning independent voters say they are more likely to back his bid as a result of the allegations. And a majority, 51%, say it doesn't matter. Trump's indictment trilogy One thing to remember: this isn't necessarily the end of Trump's legal troubles. He faces a third possible prosecution in Georgia for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is investigating potential election fraud because of Trumps fake electors in that state and because of his call Jan. 2, 2021, asking state Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough votes to change the outcome. Trump also faces charges in New York over allegations he falsified business records to make hush money payments to women who claimed to have sex with him. Ramaswamy: Ill pardon Trump Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy discusses a FOIA request regarding former President Donald Trump's indictment outside of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Trump is scheduled to appear in the federal court for his arraignment on charges including possession of national security documents after leaving office, obstruction, and making false statements. Other rivals of the former president in the 2024 race for the White House are looking to cozy up to his base. Speaking at a press conference outside the Miami courthouse, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a long-shot in the 2024 contest by most yardsticks, promised to pardon Trump if elected. And he wants other candidates to join the pledge. I have demanded that every other candidate in this race either sign this commitment to pardon or else to explain why they are not, Ramaswamy said. Crowds at the courthouse Members of the media and at least 200 demonstrators both supporting and opposing the former president flocked to the Miami courthouse on Tuesday. Some protesters attended in costume, with one man dressed as Uncle Sam, another as a circus ringmaster and others draped in flags. But one man was tackled by authorities and placed under arrest after he attempted to run in front of Trump's motorcade as the former president left the courthouse. While experts who monitor extremism didn't predict wide-scale protests and violence following the arraignment, they maintained that small-scale or individual attacks remained possible. Contributing: USA TODAY Staff; Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump arrested, again. Five takeaways after his indictment. A stone-faced former President Donald Trump entered a not guilty plea Tuesday to charges he lied and schemed to hold on to sensitive national security material that he was supposed to have surrendered when he left the White House. Trump, 76, was indicted last week on 37 federal felony counts, including willful retention of national defense information, making false statements and representations, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Trump, wearing a blue suit and red tie, sat silently and had a not-guilty plea entered by his attorney during the brief proceeding before Magistrate Judge John Goodman. The bombshell case marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been charged with federal crimes a test of the criminal justice system he once presided over in a politically-fraught prosecution. Follow along for live coverage Trump had left his Doral resort shortly after 1:30 p.m. in a motorcade to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse, where a small crowd of demonstrators had gathered outside. On my way to courthouse. Witch hunt!!! he wrote in an all-caps post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Image: Former President Donald Trump boards an airplane in Newark, New Jersey, on June 10. (Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty Images) The former president, who had struggled to find a local attorney after two members of his legal team resigned Friday, was represented in his initial appearance by attorney Todd Blanche and Chris Kise, Floridas former solicitor general and an ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trumps main 2024 GOP rival, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. Both traveled with Trump to the courthouse in his motorcade, a source close to Trump said. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and maintains he was entitled to the documents. He has said the prosecution was politically motivated and vowed to retaliate against President Joe Biden if re-elected. Now that the seal is broken, Trump wrote in all capital letters in a post on Truth Social earlier in the day, ... I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the USA, Joe Biden. Alina Habba, a Trump attorney whos involved with his other cases, spoke to reporters outside of the courthouse and repeated the former presidents claims that politics was driving the prosecution, saying Trump is the Republican front-runner and its less than a year and half before the election. People in charge of this country do not love America. They hate Donald Trump, Habba said. Trump is not expected to make any public comments at the courthouse, and he is scheduled to deliver remarks at his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Tuesday night. The event had originally been planned as a private fundraiser for his 77th birthday, which is Wednesday. There was no mug shot of Trump during the booking process, a law enforcement source told NBC News, with an existing photo uploaded to the governments secure booking database, which is not publicly accessible. He was also going to be electronically fingerprinted. Trump will have to provide personal data such as his telephone number, address and Social Security number, as part of the process. His hand will also be scanned digitally, without the use of ink. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said Monday that the city was bracing for the possibility of thousands of protesters at the courthouse and has been coordinating with federal, state and local partners to ensure that we maintain not only peace and order but also the ability for demonstrators to express themselves and their First Amendment rights. By the time of Trumps arrival, however, the crowd was much smaller than anticipated. Hundreds of spectators, journalists and activists gathered outside the courthouse earlier in the day, but only 20 will be allowed to enter the room for Trumps appearance. The indictment says that Trumps claim to the documents expired the moment he left office but that he intentionally held on to top secret and other classified documents, in some instances for over a year and a half after he left office. It alleges that he kept a trove of classified documents even after he was hit with a subpoena for their return and that he misled his attorneys into believing theyd all been returned. The documents included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the U.S. and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for a possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack, the indictment says. He also treated that information cavalierly at times keeping it on the stage in the ballroom at his Florida resort and in a bathroom next to a toilet, the filing alleges. This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents according to an indictment unsealed Friday, June 9, 2023. (Justice Department via AP) (Justice Dept. via AP) During the period Trump kept the documents around his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, the club hosted more than 150 social events, including weddings, movie premieres and fundraisers that together drew tens of thousands of guests, the indictment says. It also disputes Trumps claim that the documents were secured by his Secret Service detail, alleging agents had no idea the documents were there. Trump did not inform the Secret Service that he was storing boxes containing classified documents at the Mar-a-Lago Club, prosecutors said. The court filing doesnt elaborate on how prosecutors knew that to be the case. Sources familiar with the matter said last week that investigators had questioned about two dozen Secret Service agents. Regardless, the filing notes, the agency is not responsible for protecting Trumps boxes or their contents. The indictment said disclosure of some of the documents contents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military and human sources, and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods. Nauta is charged with helping Trump hide documents and with lying to investigators about his involvement with and knowledge of the boxes and their contents. Nautas lawyer, Stan Woodward, has declined to comment on the charges against his client, who was a military valet in the Trump White House. The jurist presiding over Tuesdays proceeding, Magistrate Judge John Goodman, wont oversee the case in a trial. Court officials said the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who last year temporarily halted the FBIs review of the documents that had been recovered at Mar-a-Lago. Her ruling was overturned by a panel of appeals court judges who suggested Cannon had tried to carve out an unprecedented exception in our law for former presidents. This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Trump pleads not guilty as he makes history as first president to be criminally charged twice For the second time in three months, the man who served as the 45th President of the United States stood before a judge as a defendant in a criminal case that could cost his freedom for a significant portion of his remaining lifespan. Flanked by attorneys Todd Blanche and Christopher Kise, Donald Trump entered a Miami federal courtroom as US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman formally presented him with a 37-count indictment accusing the former president of illegally retaining national defense documents and other classified materials at his Florida home, and obstructing government efforts to reclaim them. Asked to enter a plea to the charges, Mr Blanche replied on behalf of the twice-impeached and now twice-indicted former president: We most certainly enter a Not Guilty plea. Mr Trump was arraigned alongside his longtime personal aide and now co-defendant Walt Nauta, who served as Mr Trumps White House valet and followed him to political exile in Florida when he left the White House in January 2021. The former president arrived at the Wilkie Ferguson Jr Federal Courthouse shortly before 2pm ET on 13 June after traveling with a motorcade and police motorcycle escort from his National Doral Hotel. He was not photographed entering the court complex as he surrendered to authorities; the armoured SUV carrying the former president entered through an underground gate typically reserved as a secure entrance for vehicles transporting defendants in law enforcement custody. Cameras, recording devices and laptops are prohibited from the courtroom. Outside the courthouse following Mr Trumps arrest, one of his attorneys Alina Habba told reporters in brief remarks that the former president remains defiant while condemning what Mr Trump and his allies have characterised as a two-tiered system of justice, where selective treatment is the norm. Today is not about President Donald J Trump, who is defiant, she said. It is about the destruction of the long-standing American principles that have set this country apart for so long. Two of the more experienced criminal defence lawyers in his legal team, James Trusty and John Rowley, resigned from Mr Trumps federal case last week, hours after a Florida grand jury voted to charge him with 37 separate counts stemming from alleged violations of the Espionage Act and other crimes. Another criminal defence attorney who once represented Mr Trump in the documents probe, Evan Corcoran, stepped away from that role in the wake of a court ruling ordering him to give evidence against the former president before a grand jury and turn over his notes and recordings. A judge invoked a rarely used exception to the attorney-client privilege used in cases where an attorneys advice is found to have been used to commit crimes. Donald Trumps motorcade arrives at a federal courthouse in Miami as the former president faces a 37-count indictment accusing him of illegally retaining national defence documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. (AP) Mr Corcorans testimony and evidence figured heavily in Mr Trumps federal indictment, which detailed his reaction after he was served with a subpoena compelling him to return all documents with classification markings in his possession. Mr Blanche, who represented Mr Trump in his criminal case in Manhattan, and Mr Kise, a former Florida solicitor general who joined the former presidents legal team after the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago last summer, are representing him in his federal case. Mr Trump did not pose for a mugshot or be handcuffed after his surrender to authorities as US Marshals and probation officers began pretrial services. He is scheduled to immediately return to his Bedminster, New Jersey club to deliver remarks before a fundraising event. He similarly returned to his Mar-a-Lago property hours after he appeared in Manhattan criminal court in April to face 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In his remarks from his estate that night, he lambasted District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the judge overseeing the case, as well as the judges family members, and continued his narrative of political persecution. This is a developing story Donald Trump praised his wife Melania Trumps amazing attitude in an interview two days before his federal arraignment - which the former first lady is not attending. The former president was asked about his wife on the WABC radio programme of longtime Republican operative Roger Stone on Sunday. A lot of people texted me about this and emailed me in preparation for the show. People want to know how she's doing, how she feels about your 2024 campaign to regain the White House, and how she's holding up during these outrageous, unfair politically motivated attacks on you, Mr Stone said. She's a terrific person. She's a very beautiful person, Mr Trump said. As you know, she made a tremendous amount of money when she was very successful as a model. And in a very low-key way, she doesn't care that much. She's got an attitude that's amazing. She's got a tremendous heart, he said. But she takes things for what they are and she's just a very confident person. She doesn't need things like some people, they're always pushing themselves out there she's the opposite. How does she take it? Shes hurt when the familys hurt, Mr Trump added. Mr Trump claimed that there was a lot of support for the former first lady during his speeches to Republicans in Georgia and North Carolina on Saturday. I noticed signs all over the room: We love our first lady, we love our first lady. Pictures of Melania all over the place, he told Mr Stone. People love her. They love the fact that she does not push herself out there. And shes respected by everybody. Ms Trump appears to be set to not be present in Florida for her husbands indictment on Tuesday. On Monday, she was spotted running errands in New York, according to the Daily Mail. Both Mr Trumps wife and his eldest daughter Ivanka Trump have remained silent on the former presidents most recent legal woes. Five days have passed since the indictment was issued and Ms Trump, who served as a senior advisor in her fathers administration alongside her husband Jared Kushner, posted about her daughters bat mitzvah on Monday night, less than a day before Mr Trumps court appearance. Ms Trump posted 10 images on Instagram showing all of Mr Trumps adult children present, including Ivanka, Tiffany, Eric, and Don Jr. But their father didnt appear to be there. With an abundance of love and immense pride, Jared and I celebrated our daughter Arabellas Bat Mitzvah this past weekend. We reflect on the weekend with full hearts and an abundance of joy and gratitude, Ms Trump wrote in the caption of the Instagram post. From her commitment to feeding hungry families through the Jewish Community Service Kosher Food Bank to supporting children with special needs through her work volunteering with the Friendship Circle and Whispering Manes, Arabellas giving heart and commitment to making a positive impact embodies the spirit of this special milestone. We couldnt be prouder of the extraordinary young woman she has become. Her kindness, creativity, humor, empathy and passion have filled our lives with so much joy and inspiration. May her Bat Mitzvah be the beginning of a beautiful and fulfilling chapter in her life. Trump went to Miami court with a thin legal team. Heres who was there When former President Donald Trump entered a not guilty plea in a Miami courthouse on Tuesday, he was accompanied by two lawyers after scrambling to find local legal experts to represent him. Trump faces 37 felony counts of mishandling and illegally retaining classified material, including some of the most sensitive secrets in the U.S. government such as details on the U.S. nuclear arsenal, attack plans against American adversaries and vulnerabilities to the national security of the United States. Trump is seeking to build out his defense team ahead of a high-stakes trial after two lawyers working on his case resigned last week. But for his initial court appearance, two attorneys who have been by the former presidents side during his other legal challenges joined to represent him. Chris Kise Attorney Chris Kise (left) is pictured in 2020. Kise is part of former president Donald Trumps legal team in a criminal case related to classified documents. The federal court required Trumps legal team to include at least one local attorney who is a member in good standing with the Florida bar. Chris Kise, a Florida-based attorney to the former president since 2022, filled that role. Kise has been working on Trumps legal challenges in New York and was not originally scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Kise served as the Solicitor General of Florida from 2003 to 2006 and has been an advisor to Republican politicians, including Gov. Ron DeSantis. He joined Trumps legal team in the classified documents case last fall, but reduced his role over disagreements about legal strategy, according to CNN. Todd Blanche Former US President Donald J. Trump sits in the courtroom with his attorneys, including Todd Blanche (right) for his arraignment at the Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. Blanche was part of Trumps legal team Tuesday for an initial court appearance in Miami. Todd Blanche, a former federal prosecutor who is also working on Trumps defense against felony charges in New York state, attended the hearing and entered a not guilty plea on Trumps behalf. READ MORE: Trump pleads not guilty in classified documents case in Miami federal court Blanche joined Trumps legal team in April to lead the former presidents defense against a 34-count felony indictment in New York over falsifying business records, in an alleged scheme to cover up an extramarital affair ahead of the 2016 election. Blanche previously served in the United States Attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, before working at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, a white collar New York law firm. Expanding defense team Preparing for the trial ahead, Trump has begun a wider search for local attorneys with intimate knowledge of the court and jury pool in the southern district of Florida, as well as a national security lawyer with experience defending clients in cases involving classified information. For similar reasons, the U.S. special counsel prosecuting the case, Jack Smith, has recently added attorneys from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami to his team. Among the Florida attorneys that Trumps team contacted Monday was Benedict Kuehne, according to The Washington Post. Kuehne frequently represents local politicians most recently defending Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo in a civil trial. The former presidents efforts to build out his legal team come after two attorneys who had been working on the documents case, Jim Trusty and John Rowley, resigned last week, within hours of the special counsel announcing the indictment. Trump thanked Trusty and Rowley upon their departure and said in a statement, we will be announcing additional lawyers in the coming days. Former President Donald Trump took jabs at President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a live interview at a Spanish-language conservative radio station on Monday evening a day before his first court appearance in Miami where he has been charged with illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing a federal investigation. Media personality Carines Moncada led the Trump-friendly live interview in English from the Miami-based Americano Medias studios and Radio Libre 790 AM, launched in 2022 with the promise of appealing to a growing segment of Republican Latinos. Trump phoned in hours after arriving at the Trump National Doral Miami hotel Monday afternoon. The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Wilkie D. Ferguson U.S. Courthouse, 400 North Miami Ave., in downtown Miami. Trump faces 37 felony charges related to allegations that he illegally kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructed the FBIs efforts to investigate. Heres what the federally-indicted president had to say: They are working together Is the Department of Justice doing President Bidens bidding? Is President Biden responsible for whats happening? Moncada asked Trump at the beginning of the interview. Well, absolutely, Trump said. They are working together. In November 2022, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland appointed Jack Smith, a former career Justice Department prosecutor, as special counsel to oversee two ongoing criminal investigations. Smith also was chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands, where he investigated and prosecuted war crimes. READ MORE: Trump greeted at his Doral hotel by colorful supporters, day before his Miami court date In Washington D.C., the Smith-led investigators are probing whether any person or entity unlawfully interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election or the certification of the Electoral College vote held on Jan. 6, 2021. And in South Florida, they are looking into whether Trump illegally kept classified records, while also obstructing the federal investigation. We are beating DeSanctimonious The one-term president then explained his theory on why hes been criminally charged, and took a jab at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who, like Trump, is running to become the Republican Partys presidential nominee ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. Trump referred to DeSantis as DeSanctimonious. READ MORE: Donald Trump has arrived in Miami for court Tuesday. Heres what to expect Youve probably seen we are beating DeSanctimonious, they call him, by a lot, like by 35, 40, 50 points in some polls, Trump said. And we are beating Biden by 10 points, 11 points, 12 points... we are beating him very easily. They are using this because they cant win the elections fairly and squarely. READ MORE: Miami police prepare for protests, Proud Boys rallies ahead of Trumps court appearance But there is no evidence that Trump was indicted for political reasons. On Thursday, it was revealed that a grand jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida voted to criminally charge Trump after hearing evidence and testimonies from prosecutors and witnesses of their choosing. The indictment unsealed the following day is not a conviction, and Trump has repeatedly said he is innocent. An incredible love fest Moncada also asked Trump how Hispanics feel about his indictment and whether democracy in the United States is regressing? Well, there is a regression, but theres been an incredible love fest between the Hispanic community and myself, Trump said. It has made the Republican Party a much different party. Its a two-tiered system of justice After boasting about his very successful administration as president, Moncada asked Trump if the federal indictment is a way for Bidens administration to distract the publics attention from where the real corruption is at. She referenced House GOPs unverified claims that Biden was involved in a multi-million dollar international bribery scheme in which nine of his family members including his adult son Hunter Biden supposedly received money in exchange for changes in U.S. policy. Biden has denied these accusations. Theres a lot more than the $5 million, but certainly this is a way of them deflecting that, Trump said referring to his federal indictment. READ MORE: Special counsel says Trump put our country at risk. Read the unsealed indictment Moncada then brought up an alleged mismanagement of classified information by Hillary Clinton while she served as secretary of state under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013. Clinton was never found to have systematically or deliberately mishandled classified information, the New York Times reported. She also said that authorities recently found classified documents in the garage of Bidens Delaware home as well as in an office that he used in a Washington D.C. The Obama administration-era files, unlike Trumps, were promptly returned to authorities, Bidens aides have argued. READ MORE: Weve had some sensational cases: Trumps case will be historic, even by Miami standards Is there a double standard here? Moncada asked Trump. After praising Moncada for her incredible and nice questions, Trump said Republicans are being treated unfairly. Its a two-tiered system of justice, Trump said. MIAMI Hundreds of mostly Donald Trump backers gathered at the federal courthouse in Miami Tuesday for his historic federal arraignment, leading chants and waving flags on behalf of the embattled former president. The crowd grew from a few dozen early in the day to at least several hundred by mid-afternoon, despite the scorching near-90 degree heat. They gathered in front of the courthouse, along the streets and cheered when the president arrived via motorcade around 2 p.m. When Trumps extensive motorcade drove up, a man wearing a mock prison jumpsuit with a lock him up sign walked into a blocked-off street toward the vehicles. The man, who earlier in the day was part of a loud standoff against Trump supporters, was briskly pushed out of the road by police and onto the sidewalk where media and onlookers gathered. Some Trump opponents verbally sparred with his supporters earlier in the day, with some shouting No one is above the law as Trump supporters responded, Except Trump! But, with a large police presence at the courthouse, there was no violence or outright unruly behavior. Several avid Trump fans also verbally attacked Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trumps main rival for the Republican presidential nomination, yelling Where is Ron? and F--- DeSantis. The day was mostly peaceful, however, with the throngs of supporters and opponents generally behaving well. The scene outside the courthouse also took on a slight carnival atmosphere, with vendors selling Trump merchandise including cut-out masks of his face and not guilty shirts as tourists and locals gawked at the spectacle. One man draped in an American flag also walked around with a pig's head impaled on a stick. The audience appeared to cheer loudest when Trump arrived at the courthouse and when his motorcade left around 4 p.m. As a line of SUVs drove away from the federal courthouse, a deafening roar came from a huge crowd that had gathered to see the former president after his court appearance, where he pleaded not guilty to a 37-count indictment accusing him of mishandling a trove of classified material. He is the first former president to face criminal charges. After his court appearance, Trump visited the Versailles restaurant, a popular and historic Cuban restaurant in Miamis Little Havana neighborhood thats a must-visit destination for politicians. There were dozens of supporters awaiting his arrival outside the restaurant and in the street, carrying over from the scene at the courthouse. Dozens of customers, packed inside the restaurant, were overheard saying Oh my God! cheering and chanting USA! At one point, they sang Happy Birthday to Trump, who turns 77 on Wednesday. The former president posed for selfies with well-wishers and, at one point, shouted: Are you ready? Are you ready? Food for everyone!" Miami police and city officials on Monday sought to reassure the public that they were able to handle up to 50,000 demonstrators, though there were far less at the courthouse throughout the day. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez walked through the crowd during the day, pausing to speak with the occasional reporter as the crowd continued to amass outside the courthouse. After the hearing was over, Suarez, who some Trump supporters jeered at and called a "RINO" or "Republican in name only" declared that the peaceful event was a success. "I feel good," Suarez said. "The crowd is manageable." While there was no overt violence as some predicted, there were some minor incidents throughout the day. At around 11:30 a.m., authorities closed off the street in front of the courthouse since people were beginning to spill into the street but reopened it shortly after. At one point, authorities closed a street outside the courthouse as city and federal officers investigated a flat-screen television with exposed wires that had been placed on the sidewalk, local media reported. The street was opened within an hour after no danger was found. Trump supporters, such as former GOP Arizona gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake and conservative activist Laura Loomer earlier in the week urged people to come to downtown Miami and speak out on behalf of the former president. At least one pro-Trump group put out information about busing people from central Florida to the Miami courthouse. Were very loyal people, Loomer said outside the courthouse. Were not like Ron DeSantis we are loyal to President Donald Trump and were going to stand by him even if we have to pass the ballot for him on Election Day if hes sitting in a jail cell in handcuffs. Josh Fiallo MIAMI, FloridaProtesters assembled outside the federal courthouse here on Tuesday to express their support for former President Donald Trumpto fly the Trump colors and show prosecutors that theyre up against a MAGA army. But if protesters sought to show unity and organization, what they accomplished was a disorganized display of MAGA spectacles, flaunting a pigs head on a pike and getting the street shut down over an abandoned television. Trump was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon for 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents. On social media, Trump called on fans to come to Miami for his court appearance. SEE YOU IN MIAMI ON TUESDAY!!! he wrote. But turnout was modest on Tuesday morning, despite efforts by pro-Trump figures like rapper Forgiato Blow to gin up attendance for a 10 a.m. rally. What I like about this, we been supporting Trump since day one and never switch up on Donald Trump, man whats up. DeSant-heads need to get out here and get with Trump, Blow (real name Kurt Jantz) said in a video outside the courthouse on Tuesday, referencing Trumps GOP rival and Floridas governor, Ron DeSantis. Trump Placed Under Arrest as He Arrives at Court Blows attendance was not purely political. The prolific novelty rapper, who frequently releases songs timed to conservative news items, is promoting a new song called Trump Indictment and on Monday tweeted a picture of himself wearing a signboard with a QR code for a download of the tune. See Everyone Tomorrow Help Us Get #TrumpIndictment To #1 On iTunes, Blow tweeted, promoting both the track and the protest against Trumps second felony arraignment this year. Other eccentric characters also turned up early to the courthouse. Osmany Estrada, 40, proudly donned an American and Cuban flag as he paraded around the courthouse with a pigs head on a pike, posing for photos with anyone who asked, but mostly dodging TV crews that swarmed him. Like many others who weathered blistering heat and humidity to sing Trumps praises, Estrada said he was confident the former president would quickly be found not guilty. He said he became even more certain of a Trump victory when Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, was selected to preside over the case. Shes one of us, Estrada said, referencing Cannons Cuban heritage. We already know whats going to happenthis corruption wont stand. Everyone here knows that. That's why you see so many smiles. We're all just enjoying this beautiful moment before we win again. Estrada, who says he came to Miami on a raft from Cuba in 1992, was one of the first protesters to arrive Tuesday morning, sticking around as the crowd of Trump supporters grew into the hundreds by 1 p.m.a far cry from the thousands expected by Trump and Miami cops. Until noon, protesters were outnumbered by journalists and dozens of cops who carried assault rifles as they circled the area. Estrada said he didnt have a good reason for carrying around a pigs head on a pike, but confirmed the dead animal was real. Sometimes you just have to be bold, he said. The crowd was smaller than anticipated. REUTERS/Marco Bello Vivek Ramaswamy, a longshot Republican presidential candidate, gave a Tuesday morning speech in which he pledged (if elected president) to pardon Trump. Meanwhile, Tim Gionet, a far-right personality who goes by Baked Alaska, live streamed himself outside the courthouse on Tuesday. Gionet was recently released from prison, where he was serving 60 days for his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. (He was also found guilty last year of defacing a Hanukkah display. No more Happy Hanukkah, only Merry Christmas. This is a disgrace," Gionet said in a live stream of the vandalism.) At least one member of the far-right group the Proud Boys was in attendance. A Telegram channel for the group Villain City Proud Boys uploaded a video from the grounds, although the group did not appear to have a uniformed presence on Tuesday morning. (The Villain City Proud Boys are a splinter faction of Miamis longer-standing Vice City Proud Boys, which disavows the former group and calls it illegitimate.) Lauren Witzke, a far-right conspiracy theorist who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in Delaware, also live-streamed from a demonstration organized by anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer. During her live stream, she wondered out loud if federal agents were undercover at the courthouse protests. Lets count the FBI in this protest, read a sign carried by a pro-Trump protester she interviewed. Witzke later contemplated if the man holding the signwhich had toy-water guns attachedwas a fed himself. Witzke, an ally of white-nationalist Nick Fuentes, soon grew tired of covering the lackluster Loomer protest and turned her attention to trolling the media. Is CNN here? she asked on the stream, adding, Oh shoot, I forgot I was streaming, oops. Supporters and anti-Trump demonstrators faced off outside the courthouse. REUTERS/Marco Bello Various factions of Trump fans scheduled courthouse protests over the course of the day. Loomers event was slated to start at noon. A convoy of four buses, organized by the Florida Republican Assembly, arrived at 2 p.m. Toward the beginning of the rally, Loomer claimed that Trumps team had called her on Tuesday morning to express their support for her event. President Trump, his staff called me this morning, Loomer yelled. President Trump is grateful for the rally. His staff personally called me and said they were with President Trump this morning, and he wants to thank everybody for coming out today. They are very happy that this rally is taking place. They want it peaceful. President Trump is very grateful that we are out here today, she added. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung didnt return The Daily Beasts request for comment on Loomers claim. Loomer had good reason to talk up Trumps support for her efforts, as The Daily Beast reported Monday evening that Trumps own advisers thought protests outside of the Miami courthouse were a bad idea. Trump Advisers Quietly Worry Courthouse Protest Could Be a Disaster I would hope its not a protest, one Trump adviser told The Daily Beast. A law enforcement officer inspects a suspicious device found near the courthouse. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Even before the rally, Trumps aides attempted to distance themselves from Loomer and the Roger Stone-promoted event. Anybody weve heard from at the campaign, its been somebody who just wants to come and be supportive of the president, the Trump adviser added before attempting to make clear that the official Trump campaign wanted no part in any demonstrations. But despite the worry from inside Trumps inner circle, in the end, with low turnout numbers, Trump supporters found a familiar boogeyman. I think MAGA has to be beyond cautious and weary [sic] of Feds creating another trap like Jan 6, Trump ally Jackson Lahmeyer told The Daily Beast. While MAGA supporters were busy contemplating who among them might be federal agents, law enforcement tended to a much more serious concern. The modest crowd was briefly asked to leave part of the courthouse grounds after law enforcement expressed concerns about an unattended package. The suspicious item was a TV with writing on it, apparently planted by Trump fans, Miami New Times reporter Naomi Feinstein tweeted. Police removed the TV and allowed demonstrators back onto the property. 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. Former President Donald Trump leaves the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trumps federal arraignment in Miami on Tuesday was historic yet virtually invisible to the public. In an era when people are accustomed to instantly available images and sounds of important events, Trump's not-guilty plea to charges of hoarding classified documents was a step back in time. Hundreds of photographers and television crews were at the courthouse many broadcasting live from outside but they couldn't show the key moments inside the courtroom. Efforts by news organizations to loosen restrictions that generally prohibit cameras in federal courtrooms failed, despite the events unprecedented nature. It was a stark contrast from Trumps arraignment in New York earlier this year. Trump eventually found a way Tuesday to fill the void after leaving the courthouse with a stop at a Cuban restaurant, where he could bathe in the cheers of supporters. This is the visual he wants I just left the court. I'm good, said CNN's John King. Earlier, he arrived at the courthouse to be booked and enter his plea and then left without being seen. Cameras followed a motorcade of black vehicles with tinted windows. This is a little bit old-fashioned, said Fox News Channel's Mark Meredith. We're not going to be able to see what's going on in the courtroom. News organizations had petitioned the court to allow photographs of Trump to be taken prior to his arraignment, and permit the public release of an audio recording of the court proceeding after it was done. Yet on Monday night, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman denied the requests. Also Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ordered that no journalists could possess electronic equipment anywhere in the courthouse on the day of the arraignment. Prior to her order, credentialed journalists at the courthouse had been allowed to use cell phones and computers. It's kind a black hole inside the building, said David Reiter, executive producer of special events for CBS News. Most reporters in the courthouse were confined to an overflow room, where they watched the proceedings on the kind of televisions you get in low-cost hotel rooms, CBS News reporter Scott MacFarlane said. Through a random draw, some journalists including at least one sketch artist were allowed into the courtroom itself. News organizations scurried to make arrangements to deal with the restrictions. Several television networks, for example, placed a handful of reporters and producers in the overflow room, sending them out one-by-one to report from the outside on what had happened. Reporters also discovered working phones by a bathroom that allowed them to make outgoing calls. The limits on journalists were quickly apparent. ABC News, for example, reported while the hearing was still ongoing that Special Prosecutor Jack Smith was in the courtroom. Yet when NBC News reporter Gabe Gutierrez was asked about that by anchor Lester Holt, he confessed he wasn't certain because he was limited in what he could see. Some commentators couldn't resist making assumptions, either, like when ABC's John Santucci suggested Trump would be trying to find a way to be a little charming when he spotted Smith. CNN's Jake Tapper, in debriefing reporter Evan Perez, said he couldn't ask him to be a mind-reader in assessing Trump's mood. Then he did precisely that. He appeared very glum, Perez said. He did not seem to have a lot of energy. With time to fill, most networks took it live when Trump lawyer Alina Habba spoke outside the courtroom. MSNBC cut her off, however, and CBS John Dickerson noted that she did not address the specifics of any charges against the former president. An outage at the Amazon Web Services cloud computing unit on Tuesday severely restricted some news organizations, including The Associated Press, from sending material at precisely the time of Trump's arraignment. The Verge, the Boston Globe and PennLive.com were also affected. Reporters kept a close eye on people gathered outside of the courtroom, including several banner-waving Trump supporters, a few anti-Trump demonstrators, and journalists from around the world China, Australia, France, Germany and Australia. A handful of news organizations that sent reporters to the scene hired private security in case there was trouble. Its a small price to pay for peace of mind, said Nathan King, the White House correspondent for Chinas state-run CGTN. King said he had to flee an angry group of demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and watched as some of his equipment was destroyed. Katie Taylor, a 76-year-old retired real estate agent and Trump supporter, drove 15 hours from Virginia to be part of the scene. We all know whats going to happen inside the courtroom. What I care about is what they report on what is happening out here, said Taylor, who gets her news mostly from conservative outlets like Newsmax and Bannons War Room. I want to see it with my own eyes. Some Trump supporters snapped photographs of people in the media and recorded their interviews. Dominic Santana, who retired in Miami after decades of operating an eatery in the New York area, showed up wearing a black and white striped jailhouse uniform, complete with handcuffs and a plastic ball and chain to celebrate what he hopes will be Trumps imprisonment. He carried a sign saying, Lock Him Up. A fellow New Yorker can spot a rat a mile away, said Santana, 61, a political independent who said his mother and daughter voted for Trump. ____ Goodman reported from Miami. Kate Brumback in Miami also contributed to this report. TRIPOLI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Monday voiced its concern about the mass arbitrary arrest of illegal migrants and asylum-seekers in Libya. "We are concerned about the mass arbitrary arrest of migrants and asylum-seekers across the country. Libyan authorities have arrested thousands of men, women and children from the streets and their homes or following raids on alleged traffickers' camps and warehouses," UNSMIL said in a statement posted on its twitter account. Many of these migrants, including pregnant women and children, are being detained in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, UNSMIL added. UNSMIL called on Libyan authorities to "halt these actions and treat migrants with dignity and humanity in line with their international obligations". UNSMIL also demanded the Libyan authorities to grant UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) unimpeded access to detainees in need of urgent protection. Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. So far this year, a total of 7,292 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration. The Marine Corps could be without a Senate-confirmed leader in less than a month, thanks to a Republican senators blockade of hundreds of senior military promotions. The service is already making preparations for this scenario. In a highly unusual move, Commandant Gen. David Berger sent out invitations to a relinquishment of office ceremony scheduled for July 10. POLITICO obtained a copy of the invitation. This is a departure from tradition: typically, top military officials host a change of responsibility ceremony when a new member of the Joint Chiefs takes over. Bergers last day on the job is July 10, and by law, the military service chiefs four-year tours cannot be extended unless the country is in a state of war or a national emergency. Rather than passing the torch to a new commandant, Gen. Eric Smith, President Joe Bidens nominee to replace Berger, will instead lead the Corps on a temporary basis. The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the service's plans. The open spot at the top of the Marine Corps would be the most senior example of what the Pentagon warns will be a cascading series of vacancies in the military services and major commands due to a blockade of top officers by Sen. Tommy Tuberville. The Alabama Republican put a blanket hold on nominees this spring over the Pentagons new policy of reimbursing troops and their family members if they travel to receive an abortion. Democrats, top Pentagon officials and even some Republicans have criticized the move, warning that senior positions could go unfilled if the dispute drags on, including several looming Joint Chiefs vacancies. Smith appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. But Tubervilles hold means Smith cant be confirmed before Berger leaves. During the hearing, Smith expressed concern about the impact of Tubervilles hold on military readiness. It certainly compromises our ability to be most ready, Smith said, noting that the effect will be felt across the ranks of the service, from the leadership of Marine units to the promotions of young lieutenant colonels. Tubervilles move comes during a consequential period for the Joint Chiefs, as more than half of the members are slated to end their four-year terms this year. Berger will lead the way when he retires next month, and Smith, currently the services No. 2 officer, will take over for Berger under Title 10, which lays out the line of succession for the armed forces. Smith, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, would retain his current title while performing the role of commandant. But he will need to be careful not to presume confirmation, for example by issuing the commandants planning guidance, a document put forth by every new commandant, before he is confirmed. If Tubervilles hold isnt unresolved, the backlog could soon cause delays for the top picks to lead the Navy, Air Force and Army, along with the Joint Chiefs chair. Biden has already nominated Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown to replace Gen. Mark Milley as Joint Chiefs chair. He has also tapped Gen. Randy George to take over as Army chief of staff from retiring Gen. James McConville. Biden has yet to nominate leaders for the Navy and Air Force. The impasse seemed to worsen last week, when Tuberville said he wont use annual defense legislation to seek a vote on the issue. Instead, he wants a standalone vote on the abortion travel policy, which Majority Leader Chuck Schumer may not want to provide. Taking the National Defense Authorization Act off the table removes a potential relief valve for resolving the dispute. The Senate Armed Services Committee, which Tuberville serves on, will consider the bill this month and could have debated an amendment to block the policies then. "I would be afraid that it would take longer to get done. It would put confusion in it, Tuberville said of the defense bill. The way our world is right now, we need a clean NDAA. Get it done and get it on the floor." Tuberville himself cant prevent any single nominee from being confirmed. Schumer could make procedural maneuvers to get around Tubervilles hold, but the large number of promotions makes that impractical. Holding individual votes could also validate Tubervilles claim that he isnt creating gridlock. Tucker Carlson poses for photos in a Fox News Channel studio in New York in 2017. | Richard Drew, Associated Press Tucker Carlson has received a cease-and-desist letter from Fox News, according to Axios. The letter comes after Carlsons show was canceled on Fox and he debuted a new show on Twitter. Harmeet Dhillon, one of Carlsons lawyers, said to Axios, Fox News continues to ignore the interests of its viewers, not to mention its shareholder obligations. Dhillon also said, Tucker will not be silenced by anyone. Axios said, Fox is continuing to pay Carlson, and maintains that his contract keeps his content exclusive to Fox through Dec. 31, 2024. Fox News didnt return Axios request for comment as of Tuesday afternoon. Related Carlsons show was canceled by Fox News after the network settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. Per Deseret News, Dominion claimed it was defamed by Fox during coverage of the 2020 election and the network paid Dominion a settlement of $787.5 million. After Carlsons show ended on Fox, he started a new show on Twitter. By Tuesday afternoon, the former anchor has released two episodes of his new show on Twitter: the first with 115.6 million views and the second with 56 million views, according to Twitters displayed analytics. These analytics show the number of people who have seen the tweet, not necessarily those who have watched the whole video. Justin Wells, the former executive producer of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox, also left Fox. He said on Twitter, Next Episode of Tucker on Twitter coming Tuesday: Tuckers response to the indictment of President Donald Trump. On Fox, Carlsons primetime news show averaged 3.3 million viewers in 2022 and often was the most-watched primetime cable show. Related What has Tucker Carlson said since his departure from Fox? Two weeks after Carlsons show ended on Fox, he spoke to journalist Chadwick Moore. Moore, who is working on Carlsons biography, published the comments in The Spectator. Carlson said, I really do think the cable news business has a limited future. Its too obviously controlled. Its like Google its just become too clear that theres a certain selection of stories that are allowed, and a very thick file of stories that are not allowed. On May 9, Carlson said in a video posted to Twitter, The best you can hope for in the news business at this point is the freedom to tell the fullest truth that you can. But there are always limits. ... The rule of what you cant say defines everything. What did Tucker Carlson talk about in his first show? During the first episode of his show on Twitter, Carlson opened his monologue by discussing Russia and Ukraine, then he talked about David Charles Gruschs allegations of a government program involved in collecting evidences of UFOs and concluded his monologue by saying hes on Twitter because hes told there are no gatekeepers here. Evening Briefing logo Good evening. A man has been arrested after three people were killed in a knife attack in Nottingham this morning. And Donald Trump is reportedly struggling to find a lawyer ahead of his court hearing in Miami. Man arrested after three killed in Nottingham attack Three people were killed in a knife and van attack in Nottingham on Tuesday morning. Two of the victims were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road in a student area of the city at around 4am, while another victim was found in Magdala Road. The University of Nottingham said two of the victims were students at the university. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the deadly rampage, and detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. Kate Meynell, the chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, said the force is keeping an open mind as they work alongside counter-terror police to establish the motive of the attack. Eyewitnesses described the suspect as being black, with dreadlocks, and dressed in a hooded top. One individual told the BBC: I just heard some awful, blood-curdling screams. I looked out of the window and saw a black guy... grappling with some people. They added: I saw him stab the lad first and then the woman. It was repeated stabbing four or five times. The lad collapsed in the middle of the road. A man was later arrested by armed police, who stopped a white Vauxhall van at around 5.30am one mile from Nottingham city centre. Witnesses described seeing police remove a large knife from the van. You can follow the latest developments on our live blog. Trump struggles to find lawyer for court hearing Donald Trump spent the day before his arraignment at Miami federal court looking for a local lawyer to join his team, according to reports. Mr Trump flew to Florida from his Bedminster estate on Monday before reportedly interviewing legal representatives. The historic case will see the former president appear in court, where he faces 37 charges for retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Jim Trusty and John Rowley, two of the key lawyers working on Mr Trumps defence, resigned last week. His lawyer must be, or be sponsored by, a member of the Florida bar. But several lawyers have allegedly declined the role over fears of attacks in the media and infighting within the defence team. You can follow the latest developments on our live blog. Trans activist sparks outrage by going topless at White House A transgender activist and model has triggered outrage by flashing her breasts at the White House after a meeting with Joe Biden. Rose Montoya, 27, met the US President at the largest Pride celebration in White House history on Saturday. In a short video shared to her Instagram page, Ms Montoya can be seen shaking Mr Bidens hand and telling him: trans rights are human rights. Rose Montoya said she wanted to be fully free A later clip shows the model standing with several friends as she briefly exposes her breasts on the South Lawn, as someone shouts: Are we topless at the White House? The video sparked an online backlash, with many claiming her actions were inappropriate. Evening Briefing: Todays essential headlines Crime | A mother and her partner have been convicted of killing her nine-year-old son in the bath after subjecting him to months of abuse. Alfie Steele was found unresponsive at home in Droitwich in 2021. Following a six-week trial at Coventry Crown Court, Dirk Howell, 41, was found guilty of murdering the young boy and his mother, Carla Scott, was convicted of manslaughter. You can read the full report here. Comment and analysis Pictured: Protesters out in force as Donald Trump faces court appearance Trump - JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Demonstrations have erupted in Florida as the former president is set to surrender to authorities to face charges that he mishandled classified documents. World news: Ukraine advances in Zaporizhzhia Ukrainian forces have advanced up to one kilometre in the city of Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region, officials said, as Kyiv steps up its counter-offensive. Ukraines troops also advanced 250 metres in Bakhmut and 200 metres on the Toretsk front, according to Hanna Maliar, Ukraines deputy defence minister. It comes after Ukraine claimed to have retaken four villages from Russian forces in the Donetsk region over the past week. You can read all the developments from the day on our live blog. Interview of the day Suzi Quatro: Gary Glitter asked me to lick his face Suzi Quatro - Andrew Crowley Fifty years since first topping the UK charts, and preparing to tour aged 73, Quatro recalls the highs and lows of her trailblazing career Read the interview here. Business news: SNP moves to ban gas boilers New buildings in Scotland will be barred from installing gas boilers from as soon as spring 2024 under rules being drawn up by the Scottish government as Britains drive to net zero accelerates. The proposed regulation would stop the use of heating systems which produce more than a negligible level of greenhouse gas emissions during normal operation in new buildings. Meanwhile, we reveal five reasons why it pays to be married, and one that might make you think twice. Editors choice Jodie Comer | A girl next door with Oscar cred William Sitwell | There may be a heatwave, but I refuse to ever turn off my Aga Travel | Vegan wellness retreat run by rugby player who once killed a chicken with his hands Jodie Comer - Amr Alfiky/Reuters Sport briefing: Todays essential headlines Three things for you If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts and smart speakers. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Turkey is unlikely to signal its ready to approve Swedens bid to join NATO when both sides meet this week, despite the Nordic countrys hopes that a recent strict anti-terror law would persuade Ankara its cracking down on Kurdish militants. Most Read from Bloomberg Turkey, Sweden and Finland are due to meet Wednesday for further talks as part of a joint format agreed in Madrid last summer. But Ankara still wants Sweden to do more to comply with its conditions to sign off on its membership in time for a summit of the military alliances leaders next month, according to people familiar with the matter, who stressed Swedens full compliance with the agreement is key for the expansion process to move forward. Turkey says Sweden should fully implement its new anti-terrorism law, which entered into force on June 1, to prevent or disperse anti-Turkey protests there. But there arent any provisions in the law that would allow such a step and Turkey didnt respond to a request for comment. Sweden argues that, by having the new terrorism law in place, it fulfilled all its obligations under the agreement, and says it has a mutual interest with Turkey in coordinating efforts against terrorism and organized crime more closely. The Swedish government on Monday announced a formal decision to extradite a man who claimed to be a supporter of the Kurdish PKK group, while a prosecutor in Stockholm last week brought the first-ever charges related to raising funds for the group. When Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April, Sweden was left in limbo over its prospects, with both Turkey and Hungarys ratifications outstanding. NATO allies are urging Turkey to approve Swedens bid in time for the summit, saying the country meets all qualifications. Swedens accession would clinch NATOs control of the Baltic Sea and give the alliance the upper hand in the Arctic region both strategic gateways for Russia even as Moscow is bogged down in its invasion of Ukraine. In the meantime, as a formal invitee, Sweden has a right to join all NATO meetings, in contrast to Ukraine and Georgia, whose applications have yet to move forward in any meaningful way. Bringing Sweden into the fold would simplify defense planning for the alliance. NATO would benefit not just from Swedens combat aircraft, naval prowess and other military assets but also being able to easily shuttle troops or equipment across Nordic territory. But before Sweden can join, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who extended his presidency into a third decade after winning last months elections, may need to balance a tough approach with getting US congressional support for Turkeys purchase of American-made F-16 fighter jets. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a call last week discussed Swedens membership and the F-16 sale, which remains in limbo. The terrorism-financing charges were filed in Sweden on Friday against a man who allegedly sought to extort money on behalf of the PKK in January this year. He is accused of attempted extortion, attempted terrorism financing and illegal firearm possession. The preliminary investigation reveals his expressions of support for the PKK as well as his association with an alleged prominent figure in the groups campaigns to raise funds from Kurds in Europe. Hungary is expected to back Swedens membership as soon as Turkey signals it plans to do so, as the country did with Finlands application. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Image: Cindy Ord (Getty Images) Shortly after taking the helm from Elon Musk, Twitters new CEO Linda Yaccarino is making it clear that shell be frictionless against Musks incoherent vision for the social media platform. According to her first company-wide emailwhich was also tweeted by the new CEO herselfYaccarino revealed her intent to run Twitter in much the same way Musk has since his takeover a few months ago, at least in words if not spirit. Instead of being the hub of memes, shower thoughts, and semi-moderated political discourse that we came to know and love, Yaccarino held up Musks view of making Twitter the new town square while also dancing around the concept of free speech on the platform. Read more Have you ever been talking with someone particularly insightful and thought, you should have the freedom to speak your mind. We all should. Enter Twitter 2.0, Yaccarino tweeted this afternoon. Twitter is on a mission to become the worlds most accurate real-time information source and a global town square for communication. Thats not an empty promise. Thats OUR reality. So far, that promise of a global town square appears to mean making many of its users uncomfortable with being on the platform, alienating more than half of its advertisers, and overseeing an explosion of hate speech, propaganda, and spam. According to The New York Times technology reporter Ryan Mac, this is some of the first company-wide communication employees at Twitter have received on the platforms mission and goals. At the same time, this is some of Twitters first direct external communication with reporters since Musks takeover, as one of Yaccarinos picksJoe Benarrochapparently forwarded her email to a select group of reporters. Benarroch works in Business Operations at Twitter according to his LinkedIn. Previously, Musk disbanded Twitters press relations team and set the poop emoji as an automatic reply for the companys press email. So, yes, there is a small difference under Benarroch, at least: she thinks there is a small set of journalists who should not have poo flung at them. Our first principles are questioning our assumptions and building something new from the ground up. Its rare to have the chance to put a new future into the hands of every person, partner, and creator on the planet. Thats exactly why Im here with all of YOU. Lets dig our heels in (4 inches or flat!) and build Twitter 2.0 together, Yaccarino said in what can only be described as a vague, unspecific rallying cry. Elon Musk revealed Yaccarino as his successor last month and explained that she would be focusing on business operations. Its difficult to see how much Twitter could really change under Yaccarinos leadership, as the new CEO hasnt laid out many concrete plans in her communication and her boss operates on moods, whims, and vibes. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Two of three men who were active-duty Marines when they participated together in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday to riot-related criminal charges, officials said. Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said. They're set to be sentenced in September. The charge carries a sentence of up to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000. Abate and Hellonen, along with a third Marine, Micah Coomer, were identified by fellow Marines after the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. Abate was stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland; Hellonen was stationed at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune; and Coomer was stationed at Southern California's Camp Pendleton. Hellonen was carrying a "Don't Tread on Me" flag in the Capitol, according to a Justice Department statement of facts. While inside the building, Abate, Hellonen and Coomer placed a red "Make America Great Again" hat on one of the statues to take pictures with it. They were in the Capitol building for about 52 minutes, the statement said. On June 1, 2022, more than a year after the riot, Abate was interviewed as part of his security clearance, officials said. He discussed what happened that day, saying he and two "buddies" were there and "walked around and tried not to get hit with tear gas." "Both Marines are active duty. The Marine Corps continues cooperating with the appropriate authorities. It is not appropriate for the Marine Corps to comment on ongoing legal matters," a Headquarters Marine Corps spokesperson said. When they were initially charged, Marines Maj. Kevin Stephensen, a spokesman for the Marine Corps, said the Corps was aware of the allegations and was "fully cooperating with appropriate authorities in support of the investigation." Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp not planning to run in 2024, but 'always doors opening and closing' U.S. confirms China has had spy base in Cuba since 2019 What to expect after Trump's court appearance in Miami Like times of old, a sharp combination of fife and drums will pierce the salty morning air on Sunday while the public gathers for Newports free Juneteenth National Holiday celebration at Washington Square. The Bristol Fife and Drum Corps will open two days of programming including indigenous dance, African drumming, and historical reenactments all of which Charles Roberts, the executive director of the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, who is partnering with the city of Newport, Newport Historical Society, and the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker Project to host the event, and the opening emcee on Sunday, calls living history. Roberts will follow the Bristol Fife and Drum Corps with an introduction to the public and a few remarks about the significance of Juneteenth to commemorate the abolition of slavery as well as the local legacy of Rhode Islands First Black Regiment. Charles Roberts dons a uniform from Rhode Islands First Black Regiment during a reenactment. After remarks by a few other dignitaries, Washington Square Park and the Good Friends Meeting House will be immersed for two days in a combination of reenactments, crafts, dance and music that will help people go back in time and engage in an immersive experience with their local and national history. Roberts emphasized to The Daily News the family-friendly nature of the planned outdoor activities and said there will be something interesting for everyone with guest speakers, African and Indigenous dancers and drummers, childrens crafts, food vendors and a full-blown reenactment of a Continental Army encampment. Juneteenth speaking program, interactive performances, music and dance at Washington Square Park in Newport In addition to dignitaries from the Narragansett tribe and the U.S. Senate, the public will have the opportunity to hear from 1st Sgt Algernon Ward Jr. of the Trenton First Black Regiment about the contributions of African Americans to the U.S. military from the past to the present. Indigenous cultural practitioners from the Narragansett nations will also bring coastal Algonquin drumming, song, storytelling, and dance to the Juneteenth celebrations, and West African artist and teacher Sidy Maiga will perform African dance and drumming ceremonies before inviting the audience to participate in a drumming circle. Experience and interact with an active encampment of Continental Soldiers at Newports Friends Meetinghouse At the Friends Meeting House, spectators will experience and interact with an active colonial encampment of Continental Soldiers including the First and Second Rhode Island Regiments, the Pawtuxet Rangers, the 12th Massachusetts Regiment, the Ladies of the Greene, and a variety of colonial-era vendors, artisans and musicians. Local artists, musicians and storytellers will perform for free on June 18 and June 19 Juneteenth in Newport: As Juneteenth nears, Newport's Black history educators reflect on growth in support Acts include: Bristol Fife and Drum, Continental Honor Guard RI Black Storytellers Sakonnet String Band India Kenyon, childrens activities and crafts Sidy Maiga, African drumming, dancing and a drumming circle for all ages Gospel Concert with Kenny Johnson at Liberty Square (Sunday and Monday 1-2 p.m.) Screening of Amistad at the Jane Pickens Theater (Monday 4:30 p.m.) Rhode Island Slave Historical Medallions works to educate about the history of slavery RISHM defines its work as raising public awareness of Rhode Islands role in the slave trade. The nonprofit organization conducts research and installs bronze Medallions in partnership with Rhode Island communities and historic sites to commemorate the lives of enslaved people. RISHM also develops multicultural programs that provide opportunities for communities to heal and acknowledge their history of slavery. Pride Month: Newport's LGBTQ+ community finally has a place of its own. This is what's planned. Juneteenth became an official federal holiday in 2021 Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrating the end of slavery. The holiday commemorates the formal notification of emancipation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger over two years after Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation freeing all enslaved people held in secessionist states. Enslaved people held in Union states were not freed until the ratification of the 13th amendment later in 1865, and enslaved people held by certain Native American tribes were not freed until 1866. This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Juneteenth celebration in Newport to be held on June 18 and 19 Two men hit by gunfire Monday have died following a shooting in Old North Sacramento, an area of the city hit hard recently by brazen gun violence. Mondays shooting was reported about 1:20 p.m. in the 800 block of Lampasas Avenue, said Sgt. Zach Eaton, a Sacramento Police Department spokesman. Officers arrived at the scene and found one of the victims in a vacant lot just east of Beaumont Street, Eaton said. The other shooting victim was found later, but Eaton said it was unclear to him where exactly the other wounded man was found. Both men suffered serious injuries in the shooting and were taken by ambulance to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The Sacramento County Coroners Office will release their names after their families have been notified. Investigators are still searching for a suspect, but Eaton said he didnt have any suspect information to release. Its unclear to investigators if one or more suspects were involved. He said detectives were still trying to determine what exactly led to the shooting. The motive was unclear. Eaton said investigators were speaking to witnesses at the scene. Weve seen some rising gun violence in our city over the past couple of years, Eaton told news reporters. Even one homicide is too many. And like Ive said before, shooting like this in our community are unacceptable. Police had closed Lampasas, between Beaumont and Rio Linda Boulevard as officers worked at the scene. Homicide detectives were on their way to take over the investigation. Eaton said officers were expected to remain at the scene for several hours, at least through midnight. Residents will not have access to some parked vehicles inside the crime scene, but he said they owe to the victims of this shooting and their families to conduct a meticulous investigation and document it correctly. The police spokesman said he did not have any information that links Mondays shooting to recent acts of gun violence in North Sacramento. Seven people all adults suffered non-life-threatening injuries last week when they were hit by gunfire in a late night shooting in the nearby Del Paso Heights area. The shooting was reported shortly after 10:30 p.m. June 7 near the 1600 block of Grand Avenue, where one wounded victim was found. Another victim was found across the street from Grant Union High School, and the five others were found at a nearby hospital. Last month, a late night shooting in Old North Sacramento wounded four people, including a 10-year-old boy and a 12-month-old girl. The shooting was reported shortly after 10 p.m. May 13 near Del Paso Boulevard and Fairfield Street, where security cameras captured three unidentified men walking up to the Sunland Liquor, looking at a group around the corner and then firing shots before running away, authorities have said. Officers found the boy and the girl, each with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. They were taken to a hospital. Officers later learned two adults also were admitted to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds that were not considered life-threatening. Our department is committed to addressing these problems, and were continuing to work with our community in partnership, Eaton said about the recent violence in North Sacramento. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and were talking with our business owners about how we can mitigate other issues that arent violent crime related. I know that burglary and robbery concerns are out there, too. Investigators asked anyone with information about this fatal shooting to call officers at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips website and app. More than 50,000 Kansans have lost their Medicaid benefits as the state ends pandemic era policies that kept thousands on the rolls even if theyd neglected paperwork or lost eligibility. The loss in coverage comes as states across the country dismantle pandemic-era policies. It indicates the Kelly administration has struggled to get people to complete applications needed to retain eligibility and underscores concerns that eligible Kansans will continue to lose health coverage over the next several months. This process also highlights why we must expand Medicaid. If we had already expanded Medicaid, more Kansans would be keeping their health coverage, more rural hospitals would stay open, and more health care workers would live and work in our communities, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement. According to data released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment last week, the agency has sent more than 200,000 Medicaid renewal applications to beneficiaries. The program serves low income and disabled Kansans. Of those, 5,667 Kansans were deemed to be ineligible to continue receiving Medicaid, while KDHE approved 22,473 applicants. Another 45,820 lost their coverage because they failed to submit their renewal applications. These individuals can receive back-benefits if they apply and are accepted within 90 days of losing coverage. More than half of the recipients who received renewal notices have not been processed yet because of extensions provided to applicants because of mailing delays. Of the renewals that have been processed, 70% of applicants have lost coverage. Nearly 90% of those who lost coverage did so for procedural reasons, not because they were ineligible. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Kansas has disenrolled the second highest percentage of applicants among states reporting data. It is tied with Indiana for the highest proportion of disenrollments based upon procedural issues. Missouri has not yet released any data on disenrollment. Before data began to become available state officials predicted around 125,000 Kansans could lose coverage and that 100,000 of those would still be eligible if the state had expanded Medicaid. Kansas is one of 10 states that has refused to expand Medicaid since the program was first approved under the Affordable Care Act. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has offered a bill to expand the program every year since she became governor in 2018 but has been consistently thwarted by a GOP-controlled Legislature. Kansas Medicaid program, called KanCare, has more than 500,000 beneficiaries compared to about 400,000 before the pandemic. Missouris Medicaid enrollment grew from just under 900,000 in March 2020 to 1.5 million as of March 2023, according to state data compiled by Washington University in St. Louis. Congress in December passed a budget bill requiring states to once again verify the eligibility of recipients a process thats being called the unwinding as participants are kicked off. For months, health officials have been scrambling to get the word out to enrollees to give them time to prepare and, if possible, look for alternative coverage. The Kelly administration has been working to ramp up its messaging to encourage Kansans to fill out their paperwork but early data indicates they have significantly more work to do. Nearly a quarter of the Kansans who received a renewal application lost coverage for failure to respond. We are working diligently to expand access to affordable health care in Kansas, including by spreading the word that every Kansan who received a Medicaid redetermination packet should complete and return the materials as quickly as possible. No Kansan should unnecessarily lose their health insurance, Kelly said in a statement, Monday. The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report. Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong (3rd R, front) and FAO Representative in Uganda Anthony Querido (4th L, front) release fish to a rice fish pond at the Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Uganda, on June 12, 2023. Rice production in Uganda was given more impetus after China, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Uganda signed an agreement as a South-South cooperation program. The agreement, which has been implemented in a phased manner, has helped farmers in rural areas in Uganda gain agriculture technology, according to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) WAKISO, Uganda, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Robert Sagula could not have imagined how different his life would be when he started to learn growing rice from Chinese experts more than 50 years ago. At the age of 70, he still goes to his rice field in Butaleja district in eastern Uganda every day. He said thanks to Chinese experts, rice yields in his field rose dramatically, bringing more money to his family. Now he is able to afford to take his children to good schools, and he even opened a shop in his village with what he earned from growing rice. In the past five decades, thousands of farmers in Butaleja district have participated in training on rice farming, and they turned the region into one of the main production areas, where rice is sold to different parts of the country and also exported to neighboring Kenya. Richard Waya, another farmer living in the same district as Sagula, told Xinhua that in the 1970s, the Chinese experts taught people in the Butaleja district how to grow rice in nursery beds and later transplanted them into the field. "The results have shown that when you grow rice in lines, the yields are much higher. The Chinese people have contributed to life-changing (achievements) in Butaleja," Waya said. Rice production in Uganda was given more impetus after China, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Uganda signed an agreement as a South-South cooperation program. The agreement, which has been implemented in a phased manner, has helped farmers in rural areas in Uganda gain agriculture technology, according to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture. By the end of the second phase of the program in 2017, about 3,000 farmers have been trained in increasing production in cereals, horticulture, aquaculture and livestock, according to the ministry. During the first and second phases of the project, Chinese hybrid rice variety and foxtail millet variety were introduced to farmers in Uganda. Yields of the new hybrid rice reached about 10 tonnes per hectare, almost four times that of local varieties, according to the ministry. Meanwhile, a 220-million-U.S.-dollar China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park was established in the central part of the East African country. According to the FAO reports, many farmers across the country are praising the agricultural cooperation with China. Zhang Xiaoqiang, leader of the Chinese agriculture team, told reporters Monday that during the third phase of the program, which started in November 2022, more than 9,600 farmers, mostly youth and women, will attend the training program. He said the Chinese experts encouraged local farmers to look at agriculture in a commercial way instead of subsistence. FAO Representative in Uganda Anthony Querido said over the years, there is evidence that cooperation with China and Uganda under the South-South cooperation framework is yielding positive results in the agriculture sector, which has been a driving force in increasing food security and promoting poverty alleviation in the country. This photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a rice fish pond at the Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Uganda. Rice production in Uganda was given more impetus after China, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Uganda signed an agreement as a South-South cooperation program. The agreement, which has been implemented in a phased manner, has helped farmers in rural areas in Uganda gain agriculture technology, according to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) Workers carry fish in bags for release to rice fish ponds at the Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Uganda, on June 12, 2023. Rice production in Uganda was given more impetus after China, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Uganda signed an agreement as a South-South cooperation program. The agreement, which has been implemented in a phased manner, has helped farmers in rural areas in Uganda gain agriculture technology, according to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) Washington The U.S. government on Tuesday announced it is extending the temporary legal status of more than 300,000 immigrants whose deportation protections and work permits were targeted by the Trump administration. The Biden administration will allow roughly 337,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua to continue living and working in the U.S. legally under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. CBS News first reported the policy decision on Monday. The 1990 law authorizing the TPS policy, which the Biden administration has used at an unprecedented scale, allows federal officials to grant deportation relief and work authorization to migrants from countries beset by war, environmental disaster or another "extraordinary" crisis. As part of its broader crackdown on illegal and legal immigration, the Trump administration tried to end most TPS programs, including those for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua, arguing that prior administrations had abused the authority. But those attempts were blocked in federal court. The Biden administration's move will reverse the decision to end TPS for these four countries and grant a temporary reprieve to those currently enrolled in the program. It will also likely render moot a federal court lawsuit filed by advocates who challenged the Trump administration's TPS terminations. A hearing in that case is scheduled for later this month. A source familiar with the Biden administration's planning said Tuesday's announcement is directly tied to the ongoing court case. Despite calls from Democratic lawmakers and migrant advocates, the administration is not moving to expand or redesignate the TPS programs for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua. Such a move would have opened the program to new applicants, making more recent arrivals from these countries eligible for TPS. Some top administration officials have opposed expanding TPS eligibility for certain nationalities, citing concerns about encouraging unlawful migration to the southern border, where migrant arrivals have plunged since early May, people familiar with internal deliberations told CBS News. TPS does not benefit new arrivals, but some officials believe generous immigration announcements could act as "pull factors." Demonstrators rally in Lafayette Park to demand Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador on Monday, May 1, 2023. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Instead, the extension announced Tuesday will allow existing TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua to continue living in the U.S. for another 18 months. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data, 241,699 Salvadorans, 76,737 Hondurans, 14,556 Nepalis and 4,250 Nicaraguans were enrolled in the TPS program as of the end of 2021. Some of these immigrants have lived in the U.S. for decades and now have American citizen children. The TPS program for El Salvador, for example, was first established in 2001 following a devastating earthquake in the small Central American country. During the Trump administration, officials also sought to end the TPS programs for Haitian and Sudanese immigrants. The Biden administration later reversed those moves, and expanded the number of Haitians and Sudanese eligible for TPS. TPS allows beneficiaries to live and work in the country without fear of deportation, but it does not provide them a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Those who lose their TPS protections could become eligible for deportation, unless they apply for, and are granted, another immigration benefit. Ahilan Arulanantham, a lawyer representing TPS holders in the federal court case over the Trump-era terminations, called Tuesday's announcement "an enormous, hard-fought victory for the TPS community." "They pushed the Biden Administration to finally fulfill the President's campaign promise, so that everyone who held TPS status in 2017 when the Trump administration attempted to end the program now has their status restored," said Arulanantham, who is also a professor at UCLA School of Law. But Arulanantham said TPS holders would remain "in a continued state of uncertainty," unless they were granted permanent legal status. Despite strong backing from Democrats and some Republicans, proposals to give permanent residency to immigrants with TPS have stalled in Congress, where lawmakers have been gridlocked on immigration issues for decades. Republicans in the current Congress have vowed to oppose any legalization program unless stricter border and asylum laws are passed. Under President Biden, a Democrat, the U.S. has created TPS programs for a record number of migrants and countries. Hundreds of thousands of migrants from 16 countries currently qualify for TPS, including those from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine and Venezuela, all of whom were made eligible for the program under Mr. Biden. Protester detained after rushing Trump's motorcade outside Miami courthouse Norah O'Donnell reflects on Trump's arraignment Pat Sajak to step down as "Wheel of Fortune" host at end of season Photo of person on smartphone Our growing reliance on smart devices has armed the government with masses of data on our daily lives. When it comes to data privacy in our present, hyper-connected age, many of your worst fears and biggest anxieties are probably correct. Yes, smartphones and our manifold other devices collect an incredible array of information on our habits, choices, and movements at all times. Yes, all of this information is compiled by companies to sell for profit. Yes, the U.S. government is among the many clients buying up that data. And yes, it represents a significant and persistent threat to your civil liberties and safety, as confirmed in a newly released report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)the top dog among all of our nations spy agencies. The declassified document, made public on Friday, was completed in January 2022, following 90 days of assessment by an advisory panel. It was commissioned by Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence in the Biden Administration, at the behest of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. Haines agreed to look into the issue of how U.S. intelligence uses commercially available data during her confirmation hearing, and now the result of that inquiry is fully on display. The newly released report affirms a mounting bevy of evidence that government agencies from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Pentagonare compiling vast stores of for-sale data. Read more Taken altogether, the information that the government is easily able to purchase from data brokers rivals anything thats been available to intelligence agencies in the pasteven through warrants, wiretaps, and Fourth Amendment due process. Today, in a way that far fewer Americans seem to understand, and even fewer of them can avoid, [commercially available information] includes information on nearly everyone that is of a type and level of sensitivity that historically could have been obtained, if at all, only through targeted (and predicated) collection, write the report authors. All that data can reveal sensitive and intimate information about individuals, the 48-page account emphasizes. It could be used to cause harm to an individuals reputation, emotional well-being, or physical safety. Though this data may be anonymized by brokers and sold in bulk, it does not stay anonymous in the hands of U.S. spy agencies. The government report affirmatively cites a 2019 New York Times investigation that found deanonymizing commercially available information (CAI) takes mere minutes. Information that previously did not exist in the public domain about US citizens now is widely available on the open market, raising privacy questions particularly when it comes to US government use of such data, an ODNI official familiar with the matter told Gizmodo in a phone call. Through location tracking, your phone knows where you sleep every night. Via cookies, your web browser tracks the sites you visit. Financial data confirms what you buy and when. Health apps, smartwatches, and motion tracking can keep tabs on everything from when youre physically active to how youre feeling physically and mentally. The government report states that religious practice, political views, travel, medical info, social associations, purchase history, speech activities and even sexual behavior are all things that can be inferred from CAI. It references widely publicized controversies like the outing of Catholic priests enabled via purchasable data from Grindr and the governments buy-up of data from a Muslim prayer app. While each data broker source may provide only a few data elements about a consumers activities, data brokers can put all of these data elements together to form a more detailed composite of the consumers life, notes the report. Though a simple commercial transaction, government agencies can access that same compositeand they do. The Defense Intelligence Agency, for instance, amasses information on peoples social media activity. The military spy org also maintains a global location tracking database, per the newly public document, though it claims that specific authorization is required to query that database and that its rarely accessed. The Department of Defense, Coast Guard, Navy, CIA, FBI, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and even the Treasury Department are among the other agencies noted as purchasing and using CAI. Yet within and across each of these organizations, little of their CAI activities are tracked. Intelligence agencies across the U.S. government dont have a solid understanding of how they are collecting and using purchased data. Because all of this data is considered publicly available, there are almost no standards or restrictions on how this info should be acquired, used, or kept secure. None of the publicly available commercial data is currently classified as sensitive in an official capacity, though it undoubtedly is, according to the report. The ODNI recommends that all of this needs to change, to protect peoples privacy, freedom, and welfare. The intelligence community is working to develop additional standards and procedures for commercially available information, the agency official emphasized on the phone. But new standards and firm suggestions might not be enough. Even subject to appropriate controls, CAI can increase the power of the governments ability to peer into private lives to levels that may exceed our constitutional traditions or other social expectations, the authors write. Not to mention the risk such data poses when malicious actors or adversarial foreign governments decide to take advantage of it. CAI can be purchased by anyone including our adversaries, the ODNI official said. Such information also raises counterintelligence risk for the intelligence community. U.S. intelligence agencies, companies, and anyone else willing to pay can reap untold information rewards from the data economy. Its a system the government may have long dreamed of, but could never have built on its own. Through tacit acceptance of invasive tech into our daily lives, we did this to ourselves, the report implies. The government would never have been permitted to compel billions of people to carry location tracking devices on their persons at all times, to log and track most of their social interactions, or to keep flawless records of all their reading habits, the ODNI writes, in the declassified document. Yet smartphones, connected cars, web tracking technologies, the Internet of Things, and other innovations have had this effect without government participation. Though not everyone places the blame on consumers. This review shows the governments existing policies have failed to provide essential safeguards for Americans privacy, or oversight of how agencies buy and use personal data, Senator Wyden wrote in a Monday statement. If the government can buy its way around Fourth Amendment due-process, there will be few meaningful limits on government surveillance, he saidurging executive and legislative action. Wyden and other senators introduced an act in 2022 intended to ban data brokers from selling location, health, and other sensitive information. It has yet to progress. Update 6/15/2023, 9:14 A.M. ET: This article has been updated with statements from an ODNI official. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. London - A mother of three has been sentenced to more than a year in prison in the U.K. for taking abortion pills after the legal time limit. Prosecutors said Carla Foster, 44, who became pregnant in 2019, was sent abortion pills in the mail by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after information she provided led them to estimate that she was seven weeks pregnant. Rules in the U.K. allow for abortions to be carried out at home with pills through the 10th week of pregnancy, and in a clinic generally until 24 weeks. Prosecutors said Foster searched online for "how to hide a pregnancy bump," "how to have an abortion without going to the doctor," and "how to lose a baby at six months" between February and May 2020. In May 2020, she allegedly took the pills. A call to emergency services was made and she had a stillbirth, prosecutors said. A postmortem examination of the fetus determined the cause of death to be the use of the abortion medications, and Foster was estimated to have been between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant, according to Press Association (PA), the British news agency. Foster has said she moved back in with her estranged partner, who was not the person who impregnated her, at the beginning of the U.K.'s coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Her lawyer, Barry White, indicated that the circumstances of the lockdown may have affected her decision to acquire the medications. "The restrictions placed on services to advise women may explain why there were so many internet searches for information on behalf of the defendant," White said, according to PA. "The defendant may well have made use of services had they been available at the time. This will haunt her forever." Ahead of the hearing, a number of women's health organizations sent a letter to the judge asking for leniency, but their request was denied, CBS News partner network BBC News reported. The prison sentence sparked a backlash among rights groups in the U.K., which criticized the prosecution's decision to bring the case to trial. Groups have called for urgent reform to the U.K.'s abortion law, which is based on an 1861 act that can bring a life sentence if certain conditions are not met. "What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support? She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year," Harriet Wistrich, director at the Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ), told PA. "When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished [in the U.K.] this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to women's basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system." The chief executive of BPAS, Clare Murphy, the organization that provided the pills to Foster, also called on lawmakers to reform the regulations. "This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health," Murphy told the Press Association. "No woman can ever go through this again." A spokesperson for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told BBC News that the government had no plans to reform Britain's abortion laws. "Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child," the spokesperson said. Trump attorney Alina Habba addresses reporters in front of courthouse at arraignment Trump heads to Miami courthouse to face federal arraignment "If this wasn't Donald Trump, it would be a slam dunk case," legal expert says Johannesburg A handful of senior U.S. lawmakers from both parties have sent a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan and top U.S. trade envoy Katherine Tai calling for South Africa to be punished for its perceived support of Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The June 9 letter, obtained by CBS News and first reported by The New York Times, argues that in spite of its stated neutral stance on the Ukraine war, the South African government has strengthened relations with Moscow since President Vladimir Putin launched Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, making it necessary, the lawmakers argue, for the U.S. to take action. Debate over possible Putin visit heats up in South Africa amid U.S. "concern" The letter (below) is the first call for open retaliation for what many in Washington see as South Africa moving toward alignment with Russia in a possible threat to U.S. national interests. Specifically, the lawmakers call for an upcoming summit under the auspices of the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to be relocated from South Africa to another nation. U.S. lawmakers' letter on South Africa by CBS News on Scribd The letter, signed by Sen. Chris Coons (D) and Republican Sen. Jim Risch, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and endorsed by members from both parties on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says they're "seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an endorsement" of the country's "support for Russia and possible violation of U.S. Sanction laws." The lawmakers say recent actions by South Africa call into question the country's eligibility to benefit from the AGOA, which grants duty-free access to the U.S. market to goods from certain sub-Sharan African nations, including South Africa. There is a requirement in AGOA that benefiting countries should not engage in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy objectives. People attend the 18th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum, an exhibition of eligible Ivory Coast products on the U.S. market, in Abidjan, in this August 5, 2019 file photo. / Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty South Africa, the continent's largest single economy, exported about $3 billion worth of goods through AGOA to the United States in 2022. Speaking separately Tuesday as part of a digital briefing by several senior U.S. officials, the National Security Council's senior director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont, said the Biden administration shared "Congress's concern about South Africa's potential security partnership with Russia." "We're constantly working to cut off support and funding for Putin's war machine and to undercut Russia's ability to carry out this conflict," Devermont said. "As part of these efforts, we are strongly encouraging countries not to support Russia's war. I'm not going to get into the specifics of private conversations with the South Africans, but be sure that we are having these conversations." South Africa's relations with the U.S. have been strained since the country declared a "non-aligned stance" on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It deteriorated further in May when U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety, speaking to local media, accused South Africa of secretly loading arms onto a sanctioned Russian ship in Simon's Town harbor in December 2022, before the ship returned to Russia with its contents. Brigety called it "fundamentally unacceptable." His comments came after tension flared in February when South Africa hosted joint naval war games off its coast with Russian and Chinese warships. The Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov is seen ahead of joint naval drills between Russia, South Africa and China, in Richards Bay, South Africa, Feb. 22, 2023. / Credit: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty The lawmakers point to both incidents in their letter, saying the "actions by South Africa call into question its eligibility for trade benefits under AGOA due to the statutory requirement that beneficiary countries do not engage in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests." Last year, the U.S. removed Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from AGOA over alleged human rights abuses. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced recently that an African leaders' Peace Mission would travel to both Ukraine and Russia in June, and he's expected to lead the delegation as soon as this week. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russia's President Vladimir Putin attend the first plenary session of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, in an October 24, 2019 file photo. / Credit: SERGEI CHIRIKOV/POOL/AFP/Getty Both Presidents Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine have said they will meet the Africa leaders. "Principal to our discussions are efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in Ukraine," Ramaphosa said when he announced the trip, on which he will join the leaders of five other African nations. South Africa and Russia have a historically strong relationship, forged during the years of the apartheid regime. Moscow supported the now-ruling African National Congress when it was still a liberation party fighting to end the racist regime. CBS News producer John Nolen in Washington contributed to this report. Younger generations fueling astrology boom Not all calories created equal when it comes to weight loss, study finds GOP presidential candidates consider potential pardons for Trump Renewal of US surveillance program faces resistance from both parties The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is seen at FBI headquarters in Washington By Zeba Siddiqui (Reuters) - A U.S. surveillance program aimed at countering foreign threats that intelligence officials have used to spy on Americans faced resistance from both Republicans and Democrats at a Senate hearing to discuss its renewal on Tuesday. President Joe Biden's administration has backed renewal of the program, effected through the 2008 statute Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), saying it is vital to U.S. national security. Officials from the FBI and the Department of Justice (DoJ) said the program had been critical in drug smuggling cases, foreign cybersecurity threats and cross-border crimes. But Congress members demanded explanations for past compliance issues. A court order unsealed last month showed the FBI had improperly searched the database for Americans information more than 278,000 times over several years - including for details of people arrested during U.S. protests against police violence. "That number should not just be going down, that number should be zero," Republican Senator Mike Lee said. Democrat Peter Welch asked why there couldn't be a warrant requirement for searches about Americans - a rule privacy rights advocates have also called for. He said it was "absolutely astonishing" that intelligence officials had searched for information on Black Lives Matter protesters. While the program is aimed at finding information on non-Americans living outside the United States, their communications with U.S. persons are also gathered in the database. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said past compliance issues had been rectified and the agency had instituted two new measures to strengthen the program's oversight. Those include a "three-strike policy" and potential firing of officials misusing the program. Intelligence officials said the database had helped them identify the hackers behind the 2021 hack of the Colonial Pipeline - one of the most significant cyberattacks against the United States, which disrupted fuel supplies to the country's southeast for days. "Although purportedly targeted at foreigners, Section 702 has become a rich source of warrantless government access to Americans phone calls, texts, and emails," a group of 21 rights organisations, including the U.S. nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, said in a joint statement on Monday. (Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in San Francisco; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Lisa Shumaker) The seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen after a news conference near the International Bridge between Mexico and the U.S., as U.S. authorities accelerate removal of migrants at border with Mexico, in Del Rio By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will extend deportation relief and work permits through 2025 for more than 300,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal but will not expand the program to cover additional people, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Tuesday. The move by President Joe Biden's administration maintains the status quo and stops short of a broader expansion of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program supported by some Democrats and immigrant advocates who say more pathways are needed for people to live and work legally in the United States. Former President Donald Trump, a Republican and immigration hardliner seeking his party's nomination in 2024, sought to end TPS for the four countries and others during his tenure, but his effort was rebuffed by U.S. courts. Biden's Democratic administration is rescinding Trump's earlier decisions as part of the process of extending the relief for immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal. TPS allows people who cannot return to their home countries due to natural disasters, armed conflict or other extraordinary measures to remain in the United States and obtain work permits. Designations typically last six to 18 months but can be renewed indefinitely. Some TPS designations have been in place for decades, but they do not lead to permanent U.S. status. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that the extensions would offer "continued safety and protection" to people from those countries already eligible for the program. The latest decision by the Biden administration will allow TPS renewals for 239,000 Salvadorans who have resided in the U.S. since 2001. Some 76,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans in the U.S. since 1998 are eligible, along with 14,500 Nepalese in the country since 2015. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua living in the U.S. illegally will not be covered by the TPS extension since they arrived after the cutoff dates. Some Democrats, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, have pressed the Biden administration to expand access to work permits for newly arrived migrants, saying it will reduce the strain on local governments receiving people who have recently crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg, Aurora Ellis, Alexandra Hudson) Sen. Bill Cassidy wont be buying the new coin commemorating former President Donald Trumps federal indictment, thank you very much. The Louisiana Republican posted a video to Twitter on Monday in which he denounces the White House Gift Shop for hawking the limited edition trinket, calling it his outrage of the week. Whatever you think about it, whatever party you are, youve gotta admit that its poor taste, that its capitalizing upon something without his permission, Cassidy said while walking. He added, Have a sense of decency, White House Gift Shop. The White House Gift Shop is not affiliated with the White House where President Joe Biden works. It is a private company with an online store that sells White House-themed coins, ornaments, hats, keychains and other trinkets. The White House Gift Shop should not be selling a commemorative coin marking Donald Trumps indictment. This is totally outrageous. pic.twitter.com/56sUIic74s Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@BillCassidy) June 13, 2023 The senator linked to the companys soon-to-come coin featuring Trumps recent federal indictment in the classified documents probe. The company is also selling a separate coin commemorating Trumps earlier indictment on state charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records. Each coin will set you back $100. Its not clear from his tweet whether Cassidy understands there is no affiliation between the White House and the gift shop that bears its name. His video makes no mention of the Biden administration only the White House Gift Shop so its possible hes disgusted with what he knows to be a privately run online store. A spokesperson for Cassidy on Capitol Hill referred HuffPost to the senators campaign, noting that the tweet came from Cassidys campaign account, not his official government account. The senators campaign did not immediately respond to a question about the gift shop tweet. Twitter users added a note to Cassidys tweet explaining that the White House Gift Shop is not a federal entity. They linked to an Associated Press story from last year debunking a claim that Biden had dedicated two commemorative coins to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Those coins, too, were sold by the private gift shop and not the White House. The AP noted that while the store may have been associated with the White House when it was created in the 1940s, that is no longer the case. The White House Gift Shop is privatized, the shops CEO told the AP. (Snopes has an in-depth rundown of the gift shops history.) Cassidy isnt the first senator to be offended by the actions of this privately owned online knickknack seller. In 2020, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) noted that the White House Gift Shop planned to produce coins commemorating the COVID-19 pandemic. If the White House Gift Shop is going to produce $100 COVID-19 coins, Trump can sure as hell utilize the Defense Production Act to manufacture the gloves, gowns, and masks our medical workers desperately need, the progressive lawmaker tweeted. Although Cassidy seems happy to defend Trump from commemorative-coin insults, the Louisiana lawmaker does not necessarily approve of the former presidents behavior. He was one of just seven GOP senators to vote to convict Trump on his impeachment charge of inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Our Constitution and our country is more important than any one person, Cassidy said at the time. I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty. Mother of 6-Year-Old Shooter Enters Plea Deal, and It's Not Looking Good Screenshot: ABC News Updated as of 6/13/2023 at 10:00 a.m. ET The mother of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting and injuring his first-grade teacher pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the incident, per AP News. Even with the negotiated plea agreement, she faces prison time. Read more Deja Taylor, 25, entered a guilty plea on accusations that she lied about her marijuana use on a form when purchasing the gun her son used in the nearly fatal Richneck Elementary shooting. During the investigation following the incident, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched Taylors home and found 24.5 grams of marijuana, the report says. Prosecutors also said Taylors record showed she was pulled over by local police in 2021, and authorities found marijuana cereal bars next to her son. Though, Taylor denied any knowledge of the drugs in the car in the courtroom. Taylors attorneys agreed to a plea agreement with the prosecutors that includes a sentence of 18 to 24 months in prison. Miss Taylors role in this tragedy is a complete accident and a complete mistake, said attorney Gene Rossi. She takes full responsibility for her sons actions and will feel guilt for the rest of her life. Its unclear whose care the boy will be under once his mother is sentenced in October. However, she still faces state charges. Previous Reporting... Taylor previously entered a not guilty plea on felony charges of child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of endangering a child by reckless storage of a firearm. Taylor said in her first appearance following the incident that the firearm was stored securely in the top shelf of her closet with a trigger lock. However the boy somehow managed to obtain it and bring it to Richneck Elementary School on Jan. 6. First grade teacher Abigail Zwerner said the boy stood up in the classroom while she was reading to the class and shot her through the hand and into the chest. Attorneys for Zwerner say school administrators were warned multiple times throughout the day about the student possibly having a firearm. Now, Taylors initial claim that her gun was legally purchased is being challenged in court. Read more from 13NewsNow: 25-year-old Deja Taylor was charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. According to court documents filed Monday, Taylor made a false claim on the firearms transaction form she filled out when she bought a 9mm handgun in 2022. Section G of that form asks, Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Prosecutors said Taylor lied when she answered no, and that she was actually a marijuana user. Taylors attorney, James Ellenson, issued a statement saying his client plans to plead guilty to the new charges. Ellenson told reporters Taylor suffered from postpartum depression following a series of miscarriages which led up to the shooting. The information was an agreed procedure which eliminated the need for the government to take the case to a grand jury, read the statement. We intend to present mitigating evidence that we trust the Court will view favorably at sentencing later this year following preparation of a pre-sentence report. If convicted on state charges, Taylor faces five to 10 years in prison. On federal charges, she will be forced to give up her firearm and ammunition. 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. Russia is increasing its supply of Iranian-made drones by importing them via the Caspian Sea and setting up domestic production, the latest U.K. Defense Intelligence update said on June 13. According to the report, "Russia has likely moved from receiving small deliveries of Iranian one-way-attack unmanned aerial vehicles (OWA-UAV) by air transport" to larger volumes shipped through the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water that connects both countries. Since the invasion, Moscow has reportedly relied more often on the International North-South Transport Corridor, a multi-mode transport network connecting Russia, the Caucasus, Iran, and India. The U.K. intelligence also said that Russia is setting up domestic production of drones with Iranian assistance. Such drones provide a cheap long-range strike capability when Russian forces used up a large portion of their missile stockpiles. CNN wrote on May 26 that Tehran is secretly shipping Shahed kamikaze drones to Russia through the Caspian Sea. A particular uptick in traffic was recorded in the fall of 2022 when Moscow began to use drone strikes against Ukraine on a massive scale. CNN: Iran modifies its drones supplied to Russia to inflict maximum damage on Ukraines energy infrastructure According to a new investigative report, cited by CNN, the unexploded warhead of an Iranian Shahed-131 drone discovered in Odesa Oblast was hastily modified with poorly fitted layers of dozens of small metal fragments that scatter over a large radius on impact. The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk According to the U.S. government, Iran is also helping Russia with building a drone factory in Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, which should become operational in early 2024. Iran has provided Russia with weaponry throughout its invasion of Ukraine. This included Shahed drones, widely used in air strikes across the country. Both Ukraine and its Western partners have imposed sanctions against Tehran for its support of Russian aggression. KAMPALA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has repatriated 17 Ethiopian girls rescued from human trafficking in the capital Kampala, an immigration spokesperson said here on Monday. Ugandan officials handed over the girls to Ethiopian immigration officers at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for ministry of internal affairs of Uganda, told reporters. "They were removed from the country legally and were accompanied by our immigration officers. Human Trafficking is a transnational crime that we invite everyone to fight," Mundeyi said at the weekly security press briefing. In recent years, Uganda has been used as a transit route by human traffickers, according to the immigration department. Ugandan officials rescued more than 40 Burundian girls and arrested five suspects involved in human trafficking in the country in April, 2021. Still from the video Dreamers Electro pop duo TVORCHI finished sixth with their electric ode to Azovstal fighters Heart of Steel, while The Hardkiss frontwoman, Julia Sanina, co-hosted the show. The event was due to be held in Ukraine after Kalush Orchestras Stefania won Eurovision 2022 but was moved to England because of Russias war on Ukraine. Read also: Ukraines 2016 Eurovision winner Jamala on U.S. tour to raise funds for Ukrainian military Despite being released in the middle of 2023, the idea of the song was born back in 2021, the groups said. That's because the hour of dreamers has come, they added. Read also: Ruslana debuts new song in front of Ukrainian refugees at Eurovision in Liverpool "Only dreamers will overcome the challenges of the new crazy world," said the bands. Read also: UK honors Ukrainian artists during Eurovision 2023 "As reality shows, everything is possible in our lives... Those who desperately believe in the future, who are strong and brave, are destined to be united and create a new future," they said. Nata Ivanova directed the video. She told a history of four nomad dreamers challenged by higher forces to be united and to find a source of inner power. 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 Ukraines large-scale counteroffensive, anticipated for months, spearheaded by new Western tanks and armored vehicles, has finally begun. No longer limited to shaping operations or localized counterattacks, evidence shows the beginning of major Ukrainian offensive pushes to break through fortified Russian lines along several axes. Though Ukraines offensive operations are still in their early days, the two main axes of attack look to both be on the southern front line stretching from the Dnipro River across Zaporizhzhia Oblast to western Donetsk Oblast. The first reports came on June 5, when Russian sources reported Ukrainian attacks around the village of Novodonetske, in the sector between Velyka Novosilka and Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. Vuhledar was the site of a large failed Russian offensive in winter. On June 8, a new Ukrainian attempted advance was reported further west, near the town of Orikhiv. Photo and video material quickly emerged on social media of several damaged and destroyed Ukrainian vehicles in the area, including Leopard 2 tanks, indicating that the first major Ukrainian attack with new Western equipment likely ended in failure, though the size of the force committed to the attack was unclear. Soldiers of Ukraine's 35th Marine Brigade stand with a Ukrainian flag in what is claimed to be the liberated village of Storozhove in Donetsk Oblast on June 12, 2023. (Photo: 35th Marine Brigade via Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) While no Ukrainian gains were verified on the Orikhiv axis in the days following this attack, Ukrainian forces instead found more success pushing ahead south of Velyka Novosilka. Advancing steadily along both banks of the narrow Mokri Yaly River, Ukrainian units liberated a chain of villages, including Neskuchne, Blahodatne, Storozheve, and Makarivka. On the evening of June 12, the liberation of these villages and three others in other sectors were confirmed by Deputy Defense Minsiter Hanna Maliar, who reported a total advance of 6.5 kilomteres in the area. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continues to report successful counterattacks around Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, which was finally taken by Russian forces in late May after 10 months of brutal fighting. What we are seeing is definitely the beginning of the counteroffensive, said military expert and senior fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute Rob Lee to the Kyiv Independent. I think it's going about as well as expected; they're taking losses but they're making gains as well, he said. A combined arms breach is one of the most difficult things to do in warfare, and they (Ukraine) are doing that without air superiority, they're doing it without certain advantages that a military would want to have. Ukraine war latest: Ukraine liberates 2 more villages; Zelensky says rain makes task harder Key developments on June 12: * Ukrainian military confirms liberation of Storozheve, Novodarivka * Russia preparing evacuations, sabotage in Crimea * 10 dead, 42 missing due to Kakhovka Dam disaster * Russian attacks kill 5, injure 21 over June 11-12 Ukraines military confirmed another two vi The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek The information front In this first week of the counteroffensive, social media has been flooded with a flurry of images and videos, which threaten to quickly and inaccurately shape perception of how the operation is going on both sides. On the Ukrainian side, photos of soldiers posing with Ukrainian flags in newly-liberated settlements, as well as the traditional drone footage of strikes on enemy armored vehicles, provide hope, whilst the images spread by Russian sources of destroyed Leopards and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles feed a narrative of the failure of Western equipment to break through Russian lines. So far, in a manner similar to Ukraines counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in September, the earliest available information on Ukrianian attacks has mostly come from Russian milblogger Telegram channels. These channels are run by individuals, some of which are connected to official Russian media outlets and others who are more independent commentators. All are openly pro-war, but have built a reputation of reporting on front-line developments more honestly and accurately than the official Kremlin line. Photo and video material posted of the battles in question, both by Russian milbloggers and by the social media channels of Ukrainian brigades, are then usually examined and verified by members of the open-source intelligence (OSINT) community. A photo posted on Russian social media channels on July 8, 2023, purporting to show several Western-built Ukrainian armored vehicles destroyed in a failed attack near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. (Photo: Telegram) Ukraines military, specifically Maliar, has confirmed the liberation of settlements by Ukrainian forces not long after they have occured, but beyond that, has maintained a policy of overall silence. A video posted on June 11 by Ukrainian military intelligence showed the agencys chief Kyrylo Budanov staring silently into the camera for thirty seconds, before the text To be continued Plans love silence came on screen. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin came out unexpectedly early to comment on the Ukrainian counteroffensive, saying on June 9 that Ukrainian forces had not achieved any of their aims in their attacks. According to political scientist Aleksandar Djokic, Putins surprise commentary is evidence that he has been assured by his military, led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valerii Gerasimov, that everything is under control. This means that the army leadership takes full responsibility for what happens next, Djokic wrote on Twitter. They will be scapegoated if Ukraine reaches even a moderate success. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 11 Russias destruction of Ukrainian dam, and catastrophic flood it caused Episode #11 of our weekly video podcast This Week in Ukraine is dedicated to Russias destruction of Ukraines Kakhovka dam, and the catastrophic flood it caused. Host Anastasiia Lapatina is joined by the Kyiv Independent reporter Igor Kossov. Listen to the audio version of the podcast on Apple, The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina Velyka Novosilka Of Kyivs two attacks along the southern line, it is in the eastern sector around Velyka Novosilka where Ukrainian forces have made significant gains as of June 13. Reports from both sides show Ukrainian units successfully pushing directly south of the front-line town, along both banks of the Mokri Yaly River. Though some Russian sources initially claimed successful counterattacks around Makarivka, the liberation of the village was confirmed by Ukraines 35th Marine Brigade on the morning of June 13. A few kilometers west of the river, Ukraine also reported to have liberated the village of Novodarivka, with reports that Kyiv had also taken neighboring Rivnopil. The next targets in Ukraines path look to be the twin settlements of Staromaiorske and Urozhaine, where Russian milblogger Semen Pegov, better known as WarGonzo, reported on the morning of June 13 that fighting was ongoing. A screenshot from drone footage released on June 13, 2023, by Ukraine's 35th Marine Brigade allegedly depicting the brigade's liberation of the village of Makarivka in Donetsk Oblast. (Photo: 35th Marine Brigade/Facebook) Ukraines advances in this area have been significant, but by all accounts, they have yet to reach the main line of prepared Russian defenses, which will likely prove a greater challenge. Analysis of satellite imagery of recently-built Russian fortifications on the southern front line shows the main line of Russian defense starting around 12 kilometers further down the Mokri Yaly, around the village of Heorhiivka. Once this line is reached, according to Lee, the real test for Ukraines prospects of making a breakthrough will begin. It appears the Russian forces are defending pretty competently so far, but it's really hard to measure the attrition component, he said. I think what Russia wants to do is to attrit Ukrainian units as much as possible as they advance to the main defensive line so that they don't have enough forces to breach it once they arrive. On Ukraines southern front line, tension reigns before decisive counteroffensive 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 dr The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Orikhiv Several days after Ukrainian forces first advanced near Velyka Novosilka, a separate offensive was reported further west in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, pushing south from the front-line town of Orikhiv. An offensive in this sector, aiming towards the occupied cities of Tokmak and Melitopol, has long been touted as the area in which a Ukrainian counteroffensive could make the most strategic gains, being the shortest and most straightforward path towards cutting off Russian forces land connection to occupied Crimea. Given these expectations, this area is also where Russian fortifications are assessed to be their strongest, with several defensive lines consisting of minefields, lines of dragons teeth, and large anti-vehicle trenches, while key settlements like Tokmak are surrounded on all sides by more trenches. It was from this attack, geolocated to a field just eight kilometers south of Orikhiv, that grim pictures were posted by Russian sources showing several German-built Leopard 2 tanks, American M2 Bradleys, and Leopard 2R breaching vehicles lying destroyed in the field. Ukrainian soldiers of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade examine drone footage of Russian defensive lines on May 25, 2023. (Photo: Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) According to Lee and other independent analysts, the appearance of equipment like the Leopards and Bradleys is proof that Ukraine has sent in at least some of its newly-prepared brigades, many of which boast Western equipment and NATO-trained personnel. The 47th Brigade which was in the Orikhiv area, they have the Bradleys and the Leopards; they have good equipment, they have a lot of breaching equipment, said Lee. Based on the equipment they are using, I don't think this is a feint, I think this is a real attempt, but it was an attempt at a very difficult part of the front. From this one failed attempt alone, it is still too early to say whether or not Ukraine will launch fresh attacks south of Orikhiv. It made sense to try and advance in different directions of the front, and not all those were going to be successful, added Lee. It makes sense that when they do have success for the Ukrainians to exploit that and to back it with more resources. 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 Bakhmut As Ukraine strikes in the south, counterattacks are also continuing at the site of the fiercest fighting of the war, around the city of Bakhmut. According to Maliar, Ukrainian forces have advanced a total of 3.5 kilometers on the right (southern) flank of Bakhmut and 1.5 kilometers on the left (northern) flank over the last week. These attacks have been ongoing for more than a month, starting before Russian forces led by the Wagner mercenary group had even completed the capture of Bakhmut itself. At the peak of the conflict between Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian regular forces which had recently taken control of positions on the flanks of the city were reported to have fled in the face of Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukrainian servicemen of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" fire a rocket from a BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on June 13, 2023. (Photo: Anatolii Stepanov / AFP via Getty Images) So far, Ukrainian gains continue to be led by the brigades already stationed in the area. On the southern flank, advances have been spearheaded by the Third Assault Brigade, which was established in November last year from units of the the Azov Special Operations Forces. Active on social media, the brigade and its service members continue to post videos of allegedly successful assaults towards the town of Klishchiivka to the southwest of Bakhmut. Meanwhile on the northern flank, Pegov wrote on June 12 that Ukrainian forces had reached the village of Berkhivka just four kilometers north of Bakhmut, and were actively assaulting it. The site of very slow grinding Russian advances for over a year, the area around Bakhmut does not present the same opportunities for a strategic Ukrainian breakthrough as the southern front does, though in turn, it is less fortified. Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said back on May 21 that Ukrainian forces were approaching the tactical encirclement of Bakhmut. For Moscow, inching to the last streets of Bakhmut was Russias only major victory since summer last year, and losing it immediately would be seen as a major embarrassment for the military, to whom Prigozhin left the city when he pulled Wagner troops out in early June. 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 A question of commitment Ukraines attacks along the southern front line have signaled the beginning of the counteroffensive, but the peak of its intensity could still be weeks away. In a June 11 article entitled Think Ukraines Offensive Has Started? Wait for the Heavy Brigades, retired U.S. Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges emphasized the fact that most of Ukraines well-armed reserve force has not yet appeared on the battlefield. The photos that we saw from the Orikhiv axis, that was a company-sized element, maybe two companies of vehicles they lost, said Lee, and Ukraine built nine new brigades, plus some other National Guard brigades and other units in reverse. It's a small fraction of the entire force, it's important to keep in perspective that just because you have some tactical reverses does not mean the counteroffensive has failed, he added. A Ukrainian soldier of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade looks out towards no man's land from a front-line position in southeastern Ukraine on May 25, 2023. (Photo: Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) For now, Kyiv is still holding the bulk of the force back, waiting to commit it to a certain axis of attack judged by early attacks to be the most favorable. If Ukraine sees Russian reserves being moved from one part of the front to another, maybe they will decide to commit elsewhere, said Lee. If Russia commits reserves elsewhere, that might leave them vulnerable in another area, and might lead Ukraine to a different direction of advance. The choice to commit is one of incredibly high stakes. The more forces committed to a Ukrainian offensive push, the better chance of achieving the kind of breakthrough required, but the more painful and costly defeat will be if Russian fortified lines hold firm. Inside assault training in Donbas: If you want to survive learn Editors Note: Soldiers in the story are introduced by their first names for security reasons amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. DONETSK OBLAST Soldiers from Ukraines 24th Mechanized Brigade listened closely to the instructors as they practiced assault tactics before using them on the battlefiel The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima It is unknown exactly when the decision to commit will be made, but when the time comes, according to Lee, the signs on the battlefield will be clear. At some point they'll commit the rest of their reserves, I don't know when. There might be certain conditions that they are waiting for that aren't clear to us, he said. In many cases, we've seen Ukraine conduct open warfare once sufficient attrition has happened to Russian forces. Right now we are seeing a lot of fighting, a lot of Ukrainian artillery strikes; maybe at some point, this weakens or degrades Russian units enough that the conditions for advancing in a particular direction will appear. Only once this point is reached, when a large Ukrainian force likely consisting of at least half a dozen brigades is seen assaulting Russias main defensive line, can early conclusions be made about the success of the ongoing counteroffensive. This offensive is going to be going on for weeks and months, and it is too early to say how it will pan out. Note from the author: Hi, this is Francis Farrell, the author of this early analysis of Ukraine's much-awaited counteroffensive. At the Kyiv Independent and all over Ukraine, we had all been waiting for this counteroffensive to start, understanding why success is crucial for Ukraine's future. Whatever the outcome though, we are not going anywhere. Please consider supporting our reporting. Putin threatens to seize more of Ukraine to block attacks on border regions Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks during a meeting with Russian war correspondents who cover a special military operation at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory a threat with questionable credibility because the Kremlin lacks full control over areas it already annexed. In some of his most detailed remarks about the war in months, the Russian leader also asserted that Ukrainian forces had suffered catastrophic losses in a new counteroffensive, and he said he was not contemplating a new troop mobilization, as many Russians have feared. But he did not rule out another troop call-up later. And he reiterated Russias claim that Ukraine was responsible for blowing up a Dnieper River dam that caused vast flooding on both sides of the front line last week in the country's south. Putin's comments at an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers followed Kyiv's claims that Ukrainian troops had captured a handful of villages in the early stages of the counteroffensive as they seek to push Russian troops out of four regions of Ukraine the Kremlin illegally annexed last fall. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, came after Russian missile strikes in central Ukraine killed at least 11 people overnight. Putin said Ukraine's counteroffensive has been unsuccessful. He asserted that Ukraine lost 160 tanks and over 360 other armored vehicles, while Russia lost 54 tanks since the new assault began. Those claims could not be immediately verified. Ukrainian officials typically do not comment on losses. The White House offered no immediate reaction to Putins claims. A U.S. official familiar with American intelligence said Putins comments were not accurate and cautioned against putting any stock in Russias public assessments. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to offer an internal assessment, did not detail how Putins claims were misleading. Referring to alleged Ukrainian incursions into Russia and shelling of border regions, Putin said he was considering whether to create on Ukrainian territory a kind of sanitary zone at such a distance from which it would be impossible to get our territory. It was not clear whether Russia which failed to capture Kyiv and its surroundings early in the war and later had to give up other territory it had captured, even in annexed areas could afford to risk expanding its gains in Ukraine while trying to repel the evolving counteroffensive in several sectors of the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. In recent weeks, Russias border areas have come under increasing attack, with the Kremlin blaming Ukrainian forces for incursions of fighters and drone strikes. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed Kyivs involvement in the attacks but have obliquely welcomed them. Russian volunteer units sympathizing with Ukraine have claimed responsibility for the incursions. Local leaders in Russia have pleaded with the Kremlin to do more to protect residents, some of whom have been evacuated to safer areas. Putin acknowledged that Russian authorities should have foreseen and prepared to stop such attacks. Earlier in the war, the border was better protected because Russia held more adjacent Ukrainian territory, but Kremlin forces withdrew from much of it last fall under the brunt of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Putin's long meeting with military bloggers, along with war correspondents from traditional news media, was a dramatic acknowledgement of their importance in conveying the Kremlins viewpoint. In other remarks, Putin also said: Russias defense industry has ratcheted up production of drones and other weapons but needs more, and the West is also struggling to produce more weapons and ammunition. Russia might pull out of a U.N.-backed deal to allow grain shipments from Ukraine through a demilitarized Black Sea maritime corridor. The United States could stop the war by halting weapons shipments to Ukraine, leaving it too weak to carry on the fight. The West will eventually realize it wont succeed in Ukraine. They will never see it happen. Never. While Putin spoke, the State Department announced that the United States would send Ukraine a new military aid package worth up to $325 million, including a range of rockets, missiles and other munitions. Putin mocked alleged Ukrainian battlefield losses, including of high-tech Western equipment Kyiv has received. He said German-made Leopard battle tanks and U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are burning really well. Earlier Tuesday, his defense ministry published a video showing what it said was a Leopard 2 tank and a Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, Russian soldiers shot the video after fierce fighting in Zaporizhzhia. It was not immediately possible to verify the videos authenticity. Ukrainian officials have been nearly as forceful as Putin in vowing to win the war, with Zelenskyy insisting his people will not relent until all of Ukraine is liberated from Russian control. Contrasting with Putin's dim view of Ukraine's progress in its counteroffensive, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told President Joe Biden on Tuesday that Ukrainians are making progress," and that could bolster their position in any peace talks. Its still early days, but what we do know is that the more land that Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table, Stoltenberg said at a White House meeting. Also Tuesday, Ukraines deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, told Ukrainian TV that the country's forces are continuing the offensive in four areas in the south and east. The head of Ukraines ground troops said forces were moving forward outside Bakhmut, in Ukraines east. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks. Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities said at least 11 people were killed and 36 wounded overnight in a Russian missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown. Images from the latest missile attack relayed by Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling a blaze as flames poked through broken windows in a damaged apartment building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. Without providing details of the locations or timing, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces used long-range air-launched cruise missiles to hit Ukrainian military reserves and depots holding Western weapons and ammunition. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, wrote on Telegram that the bodies of seven people were recovered from a private company's warehouse, and another four destinies were cut short" at the apartment building. ___ Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Patriot Missile System Ukraine Raytheon, the main contractor of the Patriot air defense system, has announced it plans to deliver five more of them to Ukraine by the end of next year. So far, Ukraine has received two Patriot batteries, one from the U.S. and one from Germany (consisting of German and Dutch components), to bolster its air defenses. The Netherlands agreed in January to also supply a pair of Patriot launcher components. The announcement from Raytheon represents a drastic expansion of air defense capability for the embattled nation. Five additional Patriot systems would provide at least some form of defensive coverage against various types of aerial threats over most of the country, especially around key population centers. It would also provide valuable redundancy. That Raytheon intends to increase its supply of additional Patriots to Ukraine was first revealed by the companys Chief Executive Greg Hayes to the Wall Street Journal. Hayes also indicated to the paper the overall production rate of Patriot will ramp up to 12 systems annually. According to the company, it has built and delivered more than 240 of the systems to date. Patriots are not cheap, with a single complete system costing around $400 million. That's not including interceptors, which can push the total price tag to over $1 billion. Moreover, new customers have to wait more than two years for the system to be built by Raytheon, according to the WSJ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG5EysBBwoE We have been very surprised at its effectiveness, Hayes said of the Patriot's performance in Ukraine to the WSJ. Along with other air-defense systems, the Patriot has intercepted as many as 90% of incoming threats in Ukraine, Haynes told the paper. He also noted that Ukraine has adapted the systems software to enable it to track and destroy missiles with hypersonic performance, flying twice as fast as it was designed for. The WSJ further indicates that Raytheon and Lockheed Martin manufacturer of PAC-3 interceptors used with the latest Patriot variants are expanding their plants as part of a broader effort by the Pentagon to replenish U.S. munitions stockpiles in light of donations to Ukraine and to meet fresh demand. According to Brenda Davidson, vice president of the PAC-3 program, Lockheed Martin is turning to users and customers of the Patriot such as Poland to produce more parts in light of this growing demand, the paper reveals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU9C2iLm764 That the Patriot would add a valuable anti-ballistic missile capability in conjunction with PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraines arsenal was noted by The War Zone long before the first system was delivered to the country earlier this year. Since then, the system has been used for shootdowns of Russian Iskander short-range ballistic missiles and examples of the Kinzhal air-launched derivative. Although with only two batteries supplied so far, the defense provided by donated Patriots remains localized to the Kyiv region. On May 16, for example, one of Ukraines Patriot batteries defending Kyiv detected more than a dozen incoming Russian missiles including six Kinzhals, at a distance of about 125 miles, the WSJ notes. The system destroyed all of them, the last at a distance of about 9 miles. No one was 100% sure that the Patriot was capable of destroying a [Kinzhal] hypersonic missile, said Col. Serhiy Yaremenko, commander of the 96th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which defends Kyiv. Ukrainians proved it, the paper reports. It should also be noted that Ukraine's Patriots have also been providing important additional long-range air defense capacity against air-breathing threats, such as cruise missiles and drones. Patriot batteries have remained high on the wish list for Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who recently called for a Patriot coalition until Western fighter jets can be delivered to the country. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1664177574417776642?s=20 Zelenskyy has continued to push for more Patriot batteries, stating recently: When Patriots in the hands of Ukrainians ensure a 100% interception rate of any Russian missile, terror will be defeated, he noted in a nightly address at the end of May. As part of its latest arms package for Ukraine, the Biden administration confirmed that additional munitions for Patriot air defenses would be supplied to Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine's Patriot systems have become high-value targets for Russia, something we have long made clear would happen. This is due to their extreme operational value, high cost, and because of what they symbolize in terms of U.S. and allied support for Ukraine. They are also relatively easy to target, although destroying them is another matter. Under normal circumstances, their radars emit a massive electromagnetic signature that can be easily detected and geolocated, and, owing to their distributed components, detecting a battery via other surveillance means usually isn't a huge challenge. The semi-static nature of the system also means it isn't that mobile. Russia has repeatedly targeted Patriot systems in Ukraine, including attacking them with Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. A Patriot battery arranged at an airport in Texas during a training exercise. Reader submission Patriot, which is actually a forced acronym standing for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept, is America's primary long-range surface-to-air missile system. A typical Patriot battery consists of an AN/MPQ-65 multi-function phased array radar, and requisite fire control, communications, and other support components, as well as up to eight trailer-mounted launchers. The latest variant of the Patriot system can be used to launch the entire family of Patriot missiles, including PAC-3 interceptors. The Army test fires a Patriot missile in a test. U.S. Army photo Development of the Patriot began in the early 1960s, and the system was first used in combat during the 1991 Gulf War. Since then, the system has become highly sought after particularly for defense against shorter-ranged ballistic missiles. Improvements over the past four decades have seen the systems customer base blossom to 18 countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, and most recently, Switzerland. Patriot batteries have been extremely active in recent years in the Saudi-Yemen conflict, with many of the multi-million dollar interceptors being spent on incoming drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. One misconception is that the U.S. and its allies have many of these systems laying around. They really do not. They are prized capabilities that often have to get rationed based on the threats emanating from different hot spots. You can read more about this reality here. The degradation in the geopolitical status quo around the globe has only made these systems and their high-tech interceptors in much higher demand, hence Raytheon moving to up production in an attempt to meet it. Clearly, the news of more Patriot systems heading to Ukraine can only be good news for those coordinating Ukraines military response to Russia's all-out invasion of the country. Yet the gap between now and the end of 2024 is a large one for Ukraine. We'll have to see if the U.S. and its allies attempt to temporarily plug it with additional systems. Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com Ukrainian servicemen of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" fire a rocket from a BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region - ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP Ukrainian forces advanced up to one kilometre overnight in Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region, officials said, as Kyiv steps up its counter-offensive. Andrii Kovalov, spokesman for the Ukrainian General Staff, said during a live broadcast on Tuesday: As part of the offensive, the troops of the strike group of the Ukrainian Defence Forces advanced by 500 metres to 1 kilometre on the Berdyansk front over the past 24 hours. Elsewhere, Ukrainian troops advanced 250 metres near the Berkhiv reservoir in Bakhmut and 200 metres on the Toretsk front, both in the Donetsk region, according to deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar writing on Telegram on Tuesday morning. Kyiv has claimed to have retaken four villages from Russian forces in the last week in the Donetsk region of Ukraine as their long-anticipated counter-offensive began, with Ukrainian forces reportedly favouring night attacks where their superior Western equipment gives them the edge. 03:00 PM Today's liveblog is now closed Thanks for following todays liveblog. Here are the days top stories: A top Russian general leading troops in southern Ukraine has been killed in a missile strike, pro-Russian military bloggers have said. Major General Sergei Goryachev, the chief of staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, was reportedly killed on June 12 amid heavy fighting around the so-called Vremivka Ledge region in southern Donetsk. Russia launched a massive missile attack overnight on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, President Zelenskys hometown, killing eleven people. The US is expected to provide depleted-uranium rounds to Ukraine to equip the Abrams tanks that Washington is to send to Kyiv. A senior official in the Biden administration told The Wall Street Journal that there appeared to be no major obstacles to approving the ammunition. The FSB security service has arrested a group of former defence industry workers suspected of supplying Ukraine with sensitive military information and planning sabotage attacks. Ukrainian forces advanced up to one kilometre overnight in Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region, officials said, as Kyiv steps up its counter-offensive. Elsewhere, Ukrainian troops advanced 250 metres near the Berkhiv reservoir in Bakhmut and 200 metres on the Toretsk front, both in the Donetsk region, according to deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar. We will be back tomorrow with all the latest updates on Ukraine 02:47 PM NATO chief says Ukraine offensive could force Kremlin to negotiate NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraines counter-offensive to liberate swaths of Russian-occupied territory could force the Kremlin to negotiate. Mr Stoltenberg spoke to CNN ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, and said it was still early days for the Ukrainian offensive, which he described as difficult. He added: The more land they gain, the more likely it is that President Putin will understand that he has to sit down at the negotiating table and agree to a just and enduring peace in Ukraine. 02:34 PM Top Russian general killed in missile strike A top Russian general leading troops in southern Ukraine has been killed in a missile strike, pro-Russian military bloggers have said. Major General Sergei Goryachev, the chief of staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, was reportedly killed on June 12 amid heavy fighting around the so-called Vremivka Ledge region in southern Donetsk, where Ukraine has liberated four villages in their counter-offensive. Goryachev, who is at least the fifth high-ranking Russian general to die in Ukraine, had previously served in Transnistria, the self-declared militarised region of Moldova, and Tajikistan. Major General Sergey Goryachev, 52, has reportedly been killed by the Ukrainian Army - east2west news/east2west news 02:21 PM France prevented attack on government website likely carried out by Russian individuals France prevented a cyber attack on its foreign ministry website that was likely carried out by Russian or Russian-speaking individuals, the countrys foreign minister said. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that authorities had prevented an attempted identity hacking of the website and that France believed that there was a broader campaign of spreading disinformation in the country from Russian parties. 02:00 PM Pictured: A rescuer carries a cat out from a residential building damaged by Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih A rescuer carries a cat out from a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region - ALINA SMUTKO/REUTERS 01:40 PM Zelensky adviser: Russian invasion is 'a great opportunity for many European countries to rearm themselves profitably' An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russias invasion of Ukraine has become a great opportunity for European countries to rearm themselves profitably by [giving] away obsolete weapons and [getting] new models of equipment at the expense of strategic partners as he called for allies to send more of their weapons. Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter: Today, the hangars of many countries are filled with modern military equipment that is covered with dust and is not planned to be used. Question. If Russia is the main strategic doctrinal threat to Europe and the war with Russia is going on in Ukraine today... why do you need so many weapons right now? With whom else do you plan to fight on this continent in the 21st century? Wouldnt it be better to transfer as many weapons as possible directly to the battlefield and pacify the aggresser here and now? 01:19 PM In pictures: War in Ukraine Ukrainian servicemen of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" fire a rocket from a BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions, near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region - ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP A destroyed Ukrainian tank near Vremivka, near the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine in undated footage - @mod_russia/Newsflash/@mod_russia/Newsflash 12:57 PM Zelensky: 'We live in a time when our freedom depends on all of us' We live in a time when our freedom depends on all of us, when the world should know the full truth about every crime against freedom in one part of the world so that freedom can be preserved everywhere. pic.twitter.com/3V5beMVMno (@ZelenskyyUa) June 13, 2023 12:46 PM Wagner chief 'not sure' whether his fighters will remain in Ukraine The head of the Wagner mercenary group has said he is not sure whether Wagner would stay in Ukraine after having taken Bakhmut. Yevgeny Prigozhins forces spearheaded the campaign in the front-line city, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Wagner mercenaries have been active in Africa and the Middle East in the past and maintain some contracts there. 12:33 PM Watch: Russia releases footage allegedly showing 'trophy' abandoned western tanks 12:07 PM Priest killed in Russian shelling A 72-year-old priest has been killed in the Ukrainian settlement of Bilozerka in the Kherson region as a result of Russian shelling, the head of the Ukrainian presidents office said. Andriy Yermak said that artillery fire struck the courtyard of a church, also injuring a 76-year-old woman. The shelling also damaged the local post office, administrative buildings, the central square and four residential buildings, he added. 11:51 AM Seventeen dead following breach of Nova Kakhovka dam, says Russian official The number of those who have died following flooding in two Russian-controlled towns in southern Ukraine after the Nova Kakhovka dam was breached has risen to 17, a Russian-installed official said on Tuesday, The dam burst last Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in southern Ukraine without access to drinking water. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately bringing down the structure with explosives. Russia has blamed Kyiv for the attack. Chairman of the Russian-installed administration in the Kherson region, Andrei Alekseyenko, said that there were 12 people confirmed dead in Hola Prystan and another five in Oleshky. The figures have not been independently verified. 11:39 AM Death toll in Kryvyi Rih missile strike reaches ten At least ten people have been killed in the central city of Kryvyi Rih following a Russian missile strike overnight, the citys mayor has said. Oleksandr Vilkul said on Telegram on Tuesday: As of 1300 (1000 GMT) 10 people have been killed. He added that another person was trapped under the rubble and a further 28 people were wounded. A five-storey residential building was struck and was set alight, and footage on social media showed rescuers putting out the fire. Emergency workers inspect a damaged multi-storey apartment building caused by the latest rocket Russian attack in Kryvyi Rih - Andriy Dubchak/AP 11:20 AM US expected to send depleted-uranium rounds to Ukraine The US is expected to provide depleted-uranium rounds to Ukraine to equip the Abrams tanks that Washington is to send to Kyiv. A senior official in the Biden administration told The Wall Street Journal that there appeared to be no major obstacles to approving the ammunition, which is regularly used by the US Army. When fired at a high rate of speed, the rounds can penetrate the frontal armour of a Russian tank from a distance. Some officials at the White House expressed concern that the US could be criticised for supplying a weapon which may carry health and environmental risks if it did send the ammunition. according to the newspaper. The White House agreed to provide Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks in January, and Ukrainian personnel are currently being trained on how to operate and maintain them, as the tanks are to be delivered by the autumn. 10:57 AM FSB arrests former defence industry workers suspected of supplying sensitive material to Ukraine The FSB security service has arrested a group of former defence industry workers suspected of supplying Ukraine with sensitive military information and planning sabotage attacks. The Russian security service accused the former employees, who have not been named, of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and of handing over technical documents and models used in the manufacture of weapons systems and equipment for the countrys air force. The FSB also claimed in a statement that it was the same group which was involved in plans to blow up transport infrastructure, such as railway lines used to supply Russian forces in Ukraine. 10:42 AM Lukashenko says there should be 'no hestitation' in using nuclear weapons if required Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has said that there should be no hesitation in using the tactical nuclear weapons Russia is to deploy in the country if required, saying that they would serve as a deterrent against a potential aggressor. Belta state news agency reported that he made the comments on Tuesday, after President Vladimir Putin said last Friday that Russia will begin to deploy the weapons in Belarus once special storage facilities are ready, on July 7-8. 10:16 AM Ukraine eyes Australian F-18s to boost air capabilities in war Ukraine has asked Australia about the condition of an estimated 41 retired F-18 fighter jets, the countrys ambassador has said. Vasyl Myroshnychenko told news agency AFP that there has been a request for information about the jets, stored at an air base north of Sydney. Ukraine is looking at fighter jet capabilities, including this one, he added. Ukraines interest in Australias planes is the first time that F-18s have been publicly discussed, as several Western countries have discussed supplying F-16 jets to Ukraine. A deal would require the diplomatic and logistical cooperation of Kyiv, Canberra and Washington. Robert Potter, an Australian who advises the Ukrainian government, told AFP: The specifics of any potential deal are not yet finalised. There are multiple formal approvals required to conclude a procurement of these planes but it is likely an idea whose time has come. 09:47 AM In pictures: Kryvyi Rih missile strike People outside a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region - ALINA SMUTKO/REUTERS Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region - DNIPROPETROVSK REGIONAL MILITARY ADMINISTRATION/via REUTERS 09:34 AM The stealth strategy giving Ukraine the edge in counter-offensive Ukrainian forces are taking advantage of Western-supplied night-vision equipment to attack under the cover of darkness, seizing villages and territory, Roland Oliphant and Joe Barnes report. Kyiv has launched repeated night-time assaults since its counter-offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region began a week ago, triggering alarm among Russian war correspondents reporting the losses. On Monday morning, Ukraine claimed to have captured Storozhov, a village near Velyka Novosilka. It came a day after it claimed to have liberated the villages of Neskuchny and Blahodatne and Makarivka, in the same area. Read more on this story here. 09:20 AM Nova Kakhova dam breach will have 'huge impact on global food security', says UN official The breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam will have a huge impact on global food security, the United Nations aid chief has said. Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary General for humanitarian affairs and its emergency relief coordinator, told the BBC: This is a breadbasket - that whole area going down towards the Black Sea and Crimea is a breadbasket not only for Ukraine but also for the world. Were in difficulties already on food security but food prices, Im sure, are bound to increase. He added: It is almost inevitable that we are going to see huge, huge problems in harvesting and sowing for the next harvest. And so what we are going to see is a huge impact on global food security - thats whats going to happen. The dam in the Kakhovka Reservoir burst last Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in southern Ukraine without access to drinking water. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately bringing down the structure with explosives. Russia has blamed Kyiv for the attack. 09:01 AM Russian oil refinery catches fire in Krasnodar An oil refinery in Russias Krasnodar region caught fire on Tuesday as a result of a technical fault with flaring equipment, RIA Novosti state news agency said. The fire has since been extinguished, according to a local emergency task force, and RIA reported that the refinery was operating as normal. The Krasnodar region is located in southern Russia and is close to Crimea. Oil refineries and energy facilities in southern Russia have regularly been the target of drone attacks in recent months, which have often caused fires. The Afipsky and Ilsky refineries were both allegedly attacked by drones last month. 08:42 AM Pictured: Vladimir Putin meets with Russian servicemen injured in the Ukraine war at a military hospital in Moscow Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Russian service members who were injured during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and are currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital, following an awarding ceremony in Moscow - SPUTNIK/via REUTERS 08:27 AM Zelensky says Russia 'will never be forgiven' following Kryvyi Rih strike Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia will be held accountable for every missile they launch after the strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Mr Zelensky shared a video of rescuers working to put out fires in a burning building in the central Ukrainian city, surrounded by destroyed cars, on Twitter on Tuesday morning, and wrote: More terrorist missiles, Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. The rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih continues. My condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones! Russian terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch. 08:08 AM Death toll rises to six in Kryvyi Rih missile strike At least six people have been killed in a Russian missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, the city mayor has said. Oleksandr Vilkul said on the Telegram: Unfortunately, there are already six dead. The rescue operation continues. Mr Vikul had previously said that three people had died and that more were trapped under the rubble of a five-storey apartment building. 07:58 AM Latest MoD update Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 13 June 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/dDR5977XM6 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/d4tdVmJ9fI Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 13, 2023 07:48 AM Watch: Russian missile strike hits Zelensky's hometown Kryvyi Rih 07:47 AM 'Massive' missile attack on Kryvyi Rih overnight Russia launched a massive missile attack overnight on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing and wounding people and damaging civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday. Serhiy Lisak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region where Kryvyi Rih is located, said on the Telegram messaging app that there had been a massive missile attack and that there are dead and wounded. Russian air strikes hit several civilian buildings in the city, including a five-storey building, the mayor of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, said earlier. Likely, there are people under the rubble, Mr Vilkul said on Telegram. A residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region - DNIPROPETROVSK REGIONAL MILITARY ADMINISTRATION/via REUTERS 07:42 AM Good morning Good morning and welcome to todays Ukraine liveblog. We will be guiding you through all the latest updates from Ukraine. 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. M2 Bradley Ukraine The Pentagon tomorrow will announce a new aid package that will include additional Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker Armored Vehicles, a U.S. official tells The War Zone. "I can confirm that the next Presidential Drawdown Package (expected tomorrow) contains roughly two dozen Bradleys and Strykers," a U.S. official said in a statement to The War Zone. The official, confirming earlier reporting by The Voice of America about the types of vehicles to be included, did not know the exact number of each vehicle. https://twitter.com/CarlaBabbVOA/status/1668336289178083328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1668336289178083328%7Ctwgr%5Ed17999398b39d150d70edf672f24b69ce9f8d6a4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Farmor-expert-breaks-down-ukraines-loss-of-bradleys-during-breaching-operation The news about the additional donated armor vehicles comes as the open source tracking group Oryx said that Ukraine has lost 16 Bradleys so far in its counteroffensive. The group, which only tabulates vehicles for which is can visually confirm, does not mention Strykers damaged or destroyed in its latest assessment. You can read much more about how Ukrainian troops performed in breaching operation that led to a bulk of the destroyed Bradleys in our story here. To date, the U.S. has donated 109 M2A2-ODS Bradley variants and four B-FIST variants as well as as 90 Strykers. Before we head into the latest news from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here. The Latest Despite fierce resistance, Ukrainian forces continue to make progress in liberating villages from Russian hands, as part of the ongoing counteroffensive in which fighting is taking place from southern and central Donetsk to Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. As we reported yesterday, Ukrainian troops have captured the settlements of Blagodatnoye and Neskuchnoe, in southeastern Donetsk Oblast as well as around Kamenskoye in north-central Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to both Ukrainian troops and Russian bloggers. Over the past week, Ukrainian forces have advanced four miles (6.5 kilometers), as part of the offensive operation in the Donetsk and Tavriysk areas, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar said Monday on her Telegram channel. In the process, Ukraine has secured around 35 square miles (90 square kilometers) of territory. It has come at a heavy cost, however. https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1668210368496250884?s=20 As well as the aforementioned villages, Lobkove, Levadne, Novodarivka, Storozheve, and Makarivka have reportedly also been liberated since the counteroffensive began, for a total of seven settlements now back in Ukrainian hands. Among these settlements, a video emerged today purportedly showing Ukrainian Marines in the village of Storozheve, as its recapture from Russian forces. Soldiers are seen holding up the Ukrainian flag in the village. The video has been geolocated to Storozheve, although the date it was taken remains unclear. https://twitter.com/armyinformcomua/status/1668142247278256128?s=20 https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1668132655387344897?s=20 According to Maliar, Storozheve was recaptured by the 35th Separate Brigade of Marines, who she thanked, with the following statement: The national flag is flying over Storozheve again, and it will be the same with every settlement until we liberate all Ukrainian land. Thank you Rear Adm. Mykhailo Ostrogradskyi, 35th Separate Brigade of Marines. https://twitter.com/JulianRoepcke/status/1668219658976079875?s=20 There have also been Ukrainian reports of an unsuccessful Russian counterattack today that attempted to retake Storozheve, apparently shown in the video below. According to the Ukrainian account, The occupiers broke through to the village in four combat vehicles but were destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ83bBtnZpc https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1668199677861191680?s=20 Other videos purport to show Ukrainian troops raising the national flag in Blagodatnoye, while troops from one brigade filmed themselves with their units banner in Neskuchnoe. https://twitter.com/hotakasudzuki/status/1667864990294867970?s=20 https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1667920821300371458?s=20 According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, over the last few days, the countrys troops have been involved in 25 separate battles, mainly in the Donetsk region. These have been centered primarily around the eastern city of Bakhmut, further south toward Avdiivka and Maryinka, as well as Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1668279928968577028?s=20 The recapture of Novodarivka has meanwhile been reported by the U.S think tank the Institute for the Study of War and by Sky News, which stated: The fifth [recaptured village] has now been corroborated by the Zaporizhzhia separate territorial defense brigade, which said they had taken Novodarivka. Numerous attempts by the enemy to return the settlement under control, which lasted several days, were unsuccessful, the Zaporizhzhia separate territorial defense brigade said. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1668406972884951040?s=20 Once again, we cannot independently verify the other claims and a degree of skepticism is required. On the other hand, the advances made by Ukrainian forces generally seem to be reflected in accounts from pro-Russian bloggers. As a result of night battles, Russian troops were forced to retreat from Makarovka, the Kremlin-connected Rybar Telegram channel reported. But according to the Archangel of the Special Forces, clashes in the village have resumed at the moment, Russian soldiers are cleaning up the village. Russian troops firmly hold on to positions in Urozhaynoye: despite the statements of the enemy, the village is under the confident control of the [Russian] Armed Forces. Levadne and Novodarovka are still in the gray zone, Rybar reported. Ukrainian formations are making holes in minefields and preparing for further advance. The units are being attacked by Russian troops. But bad weather and the consequences of the destruction of the dam on the Wet Yaly River complicate the use of heavy equipment, according to Rybar. And there are situational problems with the use of drones, army and tactical aviation. But the Ukrainian formations cannot completely cut off the Vremievsky ledge: Russian units retreat, inflict fire damage on their own positions, where the enemy enters, and then counterattack. Meanwhile, reinforcements are being transferred from other regions of Ukraine to the Zaporizhzhia and Soledar directions. The Institute for the Study of War has said that Ukrainian forces have made visually verified advances in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions and that Russian sources confirmed but sought to downplay those advances. The next village in the sights of the Ukrainians could well be Urozhaine, at least according to the predictions of Russian military bloggers. Some reports suggest that the village may already have been recaptured by Ukrainian forces. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1668203525166231552?s=20 Clearly, however, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have suffered some heavy losses as they push to recapture territory. One recent photo claims to show three out of the six Leopard 2R mine-clearing tanks donated to Ukraine by Finland lying abandoned in a field, reportedly in the Zaporizhia region. Other vehicles similarly knocked out or abandoned nearby include examples of the Leopard 2A6 main battle tank, M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, Bergepanzer armored recovery vehicle, and an M1224 MaxxPro mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle. There is some debate as to the veracity of the image although we can't conclusively confirm its authenticity at this time, video from which it was pulled has emerged as well. https://twitter.com/J_JHelin/status/1668011450290393088?s=20 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1668008852787175424?s=20 https://twitter.com/FunkerActual/status/1668353573497757703?s=20 Losses of examples of the prized Leopard 2 tanks in the counteroffensive have reportedly led to an official Ukrainian call for more of these vehicles to be supplied by Germany, at least according to reports. And, in what may well be a first from the conflict, Ukraine has released a brief video showing one of its Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks in combat, reportedly in the Zaporizhzhia region. The footage was apparently captured using a GoPro camera mounted on the turret and reveals the tank shooting its main gun as well as deploying smoke grenades. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7h6JrNdfgY This video reportedly shows a convoy of Ukrainian troops heading toward the front somewhere in the east of the country: https://twitter.com/2uwmp/status/1667982832923205637?s=20 Other recently noted Ukrainian losses include this Humvee, which ran over a mine during an apparent assault on Russian positions in eastern Ukraine. Reportedly, the crew of the vehicle survived. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1668213965510287362?s=20 On the other hand, not all targets destroyed by the Russian Armed Forces are exactly as they seem. Case in point, the highly accurate replica of a 2S1 self-propelled artillery piece, seen below, which was reportedly knocked out by a Russian Lancet loitering munition. https://twitter.com/AlexRaptor94/status/1668331980583493634?s=20 There are also signs that Ukraine is using other types of Western-supplied equipment in the counteroffensive, although the H225M Super Puma helicopters seen in the video below were ordered before the Russian invasion. While the date and location of the footage are unclear, its certainly unusual to see four of these rotorcraft in action simultaneously. https://twitter.com/Harry_Boone/status/1668198112752463872?s=20 Speaking today, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was too early to provide any predictions on what would happen next in Ukraines counteroffensive. He did say that Washington was confident that Kyiv would continue to have success in trying to take back its land seized by Russia. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Blinken added that the United States was determined to provide Ukraine with as much support as it could, to achieve success on the battlefield. Blinken described the next U.S. arms package for Ukraine as robust. Its expected to be unveiled at the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania. Russian airstrikes and other bombardments continue amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive. According to Yuri Malashko, the regional governor of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one man was killed, and another was wounded in a Russian attack on the town of Orikhiv. Malashko said that three bombs damaged private houses and communications in the small town, which is only around five miles from the front lines. Despite its proximity to the battle, several hundred residents remain in Orikhiv, according to local officials, although most of the local infrastructure has been put out of action by Russian forces. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1667984878955118597?s=20 Other Russian attacks have been reported in Avdiivka, which was struck twice by rockets this morning, according to Pavlo Kyrylenko, the Ukrainian governor of Donetsk. In the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 50-year-old woman was reported injured as a result of Russian shelling, in the village of Novoselivka. In a post to Telegram, Kyrylenko said: The terrorists hit the city again this morning, at 09.10 am, with two rockets. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties; the wounded are provided with medical assistance in a local hospital. https://twitter.com/Pavlo_Kyrylenko/status/1668186755797794819?s=20 Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up another dam as part of its efforts to blunt the counteroffensive. The dam is along the Mokri Yaly River, in western Donetsk, the area in which Ukrainian forces are said to have made their biggest gains. You can read our full coverage of the incident here. Elsewhere in Europe, NATO today began its largest air exercise since the alliance was established in 1949. Taking place primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, Air Defender 2023 involves around 10,000 soldiers from 25, as well as approximately 250 military aircraft, 70 of them from Germany. Although planning for the exercise began before Russias invasion of Ukraine, the maneuvers have clearly taken on a new significance as a result of the conflict. https://twitter.com/GeneralStaffUA/status/1668293425995579392?s=20 In Moscow, meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin presided over Russias national day today, admitting that now was a difficult time for the country. Tellingly, however, Putin made no direct reference to the Ukrainian counteroffensive or other military developments in that country. Instead, as has become commonplace during such events, Putin appealed to his citizens patriotic pride. This public holiday marks the inseparability of our centuries-old history, the greatness and glory of the fatherland, Putin said, during his address at the Kremlin. https://twitter.com/SpencerGuard/status/1668334087516618752?s=20 Today, at a difficult time for Russia, [feelings of patriotism and pride] unite our society even more strongly [and] serve as a reliable support for our heroes taking part in the special military operation [in Ukraine], Putin added. Putin also hit out at Ukraine, in statements reported by the state-owned TASS news agency. According to the Russian president, Kyiv has been striking at civilian and humanitarian targets with no military value. Why, frankly, is the enemy hitting residential areas? Putin said. No logic. For what, why, whats the point? And obviously humanitarian targets its amazing. And there is no military sense, its zero. https://twitter.com/rusashanews/status/1668283081944363008?s=20 The Russian leader apparently did not provide any examples to back up these claims, although Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of cross-border shelling into Russian border regions, as well as launching drone attacks on targets within Russias borders. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and prime minister, marked Russia Day by posting an edited image to Telegram showing Maidan Square in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, with the Russian flag flying overhead and the words: Independence Square. Coming soon Russia Square. https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1668180063957778433?s=20 On the military side, the Russian Ministry of Defense today confirmed that it had signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, bringing it within defense ministry control. This is in contrast to the Wagner Group private military company, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, yesterday refused to sign a similar contract. Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense had announced that all so-called volunteer units primarily mercenary organizations be brought under defense ministry control by July 1. This means the groups answer directly to Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1668153603112960000?s=20 This is of particular resonance to the Wagner Group, on the back of Prigozhins repeated criticisms leveled at the defense ministry, including its apparent failure to provide sufficient ammunition for his forces. This has led to what amounts to a feud between Prigozhin and Russian defense officials. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1668228782644252674?s=20 The Ukrainian General Staff claims that Russia is banning the use of some of its newly produced artillery because of defects. According to available information, large batches of 122mm and 152mm artillery ammunition of 2023 production are banned for use due to their self-detonation, the Ukrainian General Staff claimed, without offering proof, on its Facebook page Sunday. In addition, the deterioration of the level of provision of the occupiers units with weapons and military equipment is noted. https://twitter.com/pravda_eng/status/1667974983430094849?s=20 Prisoner exchanges between the Russian and Ukrainian sides continue. A video of the latest such exchange was posted to Twitter by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinsky, who also stated: Every time we bring our people back from Russian captivity, we remember our fundamental goal: we will not leave anyone of ours, nothing of Ukraine to the enemy. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1668239309818716162?s=20 Zelinsky said that the latest prisoner exchange saw 95 Ukrainian soldiers return from captivity, which brings the total number of returned Ukrainian PoWs to 2,526. The Ukrainian president added: We remember everyone, we are searching for each and every one of them, and we have to bring them all back. And we will! Meanwhile, prisoners continue to be captured by both sides, with this recent video showing Russian troops now in Ukrainian hands, in what is apparently recent footage from the counter-offensive. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1668272659438739460?s=20 And, on the other side, this video purportedly shows a significant number of Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered to Russian forces near Avdiivka: https://twitter.com/Blackrussiantv/status/1668339333764628480?s=20 Finally, the diversity of Ukrainian wildlife that has shown up on or near the front lines has become a recurring feature of the war. The latest example is almost certainly among the rarest documented so far: a marbled polecat. Listed as a vulnerable species, lets hope this example of the multicolored critter made it safely off the battlefield. https://twitter.com/Lyla_lilas/status/1667459241177669632?s=20 Thats it for now. Well update this story when theres more news to report about Ukraine. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com Key Developments on June 13: Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 11, injures 36 US, UK announce major defense packages for Ukraine Stoltenberg says Ukraine already making gains in counteroffensive Fourteen EU member states provide aid to Ukraine following Kakhovka dam disaster Consequences of Russian ecocide continue to emerge An overnight Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih killed 11 people and injured 36 others, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city's military administration, reported on June 13. According to Vilkul, a five-story residential building, a transport company, a warehouse where drinking water and other beverages were stored, along with other civilian sites were targeted by six Russian missiles. More than 70 residential buildings were also damaged as a result of the missile strike, as well as three schools, three buildings of two other educational institutions, and a dormitory. A total of 400 apartments were damaged, more than 1,300 windows in apartments and entrances were shattered, and the roofs of 10 houses were damaged. Out of the 36 people that were injured, 12 have been hospitalized. Two of them are in extremely severe condition, eight in severe condition, and two others sustained moderate injuries. Additionally, Vilkul said that local residents helped rescue workers evacuate people from burning buildings. A total of 12 people were evacuated from a burning five-story building, including a three-month-old baby. A day of mourning will take place on June 14 in Kryvyi Rih to honor the victims, Vilkul added. Shortage of air defense missiles endangers Ukraines ability to fight off Russian attacks Over last winter, Ukraine successfully withstood Russias months-long campaign targeting energy infrastructure with barrages of missiles and drones. But that achievement came with a cost. Having shot down hundreds of Russian rockets and kamikaze drones since October, Ukraines Air Force is now fac The Kyiv IndependentStanislav Storozhenko US, UK announce major defense aid packages Western allies are continuing to supply Ukraine with the weapons it needs to end Russia's all-out war. The U.S. Defense Department announced a new $325 million defense package for Ukraine on June 13 including armored vehicles, missile launchers, and munitions. According to the press release, the defense aid package includes National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, and over 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades. Citing U.S. officials, the Wall Street Journal wrote on June 13 that the U.S. was also set to finally provide depleted-uranium tank shells to Ukraine. James Heappey, the British minister of state for the armed forces, said in late April that the U.K. had already sent "thousands of rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition to Ukraine, including depleted uranium armor-piercing rounds." Additionally, the U.K. Defense Ministry announced a new air defense package for Ukraine on June 13 worth $115 million. According to the press release, the acquisition of the air defense systems is currently underway through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) and is expected to be completed in the coming months "to bolster Ukraines ability to protect its critical national infrastructure, civilian population, and front-line personnel." The U.K. has also contributed an additional $315 million to the IFU, an allied initiative that also includes Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Lithuania, to provide military support to Ukraine. The latest air defense package will include reconnaissance and strike drones which are expected to be transferred to Ukraine in the summer. Additionally, it was reported that Ukraine will receive over 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany by the end of the ye,ar according to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Editorial: Arming Ukraine wont escalate war. Reluctance to do so will First it was the tanks, now its the fighter jets. As Ukraine braces for another possible major Russian offensive in the upcoming weeks, Western leaders are yet again coming up with a variety of excuses why this time, they cannot justify supplying F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to Ukraine. The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent Stoltenberg: Ukraine already making gains in counteroffensive Ukraine is already gaining ground against Russia, and although the counteroffensive is in its early stages, this shows that military support for Ukraine is vital, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told USA Today on June 12. However, Stoltenberg also emphasized that this was just the beginning of the counteroffensive, meaning it was impossible to draw definitive conclusions on its eventual outcome. "We need to be prepared that this offensive will be bloody and difficult," Stoltenberg said. "The Russians have had time to build they're quite heavy defensive lines, and to breach them is a demanding task. Continuing to supply Ukraine with the weapons it needs on the battlefield is vital in ensuring the counteroffensive's success, according to Stoltenberg. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 10 during a press conference in Kyiv that the counteroffensive was underway. The long-anticipated counteroffensive is widely regarded as a crucial turning point for Ukraine, as it seeks to regain control of its territory from Russia while also avoiding pressure to make concessions to Russia during negotiations. Ukrainian forces have already confirmed the liberation of several villages formerly occupied by Russia in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts, and the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on June 12 that Russian forces were failing to make gains in parts of Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine makes gains 1 week into counteroffensive but decisive battle yet to begin Ukraines large-scale counteroffensive, anticipated for months, spearheaded by new Western tanks and armored vehicles, has finally begun. No longer limited to shaping operations or localized counterattacks, evidence shows the beginning of major Ukrainian offensive pushes to break through fortified The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Fourteen EU member states provide aid to Ukraine following Kakhovka dam disaster Fourteen EU member states and states participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism have provided aid to Ukraine in the wake of the Kakhovka dam disaster, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis reported on June 13. According to Dombrovskis, the aid comprises 76 boats, over 300 water pumps, and over 160,000 shelter items. EU officials were preparing a contingency plan in case Russian forces blew up the dam since it came under Russian occupation, Dombrovskis said. The Kakhovka dam was blown up by Russian forces on June 6, resulting in a mass-scale humanitarian and ecological disaster in Kherson Oblast and other regions of southern Ukraine. In his statement at the European Parliament, Dombrovskis stressed the importance of using frozen Russian funds in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. "It is important to stress that Ukraine's reconstruction should also be financed by Russian assets. The EU is committed to ensuring that Russia is held fully accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine," Dombrovskis said. Kakhovka dam destruction disrupts water, power supply but offers sustainable reset In the early morning of June 6, Russia blew up a major dam in the occupied part of southern Ukraine, causing a humanitarian and ecological crisis. The Kakhovka dam, located on the Dnipro River, is a major waterway running through southeastern Ukraine and the last of a series of six The Kyiv IndependentAgatha Gorski Consequences of Russian ecocide continue to emerge In the week since the Kakhovka dam destruction, laboratory analysis has confirmed the presence of E. coli and cholera in the waters near the city of Kherson, but not in high concentrations, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Military Media Center reported on June 13. According to Oleh Pavlenko, an official from the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine, fuel and other toxic chemicals were also found in the water. Water analysis is being conducted daily, and while strains of E. coli and cholera have been detected, there were no notable concentrations of any pollutants. Major Vladyslav Dudar, a representative of the Defense Ministry, reported on June 13 that Russian forces had mined a large number of hydraulic structures in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. "They are currently blowing up small hydraulic structures every day in various populated areas," Dudar said. According to Dudar, the environmental consequences of these actions are currently limited, impacting only the agricultural lands of one or two villages. Nevertheless, this deliberate environmental sabotage is occurring on a regular basis. The damages caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam on June 6 are already being felt in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts, where there are problems with the water supply. Zaluzhnyi tells US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ukraine is executing its counteroffensive plans In a recent phone call, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, told General Mark Milley, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the latest developments on the front in Ukraine. Source: Valerii Zaluzhnyi on Telegram Details: Zaluzhnyi has posted that heavy fighting both defensive and offensive continues in Ukraines east and south. Ukraines defence forces have made "some gains", are carrying out their plans, and "advancing". Ukraines Commander-in-Chief also said that the Ukrainian army needs to strengthen its air defence, artillery, and counterbattery combat capabilities. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraine's Defence Ministry tallies up environmental costs of Russian attacks on Ukraine's military facilities in 2022 Environmental damage caused by the Russian attacks on Ukraines military facilities in 2022 amounted to 298 billion hryvnias (approximately US$8 billion). Major Vladyslav Dudar, a representative of the Environmental Safety and Demining Department of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, reported on the environmental damage suffered by Ukraine during a roundtable discussion at the Military Media Center. Dudar said that the Military Prosecutors Office and the Security Service of Ukraine have opened criminal proceedings for each incident. The Ukrainian Defence Ministry, together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, assessed the situation in the areas that have been polluted due to combat actions. Photo Photo: Getty Images "[In 2023], we inspected around 40 facilities and the State Environmental Inspection is currently calculating [the damages]," Dudar added. Previously: Previous estimations indicated that the environmental damage caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine amounts to almost 2 trillion hryvnias (approximately US$54 billion). Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! KAMPALA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has sent a contingent of 76 troops and civilians for a two-week long joint East African Community (EAC) Command Post training exercise on counterterrorism and peace operations in neighboring Rwanda, a military spokesperson said Tuesday. A total of 54 military, seven police officers and 15 government officials from different ministries will participate in the training exercise, dubbed "Ushirikiano Imara 2023," which will start Thursday at Musanze in northern Rwanda, said Isaac Okware, spokesperson for the Ugandan contingent, in a statement. "The exercise will bring together the military, police and civilian components from the seven EAC member states on counterterrorism, piracy, disaster management and peace operations," said Okware. The troops are drawn from Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. The Ugandan team led by Colonel Stuart Agaba was flagged off by Brig. Gen. Matthew Gureme, the military's Chief of Training and Recruitment, Monday afternoon at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in the eastern city of Jinja. The "Ushirikiano Imara," meaning a strong partnership in Swahili, is an annual multinational, multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional and multi-cultural exercise event held to demonstrate the EAC member states commitment to the enhancement of regional peace and security. The field training exercise was established in 2004 to train forces within EAC member states as a means of demonstrating compatibility and readiness to deploy in peace support operations, based on past experiences of conflicts in Africa. A helicopter of the defenders of Ukraine during the training Seven settlements have been liberated as part of this push: Read also: Veteran unveils strategy to liberate Crimea following Russian destruction of Kakhovka dam Lobkove Levadne Novodarovka Neskuchne Storozhove Makarivka Blahodatne Malyar later added that the Armed Forces have been able to the front forward in the Bakhmut axis by 1.5 km on the left flank and 3.5 km on the right flank, taking control over 15 sq. km of territory. Read also: Ukraine already liberating settlements in the most grandiose offensive operation since WWII The Ukrainian Armed Forces (ZSU) are currently conducting assault operations in the Donetsk and Tavria regions. The total amount of territory taken back by Ukrainian forces covers 90 sq. km. The Ministry of Defense has stated that it only reports ZSU movements after Ukrainian troops have secured their positions. 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 Ukrainian Defence Forces are verifying information about death of Russian General Goryachev The Defence Forces are clarifying information about the likely death of Major General Sergei Goryachev, the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army of Russia. Source: Valerii Shershen, spokesman for the joint press centre of the Tavriia front of the Defence Forces, on the national joint 24/7 newscast, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "This information is being verified. I think it will be made public in the appropriate manner." Background: Reports of Goryachevs death on the Zaporizhzhia front appeared on social media on the evening of 12 June. Background: As of May 2022, up to 10 Russian generals have been killed in Ukraine. In February 2023, Japanese intelligence reported that more than 20 Russian generals had been killed in Ukraine. Russia does not report losses in its armed forces, especially among the military leadership. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian propagandists talk about the liquidation of Major General Serhii Horyachev Russian media sources cited anonymous "milbloggers" (military bloggers) alleging "intense fighting along almost the entire front line of the Eastern grouping" especially around Vremivka Ridge on the DonetskZaporizhzhya Oblast border. "As a result of an enemy missile attack, the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, Major General Sergei Goryachev, was killed," Russian propagandist Yuriy Kotyonok reported on Telegram. Read also: 2,000 Russian officers killed in Ukraine, OSINT researchers say Ukrainian military correspondent Andriy Tsapliienko argues that if this information is true, Goryachev is "one of the highest-ranking military commanders who have been killed by Ukrainian troops since the beginning of the Russian invasion." The propagandists themselves call him "one of the brightest and most effective military leaders of the highest professionalism. Yuriy Butusov, editor-in-chief of news outlet Censor.NET, said that the information about the liquidation was "officially recognized by Russian sources. "The enemy's control has been severely degraded as a result of the strike," he added. Russian propagandists for the first time recognized the precarious position of several of their military units in the wake of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Read also: Ukrainian military eliminates Russias Major General Kutuzov: Who was he? Goryachev at various times headed the contingent of the Russian military in Transnistria, commanded the motorized rifle brigade of the Western Military District of the Russian Federation, and the 201st military base in Tajikistan. At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian officer was the commander of the 5th Tank Brigade. Then Goryachev was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Chief of Staff of the 35th Army of the Eastern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces. In February, Japanese intelligence reported that, according to its data, Russia had already lost more than 20 of its generals in their full-scale war against 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 Lottery The man has been living in Belgium for a year after fleeing the war in Ukraine and has mixed feelings about his fortune, Belgium National Lottery spokesperson, Joke Vermoere, said. Read also: Ukraine sanctions Russian bookmakers and lotteries It is hard for him to be happy with anything with Ukraine on his mind. she added. The mans identity wasnt released, but the lottery said that he is aged between 18 and 24. Read also: Lotteries, gambling now within competence of Ukraines digital ministry, Cabinet says All the winners of over EUR 100,000 are invited to the lottery headquarters in Brussels to receive their prize. Read also: Belgium wont stop supplying Ukraine while waiting for investigation into use of its weapons in Russia The prizewinner plans to support Ukrainians and help rebuild his home country with the winning. But first, he wants to celebrate with friends and family and with those that helped him integrate in Brussels. The man was able to find a job in Belgium but hopes to return to Ukraine as soon as the war ends, the lottery said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukrainian military near Bakhmut Ukrainian soldiers advanced hundreds of meters in all three directions over the past day, he said. During an offensive operation in the Tavriysk and Donetsk operational areas, the Defense Forces strike group units advanced between 500 meters to one kilometer in the Berdyansk area over the past day, taking control of an area of up to three square kilometers, Kovaliov stressed. Ukrainian fighters continue their assaults in the Bakhmut area and are succeeding near the Berkhiv water reservoir in Donetsk Oblast, where they advanced 250 meters in a day. Read also: What to expect of Ukraines grand counter-offensive NV analysis The Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced 200 meters in the Toretsk area. Currently, not a single position has been lost in the areas where our troops are on the defensive, while the Russian invaders are conducting active artillery fire from the entire range of weapons and conducting air strikes, Kovaliov added. Ukrainian defenders moved the front forward 6.5 km and liberated seven settlements in the past week, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on June 12. 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 FILE - Migrants and refugees from Africa sailing adrift on an overcrowded rubber boat, receive life jackets from aid workers of the Spanish NGO Aita Mary in the Mediterranean Sea, about 103 miles (165 km) from Libya coast, on Jan. 28, 2022. Last year was the deadliest for migrants in the Middle East and North Africa since 2017, the United Nations said Tuesday, June 13, 2023. About 3,800 people died on migrants routes within and from the region, according to data released by the International Organization for Migrations Missing Migrants Project. (AP Photo/Pau de la Calle, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) CAIRO (AP) Last year was the deadliest for migrants in the Middle East and North Africa since 2017, the United Nations' migration agency reported Tuesday. About 3,800 people died on sea and land migration routes within and from the Middle East-North Africa region, according to data released by the International Organization for Migrations Missing Migrants Project. The number is 11% higher compared to 2021 and the highest since 2017, when the project documented the deaths of 4,255 people in the region. The 2022 data show that the region, often referred to by the acronym MENA, accounted for more than half of the 6,877 deaths the project documented worldwide last year. This alarming death toll on migration routes within and from the MENA region demands immediate attention and concerted efforts to enhance the safety and protection of migrants, Othman Belbeisi, the International Organization for Migration's director for the region. The project said the true tally was likely much higher given the scarcity of official data and limited access to land routes in the region for civil society and international organizations. On the regions land routes, the Missing Migrants Project documented over 1,025 deaths, while the rest occurred on sea routes to Europe, particularly in the central Mediterranean Sea. Most of the people who died traveling by land took place in war-torn Yemen, where the IOM said targeted violence against migrants has intensified. At least 795 people, mostly Ethiopians, lost their lives on a route between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, according to the Missing Migrants Project. Most of the deaths occurred in northern Yemens Saada province, a stronghold for the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. East African migrants used to cross the Bab-Al Mandab, the 31-mile (50-kilometer) strait separating Djibouti and Yemen, on small boats, aiming to cross Yemen into neighboring Saudi Arabia and then move on to other wealthy Arab Gulf states in search of work. The report cited an October shipwreck off Yemen's Mayyun island which killed at least 28 people. Libya, which has in recent years become a transit point for Europe-bound migrants who fled wars and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, had 117 deaths on land routes, and neighboring Algeria had 54, the data showed. More than 800 people died in the Mediterranean Sea off chaos-stricken Libya in 2022, the report said. At least 713 of them perished in 46 known shipwrecks, and the bodies of 94 migrants washed ashore but could not be linked to any of the wrecks. it added. Most of the deaths were reported off towns in western Libya, including Sabratha, Zuwara and Garabulli, which for years have been launching points for migrant boats heading to Europe, the report said. The IOMs report also highlighted increasing sea crossing attempts from Lebanon to Greece. It said at least 174 people reportedly died while making that trip last year. The West Africa-Atlantic route to Spain's Canary Islands, with boats primarily departing from Northern Africa, claimed a further 559 lives last year, a decrease from 2021, when at least 1,126 people reportedly died during their voyages, the data showed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration An unprecedented drought is affecting the Panama Canal. El Nino could make it worse. An unprecedented drought is affecting the Panama Canal. El Nino could make it worse. An unprecedented drought is affecting the Panama Canals water supply and leading authorities to impose surcharges and weight limits on ships traversing the key global trade route, according to the Panama Canal Authority. Ships move through the Panama Canal through a lock system, which uses water from several freshwater reservoirs to float the massive cargo vessels overland. But Panama is currently gripped by drought, and water levels at least one of those reservoirs Gatun Lake are dropping. Lake levels are forecasted to hit historic lows in July, prompting authorities to implement water saving measures as well imposing strict draft restrictions, which is the distance between the waterline and the lowest point of the hull, in the last few months. The lakes dwindling water also supplies the nearby region, including Panama City. The climatic emergency decreed by the Panamanian National Government reinforces what the Panama Canal has been stating regarding the reality of a shortage of fresh water, the statement read. Much of Central America, including Panama, has been in significant drought in recent months. But the start of El Nino could worsen conditions, the Panama Canal authority also warned. El Nino, a natural phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean, typically brings warmer-than-average temperatures. This year, El Nino is expected to increase global temperatures, and could push 2023 or 2024 to be the warmest year on record. The Panama Canal is a vital conduit for shipping between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, helping vessels bypass the treacherous journey around the tip of South America, known as Cape Horn, as they largely move goods and commodities from Asia to ports on the United States east coast. The canal was built from 1904 to 1914 by the United States, which had sole control over the channel across the Panamanian isthmus until 1979. The Panamanian government fully took control of the channel at the end of 1999. Regional neighbors have sought opportunities to compete with the lucrative Panama Canal. Nicaragua in 2014 announced the start of work on a multi-billion dollar shipping canal that aimed to rival Panamas waterway which has yet to materialize. And this year, the Mexican government announced a plan to develop a corridor straddling a narrow isthmus in southern Mexico. Dubbed the Interoceanic Corridor, the plan would include a freight rail train stretching from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On Tuesday, Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, announced a new USD 325 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes additional ammunition and armoured vehicles. Source: European Pravda Ukraine will receive a new package of US military aid within the framework of the Presidential Drawdown Authority mechanism, which provides for the withdrawal of equipment and ammunition from military warehouses. The aid will include "critically important air defence equipment, additional ammunition for HIMARS systems, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons, armoured vehicles and other equipment necessary to strengthen Ukrainian forces on the battlefield." "Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia can end it at any moment by withdrawing its troops from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and Ukrainians," the US Secretary of State said. "Until Russia does this, the United States and its allies and partners will jointly support Ukraine for as long as it takes," he added. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Bangladeshi girl symbol of close China bonds 09:31, June 13, 2023 By MO JINGXI ( China Daily Alifa Chin shows her gratitude for China in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last month. XINHUA Chin, whose birth was aided by Peace Ark medics, wants to be 'envoy of friendship' Alifa Chin is a 13-year-old Bangladeshi girl living in the port city of Chittagong whose last name sometimes leads to her being mistaken for a Chinese. "I like my name very much. I think I have a blood connection with China and my name is the symbol of friendship between Bangladesh and China," she said, referring to her special bond with the country forged at birth. In 2010, Chin's mother, Jannatul Ferdous, was unable to give birth naturally due to a serious heart problem. Local doctors were unable to perform the necessary surgery, and transferring the mother to another city was not an option, as she could have gone into labor at any minute. Luckily, the Chinese navy's Peace Ark hospital ship was about to arrive in Chittagong to provide medical treatment for locals. Thanks to the efforts of Chinese doctors and nurses, Ferdous gave birth to a healthy baby. Her husband, Anwar Hossain, named the girl "Chin", Bengali for "China", in a show of gratitude. "Now we feel a close relationship and bond between Bangladesh and China. The two countries are not only neighbors, but also true friends," Ferdous said. This year, Chin wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping to express her gratitude. To the family's surprise, Xi wrote back. In the letter, Xi encouraged her to study hard, pursue her dream and carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh. Chin said that when her friends learned she had received the reply letter from the Chinese president, "they felt very jealous". "To live up to President Xi's expectations, I will keep studying hard so that I can study medical science in China when I grow up and become a doctor to help those in need, just like my Chinese mama did for me," she said. The girl's father said: "We didn't expect that our daughter would receive the letter from the Chinese president. This is the most unbelievable thing in our life". The letter is framed and hangs on a living room wall in the family home. 'Chinese mama' Whenever a Chinese naval ship docks at Chittagong, Chin and her parents go to the port to see if the "Chinese mama" who helped bring her into the world is among the visitors. The person she is referring to is Sheng Ruifang, who was an anesthesiologist aboard the Peace Ark and played a key role in the cesarean delivery of Chin at a local hospital. The surgery was aided by Chinese medical expertise, medicine and equipment. According to Sheng, the surgery was high-risk, as it involved two lives. The Chinese navy doctors were asked for help as soon as the ship docked at Chittagong. "We finally decided to do it because it concerned two lives," she said, recalling what she described as the most complicated surgery of the mission. In 2010, as a purpose-built hospital ship, the Peace Ark set off on an 87-day medical mission, its first. The ship visited the Gulf of Aden and five countries in Africa and Asia to provide medical treatment. Bangladesh was the last stop. In 2013, when the Peace Ark visited Bangladesh again, Chin went aboard and Chinese navy doctors gave her a comprehensive health check. When a fleet of Chinese naval vessels visited Bangladesh in 2017, Sheng had an emotional reunion with Chin's family at Chittagong port. "Among the people waving flags I found Chin, a little girl with curly dark hair. It was at that time that she kissed me and called me Chinese mama for the first time," Sheng said. Hossain said local people have benefited greatly from the hospital ship during its visits to Bangladesh. "We want that ship to visit Bangladesh again in the future," he said. In December 2019, Chin and her family visited China and went aboard the hospital ship in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. Chin said that over the years, "uncles and aunties from China "have cared about her and "I really appreciated that". "I love China, and I want to be an envoy of friendship between Bangladesh and China," she said. Chin is now in sixth grade. Mathematics is her favorite subject, and at home she likes to draw. In 2019, Chin and her parents were invited to visit China. During the trip, Chin reunited with Sheng. The Bangladeshi girl said Sheng and other doctors welcomed her like their own daughter. "She is a real hero to me," Chin said. Sheng, who has participated in several Peace Ark missions, has witnessed how people in other countries have gained a better understanding of China through the medical assistance. "In Africa, we helped many local people restore their vision through cataract surgery. To local residents, China is a major country that is responsible, peace-loving and always willing to help," she said. The Peace Ark has undertaken 10 overseas missions since its launch, visiting 43 countries and providing medical services to more than 250,000 people. Sheng said it's very meaningful for her to have a special "mother-daughter" bond with a girl in Bangladesh. "I think it also symbolizes the lasting friendship between China and Bangladesh that will be passed down from generation to generation," Sheng said. Chin said that if she gets the chance to visit China again, she wants to meet with President Xi and Sheng. "And I also want to visit one of the Chinese universities," she said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) by Marwa Yahya, Ahmed Afyouny SAFAGA, Egypt, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Zedenko Krabich, a 42-year-old tourist from Croatia, was on a trip to the Red Sea resort of Safaga in southeastern Egypt for medical purposes. After finishing treatment for bone problems using the sand of Safaga, Krabich said he will head further south to Luxor and Aswan for further tours. The Croatian tourist, like many others, chose Egypt because the most populous Arab country, boasting rich cultural and recreational sites, offers an excellent travel experience at a expense lower than other regional countries. Egypt has witnessed a tourism boom since the beginning of this year and is expected to welcome the largest annual number of tourists in history by the year end. According to Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa, the number of inbound tourists reached 1.3 million in April, hitting a monthly high, while the first quarter saw an increase of 43 percent in visitors number compared to the same period last year. Issa predicted that by the end of this year, Egypt will receive close to 15 million tourists, a 28-percent increase year on year, which could dethrone the previous 2010 record of 14.7 million. The boom is partly attributed to the devaluation of the Egyptian currency, which resulted in a reduction in travel costs for tourists, according to Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Committee at the Chamber of Tourism Companies in Luxor. Jagdish, a cardiologist from the United States, decided to spend 20 days touring Egypt. He has visited multiple destinations, including the Valley of Kings and the temples of Karnak, Hatshepsut, Edfu and Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel. Jagdish noted he opted for a longer tour this time because of the sharp depreciation of the Egyptian pound against the U.S. dollar. The value of the Egyptian pound has declined several times in the past year, with the latest pound-dollar rate standing at 30.94, almost doubling the rate of 15.75 at the beginning of 2022, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. Meanwhile, the value of one dollar in the black market is nudging 40 pounds. Consequently, tourists can save about 30 percent on expenses compared to previous years despite the increase in ticket prices for attractions and accommodation in Egypt, said Othman, the tourism official in Luxor. Ahmed Abu Zeid, a tour guide in Luxor and Aswan, was optimistic about his business. "I have never seen such a large number of tourists in southern Egypt during my 20-year career," Zeid said. "I believe the next tourist season starting October will see the number of tourists doubling," he added. Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) US gives Ukraine $325 million in air defense, ammunition, and armored vehicles, including Bradleys & Strykers Bradley infantry fighting vehicle The aid package includes critically needed air defense capabilities, shells for the HIMARS MLRS, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, and more, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Read also: U.S. announced $2.1 billion military aid package for Ukraine The U.S. Ministry of Defense clarified that the package includes: Read also: $300 million US aid package to include Avenger AA systems and Zuni rockets Projectiles for the NASAMS air defense system and HIMARS anti-aircraft missile system Stinger air defense system 15 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers ATGM Javelin AT-4 anti-tank complexes 155-mm and 105-mm shells TOW missiles Ammunition for small arms and grenades (over 22 million) Explosive munitions Spare parts, means for secure communication, etc. This is the 40th package of military aid to Ukraine since August 2021. The equipment in the aid package is specifically designed to replace equipment damaged in Ukraines summer counteroffensive, VOA reported earlier, citing sources in the Pentagon. Read also: US planning more deliveries of Abrams and Bradley to Ukraine, Polish PM says Ukraine has allegedly lost 16 Bradley fighting vehicles in the early days of the counteroffensive, CNN reported, citing OSINT analysts. Officially, Ukraine does not comment on the losses. Against the backdrop of Russian airstrikes, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on June 9 that military equipment that cannot be destroyed has not yet been created and the inevitable losses are people. Read also: Zelenskyy criticizes international community for timidity after Kakhovka Dam explosion She said on June 12 that Ukrainian defenders had advanced 6.5 km during the offensive over the last week and had liberated seven settlements. Ukraines Defense Forces are moving forward and increasing control in the Bakhmut area, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 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 Pentagon says that a helicopter accident in northeastern Syria that left 22 service members injured over the weekend happened just after takeoff. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that the incident involved an MH-47 Chinook that had a problem with one rotor, causing a hard landing during takeoff. Singh said that 10 of the 22 injured service members were flown out of the country for medical treatment and that "all of the service members involved in that crash are in stable condition." She did not offer more details on their injuries. Read Next: New Tape Test: Here's How the Army Is Measuring Body Fat Now Military.com reached out to both U.S. Central Command, the unit that first announced the incident, as well as Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the U.S. military hospital in Germany that often serves as the first stop for service members injured overseas, for more detail but did not receive a reply. The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2015 advising and assisting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group, also known as ISIS. Since the group was driven from cities in Syria and Iraq, the U.S. presence has shrunk but, according to The Associated Press, there are currently at least 900 service members in Syria trying to prevent ISIS' return. On June 6, Central Command announced that U.S. forces had carried out 17 partnered operations, detained 20 ISIS operatives, and killed two ISIS operatives in May. In early May, the command also took credit for a drone strike that it said killed a senior al-Qaida leader in northwest Syria. That terrorist group was responsible for the September 2001 attacks on the U.S. However, later reporting by The Washington Post forced the command to walk that claim back. An investigation is now underway to determine whether the U.S. killed a civilian. Statements from Central Command have stressed that "no enemy fire was reported" in the helicopter incident over the weekend and that it is investigating the cause. -- Patricia Kime contributed to this report. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: 650 Military Promotions Threatened as Senator Shows No Signs of Relenting US hits $40B in weapons pledged to Ukraine with new $325M lethal aid package The Biden administration on Tuesday announced an additional $325 million in security assistance for Ukraine, including more rockets, artillery and armored vehicles, bringing total weapons pledged to the country amid its war with Russia to $40 billion. The funds are part of a presidential drawdown package, meaning the weapons and equipment will be taken from U.S. military stockpiles, and include critical air defense capabilities, additional munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, and other equipment essential to strengthening Ukraines forces on the battlefield, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. The package will also consist of additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 15 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 10 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, TOW missiles, more than 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, communications support and other field equipment, according to a separate Pentagon release. The allocation follows on the heels of a $2.1 billion security aid package for Ukraine that the Biden administration announced last Friday. That tranche will provide more air defense systems and munitions for Kyiv to defend against Russian missile attacks. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Tuesdays package brings the total lethal aid given to Ukraine to $40 billion since Russia first attacked the country in February 2022. It also comes the same day the British-led defense alliance known as the Joint Expeditionary Force announced it would send $116 million worth of air defense capabilities for Ukraine. The package will provide radars to help protect from indiscriminate Russian strikes as well as guns and a significant amount of ammunition, according to a statement released by the United Kingdom. Ukraine earlier this month began its long-expected counteroffensive against Kremlin troops, with reports that Kyiv has made small gains and recaptured several villages in the eastern Donetsk region earlier this week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for a U.S.-Africa trade summit planned for later this year to be moved from South Africa in response to what they said was the country's "deepening military relationship" with Russia. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, they also suggested South Africa is in danger of losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - Washington's flagship trade programme. South Africa is due to host the AGOA Forum in Johannesburg, a meeting of African leaders and U.S. officials, to discuss the future of the programme, which is slated to expire in 2025. South Africa's exports to the U.S. under AGOA reached nearly $1 billion in the first three months of this year, making it the second-biggest beneficiary of the programme after Nigeria. African nations are seeking to extend AGOA, which grants qualifying countries' exports preferential access to the U.S. "We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africa's damaging support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine," the letter, dated June 9, stated. Referring to the letter, South African foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said on Twitter: "There is no decision by the State Department/White House to move the AGOA Forum from SA." South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry, which manages the country's trade relations with the United States, said it was not planning to respond publicly to the letter. Judd Devermont, a special assistant to President Joe Biden focusing on Africa, said the White House shared Congress's concern over South Africa's "potential security partnership with Russia". However, he declined to say whether the administration was considering a change of venue for the AGOA Forum. "I'm not going to get into the specifics of private conversations with the South Africans, but be sure we are having these conversations," he told an online media briefing. South Africa's government has declared its neutrality in the war in Ukraine, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is participating in an effort by African leaders to mediate in the conflict. However, the lawmakers voiced frustration with South Africa's hosting of joint naval operations with China and Russia in February, and plans to hold a summit of BRICS leaders to which Russian President Vladimir Putin is invited despite being charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The lawmakers also appeared to back up an accusation by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a sanctioned Russian vessel collected weapons at a South African naval base last year. South African officials say they are not aware of such an arms transfer and have launched an independent inquiry into the incident. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Additional reporting by Carien du Plessis; Editing by William Maclean and Sharon Singleton) FILE PHOTO: A barbed-wire fence separating North Korea from China is seen in this photo taken from the Chinese border city of Hunchun WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers warned on Tuesday that China could be preparing to forcibly repatriate refugees who fled North Korea and urged the United Nations to use its influence with Beijing to prevent this. Chris Smith, Republican chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), told a hearing there was "good reason to believe" such a repatriation was imminent as North Korea reopens its border after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He referred to reports that approximately 2,000 and "perhaps many more" North Korean refugees faced repatriation "which would subject them to severe human rights violations upon their return." Smith said he shared his "deep concern" about the plight of North Korean refugees in China with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in an April meeting, and added: "I ask again, Secretary-General Guterres, please use your influence to the utmost to dissuade the Chinese government from forcibly repatriating these refugees." Smith also called on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to take a more active role on behalf of the refugees. According to reports in South Korea's Korea Times newspaper and the Washington Post, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, Elizabeth Salmon, said last year she had received information that as many as 2,000 North Korean escapees were detained in China and facing the risk of repatriation. The CECC co-chair, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, said a 2014 report by the U.N. commission on inquiry on human rights in North Korea had stated clearly that forcible repatriation of North Koreans "subjects them to crimes against humanity." Merkley said the U.N. commission made clear this violated the international principle of "non-refoulement, which is supposed to guarantee that nobody will be repatriated to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, and other irreparable harm." "Just being a North Korean in China means an individual would be in grave peril if sent back to North Korea," he said. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Guterres stands "for the respect of international refugee law and against refoulement." China's Washington embassy, UNHCR, and North Korea's U.N. mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Don Durfee and Grant McCool) The US is formally investigating whether to give safe haven to the Afghan pilot whom UK officials are threatening to deport to Rwanda, sparking fury from top politicians and military figures who said it shameful for Britain to turn its back on the war hero. The former air force lieutenant, who flew multiple combat missions alongside coalition forces, has been living in limbo for months after coming to the UK on a small boat while his wife and child hide from the Taliban in Afghanistan. There was shock at defence secretary Ben Wallaces refusal to intervene after the pilots application to the UKs Afghan refugee scheme was rejected this week leaving him with the prospect of a one-way flight to Rwanda. While British officials have refused to intervene to halt Home Office deportation threat, the US State Department is now considering his and his familys asylum application after The Independent first raised his case. Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, said the fact that the pilot had been cast off by the British for the US to handle was a complete abrogation of our responsibilities and our decency. Air Marshal Edward Stringer, commander of RAF air operations during the Afghan conflict, said the UK government was making a weaselling distinction over the pilots war record. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said for Britain to turn its back on a pilot and fail to do what is necessary to keep to the covenant that we protect his life as he helped to protect ours is shameful. Sir Iain told The Independent: Without heroes like this pilot who is now seeking our help to stay here we would not be able to fight causes which matter to democratic governments who fight for freedom. He added: We were allies and comrades in arms to those who helped the coalition and now they have themselves and their family at risk from the Taliban we have failed our pledge we gave to stand by them. To see America stand in for us and do the decent thing is galling and shameful. Labour said the Rishi Sunaks government appeared to be operating Operation Cold Shoulder to Afghan heroes, describing the intervention by the US as deeply embarrassing. Sign The Independents petition calling for UK to support Afghan war heroes who served alongside Britain The airman, who flew more than 30 sorties against terrorist threats which were planned by British and US commanders, was described as a true patriot to his nation by his US supervisor. But the Ministry of Defence has rejected his application to stay in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) aimed at getting those who helped British forces out of the country. The government said it did not accept his role had resulted in a high and imminent risk of a threat to your life. The MoD also said it does not accept that Britains operations in would have been materially less efficient or materially less successful without him. Although category 4 of the Arap scheme is aimed at those closely supporting and assisting British forces thought to be his best chance of staying in the UK officials deemed the pilot ineligible. Senior military figures are disappointed that Mr Wallace rumoured to be angling for the job of Nato secretary general has not rushed to the aid of the Afghan pilot who helped coalition forces against the Taliban. The Afghan pilot has called on Rishi Sunak to stop his deportation and help him bring his family to the UK (Holy Bancroft) This is a very disappointing decision justified on very narrow grounds, Lord Dannatt told The Independent. Are we denying he fought against the Taliban? This is a most ungenerous decision which sits uncomfortably with common decency. He came to this country, trusting in the decency of the British, by the only means available to him and now seems doomed to be deported to Rwanda. To cast him off as Americas problem is a complete abrogation of our responsibilities and our decency. Air Marshal Stringer said: Whether we had a de jure contract with these Afghan servicemen or not seems a weaselling distinction on which to fall back. The de facto contract was that we encouraged Afghans to join the security services and fight alongside us to achieve our ends - putting themselves at risk from regressive and dangerous forces such as the Taliban. He added: When we removed the cover we had promised them we left them dreadfully exposed. What weight does our moral authority carry when we weasel out of our obligations; and why should we expect people to trust us in future? Dozens of military chiefs, politicians and celebrities have backed The Independents call to allow him and other Afghan veterans who helped coalition forces to be given safe refuge. Lord Dannatt has backed Afghan pilots case (David Parker/AFP/Getty Images) After serving alongside coalition forces, the pilot received two personal recommendations as to his strength of character and the role he played in fighting the Taliban in the years leading up to the fall of Kabul in August 2021. He has now been accepted onto the USs P1 resettlement scheme, for which you have to be personally approved by a US official. There is no guarantee that he will be offered asylum and the process can take years, but he has entered the assessment stage. Now living in Home Office accommodation in the UK, the pilot is despairing at his situation and said that the decision he made to risk his life for the coalition was his biggest regret. We made the biggest mistake in my life when we cooperated with the American forces and British forces, and now we have to suffer the pain of being stateless, far from family, humiliation and misery, he said. He is also growing increasingly worried for the safety of his family, as he waits to hear the outcome of a seperate asylum application to the Home Office. Officials at home secretary Suella Bravermans department warned him he could be sent to Rwanda because his Channel journey is deemed illegal. He has been given 90 days to appeal the decision to turn him down for the Arap scheme. The pilot flew combat mission alongside organised by coalition forces in Afghanistan (The Independent) A number of Afghans who helped American forces before the US withdrew from Afghanistan including the pilot were referred to the scheme by their US supervisors directly after the fall of Kabul. But aside from being asked to fill out a form with more details, the pilot heard nothing more from the State Departments Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. However, last month White House said it would investigate his case when approached by The Independent and his case has been confirmed in the system. During his trip to Washington last week, Mr Sunak ignored questions about the pilot from The Independent as he arrived at the White House to meet president Joe Biden. He also declined to address a similar question at the end of a joint press conference with Mr Biden later that day. Labours shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said: Britain has a moral obligation to these Afghans, yet Operation Warm Welcome has become Operation Cold Shoulder. The fact that the British government is trying to send a loyal-to-Britain Afghan pilot to Rwanda is a tragedy in itself, while the US governments intervention is deeply embarrassing evidence of just how far the UKs international reputation is being tarnished by the shameful behaviour of this callous and chaotic Conservative government. Armed Forces minister James Heappey has said that members of the Afghan forces, such as the pilot, do not qualify in principle for the MoDs scheme, which was initially set up to help those Afghans who were employed by the British Army. A government spokesperson said it remained committed to protecting vulnerable and at-risk people fleeing Afghanistan and so far have brought around 24,500 people to the UK. We continue to work with likeminded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan on resettlement issues, and to support safe passage for eligible Afghans, the spokesperson said. US to send $325 million in new military aid to Ukraine Ukrainian servicemen fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline in Zaporizhzhia region By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States announced on Tuesday a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine that will include munitions for air defense systems, ammunition and vehicles, the Pentagon said. The latest military aid announcement comes as Ukraine begins its counteroffensive, which has seen some U.S.-provided vehicles lost on the battlefield. This is the 40th aid package being rushed to Ukraine using Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. As a part of the aid package, Ukraine will receive additional ammunition for its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) 155-mm Howitzer ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft systems and anti-tank weapons. In addition, the package includes 15 Bradley fighting vehicles, 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers, secure communications equipment and over 22 million rounds of ammunition for small arms. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. has provided approximately $40 billion in security to Ukraine since February 24, 2022. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference at the State Department with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in Washington, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon will deliver a new package of military aid to Ukraine that totals up to $325 million and will include a wide range of rockets, missiles and other munitions aimed at bolstering the counteroffensive against Russia, the State Department said Tuesday. The aid will include missiles for what are considered critical air defense systems the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAM) and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as Stingers and Javelin missiles and more than two dozen Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles. The aid comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, in the beginning stages of a counteroffensive to retake territory seized by the Russians. Including the latest aid, the U.S. has committed nearly $40 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022. This latest package will be done under presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to quickly take weapons from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine, officials said. Also in the new aid delivery will be 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, and a variety of other rockets and munitions. It also includes spare parts, communications and demolition equipment and funding for training. The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. The Pentagon will deliver a new package of military aid to Ukraine that totals up to $325 million and will include a wide range of rockets, missiles and other munitions aimed at bolstering the counteroffensive against Russia, the State Department said Tuesday. The aid will include missiles for what are considered critical air defense systems the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAM) and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as Stingers and Javelin missiles and more than two dozen Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles. The aid comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, in the beginning stages of a counteroffensive to retake territory seized by the Russians. Including the latest aid, the U.S. has committed nearly $40 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022. This latest package will be done under presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to quickly take weapons from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine, officials said. Also in the new aid delivery will be 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, and a variety of other rockets and munitions. It also includes spare parts, communications and demolition equipment and funding for training. The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. KHARTOUM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's two warring parties have expressed objection to an initiative proposed by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for a political settlement to the ongoing conflict. At the 14th ordinary session of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, which was held in the Red Sea nation of Djibouti on Monday, an initiative including a roadmap for the resolution of the Sudan conflict was adopted. The roadmap included the establishment of a quartet committee, to be chaired by Kenya, to follow up on the Sudanese file, arrange face-to-face meetings between Sudan's two rival factions, and initiate an inclusive process toward a political settlement of the Sudan conflict within three weeks. However, Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday objected in a statement to Kenya's chairmanship of the quartet committee, which also includes Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan. The statement demanded keeping South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the chairman. "Sudan's delegation to the session expressed disagreement and objection to a number of paragraphs in the final communique as those paragraphs were not discussed or agreed on, and thus the delegation asked the IGAD secretariat to omit them," the ministry said in the statement. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for its part, objected to the multi-forums for a political settlement, calling for uniting the initiative with the Saudi-U.S. brokered one. Youssef Izzat, the political adviser to the RSF commander, said on Tuesday in a statement that the RSF "is committed to the Saudi-U.S. initiative as the forum to discuss cease-fire issues and permanent political solution." "We stand with uniting the initiative with the Saudi-U.S. initiative to which we adhere," Izzat added. In remarks before the IGAD summit on Monday, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat warned that if the conflict in Sudan does not stop immediately, a civil war would set in, chaos would prevail, and the country would totally collapse. Mahamat added that the African Union encourages a comprehensive national dialogue led by the Sudanese themselves. Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the capital Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which has left 863 people dead and 3,531 others injured, according to the Sudanese Doctors Union's update. At least 1.6 million people have been displaced, fleeing to safer locations inside and outside Sudan, according to UN figures. The US is sending depleted-uranium ammo to Ukraine capable of piercing Russian tank armour, report says An M1A2 Abrams at the Army Armor School at Fort Benning in Georgia on April 29, 2022. US Army/Spc. Joshua Taeckens The US is set to approve depleted-uranium tank shells for Ukraine, the WSJ said. The shells are capable of blowing up Russian tank armor. There were doubts over providing the shells for environmental and health reasons. The US is sending depleted-uranium shells to Ukraine that are capable of penetrating Russian tank armor, the Wall Street Journal reported. For several months the Biden administration has been debating whether to provide the shells to Ukraine following concerns over their environmental and health impacts, the outlet reported. But an administration official said that there were now no major obstacles to providing the ammunition. Insider has contacted the White House for comment. Depleted uranium, a by-product of the nuclear enrichment process, is used because it is extremely dense. When used in tank shells, the material is effective because its bulk can penetrate through enemy armor. As Insider's Jake Epstein previous reported, uranium shells also heat up and may catch fire, potentially causing fuel or ammunition explosions. The weapons could hand Ukraine an advantage in tank battles as it launches its campaign to drive Russian forces back from territory they occupy in south and eastern Ukraine. The material is considered by the US EPA as a radiation health hazard when inhaled as dust or shrapnel, but it does not emit enough radiation to penetrate the skin from outside. According to United Nations Environment Program the metal's "chemical toxicity" is the biggest danger, and "it can cause skin irritation, kidney failure and increase the risks of cancer." The UK was the first of Ukraine's allies to provide the country with the ammunition, which is used in the Challenger tanks it provided to Ukraine. The decision by the UK to provide Ukraine with the weapons was denounced by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time, who said the weapons have a nuclear component and that Russia would be forced to react. US officials, the WSJ reported, believe its vital for Ukraine to make decisive gains in its counteroffensive while bipartisan support for the country remains high. Putin has lost at least two-thirds of his tanks since the invasion began, Oryx, a Netherlands-based open source intelligence website, said in May. Russia has been "reactivating" tanks from the 4-5,000 it has in reserve to be deployed to the front line. Many of these tanks are from the Soviet-era. Read the original article on Business Insider The U.S. wants back in UNESCO. What changed? The logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. The United States is ready to rejoin UNESCO after a decade-long dispute. | Christophe Ena, Associated Press The United States plans to rejoin UNESCO the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization five years after it withdrew from the organization under former President Donald Trump. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced Monday that the U.S. had officially informed her that the country would rejoin the organization in July. This is a strong act of confidence, in UNESCO and in multilateralism. Not only in the centrality of the Organizations mandate culture, education, science, information but also in the way this mandate is being implemented today, Azoulay stated. The United States of America announces its intention to rejoin UNESCO in July. "This is a strong act of confidence in the centrality of #UNESCO's mandate but also in the way this mandate is being implemented today." - @AAzoulay https://t.co/OeS1Q87H2z pic.twitter.com/QidZPb8b71 UNESCO #Education #Sciences #Culture (@UNESCO) June 12, 2023 What is UNESCO? UNESCO describes itself as an organization that contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. It is known for its World Heritage program, where it designates cultural sites around the world as World Heritage Sites. The organization also has educational programs and works on a wide range of issues, including clean water, literacy, sex education and equality for women, The New York Times reported. It also helps to set standards on a range of issues, including ocean protection and the ethics of artificial intelligence, per the Times. Why did the U.S. leave UNESCO? The U.S. cut off financing to UNESCO in 2011 after it accepted Palestine as a member state in 2011. In 2017, the Trump administration withdrew completely from UNESCO, citing long-running anti-Israel bias and management problems, according to The Associated Press. Why did the U.S. decide to rejoin UNESCO? In a letter sent to the director-general, the U.S. Department of State welcomed the way in which UNESCO had addressed in recent years emerging challenges, modernized its management, and reduced political tensions, Azoulay stated. Additionally, the U.S. sees joining UNESCO as a way to counter Chinas growing influence in the organization. Undersecretary of State for Management John Bass stated the U.S. leaving UNESCO had strengthened China and undercuts our ability to be as effective in promoting our vision of a free world, AP reported. So if were really serious about the digital-age competition with China we cant afford to be absent any longer, Bass said. What happens next? UNESCOs member states will vote whether or not to readmit the United States, but the vote is more of a formality, according to AP, as approval is likely, since the U.S. was once the agencys single biggest funder. If the U.S. receives a vote of approval from the organization, it will pay over $600 million in back dues. Valerie Bertinelli gives emphatic answer to whether shell start dating again soon Valerie Bertinelli is evidently in no rush to start dating again. The actor and Food Network star, 63, shared a hilarious video June 11 on TikTok and Instagram that showed her addressing her love life, or lack thereof, since her divorce last year from businessman Tom Vitale. Bertinelli's video, which contains profanity, kicks off with her posing in selfie mode. A phrase appears on the screen: When someone asks if Ill start dating again soon She then squeezes her eyes closed, shakes her head and lip-syncs along to lyrics from the song Two Moons by BoyWithUke. "Yeah, f--- no," she mouths, laughing. Valerie Bertinelli is in no rush to date again. (@wolfiesmom via Instagram ) The former "One Day at a Time" star's video comes less than two months after she opened up about triumphing after years of hardship in a candid Instagram post on April 23. "I am so over the moon grateful on my birthday this year! I have survived the hardest six years of my life," Bertinelli wrote. "Now Im in Amsterdam (one of my favorite places on earth with sweet special memories)," she continued, noting that she was spending time in the city with her musician son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Bertinelli shared Van Halen with her late ex-husband Eddie Van Halen, who was born in Amsterdam. She concluded her post by revealing that she would soon get the chance to watch her son perform onstage. On Thursday, I get to watch my son open for Metallica! she wrote, adding, Life is good. The former Hot in Cleveland star filed for divorce from Vitale in May 2022 after 11 years of marriage. The pair finalized their divorce in November 2022. During a June 2022 visit to TODAY, Bertinelli revealed that she had no intentions to date again. I am going to be more than happy to be happily divorced and spend the rest of my life alone, she said. Ill be happy that way. Well, with my six cats and my dog and my son, and hopefully one day grandchildren. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A "straight pride" patch is seen on a supporter's shirt during a rally with Kari Lake, Republican nominee for Arizona governor, at Dream City Church in Phoenix on Nov. 7, 2022. In Santa Rosa, several businesses were vandalized with anti-LGBTQ+ posters supporting "straight pride." (Olivier Touron / AFP via Getty Images) Several businesses in Santa Rosa were vandalized this week with anti-LGBTQ+ posters linking to a rap song celebrating "straight pride," authorities said. The posters were discovered at several locations around the city, including Brew Coffee and Beer House, which is queer-owned, as well as Shady Oak Barrel House, according to their social media accounts. In some instances, the posters were placed over Pride flag emblems. "Some Haters tried to cover all our windows with anti LGBTQ+ posters in Santa Rosa. This is a Hate Crime," Brew Coffee and Beer House wrote on its Facebook page. "We are a queer-owned business and Proudly represent inclusivity and safety. We face hate like this all year long and it is why it's important that Pride month happens and why we must stand together every day to protect each other." The businesses said the vandalism occurred Sunday night. Alisse Cottle, owner of Brew Coffee and Beer House, said she was opening the cafe around 7 a.m. Monday when she and her team found about eight of the posters plastered on the windows. They were "strategically" placed over a "Protect Trans Lives" sign and a "Black Lives Matter" sign, Cottle said. She and her wife own the cafe and said the queer-owned and queer-friendly space has been the target of anti-LGBTQ+ ire in the past. "We do get threats. Weve had people get egged outside. We had people start a fight on the patio. We had someone threaten to come back and shoot us if we didn't take down our posters outside," Cottle said. Their cafe has been operating in Santa Rosa for nine years. Shady Oak Barrel House posted a video on Instagram of an employee taking down one of the posters. When scanned, the QR code on the signs linked to a YouTube video from rapper GNotesJustice, whose lyrics celebrate "straight pride" and who repeatedly says, "I love being hetero." The posters also linked to a website for Redwood Holler, which said it's working to make California "great again one helping hand at a time," according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. The website had an email address and YouTube channel connected with a Bay Area group of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, the Press Democrat reported. "The businesses targeted were primarily in or near downtown, LGBTQ+ owned or supporters of the LGBTQ+ community," the Santa Rosa Police Department said in a statement. "Unknown people defaced private businesses with stickers, promoted hateful rhetoric and used the stickers to cover up support for LGBTQ+ rights, trans rights and BLM." Police are investigating the incident and have asked residents to send tips if they know anything about the vandalism. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. People enjoy the beach in Lincoln City. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking comments on proposed restrictions of motorized vehicle usage on two sections of ocean shore in Lincoln City. OPRD maintains that balance, fair and easy access remain the goals of the proposed administrative rule amendment. Were proposing these changes in cooperation with the city as we both try to improve the quality of the beach experience and keep people and vehicles from mixing on a busy beach, OPRD spokesperson Chris Havel said. The tricky part is striking a balance between those concerns and easy, fair access to the tremendous gift that is the Oregon ocean shore. Currently, motorized vehicles are allowed within 150 feet of NW 34th Street and NW 15th Street along the ocean shore in the coastal town, according to OAR 736-024-0025. One proposal would close vehicle access to the ocean beach on NW 15th Street from May 1 to Sept. 30 or whenever conditions are unsafe. The proposal seeks to extend a standing city ordinance, which closes that section of beach from May 26 to Sept. 5. Under the proposal, access for motorized vehicles on the beach would expand from 150 feet to 300 feet during the select season. The second amendment is significantly more restrictive and would ban vehicles year-round at the NW 34th Street beach area. This seems part of a progression away from vehicle allowance, as the parking lot at this beach section is already closed to vehicle traffic by a city ordinance. Comments can be made online or by attending the public hearing via Zoom or in person at 6 p.m. July 18. If attending in person, go to the Lincoln City Community Center at 2150 NE Oar Place in Lincoln City. Charles Gearing is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at cgearing@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vehicles may be banned from Lincoln City beach As the water in the flooded areas of Kherson Oblast recedes, the Velykyi Luh National Park in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Kamianska Sich National Park in Kherson Oblast are draining, and the water indicators in the Inhulets River have also deteriorated. Source: Ukraines Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources on Telegram Details: The water level in the Dnipro River at the Kherson point dropped by 3 metres to 2.6 metres as of the morning of 13 June. The water level has been dropping by 1-5 cm every hour. Based on satellite imagery, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute estimates that 309 square kilometres of Kherson Oblast were flooded as of 11 June. Connection with the measurement sensors has been lost in the area of Nikopol, so there is no reliable data on further water level drop. Experts are looking for possible ways to determine the water level and volume of the Kakhovka Reservoir. The water has been gradually receding in the area of the Nyzhnodniprovskyi Nature Park. The water in the Velykyi Luh and Kamianska Sich national parks continues to drain by more than 8 metres. Among the aftermath of such draining is the threat of the complete extinction of the Great and Little Kuchuhury Archipelago wetlands. The archipelago will suffer the loss of 54 species of fish and 156 species of birds living on the islands, and the floodplains of the archipelago will be negatively affected. Up to 30,000 waterfowl are observed on the territory during the autumn migration. Specialists from the State Environmental Inspectorate, the State Water Agency and mobile laboratories carry out ongoing monitoring of water and air quality wherever possible. Results of the selected samples: The Inhulets River showed an excess of iron by a factor of 1.17, an increase in nitrite, and a slight decrease in dissolved oxygen. No deviations or exceedances were observed for other indicators; No significant deviations or exceedances of the maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants were recorded at the sampling points in the Dnipro River. Environmental inspectors continue to document and assess the environmental damage caused by Russia's blowing up of the Kakhovka HPP. Background: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, reported that the average level of flooding in Kherson Oblast has dropped to 2.7 metres as of the morning of 13 June. On 11 June, the Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that the area flooded after the Russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovka HPP had almost halved, from 139 to 77.78 square kilometres. The sections of the Dnipro River that water the North Crimean Canal have developed low water marks. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Threats and violence against reproductive healthcare facilities have become increasingly common. In 2020 and 2021, a man shot a BB gun at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Pasadena. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) A Ventura County man pleaded guilty to making death threats against two Southern California Planned Parenthood clinics, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last summer, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Nishith Tharaka Vandebona, 34, was convicted Monday in federal court of illegal intimidation after pleading guilty to making at least three different threats, including one at an unrelated advocacy group months before the Supreme Court decision. Threats and violence against reproductive healthcare facilities have become increasingly common, with the U.S. Department of Justice noting more than two dozen such cases have been prosecuted in the last four years, including a group that tried to physically block entrance to a Washington, D.C., clinic last year and a man who in 2020 and 2021 shot a BB gun at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Pasadena. On June 24, 2022 the same day the Supreme Court ruled in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, overturning the 1973 decision that had previously affirmed the right to abortion Vandebona admitted he used an anonymous number to make death threats against Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, based in Santa Barbara, according to a press release about his plea agreement. The following day, Vandebona called Planned Parenthood Los Angeles multiple times, and made threats to a call center specialist, the news release said. According to officials, Vandebona told the clinic he was going to "come in there and kill all of you, including your staff and your security. You got it? Youre overdue for an attack. Vandebona was taken into federal custody after his plea hearing Monday, and is facing a maximum sentence of up to six years on two federal charges. He was convicted on a misdemeanor count of threatened forcible intimidation of a reproductive health services facility under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and one felony count of transmitting threatening communications, Justice Department officials said. His sentencing hearing will be Oct. 2. Vandebona also pleaded guilty to a bomb threat he made in February 2022 to a Ventura-based anti-immigrant organization, Californians for Population Stabilization, the press release said. Vandebona admitted he used anonymous numbers he acquired online to call the CAPS office, threatening to kill staff and plant a bomb there. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Photo of Nada Fronk, who was murdered in May 2021. (Photo/Levi Rickert for Native News Online) Opinion. Monte Fronk was on duty in his official capacity as a representative of the Mille Lacs Tribal Police at the Road to Healing tour stop at the Mille Lacs Indian Community in central Minnesota a week ago Saturday. Fronk could have simply mixed in with other law enforcement officers, who were there to provide security for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community). But he didnt. Prior to the arrival of the Department of the Interior officials, he approached me to tell me how much he enjoys Native News Online. We talked for a few minutes. Then the conversation turned to another subject. He told me that he would be at the Not Invisible Act Commission field hearing in Minneapolis the following Tuesday to share a personal testimony. I told him I would be there as well and would look for him. Then we went back to the business at hand, the Road to Healing tour. At the Not Invisible Act hearing on Tuesday in Minneapolis, Fronk, who is a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation, shared his compelling and, at times, tearful testimony. May 26, 2021, he testified, was the worst day of his life. It was the day he was informed his daughter, Nada, 24, had been murdered. Monte Fronk overcome with grief after testifying. (Photo/Levi Rickert) He recounted her horrific journey as a runaway who was trafficked and eventually murdered by her boyfriend. After Nada was killed, her killer took his own life. Fronks testimony was accompanied by photo slides of his pretty daughter as well as a graphic photo of the crime scene. This is what murder looks like, he said. It isn't a banner. It isnt a red hand. This is what it looks like, Fronk said through tears. As he gathered himself, Fronk said MMIP advocates had asked him to not let his daughters death become a checked box. His voice needed to be heard. In this epidemic, who do we hear from? Who are the voices of this epidemic? They are the mother, the grandmothers, the sisters, the aunties, and the cousins, he said. Who we dont hear from are the fathers. So, I stand before you as a fellow brother in public safety as a father of a murdered and missing Indigenous woman, who was my daughter. Fronks testimony before the Commission was made at the fourth stop of a four-month tour across Indian Country to hear testimony from family and friends of victims of the missing, murdered and trafficked Native Americans. The Commission was established to implement the Not Invisible Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law. The original legislation was introduced by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) when she was still a member of Congress. On Tuesday, Secretary Haaland addressed the hearing via a live video. This commission will give hope to the families that have lost their loved ones from violence, she said from her office at the Interior Department in Washington. I know that this epidemic of violence against our people is a heavy burden that we all carry. Thats why were working quickly to get more resources on the ground by throwing the full weight of the federal government at this crisis, and through actions that include the Missing and Murdered unit with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Haaland said. Haaland said to date there have been 741 cases investigated and 266 cases either solved or closed. Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe) also addressed the Commission Only since we began to listen to those who've been silenced those silent voices have we begun to see the path forward and develop strategies for ending this crisis, Flanagan said. Also testifying during the time allotted for the media to listen was Melissa Pamp (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), whose daughter Nagohns-ba Massey was murdered on the Isabella Indian Reservation, home of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, testified. She testified her daughter was only 21 years old when she was stabbed. She recounted the difficulties and ongoing court delays she and her family endured before seeing that justice was served to the murderer of Nagohns-ba. I encourage you to get involved with these cases that are going on in your tribal nations. I don't think that back then, our ancestors would have just sat around and stood silent if our women and our children kept on going missing or were murdered, Pamp said. Melissa Pamp is right. We need to join her and Secretary Haaland and Peggy Flanagan and Monte Fronk in making sure that Native voices are heard as this crisis continues to take our sisters and brothers away from us. As Native people, we cannot be silent. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. The Not Invisible Act Commission will hold its next field hearing on Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14 at the Blue Lake Casino in Blue Lake, California. 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 The American Legion Department of Washington has been suspended after an investigation revealed dysfunction within the department at a level that cannot be allowed to occur, according to a resolution passed by the Legions National Executive Committee. Restructuring of the department and creating a new constitution could take one to two years, John Raughter, deputy director of media relations with the American Legion, told The News Tribune this week. The committee voted at a special meeting Saturday to suspend the Washington American Legion Department immediately, a step Raughter said is rare. Programming run by individual posts within the state of Washington will not be impacted, he said. The American Legion Department of Washington is a nonprofit veterans organization that offers a wide variety of supportive services to veterans and their families across the state, as well as youth programming and sports. It has more than 150 posts across the Washington, and its latest Form 990, filed with the IRS in 2021, listed 24,000 volunteers and 27 employees. The suspension means the Department of Washington would be disbanded and administrative control would revert to the national organization, according to Legion documents. Effective immediately, the National Executive Committee will run the Department of Washington as the committee develops a new constitution and installs new officers, Raughter said. Abandonment of constitution, lawsuits cited The National Executive Committee resolution stated that at some indeterminate point in the past the Washington department did away with their constitution. The resolution also states that lawsuits, existing, occurring and nascent, have put an unbearable financial burden on the department. The department already has been adjudged liable for improper termination of an employee, currently faces an extant lawsuit for malfeasance and faces between one and six Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints (the number is unclear from oral presentations), the resolution states. The News Tribune was not immediately able to obtain details about those allegations. As a consequence of the suspension, all department officers be relieved until such time that the officers be duly elected or appointed in accordance with a newly authored constitution of the Department of Washington, and that the national commander be authorized and directed to terminate the employment of any employees effective immediately if so needed, the resolution stated. The national commander also would have the authority to name and appoint a Washington Reorganization Committee to secure the departments headquarters in Lacey, oversee the department and take steps to ensure its proper operation, oversee financial operations of the department, ensure the department is property audited and hire an interim caretaker, according to the resolution. If anything, I think this should reinforce peoples trust in the American Legion, because when we have an issue like this, we hold people accountable, Raughter said. The American Legion believes in holding people accountable. And this process just kind of is evidence of that. When Oklahomas charter was suspended about a [decade] ago, they came back stronger than ever. As far as services and our dedication and advocacy for veterans, that will not be impacted in the least. Were still there. Warren Co. man accused of stealing womans identity to defraud over $1M Correction: A previous version of this story contained a jail mugshot of a person not affiliated with the case. We deeply regret the error. A Warren County man was indicted for stealing over $1 million from a woman residing in his county. >> TRENDING: Preble Co. man arrested for stolen property, weapons, drug possessions Patrick Noel Thayer, 47, of Lebanon, was indicted on two counts of securities fraud, a first and second degree felony; one count of aggravated theft, a second degree felony; one count of telecommunications fraud, a first degree felony; and one count of identity fraud, a second degree felony. Thayer was accused of defrauding a Warren County woman and stealing over $1.31 million from her investments proceeds, Prosecutor David P. Fornshell said. Thayer was once the former owner of Broadway Financial Solutions, a tax preparation service in Lebanon. He also worked as a securities salesperson for various brokerage firms and was later licensed as an investment adviser. In 2013, Thayer used the victims personal identifying information to open a new bank account in her name without her knowledge or consent. Thayer then began selling securities from the victims brokerage account and transferred the proceeds to the newly-opened bank account which he controlled. Thayer utilized the funds from the newly-opened bank account for his own personal expenses including a down payment on his home, mortgage payments, car loans, credit card expenses, and the purchase of a tiny house in Colorado for a family member. The victim became aware of the fraud in 2022 when she was contacted by the IRS about the bank account that Thayer had opened in her name. The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Securities, and the Warren County Prosecutors Office investigated the case for the indictment. Thayer was scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, June 30, in the Warren County Common Pleas Court. Passengers check in at an international airport in Frankfurt, Germany, June 12, 2023. A massive NATO exercise that kicked off on Monday is set to cause major disruptions to passenger flights in Germany, raising concerns from air travellers and also protesters. (Xinhua/Shan Weiyi) FRANKFURT, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A massive NATO exercise that kicked off on Monday is set to cause major disruptions to passenger flights in Germany, raising concerns from air travellers and also protesters. Jens Bischof, chief of Lufthansa Group's low-cost airline Eurowings, said he was concerned about the fallout of the exercise, which had led to the closure and heavy restriction of a large swath of German airspace. The military drill, known as "Air Defender 23", is the biggest ever NATO air force deployment exercise involving 10,000 military personnel and 250 combat aircraft from 25 nations including the United States. It will last until June 23. The two-week-drill will be carried out mainly in German airspace. The consequent impact includes possible delays of flights, prolonged flight time and cancellations at a busy time of year. Up to 800 flights will have to be rerouted, and around 40 percent will have to fly 110 kms longer, according to estimates by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol). Hamburg Airport has told local media that it is impossible to know exactly which individual flights will be affected, due to the unprecedented nature of the ongoing exercises. Stuttgart Airport also put out a similar message on social media. Both suggested passengers to monitor the status of their flights closely. Some 300 protestors rallied in front of an air base in the state of Lower Saxony on Saturday over the damage done to the climate by the aircrafts and over the NATO show of military might at a time when the conflict in Ukraine is raging on. "If they want to use maneuvers to demonstrate, to intimidate others, this is always the wrong way," protester Thomas Wefing told Xinhua. NATO has claimed that the drill is not targeted at anyone. However, Wefing believes it serves as a provocation to Russia and will lead to the escalation of the situation in Ukraine. Egon Roth, another protestor, shared Wefing's concern over the drill that it could lead to escalation, adding that conflicts can only be resolved through diplomacy rather than the use of weapons. Jochen Scholz, a security expert and a former military officer, feared that the military exercise will be exploited to give Europeans the wrong idea that Russia poses a threat to the security of Europe. "It is not Russia that is a threat to Europe, but the United States, because it sees domination of the Eurasian continent as a prerequisite for its global dominance," he said. Passengers walk through the check-in area at an international airport in Frankfurt, Germany, June 12, 2023. A massive NATO exercise that kicked off on Monday is set to cause major disruptions to passenger flights in Germany, raising concerns from air travellers and also protesters. (Xinhua/Shan Weiyi) A man browses a bulletin of flight information at an international airport in Frankfurt, Germany, June 12, 2023. A massive NATO exercise that kicked off on Monday is set to cause major disruptions to passenger flights in Germany, raising concerns from air travellers and also protesters. (Xinhua/Shan Weiyi) By Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Nafisa Eltahir WASHINGTON/CAIRO (Reuters) -Sudan's warring factions are not taking advantage of talks initiated by the United States and Saudi Arabia meant to yield a permanent ceasefire as they originally agreed, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Tuesday. The United States is consulting with Saudi Arabia and others in the Arab world and Africa about a path forward and hoped to announce a recommended approach in the next few days, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters in Washington. "We think we've given them every shot. We've given them this venue to try and come together and try and find a way forward that doesn't involve achieving an outcome that's based on violence or military dominance," the official said. "They are clearly not taking advantage of the format that we've given them. It's not succeeding in the way they had originally agreed in terms of this step by step process to reach a permanent cessation of hostilities." The war between Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in mid April and has forced almost 2 million people to flee and wrecked the economy. The talks in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah have failed to permanently end fighting and clashes intensified as soon as a ceasefire ended on Sunday. The army refused to extend that 24-hour ceasefire, the U.S. official said. Airstrikes, artillery fire and gunfire erupted in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities Bahri and Omdurman, killing civilians. The violence continued in some areas of Khartoum on Monday, while some residents reported relative calm. The fighting has trapped civilians in a worsening humanitarian crisis in which people are frequently without electricity and water. At least 866 people have been killed and over 6,000 injured in the fighting, the United Nations said on Thursday, citing government statistics. A second senior State Department official told reporters there was a "dawning realization" among the warring parties that there was no acceptable military solution. This had not yet translated, however, into willingness to take tangible steps to lock in a longer ceasefire and a broader permanent cessation of hostilities, the official said. U.S. CONSIDERS SCALING BACK TALKS The second official said the United States is questioning how much more mileage they can get out of talks in Jeddah that could lead to a broader cessation of hostilities, or whether they would scale back talks and focus intently on humanitarian assistance. "That's something we're actively talking about with partners," the official said. The same official said the warring parties had not received much external support yet, despite concerns that the conflict would attract the interference of foreign actors, adding that work was being done to keep it that way. "I think their previous partners are somewhat shocked. Everyone is shocked - like no one can believe that one would behave in such a suicidal manner. And they're concerned about the impact on their country and their region," the first official said. The RSF said on Tuesday it had taken over the Um Dafog army base near the border with the Central African Republic and potentially a hub for supplies. The extent of losses was unclear on either side but neither the army nor the RSF has appeared to establish the advantage. The fighting has expanded to other parts of Sudan, in particular to the West Darfur city of El Geneina, where 1,100 people have been killed, according to activists. Previous ceasefires had allowed some humanitarian access to the country, but aid agencies reported still being impeded by the fighting, bureaucracy and looting. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis in Washington and Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo; editing by Mark Heinrich and Grant McCool) [Source] A Rubiks Cube world record has officially been set by American Max Park. The record-breaking moment: At the Pride at Long Beach 2023 World Cube Association Competition on June 11, Park, 21, achieved a new world record by solving a three-by-three-by-three Rubiks Cube within 3.13 seconds, beating the previous record by 0.34 of a second. In the video uploaded by Park to YouTube, he can be seen carefully inspecting the cube before the timer begins. Mere seconds after he starts the timer, Park successfully solves the cube, stops the timer and jumps up in excitement. Filled with excitement, Park jumps around as the crowd yells, claps and takes photos to commemorate the exciting moment. So happy to achieve a life goal of getting fastest single 3x3, Park expressed in his video description. More from NextShark: Gemma Chan is Producing a Podcast and Film on Vincent Chin's Murder About Max Park: A Cerritos, California, native, Park initially began solving Rubiks cubes to improve his motor skills after being diagnosed with moderate to severe autism. He later learned to "speedcube" and began participating in competitions and is now considered one of the world's top speedcubers. With notable achievements in the speedcubing world including multiple world records in the four-by-four-by-four, five-by-five-by-five, six-by-six-by-six and more Park also previously made an appearance in the 2020 Netflix documentary The Speed Cubers. More from NextShark: Chinese man executed for setting ex-wife on fire during livestream Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Video: Japanese 'fartist' blows away 'Britain's Got Talent' judges NY Congresswoman Grace Meng Tweets Photos of Office Barricade During Capitol Riots 'He went through hell,' says attorney of Akron aide acquitted of molesting student A former aide at an Akron disability program recently was acquitted of charges accusing him of abuse of a 9-year-old student. A jury in Summit County Common Pleas Court found Isaac Rosler not guilty of eight felony charges of rape, attempted rape, and gross sexual imposition. Rosler, 21, of Lake Township, was arrested in November 2021 after a boy at Wings of Change Therapy Inc., a program for students with disabilities, claimed he sexually abused him on the bus and at the school. Rosler was fired and was forced to drop out of Kent State University, where he was studying nursing. He denied the accusations. He went through hell, said Don Malarcik, Roslers attorney. Summit County prosecutors declined to comment on the outcome of the case. Mother reports text messages from aide to her son Wings of Change provides educational and therapeutic services to people ages 5 to 21. Therapists work with intervention specialists in classrooms and provide individual therapy. The mother of the 9-year-old boy, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is on the autism spectrum, became concerned when she saw texts that Rosler had sent her son. She reported her concerns to Wings of Change and moved her son to another program. 'I want justice': Akron mom alleges son was molested. Arrested aide denies allegations Wings of Change immediately fired Rosler. The boy told a counselor at the new program he was attending that Rosler had sexually abused him. The program alerted the Summit County Sheriffs Office, which provides security at the school. Malarcik said Rosler denied having any inappropriate contact with the boy and passed a polygraph, a tool thats inadmissible in court but is often used by law enforcement during investigations. Jurors acquit Rosler of eight felonies for alleged abuse Prior to the trial, prosecutors dismissed one count of attempted rape against Rosler. The trial in Judge Alison McCarty's courtroom lasted more than a week. If Rosler had been convicted, he could have faced up to life in prison and been labeled a sex offender, with registration requirements. Jurors, though, acquitted Rosler of the remaining charges against him. Malarcik said Rosler was pleased with the verdict but didnt want to discuss it. He said Rosler wants to put this behind him. He is spending time with his family and trying to put the pieces of his life back together, Malarcik said. I expect and hope he will continue his studies and go on to live a fulfilling and rewarding life the one that he deserves. Malarcik said he understands that the boy who accused Rosler is doing well in the new program he is attending. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Aide at Akron program acquitted of molesting student with disabilities Wes Anderson has made it clear that the misconduct allegations against Bill Muray wont affect their working relationship. In 2022, Searchlight Pictures paused production on Aziz Ansaris directorial film debut, Being Mortal, due to a complaint allegedly made about inappropriate behaviour on set by Murray. At the time, a letter, obtained by Vanity Fair, was sent to the cast and crew, reading: Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it. After reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time. We are truly grateful to all of you for everything youve put into this project. Our hope is to resume production and are working with Aziz and [producer Youree Henley] to figure out that timing. On Monday (12 June), in a new interview with IndieWire, Anderson, 54, clarified that allegations made against Murray do not impact their working relationship. My experience with Bill is so extensive, The Grand Budapest Hotel director said. Bill was such a great supporter of me from the very beginning. I dont want to speak about somebody elses experience, but hes really part of my family. You know, hes my daughters godfather. In fact, he actually baptised her. Hes the one who splashed the water. Murray, 72, has appeared in nine of Andersons films over the years, including Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr Fox, and more. (Getty Images) He was supposed to be in Andersons latest film Asteroid City, but missed out on the part after testing positive for Covid 19. Speaking of Murrays diagnosis, Anderson said: Bill got Covid four days before he was supposed to start shooting. He was in Ireland and in the case of our movie, we had schedules of so many people that are all puzzled around. The people who Bill was supposed to play scenes with were going to be gone by the time he cleared the Covid protocols and stuff, he added. And in fact, he was quite sick. So Bill missed his part and Steve Carell came in quite suddenly. He was great, I loved having him. I met him, he arrived, and we were immediately shooting. Western companies still operating in Russia were so profitable in 2022 that their corporate taxes contributed almost $4 billion to the country's revenues Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Metzel/Getty Images The 100 largest Western companies still operating in Russia posted $13 billion in profits in 2022, per Novaya Gazeta. Profits jumped 54% from 2021 and the firms contributed $3.5 billion in corporate taxes in 2022. Companies that made large profits from their Russian businesses include TotalEnergies, BP, and Raiffeisen Bank. A rash of Western companies announced their exits from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, but a few of them stayed on and made bank. The top 100 Western companies that remained in Russia made so much money that they contributed nearly 288 billion rubles, or $3.5 billion, in corporate taxes in 2022, according to a June 8 report from Novaya Gazeta Europe. For their report, the independent Russian news outlet reviewed financial statements from Russian-registered legal entities that were either wholly or partially owned by Western entities The bonanza for Russia's war chest came after the largest 100 Western companies still operating in Russia posted 1.1 trillion rubles in net profits collectively in 2022 a 54% jump from 2021, per Novaya Gazeta. The tax revenue contributed to Moscow represents 1% of Russia's budget revenue, per the media outlet. The biggest taxpayers were US, UK, and French companies who paid 40 billion, 47 billion, and 55 billion rubles, respectively. Companies that made huge profits last year include French energy giant TotalEnergies, Austria's Raiffeisen Bank, and British oil giant BP, according to Novaya Gazeta. TotalEnergies continued with some business in Russia even after the invasion but finally announced in December 2022 it has "gradually started to withdraw from its Russian assets while ensuring that it continues to supply gas to Europe." Austria's Raiffeisen Bank almost quadrupled its net profit to 141 billion rubles, per Novaya Gazeta. However, the lender is trying to spin off its operations in Russia, according to a May 23 report from Reuters, citing three people familiar with the matter. Insider could not independently verify the net profits. Breaking up with Russia is a complicated process. Like TotalEnergies, BP, and Raiffeisen Bank, many Western companies are still trying to leave Russia. But the break-up can be a long-drawn process. More than a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, just 525 companies have made a clean break with the country, according to an ongoing study from Yale University. That's despite 1,000 companies announcing they were voluntarily cutting back on operations merely two months after the Ukraine war started. And it's not for lack of trying: More than 2,000 companies were seeking approval to exit the Russian market, the Financial Times reported in March, but the progress was slow due to logistical delays. Others who have varying degrees of active operations in Russia cannot simply pack up and go for a variety of business and non-business-related reasons, including operational, ethical, and policy challenges, Insider reported in March. TotalEnergies, BP, and Raiffeisen Bank did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Where do we need to go? Cop testifies he pushed ahead while Parkland deputy stayed still FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The bullets were landing everywhere: The hallways, the stairway, striking windows, the teachers lounge. On Tuesday, two investigators with the Broward Sheriffs Office testified about the scores of recovered shell casings found in the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after the Feb. 14, 2018 mass shooting. As the bullets flew, former Broward Sheriffs Deputy Scot Peterson said he didnt know where the shots were coming from to take action. He is now on trial on charges of child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury for his actions and inactions during the Parkland massacre. Shooter Nikolas Cruz murdered 17 students and staff and wounded 17 more. According to prosecutors, Peterson arrived outside the east entrance of the 1200 building just before the gunman was done shooting victims on the first floor. Prosecutors argue had Peterson gone into the east entrance when he first heard gunfire, he might have been able to determine the gunmans location and confront him before he reached the third floor. But he did not. Instead Peterson took cover outside the 700 building, an act that got him labeled the Coward of Broward, and criticized by many, including his boss at the time, Sheriff Scott Israel, and President Donald Trump. Peterson is also accused of lying about how many shots he heard, minimizing the severity of the tragic event. His defense attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, has maintained there was a pronounced echo on the grounds, and Peterson couldnt narrow down where the shooting was coming from and didnt know if the shooter was a sniper, or if there were multiple gunmen. Also Tuesday, Coral Springs Police Capt. Edmond DeRosa, then a property crimes supervisor who was working on an unrelated case at Coral Springs High School searching for an arson suspect, drove to Stoneman Douglas when he was told by a dispatcher there were reports of gunfire. He saw Peterson standing in the breezeway and I said Scot, whats going on, where do we need to go?' He said Peterson pointed at the 1200 building, but also said the gunman could be elsewhere. DeRosa went past him into the 1200 building, saying there was no advantage to me being there and took up a position with other officers in the stairwell, guns drawn upward prepared for engagement. They would later learn that they were getting information from delayed security video and the shooter had likely already left the campus. DeRosa testified he was more concerned with eliminating a threat than my own safety. Cruz is serving 34 consecutive life sentences for the murders and attempted murders. If convicted of felony neglect charges, Peterson, 60, could be sentenced to more than 90 years in prison. His criminal trial will resume Thursday. ---------- Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash Who you are, where you live help determine your chances of beating cancer Who you are, where you live help determine your chances of beating cancer About 2 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and 600,000 will die from the disease, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates. But cancer is not equal opportunity. A wide range of factors plays a role in determining whether a person will get and potentially die from the disease, including their genetics and where they live. Special Report: Curing Cancer Cancer death rates have decreased over the last 25 years across the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. The sharpest decrease has occurred among Black people, Native Americans and Alaskan natives, according to a February 2022 report from KFF. This is in part due to improvements in cancer screening, treatments, early diagnosis and changes in behavior like reduced cigarette smoking, according to Latoya Hill, senior policy analyst at KFFs Racial and Health Policy Program. But even though white Americans have higher rates of new cancer diagnoses, some people of color, especially Black people, are still more likely to die from the disease, NCI data show. Between 2016 and 2020, there were 469.9 cancer diagnoses per 100,000 non-Hispanic white people, 451.8 diagnoses per 100,000 Black people, 417.9 diagnoses for every 100,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives, 348.1 diagnoses per 100,000 Hispanics and 302 diagnoses per 100,000 people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Meanwhile, during that same time there were 174.7 cancer deaths per 100,000 Black people, 158 cancer deaths per 100,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives, 154.4 cancer deaths per 100,000 white people, 108.2 cancer deaths per 100,000 Hispanics and 94.5 cancer deaths per 100,000 Asian people and Pacific Islanders. Income is also important in determining who gets and dies from cancer. Research shows poorer communities have higher rates of cancer than affluent areas. And people living in persistent poverty are more likely to die from cancer. In addition, while rural communities tend to have lower rates of cancer than their urban and suburban counterparts, they have higher death rates. Cancer and genetics Genetics plays a role in the types of cancer that are more common among certain racial and ethnic groups. For instance, about 10 percent of all breast cancer cases are due to genetic predisposition, according to Otis Brawley, an oncologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. Ashkenazi Jewish women, who have family roots in Eastern Europe, have a higher risk of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer at an early age compared to other groups of women because of a known gene mutation. Breast cancer rates are about equal between white women and Black women, according to Jasmine McDonald, assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University. But Black women are more likely to die from the disease. This is partly because they are more likely to be diagnosed later than white women, which makes treating the disease more difficult, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Compared to women of other racial and ethnic backgrounds, Black women are also specifically more likely to get triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive type with a faster growth rate. That isnt necessarily a function of access to earlier screening or, or necessarily environment but its something truly at the biological level that we are still striving to understand, said Susan Vadaparampil, associate center director for community outreach, engagement and equity at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida. Cancer and where you live But while genetics plays a role, cancer death disparities are really the result of broader socioeconomic inequities that are rooted in ongoing racism and discrimination. When considering cancer disparities, we need to stop using language about predisposition and making generalizations that it is only a DNA conversation, said Robert Winn, director of the VCU Massey Cancer Center. It is critical to consider what is happening in the world outside of the cell, he said. Where you live, your place and space matters, Winn added in an email to The Hill. Your ZNA, zip code and neighborhood of association, may have structures in place that ultimately cause additional stress. Cancer experts agree that location plays a far more significant role in cancer incidence and death disparities than genetics does. Unequal access to cancer screenings Many communities with cancer clusters or elevated rates of cancer diagnoses are low-income communities that are burdened with limited access to health care or lower quality care and cancer screenings. And communities of color, particularly Black communities, are more likely to live in high-poverty communities due to economic inequity and racist housing laws like due to racist housing laws like redlining. A little over 14 percent of people of color lived in a high poverty neighborhood in 2020, compared to about 4 percent of white people, according to the National Equity Atlas. Breast cancer screenings offer one example of how lower-incoming neighborhoods are subjected to poorer quality cancer health care. Doctors recommend that women start getting an annual mammogram once they turn 40 to look for signs of breast cancer. Such screenings can aid with early detection of the disease and increase the odds of surviving it. But low-income women sometimes get inferior mammograms compared to those received by middle-class or wealthy women, often because the medical equipment they have access to is inferior or the availability of resources to complete thorough testing are limited. Take, for instance, mammography vans, which are frequently deployed in low-income neighborhoods. Brawley, of Johns Hopkins University, explained that during a high quality mammogram, a physician will compare current and past images to look for signs of change. Well, if you get your mammogram on a breast mobile, they dont have access to last years mammogram, Brawley said. So, you have all these women who go to these mammogram vans in these poor neighborhoods and they are very proud of the fact that they got a mammogram but nobody tells them that they actually got lower quality than what the middle class and upper-middle-class women who go to brick-and-mortar facilities get. A lack of health insurance and a shortage of primary care physicians and oncologists also contributes to cancer disparities in rural communities, according to the NCI. Environmental and lifestyle factors In addition to limited health screening access, low-income and rural communities are often subject to environmental and lifestyle factors that, combined with less access to health care, can lead to higher case or death rates of cancer. In rural communities, residents tend to be older, engage in risky health behaviors, and have lower adherence to preventative care than their suburban and urban counterparts, according to the NCI, leading to their higher death rates. Research shows that rural and low-income communities have higher rates of smoking, which directly impacts a persons likelihood of developing lung cancer. And while lung cancer diagnoses and deaths have decreased, mainly due to lower levels of smoking across the country, there are still disparities in who dies from the disease. Rates of new lung cancer diagnoses run very close along racial and ethnic lines, but people of color are still less likely to survive the disease than white people. In 2019, there were 57.1 new cases of lung cancer per 100,000 white people, according to the most recent CDC data. That same year, there were 54.9 lung cancer diagnoses per 100,000 Black people, 49.9 incidents per 100,000 Native American and Alaska Natives, 33.2 per 100,000 Asian and Pacific Islanders and 27.5 per 100,000 Hispanic people. People of Asian or Pacific Islander descent have the highest lung cancer survival rate, followed by Latinos, with 26 percent and 23 percent, surviving five years after their diagnoses, respectively, according to the American Lung Association. White people have the next highest five-year survival rate at 22 percent, while Black people and Indigenous people have lung cancer survival rates of 21 and 19 percent. Lower-income communities also suffer from higher rates of obesity than higher-income neighborhoods, in part due to limited access to fresh food. Research suggests there is a link between high body fat and increased risk for several types of cancer, including endometrial, esophageal and liver cancer, though there is more work to be done to fully understand the connection. Additionally, some low-income neighborhoods, and especially low-income communities of color, are exposed to higher rates of toxic chemicals that can lead to cancer in the homes they live in, the water they drink and the air they breathe. Lead poisoning, which has been linked to higher risks of some types of cancers, disproportionately affects low-income communities, particularly low-income Black communities in the United States. This is in part because low-income communities with homes that were built before the 1970s are more likely to still have lead-based paint. Another factor that can contribute to this disparity is the fact that low-income communities, especially low-income communities of color, are more likely to be near industrial facilities that work with lead than their more affluent counterparts, according to the CDC. Proximity to industrial sites that emit toxic pollutants also plays into disparities in cancer rates and can result in cancer hotspots. Some of these hotspots are so large that they are more akin to cancer corridors, like the 85-mile section of the Mississippi River in Louisiana located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge known as Cancer Alley. This particular stretch of land is home to oil refineries and chemical plants that emit a huge amount of air pollution laced with known carcinogens like ethylene oxide and acetaldehyde, according to a ProPublica analysis. On average, about 30 out of a million people in the U.S. run the risk of developing cancer due to exposure to carcinogens in air pollution. But a significantly higher share face that risk in Cancer Alley: 46 out of a million, one study found in 2012. Updated at 9:17 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Many companies collect an enormous amount of geospatial and time data, but theyre unable to unlock enormous value from that information due to a lack of an easy-to-use, dedicated geospatial database platform. Scottsdale, Arizona-based Wherobots aims to change that with its spatial compute and AI engine, which allows users to develop geospatial analytics applications and deploy them with major cloud data services. The startups solution has caught the attention of investors, with the company announcing today that it closed a $5.5 million seed round co-led by Wing Venture Capital and Clear Ventures. The startup was founded by Mo Sarwat and Jia Yu, a pair of tenure-track academics in computer science at Arizona State University and Washington State University, respectively. In 2015, the pair launched Apache Sedona, a widely used open-source developer tool for geospatial applications. That software has been downloaded millions of times, Sarwat said in a recent interview, leading the pair to realize there was a huge market need for an enterprise-focused product. The two incorporated Wherebots in June 2022 in order to build upon the foundation laid by Apache Sedona. The new product uses the same API as Apache Sedona, while also providing faster spatial processing, a spatial data usage dashboard and other features. Many existing data platforms advertise themselves as generic platforms, Sarwat explained. But that means they offer minimal functionality for users working with space and time data. Other services, like the Google Earth Engine, provide some more capabilities but lock users into their platforms. Companies with enough capital, manpower and time think Uber or Planet have opted to develop their own proprietary solutions, but that isnt accessible to every company. Sarwat says the Wherobots platform solves all of these issues, at a rate that is more scalable and provides better resource utilization compared even to Apache Sedona. What Wherobots provides is a fully managed, fully provisioned, scalable, robust cloud data platform for spatial analytics and AI, he said. Its going to scale as you go. Its going to be way faster, way more efficient [and] way more cloud efficient. The company is still in the building phase, as Sarwat put it, and the new capital will go toward engineering an enterprise-ready platform that people are willing to pay money for. The companys mainly looking to build out its team, which currently stands at seven full-time, plus three interns, and to increase product adoption over time. To that end, the companys released an MVP for beta testing, which people can sign up for here. Sarwat said the platform could be used across industries, including insurance, fleet management and automotive, agriculture, and real estate. Sedona is just the start, Sarwat said. Our ultimate goal is for Wherobots to be the data platform for space and time. Ukraine Dam Catastrophe: Churches Rush to Help in Flood Zone U.S. mission joins with local churches to get generators, solar power kits, food, medical aid to crisis area Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org ) is rushing to support Ukrainian churches racing to help families impacted by the catastrophic dam collapse in southern Ukraine. "For many, these local church volunteers are their lifeline," SGA president Michael Johnson said. NEWS PROVIDED BY Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) June 12, 2023 LOVES PARK, Ill., June 12, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- A U.S. mission is rushing to support Ukrainian churches racing to help families impacted by the catastrophic dam collapse in southern Ukraine as a counter-offensive gets underway. "People are desperate for water, food, and a way to charge their phones as flood waters surround them and the counter-offensive goes on," said Michael Johnson, president of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org). The Illinois-based organization is rushing generators, solar-powered phone charging kits, food, and other emergency supplies to local evangelical church teams and pastors responding at the scene of the disaster. "For many, these local church volunteers are their lifeline," Johnson said. The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam has been described as one of the biggest industrial and ecological disasters in Europe for decades, wiping out farms, destroying entire villages, and cutting off power and safe drinking water supplies to tens of thousands. Shock and Tears "I couldn't stop crying," said local church worker Olexandra, who partners with SGA. "I've never seen anything like this in my life. The damage caused by the flooding is terrible the scale is terrifying." Local churches are asking for prayer. "Keep praying for us," Olexandra said. "(We) hope God turns everything for good." Ready-Made Relief Force SGA's network of thousands of local evangelical churches and missionary pastors across the former Soviet Union has been operating for nearly 90 years, through times of war and peace, and even during the Cold War. "It's a ready-made relief force in emergencies, with local church volunteers already on the scene, so we're able to respond quickly, offering hurting people not only practical aid but also spiritual support and the good news of the Gospel," Johnson said. "It's so powerful when local Christians pray with people in distress and share with them that, yes, there is hope even in this dire situation." Founded in 1934, Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) helps "forgotten" orphans, widows and families in Ukraine, Russia, the former Soviet countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel caring for their physical needs and sharing the life-transforming Gospel. SGA supports an extensive grassroots network of local evangelical missionary pastors and churches in cities and rural villages across this vast region. SOURCE Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) CONTACT: Palmer Holt, 704-662-2569, pholt@inchristcommunications.com WASHINGTON White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the federal Hatch Act during the lead-up to the 2022 midterm elections when she repeatedly warned of "mega MAGA Republicans," according to a government watchdog agency. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel found Jean-Pierre's use of the phrase during press briefings last year violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from using their title to engage in political activity to interfere with the results of an election. Ana Galindo-Marrone, who heads the Hatch Act Unit of the Office of Special Counsel, wrote in a June 7 letter that although Jean-Pierre "never expressly instructed viewers" to vote for or against Republican candidates, the agency concluded "the timing, frequency, and content of Ms. JeanPierres references to 'MAGA Republicans'" proved the references were to generate opposition to Republicans. "Accordingly, making the references constituted political activity," Galindo-Marrone wrote in the letter, which was addressed to Protect the Public's Trust, a conservative watchdog group that filed a Hatch Act complaint against Jean-Pierre. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 12, 2023. The federal watchdog agency closed the case without taking any disciplinary action, arguing the White House Legal Counsel's Office did not believe Jean-Pierre's remarks violated the Hatch Act and that it was unclear whether the Office of Special Counsel's contrary position was ever conveyed to Jean-Pierre "We have advised Ms. JeanPierre that should she again engage in prohibited political activity, OSC would consider it a knowing and willful violation of the law that could result in OSC pursuing disciplinary action," Galindo-Marrone said in the letter. Ironically, Jean-Pierre regularly cites the Hatch Act as a reason not to engage on questions from reporters, particularly questions that pertain to former President Donald Trump, who is running for president in 2024. "As has been made clear throughout the administration, we take the law seriously and uphold the Hatch Act," White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said. "We are reviewing this opinion. "MAGA Republicans," which Biden started using last year, remains a go-to label for the White House in an effort to paint Republicans as increasingly extreme and beholden to Trump and the MAGA movement he spawned. Jean-Pierre, when asked about the matter at Tuesday's press briefing, pointed to nearly 2,000 uses of "Make America Great Again" on the archived White House web site from the Trump years and said congressional Republicans have frequently used "MAGA" in official policy "for years now." At the time, I was given the sign-off to use that terminology," Jean-Pierre said, adding that White House attorneys will have a "routine conversation" with the Special Counsel's office about the Hatch Act allegations. Trump and other members of his administration famously violated the Hatch Act frequently, including using the White House ground for Trump's 2020 Republican National Convention speech. More than a dozen high-level Trump administration officials improperly used their official government powers in violation of the Hatch Act to try to influence the 2020 election, the Special Counsels office concluded in a report in November 2021. Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House's Karine Jean-Pierre violated Hatch Act: watchdog agency White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated a law intended to prevent federal employees from using their offices to influence elections when she repeatedly referred to mega MAGA Republicans in the run-up to the 2022 midterms, a government watchdog agency said. In a letter first shared with NBC News, the Office of Special Counsel determined that Jean-Pierre's choice of words in referring to Republican candidates violated the Hatch Act. Because Ms. JeanPierre made the statements while acting in her official capacity, she violated the Hatch Act prohibition against using her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election, Ana GalindoMarrone, who leads the agency's Hatch Act Unit, wrote in a letter Wednesday. At a White House briefing on Nov. 2, Jean-Pierre referred to mega MAGA Republican officials who dont believe in the rule of law and made other comments disparaging Republican candidates, according to a Hatch Act complaint the conservative watchdog group Protect the Publics Trust filed against Jean-Pierre in November. The group called Jean-Pierres remarks an inappropriate attempt to influence the vote. Despite having found Jean-Pierre in violation of the law, the Office of Special Counsel decided to close this matter without further action, GalindoMarrone wrote in last week's letter to Protect the Publics Trust, noting that the White House counsels office did not at the time believe that Ms. JeanPierres remarks were prohibited. We have decided not to pursue disciplinary action and have instead issued Ms. JeanPierre a warning letter, GalindoMarrone wrote. [I]t is unclear whether OSCs contrary analysis regarding the use of MAGA Republicans was ever conveyed to Ms. JeanPierre, she added. Image: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on June 12, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images) In response to a request for comment, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement: As has been made clear throughout the administration, we take the law seriously and uphold the Hatch Act. We are reviewing this opinion. Jean-Pierre has cited the Hatch Act repeatedly in declining to answer certain questions from reporters or in explaining why she can offer only limited responses, including in the weeks leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. Michael Chamberlain, a former Trump administration official who is head of Protect the Publics Trust, said Jean-Pierres violation of the law without repercussion shows why Americans increasingly distrust the Biden administrations ethics claims, after it vowed to uphold the highest standards. This episode illustrates exactly what people hate about Washington, DC and why they increasingly distrust the Biden Administrations promises to be the most ethical in history," Chamberlain said in a statement. "The Hatch Act was a law used to pillory previous administrations but officials now appear content to sweep it under the rug. Trump administration officials came under fire for breaching the law numerous times, with a November 2021 report from the Office of Special Counsel characterizing their behavior as especially pernicious in light of comments ahead of the 2020 election. This failure to impose discipline created the conditions for what appeared to be a taxpayer-funded campaign apparatus within the upper echelons of the executive branch, the 2021 report said. A Biden administration official argued Monday that Republicans have often used the acronym MAGA for official government purposes separate from campaigning. The official said that the Trump White House used the term "Make America Great Again" almost 2,000 times for official purposes and that congressional Republicans have used the term MAGA for official purposes, including legislation and policy proposals. Recently, Jean-Pierre has cited the Hatch Act in declining to comment on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s announcement that he would challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, telling reporters: Its 2024. ... Im just not going to touch that with a 12-foot pole. She also used it to clarify an answer about whether Biden would serve all eight years in office if he is re-elected. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra violated the Hatch Act last year when he expressed support for electing Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., to a full term at an event last fall, the Office of Special Counsel said this April. In October, Jean-Pierre acknowledged that Bidens chief of staff at the time, Ron Klain, who retweeted a political message on his government Twitter account, had violated the Hatch Act. She said that the White House takes the provision seriously but that it is not perfect. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Biden administration is imploring states to slow down their efforts to cut people from Medicaid after more than a million Americans lost coverage, including many because of red tape, even though they were still eligible. Administration health officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Tuesday said they were closely monitoring state data and were concerned about the high numbers of people losing coverage. They said if states were not following federal law, the agency would take action. When it is needed, we will not hesitate to use all of our enforceable enforcement tools to ensure that states are doing what they are required to do throughout the renewals, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said on a call with reporters. Medicaid enrollment hit record high numbers amid the COVID-19 pandemic because states werent allowed to end coverage. But that safety net ended in April and states started to determine for the first time in three years who was eligible for Medicaid. According to an analysis of that data by KFF, the median disenrollment rate is 44 percent, but there is wide variation across states ranging from 12 percent in Nebraska to 73 percent in Idaho. In some states, more than 80 percent of people who lost coverage were due to what CMS described as procedural reasons, such as the failure to return forms. Before the pandemic, people churned in and out of Medicaid for various reasons. People lost their coverage if they earned too much or didnt provide the information needed to verify their income or residency. The Biden administration has been working with state officials to minimize churn. But even in the best of times, states have sent mail to the wrong address, or people move frequently and cant easily be reached. The reality of our healthcare insurance system is that coverage transitions are not seamless. It takes time and effort to ensure individuals and families make their way back to health care coverage that meets their needs, Brooks-LaSure said. In a letter to governors sent Monday, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra decried the massive coverage losses and urged states to adopt all available flexibilities to minimize avoidable coverage losses among children and families. I am deeply concerned with the number of people unnecessarily losing coverage, especially those who appear to have lost coverage for avoidable reasons that State Medicaid offices have the power to prevent or mitigate, he wrote. In a statement released with the letter, Becerra said nobody should lose coverage simply because they changed addresses, didnt receive a form, or didnt have enough information about the renewal process. The Biden administration is giving states a year to go through the once-routine process of sorting through Medicaid rolls, though some are moving much faster. Arkansas for instance is speeding through the redetermination process in only six months, citing cost concerns and the goal of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) to push people to escape the trap of government dependency. More than 110,000 people have been removed from the states Medicaid rolls to date, according to KFF; 82 percent of them have been for procedural reasons. State officials on June 8 said in a statement there were significant efforts made to find and notify beneficiaries before the disenrollments began. Those efforts should not be discounted because of the number of beneficiaries whose coverage ended due to failing to return a renewal packet, the Department Of Human Services said. We will continue to swiftly disenroll individuals who are no longer eligible, as this ensures that Medicaid resources go to beneficiaries who truly need them, the agency said. Becerra in his letter outlined strategies states could use, including spreading out the renewals over the next 12 months, as well as pausing the cancellations to allow more time to reach people who havent responded to letters. CMS Deputy Administrator Daniel Tsai acknowledged that the administration cant force states to take up certain strategies, but they want governors to do more than the bare minimum required by federal law. I dont think its an exaggeration to say that millions of Americans health care coverage is at risk, Tsai said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Getty Images The assignment of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to oversee former President Donald Trumps federal trial for mishandling government documents has proven controversial. So when it was announced that a different judge will be on the bench for Trumps arraignment on Tuesday, that raised eyebrows among some observers. Aileen Cannon, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons - Wikimedia Commons Did this mean that the case was being reassigned from Cannon, whom Trump appointed? Or that she would recuse herself, as some commentators have demanded? Not so fast. A different judge will be handling Trumps arraignment and bond issues, but thats likely just for procedural reasons. Cannon is still slated to remain lead judge on the trial for now. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman will preside over Trumps arraignment on Tuesday, which will mark the former presidents first court appearance in a federal indictment that includes 37 felony counts stemming from a Justice Department investigation into his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office in January 2021. Trump has called the investigation and indictment a witch hunt and proclaimed in an all-caps message on Truth Social, I AM AN INNOCENT MAN! The case is sure to inflame observers across the political spectrum. Already political commentators and legal analysts have widely criticized Cannon for her perceived bias in Trumps favor during prior cases. Why Goodman Instead of Cannon? Getty Images On Monday, the Miami Herald reported that Goodman would be handling Trumps June 12 arraignment, which is expected to be held at 3 p.m. Trump will plead not guilty, after which it is widely expected he will be released rather than remitted to jail pending his trial, which as not yet been scheduled. The Herald described Goodman as a well-regarded veteran magistrate known for not only his legal wisdom, but also for his wry humor in the courtroom. A former South Florida newspaper reporter before obtaining his law degree, Goodman practiced civil litigation and was a shareholder with the Miami law firm Akerman Senterfitt before becoming magistrate in 2010. The announcement that Goodman will oversee the arraignment led to immediate speculation on social media about whether Cannon was being replaced. Just hours after it was announced, Newsweek ran a story with the headline Was Controversial Pro-Trump Judge Taken Off High Stakes Case? However, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, its typical for magistrate judges to conduct initial appearances and arraignments, while a district judge is typically responsible for supervising pretrial processes and conducting trials. So Goodmans participation doesnt necessarily mean Cannon wont be involved in the trial. Why Is Cannon Controversial? Cannon has been serving as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida since November 2020. A Trump appointee, she presided over a lawsuit Trump filed seeking the appointment of a special master to review materials the FBI seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach as part of the federal governments investigation. Cannon ordered the government to pause its use of those seized materials and granted Trumps request for a special master to review them. An appellate court later reversed that decision, finding Cannon didnt have the jurisdiction to consider that request, and ordered Cannon to dismiss Trumps lawsuit, which she did in December 2022. The National Law Review called the appellate ruling a rebuke of Cannon, quoting New York University law professor Peter M. Shane: Its like a civil procedure professor giving a student a failing grade. If an appellate court tells a lower court that we can only accept your judgment by betraying one of the nations founding principles, thats a pretty strong rebuke. After Trumps indictment was filed on Thursday, Cannon was randomly assigned to the case, according to the Miami Herald. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rehmani told Newsweek Cannon was a favorable draw for Trump and that she gave him favorable, and incorrect, rulings with respect to the search warrant that was executed and the special master. The selection of Cannon has led to multiple calls for her recusal, with three legal experts writing in Slate that her prior, fundamentally erroneous approach casts a shadow over the proceedings and that reasonable observers of this case could question her impartiality. Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner also said she should step down so the public can have faith and trust and confidence in the judicial process. Whether Cannon will remain the lead judge at Trumps trial remains to be seen. However, Jordan Rubin of MSNBC wrote that if prosecutors sought to have Cannon removed, precedents from past circuit case law suggests Cannons removal is possible but not a foregone conclusion. You Might Also Like Why does King Charles III have two birthdays and when are they? Being a monarch comes with many responsibilities, of course, but you also get a crown, multiple homes and the privilege of never having to do a food shop. Another major perk is that the king or queen get two separate birthdays each year. While King Charles will officially celebrate his 75th birthday on 14 November later this year, he will receive an early celebration this weekend (Saturday 17 June) at Trooping the Colour, also known as the Kings Birthday Parade. What happens at the Trooping the Colour? The annual spectacle, which also took place under the reign of Charless mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, sees the military parade of the Horse Guards in London. Queen Elizabeth IIs official birthday was celebrated in June, but her actual birthday was on 21 April. Why does King Charles III have two birthdays? The reason monarchs have two birthdays is simply down to the British weather. The event is typically celebrated with outdoor events, so it makes more sense to throw the celebration in the summer months when the weather is expected to be better. If a monarch doesnt have a summer birthday, then they will have a second one in June. What time is Trooping the Colour? Trooping the Colour is a ceremony that has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for the last 260 years. While it is a celebration, it is also a military event that sees 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians to join a procession from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, and then back again. The events will include the annual RAF fly-past at 1pm followed by the royal familys official balcony appearance. What time is the Kings birthday parade? Coverage of the Kings Birthday Parade begins at 10.30am on Saturday 17 June on BBC One, with the procession expected to kick off at a similar time. The public can go and watch the parade from The Mall, but tickets for the seated stands around Horse Guards Parade are allocated by ballot for members of the public. Texas politicians get a lot done sometimes and sometimes, they do something that is infuriating. A bevy of Republicans in Congress defended former President Donald Trump upon hearing the news of his indictment, at least a couple before the details were even released. While Trump initially announced Thursday that the charges were coming, the 37-count indictment accusing him of mishandling classified documents and covering it up was unsealed Friday. From Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Ronny Jackson of Amarillo to Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Irving and even Rep. Chip Roy of Austin (who has already endorsed Trump rival Ron DeSantis for president), many Texas politicians chalked the indictments up to partisanship, a witch hunt, or a vendetta. Today is a very sad day in American history, Cruz said Friday on his podcast. We have never in over two centuries of our nations history had a new president who launched the entire Department of Justice, the entire machinery of justice on a vendetta to persecute, to attack, to investigate, to indict, to try to throw in jail the former president who, it should be noted, is also currently the leading contender on the Republican side to run against the current president. Sen. Ted Cruz appearing in April in Fort Worth. Its not clear whether any of these politicians had even read the charges. Some of them made their opinion known before indictments were even unsealed. They need to open their eyes to the evidence. At the very worst, Trump has handled classified documents poorly, perhaps stolen them. At best, Trump is a victim of a targeted campaign to weaken Joe Bidens strongest opponent and he handled classified documents poorly. Even though Hillary Clinton and a number of politicians before her made similar mistakes with documents and werent indicted, the issue of government entities holding different standards for different political parties is not mutually exclusive from the idea that Trump did something wrong. Both can be true and both need to be dealt with. But all of this is separate from the fact that clearly Trump no longer has the kind of record or reputation the GOP should support especially for GOP presidential contender in 2024. The GOP can do better. The nation needs better. The people deserve better. There are no compelling reasons anymore to support Trump, theres only multiple reasons not to. Republican politicians have seen both the fandom and the fury that exists within the MAGA fanbase. It ushered Trump to victory in 2016 and then in 2020, a handful of them attempted a very poor coup or a riot, depending on your perspective. Fear of Trump voters coupled with the belief that the MAGA base cares more about the double standard (or the institutional failure of organizations like the FBI) seems to cause some Republicans to continue to pay homage to a leader who no longer deserves fealty. One of the best ways to weaken Trumps ongoing popularity among the MAGA fanbase would be for other bona fide GOP leaders to criticize him rightfully, without fanfare or a hint of a smear, but solely on the facts. Not everything is a witch hunt or a partisan attack. Some of these allegations hold water. Do you really think everyone conspired against Trump? Please. Surely by now Texas politicians realize they arent beholden to Trump, or at least, that they dont need to be. Whats lost if they demonstrate doubt or disappointment in Trump? Whats lost if they shift their support to any number of the other, qualified GOP front runners? Wasting even so much as a tweets worth of political capital on Trump makes no sense now, particularly as Trump is in no position to hand out favors or destroy careers. When he was in office, it made sense for some to toe the party line, but now? Texas does boast a significant portion of MAGA voters, but the fastest way to a different future is to forget about that toxic person that is holding a better kind of conservatism back. Trump is no longer good for this country, and the MAGA fanbase in Texas needs to let him go. Texas politicians who are still carrying water for him need to reexamine the allegations against him and their own reasons behind their ongoing support. jack-dorsey Jack Dorsey speaks during the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, Florida, U.S., on Friday, June 4, 2021. Credit - Eva Marie UzcateguiBloomberg/Getty Images Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey accused the Indian government of censoring content and threatening to shut the platform down while he was CEO of the company, during an interview on Monday. India, for example, was a country that had many requests around the farmers protests, around particular journalists that were critical of the government, Dorsey told the hosts of the U.S. YouTube show, Breaking Points. Referring to the farmers protests in 2021, when farmers opposed new agriculture laws that were later repealed by the government, he said: It manifested in ways such as: We will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us; We will raid the homes of your employees, which they did; We will shut down your offices if you dont follow suit. And this is India, a democratic country, he continued. The Indian government, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party, vehemently denied the allegations and accused Twitter of violating the law. In a Twitter post on June 13, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Indias deputy minister for information technology, called Dorseys claims an outright lie and suggested it was an attempt to brush out a very dubious period of Twitters history. More from TIME No one went to jail nor was Twitter shut down. Dorseys Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it, he wrote in the lengthy tweet. Several members of the opposition Congress Party are calling out the government in response. In a public statement, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal called Dorseys claim alarming and shocking and suggested that similar pressures may have motivated the temporary suspension of opposition leader Rahul Gandhis Twitter account in 2021. Read More: Why Twitter Blocked Accounts Linked to Farmers Protests in IndiaOnly to Reverse Course Although Dorsey stepped down as CEO in 2021, his comments relating to the 2021 incident resurface the strained relationship between Twitter and the Indian government. In 2021, Twitter complied with the Indian governments orders to remove anti-government content during the farmers protests. It later restored most of the censored accounts, citing insufficient justification. In May of that year, the police raided Twitters office after the company labeled a tweet by Modis party spokesman as manipulated media. In July 2022, it was reported that Twitter had filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in the southern state of Karnataka after it allegedly threatened company executives with criminal action if they failed to comply with takedown orders over 39 tweets and accounts, the details of which are under seal. Neither Twitter nor the Indian government confirmed the reports at the time, but the lawsuit followed a new set of sweeping regulations passed by Indias government to police platforms, which it said was necessary to tackle disinformation and hate speech online. Dorseys comments also come at a time when the debate around Twitters role in supporting freedom of expression has intensified after billionaire Elon Musk purchased the platform last year. As TIME previously reported, Musks takeover of Twitter prompted speculation about the company changing its stance on India after it fired some 90% of the roughly 200 India-based staff shortly after the acquisition. Read More: Elon Musk Has Inherited Twitters India Problem In January this year, Twitter complied with orders from the Indian government to censor posts sharing links to a controversial BBC documentary about Modi. Two months later, it blocked the accounts of more than 100 prominent politicians, activists, and journalists in India and abroad as the government conducted a manhunt for a local Sikh separatist leader. While Modi and his ministers actively post on Twitter, free speech activists have voiced concerns over the governments censorship of any criticism under the guise of national security. This year, Indias ranking in the World Press Freedom Index slipped from 140 to 161 out of 180 countries, according to the latest report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). While we must all demand accountability from Silicon Valley platforms, that must not enable unconstitutional power grabs, Apar Gupta, the Founding Director of the non-profit Internet Freedom Foundation, tweeted in response to the latest Twitter allegations. MOUNT HOLLY A Willingboro man has received a life sentence for fatally shooting a 21-year-old woman during a holdup. Marvin Coleman Jr., 25, has no chance of parole under his prison term, said the Burlington County Prosecutors Office. He was found guilty earlier this year of killing Maribely "Bely" Lopez of Lindenwold as the victim sat in her car in the Millbrook Park section of Willingboro. Lopez had driven to the first block of Medley Lane after arranging an online sale of a cellphone to Coleman on the night of March 6, 2019, the prosecutors office said. More: Sentencing soon for Semaj Pittman Willingboro man enters plea in homicide of Kayla Winkler Her body was found just before 8:30 a.m. the next morning. Lopez had been shot in the head through a partially opened window of her car. The phone she planned to sell was still in the vehicle and the car's engine was still running, the prosecutor's office said. In announcing Coleman's indictment in July 2019, the prosecutor's office urged people selling items to strangers to utilize safe zones offered by many local police departments. Willingboro's police station has a dedicated area with 24-hour video surveillance in its parking lot. Coleman, whose Marlboro Lane was near the crime scene, was found guilty of murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons offenses. He was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Gerard Breland in Mount Holly. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Maribely Lopez of Lindenwold drove to Willingboro to sell a phone A bill that would boost funding to local governments and impose sweeping Republican-backed policy changes in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin now moves to the state Assembly and Senate. The state Legislature's powerful Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday signed off on the legislation that has been evolving over its monthslong journey through the legislative process. The committee also backed a bill that would increase state funding for public, charter and private voucher schools as part of an agreement announced last week between Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on the local government funding bill. More changes to the local government funding legislation are expected because the Assembly and Senate versions are not identical and neither reflects the deal between Republican legislative leaders and Evers. More: Republican legislative leaders, Gov. Evers strike deal to avoid fiscal crisis in Milwaukee More: With two-thirds council vote likely needed for Milwaukee sales tax, seven members slam state legislation Here's what you need to know: What deal between Republicans and Evers was announced last week? The committee vote, a key hurdle for bill authors to clear, comes days after state leaders announced they had struck a tentative deal to prevent Milwaukee from dropping off a fiscal cliff, allow city and Milwaukee County leaders to raise sales taxes without asking voters and provide more funding for local governments across the state. The deal would allow Milwaukee County to add a 0.4% sales tax to its current 0.5% sales tax, for a total county sales tax of 0.9%. That's a boost from the 0.375% additional sales tax in the original legislation but also less than the 0.5% increase a coalition that includes the city and county had urged legislators to adopt. The legislation allows the City of Milwaukee to pursue a 2% tax. The state Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates the new sales tax would generate an additional $80 million for Milwaukee County in the first year. State estimates project the sales tax could offer the city an annual revenue boost of $193.6 million. Both sales taxes could be implemented with two-thirds votes of the County Board of Supervisors and the Common Council, under the deal. In addition to the government funding legislation that has been in the works for months, the deal would also send more public dollars to public, charter and private voucher schools. That element of the agreement has been heralded by educators in the state's private school voucher programs and infuriated Wisconsin's teachers unions that blasted the agreement reached by Evers, the former state superintendent. What happened in the Joint Finance Committee? The committee voted on three pieces of legislation. The first was Senate Bill 330 on the funding for schools, which Milwaukee Democrats on the committee slammed over its use by Republicans in the negotiations with Evers and the amount of funding for special education. State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, spoke to the city's need for additional funding to avoid deep cuts to services on which residents rely, and she admonished Republicans for using "our kids as a pawn" in the local government funding negotiations with Evers. "Our children and our city and our county, we are not political footballs," she said. "We are people." State Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said the bill would not get his support because he felt it provided an insufficient increase in special education funding for public schools. State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, though, contended that the legislation helps school districts with low revenue ceilings in addition to helping charter programs. The bill passed 11-3. The second and third votes were on companion bills on local government funding, Senate Bill 301 and Assembly Bill 245, respectively. Each passed the committee 10-4. State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, said she wasn't able to support the legislation, citing a series of concerns that included distrust that the amendment Republicans ultimately put forward would match what they have described, the way the state's funding structure for local governments created the current issues in communities across the state and the continuation of a pattern that she said economically and politically deprives her constituents. What is expected to happen next? The state Senate and Assembly are expected to vote on the final version of the legislation on Wednesday, at long last sending it to Evers' desk. If the city and county are empowered to implement sales taxes via votes of two-thirds majorities of the Common Council and County Board of Supervisors, each local government will then have to take its own action. Need more help with voting questions? The Milwaukee Resource Guide is here to help. Have something you want answered? Submit a question. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Government funding bill clears key hurdle. Here's what comes next Woman Commutes to Work by Plane To Avoid High Rent in New York and New Jersey Businesswoman working on laptop during flight The cost of living is rising all over the United States. Commuting to work is another layer of stress. But would you be willing to fly from one state to another each week for a job? For one woman, Sophia Celentano, the stress is worth it. She hopes to make connections in her industry and land a full-time position. People who are completely qualified for positions and have degrees from top universities arent getting hired, Celentano said. They dont have connections, and they dont have internship experience. Celentano told her followers on TikTok that she commutes to work by plane with the caption, Super commuting slay. She explained: You might be wondering, If youre working 9 to 5, why the hell are you up at 3 a.m.? I am actually going to be commuting into my job one day a week. Im going to be a corporate marketing intern for an advertising agency. The office Im working for is based in the New York/New Jersey area. Where Does She Commute From? While living with her parents in Charleston and flying to New Jersey for work is more viable for her financially, TikTok users chimed in with their thoughts. There is no amount of money you could pay me to wake up at 3 a.m. to commute, said one person. A second said, Babe, I say this with respect that I wouldnt even do this commute for a full-time position. I hope they hire you full-time. A third person expressed support: As someone who worked in a different city as they lived, dont listen to the comments, do whatever makes you the happiest! What Is Her Travel Schedule for Work? Each Wednesday, Celentano flies from Charleston to Newark Liberty International Airport. Her arrival is 8 a.m., and from there, she takes a taxi to the office. The guy who founded this company is literally referred to as the father of advertising,' Celentano said. So yes, maybe it is extreme to fly in one day a week to meet in-person expectations. But if thats what I have to do to leave a good impressionto get a return offer at a really great place, then so be it. How high is the cost of living in the New York and New Jersey areas? Quite high, which is why Millennials and Gen Zers are living with their parents or splitting rent with roommates. According to Newsweek, The price of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of the Big Apple was reported to range from $2,500 to $5,000. The cost of renting a similar apartment outside the city center ranged from $1,800 to $3,500, according to Numbeo. Whether its exploring cheaper living options or embracing unconventional commuting methods, Millennials and Gen Zers are determined to forge their paths toward success in a competitive landscape. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) Property developer DMCI Homes is spending 18.6 billion this year, 18% higher than a year ago, as it aims to cement its presence in leisure, condotel, and township projects. We recognized a demand for leisure properties and saw it as an opportunity to expand our product line. By offering quality and best value in this market, we hope to duplicate the success of our core residential line, DMCI Homes president Alfredo Austria said in a disclosure on Tuesday. DMCI Homes is set to introduce its condotel project in San Juan, Batangas this month. The format would allow investors to make their units available for rent to guests through DMCI Homes Leisure Residences. This business model allows the company to generate revenues from both the sale and rental of the units. Buyers, in turn, can use the unit as a vacation home and receive a share in the rental revenue, which can help offset the cost of ownership, the company said. DMCI Homes said its Luzon land bank expanded by 49% to 96.9 hectares after it acquired properties in Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Pampanga. QUITO, Ecuador A 76-year-old woman who was declared dead at a hospital in Ecuador astonished her relatives by knocking on her coffin during her wake, and the incident has prompted a government investigation into the hospital. Relatives left the coffin behind and rushed retired nurse Bella Montoya back to the hospital after the wake Friday in the central city of Babahoyo, son Gilberto Barbera told The Associated Press. It gave us all a fright, Barbera said, adding that doctors have said his mothers situation remains dire. Ecuadors Health Ministry said that Montoya was in intensive care Monday at the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo while the ministry investigates doctors involved in her case. A technical committee has been formed to review how the hospital issues death certificates, the ministry said in a statement. Montoya initially had been admitted Friday at the hospital with a possible stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest, and when she did not respond to resuscitation a doctor on duty declared her dead, the ministry said. Barbera said his mother was unconscious when she was brought to the emergency room and that a few hours later a doctor informed him she was dead and handed over identity documents and a death certificate. The family then brought her to a funeral home and were holding a wake later Friday when they started to hear strange sounds. There were about 20 of us there, Barbera said. After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds. My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily. Though he and relatives rushed her back to the hospital Friday, she was still in serious condition Monday. She was under intubation, and doctors werent giving relatives much hope about her prognosis, Barbera said. No details have been released about the doctor who had prematurely declared the woman dead. 'Deadly risks': Migrants use TikTok to share journey to southern border. But smugglers use it too Children found alive 40 days after crash 4 children lost in Amazon jungle for 40 days after Colombia plane crash are found alive This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ecuador woman rushed to hospital after waking up at her funeral A Kendall homeowner registered her post-operation recovery house with the state as a business. But that recovery house doesnt have a license, according to Miami-Dade police and a check of other state records. So, Oasis Recovery Centers Monica Garcia was arrested after Miami-Dade police medical crimes unit detectives followed an employee driving Smart Plastic Surgery patient to a home in West Kendall, according to an arrest report. Investigators say they found 12 women in post-op recovery at the house. Garcia faces two counts of running an unlicensed assisted living facility, one count of hazardous waste violations, one count of felony littering, one count of public nuisance injurious to health and a bio waste misdemeanor. Garcia was arrested Wednesday, released Thursday after posting $21,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. An arrest report says Garcia told Miami-Dade officers she has been running recovery houses for a long time. She got into the business after a bad experience recovering from a cosmetic procedure. The report said Garcia, 45, also told police that shes working toward the facility being licensed. A check of the Florida Department of Health doesnt turn up this Monica Garcia in Miami-Dade as a licensed registered nurse or a certified nursing assistant. READ MORE: Heres how to check your plastic surgery center, doctor or recovery center in Miami A recovery house in Kendall State records say Garcia registered Oasis Recovery Center Miami Inc. with the Florida Division of Corporations on June 30, 2021, and still lists 15960 SW 42nd Ter. as the business address. Miami-Dade property records say Garcia owns that place. Thats where Miami-Dade police set up when they got a tip Garcia was using the house as an unlicensed post-operative recovery center, Oasis Eden or Oasis Recovery Center. Miami-Dade police say the original tip about the unlicensed assisted living facility Garcia was operating as Oasis Recovery House and Oasis Eden said it was at this house, 15960 SW 42nd Terr. DAVID J. NEAL/dneal@miamiherald.com From the Southwest 42nd Terrace house, Miami-Dade medical crimes detectives say they followed a Honda Civic to Smart Plastic Surgery, 10700 SW 88th St. When the driver got there, she put plastic over the backseat as if it were a 1970s sofa. The driver then helped a woman leaving Smart Plastic Surgery out of her wheelchair and into the backseat, where she had the woman lie flat on her stomach. Smart Plastic Surgery, 10700 SW 88th St. DAVID J. NEAL/dneal@miamiherald.com The arrest report says the Honda Civic was followed to 2401 SW 143rd Ct., which county property records say is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,832-square foot corner house owned by Aselin Gomez (Gomez faces no charges). Police say the driver went through a gate off to the side of the front door and pulled the car into the backyard. Detectives say they hung around until Garcia drove up in a white SUV. While they detained Garcia, they also went into the house and, the report says, they found 12 women in different stages of post-operative recovery. The women said theyd paid $250 a night for personal care including help with bathing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom, personal hygiene and taking medication. A search of the Agency for Health Care Administration turns up no assisted living facility license for either the Gomez house or the Garcia house. Woman who was pronounced dead for three minutes due to heatstroke describes what experience felt like A woman who says she was pronounced dead for three minutes after battling with heatstroke has reflected on the experience, and the strange anomalies she has experienced since. When Jade, 36, visited a friend during a summer afternoon in Green Bay, Wisconsin, she didnt expect for her life to be hanging in the balance only hours later. According to Jade, on the day in question, the temperature reached 89.6F, and with the high humidity, it made it feel unbearable. Soon after, she started experiencing frequent bouts of nausea, dizziness, dry mouth and exhaustion, which caused her to collapse on the living room sofa. As Jade was rushed to the hospital, medics pronounced her dead for three minutes and said the culprit was heatstroke. Now, in a bid to raise awareness, shes shared her story on TikTok, where shes received more than 191,000 views and over 20,000 likes, and where she said the experience has made her unafraid of death. I had experienced an extreme fear of dying prior to this incident, but when it actually happened, I had zero fear, the content creator, from Wisconsin, told NeedToKnow.co.uk. I remember feeling consistently yucky and really gross. I was rundown, lethargic and sick to my stomach, with my mouth bone dry. I went out to smoke and the moment that I finished and stood up, I knew I was in trouble. My priority immediately became getting back inside and I dont think I understood at this point that I was dying, but I did understand that I was going down. Jade recalls stumbling into the apartment and slumping onto the couch, before making a gurgling sound. (Jam Press) She said: Everything must have happened in a matter of moments, but it felt like much longer and this profound feeling of utter sickness hit me like a tonne of bricks. My head felt like it was inflating, yet my entire body as if it was shrinking. I had never known anything like it before. It made me completely okay with dying because I wanted to sleep forever. Then, everything went black and that was the moment I knew I was about to pass away. Jade was rushed to St Vincents hospital via ambulance, where she was revived via a defibrillator. As she arrived, she fell in and out of consciousness, but imaging tests of her head were carried out, along with blood tests and electrocardiograms, a test to check the hearts rhythm. Over the next four days, she received injections to prevent blood clots and soon, medics told her she had been pronounced dead for three minutes on arrival with heatstroke. In the clip, she reflects on the experience and the weird occurrences which have happened to her since. Users flocked to the comments to share their reactions, with many detailing their own similar experiences. I fainted TWICE that summer, one person said, while another said: I was pregnant that summer. The heat was HORRIBLE!!! Your story was very interesting. Glad youre safe, another person added. Was it scary? What did you see? I really panic about the thought of death, someone else asked. Jade was born with Wolff Parkinsons White and postural tachycardia syndrome, which both cause abnormalities with increased heart rate. Often, she feels like shes going to throw up her heart and sometimes experiences extreme shakiness as well as fainting spells. Due to this, she finds intense heat triggers these episodes and while her near death experience in July 2011 hasnt made these worse, she believes they were a contributing factor. My symptoms are still mild, but I have been getting new ones, such as a low grade fever and muscle weakness, she said Im not sure if these are related to the heatstroke. Im still waiting for a final diagnosis, as this has only occurred after my incident, but I will always fight for myself and my life. Since then, Jade has also suffered with frequent seizures, which she had never had prior to the incident. She said: At first, I thought it was heatstroke again, but I just passed out and doctors believe its because Im still so exhausted from all the anxiety of almost dying. But, I have been admitted a few times for these and Ive had tests such as MRIs and more blood work done, as well as seeing a neurologist and Ive been diagnosed with epilepsy. Now, I dont have them so much, but Ive been in touch with other near death experience survivors who said they had seizures for a while after, but then they suddenly stopped. Jade has also experienced other strange anomalies such as not being able to wear regular watches, as they would stop working once she put them on. She said: It wasnt something that happened before and the only watches that are safe are expensive smart watches. Ive given up on them entirely, but vape pens also shut down even with a full battery. Ive also had a lot of spooky things happening, such as hearing voices and seeing things that arent there. Sometimes its been whispers or dark hazy figures and I began recording my home because I was petrified that I was losing it. I believe this is telling me that life continues after death. She continued: I feel like Im in a special club and its made me learn how to take better care of myself, as well as valuing life more. I dont live in fear of death and I know that when my time comes, any fear will melt away like it did before. The biggest lesson Ive learned is that it is absolutely true what they say - the fear itself is always worse than the thing we actually fear. Woman shot nearly a dozen times walks to neighbors house for help, Florida cops say A woman was shot nearly a dozen times, including twice in the head, before she walked across the street to a neighbors house to ask for help, according to a Florida sheriffs office. Deputies found the woman with multiple gunshot wounds at her neighbors house in Seminole at about 1:30 a.m. June 11, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. She had been shot at a house across the street by a family member who was still inside, Pinellas County Chief Deputy Paul Halle said during a news conference. Deputies activated the SWAT team and tried to communicate with the man, according to the news release. He refused to surrender. When law enforcement officers went into the house about seven hours later, they found him with a gunshot wound to the head, Halle said. He died, according to the sheriffs office. Investigators later found the shooting to be domestic-violence related, and the victim and the man were having an argument prior, Halle said. She had been shot in her torso, leg and twice in the head, Halle said. Its amazing, you think someone whos been shot that many times is still able to walk out of her house, walk across the street to her neighbor and tell him what happened, he said. Pretty amazing. A man who identified himself as the womans fiance told ABC Action News she had been living with the other man, who was her ex-boyfriend, because they were both partial owners of the house, and she was waiting for him to find a new place to live. The fiance told the outlet he was on the phone with the woman before the shooting and heard the man take the phone as she yelled for him to give it back. She said she remembers layin there, trying to play dead, and hes still shooting her while shes laying there, playin dead, he told the outlet. A spokesman for the sheriffs office said in an email that the woman was in stable condition. He declined to release any further information. Seminole is about 25 miles southwest of Tampa. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Woman is shot dead by boyfriend in front of her 9-year-old daughter, Texas cops say Woman who disappeared driving cross country with boyfriend found after weeks, cops say Kids break through glass to escape as man shoots ex-wife and toddlers, Texas cops say Worried about Chinese influence, the US is undoing Trump's decision to quit UNESCO. It will probably cost $600 million. President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on January 12, 2023. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik The US announced it was to rejoin UNESCO amid worries China was becoming too influential. The Biden administration has requested $150 million to start paying back UNESCO dues of $617 million. UNESCO's chief called it "a strong act of confidence, in UNESCO and in multilateralism." Motivated by concerns about Chinese influence, the US on Monday said it would rejoin UNESCO. That move probably comes with a bill: $600 million in back payments. The US left UNESCO the UN cultural, educational and scientific body in 2017 on the instruction of President Donald Trump, whose administration accused it of anti-Israel bias. But since then, officials have expressed concern that the US vacating its spot leaves a power vacuum that is being filled by China. In March, discussing plans to return during a State Department press briefing, senior official John Bass described "a key opportunity cost that our absence is creating in our global competition with China." "So if we're really serious about the digital-age competition with China ... we can't afford to be absent any longer." UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, visited Xi Jinping soon after she took up the post in 2018, becoming the first person in that role to meet a Chinese leader. Before Azoulay took up her role, Xi was keenly interested in a Chinese person filling the position, amid a wider push towards a strong presence at multiple international organizations, as Foreign Policy reported at the time. As it turned out, Azoulay made a Chinese diplomat her deputy. The move reflects President Joe Biden's characteristic willingness to re-join international pacts vacated by Trump, such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords. In March, the Biden administration requested $150 million to cover UNESCO fees and arrears for 2024. Per the Associated Press, further requests to cover the total arrears of $619 million are expected in future years. It constitutes a significant chunk of UNESCO's funding, which took a 22% hit when the US withdrew, according to the AP. Azoulay welcomed the US rejoining the organization in a statement on Monday, calling it "a strong act of confidence, in UNESCO and in multilateralism." Read the original article on Business Insider New York boat capsized live: One person dead after tour boat accident during cave tour along the Erie Canal A tour boat capsized inside a cave 20 miles from Niagara Falls on Monday morning. Lockport Police said that passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it overturned around 11.20am. Multiple agencies were called to the scene to search for the passengers in the water. Mayor Michelle Roman said during a press conference that one person was killed during the accident, according to Spectrum News. The name of the fatal victim was not released but authorities said he was in his 60s and his wife is recovering at hospital. Twenty-eight passengers and one staff member were on board when the tour boat overturned. According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, sixteen people were rescued by boat after the wall outside the cave was breached. The rest of the passengers walked out of the cave themselves as the water in the caves is around two to six feet in depth. The individuals on board the boat were all locals participating in a free tour for hospitality workers. Key Points All 36 passengers onboard the Lockport Cave & Underground have been rescued WATCH: Rescuers at the scene after boat capsizes during Lockport Cave Tour 07:00 , Andrea Blanco Weight shift caused boat capsize, law enforcement say 05:00 , Andrea Blanco Law enforcement officials told The Niagara Gazette that a tour group was making its way through the cave when weight seemingly shifted on the boat, causing it to capsize. All of the passengers ended up in the water with the boat on top of them. Boat capsized during tour of historic cave 03:00 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Cave is a half-mile-long manmade tunnel created in the 19th century with the original purpose of transporting water from the Erie Canal to the nearby Holly Manufacturing Company to power the plant. In the 1970s, it was turned into an attraction offering thrilling underground boat rides to tourists. One person dead and 11 injured after tour boat capsizes in New York cave 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Police said the group was on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday. Read more: One person dead and 11 injured after tour boat capsizes in New York cave WATCH: Rescuers at the scene after boat capsizes during Lockport Cave Tour Monday 12 June 2023 23:13 , Andrea Blanco One person dead following capsizing accident Monday 12 June 2023 22:40 , Andrea Blanco Authorities in Lockport said during a press conference that the fatal victim appeared to be a man in his sixties, according to Spectrum News. Twenty-eight passengers and one staff member were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized in the cave at around 11.45am on Monday morning. Multiple agencies were called to the scene to search for the passengers. It took rescuers around an hour to rescue the 28 surviving passengers. One person dead and 11 injured after tour boat capsizes in New York cave Monday 12 June 2023 21:11 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Police said the group was on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday. Read more: One person dead and 11 injured after tour boat capsizes in New York cave Some passengers walked to safety, officials say Monday 12 June 2023 20:42 , Andrea Blanco According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, sixteen people were rescued by boat after the wall outside the cave was breached. The rest of the passengers walked out of the cave themselves as the water in the caves is around two to six feet in depth. The individuals on board the boat were all locals participating in a free tour for hospitality workers. No one was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. Man who died was trapped under boat Monday 12 June 2023 20:31 , Andrea Blanco A man who was killed during the accident became trapped under the boat, which was fully overturned, according to Spectrum News. One person dead after boat capsized Monday 12 June 2023 20:15 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman said during a press conference on Monday that one person was killed during the accident, according to Spectrum News reporter Brianne Roesser. Twenty-eight passengers and one staff member were on board when the tour boat overturned around 11.20am on Monday. Eleven people are being treated at an area hospital. Accident during historical guided tour Monday 12 June 2023 20:00 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Cave is a half-mile-long manmade tunnel created in the 19th century with the original purpose of transporting water from the Erie Canal to the nearby Holly Manufacturing Company to power the plant. In the 1970s, it was turned into an attraction offering thrilling underground boat rides to tourists. Press conference announced Monday 12 June 2023 19:45 , Andrea Blanco Authorities in Lockport, New York, will hold a press conference at 3pm ET. Weight shift caused boat capsize, law enforcement say Monday 12 June 2023 19:30 , Andrea Blanco Law enforcement officials told The Niagara Gazette that a tour group was making its way through the cave when weight seemingly shifted on the boat, causing it to capsize. All of the passengers ended up in the water with the boat on top of them. Passengers recovering at hospital Monday 12 June 2023 19:06 , Andrea Blanco According to ABC, four passengers are being treated at Eastern Niagara Health System. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Boat capsizes in New York cave Monday 12 June 2023 18:50 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Police said that up to 36 passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday The Independents Rachel Sharp and Graeme Massie report: Boat capsized during tour of historic caves Monday 12 June 2023 18:36 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Cave is a half-mile-long manmade tunnel created in the 19th century with the original purpose of transporting water from the Erie Canal to the nearby Holly Manufacturing Company to power the plant. In the 1970s, it was turned into an attraction offering thrilling underground boat rides to tourists. Streets were closed to conduct rescues Monday 12 June 2023 18:30 , Andrea Blanco Streets were closed just before 11.30am to allow rescue vehicles in the area. All 36 passengers onboard the Lockport Cave & Underground have been rescued, WBEN reports. All passengers rescued, report says Monday 12 June 2023 18:25 , Andrea Blanco 36 all accounted for after tour boat capsized on Lockport cave tour pic.twitter.com/szdX20rDtZ WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@WBEN) June 12, 2023 How deep is the water at Lockport Cave? Monday 12 June 2023 18:16 , Andrea Blanco According to an NYup.com article, the water is only two to four feet deep. The passengers onboard the capsized boat were on exploring the caves on a 75-minute tour. For the first leg of the guided tour, visitors walked along the Erie Canal, which is just a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls. Rescue efforts under way after tour boat capsizes in New York cave Monday 12 June 2023 18:07 , Andrea Blanco Lockport Police said that up to 36 passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday New York City in deal with teachers union, 5-year pact with over 15% wage hike FILE PHOTO: A family walks to school together on the first day of New York City Public Schools in Brooklyn, New York (Reuters) - New York City has struck a tentative $6.4 billion five-year contract deal with the teachers union that includes more than 15% in pay hikes over five years and expands remote learning programs that began during the coronavirus pandemic. The contract, covering some 120,000 teachers and other school workers, also calls for a $3,000 ratification bonus for each member and establishes an annual cash payment set to reach $1,000 by 2026 to help in recruitment and retention. "I'm probably one of the few modern-day mayors that was a member of a union," Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, said at a press conference on Tuesday announcing the agreement. "I know what unions do for this city." While the previous contract expired in the fall, the negotiations were smooth compared with talks in some other major cities. In Los Angeles, teachers joined a three-day strike in March by the union that represents school support staff, effectively shuttering the second-largest U.S. public school system. The union reached a new deal with the city in April. New York's contract expands voluntary virtual learning, which will offer flexible class scheduling including weekends and evenings and will eventually be available to all high school students and some middle school students. David Banks, the education chancellor, told reporters that while remote learning is not a substitute for in-class lessons, it can help students at risk of dropping out to complete their course work. The proposed deal would allow most teachers to reach $100,000 in salary within eight years of getting hired, according to union officials. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by David Gregorio) New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the first woman to lead the country's largest police department, is stepping down. Sewell announced her resignation in an email to the department Monday. While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City, Sewell wrote. Mayor Eric Adams, who appointed Sewell 18 months ago, thanked her Monday on Twitter for her devotion and "steadfast leadership." Sewell's is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from Adams' administration in recent weeks, including his top housing official, Jessica Katz, and the citys efficiency officer, Melanie La Rocca. "The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service," Adams tweeted. "New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude." New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks discuss security measures in place for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday during a press conference at City Hall April 3, 2022. The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request from USA TODAY for comment on her departure. Prior to becoming commissioner when Adams, a former NYPD captain, became mayor in January 2022, Sewell worked for the Nassau County Police Department for 25 years, according to a statement from the city. She led the major case bureau and the professional standards bureau before becoming the first Black woman to serve as the chief of detectives in that department, the statement said. Under Sewell's leadership of the NYPD, some categories of crime, including murder, decreased. She also faced several high-profile crises, including the fatal shooting of two officers during her first month on the job and protests last month over the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. Patrick Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement to USA TODAY that Sewell "made a real impact" and "her leadership will be sorely missed." "She took over a police department in crisis and faced tremendous challenges from day one," Lynch said. "She cared about the cops on the street and was always open to working with us to improve their lives and working conditions." 'Im in both worlds': Black chiefs pushing police reform face racism, anger from officers and their communities Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC police commissioner Keechant Sewell resigns after 18 months A tour boat capsized in freezing waters in the Lockport Caves along the Erie Canal in upstate New York on Monday. The boating incident resulted in one fatality and injuries for 11 others. Around 11:25 a.m., police confirmed their response to the situation at the underground waterway in Lockport, located about 20 miles east of Niagara Falls. According to the Lockport Union-Sun Journal, 29 people were on board, including one staff member, when the vessel flipped over due to a sudden weight shift. Following the boat flip, a 60-year-old man became trapped beneath it and drowned, while his wife was also present. WIBV reported that Eastern Niagara Health System later confirmed treating four people with non-critical injuries. Seven more individuals were transported to a nearby hospital. The tour was operated by Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride. Travel Noire has reached out to the company for comment but has not received a response thus far. Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman stated that the group on the boat consisted of Erie County hospitality workers. The individuals were brought to the canal by a Destination Niagara USA tour. The Tour Boat Could Accommodate Up To 40 People While some passengers were able to walk out of the caves, boats rescued 16 people. The area is currently being treated as a crime scene. The boat involved can accommodate up to 40 people. Contrary to social media reports, the sheriffs office confirmed that all individuals on board were adults. WIVB noted multiple people being loaded into an ambulance, covered in towels. During a press conference, Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano explained, The boat turned 180 degrees, so the bottom of the boat was upright in the water. When rescuers arrived, several victims were on top of that boat. Chief Quagliano further explained that the flat-bottom boat became unbalanced and capsized near the end of the roughly 300-foot tunnel. As a result, all 29 people on board were thrown into water between five and six feet deep. Eight of the passengers have been brought into our emergency room, said Patricia Brandt, a spokeswoman for Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport. There are none in critical condition. Theyre all stable, and some have already been released. Brandt mentioned that she was unaware of the nature of the injuries but confirmed that some were treated for the effects of being in cold water. She also mentioned that other patients were transferred to different hospitals but did not provide further details. Boat tours of the caves have been operating since 1977, with the tour lasting approximately 70 minutes. The tunnel was featured in an episode of the Syfy networks Ghost Hunters. Young Chinese woman delivers fridges on her back to customers to help disabled father [Source] A woman from Hubei province, China, has taken her filial piety to the extreme by carrying customers refrigerators on her back to help her disabled father. An admirable gesture: Cao Youyuan, a 20-year-old student at the Hubei Polytechnic Institute, explained to The Paper that she started helping her father when she was in secondary school around six years ago. Her father was diagnosed with polio when he was a child and has struggled with walking for decades since he broke both his legs at the age of 14. Cao said many of the customers of her familys small appliance store ask for their purchases to be delivered. However, since they only make a small profit from sales, she said they cannot afford to hire a delivery worker, as per South China Morning Post. More from NextShark: Chicago Chinatown Restaurant Owner Donates Weekly Meals to Asian Seniors < Normal and natural: Cao told The Paper that she does not feel proud of her actions because she considers it normal and natural to help her family. She shared that the heaviest fridge she ever carried was 70 kilograms (approximately 154 pounds), adding, "But I can only take it to the first floor and cannot climb to higher floors after that. Doing this work also requires skills. I think I have grasped them after doing it so many times. Usually, I deliver one or two fridges a day and dont feel very tired. Cao also said she has already delivered over 1,000 fridges and other appliances since she started helping her family. She added that her father walks behind her during deliveries. More from NextShark: Controversial Acting Ice Director Tony Pham to Quit After 5 Months A fathers concern: Caos father, who became concerned about his daughters health, reportedly took her to a doctor for a physical checkup a few years ago. They were relieved to hear that the doctor did not find any notable concerns. "I feel relieved that I have such a sensible and obedient daughter, he told The Paper. I also want to tell my daughter to stay healthy and study hard at school. More from NextShark: Diet Prada is Getting Sued by Dolce & Gabanna for $4.7 Million After Exposing Alleged Racist Comments Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Pro-democracy Cantopop star Denise Ho arrested by Hong Kong police for sedition (CNN) Thousands of Reddit forums are going dark Monday in one of the largest user-driven protests ever to hit the social media platform. The voluntary blackouts, which restrict groups content from being publicly visible, affect Reddits largest online communities, including popular groups devoted to music, history, sports, and video games. The protests include more than two dozen subreddits with at least 10 million subscribers, as well as thousands of smaller networks. Mondays protests reflect widespread outrage over a Reddit plan to charge millions of dollars in fees for some third-party apps to continue accessing the platform. The plan has already forced several of Reddits top app-makers to announce they are shutting down because they cannot afford the new costs, which are set to begin as soon as next month. The confrontation between Reddits corporate management and its users and developers marks a turning point for the platform as it reportedly looks to go public later this year. For years, Reddit users could browse posts, write comments and share pictures and video on Reddit from third-party apps. Now, however, Reddit is seeking large payments from app makers to maintain that same level of access through its application programming interface (API), in a move apparently aimed at better monetizing Reddit users. Last week Christian Selig, developer of the popular Apollo app, said Reddit wanted to charge him $20 million a year to keep his app running. He later said he has no choice but to close down the app. Reddit further inflamed tensions with some in its developer community by appearing to misrepresent the details of its private conversation with Selig to suggest he had blackmailed the company. Selig, however, recorded his phone call with the company, a fact Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman later acknowledged in a Q&A with users. Seligs app is just one casualty of the coming changes. Critics of Reddit say the platforms steep fees will kill off all third-party competition against Reddits proprietary app, which many users have derided as slow, buggy and inferior. They also fear the moves will decimate a volunteer community that relies on third-party tools to do the critical work of moderating Reddit forums responsibility Reddit delegates to users of the site rather than to its own paid employees or to contractors, unlike some other large social networks. Reddits defenders, including some users, have said it is Reddits right to set its own prices for API access, and that it is a business entitled to control how users access the data on the platform it provides. Some users have said they were not even aware it is possible to access Reddit from third-party apps. Reddit needs to be a self-sustaining business, and to do that, we can no longer subsidize commercial entities that require large-scale data use, Huffman wrote in a Q&A with users Friday. The battle echoes how Twitter, under its new owner Elon Musk, recently announced its own paywall for data in a bid to develop new revenue sources and to shore up the companys struggling finances. Twitters move prompted an outcry from third-party app makers, misinformation researchers and public service account-holders who said the move would harm transparency and accessibility. Twitter has responded to the criticism by adding a new tier to its paid plan, but the move was instantly blasted as too little, too late. Now Reddit faces a similar revolt, one that may prove even more effective in light of its greater reliance on community members for the sites basic upkeep. The stakes of the fight are not limited to Reddit alone. It takes place against the backdrop of a wider debate about who creates the value in social networks, and who gets to reap the rewards. And it reflects years of mounting public skepticism of large technology platforms that became economically dominant through the collection and exploitation of vast troves of other peoples personal information. For Reddit and its future shareholders, the companys value derives from the infrastructure the site provides for conversation. Operating that infrastructure, safeguarding what is stored there and charging for access to that proprietary data generates value that Reddit believes it should be able to keep. For Reddits developers and moderators, however, the platforms value derives not just from the companys operation of the platform but also in the user-led moderation of the sites countless forums, as well as the various tools and features that others have created to make Reddit more useable for example, for the blind and visually impaired. Those solutions may not have been built by Reddit itself, but the company benefited from them in that they helped the site grow and reach wider audiences. To a degree unlike Instagram or YouTube, Reddit owes its rise to the volunteer work of many of its users who bore the costs of developing features that the company did not see fit to invest in. In that respect, Reddit more closely resembles Wikipedia, the crowd-sourced digital encyclopedia whose volunteer editors are viewed as a vital resource. Now, though, many users feel betrayed. If theyre going to start charging for API calls, [moderators] should start charging reddit for their time keeping the website functioning, one user wrote. This site ONLY functions on the backs of free labor from mods. Some have vowed to stop using Reddit, and others have suggested they may even scrub their entire account so that the company cannot monetize their historical activity. For a large number of Apollos users, its existence is the only reason were still using the platform, another user wrote. Ive been here 15+ years, but have no intention of sticking around once Apollo goes dark. This story was first published on CNN.com "Thousands of Reddit communities go dark to protest companys controversial new policy." After the Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the steps that need to be taken together with partners so that Russia can no longer physically terrorise Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "This deliberate Russian strike on an ordinary city [Kryvyi Rih - ed.] only once again proves the simple truth: we must, together with our partners, ensure physically such conditions so that Russian terror becomes impossible." Details: According to him, first of all, it is the air defence of Ukraine. The country needs a sufficient number of air defence systems of sufficient power, as well as modern fighters. "When the Russian ability to hit our cities and villages is physically limited by our air defence, only then will the terrorist state understand that the peace in Ukraine and Russias defeat are inevitable," Zelenskyy emphasised. Secondly, what is required is the destruction of the means for terror, in particular, the production of new missiles by the terrorist state. Zelenskyy recalled that, unfortunately, Russia still has the opportunity to obtain critical components for the production of missiles, created by companies from around the world, in particular companies from several partner countries. In various ways, these components are then supplied to Russia. "If we take, for example, one of the missiles that hit Kryvyi Rih today, then about 50 components in it mainly microelectronics are produced in other countries," the president said. Zelenskyy added that today there was a meeting of representatives of Ukraine with diplomats of the respective countries. "The list of companies that supply Russia with components for killing, all partners have this list. How Russian terrorists are trying to deceive the world is also understood by everybody. And we are waiting for conclusions and quick actions that will stop Russian missile terror, " the president emphasised. In addition, the president said, Ukraine has applied sanctions against all companies in Russia that produce missiles. "Such complete sanctions should be at the global level against all of them. Each way to circumvent sanctions should naturally be punished also at the global level. Export control over critical components should be strengthened as much as possible," Zelenskyy said. "If someone acts as an intermediary or works together with Russia so that terrorists can continue to blow up apartment buildings and kill people, then such entities a business or a state deserve a response from the world. A tough reaction. Partners have all the information on this," Zelenskyy said. "It is definitely cheaper to block the way for terrorists to supply components for terror once and for all than to constantly utilise new anti-missiles for air defence," he added. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy Read also: Ukraine has increased control in the Bakhmut area, says Zelenskyy He presented a report on shelters in the countrys largest cities at the meeting. "Today's meeting included a final report on the readiness and lack of readiness of shelters across the country, in major cities, and in Kyiv," the President said. Ministers [Ihor] Klymenko, [Alexander] Kamyshin, and [Oleksandr] Kubrakov reported. The results are disappointing, to put it mildly. The relevant draft decisions on responsible persons and ensuring an adequate level of protection for residents of all Ukrainian cities should be prepared by next Friday. Read also: Kyiv to establish shelters with automated opening system, allocates $20 million to refurbish shelters Three people were killed in Kyiv in the early hours of June 1 because of a strike by Russian ballistic and cruise missiles. All of them a 33-year-old woman, a 34-year-old woman and her nine-year-old daughter were killed in the Desnianskyi district near a local clinic. Read also: Kyiv to seize properties of problematic air raid shelters; Klitschko-Zelenskyy quarrel continues Together with other people, they were attempting to enter a shelter. Police later confirmed that the doors to the shelter were locked. On June 2, during a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, Zelenskyy ordered a full audit of all defense structures in Ukraine. Read also: Zelenskyy criticizes international community for timidity after Kakhovka Dam explosion A special commission completed an inspection of all 4,655 bomb shelters in Kyiv on June 10. Only 15% of the shelters were deemed appropriate without issue, Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Greg Doherty/FilmMagic via Getty Images Was Zendaya barred from a rooftop restaurant in Rome on Saturday for wearing a crop top? Not according to her team, who dismissed the claim as completely false and a bald head lie on Monday. Even the actor herself was seemingly roused to respond, posting through it by way of a meme that didnt directly reference the report so much as mock it. The story originated from the Daily Mail, which sneeringly reported that the ab-flashing star had turned up to the Italian eatery Terrazza Borromini in a black tube top and cargo pants only to be turned away over her and her partys dress sense. The tabloid noted that Zendaya looked unimpressed during an interaction with the restaurants staff. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Scott Newman, a spokesperson for the actor, said, This is completely falsethe group arrived at this restaurant and realized they had previously ate there [sic] last time they were in Rome. He added that the entourage had left and gone somewhere else as they wanted to try something new. The Mail reported that the group ended up going to a nearby pizzeria instead. Darnell Appling, Zendayas friend and personal assistant, addressed the matter in a lengthy statement on his Instagram Story. He posted a screenshot of the Mails story and captioned it, Well, this is a bald head lie. We never got denied anywhere. We walked into the building realized we ate there before when we seen the stairs The same stairs Zendaya slipped on last year and posted about. Appling was referencing an incident in Rome last February where Zendaya tripped up a flight of stairs, nearly hitting the pavement before she was caught by her security team. Page Six reported at the time that she had been going for lunch at Eitch Borromini, the luxury hotel that houses Terrazza Borromini. Appling said on his Instagram Story that the group had wanted to try a new restaurant. We actually never went upstairs and interacted with anyone, he continued. We talked amongst ourselves in the downstairs lobby. This whole story is a lie. But yall be blessed tho. Zendaya did not directly comment on the matter, but posted a meme based on a panel from the comic Watchmen on her own Story around the time Applings statement went up. The meme, which features one character rising up powerfully over another, has the latter asking, Source? while the other replies, I made it up. 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: Michael Vi (Shutterstock) Zume, a tech company most people have probably never heard ofbut that was once worth nearly half a billion dollarsis officially dead. The company, which wanted to use robots, data collection, and high tech culinary innovation to disrupt the pizza delivery business, is officially insolvent and is currently in the process of liquidating its assets, The Information has reported. Founded in 2015 in Mountain View, Calif., the idea behind Zume was to automate pizza production and delivery using a bevy of trendy Silicon Valley innovations. And while that might seem like an intriguing idea, Zumes business model was so hilarious as to seem plucked straight from a Futurama episode. Read more To start, Zume pies would be assembled at breakneck speed at the companys headquarters by industrial robot arms; then, the uncooked dough and cheese would be transferred to what the company called mobile kitchensfood delivery trucks outfitted with hi-tech ovens that were supposed to cook the pizzas en route to customers houses. Orders could be placed using the companys delivery app and then a nearby Zume truck would hurry to the app users location. The trucks were reportedly outfitted with GPS-equipped ovens that could ensure that pizzas were ready by the time the vehicle was within close physical proximity to the customer. Data collection and artificial intelligence, meanwhile, was supposely used by Zume to anticipate consumer choices for the pizzas they were buying. Zume created enough buzz that, within several years of its founding, the business had generated a gargantuan amount of venture capital funding. Most notably, the company enjoyed a generous infusion from Japanese investment firm SoftBank, which gifted the startup a whopping $375 million in 2018. By the end of its lifespan, Zume had raised as much as $445 million. Despite its overflowing war chest, however, Zumes business suffered from a critical flaw: its apparently quite difficult to cook a pizza while its in the back of a moving vehicleeven when robots and advanced technology are involved. When you think about it, this problem would appear to be self-evident, especially given the companys location in the Bay Area (can you imagine cooking anything while simultaneously hurtling down one of San Franciscos death-defying hills?). So, despite Zumes best efforts to stabilize its mobile culinary enterprise, cheese reportedly kept flying off its pies mid-journeymaking it a less than savory proposition for many buyers. A couple years ago, Bloomberg reported on Zumes troubles, noting the difficulty of keeping pies from disintegrating while they were en route: Eventually...[the] team gave up on the dream of baking the pies while driving to customers, according to two people familiar with the matter. The cheese tended to run everywhere as the trucks turned or hit bumps in the road. Instead, the oven trucks began parking in central locations, with runner cars or mopeds transporting the cooked pies. After a spiraling decline, Zume shuttered its pizza-making division in 2020a move that led to layoffs for several hundred people and reduced its workforce by approximately 50 percent. The company then pivoted to something fairly different: selling sustainable [food] packaging. Back in 2019, Zume had purchased a company appropriately called Pivot Packaging, which made food containers from materials that could be compostedlike bamboo and wheat. After the death of its pizza division, Zume pivoted to selling these kinds of containers full time. In other words, after having wasted an ungodly amount of money trying to make pizza in the most complicated way possible, Zume decided that the best course of action was to just try selling boxes instead. Now, several years later, having failed at that, the company has retained an investment management firm to sell off its remaining assets while its former executives find something else to do. While it seems only natural that such an epic downfall would shatter Silicon Valleys faith in robot pizza as a bankable concept, that is not the case. Though Zume may be dead, a different startupthis one founded by a former SpaceX engineeris currently trying to succeed where it failed. Stellar Pizza Inc. recently enjoyed a $16. 5 million contribution from Marcy Venture PartnersJay-Zs venture capital firmand, in March, the company rolled out its cheesy products at a college campus in Los Angeles. So, who knows? Maybe Stellar will succeed in conquering that most formidable of entrepreneurial peaks and finally bring us the automated pizza nobody asked for. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. By Hakeem Gbadamosi The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Hafiz Inuwa, for contempt of court. The Court ordered the arrest of the IGP and the Force Secretary for disobeying the court order, which was regarded as contempt over the failure to reinstate some police officers who are graduates of Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the police academy, who were alleged to have been forcefully retired by the force. The court has earlier ordered the IGP to reinstate the officers who were alleged to have been forcefully retired by the force, but the order of the court was allegedly not obeyed by the IGP. It will be recalled that the aggrieved officers approached the court and sought an order to nullify their compulsory retirement from the service by the IGP. The court presided over by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, however, ordered the IGP, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary of the Police to reinstate the forcefully retired officers. But the Police boss and others have failed to obey the judgment of the court delivered on April 19, 2022 However, the Court in a fresh order on June 8, 2023, a copy that was made available to journalists on Tuesday, Justice Oyewumi berated the IGP for the latters refusal to obey the court despite advice from the relevant stakeholders in the police force. The court order read, It is on record of this court that the court delivered a judgment in this case on 19/4/2022 and ordered that the judgment creditors/applicants should be reinstated forthwith. It is on record of this court also that the Police Service Commission, the statutory body that is vested with the power to appoint, promote and discipline the judgment creditors/applicants, had ordered the Inspector General of Police to comply with the judgment of this court. It is equally noteworthy that the CP, Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force had also issued a piece of legal advice urging the Inspector General of Police to comply with the order of this court vide a letter dated, and the Inspector General of Police received it on 27/7/2022 yet he has refused to obey or comply with the judgment of this court. This is an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who swore on oath to uphold the rule of law and the same law he has now failed or refused to obey. It is also of importance to state that this court has given ample opportunities to him and the Force Secretary to appear before this court and show cause why they are not to be held to be in contempt of this court, the record of the court evinces that they have both been served the enrolment of the order of this court severally yet they both deem it fit to flout the order of this court and desecrated this hallowed chamber and the temple of justice. Justice is not only for the affluent, it is indeed for the poor and vulnerable also. I pause to say that I wonder what type of head of an enforcement agency like the police, the Inspector General of Police is, if he finds it so difficult or so difficult it seems for him to obey a simple order of the court. I also wonder the type of example he is laying for his officers if he, as the head of the Nigerian Police Force, has chosen/ elected to flagrantly take the law into his advice by the Police Service Commission and his own officer, the CP, Legal to comply. This, I must say, is preposterous and appalling. It is in the light of all stated, which are in sync with the record of this court, that I hold the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, for being in contempt of this court, they are to be arrested and be produced before this Court for necessary action. The court, however, adjourned the case till October 9, 2023. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE NEWS SECTIONS By Oladipo Abiola The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has officially written to the State House of Assembly seeking a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad. Naija News understands according to the letter that during Akeredolus absence, his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa will be the Acting Governor. The leave period commenced on the 7th of June and is expected to terminate on the 6th of July,2023 (public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir (28th and 29th, June,2023 factored in). The Governor assured of his resumption on the 6th of July,2023. The approval of Governor Akeredolus letter was made known by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Oladimeji Oladiji. The Speaker had earlier described the Governor as a lover of peace and an apostle of rule of law. He later wished him a speedy recovery. I Remain Loyal Bill Letuli is president and owner of Midwest Glass & Glazing and one of this years Wheels of Courage gold sponsors. Hes been a generous supporter of Wheels of Courage for several years and is an active member of the local Council Bluffs community. For Bill, events like the Wheels of Courage fundraiser are important for everyone involved. The Council Bluffs area has supported our business for years, he said. And we wanted to give back and show our support for the community. Wheels of Courage is an annual open-air car show hosted by the Jennie Edmundson Foundation. Its part of their Spirit of Courage Charitable Patient Care fund that goes toward helping cancer patients in need of added support. Cancer takes its toll on us in many ways and the Charitable Patient Care fund helps patients with expenses related to diagnosing and treating cancer and treatment-related expenses like housing, transportation and utilities. The Jennie Edmundson Foundation and Wheels of Courage sponsors like Bill know the value of supporting those in their community. I feel that if you are able, you have a responsibility to help others in need, Bill said. At Wheels of Courage, youll find over 150 cars on display, awards in several categories, and items like T-shirts and more on sale. Join us on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Quaker Steak & Lube, located at 3320 Mid-America Drive in Council Bluffs. For more information or to register a car, you can visit jehfoundation.org or call 712-396-6040. We also welcome same-day registrations before 11 a.m. Avoca farmers market open The Avoca Main Street Farmers Market kicked off its season on June 5 and runs every Wednesday evening through Sept. 27. The market features fresh local produce, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, homemade soaps, crafts and prepared food truck meals from farmers, food producers and local artisans. The Avoca Public Library offers family programming and the market features musical performances and other all-ages entertainment. Funding for entertainment is provided by the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. The farmers market brings residents and visitors out into the Main Street of town, keeping their dollars local. "An economic device, farmers markets are an excellent way for farmers and food producers to test their products on the market and establish a customer base for a viable business," Avoca Main Street Director Amber Mohr said in a news release. Kamis Kookies, which opened in downtown Avoca in 2021, and Raddberrys Bakery & Cafe, which will open in 2023, are both examples of entrepreneuers who started as market vendors and invested their income into building storefront businesses in the area. "As the season begins to warm we all look forward to seeing our neighbors and shopping from our local producers," Market Manager Linda Schumacher said in the release. "The Avoca Main Street Farmers Market is a great excuse to visit our beautiful Main Street District. The Avoca Main Street Facebook page will keep customers updated on special events happening at market, including the Lil Firecracker pageant Wednesday, June 28. Visit facebook.com/avocamainstreet for the newest information on the market along with other Avoca Main Street happenings. Children in downtown Council Bluffs are finding the Council Bluffs Public Library a good place to eat lunch. The library is one of nine meal sites for the Council Bluffs Community School Districts Summer Food Service Program. Staff members at Heartland Child Development walk children to library activities in Bayliss Park or at the library Monday through Thursday, and they have lunch in the librarys community room afterwards, according to Justice Fisher. Weve collaborated with the library to kind of match up their schedule and ours, she said. The program offers cold lunches on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and hot lunches on Tuesday and Thursday. The site has been serving about 125 children each weekday, according to Lisa Stewart, director of Nutrition Services for Council Bluffs Schools. Were serving over 1,000 students for lunch each day, she said. The hot meals are cooked at the Thomas Jefferson High school kitchen and transported in a large, insulated container that keeps hot food hot and cold food cold, Stewart said. This year for the first time ever, the lunch program will deliver food to sites where hydrant parties are held, Stewart said. On Tuesday, staff members will take food to Roberts Park, where lunches will be served from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. A hydrant party will be held nearby from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Were hoping this way we can reach even more kids and families, she said. Council Bluffs and Lewis Central Community Schools will offer free breakfasts and lunches on select dates this summer as part of the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Children will have to enter the facility and eat on site. There will be no drive-up service because of USDA regulations. In Council Bluffs Community School District, meal sites will be open on weekdays from June 5 through July 28 except on July 3-4. The Carter Lake Boys & Girls Club and Council Bluffs Public Library will also be closed on June 19. Meal sites and hours will be as follows: Carter Lake Boys & Girls Club 8 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Childrens Square 8:45 to 9:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Council Bluffs Public Library lunch only, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Council Bluffs YMCA breakfast only, 8 to 8:30 .m. Edison Elementary 8:30-9 a.m. (July 10-28 only), 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (June and July) Franklin Elementary 8:30 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hoover Elementary 8:30 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Longfellow Elementary 8:30 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon Thomas Jefferson High School 8:30 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Closed enrolled sites and camps Henry Doorly Zoo Middle School Summer Explore Program, June 5-28. Breakfast 8:15 to 8:30 a.m., lunch noon to 12:30 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High School High School and Permit Camp Enrichment Program, May 30-June 2. Breakfast 8:30 to 9 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Franklin and Hoover Elementary Schools Kids & Co. Summer Enrichment, July 31-Aug. 11. Breakfast 8:30 to 9 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To be eligible to receive free meals at a residential or non-residential camp, children must meet the income guidelines for reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. The income guidelines for reduced-price meals by family size are listed below. Children who are part of households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Federal income eligibility guidelines per household size are as follows: Household of 1: $25,142 per year or $967 biweekly Household of 2: $33,874 per year or 1,303 biweekly Household of 3: $42,606 per year or 1,639 biweekly Household of 4: $51,338 per year or 1,975 biweekly (For each additional person, add $8,732 per year or $336 biweekly.) In Lewis Central Community School District, meals will be offered on weekdays from June 12 through Aug. 11, except on July 3-5, at Kreft Primary School, 3206 Renner Drive. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. inside the cafeteria. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea stayed silent Wednesday about the detention of an American soldier who sprinted across the Koreas heavily fortified border as other members of his tour group looked on in shock. Some observers said the North was unlikely to send him back any time soon a Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Bank of Commerce's (BankCom) "SIKAPPINOY Asenso" (Asenso) an all-in-one service to help OFWs and their families manage their hard-earned money in the most convenient, secure, and smart way possible is set to be offered in Japan in partnership with Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. Asenso provides Pinoys in Japan with various options for sending money to the Philippines. These 'heroes without capes' can remit funds directly into their own or their beneficiarys SIKAPPINOY accounts. Cash remittances can also be claimed over-the-counter at any BankCom branches nationwide. Clients can remit directly into their accounts with other banks, and remittances can be sent straight into e-wallets such as GCash, Maya, Coins.Ph, GrabPay, and more. Customers can also save money and invest in business opportunities through the program. Through its partnership with U-Franchise, Asenso offers OFWs with over 200 franchising options in the Philippines. When opening an account, Asenso offers three features: Saver, Express, or Access. Those who need to receive remittances from overseas and grow their savings for a target business can use the "Saver" feature. Remittances can be monitored through a Remittance Tracker facility available on the BankCom website. The "Express" feature, meanwhile, is suitable for individuals who wish to start their own businesses, as the program offers franchising investment options. For those interested in obtaining back-to-back loans to acquire their desired franchise, they can open the "Access" feature. BankCom aims to support OFWs in Japan and their families with practical business investments, providing them the confidence of a financially stable future. For more information on SIKAPPINOY, visit http://www.bankcom.com.ph/personal/remittance-services/ or email customerservice@bankcom.com.ph. 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. The institutional twinning program between Morocco and the European Union (EU), aimed at supporting the strengthening of governance and the deployment of innovative initiatives in favor of youth inclusion in Morocco, was launched on Monday in Rabat. The twinning was jointly launched by the Minister of Youth, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and the EU Ambassador to Morocco Patricia Llombart Cussac, in the presence of Moroccan and European partner stakeholders., this twinning aims to strengthen governance mechanisms relating to legal and organizational aspects, promote the convergence of youth programs, and back the development of various initiatives enabling the social and economic inclusion of young people. The launch seminar provided an opportunity to review the activities planned as part of the roll-out of this 21-month twinning project, financed by the EU to the tune of 1.1 million euros (11 million dirhams), and managed by the Treasury and External Finance Department of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Public Administration and Policy (FIIAPP). This initiative reflects our common desire to build bridges between our institutions, to strengthen exchanges and share experiences, with a view to setting up innovative projects to meet the challenges facing young people, said Bensaid at the seminar. In this context, he highlighted the fruitful relations between Morocco and the EU, which are based on mutual respect, cooperation and a shared desire to build a better future, noting that this institutional twinning is the fruit of solid cooperation and mutual recognition of common interests, particularly in terms of youth. The Minister noted that young people are the driving force behind the societys economic, social and cultural development, stressing that their commitment, creativity and energy are essential to building a dynamic and inclusive society. For her part, the EU ambassador welcomed the partnership established between Morocco and the EU in the field of youth, highlighting their awareness of the stakes and responsibilities involved in meeting the expectations and needs of young people. She said that the aim of this twinning was to support the inclusion of young Moroccans, mainly those without jobs or training, through local services tailored to their needs, in four target regions: Souss-Massa, Fez-Mekens, Oriental and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hociema. For Llombart Cussac, this twinning is an opportunity to enrich exchanges between countries for the benefit of young people. She also expressed her wish to see this cooperation contribute to the implementation of tangible actions in the field of youth. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will assist the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition & Sustainable Development accelerate Moroccos energy transition plan through updating the national natural gas roadmap and structure a landmark public-private partnership (PPP). The two sides signed an agreement on this cooperation Monday in Rabat. The agreement focuses on developing sustainable gas infrastructure, which will support the countrys energy transition towards its target of 52% of its installed electricity capacity from renewable energies by 2030. The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will also assist the ministry in conducting feasibility studies, and structuring and managing a transparent and competitive bidding process, in accordance with national laws, to select one or more private partners to develop, finance and operate the infrastructure. This project fits perfectly with our sustainable development and energy transition strategies, and is essential for strengthening our energy security. We want to benefit from the capital and know-how of the private sector to build a gas market that incorporates international best practices. Ultimately, this modern, sustainable gas infrastructure will also be the backbone of the future hydrogen economy, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, was quoted in a statement by the department as saying. Natural gas, with its low carbon content and versatility, is an essential element of Moroccos energy transition and decarbonization strategy, as it will enable greater penetration of intermittent renewable energies into the grid and bring greater stability and efficiency to the national power system, the statement said. Natural gas is also essential for decarbonizing industry and substituting for fuel oil and other fuels still used for power generation and in energy-intensive industries. By 2022, Morocco has succeeded in optimizing existing regional infrastructures to access the international LNG market for the first time in its history, the statement pointed out, adding that the second phase of this strategy involves strengthening domestic gas infrastructures, in order to secure gas supplies and connect input sources to consumption basins. The World Bank has agreed to provide Morocco $350 million additional funding to support the countrys social protection system, especially AMO-TADAMON destined for vulnerable populations (women, children & people with disabilities) and isolated populations in rural or remote areas. The new loan comes after the $400 million disbursed in 2020 to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 crisis by supporting vulnerable households and the Kingdoms social protection initiatives. According to a WB press release issued Monday, the additional financing supports Moroccos universal Family Allowance program and strengthens the social safety net system in the medium term. This Additional Financing supports the operationalization of key parts of the Kingdoms social protection reform, paving the way for a modern social protection system to make growth more inclusive, says Jesko Hentschel, WB Country Director for the Maghreb. It will help Moroccos government to implement the new health insurance non-contributory program for poor and vulnerable households. It will also enhance the information system of social assistance programs for vulnerable groups, including persons living with disabilities. The additional funding will help ensure a seamless transition from existing cash transfer programs into the universal Family Allowance program and support AMO-TADAMON system a key pillar for protecting households especially the most vulnerable against health risks, which are expected to be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Jean Ping, leader of the opposition in Gabon and former presidential candidate, has arrived in Paris France his first foreign trip since 2018 after authorities banned him from travelling and seized his passport. Im planning to spend a few days here, he wrote on his Facebook page as he arrived Monday in the French capital. Ping, a former Chair of the African Union, had been banned in 2018 from leaving the country in the wake of the highly charged post 2016 presidential elections period. He claimed victory for the elections but the incumbent leader Ali Bongo Odimba was instead declared winner. The post elections were marred by unrest. The ministry of Interior seized Pings passport until last month when he was issued a new one. Gabon is expected to hold elections in the coming months. Both Ping and Ali Bongo have not yet unveiled their plans to run. Ping also indicated that he will meet with Gabonese in France to exchange with them whenever to run for the elections. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita, has condemned the killing of at least 45 people in the refugee camp of Lala, in Ituri province of central African country by armed militia men on Sunday. Militia men aligned with Cooperative pour le Developpement du Congo (CODECO) [Cooperative for the Development of the Congo], a rebel movement, attacked on Sunday to early Monday Lala camp housing hundreds of internally displaced people fleeing war between the Congolese and several rebel in groups in the eastern region of mineral resource-rich country. The attack according to MONUSCO killed over 45 people and left 10 wounded. This attack constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and MONUSCO wishes to point out that deliberate attacks against civilian populations can constitute war crimes, the mission said. MONUSCO urges the Congolese authorities to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of these summary executions. The Mission stands ready to support any investigation aimed at determining responsibility and bringing the perpetrators to justice before national or international courts, it added. Aside from MONUSCO, Geneva-based Refugee Agency (UNCHR) also condemned the attack. UNHCR deplores in the strongest terms these heinous attacks against vulnerable civilian populations, said Valentin Tapsoba Regional Director of the Southern African Bureau of the UNCHR. This cycle of violence must end. We call for collective efforts to pacify the conflict in Ituri province, so that the Congolese people can return to their homes, regain their livelihoods and live in peace, he added. CODECO claims to defend the interests of Lendu farmers, who have long been in conflict with Hema herders. Its fighters have killed hundreds of civilians in Ituri province and forced thousands to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. As the latest in a series of ceasefire agreements ended in Sudan at 6am on Sunday (11 June), only minutes later gunfire and shelling resumed again in the capital Khartoum. The 24-hour ceasefire agreement had given civilians rare respite from nearly two months of war, enabling them to venture outside and stock up on essential supplies or flee. Nearly two months into the war between army general Abdelfattah Al-Burhane and paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, over 1,800 people have reportedly been killed and nearly two million people displaced, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the UN data. In this context, Egypt has announced a reversal in the visa exemption for children, women and elderly people, citing the need for a crackdown on illegal activities including fraud. The new measure means that Sudanese citizens will now have to obtain visas before crossing the border. Multiple truces have been agreed and broken since the fighting started, and Washington had slapped sanctions on both rival generals after the last attempt in late May collapsed. The latest nationwide ceasefire was announced by US and Saudi mediators who warned they may break off mediation efforts if both sides fail to observe the latest 24-hour ceasefire. The mediators said they share the frustration of the Sudanese people about the uneven implementation of previous ceasefires. Fridays announcement came a day after Sudanese authorities loyal to Al-Burhane declared UN envoy Volker Perthes persona non grata, accusing him of taking sides. But UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later expressed support for Perthes, saying that the doctrine of persona non grata is not applicable to or in respect of United Nations personnel. Somali security forces have brought an end to a six-hour siege of a beachside hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, during which at least six civilians were killed and 10 wounded. Responsibility for the Friday evenings attack on the popular, upmarket Pearl Restaurant was claimed by the armed group al-Shabab, the Somali Police Force said on Saturday (10 June). Shortly after its fighters stormed the building located on the capitals Lido Beach, security forces responded at the site as some people remained trapped inside. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion followed by heavy gunfire at the hotel. Three brave members of the security forces were martyred during the rescue operation, the police said in a statement, adding that they killed seven attackers from the al-Qaeda-linked rebel group. The attack came only days after al-Shabab fighters killed 54 Ugandan peacekeepers in an attack on an African Union (AU) base in the southern town of Bulo Marer. Last year, Somalias President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud launched an all-out war against the extremist group, rallying Somalis to help flush out members of the group he described as bedbugs. Although it succeeded in driving out Al-Shabab out of Somalias main towns and cities, the group has retained power in large swaths of rural areas, carrying out attacks on hotels and other high-profile locations in Mogadishu, usually starting with a suicide bombing. India has expressed its interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Africa with an aim to boost economic ties between the two regions, in what some experts see as Indias attempt to play catch-up in a bid with China over commercial influence in the continent. India would act as a trusted partner to expand trade, commerce, business, investment and opportunities with Africa, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said during his recent meeting with ambassadors from several African countries. India, which is open to FTA negotiations bilaterally or individually with African countries or Africa as a whole, would act as a trusted partner to expand trade, commerce, business, investment and opportunities with the continent, Goyal said. In such agreements, two or more trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, while easing norms for promoting trade in services and attracting investments. India has been increasingly seeking to beef up commercial relations with its African partners. Some observers see it as Indias bid to catch up with China, whose trade with the continent climbed 35% from 2020 to reach a record-high US$ 254 billion last year mainly due to an increase in Chinese exports. India is among the many countries increasingly wary about Beijings growing influence on the continent. Beijing has pumped billions of dollars into Africa over the last decade, building roads, bridges, and power installations in return for access to markets and resources. IndianAfrican trade reached US$ 89.5 billion in the 2020-21 period, up almost 60% from the previous fiscal year, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The ministry figures also show that India has a negative trade balance with sub-Saharan Africa. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) Former Senator Leila de Lima filed a motion for reconsideration on Tuesday seeking to overturn a decision denying her bail for her last remaining drug case. "The Honorable Court committed grave but reversible errors in its 07 June 2023 Order finding that he Prosecution has met the burden of proof necessary in a bail hearing, purportedly showing that the evidence of the Prosecution against herein Accused is strong so as to deny her the right to bail in a capital offense case," the motion said. Muntinlupa Court Branch 256 denied de Lima's request for bail last week, meaning she would remain in detention. The final bail plea related to a case where the former lawmaker was accused of engaging in illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. "The Honorable Court gravely erred in using probable cause as the standard of proof in denying bail, instead of proof that the evidence of guilt is strong," de Lima's motion said, adding there was never an instance where points raised by the accused were cited. "In doing so, the Honorable Court merely relied on the testimonies of the Prosecutions witnesses, as if no cross-examination was ever conducted by all the accused in this case," it added. The motion went on to say that the court's reliance solely on the prosecution witnesses was "unprecedented, unfounded, and almost brazen," adding the decision to grant bail should be made after a thorough examination of all evidence. It also mentioned that a supplemental motion for bail based on humanitarian grounds was also not granted. The priority candidate to become the 21st chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln detailed his experiences in higher education and outlined his aspirations for the state's flagship campus this week. Across more than 20 public forums, Rodney D. Bennett spoke with students, faculty, staff and the general public about issues ranging from the financial pressures faced by colleges and universities to how he navigates the challenges presented by a polarized political environment. The forums are part of a 30-day vetting process required by law for top candidates for university leadership jobs. NU President Ted Carter named Bennett the priority candidate to replace UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green on May 22. Bennett, 56, who led the University of Southern Mississippi for 10 years, said he withdrew from searches at several other universities to focus exclusively on the opportunity before him at UNL, which he called one of the nation's most important universities. UNL, he said, is a vehicle for lifting the quality of life for all Nebraskans for decades to come. "There is an opportunity to do something really special," Bennett told a forum for the College of Business earlier this week. "And there is a group of people who want to be involved in creating what that something is." Leadership style If Bennett gets the nod from the NU Board of Regents on June 22, the new chancellor said he'll start the work of reestablishing connections in the state and building new relationships right away. "The way forward is to be collaborative and develop relationships," he told a forum for the College of Law on Thursday. Tall and gregarious, with a noticeable southern accent, Bennett alternated between explaining his experiences in higher education and sharing anecdotes from his personal life, including self-deprecating bits to connect with the audiences. A fraternity member and proponent of Greek life, Bennett said he thrives on the energy of those he's speaking with, and plans to meet as many people as he can during the transition to become chancellor. That will include reconnecting with Gov. Jim Pillen and meeting state lawmakers to hear their expectations of UNL. Bennett said he would also seek out leaders in business, agriculture and communities across the state to solicit their input. On campus, Bennett said he wants to foster a culture of transparency between administrators and faculty something he said he attempted to do during his decade at Southern Miss while also using the established processes to "not get outside my lane." Bennett also told faculty at several forums that while they may not always agree on an issue or the best way to proceed, he would hear them out and hope they could "share a turkey sandwich" afterward. A former leader of student affairs, Bennett told faculty and students he plans to be a "genuine, ongoing and inspirational" presence on campus. In his past positions, Bennett said he has served as a mentor for students "whether I've been asked to be one or not," and said multiple students have asked him to be a groomsman in their weddings something he said he declined in favor of reading the scripture. "It's an honor that they are thinking about you and remembering you in such a way that they want you to be a part of that particular time in their life," he said. Budget challenges One of the first takes Bennett will have to confront as UNL's top leader will be the same his predecessor faced: Slashing millions from UNL's budget. Green recently finalized $10.8 million in cuts left over from the 2021-22 fiscal year by closing open positions and moving others to non-state aided funding sources. As much as $13 million will still need to be trimmed from UNL's budget in the coming year, however, and Carter told regents in late May that the system faces a structural budget deficit of nearly $50 million in 2023-24 and $80 million in 2024-25. While regents anticipate some additional revenue from a modest tuition increase, UNL would account for roughly half of the amount that needs to be cut. Bennett said he's no stranger to budget cuts he went through a series of reductions at Southern Miss and has spoken to Green about the situation, but said without diving into the numbers he could not offer a specific recommendation for how to move forward. At several forums this week, the 30-year veteran of higher education said the budget cuts at UNL, like other universities across the country, will likely mean the campus moves away from being "all things for all people." Academic programs where only a few students are enrolled or which have produced no graduates over multiple years could be put on the chopping block, as well as other campus services that are under-utilized or not realizing a return on investment, he said. On Thursday, Bennett told faculty at the College of Law that cuts to programs or positions would not mean more work for UNL's employees: "I don't subscribe to doing more with less." Rather, UNL would identify priorities moving forward and develop strategies to move toward those goals, and if there are things that fall by the wayside, so be it, he said. "You have to say no if the answer is no." Breaking down silos Some of those priorities may focus on fostering greater collaboration between departments across UNL, Bennett said in response to several questions put to him this week. The need to remove faculty and students from their silos and get them to work together has long been talked about, but Bennett said he has a strategy for making it work. "You can talk about it until you're blue in the face," he said, "but if the university is not rewarding or denying through the allocation process the resources that break down those silos, it's not going to happen." Tying budgets to creating an interdisciplinary approach to education and research is one part of the strategy. Bennett said the other part is psychology. "You have to convince people that you're not going to lose something by working together," he said. "You have to create a climate that eliminates the fear of loss." Regain AAU membership UNL was booted from the Association of American Universities in 2011 after two-thirds of the groups members, including peers from the Big Ten Conference, which UNL had recently joined, voted to end its membership after 102 years. The AAU based the decision on several criteria research expenditures, the number of faculty belonging to several national academies, faculty awards and citations where UNL ranked among the bottom of the organization. While previous chancellors and other university leaders have signaled their intention to move on from being AAU members, Bennett said he would work to put the flagship back in the organizations good graces with an eye of eventually rejoining. Its such an internationally recognized designation of excellence, Bennett said. It demonstrates what an institution is about and what they are able to accomplish. Bennett said a combination of enrollment growth, improving graduation rates, and boosting support for graduate students who will expand UNLs research portfolio and funding would put the university on track for accomplishing that goal. If UNL were able to regain admission Arizona State University, George Washington University, the University of California-Riverside, the University of Miami, Notre Dame, and the University of Southern Florida recently joined Bennett said the benefits would be plentiful. AAU membership would help with student and faculty recruitment and retention, boost research funding, and will generate excitement among donors and the business community, he said. Why wouldnt we? he said. Theres so many resources here, theres so much talent here, its sort of the thing thats missing in many ways. Navigating politics Bennett is no stranger to traversing difficult political environments. When former NU President Hank Bounds, then leader of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, appointed Bennett to lead Southern Miss in 2013, he became the first Black leader of a predominantly white campus in the Magnolia state. There was hate mail warning Bennett not to bring his family to Mississippi. Anonymous internet accounts told him to not even bother unpacking his boxes. "The politics sort of hit me right upside the head right out of the gate and it really did not stop throughout the 10 years of my service there," Bennett said. It got even rockier two years later when Bennett made the decision to remove Mississippi's state flag, which included the Confederate battle emblem, from campus. Putting a symbol that for many represented slavery was antithetical to the kind of welcoming campus community Bennett said Southern Miss was trying to create. But it generated backlash in the former Confederate state, with some calling for Bennett's removal and others suggesting the state defund the university. Bennett credited the relationships he had built at the state Capitol and elsewhere with allowing him to continue in the position. Mississippi later changed its state flag in 2021. "When you're handling those types of political issues, the ability to move the needle requires a certain type of relationship and calmness and resolve and courage," he said. "We were able to do that, and I'm very proud of that work." Nebraska, like Mississippi, is a conservative-led state, and Bennett said he plans to regularly interface with state leaders and the federal delegation to build those same kinds of relationships in order to help be a positive influence on potential changes made to higher education at the state house. That can help build understanding and head off issues on campus around areas like free speech or academic freedom that stir up political disputes, he said. Diversity and inclusion Among the biggest concerns Bennett said he has about the changing face of higher education is attacks on programs to create more diverse and inclusive campuses. In Florida, where Bennett currently resides, lawmakers have banned public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Bennett said he found those efforts baffling. "Each of us are made better when there are people who are around us that think different, that believe different, look different, and challenge us to sincerely and genuinely embrace our differences," he said. As chancellor, Bennett said UNL which opened its diversity office in 2019 should lean into the effort, and help drive the conversation about what diversity means on a university campus. "Most people want us to prepare young people to take their rightful place all around the world," he said. "We all know as they do, they are going to encounter a lot of differences. If we are doing our job as educators, I think we have an obligation to put them in front of as many scenarios as we can." Bennett said he and other university leaders also need to be vocal in addressing the importance of those issues and defending them, which he said will help show UNL is a welcoming place for all. What comes next With the conclusion of public forums, UNL community members as well as others are encouraged to provide feedback to Carter as the 30-day vetting period wraps up. Comments can be submitted at https://nebraska.edu/unl-chancellor-search/feedback. Regents will take a vote to approve Bennett on June 22. 16 famous University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni Willa Cather Ted Kooser Mary Pipher Tommy Lee John J. Pershing Ted Sorensen Louise Pound The 2023 Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant kicked off on Sunday with the horsemanship competition at Wild West Arena, and continued on Monday evening with the speech competition at North Platte Community College. Twelve reigning queens, representing states across the country, assembled on stage on Monday, showing their support for the Nebraska contestants. Come Friday, all eyes will be on the much-anticipated premiere of #TheFlash. Leading star Ezra Miller has been at the center of a public relations nightmare for the past few years here's a timeline of their many controversies. https://t.co/Ssg1NwDEBv Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) June 12, 2023 Ezra Miller (EM), age 30, who uses they/them pronouns, was cast as Flash in 2014, making appearances in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad (2016), Justice League, and the series Peacemaker in 2022.EM only public statement was on August 15, 2022:April 2020EM is seen in a viral video choking and throwing an unnamed woman to the ground at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland- - bar staff claim patrons were being pushy but EM escalated the situation to the point EM was escorted from the barJanuary 2022EM posts a bizarre video directed at Ku Klux Klan members of a North Carolina chapter while flashing a Flash signet ring, suggesting the members should [k word] yourselves with your own guns otherwise, well do it for you, if thats really what you want.- - (ok?) but not normal behaviorFebruary 2022A woman came forward to Variety to claim that EM had harassed her during a heated incident at her Berlin apartment- - she said their two year friendship came to an end because she told EM not to smoke in her apartment and EM reacted aggressively, calling the friend transphobic and a N a z iMarch 2022Officials said EM was the subject of at least 10 police phone calls that month over minor disturbances, such as filming people at a gas station, refusing to move from outside a restaurant, and arguing with strangers.- - One major incident occurred at a local karaoke bar where EM allegedly started yelling obscenities and became agitated when a couple began singing Lady Gaga and Bradley Coopers Shallow at a karaoke bar. EM was accused of snatching the microphone away from the woman mid-song and later lunging at a man playing darts. EM was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. EM was released on $500 bail.- - Later that same night, EM burst into a couples bedroom and threatened them, saying, I will bury you and your slut wife. EM also allegedly stole the womans passport and the mans wallet, containing credit cards and important documents. Police removed EM and the couple filed a restraining order.April 2022Warner Bros. and DC executives held an emergency meeting. The decision was to halt any future projects with EM.- - A well-placed source told Rolling Stone that EM had frequent meltdowns while filming The Flash, explaining,April 2022 (again)EM was arrested and charged with second-degree assault for allegedly throwing a chair at a 26-year-old woman, leaving her with a half-inch gash in her foreheadApril 2022 (again)A TikTok began circulating from a person by the name of Mia Solange, who uses they/them pronouns. Solange indicated they were in a romantic relationship with EM, posting a series of photos of the pair, believed to have been taken in 2019.- - the video reached 3m views, but was later deletedMay 2022Music producer Oliver Ignatius and rapper Ghais Guevara claimed to Rolling Stone that EM stole music they had worked on together, posting it on Soundcloud with no credit to either artist.June 2022The parents of Gibson Iron Eyes, who goes by they/them pronouns and goes by the name Tokata, filed a protective order against EM. The parents, who said EM and Tokata met when Tokata was 12 yrs old, was being groomed and emotionally manipulated by EM. The parents believed Tokata was having mental health issues that EM was exploiting.- - Tokata denied that they were a victim, said EMJune 2022 (again)A mother and her then-11-year-old nonbinary child came forward to The Daily Beast after they were granted a temporary restraining order against EM. The mother claimed EM flashed a gun and screamed at her.June 2022 (again)EM had a 25-year-old mother and her three children under the age of five living at EM 96-acre farm in Stamford. The father claimed the home was unsafe, with the children around marijuana and guns- - the mother claimed she had escaped an abusive ex and EM gave her and her children shelter and safetyAugust 2022EM neighbor said EM broke into neighbors house and stole bottles of alcohol.- - EM was charged with felony burglary, trespassing, and larceny charges. A plea agreement was reached. EM plead guilty to trespassing in return for burglary and larceny charges dropped. EM agreed to pay a $500 fine,August 2022 (again)EM releases statement (above) and enters mental health treatmentSeptember 2022Vanity Fair did a profile where a lot of people talked about EM mental health issues and the belief EM was narcissistic, emotionally abusive, and manipulativeMay 2023Barbara and Andy Muschietti stand by their star and Andy said he had no plans to recast EM for other future Flash projects- - as yet, there are no future plans for Flash projectsThe Flash opens this weekend and is RT 72% all critics and 54% top criticsWarner Bros. is counting on The Flash to do good numbers because WB is in financial difficulty Well now that they moved one of their AVATAR movies to 2031! they got plenty of time Reply Thread Link They moved around their whole schedules variety.com/2023/film/news/disney-star-w ars-delays-marvel-avatar-sequel-release-d ates-1235642363/ Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That is less than 10 years away but somehow feels like a make believe number. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh fuck no. I dont need to see Bambis mom die in live action. Reply Thread Link lol yeah, I was like, "Uh, but doesn't this...who would play...um...how?" I don't even know lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously! This movie traumatized me as a kid. Every time the music played when the hunters were about to shoot, I'd hide under covers. Refused to eat deer meat for decades and still feel weird about it on the very rare occasion that I do. I'm good! Reply Parent Thread Link Right? The way I cried (near sobbed) watching that hyperrealistic Lion King movie that came out a few years back, in the theatre, surrounded by children. No thanks!! Reply Parent Thread Link Edited at 2023-06-13 08:32 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Idk why Disney wants to do live action remakes of classic movies like Bambi before flawed ones with potential like the Black Cauldron, Atlantis, and Treasure Planet. Id really like to see a Princess and the Frog live action remake, because Id like to see Tiana as a human for a larger amount of the movie, and possibly a romantic duet between Naveen and Tiana. Reply Thread Link Excuse you, Treasure Planet was gr8 Reply Parent Thread Link but also it would actually work as a live action if they got good people for it. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh god i love The Black Cauldron. I remember playing the computer game and i still have the book as well. CGI pig sidekick? I'm here for it. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link if done right, live action Atlantis would be AMAZING Reply Parent Thread Link i would so much rather see new adaptations of the rescuers, the sword in the stone, even a post-encanto three caballeros. disney has so many options to make something interesting. what we really deserve but will never get is a roger rabbit sequel. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link BIG YES to Treasure Planet! Gimme that steampunk/solar punk goodness! Reply Parent Thread Link Pretty sure a live action Bambi was an SNL sketch at least once. Reply Thread Link And it will be an hour longer than the original for no discernable reason. Reply Thread Link Well, we need a new subplot and accompanying song for Bambi to assert herself as an independent doe. Reply Parent Thread Link Why did I think Bambi was a boy? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link omg I just watched the cartoon lion king and beauty and the beast yesterday and both were delightful 90 minutes why does hollywood think longer equals better Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I love her and she deserves a payday, but i genuinely can't picture this movie. Will it somehow be subversive? Like an anti-gun satire featuring deer? Reply Thread Link They need to just stop. It's also not live action if the animals are CGI like The Lion King. Reply Thread Link the cartoon animals had such emotion in the face in the lion king compared to the cgi version Reply Parent Thread Link The CGI in TLK live-action was uncanny valley levels of unsettling. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Absolutely fucking not! I saw the animated movie in first grade and I am traumatized to this day. No way would I watch a live action version. Anyway, lemme go watch the new Little Mermaid again, at least that's a fun movie with no innocent deers getting shot. Reply Thread Link Not the weird CGI animals again. No thanks. Reply Thread Link I've said this before but if they HAVE to remake Bambi they should do it in the Paperman style of animating but with Tyrus Wong's paintings and just tell the exact same story. Bambi is such a simple movie!! Leave it alone!!! Reply Thread Link Well if it's in early development I hope it's an early no. Why would WE need a live action Bambi, aren't y'all hemorrhaging $ Disney? Reply Thread Link "Live action" versions of these animated films that have no human characters are so pointless. You can't capture the magic and emotion of the animated characters when you're trying to be hyperrealistic with bad CGI. The Lion King was atrocious, please stop. Reply Thread Link Mte. Its completely pointless. So well get photo realistic deer and rabbits with no special expressions Reply Parent Thread Link Good for her if this is lowkey a passion project she wants to do, but I just hate seeing promising younger writer-directors get snatched up for these IP projects when just months before they were talking about having other interests and pursuits. What's the point of winning an Oscar if you still have to do this? Reply Thread Link The chaos agent in me wants to see the uncanny valley Bambi eyes, the NRA losing its mind and the robotic voice acting from Camilla Cabello. Not to mention the prospect of a new Guantanamo Bay-ready song by her featuring Ice Spice. The more I think about it, the more it all makes sense to me. Reply Thread Link Why would you put this out into the universe?! Reply Parent Thread Link Worker Dies in Illinois Trench Collapse, OSHA Cites Company The company faces a citation for one willful and one serious violation and $35,940 in proposed penalties. An Illinois plumbing contracting business was cited following the death of a 27-year-old worker. According to a news release, two employees were in a seven-foot-deep trench at a worksite in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, when it collapsed. Although one of the workers escaped and suffered no injuries during the December 2022 incident, the second was fatally crushed. "Trench collapses are one of the construction industry's most deadly hazards. Soil can shift suddenly and bury a person under thousands of pounds of dirt and rocks," said OSHA Chicago North Area Director Sukhvir Kaur in Arlington Heights, Illinois, in the news release. After OSHA discovered that Rooter Solutions Inc. neither had cave-in protection in the trench nor made sure workers were using head protection, the agency cited the business for one willful and one serious violation. Rooter Solutions Inc. now faces $35,940 in proposed penalties. From 2011 to 2018, 166 workersor about 21 workers every yearlost their lives from trench collapses, per OSHA, but 2022s fatalities were almost double that average. "This worker's death was one of 39 caused by fatal injuries in trench collapses in 2022, Kaur added. A series of meetings occurred last week between senior members of the Iraqi and Chinese governments aimed at broadening and deepening the already extensive oil-for-projects framework characterised by Chinese firms investing in infrastructure projects in Iraq in exchange for oil. Officially, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Muhammad Ali Tamim, and the Chinese ambassador to Iraq Cui Wei, discussed Chinas support for Iraqi schools, hospitals, electricity, and service sector projects. Unofficially, according to a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry spoken to exclusively by OilPrice.com, the discussions extended to further oil and gas projects, banking and financing, and the strategic build-out of airports and seaports for dual-purpose (civilian and military) Chinese use. All of these projects are in line with Chinas multi-generational power-grab project, One Belt, One Road (OBOR), the ultimate aim of which is to overtake the U.S. as the worlds number one economic power by 2030, as analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. The key to this plan by China is to secure as much of the worlds oil and gas resources as it can in as short a time as possible, particularly as it foresees a continued ramping up of tension between it and the U.S. in the Asia Pacific region in the coming year or two, most notably over Taiwan. Beijings three big target countries in the Middle East in terms of its efforts to secure lots of energy resources very quickly are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq, given their pre-eminent oil and gas resources in the region. These countries also have the lowest lifting cost for oil in the world, at around US$1-2 per barrel (operating cost excluding capital expenditure). Ever since China made a face-saving offer to Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when his idea to float part of Saudi Aramco was running into trouble, as also analysed in depth in my new book, Beijing has steadily accrued influence there. Around the same time, it was able to do the same with Iran through its Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject, and also analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. These two elements together laid the foundation for the recent landmark deal brokered by China that saw the resumption of relations between the historical enemies Saudi Arabia and Iran. The latter multi-faceted deal with Iran, meanwhile, lay the foundation for a similar series of deals to be done between China and Iraq. Not only is Iraq heavily influenced by Iran through Tehrans political, economic, and military proxies, but the two neighbouring countries share many of their largest oil and gas fields. These include Azadegan (on the Iran side)/Majnoon (on the Iraq side), Azar/Badra, Yadavaran/Sinbad, Naft Shahr/Naft Khana, Dehloran/Abu Ghurab, West Paydar/Fakka and Arvand/South Abu Ghurab. As China was already involved so heavily on Irans side of these reservoirs, an extension of that influence into the Iraqi side of them was a natural development. Related: Deadly Cyclone In India Halts Fuel Exports And Operations At Offshore Rigs For a considerable time, concerned about the possible backlash from the U.S. over openly expanding its presence in a country in which Washington still saw political and economic opportunities itself, China took a low-key approach where possible. This was achieved by dint of several under-the-radar deals that on paper were for contract-only work related to various anodyne-sounding projects, but together these established total control for China over several fields in Iraq, as also analysed in my new book. Notable among these deals was the supposedly contract-only award made to the China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp (CPECC) for West Qurna 1 in the middle of 2021. The US$121 million engineering contract was initially to upgrade the facilities used to extract gas during crude oil production, but the project broadened and deepened in scope and scale to dovetail with the activities of PetroChina in West Qurna 1. The same sort of contract-only model was used in Iraqs neighbouring supergiant Majnoon oil field after Britains Shell decided to exit that site in 2017, with CPECC awarded a US$203.5 million contract-only project for engineering to treat sour gas at the Majnoon site. Before this award to CPECC on Majnoon, though, two other game-changing contracts had been signed for the supergiant field. One was with Chinas Hilong Oil Service & Engineering Company to drill 80 wells at a cost of US$54 million, and the other was with the Iraq Drilling Company - with Chinese assistance - to drill 43 wells at a cost of US$255 million. Soon after these awards, Chinas Anton Oil entered the picture, on a project management and development services contract. The plan for Majnoon, with an estimated 38 billion barrels of oil in place, is to increase oil production from the current circa-240,000 bpd Majnoon oilfield to 600,000 bpd by 2026. It is apposite to note at this point that Majnoon is a field shared with Iran, in which it is known as Azadegan, which, in turn, is split into two supergiant fields North Azadegan and South Azadegan. China National Petroleum Corporation is still the lead foreign operator in North Azadegan, which went operational in November 2016 with production capacity of 75,000 bpd. The Chinese company was also the lead developer in South Azadegan from 2009 to 2014 when it was expelled from the field for delays in progress. Since then, though, Chinese companies have again been working on contract-only projects alongside nominal Iranian lead developers. These, and Chinas other multiple field developments in Iraq, run alongside Beijings other strategic priorities in the country as they relate to the all-encompassing OBOR project. One of these was Baghdads approval of nearly IQD1 trillion (US$700 million) for infrastructure projects in the city of Al-Zubair in the southern Iraq oil hub of Basra. Judging from comments made by the citys Governor at the time, Abbas Al-Saadi, Chinas heavy involvement in Phase 2 of the projects was part of the broad-based oil-for-reconstruction and investment agreement part of the general oil-for-projects idea signed by Baghdad and Beijing in September 2019. The Al-Zubair announcement followed shortly after the awarding by Baghdad of another major contract to another Chinese company to build a civilian airport to replace the military base in the capital of the southern oil rich Dhi Qar governorate. The Dhi Qar region includes two of Iraqs potentially biggest oil fields Gharraf and Nassiriya and China has said it intends to complete the airport by 2024. This airport project, it announced, would include the construction of multiple cargo buildings and roads linking the airport to the citys town centre and separately to other key oil areas in southern Iraq. This, in turn, followed yet another deal being mooted, which would involve Chinese companies building out Al-Sadr City, located near Baghdad, at a cost of between US$7-8 billion, also within the framework of the 2019 oil-for-reconstruction and investment agreement. At the same time as Iraq was making these deals with China, Baghdad looked to offset any negative reaction from the U.S. with promises that Iraq would put more distance between itself and Iran. For many years, Iraq despite its oil and gas riches had been dependent on neighbouring Iran for around 40 percent of its power supplies, coming in the form of both gas and electricity imports into Iraq. However, as also analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order, the middle of 2021 saw a statement from the then-Iraq Oil Minister, Ihsan Abdul Jabbar, that Chinas State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) had agreed to fund the strategically-critical Fao refinery project. This would process at least 300,000 bpd of crude oil in Iraqs oil field-packed southern region that runs into the Fao Peninsula around Basra. Once Iraq had received the guarantee from Chinas SASAC that it would guarantee all the required funding for the Fao refinery project, the contracts were awarded to the China National Chemical Engineering Co (CNCEC). These included the construction of the refinery, training, technology transfer, operation, and maintenance. In addition to the heavy Chinese personnel contingent that would be involved in these areas, there would also be even more specialist security personnel from China to ensure the safety of the entire site according to senior sources close to Iraqs Oil Ministry and to Irans Petroleum Ministry exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com at the time. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) Local officials in Albay are asking the national government to assist them in terms of providing alternative livelihood for affected residents as Mt. Mayon remains under Alert Level 3. "We need long-term plans, kailangan talaga natin ng mga livelihood programs para sa mga evacuees," Santo Domingo Mayor Joseling Aguas Jr. told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday. [Translation: We need long-term plans, we need livelihood programs for the evacuees.] Meanwhile, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo said since residents who have unharvested crops cannot return to their farms, the government can come in by holding trainings in evacuation centers through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The Labor department can also extend its emergency employment program TUPAD to affected locals, he added. Alert Level 3 status is still up in Mayon Volcano due to "magmatic unrest," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its 24-hour observation report. Phivolcs resident volcanologist Paul Alanis told CNN Philippines that they have yet to see signs that will lead to the raising of the alert level status. The Philippine National Police said more than 14,000 people were evacuated from the six-kilometer danger zone of Mayon. Up to 25,000 individuals will be moved to safer grounds if this will be extended to seven kilometers and Alert Level 4 is raised, authorities said. RELATED: Thousands more residents to be evacuated if Mayon danger zone is extended, mayors say For now, Aguas said their supplies of food packs and other essentials are enough. In Camalig, Baldo said they are in need of more restroom portals. The Department of Health and the Office of Civil Defense has committed to provide assistance regarding this, he said. Comfort rooms as well as water supply are a problem in Guinobatan, Mayor Paul Garcia said. Meanwhile, food packs are still enough, with 70,000 in stock that may last for three weeks, he added. Crude oil prices climbed early on Tuesday morning after ending trade on Monday with yet another loss, driven by demand concern. As the latest Fed meeting begins today, however, eyes will be on the U.S., with most analysts expecting the central bank to announce a pause for rate hikes. That would have a positive effect on prices although how durable that effect would be in the context of continued doubts about Chinas rate of economic recovery is anyones guess. At the time of writing, Brent crude was climbing toward $73 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at closing in on $68 per barrel, both up by more than a percentage point since yesterdays close. West Texas Intermediate had shed 7% over the last three trading days, Bloomberg reported, dampened by demand concerns but also by the slowdown in the U.S. economy and sanction-resilient Russian crude exports. Yet the report also noted that U.S. sour crude prices had strengthened, reaching a one-year high as the federal government signaled it may finally be ready to begin refilling the strategic petroleum reserve. The government announced the purchase of 3 million barrels of crude last week alongside plans for the purchase of another 3 million later in the year. "These 3 million barrels are being purchased for an average price of about $73 per barrel, lower than the average of about $95 per barrel that SPR crude was sold for in 2022, securing a good deal for taxpayers," the Department of Energy said, as quoted by Reuters, last week. Even so, oil prices have generally remained subdued, whetting bargain-hunting appetites among traders, per Reuters. "Some investors looked for bargains after the previous day's heavy selling while others held back their positions with speculation that Saudi Arabia may cut production additionally," a Nomura Securities economist told the news outlet. ADVERTISEMENT By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kurdistan's oil export is yet to resume through the Turkish pipeline, 75 days after it was blocked following the ICC's arbitration court's decision issued on March 23, 2023, only two days after Kurdish New Year holidays known as Nawroz. Despite the fact that both administrations in Erbil and Baghdad were only able to reach an agreement within 10 days of the court's decision, the complicated process of restarting Kurdistan's oil exports has not yet been finished on a trilateral basis between the governments of Kurdistan Regional of Iraq, the Iraqi federal administration, and Turkey. Unlike most estimates about the Erbil-Baghdad agreement, in Erbil and among worldwide supporters of the deals, notably in Washington DC, the arrangement couldnt play the anticipated role in moving two governments closer to settling their long-standing disagreements. The long delays in restarting the Kurdistan oil export, followed by unexpected federal officials positions on Kurdistan's oil and eventually unilateral modifications by some Iraqi parties' parliamentarians in the previously agreed draft of the federal budget, indicate a rocky road in running the oil deal between two governments. Oil deal between Erbil and Baghdad The ICC Arbitration Court's decision on Kurdistan's oil export through Turkey's pipeline on March 23, 2023, despite highlighting the delivery of Kurdistan's oil to its buyer's vessels in Ceyhan in violation of the 1973 Iraq-Turkey agreement and its revision in 2010, resulted in the region's oil export being halted quickly, only two days after the issuance date. Frictions surrounding Kurdistan's oil, which escalated to include reducing its allocation from the federal budget, first arose in 2007 with the passage of Kurdistan's oil and gas law by its parliament. This was followed by the establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources to oversee the region's oil and gas policies. However, tensions intensified when Kurdistan's oil pipeline was linked to a Turkish pipeline, enabling access to international markets. Related: Oil Prices Under Pressure Ahead Of Fed Meeting Following Kurdistan's ambitious plan to meet European market demand with its natural gas reserves in early 2022, the federal supreme court's ruling on February 15th, 2022, assumed Kurdistan's oil and gas to be unconstitutional, and subsequent pushes by the Iraqi oil ministry on foreign companies working in the region's oil and gas to leave Kurdistan regional oil projects, made Kurdistan's oil and gas risky for most international service providers, however, the ICC Arbitration Court's decision largely halted the region's oil production, which eventually encouraged both governments to resume it through an agreement signed at April 4th, 2023, but recent developments in the Iraqi political context have cast serious doubt on the deal's future. Hopes on Oil Deal Most Iraqi and Kurdish parties domestically and foreign friends internationally, including the United States, welcomed and supported the Erbil-Baghdad agreement on Kurdistan's oil export as the first major step toward resolving all long-standing disputes between the two governments over land, federal budget shares, oil and gas, and border controls. Permanent differences between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) were seen to be resolved through the adoption of mutually acceptable laws for federal hydrocarbon management and the 2023 federal budget, the latter of which will serve as a framework for fiscal years 2023 through 2025. Indeed, the agreement has been found supportive of the Iraqi federal plan for improving the states energy security, including the cooperations with neighboring countries to improve its capability in electricity supply, attracting some giant energy companies to participate in its natural gas and power production projects, where certain wealthy Kurdish investors play a major role in supporting federal government projects in the renovation and expansion of power plants and refineries in the central and southern provinces. Difficulties began as a result of federal budget negotiation Modifications unilaterally opposed by the Iraqi parliament out of the agreed-upon structure of the federal budget would result in a lower share of KRG in the federal budget and strengthen doubts on the chance to make a win-win federal hydrocarbon law, which was previously assumed could secure Kurdistan's rights according to the Iraqi Constitution and, most seriously, the Iraqi federal ability to satisfy its agreements with KRG in the presence of the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, whose decisions are mostly against Kurdish understanding of the Constitution. KRG's oil and gas production capacity, as well as administrative competencies, were the principal targets of federal budget modifications. Despite the fact that the majority of these regions have been under KRG control since 1991roughly 12 years prior to the formation of the new Iraqi government in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003the KRG's access will be eliminated to the already-developed oil fields in its administration areas placed in the provinces of Ninawa and Kirkuk. Also, the federal budget demanded that the KRG deliver at least 400,000 bpd of oil in order to receive its full share of the budget, which was well beyond the region's actual oil production capacity, especially considering that most oil fields within the KRG's territorial area had been shut down for over two months. Another change appears to have been made with international oil sales in mind; it states that if Kurdistans oil loses access to the Turkish Ceyhan port, it must deliver its oil to the federal government for domestic refining instead. This would, among other modifications, reduce the Iraqi federal government's interest in settling the financial fines issues over the ICC arbitration decision with the Turkey government, which amount to about $1.47 billion and have remained the main barrier to resuming oil flow on the Turkish side, as well as raise difficulties in handling this amount internally in Iraq due to a lack of refinery capacity in the KRG and neighboring Iraqi provinces, as well as resolving contractual issues with international buyers of Kurdistan's oil, who mostly have paid for it in advance. However, the most critical current change is that it eliminated payable expenditure for Kurdistan's oil production to be the same as Iraqi federal production rates, despite the fact that oil production in Kurdistan is in Production Sharing Agreements (PSA), which required oil operators to fund production against the Iraqi contract type of Technical Purchasing Agreement (TPA) using Iraqi federal funds. The different types of contracts and funds, as well as the nature of oil fields in both areas of Iraq, resulted in a 10 to 15 USD per barrel difference in Kurdistan's oil production side compared to the Iraqi federal side, and will automatically deduct the semi-autonomous region's budget amount to pay the extra costs to oil operator companies working in the region. This change will not only increase financial obstacles for KRG but will also reduce the development budget for future projects, resulting in less production capability in future months and years and reducing KRG's income from the federal budget, where its production rate is defined as a minimum of 400,000 bpd to receive its entire share of the federal budget. Uncertainty over the oil deal Indeed, the existing difficulties faced by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding the federal budget appear even more troubling when coupled with the statements made by Iraqi authorities regarding Kurdistan oil and their frequent changes in the projected timeline for resuming the export process. Particularly noteworthy are the recent comments made by the Iraqi federal government during an interview with Kurdish Rudaw TV, which highlighted the Iraqi government's financial gains resulting from the suspension of Kurdistan's oil exports. In truth, the current challenges of KRG over the federal budget look more problematic when they would be companied by the Iraqi authorities words about Kurdistan oil and their repeated revises in claimed time for resuming the export procedure, critically the recent Iraqi federal remarks on Kurdistan's oil halt, described in profit of the Iraqi federal government during an interview with Kurdish Rudaw TV. ADVERTISEMENT The probable lower share of the KRG in the federal budget, caused by recent modifications in federal budget law, and doubts over passing a win-win hydrocarbon law in the federal parliament, raised uncertainty about the Erbil-Baghdad agreement and could encourage KRG to go it alone. Turkey might be willing to directly cooperate with the KRG for higher transit prices and more discounts over purchasing oil, compared to its contract with Iraq. As a consequence, it's not far from the truth to claim that the future of the Erbil-Baghdad oil deal is ambiguous and questionable, as other earlier deals have faced the same trust, without being initially operated or terminated midway, during the last two decades. Shahriar Sheikhlar is an oil and gas analyst concentrating on Kurdistans and Iraqs oil and gas industry. He consults local and international news media and think tanks on oil and gas development policy, energy security, and market analysis. By Shahriar Sheikhlar for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: As predicted in my article at the end of May - partly because Russian Deputy Prime Minister and key OPEC+ negotiator Alexander Novak clearly indicated that OPEC+ would definitely not announce a surprise cut in oil production - OPEC+ did announce a surprise cut in oil output at its meetings beginning 4 June. As also predicted in the same piece, the net effect of the 1.16 million barrels per day (bpd) production cut achieved nothing good for Saudi Arabia either through the sustained oil price gains it anticipated or in repairing its shattered geopolitical relationships with the West. Instead, as with the previous surprise OPEC+ production cut, Russia was the only major beneficiary. The key question from this point for the oil markets is where does this key energy relationship go from here? The genesis of the Russia-Saudi Arabia relationship as it pertains to the transition of OPEC to OPEC+ (the major + in this context being Russia, of course) is core to understanding why Saudi Arabia keeps being suckered in to doing stupid things in the oil markets by Russia. This is entirely separate from the reasons why Saudi Arabia keeps being suckered in to doing stupid things by China, which are analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. The catalyst for this seismic shift in geopolitical alliances between Saudi Arabia and Russia was the failure of the 2014-2016 Oil Price War, as also analysed in the book, which was launched with the specific intention by Saudi Arabia to destroy - or at least severely disable for as many years as possible the U.S.s then-nascent shale oil sector. It was obvious to the Saudis at that point that ongoing build-out of the lower-cost U.S. shale oil sector would mean the gradual destruction of Riyadhs power in the world and as a key player in the Middle East, given that its only true basis of power is its oil supplies. It would also mean that the U.S. would be less inclined to support Saudi Arabia on regional security issues, most notably the increasing threats from Iran. In short, the Saudis had no real choice but to try to take on the U.S.s shale sector, and it did, and it lost and it and every one of its OPEC brothers - paid a terrible economic price, further exacerbated by the 2020 Oil Price War. Related: Pentagon Papers Show Saudi Arabia, U.S. Traded Threats Over Oil The immediate aftermath of the 2014-2016 Oil Price War was that Saudi had devastated its own economy and those of other OPEC member states for years to come. Additionally, and more importantly from a geopolitical perspective, it had lost its credibility as the de facto leader of OPEC, and OPEC had lost its credibility as the indomitable force in global oil markets. This meant that OPECs pronouncements on future oil supply and demand levels and therefore, on pricing had lost much of their potency to move markets, and that their joint production deals were diminished in effectiveness. At the end of 2016, then, and fully cognisant of the enormous economic and geopolitical possibilities that were available to it by becoming a core participant in the crude oil supply/demand/pricing matrix, Russia agreed to support the OPEC production cut deal in what was to be called from then-on OPEC+, albeit in its own uniquely self-serving and ruthless fashion. It is to their moral credit that the Saudis appear never to forget what they consider to be a good deed done for them, as also occurred in Chinas case with the face-saving offer made to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he was struggling to find big buyers for his initial public offering of Saudi Aramco. As also examined in depth in my new book, Chinas offer to buy the entire 5 percent in the company being offered at that time in a private placement the details of which were never to be revealed was the key turning point in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and China. Similarly, Russias support for the end-2016 OPEC+ oil output cut was effective in bolstering oil prices and allowing OPEC members to begin to rebuild their finance after the 2014-2016 Oil Price War. It was also the key turning point in Saudi Arabias relationship with Russia. Following this, October 2017 saw Russias President Vladimir Putin invite Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, to Moscow - the first ever visit to Russias capital city made by a sitting Saudi monarch. At this meeting, and the many meetings on the side-lines between officials of the two countries in which the real business is done, US$3 billion or so of specific deals were agreed across a wide range of areas, not just in the oil sector. Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak flagged at the time that Russian gas producer Novatek was in talks for Saudi investors to take part in its Arctic LNG-2 project, a follow-up to its US$27 billion plant in the Yamal peninsula. It was also agreed that Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), was to establish a US$1 billion fund alongside Russias sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which would invest in Russian technology companies. In the same vein, Russian state-owned hydrocarbons companies Rosneft and Gazprom entered talks with their counterpart, Saudi Aramco, to conduct co-ordinated oil and gas trading operations and the establishing of a joint research and technology centre. Bad though all of this was from Washingtons perspective, even worse were two broader political and military developments, as also analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. One of these was that Saudi Arabia rowed back on its demand that Syrias President Bashar al-Assad be removed from power. The other, and perhaps even more extraordinary, was that Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase from Russia of its S-400 air defence system. The apotheosis so far of Saudi Arabias profound commitment to Russia has been its unerring unwillingness to in any way downscale this relationship in light of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, of course. The problem for Saudi Arabia and its fellow OPEC brothers is that Russia regards them all as - in the phraseology of the original KGB in which Putin was raised - useful idiots. For many years up to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia had a fiscal breakeven price per barrel of Brent of around US$40. This was for a long period about the same as the level at which U.S. shale producers can make decent profits and around half of Saudi Arabias longstanding fiscal breakeven oil price. Things have changed now, with a fiscal breakeven oil price for Russia of around US$115 pb of Brent this year, according to oil industry figures. But this is not the key point. The key point is that following Russias invasion of Ukraine, various bans and price caps were introduced on its hydrocarbons products by differing groups of the U.S. and its allies, with a central one being the introduction of a general oil price cap on Russian oil at US$60 per barrel. This came in December from the G7 group of countries (comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US) and from the EU (which is also a non-enumerated additional member of the G7), plus Australia. Given these factors, Russias strategy has been very straightforward, but very effective: persuade Saudi Arabia (the de facto leader of OPEC) to increase the groups oil prices as much as possible while at the same time selling its own oil at a discount to this price, above the official oil price cap. There are plenty of willing buyers for discounted Russian oil whether it is at or above the US$60 pb barrel price cap. China is the main one, but India is a huge buyer too and the higher OPEC puts up its oil prices, the more attractive discounted Russian oil looks. As also analysed in my new book on the new global oil market order, neither China nor India (nor several other major oil-buying countries) care at all about existing U.S.-led sanctions against Russia and are happy to buy cheap Russian oil. Interestingly as well, the U.S. itself does not seem too bothered about such sales at discounted prices to the OPEC levels because this has the net effect of subduing oil prices generally within the wider global oil market. It is in this context, then, that the Kremlins official news release after the surprise OPEC+ output cut should be read. Both sides praised the level of cooperation within the OPEC+, which makes it possible to take timely and efficient steps in order to maintain the balance of oil demand and supply. This is what used to pass for humour in Putins KGB circles. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Via the Jamestown Foundation Western sanctions and changes in climate are impelling Moscow to realize a dream dating back three centuries to the time of Tsar Peter the Greatan all-water route from the Barents Sea to the Pacific through Russias coastal Arctic waters. During a Kremlin video conference on May 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed to participants that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) had become extremely important to Russia as climate change created more opportunities for shipping along the Arctic route, the shortest maritime link between Asia and Europe. Putin said, We must think about the future. The NSR is opening up. Whether this is good or bad, it is happening (Gcaptain.com, May 24). While vessels have traversed portions of Russias Arctic coastline for centuries, severe climactic and sea conditions have inhibited voyages from the Barents Sea to the Pacific, as mariners encountered numerous obstacles from severe storms to impenetrable pack ice. Technological advances made navigation through Russian seas in the Arctic feasible. The development of steel-hulled icebreakers and the invention of radio combined with the development of powerful marine steam engines opened the possibility to develop the NSR as a transport highway. On July 28, 1932, the Soviet icebreaker Aleksandr Sibiriakov left Arkhangelsk carrying a Soviet expedition led by Otto Shmidt and became the first ship to sail from Arkhangelsk to the Bering Strait in the same summer without wintering en route (Arctic-russia.ru, March 16, 2022). After this historic voyage, the Soviet authorities began a series of trial runs, opening the NSR to merchant shipping in 1935. The passages navigational and severe climactic difficulties were paralleled by the development of an extensive Soviet railway network, leaving the route barely utilized. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 found the new Russian government eager to increase its economic interaction with the outside world, opening up previously closed transportation modes. This included the underused NSR, which was placed under Rosatomflots control. In this, the Russian company had constructed the worlds only nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet to open up Russias Arctic coastline (Gazeta.ru, May 5, 2012). To stimulate transportation along the NSR within Russia proper, in 2022, Rosatomflot launched a regular coastal line between Murmansk and Kamchatka (Rzd-partner.ru, May 29). Currently, the NSRs main cargo primarily consists of petroleum products, but the routes operators hope to broaden future cargo options to include agricultural products and fish. The increasingly harsh sanctions blowback from Putins special military operation (SVO) against Ukraine has intensified the Russian governments search for export options immune to foreign disruption, making further development of the NSR a high priority. During the meeting with Putin, Rosatom CEO Aleksei Likhachev affirmed: Together with Novatek, we are planning to launch year-round navigation in the eastern part of the NSR early next year. For his part, Russian Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Aleksei Chekunkov reported that freight traffic along the NSR had increased from 4 million tons in 2014 to 34 million tons in 2022 (Kremlin.ru, May 17). As the NSR is the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia, with the added attractiveness of being solely in Russian territorial waters, the Kremlin expects significant international interest among energy-hungry Asian nations for utilizing the passageamong them China, India, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asiadespite the threat of sanctions. The Russian government is hopeful that the NSR will eventually compete with other global routes to reach the same level as the Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Panama and Suez Canal, particularly for Beijing, New Delhi and the governments of the Asia-Pacific. Over the past decade, China has made efforts to determine the NSRs potential. Since 2013, COSCO Shipping, Chinas largest shipping company, has made more than 20 transit voyages along the route, escorted by Russian Rosatomflot nuclear icebreakers (Expert.ru, March 27). To gauge the NSRs future utility for Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China Consul General in St. Petersburg Wang Wenli met with the governor of Murmansk region, Andrei Chibis, and expressed interest in upgrading cooperation, noting that the Murmansk region had great potential for the development and diversification of trade relations with Chinese partners beyond energy imports. By the end of 2022, China ranked fourth among the Murmansk regions trading partners, as, since 2019, exports had grown by 240 percent (Murmansk.sm.news, April 28). Nevertheless, many problems impede the NSRs transformation into a viable year-round maritime route before Shmidts dream becomes a realityfrom building more ice breakers to improving ports along Russias Arctic coastline (see EDM, March 2). Beyond the economic considerations, the development of the routes eastern section in comparison with its western segment is constrained by more severe ice conditions, shallow depths and much more. Impelled by 11 rounds of unwanted Western sanctions, Chekunkov said that his departments goal is to ensure that the NSR can transit up to 100 million tons by 2026 and 200 million tons by 2030. Future Chinese interest in the NSR can only increase these amounts. Given that, for Beijing, the NSR is the sole guaranteed secure maritime transport corridor if the United States and its allies try to block Chinas Pacific trade routes, all that remains is haggling over prices. ADVERTISEMENT By John C. K. Daly More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Ten months after its shutdown, Freeport LNG trains are back online for its Quintana Island, Texas, facility, enabling the restoration of deliveries to major companies with liquified natural gas offtake agreements, including giant BP and French TotalEnergies, Hart Energy reports exclusively. Freeport LNG export facility handles 15 million tonnes per annum, making it one of the largest in the world, and the second largest in the United States. Responsible for some 20% of total LNG exports from the U.S., Freeport generated $35 billion in the first nine months of last year as Europe sought to stave off a winter energy crisis. In June 2022, the facilities were damaged from an explosion, with its resumption dependent on a lengthy regulatory process. By March 30, the Freeport export facility was receiving natural gas from pipelines at full capacity, with two of three trains resuming full commercial operations and the third and final train to follow. With the return to service of the third LNG storage tank anticipated this summer, the full restoration of the facility is nearly complete, Freeport LNG chairman, CEO and founder Michael Smith said in a report cited by Hart Energy. Prior to Freeports shutdown in June last year, U.S. LNG exports peaked in March 2022 at 11.7 Bcf/d, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA estimates that American LNG exports will surpass 12 Bfc/d with the resumption of Freeports three trains. A full return of Freeport LNG to the market comes at a time when weak Chinese demand recovery and high inventories are keeping prices suppressed. Earlier concerns of tightness in the natural gas market appear to have dissipated fairly significantly. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A severe cyclone off Indias western coast has suspended oil product exports from one port and halted operations at offshore oil platforms and other ports as authorities are evacuating people from coastal areas where the tropical cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea has already claimed seven lives. Biparjoy is expected to make landfall on Thursday between Mandvi in Indias western state of Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan. Many offshore oil and gas platforms are located off Gujarat, which is also home to several major ports. Most of those have had to halt operations ahead of the cyclone. Indias large private refiner Reliance Industries, which operates the largest refining hub in the world, Jamnagar, was forced to halt exports of diesel and other refined petroleum products from the port of Sikka, due to the cyclone, traders told Reuters on Monday. Reliance Industries has declared a force majeure on petroleum product exports from the port of Sikka, it wrote in a letter to traders cited by Reuters. The refinery at Jamnagar, capable of processing 704,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, is a key diesel exporter from India. In recent months, Europe has raised its imports of refined petroleum products from Asia after the EU banned imports of seaborne Russian oil products as of February 5. On Monday, Indian Coast Guard airlifted 11 personnel from the jack-up rig Key Singapore operating off Dwarka to Okha off Gujarat. By Tuesday morning, all 50 personnel have been evacuated from the rig, the Indian Coast Guard said. The Biparjoy cyclone has also suspended operations at Mundra, the largest commercial port in India, as well as vessel operations at the port of Tuna. The port of Mundra is Indias largest coal import terminal. In addition, the ports at Bedi, Navlakhi, Porbandar, Okha, and Bhavnagar have also been closed as the cyclone approaches. ADVERTISEMENT By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Two oil tankers have collided in the Irkutsk region in Russia's thanks to a captain operating under the influence of alcohol, causing oil spillage into a local river. According to Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev, its still unclear how much fuel spilled into the Lena River, the world's 11th longest, but said one tanker that sustained significant damage was carrying 138 metric tons of gasoline. The governor estimates that as many as 60 to 90 tons of fuel could spill into the river. "At the moment, the oil slick has passed a number of settlements. The situation is complicated by the fact that the river is navigable. In addition, there are settlements downstream. According to the East Siberian transport prosecutor Denis Evgenievich Avdeev, the ship Yerofey Khabarov was controlled by the captain's assistant. As shown by a medical examination, the captain, in turn, was drunk," Kobzev said after an operational meeting. Oil accidents are pretty common in Russia, but the Norilsk oil spill is considered the worst of its kind in the country, and yet another case of the adverse impacts of climate change. In May 2020, melting permafrost caused a large storage tank near Norilsk to sink after weeks of unusually warm weather in the Arctic with the Ambarnaya River famously running red. One source estimated that as much as 29,000 tonnes (about 218,000 barrels) of diesel could have found its way into the soil and nearby water bodies. President Vladimir Putin declared a state of federal emergency in the Krasnoyarsk region as Norilsk Nickel, the owner of the tank, scrambled to try and contain the spill from contaminating the Arctic zone. Putin was incensed that the incident was only reported to the authorities two days later after pictures of the crimson river were shared online, and ordered Nornickel billionaire oligarch and part-owner, Vladimir Potanin, to bear the full costs of cleaning up the mess. Nornickel was fined nearly 150 billion rubles (~2 billion USD), marking the largest compensation for environmental damage in Russias history. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Spanish utility giant Iberdrola has signed an agreement with Mexico to sell its combined cycle gas plants in the country for $6 billion in a deal previously described by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as a new nationalization of our electric industry. Iberdrola, which is increasingly focused on wind and solar power generation in Europe and the Americas, is selling 55% of its Mexican business to Mexico Infrastructure Partners (MIP). The sale includes 99% of Iberdrolas combined cycle gas plants and 87% of Iberdrola plants operating under the Independent Power Producer regime, contracted with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). In total, Iberdrola is selling 13 gas-fired power plants to an entity of the Mexican government. The company will keep its renewables portfolio of 6,000 megawatts (MW) in Mexico to provide power to its private customers and aims to further grow its renewables presence in the country. When an initial agreement on the deal was announced earlier this year, Lopez Obrador said the deal would give state-owned utility Comision Federal de Electricidad majority control over the Mexican electricity market and called it a new nationalization of our electric industry. Mexicos government has been on the nationalization path since coming into office. This has led to growing tensions with the United States, which has repeatedly warned its southern neighbor to open up its market instead of closing it to private businesses. What the Lopez Obrador government has been doing is essentially reversing as many policies introduced by the previous government as possible. This has naturally caused an outcry in international business circles as their access to potentially lucrative projects in Mexico, including oil and gas but also wind and solar, as well as power plant operation, has shrunk. Iberdrola, for its part, is heavily investing in wind and solar power generation in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. ADVERTISEMENT Just this week, the Spanish firm signed a $1.08 billion (1 billion euros) loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to co-finance the construction of 22 renewable energy plants in Spain, Portugal, and Germany with a total installed capacity of 2.2 GW. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The European Union could move to ban imports of Russias pipeline gas by the end of this year if it puts preliminary measures in place, Walter Boltz, energy advisor to the Austrian government, has told Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS). The EU has seen increased recognition that it could cope without the remaining Russian pipeline gas it gets, but some countries still receiving natural gas via pipeline, most notably Hungary, could seek exemptions or not agree to an EU ban, according to Boltz. Gazprom has stopped publishing numbers on its gas deliveries to Europe. The Russian giant has seen exports to Europe decline since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, as Russia cut off gas supplies to a number of countries in Europe. Russia halted gas supply to Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland in April and May 2022, slashed gas deliveries via Nord Stream to Germany in June, then cut off Nord Stream supply in early September, weeks before the still mysterious sabotage on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea at the end of September. Russia still sends some gas via pipelines to Europe via one transit route through Ukraine, and via TurkStream. Ukraine itself could have a strong case for lobbying the EU to ban Russian pipeline gas imports. If you think that Russia is making $15-$25bn annually from gas sales and Ukraine only $800m in transit, it would make every sense in the world for Ukraine to forego the transit and stop Russia from getting this money, Boltz told ICIS. Still, the EU is unlikely to agree to an idea to ban gas imports from the pipelines from Russia, where Moscow has already cut off the gas supply to Europe, EU diplomats told POLITICO last month. Analysts and EU officials told POLITICO there is no consensus to support the idea of banning the resumption of Russian gas flows. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A U.S. official has denied a report that emerged last week that Washington was once again in talks with Tehran about the latters nuclear program. The report, published in Middle East Eye on June 8, cited unnamed sources as saying the United States and Iran were nearing an interim deal that would see some sanction relief in exchange for Iran scaling down its uranium enrichment program. According to the report, if Iran agreed to stop enriching uranium to 60% purity and more, it would be allowed to export 1 million barrels of crude daily. The news pushed oil prices even lower last week, as any possibility of sanction removal would see more Iranian barrels come into the global market. The denials, however, were prompt and came from both the U.S. and the Iranian side, even though two Iranian officials confirmed to Reuters that talks were ongoing. "This report is false and misleading," a spokesman for the White House National Security Council said at the time, as quoted by Reuters. The Iranian mission to the United States said that "Our comment is the same as the White House comment." The denials did not have any effect on oil prices, which have remained subdued amid signs of uneven Chinese recovery and a slowdown in the United States along with the eurozone recession. This week, the unnamed Washington source told Reuters that "We have made clear to them what escalatory steps they needed to avoid to prevent a crisis and what de-escalatory steps they could take to create a more positive context." The U.S.-Iran talks about a new nuclear deal, moderated by the EU, broke down last year as the two sides failed to reach an agreement on several sticky points. ADVERTISEMENT The recent spate of tanker seizures by both U.S. and Iranian forces is unlikely to have improved the sentiment between the two sides although communication appears to have continued despite the breakdown of the official talks. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave the thumbs up to the proposed food stamp program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which would also cover pregnant and lactating women. All green lights go na for the pilot, which will take place shortly, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during a Palace briefing on Tuesday. Gatchalian said the pilot, which would run for six months, will be fully funded by grants from the Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the French Development Agency. The initial implementation secured funding worth $3 million, he noted. Theres a provision to expand it, and the ADB is working on other trust funds so we can expand the pilot, the DSWD official said. The president also wants to bring in pregnant, lactating mothers. We need to start looking at stunting in the country and the first 1,000 days of this program is very important, he added. The program seeks to help one million Filipino families belonging to the lowest income bracket. On the importance of including pregnant and lactating women, Gatchalian said the majority of the existing feeding programs are facility-based, and this may be the first one that could provide proper nutrients to the mothers and the infants. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa also said that the first few years of a child are crucial for development. Brain development is like the first 7 years. So even if I do feeding, the damage has happened, Herbosa said. The stunting rate for ages 0-23 months old, its 21.6%. Thats 1 in 5 children. For those under 5, it's 28.7%. Thats high, the DOH chief added. Good job, Unicameral After reading the many critical letters to the editor of our Unicameral and governor, I applaud them for the many things accomplished this past session. They passed tax relief, parental rights and child protection was strengthened, food stamps were extended, and voter ID was passed. These were just a few of the important bills passed. This was accomplished even though a certain senator was filibustering and grandstanding, making things terribly difficult. Great job, folks! Proud to live in the great state of Nebraska: The Good Life! Martin Scherzberg, Papillion Defining health care According to Webster's College Dictionary, 2007 edition, the definition of heath care is: "efforts made to maintain or restore health especially by trained and licensed professionals." People are saying that narrow-minded people and politicians are interfering with their personal medical decisions by removing their rights to health care that they believe they are constitutionally entitled to. I do not believe that transgender people have the right to use the taxpayers' health care benefits and money for a sex change because nothing is being maintained or restored. Their request for a sex change at taxpayer expense is totally the opposite of the definition of the health care system. Does anyone really know how much a sex change procedure/operation costs? Taxpayers are asked and forced to pay for a never ending multitude of things. As a taxpayer, I honestly believe that it is time to start saying no to some of these unreasonable taxpayer requests! Douglas Arthur, Omaha Defining woke I've noted many times people are having trouble defining "woke". This is the most accurate definition: With Overwhelming Kindness and Empathy for all humankind. Leigh Snow, Omaha Senators' stances Nebraska's U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts have again disgraced our state with their opposition votes in the debt ceiling dilemma. I think these two multi-millionaire politicians could care less about the citizens of Nebraska and how a default could have affected all of us in the state. They wouldn't have been affected financially by a default, but the rest of us would have. This is another example of the selfishness that Fischer and Ricketts are proud to display to the Republican Party leaders. At least the three Republican House members from Nebraska had enough common sense to vote in favor of the bipartisan bill. But Fischer and Ricketts continue to vote partisan Republican Party stance every time a major decision has to be made to help the citizens of Nebraska. In my opinion, these two need to be removed from office because they don't possess the values of Nebraskans. Stephen Brennan, Omaha Nay votes The Senate vote to approve the "Fiscal Responsibility Act" (HR 3746) was 63 yea vs. 36 nay. The approval of this act increased the debt ceiling, which enabled the Treasury to borrow money to pay bills already incurred by the U.S. government. This act was the result of a compromise between the Democratic president and the Republican House leadership. If the vote had failed, the U.S. would have most certainly defaulted on its debt, since there wouldn't have been enough time to pass new debt ceiling legislation through both the House and Senate before the Treasury ran out of money on June 5. How did our two Nebraska senators vote? They both voted nay. So much for "fiscal responsibility." Randall Greer, Omaha Red wave of hypocrisy "Government should not be involved in these personal decisions, even though I know more people will die. It is not our responsibility to tell you what to do." Quote from Wendy DeBoer of Bennington speaking about helmet laws in this state (May 25). I don't even know where to begin. There are no words to express my outrage about the hypocrisy in this state's Legislature. So, if it's not their responsibility to tell us what to do, why do they continue to tell us what to do? Why is it OK for motorcyclists to make the decision about wearing a helmet, but it's not OK for parents to make decisions about their child's health and well-being? Or why is it not OK for a woman to make decisions about what she does with her body? This state is sounding more and more like Florida. I like Husker red, but I deplore the wave of red hypocrisy that is flooding this nation. Cindy Sass, Omaha Regulations not burdensome For those who are praising Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer for fighting to overturn burdensome EPA regulations, please note we have got to stop poisoning the air, soil and water to continue life on this planet. EPA regulations are necessary and not burdensome for us that wish to remain healthy for generations to come. Lucile Richards, Bellevue Non-existent issues Now that the Nebraska Legislature has addressed the non-existent issue of voter fraud with the passage of the voter ID law, they can now move on to more pressing issues such as; the lack of scooter rental stations near senior citizen facilities; the absence of a streetcar from Omaha to Lincoln; the lack of police preparedness for a zombie apocalypse; and the epidemic number of bad haircuts on citizen ID photos. Of course, our legislators had no choice because this was voter-mandated. Hopefully, our collective wisdom as voters through the leadership of our legislators will do better next time. Mark Siepker, Omaha Flag code The American flag seems to be in the news quite often these days. The American flag means many things to many people and should be respected by everybody. Many people commonly violate the flag code when displaying the stars and stripes on a daily basis without even knowing it. It would behoove people to become familiarized with the flag code. Sometimes, even the most benign representation(s) of the flag could be considered a violation of the code. The MAGA Party has appropriated the American flag as it own and often times takes disrespect of the American flag to a new level. Ceding the nation's most enduring symbol to one party is just bad politics. The flag is the symbol of we, the people. Even if it festoons every Trump rally, the flag belongs to all of us. There should not be vulgar manipulations and misappropriation of the nation's symbol, especially for partisan purposes. It's past time to call out those who disrespect the American flag, and take it back for all Americans. Michael Leonard, Omaha Community members gathered outside the childhood home of James Muhlbauer on Thursday afternoon to show their appreciation and their dedication to preserving his legacy. Muhlbauer, a 1999 Bryan High School graduate and 20 year police veteran, was killed in the line of duty in Kansas City, Missouri, on Feb. 15 along with his K-9 Champ and a civilian. They perished in a crash when they were struck by a speeding motorist. At the direction of the Bellevue City Council and Mayor Rusty Hike, the City of Bellevue put up a commemorative street sign along Lillian Street by his childhood home. A ceremony marked the dedication of the sign and celebrated Muhlbauers legacy. Its good to see so many people out here, Hike said. I, unfortunately, did not know Jim. But I have found out that he really enjoyed watching the kids play and spent a lot of time in the outdoors partaking in his favorite hobbies of fishing, hunting, kayaking and biking. James also loved being a police officer. The tribute was organized by retired Sarpy County Sheriffs Office Lt. Russ Zeeb working in coordination with Muhlbauers friends and family as well as Bellevue City Hall. Im both saddened and proud to be here to honor James Muhlbauer, the son of Bellevue and Omaha community, who committed his life to service, public safety and the protection of others, Bellevue Police Chief Ken Clary said Thursday afternoon. We gathered today to honor his life, his service and his sacrifice. The Rev. Jeff Mollner of St. Bernadette Catholic Church offered a prayer as part of the ceremony. We ask that you bless this place of remembrance in his honor, Mollner said. May all who passed by this place remember the sacrifice he made and give thanks for the gift for the life you gave him. Omaha Police Officer Anthony White grew up with Muhlbauer. He said his friend had that big guy feel to him even though he was so small, quick witted and he had a great laugh. To the family, my deepest condolences, White said. You always have a family with law enforcement here in the state of Nebraska. To his children and his wife, your loved one was a hero, and heroes never die. Understand that this stands as a testament to that. Muhlbauers father, Vern, offered his thanks to the community for honoring his service, despite it being to another community. We are truly grateful for you honoring Jims memory by your presence, he said. Its amazing to look around and see how many have come out today. Jeff Hunter grew up right next door to the Muhlbauers. He said his friend continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Lillian Street was an amazing place for us to grow up, Hunter said. This was our street. We laughed, cried, fought, played hard, bleed and protected this stretch of real estate. Even though all of us are grown up, it remains our home plate. A jury in Omaha has found in favor of Werner Enterprises in a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accusing the Omaha-based transportation company of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act for not hiring a Texas driver who is deaf. Werners attorneys successfully argued at trial that the decision not to hire Andrew Deuschle was due to legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons. On Friday, at the end of a five-day trial in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska in Omaha, the jury deliberated for about an hour and a half before returning a verdict siding with Werner. The EEOC had sought a judgment declaring that Werners employment application violates the ADA and ordering the company to stop making any disability-related inquiries of job candidates. They also had sought money for back pay, job search expenses and other compensation, plus punitive damages. According to the complaint filed in 2018, Deuschle, who has been deaf since infancy, received an exemption from the hearing requirement set out in federal regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers. And in 2015, he applied for a co-driver position at Werner and, by email, told a recruiter about his nearly five months of experience driving for another carrier, C.R. England, and about his hearing exemption. Werner preapproved his application but ultimately didnt hire him. In a pretrial ruling, the judge rejected Werners defense that Deuschle posed a direct threat to the health and safety of himself or others if allowed to operate a commercial motor vehicle. At trial, the EEOC alleged, and Werner admitted, they have a practice of classifying deaf drivers differently when they apply for employment. While hearing drivers initial applications are automatically preapproved and theyre conditionally offered a job, deaf drivers applications go to a manager. It wasnt clear at what stage of the process Deuschle received his preapproval from Werner. In this case in particular, Elizabeth Culhane, one of Werners attorneys, argued that Deuschle wasnt able to perform the essential functions of the position because he couldnt complete the companys in-house training program, which requires spoken communications in emergency situations. Although Werners safety department determined the proposed accommodations for training a deaf driver in its driver placement program are unsafe, the EEOC has brought a campaign of litigation against Werner for declining to hire and train Deuschle and another driver, Culhane said. She also pointed to the fact that Deuschle never provided Werner with a copy of his Department of Transportation exemption and argued that the evidence does not support a finding of any violation of the ADA. To the contrary, even the EEOC acknowledged during the course of its investigation that Deuschle did not provide all requested information in a timely manner, thereby conceding the legitimacy of one of Werners proffered nondiscriminatory reasons for not hiring Deuschle, Culhane said in a pretrial brief. Douglas County and the City of Omaha have agreed to a settlement that would pay Ralston Public Schools up to $2.2 million to make up for a tax mistake that dates back at least to 2019. Both entities have signed a settlement presented at Ralstons Monday school board meeting. The agreement requires the county and city to make payments from 2024 to 2029, and also calls for transferring money that would otherwise go to the Omaha Public Schools. The settlement is the latest update from a long-standing mistake by the Douglas County Treasurers Office. State audit officials found that the office had been miscalculating distributions of millions of dollars in revenue for years. This resulted in overpayments to the City of Omaha, Douglas County and OPS and underpayments to four other local school districts, including Ralston. The Nebraska State Auditors Office found that in 2021 alone, OPS was overpaid by about $5.7 million, the City of Omaha by about $4.4 million and Douglas County by about $2.7 million. At issue is the distribution of Omaha Public Power District payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOT. Under state law, the publicly owned utility is required to pay 5% of its gross revenue from electricity sales. The Douglas County treasurer should have considered the tax levies of all the school districts within Omaha when it calculated the distributions, the state auditor said. The treasurer underpaid the Elkhorn Public Schools by about $4.2 million, Ralston Public Schools by about $4 million, Westside Community Schools by about $3.7 million and Millard Public Schools by about $820,000, according to the letter. The office didnt investigate distributions from previous years but said similar errors would be expected. Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing said last year that his office had handled distributions the same way apparently unchallenged for 61 years, but he agreed with the Nebraska State Auditors Office that the distributions had been miscalculated. The auditors findings followed an investigation that found the same mistakes were being made in Sarpy County. The Sarpy County Treasurers Office has already settled with four school districts that were underpaid after they sued. They are OPS, Gretna, Springfield Platteview and Millard. In Ralstons settlement, Douglas County has agreed to pay the district $400,910 over the next five years, while the City of Omaha will pay $662,369. These payments will be made by reducing both the county and citys future distributions from OPPD, and giving the money instead to Ralston. The county and city are also paying the Westside school district nearly $6 million in a similar settlement that was approved last year. Both Westside and Ralston are also seeking additional funds by reducing the future distributions to OPS. Mondays agreement calls for the county to transfer more than $963,000 of OPS future payments from 2024 to 2029 to Ralston to make up for past errors. Similarly, Westside obtained a court order this spring to allocate nearly $5.3 million in future OPS payments to the district. Since OPS is an equalized school district for state aid purposes, OPS would actually be compensated for the lost revenue by getting additional state aid. Even so, OPS is currently fighting the court order, saying that a judge approved it without notifying the district. As for other underpaid school districts, Millard has settled with Sarpy County but has not yet settled with Douglas County or the City of Omaha. Elkhorn is in the middle of its own lawsuits with the county, city and OPS to recover its missing funds. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 A Bennington school board member, backed by several parents, challenged the districts administration for allowing an LGBTQ club at Bennington High School during a lengthy meeting Monday night. Steve Shannon, who was elected in November, expressed his opposition to the Prism Club. He said the organization pushes ideology and causes irreparable harm to Bennington students. The club became part of Mondays discussion after the administration asked the board to pay several staff members, including the Prism Club sponsor, for their time overseeing clubs. The board approved the payments on a 4-2 vote, with Shannon and Tim Dreessen voting no. Since Shannon was elected in November, he has been posting on social media anti-LGBTQ content, conspiracy theories and false information about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Before Mondays meeting, he posted on Facebook that he believes Benningtons Prism Club is centered around sex. Several parents used the meetings public comment period to criticize the funding and existence of the Prism Club at the high school. Prism clubs are sometimes called GSA clubs, which can stand for gay-straight or gender and sexuality alliances. They are student-led organizations that provide support to LGBTQ students and educate others about LGBT issues, while engaging in awareness activities, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. These clubs have been in schools for years, but some conservative parents and politicians have been alleging, without presenting evidence, that GSA clubs are sites of indoctrination. They say they are concerned that the clubs encourage students to explore LGBTQ identities without their parents knowledge. One Bennington parent said on Monday that the goal of GSA clubs are to push ideology into the curriculum even though student clubs dont have any say on district curriculum. Another parent, Mary Socha, said she believes GSA clubs push ideology by encouraging membership through hosting contests, passing out rainbow ribbons to students and making flyers to put around school. That doesnt sound to me that (the GSA club) is just a safe place for kids to go, Socha said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GSA clubs have been associated with improvements in school safety, positive youth development and increasing students sense of purpose and self-esteem. The organization lists this type of clubs as one facet of offering a safe and supportive environment for youth. GSA clubs in schools have been the focus of several lawsuits around the nation. In 2021, the Indianapolis Star reported that a U.S. district judge required an Indiana high school to provide its GSA club with the same rights provided to other student groups after a lawsuit was filed by students. The lawsuit alleged the school violated students First Amendment rights by treating the club differently than other student-led organizations. Lawsuits also led a California middle school GSA club to be disbanded in 2022. And in January, students in Tennessee dropped their request to form a GSA club following parent outcry. Scott Scearcy, a parent, voiced his disapproval for the district to allow a group like the Prism Club at the high school. He said he took two of his three children out of the district last year because he was appalled about where it was headed. I dont want to know a childs sexual preference, you shouldnt want to know a childs sexual preference and teachers shouldnt know a childs sexual preference, Scearcy said. My concern is the adult who wants to sponsor a club that focuses on childrens sexual preference. We will not support paying an adult to talk to minors about who they are attracted to. Retiring Superintendent Terry Haack, who was attending his last meeting, said Shannon is making a big leap to assume that the Prism Club is causing any harm to students. Theres a lot of research out there that a safe, caring environment helps students achieve, Haack said. Those who are in activities are in better attendanceand have better academics. I think having the opportunity to belong to a club of any sort adds to the mission of Bennington Public Schools. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 Fresh facts have emerged on how an 18-year-old man, Abubakar Sani of Birnin Magaji community in Zamfara State was assigned to hand over a N2.5 million ransom to the abductors of his father. However, reports last night revealed that the man too has been abducted by the kidnappers, a family source said. Sunusi Sani, the elder brother of the boy, told an online news portal, PREMIUM TIMES yesterday that the ransom was agreed during negotiation with the suspected bandits on the telephone. He said: We sent the boy with the money. He was, however, abducted alongside our father. He said the bandits abducted Abubakar after collecting the ransom and also took away the motorcycle he rode to the location. Sunusi said the kidnappers have demanded an additional ransom. He said the bandits called and confirmed that they had abducted the ransom bearer too. They said we have to pay N30 million ransom to secure the release of Sani and father. Our father has been in captivity for two months. We spend months sourcing for the N2.5 million only for the bandits to abduct another family member and requested for additional ransom. We were speechless about the development. We dont have anything to add, we have left everything in the hand of God, Sunusi said. Kidnapping for ransom has continued in Zamfara State despite the deployment of security personnel and billions of naira to improve the security situation. Armed bandits attack and abduct many in peasants communities at will. They kill and demand millions of naira as ransom. The raining season has arrived but many farmers in this agrarian location will not be cultivating the land for fear of abduction. As part of activities to mark the 2023 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu inspected a Guard of Honour at the forecourt of the State House in Abuja on Monday, June 12. Nigeria celebrates Democracy on June 12 in commemoration of the annulment of the 1993 presidential election of MKO Abiola by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. It is Tinubus first Democracy Day since assuming office on May 29, 2023. Some of the dignitaries present to witness the event included Vice President Kashim Shettima, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Others are service chiefs; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe; and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Adamu; APC National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore; among other top government officials. Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that President Bola Tinubu says his administration will not tolerate illegal orders from courts used to truncate or abridge democracy. He said the process of reforming the judiciary has started. Tinubu stated this in his first Democracy Day speech broadcast to the nation on Monday morning, June 12. Related Honduran embassy in Beijing ushers in new era of ties China Daily) 09:39, June 13, 2023 State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang (left) and visiting Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina attend a ceremony to inaugurate the embassy of the Republic of Honduras in Beijing on Sunday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina jointly unveiled a plaque to formally inaugurate the Central American country's embassy in Beijing on Sunday morning. The ceremony marked major progress in the exchange of diplomats following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides. China officially inaugurated its embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on June 5. China and Honduras have delivered a strong start to their diplomatic relations and are confident of making their ties a role model of friendly collaboration based on mutual respect and a win-win approach, officials and experts said. On March 26, Honduras became the 182nd nation to establish diplomatic relations with China. "Two months ago, China and Honduras officially built their diplomatic relations based on the one-China principle, fulfilled the long-lasting wish of their peoples and ushered in the new era of China-Honduras ties," Qin said at the event. Over the past two months, the two sides have been faithfully fulfilling the pledges made during the establishment of their diplomatic relations, ensuring a robust start to bilateral ties, Qin added. The Honduran foreign minister voiced his hope that their bilateral ties will grow day by day. Reina said his country stands ready to push forward the collaboration between the two governments and their cooperation in various fields, including exporting the country's signature products to China. Honduras is ready to work for the early start of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, and it looks forward to more joint efforts between the two countries in implementing a range of bilateral or multilateral initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, Reina said. The embassy opening ceremony in Beijing was held amid the ongoing state visit by Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Castro is on a state visit to China from Friday through Wednesday. She arrived in Shanghai, the first leg of her trip, on Friday morning and then reached Beijing on Saturday evening. State Councilor Qin said the historic meeting between Xi and the Honduran leader will surely take their bilateral ties to greater heights with new developments. Xu Shicheng, a senior researcher on Latin America studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Honduran government looks to reinforce its ties with China to help improve domestic livelihoods, which is why the Honduran president is making a state visit shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations. Castro's visit will open a new chapter in bilateral relations and give fresh impetus to China-Latin America cooperation, Xu said. "Given the examples set by countries such as Honduras in establishing diplomatic relations with China, as well as the expanding economic and trade relations between China and Latin America, more countries in that region may consider subscribing to the one-China principle and establishing diplomatic ties with China. This is a major trend in the long run," he said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) The National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against 50 police personnel suspected to be involved in the 990-kilo shabu drug haul in October last year, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Tuesday. "Of these 50 respondents, 48 appeared on the CCTV video and additional two officers had been charged on the basis of conspiracy with the 48," Abalos said in a press briefing. Noong nakaraang Biyernes, ang Napolcom at PNP ay nagsampa na ng kasong kriminal sa Office of the Ombudsman o tinatawag nating MOLEO (Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices) laban sa 50 respondents, he said in a press briefing. [Translation: Last Friday, Napolcom and PNP filed a criminal case with the Office of the Ombudsman or what we call MOLEO against 50 respondents.] Abalos, who chairs the Napolcom, said 48 out of the 50 respondents appeared on the CCTV video that allegedly showed irregularities committed in the drug haul, while two other officers were charged on the basis of conspiracy with the 48. READ: Sought for proof on shabu haul 'cover-up,' Abalos says CCTV footage 'speaks for itself' The criminal complaint involved violation of the following: - Republic Act No. 3091 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act - Republic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drug Act - Revised Penal Code Article 171 - Falsification of Documents - Revised Penal Code Article 184 - False testimony - Revised Penal Code Article 217 - Malversation of private property - Presidential Decree No. 1829 - Obstruction of Justice Napolcom Vice Chairperson Alberto Bernardo said among the 50 respondents, 12 were police commissioned officers including PLtGen. Benjamin Santos Jr., PBGen. Narciso Domingo, PCol. Julian Olonan, and others. Aside from the criminal complaint, Abalos said Napolcom is also conducting administrative proceedings against the 50 police personnel. He said it has completed a pre-charge investigation against the 48 PNP officers and members that appeared in the video. Napolcom is expected to issue its resolution 15 days from Tuesday. Possible formal charges from the administrative case include grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty. If proven guilty, penalties are dismissal from service, forfeiture of benefits, and disqualification from office. Last April, Abalos urged police officials allegedly involved in the 6.7-B shabu haul to file their leaves of absence in the wake of a "massive attempt" to cover up the arrest of anti-drug intelligence officer PSgt. Rodolfo Mayo. Nearly a metric ton of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was seized from Mayo's property in October 2022. Abalos said he is confident that the case will prosper because of the comprehensive investigation conducted by the Napolcom and the PNP special task force. The Napolcom and the PNP SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) have gone through everything the testimonies, the evidence, maraming nakita talaga dito [they really discovered a lot]. Pinagsama-sama nila at iyan ang dadalhin natin sa korte [they put it together and that's what we're going to take to court], he added. Meanwhile, Bernardo said theres a possibility that more personnel may be tagged in the case. Mababatid natin na sinasabi nila na hindi nila nais gawin ito at sila'y nautusan lang. Magkakaroon sila ng oras magpaliwanag kung nautusan ba sila o alibi lamang, he said. [Translation: We know that they say they didn't want to do this and that they were just following orders. They will have time to explain whether they were ordered or it's just an alibi.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano has formally asked the Supreme Court (SC) "to investigate the false and troubling claims" of Makati Mayor Abby Binay on the cities' land dispute. In a statement on Tuesday, Cayetano said she filed before the SC an urgent Manifestation and Motion, which also seeks a show-cause order against Binay. This move stemmed from Binay's statement to the media that Makati's legal team received a notice from the SC for a hearing on its urgent motion to bring the case involving the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation areas before the en banc. The top court, however, denied that oral arguments have been set for the issue. READ: SC denies setting oral arguments for Taguig-Makati territorial dispute The SC already ruled with finality that the disputed Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, where Bonifacio Global City is now located, and some barangays in Makati are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City. The Taguig mayor expressed "grave concern" over the recent developments. "While this claim turned out to be totally false, it appeared to support the social media posts about the proposed reopening of the case," Cayetano said. The Taguig chief executive was referring to posts claiming Binay spoke to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who all supposedly promised to help reopen the case. "That tends to put a cloud of doubt on the impartiality of the SC and the integrity of the judicial system," Cayetano added. She also noted that this was "not the first time Makati has violated the rules." "The SC itself had already sanctioned Makati for forum shopping," she said. "It castigated Makati, declared it in contempt of court, and imposed a fine on its lawyers for abusing the court processes and procedures." In a separate statement on Tuesday, Claro Certeza, the city administrator of Makati, said this was "perhaps the first time that a petition has been brought before the Supreme Court on the basis of social media posts with dubious authorship, accuracy and credibility." Certeza added the allegations made by the posts on social media have been largely ignored, but noted Taguig did the opposite. The city administrator also said they have not seen the supposed petition. "Regardless, if we are asked to comment by the Supreme Court, we will file our comment," said Certeza. A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has emerged as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly. Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was paired with the senator representing Kano South, Jibrin Barau, who emerged as the Deputy Senate President. After a quick recess, the Clerk declared Akpabio as the Senate President having garnered 63 votes leaving his rival, Senator Abdulaziz Yari with 46 votes . The Red Chamber began voting at exactly 08:45 am on Tuesday on a state-by-state basis, alphabetically. While the voting ended at exactly 09:15 am, Akpabio was sworn in at exactly 09:44 am. After nominations were received for Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Godswill Akpabio, the clerk of the senate declared nominations closed in the absence of further nominations. The contest was between Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, and Akpabio, also a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. Akpabio succeeded Ahmad Lawan as Senate President. Akpabio and Yari are top-ranking chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Zamfara governor had before now protested the endorsement of the former minister by the party and asked that the endorsement be reviewed but the APC did not shift ground. The party also anointed Barau Jibrin from the North-West for the office of the Deputy Senate President. In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that to enable students to have access to loans at interest-free rates, President Bola Tinubu on Monday, signed Student Loan Bill into law. Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Monday evening . Related The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has demanded for a referendum. The self-determination group also asked for the immediate release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful who said this, described Nnamdi Kanus continuous detention as unconstitutional, saying that self-determination is legal as supported by the United Nations laws and by the Africa Union Charter. In a statement on Tuesday, the IPOBs spokesman commended Anambra and Enugu state governors, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Dr Peter Mba respectively on their call for the unconditional release of the pro-Biafran leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The pro-Biafran group hailed Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Kanayo .O. Kanayo and others, who have also lent their voices towards the release of Kanu. He said, We wish to commend people like Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mba, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Barr. Kanayo .O. Kanayo, and others for their persistent calls for the release of Kanu from detention. He expressed that the Indigenous people have an inherent right to pursue their own political, economic, cultural, and social future, stating that Kanu was unlawfully abducted in Kenya, forcibly taken to Nigeria, and held in solitary confinement for two years due to his request for a Biafra referendum supervised by the United Nations. In Nigeria today, Kanu remains the only political prisoner held unconstitutionally in custody without charge because he is an Igbo man. The main reason for his persecution and illegal incarceration is because he is fighting for the freedom and wellbeing of his people. The group claimed that the Federal Government has shown hostility and contempt towards the Ndigbo by keeping their leader in custody. According to the statement, the Ndigbo are now a vulnerable group that is discriminated against, targeted, and killed by security forces. The Federal Government has demonstrated hatred and disdain against Ndigbo by illegally holding onto this Igbo illustrious son without charge. Kanu and other IPOB members in various detentions even after the Nigeria courts have ordered their release are still being held without explanation from the Federal Government. The same Federal Government criminalised the IPOB leader and members for peacefully seeking to chat a political future for Biafrans as enshrined in UN and African Union Charters. Who beats a child and stops him from crying? Who does that? He stated that Nigeria has become an outcast state due to its animosity towards the Ndigbo and its irrational fear of an autonomous and independent Biafran nation. He emphasised that their demand for a referendum is not up for negotiation, and the Federal Government should initiate a discussion on a referendum date and terms as soon as possible. If after referendum Biafrans vote yes to exit Nigeria, Biafra and Nigeria can still be good neighbors. Our request for the independent state of Biafra is not out of hatred for others but for self-preservation and reclamation of racial dignity. (CNN) Plants, algae, fungi, and animals including humans are all eukaryotes: life forms with complex, nucleus-containing cells. A recent discovery of organic compounds in ancient rocks in Australia helps illuminate the early history of eukaryotes, suggesting that this group was already abundant more than a billion years ago, according to a new study. Eukaryotes are believed to date back 2 billion years, but scientists thought that they only became widespread about 800 million years ago, said Dr. Benjamin Nettersheim, one of the co-first authors of the study published in Nature. However, newfound traces of molecules possibly produced by eukaryotes are up to 1.6 billion years old, which indicates that early eukaryotes were already ecologically important for all this time, said Nettersheim, who is a postdoctoral researcher in geobiology at the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen in Germany. We just didnt see their traces until now. Theyve kind of been hidden in plain sight. The evidence of these ancient eukaryotes took the form of biological molecules that they produced. Modern eukaryotes produce a suite of signature biomolecules, including cholesterols. Cholesterol is an organic compound, a naturally occurring steroid. Too much of it can cause health problems like clogged arteries, but its an important component of cell membranes for almost all modern eukaryotes. Cholesterols are really important for a large number of physiological functions, and because they are part of the cell membrane, organisms produce relatively much of these kinds of molecules, Nettersheim said. In the new study, Nettersheim and another co-first author, Jochen Brocks, found a compound related to cholesterol that seemed to confirm a decades-old hypothesis about the evolution of eukaryotes. Finding ancient molecules Scientist Konrad Bloch, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964, noticed that as modern eukaryotes synthesize cholesterol, some intermediate organic compounds form. He hypothesized that in the deep past, each of these intermediate compounds was a fully functional end-product of early organisms biosynthetic processes. However, Bloch thought that no one would ever be able to find fossil evidence to prove that ancient life forms produced these now-intermediate biomolecules. Advances in biochemical analyses have allowed scientists to identify ancient molecules preserved in the fossil record, particularly in old rocks that have been relatively undisturbed by geological processes. In the new Nature study, Nettersheim and his colleagues, including Brocks, a professor of geobiology at the Australian National University, examined rocks from Australias Barney Creek Formation. Previous studies established that the Barney Creek rocks, which are more than 1 billion years old, contain traces of ancient biomolecules. But people never looked, really, for these primordial types of steroids in those kinds of rocks, Nettersheim said. Nettersheim, Brocks and their colleagues performed chemical analyses of rocks from Barney Creek, looking for the cholesterol precursors that Bloch predicted would have been made by early eukaryotes. To our surprise, we actually found them in surprisingly high abundance, and everywhere we have biomarkers preserved in this time period, we also see these molecules, Nettersheim said. We now can confirm the Bloch hypothesis. Exploring a lost world of eukaryotes The presence of these protosteroids indicates that early eukaryotes were adapted to a world very different from modern Earth. There is far more oxygen in the atmosphere today than there was 1.6 billion years ago, and the proto-steroid molecules produced by these early eukaryotes required less oxygen to produce than cholesterols. It might be an advantage to use these more primordial sterols, Nettersheim said. The early eukaryotes were already perfectly adapted to the prevailing ecological conditions. Dr. Susannah Porter, a professor and chair of the department of earth science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said, What I really like about this study is thinking about recognizing that biosynthetic pathways evolve as well. However, Porter, who was not involved in the study, remains cautious in declaring that the molecules found in this study were indeed made by early eukaryotes as opposed to other ancient organisms. But Dr. Roger Summons, a professor of geobiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who was also not involved with the paper, called it one of the more interesting organic geochemistry studies that I have seen in many a year. Konrad Bloch would have been delighted had he lived to see this because Brocks and colleagues have elegantly confirmed his prediction that biosynthetic precursors to cholesterol reflect biochemistrys search for functional optimization, Summons said. Meanwhile, Nettersheim said the next step for him and his colleagues is to further study the world inhabited by these ancient life forms by shooting lasers at a thin slice of rock and using the information about how the light bounces off it to map the different chemical compounds present. We hope that this will help us constrain a lot further, where, when, under which conditions our early eukaryotic ancestors thrived, he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Billion-year-old rocks reveal traces of ancient life." Advertisement By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri The lawmaker representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency of Imo State, Mirriam Onuoha, has described as heartbreaking the death of some of her constituents who were enroute Abuja for the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly members. Our correspondent reports that no fewer than three persons died with others injured and rushed to hospitals on Monday when their vehicle crashed in Delta State, South South Nigeria while traveling to Abuja. Confirming the death of her constituents on Tuesday during the inauguration of the 10th members of the National Assembly, the retuning lawmaker said that her heart was heavy. Rising to vote for who becomes the speaker of the House of representatives, the lawmaker said that her heart was heavy. She said that some of her constituents who were traveling to Abuja to witness the inauguration of the 10th national Assembly died in an auto crash. After paying tribute to her dead constituents, she subsequently voted for Tajudeen Abbas who won the election to emerge as the speaker of the House of representatives. She said with a heavy heart, I rise to mourn some of my constituents who died on the way while coming to witness this inauguration. May God accepts their souls. Having said that, I rise to vote for RT Hon Tajudeen Abbas for the position of the speaker of the House of representatives. Related Advertisement The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the House of Representatives who was elected in the Saturday, February 23 elections to re[resent Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency in Ebonyi State, in the National Assembly, Chinedu Ogah, has commended the people of his constituency for their support and massive turn out during the last election. The lawmaker-elect went on a solidarity march in Ikwo to thank the people of his constituent for their turn out during the presidential polls. Speaking to the massive crowd that came out to receive him at the community primary school, Ikwo told the youths to be vigilant during the Saturday elections and should not indulge in election malpractice. He further commended the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies that oversaw the conduct of the polls which no life was lost in the community while calling on the youth to avoid violence but rather take very matter to the security agencies for proper prosecution. There were accusations that the Resident Electoral officer is bias and falling to live up to expectation. Although these accusations cast question the integrity of the electoral umpire, Nigerians have been asked to stand and defend their votes on Election Day. Gladys Rodriguez Duarte A woman who was declared dead by her doctor in east-central Paraguay has miraculously come back to life at a funeral home as she was being prepared by burial. The woman identified as Gladys Rodriguez Duarte, is an ovarian cancer patient, and was rushed to San Fernando Clinic in the city of Coronel Oviedo on Saturday morning after her high blood pressure increased. According to a Paraguay National Police report, the 50-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital at 9:30am local time and was checked by Dr. Heriberto Vera. Dr. Vera declared Rodriguez Duarte dead at 11:20am before relaying the tragic news to her husband Maximino Duarte Ferreira and daughter Sandra Duarte. The physician confirmed her cause of death as cervical cancer. Sandra Duarte slammed Dr. Veras judgement and said he just wrote her mother off instead of attempting to bring her back to life. He assumed she was dead and handed her naked to me like an animal with her death certificate. He didnt even revive her, Duarte said, according to Paraguayan television network TV Aire. We trusted him, thats why we went there. But they disconnected her and passed her off to the funeral home. The hospital subsequently handed over a body bag containing Rodriguez Duartes cadaver to the personnel of Duarte and Sons Funeral, who made the shocking discovery. The owner told investigators that Rodriguez Duarte was moving inside the bag when they unloaded her at the funeral parlor. Rodriguez Duarte immediately taken to one of Paraguays Social Welfare Institute medical facilities and placed under observation. (CNN) China last year recorded its lowest number of marriages since public records became available, furthering a nearly decade-long decline in matrimony that has coincided with falling birth rates and triggered government concern of a demographic crisis. Some 6.83 million couples married in 2022, according to data released by Chinas Ministry of Civil Affairs on Friday. Thats down around 10.5% from the 7.63 million marriage registrations in 2021 and marks a record low since 1986, when the ministry began releasing statistics, according to state media. The data represents marriage during what was an unusually challenging year for people in China, as the governments stringent Covid-19 controls saw multiple cities and districts across the country locked down and daily life disrupted by a host of restrictions. But it also extends what has been a steady decline in people choosing to enter into marriages since a 2013 peak, when more than 13 million couples tied the knot nearly double the 2022 nuptials. Falling numbers of marriages and a marked decline in births have garnered significant attention from authorities in Beijing amid expert predictions of a severe economic impact from a shrinking workforce and aging population. Chinas population shrank in 2022 for the first time in more than 60 years, with just 6.77 births per 1,000 people the lowest level since the founding of Communist China in 1949. The country is now the worlds second most populous with its 1.4 billion people falling behind India, according to the United Nations. Chinese officials see a direct link between fewer marriages and falling births in the country, where social norms and government regulations make it challenging for unmarried couples to have children. Authorities have taken steps to try and reverse the decline, which comes amid financial pressures impacting Chinas young adults, including high unemployment and the rising cost of living. A sweeping crackdown by the ruling Communist Party on private industries from tech to education, as well as zero-Covid controls during the pandemic, have amplified these challenges. The partys stringent response to Covid-19 also crystallized simmering political frustrations among some young people, with the catchphrase, We are the last generation a refusal to bear children into the rigidly controlled Chinese state becoming a rallying cry during Shanghais punishing two-month lockdown last spring. Changing gender norms and expanding career opportunities for women, as in other places in the world, are also widely seen as driving the marriage age higher and impacting attitudes about the institution. That attitude shift is especially apparent among younger women, some of whom are growing disillusioned with marriage for its role in entrenching gender inequality, experts say. A report on the new statistics in the state-run Global Times on Monday pointed to the rising marriage age, declining number of young people overall in China and the countrys gender imbalance as factors contributing to the latest decline, citing independent demographer He Yafu. The average marriage age for first marriages was 28.67 years old in 2020, up from 24.89 years old a decade prior, according to census data. Efforts from Chinese officials in recent years to reverse trends of falling marriages and births have yet to see results amid the looming economic and social issues at play. Measures have included relaxing the sweeping policy that for decades controlled the number of children married couples could have, as well as attempting to find ways to incentivize childbirth and marriage. When it comes to marriage, these have ranged from mass blind dating events held by the Communist Youth League the partys youth branch to officials seeking to reduce the value of bride price, the amount paid to a prospective partners family that the government has suggested could be a barrier to marriage in rural China, where its more common. Last month, the government-affiliated China Family Planning Association extended a 2022 pilot program advocating a new concept of marriage and childbearing. The program which was rolled out to 20 cities or municipal-level districts last year, with another 20 localities added this year focuses on motivating young people to get married at a proper age and encouraging couples to share child-rearing responsibilities, officials have said. The Ministry of Civil Affairs recent data release also showed a slight fall in divorce registrations, with 2.1 million couples divorced in 2022, down from 2.13 million couples the previous year. China has mandated a 30-day cooling-off period for people filing for divorce since 2021, despite criticism that it could make it harder for women to leave broken or even abusive marriages. China isnt the only country facing the problem of falling birth rates and shrinking populations. In recent years, Japan and South Korea have also introduced measures to encourage births such as financial incentives, cash vouchers, housing subsidies and more child care support with limited success. This story was first published on CNN.com, "China records fewest marriages in more than three decades as population crisis looms" ROANOKE Anyone familiar with the history of the village is well aware of its affinity for Italian cuisine. Another chapter to that book is underway, as The Farmstead debuted this week on West Front Street (Illinois Route 116) in the former Rollies Kountry Kitchen, Docs Diner and most recently Guss Grill, which opened in early March 2021 and closed in late January. The operator is Roanoke native Tina Kraft. My daughter thought of it (the business's name), said Kraft, formerly Tina Monge. This is a farming community. Im trying everything I can to keep it local. When she mentioned The Farmstead, I said, oh my gosh thats it. Her family roots in the restaurant business goes back almost three-quarters of a century, as Krafts late paternal grandfather, John Babs Monge, opened Monges Club 116 at the corner of East Broad and Husseman (Route 116) streets in 1950 and ran it for 25 years. She plans to make a similar spaghetti sauce and pasta that he authored. It is the exact one, Kraft said. I got the same recipe. My dad (Myron) and I make it every single year. She added her father, who worked at Monges Club 116, will also assist at The Farmstead. In terms of the interior, Kraft indicted not a lot of major work was done. We painted it. We got rid of all the tables and got new rustic ones, said Kraft, who operated an Italian eatery called Meatballs in Princeville for around a decade in the 2000s. The menu will feature spaghetti, tortellini and other popular Italian dishes. The only thing is we were going to do fried chicken, but we just did not have a big enough fryer, Kraft commented. We are going to have a grilled chicken breast that you put in egg batter. We will have a one-piece deep fried chicken breast along with salad bar and a two-piece deep fried chicken breast with the salad bar. I really wanted to offer fried chicken, but this (grilled chicken breast) is really close. The Farmstead will offer daily and weekly specials. There will be nine to 10 employees on staff, and the restaurant has a seating capacity of around 60. Super excited, said Kraft. I tell everybody I opened the restaurant not because I have to but I wanted to. I love to cook. Lillis Monge, Johns wife, operated Lils Cafe in the village and also assisted her husband with Monges Club 116. The couple also owned Maple Lanes bowling alley. IF YOU GO WHAT: The Farmstead WHERE: 610 W. Front St., Roanoke HOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. PHONE: 309-321-0321 ONLINE: bit.ly/farmsteadroanoke or search "The Farmstead" on Facebook ATLANTA Missy's Sweet Shoppe, 110 SW. Arch St. in Atlanta, is this week's pick for Eats of the Week. Named for owner Missy Gaither, the bakery recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. It represents a long-held passion for Gaither, who worked at State Farm for 19 years and started baking as a hobby. She took classes at Michael's craft store and started preparing goods for family and friends, eventually launching a home business. "It's close to home, but it also serves my hometown," said Gaither, who is from Lincoln but lives in Stanford. "Everybody drives here. And we've met some really interesting people traveling Route 66 that come from all over, all kinds of countries. "They fly into Chicago and they take about two weeks and then travel Route 66. It's really cool." The shop was once home to the notable Palms Grill Cafe, long an iconic landmark on Route 66. The former business name remains outside of Missy's on a sign that Gaither said cannot be removed because of its historic origins. This means people sometimes find themselves at her business when looking for the Palms, but she hopes that someday Missy's can become a historic landmark in its own right. The building, also once the site of a woman's pie business, already had an old cash register and diner-style setup when Gaither took it over. She said they mostly just had to paint and add all the fixtures, and a few ovens. "I think I offer some items that people don't find anywhere else, like my sugar cookies. I think initially my cakes are what got me started, but then you know, the market changed and the trends changed and I went to cupcakes, and now it's cookies," Gaither said. "Sugar cookies are one of my top sellers and also pumpkin bars everybody loves those. And it's still family-owned and I do all the baking." Gaither's two children, one a freshman in college and the other a junior in high school, help run the retail side of the business. Popular menu items include cupcakes, especially the Reese's and Oreo flavors, as well as regular chocolate and vanilla; sugar cookies; chocolate chip cookies; and pumpkin bars, which are sold year-round. Gaither added that she's been running a half-price special on her four top-selling items, and each day is something different. She often offers specials if the shop has an overabundance of an item, such as cupcakes. More than half of the business, however, comes from custom orders. She has recently been catering a lot of weddings and is often pretty busy on the weekends. She also handles orders for birthdays, showers, business events and other parties. Customers appreciate a personal touch, she said, and some have become good friends. "There wasn't a sweet shop here (before), so people either had to go to Walmart or drive a lot farther," she said, "and I have a lot that I can offer that Walmart doesn't. You're getting a better quality product, and I can tailor to exactly what they need." Gaither said she typically likes a 72-hour notice for custom orders, but if someone calls and says they need two dozen assorted cupcakes by tomorrow, for example, she can usually accommodate those kinds of requests. Decorated cookies or cakes take longer. Missy's also offers ice cream, chocolate-covered Oreos and strawberries, coffee, tea, chips and other snacks. They also have party room and banquet rentals. The shop is typically open three days a week. Missy's Sweet Shoppe BLOOMINGTON A Nevada man is being held on felony charges in McLean County after police in Bloomington said they found him driving a past-due rental car. Jeffrey M. Times, 40, appeared in a Monday bond court hearing before Judge Scott Kording, who found probable cause for his arrest. Assistant State's Attorney Aaron Fredrick said Times was spotted by Bloomington police driving a Toyota rental car Sunday. He said Times admitted that he knew the car's rental period with Enterprise had expired. Fredrick also said Times identified gave police a false name. Times is charged with aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle, a Class 1 felony; possession of a stolen vehicle, a Class 2 felony; and obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony. Kording set bond at $50,000, with 10% to apply for release. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 30. Times remained in custody of the McLean County Detention Facility as of Tuesday. Most expensive cities for car rentals Most expensive cities for car rentals #25. Buffalo, New York #24. Little Rock, Arkansas #23. Salt Lake City #22. Seattle #21. Providence, Rhode Island #20. Dayton, Ohio #19. Jackson, Mississippi #18. Springfield, Missouri #17. Los Angeles #16. Corpus Christi, Texas #15. Minneapolis #14. Chicago #13. Memphis, Tennessee #12. Akron, Ohio #11. Baton Rouge, Louisiana #10. Boston #9. Columbia, South Carolina #8. Phoenix #7. New Orleans #6. Madison, Wisconsin #5. Hartford, Connecticut #4. Rochester, Minnesota #3. Newark, New Jersey #2. New York City #1. White Plains, New York NORMAL Heartland Community College Adjunct Professor Joshua Fitzgerald was a co-recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member Award. The award is given by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. The award recognizes the high achievement of Illinois' part-time public community college instructors. Fitzgerald, who teaches communications, was awarded along with Rise Sanders-Weir from Triton College at the annual ICCTA awards that were held at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal. Fitzgerald has a master's degree in communication from Western Illinois University and will receive his doctorate in communication education from Illinois State University this summer. He also serves as an instructor in residence at Bradley University. He has also been recognized for his outstanding commitment to his students and colleagues. The Illinois Community College Trustees Association awards honor the achievements of students, faculty and staff from Illinois' 48 community colleges. Heartland Community College Day of Service HEARTLAND DAY OF SERVICE 042923-blm-loc-service2 042923-blm-loc-service3 042923-blm-loc-service4 042923-blm-loc-service5 042923-blm-loc-service6 How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region. 100 years ago June 13, 1923: The marker erected by the senior class of Illinois Wesleyan in the south entrance of the main building, in honor of Major John Wesley Powell, will be one of the permanent memorials of that institution and is a well-deserved tribute to one of the greatest lights of the Methodist seat of learning. The declaratory ceremonies were yesterday. 75 years ago June 13, 1948: Wisdom of the city's acquisition of Lake Bloomington as a surface water supply is evidenced in a recent report by the Illinois Legislative Council. The report says groundwater reserves in Illinois cities and farms are shrinking seriously. In the Peoria-Pekin, Champaign-Urbana and Joliet areas, the shortage is becoming acute. 50 years ago June 13, 1973: A crowd of 10,000 people is expected to be on hand Friday to see President Richard M. Nixon unveil the cornerstone of the new Pekin Public Library and Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center. 25 years ago June 13, 1998: A lot of high school reunions have been planned for this summer, but none as notable as the Stanford High School Class of 1938. Of the 17 students still looking at old yearbooks, 13 attended their 60th High School Class Reunion recently at the Old Country Buffet in Normal. Their teacher, Phileta (Burnham) Springer, and her husband, Stan, dined with the class and still equipped about the behavior of the "kids" when they were in school. 101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup' LEROY The McLean County Museum of History announced it will dedicate a new historic marker to share the story of the Kickapoo in McLean County. A dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 22 in West Park, 30590 E. 750 North Road, east of LeRoy. The event is in partnership with the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, the Illinois State Historical Society and McLean County. The dedication will celebrate the installation and creation of the new state historical society marker, the preservation and relocation of the Kickapoo Grand Village Memorial Boulder and the county's refurbishment of the West Park pavilion. The Grand Village, which is just north of what is now known as LeRoy, was about 600 acres of gathering space established by the Kickapoo in 1725. "The Grand Village site speaks to the vital role the Kickapoo people played in Central Illinois history," said Museum Librarian Bill Kemp. "For much of the 18th and early 19th centuries, the Kickapoo were the dominant power in this stretch of Illinois, and the Grand Village was a vital base for the tribe." The U.S. Army burned the village in the early 19th century, and by 1832, the entirety of the Kickapoo Nation had been removed from Illinois by force, according to the museum. Visit mchistory.org/participate/historic-marker-matching-gift-initiative for more information. Close Head man dancer Andrew Norman, of Huntington, Indiana, leads the Men's Tradition dance during the Pow Wow in the Grand Village of Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) The Pow Wow flag waves in the wind while Mike Caughey, of Hannah City, Peoria, takes a break from dancing during the Pow Wow at the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) Rosa Burmmett, left, holds her daughter Adiana, Brummett, 2, right, both from Peoria, while they dance in the circle during the Pow Wow at Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) Peter Schramm, of Galesburg, Illinois, looks on at the dancers while he sits in the crowd during the Pow Wow at Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) Grand Village of the Kickapoo Powwow 2009 Head man dancer Andrew Norman, of Huntington, Indiana, leads the Men's Tradition dance during the Pow Wow in the Grand Village of Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) The Pow Wow flag waves in the wind while Mike Caughey, of Hannah City, Peoria, takes a break from dancing during the Pow Wow at the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) Rosa Burmmett, left, holds her daughter Adiana, Brummett, 2, right, both from Peoria, while they dance in the circle during the Pow Wow at Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) Peter Schramm, of Galesburg, Illinois, looks on at the dancers while he sits in the crowd during the Pow Wow at Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy Saturday afternoon (June 7, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher) The Supreme Court has described the conduct of Justice Emmanuel Ankamah who sat on the case of the Estate of Rev. Emmanuel Dorgadzi (deceased) at the Tema High Court as Shameful. Justice Emmanuel Ankamah, currently a Justice of the Court of Appeal has been referred for investigation by the apex court for dealing with a matter he had no jurisdiction. The panel of five chaired by Justice Jones Victor Dotse (now retired) also described as sordid the act of the judge and the Clerk at the time, Sebastian Agbo. In a detailed ruling of the apex court released on June 12, 2023, the court after prohibiting Justice Ankamah from further hearing the case and quashing his subsequent orders provide their reasons for calling for their investigations. Justice Jones Dotses panel recommended that all officers who played roles in the shameful act be investigated. In our collective wisdom, we deem it appropriate to refer this case to the Chief Justice to cause further investigations into the conduct of the learned trial Judge and Sebastian Agbo, then Registrar of the High Court, Tema under whose tenure the sordid affairs happened. This should cover all officers who played any role in this shameful specie of conduct, the panel Chaired by Justice Jones Dotse referred. We further advise and urge the Hon. Chief Justice to cause investigations into the apparent devise by the Interested Parties herein to undervalue the Estate of the Deceased. Learned Counsel who filed the application for and on behalf of the Interested Parties should be made to give explanation as to the basis of the valuations made in respect of the properties stated therein. It is the considered view of this panel that, such an investigation will unravel the phenomenon that parties have been adopting to undervalue Estate of deceased persons in respect of whose Estates they apply for Letters of Administration. We urge the Judicial Service to enquire into the circumstances that led to Sebastian Agbo, then Registrar of the High court, Tema being interdicted, the Supreme Court urged. Applicants reliefs The applicant sought from the Supreme Court An application for an order ofCertiorari to quash the orders/proceedings of the High Court, Tema presided over by His Lordship Mr. Justice Emmanuel Ankaman dated 18 day of August 2022 striking out the Applicants caveat for want of prosecution and for turther orders to quash the Letters of Administration dated 18 March 2022, issued by the said court to the Interested Parties herein and for an order of Prohibition to prohibit the said Judge and the Registrar of the High Court, Tema from further hearing and/or dealing with the Applications/matters in relation to the estate of the late reverend Emmanuel Dorgadzi Grounds of application It was the case of the applicants that, the High Court, Tema presided over by the learned trial Judge failed to observe the rules of natural justice, specifically, the audi alteram partem rule in Suit Number E6/199/2022. The applicants also claims that the learned Judge had no jurisdiction or exceeded his jurisdiction when on August 18, 2022 he purportedly ordered for the striking out of the caveat of the Applicants herein for want of prosecution in Suit Number E6/199/2022. It was also their case that, the learned trial Judge committed a jurisdictional error in respect of the estate of the deceased, Reverend Emmanuel Dorgbadzi when on the face of the record, the same court had earlier issued Letters of Administration over the same estate. By Court The court ruled that, it is apparent that, the conduct exhibited by the learned trial Judge would warrant this court (Supreme Court) to prohibit him from further hearing or determining this Suit No E66/199/2022 before the High Court, Tema or at any other forum. The unanimous decision of the in granting the Applicants the orders for Certiorari and Prohibition on the 15 March 2023 as follows:- This is an application at the instance of the Applicants herein seeking to quash the orders/proceedings of the high court, Tema, presided over by His Lordship Emmanuel Ankamah dated 18th August 2022 and also to prohibit the said Judge from hearing and or dealing with any matter in respect of the Estate of Rev. Emmanuel Dorgbadzi (Deceased) Suit No. E6/199/2022 or any such related case. Having considered all the processes filed by the respective counsel and also taken into consideration their arguments as well as the exhibits tendered during the testimony of C.W.1, Hilda Epton, Registrar of the High Court, Tema, this Court is of the considered opinion that, the proceedings and orders made by the high Court, Tema presided over by His Lordship, Emmanuel Ankaman J, (as he then was) on the 18th day of August 2022 in Suit No. E6/199/2022 intitutled In the matter of the Estate of the late Rev. Emmanuel Dorgbadzi Deceased and In an application for the Grant of Letters of Administration by Mitchelle Dapaah Letten and Garfield Lee Jr. Applicants and in the matter of Caveat by Yaw Godwin Dorgbadzi and Monique Tetteh are hereby brought up into this court for the purposes of being quashed and same are accordingly quashed by order of Certiorari. For the avoidance of doubts, the said Judge Ankaman as he then was), is alsohereby prohibited from hearing or having anything to do with this suit or any related aspect of it whatsoever, the Supreme Court ruled. Source: starrfm 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 Details contained in the recent Global Forestry Watch report indicated that the Western Region lost about 799 hectares of tree cover to bushfires from 2001 to 2021. The other activities caused the region to lose over 498 hectares. In 2022, the region lost over 120 hectares of lands also to fires. The region also recorded over 87,000 deforestation alert between May 7 and 14, 2023. The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, revealed this at the observation of the Regional Green Ghana Day last Friday. The regional exercise, which was held in the Shama District, was on the theme Our Forest, our Health. The Green Ghana Project aims to restore Ghanas depleted forest cover through tree planting and to mitigate the effects of climate change on the country. He noted that Western Region contributes more forest products than any other region. He bemoaned the fact that despite the many benefits the regions forests provide, they are under threat. Our forests face unprecedented threats and it is incumbent on all of us to protect our biodiversity and the forest, he added. He said, Deforestation and illegal logging are causing irreparable damage to our forests and our health. He, therefore, called on the people to get involved in the tree planting activity in ensuring the restoration of the regions greenery environment. He also appealed to all stakeholders to ensure monitoring of this years exercise to yield good results. The Deputy Director of Operations at the Western Regional Forestry Commission, Madam Lydia Opoku, disclosed that about 150,000 trees were earmarked to be planted in the region to mark the day. They are not only tree species but fruit trees also. Please do not only plant the trees alone but ensure you will nurture them to help improve on our health, she noted. The Shama District Chief Executive (DCE), Ebenezer Dadzie, remarked If we joke with the forest we joke with our health. So all stakeholders must support the tree planting exercise to make it a success. This years regional event was in collaboration with the Takoradi Plant of the Volta River Authority and Twyford (Keda) Ceramics, all in the Shama District. 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 A GROUP of heavily armed robbers have snatched a pickup vehicle at gunpoint from a driver, took away an amount of GH39,000 and later dumped the car and fled. The vehicle, with registration number GT 9163-21, belongs to Zonda Tech Ghana Company Ltd, and it was reportedly snatched from the driver at the entrance of the company at Sabin Akrofrom at 11pm on June 4, 2023. The driver and another person onboard the vehicle were said to have driven the car all the way from Tema to the Ashanti Region and they were entering the companys premises when the hoodlums struck. Four men, who were wielding sophisticated weapons, suddenly ordered the occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, to alight from it or be shot. Out of panic, the occupants of the vehicle, reportedly alighted from the car and left behind a staggering amount of GH39,000 and one iPhone. On the 04/06/23 at 2315 hrs Bright Acheampong of Adjamasu and Yan Xing the branch manager of Zonda Tech Ghana Company Ltd at Sabin Akrofrom and the former reported to Trede Police that, on the 04/06/23, he drove the company car Danfin Zonda Pickup No GT 9163-21 from Tema and when they reached the entrance of the company at 2300 hrs and while waiting for the security guard to open the gate, four men appeared from the darkness of which three of them were holding pump action guns each. They dragged them from the vehicle and sped off with GH39,000.00 and one iPhone which was in the vehicle, the Asokwa Divisional Police document indicated. The police were informed about the incident and a lookout message was quickly sent out by Ashanti Regional Control Room. Later on, a combined team of patrol men were able to find the vehicle abandoned at a spot at Patase in Kumasi, but the GH39,000 was stolen from the vehicle. The phone was, however, found in the vehicle. No arrest has been made yet as police investigations were still ongoing when this report was being filed. Source: Daily Guide 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 Four suspects have been arrested by the police in the relation to a viral victim in which a female victim is being abused. The Police has confirmed that the incident happened at Kupelga in the Upper East Region. The suspects have been named as Awizore Amolt, 38, Akolbila Asorwogo, 19, Akolbila Ben, 21 and Atibila Aladago, 37. They were arrested following a police intelligence operation Tuesday morning [June 13, 2023]. The four suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting the investigation while efforts continue to arrest other accomplices to face justice, the police said in a statement. Meanwhile, the police said it is in touch with the victim and her family, adding that arrangements have been made for a Police clinical psychologist to provide her psycho-social support. In the said viral video, some people were seen abusing the victim. She went through such an ordeal because she was accused of killing her husband. Read the full post below: POLICE UPDATE ON VIRAL VIDEO ON ABUSE OF FEMALE VICTIMThe Police have arrested four suspects at Kupelga in connection with the viral video in which a female victim is seen being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by a group of people.The suspects, Awizore Amolt, Akolbila Asorwogo, Atibila Aladago and Akolbila Ben, were arrested in a Police intelligence operation in the early hours of today, 13th June 2023, following a preliminary investigation into the said video.The four suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting the investigation while efforts continue to arrest other accomplices to face justice.Meanwhile, we are in touch with the victim and her family and arrangements have been made for a Police clinical psychologist to provide her psycho-social support. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Listen to Kwabena Agyei Agyapong Kwabena Agyapong, a Presidential aspirant and former General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has kicked against the election of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the party. Ten aspirants including Dr. Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong are contesting the upcoming Presidential race of the NPP. Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Mr. Agyapong explained that it has been sixteen (16) years since President Nana Akufo-Addo appointed Dr. Bawumia to be his Running Mate and both leading the country under this dispensation. To him, it is time for a change of leadership in the NPP. "They have been there for sixteen solid years as a ticket . . . sixteen years is a very long time in politics, that is why there are termed offices in presidency which is two terms. And now there are great majority of the party people who feel we need a drastic departure from the statue quo . . . we need a new lease of life for the party and also the country, a new dawn, a new face, new ideas, a new team that can restore the confidence of the party grassroots," he said. "This is a very important landmark; a watershed election because no one has got a third term before. And right now, we need a leader who can restore the confidence of the party, the grass roots. We need a set of clean hands that will inspire the confidence of Ghanaians in us. It's very important, that is why there is a need for a drastic departure from the status quo. In my honest opinion, an extension of the status quo will not enhance our chances. "The party needs a change. After sixteen (16) solid years of that leadership, there is the need for a change; a new freshness that can go and engage the Ghanaian people and especially our party base...I think it will enhance our chances of winning in 2024," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. He also asked the President and the leaders within the party to ensure a fair level playing field for all the candidates. 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 Former Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen Monday, 12th June, 2023, became the first aspirant to submit his completed forms to contest the presidential slot of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at its primaries next August. Accompanied by scores of his supporters, including Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, past and present party officials, and youth groups who all share in his vision, the forms were received by Mr. Evans Nimako, Director of Elections of the Party. Hon Kyerematen became the first among the 10 aspirants who have so far picked forms to contest the party's presidential primaries. The submission of his forms follows in the wake of a magnanimous gesture by market queens from the 16 regions of the country who in an unprecedented manner, paid for and picked the nomination forms for Hon Kyerematen to contest. Former Member of Parliament for Lambussie in the Upper West Region, Hon. Bright Bakye Yelviel Baligi, who was among supporters who thronged the party office in introducing Hon Kyerematen said, "My colleague MPs and l have the privilege to be part of this historic occasion. On behalf of my colleagues and my own behalf, I present to you the incoming president of Ghana, the man of action and integrity, the unifier, the man to rescue, rebuild, restore and reward the party, the man of vision, Mr. Industry, Hon Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen" This was followed by a resounding round of applause by those who where present as a gesture of approval. In the filing ceremony of Mr. Kyerematen's nomination forms, he reiterated his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) which would usher Ghana into a new era of stability, growth and prosperity. Hoping, to lead the NPP to victory in the 2024 general election, Mr. Kyerematen deemed it an honour and privilege to lead the party to a historic victory in 2024. Addressing the delegation the former Minister said "my brothers and sisters it is with gratitude to submit my nomination forms duly completed to contest the flagbearsihp of our great party. "It would be an honour and privilege to lead this great party to a historic victory in December 2024 and usher Ghana into a new era of stability, growth and prosperity" he said. Hon. Alan Kyerematen resigned as Minister of Trade and Industry in January this year 2023, to pursue his presidential ambition. Before his resignation he championed government's One District One Factory (1D1F) agenda which has since birthed over 170 factories across the country. Mr. Kyerematen alos served in the same capacity under former President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration, which he championed the Presidential Special Initiatives programme which saw the stablishment of fully integrated production processes of cassava to starch for export and the development of oil palm cultivation into fully industrialised production, among others 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 Young Supporters of the former Trade and Industry Minister, Hon Alan Kyerematen, have reiterated their hope in him. The youth group led by the SRC president of the University of Ghana Legion expressed his excitement as a youth leader who supports Mr Kyerematen. The excitement stems from Hon. Alan Kyerematen's proven records that show he is the solution to job creation for the youth. He said, "We have hope in Alan Kyerematen to turn things around. His record as the Minister for Trade and Industry shows that we can trust him to create jobs for the youth" Every opportunity he's had has proven and translated to job creation for the youth. As the youth wing, we are prepared to go the length and breadth of this country to ensure Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen is president," he concluded. According to some young supporters who have been with Mr Kyerematen since he began his presidential ambition in the early 2000s, believe he is the only hope for the country to redeem its lost glory Their hope is founded in the proven track record of Alan Kyerematen since his appointment as Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, Trade advisor at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa as well as the Minister for Trade and Industry under President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration and later reappointed to serve the same capacity by President Nana Akufo-Addo. The SRC president went on to heighten Mr Kyerematen's achievements in the Millennium Challenge Accounts, Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) One District One Factory (1D1F) Automotive Industry, as well as the Youth and Master Card YouStart "With Alan, we know we have a leader who thinks about the youth and involves the youth. We urge all young delegates to vote and campaign for him to be the president of Ghana," he concluded. This comes at the back of Mr Kyerematen's filling of his forms after it was picked up and presented to him by market queens across the country. My Colleagues and l Support Alan for He Lives His Words - Hon Baligi Former Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen today submitted his nomination forms to contest the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential primaries at the Party's Head office in Accra. The submission of his forms follows from market queens from the 16 regions in the country who picked up the nomination forms for Hon. Kyerematen. Present to support the former Minister were Members of Parliament for Lambussie in the Upper West Region, Hon. Bright Bakye Yelviel Baligi. Speaking at the function, Hon. Baligi said "my MPs colleague and l have the privilege to be part of this historic occasion. On behalf of my colleagues and my own behalf, I present to you the incoming president of Ghana, the man of action and integrity who lives his words, the unifier, the man to rescue, rebuild, restore and reward the party, the man of vision, Mr. Industry, Hon Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen" This was followed with a resounding round of applause by the scores of supporters who where present as a gesture of approval. The legislature further hailed Hon. Kyerematen as a practical economist who lives his words. "Hon Kyerematen has been competent in the sense that he is credible and has remarkable achievements at both the private and corporate levels of governance and entrepreneurship. "This makes him stand out as a practical economist who lives his words" he said Hon. Alan Kyerematen resigned as the Minister of Trade and Industry in January this year 2023, to pursue his presidential ambition. Before his resignation he championed government's One District One Factory (1D1F) agenda and has since birthed over 170 factories across the country. Mr. Alan Kyerematen aslos served under the same capacity under former President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration where championed the Presidential Special Initiatives programme aimed at creating fully integrated industries in the country. 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 Hon Bright Bakye Yelviel Baligi, NPP Member of Parliament for Lambussie Constituency in the Upper West Region, has expressed his admiration for flagbearer hopeful Alan Kyerematen, praising his unwavering commitment to unity and progress within the party. Present to support the former Trade and Industry Minister were some Members of Parliament led Hon Bright Baligi, MP for Lambusie, and a group of young people led by Mr Martin Boakye Gyasi, current President of the University of Ghana Students Representative Council. The other Members of Parliament are Hon Patricia Appeagyei, MP for Asokwa, Hon Abena Osei Asare (Mrs), MP for Atiwa, and Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon Peter Amewu, MP for Hohoe and Minister for Railway Development, Hon Sylvester Tetteh, MP for Botiano-Ngleshie-Amanfrom, and Hon Davis Ansah-Opoku, MP for Moraeso. Speaking at the function, Hon Baligi expressed firm belief that Mr Kyerematen is the ideal candidate to lead the NPP. "My colleague MPS and l, are privileged to be part of this historic occasion. On behalf of my colleagues and on my own behalf, I present to you the incoming president of Ghana, the man of action and integrity, the unifier, the man to rescue, rebuild, restore and reward the Party, the man of vision, Mr. Industry, Hon Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen." For his part, Legon SRC President Mr. Boakye Gyasi hailed Hon Alan Kyerematen as the future of the youth and the country. Mr. Kyerematen submitted his nomination forms at the party headquarters in Accra on Monday, June 12. Also in the company of Mr. Kyeremanten were the former General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow, Hon Yaw Buaben Asamoa, former MP for Adenta, and a host of party faithful. Addressing the media after filing his nomination forms, Mr. Kyerematen expressed his privilege at the prospect of leading the NPP to victory in the upcoming primaries and breaking the eight-year cycle for the party. Its with the greatest pleasure that I submit to you my nomination forms duly completed to contest for the flagbearership of our great party. It will be an honor and privilege for me to lead this great party to a historic victory in December 2024, and usher Ghana into a new era of stability, growth, and prosperity, he stated The Lambussie MP's endorsement of Alan Kyerematen underscores the faith many party members have in his ability to unite the NPP and propel it towards a successful future. With his track record and commitment to progress, Mr Kyerematen aims to guide the party to victory in 2024 and bring about positive change for the nation. 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 A photo capturing the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and the NPP parliamentary candidate for Assin North, Charles Opoku, kneeling for prayer at a church has gone viral on social media. The image, taken ahead of the by-election scheduled for June 27, 2023, has elicited diverse reactions from online users. In the viral photo, Chairman Wontumi can be seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt paired with blue trousers, while Charles Opoku is dressed in a light green kaftan. Both individuals are depicted with their eyes closed and hands folded in front of them in a humble posture. Social media users have expressed a range of opinions regarding the viral image. Some users, such as Chris Atadika, commented on the perceived humility of the politicians, sarcastically stating, "Be humble like politicians who want your vote!" Another user commented, See how they're humbly bowing just to seek power, but these same people will question a Christian's submission to the church." Also, a user by the name of Dr. Pscho questioned the rationale behind the kneeling of the two politicians Which kind of political marketing strategy be dix please. The photo has ignited a broader conversation about the authenticity of public figures' religious displays during political campaigns. Critics argue that such acts could be perceived as insincere attempts to win public favor or manipulate religious sentiment for political gain. Others contend that it is important to separate political posturing from genuine religious devotion. Read some of the messages below: Be humble like a politician who wants your vote! pic.twitter.com/vJsaKoe1iz Chris Atadika (@chrisatadika) June 11, 2023 Meanwhile, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mustafa Gbandi has disclosed that it took the intervention of the National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party for him to get accommodation in the Assin North constituency ahead of the by-election. According to him, all 64 hotels in the area has been booked by the New Patriotic Party making it difficult for them to find a place to lodge whilst they carry out their activities in the constituency. Parliament through its Clerk has declared the Assin North Parliamentary seat vacant following the Supreme Courts ruling on the eligibility of James Gyakye Quayson in occupying the Assin North seat. The Supreme Court by a unanimous decision ordered Ghanas Parliament to expunge the name of James Gyakye Quayson from its records as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency on May 17. 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 Member of Parliament for the Assin Central Constituency and flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has made a firm statement denouncing tribalism and emphasizing the importance of human development as a means of advancing the country. In a series of tweets on June 12, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong expressed his belief that tribalism cannot be used as a tool for national progress. The Twitter posts, sighted by GhanaWeb, highlighted Agyapong's stance on tribalism. He wrote, "I dont believe in tribalism but I believe in human development." Agyapong further elaborated on his position, stating, "We cannot use tribalism to develop this country (Ghana), it won't help us." By explicitly rejecting tribalism, Agyapong aims to promote unity and inclusivity among Ghanaians. He recognizes that prioritizing tribal affiliations hampers national development and hinders progress. It may be recalled that Kennedy Agyapong recently dismissed allegations of being anti-Ewe. Speaking to delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Hohoe Constituency on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong revealed that he has a strong connection with the people of the Volta Region and the Ewe tribe, contrary to claims that he is anti-Ewe. "I want to tell you, amidst the propaganda that Kennedy Agyapong doesn't like Ewes, that if you don't know, let me inform you today. My wife is from Adidome, and I am glad the minister is here. In fact, before I speak, clap for me. Do you know why I am asking you to clap for me? I've given you four beautiful, intelligent girls, and they have all attended the best universities in the world," he said. Meanwhile, ten flagbearer hopefuls have picked up their nomination forms to contest in the race. They include; Former energy minister, Boakye Agyarko, who was the first person to pick up nomination forms for the party's primaries; Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen, Kennedy Agyapong, Joe Ghartey and Kwadwo Poku We Cannot Use Tribalism To Develop This Country (Ghana), It Wont Help Us Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong (@honkenagy) June 12, 2023 I Don't Believe In Tribalism But I Believe In Human Development Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong (@honkenagy) June 12, 2023 Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Secretary to the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Bissue, has been declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The declaration was made due to Mr. Bissues failure to appear and answer questions regarding the ongoing investigation into suspected corruption within the dissolved IMCIM. Mr. Bissue recently filed a writ at the High Court in Accra in an attempt to prevent the Office of the Special Prosecutor from prosecuting him. This legal action was in response to the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, the Chairman of the IMCIM. Sources say Bissue was supposed to appear in court yesterday but was conspicuously absent. In the writ, Mr. Bissue disclosed that he had received a letter from the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which considered him a necessary person for the investigation and requested his presence for an interview. However, he failed to honor that invitation. Furthermore, despite several adjournments in the legal proceedings, Mr. Bissue has not taken any action on the injunction application filed by him. According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Bissues failure to honour the invitation is a significant hindrance to the investigation and has led to his declaration as wanted. This development is yet another indication of the government of Ghanas commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld. It is expected that Mr. Bissue will heed the call of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and avail himself for questioning. Source: Vincent Kubi/Daily Guide 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 phrase didn't really pop up again until 1647, when John Trapp used it in his "Commentary on the Old and New Testaments." Specifically, he wrote, "This is to be taken with a grain of salt." The trouble is that scholars aren't quite sure it meant the same thing to Trapp as it means to us now. There was a period of time after this when the phrase doesn't really seem to have been used; it did pop up occasionally, but it usually referred to actual grains of salt. But in 1908, "The Athenaeum," an American literary journal included this line: "Our reasons for not accepting the author's pictures of early Ireland without many grains of salt." You have to feel a little bad for that author learning that his photography skills weren't up to the standards of this magazine through the use of this fresh, new idiom. Advertisement It does seem that the modern meaning of the phrase is American, as the Brits seemingly picked up the similar "with a pinch of salt" only after World War II. The earliest printed British citation seems to be found in F.R. Cowell's "Cicero & the Roman Republic," from 1948: "A more critical spirit slowly developed, so that Cicero and his friends took more than the proverbial pinch of salt before swallowing everything written by these earlier authors." HowStuffWorks may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Walnuts, figs and salt are all common today, but what exactly is rue? It's actually really common too. It's a native evergreen herb in Europe and Asia that has yellow flower clusters. It's been used to treat everything from diarrhea to ear aches. It is slightly toxic, though, so stay away from it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. " " Demonstrators demand statehood outside a San Juan hotel where then-VP Dick Cheney was speaking in 2004. In 2012, a referendum on the island showed statehood received the most votes for the first time ever. Getty Images In 2012, for the first time since Puerto Rico became a commonwealth in 1952, a majority of Puerto Ricans voted against the current relationship with the U.S. It was a close contest, with 54 percent saying "no." But when asked what political status they preferred, "statehood" received the most votes by a large margin [source: Fabian], though a quarter of voters of the first question left that second question blank. In 2017, the question was asked again in a low turnout contest. More than 500,000 people favored statehood in that referendum, followed by nearly 7,800 votes for independence/free association and more than 6,800 votes for the current status. A non-binding referendum on the subject was once again held in November 2020, with a yes/no choice to the question "Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state?" Fifty-two percent voted "yes" while 47 percent voted "no." But even so, it's not enough to make the commonwealth a state. Advertisement Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth that is "associated" with the U.S. Thanks to a 1917 law, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but since Puerto Rico isn't a state, the island's inhabitants cannot vote in presidential elections. In an odd twist, they can vote in presidential primaries, because primaries are organized by the Democratic and Republican national committees, not the federal government [source: Helgesen]. According to Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the ability to authorize the creation of a new state. Specifically, Section 3 prohibits the creation of new states from the territory of others without their consent, or the combining of two or more states without congressional approval [source: Monk]. In practice, a majority of the 50 states began as U.S. territories. Either the territories petitioned Congress for permission to draft a state constitution and elect representatives, or they followed the more aggressive "Tennessee Plan." Tennessee, the very first U.S. territory, was rejected in its first bid for statehood, but decided to draft a state constitution anyway, and send two senators and a representative to Congress [source: Lehleitner]. Although Congress refused to seat the men, they successfully lobbied for statehood. Several other states followed the Tennessee model, including Alaska. Official admission to the Union requires Congress to draft and the president to sign a bill called an "enabling act." For Puerto Rico to become a state, it would need to convince Congress and the president that statehood is not only in the best interest of the Puerto Rican people, but in the best interest of the United States as a whole. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives would need to approve the statehood admission by a simple majority vote, though some members of Congress want to raise that threshold to two-thirds majority [source: Longely, Rifkin]. For some perspective, let's look at where the other 50 states came from, and how the United States grew from 13 coastal colonies to the world's third-largest country. " " Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Britain's Karim Khan (center), visits a mass grave in Bucha just outside Kyiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Khan is investigating war crimes committed by Russia's for the International Criminal Court at The Hague. FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, reports of attacks on civilians by Russian forces began to surface. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., which called for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and members of his regime to be held legally accountable. In a press release, Graham even identified who should conduct the trial the International Criminal Court (ICC), a body created by a 1998 international treaty, the Rome Statute, for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes and other offenses. "I'm very excited the United States Senate has unanimously agreed to support the war crimes investigation being conducted against Putin and his inner circle at The Hague," Graham said in the press statement, mentioning the picturesque Dutch coastal capital where the court is located. "America should do all we can to aid this investigation by providing information and intelligence to the court in a timely manner." Advertisement There was one puzzling contradiction implicit in Graham's statement. He was offering U.S. assistance to a court whose authority the U.S. has never recognized. To the contrary, the U.S. was among a handful of nations that opposed the court's formation, and although outgoing President Bill Clinton signed the Rome Statute in December 2002, the treaty has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate. Since then, the U.S. government has repeatedly rejected the ICC's authority over Americans, and at times has actively sought to thwart its activities. But to make things even more confusing, at other times, the U.S. has quietly cooperated with the court by offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrests of fugitives wanted by the ICC. In 2013, when African warlord Bosco Ntaganda gave himself up at the U.S. embassy in Rwanda, diplomats even arranged the defendant's transfer to The Hague. 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: Illustration showing difference in calcaneal heels between hopper and strider. Credit: Nuria Melisa Morales-Garcia Extinct kangaroos used alternative methods to their famous hop, according to comprehensive analysis from University of Bristol and the University of Uppsala scientists. Although hopping is regarded as a pinnacle of kangaroo evolution, the researchers highlight that other kinds of large kangaroos, in the not too distant past, likely moved in different ways such as striding on two legs or traversing on all fours. In the review, published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, the team shows that there are other ways to be an evolutionary successful large kangaroo and that large-bodied kangaroos weren't only specialized in endurance-hopping. The review is an extensive discussion of the fossil evidence of the locomotion of kangaroos and their relatives (including wallabies, tree-kangaroos, rat-kangaroos, etc.) over the last 25 million years, and presents new analyses of limb bone and ankle bone metric data that add weight to previous locomotor hypotheses. Together they indicated that the higher speed-endurance hopping, typical of modern large-bodied kangaroos, was probably rare or absent in all but a few large-bodied lineages, including the direct ancestors of modern large kangaroos like red and gray kangaroos. However, the diversity of kangaroo gaits disappeared with the Late Pleistocene extinctions of larger animals (in Australia as well as on other continents). While almost all kangaroos today, small and large, use hopping gaits to some extent, the fossil record reveals that the locomotory capabilities of some extinct kangaroos were comparatively diverse. The earliest recognized late Oligocenemiddle Miocene (25 to 15 million years ago) basal types of kangaroos most likely employed quadrupedal bounding, climbing and slower speed hopping as their primary modes of locomotion. (All kangaroos today use quadrupedal locomotion at slow speeds, which manifests as pentapedal locomotionusing the tail as a fifth limbin larger species.) Yet, all these early forms were small-bodied, below 12 kg, with larger-bodied kangaroos over 20 kg not appearing until the late Miocene (around 10 million years ago), coinciding with increasing aridity and the spread of openly vegetated habitats. Hopping is functionally problematic at larger body sizes. Consequently, some members of the later kangaroo radiation achieved a more specialized anatomy for efficient higher-speed hopping at body sizes over 35 kg. Modern large kangaroos are spectacular hoppers, but none today are over 100 kg (most individuals under 70 kg) and many extinct forms were well above this size and physically too big to hop. Lead author Professor Christine Janis, from Bristol's School of Earth Sciences, said, "We want people to appreciate that large kangaroos were much more diverse as recently as 50,000 years ago, which may also mean that the habitat in Australia then was rather different from today. In fact, modern large hopping kangaroos are the exception in kangaroo evolution." While hopping apparently originated early in kangaroo evolution, in small-bodied forms, with the emergence of larger-sized kangaroos in the late Miocene there were several different options: to become more specialized for large-bodied endurance hopping, as in the ancestors of modern kangaroos; or to adopt other forms of locomotion at higher speeds, as in two main extinct lineages. The protemnodons (so-called "giant wallabies," closely related to modern large kangaroos) likely relied upon a more quadrupedal type of locomotion most of the time, and rarely hopped. The sthenurine short-faced kangaroos, a lineage that split from all modern kangaroos around 15 million years ago, apparently adopted bipedal striding at all speeds. The new data presented on the length of the tibia (shin bone) and calcaneum (ankle bone) reinforce these earlier hypotheses of locomotor differences from modern kangaroos in these two extinct groups. Co-author Adrian O'Driscoll, a former Master's student in the Palaeobiology program at Bristol and now a Ph.D. student at the University of York made this contribution. He explained, "Especially supported by this new data is the notion of bipedal striding rather than hopping in the sthenurines, as their calcanea lack the anatomy (a long calcaneal heel) that would help resist rotational forces at the ankle experienced during hopping, and suggests a more-erect limb posture rather than the crouched posture essential for hopping." Professor Janis concluded, "The assumption that increasing continent-wide aridity after the end of the Miocene selectively favored hopping kangaroos is overly simplistic. Hopping is only one of many gait modes employed by kangaroos both in the past and today, and the fast endurance hopping of modern kangaroos should not be regarded as some 'evolutionary pinnacle. "What makes modern endurance-hopping kangaroos appear so unusual is the geologically recent extinction of similar animals who moved in different ways. We are perhaps then in need of a rival Australian airline that covers shorter distances than QANTAS and boasts a novel motif of a striding sthenurine." More information: Myth of the QANTAS leap: perspectives on the evolution of kangaroo locomotion, Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology (2023). doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2023.2195895 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 As millions of people in New York and other major North American cities choke on acrid smoke, they could point their accusatory fingers farther North than the wildfires ravaging Quebecall the way to the global Arctic. Rising temperatures in the region are contributing to the weather conditions that make wildfires more likely to occur, experts say. The top of the planet is warming much faster than the global averageat four times the rate, by some estimatesand losing ice that reflects radiation and shields the Earth from some of the Sun's heat. As the Arctic heats up, permafrost thaws, releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases that further amplify global warming. Siberia, which holds the largest expanse of permafrost in the world, is currently experiencing an extreme heat wave, but there are other hot spots in the Arctic as well. "Right now, the Canadian Arctic is about 10 degrees (Celsius) warmer than average and that's stretching down over Hudson Bay. Large parts of Canada are definitely warmer than normal for June at this point already," said Julienne Stroeve, a professor of polar observation and modeling at University College London. That plays into the Arctic's increasingly disproportionate effect on mid-latitude weather patterns. "Spring is coming earlier than it used to and autumn is coming later, so that also makes the conditions drier and hotter for these sort of extreme wildfires to occur," she said. "These dry conditions combined with lightning strikes are certainly one of the reasons why it's so bad at the moment in Canada.'' The Arctic's outsized impact on planetary warming "elevates the frequency of fire,'' agrees Jason Box, a professor of glaciology and climate at the Geologic Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Rapid Arctic warming also appears to be making jet streams wavier and slower, which can exacerbate the problem. Jet streams are bands of strong westerly winds driven by the collision of cold polar and hot tropical air. As Arctic warming accelerates, the differential between the two types of air shrinks. Normally fast-moving currents become sluggish and take more meandering paths, creating heat domes which, in turn, can exacerbate high-risk wildfire conditions, especially in higher latitudes. Several factors are creating a wavier jet-stream pattern right now, including a strong, persistent heat wave in the North Pacific Ocean, said Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. The resulting air pressure ridges and troughs are responsible for dry conditions where the Canada fires are raging, as well as for the winds carrying smoke to the Eastern seaboard. The rapidly warming Arctic may be further intensifying that pattern, she said. That a thawing Arctic has impacts far beyond the borders of Northern countries was seen in a 2021 study published in Nature Communications. It showed that the loss of Arctic sea ice during the summer months created more fire-favorable weather in the western US. Over 40 years, the changes in fire weather, driven by the declining ice, were of a similar magnitude to variations in climate caused by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, which also affects fire conditions in the Western US, the paper said. In that context, the need for better fire preparedness becomes urgent. In Quebec, whose wildfires are the source of the choking smoke currently blanketing New York, the burning expanse is 500 times larger than the average acreage burned over the past 10 years, according to Quebec's forest-fire protection agency, which tracks fire activity. That's left the province's firefighters hopelessly outmatched. Even if the world lowers emissions, a certain amount of climate change fallout is already locked in, said Gail Whiteman, a professor of sustainability at the University of Exeter Business School in the U.K. "How do we build agility in response to extreme weather?" she asked. ''Long-term trends in Arctic warming and change are driving global risk to places that haven't seen it before. So the Arctic is now in Brooklyn, or Manhattan, and Ottawa." 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 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 Two historic giant sequoias were damaged in a prescribed burn last fall at Calaveras Big Trees State Parkand one of them may not survive, park officials and tree enthusiasts agree. The trees, known as The Orphans, are estimated to be at least 500 years old, with one possibly twice that age, said John Buckley, executive director of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center. The older of the two monarch sequoias, Buckley said after visiting the burn site, "has a high risk of dying." He added, "One of the trees has a fairly high chance of survival because it still has green canopy crown and suffered less of a loss of the needles that are so essential for the tree to be able to take in sunlight and photosynthesis." California Department of Parks and Recreation officials said the damage was discovered when part of the park reopened after winter closures. Prescribed burn when it was 'incredibly bone dry' In October, California State Parks conducted a prescribed burn in the North Grove area of the park. Prescribed burns are done to help reduce wildfire risk and promote giant sequoia regeneration, the department said in a statement. After the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway reopened from winter closure, the department said one of the two trees was found to have suffered significant scorch within the prescribed burn perimeter. Kristen Shive, a fire ecologist and assistant professor at UC Berkeley, did not see The Orphans in person, but saw photos of them and said it looks like the crown damage was the result of heat from fire on the forest floor and from fire that consumed a neighboring non-sequoia tree. "In general, that's what brown needles mean," Shive said. "If fire was engulfing the crown, then most of the needles would be consumed." Buckley, who served as a Stanislaus National Forest wildland firefighter for 13 years, said he talked to fire crews and understands that part of the reason for The Orphans being damaged is that it was the third year of drought in the area. "The fuels were so incredibly bone dry and the trees had less moisture to resist heating and to be resilient from being slightly scorched or damaged," Buckley said. "Those extreme drought conditions last year are probably the key reason why what was otherwise normal burning ended up, in this case, being more than those two trees could easily accept." Community members respond to the loss Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor Martin Huberty, leader of the Calaveras band of Mi-Wuk Indians Adam Lewis, members of the parks department and others gathered at the state park Sunday to hike to The Orphans and pray for their survival. Arnold resident Tom Van Lokeren organized the blessing. Board members of the Calaveras Big Trees Association, the nonprofit partner of the park, also participated in the ceremony. "I think the solidarity here is important not just to say, 'Oh, we lost a couple of giant sequoias but we've got 1,000 more,'" Van Lokeren said. "These are two very special giant sequoias." Paul Prescott, president of the association, said prescribed burning is an essential tool in the efforts to bring forests back to health. Because of policies by governments over the last century to suppress fires, Prescott said, forests are choked with thin trees and dead debris, which are fuel for wildfires. "Occasionally and sadly, a prescribed burn will burn something you didn't want burned," Prescott said "That's why (the association) has been advocating this last year to get more resources to the park so that they can thin more trees and clear more debris before the next burn." So far, Prescott said the efforts have been unsuccessful. Future planned burns at Calaveras Big Trees State Park The parks department, in cooperation with Cal Fire, plans to burn up to 155 acres inside Big Trees, including areas along Highway 4 this week, weather permitting. While the park will remain open during the burn, the department said visitors should expect some closures, potentially including a section of West Moran Road inside the park and one lane of traffic control on Highway 4 near the park entrance. The department plans to do a much larger burn in the South Grove of the park in the fall. The prescribed burn will cover 1,300 acres, and Huberty has expressed concerns about whether the area will be properly prepared before the burn. Shive said it's impossible to do a prescribed fire with zero risk to the sequoias. "The only alternative to that risk is to do nothing," Shive said. "Doing nothing would keep the groves fuel-loaded and at high risk of severe fire that has the potential to kill far more of these incredible trees." 2023 The Sacramento Bee. 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: A Long March-2FT1 carrier rocket blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Credit: Xinhua/Wang Jianmin China's space program has advanced by leaps and bounds in a relatively short time. However, it has suffered some bad publicity in recent years due to certain "uncontrolled reentries" (aka crashes). On multiple occasions, spent first stages have fallen back to Earth, posing a potential threat to populated areas and prompting backlash from NASA and the ESA, who claimed China was taking "unnecessary risks." To curb the risk caused by spent first stages, China has developed a parachute system that can guide fallen rocket boosters to predetermined landing zones. According to the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which developed the system, the system was successfully tested on a Long March-3B (CZ-3B) rocket on Friday, June 9th. As they indicated in their statement, a review of the test data and an in-situ analysis of the debris showed that the parachute system helped narrow the range of the landing area by 80%. This could help pave the way for future parachute landing control technology applications, which could allow for controlled reentry, retrieval, and even reusability. The system was tested on a CZ-3B rocket that launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on May 17th, carrying a BeiDou-3 G4 navigation satellite into orbit. The system contains an electrical subsystem optimized to reduce its volume and overall weight (30 kg; 66 lbs) to make it more practical. It is also designed to automatically deploy its parafoil at a certain altitude, guiding the booster back to a designated landing area. The integration of this system into the CZ-3 and CZ-5 rocket family should give mission teams more precise control over where spent rocket boosters land and improve security around launch sites. These concerns are especially important given that most of China's major launch sites are located deep inland, making it more difficult to predict where spent boosters will fall after sending payloads to orbit. In the U.S., major launch facilities are mostly located in coastal areas, such as Cape Canaveral (Florida), SpaceX Starport (Boca Chica, Texas), the Wallops Flight Facility (Virginia), and Vanderburg Air Force Base (California), or remote areas like the New Mexico desert (Spaceport America), and West Texas (Blue Origin's Launch Site One). In previous statements, CALT researchers have also stated that they intend to make the first stage of the super-heavy Long March-9 (CZ-9) reusable. Chinese state media shared images of the first pieces of the rocket back in March, which included the 10-meter (~33-foot) storage and propellant tanks. A parachute system similar to the one developed by the CALT team could find its way into the second stage of the CZ-9 and possibly the payload fairings, leading to a fully-reusable launch vehicle. 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: Cultural empathy training model. Credit: Counselor Education and Supervision (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ceas.12263 Empathy is the cornerstone of the care that therapists provide their clients. But people of color often find white counselors misunderstand them based on biases and assumptions, according to a new journal article in Counselor Education and Supervision. Counselors need to learn a form of interaction called cultural empathy, which involves honoring racial and cultural differences to better grasp a client's experiences, says Hannah B. Bayne, Ph.D., a counseling educator at Virginia Tech and lead author of the new article. The paper is part of a special issue on anti-racism training for counselors to help them better serve Black, Indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC). Counselors often overlook the way systemic power and privilege influence their work with BIPOC clients, Bayne and her co-authors explained. They can develop a false form of empathy, misinterpreting what BIPOC clients tell them while assuming they fully understand. White counselors can be particularly prone to this error in empathy, based on racial identity and lack of awareness, and therefore may insert their own experiences to interpret a BIPOC client's responses, without understanding how that thinking might impede their ability to fully hear the client's perspective. This tendency can unintentionally harm the client, making them feel judged or invalidated. "An effort for empathy, no matter how well-intentioned, is not truly empathic if the person on the receiving end does not feel understood or cared for," Bayne said. "When you throw in all of the ways our experiences are different, there are quite a lot of factors that can make empathy miss the mark." Forming the root of the problem are shortcomings in counselor education, the authors assert. Multicultural curricula typically contain chapters focused on specific populations, leading to sweeping generalizations about a particular group, they write. Those texts also tend to focus on the struggles of marginalized groups, rather than their strengths. The training sends the message to BIPOC students that the effort to "teach and engage around topics of race falls squarely on their shoulders," they add. Bayne and her co-authors recommend several steps to correct the training weaknesses, including characterizing BIPOC people as strong and resilient rather than simply oppressed. Students should also learn how to develop empathic skills that move beyond their own white-centric experiences, they add. Such training can make counseling far more effective for people of color, the authors conclude. "To be fully seen and respected as an individual can be a powerful healing experience," Bayne said, "and cultural empathy can enable this cathartic process." More information: Hannah B. Bayne et al, Building cultural empathy and deconstructing Whiteness in counselor education, Counselor Education and Supervision (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ceas.12263 Provided by American Counseling Association 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 Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument sits atop the Mayall 4-Meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. DESI's early data gathered in 2020 and 2021 is now publicly available. Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab The universe is big, and it's getting bigger. To study dark energy, the mysterious force behind the accelerating expansion of our universe, scientists are using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) to map more than 40 million galaxies, quasars, and stars. Today, the collaboration publicly released its first batch of data, with nearly 2 million objects for researchers to explore. The 80-terabyte data set comes from 2,480 exposures taken over six months during the experiment's "survey validation" phase in 2020 and 2021. In this period between turning the instrument on and beginning the official science run, researchers made sure their plan for using the telescope would meet their science goalsfor example, by checking how long it took to observe galaxies of different brightness, and by validating the selection of stars and galaxies to observe. "The fact that DESI works so well, and that the amount of science-grade data it took during survey validation is comparable to previous completed sky surveys, is a monumental achievement," said Nathalie Palanque-Delabrouille, co-spokesperson for DESI and a scientist at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), which manages the experiment. "This milestone shows that DESI is a unique spectroscopic factory whose data will not only allow the study of dark energy but will also be coveted by the whole scientific community to address other topics, such as dark matter, gravitational lensing, and galactic morphology." Today the collaboration also published a set of papers related to the early data release, which include early measurements of galaxy clustering, studies of rare objects, and descriptions of the instrument and survey operations. The new papers build on DESI's first measurement of the cosmological distance scale that was published in April, which used the first two months of routine survey data (not included in the early data release) and also showed DESI's ability to accomplish its design goals. Part of DESI's survey validation included the One-Percent Survey visualized in this flythrough. Researchers took detailed images in 20 different directions on the sky, creating a 3D map of 700,000 objects and covering roughly 1% of the total volume DESI will study. With the instrument and survey plan successfully tested, the main DESI survey is now filling in the gaps between those observations. Credit: David Kirkby/DESI collaboration DESI uses 5,000 robotic positioners to move optical fibers that capture light from objects millions or billions of light-years away. It is the most powerful multi-object survey spectrograph in the world, able to measure light from more than 100,000 galaxies in one night. That light tells researchers how far away an object is, building a 3-D cosmic map. "Survey validation was very important for DESI because it allowed usbefore starting the main surveyto adjust our selection of all the objects, including stars, bright galaxies, luminous red galaxies, emission line galaxies, and quasars," said Christophe Yeche, a scientist with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) who co-leads the target selection group. "We've been able to optimize our selection and confirm our observation strategy." As the universe expands, it stretches light's wavelength, making it reddera characteristic known as redshift. The further away the galaxy, the bigger the redshift. DESI specializes in collecting redshifts that can then be used to solve some of astrophysics' biggest puzzles: what dark energy is and how it has changed throughout the universe's history. While DESI's primary goal is understanding dark energy, much of the data can also be used in other astronomical studies. For example, the early data release contains detailed images from some well-known areas of the sky, such as the Hubble Deep Field. Credit: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory "There are some well-trodden spots where we've drilled down into the sky," said Stephen Bailey, a scientist at Berkeley Lab who leads data management for DESI. "We've taken valuable spectroscopic images in areas that are of interest to the rest of the community, and we're hoping that other people will take this data and do additional science with it." Two interesting finds have already surfaced: Evidence of a mass migration of stars into the Andromeda galaxy, and incredibly distant quasars, the extremely bright and active supermassive black holes sometimes found at the center of galaxies. "We observed some areas at very high depth. People have looked at that data and discovered very high redshift quasars, which are still so rare that basically any discovery of them is useful," said Anthony Kremin, a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley Lab who led the data processing for the early data release. "Those high-redshift quasars are usually found with very large telescopes, so the fact that DESIa smaller, 4-meter survey instrumentcould compete with those larger, dedicated observatories was an achievement we are pretty proud of and demonstrates the exceptional throughput of the instrument." Survey validation was also a chance to test the process of transforming raw data from DESI's ten spectrometers (which split a galaxy's light into different colors) into useful information. This small slice of DESI data has Earth on the left and looks back in time to the right. Every dot represents a galaxy (blue) or quasar (red). The farther to the right an object is, the farther away it is. The upper wedge includes objects all the way back to about 12 billion years ago. The bottom wedge zooms in on the closer galaxies in more detail. The clumps, strands, and blank spots are real structures in the universe, showing how galaxies group together or leave voids on gigantic scales. Credit: Eleanor Downing/DESI collaboration "If you looked at them, the images coming directly from the camera would look like nonsenselike lines on a weird, fuzzy image," said Laurie Stephey, a data architect at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), the supercomputer that processes DESI's data. "The magic happens in the processing and the software being able to decode the data. It's exciting that we have the technology to make that data accessible to the research community and that we can support this big question of 'what is dark energy?'" DESI's early data was a unique project for NERSC. All of the experiment's code, including the computational heavy lifting, is written in the programming language Python rather than the traditional C++ or Fortran. "That was the first time that using pure Python was shown to be a feasible approach for a major experiment at NERSC, and since then, Python has become increasingly common in our user workload," Stephey said. DESI collects spectra, the different frequencies of light that objects in space emit. That light tells researchers how far away the object is, meaning they can create a 3D map of the universe. This spectrum is from an incredibly distant quasar more than 12 billion light-years from Earth. The universe's expansion has stretched the light's wavelength and shifted it into the infrared. Credit: Eleanor Downing/DESI collaboration The DESI early data release is now available to access for free through NERSC. There is plenty of data yet to come from the experiment. DESI is currently two years into its five-year run and ahead of schedule on its quest to collect more than 40 million redshifts. The survey has already catalogued more than 26 million astronomical objects in its science run, and is adding more than a million per month. The research is published on the arXiv preprint server. More information: Jeongin Moon et al, First Detection of the BAO Signal from Early DESI Data, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2304.08427 Journal information: arXiv 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 Social network companies use a variety of methods, such as a friend recommendation, to increase connectedness and user engagement within the network, but how each company does so effectively is not widely known. In a paper published in the April issue of the Journal of Marketing Research, a researcher at The University of Texas at Dallas has uncovered some important drivers behind individuals' online friendship decisions. Dr. Ying Xie, professor of marketing in the Naveen Jindal School of Management, and her colleagues were interested in how strangers become friends within an evolving online social network. For the social media companies, she said, increasing connections translates to more advertising revenueestimated at more than $40 billion industrywide in 2020. Evolving networks are fast-growing networks in which users rapidly increase their friend connections. In contrast, static social network platforms have already passed their fast-growing phase, and users generally have a stable number of friendship ties. Xie said she would consider Facebook a static social network for most of its users, while TikTok and Reddit are evolving networks. "An intriguing aspect of making friends in many online social networks is that people often do not know each other's identities in real life," Xie said, "and their interactions are mostly confined to the online network, which is vastly different from the typical friend-making scenarios studied in previous research on friend formation." "Our paper is one of the first to study friend formation in online networks characterized by anonymity. Specifically, we examine how individuals' online activities and demographic traits impact their friend-making behavior." The researchers obtained data from MyAnimeList.net, a special-interest online community for anime fans worldwide who interact with each other and form friendships. As an anonymous online network, it requires only a username and password to join. Users can voluntarily disclose their demographic information on their profile pages. The researchers modeled individual users' daily decisions regarding with whom to become friends, whether to watch any anime, and whether to post user-generated content. The findings revealed three factors that drive strangers to become friends in an online environment: similarity with a potential friend, the properties of a potential friend's network and the potential friend's domain expertise. "Birds of the same color do flock together in the online world, too," Xie said. "Similarity matters a lot when strangers choose to become friends in an online social network. Having common friends, common interests and common demographic traitsage, gender and locationall improve the odds that two strangers become friends in an online community." The study also found that having more friends does not necessarily make a person more active on the social network, although having more friends who are active does increase a user's activity level. For example, if a user's friends watched two anime programs the previous day, the probability that the user watches anime programs the next day increases 15%. The researchers also looked at ways social-networking platforms recommend friends. They found that the most effective strategy in evolving social networks is to recommend a friend of a friend. This is in contrast to static networks, in which previous research has shown that recommending a popular user is the most effective strategy. Xie said social media companies should consider how their recommendation policies stimulate friendship tie formation and increase activity on the site. For example, Facebook's "Suggested for You" and "People You May Know" are generated by proprietary algorithms based on content that users have previously expressed interest in and actions they have taken on the platform. Xie said the study's implications can be applied to other interest-based online communities, such as Goodreads, or special-interest groups on large social media platforms, such as subreddits on Reddit. For social media users looking to start friendships, Xie said similarities play an important part. "The odds of your friend request or follow request being granted are significantly increased if you have common friends, share common interests or have similar demographic or geographic profiles," she said. From the social media companies' perspective, she said, the greater the number of active users, the more ads that can be shown to them, and, in turn, the popularity of a site increases its appeal and allows the user base to continue to expand. More information: Ying Xie et al, From Strangers to Friends: Tie Formations and Online Activities in an Evolving Social Network, Journal of Marketing Research (2023). DOI: 10.1177/002224372211079 Journal information: Journal of Marketing 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: While the Mizoram parachute gecko was first collected in 2001, it was misidentified as a member of another species, Gekko lionotum. Credit: Lal Muansanga A new species of gliding gecko has been uncovered in northern India. Bearing the name of the Indian state it was discovered in, the Mizoram parachute gecko, or Gekko mizoramensis, is one of 14 geckos known to take to the air. While one specimen of the new species was collected more than 20 years ago, the differences from its relatives have only now been appreciated. The researchers behind the study, now published in the journal Salamandra, hope that the new species will highlight the underappreciated biodiversity of northern India and encourage greater efforts to document its wildlife. Ph.D. student Zeeshan Mirza, who co-authored the paper describing the new species, says, "The wildlife of northeast India isn't as well known as it could be because of the amount of dense forest. While recent development has opened up access, forest clearance endangers its biodiversity. "Most research in the past has focused on charismatic fauna such as birds and mammals, leaving reptile species underexplored. My own surveys of the region have uncovered several new species, including Salazar's pit viper, which is named after a character from Harry Potter. "With additional fieldwork, I am confident that more new reptile species will be discovered in the region." What's so special about geckos? Geckos are one of the oldest reptile groups still alive today. They are believed to be among the earliest evolving squamates, the group that contains all lizards, snakes and their close relatives, with their ancestors first appearing in the fossil record hundreds of millions of years ago. In fact, early geckos had already developed some of their key characteristics by 100 million years ago. Genetic studies and preserved remains reveal that they had evolved the adhesive pads on their feet which allow them to climb almost any surface using a network of microscopic hairs. Other adaptations, such as the ability to discard and regrow their tails to distract predators, or see well in the dark, have helped them to become one of the most successful lizard groups. There are more than 1,200 species of gecko today, making up around a fifth of all known lizards. Gliding geckos use skin flaps and webbed feet to control their descent. Credit: Agus_Gatam/Shutterstock Flying geckos are an even more specialized bunch. Originally classed in their own group, they've recently been recognized as a very specialized part of the Gekko genus which evolved at the same time as a group of rainforest trees known as the dipterocarps. Unlike other gliding reptiles, which use bone to form their flying surfaces, these geckos have flaps of skin. When the lizards leap off a tall structure, air resistance pushes the flaps out to their full extent much like a parachute, slowing the speed at which they fall. Along with their webbed feet and flattened tail, this allows the geckos to steer while traveling in the air and land safely at their target. The skin flaps also help to break up their shape, acting as a camouflage against predators. Their specialized camouflage and body shape is shared by multiple species, making it hard to tell them apart from one another. Researchers only discovered that G. mizoramensis was its own species based on genetic analysis, as well as slight differences in size and coloration. It's thought that the species evolved as a result of being separated from its closest relative, G. popaensis, by the Arakan Mountains. This region is known to be home to numerous species of lizard, with the researchers suggesting that many more geckos may be found not just in India, but also in areas bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar. The team recommend that more research on the species of this area is done to help find out how many more species of gecko are hiding in the tropical forests. This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here. 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: Volunteers Emmanuel Durand, left, and Serhii Revenko set up a high-tech scanner at the All Saints Church at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Using high-tech laser gear, a United Nations-backed team is scanning Ukraine historical sites to preserve them amid Russia's war on the country. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gambrell Under the plaintive painted eyes of the holy, a volunteer team of two United Nations-backed engineers watched as a whirling laser took a million measurements a second inside Kyiv's All Saints Church. The laser swept quickly across the church, part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, while taking a series of incredibly high-resolution photographs. Those images will be stitched together with navigational data to create a perfect three-dimensional rendering of the holy site, part of a project to protect and preserve historic places across Ukraine now in as much in danger as its people amid Russia's war on the country. "It's a critical moment," said Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, who oversees Ukraine for UNESCO, the U.N.'s cultural agency. "If it's not protected now, we really risk that this heritage is lost forever." Since Russia launched the war in February 2022, at least 259 cultural and historic sites have been damaged by the fighting, according to UNESCO. They include religious sites, museums, monuments and libraries. It remains common to see statues across the country surrounded by sandbags or scaffolding to protect them from airstrikes or other attacks. Meanwhile, Ukraine is pouring money and the donations of Western nations backing it into its military as it tries to claw back more territory as the summer fighting months begin. That leaves little money for preservation of its historic sites, which already have faced cycles of destruction in the past from czarist Russia, the Nazis during World War II and the Soviet Union in the decades after. Volunteers Emmanuel Durand, left, and Serhii Revenko walk through the All Saints Church at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Using high-tech laser gear, a United Nations-backed team is scanning Ukraine historical sites to preserve them amid Russia's war on the country. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gambrell That's where the work of Emmanuel Durand, a French engineer based in Geneva, and Serhii Revenko, a Ukrainian architect who has taken 3D models of other sites during the war, comes into play. In recent days, the two men, who volunteer through UNESCO, worked at All Saints Church, built between 1696 and 1698 at the Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves. The men used a donated device called a Zoller & Frohlich Imager 5010X, which has two rectangular boxes connected by a high-resolution, rapidly spinning camera in the center. The imager, as well as required software and supporting equipment, together cost about $70,000. The two placed the imager atop a tripod, then slipped away from it as the device measured the heights underneath the churches' golden domes. The camera then whirled to life, spinning around to capture the inside so closely that even the textures of the brushstrokes will be recorded. "If due to the war, the church would be bombed in the next week or next month, it would be terrible, of course, but at least we would have this digitalization and it would help a lot in rebuilding the church," Durand said. That danger is real. Revenko earlier shot 3D images of the Library of Youth in Chernihiv, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Kyiv. That library, opened in 1902 in a building bearing the style of the Gothic revival with pointed arches, was targeted by a Russian airstrike on March 11, 2022. Volunteers Serhii Revenko, left, and Emmanuel Durand talk to each other in the All Saints Church at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Using high-tech laser gear, a United Nations-backed team is scanning Ukraine historical sites to preserve them amid Russia's war on the country. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gambrell The 3D image shows the massive hole torn into the side of the building, debris scattered everywhere. It also shows the depth and the power of the bomb that struck the site. That can be vital for historiansas well as for prosecutors or investigatorswho later want to see such scenes long after any repairs. "This is important to preserve because what the enemy and the Russians are trying to destroy is who we are and what our identity is," Revenko said. "Our identity really is the heritage and culture that we can preserve and give to the next generation." The men began their work at the All Saints Church in part because of its relative safety during the war. The Lavra's gates bear the blue shield emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention, in theory providing the protection of international law to the site. But the site on a hill overlooking the Dnieper River is only a few kilometers (a mile) from Ukraine's presidency and other buildings in Kyiv that could be targets for Moscow. In recent weeks, Kyiv has come under repeated missile and drone attacks by Russia, raising the risks of a strike or damage from falling debris. Russia's embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment about its targeting practices regarding historical sites. Durand and Revenko also traveled to the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, far closer to the front lines, to create images of other cultural sites. Volunteers Emmanuel Durand, left, and Serhii Revenko set up a high-tech scanner at the All Saints Church at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Using high-tech laser gear, a United Nations-backed team is scanning Ukraine historical sites to preserve them amid Russia's war on the country. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gambrell "As an architect, it's like rediscovering your country, really, and rediscovering your culture," Revenko said, gesturing toward the artworks within the All Saints Church. For Durand, who also volunteered at the 2020 Beirut port explosion and the recent earthquake that struck Turkey, doing the 3D scanning in Ukraine offers him a chance to use his talents when people are in need. "I'm not a doctor. I cannot go to Kherson or places and heal people. That's not my skill," Durand said. "I'm not a good cook. I cannot give food, but I'm an engineer. I have this 3D skill and other structural assessment skills that I give." 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: Mayon Volcano is seen from Guinobatan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Lava poured from the crater of the Philippines' most active volcano Monday, prompting officials to warn tens of thousands of villagers to be prepared to flee if the gentle eruption turns into a violent and life-threatening explosion. More than 13,000 people have left the mostly poor farming communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon Volcano's crater in mandatory evacuations since volcanic activity increased last week. But an unspecified number of residents remain within the permanent danger zone below Mayon, an area long declared off-limits to people but where generations have lived and farmed because they have nowhere else to go. With the volcano beginning to expel lava Sunday night, the high-risk zone around Mayon may be expanded should the eruption turn violent, said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Bacolcol said if that happens, people in any expanded danger zone should be prepared to evacuate to emergency shelters. "What we are seeing now is an effusive eruption," Bacolcol told The Associated Press. "We are looking at this on a day-to-day basis." From a distance, Associated Press journalists watched lava flow down the volcano's southeastern gullies for hours Sunday night. People hurriedly stepped out of restaurants and bars in a seaside promenade of Legazpi, the capital of northeastern Albay province about 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) from Mayon, many of them snapping pictures of the volcano that's a popular tourist draw known for its picturesque conical shape. Mayon volcano belches red-hot emissions down it's slope as seen from Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Albay was placed under a state of calamity last week to allow more rapid disbursement of emergency funds in case a major eruption unfolds. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon's renewed restiveness has also struck fear and brought new suffering. Marilyn Miranda said she, her daughter and 75-year-old mother, who recently suffered a stroke, fled their home in a village within the danger zone in Guinobatan town on Thursday and sought shelter at a sweltering high school turned into an evacuation center. Her nephew returns to their home each day, as do other men in their impoverished rural neighborhood to guard their houses and farm animals, she said. From the overcrowded evacuation center, they were terrified to see the bright red-orange lava streaks gushing down Mayon's slope on Sunday night. "We had this feeling that our end is near," Miranda told the AP, breaking into tears. Mayon's new eruption was one of back-to-back tragedies that struck Amelia Morales and her family in recent days. Her husband died of an aneurism and other illnesses on Friday and she had to hold his funeral wake in a crowded emergency shelter in Guinobatan because she and her neighbors had been ordered to stay away from their community near Mayon. Amelia Morales wipes tears beside the coffin of her husband at an evacuation center in Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. Her husband died of aneurism and other illnesses on Friday but she was forced to hold his funeral wake in a crowded emergency shelter in Guinobatan in a heartbreaking decision because she and her neighbors have been ordered to stay away indefinitely from their community, which lies near restive Mayon.Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila "I need help to bury my husband because we don't have any money left," Morales, 63, said as she sat near her husband's white wooden coffin under a flimsy open tent in a corner of the evacuation center. "I cannot do anything but cry." With its peak often shrouded by the wisps of passing clouds, the 2,462-meter (8,077-foot) volcano appeared calm on Monday. Bacolcol said red-hot lava was continuing to flow down its slopes but could not easily be seen by people under the bright sun. The volcano had been raised to alert level three on a five-step warning system Thursday, meaning the volcano was in a state of high unrest and a hazardous eruption is possible in weeks or days. With lava flowing down from the volcano gently, Bacolcol said the alert level would stay at three but it could be moved up higher if the eruption suddenly turns perilous. Workers catch relief goods before distribution at an evacuation center in Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon Volcano is seen from Guinobatan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon Volcano spews lava as seen from Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon Volcano spews lava as seen from Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon Volcano as seen from Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Mayon Volcano is partially covered in clouds at an evacuation center in Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Amelia Morales sits near the coffin of her husband at an evacuation center in Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. Her husband died of aneurism and other illnesses on Friday but she was forced to hold his funeral wake in a crowded emergency shelter in Guinobatan in a heartbreaking decision because she and her neighbors have been ordered to stay away indefinitely from their community, which lies near restive Mayon.Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Children play at an evacuation center in Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila An evacuee rests beside tents in an evacuation center at Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Evacuees wait near the entrance of a gym in an evacuation center at Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Clothes are hung to dry on chairs in an evacuation center at Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila A band plays along the streets in Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila A man shovels sand near the restive Mayon Volcano in Daraga, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Joseph Martillana shovels sand which he later sells and earns him about 500 pesos (about USD 9) a day near the restive Mayon Volcano in Daraga, Albay province, northeastern Philippines., Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Joseph Martillana takes a break from work which earns him about 500 pesos (about USD 9) a day for selling sand and gravel near the restive Mayon Volcano in Daraga, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila A man places water on a construction equipment near the restive Mayon Volcano in Daraga, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Evacuees talk beside tents in an evacuation center at Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila An evacuee stays inside tents in an evacuation center at Guinabotan, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Monday, June 12, 2023. The Philippines' most active volcano was gently spewing lava down its slopes Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening explosion. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila The highest alert, level five, would mean a violent and life-threatening eruption is underway with ash plumes shooting into the sky and superheated pyroclastic streams endangering more communities at Mayon's lush foothills. Mayon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. It last erupted violently in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers. In 1814, Mayon's eruption buried entire villages and reportedly left more than 1,000 people dead. The archipelago is lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms a year and is located on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," the rim of seismic faults where most of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo north of Manila blew its top in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Police investigations use wiretapped phone recordings as investigative material fairly regularly. But how do they know that the voice on the recording actually belongs to the suspect? Ph.D. student Laura Smorenburg is trying to answer that question. Everyone has a different voice. So we often know immediately whether we are hearing a friend of a stranger. But if the police intercept a phone call, it is more difficult to say with 100% certainty who they are hearing on the tape. Besides, the quality is worse than, say, a microphone recording. This makes things difficult for the police, who often work with phone recordings. Forensic analysts are therefore trying to improve speaker recognition. Role of consonants One way to do that is to zoom in on the different sounds in a language. Smorenburg looked specifically at the role of two groups of consonants: nasal and fricative consonants. "For example, how does someone pronounce the G in Dutch? Is it a soft or a hard G? If you compare different speech characteristics of one person from different types of recordings, you can examine whether it's likely to be the same speaker," she says. Some sounds contain more information about the speaker than other sounds. "The phonetic context of a word can influence pronunciation. When you speak, you don't pronounce the sounds separately, but joined together. That affects the sounds themselves. The G in Dutch is a good example: In the word 'geen' (meaning 'none'), it sounds different from in the word 'goed' (meaning 'good') because your lips are in a different position." "People have a different degree and timing of lip pouting when they pronounce rounded sounds like the vowels in 'good,' so I wanted to know if those differences between different speakers matter for forensic analysis," Smorenburg explains. If sounds in certain sound contexts contain more speaker information, forensic analysts could work more effectively. The study found that analyzing nasal and fricative consonants in specific sound contexts does indeed lead to slightly more speaker information, although Smorenburg does add a caveat: "In practice, you have to make do with what you have, because there is often very little data available for analysis. Examining only nasal and fricative consonants from specific contexts gives you only minimal gains in evidence. In principle, this is also good news, because it means that forensic investigators do not have to consider phonetic context in their analyses." 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: Tissue from one of the Medici embalming vessels was subjected to microscopic and molecular analysis. Credit: Eurac Research Malaria was common in Renaissance Italy. The disease was known as "Febbre terzana" at the time as an onset of the fever occurred in intervals of two to three days. A research team led by Eurac Research has now microscopically detected the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the dangerous malaria tropica in soft tissue from embalming vessels found at the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence. The powerful dynasty buried its dead according to a special ritual: during embalming, the entrails were removed and placed in large terracotta vessels called orci which were buried together with the coffins in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence. In 2010, researchers were allowed to sample nine of these orci which were decorated with the family's coat-of-arms. Of the nine, two bore the names of specific family members. Using long tweezers, the team retrieved something that at first glance seemed to Anthropologist Albert Zink who was leading the investigation, to be "rather insignificant." He went on to explain, "However, these fragments, which to the untrained eye, could have been pieces of cloth, were in fact mummified tissues of unknown origin. So, our first interest was to find out what we were actually looking at. Then, to find out if the structure of the organ was intact enough to see if we could identify the organ it came from." The researchers took a total of 24 samples, which they then subjected to microscopic and molecular analyses. The molecular investigations did not lead much further. The material was too degraded, the Arno had flooded Florence several times since the Medici period and acute temperature fluctuations had done the rest, "proteins or DNA were almost no longer present," explains first author of the study, Microbiologist Frank Maixner. "But it wasn't all bad news, the microscopic structure was in fact, very exciting." In thin tissue sections, a potential blood vessel with collections of red blood cells became visible through a staining technique. In the smaller image, a potential red blood cell. Credit: Eurac Research Thin tissue sections revealed a potential blood vessel that still contained collections of red blood cells. When a special method called Giemsa staining was used, evidence of a parasite inside these blood cells was revealed. What Maixner described as "a surprising finding" was not conclusive. The parasites could have been plasmodiaa parasite responsible for malaria or even another parasite called babesia. The team went on to employ an even more precise technique, atomic force microscopy whereby the tissue surface was scanned with a nanoscopic needle which rendered even the tiniest differences in height and three-dimensional structure visible. This analysis revealed the typical ring-shaped structures that characterize one of the developmental stages of the plasmodia parasites. However, the same shapes can also be formed by babesia. Finally, it was the immunohistochemical method, which enables the detection of antigens in tissue sections, that provided certainty. And so, the parasite was determined unambiguously: Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the deadliest form of malaria, malaria tropica, which occurs mainly in the equatorial region. Giemsa staining provided evidence of a parasite inside these blood cells. Credit: Eurac Research Parasites were detected in many of the blood cells examined. In addition, typical membrane structures formed by the Plasmodium falciparum pathogen itself during the course of infection could be detected within the individual blood cells. "These so-called Maurer's clefts are cell organelles that are important for interaction between host and parasite. Among other things, they are involved in the transport of parasite proteins and as such significantly influence the course of the disease," explains co-author and Malaria Researcher Nicole Kilian from the University of Heidelberg/University Hospital Heidelberg. Finally, atomic force microscopy revealed the typical ring-shaped structures that characterize one of the developmental stages of the plasmodial parasites. Credit: Eurac Research In a further analysis, the scientists examined the sugar structures on the surface of the blood cells, which decisively influence blood group. The result: the infected individual belonged to blood group B and, people from this blood group are less resistant to malaria. However, it is no longer possible to find out which family member the results pertain to as the orci from which the sample was taken does not bear a name. The study is published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. More information: Frank Maixner et al, Microscopic Evidence of Malaria Infection in Visceral Tissue from Medici Family, Italy, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2023). DOI: 10.3201/eid2906.230134 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In a world of worsening climate extremes, a single red line has caught many people's attention. The line, which charts sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean, went viral over the weekend for its startling display of unprecedented warmingnearly 2 degrees (1.09 Celsius) above the mean dating back to 1982, the earliest year with comparable data. Ocean temperatures are so anomalously high that Eliot Jacobson, a retired mathematics professor who created the graph using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, had to "increase the upper bound on the y-axis," he said. "I've been doing this for a long time, but this one was like, 'Oh my God, look at this,'" Jacobson said of the graph. "What is going on here?" He and other researchers said there are several factors that may be contributing to the off-the-charts warming, which is occurring alongside other climate woes including record-shattering wildfires in Canada, rapidly declining sea ice in Antarctica and unusually warm temperatures in many parts of the world, not including Southern California. Underlying everything is human-caused climate change, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA. But atop that are a handful of other potential factors, including the early arrival of El Nino; the recent eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano; new regulations around sulfur aerosol emissions or even a dearth of Saharan dust. "The North Atlantic is record-shatteringly warm right now," Swain said during a briefing Monday. "There has never been any day in observed history where the entire North Atlantic has been nearly as warm as it is right now, at any time of year." Nearly all of the Atlantic basin is experiencing anomalous warmth, including the Irminger Sea southeast of Greenland, the western Mediterranean Sea, and the tropics "all the way from Africa to at least the Caribbean," said Gregory Johnson, an oceanographer at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. "We are definitely in record territory," Johnson said. And it's not just the Atlantic, as global sea surface temperatures are also climbing to new highs, NOAA data show. Such warming events can have considerable consequences, including triggering algal blooms, bleaching coral and negatively affecting fisheries and other ecosystems, Johnson said. Marine heat waves can also provide more energy for tropical cyclones and more moisture for atmospheric rivers and flooding events. And a warmer ocean tends to expand, which can lead to sea level rise along with melting ice sheets. "This is part of a long-term trend," Johnson said. "If greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, we're going to continue to break records in terms of global average temperatureswhether it be sea surface temperature, or sea and land, or land alone. I think it's having big impacts, and it's something that we have to pay attention to." The recent arrival of El Nino, a climate pattern in the tropical Pacific and a major driver of weather patterns across the world, could be partially to blame, Johnson and others said. While its counterpart, La Nina, brought cooler water to the ocean's surface, El Nino is generally linked to warmer global temperatures and often results in warmer oceans. The NOAA recently said there is an 84% chance that the developing El Nino will be of moderate strength, and a 56% chance it will become a strong event at its peak later this year. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organization predicts that at least one of the next five yearsand the five-year period as a wholewill be the Earth's warmest on record due to global warming and El Nino. But El Nino doesn't entirely explain the sudden escalation in ocean temperatures. Another potential factor may be the recent eruption of an undersea volcano in Tonga, said Swain. The volcano, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, erupted beneath the ocean in January 2022 and shot record-breaking amounts of water vapor all the way up to the stratosphere. And because water vapor acts as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas, researchers said the eruption could result in more planetary warming. "We now have a natural volcanic event that, somewhat amazingly, is probably resulting in an additional short-term window of global warming," Swain said. "That's on top of the human-caused warming that we're already seeing, so that may be part of why we're seeing such a spike right now in some global ocean temperatures and in global atmospheric temperatures." Meanwhile, a major change in regulations around the sulfur content of shipping fuels could also be behind the warming spike, according to both Swain and Jacobson. The regulations, ordered by the International Maritime Organization in 2020, reduced the upper limit of sulfur in fuels from 3.5% to 0.5% in an effort to achieve cleaner air in ports and coastal areas. However, the change may have had an unexpected consequence because sulfate aerosols can reflect sunlight away from the earth, "effectively dimming the planet's surface," Jacobson wrote in a post on his website. "By cleaning up shipping fuels, massive regions of the world's oceans that were protected from heating by shipping sulfate aerosols are now experiencing rapid warming," he said, including many of the main shipping routes where the warming is happening. Swain shared a similar hypothesis, noting that though global shipping has largely returned to baseline levels after declining during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a huge drop in sulfer emissions. "It is being speculated that this is part of the reason why we're seeing such record breaking global ocean temperatures and atmospheric temperatures right now," he said. "Now that we've eliminated at least a significant portion of that offsetting effect, we may have somewhat unintentionally unearthed an additional component of this warming," he added. Michael Mann, a professor of earth and environmental science at the University of Pennsylvania, said while sulfate aerosols can influence the North Atlantic, he did not believe that the recent regulatory change is behind the current temperature spike. Instead, he said, a lack of Saharan dustpossibly linked to weakened trade winds from the burgeoning El Ninocould be impacting temperatures on short timescales. The dust normally has a cooling impact on the area, and the lack of dust "probably does help to explain the observed anomaly." "The primary cause of the warming we are seeing right now is an El Nino event on top of overall human-caused warming," Mann said. Interestingly, one of the few areas not experiencing unusual warmth right now is Southern California, which has been unseasonably cool and cloudy for several months on end. While that may be a response to El Nino, it could also be driven by the same persistent wave patterns that are contributing to the Canadian wildfires, record-breaking warmth in Western Europe and Southeast Asia, and flooding in parts of the Mediterranean, Swain said. Though concerning, the conditions aren't "completely out of left field" based on global warming trends, Swain said. "The long-term trend is not going to stop, and we are stair-stepping up our way to much warmer oceans and a much warmer climate, and there still hasn't been a great deal of momentum away from that," he said. "We're still moving in a pretty alarming direction, overall, when it comes to to warming." 2023 Los Angeles Times. 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: The FSO Safer oil tanker is pictured in the Red Sea off Yemen's contested western province of Hodeida during operations to remove more than a million barrels of oil. The UN has secured insurance coverage allowing it to pump more than one million barrels of oil from a decaying tanker anchored off war-torn Yemen that poses the risk of a catastrophic spillage. The rusting FSO Safer, abandoned off the rebel-held port of Hodeida, has not been serviced since the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country plunged into civil conflict more than eight years ago. On Monday David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said salvage teams are "very close" to starting a ship-to-ship transfer of the vessel's cargoa move intended to avert a major oil leak. A spill in the Red Sea, a major shipping lane, could cost up to $20 billion to clear up, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned, and would mark one of the world's worst ecological disasters. In a statement on Monday, UK-based insurance broker Howden announced the "successful binding of insurance coverage that enables the UN to proceed with FSO Safer Ship-to-Ship transfer". Howden said it was appointed by the UNDP via a public tender process to identify the insurable risks and arrange coverage. "Insurance became a critical element of enabling this salvage operation to proceed," said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner. "Without it, the mission cannot go forward," he said in a UNDP statement. The removal of the oil could take between one week and one month. 'Very close' The operation will see private company SMIT Salvage pump the oil from the Safer to the Nautica, a super-tanker the UN purchased for the operation. "I think we are getting very close to the point where we can start the ship-to-ship transfer which will be the next and perhaps most important phase," Gressly said on Monday, ahead of the Yemen International Forum in The Hague. Peter Berdowski, CEO of SMIT Salvage's parent company Boskalis, said workers had spent a fortnight at the Safer checking whether the operation can go ahead. "After two weeks of inspection, our crew are convinced that the Safer is strong enough for such an operation," said Berdowski, who also spoke in The Hague. Berdowski said removing the oil could take between one week and one month, depending on how easily it can be pumped. "The most important next step obviously is the arrival of the Nautica," he said. He added that some issues still needed to be resolved including whether there is any oxygen inside the oil tanks, which carries the risk of an explosion. His team would also need to carry out an underwater inspection of the Safer's hull to make sure it is strong enough for a ship-to-ship transfer. The Safer is carrying four times as much oil as that which spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, a major ecological catastrophe. 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: Looking back at the entrance of Tam Pa Ling cave from the cave floor. The excavation pit is to the left of this location. Credit: Copyright Kira Westaway (Macquarie University) What connects a fossil found in a cave in northern Laos with stone tools made in north Australia? The answer is, we do. When our early Homo sapiens ancestors first arrived in Southeast Asia on their way from Africa to Australia, they left evidence of their presence in the form of human fossils that accumulated over thousands of years deep in a cave. The latest evidence from Tam Pa Ling cave in northern Laos, uncovered by a team of Laotian, French, American and Australian researchers and published in Nature Communications, demonstrates beyond doubt that modern humans spread from Africa through Arabia and to Asia much earlier than previously thought. It also confirms that our ancestors didn't just follow coastlines and islands. They traveled through forested regions, most likely along river valleys, too. Some then moved on through Southeast Asia to become Australia's First People. "Tam Pa Ling plays a key role in the story of modern human migration through Asia but its significance and value is only just being recognized," says University of Copenhagen paleoanthropologist Assistant Professor Fabrice Demeter, one of the paper's lead authors. Three Australian Universities contributed to the project. Macquarie University and Southern Cross University dated samples using multiple techniques. Flinders University showed that the sediment in the cave had been laid down in distinct layers over tens of thousands of years. The extensive excavation pit in Tam Pa Ling reaching from the cave floor down to ~7 m. The deepest pit is found at the rear close to the cave wall. Credit: Copyright Vito Hernandez (Flinders University) Since the first excavation and the discovery of a skull and mandible in 2009, the cave has been controversial. Evidence of our earliest journeys from Africa into Southeast Asia is usually dominated by island locations such as Sumatra, Philippines and Borneo. This was before Tam Pa Ling, an upland cave site more than 300 kilometers from the sea in northern Laos, started divulging its secrets. The skull and jawbone were identified as belonging to Homo sapiens who had migrated through the region. But when? As is usual in questions of human dispersal, the debate comes down to timing. But this evidence was hard to date. The human fossils cannot be directly dated as the site is a World Heritage area and the fossils are protected by Laotian law. There are very few animal bones or suitable cave decorations to date, and it is too old for radiocarbon dating. This placed a heavy burden on the luminescence dating of sediments to form the backbone of the timeline. Luminescence dating relies on a light-sensitive signal that is reset to zero when exposed to light but builds up over time when shielded from light during burial. It was originally used to constrain the burial sediments that encased the fossils. Looking down into the wide steep entrance of Tam Pa Ling Cave. The excavation pit is visible on the right-hand side. Credit: Copyright Kira Westaway (Macquarie University) "Without luminescence dating this vital evidence would still have no timeline and the site would be overlooked in the accepted path of dispersal through the region," says Macquarie University geochronologist Associate Professor Kira Westaway. "Luckily the technique is versatile and can be adapted for different challenges." These techniques returned a minimum age of 46,000 yearsa chronology in line with the expected timing of Homo sapiens' arrival in Southeast Asia. But the discovery didn't end here. From 2010 to 2023, annual excavations (delayed by three years of lockdowns) revealed increasingly more evidence that Homo sapiens had passed through en route to Australia. Seven pieces of human skeleton were found at intervals through 4.5 meters of sediment, pushing the potential timeline far back into the realms of the earliest Homo sapiens migrations to this region. In this study, the team overcame these issues by creatively applying strategic dating techniques where possible, such as the uranium-series dating of a stalactite tip that had been buried in sediment, and the use of uranium-series dating coupled with electron-spin-resonance dating techniques to two rare but complete bovid teeth, unearthed at 6.5 meters. "Having direct dating of the fossil remains confirmed the age sequence obtained by luminescence, allowing us to propose a comprehensive and secure chronology for a Homo sapiens presence at Tam Pa Ling," says Southern Cross University geochronologist Associate Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau. Taking sediment samples in the excavation pit in Tam Pa Ling cave, the team is with Flinders PhD student Vito Hernandez. Credit: Copyright Kira Westaway (Macquarie University) The team supported the dating evidence with a detailed analysis of the sediments to assess the origin of the fossils using micromorphology, a technique that examines sediments under a microscope to establish the integrity of the layers. This key component of the new chronology helped establish that there was a consistent accumulation of sedimentary layers over a long period. "Far from reflecting a rapid dump of sediments, the site represents a consistent and seasonally deposited stack of sediments," explains Flinders University geoarchaeologist Associate Professor Mike Morley, who worked with Ph.D. students Vito Hernandez and Meghan McAllister-Hayward. The new chronology revealed there had a been a human presence in this area for more than 56,000 years. Furthermore, the age of the lowest fossil at seven metersa fragment of a leg boneprovides a timeline for modern human arrival in this region of between 86,000 to 68,000 years ago. This pushes back the arrival time in mainland Southeast Asia by approximately 40,000 years. Although, according to the genetics, these early migrations did not contribute significantly to our modern-day populations. "This really is the decisive paper for the Tam Pa Ling evidence," says Associate Professor Westaway. "Finally we have enough dating evidence to confidently say when Homo sapiens first arrived in this area, how long they were there and what route they may have taken." Tam Pa Ling cave is very close to the recently discovered Cobra Cave, which was frequented by Denisovans approximately 70,000 years earlier. Despite the previous lack of evidence for early arrival in mainland Southeast Asia, this area might be a previously used dispersal route among our ancestors, long before Homo sapiens. "We have much to learn from the caves and forests of Southeast Asia," adds Associate Professor Westaway. More information: Laura Shackelford, Early presence of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia by 8668 kyr at Tam Pa Ling, Northern Laos, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38715-y. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38715-y Journal information: Nature Communications 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 dehorned black rhinoceros (D. bicornis) bull. Credit: Vanessa Duthe A team of biologists and game preservationists from the Universite of Neuchatel, working with a large number of colleagues affiliated with multiple institutions in South Africa, has found that removing horns from black rhinos to protect them from poachers may have social implications for the rhinos. In their study, reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group studied black rhino populations before and after horn removal to learn more about the impact removal has on them. Prior research has shown that rhinoceroses are under threat by poachers that kill them to illegally obtain their horns, which are a popular commodity in many Asian countries. In this new effort, the research team was focused on one of the two species of rhinos that live in Africa, the black rhino. The other species is the white rhino, and both are endangered. There are currently approximately 22,100 white rhinos and 6,200 black rhinos in Africa. Because of the threats both face, both have been given protected status. Unfortunately, despite armed rangers watching over them, both have suffered from population declines over the years. To prevent further losses, animal management authorities have authorized park administrators to remove the horns of many of the rhinos, eliminating the motive for poaching. Such removals have proven to be effectivepoaching has ground to a halt under the programs. However, these programs are not a simple solutionremoving horns safely is costly and puts workers and rhinos at risk of harm. Also, the horns grow back, and must be removed every 18 to 24 months. Less well understood is the impact on the rhinos after horn removal. To learn more, the researchers in this new effort studied the habits of black rhinos in the areas in which they roam. The team started by making maps of rhino range for the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in South Africa. They used data from sightings made before a dehorning project began in 2016 and then for sightings made over the subsequent years. They note that they were able to map the range for individual black rhinos through unique ear notches made by game managers. They found that after loss of a horn, male rhinos greatly reduced their rangesome lost up to 80% of their territory. For some females, the team reports, the reduced range was even greater. The group repeated their work in nine other game reserves using 15 years of data-gathering and found similar results. The researchers also found that removal of horns made the black rhinos less social with one anotherinstead of interacting, they would intentionally avoid one another. They conclude that horn removal may by be an indirect form of domestication. More information: Vanessa Duthe et al, Reductions in home-range size and social interactions among dehorned black rhinoceroses ( Diceros bicornis ), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301727120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 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: Credit: One Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100503 The use of social media by West African vendors to promote the illegal sale of bushmeat should be regulated to help prevent the emergence of diseases transmitted from animals to humans, a new study suggests. The devastation wrought by diseases such as Ebola and COVID-19 has brought into sharp relief the global threat of zoonotic diseases, where the virus jumps from animals to humans. According to the study published in the June issue of the journal One Health, the growth in wild meat sales advertised via social media could threaten species biodiversity and fuel the spread of such diseases. "Due to the widespread impacts of social media and evidence of the bushmeat trade in other countries such as in Europe, we wanted to investigate if social media provides a potential link between bushmeat vendors in Africa and consumers in other parts of the world," said Georgia Moloney, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide in Australia. The researchers analyzed Facebook posts promoting wild meat, published between 2018 and 2022 from five Facebook pages in Cote d'Ivoire and one in Nigeria. They identified 25 bushmeat species made up of mammals, birds and reptiles. Almost two-thirds of these were advertised as smoked while the others were sold as fresh, cooked or alive. Five of the six pages directed customers to the end-to-end encrypted private messaging service WhatsApp as the preferred method of communication, according to the study. Alternative channels of communication included sending a private message via Facebook Messenger. Such strategies, "designed to evade detection," add to the challenges around tracing and regulating the trade, the study said. Illegal wildlife trade Moloney told SciDev.Net that they wanted to understand the modern avenues which are being used to promote and sell bushmeat and understand how products are advertised to consumers. "We used basic descriptors to search for pages advertising bushmeat on Facebook as if we were customers," Moloney said. "It is clear that [social media platforms] are being used for the illegal wildlife trade despite policies and legislation in place to protect the sale of endangered species." Early this year, a new bill to combat illegal wildlife trade, the "Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill" passed the first reading at the Federal House of Representatives in Nigeria But Oladosun Abdulmojeed, a bushmeat seller in Ibadan, Nigeria, told SciDev.Net that he advertises bushmeat sales via Facebook and WhatsApp. "I sell them because people need them, and they should easily find them," explained Abdulmojeed, who has been in the business for more than ten years. "I do not see anything wrong with this trade. The findings of the study indicate that the authors and foreign countries only want to protect their wildlife." Henry Erikowa, a conservationist and founder of the Coastal and Marine Areas Development Initiative, Nigeria, says that the study's findings highlight how humans are destroying wild animals. He believes that social media advertising enables anyone to engage in the trade, whether licensed or not. This makes it difficult to know the types of bushmeat exported to countries outside of Africa, he says. "The authorities should regulate more control on point of entry and exit," Erikowa told SciDev.Net. He added that without sufficient regulation, government loses taxes and endangered species could be traded off without knowing. "We can work at reducing the occurrence of bushmeat sales but it may not be eliminated," he added. He acknowledges the challenge of preventing the practice of bushmeat sales but says there needs to be fast-track prosecution processes for violators of trade rules. More information: Georgia Kate Moloney et al, Is social media the new wet market? Social media platforms facilitate the online sale of bushmeat in West Africa, One Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100503 Provided by SciDev.Net 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 new strategy endowing natural nutriment curcumin provides smart fluorescence for anti-counterfeiting. Credit: Green Chemical Engineering (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.gce.2022.07.001 Stimuli-responsive fluorescent hydrogels (FHs) are excellent and attractive candidates for information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications, which can allow the stored information to be visualized by a vibrant display with a higher degree of security levels. However, hydrogel-based information storage devices for anti-counterfeiting are still in their infancy, so developing an environment-friendly, low-cost, and scalable approach to produce stimuli-responsive FHs is still challenging. Curcumin is a natural biocompatible and sustainable material, which has shown great therapeutic potential as an anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer compound. Although it is a pH-sensitive and fluorescent molecule, it is difficult to use in the hydrogels as fluorescent agent due to its very weak fluorescence in polar water. A study published in Green Chemical Engineering has introduced a new strategy to construct strong fluorescent hydrogels using curcumin as a fluorescent agent. The curcumin was loaded in to an amphiphilic quaternary ammonium (QA) micelle, which endows the hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and both pH-responsive color and fluorescence to provide a dual anti-counterfeiting capability. This facile scalable method for fabricating the pH-FHs shows great potential for producing materials for information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications. Co-corresponding author Xiubin Xu, from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Guangzhou University in China, explains, "Compared to conventional fluorescent agents, curcumin is natural, biocompatible, and sustainable, which is meaningful and interesting to facilitate its scalable application, such as anti-counterfeiting. As a result, we were able to obtain fluorescent hydrogels using the curcumin as fluorescent agents, which shows good mechanical properties, good anti-fatigue performance, and smart fluorescence responding to ammonia gas and formaldehyde gas." "The hydrogels also exhibit information storage-rewriting behavior and dual anti-counterfeiting capabilities. We believe that these strategies and achievements can facilitate the design of robust and smart FHs for information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications." More information: Xiubin Xu et al, Sustainable curcumin-based smart tough fluorescent hydrogels for anti-counterfeiting applications, Green Chemical Engineering (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.gce.2022.07.001 Provided by Green Chemical Engineering 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: 30 Doradus, also known as the Tarantula Nebula, is a region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Streamlines show the magnetic field morphology from SOFIA HAWC+ polarization maps. These are superimposed on a composite image captured by the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope and the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy. Credit: Background: ESO, M.-R. Cioni/VISTA Magellanic Cloud survey. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit. Streamlines: NASA/SOFIA The Tarantula Nebula is a star formation region in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Tarantula is about 160,000 light-years away and is highly luminous for a non-stellar object. It's the brightest and largest star formation region in the entire Local Group of galaxies. But it shouldn't be. The Tarantula Nebula, also called 30 Doradus, is dominated by a massive cluster of stars in its center called R136. The stars are both young and massive, and when enough of them are concentrated in one area, it's called a starburst region. R136 qualifies for that distinction. The stars in R136 are so tightly packed that in the scale of distance between our sun and its nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, there are tens of thousands of stars. These progressively zoomed-in images of RC136 are from the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope. The star cluster is 10 million times more luminous than the sun. The brightest star is named R136a1 and is 265 times more massive than our sun, putting it near the top of the list of most massive stars ever found. Image Credit: By ESO/P. Crowther/C.J. Evans The young cluster RMC 136a, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11013676 Massive young stars consume their hydrogen fuel at a ferocious rate, and they output enormous amounts of energy. That energy shapes the Tarantula Nebula. It's created expanding bubbles in the gas, one of which is visible in the JWST image below, up and to the left of the central cluster, R136. R136 is responsible for a group of these bubbles. But there's abundant weirdness in the center of the Tarantula Nebula. All the stellar radiation from all those intensely energetic stars should be pressurizing the gas in the center. But it's not. And the center area's mass is lower than expected. In order for the area to be as stable as it is, it should be more massive. What's going on? The JWST captured this image of the Tarantula Nebula and its R136 starburst region with its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument. The most active region appears to sparkle with massive young stars, appearing pale blue. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team In a new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal, researchers explain what's happening. The paper is "SOFIA Observations of 30 Doradus. II. Magnetic Fields and Large-scale Gas Kinematics." The lead author is Le Ngoc Tram from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. SOFIA is the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy. The mission has ended now, but it was a converted Boeing 747 with a large infrared telescope fitted inside. SOFIA flew overnight missions where it observed different phenomena in the night sky in the infrared. Infrared observations are difficult from Earth's surface, and much more effective from space where there's no intervening atmosphere. SOFIA was an effective way to get above most of Earth's atmosphere without the expense and complication of launching a space telescope. SOFIA retired in September 2022 and was a joint mission between NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft.) This paper is based on observations gathered before then. Astronomers used SOFIA's High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus (HAWC+) to study the interplay between magnetic fields and gravity in 30 Doradus. Observations show that the magnetic fields in the Tarantula Nebula are responsible for keeping the region together. "The entire 30 Dor is a complex star-forming region, which clearly shows a core-halo structure, in which there are multiple parsec-scale expanding-shells structures in the outer region and a cloud in the inner region," the paper states. The stellar wind from all the massive stars, along with supernovae, is responsible for these bubbles. This image from the research shows the complex structure of the region with multiple large expanding shells produced by the hot cluster wind from R136 (indicated by a red star), and a slow expanding shell from the supernova remnant 30DorB (lower right). The white box shows the region covered by SOFIA/HAWC+ that this work covers. Credit: Tram et al. 2023 The heart of 30 Doradus' weirdness is its turbulence. The powerful stellar winds from the massive stars, combined with energy from supernova explosions, shove the gas in the region around. It should be mayhem, with gas being dispersed and slowing star formation. Since that's not happening, scientists want to know why. To find out, the researchers in this work mapped the magnetic fields, known as B-fields in astronomy. 30 Doradus is far too distant for astronomers to directly measure its magnetic fields. But SOFIA is an infrared observatory, so the researchers observed the region in three far infrared wavebands: 89, 154, and 214 m. Together they created a polarimetric portrait of the gas in the region. They also used CII observations, called the ionized carbon forbidden line, which is at 158 m and shows fine detail. The team used their observations and the work of other researchers studying 30 Doradus. They mapped the magnetic fields and the gas velocities in the region to get a clearer look at 30 Doradus. The magnetic fields are inferred from the velocity gradients (VG.) Their specific goal? "With a distance of 50 kpc away from Earth, it is close enough to obtain parsec-scale resolutions to study the impact of the feedback and turbulence on the surrounding molecular cloud," the authors write. These images from the work are RGB images that help show both the magnetic fields and the movement of gas in 30 Doradus. The white lines in the left panel show the morphology of the magnetic fields. The yellow lines show redshifted and blueshifted gas and their axis. The different colours of gas show their different velocities. The left panel shows the observations for CII, the ionized carbon forbidden line. The right panel is similar to the left but is based on carbon monoxide. Credit: Tram et al. 2023 The team also used their data to chart PV (position-velocity) diagrams and give us a great look at some of the features in the region. The PV diagrams show the position of several different velocity gradients (VG) in the gas. Each velocity gradient shows the location of an expanding bubble in 30 Doradus' gas. "These PV diagrams confirm that there are several organized VGs in the region. These gradients cover a velocity interval of 515 km s-1 in most PV diagrams and come in the form of curves/half-elliptical features that have been associated with expanding shells," the authors write. This partial figure from the research shows PV diagrams that indicate four different expanding gas bubbles in 30 Doradus. Credit: Tram et al. 2023 The crux of this work is in the form of a question: "How can we explain the ongoing star formations in strong B-fields?" the authors ask. "We suspect that B-fields play a crucial role here in holding the cloud integrity," the authors write in their paper. "The B-field morphology orients perpendicular to the radiation direction so that the magnetic pressure could resist pressure coming from this direction," they explain. The radiation is the energy coming from the energetic young stars. It comes down to their strength. They're strong enough to regulate the flow of gas in the region and keep the entire structure together despite the combined stellar winds from all the young stars. They're also stronger than the gravity that tries to collapse the gas clouds into even more stars. But the strength of these fields varies. In some regions, they're weaker, and that allows gas to move and form the expanding bubbles. Gas is continuously channeled into these bubbles, and inside them, the gas is dense enough to form stars. Obviously, 30 Doradus is a complex region. With a starburst region, powerful magnetic fields, superheated gas, and bubbles of gas, the region is like a lure to astronomers. "The entire 30 Dor is a complex star-forming region, which clearly shows a core-halo structure, in which there are multiple parsec-scale expanding-shells structures in the outer region and a cloud in the inner region," the authors explain. This research helps explain all the goings-on in the part of 30 Dor covered in this study and the role that the magnetic fields play. As far as how these powerful magnetic fields shape the entire nebula, more research is needed to figure that out. "We argue that future polarimetric observations covering a large area in 30 Dor will be necessary to better understand the role of B-fields in the kinematical evolution of the entire 30 Dor region," the authors write. What's still left to establish is the role that the Large Magellanic Cloud's magnetic fields play. To understand that, the authors say, will require radio wave observations. Astronomers have already gathered some observations of the LMC in radio waves with the Parkes Radio Telescope and the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Those observations showed that the LMC's magnetic fields are partly shaped by its tidal interactions with the Small Magellanic Cloud. But those observations weren't fine enough to reveal the link between the LMC and 30 Doradus. "More sensitivity and resolution of polarimetric observations at radio wavelengths are needed to better understand the link from the galactic-scale to cloud-scale B-fields," the authors conclude. More information: Le Ngoc Tram et al, SOFIA Observations of 30 Doradus. II. Magnetic Fields and Large-scale Gas Kinematics, The Astrophysical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acaab0 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal 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: University of Manchester An international team of researchers who discovered a vast network of stone walls along the River Nile in Egypt and Sudan say these massive "river groins" reveal an exceptionally long-lived form of hydraulic engineering in the Nile Valley, and shed light on connections between ancient Nubia and Egypt. The findings of this studyconducted as part of the British Museum's Amara West Research Project, in collaboration with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museumshave been published in the journal Geoarchaeology. Lead author, Dr. Matthew Dalton of The University of Western Australia, said, "We used satellite imagery, drone and ground surveys, as well as historical sources, to locate nearly 1,300 river groins between the 1st Cataract in southern Egypt and the 4th Cataract in Sudan." Hundreds of these groins are now submerged beneath the Aswan High Dam reservoir, and were relocated in 19th century travelers' diaries, a 200-year-old map, and archives of aerial photographs, including some taken by the Royal Air Force in 1934. Many river groins are now located in the desert, within ancient, dry Nile channels. "We know that reaches of the Nile in Sudan had multiple channels earlier in the Holocene and many of them dried out when river flows decreased due to climate change," said study co-author Professor Jamie Woodward of The University of Manchester. The team used radiocarbon and luminescence dating techniques to establish that some walls in these ancient channels were built over 3,000 years ago. These walls trapped fertile silts during the Nile's annual inundation, and crops could be grown on this reclaimed land without artificial irrigation. Radiometric dating suggests that this form of landscape engineering was first undertaken by the region's indigenous Nubian communities, as well as the inhabitants of towns established later by the ancient Egyptian state. "From speaking with farmers in Sudanese Nubia, we also learnt that river groins continued to be built as recently as the 1970s, and that the land formed by some walls is still cultivated today," Dr. Dalton said. "This incredibly long-lived hydraulic technology played a crucial role in enabling communities to grow food and thrive in the challenging landscapes of Nubia for over 3000 years." The researchers also identified much larger stone walls within the Nile, some up to five meters thick and 200 meters longbarrages which would have directed river flow and aided boat navigation through treacherous Nile rapids. Dr. Dalton said, "these monumental river groins helped to connect the people of ancient Egypt and Nubia by facilitating the long-distance movement of resources, armies, people and ideas up and down the Nile." Dr. Neal Spencer, deputy director at the Fitzwilliam Museum (University of Cambridge) and Director of the Amara West Research Project, notes, "this study shows how interdisciplinary research can provide insights into enduring traditions, technologies and agricultural practices within Nubia, balancing the inherently biased information in the ancient Egyptian textual record." More information: Matthew Dalton et al, Three thousand years of river channel engineering in the Nile Valley, Geoarchaeology (2023). DOI: 10.1002/gea.21965 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: By analyzing new observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a team led by Simon Lilly of ETH Zurich in Switzerland found evidence that galaxies that existed 900 million years after the big bang ionized the gas around them, causing it to become transparent. They also used Webb to precisely measure the gas around the galaxies, identifying that bubbles of ionized gas have a 2 million light-year radius around the tiny galaxies. Over the next hundred million years, the bubbles grew larger and larger, eventually merging and causing the entire universe to become transparent. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Simon Lilly (ETH Zurich), Daichi Kashino (Nagoya University), Jorryt Matthee (ETH Zurich), Christina Eilers (MIT), Rob Simcoe (MIT), Rongmon Bordoloi (NCSU), Ruari Mackenzie (ETH Zurich); Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI) Ruari Macken In the early universe, the gas between stars and galaxies was opaqueenergetic starlight could not penetrate it. But 1 billion years after the big bang, the gas had become completely transparent. Why? New data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has pinpointed the reason: The galaxies' stars emitted enough light to heat and ionize the gas around them, clearing our collective view over hundreds of millions of years. The results, from a research team led by Simon Lilly of ETH Zurich in Switzerland, are the newest insights about a time period known as the Era of Reionization, when the universe underwent dramatic changes. After the big bang, gas in the universe was incredibly hot and dense. Over hundreds of millions of years, the gas cooled. Then, the universe hit "repeat." The gas again became hot and ionizedlikely due to the formation of early stars in galaxies, and over millions of years, became transparent. Researchers have long sought definitive evidence to explain these transformations. The new results effectively pull back the curtain at the end of this reionization period. "Not only does Webb clearly show that these transparent regions are found around galaxies, we've also measured how large they are," explained Daichi Kashino of Nagoya University in Japan, the lead author of the team's first paper. "With Webb's data, we are seeing galaxies reionize the gas around them." These regions of transparent gas are gigantic compared to the galaxiesimagine a hot air balloon with a pea suspended inside. Webb's data shows that these relatively tiny galaxies drove reionization, clearing massive regions of space around them. Over the next hundred million years, these transparent "bubbles" continued to grow larger and larger, eventually merging and causing the entire universe to become transparent. Lilly's team intentionally targeted a time just before the end of the Era of Reionization, when the universe was not quite clear and not quite opaqueit contained a patchwork of gas in various states. Scientists aimed Webb in the direction of a quasaran extremely luminous active supermassive black hole that acts like an enormous flashlighthighlighting the gas between the quasar and our telescopes. (Find it at the center of this view: It is tiny and pink with six prominent diffraction spikes.) More than 13 billion years ago, during the Era of Reionization, the universe was a very different place. The gas between galaxies was largely opaque to energetic light, making it difficult to observe young galaxies. What allowed the universe to become completely ionized, leading to the clear conditions detected in much of the universe today? Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope found that galaxies are overwhelmingly responsible. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joyce Kang (STScI) As the quasar's light traveled toward us through different patches of gas, it was either absorbed by gas that was opaque or moved freely through transparent gas. The team's groundbreaking results were only possible by pairing Webb's data with observations of the central quasar from the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and the Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, both in Chile. "By illuminating gas along our line of sight, the quasar gives us extensive information about the composition and state of the gas," explained Anna-Christina Eilers of MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the lead author of another team paper. The researchers then used Webb to identify galaxies near this line of sight and showed that the galaxies are generally surrounded by transparent regions about 2 million light-years in radius. In other words, Webb witnessed galaxies in the process of clearing the space around them at the end of the Era of Reionization. To put this in perspective, the area these galaxies have cleared is approximately the same distance as the space between our Milky Way galaxy and our nearest neighbor, Andromeda. Until now, researchers didn't have this definitive evidence of what caused reionizationbefore Webb, they weren't certain precisely what was responsible. What do these galaxies look like? "They are more chaotic than those in the nearby universe," explained Jorryt Matthee, also of ETH Zurich and the lead author of the team's second paper. "Webb shows they were actively forming stars and must have been shooting off many supernovae. They had quite an adventurous youth!" NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has returned extraordinarily detailed near-infrared images of galaxies that existed when the universe was only 900 million years old, including never-before-seen structures. These distant galaxies are clumpy, often elongated, and are actively forming stars. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Simon Lilly (ETH Zurich), Daichi Kashino (Nagoya University), Jorryt Matthee (ETH Zurich), Christina Eilers (MIT), Rob Simcoe (MIT), Rongmon Bordoloi (NCSU), Ruari Mackenzie (ETH Zurich); Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI), Ruari Macke Along the way, Eilers used Webb's data to confirm that the black hole in the quasar at the center of this field is the most massive currently known in the early universe, weighing 10 billion times the mass of the Sun. "We still can't explain how quasars were able to grow so large so early in the history of the universe," she shared. "That's another puzzle to solve!" The exquisite images from Webb also revealed no evidence that the light from the quasar had been gravitationally lensed, ensuring that the mass measurements are definitive. The team will soon dive into research about galaxies in five additional fields, each anchored by a central quasar. Webb's results from the first field were so overwhelmingly clear that they couldn't wait to share them. "We expected to identify a few dozen galaxies that existed during the Era of Reionizationbut were easily able to pick out 117," Kashino explained. "Webb has exceeded our expectations." Lilly's research team, the Emission-line galaxies and Intergalactic Gas in the Epoch of Reionization (EIGER), have demonstrated the unique power of combining conventional images from Webb's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) with data from the same instrument's wide-field slitless spectroscopy mode, which gives a spectrum of every object in the imagesturning Webb into what the team calls a "spectacular spectroscopic redshift machine." The team's first publications include "EIGER I. a large sample of [O iii]-emitting galaxies at 5.3 < z < 6.9 and direct evidence for local reionization by galaxies," led by Kashino, "EIGER II. first spectroscopic characterisation of the young stars and ionised gas associated with strong H and [OIII] line-emission in galaxies at z = 57 with JWST," led by Matthee, and "EIGER III. JWST/NIRCam observations of the ultra-luminous high-redshift quasar J0100+2802," led by Eilers, and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal on June 12. More information: Daichi Kashino et al, EIGER. I. A Large Sample of [O iii]-emitting Galaxies at 5.3 < z < 6.9 and Direct Evidence for Local Reionization by Galaxies, The Astrophysical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acc588 Jorryt Matthee et al, EIGER. II. First Spectroscopic Characterization of the Young Stars and Ionized Gas Associated with Strong H and [O iii] Line Emission in Galaxies at z = 57 with JWST, The Astrophysical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acc846 Anna-Christina Eilers et al, EIGER. III. JWST/NIRCam Observations of the Ultraluminous High-redshift Quasar J0100+2802, The Astrophysical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acd776 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal SARATOGA COUNTY A Warrensburg man was arrested for having inappropriate contact with a child, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday. According to a news release, the sheriff's Criminal Investigations Unit received a report on Thursday that an adult man had inappropriate contact with a child. Police said the investigation determined that Leon Carney, 19, had sexual contact with a girl under 13 years old at a residence in the Village of Victory Mills. The investigation also determined that Carney sent indecent material through a social networking app to the same girl, the sheriff's office said. Carney was arrested and charged with first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors, second-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in the Town of Saratoga Court and was taken to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash, $2,000 bond or a $10,000 partially secured bond. GREENWICH A Greenwich man has been arrested following an investigation by the Washington County Sheriffs Office for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender in October. Police arrested Robert C. Kelly Jr., 24, Friday after an investigation by the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Kelly was charged with two counts for failure to properly register as a sex offender, a class E Felony, as a result of a grand jury indictment in Washington County. Kelly was arraigned in Washington County Court and held at Washington County jail, pending future court appearances. Kelly was sentenced in 2014 to 2 to 6 years in prison in Orange County after being convicted of first-degree rape, according to the state inmate database. He was released late in 2018. He is classified as a Leve 3 sex offender, which is the highest risk for reoffending, according to the state inmate database. BARNEGAT LIGHT The 217-step journey above the Jersey Shore is in reach for visitors again after the state completed a $1.3 million overhaul of the lighthouse at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. This is an exciting day to be here, Rebecca Fitzgerald, administrator for the New Jersey Parks Service, said from in front of a statue of the lighthouses builder, U.S. Army Maj. Gordon Meade. For the first time since mid-2022, the lighthouse was opened to visitors Saturday. Nearly 1,000 people visited the site this past weekend. The lighthouse and its park typically see about a half-million guests a year, officials said. They hope more people are eager to see the over 100-year-old structures renovations. We want the visitors, especially, to show up and see how beautiful it is, Fitzgerald said. Nicknamed Old Barney, the lighthouse sits at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Visitors who make their way to the top are greeted by a small room below the lighthouses illuminating bulb and lens, walking out from there to a nearly 170-foot view of the island to the south, bay waters to the north and Atlantic Ocean to the east. Admission to the state park has been waived because of an executive order by Gov. Phil Murphy. Ocean County awards over $107,000 in tourism grants Ocean County awarded $107,739 in grants to 24 nonprofits hosting tourism-related events in t During the trip to the lighthouses top, signs depicting events in the lighthouses history educate visitors about the surrounding areas. Its a trip Caitlin Ratz has enjoyed about 10 times. The view was as rewarding as the climb, said Ratz, 34, of Florham Park, Morris County, seated on a bench at the park with her children after climbing the lighthouse staircase. Tuesday was the first time Ratz had visited the lighthouse since it reopened, she said. New to the lighthouse is a coat of paint expected to last about 20 years, state park officials said. Other interior work included repairs to the lanterns steel platform, roof restorations and window replacements, Fitzgerald said. The Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a nonprofit that aids in the structures upkeep, also donated a beacon lantern and security fencing around it, Fitzgerald said. Cameras are set to be installed that will allow for livestreaming of the views from the top of the lighthouse, Fitzgerald said. On Tuesday, about 100 visitors took advantage of the nice weather to visit the park. Barnegat Lighthouse to shine again after $1.3 million in renovations BARNEGAT LIGHT The beacon at Barnegat Lighthouse will shine once more after a seven-month Atop the lighthouse, cellphones and cameras captured the view amid a gusty wind. The lighthouse is one of three the federal government tasked Meade, an engineer, with building. It began warning vessels on New Years Day in 1859, construction having taken the previous two years, costing about $60,000 at the time. It was originally fitted with a lens delivered from France, said Mark Texel, administrator of state historic sites. A lighthouse has been at the location, however, since 1834, Texel said. The shoals are very dangerous, Texel said. As a navigation aid, this was a critical, lifesaving house that was a wooden structure when it was first built. It would be decommissioned and acquired by the state in 1927. Afterward, it would assist the military in World War II as a watchtower, Texel said. Its 32 acres were deemed New Jersey State Park land in 1951, and the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The site went through previous renovations, including the construction of a current jetty guarding it from waters in 1987. It would be unlit until the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park led an effort to have it reignite its spotlight in 2009. While modern commercial ships likely rely mostly on sonar for navigation, local boaters still trust in Old Barney to guide them along the coast, Fitzgerald said. It can be seen about 21.5 miles from sea, Texel said. GALLERY: Barnegat Lighthouse reopens VINELAND More than 1,500 boots will be laid on Vineland High School's grounds later this month to remember local service member killed in action, city officials said Monday. Dubbed the "Boots Memorial," the display will be seen from June 22-25 at the high school on Chestnut Avenue, officials said in a news release. Ceremonies will be held to both open and conclude the memorial. Each boot represents a lost service member from Atlantic, Gloucester, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties. An identifying tag of the fallen military member, including their name, rank and the date they died in combat, will be included on them. Veterans; Mayor Anthony Fanucci; state Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic; and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, are scheduled to give remarks during the ceremonies, officials said. Freedom is not free, Fanucci said in a statement. Every single one of the boots which will make up the memorial represents a soldier, but it is more than that. There is a family and a story behind every single one. This memorial reminds us all of the sacrifices our fallen heroes have made for this great nation of ours, and it lets their family members know those soldiers have not been forgotten." The service members honored through the memorial extend from World War I to the present, officials said. "We felt it was important to stage the boot display because it is a reminder to every one of the sacrifices military personnel and their families make for our country every day, said Katrina DAlessandro, president of South Jersey Volunteers for Veterans, which is organizing the memorial. The visual of all the boots lined up helps people see the number of South Jersey service members who have given their lives in service to their country." EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City is celebrating 25 years this year. Based at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, the air station serves as the base for 12 MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and remains in a constant state of readiness, with two of its aircraft constantly on standby and capable of getting airborne within 30 minutes. The air station was established in late 1998 as a result of the closing and merger of Air Station Cape May and Air Station Brooklyn. Since that time, the unit has flown more than 7,000 search-and-rescue missions, saved more than 600 lives and flown more than 182,000 flight hours, an equivalent of 20 years, according to a news release by Lt. Gillian Gerton and Chief Petty Officer Cynthia Oldham. Besides search and rescue, the air station flies missions supporting law enforcement, port security and marine environmental protection for both New England and the Mid-Atlantic, the news release states. Air Station Atlantic City crews also help protect the presidents airspace throughout the country and over Washington, D.C., as part of the National Capital Region Air Defense Facility, which comes under the operational control of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Other notable milestones of the Coast Guard's local air mission are: Air Station Cape May, formed in 1926, was the Coast Guards first air station. Chief Petty Officer Charles Thrun, the first enlisted man to serve as a pilot in Cape May, became the services first aviation-related death when his aircraft crashed into the waters off Cape May in 1935. Cape May aircrews flew the first aerial security patrol in U.S. history as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts Fleet Review in New York Harbor. Air Station Atlantic City was part of Operation Noble Eagle, which sought to protect U.S. and Canadian airspace following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "Coast Guard members who serve at Air Station Atlantic City recognize every single day the sacrifices of the Coast Guard men and women who paved the way for todays Coast Guard," the news release states. "The devotion of Coast Guard crews who served in Cape May and in New York is revered and their courage will continue to inspire future generations of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City Coast Guardsmen." UPPER TOWNSHIP Its time for the township to take a stand on wind power, residents and advocates told members of the Township Committee on Monday. Two of the five committee members agreed, with member Curtis Corson citing the potential damage to the areas existing economy if wind farms are constructed off the coast as planned. Several residents of the township and neighboring communities spoke at the meeting, calling on Upper to join the opposition to the projects. Cape May Countys commissioners approved a resolution stating their opposition to the offshore wind projects, and so far, 50 mayors from New Jersey and beyond have signed a petition calling for a moratorium on work related to the projects. Theyre going to destroy our tourism. Theyre going to destroy our fishing industry, Corson said. Summer visitors will not want views of the windmills, he said. I dont think theyre fiscally sound. I dont think theyre responsible. Its going to end in total failure. Committee members discussed the matter earlier this year, but at that time, Mayor Jay Newman said the committee did not anticipate joining the call for a moratorium. He did not address the request for a vote made during the public comment portion of the meeting. Members Kim Hayes and Mark Pancoast also remained unmoved, but another member of the committee agreed with Corson that it was time for a vote. I definitely think its time for us to take a stance on it one way or another, said Committee member Victor Nappen II. Several of the speakers alleged the wind power projects could bring devastating consequences. We are quite literally on the front lines right here in Cape May County, said resident Chelsea Headley, one of several speakers who asked the township to join in opposition to the projects. This is not a done deal, no matter how much supporters of the project continue to say so. If we dont defend our homes from this impending boondoggle, who will? Trenton hearing continues debate over cause of whale deaths TRENTON Offshore wind power development runs the risk of devastating Cape May Countys tou At least one speaker asked what the township would be paid for allowing wind power to go through, with repeated allegations that environmental groups in the state support the proposal because of financial contributions, an accusation members of the organizations have denied. Upper Township has not been offered anything, said Hayes after the regular meeting. She and Newman said the situation is more complex than wind power opponents believe, and Newman said many in the township support wind power. Its not just black and white, he said. The township is in negotiation over a redevelopment agreement with the owners of the former B.L. England power plant, where there are plans for a major commercial development project. The site is also one of the places where electric lines from the Ocean Wind 1 project are set to land, after running across Ocean City and along the county right-of-way, which is another area of contention between some local governments and the project developers. Invoking a slogan of former President Donald Trump, Newman said the Township Committees responsibility is to the local community. Upper Township first, alright? he said. Were part of Cape May County, were part of the United States, but Upper Township first. There remains a great deal of confusion surrounding the local impact, Newman said. So far, the only vote the township has taken on the project was to approve the relocation of a planned substation where the electricity will come in to Beesleys Point. There is already a substation at the site, Newman said, and there would not be anything the township could do to stop that. The vote allowed it to be relocated to a different part of the property, away from the waterfront development. The substation was part of a deal approved by the former owners of the power plant, Newman said. Feds move wind power proposals forward Two major wind power projects planned off the New Jersey coast have taken big steps forward So far, the Beesleys Point Development Group has not made plans for the rest of site public, but there have been some pubic discussions about a marina, restaurant and hotel at the property. There remains some confusion over the potential financial impact of the project, Newman said. At one point in the meeting, one of the speakers mentioned a $6 million payment in connection with the wind power projects. Each year, the township gets $6.19 million from the state Energy Receipts Tax, which makes up a significant portion of the $15.8 million township budget. That funding used to be compensation for the township hosting the coal-fired power plant, but a change in the state formula made years ago disconnected the funding from the power plant, and reduced the amount the township received. Also at the Monday meeting, committee members discussed supporting a proposal that would return the former formula, which would mean more for the township, but that effort may not yield any results. There has also been discussion about the potential tax benefits of development of the former power plant site, but there, too, the potential long-term impact is unclear. The proposed wind power development off the coast has the potential to be a massive investment, and a new direction for energy generation in the Northeast. As wind power opponents pointed out at the meeting, each individual wind turbine would stand hundreds of feet above the water, taller than any building in the county and rivaling the tallest buildings in New Jersey. President Joe Biden and Gov. Phil Murphy back the offshore projects, touting them as a means of reducing carbon emissions, producing renewable energy and building a new economy. The Ocean Wind 1 project, the first of several in the works, plans to begin generating electricity next year. There are also plans for Atlantic Shores off Atlantic City and for Ocean Wind 2, with additional projects expected along a significant portion of the East Coast. At times, the fight has been cast along partisan lines, with many of the areas Republican representatives in opposition, but Upper Townships government is entirely Republican, and some Democratic mayors have signed off on the call for a moratorium. Wind power project demands permit for Ocean City right-of-way OCEAN CITY The front line of the battle over offshore wind power in New Jersey now appears Corson is up for reelection this year, but there was no primary race for the GOP nomination, and no Democratic candidate named to challenge him in November. At the meeting Monday, one resident mentioned opposition to running a natural gas pipeline to the B.L. England plant. She questioned where the current wind power opponents were during that lengthy fight, which had the potential to keep the plant in operation. Corson said the township unequivocally supported the pipeline, which was held up for years over permits to bring it through the pinelands. In 2019, with that fight still underway, the owners of the power plant decided not to make the switch from coal and diesel to natural gas, obviating the need for the pipeline project and moving toward the eventual decommissioning of the plant. What's Happening in the Region The Shrinking Caspian Sea Authorities in Kazakhstans coastal city of Aqtau declared an emergency situation on June 7 because of the Caspian Sea's receding water. Aktau officials stressed the situation would not affect electricity or water supplies to the city. A study of the situation was ordered. Authorities described the emergency as localized. However, hundreds of miles to the south, Turkmenistan has already been reporting a noticeable drop in the level of the Caspian Sea. RFE/RLs Turkmen service, known locally as Azatlyk, reported on May 29 that the level of water along Turkmenistans Caspian coast had dropped by 13.8-15.75 inches (35-40 cm). Seven years ago, then-Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov ordered construction of an artificial island, similar to Dubai, near the Turkmen coastal resort area of Avaza. An Azatlyk correspondent said, Now the island has become a hill on the shore of the sea. Kazakh Ecology Minister Zulfiya Suleymenova said the Caspian Seas falling water level was due to a combination of less water flowing out of the Volga River into the sea and climate change. Why its Important: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have built huge new Caspian ports in recent years to take advantage of East-West trade routes that are being developed to connect China to Europe. Coastal cities, such as Aqtau, have been growing along with the expansion of the port there. The same process is happening in Caspian littoral states Azerbaijan and Iran; new ports, and as new jobs are created at those ports, growing cities. As the water levels drop, ships will be unable to reach the docks. As one Azatlyk correspondent said, In 10 years, the Turkmenbashi port will turn into a parking lot. Repairs and upgrades at Turkmenbashi port that cost some $1.5 billion were completed in 2018. Also, the lands on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea are deserts: the Qyzyl-Qum Desert in Kazakhstan and Gara-Gum Desert in Turkmenistan. The growing populations there, and hopes for opening up land for agriculture, hinged on plants to desalinize the salty water of the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan plans to build nine desalinization plants along its Caspian coast, Azerbaijan is building one on its Caspian coast, and Iran has also been considering it. Water levels are already falling. Use of desalinization plants will hasten the drop in water levels. After Using the Stick, Russia Offers Kyrgyzstan the Carrot Last weeks newsletter looked at Russias dissatisfaction with recent legislation in Kyrgyzstan. It seems Russia is using the carrot-and-the-stick approach to maintain influence in Kyrgyzstan. Moscow has pivoted from its rebukes of Kyrgyzstan to now offering help in solving Kyrgyzstans chronic energy problems. Russian state nuclear power company Rosatom is again proposing construction of a small nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kyrgyzstan. Rosatom chief Aleksei Likhachev discussed the idea with chairman of Kyrgyzstans Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov during the latters recent visit to Sochi. On June 9, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Snikkars said his country is interested in helping Kyrgyzstan build the massive Kambar-Ata-1 hydropower plant. Why Its Important: After Rosatom first posted about a tentative deal with Kyrgyzstan for constructing a small NPP in January 2022, Kyrgyz environmental organizations started a petition against the plan. Russia has been an off-and-on partner with Kyrgyzstan in the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP project. A deal in 2008 deal for Russia to help build Kambar-Ata-1 also fell apart. Kyrgyzstan annulled a different deal with Russia to build the HPP in January 2016 after waiting four years for construction to start. Russia needs allies and the Kremlin has been paying a lot of attention to the Central Asian states. Most of the Central Asian states suffer from energy shortages and it seems the Kremlin is holding out energy cooperation to keep Central Asia close to Russia. Moscow has already offered to sell natural gas to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Latest Majlis Podcast This weeks Majlis podcast discusses a recent in-depth report from a group of Kazakh NGOs about the legality of President Qasym-Zhomat Toqaev giving an order to shoot to kill during unrest in January 2022. The report also covers detentions and use of torture during the unrest, and investigations and trial processes that followed. This weeks guests are: Tatiana Chernobil, member of the Documentation Center of the Human Rights Alliance for Fundamental Freedoms, which produced the report; Mihra Rittmann, senior Central Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch; and Yevgeniy Zhovtis, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law. What I'm Following Why is Otabek Sattoriy in Prison? In May 2021, Uzbek blogger Otabek Sattoriy was sentenced to six years and six months in prison after being convicted of extortion and defamation, charges Satoriy denies. Sattoriy wrote about corruption in the Surhandarya Province and was sued by several officials who featured prominently in Sattoriys reports. One of those officials was Isroil Khudoyberdiev, the mayor of the provincial capital Termez until September 2022. Khudoyberdiev and 17 of his deputies are now on trial, facing charges of bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power. Tajik Authorities Seize Aga Khans Hotel Tajik authorities have nationalized the Serena hotel in Khorugh that belongs to the Aga Khan Fund. Khorugh is the capital of eastern Tajikistans Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). The Tajik government has been implementing a relentless crackdown in GBAO since May 2022 when government forces responded to peaceful protests by launching a security operation. Most people in GBAO are Ismaili Muslims, Shiites whose spiritual leader is the Aga Khan. Since Turkmenistan's 1991 independence, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has been active in GBAO. AKDN has done more than the Tajik government for the people of GBAO. The AKDN has built infrastructure projects such as small hydropower plants, developed hybird crops that can grow in the high altitudes of the Pamir Mountains, and established a university in Khorugh. Part of the governments crackdown on GBAO includes attempting to eliminate the Aga Khans influence. Fact of the Week Russias full-scale war in Ukraine has forced millions of Ukrainian citizens to flee the country, dropping Ukraines population to some 29 million now. That makes Uzbekistan, population some 36 million, the second most populous country among the countries that became independent when the Soviet Union collapsed. Get in Touch Thanks for reading this weeks newsletter. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @BrucePannier or click reply if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or just want to connect with me about topics concerning Central Asia. Please consider filling out this brief survey so that I can better understand how this newsletter can be useful for you. See you next week for more on whats happening in Central Asia. Until next time, Bruce Mayor Mike Matson in his annual State of the City address Monday said the city had "things to look at, moving forward," following the partial collapse of a downtown Davenport apartment building. But Matson did not specify what the city needs to look at and did not take questions after the address. "We'll grow and do better, that's the focus," the mayor said in concluding his speech. Matson started and ended his speech by recognizing the victims, survivors and first responders in the collapse of 324 Main St. but spent the bulk of his 45-minute speech highlighting other goings-on in the city, including the new Fire Station No. 3, Main Street Landing and the launch last year of a violence-prevention strategy. He asked for a moment of silence for the three men who died in the collapse and said their names: Branden Colvin, Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien. He recognized the recovery from the severe injuries Quanishia "Peach" Berry sustained and the dozens of individuals and families displaced from their homes. They mayor and other city officials have faced questions as to why residents weren't evacuated from 324 Main St. despite complaints of cracked walls and floors, an assessment from a structural engineer five days before the collapse, warning that large patches of brick appeared "ready to fall imminently;" a non-emergency 911 call, alerting first responders to bulging of the west wall; and the fire department and city inspectors being on site the day before the collapse. City officials have said they relied on structural engineering reports, including one from February that assured there was no need for an emergency evacuation and another five days before the collapse that did not raise alarms. Although Matson has alluded to the city reviewing its inspection processes to assess other buildings, he hasn't shared anything specific. One building near the site of the collapse was ordered to be shored and evacuated last week because of "areas of structural concern." Other building owners downtown have preemptively started doing improvements to their buildings without nudges from the city, said Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership. "There's going to be a lot more scrutiny on the improvements of buildings, but we welcome that," Carter said. Matson ended his speech by thanking the first responders from Davenport, surrounding cities and state and federal agencies. "Firefighters running into that building as rescue teams with all their (gear) on, knowing that that building could fall, knowing that pieces of concrete can come down at any moment, only caring to try and find people and save their lives; Surgeons, medical folks, nurses, going into that building to save lives and execute trauma surgery," Matson said. "When a call is needed, people respond. I can't thank and I have no words other than thank you," Matson added. Matson has been at the forefront of the city's communications, appearing at each news conference since the building failure on May 28. "So many people involved with the sole purpose of caring to help," Matson said during his speech Monday at the Rhythm City Casino. "Do we have things to look at moving forward? Of course we do. Of course we do. But that Sunday evening, into Monday, and the respective days afterward, that's what partnerships and people around this community do, is they care." Also on Monday, the physical demolition of the building began in earnest. Excavators pulled down portions of the west wall to the south of the collapse zone. The city announced the additional dismantling activity on Sunday evening. Dismantling and clearing the debris is expected to take several weeks, Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email to news organizations. Strengths of the city Matson praised accomplishments from the city in the past year during the bulk of his address. He called the state of the city's finances "strong," citing a balanced budget and the city receiving a bond rating upgrade earlier this year. Matson also highlighted city spending on fixing streets, sewer, and other infrastructure, including work continuing on 53rd Street, and a recently announced $7.7 million grant going toward the city's plan for an overpass at South Concord Street to bypass train traffic near the Water Pollution Control Plant and compost facility. He also applauded efforts from city staff and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the 2023 floods, saying that the city learned lessons from 2019 when HESCO barriers broke and flooded much of the lower downtown, causing upward of an estimated $30 million in damage, closing some businesses for good. The Corps issued recommendations for the city's flood response in 2023. "Sometimes we have to go through tough times and have things happen so that we learn, that we grow and we fix what we were doing," Matson said. "And this is a great example. In 2019, understand people were not happy with us, so we engaged our friends from the Corps." The city is also implementing its flood plan, which passed council in 2021, Matson touted, which starts with underground infrastructure to prevent floodwaters from bubbling up from the storm sewers. Federal earmarks passed in December 2022 are funding a backflow-prevention project at the intersection of River Drive and Marquette Street to halt river water from backing up into the intersection up to major flood stage (18 feet). The city also dedicated COVID-19 relief funds to a $4 million project that aims to keep East River Drive accessible through intersections of 3rd and 4th streets up to a flood stage of 22 feet about 3.5 feet higher than when it currently closes. "I know people keep talking to me about a floodwall on the river," Matson said. "Ladies and gentlemen, the river goes under a flood wall, the river will go around a flood wall. ... We have a flood plan that we're starting to implement." More recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it awarded a $7.7 million grant to Davenport to build an overpass to top railroad tracks at South Concord Street to maintain access to the area's sewer plant and compost facility. The city is also using a portion of its settlement money with Canadian Pacific as the company sought to merge with Kansas City Southern, to pay for the overpass. "This is zero city dollars, but we just got almost $8 million to do a huge need in our west end at South Concord Street. That's happening," Matson said. Another project that leveraged grants and funds from other sources Matson highlighted is Main Street Landing, a riverfront park near the foot of the Skybridge that the city has described as an adventure play area with custom play structures, lighting displays, walking paths and a pedestrian bridge. The controversial $19.5 million park is being paid for with ARPA funds, railroad funds and a state tourism grant. Matson also highlighted the city's Group Violence Intervention strategy, which communicates directly to individuals who were witness to or adjacently involved in gun violence "to keep people safe, alive, and out of prison." He also highlighted the city-supported Coordinated Assessment Program, which puts kids, teens and families in touch with a person at a social services agency to assess their needs, including therapy, food and secure housing. More than 700 referrals have been made since the program launched in 2021, Matson said. "We're committed to public safety; a safe, stable community," he said. Other city projects Among other projects under construction or in the works in the city, the mayor hightlighted are: Fairmount Community Center, a 4,500-square-foot rentable community center with a half-court gym and outdoor spaces for community programming and events. American Rescue Plan Act funds going toward improvements or replacements of play equipment at eight parks in Davenport. Construction beginning at a park at Brady and 5th Streets dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. Amazon hiring 1,000 workers. Matson said that, despite delays in the e-commerce giant opening in Davenport, "It's happening." 2023 starts the fifth round of the city's DREAM program, which offers funds for exterior home and business improvements in certain areas of the city. Davenport also recently launched DREAM-plus, which aims to aid developers in revamping vacant and abandoned houses for homeowners. RAGBRAI and Bix will be the same weekend this year. At Mary's on 2nd last weekend, Logan Blewz belted a heartfelt song, "Say Something" by Great Big World. Dozens of people left tips in a bowl at Blewz's feet near the stage. Another patron livestreamed the whole thing to Facebook. Beforehand, Blewz recalled how his friends Lexus and Quanishia "Peach" Berry would encourage him to sing karaoke at Boozie's Bar & Grill, where both he and Lexus worked. All of the tips at his feet, as well as donations and proceeds from raffles and gift baskets that night, will go to benefit the Berrys as they find their way after the collapse of their apartment May 28 at 324 Main St. Blewz organized nearly a dozen performers who sang, cracked jokes, performed in drag or read spoken word Friday night at Mary's on 2nd for the Berrys' GoFundMe. He called it "Every Kind of Way" Benefit show, after the Berrys' wedding song. Quanishia, known by her friends as Peach, was trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building for hours before rescuers, including a local surgeon, performed an on-site amputation to free her. She's recovering in the hospital, and the couple is looking at how to rebuild. Blewz recalled the last conversation he had with Peach. It was about a tarot card reading. "She's a tarot reader, and she was like, 'I haven't gave you a reading in a minute.' And every time I try to pay her, she doesn't want to take my money," Blewz said. "But this time, she's gonna take our help." Taylor Swann is one of Lexus' best friends. She's been visiting at the hospital every day, making the couple laugh and sometimes fending off reporters who try to get in. She's also taking care of the Berrys' cat, King, who found his way out of the collapsed building, to the Scott County Humane Society and back into his owners' arms. Swann describes Lexus and Peach as "lovely, exciting, probably some of the best friends you'll ever have." Lexus did Swann's back tattoo, and Peach does her nails sometimes. She recorded the event Friday at Mary's and cheered on her partner, who she said came out of retirement to perform in drag for the show. "They deserve the world," Swann said of her friends. Styles DIM, a hip-hop and soul artist and friend of Branden Colvin Sr.'s family members, said she came to the Quad-Cities from Chicago to be with Colvin's family and see his son's graduation. She heard about the event and decided to perform a song she wrote: "What's wrong with the world?" She picked it because of a key lyric: "I want you to be safe." It's just one of many ways Quad-Cities residents are wrapping their arms around survivors of the collapse and families of the three men who died. Another show (for those 21 and older) is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Newman's Nightclub and Lounge, called "Out the Rubble Benefit Show," with proceeds to go to the Red Cross. Three downtown restaurants and businesses donated a percentage of their sales to the Red Cross Victims Fund; an East Moline chef decided to prepare 30 dozen enchiladas for people at the building; another local theater picked up a theater production as Mockingbird on Main, located in 324 Main St., couldn't reopen its doors; donors dropped off clothes and personal hygiene items at the corner of Harrison and 4th streets, where people had gathered, as well as to other Quad-Cities services organizations; the Quad Cities Community Foundation, with its disaster relief fund, last week had distributed grants totaling $80,000 through the Quad Cities Open Network to provide visa gift cards and TracPhones for those who lost cellphones. DeSiree Banks, the mother of Branden Colvin Jr., who was handing out clothes and items in front of City Hall last week, said at the time she often didn't know the people who would drop off boxes of clothes or personal items. "It really is amazing," Banks said. "We appreciate it for real. This is our community. Everyone has been here for us." A mix of young Republican strategists and state politicians will spearhead former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys campaign in Iowa leading up to the states first-in-the-nation GOP presidential caucuses. Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who is working to separate herself from an increasingly crowded field of 2024 Republican presidential candidates, announced her Iowa leadership team Monday. That team includes Bill Mackey, who served as campaign manager for Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunns successful 2022 congressional campaign. Nunn unseated two-term incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne to represent Iowas 3rd Congressional District, flipping a crucial seat to give the GOP an all-Republican Iowa congressional delegation. Mackey will serve as Haleys Iowa political director. Haleys Iowa campaign leadership team also includes Iowa state Sen. Chris Cournoyer, R-LeClaire; state Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton; former Polk County GOP chair Dawn Roberts and millennial business leader Emily Sukup-Schmitt, a third-generation family member of Sukup Manufacturing Co. Haley has hosted or participated in 24 events in Iowa, according to her campaign, from large town halls to meet-and-greets, policy forums and Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernsts Roast and Ride fundraiser earlier this month in Des Moines, the first major cattle call of the 2024 presidential campaign. Haley is among nine GOP presidential hopefuls set to speak at the Republican Party of Iowas annual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser July 28 in Des Moines. Doug Burgum releases first Iowa TV ad North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum released his first TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire as part of his newly launched campaign seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. NBC News reported Burgum is spending $3 million on the ads in the two early GOP primary and caucus states. Burgum is independently wealthy. His net worth is estimated to be more than $1 billion. He mortgaged his family farmland to invest in a fledgling software startup that he took public and later sold to Microsoft in 2001 for $1.1 billion. The governor announced his presidential ambitions in Fargo on Wednesday, quickly embarking on an Iowa tour last week that included stops at the Field of Dreams and the World Pork Expo in Des Moines. Burgum, during the stops, eschewed the culture war bomb-throwing of his primary rivals for wonky policy talk on energy and the economy, positioning himself as a new leader for a changing economy. The first ad highlights Burgum's upbringing as a small-town boy, self-made business leader and governor. I grew up in a tiny town in North Dakota. Shined shoes, worked on the farm at the grain elevator and as a chimney sweep, Burgum says in the ad. Woke is what you did at 5 a.m. to start the day. Those roots gave me the courage to literally bet the farm to grow a small business. Endless hours later, we grew it into a billion dollar global company, employing thousands. He also touts highlights from his time as governor, from cutting red tape to building a budget surplus and implementing tax breaks. The second ad focuses on Burgum's platform, which includes cutting taxes, increasing American energy production and rebuilding the U.S. military to win the Cold War with China. Photos: Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Davenport campaigning for president. DES MOINES State Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville, in a social media post Monday, described and defended the events that led to his ouster last week as Democrats leader in the Iowa Senate. Wahls was voted out of his position as Iowa Senate minority leader when Senate Democrats called an impromptu meeting and voted to make Sen. Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, their new leader. Wahls post Monday was his first public comment since the vote. I am no longer leader because I made the difficult decision to fire two longtime staffers who did not share my vision for change while restructuring our staff. My Senate Democratic colleagues disagreed with my decision, Wahls said in the post. There is always a resistance to change and new ideas, and I stand by the decision because Iowa Democrats desperately need a new direction and leaders who will chart that course. The two Democratic caucus staff members that Wahls had fired, Erik Bakker and Deb Kattenhorn, are once again employed by the caucus, a spokesman confirmed Monday. Previous disagreements over Wahls direction as caucus leader also led to his ouster, although neither Wahls nor Senate Democrats have not said publicly what those issues were. Senate Democrats did not specify any reasons for the change in a statement issued the day after the vote. Wahls post made no mention of his future plans. A 31-year-old from Coralville serving his second four-year term in the Iowa Senate, Wahls declined further comment, and referred The Gazette back to his public statement. There are just 16 Democrats in the 50-member Iowa Senate. Thats the lowest number of Senate seats held by either of the two major parties in 50 years. Iowa Statehouse Republicans have held the governors office and agenda-setting majorities in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature since 2017, giving them full control over the state lawmaking process over that time. So many people are discouraged about the direction of our state and the losses our party has sustained over the past decade, and if you are one of them, I want to speak directly to you, Wahls said in his post. While they want us to give in to cynicism, we must refuse to accept that Iowa is lost forever. Our fight for liberty, justice, and shared prosperity is difficult. Our success will require honest reflection, an immense amount of hard work, and a deep commitment to change. And while change is always hard Iowans are counting on us, and failure is not an option. Wahls was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018, and in 2020 was elected leader of the minority-party Senate Democrats. He first gained prominence in 2011 when he spoke on the Iowa House floor about his two mothers as legislators debated a proposal to ban same-sex marriage in the state. Jochum, 68, has served in the Iowa Senate since 2009, and before that had served in the Iowa House since 1993. In 2012, she was chosen by her peers as the second woman and first female Democrat to serve as Iowa Senate president. The next session of the Iowa Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 8, 2024. Photos: Change of command at the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center. A little more than two weeks after the downtown Davenport apartment building at 324 Main St. partially collapsed, demolition crews are making short work of ridding the risk in what remains. The entire north tower was a pile of rubble Tuesday morning, having been taken apart piece-by-piece. Clouds of dust particles floated into the air each time heavy machinery from D.W. Zinser pulled down another piece of the building. A worker sprayed water on the debris in an effort to keep pollutants out of the air as a half-dozen onlookers stood by. Around the corner, another water-spraying machine was aimed at a pile of rubble. Settled dust could be seen on flowers and leaves in a large planter on the sidewalk near the demolition site, as well as on nearby cars. On Sunday, a city spokesperson announced crews were expected to "begin the dismantling process" on Monday. Once dismantled, according to the city, it's expected to take several weeks to remove debris and fully clear the site. Asbestos State records show D.W. Zinser notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on June 9 of their plan to begin demolition Monday of the 80,400-square-foot building, which according to paperwork, contained asbestos. In the paperwork, the city and D.W. Zinser pledged to adequately wet materials and use lined containers to prevent asbestos emissions. An estimated 11,250 tons of "Regulated Asbestos Containing Material" from the building is to be disposed of at the Scott Area Landfill, according to the state records. Federal regulations for hazardous emissions typically require asbestos to be removed before a public or commercial building is demolished. But it carves an exception for buildings deemed structurally unsound, requiring a written order for demolition and crews to dampen materials suspected of containing asbestos during demolition. The city engaged with structural engineers, regulatory authorities and the demolition company on how to dismantle the building, Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email to news organizations Sunday night. She wrote that the planning process "has considered asbestos removal and the impact on neighboring properties." As part of the process, the city ordered an evacuation of remaining occupied apartments across the street at 400 and 410 N. Main St. because of "areas of structural concern" discovered as inspectors evaluated surrounding buildings for "vulnerabilities" ahead of demolition. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has asked the White House for federal assistance in demolishing and removing debris from the partially collapsed building in addition to reimbursement costs. On June 6, the governor submitted a letter to the White House, asking for help from, among other agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "specifically for demolition debris removal, which may involve the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials." The brick-over-steel building was constructed in 1906 and first opened as a hotel in 1907. Units were converted into apartments in a high-profile renovation in the 1980s. According to the American Cancer Institute, asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring heat-and-corrosion-resistant fibrous minerals used in commercial products, such as insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and wallboard materials. Asbestos was more widely used in construction and products until the 1970s when some uses were banned or voluntarily phased out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air, according to the American Cancer Institute. Over time, accumulated asbestos fibers can be trapped in the lungs and cause tissue inflammation and scarring. People who become ill from asbestos usually have been exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they have worked directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact, according to the institute. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources wetting the material suspected to contain asbestos when demolishing a building is "the most common and effective method to control the release of asbestos fibers into the air and reduce the risk of inhalation." Normally, public or commercial buildings scheduled for demolition must be inspected for asbestos; notification is sent to the state DNR; removal and disposal of asbestos before demolition or renovation all under requirements from the federal Environmental Protection Agency's National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants. But an exception exists for "structurally unsound buildings," according to the Iowa DNR. If the building "is structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse, the requirements to inspect and remove asbestos material is waived." In order for this to happen, the city must determine the building is unsound and order the demolition in writing, providing copies to the Iowa DNR. Material with suspected asbestos "must be kept wet and transported to an acceptable disposal site," according to the Iowa DNR. In its communications to the DNR, D.W. Zinser included a notice May 29 "demanding the immediate demolition of the structure," which was deemed to be "an imminent hazard to the public, neighboring structures and emergency responders." D.W. Zinser was listed as the asbestos abatement contractor and the demolition contractor in the paperwork to the state. In the case of an "unexpected fiber release," D.W. Zinser pledged to "stop work and call a certified asbestos contractor and the DNR," according to the paperwork. Later, Ott wrote in an email to a Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus reporter that the city "has worked with the appropriate regulating authorities onsite and monitoring air quality throughout the dismantling process." She added that authorities "have not issued a requirement for the public to wear protective gear of any type." Closing a chapter The demolition of the building closes a chapter in the response to the six-story partial collapse on May 28. Initially, the city ordered May 29 the "immediate demolition" of the structure, which the city said posed a threat to public health and safety. That day, a city spokesperson said demolition was "expected to commence in the morning." The messaging sparked backlash from residents who urged the city and rescue teams to continue searching the building and rubble for missing loved ones. City officials attempted to walk back the statements, later saying that demolition was a multi-step process that included permitting and staging. But the message to several hundred protesters that gathered had been clear. Later in the week, the city reactivated the Iowa Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue, which returned to comb the building and rubble. Asked in a June 2 news conference why the city waited to activate the task force, Fire Chief Mike Carlsten said the building "was in a constant state of motion" in the two days after the collapse, and they had to wait for the building to "settle" before forming a plan to safely reenter. SPRINGFIELD Former Gov. Bruce Rauners portrait has joined the Hall of Governors in the Illinois Capitol. The Winnetka Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. The 42nd governor of Illinois who served from 2015 to 2019, Rauner said he returns to the state every September for dove hunting season. He downplayed the artwork as not that big a deal and declined to stray far from a message of thanks to the people of Illinois. The real reason that we wanted to do this, the real reason why (wife) Diana and I wanted to come and be with you is to say thank you, Rauner said. To say thank you to each and every one of you here today, to say thank you to every citizen, every voter, every child, every newcomer, every immigrant to the state of Illinois. Rauner stayed on message even while taking questions from reporters. Those mostly focused on Democrats continued placement of blame on Rauner for a two-year budget impasse between him and Democrats in the General Assembly. The political conditions leading to the impasse were set in motion when lawmakers declined to extend a temporary four-year income tax hike while Democrat Pat Quinn, Rauners predecessor, was still governor. The decision to allow the higher tax rates to expire sent state revenues plummeting by billions of dollars in the first year of Rauners term. Democrats, led by now-indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan, fought staunchly against Rauners anti-union, pro-school choice reforms and other facets of his pro-business 44-point turnaround agenda. As Illinois operated without a budget for more than two years amid those disagreements, much of its spending was mandated by court decrees, and the states backlog of unpaid bills reached nearly $17 billion. The budget shortfall amid the impasse squeezed higher education institutions and crippled the states social services. The impasse finally ended when lawmakers including a group of Republicans overrode Rauners veto on a spending plan that included an income tax increase nearly to the level of the expired temporary tax rates. Within two years, current Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, had defeated Rauner in a landslide. When asked about the frequency with which Democrats cite the Rauner years and the negative effects of the impasse in stump speeches, Rauner deflected. He also didnt mention Madigan his nemesis and frequent political punching bag or his indictment on corruption charges. Today, I really don't want to talk politics and, you know, the usual stuff, he said. The one thing I will say, I am very proud of what we did while we were running the state, and I'm very proud of what we tried to do. ... A lot of headwinds, but I'll leave it at that today. The one current legislative matter that Rauner did address was Illinois Invest in Kids tax credit, a $75 million program he signed into law as part of an education reform effort in 2017 that gives tax credits to people who donate to private school scholarship funds. It wasnt funded for the upcoming budget year, is scheduled to be repealed on Jan. 1, 2025, and Pritzker has said it could still be extended and funded in the fall veto session. Its under threat today, Rauner said. I hope the legislature will act to protect that program. Otherwise, Rauner touted his signature on the public education formula overhaul that drives more money to the schools furthest from funding adequacy, a system that is still in place today. He signed it after vetoing a similar proposal and maligning it as a Chicago bailout. Rauner took office after unseating Quinn, whose portrait now sits directly below Rauners on the Capitols second floor and reportedly included 44 found items summing up his legacy. Those range from a picture of him signing a bill authorizing a minimum wage ballot referendum to a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. Rauners portrait depicts him in front of an empty blue background with his ubiquitous Illinois-shaped lapel pin as the only non-clothing item depicted. I don't think any portrait summarizes anybody's legacy very well, Rauner said when asked of the background choice. Professionally, Rauner said he once again is in the business of investing in start-up companies and is a trustee for the Everglades Foundation conservation group. He also serves on the board for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a Florida-based group founded by that states former governor, Jeb Bush, that promotes education reform and school choice. Hes also a donor to Florida Republican Gov. and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. Diana is in Chicago full-time, Rauner said, where shes continued her longtime work as president of Start Early, a nonprofit that promotes early childhood development in underserved communities across Illinois. Rauners portrait joins that of all former governors in the Capitol except for impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In 2010, the General Assembly passed a law prohibiting public funds from being used for his portrait. Quad Cities Arts hosted its annual Metro Arts Youth Program with its continuation of adding works of art that feature the community, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, starting with the first mural at the intersection of Iowa Street and 3rd Street in downtown Davenport. There will be a series of three murals across Davenport. The first is at the Iowa Street intersection, the second is on the wall of Sergeant Peppers Auto Shop and the third will be at Duck Creek on Marquette. Design groups created different designs for the murals and presented them in front of a panel with the city and others who were offering space for the murals. Three designs out of those groups were picked to be completed. The projected end date for the first mural is July 7, 2023, and is in the theme of a circus. Titled Hello Quad Cities, the mural pays some tribute to the late Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram, who enjoyed circuses. The three-member design theme pulled inspiration from the William Wundram Parkway sign hung on the railway on Iowa Street. The second mural began cleaning out the space for the mural on Tuesday by clearing weeds and other obstructions to the wall. This one is located at Sergeant Peppers Auto Shop. The priming of the wall and sketch will begin Wednesday. This design pays homage to old Davenport, design member Dania Green said. Her team used old Davenport architecture on the buildings shown and designed old gas pumps and a 1960s-inspired pickup truck inspired by the auto shop. One of the gas pumps shows the year 1836, which was when Davenport was established as a city. They used the design of a Canadian Pacific train to incorporate the railway running next to the auto shop as well. The last mural is still in progress as work begins on Tuesday. Chadron Police Officer Seth Orsborn and Sergeant Patrick Young responded to an altercation at a trailer park in Chadron on Thursday, June 8, which resulted in the arrest of a 38-year-old male, Conrad Randall, for Class IIA felonies of second degree domestic assault and assault by strangulation. On June 8, Officer Orsborn and Sergeant Young received a report of a disturbance at a residence in Chadron. The officers arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party. Officer Orsborn was advised a female was struck in the arm and leg with a hammer, shot in the forehead with an air powered rifle, and strangled by Randall. The female victim was able to flee the area and call 911. Officer Orsborn and Sergeant Young conducted a search of the residence, but were unable to locate Randall. Officer Orsborn and Sergeant Young left the scene after locating and seizing a hammer and air powered rifle suspected to have been used to commit the assault. Officer Orsborn and Sergeant Young were later called back to the residence being advised that Randall was observed returning to the area. Officer Orsborn and Sergeant Young conducted a second search of the residence, where Officer Orsborn located Randall hiding inside. Randall was placed under arrest. Randall also had one active Dawes County and one active Sheridan County bench warrant for his arrest. Conrad Randall was taken into custody and booked into the Dawes County Jail. Bond was set at 10% of $250,000. Since moving into its downtown office in January of last year, one of Rapid Citys fastest growing tech companies, Property Meld, is already in need of more space. The company is hoping the Rapid City Council will allow the expansion of its current office. Dubbed the Meld West Campus, the expansion would house 140 new Property Meld employees, 16 condos, a tap house, restaurant and 30 incubator spaces for startup companies. The expansion site is currently a city-owned parking lot and during a May 1 meeting, the City Council approved the creation of the Board of Freeholders to determine a fair market value of the lot following a request from Todd Gagne, co-founder of 11 Main LLC, the company that owns Property Melds current space. The effort has been spearheaded by Gagne, who claims to have already secured funding and development plans for the project. Gagne also owns Wildfire Labs, a Rapid City-based software startup investment company that would also set up shop at the Meld West campus. Founded in 2015, Property Meld has spent years under the guidance of Gagne. Beginning in a basement, the company offers a maintenance software platform for property management companies to optimize their maintenance processes and communication with their renters. What began with two employees, co-founders Ray Hespen and David Kingman, Property Meld has grown its labor force to 65 with an average salary of $78,000, Hespen said. Though the company has rapidly grown and offers high wages and employment opportunities to South Dakota Mines engineers, the proposed expansion is facing pushback from the community. The expansion project would replace a parking lot consisting of 108 spots on St. Joseph Street between Property Meld and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association building. Opponents to the project worry the removal of the parking lot would exacerbate a growing issue of inadequate parking in downtown Rapid City. Additionally, the Stockgrowers Association opposes the project because construction of the campus could hurt the chances of their building being accepted into the National Register of Historic Places because it would force them to make alterations a major disqualifier. Unique to Rapid City, Property Meld is a company with major investors from around the country. CEO Ray Hespen said his decision to keep his company in Rapid City has not been popular with its investors. He worries if a compromise is not struck soon, the company would be forced to relocate to other cities to expand. The Vision In February, Hespen told the Journal his company had just been awarded $15 million from a private equity firm in North Carolina. Their platform was utilized in about 450,000 rental units managed by around 700 companies they have grown to over 500,000 and 800,000 respectfully, Hespen said. Last year alone, we added around 200,000 rentals. This year we will add around 350,000 rentals and then next year, probably half a million, Hespen said. The exponential growth was made possible by the private equity funding which allows them to pour more resources into increasing the labor force of all departments including sales, marketing, development, customer support and account management, Hespen says. Their current office can hold about 100 employees. Hespen said they will soon outgrow it. By the end of next year, we'll probably be somewhere around 130 to 140 employees with probably 30-40 of them working remotely so if we want to stay here, we're going to really have to have growth conversations about where to start putting our next people, Hespen said. The Meld West Campus could be a major step forward for Property Meld and the entire Innovation District. The area is between South Dakota Mines and downtown Rapid City and focuses on high-tech economic development aiming to utilize the talent pool the competitive engineering and technology university offers. Other tech companies in the Innovation District include AE2S, Affordable Creative Engineering Services, Dream Design International, Foth Engineering, Innovative Materials and Processes, Omnitech, Project Solutions and Skyline Engineering. Though disclaiming changes may occur, Gagne presented a conceptual rendering of the project to the City Council at the May 1 meeting. As it stands, the campus would include three buildings, the western-most being a four-story additional office for Property Meld. The building on the northern side of the lot would be four-stories consisting of apartments on the top three floors and commercial space on the main floor. Separated by a courtyard, the south building would include a tap room on the main level and Wildfire Labs, on the upper two floors that would house 30 different startups, according to Gagne. Gagne started Wildfire Labs a year ago, with hopes to share his 30 years of experience in the software industry with fledgling companies. The aim is to help them grow into mature companies. Property Meld is the most prominent success story out of Gagnes program. From their initial partnership to now, Hespen and Gagne meet every Thursday for three hours to discuss development, leadership and customer successes. Elevate Rapid City has a similar operation with some notable differences. Elevates business incubator focuses more on technology companies that have proven themselves as promising ventures, while Gagnes would focus on software-specific companies earlier in their growth. They're just an idea. They come to us to really build a product and to find the first couple of customers then through an investment network, that we have, we basically can get them funded when they reach that milestone, Gagne said. Wildfire Labs will not charge startups for their office space and will even offer them housing. The goal is to have a co-working space and office hours so that we can work with the entrepreneurs that are there on a daily basis, Gagne said. We have about six apartments that are part of this program so if they come from out of state and need housing, we basically give them an efficiency apartment for six months rent and utilities are free. After they've begun earning revenue and funding from investors, startups could then graduate to Elevates incubator where they could be exposed to more guidance and funding, according to Elevate CEO Tom Johnson. Once Todd figures out if their idea is legit they could be potential candidates for our incubator because now they have a product and potential customers. Because we're not going to put someone in here who hasn't even figured out their idea yet. The companies that go to [Gagne] havent earned any revenue and often can't even afford an office lease payment, Johnson said there is a demand for Wildfire Labs. We think what he's doing is a smart move. It's probably been needed in Rapid City for a good 10 years. Future versus history To grow their current offices, Property Meld must come to an agreement and compromise with their neighbor, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. Founded in 1893, the organization is one of the oldest state-run cattle organizations in the nation and has been at its current location on the corner of St. Joseph Street and Fifth Street since 1955. Sitting atop the long-standing building is one of Rapid Citys most recognizable landmarks the Stockgrowers Association sign depicting a cattleman on a horse illuminated by bright neon lights. These characteristics make the building a good candidate for the historical registry because, according to Historic Registry standards, a building must be, at least fifty-years-old and associated with historic events or represent distinctive architecture. If the Meld West Campus were to be built, issues would arise because the Stockgrowers building sits unusually close to the property line adjacent to the parking lot according to Executive Director Doris Lauing. Since moving into the building, she said her organization agreed on a no-build easement with the city which prohibits any infrastructure from being built closer than five feet from the building to allow natural light to enter the east-facing windows. Further, she is worried about a stairwell on the east side of the building leading to the basement that extends beyond the boundary line and onto the citys property. If the agreement is revoked and developers of the Meld West Campus choose to build up to the property line, her organization would be forced to remove the stairwell that stretches beyond their property line and the east windows to adhere to fire safety code, she said. If this occurs, the building would almost certainly be disqualified from the Historic Registry, according to Lauing. I think the city should have come to the people theyve had a longstanding relationship with since 1955, not a technology company that built in [2021]. We've been here all along, Property Meld has not taken care of the people that have built Rapid City, Lauing said. Standards of the Registry only prohibit alterations to historic buildings after application to the registry has been submitted. Lauing said waiting to submit their final application to the historic registry until after the necessary changes were made is not an option. Why would you take that away from us? We are not going to remove our windows and we cant remove the stairwell. That is our point, Lauing said. Why would we want to be in a completely concrete building with the only window in our front office? That would just be stupid. As for a possible compromise, Lauing said the city should hand over a narrow strip of land adjacent to the Stockgrowers building to preserve it in its entirety. If this cannot be arranged, she said Gagne and Property Meld should look elsewhere for their expansion. Property Meld is very important but they could buy a different piece of property and keep expanding as much as they need to. They dont have to be in historic downtown, Lauing said. But Gagne and Hespen say it is essential to their growth to stay relative to downtown and the Innovation District. The hope would be that there's music, there's people sitting, playing games, and really utilizing this campus. It is really a space to try to retain younger folks that are interested in working and living downtown, Gagne said. So far, the plan has seen some success, according to Hespen. Downtown is the thing that attracts talent. We just recruited somebody from North Carolina and somebody from Oklahoma City. We're able to bring people here because when you take them out to the local restaurants, the Alex Johnson, the drinking locations that are there, they sit there and go, I want to be here, Hespen said. Though Lauing is mainly focused on the historic preservation of her building, she would also be displeased to lose nearby parking. Parking No matter how promising Property Melds future is, removing the 108-space parking lot could not come at a worse time. Recently, the amount of parking spots in downtown Rapid City has substantially dwindled. With the only parking garage in the area under renovation and the construction of the nearby Block5 building, that removed 155 spots, downtown visitors are having to walk more than ever. The lot Gagne is attempting to buy is restricted to those with lease permits during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; all other times it is open to the public free of charge. Rapid City Parking Advisory Board member Domico Rodriguez said the limited downtown parking is only temporary and that some aspect of the issue is the small-town idea that an individual should always be able to park close to their destination. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Rodriguez said Rapid City residents are simply not used to a big city environment where they must walk a few blocks to their destination though he did admit to borrowing his sons electric scooter for longer treks. Despite Property Meld making up 37 of the 108 issued permits of the lot, some city representatives still oppose selling the lot. Community Development Director Vicki Fisher said in the May 1 meeting residents of Rapid City live here to avoid the inconveniences of a big city and should be able to park near their destination. For those of us that have lived in larger cities walking three blocks to your destination is considered a good parking spot. That's not why we live in Rapid City, Fisher said. We live here so that we can see the door when we park our car. City Council member Greg Strommen of Ward 3 agreed. It's not a walking problem. It's a parking problem. And it just keeps getting worse. This idea couldn't come at a worse time, Strommen said. Before the council can discuss the sale of the parking lot, he added, a comprehensive parking plan must be put together and discussed by the council to better understand the future of downtown parking. Before that happens, we need to make some provisions in our parking downtown. Property Meld is a huge success story for Rapid City, don't get me wrong, we need more companies like it. But [we cant discuss selling the parking lot] until we've got some plan in place to sustain the parking downtown. We owe that to the rest of our community, Strommen said. The Parking Advisory Board is constantly sharing ideas about how to best increase parking availability, and they are currently conducting a comprehensive parking study of the downtown area, according to Rodriguez. Thus far, the committee has noticed employees of downtown are using many of the parking spots intended for customers, he said. Instead of using the lease parking permit their employer supplies, many downtown workers park close to their place of work at a metered spot for the whole day. Rodriguez called this a cannibalizing of parking spots and said he had experienced it during his previous role as the general manager of Hotel Alex Johnson. We would have staff who would pay to park when they had a lease in the garage. They said it was a safety thing which I completely understand, but we paid for them to park elsewhere and they chose to pay for their own. Rodriguez said it costs just $8 to park a car at a metered spot for an entire day. We've even discussed the idea of raising the parking cost after three or four hours to make it so there's more turnover downtown and will discourage employees who have leased parking elsewhere to want to park closer to their jobs, Rodriguez said. The parking study will be completed in the fall around the same time as the parking garage renovation, according to Rodriguez. He said Gagne has been great to work with so far and is responsive to the ongoing parking issue. During the May 1 meeting, Gagne said he would be willing to hold off construction of the Meld West Campus for a calendar year to allow the completion of current projects, thus alleviating many of the issues surrounding the proposed expansion. These are all temporary pains for a better downtown, Rodriguez said. If we have companies like Property Meld that want to invest millions to support the growth and development of Rapid City, particularly a company that is homegrown, we should also try to support those companies. No decision has been made whether other buyers will have the opportunity to bid on the lot. Council members Strommen, Jesse Ham, Pat Jones and John Roberts expressed interest in receiving bids from others interested in the lot. If an agreement is reached, the proceeds of the sale would go into the citys parking fund. However, the city would lose the current revenue from the leases on the lot. Based on city attorney Joel Landeens calculations, the revenue from the lot is approximately $4,500 per month. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Japan handed over the Rehabilitation Center for Patients with Muscular Dystrophy in Shankharapur Municipality, Kathmandu District today. Mr. TAMURA Takahiro, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to Nepal attended the ceremony. The rehabilitation center project of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation-Nepal (MDF-Nepal) was supported with a grant of USD 95,235 (approximately NPR 10.9 million) under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Government of Japan. On this occasion, Mr. Tamura congratulated and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in the project. He emphasized that the project will enable muscular dystrophy patients to receive the care they need, further develop MDFNEPAL's existing medical initiatives, and provide higher quality services. He also expressed his hope that the new rehabilitation center will provide appropriate treatment to the patients and contribute to the health and welfare of the patients and their families. MDF-Nepal was founded in 2003 by families who had lost their children due to muscular dystrophy. In Nepal, MDF-Nepal is the only organization dealing with the disease, and it has contributed to expansion of knowledge and awareness of the disease as well as providing mental health care to patients and their families. MDF-Nepal is now able to provide more effective services to its patients with the newly constructed center which was supported by the Japanese government. The Embassy believes that this assistance will contribute to further deepening the friendship between the people of Japan and Nepal. Goochland is part of a new wine, beer and cider trail that is encouraging exploration of four partnering Virginia localities this summer. Having kicked off May 15 and running through Sept. 3, the Red, White & Brew Central Virginia Pour Tour urges trail-goers to discover the beverages, scenery, and special events of locations in Goochland, Spotsylvania, Louisa and Gordonsville. Red, White & Brew isnt just for those who live outside the area, said Louisa County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director James Smith. Its a great opportunity for residents of these communities to explore whats available within a short driving distance. Travelers will find trail details in the Experience tab of the Visit Louisa mobile app and may select from 27 locations (including two distilleries) to plan their route. Each stop will provide an onsite check-in code for visitors to enter into the Visit Louisa app. Participants will earn commemorative tumblers and shirts as they complete various levels along the trail. We are excited to forge a new partnership with localities in Central Virginia to expand promotion of our craft beverage makers, said Goochland County Economic Development Director Sara Worley. This is a perfect opportunity to support local businesses and welcome new visitors as they Explore Goochland and our partners in the Central Virginia region. Red, White & Brew patrons are encouraged to join the discussion on Facebook. List of participating locations: Midnight Brewery (Goochland) Hardywood Park Craft Brewery West Creek (Goochland) Kindred Spirit Brewing (Goochland) Hill Top Distillery (Goochland) Courthouse Creek Cider/Senary Farms LLC (Goochland) Grayhaven Winery (Goochland) Everleigh Vineyards & Brewing Company (Louisa) Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard (Louisa) Coyote Hole Ciderworks (Louisa) A. Smith Bowman Distillery (Spotsylvania) Bacchus Winery (Spotsylvania) Cider Lab (Spotsylvania) Eden Try Estate & Winery (Spotsylvania) Lake Anna Winery (Spotsylvania) Log Home Brewing Company (Spotsylvania) Maltese Brewing (Spotsylvania) Mattaponi Winery (Spotsylvania) Wilderness Run Vineyards/1781 Brewing Co. (Spotsylvania) Lake Anna Taphouse (Louisa) Cooling Pond Brewery (Louisa) Well Hung Vineyard (Gordonsville) Champion Ice House (Gordonsville) Southern Revere Vineyard & Farm (Louisa) Rassawek Vineyards (Goochland) Elk Island Winery (Goochland) Byrd Cellars (Goochland) The deal to redevelop the Public Safety Building in downtown Richmond was crumbling, and eventually it would cost Virginia Commonwealth University Health $73 million to exit. But the board of visitors that oversees the university was unaware, two people familiar with the matter said. The university has its own board of visitors, separate from the health systems board of directors, whose members were told to keep the failing deal a secret. It is unclear if the trajectory of the deal would have changed had the university board found out earlier. But the negotiations would have come under greater scrutiny, the sources said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Members of the university board felt they were kept in the dark, leading to tension between the two bodies and exposing flaws in the governance structure. Eventually, word got out, and the university board learned of the failing development in the spring of 2022, a few months before the health system began the paperwork to officially exit. Now the university and the health system are considering merging the two boards, similar to how the University of Virginia and its health system are run. VCU has hired a law firm to investigate the failed development deal, and a report could come as early as this week. Problems develop in late 2021 For more than a decade, VCU Health pursued the plot of land at North 10th and Clay streets, where the now-vacant Public Safety Building stands. VCU Health agreed to serve as the primary tenant. The city of Richmond would sell the parcel, and a developer, Capital City Partners, would build a nearly 20-story office building, plus space for the Ronald McDonald House and The Doorways for $350 million. An LLC tied to a New York private equity real estate firm called Blue Owl Capital would become the landlord. Seeking the cheapest form of financing available, VCU Health pursued a lease agreement in which it would pay a lower monthly rent. But exiting the deal would cost the health system greatly. In late 2021, fissures began to appear in the development. Businesses were letting employees work from home during the pandemic, and VCU Health no longer needed as much office space as previously anticipated. VCU Health leaders told the health systems board of directors not to speak of the failing deal to anyone. It is not clear why. VCU Healths CEO at the time, Dr. Art Kellermann, declined to comment. VCU Health is governed by a 21-member board of directors. Its members include citizens appointed by the governor, physician-faculty members and others appointed by the General Assembly. Michael Rao, president of VCU, oversees the health board. The university, which did not respond to a request for comment, is led by a 16-member board of visitors, all appointed or reappointed by a governor. Five of its members also serve on the health systems board of directors. A spokesperson for the university did not address the board issue Monday. It was not until spring of 2022, about five months after the deal began to fall apart, that the universitys board learned of the failing deal. The rector of the VCU board of visitors, Ben Dendy, placed new members on the VCU Health board of directors, who divulged the circumstances. Keeping the VCU board of visitors out of the discussion caused a whole host of governance issues, one person said. Ultimately, VCU Health leadership decided it wanted out of negotiations and paid the landlord a $73 million exit fee. Members of the VCU board of visitors were upset, feeling they had been kept in the dark. The board cannot govern if it is unaware of significant dealings, one member said. For better or for worse, VCU and VCU Health are often thought of as one entity by the public. And in terms of bond ratings, VCU and the health system are considered a single body. Whatever affects VCU tends to affect VCU Health, and vice versa, the person said. It affects the name, one person said. Considering merging two boards into one It is unclear if the deal would have been saved had the VCU board of visitors become aware earlier. The board of visitors has no authority over the health system, but the board of visitors would have arranged for greater scrutiny over the dealings and asked more questions, the two people said. VCUs board of visitors has significant experience in business and real estate transactions. The saga has caused VCU to consider merging the two boards into one. It has hired a consultant to explore such a path. A merger would be similar to how the University of Virginia operates, where one board oversees the university and the health system. Currently, there is a drastic difference between the governance structures of VCU and UVa, one person said. Government-affiliated health systems are typically given more latitude than universities. Because it has to compete with other health systems, such as Bon Secours and HCA Healthcare, VCU Health can hire doctors and order equipment more quickly and with less paperwork than the university can. In many ways, VCU operates like a nonprofit health system. The vast majority of its revenue comes from patients, and it must buy its own real estate unlike a university, for which the state often pays. VCU also is considering changing the structure of its day-to-day leadership. Currently, a physician serves as the health systems CEO Dr. Marlon Levy is the interim CEO. But VCU is considering hiring a top medical officer and a separate top business officer. Many hospitals in the area are led by non-physicians. The crumbling of the Public Safety Building deal could have gone differently if VCU had a single board, the two people said. The Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel for Virginia public colleges and would have represented VCU Health in the deal. Instead, VCU Health has its own counsel. There is an added level of scrutiny when universities conduct real estate transactions. It remains unclear whether the existence of a single board overseeing the university and its health system would have prevented VCU Health from paying $73 million and putting an end to a once-promising development. Richmond restaurants that closed in 2023 Tang & Biscuit Commercial Taphouse & Grill Biscuits & Gravy Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery Citizen Burger Bar P.T. Hastings Seafood Anthonys on the Hill Cafe Beignet Max's on Broad The Mill on MacArthur Shyndigz restaurant School divisions in the Richmond area will continue to offer beefed-up summer school programming this year, using federal COVID-19 relief funds in an effort to catch up students who suffered academically during the pandemic. Across the nation, summer school offerings grew in 2021 and 2022 as school divisions grappled with ways to mitigate the learning loss students experienced as a result of school closures. In Henrico County, before the pandemic, summer school was largely for students who needed remediation. But in 2021, the offerings became open to all students for free; these offerings included enrichment programs for students who were doing well academically, but wanted more instruction. Research suggests that more time in school including summer school, or extended school years generally helps students perform better academically. Last summer, more than 7,000 Henrico students participated in the divisions summer academy. This year, about 5,000 were signed up and the division anticipates more as the deadline nears. For the elementary school students, Henricos summer academy is focused on English, language arts and math this year. Reading and math have huge impacts on whether kids can (master) content, said Candace Wilkerson, director of elementary education. If you dont have the basic skills of reading and math, youre going to struggle with science and history. Wilkerson added: When you think about instructional gaps, especially at the elementary level, students (need) those basic skills, the phonemic awareness, the vocabulary skills all of those building blocks that arent easy for some students to receive virtually. The summer academy for elementary students has a camp-like feel, Wilkerson said, and is filled with social activities that help children develop their social skills, too. The division will pay teachers who sign up to teach summer academy this year at a rate of $43.18 per hour, an increase over past years pay. Overall, Henrico school division officials anticipate spending about $3 million on this years summer academy. Most of the funding will come from its share of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, the K-12 education portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) ACT that the U.S. Congress passed in March 2020. The ESSER funds were reserved to address the impact of COVID-19 on schools across the nation. Funds from the second and third rounds of ESSER must be spent by September 2023 and September 2024, respectively. Gov. Glenn Youngkin in October challenged school divisions to spend the nearly $2 billion they had received, saying the funds sat in the bank accounts of local schools. In Hanover County, the school division will offer summer programming to all students. The programming is largely for students who have been identified as needing additional support, but some offerings most notably at the high school level are for enrichment. Last year, the division utilized its federal COVID-19 relief funding for summer school. This year, the division allocated $457,608 for its summer school offerings, which will come from the divisions general fund. Hanovers summer school teachers are paid $38.59 per hour. In the Richmond Public Schools division, summer school offerings are for students who are identified as benefiting from remediation during the summer to promote growth and prevent summer learning loss. High school summer school is for recovery of credits toward graduation. About 3,000 students enrolled last year, and RPS anticipates a similar number participating this summer. The division allotted $2.5 million of its federal COVID-19 funding for its summer school offerings. RPS teachers will earn $40 an hour to teach summer school. Earlier this year, the Richmond City School Board approved a pilot program for two schools to add 20 days to their academic calendars next school year. It will be funded by the federal COVID-19 stimulus package. Chesterfield County Public Schools spokesman Shawn Smith did not respond to questions from the Richmond Times-Dispatch about summer programming. PHOTOS: 2023 Taste of India festival in Richmond DSC_0118.JPG DSC_0125.JPG DSC_0135.JPG DSC_0136.JPG DSC_0137.JPG DSC_0140.JPG DSC_0141.JPG DSC_0153.JPG Protesters, supporters and journalists from around the world were gathered Tuesday outside the courthouse in downtown Miami where former President Donald Trump was scheduled to make his first appearance on criminal charges that he improperly held on to classified documents. Fight jet soars up into sky China Military Online) 09:49, June 13, 2023 A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command soars into the sky during a recent round-the-clock flight training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) An early, large flow of money to the challenger in what is usually an uncontested House of Delegates district anchored in eastern Henrico County sparked a much larger $127,162 wave of donations to the incumbent, Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Henrico, in the latest reporting period. McQuinns challenger, Terrence Lavell Walker, received $17,495 for the same April 1 to June 8 period. McQuinns donations include $5,000 from Dominion Energy on April 23 and $20,000 on May 23, according to her newest campaign finance report, filed Monday with the state Department of Elections. Walker had gotten off to an early fundraising lead with donations from Michael Bills Clean Virginia political action committee, Bills wife Sonija Smith and another committee in part funded by Bills, Commonwealth Forward, totaling $63,760 in cash and $18,460 in donated services. Clean Virginia makes its donations conditioned on a promise that candidates will not accept Dominion contributions, legislators say. Most Virginians would classify a lawmaker who has repeatedly voted in favor of legislation allowing Dominion Energy to overcharge customers by hundreds of millions, has accepted over $100,000 from Dominion Energy, and is currently supported by a Dominion Energy front group, as an unabashed ally of the utility, said Clean Virginia executive director Brennan Gilmore. McQuinn, like virtually every other legislator, voted for a regulatory bill that carved out much of what Dominion wanted in the 2023 session, opposed a small nuclear reactor bill the utility favored in 2022 and backed rate reduction and rate review measures the utility opposed in 2021. McQuinns filing shows that, besides the Dominion donation, she also received $20,000 from the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. In addition, the former chair of the House Transportation Committee received a total of $12,000 from the Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association, and $2,000 in cash plus $5,500 in donated polling services from the state AFL-CIO labor federation. Democrats also gave large donations, including $8,116 in contributions through the Democratic ActBlue group; $7,000 from Common Good, former Gov. Terry McAuliffes PAC; $5,000 from former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corns PAC and $5,000 from Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, a fellow progressive Democrat and fellow member of the legislatures Black Caucus. Walkers biggest donations including $6,000 in contributed campaign management services from Frank Callahan and $1,000 from California resident Patricia Preston-Werner, co-founder of a Palo Alto, Calif., investment firm. He received no further money from Clean Virginia. Close Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel on Jan. 25 as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol. Next to Daniel are, from left, Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic began. Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, takes photos of his colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 24 at the state Capitol. Lawmakers head to committee meetings Jan. 19. Democratic senators cheer as Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar swears in new Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, on Jan. 18 at the state Capitol. Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, is photographed outside the Senate chamber Jan. 18 after he was sworn in at the Virginia state Capitol. Rouse won a special election to succeed Republican Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Rouse's win increased the Democrats' edge in the Senate to 22-18. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, share a laugh during Tuesday's session. Senate pages, from left, Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on Jan. 19. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (blue) and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (red) fill the floor around Jean-Antoine Houdons marble statue of George Washington. The two groups were among those visiting the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 13. Lobbyists listen during a meeting of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Jan. 30 at the Pocahontas Building. Sens. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, left, and Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, react Jan. 26 to the vote tally on a Petersen bill dealing with preservation of trees in the town of Vienna. The Senate passed the bill on a 33-7 vote. A group from Portsmouth listens to a speaker during a rally against gun violence at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day on Jan. 16. Lawmakers head to committee meetings on January 19, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH Del. Jackie Hope Glass, D-Norfolk, brings style to the House floor Jan. 17 during the General Assembly session at the state Capitol. Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life on Feb. 1 in Richmond. Youngkins Virginia job approval rating hit 57% in February five points better than in November according to a poll from Roanoke College. Senate pages (from left) Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster, and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on January 19, 2023. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, takes a moment during a General Assembly session at the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, takes a photo of Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and other members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. after a Jan. 24 news conference in the Pocahontas Building. McClellan and other Democrats spoke of their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. James States Manship of Thornburg came dressed as George Washington to the gun-rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Jan. 16. PHOTOS: Through Our Lens - Virginia General Assembly Visual Recap first part The first part of the visual recap from 2023 Virginia General Assembly Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel on Jan. 25 as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol. Next to Daniel are, from left, Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic began. Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, takes photos of his colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 24 at the state Capitol. Lawmakers head to committee meetings Jan. 19. Democratic senators cheer as Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar swears in new Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, on Jan. 18 at the state Capitol. Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, is photographed outside the Senate chamber Jan. 18 after he was sworn in at the Virginia state Capitol. Rouse won a special election to succeed Republican Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Rouse's win increased the Democrats' edge in the Senate to 22-18. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, share a laugh during Tuesday's session. Senate pages, from left, Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on Jan. 19. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (blue) and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (red) fill the floor around Jean-Antoine Houdons marble statue of George Washington. The two groups were among those visiting the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 13. Lobbyists listen during a meeting of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Jan. 30 at the Pocahontas Building. Sens. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, left, and Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, react Jan. 26 to the vote tally on a Petersen bill dealing with preservation of trees in the town of Vienna. The Senate passed the bill on a 33-7 vote. A group from Portsmouth listens to a speaker during a rally against gun violence at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day on Jan. 16. Lawmakers head to committee meetings on January 19, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH Del. Jackie Hope Glass, D-Norfolk, brings style to the House floor Jan. 17 during the General Assembly session at the state Capitol. Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life on Feb. 1 in Richmond. Youngkins Virginia job approval rating hit 57% in February five points better than in November according to a poll from Roanoke College. Senate pages (from left) Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster, and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on January 19, 2023. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, takes a moment during a General Assembly session at the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, takes a photo of Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and other members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. after a Jan. 24 news conference in the Pocahontas Building. McClellan and other Democrats spoke of their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. James States Manship of Thornburg came dressed as George Washington to the gun-rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Jan. 16. In the 10 weeks of April, May and early June, more than $9 million poured into state Senate primary races and more than $2 million to several smaller House of Delegates contests. In many of these races, the sharply partisan splits in newly redrawn General Assembly districts on both the Democratic and Republican sides mean the June 20 primaries will almost certainly determine who be representing voters in the 2023 session. The donations show some big players for instance, the Clean Virginia political action committee and its nemesis, Dominion Energy staking big money on races. And in some races former Del. Lashrecse Aird versus state Senator Joe Morrissey, D-Petersburg, in Senate District 13; or state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, versus former state Sen. Glen Sturtevant and Tina Ramirez in Senate District 12 contributions to candidates suggest who the parties establishments favor. Aird, who has won endorsements from all the state Senates women members as well as other Democratic leaders including U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as well as Reps. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th; Bobby Scott, D-3rd; and Abigail Spanberger, D-7th was the biggest money-raiser. She took in $814,613 during the April 1 - June 8 reporting period, according to her campaign finance filing with the state Department of Elections. Her opponent, Morrissey, received $97,595. Aird's biggest donor was Clean Virginia, which gave $125,000 during the period, with an additional $35,000 from Sonija Smith, wife of Clean Virginia founder Michael Bills. Morrisseys big donor was Dominion, which gave a total of $75,000 during the period. Aird outspent Morrissey as well a cash outlay of $714,819, backstopped by the $417,088 of donated goods and services that are also counted as contributions, compared with Morrisseys $409,829. And for the final few days of the campaign, Aird had some $100,822 of cash on hand as of June 8, compared with $7,473 for Morrissey. In the Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights district where incumbent Chase is facing two challengers, Ramirez raised the most money during the period, while Sturtevant had major donations from GOP heavyweights. Sturtevant, a lawyer who served one term in the Senate from 2016 to 2020, received $25,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee, which seeks to elect Republicans to down-ballot state offices, as well as $12,500 from GOPAC. He also won support from two lobbying heavyweights: Dominion gave $25,000 and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association gave $20,000. In all, Ramirez raised $218,291, with her biggest donation coming from a southern California retiree named Guy Young, who gave $8,052. Ramirez edged Sturtevants fundraising total of $203,923, but he outspent her, $310,780 to $295,730. Chase was the leader in small donations of less than $100, which some political scientists read as an indicator of grassroots support. A total of 272 people gave a total of $15,282. Chase trailed both Sturtevant and Ramirez, raising $99,777 and tapping her accumulated donations to spend $199,244. Another million-dollar fundraising race is a challenge of the generations in the Democratic primary in Senate District 11. State Sen. Creigh, D-Charlottesville, a member of the General Assembly since 1992, faces Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, a delegate since 2020. Hudson, a University of Virginia economics professor who was a key House advocate for the Democratic minoritys campaign to shift Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed $1 billion of tax cuts to boost state support for K-12 schools, had the fundraising lead. Deeds, who has been leading General Assembly efforts to reform Virginias troubled mental health system, outspent her slightly in the fiercely fought primary contest. Hudson raised $599,152, with big donors including Sonija Smith, who gave $100,000, and musician Dave Matthews, who gave $10,000. Deeds raised $516,322, including $15,000 from former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corns political action committee and $10,000 from writer John Grisham, with another $10,000 from Senate Democratic Caucus chair Mamie Locke, D-Hampton. Deeds spent $727,772 to Hudsons $723,424. In the one Senate primary contest that features two incumbents paired by redistricting, Senate president pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, outraised state Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, but Spruill's spending in this Hampton Roads district has dwarfed Lucas'. Lucas' $500,590 of contributions includes $150,000 from Dominion and $100,000 from her Lucas Hospitality business services firm, while Dominion gave the biggest chunk of the $426,730 Spruill received, donating $100,000. Spruill spent just under $1.04 million during the period, to Lucas $391,850. Close Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel on Jan. 25 as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol. Next to Daniel are, from left, Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic began. Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, takes photos of his colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 24 at the state Capitol. Lawmakers head to committee meetings Jan. 19. Democratic senators cheer as Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar swears in new Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, on Jan. 18 at the state Capitol. Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, is photographed outside the Senate chamber Jan. 18 after he was sworn in at the Virginia state Capitol. Rouse won a special election to succeed Republican Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Rouse's win increased the Democrats' edge in the Senate to 22-18. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, share a laugh during Tuesday's session. Senate pages, from left, Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on Jan. 19. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (blue) and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (red) fill the floor around Jean-Antoine Houdons marble statue of George Washington. The two groups were among those visiting the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 13. Lobbyists listen during a meeting of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Jan. 30 at the Pocahontas Building. Sens. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, left, and Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, react Jan. 26 to the vote tally on a Petersen bill dealing with preservation of trees in the town of Vienna. The Senate passed the bill on a 33-7 vote. A group from Portsmouth listens to a speaker during a rally against gun violence at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day on Jan. 16. Lawmakers head to committee meetings on January 19, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH Del. Jackie Hope Glass, D-Norfolk, brings style to the House floor Jan. 17 during the General Assembly session at the state Capitol. Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life on Feb. 1 in Richmond. Youngkins Virginia job approval rating hit 57% in February five points better than in November according to a poll from Roanoke College. Senate pages (from left) Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster, and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on January 19, 2023. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, takes a moment during a General Assembly session at the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, takes a photo of Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and other members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. after a Jan. 24 news conference in the Pocahontas Building. McClellan and other Democrats spoke of their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. James States Manship of Thornburg came dressed as George Washington to the gun-rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Jan. 16. PHOTOS: Through Our Lens - Virginia General Assembly Visual Recap first part The first part of the visual recap from 2023 Virginia General Assembly Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel on Jan. 25 as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol. Next to Daniel are, from left, Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic began. Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, takes photos of his colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 24 at the state Capitol. Lawmakers head to committee meetings Jan. 19. Democratic senators cheer as Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar swears in new Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, on Jan. 18 at the state Capitol. Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, is photographed outside the Senate chamber Jan. 18 after he was sworn in at the Virginia state Capitol. Rouse won a special election to succeed Republican Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Rouse's win increased the Democrats' edge in the Senate to 22-18. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, share a laugh during Tuesday's session. Senate pages, from left, Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on Jan. 19. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (blue) and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (red) fill the floor around Jean-Antoine Houdons marble statue of George Washington. The two groups were among those visiting the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 13. Lobbyists listen during a meeting of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Jan. 30 at the Pocahontas Building. Sens. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, left, and Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, react Jan. 26 to the vote tally on a Petersen bill dealing with preservation of trees in the town of Vienna. The Senate passed the bill on a 33-7 vote. A group from Portsmouth listens to a speaker during a rally against gun violence at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day on Jan. 16. Lawmakers head to committee meetings on January 19, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH Del. Jackie Hope Glass, D-Norfolk, brings style to the House floor Jan. 17 during the General Assembly session at the state Capitol. Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life on Feb. 1 in Richmond. Youngkins Virginia job approval rating hit 57% in February five points better than in November according to a poll from Roanoke College. Senate pages (from left) Aaven Dudley, Nataniel Dunster, and Connor Wotring are seen in the Senate on January 19, 2023. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, takes a moment during a General Assembly session at the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, takes a photo of Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and other members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. after a Jan. 24 news conference in the Pocahontas Building. McClellan and other Democrats spoke of their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. James States Manship of Thornburg came dressed as George Washington to the gun-rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Jan. 16. Last week's smoke, driven south from wildfires, illustrates scientists' warning that we are on the threshold of 1.5 degrees of global warming. We're likely to see even more wildfires, along with stronger heat waves, storms and droughts. The only good news in this grim scenario is that we know how to fix it: End our reliance on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, some policymakers prioritize grandstanding above the moral leadership that protects families from climate disasters. In a move that stands in stark contrast to the faith values he claims to live by, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is attempting to force the commonwealth out of a successful, broadly popular initiative that supports the transition to renewable energy. His actions raise questions about whether he has the moral backbone needed in those who seek national office. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is an East Coast compact enshrined in Virginia law. Big energy utilities in member states like Virginia must comply with its limits on greenhouse gas emissions or pay a fee. RGGI gives utilities a strong incentive to decrease emissions, increase efficiency and off set emissions. In turn, cleaner energy production is good for everyone. It reduces air pollution and helps create the safer, more stable climate that families want. RGGI is popular across its 12 member states, including Virginia. A recent poll revealed that 66% of Virginians on both the right and the left want to remain in it. This year, after the governor directed the Department of Environmental Quality to "reevaluate" the state's participation in RGGI, the department collected more than 6,600 comments about the regional initiative, and close to 90% support the program. When Virginians were invited to deliver their comments in person, every single person urged the commonwealth to stay in RGGI. Opponents complain that RGGI raises utility bills, and it's true that household electricity bills did briefly rise by $2.39 per month for the average Dominion Energy customer. Yet, RGGI has already saved its member states somewhere between $191 million and $350 million by improving air quality and keeping kids with respiratory conditions out of the doctor's office. So RGGI is paying for itself (and then some). Its benefits are clear. Public support for it is overwhelming. But last week, the governor's appointees to an unelected air quality board voted to take Virginia out of RGGI. RGGI is a decision for the legislature, not an appointed board. It has been voted into Virginia law and upheld by the legislature. The governor's use of dubious back-door maneuvers to cancel a successful and widely supported program that protects families' health has disappointed many. Youngkin ran for office as someone who stood on moral principles. In particular, he's spoken about his Christian faith, saying that he is keen to "share in the brotherhood of Christ," and that he intends to use his time in the governor's office to "be a light along the way." But the governor's insistence on increasing dangerous air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions puts him out of step with his faith. Christian leaders strongly support urgent climate action. Nationally, 74% of all Christian adults think that climate change is a somewhat, very or extremely serious problem. The Evangelical Environmental Network's Pro-Life Clean Energy Campaign is supported by over 3 million anti-abortion Christians. Within Virginia, every Catholic diocese has active initiatives on the environment, from installing solar panels to encouraging all parishioners to care for creation daily. Youngkin's political strategy may play to his base in Virginia. But in a country where 65% of independent voters are Christian and 39% of independents say that climate change is a top issue, he may come to regret his political grandstanding if he seeks national office. By using legally dubious methods to cancel a widely supported, family-protecting measure, Gov. Youngkin stands in opposition to his faith's teaching that Christians are called to "do good to all people." The best leaders listen to the people, search their conscience and do what's best. If Gov. Youngkin is not able to do this within a single state, he may not yet have the moral backbone it takes to be a national leader. Human remains found in narco grave during random search Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. Human remains were found during a random jungle search for missing persons. Initially, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) of Quintana Roo reported finding seven bones during the Saturday search. However, three more have emerged in what is being referred to as a narco gravesite. The human remains were located in a jungle area of Los Gavilanes, a community in the municipality of Jose Maria Morelos. The ongoing searches for those missing is a coordinated effort between personnel from the State Commission for the Search for Persons of the State of Quintana Roo (CEBPQRoo), the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) and the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security. Man wanted for attempted murder extradited to Arizona Mexico City, Mexico In compliance with the Extradition Treaty between Mexico and the U.S., a Mexican national was handed over to American authorities to face charges. On Monday, Joaquin S was delivered to U.S. federal officials for his transfer to an Arizona court to face charges of kidnapping and attempted homicide. The Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) extradited Joaquin S to face charges in Pinal Country for the crimes of attempted homicide, qualified injuries and kidnapping. In April 2016, Joaquin S and his ex-partner met to discuss their childrens issues when the defendant pulled out a shotgun and seriously injured his ex-partner and his eldest daughter. He has been wanted by the Superior Court of Arizona since. The Government of Mexico granted the extradition of Joaquin S to the Government of the United States after he was located in Empalme, Sonora and detained for extradition purposes. Mexico offers solidarity with Canada in the face of ongoing forest fires Mexico City, Mexico The Government of Mexico expresses its solidarity in the face of the forest fires burning across Canada. The almost eighty-year bilateral relationship between Mexico and Canada has always been characterized by deep ties of friendship and constant support. Following up on the long tradition of collaboration in the fight against forest fires between both countries, the Government of Mexico expresses its solidarity with that nation in the face of this difficult situation that, in addition to impacting forest resources, is affecting the lives and health of thousands of people in North America. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its commitment to continue the collaboration between the competent authorities of the two countries, through the Memorandum of Understanding for the Exchange of Resources for the Management of Forest Fires, framed in the Forest Working Group of the Alliance Mexico-Canada. This mechanism, as on previous occasions, will allow Mexico to send contingents of fire fighters from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) in order to reinforce the actions undertaken by the Canadian Government in this area. The Government of Mexico has begun a local recruitment of forest firefighters for international deployment. Photo: Government of Mexico (Conafor) June 12, 2023. Likewise, Mexico highlights the regional commitment made during the last editions of the Summit of North American Leaders (CLAN) to combat climate change through mechanisms that allow us to act in coordination in times of crisis. The actions of the Government of Mexico in the matter and the repeated support for fighting forest fires reaffirm our commitment to the region to collaborate in safeguarding the safety of our communities and building safer and more sustainable societies. Canada is going through one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in its history. The authorities of that country foresee that the month of June will be above the average in terms of the severity of the fires On Monday, the Government of Mexico began a campaign to recruit forest firefighters for international deployment. In the past, Mexico has sent forest firefighters to Canada to help battle fires. Dr. Anthony Bradley is on a quest to make fraternities virtuous again. This is the craziest thing Ive ever done, he tells me. Im essentially bailing out water on the sinking Titanic. The problem hes confronting is well engrained in American culture and media: a quick Google search yields a variety of negative coverage of campus Greek lifeaccounts of everything from alcoholism and sexual abuse to hazing-related injuries and even deaths. Yet Dr. Bradley is trying to speak past the stereotypes with his new book, Heroic Fraternities: How College Men Can Save Universities and America, which makes the case for reenvisioning the idea of fraternitiesfrom simple ways to party and network to the formation of men capable of making productive contributions to society. Bradley frames his argument against the backdrop of Abolish Greek Life, a movement calling for the removal of Greek groups from campuses nationwide His is an aspirational case for how fraternities can be so much more than what they often are. Heroic Fraternities includes several lengthy interviews with fraternity members from campuses around the nation, allowing the reader to understand the struggle of Greek life in the words of the participants themselves. I asked Dr. Bradley, a research fellow at the Acton Institute and professor of religious studies and director of the Center for the Study of Human Flourishing at The Kings College in New York City, to explain the process of writing the book and how the issues hes addressing connect to broader social concerns. IW: Lets start with the question that every author whos written a book gets: What was the pivotal moment that got you writing this book? AB: I realized that people had completely misunderstood why guys coming out of high school were so desperate to join fraternities, and I realized I needed to tell a different story about whats happening, beyond the stereotypes and Zac Efron movies. I realized there was a disparity between what people assumed high schoolers care about in joining fraternities, probably right before the pandemic, and reality. I worked on this book for four years, and it emerged out of a curiosity of why fraternities were getting suspended. For example, I was teaching a class about masculinity at The Kings College and saw a news story about a fraternity getting suspended. Googling showed me that this is happening every week somewhere in America. As I dug more into the suspensions, I discovered theres way more going on in American fraternities in terms of why guys join and put themselves in harms way to join. Theres more than fun and social status; theres deep longing for friendship and deep connection and networking. Theres an opportunity to speak into a space on that. Most fraternity books in the past 10 years are almost all anti-fraternity books, particularly the ones written by academics, explaining why fraternities are toxic and need to be removed, and I didnt see anyone making any proposal for redeeming them. I had this idea, and its the craziest idea Ive ever had for a book project: to pitch fraternities as a potential factory producing men committed to virtue, not vice. What if fraternities were opportunities to produce virtue? IW: Theres been a distinction between performative and formative institutions, with a lot of misclassifying of institutions as serving performative functions, when in reality theyre designed to form people. Are fraternities performative or formative institutions? And do most people view them that way? AB: The national organizations view them as formative. If you go to any fraternity national conference, theyre going to pitch the virtue of fraternity life as formative. Theyre going to talk about courage, brotherhood, and service. They all promote these formative virtues on the national level. The challenge is how those are appropriated at the campus level, and youre going to have some variance there. Youll see some where student leaders are trying to embed those virtues into every aspect of programming; its a thread that runs through the entire chapter. There are other chapters where they dont care. One of the things I was surprised by is that the men who tend to care the most about the fraternity as a potential place for formation tend to have some religious background of their own, Catholic, Protestant; theyre the ones who tend to care a lot more about the virtue-formation opportunities. Its very common in a chapter to choose a student who comes from a committed Christian background to be a leader. If a Christian young man joins a frat, its assumed hell be mocked and persecuted. What Im finding is the oppositeif he has some self-confidence about his personal faith, hes actually more likely to rise in the leadership than be mocked and ridiculed. Theyre responsible, trustworthy, and have values. I would be doing an interview with a guy and halfway through find out he was a ChristianI had to completely shift my thinking! Greek life could be completely transformed if all Christian families would put all their sons into Greek life. It would change them overnight. When I speak to a chapter anywhere in the country, and I invite them to a life of virtue, they want it. Theyre excited about it. When young men who have virtue have the opportunity, they rise to the occasion. IW: Lets look at the Abolish Greek Life movement. Youve essentially dedicated the book to making a philosophical and practical case for Greek life in an incredibly convincing fashion. On the other hand, whats the most convincing argument for abolishing it? AB: The objections that some people have made in the movement are legit: Is there sexual assault and alcohol abuse and have people died and are some chapters racist? Yes. Does it exclude lower-income-class people on some campuses? Yes. But when you look at the number of campuses across the country, the selective few that are the worst get projected onto the masses. The AGL movement is raising not bad objectionssome of the pathologies on college campuses are true; the issues theyre raising are real issues. I simply dont think the solution is abolishment. IW: You talk about Animal House a lot in the book, and I want to zero in on that. Do you think films like Animal House are reinforcing peoples preexisting negative stereotypes of fraternities or actually changing peoples perceptions? AB: Both/and. If you look at Animal House and all the fraternity movies since, theyre reinforcing the stereotype and also creating it. Those movies are about college. Whos the target audience for a movie about college students? High schoolers and middle schoolers. A ninth grader is watching the movie and saying, I want to go to college and do that. And then they go off to college and do thatand Hollywood capitalizes on it. Its a vicious cycleevery fraternity movie since Animal House is a version of that. It creates and reinforces the stereotype at the same time, and its a huge force in sustaining the worst parts of Greek life. Students first introduction to Greek life is in high school. Animal House was part of this wave of coming-of-age films in the 70s and 80s: Porkys, Revenge of the Nerds, all of that. Its so fascinating that, in the 70s and 80s, getting drunk and losing your virginity was such a huge part of those movies. IW: Lets talk about behavior. Its no secret that a lot of political candidates are not doing an amazing job of modeling public morality. Do you think that the increasing focus on candidates personal indiscretions is part of why Greek institutions can glorify similar kinds of victimizing behavior? Basically, is there a causal relationship between campus trends and broader political trends, and which one is influencing which? AB: What we tend to find is that whatever morality a person practices in college, theyre going to do it for the rest of their life. What the data show is that men in fraternities are much more likely to end up being leaders in business and politics and elsewhere. When you see some middle-aged guy caught in a scandal, they did the same things in college. Those years are important in embedding the practice of individual morality and virtue. Insofar as chapters are focused on moral formation, they have a chance to work out the kinks in a guys moral matrix. A guy can come in with terrible virtues and leave with good ones if the fraternity cares. If the fraternity doesnt care, it will have no impactit allows him to practice vice with impunity. If theres no consequence to immoral behavior in a frat, that can have deleterious effects on the mans career later on. If you can do this with impunity, you start looking for contexts that lack accountability. You might see a fraternity alumnus doing something horriblehe probably did that in college. The fraternity didnt create that, but it facilitated opportunities to practice vice. IW: In one of the interviews in the book, Chad Frick of Clemson notes, If you know someone in a fraternity who is a terrible person, he was a terrible person before joining the fraternity, and the fraternity didnt make him that way. Looking at the interviews in the book, did you curate those? They all seem very positive. AB: I follow about 2,000 chapters across the country on Instagram, and I see terrible things on campus on the regular. Whats important about Chads comment is, in terms of moral commitments, those are set before you enroll in college. Whenever you go to college, whatevers deep set is going to come out. There are some guys who have really low morals and use the access that fraternities have to practice vice. Ive had lots of interviews with fraternity guys outside the ones in the bookthe guys there to lavish in vice are not interested in making Greek Life virtuous. They joined it specifically to engage in vice. Those guys are out therethey dont want it to be anything more than an opportunity for hooking up and networking, and theyre not the type to agree to an interview. Im trying to put on display that there are fraternity guys who are leaders and want more than you see in some of the movies. They want formation, and they dont know how. Even the guys who are wild want formation; they just believe that the formation needs to be full of vice. When you give them positive opportunities, however, they rise to the occasion. IW: You mention very briefly rushing Alpha Phi Alpha during your time at Clemson University. Yet you dont really talk about it in the book, and Im curious as to why. Its a book about fraternities and you were in a fratwhy not talk about it? AB: As an academic, you sort of take yourself out of the project. I wanted to keep it about the narrative and not so much about me. I will say this, though: I was in a black fraternity, and that black fraternity system was different. My own experience wasnt necessarily what people today are finding objectionable, particularly on predominantly white campuses. Black fraternities on white campuses are small; its not the same culture. As a method, I typically dont include personal narratives in the book, but I wanted to establish some credibility. Greek culture is really suspicious of outsidersif youre not Greek, they wont listen to you at all. I wanted to make sure that I was one of them, not some outsider coming in to try and shame them. IW: Who is the ideal reader for this book? It doesnt seem like your message is nearly as simple as join a frat. AB: The ideal reader is a student who is pledging a fraternity and trying to figure out Why am I doing this? What can my fraternity become once Im in it? What can my pledge class do to make this better? In terms of who I had in mind, that central group is college freshmen and sophomores, secondarily upperclassmen in leadership positions with the capacity to reenvision their chapters culture, and thirdly parents trying to figure out if their kids should join a frat. Lastly, college administrations are trying to figure out how they should manage fraternitiesmost admins want them gone, and Ive encountered this in my talks at various colleges. After talking to a chapter, Ill talk to the college president and explain that this is a fraternity you can trust. I tell fraternities that this is a good book for your pledges to readwhen they become brothers, theyll have appropriate expectations and make their chapters places where mens lives can be much better than they were when they entered college. Its sad that college admins dont get that! If you really want them to be great men, instead of multiplying punishments, go ask them. They actually want to be great people. From my experience, every audience I speak to, the college students are extremely excited and they accept the challenge. They want to be good men, but they dont know how. Secondly, they tell me that no one talks to us like this. What they mean is, they never get any encouragement to be great from people who believe in them. Its all shaming and negation, a list of donts. Inviting them to virtue is really attractive, and they find themselves drawn to it. Its a happy experiment. Thursday night is the regular monthly meeting of the Roanoke County School Board. And in light of certain recent events, its a safe bet rainbows will be on hand. So far, rainbow imagery, as of Monday, is still permitted in the Roanoke County administration building, where the board meets. Buts unclear whether that freedom will persist or for how long. Especially in light of certain rainbow-trashing remarks by a parent at last months meeting. Damon Gettier raised the issue regarding Glen Cove Elementary School during a 4-minute, 30-second rant that kicked off the May 18 school board meetings public comments section. Gettiers son attends school Glen Cove, and the local real-estate broker made it sound as if the elementary school is filthy with rainbows. He noted he personally visited the school to look for LGBTQA decorations, and he found many, even after its principal had removed others. He further alleged the displays were tantamount to child abuse, grooming and indoctrination by sexual predators disguised as teachers and staff at Glen Cove Elementary. Gettier cited four staffers by their specific school positions. The guidance counselor, the school psychologist, the assistant principal and the music teacher were bent on indoctrinating our children on LGBTQA, and not on reading, writing and arithmetic, Gettier told the board. As supporting evidence, he passed out four photographs hed culled from the elementary schools current yearbook. Three depicted teachers wearing rainbow-themed clothing or accessories, such as lanyards or eyeglasses. The fourth image flagged by Gettier was a photograph of a rainbow-hued sign bearing the message EVERYONE WELCOME. Who approved that? Gettier asked the board. Who thought those pictures were appropriate? No school board member spoke in defense of the school or its employees following his remarks. And nobody cautioned Gettier that his accusations were uncomfortably specific and potentially slanderous. Nor did any board member stop Gettier after hed passed the 3-minute mark, the time limit normally allotted for each speakers comments. (When Gettier hit the 4-minute mark, board Chairman Brent Hudson urged him to wrap up his remarks. Gettier finished half a minute later.) At the end of the meeting school board members David Linden and Cheryl Facciani seemed to endorse Gettiers remarks. In particular, Facciani said the school board needs to clearly set expectations and limitations when it comes to propaganda in our classrooms. The only flag that should be flying in our schools is the American flag, Facciani said. If you cant fly religious flags, if you cant fly Satanic flags or political flags, you just cant have it both ways. Flags are not essential for demonstrating and teaching kindness, accepting others or embracing all our differences. The only flags, again, that should be in our schools are the American flag. Barely a week passed before we saw a predictable reaction. More than 200 Glen Cove parents and supporters held a rainbow-drenched demonstration outside the elementary school. As that occurred, Commonwealth Uniserv, the agency representing Roanoke County teachers, consulted with attorneys. A Roanoke County parent, Decca Knight, started a petition on Change.org, and publicized it with a post to a members-only Facebook group, Roanoke County Parents for a Common Sense School Board. As of Monday afternoon, 2,221 people had signed the petition. It begins by noting it will be read at Thursday nights school board meeting, and calls for three things. The first is support our students and staff in the LGBTQ+ community by not allowing hate to grow, Knight wrote. Second, protect staff from unwarranted attacks on their character: The false allegations of staff members being sexual predators are baseless and damaging to their professional and personal lives. Third, create equitable policies for educators personal expression that does not single out LGBTQ+ educators. The petition notes that Roanoke County teachers who identify as Christians are allowed to wear crosses and shirts that identify their religious preferences. The Supreme Court has ruled school staffers have a First-Amendment right to do that. These personal expressions may make students of other religions uncomfortable, yet they are allowed to persist, the petition goes on. Why is one community being targeted over another? We must respect diversity and the rights of ALL individuals to express their beliefs safely and respectfully, the petition says. I also learned that there have already been other anti-Pride actions in Roanoke County schools, before the Glen Cove brouhaha. Andrew Thacker, a teacher at William Byrd High for 16 years, told me his principal advised him in January to remove a Pride flag that had been in his classroom for at least two years. It was a gift from a couple of students, he said. Thacker removed it but said he appealed to the school sytems central office. An administrator then literally said that based on my reputation as a liberal, it had to come down, Thacker told me. I took that personally. Thacker said he later came to realize the principal was trying to protect him from potential future complaints about the flag, and that she didnt personally object to it. Ultimately, he resigned, effective at the end of the school year, and got a job teaching government at Roanokes Patrick Henry High. His new job pays $7,000 per year more than if he had stayed in Roanoke County schools, Thacker said. Dorothy Carter, director of Commonwealth Universerv, said Northside Middle teacher Courtney Cutright also took down a Pride flag in August 2022. Cutright is a former education reporter for this newspaper. Cutright told me it happened after a parent complained about the Pride flag to a school board member, and that an assistant superintendent, Jessica McClung, told her it had to come down. Cutright, president of the Roanoke County Education Association, said she complied. She still teaches in Roanoke County. Finally, a few years ago, ex-librarian Marcey Mihalo said she was ordered by the principal at Cave Spring Middle School to remove two posters shed hung in the school library four to six weeks earlier. One, Mihalo told me, was a page she cut from a magazine about school diversity. It displayed cartoon-style drawn images of people holding signs saying things like, You are accepted here, and You are valued, but otherwise sported no obvious rainbows or typical LGBTQ+ imagery. The other poster was larger and quite different. It bore an internationally famous quotation by Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran clergyman in Germany in the years leading up to World War II. Niemoller had supported the early rise of Nazi Party, but later changed his mind and the Nazis arrested and imprisoned him in a concentration camp. His quotation begins, First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist. Mihalo told me she learned in the discussion with her principal that a parent had complained about the term Socialists being on the librarys wall. (Niemollers quotation is on permanent exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.). Mihalo, whos Jewish, said she challenged the principals decision, but the school systems then-director of curriculum agreed the poster should come down. County schools spokesman Chuck Lionberger, in response to several questions, wrote in an email: While we cannot comment on the specifics of a personnel matter, we do want to affirm that Roanoke County Public Schools focus is on our students and their learning and wellbeing. Our schools must continue to be safe and caring places for all students, where they can learn free of disruptions, distractions, or bias. We support and commend the efforts of our teachers and principals to provide a caring and respectful environment focused on learning for all students. Thats some (but not all) of the background to a county School Board meeting that promises to be more interesting than usual. Its unclear whether Damon Gettier will be there. In case youre attending, the meeting begins at 5 p.m. You can also watch it streaming live on YouTube. A Roanoke lawyer has been appointed a magistrate judge for the federal courts Western District of Virginia. Kailani Memmer was selected by the district judges to fill a vacancy created when Robert Ballou was elevated to a U.S. district judgeship earlier this year, according to an announcement Tuesday. She will become first openly gay magistrate judge or district judge to serve in the Western District. When the district judges sought candidates for the position earlier this year, they said that creating and maintaining diversity in the court system was one factor they would consider. A communitys belief that a court dispenses justice is heightened when the court reflects the communitys racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, a public notice of the appointment process stated. The district which covers a region from the Lynchburg area to the western tip of Virginia and north to Winchester has four district judges, two senior district judges and three magistrate judges. Six are men and three are women. All are white. Memmer, 56, is currently the managing partner of Glenn Robinson Cathey Memmer & Skaff, where she represents corporate, self-insured, and insurance clients in product and premises liability, local government, tort, transportation, contract, and insurance coverage matters. As a magistrate judge, Memmer will preside over preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, try misdemeanor cases, conduct pretrial matters and evidentiary hearings, try some civil cases and oversee mediation sessions aimed at resolving them. Applicants for the job were reviewed by a merit selection panel of attorneys and community members. The panel recommended to the judges five candidates that were considered the best qualified. Appointment by the judges was for an eight-year term. The current annual salary of the position is $213,992. Born in New Orleans, Memmer graduated from Wellesley College and has a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. She has practiced law in Roanoke since 1992. Memmer has been recognized as an Influential Woman of the Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly and received the 2010 Leader in Diversity Award from the Virginia Women Attorneys Association. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Farmers are the backbone of our country, but we must understand that with that much responsibility comes even more stress. Farming is one of the most mentally taxing occupations. Agriculture has always been at the top of the list of most stressful occupations for many reasons. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, factors that contribute to farmer stress include: Debt load Financial pressures Unpredictable weather Lack of personal time Volatile markets Financial pressures Excessive workloads Intergenerational differences Work conditions (that may lead to health concerns) Family relationships can add additional pressure onto the stress of farming. Dealing with this much prolonged stress can be challenging but being able to talk about mental health concerns and receiving the help that is needed can be lifesaving. Farmers are not alone; there are many resources that are available to assist South Carolina farmers. The first resource is specific for farmers and others involved in the South Carolina agricultural industry, SC AgriWellness. SC AgriWellness, administered by First Sun EAP, makes counseling services available to South Carolina farmers by providing at least three free counseling sessions with a mental health professional in one of a few methods based on the farmers preference: in-person, virtual, by phone, or by texting. First Sun EAP through this program also provides additional services. To use any of the SC AgriWellness services, call 800-968-8143 and reference that you are calling as part of the SC Agriwellness program. SC AgriWellness/First Sun EAP has a wellness center with over 20,000 resources. With articles, quizzes, calculators, videos, and even monthly webinars covering various topics. You can find everything from health resources, such as fitness, nutrition, cancer prevention, and sleep disorders information, to legal-related issues dealing with retirement, wills and estates, debt and bankruptcy, and more. Many resources cover emotional well-being, finances, relationships, and personal growth. All of these resources have unlimited access. All you need to do is make an account by following the link: https://firstsun-agriwellness.com/, choose well-being center, and create an account. Other resources that are available include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255) Crisis Text Line: Text GO to 74171 Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Chat: https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ Another resource available is Clemson Extension. The agribusiness team has individuals that can provide in-person workshops/ presentations on farm stress and mental health. If you are interested in having a workshop or a presentation as part of a program or meeting, please contact Dr. Adam Kantrovich at akantro@clemson.edu. It is important to emphasize that this is not an isolated issue. In a survey conducted by American Farm Bureau, 46% of farmers said it is difficult to access a therapist or counselor in their local communities. Farming is a stressful occupation, but its important to know that there are people and resources available to help. Upcoming program: As a farmer there are many risks involved including safety and natural disasters. Join us June 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for an Emergency Preparedness and Farm Safety Workshop. We will learn about preparing your farm for hurricanes, create an emergency action plan and lastly spend the afternoon getting hands on farm safety training and tips. The workshop is free, and lunch is provided, but please call Bethany Funkhouser at 843-944-8584 to register or email bnf@clemson.edu. Mali: Le parquet requiert trois ans de prison contre l'animateur Ras Bath apres ses propos sur la mort de Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga Un animateur connu de radio-television au Mali a ete juge mardi par un tribunal de Bamako pour avoir declare qu'un ex-Premier ministre, mort en detention sous la junte, avait ete "assassine", des propos pour lesquels trois ans de prison ont ete requis a son encontre. "Le parquet a requis trois ans de prison ferme. J'ai plaide la relaxe parce qu'il n'y a pas (d')infraction", a declare au telephone a l'AFP Kassoum Tapo, avocat de Mohamed Youssouf Bathily dit "Ras Bath", un militant, polemiste et animateur aux nombreux sympathisants. Le jugement sera rendu le 11 juillet, a-t-il dit. M. Bathily etait juge pour avoir declare en mars que l'ex-Premier ministre Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga "nest pas mort, il a ete assassine, cest le terme quil faut". Il avait ensuite ete inculpe et ecroue le 13 mars. M. Maiga, poids lourd de la politique nationale, est decede en detention en mars 2022 malgre les appels pressants adresses par ses proches a la junte pour son evacuation vers l'etranger en raison de la deterioration de son etat de sante. Entre 2017 et 2019 il avait ete le Premier ministre du president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, renverse en aout 2020 par des colonels toujours au pouvoir aujourd'hui. Par ailleurs, une influenceuse, Rokia Doumbia, connue au Mali pour son engagement contre la vie chere et tres suivie sur les reseaux sociaux, doit etre jugee mercredi a Bamako. Mme Doumbia est ecrouee depuis mars apres s'en etre prise durement aux militaires au pouvoir et a leur "echec", selon elle, face a l'insecurite et a l'inflation. Les voix discordantes peinent a se faire entendre sans risquer d'etre inquietees sous le regime des colonels au pouvoir au Mali, un pays sahelien confronte a des violences multiformes dont des attaques jihadistes. "Criminal Courteaucracy" | Main | Mass filing from Louisiana death row seeking mass clemency from Louisiana Gov June 13, 2023 Can and will GOP leaders persistently attack both federal criminal justice and federal criminal justice reform? Two new headlines this morning focused on two different aspects of federal criminal justice and the activities of former Prez Donald Trump prompt the question in the title of this post. These two pieces are worth reading in full, but here are the complete headlines, links and key paragraphs: From The Spectator, "The GOP is sprinting away from criminal justice reform: The nations violent crime wave has changed the conversation": In the five years since it hit the presidents desk, ... the First Step Act has become a source of controversy within the Republican Party. Members of the GOP are reticent to appear soft on crime as Americas major cities undergo a post-pandemic crime wave and progressive members of the Democratic Party advocate for defunding the police and installing left-wing prosecutors who are keen on giving second or third, or fourth chances to criminals. Trump has hardly talked about the landmark legislation on the 2024 campaign trail, and his primary opponents have started to use it as an attack line, as proof that they are the true law-and-order candidates.... The GOPs abandonment of criminal justice reform is likely a welcome change for tough-on-crime mainstays like Senators Tom Cotton and John Kennedy, who voted against the First Step Act, while the libertarian wing of the party will be vexed. The real story will be in how these internal fights are received by primary voters, as 80 percent of Republicans said crime is a real threat in communities in a March NPR poll. Which primary candidates can run the fastest from the perception that they might be gracious to criminals? From the Washington Post, "Republicans slam law enforcement over Trump indictment, showing shift in GOP: Many in the party have sought to discredit the integrity of federal agencies that have investigated and charged the former president, marking another step away from the GOPs longtime positioning": Polling from Pew Research Center suggests that the GOP attacks on the FBI and the Justice Department have had an effect. Only 38 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning adults said they viewed the FBI favorably in a survey released in March; and about 40 percent of those respondents viewed the Justice Department favorably. Although Pews older data is not comparable to the 2023 survey because of changes in survey mode and the wording of questions, one earlier survey showed that before Trump took office, most Republicans had a positive view of the FBI. Trump has set the tone for the invective against federal law enforcement agencies. Shortly after the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago last year, he called the FBI and Justice Department vicious monsters and scoundrels. In political speeches over the weekend, he said the FBI and the Justice Department were corrupt and alleged that Biden is trying to jail his leading political opponent.... In April, Trump called on the Republican-led Congress to defund the FBI and the Justice Department a day after he was arraigned in Manhattan on separate charges. For a variety of reasons, I suspect we will continue to see at least some GOP leaders continuing to attack both federal criminal justice (going after Trump's federal prosecution) and federal criminal justice reform (going after Trump's FIRST STEP support). But I am quite unsure how all these attacks might echo through and impact the politics and policies of federal criminal justice reform debates in the coming months and years as we approach another big federal election. Ultimately, I find it fascinating that Trump is now the nation's highest profile criminal defendant, in both state and federal courts (and also has already been found liable for a tortious sex offense), and yet he is still the most popular figure in the supposed "law and order" party. Go figure. June 13, 2023 at 11:35 AM | Permalink Comments https://apnews.com/article/abby-zwerner-teacher-shot-6yearold-d4d2c462c76ed142d8fb5e24e59c0824 What's your sentence, Doug? Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 11:47:59 AM This post misses the obvious--I support law enforcement, until law enforcement starts egregiously breaking the law or it becomes partisan. One can look at how the DOJ handled the Flynn stuff (why was Lisa Page doctoring, er editing, the form 302?) and not want lenience for common criminals. Or it could not want the DOJ prosecuting ordinary people for lying to the FBI, but letting the USA for the District of Massachusetts walk. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 11:51:50 AM (and also has already been found liable for a tortious sex offense)--something that happened years ago, and the prosecutrix talks about learning bedroom arts from dogs. And look, Joe Biden is prez, yet his daughter talked about how he used to shower with her, and oh, by the way, there are creepy videos of him with barely pubescent girls . . . . Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 11:54:54 AM should have said, something that allegedly happened decades ago . . . . the whole thing stinks. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 12:16:29 PM I'd need to see the sentencing memos before even starting to suggest a sentence for Deja Taylor. But do you think, federalist, that she should have found the charges by arguing selective prosecution and/or a Second Amendment defense given that literally tens of millions of people use marijuana while possessing a firearm and almost nobody gets federally prosecuted AND there district court rulings that the applicable statute is unconstitutional? (Also, weed is legal under VA law.) Notably, she is being subject to a number of state charges for her mishandling of the gun that lead to the harm to the teacher, which seem to be the real reason these federal charges were pursued. Of course, she makes a lousy "poster child" for assailing federal overreach here, but I am curious if you consider this overreach. Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 12:20:53 PM (Also, weed is legal under VA law.)---wouldn't say that. It's illegal in VA. You know, the whole Article VI thing. I'd like to know what the state guys plan to do---can't imagine there weren't discussions with feds This prosecution isn't a great look, but I don't think it has Second Amendment infirmities. I don't think there are selective prosecution issues either, given the effects, but it's still not a great look. I think I would have declined to prosecute were I the USA for that district, unless the state decided to punt, then this feels about right for the state charges. Funny that you feel like commenting on some BS court case--I mean really, they re-opened the SOL. But no comment on the Ashley diary. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 12:29:17 PM Without a doubt, Donald Trump is the most pernicious, divisive, and malignant force in American politics since Aaron Burr and Jefferson Davis. Posted by: anon13 | Jun 13, 2023 1:28:44 PM Well, anon13, what do you have to say about the Ashley Biden diary, Biden's lie in the debate about Hunter's laptop etc. etc. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 1:33:15 PM Kind of hate myself for this - but "The law is an ass" - "created by legislators and administrated by the justice system, cannot be relied upon to be sensible or fair." I think of the term "The Law" as a universal - not an individual law. It's not a healthy mind set for someone who cares. Posted by: beth curtis | Jun 13, 2023 1:33:36 PM Two things can be true. The DOJ can be putting their finger on the scale and Trump is a criminal. The DOJ gets less criticism than they deserve. They are scoundrels. Anon, The Medicis of Delaware are at least as disgusting as Trump. Denying your own grandchild is unforgivable. And according to the unclassified HUMINT the FBI has but will not allow Congress to have even under subpoena, there are two audiotapes of phone calls with Sloppy Joe working with Burisma while VP. And lets just be honest. Burisma didnt buy access to a Parmesan cheese sniffing, strippers baby daddy, who did not speak English or know anything about the energy sector. Its obvious who they were buying access to. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 13, 2023 2:16:27 PM I know Republican politics decently well. This is the state of play on law enforcement: Most in the party view DOJ and the FBI with suspicion, as having become more political than is healthy (or traditional). An even bigger majority fully support state and local police and oppose legislation that would reduce accountability for criminals. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jun 13, 2023 2:16:45 PM "The Medicis of Delaware are at least as disgusting as Trump." Trump never sold out America. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 2:31:57 PM federalist, what exactly makes the jury determination that Trump is tortiously liable for sexual abuse "some BS court case"? Are you saying you know the jury got it wrong and that Trump did not sexually abuse E. Jean Carroll? Or any you saying nobody should care about a jury deciding that he sexually abused someone? My post is not about Biden or about his political party. It is about Trump and his political party's strong support for a person who is now the nation's highest profile criminal defendant in both state and federal courts (and who also has already been found liable for a tortious sex offense). (Also, you should understand law and language well enough to know the difference between saying "weed is legal under VA law" and saying it is legal in VA. I was clearly referencing state law, and my statement is accurate.) Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 3:05:11 PM There's a reason for statutes of limitation. NY reopened a closed statute of limitation, and Carroll couldn't identify dates or even the year. It's an abuse of the justice system. And she talked about learning about sex from dogs--sign of a sicko. You made an aside comment about Trump's popularity with the public and his party's support--but you never seem to wonder about the party's support of Biden--but I am the partisan. Yeah, whatev. Yes, you were referencing state law, the way you phrase it makes it seem that somehow the feds' prosecution decision is somehow wrong . . . . but you don't make that argument. You just throw it out there. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 3:12:11 PM Much as you like to politicize the comments, federalist, I am writing a sentencing blog that seeks to focus on sentencing and related CJ issues. Politics, especially elected officials' and parties' support/opposition for CJ policies and reforms, necessarily becomes part of the discussion. But until Joe Biden gets criminally charged, I am inclined not to spend much time on "whataboutism" (especially with so many others so inclined). Meanwhile, you did not address my questions relevant to why I mentioned the sexual abuse verdict against Trump: "Are you saying you know the jury got it wrong and that Trump did not sexually abuse Carroll? Or any you saying nobody should care about a jury deciding that he sexually abused someone?" On the weed front, the feds notably did not prosecute Deja Taylor for a federal marijuana offenses (and AG Garland has indicated his DOJ would follow the Cole memo that said DOJ would generally not prosecute individual state-compliant marijuana activity). Rather, Taylor is getting hit with a federal gun charge, though actually it seems she may not even be getting hit with illegal gun possession, but rather is getting hit with lying on the gun-buying form. I though it notable to flag that the feds here are looking for years of imprisonment for an offense like this after the the feds have given tacit approval for individuals to use weed in compliance with state law. In the past, I thought you said that all others should have EP claims against these kinds of charges because Hunter Biden has not yet been so charged. I also thought you said nobody should be denied their 2A gun right absent a criminal conviction. Can you explain why you are not fully standing up for Deja Taylor given your prior comments? Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 3:37:45 PM I don't know if the jury got it wrong or right---no one knows since it was so so long ago. Could you defend yourself against a bogus charge of 20 year old misconduct. No. I give the jury's "verdict" no weight at all. "My point is flag that feds are looking for years of imprisonment for an offense like this after the feds have given tacit approval for individuals to generally use weed in compliance with state law." Fair point, but mine about a drive-by comment was fair also. "I also thought you said nobody should be denied their 2A gun right absent a criminal conviction." I probably wasn't thinking of this--I think the government has a right to ask whether you are a drug user. And, you technically don't lose those rights--stop using drugs, and you get to buy a gun. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 3:51:57 PM "But until Joe Biden gets criminally charged, I am inclined not to spend much time on "whataboutism" (especially with so many others so inclined)." He can't be. LOL. Nice try. Partisan. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 3:55:02 PM federalist: I generally do not agree with the OLC view on charging a sitting prez, and Biden certainly can (and perhaps will) get criminally charged after he leaves office. Also, would you say the Second Amendment would allow the feds to ask whether a person is an alcohol or tobacco or prescription valium user and to only allow sales if/when the person stops using those drugs? Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 4:04:56 PM I think they could ask whether you are a habitual drunkard or, due to prescription drug use, unable to responsibly use a firearm. But that's probably a waste of time, and Gorsuch wouldn't like it, so . . . . OLC is right as a matter of law--all the executive power is vested in the prez. Period. And your refusal to answer is just obvious partisanship---you hate Trump and so you'll be ok with a money grab based on an allegation that is so vague it cannot be defended against. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 4:49:22 PM And by the by, should you ever want to go back to the Trump v. Obama morality debate, I'll add Joe to the list---look what Joe is fighting for--absolutely sick: https://thefederalist.com/2023/06/13/if-banned-books-are-harmless-joe-biden-should-read-them-to-kids/ Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 4:55:49 PM federalist: not sure I understand your approach to the Second Amendment, which I think you have linked to self-defense rights. Do "drunkards" lose SD rights and/or 2A rights? When? Who decides? Do we need to check if Daniel Perry used any prescription drugs? If you really believe in robust 2A and SD rights, you seem little interested in defending them robustly. And I am still awaiting you finding anyone other than you eager to make the case, with policy issues and partisanship aside, that Trump is more moral than Obama. When you find someone making that case, I am all ears. Perhaps Bill or Tarls? And I have refused to answer what, exactly? Trump refused to testify in his tort trial, so we really do not if Carroll's charges can be defended against. And what was "vague" about the allegation? Meanwhile, I do not hate Trump, I actually find him quite interesting and entertaining -- and I am also grateful he backed the FIRST STEP Act (and also supported gay marriage and passed a (relatively progressive) tax cut). I just call things as I see them, which I know can sometimes aggravate partisans like you. Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 5:28:29 PM Doug, Your unwillingness to discuss Joe is an act of cowardice. As federalist stated, he cannot be charged but there is so much more. You are clearly ignoring the rank corruption at the DOJ from the Hillary case and Comey changing the law, the 51 signing the laptop letter, to Andrew McCabe lying to Congress and the DOJ not prosecuting, etc. In fact, Brennan, McCabe, and Comey went on to lucrative careers at CNN, MSNBC, etc. Its like saying OJ is innocent. We all know better. Finally, can you tell me a theory, that makes Joe look innocent, why Burisma hired a Parmesan cheese snorting, coke head, strippers baby daddy who doesnt speak Ukrainian or Russian, and knows zero about the energy industry? Why are there at least 20 Biden shell companies that lead to nine Biden family members? Who starts shell companies? Do you have any? Why are there audio recordings of Sloppy Joe talking to Burisma, even though he has said he has never been involved in Hunters business dealings? They are clearly not buying Hunter. Sometimes things are common sense and saying he hasnt been charged, is cowardly. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 13, 2023 5:32:53 PM Tarls--there's also this quote I said, Youre not getting the billion. Im going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: Im leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not ired, youre not getting the money, Biden recalled telling Poroshenko. Well, son of a bitch, he got fired. And they put in place someone who was solid at the time, Biden told the Council on Foreign Relations event, insisting that President Obama was in on the threat. Of course, the guy Biden got ousted was investigating Burisma . . . . what a coincidence. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 5:51:45 PM Doug, re: Carroll---she didn't supply a time or date---how the heck can you defend against that? Obama was cool with siccing the feds on the incoming NSA, Michael Flynn, based on the fucking Logan Act. Totally destroyed norms and saddled Trump with a bullshit scandal. Obama should be on trial, not Trump. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 5:54:51 PM Master Tarls, I have never been a fan of plagiarist hack Joe Biden for a wide array of long-standing policy reasons. But this is not a political blog focused on political allegations, and I tend not to discuss (nor do I have the time to research) political matters unless and until they become formal criminal matters. This is not a matter of cowardice, it is a matter of limited time in the day and knowing my lane and relative expertise. I have seen some of the evidence assembled against Biden you are citing, but sometimes from sources claiming Trump won the 2020 election. It is depressingly hard to find trustworthy sources in the political sphere, and it is only when formal criminal justice matters are involved that I feel I can do my own research efficiently to reach an informed and independent view of what is really afoot. As for DOJ, I have for the better part of 20 years on this blog criticized so many DOJ actions. From appeal waivers to stash-house stings --- from A to S, I could not think of a Z --- to so many other DOJ actions in between, I have assailed and criticized DOJ repeatedly and expect to continue to do so. I have often been particularly critical of DOJ's lack of transparency, going all the way back to summer 2004 when I posted a "Comey memo" that should have been made public but was not. That the Supreme Court had to cite to my blog posting of the document in the Booker case was, for me, an indictment of standard DOJ practices that extend well beyond the whatever political issues de jure have pundit lips flapping. I get that you, Master Tarls and federalist, seemingly are ever eager to vent your anti-Biden and other political feelings here. Fine, I do not edit or moderate the comment space. But there are thousands of spaces in which you and others can talk politics, and I often tend to not even read a lot of the comments that focus on politics rather than law and policy. And, for my own writings, I will generally seek to spend my limited time on politics only as it relates to elected officials' and parties' support/opposition for CJ policies and reforms. (And, of course, to channel commentary Bill often makes, I am not afraid to use my real name.) Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 6:37:26 PM "Do we need to check if Daniel Perry used any prescription drugs? If you really believe in robust 2A and SD rights, you seem little interested in defending them robustly." You conflate separate issues---first of all, things like the questions to gun buyers, you know, have to be passed into law, and drunk people can defend themselves There are common law restrictions on guns relating to mental illness etc. etc. Now there are due process issues (especially with Gorsuch parsing statutes) But you're not going to get me to say that dope fiends have a 2A right to have guns. They don't. Now how you define "dope fiend" is another issue, and that's why I think that the questionnaires are pretty dumb from a policy standpoint. Posted by: federalist | Jun 13, 2023 6:38:32 PM Federalist, I wrote that "without a doubt, Donald Trump is the most pernicious, divisive, and malignant force in American politics since Aaron Burr and Jefferson Davis." You responded, "anon13, what do you have to say about the Ashley Biden diary, Biden's lie in the debate about Hunter's laptop etc. etc." I reply that I have nothing to say yet. I'll wait for criminal charges to be brought, if every they are against Biden. Unlike Biden, Trump has been impeached twice, indicted twice, found liable once for molesting a woman and ordered to pay her $5million. Bill Barr says Trump is "toast" on the federal indictment. Mike Pompeo says by his reckless conduct with respect to national defense documents, Trump endangered the public safety. And still two more indictments to come. So I repeat that without a doubt, Donald Trump is the most pernicious, divisive, and malignant force in American politics since Aaron Burr and Jefferson Davis." Posted by: anon13 | Jun 13, 2023 6:57:50 PM Federalist, apropos of you discussion with Prof. Berman relating to Trump's loss in the civil suit, just today the federal judge allowed Caroll to amend the complaint to ask for more punitive damages: According to CNN, "A federal judge will allow E. Jean Carroll to amend her original defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump to include comments he made at a CNN town hall. Carroll, a former magazine columnist, asked the judge for permission to amend the initial November 2019 lawsuit so she could try to seek additional punitive damages after Trump repeated statements a federal jury found to be defamatory. The allowance comes as Trumps legal troubles have mounted in recent days. Also Tuesday, the former president was arraigned at a federal courthouse in Miami and pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents in a case brought by the Justice Department. We look forward to moving ahead expeditiously on E Jean Carrolls remaining claims, Carrolls attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said Tuesday. Last month, a jury found in favor of Carroll in her second civil lawsuit, which went to trial. The jury found that Trump sexually abused Carroll and defamed her by denying the attack, saying she wasnt his type and calling her allegations a hoax. One day later Trump appeared at the CNN Republican presidential town hall and said, I have no idea who this woman this is a fake story, made up story. He called Carroll a whack job and went on a tangent about her ex-husband and pet cat. Trumps lawyer opposed the amendment and said they wanted to move to dismiss the original lawsuit, which deals with comments Trump made while president and has been held up on appeal. Carroll has alleged that the former president raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s and then defamed her when he denied her claim. The judge also set a deadline of next month for the Justice Department to weigh in on whether it still believed that Trump was acting within the scope of his employment when he made the comments in 2019. The Justice Department under Trump and Biden said that he was, which tied the original lawsuit up on appeal. Following the May jury finding in Carrolls favor, the Justice Department has asked for more time, suggesting it was reconsidering its position." Posted by: anon13 | Jun 13, 2023 7:05:15 PM Doug, It is not anti-Biden. It is anti-corruption. I also have contempt for Trump and feel a great sitcom idea would be those two sharing a cell in a Federal facility. If there was justice, Hillary would be one cell over, as she spearheaded a coup that actually had a chance of working. It did, to a great extent. It is the biggest scandal in American political history, by far. That corruption at the top of our most powerful law enforcement agency is not newsworthy of this blog is, in my opinion, a joke even knowing it is ultimately your decision as owner. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 13, 2023 7:30:03 PM Anon, Saying that you must wait until criminal charges are brought is like pointing to the scoreboard and saying you won even though the refs spotted you 20 points. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 13, 2023 7:32:11 PM Doug, Senator Grassley is about as serious a politician as you can get. He saw the unredacted 1023. The source is an FBI informant they have used several times, even paying him $200,000. This isnt a Rudy Giuliani scenario. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 13, 2023 7:37:57 PM On various political fronts, Tarls, I suspect we agree more than we disagree, though for me this goes back to the (original?) sin of Dems wrongfully and disgustingly defending Bill Clinton after it was clear he lied under oath about his affair with an intern. But when you say "corruption at the top of our most powerful law enforcement agency," I am not sure who/what you are referencing -- the Obama-era folks, the Trump-era folks, the Biden-era folks, FBI, all of DOJ, the political appointees, the career folks, all of the above? Also, by "corruption at the top," do you mean overly politicized decision-making or folks actually getting paid off or something else? Especially because I never worked in DOJ, I have very limited understanding of what goes on there internally and about how political folks and career folks interact. But, as my criticism of appeal waivers and stash-house stings and other suspect practices highlight, I have long feared that some inside DOJ have long placed parochial interests, acquisition of power, and self-serving views of "what's best" over commitments to law and equal justice. I suspect Bill Otis and others with DOJ experience may have very different views. But, looking from the outside in --- and admitting I often get just defense-side tales --- I sense the culture of prosecutors in general, and DOJ in particular, seems to underwrite a lot of troubling behavior (and a lot more secrecy than should be tolerated in the exercise of government powers). On the topic of being paid off, I agree that Senator Grassley is a serious man (and in much better shape at age 89 than his colleague Senator Feinstein). And his latest press release on this topic, which was released just yesterday, caught my eye last night: https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/remarks/grassley-fbi-redacted-references-to-recordings-in-biden-allegation-shared-with-congress. Consistent with my prior comments on the need for transparency, I applaud Senator Grassley for saying: "The Justice Department and FBI must show their work." And if evidence shows Biden family misdeeds of any sort, I hope "their work" will be shown ASAP so they can face consequences for improper behaviors. Notably, though, as I was looking for the link for the Grassley press release, I saw a Hill commentary by someone who worked for Grassley for 19 years lamenting that he has become "unrecognizably political in his oversight." https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4046272-grassley-needs-to-get-his-oversight-focus-back/ This commentary further reinforces my fear that it is getting near impossible to figure out efficiently and effectively who to trust in the political space. Ergo my interest in staying in the sentencing law and policy space (which is itself plenty hard enough to follow and report/comment on). Posted by: Doug B | Jun 13, 2023 8:43:53 PM Oh good grief Doug, you don't need to be a chicken farmer to know a rotten egg. Posted by: federalist | Jun 14, 2023 12:51:12 PM A partisan often decides some eggs are rotten without even looking. I try to avoid that. Posted by: Doug B | Jun 14, 2023 1:14:47 PM I never worked at DOJ, so I'll defend them for calling the Hunter laptop disinformation . . . . Posted by: federalist | Jun 14, 2023 2:07:45 PM anon13, i don't know how you defame a woman who talks about dogs teaching her about sex Posted by: federalist | Jun 14, 2023 2:12:03 PM A jury has already decided that former Prez Trump defamed Carroll, federalist, though I know you always care more about your feelings than others' legal determinations. And, because I never worked in DOJ, my speculations about various DOJ actions have been nothing more than speculations. Again, you demonstrate repeatedly here that you develop strong feelings about matters without too much concern for all the law and facts, but that's not how I seek to approach matters. But, since it seems you do not have other forums for sharing all your feelings, I assume we will keep hearing about them here. As I have said before, lots of law journals are always looking for copy, so maybe you might consider trying to explain your latest feelings more fully in that way. Posted by: Doug B | Jun 14, 2023 3:23:31 PM Federalist, you obviously didn't grow up on a farm. Lots and lots of country folks learn about sex from watching farm animals mate. Carroll just being blunt and honest. Posted by: anon12 | Jun 14, 2023 3:41:27 PM Whats missing in this conversation is that the indictment should never even have been brought. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 14, 2023 4:19:25 PM anon12, Thats like saying you can learn about sex through porn. You might learn some of the mechanics, but anyone who did that to a woman is a dirtbag. Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 14, 2023 4:22:13 PM I will defer to Bill's expertise re Republican politics, but I do have to wonder about the accuracy of the Republican take. DOJ & FBI as a hotbed of partisan activity of any sort, much less left leaning activity, is not at all my impression of the g-men in federal law enforcement. The few folks I know who have worked in DOJ have a very middle of the road/status quo sort of approach that trends conservative/mainstream/status quo. Posted by: John | Jun 14, 2023 11:46:33 PM All I can say was best said 2,000 years ago: "Pray for the welfare of the government, for without it the people would swallow each other alive." Posted by: Michael R. Levine | Jun 15, 2023 12:53:40 PM Post a comment Can and will GOP leaders persistently attack both federal criminal justice and federal criminal justice reform? | Main | New American Criminal Law Review symposium issue covers "Reform-Minded Prosecution" A helpful reader alerted me to this interesting new story coming from Louisiana, headlined "Almost all Louisiana death row prisoners ask John Bel Edwards to spare their lives." Here are the basics: Nearly all of the 57 people on Louisiana's death row have asked Gov. John Bel Edwards to spare their lives, a historic request made after Edwards broke his silence on how he views capital punishment and pushed lawmakers to outlaw the practice. A total of 51 clemency applications filed Tuesday morning with the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole do not ask Edwards to free all of those death row prisoners. Instead, the documents ask him to soften their sentences to life-in-prison the only commutation available to people sentenced to die. "Looking at these cases collectively makes it clear that the system is fundamentally broken," said Cecelia Kappel, executive director of the Capital Appeals Project, which led a group of attorneys who represent death row prisoners in filing the requests. "These applications show that the same problems of racial disparity, intellectual disability, severe mental illness, trauma, innocence and others repeat over and over in Louisianas death penalty cases." Edwards granting the requests would mark a historic turn in the way Louisiana regards the death penalty. An avowedly Catholic Democrat from a long line of sheriffs, Edwards has long kept mum about his thoughts on the practice. He only recently came out in full-throated support of abolishing capital punishment, in the waning months of his governorship.... A shortage of lethal injection drugs has put a halt to capital punishment in Louisiana; the state last carried out an execution when Gerald Bordelon was voluntarily put to death in 2010 for the murder of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Courtney LeBlanc. Prior to Bordelon's execution, the state had not put anyone to death since 2002.... Governors have granted only two clemency requests from death row inmates since Louisiana instated the death penalty in the 1970s. The first was for Ronald Monroe in 1989, whose guilt was doubted by then-Gov. Buddy Roemer. The second was for Herbert Welcome in 2003; Gov. Mike Foster concurred then with the Pardon and Parole Board's recommendation of clemency after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Atkins v. Virginia, which found that executing people with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.... The clemency applications filed Tuesday with the pardons and parole board detail a range of mental health conditions the death row prisoners have. Among those requesting clemency is Antoinette Frank, the only woman on death row in Louisiana. Attorneys are requesting life sentences even in a few cases where they offered evidence of the prisoner's innocence in the clemency requests. The fates of the people on death row, housed at the State Penitentiary at Angola, now lie in the hands of Edwards and the board of pardons and parole. The board's members all of whom are appointed by Edwards will weigh the applications individually and then pass their recommendations on to the governor. Operations for UBS and Credit Suisses Singapore entities to continue without interruption: MAS The takeover of Credit Suisse ends the lenders 167-year independent existence. The day-to-day operations of UBS and Credit Suisses entities in Singapore will not be interrupted by the legal takeover, says the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The statement on June 12 comes after UBS announced the completion of the takeover. Both banks will continue to operate in the country under separate licenses. Furthermore, both UBS and CS have put in place governance structures to monitor and facilitate the orderly integration of their operations in Singapore. Their primary activities in Singapore remain private banking and investment banking, says the central bank. MAS remains in close contact with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), Credit Suisse and UBS on the integration, reads the statement by MAS. The central bank adds that it is also closely monitoring the implications for jobs within both banks and that it has conveyed its expectations for both banks to handle this responsibly. The banks are working out the details of the manpower implications. MAS will work with relevant stakeholders to proactively address any impact on employment, says MAS. See Also: Entrepreneur has been planning to contest Singapore presidential election since 2016, and is confident he can meet the eligibility criteria Potential presidential candidate George Goh and his wife Lysa Sumali leave the Elections Department. (PHOTO: Reuters/Edgar Su) SINGAPORE Singaporeans deserve the right to vote for their new president, said entrepreneur George Goh, as he collected the application form to be certified to run for presidency on Tuesday (13 June). The 63-year-old founder of Harvey Norman Ossia arrived at the Elections Department with his wife and children - as well as hordes of red-shirted supporters - and restated to reporters his credentials as an "independent candidate" who has no affiliation to any government-linked company or political party. "If you look at the five previous President Elections, three of them were walkovers. I think Singaporeans deserve the right to vote for their president... and that's why I'm coming forward," Goh told reporters after collecting his application form. "When I started, I didnt have anything, but this land has given me a lot. Its time for me to serve the nation. I want to give my people a choice. Planned for candidacy since 2016 Goh insisted that the decision to stand for presidency was not made on a whim. Instead, he had been planning to run since 2016, and had put together an independent professional team of lawyers, auditors and accountants to discuss his eligibility. He sounded confident when asked whether he is able to meet the eligibility criteria for private-sector presidential candidates, who must be helming corporations with at least $500 million in shareholders' equity. "I believe I am," he said. "In due course, I will submit the number of companies I founded, incorporated and am a shareholder of." Potential presidential candidate George Goh and his wife Lysa Sumali greet supporters outside the Elections Department in Singapore. (PHOTO: Reuters/Edgar Su) Confident of his chances against Tharman Goh is likely facing Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in the upcoming election, which must be held by September. Tharman announced last week that he would be resigning from the government and the People's Action Party in order to contest the election. When asked if he is confident of standing against a formidable opponent such as Tharman, Goh cited statistics from past presidential elections, where the candidates from the government won by slim margins. "In 1993, the popular Ong Teng Cheong was elected president, but his opponent Chua Kim Yeow still got about 41 per cent of the votes. In (the four-way election in) 2011, about 65 per cent of the voters did not vote for Dr Tony Tan," he said. "Today, we are in a very difficult situation in Singapore, (with a) high cost of living. People want change... Come with me, we will win. President Halimah Yacob - who is Singapore's eighth President and the first female President - will end her six-year term on 13 September. On 29 May, she announced her decision not to seek a second term. 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. HINTON, Iowa A Hinton woman won $300,000 in an Iowa Lottery scratch-off game. Renae Beeck, 39, of Hinton, claimed her prize Monday at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive, Iowa. She won the 17th top prize on a "Colossal Crossword" scratch-off game. Her $30 ticket was purchased on a whim at a Casey's gas station in Glenwood, Iowa. Beeck, who works as a travel nurse, scratched the ticket on her lunch break, according to an Iowa Lottery press release. As she was scratching, she realized gradually that she had won a good deal of money. Im like, Oh, I think I won $1,000! And I was so excited, she said in a statement. Then I was like, I think I won $10,000! I was counting them and I think I counted them probably a hundred times. Then I said, No, I won $300,000! She plans to put the bulk of her winnings away for retirement, according to the Iowa Lottery press release, but also plans to go on vacation. The first thing were going to do as a family is were going on vacation, she said in the statement. Id like to go to Hawaii or somewhere fun. SIOUX CITY A Sioux City woman accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend has been charged with possession of more than 1,000 fentanyl pills. Katrina Barnes, 33, was arrested Friday and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and two counts of child endangerment. She's being held on a $50,000 bond. According to court documents, police officers conducting an ongoing investigation into Barnes' suspected sale of fentanyl pills executed a search warrant at her home in the 1400 block of Prescott Street late Friday. Officers found 1,250 blue pills that tested positive as fentanyl in a plastic bag in Barnes' bedroom. While being questioned after her arrest, Barnes admitted she is a drug dealer selling fentanyl, court documents said. Her children, ages 7 and 5, lived with her while she sold the pills. At the time of her arrest, Barnes was out on bond in an unrelated case in which she has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the June 9, 2022, shooting of Dolorean Wade. Barnes is accused of shooting Wade through the door of her apartment at 516 Ninth St. while he was banging on it. According to court documents, the two had been arguing all day before Wade left and returned later. A witness told investigators Barnes had obtained a handgun while Wade was gone. During the shooting investigation, police found 18 pills believed to be laced with fentanyl in a purse in Barnes' bedroom, plus 17 grams of marijuana. Public defender Billy Oyadare has filed notice that Barnes was justified in using deadly force to protect herself. Her trial is scheduled for July 25 in Woodbury County District Court. SIOUX CITY A Sioux City man has been charged with viciously assaulting his mother after she reportedly refused to take him to buy drugs. Carl Mohr, 49, was arrested Friday and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of willful injury and assault on persons in certain occupations -- use or display of a weapon. He is being held on a $50,000 bond. According to court documents, Mohr assaulted his 75-year-old mother at about 6:30 p.m. inside their home in the 400 block of John Street after he became upset because she wouldn't take him to buy drugs. Mohr punched his mother in the face at least 10 times while she was seated in a recliner. A medical examination revealed the woman had a broken left cheek bone, a broken bone in her hand caused by trying to shield herself from the blows, two brain bleeds and other cuts and bruises. When police officers arrived, Mohr refused to allow them inside the house and struck the closed door with nunchucks and threatened to kill the officers, court documents said. He finally opened the door and threw the broken half of the nunchucks attached to a chain at one of the officers attempting to take him into custody. Officers found a glass methamphetamine pipe in Mohr's pants pocket. Chance Nielsen, 23, pleaded guilty in January to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. He was sentenced to 54 months in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Nielsen was in a vehicle during an Aug. 29 traffic stop in which officers found two handguns and ammunition. An investigation revealed that on Aug. 23, Nielsen was observed in the Scheels store in Sioux City in possession of a handgun and buying ammunition. A search warrant on recovered cell phones found a video of Nielsen firing a gun at a gun range and text messages in which he discussed buying and selling guns and threatening others. SOUTH SIOUX CITY The South Sioux City Council voted unanimously Monday in favor of a sewer rate hike. A 20% increase in year one and a 10% increase in year two mirrors a rate increase adopted by its large sister city, Sioux City. "The City of Sioux City has notified us that they have taken action to raise rates 30% -- 20% year one and 10% year two. They are still the supplier for our residential and commercial sector of the city," South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist told The Journal Tuesday. "And, because of that increase, we have to then do a corresponding rate increase for our citizens." The Sioux City Council raised rates so the city can move forward with a projected $470 million rebuild of its aging regional wastewater treatment plant. North Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff also have sewage treatment agreements with Sioux City. Sioux City's plant, 3100 S. Lewis Blvd., would be rebuilt in phases. It currently poses significant safety issues for city staff and has a history of compliance issues with the state. In January 2022, the Iowa DNR filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars. South Sioux City Wastewater Treatment Plant The new South Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Located on the city's southeast side, the plant cost abou South Sioux City's new $45 million wastewater treatment plant will be opening this month and begin taking waste from industrial plants. A new sewer line, which will go from north to south, will be laid in the next 2 1/2 years so all customers can be added to the plant. The city has secured funds for the $22 million dollars from the state of Nebraska in the form of low interest loan. "We anticipate that will save our residential and commercial people money, but it will take 2 1/2 years to build," Hedquist said. Effective July 1, South Sioux City's commercial/residential flow rates are increasing 62 cents per 1,000 gallons, with base rates rising from $23.54 to $26. The typical residential customer uses 6,000 gallons, according to Hedquist. Based on documentation provided by the city, those currently paying $61.22, for example, would see their sewer bills rise by roughly $6 to $67.40. South Sioux City Wastewater Treatment Plant The operations building at the new South Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Located on the city's southeas With no long term agreement in place, industrial users Empirical, Ingredion and Richardson, currently paying base charges of $50 per month, would see those charges increase to $12,600, $42,000 and $1,575, respectively, in fiscal year 2024. Empirical, Richardson and Ingredion's commodity/usage charges would rise from $4.35 per 1,000 gallons to $5.78. With a 10-year minimum agreement in place, Empirical, Ingredion and Richardson's current monthly base charges of $50 would rise to $12,000, $40,000 and $1,500, respectively, in fiscal year 2024. Empirical, Richardson and Ingredion's commodity/usage charges would rise from $4.35 per 1,000 gallons to $5.50. The alternative minimum monthly charge for Empirical is listed at $131,500, while Ingredion's is $102,800 and Richardson's is $2,200. In the past, Hedquist said industries have paid the City of South Sioux City for flow and paid the City of Sioux City for the commodities in that flow, or the biological oxygen demand; the fats, oils and grease; and the total suspended solids. He said South Sioux City's new plant combines flow and commodity charges. "It's all one flat rate," he said. "Instead of writing a check to Sioux City and writing a check to South Sioux, they'll just write one to South Sioux." Any surcharges or penalties charged by the operator of the wastewater treatment facility, including testing and permit fees will be added to the monthly and usage charges. People concerned about the safety of patients often compare health care to aviation. Why, they ask, cant hospitals learn from medical errors the way airlines learn from plane crashes? Thats the rationale behind calls to create a National Patient Safety Board, an independent federal agency that would be loosely modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board, which is credited with increasing the safety of skies, railways and highways by investigating why crashes occur and recommending steps to avoid future incidents. But as worker shortages strain the U.S. health care system, heightening concerns about unsafe care, one proposal to create such a board has some patient safety advocates fearing that it wouldnt provide the transparency and accountability they believe is necessary to drive improvement. One major reason: the power of the hospital industry. Two measures are underway to create a safety board: A bill filed in the U.S. House in December by Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan, D-Calif., which is expected to be refiled this session, calls for the creation of a board to help federal agencies monitor safety events, identify conditions under which problems occur and suggest preventive measures. However, the board would need permission from health care organizations to probe safety events and could not identify health care providers or settings in its reports. That differs from the NTSB, which can subpoena both witnesses and evidence, and publish detailed accident reports that list locations and companies. A related measure under review by a presidential advisory council would create such a board by executive order. Its details have not been made public. The push comes as many patients continue to get hurt, according to recent reviews of medical records. The Department of Health and Human Services inspector general found that 13% of hospitalized Medicare patients experienced a preventable harm during a hospital stay in October 2018. A New England Journal of Medicine study of patients hospitalized in Massachusetts in 2018 showed that 7% had a preventable adverse event with 1% suffering a preventable injury that was serious, life-threatening, or fatal. Learning about safety concerns at specific facilities remains difficult. While transportation crashes are public spectacles that make news, creating demand for public accountability, medical errors often remain confidential, sometimes even ordered into silence by court settlements. Meaningful and timely information for consumers can be challenging to find. However, patient advocates said, unsafe providers should not be shielded from reputational consequences. People pay vast amounts of money for health care, said Helen Haskell, president of South Carolina-based Mothers Against Medical Error, an advocacy group she founded because her 15-year-old son died from septic shock following elective surgery in 2000. Providers shouldnt be able to sweep things under the rug. Barragans bill follows a 2014 effort to create a national patient safety board to investigate incidents and make more providers safety records public. It stemmed from the Institute of Medicines landmark 1999 report that called medical errors in hospitals a leading cause of death and recommended a nationwide mandatory reporting system for serious adverse events. That campaign never got enough traction to become a congressional bill. Patients and their families would still like to know the rate of harm in every hospital, said Lisa McGiffert, president of the Patient Safety Action Network, a group discontented with some aspects of the current bill. We are so far away from that now, she added. But Karen Wolk Feinstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based philanthropy that leads more than 70 groups pushing the latest safety board campaign, said during an online forum in January that public reporting would compromise data integrity by leading hospitals to scrub records to hide bad events. Youre going to have to protect data for a while de-identify it, she said, so that we can do what needs to be done. She said that a patient safety board will not happen without broad support, including from hospitals and medical societies. Those groups have long opposed measures to publicly identify facilities where errors occur. That industry influence is the elephant in the room, said McGiffert. Hospitals, nursing homes and medical professionals pour hundreds of millions of dollars into federal political campaigns each election cycle and spent $220 million lobbying Congress last year, according to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that tracks money in U.S. politics. Moreover, health care is the dominant employer in at least 47 states, according to Health Affairs, which means that, when legislation is in play, the industry can always drum up local people to talk about how it affects them, McGiffert added. Feinstein agreed that legislators always ask about the position of their local health systems. That is the first question, she said during the January forum. Although patient safety groups represent the interests of millions of people, they dont have the same financial firepower on hand as the health care industry does. McGiffert said her own organizations bank balance is $6,000. Feinstein said her foundation is using its endowment created with proceeds from the sale of a tax-exempt hospital to fund the patient safety board campaign, among other initiatives. The foundation reported assets of nearly $186 million in 2021. The American Hospital Association declined to comment about the patient safety board proposal because it was still reviewing it, said spokesperson Colin Milligan. He provided a statement from the associations senior director of quality and patient safety policy, Akin Demehin, saying hospitals are deeply committed to safety and have urged that publicly reported measures assess hospitals accurately and fairly while giving patients meaningful information. What the ban on surprise medical bills means for you What the ban on surprise medical bills means for you What is a surprise medical bill? What types of medical services will be affected? How does this affect existing state laws on surprise bills? Will ambulances be exempt from the ban? No health insurance? You'll get a 'good faith estimate' DES MOINES A former Iowa Capitol leader lost his lobbying job over his role in Senate Democrats recent leadership shake-up. Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs and former Iowa Senate majority leader, was asked to resign from his statehouse lobbying job for the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council after the organization learned of his involvement in Senate Democrats recent removal of Sen. Zach Wahls as their leader. The Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council is a collection of nine regional building trades councils that represents thousands of Iowa construction workers. The organization lobbies state lawmakers on proposed legislation related to the construction industry. The council addressed Gronstals dismissal in a statement that was circulated among its member groups. The Gazette obtained a copy of the statement and verified it with the councils leadership. The council made the decision last week to end (its) relationship with former Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal over concerns related to his involvement in recent internal Senate Democratic caucus matters. On Thursday, June 8, council leadership asked for and accepted Mr. Gronstals resignation as the building trades lobbyist, the statement says. The council appreciates the work he did advocating on behalf of the building trades in the state legislature and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. On June 7, Iowa Senate Democrats held an impromptu meeting to vote out former leader Zach Wahls, of Coralville, and replace him with Pam Jochum, of Dubuque. Some Democratic senators had been upset by Wahls firing of two longtime Senate Democratic caucus staffers. The nature of Gronstals involvement in Senate Democrats leadership change was not detailed by the council or made public by Senate Democrats. But the two longtime staffers who were fired had worked for Gronstal when he was majority leader. The council asked for Gronstals resignation the next day. There are no rules that prohibit lobbyists from engaging in caucus business with lawmakers or caucus staff, according to joint rules that govern lobbyist activities in the Iowa Senate and House. Gronstal was paid $35,000 annually to lobby for the council from 2019 to 2022, and was paid $15,000 in 2023, according to state lobbying records. Gronstal was removed as the groups lobbyist Sunday, those records show. The Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council officially registered on 54 bills during the 2023 session of the Iowa Legislature, statehouse lobbying records show. Gronstal did not respond when asked for comment. Gronstal served in the Iowa Legislature from 1983 to 2016. He became Senate majority leader in 2009 and held that title until he lost his re-election bid in 2016, when Democrats lost their majority in the Iowa Senate. State law prohibits former state lawmakers from lobbying for two years after their last session in the Iowa Legislature. Gronstal began lobbying for the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council in 2019. Staffing changes reversed The two staffers who were fired by Wahls Erik Bakker and Deb Kattenhorn have been rehired and are once again working for Iowa Senate Democrats, a caucus spokesman confirmed. And one staffer who Wahls had hired, Kaity Patchett, was fired by Jochum. Patchett previously worked in the office of former Central Iowa U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne. Its been a long week, so you decide to stop in for a pint and a Reuben sandwich at the Rathskeller Bier Haus at 45th and Farnam streets. What you might not know is that the property is owned by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. UNMC hasnt given up education and research for the restaurant biz, though. The university instead leases the property to the businesss owner. Same goes for the Don & Millies property at 44th and Farnam, the KPTM-TV station at 46th and Farnam and the current Community Alliance headquarters at 41st and Leavenworth Streets. All four are part of UNMCs expanded footprint in midtown Omaha, which has added about a million square feet of building space over each of the past several decades and now stands at about 10 million square feet, including parking garages. Its a big footprint and an important one we take seriously, in service to our state and community, said Brian Spencer, executive director of campus development and real estate and campus architect for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, its clinical partner. Planners expect the campus to continue growing its building square footage over at least the next decade, he said, although they dont have a stated goal. Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMCs chancellor, said the physical growth of the campus is the result of decades-long efforts by UNMC and affiliated organizations to consolidate property around what the university calls its 42nd Street campus. That physical growth, he said, has been fueled by the growth of the organization namely, 22 consecutive years of enrollment growth, mostly through the development of new educational programs, as well as continued growth in research funding, the addition of more clinicians, researchers and laboratories and considerable growth in inpatient and outpatient clinical care. The university, for instance, added a dermatology department about five years ago. It now includes about a dozen dermatologists. Its seen similar growth in its physical medicine and rehabilitation department. Its not about purchase it and hope that we can use it, Gold said. Its purchase it with a plan to use it. UNMC and Nebraska Medicine together employ about 14,800 people, according to UNMC officials. Separately, Nebraska Medicine ranks No. 2 behind Offutt Air Force Base and UNMC No. 6 on the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerces list of top 10 employers in the Omaha metro area. Last year, the university brought in $169.7 million in total research awards, an increase of 4% from the year before and the second-highest amount on record. Gold noted, however, that land acquisition in the area is largely complete. The university and its partners may add one or two more parcels, but the goal will be to even out borders rather than to add acres. We dont see the need for much more, he said. And, with the NU system facing a $49.4 million budget shortfall in the 2023-24 fiscal year, Gold said, the university will be focused on investing its very precious resources in existing programs to be sure we can maintain the quality, access and affordability of those programs rather than on long-term growth, at least for now. Spencer said the university is somewhat cautious about outlining the exact boundaries of its holdings. But officials have made commitments to area neighborhood associations, setting borders at 38th Avenue to the east and 48th Street to the west. It generally is trying to stay north of Leavenworth Street west of 42nd Street. Dodge Street serves as a relatively hard northern border, although the campuss northern outline is a bit more jagged. Nebraska Medicine also owns some properties on the north end of campus. While the universitys land acquisitions have occurred over decades and somewhat under the radar, they have become more visible with a recent groundbreaking for the approximately $65 million Catalyst project west of Saddle Creek Road on the site of the former Omaha Steel Castings facility. Slated to open in late 2024, the 170,000-square-foot facility will serve as a home for the 40,000-square-foot UNMC Innovation Hub and include 130,000 square feet for biotech and technology startups as well as an event center, food hall and market. Gold noted, however, that the facility itself is being developed by private developers, not the university or hospital, with the aim of enticing small and medium-sized companies to lease incubator space. It really is a way of bringing new economic development to the community, he said. A little history Don Leuenberger, who played a key role in the universitys growth during nearly three decades as UNMCs vice chancellor for business and finance, said that growth began under the chancellorship of Dr. Charles Andrews. He envisioned leveraging the expertise in cancer research it had gained with the help of cigarette tax dollars that the Nebraska Legislature devoted to the cause. It gained additional steam under Dr. Harold Maurer, who appointed the first vice chancellor for research. That, and the contributions of Omahas donor community, accelerated the growth, Leuenberger said. It has continued under Gold. Because the university wasnt going into debt to construct buildings, Leuenberger said, it was able to recruit researchers worldwide. The universitys clinical program also grew, with a key factor being the merger of University and Clarkson hospitals in the mid-1990s. By then, UNMC had become a destination for clinical services. The expansion in programming meant a lot of married graduate students on campus. Officials felt the need to halt what they saw as deterioration in midtown, he said, which helped spur the Destination Midtown and then Midtown 2050 development initiatives. The university needed parking and space for growing clinical and research programs. Clinicians needed housing in the area. Indeed, photos of campus in the 1990s show a lot of houses on the east side of campus, many of them at the time leased by UNMC for student housing. The university bought them when they became available to have control over the land and have the space held in reserve in case it was needed, Leuenberger said. Over time, the university built buildings on the east side of campus to house the colleges of nursing, pharmacy and medicine. It centered research facilities on the west side of campus and drug discovery and organ transplant support facilities to the south. Spencer said the university also has tried to keep higher density and taller buildings toward the middle of campus in order to create a buffer between the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Jim Farho, president of the Blackstone Business Improvement District, said UNMC has been a good neighbor as it has grown and is bringing a lot of economic development to the city. Were happy theyre here in the neighborhood, he said. Indeed, investments in the area by the university, developers and businesses have meant a lot more amenities for residents and lots more walkers, strollers and dogs out and about. Last years old home tour was a huge success. Weve done them before, but it really knocked the socks off, he said. John Ashford, president of the Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association, said the university has been transparent about its projects throughout the planning process, recently sharing plans for pedestrian overpasses at 39th and Leavenworth Streets and over Saddle Creek as well as for bike lanes on campus. The plans the group has seen all show the campus gradually blending into the neighborhood. Were heavily in support of everything UNMC is doing down there, he said. Leuenberger noted that the university also has expanded programs in Lincoln, Kearney, Norfolk and Scottsbluff. Its not just been there on campus, he said. Its been statewide. Saddle Creek District The expansion west of Saddle Creek Road, Leuenberger said, also began in the 1990s with the acquisition of the old Union Pacific Railroad lines in the area, followed by the purchase of the former Commercial Federal property, which backed up to the Child Saving Institute. The former bank since has been demolished and the property sold to CSI in exchange for some parking lots south of Douglas Street. CSI has proposed a $46 million expansion and renovation that would nearly double the size of its existing building near 46th and Dodge Streets. Spencer said the university now owns all of the rough triangle bounded by Farnam and Leavenworth Streets, Saddle Creek and 48th Street, except the Ace-Rent-to-Own and Russell Speeders Car Wash on Saddle Creek. The university recently acquired the Metro Credit Union at 414 Saddle Creek Road, which will build on the northwest corner of Farnam and Saddle Creek and lease from the university. But property acquisition in the Saddle Creek District is largely complete, Spencer said. The university also has a letter from state environmental officials indicating that no further environmental cleanup is needed in the area. He said plans call for the district to include space for bars, restaurants and other amenities that will serve workers as well as neighborhood residents. Another item on his wish list: Investors interested in partnering to build laboratory space that inventors and startups could rent to test products theyre trying to bring to market. Currently, no such space exists in the city, Spencer said. Meanwhile, work has begun on infrastructure in the area. The city is building a new intersection at 46th and Farnam Streets, which is currently closed, and will extend 46th Street south of Farnam into the Saddle Creek development. Emile Street, too, will be extended into the district. The city also plans to build a parking garage north of the Catalyst structure. Many of the stalls will be leased to UNMC. Eventually, 48th Street will be turned to connect to Saddle Creek rather than Leavenworth. Next summer, the city will begin work to turn Leavenworth and Saddle Creek into a traditional four-way intersection with added turn lanes and pedestrian crossings. Chaz Kline, who owns the Rathskeller, said the growth in the area is all upside. The university, utility workers and construction crews all have worked to make sure customers can still access the restaurant, including putting up signs to direct them. Its a massive Jenga, theres no doubt about that, he said. But the blending of businesses and universities isnt unusual, he said. Other Big 10 universities all have a lot of businesses like his integrated into their campuses. Theyve committed to us, as long as our lease is there, were there, Kline said. Up next for the area is a new administrative building on the southwest corner of Saddle Creek and Farnam. Now known as the Campus Operations & Research Excellence or CORE facility, Spencer said, it also will include some research space. Details, however, have not been finalized. UNMC, however, is not involved in another highly visible project that may be on tap for the area around 46th and Dodge Streets. A developer has proposed a new five-story, 330-unit apartment complex southeast of 48th and Dodge Streets that would incorporate and preserve the landmark Pittman Veterinarian Building, listed at 4629 Dodge St. Several other structures in the area already have been razed. Leavenworth Street In April, UNMC officials announced that they planned to raze three vacant houses near 44th and Leavenworth Streets. The university purchased the properties situated on the north side of Leavenworth Street in 2021 to allow for possible future development opportunities. Once the structures are razed, UNMC will create green space and some parking on the empty lots at 4412, 4408 and 4402 Leavenworth St. Spencer said a family that wanted out of the real estate business approached the university about purchasing the houses. We jumped on the opportunity because its close to the heart of campus, he said. The university also owns several vacant retail storefront properties on either side of Barretts Barleycorn Pub & Grill and Castle Barrett on the north side of Leavenworth Street. UNMC has no immediate plans to raze those properties and will make minor investments in them to stabilize and return them to use. Spencer said the university opted to raze the houses because it doesnt want to be in the home rental business and the structures would have required significant investment to bring them up to current standards. He stressed that the university typically does not use eminent domain to obtain properties. Most of the universitys acquisitions have come from willing sellers as a result of business closures or generational turnover. (The city, however, is seeking a narrow strip of right-of-way near the Neighbers Bar for the reconstruction of the Leavenworth/Saddle Creek intersection.) That was the case with the former Charlie Graham Body & Service on the northwest corner of 42nd and Leavenworth Streets, which was demolished to make way for a new entrance to the campus. Great Plains Auto Body bought the business and exchanged the Charlie Graham corner for a parking lot that UNMC owned on the southeast corner. Great Plains built a new autobody and service shop on that site. Likewise, the university acquired some land south of Leavenworth when Kiewit Corp. decided to close a construction yard as part of its move to its new headquarters in north downtown. The property now is home to parking lots and a service center for the health systems surgical platform. The universitys purchase of the Community Alliance building, Spencer said, provided some of the capital the organization, which also is expanding its programs, needed to finish its new and larger headquarters. The university wont gain possession of the building for about a year and a half and has no immediate plans for the building. Thats the general makeup of how so many of our deals happen, he said. Photos: UNMC Catalyst project to rise out of Omaha Steel Castings site Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Monday a document alleging a criminal bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden references alleged audio recordings of conversations, including between a foreign national and Biden. Grassley made the comments Monday on the Senate floor. The document an FD-1023 form used by the FBI to log unverified accounts from confidential human sources was shared with some members of Congress last week after Republicans threatened to hold FBI director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress if he did not turn over the form. Grassley has called for the document to be made public and accused the FBI of political bias. According to other members of Congress who viewed the document, it alleges that Mykola Zlochevsky, president of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, paid $5 million to both Hunter and Joe Biden to avoid a corruption investigation. The claim was investigated by former President Donald Trumps Department of Justice in 2020 and found to be lacking evidence, according to a statement from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee. Members of the House Oversight Committee viewed a redacted form of the document on June 8 after the committees chair, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., subpoenaed the FBI to provide the document. On Monday, Grassley said he had viewed an unredacted version of the document, which included the claims about the alleged recordings of conversations with President Biden and Hunter Biden. Grassley said the FBI document says the foreign national, which others have identified as Zlochevsky, has 15 recordings of conversations with Hunter Biden and two recordings of conversations with then-Vice President Joe Biden. These recordings were allegedly kept as a sort of insurance policy for the foreign national in case he got into a tight spot, Grassley said. Grassley has said before he does not know whether the accusations in the document are true. We arent interested in whether the allegations against Vice President Biden are accurate or not, Grassley said in an appearance on Fox News this month. Were responsible for making sure the FBI does its job, and thats what we want to know. Grassley pushed the FBI to release the full, unredacted document to the public. An FBI official said in May that releasing the document could jeopardize other FBI investigations and the trust of confidential human sources. Getting a full and complete 1023 is critical for the American people to know and understand the true nature of the document and to hold the Justice Department and FBI accountable, Grassley said Monday. The allegations contained in the document were investigated by the Department of Justice under Trump's former Attorney General William Barr, Raskin said, as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery brought by Trumps then-personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. The Justice Department found no supporting evidence of the claim and closed the investigation in August 2020, Raskins statement said. Biden said on June 8 the allegations were a bunch of malarkey. This is yet another fact-free stunt staged by Chairman Comer not to conduct legitimate oversight, but to spread thin innuendo to try to damage the President politically and get himself media attention," White House spokesperson Ian Sams said. "As Senator Grassley admitted, they arent interested in whether or not the accusations are accurate, which rings even truer now that its been publicly reported that the Trump Administrations Justice Department looked into this claim three years ago and found nothing credible." A Lancaster County District Court judge set a July 19 hearing date for arguments to block the enforcement of new restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care for minors. Judge Lori Maret continued the lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, against the state of Nebraska at a Zoom hearing on Monday morning. The ACLU of Nebraska filed the lawsuit on behalf of Planned Parenthood in late May seeking a temporary injunction to block LB574 from being enforced. Attorneys for Planned Parenthood later sought a motion for summary judgment. Attorneys representing the state have also filed a motion to dismiss both the request for a temporary injunction and summary judgment. The lawsuit was filed a week after Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB574 into law in May. Introduced by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, LB574 prohibits transgender youths from obtaining gender-affirming surgeries in Nebraska and requires the states chief medical officer to set rules and regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapies before Oct. 1. During the final round of debate on LB574, the Legislature attached an amendment banning abortion 12 weeks after a womans last menstrual cycle, or about 10 weeks post-fertilization, which went into effect immediately upon passage. The combination of both bills violated Article III, Section 14 of the Nebraska State Constitution, the ACLU of Nebraska argued in its lawsuit, which states No bill shall contain more than one subject. The single-subject rule has been in Nebraskas constitution for nearly 150 years as a way to promote transparency and accountability for state lawmakers by letting constituents know exactly what the Legislature is considering. The amendment logrolled two distinct and unrelated subjects into one combined bill, forcing lawmakers into an all-or-nothing bargain: to either vote for or against both proposals simultaneously, the lawsuit states. Supporters of LB574 said both measures address health care and amended similar statutes in state law. Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in a brief filed with the court last week, said Planned Parenthood and Traxler lack standing to file a claim because they have not alleged any injury and have not stated a claim. This is an action brought by an Iowa corporation and a Minnesota resident trying to tell the Nebraska Legislature how to do its job, Hilgers wrote in support of the states motion to dismiss. Hilgers also pointed to a 1967 Nebraska Supreme Court case that ruled the single-subject rule is a liberal standard and said both the gender-affirming care and abortion provisions in the bill are related to public health and welfare. The arguments underlying both sides case, which focus on the process by which LB574 was passed rather than the merits of the law, will be heard on July 19 in a Zoom hearing. Photos and video: Scene at Nebraska Capitol as lawmakers pass LB574 DES MOINES State Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville, in a social media post Monday, described and defended the events that led to his ouster last week as Democrats leader in the Iowa Senate. Wahls was voted out of his position as Iowa Senate minority leader when Senate Democrats called an impromptu meeting and voted to make Sen. Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, their new leader. Wahls post Monday was his first public comment since the vote. I am no longer leader because I made the difficult decision to fire two longtime staffers who did not share my vision for change while restructuring our staff. My Senate Democratic colleagues disagreed with my decision, Wahls said in the post. There is always a resistance to change and new ideas, and I stand by the decision because Iowa Democrats desperately need a new direction and leaders who will chart that course. The two Democratic caucus staff members that Wahls had fired, Erik Bakker and Deb Kattenhorn, are once again employed by the caucus, a spokesman confirmed Monday. Previous disagreements over Wahls direction as caucus leader also led to his ouster, although neither Wahls nor Senate Democrats have not said publicly what those issues were. Senate Democrats did not specify any reasons for the change in a statement issued the day after the vote. Wahls post made no mention of his future plans. A 31-year-old from Coralville serving his second four-year term in the Iowa Senate, Wahls declined further comment, and referred The Gazette back to his public statement. There are just 16 Democrats in the 50-member Iowa Senate. Thats the lowest number of Senate seats held by either of the two major parties in 50 years. Iowa Statehouse Republicans have held the governors office and agenda-setting majorities in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature since 2017, giving them full control over the state lawmaking process over that time. So many people are discouraged about the direction of our state and the losses our party has sustained over the past decade, and if you are one of them, I want to speak directly to you, Wahls said in his post. While they want us to give in to cynicism, we must refuse to accept that Iowa is lost forever. Our fight for liberty, justice, and shared prosperity is difficult. Our success will require honest reflection, an immense amount of hard work, and a deep commitment to change. And while change is always hard Iowans are counting on us, and failure is not an option. Wahls was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018, and in 2020 was elected leader of the minority-party Senate Democrats. He first gained prominence in 2011 when he spoke on the Iowa House floor about his two mothers as legislators debated a proposal to ban same-sex marriage in the state. Jochum, 68, has served in the Iowa Senate since 2009, and before that had served in the Iowa House since 1993. In 2012, she was chosen by her peers as the second woman and first female Democrat to serve as Iowa Senate president. The next session of the Iowa Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 8, 2024. Romance novels are hot right now, and super-involved readers on TikTok and Instagram tend to have very specific tastestwo related facts that have led to big sales for certain niche subgenres within romance writing. Ali Hazelwood, an Italian expat who has lived all over the world but eventually immigrated to the U.S. to pursue an academic career in neuroscience, is among the writers whove benefited. Hazelwood is a pseudonym that an anonymous professor, now employed full time in academia, uses to publish a series of novels that tend to get tagged STEMinist on BookTok. Her books follow women as they navigate the political, ever-confusing, and at times exploitative world of STEM academia, and have struck a serious chord with audiences. Advertisement The publication of Hazelwoods first novel, The Love Hypothesis, was a result of a fortuitous stroke of luck after a literary agent stumbled across her Star Wars fan fiction. Hypothesis became a New York Times bestselling book in 2021, as well as a common entry into many annual best romance reads and best summer reads lists. Since then, the mysterious professor known as Ali Hazelwood has published Love on the Brain, as well as Loathe to Love You, a collection of three novellas, both of which were NYT bestsellers. The film rights to The Love Hypothesis were optioned last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her new one, Love, Theoretically, which publishes on Tuesday, follows a physicist in the throes of an on-campus interview for a faculty job that will save her from the horrific world of adjuncting, who, of course, falls in love with the one person on the hiring committee who is hellbent on making sure she doesnt get the gig. I spoke to Hazelwood about Love, Theoretically, the mini-genre of STEM-centric romance writing, and why she thinks her books have gained such a strong following. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Nadira Goffe: What made you want to start writing STEMinist romance novels, as you call them? Ali Hazelwood: I dont think I did it on purpose. I dont think I set out to be someone who just wrote about women in STEM. It was more that the first things that I wrote were fan fiction, and I was writing a lot of that when I was in grad school and doing my postdoc. And so it was really fun to take these characters that I loved and kind of transpose them into this setting that was so stressful for me and look at how they wouldve reacted if they had to defend their thesis or take comps or publish a paper. Advertisement Advertisement It was very cathartic for me, especially at the beginning. There was this feeling that I was making fun of my entire professional life and environment by writing fan fiction about stuff like that. And then it kind of seeped into original writing, but mostly it was because Ive spent my entire life in academia, so its what I know best and its what comes easiest to me. You mentioned that STEMinist is a word that your publisher gave to your work. What does it mean to you now? Advertisement I dont know who created [the word]. But to me, all STEMinist means is as it pertains to women in STEM. I have seen this a lot used as a hashtag. For example, for years before I published, I would follow a lot of influencers who are women in STEM who would produce content that was relatable to me, and they would sometimes use the hashtag #STEMinist. Advertisement But I think that, in the end, its really more about women in academia and my specific experience. I guess I am not familiar enough with the humanities environment [to write about it], and I feel like I would mess it up. And Im sure that my personal experience in STEM is not the same as other women in STEM, you know? Advertisement Advertisement But even then, you write about so many different sciences! Youre a neuroscientisthow do you write about physicists, biologists, and more? Its a struggle. And Im like, I hope no one looks too closely at this. You know, I research a lot. My first book was about a biologist, and Im a neuroscientist, but in my graduate program I had a lot of friends who are biologists. There was a lot of cross-pollination with other programs where we would all hang out together. So, I sort of take a lot of what they would tell me and I remember the struggles that they would have. And sometimes I would just ask them questions when I was writing my fan fiction. Advertisement And then, for other things, its a matter of researching. One of the novellas that I wrote [Below Zero] I loved, loved, loved writing. Its set in Antarctica and its set at this Mars analog location. And I didnt even know what a Mars analog was, and I started researching it and its the coolest thing ever. So, basically the idea is that they prepare for these missions to Mars in the place that is closest to Mars on Earth. I remember, when I was searching for that, I found blogs written by scientists. This is from back when blogs were things, so, I dont know, a decade ago? And I was reading these blogs written 10 years ago by these super cool scientists, and it was so much fun. And you get to pick little details and put them in the stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your writing has very specific female protagonists that all have their own quirks, passions, and strong sense of determination. How do you set out to write your female protagonists? I think I lean a lot into what their insecurities are. And I think it might be because of how the process of starting to write worked for me. Writing, originally, was this hobby that I really needed because I was spending my entire days writing my dissertation and working on something that was incredibly taxing. And so writing fan fiction was something that would allow me to explore more personal things. I try to be honest about what my insecurities are with myself, and I try to explore them with my characters. Like, What is it that prevents this person from being happy right now, and how can this be fixed, and could this be a love story? Advertisement Obviously theres no way to know for sure, but if you had to guess, why do you think that you have such a large audience that loves your writing? Im going to be honest: I think its timing and luck. I mean, I dont think Im writing anything that is substantially different from what other authors are writing, but I think I was very lucky because my book kind of came in the middle of the [COVID-19] pandemic and it was a kind of happy, feel-good romance novel, and we all needed that. And so I just kind of got this stroke of luck that my book was picked up by a lot of BookTokkers and Bookstagrammers. So it was kind of a perfect storm of a lot of factors. Because, if I think about it, there are so many other [similar] books that were written before mine that were like I would say they were better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 10 years ago, Sherry Thomas, whos my favorite writer, wrote this book called The One in My Heart, which is a contemporary romance about this professor of materials science. Shes a woman in STEM, and she ends up having this weird fake dating relationship with a doctor, and shes a MacArthur fellow. Its one of my favorite novels ever, but not a lot of people have read that book. I havent heard of that! I will have to read it. But I do think youre selling yourself a little bit short. I really enjoy your books, especially as a sort of escape even from my own world, journalism and media, which is and isnt like academia in some ways. Advertisement So many people Ive talked to are like, Im not in academia, but I am also in a generally male-dominated world that traditionally has taken people who are like me or look like me and has marginalized them. A lot of people come to me and tell me that. And I really think its kind of the universal experience of feeling like you are the odd person out in a setting. I felt the same when, I dont know, I was reading Jasmine Guillorys books and she wrote about high-powered lawyers. I dont know anything about law. But it still resonated with me the way sometimes characters were treated or the fact that they had to jump through all those hoops. Advertisement Advertisement Obviously you write romance novels, which means that they have some particularly steamy scenes. How do you build sexual tension and attraction between characters in settings like graduate student lounges and labs, which are known to be some of the dullest, most sterile of places? Advertisement OK, so Im going to tell you the truth. In every single Ph.D. program at any given time, there are about 20 people who are having these weird kinds of relationships where everyone knows about it but also no one knows about it. I know from the outside it seems like a very sterile environment, but the truth is that a Ph.D. program takes, I dont know, 10, 15, 20 young people, and yes, they are doing a lot of work, but they kind of also are young and a lot of them have a little bit of a Work Hard, Play Hard mentality. Advertisement I remember, whenever we would go to an academic conference, someone would hook up and something weirdly inappropriate would happen. I think the way I build tension in those settings is by introducing very inappropriate things. If you think about The Love Hypothesis, the protagonist is a grad student dating a professor, and they do things that, if I saw them happen in my program, I would be like, No. But I like doing that [in books]. Thats what I enjoy making fun of. Its like when you watch a rom-com on TV and you see the character is having these totally weird experiences and youre like, Oh, Im cringing so hard and Im loving it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the steamy scenes, your writing also deals a lot with just the horrible things that women in academia have to go through, from being sexually harassed to propositioned as payment for mentorship, to running feminist STEM Twitter accounts to cope and seek or give help to other women in STEM. How much of what you write in terms of these conflicts are things that you or someone you know has personally experienced? Advertisement Ive been relatively lucky. I had two mentors through my Ph.D., and they were women and they were amazing, and I feel like that shielded me from a lot of stuff. But I also was the only woman in my cohort. Out of eight of us, seven were American men, and I was this foreign girl coming in, and it was weird and it was isolating. Advertisement Related from Slate Dan Kois What Its Like to Play the Other Guy in the Years Best Love Story Read More The truth is that there is a lot of very subtle sexism in academia that is not over the top, like someone necessarily openly sexually assaulting you. I can think of a million different little things that have happened even in my Ph.D. program, where, for example, a lot of female students knew that you would not want to be alone with this person. Stuff like that. Love, Theoretically, you said in your authors note, is maybe your most academic book so far. What did you mean by that? I think its because it really goes into the politics of [what happens] when you have a faculty search. Its kind of funny: In The Love Hypothesis, which was my first book, Olive is a graduate student, and then in Love on the Brain, Bee is a postdoc. And in the last few years, I myself have gone from being a graduate student to a postdoc to a professor. And the whole experience of interviewing for faculty jobs, applying for faculty jobs, it just is incredibly frustrating. And there are very few jobs. Being able to be in academia is getting harder and harder, getting funding is getting harder and harder, and there are so many politics at play. Adjuncting is getting more and more prevalent. So I just really wanted to talk about this really hard and sometimes ridiculous reality that my friends and I were facing in the last few years. As far as I know, you have yet to write a sex scene that takes place in an actual lab, and would you? Because I feel like theres a lot you can dramatically sweep off of a counter. I 100 percent would. And I want to rectify this now that you have pointed it out. Thank you for letting me know. It will happen. Supporters, protesters, onlookers, and many, many members of the media gathered outside the federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday morning to await Donald Trumps arrival. The former president is set to surrender on criminal charges related to his mishandling of classified documents, which he hid at Mar-a-Lago in various places, including in a ballroom, a bathroom, a shower, and a storage room that wasas the indictment put itaccessible from The Mar-a-Lago Club pool patio through a doorway that was often kept open. Advertisement The scene is raucous, testy, and overheatedliterally, with temperatures in the 90s and very little cloud cover. Costumed individuals are waving flags and shouting, GOP hopefuls are giving speeches, and roosters are wandering around, adding, as the New York Times put it, intermittent crowing to the mashup of chants for and against Mr. Trump and the occasional chorus of God Bless America. Someone is even carrying around a severed pigs head on a stick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day has brought out plenty of Trump supporters who seem to be booing at any mention of the former presidents GOP primary rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Though there are clearly some supporters who envision a world in which the candidates can coexist: Advertisement Law enforcement is doing security sweeps outside the courthouse. Advertisement Roosters are wandering around the grounds (this is not an unusual spot for them). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And bikers are all geared up. Advertisement There are a lot of people taking selfies Advertisement and photos Advertisement And there are plenty of anti-Trump protesters, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one expected it not to be a circusbut maybe we expected fewer livestock. Trump is expected to enter the courtroom around 3 p.m. Donald Trumps 37-count indictment has made only the slightest dent on the views of his diehard supporters, including many in Congress. They scoff at the catalog of offenses on one or more of three grounds: 1) that its all a witch hunt; 2) that Trump did nothing worse than the things Hillary Clinton did, and she wasnt indicted; or 3) the alleged offenses arent serious. These reactions can be easily countered. To the cry of witch hunt, one need only point to the fact that the investigation was led by a special counsel, completely independent of Attorney General Merrick Garland or President Joe Biden (though maybe Trump fans dont quite believe that). Advertisement As to Clinton, she was careless with classified information, but her behavior wasnt nearly as consciously criminal, nor was the information as highly classified. Still, the accusations against her, which Trump and his entourage amplified (Lock her up! Lock her up!), probably played a critical role in the 2016 election outcome. In my administration, Trump promised, Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law, adding, We cant have someone in the Oval Office who doesnt understand the meaning of the word classified. The indictment against Trump, which was handed down Friday, quoted these words verbatim to show that he did understand that protecting secrets is a serious matter. Will his defenders now adopt Trumps own standard and allow that he does not deserve another term in the White House? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, to the point of whether the offenses are serious, the indictment makes a very strong case that Trump took the documents, conspired to conceal them, and lied to federal authorities about whether he had them. His defenders must therefore believe that his possession and mishandling of the documents posed no risk to national securitythat, in other words, the documents themselves werent particularly sensitive. This is where they are dead wrong. It is well known that too many documents are classified, too many are over-classified, and the penalties for mishandling of some of these documents are too severe. This is particularly true of penalties determined by the Espionage Act, a 1917 statute that forms the basis for 31 of the 37 counts in Trumps indictment. Advertisement Related from Slate Fred Kaplan The Documents Trump Hoarded Are Even More Sensitive Than We Thought Read More The Espionage Act (18 U.S. Code, Chapter 37) has been modified several times since 1917, but it remains an absurdly broad statute, outlawing not just espionage (as normally defined), but simple possession of a wide range of information relating to the national defenseincluding any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, or note that could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation. Advertisement According to one section of the act, it is illegal to transmit the information not only to a foreign agent, but to any person not entitled to receive it. Read literally, the act could be invoked to prosecute just about any reporter who writes (or any editor who publishes) an article containing classified information. Advertisement However, it turns out that Trump is not being charged with any offense so innocuous. He is being charged under the part of the Espionage Act (Sec. 793e) that applies to anyone who willfully retains classified information without authority to do so and who fails to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it. This is what Trump did whenaccording to other counts of the indictmenthe conspired to conceal such documents and lied to authorities about having them. Advertisement More to the point, several of the documents he hoarded were very highly classifiedsome of them were among the most highly classified in the federal government. The special prosecutor who filed the indictment had no obligation to do so, but for each of the 31 counts under the Espionage Act, he not only described the nature of the documents involved but also cited the level of classification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It turns out that 26 of the counts involve documents classified above the category of top-secret, or that are marked with code words including SCI (Specially Compartmented Information); ORCON (meaning it can be declassified only by the originating agency, usually an intelligence agency); HCS (where the sources include human spies); NOFORN (no foreign nationals can see it); and others.* In nine of those cases, the indictment redacted one of the classification markings. (It says merely [redacted].) In other words, the category of classification is so secret in that instance that its very name is classified. An intelligence officer I consulted told me that these almost certainly refer to a Special Access Program, an activity run by an intelligence agency that only a small number of officialseven inside the agencyknow anything about. Referring to the documents in Trumps possession, the officer said, This means that he kept the cream of the crop. Advertisement The indictment noted that several other documents, marked Top-Secret, with the addition of several code words, involved intelligence briefings about foreign countries or military capabilities of another country or an attack inside a foreign country. What does all this mean? I tend to take a jaundiced view of classified documents. In my experience of dealing with documents that were once classified, anything marked Confidential or Secret tends to be pretty harmless. Even a fair number of Top-Secret documents arent terribly sensitive. But if something is marked Top-Secret/HCS/ORCON and so forth, then its likely to be serious. (As Barack Obama once said, Theres classified, and theres classified. This kind of stuff is really, really classified.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump didnt engage in espionage, at least not according to the indictment. (He didnt have to do so in order to be charged under the Espionage Act, one reason why the act should be extensively revised.) But if he had given some of these documents to a foreign agent, they could have done considerable harm. And given their cavalier storage at Mar-a-Lago (sometimes out in the open, never in a locked room), he might as well have given them to a spyespecially since Mar-a-Lago during Trumps presidency was a spys dream come true. If Trumps Republican defenders dont acknowledge any of this, if they dismiss the entirety of the indictment as partisan rubbish, they might as well confess that they dont really care about national security at all. Donald Trump is appearing in Miami federal court at around 3 p.m. Tuesday to face charges of keeping classified documents near a toilet, as well as in other unapproved locations, and then lying to the government about having returned them after being issued a subpoena. (N.b.there was a chandelier hanging over the toilet in the bathroom where he kept some of the documents.) Heres a quick rundown of the names that you might hear if you tune in to see the former president appear in court as a defendant for the second time this year. (Or, rather, if you tune in to watch reporters standing outside a courthouse, because there arent any cameras in the courtroom.) Most of them are lawyers! Advertisement Donald Trump: Former Apprentice host and chief executive of United States. Alleged to have instructed staff members to move dozens of boxes of documents, including highly sensitive national defense material, from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after his presidential term ended. Alleged to have also then ordered staff to move boxes around so that he could keep some of the classified documents even after federal authorities asked for them back (and subsequently backed this request with a subpoena). There are other sub-allegations as well, some of which are addressed below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltine Walt Nauta: Member of the Navy who served as a valet for Trump during his time in the White House, then left the service to work at Mar-a-Lago. Alleged to have helped Trump hide boxes that contained classified material, then to have lied about doing so to investigators. (The DOJ built its case in part by subpoenaing Mar-a-Lago surveillance footage that purportedly depicts the movement of the boxes.) Advertisement For what its worth, the Newspapers.com archive appears to feature only one other reference to a male Waltine in American history, that being a Waltine Jackson, originally of Ringling, Oklahoma, who, according to a 1930 edition of the Ringling Eagle, broke both of his arms and fractured his skull after falling off an oil tank in Virginia. Todd Blanche: Trumps lead lawyer, as of last week, in the documents case. Instantly becomes one of the most important men named Todd in American history. James Trusty, John Rowley: Lawyers who would have been representing Trump in the documents case if they had not resigned last week. Timothy Parlatore: Lawyer who would have been representing Trump in the documents case if he had not resigned last month. (Well get to the reason for these resignations in a second.) Advertisement Advertisement Evan Corcoran: Lawyer who would have been representing Trump in the documents case had he not been compelled to testify about Trumps alleged obstruction of justice earlier this year by a judge. Corcorans testimony appears to form the basis of several allegations in the indictment; one is that Trump suggested to his attorneys that they lie to the DOJ about whether he had any classified documents. Another is that he implied, via a plucking gesture, that one of them (presumably Corcoran) should remove particularly sensitive documents from a file that was to be handed over to the government (presumably so as to prevent investigators from learning that Trump had ever possessed such top-secret material in the first place). Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern The Most Damning Part of the Trump Indictment Read More Boris Epshteyn: Attorney and longtime Trump adviser who has reportedly seized control of Trumps defense strategy by ingratiating himself with the former president, but is considered annoying by his other lawyers. Please note that its not merely rumored that Epshteyn annoys the other lawyers: After Timothy Parlatore resigned, he appeared on CNN and explained that hed done so because Epshteyn interfered with his work and, in his opinion, was not very honest with us or the client. According to Rolling Stone, other Trump attorneys refer to Epshteyn as Boris Inept-shteyn. Advertisement Advertisement Unrelatedly, Epshteyn was convicted of disorderly conduct after a 2021 Arizona incident in which a woman who described him to police as a less attractive version of Tony Soprano said that he had touched her inappropriately. (The conviction was set aside after he completed an alcohol abuse course.) Advertisement Aileen Cannon: Trump-appointed judge assigned to hear Trumps case. Infamous for having issued a previous related ruling considered so egregiously favorable to Trump (and indefensible legally) that it was unanimously reversed by an appeals panel that included two other judges appointed by Trump. (Trumps appearance on Tuesday will likely come before a magistrate judge, not Cannon.) Laura Loomer: Genuinely unwell-seeming far-right activist and Trump supporter who has been banned from a variety of online platforms for, among other things, arguing that Muslims should not be allowed to work for rideshare companies (?). Was allowed back on Twitter after Elon Musk took over the company and, in her words, is now REPORTING LIVE from outside the Miami courthousealthough, confusingly, as of 12:15 p.m. her feed actually depicted a different woman talking to this guy: Advertisement What a cast of characters! What a beautiful web of democracy we weave, in this American experiment. In the two places we call America, there are now two coups simultaneously unrolling at a breakneck pace, and also possibly grinding to a slow but steady halt. For those who maintain that Donald Trump is an innocent man, subject to an unjust witch hunt at the hands of deep state actors who covered up Hillary Clinton and Joe Bidens criminal conduct, its go time. As Rep. Andy Biggs put it on Twitter the night Trump was indicted: We have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye. How real are these threats? Jeff Sharlet laid it out thusly in the Atlantic: Advertisement Do they believe what theyre saying? Do they mean their violent implications? Does it matter? Their civil war is imaginary, but there really are men with guns, more now than Ive seen in 20 years of reporting on the right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether they plan to act on it or not, in the view of the most steadfast, violent Trump supporters, the coup actually began with James Comey, with Robert Mueller, with Adam Schiff. It now steams forward under the lawless powers of the prosecutors currently pursuing TrumpAlvin Bragg, Fani Willis, Jack Smith. These villains are weaponizingto use the preferred nomenclaturethe power of law enforcement and the justice system to persecute Donald Trump. For them, all bets are off. The promise of violence shimmers in the air. Advertisement On the other hand sit those who believe that the slow-rolling coup is perhaps finally coming to an end, thanks to the justice system finally, grindingly, belatedly, kicking into high gear. For the America that contends that the walls are closing inor finally might bethe indictment of Donald Trump and the forthcoming trial signal that the rampant lawlessness of the Trump years and the stochastic terror of Jan. 6, 2021, are finally being checked with the appropriate degrees of legal and judicial and law enforcement authority. For those who feel that Donald Trump has been an uncharged criminal defendant for years (decades?), the fact that hes been roaming around the country running for reelection this past weekend is in fact the problem. That hes still issuing veiled threats against his opponents borders on unbelievable, as does the idea that he might still become president. In this story, the long national nightmare is finally wrapping up, thanks to the tender if belated mercies of criminal statutes, sentencing guidelines, grand jurors, and knowable facts. Advertisement Advertisement Which means that weve officially reached peak Schrodingers coup. Democracy is either alive or dead inside that box, and everyone is too afraid to look inside and say which it is. Advertisement And this in turn puts us all in the unenviable position of having to reckon with two conflicting truths: Yes, the legal walls are closing in. And as they do so, for some the power of these legal walls is crumbling before our eyes. Its blinding: The more criminal trouble Trump finds himself in, the more his political capital rises. The law may in fact be powerless in the face of that simple truth. I used to fret that politics would always, always outrun the law; that a Trump lie, or threat, or boast would make it twice around the world while the justice system was still just putting its socks on. But increasingly, I think were not even running the same course, or playing on the same field, or moving toward the same ends. The more the rule of law triumphs, the stronger the forces that hate the rule of law actually become. Advertisement And that, of course, is the endgame for the Trump team. What I have been hearing from Republicans that Ive spoken to is frustration, a growing frustration, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told Fox News Sunday. The trust in our Justice Department has been eroded, as well. These are core institutions in a democracy that must have the peoples trust. When you see things like this that have political overtones, its very frustrating for people. His remarks are honestly tame compared to those of many of his fellow Republicans who are in Congress. They have made the unprecedented decision to attack the law itself. Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern Judge Aileen Cannon Can Absolutely Sink the Federal Prosecution of Trump Read More In other words, the more unimpeachable the facts laid out in the indictment are, the more apt Trump defenders are to spew lawless nonsense in his defense. This indictment, arraignment, trial, and even possibly conviction will not persuade the Trumpiest of Trumpsters to nod their heads soberly and agree that the facts speak for themselves. Even when a disgraced Bill Barr brings himself to say as much, he immediately renders himself irrelevant as a legal expert in their minds. It is Lindsey Graham telling George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that most Republicans believe we live in a country where Hillary Clinton did very similar things and nothing happened to her who ends up doing the real Trumpist legal work here. Hes offering up the possibility that whats happening to democracy is whatever you want to believe is happening. If you think it is slowly being poisoned by atomic gases inside the box because the former president is getting his comeuppance (finally), well, the senator is here to give voice to and amplify that belief. Advertisement Advertisement Put aside, for the moment, the will-she/wont-she drama of a possible Aileen Cannon recusal. The totality of the legal debate here is not about whether or not Donald Trump was in possession of classified documents that imperiled national security, or whether or not he conspired to hide those documents, or whether or not he and others conspired to lie about it. That is all demonstrably true. We are, to the extent there is a legal fight taking place, bickering over whether the president can declassify documents with his mind alone and whether the Presidential Records Act gives a former president the right to do whatever he wants with anything, ever, even when it threatens national security. We are now almost exclusively fighting over whether if you are Donald J. Trump, you are allowed to walk around with highly classified documents, to show them to biographers without security clearance, to hide them and to lie about it, because when you are Donald J. Trump, what you feel like doing at any given moment gets to be the very definition of the rule of law. To the extent there is a legal debate occurring at all, its about whether, per Richard Nixon, when the former/ex/real president does it, its legal. Advertisement Going into each of these next stepsthe court appearances and possible arraignments, the near-certain further indictmentsthere will be heavily armed people who are increasingly certain that they are the very last bulwarks against an unjust effort to overturn democracy that has been orchestrated by Joe Biden, Merrick Garland, the deep state, and the feds. There will also be many of us watching the opening stages of a long-overdue process of judicial and legal accountability for clear violations of criminal laws and sighing with relief. We will, to be sure, be watching the same movie and concluding that the system of American justice and law enforcement is either irretrievably shattered or more robust than we were led to believe. Its choose-your-own-ending democracy for the pundit class, in which law is an end in itself for one side and a means to a political outcome on the other. Advertisement Advertisement As was the case in Charlottesville in 2017, or at the Capitol in 2021, the legal experiment is being distorted. It will end in either a fair trial with a reasoned outcome or in more acts of stochastic terror and vigilantism. That one party is rooting for the former while the other is determinedly not disavowing the latter tells us a good deal about how we got here. The system is either broken, or its working as intended. Whether the thing in the box is gasping for air or shaking off a rough patch, the enduring worry is that the state of American democracy now exists almost entirely in the mind of the beholder. As the Russia-Ukraine War rages on, its most devastating impacts are adding up and extending far beyond Eastern Europe. Last week offered an extremely grim example: The Kakhovka Dam, perched on the Dnieper River in Kherson province, was blown up on June 6, draining the Kakhovkas reservoir into the river and over its banks. Surrounding lands, homes, and infrastructure were deluged with poisonous runoff, forcing thousands of residents to flee. While we still dont know who is responsible for the demolitioneach side has blamed the otherRussia and Ukraine have both suffered serious damage; both nations claim different regions within Kherson province, and Kakhovka lies under Russian control. The dams destruction also doesnt provide a clear advantage to either side in the conflict: The military front lines have devolved into muck, and the livelihoods of both Russians and Ukrainians are at risk. Really, the attackwhich one former Ukrainian minister of ecology claimed might be the countrys worst ecological disaster since Chernobylwont affect the war as much as it will hurt both countries for years to come, and the rest of the world with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its already bad. As water drained from the dam and flooded a 50-mile stretch of the Dnieper, Ukrainian territory along the western banks was swallowed up wholesalefarms, gas stations, land mines, armories, factories, houses, railroad tracks, forests. As the Dnieper River rose to dangerous heights, residents and government officials reported sickening sights across Kherson province. The floodwaters bore pesticides, chemicals, oil, dead animals and fish, and even detritus from graveyards, one Ukrainian told the New York Times; President Volodymyr Zelensky informed environmental activists that the runoff bore sewage, oil, chemicals, and maybe even toxic materials from at least two anthrax burial places located in the region. In a national zoo within the southern Ukrainian city of Nova Kakhovka, which is under Russian control, thousands of animals drowned. About 14 human deaths have been recorded, with dozens more missing and up to 100,000 at risk of displacement. Advertisement Advertisement Unlike its opponent, the climate-minded Ukrainian government has brought ample attention to Kakhovkas environmental and energy implications over the past week. The countrys officials have pointed out that the damone of the worlds largestonce served as both a major hydropower generator and a source of cooling water for the upstream Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The explosion wont have a near-term effect on electricity supply; both the hydro and nuclear facilities were overtaken by Russian forces in the early stages of the 2022 invasion, and subsequently decoupled from Ukraines grid. The far bigger concern, then, is with Kakhovkas water discharges. Its reservoir, which is draining up to 4 feet of water each day, is already at only a quarter of its pre-blast capacity.* Concerns abound that as Zaporizhzhia draws from its water reserves to cool itself over the coming months, it may eventually run out of backup sources of water as well as skilled human laborerswhich would cause a nightmarish meltdown in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the matter of the debris the Kakhovkas water has splashed across Eastern Europeand the runoff that will inevitably flow to the Dniepers entry point into the Black Sea. Zelensky announced last week that because Kakhovkas hydroelectricity turbines are now underwater, about 150 tons of the machine oils used for the plants engines have been washed away, polluting the floodwaters even before they traveled across Kherson. (There are 300 more tons of lubricants remaining in the plant that could yet be spilled, which would be horrific for the wildlife in the Black Sea, now rapidly transforming into a garbage dump and animal cemetery in the Ukraine governments words.) These waters have drenched more than 125,000 acres of forest, Zelensky said, and tens of thousands of birds and other animals may die as a result. His governments agriculture ministry further noted that 25,000 acres of Ukrainian-controlled farmland were crushed by the water, and that Russia-occupied agricultural plains suffered even more; crops and livestock from both sides have been swept away from their homes. Freshwater fish that depended on the Kakhovka reservoir have washed away as well, and its likely theyll die once they hit the saltwater-heavy Black Sea. At this point, little in Ukraine has been spared: not the national parks, not the shellfish or aquatic plants, not the planting soil thats being salinated by the floods, not the endangered mammals that depend on the Dnieper. The Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group warns that the fallow lands left behind from the disaster may soon be overrun with invasive species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Fred Kaplan Ukraines Counteroffensive Has Begun. Now What? Read More Such massive losses of habitat, vegetation, and farmland portend an even bleaker future for Ukrainians. Already, tens of thousands of them lack drinking water that the Kakhovkas reservoir provided to them (that is, if their villages havent completely flooded as it is), and Russia-controlled Crimea will also feel the tap shut-offs. For the farmers whose plots were spared, their worry now turns to much-needed irrigation. Ukraines agriculture ministry estimates that about 1.2 million farming acres will have to cease production, and that the reservoir will need to be rewilded in order to prevent it from turning into poisonous dust (this being the result of the farming pesticides that ran off from croplands to collect at the very bottom of the reservoir). This could halt the growth of up to $1.5 billion worth of grain and oil seeds, the ministry added. Advertisement Advertisement This gets into another emergency: what Ukraines industrial and agricultural damage portends for the rest of the world. The Black Sea, already Europes most polluted water body, is a region of high importance to its other coastal neighbors: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Georgia. Theyve all played their own roles in muddying those waters, but they all also depend on the Black Sea for tourism, for trade and travel, for industrial and energy development. Accelerated pollution of the sea will harm each of those nations. Furthermore, theres cause for alarm over Ukraines specific exports, industries, and food supplies. If Ukraines agricultural ministry is correct in estimating that the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro regions will be hardest hit by the destruction of the dam burst, then Ukraines trade partners should pay close attentionespecially since so much of Ukraines farming goes to export. As the Wall Street Journal notes, the three aforementioned areas make for 12 percent of the countrys agricultural output, especially in vegetables and barley. To look at Kherson specifically, one only has to point out that several grain-storage silos were destroyed in the explosions aftermath, while food-processing giants AgroFusion and Chumak own several factories and acres in the province. Advertisement Beyond the plundered commodities, which many poor countries rely on, there are still other industries at stake, and questions as to whether Ukraine will be able to trade much at all, near-term. The countrys largest steel producer has halted operations for the time being in order to reduce water demand. A key ammonia pipeline was also broken alongside the Kakhovka dam, which will sap Ukraines fertilizer and grain exports. And numerous trading ports on the Dnieper River that helped transport products like crops and construction material have been rendered unusable by the draining of the reservoir, as the head of Ukraines shipping administration told the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this will take years to repair, and some of it may not ever be fixed. Farmland turned brittle from lack of water and sediment deposits may never recover the rich yields that formerly blessed Ukraines economy. The animal and plant species impacted will take years to repopulateif the most endangered among them dont go extinct. The cities and villages that relied on the Kakhovka dam and the Dnieper River, many of which were evacuated, will not rebuild for a while yet. And we have no idea how long the war will continue, and how much more of Ukraines fertile lands, natural resources, and waters will be afflicted as a result. The dam collapse isnt just a Russia-Ukraine disasterits a global one. Its a big day for the big man: Donald Trump turned himself in to federal prosecutors in Miami on Tuesday afternoon, following his indictment last week for stashing boxes of sensitive federal documents near a Mar-a-Lago toilet (and elsewhere) and then trying to obstruct the governments investigation. As can be expected for someone who used social media to catapult himself to and from the presidency, Trump posted constantly on his platform, Truth Social, all the way up until his afternoon arraignment. This is somewhat fitting, considering that we otherwise havent seen much of Trump himself amid the Floridian chaos. Unlike his last arraignment, during which he offered his supporters an inspirational fist-pump, Trump has been mostly out of sight this time, obscured within his motorcade and the camera-free federal courthouse; the most weve gotten here is a thumbs-up flashed through the car window on his way out of Miami. So Truth Social is where Trump will be most visible all day, at least until his nighttime post-arraignment speech. Advertisement Say, just how is Truth Social reacting to todays proceedings, saturated as that website is with Trumps most insufferable supplicants? Lets take a look. Advertisement Related from Slate Norman L. Eisen, Richard W. Painter, and Fred Wertheimer Aileen Cannons Previous Rulings About Trump Demand Her Recusal Read More In the ads department: Youll be able to tell your kids about this day! Or, well, the other Trump details described within The Kids Guide to Donald Trump, most of which were probably also criminal. Advertisement Anyway, back to the main feed. Remember, folks: Crooked Hillary is really to blame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, this place loves aggregating and resharing Trumps own Truths, with fancy graphics to match, even though everyone whos on Truth Social already can see and presumably does read Trumps Truths for themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What about regular, everyday Truthers who dont have the followings afforded to such conservative-media luminaries? To quote a few of them: Where is Hillarys, Obama, Joe B or even Hunters arrest!? TRUMP IS INNOCENT!!!! WE ARE WITH YOU @realDonaldTrump. (Yes, hes kept the realDonaldTrump handle.) Plus, a big, pixelated white-text-on-color-background image reading, In 1776 we had to clean house. The house is filthy again. And another one with the all-caps text DEFUND GEORGE SOROS. Advertisement Advertisement Its all quite messy, and a little depressing, to be sure. Still, one thing you can say for Truth Social: This is a platform with very reliable numbers. Trump all the way, indeed! Farmers markets are a great opportunity for small businesses to showcase their products and connect with their communities. However, participating in a farmers market comes with risks, and its important to have the right insurance coverage to protect your business. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about a farmers market insurance policy, from what it is to where to get it. What is farmers market insurance? Farmers market insurance is a specialized type of insurance designed to provide coverage to vendors who participate in farmers markets. It typically includes general liability coverage, which protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage claims or the medical costs associated with personal injury that may occur at the market. This type of insurance coverage is important because unfortunate incidents can happen even in the safest of environments. What if a customer trips on the rented premises? Farmers market insurance also can include coverage for product liability, which protects against any liability claims that arise from products sold at the market. Overall, farmers market insurance is a crucial safeguard for small businesses participating in farmers markets. Power Up Your Event's Success Conduct Market Research Sell Your Business Why do vendors at farmers markets need insurance? Farmers market businesses and property owners are exposed to a range of risks when vendors participate in a farmers market. Without proper insurance coverage, these risks can be financially devastating. Still wondering why vendors at farmers markets need general liability insurance? Consider the following: Accidents happen Farmers market vendors often deal with sharp tools, hot stoves and heavy equipment, which increases the risk of accidents. An accident could be something so simple as a customer slipping on the premises rented by the vendor. If a customer or vendor is injured, general liability insurance can help cover the medical expenses and legal fees associated with the incident. Farmers market vendors often deal with sharp tools, hot stoves and heavy equipment, which increases the risk of accidents. An accident could be something so simple as a customer slipping on the premises rented by the vendor. If a customer or vendor is injured, general liability insurance can help cover the medical expenses and legal fees associated with the incident. Products can cause harm Even if a vendor takes every precaution, their products can still cause personal injuries to customers. If a product sold at the farmers market causes an illness or injury, general liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal defense, medical expenses and damages. Even if a vendor takes every precaution, their products can still cause personal injuries to customers. If a product sold at the farmers market causes an illness or injury, general liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal defense, medical expenses and damages. Property damage can occur Vendors might accidentally damage property used for business purposes, such as the markets equipment or a neighboring vendors goods. If this happens, general liability insurance can cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Vendors might accidentally damage property used for business purposes, such as the markets equipment or a neighboring vendors goods. If this happens, general liability insurance can cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Lawsuits can be costly If a customer or property owner files a lawsuit against a vendor, the legal fees and damages can be financially devastating. General liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal fees, settlements and judgments. If a customer or property owner files a lawsuit against a vendor, the legal fees and damages can be financially devastating. General liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal fees, settlements and judgments. Meet market requirements Many farmers markets require vendors to carry general liability insurance as a condition of participation. Without this coverage, vendors might not be able to participate in the market and could miss out on valuable business opportunities. What does farmers market general liability insurance cover? Farmers market insurance is designed to cover a wide range of incidents that can occur while participating in a market. While claim scenario circumstances vary, the following five common claims typically are covered by farmers market insurance. Bodily Injury If a customer or vendor is injured while at the farmers market, general liability insurance can help cover the medical expenses associated with the incident. This can include everything from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones. If a customer or vendor is injured while at the farmers market, general liability insurance can help cover the medical expenses associated with the incident. This can include everything from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones. Property Damage Vendors accidentally could damage property like the markets equipment or a neighboring vendors goods. If this happens, general liability policies can cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Vendors accidentally could damage property like the markets equipment or a neighboring vendors goods. If this happens, general liability policies can cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Product Liability Even if a vendor takes every precaution, their products can still cause harm to customers. Product liability insurance can protect the vendor from claims arising from injuries or illnesses caused by their products. Even if a vendor takes every precaution, their products can still cause harm to customers. Product liability insurance can protect the vendor from claims arising from injuries or illnesses caused by their products. Personal Injury General liability insurance also can cover claims of personal injury, such as slander or libel, that could arise from a vendors actions or statements. General liability insurance also can cover claims of personal injury, such as slander or libel, that could arise from a vendors actions or statements. Advertising Injury This type of coverage can protect vendors from advertising injury claims, such as copyright infringement or false advertising. This coverage can be especially important for vendors who rely on advertising to promote their products and grow their businesses. How much does insurance for farmers market cost? Farmers market insurance costs can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the location of the market, the type of products being sold and the coverage limits selected by the vendor. On average, vendors can expect to pay between $200 and $500 per year for a basic general liability policy. However, prices vary widely, with some policies costing as little as $100 and others costing upwards of $1,000 per year. Some vendors also choose to purchase additional coverage, including product liability insurance, which can increase the overall cost of their farmers market insurance policy. Its important for vendors to carefully evaluate their insurance needs and shop around for the best farmers market insurance cost and coverage options available to them at the most affordable price. Best Companies for Farmers Market Vendor Insurance Choosing the right insurance company is crucial for farmers market vendors who want to protect their businesses from potential risks and incidents. Whether youre a first-time vendor or a seasoned professional, working with an experienced insurance agent can help ensure that you have the coverage you need to succeed at farmers markets. 1. ACT Insurance ACT Insurance provides farmers market vendors with customized coverage options, including general public liability insurance, and product liability insurance. The companys policies are designed specifically for small businesses and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each vendor. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, ACT Insurance has a strong reputation for providing reliable and affordable coverage to farmers market vendors nationwide. Its clients can even add additional coverage options, including commercial auto insurance and workers compensation insurance, to ensure they have comprehensive protection for their businesses. 2. RVNA Insurance RVNA Insurance is a well-known provider of farmers market insurance, offering a range of coverage options to meet vendors unique needs. Its policies include both general liability coverage and product liability insurance. RVNAs policies even can be customized to include additional coverage options like commercial auto insurance or workers compensation insurance to provide comprehensive protection for vendors businesses. 3. The Hartford The Hartford is a reputable insurance company that provides farmers market insurance coverage to small businesses. Its policies include general liability coverage as well as product liability insurance. With the option to customize policies, vendors can choose the right coverage limits and add-ons to meet their unique needs. Likewise, The Hartfords farmers market insurance can protect business equipment, such as market stands or inventory, as well as for losses due to weather events or other unforeseen circumstances. 4. K&K Insurance K&K Insurance is another well-known provider of insurance coverage for farmers market vendors. Its policies include general liability coverage and product liability coverage. K&K Insurance policies are designed specifically for farmers market businesses and can be customized to meet the unique needs of each vendor. K&K Insurances farmers market policies can include coverage for business interruption and equipment breakdowns, providing comprehensive protection for vendors businesses. 5. USI Affinity USI Affinity is a trusted provider of farmers market insurance, offering customizable coverage options for vendors. Its policies include general liability coverage and product liability coverage. With the option to add additional coverage options like commercial auto insurance or workers compensation insurance, vendors can tailor their policies to meet their specific business needs. Moreover, USI Affinity provides claims handling and risk management support, ensuring vendors have access to the resources needed to succeed at farmers markets. 6. Thimble Insurance Thimble Insurance is a popular insurance company that offers farmers market insurance policies tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses. Its policies include general liability coverage and product liability coverage. Vendors can customize their policies and purchase coverage by the hour, day or month, providing flexibility and affordability for vendors with fluctuating insurance needs and business hours. With more than 100,000 policies sold to date, Thimble Insurance is a reliable provider of farmers market and business property insurance. 7. American Family Insurance American Family Insurance is a reputable provider of insurance coverage for farmers market vendors. Its policies include general liability coverage and product liability insurance. Vendors can customize their policies to meet their unique needs, including options for property damage coverage, equipment breakdown coverage and business interruption coverage. American Family customers can even consider bundling their farmers market coverage with other insurance policies, such as personal auto or property insurance. American Family Insurances farmers market policies can provide peace of mind for vendors, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses. 8. Farmers Insurance Group Farmers Insurance Group is a well-known insurance company that provides farmers market policies for small businesses. Its policies include general liability coverage, as well as product liability coverage. With the option to add additional insured elements like commercial auto insurance or workers compensation insurance, vendors can tailor their policies to meet their specific needs. Moreover, Farmers Insurance Group provides risk management services, such as safety resources and loss control assistance, to help vendors mitigate potential risks. 9. Food Liability Insurance Program The Food Liability Insurance Program is a specialized insurance program designed specifically for small food businesses, including farmers market vendors. Its policies include general liability coverage and product liability coverage for food vendors. Vendors can customize their policies to meet their unique needs, including options for property damage coverage, equipment breakdown coverage and business interruption coverage. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, the Food Liability Insurance Program is a trusted provider of farmers market and food products insurance. 10. Zensurance Zensurance is an insurance company offering farmers market insurance policies tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses. Its policies include both general liability coverage and product liability coverage. Plus, vendors can customize their policies and purchase coverage online, providing a streamlined and efficient process for obtaining insurance. Zensurance also offers risk management services like food safety, resources and loss control assistance to help vendors mitigate potential risks. With more than 10,000 policies sold to date, Zensurance is a reliable provider of farmers market insurance. Which is the best private insurance company for a farmers market vendor? Its difficult to determine the best private insurance product for farmers market vendors since the needs and preferences of each vendor vary. Some popular options for farmers market insurance include K&K Insurance, Thimble Insurance and USI Affinity. However, vendors should research and compare business insurance policies from several different insurance companies before deciding on purchasing insurance. Factors to consider when choosing the best farmers market insurance policy include coverage options, premiums, deductibles and the level of customer service offered by insurance agents. Ultimately, the best private insurance company for a farmers market vendor will depend on their business operations, needs, and circumstances. It is important for vendors to carefully evaluate their options and select a business insurance policy that provides the necessary coverage and protection for their businesses. Read More: https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/senator-rubio-requests-us-review-of-ukraine-equipment-costs-after-errors-found---letter-1111096828.html Senator Rubio Requests US Review of Ukraine Equipment Costs After Errors Found - Letter Senator Rubio Requests US Review of Ukraine Equipment Costs After Errors Found - Letter US Senator Marco Rubio in a letter to the Government Accountability Office requested a thorough review of the cost of military equipment sent to Ukraine after the Defense Department miscalculated the value. 2023-06-12T23:10+0000 2023-06-12T23:10+0000 2023-06-12T23:10+0000 world us ukraine marco rubio washington kiev defense department pentagon us government accountability office (gao) us military aid /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/01/1093482779_0:0:3277:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_b611052748eef8398e4f9e09cea112d4.jpg "[Defense Department] DoD plays an important role in supporting our allies and partners, but Congress needs to know the true costs of the use of PDA [Presidential Drawdown Authority]," the letter said on Monday. Rubio pointed out that the Pentagon now appears to be tabulating replacement costs for all military equipment by using the depreciated value, which means US taxpayers will have to deal with a larger bill to replace the items. Last month, media reported that the Defense Department overvalued the cost of assistance for Ukraine by about $3 billion opening up a possibility that Washington will be able to send more security assistance to Kiev amid Russias ongoing special military operation. The Pentagon previously discovered inconsistencies in equipment valuation for Ukraine, when replacement cost was used instead of net book value resulting in overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from US stocks. According to the Pentagon, the accounting error has not constrained US support to Ukraine or impacted its ability to flow capabilities to the battlefield. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/us-approved-military-aid-to-ukraine-will-soon-be-tapped-talk-of-more-funding-on-back-burner-1110531070.html ukraine washington kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us senator marco rubio, government accountability office , us defense department, ukraine, us military aid https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/binance-says-secs-request-to-freeze-assets-could-bring-its-operations-to-halt-1111112888.html Binance Says SEC's Request to Freeze Assets Could Bring Its Operations to Halt Binance Says SEC's Request to Freeze Assets Could Bring Its Operations to Halt Binance's US division has filed a lawsuit against the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) over the request to freeze its assets, saying it could lead to the termination of the exchange's operations. 2023-06-13T13:01+0000 2023-06-13T13:01+0000 2023-06-13T13:01+0000 economy us securities and exchange commission (sec) binance lawsuit /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107710/97/1077109747_0:53:2048:1205_1920x0_80_0_0_b256e11ccb09fe37ac17292694ac0886.jpg "Binance.US has responded to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) request to freeze its funds, arguing that such action could potentially lead to the termination of its operations," the crypto exchange said, adding that its court filing comes shortly before the hearing to emphasize the urgency of the matter. Binance has expressed concerns over the potential consequences of the SEC's decision, including negative effect on its business activities. A fair and thorough assessment of the situation is needed before any decisions are made, it said. On June 5, the SEC accused Binance of defrauding investors and concealing information about its operations. The complaint said that the exchange had secretly sent billions of dollars to a separate company, controlled by Binance's founder, Changpeng Zhao. Zhao, who lives in Dubai, dismissed the SECs charges on Twitter as untrue. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230609/binance-exchange-halts-us-dollar-use-as-banks-plan-blocking-in-wake-of-sec-lawsuit-1111033063.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International binance's us division, us securities and exchange commission's, lawsuit, termination of the exchange's operations https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/death-toll-from-flood-after-destruction-of-kakhovka-hpp-rises-to-17---regional-authorities-1111109906.html Death Toll From Flood After Destruction of Kakhovka HPP Rises to 17 - Regional Authorities Death Toll From Flood After Destruction of Kakhovka HPP Rises to 17 - Regional Authorities The death toll from the flooding in the Kherson Region due to the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) has increased to 17 people, the head of the regional government, Andrey Alekseyenko, said on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T11:45+0000 2023-06-13T11:45+0000 2023-06-13T11:45+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine kherson aleksey alekseyenko floods attack on novaya kakhovka dam /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/06/1110950577_0:125:2387:1468_1920x0_80_0_0_788a40d3cf678bb1bc86ec28c590c80e.jpg "Unfortunately, the number of victims of Nazi sabotage is growing. In the morning, 12 deaths were confirmed in the Golaya Prystan and five in Aleshky," Alekseyenko said on Telegram. Later in the day, acting Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo said on social media that 84 people had been hospitalized and 1,700 people had been placed in temporary shelters since the dam was destroyed. The governor added that a total of 7,200 people had been evacuated in the region due to flooding, including 421 children and 123 people with limited mobility. The upper part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Dnepr River was damaged during the night of June 5-6. It was not completely destroyed, but its collapse caused an uncontrolled spill of water into towns on the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the river and the Ukrainian-held western bank. Moscow and Kiev have blamed each other for the dam's destruction. The Kakhovka HPP is the sixth and the last stage of the cascade of Dnepr hydroelectric power plants located 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the city of Novaya Kakhovka in the Kherson Region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/kiev-shelling-places-hosting-people-evacuated-from-kakhovka-hpp-zone---russian-official-1111080176.html kherson 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 kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, destruction of kakhovka hpp, death toll from flood https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/denmark-mulls-buying-back-submarines-after-hiatus-of-nearly-two-decades-1111100858.html Denmark Mulls Buying Back Submarines After Hiatus of Nearly Two Decades Denmark Mulls Buying Back Submarines After Hiatus of Nearly Two Decades The renewed submarine capacity is claimed to hand Denmark "unique cards" in its game both the Baltic Sea and the Arctic amid a shift in the country's defense posture. 2023-06-13T07:12+0000 2023-06-13T07:12+0000 2023-06-13T09:18+0000 military denmark baltic sea arctic nato royal danish navy european union (eu) scandinavia news military & intelligence /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106950/12/1069501257_0:0:2701:1519_1920x0_80_0_0_2cd4e1af4ec6dffa1bebd9bd62447ad5.jpg The Nordic nation of Denmark may be about to buy back submarines in a bid to bolster its maritime presence as part of the recent military investment.Denmark ditched its remaining fleet of submarines in 2004, but a lively debate on whether to renew its underwater capacity is well under way as part of the talks over the Danish military's future requirements, according to a statement from Michael Aastrup Jensen, chairman of Denmark's foreign policy committee, speaking at an event at the Hudson Institute in New York.According to Jensen, Danish MPs are actively considering whether to buy them in "close cooperation" with "friends."Jensen made no secret of the fact that Denmark is aiming to reinforce its military, as he stressed Denmark's "strategic" position, which allows it to keep track of Russia's Baltic Fleet vessels sailing from St Petersburg or Kaliningrad.Danish experts have already said that a fleet of submarines will deal Denmark a "unique hand" in its game both the Baltic Sea and the Arctic, where the nation of 5.8 million has ambitious plans because of Greenland, the world's largest island and a possession of Denmark. Several parties in the liberal-conservative "blue" bloc have backed restocking its submarine supplies.One of the main reasons not to buy submarines is because they take such a big chunk out of Denmark's relatively modest defense budget. However, the possibility of leasing submarines for an extended period of time has also been considered.The recent round of submarine discussions coincide with discussions about replacement of patrol vessels in the Royal Danish Navy as part of the Denmark's so-called Defense Agreement, which sets out a list of acquisitions over a 10-year span. In 2022, Copenhagen pledged massive investment of DKK 40 billion ($5.8 million) in new naval ships to be built "within the next few years", while committing to a stronger "security of supply".A Shift in Denmark's Defense Strategy? More broadly, under the pretext of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Denmark has introduced a massive shift in its defense posture. First, it terminated its EU military opt-out clause and joined the union's security policy. Second, it announced a huge increase in defense spending, going from 1.35 percent of the GDP to NATO's coveted 2 percent mark in a single year.Third, Denmark emerged as one of Kiev's most active backers per capita, contributing everything from arms to finance and training. Among other things, Copenhagen is part of the European Leopard main battle tank coalition for Ukraine and has agreed to donate all 19 of its Caesar artillery systems. More recently, it has backed plans for F-16 fighter jets to be sent to Kiev and placed itself at the helm of the training the coalition together with the Netherlands. Fourth, Denmark has shifted its overseas presence from faraway areas such as parts of the Middle East to forward presence in the Baltic States. Lastly, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has been seriously considered as NATO's new boss as replacement for Jens Stoltenberg.However, Denmark's military plans may be hemmed by a drastic lack of personnel and an apparent shortage of funds, which already resulted in unpopular measures such as abandoning a centuries-old Christian holiday in a bid to replenish the war chest scraped bare. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/denmark-aims-for-nato-spending-target-with-huge-ukraine-aid-package-1110786315.html denmark baltic sea arctic scandinavia 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 danish security policy, danish military, danish submarines, nato spending target, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/employees-who-work-with-ai-more-likely-to-experience-loneliness-drinking---study--1111098650.html Employees Who Work With AI More Likely to Experience Loneliness, Drinking - Study Employees Who Work With AI More Likely to Experience Loneliness, Drinking - Study Employees who work with AI are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness, are more likely to drink, and can also experience insomnia, according to a new study. 2023-06-13T01:47+0000 2023-06-13T01:47+0000 2023-06-13T01:46+0000 beyond politics study mental health mental health issues artificial intelligence artificial intelligence artificial intelligence (ai) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1b/1080290191_416:0:1616:675_1920x0_80_0_0_51ef4742040a93ff3ab674fce1642147.jpg New findings detailed that AI, which is typically used in marketing, finance and manufacturing, have the potential to wreak havoc on employees personal lives. Researchers looked at employees in the US, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia, including 166 engineers at a Taiwanese biomedical company who were surveyed over three weeks about their feelings of loneliness, attachment anxiety and sense of belonging.Officials found that those who work frequently with AI systems were more likely to drink alcohol after work, struggle to sleep, and experience feelings of loneliness. Findings also revealed that some employees were more likely to offer help to their coworkers, which may be caused by a need for social contact.The rapid advancement in AI systems is sparking a new industrial revolution that is reshaping the workplace with many benefits but also some uncharted dangers, including potentially damaging mental and physical impacts for employees, Dr. Pok Man Tang, a researcher at the University of Georgia, said in a statement.The researchers found that working with AI could affect those prone to anxiety and insecurity about social relationships more deeply (whether positive or negative) than those working with AI who are not prone to attachment anxiety.Mindfulness programs and other positive interventions also might help relieve loneliness, Tang continues. AI will keep expanding so we need to act now to lessen the potentially damaging effects for people who work with these systems.Tang has suggested that tech companies could try giving AI systems more human-like voices, and try and incorporate more opportunities for employees to socialize outside of AI-based work tasks.The findings were published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. 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 artificial intelligence, ai, study, mental health, loneliness, insomnia, binge drinking https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/foreign-national-who-allegedly-bribed-joe-biden-hunter-has-audio-of-their-talks---senator-1111098933.html Foreign National Who Allegedly Bribed Joe & Hunter Biden, Has Audio of Their Talks - Senator Foreign National Who Allegedly Bribed Joe & Hunter Biden, Has Audio of Their Talks - Senator The foreign national who allegedly bribed President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden allegedly has audio recordings of their discussions, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said during remarks on the Senate floor. 2023-06-13T02:09+0000 2023-06-13T02:09+0000 2023-06-13T06:39+0000 americas hunter biden joe biden chuck grassley republican senate us us justice department fbi bribery /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 foreign national who allegedly bribed Joe and Hunter Biden allegedly has audio recordings of his conversation with them, 17 such recordings," Grassley said on Monday, citing the FBI's unclassified 1023 form on the Biden family. The foreign national allegedly has 15 audio recordings of his discussions with Hunter Biden and two other recordings with then vice-president Joe Biden, according to Grassley. Grassley added, according to the document, that the foreign national kept these recordings as a sort of insurance policy in case he got into a "tight spot." Moreover, Grassley said the document indicates Joe Biden may have been involved in Burisma employing Hunter Biden. Earlier in the day, former President Donald Trump said he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate current officeholder Joe Biden, his family and others allegedly engaged in corruption that negatively impacts the United States. On Friday, an indictment charging Trump with 37 counts of crimes including willful retention of national security information was made public. The indictment comes as Trump leads the pack of Republican presidential candidates for the 2024 election. Trump denies the allegations against him and has criticized the US Justice Department for not investigating alleged criminal activity by Biden with the same rigor. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/trump-says-will-appoint-special-prosecutor-to-investigate-biden-crime-family-others-1111094403.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International biden family, foreign national, bribery scheme, us president joe biden, hunter biden, audio recordings, chuck grassley https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/german-industry-gravely-threatened-by-loss-of-russian-gas-pipeline-lifeline-1111120205.html German Industry Gravely Threatened by Loss of Russian Gas Pipeline Lifeline German Industry Gravely Threatened by Loss of Russian Gas Pipeline Lifeline Berlin has indicated that its industrial base could come to a standstill if one of Europes last remaining Russian energy lifelines a natural gas pipeline running through Ukraine, were cut off. Sputnik reached out to a pair of experts on energy and German politics for their takes on the countrys energy crisis and its implications for Europe. 2023-06-13T17:37+0000 2023-06-13T17:37+0000 2023-06-13T17:41+0000 economy thierry bros christian blex vladimir putin germany russia european union (eu) soyuz nord stream turkstream /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104772/67/1047726747_0:126:3197:1924_1920x0_80_0_0_b942b45c4ac7368c71164be6ec54ca6f.jpg There is no secure scenario for how things will turn out, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said at an economic forum near Berlin on Monday, referring to Germanys commitment to an energy burden sharing agreement which requires the country to export gas to other EU nations to offset potential deficits, thus potentially leaving local industries in the lurch.The minister, who ordinarily blames Moscow for Europes energy shortfall, offered an unusually lucid suggestion that European policymakers avoid making the same mistake again in assuming that the economy would simply adjust natural if alternative energy supplies werent found.Central Europe presently continues to depend on the Soyuz - the oldest and smallest of the five major Russian natural gas pipeline serving the bloc, for much of the gas it gets from Russia after Poland unilaterally shut down Yamal-Europe, and since Nord Stream, the massive, pipeline network running from Russia to Germany via the bottom of the Baltic Sea, was damaged in a US sabotage attack last fall. Soyuz, which runs through Ukraine, has the capacity to pump about 26 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually just a fraction of Nord Streams 110 bcm/year, or Yamal-Europes 33 bcm/year. The Soviet-era pipeline, together with TurkStream (which can pump up to 31.5 bcm/year), helped Russian energy partners in Europe take some of the sting out of the spike in energy costs caused by the EUs wider rejection of Russian energy supplies.The Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal involving Soyuz is one of few major agreements which somehow withstood the collapse of Russian-Ukrainian relations after the long-running Donbass crisis escalated into a full-blown NATO-Russia proxy war last year. The existing agreement is set to expire in December 2024, and there has been widespread speculation about its future, particularly after Ukraines destruction of a massive ammonia pipeline, and the flooding of wide swathes of Kherson region following an attack on the Kakhovka hydroplants dam last week.Berlin announced in January that it has completely diversified its energy supplies away from Russian natural gas, finding alternatives to Russian imports from global markets. Other European countries cant boast the same, with EU members plus the UK continuing to import vast quantities of Russian gas via the remaining available routes.German industrial leaders have been warning about the consequences of a lack of Russian energy in Germany and Europe since spring 2022. In May of that year, President Putin expressed his amazement at his European counterparts readiness to introduce suicidal restrictions on Russian energy all for the sake of accommodating their American overlords, warning that the measures would strip European industry of its competitiveness vis-a-vis global competitors like the US and China.And thats exactly what has now begun to take place, says Dr. Thierry Bros, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, and contributor for Natural Gas World, an independent website specializing in energy affairs.I mean if you go back to the last six months in Europe, we were very happy about our ability to be able to mitigate or do without Russian gas, to mitigate the Russian disruption. But this has entailed extreme high prices and demanded destruction and recession, the researcher said.'Energy Transition' Worsening CrisisPart of the problem, Bros says, is that ordinary Germans have agreed to a series of radical steps by their government related to energy, including the mass closure of nuclear plants, hundreds of billions of euros in subsidies for renewable energy, all without actually achieving any kind of reduction in CO2.Bros admitted that hes uncertain about Germanys economic future in light of its current trajectory, saying the country may become the first nation in modern history to commit hara-kiri and plunge into a five-year recession due to its foolish energy policy.Dr. Christian Blex, a lawmaker in the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, from the opposition Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, fears it may already be too late.Unfortunately, Blex says, instead of opening its eyes to reality, the government continues to stick to its fairy tale energy policy.Economics Minister Habeck from the Greens, who had previously been a childrens book author, came up with the really crazy idea of wanting to massively subsidize the industrial electricity price. Such an insane subsidy on the backs of the remaining taxpayers can really only come from the minds of childrens books authors. It has nothing to do with reality, Blex stressed, referring to the proposed subsidy initiative announced by Habeck last month, which offers a 25-30 billion energy subsidy package for industry to the year 2030.German Sovereignty LimitedAsked whether Kiev could be pressed into renewing the gas transit agreement with Russia, and thus assuring Europes future energy security, Blex said it depends on whos asking.The Kiev regime is entirely dependent on financial and military support from the US and its client states. If the USA understands that without an extension of the transit agreement there could be unrest in its European client states, it will influence its politicians in Kiev accordingly, he said.Dr. Bros has a different view, suggesting that because the Russia-Ukraine gas transit agreement is fundamentally a political deal, Kiev will likely have little incentive to renew it. At the end of the day, the answer to this question is going to be answered by [Volodymyr] Zelensky himself, he said.In any event, Germanys energy illiteracy carries a price, Bros says, including reduced political and economic clout within the European Union. You are the center of the world as long as you have the power to do it[Germany] only had economic power. Without it this is the end of Germany as the economic engine of Europe, the researcher summed up. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230611/cia-privately-attributed-nord-stream-attack-to-ukraine-while-us-blamed-russia---report-1111052666.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230610/single-gas-market-of-eurasian-economic-union-likely-to-be-created-by-2025-1111044060.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/eu-disappearing-as-global-economic-player-due-to-high-energy-costs-1110840859.html germany russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov natural gas, energy, pipeline, russia, germany, european union, europe, shortage, subsidies, shortfall, united states https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/gop-lawmaker-introduces-articles-of-impeachment-against-biden-and-harris-1111123180.html GOP Lawmaker Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Biden and Harris GOP Lawmaker Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Biden and Harris A second Republican House lawmaker is seeking to oust President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris from the Oval Office. 2023-06-13T19:05+0000 2023-06-13T19:05+0000 2023-06-13T19:05+0000 americas hunter biden joe biden kamala harris tennessee georgia gop republican federal bureau of investigation (fbi) internal revenue service (irs) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/13/1097573341_0:168:3072:1896_1920x0_80_0_0_e90a927e075aeb83a9939777c7b1d81d.jpg Andy Ogles, an American politician and businessman, who has served as the US representative for Tennessee's 5th congressional district since 2023, accused Joe Biden of "weaponizing the executive office," to "shield the business and influence peddling schemes of his family from congressional oversight and public accountability."The articles of impeachment, introduced by Ogles on Monday and released by Fox News, present a long list of the incumbent president's apparent wrongdoings starting from the latter's vice presidency under Barack Obama. Per Ogles, Biden failed to comply with numerous congressional requests for information and documentation including Suspicious Activity Reports of the Biden family's financial transactions, as well as Hunter Biden's connection to foreign government officials and business moguls.Ogles particularly singled out Biden's apparent attempt to force then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko into firing Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin who at the time investigated Burisma Holdings, a company that paid Hunter Biden over $50,000 a month to sit on its board.The Republican congressman also cited the FBI's much discussed FD-1023 form containing an uncorroborated report about Joe Biden receiving $5 million to assist Burisma Holdings during his vice presidential tenure. "The confidential human source of this form has been used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a reliable source of information since 2010," Ogles noted in the document.The lawmaker also accused Biden of "directly facilitate[ing] the ongoing southern border crisis and endanger[ing] the people of the United States." Ogles specifically pointed out that "hundreds of thousands of vulnerable [unaccompanied] children have been 'encountered,' trafficked, and smuggled across the southwest border in the 2 years since President Biden took office, representing hundreds of children every day." Ogles also linked the rise in illicit drugs trafficking and fentanyl overdoses cases with Biden's border policy.The other document introduced by Ogles targets Vice President Kamala Harris, who "demonstrated extraordinary incompetence in the execution of her duties and responsibilities and an indifference to Americans suffering as a result of Americas ongoing southern border crisis," per the lawmaker."Vice President Harris has consistently refused to visit the southern border to ascertain the root causes of the ongoing crisis, aside from a single trip hundreds of miles away from the epicenter of the migrant crisis," the articles of impeachment against the incumbent veep says.As per the congressmen, the veep's incompetence as the US "border czar" led to the rise in human and drug trafficking, fentanyl-related deaths, sexual assaults against women at the southern border, and "a major humanitarian crisis" in general.Ogles is not the only lawmaker, who has introduced the articles of impeachment against Biden. Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in May came up with her own effort accusing the incumbent president of the southern border crisis. As of yet Ogles and Greene's initiatives have been seen as a "longshot" attempt to oust Biden. However, clouds appear to be gathering on the president's horizon given the latest congressional investigations in his family, the emergence of uncorroborated evidence about an alleged bribery case, as well as an IRS whistleblower's testimony in Hunter Biden's probe. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/foreign-national-who-allegedly-bribed-joe-biden-hunter-has-audio-of-their-talks---senator-1111098933.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/biden-administration-left-thousands-of-migrant-minors-in-grave-danger-1109634901.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230515/texas-gov-resumes-migrant-bussing-tactic-to-vp-harris-dc-residence-warns-more-to-come-1110380649.html americas tennessee georgia 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 joe biden alleged bribery, hunter biden tax crimes, us southern border crisis, human trafficking, sexual assault, articles of impeachment against biden, articles of impeachment against harris, house republican article of impeachment https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/ka-52-alligator-heres-what-gives-russias-unique-attack-helicopter-its-bite-1111111964.html Ka-52 Alligator: Heres What Gives Russias Unique Attack Helicopter Its Bite Ka-52 Alligator: Heres What Gives Russias Unique Attack Helicopter Its Bite The Russian military has released a series of videos showing Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters destroying a range of NATO armor in Ukraine, including Leopard tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, amid Kievs sputtering counteroffensive. What are the Ka-52s origins? What makes the chopper unique? How Sputnik explores. 2023-06-13T14:42+0000 2023-06-13T14:42+0000 2023-06-13T15:51+0000 military russia ukraine kamov ka-52 apache ka-50 helicopter attack helicopter ka-52k attack helicopter /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0d/1111116564_0:150:3111:1900_1920x0_80_0_0_3d93f9c5ad4952273d8bbf2793d56c21.jpg Judging by the clips being put out by the Military of Defense, the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter has been become a jack-of-all trades weapon, searching out, homing in on and targeting everything from armored vehicles and tanks to enemy strongholds, and serving as the backbone of Russian rotary frontline aviation.What's the Ka-52 Alligators Origin Story?The Ka-52s origins can be traced back to the Soviet period, with the Kamov Design Bureau starting development work on the helicopters older cousin, the Ka-50 Black Shark an all-weather, highly maneuverable, heavy payload-carrying, single-seater attack and reconnaissance helicopter with a unique coaxial rotor system, in the 1970s, with testing kicking off in 1982. By the time the Ka-50 entered service in the mid-1990s, the USSR had collapsed and the Russian economy was in depression, leaving little money for mass production. Only about 16 Ka-50 series choppers were built.Keeping their noses to the grindstone, Kamovs engineers continued to upgrade and modernize their bird keeping its design up-to-date and in line with the latest technological standards. The result was the Ka-52, a Ka-50 modification with a unique side-by-side seating arrangement, with the second crewmember tasked with operating a heavy-duty reconnaissance radar and optical-electronic surveillance and targeting system.The Ka-52 has a number of other standout differences from the Ka-50, including a less protruded nose configuration - designed to reduce the twin-seater's radar profile, and a customized rocket-assisted ejection system to account for the need to eject two people instead of one. The Ka-52 is also more heavily armed, featuring six hard points instead of four.What's more, the chopper has a new all-weather Argument-52 avionics complex with open architecture, automated surveillance, and flight monitoring system, encrypted airborne communications system, airborne defense complex, and a forward-looking radar complex known as the Arbalet-52.Overall, about 86 percent of the Ka-52s components are unified with the Ka-50 platform.The Ka-52 began production in 2008, with Russian Army Aviation beginning operations of the chopper in 2011.Why Does the Ka-52 Alligators Have Coaxial Rotors?The Ka-52s coaxial rotor arrangement is its stand-out feature, and is a unique engineering solution allowing for much greater efficiency compared to a single rotor design, and also eliminating the need for a tail rotor. The choppers twin rotor design gives it unparalleled rate of climb and maneuverability characteristics which have proven vital to carrying out evasive maneuvers.What is the Ka-52s Main Armament?The Ka-52 is armed with a side-mounted 2A42 30mm cannon. It can be fitted with 9M120 Ataka laser-guided anti-tank missiles featuring a tandem cumulative warhead, or a 9m120F thermobaric warhead variant for use against fortifications. The chopper can also be equipped with Igla-V air-to-air missiles for use against aerial threats, and the Hermes-A, an air-launched version of a multipurpose missile system used against ground and air targets at ranges up to 100 km. The helicopter can also carry a range of aerial bombs or unguided 240 mm S-24 air-to-ground rockets. The Ka-52 has a total combat payload of up to 2,800 kg - keep the latter figure in mind, its important.How is the Ka-52 Able to Evade Enemy Anti-Aircraft Defenses?The Ka-52s maneuverability characteristics go a long way in helping it evade enemy air attack, with exhaust diffusers and flare dispensers assisting in the battle to trick missiles. In addition, the choppers onboard Vitebsk-25 electronic warfare suite made headlines recently after a Ka-52 reportedly took on 18 enemy MANPADS and survived, detecting and jamming their frequencies before they had a chance to home in. The Vitebsk-25 can reportedly jam threats in the 4-18 GHz range across 120 degrees azimuth and 60 degrees elevation.How Does the Ka-52 Stack Up Compared to the AH 64 Apache?When Soviet authorities ordered work on the Ka-50 to begin in the 1970s, it was in direct response to intelligence reports that the US military was working to create a new generation of attack helicopter. It should therefore be of little surprise that the Ka-50/52 and the Hughes Helicopters/McDonnell Douglas/Boeing AH 64 Apache share superficial similarities given that both took design cues and onboard avionics, engine and armament from what was then the cutting edge of military helicopter technology.Unlike the Ka-52 with its coaxial 3x3 blade system, the Apache uses a traditional, four-blade single rotor, plus traditional tail rotor. Ka-52s have a higher top speed and a larger maximum range than the Apache thanks to their rotor design (315 km per hour and 1,100 km vs 305 km p/h and about 480 km, respectively). The Apache edges out the Russian chopper in terms of flight ceiling and is capable of ascending to about 20,000 feet compared to 18,000 feet, respectively. The choppers onboard avionics and weapons are comparable, with the Apache featuring a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun, four hard points for an array of air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles and bombs, for a total payload of about 770 kg which is over three times less than the Ka-52! However, the US military has developed a drone wing mate program to help identify and attack enemy targets, a feature which should further improve the Apaches lethality.Who Has Ka-52 Besides Russia? How Much Do They Cost?Ka-52s are operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces and Russian Naval Aviation, plus the Egyptian Air Force. Cairo received a complement of at least 46 Ka-52s as part of the Mistral amphibious assault carrier deal. About 200 Alligators have been produced to date. The Russian military has remained tight-lipped about the choppers price tag, although some digging by Russian media in 2021 revealed a per unit cost of about 1.075 billion rubles (about $13 million at todays exchange rate). russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Russian KA-52 Alligators on the hunt Russian KA-52 Alligators on the hunt 2023-06-13T14:42+0000 true PT1M06S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov kamov, ka 52, ka-52, kamov ka-52, ka 52 helicopter, ka-52 hokum, ka-52 ukraine, russian ka-52, ka-52 ejection, ka-52 alligator attack helicopter, ka-52 alligator, ka-52 alligator shot down, ka-52 alligator vs apache, apache helicopter, russian ka 52 alligator, ka-52 alligator cost, how many ka-52 does russia have, is ka-52 alligator good https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/lme-growing-more-reliant-on-russian-aluminum-as-sources-from-other-players-dwindle-1111100743.html LME Growing More Reliant on Russian Aluminum as Sources From Other Players Dwindle LME Growing More Reliant on Russian Aluminum as Sources From Other Players Dwindle The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminum contract is increasingly dependent on Russian-origin metal, according to recently published data cited in media reports. 2023-06-13T08:11+0000 2023-06-13T08:11+0000 2023-06-13T09:17+0000 economy russia aluminum metals sanctions ukraine crisis china yuan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106486/97/1064869757_0:178:3666:2240_1920x0_80_0_0_a67a2b3f75463151b5569e7e48aa3c52.jpg The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminum contract is increasingly dependent on Russian-origin metal, according to recently published data cited in media reports.The proportion of the important industrial metal sourced from Russia rose from 52% in late April to 68% at the end of May, judging by warehouse data of the commodities exchange. The LME, which had been pressured by the West in 2022 to ban deliveries of Russian metal amid the ongoing sanctions campaign targeting Moscow, resisted the calls. Some leading aluminum producers in the West, like Alcoa Corp., urged the LME to ban the Russian metal from its contract - something that the exchange refused to do. Harvey said it isnt sensible that the rest of the world continues to curtail capacity while Russian producers continue to operate at full capability.Amid warnings that soaring Russian aluminium stocks in warehouses registered with the London Metal Exchange might ostensibly "distort" the benchmark price for the metal, LME released the inventory figures, underscoring there was sufficient consumer appetite for Russian metal.This reportedly comes as trading house IXM, a global merchant in base and precious metals, has been accepting delivery of non-Russian aluminum, while rejecting one of the most in-demand industrial metals coming in from its third-largest producer, sources were cited as saying. One of the largest traders of physical non-ferrous metals owned by Chinas CMOC Group Ltd. purportedly feared that there might not be enough customers buying Russian metal.Russia is one of the worlds largest producers of aluminum, a metal that is a key part of the defense industrial base. Last year, Russia produced 3.7 million MT of aluminum.While the US and its allies have not hesitated to impose round upon round of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, aluminum was not targeted, however, and Russian base metals continue to be traded and stored by the LME. However, the flow of Russian metal into the LME's US-registered warehouses was put on hold after sanctions-happy Washington announced a new duty on all imports of aluminum from the country in February. The White House had issued A Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States, stating that as of March 10, 2023, a 200-percent duty on "aluminum articles that are the product of Russia and derivative aluminum articles that are the product of Russia". Following the US announcement this year, Canada banned the import of aluminum products from Russia, effective immediately, on March 10. Since then, the UK also announced it was prohibiting the import of Russian copper, aluminum, and nickel, as well as Russian diamonds, according to a statement issued by Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.However, as other countries follow the US-led sanctions policy to their own detriment, with the restrictions exacerbating Europe's energy crisis and pushing Europe into further de-industrialization, Russia has been reorienting its market and boosting relations with friendly countries. Thus, China has been importing more aluminum from Russia. Sales of refined aluminum to China soared almost threefold in April from the previous year to 88,859 tons, according to Chinese customs data. Furthermore, Chinese buyers are offered a chance to pay in their own currency, advancing Beijings efforts to globalize the yuan amid the increasing trend towards de-dollarization. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/why-us-ban-on-russian-aluminum-may-prove-lucky-break-for-europe-1109331187.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/uk-military-incredibly-angry-to-use-food-banks-as-cost-of-living-crisis-bites---report-1111084148.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230609/michael-hudson-de-dollarization-is-remedy-against-us-militarism-1111033558.html russia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko london metal exchange, lme, aluminum contract, dependent on russian-origin metal, warehouse data, important industrial metal, sourced from russia, commodities exchange lme, ongoing sanctions campaign targeting moscow, one of the worlds largest producers of aluminum, metal key for defense industrial base, sanctions on moscow- based rusal https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/mad-max-reality-kievs-blast-of-kakhovka-dam-has-new-hidden-nuclear-risks-1111115298.html Mad Max Reality: Kiev's Blast of Kakhovka Dam Has New Hidden Nuclear Risks Mad Max Reality: Kiev's Blast of Kakhovka Dam Has New Hidden Nuclear Risks The Kakhovka dam damage is fraught with nuclear risks which have so far remained neglected both by the Kiev regime and the West, Dr. Christopher Busby, physical chemist and scientific secretary of the European Committee on Radiation Risk, told Sputnik. 2023-06-13T14:26+0000 2023-06-13T14:26+0000 2023-06-13T14:52+0000 analysis nikolai patrushev volodymyr zelensky kiev zaporozhye ukraine sputnik international atomic energy agency (iaea) russian ministry of defense chernobyl /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/06/1110940676_0:159:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_c5eb9e96eadc2164cb44393d55648edd.jpg The Kiev regime attacked and damaged the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) on June 6, leading to the destruction of its upper part and the uncontrollable release of a huge amount of water down the Dnepr River. However, the sabotage has posed risks upstream, too, given that water from the Kakhovka reservoir is used to cool the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant's (NPP) six reactors and spent fuel storage. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi has recently warned that the dam's water levels are reportedly continuing to fall in the reservoir, causing a possible difference of about two meters. Per Grossi, the height of the water is crucial for the continued operability of the water pumps used for the NPP cooling.However, it is not the only risk related to the region's nuclear facilities, according to Busby. He noted that the partial damage to the Kakhovka dam causes flooding downstream and exposes sediment upstream. The physical chemist warned that apart from all the oils, chemicals, dead animals, sewage, and other dangerous stuff ending up on land when the floodwaters recede, there is a missing and invisible hazard: radiation.But that is not all, per Busby: the river bed of Dnepr could still potentially contain radionuclide elements from the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. These elements remain radioactive for a time period defined by the concept of "half-life" which is the time that it takes for half of the radioactivity to disappear as the radionuclide decays into a different element, giving off radiation in the process, the scientist explained.Busby appears to be deeply concerned about the seemingly lax attitude to the nuclear contamination issue demonstrated by both the Kiev regime and the West. In his previous interviews with Sputnik, Busby raised the alarm over London's decision to arm the Kiev regime with depleted uranium ammunition and a subsequent huge explosion in the Western Ukrainian town of Khmelnitsky in May resulting in nothing short of a radioactive cloud. Per Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, the Ukrainian forces secretly stored the UK-provided depleted uranium ammo in the town. In May, the veteran chemical physicist lambasted the Ukrainian authorities over the continuous shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP, conducted by the Ukrainian armed forces and nationalist battalions on a regular basis since the time the NPP came under Russia's control.The Kiev regime's nuclear adventurism does not end here: the Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly warned about a potential Ukrainian false flag operation involving a "dirty bomb," i.e. an explosive device loaded with radioactive materials. The Western mainstream press has been routinely downplaying or neglecting the issue, as well as Kiev's apparent prowess to create atomic weapons and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's remark about dropping the non-nuclear status made at the Munich Security Conference on February 19, 2022. On top of that, the Ukrainian press has openly discussed Kiev's options to create nuclear arms in five-seven years, or even in the matter of months in case the nation acquires a reactor for the production of weapons-grade plutonium. Per Busby, those who are flirting with the idea of non-peaceful use of nuclear energy in Ukraine are playing with fire. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230607/environment-expert-preplanned-kakhovka-dam-destruction-is-kievs-crime-against-humanity-and-nature-1110986635.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/znpp-still-able-to-pump-water-from-kakhovka-reservoir-1111076528.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230328/chris-busby-europe-may-face-cancer-birth-defects-akin-to-fallujah-if-kiev-uses-depleted-uranium-1108785049.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221105/kiev-never-concealed-it-could-make-nukes--west-is-abetting-it-journo-says-1103811709.html kiev zaporozhye ukraine 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 novaya kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, kakhovka dam, kakhovka hpp, kiev's attack on kakhovka dam, partial destruction of kakhovka dam, ukrainian sabotage against kakhovka hpp, zaporozhye nuclear power plant, nuclear contamination, chernobyl disaster, radiation, flood-related radioactive contamination https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/made-in-russia-producers-debut-at-food--beverage-west-africa-1111114521.html Made in Russia Producers Debut at Food & Beverage West Africa Made in Russia Producers Debut at Food & Beverage West Africa The national exposition Made in Russia was opened for the first time at the Food & Beverage West Africa, the leading exhibition for the food and beverage industry in Nigeria, the Russian Export Center (REC, part of VEB.RF) reported. 2023-06-13T14:24+0000 2023-06-13T14:24+0000 2023-06-13T14:25+0000 russia nigeria west africa russian export center jsc (rec) made in russia brand economy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/05/1109168838_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_30d35f0f76fdd07886ad1fcfdde8cb1d.jpg "On June 13, the national exposition Made in Russia was held for the first time at the international exhibition Food & Beverage West Africa in Lagos, Nigeria. Eleven Russian companies came to present their products at the event," the statement said.This is the first time that such a large number of Russian agricultural producers are being represented in Nigeria at the same time and in the same place.The Russian exhibition, covering an area of over 380 square meters, occupies all of Pavilion No. 3 and is the largest national exhibition at the Food & Beverage West Africa trade show this year.An intensive business program has been put together for the participants of the Made in Russia exposition, which will include over 100 B2B meetings with international business representatives.The food show will be held June 13-15 at the Landmark Centre event venue in Lagos, Nigeria. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/made-in-russia-heads-to-iran-oil-show-2023-1110302013.html russia nigeria west africa 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 national exposition made in russia, leading exhibition https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/plutonium-from-us-nuclear-weapons-tests-polluting-south-china-sea-study-finds-1111126463.html Plutonium From US Nuclear Weapons Tests Polluting South China Sea, Study Finds Plutonium From US Nuclear Weapons Tests Polluting South China Sea, Study Finds A new study has found that plutonium sediments in the South China Sea have their origins in fallout from US nuclear tests conducted in the South Pacific in the mid-20th century. 2023-06-13T20:23+0000 2023-06-13T20:23+0000 2023-06-13T20:23+0000 world south china sea us nuclear weapons marshall islands plutonium radioactive material /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107759/02/1077590263_0:95:1018:668_1920x0_80_0_0_e5989b92030957a0cb0b7f9e8620eb84.jpg The study, published in the peer-reviewed Chinese language journal Environmental Chemistry, traced plutonium particles found in sediments on the seabed of the South China Sea to nuclear weapons tests in the US Pacific Proving Ground, a series of atolls and islands in the South Pacific nearly 3,000 miles to the east, where the US detonated dozens of nuclear weapons between 1946 and 1962.Their conclusion was based on a precise identification of the ratio of two plutonium isotopes, 240Pu and 239Pu, which is a unique part of the process of manufacturing plutonium. The ratio in the South China Sea sediments is identical to that left by US nuclear weapons tests at the PPG, with a range of 0.306-0.36.According to the scientists, the radioactive sediment was carried westward by the North Pacific Gyre, an ovular ocean current that rotates clockwise. The current comes west through the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Caroline Islands before hitting the Philippines and Taiwan, swinging north, and then turning east along the southern coast of Japan. On the California coast, it turns south until it is forced westward again by other currents along the Mexican coast.The sediments would have passed along this current, entering the South China Sea via the Luzon Strait that separates Luzon from Taiwan.The research team in particular used sediments collected from Nansha, or the Spratly Islands, but also looked at prior research from other parts of the South China Sea, and found that US nuclear weapons created 7.15% and 15.89% of the plutonium in Nansha and 87% of the overall plutonium pollution in the northern parts of the South China Sea that are close to the Luzon Strait. However, the amount of pollution across the sea varies widely.The US began using several remote Pacific islands to test nuclear weapons in the period immediately after World War II, which was forced to an end by Washingtons use of nuclear bombs to destroy the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Between 1946 and 1958, the US detonated 67 nuclear devices in the Marshall Islands, amounting to a total explosive yield equal to roughly 210 megatons of TNT, or an average of two Hiroshima-sized bombs every two days. The tests included underwater, surface, and upper atmospheric detonations, testing the viability of the devices as anti-naval, anti-surface, and even anti-satellite weapons.Castle Bravo, the US first thermonuclear bomb, detonated in 1954 on Bikini Atoll, was much larger than scientists anticipated and threw up vast amounts of radioactive dust into the atmosphere, which fell across a wide region of sea that included several inhabited islands and a Japanese fishing boat, Daigo Fukuryu Maru, afflicting the crew of 23 with acute radiation poisoning and killing one of them. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/global-nuclear-arsenals-growing-amid-increased-tensions---sipri-1111077234.html south china sea marshall islands 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 plutonium; nuclear weapons; south china sea; marshall islands (Photo : CHARISM SAYAT/AFP via Getty Images) In the northeast of the Philippines, approximately 13,000 people have been evacuated as the country's most famous volcano, Mayon, continues to spew magma. On Sunday, the most active volcano in the Philippines began emitting magma and sulfuric gas, prompting the evacuation of nearly 13,000 residents in the southeast of the country's largest island, according to authorities. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) advised that everyone within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mount Mayon's "danger zone" be evacuated due to the risk of rockfalls, landslides, and ballistic fragmentation. Philippines' Mayon Volcano Spews Lava in Gentle Eruption The Philippine Provincial Information Office reported that since the alert level on the volcano was raised to 3 out of a possible 5 on Thursday, 88% of residents residing in the danger zone have been evacuated and efforts are ongoing to relocate the remaining 2%. Mayon, located 330 kilometers (205 miles) southeast of Manila on the island of Luzon, is one of the world's most active volcanoes, as per CNN. Images depicted families in the province of Albay carrying their children and possessions, mounting trucks and military vehicles, and seeking refuge in evacuation centers in local schools. After detecting a "relatively high level of unrest" at the volcano, Phivolcs issued a warning that a dangerous eruption is possible within weeks or days. Using trucks and buffalo-drawn carriages, residents of the "permanent danger zone" or a radius of six kilometers retreated to shelters. Last week, Mayon, known for its "perfect" conical shape, began emitting magma. However, evacuations did not begin until the weekend, after volcanic activity intensified and alerts were issued. If Mayon's unrest intensifies in the coming days, more people may be evacuated, according to the country's chief volcanologist, Teresita Bacolcol. Per BBC, it is presently under the third-highest level of a five-tier system that predicts the possibility of a dangerous or explosive eruption. According to scientists, it is technically erupting, albeit at a sluggish rate, with lava seeping from the crater. Mayon is one of the country's most active volcanoes. It is located on the agricultural peninsula of Bicol. Recent weeks have witnessed an increase in the frequency of earthquakes and crater-falling boulders. Bacolcol told local media that a fast-moving current of volcanic gases and debris from the crater poses a threat. These currents will be difficult to outpace. Associated Press correspondents watched for hours as magma flowed down the volcano's southeast gullies. People hastily exited restaurants and bars along a seaside promenade in Legazpi, the capital of northeastern Albay province, about 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) from Mayon, many of them taking photographs of the picturesque conical-shaped volcano that is a popular tourist attraction. Read Also: Australia's Worst Bus Accident Kills 10, Injured 25 in Wedding Party Mayon Volcano Eruption Sparks Fresh Worries From Residents The resurgence of Mayon's unrest has also caused new terror and suffering, according to ABC News. Marilyn Miranda stated that she, her daughter, and her recently stroke-stricken 75-year-old mother escaped their home in a village within the danger zone in Guinobatan town on Thursday and sought refuge at a high school that had been converted into an evacuation center. She stated that her nephew, along with other males in their indigent rural neighborhood, guards their homes and farm animals each day. On Sunday night, they were horrified to see the brilliant red-orange lava flowing down Mayon's slope from the congested evacuation center. "We had this sense that the end was close," Miranda sobbed. In recent days, Amelia Morales and her family were beset by a series of catastrophes, including the recent eruption of Mayon. Her husband passed away on Friday from an aneurysm and other illnesses, and she was forced to conduct his wake in a congested emergency shelter in Guinobatan because she and her neighbors had been ordered to leave their community near Mayon. On Monday, the 2,462-meter (8,077-foot) volcano, whose summit is frequently obscured by passing clouds, appeared tranquil. Bacolcol stated that red-hot magma continued to flow down its slopes, but it was difficult to see due to the sun's brightness. The volcano's alert level was raised to three on a scale of five on Thursday, indicating that it is in a state of elevated unrest and that a dangerous eruption is conceivable within weeks or days. Bacolcol stated that the alert level would remain at three even though it could be raised if the volcanic eruption abruptly became more dangerous. The maximum level of alert, level five, would indicate that a violent and life-threatening eruption is occurring, with ash plumes shooting into the atmosphere and superheated pyroclastic streams jeopardizing additional communities in the verdant foothills of Mayon. Mayon is one of the Philippines' 24 active volcanoes. The most recent violent eruption occurred in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers. In 1814, a volcanic eruption killed 1,200 people and smothered an entire municipality. However, the perimeter was declared off-limits, resulting in fewer casualties during the 2013 and 2018 eruptions. Related Article: Philippine Mayon Volcano's Increased Activity Raises Chance of Eruption @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/putin-ukraine-fails-in-all-directions-of-counteroffensive-1111116289.html Putin: West Needs to Stop Delivering Weapons to Kiev if They Want to Resolve Conflict Putin: West Needs to Stop Delivering Weapons to Kiev if They Want to Resolve Conflict Kiev is so far failing in all directions of their counteroffensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, adding that the Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties. 2023-06-13T14:32+0000 2023-06-13T14:32+0000 2023-06-13T19:42+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine vladimir putin ukraine russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0d/1111116063_0:0:2968:1669_1920x0_80_0_0_3c54aab9add1e3b8bbb555c5671da7eb.jpg "The enemy was not successful in any of the directions. They have heavy losses," Putin said during a meeting with military correspondents. The president mentioned that the Ukrainian military is currently attacking at the Shakhtyorsk and Vremevka directions but fail to reach the front line. In total, Ukraine is attacking from four directions, Putin added. "This is a large-scale counteroffensive using, as I said quite recently publicly, reserves prepared for these purposes. It has been going on since [June] 4, and continues to this day, right now," Putin said.The president also noted that the Ukrainian forces "lost more than 160 tanks [during their counteroffensive], while we lost 54. Some of them can be recovered and repaired."Ukraine's Losses Amount to 25-30% of Equipment Volume Delivered to From Abroad"According to my calculations, this is about 25% or maybe 30% of the volume of the equipment that was delivered from abroad, that is about it. It seems to me that if they objectively calculate them, they will agree with this number, but as far as I have seen from open sources, Western sources, that is almost what they say, I think. So the offensive is underway, and the results today are what I just said," Putin told military correspondentsUkraine lost 160 tanks and 360 armored vehicles during the counteroffensive, and this is only what Moscow sees, the president added."As for armored vehicles, there are even more serious [losses]. They have lost over 160 tanks and over 360 armored vehicles of various types during this time. This is just what we register. There are also losses that we do not see, which are inflicted by high-precision long-range weapons on clusters of personnel and equipment. So in fact, there are more of them, these losses, on the part of Ukraine," Putin concluded.The Russian president noted that with Kiev importing all its weapons and equipment from foreign countries Ukraine's defense industry will soon completely cease to exist since it is producing nothing.On Plans to Provide Uranium Shells to Kiev"There is no need to act preemptively. We have a lot of such ammunition with depleted uranium, if they are used, we also reserve the right to use the same ammunition. We have them in stock, we just do not use them," Putin stated.The West has taken all weapons from its warehouses for their transfer to Ukraine, and only has stocks left in South Korea and Israel that will also end soon, Putin added.The president also noted that the US and European economies are resilient but it is not easy to produce weapons during a recession.About things they say, we will produce this, we will produce that - well, produce then. In a recession, things are not so simple The resilience of the European and American economies is very large, this is obvious. They are high-tech, the structure of the economy is very developed, they are, in general, powerful. But there are many problems, Putin said.Russia Had No Interest in Destruction of Kakhovka HPP, Responsibility on KievRussia definitely had no interest in the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP), this tragedy had entailed severe consequences for new Russian regions, and the responsibility for this lies with Kiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin said."But as we understand, we are definitely not interested in this, because these are serious consequences for those territories that we control and which are Russian this is the first point. And the second point well, unfortunately, I will say a strange thing, but nevertheless, unfortunately, it slowed down their counteroffensive in this direction. Why do I say unfortunately? Because it would be better if they were advancing there. It is better for us, because it would be really bad for them to attack there. But since such a flood occurred, then, accordingly, the offensive did not take place," Putin told reporters.The president stressed that the Ukrainian side was to blame for the tragedy at the Kakhovka HPP."Well, it is clear who is to be blamed, the Ukrainian side was striving toward this. You know, I am not going to say things 100% now that I am not sure about, because by and large we did not record big explosions before the destruction occurred, at least that is what I was told. But they purposefully repeatedly attacked with HIMARS Kakhovka HPP. Maybe they had planted some kind of explosives there, I do noy know now," Putin said.All the citizens affected by the explosion at the Kakhovka HPP will be assisted in accordance with Russian laws and standards, the president concluded.Goals of Special Military Operation Change in Accordance With Current SituationSpeaking about goals of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian president said that they change in accordance with the current situation but these changes are not fundamental."They are changing in accordance with the current situation, but in general, of course, we will not change anything, and they are fundamental for us," Putin said.Putin also remarked that Russia tried to seek normal relations with Kiev.The president added, however, that Russia would never tolerate what is currently happening in Ukraine."What is happening there [in Ukraine] now will certainly never suit us, historically speaking. When the negotiations were held, including in Istanbul, we constantly raised this issue, and they in turn told us: 'But there is nothing neo-Nazi about us, what do you want from us?' [Russia wants] at least some relative legislative restrictions. In general, we also agreed on this during the round of negotiations before our troops were withdrawn from Kiev and after they threw all our agreements out of the window," Putin said.The president added that Russia, through its special military operation, is gradually and methodically engaged in the demilitarization of Ukraine.West Needs to Stop Delivering Weapons to Kiev if They Want to Resolve ConflictThe West needs to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons if they want to resolve the ongoing conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized.But Western countries are proud of pumping Ukraine with weapons and violating international principles, the president noted."The West is pumping Ukraine with weapons, it is really so, nobody hides it. On the contrary, they are proud of it," Putin said."They just prefer not to notice it, but they are actually doing it," he said.Creation of Sanitary Zone in Ukraine Not Ruled Out Amid Attacks on RussiaIf Ukrainian attacks on the Russian territory will continue, then Moscow will have to consider the issue of creating a sanitary zone in Ukraine so their missiles will not be able to reach Russian regions, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday."And if this continues, then we will apparently have to consider the issue - I say this very carefully - in order to create some kind of sanitary zone on the territory of Ukraine at such a distance from which it would be impossible to reach our territory," Putin said at the meeting.The president admitted the necessity for Russia to strengthen its border with Ukraine and this process is already underway."Of course, we must ensure the security of our citizens. ... Of course we have to strengthen the border. And certainly, those of you who work there, you can see that this process is underway, is moving quite quickly, this task will also be solved," Putin said.He added that Russia saw drone attacks in Syria similar to those in the Belgorod Region and learned how to deal with such a threat quite quickly."This is sometimes difficult, but manageable," Putin said, adding that the Russian air defense system is tuned to identify large objects, while drones are small and made of modern materials that are difficult to detect."Work in this direction is already underway and will be completed," the president added.Commenting on the recent attacks in the Belgorod Region, Putin said that they are aimed at distracting Russian forces from other directions that are critical for Kiev.Answering a question from a journalist, the president said that there is generally no need to impose martial law in Russia in light of situation in Belgorod region.By attacking Russia's border Belgorod Region, Ukraine is trying to divert Russian military's attention from other areas of its ongoing military operation, the president stated, adding that "we have to do everything we can to ensure security of our citizens."The president also noted that Russia cannot use terrorist methods, unlike the Ukrainian authorities.The president added that the operations of Russian special services must be expanded in the future to better protect the nation from Ukrainian agents.Ukraine Attacked Russian Ship Guarding Turkstream, With US Coordinating ProcessUkrainian drones tried to attack a Russian warship that was guarding the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, while the actions were coordinated by US intelligence, the president said at the meeting."Yesterday or the day before yesterday, our ship which was guarding the Turkish Stream a gas pipeline, was attacked. Four drones were half-submerged, three were destroyed, the fourth was disoriented and then taken down. Immediately after that four more drones [attacked]," Putin told journalists.Strikes on Ukraines Energy Facilities Response to Crossing Red LinesRussian strikes on the Ukrainian energy facilities and the destruction of the headquarters of Ukraines main intelligence department were a response to crossing red lines by Kiev, President Vladimir Putin stated."Strikes on the entire energy system of Ukraine. Isn't this a response to crossing red lines? And actual destruction of the headquarters of the main intelligence department of the armed forces of Ukraine near Kiev? is this not an answer? It is, he told military correspondents.Russia Still Wants to Have Best Relations With Countries of Former USSRRussia still wants to have the best relations with all the countries of the former Soviet Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/cynical-ukrainian-counteroffensive-takes-horrific-casualties-1111076303.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/white-house-to-provide-ukraine-with-depleted-uranium-tank-shells---reports-1111106953.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/mad-max-reality-kievs-blast-of-kakhovka-dam-has-new-hidden-nuclear-risks-1111115298.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/minsk-agreements-helped-ukraine-beef-up-its-military-merkel-tells-russian-pranksters-1107634431.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/us-unveils-325mln-security-aid-package-for-ukraine--blinken-1111119467.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230606/moscow-lodges-protest-to-brussels-over-use-of-belgian-weapons-in-belgorod-region-attack-1110962200.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230611/watch-russian-warship-fight-off-ukrainian-naval-drone-attack-1111067574.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian special military operation in ukraine, vladimir putin, ukrainian crisis, conflict in ukraine, war in ukraine, ukrainian counteroffensive https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/recording-of-trump-discussing-classified-docs-was-part-of-feud-over-iran-with-top-general-1111119014.html Recording of Trump Discussing Classified Docs Was Part of Feud Over Iran With Top General Recording of Trump Discussing Classified Docs Was Part of Feud Over Iran With Top General A key piece of evidence in the DOJ case against Trump is a recording in which he discusses an alleged plan for strikes against Iran in an effort to score a political point against a top US general who criticized him. 2023-06-13T18:10+0000 2023-06-13T18:10+0000 2023-06-13T18:10+0000 americas donald trump fbi mark milley feud charges iran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/1a/1091054186_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_b2389e689720b60ac5638a94e10859f2.jpg A key piece of evidence in the Justice Departments case against Trump is a recording in which he discusses an alleged plan for strikes against Iran in an effort to score a political point against a top US general who criticized him. In the audio, Trump suggests he is holding a classified file.Youre Gonna Have a F*cking WarThe recording dates to July 2021, when The New Yorker, a prominent US magazine published a scorching interview with Gen. Mark A. Milley, who has been Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff since his 2018 appointment by Trump.In the interview, Milley described how he opposed Trumps efforts to launch a war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under his presidency, US-Iran relations crumbled from the detente reached by Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, with the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump accused Iran of secretly violating the deal, pursuing a nuclear weapon, and of sponsoring a vast network of militant and terrorist forces across the region, initiating a maximum pressure campaign that included returning economy-crushing sanctions and assassinating Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a national hero of the anti-Daesh* war.Milley has repeatedly told journalists that he feared Trump would attempt some kind of move to remain in power after it became clear he had lost the November 2020 election, which Trump has maintained was stolen from him via massive voter fraud by the Democrats.This Was HimFollowing the articles publication, Trump brought up Milleys claims in a conversation with a group of people at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, that included two people working on the autobiography of Trumps former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, Trumps former communications specialist, Margo Martin, and several other former aides.Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this, Trump also says at one point, according to the transcript. This was done by the military and given to me.He was reportedly waving a document around while saying those words, although its unclear if it was the Iran document in question. According to reports, prosecutors have also not yet determined which Iran strike document Trump was referring to. However, Sputnik reported at the time that a photo of a scattering of classified files found at Trumps estate by FBI agents included one dated from the day after Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear deal with Iran.Scoring Political PointsAccording to analysts who spoke with US media, Trump might have kept some of the files around after leaving office in order to use them for just such a retort. Even during his administration, Trumps cabinet and staff were revolving doors as figures passed into and out of his confidence, with many becoming strong critics of his administration afterward, including Milley but also his former national security adviser, John Bolton, and his former defense secretary, James Mattis.Trump and Milley had a particularly fractious relationship, as stormy as any in modern times, Feaver said. It probably stung former President Trump that a leader of an institution that the public held in high esteem was describing him in adverse terms.However, an anonymous US official told the same publication that neither Milley or any other chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff does not feud with a president or a former president of the United States.Mar-a-Lago Raid Brings Federal ChargesThe documents in question were seized by the FBI in a raid on Mar-a-Lago in early August 2022, which followed months of efforts to convince Trump to return a slew of missing documents voluntarily. While the National Archives secured a return of a large portion of the missing files, FBI agents still found hundreds of documents at the West Palm Beach estate, including hundreds with various degrees of classification markings.Trump has denied all the charges, claiming he declassified all the files in question before leaving office and has called the prosecution effort a politically-motivated witch hunt. He has demanded similar treatment for US President Joe Biden, who has also been found in possession of classified files dating to his time as US vice president under Obama, from 2009 to 2017.*Daesh, also called ISIS/ISIL/IS/The Islamic State, is a terrorist group banned by many nations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230331/milley-says-us-rhetoric-on-china-needs-to-become-more-realistic-less-emotional-1109018894.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/police-protests-possible-for-trumps-tuesday-court-appearance-no-road-closures-planned-1111099277.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/trumps-north-korea-efforts-were-sabotaged-by-washingtons-unpalatable-proposals--naysaying--1111110939.html americas iran 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 donald trump; mark milley; joint chiefs; iran; feud; charges https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/report-british-pm-sunak-would-bar-boris-johnson-from-conservative-party-1111098110.html Report: British PM Sunak Would Bar Boris Johnson From Conservative Party Report: British PM Sunak Would Bar Boris Johnson From Conservative Party British media is reporting that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would block his predecessor, Boris Johnson, from standing as a Conservative MP again in the next election. 2023-06-13T00:40+0000 2023-06-13T00:40+0000 2023-06-13T00:39+0000 world united kingdom (uk) boris johnson rishi sunak europe parliament conservative party house of commons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/08/0c/1083589669_0:68:3073:1796_1920x0_80_0_0_21e999e86ecf29e99e848af592186b6e.jpg British media is reporting that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would block his predecessor, Boris Johnson, from standing as a Conservative MP again in the next election.Liberal UK outlet The Guardian claims to have identified two sources within the Conservative Party who say Johnsons days as an influential party figure are over. One senior conservative figure reportedly told the outlet: I can see no time when he will be a candidate this year or next.Noting that its the leader who is in charge of the party, another party insider reportedly asked: Why would Rishi let Boris on to the candidate list?Its pretty obvious to me that he wont, the source apparently stated.The party needs to move forward from this clown show, said the supposed influential party member, who reportedly insisted that the vast majority of Conservative members of Parliament agree with that view.Infighting among the party has spilled over into public view in recent weeks, with sources close to Johnson reportedly accusing the current prime minister of having secretly blocked three of his allies from becoming members of the House of Lords, an archaic body made up of unelected elites which holds significant power in the British kingdom.Johnson announced his immediate resignation as an MP Friday after it emerged that the privileges committee of the House of Commons was on the verge of recommending the former prime minister be suspended for at least 10 days.British media reports the privilege committee was expected to find that the former prime ministers advisers did not urge him to say that social distancing guidelines had been observed, which would contradict a claim he made before the House of Commons on multiple occasions.Johnson has continued to suggest he may attempt a comeback in the near future. In his Friday statement, the erstwhile Conservative leader said he was very sad to be leaving Parliament at least for now while denying lying to MPs about the investigation. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230610/second-mp-resigns-after-boris-johnson-steps-down-from-parliament-over-partygate-scandal-1111051180.html united kingdom (uk) 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 rishi sunak, boris johnson, conservative party, uk elections, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/russia-states-global-leadership-in-swathe-of-industries---deputy-prime-minister-manturov-1111103670.html Russia States Global Leadership in Swathe of Industries - Deputy Prime Minister Manturov Russia States Global Leadership in Swathe of Industries - Deputy Prime Minister Manturov Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov gave an interview ahead of SPIEF-2023. 2023-06-13T11:59+0000 2023-06-13T11:59+0000 2023-06-13T11:59+0000 russia russia denis manturov st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) 2017 spief 2023 sukhoi s-300 s-500 prometey s-350 vityaz hypersonic weapons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103553/23/1035532327_0:107:2048:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_17808bc1192cb68a4658744dd8a27537.jpg Bold strides made by a swathe of Russias industries, such as metallurgy, railway engineering, aircraft manufacturing, and others since the last St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) show that the country has been adapting to global challenges in a timely and successful manner, Denis Manturov, deputy prime minister and Russian minister of industry and trade, told Dmitry Kiselev, the head of Rossiya Segodnya international news agency .Russia has been keeping one step ahead of the liberal doses of sanctions slapped against it by the collective West, allowing it to stay positive on the eve of SPIEF 2023, set for June 14-17. Manturov singled out some of the noteworthy Russian industrial achievements of late, while pointing out that in some areas, such as the defense industry, the country was currently "superior to its global competitors both in quality and quantity." Defense IndustryWhile touting various successes, Denis Manturov underscored that there are spheres where Russias global leadership remains undisputed, pointing to the defense industry.According to Manturov, it is enough to simply mention the fact that the S-500 Prometey (lit. Prometheus) mobile air and missile defense system is capable of successfully countering Russia's own unique hypersonic weapons.Furthermore, recently it was announced by sources that the S-350 Vityaz mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, "for the first time in the world, the Vityaz performed the automated detection, tracking and destruction of Ukrainian air targets in combat conditions."S-350 Vityaz, which entered service with the Russian armed forces in 2019, is designed to destroy both ballistic and aerodynamic targets, which include combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles, such as the US Tomahawks and the UKs Storm Shadows.AviationThe first test flight of the import-substituted Sukhoi Superjet New (SSJ-NEW) plane will take place soon, Denis Manturov assured. The SSJ New is a novel version of the Russian Sukhoi Superjet-100 passenger plane with more domestically-made components. The SSJ-100 is designed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, a division of the state-led United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), was put into commercial operation in 2011. The goal of 100% import replacement regarding SSJ New was set back in 2022. In November, the UAC said that an SSJ New jet with PD-8 engines had successfully passed aerodynamic tests and was ready to start flight tests in 2023. Denis Manturov said that certification of all system components of SSJ New, along with Russia's PD-8 engine, should be completed before the end of the year.NeonRussia is one of the global leaders in terms of technological competencies for the production of high-purity inert gases: xenon, krypton, and neon."Our technologies make it possible to obtain these gases with the best purity in the world. Taking into account the existing production facilities and ongoing modernization, as well as the commissioned laboratory facilities at Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU), current neon processing capacities will allow us to achieve these goals. Negotiations are currently underway to conclude long-term contracts. Here we have 100% technological independence," Denis Manturov stressed.Automotive IndustryThis industry is embracing the notion of reviving Russian auto brands, said Manturov. He added that the LADA Granta was currently an affordable so-called "People's Car" that corresponds to all the necessary safety requirements. Lada maintains a strong leadership in the Russian car market: based on data for 4.5 months, the brand consistently occupies 35% of the passenger car segment.The deputy PM added that, We will do our best to support those colleagues from the automotive industry who come up with such proposals [to revive Russian auto brands], we are ready to consider the issue promptly. As examples, he cited the Moskvitch Soviet/Russian automobile brand, returned to production in 2022, followed by the GAZ Volga brand, hopefully, next year. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230524/why-is-russias-s-350-vityaz-air-defense-system-better-than-us-made-patriot-1110556816.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221214/russian-research-center-to-conduct-static-tests-of-new-homegrown-ssj-passenger-jet-1105453612.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230103/russias-car-production-expected-to-increase-by-30-in-2023--1106005061.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko russia's deputy prime minister manturov, minister of industry and trade denis manturov, spief-2023, st. petersburg international economic forum, metallurgy, railway engineering, aircraft manufacturing, aviation, first test flight of the import-substituted sukhoi superjet new, ssj new, automotive industry, lobal leader, technological competencies, production of high-purity inert gases, xenon, krypton, and neon, defense industry, s-500 prometey, mobile air and missile defence system, countering our own unique hypersonic weapons, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/saudi-arabia-syria-agree-to-resume-economic-cooperation---state-media-1111104322.html Saudi Arabia, Syria Agree to Resume Economic Cooperation - State Media Saudi Arabia, Syria Agree to Resume Economic Cooperation - State Media The Saudi Arabian and Syrian commerce officials have agreed to resume economic partnership, trade and investment activities between the two countries, Saudi media reported on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T08:25+0000 2023-06-13T08:25+0000 2023-06-13T08:25+0000 world saudi arabia syria bashar assad cooperation middle east /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/12/1109635410_7:0:594:330_1920x0_80_0_0_b18e0495aca80d3641d6e07088ada2a4.jpg The agreement was reached at a meeting between Hassan Al-Huwaizi, the chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, and his Syrian counterpart, Mohamed El-Lahham, on the sidelines of the Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh on Monday, the report said. Both Al-Huwaizi and El-Lahham stressed the need to arrange mutual visits by trade delegations, provide opportunities to invest in the countries' economies, hold economic forums and promote bilateral cooperation, the report said. In addition, El-Lahham expressed the desire of Syrian entrepreneurs to do business in Saudi Arabia, the news agency reported. The meeting took place after the League of Arab States (LAS) decided in May to reinstate Syria's membership in the organization, ending a 12-year hiatus. Syrian President Bashar Assad attended the LAS leaders summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/saudi-delegation-arrives-in-syria-to-discuss-embassy-reopening-1110641676.html saudi arabia syria 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 saudi arabia, syrian commerce officials, economic partnership, investment activities https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/situation-with-grain-deals-extension-complicated-talks-in-progress--source-1111107429.html Situation With Grain Deals Extension Complicated, Talks in Progress Source Situation With Grain Deals Extension Complicated, Talks in Progress Source The situation with the grain deal is complicated and it is unknown whether the agreement will be extended, but Turkey and the United Nations are in talks with Western partners to unfreeze Russian agricultural exports, a source in Ankara familiar with the matter told Sputnik on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T10:53+0000 2023-06-13T10:53+0000 2023-07-17T11:38+0000 the united nations (un) russia ankara grain black sea grain deal /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1b/1110628237_0:184:2989:1865_1920x0_80_0_0_e97a661eea7c94c243e49303b2e55ce2.jpg "Very complicated," the source said when asked about the situation surrounding the negotiation process. Ankara and the UN are well aware that the mechanism can be stopped due to the fact that the conditions of the deal are not fully met, the source added. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was concerned about the possible termination of the grain deal. In mid-May, the grain deal was extended until July 17 without any changes. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that Moscow would block the extension of the deal if its concerns about the implementation of clauses on Russian agricultural exports were not addressed. The grain deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye in July 2022 to facilitate the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea during hostilities. The package agreement also included a memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations to unblock Russian grain and fertilizer exports via the Black Sea. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/un-secretary-general-says-concerned-about-prospects-of-non-renewal-of-grain-exports-deal-1111091986.html russia ankara 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 grain deal, united nations, unfreeze russian agricultural exports https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/south-korea-us-agree-to-further-hinder-financing-of-pyongyangs-arms-programs--envoy-1111109022.html South Korea, US Agree to Further Hinder Financing of Pyongyang's Arms Programs Envoy South Korea, US Agree to Further Hinder Financing of Pyongyang's Arms Programs Envoy South Korea and the United States have agreed to further strengthen their joint efforts to prevent funds from flowing into North Korea's weapons development programs, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn said. 2023-06-13T11:16+0000 2023-06-13T11:16+0000 2023-06-13T11:16+0000 military pyongyang south korea us arms /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0d/1109494560_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f7245399e3693471a8c5d37516e16aa3.jpg Kim and US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim met in Washington on Monday. The diplomat added that Seoul and Washington discussed joint countermeasures against possible provocations by Pyongyang. The US diplomat echoed the South Korean envoy's remarks while reiterating Washington's commitment to seeking dialogue with Pyongyang, the news agency said. On May 31, North Korea unsuccessfully launched the Malligyong-1 military reconnaissance satellite mounted on a Chollima-1 carrier rocket. After the separation of the first stage, the engine of the second stage failed to ignite, causing the rocket to lose thrust and fall into the Yellow Sea, North Korea's space agency said. In early June, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a resolution condemning North Korea's missile launches as a serious threat to the safety of international shipping. On June 4, North Korea responded with a statement, in which it threatened to stop informing the organization about the country's future launches. pyongyang south korea 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 south korea and united states, north korea's weapons development programs, financing of pyongyang's arms programs https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/trumps-north-korea-efforts-were-sabotaged-by-washingtons-unpalatable-proposals--naysaying--1111110939.html Trumps North Korea Efforts Were Sabotaged by Washingtons Unpalatable Proposals & Naysaying Trumps North Korea Efforts Were Sabotaged by Washingtons Unpalatable Proposals & Naysaying Donald Trump's efforts regarding North Korea during his stint in the White House were sabotaged by domestic naysaying and unpalatable for Pyongyang proposals, said Michael Madden. 2023-06-13T15:46+0000 2023-06-13T15:46+0000 2023-06-13T15:46+0000 us donald trump north korea democratic people's republic of korea (dprk) kim jong-un korean peninsula john bolton dprk pyongyang nancy pelosi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107694/09/1076940924_0:11:3001:1699_1920x0_80_0_0_07d4cd58b0edc31aeb9babe9a3a68cb5.jpg The stance of current POTUS, Democrat Joe Biden, regarding North Korea is a far cry from Trumps efforts. Biden has been ratcheting up tension on the Korean peninsula. During a state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in April the two leaders agreed to formalize means of deterring North Korea. "Look, a nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies ... or partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of whatever regime to take such an action," Biden said during a press conference with Yoon. Furthermore, as part of the "Washington Declaration," Biden said the United States plans to deploy a ballistic missile submarine to the western Pacific for the first time since the 1980s. Last year, Biden said he would only agree to sit down with Kim Jong-un if he agreed to denuclearization beforehand.Washington-Pyongyang interactions dating to 2018-2019, a time when Donald Trump was POTUS, may be viewed as a respite in the fractious relationship between the US and DPRK, Michael Madden, Nonresident Fellow at the Stimson Center, leading contributing analyst to 38 North, told Sputnik.Madden went on to explain that the armistice agreement between the US and North Korea, can invite a certain degree of strategic ambiguity in how one country responds to the other's acts or behavior.'Start of 'Terrific Relationship'Back in 2015, overseeing a military parade as part of mass celebrations in Pyongyang to mark the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un said his country could defend itself from any kind of war waged by the US imperialists.In 2017, Trump, by then in office, also engaged in some intense rhetoric-trading after North Korea's sixth nuclear test, slamming Pyongyangs actions as "hostile and dangerous," reaffirming Washingtons readiness to protect the US and its allies by "using the full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities at our disposal." The US Navy sent its Carl Vinson Strike Group to the Korean Peninsula at the time, fueling concerns of further escalation. Trump called the North Korean leader a "Rocket Man" on a suicide mission during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Kim Jong-un was not to be outdone, saying, I will surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire," in a statement published through the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency. However, then Trump adopted a less assertive approach to North Korea, describing Kim Jong-un as "a pretty smart cookie."After nuclear brinksmanship, in a major turn of events, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced they would meet in person after the North Korean leader told a South Korean envoy he was committed to denuclearization and would hold off on future nuclear weapons' tests. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un finally met in Singapore in June 2018, shaking hands with each other for the first time, before kicking off negotiations aiming to bring complete denuclearization to the Korean Peninsula. In comments alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump vowed at the time that the encounter would bring a "tremendous success."In response, the North Korean leader said that despite old prejudices and practices working as obstacles on their way forward, they had overcame all of them." By then, Washington had already laid out the key principles it deemed important for progress: a complete, verifiable and irreversible termination of the DPRK's nuclear program.The historic summit ended with an agreement consisting of four points: However, the next round of talks about denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, which was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2018, abruptly ended without any agreement. The former US president walked out of the summit after apparently demanding that Pyongyang dismantle its nuclear facilities in return for sanctions relief, while North Korea wanted the sanctions to be lifted first before denuclearization could start. Looking back at that time, Donald Trump stressed in a recent US media interview that he had repeatedly tried in various ways to mend relations. But in effect, there were other actors at play. 'Sabotage From Within'Thus, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi organized hearings with Trumps former personal attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen during the Hanoi summit in 2019, and later said she was "glad" walked away from summit talks without a concrete deal. Trump's political capital for negotiations with Pyongyang was also weakened by then-national security adviser John Bolton, who sabotaged the negotiations by pushing the Republican POTUS to offer the North Korean side unacceptable demands. "Bolton advised the administration on a series of things which he knew would be considered unacceptable, almost a nonstarter, to the DPRK. When we go back to the interactions, Kim Jong-un was not putting anything on paper or on the table which had not been part of previous North Korean negotiating strategies...This was the apotheosis of Mr. Bolton's advice and why he advised a series of things which would be DOA (dead on arrival) when put to the North Koreans. On the other hand, had former President Trump accepted, with modifications, what the DPRK was offering then we would have had a platform and framework to at least discuss some of the things Bolton wanted, at a later point and once there was some forward progress," Madden said.Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un later met in the demilitarized zone, rekindling hopes for an improvement in ties between the two countries. That meeting - the first time a US president ever visited the border between the two Koreas. But after that all talks stalled. Looking ahead at Trumps 2024 bid, and how his friendship with Kim Jong-un might affect the race, Michael Madden said that North Korea "seldom rates as a major issue on the minds of American voters in US Presidential Elections." If ex-President Donald Trump were to become elected back to office in 2024, the best way to achieve any progress in talks with North Korea would be to bring out some small, incremental proposals, Madden clarified. https://sputnikglobe.com/20170916/north-korea-us-donald-trump-1057447426.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20180612/singapore-trump-kim-summit-live-1065320147.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20190630/us-president-trump-meets-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-at-dmz-in-historic-move-1076102697.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20200622/laughing-matter-boltons-revelations-on-what-kim-jong-un-gets-out-of-trump-polarize-twitter-1079689608.html democratic people's republic of korea (dprk) korean peninsula pyongyang Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko donald trump's efforts, north korea, peace talks with north korea, sabotaged by domestic naysaying, unpalatable for pyongyang proposals, michael madden, us and dprk, north korea's nuclear tests, complete denuclearization of korean peninsula, lifting of north korea sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/uk-govt-to-allocate-54mln-to-develop-space-based-solar-power-station-1111107616.html UK Gov't to Allocate $5.4Mln to Develop Space-Based Solar Power Station UK Gov't to Allocate $5.4Mln to Develop Space-Based Solar Power Station The UK government said on Tuesday it will allocate 4.3 million pounds ($5.4 million) to develop a space-based solar power station capable of collecting energy from the Sun and sending it to Earth. 2023-06-13T10:59+0000 2023-06-13T10:59+0000 2023-06-13T10:59+0000 beyond politics united kingdom (uk) earth space solar power /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104197/85/1041978565_0:180:3001:1868_1920x0_80_0_0_8c56ae41dab8cc583a056276b774ae2e.jpg "Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will announce the leading UK universities and technology companies receiving a share of 4.3 million government funding to drive forward innovation in the sector. Spaced-based solar power collects energy from the Sun using panels on satellites and beaming it safely back to earth with wireless technology," the government said in a statement. The technology is expected to increase energy security in the United Kingdom and reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, the statement read. Besides, it will provide year-round power to UK homes and drive down electricity bills. The government funding will be shared among the country's leading technology research institutions, such as the University of Cambridge, Queen Mary University, the University of Bristol and others, the statement said. The United States and Japan are also developing similar technologies. Earlier this month, a group of scientists at the California Institute of Technology said they had successfully transmitted solar power to Earth from space for the first time. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230426/china-to-build-first-space-solar-power-station----expert--1109855592.html united kingdom (uk) earth 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 space-based solar power station, collecting energy from the sun https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/uk-to-boost-number-of-troops-in-kosovo-ahead-of-nato-led-drills-1111124471.html UK to Boost Number of Troops in Kosovo Ahead of NATO-Led Drills UK to Boost Number of Troops in Kosovo Ahead of NATO-Led Drills The United Kingdom will increase several times the number of its troops deployed within the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in self-proclaimed Kosovo to hold exercises in 2023, UK Deputy Defense Minister James Heappey said on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T18:40+0000 2023-06-13T18:40+0000 2023-06-13T18:40+0000 military united kingdom (uk) kosovo kfor nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105043/31/1050433126_0:0:3841:2162_1920x0_80_0_0_f1d84689218068b8451f0c5670822522.jpg There are currently 41 UK personnel based in the region. UK servicemen joined the peacekeeping contingent of KFOR in 1999 following the prolonged conflict in the region. The mission includes military from about 30 countries. Earlier in the month, 500 Turkish servicemen started arriving in Kosovo following the escalation of the already tensed relations between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians at the end of May, which resulted in clashes that left dozens of people injured. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230606/nato-reinforcements-start-arriving-in-self-proclaimed-kosovo-1110938424.html united kingdom (uk) kosovo 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 uk. kosovo, kfor, ntao drills (Photo : Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images) Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dies at age 86 after a fight with illness and a political career rife with scandals. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dies at age 86 after a fight with illness The official was the country's longest-serving prime minister in the post-war era Berlusconi had bounced back four times in his political career amid sex scandals and corruption cases Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has died at the age of 86 years after a fight with illness and a political career rife with scandals. The former official was pronounced dead at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan as he was transported to the medical establishment in April to be treated for a lung infection linked to leukemia. Italy's Silvio Berlusconi Dead at 86 The death of the former prime minister has left a massive void, said the country's defense minister, as a national day of mourning is expected to take place on Wednesday. Berlusconi was Italy's longest-serving prime minister in the post-war era, bouncing back and holding office four times amid sex scandals and corruption cases, as per BBC. Berlusconi took office in 1994 and continued to lead four governments thru 2011, but not consecutively. Last year, the billionaire media tycoon's center-right Forza Italia party joined a coalition led by right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni reacted to the news of Berlusconi's death by remembering him as a "fighter," posting a video message where she said he remained "one of the most influential men in the history of Italy." Matteo Salvini, Meloni's deputy, said that he was "broken" and expressed his gratitude to Berlusconi for his "friendship," "advice," and "generosity." On the other hand, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a Twitter post that the former prime minister's death marks the end of an era. Several foreign leaders, many opposed to Berlusconi's politics, also expressed their condolences on Monday for the former Italian prime minister's death. According to CNN, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also paid a short tribute to Berlusconi, saying that she was "saddened" by the news of his passing. Read Also: Australia's Worst Bus Accident Kills 10, Injured 25 in Wedding Party Remembering the Former Italian Prime Minister Von der Leyen said that Berlusconi led his country during the political transition and has since continued to shape his beloved Italy. During a news conference on Monday, German government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said that his country was also expressing condolences to the Italian people and its government. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic posted on Twitter, sharing his "sincere condolences" to Italy's people, adding that Berlusconi leaves a "remarkable legacy." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also chipped in, saying that the former Italian prime minister was a great friend of his country. While Berlusconi's first run as the Italian prime minister was short-lived, his second time in office, starting in 2001, resulted from the public overwhelmingly choosing him. At the time, he became the head of the country's largest parliamentary majority since World War II. Berlusconi's victory in 2008 demoralized a generation on the left as opponents were both obsessed with him but vexed by him. He was considered a highly guarded politician but faced several international faux pas, said the New York Times. Related Article: Asian Countries Fear for Economic and Security Stability Amid China-US Rivalry @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/ukraine-loses-over-600-military-in-south-donetsk-artemovsk-directions-in-past-day---moscow-1111110561.html Ukraine Loses Over 600 Military in South Donetsk, Artemovsk Directions in Past Day - Moscow Ukraine Loses Over 600 Military in South Donetsk, Artemovsk Directions in Past Day - Moscow Ukraine has lost more than 600 military in the South Donetsk direction and near the city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T12:08+0000 2023-06-13T12:08+0000 2023-06-13T12:08+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia russian defense ministry donetsk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0c/1109386627_0:0:3049:1716_1920x0_80_0_0_0b945afcdc47f2d341e1ca62ba2c26bf.jpg Over the past day, Ukraine's armed forces continued to attempt offensive in the South Donetsk direction, as well as near Artemovsk. Kiev has sent units, hastily formed from the remnants of the military brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces that had previously suffered heavy losses, into the offensive in the Vremevka Ledge. Russia also repelled three attacks of Ukrainian troops reinforced with tanks, armored vehicles in the Donetsk People's Republic during past day, the ministry said, adding that Russia repelled two attacks near the Revnopel settlement, with most of the personnel of the company tactical group of the Ukrainian armed forces destroyed near the Prechestevka settlement. Additionally, two enemy attacks were successfully repelled south of Artemovsk over the past day, the statement read. "During the fighting, up to 350 Ukrainian military, two armored combat vehicles, and six vehicles were destroyed," the ministry added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/watch-russian-airborne-forces-hammer-ukrainian-militants-near-artemovsk-1110605786.html ukraine russia donetsk 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 south donetsk direction, ukraine lost 600 military, russian defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/ukraine-offensive-assange-loses-appeal-romanian-ambassador-calls-africans-monkeys-1111097962.html Ukraine Offensive; Assange Loses Appeal; Romanian Ambassador Calls Africans Monkeys Ukraine Offensive; Assange Loses Appeal; Romanian Ambassador Calls Africans Monkeys The Romanian ambassador has been recalled for calling Africans monkeys. 2023-06-13T04:06+0000 2023-06-13T04:06+0000 2023-06-19T12:47+0000 the critical hour radio jfk iran brics ukraine amlo donald trump china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0d/1111097805_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_906d68811737d4187006fce7978dae8b.png Ukraine Offensive; Assange Loses Appeal; Romanian Ambassador Calls Africans Monkeys The Romanian ambassador has been recalled for calling Africans monkeys. Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, joins us to discuss the Trump indictment. President Trump is traveling to Miami to face federal charges.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. The offensive in Ukraine is allegedly underway. Also, a US musician is arrested in Russia on drug charges.KJ Noh, writer, teacher, and activist, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, joins us to discuss China. The US is attempting a divide-and-conquer strategy with the BRICS coalition.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss Africa and Cuba. The US is trying to mess up normal relations between Cuba and China. Also, a Romanian ambassador has been recalled for calling Africans monkeys.Laith Marouf, broadcaster, and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Iran's president is on a trip to Venezuela. Also, the leader of Saudi Arabia has threatened economic consequences for the US amid an oil feud.Teri Mattson, Latin America Campaign Coordinator for CODEPINK and podcast host for WTF is Going on in Latin America & the Caribbean, joins us to discuss the Global South. Mexico is set to unveil its next presidential candidate. Also, the US is plotting a coup in Colombia.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War, joins us to discuss foreign policy. President Lula calls for a coalition to save Julian Assange. Also, Jamaal Bowman supports aid for Ukraine but knows little if anything about the dynamics of the conflict.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, joins us to discuss the economy. De-dollarization is a remedy against US militarism.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. iran ukraine china cuba taiwan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg the critical hour, ukraine offensive, romanian ambassador calls africans monkeys, julian assange appeal, trump indictment, cuba, global south, de-dollarization https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/us-media-claims-cia-warned-ukraine-not-to-sabotage-nord-stream-pipelines-shortly-before-attacks-1111120707.html US Media Claims CIA Warned Ukraine Not to Sabotage Nord Stream Pipelines Shortly Before Attacks US Media Claims CIA Warned Ukraine Not to Sabotage Nord Stream Pipelines Shortly Before Attacks CIA had warned Ukraine against sabotaging the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines after obtaining information about a Ukrainian plan to destroy part of the pipeline system, US media reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter. 2023-06-13T17:11+0000 2023-06-13T17:11+0000 2023-06-13T19:31+0000 nord stream sabotage cia ukraine seymour hersh nord stream nord stream nord stream 2 nord stream 1 nord stream pipeline nord stream ag /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101346542_0:44:839:516_1920x0_80_0_0_e291252f9a9c4c28bc6fce9ff4486ffc.jpg In June 2022, Dutch military intelligence officials notified the CIA that a Ukrainian sabotage team was seeking a yacht on the Baltic coastline to be used by a team of divers to plant explosives along the pipelines, the report claim. The tip prompted the CIA to deliver a message to Ukraine warning against the sabotage. The message was delivered despite doubts the CIA had about Ukraine's ability to carry out such an attack, which involved planting explosives deep underwater, the report added. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday declined to comment on the report.Miller explained that this matter is under investigation by a number of European governments and the United States will wait for the outcome of those investigations.The Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines were built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. The pipelines were incapacitated by explosive devices in September 2022. US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has detailed the US governments involvement in planning and carrying out the attack on the pipelines based on information from a government source. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230611/cia-privately-attributed-nord-stream-attack-to-ukraine-while-us-blamed-russia---report-1111052666.html 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 cia, nord stream, nord stream sabotage, nord stream explosion, russian gas pipeline, nord stream ag, who exploded nord stream, us, russia, ukraine . If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules . You will be able to participate again through:. If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/watch-russias-pacific-fleet-demonstrate-firepower-in-sea-of-japan-sea-of-okhotsk-1111101479.html Watch Russia's Pacific Fleet Demonstrate Firepower in Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk Watch Russia's Pacific Fleet Demonstrate Firepower in Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk On June 5, the Russian Pacific Fleet begun exercises in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk with the participation of more than 60 warships and support vessels. 2023-06-13T07:00+0000 2023-06-13T07:00+0000 2023-06-13T08:19+0000 military russian pacific fleet sea of japan russian defense ministry submarine drills /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0d/1111101186_12:0:837:464_1920x0_80_0_0_84acace12776a43947e101e4d47fd6c0.png The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of the Pacific Fleet's drills in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk which included the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate, the Admiral Tributs and the Admiral Panteleev large ASW (snti-submarine warfare) ships, acting as part of a tactical force within the framework of an exercise episode, performed search, tracking and the destruction of a submarine of a simulated enemy. Reactive depth bombs were used to strike the area where the simulated enemy submarine was located.More than 60 warships and fleet support vessels, about 35 naval aviation aircraft, coastal troops and more than 11,000 military personnel are involved in the drills. sea of japan 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 Russias Pacific Fleet conducts drills in Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk Russias Pacific Fleet conducts drills in Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk 2023-06-13T07:00+0000 true PT2M31S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian pacific fleet, sea of okhotsk, sea of japan, exercises https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/wh-press-secretary-in-hot-seat-over-mega-maga-remark-but-no-penalties-imposed-1111109542.html WH Press Secretary in Hot Seat Over 'Mega MAGA' Remark, But No Penalties Imposed WH Press Secretary in Hot Seat Over 'Mega MAGA' Remark, But No Penalties Imposed The Hatch Act, a law that limits the political activities of federal employees, is a remarkable instrument for guaranteeing government neutrality. The recent incident involving White House press secretary is an example. 2023-06-13T17:44+0000 2023-06-13T17:44+0000 2023-06-13T17:44+0000 americas viral karine jean-pierre republicans white house donald trump /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/1d/1100140937_0:185:3073:1913_1920x0_80_0_0_697715eba5b8967f3bc96e7fa4c78e67.jpg Ms. Jean-Pierre was found in violation of the Hatch Act for using the term "mega MAGA Republicans" during official press briefings. The Office of Special Counsel, which oversees the act's enforcement, deemed this a violation since federal employees are barred from promoting partisan politics in their official capacity.Using the term "MAGA Republicans" in official briefings, Ms. Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act. In a reply to a complaint filed by Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect Public Trust, "OSC discovered that Ms. JeanPierre used the phrase MAGA Republicans repeatedly during official press briefings prior to the November 2022 midterm election [...]. OSC concluded that the timing, frequency, and content of Ms. JeanPierres references to 'MAGA Republicans' established that she made those references to generate opposition to Republican candidates. Accordingly, making the references constituted political activity," Ana Galindo-Marrone, chief, Hatch Act Unit, US Office of Special CounselHowever, the US Office of Special Counsel didn't recommend any disciplinary action and wouldn't press further action on the matter; rather, it advised Ms. Jean-Pierre to desist from using such terms.Interestingly, during a press briefing on December 13, 2022, Ms. Jean-Pierre was questioned about campaign donations received by President Joe Biden and certain high-ranking Democrats from the former founder of FTX, and whether they would be returned. In response, Ms. Jean-Pierre cited the Hatch Act as a reason for not providing specific answers. So, look, I am covered here by the Hatch Act. Im limited on what I can say. And anything thats connected to political contributions from here, I would have to refer you to the DNC.Also, in another press briefing at the White House on October 17, 2022, Ms. Jean-Pierre was asked why President Biden hasn't appeared in political rallies to support party candidates. In response, Ms. Jean-Pierre referenced the Hatch Act, "So I have to be careful because I cant we do we do respect the Hatch Act and and our strict limits from here. So, I want to be very, very clear careful."This incident draws attention to the essence of continuing application of the Hatch Act in US politics. It also justifies the need of establishing straightforward guidelines and adequate training for federal employees to avert potential infractions and ensure sustaining impartiality within governmental positions. americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International the hatch act, white house, karine jean-pierre, white house press secretary, hatch act violation, maga, mega maga republicans, republicans, partisan, the office of special counsel, president donald trump, ms. jean-pierre, president biden, osc, us office of special counsel, director of protect public trust, michael chamberlain, ana galindo-marrone, chief of hatch unit, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/why-cant-western-weapons-save-day-for-ukraines-counteroffensive-1111121503.html Why Can't Western Weapons Save Day for Ukraine's Counteroffensive? Why Can't Western Weapons Save Day for Ukraine's Counteroffensive? The first days of the well-advertised Ukrainian counteroffensive have borne no tangible results prompting disappointment among Western military analysts. What's behind the failure? 2023-06-13T18:18+0000 2023-06-13T18:18+0000 2023-06-13T18:28+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine us ukraine kiev russia antony blinken nato russian ministry of defense leopard 2 high mobility artillery rocket system (himars) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/12/1109628347_0:35:710:434_1920x0_80_0_0_b1e3152eb3d7577d6743b8362a7a7a0d.jpg "I would say that the counteroffensive is less than what [the West] expect[s]," Michael Maloof, former senior security policy analyst in the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik. "The extent to which the Ukrainians are undertaking any so-called counteroffensive is more of a probing action than an actual assault and onslaught."Per Maloof, the failure could be largely attributed to poor planning, lack of manpower, resources and training.Western Wonder-Weapons Bite the DustThe Ukrainian military has so far failed in all directions of their counteroffensive, despite receiving billions of dollars' worth of military equipment from the US and its NATO allies. In the first week alone, the Kiev regime forces lost thousands of casualties, along with more than a dozen of German Leopard 2 tanks, nearly two dozen of US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and several French AMX-10 RC light tanks. The pictures of destroyed Western military equipment have already been circulated by the media and social networks.The Russian armed forced has destroyed a vast amount of Ukraine's military equipment since day one of the special military operation, including: 442 airplanes and 238 helicopters, 4,585 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 9,939 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,122 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 5,100 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 10,927 units of special military equipment, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.Matviychuk has drawn attention to the fact that the Russian military has repeatedly participated in local conflicts and peace missions starting from 1979. Therefore, despite all the shortcomings of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian military equipment has undergone development and is up to date in terms of modern warfare challenges. He placed special emphasis on maneuverability flaws of Western armored vehicles. Per him, the Eastern European military theater with its freeze, river floods, mud, swamps and other critical weather conditions became a serious challenge for the NATO military equipment. The Ukrainian military has faced a plethora of logistic problems including that the German 60-ton battle tanks could not cross some of Ukraine's bridges.Europe and the world have suddenly realized that Western-style equipment is not "second to none" in many respects, that it has its own shortcomings, along with its advantages, according to the military analyst.How Could Kiev's Failures Affect Weapons Supplies?Russia's relatively rapid obliteration of Western weapons and lack of any tangible victories on the front could affect weapons supplies, according to Sputnik's interlocutors.Kiev politicians have already urged their Western patrons to provide even more military equipment and armored vehicles to replace those destroyed. "Every Leopard 2 is literally as good as gold for the decisive offensive," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Melnyk told the German press on Sunday.However, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced earlier this week that Berlin cannot replace every Leopard tank destroyed on the Ukrainian battlefield. He asserted to Kiev that Germany will continue to supply repaired Leopard 1 A5 tanks starting from July. "And by the end of the year there will be more than a hundred of them [in Ukraine's service]," the minister said. However, according to international military observers it would be too little, too late.The Biden administration has disbursed another $325 million to provide the Kiev regime with additional M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to replace those lost over the past week as well as ammo for HIMARS and NASAMS. The collective West is going to maximize its support for the Ukrainian counteroffensive and provide Kiev with long-term aid, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has promised. Still, according to Maloof, this enthusiasm will be short-lived.Who's to Blame for Counteroffensive Failure?While assessing the Ukraine army's failures, Western analysts suggested that it stems from the lack of training. In general, the Western observers tend to pin the whole blame on Ukrainian soldiers unfamiliar with the NATO equipment. It's not fair, as per Matviychuk.In fact, the Western military industrial complex has been given a black eye: Rheinmetall AG, a German automotive and arms manufacturer, has already lost 15% of the value of the shares due to the fact that the Leopards got rapidly destroyed, noted Matviychuk. This is reputational damage to the US defense contractors, too, he continued. The US armored vehicles proved quite efficient in the fight against shepherds in Afghanistan and Iraq, but in Eastern Europe they failed en masse, which indicates the low quality of equipment in the first place, per the military expert.Westerners Started ProtestingIt appears that the Western public has grown weary of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict as well as of NATO member states spending billions on weapons for Kiev at the expense of their domestic economies and social programs.Matviychuk appears to share Maloof's stance:"In Poland, there are rallies against the presence of Ukrainians and the supply of weapons, in Bulgaria there are thousands of rallies. And Germany was generally divided along the axis of the former GDR and the former FRG. () Even in the United States, some congressmen say that it is necessary to urgently stop the supply of weapons [to Kiev]. I think that as the conflict develops and aggravates, the majority of socially prominent citizens will advocate for an end to the war, as they are aware of the detriment, first of all, for their countries." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/elon-musk-says-leopard-2-tanks-easily-destroyed-by-anti-tank-weapons-landmines-1111103514.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/four-reasons-leopard-2s--m1-abrams-will-bite-the-dust-in-ukraine-1106772754.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/us-unveils-325mln-security-aid-package-for-ukraine--blinken-1111119467.html ukraine kiev 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 The Russian Ministry of Defense has published footage of destroyed armored vehicles of the Ukrainian armed forces, including German Leopard tanks and American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles The Russian Ministry of Defense has published footage of destroyed armored vehicles of the Ukrainian armed forces, including German Leopard tanks and American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles 2023-06-13T18:18+0000 true PT0M17S Footage of the destruction of Ukrainian Armed Forces' armored vehicles Footage of the destruction of Ukrainian Armed Forces' armored vehicles 2023-06-13T18:18+0000 true PT1M18S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukrainian counteroffensive, botched ukrainian counteroffensive, german main battle tank, german leopards destroyed, us-made bradley destroyed, nato military equipment, us military aid to ukraine, ukrainian casualties, ukraine military losses, russian defense ministry, leopard 1, leopard 2 https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/yellen-says-us-debt-ceiling-drama-cannot-be-normalized-as-way-of-doing-business-1111119788.html Yellen Says US Debt Ceiling Drama Cannot Be Normalized as Way of Doing Business Yellen Says US Debt Ceiling Drama Cannot Be Normalized as Way of Doing Business The United States came close to receiving a negative rating as the Biden administration wrangled with rival Republicans to raise the nations debt ceiling and this cannot become a way of doing things in Washington, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday. 2023-06-13T16:46+0000 2023-06-13T16:46+0000 2023-06-13T16:47+0000 americas joe biden janet yellen kevin mccarthy us treasury department us debt ceiling crisis us debt imf china world bank /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/08/1100562193_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_eb86830e4338f6c425ba241eb94d682d.jpg "I am relieved that, with the Presidents leadership, Congress took action to address the debt limit in time," Yellen said. "[T]he United States once again came dangerously close to the line. This cannot be normalized as the way we do business in Washington." Yellen noted that this was the second time in more than a decade that "Congress went right up to the wire in failing to raise the debt ceiling [quickly enough]," earning a negative credit watch from another rating agency, Standard & Poor's, in 2011. "We are a nation that keeps our word and pays our bills," she said. "We should never give anyone any reason to think otherwise. Waiting until the last minute to do so hurts our global leadership and credibility on the world stage." Yellen pointed out that the United States was a creditor fully deserving of its triple-A debt rating and losing it would risk the well-being of US households, resulting in long-lasting increases in their borrowing costs and other catastrophic consequences for the economy.US Needs Greater Stake in IMF, International Financial InstitutionsThe United States needs to have a higher stake in the leadership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and in other international financial institutions to ensure adequate investments in the global economy, particularly in poorer countries, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.Yellen said the United States seeks to renew its participation in the IMFs "New Arrangements to Borrow," which has served as a critical backstop to IMF resources."We also seek authorization to lend to two key IMF trust funds: the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. These actions will help the IMF address economic crises, with a particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable developing countries amid heightened risks," she said.The treasury secretary pointed out that the Biden administration aims to boost US involvement in the International Development Bank and the African Development Fund as well."These investments will bolster our engagement in these regions at a time of geopolitical competition," Yellen said.In addition, the United States seeks to help international financial institutions achieve greater governance, accountability and debt sustainability, Yellen said."As an example, the multilateral development banks are a leading source of financing to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries," Yellen said.The United States has already introduced reforms to stretch the World Banks balance sheet to unlock as much as $50 billion in additional lending capacity over the next decade, she added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230604/us-debt-ceiling-deal-upcoming-sales-of-treasury-bonds-could-wreak-havoc--1110886170.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220727/stronger-us-dollar-making-it-harder-for-emerging-nations-to-service-their-foreign-debt-imf-warns-1097860864.html americas china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us economy, us treasury, janet yellen, us debt ceiling, us debt ceiling crisis, us rating, imf On the morning of the post draw for the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a past champion of the prestigious race toured the Campbellville, Ont. oval in preparation for his return to the races. Desperate Man, winner of the 2021 North America Cup, kicked off Tuesday's qualifying session with a 4-1/2-length victory in 1:52.1 in rein to regular driver Trevor Henry. The five-year-old Shadow Play gelding, who last raced in January competing in Mohawk's top classes, won his second qualifying start this month as he left out from post six and set fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:23.4 before drawing off in the stretch. Hamsandwich and Typhoon Stride N followed back in second and third. An eight-time winner with more than $1.1 million in earnings, Desperate Man is trained by Kathy Cecchin, who co-owns with her husband John, daughter Nicole and son-in-law Paul Davies. To view Tuesday's complete qualifying results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. A replay of the stream from Tuesday morning's qualifiers is available below. The Transwest Ford dealership arrived in town in December after a move from Torrington. General manager Alessandro Meloni said the transition has been going smoothly, including the dealership having undergone a near complete renovation of the former Fremont Ford. Meloni said dealership owners spent roughly $2 million on a remodel, updating the showroom and most of the dealerships service department at 1515 E. 20th St. The dealership offers 26 service bays for customers, divided between a quick-lane shop dedicated to maintenance like oil changes and a full-service area for more intensive repairs. Meloni emphasized that most of the contractors working on the remodel were hired locally. Transwest Ford has a lot more space to work with than at its former offices in Torrington with a larger lot and service area with 26 service bays compared to only 11 in Torrington. Fremont Ford, the previous owners, and Transwest Ford merged in part thanks to the Ford Motor Co., which suggested that Transwest take over the dealership. Meloni said a lot of it had to do with Ford wanting to consolidate since manufacturers have pushed for dealerships to consolidate in recent years. He went on to say that while Ford originally pushed the move, we saw an opportunity to increase our market size. So, it was a good business decision for us. Since the move, Transwest Ford has covered a much larger area than it did in Torrington. While the dealership still serves the Torrington area, it is also responsible for much of the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming. The dealership has changed hands a number of times. Originally opened as Cannon Brothers Ford in 1964, it was sold to Legacy Ford in 2001. In 2009, Fremont took over and owners then sold the dealership to Transwest in December. Previous owners of the dealership have been heavily involved in the community. Cannon Brothers was involved in a number of boards and committees and Fremont Ford campaigned for Scottsbluff High School Distributive Education Clubs of America and other activities. Meloni said he intends to continue that trend and has already started. We supported the robotics portion of the 4-H club and they went to the finals, which was awesome to see, Meloni said. While there are no specific plans for additional involvement, Meloni said, Down the road, Ill be able to hopefully get out of the office a little bit more and go and see folks in person. In recent years, Ford has begun to offer electric and hybrid vehicle options like the Maverick, Mustang Mach E, Escape Hybrid, F-150 Powerboost and F-150 Lightning. But because the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging is still growing in Scottsbluff, the dealership is not focusing on offering some of the newer options yet. Electric vehicles could become an added expense for the dealership, according to Meloni. You got to build the infrastructure of charging, he said, and its gonna be on the backs of dealers such as us. While the Maverick, a midsize truck available with a gasoline or hybrid powertrain, has sold well, those sales have primarily been the gasoline option. Vehicle supply has slowed sales at the dealership somewhat; however, Meloni said they are still performing well. The dealership has seen especially high sales in commercial vehicles such as the larger F-Series trucks and Transit vans. Meloni chalked up the commercial sales to pent-up demand in fleet vehicles that has remained from shortages caused by COVID-19 and supply chain issues. There has also been high demand for personal vehicles with the Mavericks and new Ford Broncos still seeing high demand, according to Meloni. Meloni said he is still looking to fill out the dealership staff to help cover the increased customer base from the move. He also spoke about some new models that he was excited about, like the new Super Duty trucks, which he said look a lot cleaner, much more refined than the previous generation, and then the new power stroke with 1200 foot-pounds of torque is pretty awesome. (Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images) The International Labour Organization (ILO) warns of the rising number of child laborers in Afghanistan following two decades of progress. The International Labour Organization (ILO) head in Afghanistan, Ramid Behzad, issued a warning against child labor The number of children working in hazardous jobs was found to be on the rise in Afghanistan following two decades of progress Behzad said that in 2020 and 2021, there were more than 1.06 million children who were engaged in labor The International Labour Organization (ILO), in observance of World Day Against Child Labour, is calling for an increased focus on efforts to eliminate the use of young kids as workers, which is now on the rise in Afghanistan after two decades of progress. The organization's head warned of an increase in the number of children in the country engaged in work generally and mainly with hazardous jobs. Ramin Behzad, the head of the ILO in Afghanistan, issued the warning on World Day Against Child Labour. Rise in the Number of Child Labor Behzad noted that more than 1.06 million children were engaged in labor in Afghanistan in 2020 and 2021. He noted that the ILO counted those between the ages of five and 17, per Bis News Network. Furthermore, the United Nations organized a gathering in Kabul commemorating World Day Against Child Labour under the title "Social Justice." On the other hand, the Taliban-led Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) said that there are 1 million children who are engaged in hazardous work while another 2 million are working on the street. The chief of police of the MoPW, Sharafuddin Sharaf, said that the number comes as there are roughly 19.5 million children in Afghanistan, 11.4 million of whom have been enrolled in school. The official added that 7.8 million children are not in school, 1.2 million are engaged in hazardous work, and 1.9 million are doing normal work on the streets due to imposed wars, poverty, and economic problems. Read Also: Kim Jong Un To Strengthen Ties with Vladimir Putin To Deepen Cooperation Addressing the Global Problem The situation in Afghanistan is reflected in global statistics, where roughly 160 million children, about one in 10 worldwide, are engaged in child labor. According to the Voice of America News, around half of these are working in what experts consider to be the most hazardous forms, such as agriculture, construction, mining, and domestic labor. The ILO said that kids are forced to work very long hours for relatively low pay under dangerous conditions that can threaten their physical and mental health. The organization added that the work conditions could also lead to death. Sharaf Hameedi, the head of the national union of Labor in Afghanistan, said that the country's kids face extreme hardships, adding that some are forced to work for more than 15 hours. He argued that kids should not be working more than 35 hours per week but noted that the reality is that some are working more than 15 hours per day. In a Twitter post, UNICEF Afghanistan said that one in five children in the region is engaged in child labor. It added that no matter the cause, the organization plans to end child labor in all forms, said TOLO News. Related Article: Johnny & Associates Launches Sexual Abuse Investigation Against Deceased Founder @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Gering City Council unanimously approved an agreement with a recruiting firm to continue the search for a caterer and manager for the Gering Civic Center. The city is looking to replace current managers and caterers Rick and Judy Keller, who worked in the positions for over 30 years. The Kellers have indicated their intentions to retire at the end of their contract in February 2024. The city has experienced issues with finding candidates to replace the Kellers. City Administrator Pat Heath said that they had advertised for approximately six weeks with no responses. GPAC (Growing People And Companies) is a recruiting firm based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and according to the company website, the consultants strive to accelerate and standardize the hiring process. The city faced some difficulties in finding a recruiting firm to partner with as they had reached out to several firms with no reply. Heath said he felt that the lack of responses could be attributed to the civic centers position since most convention centers are associated with hotels. He also emphasized the importance of the civic center to the community as it is difficult to find anybody that had a standalone civic center convention center like we do. The civic center was recently renovated in 2022, with plenty of space to host conventions and conferences. According to Heath, the Kellers have operated the facility as caterers since it opened, taking on a management role later in the process when the job opened. I would hope we could find someone very similar to them and, hopefully, our recruiting firm weve chosen will be able to fill that work, said Heath. He also spoke on the success the Kellers had in the role, stating that theyve done an excellent job. The fee for the contract is 33.3% of the first years compensation for the person hired for the position. Heath estimated that fee at $30,000 to $60,000, according to materials submitted to the council. If the consultant doesnt find a suitable candidate, the city doesnt pay anything, per the contract. Also, the council approved two other motions. First, that The City of Gering and the City of Terrytown would enter into an agreement for mosquito control within the cities limits. They also approved a special event permit for the Western Nebraska Pioneers to hold a fireworks show at Oregon Trail Park Stadium on July 1. Both measures were passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, Councilmember Cody Bohl presented a report as liaison to the Airport Authority stating that Congress released the $12.4 million for runway 1230, a runway that has been need of repair. Construction was supposed to begin June 12, but airport staff have faced some delays due to issues with groundwater. The council will next meet on June 26. Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, June 13-19, 1998. New police cars. The Governors Highway Safety Program provided funding for the first two traffic unit cars. Equipped with mobile data terminals, this device can aid an officer on records checks, verifying registration on vehicles, typing in accident reports on the scene, and license verifications. (6/13) New Amity ARP celebrates 90th birthday of Gertha Wolfe. Mrs. Wolfe is known by members and visitors at New Amity as the attractive lady who greets everyone with a smile and Welcome to New Amity. For many years she was recognized as the official biscuit maker at the churchs many breakfasts and suppers. (6/14) Early morning storm results. City Manager Rob Hites said 4,000 city customers lost power around 6:30 a.m. The Statesville Police Department said at least two accidents occurred during the storm when traffic lights were out. (6/15) Photo. Pauline Scott and Connie Ward have both given 3,000 hours of volunteer service to Iredell Memorial Hospital. They received service bars to add to their pins at a recent dinner meeting of the health care systems auxiliary. (6/16) Stumpy Creek park. Commissioners voted Tuesday to sell timber from the lake property for $9,200. The timber must be cleared before the National Guard can start grading the land for proposed park. Shaver Wood Products will start clearing timber in early July. (6/17) June is Dairy Month. Iredell remains the leading dairy county in North Carolina, with 77 dairy farms producing 192 million pounds of milk (22 million gallons) from an estimated 11,000 cows. Gross income at the farm level from dairying totals $30 million per year. (6/18) Statesville officials are moving forward with plans to increase the citys water supply. A public hearing was held Thursday night as part of the process of reclassifying Lookout Shoals Lake to make it an adequate drinking water supply. (6/19) Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, June 13-19, 1973. State promises to begin work on Ft. Dobbs. The earthen works of the Fort will be restored, though at this point there is insufficient information on the wooden structural design to warrant its reconstruction. (6/13) School boards name 4 MCC trustees. Carl Litaker was elected to the eight-year term. Mrs. Beth Jefford was named to the six-year term. J.P. Huskins was selected for a four-year term and Dwight Goforth was elected to the two-year term. At the expiration of the original terms of office, terms will be for eight years. (6/14) Lois Cockrell retires after 33 years as office manager & comptroller Statesville city schools. She told her boss a few years ago when she retired she didnt want a pinshe wanted a rocking chair. Ive changed my mind. Im not ready for a rocking chair, so Ill wear the pin with thanks, she responded when the superintendent presented the pin. ((6/15) Chief Frank Crowson reports May statistics at the Statesville fire dept. During the month the department answered 44 alarms. Of the 44 alarms, 18 were fires. Eight fires were in buildings, and eight were in vehicles or outside equipment. (6/16) Hurst Turner Post 65 7 Concord Legion 6 in 11 innings. With two outs, Steve Frye walked, Earl Spencer was safe on an error and Jamie Plyler singled to plate the decisive run. Jimmy Waugh pitched the entire 11 innings for Statesville. (6/18) Mens slow pitch. Rubbermaid edged Thonet, 14-13, as Chip Creedmore and Tom Lambert both had four hits and each included a home run. Peter Scott with four hits and Nate Sharpe with three led the losers. (6/19) Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Daily Record, June 14-19, 1948. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at Forest Lawn cemetery, Greensboro, for W.L. Hicks, ARM 2c U.S. Navy, who was killed in action in the Pacific area June 1944. Radioman Hicks lived in Statesville at the time of his enlistment and was employed by Paola Cotton Mill. He joined the Navy July 20, 1942. He was 23 at the time of his death. (6/14) Statesville Fire department members sat back to wait for their new aerial truck. The truck has been reported on the way any number of different dates and now thats been stretched until September 1. On the brighter side, Frank Crowson reported for work today. (6/15) Game Protector Hugh Robertson warned people against shooting birds & squirrels inside city limits. Robertson also appealed to automobile drivers to take care not to run over squirrels. I see a large number of squirrels flattened out on the highway. A little consideration would have saved most of them. (6/16) Tomorrow a busy day in Statesville. Folks here stand in anticipation of two great events tomorrowthe Jaycee beauty contest and the showing of the new Fords. The kids especially are enthusiastic about the appearance of film star George Gabby Hayes at the Playhouse. (6/17) Excerpt from interview with Gabby Hayes. Gabby was interested in the new Fords. My Lincoln is too big for a studio car. The lights went out in the Lincoln last night and we drove the last 35 miles into Statesville in the dark at 40 miles an hour. (6/18) Final rites for Pfc. Clyde P. Houston, returned war veteran, will be conducted Sunday. Interment will be in Oakwood cemetery. He entered the Army in August, 1941, and was killed in action in southern France in September, 1944, at the age of 26. (6/19) One hundred years ago: Landmark, June 14 and 18, 1923. Horseshoes tonight. Sheriff M.P. Alexander and ex-Sheriff J.M. Deaton will represent the Democrats and Mr. P.P. Dulin and a colleague from Lawyers Row the Republicans. The contest takes place at 7 oclock on the McElwee grounds, corner Center and Water streets, which are electrically lighted. (6/14) Mr. J.C. Gray, who for the past winter has been manager of the Plaza hotel, Havana, Cuba, is spending several weeks here with relatives. Mr. Gray is a brother of Mr. J.H. Gray and of Mesdames. R.E. Armfield, F.E. Bradley and Annie Lewis. (6/14) Eufola news. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Morrow leave for Indiana today. Another farm deserted! It is getting almost impossible to get farm help today. They make more money somewhere else. (6/14) The Statesville-Charlotte highway is now open to traffic via the Boulevard. The new road affords Statesville motorists a beautiful drive, running, as it does, through rolling and wooded country. One going over it for the first time will be impressed by the quality of strangeness the new route has brought to familiar landscapes. (6/18) The Republicans, represented by Messrs. P.P. Dulin and J.L. Davis, routed the Democrats at horseshoes Thursday evening on the McElwee grounds. Sheriff M.P. Alexander and ex-Sheriff J.M. Deaton were the Democratic team. (6/18) Troutman. A mighty neat gasoline station has been built on the Square and is now being operated by Mr. R.C.G. Ostwalt on the square. (6/18) One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, June 14 and 17, 1898. Smallpox confirmed by Dr. C.P. Wertenbaker & steps taken. Work was begun today on a smallpox hospital. It is located in the Reynolds woods, an isolated place about a mile and a half east of town. There will be two buildingsone for the sick and one for the detention of suspectspersons who have been exposed to the disease. (6/14) The Bell telephone office for the long distance line between Charlotte and Statesville was opened in Tunstalls drug store yesterday. Talk is no longer cheap. It costs about 10cents per minute to occupy that phone. (6/14) From Private in Co. E. If our home folks only had a picture of the soldiers sewing society or a specimen of our embroidery on our blankets (names) they would have something to send to the fair. (6/14) All the smallpox cases which have developed hereabouts and all the suspects are now in camp. There were in the camp yesterday 67 persons, including nurses, guards, cases under treatment, patients who have recovered and suspects. (6/18) The colored military company here, which bears the name of the Attucks Guards, has 142 names enrolled. They have 25 men from Morganton, 18 from Hickory, 20 from Lenoir, 4 from Marion and 10 from Newton. [Crispus Attucks was an African American sailor whose death in the Boston Massacre of March 1770 made him a martyr and symbol of liberty. (6/18) Mr. J.L. Ballard, of Mooresville, was in town yesterday to buy a threshing machine. He is now ready for the threshing season to begin. (6/18) I have seen controversy around Ben Franklin on religion. What were his views? Was he a Christian? An atheist? An agnostic? It seems like nearly everyone has an opinion about his opinion. But what if we let him tell us exactly what the thought? I mean, what a novel idea that would be. Its almost like a quote, or something. Thanks goodness he chose to document his life. I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and though some of the dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees of God, election, reprobation, etc. , appeared to me unintelligible, others doubtful, and I early absented myself from the public assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that he made the world, and governd it by his Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter. -Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin History is being made once again for a more than 160-year-old Saltville house that played a role in the Civil War and served as home to a Virginia governor and the founder of Barter Theatre. With the best future of the property in mind, the Saltville Foundation has decided to sell the W.A. Stuart house. The decision came, said foundation president Tim Buchanan, to save the house. Beyond his work with the foundation, Buchanans ties to the Stuart home lie in his DNA. Stuarts business partner was Buchanans fifth great-grandfather. Buchanan has also served with the foundation since it was established. One of the non-profits primary missions is oversight of the Museum of Middle Appalachians. Descendants of W.A. Stuart gifted the house to the museum in October 1999. Buchanan said the late Jerry Catron, an educator and student of local history, worked diligently to restore the house but was unsuccessful. Following his death in 2017, the foundation board knew a different path would likely have to be pursued. As president of the Bristol Historical Association, Buchanan had encouraged that board to sell the 1903 E.W. King home that was falling into disrepair. Once it was sold, the Queen Anne Victorian landmark house in Bristol, Tenn., was restored and is now home to a business. Buchanan wanted the same fate for the Stuart home. Non-profits, he said, have to know what they can do and what they cant. In the hands of someone with the desire to preserve and honor its history, Buchanan said, the Stuart home could be an absolute landmark. Layers of HistoryThe National Registry of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Registry concur. The William Alexander Stuart house is listed on both registers. According to a museum history of the home, the Stuart family moved to Saltville from Wythe County when W.A. Stuart was invited to become a partner in the Holston Salt and Plaster Co. Records, according to Buchanan, indicate that move was made in 1858. The home is believed to have been built in 1860 or 1861. Maps that pre-date 1861, Buchanan said, dont show the house. Realtor Daniel Shew specializes in historic homes and is handling the homes sale. He questioned the 1860 construction date that the board had, but the saw marks on the joists in the basement tell me that is likely an accurate date. However, Shew acknowledged there are inconsistencies. He was told the house could be older or moved from another location. I think that story may have some merit, he said. A door in a second floor bedroom seems to date to the late 1700s. Some other building materials used in its construction appear to be older than 1860. Im guessing parts of an older house were used by the builder, for some strange reason. A mystery that a purchaser can hopefully find answers to. Though Shew, who is known as the old house agent, saw the Stuart House from the road all through my childhood, having grown up a couple of miles away, he knew a little of its history. A few weeks ago, he toured the house with Buchanan and other foundation board members. After learnings its story, Shew called the houses history amazing. Civil WarThe Stuarts only lived in the home a few years before war came to Southwest Virginia. On Dec. 28, 1864 Union troops captured Saltville and the family fled the house before it came under the control of General George Stoneman as his soldiers worked to destroy the salt works. In 1902, W.A. Stuarts second wife, Ellen, wrote an article for a Wytheville newspaper headlined A Salt Works Christmas. The article told of the night they fled and the days that followed before the Confederacy regained control. Eventually, a play was written based on Ellen Stuarts reflections and was performed at Marions Lincoln Theatre in 2011. Buchanan noted that a few salt kettles remain on the land where once hundreds existed. Every Southern Confederate state had kettles on the site, Buchanan said, as Saltville produced salt for the entire Confederacy. Governors MansionThose events may have helped shape the leadership of Henry Carter Stuart, son of W.A. Stuart and his first wife, Mary. Henry Stuart, who was born in Wythe County, served as the commonwealths governor from 1914-1918. According to the National Governors Association, When World War I broke out, Stuart helped to organize Virginias war machinery. After completing his four-year term as governor, Stuart won appointment by President Woodrow Wilson to the War Industries Board, on which he served as chairman of the Agriculture Advisory Committee. Henry Stuart also helped enact provisions that took voting rights from African Americans and illiterate whites and, according to Encyclopedia Virginia, worked to disenfranchise African Americans. Buchanan noted that the Stuarts enslaved numerous people. Still Unfolding LegacyAnother young man who spent his formative years in the Saltville home was Robert Porterfield, the founder of the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, the state theatre of Virginia. He got his start in this house, Buchanan said, opening his arms to the rooms. According to museum records, Porterfield lived in the house for two decades from 1909 to 1929. According to legend, Porterfield and his cousins performed their first plays in a barn on the property. Corporate TiesOver time, a number of employees of the Mathieson Alkali Works would call the house home. In 1893, Mathieson Alkali Works bought the Holston Salt and Plaster Co. and eventually the house was incorporated into the industrys housing. A June 30, 1951 deed shows that the house returned to the Stuart family and it remained in their hands until 1999. Preserving History with Eye to the FutureThe foundation has put the Stuart house in the hands of a Realtor who knows Saltville and its history. Shew, who works with Prestige Homes of the Tri Cities Inc., grew up in Clinchburg and attended the private Southeast Academy in Saltville. I spent most of my teen years around the town learning about local history and hanging out at the Kinfolks antique shop. His mothers family includes the Fryes of Saltville and his dads family was from Glade Spring. Shew credits his parents for shaping his career path. My passion for historic preservation came at an early age, Shew said. My parents loved old homes and working with their hands. They instilled, in me, at a young age, that everything worth having is worth working for, and that philosophy carries over in the work of preserving buildings. It can be a lot of work, but very much worth it. Growing up around Saltville, with the Museum, reenactments, and fossil digs, it was pretty easy to fall in love with history and tangible connections to the past. Shew and his wife now operate a business that seeks out and saves old homes in Bristol. Our mission has made a serious impact in the community and saved quite a few buildings from demolition. He wants to see the Stuart house saved. My hopes for the property are simply to be restored and maintained. Preserving a building can come in many forms, but having someone live here full-time or have it as a second home seems to be the best fit, Shew said. Protecting and preserving the house, Shew said, is very important to The Saltville Foundation and to myself. We want to attract a buyer that has the funds and vision to properly repair and maintain the property. Whoever purchases this house needs to understand the scope of work, love wavy glass windows, and have knowledge of how important historic buildings are. Shew has some idea of who might buy the Stuart home. Old homes usually attract creative, artist people with a sense of romance, he said. History is something that is mysterious and intangible. Social media, the MLS [Multiple Listing] service, and my sphere of influence will all be utilized as part of a marketing strategy. I will list as much history as possible, in the listing, and try to be at every showing to tell the story of the house. Buchanan and Shew said the asking price is $149,000, which, they hope, will allow a buyer to invest more into restoring the 3,171-square-foot home on nearly an acre of land. Shew plans to list the Stuart house, tomorrow, June 11. Of that listing, he said, The sale of the Stuart house is an historical event, in itself! You are witnessing history. I ask that the community support the decision to sell it and spread the word that it is looking for a new owner. Also on Sunday, Shew will speak to the Smyth County Historical Society at 2 p.m. at the museum on Main Street in Marion. Admission is free. (Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) US officials claim that China has operated spy facilities in Cuba for years, which were upgraded in 2019. A Biden administration official claims that China has spied on the United States from Cuba for years. The admission came days after the Biden administration refuted a Wall Street Journal report that China and Cuba had agreed to install an electronic eavesdropping facility in Cuba, deeming the report inaccurate. China Builds Spy Base in Cuba, US Confirms Since at least 2019, the Biden administration has conveyed "concerns" to the Cuban government regarding the presence of a Chinese espionage operation on the island, according to national security council spokesperson John Kirby. The White House stated over the weekend that China has maintained a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, contradicting a Wall Street Journal report that such a facility was in the planning stages. According to The Hill, Kirby acknowledged that relations between Washington and Beijing are "sensitive" and stated that the US has taken measures to "mitigate" the threat posed by Chinese espionage. However, President Joe Biden is determined to strengthen lines of communication with Beijing, Kirby continued, in particular, to persuade Chinese officials to establish direct military-to-military channels, which the US deems essential for conflict management. As part of the administration's outreach efforts to the People's Republic of China (PRC), Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reportedly planning to visit Beijing on June 18. William Burns, the director of the CIA, met with Chinese officials in Beijing last month to stress the significance of maintaining open intelligence communication channels between the United States and China. The Chinese government was evaluating locations around the globe, according to the official, and it enhanced its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019, which was "well documented in the intelligence record," according to the official. Read Also: Biden Bribery Scheme: Audio Recordings with Burisima Exec Prove That Allegations Exist Blinken Hails US' Efforts As to why the White House, Pentagon, and others vehemently denied the Journal's reporting despite knowing that China has been spying from Cuba for years, the official stated that the story was inaccurate because it stated that the surveillance was a recent occurrence. Additionally, Cuban officials denied the Journal's allegation, stating that they oppose any foreign military presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Friday that he was "unaware" of any Chinese espionage facility in Cuba and accused the United States of duplicity. "The United States is the global champion of espionage and the surveillance superpower," he said at a routine briefing in Beijing. Saturday morning's edition of NBC News posed the question of whether the Biden administration has intentionally downplayed China's provocative actions while attempting to coordinate high-level diplomatic discussions between the two countries. Early in his administration, President Joe Biden directed officials to address Chinese espionage from Cuba, and their efforts "have slowed the PRC down," a senior administration official said, using an abbreviation for China's formal name, the People's Republic of China. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded to a reported Chinese spy operation based in Cuba by stating that it was part of a larger effort by Beijing that the United States has attempted to thwart. The statement was released on Monday, days after a US official verified that China has operated a Cuba-based intelligence operation for years and upgraded it in 2019. The administration of US President Joe Biden was briefed on these developments upon assuming office. Per Aljazeera, Blinken stated that Beijing's objective was to "project and sustain military power at a greater distance." Related Article: Kim Jong Un To Strengthen Ties with Vladimir Putin as North Korea, Russia Cooperation Deepen @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. Twenty-two U.S. service members sustained injuries in a helicopter incident in northeastern Syria on Sunday. The military, however, did not disclose the cause of the mishap or provide details regarding the severity of the injuries. In a separate development, the Jordanian army announced that it had successfully intercepted a drone carrying drugs from Syria into its northern frontier region. Jordan emphasized its stance of not allowing the border area to become a battleground for an Iran-linked drug war. Regarding the situation in north-east Syria, Iraq has called upon nations to repatriate their citizens currently held in a notorious detention camp associated with Daesh. Iraq also called for the closure of the camp due to ongoing concerns that it serves as a breeding ground for terrorism. Twenty-two U.S. troops injured in Syria helicopter mishap, U.S. says Reuters reported that twenty-two U.S. service members were injured in a helicopter mishap in northeastern Syria on Sunday, the U.S. military said late on Monday, without disclosing the cause of the incident or detailing the severity of the injuries. U.S. Central Command said 10 service members were evacuated to higher-level care facilities outside the region. Central Command, which oversees U.S. troops in the Middle East, said no enemy fire had been reported but added that the cause of the incident was under investigation. Officials at U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for further information. The incident took place near the town of Shaddadi in the province of Hasakeh, according to two security sources. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which control swathes of northeast Syria, referred questions to the U.S.-led coalition under which American troops are deployed in the zone. Mekdad to Asharq Al-Awsat: Syria Seeks Integration with Saudi Arabia Faisal al-Mekdad, the Syrian foreign minister, said that his country has made hundreds of steps with regard to what is required of it, but did not receive any initiative from the other parties, calling for the need to show good intentions and stop starving the Syrian people, as he put it. Speaking on the sidelines of the second ministerial meeting of the Arab League countries and the nations of the Pacific Islands, held in Riyadh, Mekdad saluted the effective role of Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, to strengthen intra-Arab relations and cooperation with influential countries around the world. In response to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat about the outcome of the recent Arab summit held in Jeddah, and the step-by-step policy, the minister said: The results of the summit were good and accurate, with regard to us in Syria. I assure you that we have walked hundreds of steps, for which we have not received any step from the other parties. He continued: Therefore, the other parties are now required to show good intentions, to stop supporting terrorism and starving the Syrian people and children, and (instead) contribute to the new renaissance of the Syrian people. Explaining what he means by other parties, Mekdad said they are the parties behind terrorism, the killings, sedition, the division and fragmentation, of Syria. He expressed Syrias readiness to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in all fields. We are happy to be in Saudi Arabia. There are very large activities including the Arab-Chinese Forum and the meeting of the nations of the Pacific Islands. We salute this effective role of the Kingdom, and the goals set by the Saudi leadership to strengthen intra-Arab relations and bilateral Arab relations with influential countries in the world, he said, adding that we are ready to cooperate in various fields. Russian fighter killed in northern Syria -monitor, security source A Russian fighter was killed and several others wounded in Syrias northern province of Aleppo on Monday, a war monitor and a Kurdish security source said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict in Syria, said the Russian casualties occurred when their convoy was hit by Turkish shelling. The security source said the attack came from an area where Turkish troops are deployed and that the wounded were treated in a hospital in a nearby area controlled by Kurdish forces. Jordanian army says it downs drone carrying drugs from Syria The Jordanian army said on Tuesday it had downed a drone carrying drugs from Syria into its northern frontier region, and it said Jordan would not allow the border area to become a front line in an Iran-linked drug war, Reuters reported. The kingdom has blamed pro-Iranian militias, who it says are protected by units within the Syrian army, for smuggling drugs across its borders towards lucrative Gulf markets. Damascus says it is doing its best to curb smuggling and continues to bust smuggler rings in the south. It denies complicity by Iranian-backed militias linked to its army and security forces. The sharp rise in smuggling attempts has forced Jordan since last year to change army rules of engagement along the border, giving its military the authority to use overwhelming force. We are continuing to deal with resolve and force with any threat to our borders and any attempt to destabilize the security of the nation, the army said in a statement. The plane, which was carrying crystal methamphetamine, was intercepted and downed on Jordans side of the border, it said. Time for European nations to review their Syria policies Saudi Columnist Mohammed Al-Sulami wrote an op-ed for Arab News, in which he called on European officials to present concrete diplomatic paths to end the conflict and find a way out of the crisis. The op-ed says the relationship between European capitals and Syrian activists plays a crucial role in understanding the difficulty of reconciliation between them and the Syrian authorities. Syrian associations recently formed a common platform in Paris to advocate for a democratic Syria. This aspiration is mainly expressed by Syrian opposition activists based in Europe. Additionally, the geopolitical context, particularly Russias alliance with Damascus and the situation in Ukraine, makes Brussels-Damascus reconciliation unfavourable. Europe aims for a political solution in Syria based on a compromise between the government and the opposition in exile. Justice for the oppressed Syrian people is also a priority. While Europe has consistently sought an alternative to Bashar Assads rule, there has been some flexibility during the fight against Daesh and after the recent earthquake in Syria. Although sanctions relief was provided for humanitarian assistance, the columnist added, European countries have not taken the initiative to reopen their embassies in Syria, except for the Czech Republic. Some limited diplomatic presence has been established by countries like Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, and Greece. However, major European nations remain reluctant to reopen their diplomatic facilities due to escalating tensions with Russia. It appears that the desire to build geopolitical blocks outweighs the perspective of seeking regional solutions through dialogue. By supporting Syrian civil society activists and opposing Damascus alongside Russia, Europeans aim to save face and persuade regional partners to form a coalition against Russia. The new regional dynamics do not align with European views on the Syrian crisis. Beyond symbolic support and humanitarian aid, European capitals have little to offer the Syrian people, who face economic despair and a dire security situation. A policy solely focused on rejecting the Assad regime is insufficient to resolve the security crisis or provide a solution for the Syrian people. Hence, it is time for European capitals to review their Syria policies. In 2023, policies centred solely on opposing Assad cannot offer a solution for Syria. Revisiting the Syrian situation requires difficult compromises to address the countrys economic problems, considering the socioeconomic desperation of its people. The new European policy for Syria should not be a mere facade to display hostility towards Russia in the context of the Ukraine conflict. European capitals can take inspiration from Arab states in seeking a new modus vivendi with the Syrian authorities to effectively tackle regional economic and security challenges. To date, Sulami concluded, European officials have not presented a concrete diplomatic path or suitable proposal to end the Syrian war. After 12 years of conflict, a new policy is needed to find a way out of the Syrian crisis. Iraq calls for Closure of Daesh detention camp in Syria Iraq has called for countries to repatriate their citizens held at a notorious Daesh detention camp in north-east Syria and for the camp to be closed. Concerns persist that it has become a source for terrorism. Al-Hol camp is named after a town near the Iraq-Syria border. It houses tens of thousands of people linked to Daesh, which lost its last territorial foothold in Syria in 2019. Ending the issue of Al Hol camp has become a top national interest for Iraq, Iraq News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad Sahhaf as saying. All countries that have citizens at Al Hol should repatriate them as soon as possible in order to eventually close the camp. It has become a dangerous epicentre for Daesh gatherings. His comments were made during a conference in Baghdad yesterday, which included the UN representative in Iraq, members of the international coalition against Daesh and several ambassadors, as well as NGOs. According to AP, the camp holds about 51,000 people, the vast majority of them women and children, including the wives, widows and other family members of Daesh fighters, mostly Syrians and Iraqis. There are also around 8,000 women and children from 60 other nationalities who live in a part of the camp known as the Annex, which is considered to be home to the most die-hard Daesh supporters among the camps residents. On Thursday, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed that Iraq has repatriated over 3,000 Daesh fighters from Syria to be tried in local courts. Celebrities call on the UK government to repatriate British families Meanwhile, celebrities in the UK have signed an open letter calling on the government to repatriate British families remaining in prison camps across northeast Syria, The Guardian reported on Tuesday. Signatories include Gillian Anderson, Stephen Fry, Olivia Colman, Riz Ahmed, Stanley Tucci and Jonathan Pryce, along with NGOs including Human Rights Watch and War Child UK. Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi and several national security experts also signed the letter, which calls for the rescue of about 25 families, including 60 children, many of whom are younger than 10. The families were detained in the camps following the collapse of Daesh almost four years ago, with many of the mothers having been married to fighters from the terror group. The intercepted drone was carrying 500 grams of crystal narcotics, according to Baladi News. On Tuesday, in the Eastern Military Region, security forces in Jordan successfully intercepted a drone loaded with narcotics that was attempting to cross the border from Syria. An official military source from the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces stated that the border guard forces, in collaboration with the military security services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, detected the illegal drone crossing and promptly took action to bring it down within Jordanian territory. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the intercepted drone was carrying 500 grams of crystal narcotics. The confiscated drugs were immediately handed over to the appropriate authorities for further handling. The destruction of the narcotics-loaded drone follows a previous event on February 28th when Jordan foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons and grenades using a drone from Syria. According to the source, the drone had been booby-trapped in case it was seized by border guards. However, a specialized engineering team successfully dealt with the situation, apprehending the drone and transferring the seized items to the competent authorities. 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 United States had proposed to the SDF a joint military campaign to seize control of the city of Al-Boukamal, according to Athr Press. In recent times, notable developments have occurred regarding the efforts of the United States to enhance the security of its forces in Syria and mitigate associated risks. These actions have coincided with an escalation in attacks on US bases in the region. While Turkey emphasizes its intention to combat Kurdish units and eliminate their presence in northeastern Syria, irrespective of external support, the United States is pursuing the formation of an Arab force in eastern Syria. This initiative mirrors the establishment of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) stationed near the American base in al-Tanf. Amid increasing speculation about the United States attempts to create Arab military units as an alternative to the Kurdish forces, Vidant Patel, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, explicitly stated during a press conference on June 8 that the United States does not support the establishment of a separate state in northeastern Syria. According to press reports, there are underlying factors motivating Washingtons actions in establishing an Arab military force. Sources cited by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reveal that the United States had proposed to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a joint military campaign to seize control of the city of Al-Boukamal, sever the Damascus-Baghdad route, and expand the security perimeter around U.S. bases in northeastern Syria. This plan aimed to establish a connection between the Al-Tanf base and the areas east of the Euphrates. However, the SDF rejected the proposition, citing the need to protect border areas from potential Turkish attacks and the inadequacy of their military forces to cover such vast regions and provide adequate security. The refusal by the SDF to accept the U.S. proposal has prompted Washington to explore alternatives, including closer collaboration with Arab tribes in Hassakeh, Deir-ez-Zor, and Raqqa. In exchange for their participation in the new project, temptations may be offered to diminish the SDFs influence over Arab regions, while empowering the newly formed Arab forces in the area. This information was reported by Al-Akhbar.. In pursuit of this objective, the American authorities have engaged in a series of meetings with prominent Arab tribal leaders in Deir-ez-Zor and Hassakeh. Four months ago, an American delegation visited the Kasra area in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, where they met with sheikhs and tribal notables from the region. These meetings were conducted without coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the presence of a representative. Additionally, another American delegation recently traveled to the area under the control of the Sanadid forces and met with their faction commander, Bandar Al-Jarba. During this period, a source from Athr Press in the al-Yarubiya area near the Iraqi border in Hassakeh governorate revealed that the idea of establishing an Arab force with American support had been contemplated for over a year and a half. The American forces had previously met with Sheikh Rafi Al-Harran from the Arab Shammar tribe in the Yarubiyah area, attracting the interest of several tribesmen. Consequently, a number of individuals affiliated with the SDF and the affiliated al-Sanadid forces withdrew, as the sheikh of the Arab Shammar tribe considered joining this force. However, the matter came to an abrupt halt without apparent reasons. Leaked information received by Athr suggests that the International Coalition forces led by Washington intend to replace some of the leaders they previously supported in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor. There are also plans to modify certain names, such as the Deir-ez-zor Military Council led by Ahmed Al-Khabil, who hails from the al-Akidat tribe. According to the leaks, there is a proposal to isolate al-Khabil and merge the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council with the forces that Washington aims to assemble in the near future. Regarding the anticipated outcomes of these American endeavours, a tribal source quoted by Al-Akhbar affirms that the individuals who attended the Kasra meeting lacked significant social influence in the region. The source explains that the prevailing sentiment in the area rejects any assault on the territories controlled by the Syrian army, and emphasizes the communitys aspiration for steps that foster reconciliation and restore the situation to its pre-war state. 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. Syria and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement to re-establish the path of economic cooperation and resume trade, according to al-Watan. The President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Hassan bin Mujeb al-Huwaizi, held a meeting with Muhammad Abu Al-Huda al-Lahham, the President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, and his accompanying delegation during their participation in the Arab-Chinese Business Conference held in Riyadh. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), both parties reached an agreement to re-establish the path of economic cooperation and resume trade, investment activities, and events between Saudi Arabia and Syria. The members of the Syrian delegation expressed their gratitude for the Kingdoms supportive stance towards Syria and its people. They acknowledged the significant progress achieved by the Kingdom and expressed the Syrian business sectors eagerness to enter the Saudi market and invest in various economic sectors. During the meeting, the two sides emphasized the importance of exchanging visits between trade delegations, facilitating investment opportunities for investors in both countries and establishing economic forums to enhance the path of economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations. 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. KALAMA The search for a new Kalama School District superintendent has been narrowed to three finalists, with the current superintendents last day getting closer, the district said. Current Superintendent Eric Nerison will officially leave his position June 30, with the school board deciding on three potential replacements since Nerison announced he was leaving the district to be near family in the Puget Sound. The school board has not had to search for a new superintendent since approving Nerison in March 2015, and they expect to decide by the end of this week. The district is also hosting public forums this week at the Kalama Middle School Commons, so people can get to know who might take over for Nerison, the district said in a news release Friday. A remote option is available on the school districts website. The three candidates include a superintendent in Montana, an elementary school principal in Forks and a school equity director from Las Vegas, Nevada. Matthew Holshouser, principal at an elementary school in the Quillayute Valley School District in Forks for the last five years, had a forum scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Kalama Middle School commons. Holshouser has also served as a middle school principal in Port Townsend as part of a 25-year career, the news release says. He got his masters degree in education from Montana State University in Bozeman. Stay up to date on Lower Columbia news, wherever you go Easily access the latest Lower Columbia news in an app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you. Holshouser touts his ability to implement and foster positive school community culture, design and implement effective school-wide policies, programming, and curriculum, as well as ensure and model a safe, positive learning environment for all students, the district said. Brandon Carranco-Moeller is another candidate vying for the position, coming off a five-year stint as the director of the Clark County School District Equity and Diversity Education Department in Las Vegas. In this role, Carranco-Moeller is responsible for assessing, creating, implementing, and evaluating district-wide diversity initiatives that support access, opportunity, and an equitable learning environment for all staff and students, the district stated in its news release. Carranco-Moeller has a masters degree in education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. His public forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Kalama Middle School commons. PHOTOS: Kalama High School's 2023 Commencement Close Graduates walk onto the field at the beginning of the Kalama High School commencement ceremony at Chinook Stadium on Friday, June 9, in Kalama. Levi Martinez and Irene Martinez take a selfie after walking down the aisle at the Kalama High School commencement ceremony at Chinook Stadium on Friday, June 9, in Kalama. Valedictorian Elyse DiCristina delivers her speech to her classmates, staff and audience at the Kalama High School graduation ceremony on Friday, June 9. Other Valedictorians included Elliana Norton, Alena Ross and Ellie Shipley. Ren Cruser hugs a staff member after receiving a faculty award at the 2023 Kalama Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9 at Chinook Stadium. A man videos a portion of the Kalama High School Graduation at Chinook Stadium on Friday. Two graduates laugh as they walk down the aisle together at the Kalama High School Commencement Ceremony on Friday. Principal Heidi Bunker sports Kalama-themed Converse sneakers at the Kalama High School Commencement on Friday, June 9, at Chinook Stadium. +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 The third candidate is Thom Peck, who has served as Lewiston School Districts superintendent in Lewiston, Montana for the last five years. Peck has a masters in education from Seattle Pacific University. During his 25-year career, the news release states, hes served as principal, assistant principal, and superintendent in Montanas Box Elder and Charlo school districts. Pecks forums is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Kalama Middle School commons. How to attend virtually What: Virtual community forum for Kalama School District superintendent candidates Meeting link for all three forums: tinyurl.com/nxhxu3yn Meeting ID: 846 4069 4542 Passcode: 087921 Artificial intelligence tools will revolutionise education like calculators did, but will not supplant learning, ChatGPT's founder Sam Altman told students in Tokyo on Monday, defending the new technology. "Probably take-home essays are never going to be quite the same again," the OpenAI chief said in remarks at Keio University. "We have a new tool in education. Sort of like a calculator for words," he said. "And the way we teach people is going to have to change and the way we evaluate students is going to have to change." ChatGPT has captured the world's imagination with its capacity to generate human-like conversations, writing and translations in seconds. But it has raised concern across many sectors, including in education, where some worry students will abuse the tool or turn to it rather than producing original work. Altman was in the Japanese capital as part of a world tour where he is meeting business and political leaders to discuss possibilities and regulations for AI. He has regularly urged politicians to draft regulations for AI, warning "if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong". "The tools we have are still extremely primitive relative to tools we are going to have in a couple of years," he said Monday, again urging safety measures and regulation. He said he felt "positive" about new regulatory frameworks for AI after meeting world leaders, without offering details, but reiterated his fears. "We will feel super responsible, no matter how it goes wrong," he said. He also repeated previous attempts to calm fears that AI could make many existing jobs obsolete, though he conceded that "some jobs will go away". "I don't think it is going to quite have the employment impact that people expect," he added, insisting that "new classes of jobs" will emerge. "Almost all of the predictions are wrong," he said. 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 Microsoft logo in the Mobile World Congress 2023 in Barcelona, Spain, on March 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra, File People are hungry for accurate and reliable information online and may just need help to find it, according to a new media literacy project launched by Microsoft. The tech company worked with the Trust Project, a nonprofit consortium of news organizations, to create advertisements directing internet users to a list of eight " trust indicators " that can be used to assess a website's credibility. The indicators include things like the clear labeling of opinion pieces, a code of practices and the attribution of sources. Most people who saw the list expressed greater confidence in their own ability to find reliable news while ferreting out misinformationa promising finding that suggests media literacy can be a cheap and scalable solution to the daunting problem of online misinformation. "This was a bit of an experiment for us," said Ginny Badanes, senior director of Microsoft's Democracy Forward Initiative, a unit at the company that focuses on efforts to strengthen democracy and online journalism. "The world is changing very quickly and people need tools to equip themselves." The stakes are high. Misinformation on sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube has been blamed for encouraging political polarization, undermining trust in democratic institutions and promoting vaccine opposition, election denialism and violent extremism. The speed and power of the internet can make online misinformation seem like an unresolvable problem. Journalistic fact checks are effective, but they're labor intensive, aren't read by everyone, and won't convince those already distrustful of traditional journalism. Content moderation by tech companies is often inconsistent and only drives misinformation elsewhere, while prompting cries of censorship and bias. Efforts to regulate the internet are legally and politically challenging. Measures to promote critical thinking and media literacy, however, have shown remarkable success in helping people learn how to detect misinformation themselves. Google launched a series of videos on YouTube in Eastern Europe last year designed to teach people how misinformation works; the campaign was recently expanded to Germany. Often, claims masquerading as reliable news don't cite their sources, mix opinion and fact and use slanted stories or headlines designed to exploit powerful emotions like fear, anger or disgust. Legitimate news organizations, by contrast, will identify their sources, invite feedback, include diverse voices and hold their journalists to a code of conduct, said Sally Lehrman, a journalist and chief executive at the Trust Project. The ads were seen by users of Microsoft products and systems, including email. Over the course of six months, the ads prompted twice as many people to visit the project's site; 62% of those who visited the site said it helped them feel more confident about assessing online information. "I'm very encouraged by our results," Lehrman said, noting that short internet ads are a relatively cheap, easy solution compared to complicated and controversial government regulations or hit-or-miss efforts by tech companies. The need for media literacy has become more obvious as deepfakes and artificial intelligence makes misinformation easier than ever to spread, Lehrman said. But will people actually watch advertisements designed to help them become smarter consumers of news and information? Lehrman said the research shows that they willespecially when the ads are effective at grabbing people's attention. "Are we asking people to eat their broccoli? I always reject that because I think broccoli is delicious," she said. "But we have to make it delicious." 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: The overall flowchart of the team's proposed method. Credit: Sheng, Ai and Ling Machine learning models can help to solve several real-world problems faster and more efficiently. One among these problems involves synthesizing speech for both animated characters and human speakers based on the movements of their lips. To tackle this task, known as lip-to-speech (Lip2Speech) synthesis, machine learning models essentially learn to predict what spoken words would result from specific sequences of face and lip movements. Automating Lip2Speech synthesis could be useful for numerous use cases, for instance helping patients who cannot produce speech sounds to communicate with others, adding sound to silent movies, restoring speech in noisy or damaged videos, and even for determining what potential criminals are saying in voice-less CCTV footage. While some machine learnings for Lip2Speech applications achieved promising results, most of these models perform poorly in real-time and are not trained using so-called zero-shot learning approaches. Zero-shot learning essentially means that a pre-trained model can effectively make predictions related to data classes that it did not encounter during training. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China recently developed a new model for Lip2Speech synthesis that can produce personalized synthesized speech in zero-shot conditions. This approach, introduced in a paper published on the arXiv pre-print server, is based on a variational autoencoder, a generative model partly based on neural networks that encode and decode data. To effectively tackle Lip2Speech tasks in zero-shot conditions, machine learning models would typically need to extract additional information about speakers from reliable video recordings of them speaking. However, if only silent or unintelligible videos of their face speaking are available, this information cannot be accessed. The model created by this team of researchers could circumvent this issue, by generating speech that matches the appearance and identity of a given speaker without requiring recordings of the speaker's actual speech. "We propose a zero-shot personalized Lip2Speech synthesis method, in which face images control speaker identities," Zheng-Yan Sheng, Yang Ai, and Zhen-Hua Ling wrote in their paper. "A variational autoencoder is adopted to disentangle the speaker identity and linguistic content representations, which enables speaker embeddings to control the voice characteristics of synthetic speech for unseen speakers. Furthermore, we propose associated cross-modal representation learning to promote the ability of face-based speaker embeddings (FSE) on voice control." Sheng, Ai and Ling evaluated their model in a series of tests and found that it performed remarkably well, producing synthesized speech that matched both a speaker's lip movements and their age, gender and overall appearance. In the future, the new model could be used to create tools for a wide range of applications, including assistive applications for people with speech impairments, video editing tools and software to aid police investigations. "Extensive experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed method whose synthetic utterances are more natural and matching with the personality of input video than the compared methods," Sheng, Ai and Ling said. "To our best knowledge, this paper makes the first attempt on zero-shot personalized Lip2Speech synthesis with a face image rather than reference audio to control voice characteristics." More information: Zheng-Yan Sheng et al, Zero-shot personalized lip-to-speech synthesis with face image based voice control, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2305.14359 Journal information: arXiv 2023 Science X Network White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act over her "mega MAGA Republicans" remarks during her press briefing, according to a government watchdog agency. The Official of Special Counsel finds Jean-Pierre's remarks during the midterm elections in violation of the Hatch Act. White House Press Secretary Violated Hatch Act, Watchdog Finds A government watchdog agency has found that White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre has violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits her from influencing elections, after calling Republicans "mega MAGA" amid the 2022 midterm elections. As per the Washington Post, Jean-Pierre's comments during a press briefing crossed the line, as she referred to Republicans as "mega MAGA," the Office of the Special Counsel says, noting her violation of the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, restricts federal employees, including those working in the White House, such as the Press Secretary, from engaging in certain political activities. Its primary goal is to ensure public officials remain non-partisan and neutral. And as such, violation of the act is a serious offense and can lead to disciplinary actions, including dismissal from their position. Ana Galindo-Marrone says JeanPierre's statements during her briefing "violated the Hatch Act prohibition against using her official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election." The Special Counsel Office specifically pointed out that Jean-Pierre's use of the "mega MAGA Republicans" phrase while she was acting in her official capacity infringes on the 1939-enacted law. Read Also: Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom Karine Jean-Pierre 'Mega MAGA Republicans' Remarks According to The Daily Mail UK, the White House Press Secretary told reporters during her press briefing last November 2 that "we have seen mega MAGA Republican officials who [do not] believe in the rule of law." She further emphasized that the "mega MAGA Republicans" "refuse to accept the results of free and fair elections. Jean-Pierre adds that "they fan the flames of political violence through what they praise and what they refuse to condemn." She made these remarks during the November press briefing roughly less than a week before the polls for the midterm elections kick off. After the Press Secretary called Republicans "mega MAGA," the conservative watchdog "Protect The Public's Trust" filed a complaint to the Special Counsel Office, accusing Jean-Pierre of violating the Hatch Act. However, NBC News reports that the Office of Special Counsel "decided not to pursue disciplinary action" against the Press Secretary despite her Hatch Act violation. Instead, the government watchdog is sending a warning letter to Jean-Pierre." The Hatch Act Unit head told Protect the Public's Trust that they have "decided to close this matter without further action." Related Article: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on House Republicans' Tax Scam 2.0 @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. South Africa: Cele wraps up successful policing visit to China Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, has successfully wrapped up a five-day official visit to the Peoples Republic of China, ahead of the upcoming 15th BRICS Summit to be hosted in Johannesburg in August 2023. Cele led a delegation of senior officials from the South African Police Service (SAPS) headed by the Deputy National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili. The official visit to the Peoples Republic of China saw the South African and Chinese police delegations discuss, among other policing matters, the strengthening of China-South Africa practical law-enforcement cooperation and collaboration. The three-city tour to Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai was characterised by engagements with various key safety and security role players of China. China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, hosted Cele and the South African delegation on 8 June 2023. High on the agenda of the fruitful engagement was the establishment of a formal and rigorous policing exchange program of personnel capabilities and training between the two countries. The two Ministers also reflected on security preparations of the 15th BRICS summit to be hosted in Johannesburg, where President Xi Jinping will join other Head of States and attend the summit in August. Transnational and environmental crimes, the collaboration to deal with violent crimes in South Africa, through technological interventions and the safety of nationals residing in both countries also featured high on the agenda. Cele said they have no doubt that the fruitful security and safety discussions on this trip will be cemented and put into action in the shortest possible time. While we share a rich history with China and have had several cooperations with our law enforcements over the years, we are encouraged by the new avenues being explored to boost South African techniques in law enforcement with our Chinese counterparts. The first price for both our countries is a revived policing partnership that will translate to the safety of citizens and the improvement of policing through technology, specialised skills and modernised South African police service that is people orientated, Cele said. Engagements with the management and senior officials from the Chinese Department of Public Safety and the China Peoples Public Security University (CPPSU) ranked the most elite police academy in China; also formed part of the five-day official visit. Members from SAPS specialised units, including the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Special Task Force (STF) recently received combat and educational training and graduated from the university. Cele and the South African delegation also throughout the week in the Peoples Republic, visited police stations in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. The delegation noted the countrys police station models which serve as one-stop service centre points for residents promoting transparency and an open-door policy between police and the communities they serve. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-06-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Abundant harvest celebrated at China's largest seaweed production base People's Daily Online) 13:38, June 13, 2023 Aquaculture workers harvest seaweed in Rongcheng city, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo/Li Xinjun) In recent days, the seaweed farming base in Rongcheng city, east China's Shandong Province, has been bustling with activity as aquaculture workers make the most of favorable weather conditions to harvest seaweed. The sight of fishing boats filled to the brim with seaweed and returning to the harbor paints a striking scene. Rongcheng is China's largest seaweed production area, often dubbed the "hometown of Chinese seaweed." Spread across an expansive 10,000-hectare area, Rongcheng's seaweed production base leads the country in both size and output. On an annual basis, Rongcheng contributes to 80 percent of the total seaweed output in Shandong Province and accounts for over 40 percent of the entire country's production. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) (Photo : Giorgio Viera / AFP) (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) A group of young climate activists have brought a case to a Montana court alleging that the state's policies are endangering their future by exacerbating global warming. Young climate activists bring a case to Montana alleging that the state's policies endanger their future The case was brought on behalf of 16 young people who were between the ages of two and 18 when the litigation began The litigation also questions what, if anything, policymakers owe the next generations as climate change worsens A group of young climate activists is bringing a case to Montana court alleging that the state's policies are exacerbating the effects of global warming, thus endangering their future as a generation. The trial was set to begin on Monday, and the case was brought on behalf of 16 young climate activists between the ages of two and 18 when the litigation began. Now, the group is between the ages of five and 22, based on data from the plaintiffs' website. Climate Activists Bring Case to Montana Court The litigation also raised concern and questions regarding what, if anything, policymakers owe to young people and future generations as climate change worsens. The situation is set to bring about unprecedented floods, wildfires, and heatwaves, as per The Hill. The case brought in Montana concerns the state's environmental review processes that permit energy and other infrastructure projects. The young plaintiffs specifically challenge a law in Montana that bars the consideration of the effects of climate change in this process. The activists' case invokes Montana's Constitution, which gives residents of the state the right to a "clean and healthful environment." Judge Kathy Seely wrote in a recent court order that the limitation on climate considerations "clearly implicates Plaintiffs' fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment." However, the state argued that what the plaintiffs are asking for is not plausible. A spokeswoman for Montana Attorney-General Austin Knudsen, Emilee Cantrell, said in a statement that the case should never have even made it to trial. Read Also: NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell Abruptly Resigns, Blindsiding City Hall Addressing the Effects of Global Warming On top of the case in Montana, a second climate suit based on environmental rights contained in a state Constitution will go to trial in a few months in Hawaii. According to the New York Times, this comes as the United States Supreme Court has just opened the door to trials possibly proceeding in several long-running climate cases where cities and states have filed lawsuits against oil companies. A plaintiff among the group of young activists, Rikki Held, was among the first ones to testify in Monday's trial. She described how her family's 3,000-acre ranch in eastern Montana had been threatened by droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather, including heat waves and floods. Held, at times, grew tearful while talking about her experiences working through those harsh conditions while also trying to maintain her family's livelihood. She said that she knew climate change was a global issue but noted that the state of Montana needs to take responsibility for its part. On the other hand, state leaders have opposed the accusations, calling the proceedings a show trial and a "gross injustice." In the state's opening statement, an assistant attorney general, Michael Russell, said that Montana's emissions are too minuscule to make any difference, said the New York Times. Related Article: Biden Bribery Scheme: Audio Recordings with Burisima Exec Prove Allegations Exist @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Using new fitness traits like heat tolerance and grazing behavior, Milt Thomas, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Department of Animal Science professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is determined to help improve beef cattle systems in South Texas. Thomas, who has made a name for himself in beef cattle circles around the world, returned to his alma mater this past year to take on the beef cattle systems research program at Beeville, a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi. He earned his bachelors degree in animal science and his masters in dairy science-reproductive physiology, both from the University of Missouri, Columbia, before coming to Texas A&M University to earn a doctorate in reproductive physiology. Thomas completed his doctoral research at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Beeville, studying beef cattle reproduction and that was the beginning of the age of molecular biology and DNA studies, he said, which really propelled his interests. The livestock breeding world wanted to incorporate DNA technologies, and I started down that path, Thomas said. My interest in genomics took my wife and me around the world. Thomas spent 15 years in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University, NMSU, serving as the Gerald Thomas Chair in Food Production and Natural Resources. While there, he was involved in breeding Angus, Brangus and Brahman cattle for the Chihuahuan Desert. This, he said, was a great experience to prepare for breeding Angus cattle for tolerance to high altitudes in Colorado and Wyoming when he went to Colorado State University, CSU, as a professor and the John E. Rouse Chair of Beef Cattle Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Animal Sciences. His research collaborations at NMSU and CSU took him to Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Brazil and France before Thomas returned to his Texas roots and moved to his familys ranch in Goliad County, near the community of Weesatche. Building on tradition, but turning the corner Now Thomas is using that experience to help the Texas A&M AgriLife beef cattle research program at Beeville turn a corner that will complement the more than 100 years of important intensive animal science research and 50 years of reproductive research. Its time to make some changes, Thomas said, about taking over the program. We have changed these cattle a lot over the years, and they are very good at some things like growth and carcass size. Weve been highly successful. But our amount of knowledge and data about how one cow grazes differently than another is very minimal. Cattle in subtropical climates such as the Gulf Coast of Texas are challenged by high temperatures and humidity, so most are Bos indicus- or Brahman-influenced. Thomass latest research project will characterize the genetic variation of grazing traits in a subtropical environment and investigate how these traits are influenced by ambient temperature and humidity. This research will be a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will include moving a portion of the Germplasm Evaluation, GPE, project conducted by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska to the Beeville station. The project will evaluate Brahman-crosses, Beefmaster, Brangus and Santa Gertrudis cattle in a subtropical environment. The project will also study the genetics of grazing traits, which meshes with the long-running forage agronomy program at the AgriLife Research station in Beeville. Down in Beeville, its hot and humid, so we need heat-tolerant animals. Deciding on the animals to use for studies led us to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska, one of the worlds largest animal ag research facilities. They cover every phase of animal science. The GPE includes 3,700 cows from the 18 most popular breeds in the U.S. Within it are the four heat- tolerant breeds Brahman, Beefmaster, Brangus and Santa Gertrudis, which all make their home in Texas but they were being evaluated in Nebraska. Now, we are collaborating, and the new home of a portion of the heat-tolerant cattle in the GPE is the AgriLife Research station at Beeville. We have already moved 120 females and seven bulls to Beeville. And, well have about 60 calves born this spring. We will now do the study of the heat tolerance for this project. We will grow the calves and collect weaning weights, etc. Some of the heat-tolerant cattle will remain in Nebraska, so we can better understand how much the subtropical environment of the Texas Gulf Coast influences these cattle. This type of research is called the study of gene-by-environment interaction, known as a G x E project. Hilltoppers or bottom dwellers: Its all in the genes Thomas said over the years, the genetic selection of beef cattle has helped livestock performance improve. The primary tool of genetic selection of beef cattle is expected progeny difference, EPD, which merges progeny records, pedigree and genomic information to estimate breeding values. For EPD, the environmental effects are adjusted out by contemporary grouping, which compares the genetics of cattle raised at the same location, age and sex, etc. However, theres still a great need to better understand the effects of the environment on cattle, how these environmental effects are accounted for in the breeding value estimation processes, and most importantly, develop new traits to foster sustainability of beef cattle production systems. Specific examples he gave of fitness traits that have received investment in the past five to 10 years are feed efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, hair-shedding, susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease, pulmonary arterial pressure for high mountain disease and feedlot heart disease, cow longevity and grazing distribution. The one thing Thomas said they will bring new to the GPE is grazing traits, or sustainability traits. That meshes well with the forage and agronomy grassland scientific team led by Jamie Foster, Ph.D., AgriLife Research forage agronomist in Beeville. Thomas said the concentration on the genetics of grazing distribution continues his research in the western U.S. funded through a USDA program called Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, WSARE. We observed hilltoppers and bottom dwellers, as there are cows that are lazy and hang around the water trough and those that go take a hike every day and thats where our data and results revealed a big genetic component to explore. Were at a phase in the history of agriculture where we always talk about sustainability. He said cattle need to do better in the future by walking around and eating grass, as opposed to the ones that just stand around waiting to be fed. How sustainable is it when we have to deliver expensive feeds to these cattle that could make it by being better at grazing? Building on 50 years of reproductive research Moving forward, Thomas said the research program at the AgriLife Research station in Beeville will be about beef systems combining beef reproduction with extensive grassland and forage agronomy work. If part of the research team is studying the health of the grassland, what better way to work with them than find out more about the animals grazing that land. He said he found when studying the genetics of grazing with western ranchers that one of their challenges was their landscape included running water, but the grazing lease typically was owned by a public entity. There was lots of concern by those public entities about cows being in the riparian areas creeks and streams and rivers. There was need to keep those cows out of the water and degrading stream health and habitat. In surveys, ranchers were willing to pay more money for bulls if they knew the bull would sire daughters that were hilltoppers rather than bottom dwellers. South Texas has the same type of interest how to manage the landscape better. Cows are cows; we know they will always overgraze part of the pasture and under graze other parts. The more that cow will do on her own, the more sustainable that system is. Thomas said when the AgriLife Research station in Beeville started studying beef cows, most cows weighed 1,000 pounds or less. Today, cows weigh 1,300 to 1,500 pounds. Thats where the sustainability issue comes in the cost and how they impact the land. GPE animals are an ideal set of animals to study this. The study includes not only the four heat-tolerant breeds but also involves the Hereford, Red Angus and Charolais breeds. We started bringing GPE cattle to the Beeville station in January, and the first calves are being born now. There are 60 cows, 60 heifers and seven bulls. We already have the first data points, birthweights on the calves as theyre born. And the heifers were weaned in Nebraska, and we are collecting hair-shedding scores on them as the temperature warms this spring. Next, they will implement two different tools to determine grazing patterns. One is an ear tag with a solar device that will send GPS signals on a cows location and how much she is moving. The other device is a bolus placed in the rumen with a receiver at the water trough uploading data to a cloud-computing system. This accelerometer will tell us how much the cow moves, when they drink water, and their body temperature. The larger beef cow needs more grass to eat, and most of the systems we water our livestock with are way outdated. We are no longer watering a 1,000-pound cow anymore, but sometimes a 1,500-pound lactating cow and calf. A cow of this size nursing a calf needs 30 gallons of water per day. We need to make sure our water troughs are big enough. When we start releasing a lot of these data and results, I think the ranching community is going to be somewhat alarmed that we need to do some things differently, Thomas said. Marci Rodgers remembers the day the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum opened on Texas A&M Universitys campus in November 1997. Now, 26 years later, her pride for the library keeps her coming back. As a volunteer at the library, Rodgers usually leads tours for school groups but during the summer she gets involved in the librarys special events, like the Bush Birthday Tribute. She served ice cream to attendees of the birthday celebration Monday in honor of the late presidents 99th birthday and his late wife Barbaras 98th birthday on June 8. Im so proud of this library to be in our community, she said. I want to be a part of this. This is huge. The free event offered guests birthday cake, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments in the librarys rotunda. Rodgers, a College Station resident who wore pearls to the event in honor of the former first lady, said what she remembers most about the Bushes was their kindness. They would come through all the time which made it special to have a living president, she said. I would take school groups and if they were in the library, they were always so kind to stop and talk to the children. Bush chose A&M as the location of his presidential library after the persistence of alum Michael Halbouty, who first pitched the idea to the president just weeks after he was elected. The library doesnt just attract Aggies and Bryan-College Station community members, but also individuals from around the world, volunteer Byron Stebbins said. To me, its the people, he said. Not only that we get to volunteer with, but the ones that come, like Saturday I had folks from Italy, and all over the states. Two Saturdays ago, we had a group from the Defense Language Institute in San Antonio, and there [were people from] Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal. Just talking with those folks, thats what makes it pretty neat. Stebbins, who has been volunteering at the library since his retirement in January, said Bush reflected the Aggie Core Values throughout his life and time as president. Selfless service is probably the biggest one, he said. I mean you look at all of them, integrity and respect and loyalty and leadership, thats where its all at. Augustine Jordan drove two hours to attend the celebration with her church group from Houston. Being her first time to visit, Jordan said she was impressed by the library and all it has to offer. [Im] in awe of how well they put this together, she said. And all the things theyre showing us when I saw the big airplane back there I was startled. All the beautiful pictures its wonderful. Barbra Weiss was also visiting the library for the first time. She brought her granddaughters to the event so they could learn more about the legacy the Bushes left behind. Harper is my granddaughter from California, she said We wanted to come and shes asking all kinds of questions about the president. We had a lesson on the way over here about who the president was and today was his 99th birthday and his wifes was last week and she was 98. The library brings several benefits to the community, Rodgers said. It definitely puts our name on the map, she said. Its just the fact to have a presidential library, thats pretty impressive and just good for the community. The community is very involved. The volunteers here are very dedicated; a lot of them have been here and are here every week. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (OTCMKTS:FLYLF Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, a decline of 75.0% from the May 15th total of 800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:FLYLF remained flat at $0.64 on Monday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 600 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,504. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions has a 12 month low of $0.48 and a 12 month high of $0.88. The company has a fifty day moving average of $0.69 and a 200-day moving average of $0.72. Get FLYHT Aerospace Solutions alerts: About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions (Get Rating) See Also FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. engages in the provision of airlines with actionable intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, and delivers industry solutions. Its products and services include software as a service, hardware, licensing, and technical. The company was founded on September 17, 1998 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FLYHT Aerospace Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panasonic Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Rating) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 73,800 shares, a growth of 307.7% from the May 15th total of 18,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 244,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on PCRFY shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Panasonic from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Panasonic from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Get Panasonic alerts: Panasonic Stock Performance PCRFY traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $11.89. The stock had a trading volume of 340,522 shares, compared to its average volume of 160,224. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.23. Panasonic has a 1 year low of $6.66 and a 1 year high of $11.94. The stock has a market cap of $29.18 billion, a PE ratio of 14.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Panasonic Company Profile Panasonic ( OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.02 by $0.31. Panasonic had a return on equity of 7.25% and a net margin of 3.18%. The company had revenue of $16.29 billion during the quarter. Equities analysts anticipate that Panasonic will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current year. (Get Rating) Panasonic Holdings Corp. engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of electrical products. It operates through the following segments: Appliances, Life Solutions, Connected Solutions, Automotive, Industrial Solutions, and Others. The Appliances segment provides consumer electronics such as flat panels televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, video equipment, rice cookers, and vacuum cleaners. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Panasonic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Panasonic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EDP Energias de Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:EDPFY Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,700 shares, an increase of 210.7% from the May 15th total of 2,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 30,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. EDP Energias de Portugal Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS EDPFY traded up $0.32 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $50.24. 15,377 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 24,864. The stock has a market cap of $19.82 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.64. The companys fifty day moving average is $53.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.29. EDP Energias de Portugal has a fifty-two week low of $38.87 and a fifty-two week high of $57.63. Get EDP - Energias de Portugal alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised EDP Energias de Portugal from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. About EDP Energias de Portugal EDP-Energias de Portugal SA engages in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity and supply of gas. It operates through the following segments: Renewables, Networks, and Client Solutions & Energy Management. The Renewables segment engages in generation of electricity through renewable energy sources. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for EDP - Energias de Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EDP - Energias de Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alithya Group (TSE:ALYA Get Rating) had its price target boosted by Cormark from C$3.85 to C$4.00 in a research note released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. Separately, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Alithya Group from C$3.00 to C$3.50 in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Get Alithya Group alerts: Alithya Group Stock Down 1.6 % ALYA stock opened at C$2.39 on Friday. Alithya Group has a fifty-two week low of C$1.95 and a fifty-two week high of C$3.54. The companys 50 day moving average price is C$2.56 and its 200 day moving average price is C$2.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 73.09, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of C$209.99 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.95. About Alithya Group Alithya Group Inc provides strategy and digital technology services in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company's business strategy services include strategic consulting, digital transformation, organizational performance, and enterprise architecture services. It also provides application services, such as digital applications DevOps, legacy systems modernization, control and software engineering, cloud infrastructure, quality assurance, and automated testing; enterprise solutions comprising enterprise resource planning, corporate performance management, customer relationship management, and human capital management; and data and analytics solutions, including business intelligence, data management, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, as well as internet of things. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Alithya Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alithya Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Photo : Michael Ciaglo/ Getty Images) A Utah mom of three and children's book author suspected of killing her husband last year, Googled "luxury prisons for the rich" following his death. After her husband's death, Utah mother Kouri Richins, who allegedly murdered him and penned a children's book about grief, reportedly conducted extensive internet research, including about "luxury prisons for the rich" and how long it takes for life insurance to pay. According to KTVX, the 33-year-old mother of three who was charged with murder in March 2022 for allegedly slipping five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule she mixed for her husband, Eric Richins, had a Google search history that included disquieting queries. Utah Mom Kouri Richins Googled 'Luxury Prisons For The Rich' According to the news source, she searched the Internet for information about Utah's penitentiaries and luxury institutions for the wealthy in America. KTVX reported that Richins investigated whether investigators can see deleted messages, how long it takes life insurance companies to pay claimants, whether police can compel you to take a lie detector test, and whether the cause of death can be changed on a death certificate. According to the report, the suspect also viewed articles titled "Signs of Being Under Federal Investigation" and "Delay in Claim Payment for Death Certificate with Pending Cause of Death." Richins, the author of 'Are You with Me?' a children's book about coping with bereavement, reportedly accessed an article on how to employ someone to write a book for you. She also conducted numerous searches to determine if her family had donated to the Summit County Police Department. Her more banal searches included "How to undo micro blading," "What kind of doctor was Dr. Pepper," and "Lil Nas X married," according to reports. One expert told KTVX that Richins may have been attempting to comprehend the investigation's process and duration. Read Also: China Spying US From Cuba for Years, Biden Administration Reveals Kouri Richins Cries in Court Per NY Post, Richins allegedly purchased four $2 million life insurance policies on Eric without his knowledge years before the alleged homicide. Richins, according to the prosecution, obtained a $250,000 home equity line of credit and spent it, stole approximately $134,000 from Eric's business, withdrew $100,000 from his bank accounts, and spent more than $30,000 on his credit cards. According to court documents, he learned about his wife's private financial decisions in September 2020 and met with a divorce attorney and estate planner the following month. As part of his divorce proceedings, Eric had recently removed his wife from his will and altered his life insurance policy. She allegedly attempted to identify herself as the policy's beneficiary, but she was discovered and he reverted the change, re-adding his sister to the plan. Richins, 33, wept as a detective described discovering Eric Richin "cool to the touch" on Monday afternoon. Judge Richard E. Mrazik denied bail after prosecutors presented sufficient evidence in connection with her spouse Eric's death to necessitate denial. Eric was discovered in his Francis residence with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl, Crime Online reported. The judge ultimately denied parole, explaining that the possibility of a murder conviction "creates a potent incentive for a defendant to engage in desperate acts, such as harming themselves, harming their family members, or harming witnesses in the case." Related Article: Florida Mom Arrested for Leaving Kids in Car To Shoplift, Vehicle Then Catches Fire @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Paulson & CO. Inc. lessened its stake in AngloGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE:AU Get Rating) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 3,833,492 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 141,508 shares during the period. AngloGold Ashanti makes up about 6.7% of Paulson & CO. Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Paulson & CO. Inc.s holdings in AngloGold Ashanti were worth $74,446,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the first quarter worth $282,000. APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the first quarter worth $2,163,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 395.1% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 82,383 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,973,000 after acquiring an additional 65,743 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 51.6% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 2,050,334 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,572,000 after acquiring an additional 697,908 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 44.1% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,412,291 shares of the mining companys stock worth $33,457,000 after acquiring an additional 432,001 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.90% of the companys stock. Get AngloGold Ashanti alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have issued reports on AU. Investec cut AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley upgraded AngloGold Ashanti from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.00. AngloGold Ashanti Trading Down 0.6 % AngloGold Ashanti Profile Shares of AU traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $24.26. 640,529 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,167,168. AngloGold Ashanti Limited has a 52-week low of $11.94 and a 52-week high of $30.26. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.01. The company has a current ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. (Get Rating) AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. engages in the exploration, mining, and production of gold. It operates through the following business segments: Africa, Australia, and Americas. The Africa segment consists of Ghana, Guinea, the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Tanzania. The Americas segment comprises of Argentina, Brazil, and projects in Colombia and the United States. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AngloGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE:AU Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for AngloGold Ashanti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AngloGold Ashanti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT Get Rating) announced a dividend on Tuesday, June 13th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share on Tuesday, September 12th. This represents a yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 10th. This is an increase from Ashtead Groups previous dividend of $0.15. The official announcement can be viewed at this link. Ashtead Group Stock Performance LON AHT traded down GBX 6 ($0.08) during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching GBX 5,408 ($67.67). The stock had a trading volume of 723,472 shares, compared to its average volume of 738,185. The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 4,784.84 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 5,029.73. The stock has a market cap of 23.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,871.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.45. Ashtead Group has a 52-week low of GBX 3,269 ($40.90) and a 52-week high of GBX 6,012 ($75.23). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 154.56, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.22. Get Ashtead Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently commented on AHT. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 6,300 ($78.83) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 7,000 ($87.59) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Tuesday. Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,200 ($65.07) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a GBX 4,460 ($55.81) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Ashtead Group from GBX 5,500 ($68.82) to GBX 6,000 ($75.08) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 5,826.43 ($72.90). About Ashtead Group Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ashtead Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ashtead Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMK Get Rating)s share price was down 2.8% on Tuesday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $28.11 and last traded at $28.12. Approximately 48,775 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average daily volume of 129,504 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.92. Specifically, CFO Gary G. Zyla sold 8,958 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.83, for a total transaction of $240,343.14. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 89,597 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,403,887.51. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CFO Gary G. Zyla sold 8,958 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.83, for a total value of $240,343.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 89,597 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,403,887.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Carrie E. Hansen sold 855 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.61, for a total value of $25,316.55. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 156,693 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,639,679.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 32,389 shares of company stock worth $933,020. 2.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Get AssetMark Financial alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AMK has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of AssetMark Financial from $32.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of AssetMark Financial from $31.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised their price objective on shares of AssetMark Financial from $23.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AssetMark Financial presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $31.75. AssetMark Financial Trading Down 3.0 % Hedge Funds Weigh In On AssetMark Financial The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.74 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firms 50 day moving average is $29.55 and its 200 day moving average is $27.75. A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in AssetMark Financial by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 43,500 shares of the companys stock worth $968,000 after acquiring an additional 3,600 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in AssetMark Financial by 2.3% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 93,557 shares of the companys stock worth $2,081,000 after purchasing an additional 2,116 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of AssetMark Financial by 57.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 10,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 3,684 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in AssetMark Financial during the first quarter worth about $321,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in AssetMark Financial by 13.1% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 235,527 shares of the companys stock worth $5,242,000 after buying an additional 27,346 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.81% of the companys stock. AssetMark Financial Company Profile (Get Rating) AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc provides wealth management and technology solutions. The company was founded by Ronald Dennis Cordes, Brian OToole and Richard Steiny in 1996 and is headquartered in Concord, CA. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for AssetMark Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AssetMark Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Get Rating) by 0.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 84,671 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 731 shares during the quarter. Coca-Cola accounts for about 1.6% of Benedict Financial Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $5,386,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in KO. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 301,952,085 shares of the companys stock worth $16,915,357,000 after acquiring an additional 4,994,047 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 58,090,088 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,662,834,000 after purchasing an additional 4,147,833 shares during the period. Capital World Investors lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 61.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,764,084 shares of the companys stock worth $667,373,000 after buying an additional 4,095,881 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 141.0% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 6,834,434 shares of the companys stock worth $382,865,000 after buying an additional 3,998,128 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Coca-Cola by 1.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 363,258,425 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,349,737,000 after acquiring an additional 3,864,004 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.74% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Insider Transactions at Coca-Cola In related news, insider Henrique Braun sold 16,950 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total value of $1,085,308.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 26,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,682,196.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Henrique Braun sold 16,950 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total transaction of $1,085,308.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 26,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,682,196.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total transaction of $9,649,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $28,468,984.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 420,786 shares of company stock worth $26,886,224 in the last three months. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.3 % Several research firms have recently weighed in on KO. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $72.00 to $73.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Citigroup increased their price target on Coca-Cola from $71.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada set a $69.00 price objective on Coca-Cola in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.67. NYSE:KO traded up $0.18 on Tuesday, hitting $60.39. 3,364,049 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,266,659. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.15. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52 week low of $54.01 and a 52 week high of $65.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $261.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.41, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.55. The companys 50-day moving average price is $62.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $61.81. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The company reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.03. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 22.69% and a return on equity of 42.96%. The company had revenue of $11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.64 EPS. Coca-Colas revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current year. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th will be paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 80.70%. About Coca-Cola (Get Rating) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE:EGF Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, June 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.041 per share on Friday, June 30th. This represents a $0.49 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Price Performance BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.80. The company had a trading volume of 100 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,997. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $9.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.89. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund has a 52 week low of $9.24 and a 52 week high of $10.87. Get BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows An institutional investor recently raised its position in BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund stock. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE:EGF Get Rating) by 53.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,744 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Morgan Stanleys holdings in BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund were worth $56,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. About BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It primarily invests in a portfolio of United States government and government agency securities, including the U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (NYSEAMERICAN:BHV Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, June 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0265 per share on Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Stock Performance BHV traded up $0.02 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.60. 2,083 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,721. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust has a 52 week low of $10.40 and a 52 week high of $15.19. Get BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust by 37.2% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 4,975 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust by 62.3% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 12,681 shares of the companys stock worth $147,000 after buying an additional 4,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its stake in shares of BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust by 10.5% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 14,272 shares of the companys stock worth $162,000 after acquiring an additional 1,361 shares during the period. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Company Profile BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust operates as closed-end investment fund. The companys investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and Virginia personal income taxes. It seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and Virginia personal income taxes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA Get Rating) in a report issued on Friday. The firm issued a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock. China Green Agriculture Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CGA opened at $2.92 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 2.76. The business has a 50-day moving average of $3.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.00. China Green Agriculture has a 12 month low of $2.58 and a 12 month high of $7.80. Get China Green Agriculture alerts: China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter. China Green Agriculture had a negative return on equity of 12.31% and a negative net margin of 12.95%. The company had revenue of $45.26 million during the quarter. Institutional Investors Weigh In On China Green Agriculture China Green Agriculture Company Profile Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in shares of China Green Agriculture by 67.8% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,051 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $192,000 after buying an additional 7,700 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new position in China Green Agriculture in the first quarter valued at about $115,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in China Green Agriculture in the first quarter valued at about $175,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.14% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) China Green Agriculture, Inc engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various types of fertilizers and agricultural products. It operates through the following segments: Jinong, Gufeng, and Yuxing. The Jinong segment includes fertilizer products, with focus on humic acid-based compound fertilizer. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China Green Agriculture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Green Agriculture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,700 shares, a decrease of 95.3% from the May 15th total of 36,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 89,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group cut China Merchants Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Get China Merchants Bank alerts: China Merchants Bank Stock Performance Shares of China Merchants Bank stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $24.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 21,938 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,401. The firm has a market cap of $121.16 billion, a PE ratio of 6.14 and a beta of 0.58. China Merchants Bank has a 52 week low of $16.04 and a 52 week high of $33.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $24.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.80. China Merchants Bank Company Profile China Merchants Bank ( OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 24th. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. China Merchants Bank had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 15.50%. The firm had revenue of $10.84 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that China Merchants Bank will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current year. (Get Rating) China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services. It operates through Wholesale Finance Business, Retail Finance Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers current, demand, time, call, savings, notice, and renminbi accounts. Its loan products include personal commercial real estate, consumption, housing, and car loans; loans to finance for studying abroad; micro-business loans; mortgage loans for equipment; joint guarantee, special guarantee, and housing mortgage loan; bank acceptance, discount, liquid capital, and fixed asset loans; and loans for vessels. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Copper Mountain Mining Co. (TSE:CMMC Get Rating) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$2.58. A number of research firms have recently commented on CMMC. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Copper Mountain Mining from C$3.00 to C$2.75 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. TD Securities cut shares of Copper Mountain Mining from a buy rating to a tender rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from C$2.50 to C$2.75 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Copper Mountain Mining from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. National Bankshares lowered their price target on shares of Copper Mountain Mining from C$2.65 to C$2.60 and set a tender rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Copper Mountain Mining from C$2.20 to C$2.60 in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Get Copper Mountain Mining alerts: Copper Mountain Mining Price Performance Shares of Copper Mountain Mining stock opened at C$2.36 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 50.36. Copper Mountain Mining has a 12 month low of C$1.23 and a 12 month high of C$2.78. The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$2.43 and a 200 day moving average of C$2.15. The firm has a market cap of C$505.94 million, a PE ratio of -8.14, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 2.73. Insider Buying and Selling Copper Mountain Mining Company Profile In other news, insider Zeta Resources Limited sold 200,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$2.60, for a total transaction of C$520,000.00. 3.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. (Get Rating) Copper Mountain Mining Corporation operates as a mining company in Canada. The company explores for copper, gold, and silver deposits. Its flagship asset is the Copper Mountain mine that comprise 138 crown granted mineral claims, 149 located mineral claims, 14 mining leases, and 12 fee simple properties covering an area of 6,702 hectares located to the south of Princeton, British Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Copper Mountain Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Copper Mountain Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 0.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,165 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the period. Bristol-Myers Squibb makes up approximately 3.1% of Delos Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Delos Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $2,026,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oxford Financial Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Oxford Financial Group Ltd. now owns 7,342 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the period. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC now owns 173,744 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,501,000 after purchasing an additional 669 shares during the period. Vident Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 23.4% in the 4th quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC now owns 90,263 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,494,000 after purchasing an additional 17,089 shares during the period. Advisor Partners II LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 84,962 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,113,000 after purchasing an additional 7,720 shares during the period. Finally, Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LP bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $305,000. 75.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BMY shares. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays reduced their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Credit Suisse Group reduced their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.62. Insider Transactions at Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Down 0.0 % In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total transaction of $3,378,818.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. NYSE:BMY opened at $64.77 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $67.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42. The company has a market cap of $136.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $63.07 and a 52-week high of $81.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.96 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.06 EPS for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Get Rating) Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NASA warned that an asteroid the size of a bridge, which is "potentially dangerous," is passing by Earth this week. The space agency warned that two more asteroids are barreling near our home planet in the same period. NASA Warns 'Potentially Dangerous' Asteroid is Passing By Earth As per a report by Live Science, the asteroid, named 1994 XD, is estimated to be about 1,500 feet wide or roughly the same size as the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory says. Besides the Brooklyn Bridge, the asteroid resembles the size of the iconic Dubai building, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building here on Earth. The giant rock is passing by within 1.9 million miles of our home planet, Earth. And as such, the asteroid brings no danger of hitting our humble abode. ABC 7 Chicago notes that the distance is around eight times the average between our home planet and the moon. In perspective, it is closer than Venus by roughly 20 times. While this may seem like a safe distance, it is still considered "potentially dangerous" because it is large enough to cause significant damage if it impacts Earth. So even if an asteroid typically barrels nearby our planet, the 1994 XD receives NASA's special classification, filing it under "potentially hazardous object." The space agency also notes that its proximity plays a role in its classification. Besides its size, the giant rock passes by Earth at extreme speeds. NASA Center for Near Earth Object Studies says that the asteroid travels up to 48,000 miles per hour, making it impossible for our naked eyes to see. Read Also: NASA Mysterious Orb Report: More Sightings Worldwide Underscores Need for Better Data Two More Asteroids to Barrel Nearby Earth According to the Jerusalem Post, two more asteroids are passing by Earth this week after the 1994 XD's close encounter. Both additional asteroids are nearly as big as an average airplane. Asteroid 2023 LA, about 53 meters in diameter and as large as 133 bottlenose dolphins, is passing by our home planet. On the other hand, the other asteroid is around 38 meters in diameter. It is estimated to be the same size as seven beluga whales combined. Live Science notes that a recent study states that the Earth is free from the risks of asteroids hitting us for the next 1,000 years. But despite that, asteroids are passing by our home planet occasionally. While the potential of smashing our planet is still far-fetched, NASA and other space agencies are already gearing up to tackle the possible scenario. The US space agency concluded its Double Asteroid Redirection Test or DART mission in 2022, smashing an asteroid with a rocket to alter its direction away from us. Related Article: Firefly Sets August Target for Launch of Batch of NASA CubeSats @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Embraer S.A. (NYSE:ERJ Get Rating) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $19.25. ERJ has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded Embraer from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Embraer from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Embraer from $11.75 to $17.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on Embraer from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Get Embraer alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Embraer A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Toroso Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Embraer by 60.7% in the first quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 78,734 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,289,000 after buying an additional 29,732 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Embraer by 16.5% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 13,005 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $213,000 after purchasing an additional 1,846 shares during the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Embraer by 12.9% in the first quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 29,474 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $482,000 after purchasing an additional 3,370 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans bought a new position in Embraer during the 1st quarter worth approximately $349,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Embraer by 427.0% during the 1st quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 23,207 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $380,000 after buying an additional 18,803 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 37.89% of the companys stock. Embraer Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of ERJ stock opened at $16.11 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $15.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.44. Embraer has a 1-year low of $7.91 and a 1-year high of $16.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Embraer (NYSE:ERJ Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The aerospace company reported ($0.48) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.03) by ($0.45). The firm had revenue of $716.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.45 million. Embraer had a positive return on equity of 0.65% and a negative net margin of 0.08%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Embraer will post 1.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Embraer Company Profile (Get Rating) Embraer SA engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of aircraft and its parts for commercial, defense, and executive aviation sectors. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Aviation, Defense and Security, Executive Jet Business, Service & Support and Others. The Commercial Aviation segment is involved in the development, production, and sale of commercial jets; and the provision of support services to regional aviation and aircraft leasing. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Embraer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Embraer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:EQX Get Rating) traded down 2.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $4.67 and last traded at $4.67. 564,946 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 2,240,592 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.78. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Equinox Gold from C$6.50 to C$5.75 in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. TD Securities cut their target price on shares of Equinox Gold from C$8.00 to C$7.50 in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Equinox Gold from C$7.50 to C$6.50 in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, National Bank Financial cut their target price on shares of Equinox Gold from C$6.25 to C$6.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. Get Equinox Gold alerts: Equinox Gold Trading Down 1.5 % The firm has a market cap of $1.47 billion, a PE ratio of -19.92 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 2.11 and a current ratio of 3.30. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Equinox Gold ( NYSEAMERICAN:EQX Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.05. Equinox Gold had a negative net margin of 7.14% and a negative return on equity of 3.23%. The company had revenue of $234.10 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that Equinox Gold Corp. will post -0.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Privium Fund Management B.V. lifted its position in shares of Equinox Gold by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Privium Fund Management B.V. now owns 38,890 shares of the companys stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Equinox Gold by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 122,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after acquiring an additional 2,474 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Equinox Gold by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 45,595 shares of the companys stock valued at $377,000 after acquiring an additional 2,500 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Equinox Gold by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 58,641 shares of the companys stock valued at $485,000 after acquiring an additional 2,669 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Equinox Gold by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 316,923 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,626,000 after acquiring an additional 2,879 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 29.56% of the companys stock. Equinox Gold Company Profile (Get Rating) Equinox Gold Corp. is a growth-focused mining company, which engages in the exploration of gold mining properties. Its projects include Greenstone Project, Los Filos Expansion, Aurizona Expansion, and Castle Mountain Expansion. The company was founded by Marc Pais on March 23, 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Equinox Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equinox Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:FEN Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,900 shares, an increase of 289.1% from the May 15th total of 4,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 64,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FEN. MML Investors Services LLC purchased a new position in First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,264,000. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund by 182.7% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 215,269 shares of the companys stock worth $3,492,000 after purchasing an additional 139,109 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund by 149.9% in the 1st quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 195,137 shares of the companys stock worth $2,533,000 after acquiring an additional 117,055 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund by 18.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 497,098 shares of the companys stock worth $7,054,000 after acquiring an additional 77,270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund in the 4th quarter worth $736,000. Get First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund alerts: First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Trading Down 1.2 % NYSEAMERICAN:FEN traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $12.73. 45,866 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 66,496. First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund has a 52-week low of $12.03 and a 52-week high of $16.46. First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Announces Dividend First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Company Profile The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 24th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 21st. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.43%. (Get Rating) First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. It is co-managed by Energy Income Partners, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector, including companies in the business of transporting, processing, storing, distributing, or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products, coal or electricity, or exploring, developing, managing or producing such commodities or products, or in supplying energy-related products and services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Golden Star Resources Ltd. (TSE:GSC Get Rating) (NYSE:GSS) shares traded down 0.8% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$4.96 and last traded at C$4.96. 124,735 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 263% from the average session volume of 34,347 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$5.00. Golden Star Resources Trading Down 0.8 % The firm has a market cap of C$574.00 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -49.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 370.50, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.44. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$4.96. Golden Star Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) Golden Star Resources Ltd. operates as a gold mining and exploration company. The company owns and operates the Wassa open-pit gold mine, the Wassa underground mine, and a carbon-in-leach processing plant located to the northeast of the town of Tarkwa, Ghana; and the Bogoso gold mining and processing operation, the Prestea open-pit mining operations, and the Prestea underground mine located near the town of Prestea, Ghana. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Golden Star Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Golden Star Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American States Water (NYSE:AWR Get Rating) and Severn Trent (OTCMKTS:STRNY Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk and profitability. Valuation and Earnings This table compares American States Water and Severn Trents revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get American States Water alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American States Water $491.53 million 6.56 $78.40 million $2.66 32.80 Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A $0.82 41.22 American States Water has higher revenue and earnings than Severn Trent. American States Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Severn Trent, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American States Water 2 2 0 0 1.50 Severn Trent 1 2 4 0 2.43 This is a breakdown of current recommendations for American States Water and Severn Trent, as reported by MarketBeat. American States Water presently has a consensus price target of $88.67, suggesting a potential upside of 1.62%. Given American States Waters higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe American States Water is more favorable than Severn Trent. Dividends American States Water pays an annual dividend of $1.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of $1.47 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. American States Water pays out 59.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Severn Trent pays out 179.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. American States Water has increased its dividend for 68 consecutive years. Insider & Institutional Ownership 74.1% of American States Water shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.1% of Severn Trent shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of American States Water shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares American States Water and Severn Trents net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American States Water 18.12% 12.74% 4.51% Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A Summary American States Water beats Severn Trent on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About American States Water (Get Rating) American States Water Company, through its subsidiaries, provides water and electric services to residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Water, Electric, and Contracted Services. The company purchases, produces, distributes, and sells water, as well as distributes electricity. As of December 31, 2022, American States Water Company provided water service to 263,265 customers located throughout 10 counties in the State of California; and distributed electricity to 24,705 customers in San Bernardino County mountain communities in California. The company also provides water and/or wastewater services, including the operation, maintenance, and construction of facilities at the water and/or wastewater systems at various military installations. American States Water Company was incorporated in 1929 and is headquartered in San Dimas, California. About Severn Trent (Get Rating) Severn Trent PLC operates as a water and sewerage company in England and Wales. It operates in two segments, Regulated Water and Waste Water, and Business Services. The Regulated Water and Waste Water segment offers water and waste water services to approximately 4.8 million households and businesses in the Midlands and Wales. The Business Services segment generates renewable energy from anaerobic digestion, hydropower, wind turbines, and solar technology; manages and sells land; and offers search services. It also provides contract services to municipal and industrial clients in the United Kingdom; and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense for design, build, and operation of water and waste water treatment facilities and networks, as well as services to developers. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Coventry, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for American States Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American States Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $63.83 and last traded at $63.80, with a volume of 766996 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.61. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Up 1.9 % The stock has a market cap of $11.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $59.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $57.56. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Japan ETF Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $441,000. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $232,000. Prostatis Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,015,000. Centaurus Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $990,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 621.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 5,577 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $327,000 after purchasing an additional 4,804 shares in the last quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:KFS Get Rating) (TSE:KFS) Director Gregory Paul Hannon sold 24,762 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.72, for a total transaction of $215,924.64. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,551,933 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,252,855.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Gregory Paul Hannon also recently made the following trade(s): Get Kingsway Financial Services alerts: On Thursday, March 23rd, Gregory Paul Hannon purchased 22,000 shares of Kingsway Financial Services stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $8.96 per share, for a total transaction of $197,120.00. Kingsway Financial Services Price Performance NYSE KFS traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $8.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 161,359 shares, compared to its average volume of 69,170. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.43. Kingsway Financial Services Inc. has a 52 week low of $5.15 and a 52 week high of $10.60. Analysts Set New Price Targets Kingsway Financial Services ( NYSE:KFS Get Rating ) (TSE:KFS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The insurance provider reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Kingsway Financial Services had a negative return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 56.73%. The business had revenue of $26.39 million during the quarter. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Kingsway Financial Services in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. TheStreet raised shares of Kingsway Financial Services from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kingsway Financial Services A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Greenhaven Road Investment Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Kingsway Financial Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,478,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Kingsway Financial Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $362,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 163.6% during the first quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 49,547 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $437,000 after buying an additional 30,748 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kingsway Financial Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $475,000. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 32.0% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 44,302 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $390,000 after buying an additional 10,746 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.99% of the companys stock. Kingsway Financial Services Company Profile (Get Rating) Kingsway Financial Services, Inc operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Extended Warranty and Leased Real Estate. The Extended Warranty segment provides after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kingsway Financial Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kingsway Financial Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Leju (NYSE:LEJU Get Rating) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Leju Trading Up 21.5 % Shares of NYSE:LEJU opened at $2.15 on Friday. Leju has a one year low of $1.03 and a one year high of $9.84. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.54. Get Leju alerts: Leju Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Articles Leju Holdings Ltd. engages in the provision of online-to-offline real estate services. It offers electronic commerce, online advertising, and listing services on new residential property sales. The company was founded on November 20, 2013 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. Receive News & Ratings for Leju Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leju and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Mexco Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:MXC Get Rating) in a research note published on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the oil and gas exploration companys stock. Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a speculative buy rating and issued a GBX 2 ($0.03) price objective on shares of Mexco Energy in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Get Mexco Energy alerts: Mexco Energy Stock Down 0.9 % NYSEAMERICAN MXC opened at $10.70 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.99 million, a P/E ratio of 5.46 and a beta of 1.13. Mexco Energy has a 12-month low of $10.30 and a 12-month high of $20.90. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $6.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.58. Mexco Energy Dividend Announcement Institutional Trading of Mexco Energy The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in Mexco Energy by 15.2% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,000 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $308,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in Mexco Energy by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 40,321 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $503,000 after purchasing an additional 957 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Mexco Energy by 270.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 61,108 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $990,000 after purchasing an additional 44,605 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 7.97% of the companys stock. Mexco Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Mexco Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It owns partial interests in approximately 6,300 gross producing wells located in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Virginia, North Dakota, and Ohio. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mexco Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mexco Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NML Get Rating) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 13,600 shares, a decrease of 44.5% from the May 15th total of 24,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 153,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Stock Performance Shares of NML stock traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $6.61. The company had a trading volume of 12,704 shares, compared to its average volume of 164,957. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund has a 12-month low of $5.66 and a 12-month high of $7.51. Get Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund alerts: Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0584 per share. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Funds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -227.59%. Insider Transactions at Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Institutional Trading of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund In other Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund news, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin acquired 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $6.25 per share, for a total transaction of $312,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the portfolio manager now directly owns 378,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,367,606.25. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin bought 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $6.25 per share, with a total value of $312,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the portfolio manager now directly owns 378,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,367,606.25. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin purchased 58,580 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $6.55 per share, for a total transaction of $383,699.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the portfolio manager now directly owns 328,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,153,751.35. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NML. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 448.8% during the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 5,625 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 4,600 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 42.8% during the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 5,940 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,780 shares during the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Almitas Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 132.0% in the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 11,137 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 6,337 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $80,000. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Company Profile (Get Rating) Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure & Income Fund, Inc is closed-end mutual fund. It seeks total return with an emphasis on cash distributions by investing in master limited partnerships. The company was founded on November 16, 2012 and is headquartered in New York, NY. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images) Republicans are divided about former President Donald Trump's federal indictment. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) has accused the Department of Justice of setting a trap to imprison supporters of former President Trump, who has called for protests in response to his most recent indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents. Trump arrived in Florida on Monday, prior to his arraignment in Miami on Tuesday, where tens of thousands of demonstrators are anticipated. Donald Trump Indictment Higgins portrayed the case as a threat to the United States, but he implored fellow Trump supporters not to "fall for the bait" by drawing a parallel to the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, which resulted in hundreds of federal prosecutions. Trump, who is running for president again in 2024, was indicted last week on 37 counts related to the alleged mismanagement of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Per The Hill, he is scheduled to be arraigned in Florida on Tuesday at 3 p.m. During a press conference on Monday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) stated that the city is prepared to manage any protests or demonstrations that may occur, but that there may be "disruption" to traffic patterns due to the former president's high-profile appearance. The latest development in the former president's legal troubles has fueled Republican claims that President Biden and Democrats have weaponized the federal government, a sentiment echoed by Higgins in his statement on Sunday. On the eve of former President Trump's federal indictment, a new CBS poll indicates that he remains the overwhelming favorite among Republicans in the expanding 2024 field. After becoming the first former president in US history to face criminal charges from the federal government he once oversaw, Republican legislators are devising creative defenses for Donald Trump. Trump is accused of violating a section of the Espionage Act, making fraudulent statements, and engaging in a conspiracy to obstruct justice after he refused to give over classified national security information. According to the explosive indictment, Trump kept cartons of classified documents in a lavatory at his opulent Florida estate and displayed some of them to visitors. Even one of Trump's rivals for the 2024 GOP nomination, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, said her former employer was "extremely irresponsible with our national security," according to MSN. Read Also: Kouri Richins Case: Utah Mom Accused of Fatally Poisoning Husband Googled 'Luxury Prison for Rich' After Committing Crime Other Republicans Blame Trump Trump, despite being served with a federal subpoena, allegedly attempted to prevent the return of classified material belonging to the U.S. government, whereas Biden returned the relevant documents. The allegations against Trump are strikingly distinct from the prospective charges being considered against Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and former Vice President Mike Pence. Biden and Pence promptly notified the government after discovering documents in their possession. They both cooperated with investigators and permitted extensive inspections of their respective properties. Trump was captured on tape confessing that he possessed classified documents and displayed them to unauthorized individuals. "I have a large stack of documents, and this issue just arose. Look ... This absolutely makes my case, as you know. Except that it is extremely private. Secret. According to CNN, Trump acknowledged in a 2021 meeting that this is classified information. The majority of Republican legislators avoided discussing the specifics of Trump's indictment, electing instead to complain that Clinton had not been charged while Trump had. Monday, however, a few Republican senators expressed concern over the charges. Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, described the indictment as "very serious." Meanwhile, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) stated that Trump's legal troubles could have been avoided if he had simply turned over the requested classified documents. Related Article: Trump Set To Face Charges in Florida, Busloads of Supporters Are Coming Ahead of Arraignment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. PAR Technology Co. (NYSE:PAR Get Rating) has received an average rating of Hold from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $41.00. Several research analysts have commented on PAR shares. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $43.00 target price on shares of PAR Technology in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on PAR Technology from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Craig Hallum lifted their price target on PAR Technology from $35.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on PAR Technology in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. Get PAR Technology alerts: PAR Technology Trading Up 2.7 % Shares of NYSE PAR opened at $37.91 on Tuesday. PAR Technology has a 52 week low of $20.37 and a 52 week high of $47.03. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 2.69 and a current ratio of 3.19. Institutional Trading of PAR Technology PAR Technology Company Profile A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of PAR. MFN Partners Management LP raised its holdings in shares of PAR Technology by 991.4% during the 1st quarter. MFN Partners Management LP now owns 1,091,404 shares of the software makers stock valued at $44,027,000 after buying an additional 991,404 shares in the last quarter. Cannell & Co. raised its holdings in shares of PAR Technology by 169.3% during the 4th quarter. Cannell & Co. now owns 782,476 shares of the software makers stock valued at $20,399,000 after buying an additional 491,885 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of PAR Technology by 208.2% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 507,000 shares of the software makers stock valued at $15,591,000 after buying an additional 342,480 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL purchased a new position in shares of PAR Technology during the 1st quarter valued at about $10,649,000. Finally, Reinhart Partners Inc. raised its holdings in shares of PAR Technology by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Reinhart Partners Inc. now owns 818,901 shares of the software makers stock valued at $21,349,000 after buying an additional 232,267 shares in the last quarter. (Get Rating) PAR Technology Corp. engages in the provision of software and hardware support services for the hospitality industry. It operates through the Restaurant/Retail and Government segments. The Restaurant/Retail segment offers point-of-sale (POS) software, hardware, back-office software, systems, services, and integrated technical solutions to the restaurant and retail industries. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PAR Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PAR Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Get Rating) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,132,678 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 466,641 shares during the quarter. Pfizer accounts for approximately 2.5% of Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec owned 0.29% of Pfizer worth $826,638,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PFE. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Pfizer by 6.7% during the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 5,446 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $282,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the period. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 36,081 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,868,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. United Bank boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 46,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,416,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 136.3% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 36,766 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,903,000 after purchasing an additional 21,209 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 6.4% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,337,418 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $69,238,000 after purchasing an additional 79,887 shares during the period. 67.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Pfizer from $43.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $45.00 price objective on Pfizer in a report on Monday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Pfizer in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.33. Insider Transactions at Pfizer Pfizer Price Performance In other news, major shareholder Pfizer Inc bought 1,811,594 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2.76 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,999.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,952,263 shares in the company, valued at $16,428,245.88. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb acquired 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $38.58 per share, with a total value of $38,580.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $231,480. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, major shareholder Pfizer Inc acquired 1,811,594 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $2.76 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,999.44. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 5,952,263 shares in the company, valued at $16,428,245.88. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 1,813,594 shares of company stock worth $5,076,999. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock. Shares of PFE stock opened at $39.96 on Tuesday. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $36.17 and a fifty-two week high of $54.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $225.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.85, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.37. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $39.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.30. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.23. Pfizer had a return on equity of 37.53% and a net margin of 31.25%. The business had revenue of $18.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.49 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.62 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.10%. Pfizers payout ratio is 32.28%. Pfizer Profile (Get Rating) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Pola Orbis (OTCMKTS:PORBF Get Rating) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports. Separately, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Pola Orbis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Get Pola Orbis alerts: Pola Orbis Price Performance Shares of Pola Orbis stock opened at $15.00 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.42 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $14.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.61. Pola Orbis has a fifty-two week low of $14.20 and a fifty-two week high of $15.00. Pola Orbis Company Profile Pola Orbis Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells cosmetics and related products in Japan and internationally. It operates through Beauty Care and Real Estate segments. The Beauty Care segment offers cosmetics; skincare products; health foods; and fashion products, such as women's underwear, women's apparel, and jewelry under the POLA, ORBIS, Jurlique, H2O PLUS, THREE, DECENCIA, Amplitude, ITRIM, FIVEISM THREE, and FUJIMI brand names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pola Orbis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pola Orbis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Capital Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of ResMed Inc. (NYSE:RMD Get Rating) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 522,944 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 2,012 shares during the quarter. ResMed accounts for about 4.3% of American Capital Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. American Capital Management Inc. owned approximately 0.36% of ResMed worth $108,840,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in ResMed by 15.7% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 3,050 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $740,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its position in shares of ResMed by 13.0% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 1,000 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $243,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in shares of ResMed by 14.5% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,112 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $2,020,000 after acquiring an additional 1,025 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of ResMed by 7.8% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 40,740 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $9,781,000 after acquiring an additional 2,955 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC purchased a new position in shares of ResMed in the first quarter valued at approximately $694,000. 64.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get ResMed alerts: ResMed Price Performance RMD stock traded up $1.80 on Tuesday, reaching $216.50. The company had a trading volume of 70,864 shares, compared to its average volume of 618,927. ResMed Inc. has a 1 year low of $194.30 and a 1 year high of $247.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 3.07. The companys fifty day moving average is $224.47 and its 200 day moving average is $219.60. The company has a market cap of $31.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.58, a PEG ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.48. ResMed Dividend Announcement ResMed ( NYSE:RMD Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.10. ResMed had a return on equity of 25.82% and a net margin of 21.49%. The company had revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.32 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 29.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that ResMed Inc. will post 6.48 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.81%. ResMeds payout ratio is 29.98%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on RMD. StockNews.com raised ResMed from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, June 3rd. UBS Group began coverage on ResMed in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $290.00 target price for the company. Finally, Mizuho began coverage on ResMed in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $255.00 target price for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ResMed currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $263.43. Insider Transactions at ResMed In other news, CEO Michael J. Farrell sold 5,675 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $206.95, for a total transaction of $1,174,441.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 436,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $90,416,455. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider David Pendarvis sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.79, for a total value of $329,685.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 89,729 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,721,536.91. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael J. Farrell sold 5,675 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $206.95, for a total value of $1,174,441.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 436,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $90,416,455. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 32,451 shares of company stock worth $7,257,717 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.39% of the companys stock. ResMed Company Profile (Get Rating) ResMed, Inc engages in providing digital health and cloud-connected medical devices. Its digital health technologies and cloud-connected medical devices transform care for people with sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and other chronic diseases. The firm operates through the Sleep and Respiratory Care and Software as a Service segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for ResMed Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ResMed and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,300 shares, an increase of 225.0% from the May 15th total of 400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Great Wall Motor Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS GWLLY remained flat at $10.96 during trading on Tuesday. The stock had a trading volume of 156 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,290. Great Wall Motor has a 52-week low of $9.06 and a 52-week high of $22.86. The businesss 50-day moving average is $11.63 and its 200-day moving average is $12.68. Get Great Wall Motor alerts: Great Wall Motor (OTCMKTS:GWLLY Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion during the quarter. Great Wall Motor Company Profile Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and internationally. The company offers pick-up trucks, SUVs, sedans, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names; and unmanned vehicles. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Great Wall Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Wall Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SpareBank 1 SMN (OTCMKTS:SRMGF Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 27,500 shares, a decline of 45.3% from the May 15th total of 50,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. SpareBank 1 SMN Price Performance SRMGF remained flat at $11.50 during midday trading on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $11.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.92. SpareBank 1 SMN has a 1 year low of $11.50 and a 1 year high of $11.50. Get SpareBank 1 SMN alerts: About SpareBank 1 SMN (Get Rating) See Also SpareBank 1 SMN, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking, accounting, and real estate products and services to private individuals and companies in Norway and internationally. The company offers mortgage, green, car, boat, other vehicles, and consumer loans, as well as refinancing, as well as savings accounts. Receive News & Ratings for SpareBank 1 SMN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SpareBank 1 SMN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) in a research report released on Friday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Stock Performance THM stock opened at $0.43 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $83.81 million, a PE ratio of -21.50 and a beta of 0.70. The firms fifty day moving average is $0.53 and its 200 day moving average is $0.53. International Tower Hill Mines has a one year low of $0.38 and a one year high of $0.75. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines An institutional investor recently raised its position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) by 187.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 215,462 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 140,462 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.11% of International Tower Hill Mines worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.34% of the companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company, which engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. It holds the right to acquire interest in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska, known as the Livengood Gold Project. The company was founded by Jeffrey A. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. C WorldWide Group Holding A S lowered its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Get Rating) by 9.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,396,239 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 141,177 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific accounts for 11.0% of C WorldWide Group Holding A Ss portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. C WorldWide Group Holding A Ss holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $804,750,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.7% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 41,508 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $23,924,000 after purchasing an additional 1,477 shares in the last quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 357.3% during the 1st quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,096 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,785,000 after buying an additional 2,419 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc. raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 551 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 5.1% in the first quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 33,262 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $19,171,000 after acquiring an additional 1,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PDS Planning Inc raised its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 53.7% during the first quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 2,371 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,367,000 after purchasing an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. 85.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of NYSE:TMO traded up $5.51 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $523.69. 1,245,621 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,471,444. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $543.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $554.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.27. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52-week low of $475.77 and a 52-week high of $611.06. The company has a market capitalization of $202.00 billion, a PE ratio of 34.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.79. Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $5.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. The business had revenue of $10.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.67 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $7.25 EPS. The firms revenue was down 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is presently 9.13%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total transaction of $5,452,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,055,942.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total transaction of $5,452,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $75,586,110.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently issued reports on TMO. Citigroup lowered their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $675.00 to $660.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $610.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $631.31. Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile (Get Rating) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,701 shares of the retailers stock after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. Walmart makes up 1.2% of Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Walmart were worth $950,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. AMI Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Walmart by 1.6% during the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in Walmart by 36.8% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,820 shares of the retailers stock worth $718,000 after purchasing an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Walmart by 31.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,162 shares of the retailers stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC raised its stake in Walmart by 123.9% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 10,566 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,573,000 after purchasing an additional 5,847 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in Walmart by 1.7% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 857,839 shares of the retailers stock worth $127,749,000 after purchasing an additional 13,985 shares during the period. 31.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Walmart alerts: Walmart Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of Walmart stock traded up $1.01 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $154.10. The company had a trading volume of 4,904,503 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,213,435. The companys 50-day moving average is $150.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $146.09. Walmart Inc. has a twelve month low of $117.90 and a twelve month high of $154.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a market cap of $414.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 0.49. Insider Activity at Walmart Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The business had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $147.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, Director S Robson Walton sold 1,550,332 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.21, for a total value of $214,271,385.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 257,930,893 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,648,628,721.53. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Walmart news, Director S Robson Walton sold 1,550,332 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.21, for a total transaction of $214,271,385.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 257,930,893 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,648,628,721.53. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Jim C. Walton sold 1,077,204 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.08, for a total transaction of $148,740,328.32. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 259,481,225 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,829,167,548. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 15,572,979 shares of company stock worth $2,222,680,014 in the last 90 days. 46.51% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In WMT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $160.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Gordon Haskett raised shares of Walmart from an accumulate rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $155.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $164.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reissued a maintains rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Finally, BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday. They issued an outperform rating and a $186.00 price target on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.91. About Walmart (Get Rating) Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating). 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. Wexford Capital LP decreased its holdings in Sibanye Stillwater Limited (NYSE:SBSW Get Rating) by 60.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 100,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 150,178 shares during the quarter. Wexford Capital LPs holdings in Sibanye Stillwater were worth $1,066,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sibanye Stillwater during the 1st quarter worth about $45,000. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sibanye Stillwater by 146.0% during the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 3,075 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 1,825 shares during the period. Tradition Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sibanye Stillwater by 991.7% during the 4th quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,275 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 2,975 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sibanye Stillwater by 452.8% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,334 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 3,550 shares during the period. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sibanye Stillwater by 79.5% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 8,596 shares of the companys stock worth $92,000 after purchasing an additional 3,806 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.81% of the companys stock. Get Sibanye Stillwater alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on SBSW. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Sibanye Stillwater from $13.00 to $9.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised Sibanye Stillwater from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $11.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $11.33. Sibanye Stillwater Stock Down 2.0 % About Sibanye Stillwater Sibanye Stillwater stock opened at $7.12 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $8.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 3.01 and a quick ratio of 1.70. Sibanye Stillwater Limited has a one year low of $6.96 and a one year high of $12.44. (Get Rating) Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. engages in the acquisition and exploration of platinum group materials. It operates through the following segments: US PGM, SA PGM, and US Gold. The company was founded on November 7, 2014 and is headquartered in Weltevreden Park, South Africa. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SBSW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sibanye Stillwater Limited (NYSE:SBSW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Sibanye Stillwater Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sibanye Stillwater and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois passes a pioneering anti-book ban law prohibiting public libraries and schools from removing literature. The state was the first to pass such a law in response to the growing trend of book bans in various parts of the United States (US). There have been numerous cases wherein books that deal with topics such as race, gender, and sexuality face a ban in public schools and libraries. Illinois Passes Anti-Book Ban Law According to ABC News, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the anti-book ban law on Monday, June 12, preventing public schools and libraries from axing literature. Gov. Pritzker, a Democrat, says, "Book bans are about censorship marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts." He further stressed during the bill signing at the Chicago library that "regimes banned books, not democracies." The Illinois governor says that the law, which takes effect on January 1, 2024, is the "first of its kind" in the country. While other states are passing laws, which let public libraries and schools ban titles, Illinois does otherwise; it passed a measure prohibiting book banning. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias explains that the law should show trust in the "experience and education" of librarians, giving them the power, which books should be axed or not. As per a report by CNN, the newly passed law requires public libraries in Illinois to follow the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association. The Bill of Rights prohibits banning literature based on "doctrinal" or "partisan" disapproval. The association also forbids the removal of books based on their "origin, background, or views." The Guardian reports that the Illinois senate passed the anti-book ban bill, known as HB 2789, in early May. Before the month ended, Gov. Pritzker received the measure for his signature. And on Monday, the Democratic governor signed the bill into law. Read Also: Supreme Court Declines To Challenge Illinois' Restriction on Military-Style Weapons Book Bans in the US Illinois passed the anti-book ban law amid the growing movement of book bans in the US. CNN notes that the American Library Association reports that there were roughly 1,269 demands to censor library books and other resources across the country last year or in 2022, to be exact. It is the highest figure in the past two decades or 20 years. Meanwhile, Pen America, a free speech organization, disclosed in its April 2023 reports that book bans strikingly jumped during the 2022-2023 school year. Roughly a third of the removal of literature is connected to the newly passed laws in states like Utah, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, and Missouri. Apart from Pritzker, US President Joe Biden announced the possible appointment of a new federal coordinator amid the spike of book bans in various states. Related Article: Missing Illinois Girl Featured in Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries' Found Alive in North Carolina After 6 Years @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Wexford Capital LP decreased its holdings in Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD Get Rating) (TSE:ABX) by 9.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 100,000 shares of the gold and copper producers stock after selling 10,093 shares during the quarter. Wexford Capital LPs holdings in Barrick Gold were worth $1,718,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GOLD. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in Barrick Gold in the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Barrick Gold during the 1st quarter worth $647,000. Blair William & Co. IL raised its position in shares of Barrick Gold by 288.8% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 90,896 shares of the gold and copper producers stock worth $2,230,000 after buying an additional 67,516 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in Barrick Gold by 97.2% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 230,278 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $5,651,000 after acquiring an additional 113,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in Barrick Gold by 17.7% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,007,571 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $24,620,000 after acquiring an additional 151,763 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.82% of the companys stock. Get Barrick Gold alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently commented on GOLD shares. Barclays raised their price objective on Barrick Gold from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. National Bank Financial lifted their price target on shares of Barrick Gold from C$28.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Barrick Gold from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $19.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, February 13th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Barrick Gold from C$29.00 to C$30.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Raymond James lowered their price target on Barrick Gold from $25.00 to $24.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $22.52. Barrick Gold Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of Barrick Gold stock opened at $16.91 on Tuesday. Barrick Gold Corp has a 1-year low of $13.01 and a 1-year high of $20.75. The company has a market capitalization of $29.68 billion, a PE ratio of 281.83, a P/E/G ratio of 9.80 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.71 and a quick ratio of 2.14. The business has a 50-day moving average of $11.62 and a 200-day moving average of $12.10. Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD Get Rating) (TSE:ABX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The gold and copper producer reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.03. Barrick Gold had a return on equity of 3.46% and a net margin of 1.06%. The company had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.57 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.26 EPS. Barrick Golds revenue for the quarter was down 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Barrick Gold Corp will post 0.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. Barrick Gold Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.074 per share. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. Barrick Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 666.67%. Barrick Gold Company Profile (Get Rating) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GOLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD Get Rating) (TSE:ABX). Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A woman whose 4-year-old child died last year with a large amount of THC in his system was ordered Monday to serve 10 years in prison. Dorothy Annette Clements, 31, pleaded guilty in Spotsylvania Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. As part of a plea agreement, she was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended. According to police and prosecutor Crystal Montague-Holland, deputies went to Jamie Court in Spotsylvania County on May 6, 2022, and found rescue workers performing CPR on a young child who was not breathing. Clements told police the boy had not been feeling well that day, and that she laid down with him to take a nap. She later tried to wake him up and found that he was not breathing. She also told police that she called poison control earlier that day after the child took a bite of a CBD gummy but did not swallow it. She claims she was told that the child should be fine and that no further action was needed. The child was rushed to a hospital, where it was determined that he had a very elevated blood sugar level. He had a history of medical ailments, and was overweight according to court records. He died on May 8. But doctors determined that none of his previously known ailments caused his death and that the high THC level in his system was the likely culprit. Court records state that Clements later admitted that the child could have ingested a dozen or more gummies. She also admitted that she never called poison control. Clements said she lied initially, in part out of fear of getting into trouble. A doctor told police that the child could have been saved if the consumption of the gummies had been reported sooner. THC is the primary component of cannabis that causes the high sensation. A 38-year-old California man is in jail in Nebraska after state troopers found 55 pounds of cocaine in his SUV, which was parked at a rest area near York, authorities alleged. Troopers arrested Nicandro Garcia-Perez, of Chino Hills, on suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver after they allegedly found the drugs hidden in the spare tire compartment of his BMW X5 at around 7:45 a.m. Friday, the State Patrol said in a news release. A trooper saw Garcia-Perez's car parked at the eastbound Interstate 80 rest area near York and began investigating a license plate violation Friday morning, but "became suspicious of criminal activity" after contacting the 38-year-old, according to the news release. A subsequent search of the BMW allegedly turned up the cocaine, the State Patrol said. Troopers arrested Garcia-Perez and took him to the York County jail, where he remained Monday. Danish energy giant Orsted 'pauses market development activities' in Vietnam By Tri Duc Tue, June 13, 2023 | 8:54 am GTM+7 Denmarks Orsted has "paused market development activities in Vietnam," Per Mejnert Kristensen, its senior vice president and Asia-Pacific president, said at the wind power giants Capital Market Day event last Thursday. The executive disclosed the information while reviewing Orsteds strategy in Asia-Pacific, noting that Vietnam is still "an important supplier market". Orsted will bid selectively and deselect opportunities without sufficient values, as it had already deselected auctions in Massachusetts, Taiwan, and markets in France, Vietnam, he added. Citing an example, Kristensen said Orsted did not bid in the previous round in Taiwan due to limitations set by regulations, including project size and content restrictions. Per Mejnert Kristensen, Orsted's senior vice president and Asia-Pacific president. Photo courtesy of Orsted. On a global scale, at the event, Orsted announced targets to install 50 GW of renewable energy and invest DKK475 billion ($68.52 billion) in 2023-2030. The giant also highlighted the market outlook for Asia Pacific, including tens of GW from offshore wind power in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. In August 2022, Orsted and Vietnams T&T Group had proposed two offshore wind projects of 5 GW in capacity off the coast of Ninh Thuan province. Development of the 3-GW Ninh Thuan 1 project was expected to commence between 2029 and 2033 via three stages, with 1 GW for each. The 2-GW Ninh Thuan 2 project would be developed between 2030 and 2037 in two stages, also with 1 GW for each. Sebastian Hald Buhl, Orsteds country manager in Vietnam, had said at a business dialog in September 2022 that the company expected to generate 2 GW as its initial offshore wind power in Vietnam before 2030, spending $5.5 billion and creating 25,000 jobs. He had added that a competitive mechanism for projects was needed in the market, so the government should come up with an effective bidding mechanism to support major offshore wind goals set for 2035. Vietnams National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030 (PDP VIII), which was approved last month, features 6,000 MW of offshore wind power. In May, Petrovietnam Technical Services Corp (PTSC) signed a contract to build offshore wind farm foundations for Orsted, becoming the first Vietnamese business to receive a mass order for offshore wind power equipment. The technical arm of the national oil and gas group, Petrovietnam, will manufacture 33 suction bucket foundations for turbine operation following an eco-friendly design developed by the Danish energy giant. Hai Phong city approves Korean investments of $230 mln By Tri Duc Tue, June 13, 2023 | 1:30 pm GTM+7 Vietnams northern coastal city of Hai Phong approved four South Korean-invested projects with total registered capital and additional capital of $230 million at the Hai Phong-Korea trade and investment promotion conference on Monday. At the event in Seoul featuring about 150 South Korean businesses, Hai Phong leaders granted investment certificates to Bumhan Vina Heavy Industries, Haewon Vina, Hala Electronics Vina, and EST Vina HaiPhong. City leaders also signed other cooperation agreements with a total investment commitment of $1.5 billion. Bumhan Vina Heavy Industries is a manufacturer of boilers, storage tanks, and industrial equipment. Haewon Vina is a metal casting company, while Hala Electronics Vina and EST Vina HaiPhong are both an electronics manufacturer. Le Tien Chau, Secretary of Hai Phong's Party Committee (right), grants an investment certificate to a South Korean firm at an investment promotion conference in Seoul, South Korea on June 12, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. Le Tien Chau, chief of Hai Phong's Party Committee, said the city would continue pushing comprehensive cooperation with South Korean partners and call for investments in smart city development, e-government, renewable energy, semiconductor components, infrastructure and urban areas, hospitals, and schools to develop of an ecosystem of South Korean businesses in Hai Phong. The municipality is committed to improving the business environment and infrastructure, especially transport connections, along with new industrial parks, the leader said. Meanwhile, South Korean firms also lauded the business environment and the local authorities support. South Korea is the top foreign investor in Vietnam with 9,666 valid projects and total registered capital of $81.56 billion, according to ministerial data. The country is also Hai Phongs biggest foreign investor with investment of nearly $10 billion so far, mostly in electronics, auto parts, and machinery, according to Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment data. The biggest investor in Hai Phong is LG. The electronics giant's three factories in the city, namely LG Display Vietnam Haiphong, LG Electronics Vietnam Hai Phong, and LG Innotek Vietnam Hai Phong, recorded a total net profit of KRW434.51 billion ($328.5 million) in 2022, down 21% year-on-year. Their total sales reached KRW11,504 billion ($8.7 billion), up 16.71%, according to the company's financial statement. Hai Phong city plans 15 new industrial parks By Tri Duc Tue, June 13, 2023 | 3:13 pm GTM+7 Vietnams Hai Phong city plans to expand the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone and build 15 more industrial parks with a total area of 6,200 hectares, according to the citys draft plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Deep C Industrial Park in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Deep C. Among the projects, the 752-hectare Xuan Can Industrial Park (IP) within the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone is processing establishment procedures, while Nam Trang Cat IP, Thuy Nguyen IP, Tien Thanh IP, and the expansions at Trang Due IP and Giang Bien II IP have submitted their documents for in-principle nods to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The total area of those projects is 2,758 hectares. The ten others, covering 3,466 hectares, are processing relevant procedures for deployment. Additionally, the city plans to build 24 more industrial clusters and expand two, covering 1,243.4 hectares. Following the new draft plan, Hai Phong will have five industrial hubs. The Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone will focus on electronics, electrical items, support industries for maritime transport and IT, and logistics. Hai Phong's northern munufacturing area will concentrate on precision mechanics, mechanical equipment parts, and high technology. The city's western munufacturing area will cover precision mechanics, high-tech component manufacturing, and others. The southwestern areas focal point will be support industries. The southeastern area will serve heavy industries, such as aviation, shipbuilding, IT, biotechnology, and others. Currently, Hai Phong's plan features the 22,540-hectare Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone and 25 IPs covering 12,702 hectares. As many as 12 IPs are operational, including eight inside the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone covering 5,230 hectares, and four outside the EZ covering 768 hectares. The average occupation rate is 62.5%. Vietnams index of industrial production (IIP) rose 2.2% in May from April, showing signs of a recovery, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported. However, the IIP in the first five months of this year dropped 2% year-on-year due to global economic difficulties which have led to a decline in orders and narrowed production. Hai Phongs performance went in different directions. In May, its IIP fell 10.04% from April, due to order shortages for footwear, apparel-textiles, and wood. But its January-May figure was an increase of 12.16%, driven by growth of 92.38% in the computer components sector, 61.17% in paper and packaging, 69.08% in shipbuilding, and 56.16% in electrical products. South Korean President Yoon aims to boost economic ties on Vietnam visit By Nguyen Long Tue, June 13, 2023 | 3:27 pm GTM+7 South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit Vietnam from June 22-24 to promote trade and cooperation ties at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong, his office announced on Tuesday. It will be Yoons first bilateral visit to a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the office said. Yoon and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh committed to expanding the two countries bilateral trade and economic ties during talks at the extended G7 Summit in Hiroshima on May 19. They also discussed ways to enhance relations. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol in Japans Hiroshima on May 19, 2023 at the extended G7 Summit. Photo courtesy of Vietnams government portal. The Korean presidents Vietnam agenda next week includes a summit with Vietnamese President Thuong on June 23. He will also discuss ways to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established between the two countries last year. Yoon will be accompanied by a 205-strong business delegation on his state visit to Vietnam, which is already a major investment destination for Korean companies, including global heavyweights. Executives from leading conglomerates will attend an economic forum in Hanoi on June 24, the last day of Yoons Vietnam visit. They will include Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group; Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group; and Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, according to Dong-A Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper. Major firms on both sides are expected to sign memorandums of understanding and hold trade-related talks, the newspaper said on June 3. Thai fund SHREIT sells 3 hotels in HCMC, Jakarta for $106 mln By Tuong Minh Tue, June 13, 2023 | 9:09 pm GTM+7 Thai real estate investment trust SHREIT have sold three hotels representing 632 keys altogether in Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta for a combined $106.1 million, according to property service firm JLL. JLL acted as the exclusive advisor to the seller, it said last weekend without disclosing the buyers name. SHREIT has not issued any announcement on the deal. The three hotels are the ibis Saigon South and Capri by Fraser in HCMCs District 7, and the Pullman Jakarta Central Park. The four-star Capri by Fraser hotel in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the hotel. The four-star Capri by Fraser has 175 keys, and the three-star ibis Saigon South has 140. They stand side by side in the high-end township of Phu My Hung, and next to the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, HCMCs largest exhibition facility. The 317-room Pullman Jakarta Central Park is the only internationally branded upscale lifestyle hotel in West Jakarta, and is directly connected to Central Park Mall, one of the citys busiest shopping malls with an annual footfall of 50 million visitors, said JLL. The company did not disclose the price for each transfer. It said the Pullman Jakarta Central Park and ibis Saigon South were sold with the benefit of Accor management under the Pullman and ibis brands, respectively, while the Capri by Fraser was sold with vacant possession. The sale of this unique hotel portfolio not only underscores the resurgence of deal activity in Southeast Asia, but also reinforces the ongoing recovery of cash flows of hotels in the region, said Julien Naouri, senior vice president, investment sales, Asia Pacific, JLL Hotels & Hospitality. SHREIT, or Strategic Hospitality Extendable Freehold and Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust, is managed by Thailands Strategic Property Investors Company Limited. The funds hotel portfolio comprises the three above-mentioned, no others, according to its website. Vietnam attracts giant investments in semiconductor industry By Nguyen Thuy Tue, June 13, 2023 | 11:16 am GTM+7 Vietnam is drawing attention as an investment destination for global semiconductor companies while electronics makers continue to set up shop in the Southeast Asia country. The new global production hub boasts a number of advantages including a stable political system, low labor costs, abundant human resources, and geological advantages that offer easy access to high-tech supply chains across Asia. "We established our office to actively target the increasingly important Vietnamese market," said DS Kwak, vice chairman of Hanmi Semiconductor, a Korean semiconductor equipment company. In early June, Hanmi Semiconductor opened a global branch office, Hanmi Vietnam, in the northern province of Bac Ninh - an upstart new production base for major global semiconductor companies. Amkor Technology Inc., a world-leading semiconductor company headquartered in Arizona, the U.S., has so far invested $1.6 billion in Bac Ninh and is preparing to open its factory there at the end of this year, with trial operations set to start in October after construction is completed in September. The factory will be among the biggest operated by Amkor globally and will cover around 23 hectares in the Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park. Amkor Technology Vietnam CEO Kim Sung Hun, while speaking to Bac Ninhs Party chief Nguyen Anh Tuan during a recent visit to the Amkor Technology Vietnam site, said that Amkor had selected the province for the mammoth project thanks to Bac Ninh's favorable investment environment, robust infrastructure, and synchronized utility networks that encompass electricity, water, and communications. He added that Bac Ninh offers the necessary conditions to nurture talent and a highly skilled technical workforce, with positive support from the provincial leadership and local authorities. Amkor was founded in 1968 by Korean businessman Hyang-Soo Kim. When Amkor received an investment certificate in November 2021 to build the state-of-the-art smart factory in Bac Ninh, Megan Faust, Amkors executive vice president and chief financial officer, said: Our investment for the first phase of the facility is estimated to be between $200 million and $250 million, and expanding the facility in phases over time will allow us to balance utilization and profitable growth and manage expansion within a reasonable capital intensity range. Samsung, which is the single largest foreign investor in Vietnam to date, has invested a total of $20 billion in the country. Last year, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced a total investment plan of $2.27 billion to expand its next-generation semiconductor substrate (FC-BGA) business. In Bac Ninh, the Korean giant has two companies - Samsung Electronics Vietnam (SEV) and Samsung Display Vietnam (SDV). It operates Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen (SEVT) in Thai Nguyen province, also in the north, and Samsung HCMC CE Complex (SEHC) in Ho Chi Minh City. The four Vietnam subsidiaries reported after-tax profits of KRW6,055.9 billion ($4.67 billion) in 2022, up 16.28% compared with 2021. According to a recent report by the Bank of Korea (BOK), Vietnam is quickly becoming a significant market for South Korean semiconductor makers, who have been grappling with lackluster demand in China. As tensions between the U.S. and China accelerate, the bank emphasized the importance of diversifying export markets for industry giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Chips made by SK Hynix, an arm of Korean leading conglomerate SK Group. Photo courtesy of SK Hynix. The BOK underlines Vietnams emergence as a new source of demand for South Korean semiconductors, highlighting the Southeast Asian countrys growing status as an international hub for IT device production and potentially positioning it as an alternative to China. Vietnams abundant low-wage workforce and its proximity to the Chinese market are attracting global businesses, including South Korean firms, to establish manufacturing facilities in the new global production hub, according to the BOK report. On Monday, SKC Co., a South Korean manufacturer of advanced materials, signed a preliminary agreement with Vietnam's Hai Phong City to explore potential investment in advanced materials for semiconductors, secondary batteries, and other green sectors. SKC said it will consider ways to invest in Hai Phong, a major port city and logistics hub in the north, as a site for the Korean firms expansion into high-tech materials. At present, American giant chipmaker Intel is also considering an additional investment of $1 billion from the $1.5 billion previously announced in HCMC. The HCMC chip assembly and test factory is Intel's largest production base, accounting for around 70% of its global production. In Bac Giang province near Bac Ninh (home to Amkors $1.6 billion semiconductor plant), Koreas Hana Micron Inc., a printed circuit board maker, plans to increase the number of its Vietnamese factory workers to 3,000 by 2025. The current number of employees has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be between 300 and 400. Hana Micron is continuously increasing technology development engineers and production personnel at its Vietnamese plant, a major production base for its global outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility. Hana Microns main customers are Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which is part of Korean conglomerate SK Group, the parent corporation of SKC Co. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2023, many children were orphaned or separated from their families. In response, the Haitian government and international aid organizations have launched several efforts to reunite these children with their loved ones. Pausing Orphanage Developments (Photo : Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erik C. Barker) TERRE DE NEGRES, Haiti (Sept. 24, 2008) Haitian children watch medical personnel from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as they conduct a health assessment in their village to determine what aid will be needed for future relief efforts. Service members from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, along with medical personnel from the U.S. Public Health Service, Canadian Army, Air Force and Navy, Brazil, Project HOPE and International Aid, embarked aboard Kearsarge, are working together to conduct hurricane relief operations in Haiti. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erik C. Barker/Released) According to government statistics, over 30,000 of Haiti's 4 million orphans reside in the roughly 750 orphanages spread throughout the country. Many were constructed following the terrible earthquake in 2010 that claimed at least 200,000 lives. The number of orphanages in Haiti increased by 150% in the following months, which increased trafficking, forced labor, and abuse. Just 35 of 754 orphanages, or less than 5 percent, were determined to have completed the requirements and been given permission to operate, according to a 2018 assessment by Haiti's Institute of Social Welfare and Research and others, as reported by AP News. The findings prompted the Haitian government to halt the development of new orphanages and close existing ones. However, closing orphanages might be risky. According to Lumos, a nonprofit that works to reunite children in orphanages worldwide with their families, US faith-based donors are the largest funders of orphanages in Haiti. Government officials have been threatened or forced into hiding as owners seek to keep the generous donations from abroad. In addition to the government's efforts, some international aid organizations are also working to reunite children with their families. UNICEF has set up several child tracing teams in Haiti. These teams are working to locate children who have been orphaned or separated from their families. Once a child has been located, UNICEF works to reunite them with their loved ones or find a safe foster home. The reunification of children with their families is a complex and challenging task. However, the Haitian government and international aid organizations are working tirelessly to make it happen. Thousands of children have already been reunited with their loved ones thanks to their efforts. And with continued support, many more children will be able to return home in the coming days and weeks. Read Also: US Government Could Pay $450K for each Immigrant Affected by Trump's Strict Policy; Families File Lawsuits for Psychological Trauma Reuniting Haitian Children With Their Families The reunification of children with their families is important for a number of reasons. First, it provides children with a sense of security and belonging. Second, it helps children to heal from the trauma of the earthquake. Third, it allows children to continue their education and develop their skills. Reuniting children with their families is a complex and challenging task. However, it is an essential task to the recovery of Haiti. With continued support, the Haitian government and international aid organizations will be able to reunite thousands of children with their families. Related Article: Joe Biden Demurs on Answering Question About Why He Is Not Visiting the Southern Border, Keeps Focus on Economic Package @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ten Cherokee young adults visited Southern Illinois on Monday during the Remember the Removal Bike Ride. The riders are taking a 950-mile tour along the northern route of the Trail of Tears. The ride began in New Echota, Georgia, the former capital of the Cherokee Nation to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the current-day capital. Those on the ride get a glimpse of the hardships their ancestors faced as they trace the route of the Trail of Tears. The youth interview to be part of the team of cyclists. If they are selected, they train for six months to prepare for the ride. On Monday afternoon, the cyclists reached Camp Ground Church and Cemetery, near Anna. Several detachments of Cherokee camped near the site as they crossed through Illinois during the harsh winter of 1838. Many Native Americans died in Southern Illinois. Some of them are buried in Camp Ground Cemetery. They had lunch at the church, sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association. Its been an experience. Its awesome, Venita Wolfe, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, said. She said they have met people who have fed them and gave them places with air-conditioning to stop. After driving through the hilly Southern Illinois terrain, the team was thankful for their trainer, Monica Wildcat. We didnt know there was a reason for her madness, Wolfe said, adding that they trained by riding in all kinds of terrain. The Eastern Band of Cherokee sent five cyclists and three members of the support team. The Cherokee Nation sent five cyclists and six members of the support team, which included security and a nurse. Steve Haldeman of the Trail of Tears Society, Southern Illinois Chapter, gave a presentation on the route through Illinois during lunch. The Trail of Tears took a route across Illinois, crossing into the state on a ferry at Golconda and traveling through Pope, Johnson and Union counties to take another ferry across the Mississippi River into Missouri. As the Trail of Tears detachments got to the ferry just south of Ware, the Mississippi River was freezing and had large blocks of ice floating in it. The harsh winter weather detained approximately 7,000 people in Southern Illinois. Some detachments spent as much as 60 days camping in the area. As one detached crossed the river, the other detachments would move forward. Haldeman told the cyclists that most of the Trail of Tears followed a well-established route of the day. Today, the route is mostly undisturbed in Southern Illinois. It has not been developed or covered in asphalt. The big take away is that we have the shortest segment of the Trail of Tears, but the hardest section because of the wet winter weather, Haldeman said. Sandy Boaz told the cyclists about Camp Ground Church and Cemetery. The area was a popular camp ground because it had five springs to supply clean water and plenty of wood to cut for heat and cooking. Her ancestor, Mr. Hileman, got a Land Pattern Deed to the area in 1834. In 1836, he and his wife lost two little boys and buried them in the field. That field is now Camp Ground Cemetery. When the Cherokee were camped in the area during the winter of 1838, he gave them permission to bury their dead in the cemetery. My mother wouldnt let us walk on that empty ground because she said Cherokee were buried there, Boaz said. The cyclists gave a short reading in Cherokee to honor the dead. They also visited the Hamburg Hill Trail Head on Monday. The Remember the Removal cyclists and Trail of Tears Society members were joined Monday by Cherokee youth working in Shawnee National Forest and the Summer Field School of the Center for Archeological Investigation at SIU. CARTERVILLE Jennifer Spence spent fours years working on an old building in jeopardy of being demolished and refurbished it into a space for local restaurants or coffee houses. On Monday, Spence hosted an open house at 131 S. Division St. in Carterville, showing off the new space she worked so hard to save. When I first saw the building, I thought it was an eyesore and needed saved, Spence said Monday evening. The work was not easy and the building had a long way to go before it was ready for business again. The 4,563 square foot building was built in 1900 and when Spence started, the buildings back wall had to be demolished. Some of the other walls were completely missing and in part of the building, the floor was all dirt. Spence repainted the north outside wall and the advertisement that could barely be seen. Spence redid the interior and created three distinct spaces. There is a smaller room on the south side, a larger room on the north side and another large space in the rear of the building. Three glass doors lift in the rear of the building. It also has a room that was used for a short time for roasting coffee. It could be a roasting room or used in another way a business may see fit. The building, like the bakery building Spence had already refurbished, has a lot of reclaimed items. It pays reverence to its past and to the future. A cabinet and shelving unit along the center wall in the south room has a bottom shelf made from reclaimed flooring samples from Heckels Furniture Store and shelf supports made by Flat Iron Works in Murphysboro. The wood samples also decorate the fire place in the other front room. A portion of the metal ceiling was saved and used in the hallway that leads to bathrooms and a potential office and storage area. Wood that held up the tin was fashioned into panels that cover exposed beams. Spence worked on the panels during her lunch hours. Spence sanded and stained two old doors to separate the front rooms. Light fixtures were created from parts, including milky white globes from an estate sale. Original brick walls were exposed. The bottom of the walls has wood paneling painted in dark grey and black. Part of the kitchen components came from the Carterville old high school. Jennifers vision and craftsmanship are remarkable, said Carterville Mayor Brad Robinson during the open house. Im pretty excited to find a tenant that fits the feel of the building. Robinson explained that the building seems to have a personality. A tenant will need to fit that personality. He is really excited to see it filled. Restauranteurs from Chicago and Nashville have come to Carterville to see the building. Both thought they were a little too far away and were not really planning to expand. Spence is focusing her search for a food and beverage or coffee company for the building within three hours of Carterville. She thinks the space could be used by an individual or shared by two or three companies. Southern Illinois doesnt have a food hall, but it could, Spence said. Spence believes a food business would add to the Carterville revitalization. Downtown Dip opened a year ago. The downtown also has an antique store. Everybody loves the buildingbut I just bought it to save it, Spence said. For more information on the building, email Spence at info@jspenceproperties.com or visit her Facebook page. Republicans and Democrats who want changes in the way South Carolinas circuit court and family court judges are selected will discuss the issue in Orangeburg. This is a bipartisan presentation because judicial reform is as bipartisan of an issue as you can have, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, D-St. Matthews, said. Other than a handful of lawyer-legislators, I cant find anyone who likes the way we pick judges in our state, he said Pascoe is hosting the event at 6 p.m. Thursday at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, lecture room C-118, located at 3250 St. Matthews Road in Orangeburg. Special guests include Rep. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews, and Rep. Joseph White, R-Prosperity. Over the past 18 months, Pascoe has been speaking across the state about judicial reform. South Carolina and Virginia are the only two states where the legislature elects its judges, he said. But whats unique to our system is the opaque screening process that involves the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. The commission is made up for six lawyer-legislators and four non-legislator lawyers appointed by the speaker of the House and chairperson of the Senate Judiciary. The JMSC routinely predetermines the outcome of the judicial elections and, in practice, allows a select few powerful lawyer-legislators to exercise tremendous power over the JMSC by fixing the outcome of the judicial races before a single vote is cast in the legislature, Pascoe said. Pascoe said hes not speaking only to expose the JMSC system, but to dispel misinformation spread by the few lawyer-legislators who oppose change. Republicans and Democrats are introducing similar legislation that calls for judicial reform, he said. We want to reform the Judicial Merit Selection Commission because it is rotten to the core, said. He supports legislation that will take lawyer-lawmakers off of the JMCS, Pascoe said. He said lawmakers who oppose the judicial reform claim, Pascoe is saying we have bad judges. Thats totally untrue, Pascoe said. Just like anything, we have a few bad judges in the state, but the majority are great, he said. The vast majority of judges in our state are tremendous public servants. I am trying to make sure they become a truly independent branch of our government and not have to worry about a few lawyer-legislators who practice law in their courtroom, he said. Pascoe said he has support from judges, too. In just the past month, I have had five current family and circuit court judges tell me they appreciate what I am doing because they all say, Any judge who tells you they arent looking over their shoulder worried about offending a lawyer-legislator is lying to you, he said. Pascoe made his first presentation of this type in January 2022 before a group of Republicans in Greenville. At that time, he presented a wish list, as he calls it, of reform. Those items include: a fentanyl trafficking statue, docket order, curbing lawyer-legislator protection, bond reform and judicial reform. The only item remaining undone on the list is judicial reform, he said. Pascoe said those legislative changes have been accomplished because of the voters and their engagement on the issues. This is who the powers-that-be listen to, he said. Now it is time to pass legislation dealing with the most important issue of all judicial reform. It wont be easy, because it means a few powerful legislators will have to give up power for the good of our state, he said. A 45-year-old Santee man is serving time in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of felony DUI resulting in death. Willie Terrance Kinley, of Santee River Road, entered his guilty pleas before Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor during a recent term of court held at the Orangeburg County Courthouse. Taylor sentenced him to two terms of 15 years in prison. After he serves eight years, the remainder of his terms will be suspended to two years of probation. Kinley is serving the sentences at the same time. On Sept. 28, 2019, Kinley was driving a 2012 Acura west on Old Number Six Highway when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2004 Honda Civic driven by 63-year-old Leonard Dash of Midtown Circle, Santee. Cynthia Armstrong, 48, of Midtown Circle, Santee was also in the Civic. Both Dash and Armstrong died from blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash. Kinley was also injured in the crash. In other recent guilty pleas: Tyrek Quvon Gilmore, 27, of 102 Summerlane Drive, Santee, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence. Taylor sentenced him to 62 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. TyMaine VyShan Glover, 22, of 131 Martino Drive, St. George, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. Taylor sentenced him to one day in jail and gave him credit for time served. Debra Yvonne Green, 45, of 839 Bill Salley Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery. Taylor sentenced Green to prison for three years. Since shed already served 41 days, her term was suspended to two years of probation. He also ordered her to complete substance abuse counseling. Jeremiah Louis Hartwell, 58, of 140 Creekside Road, Bamberg, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to stop for blue lights. Taylor sentenced Hartwell to three years in prison. Since hed already served 63 days in jail, the remainder of his term was suspended to two years of probation. Hartwells charge of reckless driving was dismissed. Jimmeka Shafonya Hill, 33, of 842 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful neglect of a child. Taylor sentenced her to two days in jail and gave her credit for time served. Molly Marie Hill, 56, of 1083 Lebanon Road, Ridgeville, pleaded guilty to domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Taylor sentenced her to prison for three years. Because shed already served 42 days in jail, he suspended her term to two years of probation. He also ordered her to complete anger management and a domestic violence intervention program. Her probation was transferred to Berkeley County. An Orangeburg Ford dealership has new ownership. Columbia-based McDaniels Automotive Group purchased Gibbes Ford of Orangeburg June 7. We do not have a truck in our portfolio, McDaniels Automotive Group founder and owner Bill McDaniels said. We are just so happy to be a part of the Ford family. It is the number one truck in the market. Without a doubt, Ford makes the best truck: hands down. McDaniels said he and former Gibbes Ford owner George Gibbes have been friends for more than 30 years and when he approached George about purchasing the store upon his retirement, Gibbes was amenable to the idea. Attempts to reach Gibbes for comment were unsuccessful. The dealerships service department will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the sales department from 9 a.m. To 7 p.m. On Saturdays, sales will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with plans to add Saturday service hours in the future. McDaniels said the dealership plans to keep all Gibbes employees. McDaniels also acquired a 1-1/2 acre piece of property next to the dealership that will house Ford commercial vehicles. The commercial vehicle portfolio will be new for the dealership. With Ford, we are going to be selling their trucks, their commercial vehicles and their electric cars and trucks , McDaniels said. We will be a full line Ford store whereas George was not. The store will sell new and preowned vehicles. "Ford is the number one in electrification," McDaniels said. "If you are going to team up with a company that believes in electrification, Ford is the company to be with. We will see how this pans out. I think there is a definite place. I don't know if it is a 100%. We are going to invest a lot of bucks just to make sure we are ready." McDaniels said Orangeburg is a "really good city" because "Columbia is coming to Orangeburg and Charleston is coming to Orangeburg." We are very excited, he said. McDaniels first entered the automotive business in 1969. I came up the hard way, he said. I was an inside recruiter with the Air Force. It was during Vietnam and I could tell you all the benefits you would get if you enlisted early." McDaniels said with $12,000 in his pocket, he was not looking to purchase a car like most young men of his age. I said, I am going to the local Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick store and I am going to get me a job part time selling cars, McDaniels said. That is where it all started. McDaniels got out of the Air Force in 1971 and then went on to college. I was still selling cars part time while I was in college, he said. In 1975, I decided it is time that I make a decision: Am I going to sell cars or what? So I stayed in cars. I have been in it pretty much all my adult life. McDaniels worked his way up the business from sales to management. On Jan. 13, 1989, McDaniels purchased the Acura store in Columbia, which was the first store of McDaniels Automotive Group. Since then he has acquired Volkswagen, Subaru and Porsche in Columbia and also acquired Audi and Acura in Charleston. He opened an Acura dealership in Newnan, Georgia, in the Atlanta market in March. In total, McDaniels has four stores in Columbia, two in Charleston and one in the Atlanta area. In 2020, McDaniels wrote a book An Unforgettable Ride. It was a number one best-seller for three weeks on Amazon. It traces a store really from rags to riches, McDaniels said. I am very grateful to God that he has given me the time on earth to do something and to give back. He said the stores support 20 charities in the Columbia and Charleston areas and he is hoping to do the same in Orangeburg. McDaniels also noted that during the COVID pandemic McDaniels did not charge any market adjustments unlike other dealerships. "You are going to start off knowing what kind of people we are," McDaniels said. "In South Carolina, probably 90% of the dealers, they overcharged for the cars because they could, because they only had so many. I don't care how few we have or how many we have, you will never pay an additional markup on our products." The purchase ends what has been a long run for George Gibbes, who is retiring. The Gibbes family opened multiple franchised dealerships in Columbia prior to 1910. Gibbes eventually opened Volkswagen and Mazda dealerships in the capital. The Gibbes Ford dealership in Bamberg opened in 1996 before closing in 2009 and coming to Orangeburg. Gibbes Ford of Orangeburg originally located at 1175 Five Chop Road (U.S. 301 North) before moving to its current location at 2840 St. Matthews Road in May 2012. Upon the move, the dealership was renamed Gibbes Ford, taking on the name of the former Bamberg dealership owned and later closed by Gibbes in March 2009. In March 2009, Gibbes purchased Ford of Orangeburg, formerly Whatley Ford, as part of a consolidation effort. The St. Matthews Road location had previously been used by Gibbes to sell used cars. For the 12th year in a row, Santee's town budget wont mean an increase in the property tax rate, Mayor Donnie Hilliard says. Santee Town Council gave unanimous final approval to the $8,248,480 budget on June 14 at special meeting that lasted about four minutes. For many years, growth has generated increased revenues sufficiently to offset rising costs, Hilliard said during a public hearing on June 7. But if the growth stops, a tax increase is likelier next year, he said. In recent months, a developer submitted multiple proposals for rezoning to build residential and/or commercial structures on acreage near the intersection of Old Number Six Highway and State Park Road. The council rejected all of the proposals, most recently by a 2-2 vote in March. The balanced budget anticipates 2023-24 income, with an equal amount of expenses, as follows: General Fund: $2,316,240 Water Fund: $1,114,770 Wastewater Fund: $1,818,270 Water Capital Improvement Fund: $100,300 Special Revenue (Hospitality and Accommodations Tax income): $2,550,000 Enterprise Fund (Conference Center): $348,900 During the budget public hearing, a man in the audience asked if Premium Peanuts shelling facility, when it's completed and becomes operational, would generate enough new income for the town to avoid tax rate hikes in the future. The mayor thanked him for asking a good question and explained that Premium Peanut is outside the town limits, so the company wont pay town taxes. But the town-owned wastewater systems service area extends beyond the town limits, and the peanut plant will be one of its customers, Hilliard added. The pumping station that will serve the Premium Peanut property is 42 years old and could not accommodate the new industrys needs, he said. So, on June 7, the council voted to accept the bid of $236,172 by Spicer-On-Call Services LLC to replace the pumping station. A state grant will reimburse the town for half of the cost. In another wastewater-related matter, Hilliard said the people in charge of the wastewater system decades ago didnt document where they installed all of the pipes, and that omission has present-day ramifications. For example, town officials initially told Dollar General that theyd have to pay $50,000 to bore a sewer line under a road to serve their new store site. Then a usable pipe was discovered, already installed under the road. Hilliard said. Another example of unintended consequences involves the mayors year-long campaign to make Santee more pleasant by placing litter barrels throughout the town. Hilliard said a few individuals have been using the litter barrels to dispose of their household garbage. He said bags of garbage will be checked for identifying names and addresses, and citations will be issued to the offenders. The Town of Santee does not offer garbage pickup service. Id rather see the private sector do it, Hilliard said. He said five companies are on record with the town as willing to pick up household garbage in Santee: Capital Waste Service of Columbia, Disposal Solutions of Eutawville, SC Waste of Orangeburg, Republic Services of North Charleston, and Waste Management of Orangeburg. Another option is to use a free county convenience site. The mayor also announced that applications are being accepted for the newly created position of town administrator in addition to a wastewater system operator and an accounting clerk. Police Chief Joseph Serrano announced that the Santee Police Department is fully staffed for the first time in years. He introduced Lt. Kevin Borghi, Sgt. Christopher Williams, Cpl. David Martin, Ptl. Devon Dotter, Ptl. Michael Stutts, and Ptl. Tyquonez Shaw. Hilliard thanked them for their service. Hilliard also noted the shortage of law enforcement and corrections officers generally across South Carolina and much of the nation. Serrano, who has been with the department for 17 years, said Santee is a great place to pursue a law enforcement career. In other business, the council: Tabled, for further discussion, a proposed set of policies and regulations for mobile vendors and concession operators, such as food trucks. At present the town has no such policies. Appointed Melvin Seabrooks to the town Architectural Review Board. Appointed Hilliard and Herman Keller as the towns voting delegates at the S.C. Rural Water Associations annual conference. Discussed in executive session a contractual matter involving the wastewater upgrade and a personnel matter involving the administration department. Hilliard said no votes on those matters would be taken that evening. The councils next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12. Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a new childcare plan. But can his new effort help the Asian country overcome its very low birth rate? In January, Kishida issued a serious warning about Japan's worsening population decline. He said that the country's low birth rate is affecting the social functions of residents. Because of this, the Japanese PM wanted to solve Japan's birth rate problem, saying it couldn't wait any longer. Fumion Kishida finally unveiled his new childcare plan to help increase Japan's birth rate. Japan PM Kishida's New Child Care Plan According to Reuters' latest report, during a press conference, Kishida announced the new childcare plan for Japan on Tuesday, June 13. Read Also: Fukushima Water Release Plan Underway Despite Opposition from Fishing Officials "Now is the last chance to reverse the downtrend in childbirth by the early 2030s," said the Japanese prime minister. "The low birthrate is a massive problem that concerns our country's society and entire economy and can't be put off," Kushida added. The Straits Times reported that the Japanese leader plans to double childcare spending by early 2030. As of press time, Japan's spending on child care is estimated at around $45 billion (4.7 trillion yen). The additional budget will be used to support those taking child care leaves and increase child care allowances. Aside from increasing childcare spending, the Japanese Parliament wants companies to allow their workers more flexible working schedules. For example, the new childcare plan will urge companies to allow their employees three days off per week. Can It Solve Japan's Low Birth Rate? As of writing, it is still early to conclude if Kishida's new childcare plan will be efficient. The Japanese prime minister hasn't shared how the Parliament will fund the mentioned childcare improvements above. But, Japanese officials need to start implementing them since Japan is one of the countries with the lowest birth rate. CNN World reported that Japan's birth rate has steadily declined over the past few years. If you want to learn more about Japan's worsening low birth rate, you can click this link. Related Article: Asian Countries Fear for Economic and Security Stability Amid China-US Rivalry @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (TBTCO) - Sau qua trinh chuan bi khan truong, quyet liet, nhat la sau 3 ot kiem thu a cho thay he thong ang ky, luu ky va thanh toan giao dich trai phieu doanh nghiep phat hanh rieng le (TPDNRL) tai Trung tam Luu ky Chung khoan Viet Nam (VSD) hoan thanh ve mat chuc nang va tich hop thong suot voi he thong cua cac ben lien quan. Theo o, en nay he thong ang ky, luu ky va thanh toan giao dich a san sang hoat ong theo ung ke hoach van hanh chinh thuc thi truong giao dich thu cap TPDNRL ma co quan quan ly giao nhiem vu Three nominees have been selected for the soon-to-be vacant Natrona County Circuit Court judicial position. A nominating commission chose Elizabeth B. Grill, Cynthia Sweet Howe and Kevin D. Taheri as finalists for the role, Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Kate M. Fox announced. Longtime judge Michael Patchen announced his retirement earlier this year after 22 years on the bench. After his last day on Sept. 10, one of these candidates will take over his position. That person will be appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon. The nominees share a passion for Wyomings criminal justice system. Howes family moved to Wyoming when she was 7 years old, she told the Star-Tribune. Her parents owned a guest lodge, Absaroka Mountain Lodge, outside the east gate of Yellowstone National Park, where she spent much of her childhood. She graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2006 and then spent two years clerking for Justice Jerry Larson of the Iowa Supreme Court, she said. Her interest in becoming a judge was sparked by Larson, someone who dedicated his entire career to the advancement of the legal profession. Through him I saw the difference a judge can make in a community by being respectful, honest, and fair, Howe said. Howe returned to Wyoming to be closer to family and because she found a renewed appreciation for wide-open spaces. In 2010, she became the supervising staff attorney for the Office of the Guardian ad Litema state agency whose mission is to provide legal representation to children in abuse and neglect cases, Howe said. Shes worked there ever since. As evident from my career, I am passionate about child welfare law, Howe said. I believe that most areas of the lawparticularly criminal justice, child welfare, and family law are so interrelated that it is impossible to be an effective advocate in one area without an interest in the others. Taheri, meanwhile, moved to Laramie in the second grade and has been here ever since, he told the Star-Tribune. His mother was a professor at the University of Wyoming, where he later attended law school. From there, Taheri relocated to Casper. Hes been a prosecutor with the Natrona County District Attorneys Office since 2000. He started out doing exclusively misdemeanor cases until progressing to a variety of felonies and juvenile court cases. He was a prosecutor with the Natrona County Drug Court team for about five years, and he is currently on the board of the Child Advocacy Project sharing the same interest in childrens law as Howe. Taheri believes all areas of criminal justice are important in their own way, but he is particularly concerned with the recent influx of fentanyl in the community, he said. He believes judges are extremely important. Hes applied to be one multiple times in the past, he said. For that reason, I feel if a lawyer believes he or she would make a good judge, and they are in position in their life where they can apply, they should apply so that there is a good pool of applicants to choose from, Taheri said. The third nominee, Grill, did not respond to a request for comment. Gordon has 30 days to appoint one of the nominees to serve as the new judge. During that time, Gordon schedules personal interviews with all three candidates, which are also attended by a member of the governors staff, usually the general counsel, said Michael Pearlman, spokesperson for the governors office. The governor takes into consideration numerous factors before making his final decision, including the interview, legal experience, a review of writing samples and references, Pearlman said. Authorities are searching for two men who stole thousands of dollars of tools earlier this month just south of the Wyoming-Colorado borders, the Weld County Sheriffs Office announced. On June 1, two suspects stole about $16,000 worth of tools from a cattle feedlot in Weld County, Colorado, the statement said. They then fled the scene in a white Toyota Tacoma with Wyoming license plates. The two men are pictured lugging out a piece of machinery together. Anyone with information about the suspects identities is asked to email Deputy Nathan Burke at nburke@weldgov.com or contact the Weld County Sheriffs Office at 970-356-4015 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Calvin Tohm had 48 hours to get to Gardiner, Montana, when the Yellowstone floods of June last year hit. His goal: gather as much post-flood data as he could that could help prepare for future disasters. The data found that resiliency in the face of disaster depends on community preparedness and building codes that are, in some experts opinions, deeply out of date. Tohm was handpicked for a team of researchers mobilized by the National Science Foundations Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance, or GEER. His adviser Bret Lingwall, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, was selected for the project and brought Tohm for support. For a week following the floods, Lingwall, Tohm and the rest of the team scattered across Montana and Wyoming from their base in Gardiner. They used advanced equipment and drone technology to map out terrain and measure shifts in soil. They also gathered samples from disaster sites and took pictures of bridges and roads that had survived or failed in the floods. Much of this data is used to figure out how to build roads, bridges and property that last longer, even in disasters. The days were long, Tohm said, usually leaving Gardiner by 7 a.m., driving two hours to a disaster zone, spending eight to 10 hours collecting data, and getting home just in time to eat, sleep and do it all over again. As a then-24-year-old masters student just about to defend his thesis, it was a lot to juggle, he said. But, the payoff was worth it, he said, for both his academic career and the safety of communities moving forward. The field data would be contributing towards a disaster-resiliency motion thats been in the minds of experts for years: building codes. We need to put heavier consideration into floodplains and how we determine them, Tohm said. We need to focus on how codes can be updated. Building codes refer to requirements of buildings to endure certain disaster events, and the codes are usually based on a physical location. Because some of Yellowstone County is on a 100-year flood plain, according to Yellowstone Countys website, buildings on the floodplain are constructed to endure a 100-year flood. Except, the title of 100-year flood can be misleading. A 100-year flood event isnt a flood that only occurs once every 100 years. It actually refers to an event that has a-one-in-100 chance of happening in any given year. Though unlikely, theres no cosmic rule that prevents a disaster from happening multiple years in a row or being worse than expected, Lingwall explained. Thats why places like Houston can experience three 500-year floods in three consecutive years. A U.S. Geological Survey news release called the 2022 Yellowstone flood a 500-year event. Its possible that the 100-year-flood building codes in the area, matched with a 500-year flood, resulted in the amount of destruction Montana and Wyoming saw, Lingwall said. The 100-year code was made a long time ago, back when people didnt have the technology we have today, Lindwall said. Its informed, but its not perfect. In short, current flood codes only prepare communities for the weakest what if scenario, Lindwall said. It would be smarter to build property with much more severe disasters in mind, so when a 500-year flood hits a 100-year floodplain, the community stands a better chance. But changing the code system is a long, laborious task, Lindwall said. As a member of the Transportation Research Board, a nationwide group that meets in Washington, D.C., every year to provide insight on things like how roads should be built, he estimates disaster-based building codes to only be changed in the next eight to 12 years. Code-makers need to consider community fragility and budget when making these decisions, Lindwall explained. A community like Gardiner, which only has two accessible exits, may not have the budget or terrain to add a new exit road if a building code demanded it. At the same time, if both accessible exits are destroyed or blocked, such as what happened last year, it means the residents and any visiting tourists are trapped. Theres got to be consideration for what that community needs, Lindwall said. Thats why its best to put the skills in the communitys hands. And until a solution is found, community hands may be the most important tool to disaster recovery, Lindwall said. He said he was impressed when he saw how fast the residents of Montana and Wyoming were able to respond in the midst of the flood. Sometimes, hed arrive at a disaster location to gather data and find progress already in motion. When tourists were trapped in Gardiner, the townspeople had a can do attitude and spent most of their energy on helping tourists find a place to stay and eat, he said. In Montana and Wyoming, we have people who are used to picking up a shovel and going to work, Lindwall said. Not every place has as many people trained in survival and durability, so if theyre gone, they may not bounce back as fast. Thats why, before codes are changed, its important for towns to be talking about disaster plans, he said. When the time comes, the plans wont always work, he said. But the process of making the plan, thinking about what you could do, is what will give people the skills to recover. The earth is full. Dark with last evenings rain. Saturated in snowmelt from an unrelenting winter. In that earth are roots that have spent the long Wyoming winter storing food, some waiting for years, quietly mustering the energy to venture aboveground and flower. These wildflowers gather near a draw where the water is hemmed in. There, in a square yard of land in the Red Canyon, south of Lander, youll find a dozen varieties sharing space: golden peas and timber milkvetch. Wild roses and wild onions. Hoods phlox and desert biscuitroot. The nodding heads of prairie smoke. The silvered leaves and yellow blossoms of hoary balsamroot. Deep-rooted, they return year after year. Over the crest of this draw an antelope huffs and lifts his head into the rising sun. Behind him, black cows dot the green grasses and fill the cool morning air with their emphatic lows. Hear the cacophony of birds: vesper sparrows, Brewers sparrows, song sparrows, rock wrens, morning doves, robins. Smell the sage on your muddied shoes as you traverse the hillside. Kneel down to taste the soft, cool bitterness of desert biscuitroot. Feel the warm sun crest red sandstone to face a waning moon, its glow fading to a milky white, light pouring into the canyon, shadows receding like a tide. Heavy snowfalls bring abundant blooms, and the Red Canyons blooms this year are particularly bountiful. The pale flowers of the endemic Barnebys clover huddling in cracks of nugget sandstone, the brilliant flame of the Indian paintbrush accenting pale sagebrush, the yellow hoary balsamroot and arrowleaf balsamroot dusting green hillsides like confectioners sugar, coloring seams where snow still lingers in brilliant white patches and where sweet-smelling antelope bitterbrush and chokecherry, still fruitless, huddle for moisture, offering seeds and nectar to birds and insects, waiting to feed the hungry mule deer or elk, and as the day begins the balsamroot flowers do as they were made to do, turning east to gather the suns rays, basking in its warmth, in its abundance. PHOTOS: Red Canyon's wildflower bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom Red Canyon's wildflowers bloom When it came time to say goodbye, Doolarie Badree just could not do it. The ailing mother cried, begged, wailed and bought time until, in the end, she let go of the daughter she could no longer care for. So that afternoon, her child, Renuca Badree, was taken from the home she had never left in all her 47 years of life. Members of the polices White-Collar Crime Unit visited the residence of Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine in Lowlands, Tobago, and searched the premises for several hours yesterday. The search was in relation to the audio recording of THA officials allegedly conspiring to use public funds for propaganda purposes. New Zealand's national radio broadcaster, Radio New Zealand (RNZ), has launched an investigation into the editing of several Ukraine war stories on its website. The investigation was launched after it was revealed that some stories had been edited in a way that presented a false account of events. RNZ Thwarts Several Ukraine War Stories (Photo : Wikimedia Commons / US Embassy from New Zealand) Radio NZ 2 For example, according to CNN, one story had been edited to remove a reference to Russian forces shelling a maternity hospital in Mariupol. RNZ has placed a staff member on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The staff member has yet to be named, but RNZ has said that the person is a senior journalist. RNZ has said that it takes the issue of journalistic integrity very seriously and that it will cooperate fully with the investigation. The editing of the Ukraine war stories has raised concerns about the accuracy of RNZ's reporting. RNZ is a publicly funded broadcaster seen as a reliable news source. The editing of the stories has damaged RNZ's reputation and has raised questions about the broadcaster's editorial standards. The investigation is ongoing and it is still being determined what the findings will be. However, editing the Ukraine war stories has highlighted the importance of accuracy and integrity in journalism. Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky Declares Kyiv Forces 'Working Toward Victory' as He Returns From US Visit Inaccurate News Reporting Inaccuracies in online news reporting are a growing problem. A 2017 study by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of Americans believe that news on the internet is often or sometimes inaccurate. This is a significant increase from 2016 when only 44 percent of Americans held this view. There are some reasons inaccuracies are so common in online news reporting. One reason is that the internet has made it easier for anyone to publish news, regardless of their training or expertise. This means there is a lot of low-quality news on the internet, and it can be difficult to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information. Another reason for the increase in inaccuracies is the pressure to publish quickly. Previously, news organizations had more time to fact-check their stories before posting them. However, the internet has created a 24-hour news cycle, meaning that news organizations are pressured to publish stories as quickly as possible. This can lead to mistakes being made. Finally, the internet has made it easier for people to spread misinformation. In the past, if someone wanted to spread false information, they had to do it through traditional media, such as newspapers or television. However, the internet has made it possible for anyone to spread false information to a large audience quickly. The problem of inaccuracies in online news reporting is a serious one. It can harm public discourse and can lead to people making decisions based on false information. Several things can be done to address this problem, such as improving fact-checking and training journalists to be more critical of the information they encounter. Related Article: Russia-Ukraine War: Risk of Nuclear Conflict Increases @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Public procurement law is one of the most vitally important pieces of legislation enacted since our Independence. Our civil society groups worked long and hard in the vineyard calling for the introduction of public procurement law, in the hope that this would be the catalyst to reverse the corruption and squandermania in government spending which threatens to ruin our country. Separate investigations involving local and federal authorities into alleged child sex crimes have resulted in the arrest of three men, Sierra Vista police say. On June 6, agents with Homeland Security arrested David Charron, 59, of Tucson, after a month-long investigation into individuals soliciting minors for sex on social media platforms, Sierra Vista police said Tuesday in a news release. The investigation began in May after police say Charron contacted a person he thought was a 14-year-old in Sierra Vista, the release said. Charron was arrested when police say he arrived in the city to meet the individual with plans to go to a hotel, police said in the release. He was processed by police before being taken to a federal correctional facility in Florence, police said. The case was referred for federal prosecution. On June 8, Homeland Security agents and Sierra Vista police arrested Norbert Felix, 51, after a search at his residence, police said in the news release. In April, Sierra Vista police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a Sierra Vista resident transferring child sexual abuse material onto a cloud storage platform. Felix was arrested without incident and booked into the Cochise County jail on four counts of sexual exploitation of minors. The case against Felix was accepted for prosecution by the Cochise County Attorneys Office, the release said. On June 10, Homeland Security agents and Sierra Vista police arrested Jonathan Shiffler, 23, of Richmond Hills, Georgia, near a park. The case started in April 2022, when police were told by a Sierra Vista resident that a 15-year-old was being solicited through an online gaming application to forward illicit images of themselves to several people. Over the next year, detectives secured evidence detailing a 24-month online relationship between the juvenile and Shiffler that involved the production of child sexual abuse material for money and online purchases. Shiffler was arrested when police say he traveled from Georgia to a Sierra Vista hotel to meet the teen. Shiffler was booked into the Cochise County jail on state charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated luring of a minor, luring of a minor, and involving a minor in a drug offense, police said in the release. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Nogales netted a near-record breaking haul of endangered fish organs, according to a news release. The agency intercepted a staggering 242 pounds of Totoaba swim bladders, estimated to be worth $2.7 million, it said Monday, June 12. The seizure is the second largest of its kind in the United States and the largest Totoaba seizure in Arizona to date. Totoaba fish are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Endangered Species Act. Their bladders are highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicine and are considered a delicacy in some Asian cultures. The discovery took place in April when CBP officers detected 270 Totoaba swim bladders hidden within a commercial shipment of frozen fish fillets. Officers alerted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which took the seized bladders for further examination. Preliminary DNA testing confirmed that the confiscated bladders belong to the Totoaba macdonaldi species, which is native to the Gulf of California in Mexico. This illegal trade in Totoaba swim bladders has had devastating consequences for the Gulf of Californias biodiversity, the news release said. The fishing methods used to capture Totoaba, primarily gill-net fishing, have resulted in the decline of another endangered species in the region, the Vaquita porpoise. A former movie theater that was redeveloped into self-storage has been sold to a Dallas investment group. Rosewood Property Co. bought the 66,429-square-foot Extra Space Storage facility at 770 N. Kolb Road for $13.5 million, Pima County Recorders Office records show. It was formerly the Gateway Century 12 movie theater. Rosewood owns 78 self-storage facilities around the country and this is the companys first purchase in Arizona. The Tucson property has 661 units of various sizes and types. We made our first self-storage purchase in 2012, viewing the emerging sector as a great fit for our long-hold strategy, and 11 years later, we continue to see tremendous value in this asset class, said Rick Perdue, president of Rosewood Property Co. This Tucson facility will make a nice addition to our growth in the Southwest region. Self-storage continues to be a growing industry in Tucson and across the country. Other local commercial transactions include: TAD IV Holdings LLC bought 5th Ave Apartments, at 4544, 4556, and 4560 S. Fifth Ave. from Tucson I Buyer LLC for $1 million. Allan Mendelsberg and Joey Martinez, with Picor, represented the seller. Joseph Chaplik, with Joseph Bernard Real Estate Investment LLC, represented the buyer. KECAZ LLC paid $700,000 for 17,424 square feet of land at Broadway Star Plaza, 7505 E. Broadway Blvd., to develop a Black Rock Coffee shop. The seller, VAP Properties LLC, Shenitzer Properties LLC, and WV LLC, was represented by Nancy McClure, with CBRE. The buyer was represented by Jeramy Price, with Volk Co. Planet Fitness leased the former Bealls space at 3840 W. River Road to open a fitness club later this year. Isaac Figueroa, with Larsen Baker, represented the landlord, and Ben Craney, of NAI Horizon, represented the tenant. Salad And Go leased 25,000 square feet of land on the southwest corner of Limberlost and First Avenue. Rick Borane and Dave Volk, with Volk Co., represented the landlord, First & Limberlost Plaza. Dave Hammack, with Picor, represented the tenant. Aragon Underground Construction leased 15,650 square feet of land at 4164 N. Flowing Wells Road. Andreas Castillo and Jeramy Price, with Volk Co., represented the landlord, Ideal Flowing Wells Holdings LLC. Tucson Asphalt Contractors Inc. leased 3,600 square feet at 2680 E. Valencia Road for its new corporate office. Jeramy Price, with Volk Co., represented the tenant. Molly Mary Gilbert and Andy Seleznov, with Picor, represented the landlord, Rogers Real Estate Holdings LLC. Photos: Looking back at Tucson's last drive-in movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater Aerial, Tucson, 1968 DeAnza Drive-In DeAnza Drive-In DeAnza Drive-In DeAnza Drive-In De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater DeAnza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater De Anza Drive-In movie theater Miyou Wallace woke up one day and told her husband John: "I want to start a food truck." The story makes it seem like it happened in the blink of an eye, but it goes back much farther than that. "It all started 35 years ago, I guess. That's when I met my beautiful wife," John Wallace says. "We've done a lot of things over the years and we're getting older and thinking of what we haven't done." Miyou has always loved cooking, learning everything from her mom. Miyou's mom wanted to open a restaurant of her own, but she had a big family at home and little time to operate a business. All of Miyou's sisters cook, too. But Miyou is the one who finally did it: she opened a food truck, dubbed Yum Yum Pocha, alongside John. "I talked to my sister last night who said, 'I can't believe you actually started it,'" Miyou says. "When I was growing up, I loved the street food so I just started cooking what I like." Yum Yum Pocha isn't the only new Korean food truck in town Junghwan Kim opened his food truck Doshirok, which means "lunchbox" in Korean, just days after the Wallaces opened theirs. Junghwan spent around four years in the Army before heading to culinary school. He moved to Tucson almost specifically to open Doshirok. "I noticed there aren't that many Korean restaurants (in Tucson)," Junghwan says. "I thought, why not here?" "The main idea was to provide something that was a Korean-style meal box," Junghwan says. "I wanted to serve people of Tucson something fairly quick and delicious that is not something people are too used to." Doshirok specializes in dishes like beef bulgogi and spicy pork, with sweets like Yakgwa cookies. The pork is his favorite, but customers tend to first fall in love with the beef. "Many customers haven't really tried this type of dish (the spicy pork), so they try it once and then they get hooked," he says. "Until then, it's usually beef, beef, beef until they try the pork." He makes the food himself, from the rice and kimchi to the marinades and the cookies. He's also dabbling in catering, where he's able to make other Korean items, and he's thinking about debuting other sweets on the food truck in the future. Junghwan started cooking as a kid, watching his grandma in the kitchen. He began with simpler dishes like ramen and fried eggs, until his recipes started to expand. "Korea is the country where I was raised, so I know the ins and outs of certain cuisines," Junghwan says. "Now we live in an era where we can type up something on YouTube or Google and get any type of recipes, but that's not the flavor I grew up in. I wanted to bring something a little more authentic and a little more interesting than what you can easily find online nowadays." Over at Yum Yum Pocha, the menu is an entirely different take on Korean cuisine. Ramyeon, described as a Korean version of ramen, is the star of the menu with six different versions and five different spice levels. "Her No. 5 will make you sweat," John says. "It's very different than Japan's ramen, and I'm not knocking the others, but it's different enough that anybody who enjoys noodles should give it a go," John says. Stir-fry noodles and rice bowls are also popular (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available), but Miyou's personal favorite is the fried mandoo, similar to a dumpling. Miyou uses her mom's recipes for the sauces and marinades across the menu. "All the stuff on our menu, if you walk down the streets of Seoul, you will find these items," John says. Miyou remembers a time, when she moved to Tucson more than three decades ago, when people couldn't place Korea on a map. "These days, everybody knows Korea. And for the younger generation with TV and K-pop, street food goes together." As the Wallaces are learning, Tucson shows up. They have customers who visit every location their food truck is parked at. "I love this job," Miyou says. "I tell my husband every day I love this job." "What is the goal? What is the most important part of the food truck?" Miyou asks. "For me, I cook the Korean meals for customers like I'm going to feed my own family." Where to find the food trucks Doshirok often sets up on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and for late-night eats at the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Kolb Road, among other locations. Junghwan posts the weekly schedule on Doshirok's Instagram page. Yum Yum Pocha is often parked on Tucson's north side, and also posts their locations on Instagram. You can also see their calendar through Street Food Finder. Illinois became the first state in the United States to outlaw book bans in libraries on Monday. The new law, which Governor J.B. Pritzker signed, will cut off state funding for any library that tries to remove books from its shelves. The law was prompted by a growing number of attempts to ban books from libraries and schools across the country, as reported by CBS News. A Victory for Freedom of Speech In 2022, there were more than 1,500 challenges to books in libraries and schools, according to the American Library Association. Most of the challenged books were about race, gender, sexuality, or LGBTQ+ issues. Pritzker said that the new law was a victory for freedom of speech and a rebuke of those trying to censor our libraries. He added that regimes ban books, not democracies. The new law is a significant victory for librarians and advocates for free speech. It is a reminder that libraries are places where all ideas are welcome, regardless of how controversial they may be. The law applies to all libraries in Illinois, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. Any library that removes a book from its shelves without following the proper procedures will be ineligible for state funding. The law takes effect on January 1, 2024. The new law is a welcome development in the fight against book bans. It is a reminder that libraries are places where all ideas are welcome and that freedom of speech is a fundamental right. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Daniel X. O'Neil) The facade of the Illinois State Library in Springfield, Illinois The new rule goes into effect as states all over the United States work to ban specific books from classrooms and libraries, particularly those with LGBTQ+ themes and written by people of color. In March, the American Library Association reported that there were twice as many attempts to censor books in public and school libraries in 2022 as in 2021, the previous record year. The American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights states that "materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," or Illinois public libraries must adopt a comparable oath to qualify for state funding. The legislation was proposed in the Illinois House of Representatives by Downers Grove Democrat Rep. Anne Stava-Murray after a school board in her district came under pressure to forbid particular materials from school libraries. Read also: Florida School Bans Amanda Gorman Poem Read at Biden's Presidential Inauguration Book Bans in the US Book bans in the US have been on the rise in recent years. In 2022, there were more than 1,500 challenges to books in libraries and schools, according to the American Library Association. Most of the books that were challenged were about race, gender, sexuality, or LGBTQ+ issues. These are a serious threat to freedom of speech. They prevent people from accessing information and ideas that they need to make informed decisions. They also send a message that certain ideas are not welcome in society. The fight against book bans is important because it is a fight for freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right that is essential for a healthy democracy. When people are able to access information and ideas freely, they are better able to make informed decisions about their lives. Related article: Utah Schools Ban the Bible Over 'Vulgarity,' 'Violence' After a Parent Complained @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. PORTLAND, Ore. Funding for schools, literacy programs and special education teachers in Oregon a state where 60% of third-graders can't read at grade level could be jeopardized by a Republican walkout that has stalled hundreds of bills and derailed the Legislature for nearly six weeks. The standoff over a bill that would expand access to abortion and gender-affirming health care could scuttle much-needed education funding in a year when the stars seemed to align for Oregon's budget. Tax revenues have exceeded state economists' projections, allowing lawmakers to approve a record K-12 budget of $10.2 billion. But the education spending legislation needs a vote from the Senate, which hasn't been able to conduct business since May 3 because of the GOP boycott, and time is running out, with just two weeks left until the legislative session ends. Supporting strong schools and improving student outcomes should be enough to make anyone show up for work, Democratic state Rep. Courtney Neron, the House Committee on Education chair, said at a recent rally against the walkout. From early childhood through higher education, our schools and students need us to respond to serious challenges." Oregon's Senate Republican office said in an email that it is critically important that we make sure education is fully funded. Republican minority leader Sen. Tim Knopp also said in an email his caucus will return by June 25 to pass substantially bipartisan bills and budgets. But Democrats say waiting until the session's last day to pass budgets isnt feasible and school districts need a sense of potential funding by early July to begin planning for the next school year. There's no way that we can pass all the budget bills on June 25, Democratic state Sen. Michael Dembrow, the Senate Committee on Education chair, said in an email. Just doing budget bills in both chambers will take several days. If lawmakers don't return soon, Dembrow said he suspects Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek will need to convene a special session at some point to do the budgets. But Dembrow also said he was optimistic that an agreement to end the walkout could be on the horizon. In a weekly newsletter to constituents sent Sunday night, he said that top Democratic and Republican leaders had been involved in several days of intense negotiations. Its too soon for me to say much of anything about these negotiations, but I can say that they are promising at this point. If they work out, we could be back voting on the Senate floor by midweek, Dembrow said. As in other states nationwide, reading and math scores plummeted in Oregon following the pandemic. School closures hit young children particularly hard, depriving them of critical in-person instruction on how to read. About 60% of third-graders in Oregon are not proficient in reading or math, according to the latest state assessment results. In addition to the $10.2 billion K-12 budget, which passed the state House with bipartisan support, the Senate Republican walkout also could derail education bills seeking to shore up pandemic learning losses and tackle the education workforce crisis. One such bill aims to address shortages of teachers and other school staff, particularly in rural areas, and boost pay for special education teachers. Another would invest $140 million in a new early literacy initiative for children from birth through third grade. This should be an emergency, a wake-up call, said Gini Pupo-Walker, an executive director of nonprofit advocacy group The Education Trust. Its unfortunate that those really important bills that could really reshape the way reading is taught and could really transform student experiences with learning are now being held hostage to a totally separate issue. The early literacy bill in particular received more than 150 written public comments. Among other things, the measure would fund tutoring for struggling readers and direct schools to base literacy instruction on science of reading research, which emphasizes the importance of phonics when teaching children how to read. Anna Ingram in Eugene was among the parents who testified in favor of the bill. She described feeling angry, anxious and hopeless as she saw her son having trouble learning to read. His first-grade teacher provided a list of 200 common words he should memorize. In third grade, he was encouraged to guess words from their first letter and by looking at pictures, she said. Actually sounding out the letters in the word was not recommended, she said in written testimony. Hes learned to read because I shell out thousands of dollars a year to have him tutored with explicit, systematic instruction. Education spending in coming years will be especially critical as one-time federal pandemic funds expire, said Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. We have probably more need for thoughtful, smart, careful policymaking in education than we have in generations, he said of the pandemic. When the resources are potentially there, I think it is extremely important that we use them and use them well, Valant added. Because the resources are not there forever. Architect Josias Joesler established a style that became emblematic of Tucson in the early 20th century. His buildings often featured exposed hand-hewn beams, exposed adobe brick, hand plastering, breezeways and patios that would show up in Ranch home designs throughout Tucson long after his death. Joesler's design influences came from his extensive travels. He was born in Switzerland in 1895. He studied architecture in Bern, engineering in Heidelburg and history and drawing at the Sorbonne in Paris. He worked as an architect in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain, where he married Natividad Lorenzo. The couple left Europe in 1924 for Havana, then Mexico City, and eventually Los Angeles. While working in Los Angeles, builder John Murphey convinced Joesler to move to Tucson. Their relationship resulted in nearly 400 buildings designed by Joesler and built by the Murphey-Keith Building Company. The Joeslers moved to San Diego briefly after World War II, but returned to Tucson. Joesler continued his design work, but not at the pace he did with Murphey. He died in 1956. Photos are from the Tucson Citizen home section in the 1950s-60s. Photographs by Bill Sears. Additional information provided by Demion Clinco of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. PHOENIX A plan to ask voters to require the Legislature to reauthorize a governors state of emergency declaration every 30 days has been gutted by the Arizona Senate after lawmakers realized more than three dozen open emergencies and millions of dollars in federal funding would be at risk. An amendment adopted Monday by the Senate removes the requirement that the governor call lawmakers into special session to maintain the emergency declarations. Instead, voters would be asked to change the constitution to automatically end any special powers a declaration gives a governor after 30 days unless the Legislature extends the time. And it specifically excludes fires and floods, which make up the vast majority of emergencies. For remaining declarations, the measure allows lawmakers to give an open-ended extension to a declaration instead of having to re-do the vote each month. The Legislature would have to either end, extend or modify those powers. Its changing the focus away from what is referred to as a state of emergency declaration and focuses all on the governors powers during the state of emergency, Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, told the Senate. The voter referral is rooted in Republican lawmakers anger over school and business closures ordered by former Gov. Doug Ducey in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state. It had passed the House with only Republican support and was hours away from an expected Senate vote last month when Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, raised concerns about the practical implications of the measure. If passed by the Legislature and approved by voters as initially drafted, it would have required approval in a special legislative session each and every month for all active emergencies, or they would end. The problem with that is that recovery efforts after floods, wildfires or other natural disasters often takes years, with federal funding contingent on a state emergency declaration. And there are lots of them, essentially turning the part-time Legislature into a full-time body just to OK the extensions. As of Jan. 17, Arizona had 41 open state disaster declarations, each relying on an emergency being declared by the governor, according to the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Last year, the GOP-controlled Legislature sharply limited a governors ability to call public health emergencies. Former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed it but it only took effect when he left office in early January, and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs became the new governor. Any health emergency is now limited to 120 days. After that, the Legislature would need to approve an extension every 30 days. Most Republican lawmakers wanted to greatly expand that law to cover all emergency declarations and put it in the constitution. But then Bennett raised the concerns, sidelining the whole effort. What now remains will only affect a small number of declarations. PHOENIX Republican lawmakers are moving toward asking voters to hobble their ability to write their own laws. On a voice vote Monday, the Arizona House voted to put a measure on the 2024 ballot to alter existing constitutional provisions that can force a public vote any time backers get the signatures of 10% of the people who voted in the last gubernatorial election. The 10% threshold would remain but with a twist: Initiative organizers would have to get that percentage in each of the states 30 legislative districts to put an issue on the ballot. So, if 50,000 of the people who voted for the governor came from a specific legislative district, then 5,000 of the signatures needed would have to come from that district. The same scenario would play out 29 more times across the state. Failure to get the signatures in just one of those districts would prevent everyone else in Arizona from getting a chance to weigh in. Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria, said the measure, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1015, makes sense. Right now, he said, initiative circulators can get all the signatures they need in Maricopa County. Thats 255,949 to put a change in statute on the 2024 ballot. He said nothing should go to voters unless there is a show of support in each of the 30 districts. Maricopa County would not be able to dictate a statewide vote, Livingston said. We need to recognize that counties out of Maricopa County matter. And this makes sure the other 14 counties matter. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said theres another side to it. Consider, she said, a proposal being pushed by residents of Mohave County. Right now, proponents are free to get the necessary signatures wherever they can. That would change if SCR 1015 is put into the Arizona Constitution. If they cant convince the legislative district residents of Scottsdale that their issues is important enough to refer to everyone else in the state, they (the Scottsdale residents) get veto power before this thing even gets a vote, she said. Thats wrong, Salman said. That is antithetical to the citizen initiative process. She said it amounts to asking residents of rural areas to hand over that power to the voters of Maricopa County. Wow, Salman said. Talk about disenfranchising your own. Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, D-Laveen, said its like saying no bill could come to the House floor unless at least one lawmaker from each district signed in support. He said the Republicans who control the Legislature would never approve giving such veto power to Democrats, who, in some districts, have both House seats and the Senate seat. Of course, we dont do that here because its nonsensical, De Los Santos said. The measure was already approved by the Senate. A final House vote would put the change on the 2024 ballot where, as a constitutional amendment, it would have to be approved by a majority. The proposal, pushed by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, comes after years of efforts by Republicans to make it harder to get voter initiatives on the ballot and easier to kick them off. The lines are being drawn between those who push ballot measures and dont want the change and those who have opposed them. The former category includes LUCHA, which was behind the 2016 measure to boost the states minimum wage from $8.05 and hour to the current $13.85. Conversely, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which fought that initiative unsuccessfully, is in support of the new restrictions that the measure would impose. This isnt the only example. Sandy Bahr, lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said people take to the streets with their petitions when lawmakers refuse to consider certain issues. Thats not new, she noted, citing the fact that it took an initiative in 1912 to grant women the right to vote in Arizona, eight years before the U.S. Constitution was amended. The Legislature would not deal with that, so it was referred to the ballot, Bahr said. More recently, voters approved a ban on leghold traps, snares and poisons on public lands in 1994 over the objections of hunters and some rural residents. Four years later, after lawmakers refused to take up the issue, foes of cockfighting got a ban on the ballot and got it approved. And in 2006, voters decided that farmers can no longer keep pigs and and calves in gestation crates. PARK CITY, Utah A judge ruled that a Utah mother of three who wrote a children's book about coping with grief after her husband's death, and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, will remain in jail throughout her trial after her sister-in-law called her "desperate, greedy and extremely manipulative" during a court hearing. Kouri Richins bowed her head and cried as a detective testified about authorities finding her husband dead and "cold to the touch," and prosecutors argued the evidence against her was strong enough to deny her bail. Her case became a true-crime sensation last month when charges were filed as a transfixed public pored over remarks Richins made promoting "Are You With Me?" the illustrated storybook about an angel-winged father watching over his children after passing away. Monday's detention hearing offered both prosecutors and Richins' attorneys a chance to preview their cases and provide contrasting theories of what happened. Prosecutors called to the stand a detective, a private investigator and a forensic accountant who painted a picture of Richins as having calculatingly plotted to kill her husband, making financial arrangements and purchasing drugs found in his system after his March 2022 death. In a victim impact statement she read in court, Amy Richins, Eric's sister, said it was painful for the family to watch Kouri Richins promote "Are You With Me?" and called her actions "betrayal and terror." "Since Eric's death, we have learned and unfortunately are continually reminded that Kouri is desperate, greedy and extremely manipulative," she said. "We have watched as Kouri has paraded around portraying herself as a grieving widow and victim while trying to profit from the death of my brother while trying to profit from a book about his death and trying to get life insurance," she added. Richins' attorneys argued the evidence against her was both dubious and circumstantial, noting that no drugs were found at the family home after the death and suggesting the state's star witness the housekeeper who claims to have sold Richins the drugs had motivation to lie as she sought leniency in the face of state and federal drug charges. "They provided evidence to her, essentially, until she got it right," Skye Lazaro, Richins' attorney, said of police interviews with the housekeeper. Prosecutors questioned the detective about the housekeeper who claims to have sold her fentanyl weeks before it was found in her husband's system and the family's "bug out bags" full of emergency provisions and passports they suggested made her a flight risk unsuitable for bail. Richins huffed deeply as they questioned the private investigator about the search history on her devices including for "luxury prison for the rich" and the information disclosed on death certificates. With members of both sides of the family sitting in the court gallery behind them, they asked the forensic accountant about Richins' personal financial struggles and the millions of dollars at stake in her husband's estate. "One or two pills might be accident. Twenty or five times the lethal dose is not accidental. That is a lot. That is someone who wanted Eric dead," Summit County Chief Prosecutor Patricia Cassell said. The detention hearing built off court documents in which prosecutors allege Richins slipped five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow mule cocktail she made for her husband, Eric Richins, amid marital disputes and fights over a multimillion-dollar mansion she ultimately purchased as an investment. The court documents paint a picture of a conniving woman who tried to lethally poison her husband multiple times, including on a vacation to Greece and on Valentine's Day weeks before his death. Witnesses interviewed as part of the investigation allege in February 2022 she laced a sandwich made for him with hydrocodone. She repeatedly denied her involvement on the day of his death in March 2022, even telling police, "My husband is active. He doesn't just die in his sleep. This is insane." The Legislature's attempt to extend tribal compacts that Gov. Kevin Stitt seems content to let expire later this year was put back in play by the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday. Meeting just long enough to override Stitt's veto of House Bill 1005x and adopt a resolution authorizing the current special session through July 31, the House left on the table $18 million for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture and two other bills. Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said he knew of no plans to bring those bills to the floor if and when the House meets again this summer. Stitt vetoed HB 1005x and another special session measure, Senate Bill 26x, on May 31, saying they infringe on the chief executive's authority to negotiate compacts and questioning the legality of the special session itself. HB 1005x extends for one year the motor vehicle registration compacts that would otherwise expire by the end of 2023. SB 26 does the same for tobacco compacts. Reportedly, Stitt has been unwilling to extend or renegotiate the compacts unless the state receives a bigger share of the current 5050 split. He also wants assurances that the tribes covered by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2020 McGirt ruling will not try to extend their taxing authority beyond current trust land limits. The Oklahoma state Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal of an Oklahoma Tax Commission decision that McGirt's definition of the Muscogee Creek reservation does not apply to state tax cases. Legislative leaders want the compacts extended because of potential state revenue disruptions should they expire in the middle of the budget year that begins July 1 and the likelihood of protracted legal battles. It is unclear exactly how much the state receives from the compacts, but a summary prepared for lawmakers last month says allowing the agreements to expire would have a negative effect on the state budget. The Senate did not meet Monday and might not until June 26, according to President Pro Tem Greg Treat's office. If and when the Senate meets, it is expected to take override votes on HB 1005x and SB 26x. The House would then have to meet to override 26x. Echols said that originally the House and Senate had agreed to both meet on Monday but that the Senate was unable to do so. Echols said it was his understanding that the Senate would meet on June 19, but Treat's office said it will be a week later, on June 26. Barring a change of plans, the House will not vote on a Senate Bill that authorizes the Oklahoma Historical Society to spend $18 million of its appropriation on OKPOP if the the same amount is raised through other means. The $18 million was actually appropriated to the OHS in another bill that was passed, and it's unclear whether the money can be accessed for OKPOP without the authorization measure. WASHINGTON Many minority lawmakers and voting rights activists see this week's Supreme Court decision ordering Alabama to redraw its congressional districts as a stunning victory with the potential to become a major stepping stone for undoing political maps that dilute the strength of communities of color. Hank Sanders, a former Alabama state lawmaker, knew there would be a decision since the court heard arguments in the case last fall. He did not anticipate being happy with the outcome, given the conservative-leaning court's previous rulings essentially gutted some of the most important provisions of the Voting Rights Act. "I was afraid they were going to go ahead and wipe out section 2," he said, referring to the part of the law at stake in the Alabama case. He was at his law office Thursday in Selma, scene of one of the most pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement, when news of the 5-4 ruling in favor of Alabama's Black voters was announced. "It was a surprise that was good for my day," he said. How the decision will affect similar lawsuits against political maps drawn in other states is unclear, though voting rights groups say the ruling provides firm guidance for lower courts to follow. The court majority found that Alabama concentrated Black voters in one district, while spreading them out among the others to make it much more difficult to elect more than one candidate of their choice. Alabama's Black population is large enough and geographically compact enough to create a second district, the judges found. Just one of its seven congressional districts is majority Black, in a state where more than one in four residents is Black. Similar maps were drawn in other states, primary by Republican-controlled legislatures. Kareem Crayton, the Brennan Center's senior director for voting and representation, called the court's decision "a welcome surprise" and said challenges to the maps in Louisiana and Georgia were the most similar to the Alabama case. While it was considering the Alabama case, the Supreme Court placed a hold on a lower court ruling in Louisiana allowing creation of a second majority-Black district. That's now likely to be lifted. A federal judge last year also ruled that some of Georgia's U.S. House and state legislative districts likely violated the Voting Rights Act, but he allowed the districts to be used in the 2022 elections because it was too close to the election to redraw them. Maps in all three states could have to be redrawn for the 2024 elections. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said the court's action reaffirmed his own belief that Louisiana's map, drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature, violated the law. "As I said when I vetoed it, Louisiana's current congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act," he said. "Louisiana's voting population is one-third Black. We know that in compliance with the principles of the Voting Rights Act, Louisiana can have a congressional map where two of our six districts are majority Black." Rep. Troy Carter, a Black Democrat representing Louisiana's lone district that is majority Black, said the Legislature should immediately convene to draw a second majority-minority district. "This Supreme Court ruling is a win not just for Alabamians but for Louisianans as well," Carter said in an emailed statement. "Rarely do we get a second chance to get things right now Louisiana can." In Georgia, Bishop Reginald Jackson, a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits challenging the state's congressional map, said he was ecstatic when he heard about the ruling and hopes it will boost their case. He said he became involved in the lawsuit amid concerns that the state's Black population increased while the number of Black congressional representatives decreased with the last round of redistricting. "So how could you have less Black representation when you have more Blacks moving into the state than before?" said Jackson, who presides over 534 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Georgia with over 90,000 parishioners. The Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana cases mean Black voters will likely have an opportunity to elect candidates in three additional districts, said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation, one of the organizations that spearheaded voting rights challenges in the states. She said other plaintiff groups' litigation in Texas could mean additional districts where minority voters "have the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice that don't exist now." Texas state Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, a Democrat who chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, said the case was a "major win for voting rights." With the current court's decisions in other areas, such as last year's overturning of the constitutional right to abortion, she was concerned about the direction the justices would take with voting rights. She was relieved to see Thursday's outcome. "As we are seeing the Latino community rise in many ways, we want to ensure that Latino power is translated into Latino political power," Neave Criado said. Latinos and whites share an equal proportion of the Texas population, about 40% each, according to 2022 census figures. Similar section 2 claims have been brought against numerous voting districts used for state legislatures and local governments around the country. Attorney Mark Gaber argued a case this week alleging Washington's state legislative districts diluted the voting strength of Hispanic residents and will be arguing a similar case next week involving Native Americans and North Dakota's state legislative districts. He thinks Thursday's ruling will strengthen the case. In Alabama, the question is what happens next. Steve Marshall, the state's Republican attorney general, said in a statement that he expects to continue defending the challenged map in federal court, including at a full trial. (CNN) A judge denied the pretrial release of Kouri Richins a Utah widow accused of killing her husband before she authored a childrens book about grief saying she must remain in custody pending the outcome of her trial due to the substantial evidence against her. The judges decision to deny bail came as new details about the widows alleged search history emerged as part of the case against the 33 year old, who appeared in a Park City, Utah, court on Monday. What is a lethal dose of fentanyl was one of many phone searches that investigators say were made by Kouri Richins. Prosecutors allege she killed Eric Richins, her husband of nine years, with a lethal dose of fentanyl. She faces charges of criminal homicide, aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. She has not yet entered a plea. In court Monday, Judge Richard E. Mrazik ruled Kouri Richins to be held without bail and cited the severity of the punishment of aggravated murder and the uniquely dangerous nature of fentanyl. The circumstances of this case weigh soundly against granting pre-trial release of any kind, Mrazik said, adding the array of possible penalties in a murder case creates a powerful incentive for a defendant to resort to desperate acts that might include harming themselves, harming the members of their family or harming witnesses in the case. During the hearing, prosecutors called on several expert witnesses to testify about the investigation into Kouri Richins phone records and financial history. The defense did not call any witnesses. Her attorney, Skye Lazaro, argued there was not adequate evidence proving she had purchased fentanyl and disputed that Kouri Richins financial troubles were a motive for her to kill her husband. Eric Richins sister, Amy Richins, also made a victim impact statement at the hearing, saying: Eric died under horrendous circumstances. I am tormented at the thought of what he endured. I play it out in my head, I go through the terrible sequence of events. I wonder when he realized he was in mortal danger. I wonder what Kouri may have said to him in his last moments, she continued. We have watched as Kouri has paraded around portraying herself as a grieving widow and victim while trying to profit from the death of my brother. The judge informed Kouri Richins she has the right to file an expedited appeal within 30 days of the ruling. The court will reconvene next on June 22 for a scheduling conference to determine a date for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors cite incriminating evidence The documents released Friday also give insight into Kouri Richins defense. Her attorneys argue there is no substantial evidence to support the charges and say she should be released as she awaits trial. Among the details released in the documents are internet searches investigators say were found on her phone that were described by prosecutors as incriminating. Some of the articles pulled up through her searches focused on fentanyl, life insurance payments and others relating to police investigations and how data is collected from electronic devices. The searches found on Kouri Richins iPhone include the phrases: can cops force you to do a lie detector test? Luxury prisons for the rich in America, death certificate says pending, will life insurance still pay? If someone is poisoned what does it go down on the death certificate as, and How to permanently delete information from an iPhone remotely. Eric Richins was found dead at the foot of the couples bed in March 2022. His wife told investigators at the time that she brought her husband a Moscow Mule cocktail in the bedroom of their Kamas, Utah, home, then left to sleep with their son in his room and returned around 3 a.m. to find her husband lying on the floor cold to the touch. About a year to the day after her husband died, Kouri Richins published a childrens book, Are You With Me? about navigating grief after the loss of a loved one. Alleged fentanyl purchases before husbands death Prosecutors say Kouri Richins withdrew money from bank accounts without her husbands knowledge and tried to change a life insurance policy to make herself the sole beneficiary. They also point to various incidents where she allegedly may have attempted to poison him. Meanwhile, her lawyers argue in filings made Friday that she had the right to withdraw money from their joint accounts, claiming there is no evidence identifying the computer from which the login was initiated when the life insurance policy change was attempted, and say she did not attempt to poison him. Investigators also detailed a series of illicit fentanyl purchases in the months leading up to her husbands death, according to the documents. His death was six days after the latest alleged pill delivery, investigators say. An autopsy and toxicology report revealed that Eric Richins, 39, had about five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system, according to a medical examiner. The defense insists there is no proof their client gave her husband the lethal dose. Law enforcement never identified or seized any fentanyl or other illicit drugs from the Family Home, her defense lawyers wrote in a motion. Also, the State has provided no evidence that there was fentanyl found in the home. Nor have they provided any evidence that Kouri gave Eric the fentanyl at issue. Eric Richins is described as a partier and someone who loved a good time, in the defense motion. He would consume alcohol and THC in any form, the document said. The defense motion also points to discrepancies in witness testimony, adding that law enforcement told one witness that if she gave them what they wanted, it would constitute her get out of jail free card, the document says. Allegations of forged documents Potentially previewing what may be presented in trial, another filing in the case includes allegations that some of Eric Richins financial documents may have been forged. The professional opinion of Matt Throckmorton a forensic document examiner who looked at three specific documents relating to durable power of attorney and life insurance is included in the filings. After comparing those documents with dozens of other documents Eric Richins authored, Throckmorton indicated that signatures on the three items in question appear to have been forged. The forgeries in this case are simulated forgeries. That is when someone tries to copy, draw or duplicate another persons characteristics and habits and tries to create a fraudulent signature or set of initials with enough similarities they might get passed off as genuine, Throckmorton explained. Eric made and requested several unusual to highly unusual choices and provisions to his estate plan, said attorney Kristal Bowman-Carter, who counseled him on estate planning, according to the documents. Those unusual requests included that his wife not be designated as his health care agent should one be needed and that his wife and children be provided for, but with the caveat that she should be unable to control the financials. Eric Richins chose his father and sister to be trustees on his familys behalf, according to the documents. He sought to protect the three young sons he and Kouri had together in the long-term by ensuring that Kouri would never be in a position to manage his property after his death, Bowman-Carter said. In a phone conversation the day after Eric Richins death, Bowman-Carter explained the trust to his wife. She said Kouri Richins became extremely upset. Her behavior (led) me to believe she was learning this for the first time. In an email included in the filings, Kouri Richins wrote to police clarifying information about her previous testimony, including a reference to an affair her husband previously had. Erics affair was the same year I moved out, the trust was created as well as him looking into a divorce, she wrote. Eric and I figured things out like most couples do, she added. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. The family of former Filipino General and Senator Rodolfo Biazon announced his death Monday at the age of 88. Biazon was well known for his part in thwarting several coup attempts during the presidency of Corazon Aquino, the most significant of which was in 1989. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that the bell has rung, and the last Taps has been [played] for [my father]," wrote Rufino Biazon, the late statesman's son, on Facebook and Twitter. The younger Biazon added it was "perfectly fitting" his father died on the morning of June 12, a Philippine public holiday celebrating the country's declaration of independence in 1898. "[T]he soldier who dedicated his life and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy has been set free from the pains of this world," he said. According to local media, Biazon has been under medical treatment for lung cancer since July 2022 and caught pneumonia twice this year. His son remarked his father "courageously fought his last battle like a Marine would." From 'Goat' to General Biazon was born of humble origins in 1935 in the northern Luzon province of Ilocos Norte as a son of a baker and a laundry woman. Like many other families during the 1940s, he and his family experienced hardship under the Japanese during World War II and poverty afterward, and he only started basic education when he was 11 in 1946. He eventually graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1961 as the "class goat," the lowest-ranking cadet of his class based on academics. His career as a serviceman was first highlighted when he was assigned to Davao, the largest city in Mindanao island, in 1983. His time there saw the public's renewed trust and confidence in the military after years of being perceived as oppressive and abusive. Biazon also attended other training programs during his military career, including the US Army Command and General Staff Course and the US Marines Amphibious Warfare Course in Quantico, Virginia, as well as the Allied Combat Intelligence Course in Okinawa, Japan. Despite his poor academic performance, he rose to the ranks and became the superintendent of his alma mater from 1986 to 1987, as well as becoming the commanding general of the Philippine Marine Corps in 1987. The following year, Biazon was appointed to head the National Capital Region Defense Command, which is responsible for the territorial security of Manila and its suburbs. Read Also: Italy's Silvio Berlusconi Dead at 86 From General to Statesman During his role as commander of forces within Manila, he remained loyal to Aquino's government and played a decisive role in crushing the military coup attempt against her in 1989. Biazon was thrust into the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), becoming its vice chief of staff in 1990 and chief of staff in 1991, the only one so far coming from the Philippine Marines. During his military career, he received 26 personal and campaign medals, including the Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medal, Outstanding Achievement Medal, and Bronze Cross Medal. Upon retiring from military service, Biazon entered politics as a senator from 1992 to 1995 and from 1998 to 2010. He then represented the Manila suburb city of Muntinlupa in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. During his time in office, he championed the concerns regarding national defense and security, as well as in urban planning, housing, and resettlement. One of the laws he authored was Republic Act 7898, or the AFP Modernization Act of 1995. A Statesman's Fitting Farewell The Philippine Department of National Defense released a statement saying Biazon left "a legacy worthy of emulation by current and future generations of Filipinos." "Throughout his decades-long service to the Filipino nation, Senator Biazon embodied patriotism, integrity, and commitment to the protection of the country's freedom and its democratic institutions," it added. The AFP also honored its former chief of staff for his "pivotal role" during the 1989 coup attempt. "General Biazon played a pivotal role in defending the country's democracy and upholding the integrity of our armed forces," said AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar. "His commitment to public service extended into his political career, serving as a senator who championed key legislations that advocated for the welfare of our countrymen." Colleagues from both houses of the Philippine Congress also remembered Biazon. In a statement, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Biazon's death on June 12 was "a fitting tribute...by the Almighty." Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri lamented Biazon's passing as "a bittersweet Independence Day" and called him "one of [the] staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that we are enjoying today." Progressive-leaning legislators particularly paid tribute to Biazon for upholding Philippine sovereignty against Chinese aggression, particularly in the South China Sea. Albay representative Edcel Lagman lauded him for "his firm stand against China's incursion in the West Philippine Sea," while senator Risa Hontiveros commended his call on the country's authorities "to take a united position against China." "Time and again, when he saw that our nation was in peril, he stepped out from his private life and gave us public servants clarity and a sense of direction," she added. Related Article: China Spying US From Cuba for Years, Biden Administration Reveals @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. OOLOGAH With the sound of roosters crowing in the background, it wasnt hard for guests on hand Monday to imagine what life for a young Will Rogers mightve once been like on his familys farm. Located in rural Rogers County, the site has long been open to the public with that purpose in mind. But if it fulfilled that purpose before, it should be able to do it even better now under its new ownership, officials say. Formerly owned and operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the 162-acre Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch was officially transferred to the Cherokee Nation Monday, with the tribe holding a signing ceremony to celebrate what it says will be a bright new future for the site. Today marks a new chapter for this great property, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said, speaking to a crowd of officials and guests in front of the ranch house. We live in an era in which we have the resources and we have the dedication to really tell our own story and do it in a lot of ways. Well do that at this wonderful property. Open as a historic site for over 60 years, the Will Rogers ranch, 9501 E. 380 Road in Oologah, has welcomed visitors from all over the world. It will continue operations this season under Cherokee Nation Businesses, officials said, with plans for renovations coming next year. Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, said he couldnt be more excited about the property transfer to the Cherokee Nation and what it means for the preservation of Rogers legacy. He said the money from the sale will help fund improvements at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. We have a big plan over the next few years to completely transform that facility, Thompson said. Hoskin said the tribe has been interested in the ranch property for several years. Rogers and his family were Cherokees, so the ranch has an important place in the larger Cherokee Nation story, he said. Moreover, Rogers was proud of his Cherokee heritage and never shied from proclaiming it. His story is, in and of itself, a story that deserves to be remembered, Hoskin said. With this site, we will help remind the world that so much of his greatness is because he was born right here. And were still celebrating that today. Born in 1879 and the youngest of his parents eight children, Rogers left the ranch around 1905 and pursued a career in Hollywood. Often referred to as The Cherokee Kid, he was one of the highest-paid actors of the 1930s, appearing in more than 70 films before his death in a plane crash in 1935. Will Rogers was someone who everybody loved, Thompson said. Everyone loved hearing his stories and hearing his wisdom. And that all started on the land that were standing on right here today. Everything, from that homespun wisdom to learning how to work with horses and cattle that all started right here. Among the many people thanked by tribal officials Monday was Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, Will Rogers great-granddaughter and family spokeswoman. Etcheverry, who lives in California, was not present but provided a statement that was read to the crowd. Our family believes that this change, the transfer of ownership, will introduce new life and offer a fresh perspective that the ranch has so longed for, Rogers-Etcheverry wrote. We look forward to watching this ranch once belonging to the great Will Rogers flourish as it did back in the late 1800s and into the 19th century, when Will was working the ground himself. We also look forward to a continued and lifelong relationship with the Cherokee Nation and are committed to offering our support and blessing on this new venture. The ranch house dates to as early as 1873. It was moved to its current hilltop location in 1960 to prevent its being flooded when the Verdigris River was dammed to create Oologah Lake. Over the years, the house served as a meeting place for commerce, government and community socials. Hoskin said the tribe plans to invest resources in the property and make it an absolute gem among the many gems in our system of museums and historic sites. I think it speaks well of the Cherokee Nation, not just what were doing right here today, but what weve been doing for some time, the chief said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Oklahomas lawsuit against major poultry producers could go to federal mediation if the states attorney general gets his wish. Attorney General Gentner Drummond told journalists at the annual meeting of the Oklahoma Press Association on Saturday in Shawnee that the lawsuit focused on water quality in the Illinois River Watershed has him in a tough spot. He also said he doesnt hold much hope for his wish to come true. Drummond said he doesnt see himself as a litigant but as the attorney general elected into the job to settle the longstanding conflict. He said clean-water advocates on one side and poultry industry leaders on the other see the issue in zero-sum terms. It pits clean water, which he supports 100%, against a robust poultry industry, which he said is vital for eastern Oklahoma. Its they have to win, and you have to lose, he said. Im hopeful we can find a path through which we win state, water and poultry. On Jan. 17, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell issued a detailed 219-page finding on the case in the federal Northern District of Oklahoma. He ordered the opposing parties to come to a resolution by March 17 or risk having him hand down his own ruling to resolve the case. But he allowed a 60-day extension in March and scheduled a hearing for his Tulsa courtroom on Friday. Now a change of venue is on the table. Frizzells decision and findings of fact on the lawsuit, initially filed by Attorney General Drew Edmondson in 2005, sided heavily with the state and put the responsibility for decades of phosphorus contamination in the Illinois River watershed directly on the poultry industry. Evidence cited by Frizzell found that nonpoint source pollution results from removing poultry litter from large-scale chicken farms and using it as fertilizer for crops and grazing lands. Drummond said phosphorous concentrations in the soil are allowed up to 300 pounds per acre, even in sensitive watersheds. Thats saturation-level, Drummond said. The scientific standard is 65 pounds. Any solution would require the poultry industry to find new disposal methods for tens of thousands of tons of poultry litter annually spread on farmlands and to perhaps mitigate some of the problems the judges findings attribute to past practices. Drummond characterized as chippy the negotiations with leaders at Tyson Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cal-Maine Inc., Cargill Inc., Georges Inc., Peterson Farms and Simmons Food, defendants in the case. He said he offered the industry a first try at a proposal and that the result lacked teeth. His office returned with a much more aggressive approach, and the poultry groups recently responded with a more modest offering. Just yesterday, we decided instead of going back in front of Frizzell next week, where he will chastise us and probably hold us all in contempt, we asked him to go into federal mediation so we can engage a 10th Circuit judge not from Oklahoma, from Utah who has a lot of experience in environmental law. Drummond said a judge who is an expert in the subject area and based in another state might put fresh eyes on the Frizzell decision and gain headway with the poultry industry. He said the industry needs to be persuaded to work with a state attorney general who wants to find ways to phase in changes and help the industry evolve. I want to find commonality, and we wont find it in federal court, Drummond said. Were going to have to do it through mediation. However, he added, he doesnt hold out too much hope. He might be the only one who favors that approach. But were going to try our hardest, he said. Drummond said leaving the ruling to Frizzell could be hard on the industry. Oh, hell kill em, he said. That wont be good for Oklahoma. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. A difference of opinion on medical marijuana licensing fees led to Gov. Kevin Stitts veto of a far-ranging medical marijuana bill late last week, the bills House sponsor said Monday. Senate Bill 437, which passed the House 72-20 on the last day of the regular session, includes provisions on packaging, prescribing to minors and financial disclosure. State Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, said another provision delaying already enacted sharply higher fees for grow licenses is what he believes triggered the veto. For several years, Stitt has advocated for higher licensing fees as a way to attack growers using medical marijuana licenses as cover for black market operations. Marti, though, believes that raising the fees will have the opposite effect. I know guys in the business who are trying to do things the right way, and theyre really struggling, Marti said. The ones who are selling their product for $6,000 a pound (out of state), theyre the ones who can afford the higher fees, and theyre the ones were trying to get rid of. Stitts veto message for SB 427 was not specific about which provisions he did not like. Contained within the Bill are a variety of policy changes to the program that, on their own, would have my full support, he wrote. Unfortunately, the Bill would also roll back progress we have made as a state to address illegal marijuana grow operations and bad actors within the industry. As illegal grow operations and bad actors continue to be the primary issue facing the industry, it is unwise to repeal changes designed to curb their participation in the market in exchange for improvements to other areas of the states program. A request to the Governors Office for clarification did not receive a response on Monday. Marti said he is particularly frustrated because, under House rules, none of the issues included in HB 437 can be considered next session unless Stitts veto is overriden. Im feeling frustrated, he said. The fee increases in question were enacted last year to go into effect this year. SB 437 would have postponed the effective date until Nov. 1, 2025. Grow licenses are currently $2,500, but under the new structure they will rise on a graduated scale to upwards of $50,000 for grow operations with more than 100,000 square feet of indoor canopy or 50 outdoor acres. Some lawmakers have complained that out of zeal to control illegal operations, the state is instead squeezing out small owners who are trying to run lawful businesses. One bill that did not even make it to the governors desk would have required the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to rebid its contract for the seed-to-sale tracking system cannabis businesses must use. Business owners have complained to legislators that the current system is too expensive and does not work properly. The Legislature passed and Stitt signed several enforcement measures, including ones targeting foreign land ownership and giving state officials more authority to close medical marijuana businesses and revoke their licenses. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. The Legislatures attempt to extend tribal compacts that Gov. Kevin Stitt seems content to let expire later this year was put back in play by the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday. Meeting just long enough to override Stitts veto of House Bill 1005x and adopt a resolution authorizing the current special session through July 31, the House left on the table $18 million for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture and two other bills. Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said he knew of no plans to bring those bills to the floor if and when the House meets again this summer. Stitt vetoed HB 1005x and another special session measure, Senate Bill 26x, on May 31, saying they infringe on the chief executives authority to negotiate compacts and questioning the legality of the special session itself. HB 1005x extends for one year the motor vehicle registration compacts that would otherwise expire by the end of 2023. SB 26 does the same for tobacco compacts. Reportedly, Stitt has been unwilling to extend or renegotiate the compacts unless the state receives a bigger share of the current 50-50 split. He also wants assurances that the tribes covered by the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt ruling will not try to extend their taxing authority beyond current trust land limits. The Oklahoma state Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal of an Oklahoma Tax Commission decision that McGirts definition of the Muscogee Creek reservation does not apply to state tax cases. Legislative leaders want the compacts extended because of potential state revenue disruptions should they expire in the middle of the budget year that begins July 1 and the likelihood of protracted legal battles. It is unclear exactly how much the state receives from the compacts, but a summary prepared for lawmakers last month says allowing the agreements to expire would have a negative effect on the state budget. The Senate did not meet Monday and might not until June 26, according to President Pro Tem Greg Treats office. If and when the Senate meets, it is expected to take override votes on HB 1005x and SB 26x. The House would then have to meet to override 26x. Echols said that originally the House and Senate had agreed to both meet on Monday but that the Senate was unable to do so. Echols said it was his understanding that the Senate would meet on June 19, but Treats office said it will be a week later, on June 26. Barring a change of plans, the House will not vote on a Senate Bill that authorizes the Oklahoma Historical Society to spend $18 million of its appropriation on OKPOP if the the same amount is raised through other means. The $18 million was actually appropriated to the OHS in another bill that was passed, and its unclear whether the money can be accessed for OKPOP without the authorization measure. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Throwback Tulsa: Bill signed for Tulsa to get pop culture museum on May 29, 2015 October 2019 video: Taylor Hanson's speech at the OKPOP Groundbreaking OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history OKPOP history Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES Former President Donald Trump took credit for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitts 2022 reelection in a social media post on Monday in which he complained about Stitts endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Governor Stitt of Oklahoma, who I didnt know very well, called me before his last election to say he was in BIG trouble and very much needed my Endorsement, Trump initially posted on his platform Truth Social. I LOVE Oklahoma & won 76 out of 76 Districts, something that never happened before. Ronald Reagan was next with 56. Anyway, I gave him my endorsement, he immediately went way up, and won. Now, despite the fact that DeSanctimonious is losing to Biden, & me, Stitt just endorsed him. Wow! He disliked the Indians & my great Senate pick. The post was later amended to replace 76 out of 76 Districts with 77 out of 77 Counties. Stitt introduced and endorsed DeSantis 100% during a rally in Tulsa on Saturday. Stitt is the only governor to endorse DeSantis, who trails Trump among Republicans by 30 points or more in most national polling. Aside from the 76 Districts gaffe, Trumps post is incorrect in claiming that he was the first to sweep the states counties. The first to carry all 77 was Democrat Franklin Roosevelt in 1932. More recently, Republicans George W. Bush, John McCain and Mitt Romney did so. How much Trumps endorsement helped Stitt in 2022, or how ardently Stitt sought it, is unclear. Some polling showed Stitt and Democrat Joy Hofmeister very close, but he wound up winning by 14 percentage points. By my great Senate pick, the post apparently is referring to U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a friend and Florida neighbor of Trumps. Mullin and Trump attended the NCAA Division I wrestling tournament in Tulsa earlier this year. Stitt also attended the event but kept his distance from Trump. Stitt didnt endorse anyone in the Republican Senate primary last year, but he did endorse Mullin in the general election. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Photos: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at Tulsa campaign event Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen held a reception for Luis Antonio Torres Iribar, member of the Communist Party of Cuba and First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee, on Monday as part of the latters visit to the city to seek deeper cooperation between the two localities. The top Cuban officials visit will contribute to strengthening the traditional, long-lasting Vietnam-Cuba friendship and partnership, and boosting the ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Havana, said Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nen. Over the past 60 years, the bilateral ties have flourished in various fields, he added. The Ho Chi Minh City Party chief underscored that the southern city is willing to play a pivotal role in bolstering the Vietnam-Cuba cooperation. The city expects to enhance its partnership with the Cuban side in numerous potential fields such as health, education, hi-tech agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people connection. Expressing his pleasure of the visit to the city named after late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, the first secretary of the Havana Party Committee said that Cuba and Vietnam always stand alongside as close friends despite any global uncertainty. Havana is always grateful to Vietnam for its support for Cuba during the countrys hardships, said Iribar. Cuba prioritizes its partnership with Vietnam and offers favorable conditions for Vietnamese firms to do business in Cuba. Havana hopes the two cities will deepen cooperation, the Cuban representative said. He also called on investors from Ho Chi Minh City to tap the Havana market. Havana is eager to join hands with Ho Chi Minh City to drive up the growth of health, tourism, and hi-tech agriculture. The Cuban officials visit to Vietnam marked the 50-year anniversary of late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castros visit to Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! ABU DHABI -- Against the heat, urbanisation and sand of the United Arab Emirates, the placid, muddy waterways of the Gulf state's coastal mangroves are being restored and planted in an ambitious fight against climate change. Tropical mangrove forests are complex ecosystems anchored around mangrove trees that thrive in inhospitable hot, muddy and salty conditions. They protect coastal communities against storms and floods, host diverse and threatened species and can soften climate change by capturing atmospheric carbon. "What makes this species of mangrove, Avicennia Marina, in Abu Dhabi special, is the fact that they are extremely resilient to harsh conditions, they can withstand extreme high salinity and super high temperatures," said Hamad al-Jailani a scientist at the Environment Agency of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. "This is very important in the context of climate change, as temperatures around the world increase or become less stable," he said from inside Abu Dhabi's protected mangroves, just under 40 percent of which are planted rather than natural. The UAE, which will host the COP28 climate summit in December, has been planting mangrove trees since its founding in the seventies and plans to plant another 100 million mangroves by 2030 on top of its current 60 million over 183 square kilometres (70 square miles) - which the climate ministry says capture 43,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. According to the United Nations Environment Program, global mangrove forests in 2020 had declined by 3.4 percent since 1996, but stabilised in recent years. In Khor Kalba on the UAE's east coast, a sign tells visitors the mangrove forest they are in is over 300 years old and part of the fight against climate change. "The species diversity is quite remarkable," said Brendan Whittington-Jones, a conservation scientist at Khor Kalba. The forest used to be open to the public and there were cars and camels in there, he said, but it was then closed. "It's enabled the system to recover quite substantially," he said. Older mangroves store more carbon and the U.N. says the success rate of artificial mangrove restoration projects can be quite low. Whittington-Jones says the focus should be on the survival of mangroves rather than on the number planted. "We have certainly seen there is a very narrow band of areas that either have the correct salinity or temperature or hydrology to allow mangroves to persist," he said. A view of Abu Dhabi's Grey mangrove (avicennia marina), which can grow in highly saline water, most commonly in the UAE, are pictured at the Eastern Mangrove National Park, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 5, 2023. United Arab Emirates mangroves combat climate change, providing diverse ecosystem, wildlife, and recreational grounds. Photo: Reuters General view of Abu Dhabi's Grey mangrove (avicennia marina), which can grow in highly saline water, most commonly in the UAE, at the Eastern Mangrove National Park, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 5, 2023. United Arab Emirates mangroves combat climate change, providing diverse ecosystem, wildlife, and recreational grounds. Photo: Reuters A giant mud crab (scylla serrata) is seen at the Khor Kalba Mangrove Center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, April 25, 2023. Photo: Reuters Vietnam strongly objects to Chinas false statement that its Xiang Yang Hong 10 survey vessel was operating legally in the East Vietnam Sea and did not enter the formers exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday. The ministry released the opposition in response to the fact that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin falsely claimed in an international press briefing on June 6 that Xiang Yang Hong 10 carried out research activities legitimately and lawfully in waters under Chinas jurisdiction. In response to Reuters question about why the Xiang Yang Hong 10 and its escorts left Vietnams EEZ after nearly a month of operations that prompted protests from Hanoi, Wang said: There is no such thing as entering in other countries exclusive economic zones. In fact, Xiang Yang Hong 10, escorted by a number of other Chinese vessels, illegally entered Vietnams exclusive economic zone in the East Vietnam Sea on May 7. At that time, Vietnam denounced the move as an obvious violation of its sovereignty and demanded that China withdraw the research ship and all escort vessels from Vietnamese waters immediately. In the face of the objection, all the Chinese vessels were reported to leave the Vietnamese sea area on June 5, heading for Chinas Hainan Island. However, at the aforementioned press briefing, Wang falsely stated that China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters. China uses Nansha Islands to refer to Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea. In reply to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers request for a comment on this issue on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Vietnamese foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang emphasized that Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa [Paracel] archipelagos in the East Vietnam Sea. She stated that the legal status of Truong Sa as well as the features of this archipelago have been clearly defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982. The sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime zones of a state prescribed in the 1982 UNCLOS, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states, including Vietnam, must be respected, the spokeswoman stressed. Every country should demonstrate their responsibility and make contributions to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and the rule of law in sea areas, including the East Vietnam Sea, Hang stated. In the past, Vietnams foreign ministry has repeatedly stated Vietnam's stance against China's illegal activities in the waters under Vietnamese sovereignty in accordance with international law, the spokesperson said. The ministry has resolutely voiced its objections to all of such violations and asked China to stop violating Vietnams sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its waters in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS. Vietnams law enforcement forces are closely keeping a close eye on developments in the East Vietnam Sea and will take measures in accordance with international and national laws to protect Vietnams legitimate rights and interests, Hang concluded. 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 -- Police on Monday arrested one more person involved in armed attacks on the headquarters of the Peoples Committees of two communes in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, taking the total number of suspects involved in the case to 27, spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security To An Xo told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. -- Police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Monday apprehended a 36-year-old man for allegedly smuggling over 100 metric tons of traditional Chinese medicines to Vietnam from China. -- A woman in a mushroom poisoning case in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam died on Monday. Earlier, her husband died and her 17-year-old daughter was hospitalized after they ate wild mushrooms stir-fired with sponge gourds. -- A woman and her 13-year-old daughter died when their motorbike crashed into a container truck in Thu Duc City, under Ho Chi Minh City on Monday. The accident happened when the woman was carrying her daughter to Ho Chi Minh City from southern An Giang Province for the summer holiday. -- Two surveillance cameras at a public toilet in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City were stolen after the toilet has been put into operation for half a month. -- Police in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, is investigating a case in which a woman and a man died at a boarding house on Monday. The man was found dead by hanging. Business -- Deposits of individual customers at banks in Vietnam have reached some VND6,300 trillion (US$270.9 billion) as of the end of March, the highest-ever, despite falling deposit rates. -- Ho Chi Minh City maintained its leading position in exports in the first five months of the year, reaching $16.27 billion, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City have found that the people vandalizing railcars on Ho Chi Minh Citys metro line No. 1, which are being kept at Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City, are foreigners. Police officers in Thu Duc City have handed over the case to the Ho Chi Minh City criminal police division for further investigation. Hoang Mai Tung, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the developer of the metro line No. 1 project, reported the metro car vandalism at a press briefing on May 4. Vandals sprayed the metro cars with graffiti on April 30 and the MAUR completed removing the paint marks on May 2. The incident is a repetition of the same act of vandalism that occurred in June 2022. The authority had earlier signed an insurance contract for the railcars with their maker Hitachi during the installation, operation, and maintenance of these metro cars. The metro cars are in trial operation. The MAUR, Hitachi, and the Thu Duc police bureau reached a consensus on adding surveillance cameras and lighting systems, together with more staff, to safeguard the railcars at Long Binh Depot. Two groups of security guards will take turns to patrol the location of the railcars. The metro service is 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground railways and 17.1 kilometers of elevated tracks, running from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City through three underground stations and 11 stops above the ground. It has 17 trains, each consisting of three cars. Each Japanese-manufactured train is 61.5 meters long and can carry 930 passengers, including 147 sitting and 783 standing guests, at up to 110 kilometers per hour above the ground and 80 kilometers per hour underground. The metro line project, with a total investment of VND43.7 trillion (US$1.9 billion), is now 95 percent complete and has embarked on three test runs. The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee adjusted the expected completion date for the project to the end of this year, while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demanded that the construction of the metro line be finished by September 2, 2023. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Rose Montoya, a 27-year-old trans activist, has sparked outrage after she bared her breasts at the White House Pride Party over the weekend. She released a video on Twitter where she flashed her breasts alongside other trans individuals. It also featured her having a video selfie with US President Joe Biden. "I had the honor of attending White House Pride, the largest one in history where the pride flag flew for the first time," the caption stated. During her encounter with Biden, she also said, "[t]rans rights are human rights." Meanwhile, Biden addressed the crowd, saying the event was a message to the LGBT+ community, especially transgender children. "You are loved, you are heard, you're understood, and you belong," he said. Read Also: Southern California School District Votes To Recognize Pride Month, Prompts Protests I had the honor of attending @WhiteHouse Pride, the largest one in history where the pride flag flew for the first time. This is trans joy. Were here at the white house unapologetically trans, queer, and brown #foryourpride #pridemonth #whitehouse #potus #flotus #dcpride pic.twitter.com/vpvgYPzH0N Rose Montoya (@therosemontoya) June 12, 2023 Conservative Backlash However, conservatives condemned the event and even compared it to the alleged sexually-explicit files found on the laptop of Biden's son Hunter. "This is the White House, not a hookers-n-blow photo from Hunter's laptop," radio host Dana Loesch said. "[I]t was the Pride party on the White House lawn two days ago hosted by Joe. They also didn't hang the American flag right according to code." Loesch was referring to the US Flag code, in which it was stipulated that the American flag should be placed in the center of any display featuring multiple national flags or pennants. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik also questioned why the event, which he called a "deviant garbage," "go on right outside the [O]val [O]ffice." "We know it's not Joe Biden - this dude has no idea where he is," he added. "So who is it? Who is the cause of this international embarrassment?" Newsmax host Rob Schmitt described the act as 'pitiful,' while Dear America podcast presenter Graham Allen called the LGBT+ community "a cult and a disgrace" to the United States. Meanwhile, Montoya defended herself for her actions, explaining the legality of being topless in Washington, DC. "[G]oing topless in Washington, DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple," she explained. "[B]ecause why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not?" Veterans' Reactions Aside from conservatives, military veterans also question the display of the Pride flag, which was placed at the center of the display. According to the US Flag Code, the US flag "should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs." Marine veteran Chad Robichaux, who served during the Fall of Kabul, told the New York Post the White House knows the display was a violation of the Flag Code. "They do, they just don't care," he said. "If every group could understand what the American flag truly represents, it would not be a divisive thing." Related Article: Biden Slammed for US Flag Code Violation After Pride Month Display at the White House @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has proposed imposing monthly charges ranging between VND50,000 (US$2.1) and VND350,000 ($15) per square meter on drivers of vehicles parked on the citys streets and sidewalks. The fees will be different depending on areas, the department said at a conference on a plan to collect on-street parking fees in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday. In area 1, which has an average land price of at least VND36.8 million ($1,569) per square meter, the parking fee will be VND350,000 per square on streets in the downtown area and VND180,000 ($7.7) per square meter on the remaining roads. In area 2, whose land price is VND13.7 million ($583) per square meter or above, the parking fee will range between VND70,000 ($3) and VND100,000 ($4.3) per square meter. In areas 3 and 4, in which the land price reaches a minimum of VND8.5 million ($362.6) and VND4 million ($171) per square meter, respectively, the fee will be VND60,000 ($2.6) per square meter on all streets. The parking fee will be VND50,000 per square meter in the remaining area in the city. The municipal Department of Transport also suggested the rentals of streets and sidewalks for other activities at VND20,000-100,000 ($0.9-4.3) per square meter. Roads in the city have a total length of over 4,900 kilometers, including five national highways, 10 municipal roads, 457 district-level roads, 3,180 communes roads, 308 special-use routes, and 733 rural routes, among others, according to the Department of Transport. The department projected revenue from the parking fees at over VND1.5 trillion ($64 million) per year, including VND550 billion ($23.5 million) from vehicles parked on streets and VND972 billion ($41.5 million) from vehicles parked on sidewalks. The city will use the revenue to maintain streets and sidewalks. It will also adjust the list of streets on which vehicle parking is allowed. In mid-2018, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport launched a plan to charge fees from cars parked on 23 streets in the city. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A doctor has advised that parents should intensively practice precautionary measures against hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) as Vietnam has seen a rising number of HFMD cases, especially in the Mekong Delta region, with three child deaths reported so far. The number of HFMD cases in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam started increasing sharply from April. Many of them were hospitalized with severe illness, prompting hospitals to hold medical consultations with higher-level units or requiring a hospital transfer to a higher level of care. Some provinces in the region also reported cases of Enterovirus (EV71) that can cause serious HFMD. According to statistics from the Can Tho City Childrens Hospital, more than 2,260 HFMD infections have been reported so far this year. Last month witnessed a 140-percent month-on-month increase to 409 cases. The hospital also recorded one child death linked to this viral illness during the given period, adding that it had transferred three HFMD patients to an upper-level hospital for further treatment. In other provinces such as An Giang and Dong Thap, HFMD infections were also on the rise, at 386 and 743 cases this year, respectively. HFMD is a common infectious disease that most often affects children, according to the World Health Organization. Truong Cam Trinh, head of the Can Tho City Childrens Hospitals medical examination department, said the most identifiable symptom of the ailment is a rash with blisters on hands, feet, knees, and sometimes buttocks. The most common symptoms found in children with HFMD are mouth ulcers that cause pain when eating or drinking. Therefore, children infected with HFMD usually refuse to eat or drink and often drool excessively. Some HFMD child patients may have a mild fever. Those suffering from a high fever, along with nocturnal panic attacks, limb tremors, and crying should be hospitalized immediately. Also, both adults and children could be infected with HFMD multiple times, as antibodies produced after an HFMD infection wane over time, Trinh said. The doctor advised parents to adopt preventive measures by isolating sick people from healthy ones at home, while regularly disinfecting their kids toys and daily items. For HFMD cases under home treatment, parents were told to get their sick kids taken fever reducers every 4-6 hours as prescribed by doctors, but they must not use aspirin as it can cause serious complications. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Thua Thien-Hue Province, located in central Vietnam, announced the successful apprehension of a female fugitive on Monday who had managed to elude a police arrest warrant for two decades and was discovered living under an alias in Ho Chi Minh City. Pham Thi No, 50, residing in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, is in custody on charges of property theft and evading a police arrest warrant. Police in Hue City of Thua Thien-Hue Province issued an arrest warrant for No in April 2002 after she had fled her residence there to avoid serving six years imprisonment sentenced by the local Peoples Court in October 2000. In May 2000, she had been caught red-handed participating in a group of burglars that stole a handbag containing valuables at Dong Ba Market in Hue. On June 8, 2023, police apprehended No on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City and subsequently transported her back to Hue to serve her prison term. As per available information, No dwelled in multiple locations and adopted the alias Pham Thi Nga as a means to conceal her true identity, elude pursuers, and evade detection by law enforcement after leaving Hue. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Vietnamese government has decided to posthumously grant 'The Fatherland Acknowledges the Merit' Certificate to six martyrs of the armed attacks which took place in Cu Kuin District under Vietnams Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on June 11. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed the decision awarding the certificates to four police officers of the Ministry of Public Security and two officials of Cu Kuin District for sacrificing their lives in an effort to fight the armed attackers. Among them were Major Hoang Trung, Major Tran Quoc Thang, Captain Ha Tuan Anh, and Captain Nguyen Dang Nhan. These martyrs, who resided in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa Provinces, were police officers of Cu Kuin District in Dak Lak Province. The certificates were also awarded to Nguyen Van Kien, secretary of the Party Committee of Ea Ktur Commune and chairman of the commune; and Nguyen Van Dung, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Ea Tieu Commune and chairman of the Peoples Committee of the commune. The four police officers were also posthumously promoted to higher rankings under a decision signed by Minister of Public Security To Lam on the same day, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (L) sends his deepest condolences to the father of Nguyen Van Dung, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Ea Tieu Commune in Cu Kuin District, Dak Lak Province, who were among the martyrs of the gun shootings on June 11, 2023. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre They all sacrificed their lives on Sunday, when a gang with many unidentified members on motorcycles used guns and dangerous weapons to attack and vandalize the headquarters of the peoples committee and police stations in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes under Cu Kuin District, according to the Ministry of Public Security. The shootings claimed the lives of nine people, including four police officers, two officials, and three locals. Some officers were also injured. After being notified of the shootings, which rarely occur in Vietnam, the ministry quickly asked the police in Dak Lak Province and competent forces to hunt for these attackers. As of 9:00 am on Tuesday, 39 gang members had been taken into police custody, including two turning themselves in, Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday morning. Apart from the ongoing search for more suspects, the ministry also called on locals in Cu Kuin District and neighboring localities to stay calm and follow the instructions of the authorities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Monday pressed charges against Dao Cong Phu, a native of northern Thai Binh Province, for allegedly smuggling herbal medicine into Vietnam from China. The citys police agency on economic crimes said this is a serious smuggling case, in which the 36-year-old suspect adopted sophisticated practices and tricks, as well as exploited loopholes in customs clearance procedures to smuggle goods. According to the investigation results, Phu established a shell business named Ngoc Son Company and hired several people to conduct customs procedures to smuggle traditional medicine from China to Vietnam. The shell company made six customs declarations and imported a total number of 21 shipping containers of goods into Vietnam via the Da Nang Port Border Gate. Sixteen of the containers had been cleared and transported to other locations for consumption. As for the remaining five containers pending customs clearance, the customs officers discovered that these did not contain farm produce as earlier declared, but more than 100 metric tons of herbal medicines inside, worth nearly VND13 billion (US$552,500). Police are expanding the probe into this smuggling case. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Walkley-winning journalist, Erin Edwards, has been appointed Executive Editor of 10 News First Queensland replacing Holly Green, who recently resigned after nearly 7 years in the role. Edwards was a senior journalist at Seven for the past 23 years with roles in Mackay, Townsville, the Sunshine Coast and her hometown, Brisbane, before joining 10 News First Queensland. She has a Bachelor of Journalism at The University of Queensland and during her tenure at Seven, won a Walkley Award for Television News Reporting for her story on the Lockyer Valley Flood. Martin White, Head of Broadcast News, Paramount Australia and New Zealand, said Were delighted to welcome Erin to the network. As the editorial leader of the newsroom, Erin will be setting the agenda for quality local and national content for the state. I look forward to seeing her exceptional eye for news, exemplary story-telling skills and professionalism shape the Queensland bulletin. Erin Edwards said, I want to share more of the stories that Queenslanders want to see. Well always deliver the breaking news and wont shy away from the hard stories. But well also highlight the quiet achievers, the community leaders and inspirational Queenslanders who have the stories that make us proud, lift us up and unite us across the state. Im also excited to take this next step in my career with 10 News First. Ive admired their grit and guts for decades and Im thrilled to be collaborating with experienced local journalists and a top-notch production team. But its also an incredible career highlight to be working alongside Sandra Sully, one of Queenslands and Australias most iconic and talented news anchors. To say Im excited for this opportunity is an understatement, said Erin. A major bombshell out of the USA today with news that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will be disbanded after 80 years, following Dick Clark Productions taking broadcast rights to the Golden Globe Awards. The California attorney general has signed off on a plan to convert the not for profit body into a for-profit enterprise, with its 95 members to become employees of private equity firm, Eldridge Industries. Dick Clark Productions and its partners will oversee the awards telecast, as it has done for years, and look for other ways to extend the Globes around the world. LA Times reports proceeds from the deal, along with the existing resources of the HFPA, will transition into a newly formed nonprofit Golden Globe Foundation, which will oversee the groups philanthropic and charitable giving. We are excited to close on this much-anticipated member-approved transaction and transition from a member-led organization to a commercial enterprise, Helen Hoehne, formerly HFPAs president, said in a statement. Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Golden Globes, said Boehly, who serves as chairman of Eldridge. My partners at DCP and I are grateful to Helen and team for their commitment to the successful implementation of a robust approach to governance, the expansion of the diverse and international voting body, implementing a professional, safe and accountable environment, and trusting new ownership with a new direction for the Globes. The move is designed to combat years of chatter around judging to shift towards employee-based accountability, and a lack of diversity. Under the associations new incarnation, its employees will receive an annual salary of $75,000 for their work. Their responsibilities will include screening films and TV series submitted for Golden Globe consideration, participating in the voting process for nominations and winners, creating content for the organizations website and managing materials related to the awards show and the groups history. Eldridge Industries also owns several other businesses linked to the Globes, including the Penske-owned trade publications the Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Following recent headlines NBC which has aired the show since 1996 committed to just a one-year trial. Next years Globes, the 81st, is slated to air Jan. 7th but it remains to be seen whether the show will air on NBC, another TV network or a streaming platform. Swedish crime drama The Sandhamn Murders, Canadian documentary Crisis In Cocaine Valley , Swedish thriller Riding In Darkness, and French period drama Paris Police 1905 screen this week at SBS on Demand. Thursday, 15 June: The Sandhamn Murders (Season 9) All three episodes available. In Swedish with English subtitles. It is a beautiful summer morning on the island of Sandhamn in the Swedish archipelago. On the edge of an idyllic beach, a dead mans body floats up to the surface entangled in a fishing net. Crime Inspector Thomas Andreasson is called to the scene. He has a personal closeness to the island but carries an unspoken dark past. With traumas fresh in his memory, he returns to Sandhamn to solve the mystery. Crisis In Cocaine Valley In English and Spanish with English subtitles. Cocaine, of all the party drugs, is one of the most expensive, and Peru is the worlds second-largest producer. But now the Cocaine Valley is near collapse, due to a crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Then, there is the ever-tougher policing around the world. As a result, dealers are losing everything, and resorting to desperate measures to maintain control of the illicit market. Crises In Cocaine Valley tracks the origins of their decline, the brutal lengths they are willing to go to, and the fallout they leave behind. Riding In Darkness All eight episodes available. In Swedish with English subtitles. Riding in Darkness is inspired by the real events that took place at an equestrian centre in Sweden from the early 90s to 2016. In 1996, Tommy Lund seemed untouchable and above all suspicion. He was seen by everyone as a loving father, husband, and a passionate trainer who took care of the finest riders in the country. When Molly, an underprivileged girl from a broken family, arrives at Heddesta in 1996, she never imagined what lay ahead. She soon realises that she is not the only victim of Toms predatory and manipulative behaviour. Paris Police 1905 (Season 2) All six episodes available. An French with English subtitles. Paris, Christmas 1904. When the Paris police department under the orders of Police Chief Lepine begin to clear prostitutes from the citys streets, a mans body is found in the Bois de Boulogne gardens. Inspector Antoine Jouin is entrusted with the investigation, which leads him into an illicit world where pimps, blackmailers and crooked doctors are interlinked in a web of intrigue. Stars Jeremie Laheurte (Blue Is the Warmest Colour), Evelyn Brochu (Pawn Sacrifice) and Marc Barbe. As the first woman to head the biggest police force in the United States, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell is leaving her position. Sewell sent an email to the department on Monday, June 12, announcing her resignation. "While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City," Sewell remarked. Appointed by NYC Mayor Eric Adams According to USA Today, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Sewell 18 months ago. On Monday, he tweeted his appreciation for her "steadfast leadership" and dedication to the city. Adams' top housing official, Jessica Katz, and the city's efficiency officer, Melanie La Rocca, have all left the administration in recent weeks, and Sewell is the latest high-profile resignation. Adams stated that everyone was thankful for the commissioner's service, which spanned about a year and a half, working nearly 24 hours a day and seven days a week. "New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude," Adams tweeted. I want to thank Police Commissioner Sewell for her devotion over the last 18 months and her steadfast leadership. Her efforts played a leading role in this administrations tireless work to make New York City safer. Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 12, 2023 The city issued a press release in January 2022 saying that Sewell spent 25 years with the Nassau County Police Department before being promoted to the position of commissioner upon Adams' election as mayor. Adams was a former NYPD captain. According to the statement, Sewell was the first Black woman to serve as the chief of detectives at the department. Previously, she had headed the large case bureau and the professional standards bureau. The City's Crime Rate Dropped There was a decline in overall crime in the city when Sewell was in charge of the NYPD, according to USA Today. Murder was among the crimes that went down. She had to deal with a number of high-profile issues, including the shooting deaths of two police officers in her first month on the job and demonstrations after the chokehold murder of Jordan Neely a month ago. Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch told USA TODAY in a statement that Sewell had a significant influence and that her leadership will be missed. "She took over a police department in crisis and faced tremendous challenges from day one. She cared about the cops on the street and was always open to working with us to improve their lives and working conditions," Lynch added. See Also: New York City Launches First Public Health Vending Machine Amid Surging Opioid Crisis Who May Possibly Take Over Next? In a report by ABC 7, First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban is envisioned to take charge temporarily after Sewell departs the agency. If this happens, he will be the first Hispanic police commissioner in NYPD history. Being close to the mayor, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey also has to be at the top of the list of candidates. However, Maddrey has a history of controversy. Most recently, Sewell suspended her six to ten vacation days for overturning the arrest of a veteran NYPD officer in November 2021. Public Safety Deputy Mayor Phil Banks is in charge of citizen security in his present post at City Hall, and he is close to the mayor, too. Banks resigned as head of the department in 2014 and was subsequently labeled an unindicted co-conspirator in a major NYPD corruption case. He denies misconduct and hosts a weekly public safety briefing. See Also: North Dakota Concerned About Marijuana Smuggling; New York Recreational Pot Market Struggles @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Omagh Pride Parade @omaghpride via Instagram Happening this Saturday, June 17, Northern Ireland will celebrate its first Pride parade of the year in Omagh. Get ready to raise your rainbow flags high and stride with pride as the parade takes to the streets to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and equality. The march will kick off at 1pm from Main St Car Park, but everyone attending is encouraged to gather at 12pm because before the parade kicks off, prominent organisations such as Mermaids NI, The Rainbow Project NI, Communication Workers Unionv and HereNI will share inspiring insights on advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The parade will then commence with colourful floats, lively music, and an outpouring of love, showcasing the unity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Alongside members of the community and their friends, over 25 organisations will join the event including QUEERSPACE, Cara-Friend, Shopmobility Omagh, Cookstown Samba band, Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), Hospital Road Youth Club, Equity, and many more. Join us for Omagh Pride on 17th June! 1PM 2PM Parade sets off & ends @Main_Street_Omagh Car Park, passing Scarffes Entry, High St, Bridge St & more. 12:30 PM for inspiring speeches. 2PM 7PM enjoy Pride Fest with live performances, stalls, and love! #OmaghPride pic.twitter.com/rKzQ6P5Qjm Omagh Pride (@OmaghPride) June 7, 2023 After the parade, an exhilarating lineup of performances awaits attendees at Main St Car Park. Participants will enjoy live performances from Essentially Cher, CHERYM, Kandy Carousel, Dylan McKee DJ, Brothers Inc., Richard Joke, local drag queens, and more. The event will be hosted by Cat Brogan and Shane Pritchard, adding an extra dose of excitement to the festivities. There will also be various community stalls to explore, featuring organisations including many of those mentioned above. Of course, there will also be plenty of food options, so after exerting energy at the march, feel free to refuel by visiting some of the vibrant stalls. From savoury delights to sweet treats, theres something guaranteed to satisfy every palate. For the little ones, there will be a fun-filled Kids Zone, offering all kinds of fun activities, including face painting. After the daytime event, organisers are inviting attendees to join them for an exhilarating after-party at the Aviary Bar. For those looking to keep the Omagh Pride celebrations going, dance, socialise, and continue spreading the message of love and acceptance throughout the night and celebrate the start of Pride season in Northern Ireland in style. In addition to the parade, performances, and stalls, Omagh Pride is offering a variety of other events throughout the week. There will be a screening of The Troubles Ive Seen, a captivating documentary by LGBT NI Heritage, an inclusive Rugby match organised by Belfast Azlans RFC and Sporting Pride, which will be Omaghs first-ever inclusive community rugby game. Furthermore, the What does agreement mean to you? workshop by Ulster Presents at Ulster University has been organised to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, and to take a closer look at the artwork AGREEMENT by Amanda Dunsmore as a basis to engage in meaningful conversation about agreement in our current social and political landscape. Elsewhere in Ireland, Wexford Pride has also just announced a Soapbox Event for this Sunday, June 18. After the successful Pride in the Park back in May, organisers now want to concentrate on giving a voice to the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in Co Wexford. The event will serve as a reminder of the work that remains to be done, and, similarly to Omagh Prides celebrations, will emphasise the importance of inclusivity and equality. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wexford PRIDE (@wexfordpride) Find more information on all of the events on Omagh Prides website and Wexford Prides socials. The post Pride season in Northern Ireland to kick off with vibrant Omagh festival appeared first on GCN. (Bloomberg) -- Africas very young population presents great investment potential, said Roberta Annan, co-founder of the Impact Fund for African Creatives. Most Read from Bloomberg Governments need to provide grants, opportunities and access to capital for the youth, which can help reduce risk and persuade the private sector to co-invest with them, Annan said at the Bloomberg New Economy Africa Gateway in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Wednesday. Developments in green technology, fintech and farming innovation are emerging as the biggest job creators in Africa and globally, Brian Tippens, senior vice president and chief social impact officer at Cisco Systems Inc., said at the forum. Africas Forests Key to Slowing Global Warming (June 13, 6:05 p.m.) Africa, home to the vast Congo Basin tropical forest and almost a quarter of the worlds mangroves, needs to monetize its trees to help slow global warming, the head of AFC Capital Partners said. Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating against the effects of greenhouse gases by creating so-called carbon sinks. Not enough has been done to monetize their natural assets, Chief Executive Officer Ayaan Zeinab Adam said in an interview Tuesday at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa forum in Marrakesh, Morocco. When you look at Africa and say whats the biggest bang for your buck on mitigation, its really not energy because we are energy starved. Its our forest, mangroves, she said. The forum, which brings together leaders from the public and private sectors, continues Wednesday. Panels with delegates from the continent and beyond will discuss issues including Africas financial-technology potential, food security and climate adaptation and mitigation. Read more: Africa Needs to Monetize Its Trees to Help World Reach Net Zero Morocco Sees Post-Gray List Boost (June 13, 6 p.m.) Moroccos removal from the Financial Action Task Forces so-called gray list in February will definitely make it easier and cheaper to raise debt, Finance and Economy Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui told the forum. Countries are included on the list due to shortcomings in tackling money laundering and terrorist financing, and are subjected to greater oversight. Investors have already rewarded Morocco for what Alaoui termed the strong reforms it has enacted and its medium-term agend, she said. Among the steps it has taken is expanding access to social welfare in a country with a large informal economy. The moment they see that they can benefit from social security and go to hospital they definitely are willing to pay for their own taxes, she said. African Health Care in Spotlight (June 13, 6 p.m.) Afsane Jetha, co-founder and chief executive officer of Alta Semper Capital told the forum he sees an incredible opportunity to invest in health care in Africa as governments realize the importance of health security following the Covid-19 pandemic. Lamia Tazi, the CEO and chairwoman of Sothema de Therapeutique Marocaine, a Moroccan pharmaceutical company, sees a lack of intellectual property protection as one of the main barriers to developing vaccines and other pharmaceutical products in Africa. Viraj Rajadhyaksha, area medical director of Middle East and Africa at AstraZeneca Plc, highlighted the importance of developing testing laboratories and other health-care infrastructure within Africa, rather than relying on resources from abroad. IMF Sees Zambia Deal Soon (June 13, 5:04 p.m.) Zambias creditors are close to agreeing to a long-awaited debt restructuring deal that will allow the International Monetary Fund to disburse $188 million to the distressed African nation. Weve had initial agreements to provide financing assurances so the IMF can proceed with providing financing with Zambia, Abebe Aemro Selassie, director of the funds African Department, said during a panel discussion at the forum. Read more: Zambias Creditors Close to Debt Restructuring Deal, IMF Says --With assistance from Matthew Hill, Jennifer Zabasajja, Mike Cohen, Amogelang Mbatha, Souhail Karam and Janice Kew. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. HA NOI Vietnamese instant noodle products imported into the European Union (EU) market will not require certificates of food safety inspection issued by Viet Nams authorised agencies from June 27. Viet Nam News Agency reported that the EU on June 7 published an amendment to Regulation 2019/1973 regarding emergency measures for controlling food exports into the EU. Accordingly, the EU has officially moved Viet Nams instant noodles from Annex II, which requires a Health Certificate (HC) and 20 per cent control at the border gate, to Annex 1, which only requires 20 per cent control of the products at the EU border gates. This decision is a recognition of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s efforts in controlling food safety as well as supporting businesses in dealing with the problem. In January 2022, the EU put Vietnamese instant noodles products under the microscope subject to Regulation 2019/1793 in order to control ethylene oxide (EO) residues. This meant any Vietnamese instant noodle products imported into the EU must have a Health Certificate (HC) issued by an authorised Vietnamese agency. Only six months later, the EU removed Viet Nams vermicelli and rice products from the list of food safety management. According to the Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU Tran Ngoc Quan, the EUs maintenance of the 20 per cent control at border gates requires Vietnamese producers to maintain food safety control for instant noodles. In the last six months of 2023, if violations of food safety regulations were found, the EU might increase the control to 50 per cent at border gates and bring the products back to Annex 2. Thus, enterprises are urged to strictly control the production supply chain to ensure compliance with the food safety regulations of the union. Enterprises should also consider bringing products from shipments to the EU to reputable laboratories for testing. VNS HA NOI Brazil is Viet Nam's largest trading partner in Latin America and one of the three largest markets of Viet Nam in the Americas market, according to the Viet Nam Trade Office in Brazil. Brazil is a very large and potential market for Vietnamese goods. This market is not too strict and people's tastes are very diverse. The General Department of Customs reported that in the first four months of 2023, bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and Brazil reached US$2.32 billion, down 2.4 per cent over the same period in 2022. Of which, Viet Nam's exports to Brazil reached more than $855 million, up 14 per cent, while Viet Nam's imports from Brazil reached $1.4 billion, down 10 per cent over the same period in 2022. According to the Viet Nam Trade Office, Viet Nam's export products to Brazil in the first four months of 2023 included iron and steel, means of transport and spare parts, bags and suitcases, machinery and equipment, textiles, materials of textile, garment and footwear, rubber, seafood, and phones and components. Meanwhile, Viet Nam's main imported products from Brazil were raw materials and accessories for domestic production, such as corn, machinery, equipment and spare parts, and plastic materials. Now, enterprises of the two countries mainly carry out trade activities to meet their production and consumption on the domestic markets. The two countries do not have each other's investors, so the trend of investment cooperation in the two countries is necessary to meet the product supply in each country, according to the trade office. Meanwhile, the trade activities between Viet Nam and Brazil still have many difficulties and challenges. Of which, the geographical distance between the two countries is far, while the transportation is not convenient, so the logistics have not met the import and export needs of the two sides. The challenges have also included fierce competition in quality and price from export competitors from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore. Additionally, Vietnamese businesses, localities and associations have not been proactive and drastic in expanding markets, including Brazil. In order to promote exports to Brazil, Ngo Xuan Ty, head of the Viet Nam Trade Office in Brazil (concurrently Peru and Bolivia), has suggested that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should propose the Government to promote the development of logistics, helping the businesses reduce transportation costs and facilitate exports. Because the logistics directly affect competition in price and delivery time with export competitors from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. At the same time, he has recommended that the ministry proposes the Government to open a flight route connecting Viet Nam with Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is the largest trading gateway of South America. Meanwhile, the businesses, associations and localities should coordinate with the industry and trade ministry to participate in trade promotion programmes such as fairs, exhibitions, trade promotion conferences in Brazil as well as Peru and Bolivia. The Viet Nam Trade Office in Brazil is working with partners in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's largest economic centre, to boost exports to Bolivia. The Peruvian market is an open market with great potential. This is an opportunity to increase the export of Vietnamese goods to this market. Local people are very welcome to import goods with good quality and competitive prices, so Vietnamese businesses should have many trade promotion programmes to introduce their products in Peru, Ty said. In addition, it is necessary to have a close connection between domestic enterprises to build a community of reputable export businesses for expanding the export market. On the other hand, they need to do better in building reputable brands and produce goods with improved quality and competitive prices, he said. Currently, increased transport and logistics costs have affected export activities. In addition, the export and consumption of goods have suffered negative impacts from many uncertainties in the global market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Those factors have affected the production of Viet Nam and also the trade activities between Viet Nam and other countries, including Brazil. In 2022, the bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and Brazil reached $6.78 billion, up 6.6 per cent compared to 2021. VNS HCM CITY Agriculture has long been the backbone of Viet Nams economy for a number of comparative advantages, such as cultivated land, forest cover, sea territories, tropical climate, and available and cost effective labour, according to Surajit Rakshit, Head of Global Trade and Receivables Finance, HSBC Vietnam. Rakshit made his comments during a businesses forum on investing and developing the high-tech agricultural ecosystem in Tay Ninh Province. The forum aims at introducing and promoting the potential, strengths, investment incentives and policies of Tay Ninh Province while also helping domestic and foreign investors to access key projects, especially ones in economic zones, tourist resorts and agricultural projects, especially in high-tech agriculture. Surajit told the forum that agriculture contributes roughly 12.5 per cent of Viet Nams GDP. Last year, Viet Nams agricultural sector experienced its highest growth in recent years of 3.3 per cent. Breaking it down to sub-sectors, farming increased by 2.8 per cent, fisheries increased by 4.4 per cent and forestry increased by 6.1 per cent. The export turnover of the whole industry was over US$53 billion, up 9.3 per cent. Viet Nam currently exports a broad range of agricultural products all over the world. Its key exports are walnuts, coffee, cashew nuts, rice and rubber, accounting for over $10 billion worth of agricultural exports. Many of Viet Nams agricultural products have gained access to new markets. Role in global agriculture Also, Viet Nams plant-based agriculture is experiencing rapid growth and Viet Nam is becoming a key player in global agriculture. The country was selected by the United Nations to host the 4th Global Conference of the One Planet Networks Sustainable Food Systems Programme in April this year. This conference brought together experts from around the world to discuss how best to develop sustainable, resilient, healthy, and inclusive food systems. At the same time, the World Economic Forum (WEF) selected Viet Nam as one of the first three countries to pilot the Food Innovation Hub, a flagship initiative of the Food Action Alliance designed to improve sustainability in food production. Viet Nam has also signed 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with one more FTA negotiation completed in April and three others under negotiation. After implementing the Viet Nam-Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA), Viet Nam has become the third largest mango supplier for South Korea, reaching 1,700 tonnes in the January - November period, 2022. This is equal to $7.4 million. On the back of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Viet Nam has become the largest source of cashew nuts for the EU. In the first 10 months of 2022, the country exported 98,900 tonnes of cashews to European markets, worth $699 million. This represents an increase of 9.8 per cent over the same period in 2021. The EU was also the biggest importer of Vietnamese coffee and accounted for 39 per cent of the exports. Government support For Viet Nam's agriculture to shine and thrive and for it to continue contributing to the country's sustainability as well as net zero goals, the Government has a critical role to play. Indeed, the country's policymakers have already been quite active in this space. To support the agricultural sector and rural development, in 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued a list of key national products, which includes rice, coffee, rubber, cashews, pepper and tea. They are eligible for preferential support measures including exemptions from or reductions in land or water surface rents, preferential credit and human resources training. Viet Nam continues to implement policies to support the agricultural sector and the restructuring of agricultural production to improve competitiveness, increase added value and promote sustainable development. In 2019, the Government introduced Resolution No 53/NQ-CP to facilitate access to credit, the agricultural insurance programme, and preferential support measures for enterprises to encourage more investment into the agricultural sector and rural areas. The Government is also focusing on tackling one of the most pressing challenges climate change to help the agriculture sector to thrive sustainably. Due to Viet Nam's geographic exposure, it is particularly susceptible to climate change, which has a serious effect on agriculture. In 2016, Viet Nam ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, committing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 8 per cent between 2021 and 2030, and up to 25 per cent depending on international support. To realise these goals, the Government issued Decision 2053/QD-TTg, including activities for adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector. Following Viet Nam's bold net zero commitment at COP26, the Government approved the National Green Growth Strategy 2021-2030 with vision to 2050, which is an important policy document for the countrys economic growth and sustainable development, with specific goals related to greenhouse gas emission reductions. The commitment to reduce agricultural GHG emissions has also been affirmed in MARD's Action Plan to implement the National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period which was approved in 2022. It is projecting GDP growth of 2.5-3 per cent per year for the agriculture sector. The proportion of organic fertiliser products among total fertiliser products produced and consumed is expected to be over 30 per cent. There is a plan to increase the number of biological pesticides used to over 30 per cent. Also, at least 30 per cent of total shallow crops are expected to apply advanced and water-saving irrigation methods. VNS Greta Thunberg, a climate campaigner, has warned governments that failure to phase out fossil fuels amounts to signing a "death sentence" for millions of underprivileged people throughout the globe. Speedy and Fair Fossil Fuel Phaseout May Avoid Global Warming On Tuesday, June 13, she issued a warning that the current rate of yearly greenhouse gas emissions means that only a rapid and equitable phaseout of fossil fuels can prevent global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. She made these remarks during a news conference at UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany. According to The Guardian, she said that what the future looks like will be decisively determined in the next several months and years. "If we do not [phase out fossil fuels], it will be a death sentence for countless people. It is already a death sentence for countless people," she added. Last week, Thunberg declared that the weekly school strikes she has been holding since 2018 in response to government inactivity on the climate problem would be coming to an end, as reported by BBC. Despite not being in school, the activist plans to raise awareness about climate change and highlight the perspectives of young people in impoverished countries. She warned that if the political will to curb fossil fuel consumption is not mobilized, the world's average temperature could rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial levels, potentially setting off a chain reaction of repercussions that might cause catastrophic global warming. See Also: Global Climate Is at Risk as Coldest Deep Ocean Shrinks, Gets Warmer A Contentious Topic of How and When to Phase Out Fossil Fuels At the next COP28 UN climate conferences, the subject of how and when to phase out fossil fuels is certain to spark heated debate. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is hosting the summit since the country is a big oil and gas producer. Many nations hope that the COP28 meeting will result in an official agreement to phase out fossil fuels or at least include this topic on the agenda for discussion. However, the UAE president has been cautious, stating that there is not yet unanimity on the agenda and that there is strong opposition from certain nations, including fossil fuel producers like Saudi Arabia. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE Minister and CEO of Adnoc, the country's national oil corporation, will preside over the discussions. Adnoc is preparing for a major increase in fossil fuel output. Al Jaber's dual employment was deemed a conflict of interest by a Kenyan climate justice organizer Eric Njuguna. A CEO of a fossil fuel company, he argued, is "a stab in the back for poor countries" in light of their efforts to curb the climate problem. See Also: New Study Claims Climate Change Increases Airplane Turbulence @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Duy An Apart from coconuts, the southern province of Ben Tre is also famous for its durian, a specialty of Cai Mon Hamlet, Cho Lach District. Durian with its pungent smell but incredibly nutritious can be used in many tasty dishes that even gourmets won't forget in a hurry, said local Phung Van Ky, adding that tourists and travellers should visit Ben Tre to discover and experience the fruits and variety of dishes. Durian, which is our pride and joy, was been put on the fruit map of Viet Nam a century ago, said Ky, a native of Cai Mon Hamlet. Asked about the durians origin, Ky said that in 1910, there was a teacher named Nguyen Duy Luu, who was invited to teach in Cambodia. While there, he enjoyed durian the likes of which he had never eaten before with a special fragrance, sweet and buttery taste. So impressed with the fruit, he brought seeds home to grow in Cai Mon Hamlet. His efforts paid off, and soon the fruit grew and tasted just like the ones he'd eaten in Cambodia. Ky said that first time the durian trees planted by teacher Luu only bear fruit in summer. During that time, he had to wait at noon or midnight to have a ripe one fall. The durians sweet-scented and aroma was released far and wide, attracting people from neighbourhoods to come and ask for durian seeds to grow their own. Soon the whole area was full of durian trees, and using the name of the hamlet, the fruit became known as Cai Mon durian. Today, thanks to advances in technology, Cai Mon durian trees produce fruit all year, and the quality has remained the same. Like coconuts, another fruit famous in the province, durian can also be cooked into many dishes. It's popular when served with sticky rice, or as a desert with sweet soups or ice cream Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Thu Thuy, who was born in Germany, said her parents are addicted to durian. At first, she wasn't completely taken in with the potent smell, but after tasting the fruit, she was hooked. Thuy said she likes not only to eat fresh durian but also durian ice cream and durian juice. They are so tasty with aromatic flavour that I can eat a lot," she admitted. "They are very nutritious and help to cool down so much in the summer heat. We often make a plan, every two or three years, to return to our Vietnamese homeland not only for travelling through the country to discover its natural landscape but also to experience delicious dishes and fruits such as durian. VNS HA NOI The capital city of Ha Noi is among the top 10 domestic destinations searched for by Vietnamese tourists on booking.com, based on the data from the online travel agency. According to the forecast of booking.com in 2023, 74 per cent of Vietnamese tourists believe that travel is always a valuable experience for them, and over three-quarters, 78 per cent, believe that summer is the best time to travel. Despite concerns about the global economic crisis, travellers do not intend to abandon their travel plans. Instead, they are considering more cautious budgeting for their trips. Data from the online travel platform shows that destinations with beautiful beaches remain the top choice for Vietnamese tourists this summer. a Nang continues to hold the top position and is the most searched domestic destination by Vietnamese tourists for summer 2023, followed by Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. Beside beaches, local tourists are also concerned about big cities such as Ha Noi and HCM City, as well as less bustling cities like a Lat and Hoi An Ancient Town. All of these cities are on the list of the top 10 most searched destinations for this summer by domestic tourists that includes a Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, HCM City, a Lat, Hoi An, Ha Noi, Ha Long, Hue, and Ba Ria Vung Tau. Particularly, Ha Noi has risen to 7th position in the list after being absent from the top 10 last summer. In addition to domestic destinations, Booking.com also reveals popular international destinations chosen by Vietnamese tourists, the top of which is Bangkok in Thailand, followed by Singapore, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and New York. The Ha Noi Department of Tourism said the city welcomed more than 10 million travelers, up some 54 per cent over the same period last year. The city has set a target of attracting 22 million tourists this year, including three million international travellers. VNS HA NOI Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue yesterday emphasised the importance of carefully considering and incorporating all opinions to elevate the legislative system to the highest standard. He made the remarks in his opening speech at the session of the NA Standing Committee to review, amend, and improve draft laws and resolutions passed in the second session of the NAs fifth plenary session yesterday. Hue acknowledged that the 15th NA had concluded the first session of the fifth plenary session within 17 days. In the upcoming second session, the NA will focus on voting on the approval of various draft laws and resolutions. Starting on Monday, the NA Standing Committee will hold meetings to gather feedback on the draft laws and resolutions to be considered and approved in the second session. The committee is expected to give opinions on eight draft laws, including six draft laws that had been reviewed by the NA during the fourth session and two more draft laws to be passed. Furthermore, it will also provide opinions on nine draft resolutions. Hue emphasised that the process of reviewing and amending draft laws should strictly adhere to the procedures and principles stipulated in the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents. Only thoroughly prepared, proper, clear and urgent content should be included in the laws. He highlighted the need to ensure transparency and resolute efforts to combat corruption and negative phenomena, and the insertion of group interests or policy manipulation in the process of improving the institutional framework and building the legal system. According to the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents, the committee will take responsibility during the process of reviewing and amending draft laws. Once the committee reaches a consensus, it will propose a plan to seek opinions from relevant agencies. Hue said the division of the session into two periods was to allow sufficient time for reviewing and amending draft laws and stressed the need to carry out the work as soon as possible. He highly appreciated the efforts and close and positive collaboration between the NA Council for Ethnic Affairs, the NA committees with the relevant agencies, and urged them to continue their efforts to enhance the quality of their work. According to the working agenda, the committee will provide opinions on several major issues regarding the following draft laws: the amended Law on Procurement; the amended Law on Prices; the amended Law on Cooperatives; the amended Law on Protection of Consumer Rights; Civil Defence Law; amendments to certain provisions of the Law on People's Police; Amendments to certain provisions of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam; and the amended E-Transactions Law. In addition, the committee will also provide opinions on the draft resolution on the allocation of funds and capital levels for tasks and projects under the economic recovery programme; adjustment and supplementation of the mid-term public investment plan of the central budget for the period of 2021-2025 and allocation of the central budget investment plan for 2023 of the national target programme. Opinions will be given on the resolution on the investment transportation project from National Highway 27C to Provincial Road T.656 in Khanh Hoa Province, which connects with Lam ong and Ninh Thuan provinces; and the draft resolution on the results of specialised supervision on mobilisation, management and use of resources for COVID-19 prevention and control, and implementation of policies and laws on grassroots health and preventive medicine. The committee will work on major issues of the NAs draft resolution on piloting certain special policy mechanisms for the development of HCM City and resolution on approving the State budget settlement for 2021. Moreover, it will also provide opinions on the draft resolution on confidence voting for high-ranking positions cast by NA or People's Council; the draft general resolution of the Session, including content on reducing value-added tax, adjusting the investment policy for the Ka Pet reservoir, and supplementary capital injection for the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; the resolution on questioning and answering questions and the resolution on the establishment of specialised supervisory delegations of the NA in 2024. Also on Monday, Chairman of the Finance-Budget Committee Le Quang Manh reported on several major issues regarding the amended Law on Procurement and Law on Prices. Many NA delegates continued to provide opinions on provisions and regulations regarding procurement in the healthcare sector, such as centralised procurement for rare drugs, drugs needed in small quantities, specific provisions in cases where the Minister of Health issues a list of centrally procured items, and regulations on selecting contractors for supplying chemicals and medical equipment. Regarding the selection of investors in special cases, some opinions suggested not specifying the selection of investors in such cases. However, others believed that the application of special mechanisms for investor selection was necessary to meet the requirements of projects that had unpredictable defence and security needs in the future. In response to this matter, the committee proposed the need for a comprehensive review of the provisions. It recommended clarifying two aspects of the Law on Procurement, which ensured the maximum benefit for the invited bidders and a healthy, competitive, transparent business environment. Regarding State management, it proposed to design the unified State management of procurement under the Government, with the Ministry of Planning and Investment as the lead agency and other relevant ministries implementing their respective functions and tasks. During Mondays session, the committee also provided opinions on several major issues regarding the amended Law on Prices. VNS HA NOI An additional 10 suspects were arrested on the night of June 12 in connection with the fatal gun attacks at People's Committees' headquarters. The armed suspects entered the HQ of the Peoples Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes, including the communes police stations, in Cu Kuin District of the Central Highlands Province of ak Lak, said Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security Lieut. Gen. To An Xo. Xo said that as of June 13 morning, the total number of detained suspects had increased to 39, including two turning themselves in. Agencies are hunting for the remaining suspects, he said, adding that ak Lak police are calling on offenders to give themselves up early to receive leniency. The police have also seized a number of military weapons, including CKC rifles. According to the ak Lak Department of Public Security, the attacks took place on early June 11 morning, killing and injuring a number of communal police officers, communal cadres, and civilians. On June 12, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed a decision on granting certificates in recognition of the merit rendered to the Fatherland to six martyrs, including four of the Ministry of Public Security and two of ak Lak Province, who sacrificed their lives in the attacks. On June 13, a funeral was held for the martyrs, during which the certificates in recognition of their merit rendered to the Fatherland were granted to them. A delegation from the ak Lak Peoples Committee and Public Security Department came to pay homage to the martyrs. Earlier, Deputy PM Quang visited victims of the gun attacks and their families. Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang also led a delegation to visit the families of the four communal police officers, while Minister of Public Security General To Lam also sent wreaths to pay tribute to them, and extended his deepest sympathy to their families. Gen. Lam signed a decision to posthumously promote the ranks of the four police officers dying in the attacks and give assistance to the families of the dead officers and the injured ones. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Monday for Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, who is in Viet Nam for a visit and co-chairing the 9th Viet Nam-Thailand political consultation. Son spoke highly of the strong and intensive development of the enhanced strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Thailand, especially in politics, diplomacy, trade and investment. Highlighting the efficiency of the political consultation mechanism, the minister suggested upholding its role in reviewing and proposing orientations for the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries high-ranking leaders in general and their foreign ministries in particular. Son said the ministries should step up all-level delegation exchanges, particularly in 2023 to celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam-Thailand strategic partnership. At the same time, they should carry forward their role as a bridge to push ahead with the materialisation of the action plan implementing the enhanced strategic partnership in the 2022-27 period, especially the Three Connections initiative that covers supply chain; economies, businesses and localities; and sustainable growth strategies of the two countries, he said. The minister also suggested the two sides enhance cooperation in such new areas as digital economy, green economy and energy transition, while supporting each other at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong sub-region cooperation. For his part, Charoensuwan expressed his wish to welcome Son on a visit to Thailand, and committed to coordinating with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement cooperation contents in all important spheres, including national defence and security, trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The official noted that Viet Nam is an important partner of Thailand in the region, and agreed on the need for the two sides to continue their close coordination in maintaining ASEANs solidarity and centrality, and to strengthen their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms. He said apart from big groups and investment projects that are operating fruitfully in Viet Nam, more and more Thai enterprises have shown their interest in the market. VNS HA NOI President of Cote dIvoire's National Assembly Adama Bictogo arrived in Ha Noi on Tuesday afternoon, begining his official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue. The is the first visit by a high-ranking leader of the West African country to the Southeast Asian nation since the two set up their diplomatic ties 48 years ago. During his stay until June 16, Adama Bictogo will pay a courtesy visit to President Vo Van Thuong, meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, hold talks with the NA Chairman, and have working sessions with representatives from several ministries, sectors, and localities of Viet Nam. He will also lay wreaths at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs, and visit President Ho Chi Minhs stilt house in the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi. Bictogos visit will mark a new development step for the long-standing friendship between the two countries. It is expected to further promote multi-faceted cooperation, including politics, diplomacy, economy, trade and investment, labour, and people-to-people exchange between the two nations. The two countries leaders will seek ways to facilitate the Vietnamese community in Cote dIvoire, have specific guidelines and measures to protect legitimate rights and interests, and ensure a safe and secure environment for Vietnamese people living in the West African country. Regarding parliamentary collaboration, the two sides will exchange views on how to further strengthen cooperation in parliamentary diplomacy, step up delegation exchanges, and share experience in organising related activities. Viet Nam and Cote dIvoire signed many cooperation documents such as a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries in May 2014, and an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders on April 18, 2017. The two nations have regularly coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the International Organisation of the Francophonie. Since 2015, bilateral trade has increased rapidly. Cote dIvoire is Viet Nam's second largest trade partner in Africa and Viet Nam's fourth largest export market in the continent with a turnover of US$1.04 billion in 2022. The Vietnamese community in Cote dIvoire has about 300 people, of whom 50 per cent are permanent residents. There are nearly 1,000 small traders trading cashew nuts between the two countries. VNS HCM CITY Located in District 1 of HCM City, the city's Central Post Office has been named among the top 11 most beautiful post offices around the world, as compiled by Architectural Digest magazine of the United States. The building ranked second on the list. According to the magazine, the yellow facade and green shutters of the post office have turned the building into not only just a post office but a popular tourist attraction. Located at 02 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, the structure was designed by French architect Villedieu and his assistant Foulhoux in the late 1880s in a European style boasting Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences combined with Asian decor. It fascinates tourists with its typical colonial French features, ranging from exterior to interior decorations. The post office offers many traditional postal services such as mailing, and selling postcards and stamps, whilst foreign money exchange is also available. The city's Central Post Office today is one of the most well-known architectural works in the city. It has gradually become an indispensable tourist attraction in HCM City. The unique beauty of the city's Post Office building has increasingly lured a large number of tourists thanks to its magnificent architecture. Tourists come here partly to admire the unique architecture of the post office and partly to immerse themselves in the ancient world, from the post office boxes to phone booths. The other post offices included in the list were Palacio de Correos of Mexico, Los Angeles of the US, Madrid of Spain, Columbus of the US, James A. Farley of the US, Ragusa of Italy, Bonn of Germany, Kolkata of India, and Winslow of the US. VNS HCM CITY For 22 years, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh, has been on the front line of many rescue and emergency operations, not just in Ho Chi Minh City, but all over the country, and he's even been fighting fires abroad. Thanh is the Deputy Leader of the Firefighting and Rescue Squad, HCMC Firefighting and Rescue Force. He's saved lives, protected valuable assets and forest land as well investigating arson cases. Breathtaking rescue and relief efforts 10 years ago, during the U Minh Thuong forest fire in Kien Giang province, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh, together with 30 officers and soldiers, dozens of water pumps, and three fire trucks, battled against the raging inferno under the direct command of Major General Le Tan Buu, former Director of the City Firefighting and Rescue Police Department. The U Minh forest terrain was dangerous with thousands of hectares of trees, deep mud and numerous caves, making the firefighting equipment impossible to be deployed. After nearly 20 days of facing the fire with all their might, their strength and willpower to develop effective strategies, the blaze was gradually brought under control. In this battle, the lives of Lieutenant Colonel Thanh and his comrades were at times at risk. However, they overcame all dangers and difficulties to fulfill the mission of protecting 700 hectares of primeval forest and preventing the fire from spreading to 10,000 hectares of planted forest. Recalling the rescue of victims in the collapse of the CR4 scaffolding at Phu My Hung Residences in 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh felt emotional. At that time, the families of the victims requested the retrieval of a female victim trapped on the scaffolding. Underneath, another victim was trapped in a pile of concrete, with their life hanging by a thread. The decision to carry out the mission within 20 minutes, with limited space and urgent time requirements, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh used his hands to lift each stone to rescue the victim, using his own body to support the direction on the scaffolding, which was pinning down the victim. "At the 17th minute, when I tried to embrace the victim, I felt the scaffolding showing signs of movement, and only then did I breathe a sigh of relief, forgetting that I was at that moment bearing a large amount of concrete and the scaffolding could collapse at any time. When the victim was safely brought out, I could only embrace my comrades, my commanding officer, while tears flowed," Thanh recounted. An unforgettable rescue in his career was that of Hoang Van Thai, in Ha Quang, Cao Bang, who went missing in October 2019. The rescue point was a vertically deep cave, with the mouth of the cave getting smaller as it descended, winding and twisting. When Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh reached a depth of 220 meters, the water pouring down became stronger, the radio lost signal, and the electric winch stopped working. At that moment, Thanh was suspended, but he did not panic. He had only one thing on his mind: to bring the remains of the victim back to their family. When approaching the bottom of the cave without any tools, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh had to use his hands to dig and hook the soil and rocks that were burying the victim's body, picking up each piece of bone and putting them into a fabric bag. After two days of searching, he and his comrades successfully retrieved the highly decomposed body parts that were inside the cave. In February 2020, Thanh was mobilised to participate in a rescue mission in a cave with a depth of about 280 metres in Ha Giang. The prolonged rain throughout the night made the cave increasingly damp, and the cold seeped into his bones. The cave was pitch-black, with the only source of light being a makeshift flashlight attached to his helmet. As he descended deeper, the rescuer felt had difficulty breathing. There were moments when the thought of giving up, especially as sharp rocks protruded from all directions, ready to cut through his flesh. "Never before, while carrying out my duty, have I longed and hoped for the moment to return to my family with my loving wife and two adorable daughters," he said. "After nearly an hour I felt an overwhelming joy when the communication equipment was restored. In my nearly 22 years of rescue work, this was the first time I had to participate in such an extremely dangerous and difficult mission." When he set foot on the bottom of the cave and brought up the victim's body, the stench permeated his entire being as the water from the corpse had soaked through him. Yet, he was embraced tightly by his comrades. The victim's family burst into tears, continuously clasping their hands in gratitude to the rescue team. The bravery displayed by Thanh is truly remarkable. His unwavering dedication to saving lives, even in the face of immense danger and challenging circumstances, is a testament to his exceptional character and commitment to serving others. Ready to enter "hotspots" Most recently, he had the honour and pride of being part of a special delegation from the Ministry of Public Security to participate in search and rescue operations after the 2022 earthquakes in Turkey. At the end of the mission, the rescue team, along with the Ministry of Public Security, successfully saved one person and recovered 14 bodies. Their efforts were highly recognised and appreciated by the Turkish people and international rescue forces for their capabilities and work ethic. As the person who directly brought the surviving victim out from under the seven-meter-deep rubble in Turkey, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh shared his experience: "I was assigned the task of approaching the victim. Machinery couldn't be used in this situation as it would endanger the victim. The only way was to dig through the collapsed tunnel, even though it was extremely dangerous, but we had to accept it. "During the process of descending beneath the massive collapsed concrete, I used my hands to dig through the soil, rocks, and concrete while constantly communicating with the victim. When the victim was brought up, their family couldn't believe that their loved one could be saved. They all expressed their gratitude, bowed their heads, and thanked the Vietnamese search and rescue team." Nguyen Chi Thanh has been awarded the title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Grassroots Level" in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Police Department. He has also received numerous commendations and the title of "Exemplary Soldier of the Force" in 2023. Thanh was chosen as one of the five exemplary and advanced individuals to participate in an exchange program at the conference honoring exemplary and advanced individuals in the Ho Chi Minh City Police Force during the period of 2015-2020. In 2021, he was honoured with the "HCMC Silent and Noble Role Model" award. Despite being hailed as a firefighting "hero", few know about the difficulties in Thanh's personal life. For a long time, he and his family, consisting of four members, had to live in rented accommodation. When the media highlighted his achievements, individuals and businesses expressed their willingness to contribute and support his family. In response to the community's affection for him, the Command of the Firefighting, Rescue, and Search and Rescue Police Department reported and requested the approval of the Director of HCMC Police Department to provide him with a house, which was granted in March of this year. "Although the future will surely bring more hardship, I have never been satisfied with myself or the experience gained from these 'battles'," said Thanh. "I am not afraid to be present at any 'hot spot,' regardless of the difficulties, hardships, even if it means sacrificing my own life." VNS HA NOI More than 250 families living in apartment buildings for pump factory workers in Hai Duong Province say they are in fear for their lives because of poor conditions. Their blocks have been assessed as having the highest possible danger levels, and they were told in 2020 they need to relocate, but so far, none have been moved. The apartment buildings were built in Nguyen Trai Ward, Hai Duong City between 1960 and 1970 with five two-to-three floored blocks and 11 complexes of one-floor houses. They are homes to families of Hai Duong water pump factory workers. Nguyen Thi Doan, one of the oldest residents, said she has been living in the area for nearly 60 years. The building has been seriously degraded. Each time someone on the upper floor bangs or door, some parts on the wall crumble into pieces, she told Vietnam News Agency. We also suffer from leaks on rainy days. The building is in danger of collapse anytime. Like many other residents, in spite of fears, she has to stay because there is no alternative accommodation. It is reported by Vietnam News Agency that all apartments have degraded. The walls have broken into pieces and the ceiling, beams and pillars are rotten. Residents have to cover the broken walls to prevent bricks from falling and injuring someone. Nguyen Van Long, a resident who has been living in the area since 1971, said people cannot even repair the houses because of restrictions in the provinces construction planning. We know that it is dangerous to live but we have no other choice, he said, adding that the residents expect the authorities to build a new and safer residential area. We have been told there is a plan to move us to Lilama village but have been waiting for two years. Pham Ngoc Son, chairman of Nguyen Trai Ward Peoples Committee, said local authorities have assisted residents to repair degraded apartments. In 2022, a family received VN20 million to replace the tiled roof with leak-proof iron roof. He added that the construction progress of the new housing area is slow. The Peoples Committee of Hai Duong Province planned to build social housing, apartment blocks and community houses on about 7,800sq.m at Lilama 69-3 village in Binh Han Ward. The social housing blocks are expected to accommodate more than 400 households living in the degraded pump factorys apartment building and other blocks. The blocks will be built from 2020 to 2025, according to the plan with budget sourcing from land use right auction of old apartment buildings. Hai Duong City has 1,429 households in need of resettlement and relocation. While waiting for new locations to be approved and financial sources to be allocated, local residents still have to live in worry inside degraded blocks. VNS Google Meet will soon be less distracting while you're on the move. The popular search giant had recently added a new interface to its Google Meet app that makes it usable at a glance, allowing users to better focus on their surroundings while moving. Google has yet to implement this new interface as of press time. Google Meet New Interface Details Google Meet is one of the most popular video conferencing apps worldwide, especially during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic since many of us couldn't go to schools/offices to study/work. However, as time passed, the fear of getting infected with COVID-19 lowered to the point it is now acceptable to go outside without wearing a mask. While that's true, it also means working at the office and going outside to work is necessary again, though remote work remains an option. Thanks to Google Meet's capabilities, though, people can have audio or video conferences whenever possible, even when on the go. Unfortunately, the app's interface could prove distracting to those always on the move - a problem Google has a solution for. The company reportedly added code for a new interface accessible in its new mode called "On-the-Go,' per Android Police citing a 9to5Google report. According to the publication, an Android phone would automatically ask its user if it wants to activate the mode if it detects they're walking during an audio or video call. Read More: GameStop Names New CEO As Revenue, Stocks Plummet However, it is possible for the user to manually enable the mode in a call's overflow menu. Using Google Meet's On-the-Go Mode for the first time will make a note appear that it turned off the phone's camera and video feed to and from participants to help the user focus on their surroundings. The mode's interface will only show the buttons of the app's four most important actions: a big unmute button, the button to raise your hand, an audio output switcher, and a smaller end call button at the very bottom of the screen. There will also be a small X button to deactivate On-the-Go at any time. Closing On-the-Go will turn on the phone's camera and video feed, making the user viewable to the call's participants again. Google Meet On-The-Go Mode Availability, Release Date It is unknown which Android OS and/or Google Meet version will its On-the-Go mode be available on, as Google has yet to officially announce it to the public. However, the company had already added its code to Google Meet sometime ago, as previously mentioned. However, with the pictures 9to5Google captured of the mode in action, it may be a matter of time before Google officially releases the feature to the public. Regardless, this new mode is part of Google's efforts to make Google Meet a better background device; the company already started rolling out the ability for the app's web version to work with a new picture-in-picture experience on Google Chrome, which turns the small window into a mini app. Related Article: Google's Pixel Watch Can Switch Off if It's Too Hot - Here's How HA NOI The Ministry of Health has sent a letter to provinces and cities asking for more supervision on hand-foot-mouth disease treatment and control amid spike in infections. The request, signed by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, was released after the country saw nearly 9,000 hand-foot-mouth cases this year in all 63 localities and three fatalities in the southern provinces of ak Lak, Kien Giang, and Long An. The number of cases reduced by 28 per cent compared with the same period last year, however, fatalities increased by two. Southern provinces lead the list with 6,204 cases. Northern provinces have more than 2,000 whereas central provinces have 656 and Central Highlands localities, 130 cases. To minimise fatalities, the health ministry has asked localities to implement a range of measures. They must set up prevention and control plans and evaluate human resources, facilities, medical equipment, drugs, chemicals and medical supplies at all medical stations to ensure readiness to receive and treat patients. They are responsible for monitoring patients at hospitals, especially during holidays and weekends to detect and treat promptly when the patients get worse. Medical records must be completed in detail. When patients have abnormal developments, they must be transferred to higher-tier hospitals in time. Hospitals must be checked based on the health ministry's Decision No1003/Q-BYT issued on March 30, 2012 on the diagnosis and treatment of hand-foot-mouth disease. Localities must strengthen preventive measures in hospitals, screen and classify patients and consolidate human resources for recuperation at provincial-level hospitals. Main hospitals such as the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the National Children's Hospital, the Hue Central General Hospital, the HCM City Children's Hospital, the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases are required to review human resources, facilities, medical equipment, drugs and medical supplies to receive severe cases transferred from lower-level hospitals. Those hospitals should strengthen training and organise emergency teams ready to provide professional support to provinces when needed. VNS HA NOI The illegal wildlife trade is low risk but highly profitable, which makes wild animals, especially endangered, precious and rare species, in danger of falling to the brink of extinction, said Bui ang Phong, vice director of the Endangered Wildlife Project of the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) - Viet Nam. The wildlife trade has become complicated in many countries, including Viet Nam, Phong said at the forum Strengthening the Participation of Journalists in Preventing and Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade co-organised by the WWF-Viet Nam, TRAFFIC International, USAID and the Viet Nam Agriculture newspaper in Ha Noi on Tuesday. According to Phong, the illegal wildlife trade is estimated at nearly US$20 billion a year, ranking fourth after drugs, weapons and human trafficking. The criminals exploit the entire supply chain from poaching to transportation and trade. Other illegal activities are often associated with wildlife crimes, such as money laundering, corruption and forgery, Phong said. Despite efforts to combat the wildlife trade over the past two decades, Viet Nam remains a global hub for the illegal wildlife trade as both a supplier and a source of demand, he said. In particular, as Viet Nam has become a middle-income country, the trade in high-value wildlife products has increased. Wildlife products are usually used as home decorations, symbols of social status, medicine and pets in the country. The WWFs Endangered Wildlife Project aims to help Viet Nam control and prevent the increasingly serious wildlife trade by enhancing Viet Nams leadership role in combatting wildlife crimes. Tuesdays forum was a venue for experts and managers to share information with journalists about the current situation of the wildlife trade and expand a network of journalists who are interested and skilled in investigating the wildlife trade. Speaking at the forum, Dr. Vuong Tien Manh, vice director of CITES Viet Nam (CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), said that since 2018, there have been 50 cases of illegal wildlife trading investigated and taken to court. Police have confiscated 40,000kg of pangolin scales, 20 tonnes of ivory, 500kg of rhino horns, 17 tigers and seven cubs. The trade in wild animals and plants has become more serious to meet the high demand of both domestic and international markets, said Manh. Although Viet Nam has a system of policies and legal documents on wildlife management, it is still very difficult to handle violations of regulations on wildlife protection, especially limitations in information dissemination, he said. According to the vice director, when China decided to close the domestic ivory market in 2020, a large amount of ivory was imported into Viet Nam to be processed and sold to international or domestic tourists. Profits in the wildlife trade are very high, while the approach to the issue varies among regulatory and enforcement agencies, organisations and institutions, he said. Network of investigative reporters in wildlife trade crimes Combatting the wildlife trade has faced many difficulties because the priority level of controlling illegal trade in wild animals and plants is not high in some agencies and localities, and the capacity to investigate, identify, apply technology and share information among wildlife law enforcement officers is still limited. Information dissemination and communication to people about wildlife protection is one of the important solutions to prevent and combat the illegal wildlife trade. At the forum, journalists and reporters pledged to participate in combating the illegal wildlife trade. Le Trong am, deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Viet Nam Agriculture newspaper, said that one of the keys of the Endangered Wildlife Project is to consolidate and expand the network of reporters investigating wildlife crimes and promote the efforts of the State and private sectors in the fight against wildlife trade in order to detect and report on wildlife crime. Joining the network, investigative reporters on wildlife crime will receive training on knowledge and investigating experiences in the illegal hunting, capture, trade, transport and use of wild animals, especially endangered wild animals, am said. The training will help raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of reporters regarding the legal framework and policies on wildlife conservation, he said. VNS The European Union has extended its safeguard measures on steel imports from a number of countries, including Vietnam, for another 12 months until the end of June 2024. Eight steel products from Vietnam, including "stainless cold rolled sheets and strips" and "hot rolled sheets and strips," will continue to be subjected to tariff-rate quota, as the E.U. seeks to protect its domestic steel producers. The tariff-rate quota is a tariff system that allows the E.U. to limit the quantity of a product entering its bloc. This means any out-of-quota steel imports from Vietnam will be subject to an additional 25% duty. The E.U. imposed safeguard measures on imported steel in July 2018 and has been extending the measures ever since to protect its domestic industry. Other countries that will also be affected by the safeguard extension includes China, India and Malaysia. Source: VnExpress This recognition comes as part of the celebration of the 50 years of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Vietnam. AstraZeneca Vietnam has been honoured with BritChams first-ever 50th Anniversary Recognition award Nitin Kapoor, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam and Asia Area Frontier Markets said, "As a global biopharmaceutical company with British-Swedish heritage and nearly three decades accompanying Vietnams health system, we are driven by a shared purpose to build a healthier future and make a lasting impact through innovation and sustainability. We are immensely proud to contribute to the UK-Vietnam partnership and will continue to bring the advances of Britains life sciences industry to create positive change for people in Vietnam." AstraZeneca was ranked number one for invention in Idea Pharmas 2023 Pharmaceutical Innovation and Invention Index, and has been the leader in terms of industry-sponsored clinical trials in Vietnam. Out of the $360 million that AstraZeneca has committed to invest in Vietnam by 2030, a significant amount has been dedicated to research and development to further strengthen the country's capabilities and increase patients early access to new medicines. In addition, AstraZeneca Vietnam's commitment to sustainability is evident in its initiatives to promote access to healthcare, protect the environment, and uphold ethics and transparency. As part of the companys impactful partnerships with the Ministry of Health and other healthcare organisations, it has run various community investment programmes to promote disease awareness, prevention, and early detection. To support Vietnams sustainable development and net-zero strategy, AstraZeneca recently announced a $50 million investment to plant 22.5 million trees over the next five years as part of the companys global AZ Forest programme. Along with other benefits for the economy, local communities, and the environment, this project will help to restore Vietnams forests and landscapes, allowing biodiversity to flourish and providing sustainable livelihoods for over 17,000 smallholder farmers. This award adds to the extensive list of recognitions that AstraZeneca has received in its long-standing collaboration with Vietnam. AstraZeneca has been recognised as one of Vietnam's 100 Best Places to Work for four consecutive years. The GREAT Awards programme, organised annually by BritCham, recognises excellence and rewards organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the business environment in Vietnam. A wide cross-section of sectors are represented, including education, technology, banking, health, science, and more. AstraZeneca to increase early patient access to new medicines in Vietnam Last week marked an important step in AstraZenecas journey in Vietnam. On his visit to Hanoi, Dr. John L. Perez, senior vice president of the Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit at AstraZeneca, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about the companys future ambition and ongoing efforts to increase Vietnamese patients early access to new medicines. AstraZeneca honoured in Vietnams top 100 best places to work 2022 AstraZeneca Vietnam has been recognised as one of Vietnams top 100 best places to work in 2022, making it the fourth consecutive year that the company has won the recognition. Australian-headquartered insurtech firm Hillridge and MSIG Vietnam, a non-life insurance business, last week forged a collaborative agreement to introduce an innovative drought insurance product designed to shield Vietnamese farmers from climate volatility in Southeast Asia. Foreign insurtech businesses praise Vietnams potential, source: Hillridge Vietnam Leveraging Hillridges platform, this insurance offering caters to any agricultural enterprise vulnerable to the adverse impacts of drought. By harnessing real-time data, farmers can access insurance quotes online, streamlining the entire process between policyholders and the insurance company. Dale Schilling, CEO of Hillridge, explained the impetus behind the swift introduction of this product, driven by the protracted ramifications of El Nino on Vietnamese soil in 2023. A recent field visit to the coffee-producing regions of the Vietnams Central Highlands revealed first-hand accounts from farmers whose harvests had been marred by recurrent droughts, significantly impairing their livelihoods. In light of these challenges, farmers find themselves in pressing need of robust safeguards to protect their income against such pernicious circumstances, Schilling stated. He envisioned that climate insurance as a crucial component of modern and sustainable farming practices globally, providing reasonable and accessible coverage. Schilling added, Vietnam is the inaugural country where Hillridge expands the provision of this flagship product following its successful establishment in the Australian market. While other nations have witnessed various insurance forms and similar case studies, this particular offering has yet to emerge in Vietnam. Elsewhere, Vietnam is also the first country in Asia where Igloo an insurtech AI platform from Singapore launched a blockchain-based Weather Index Insurance in April to protect paddy farmers. According to analytics firm Global Data, the Vietnamese insurance industry is poised to soar to a staggering $3.5 billion by 2026. However, Igloo said, the nascent insurance landscape in Vietnam remains largely untapped, with insurance technology products accounting for a mere 2-3 per cent of the overall market revenue. These factors have firmly established Vietnam as a pivotal market for Igloo, with the country consistently ranking among their top-performing territories, Tri Nguyen, Vietnam country manager at Igloo, told VIR. Igloo is set to be the first in Asia to distribute insurance products through a leading convenience store chain in Vietnam, making insurance products more accessible for Vietnamese people. Two months ago, Igloo successfully secured an additional $27 million in its Series B extension, bringing a close to its Series B funding round at $46 million. With this fresh fund, we will continue to extend our product portfolio, looking for more opportunities to protect the under-insured segments in Vietnam, said Nguyen. Elsewhere, Home Credit Group last month unveiled a partnership, which is set to debut this month, in the realm of value added services with Singaporean insurtech firm ZA Tech to provide insurance products tailored to meet the discerning demands of customers. With a history of being founded by ZhongAn Online, and backed by Softbanks Vision Fund 1, ZA Tech leverages technology to upgrade the insurance value chain and digital ecosystems to offer affordable and accessible insurance options. The collaboration will enable Home Credit to offer products such as insurance for both new and used mobile phones, extended warranties, insurance against accidental damage, liquid damage, which are new insurance forms for the Vietnamese market. ZA Tech will source insurance and third-party partners to provide these products. Additionally, it will serve as a partner, providing value through direct sales and advisory models to Home Credit. Ngo Trung Dung, deputy general secretary of the Insurance Association of Vietnam, predicted that automated virtual assistants and chatbots will be deployed in customer care centres, ensuring quick responses to inquiries. Insurance application reviews will be expedited through automated systems capable of analysing data and reading handwritten documents. For example, according to government regulations, the standard processing time for an insurance compensation claim should not exceed 14 days. However, insurtech could empower traditional businesses to proceed payments not on a daily basis, but by the hour or even minutes, explained Dung. Some projects are too slow in upgrading essential technology and equipment The sci-tech fund, first mentioned in the 2013 Law on Science and Technology, has yet to complete its mission to create new advantages for enterprises to conduct research, and develop technology and innovation. National Assembly (NA) deputy Pham Van Hoa from the Mekong province of Dong Thap last week asked Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat to clarify the reason for the slow process in the disbursement of the fund, and also why no foreign-invested enterprises were contributing to it, including large-scale groups such as Samsung, LG, or Panasonic. Minister Dat responded, acknowledging that the incentive policies for using the fund were not appropriate or practical. For many years, these policies have not been widely applied by enterprises, he said. The number of enterprises that are capable of participating is modest. Because of limited resources, they find it difficult to raise money, Minister Dat said. In addition, when enterprises want to utilise the money in the fund to invest in technology, and manufacturing lines to improve the capacity, the procedures are extremely complicated. Thus, large-scale investors do not want to contribute to the fund, which makes it less attractive, he added. The latest statistics from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam show that from 2015 to 2021, only 1,281 enterprises, economic groups, or general corporations set up and used sci-tech funds, worth VND24 trillion ($1 billion). Last year, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the Ministry of Finance enabled two circulars guiding the implementation of Resolution No.43/2022/QH15 released in early last year on the fiscal and monetary policies for the delivery of the Programme on Socioeconomic and Recovery and Development. The resolution mentioned utilising approximately VND5 trillion ($208.3 million) from the Vietnam Public-utility Telecommunication Service Fund to develop telecommunication and internet infrastructure. However, to date, the two ministries have yet to complete disbursement. Dat said the MoST would review and complete the legal system regarding sci-tech and innovation to better fit with the current requirements in the field. It will also propose new mechanisms, policies, and laws related to public investment and procurement and tax to encourage developments in sci-tech while promoting public-private cooperation in the field. The MoST will focus on studying solutions to simplify the procedures for utilising the money from funds for upgrading mechanisms and technology, Dat said. Upgrading technology is an important requirement for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises. Statistics from the Vietnam Investment Report recently published by the Institute of International Investment Studies indicate that the number of projects with advanced and modern technology originating from European countries is still low, at just 5 per cent. Most projects used medium-age technology at about 80 per cent, with around 30-40 per cent of this technology coming from China. There is still outdated technology being used in about 15 per cent of cases, leading to risks and challenges regarding environmental pollution, increased energy consumption, and resource depletion. Policies bringing new prospects for sci-tech market In the context of advantages and obstacles both at home and abroad, the science and technology sector has deployed tasks and solutions to contribute more to the countrys socioeconomic development, national defence, and security. Four mega highway projects to kick off in mid-June Based on the proposal of the Ministry of Transport, the prime minister approved the start of construction of three highway projects together with Ho Chi Minh Citys Ring Road No.3 on June 17-18. The first is the component project of Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang Expressway, which has a total length of more than 188km with its starting point connected with the National Highway No.91 in Chau Doc city, An Giang, and its ending point intersecting with Nam Song Hau street, connecting to Tran De Port in Soc Trang province. The project is separated into four component projects with a total investment of VND44.69 trillion ($1.86 billion) with a design of four lanes, an emergency stopping lane, and a speed of 100km per hour. Meanwhile, Khanh Hoa Peoples Committee is set to get off the ground on the first component of Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway next month at a total cost of over VND5.3 trillion ($220.8 million). In this component, the road will be around 31.5km long. The four-lane road is designed with a maximum speed of 100km per hour, and 21 bridges and three interchanges. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. The project is divided into three components to be developed under the public investment format. The entire road length will be 117.5km. The third project is Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, which has a total length of 53.7km. With an investment capital of $743.3 million, the expressway is particularly significant in connecting and shortening the transport time from the Southern Key Economic Region to the Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water seaport cluster and Long Thanh International Airport. Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road No.3 project has a total length of about 76.34km. The project, with total investment estimated at VND75.378 trillion ($3.2 billion), is expected to be completed by the end of June 2026. Ring Road No. 3 is a strategic traffic axis, creating a premise to remove bottlenecks and opening up new directions for urban, industrial, commercial, and service development. It will connect to five radial highways Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong, Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai, Ho Chi Minh City-Chon Thanh, Long Thanh-Dau Giay and Ben Luc-Long Thanh, enhancing inter-regional connectivity. More expressways to be built in central region by 2025 The Ministry of Transport has set a target of completing and putting into operation the eastern North-South expressway by 2025, bringing the total length of highways in the north central-central coastal region from 193km to 1,390 km, said Transport Minister Nguyen Van Thang. Identifying genuine hotspots Transport infrastructure with regional connectivity will be accelerated in 2023, which is expected to boost the coastal real estate market and open breakthrough opportunities. PM chairs meeting on investment plans for expressways Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 12 chaired a meeting with ministries, sectors and localities, discussing plans to invest in an expressway connecting the northern provinces of Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh, and another linking Gia Nghia city in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong and Chon Thanh township in southern Binh Phuoc province. Cambodia to start construction of expressway to Vietnam Cambodia is scheduled to start the construction of the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway close to Vietnams Moc Bai international border gate in June 2023, said Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia. As a visual artist, Quang Dais creative journey has always been driven by personal memories and observations of life. For him, art is a medium to express deep feelings and emotions, and in doing so, connect with others on a profound level. With Quang Dais ongoing art therapy project "How are you these days?" he has explored his own feelings around intimacy and sentimentality. "Love is all" is the result of that exploration. Love is all features a series of exclusive activities with artists in different aspects of life "Love is all'' is a declaration of the artists next creative journey, which explores the complexity and beauty of that most essential feeling love. Through this exhibition, Quang Dai hopes to inspire a dialogue between his paintings and the viewer, asking fundamental questions of human existence: "Are you happy, healthy, and content?" It is his hope that visitors will take away a feeling, "I feel loved." The exhibition takes place in Atrium Lounge, on the 5th floor of Renaissance Riverside Saigon, thanks to the venues distinctive architecture and natural lighting. Atrium is the perfect location for the interactive art installation, which features handmade heart-shaped pillows arranged in a labyrinth in the shape of the Co Loa Citadel outside of Hanoi, Vietnam, dating back to the third century BC. In addition to the installation, the exhibition features a hotel room that has been transformed into Quang Dais ideal canvas to arrange his paintings exploring different aspects of love. Each one is a response to his personal experience with love and invites the viewer to engage their own reflection in an intimate setting. The programme will take place at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon until June 20 Every day during the exhibition, there will be activities with Quang Dai and artist friends working in different media such as scent, illustration, fashion, video arts, interior, and sound healing, all of which come together to convey love through performance. These collaborative activities activate a platform for visitors to interact with the art and explore the theme of love in a more immersive way. Quang Dai said, I believe that my artworks do not need to be understood but felt with the heart. Through "Love is all," he aims to create an experience that engages all the senses and encourages viewers to reflect on their own experiences with love. On the opening day, while guests immerse themselves in art, they can also treat themselves with unique culinary and special drinks that the hotel has prepared exclusively for the exhibition. The canapes are crafted with love and special emotions that one experiences in life. There will also be special cocktails that fused with the artist's inspiration and colour theme. The exhibition will take place at Room 511 from June 6-20 from 10 am -6 pm daily without entrance fee. All sales of artworks at the exhibition will contribute to the fund for Operation Smiles. The Ho Chi Minh City development has been honoured with awards in the categories of: Apartment/Condominium Development, Residential High Rise Architecture, Residential High Rise Development, Office Development, and Office Architecture in Vietnam, and was nominated for the Asia Pacific round. Standing tall in the Thu Thiem skyline, the OpusK, developed by leading developer SonKim Land in partnership with Quoc Loc Phat JSC, represents the final chapter of the remarkable architectural narrative of The Metropole Thu Thiem. The complex comprises an office tower, a mixed-use tower, and a commercial podium, embodying the pinnacle of contemporary metropolitan aesthetics while exuding a timeless allure. The OpusK Complex, located on the Thu Thiem peninsula, embraces the shift in focus from Ho Chi Minh City's longstanding economic centre, District 1 to the new central business district (CBD) of Thu Thiem. Situated in Zone 1 - Thu Thiems most prominent and strategically vital area - the OpusK is considered the centre of the centre. Designed by internationally renowned firms including Designcamp Moon Park from South Korea and Evocateurs from Singapore, the OpusK offers an environment that inspires a life of luxury, comfort, and repose. As a symbol of the emerging Thu Thiem metropolis, the OpusK Complex magnetises discerning individuals from Vietnam and around the globe, offering an exclusive residential destination. Moreover, the complex caters to the needs of business elites, providing an exceptional office experience and serving as a hub for their professional endeavours. We designed the OpusK Complex with a clear vision of Thu Thiem as the future international financial centre and brought together the best concepts and talent to make it a reality, said Caleb Lau, managing director, SonKim Land Development. The OpusK Complex will deliver an allencompassing world-class experience, bringing luxury residence, shopping areas, office spaces and luxury boutique offices under just one project. At the OpusK, our customers are provided with everything that they need to live, work and play with style. As a symbol of the emerging Thu Thiem metropolis, the OpusK Complex magnetises discerning individuals from Vietnam and around the globe, offering an exclusive residential destination. Moreover, it presents an exceptional opportunity for both local family businesses and multinational corporations to establish their presence. This remarkable project underscores SonKim Land's visionary and pioneering role in infusing vibrancy into the new Thu Thiem area. The Asia Pacific Property Awards are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised programme throughout the region. These prestigious awards attract entries from the best professionals and top industry brands annually. Judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, the top winners in each region will automatically enter the overall international awards that recognises and honours the best real estate companies in the world. Vietnamese representative wins CES Innovation Awards Earable Neuroscience Technology Co. has become the only Vietnamese representative to win the Smart Wearables category at the CES Innovation Awards held in the United States with its FRENZ products. T&A Ogilvy wins three prestigious awards T&A Ogilvy was honoured at the Agency of the Year 2022 award for Southeast Asia organised by Campaign Asia magazine on December 7, 2022, in Singapore. The 9 Stellars wins at Vietnam Property Awards 2022 The 9 Stellars was recognised as the Best High-End Condo Development (HCMC) and Best Condo Interior Design and SonKim Land won Best Luxury Developer and Special Recognition for CSR at the 8th Vietnam Property Awards last week. Some major schemes have been dormant for several years for a myriad of reasons, photo Le Toan The prime minister on May 31 asked Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi to work directly with Bui Thanh Nhon, chairman of the board at Novaland Group, to solve problems regarding its projects in the southern province of Dong Nai. The previous month, deputy prime minister Tran Hong Ha assigned the Ministry of Construction to coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to establish a working group with the peoples committees of Dong Nai and Binh Thuan provinces to solve Novalands issues in those localities. In February, in a letter sent to the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC), Nhon had told authorities at the beginning of the year that while Novaland boasted many key projects in Dong Nai, they were all stalled mainly due to planning adjustments. According to Nhon, planning approval for the projects has been delayed for more than two years, leaving Novaland unable to carry out construction funding procedures. This has been due to the inconsistency between the general planning of Bien Hoa city and the projects themselves. At the same time, the problem of arranging land for social housing construction is entangled due to inconsistent regulations, Nhon said. The long delays lead to the risk of bankruptcy due to a lack of operating cash flow. Novaland urgently proposes the NASC to consider and direct authorities to urgently solve issues for these projects to help the company overcome this difficult period and avoid negative consequences, Nhon said. Novaland is not the only developer seeking support from authorities to continue their projects. Quoc Cuong Gia Lai has had six projects halted in the last three years due to overlapping regulations. Him Lam Real Estate, meanwhile, is in its 20th year of being stuck with a residential project as part of Rach Chiec New Urban Area in Ho Chi Minh City. Funded by Real Estate No.10, the venture has been delayed due to issues with infrastructure, land clearance, and compensation. On May 25, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh set up a working group to review and remove problems in the implementation of real estate projects. The PM issued an official letter on the safe, healthy, and sustainable development of the real estate market, noting that in recent years, the market has faced many difficulties due to the pandemic, and the market was at the lowest cycle growth amid decreased economic growth. Besides this, policy formulation, approval, adjustment, and project implementation was slow, causing difficulties in access to credit capital in the form of bonds and securities. Some localities are not proactive in solving problems and coordinating with central agencies to do so, he added. Moreover, the market is not transparent enough, the structure of real estate products is not reasonable, and the laws confusing and unclear. As a result, the PM has directed the State Bank of Vietnam to create stronger conditions for real estate project investors and home buyers to access credit. On the same day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was issued to direct and guide localities to remove issues in determining land prices and setting annual land use plans, as well as compensation and site clearance. The same ministry is also responsible for submitting a draft version to amend and supplement the decree on land prices and adjusting the land price, valuation and consultancy activities before June 30. At the same time, a series of localities are trying to erase difficulties and boost the property market, including Quang Nam, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City. Quang Nam Peoples Committee, for example, has requested its local Department of Planning and Investment to review all real estate projects and define those that are facing problems. The department will work directly with each developer to clearly identify the causes and set prompt solutions to remove them. The chairman of Can Tho Peoples Committee assigned the Department of Construction to continue monitoring and managing 32 projects, proactively guiding and urging developers to accelerate project implementation and hand over infrastructure to localities to manage. With more than 100 projects delayed, Ho Chi Minh City is being urged to be proactive in supporting developers to wipe out their problems. At a recent meeting between Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee and developers of 116 projects last month, vice charman Bui Xuan Cuong said that the city would focus on reviews and making solutions as soon as possible. The continuing work to try and help businesses comes just a few months after the government set up policies to review the situation, illustrating that much more needs to be carried out. According to the statistics of Vietnam Real Estate Association, the property market in the first months of 2023 showed positive signals thanks to the support and timely removal of some problems by the government and local authorities. The government in March set up a working group to review the difficult situation of enterprises and localities whose projects are facing problems, and instructions to eliminate obstacles for the real estate sector have also been released, Dinh said. The key points offered at the time was to allow businesses that have issued bonds, but cannot pay in full or on time, to negotiate with the bondholder to pay the bond interest to maturity with other assets. Second, the government permitted extending the bonds term up to no more than two years compared to the term in the bond issuance plan committed to investors, and allowed a negotiation mechanism between bond issuers and investors to have feasible solutions. Nguyen Anh Phong, dean of the Faculty of Finance and Banking at the University of Economics and Law in Ho Chi Minh City said, These solutions take time but are on the way to being implemented, so we hope that the market will be more positive by the end of the year. $5 billion measure not to prop up real estate market In lieu of real estate aid, a $5 billion plan government plan seeks to develop at least one million social housing units. Second home real estate on the slow path to recovery The second home and resort real estate market is dragging through a slow recovery, with very few transactions in the first four months, although tourism numbers and new legislation are pointing in a healthy direction. Samsung's technology is up there with the leading brands if not at the top in some markets. It can be said that when they release new innovative devices, it's bound to catch the attention of consumers. One of its latest releases is its 49-inch OLED monitor, and it's a dual-screen gamer's dream. The Odyssey OLED G95SC Samsung Electronics just launched the new Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD) monitor called the Odyssey OLED G9, which the company boasts is the world's first DQHD OLED monitor featuring AI upscaling with record-breaking response time. The device is 49 inches in size with a 32:9 inch ratio, which is equivalent to two QHD screens in a dual-screen setup. It has an impressive 5,120 x 1,440 resolution with a fast 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time, along with a 240Hz refresh rate. It would also be easier for users to see all the contents on the screen because of its design with a curvature of 1800R. Through a deep learning algorithm, it can analyze images and upscales them automatically to adjust the brightness all while amplifying the contrast. With display, it is enhanced with DisplayHDR True Black 400 for a more detailed and vivid output of content. The AMD FreeSync Premium Pro feature will make sure that the user will have a smoother gameplay experience. For a gamer, these features could offer a huge advantage in gameplay. As acknowledged by the executive VP of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics Hoon Chung, Odyssey OLED G9 is equipped with unrivaled picture quality, raising the bar of OLED gaming. There are various connectivity options such as HDMI 2.1 and Micro HDMI 2.1, Display Port 1.4, and Auto Source Switch+. Users can also adjust the position of the monitor for optimal visual with the Height Adjustable Stand that comes with the monitor. The monitor also offers access to the Samsung Gaming Hub and smart TV apps, which extends to streaming and gaming services. With these inclusions, gamers will be able to play games with partners like Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Read Also: 5 Best TVs From CES 2023 The Odyssey OLED G93SC (Alternative) There is an alternative for the Odyssey OLED G95SC, which you can pre-order for $2,199.99 on the Samsung website. The other option, namely Odyssey OLED G93SC, has the same dimensions as the previous model. It also comes with the same curvature, HDR display, resolution, response time, refresh rate, sync tech, stand, interface, and more. However, it will not come with the Samsung Gaming Hub, smart TV, and IoT hub. It also doesn't have the Neo Quantum Processor Pro SOC. You might have to wait for a little while before you can opt for the alternative or even determine the price difference between the two. Based on the reports, the model is expected to become available by the third quarter of 2023. Related: Samsung's 2023 Neo QLED TVs Gets Carbon Footprint Certification Some major companies try to balance megaprojects with much smaller initiatives, photo Le Toan According to figures published by the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the five-month number of new projects worth less than $1 million accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the total number of foreign-invested projects registered in the country, but the value only makes up 2.2 per cent of the total. The Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) predicts that the inflow of smaller ventures will continue to occur unless domestic firms create enough competition capacity to replace this domination. VAFIE vice chairman Nguyen Van Toan said, South Korea is a strong example. Although it still maintains its position as one of the largest foreign investors in the country, the average capital of its projects is still low because they invest in both large projects and micro-projects. The prolonged situation will prevent opportunities for domestic firms, especially supporting companies, to join the global supply chain. The FIA evaluated that the growth rate of new projects has been much larger than the total investment, which shows that small- and medium-sized enterprises continued to pay attention to and had confidence in the investment climate of Vietnam to expand operations. Another reason cited is that large corporations were considering their business regarding the impact of the upcoming global minimum tax policy. Regarding the issue of micro-projects taking up the majority of activity, Toan of the VAFIE said that large manufacturers want to create opportunities for their satellite companies, and to ensure the stability of their production chain. Simultaneously, it shows a reality that domestic enterprises have yet to be strong enough to join these foreign-invested enterprises supply chains, Toan said. Nguyen Manh Linh, deputy director of Dai Phong JSC the developer of My Thuan Industrial Park in the northern province of Nam Dinh told VIR, The reason for the situation is the impact of the drop in global foreign-invested capital inflow, and the impact of political conflict elsewhere, making multinational groups confused about their expansion plan overseas. Although the government has issued many policies to improve the quality of foreign-invested projects, Linh said that the procedures to get investment licences are still complicated. They require approval from many levels, impacting the process of implementing projects, Linh said. While many cities and provinces are eager to accelerate promotion activities, and implement solutions to improve capacity, other localities remain reluctant because land in industrial hubs is exhausted. Thus, there is a reality that localities want to call for large-scale projects but fail to meet the investors demand for land. Meanwhile, other localities with enough land do not have enough capacity to welcome investors, Linh added. FIA statistics showed that big foreign investors often focus on the larger cities and provinces, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Binh Duong, and Vinh Phuc. Meanwhile, many localities such as Yen Bai, An Giang, Kien Giang, Hoa Binh, and Hau Giang saw no newly registered or expanded projects in the first five months of this year. Meanwhile, Quang Tri and Ben Tre provinces only witnessed adjusted capital projects with added capital of $300,000 and $500,000 per project, respectively. Hanoi attracts 519.2 million USD in FDI in five months Total registered capital of new foreign-invested projects and additional capital in existing ones in Hanoi amounted to 519.2 million USD in the first five months of this year, according to the Statistics Department of Hanoi. Tay Ninh sets up investment ties with six foreign localities Authorities of the southern province of Tay Ninh granted investment certificates and gave in-principle approval to 12 foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of 91 million USD in the first ten months of 2021. Quang Binh plans investment promotion programme on March 25 Quang Binh Peoples Committee will organise an investment promotion conference in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 with the theme of adaptation and development. UOB empowers Vietnamese SMEs to harness digital technologies for business growth This strategic expansion aims to enhance UOBs regional connectivity and foster UOB FinLabs network of more than 21,000 small- and- medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) across ASEAN. According to the UOB Business Outlook Study 2023, nearly 9 in 10 businesses in Vietnam have adopted digitalisation in at least one department. However, a key challenge for businesses will be in scaling their digitalisation efforts, expanding it from one or a few departments to the entire business. A total of 41 per cent of SMEs surveyed likely need support to connect with the right technology provider, and 37 per cent of SMEs need access to knowledge and expertise to address concerns in their digitalisation journey. Recognising these challenges, UOB Vietnam is committed to providing tailored programmes, solutions and expertise to Vietnamese SMEs through UOB FinLab. UOB FinLab targets to engage 5,000 businesses in Vietnam over the next three years through its innovative digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. Its inaugural programme "Xin Chao SMEs: Grow Your Sales through E-commerce and Digital Marketing," is designed to equip SMEs with the necessary knowledge and strategies to effectively adopt digital technologies to fuel sales growth and expand their customer base regionally. Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam said, "We understand the challenges faced by Vietnamese SMEs in embracing digital technologies and staying competitive in the digital era. By launching UOB FinLab in Vietnam, we aim to provide comprehensive support to these SMEs, equipping them with the tools, knowledge and resources needed to succeed in the digital marketplace." Its inaugural programme is titled "Xin Chao SMEs: Grow Your Sales through E-commerce and Digital Marketing" The launch of UOB FinLab in Vietnam has garnered support and recognition from key industry leaders, specifically from the Vietnam E-commerce Association. Nguyen Ngoc Dung, chairman of the Vietnam E-commerce Association said, "Vietnamese SMEs play a vital role in our economy, and their success is crucial for sustainable growth. The launch of UOB FinLab in Vietnam will empower Vietnamese SMEs to embrace digital transformation and unlock new growth opportunities. This will be instrumental in bridging the digital divide and enabling SMEs to compete effectively in the digital marketplace." To better support Vietnamese SMEs, UOB FinLab will also collaborate with university professors, industry practitioners, innovation experts and tech solution providers in its programmes to deliver an enriching learning experience for participants. By leveraging diverse perspectives, UOB aims to equip SMEs with the practical knowledge and strategies required to navigate the digital landscape effectively. Shannon Lung, head of UOB FinLab said, "Digital adoption can be daunting for SMEs. We are here to accompany them in their digitalisation journey by providing tailored solutions and necessary support, starting with our inaugural Xin Chao SMEs programme." "Vietnamese SMEs will be able to gain valuable insights and learn best practices to overcome challenges in adopting digital technologies. By empowering SMEs to embrace digital transformation, we can help them to drive growth, boost competitiveness and contribute to the overall development of Vietnam's economy," Lung said. With a long-term vision of empowering SMEs and driving economic growth in the region, UOB FinLab looks forward to forging strong partnerships and creating a sustainable impact throughout its journey in Vietnam. UOB FinLab is UOBs innovation accelerator that brings the ecosystem together to catalyse business growth and transformation. With a regional presence in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, UOB FinLab provides access to a range of business and technology experts, tools and content through online and in-person programmes. These programmes range from supporting fintech and startup communities in developing solutions to assisting SMEs in going digital and innovating for sustainability. UOB trim GDP growth forecast for Vietnam The strong rebound seen in 2022 is unlikely to be sustainable, with overall growth momentum likely to moderate further in 2023. As a result, UOB has lowered Vietnams full-year GDP growth forecast for 2023 to 6 per cent from an earlier call of 6.6 per cent. UOB Vietnam forms strategic partnership with Vietnam Airlines UOB Vietnam has announced a strategic partnership with Vietnam Airlines, the nations national airline and a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Enterprises training awareness on digital transformation Under the MPI programme of supporting businesses in digital transformation for 2021-2025, one of the important goals is to raise awareness and knowledge about digital transformation for all businesses nationwide. To accomplish this goal, MPI's Agency of Enterprise Development has coordinated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement the project of promoting reform and improving linkage of small- and- medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). A series of direct training sessions for the business community in 40 cities and provinces across the country, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Haiphong, have been taking place. The training chain has paid attention to and participated with business leaders to discuss such key topics as leadership thinking in digital transformation, process redesign, digital transformation of business models, application of digital technology to expand markets, digital transformation in the agricultural value chains industry, and logistic. Training sessions were held in person for two days in each locality. Businesses are provided with background and in-depth knowledge, and practised specifically with experienced lecturers of the programme. The training series has contributed to creating a change in the awareness and actions of SMEs about digital transformation, helping businesses understand the benefits of applying digital transformation in their business models and manufacturing, as well as connecting organisations, associations, and state agencies with experts and local businesses. This will also promote digital technologies in transforming business models, expanding new sales channels, and touching new customers, which is significant because businesses are currently struggling with output market and a lack of orders. Bui Lan, a representative of a business in the agricultural sector in Gia Lai province said, Think bigger, act really and quickly are sayings that I am very interested in through the past two-day training course, where I have learned a lot of knowledge such as building a lean business model or applying software to manage the business more effectively. Nguyen Hoang, a representative of a mechanical manufacturer in Quang Ngai province said, The digital transformation is still very vague for SMEs in the province without a clear roadmap. My business has also applied ERP software, but is still struggling in the process and operation." "After the course, I have a general picture of what I need and prepare for the next steps. I and all businesses look forward to continuing to receive the programme's support in the process of digital transformation," he said. Earlier, the USAID projects built tools, and guidance documents, implemented awareness raising activities and digital transformation training for businesses. The programme has achieved a number of positive results, such as more than 2 million visiting the initiative's instructional materials, training videos, and experience sharing; and more than 10,000 enterprises in 40 localities directly trained in digital transformation. These have contributed to a clear growth in awareness and investment in digital transformation in businesses. According to the 2022 Enterprise Digital Transformation Annual Report of the MPI, in 2022, the number of surveyed enterprises doing digital transformation is increasing, and most of them set aside budget for this. Vietnam in need of national digital data strategy The 2023 Vietnam-Asia DX Summit is taking in Hanoi between May 24 and 25 to discuss driving economic growth through digital data and smart connectivity. Hanoi youths apply digital transformation in volunteer activities Hanois Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union on May 30 launched a volunteer youth campaign for summer 2023, during which it will intensify the application of digital transformation in volunteer activities. A Lorena teenager has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Selah Marie Hansen, 17, was booked Monday into the McLennan County Jail and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony. She was released by McLennan County Criminal Associate Judge Virgil Bain Monday on a personal recognizance bond of $10,000. Bain said via email that Hansen was assessed the bond due to "special circumstances" and will be under house arrest and will have to wear a GPS ankle monitor. According to Hansens arrest warrant, the Lorena Police Department first learned of the abuse from Child Protective Services on Feb. 28. The warrant states the child victim, now 11, told investigators on March 8 that she had been abused starting at age 5. The abuse began in Alaska when Hansen, then 12 or 13, told the victim to touch Hansen's genitals and then touched the victim's genitals, the warrant states. The warrant says Hansen told the victim not to tell anyone. The next incident occurred in Waco when the victim was 8, the warrant says. According to the warrant, the incident was similar to the first, and the victim reported Hansen repeatedly told her not to tell anyone. The third and fourth incidents occurred in Lorena, the warrant says. The warrant says that these incidents were similar to the first two and that Hansen pleaded with the victim to go with her into her bedroom to perform sexual acts, urging the victim not to tell anyone about the incidents. After the last incident, which the warrant says took place on Feb. 26, the victim told her mother about the abuse. Convicted Houston sex offender Daniel Savala remained this week in McLennan County Jail after he was transferred here to face child sex abuse charges in a case that involved a former Chi Alpha campus minister at Baylor University. Savala, 67, was arrested June 2 by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Houston on a Waco Police Department warrant. He was transferred Friday to McLennan County, with bond set at $250,000, jail records show. Savalas arrest is tied to the May 23 arrest of Chris Hundl, former minister of the Baylor chapter of Chi Alpha, a worldwide Christian college ministry affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Hundl was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child and was released on $50,000 bond last month. According to arrest warrants for both men, Hundl granted Savala access to two young family members on several occasions between summer 2021 and March 2022. The warrant states Waco police received three Child Protective Services referrals describing the abuse. The warrant says investigators called Hundl, who described the abuse. According to the warrant, Hundl told investigators he brought the two boys, who were between the ages of 11 and 12, to use a sauna at Savalas home in Houston several times, where Savala instructed the boys to masturbate in front of him and Hundl. The warrant says this abuse also occurred at a sauna at Hundls Waco home. The warrant says forensic interviews of the children were conducted, and the child victims confirmed the abuse and said Savala also touched their genitals while Hundl was present. The children said Hundl and Savala told them not to tell anyone about the abuse. According to the warrant, Hundl described Savala as his spiritual mentor and said the two men met while Hundl was in college. Hundl told investigators after he and Savala met, they would perform sexual acts on one another as a spiritual activity. Hundl also told investigators Savala acted as a grandfather to the two boys. According to the Texas sex offender registry, Savala was charged in 2012 for sexual abuse of a minor, a third-degree felony. Court documents show the offense was committed in Alaska between 1995 and 1997. An Oct. 25, 2012 Ketchikan Daily News article about the case says Savala pled guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in prison for the offense, in part because the crime took place when sentencing guidelines for sex offenders were lighter. The website XA and the Lions Den went online in April, and the forum contains numerous allegations of sexual abuse against Savala, with some accounts describing activity more than 30 years ago. The forum contains allegations from multiple colleges and churches in Texas. An April 17 letter from Scheef & Stone LLP, a Frisco law firm representing alleged victims of Savala, addressed to Texas A&M University System, Texas State University System, the University of Houston, Rice University and the University of Texas System, alleges Chi Alpha and Assemblies of God leaders were aware of Savalas sex offender status and continued to associate with him and direct young men to him for spiritual guidance. According to the North Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God, church officials ousted Hundl from his leadership position in Chi Alpha on May 4 as part of their investigation into Savalas connection with the leaders of multiple Texas Chi Alpha chapters. The church also said they alerted Child Protective Services after Hundl reported certain actions to the church. The North District Council also said they have no record of Savala ever serving as a minister or holding a position within Chi Alpha. The Baylor chapter of Chi Alpha has been suspended since early May while Baylor University officials investigate any impacts on Baylor students, Baylor said in a statement. The statement emphasized that Hundl was not a Baylor employee. A rebuilt Cafe Homestead reopened Monday to record crowds at Homestead Heritage a little more than six months after a fire reduced the former log building to ashes. Between those we have already seated and reservations we already have booked, we will serve over 360 people (during lunch service), with no lines and no waiting, proprietor Andrew Taylor said during the noon hour. Our previous best was 330 and that day, we had a really long line. Afterward, Taylor indicated the restaurant at 388 Halbert Lane actually served 400 people during lunch Monday. The cafe serves salads, sandwiches and burgers featuring meats, cheeses and breads produced at the surrounding Homestead Heritage community. The original handcrafted cedar log building was built in 1994, becoming one of the first buildings at the Christian community near Gholson that has become a major regional attraction for its craft village, farm and annual festivals around Christmas and Labor Day. The cafe building went up in smoke in a fire on Dec. 23 that was attributed to a flare up of embers in a fireplace that ignited nearby flammable materials, according to an incident report from Elm Mott Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Pechacek. Those rebuilding the restaurant used what little survived to memorialize the old structure. Behind our hostess stand here in our (new) lobby, we took a number of charred timbers from the back wall of the previous building and made a decorative sign, beauty from ashes, Taylor said, referring to the scripture verse in Isaiah 61. Taylor and his business partners began construction on the new restaurant facility 18 weeks ago, after giving fire and insurance investigators enough time to study the rubble and taking a few more weeks to design the new structure and obtain materials, Taylor said. The restaurants team found the timbers used to build the roof in the new righthand dining room in a historic barn in Maryland, not far from the Civil War battle locations in Antietam, Maryland and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. All of the chairs, tables, cushions, and many of the light fixtures were made by artisans in the Homestead Heritage community. The grand chandelier in the lobby was made in our blacksmith shop, just a hundred yards away, Taylor said. All the upholstery (in the chairs and booths) was made by our weavers here in the community. They took 140 miles of thread to make 100 yards of fabric. Taylor said the restaurant was able to keep all the staff, around 30, employed during the construction of the new building. The cafe opened temporarily in the fellowship hall of the church, a half-mile away. He said the same staff are able to comfortably serve a much larger number of customers with the larger dining rooms. The new building offers about 11,600 of space, including about 7,700 for the restaurant on the ground floor. Taylor gave credit to his employees and their ability to work together. Our greatest asset is our team, Taylor said. Masturbation may give humans an evolutionary edge Some might think masturbation is all about self-pleasure, but scientists now claim its far more significant than that. Their new findings suggest it could serve an important role in evolution. An ancient trait in primates, masturbation at least for the males of the species increases their reproductive success while also helping them avoid catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs), investigators from University College London discovered by using a huge set of data on primate masturbation. Information came from nearly 400 sources, including 246 published academic papers, as well as 150 questionnaires and personal communications from primatologists and zookeepers. Read more here: Move to 'zero-emission' vehicles could save 90,000 lives by 2050 Consider yourself a lifesaver if you opt for an electric vehicle next time you buy or lease a new car. Electric cars can save millions of lives and reduce health care costs by improving air quality so people can breathe better and freer, according to a new report by the American Lung Association. Zero-emission electric vehicles dont emit exhaust gas or other pollutants into the atmosphere. Instead of gasoline, these vehicles are powered by batteries that can be charged at charging stations. If all new cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs sold by 2035 were zero-emission, there would be up to 89,300 fewer premature deaths, 2 million fewer asthma attacks, 10.7 million fewer lost workdays, and a savings of $978 billion in public health benefits across the United States by 2050, according to lung association projections. Read more here: Longer breastfeeding in infancy, better school grades for kids? Could breastfeeding lay the groundwork for good grades in high school? That's what the findings of a new British study suggest, although the differences were small between those who were breastfed and those who weren't when it came to standardized test scores and grades. "Breastfeeding promotes the development of the brain, which may account for better school performance," said lead researcher Dr. Renee Pereyra-Elias, from the national perinatal epidemiology unit in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Read more here: Experts warn of heart dangers from Canadian wildfire smoke As a huge plume of smoke from over 400 Canadian wildfires swept south and turned New York City into a landscape that resembled Mars more than Earth, heart experts warned that air pollution can damage the heart as much as it damages lungs. It is obvious that wildfires can affect breathing and respiratory health, but exposure to this smoke can also cause or worsen heart problems, the American Heart Association said in an alert issued Wednesday. "Most people think of breathing problems and respiratory health dangers from wildfire smoke, but it's important to recognize the impact on cardiovascular health, as well," Comilla Sasson, M.D., vice president for science and innovation at the American Heart Association and a practicing emergency medicine physician, said in an agency news release. Read more here: Insomnia might raise your odds for stroke After many nights of tossing and turning, you might have more to worry about than just feeling exhausted and less sharp at work. Insomnia symptoms -- trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, or waking up too early -- are also associated with higher risk of stroke, according to new research from Virginia Commonwealth University. And the risk is greater if you're younger than 50, researchers found. As a biological function, sleep is key for processing memories, repairing cells and releasing toxins accumulated during the day, said study co-author Dr. Wendemi Sawadogo, a doctoral candidate at the time of the study. Read more here: Tips for staying cool in the extreme heat Extreme heat can be dangerous, but you can stay cool and safe this summer if you take the right precautions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers some tips for doing so. No matter your age, it is critical to be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illness, said Dr. Jocelyn Ross Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon at Duke Health in North Carolina and an AAOS spokesperson. When we exercise, our bodies cool off by sweating. We become dehydrated if we do not replace the fluids that we lose through perspiration," she said in an AAOS news release. Read more here: *** Get more recent health news from HealthDay here: DYSART In a corner of northwest Benton County a parcel of land has returned to its original roots, turning former farmland into almost 300 acres of prairie. The University of Northern Iowa and its Tallgrass Prairie Center held a prairie dedication ceremony Friday for Cathy Irvines gift of 215 acres of former farmland to the school and the overall community. In honor of her late husband, David, who died in 2016, she donated the land from his familys farm to the UNI Foundation so it can be returned to tallgrass prairie. In 2018, her initial donation of 77 acres created Irvine Prairie. Once the acreage is fully seeded, it will be one of the largest tracts of restored prairie in eastern Iowa. Prairie once covered 85% of Iowas land. Now, only 0.1% remains. UNI President Mark Nook said the college will honor the ancestral stewards of the land, such as the Sauk, Fox, Sioux, Omaha and Ho Chunk tribal nations. He acknowledged the violent and painful history of the removal of Native peoples, saying their culture is woven into the fabric of UNIs mission. To recognize the Native land, dancer Lennox Lasley of the Ho Chunk nation performed several dances, including the chicken dance. An abundance of prairie chickens used to roam Iowa. Iowa Public Radio states there are now fewer than 100 prairie chickens living in the state. Lasley said legend states that a man killed a chicken to feed his family. The chicken then appeared in the mans dream asking why he killed the chicken. The chicken then said if people did the chickens dance, it would bring good things to their family and land. The 19-year-old, who goes to school in Oklahoma, performed three dances to a crowd of about 50 people in the middle of Irvine Prairie before tours began. Laura Jackson, director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center, said the prairie cant be restored without the gifts of good soil and rainfall. Other gifts that come to the prairie include many animals and insects, such as rabbits, deer, coyotes, foxes, badgers, many types of birds, ants, beetles and earthworms. She said the former farmland on which corn and soybeans recently grew will now return to its natural state as it previously existed for thousands of years. Its a place that produces clean water, abundant wildlife, healthy soil and renewal of the human spirit, Jackson said. In a earlier article, she said the center hopes to have all 292 acres in bloom by the summer of 2029. Currently, 30 acres are being planted at a time. The center monitors planting on the land, including 100 types of native prairie plants. Big bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, Indian grass, purple coneflowers, gray headed coneflowers and compass plant are among the plants being re-established. The Tallgrass Prairie Center is a part of the UNI College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. President Nook said this prairie will be a living, walkable laboratory. A prairie is a wild place an opportunity for our students to study that wilderness, for us to test new methods, new seeds, new planting devices, he said. All of these things will happen here because of this gift, because of Cathys vision for how she could help what this land will mean to all of us. Referencing UNIs Our Tomorrow campaign, which aims to build philanthropic investments in the campus experience, according to the campaigns website, Nook said Irvines donation will last longer than 50 years noting the prairie existed for thousands of years. Irvine said the donation was the natural thing to do and quoted Willa Cather a novelist who wrote about the westward expansion of settlers. We come and go, but the land is always here, Irvine recited. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it for a little while. Photos: The 2023 My Waterloo Days parade in downtown Waterloo My Waterloo Days Parade 26 My Waterloo Days Parade 19 My Waterloo Days Parade 17 My Waterloo Days Parade 14 My Waterloo Days Parade 13 My Waterloo Days Parade 11 My Waterloo Days Parade 6 My Waterloo Days Parade 5 My Waterloo Days Parade 4 My Waterloo Days Parade 1 My Waterloo Days Parade 2 My Waterloo Days Parade 3 My Waterloo Days Parade 7 My Waterloo Days Parade 8 My Waterloo Days Parade 9 My Waterloo Days Parade 10 My Waterloo Days Parade 12 My Waterloo Days Parade 15 My Waterloo Days Parade 16 My Waterloo Days Parade 18 My Waterloo Days Parade 20 My Waterloo Days Parade 21 My Waterloo Days Parade 22 My Waterloo Days Parade 23 My Waterloo Days Parade 24 My Waterloo Days Parade 25 Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie will visit Korea next month to promote their new fantasy comedy film "Barbie," its local distributor said Tuesday. The Hollywood stars and director Greta Gerwig will visit Seoul from July 2-3 to promote the movie and meet fans, according to Warner Bros. Korea. "Barbie" tells a story in which Barbie and Ken, dolls living in the perfect world of Barbie Land, get a chance to go to the real world and discover the joys and perils of living among humans. It is set to hit local screens on July 19. (Yonhap) A burger buffet proves flexible when guest count fluctuates. Condiments and side dishes can be prepared in advance. Ditto for snacks and desserts. The only cooking to do with guests at the ready is to reheat some bacon-heavy caramelized onions and cook the burgers. A Mitchell County man, Nathan Gilmore of St. Ansgar, accused of first-degree murder is asking the court to suppress evidence his attorney says was acquired illegally. According to court filings, a human skull was found at the Cedar River Greenbelt Trail Park near Mitchell on Feb. 4, 2022. A body was later located on April 5, 2022, nearby and identified as Angela Bradbury, 29, of Mason City. Numerous interviews were conducted with Bradburys family, friends and acquaintances prior to a March 30 meeting between investigators in Des Moines. Gilmore was allegedly not mentioned in the interviews or meeting. During the meeting between investigators, officials from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Intelligence Center used specialized software from FOG Data Science to analyze electronic device signatures in the area of the park where Bradburys remains were located. Once a personal device is located, the software allows law enforcement to build a detailed map of the time and locations where a particular device has been over the last two years. The software allowed investigators to narrow their focus to devices of six persons, one of whom was Gilmore. Gilmores attorneys argue no warrant or judicial oversight was obtained by the state before obtaining the data. The motion states that without the FOG data, Gilmore would never have been targeted by law enforcement. At least 12 search warrants were drafted and executed on Gilmore after the FOG data was collected. Gilmores attorneys argue those warrants and the evidence collected during the execution of those warrants were obtained illegally. A suppression hearing has been scheduled for June 23. Gilmore is said to have picked up Bradbury in Cerro Gordo County near the correctional facility April 6, 2021, and drove her to a home in Mason City. Bradbury later voluntarily left with Gilmore to travel to St. Ansgar where Gilmore lived. Bradbury was not heard from again. A forensic review of Gilmores phone turned up disturbing messages in which Gilmore vaguely describe details of a stabbing death. Another search turned up a drawing of what appeared to be a satanic goat head along with a series of numbers. The drawing had blood droplets on it, and the numbers corresponded with the date Bradbury went missing, as well as the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Green Belt trail. WATERLOO The shots that killed Tamica Allison and her friend Andrea Anderson were fired from a distance of about two to three feet, a medical examiner testified Monday. Dr. Jonathan Thompson with the Iowa Medical Examiners Office took the stand as testimony resumed in the trial of Matthew Dee Buford III. Buford, 39, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and flight in the Feb. 10, 2020, shooting at the West Second Street apartment he shared with Allison and her two teenage children. Prosecutors allege Buford shot the two women and the fled for Illinois before turning himself in days later. Thompson said Allison suffered a single gunshot wound, the bullet entering her nose and lodging in her brain. She was found in the living room on her back. Andersons bullet wound entered the left side of her head just inside the hairline. She was found a few feet from Allison, crumpled facedown with a leg caught underneath her. Both of the women had stippling injuries, scrapes to the skin caused by unburned gunpowder exiting the barrel, Thompson said. He said the wounds came at an intermediate range about two or three feet from the guns muzzle. He ruled both deaths were homicide and noted both that had gunshot wounds that damaged their brains. The brain is a required organ. If a bullet passed through the brain, there is a high likelihood that you would suffer significant enough damage to the brain that the person would not survive, Thompson said. Under cross-examination by the defense, Thompson noted both women had high blood-alcohol levels. Allisons was .560, or about seven times the legal limit to drive. Levels of about .400 are considered potentially lethal, he said. Andersons blood-alcohol level was .198, he said. He said the womens blood-alcohol level didnt contribute to their deaths. Thompson also noted a tattoo on Allisons arm. A crown with the name Matthew Buford III written underneath. Testimony in the trial is scheduled to continue Tuesday. Double homicide West Second St, February 2020 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-1 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-3 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-2 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-4 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-6 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-5 021120jr-shooting-w2nd-7 Matthew Dee Buford III 022220jr-buford-initial-4 022220jr-buford-initial-5 022220jr-buford-initial-1 022220jr-buford-initial-2 022220jr-buford-initial-3 110620jr-buford-hearing-1 110620jr-buford-hearing-2 110620jr-buford-hearing-3 110620jr-buford-hearing-5 060823jr-buford-trial-1 061223jr-buford-trial-2 061223jr-buford-trial-1 061323jr-buford-trial-1 061423jr-buford-trial-1 061423jr-buford-trial-3 061423jr-buford-trial-2 061423jr-buford-verdict-1 061423jr-buford-verdict-2 WATERLOO -- Hammond Avenue is closed from Wildwood Road to Flammang Drive due to a water main break. The length of the closure is uncertain at this time but it will be in place for at least the remainder of this week. Seventh in a series on Cedar Valley Top 10 Nurses. WATERLOO Jake Powers has not always known what path to take in life. But encountering situations where he felt helpless spurred him on to becoming a medical-surgical nurse. Its a career in which he is making a significant difference on a regular basis. Powers, 32, works at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center and has dedicated his time in the medical profession to helping people. He works close to 13-hour shifts overnight three to four days per week. Every day is different, and Powers says a lot of the time its a balancing act as he goes about figuring out how best to manage his time. His day-to-day consists of anything related to the handling of medication schedules for patients in and out of surgery, to assessing their side effects, checking for vital signs, and talking with family members, doctors, and others to learn more about whats best for the patient. One day will be a 20-year-old patient who has appendicitis, the next may be a 100-year-old patient suffering from pneumonia. Sometimes the patients are only there for hours and other times for days, weeks or months. Its time management, its critical thinking, its the skills of actually doing IVs, placing Foleys (catheters), answering phone calls, and dealing with doctors and dealing with families, Powers said. Theres a lot of different hats youre going to wear, and it can be tough at first, for sure. He is being recognized as one of The Couriers Cedar Valley Top Nurses in 2023. In the midst of a crazy work schedule, he still finds time to be a loving husband and father to his wife Hailey, son Sean, 1, and dog Leo. The couple also has another baby on the way. Family is important to him, and its one of the reasons he got into the nursing profession. He comes from a family tree of public servants most notably his mother, Lisa Monson, a MercyOne nurse for close to four decades, and his father, Tim Powers, who was a firefighter for 30 years. Helping people and being in the medical field has always been in my blood and my family, Powers said. I was raised with a lot of empathy and humility and sense of community and sense of service. When Powers graduated from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He worked on an aircraft carrier and through three deployments. After his military service, he was still uncertain about a career. A few traumatic situations in his past proved years later to be one factor that led him to become a nurse. In those instances, he described himself as helpless when dealing with different emergencies. Those experiences led Powers to a point where he didnt want to ever feel like there was nothing he could do to help someone. As cliche as it sounds, I just wanted to help people, he said. I want to try to avoid these negative things and dont want to feel helpless whenever these kinds of things arise. Powers always loved to read about science and noted his first opportunity to apply what he knows in an emergency room was really cool. Combine that with a drive to find a job where he could give back, a suggestion about getting his certified nursing assistant certification stood out. In 2015, he became an emergency room technician at MercyOne, falling in love with the profession to the point where he got his bachelors of science degree in nursing. He became a registered nurse in 2019. He cares. Point blank he cares, wrote colleague Kristen Laird. He would go out of his way to see if there is just one more thing the patient needs or if we need to check another test or get another opinion just to ensure the best was getting done for his patient. You dont often see that consistent level of care and concern, especially from a newer nurse. Another spark that led him to become a medical-surgical nurse happened early in his tenure as an emergency room technician when he saw a nurse administer Narcan to a patient who had overdosed and wasnt breathing. The patient popped right back to life right like that, he said. Witnessing that and witnessing that the nurse was the one that did that it was inspiring, to be honest. I just watched this nurse save this young womans life because she knew exactly what to do when that time came, did it exactly right and got that patient back, and it was like nothing had ever happened. Hes always working to become the best nurse he can be. Thats why they call it nursing practice, because youre never perfect at it. There are always more things to learn, Powers said. And the medical field is constantly changing, too. Research about different kind of diseases and different kind of treatments and medications is changing. Im doing my best to stay on top of that and to continue to get better at my skills and my clinical decision making. It helped give my life and my path self-worth. And it still does, he said. 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 John Russell Wheeler, president of Columbuss Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, wasnt so sure. It was 1919. He wanted a beautiful building for downtown Columbus. The town was growing, the banking business was improving and expanding, and he wanted to build a new bank to befit the town he loyally and lovingly served. He had Greek Classical in mind: something imposing; something clean and sturdy; something regal, with columns; a building to stand out mightily in town. His wife, Anna Mae Wheeler, had other thoughts. She suggested to her husband that he commission famed architect Louis Sullivan to design the new bank. Sullivan was in the twilight of his career. The Chicago-based architect was known as both the father of skyscrapers and the father of modernism. The phrase, form follows function, is attributed to him. He inspired many. He was the mentor for a young Frank Lloyd Wright. Regardless, Wheeler wasnt so sure. He was hesitant about hiring such a progressive architect. I was scared to death by those first drawings, he remembered. I was almost ready to call the whole thing off and run for cover. It was Mrs. Wheeler who soothed my feathers and talked me into going ahead. The bank was built. The bank became a jewel in the city. The bank opened on June 14, 1920. The bank was the eighth bank the famed architect built. The collection of banks are now called Jewel Box banks for their ornate architecture and standout quality along the Main Streets of small Midwestern towns. Sullivans first Jewel Box bank opened in 1908 in Owatonna, Minnesota. The second appeared in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1911. The third, in Algona, Iowa, opened in 1913. West Lafayette, Indianas Purdue State Bank opened in 1914. Grinnell, Iowas bank opened in 1915. His sixth and seventh banks opened in Newark, Ohio and Sydney, Ohio in 1915 and 1918. Sullivans last commissioned Jewel Box bank was the one in Columbus, Wisconsin. It is one of two buildings in Wisconsin designed by Sullivan. The other is a house in Madison. During the building process, Sullivan was invited to stay at the Wheelers Columbus home. Sullivan accepted. He would visit the Wheeler family several times in 1919 and 1920 during the construction process. When the bank opened, Sullivan presented the bank with a lamp and a stained glass shade that still sits where he placed it in the bank lobby. The bank, since, has had several renovations and additions added to it. It remains as lovely as the day it opened and continues to conduct the daily business of banking to this day. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It was restored in 1997 and 1998. It had some remodeling done in 2012. It was used in the movie Public Enemies, in 2009. Johnny Depp robbed it, as John Dillinger, in the Michael Mann film. The Wheeler family banked on Sullivan to produce a beautiful building. It paid off. The building, with its elaborately ornamented terra cotta on its exterior; its curling leaf tendrils climbing the walls; its lions guarding the holdings inside; its sun-dappled tapestry of stained glass inside; continues to shine bright. It remains a jewel in downtown Columbus. In photos: The Keland House/Boyd Home, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and for sale in Mount Pleasant Wisconsin River Meats is investing in upgrades, and the Mauston area butcher got a slight boost from the state. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provided the business with a $25,000 grant as one of its eight Meat Processor Grant recipients statewide. David Mauer, co-owner of Wisconsin River Meats, said that the funds will help with the purchase of a new cooler and creating a hanging rail system. School shootings and mass casualty events in other areas have been on the rise in recent years, and first responders in the Juneau County area took a step toward being better prepared. The Juneau County Emergency Management department, led by director and Lyndon Station police chief Jeremy Bonikowske, brought together area county law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency medical services on June 7 at Mauston High School to take part in preparation exercises. Staff for the agencies carried mock weapons and practiced techniques for entering rooms throughout the building, approaching the possible shooter, and rescuing injured individuals, portrayed by volunteer community actors. Were testing our emergency response plans in the event of an active shooter at a school district here in Juneau County, said Bonikowske. Were working with fire, law enforcement, and EMS just testing our capabilities and making certain our plans are good in the event something like this were to happen. Wisconsin State Patrol troopers, Juneau County Sheriffs Office deputies, and officers and command staff from police departments in Mauston, New Lisbon, and Wonewoc all participated in the event. Fire and EMS staff from Mauston and the other Juneau County communities, as well as Reedsburg in Sauk County, also participated. Bonikowske added that emergency management has been planning this training over the past four years, with a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Mauston city administrator Randy Reeg said that there has not been any significant active shooter threats in Mauston or Juneau County. Wed rather be prepared for something than not be prepared, said Bonikowske. The county contracted with Pre-Emergency Planning, a Lodi-based company that specializes in planning and training for emergency situations. Melissa Waller, the companys owner, attended the event and said the planning for it was in conjunction with the area responders, Mile Bluff Medical Center, and the volunteer actors. It really gives them an opportunity to test and validate their plans and work with partners to make sure we can communicate, have realistic expectations from one another, and really get a chance to operationally test, said Waller. Waller emphasized the importance of being prepared for such events and discussed flexibility in planning for various situations based on circumstances. Thats something we work really hard at, as well as presenting some unique challenges so that its not a traditional event that they would expect, said Waller, referring to adaptability in training. Mauston Police Department Chief Mike Zilisch said that active shooter training is not only instrumental for his department and other first responders, but for the general public. He added that MPD had performed similar events four times in the past. Full-scales are nice because theyre kind of real-world-ers as close as we can get to real world, said Zilisch. A lot of times when we do role-play, its not full-scale ... more of a tabletop exercise. He added that smaller scale exercises feature more script reading and other factors that do not prepare law enforcement and others as much for real life situations. Full-scale trainings like the one at Mauston High School give Zilisch and others a better idea of how responders would perform in a real-life active shooter or other dangerous situations. What tools you may need, what things may need to be polished, what things you dont necessarily have to focus on, said Zilisch regarding the advantages of full-scale exercises. Reeg lauded area first responders ability to create the active shooter preparedness plan. He said that investments from the city and county into first responder agencies pay off with exercises such as the one on June 7. He also discussed the county and its municipalities limited resources with regard to mental health treatment and the challenges that can create. It comes up all the time, but with the limited resources, we dont have a great capacity to invest in it for the most part, said Reeg. Were always happy for opportunities to arise to find resources to get to the people that need it. The volunteer community actors portrayed injured individuals, with body and clothing paint designed to simulate bullet wounds. They also mock limped and expressed pain emotions to help train the EMS staff. One drill portrayed a possible death from injuries in which EMS staff utilized a bed sheet as a body bag, though the actor was not covered with the sheet. EMS staff and law enforcement carried the injured actors from different rooms in Mauston High School to the schools common area near its main entrance, where they were given treatment. Mannequins were placed in random areas throughout Mauston High School to portray dead individuals from a possible mass shooter. Before rescuing individuals, officers found and apprehended an actor portraying an active shooter in the band room of the high school. I dont think we can get enough of it, said New Lisbon Police Chief Kyle Walker in regard to active shooter training. I dont think you can overprepare, whether its a school-based incident, workplace violence, or something like that. Its great working with our community partners. Walker said that his department and the other first responders share information about possible threats and other issues that could lead to tragic situations in order to be proactive and prevent possible events. He said that school and business safety plans are beneficial and that community involvement can help improve them even more. Western Technical Colleges Mauston campus on the northeast side of the city held a reunification area practice to go along with the training. Sue Goyette, the School District of Maustons transportation director, said that Western Technical College was chosen because of its distance from the school, emphasizing the importance of a safe place being a distance away from the site of an unfortunate event. Maybe theres something going on in the neighborhood that wed have to lock the schools down, said Goyette, also pointing out other possible events such as fires and weather-related situations. We dont want kids to just go home. We need to make sure were getting them with the correct and safe guardians so they can get home. Goyette added that reunification sites are meant to reunite students with the correct family members in a possible mass casualty event. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form By Kwak Yeon-soo Actor Kim Seon-ho said he gasped audibly at the sight of his own work in "The Childe," adding that it was weird to watch himself on the big screen. "Since it was my first time seeing myself on the big screen, I became self-conscious and began scrutinizing my every flaw," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Monday. "My English accent was so cringeworthy that I nearly leaped out of my seat." Action noir film "The Childe" has garnered a lot of attention for being Kim's first big movie role following his abortion scandal in 2021. Kim's former girlfriend accused him of , which temporarily halted his career. The 37-year-old actor thanked director Park Hoon-jung, known for films "New World" (2013), "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" (2018) and its sequel "The Witch: Part 2. The Other One" (2022), for offering him such a prominent role. "I tried my best to repay the trust and affection Park has placed in me. He has been like an older brother to me. Sometimes, he gave me advice on how to stop worrying and take things lightly rather than too seriously," he said. Based on mutual trust and respect, the two worked together on Park's next film "Tyrant," which is yet to be released in theaters. "While filming 'The Childe,' Park told me about his new project and asked if I would be interested to take part in it. I read the script and happily accepted the role in 'Tyrant,'" Kim said. "The Childe" follows Marco (Kang Tae-ju), a boxer born to a Korean father and a Filipino mother, who comes to Korea in search of his estranged father. In the process of tracking down his father, Marco gets involved in a cat-and-mouse game with some bad people, including a mysterious man known as the Nobleman (Kim) and a rich heir (played by Kim Kang-woo). For anyone who has ever wondered about hospice care for themselves or for a loved one, Hadley Vlahos, an RN and six-year registered hospice nurse, has written The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Lifes Final Moments. The book features her heartfelt reflections on her most impactful experiences with her hospice patients. Vlahos, 30, whose social media outreach about hospice care has amassed her more than a million followers, shares her insights on an often-taboo topic that warrants more open discussion. Why did you write this book?I started sharing my stories about being a hospice nurse on social media three years ago. I was shocked how it resonated with people. Many dont want to talk about hospice or death or dying. One day I got a direct message from someone who was at the bedside of her dying husband. She said that she had been watching my social media videos and that I brought her peace. She felt like I was there at his death. Thats when I decided that a book could go way deeper than a 60-second video. Who is the book for? Its for anyone who has lost a loved one or is going through grief or is considering hospice. Its also for anyone who is fearful of death. Why did you decide to become a hospice nurse?I did not start in hospice. I did an externship in a hospital where I did everything from delivery to immediate care. Then I became a nursing home manager. Thats where I saw hospice care for the first time. I was managing 40 patients. I would watch hospice nurses come in and sit one-on-one with their patients for a while. I said to myself, thats what medicine is supposed to be like. I became a hospice nurse. Whats the best part about being a hospice nurse?The best thing by far is the relationships. You are in peoples homes and surrounded by their memories, like all the pictures on the wall and their pets. You get to know people at a different level and you get to know them for many months. Whats the worst?The worst thing is that there is a nursing shortage in every field. Hospice is 24/7, so it can be difficult to work all day, cover (for someone else) all night, then work the next day. It can be draining. How do your patients approach the end-of-life process?People go through stages. Sometimes they are very resistant to going to hospice. We try to start slow and let them get to know us. They often go through a life review and become a bit more accepting. They talk about what they did well; what they wished theyd done. They accept the decline. Our bodies know how to die. Usually, people are at peace at the end. It must be difficult getting close with patients you know will eventually pass on. Its not always easy. From what Ive seen as a hospice nurse, I firmly believe that when people die, its not the end. I know it may be a while, but I believe Ill see them again. This wont be the last time I see them. LAUNCH OF XPLORE X7U Sydney, June 13, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - AdvanceTC Ltd ( ATCLF:OTCMKTS ) ( NSX:A88 ) is pleased to announce the successful participation and launch of its Xplore X7U product series during the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) '23 exhibition, where it was awarded Product Innovation Partner under the Space Tech @Nexus division. The company has received numerous inquiries for product sales, technology integration or customization; and is rapidly following up to convert these inquiries into sales revenues. Some of the technology and distribution partners that the company is evaluating and working with include Sapura Secured Technologies, Gading Group and OneWeb. The company also had the great honour to have the Prime Minister of Malaysia , Dato' Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim , to grace the AdvanceTC podium as a show of recognition and endorsement towards the Company's achievements, especially in the Aerospace and Telecommunications industry. The company is in the process of shipping its products to respective distributors countries and locations for certification purposes, and will update on orders and production status in due course. About AdvanceTC Limited AdvanceTC is a premier technology company specializing in the design and development of mobile telecommunication and computing devices. AdvanceTC is listed on NSX Australia (NSX:A88). More information on the company can be found at www.advancetc.com Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul located in Hannam-dong, Seoul / Courtesy of Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery London, Paris, Salzburg, Seoul By Park Han-sol International art dealer Thaddaeus Ropac has announced the expansion of its current outpost in Hannam-dong, Seoul, with the enlarged exhibition space set to open in time for Frieze Seoul in September. The Austrian gallerist with locations in Salzburg, London, Paris and Seoul first opened a space in the upscale neighborhood of Korea's capital city in 2021 to gain a foothold in the Asian market. Currently nestled on the second floor of the Fort Hill building, Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul will double its space with the addition of a first-floor gallery. The two floors will concurrently spotlight different icons of 20th-century art American Minimalist Donald Judd on the second floor and German conceptualist Joseph Beuys on the first to coincide with the second edition of Frieze. "Each artist had personal ties to South Korea Beuys largely through his friendship with Korean artist Nam June Paik, and Judd through the formative year he was stationed in Korea with the U.S. army in 1947, when he was deliberating between becoming an architect or an artist," Ropac said in a statement. A solo exhibition of Judd's three-dimensional works and paintings will be curated by Flavin Judd, the artist's son and the artistic director of the Judd Foundation. Meanwhile, Beuys' show will feature his paper drawings from his family's collection. "With the larger space, we can further contribute to Seoul's burgeoning art scene and community," noted Hwang Kyu-jin, the gallery's executive director in Seoul. With the planned expansion of its Seoul location, Thaddaeus Ropac will be joining a flurry of international exhibitors that have recently strengthened their presence within the Korean art market. Paris-headquartered Perrotion, which opened its first venue in central Seoul's Samcheong-dong in 2016, unveiled its second outpost in the city's southern Gangnam District last August. Blue-chip art dealers Pace Gallery and Lehmann Maupin, both of which initially made inroads into Korea in 2017, announced the major expansion of their Seoul spaces in Hannam-dong last year. And Berlin-based Peres Projects, which had been operating in the basement of the Shilla Seoul hotel since 2022, opened its second location in the city just a year later in April. Also joining the art scene here this year as a newcomer will be White Cube. The powerhouse international gallery is scheduled to open its permanent exhibition space in Gangnam District this autumn. Instagram Celebrity The 'Joseline's Cabaret' star is arrested on four separate charges after a video shows her attacking her co-star at the FLA Live Arena following Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and John Gotti's chaotic match. Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Joseline Hernandez faced legal issue in the aftermath of her brawl with rapper Big Lex on Sunday, June 11. According to a new report, Joseline was arrested on Monday morning, after a video showed her attacking Big Lex at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Broward County Sheriff's Office records showed that the "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" alum was arrested on four separate charges, including touch or strike/battery/domestic violence, touch or strike/battery, trespassing unoccupied structure or conveyance, and resisting arrest. In her mugshot, Joseline sported disheveled hair and worn makeup as she looked annoyed. Joseline has yet to comment on the brawl nor the arrest. In a video that circulated online, the "Joseline's Cabaret" star could be seen attacking Big Lex as she put the latter in a headlock. She also kicked Big Lex's head multiple times when she was down on the floor. It was so chaotic that it left Big Lex, who also appeared on "Joseline's Cabaret", topless. One witness could be heard saying in the footage that the self-proclaimed Puerto Rican princess was "fighting everybody" in the arena. The person said, "Hey hey, stop that girl, man. She's killing that girl They are letting this girl beat the f**k out of this girl." Joseline was also seen attacking a random girl, who later threw a glass of water at her. That led to Joseline's crew chasing the unidentified woman. It remains unknown what set off the altercation. Joseline and Big Lex's fight wasn't the only fight that night. Earlier that night, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s exhibition fight against John Gotti III turned into a riot as the two men kept trash-talking each other. While the referee stopped the contest, John continued to attack Floyd and a huge brawl broke out inside the ring. It didn't take long before the brawl spreaded to the crowd. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Having shared his plan in supporting the 'Murder on My Mind' rapper on his double murder trial, the 'Wipe Me Down' spitter makes an appearance at the courtroom and stays until lunch break. Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Boosie Badazz apparently was left "annoyed" by a man at YNW Melly's double murder trial. Showing support for the "Murder on My Mind" rapper in court, the "Wipe Me Down" rapper was revealed by a journalist getting irritated by the man who was "sleeping during testimony." On Monday, June 12, Boosie, who was formerly known as Lil Boosie, showed his solidarity for Melly by attending his pal's first day of trial. However, Law & Crime journalist Bryson Paul reported that the 40-year-old was not pleased upon seeing a snoozing man sitting next to him. Bryson tweeted on Monday, June 12, "#YNWMellyTrial: @BOOSIEOFFICIAL, supporting @YNWMelly, is annoyed by the man sitting next to him sleeping during testimony." The journalist added, "Boosie was on trial and found not guilty of murder in 2012. He offered defense information to Melly in 2019. #ynwmelly #lawandcrime @lawcrimenews." Boosie was said to be in the courtroom until it was time for lunch break. He did not come back to the room after the break. Bryson reported in a follow-up tweet, "#YNWMellyTrial: @BOOSIEOFFICIAL did not return to the courtroom following the lunch break. #ynwmelly #lawandcrime @lawcrimenetwork." That same day, Boosie himself let out a video from the trial on his own Instagram account. In the clip, he could be seen recording himself while seemingly walking to the courtroom. Along with the footage, he simply wrote, "@ynwmelly TRIAL Opening Day." For his trial appearance, the "Out Here Grindin" rapper looked sharp in a formal ensemble. He sported a black v-neck shirt and paired it with a long sleeve bright orange blazer. He completed his look with a pair of black sunglasses, earrings, a sparkling wristwatch, several rings and necklaces. On Melly's murder trial, Boosie previously shared his thoughts to XXL magazine, "I'm going to his trial to support him. I talked to his mom the other night. I'm going to support Melly." In the June interview, he added, "I was on a plane with Melly one day in the airport with him. We was in the airport, and he took his credit card out." "He ain't let me buy nothing, bro. He bought all my food, my magazines. All through the airport he like, 'OG, you aint spending no money.' So, I'm going to support that little n***a, dawg," the Louisiana native further explained. You can share this post! Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho listens to a question from a panelist during a forum held in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap By Lee Yeon-woo The government is apparently facing mounting political pressure to rethink its stance concerning a supplementary budget, in the face of repeated calls from the main opposition party to draw up such a budget and the need to woo voters ahead of the general election next year. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho has maintained a stance against extra spending as the government tries to cope with recessionary fears and the unparalleled fiscal deficit. Nevertheless, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is persistently pressuring the government to reconsider its plan. This figurative tug-of-war has been going on for months. On Monday, the DPK again called on the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to reassess adopting a supplementary budget of 35 trillion won ($27.5 billion). The DPK proposed that the primary goal should be to restore households' purchasing power via increased government support, leading to increased tax revenues. "I propose the government and the ruling party embrace this supplementary budget. This is the initial step towards stabilizing prices and rejuvenating domestic demand, without further burdening citizens," Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the DPK, said. Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung, left, speaks during a meeting held in the National Assembly, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap Cover Images/JOHN NACION Celebrity The 71-year-old versatile actor was riding his motorcycle in Dorset, Vermont and making a turn when a car driver, who apparently didn't see him, 'cut him off.' Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Treat Williams' family is suffering an immense loss. The actor suddenly and tragically passed away on Monday, June 12 after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont. He was 71. "As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time," the family said in a statement to Deadline. "Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him." The family added, "We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers." Also confirming the sad news, his agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson, said in a statement to the press, "He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off." He added, "I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented." Barry went on remembering the late star, "He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s." He continued, "He was really proud of his performance this year. He's been so happy with the work that I got him. He's had a balanced career." The Vermont State Police said in a press release that the accident happened around 5 P.M. ET and involved Treat's car and a single car. The actor was aboard a motorcycle when he collided with a car on Route 30 near Dorset. An initial investigation indicated that the driver of the car "stopped, signaled a left turn and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams. Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead." The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and did not need to be hospitalized, police said. Treat's big break came when he starred in 1979's musical film "Hair". He then landed roles in films such as "The Eagle Has Landed", "Prince of the City", "Once Upon a Time in America", "The Late Shift" and "127 Hours". The versatile actor led the WB series "Everwood" from 2002 to 2006. In his final tweet posted just hours before his death, he showed his farm and appreciation for country life. "What a real Vermonter does," he captioned a video of someone working on the farm with a tractor. You can share this post! Cover Images/JENNIFER GRAYLOCK Celebrity More than a month after she was found dead at her Florida home, autopsy report reveals that the gold medalist was eight months pregnant and undergoing labor at the time of her death in May. Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Olympian Tori Bowie's cause of death has been revealed as complications of childbirth. According to an autopsy report obtained by multiple outlets, the U.S. Olympic champion sprinter was estimated to be eight months pregnant and in active labor at the time of her death. The report from the Orange County (Fla.) Medical Examiner Office said Tori had a "well developed fetus." Per USA Today's report, officials said possible complications the 32-year-old athlete had included respiratory distress and eclampsia, when a person develops seizures following a sudden spike in high blood pressure during pregnancy. "Eclampsia typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. It's rare and affects less than 3% of people with preeclampsia. Eclampsia can cause complications during pregnancy and requires emergency medical care," the Cleveland Clinic says. The manner of death was ruled natural, the medical examiner determined. Tori was found dead at her Florida home on Tuesday, May 2 after a welfare check was carried out by Orange County deputies. Family and friends had grown increasingly concerned after not hearing from Tori for several days, which prompted the welfare check. Sheriff's deputies discovered her in bed and the medical examiner had ruled she died of natural causes. Her shocking passing was confirmed in a statement released by her management company the following day. It said, "We're devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. We've lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion... a beacon of light that shined so bright! We're truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends." Fellow U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles was among those to offer tributes to the late athlete, tweeting, "I can't believe this. I had just heard word of her going to be with her sister back home and now this. This breaks my heart to hear and I will keep the family in my prayers." You can share this post! Cover Images/Instagram/Janet Mayer Celebrity The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly do not receive an official invitation to attend King Charles III's birthday event which will take place on Saturday, June 17. Jun 14, 2023 AceShowbiz - King Charles III reportedly snubs Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at his upcoming birthday parade. If a new report is to be believed, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex don't receive an official invitation to attend King Charles' Trooping of the Colour celebration. Sources tell Daily Mail that the couple has not been asked by the British royal family to attend the celebration on Saturday, June 17. "I'm afraid it's a reflection of the state of relations at the moment," a source said. While Harry and Meghan may not attend the festivity, Harry previously attended his father's coronation ceremony on May 6. As he's no longer a working royal member, the red-headed royal wasn't granted an official role and was relegated to the third row at the event. Harry, however, didn't stay long for the ceremony. The father of two notably returned to the U.S. as soon as the ceremony ended to be able to celebrate her and Meghan's firstborn Prince Archie's birthday which also fell on May 6. The new report of the alleged snub comes amid the Duke's ongoing trial against Mirror Group Newspapers, the publishing powerhouse behind the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Daily Express. "Tabloids would routinely publish articles about me that were often wrong but interspersed with snippets of truth, which I now think were most likely gleaned from voicemail interception and/or unlawful information gathering," Harry said in his witness statement last week. MGN's attorney Andrew Green KC, meanwhile, claimed in court that much of the information published about Harry in their stories was "disclosed by or on behalf of royal households or members of the royal family." BBC reported that Harry's trial involves 148 articles published between 1996 and 2010. A source told Page Six that his family was "privately bracing" for his testimony ahead of the trial. "I can't imagine anyone is pleased," one highly placed palace informant said. Another royal source noted, "Harry would see himself as fighting their battle too, to protect the reputation of the monarchy. But certainly, they [the royal family] avoid confrontation with the media in most instances. And litigation is so lengthy, stressful and unpredictable, not to mention expensive.You just have no idea what direction the other side is going to go in on and what they will dredge up." You can share this post! Music The 'See You Again' hitmaker, whose real name Cameron Jibril Thomaz, releases the new track and its visuals several weeks after he took the stage at the first Sauce Boyz Fest in Puerto Rico. Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Wiz Khalifa has returned with a new single. On Monday, June 12, the hip-hop artist unleashed a song called "Close Frame" along with its official music video. The visuals, which is shot by Braden Walker, shows the 35-year-old hosting a house party. In the clip, the "See You Again" hitmaker can be seen having fun with a group of scantily-clad women while delivering his bars. "I'ma be honest, probably break a promise/ Pretty young thing but she get it from the doctor," he opens the track. "Bad lil b***h, get it all from her momma/ Staying at my crib, use my shirt as her pajamas." "I could help you balance your chakras/ Meditate with me, girl, fix up your posture," Wiz, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, continues rapping. "I could help you balance your chakras/ When you with me, you a winner, that's the mantra." "Close Frame" arrived a few weeks after Wiz took the stage at the first Sauce Boyz Fest in Puerto Rico. At the event, he paid tributes to late artists such as Nipsey Hussle, XXXTentacion as well as Mac Miller among others. While Wiz was performing his hit "See You Again", the screens behind him began to display a video honoring the late hip-hop stars. Juice WRLD, Lil Peep, King Von, Young Dolph, Pop Smoke and Takeoff were also among them. You can share this post! Cover Images/JOHN NACION Celebrity The Tesla boss says infamous killer Ted Kaczynski might have been right about modern technology being a threat for humanity after the criminal killed himself in his prison cell. Jun 13, 2023 AceShowbiz - Elon Musk states the Unabomber's notorious manifesto warning about the dangers of technology "might not be wrong." The Twitter owner, 51, gave his two cents after murderer Ted Kaczynski died at the weekend by suicide in his supermax prison cell at the age of 81 after nearly three decades behind bars. Author Ashley St Clair tweeted on Saturday a quote from Kaczynski's manifesto alongside an article about his death - prompting Elon to reply online, "He might not be wrong." Harvard-educated domestic terrorist Kaczynski abandoned his academic career in 1969 to pursue a primitive lifestyle, and in 1978 launched a 17-year anti-tech attack - mailing 16 homemade bombs to people he believed were destroying the environment by creating a more technically advanced society. By 1995, he had murdered three people and injured 23 more and became the most prolific bomber in American history. His 35,000-word manifesto was titled "Industrial Society and its Future" and he used it to claim, "The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race." Despite Elon's company Neuralink gaining approval to begin human trials for brain implants, he has joined calls from the world's tech leaders calling for caution in development of artificial intelligence. Along with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and 1,000 other tech leaders, the Tesla billionaire signed an open letter demanding a six-month pause on the "dangerous race" to develop AI to allow for more assessments to be made on its risks to humanity. Elon's mind-chip is being designed to help disabled and healthy people cure a range of conditions, including obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia while also allowing for web browsing and telepathy. The dad-of-ten, who bought Twitter for $43 billion in October, has also vowed to land people on Mars within the next five to 10 years using his starship. You can share this post! Dabur India Ltd., Indias most trusted and leading Ayurveda Personal Care company, has roped in Bollywood sensation Nora Fatehi as the celebrity brand ambassador for its newly launched cooling oil, Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel. This blockbuster collaboration between an innovative new Ayurvedic product and a Bollywood starlet is all set to delight consumers with a new campaign this summer. We are thrilled to partner with Nora Fatehi, the epitome of cool energy and natural beauty, to launch Dabur Cool King, a new cooling hair oil with a unique innovation. It has a specially designed chill tube with peppermint and cooling crystals to deliver an unparalleled cooling experience. Nora Fatehi is the perfect brand ambassador for Dabur Cool King. She is young, vibrant, and stylish, and she embodies the cool, refreshing feeling that Dabur Cool King delivers. Nora will be instrumental in deepening our consumer connect, particularly in the Hindi heartland, as we look to expand the brands footprint. Dabur India Ltd Vice President-Marketing Mr. Abhishek Jugran said. Talking about her association with Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel, Ms Nora Fatehi said: I am thrilled to join forces with Dabur, a brand that has been trusted by consumers for generations. I am honoured to be the face of their latest innovation, Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel, a revolutionary new hair oil that uses a unique cooling technology to soothe and relax. I cant wait to share this amazing product with my fans and the world. Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel is a revolutionary new hair oil that uses a unique cooling technology to soothe and relax. The specially designed chill tube contains peppermint and cooling crystals that work together with the 11 Ayurvedic herbs in the oil to provide a refreshing cooling experience. In today's fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find time to relax. However, it is important to take some time for yourself to unwind and de-stress. Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel can help you do just that. The cooling sensation of the oil will help to reduce stress and improve your overall mood said Dabur India Limited Marketing Head-Hair Oils, Mr. Ankur Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, National Creative Director of Rediffusion Pramod Sharma said: Nora is vivacious, shes fun and she has turned in a dance performance in the commercial that is hi-energy and very entertaining. The Dabur brief to the agency was to create a TVC that would be very engaging and immersive for the Hindi heartland target audience and that is what we have delivered. "The cooling oil category has been dominated by a few players for years. However, Nora Fatehi's electric presence in the Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel ad is going to shake things up and redefine the category. The ad is refreshing, engaging, and features Nora Fatehi at her best. It is sure to capture the attention of consumers and make them want to try Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel, added Kalyani Srivastava, Joint President of Rediffusion. Dabur Cool King Thanda Tel film was created by a creative team consisting of Ramendra Vasishta, Rigved Sarkar. Puneet Malhotra directed the ad, and Lucifer Circus produced it. Eze Perfumes, the first D2C perfume brand from the house of Sawai Fragrances, the leading manufacturer of fragrance elements, is all set to unveil an innovative campaign with a film to mark the Pride month that commenced on June 1st. The digital film titled #ExpressYourEze, celebrates diverse identities and aspirations of the Gen-Z generation, which is fluid and not bound by conventions. The Eze Perfume campaign showcases the diversity and inclusivity that Gen-Z embraces. The film reflects the shift in gender expression and the breaking of traditional norms. It believes in encouraging and empowering Gen-Z to explore their authentic selves and take pride in their individuality. The campaign film captures the essence of the brands vision for its Gen-Z patrons through its vibrant, path-breaking visuals as well as a tagline that states, While the world is busy trying to create differences, we are busy celebrating them. Recognising the unique characteristics and needs of this generation, Eze Perfumes has created a range of fragrances that resonates with their aspirations and individuality; it includes 8 fragrances - 3 for men, 3 for women and 2 in the unisex category. According to Mr. Pushkar Jain, CEO and Perfumer, Sawai Fragrances, "We believe that every individual deserves the freedom to express their true selves and embrace their unique identity. The film #ExpressYourEze represents our commitment to celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and the spirit of Gen-Z. Through our fragrance, we aim to empower this generation to confidently express themselves and take pride in who they are. And what better time than the month of June, which is celebrated as the Pride month across the world. As it is often said, Love is love is love no matter who you give your heart to or how you express it." Ms. Kanishka Jain, Director at Incredible Indriya says, "The digital film #ExpressYourEze is a vibrant testament to the spirit of Gen-Z, breaks free from traditional norms, reflecting the shifting landscape of gender expression. As a fragrance brand for this generation, we embrace diversity and inclusivity, offering a range of fragrances that resonate with their unique aspirations and needs. With 8 captivating scents, Eze Perfumes empowers Gen-Z to confidently express themselves, regardless of societal conventions. On the occasion of Pride month, we are elated to celebrate the beauty of individuality and create a world where differences are cherished. Gen-Z in India is an aspiring generation, aged between 18-25 years, who are constantly seeking their identities and connections with like-minded individuals. Around 40% of them are found to live in top 10 cities across the country. Eze Perfumes understands their need for self-expression and a sense of belonging, and aims to provide a fragrance that aids and supports their journey of personal growth. This generation, often referred to as the Now Generation or Digital Natives, has been shaped by their exposure to digital platforms and social media. But there is more to them then just their need for instant gratification. They have a deep interest in social causes, care for the planet, hold strong ethical values and have little patience for stereotypes. Eze Perfumes recognises the streak of inclusivity that marks their temperament and has crafted a fragrance experience that aligns with their evolving perspectives. Eze Perfumes is known for its unique home-grown perfumes that delivers a world-class fragrance experience by combining traditional and modern scents. By marking the Pride month with a film that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness, it reiterates its position as the new-generation perfume thats aspirational as well as free-spirited in its choices. Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) today announced AI Cloud, the fastest and most trusted way for Salesforce customers to supercharge their customer experiences and company productivity with generative AI for the enterprise. AI Cloud is a suite of capabilities optimized for delivering trusted, open, and real-time generative experiences across all applications and workflows. AI Clouds new Einstein GPT Trust Layer resolves concerns of risks associated with adopting generative AI by enabling customers to meet their enterprise data security and compliance demands, while offering customers the benefits of generative AI. This unique blend of capabilities and security solidifies Salesforces position as the #1 AI CRM. At the heart of AI Cloud is Einstein, the world's first AI for CRM, which now powers over 1 trillion predictions per week across Salesforce's applications. With generative AI, Einstein helps make every company and employee more productive and efficient across sales, service, marketing, and commerce. AI Cloud will enable sales reps to quickly auto-generate personalized emails tailored to their customers needs, and service teams to auto-generate personalized agent chat replies and case summaries. Marketers can auto-generate personalized content to engage customers and prospects across email, mobile, web, and advertising. Commerce teams can auto-generate insights and recommendations to deliver customized commerce experiences at every step of the buyers journey. And, developers can auto-generate code, predict potential bugs in code, and suggest fixes. Why trusted generative AI matters in the enterprise: Company leaders want to embrace generative AI, but are wary of the risks hallucinations, toxicity, privacy, bias, and data governance concerns are creating a trust gap. New Salesforce research found that 73% of employees believe generative AI introduces new security risks and nearly 60% of those who plan to use the technology don't know how to keep data secure. AI Cloud will help fill that trust gap with the new Einstein GPT Trust Layer. The Einstein GPT Trust Layer will help prevent large-language models (LLMs) from retaining sensitive customer data. This separation of sensitive data from the LLM will help customers maintain data governance controls while still leveraging the immense potential of generative AI. The Einstein GPT Trust Layer sets a new industry standard for secure generative AI for the enterprise. AI is reshaping our world and transforming business in ways we never imagined, and every company needs to become AI-first, said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO, Salesforce. AI Cloud, built on the #1 CRM, is the fastest and easiest way for our customers to unleash the incredible power of AI, with trust at the center driven by our new Einstein GPT Trust Layer. AI Cloud will unlock incredible innovation, productivity, and efficiency for every company. Go deeper: AI Cloud delivers the future of trusted enterprise generative AI AI Cloud will integrate Salesforce technologies, including Einstein, Data Cloud, Tableau, Flow, and MuleSoft to provide trusted, open generative AI that is enterprise ready. Trusted and Open: The Einstein GPT Trust Layer will enable companies to get started with trusted generative AI faster by optimizing the right model for the right task. It will also provide deployment capabilities for any relevant LLM while helping companies maintain their data privacy, security, residency, and compliance goals. Use of Third-Party LLMs: As part of Salesforce's commitment to an open ecosystem, AI Cloud is designed to host LLMs from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anthropic, Cohere, and others entirely within Salesforces infrastructure. AI Cloud will help maintain customer prompts and responses in the Salesforce infrastructure. In addition, Salesforce and OpenAI have established a shared trust partnership to deliver joint content moderation using OpenAI's leading Enterprise API and best-in-class safety tools in conjunction with the Einstein GPT Trust Layer to help keep data retained in Salesforce. As part of Salesforce's commitment to an open ecosystem, AI Cloud is designed to host LLMs from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anthropic, Cohere, and others entirely within Salesforces infrastructure. AI Cloud will help maintain customer prompts and responses in the Salesforce infrastructure. In addition, Salesforce and OpenAI have established a shared trust partnership to deliver joint content moderation using OpenAI's leading Enterprise API and best-in-class safety tools in conjunction with the Einstein GPT Trust Layer to help keep data retained in Salesforce. Use of Salesforce LLM: AI Cloud will enable customers to use Salesforce LLMs developed by Salesforce AI Research to power advanced capabilities such as code generation and business process automation assistance, fundamentally transforming how businesses interact with their CRM software. Salesforces LLMs including CodeGen, CodeT5+, and CodeTF help companies increase productivity, bridge the talent gap, reduce the cost of implementations, and better detect incidents. AI Cloud will enable customers to use Salesforce LLMs developed by Salesforce AI Research to power advanced capabilities such as code generation and business process automation assistance, fundamentally transforming how businesses interact with their CRM software. Salesforces LLMs including CodeGen, CodeT5+, and CodeTF help companies increase productivity, bridge the talent gap, reduce the cost of implementations, and better detect incidents. Bring Your Own Model (BYOM): Customers who have trained their own domain-specific models outside of Salesforce will benefit from AI Cloud while storing data on their own infrastructure. These models, whether running through Amazon SageMaker or Google's Vertex AI, will connect directly to AI Cloud through the Einstein GPT Trust Layer. In this scenario, customer data can remain within the customers' trust boundaries. Business Ready: AI will fuel more than $15 trillion in global economic growth and boost GDP by 26% by 2030*. AI Cloud will harness the full power of Salesforce, helping make companies and employees more productive and efficient. Generative AI across every Salesforce application: Salesforce is bringing trusted generative AI to every product with Sales GPT, Service GPT, Marketing GPT, Commerce GPT, Slack GPT, Tableau GPT, Flow GPT, and Apex GPT. See more about Salesforces trusted, open, and business-ready generative AI-powered applications here. Salesforce is bringing trusted generative AI to every product with Sales GPT, Service GPT, Marketing GPT, Commerce GPT, Slack GPT, Tableau GPT, Flow GPT, and Apex GPT. See more about Salesforces trusted, open, and business-ready generative AI-powered applications here. Prompt template and builders: The prompts used to generate AI content directly influence the quality and relevance of the generated content. Salesforce is developing optimized AI prompts that use harmonized data to ground generated outputs in every companys unique context. These context-rich prompts will help sales, service, marketing, commerce, and IT teams get instant value from trusted generative AI, without hallucinations, while reducing time and cost. The customer perspective: Our goal is to deliver more personalized member engagement, make our processes more efficient and cost-effective, and drive innovation across our team within a safe and trusted environment, said Shohreh Abedi, EVP, Chief Operations Technology Officer, and Member Experience at AAA The Auto Club Group. We're accelerating our digital transformation with Salesforce, and AI Cloud will help us implement AI across our entire business, including devops, support, sales, and underwriting. Embedding AI into our CRM has delivered huge operational efficiencies for our advisors and clients, said Greg Beltzer, Head of Tech for RBC US Wealth Management. We believe that this technology has the potential to transform the way businesses interact with their customers, deliver personalized experiences, and drive customer loyalty. We are excited to explore this opportunity with Salesforce and drive the next generation of personalized customer experiences. Pricing and Availability For businesses looking to supercharge revenue and productivity fast, the AI Cloud Starter pack is available for $360,000 annually** with the necessary building blocks Data Cloud, MuleSoft automation, Einstein, Tableau Analytics, Slack, CRM, and a free AI-readiness assessment from Salesforce Professional Services. Specific feature availability details as follows: Incheon International Airport is crowded with travelers in this June 2 photo. Yonhap By Lee Yeon-woo Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday that it will strengthen travel restrictions on major tax delinquents, as it extends monitoring systems beyond the city limits. According to the city government, it is now able to collect local tax arrears data from other provinces with assistance from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Previously, the city could only request travel restrictions for those residing in Seoul who had defaulted on more than 30 million won ($23,533) within the city. However, now that the city can compile the total arrears from other provinces, it can request travel restrictions on defaulters whose combined nationwide tax arrears exceeds 30 million won. For instance, a person who owes 15 million won in taxes in Seoul and another 15 million won in Busan would be subject to this measure as their combined nationwide tax arrears exceeds 30 million won. Accordingly, the city recently requested travel restrictions on 1,378 tax defaulters. Following the confirmation by the Ministry of Justice, these defaulters will be restricted from traveling outside of Korea for six months from June 21. The city can request an extension of this period if necessary. Oh Se-woo, chief of the 38 Tax Collection Division under the city's Finance Bureau, told The Korea Times that the measures will also be applied to foreign nationals, despite none currently being among the 1,378 restricted defaulters. "We will conduct focused investigations on defaulters who enjoy affluent lives, such as traveling or sending their children abroad for education," Oh said. "We aim to prevent the majority of the public, who pay their taxes dutifully during these difficult times, from feeling a sense of deprivation." As of last December, there were 83,000 foreign residents who had defaulted on local taxes in Seoul alone. The number of arrears cases reached 134,000 and the total amount of unpaid taxes was 16.3 billion won. Birmingham construction firm Robins & Morton has broken ground on a new offsite emergency department in Winter Haven, Fla. AdventHealth West Florida Divisions19,800-square-foot, one-story facility will include 24 patient beds, a CT scanner, a radiology room, and a lab, as well as a helipad. The project is scheduled for completion in May 2024. Robins & Morton is the general contractor, while HuntonBrady is the architect. Robins & Morton Operations Manager Todd Watson said the standalone facility is the first of its kind in Winter Haven. Eventual plans for the site will include a 192-bed hospital to be built in phases, and a medical office building, on a 42-acre site. David Ottati, AdventHealth West Florida Division president and CEO, said the project is just the beginning of a master plan to accommodate anticipated growth in the area. The new emergency room, for example, will also be located just 2.5 miles from the Legoland Florida Resort. AdventHealth is committed to expanding our footprint in Polk County, and we are thrilled to bring the highest quality of emergency care services to Winter Haven, Ottati said. The 4,480-member Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook will be staying in the United Methodist Church. On Monday night, the church council voted 87-21 to accept the recommendation of the discernment team, with two abstentions. That will prevent a vote going to the full congregation on whether to leave. The discernment team, which consists of 11 lay members and Senior Pastor Keith Thompson, has been studying the issue of potential disaffiliation for more than a year, Thompson said in a letter to the congregation today. For many, this result comes with joy and relief, Thompson wrote. For many, this result comes with sadness and disappointment. If this is the outcome you had hoped for, I pray that in your relief you will respond with humility and gentleness, recognizing that there are those in our midst who may be deeply disappointed and hurt. Lets remember that we are first called to love God and love our neighbor, so let us show the love and tenderness of our beloved savior, Jesus Christ, to all we meet today. If this outcome is not what you had hoped for, please know that your church loves you and that there is a place for you, and everyone, within the Canterbury family. We are better because you are part of this church and hope that you come to that prayer-filled conclusion as well. When you are ready, know that your pastors doors are open should you wish to talk or pray together. Whether you are relieved or disappointed, please trust that our goal throughout this process was to reach a Spirit-led alignment for the good of the whole church. While our world may subscribe to an us vs. them mentality, the people of Christ are called to a higher standard. We are called to be the body of Christ where we honor and value the many different parts that encompass the whole. Leadership councils of some other churches have decided not to hold congregation-wide votes, indicating they plan to remain in the denomination. The 2019 United Methodist General Conference passed legislation that opened a window during which churches could vote to leave and negotiate to take their property with them, if they had concerns about the denominations direction on the issue of human sexuality, such as disagreement over potential future approval of same-sex marriage. Churches have until the end of 2023 to leave during that window. On Nov. 14, 2022, the administrative board of the 3,561-member Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood voted 63-3 to accept the recommendation of a discernment team to stay in the United Methodist denomination and not have a congregational vote on leaving, its Senior Pastor Brian Erickson said. If the church council doesnt call for disaffiliation, that church doesnt have to have a vote, Erickson said at the time. Since December, 330 of 638 churches in the North Alabama Conference have left the United Methodist Church, most of them to join more conservative denominations where opposition to same-sex marriage has not been up for debate. United Methodist progressives have been fighting for four decades for full LGBTQ inclusion including approving same-sex weddings, although official United Methodist church policy still holds that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. A list of questions and answers posted May 18 by the Canterbury Church discernment team anticipated a potential change on the issue. The UMC may eventually permit same sex marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexuals, it said. The future leadership of Canterbury and the North Alabama Annual Conference will continue to discern these decisions. Thompson extended an olive branch to Canterbury members who may have wanted to exit. This journey has not been easy, he wrote. It has tested us in ways we did not expect. But, as with any journey worth taking, our faith in God and trust in Jesus have only grown deeper. This occurred for one reason and one reason only the Holy Spirit has been working, is working now, and will continue to do a great work through the people of Canterbury UMC. I have seen and heard this truth in the faces and prayers of my fellow Discernment Team members, and I have seen and heard this truth from many of you as well. I am grateful for the Discernment Teams faith and integrity throughout this process, and I pray that you will extend your heartfelt gratitude as well. He added: It is now time for us to move forward with care and compassion for one another. It is time for us to go about the work of sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And, it is time for all of us to embrace a life of discernment, where we open ourselves to the Spirits work. I hope and pray that the Spirit will continue to mold us into genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. See also: United Methodists ask for loyalty from leaders, tighten rules on disaffiliation and downsize United Methodists after split: God is not finished with us Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale Division is of the devil, United Methodist bishop says as 193 churches disaffiliate United Methodists crushed after being left behind by disaffiliating churches United Methodists plan new churches in Prattville, Orange Beach, elsewhere to replace churches that disaffiliate in split United Methodists start new congregations where churches disaffiliated in North Alabama United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference Frazer Memorial officially leaves the United Methodist Church Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road and No Country for Old Men, has passed away. He was 89. Knopf Doubleday publishing company confirmed McCarthy died of natural causes Tuesday at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, McCarthy was raised in Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee before joining the United States Air Force. His first novel The Orchard Keeper was published in 1965. Other early novels include Outer Dark and Suttree. He published one of his most celebrated books, Blood Meridian, in 1985. While it received mixed reviews upon release, the book is widely celebrated as a masterpiece now. McCarthys other notable works include All the Pretty Horses (adapted into a film starring Matt Damon in 2000), The Crossing and Cities of the Plain. His 2005 novel No Country for Old Men was adapted into a feature film by Joel and Ethan Coen, who won Academy Awards for best picture, directing and adapted screenplay. The film is considered one of the best of the 21st century. McCarthys 2006 novel The Road, a post-apocalyptic story about a father and son on a grueling journey, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the James Tait Memorial Prize for Fiction. The book was adapted into a feature film starring Viggo Mortensen in 2009. Author Stephen King tweeted a tribute to McCarthy after learning the news. Cormac McCarthy, maybe the greatest American novelist of my time, has passed away at 89, King wrote. He was full of years and created a fine body of work, but I still mourn his passing. Alabama-born musician Jason Isbell tweeted McCarthys influence was immeasurable. I could go onstage and say this next one was influenced by Cormac McCarthy and literally sing any song Ive ever written, Isbell tweeted. Cormac McCarthy, maybe the greatest American novelist of my time, has passed away at 89. He was full of years and created a fine body of work, but I still mourn his passing. Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 13, 2023 Saying you dont like pizza is like saying you dont like puppies or springtime or the music of Prince. Every opinion you offer after that will be side-eyed. And theres a decent chance youre not a human at all but an A.I. chatbot gone awry. That said, what you personally consider to be Princes best album, the cutest breed of puppy and the best place in the world to enjoy spring weather, those opinions are valid. Just as valid as mine or anyone elses. Similarly, your personal list of top five Huntsville pizza places is just as legit as ours at AL.com. For the purposes of our HSV pizza list, were sticking to ventures with a Huntsville address. Otherwise the heavyweight pies at Valentinas Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Madison would be on here, and theyll be a strong contender for our statewide best Alabama pizza list this Thursday. Were not including national/regional chains in our list. Our Birmingham pizza list went live Monday, and Mobiles up to bat Wednesday. Now its time to slice up Huntsvilles top five. Terry's Pizza in Huntsville, Alabama. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) 5. TERRYS PIZZA 7900 Bailey Cove Road S.E., Huntsville, terryspizza.net Its not easy for a reboot to live up to nostalgia. But Terrys Pizza has done a solid job rising to that challenge. Since returning in 2018 at a new South Huntsville location, Terrys has served unfussy pies from an era before pizza toppings included foodie flash like avocado and beansprouts. Lou Pejza, an IBM typewriter repairman whod relocated from Chicago, opened the first Terrys Pizza in 1959, on Governors Drive. Pejza co-founded the original with his sister Theresa (for whom the restaurant was named) and brother-in-law. Other locations opened later. For decades, Terrys Pizza, said to be the citys first pizzeria, was central to Huntsville food culture, until shuttering in 2006 after Pejzas death. Like soon-to-be-revived dive Tip Top Cafe, Terrys was something many locals never thought would return. Yet here we are. Order this: Terrys signature item, the Sticky Fingers is sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms under a blanket of extra cheese on a crisp, thin and sturdy crust. READ: Does the new Terrys Pizza live up to the legend? Venice Pizza in Huntsville, Alabama. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) 4. VENICE PIZZA 6610 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, venicepizzahsv.com Its the pie that matters most, not the location or space. And their pie is the why Venice Pizza makes our list. Venice can be found in a humble commercial strip located near Bridge Street Towne Center. Their dining room is small and nondescript. But their pizzas, cooked in a stone deck oven, are gooey, chewy and savory. Nice, foldable crust and tangy sauce. At Venice Pizza, you can go as small as by-the-slice or as big as their battle-shield size party pizza, the latter available on rectangular and circular chassis. The emphasis is on populist and traditional specialty pies, think Margarita, Mediterranean, pineapple, buffalo chicken and barbecue chicken. What to order: The house special delivers a satisfying balance of sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, green peppers, mushrooms and onions. Pane e Vino Pizzeria offers al fresco dining with spectacular views of Huntsville's Big Spring International Park.(Huntsville TImes file/Bob Gathany) 3. PANE E VINO 300 Church St SW, Huntsville, paneevinopizzeria.com Pane e Vino is a case where the food and atmosphere are equally terrific. Part of Boyce Concepts -- the restaurant group helmed by local celeb chef James Boyce that also includes fine dining faves Commerce Kitchen and Cotton Row Pane e Vino sits inside downtowns Big Spring Park. Their space is actually below the Huntsville Museum of Art. As such, Pane e Vino pies take their names from famous artists. Theres the Michelangelo (fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, garlic), the da Vinci (pesto base, Roma tomato, mozzarella, arugula, balsamic reduction), Georgia OKeefe (mozzarella, Romano, pesto, chicken, tomato, red onion), etc. They also do elegant versions of a caprese salad, bruschetta app and some bodacious meatballs. What to order: Several masterpieces at Pane a Vino, but Im partial to the Jackson Pollock, an expressionist work of mozzarella, Romano, pesto, chicken, tomato, red onion. MORE: 11 creative Alabama pizzas that go way beyond pepperoni InnerSpace Brewing Company in Huntsville, Alabama. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) 2. INNERSPACE BREWING COMPANY 2414 Clinton Ave. W., Huntsville, innerspacebrewing.com The nerd-culture force is strong with Huntsville, see the popularity of pop-culture cons, arcade-bar mashups, and other geek-chic goings about here. InnerSpace Brewing makes Huntsvilles nerdiest pizzas. And some of the citys most delicious and creative. Opened in 2018, InnerSpace slings pies with sci-fi nod appellations such as the Silent Running (goat cheese, sweet peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olive) and Millennial Falcon (touted on the menu as Hotter than the Kessel Run!). All served by friendly wicked-smart staff (the bartender who took our food order is a space science grad student at UAH) in a cozy, funky space outfitted with celestial furnishings like moon landing posters, a Death Star blueprint and a Lt. Uhura portrait. If youre a craft-beer enthusiast, signature brews here include a blueberry shake fruit ale and an, ahem, IC3PA India Pale Ale. What to order: Not sure if consuming the Warp Core on the regular will help you live long and prosper. But this vessel of spicy sausage, Soppressata salami, Gorgonzola, mozz, red onion and siracha drizzle tastes like a journey to pizzas final frontier. READ: The best Huntsville beers for college football season Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza in Huntsville, Alabama. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) 1. EARTH AND STONE WOOD FIRED PIZZA 2600 Clinton Ave. W., Huntsville, earthandstonepizza.com Earth and Stone didnt take the easy or quick way to pizza prowess. Owners Tina Ford and Stan Stinson launched it as a mobile food vendor at Huntsvilles popular Greene Street farmers market. They affixed a wood-burning stove attached to a towed trailer. After caring for her parents in their twilight years, Ford decided shed follow her food passion from then on. She teamed with Stinson, whose background in advertising and regional management imparted branding and efficiency savvy. Earth and Stone quickly became a vanguard in Huntsvilles vibrant food-truck scene, winning national honors. Six years or so in, Earth and Stone made the leap to brick-and-mortar, as an embedded pizzeria in Yellowhammer Brewing. Their pies strike a rare mix between artisanal and accessible, with everything from pepperoni to roasted sweet potatoes in play The magic is in the crust though. Bendy, crispy, delicately charred and transcendent. What to order: Take it back to Earth and Stones roots with their Greene Street featured pizza. A satisfying harvest of red sauce, mozz/provolone mix, baby spinach, baby bellas, red bell pepper, red onion and Kalamatas. READ: The scrappy origins of Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza MORE ON HUNTSVILLE FOOD Huntsvilles best barbecue: Our Top 5 Love fried chicken? Youll love this funky little spot in Huntsville The art of minor league baseball concessions in a Food Network world A great Huntsville steak joint you can wear a Metallica shirt to and fit right in Thirsty Turtle, iconic Huntsville bar and lunch spot, has reopened Wawa held a groundbreaking Tuesday for its first store in Alabama. Or at least thats what they called it. It felt more like a pep rally amid bare red dirt at the corner of a prime intersection in Fairhope. Wawa, for those who dont know, is an East Coast convenience store chain that spread down into Florida over the last decade. In spring 2022, the company announced that a major expansion campaign would bring it across the Florida Panhandle and into coastal Alabama. In early 2023, the company announced the first few sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Related: Wawa is coming to Alabama. So whats a Wawa? What makes that a big deal is that Wawa has inspired a fan base whose fervor rivals that of Buc-ees, though the two companies stores could hardly be more different. Where Buc-ees builds megasites with scores of gas pumps along major traffic corridors, Wawas have a much smaller footprint and are built to serve local communities and commuters, rather than travelers. Wawas strong points include cleanliness, a reputation for good prices on fresh groceries and of course the made-to-order hoagies and other deli options. And then theres a distinctive corporate culture, with an emphasis on philanthropy and a high degree of employee ownership. Company representatives touched on all that and more in Tuesdays ceremony, as they gave shout-outs to the neighbors, state and local leaders and some Wawa superfans who were on hand to cheer. Alabamas first Wawa will stand at 18968 Greeno Road in Fairhope. That puts it at the the corner of U.S. 98 and Twin Beech Road, on the south side of town and just north of Fairhope High School. With the schools proximity making it an obvious traffic driver for the new store, a Wawa Area Manager Charlene Harrell mentioned conversations with principal Jon Cardwell. He already said he was going to build a sidewalk so his teachers could walk over every day to get lunch, she said. Wally Goose, mascot for the Wawa convenience store chain, and a company executive display renderings of the first Wawa in Alabama. It's being built at U.S. 98 and Twin Beech Road in FairhopeLawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Director of Store Operations Steve Hasher praised Fairhope as a business-friendly place but didnt stop there. Ive learned through my travels that this is the friendliest city, period, said Hasher. Whether Im getting a beverage at the Dragonfly or the Bone & Barrel, or enjoying one of the great restaurants in downtown Fairhope, what I find is that everyone is willing to strike up a conversation and educate me with the pride and passion your residents have for this city. Wawa CFO Kevin Wiggins provided the details likely of most interest to Wawa partisans. The store being built at the location should open in the second quarter of 2024, he said. Mobiles first Wawa, at the intersection of Cottage Hill Road and Sollie Road in west Mobile, should get its own groundbreaking ceremony in October, he said. Wiggins said more sites are coming fast, and the chain plans to open seven to 10 in Mobile and Baldwin counties over the next three or four years. Baldwin sites that are under contract include lots at the intersection of Ala. 181 and Ala. 104 on the east side of Fairhope and Ala. 59 and Baldwin 48 in Robertsdale. To build each store, we invest about six and a half million dollars in each and every store, said Wiggins. So if you do the math, over the next three to four years, in this local economy, were going to bring 45 to 65 million dollars in investment right here. Once open, each store will employ on average 35 to 40 associates, creating hundreds of new jobs in the local economy. Among the local officials on hand was Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan. Thank you for the investment youre making in our community, thank you for the investment youre making in Fairhope, she said. Wawas philanthropic efforts focus on health, hunger and everyday heroes, Harrell said. For this occasion, Wawa presented Prodisee Pantry with $2,500 to support a meal program aimed specifically at serving children during the summer. The program will provide meal kits full of nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to 100 children, to be distributed through the Spanish Fort Public Library, a Prodisee representative said. Congressman Robert Aderholt says language in a new spending bill will halt development of the U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado until an official decision has been made. Its another salvo in the ongoing battle over where U.S. Space Command should be located - Colorado Springs, Colo., or Huntsville. The language is included in the 2024 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs spending bill. A report by the subcommittee states that it is concerned that a final decision on a permanent location for the United States Space Command headquarters hasnt been reached after nearly five years of consideration. It calls on Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to announce a decision expeditiously and requires a report within 90 days of the bills passage on any money spent previously on Space Command headquarters. In a statement, Aderholt said the language incentivizes a decision be made on the location of headquarters as quickly as possible. According to Aderholt, it also prevents money from being spent on the project unless Huntsville is chosen. Inserted into the bill are words that the location selection should be in line with the Air Force Selection Process validated by the USGAO report on Space Command and the Defense Department Inspector Generals report on the headquarters selection process. Now more than ever, the establishment of a permanent Space Command Headquarters remains vital to our national security, he said. In this matter, timeliness remains of the utmost importance. The Air Force and Space Force initially recommended that the headquarters be placed in Colorado Springs, but in the final days of his term, President Donald Trump decided the new headquarters would be based in Huntsville. The basing decision, while not directly connected, has become part of a larger political fight. The Biden administration has not moved forward with assigning the headquarters to Huntsville as the decision went through a series of congressional and inspector general reviews. Meanwhile, Sen. Tommy Tuberville has used a Senate privilege to essentially stop any military officer nominations or promotions until the Defense Department rescinds a policy that would allow and provide support for service members to seek reproductive care outside their current assignment area. The Biden administration has not said whether it will overturn the previous decision to award the headquarters to Alabama, which has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. Last week, Tuberville said in a tweet that the top general in charge of U.S. Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, told him during a meeting that Huntsville is the preferred location for its new headquarters. Sen. Katie Britt also said Dickinson told her that the headquarters of U.S. Space Command belongs on Redstone Arsenal. U.S. Space Command had no comment on the statements. Aderholt said he was relieved that Dickinson assured the Alabama Delegation that he had no national security concerns about moving the headquarter. I urge the Department to move the headquarters to its preferred permanent location as quickly as possible, he said. As we take this step, I would like to thank the Alabama delegation for their commitment to this fight. We all know that Space Command belongs in the Rocket City. This post was updated at 9:50 a.m. June 14 to reflect new language in the bill. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission on Monday awarded licenses to 21 companies as cultivators, processors, transporters, dispensaries, and a testing lab. The law forbids smoking medical cannabis or consuming it in food. It will be available as tablets, capsules, gelatins, oils, gels, creams, suppositories, transdermal patches, or inhalable oils or liquids, Alabama Reflector reported. However, the cannabis gummies will only be allowed to be peach-flavored. That sparked some discussion on Twitter Monday night as to why there was only one flavor and why was it peach. I asked Brian Lyman, editor of Alabama Reflector, if he knew the answer. When medical marijuana was on its way to becoming legal, Lyman said, there was a debate on the Senate floor about trying to keep the gummies away from children. At one point the bill said it would have no taste, but (state Sen. Tim) Melson said that would cause people to gag. So the compromise was a single flavor, Lyman said. It was up to the AMCC to choose which flavor it would be. Maybe peach isnt as attractive to people? Lyman speculated. The companies chosen have 14 days to pay their licensing fee. The AMCC plans to issue licenses on July 10. Top Miami officials said the city is prepared for anywhere from 5,000 to upward of 50,000 protesters ahead of the arraignment of former President Donald Trump, who faces a 37-count federal indictment over classified documents he allegedly stored at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, after leaving the White House. Trump is expected to report to the federal courthouse in Miami around 3 p.m. amid protests planned by both his supporters and detractors. Mayor Francis Suarez and Police Chief Manuel Morales addressed security concerns but provided few specifics, in a joint press conference held Monday afternoon. Security will be a coordinated effort by local, state and federal law enforcement, according to Morales. He did not go into specifics about what security measures will be taken. Suarez repeatedly pointed to the citys handling of the protests after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 as proof of its preparation for dealing with unruly crowds and charged political gatherings. Im not here to talk about politics, Suarez said. Im here in my role as mayor of the city of Miami projecting confidence to our residents and to the residents of the country that were going to be ready for tomorrow. Suarez said commuters can expect a disruption Tuesday but declined to state which specific streets could be affected. Police said much of their decisions would be dependent on crowd size. As of Monday, Miami police had not received any formal requests for demonstration permits, according to communications director Kenia Fallat. Nonetheless, pro-Trump rallies are planned for outside the courthouse Tuesday, including at least one promoted on Twitter by members of the extremist group the Proud Boys. Leaders of the Proud Boys were convicted of seditious conspiracy for planning to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including Miami-resident Enrique Tarrio, who is currently serving time in federal prison. Far-right politician and media personality Kari Lake tweeted that she will be joining protesters Tuesday. Earlier, in a speech denouncing the indictment, Lake mentioned weapons and hinted at a physical intervention in the legal process. We will not let you lay a finger on President Trump, she said. Frankly now is the time to cling to our guns and our religion. Lake did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Unlike New York or Washington D.C., where Trump previously called on crowds to protest on his behalf, Florida has notoriously loose gun laws. Although Suarez called for peaceful demonstrations, neither the mayor nor the police chief addressed what safety measures were in place should protesters come armed. Morales declined to say whether the city plans to erect metal barricades or make efforts to harden the courthouse amid concerns that protesters might be planning to enter the building and disrupt legal proceedings. But he insisted that law enforcement would be prepared for anything. We know theres a potential of things taking a turn for the worst, but thats not the Miami way, Morales said. At least one anti-Trump protest has also been called by a local antifa anarchist group, leading to concerns over the possibility of clashes between the left-wing protesters and those gathering outside the courthouse to support the former president. Morales said there will not be a designated perimeter around the courthouse, and that protesters will be able to move freely around the building. But, he said, authorities would be ready to address the situation. If we begin to see that theres opposing parties well, at that time, make sure that they are separated and theres plenty of officers on the scene, Morales said. A source familiar with the matter said the Secret Service had begun planning for the arraignment within hours of learning that Trump had been indicted, coordinating with local law enforcement on securing a perimeter around the federal courthouse. While the courthouse in Miami is an easier site to secure than the Manhattan criminal court was in April, when the former president was arraigned on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York state, federal law enforcement have also noticed more online traffic from Trump supporters discussing plans to protest than they had before, according to one Department of Homeland Security official. The U.S. Marshals will lead on federal assistance to secure the courthouse. The U.S. Marshals are responsible for the protection of the federal judicial process, and we take that responsibility very seriously, said Drew Wade, chief of public affairs at the U.S. Marshals Service. Ensuring that judges can rule independently and free from harm or intimidation is paramount to the rule of law, and a fundamental mission of the USMS. While we do not discuss our specific security measures, we continuously review the measures in place and take appropriate steps to ensure the integrity of the federal judicial process, Wade said. The FBI declined to comment. County police have not received a request from federal authorities for security support but are coordinating closely with city police, according to a statement by County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. However, we are prepared to provide any assistance, support, or resources requested by our partners at the city of Miami Police Department, which has jurisdiction over downtown Miami and the Wilkie D. Ferguson Courthouse, the county mayor said in the statement. As always, MDPD will continue to ensure safety of all county residents, buildings and transit stations. Although he declined to answer what he called political questions at Mondays press conference, Suarez has gone on national television and echoed Trumps claims that the indictment is part of a politically motivated campaign to attack the former president. Suarezs comments land at an inflection point in his mayoral career. He is expected on Thursday to announce his 2024 presidential bid near Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the mayors business dealings with South Florida develop Rishi Kapoor, who gave Suarez $10,000 a month as a paid consultant for his development firm. Suarez said he has not communicated with Trump ahead of tomorrow. I have not spoken to him, the mayor said. I dont have his phone number. --------- (Miami Herald staff writers Doug Hanks and Joey Flechas contributed to this report.) The capital murder case against a 31-year-old woman in Homewood will move forward even though the alleged murder weapons in the slaying of a U.S. Army veteran a necktie and a dog leash were inadvertently thrown away by Homewood police, a judge has ruled. Alexandria Nicole Davis, 31, was arrested in September 2021, a day after 30-year-old Johnnie Will Anderson III was found dead and decomposing in his apartment. Anderson, according to court documents, was found with a necktie and a dog leash around his neck. The Jefferson County Coroners Office ruled his death a homicide by strangulation. Public Defenders Paul H. Rand and Sammie Shaw earlier this year asked that the capital murder charge be dismissed, saying that theres no way to get a fair trial without such important evidence. Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Jessica Hebson contended in a hearing that the missing physical evidence which also included the victims clothing is still documented through crime scene photos. The dog leash and necktie are so critical to the defense as to make any trial without them fundamentally unfair, Rand wrote in his motion. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May on Tuesday denied the motion to dismiss the charges. May, in his ruling, said the loss of evidence is reprehensible, but was not done in bad faith. Alabama case law, he said, is clear concerning the issue of lost evidence. Whether the loss of evidence is fundamentally unfair to a defendant is to be determined on a case-by-case basis weighing three factors: - The culpability of the government in the loss of the evidence - The importance of the loss of the evidence - The prejudice to the defendant from this loss of evidence In analyzing these factors (from previous case law), the court cannot find that the aforementioned handling and/or conduct rises to the level of bad faith on the part of the state in the loss of this evidence, May wrote. This court hereby explicitly and unequivocally states that the court believes the conduct of the evidence technicians involved in the handling of this evidence, as well as those officers responsible for the storage and day-to-day operations of the Homewood Police Department Property Room to be reprehensible. A hearing on the matter was held by May in April. He took it under advisement, with these words: This was probably, in my 30 years of practicing and on the bench, the most deplorable handling of evidence I have ever seen, May said during the April hearing. I have never seen anything like this. And I will say, heads need to roll, because this decedent -- I dont care who was in fact, the murderer, he deserved much better than what Homewood gave him. Its put the state in a position they dont deserve to be in, as well as the defense, May said. And nobody bears that brunt except for Homewood Police Department. Johnnie Will Anderson III (Contributed) Homewood police released this statement to AL.com about the destroyed evidence: An internal investigation was conducted by the Homewood Police Department Internal Affairs Division. The investigation concluded that proper procedures in the handling and storage of evidence were not followed by two property custodians. Both property custodians were appropriately disciplined and reassigned. Anderson, the father of a 10-year-old daughter, was found dead Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at his home at the Park at Buckingham apartments on Aspen Circle. Authorities believe he had been dead for several days. Davis was taken into custody Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Circle K on Lorna Road. She is also charged with attempted murder in the unrelated stabbing of another woman that happened in Birmingham on that Saturday, just hours before she was arrested in Hoover. The lookout bulletin for the suspect in the stabbing matched the description of Andersons missing vehicle a grey Dodge Charger. An officer spotted the wanted vehicle that Saturday afternoon. Both Homewood and Birmingham police also responded to the scene, and Birmingham police placed Davis in the Birmingham City Jail pending their ongoing stabbing investigation. Birmingham detectives then charged Davis with attempted murder and obstruction of justice, claiming she provided them with a false identity. Days later, Homewood police charged her in Andersons death. Davis had just been arrested on Aug. 30, 2021, by Hoover police on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. That arrest followed Hoover police responding to a reported robbery that turned out to be a civil dispute. Used needles and meth were found during that incident, according to court records. Prior to that arrest, Davis pleaded guilty to a 2020 theft of a Nissan from a man in Birmingham. As part of her plea, she was ordered to take part in the Deferred Theft Court Program, with the stipulation that she would have to serve 18 months in prison if she failed the program. On Sept. 12, 2021, a judge ruled her non-compliant and issued a warrant for her arrest. According to Rands motion to dismiss the case against Davis, a coroners report indicates Anderson had been using methamphetamine and was found with a necktie and a dog leash around his neck. Blood was discovered on the carpet near Andersons body and a bloody handprint and additional blood samples were also on the air mattress where his body was found. Two dogs were on the balcony of the apartment and the front door was unlocked. Davis, police said, told them she put the dogs on the balcony so they would not do anything to Andersons body after she left. According to Homewood investigators, Rands motion states, Davis said shed met Anderson on Facebook when she needed a ride. He bought drugs for the two of them, which they used, and the two had sex in his apartment, Rand wrote of the police interview summary. She reported that Anderson was rough with her, that she was frightened of him. Rand goes on to say that Anderson blocked the door and made Davis watch videos on his computer featuring people who preached about purging the world of whores and drug abusers. Ms. Davis told the police she believed Mr. Anderson was going to hurt her, Rand wrote. In a recorded interview, according to the motion, Davis told investigators that she tightened the necktie around his neck with his knowledge. Mr. Anderson was conscious when she wrapped the necktie around his neck, and he lost consciousness but did not try to prevent her from doing what she was doing, Rand wrote. He was unconscious when she left the apartment. Notably, Ms. Davis denied having anything to do with the dog leash and stated she did not place the dog leash on Mr. Andersons neck, he wrote. She left the apartment unlocked when she left, and it was unlocked when his body was found two days later. According to the motion, evidence was collected at the scene on Sept. 10, 2021, where Andersons body was found, and the coroners office took possession of the body and items found on the body. Police collected some of the items on Sept. 13, 2021, but no property report was prepared. On Nov. 17, 2021, more items were collected from the coroners office and taken to police headquarters where they were placed in a biohazard bag and put in the property room. Those items included a necktie, dog leash, shirt, socks, shorts and a t-shirt. Johnnie Will Anderson III was found slain in his Homewood apartment on Sept. 10, 2021. (Contributed) Again, Rand contended, no property report was completed. The biohazard bag remained in the property room until Feb. 1, 2022, when it was placed in a trash bag. That trash bag was taken to the dumpster at police headquarters on Feb. 4, 2022. Testimony at the April hearing indicated that police learned the evidence was missing, reviewed video footage and learned the evidence had been thrown away. An evidence technician had put the evidence near a bay door to air it out because of the odor, and it was mistaken as trash. The Homewood PD had these items in its possession for almost three months before they destroyed the deceaseds clothes and the necktie and dog leash items which the coroner says caused Mr. Andersons death, Rand wrote. Rand argued that police knew the importance of the necktie because it needed to be tested so authorities could establish whether Daviss story was true, and whether anything had happened to the scene during the two days between when Davis left the apartment and when Andersons body was found. Because Davis admitted to putting the tie around the victims neck but denied knowing anything about a dog leash, the motion states, the possibility exists that a number of things could have happened in the days following Daviss departure and the discovery of Andersons body. Now that this evidence has been destroyed without being tested by any party, we will never know what an analysis of the dog leash and necktie might reveal, the motion stated. It is possible that Ms. Daviss DNA is on one item but not the other. It is possible that someone elses DNA would have been found on both, especially given that the apartment was unlocked, and two days passed from when she left and the body was discovered, Rand says in his motion. It is also possible that, upon analysis, testing would have revealed that Mr. Anderson had used either the necktie or the leash, or both, as the last person to handle them before his death. May, in Tuesdays order, wrote that while the level of culpability does not rise to bad faith, it clearly rises to gross and incompetent negligence' concerning the duty owed by police to the victim and his family. The judge said he finds the loss and the prevention of testing to be prejudicial and will allow and substantially limit ay testimony concerning the existence of the lost items. The court shall allow how and where the destroyed items were found in association with the alleged victims body, how they were recovered, packaged, received, handled and ultimately destroyed by the Homewood Police Department, May wrote. The court further intends to give a spoilation instruction to the jury that they can draw/make certain inferences against the state of Alabama concerning the lack of testing and/or examination, as well as the fact that the evidence was allowed to be improperly destroyed prior to examination/testing. A trial date has not been set. China's top political advisor meets chairman of Nepal's national assembly Xinhua) 15:43, June 13, 2023 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing on Tuesday. The two sides should synergize development strategies, maintain the political foundation for the growth of bilateral relations, expand exchanges and cooperation, and add new impetus to the respective development and revitalization of the two countries, Wang said. The CPPCC National Committee is willing to work with the National Assembly of Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, and contribute to building a closer community of shared future between China and Nepal, Wang said. Timilsina said Nepal follows the one-China policy and speaks highly of China's extraordinary achievements. The National Assembly of Nepal is willing to deepen exchanges with the CPPCC National Committee and promote practical cooperation between the two countries to achieve common development and prosperity. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Hyundai Motor's manufacturing plant in the U.S. state of Alabama / Korea Times file By Yi Whan-woo Hyundai Motor Group, Samsung Electronics and other Korean conglomerates' moves to bring back massive earnings from abroad are drawing speculation over whether the government can capitalize on such moves to justify and sustain its embattled belt-tightening policy. The policy is aimed at reducing the tax burden for businesses, which in turn can expand investment, increase returns and correspondingly raise tax income long term, helping the government to improve fiscal health and achieve market-driven economic growth. The policy, however, has not gone as the government expected. A prolonged slump in exports resulted in a fall in overall corporate income. Consequently, the government is collecting less corporate tax revenue. Under the circumstances, Hyundai Motor Group, Samsung Electronics and other large firms are beginning to find tax incentives offered by the government attractive for reshoring overseas income. The incentives include easing double taxation significantly, by excluding 95 percent of dividend earnings from abroad being taxed in Korea after they have been taxed in the country of residence. The incentives also include lowering the maximum corporate tax rate to 24 percent from 25 percent. The two aforementioned measures have been effective since Jan. 1. Hyundai Motor Group announced on Monday its plans to draw $5.9 billion in reserve funds from its overseas subsidiaries to invest in manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in Korea. "We've reviewed the revised tax code for the past few months in relation to our overseas earnings, and concluded that we can benefit from capital reshoring," a Hyundai Motor Group public relations official said. Sources familiar with the matter said Samsung Electronics brought back overseas income worth 8.44 trillion won from China, Vietnam and other countries in the first quarter of the year. "The money returned was spent on research and development as well as construction of new facilities," a source said. Data from the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed the amount of retained earnings a sum of money earned by overseas subsidiaries and not transferred to domestic parent companies increased through 2022 but went down by $1.06 billion in January and then again by $240 million in April. "The return of earnings from abroad due to tax incentives shows that the government's belt-tightening policy is beginning to pay off," said Joo Won, deputy director of the Hyundai Research Institute. Lee Sang-ho, head of the economic policy team at the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), viewed that capital reshoring may accelerate considering that the won-dollar exchange rate remains high and that the firms' revenues will go up when capital is converted from dollars into won. A morning crash between a train and a vehicle in Montgomery left two people injured and has blocked the roadway. Montgomery police and fire medics responded at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday to the 200 block of Hyundai Boulevard at the intersection of U.S. 331, said police Maj. Saba Coleman. The driver and the passenger of the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Coleman said. Alabama State Trooper Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said all lanes of the intersection will be blocked for an undetermined amount of time. Burkett and Coleman are encouraging motorists to avoid the area by using an alternate route. The three-judge panel of judges overseeing a lawsuit over Alabamas congressional map have scheduled a status conference for Friday, after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with their initial ruling that the maps may violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The June 9 order from U.S. Circuit Court Judge Stanley Marcus and U.S. District Judges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer called for a meeting at 8 a.m. on June 16. The Alabama Legislature approved new congressional maps at the end of 2021 that preserved the 7th Congressional District, stretching from Birmingham to the western Black Belt, as the states single majority-minority district. Democratic legislators and voting rights activists sued over the map, arguing it packed Black voters into a single district, locking Black voters living outside it of any meaningful participation in the political process. More from Alabama Reflector In January 2022, the panel ruled that the states congressional map discriminated against Black voters and said the remedy appeared to be a second district where Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office appealed the ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the lower court order in February 2022. It heard the case, now known as Allen v. Milligan, last October. In a 5-4 decision last week, the court upheld the lower court ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, rejected arguments from the state defending what it called a race-neutral approach, writing that the panel had properly followed precedents and prior jurisprudence on the Voting Rights Act. A district is not equally open when minority voters faceunlike their majority peersbloc voting along racial lines, arising against the backdrop of substantial racial discrimination within the State, that renders a minority vote unequal to a vote by a nonminority voter, Roberts wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court formally lifted its February 2022 stay on Monday. U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus was nominated to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1997. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco was nominated to the bench by President Donald Trump in 2020. U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer was nominated by Trump in 2018. A state corrections officer is under arrest after authorities say he tried to smuggle drugs into the prison where he worked. Charlie LaBranden Townsend, 28, was arrested Saturday, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced Tuesday. He worked at Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery until his resignation at the time of his arrest. He is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, use of position for personal gain and promoting prison contraband. ADOC investigators interviewed Townsend and he confessed to bringing in contraband for an inmate, said prison spokeswoman Kelly Betts. Charging documents against Townsend state he was in possession of 88 gross grams of methamphetamine, 104 gross grams of fentanyl, 30 gross grams of marijuana, 208 grams of a synthetic drug and multiple Xanax pills. Warrants state he was to receive $1,500 in exchange for providing an unnamed inmate with the illegal drugs. Townsend was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Center on bonds totaling $775,000. He was released from the jail later Saturday, jail records show. Betts said the arrest is a result of the ADOC Contraband Interdiction Program, which uses cutting-edge search and security technologies in an ongoing effort to control the influx of prison contraband. The presence of illegal drugs is a growing challenge faced by correctional systems across the country, ADOC Commissioner John Hamm said in a prepared statement. Criminals go to significant lengths to bypass security systems and introduce drugs and other types of illegal contraband into facilities. The ADOC is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance policy on contraband, even when it comes to policing our own. A Madison man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in connection with his involvement with a website where users could access images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. According to prosecutors, William Michael Spearman, 57, of Madison, was the lead administrator of the website which had been operating for many years. Spearman pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. An additional four people, from Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Nevada, have been convicted in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement with the same website. Investigators said the website included a section devoted to the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, a section with images and videos depicting children being subjected to pain and torture, and a section dealing with avoiding detection by law enforcement. Spearman, who was the lead administrator, managed a staff, directed them in running the site, recommended other users for promotion, kept records of child pornography files advertised and distributed over the site, praised and scolded users, and advertised and distributed images over the website. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 31, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The FBIs Child Exploitation Operational Unit, West Palm Beach Resident Agency, and Miami Field Office investigated the cases. FBI Field Offices and resident agencies in Huntsville and the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Alabama assisted. Boaters and swimmers off Orange Beachs Bird Island were startled last weekend when a shiver of hammerhead sharks swam in near shore. Drone footage posted by Meredith Perry shows swimmers leaping out of the water and into their boats as the sharks circled around inside the area where the boats were anchored. The incident was just the latest in a series of close encounters with sharks for local beachgoers. Earlier in June, dozens of sharks -- believed to be blacktips -- were again spotted in drone footage, in that case off of Alabama Point in Orange Beach. Also in June, video showed a shark caught and dragged onto the beach in Panama City, Fla. And, in March, a juvenile Great White shark was caught by fishermen shore fishing in Orange Beach. A recent study by researchers at California State University in Long Beach, however, suggests close encounters between sharks and humans are more frequent than people realize and that the two apex predators can peacefully coexist. The universitys Shark Lab was founded in 1966 to study the sensory biology and behavior of sharks. Today, the lab studies the physiological and behavioral ecology of marine animals, emphasizing the effect of human activity on the ocean. The Shark Labs recent study surveyed 26 different southern California beaches over a two-year period between January 2019 and March 2021, using more than 1,600 drone flights to track the movements of juvenile white sharks and how often they interact with humans. In the more than 700 hours of footage amassed, researchers found where the sharks most often grouped together, they swam near humans 97% of the days surveyed and often within 50 yards of wave breaks, near surfers and stand-up paddleboarders -- with the humans largely unaware. There wasnt a single report of a shark bite in any of those locations. Most of the time water users didnt even know the sharks were there, but we could easily see them from the air, said Patrick Rex, a Cal State Long Beach graduate student who led the study. Rex said sharks were found coming within 10 feet of humans on a daily basis. Chris Lowe has been the director of the Shark Lab since 1998. Lowe says researchers expected to find that humans and sharks can coexist peacefully, but were surprised at how often those encounters occurred, saying we never expected to see so many encounters every day with no incidents of shark bites. Its not just about sharks, its about people, Lowe said. This study may change peoples perception of the risk sharks pose to people that share the ocean with them. Lowes comments echo those of Sean Powers, head of the University of South Alabamas School of Marine & Environmental Sciences. Lowe told AL.com earlier this month that sharks feed on other marine life and have little interest in humans. Humans dont taste very good to a shark, Lowe said. Theyre expecting a rich, fatty fish. If the Shark Labs findings dont put Alabama beachgoers at ease, perhaps its worth a reminder that there have only been 10 reported shark attacks in Alabama waters since 1837. The Associated Press contributed to this report. UPDATE: The suspects were arrested late Tuesday afternoon while they were sitting in a field. They are being taken to the Chilton County Jail. EARLIER: A manhunt for a theft suspect and his girlfriend continued Tuesday morning by multiple law enforcement agencies. The ordeal began Monday afternoon with a retail theft in Alabaster Monday and ended with a vehicle pursuit that traveled from Shelby County to Chilton County. Authorities said Alabaster police began the pursuit, and Calera police then assisted. Police deployed spike strips, but that was unsuccessful. Once the chase got to Chilton County, deputies there also joined in. The suspect tried to ram at least one police. He eventually ditched his vehicle and fled on foot. The search went into the night and then resumed Tuesday morning. Authorities are searching for John Christopher Carmada and Zelda Resha. Both are believed to have outstanding warrants, and Carmada could be a federal fugitive. (Contributed) Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon identified the suspects as John Christopher Carmada and Zelda Resha. Both are believed to have outstanding warrants, and Carmada could be a federal fugitive. The search is taking place in the Union Grove area, near Archers Chapel Methodist Protestant Church. Local landowners allowed authorities to access their property and made them aware of potential hiding spots. Shearon said the suspects were spotted Tuesday morning. He said they dont know if Carmada is armed but are considering that possibility. Chilton County deputies and Calera police remain on the scene, as well as federal agents, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Department of Corrections tracking dogs. Shearon said rain is hampering efforts to get the state helicopter in the air, and also providing a challenge for tracking dogs. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Starbucks workers union said the company on Tuesday banned decorations for LGBTQ Pride Month. The company, however, refutes the claim. The group, Starbucks Workers United, is alleging that the companys corporate management has been asking its workers in roughly 21 states to take down Pride decorations over the last two weeks. If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack, the group posted on Twitter. A company that cares wouldnt turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits. For the last two weeks, Starbucks workers have taken to social media to report that the company is no longer allowing Pride decorations in-store. This seems to be the first year the publicly "pro-LGBTQ+" company has taken this kind of stance. Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 13, 2023 The Oklahoma City Starbucks Workers United tweeted Oklahoma City union stores were instructed to remove Pride flags from their stores. This has also been happening at the OKC union stores, we were told from our DM we were no longer allowed to put up pride flags and decorations as we have previously. This is devastating as Oklahoma has been one of the numerous states attacking trans rights. https://t.co/jTWmXoF0l2 OKC Starbucks Workers United (@okcsbxunited) June 13, 2023 Starbucks Workers United posted a TikTok video allegedly depicting employees removing Pride decorations from a Wisconsin location. #pridemonth #rainbowcapitalism #shameonstarbucks #starbucks #starbuckssucks #prideflag #pridedecor #starbucksbarista #starbucksstore #targetlgbtq #starbuckslgbtq Makeba - Jain @sbworkersunited STARBUCKS IS BANNING PRIDE FLAGS ACROSS THE US. For the last two weeks, Starbucks workers have taken to social media to report that the company is no longer allowing Pride decorations in-store. This seems to be the first year the publicly pro-LGBTQ+ company has taken this kind of stance. Taking a cue from Target, who bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure and removed pride merchandise, corporate and district management are taking down the pride decorations that have become an annual tradition in stores. In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make unilateral changes without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway - ignoring their own anti-union talking point. Starbucks is powered by many queer workers, but management has failed to materially support the LGBTQ+ community. Last October, some workers have reported that their transgender benefit plan changed, causing them to pay out of pocket fees and lose access to certain providers If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, even during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. A company that cares wouldnt turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits. True allyship with the LGBTQ+ community is negotiating a union contract that legally locks-in our benefits, our freedom of expression, and ways to hold management accountable. #pride The union also tweeted a collage of posts and comments allegedly made by Starbucks employees who were instructed not to decorate for Pride. Starbucks Corporate is denying any change to their policies on Pride this year - but if that were true, why are there countless stories where workers are claiming the opposite? Here's just some of what's been sent to us on social media: pic.twitter.com/anAqX6RTw7 Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 13, 2023 Starbucks denied the accusations. We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June, Andrew Trull, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement to NBC News. Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. An Indiana man wanted for capital murder in an Alabama slaying has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted list. Joshua Smiley, 26, is sought in connection with the 2021 shooting death of a 30-year-old man on Amsterdam Street in Mobile. U.S. Marshals in April announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Smiley and, on Tuesday, increased that reward to $25,000. He is also wanted by U.S. Marshals for a bond violation on a federal drug charge in Fort Wayne. Smiley was convicted in 2019 for taking part in a 2018 fatal shooting in Fort Wayne and had been sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended. Authorities said Smiley is known to carry guns and should be considered armed and dangerous. He could be in Mobile, Fort Wayne or Indianapolis. He is 6-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and tattoos on both arms. The U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive program draws attention to some of the countrys most dangerous fugitives. These fugitives tend to be career criminals with histories of violence, and they pose a significant threat to public safety,' the USMS states. Considered the worst of the worst, the fugitives include murderers, sex offenders, major drug kingpins, organized crime figures and individuals wanted for high-profile financial crimes. Since the program began in 1983, more than 250 Most Wanted fugitive cases have been closed. Anyone with information on Smileys whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 or via the USMS Tips App. 15 A 76-year-old woman who was declared dead at a hospital in Ecuador astonished her relatives by knocking on her coffin during her wake, and the incident has prompted a government investigation into the hospital. Relatives left the coffin behind and rushed retired nurse Bella Montoya back to the hospital after the wake Friday in the central city of Babahoyo, son Gilberto Barbera told The Associated Press. It gave us all a fright, Barbera said, adding that doctors have said his mothers situation remains dire. Ecuadors Health Ministry said that Montoya was in intensive care Monday at the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo while the ministry investigates doctors involved in her case. A technical committee has been formed to review how the hospital issues death certificates, the ministry said in a statement. Montoya initially had been admitted Friday at the hospital with a possible stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest, and when she did not respond to resuscitation, a doctor on duty declared her dead, the ministry said. Barbera said his mother was unconscious when she was brought to the emergency room and that a few hours later a doctor informed him she was dead and handed over identity documents and a death certificate. The family then brought her to a funeral home and were holding a wake later Friday when they started to hear strange sounds. There were about 20 of us there, Barbera said. After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds. My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily. Though he and relatives rushed her back to the hospital Friday, she was still in serious condition Monday. She was under intubation, and doctors werent giving relatives much hope about her prognosis, Barbera said. No details have been released about the doctor who had prematurely declared the woman dead. An Athens man arrested late last year on rape, sodomy and sexual abuse charges has been indicted on more offenses, including incest. Gregory Carlisle Scott, 52, is facing two counts of incest, and one additional charge each of rape, sodomy and sexual abuse after a Limestone County grand jury indicted him earlier this month, court records showed. Scott is being held in the Limestone County Jail on $450,000 bond, according to jail records. He was initially charged in October 2022 on one count each of rape, sodomy and sexual abuse. Those charges stemmed from an investigation earlier that month. Investigators were called to the emergency room of Athens-Limestone Hospital on a reported rape. Fans of K-pop giant BTS pose in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the capital's iconic landmark in its fashion district, Monday. Many iconic locations around Seoul, including the DDP, have been illuminated in purple in celebration of BTS' 10th anniversary which fell on Tuesday. Yonhap By Lee Hae-rin Quan Luu, 44, flew to Seoul from Australia last Friday on a seven-day trip to celebrate K-pop giant BTS' 10th anniversary, which fell on Tuesday. Dressed in purple, the signature color of the group and its fans, she posed for a photo in front of the giant graffiti portrait of the seven members still in progress at HYBE's headquarters in Seoul's Yongsan District. She plans to visit some locations where the group filmed episodes of variety shows in the capital and join other Australian ARMY groups for a BTS tour. ARMY is the loyal global fan base of the world-famous boy band. Jialing Wang, 39, from Los Angeles handed out self-made BTS stickers to other fans gathered around the painted wall, as many K-pop fans do with each other at concerts and events. "It's an easy way to start a conversation with someone I've been giving them out today and everyone laughs, so it's fun," she said. "They (BTS) encourage me to continue to better myself and they soothe my heart when it's in pain," she said, explaining that BTS and like-minded fans she befriended helped her through the COVID-19 pandemic. "They're the one source of a bright spot in my life and (BTS and ARMY) have given me so much more than I ever expected from being just a fan of a group." She plans to meet some friends she made during the group's Busan concert last year in promotion of the World Expo and visit BTS-related exhibits. Photos and posters of BTS are posted on the walls of a coffee shop in central Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday, in celebration of the group's 10th anniversary. Newsis A child playing in the cold, clear waters of the Sipsey Fork on a summer day, examining whats swimming below her reflection in the water may not think about the sweetness of the air shes breathing, or how it smells different from the air in town. She may not be aware that the forest air is fattened with oxygen because of the abundance of trees, that every breath should nourish her cells and spirit. She just knows that it feels good to be in the woods, to run and play, climb on the huge boulders, and splash in the creek that holds wondrous things to discover. While a childs main focus is enjoyment of this special place, it is the responsibility of our state environmental agency to ensure that she is breathing clean air and playing in clean water. Unfortunately, the air quality in places like the Sipsey Wilderness, Alabamas only class 1 designated land, is not as clean as it should be. Air pollution from sources such as industrial facilities across our state regularly emit dangerous emissions that cause hazy skies and harm our lungs. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has a great opportunity right now to reduce air pollution that threatens this childs health, our tourism economy, and is damaging the health of our public lands and people. In Alabama, we have over 1 million acres of national forests, wildlife refuges, nature preserves, state and local parks providing outdoor experiences for Alabamians wanting to enjoy scenic views, waterfalls, and hikes through the woods. Our state is also home to thriving communities from Birmingham to Montgomery to Mobile. These communities and public lands are intimately connected through Alabamas growing outdoor recreation economy and, sadly, the unchecked air pollution that flows freely from industrial facilities to towns, parks, and wilderness areas across the Southeast. ADEM now has a chance to help move us forward and clean the air for so many Alabama families who breathe in the air each day. Every ten years, all states must submit a Regional Haze plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailing how they will reduce harmful air pollution that contributes to hazy skies in any national park or wilderness area that is federally designated for special protection. In Alabama, the Sipsey Wilderness Area located in the Bankhead National Forest is protected as are other places in the Southeast like the Great Smoky Mountains and Mammoth Cave National Parks. The Sipsey Wilderness was one of the first Wilderness Areas set aside by Congress in the eastern United States and the river that flows through it, the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, is the only Wild and Scenic River in Alabama. There are tens of thousands of visitors who come from across the state and nation to hike, paddle and enjoy the magical canyons and waterfalls. These regional haze plans are key not only to cleaning up air in wild places, but also for nearby communities. Air pollution knows no boundaries, so the same pollution that causes hazy skies in the Sipsey Wilderness Area travels through countless communities along the way, and is extremely harmful for residents and outdoor recreationists to breathe. Although they are working on it, Alabama is one of 13 states that has not yet submitted this Round 2 plan that was due in 2021. Haze-causing emissions can travel hundreds of miles from their source. Alabama Powers Plant Miller in Birmingham, for example, one of the largest polluters in the country, spews thousands of tons of toxic pollution that harms air quality in Sipsey Wilderness Area. In fact, these emissions can stretch far outside of the state to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Plant Miller is not alone according to an analysis done by the National Parks Conservation Association, there are 23 polluters across the state, including power plants, pulp and paper mills, and cement manufacturers that should be addressed by ADEM in their regional haze plan. Yet according to our information, ADEM plans to only review one of them Lhoists lime manufacturing leaving 22 other industrial polluters unchecked and unregulated. Wild Alabama asks ADEM to step up to the plate and protect our childrens health, our communities and the future of our public lands by continuing the work of developing a strong regional haze plan that meaningfully cuts pollution of all types. Maggie Johnston is the Executive Director for Wild Alabama, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to inspiring people to enjoy, value, and protect the wild places of Alabama. Sign up for Roy S. Johnsons newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to Roys weekly newsletter, The Barbershop: This is an opinion column. Wed barely exhaled, barely had time to enjoy our high to embrace the magnitude of the U.S. Supreme Courts momentous acknowledgment that Alabama is still trying to dilute and diminish Black voters. That the state must redraw its gerrymandered maps and create another largely Black U.S. Congressional district, ensuring a population comprising nearly 30 percent of residents is no longer only represented by 14 percent of the states House members. SCOTUS said Alabama must fix this mess , no matter how much state Attorney General Steve Marshall whines, stomps, and pouts, This case is not over. (Unless the U.S. Constitution was edited while we werent watching to make you more supreme than the Supreme Court, yes it is.) So, whos running? You gonna run? Those two questions or some variation started jamming phone lines and clogging text message threads across the state even before the historic ruling was announced last Thursday morning. Because some got wind of it the night before. And the buzz hasnt abated a bit. RELATED: Plaintiff in historic U.S. Supreme Court case shed tears over late father after ruling I know. Its way, way, way too early to accurately speculate wholl run to represent the voters of, oh, lets call it District X, as Alabamas newest member of Congress in Washington. Who cares? An election wont likely be held until the fall of 2024, at the earliest, when Congressional elections are already scheduled. Who cares? So much must happen before then. We dont yet know wholl draw the new maps a lower court, state lawmakers, or maybe therell be a Shark Tank pitch fest for cartographers. Who cares? We dont know what the two districts will look like how theyll dissect and distribute the Blackness of Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Montgomery, and the Black Belt. We dont know if the districts will each be majority Black, or just only heavily so. (Just for purposes of simplicity in this space, Black and Democrat are interchangeable.) If the latter, then will DX be vulnerable to a formidable Republican challenge? And which current Republican representative will be most vulnerable in a district that will be more purple than red. Might Rep. Terri Sewell, the sole Black person (and Democrat, in case you still need nudging) among Alabamas eight-member U.S. House delegation and long the beneficiary of a majority-Black district, be vulnerable? (Answer is below.) And weve heard nary a peep from the governor about it all. (Or maybe we missed it amid all the champagne poppin.) Shell have to call a special legislative session of the legislature to discern, debate and ultimately approve the new maps. Who cares? Who cares? Who cares?! Thatll all work itself out. In the meantime, Im channeling my long-ago sportswriter days and going all-in on way, way, way too early predictions on wholl run. One caveat: No one (not any Black/Democrat) will challenge Sewell at least no one with any real juice. Call it this: Respect. And that perhaps at least some Black Dems are on one accord even as some Republicans may attempt to sow seeds of discord among them. So, here we go, in alphabetical order, here are the folks whom I believe have, at minimum, contemplated a run or, at the most, reached out to folks to support their thoughts about running for the D8 seat: Oh, there are others whose minds have wondered, whose phones have buzzed, those who have clogged text threads. Among them: State Sen. C. Vivian Figures, Rep. Neil Rafferty, and someone named Smitherman. Its still way, way, way too early to accurately speculate, but who cares? More columns by Roy S. Johnson Alabamas SCOTUS lawyer gets critical race history lesson, courtesy Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson 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 English News RCEP injects strong momentum into regional economic integration Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 12 Juin 2023 China will keep implementing the RCEP with high quality, said the Ministry of Commerce. Besides, it will work with other parties to fulfill obligations and strengthen the construction of the RCEP mechanism for better implementation of the agreement. It will contribute to the long-term stability of the cooperation under the RCEP and strive for win-win results and common development on a higher level. By Luo Shanshan, People's Daily The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) entered into force for the Philippines on June 2, confirming that the trade pact is now in effect for all 15 members. The landmark RCEP agreement covers roughly 30 percent of the world's population, GDP and trade in goods, and the full implementation of the RCEP is a new stage for the trade bloc with the world's largest population and trade volume as well as the greatest development potential, said an official with China's Ministry of Commerce. The full entry into force of RCEP reflects the determination and actions of its 15 members to support an open, free, fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system, continuously promoting a comprehensive, mutually beneficial and high-level economic partnership. The 15 members' commitment to open goods, services and investment markets, superimposed with high-level rules in various fields, are expected to significantly promote the free flow of production factors in the region, including raw materials, products, technologies, talents, capital, information and data. It will gradually form a more prosperous large regional market that promotes wider integration, higher-level and deeper open cooperation among member states, it added. On June 2, Chenfeng Group, a company that manufactures and exports apparel products based in east China's Jiangsu province, received an RCEP certificate of origin for exports to the Philippines under RCEP from the customs. With this certificate, men's shirts manufactured by the company will enjoy zero-tariff treatment in the Philippines. "After the RCEP agreement came into force in the Philippines, we have another choice following the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. It is good news for us to expand exports and maintain overseas clients," said Yin Lijun, customs affairs manager of the company. Since the RCEP was implemented, trade in goods between member countries has come more frequent, and regional trade has grown into a key factor stabilizing and driving their foreign trade growth, said an official with the Ministry of Commerce. According to the official, thanks to the positive signals released by the implementation, the RCEP region continues to be a hot spot for global investment, with a growing trend in the utilization of foreign capital in most of the RCEP members. The RCEP region is attracting more greenfield investment as a whole. The implementation of the trade pact plays a crucial role in stabilizing China's foreign trade and investment. In the first four months this year, the total import and export volume between China and other RCEP members hit 4.12 trillion yuan ($577.91 billion) with a year-on-year increase of 7.3 percent, accounting for 30.9 percent of China's total foreign trade. During the same period, China's actual use of investment from other RCEP members amounted to nearly $8.9 billion, a year-on-year growth of more than 13.7 percent. Regions across China have strengthened policy coordination and optimized the business environment to enhance cooperation under the framework of the RCEP since the trade pact came into effect. Many places have implemented trade facilitation measures provided by the RCEP agreement to a high standard, enabling 6-hour customs clearance for perishable and express products. They also built smart online RCEP public service platforms and promoted whole-process digital services related to RCEP certificates of origin to ensure that enterprises enjoy the benefits of the RCEP efficiently. Some places in China launched or increased the number of foreign trade vessels, flights, and trains to other RCEP members, to improve logistics and supply chain services and lift the efficiency and capacity of customs clearance. Local authorities and enterprises across China are utilizing RCEP's cumulative rules of origin and favorable policies for trade in service and investment market, to optimize regional trade and investment layout and promote the deep integration of industrial and supply chains. Some places have combined RCEP policies with other open platforms such as pilot free trade zones to attract targeted investment in key industries, promoting the implementation of a series of major projects. The RCEP is an opportunity for China to build a world-class business environment. Regions across China strictly obey domestic laws and regulations corresponding to RCEP mandatory obligations and implement RCEP encouraging obligations. Working to improve governance capability and attract industries, capital and human resources, they have significantly bettered the local trade and investment environment. China will keep implementing the RCEP with high quality, said the Ministry of Commerce. Besides, it will work with other parties to fulfill obligations and strengthen the construction of the RCEP mechanism for better implementation of the agreement. It will contribute to the long-term stability of the cooperation under the RCEP and strive for win-win results and common development on a higher level. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Full text of Xi's address at SCO summit China successfully sends liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket into planned orbit Protecting cultural heritage, promoting mutual learning among civilizations Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) South Korea's top nuclear negotiator, Kim Gunn, right, and U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Washington on June 12. Yonhap South Korea and the United States agreed on Monday to further strengthen their joint efforts to prevent funds from flowing into North Korea's illegal weapons development programs, South Korea's top nuclear negotiator said. Kim Gunn said he and U.S. special representative for North Korea Sung Kim also highlighted the importance of making North Korea realize that its provocations will lead to consequences. "(We) have agreed to strengthen our efforts to more definitely cut off funds to North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs," Kim said of his meeting with the U.S. special representative in Washington. To this end, Seoul has imposed unilateral sanctions on North Korean entities and individuals in eight different accounts in less than a year, according to the South Korean diplomat. The nuclear envoys' meeting comes after North Korea's botched attempt to launch what it claimed was a military reconnaissance satellite. "In a current condition when North Korea has announced plans for an additional launch of a so-called satellite, (we) reviewed and coordinated our countries' countermeasures against potential North Korean provocations," the South Korean nuclear envoy said while meeting with reporters in Washington. "We must make North Korea realize that there is nothing it can gain through provocation," he added. Sung Kim echoed the South Korean envoy's remarks, saying, "It is important to make clear to the DPRK that its escalatory behavior has consequences." DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. North Korea's launch of the new Chollima-1 rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite, Malligyong-1, from Tongchang-ri on the North's west coast is seen in this June 1 photo provided by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap The captured image shows a photo released by the U.S. National Security Council on Jan. 20, showing a set of Russian railcars traveling between Russia and North Korea on Nov. 18-Nov. 19, 2022 for a suspected delivery of North Korean military equipment to Russia's private military company, the Wagner Group. Yonhap The United States is concerned that North Korea is planning to deliver more weapons to Russia, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Monday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to bolster strategic cooperation with Moscow. Earlier on Monday, North Korea's KCNA state news agency said Kim made the pledge in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin marking Russia's National Day. Kim called for "closer strategic cooperation" with Moscow, "holding hands firmly with the Russian president, in conformity with the common desire of the peoples of the two countries to fulfil the grand goal of building a powerful country," KCNA said. The State Department spokesperson said that despite Pyongyang's denials that it had sold weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, the United States had confirmed North Korea had completed an arms delivery, including infantry rockets and missiles, to the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group in November 2022. "We are concerned that the DPRK is planning to deliver more military equipment to Russia," the spokesperson added, using the initials of North Korea's official name. John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, is seen taking questions during a daily White House press briefing in Washington on June 12 in this captured image. Yonhap Korea is a sovereign nation that has the right to make its own foreign policy decisions, a ranking White House official said Monday. John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, made the remark about the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Xing Haiming, who argued that it would be wrong to bet on China's loss in its competition with the U.S., apparently accusing Korea of siding with the U.S. Kirby noted that the Chinese diplomat may have been seeking to put pressure on Seoul. "It certainly appears as if there was some sort of pressure tactic here used," he told a daily press briefing. Michael Polanyi was born at a particularly inauspicious place and time: in Budapest, Hungary, in March of 1891, just as central Europe was heading toward two devastating world wars, economic collapse, and a half-century of communist totalitarianism. On top of this, Polanyi was a Jew who most certainly would have been killed had he not fled to England in 1933. If he had been murdered by the Nazis, the world would have lost one of its great modern polymaths: a scholar who conducted research in chemistry, economics, and ethics and who understood the rise of tyranny better than almost anyone. Among his fourteen books, The Logic of Liberty is one of several that focus on totalitarianism. Polanyi's defense of freedom and opposition to centralized government were based on close observation of what was happening during his lifetime. Even after he fled Germany, where he was teaching, Polanyi was one of 2,300 persons on the Nazi "kill list" had they been able to conquer Britain. Communism was equally dangerous, as Polanyi realized during a 1936 lectureship in the Soviet Union. Polanyi spent his life defending free markets and individual choice at a time when centralized planning was spreading across the globe, even in the still democratic countries of Europe and North America. Were he alive today (he died in 1976 at age 84), he would certainly be alarmed at the expansion of government control in the United States under the Obama and Biden administrations. Polanyi's insights into progressivism (really just a polite word for communism) are striking. He was, in effect, describing woke politics when he wrote of totalitarianism in his day: "A new destructive skepticism is linked here to a new passionate social conscience; an utter disbelief in the spirit of man is coupled with extravagant moral demands" (Liberty 5). What Polanyi had witnessed in Europe was not just an unfortunate "coincidence" of communism and fascism coming about at the same time; it was "a single coherent process" involving both patriotic and humanitarian emotions fueling ruthless and extraordinarily brutal regimes across Europe and across the globe. It was the very promises of equality and free will that seemed to justify the murderous actions of Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, and so many others in the 20th century, but that sleight of hand is still with us; those same promises are the basis of progressive politics in the 21st century, and no place more so than in America. Just before the debt ceiling agreement was reached, progressives like Biden and Sen. Schumer were suggesting that any cuts in federal spending would kill thousands of children, just as they have in the past. Much of Polanyi's research focused on the importance of what he called "tacit knowledge" the shared body of unwritten beliefs, ideas, and understandings that operate within every worthy civilization, including conceptions of fairness and ideas of merit, religious and cultural beliefs, and moral restraints. These forms of tacit knowledge always come under attack within totalitarian societies, particularly among university students deceived by the false promises of free will and equality. But it is crucial to understand that those who disregard existing values intend to replace them with their own and that they plan on enforcing those changes with an iron hand. As Polanyi put it, "[a] nihilistic regime will have to undertake the day-to-day direction of all activities which are otherwise guided by the intellectual and moral principles that nihilism declares empty and void" (Liberty 133). Polanyi is especially useful in his analysis of the obligations and responsibilities without which liberty ceases to exist. Libertarians would do well to pay particular attention to Polanyi's brilliant dissection of society's tacit acknowledgment, and enforcement, of the large network of obligations that maintain social order so that liberty can continue to function. Once the general acknowledgment of self-responsibility and restraint is lost sight of, society devolves into anarchy, with the more ruthless and violent elements tyrannizing the weak and vulnerable. Tacit knowledge of shared values is all that stands in the way of this happening in any society. The virtual Cold War that now prevails in our nation between liberals and conservatives would not exist if liberals had not abandoned fundamental norms concerning justice, social order, and merit. In the absence of a detailed set of shared values inherited from the past, each person decides what is best for his own interest without regard for others. This condition is the seedbed for the sort of social conflict we are now witnessing. Polanyi realized that traditional institutions had been undermined by decades of progressive skepticism and that the most important task was to restore belief in liberty and the dignity of man. As he wrote: "We are living in the midst of a period requiring great readjustments. One of these is to learn to hold once more beliefs, our own beliefs" (Liberty 38). Polanyi's diagnosis of totalitarian tendencies is remarkably astute. It's imperative that the American people, and especially the young, come to see the deathly nature of moral skepticism and of centralized planning, two of the essential elements of progressive thinking. Polanyi understood the process by which true freedom is subverted and ends in terror because he lived through the twofold destruction of his native Poland, first at the hands of the Nazis and then the Soviets. We in America are entering another age of terror today. The progressive idea, so central to Biden's view of the future, that all prejudice based on race, sex, sexual orientation, class, and a host of other varieties (an infinite number, in fact) can be eliminated and replaced with equity is not just unrealistic; it is the excuse for government control of our lives. As Polanyi wrote, "presently illusions of grandeur turn into illusions of persecution, and convert the planning of history into a reign of terror" (Liberty 245). We are now living in a cultural fun house in which illusions of persecution are popping up everywhere, like distorted images in a convex mirror. There is nothing to prevent America from becoming another murderous society like Nazi Germany or communist Russia in the 20th century. The Biden administration has already begun the march toward totalitarianism with its proposals to arm even larger numbers of federal agency employees, including some 60,000 new IRS agents, and with its political militarization of the DOJ, FBI, and CIA. As a nation, we are on a path to destruction. Only a clear understanding of the danger can save us. It is chilling to hear Biden speak of his "defense of democracy," as he does almost daily, when it is his administration's actions that pose the greatest threat to democratic capitalism. Those of us who care about liberty must stiffen our resolve and take all peaceful actions to defend liberty, free markets, and classical liberalism. The alternative is a dark era of repression and death such as Michael Polanyi witnessed in 20th-century Europe. Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011). Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Steve Milloy, long-time editor and founder of JunkScience.com, announced an explosive expose this month in an extended article. Government and private scientists in radiation safety have been attempting to cover up a pattern of misconduct and hijack the Health Physics Society, a professional organization of radiation safety experts and officials, to take down the society's series of twenty-two videos featuring Dr. Ed Calabrese, which exposes a longtime scam in radiation safety matters. The issue is Linear No Threshold Toxicology LNT for short, also called the "one hit" theory of toxic radiation genetic mutation. These bad actors have also conspired to censor and silence Calabrese, a prominent toxicologist and the subject of the video series, who did the investigation that exposed the lies used to promote LNT during the '40s and '50s by the influential Hermann Muller, awarded the 1946 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for what Calabrese has demonstrated is a pack of lies, creating the LNT scam that is with us today. Milloy says: JunkScience.com is presenting for the first time emails uncovered via the Freedom of Information Act that expose the inner workings of a little-known bureaucracy dedicated to keeping in place the so-called "linear non-threshold model" (LNT). The LNT is used by regulatory agencies to set permitted exposure standards for radiation. In 2018, I was asked to submit a paper and make a presentation on the fraud of LNT to a joint meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the Health Physics Society (HPS) on low-level radiation hazards and risk management. I was asked because the organizers of the meeting knew that I was critical of LNT radiation biophysics I thought it was a crock. LNT says there is no safe level of radiation exposure, but obviously, the better rule is the rule of Paracelsus: "All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes that a thing is no poison." (The dose makes the poison.) No threshold of LNT throws that maxim out the window. My negative attitude about LNT was nurtured by a twenty-plus-year interest in the work of Ed Calabrese, U. Mass Amherst, reigning expert on low-level radiation hazards and the theory of heresies that asserts a tri-phasic effect of exposure of all kinds 1) a no effect level, 2) a beneficial effect at low exposure levels, and 3) a toxic effect at higher levels of exposure. My medical experience with drug effects shows that same hermetic diphasic effect drugs have a sweet spot between no effect and toxic effect. I prepared my papers, short and long, for the meeting, favorably referencing Dr. Calabrese and Dr. John Carderelli, president of HPS. I am sure Carderelli was influential in organizing the anti-LNT meeting, and he and HPS membership were committed to discarding the LNT model because of its detrimental regulatory impact on nuclear power development and utilization. Hormesis is a concept that flies in the face of the LNT/"one hit" radiation risk theory, planted and promoted by Muller and his acolytes, that there is no safe level of radiation and that any exposure to radiation puts people at risk. Muller's advocacy is that any radiation exposure one hit of an alpha, beta, or gamma can and will cause cancer because they cause mutations, according to Muller's fruit fly studies. The critical part of the video series is Calabrese's exposure of Muller's lies about his fruit fly research that resulted in his Nobel Prize. Cancer caused by genetic mutations induced by one hit of radiative energy, and the related theory of one hit toxicology, is just plain bad science designed to promote regulatory hyperactivity create a scare. Consider LNT claims when ambient (environmental) radiation is in the soil, the water, and the air. It is coming at us from the universe as cosmic rays. Every person, animal, plant is constantly exposed to radiation. Obviously, there must be a safe level. And combine that with the phenomenon of hormesis, and it is clear that a low level of exposure to radiation is beneficial. Hermann Muller's one hit/no safe level theory doesn't follow the evidence, but it does achieve Mencken's description of practical politics,: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary." The 2018 meeting was positive about pushback on LNT enough that I was asked to participate in an extra panel on the last day to consider how to alert the public that LNT is wrong and we need to reset public policy on radiation risk management. The LNT proponents, meanwhile, were apoplectic. This year, the HPS put together twenty-two videos explaining Calabrese's work and concepts, including his investigation of how Dr. Muller's misconduct resulted in adoption of LNT radiation biophysics and the resultant public policy decisions made since. The videos are compelling because Ed Calabrese is a living and breathing monument to good science and professional integrity. Dr. Calabrese asserts: I have never seen anything like this in my nearly 50 years in the field. ... The documentary tells a powerful story that exposes numerous critical errors, profound bias for influential scientific leaders and organizations, and scientific misconduct at the highest levels in this country. The entire series is based on 14 hours of interviews with me, and I had to provide documentation for all my statements, many of which are incorporated into the documentary. I hope this documentary will take center stage in this international re-evaluation process and help lead to substantial change in cancer risk assessment. The fallout (that's not radiation fallout, but political fallout) of the 2018 Pasco meeting on low-level radiation risk and the recent Health Physics Society decision to do the Calabrese video series debunking LNT has been an organized effort by mostly government-affiliated members of the society to try to stack the Board of Directors of the HPS because the election participation rate is very low. The efforts made by government-employed or funded actors and others committed to LNT are documented in detail by the Milloy expose. He has the emails. He published them with the names and then described them what their positions are and how they are participating in the takeover. The perps' goal is to remove anti-LNT members from leadership of the Health Physics Society and crush Calabrese. They represent the army of leftist environmentalists who dominate public radiation safety science and are funded by government agencies with a political agenda. This is not radiation biophysics in the public interest. Ike Eisenhower warned us in his farewell speech: "We must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of scientific-technological elite." And Angelo Codevilla eloquently described the dangers of an army of unelected "experts" controlling an administrative state tyranny. John Dale Dunn, M.D., J.D. is a retired emergency physician/inactive attorney/consultant in Brownwood, Texas. Image via Pxfuel. "Politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia." Orwell The next American presidential election year should be a potboiler not Orwell's 1984, but close. The playbook on the left is pretty much a done deal. Joseph Robinette Biden and family will be running on three planks: the war in Ukraine with Russia, the war for woke at home, and "anybody but Trump." Call it Putinesque abroad and grotesque at home. More than a little ironic that Democrats, formerly the refusenik party, are now a guns-and-butter wunderkind, marching globally under rainbow flags. The Beltway swamp makes for bizarre literal and figurative bedfellows. Americans may have delusions about Biden family identity, but the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin certainly do not. On the domestic front, if DIE and kinky culture are markers, the American left is already a flaming success at the tactical and operation levels. Democrats have already planted woke, snowflake, and freak flags in all the federal institutions that matter: State, Defense, Commerce, Education, the Intelligence Community, and Public Broadcasting. Surely, you could do worse than think of the legacy media as closet comrades, too allies of the freak, creep, and deep states. Worse still, nine of ten apparatchiks and contractors in the Washington, D.C. area vote for Democrats. Partisan civil "servants" are a huge subversive asset even when Republicans or conservatives win high office. Just ask Donald Trump. Biden will cultivate the snowflake, woke, and war vote in a debate-free environment, shielded by partisan legacy media prophylactics. For a climax, speaking actuarially, Joe Robinette could also ensure that Kamala Harris succeeds him. Clearly, Republicans are the underdogs in the run-up to 2024, or better still, "down dogs" if you are familiar with that yoga posture. Tenured Republican Senate and House mandarins are down dog experts, posteriors ever at the ready. Nevertheless, the political scrum on the American right in 2024 has some notables, interesting and worthy candidates all. Let's start with a formidable woman. Nikki Haley Nikki Haley is a native of South Carolina, where she served as a state legislator, governor, and then ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. Haley has been quick to separate herself from woke or snowflake social memes so popular with the legacy media and in urban Democrat sinecures. Nikki has made it clear that she doesn't support male transvestites/transsexuals encroaching or threatening female spaces or places, especially in sports. Good get there. Haley has also put a shot across the Pentagon's bow by pledging to clean up dicey DIE programs at DOD that have had devastating consequences for recruiting and retention. Haley is a strong supporter of Israel also. She has opposed any BDS measures that target the Jewish state. Nikki also supports voter ID legislation, suggesting she believes that the integrity of U.S. national elections might need to be "built back better." Earlier, Governor Haley expressed some doubts about the war against Russia in Ukraine but has since become more hawkish. Skepticism about the pricey Ukraine caper seems to be an emerging theme among other serious Republican presidential candidates. Ron DeSantis At the moment, the big dog in the Republican race, other than Trump, is Ron DeSantis, incumbent governor of Florida. DeSantis is more than a phenom. He has pretty much remade the politics of Florida from purple to fire engine red. And unlike his competitors, he has had the courage to get out front in the war against woke. Specifically, DeSantis has kicked the Disney Corporation, Florida's largest employer, in its financial giblets. Few politicians are willing to take on woke Wall Street in the name of tradition or family values. Nevertheless, Governor DeSantis was smart enough and brave enough to call out Disney's drift into the sex fetish quagmire, now a nightmare threat to American women and children. Arguably, Disney is the most important American cultural influence on children, with a national, if not global reach. By hitting Disney, Ron DeSantis is drawing a line in the sand for all those American voters who have had enough of woke politics, snowflake whining, and medical malpractice all in the name of fetish lifestyles and scientific fictions. Clearly, Disney is left coast, not Florida, culture. Philosophically, you could argue that DeSantis isn't very different from Donald Trump. The difference between the two is largely personality. The Florida governor is more articulate, a less acerbic politician, and probably more congenial in general. Let's just say DeSantis might be Trump without the baggage. Donald Trump Once again, Trump is the lead dog in the Republican pack. And as always, The Donald is making his bones by firing nonstop from the lip. Trump will call out allies, friends, and enemies. Clearly, Trump is a reluctant Republican, but as a pragmatist, he has to ride one of two party horses. Neo-cons and the righteous right, like the Cheneys, hate Trump with a passion. So Donald Trump is just where he likes to be, impaled on three horns of a dilemma: a vindictive Deep State, woke Democrats, and the Republican neo-con right. And it's not as though Trump needs a job or more acrimony in his life. Donald Trump appears to be seeking restitution or vindication. A cynic might even characterize his re-election quest as a political revenge tour. There is only one safe bet for 2024. Democrat shysters and cops will use any means, legal or not, to ensure that Donald Trump doesn't get re-elected. If the subject is Trump, lawful and democratic precedents are roadkill. No matter. Trump, as always, is in it to win it. So "Katy bar the door" as political blood will be spilt in 2024. Skeptics and pundits might be wise to reserve judgment about the Donald's presidential prospects the third time around. In 2020, Trump was walloped by a politicized pandemic, a subversive federal establishment, and a toxic partisan media. Indeed, you could argue that Biden was elected by "anybody but Trump" sentiment, possibly compounded by urban voter corruption. With all that smoke, you can't help but believe that more than a few Trump-haters, especially at Justice and FBI, torched more than a few legal standards. There are other Republican contenders whom we could talk about, but why bother? The likes of Chris Christie and Mike Pence will just split the also-ran vote and ensure that Trump wins the Republican primary. Maybe that's the plan. So let's suppose for a moment that Donald Trump is the nominee. Trumpsters are still the most potent voting bloc on the right and they are passionate about justice and vindication, if not revenge. And things are different for 2024, too; no pandemic scare; the corrupt establishment, right and left, has been exposed; and the sentiment for 2024 may well be "anybody but Joe" with the clear threat of Kamala Harris smirking in the wings. If Trump gets re-elected, Haley would be a brilliant antidote to the WEF at State, and DeSantis could be the perfect purgative for Justice or DOD. And both would still be well positioned to run and keep the White House in saner hands for several election cycles. This is not to suggest that another long-shot Trump win would settle anything. Indeed, the apparatus of federal departments, and many urban states, would still be in the hands of venal and vindictive Democrat partisans. Given the reservoir of bile in the deep, or civil "servant," state, the American cultural war at home and the hot and cold wars abroad will rage on, no matter what. A poisoned well takes generations to mend if ever. The 2024 American presidential election will be kinetic and entertaining, but the results are unlikely to produce anything that approximates peace, civility, or stability in these "United" States. G. Murphy Donovan writes about the policy and politics of national security. @GMurphyDonovan1 Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Conservative activists gathered in Denver this weekend for the 2023 Western Conservative Summit as the mainstream media breathlessly reported the indictments of DJT. There are two crisis-level issues I hope got their attention: First, the threat of war with China over Taiwan is now so real that Biden is preparing plans to evacuate Americans from Taiwan. The Pentagon has war-gamed this conflict repeatedly, and the outcome is a disaster for the US. The single most important takeaway from the linked report is that the Pentagon thinks the coming Taiwan War will be a replay of WWII techniques, featuring a Chinese direct frontal assault across the Taiwan strait, for a classical World War II-style amphibious landing into the face of Taiwanese land defenses. Meanwhile, the US sails across the western Pacific into the face of Chinese anti-ship missiles. The Pentagon seems incapable of grasping that the Chinese could use electromagnetic pulse (EMP) strikes, sever undersea cables, jam communications, drone swarming, etc. One of the most alarming revelations of this past year has been that a single rifleman can disable an electrical substation. Taiwan surely leads the planet in the number of Chinese spies per capita, with the US close behind. These spies, armed with the ubiquitous AR-15, can perform mop-up for whatever parts of the grid survive the EMP strike. Image: China launches its third aircraft carrier. YouTube screengrab. A US war with China over Taiwan may forever break Americas military power and political dominance. The Pentagon sees it, the media see it, the citizenry sees it, and the Taiwanese see it. That means it is time to move toward a diplomatic solution. The Chinese are wont to promote a rules-based regime, perceiving that phrase tickles the American ear. Since the Chinese want to look good around the planet in the interest of garnering further third-world customers for their belt and road operation, construing a rules-based regime to imply a constitution and an agreed international tribunal for enforcement is a starting point. Second, we must address a new locus of power. Aristotle opens his treatise on metaphysics with the observation, All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses; for even apart from their usefulness, they are loved for themselves. This is the human tropism to truth. Just as flowers follow the sun so humans are drawn to truth. Psychiatrist William Glasser, M.D., in his treatise Reality Therapy, writes that all (psychiatric) patients have a common characteristic: they all deny the reality of the world around them. If a person were drawn to delusion rather than to truth, what would be the origin of that love of delusion? Per Aristotle and Glasser, the origin of that love of delusion could not be sane human nature. Therefore, its unnerving to see the woke worship of delusion, accumulating hoax after hoax, eagerly pursuing the denial of reality. The recent flap in Utah over sexual references in the Bible reveals yet another woke hoax and offers an excellent teachable moment. Sex and sexual desire come in two flavors: (1) holy, and (2) perverted. The references to sexual desire found in the Bible are to holy sexsex as designed by the Holy One for the procreation of mankind, which is sex performed inside marriage and in anticipation of or at least open to procreation. Any sex or sexual desire not of the holy variety is of the perverse variety, and the Bible condemns it. Woke sex is perverted sex. In the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, we read: when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. (Emphasis added). Here we find a decreed duty of righteous government, not a perverse one. One must carefully consider the critical distinction between a rebellion and an adjustment of locus. A rebellion is a revolt against the law; an adjustment of locus is a change of the locus of political power. Given our current situation, in which the deep state has weaponized the law as an instrument of politics and deployed the power of the Justice Department against the leader of the political opposition, it may be challenging to adjust the locus without even a tincture of violent rebellion, but challenges are the flavor of life. Our current circumstance is precisely what Samuel P. Huntington described in his book Who Are We?: The Challenges to America's National Identity. He noted that American national identity peaked politically with the rallying of Americans to the country and its cause in World War II, (p. 141), followed by the national identitys deconstruction beginning in the late 1960s. He concludes, These efforts by a nations leaders to deconstruct the nation they governed were, quite possibly, without precedent in human history. (p. 143.) This is where we are today: deep into the advanced identity deconstruction of the American nation. The conservative activists at this weekends Western Conservative Summit no doubt tasked themselves with finding a way to restore the American locus of power to what it rightfully was before the deconstruction began. A Middle Eastern man who fled the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has just come out insisting that he knows the real identity and the real name of the supposed "Christian" man who recently stabbed several children on a French playground. Because the assailant had originally given his name to European officials as "Abdul-Masih" "Slave of Christ" in Arabic and because he grabbed onto a crucifix around his neck and yelled Jesus's name during his stabbing spree, French and Western media, far from finding such theatrics before an audience all too suspicious, have concluded that he must be Christian, apparently oblivious to the fact that jihad is all about trickery and subterfuge all about deceptions layered within layers (as in this example, when Muslims spent a year getting close to a pastor including by getting baptized, joining his church, and becoming like "family" to him only to try to assassinate the Christian). On June 11, 2023, Sami Tounsi made an Arabic-language video denouncing the naivete of Western officials and insisting that the stabber is an Islamic terrorist from Iraq or Syria, "whom we know all too well, and who have ruined our lives." (My reasons for this same conclusion are here.) After again reiterating that "[w]e who were forced out of our nations due to these takfiri [basically "extremist"] savage groups are the people who most know them and how they operate," he said: Today I ask of every person who has any connection to Europe's intelligence and security agencies, if you hear this video, to translate and deliver its information to these agencies. This man's name is Silwan Majid, from among the takfiri groups that were operating in Syria in the city of al-Hasakah. ... This criminal, and thousands like him, are now in Europe, right in the midst of your societies, families, and children. In fact, in 2015, ISIS itself boasted that it had smuggled in "thousands" of clandestine jihadists interspersed among the migrants. Continues Tounsi: These criminals are present like hidden grenades that can explode whenever any unsuspecting person triggers them. In the future, you will see much worse crimes than this one if you don't move immediately to capture these terrorist groups. Tounsi went on to say that the child-stabber was evicted from al-Hasakah sometime between 2013 and 2014, went to Turkey, and from there to Europe, Sweden first, then France, where he presented himself as a persecuted Christian in an effort to get asylum. When that failed, he decided to avenge himself by stabbing European children while mocking Christianity. Tounsi also pointed out that the overwhelming majority of migrants coming into Europe had and have no formal papers, meaning they can and do give any name, religion, and background to European officials. For the record, I cannot independently verify the information provided by Sami Tounsi, nor ascertain how he gathered it, though the implication is that he personally knew or recognized the child-stabber from al-Hasakah. Tounsi's accent is definitely reflective of Northern Syria, where al-Hasakah is located. Finally, if unbridled passion while giving information is reflective of sincerity, then he definitely comes off sincere. Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Image: ABC News (Australia) via YouTube, CC BY 3.0 (cropped). Since Halloween 2016, Meghan Markle has received lots of attention. Much came with her boyfriend, and later husband, Prince Harry (and his place in the British line of succession). Some was generated by the Sussex Squad, a small, dedicated, and bellicose fan base. Early on, there was excitement for this newest British royal family member. She was the "brash American," a breath of fresh air for a stuffy palace. Early reports of conflicts with staff and family members were counted as culture clashes. Her go-getter ways were misinterpreted. Staff emails sent at 5 A.M. were a time zone mismatch due to business with California contacts. Some Meghan missteps were just odd. There was her first royal family walkabout with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Wearing a hat that couldn't not be seen as a poo emoji, Meghan was photographed sticking out her tongue at the public. More than once. Apparently seized by inspiration from visiting a charity, she wrote banal words of encouragement ("You are strong," "You are Brave") on the skins of bananas intended for distribution to women that People magazine described as "street sex workers." Riding in an open carriage after her royal wedding ceremony, she was heard dropping an f-bomb. While expecting her son Archie, Meghan's bump size fluctuated wildly, sparking allegations of moon bump use and a fictional or surrogate pregnancy. Lady Collin Campbell speculated several times, on her YouTube channel, that Meghan might wear a moon bump while pregnant for attention, to conceal the due date, or to conform to Hollywood convention, where pregnant characters always look ready to pop. Signs surfaced that the tales of strife swirling around this misfit duchess weren't just overdramatized misunderstandings. An unprecedented nine of Meghan's staff resigned. Harry and Meghan told the queen that Archie was too young to fly to Scotland to visit, just before flying with the baby to Elton John's French estate. As Prince Philip was dying, Oprah's interview aired their vague accusations of royal racism (which Harry denied to British journalist Tom Bradby two years later). Harry claimed they asked permission to name their second child after the queen. The baby's name was not Elizabeth, but Lilibet, the queen's intimate nickname she'd requested never be spoken after Philip died. Meghan's father has begged to resume contact with her, which she ended after his heart attack just days before her wedding. On the public stage, Meghan speaks incessantly of compassion and elevating women's voices, and change. I recently watched a video from a series on the YouTube channel Cheere Denise, showing the host's comments on Tom Bower's "Revenge." She voiced astonishment that Meghan clearly communicates how to live a decent life, and sympathy for less fortunate people (in Markle's preferred words, "the marginalized"), without demonstrating those principles in life. Cheere Denise is not alone in her bafflement. Meghan's inconsistencies go way beyond a disconnect between expressed ideals and private behavior. Stories from her own life, told multiple times, were consistently inconsistent. International fame created opportunities for many people to notice, collect, and attempt to fit the pieces together. In Meghan's New York Times op-ed, her 2020 miscarriage started while changing Archie's diaper. In Netflix's Harry & Meghan, Episode 6, cramps started as she greeted a visitor at the door. In Spare, after waking up with cramps and bleeding, she collapsed on the floor. There's her please-don't-tell-it-again story, broadcast by Nickelodeon's Nic News in 1993, wherein 11-year-old Meghan's complaint letter to P&G about a sexist dish soap ad changed the world. In one telling, critiquing advertisements was a homework assignment. Another version had her watching TV at home, infuriated by the ad. When her classroom's TV happened to show the ad, two boys commented that she wouldn't like it. A mismatch between witnesses' and the Sussexes' reports, the "nearly catastrophic car chase" in Manhattan, was a scenario so implausible that an IMDB search yields one result: a 1961 promotional film about Chase Manhattan Plaza (the French Connection chase was set in Coney Island). No lawsuits have been announced. For a while, I suspected that inattention to consistency was a hangover of sloppy old habits, developed when ghosting friends and noping out of events wouldn't have followed Meghan far. Inconsequential for a Hollywood wannabe or a small fish in the small pond of Toronto (where she'd latched onto Canada's beautiful people like fish that nibble parasites off sharks' skins), but famous people's inconsistent stories do get noticed. Watching Cheere Denise's bafflement, it hit me why Meghan is so maddeningly indifferent to discontinuity. It's irrelevant to her purposes. She doesn't see herself, as we do, as someone living her life. Meghan's creating a grand production arranging scenes and set pieces that will eventually be the movie: It's Her Wonderful Life. She's writer, director, producer, and star ready for her close-up, Mr. DeMille. She could say to Oprah she was an only child. She was playing a character who'd been an only child. Young Meghan sharing a bathroom with her half-sister wasn't relevant. If it's part of a movie, actions unlike her statements aren't hypocrisy just a character named Meghan played by an actress named Meghan. Her public speeches don't have to make sense, just feature photogenic moments and words like "impact" and "sustainable." Now, add a Hollywood practice called scrapbooking filming a movie or show with no script or outline, then, after filming, selecting scenes to string together. (The Blair Witch Project and the 2016 all-female Ghostbusters had no scripts. Famously, Casablanca was written during filming.) Even a scripted film's problem scenes can be edited or cut. Scrapbooking a production explains why Meghan is indifferent that people see her as villainous, but incandescent when unflattering opinions of her are published. Nobody cares if a movie star is difficult off set. But bad reviews can tank a movie. Image: Genevieve via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. We've crossed two dangerous lines in the last year. First, the FBI showed up at Mr. Trump's home looking for files. Second, a special counsel followed up with an indictment about those files. Why hadn't this happened before? Maybe it's because the people who came before us were smart enough to know that political passions go both ways. What happens if a future GOP A.G. gets a search warrant to look for those Fast and Furious files at Obama's home? "Good morning Mr. President. Where are your presidential files?" Before Trump, no one would have dared consider that. After Trump, anything can happen and probably will. This is why I believe that this indictment against President Trump is going to backfire. Yes, Trump, like Biden, made mistakes. However, an indictment is over the top. This is to going to blow up in their faces. I agree with TippInsights: Jack Smith said in his address to the media, "Our nation's commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world. We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone." The problem with this assertion is that the world has seen how the Deep State has gone after Trump, often putting him below the law. The FBI conspired with the Democrat party to charge that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians, which later proved false. Trump, twice impeached, has been the target of a 16-month investigation by the J6 Committee and is a defendant in three New York lawsuits, plus a Fulton County lawsuit. The New York judge in the E. Jean Carroll's allegation of sexual abuse in a Manhattan department store case raised eyebrows because the judge seemed predisposed to engineer a verdict against Trump. If anything, these constant attacks against one individual duly elected to the 45th presidency are likely to make Trump a martyr, as we predicted last summer when the FBI raided his residence. Time will tell whether he will return to the White House. The election is still 17 months away. However, I agree completely with the message that the voters are sick with this targeting of a political figure just to keep him off the ballot. This is un-American. This is what happens in the countries where many of us came from. The Democrats will regret this brave new world that they've created. Why? Because this weapon can be used against them, such as when the FBI knock on the door and ask Mrs. Obama to show them to the garage where the boxes with files are stacked. Still don't think it can happen in the U.S.? Well, it's been happening for the last year. Whether you love or hate Trump, no one should be happy with the weaponization of justice. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Rizuan. Talk about a scandal! Newsweek has an eye for the stories that really don't matter at all in an article titled "Ron DeSantis' Sweaty Appearance Raises Questions." Khaleda Rahman writes: Ron DeSantis' appearance as he spoke to supporters in Oklahoma at the weekend prompted questions and mockery on social media. (snip) Following DeSantis' speech, photos of the Florida governor in a shirt drenched with sweat circulated on social media. "Ron DeSweaty in Oklahoma," Ron Filipkowski, an attorney who says he monitors right-wing extremism, tweeted alongside a photo of DeSantis from the event. Ron DeSweaty in Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/Kzp35xXdRf Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 11, 2023 Reading mean tweets replaces field reporting, which is appropriate for a publication that is a shadow of its former self. The endorsement DeSantis received from the governor of Oklahoma (DeSantis is "the right guy to beat Biden") pales beside the "scandal" that his properly functioning perspiration worked well to cool him off in a crowded room in June in Oklahoma. Gee, it's surprising that a guy born and raised in Florida has a body well adapted to cool off in the midst of heat and humidity. Not that properly functioning physical health is a consideration when running against Joe Biden... The media clearly are afraid of Ron DeSantis, for obvious reasons. His track record as governor of Florida turned a n arrow first-term election victory into a 20-point landslide for re-election. They equally clearly see Donald Trump as the ideal candidate for the GOP to nominate, as they believe correctly or not that he is toxic to a sufficient number of voters that he cannot be elected. So they are carrying out what might be termed a pincer strategy: hyping the DOJ's unprecedented persecution of Trump so as to ensure that the GOP base's support for his re-nomination grows even more robust, while doing everything in their power to discredit Ron DeSantis, just in case he ends up as the nominee. Because his track record in office is so popular with constituents and has led to prosperity and growth (results sorely desired by much of the country), the media are trying to compose a narrative of an incompetent campaign. The "failure" of his campaign launch on Twitter where technical difficulties resulted in a huge amount of publicity is now being echoed in a narrative that will seize on literally anything that can be criticized, even if the underlying phenomenon DeSantis's robust good health is positive. And his dedication to campaigning, even in a hot and sweaty environment, speaks well of his physical endurance and moral fervor. Well, it's all they've got, and they will push such pettiness even when they look ridiculous. And note the negative cast of the four other stories about DeSantis listed at the bottom of the article. Hat tips: Richard Baehr and Lauri Regan. Photo credit: Twitter. They target political opponents they want to destroy, whether it is Sarah Palin, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Thomas, Ron DeSantis, or Donald Trump. They relentlessly set out to destroy them, whatever they have to do. They will even create fictitious stories like Russian collusion, without evidence, and then repeat the fake stories for years and have endless investigations based on nothing. Destroying the target in the minds of the public is all they care about because their goal is to maintain power and infect the country with radical leftist policies to expand government power and control of the people. It also helps tremendously when so many government bureaucrats seek to destroy the same people. The endless investigations and criminal proceedings have nothing to do with applying laws equally. Instead, they weaponize the Justice Department, or IRS, or DHS, or CFPB, or EPA to destroy people whose policies they don't like. The truth is irrelevant when they set out to destroy someone. If you want to see where the playbook comes from, look at Alinsky's Rules for Radicals. 13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. 8. Keep the pressure on. Never let up. 11. If you push a negative hard and deep enough, it will break through into its counterside. If someone like Trump dares to defend himself aggressively against false charges, he is called divisive and angry, and the public hears that he shouldn't ever again be president. Squishy Republicans, like Romney, Larry Hogan, and Asa Hutchinson, go on TV to denounce Trump as unfit to hold office because he is divisive. The media, Justice Department, and other Democrats know that Biden and Hillary illegally possessed and mishandled classified documents for years and don't care. Biden stored them in many unsecured places, and no one in the Democrat media cares. There were no armed raids of any of the places they were stored. Biden had some for fifty years, and no one cares. He had to have them moved several times, so why do people say he turned them in as soon as he knew he had them? We don't see pictures of the boxes, nor did FBI agents throw files on the floor to take pictures, because no one cares. We don't see any reference to what the documents were because no one cares. Hillary and her aides obstructed justice by destroying documents, and no one cares. There are not endless leaks to the media about the supposed investigations into Biden's documents because no one cares. They all also know that the Bidens and Clintons lined their pockets for years with foreign kickbacks, and no cares. Hillary says that any investigation of her is a vast right-wing conspiracy and calls Republicans irredeemable and deplorable, and we don't see the media and other Democrats say she is unfit for office and divisive. Biden repeatedly calls Republicans domestic terrorists and other names, and no one cares. He is obviously unfit for office, but no one cares. There is not 24-hour coverage, or hardly any coverage, of Biden mishandling documents and the Biden family kickbacks because the media don't care. Democrats are rarely, if ever, asked what they think of the Biden and Clinton kickbacks and illegally having and mishandling documents because no one cares. Basically, corrupt Democrats are above the law. The corrupt James Comey, who lied to the FISA court to illegally spy on people connected to Trump, says that the only person he could vote for is Biden because he is the only one who cares about the law and the Constitution. That shows that Comey doesn't care about the law or the Constitution. Comey said. "I'm not talking about policy. ... The president must be someone who abides the law and our Constitution. And there's no one else but Joe Biden." We also don't see the squish Republicans, who repeatedly trash Trump, go on TV to say that Hillary and Joe are corrupt criminals who are unfit for office because they don't care, and the only reason anyone in the media invites them on is if they are willing to trash Trump. Republicans should remember that no matter how much they kiss up to the media, they will not get their endorsement against a Democrat, no matter how corrupt or incompetent the Democrat is. In Jan 2008, the NYT endorsed McCain over Romney in the Republican primary for president. Then, in February 2008, the NYT ran a hit piece on McCain about a supposed romantic relationship with a lobbyist many years before. It appears they had no evidence for this, and both parties denied it, but the NYT didn't care. Why would they endorse McCain if they thought this was true unless they thought he was less of a threat than Romney to their chosen candidate? Why do leftist newspapers endorse Republicans in a primary when they will never endorse them in a general election? The NYT hasn't endorsed a Republican for president since Eisenhower, and the WaPo has never endorsed a Republican for president. The media and other Democrats keep repeating the fictitious talking points that they want Trump to win the Republican primary because he would be the easiest one to defeat. Why would they work so hard to destroy or convict him if they want him as the candidate? Rachel Maddow and Geraldo Rivera have suggested that Trump should be let off if he just agrees not to run. If what he did is so bad, why would they suggest this? Squishy Republicans seem too ignorant to recognize that they are being used by Democrat campaign workers, posing as journalists, to destroy Trump. Another item in the media and other Democrats' playbook: When their policies are unpopular, they always call their opponents racists, xenophobes, sexists, homophobes, domestic terrorists, deplorables, irredeemables, and whatever other disparaging names they can think of. They also call themselves "progressives" to intentionally mislead the public because their policies will move the U.S. backward toward destruction instead of moving the country forward. The media, swamp creatures, and other Democrats clearly don't care about corruption, classified documents, or results. The media and other Democrats always pretend they want to unite the country, but their actions and policies clearly sow division. A piece of advice to voters: If you liked Trump's foreign and domestic policies, which kept Americans safe and lifted up people of all races, ignore all this garbage. They have set out to destroy Trump before he even took office. If they are able to dispose of Trump, they will just head to new targets. Facts haven't mattered for a long time only power to destroy America with radical leftist policies. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 license. If there was ever a case for transparency in government, the question of whether Joe and Hunter Biden took $10 million in foreign bribes, from an actual Russian intelligence asset, is that case. That accusation is what is being withheld by the FBI to House lawmakers, who have legitimately asked for a handover of a non-classified FD-1023 document from an informant they consider "trusted" about Biden family corruption and the corrupt foreigners behind it. According to the New York Post: WASHINGTON The FBI source who reported President Biden's alleged role in a bribery scheme said that a Ukrainian businessman claimed to keep as "insurance" 15 audio recordings of first son Hunter Biden and two of Joe Biden, a Republican senator revealed Monday. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) made the staggering claim in a Senate floor speech after FBI Director Christopher Wray last week allowed House Oversight Committee members to see a redacted informant file about the claim that Hunter and then-Vice President Joe Biden received $5 million apiece to serve the interests of Burisma Holdings owner Mykola Zlochevsky. Ah, tapes for "insurance." That's hardly unknown in that part of the world, where the communist police state ethos remains large. That's not all of it, though. Who was this trusted FBI source Zlochevsky? According to RedState, he was reportedly a KGB catspaw: Burisma Holdings founder Mykola Zlochevsky, who allegedly paid a total of $10 million in bribes to Joe and Hunter Biden in 2015 and 2016 in exchange for then-Vice President Joe Biden's assistance in getting Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin fired, is believed to be an asset of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) by the United States intelligence community, according to a national security source speaking to RedState on condition of anonymity. The official said: "The US intelligence community has a high degree of confidence in their assessment of Zlochevsky as SVR. This is not a new assessment; the intelligence community under Obama knew this, and Obama was briefed on it. Joe Biden and Victoria Nuland were briefed as well." In a June 2021 RedState exclusive story about the defection of Chinese counterintelligence official Dong Jingwei, it was reported that among the "terabytes" of data Jingwei brought with him to the United States was information related to "details of meetings US government officials had (perhaps unwittingly) with Chinese spies and members of Russia's SVR." It was revealed by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Monday that the "foreign national" mentioned in an FD-1023 form by a confidential human source (CHS) not only claimed to have bribed Hunter and Joe Biden but possessed a total of 17 audio recordings of his conversations with them about the arrangement. He created the recordings as a sort of "insurance policy." It was not clear whether the FBI had copies of the audio recordings or not. That's pretty specific stuff, quite unlike the disputable legal nuances of President Trump's retention of classified documents, which apparently every recent president has done, but only Trump has been indicted for, facing 400 years in prison if convicted. This, just as he seeks to challenge Joe Biden for the presidency and currently leads in the polls. A stone-cold bribery allegation, for a gargantuan sum of money, paid by a KGB (now SVR) asset. That's about as compromised as it gets. Or to put it another way: Is there any way to get more compromised than that? The only thing left now is to prove if it's true. Are there really 15 audio tapes of Hunter Biden involved in the naked act of cash bribery for legal protection, and are there two audio tapes of Biden himself, telling Burisma to put the drug-addled Hunter on the board of the company, taking the money in exchange for getting the Ukrainian prosecutor fired? If so, does the FBI have them? Does someone else? And does the FBI really think Zlochevsky was an SVR Russian intelligence asset? And if money was paid, where did it go? How did Joe Biden buy his fancy cars and collection of multiple mansions on his senator's and vice president's salary? It's simply mind-blowing that these things could be even alleged. If there's no case here, and these are just more allegations of phony Russian "pee tapes" from politicized sources, then that has got to be shown, too, if not for Biden's sake, or even the American voters' sake, then for the sake of the rest of the world that is watching. Get it out of the way by releasing the documents and making the issue a non-issue. But that's not happening. What's worse here is that the FBI, through its refusal to release its unclassified document alleging the bribery, is acting as though it believes that these charges are true and is in the corrupt business of protecting its favorite pol from congressional scrutiny or legal consequences. That's certainly how lawmen of all stripes triangulate whether there's some "there" there on a suspect's behavior, if a suspect doesn't want the lawmen to see something, and now we are seeing the FBI behave in the exact same way, as if it has something to hide. Grassley himself seems to understand what is going on here. As the New York Post notes: "Congress still lacks a full and complete picture with respect to what that document really says. That's why it's important that the document be made public without unnecessary redactions for the American people to see," said Grassley, accusing the bureau of needlessly redacting information about the recordings from the file shared with House lawmakers. "Let me assist for purposes of transparency," the 89-year-old went on. "The 1023 [form] produced to that House committee redacted reference that the foreign national who allegedly bribed Joe and Hunter Biden allegedly has audio recordings of his conversations with them. Seventeen total recordings. "According to the 1023, the foreign national possesses 15 audio recordings of phone calls between him and Hunter Biden," Grassley continued. "According to the 1023, the foreign national possesses two audio recordings of phone calls between him and then-Vice President Joe Biden. These recordings were allegedly kept as a sort of insurance policy for the foreign national in case he got into a tight spot. The 1023 also indicates that then-Vice President Joe Biden may have been involved in Burisma employing Hunter Biden." The senator concluded: "So, as I've repeatedly asked since going public with the existence of the 1023, what, if anything, has the Justice Department and FBI done to investigate? The Justice Department and FBI must show their work. They no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt." You would think Joe Biden would want to clear this up as quickly as possible by releasing the documents and demonstrating that all is on the up-and-up regarding his political career and his finances. But we seem to be in the throes of a full-blown cover-up, with Congress permitted to see only a heavily redacted document, and a drip, drip, drip of leaks alleging much worse hidden in the rafters of the Intelligence Community. If any of this turns out to be true, it's not just Joe Biden's head that should politically roll it's the Deep State that is conducting a last-ditch effort to protect him. They are paid for by the American people and have no business covering up corruption of any kind. If this doesn't get resolved soon, Biden can expect even more leaks to dog his presidency, and the legal apparat, including the FBI, which is attempting to protect him, could very well face defunding. Why should the American people be paying for bureaucrats to protect pols from the consequences of their own corruption? It's banana republic politics at its finest, institutionalizing itself on our shores. Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. This June 9 photo provided by Korea's industry ministry shows Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, second from left, posing with his Singaporean, Chilean and New Zealand counterparts in Paris. Yonhap Korea will push to clinch a bilateral pact on digital trade with the European Union to facilitate trade in the digital realm and to enhance industry cooperation, the industry ministry said Tuesday. There have been calls for the need to devise broader and specific rules on digital trade between the two sides, as their digital transactions and exchanges via various online platforms have risen and there are only two related clauses under their Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As a preparatory step of envisioned negotiations for a deal, South Korea will hold a public hearing on the issue in Seoul on Thursday involving experts and relevant business entities, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The EU is Korea's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching an all-time high of $136.3 billion last year. Their FTA took effect in 2011. Last year, Korea signed a bilateral digital trade agreement with Singapore, the first of its kind for Korea. Earlier this month, it also acceded to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), becoming the first partner outside of its founding members of Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. As the world's first plurilateral digital pact, the DEPA calls for the establishment of key rules on digital trade issues, such as digital identities, cross-border data flows and artificial intelligence. (Yonhap) Most conservatives understand that so-called journalists who call themselves "fact-checkers" function as enforcement arms for the current Narrative being pushed by the Democrat-media complex. But there are plenty of other people, who read only what the progressive media bubble allows, who still believe that the job title has some legitimacy. For them, this nifty bit of research performed by Robert Schmad in today's Free Beacon will be enlightening. Cutting to the chase for the answer to the headline above: The Free Beacon reviewed political donations over the past four election cycles from those who identified their occupation as "fact checker." $22,580 of the $22,683 in political donations that came from self-identified fact checkers during that time a whopping 99.5 percent went to Democrats and liberal groups. Only three of the fact checker donations made during that period went to Republicans. Top recipients include socialist Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, who during the seven-year period received ten times more fact checker money than every Republican combined. That rounds off to 100%, of course, but those three exceptional souls do deserve some notice, so the Freeb's headline is best: "Fact Check: Nearly 100 Percent of Political Contributions From Fact Checkers Go to Democrats." Just leaving it at that and not reading the whole article would deprive you of some delicious nuggets, such as this: The [New York] Times fact checker, Cecilia Nowell, contributed three times to Warren's failed presidential bid from 2019 to 2020 and still accepts "fact-checking assignments" from the outlet on a freelance basis, according to her LinkedIn. Reuters, meanwhile, from 2020 to 2021 employed Carrie Monahan, daughter of veteran journalist Katie Couric, as a "fact check producer." Monahan during that time contributed to Biden, Harrison, and Georgia Democratic senator Jon Ossoff. ...and: In a 2020 fact check, for instance, the Times accused Arkansas senator Tom Cotton of flirting with conspiracy theories when the Republican suggested that COVID-19 may have originated in a Chinese research lab. Federal investigations have since corroborated the lab leak theory Cotton promoted. Fact checkers working for Facebook, meanwhile, last year erroneously designated as misinformation a Free Beacon report on Biden's Department of Health and Human Services, which was set to fund the distribution of safe smoking kits with crack pipes. Facebook's fact checker, Lead Stories, kept the piece in place even after the Free Beacon proved that federally-funded harm reduction organizations distributed crack pipes. Fact checkers have even gone as far as to tell readers how they can (and can't) respond to factual information. When the Free Beacon in July reported that the Biden administration sold one million Strategic Petroleum Reserve barrels to a Chinese state-controlled gas giant, the Washington Post acknowledged in a subsequent fact check that the sale happened. Still, the Post's Glenn Kessler wrote, there's "no reason for outrage" and "anyone who suggests the Biden administration is doing something wrong here earns Three Pinocchios." Well done! Read the whole thing. These phonies deserve no respect. Hat tip: Ed Lasky. Graphic credit: hizinVideo, Pixabay license. Joe Biden's national security adviser (NSA), of all people, has strong opinions about free markets. He says they are the cause of all our economic problems and the solution is a stronger central government that guides markets. To deal with these problems, Sullivan said, the U.S. needs a new approach, a "modern American industrial strategy" in which a more assertive federal government guides investment, industry and trade to bolster both the middle class and national security. The Democratic Socialists in Germany said the same thing in the 1930s. They embraced fascism and were called Nazis. This is the mindset that pervades the highest levels of our government today. Our nation has emplaced avowed fascists in positions of great power, and we are arguing about how we hate or love Trump or Biden and complaining to one another how bad it is! We are fighting among ourselves while the snake of fascism slithers into power. The greater threat is an idea; the antidote is also an idea, an ideal. The foundational principles in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are the rights and responsibility of the individual. The sanctity of the individual. Freedom, liberty, and free choice. Fascism, like communism, is the antithesis of individual freedom. Free markets and capitalism spring directly from this individual liberty. The private economy depends for its existence on the concept of the inalienable and individual right to ownership of property. That means that the federal government cannot confiscate it or "guide" it. We have the Rule of Law to guide our interactions and, especially, to limit our federal government's control. We can't allow Rule by Regulation to supplant duly elected lawmakers, who are accountable to the citizen, by bureaucrats who amass power through control of private industry. Consider the meaning of "guide" and how easily regulation can morph into control. That is the intention of what the NSA said. That is the greater threat to our inalienable rights. Putting aside our petty differences and uniting against that threat is the only way we can overcome it. And we can restore the United States of America to its citizens. Image: Jake Sullivan, right. Credit: Hudson Institute via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. For more than seven hundred years, British monarchs have sat on a large block of rectangular sandstone during their coronations. This block of stone, called the Stone of Scone, or the Stone of Destiny, however, did not belong to them. It originally belonged to the Scottish people who used it during coronation of their own monarchs. In 1296, King Edward I of England invaded Scotland and stole the Stone of Scone, taking it away to Westminster Abbey, and had it fitted underneath the Coronation Chair as a scornful symbol of Scotland's subservience to England. Ever since then, the stone's theft has been a thorn in the side of Scottish nationalists, symbolizing England's arrogance and a deep embarrassment for Scotland at the loss of a sacred relic. A replica of the Stone of Scone in front of the Scone Palace. Credit: PaulT/Wikimedia In 1328 an attempt was made to get the Stone of Scone back with the Treaty of Northampton signed between Scotland and England, where the latter agreed to return the captured stone to Scotland. However, rioting crowds prevented the stone from being removed from Westminster Abbey. It remained in England for another six centuries until four University students stole the stone and took it back to Scotland in 1950. The brainchild behind the audacious heist was Ian Hamilton, a brash and idealistic 25-year-old law student of the University of Glasgow. His partners in crime were fellow students Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson and Alan Stuart. Hamiltons original plan was to slip inside the abbey and hide in a dark corner just before it closed for the night and later open the door from the inside to let the others in. But he was discovered by the night watchman, who believed his story that he had been locked in, and let him go. The following night, they tried again, breaking into the abbey with the help of a jemmy. Hamilton, Vernon and Stuart got inside, while Kay waited in the car outside. Having managed to break open the door, the group set about removing the stone from its cavity beneath the throne. They pushed and prised the stone out of the chair, but in the process splintered the 13th century wood the chair was made from, and for a moment, Hamilton was remorseful. I felt sorry, for it did not belong to us, he wrote. The Coronation Chair with the Stone of Scone underneath it. Credit: Wikimedia But the chair wasnt the only thing the looters broke. The stone itself split into two. Thirty-six years previously, the suffragettes in Great Britain and Ireland orchestrated a bombing and arson campaign across the country targeting government buildings, churches and the general public. The Westminster Abbey was bombed in June 1914 when the church was full of visitors. The bomb exploded right next to the Coronation chair, damaging the chair and breaking the Stone in half. At that time, the damage was not discovered. When Hamilton and his friends pulled the Stone out of its place, the pieces separated. Hamilton picked up the smaller piece, weighing about 50 kg, and ran outside to Kay's car. The other half was put on Hamilton's coat and dragged across the floor of the Abbey towards the door. Hamilton placed the smaller piece on the cars back seat and threw a coat over it. No sooner the door was closed, a policeman emerged on the scene. A quick thinking Hamilton climbed into the passenger seat with Mathieson and took her in his arm to pretend they were a courting couple. It was a strange situation in which we found ourselves, yet neither of us felt perturbed. Kay was as cool and calm, as though we were on our way home from a dance, and for a couple of minutes I was so immersed in the task at hand that I completely forgot the approach of the policeman. It was our third night without sleep, and I think we were both so drugged with tiredness that we would have accepted any situation as normal. Our minds were cold as ice, and we had thrashed our bodies so hard and worked for so long in the shadow of our ultimate aim that fear or panic played no part with us. The policeman peered into the back seat and found the couple in a lovers clinch. He rebuked them for staying out so late (it was five in the morning), then proceeded to have a conversation with Hamilton and Mathieson, smoking a cigarette as he did so. Having shared some jokes, the policeman bid farewell and the duo drove off. A little distance later, Hamilton got out and walked back to the Abbey where the rest of the Stone was. The Coronation Chair after the theft of the Stone of Scone. Credit: Getty Images Upon reaching the Abbey, Hamilton discovered that Vernon and Stuart had fled believing that Hamilton and Mathieson had been caught. With enormous effort, Hamilton dragged the almost 100 kg-stone by himself, and put it in the boot of the second car. Hamilton drove away from the Abbey with the stone and soon found Vernon and Stuart loitering near the Old Kent Road. With dawn breaking, the three friends decided that it would be unwise to attempt to smuggle the stone across the border. Then went to a wood near Rochester and buried the larger section of the stone. Mathieson went to Birmingham and hid the smaller section of the stone at her friend's house. She then took a train back to Scotland. The rest of the conspirators also returned back to Scotland. The theft of the Stone of Scone caused an international sensation and the border between Scotland and England was closed off for the first time in 400 years. A team of detectives from Scotland Yard was sent north to investigate. Despite the restriction, Hamilton and his companions were able to retrieve the stone and bring it to Glasgow, where they handed the stone over to the Scottish Covenant Association, a movement that wanted Scotland to be independent from the UK. Later, a stonemason reunited the two sections of the broken stone. Left to right: Alan Stuart, Kay Matheson, Ian Hamilton and Gavin Vernon. The police eventually tracked the perpetrators down, but no charges were pressed. After a few months, the Scottish Covenant Association decided the stone should be returned. The heist had served its purpose of publicizing the cause of Scottish home rule. It was decided to leave the stone at the ruined abbey of Arbroath, where a famous statement of Scottish independence was made in 1320. The police was tipped off of its location, and the stone was found. In April 1951, the stone was taken back to London and returned to Westminster Abbey. In 1996, to mark the 700th anniversary of the stone's original removal from Scotland, the Queen, along with Prime Minister John Major, agreed the stone should be returned to Scotland. It can now be seen at Edinburgh Castle. Hamilton went on to have a successful career in criminal law. He remained politically active throughout his life, joining Labour before running for the SNP in the 1994 and 1999 elections. He died in 2022. Kay Matheson returned to Inverasdale in the west Highlands, where she became a teacher in the local primary school. She died in 2013. Gavin Vernon graduated in electrical engineering and emigrated to Canada in the 1960s. He died in March 2004. Alan Stuart had a successful business career in Glasgow and died in 2019. Removal of the Stone of Scone from the Abbey of Arbroath. References: # Gavin Vernon Engineer who helped return the Stone of Destiny to Scotland, The Herald # The students who stole the Stone of Destiny, BBC # The Removal of the Stone of Scone, 1950, Scotland and the Scotts Google, the company that dominates the global search market, is testing a major change to its search interface that could have serious implications on the open web. The so-called Search Generative Experience (SGE), which uses AI to generate answers for your queries, pushes organic search results down the order. Meanwhile, the AI-powered SGE grabs information provided by human experts across various sites (often a direct copy of the text), clubs it all together, and passes it off to you as its own. The new search experience shows fewer organic results The current Google Search experience gives you a list of related web articles for anything you search. It highlights snippets from some articles that it determines as the most-related answer to your query. If you scroll down, youll find many more results organically derived from the web depending on the keywords you used for your search. But with the SGE, Googles AI covers most of your screen, at least the first page of your search results. As pointed out by Toms Hardware, the SGE covered the first 1,360 vertical pixels of the display even for a simple search for best bicycle. This section contained shopping links and advice about things you should consider when shopping for a bicycle. Google pushed all organic results below it. For its part, the company does show a few (three) related links next to its AI-generated response, at least sometimes. However, as the publication notes, they arent always accurate or highly related links. Certainly not as accurate as organic search results. They arent even the top organic results. Instead, these are links to the articles from which Googles AI is copying information to generate its response. Advertisement For example, a search for best CPU gave Toms Hardware links to articles from Maketecheasier.com, Nanoreview.com, and MacPaw.com next to the SGE text. But none of those are the top results in the current search experience. Worst yet, two of those articles dont even provide lists of the best CPUs. One is a comparison of two CPUs while the other provides a guide on how to choose the best processor for your MacBook. That probably wont be the intent of most people searching for the best CPU. Plagiarism without proper linking to web articles Theres an even bigger problem with the SGE. The text that Google is passing off as an AI-generated response is usually copied from the linked articles. Sometimes its rephrased while some other times, its a word-to-word copy. The problem here is that most users wont click those links because they have already got the information they were looking for. The information was originally provided by a human expert after careful research of a product. But the SGE blocks readers from going into the original source. Google defended this behavior by saying that generative responses are corroborated by sources from the web. It added that when a portion of a snapshot briefly includes content from a specific source, we will prominently highlight that source in the snapshot. However, the SGE doesnt tell users its a snippet from a web article, something the current search experience does. Instead, it makes the response look like generated by AI. Theres a button in the top right corner to see the source of the information provided in the SGE text, but its too much of a hassle. Advertisement All of this is a massive problem. For publishers, Google is driving less traffic to websites by relaying information from articles directly as part of the search result. For readers, its a bot telling you which is the best CPU with full authority, even though it can never evaluate a CPU on its own. Its passing off the results of research from human experts as its own. This is blatant plagiarism and also a contradiction to Googles E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust) standard used to decide which websites and authors should rank highly in organic search. Google is still experimenting with the AI-powered search experience Google says that it is currently experimenting with this new search experience where AI-generated responses surface ahead of organic results. Things may change by the time its ready for a public launch. But as it stands, the SGE doesnt appear to prioritize driving traffic offsite to web articles, something the company claims is a priority. If this approach becomes the default search experience, it could severely affect the web information ecosystem. With no traffic coming their way, top publishers may leave the open web while, effectively degrading the quality of information on the web. It comes as no surprise that iPhone prices remain stable even months after launch. However, according to a lawsuit filed back in November, Apple and Amazon allegedly joined forces to artificially inflate the prices of iPhones and iPads sold on the platform, effectively eliminating over 98% of all Apple resellers. Now, in a recent development, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour has denied the request made by Apple and Amazon to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing it to progress further. As a result, the case will now move forward to evidence-gathering and other pretrial proceedings, representing a significant step for the plaintiffs all U.S. residents who purchased new iPhones and iPads on Amazon from January 2019 onwards. A major win for consumers of Apple phones and iPads, said Steve Berman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs The lawsuit argues that both Apple and Amazon signed an agreement in 2018 where Amazon agreed to drastically reduce the number of Apple resellers in exchange for Apples regular supply of discounted devices, therefore benefiting both parties. Additionally, the lawsuit also states that prior to this deal, there were approximately 600 third-party Apple resellers on Amazon in 2018, but this number dropped to only seven after the agreement took effect. Apples response Although the allegations about Apples practices have raised some concerns, the company defended its agreement, stating that it helped combat the sale of counterfeit Apple products on Amazon. Additionally, Apples attorneys stated in a court filing that such agreements were commonplace and legally acceptable, citing previous rulings that recognized them as pro-competitive and lawful. However, Judge Coughenour noted that any opposing motivations behind the agreement would be addressed in later stages of the litigation. Advertisement The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications not only for Apple and Amazon but also for the wider e-commerce landscape. Furthermore, the complaint seeks unspecified triple damages and other forms of relief. Its no secret that the launch of generative AIs like ChatGPT has opened up a world of opportunities for people and businesses alike, enabling them to save operational costs and generate profits. Now, in a recent development, Microsoft has unveiled its Azure OpenAI Service tailored for the US government, which offers a secure and compliant environment for utilizing powerful language models, including ChatGPT and GPT-4. Enabling Secure Access Microsoft has developed a new architecture that enables secure access to AI models through REST APIs within the commercial environment of the Azure Government. This architecture ensures that government data remains isolated from the public internet. Additionally, the company will also encrypt all the traffic using the IEEE 802.1AE (MACsec) network security standard. Microsoft Azure Government provides stringent security and compliance standards necessary to meet government requirements for sensitive data. The backbone is one of the largest in the world with more than 250,000 km of lit fibre optic and undersea cable systems, says Microsoft. Data logging concerns While Microsoft acknowledges that it will log some data during conversations, they have also presented a solution to address these concerns, as customers who meet specific eligibility criteria will have the ability to request modifications to the Azure OpenAI content management features. Moreover, Bill Chappell, Microsofts CTO of Strategic Missions and Technologies, also ensured that they will not use any government data in training OpenAIs models as they do with consumer information. If Microsoft approves a customers request to modify data logging, then Microsoft does not store any prompts and completions associated with the approved Azure subscription for which data logging is configured off in Azure commercial, said Microsoft. Advertisement Despite Microsofts impressive array of new features catered specifically for the government, industry experts have expressed concerns regarding the privacy and security of government ChatGPT usage, considering that both Microsoft and OpenAI have experienced major security breaches in the past. Samsungs June 2023 update is now available for the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy Note 10 Lite, and a couple of budget models, namely the Galaxy M12 and Galaxy A04s. These devices join dozens of others at the party. The latest security patch is yet to roll out to the Galaxy S23 series, though. As of this writing, the June SMR (Security Maintenance Release) for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra is available to users in a few European countries. Samsung should expand the rollout to more countries in the region over the next few days, before eventually pushing the update in other markets, including the US. Rolling out with the firmware build number G99*BXXU8EWF1, the latest update for the Galaxy S21 series doesnt bring much. Samsungs official changelog mentions some device stability and reliability improvements along with this months security fixes. The new SMR contains fixes for more than 60 vulnerabilities, including at least three critical flaws. These security fixes are also rolling out to the Galaxy Note 10 Lite in Europe. The new build number for this phone is N770FXXU9HWE1. Samsung is pushing the update with the same changelog. The company should widely release the latest security patch for this phone in the coming days. The Galaxy Note 10 Lite never arrived in the US. The June update is also available for the Galaxy M12 and Galaxy A04s This months security update is also rolling out to Samsungs Galaxy M12 and Galaxy A04s, both of which are budget handsets that saw limited release in markets outside the US. The former is picking up the new SMR with a massive changelog, though. More precisely, its getting the latest security patch as part of the Android 13-based One UI 5.1 update. Advertisement The big update for the Galaxy M12 is currently available to users in South Korea with the build number M127NKOU5DWF1, SamMobile reports. As you might expect, it brings a host of new features and improvements to the device. The company should push One UI 5.1 and the June SMR to this budget phone in other markets soon. Meanwhile, if youre using the Galaxy A04s in Latin America, this months security fixes are headed your way. Samsung is rolling out the new SMR to the phone with the build number A047MUBS4CWE2 (via). It isnt getting anything else. This phone recently picked up the May SMR in some markets. It may not get the new security patch in those regions. As always, you can check for updates from the Software update menu in the Settings app. UPDATE: The EU has issued an antitrust complaint against Google and its ad practices. This complaint comes from the European Commission, the EUs regulatory body. Our preliminary concern is that Google may have used its market position to favor its own intermediation services, said the Commissions executive vice president. She also added that the Commission believes Google abused its dominant positions since at least 2014. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Google seems to be in trouble, as the EU could force the company to break up its ad business. According to a source who talked to Reuters, the European Commission could issue a complaint as early as Wednesday. The EU could force Google to break up its ad business Its goal is to diminish Googles ad tech dominance, basically. Based on the report, this will come as a result of Googles failure to address competition concerns. It is worth noting that break-up orders from the EU are rare, though, so well see what happens. So, what exactly does this mean? What will Google have to do in order to appease the EU? If it comes to that, of course. Well, Google could be forced to sell a part of its advertising-technology business, actually. At least according to the source who talked to Reuters. The European Commission is the EUs top antitrust watchdog, and the complaint is expected to come from them. The source seems to be convinced it will happen tomorrow, at which point well have far more information. Advertisement This is far from being a new issue This is actually not a new issue, as mentioned earlier. The EU has been pushing Google to address a number of issues, but the company seemingly didnt do enough, at least based on the ECs assessment. Last year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Googles advertising presence, as it was concerned about the companys dominance. Google is easily the most dominant digital advertising platform globally, with a 28% market share of global ad revenue. This comes from a first called Insider Intelligence, a research company. It is worth noting that the US launched an ad tech lawsuit against Google earlier this year. The US demanded a sale of Googles ad manager suite. In the lawsuit, the US also claimed that Google abused its dominance in online advertising. Google, however, denied such accusations. From left, Charge d'Affaires Tony Greubel of the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, USAID Deputy Mission Director Betty Chung, KOICA Fiji Office Director Ra Kap-chae and Ambassador of Korea to Fiji Park Young-kyu attend an MOU signing ceremony for a partnership between KOICA and USAID in the Pacific Islands region at the KOICA Fiji Office, Monday (local time). Courtesy of KOICA By Kang Seung-woo The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has teamed up with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to strengthen cooperation in the Pacific Islands region, with goals to enhance medical systems, clean up the marine environment and manage waste, and transition to renewable energy. KOICA Fiji Office held a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with USAID for comprehensive cooperation in key development areas in the Pacific Islands region including health care, the environment and renewable energy, Monday (local time), at the KOICA Fiji Office. This MOU is based on the Korean government's Indo-Pacific Strategy, and is also closely related to the U.S. government's Strategic Framework for the Pacific Islands and the Pacific Island Forum's (PIF) 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. KOICA and USAID will cooperate comprehensively on improving the health care system throughout life-cycle stages, strengthening sustainable management of the environment and natural resources, enhancing accessibility to renewable energy and improving the digital transformation as well as gender equality and human rights. At the 77th U.N. General Assembly in September 2022, the government of Fiji announced 10 policies, including climate response, protection of the environment and natural resources, human-centered development, digital connectivity and gender inclusion, to implement the PIF's 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Attending the signing ceremony of the KOICA-USAID MOU were Ambassador of Korea to Fiji Park Young-kyu, KOICA Fiji Office Director Ra Kap-chae, Charge d'Affaires Tony Greubel of the U.S. Embassy in Fiji and USAID Deputy Mission Director Betty Chung. "This MOU is expected to be the first step in supporting the implementation of Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy and strengthening the Korea-U.S. cooperative relations in the Pacific Islands region," Park said. Currently, the KOICA Fiji Office is focusing on supporting climate response and the strengthening of health care systems. It is implementing $86 million (112 billion won) in development assistance projects for expanding renewable energy using solar power, building disaster evacuation centers and strengthening the capacity of medical personnel. Microsoft has been having a bit of a rough go of it trying to get its Activision deal approved, and it seems there are more hurdles as the US is now filing to block the deal, BBC reports. The US Federal Trade Commission in a statement has said that it wants the Activision deal to be blocked over concerns of it violating antitrust laws. The FTC being opposed to the deal and now filing to block it from approval should come as no surprise. US regulators have made it pretty clear that they dont feel like the deal would be good for the industry. The FTC originally sought to block the deal back in December of 2022. Requesting that a judge block the deal based on claims it would violate antitrust laws. Now, the FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction and a restraining order from a US federal district court. This would essentially allow the FTCs case from its original filing in December to finish out. The case is supposed to start in August. But the FTC is concerned Microsoft may try to close the deal by July 18. So the restraining order would put the deal closing on hold for a couple of weeks. While the preliminary injunction would further halt the deal closing until after the case in August has a verdict. US regulators want to see the Microsoft Activision deal squashed Microsoft has argued that its Activision Blizzard deal would be good for players. Giving them more choice to play more games on the device of their choosing. But companies like Sony have argued that it has concerns Microsoft would withhold Activisions most popular franchises, such as Call of Duty, from PlayStation. A concern that Microsoft has repeatedly addressed. Advertisement US regulators seem to agree with Sonys concerns. The request for the restraining order and injunction also follow the UKs CMA blocking of the deal earlier this year. While the EU has since approved the deal. Bereaved families holding pictures of their loved ones lined up outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry building as the major probe into the handling of the pandemic officially began its public hearings. Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ) campaign group travelled to the London site to express frustration at feeling excluded from sharing key evidence with the inquiry. The group has previously stated that it feels marginalised, criticising the decision to call only one of its members as a witness in the first module, having rejected all of the 20 members it had suggested could give evidence. People hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry at Dorland House in London (Belinda Jiao/PA) As part of a demonstration outside the inquiry building in west London on Tuesday, ahead of the first public hearing session, families stood holding pictures of some of those who died. The group has criticised the inquirys refusal to allow bereaved families to provide pen portraits, despite the fact that they are used meaningfully in most other inquiries and inquests. They branded the inquirys Every Story Matters project where members of the public can share their experience with the inquiry through the website an inadequate process because stories will be anonymised and summarised and possibly open to bias and interpretation by third parties. The group has criticised the inquirys refusal to allow bereaved families to provide pen portraits (Belinda Jiao/PA) A spokeswoman for the inquiry has previously said chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett has been clear she hasnt ruled out calling testimony from bereaved people in later investigations, for example with the use of do not resuscitate orders. The first public hearing opened with emotive footage featuring people from across the UK sharing their experiences of loss, played to those gathered at the centre after opening remarks by Lady Hallett. The chairwoman paid tribute to the dignified vigil outside the building and vowed the bereaved will be at the heart of the inquiry. She told the hearing: I have promised many times that those who suffered hardship and loss are and will always be at the heart of the inquiry. And I have done my very best within the constraints upon me of time, resources and my terms of reference to fulfil that promise. I know that there are those who feel that the inquiry has not sufficiently recognised their loss or listened to them in the way that they feel appropriate but I hope that they will better understand, as the inquiry progresses, the very difficult balance I have had to strike. I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised. Baroness Heather Hallett will chair the UK Covid-19 inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA) Jo Goodman and Matt Fowler, co-founders of CBFFJ, said: We began campaigning for this inquiry over three years ago. In that time, thousands of bereaved families have made enormous sacrifices in the hope that lessons could be learned from our losses, so that others wouldnt have to go through the same awful experiences when another pandemic strikes. Never did we imagine that on the first day of the inquiry we would be excluded from sharing key evidence about the impact and implementation of the policy decisions the inquiry seeks to investigate. And yet we are. The inquirys inadequate Every Story Matters project and decision to only call up one of our 6,500 members to speak in the first module have been incredibly disappointing and hurtful. But far worse, they risk crucial learnings being missed, which could cost lives in the future. The inquiry has no hope of understanding the key decisions made in Government if it doesnt understand their impact. Today we have a simple message for Baroness Hallett: We will never forget the loved ones we lost in the pandemic, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that their deaths are learnt from so others dont have to face the same awful, and preventable, fate. Our sole concern is saving lives, which is why we want to support the work of the inquiry by providing our unique, and unenviable perspective. The Cabinet Offices refusal to hand over requested documents to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is corrosive and will damage confidence in the process, the opening hearing has been told. Sam Jacobs, a lawyer representing the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said the departments position smacks of having something to hide. He warned the infighting between Boris Johnson and the Government jars with the terrible losses suffered during the pandemic. Government lawyers have appeared to suggest the former prime ministers notebooks could be withheld to stop him handing over unredacted evidence to the inquiry. Ministers are challenging chairwoman Baroness Heather Halletts request for the materials in the courts by seeking a judicial review. Mr Jacobs said on Monday it was a matter of regret that the inquiry had started under something of a cloud. It (the Cabinet Office) is refusing even to return Mr Johnsons diaries to him as it knows Mr Johnson intends to provide them to the inquiry, he said. Mr Johnson himself has been complaining to the Times newspaper of the Cabinet Office foot-dragging in response to the inquiry, of wasting public time and money by delaying the inquiry, and of deliberately frustrating the inquirys work. My Lady, the infighting jars with the terrible losses described in the impact film that we watched this morning. The position taken by the Cabinet Office is corrosive because it damages confidence in this inquiry. It smacks of having something to hide of fighting tooth and nail to avoid to avoid revealing all to the inquiry. What the public want to know is whether the Cabinet Office can approach this inquiry, not just now but going forward, with the spirit of openness and candour that we deserve. Those in the cabinet either have the will to respond openly to this inquiry, or they do not. A Covid Bereaved Families for Justice campaign van outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry at Dorland House in London (Lucy North/PA) The TUC was also among participants to draw a link between austerity and the ability of public services to prepare for the pandemic. More than a decade of spending cuts stretched resources to breaking point and almost eradicated any meaningful service able to enforce health and safety in workplaces, Mr Jacobs said. Mr Johnson sought to provide reassurances that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the primary regulator would be carrying out spot inspections, but these proved vacuous, he told the inquiry. Austerity had left the HSE so depleted in its resources that the number of reports it received vastly exceeded the number of checks completed, Mr Jacobs said. By early June 2020, the Health and Safety Executive had received more than 6,000 additional concerns from workers about social distancing and other pandemic-related matters, the inquiry heard. But this resulted in just 47 physical inspections of workplaces and one prohibition notice, he said. Robin Allen KC, representing the Local Government Association (LGA), echoed the TUCs concerns. Austerity also inevitably affected the ability of councils to plan and prepare for the pandemic as well as the resilience of services, he said. Across these points, we expect the inquiry to find that all local government services have been impacted by austerity. This, as weve heard, has gone on for a decade. The reductions in funding saw councils lose 60p out of every pound of funding, Mr Allen told the inquiry. That must be seen against rising demand in key services such as adult and children social care, and homelessness support. Inevitably, this impacted the ability to plan, to prepare and resource and the overall resilience of services. Bereaved families hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic outside the COVID inquiry. (Getty) The first substantive hearing of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry opened on Tuesday, with the chairwoman promising a "thorough investigation the people of the United Kingdom deserve". Baroness Heather Hallett said she aimed to deliver "timely recommendations that may save lives" as she paid tribute to bereaved family members in her opening speech. The first module of the inquiry is expected to last around six weeks, during which there will be a focus on whether the pandemic was properly planned for and whether the UK was adequately ready for that eventuality. Lady Baroness Hallett said she intended to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic? Was the response appropriate? And can lessons be learned for the future? The voices of some of those who suffered most in the pandemic are also set to be heard during the inquiry. Here, Yahoo News UK takes a look at some of the essential moments you may have missed. Covid inquiry 'will be the thorough investigation the UK deserves' A person takes a photograph of the plaque on the National Covid Memorial Wall. (Getty) The UK COVID-19 Inquiry will be the thorough investigation into the pandemic that the nation deserves, chairwoman Lady Baroness Hallett has vowed. She said she had set out an ambitious timetable for the inquiry, adding: To conduct the kind of thorough investigation the people of the United Kingdom deserve takes time and a great deal of preparation. If I am to achieve my aim of making timely recommendations that may save lives and reduce suffering in the future, I had no choice. Focus on Brexit 'prevented the work needed to prepare for pandemic' A government focus on Brexit crowded out and prevented the work that was needed to prepare for the next pandemic, the lead lawyer to the COVID-19 Inquiry has suggested. Hugo Keith KC told the official inquiry that work around a possible no-deal exit from the European Union may have drained the resources and capacity that were needed for pandemic planning. He told chair of the inquiry, Lady Baroness Hallett: It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. Bereaved families hold pictures of loved ones in vigil outside COVID inquiry People hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic. (Getty) Bereaved families held pictures of their loved ones lined up outside the inquiry building in west London, ahead of the first public hearing session on Tuesday. Members of the COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ) campaign group expressed frustration at feeling excluded from sharing key evidence with the inquiry. The group has previously stated that it feels marginalised, criticising the decision to call only one of its members as a witness in the first module, having rejected all of the 20 members it had suggested could give evidence. Bereaved families hold pictures of loved ones in vigil outside COVID inquiry (PA, 4 mins) UK COVID Inquiry memorial tapestry given trigger warning /1 Today weve unveiled our first four tapestry panels to commemorate peoples experiences and emotions during the pandemic. Thank you to Scottish Covid Bereaved, @CCTVinCare, @long_covid, @LongCovidKids, @LongCovidSOS, @LCNMUK and artists @AndrewCrummy, Catherine Chinatree... pic.twitter.com/4TQW7t3gnI UK Covid-19 Inquiry (@covidinquiryuk) June 13, 2023 The UK COVID Inquiry unveiled the first four tapestry panels to commemorate the public's experiences and emotions during the pandemic. It warned that the tapestry contains upsetting material and may trigger some difficult feelings and emotions. 'Upsetting' Covid inquiry memorial tapestry given trigger warning (The Telegraph, 3 mins) Lockdown given very little thought ahead of pandemic A lockdown was given very little thought ahead of the pandemic and there was a failure to consider the potentially massive impact it might have, the UK COVID-19 Inquiry has heard. There was also a lack of forethought around some of the major areas of life affected by the outbreak of a coronavirus pandemic, the inquirys lead counsel, Hugo Keith KC, said. He told the first public hearing on Tuesday that, while it might seem extraordinary now given the experience the UK has had, there had been very little debate pre-pandemic around whether a lockdown might be necessary and how it could be avoided. The creative industries will get a 77 million funding boost under Government plans to help the sector go from strength to strength. The investment is part of the Governments aim to grow the sector which Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer described as the UKs global advert for the world by 50 billion and create a million more jobs by 2030. Some 50 million of the newly announced pot will support six more creative clusters groups of creative businesses linked with universities in cities across the UK. They will be chosen in addition to the nine existing clusters, which include one helping screen and performance firms in Bristol and Bath adapt to emerging technologies, and one promoting data-driven innovation among creative entrepreneurs in Edinburgh. A programme helping creative start-ups scale up and turn entrepreneurs into business leaders will get nearly 11 million added to its budget. More money will also go towards around 400 grassroots music venues, new video games studios, London Fashion Week and helping emerging British musicians make it abroad, the Treasury said. The Government also announced that research labs will be based in Yorkshire, Dundee, Belfast and Buckinghamshire to develop advanced screen technology and virtual production techniques for film and stage, with the programme expected to generate 820 new jobs. Adele is an example of a British success story, Rishi Sunak said (PA) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: The creative industries are a true British success story, from global music stars like Adele and Ed Sheeran to world-class cultural institutions like the National Theatre. These industries have a special place in our national life and make a unique contribution to how we feel about ourselves as a country. We want to build on this incredible success to drive growth in our economy one of my key priorities and to ensure that UK creative industries continue to lead the world long into the future. The new cash builds on the 230 million in Government spending on the sector since 2021, according to the Treasury. Funding for a scheme that provides grants to help British artists break into overseas markets whose past recipients include Wolf Alice, Dave and Catfish and the Bottlemen will be expanded to 3.2 million over the next two years. The creative industries is our global advert for the world and so exporting is really important, Culture Secretary Ms Frazer told reporters in Westminster. She sought to assuage industry concerns that post-Brexit red tape has made touring more difficult, saying: With most of the countries in the EU weve come to bilateral arrangements where you can tour now for up to 90 days. But she conceded that we need to continue to look at that to see how we can facilitate movement even further. The UK games industry has been described as an engine of economic growth (PA) The UK Games Fund will receive 5 million more in cash to help video gaming studios grow and attract private investment into the industry, which Ms Frazer described as an innovation tool for other sectors as technologies used in gaming have been applied to medicine. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: Its quite difficult to really say whether gaming should count as being in the tech industry or the creative industries, because its got both. He also said theres increasing overlap between creative industries and technology, pointing to film and TV being incredibly tech-heavy now. Mr Hunt, who spoke at this weeks London Tech Week, said the creative industries are classed as one of the UKs five biggest-growth sectors in the Governments industrial strategy because its not just important in its own right, but it strengthens our offer in other areas like technology. The Government also aims to build a pipeline of creative skills, including by increasing apprenticeships and publishing a cultural education plan later this year. Ms Frazer said the vision, developed with the industry, is helping the UK creative sectors go from strength to strength providing jobs and opportunities, creating world-leading content and supporting economic growth across the country. She also told journalists: What our funding is doing is a number of things. Its inspiring young kids at primary school that this is a sector they may want to go into. Its doing something on T-levels and apprenticeships to make sure that those work because theyre not working as they should do for the sector as a whole. And then its giving this seed money to enable founders to become CEOs. And then once youve got an established company, its making this growth in clusters across the country, and then retaining the world-class export status that we have through the things that were doing on exports as well. So its helping the industry from your first day at school to your last day at work, regionally and internationally. Culture club singer Boy George and the groups bassist Michael Craig have been given more time to try and avoid a bankruptcy bid brought against them by former bandmate Jon Moss over a 1.75 million debt from a legal dispute. Boy George whose real name is George ODowd and Mr Craig are both in debt to Culture Clubs ex-drummer after a judge previously ordered Mr Moss should be paid 1.75 million by the band as part of a resolved battle over the groups profits. A hearing at a specialist court in London on Tuesday was told that Mr Moss is bringing bankruptcy petitions against Boy George and Mr Craig in relation to the judges ruling in March. Insolvency and Companies Court judge Catherine Burton was asked by Hugh Miall, lawyer for Boy George and Mr Craig, to adjourn the hearing so that creditors could consider proposals for an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) a formal agreement which lets people repay debts in a bid to avoid bankruptcy. Boy George (Ian West/PA) Amanda Hadkiss, for Mr Moss, and Edoardo Lupi, representing the IVA nominees, did not oppose the adjournment. Judge Burton ordered that the next hearing in the case should be on June 27. Tuesdays short proceedings, at which no band members were present, comes after a High Court battle between Mr Moss and his ex-bandmates over the groups profits was resolved a week before trial. The drummer, a founding member of the group, had previously brought legal action against Boy George, guitarist Roy Hay and Mr Craig, after allegedly being expelled by their manager in September 2018 after 37 years playing together. A six-day trial was due to start in late March to determine the value of the Culture Club name, the profits made by the band since Mr Mosss alleged expulsion, and the amount he might be entitled to receive. But a court order issued on March 21 said that the group had agreed that a judgment should be made in favour of Mr Moss, with his ex-bandmates required to pay him 1.75 million immediately. The order approved by Mrs Justice Joanna Smith said that Mr Moss had agreed to relinquish any right to the Culture Club name and its use, including in connection with concerts and merchandise. The High Court previously heard that the band had settled a dispute over whether there was a continuing partnership since the formation of Culture Club a group best known for hits such as Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon with Boy George, Mr Hay and Mr Craig conceding there was until Mr Mosss departure. Culture Club pictured with Michael Jacksons sister, LaToya in their 1980s heyday (PA) The abandoned trial over the outstanding issues of the groups value and profits was also due to cover Mr Mosss additional claim to an outstanding balance of 246,000.17 dollars (201,000) under the terms of a band agreement reached over the operation of its 2018 Life Tour. Boy George, Mr Craig and Mr Hay were all previously defending the claims. Last year, the court was told that Mr Moss was amending his legal challenge to include allegations that Boy George conspired to defraud him over the Life Tour money, after he learnt that funds were released to a US company, You Give Me Life, Inc (YGML), following the settlement of legal proceedings in America in January 2021. YGML and another English company, Other Places Drama LLP (OPD) both said to be Boy Georges personal service companies had brought proceedings against Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in California claiming to be entitled to the money it held. Mr Moss had originally launched litigation seeking a court declaration that the outstanding balance money was being held for him by APA, acting as his agent. The drummer claimed that Boy George, YGML and/or OPD, were allegedly in breach of the deal memo that he said meant each band member would receive a fee of 600,000 dollars (491,000) for up to 80 concerts on the Life Tour. Boy George previously accused Mr Moss of making a personal attack on me and the most unfounded and hurtful allegations, which were entirely untrue. Parliament must consider overhauling the out-of-date law used to jail a mother-of-three who illegally obtained abortion tablets to end her pregnancy during lockdown, senior MPs have urged. Caroline Nokes, the Conservative who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, joined womens rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation used to prosecute Carla Foster. The 44-year-old was given a 28-month extended sentence after she admitted illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant. Abortions are generally only legal before 24 weeks and are carried out in clinics after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Dame Diana Johnson, the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, urged the Government to step up and decriminalise abortions so women cannot be jailed in such cases. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Foster was sent the drugs by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after she lied about how far along in her pregnancy she was during 2020s pandemic lockdown. The prosecution said Foster made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including how to hide a pregnancy bump, how to have an abortion without going to the doctor and how to lose a baby at six months. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. The sentencing has prompted a backlash. Ms Foster was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (Dave Thompson/PA) Ms Nokes told BBC Radio 4s World Tonight programme: This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail. Dame Diana said both society and healthcare have moved on since the existing abortion laws were put in place. The Labour MP told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. Theres no other country in the world, as I understand it, that would criminalise a woman in this way. The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesnt mean you dont have regulation. Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal also argued it was not in the public interest to prosecute the mother-of-three. Citing public feeling towards laws restricting abortions and her mitigating factors, he told Today: Had I been involved, had I been doing this particular case, I would not have prosecuted it. This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now. And I think thats one of the things I would have factored in in relation to this particular case. Centre for Womens Justice director Harriet Wistrich was also among those questioning whether the prosecution was in the public interest. What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support? she said. She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to womens basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system. Womens human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was shocking and quite frankly terrifying. This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health, she said. BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said no woman can ever go through this again and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system, she said. The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was complex and traumatic, but said it has a duty to ensure laws are properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions. The court heard Foster, who had three sons before becoming pregnant again in 2019, did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was embarrassed and did not know how far along she was. She spoke to a BPAS nurse practitioner in May 2020 and was sent abortion pills in the post after it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant based on her answers. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks gestation when born. Her cause of death was recorded as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Pepperall said: This case concerns one womans tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. The balance struck by the law between a womans reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts. Ezra Miller has appeared at their first red carpet event since being involved in a string of controversies in the US. The actor, who identifies as they/them, previously began treatment to help with a series of complex mental health issues following the incidents. Miller had previously been charged with an alleged burglary in the state of Vermont and second-degree assault and disorderly conduct at a karaoke bar in Hawaii. Ezra Miller arrives at the premiere of The Flash at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) They were also accused of the abuse and grooming of a young girl. Miller stars in the highly-anticipated DC blockbuster The Flash in the title role, alongside Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck, who both reprise their role of Batman in the film. Appearing on the carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, Miller wore their long hair up in a bun, with a white jacket and black trousers. Ahead of the films screening, they thanked the dynamic duo DC co-chairs Peter Safran and James Gunn for their grace and discernment and care in the context of my life and in bringing this moment to fruition as well as director Andy Muschietti and the films production team. The Flash director Andy Muschietti, left, and Ezra Miller (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Miller previously apologised for those they had alarmed and upset with their past behaviour. In a statement released in August they said: Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment. I want to apologise to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behaviour. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life. Miller stars in The Flash alongside Michael Keaton, who reprises his role as Batman (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP) In January 2023 Miller avoided jail over their connection with the break-in in Vermont, agreeing to a suspended sentence of 89 to 90 days in jail for the misdemeanour of unlawful trespass. They were also fined 500 US dollars (400) plus a 192 dollars (150) surcharge and placed on probation for a year. The Flash is due for release in UK cinemas on June 16. Lee Jae-myung, left, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, talks with Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming during their meeting at the envoy's residence in Seoul on June 8. Yonhap Korea is waiting for China to take an "appropriate measure" following controversial remarks made by its ambassador in Seoul over Korea's ties with the United States, a presidential official said Tuesday. Tensions have flared between Seoul and Beijing after China's Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming said in a meeting with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung that those who "bet on China's loss" in its rivalry with the United States "will definitely regret it." The remarks were interpreted as a warning to Seoul against aligning itself with Washington. "From our point of view, there was something that ran contrary" to diplomatic protocols, the presidential official told reporters. "We're waiting for the Chinese side to carefully consider this problem and to take the appropriate measure regarding this," he said. The official said Xing's remarks were problematic in two regards his logic for explaining the current Korea-China trade relationship and Seoul's policy on China was not in line with the facts, and the way in which he aired his grievances was not befitting of a top diplomat. Peers have been abused, bullied and intimidated by the Government over the controversial plans to tackle the small boats crisis, it has been claimed in Parliament. The charge was levelled as the House of Lords again sat into the early hours debating the Illegal Migration Bill. With proceedings having started at 2.30pm on Monday, the upper chamber eventually rose at 2am on Tuesday. It comes after a marathon session last week which saw the proceedings continue until 4.16am on Thursday as peers discussed in detail the flagship legislation, which has encountered fierce opposition in the Lords. Responding to criticism at the time, the chief whip in the Lords blamed peers for repeating the same arguments again and again. The Bill, which has already been through the Commons, aims to ensure those who arrive in the UK without permission will be detained and promptly deported, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda. Critics argue the draft legislation breaks international law and undermines modern slavery protections. Expressing her frustration as the sitting continued into Tuesday morning, Baroness Ludford said: This Bill got almost no scrutiny in the other place (the Commons). When we do try to do it (our job) we are abused, bullied and intimidated as we were until 4.20am last Thursday. It would be perfectly possible to have an agreed more rational timetable for this Bill. I do not appreciate the behaviour of the Government over this Bill. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made tackling small boat crossings a priority for his Government this year (Yui Mok/PA) Labour peer Baroness Lister of Burtersett, who told the chamber she was shaking with tiredness, said: Sometimes there is repetition because there is no evidence the minister listens. She added: The main repetition I heard this evening was from the Government benches. We could have done without that. A short time earlier, Tory peer Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts told the opposition: We would move forward a great deal faster if we hadnt had so many repetitious speeches. The debate comes after some 616 people were detected crossing the English Channel in small boats on Sunday, according to Home Office figures, passing this years previous high of 497 on Saturday April 22. It means the number of crossings in 2023 now stands at a provisional total of 8,313, compared with around 10,000 at the same point last year. The number who made the crossing in 2022 reached a record 45,755, prompting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to make tackling small boat crossings a priority for his Government this year. A wholly innocent woman was shot with a sub-machine gun outside a pub on Christmas Eve in the culmination of an ongoing feud between rival groups from two estates, a court has heard. Connor Chapman, 23, is accused of the murder of Elle Edwards, 26, who was killed in the shooting outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, Merseyside, on December 24 last year. Opening the trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, Nigel Power KC, prosecuting, said Ms Edwards was with friends for an enjoyable night out when, at 11.47pm, she went out for a cigarette and stood with a group of people. Footage played to the court showed a man walk round the corner from the car park of the pub and open fire, injuring five people and killing Ms Edwards. He was using a Skorpion sub-machine gun, a Czech firearm designed for the security services and the army, the court heard. Mr Power said the intended targets of the shooting were Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld. He added: Although they were injured, Elle Edwards, a wholly innocent bystander, was killed by two bullets which entered the back of the left side of her head. The jury was told after the shooting Chapman drove a stolen Mercedes to the home of his friend and co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, in Barnston, Wirral. In CCTV footage shown to the court a man, alleged to be Chapman, was seen walking towards Warings house. Mr Power said the man appeared to ruffle his long hair as he walked. The funeral cortege for Elle Edwards in January (Peter Byrne/PA) He said: What we suggest is, as the man, who is in the stolen car that had been in the car park, from which the shooting had taken place, as he ruffles his hair he dislodges the gun that had just carried out the murder, which drops to the floor and then he picks it up. Mr Power told the jury the shooting followed a history of trouble between rival groups from the Woodchurch and Ford estates, on either side of the M53 in Wirral. He outlined a series of events, including injunctions preventing Chapman associating with named individuals, including Mr Duffy and Mr Salkeld, as well as a burglary in November and two shootings in December. The court heard the day before the shooting, on December 23, Mr Duffy and Mr Salkeld, from the Ford estate, assaulted Sam Searson, from the Woodchurch estate. The father of Elle Edwards, Tim Edwards, arrives with family members at Liverpool Crown Court where Connor Chapman is charged with her murder (Peter Byrne/PA) Mr Power said: What we say it shows is that what otherwise might have been viewed as a random or inexplicable shooting of a wholly innocent woman, Elle Edwards, was in fact the culmination of an ongoing feud between people from, on the one hand, the Woodchurch estate, and on the other hand, from the Ford Estate, which included Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, who were the intended victims of the shooting. About a dozen members of Ms Edwards family were in court for the opening of the trial. Chapman, wearing a white shirt and grey tie with his hair tied back, denies the murder of Ms Edwards, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He also denies possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. Waring, of Private Drive, Barnston, Wirral, denies possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping Chapman to dispose of the car. Jurors, along with Elle Edwards father and other relatives, were again replayed graphic CCTV from the crime scene. Mr Power said it showed Chapman lurking in the area for three hours before seeing his target outside the pub, scurrying across the pub car park and opening fire with his weapon. Ms Edwards could be seen to collapse on top of one of the intended victims, who was also shot, Kieran Salkeld. Twelve bullets were fired, the muzzle of the Skorpion machine gun flashing white, before the gunman fled the scene in the stolen car. A post-mortem examination showed Ms Edwards suffered non-survivable injuries, having been hit twice in the left side of the back of her head, with a gunshot wound passing through her skull and brain and exiting just above the right eye. The second bullet passed through the skull bone and into the brain. Mr Power said DNA evidence linking Chapman to a bullet casing found at the scene was hugely significant, providing a strong support linking him to the discharged bullet. Boris Johnson was given updates about his resignation honours list before he met with the Prime Minister in June, it is understood. The former prime minister is involved in a public spat with Rishi Sunak over his House of Lords nominations, after Nadine Dorries and other allies missed out on getting peerages. Ms Dorries has claimed information about what was needed for her to pass the vetting process for nominees was not relayed to her in time and accused the Prime Minister of duplicitously and cruelly blocking her appointment. She used an interview with TalkTV to launch a fresh attack on Mr Sunak, claiming he used weasel words and sophistry in a meeting with Mr Johnson last week which left the outgoing MP believing she would be included. It is understood Mr Johnson was provided with information via the Cabinet Office about his list some time after the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac) sent a list to Mr Sunak in February of the seven approved names which were announced on Friday. The former leaders team has been contacted for comment. Downing Street said it would have been inappropriate for either No 10 or the Cabinet Office to contact individuals going through the vetting process directly. In line with the longstanding custom, the Prime Minister forwards the list unaltered following vetting by Holac (the House of Lords Appointments Commission), the Prime Ministers official spokesman said. Obviously it is not for No 10 or the Cabinet Office to be in contact with individuals going through the Holac process again, that would not be appropriate. Ms Dorries, who claims she stood down as an MP after being bullied by Downing Street, said she only learned that her name was not on the list around half an hour before it was published. Mr Johnson announced a shock resignation from Parliament on Friday in advance of a report which was expected to find he deliberately lied to MPs over the partygate scandal, before launching into a war of words with the man who was once his chancellor. Nadine Dorries (Victoria Jones/PA) The rancour between the former Tory leader and his successor descended into a public slanging match as Mr Sunak said his one-time ally had asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do. The Prime Minister suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. But Mr Johnsons camp accused him of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Ms Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. The Cabinet Office dismissed the attack, saying: Holac did not support the nominations of the MPs put forward by the former prime minister. It is unprecedented for a sitting prime minister to invite Holac to reconsider the vetting of individual nominees on a former prime ministers resignation list. It is, therefore, not a formality. Despite the expected findings of the Privileges Committee this week, Mr Johnson has insisted Ill be back a reference to Arnold Schwarzeneggers Terminator. The committees report has been pushed back towards the end of the week, reportedly due to printing problems in Parliament. In the Daily Express, the former prime minister said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, Ill be back. The message echoed Mr Johnsons sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Ministers Questions last year, when he told MPs: Hasta la vista, baby the catchphrase of Schwarzeneggers cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the back benches until quitting the Commons on Friday. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer warned that Tory infighting between the two erstwhile allies is damaging the UKs reputation internationally and putting off investors. The Labour leader said the three by-elections triggered by Ms Dorries, Mr Johnson and Nigel Adams were effectively political tantrums. Beyond the potential neglect of UK-wide issues like the cost of living, focus on the turmoil could also have more far-ranging implications, he suggested. Speaking to business chiefs at London Tech Week, he said: Theres a deeper price because theres a reputation hit to the UK. I think theres an economic hit as well many investors said to me, were not investing in the UK right now because we dont see the conditions of certainty and stability we need in order to invest. Police investigating the deadly stabbing of a teenage boy in Bath have urged people not to share footage of the attack on social media. Mikey Roynon, 16, from Kingswood in Bristol, died after being attacked at a house party in Eastfield Avenue in the Weston area of the city at about 11pm on Saturday. Fourteen teenagers have been arrested so far. All have been released except a 16-year-old from Wiltshire and 15-year-old from Dorset, who remained in custody and were still being questioned by detectives on Tuesday. Specialist officers searching the scene and surrounding area on Monday found a knife, though Avon and Somerset Police have not said whether it is believed to be the murder weapon. In a statement on Tuesday, Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, senior investigating officer, said sharing videos of the stabbing could be illegal and prejudice a future court case. He said: Our investigation is progressing and we have already build up a fairly good picture of what took place. Around 50 to 60 people, the majority of which were children, were inside the property at the time and sadly witnessed things no one would want them to see. As a result, we are working closely with our partners to ensure they have access to support, including specialist counselling. Fourteen teenagers have been arrested so far, though most have been released (PA) He added: Id like to remind people this is a live investigation and it is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice any future proceedings. It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested. Id also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on Mikeys family. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset. Anyone with information, images and/or footage that could help the inquiry into Mikeys death can submit it via the major incident public portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/5223C92-PO1 They can also call 101 with the reference 5223136640 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A controversial Government Bill on the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles is not a blanket amnesty, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted. Mr Heaton-Harris has written to US Congress members who had expressed concerns that the Government plans would deny justice to thousands of families. But the Northern Ireland Secretary has responded that he believes the proposed plans meant that the prospect of criminal justice outcomes will remain open for individuals who refuse to assist in the provision of information for bereaved families and victims and survivors. The Bill has proved highly contentious, with victims groups, all the main Stormont parties and the Irish government opposed to it. The draft legislation would establish a new commission aimed at uncovering facts around unsolved Troubles deaths. One of the most controversial aspects of the new legal framework is the offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators who co-operate with the commission. The letter from 27 members of the US Congress earlier this year voiced strong concern and disappointment over the progression of the dangerous legislation. In his letter of response, seen by the PA news agency, Mr Heaton-Harris said current mechanisms for dealing with legacy case are providing outcomes to a very small number of those affected. Chris Heaton-Harris said the PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch was dealing with approximately 1,000 cases (Niall Carson/PA) He added: Within the Police Service for Northern Irelands Legacy Investigation Branch, there is a caseload of approximately 1,000 cases with ever-dwindling prospects of successful prosecutions which will take many years to conclude. There are approximately 700 civil cases backlogged in a judicial system ill-equipped to process such numbers. He added: The UK Governments Bill will establish an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to conduct reviews into Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries, with the primary objective of providing information to families, victims and survivors who request it. Mr Heaton-Harris said the fact that Northern Irelands former Lord Chief Justice Lord Declan Morgan had been appointed Chief Commissioner of the ICRIR was a demonstration of how seriously the UK Government is taking the establishment of truly independent and effective legacy mechanisms that can deliver for victims, survivors and families. He added: In support of its investigative processes, and to help facilitate the provision of information, the independent Commission will be able to offer immunity from prosecution to individuals who cooperate with the ICRIRs inquiries. To be absolutely clear, this is not a blanket amnesty for Troubles-related offences. The Bill ensures that an individual will only be granted immunity from prosecution on a case-by-case basis, and only where the ICRIR having taken into account all relevant evidence in its possession is satisfied that the person applying has provided an account that is true to the best of their knowledge and belief. For individuals who are not granted immunity from prosecution, the ICRIR will consider whether the evidence available following its investigative process is sufficient to refer the cases to the relevant independent prosecutor for consideration. In all cases referred to the ICRIR, it will draft and publish a report with the ability to make findings to a lower threshold of proof than that required to secure criminal prosecutions. The Northern Ireland Secretary continued: Far from concealing the truth of the past and denying justice, this will mean that more families will receive a measure of accountability and acknowledgement through the provision of information than is currently the case. However, the Bill is clear that the prospect of criminal justice outcomes will remain open for individuals who refuse to assist in the provision of information for bereaved families and victims and survivors. Investment firm Odey Asset Management has halted withdrawals from two of its funds and closed another amid an investor exodus as the crisis engulfing the firm deepens following assault allegations against its founder, Crispin Odey. The firm has banned investors from pulling out any more cash from its Brook Developed Markets Fund and Brook Absolute Return Fund, run by subsidiary Brook Asset Management, after a rush for the exit. Odey has also decided to close its Swan fund after announcing it was reviewing options for the fund late on Sunday. It comes as JP Morgan has also reportedly become the last of the major banks to cut ties with the scandal-hit firm as it comes under mounting pressure in the wake of sexual assault and harassment allegations against Mr Odey. The partnership which has around 4.4 billion US dollars (3.5 billion) in assets under management announced on Saturday that Mr Odey would be leaving following a series of allegations of misconduct. He denies the allegations. In a move to further distance itself from Mr Odey, it revealed a management shake-up of funds formerly run by its ousted founder and said it was planning to rebrand the partnership that is set to see Mr Odeys name removed from the hedge fund. Odey had insisted on Monday that its funds were open as per usual business as it was reported to be considering imposing restrictions. But it is said to have moved to gate the Brook Developed Markets fund because it had seen a flood of investor redemption requests, which were above 10% of the vehicles net asset value. The authorised corporate director of the Brook Absolute Return Fund, Link Fund Solutions, said in a letter to investors that the decision to suspend dealing was in the best interests of all investors. It said: Any increased levels of redemptions could lead to the structure of investments in the portfolio not meeting the funds stated strategy. Therefore, to ensure all investors are protected and treated fairly we believe it is appropriate to suspend the fund. JP Morgans reported decision to serve notice to end its relationship with Odey comes as another big blow to the firm, and is understood to see it follow the lead of Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Exane last week. JP Morgan declined to comment. Mr Odey and his eponymous firm have been embroiled in a scandal after a Financial Times investigation last Thursday reported a series of allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct from women who either worked at the firm or had social or professional dealings with Mr Odey. The allegations involve 13 women who claim Mr Odey abused or harassed them, with eight of the 13 saying he sexually assaulted them. The report sparked the Financial Conduct Authority to widen an investigation into the asset manager having first opened a probe into possible non-financial misconduct at Odey Asset Management two years ago. MPs are launching an inquiry into Ofsteds school inspections and whether they can be improved. The watchdog has faced pressure to reform after headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life after her school was downgraded to the lowest Ofsted rating. The inquiry by cross-party MPs on the Commons Education Select Committee will look into concerns that the one-word ratings that Ofsted gives to schools may not be conducive to helping schools improve. MPs will consider the impact of Ofsted inspections on the workload and wellbeing of teachers, school leaders and pupils as part of the inquiry. Robin Walker, chair of the committee, acknowledged that there has been a notable groundswell of criticism towards Ofsted about the impact of inspections and single-word judgments on school staff. A photograph of headteacher Ruth Perry attached to the railings of a school in Newbury, Berkshire (Andrew Matthews/PA) He said: Ofsted plays a particularly vital role when it comes to safeguarding but ensuring that inspections are proportionate, timely and reasonable is essential to build trust, especially after the tragic passing of headteacher Ruth Perry. The inquiry will not examine the events that preceded the death of Ms Perry, the former headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, as an inquest is due to commence later this year. An Ofsted report found Caversham School to be good in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was rated as inadequate. Since Ms Perrys death in January there have been calls for one-word ratings to be abolished. On Monday, Ofsted announced a series of changes, including launching a consultation on reforms to the complaints system and giving schools more information around the timing of their inspections. Schools graded inadequate overall due only to ineffective safeguarding but where all other judgments were good or better will be revisited by inspectors within three months of a report being published as part of the reforms. But Amanda Spielman, Ofsteds chief inspector, said on Monday that scrapping one-word judgments would not solve the underlying discomfort among headteachers if the consequences of the inspection remain the same. As part of the inquiry, MPs will explore the impact of Ofsted judgments on schools and pupils and the adequacy of the support schools can access to enable them to improve following an Ofsted judgment. The effectiveness of Ofsteds complaints process will also be explored. Mr Walker added: Some have argued that Ofsteds role should be expanded to provide more support to schools that need to improve, amid concerns around the impact that receiving a negative rating can have on a schools morale and reputation. Addressing the Commons Education Select Committee on Tuesday, Ms Spielman welcomed the launch of the inquiry. She said Ofsted was focused on how it can contribute to reducing the pressure that is undoubtedly felt by school leaders around inspection. I think it is fair to say that a great deal of that pressure does relate to the perceived consequences of inspection its not just about the process itself, Ms Spielman added. But she told MPs that the consequences of school inspection such as intervention or support sit with Government rather than Ofsted. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union the NAHT, said: The changes already announced by Ofsted do not go far enough to address the concerns the profession have or to mitigate the harm inspections can cause. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is an overwhelming desire for meaningful change. We hope the Education Select Committee will listen carefully to the experiences and concerns of the profession and help bring about much-needed change. Professor Julia Waters, sister of Ms Perry, said: I am pleased to see that MPs will be looking into ways that Ofsted inspections can be improved. Since Ruths death, our family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of anger and distrust of Ofsted from teachers and headteachers. It is clear that a rigorous and independent review of the system is necessary, and I am glad that this inquiry will look into a wide range of important issues. A Roman Catholic bishop tried to find work at an overseas charity for a disgraced priest despite knowing he was a registered sex offender, an official report has said. Bishop Robert Byrne, formerly of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle until he stood down in December, also ignored safeguarding warnings to appoint a dean at St Marys Cathedral who had groomed young people, and who killed himself in 2021 after police began to investigate him. The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) reviewed safeguarding at the diocese, and found it is currently meeting minimum standards. It also looked at how Bishop Byrne ran the diocese and it found that the way he undermined safeguarding had the potential to put people at risk, amounting to serious failures of leadership. Three lay trustees resigned in opposition to the way he managed safeguarding, the report found. Witnesses told the CSSA investigators that Bishop Byrne had a close friendship with a convicted paedophile, referred to as Father A as he is facing further court proceedings. Father A socialised with the Bishop, spent time at his official residence both during the day and overnight and visited the private quarters of St Marys Cathedral. Bishop Byrne, 66, asked for permission for Father A to live with him as he felt isolated living in the Bishops House, the report stated. The report said Bishop Byrne tried to get a job for Father A within the diocese working on its archives, but a safeguarding officer refused the appointment as that would give Father A access to sensitive files. And Bishop Byrne tried to get Father A work with an overseas charity which works with vulnerable people, giving few details of his friends offending history and saying that he was subject to sex offenders register requirements for only a few more months. The charity refused to appoint him. Bishop Byrne also ignored safeguarding issues about Canon Michael McCoy, whom he promoted to be cathedral dean, despite there being concerns about his behaviour dating back to 1996, the report said. The concerns included him offering young people foreign holidays and providing them with alcohol despite them being underage. Former lay employees and clergy gave clear accounts that Bishop Byrne was notified about Fr McCoys significant history, including an in-person hand-over from his predecessor in 2019. Nevertheless, Bishop Byrne indicated he wanted to go ahead with the appointment. The report said it could not say whether Fr McCoy committed offences, but he displayed a clear pattern of grooming behaviour over the years. He killed himself after Northumbria Police informed him that an investigation into historic abuse allegations was to begin. The CSSA report conclusion stated: Our review has identified a number of serious failures of leadership which have undermined the work of safeguarding professionals and left people at potential risk. Ultimately, a failure of leadership means a failure of safeguarding. Last month, an official investigation ordered by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon found that Bishop Byrne had made a series of errors of judgment. Lawyer Richard Scorer of Slater and Gordon, who has acted for many survivors of clerical sex abuse in the Catholic church, said: This is a damning report which exposes multiple failings in the diocese. However, it raises a much wider issue for the Catholic church which is the unlimited and unaccountable power of bishops. In the Catholic Churchs medieval structure, the bishop is king in his own diocese and can ignore and ride roughshod over the advice of safeguarding advisors. Whenever we see scandals in the Catholic church, we typically find that a bishop has abused his power. Unless and until the Catholic church, nationally and internationally, radically reforms its structures to ensure that bishops are properly accountable, these kinds of scandals will continue to happen. In response to the report, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said on Monday: The diocese accepts all of the recommendations to improve safeguarding practices and to provide pastoral care and support, safety and protection to survivors. Together, we are committed to a safer safeguarding practice. A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted murder following an incident at a private school in Devon. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared before Exeter Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon charged with three offences relating to alleged assaults at Blundells School in Tiverton on June 9. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder relating to two youths, who cannot be named, and one of grievous bodily harm with intent against Henry Roffe-Silvester, a member of staff at the school. District Judge Stuart Smith remanded the boy in custody following the hearing, in which the court was sitting as a youth court. The judge told him: Your case is going to be sent to the Crown Court at Exeter. You will appear at the Crown Court tomorrow. I am going to remand you to youth detention accommodation overnight. Sonia Croft appeared for the prosecution during the hearing, while Michaela Rose represented the boy. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, then nodded when the judge asked if he had understood proceedings. The boy will next appear before Exeter Crown Court on June 13. Charlotte Owen, who went from intern to special adviser for Boris Johnson in less than six years, will become Baroness Owen at the age of 29. (Getty) Boris Johnsons choice of a former adviser to become the youngest to be nominated to the Lords' as a lifetime peer has been branded absurd and staggering over alleged discrepancies in her work history. Charlotte Owen, 29, was a parliamentary intern to Johnson in 2017, having worked with various other Conservative politicians since 2011. The former special adviser to the PM is one of seven people nominated by Johnson that will take seats in the House of Lords this year. But, according to the Tortoise website, there are apparent inconsistencies around the timing of Owens employment with Downing Street and what appears on her LinkedIn profile. Charlotte Owens LinkedIn profile appears to show inconsistencies about the timing of her appointment with Downing Street. (LinkedIn) Her profile states that she worked as a special adviser for Johnson from February 2021 until October 2021. But the annual report on special advisers, published in June 2021, does not name Owen alongside others in Number 10. Owens name only appears in the same report for the following year, which states her working half for the former prime minister and half for Chris Heaton-Harris, the former chief whip. One source - described as a former No 10 insider - told Tortoise there were dozens of people more senior than her, adding: It is not what she says on her LinkedIn. She never worked in the policy unit. They said the peerage was completely staggering as Owen was extraordinarily junior. Another source said the peerage was absurd and at the very least there is an inconsistency in what shes saying. Charlotte Owen was special adviser to Boris Johnson and seen at the front of his supporting staff as he made his resignation speech in July last year. (Getty) Others who were approved for peerages include Benjamin Gascoigne, a former deputy chief of staff to the ex-prime minister, and Ross Kempsell, a former political director of the Conservative Party. Kulveer Singh Ranger, a former director of transport while Johnson was London mayor, and former No 10 chief of staff Dan Rosenfield will also be elevated to the Lords. When questioned about the report on Owens work at Number 10, a Downing Street spokesman told Yahoo News UK that they do not comment on individuals in the resignation list. Who is Charlotte Owen? Owen, who graduated with a 2:1 in politics and international relations, began her political career in 2011 as an intern to then-chancellor George Osborne. She then interned within the party for six more years until securing a position in Johnson's office in 2017. By 2018 she was a parliamentary adviser to Johnson, and in January 2020 was promoted to senior adviser, then rising to special adviser in February 2022 where she remained for the duration of his term. It is this latter period that is the focus of the report on apparent inconsistencies. Her last political posting was as a special adviser to Liz Truss during her brief tenure as PM last autumn. Posting on Twitter, political journalist Olivia Utley - who attended York University at the same time as Owen wrote: "Charlotte Owen has gone from parliamentary intern to Baroness in 6 years, a record? (incidentally we were at uni together and no one remembers her showing any great prowess for legislative scrutiny)." Owen will become Baroness Owen, enabling her to sit in the Lords for the rest of her life. Charlotte Owen has gone from parliamentary intern to Baroness in 6 years, a record? (incidentally we were at uni together and no one remembers her showing any great prowess for legislative scrutiny) pic.twitter.com/ttQ5gHaT8D Olivia Utley (@OliviaUtley) June 12, 2023 Appointments controversies Other controversial appointments include Martin Reynolds, Johnson's former principal private secretary, who later earned the nickname "Party Marty" for his role in a "bring your own booze" party during the pandemic. He also requested a CBE to former director of communications Jack Doyle, and a peerage to his chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, both of whom were in office during much of the "Partygate" time. On Monday, the row over Johnson's list showed no sign of abating as Rishi Sunak also fined for defying social distancing rules during lockdown said his one-time Conservative ally asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do by overruling the Holac decisions. Boris Johnson resigned as an MP on Friday amid a storm surrounding whether he lied to parliament over Partygate. (Getty) I didnt think it was right and if people dont like that, then tough, Sunak said in his first comments since Johnson resigned as an MP on Friday. Johnson announced he would stand down as an MP after he was handed a report due to be published by the parliamentary privileges committee, which has investigating whether he deliberately misled MPs over Partygate. The committee is meeting on Monday to finalise its report into Johnson, who dismissed the inquiry as a witch hunt as he dramatically announced his resignation from the Commons. The probe is thought to have ruled that Johnson lied to parliament when he told MPs that COVID rules were followed in Downing Street, despite boozy parties taking place at the time of social distancing restrictions. The former PM said he was standing down with immediate effect, triggering a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. Watch: Rishi Sunak: Boris Johnson asked me to do something I didn't think was right President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps Yoon's office awaits 'China's appropriate measures on Xing' over remarks on Seoul's foreign policy By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk Yeol slammed Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming's open criticism of Korea's foreign policy, saying he is doubtful of the envoy's "attitude of mutual respect and reciprocity as a diplomat." According to officials at the presidential office, Yoon made the comments during a closed-door session of a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, referring to Xing's recent remarks. One official quoted Yoon as saying he is doubtful whether Xing is aware of "mutual respect or reciprocity as a diplomat" and that "Xing's inappropriate conduct is making the Korean public feel uncomfortable." Another official at the office said Yoon stressed that relations between the two countries are "based on the great principle of mutual respect and shared benefits." The controversy surrounding the envoy was ignited during his dinner with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung last Thursday. Xing read a prepared statement in front of reporters that evening, expressing discontent over Korea's increasing alignment with the United States. "With the U.S. exercising full-fledged pressure on China, some people seem to bet that the U.S. will prevail and China will be defeated. That is a wrong bet Those who bet on China's loss will surely regret their decision in the future," Xing said. The remarks drew strong criticism from the Korean government, with First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoning Xing to the ministry to lodge a strong protest against the envoy's "irrational and provocative" rhetoric. In response, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong called in Korea's Ambassador to Beijing Chung Jae-ho, Saturday, to protest the Korean foreign ministry's "unfair response." Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, right, drinks tea during a meeting with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung at the diplomat's residence in Seoul, June 8. Joint Press Corps The victims of a suspected double murder in Stoke-on-Trent have been named as Ethan John, 11, and seven-year-old Elizabeth John. The schools of both of the children paid tribute to them after they were found unresponsive with significant injuries inside a home on Flax Street on Sunday. A 49-year-old woman from Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remained in custody on Monday evening being questioned by detectives. Ethans school said: Ethan was a wonderful member of our school community. He had impeccable manners and an infectious smile. He will be hugely missed by the staff and pupils alike, and will forever be part of our hearts. In a tribute to Elizabeth, her school said: Elizabeth was a kind, caring and friendly member of our school family. A police cordon on Flax Street, Stoke-on-Trent, where the victims of a suspected double murder were found (Stephanie Wareham/PA Wire) She was a ray of sunshine who always had a smile on her face. She was everyones friend she was both bright and popular. The loss of Elizabeth is truly devastating for us all and her absence will leave a huge hole within our school community. Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, said: I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering felt by the family and friends of these two children at this time. Specially-trained officers are continuing to support those closest to the children whilst we find out more about what happened yesterday afternoon. Id like to thank those who have already come forward with information and to the local community who have been respecting the cordon in place on Flax Street. We are solely focused on finding out what happened to these two children and supporting those affected by this deeply traumatic incident. Flowers at the scene of the incident (Stephanie Wareham/PA) Officers were called to a car wash on Campbell Road just after 2pm on Sunday following reports of an assault involving a man and a woman. A man in his 40s was taken to hospital by paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and has since been released. Officers found the children injured at the property in Flax Street. Despite the efforts of paramedics, both children died at the scene, police said. Detectives renewed their appeal for any information and are particularly interested in any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area of Flax Street and Campbell Road between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, and to hear from anyone in the area at the time. Womens rights groups have said there is desperate need for legal reform after a mother-of-three was jailed for illegally obtaining abortion tablets to end her pregnancy during lockdown. Carla Foster, 44, was given a 28-month extended sentence after she admitted illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard she was sent the drugs by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after she called them during lockdown in 2020 and lied about how far along in her pregnancy she was. The prosecution said Foster made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including how to hide a pregnancy bump, how to have an abortion without going to the doctor and how to lose a baby at six months. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. The sentencing has prompted a backlash from womens groups, including the Centre for Womens Justice (CWJ), with director Harriet Wistrich questioning how it was in the public interest to prosecute the mother. She said: What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support? She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to womens basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system. The woman was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (Dave Thompson/PA) Womens human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro described the decision to prosecute over a law from 1861 as shocking and quite frankly terrifying. She said: Access to abortion is essential healthcare and should be managed as such. This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health. British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) chief executive Clare Murphy said no woman can ever go through this again and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. She said: Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was complex and traumatic, but added it has a duty to ensure laws are properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions. A CPS spokesperson said: The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully administering a poison or noxious thing with intent to procure a miscarriage, and has now been sentenced by the court. Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if the letter had not been written at all. He said: The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence. The court heard Foster, who had three sons before becoming pregnant again in 2019, did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was embarrassed and did not know how far along she was, the court was told. She spoke to a nurse practitioner at BPAS, an abortion care service, on May 6 2020 and, based on her answers to questions about her pregnancy, it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant and she was sent abortion pills in the post. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks gestation when born. Her cause of death was recorded as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. Mr Justice Pepperall said: This case concerns one womans tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. The balance struck by the law between a womans reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts. Garry Jones is accused of spitting and pouring fish sauce into plastic tubs not meant to contain fish at the food production company he was working for. (SWNS) A food factory worker contaminated restaurant-bound sauces and dips with ring pulls and rubber gloves, a court has heard. Garry Jones, 38, is accused of spiking containers of sauces and dips while working on a production line. Worcester Magistrates' Court heard Jones deliberately added fish sauce to non-fish dressings and contaminated others with sesame and chilli sauce. Jones tampered with the sauces while working at Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company in Evesham, Worcestershire, the court heard. A small number of Nando's hummus tubs were contaminated with blue plastic gloves and blue paper towels at the factory. His charge read: "Between 1 October, 2022, and 1 November, 2022, with intent to cause public alarm or injury to members of the public contaminated or interfered with goods. "Namely 24 hummus tubs with rubber gloves, plastics bags and metal ring pulls; metal ring pulls in tubs of sesame and ginger dressing, sesame miso dressing and Vietnamese chilli and ginger dressing; and poured fish sauce into dressings which should not contain fish." Jones tampered with the sauces while working at Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company in Evesham, Worcestershire, the court heard. (SWNS) Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said Jones was involved in the production of the tubs of sauces and dips at the firm which were then distributed to restaurants. He said: Tubs began being returned to the company as contaminated leading the firm to investigate. He added that restaurants, where the product was later served, would say 'does not contain fish' on their menus so it would be potentially deadly if consumed by someone with an intolerance. Hambling said on one occasion Jones had been caught on CCTV poking a hole in a plastic container which he then spat into. Read more: Deadline to boost pensions by potentially 10,000s extended to 2025 Jones also faces a charge of burglary with intent to steal from the home of a co-worker. Mark Turnbull, defending, described the charges as "unusual", as they were ones he had never seen before. Jones, of Evesham, entered no plea to a charge of contaminating/interfering with goods with intent. He was given conditional bail and ordered to attend Worcester Crown Court on 12 July for sentencing. A spokesperson from Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company said: A small number of hummus tubs were contaminated with plastic and paper towel fragments. However, this was rapidly identified as part of our quality control processes and these products were immediately recalled and destroyed before they reached any consumers. This article was updated on 12 June Prince Archie received a special surprise on his fourth birthday in May, a thank you note from his parents the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has revealed. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles son Archie turned four years old on 6 May, the same day of his grandfather King Charles IIIs coronation. In honour of Archies birthday, a local bike shop in Harry and Meghans hometown of Montecito, California, gifted the couples eldest child his very own bicycle. The owners of Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop in Montecito shared the sweet thank you letter they received from the royals on Instagram. On behalf of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, please accept their sincere thanks for the thoughtful gift you sent to Prince Archie for his fourth birthday, read the letter, which was printed on The Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex letterhead. The bike has brought much joy, and is most appreciated by the family. They asked that I convey their gratitude at the lovely surprise, it said. The note was signed by Harrison Colcord, who works for the duke and duchess. Speaking to People, bike shop owner Jennifer Blevins explained how her British-born partner Martin wanted to give Archie one of their childrens bikes with training wheels for his fourth birthday. He went and got some birthday balloons, and he got some flowers for Meghan and a birthday card, and he said: Okay, Im gonna bike over and take it to their house, she recalled to the outlet. When security outside Harry and Meghans home asked whether he had received an invitation from the couple, he replied: Im just a British business in town that wanted to give Archie a gift. Security allowed him to leave the flowers, card, balloons, and bike for Archie after they performed a background check, according to People. One month later, a courier arrived at their shop in Montecito with the letter from Harry and Meghan. I wasnt expecting that. I had no idea, Blevins said. It was so thoughtful because, you know, they took the time to write something personal and not just a generic thank you. She added: Every celebrity in that town has bought bikes from us, and they all come through there. None of them sent a thank you letter. Prince Archies fourth birthday took place on the same day as King Charles III and Queen Camillas coronation in the UK. His father, Prince Harry, attended the coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May while Meghan stayed home with the toddler and the couples younger daughter, Princess Lilibet. The birthday celebration was reportedly a low-key party at the familys home in the coastal California town, with the couples friends and Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, in attendance. The newly crowned King also toasted his absent grandson Prince Archie on his fourth birthday at Buckingham Palace after the coronation, the DailyMail reported. King Charles was said to have toasted those that werent there and wished his grandson a very happy birthday wherever he was. Meanwhile, Meghan and Harrys daughter Lilibet Lili Diana turned two years old on 4 June. However, her birthday came and went without public birthday wishes from members of the royal family which royal experts say reflects the strained relationship between King Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. A financial analyst who made homemade explosives while harbouring deep-seated hatred against people he saw as enemies of Islam has been jailed for eight years. Asad Bhatti, 50, from Redhill, Surrey, was convicted at the Old Bailey of having a stash of bomb-making materials after police received a tip-off from a computer repair shop. On Monday, Mrs Justice McGowan jailed Bhatti for eight years with a further four years on extended licence after finding he posed a danger to the public in the future. She said Bhatti had developed a deep-seated hatred for a group of Muslims he identified as The Hypocrites as well as other people based on their race and sexuality. Bomb-making equipment shown to the jury during trial of Asad Bhatti (Counter Terrorism Policing/PA) The judge noted that Bhatti had been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder and was a compulsive individual but was also intelligent, well educated, with a responsible job. She told him: You were not targeted or taken advantage of by others. You became interested and that interest may well have been obsessive because of your autistic condition. But the interest was real and caused you to experiment in a way that was highly dangerous. The court had heard how Bhatti was reported to police by the owner of a computer repair shop who became suspicious of the content on his laptop. An analysis of the computer and other electronic devices seized by police revealed a library of materials on how to manufacture explosive devices. A search of the defendants home and a rented storage unit uncovered precursor chemicals and circuitry for the construction of explosive devices. Experts also identified an improvised explosive device and three quantities of an improvised explosive known as black powder. The prosecution alleged Bhatti had the explosives for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. An examination of Bhattis computer also revealed a 173-page document compiled by the defendant entitled The Mumins Handbook. Although unfinished, its contents page included sections on Islam, jihad and martyrdom followed by chapters on a simple guide to explosives, hand-to-hand combat and handguns and sniper rifles. The 20th chapter entitled The Munaafiqun (The Hypocrites) identified a perceived worldwide enemy to Islam and its true adherents. He wrote that the evil human beings included corrupt heads of Governments, Black Magicians, Religious Scholars. When asked in police interview to explain the content, Bhatti said it was just like educational documents, work documents, just like hobby documents, stuff that interests me. Bhatti explained that he had studied engineering and business management at the University of Greenwich, and that he was a part-qualified accountant working as a senior financial analyst. Bomb-making equipment shown to the jury during trial of Asad Bhatti (Counter Terrorism Policing/PA) Giving evidence at his trial, Bhatti claimed he had the materials for lawful experimentation and out of curiosity. In March, a jury rejected his explanation and found him guilty of two counts of possessing explosives, making explosives and two counts of possessing articles for terrorist purposes on or before January 8 2021. In mitigation, Edward Henry KC told the court that Bhatti was sad rather than bad and had not sought to share his writings with others. Mr Henry said: He wanted to reduce the world to pure reason, a reason of his own understanding. Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East , said: This case is a perfect example of how important it is that the people within our communities, the people who know it best, are confident to report anything suspicious into us. Thankfully, due to the vigilance of a member of the public, Bhattis actions were investigated, and he was stopped from causing harm. We will never fully know what the consequences could have been. I would like to take this opportunity to thank anyone who either has or will come forward with information, whether this leads to an investigation on this scale or not, your report will help us to keep our communities safe. Detective Inspector Alex Maguire, Borough Commander of Reigate and Banstead, said: This sentence reaffirms our commitment, alongside our partners in Counter Terrorism Policing South East, to root out those with extremist views and bring them to justice. While he evidently had the intent to equip himself with harmful substances, he was stopped and those devices were not deemed functional and he has now been bought to justice. Boris Johnson has accused Rishi Sunak of talking rubbish after the Prime Minister claimed his predecessor asked him to overrule the vetting committee to push through his House of Lords nominations. The rancour between former Tory leader and his successor descended into a public slanging match as Mr Sunak said his one-time ally had asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do. I didnt think it was right and if people dont like that, then tough, Mr Sunak said on Monday in his first comments since Mr Johnson dramatically resigned as an MP. Publicly turning on the man he used to share Downing Street with, Mr Sunak suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac). But Mr Johnsons camp accused the man who was his Chancellor of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. The escalating war of words came after Downing Street published Mr Johnsons resignation honours list on Friday, lacking the names of sitting MPs including Sir Alok Sharma, who was Cop26 president, and former minister Nigel Adams. Hours later Mr Johnson announced that he would stand down as an MP as the Privileges Committee investigating whether he lied to Parliament over partygate prepared to find that he had broken the rules and recommend a suspension which could trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. (PA Graphics) Mr Adams and Ms Dorries also said they were quitting the Commons, triggering three challenging by-elections for the Prime Minister as his party trails in the polls. On Monday morning, Mr Sunak suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore Holacs recommendations or to dish out promises. Boris Johnson asked me to do something that I wasnt prepared to do because I didnt think it was right, the Prime Minister said when asked after a speech at the London Tech Week conference. That was to either overrule the Holac committee or to make promises to people. Now, I wasnt prepared to do that. I didnt think it was right and if people dont like that, then tough. There have been claims that Mr Johnson reached a gentlemans agreement with Mr Sunak that he would wave through the honours list and allow the MPs to be re-vetted by Holac at a later date so they would not have to stand down now. One Downing Street source said the Cabinet Office had made it clear to Mr Johnson that there is no re-vetting process. Mr Johnsons camp has accused his successor of breaking the deal that has now enflamed tensions rather than buying a ceasefire in the hostilities. An ally told the PA news agency: Rishi secretly blocked the peerages for Nadine and others. He refused to ask for them to undergo basic checks that could have taken only a few weeks or even days. (PA Graphics) The Prime Ministers official spokesman said it is entirely untrue to say that anyone from No 10 attempted to remove or change the list approved by Holac, understand to have been finalised in February. The body, which Mr Johnson himself overruled while in No 10 over the peerage of Tory donor Peter Cruddas, has confirmed it did not support eight nominees put forward by the ex-leader. The spokesman said Mr Sunak does not regret his comments, and he had been asked a direction question before giving a clear answer. Downing Street took the decision on Saturday to declassify Holac chairman Lord Bews approved names to Mr Sunak. The letter, dated February 5, contains the seven peerages announced on Friday, along with a redacted name of a person who took the personal decision to withdraw themselves. The Privileges Committee met on Monday to finalise and discuss the publication of its report into Mr Johnson, who has dismissed the investigation as a witch hunt. The probe is thought to have ruled that Mr Johnson lied to Parliament when he told MPs Covid rules were followed in Downing Street despite boozy parties taking place while social distancing restrictions were in place. Reports suggest the panel was set to recommend at least a 10-day suspension, reaching the threshold for a by-election to be potentially triggered in Mr Johnsons west London seat. Mr Johnson accused the committee of bias and likened it to a kangaroo court. Mr Johnson and Mr Adams were formally resigned as MPs on Monday under the archaic procedure that saw Chancellor Jeremy Hunt appoint them as Steward and Bailiffs of the Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead, respectively. A man has appeared in court accused of killing a married couple. Derek Martin, also known as Derek Glenn, is charged with murdering Josh, 33, and Chloe Bashford, 30, whose bodies were found at their home in Lewes Road, Newhaven, East Sussex, on Friday June 9. The 64-year-old defendant, of Moulsecoomb Way in Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a grey jumper and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. He was known to the victims, Sussex Police said. Martin was remanded in custody and will next appear in a crown court on a date yet to be set. Members of the couples family earlier paid tribute to them, saying they were funny and loving. Georgie Last, a niece of the couple, who had four children, wrote on Facebook of her heartbreak. She added: The most funny and loving pair, you loved each other so much it was just amazing to see what true love looked like. You were the most amazing parents to four beautiful, intelligent, and loving children. A Sussex Police spokesman said post-mortem tests have been scheduled to take place in the next week to confirm causes of death. Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert will advise the nation on how to boost their state pension on Tuesday evening. (Getty) UK taxpayers now have almost two years to boost their pensions by potentially thousands of pounds after the government extended the deadline for extra contributions. Those who are eligible now have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their national insurance record from April 2006 that may increase their state pension. The previous deadline of 31 July had been criticised as people had been unable to get through to the official advice line to find out if they were eligible. Last week, consumer commentator Martin Lewis had urged Britons to urgently check if they could potentially boost their pensions, and had offered to help people "navigate" the blocked phone lines in a programme dedicated to the issue on Tuesday evening. He tweeted on Monday about the extension: "I suspect it isn't a coincidence that this announcement comes the day before my [ITV] special on it, with the pensions minister coming on, knowing I was going to go hard about people having to call the Future Pensions Service 100s times before they get an answer. "Overall though the extension is very good news, for full help watch the show tomorrow 8pm..." Lewis will host the first of a two-part special on Tuesday to support people through the current cost of living crisis. Important: The deadline for buying missing National Insurance years for your state pension back to 2006 has just been extended again to April 2025 (was July 23) I suspect it isn't a coincidence that this announement comes the day before my @itvMlshow special on it, with the Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 12, 2023 Last week he told followers: "[This] is urgent for anyone age 45-70 as its the last chance to boost your state pension by 10,000s (and yes I'll be talking about how to navigate the phone lines too) plus lots more pensions help." Pensions deadline extended The government's voluntary national insurance (NI) contributions deadline is now 5 April 2025. Prior to this date UK taxpayers can fill gaps in their NI record to help increase the amount they receive in state pension when they qualify. This means taxpayers with incomplete years in their NI record could be financially better off in their retirement if they make voluntary payments to top up any incomplete or missing years. Each year represents 1/35 of the full state pension, and one year's additional top-up alone could boost your weekly income by 5.82 a week or 302.64 a year (based on the 2023/24 state pension). Laura Trott, minister for pensions at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "I am pleased to see so many people taking steps to review their state pension, which is why we have extended the deadline for customers to add extra years to their national insurance record. "This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases increase the amount they receive when they retire." Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott announced the deadline extension. (gov.uk) Read more: How to avoid an inheritance tax bill Writing for Yahoo Finance in March, personal finance expert Sarah Coles said: "The opportunity to boost your pension comes from some of the rules put in place when we moved from the old state pension system to a new flat rate scheme in 2016. "As a general rule, in order to qualify for a full state pension, you usually need to have paid enough national insurance every year for 35 years. This is higher than the 30 years you needed under the old state pension arrangements, so when the change was made, it also introduced a window during which you could buy more extra years. She added: "Before you do anything else, its worth finding out where you stand." How can you boost your pension? There are three main ways you can increase the amount you receive in your state pension by claiming free NI credits, buying extra years, or deferring how soon you begin claiming it. The deadline for claiming credits or buying extra years is 5 April 2025 and this can be done on the gov.uk website. Lewis has advised everyone considering claiming credits to contact the government's free Future Pension Centre on 0800 7310175 for bespoke calculations on whether it is worth doing. UK taxpayers may be able to boost their pensions by topping up National Insurance contributions before the deadline of 31 July. (Getty) Coles wrote: "Before you part with any cash, you need to contact the governments Future Pension Centre go through your specific circumstances and do the calculations. "The rules are fiendishly complicated and theres all sorts of small print, so you need to speak to someone to check its right for you." Prior to the extension, many had posted their frustrations on social media to complain they could not get through on the phone number provided by the government. The extension is expected to enable people to get through and check before the new deadline. How to check if you are eligible Taxpayers can find out how to check their National Insurance record and obtain a state pension forecast on the official government website, in order to decide if making a voluntary NI contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension. They can also check their National Insurance record via the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account. Lewis previously advised: "Before you go and buy any [credits] it is very important you check whether you are due free credits. "For example, if you were a carer, you had childcare responsibilities or an illness. You can go and check via the national insurance credits section of Gov.uk and you may get those years back without having to pay for it." The Martin Lewis Money Show will air on ITV1 at 8pm on Tuesday. Hugh Callaghan, one of the six men wrongly jailed for the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, has sung at his own funeral, a priest has said. Mr Callaghan, alongside Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, John Walker, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power, was wrongly convicted of murdering 21 people when two explosions ripped apart the Tavern in the Town and Mulberry Bush pubs in Birmingham in 1974. The group were convicted in 1975 and jailed for life. They were freed after more than 16 years, when the Court of Appeal in 1991 ruled their convictions were unsafe. The Birmingham Six outside the Old Bailey after their convictions were quashed (Sean Dempsey/PA) About 200 people attended Mr Callaghans funeral at The Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Dominic church in Homerton, east London, on Monday, where he was a much-loved member of the congregation, parish priest the Rev Patrick Allsop said. Father Allsop said he was a major figure in the community partly because he had a magnificent voice. He could sing unaccompanied with complete accuracy. The most extraordinary thing is that he did a studio recording of his party piece, which is the great Irish song Danny Boy and that was played as he was carried out of the church. I think its the first time the deceased has sung himself out of a funeral mass. The coffin of Hugh Callaghan is carried into the Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Dominic church (Belinda Jiao/PA) Mr Callaghan also serenaded the ward in hospital shortly before he died, where he was being treated for a chest infection. Mr Callaghan, who was 93, recovered from the chest infection but died from a heart attack on May 27, Father Allsop said. He moved to London in 1991 after he was released from prison and began to attend the east London church. Irish musicians performed during the funeral and the London Irish Choir attended the service, Father Allsop added. Father Allsop said: After he had been released after 16 years in prison he was sort of unsettled as to where he would feel happy and comfortable. But he eventually decided that the Irish community in London were the people he wanted to be with. Downing Street has defended the parliamentary committee investigating whether Boris Johnson misled MPs over partygate, after the panel became the subject of attacks by the former prime minister and his allies. The Privileges Committee met on Monday to finalise its report into Mr Johnson, who dismissed the inquiry as a witch hunt as he dramatically announced his resignation from the Commons. The probe is thought to have ruled that Mr Johnson lied to Parliament when he told MPs that Covid rules were followed in Downing Street despite boozy parties taking place at the time of social distancing restrictions. The panel was expected to recommend a suspension of at least 10 days, reaching the threshold which would have almost certainly triggered a by-election in Mr Johnsons Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat with the electoral battle now happening anyway due to his Commons exit. Mr Johnson accused the committee of bias and likened it to a kangaroo court in a scathing 1,000-word exit statement on Friday after receiving a draft of the report. But Rishi Sunaks spokesman expressed confidence in the MPs work, saying they were doing exactly what Parliament has asked them to do. This is a properly set-up committee that the House has voted to carry out their work, the Prime Ministers spokesman told reporters on Monday. The Government will in no way traduce or criticise the work of the committee who are doing exactly what Parliament has asked them to do. Harriet Harman was to chair Mondays meeting to discuss publishing the partygate report (Niall Carson/PA) Conservative former Cabinet minister Damian Green called Mr Johnsons attacks on the committee as very, very unfortunate and wrong. The MP defended the committee on BBC Radio 4s PM programme, saying: I think its monstrous that they have been attacked in the way they have. He also criticised the way Mr Johnson flounced out of Parliament before the committee published its report, which is expected to come on either Tuesday or Wednesday. In response to Mr Johnsons attack, a committee spokesperson said he had impugned the integrity of the House. Cabinet minister Michael Gove also defended the integrity of the committee but refused to rebuke party colleagues during an appearance on BBC Radio 4s Today programme. It is not my job or role to censor or police anyones views in a matter of public debate, he said. I have respect for the work that they have done and I think that we need to respect again the integrity of the process and wait until the report is published before then debating its conclusions and the consequences. The second thing that I want to say is that I do deprecate the fact that they are now in a position where, as reported, they have to seek or have been granted additional security. Mr Sunaks spokesman said reported threats against committee members were completely unacceptable. He said: Ive only seen the reporting around that. I dont know the facts. Clearly, any threats against any MPs are completely unacceptable. President Yoon Suk Yeol met with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen ties across the economic and political sectors, his spokesperson said. Yoon met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential office and recalled the warm welcome he received during his state visit to the Middle Eastern country in January, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a written briefing. Yoon said the UAE's decision to invest US$30 billion in South Korea served as an opportunity to deepen the two countries' economic cooperation a step further and promised to work together to realize investment opportunities beneficial to both sides. "He also called for joint efforts to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries and produce detailed results in areas such as nuclear energy, defense and arms," Lee said. (Yonhap) Carla Foster, 44, was convicted of inducing an abortion outside the legal limit. (Reach) A woman who was jailed for illegally inducing an abortion during lockdown will be released from prison after winning a Court of Appeal bid to reduce her sentence. Mother-of-three Carla Foster, 45, was handed a 28-month extended sentence last month after she admitted illegally obtaining abortion pills when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant, contrary to the1861 Offences Against the Person Act an offence which can carry a life sentence. Foster, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was given a 28-month sentence, 14 of which was to be spent in custody and the remainder on licence, sparking outrage from women's charities and equality campaigners. But at the Court of Appeal in London, three judges reduced her prison sentence, saying the case called for "compassion, not punishment". Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Lambert, said Fosters sentence would be reduced to 14 months and that it should be suspended. Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has called for reform of abortion laws. (Getty Images) Abortions are legal up to 24 weeks and must be carried out in a clinic after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Foster was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) under the 'pills by post' scheme introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme allows pregnancies up to 10 weeks to be terminated at home, but Foster lied in a remote consultation about how far along her pregnancy was. She already had three sons before she became pregnant again in 2019. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard she had moved back in with her estranged partner at the start of the COVID lockdown, while carrying another man's baby. The court heard Foster was "in emotional turmoil" as she tried to hide her pregnancy. Defending Foster, Barry White, said: "She says she cannot forgive herself and it will haunt her forever." Her case prompted calls for reform to the 1861 legislation used to prosecute Foster. At the time, Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, told BBC Radio 4s World Tonight programme: This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. I think that makes a case for parliament to start looking at this issue in detail. 'Painful day' Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, condemned the prosecution and original sentencing, calling it a "painful day" for women. She told Yahoo News UK: "I want to send my support and my solidarity to the woman shamefully deprived of her freedom today, to her children, who will be missing their mum, and to everyone currently under police investigation or undergoing court proceedings regarding an abortion. "Today is a painful day. "A woman in England has been criminalised for seeking healthcare in the middle of a pandemic. Now she has been sentenced to over two years in prison." Women's Equality Party leader Mandu Reid called the sentencing 'a painful day' for women in England. (Lewis Patrick) Labour MP Stella Creasy said the case was 'an attack on women's rights' and called for reform of abortion laws. (Alamy) Labour MP and abortion reform campaigner Stella Creasy said: It is an hangover from another era that our abortion laws are based not on healthcare considerations, but first and foremost criminal sanctions. This case shows that the failure to address this has very real modern day implications. "In the light of repeated attacks on womens rights and the lack of compassion this case shows, its never been more urgent to ensure it is a formal human right of all women in the UK to access a safe, legal and local abortion if she chooses." 'How to lose a baby at six months' In the original case, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Foster discovered she was pregnant in December 2019, then arranged a telephone consultation with the BPAS in May 2020. The consultation was for the pills by post service introduced during the pandemic to allow women to obtain a medical abortion when up to 10 weeks pregnant. Based on her answers to questions about her pregnancy, it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant and she was sent abortion pills in the post. Carla Foster, 44, was jailed on Monday at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for taking abortion pills past the legally allowed term during lockdown. (Getty Images) The prosecution said she had made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including how to hide a pregnancy bump, how to have an abortion without going to the doctor and how to lose a baby at six months. On 11 May 2020, having taken the pills, a 999 call was made saying the woman was in labour. The baby was born during the course of the phone call, prosecutors told the court, but was not breathing and was pronounced dead at hospital around 45 minutes later. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Deadline to boost pensions by potentially 10,000s extended to 2025 Charlotte Owen: Who is ex-Boris Johnson aide nominated as youngest-ever life peer? COVID inquiry: When it starts, what's at stake and how you can watch it Reid labelled the case "a damning indictment of abortion law in England" and said the consequences would "ripple across the country". She warned: "It will be women who pay the price". "Nothing about this conviction serves the public interest, or the interests of her and her children. It also reveals the indefensible, ugly truth about the criminalisation of abortion. "Opposition to abortion has never been about whats best for children or women. It has always been about restricting womens freedom and bodily autonomy." Reid said the ruling "may deter women from seeking vital healthcare when they need it, and risk women feeling forced into continuing with unwanted pregnancies". She said: "This conviction must mark a line in the sand. Its time to move abortion out of criminal law once and for all. "Abortion is healthcare and it must be free, safe and legal." Mr Justice Pepperall acknowledged it was an emotive case and said it was made more tragic because the woman did not plead guilty earlier, adding that he may have been able to consider suspending the jail sentence if she had. Centre for Womens Justice director Harriet Wistrich questioned how the prosecution was in the public interest. What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support? she said. She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year." Womens human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK, Chiara Capraro, said the decision to prosecute was shocking and quite frankly terrifying. BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said no woman can ever go through this again and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system, she said. At the time, the Crown Prosecution Service said the case was complex and traumatic, but said it had a duty to ensure laws are properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions. Watch: Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal limit during lockdown People who work with AI are more lonely, a study has found. (Getty Images) Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to shake up the workplace and perhaps lead to trillions in corporate earnings. But people who work with AI are more likely to experience loneliness that can lead to insomnia and increased after-work drinking, a study has warned. The psychological effects of using AI systems have been the subject of research published by the American Psychological Association. Lead author Pok Man Tang, who previously worked in an investment bank where he used AI systems, has told of a "new industrial revolution". He said: "The rapid advancement in AI systems is sparking a new industrial revolution that is reshaping the workplace with many benefits but also some uncharted dangers, including potentially damaging mental and physical impacts for employees. "Humans are social animals, and isolating work with AI systems may have damaging spillover effects into employees' personal lives." Read more: Artificial intelligence to hit workplace 'like a freight train' The researchers found that workers who frequently used AI systems were more likely to offer help to fellow employees, but warned that that response may have been triggered by their loneliness and need for social contact. Employees with higher levels of attachment anxiety the tendency to feel insecure and worried about social connections responded more strongly to working on AI systems with effects such as loneliness and insomnia. In one experiment, 166 engineers at a Taiwanese biomedical company who worked with AI systems were surveyed over three weeks about their feelings of loneliness, attachment anxiety and sense of belonging. Family members reported on participants' insomnia and after-work alcohol consumption. Employees who interacted more frequently with AI systems were more likely to experience loneliness, insomnia and increased after-work alcohol consumption. Read more: A 1988 warning about climate change was mostly right There were similar findings from an online experiment with 214 full-time working adults in the US and another with 294 employees at a Malaysian tech company. The research findings are correlational and don't prove that work with AI systems causes loneliness, just that there is an association between the two. Tang said that moving forward, developers of AI technology should consider equipping artificial intelligence systems with social features, such as a human voice, to emulate human-like interactions. Employers also could limit the frequency of work with AI systems and offer opportunities for employees to socialise. Watch: AI can provide 'personalised learning' to children, Rishi Sunak says Prince Harry made political comments in his witness statement that was part of his ongoing trial against Mirror Group Newspapers. (Getty Images) Prince Harrys political comments during his ongoing trial against Mirror Group Newspapers will have left Buckingham Palace uncomfortable, it has been claimed. Harry, 38, is suing MGN for damages, claiming journalists at its titles were linked to unlawful methods at sourcing stories, including phone hacking. In his witness statement, Harry gave a scathing indictment of the government as being at rock bottom and of being in bed with elements of the press in order to avoid scrutiny. On a national level as, at the moment, our country is judged globally by the state of our press and our government both of which I believe are at rock bottom. Democracy fails when your press fails to scrutinise and hold the government accountable, and instead choose to get into bed with them so they can ensure the status quo. I may not have a role within the Institution but, as a member of the British Royal family, and as a soldier upholding important values, I feel theres a responsibility to expose this criminal activity in the name of public interest. "The country and the British public deserve to know the depths of what was actually happening then, and indeed now. We will be better off for it. Harry, no longer a working royal, has been open about his opinions and personal relationships since stepping back from his official role. (ITV) According to the Sunday Times, a royal source has claimed the palace will find [Harrys comments] extremely difficult and uncomfortable, because you can never fully separate yourself from the institution and it will have raised eyebrows on both sides of the park at Westminster too not least because it wasnt necessary for the core of his case. The source added: But it only underlines the wisdom and importance of [Elizabeth IIs] decisions taken at Sandringham [the family summit in January 2020], that you cannot be half-in and half-out. However, Harry is by no means the only member of the Royal Family who has been accused of entering political territory in recent months. In February this year, King Charles met with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, whilst she was in the country to finalise a post-Brexit deal over the Northern Ireland protocol. King Charles controversially received European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen whilst post-Brexit deal talks were ongoing. (PA) The decision to meet with von der Leyen at that juncture was criticised across the political spectrum because of the controversial nature of the deal, and the figure of the monarch itself in Northern Ireland. In addition, both Charles and the Prince of Wales have made strong statements of support for Ukraine following the invasion by Russia. While supporting Ukraine is a popular position in the UK and unlikely to offend, its a significant deviation from the late Queens Elizabeth well-known and much admired soft touch when it came to diplomacy. Harry, who is no longer a working royal in any capacity, is free to express political opinions. As the Sunday Times source noted, this type of comment would have been inappropriate if the Sussexes had agreed with the late Queen Elizabeth to represent the crown in a half-in, half-out capacity. However that option was rejected by the Royal Family, leaving the Duke of Sussex able to comment on whatever issues he wishes - thereby leaving the Windsors vulnerable that those comments may be associated with them in some capacity on the world stage. The half-in, half-out option was what Harry referred to as option three in his memoir Spare. He called it A compromise. Closest to what wed originally proposed, that was halfway between a total split from royal life and remaining as full-time working royals. If the palace had opted for this third option, they would have retained the ability to influence both the public comments the Sussexes made, and the projects they embarked upon, thereby potentially avoiding any uncomfortable situations. A teenage mother accused of murdering her newborn son has denied ever knowing she was pregnant, a court heard. Paris Mayo is accused of inflicting complex skull fractures on baby Stanley Mayo at her parents home in Springfield Avenue, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire on March 23 2019. It is alleged that after inflicting the fractures, possibly caused by her foot on his head, Mayo then stuffed five pieces of cotton wool into his mouth two of which were found deep in the throat. Paris Mayo is giving evidence for the first time during her murder trial at Worcester Crown Court (Jacob King/PA) After giving birth in a living room, Mayo is accused of putting Stanleys body in a bin bag and leaving it on the front doorstep of their home before going upstairs to bed. Stanleys remains were discovered the following morning by Mayos mother who had looked inside the bloodstained bag. Giving evidence for the first time in her trial, the 19-year-old said she never knew she was pregnant. Worcester Crown Court heard Stanley had been conceived in the summer of 2018 and by the autumn Mayo was suffering from sickness and back and abdominal pain. Bernard Richmond KC, defending, asked whether at any time before Stanley was born she knew she was pregnant. No, I was always scared of the thought I might be. I had never taken a test and it telling me I was pregnant, Mayo told the jury. I was more suspicious I could have been, rather than actually knowing if I was or not. I would just try and make excuses to myself to what I thought was wrong. I was worried I might be as I was putting on weight, but I was trying to put it down to other things. I was eating bigger portions of food and eating throughout the day. Mr Richmond asked: Was there a stage before the birth you said to yourself, I am pregnant? Mayo replied: No. Describing her on and off sickness in the autumn of 2018, Mayo told the court: I think there were times when I was sick, but it would go back and come away it was irregular. I thought it was a stomach bug that went away, or I had eaten something that disagreed with me. Mr Richmond asked: Did you ever equate that with being pregnant? Mayo replied: No. Jurors were told Mayo had been taken to see her GP in October 2018 by her mother and during the examination was asked if she was having sex. Mayo told the court: She asked me at that time if I was having sex and at that time I told her no because at that time I wasnt, she said. I think I must have misunderstood how she was asking it. I felt like I could have told her if I felt comfortable enough, but I didnt know how to go about it. Mr Richmond asked if her mother knew she had been having sex and Mayo replied: I think she knew I had but she thought I had stopped having sex with people. I think she knew before that I had lost my virginity but believed I had stopped having sex with people. The jurors were told Stanley would have been conceived when Mayo was 14 with the teenager losing her virginity at 13. Explaining why she started having sex so young, Mayo said: I just thought it was a way to get people to like me because I was quite insecure about the way I looked and the way I was made to feel about myself at home because my family situation was quite bad. I was always being patronised and belittled and told I was worthless. I just wanted to feel a bit more validated and the way I felt to get that was to have sex with people. Mayo told the jury she only acknowledged to herself being pregnant shortly before she gave birth. He wasnt crying or making any noise and his eyes werent open, she said. I started to panic because he wasnt crying or making a noise and I got really scared. It all happened so fast, I dont really remember a lot about it. I just remember he hit his head and that was really it. The cord was around his throat when I undone it and that was when it was broken. Mr Richmond asked: Stanley had skull fractures. Did you do them to him deliberately? Mayo replied: No. Asked about putting cotton wool balls in Stanleys mouth, she replied: To me it looked like there was stuff coming out of his mouth. When I was questioned I said two because thats all I remember doing. Asked how she felt about it all, Mayo said: It makes me feel really horrible because I knew I didnt want to hurt him. I do feel stupid that I didnt go and tell anyone and get help. I loved him. I always think about what he would be like and how he would have been. Mayo denied killing Stanley and insisted she believed he was not alive when he was born. Mr Richmond asked: At any stage did you actually think Stanley was alive? No, she replied. Mayo explained her father was in poor health, including heart problems and diabetes, and died in April 2019. Prior to his death, she would help care for him and would prepare meals and do the shopping and tidy the house but described him as a bully. He put a lot of pressure on us to be the kids he wanted us to be, rather than what we wanted to be, she said. It was like he thrived on us being scared of him because he knew he had the control over us and that authority over us and we would do everything he wanted because we were scared of upsetting him. He would shout at us and tell us we were not kids of his. Asked if she loved her father and whether she missed him, Mayo fought back tears and said: I loved my Dad. Mayo, of Ruardean, Gloucestershire, denies murder and the trial continues. A young woman accused of pretending to be a man to sexually assault a teenager admitted she was caught in a web of lies. Georgia Bilham, 21, is charged with 17 sexual offences after allegedly deceiving a 19-year-old woman. A trial at Chester Crown Court has heard Bilham created a Snapchat account as George Parry, a male drug dealer from Birmingham, and wore a hood while meeting the short-sighted complainant, claiming to be paranoid because of an involvement with Albanian gang members. Bilham was cross-examined by prosecutor Anna Pope and admitted telling lie after lie to her alleged victim. But she maintained throughout that she thought the woman she had sex with believed she was really a woman and not a man. Ms Pope said: You knew she was not going to be sexually attracted to you as Georgia Bilham? The defendant replied: I cant answer that. Ms Pope said sex took place based on the complainant believing she was having sex with a man. Bilham said she enjoyed no sexual gratification from the encounters. And Bilham again said she believed the complainant knew she was a female but Bilham did not want to tell her who she really was. Georgia Bilham at Chester Crown Court where she is charged with 17 sex offences (Steve Allen/PA) Ms Pope continued: Why didnt you just say you are a female with a different name? Bilham replied: Because I was caught in a web of lies. Ms Pope added: You were getting a buzz out of deceiving her into believing you were a man. Is that what you were in it for? No, replied Bilham. Earlier Bilham told the court she had been a bit of a tomboy when she was younger and had a difficult relationship with her mother after she split from her father when Bilham was a teenager. Bilham said she had never wanted to change her gender to a boy but had questioned her own sexuality and that her mother would not be happy if she was in a same-sex relationship. Asked why she set up the fake Snapchat account pretending to be a boy, Bilham replied: I just was not happy in myself. I just, it was just more like an escape. I dont know. She added: I was not confident in myself. It was a stupid thing to do. It was a way of not being me. Ms Pope asked the defendant: Do you agree part of that not being you was you being a girl? Bilham replied: At the time, yeah. Bilham said after the first time they met in person the complainant messaged her to say Theres something weird about you, and blocked her on Snapchat. But there continued an online love hate relationship which became toxic at times, the court heard. After Bilham passed her driving test in April 2021 they agreed to go for a drive together in the countryside, where they were together in her car for five hours. On another drive on May 11, 2021 Bilham crashed her mothers car into a hedge and police were called asking for her licence, which had her real name. Bilham told the jury she believed a police officer called to the scene revealed to the complainant her true identity. She said: I think they told her I was female. It was not George, it was Georgia. She added: I believe she knew about my gender the night of the crash. Bilham said she stayed overnight at the complainants home, sleeping in her bed, but always wearing a tracksuit with a hood-up. Martine Snowdon, defending, asked Bilham, You were touching her sexually. Did you think she thought you was a girl or a boy? I thought she knew I was a girl since the crash, Bilham said. Bilham, of Bunbury Road, Alpraham, Cheshire, denies nine sexual assaults and eight counts of assault by penetration all between May to August 2021. The trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning. Signage is displayed on the Radio New Zealand building in Wellington, New Zealand (AP) Radio New Zealand, the countrys public service radio station, issued an apology after it was found that one of its journalists edited reports on the Russia-Ukraine war to add pro-Kremlin garbage. The taxpayer-funded RNZ said it has so far found 16 stories that were found altered to include Russian propaganda and were published during more than a period of one year. Paul Thompson, the chief executive of RNZ, said he was gutted and shocked with the discovery of edited stories, pledging to get to the bottom of it. It is so disappointing, Im gutted, its painful, he said. We have to get to the bottom of how it happened. Its so disappointing that this pro-Kremlin garbage has ended up in our stories, Thompson told Nine to Noon. Its inexcusable. He said they have already reviewed 250 stories and the ones that were found inappropriately edited had been corrected along with an editorial note. They would be reviewing thousands more, he added. The public service radio station launched an investigation into the scandal, commissioning an external review of the organisations editing processes. RNZ said a digital journalist has been placed on leave pending the result of an employment investigation and does not have access to their system. The journalist, who was not named, acknowledged publishing several stories with pro-Russia slant since joining the broadcaster. I subbed several stories that way over the past number of years, in fact, since I started [at] Radio New Zealand, they told the Checkpoint show in a statement, according to NZ Herald. And I have done that for five years and no one has tapped me on the shoulder and no body told me I was doing anything wrong. Thompson called it a breach in their editorial policy and an audit has revealed it was isolated to one area. RNZ, which began as a radio broadcaster, has grown to become a multimedia organisation, and its website ranks among the nations most viewed news sites. Stories attributed to the Reuters wire service or the BBC were edited to include sentences and paragraphs of pro-Kremlin narratives such as "Russia annexed Crimea after a referendum", and that "neo-Nazis had created a threat" to Russias borders, among others. New Zealands minister for broadcasting, Willie Jackson, said the breach was a major issue and unprecedented for RNZ after he was briefed on the matter. Some of the articles dating back to April 2022 showed changes to including the word coup to describe the Maidan revolution, a series of deadly clashes between protesters and forces leading to the ousting of authoritarian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. The stories were also changed to add references to a new pro-Western government. RNZ said it will now add another layer of editing to wires stories. Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark tweeted that she expected better from the public broadcaster. Extraordinary that there is so little editorial oversight at Radio New Zealand that someone employed by/contracted to them was able to rewrite online content to reflect pro-Russia stance without senior staff noticing, she wrote. Accountability? The UK and allies have agreed to step up efforts to protect underwater cables and pipelines from Russian threats in the wake of last years attacks on the Nord Stream gas network. The announcement came as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met with counterparts from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Amsterdam on Tuesday to discuss their collective response to security threats. They agreed to accelerate co-operation to detect, deter and respond to threats against critical undersea and offshore infrastructure. The ministers also agreed a 92 million package of air defence measures for Ukraine. The Joint Expeditionary Force, a coalition of 10 like-minded European nations, is meeting in Amsterdam. Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP and JEF representatives are discussing ongoing security cooperation and our commitment to supporting Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/bI9z3BcquL Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 13, 2023 Mr Wallace has previously warned that Russia has the intent and the ability to target the Wests underwater energy and communication lines. In a joint statement, the JEF defence ministers said: Today we face common challenges including Russian vessels mapping critical undersea and offshore infrastructure, indicating preparations for possible disruption and, at worst, sabotage. We have today decided to accelerate co-operation in the JEF in order to detect, deter and respond to threats against our critical undersea and offshore infrastructure, reassure allies and demonstrate collective commitment to the security and stability of Northern Europe; all in full alignment with Nato. Today in Amsterdam, the @JEFnations Defence Ministers met to discuss protecting undersea infrastructure and how to continue our support to Ukraine. #JEFtogether https://t.co/CvPL77RLKq The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) (@JEFnations) June 13, 2023 The JEF members will increasingly share intelligence and surveillance information on possible maritime threats. They also agreed to co-ordinate presence and will pool and share capabilities to deter and respond to threats. The ministers also reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to support the people of Ukraine in the face of Russias invasion, which started last February. The JEF comprises Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Four leaks were discovered last September on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 13 June 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/dDR5977XM6 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/d4tdVmJ9fI Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 13, 2023 The pipelines were not operational at the time because of disputes between Russia and the European Union over Moscows invasion of Ukraine but were filled with natural gas. As Ukraine mounts a counter-attack against the Russian invasion and occupation of its territory, the JEF nations agreed a package of air defence measures. Mr Wallace said the equipment will help Ukraine protect their critical national infrastructure and defend against indiscriminate Russian air strikes. The gear will be procured through the International Fund for Ukraine, to which the UK has committed a further 250 million. A man accused of the murder of police constable Sharon Beshenivsky 18 years ago will stand trial in Leeds. On Tuesday Mr Justice Bryan transferred the case of Piran Ditta Khan, 74, from the Old Bailey in London to Leeds Crown Court. During a hearing at the Old Bailey, the senior judge said the case would be heard by a High Court judge, with a plea hearing on July 14. On that date, a new date for a trial lasting up to six weeks would be fixed, he said. The trial is expected to remain at Leeds Crown Court but could be heard at another Crown Court within the North East Circuit. A court artist drawing of Piran Ditta Khan appearing in the dock at an earlier hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Khan attended the hearing by video link from Belmarsh top security prison in south London and was assisted by an interpreter. Pc Beshenivsky was aged 38 when she was killed on November 18 2005 after she and a colleague responded to a report of a robbery at Universal Travel in Morley Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire. The married mother-of-three was a probationer with only nine months service when she was killed. Her colleague, Pc Teresa Millburn, was seriously injured. In April this year, Khan was brought to Britain from Pakistan and charged with the murder of Pc Beshenivsky. He was also charged with robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant is accused of robbing Mohammed Yousaf of a quantity of cash of a value unknown. The firearms charges relate to alleged possession of a Mac 10 submachine gun and a 9mm pistol. All the alleged offences are said to have taken place on the same day. The defendant remains in custody. British Airways is not making tangible change quick enough over its treatment of disabled passengers, Loose Women star Sophie Morgan said after her wheelchair equipment was damaged on a flight for the second time this year. The 38-year-old presenter told the PA news agency that no improvements have been made since she launched a campaign calling for tougher rules for carriers in relation to mobility devices. Morgan began the Rights On Flights initiative in February after her wheelchair was damaged beyond use on a British Airways flight from Los Angeles to Londons Heathrow Airport. Last week she suffered a similar incident as her wheelchair attachment stored in the hold of an aircraft would not work after another flight with the carrier on the same route. The most likely cause is it being incorrectly handled, said Morgan, who has also presented Crufts, the Paralympics, The One Show and Dispatches. Sophie Morgan said it is extremely debilitating when wheelchair equipment is damaged on a flight (Matt Alexander/PA) Morgan met British Airways officials on Monday to discuss the airlines progress in improving its service for disabled passengers and how it looks after their equipment. She said: It was encouraging. Theyre really aware and theyre just working on every front to make sure that the system is better. This includes analysing aircraft design, staff training, and ground handling operations. There is a lot going on in terms of work towards helping disabled passengers, she said, but added: I wouldnt say were seeing real-world tangible change quick enough. Morgan, who was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash when she was 18, said there is nothing more frustrating for a disabled airline passenger than having their mobility device damaged. Its more than just an inconvenience, she said. It is extremely debilitating. Its unforgivable. I think people perhaps dont quite understand this severity, the damage it does to your life and your ongoing confidence when flying. I keep hearing more and more disabled people saying they dont want to fly anymore. A British Airways spokesman said: Were really sorry for our customers experience and are in direct contact with her to resolve the issue as we investigate what happened. UNESCO urged to stay alert to US rejoining as Washington aims to 'exploit it to counter China' Global Times) 16:46, June 13, 2023 In a move aimed at pushing back against China, the US told the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that it is interested in rejoining the agency, nearly six years after it had ended its membership. Chinese experts urged the organization to stay alert to the US move, as Washington aims to exploit UNESCO as a tool to contain China, instead of making real contributions. A US State Department spokesperson confirmed to US media outlet Axios on Sunday that the US had privately notified the UN agency of its interest in rejoining. The report said that Richard Verma, the deputy secretary of state for management and resources, sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay last week proposing a plan for the US to rejoin the agency. US lawmakers approved a bill last year that allocated more than $500 million needed to pay the US debt to UNESCO in an effort to allow its return as a full member, according to Axios. It's been nearly six years since the Trump administration announced it would leave UNESCO due to what it called anti-Israel bias. US selfishness is on full display from its government flip-flop on membership of international organizations, and Washington showed no respect to UNESCO by treating its membership like a child's game, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday. Li urged UNESCO to stay alert to the US rejoining, and said that the motive of the US is neither healthy nor sincere. "Washington simply wants to exploit the organization, and override it to serve as a US tool to contain China," said Li. The expert also warned that the US' current promise is shaky, because if a Republican candidate, or Trump himself, takes office next year, the US may walk out on the body again. Responding to the US official's previous comments on returning to UNESCO, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in March that international organizations are platforms for global cooperation, not arenas for geopolitical games. We welcome it if the US truly sees China's positive role in UNESCO objectively, but if the US' return to the organization is meant to counter or check China's influence, it will only lead to questions over whether the US remains unchanged at heart and still puts "America First" before international public well-being. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Octopoulpe performs at GBN Live House in southern Seoul's Mullae-dong, Jan. 21, 2017. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar By Jon Dunbar After years of wandering the earth, the hideous beast known as Octopoulpe returns to the shores of Korea, the land where it was conceived. "Even though I'm French and I live in Mexico, I keep saying that Octopoulpe is a Korean project," said JP, the one member of Octopoulpe who lived in Korea for several years in the 2010s. In 2014 he created the one-man band Octopoulpe playing music like math rock and hardcore punk. A computer whiz, he came up with a unique interface enabling drum input to guide a computer program, resulting in interactive performances. Audiences can see JP himself playing drums, while clad only in an octopus mask and his underwear, accompanied by a screen playing prerecorded videos. Although he's a one-man act, this system lets him play multiple instruments all at once simply by playing different drum sequences. He can also control the video and the lighting. "There's another very new thing I started for the first time some months ago in South America," he said. "It's a more theatrical version of Octopoulpe, where a show can be a 'story' with an introduction, some interactions in the middle and an ending." Octopoulpe performs in Ruailrock near Hongik University in western Seoul, Nov. 14, 2015. JP, its only member, plays the drums along with a prerecorded video of himself on guitar. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar His stage costume is a little revealing, and he admitted it's gotten him in trouble a few times, but only in Europe. "There has never been any serious problem," he said, "I just had to wear a T-shirt, a bra or put some tape on my nipples, that's it." After moving away from Korea in 2019, he's toured most of the world, playing at least 500 shows across four continents and becoming one of the most-traveled music acts to ever come out of Korea. He recently toured South America, expanding the list of countries he's played by even more. Octopoulpe appears alongside the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the 2021 music video for "Piece of Crap." / Courtesy of Octopoulpe To save time, he listed the places he hasn't played yet: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Russia, the Middle East, India and North Korea. "The next one should be Australia in 2024," he said. "I had to cancel my tour in Russia in 2020. Now I think I'll have to wait quite a few years before going there." Wherever he goes, he rates the toilets he uses, leaving a personalized sticker with a score and a short comment pasted where later toilet users can see. Some have even invited him back in order to re-evaluate their toilets. A few of his stickers are likely still viewable in venue washrooms across Seoul. Octopoulpe gave a poor rating to the washroom at GBN Live Hall in southern Seoul's Mullae-dong in 2018. It was later renovated. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar Space-based solar power could help tackle climate change, Grant Shapps said as he promised 4.3 million for research projects. The Energy Security Secretary said collecting solar power in space and beaming it wirelessly to Earth could generate round-the-clock electricity in all weathers. Speaking at London Tech Week, he said: With the climate clock ticking, innovation has never been so important. Half of the emissions reductions required to reach net zero by 2050 will have to come from technologies which are not yet totally commercially available. New plans to put the UK at the forefront of an industry thats quite literally out of this world Space-based solar power could be a giant leap for our economy & our energy security providing round-the-clock power and supporting thousands of British jobs pic.twitter.com/iaR0wHMhrg Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) June 13, 2023 The technology for generating solar power in space for use on Earth is still being developed, but scientists at the California Institute of Technology announced earlier this month that they had managed to beam detectable power to Earth through microwaves. Mr Shapps said ultra-lightweight solar cells which could be put into space more efficiently have also been developed. Space-based solar energy farms could deliver clean energy day and night far more efficiently and, of course, in all weathers, he said. He suggested the technology could generate 10 gigawatts of power by 2050 enough for three-quarters of Britains homes with the industry having the potential to create 143,000 jobs. Built by @SurreySat with funding by us, HOTSAT-1 is a brilliant example of UK technology leading the way in using space to improve sustainability on Earth and an example of our work catalysing investment into the space sector. Learn more https://t.co/dvNcXwTgOE UK Space Agency (@spacegovuk) June 13, 2023 Eight projects have been awarded a share of the 1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio fund. Beneficiaries include the University of Cambridge, Queen Mary University of London, Port Talbots MicroLink Devices, the University of Bristol, Didcots Satellite Applications Catapult, Imperial College, and EDF Energy. Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa, payload systems lead at the UK Space Agency, said: Space technology and solar energy have a long history the need to power satellites was a key driver in increasing the efficiency of solar panels which generate electricity for homes and businesses today. There is significant potential for the space and energy sectors to work together to support the development of space-based solar power, and the UK Space Agency has contributed 1 million to these innovative projects to help take this revolutionary concept to the next level. A barrister who previously represented high-profile figures including Nadine Dorries has been jailed for 14 months after asking clients to sell him drugs. Messages found on 42-year-old Henry Hendrons mobile phone revealed he had asked to buy to buy Class A methamphetamine and then-Class C GBL from Arno Smit and Ezra Benson, Woolwich Crown Court heard. Hendron, who had represented both men over drug supply allegations, was arrested outside Belmarsh prison in May last year while visiting Smit as his lawyer. Henry Hendrons client list included Tory MP Nadine Dorries (Kirsty OConnor/PA) He was jailed for 14 months by Judge Jonathan Mann KC on Tuesday after previously admitting two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the supply of Class A drugs, one similar charge involving Class C drugs, and possession of a Class A drug. Judge Mann described Hendron as clearly bright and capable, adding: It is clear you are a well thought-of person both professionally and personally. The judge told him: I want to make it clear that it is not the fact that you are a barrister that is so serious. What is so serious is these offences have been committed by you in the context of you asking those you represent, or represented, to supply you with drugs. The court heard Hendron had asked to buy drugs from Smit in September 2021 just weeks before his client was arrested. Barrister Henry Hendron outside Woolwich Crown Court (Eleanor Cunningham/PA) He then represented Smit at the police station, the magistrates court and at Woolwich Crown Court, where his client entered not guilty pleas in November 2021 but was later jailed. The consequence of that professional act is beyond my jurisdiction, but it shows, if I may say, the seriousness and the level to which you had sunk, the judge told him. You were messaging a client of yours who was later to face crown court proceedings for supply of drugs, you were encouraging him to supply you with drugs, then went to court to represent him. So there is an abuse of responsibility to that defendant and an abuse of responsibility to the court. Hendron, who was called to the Bar in 2006, was known for representing prominent clients including the Earl of Cardigan. According to reports, in 2009 he acted in a civil matter for then Tory MP Ms Dorries, 66, who later served as culture secretary in Boris Johnsons government and quit as an MP last Friday after missing out on a peerage in the ex-prime ministers resignation honours. But Hendrons career floundered after his 18-year-old boyfriend Miguel Jimenez was found dead at the flat the couple shared in Pump Court, Temple, in the City of London, after taking a lethal cocktail of so-called chemsex party drugs. He admitted buying 1,000 worth of M-cat or Meow Meow and GBL from award-winning BBC producer Alex Parkin and was handed a community order with 140 hours of unpaid work at the Old Bailey in 2016. Parkin was sentenced to 200 hours. Hendron, from Soho, central London, was suspended by the Bar Standards Board for three years following his 2016 convictions. He was reprimanded and prohibited from undertaking public access work for two years following a disciplinary hearing in 2021 after holding himself out as a barrister on websites while suspended. Sean Sullivan, defending, highlighted his clients drug addiction and the impact over the death of his partner in 2015. It seems inevitable that Mr Hendron will never be practising as a barrister again, he added. Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Lewis Sanderson said: The behaviour displayed by Hendron, while acting for the Bar, was unacceptable, unethical and illegal. Actions like his can tarnish the reputation of all those involved in the criminal justice system and the whole team were determined to bring him to account. Tory turmoil over Johnson is having an impact on UKs reputation, Starmer claims Tory infighting between Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak is damaging the UKs reputation internationally and putting off investors, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed. Mr Johnson, who formally quit Parliament on Monday in advance of a report which was expected to find he deliberately lied to MPs over the partygate scandal, has been involved in a public spat with Mr Sunak over his resignation honours list. Sir Keir said it is certainly evidence of chaos in the Tory party, claiming the by-elections triggered by Mr Johnson, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams were essentially political tantrums. Political parties usually fight like this when theyre out of office, its very unusual when theyre in office, he said. But, Sir Keir told business chiefs at London Tech Week: There is a price to be paid. Everywhere you go across the country, most people are really worried about the cost of living, they are worrying about how they can pay their bills. And for them to see a government squabbling with itself instead of focused on what they need addressed, I think is a very serious situation for this government. And theres a deeper price because theres a reputation hit to the UK. And I think theres an economic hit as well many investors said to me, were not investing in the UK right now because we dont see the conditions of certainty and stability we need in order to invest. Despite the expected findings of the Privileges Committee this week, Mr Johnson insisted Ill be back, echoing Arnold Schwarzeneggers Terminator. In the Daily Express, the former prime minister said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, Ill be back. Boris Johnson at a gathering in 10 Downing Street (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office) The message echoed Mr Johnsons sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Ministers Questions last year, when he told MPs: Hasta la vista, baby the catchphrase of Mr Schwarzeneggers cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the back benches until quitting the Commons on Friday. The committees report is widely expected to find that Mr Johnson would have been sanctioned with a suspension of more than 10 days enough to trigger a by-election, the reason he quit Parliament in protest at what he dubbed a kangaroo court. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office dismissed Mr Johnsons attack on Mr Sunak over his handling of the resignation honours. The rancour between former Tory leader and his successor descended into a public slanging match as Mr Sunak said his one-time ally had asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do. Publicly turning on the man he used to share Downing Street with, Mr Sunak suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac). But Mr Johnsons camp accused the man who was his Chancellor of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. But the Cabinet Office said: Holac did not support the nominations of the MPs put forward by the former Prime Minister . It is unprecedented for a sitting prime minister to invite Holac to reconsider the vetting of individual nominees on a former prime ministers resignation list. It is, therefore, not a formality. UK may not have been well prepared at all for pandemic, Covid Inquiry told The UK may not have been very well prepared at all to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the lead lawyer to the official Covid-19 Inquiry said as public hearings began. Hugo Keith KC said on Tuesday that the nation was taken by surprise by significant aspects of the disease that has been recorded on 226,977 death certificates. He argued that preparations for Brexit had distracted the Government from making the improvements required to the strategy on how to tackle a deadly pandemic. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett vowed that those who suffered in the pandemic will always be at the heart of the inquiry as she launched the first public hearing. The retired Court of Appeal judge welcomed the dignified vigil held by bereaved relatives outside the building in west London as she vowed to undertake the thorough investigation they deserve. She said she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? Mr Keith said that, near the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the three devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published a Covid-19 action plan setting out how they planned to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The plan stated that the United Kingdom was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. Whether that was actually the case will be examined in module one, he said in his opening statement. Even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all. Mr Keith said the significant risks of pandemics had been long assessed and officials had planned for them. But fundamentally, in relation to significant aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were taken by surprise, he added. The lawyer said there is a need to question whether the health services were sufficiently funded or suffered from under-investment ahead of the pandemic that left in its wake death, misery and incalculable loss. Today we begin public hearings for Module 1 investigating pre-pandemic preparedness and resilience in the UK, at 10:00am. Watch it on our YouTube channel, subject to a three minute delay: https://t.co/n03rrwuLGm pic.twitter.com/4AR1ruAuls UK Covid-19 Inquiry (@covidinquiryuk) June 13, 2023 Mr Keith said that key to the first phase of the inquiry is whether the terrible outcomes for people with existing health conditions and disabilities, as well as for people from deprived or ethnic minority backgrounds, were foreseen or could have been mitigated. Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions were necessary in areas including shielding, employment support, schools, borders and lockdown restrictions, he added. Few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail. Mr Keith said he fears the evidence indicates the enormous preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit in 2019 led to a drain (in) resources and capacity for emergency planning. He said it is clear that preparing for the EU departure crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that the Government knew was necessary. Extraordinary though it may seem, he also said, there had been very little thought about what the impact of a national lockdown could be ahead of the pandemic. Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling excluded from sharing key evidence. People hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic, outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Belinda Jiao/PA) Lady Hallett said she had set out an ambitious timetable for the inquiry, adding: To conduct the kind of thorough investigation the people of the United Kingdom deserve takes time and a great deal of preparation. I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised. Pete Weatherby KC, representing the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said they expect evidence to show chaos in Government led to a slow reaction. Claire Mitchell KC, for the group representing relatives in Scotland, said leaders were accused of presiding over a carousel of chaos. Kirsten Heaven, on behalf of Welsh families, said they were very disappointed that the government in Cardiff was not launching its own inquiry over its inadequate response. For relatives in Northern Ireland, Ronan Lavery KC said decades of political dysfunction had led to a lack of preparedness and that the region was 18 months behind the rest of the UK in resilience. A 17-minute video was played at the inquiry, showing people describing the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on themselves and their loved ones, including those who had died alone. One woman cried as she said her father had died, followed, just a few days later, by her sister, and that she suffered guilt over the way they had died. People hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic, outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Belinda Jiao/PA) Another woman said she had lost everything, while others described suffering anxiety. People also told how they had not hugged each other at family funerals because they were sticking to Covid social distancing rules laid down by the Government. The hearing was also told that people could not be buried in outfits chosen by families because body bags had to remain sealed. The inquiry will be split into six areas, with the first looking at whether the UK was adequately prepared for the pandemic. Interim reports are scheduled to be published before public hearings conclude by summer 2026. A separate Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry chaired by Lord Brailsford is looking at the pandemic response in devolved areas in Scotland. The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to a ranger who was murdered in front of his family at a film screening about the battle to stop South African rhinos being poached to extinction. Anton Mzimba was head of ranger services at Timbavati private game reserve in north-east South Africa, near the Kruger National Park, when he was shot outside his home last year. He had previously spoken to William via video link when the royal visited a technology company to learn about a new device to combat ivory smugglers. William was joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh, who has a strong interest in wildlife protection, at a screening of Rhino Man, a documentary which follows the next generation of South African wildlife rangers. More than 150 guests attended the screening at Battersea power station on Tuesday hosted by United for Wildlife (UfW), Williams initiative to fight the illegal wildlife trade. The prince said: The murder of Anton Mzimba is a stark reminder of the daily dangers that all rangers face around the world protecting the natural world from the international criminal organisations that seek to profit illegally from wildlife and Im proud to see his life and legacy recognised in Rhino Man. This is not a burden they can bear alone. An effective response to this vicious crime demands attention and collaboration across the entire chain of criminal activity, not just on the front line. That is why United for Wildlife, through its global financial and transport taskforces, and wider alliance of partners, has taken action to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime will be met with an international response as powerful and co-ordinated as any other serious and organised crime. In the last six years the UfW has contributed to nearly 500 law enforcement cases, more than 300 arrests, over 200 seizures of wildlife products and has trained over 100,000 people. The prince and duchess met Antons cousin Leitah Mkhabela, who is supervisor of the Black Mambas, South Africas first all-female anti-poaching unit. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh attend a private screening of Rhino Man (Susannah Ireland/PA) William told Ms Mkhabela: He was very inspirational. I only met Anton once. He was incredibly passionate and also very motivational for all of you. Speaking after the event, Ms Mkhabela told the PA news agency: It feels good to go back to the bush and continue putting your boots on the ground knowing that there are so many people outside in the world who are supporting you, who are looking up to you. (Anton) left two young kids, very young kids, about three years old. They still have a long way to go. So getting the support shows there is hope, there is light. The audience also heard from Orlat Ndlovu, head of ranger services at the Timbavati private nature reserve, who described Anton as a brother and a mentor who led by example. The ranger, who said he had been on the firing line facing rhino poachers, told the cinema audience: He loved and treated everyone with respect including his enemies. He saw good in them hoping that they would see good in him. Mr Ndlovu told PA: When we are at work, especially back in South Africa, you dont know that the work that youre doing (is appreciated) until you come into this type of stage. It is like an injection, like a fuel to keep us doing what we do best. The illegal wildlife trade doesnt put wildlife at risk alone but also the lives of the rangers. Paying tribute, Amanda Berry, CEO of The Royal Foundation, said: (Anton) made the ultimate sacrifice for his work when he was brutally murdered at home in front of his family. Sadly, Antons family and colleagues are not alone in experiencing such a devastating loss. Rangers around the world risk their lives daily, often with limited training, pay or support. Broadway's biggest stars hit the red carpet in show-stopping styles at the 76th Annual Tony Awards at in New York City Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Michelle Williams Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Michelle Williams wore a silver dress on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. Her short-sleeved dress was covered in sequins, making the actress and Tony Award nominee stand out while accompanying her husband and Sweeney Todd director Thomas Kail for the award show. Jodie Comer Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Jodie Comer wore a sleek, structured gown on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. Her strapless dress had subtle sparkly detailing on the bodice before the skirt gently fanned down from her hips. She kept her accessories very minimal, opting for an understated glam look for the night. Uzo Aduba ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Uzo Aduba announced she was pregnant with her first baby while in an orange suit at the 2023 Tony Awards. She wore wide-leg orange trousers with an orange bra top and blazer, allowing her new baby bump to be the star of the show for the night. Betsy Wolfe Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe wore a feathered purple gown on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. The & Juliet star's dress featured a thigh-high slit and massive train. She paired her dress with matching purple heels for the night. Lily Rabe Dominik Bindl/Getty Images Lily Rabe wore a blue and black Erdem look for the 2023 Tony Awards. The pale blue of the dress sparkled just enough to catch the light and was starkly contrasted by the actress' black leather gloves. Marcia Gay Harden Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Marcia Gay Harden showed some serious leg in her all-black look at the 2023 Tony Awards. The actress stepped out in a black dress with a thigh-high slit for Broadway's biggest night. She kept the rest of her look simple, opting for her long-sleeve dress that also included a train to do all the talking. Lupita Nyong'o Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Lupita Nyong'o wore a custom-made breastplate at the 2023 Tony Awards. The silver piece, made by Pakistani artist and fashion designer Misha Japanwala, was molded to the actress' body, she wrote on Instagram. She layered the piece under a black tuxedo. Amber Ruffin Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Amber Ruffin may be known for her love of blazers, but she wore a bright blue gown for the 2023 Tony Awards. The TV host wore a structured dress with thigh-high slit and puff sleeves plus a train! for the award show. J. Harrison Ghee Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions J. Harrison Ghee wore a blue trumpet gown for the 2023 Tony Awards. The bright blue dress included a tall collar, gloves and dramatic train. The Some Like It Hot star pulled the look together with a bevy of sparkling jewels. Ariana DeBose Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions The host of the 2023 Tony Awards, Ariana DeBose, stood out on the red carpet in a custom silver Prada gown. Her stylists, Zadrian Smith and Sarah Edmiston, shared the look on Instagram. The plunging silver gown featured a slit up the back and detailing along the V-neckline. DeBose accessorized with DeBeers jewels and tied her hair back off her face in a voluminous ponytail. Julianne Hough Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Julianne Hough wore a floral Carolina Herrera gown for the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. The black and pink design featured a voluminous skirt, perfect for twirling while posing for photos. And though the dress came up to a high neckline in the front, it dipped to a backless silhouette from behind. Hough accessorized with a small black bag and wore her hair in an effortless updo. Colman Domingo Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Colman Domingo wore a classic Thom Browne suit for the 2023 Tony Awards. The actor spiced it up with a bow tie and shiny dress shoes and added David Yurman jewels for some shine. Erich Bergen Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Erich Bergen stood out in a green suit at the 2023 Tony Awards. Though he matched the leafy backdrop on the red carpet, he stood out from what is usually a sea of black tuxedos. Leyna Bloom Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Leyna Bloom wore a dress by Mark Bumgarner on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. The black and gold number featured a structured bodice with boning and an oversized rosette detail at the waistline. Skylar Astin Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Skylar Astin wore a textured black suit for the 2023 Tony Awards. Rather than pick a classic black tux, Astin instead reached for something a little different to co-host the preshow alongside Julianne Hough. Dylan Mulvaney Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney wore a Christian Siriano gown for the 2023 Tony Awards. Her black ball gown featured a sheer bodice and dreamy skirt. The neckline dipped down to her chest for a princess-like touch, which Mulvaney accented with a sweet necklace. Lea Michele Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Lea Michele wore a red and white floral dress on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. The skirt of the dress was deceivingly large, giving the Funny Girl star plenty of skirt to twirl on the carpet. She capped off her look with award show-worthy glam and her chin-length bob sleek and tidy. Jessica Chastain ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Jessica Chastain wore a bright yellow Gucci gown and cape for the 2023 Tony Awards. Her sunny yellow dress featured a structured bodice and sweetheart neckline. She paired it with a a large Gucci necklace and wore her hair slicked back in a ponytail. Luke Evans Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Luke Evans wore a classic black suit for the 2023 Tony Awards. The actor kept it simple in the go-to silhouette to walk the red carpet, opting for the all-black look with a white button-up shirt. Annaleigh Ashford Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Annaleigh Ashford wore a navy tulle dress on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. The dress included pops of sequins and paillettes for pizzazz perfect for the Great White Way. Audra McDonald Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Audra McDonald wore a body-hugging blue dress on the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. Her skin-tight dress included a ruched bodice that added just a hint of drama and a demure V neckline. She carried a coordinating clutch and wore just a few jewels. Rachel Brosnahan Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Rachel Brosnahan wore a dress from the Dua Lipa x Versace collection at the 2023 Tony Awards. Her black polka-dot dress had butterfly accents and a purposefully tattered hemline that added visual appeal. She capped the look off with strappy heels. Sara Bareilles Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Sara Bareilles wore a red dress by Georges Chakra for the 2023 Tony Awards. The sleeves had a cage-like appearance that matched the tie at her waist, and the dress fanned out into a dramatic oversized skirt. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. WASHINGTON Federal prosecutors are seeking 14 years in federal prison for a violent Jan. 6 rioter who his lawyers say "idolized" Donald Trump and thought of the former president as the "father figure" he never had. Daniel "D.J. " Rodriquez pleaded guilty in February, admitting that he battled law enforcement officers on the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 6 and tased former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer Mike Fanone in the neck before storming the building and smashing out a window. The government, in a sentencing memo filed late Friday, sought 168 months in federal prison along with restitution in the amount of $98,927, saying that Rodriguez's crimes were acts of terrorism that deserve an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines. Judge Amy Berman Jackson will sentence Rodriguez on June 21. Rodriguez, his defense attorneys wrote in a separate sentencing memo, "struggled to find a place where he felt he truly belonged" and "found a cause that gave his life meaning" when he became a part of the "Make America Great Again" movement in California. Rodriguez saw Trump as "the father figure and leader Mr. Rodriguez never had in his life," with his attorneys writing that he "trusted Trump blindly and admired Trump so much" that he referred to Trump as "dad" in messages he sent to a "PATRIOTS 45 MAGA Gang" group on Telegram. Daniel Rodriguez (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) "It was Mr. Rodriguezs unwavering belief in the words of the former president that drove him to lose all sense of right and wrong and led him to take part in the tragic actions that unfolded in Washington, D.C. on January 6th," Rodriguez's lawyer wrote, seeking a sentence of a little more than five years in federal prison. "Mr. Rodriguez, who grew up without a father and who never completed high school, was someone who believed the former presidents lies because Mr. Rodriguez deeply respected and idolized Trump," they wrote of Rodriguez, who they said held "low-level employment" in retail and factories for twenty years. "He believed Trump was someone to be admired: a multimillionaire who graduated from Wharton Business School, with his name massively displayed in gold on buildings across the United States." Rodriguez who called himself "so stupid" and a fing piece of st in an interview with the FBI following his arrest also denigrated his own intelligence in a letter to Fanone filed in court. (Fanone has called Rodriguez a moron who was manipulated by Trump.) "I wish I was smarter," Rodriguez wrote in the letter to Fanone. "I want to apologize to your children as well. If I could go back and change what I did, I would. I hope it makes you feel better that I am going through a very tough time in jail." Rodriguez has been held in custody for more than two years, since his arrest in March 2021, which came about a month after he was named in a HuffPost story following his identification by online sleuths and anti-fascist activists in the Los Angeles area. Jackson has sentenced at least two other defendants in connection with the assault on Fanone, giving Kyle Young, an HVAC worker from Iowa, more than seven years in federal prison in September and giving Albuquerque Head, of Tennessee, 7.5 years in federal prison in October. Rodriguez was indicted alongside two codefendants: Ed Badalian and a man known to online sleuths as "Swedish Scarf." Badalian was convicted on most charges in April and will be sentenced in mid-July, while "Swedish Scarf" whose name has been redacted in court documents, but whose identity is known to the FBI is believed to have fled the country. British actor Joseph Fiennes recalled experiencing Harvey Weinstein's bullying following the success of his film Shakespeare in Love. (Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) Joseph Fiennes is opening up about his journey through Hollywood, including the "bullying" he suffered at the hands of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. In a revealing new interview with the Observer, the Shakespeare in Love star, 53, discussed why he turned down Weinstein's offer of a five-picture deal following the massive success of the 1998 film, which Weinstein's company Miramax produced. Noting that he has to be careful here, Fiennes initially spoke off the record before revealing that the reason he turned down the deal from Weinstein was because of a bullying tactic that didnt sit well. He claims he was summoned to Weinstein's hotel room, where the legendary producer described the contract to Fiennes in an allegedly aggressive manner that "made it clear he would now be in charge of Fienness career," the article reads. The way he explained it was a shock to me. But I suddenly sat in the room very present, and happy and strong in myself to say, you know what, Im not beholden to that," Fiennes recalled. "Im stepping away. While he's unsure if he was subsequently punished by Weinstein for turning down the deal, Fiennes clarified that he didn't think it benefitted him either. I dont think it helped me. Hurt? No, maybe not hurt. But he made it clear that he wont support me.Joseph Fiennes I dont think it helped me. Hurt? No, maybe not hurt. But he made it clear that he wont support me. Hell make a very strong movement not to support me," he shared. "I was out of the family. But I was very happy not to be in the family. Fiennes also spoke about his "wrong" decision to portray Michael Jackson in an episode of the 2016 anthology Urban Myths. In the program, Fiennes starred as Jackson opposite Succession star Brian Cox as Marlon Brando and Stockard Channing as Elizabeth Taylor, as the trio sets out on a road trip after 9/11. Looking back, Fiennes said he believes "people are absolutely right to be upset by his participation in the role. And it was a wrong decision. Absolutely. And Im one part of that there are producers, broadcasters, writers, directors, all involved in these decisions," he said. "But you know, it came at a time where there was a movement and a shift and that was good, and it was, you know, a bad call. A bad mistake. At the time, the late pop star's daughter Paris Jackson tweeted that the show "honestly makes me want to vomit. The episode was ultimately pulled before it was broadcast, with the Sky network releasing a statement that said the decision was made in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jacksons immediate family." Fiennes said he played a significant role in the decision to block the show from airing. I asked the broadcaster to pull it. And there were some pretty hefty discussions, but ultimately people made the right choice," he noted. Colorsport/Shutterstock Track and field star Frentorish Tori Bowies cause of death was confirmed one month after her death at age 32. An autopsy report obtained by The New York Times indicated that the Olympic gold medalist was eight months pregnant and in labor at the time of her death. The report listed respiratory distress and eclampsia as possible complications that caused the athletes passing. Pat Cooper Celebrity Deaths in 2023: Stars Weve Lost Read article Eclampsia is a rare condition that causes seizures in pregnant people and can lead to a coma. It follows preeclampsia, which can cause high blood pressure and organ damage. Less than 3 percent of patients with preeclampsia progress to eclampsia, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies Bowies management firm announced her death last month. Were [devastated] to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. Weve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister, Icon Management said in a statement shared via Twitter on May 3. Tori was a champion a beacon of light that shined so bright! Were truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends. Read article At the time, ESPN reported that the Orange County Sheriffs Office in Orlando, Florida, responded to a call for a welfare check at the home of a woman in her 30s who had not been seen or heard from in several days. Officers later identified the individual as Bowie, noting that there had been no signs of foul play. Her obituary noted her date of death as April 23. Before her death, Bowie competed at the Rio Olympics in 2016, winning a gold medal in the 4100-meter relay, a silver medal in the 100 meters and a bronze medal in the 200 meters. While in college at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Florida native was a two-time NCAA Division I long jump champion. Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time Read article According to a 2021 study by Johns Hopkins Medicine, Black women born in the United States are at a higher risk for preeclampsia than Black women whove immigrated to the country. Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal death, causing between 10 and 15 percent of maternal deaths worldwide according to one estimate. In general, Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After Bowies cause of death was revealed, her agent, Kimberly Holland, spoke out about the news in a statement to CBS News. Unfortunately, so many people, including the media, are making speculations that she did something to herself, which is very hurtful, Holland told the outlet. So hopefully, now knowing the truth, there will be many apologies. Ariana DeBose honored her Broadway ensemble roots with a jaw-dropping dance number at the top of the 2023 Tony Awards telecast. NEW YORK The show must go on. Despite the ongoing Hollywoodwriters' strike, it wasn't curtains for this year's Tony Awards, which moved forward Sunday with a slightly reworked ceremony at the United Palace Theatre in Washington Heights, New York. Oscar winner Ariana DeBose ("West Side Story") returned to host the telecast on CBS, which featured no scripted banter during the presentation of awards. The result was a surprisingly seamless and performance-heavy show, led by standout numbers from Ben Platt ("Parade") and Lea Michele ("Funny Girl"). "Kimberly Akimbo," a musical about a 16-year-old girl (Victoria Clark) who ages four times faster than the average person, picked up the night's biggest trophy for best musical, along with prizes for best actress (Clark), best score and best book. Tom Stoppard's "Leopoldstadt," a decades-spanning drama about a Jewish family, earned best play, while Sean Hayes ("Good Night, Oscar") and Jodie Comer ("Prima Facie") took top acting honors for their respective plays. Here are the top moments of the night: Ariana DeBose does the thing with unscripted opening number After starting last year's show with a frenetic mashup of show tunes, DeBose returned to the Tonys with a stunning, wordless opening number. After leafing through a blank script, she proceeded to twirl, kick, leap and flip through the United Palace with a group of dancers. She then launched into an unscripted introduction explaining the significance of the writers' strike and what it meant for Sunday's ceremony. Ariana DeBose addresses the #WritersStrike during her "live and unscripted" opening monologue at the #TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/PQkS029ya2 The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 12, 2023 "To anyone who may have thought that last year was a bit unhinged, to them I say, 'Darlings, buckle up,' " DeBose said, before pointing out the lack of teleprompters in the theater. "In all seriousness, yes, I am unscripted as is every presenter who comes on stage tonight. We're just making it up as we go along." Bonnie Milligan delivers inspiring speech with 'Kimberly Akimbo' win Milligan brought home the Tony for best featured actress in a musical, for her hilarious and nuanced portrayal of small-time con Aunt Debra in "Kimberly Akimbo." The beloved scene-stealer paid an emotional tribute to her late father and grandmother in her acceptance speech, before offering words of encouragement to others who may feel like outsiders. Bonnie Milligan made our lives Better with her Tony-winning turn in Kimberly Akimbo. "I want to tell everybody that doesn't look like what the world is telling you should look like whether you're not pretty enough, you're not fit enough, your identity is not right, who you love isn't right," Mulligan said. "That doesn't matter because guess what? Its right and you belong." Backstage, she talked about her long road to Broadway, growing up in a trailer in the Midwest with "not much, no connections." She added, "It took a while to get here. For some years, I had shame about how long it took me to get here." 2023 Tony Awards nominations: 'Some Like It Hot' leads; Jessica Chastain, Samuel L. Jackson score Alex Newell, J. Harrison Ghee make Tonys history as nonbinary acting winners Glee alum Alex Newell delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech at the Tony Awards Sunday. Newell, the "independently owned" showstopper of corn comedy "Shucked," tearfully picked up the trophy for best featured actor in a musical. The actor, who is nonbinary and uses he/she/they pronouns, thanked their mom for "teaching me what strength is," while also expressing gratitude for the Broadway community. "I've wanted this my entire life and I thank each and every one of you in this room right now," Newell said in their speech. "Thank you, Broadway, for seeing me. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts." Later, Ghee took the stage to accept best actor in a musical for "Some Like It Hot," playing a jazz musician coming into their gender identity. J. Harrison Ghee made history with their win for best leading actor in a musical for Some Like It Hot, a stage adaptation of the classic Marilyn Monroe comedy. Ghee, who uses he/they pronouns, became the second openly nonbinary performer in Tony history to win an acting award, after Newell earlier in the night. "For every trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming human whoever was told they couldnt be, couldnt be seen, this is for you," Ghee said. Speaking to reporters in the media room, Ghee elaborated on their own coming-out journey, saying it's wonderful to "break labels and limits and boundaries for myself, first and foremost, and to hopefully be that inspiration for others." Denee Benton compares Ron DeSantis to KKK leader Benton, star of HBO's "The Gilded Age," earned huge cheers from the United Palace audience with her pointed remarks about DeSantis. While introducing an award, the Carnegie Mellon University alum compared the Republican governor of Florida to a "grand wizard, referring to a leader of the Ku Klux Klan. Denee Benton was met with gasps and applause for her dig at presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis. "Earlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theater Education Award, Benton said. And while I am certain that the current grand wizard Im sorry, excuse me governor of my home state of Florida will be changing the name of this following town immediately, we were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch-Young, enhancing the lives of students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. Celebrities including "Abbott Elementary" actress Sheryl Lee Ralph praised Benton's statement on Twitter, writing "Yesssssss @DeneeBenton I caught it!! The grand wizard." Jodie Comer wins best actress for harrowing 'Prima Facie' Comer, an Emmy winner for BBC America's "Killing Eve," won the best actress in a play Tony for her tour-de-force performance in "Prima Facie." In the grueling one-woman show, Comer plays a lawyer named Tessa who represents men accused of sexual assault. Her perspective shifts when she is raped by a male colleague and she struggles to confront a system that enables abuse. Jodie Comer accepts the award for Best Leading Actress in a Play for The actress says "Prima Facie" is different from other projects she's seen about sexual assault. "For me, the distinction is that shes in control of the whole narrative and the execution of telling the story, and I was really moved by that," Comer told reporters backstage. "And that's why I think it resonates so deeply with people: that youre experiencing every moment with her." Comer expressed admiration for her character's sense of self, saying that playing Tessa helped her "become a woman." She also recalled the emotional responses she's received from survivors. "The letters we get on a weekly basis from hundreds of women, saying very clearly what this play has done for them," Comer said. "We see firsthand the effect this play is having. Not every job is like this, and we just savor every second." More: Chris Stapleton concert postponed, Broadway performances canceled amid New York air quality crisis This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tony Awards 2023: Jodie Comer wins best actress, Ariana DeBose hosts In this photo released by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Lt. Gen. Lee Young-su, left, head of the JCS's Chief Directorate of Strategic Planning, shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Hamed Rafea A. AlAmri, right, chief of staff of Saudi Arabia's General Staff, at the JCS headquarters in Seoul, June 13. Yonhap Korea and Saudi Arabia held talks on military cooperation this week for the first time in four years, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday, as they seek to strengthen defense ties. Lt. Gen. Lee Young-su, head of the JCS' Chief Directorate of Strategic Planning, and Maj. Gen. Hamed Rafea A. AlAmri, chief of staff of Saudi Arabia's General Staff, led the ROK-Saudi Arabia Military Cooperation Committee meeting in Seoul on Monday and Tuesday, according to the JCS. ROK stands for Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. It marked the second committee meeting since the inaugural session in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The two sides had agreed to convene the committee annually, but it did not take place from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this week's talks, the two sides discussed cooperation in the arms industry, education and training, as well as the revitalization of military exchanges, while sharing assessments on regional security situations, it said. On Monday, the Saudi Arabian delegation visited the Air Force's Air Defense Missile Command at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, and the unit's midrange surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) battery to observe Korean troops' readiness posture, it added. "This visit was a meaningful time to understand the gravity of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and enhance bilateral military and defense cooperation," Maj. Gen. AlAmri was quoted as saying. The meeting comes after the defense chiefs of Korea and Saudi Arabia met for talks in Seoul in March and agreed to establish a regular ministerial-level dialogue on arms industry cooperation. (Yonhap) JPMorgan Chase (JPM) reached a tentative $290 million settlement with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, one of two lawsuits alleging the nation's largest bank ignored warnings about its longtime client and facilitated his alleged sex trafficking. The deal came roughly two weeks after JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was asked by lawyers what he knew about the bank's dealings with Epstein. One of Dimon's former top deputies, Jes Staley, was also questioned under oath last weekend. The case at issue was filed in November of last year by a woman who is listed anonymously as Jane Doe in court papers. She said she was sexually abused by Epstein and that Epstein paid her and other victims with money housed at JPMorgan. The suit sought class-action status on behalf of hundreds of alleged victims. The bank agreed to pay $290 million, but the terms of the settlement still have to be approved by a Manhattan federal judge. There was no admission of liability by JPMorgan as part of the agreement. "We all now understand that Epsteins behavior was monstrous, and we believe this settlement is in the best interest of all parties, especially the survivors, who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of this man," a bank spokesman said. Lawyer David Boies, who represented the victims, said taken together or individually, the historic recoveries from the banks who provided financial services to Jeffrey Epstein speak for themselves. It has taken a long time, too long, but today is a great day for Jeffrey Epstein survivors and a great day for justice. Boies said "the bank has asked us not to reveal the number" of victims covered by this settlement "at this time and that pending further discussions we are going to respect that request." The deal doesn't eliminate all JPMorgan legal headaches associated with Epstein. JPMorgan is still being sued by the government of the US Virgin Islands, which also claimed JPMorgan facilitated Epstein's sex trafficking. The bank also is suing Staley, who got to know Epstein while running JPMorgans asset-management unit. JPMorgan claims Staley misled the bank's executives about Epstein. Staleys lawyers have denied the allegations and Staley has said he never knew about Epsteins alleged crimes. JPMorgan is still suing former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit with Epstein's victims last month. The bank took Epstein as a client in 2013 after JPMorgan tossed him out. Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution, was arrested in 2019 on child sex trafficking charges. He was later found dead in prison in an apparent suicide. The announcement of a new JPMorgan settlement comes weeks after Dimon faced a series of questions about what he knew about Epstein while the convicted sex predator was a longtime customer of the bank. During a May 26 deposition conducted at JPMorgan's headquarters in Manhattan, Dimon said repeatedly that he never met Epstein or talked to him. He also said he had no memory of being told anything about him by any of his executives. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was asked during a deposition last month what he knew about Epstein while he was a client of the bank. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) In fact, he said he was not aware of a 2011 email from one of his top deputies advising that Epstein "should not be a client" of the bank. The email, according to a lawyer who conducted the deposition, was sent by JPMorgan general counsel Stephen Cutler to two other executives who reported directly to Dimon: asset management head Mary Erdoes and Staley. "This is not an honorable person in any way," Cutler wrote in the July 20, 2011 message, according to the lawyer conducting the deposition. "He should not be a client." Dimon said he wasnt aware of the message "at the time" but "I know it today." On Friday, a plaintiffs lawyer asked the cases presiding judge to grant a follow-up deposition of Dimon. In a letter to the court, the lawyer said a document from the bank produced after Dimon's May 26 deposition was one of the most relevant and responsive documents produced to date. It included a timeline of electronic communications that cited e-mails between Staley and Epstein. These late-produced documents, according to the June 9 letter to the judge from the plaintiff's lawyer, demonstrate that JPMorgan "was fully capable of learning the full extent of Epstein and Staleys personal relationship" and "yet waited to do so until 2019 despite the myriad red flags and public reports about Epsteins conduct over the years." A bank spokesman said Monday of Epstein that "any association with him was a mistake and we regret it. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes." Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance WASHINGTON It was a Friday night when Hunter Biden arrived at his parents Delaware home for what he had been told would be a family dinner. But as soon as the drug-addicted son of future President Joe Biden walked through the door, he realized the family was planning an intervention, not a meal. Amid the tears, yelling and accusations of betrayal that followed, a visibly terrified Joe Biden turned to his son and pleaded. I dont know what else to do, he cried out. Im so scared. Tell me what to do. Anna LaBarre knows that feeling of helplessness. She, too, has watched as an adult child with a brilliant future teetered close to self-destruction under the demons of addiction. On her work break, LaBarre used to get in her car, drive through the streets and alleys of Columbus, Ohio, and search for her daughter. She had no plans to approach the young woman should she actually find her. She just wanted to know she was alive. I dont understand, shed often tell her daughter in a cry that eerily echoed Joe Bidens words to his son. Help me understand. I cant help you. Hunter Bidens battle with substance use is back in the spotlight as the White House prepares for the possibility that the presidents youngest son could face criminal charges. Federal prosecutors are reportedly nearing a decision on whether to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes and with making a false statement about a gun purchase. No one can say with certainty the toll that Hunter Bidens addiction has exacted on the president and his family. Every case of addiction is different. Every family is affected in different ways. But while for most Americans addiction is a private family affair, many choose to keep a childs or siblings substance abuse and the criminal behavior that often accompanies it a secret from even their most intimate friends. Hunter Bidens struggles have played out in public and in the political sphere inhabited by his father. Further complicating matters: Republicans have repeatedly sought to use the federal investigation into Hunter Bidens private affairs, and at times even his drug addiction, as part of their campaign to portray the Biden family as corrupt. Perhaps more than anyone else, families whose lives have been wrecked by the disease of addiction understand what the Bidens have endured as Hunter Biden fought through recovery. No one can know what its like to have a child or sibling face down addiction until youve gone through it yourself, they say. Addiction traumatizes not only the person suffering from dependency. It terrorizes the entire family. It was horrible, said John Koch of Chicago, who got a protective order to keep his son, John Alexander Koch, away from the rest of the family when the son was deep in the throes of substance abuse. I would not wish it upon anybody. Families whove lived through the trauma of addiction find it appalling that anyones substance abuse issues would be turned into a political weapon, regardless of party affiliation. Hunter Bidens experiences show that addiction still carries a devastating stigma despite advances in the treatment and public perception of the disease. Theres really no one who is immune to this, said Alexis Pleus of Windsor, New York, whose son, Jeff Dugon, died of an accidental heroin overdose. It doesnt matter race, class, gender, what your income is, in the public eye, out of the public eye. Anyone can be affected. No one should be judged for this. Absolutely no one. Not even the president's son. 'My son has done nothing wrong': Biden defends son, Hunter Biden, in first interview since announcing his reelection bid Hunter Biden, the youngest son of President Joe Biden, has spoken publicly and written candidly about his battle with substance abuse. 'You gotta get some help' Joe Biden, who has made overdose and addiction issues a priority for his administration, rarely speaks publicly about his sons substance abuse. The White House declined to comment for this article. On the few occasions when the president has spoken about his sons addiction, it has usually been to vigorously defend him against partisan attacks. When Donald Trump invoked Hunter Bidens drug abuse during a presidential debate in 2020, Joe Biden came to his sons defense. My son like a lot of people, like a lot of people you know at home had a drug problem, Biden said. Hes overtaken it, hes fixed it, hes worked on it. And Im proud of him. In an interview with CBS News on Feb. 5, 2021, an emotional Biden again praised his son for writing honestly about his addiction in his memoir, "Beautiful Things." "I'll bet you there's not a family you know that didn't have somebody in the family who had a drug problem, or an alcohol problem," the president said. "And he's gone through hell." Reading the memoir gave him hope, Biden said. "I mean, it was like my boy's back," he said, his voice breaking. Hunter Biden has spoken candidly and written extensively about his battle with substance abuse. In his 2021 memoir, he recounted times when he would smoke crack cocaine every 15 minutes, the two weeks he spent thousands of dollars on drugs, and the 2019 intervention that ended with his father chasing him around outside the family home in Wilmington, Delaware. He recalled how his fathers enemies exploited his demons and addictions for political gain. Wheres Hunter? was a frequent refrain among Republicans during the 2020 presidential contest. Trumps campaign made up T-shirts bearing the phrase and sold them for $25 a pop, in sizes ranging from small to XXXL. Last fall, a private voice message that Joe Biden left to his son on Oct. 15, 2018, was leaked and aired by Fox News host Sean Hannity, ostensibly to provide insight into Hunter Bidens state of mind when he filled out the gun application under investigation by authorities. Joe Bidens message to his son on that voicemail: It's Dad. I called to tell you I love you. I love you more than the whole world, pal. You gotta get some help. I know you don't know what to do. I don't either." Brandon Swinehart of Cincinnati screen presses T-shirts at SRO Prints, the company he co-founded with his wife. Swinehart, who struggled with addiction, has been clean for 18 years and, in hiring for the business, gives people in recovery second chances. Brandon Swinehart, who lived on the streets of San Franciscos Tenderloin district for two years when he was heavily using drugs, cant understand how a fathers message of love and support to a son who is battling addiction could end up being a political issue. Using Hunter Bidens addiction to score political points is probably the most despicable thing Ive seen in my life, he said. If some Republicans child had these issues and a Democrat did the same thing, Id say the same thing, said Swinehart, who has been sober for 18 years and now runs a screen-printing business in Cincinnati, Ohio. This has nothing to do with competency or being president. This is someones family. Its a family affair. Please stay out of it. Influence peddling? House GOP: Hunter Biden, others got $1.3M from business associate linked to China 'Why did they choose drugs over me?' Gracie Parker never knew her mother. A heavy drug user, the young mom overdosed and was found dead at the bottom of a river six months after Gracie was born. Her father, who also suffers from a substance use disorder, has spent much of his life in and out of jail and rehab and has had next to no involvement in Gracies life. Why did they choose drugs over me? Gracie often wonders of her mom and dad. At age 10, she has become an advocate for other children dealing with trauma and has spoken at events across North Carolina and in Washington. Her grandparents, James Parker and Elke Kennedy of Franklin, North Carolina, have custody of her and are raising her. Addiction changes your whole life, said James Parker, whose son is Gracies father. Gracies father has no idea what she goes through, and that makes me mad, James Parker said. Why should my daughter have to stand up and talk about mental health for children at 10 years old? Gracie Parker, 10, of Franklin, North Carolina, who lost her mother to addiction, has turned into an advocate for other children dealing with trauma. Other families tell similar stories of how a sons or daughters addiction has destroyed marriages, of how an in-laws drug use has sowed lasting distrust and caused financial ruin, of how the trauma of a brothers or sisters behavior has lingered long after theyve gone into recovery if they were lucky enough to survive. I impacted my family and those who cared about me in so many different ways, said Amy Molinski of Waterford, Wisconsin, who started using cocaine at age 17 and eventually gravitated toward heroin and oxycontin. Molinski has been clean for 13 years and works as a peer support counselor at a drug addiction treatment center, but her mother was recently diagnosed with PTSD. Everything scares her, Molinski said. Everything startles her, and she may jump or yell or scream. And it really traces back to my addiction and the amount of trauma that caused her. Molinskis sister-in-law, Annie Molinski of Burlington, Wisconsin, recalled the years when Amy was using drugs as a deep and dark, devastating time for the family. Amy Molinski was smart, crafty and deceptive, a master manipulator who would steal anything of value to support her habit, including money that her brother and future sister-in-law had saved for their wedding. One time, she even pawned her mothers wedding ring for a fix. At a certain point, we were just in survival mode, said Annie Molinski, who recalls staying at her in-laws home, reaching into the bathroom cabinet drawer for her toothbrush and accidentally grabbing hold of a heroin needle instead. 'Bunch of Malarkey': Biden dismisses GOP bribery allegations John Alexander Koch was incarcerated 26 times and placed in treatment programs 22 times during his battle with heroin and opioid addiction. Now clean for 10 years, he works for Community Medical Services, a treatment clinic in Phoenix. 'So awful, you almost wish it was over' John Alexander Koch of Phoenix, who was incarcerated 26 times and placed in treatment 22 times during his battle with heroin and opioid use, remembers his mother getting down on her hands and knees in prayer position and begging him not to leave their home because she knew he was going to buy drugs. I love you I will do everything in my power to get you help, please dont go and use these drugs that are going to kill you, he recalls her pleading. All he could think of was not that my mother is crying in front of me or that Ive hurt her so bad, he said. It was that I hope my ride gets here soon enough so that I can take this $40 I have and feel better. Another time, Koch overdosed on fentanyl-laced heroin in the basement of the family home after Thanksgiving Dinner. A friend who supplied the drugs and was with Koch called 911. Unaware of the life-and-death drama unfolding just feet from them, his parents were relaxing upstairs on the couch. They got a knock on the door, said Koch, who has been in recovery for a decade and is now part of the senior leadership at Community Medical Services, a treatment program that helped change his life. It was the ambulance, and they said you need to let us in right now. Someones dying in your basement. His father followed the EMTs downstairs and watched as they injected his son with Narcan, which reverses opioid overdoses. Their quick action saved his son's life. But the horror of that ordeal turned the father into an advocate for making access to the drug more widely available something that also has been a goal of the Biden administration. When it gets so bad, its so awful, you almost wish it was over, the father said. Because you just dont know how much more youre able to take. Jessie Jennings of Columbus, Ohio, looks back on her addiction and the toll it took on her family with a sense of guilt. Here she is pictured with her husband, John, stepdaughter Ava, 9, and son Austin, 3. For years, LaBarres daughter, Jessie Jennings of Columbus, Ohio, looked back on her addiction and the toll it took on her family with a sense of shame. Shame eventually turned to guilt, which enabled to her to start making amends to those she loved for stealing money, jewelry, property, anything of value to support her habit, for selling the gift cards her parents gave her to purchase groceries and then using the money for drugs, for calling on her parents to pay her overdue rent so she wouldnt get evicted and turned out onto the streets. Swinehart, who grew up in a wealthy Cincinnati suburb, overdosed 20 times and spent 13 months in prison when he was hooked on heroin and other drugs. He would often go months at a time without any contact with his parents or other loved ones. During those prolonged periods, his father would call the morgue to see if he had died. They loved it when I was in jail, he said. Because they knew where I was, that I was safe. After her sons death from an overdose, Pleus started Truth Pharm, a nonprofit organization that works to educate people on harm reduction strategies and serves as a voice for those struggling with substance abuse. Pleus applauds Hunter Biden for being open about his struggles. The scrutiny and criticism the Bidens and others in the public eye face can be crushing. But, Pleus said, their openness is helping to shed some of the stigma of addiction. Its really important to get the message out to people that they shouldnt struggle alone and that they shouldnt struggle in shame and silence, she said. We have to break the stigma by talking about this more. Thats how were going to solve the problem. Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS. Alexis Pleus of Windsor, New York, lost her son, Jeff Dugon, to an accidental heroin overdose. After his death, she formed Truth Pharm, which advocates for people struggling with substance abuse. Treatment or enforcement? Record fentanyl deaths spark new debate over war on drugs This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Hunter Biden's addiction battle shouldn't be a political target Late-in-life college grads include, clockwise from top left, Nancy Power Hodous, 102; Sam Kaplan, 72; Janice Hall, 81; and Lew Griffith, 99. (Illustration by Quinn Lemmers/Yahoo; photos courtesy Zane State College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Cockrell Schoo, Bethel University) After walking the stage in their caps and gowns to receive college diplomas for the first time, some seasoned scholars have been proving that the pursuit of dreams is not something bound by age. That includes Sam Kaplan, 72, who achieved his lifelong dream of being a college graduate just before his teenage grandson graduated from high school this year. "I look at myself differently now," he tells Yahoo Life. Kaplan, one of seven siblings, who has five kids and 15 grandchildren, had always struggled with being accepted by peers due to a stutter that he was able to drop in his 30s, around the same time he began writing short stories as a form of escape. In May, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia Gwinnett College in Georgia with a degree in cinema and media arts as his 99-year-old mother cheered him on from the audience, going viral in the process. Four years ago, after hearing a commercial for the college course on the radio, Kaplan says he made a "spur of the moment decision" to register for classes. Now, over half a century since graduating high school in 1969, he is embracing a new future. Sam Kaplan, 72, and his 99-year-old mother at his graduation. (Credit: Georgia Gwinnett College) I sacrificed to take my kids to private schools that were an hour away. I would go there and back every day for several years to make sure they had a great education, he shares. So, as my son has told me, now its my turn to achieve my dreams. 'They think of me as a caveman' Janice Hall, an 81-year-old stroke survivor and two-time cancer survivor, earned her bachelors degree in organizational management from Minnesota's Bethel University, over 50 years after first attending college. She tried completing her degree several times over the years, but only recently felt that she was able to finish. "I had time on my hands," the retired human resources professional tells Yahoo Life. I had a very good career over those years of working. Nobody ever asked me for a degree in terms of the things that I did, career-wise, so I just continued to work and do what I knew best, and succeeded in that. But it was always in the back of my mind to finish [college]. And now, I did. Hall, who has three children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, advises future scholars with similar college dreams that there is always hope whenever things seem challenging. If the will is there, the way will be made," she says. Janice Hall, 81, walking to accept her college degree at Bethel University, which was decades in the making. (Photo: Peter Ringenberg for Bethel University) Those sentiments are shared by Lew Griffith, a 99-year-old retired U.S. military engineer and pilot who earned a Bronze Star for his engineering work in the 1960s. Though he earned his engineering degree, among others, Griffith was never able to complete his graduation ceremonies after being interrupted three times to serve in World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. That changed this year, when a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering, where he studied, invited him to walk onstage to accept his diploma in his cap and gown. At 99, Lew Griffith finally walked the stage to accept his college diploma after being interrupted three times to serve in World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. (Credit: University of Texas Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering) I was very gratified to see the student body express, with a standing ovation, that they appreciated their veterans, he tells Yahoo Life of the support he received from younger grads. It represented a bond between the old guys and new guys. Part of that bond is finding humor in their generational differences. They think of me as a caveman, he jokes. Meanwhile, in Zanesville, Ohio, 102-year-old Nancy Power Hodous earned an associates degree in public service from Zane State College, made possible by Trilogy Health Service's Live a Dream program, which financially supports seniors in achieving their goals. Its never too late to follow your heart, she said in a statement through a representative at Oaks of Bethesda, a retirement community where she lives. Hodous achieved the degree through a culmination of online business, arts and poetry courses including auditing a class at Harvard University. If its something you can do, go ahead and do it! she told local news station WBNS. Nancy Power Hodous, 102, receiving an honorary associates degree from Zane State College after finally completing her college courses. (Credit: Trilogy Health Services) Hall will go back to school in August to focus on a masters degree in ministry, though she isnt exactly looking to go back to work post-graduation. At this age, I certainly dont plan to do another career, but Im glad that I did this now," she says. "Its come closer to match what I promised myself. As for Kaplan, he says "taking risks" later in life is scary, but sometimes "its something you have to do." Im 72, but I think I still have about 30 good years left, I hope I do anyway, and I certainly dont want to sit around and do nothing," he says. "This whole thing has caused a great change in my life." Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. Kristin Davis is getting real about the work she's had done and how it's impacted her emotionally. In a tell-all interview with The Telegraph, the "Sex and the City" actor revealed that she initially tried Botox, saying she was "super excited" to not have lines along her forehead. Davis said she didn't do any other procedures "for a long time," until she eventually turned to fillers. "I have done fillers and its been good and Ive done fillers and its been bad," she said. "Ive had to get them dissolved and Ive been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. Its very stressful." Referring to any recent work she had done, Davis told the publication that she "can't keep it up," explaining that she doesn't have the time. She added that people also place a lot of judgement on the procedures when they don't turn out as planned. "Youre trusting doctors [but] people personally blame us when it goes wrong [as if] I jabbed a needle in my face" Davis said, referring to lip-related procedures. No one told me it didnt look good for the longest time.Kristin Davis "No one told me it didnt look good for the longest time," she continued. "But luckily I do have good friends who did say, eventually. The thing is you dont smile at yourself in the mirror. Who smiles at themselves in the mirror? Crazy people." The 58-year-old also got real about her fitness and diet routine as a single mother of two children, telling The Telegraph that she typically doesn't have much time for workouts and dieting. "I just eat what the kids are eating. Its exhausting to make something different for myself," Davis said. In her early 20s, the actor gave up drinking, calling herself an "alcoholic" at the time, according to the publication. "It was enough of a problem for me to go, 'This is something that could get in the way of what I want to do in life.' Luckily my first boyfriend out of school was sober which was super-duper helpful." As she celebrates 25 years of "Sex and the City," Davis, who plays Charlotte York on the popular series, was recently featured in a social media video by HBO for the show's anniversary. Were just here to say thank you. she said in the clip. Davis was joined by co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon, who portray Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes, respectively, to show their gratitude for their fans. However, fans pointed out that one member of the iconic quartet wasn't featured in the video: Kim Cattrall, who plays Samantha Jones. Though making a splash on the show from 1998 to 2004, the 66-year-old declined an offer to portray Jones in the offshoot series "And Just Like That...," which is about to launch its second season. Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall on the original Formerly, Cattrall had strong remarks on never reprising her role, saying in a 2022 interview that "its a great wisdom to know when enough is enough." But last month, the "And Just Like That..." official Twitter account announced that the actor would be back for a brief appearance in the upcoming season. When asked during her interview with The Telegraph about her relationship to Cattrall and her co-star's current choice to not play a major role in the franchise, Davis responded, "You have to respect people's wishes." "Im not gonna waste energy on it," she continued. "I cant change anybody. I do understand fans feelings that theyre upset I wish I could fix it, but I cant, its not in my power." Season Two of "And Just Like That..." will premiere on June 22 on Max. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Planning travel can be a daunting maze. Guidebooks, by their nature, send all readers to the same destinations. And web searches can yield an unhelpful mess of content. Yet some tech-savvy travelers are finding success using artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard to inspire and plan their vacations, treating these services like free, on-demand travel agents. I liked the idea of ChatGPT because it gives you a very clear list, says Alpa Patel, an avid traveler based out of New York City. Patel has been planning a family trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the summer. After getting frustrated with the cookie-cutter travel websites served up by Google, she had an idea: Why not ask ChatGPT for some advice? I started with the best places to stay and it gave me a list of neighborhoods, along with the best hotels. I actually picked my hotel through that list, Patel says. SET YOUR PREFERENCES Although Patel enjoyed the simplicity of these responses, she quickly found another reason why AI chatbots like ChatGPT can be useful for travel planning: customization. Google was giving her endless recommendations for the Scottish Highlands, but Patels younger son gets carsick, so she didnt think it would be feasible for him to spend hours in a car to get there. She found ChatGPT was able to give her reasonable alternatives. I very specifically asked, What are good day trips when you have a child who suffers from car sickness? It came up with some ideas that you could go to by train, she says. Steven Kreimendahl, co-founder of the blog Travel to Blank, was planning a trip to Japan in the spring with his wife and mother-in-law and used ChatGPTs personalized recommendations to consider the groups different travel styles. My wife and I love traveling all day, while my mother-in-law prefers a slower form of travel, Kreimendahl says. I gave ChatGPT as much detail as possible and let it run with that. This approach differs from traditional ways of researching travel ideas. It requires some creativity on the travelers part to identify their niche interests, such as 1950s architecture in New York City or the best tonkotsu ramen in the Ginza neighborhood of Tokyo. Rather than simply reading a list of ideas, trip planning with AI chatbots involves feeding it the preferences that matter to you. The more information it has, the better response youll get, Kreimendahl says. PUSH BACK AND VERIFY Unlike real travel experts, artificial intelligence models cant get their feelings hurt. That means its OK to shoot down ideas you dont like in fact, its encouraged. While web search results essentially reset with every new query, the language models powering chatbots can carry on long conversations, remembering and responding to questions and feedback throughout. Sometimes its really broad, like, just relax for the day, Kreimendahl says, citing ChatGPTs recommendation for a multiday itinerary. Dont be afraid to dig in deeper and ask for more specific requests. And while these models are great at generating ideas and answering simple questions, nothing they say should be taken as, well, true. ChatGPT, for example, is based on historical information up to 2021, so you cant expect it to provide the latest details, which you might find with a search engine like Google. The chatbot may recommend a restaurant that closed during the pandemic or a train line that isnt running on your travel dates. For example, Kreimendahl was visiting Japan at the end of cherry blossom season, and ChatGPT didn GET INSPIRED AI chatbots like ChatGPT might seem like technological wizards, but theyre still quite limited in what they can do. Dont expect them to know current flight prices to Dubai or book a reservation at a restaurant it recommends. However, some travel companies are working on integrating AI chatbots with the booking process. Expedia recently introduced an integration with ChatGPT that saves its recommendations in the Expedia app. Any hotels recommended in the conversation powered by ChatGPT will automatically save to a new trip in the app that travelers can go back to when theyre ready to shop and book their trip, adding on flights, activities, cars, etc., said Rajesh Naidu, senior vice president and chief architect at Expedia Group, in an email. These integrations are in their early days, so travelers will still have to do the actual booking legwork. But the fun of using AI chatbots lies in the ideas they can generate and the collaborative approach they foster. Its the ideation stage, Patel says. Its giving me the inspiration for what to look deeper into. __________________________ This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sam Kemmis is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. RELATED LINK: NerdWallet: How to plan a trip https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-how-to-plan-a-trip Anyone who has seen Outlander can attest to the sizzling on-screen chemistry between Sam Heughan and his co-star, Caitriona Balfe. But as much as we enjoy swooning over Jamie and Claire, we want to know: Does Sam Heughan have a girlfriend in real life? The Scottish actor and producer hasn't revealed much about his love life, but in 2022, he was romantically linked to a model, who many believe is (or was) his girlfriend. Keep reading for details on his relationship status and who hes dated in the past. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images 1. What Is Sam Heughans Relationship Status? The actor hasnt confirmed if hes dating anyone, but in 2020, he opened up about how challenging it is to balance his career with a relationship. He told Inquirer, Certainly, relationships are hard when youre working in Scotland ten months a year. I travel a lot and any downtime I have, Im trying to do other projects. He added, My priority has been my career, so thats where I am at the moment. But I am sure at some point, I will get knocked off my feet, then Im screwed. In 2022, the actor avoided sharing personal details about his love life, although he did hint that he was on the market. While appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, he said, The job is so all-encompassing, and we spend so much time on set and at work. But I'm open to something. I'm not sure what I'm saying I'm open for, but I'm open." Sam Tabone/WireImage 2. Who Is Sam Heughans Rumored Girlfriend? In 2022, the actor was spotted with a brunette model named Monika Clarke. The duo showed PDA during what appeared to be a lunch date in New York, which, naturally, sparked dating rumors. However, Heughan never confirmed the rumors. Amy Sussman/Getty Images 3. How Did Heughan and Clarke Meet? Hueghan and Clarke havent revealed how they met, but they were photographed together for the first time in March 2022. Given that Heughan is notoriously private when it comes to his dating habits, it comes as no surprise that he hasnt discussed their history. Getty Images 4. Who Else has Heughan Dated? Heughan has dated Into the Woods star MacKenzie Mauzy, although the length of their relationship is unknown. Rumors of their romance began in 2016, and by the following year, they were attending events together and sharing pics of each other on social media. After the couple called it quits in 2017, Mauzy went on to marry Scott Ratliff. In 2018, outlets reported that the star was dating Twin Peaks actress Amy Shiels. Rumors surfaced after she liked: a tweet suggesting that she and Heughan were a beautiful couple. And when Shiels attended the premiere of Heughan's movie, The Spy Who Dumped Me, they spent time together at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Whether they truly dated is unclear. 14 Shows Like Outlander to Add to Your Queue Marlon Wayans was cited for an incident at Denver International Airport on June 9. Marlon Wayans and United Airlines are at odds over an incident at Denver International Airport on Friday. In a series of Instagram posts, Wayans, 50, claimed a gate agent told him he had one too many bags to board his flight and it escalated to him getting a citation. I complied and consolidated them, (and) he was like, 'Oh, now you have to check that bag,' " Wayans wrote. "Most agents are always love but every now and then you come across BAD PEOPLE. This was one of them." United Airlines responded in a statement to USA TODAY, "A customer who had been told he would have to gate-check his bag instead pushed past a United employee at the jet bridge and attempted to board the aircraft." The spokesperson added that the customer did not fly United to his destination following the incident. Wayans was given a ticket from the Denver Police Department for disturbing the peace and released, the department's communications technician Jay Casillas confirmed Monday. He is expected to return to Denver on July 11 to answer the charges in court. The actor countered on social media that he had not physically interacted with the gate agent. "Yes, a ticket thats all they could give me," the comedian wrote. "Dude tried to lie and say i assaulted him. The video clearly shows i never touched him. He was desperate to try to have some authority." Matty Healy, Morgan Wallen: When your favorite artist shares racist, hateful views Wayans wrote, "This agent was clearly picking on me. He asked me to consolidate my bags and I complied." The "Scary Movie" star added that after he did so, "I grabbed my ticket off the counter (and) got on the plane." Eric Andre and Clayton English sue: Comedians accused Atlanta airport of racial profiling in federal lawsuit As a result of the incident, Wayans missed his stand-up comedy shows in Kansas City, Missouri. "Yall owe me money for my shows i missed, yall owe me for my troubles, yall owe my fans a damn apology. This was the highest level of disrespect. And shouldve been avoided," the "White Chicks" star added in one of his posts. He continued, "Black people (experience) all kinds of racism and classism. I wont allow this. Over a bag?" On Saturday, Wayans alleged in a video that United's corporate line contacted him and defended the gate agent and said there was no more room on the aircraft. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marlon Wayans removed from United flight, accuses airline of racism People enjoying the warm weather in Paignton, Torbay, Devon (PA) Very warm weather is set to continue across the majority of the UK this week after temperatures hit highs of 32C on Sunday, the hottest day of the year so far. Temperatures went above 30C over the weekend in parts of the UK for the first time since August 2022, the Met Office said. However, large parts of the UK face warnings for thunderstorms with lightning strikes and torrential downpours forecast on Monday. Beachgoers at an overcast Bournemouth beach in Dorset (PA) A yellow weather warning is in place until 9pm on Monday for large parts of England including London, Oxford, Nottingham, and Manchester, with further alerts for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Met Office Meteorologist Alex Deakin said while conditions are likely to be dry and very warm and humid for the majority, the heat and humidity are likely to spark some big thunderstorms across Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Monday evening. Meanwhile, it will become dry overnight with largely clear skies for most parts of the UK. Warm and muggy conditions are expected to continue into Tuesday for most, according to the Met Office. However, showers and thunderstorms are expected in western Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, Tuesday will be a warmer feeling day in southwest England and southwest Wales compared to today, Deakin said. The outlook is for more clear skies and not as many heavy thundery showers, he said. Looking to the rest of the week, sunshine is expected to continue, according to the Met Office forecast. Deakin said: Were going to lose some of the humidity. Temperatures just dropping down a touch, but still likely to get into the mid to high twenties, and nights becoming a little more comfortable, but only a little bit. UK weather forecast for Tuesday, 13 June (Met Office) In the coming weeks, warm weather and thunderstorms are predicted to continue. The Met Office long range forecast for Friday 16 June to Sunday 25 June says: The first half of the period will most likely be fine and settled with long periods of sunshine across most of UK. However, showers or thunderstorms may occur towards the west with cloudier and showery conditions in the Shetlands and western isles while the vast majority stay dry. Light to moderate easterly winds are likely to be dominant and temperatures are likely to be warm to hot during the day and overnight, perhaps cooler along the east coast. Later in the period, conditions are expected to remain similar throughout with dry and settled conditions likely to remain in the north of the UK. Perhaps chances of showers and thunderstorms development towards the south of the UK. With Donald Trump set to appear in Miami for one set of federal charges, back in Washington, another grand jury investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and Trumps efforts to stay in office is also moving ahead in full force. Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald, a close Trump political ally, as well as Jim DeGraffenreid, the state partys vice chair, were spotted by NBC News entering the area where the Jan. 6 jury is meeting at the Washington federal courthouse Tuesday. Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald. (Las Vegas Review-Journal / Getty Images) When asked about having to appear the same day as Trumps court date, McDonald joked to an NBC News reporter: Not on my bucket list. McDonald had previously confirmed to NBC News that federal authorities seized his cellphone as part of the investigation. The appearance comes a week after former Trump White House official Steve Bannon was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in Washington in connection with special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Jan. 6. The Bannon subpoena, for documents and testimony, was sent out late last month, the sources said. In addition, at least one former Trump White House aide testified on June 1 before the grand jury, hearing evidence about the former president in its ongoing investigation surrounding the election, according to a source familiar with the appearance. The testimony focused on Trump's firing of Christopher Krebs in 2020. At the time, Krebs led the federal governments election cybersecurity efforts and debunked false claims of election fraud and hacking. Mike Pence also testified before the grand jury in April. The grand jury investigating Trumps actions surrounding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and in connection with efforts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power, is separate from the grand jury in Miami that heard testimony Wednesday about his handling of classified documents. McDonald has a close personal friendship with Trump, and in recent months, he had visited Mar-a-Lago as part of a Nevada delegation Trump was courting for endorsements. McDonald had testified before the Jan. 6 Select Committee, where he invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 200 times. Both McDonald and DeGraffenreid served as so-called fake electors, slates of electors who in most cases signed certification documents purporting that Trump had won in their states even though he had lost. A car being sought in connection with an earlier murder burst into flames after crashing in a police chase, killing two men inside, California sheriffs officials reported. But pursuing deputies pulled a 14-year-old girl from the back seat moments before flames engulfed the car. The 2007 Toyota Camry was carjacked in Oakland on Sunday, June 11, Alameda County sheriffs officials said in a news release posted by the Manteca Police Department. Investigators linked the vehicle to the murder of a woman at 10:04 p.m. Sunday, Manteca police said. The woman walked into a business before collapsing and dying of a gunshot wound. At 1:45 a.m. Monday, Alameda County sheriffs deputies spotted the Toyota Camry in Hayward and began chasing it after the driver sped off, the release said. The pursuit continued into San Leandro, where city police deployed a spike strip, deputies said. The driver crashed into a tree trying to avoid the spikes. As the car began to smoke, deputies saw a 14-year-old girl trying to escape, but her foot had become trapped, the release said. They rescued the girl, but could not rouse the two men unconscious in the front seat before the car burst into flames, sheriffs officials said. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later recovered a handgun from the front seat of the charred vehicle, the release said. San Leandro is a city about 20 miles southeast of San Francisco. Accused carjacker flees with owner yelling on hood of car, California police say Police cars shatter concrete wall inches from home during chase, California cops say Woman airlifted to safety after car plunges off highway into sea, California video shows By Ko Dong-hwan Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk / Korea Times file A 16-year-old boy tracked his girlfriends location through her phone and shot her ex-boyfriend dead in Washington, police said. Jesus Castaneda-Peraza is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Fabian Gonzalez at about 9:32 a.m. on May 30 in the Seattle suburb of Auburn, police said in an arrest report. Before the shooting, Castaneda-Peraza found his girlfriends location and left Auburn Riverside High School after his first period, police said. His girlfriend was with Gonzalez, so he waited in a parking lot until Gonzalezs car passed, authorities said based on traffic camera footage. Then Castaneda-Peraza followed the vehicle for about two blocks, police said. Once Castaneda-Peraza was next to Gonzalezs vehicle, he shot the man three times at near point-blank range from the passenger side, police said. His girlfriend, who had been driving at the time of the shooting, got out of the car and ran into Castaneda-Perazas vehicle, multiple witnesses told police. The two fled to Gresham, Oregon, where they were both arrested a day after the shooting, police said. Castaneda-Peraza is being tried as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He faces a sentencing range of about 26 years to 34 years. He is set to be arraigned on June 14. The teen was convicted on two counts of second-degree attempted robbery less than six months ago, prosecutors said in the charging documents. He was accused of holding two people at gunpoint. Woman is shot dead by boyfriend in front of her 9-year-old daughter, Texas cops say Two shot dead outside strip club after robbery turns violent, Texas cops say Child calls 911 after mom is shot in chest during fight over loud music, Texas cops say In this image from U.S. Capitol Police video, released and annotated by the Justice Department in the Statement of Facts supporting an arrest warrant, Joshua Abate, circled in green, Micah Coomer, circled in red, and Dodge Dale Hellonen, circled in blue, appear inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Two men who were active-duty members of the Marines Corps when they stormed the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday to riot-related criminal charges. Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen are scheduled to be sentenced in September by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. Both pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Columbia. Many Capitol rioters are military veterans, but only a few were actively serving in the armed forces when they joined a mobs attack on Jan. 6, 2021. A third active-duty Marine, Micah Coomer, also was charged with Abate and Hellonen. Coomer pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor charge in May and is scheduled to be sentenced by Reyes on Aug. 30. All three men face a maximum sentence of six months of imprisonment. As of May 19, the Marines were still in the service. No additional information was available Monday. David Dischley, an attorney for Abate, declined to comment on his client's guilty plea. An assistant public defender who represents Hellonen didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Authorities arrested the three men in January: Abate at Fort Meade, Maryland; Coomer in Oceanside, California; and Hellonen in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In this image from U.S. Capitol Police video, released and annotated by the Justice Department in the Statement of Facts supporting an arrest warrant, Joshua Abate, circled in green, Micah Coomer, circled in red, and Dodge Dale Hellonen, circled in blue, appear inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Witnesses stationed with Coomer at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and with Hellonen at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina identified them in videos of the Jan. 6 riot, according to the FBI. A third witness also a Marine identified Abate from footage captured inside the Capitol, the FBI said. During a June 2022 for his security clearance, Abate said he and two buddies had walked through the Capitol on Jan. 6 "and tried not to get hit with tear gas, according to an FBI special agent. Abate also admitted he heard how the event was being portrayed negatively and decided that he should not tell anybody about going into the U.S. Capitol Building, the agent wrote in an affidavit. After the riot, Coomer posted photos on Instagram with the caption Glad to be (a part) of history. The angles of the photos and the caption indicated he had been inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, the FBI said. The phone number listed for Coomer in his military personal file matched the Instagram account. Spent nearly an hour inside the Capitol Coomer drove to Washington on the morning of Jan. 6 from his military post in Virginia. He attended then-President Donald Trump's Stop the Steal rally with Abate and Hellonen before they entered the Capitol. Inside the Rotunda, they placed a red Make America Great Again hat on a statute before taking photos of it, prosecutors said. The three men spent nearly an hour inside the Capitol before leaving. Less than a month after the riot, Coomer told another Instagram user that he believed everything in this country is corrupt." "We honestly need a fresh restart. Im waiting for the boogaloo, he wrote, according to the FBI. When the other user asked what that term meant, Coomer wrote, Civil war 2. Boogaloo movement supporters use the term as slang for a second civil war or collapse of civilization. They frequently show up at protests armed with rifles and wearing Hawaiian shirts under body armor. Over 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes for their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Approximately 600 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors punishable by maximum terms of imprisonment of six months or one year. Eighty percent of likely Republican primary voters in a new poll think former President Trump should still be able to get back to the Oval Office even if hes convicted in the classified documents case. A CBS News-YouGov poll, released Sunday, found that just 20 percent of likely GOP primary voters think Trump shouldnt be able to serve again as president if hes convicted over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Trump, who is running for the White House in 2024 after losing his 2020 reelection bid to President Biden, was indicted last week on 37 counts as part of the probe into Trumps document handling and whether the former president tried to keep the records from being returned after the end of his White House tenure. Just 12 percent of likely GOP primary voters said theyre more concerned the the documents were a national security risk, compared to 76 percent who said theyre more concerned that the indictment against Trump was politically motivated. Another 12 percent said theyre concerned about both. Sixty-one percent of that group also said the indictment wont change their view of the former president. Seven percent said the indictment might change their view for the worse and 14 percent say for the better. Eighteen percent said it depends. Nearly two-thirds of likely GOP primary voters said theyd prefer Trump not talk about the various investigations against him as he campaigns for 2024, while 39 percent say they would prefer he do so. Trump polled at the top of a hypothetical Republican primary field, leading with 61 percent who say theyll vote for him. In second place was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with 23 percent. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face federal criminal charges. Earlier this year, Trump also became the first former president to face criminal charges when was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney. Conducted June 7-10, the poll surveyed 2,480 U.S. adults and 1,798 U.S. adults who were recontacted after the indictment against Trump was unsealed. Responses from the subgroup of likely Republican primary voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Tuesday is starting a three-day state visit to Russia meant to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, authorities said Tuesday. The Algerian presidency said in a statement that Tebboune will attend an economic forum to be held this week in the city of St. Petersburg. Putins invitation had been conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his visit to Algiers in May last year with the aim of developing bilateral military, economic and humanitarian ties, and in other areas. Some Algerian media have criticized the visit amid Russias war in Ukraine. The timing is not at all appropriate, as this visit by the president could be understood as a bias in favor of Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, whereas officially, it has a position of neutrality, the Maghreb Emergent website wrote on Monday, raising concerns about a potential backlash from Western countries. Tebboune answered a question on the issue during his last appearance on public television last month. Russia is a friendly country which helped our revolution and with which we have historic political, diplomatic and economic relations, but we also have good relations with the United States and the countries of the European Union, he said. Gas-rich Algeria is in a delicate position regarding its long-standing ties to Russia. With drastically less capacity, Algeria is increasingly eyed by European countries looking to reduce their reliance on Russian energy amid the war in Ukraine. The North African nation has replaced Russia as Italy's No. 1 energy supplier. Russia has long supplied Algeria with military equipment. By Sarah Marsh, Supantha Mukherjee and Andreas Rinke BERLIN/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The European Union is set to urge Germany to do more to reduce its use of Huawei gear in its 5G network when Brussels publishes a progress report in coming days, ahead of talks between Berlin and Beijing, two sources familiar with the matter said. Germany is considered a laggard in implementing the EU's toolbox of security measures for 5G networks agreed three years ago to curb the use of "high risk" vendors such as China's Huawei due to concerns about possible sabotage or espionage. EU officials will likely call out Germany and a handful of other countries for insufficient progress when they present the second 5G toolbox review in coming days, likely Friday, the two sources said. They will also criticise telecoms operators such as Deutsche Telekom, one of them said. A European Commission spokesperson said he could only confirm the report was coming soon. Deutsche Telekom did not immediately reply to request for comment. A European spokesperson for Huawei, which has strongly denied its equipment could be used for spying or sabotage by Beijing, said it had no knowledge of the contents of the report and reiterated that during its 20 years of operation in Europe there had been no record showing "backdoors" in its equipment. Should Germany toughen its stance, that would be a major blow to Huawei given it is Europe's largest economy, and the fact others would likely follow suit. It could also send a signal to China that Germany is getting serious about prioritizing security over economic interests and isn't a weak link in Europe due to its large trade with Asia's rising superpower. "This would be the nail in the coffin for Huawei in Europe," said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at PP Foresight. The issue is likely to be a sticking point at China-Germany government consultations that are expected to take place on June 20. China has asked for Huawei to be one of the main points on the agenda, one of the sources familiar with the matter said. China's embassy in Berlin did not reply to request for comment. A German government spokesperson said it did not comment on internal plans. "On the Chinese side, they obviously still see this as an area where there's some room for manoeuvre," said Andrew Small, author of "No Limits: the Inside Story of China's War with the West". It was not just Huawei's role in 5G but also broader digital infrastructure that was up for debate now, he noted. Germany's China hawks expressed outrage in March when a Reuters story revealed that German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn was using Huawei gear to digitalise its operations. Other countries such as Denmark and Portugal have already extended restrictions on perceived high risk vendors beyond 5G. Mikko Huotari of the Mercator Institute for China Studies said Beijing would likely lobby Berlin to ensure any new EU-wide controls on Chinese technology were not too severe. RIP AND REPLACE? Telecom providers switched to using Huawei equipment over the last decade as the Chinese company supplied gear that was cheaper, but as good as, that of Finland's Nokia and Sweden's Ericsson, according to telecom experts. However, the West has increasingly moved to restrict the use of Huawei in particular in 5G due to what critics say are its close links to Beijing's security services. Huawei and China's government reject these claims, saying the restrictions are a protectionist move to support non-Chinese rivals. Berlin in 2021 passed a law setting high hurdles for makers of telecommunications equipment for the "critical components" of 5G networks. In the implementation of that law, however, it defined those narrowly compared to other countries, and did not consider equipment already built in. In answers to parliamentary queries in recent months, the government has acknowledged it did not know what percentage of Huawei gear was already built into 5G networks and whether it could pose a security risk. In March, Berlin announced a review of telecoms suppliers to determine this, which it expects to conclude this summer. "The problem is we didn't actually know what the companies were doing and whether Huawei had already been built into critical sectors," said one government official. "We also have to consider the technical developments: are the risks today the same as a few years ago?" A second government source said the review would determine whether the government needed to implement its IT security law more strictly. It is estimated it would cost billions of euros to rip out and replace Huawei equipment in European countries, potentially burdening telecom companies already sitting on huge debts. In the U.S., its telecom regulator has said that companies have requested $5.6 billion in aid for replacing Chinese gear. Telecoms operators would struggle to ensure minimal disruption to networks, said Pescatore. However, "the removal of Huawei kit would present further opportunities for rivals", he added. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke in Berlin and Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Sergio Goncalves in Lisbon; Editing by Mark Potter) The Harvey County Sheriffs Office has identified a woman who died in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday as 35-year-old Traci Slater of Hesston. The crash happened southeast of Hesston, in the 5500 block of North Hesston Road. Slaters vehicle went off the road, entered a ditch and rolled, a news release from the Harvey County Sheriffs Office said. Slater died at the scene of the crash. No one else was in the vehicle, the release said. (Reuters) When he announced his campaign for president in February, it may have been easy to dismiss Vivek Ramaswamys unlikely candidacy as a vanity bid put on by a rich man looking to raise his profile, position himself for a Cabinet slot or build a mailing list for a future run for a less-prestigious office. Many of the GOP insiders The Independent spoke to before heading to New Hampshire to cover Ramaswamy had kind things to say about his anti-woke, anti-Environmental, Social and Governance crusading, but were reluctant to say he was more than another rich guy cosplaying as a political candidate. While he does fit that mould, upon a cursory examination, its much harder to dismiss Ramaswamy once you see him campaign. One of his first major appearances as a political candidate a speech at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference at a Prince Georges County, Maryland convention centre demonstrated his undeniable political oratory skills. He had announced his presidential campaign only a week or so earlier, and was given a mid-afternoon speaking slot commensurate with his status as a newcomer whod never before held office. The first-time candidate used his 15 minutes on the CPAC stage to work the relatively paltry crowd into a frenzy, garnering rounds of applause as loud and enthusiastic those observed for far more popular figures in the conservative political-media universe. Vivek Ramaswamy at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland in March (Getty Images) He threw out red meat zingers about dismantling the FBI and ending affirmative action on day one of his administration, but he also talked about the national unity Republicans could achieve by winning such an overwhelming landslide in next years election that they could run roughshod over whatever Democratic rump remained in Congress. The crowd at CPAC lapped it up, and while he hasnt reached a level of support that would enable him to make a serious challenge to Mr Trump, in recent opinion polls his support has equaled or bettered that of more well-known figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie. He trails behind Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, but is hoping to make inroads as the campaign progresses. At least two GOP campaign operatives suggested at different times that his campaign is a manifestation of pro-Trump intraparty sabotage an operation meant to further split the Republican field to the ex-presidents benefit. He was even asked about this possibility at one of his events. He denied it, of course, and its hard to see why hed go through the trouble of putting together a full campaign team, dumping a seven-figure sum from his own pockets into his campaigns coffers, and put himself out there just to benefit another candidate especially one who is known not to return favours or have much loyalty to anyone but himself. There was a time, not long ago, when the idea of a 37-year-old without a day of experience in elected office making a run for the highest office in the land would have been written off as the stuff of delusion or at best, a pitch for a Saturday Night Live skit. For better or worse, Donald Trumps ascent from reality television host to the summit of American power seems to have permanently upended the notion that experience and traditional qualifications for office are what voters crave in their chief executive, leading to an influx of wealthy gadflies and other long-shots making their entries into presidential politics in hopes of replicating his unlikely journey. I dont think that we all say lets show up at the 50 yard line, hold hands, compromise, sing Kumbaya, and thats how we get on with it Vivek Ramaswamy With an estimated net worth of roughly $630m gained largely from a string of investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology startups Ramaswamy certainly qualifies as uber-wealthy. He has been a fixture on Fox News and other right-wing networks during the Biden era, and hes made a name for himself as a crusader against all things woke through a string of books lambasting efforts to tackle racism and increase diversity in the corporate ranks, as well as stakeholder capitalism and the use of ESG criteria by investors and asset managers. His campaign has been prolific in online fundraising, and when the Republican National Committee announced debate participation criteria that requires candidates to garner donations from more than 40,000 individuals, he easily met that threshold. And while he may be caught in Mr Trumps shadow this time, he clearly possesses some raw political abilities that could serve him well should he choose to remain in electoral politics after this election cycle. At a New Hampshire diner, it was clear that Ramaswamy, whose middle-class upbringing in Ohio gave way to elite education at Harvard University and Yale Law School, knew how to work the room. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to Granite State Republicans at a Concord, New Hampshire diner on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) Both on the stump and in one-on-one conversations, he projects preternatural confidence, rattling off complex answers about his view of how hed govern as president. He laced his remarks with a far more positive air than the GOP frontrunner, who constantly claims that America without him at the helm is a nation in decline. Though he hardly ever mentioned Mr Trumps name, Ramaswamy took direct aim at the ex-presidents pessimistic outlook on the United States, telling the diner crowd that he doesnt believe that description has to fit America. Instead, he describes the country he wants to lead as going through adolescence with the accompanying crises of self-confidence. I really think were just a little young, actually, as a country, going through our own version of adolescence, figuring out who were really going to be when we grow up You go through adolescence, you go through an identity crisis, you go through self doubt, you lose your confidence. You lose your sense of who you are. But we get to adulthood stronger on the other I think where we are as a country, I dont think we have to be in decline. I think we might be in our ascent, he said. Yet for all his optimism and self-confidence, the first-time candidate also showed signs that he may be in over his head. Ukraine peace plan Ramaswamys predilection for right-wing rhetorical tropes over a solid command of the facts became further evident when the topic of discussion turned to the reason Ramaswamys campaign had invited The Independent to ride along with him in New Hampshire: His plan to end Russias war against Ukraine. That conflict, the worst land war on the European continent since the defeat of Nazi Germany, is, according to most experts, one born out of Russian President Vladimir Putins arrogance and epic miscalculations of how the West would respond to an all-out effort to topple the pro-western government in Kyiv. While those on the more traditional side of the Republican Party field such as Pence and former South Carolina governor turned UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, have been steadfast supporters of US efforts to bolster Ukraines defence forces, Ramaswamys more populist instincts have him hewing closer to the side of Trump, who, as the invasion kicked off last year, praised Mr Putins aggression as genius. The basic premise of his peace plan is that the US should somehow force Ukraine to accept massive territorial concessions from Russia, and at the same time induce Russia to exit its longstanding relationship China and make some other concessions in exchange for control of a big chunk of Ukraine and sanctions relief. Ramaswamy claims this plan would cleave in two what he describes as a mutual defence pact between Moscow and Beijing based on a two-decade-old Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries and the no limits partnership Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced early last year. Yet neither the decades-old Sino-Russian agreement nor the five-year extension of it announced by Putin and Xi last year amount to a Nato-style defence agreement in the mould of the North Atlantic Treaty, despite Ramaswamys claims to the contrary. He also suggests that in exchange for the sanctions relief and formalised control over Crimea and the Donesks region of Ukraine, Russia would be induced to cease its use of Kaliningrad, a small exclave on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania, for basing nuclear-capable weapons systems. One Russia expert who spoke to The Independent actually laughed out loud when asked about the topic of Kaliningrad. The expert noted that the city is the home base for Russias Baltic Fleet, the countrys only ice-free seaport, and part of the hard-won spoils awarded to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The longtime foreign policy scholar, who asked not to be identified because they dont want to get pulled into GOP primary politics, said the mere suggestion that Russia would ever give up Kaliningrad calls into question whether Ramaswamy has thought through his plan or ran it by any actual experts before going public with it. I dont know the answer to that question Vivek Ramaswamy The Independent followed Ramaswamy over the course of his three morning events. He embodies a particularly Trumpian archetype a charismatic, telegenic personality with an Ivy League pedigree and raw political talent who, upon closer examination, appears to have bitten off more than he can chew. During a brief interview with a correspondent from CBS News who had come to Concord, New Hampshire, for his second event of the day a roundtable with New Hampshire legislators Ramaswamy drew attention to another part of his plan. He told CBS that part of the Western end of the deal would be for the US to announce an end to any military aid to Ukraine or even former Soviet Union bloc states. Ending aid to Ukraine puts him firmly in the Trumpian part of the GOP field, but the second part of his statement raised eyebrows for a different reason. In the three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union, the vast majority of former Warsaw Pact countries have elected to become full members of Nato. Ramaswamys off-the-cuff remark to CBS went even further than what hed suggested in prepared remarks, which indicated that he planned to call for Nato to pull back from bases in Eastern Europe that had been built up in the years following Russias illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. As we left the Concord hotel where his campaign had reserved the room for the legislator roundtable, The Independent asked who had advised him when he was formulating his Ukraine policy. He said the thesis of the proposal came from him, but he also suggested that there were others involved, but he declined to name any of his foreign policy advisers, citing concerns for their privacy. Back in the SUV and en route to his third morning event, this reporter pointed out to him that he had essentially called for the United States to abandon mutual defence commitments to nations that were members in good standing of Nato. At first, he appeared not to understand the question. When The Independent explained that most of the former Soviet Bloc nations are now part of the 31-member defensive alliance, he attempted to walk back his call for the US to abandon those countries and said he had been just speaking fast during his interview. He said that what he meant to say was that the US should stop aid to former Warsaw Pact countries that are not part of Nato, even though the only signatory to that defunct treat that has not joined Nato is Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stands in a makeshift television studio for an appearance on right-wing television network Real Americas Voice on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) The vision he was articulating a wholesale abandonment of Ukraine as a way to appease Russia and induce Moscow to break from its partnership with China may not have made complete sense in terms of the details, but it became clear as The Independent followed Ramaswamy throughout the day that his intended audience isnt foreign policy gurus or detail-obsessed journalists. At every stop, each time he mentioned the idea of giving up support for Ukraine as a wedge against China, he was greeted with applause. War against the administrative state Over the course of the day, the Yale Law School graduate repeatedly offered his take on how to address the most Trumpian of boogeymen, a freedom-sucking villain he calls the administrative state. For years, Republicans have railed against the very idea of a nonpartisan civil service, staffed by career professionals who, like all federal officials, swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. In the last days of the Trump administration, the outgoing president even proposed to create a new category of federal employee who could be fired at will and move tens of thousands of career experts, scientists, and anyone with a role that so much as touches policy formulation, into that category so they could be fired and replaced with loyalists. More than one GOP candidate in the 2024 primary has suggested reviving that proposal, known as Schedule F. But Ramaswamy wants to go even further. In almost every public appearance, he says he will eliminate the Department of Education and other federal agencies that are viewed as enemies of the conservative movement, including the FBI and much of the rest of the federal intelligence and law enforcement apparatus. One aspect of his plan would be somehow ditching the century-old civil service laws in favour of establishing an eight-year term limit for federal employees, a category that could encompass anyone from the National Park Service groundskeeper who cuts the grass at the White House, to the people who process Social Security applications and cut the checks, to the IRS employees who make sure Americans get their tax refunds on time. But to Ramaswamy, theyre bureaucrats who need to be reined in from acting as a fourth branch of government, even though most federal agencies operate under the supervision of one or more Senate-confirmed appointees who are named by the President himself. In Ramaswamys view, only when the US president has unilaterally eliminated the nations top law enforcement agency and the agency responsible for writing safety regulations for nuclear power plants can America stand up with a spine to actual threats on the world stage. Also ripe for a root-and-branch uprooting, he says, is the managerial class at the Pentagon, who he blamed for wokeness in a military he described as failing. When this reporter finally had a chance to ask him about the legal underpinnings of his plans to gut the majority of the federal government, his reply opened up even more chilling possibilities. He first opined that the Supreme Courts landmark 1984 opinion in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc which states that courts should defer to federal agencies interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes was wrong, a not uncommon belief among Trump-era conservatives whod like agencies to have less power to enact regulations they dislike. But he quickly went even further, telling The Independent that the Chevron decision has become an excuse for sidestepping the nondelegation doctrine and opining further that Congress legislate lawmaking authority to an administrative agency. In essence, what Ramaswamy was saying is that most if not all federal programmes and laws enacted since the Supreme Court stopped using nondelegation in 1935, are unconstitutional. Taken at face value, this would mean much of the federal infrastructure we take for granted, including the Federal Reserve, New Deal creations such as Social Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, would simply vanish if he had his way. When asked if his aim was to party like its 1934 a reference to the last time the high court struck down a statute using the non-delegation doctrine, he replied: I do, but maybe even earlier, like 1922. The Independent pressed him to elaborate further by asking if he was saying that he wants to roll back the entire New Deal the architecture on which the modern United States was built. He said rolling it back was his domestic policy priority. And more than that, the legacy of it the Great Society thereafter set into motion its own metastasis of the administrative state, he added, referring to the suite of Lyndon Johnson-era programmes including Medicare, Medicaid, and host of other federal initiatives that were enacted as part of Johnsons War on Poverty. What Ramaswamy was proposing would be the fulfillment of a dream held by Republicans going back nearly a full century, to when the Supreme Courts switch in time that saved nine stopped getting in the way of Franklin Delano Roosevelts economic programmes. Trump, who spent much of his presidency railing against the deep state and trying to expand the limits of executive power far beyond what had ever been considered, had made an attempt to downsize the government through consolidating a few executive departments and eliminating the Office of Personnel Management the independent agency charged with overseeing the civil service. But even Trump knew he had to do these things lawfully. His GOP allies in Congress introduced legislation to carry out the executive branch reorganisation he desired. It went nowhere, thanks to resistance from members of both parties in the House and Senate. Perhaps with that failure in mind, Ramaswamy wants to go further. In his view, the problem starts when Congress writes the federal budget each year. At multiple points during the day, he told Granite State residents how the administrative state somehow brought about a fiction that when Congress appropriates funds, these funds have to be spent. He also said hed force departments to run their annual budget requests through the White House perhaps not knowing that the budget request process has for decades been run through the White House, by way of the Office of Management and Budget, which is part of the Executive Office of the President. In his hypothetical administration, all this could be solved by changing the word shall in budget bills to may, leaving the choice of whether to spend any money to run entire departments up to him, and him alone. Barring that, he claimed that long-expired reorganisation powers last granted to Ronald Reagan could be revived somehow through executive fiat, and he said firing the entirety of the Department of Education could be done without running afoul of civil service laws if he only were able to eliminate agencies by decree with the support of a 6-3 GOP-appointed Supreme Court. The Independent asked him if he was explicitly stating that the court would give him the power to nullify entire swaths of the United States Code laying out the structure of the Executive Departments whole swaths of the government with histories dating back to the Washington Administration. After a long pause, for the first time that day, this reporter saw something previously unseen creep into view on Ramaswamys face: Doubt. I dont know the answer to that question, he said. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom sparred with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night, insisting President Joe Biden is physically fit for a second term as president while refusing to say whether supporters have urged him to run against Biden on the 2024 ballot. Asked if he believes Biden is cognitively strong enough to be president," Newsom said yes, adding that he talks with the president all the time and has traveled with him aboard Air Force One. You never answered my question directly," Hannity responded. How many times does your phone ping a day, people saying you need to get in this race because they agree with me that hes not up to the job. Newsom stammered somewhat before responding: I'm not answering. Newsom has repeatedly said he has no interest in running for president, saying he completely supports Biden's reelection campaign. In April, Newsom raised money for Biden during a fundraiser in Washington shortly after the president announced his reelection campaign. But Newsom has continued to raise his national profile, fueling more speculation that he is laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign beyond 2024. After coasting to reelection as governor in 2022, Newsom took the millions of dollars left over in his campaign account to start a new political action committee. Newsom said he plans to use the money to support Democrats running for office in Republican-dominated states like Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. Last week, Newsom said the committee would campaign for a 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to harden federal gun laws. Fox News said Monday was Newsom's first interview on the network since 2010, back when Newsom was the mayor of San Francisco. Since then, Newsom has often joined the chorus of criticism against the conservative news outlet from Democrats who object to its coverage of guns and how some of the network's hosts have embraced former President Donald Trump. Last year, Newsom conceded that Republicans were winning right now in part because he said Democrats were too timid, giving conservatives the most compelling narrative over the airwaves. He has since opted for a more confrontational style which includes Fox News. Newsom has said he is a regular viewer of the network. Last year, his campaign paid for an ad on Fox News in Florida and urging residents there to join us in California. We need more of these kinds of conversations, and we need to not just accuse each other of misleading the American people, but I think confront each other in the context of providing opportunities to address some of the facts that are often omitted in terms of the conversations and topics we choose to pick up," Newsom said. Monday's interview had plenty of confrontation, with Hannity and Newsom often talking over each other. Hannity noted California lost population for the first time in its history as a state while Newsom was in office, offering that as evidence that the policies of Newsom and his fellow Democrats have failed. That includes California's income taxes, with a top rate of 13.3% that is the highest in the nation. Newsom pushed back that only the wealthy pay that 13.3% income tax rate. He said that top tax rate was established before he was governor, emphasizing that he has opposed new tax increases on the wealthy, including campaigning against a proposal on the 2022 ballot that would have raised taxes on the wealthy to pay for more zero-emission vehicles and to help fight wildfires. I've never been a profligate Democrat. I've balanced budgets. We make the hard choices. I'm a business guy," Newsom said. The interview was recorded previously in Sacramento before airing on Monday night. Hannity defended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' use of taxpayer funds to fly migrants to California. You are an open sanctuary state! Why don't you embrace them, Hannity asked We embrace everybody here, Newsom said. I sat down with these migrants. I talked to every single one of them. They were lied to, they were misled. But it wasn't all criticism from Newsom. The governor said he had a good relationship with former Republican President Donald Trump during the coronavirus pandemic, saying Trump played no politics during COVID with California. I've got a lot of critique from the left by saying that, Newsom said. While the interview took up the full hour of Hannity's show on Monday, the two men still had more to talk about. Hannity said the rest of the interview will air later this week. United States District Judge Aileen Cannon and Donald Trump. (Photos: via Wikicommons; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) A chorus of legal experts is calling for District Court Judge Aileen Cannon to recuse herself from former President Donald Trumps trial on charges relating to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. A Trump appointee, Cannon drew widespread condemnation for her rulings in Trumps favor during the FBIs investigation into Trumps retention of national security information at his private residence and social club in Palm Beach, Fla. Richard Painter, the White House chief ethics lawyer under George W. Bush; Norman Eisen, who occupied the same position for Barack Obama; and Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, a nonpartisan, good government advocacy organization, wrote in an article in Slate that Cannon must recuse herself from the case. Judge Cannons prior, fundamentally erroneous approach casts a shadow over the proceedings, the bipartisan trio wrote. Because her earlier handling of this case went well outside the judicial norm and was roundly criticized by the Court of Appeals, reasonable observers of this case could question her impartiality. Why was Cannon chosen in the first place? On Friday, when Trumps indictment was unsealed, experts inferred that Cannon had been assigned because she had already overseen Trumps lawsuit demanding the appointment of a special master to block government access to documents over which Trump claims executive privilege. But on Saturday evening, the chief clerk of the Southern District of Florida told the New York Times that Cannon was also assigned randomly to the criminal trial. Judges have certain geographic areas they cover, so Cannon draws 50% of the cases in the West Palm Beach, Fla., courthouse, the clerk said. Opposition grows Federal prosecutors, including many Republicans and even Trumps own former attorney general, William Barr, sharply criticized Cannons handling of Trumps lawsuit, which they considered frivolous. The special master Cannon appointed said he was perplexed by Trumps assertion of executive privilege over classified documents after he had left office. Cannons decision was overturned and Trumps lawsuit was dismissed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which included two judges who were also appointed by Trump. How Cannon could alter the outcome of the case Trial judges can affect the timing and shape of cases in many ways, the Washington Post noted. They can rule on motions to dismiss counts or the entire indictment, decide what evidence is admitted or excluded, and address a host of other critical questions. One point of contention will be that a federal judge in Washington granted a request from prosecutors to apply the crime fraud exception to attorney-client privilege in Trump attorney Evan Corcoran's conversations with the ex-president. Justice Department lawyers pointing to Corcorans notes that Trump suggested lying to federal investigators about the existence of hundreds of classified records in his possession argued Trump used Corcorans legal services in furtherance of a crime. The Daily Beast reported Saturday evening that Trumps team is already working on an effort to get Cannon to have evidence from Corcoran excluded from the trial. If Cannon agrees that the jury should not hear all of the Corcoran evidence, the Justice Departments case wont be over, but it will be critically hobbled, NBC News concluded. What are the rules governing a judges recusal? The federal law governing recusal says a judge should recuse if their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Stephen Gillers, professor emeritus at NYU Law, says Cannon is obligated to recuse herself because she showed favoritism toward Trump in her prior rulings. She was partial to Trump as a former President, which should not have any influence on the way this trial is conducted, Gillers told the New Yorker. Im concerned that the partiality she expressed in her decisions last year creates a reasonable perception in the mind of a fair-minded person that she is not impartial which is the test. "For her to re-emerge as the judge presiding over this historic trial would cast a long shadow over a proceeding that should be, and should be seen to be, entirely unbiased and legally sound," Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe told Newsweek. What happens next? If Cannon doesnt voluntarily remove herself from the case, the Department of Justice can file a motion requesting that she do so. If she refuses, the government can file a mandamus application with Cannons superiors on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel would then decide whether to remove Cannon. Mandamus efforts are rarely successful, Gillers cautioned. On Monday afternoon, the Miami Herald reported that Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman will oversee Trumps arraignment on Tuesday, but Cannon will still remain on the historic case as the lead judge. This undated photo shows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Korea Times file Police have referred a foreign ministry official to the prosecution for possible indictment on charges that he sexually abused a local embassy staffer when stationed in New Zealand in 2017, officials said Tuesday. The diplomat, whose identity has been withheld, was accused of groping the male administrative staffer at the Korean Embassy in Wellington multiple times, and the case drew attention in 2020 after then New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern raised the issue during phone talks with then President Moon Jae-in. Korean police began an investigation after the victim filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in December last year, and decided Monday to refer the diplomat to the Seoul Central Prosecutors Office, police and prosecution officials said. The victim also confirmed the case was referred to the prosecution. "The suspect's criminal charge of indecent act by compulsion was recognized and we decided to refer the case," police said in a written notice to the victim that was seen by Yonhap News Agency. The diplomat had left New Zealand for a new post in the Philippines in 2018 before New Zealand police launched an investigation. After learning of the case, the foreign ministry punished him with the disciplinary measure of a one-month salary reduction in 2019. The victim later filed a complaint with New Zealand police against the diplomat and a court warrant was issued for his arrest, but New Zealand police later decided not to request his extradition, saying the case did not meet the criteria for extradition. The diplomat is currently working at the foreign ministry headquarters. "As a direct result of what happened in my workplace, I am continuing to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder," the victim told Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday. "Despite the trauma, I am ready to appear as a witness and give evidence in Korean courts and I hope the court process can be completed quickly." (Yonhap) OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian Supreme Court judge being probed for alleged involvement in a drunken fight resigned on Monday, marking the first time a member of the top court has resigned amid questions of misconduct. Russell Brown, appointed to the nine-judge court in August 2015, had stepped aside in February after reports emerged of a confrontation with a U.S. Marine veteran in an Arizona resort in late January. The veteran told reporters that Brown had been drunk and made women at the resort feel uncomfortable. Brown denied this, saying the veteran was intoxicated and had punched him several times in the face without warning. Brown said the investigation, which showed no sign of ending, had imposed a significant strain on his family and was hampering the court. "Because the allegations made against me are false, I had hoped the issue would be dispensed with quickly ... sadly, that has not been the case," he said in a statement on Monday. Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner thanked Brown for his service. The Canadian Judicial Council, an independent body probing the allegations, said Brown's resignation meant its investigation was over. Brown was appointed by Conservative former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In a statement, Wagner invited current Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "to exercise promptly the necessary care and consideration in appointing a new justice." (Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) -China attaches great importance to the Palestinian issue and will continue to support peace talks, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his visiting Palestinian counterpart in Beijing on Tuesday, offering to contribute "Chinese wisdom." China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, Qin also reportedly told Palestine's Riyad al-Maliki, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Beijing on a three-day state visit in which he hopes to demonstrate that there is Chinese support for a Palestinian state, after failing to meet with American officials while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly last month. During what is Abbas' fifth visit to China, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the Palestinian cause as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern, according to official Palestinian media. China has historically had a good relationship with the Palestinians and since Abbas' last visit in 2017 has consistently talked up its capabilities in mediation, although it had little to show in this regard until it brokered a surprise deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties in March. Chinese envoys occasionally visit Israel and the Palestinian Territories but China has traditionally not played a major role in Middle East conflicts, or diplomacy, despite its reliance on the region for oil. But China looks set to increase its economic presence in the Palestinian territories, with the two countries having reached agreement in principle over four projects that China will fund in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Mohammed Mustafa, economic adviser to President Abbas. "Hopefully the initial signing will take place (on Wednesday) in the presence of the two presidents," Mustafa said on Palestinian television earlier on Tuesday. The projects include a solar power installation, a factory for solar panel production, a steel plant, and road infrastructure development, Mustafa added. President Abbas is scheduled to attend an event at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House on Wednesday, which is often used for such events. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah. Editing by William Maclean and Sharon Singleton) HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the wall and gate of the U.S. Consulate, according to media reports and the police. Photos from the South China Morning Post and other local media showed the English word hegemony and the Chinese words for double standards painted in white on the gate and a nearby wall. The protest in paint came amid a deterioration in US-China relations as the nations clash over trade issues and tensions over Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims is part of its territory. Police said the consulate reported an act of vandalism at 5.22 a.m. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man from mainland China and surnamed Wen on suspicion of criminal damage. Offenders found guilty of destroying or damaging property face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The United States champions freedom of expression, the U.S State Department said in a statement. While we do not support the destruction of property, we believe that every person has the right to express their views peacefully including those with which we do not agree. The State Department said that the United States remained seriously concerned about the continued erosion of protections for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly. The graffiti was removed by late Tuesday morning. Charles Moran, head of the Log Cabin Republicans, says there should be "guardrails" to keep opposing sides from going over the edge in culture war. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Charles Moran is proudly gay and proudly Republican. To some that combination is an inherent contradiction, like being a meat-eating vegetarian, a violent pacifist or a Dodger-loving San Francisco Giants fan. In recent months, conservative extremists have declared war on the LGBTQ+ community, waging skirmishes on social media, school campuses and in the aisles of your friendly neighborhood Target store. Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in statehouses across the country, part of a Pink Scare aimed at inciting the Republican base for political profit and financial gain. Moran, however, insists there is a middle ground, even if you have to squint to see it through the blaze of the smoking culture wars. "I don't want to see my movement, the gay movement, hijacked by far-left, cultural Marxists," he said. "And I don't want the antigay forces that still exist in the social conservative movement to hijack the progress that I helped make in the Republican Party." Those are words guaranteed to antagonize people of various stripes, which reflects the odd and uncomfortable position of the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights from within the GOP. The group, headquartered in Washington, claims more than 10,000 members nationwide. The 42-year-old Moran, born and raised in San Pedro, is president. The club has long faced hostility from its supposed political kinfolk "perverted" is one of the kinder epithets hurled at members and today's atmosphere certainly isn't any more welcoming. But Moran sees nothing contradictory in his political allegiance. Being gay doesn't necessarily make someone a Democrat, he suggested, and supporting the Republican agenda up to a point doesn't automatically mean a person is a homophobe. "You've got a lot of gay conservatives that are horrified with the way the Republican Party is acting," he said. "You have a lot of gay conservatives who are horrified at the way the larger LGBT organizations are acting." Guardrails are what's needed, he went on, to keep both sides from going off the edge. Or put another way, Moran suggested, there has to be compromise and a consensus somewhere in the hazy gray area between black and white. "Over the last 20, 30 years we've had amazing movement with gay inclusion and normalization of who I am, of who we are in our families," he said. "I don't want to see that slide back. So instead of being hyper-reactive to things, I want to be principled in how we respond." On an unseasonably mild spring day, in a pocket of green a few miles from the Capitol, Moran described a happy Southern California upbringing that involved none of the cruelty or hatred others have experienced simply for being who they are. He came out while going to Occidental College. Dad was a firefighter. Mom was a flight attendant. Both were Republican, though neither was politically active. Moran was drawn to the GOP from a young age because he believed Republicans have a more bottom-up approach to society and its problems. "Individual, family, community, city, state, nation," he described it. "Instead of the other way down." Naturally, he doesn't agree with every position of everyone in the party. Moran rejects the climate-change denialism that many head-in-the-sand Republicans embrace. He likes much of what the Democratic Party has to say about education and respect for working people. "I'm definitely not a zero-sum ... or single-issue voter," he said. "I think single-issue voting is really dangerous in a democracy." But it is the single issue of LGBTQ+ rights that places Moran athwart the pitchfork-wielding wing of the Republican Party and those promoting what he considers an anything goes or should be allowed to go political agenda. It is not anti-LGBTQ+, he said, to believe children should wait until at least age 16 to gender transition. It is not bigoted, he said, to hold off until at least the sixth grade to allow classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. It is not homophobic, he said, to believe sexually explicit drag performances should be limited to adult audiences. "Guess what? We regulate NC-17 movies," Moran said, referring to ratings intended to limit certain content to mature audiences. "What's the difference?" Of course, some Republicans won't be happy, it seems, until every last transgender person is made to disappear and every member of the LGBTQ+ community is shoved back in the closet and put under lock and key. It's not just, as they claim, about "protecting" children. Missouri's Republican governor signed legislation that will ban gender-affirming care for some adults. Other Republican-led states have looked at ways to limit healthcare for transgender grown-ups. The Florida Board of Education, helping GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis fluff up his Republican presidential resume, expanded restrictions on sexual orientation and gender instruction through the 12th grade. GOP lawmakers in Tennessee passed a first-of-its-kind law strictly limiting drag performances. (It was tossed out by a judge who, Moran noted, was appointed by President Trump.) Once the government starts targeting a particular group, the slope can get awfully slippery. In Moran's leafy northwest Washington neighborhood, a profusion of rainbow flags and Pride Month bunting blossomed from windows and storefronts, as bright and cheery as the brilliant dogwoods and lustrous azalea bushes. Does he worry that a change in political climate, and anything less than give-no-quarter resistance, will undo decades of hard-fought achievement for the LGBTQ+ community? Moran does not. "LGBT people are everywhere in society," he said. "We are in every political affiliation. We're every race. We're every religion.... I think we as a society have moved beyond that." That's not to say, however, some won't keep trying to wind back the clock. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Travel anywhere on the planet and you'll find some version of ice cream. Grab a lemon gelato in Italy; a stick of butterscotch kulfi in Nepal; a cinnamon paleta bar in Mexico. If youre in Seoul, try a J-shaped puffed corn cone filled with soft ice cream. North Americans tend to be loyal to chocolate, vanilla and cookies 'n cream, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. We like our half gallons or waffle cones stuffed with the fondly familiar. Still, the world of ice cream isnt immune to change, and like any culinary domain, its evolving. Recent years have seen an explosion of novel flavor combos, unexpected ingredients and new presentations from ice cream makers large and small, food editors say. On the flavor front, there are floral ingredients like rose, orange blossom, lavender and jasmine, and herbal notes like saffron and tarragon. Unusual combos of savory and sweet are another trend. Jenis Splendid Ice Cream has an Everything Bagel flavor featuring cream cheese ice cream with everything bagel gravel, says Delish.coms Assistant Food Editor Taylor Ann Spencer. Liz Sgroi, executive director at Food Network Magazine, points to a collab this spring between Van Leeuwen and Hidden Valley on a ranch-dressing-flavored ice cream. Ice cream makers, like a lot of chefs, are embracing an international pantry, says Alana Al-Hatlani, assistant food editor at Southern Living magazine. Ive noticed a lot of new citrus flavors beyond lemon, orange and lime, like calamansi, kumquat and mandarin, she says. In her city, Birmingham, Alabama, the artisan ice cream company Big Spoon Creamery has a Key Lime Yuzu Pie flavor, for instance. Spencer notes Oregon-based ice creamery Salt & Straw for "combos like Pistachio with Saffron, and Hibiscus and Coconut. Other offerings there sound like a warm hug in gelid form: Jasmine Milk Tea laced with chocolate-coated almond slivers, or Rhubarb Crumble with Toasted Anise. Tyler Malek, who co-founded Salt & Straw with his cousin Kim Malek, says they enjoy partnering with chefs and makers to tell cultural stories through ice cream. In a regional collab, they worked with Florida-based Panther Coffee on a Coffee Chocolate Tres Leches ice cream that launched at Panther's Miami shop. It's now available nationwide through Salt & Straw's website. One of Tyler Maleks favorites is Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream. To showcase flavorful Oregon strawberries, he worked with a local beekeeper whod developed a honey balsamic vinegar. Adding a splash of that allowed the strawberry flavor to really shine through, Malek says. Salt & Straws Thanksgiving lineup features turkey bacon, buttery brittle and jammy cranberry sauce flavors folded into a five-course feast of ice creams. In Tivoli, New York, in their Fortunes Ice Cream shop, Brian Ackley and his wife, Lisa, offer Halva Honeycomb, based on Middle Eastern sesame candy, and citrus-y Olive Oil Satsuma. Both are non-dairy, born of Brian's wish to create creamy texture without using typical coconut cream or neutral oils. Tahini and oat milk are the keys to the halva flavor, while almond milk is blended with extra virgin olive oil in the satsuma ice cream. Lisa is Persian, so the couple were delighted to find orchards in the Hudson Valley that could source perfect black cherries for a Labne Sour Cherry ice cream. The labne is similar to tangy Greek yogurt. Texture also plays a role in the modern ice cream experience. Our Cider Donut flavor has whole donuts blended into the base, says Ackley. And weve got a green apple sorbet made from whole fresh apples chunks or not chunks, depending on what I feel delivers the best flavor and texture combo that day. Jenis recently launched a Ted Lasso ice cream, called Biscuits with the Boss, with shortbread cookies inside. Sgroi has seen some fun hacks on TikTok, like blended, frozen, sweetened cottage cheese ice cream. Another popular one (though slightly less healthy!) is ice cream wrapped in a fruit roll-up. Its gimmicky, messy and a bit hard to eat, but no one seems to mind the original recipe video has millions of views, she says. Non-dairy ice creams are evolving to meet modern demand, says Al-Hatlani: Vegan or plant-based options arent new, but theyre getting better and creamier. Soft serve is no exception. The New York City ice cream shop Morgensterns recently opened a dairy-free, soft-service outlet, Morgenstern's Bananas. And in Seattle, the plant-based ice cream shop Frankie & Jos, also offers the treat. Coconut milk ice cream has been popular for the last five years, says Spencer, but with the rise of oat milk as an alternative, oat milk ice cream is now trending. Were also seeing brands play with new alt-milks in their ice creams, like macadamia nut milk. Grocery store shoppers are encountering new ice cream flavors and formats from familiar brands. To name just a few: Baskin Robbins has pints of Triple Mango Ice Cream, swirled with real mango, mango sorbet and mango ribbons; Ben and Jerrys has introduced chocolate-coated ice cream bars called pint slices; and Entenmanns has launched an ice cream sandwich line based on some of their baked goods, like chocolate chip cookies and glazed donuts. - New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The AP. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome. For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/lifestyle. The U.S. debt-ceiling deal may contain a surprise in North Carolina that environmentalists dont want a natural gas pipeline passing through the north-central portion of the state. To secure Sen. Joe Manchins support for the deal, President Joe Biden promised the West Virginia Democrat that he would expedite approvals for the 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline, now blocked by multiple lawsuits and regulatory issues. The $6.6 billion project, known as the MVP, would carry fracked natural gas from the Marcellus shale fields in West Virginia into Virginia. Plans for the pipeline included a southern spur known as the MVP Southgate. The underground spur would travel almost 75 miles from southern Virginia into central North Carolina, with about 40 miles of it passing through Rockingham and Alamance counties before terminating southeast of Graham. The projects operator is Equitrans Midstream. But as soaring costs and legal delays raised doubts about whether the MVP would be completed, plans for the Southgate portion were largely abandoned. Now with the MVP gaining new support, the North Carolina extension may also be revived. Spencer Gall, a Southern Environmental Law Center attorney based in Virginia, said, I think North Carolina should expect to see a renewed effort to build Southgate. Shawn Day, an MVP Southgate spokesman, said, Mountain Valley remains committed to the MVP Southgate project and continues to evaluate its options to help meet strong residential and business demand for affordable, reliable natural gas. This is bad news for North Carolinas environment and the states efforts to slow climate change. Constructing the Southgate pipeline will disturb wildlife habitats, cause a loss of trees and intrude into buffer areas that protect Jordan Lake, a key source of water for the Triangle. The pipeline also would increase fracking for gas in West Virginia. That process releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere at a rate 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. Day could not say if or when efforts to build the pipeline might resume. The project team continues to evaluate options, he said. Those options may be more appealing now not only because of Bidens green light for the MVP, but because the U.S. Supreme Court recently significantly narrowed the definition of wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act. A bill moving forward in the General Assembly would restrict North Carolina regulators to protecting only wetlands covered by the federal definition, eliminating more extensive state protections. In 2020, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) denied a water quality permit for the Southgate pipeline. The agency said allowing construction and related damage to streams and buffer areas of Jordan Lake was not justified since MVP itself might never be completed. DEQs objections might disappear with the renewed likelihood that the MVP will be completed, but DEQ has not received new or resubmitted permit applications regarding the Southgate extension. Supporters of MVP say distributing more gas will drive down natural gas prices that spiked with the start of the war in Ukraine. But Ridge Graham of the environmental group Appalachian Voices program said damage from the pipeline will endure after price surges fade. Temporary price hikes due to poor weatherization and foreign wars shouldnt justify increased costs to customers and increased risks to our communities and water supplies for the next several decades, he said. North Carolina avoided the costs of the proposed 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline when rising costs and opposition from local landowners and environmentalists caused the project to be canceled in 2020. Now, thanks to Manchins commitments to the fossil fuel industry, another unneeded, hugely over budget and environmentally damaging pipeline may be coming to North Carolina. With luck, this one will also be pulled down by protectors of the environment and the weight of its own folly. Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7853, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A Dutch intelligence agency tipped off the CIA about an alleged Ukrainian plan in June 2022 to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline, Dutch national broadcaster NOS reported on Tuesday. The NOS report, which was compiled with help from leading German media outlets, did not identify its sources. It said that the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD had warned the CIA of the existence of such a plan, leading to a warning from Washington to Kyiv not to attack the pipeline. Unexplained explosions ruptured both Nord Stream 1 and the newly built Nord Stream 2 pipelines, carrying gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, in September. The blasts occurred in the economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. Both countries said the explosions were deliberate, but have yet to determine who was responsible. Those countries and Germany are investigating. Washington and NATO called the incident "an act of sabotage". Moscow accused investigators of dragging their feet and trying to conceal who was behind the attack. Ukraine denies responsibility. The MIVD could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Conor Humphries) BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) European Comission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday in a bid to get a free trade deal moving again. The 27-member EU completed negotiations in 2019 on a wide-ranging trade deal with Mercosur comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay but it has yet to be ratified by any of the individual countries. Ratification stalled during the presidency of Lulas predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, due to the EU's concern over his environmental policies as well as a European desire to protect its local farmers from cheaper imports from Mercosur. Proposed modifications of the original agreement have yet to get the process back on track. In March, the EU sent a letter to Mercosur seeking to establish stricter environmental requirements for South American countries in order to persuade European nations to ratify the deal. We are very much looking forward to your answer, because it is our opening to listen to you, to listen where we have to improve, von der Leyen said in prepared remarks after her meeting with Lula. So that we can, indeed, by the end of the year, conclude the Mercosur agreement. But Brazils president openly expressed dismay with the proposal. The premise that needs to exist among strategic partners is of mutual trust and not distrust and sanctions, he said. The March letter doesn't explicitly mention sanctions, but rather proposes to make mandatory some of the environmental goals established by the Paris Agreement. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has said that different interpretations of European law could mean failure to fulfill goals would result in sanctions. The EU-Mercosur trade agreement is meant to link two markets with a total population of around 800 million people and accounting for about a fourth of the worlds gross domestic product. It envisions leading to more than $100 billion in annual trade of goods and services by cutting customs duties and easing access for Mercosur agricultural exporters to the EU market and for European manufacturers to Mercosur countries. Since Lula became president in January, members of his administration have raised questions about the agreement, said Lucas Leite, a professor of international relations at the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, a university in Sao Paulo. He said their concerns include whether Brazil's industrialized goods will be able to compete with European competitors and the possibility the nation could be negatively affected. The environmental standards are a challenge for the Brazilian government, which talks about the need to reindustrialize the country," Leite said. "This agreement would not be good for Brazil. We are only able to compete in the agricultural sector. Two officials within the foreign relations ministry told The Associated Press that many Brazilian diplomats are arguing that the EU's March proposal provides a good excuse to not ratify the agreement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Amid the uncertainty over the deal, von der Leyen sought to show European solidarity with Brazil by announcing new spending programs. She said the EU will invest 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) for hydrogen production, a green energy project aimed at lessening dependence on fossil fuels. She said the EU also will provide 430 million euros to help fight deforestation and 20 million euros to the Amazon Fund to preserve the Amazon Forest. This is only the start, von der Leyen said, adding that individual European nations and private donors are expected to complement the total. Europe is back in Brazil, Europe is back in Latin America. Von der Leyen met with executives from Brazils industrial sector after her session with Lula. Brasilia is the first stop on her Latin America tour. She will now travel to Argentina, Chile and Mexico, and meet with each nation's president. In July, EU members and the heads of state from the Community of Latin American and Carribean States are scheduled to hold a summit. ___ Associated Press writer Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report. Donald Trump made a first appearance in federal court in Miami on Tuesday facing 37 counts related to the mishandling and retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Heres a look at the charges, the special counsels investigation and how Trumps case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents: WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT? Trump's lawyer entered a not-guilty plea for him, and the former president was released on his own recognizance without no bail. He will not have to surrender his passport or have his personal travel restricted. He scowled at times during the 50-minute hearing, but was otherwise expressionless. He folded his arms, fiddled with a pen and crossed his fingers back and forth as he listened. Trump leaned over to whisper to his attorneys before the hearing began but did not speak during the proceedings. He remained seated while his lawyer Todd Blanche stood up and entered the plea on his behalf. We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, the lawyer told the judge. Blanche objected to barring the former president from talking to witnesses, including his co-defendant, valet Walt Nauta, saying that they work for him and he needs to be able to communicate with them. After some back and forth, Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman said Trump cannot talk to them about the case except through his lawyers, but he can talk to them about their jobs. Nauta was granted bond with the same conditions as Trump. He did not enter a plea because he does not have a local attorney. He will be arraigned June 27 before Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres, but he does not have to be present. Unlike Trump's arraignment in New York, no photographs were taken because cameras arent allowed in federal court. There were, however, sketch artists, and theirs will be the only images from the actual courtroom appearance. Security remained tight outside the building, but there were no signs of significant disruptions despite the presence of hundreds of protesters. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said on Fox News that there were no arrests or major incidents. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? After the hearing, Trump was flying back to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. He planned to hold a fundraiser and give a speech later Tuesday night. Before heading to the airport, Trumps motorcade took a detour to Versailles Restaurant in Miamis Little Havana neighborhood, where a small crowd of supporters awaited him. Posing for photos and saying food for everyone, Trump commented briefly on his case. I think its going great, he said. We have a rigged country. We have a country thats corrupt." Several religious leaders at the restaurant prayed over him for a moment. WHAT ARE THE CHARGES? Trump faces 37 counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, including 31 counts under an Espionage Act statute pertaining to the willful retention of national defense information. The charges also include counts of obstructing justice and making false statements, among other crimes. Trump is accused of keeping documents related to nuclear weaponry in the United States and the nuclear capabilities of a foreign country, along with documents from White House intelligence briefings, including some that detail the military capabilities of the U.S. and other countries, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege Trump showed off the documents to people who did not have security clearances to review them and later tried to conceal documents from his own lawyers as they sought to comply with federal demands to find and return documents. The top charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison. HOW DID THIS CASE COME ABOUT? Officials with the National Archives and Records Administration reached out to representatives for Trump in spring 2021 when they realized that important material from his time in office was missing. According to the Presidential Records Act, White House documents are considered property of the U.S. government and must be preserved. A Trump representative told the National Archives in December 2021 that presidential records had been found at Mar-a-Lago. In January 2022, the National Archives retrieved 15 boxes of documents from Trumps Florida home, later telling Justice Department officials that they contained a lot of classified material. That May, the FBI and Justice Department issued a subpoena for remaining classified documents in Trumps possession. Investigators who went to visit the property weeks later to collect the records were given roughly three dozen documents and a sworn statement from Trumps lawyers attesting that the requested information had been returned. But that assertion turned out to be false. With a search warrant, federal officials returned to Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 and seized more than 33 boxes and containers totaling 11,000 documents from a storage room and an office, including 100 classified documents. In all, roughly 300 documents with classification markings including some at the top secret level have been recovered from Trump since he left office in January 2021. DIDNT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE HAVE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS, TOO? Yes, but the circumstances of their cases are vastly different from those involving Trump. After classified documents were found at Bidens think tank and Pences Indiana home, their lawyers notified authorities and quickly arranged for them to be handed over. They also authorized other searches by federal authorities to search for additional documents. There is no indication either was aware of the existence of the records before they were found, and no evidence has so far emerged that Biden or Pence sought to conceal the discoveries. Thats important because the Justice Department historically looks for willfulness in deciding whether to bring criminal charges. A special counsel was appointed earlier this year to probe how classified materials ended up at Bidens Delaware home and former office. But even if the Justice Department were to find Bidens case prosecutable on the evidence, its Office of Legal Counsel has concluded that a president is immune from prosecution during his time in office. As for Pence, the Justice Department informed his legal team earlier this month that it would not be pursuing criminal charges against him over his handling of the documents. WHAT ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON? In claiming that Trump is the target of a politically motivated prosecution, some fellow Republicans have cited the Justice Departments decision in 2016 not to bring charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic opponent in that years presidential race, over her handling of classified information. Clinton relied on a private email system for the sake of convenience during her time as the Obama administrations top diplomat. That decision came back to haunt her when, in 2015, the intelligence agencies internal watchdog alerted the FBI to the presence of potentially hundreds of emails containing classified information. FBI investigators would ultimately conclude that Clinton sent and received emails containing classified information on that unclassified system, including information classified at the top secret level. Of the roughly 30,000 emails turned over by Clintons representatives, the FBI has said, 110 emails in 52 email chains were found to have classified information, including some top secret. After a roughly yearlong inquiry, the FBI closed the investigation in July 2016, finding that Clinton did not intend to break the law. The bureau reopened the inquiry months later, 11 days before the presidential election, after discovering a new batch of emails. After reviewing those communications, the FBI again opted against recommending charges. At the time, then-FBI Director James Comey condemned Clintons email practices as extremely careless," but noted that there was no evidence that Clinton had violated factors including efforts to obstruct justice, willful mishandling of classified documents and indications of disloyalty to the U.S. DOES A FEDERAL INDICTMENT PREVENT TRUMP FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT? No. Neither the charges nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP Only 1 in 4 residential treatment centers for teens offers a recommended medicine for opioid addiction, according to a study that exposes an important gap in care. Posing as an aunt or uncle seeking help for a fictitious 16-year-old who survived a fentanyl overdose, researchers called U.S. rehabs and asked if they offered the treatment medication buprenorphine. Of 160 facilities with care for teens, just 39 provided buprenorphine, also known by the brand name Suboxone. One hundred said they didn't and 21 said they didn't know. As somebody whos tried to promote the use of evidence-based treatments for addiction my whole career, it was jaw-dropping, said Dr. Todd Korthuis of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, a co-author of the study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Teen drug use in the United States is stable or declining. But the drug supply is tainted with fentanyl, driving fatal overdoses higher and making youthful experimentation potentially deadly. Parents describe long, frustrating searches for help. Its such an overwhelming situation for a parent to be in, said Tracy Swartley of suburban Portland, Oregon, whose 19-year-old Eagle Scout son survived a fentanyl overdose and was able to start buprenorphine while in a residential treatment program. You realize the choice you make is going to make a massive impact on the success of your child. Buprenorphine can be a life-saving medication, said Dr. Petros Levounis, an addiction psychiatrist and president of the American Psychiatric Association. Considered standard care, it is the only medication approved for teens 16 and older with opioid use disorder. It works by reducing cravings so a patient can begin the work of recovery. Despite guidelines recommending medication and evidence it prevents overdose deaths, buprenorphine and other treatment drugs aren't universally accepted. Some believe they replace one drug with another and that abstinence is the best recovery path. Other research suggests only two-thirds of rehab centers for adults offer medication. The survey was done last year, before a new law eliminated the need for doctors to get a special waiver to prescribe it. That change may improve access, said Levounis, who was not involved in the research. Residential care is not the only alternative, he said, and parents should start by getting an evaluation from an addiction specialist. In the study, the secret shoppers called more than 300 facilities listed on a government website as providing residential care for teens. They ran into wrong numbers, adults-only facilities and a few that didnt answer the phone. The 160 centers in the study were not identified. The researchers found youth rehabs were just as likely to offer art, music or horse therapy as they were to offer buprenorphine. Based on their results, the average parent would have to make nine phone calls to find a facility offering the medicine to a 16-year-old, said study co-author Dr. Caroline King, an emergency medicine resident at Yale University in New Haven. These families have to do a lot of legwork," King said. The secret shopper strategy may have missed some rehabs that provide the medication, King acknowledged. But researchers also heard misinformation about buprenorphine, said King who posed as a concerned aunt when she made calls. A lot of people told us crazy things, King recalled, "like 'Its the worst thing you could do for your kid. Dont trust your doctor.' Very few states require facilities to offer medication as a condition for licensure, but that could be a solution to the treatment gap, said Brendan Saloner, an addiction researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. President Yoon Suk Yeol, second from right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, June 13. Yonhap President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit France next week to promote Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo and then travel to Vietnam for a state visit, his office said Tuesday. Yoon will visit Paris from Monday to Wednesday to attend a general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the international body in charge of overseeing the World Expo, according to Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo. On Tuesday, Yoon will attend presentations given by the four countries competing to host the Expo and on Wednesday attend an official World Expo reception hosted by Korea to rally support from foreign delegations, Kim told a press briefing. An 11-year-old girl died after falling ill on a flight from Istanbul to New York on Sunday, with a doctor onboard and first responders in Budapest where the plane made an emergency stop unable to save the child, airline officials said. The child, who has not yet been identified, became ill as the Turkish Airlines flight was headed to the U.S., the airline said in a statement. "Our cabin crew made the announcement on the PA system for any doctors on board while the captain of the flight immediately diverted to Budapest," the airline said. A doctor who was among the passengers on the plane attended to the girl as the flight's crew prepared to make an emergency landing at Budapest's Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Once the plane landed, emergency medical teams boarded the aircraft to treat the girl, Turkish Airlines said. A spokesperson for the airport said staff with the facility's medical service responded and worked to resuscitate the child. "Despite the rapid and professional intervention, unfortunately, her life could not be saved," they said. Members of the child's family disembarked the plane in Budapest, while the flight continued its planned route several hours after making the emergency landing. The flight landed in New York with a four-and-a-half-hour delay, the airline said. It was not clear which country the child was a citizen of. Turkish Airlines said it was unable to provide that information due to privacy laws. The Budapest airport referred NBC News to the airline. "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones and share their pain," Turkish Airlines said. Three generations of beauty! Heidi Klum is sharing a rare pic with her mom, Erna, and her daughter Leni, 19. The "America's Got Talent" judge, 50, posted the sweet family photo June 11 on Instagram. In the pic, the supermodel sported an ecru top and wore her long blond hair in shaggy layers with bangs. Erna wore a pink floral pattern and rocked a choppy platinum blond bob with bangs. Nestled between the two women was Leni, wearing a white top with her wavy long blond hair parted in the middle. Klum captioned the shot with three red heart emoji. While the former "Project Runway" host often shares photos of Leni, who's been following in her modeling footsteps, it's been a while since she's posted a pic featuring all three Klum women together. Klum previously shared an image of the trio in December 2020. Leni Klum and Heidi Klum attend the LuisaViaRoma for Unicef event at La Certosa di San Giacomo on July 31, 2021 in Capri, Italy. (Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images ) In that photo, all three women posed for a mirror selfie behind the scenes during Klum and Leni's first joint photo shoot with Vogue Germany. The photos, which marked Leni's modeling debut, were featured in the magazine's January/February 2021 issue. The publication spoke to Klum and Leni, who was 16 at the time, about Leni's interest in fashion. The teen explained that she had been yearning to model for years but her protective mom made her wait until she was the right age. It was only a matter of time before I would try to become a model myself, Leni said. The first offer came when I was only 12 or 13, from a brand I liked to wear: Brandy Melville. At that time I begged my mother, but no chance. Now I understand that it would have been too early. Klum explained why she felt 16 was "a good age" for her daughter to start modeling. If you are allowed to drive a car, you can also have an official Instagram account and show your face," said Klum, adding, "And to be allowed to start with a Vogue cover is an insane privilege. This article was originally published on TODAY.com HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong police arrested a man on Tuesday who spray painted anti-American graffiti on the wall and a gate of the city's U.S. consulate, police and media said. Footage from Broadcaster Now TV showed the word "hegemony" in English and the words "double standards" in simplified Chinese characters, which are used in mainland China. The incident comes as tensions are high between China and the United States over issues including Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China often accuses the United States of pursing hegemony and adopting double standards over issues such as human rights and democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. The U.S. consulate in the Chinese-ruled, former British colony did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Police said in a statement they had arrested a man at the address of the consulate but did not respond to a request for further comment. Now TV said the suspect, detained on suspicion of criminal damage, was a 47-year old man with a two-way permit to the Chinese mainland, which are normally issued to Chinese nationals. The words were painted in white below a U.S. consulate sign and below a U.S. State Department seal on a main black gate. Guards covered the writing with black plastic sheets. (Reporting by Farah Master and Donny Kwok; editing by Robert Birsel) KYIV (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi visited Kyiv on Tuesday, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before travelling to Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant near where a huge river dam was destroyed last week. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday it needed access to a site near the plant to check water levels after the reservoir lost a large portion of its water because of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam downstream. Both sides have accused each other of sabotaging the dam, leading to catastrophic flooding. Western countries say they are still gathering evidence but believe Ukraine would have had no reason to inflict such a disaster on itself. Russian forces captured the hydroelectric dam and the nuclear plant in southern Ukraine shortly after their February 2022 invasion. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant uses a cooling pond to keep its six reactors from potentially disastrous overheating. Ukraine's nuclear energy company said on Tuesday that the level of the pond was stable and that the water was high enough. As of Tuesday morning, the water level stood at 16.67 metres (54.69 feet), which Energoatom said was "quite enough to meet the needs of the station". Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Grossi said there was no immediate danger but that it was a "serious situation". "It is a step in the wrong direction," he said. "It is yet another step into the weakening of the safety net that one has in any nuclear power plant." Grossi said his visit to the facility, Europe's largest, on Tuesday evening would provide a more accurate assessment of the risk. The Kakhovka reservoir was normally used to refill the pond but cannot do so now because of its falling water level, Ukrainian nuclear authorities have said. Instead, the pond, which is separated from the reservoir, can be replenished using deep underground wells, they said. The water in the pond is also expended very slowly because the reactors are not producing power and water does not evaporate quickly during the cooling process. Grossi also said he was "very concerned" that the nuclear plant could be caught in Ukraine's counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory. He added that there was no sign Russian forces had moved heavy military equipment to the site, but that his visit would aim to clarify that. "We do not have any indication at this point, but it could not be excluded," he said. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Dan Peleschuk; editing by Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones, Mark Heinrich & Conor Humphries) By Kanishka Singh and Shilpa Jamkhandikar WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government's handling of farmer protests, co-founder Jack Dorsey said, an accusation Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government called an "outright lie". Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, said on Monday that India also threatened the company with raids on employees if it did not comply with government requests to take down certain posts. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said in an interview with YouTube news show Breaking Points. Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a top ranking official in Modi's government, lashed out against Dorsey in response, calling his assertions an "outright lie". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shut down'. Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law," he said in a post on Twitter. Dorsey's comments again put the spotlight on the struggles faced by foreign technology giants operating under Modi's rule. His government has often criticized Google, Facebook and Twitter for not doing enough to tackle fake or "anti-India" content on their platforms, or for not complying with rules. The former Twitter CEO's comments drew widespread attention as it is unusual for global companies operating in India to publicly criticise the government. Last year, Xiaomi in a court filing said India's financial crime agency threatened its executives with "physical violence" and coercion, an allegation which the agency denied. Dorsey also mentioned similar pressure from governments in Turkey and Nigeria, which had restricted the platform in their nations at different points over the years before lifting those bans. Twitter was bought by Elon Musk in a $44 billion deal last year. Chandrasekhar said Twitter under Dorsey and his team had repeatedly violated Indian law. He didn't name Musk, but added Twitter had been in compliance since June 2022. BIG TECH VS MODI Modi and his ministers are prolific users of Twitter, but free speech activists say his administration resorts to excessive censorship of content it thinks is critical of its working. India maintains its content removal orders are aimed at protecting users and sovereignty of the state. The public spat with Twitter during 2021 saw Modi's government seeking an "emergency blocking" of the "provocative" Twitter hashtag "#ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide" and dozens of accounts. Farmers' groups had been protesting against new agriculture laws at the time, one of the biggest challenges faced by the Modi government. The government later gave in to the farmers' demands. Twitter initially complied with the government requests but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification", leading to officials threatening legal consequences. In subsequent weeks, police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. Dorsey in his interview said many India content take down requests during the farmer protests were "around particular journalists that were critical of the government." Since Modi took office in 2014, India has slid from 140th in World Press Freedom Index to 161 this year, out of 180 countries, its lowest ranking ever. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, Shilpa Jamkhandikar in Mumbai and Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Raju Gopalakrishnan) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) In his first visit to Latin America, Irans hardline president on Monday met with his Venezuelan counterpart and declared that both countries have a common enemy, alluding to the United States, before signing a series of cooperation agreements. President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Venezuela came a year and a day after President Nicolas Maduro visited him in Iran. Both countries are under heavy U.S. economic sanctions. Raisi said the link between the two countries is not normal, but rather a strategic relationship, insisting that their nations have common interests and we have common enemies. They do not want the two countries, Iran and Venezuela, to be independent, Raisi said referring to the U.S. government. His tour of allied nations in Latin America, including Cuba and Nicaragua, comes amid rising tensions with the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. The U.S. has accused Iran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow, while the Kremlin seeks to ensure a steady supply of weapons for its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence officials believe the plant in Russia could start operations early next year, but Iran has said it supplied drones to Russia before the start of the war. The more than dozen agreements signed by officials from the countries Monday include scholarships for Venezuelan students and the importations of cattle to Iran. Maduros visit last year to Iran resulted in agreements to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, the military and the economy. But only a handful of the agreements have materialized. Venezuela and Iran have maintained close relations since the government of the late President Hugo Chavez. Maduro, who became president in 2013 after Chavez death, has promoted trade relations with Iran, China, Russia and Turkey to try to overcome the effects of the economic sanctions. Iran, particularly since 2020, has helped alleviate part of a fuel shortage in Venezuela. We are on the right side of history and together we will be invincible, Maduro said. JERUSALEM (AP) A raid by Israeli security forces into the northern West Bank set off a gunfight with militants that killed a young Palestinian man on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said. Elsewhere in the occupied territory, Israeli medics said that an assailant opened fire, wounding at least four people. The Israeli military stormed into the dense Balata refugee camp near the city of Nablus and surrounded a concrete apartment building, Palestinian residents said. Palestinian militants opened fire and threw explosive devices and stones at the troops. A 19-year-old, Faris al-Hashash, was killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli security forces withdrew from Balata two hours later without making any arrests. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the neighborhood as Israeli military jeeps and bulldozers rumbled away. Wanted Palestinian militant Issam al-Salaj, the presumed target of the raid, crowd-surfed among scores of gunmen, who chanted God is great! and cheered the Israeli military's alleged failure to arrest him. The Israeli military said it confiscated explosive devices and a handmade weapon from the refugee camp. It opened fire at a gunman fleeing the scene, as well as toward Palestinians trying to attack troops with explosive devices and rocks, the military said. It added that two Palestinian minors were wounded during the raid under circumstances that were being investigated. Also in the northern West Bank, just southwest of the flash point city of Jenin, a drive-by shooting attack targeting an Israeli car moderately wounded at least four people, Israel's rescue service said. The assailant fled in a speeding car, setting off a manhunt around the Palestinian town of Yabad, videos showed. The Israeli military did not immediately identify the victims of the attack. Israeli medics said they evacuated all four people to the hospital fully conscious. One of them was a 33-year-old man, medics added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from a Palestinian militant group. Tuesday's incidents were the latest in a surge of violence that has gripped the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem for more than a year. At least 119 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in those areas since the start of 2023, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Nearly half of them were affiliated with militant groups, though the Israeli military says that number is much higher. In that time, Palestinian attacks against Israelis have killed 21 people in Israel and the West Bank. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and Gaza. The Palestinians seek the territories for their hoped-for independent state. By Ali Sawafta and Raneen Sawafta NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed a Palestinian passerby during a raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday that set off a two-hour gunfight with armed fighters, witnesses and the Palestinian health ministry said. Violence in the West Bank, among territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, has risen sharply during the past year. Israel has intensified its military raids amid a spate of deadly street attacks by Palestinians. Israeli forces surrounded the house of a wanted Palestinian fighter in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, triggering clashes with armed Palestinians, residents said. A 19-year-old man, Faris Hashash, was shot fatally by Israeli forces during the fighting, the health ministry said, and eight more Palestinians were treated for gunshot wounds, including one who was hit in the head, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. A military statement said Israeli forces spotted a gunman while operating in Balata Camp and fired at him. It added that assailants hurled rocks and explosive devices and shot at the forces, who responded with gunfire. "Hits were identified," it said. The military added that it was aware of two minors who were wounded in the fighting, and that it was reviewing the incident. "The military bombed the house, they damaged it," Husam Sallaj, the uncle of the wanted man, Issam Sallaj, told Reuters. He said his nephew was wounded but not captured. The wanted man's brother, Suhaib Sullaj, said an Israeli commander rang to demand that Issam turn himself in. "He said, 'we want to bomb the house. If you don't leave, we will kill you, Issam, your mother and sisters, the entire family.'" The family's house was partly destroyed, its walls charred. Furniture, mattresses and children's toys were seen scattered in one of the rooms. A car parked in one of the narrow, graffiti-covered alleys near the targeted house was torched. Hamas, the Islamist group which governs blockaded Gaza, mourned the 19-year-old but did not claim him as a member. It said in a statement that "the occupation's crimes will not stop ongoing resistance across the homeland". Separately, the Israeli military said it had launched a search in the West Bank for suspects after gunmen in a car opened fire on a civilian vehicle before firing on Israeli forces, lightly wounding four soldiers, the military said. Israel's ambulance service said it treated four people for gunshot and shrapnel wounds and transferred them to hospital. Photos circulating on social media showed a car pocked with bullet holes on the windshield and passenger side's door. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Raneen Sawafta; Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by James Mackenzie, Nick Macfie and Mark Heinrich) gettyimagesbank Ruling party lawmaker seeks to take away Chinese residents' suffrage By Lee Hyo-jin Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party are calling to strip permanent foreign residents of voting rights for local elections, citing concerns of possible interference in domestic politics by the immigrant electorate. The move, which would target Chinese residents, who make up the majority of eligible immigrant voters in Korea, comes after Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming's controversial remarks on Korea's foreign policy. During a dinner with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung last Thursday, Xing outwardly criticized the Korean government for pivoting excessively toward the United States, warning that it would come at the cost of damaging relations with China. His remarks provoked strong criticisms from the ruling party and the government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the envoy's remarks as "irrational and provocative" rhetoric, which may be perceived as an attempt to interfere in Korea's internal affairs. Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who joined in the criticism, said the voting rights granted to Chinese nationals with permanent residency should be taken away, claiming that the current voting system could be abused as a means for the Chinese government to interfere in Korea's domestic politics. By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Sakura Murakami TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled on Tuesday a package of wide-ranging measures to reverse a dwindling birthrate, saying the problem needed to be tackled as an ageing population threatens the world's third-largest economy. Kishida's flagship policy comes amid speculation that he will dissolve parliament's lower house this week and call a snap election, a move that could heighten calls from within his ruling party for big spending to boost its support amongst the electorate. "Now is the last chance to reverse the downtrend in childbirth by the 2030s," Kishida told a televised press conference. "The low birthrate is a massive problem that concerns our country's society and entire economy and can't be put off," he said. "Without arresting the fast-declining birthrate and populations, Japan's economy and society would shrink, making it difficult to maintain social security systems." With measures such as bigger payouts to families with children and providing homes for hundreds of thousands of such households, Kishida said he hoped to double child care spending by the early 2030s, from about 4.7 trillion yen ($33.7 billion) now. The package may help his party appeal to the public, fanning speculation of an early election. Although an election for parliament's powerful lower house is not due until late 2025, Kishida, who swept to power in October 2021, is keen to boost his grip over the party ahead of a leadership race next September, analysts say. Kishida sidestepped queries on plans for a snap election, saying numerous factors would govern the decision as the approaching end of the parliament session could make for a fluid political situation. "I want to be sure that I can assess the situation appropriately," he added. "I would like to refrain from commenting further on this matter." Some opposition lawmakers may threaten to submit a no-confidence motion against Kishida's cabinet by the end of the current parliamentary session on June 21, which could trigger a snap election. FUNDING SOURCES Japan's birthrate has been on a steady decline, dropping last year to a record low of 1.26 from 1.57 in 1990, despite a series of government measures to reverse it. The number of births in 2022 was less than 40% the annual number of births during the second generation of babyboomers, who were born in the early 1970s. Kishida's plan would see the government earmark about 3.5 trillion yen annually for the next three years for child care allowances and support for those taking child care leave. However, the government has yet to outline exactly how it would fund the measures, stoking fears of runaway debt. Kishida once again ruled out the prospect of a near-term tax hike, saying the funding gap would be filled by the issuance of special childcare bonds. The government will raise more from social insurance premiums - a move that could backfire on corporate efforts to hike wages - while also curbing increases in social security spending. It will work out the details of securing stable sources of funding by year-end, officials have said. It was "inappropriate" to criticise the government for pushing back a decision on funding sources, Kishida said. The government will also urge companies to allow employees to choose more flexible working styles such as taking three days off a week, according to a draft of the package seen by Reuters. ($1=139.4600 yen) (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto, Sakura Murakami, Chang-Ran Kim and Takaya Yamaguchi; Editing by Leika Kihara, Clarence Fernandez and Sharon Singleton) TOKYO (AP) Toyota plans to make an all solid-state battery as part of its ambitious plans for battery electric vehicles, the company said Tuesday, amid mounting criticism Japans top automaker needs to do more to fight climate change. Toyota Motor Corp. aims for a commercial solid-state battery as soon as 2027. Charging time, one of the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, will get shortened to 10 minutes or less, the company said in a statement. It plans to deliver 1.5 million EVs in 2026 by expanding its battery EV lineup and developing technology. With the evolution of the vehicles operating system, the next-generation battery EV will also enable customization of the driving feel, with a focus on acceleration, turning and stopping, it said. EV owners usually have charging stations in their homes and keep their cars plugged in overnight to recharge. Thats one of the main reasons Toyota has long insisted that hybrids are a better solution. A hybrid recharges as the car runs, but it also has a gasoline engine in addition to an electric motor. Toyota President Koji Sato has said the company must play catchup after falling behind in the EV sector. The automaker is likely to face harsh criticism on its climate change commitments at a shareholders meeting in Toyota city, central Japan, set for Wednesday. In its latest announcement, Toyota said it was also working on innovating lithium-ion batteries, the battery type now in most EVs, and wants to offer new affordable options. Toyota says it is committed to a hydrogen society" and is continuing to work on models powered by hydrogen, including fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen is still expensive and usually made using fossil fuels, although it can be made using renewable energy. Toyota said its working with various partners to produce cleaner and cheaper hydrogen. Toyota, which makes the Prius hybrid, Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models, is also working on second-generation biofuels. Biofuels, such as ethanol, are considered more renewable than fossil fuels though they have other drawbacks. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama By Bart H. Meijer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -A British-led defence alliance of several European countries will strengthen its sharing of tactical intelligence, the group, known as the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), said on Tuesday. "We know since the attack on (the) Nord Stream (pipeline) that our critical infrastructure is vulnerable and needs to be protected," Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said following a meeting of the JEF. The JEF - comprising Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom - also said it would accelerate cooperation to detect possible threats to critical undersea and offshore infrastructure. "We need to cooperate with the private sector, with coastguards, we need to share intelligence and capabilities, that's the best way to deter any actor thinking of undersea sabotage. We can't do it ourselves, (we) have to involve other countries," Ollongren said. NATO and the European Union in January launched a task force to boost protection of critical infrastructure in response to last year's attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and Russia's "weaponising of energy". Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD earlier this year said Russia had tried to gain intelligence to sabotage critical infrastructure in the Dutch part of the North Sea. It said a Russian ship had been detected at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea as it tried to map out energy infrastructure, and was escorted out of the North Sea by Dutch marine and coast guard ships before any sabotage could take place. Ollongren said that other countries have seen similar instances. "(This) means that it is happening on a larger scale," she said, adding that there are no specifics or concrete cases but that "this is what we're dealing with". (Reporting by Bart Meijer, Writing by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by William Maclean and Jonathan Oatis) PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday he will unveil a plan to relocate the production of key drugs in France to tackle shortages of imported products, ranging from antibiotics to paracetamol, that came into focus during the COVID epidemic. "The long-term solution to avoid shortages in our pharmacies is to bring back our factories. That is what are doing for many drugs," Macron said in a tweet ahead of a visit to a site of French Aguettant pharmaceutical laboratories in the Ardeche department, southeastern France, promising to make "major announcements" on the issue. In the immediate future, Macron cited in his tweet an investment of 22 million euros ($23.76 million) from British health group GSK to modernize its existing amoxicillin production site in the Mayenne region, western France, and hire staff. This antibiotic, the most prescribed to children to treat infections, is regularly out of stock. ($1 = 0.9258 euros) (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten) KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia will seek Interpol's assistance in tracking down and investigating a stand-up comic who mocked the country and made jokes about missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its police chief said on Tuesday. Jocelyn Chia, a New York-based comedian, stirred controversy in Malaysia and Singapore this month after she posted on social media a clip of her live comedy set in which she joked about the plane that went missing nine years ago with 239 people onboard. Debris linked to the plane has been found over the years, but the fate and location of the aircraft remain a mystery. Chia, who performed the set at a comedy club in New York, was widely criticised in Malaysia, with the home minister describing her comments as insensitive and offensive. National police chief Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said Malaysia would this week ask Interpol for her location and full identity to facilitate further investigations, state news agency Bernama reported. He said Malaysia will investigate Chia's comments under its own laws related to provocation, incitement, and publication of offensive online content. A Malaysian police spokesperson confirmed the comments. It was unclear if or how Chia could be penalised for her act. Chia, a lawyer turned comedian who says she is originally from Singapore, could not be reached immediately for comment. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Chia said she stood by her jokes despite the controversy, but that the short clips on social media took them out of context. "Upon reflection I do see that having this as a clip that gets viewed out of a comedy club context was risky," Chia was reported as saying. Her comedy, which also touched on historical ties between neighbours Malaysia and Singapore, also sparked outrage in Singapore. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's foreign minister, apologised to Malaysians for her comments and said the comedian did not speak for Singaporeans. Malaysia's pursuit of Chia come amid what activists say is a crackdown on free speech. Last year, a comedy club was shut down following allegations that it hosted comics who touched on sensitive racial and religious issues. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The mayor of the violent border city Tijuana in northern Mexico, Montserrat Caballero, has moved into military barracks for her safety after she received threats, the president said on Tuesday. Just south of San Diego in California, Tijuana has become one of Mexico's most dangerous cities as criminal groups fight over drug trafficking routes to the United States. "She's being protected, since about two weeks ago," Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said during his regular press conference. "We reached an agreement to help protect her and will continue to do so." Murder rates fell last year but the government of Lopez Obrador is still on track to register a record total of murders for any six-year administration. Caballero, of Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), told reporters in a video shared on social media on Monday that she had received more threats after confiscating 1,700 firearms from criminal groups and detaining 56 people. "They are angry," she said. "And that's why I've been receiving threats." (Reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Raul Cortes; Editing by Conor Humphries) By Brad Brooks (Reuters) - The mother of a 6-year-old Virginia boy who shot and wounded his elementary school teacher pleaded guilty on Monday to federal gun charges in a deal with prosecutors, according to court documents and her lawyer. Deja Taylor, whose son shot teacher Abby Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News in January, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a user of marijuana while in possession of a firearm. While many states have legalized marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law. Taylor also pleaded guilty to lying about her marijuana use during the background check required to obtain the 9mm semiautomatic pistol that her son used to shoot the teacher. Taylor's lawyers have previously said that it was a mystery how the boy got hold of the gun. Prosecutors said in court documents that no gun locks or safety boxes were found in law enforcement searches of her residences. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors are seeking a maximum of two years in prison for Taylor, her attorney Gene Rossi said by phone. He hopes the judge will give her probation. Taylor - who still faces separate charges in state court related to the shooting - will be sentenced on Oct. 18. Virginia prosecutors charged her in April with felony child neglect and with the misdemeanor of recklessly leaving a loaded weapon so as to endanger a child. "This case is a tragedy," Rossi said. "It's a perfect storm of horrible consequences." According to police, the boy had taken the handgun from home, placed it in his backpack and removed it while Zwerner, 25, was teaching class, firing a single shot through her hand and into her chest. Another school staffer rushed into the classroom and restrained the boy while Zwerner ushered the rest of the students from the classroom to safety, police said. Zwerner's lawyer, who filed a $40 million lawsuit against school administrators on her client's behalf, has said that Richneck Elementary officials had been warned three times the day of the shooting that the boy was armed. Virginia prosecutors did not charge the boy. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas; Editing by Donna Bryson and David Gregorio) MIAMI (AP) Former President Donald Trump gave a wave and a thumbs-up to crowds outside the federal courthouse in downtown Miami after pleading not guilty to criminal charges. He then headed to a Cuban restaurant where he warmly greeted waiting supporters in a camera-ready scene that resembled a campaign stop, and later he railed against the charges before a friendly crowd of invited guests at a private golf club he owns. In the largely unseen moments Tuesday his attorney entering his plea, Trump sitting grim-faced with arms folded across his chest the gravity of being the first former president charged with a federal crime was apparent. In the seen moments, broadcast around the world in real time, there were a long motorcade, flag-waving supporters and a smaller number of anti-Trump protesters outside the courthouse. Then the former president and 2024 candidate had a detour in mind, to a popular restaurant where he was all smiles, greeted by supporters, prayed over by a rabbi and shadowed by his personal aide, who also has been charged in the case. Then Trump flew on his private jet to New Jersey, where backers welcomed him with rally-like enthusiasm, music and chants for a speech delivered before a clubhouse with columns resembling the White House. The remarks, with live coverage only from his favored cable channel, were rife with errors and falsehoods that went unchallenged in the moment. Trump has long been adroit at creating his own portrait of events, ever mindful of the power of television to shape an impression even as his actions have strained the safeguards of American democracy. The post-court itinerary was an orchestrated effort at counterprogramming as he campaigns again for president and maintains that he has been unfairly targeted by political rivals. The international attention and the screaming crowds were more signs of the extraordinary nature of the day's events and the person at the center of it all. A defendant like no other, Trump was the first former president to appear before a federal judge on criminal charges. He also is leading the Republican field for the 2024 presidential nomination, holding his status as frontrunner even as he has faced these and other legal troubles. Hardly any of those gathered in Miami interacted with Trump, if they saw him at all through the window of his SUV. He arrived as part of a motorcade that entered the courthouse garage for his hearing on felony charges. The former president also left in the SUV with the windows rolled up before heading to Versailles, a restaurant, coffee shop and bakery that is a required stop for politicians visiting Miami. There, the crowd serenaded him with the Happy Birthday song, one day before the former presidents 77th birthday. Some birthday! Weve got a government thats out of control, Trump said. Trump has been making frequent stops at local restaurants during his campaign trips, in part to contrast his easy rapport with his supporters with his chief Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Tuesdays stop was different, aimed at showcasing Trumps continued support from GOP voters and signaling that he remains unbowed by the indictments. He then headed to the airport for his flight back to New Jersey. At Bedminster, he called the 37 felony charges against him election interference and yet another attempt to rig and steal an election, repeating false claims about his 2020 loss to Joe Biden. Some of Trump's most high-profile supporters turned out Tuesday. In Miami, failed U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake of Arizona, whom Trump endorsed last year, walked through the crowd. Among those at Bedminster was election conspiracist Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow. Outside the Miami courthouse earlier in the day, security was tight, with police vehicles blocking a palm tree-lined breezeway and public entrance to the building. A helicopter passed overhead at times, and officers circled the perimeter on bicycles. The scene included what is now a staple of a Trump appearance or rally. People selling T-shirts with Trump's face in a mock mugshot, with large letters reading NOT GUILTY, others hawking hats but also, fitting for Miami, mangoes. Some waved Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president. Another man, who opposes Trump, dressed in black-and-white prison stripes and held a sign reading LOCK HIM UP. At times, people shouted past each other, and small groups of pro-Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters squabbled, occasionally yelling obscenities at each other. Domenic Santana, who showed up in the jailhouse uniform complete with handcuffs and a plastic ball and chain, said he wanted to join the circus. Santana came to the U.S. as a child from Cuba and retired in Miami after decades operating an eatery in the New York area. The 61-year-old considers himself a political independent and says his mother and daughter voted for Trump. A fellow New Yorker can spot a rat a mile away, he said. "Frankly, he shouldve been locked up ages ago. More typical, among the earliest arrivals outside the courthouse were the father-son duo of Florencio and Kevin Rodriguez, who came to the U.S. 15 years ago as asylum seekers fleeing dictatorship in Cuba. Wearing a shirt that read Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president, the younger Rodriguez, Kevin, said it was possible that Trump was guilty of illegally retaining classified documents. But he questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors lax attitude toward President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both of whom have also been accused of mishandling classified intelligence, though without any intention of hiding their actions. Even if hes guilty, we will still support him, Rodriguez said. Madelin Munilla, 67, who came to Miami as a child when her parents fled Fidel Castros Cuba, carried a sign with a photo of Biden alongside leaders who had their opponents put in jail. This is what they do in Latin America, she said. Others came to counter the Trump supporters. Jack Kaplan, 68, drove two hours from Fort Pierce. Carrying a copy of the indictment affixed to a clipboard and a sign reading Trump is Toast, the retired car dealer said hell celebrate with a $1,400 bottle of Mouton Rothschild red wine if the former president is locked away. Ive already got the bottle sitting in my wine cooler, said Kaplan as a Trump supporter carrying a sign reading Keep America Great walked by. Im going to have a big party. ___ Burnett reported from Chicago. Associated Press reporters Michael Schneider in Orlando, Michael Balsamo in Miami and Jill Colvin in Bedminster, New Jersey, contributed to this report. BEIJING (AP) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics and competing for energy resources. In announcing the visit, Chinas Foreign Ministry said China was willing to help broker relations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. The ministry did not say who Abbas would meet in Beijing or give other details of his four-day visit. Increased fighting over the last year between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank has resulted in the deadliest period of violence between the sides in years in that territory. The visit also comes after China hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in the two restoring diplomatic relations. That development was seen as representing a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region. But it remains to be seen how far the reconciliation efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia will progress. The rivalry dates to the 1979 revolution that toppled Irans Western-backed monarchy, and in recent years the two countries have backed rival armed groups and political factions across the region. State broadcaster CCTV quoted Foreign Minister Qin Gang as saying that "China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the two-state solution, and is willing to play an active role in this regard." Workers produce sea salt at a salt farm in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, in October 2021. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon By Jun Ji-hye Some Korean shoppers are moving to hoard sea salt amid growing concerns over potential health hazards stemming from Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant as early as this month, according to industry officials Tuesday. On Monday, Japan began to carry out a two-week test run on the process for discharging water containing tritium, an isotope of hydrogen, from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was devastated by a tsunami triggered by an earthquake in March 2011. An increasing number of consumers here have been apparently rushing to buy salt in bulk to store at home before the wastewater discharge begins. A store of Suhyup, or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, increased the price of 20 kilograms of the salt produced in 2021 from 25,000 won ($20) to 30,000 won, beginning last Thursday. Sinan County accounts for about 85 percent of the country's salt production. According to the store, the same amount of salt traded at 14,000 won last April. "We had usually sold 10 bags of that salt a day, but with the increasing news about the Fukushima wastewater discharge, about 1,000 bags have been sold," an official from the store said. "We had no choice but to increase the price due to increasing personnel and delivery expenses." The salt is currently sold out on its website. The 20-kilogram sacks of salt produced in 2021 are sold out at a website of a Suhyup store in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province. Captured from Suhyup store website ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) A boat returning from a wedding capsized in northern Nigeria, killing at least 103 people, including children, officials said Tuesday. Residents and police were still searching for dozens of people who were on the overcrowded boat that capsized early Monday on the Niger River in the Pategi district of Kwara state, which is 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Ilorin, the state capital, according to police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi. He said 100 people had been rescued so far. Most of those who drowned were relatives from several villages who attended the wedding together and partied late into the night, according to Abdul Gana Lukpada, a local chief. They arrived at the ceremony on motorcycles but had to leave on the locally made boat after a downpour flooded the road, he said. The boat was overloaded and close to 300 persons were in it. While they were coming, the boat hit a big log inside the water and split into two, said Lukpada. The wedding was held in the village of Egboti in the neighboring Niger state, said Usman Ibrahim, a resident. Because the accident happened at 3 a.m., it was hours before many people knew what had happened, he said. As the passengers drowned, villagers nearby rushed to the scene and managed to rescue about 50 at first, Lukpada said, describing early efforts to rescue the passengers as slow and very difficult. As of Tuesday afternoon, officials and locals were still searching for more bodies in the river, which is one of Nigerias largest. Police spokesman Ajayi said the rescue operation would continue through the night until Wednesday. Locals said it was the deadliest boat accident they have seen in many years. By Tuesday evening, all of the bodies recovered so far had been buried, most near the river, in accordance with local customs, Lukpada said. Kwara Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's office issued a statement expressing sadness for the families of those killed and saying that he continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors. Boat accidents are common in many remote communities across Nigeria where locally made vessels are commonly used for transport. Most accidents are attributed to overloading and the use of poorly maintained boats. GENEVA (Reuters) -A pro-Russian hacking group had intensified its cyberattacks against Switzerland, authorities said on Tuesday, with hackers claiming to have taken down several major websites including the one for Geneva Airport. Switzerland's main government websites, including parliament and the federal administration, have been hit in recent days by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack claimed by the NoName group. In a statement on Tuesday, Switzerland's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) described the intensity of the DDoS attack as "exceptionally high" and warned some government websites could remain inaccessible. The attack coincides with preparations by the Swiss parliament for a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy scheduled for Thursday. "The parliamentary services are doing everything in their power to ensure that the live broadcast on Thursday can go smoothly," NCSC said. The NoName group said it had carried out an attack against the parliament's website last week in response to Switzerland's adoption of another EU sanctions package against Russia, which has been subjected to Western sanctions following its February 2022 invasion of neighbour Ukraine. On Tuesday it attacked other websites including that of Geneva Airport, a hub for diplomats and officials travelling to the United Nations. "The website of the Geneva International Airport did not resist our attack," the group wrote on the Telegram messenger service, posting an image of a bear flaunting its claws. The airport confirmed its website had been targeted by a DDoS attack since Tuesday morning. It said the attack did not affect its operations. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Grant McCool) QAMISHLI, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Russian fighter was killed and several others wounded in Syria's northern province of Aleppo on Monday, a war monitor and a Kurdish security source said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors conflict in Syria, said the Russian casualties occurred when their convoy was hit by Turkish shelling. The security source said the attack came from an area where Turkish troops are deployed and that the wounded were treated in a hospital in a nearby area controlled by Kurdish forces. The Russian defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Russia intervened in Syria's conflict in 2015, using air strikes and deploying advisers as well as military police to help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad retake territory from rebels, some of them backed by Turkey. A Turkish defence ministry official said on Monday reports that Turkish forces had shelled positions in Aleppo's northern countryside and hit Russian armoured vehicle were "untrue." The Syrian National Army, an opposition faction backed by Turkey which controls the area near where the attack took place, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. A video published by Ronahi TV, a station affiliated with the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria, showed men in fatigues transporting at least two men on stretchers into a Russian helicopter. The helicopter is then seen taking off. It was not immediately clear where the helicopter was flying to, who the apparently wounded men were or what was being said in the video. Syria's 12-year conflict has carved the country into complex zones of control where outside actors - including government allies Russia and Iran, as well as Turkey and the United States - hold significant sway. In 2015, Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border but Ankara and Moscow have since mended relations. They coordinate joint patrols in northern Syria and Russia is trying to mediate between the governments of Turkey and Syria. (This story has been corrected to change the location of the hospital where the wounded were treated, to 'a nearby area controlled by Kurdish forces' instead of 'Afrin, an area controlled by Turkish-backed troops', in paragraph 3) (Reporting by Orhan Qereman in Qamishli, Syria; Maya Gebeily in Beirut; Huseyin Hayatsever in Turkey; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Max Hunder KRYVYI RIH, Ukraine (Reuters) -Eleven civilians were killed in a Russian missile attack that struck an apartment building and warehouses in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, local officials said. Emergency services said four were killed in the apartment block and seven at the warehouses, where officials said a private company stored goods such as fizzy drinks. Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said none of the targets had military links. A further 25 people were wounded, two of whom suffered severe burns and were in critical condition, the chief doctor of one of Kryvyi Rihs hospitals told reporters. Residents sobbed outside the burnt-out apartment block, from which smoke billowed after the early-morning attack on the central Ukrainian city. Olha Chernousova, who lives in the five-storey apartment block, said she was woken by an explosion which sounded like thunder and thrown out of her bed by a violent blast wave. "I ran to my front door, but it was very hot there... the smoke was heavy," she said. "What could I do? I was sat on the balcony, terrified I would lose consciousness. Nobody came for a long time... I thought I would have to jump into a tree." Around her, the street and courtyard were strewn with glass and bricks. At least five cars were ruined husks. Ihor Lavrenenko, who lives in a different part of the building, said he heard two blasts. "I woke up from the first bang, a weak one, and went straightaway onto the balcony. Then the second one erupted overhead, I watched from my balcony as hot debris fell," he said. Zelenskiy, who was born in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack. "Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch." Russia has repeatedly struck cities across Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in February 2022 but denies targeting civilians. Moscow has also accused Ukraine of cross-border shelling as Kyiv carries out counter-offensive operations. Ukraine's military command said air defences had destroyed 10 out of 14 cruise missiles, and one of four Iranian-made drones, fired at Ukraine overnight. (Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly, Anna Pruchnicka and Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Timothy Heritage) NEW ORLEANS (AP) Retired pastor Rick Warren, author of the publishing phenomenon, The Purpose Driven Life, has been intensifying a media blitz in what he acknowledges may be a lost cause. He is trying to get the Southern Baptist Convention to reverse its ouster of the California megachurch he founded, Saddleback Church, for having women pastors. With animated social media posts complete with all-capitalized words, Warren has even issued a statement, My Apology to Christian Women, repenting of blocking women's full use of their gifts and leadership skills until a recent change of views after a half-century in ministry. I wish I could do it all over, said Warren, who is expected to speak on behalf of Saddleback on Tuesday at the opening of the SBC's annual meeting here in New Orleans. Christian women, will you please forgive me? The issue is just one of the controversies facing the more than 9,000 SBC messengers, or church representatives, who had registered as of Monday in advance of their two-day annual meeting at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The messengers will vote on how and whether to continue reforms in the wake of a sexual-abuse scandal that was the subject of a withering outside report in 2022 and has drawn a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. The meeting will also feature a rare contested election between an incumbent SBC president, Texas pastor Bart Barber, and Georgia pastor Mike Stone, who is part of a group of Southern Baptists seeking to take the already staunchly conservative denomination further to the right. On Tuesday, the messengers will hear from Saddleback and another church, Fern Creek Baptist of Louisville, Kentucky, which are appealing their expulsion in February by the SBC's Executive Committee for having women pastors. Three other churches ousted over the same issue are not appealing. All Baptist churches are independent, so the convention cant tell them what to do, but it can decide which churches are not in friendly cooperation, the official verbiage for an expulsion. Warren's expected appearance on Tuesday will amount to a titanic faceoff the nation's largest Protestant denomination receiving a challenge from someone long touted as one of its biggest success stories. Launched in 1980 by Rick and Kay Warren, Saddleback has grown over four decades to 14 locations in Southern California, with an average weekly attendance of 30,000. In 2021, Saddleback ordained its first three women pastors. In 2022, Warren retired and was succeeded by pastor Andy Wood, whose wife, Stacie Wood, was named teaching pastor at Saddleback. Those actions prompted some to call for Saddleback's ouster. The denomination's statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message, says that while "men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. Wood has said Saddleback does maintain male authority with an all-men board of elders but that they can equip women for ministry most recently in May when Katie Edwards, one of the three women ordained in 2021, was named campus pastor of the flagship Lake Forest campus. Warren said he had a change of views only recently supporting women as pastors after taking another look at the Bible and its New Testament passages in the original Greek language. Not doing so earlier is his biggest regret in 53 years of ministry, he said in a lengthy Twitter statement. I dont expect to win in New Orleans and I certainly dont expect to change the mind of any angry fundamentalist, he said. They are responsible to God, not to me. Then Warren issued a public apology to all good women in my life, church, and ministry that I failed to speak up for in my years of ignorance. He has received both support and pushback on social media. In meetings on Monday, SBC leaders continued to affirm that pastors should only be men, but questioned whether that ban needs to be encoded in its constitution, which already has a list of what disqualifies a church. Member churches need to identify closely with the denomination's faith statement and cannot engage in ethnic discrimination, be LGBTQ-affirming or fail to address sexual abuse. The Executive Committee which runs the day-to-day business of the denomination recommended Monday that the full annual meeting reject a constitutional amendment that would add churches with women pastors to that list, saying there's already a mechanism to expel them for not identifying with the SBC faith statement. Various estimates on both sides say hundreds or more SBC churches have women serving as pastors either as leader of the congregation or, more often, in assistant ministry roles. Such estimates could not immediately be confirmed. Most of us believe there is a problem when certain Southern Baptist churches have pastors who are women, said Josh Hetzler, a South Dakota pastor on the Executive Committee, who favors such an amendment. Were at a cultural moment in which this issue of mens and womens roles is very confused, he added. We have an opportunity to speak clearly into this moment. But other members said the statement of faith speaks for itself and isn't needed in the constitution. Also on Monday, officials said the SBC was phasing out its connections with Guidepost Solutions, the consultant that issued a blistering report in 2022 on how SBC officials mishandled reports of sexual abuse and mistreated victims. Guidepost has also been staffing a hotline to receive reports of abuse, and it was originally slated to develop a public database of abusers. Those reforms, though criticized by victims advocates as too small, are also facing pushback from others, in part over a Guidepost tweet last year that it is an ally to our LGBTQ+ community. The denominations statement of faith opposes homosexuality. Executive Committee Interim President Willie McLaurin said Monday that officials are lining up a different firm to develop the list and will also phase out Guideposts role in the hotline. Incoming Executive Committee chairman Philip Robertson said that while there can be disagreements over how to respond to the scandal, We need to continue that work to make sure every person in every church in the SBC is protected and safe. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. To the white students in an AP class at Chapin High School: Someones been lying to you. I dont know if its your parents, the Fox News Mafia, or South Carolina Republican legislators trying to undermine our education system. Whoever they are, if you keep listening to them, youll become adults who wilt at the sight of a rainbow flag or Black Lives Matter placard. Though it gives me no pleasure to say this, I must be frank. You are already displaying cowardly tendencies. You were asked to view a couple of videos about race and inequity, discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, describe his argument, and provide your own. You responded by saying it made you uncomfortable and I actually felt ashamed to be Caucasian. I was incredibly uncomfortable throughout both videos, and was in shock that she would do something illegal like that, one of you said about your teacher. I am pretty sure a teacher talking about systemic racism is illegal in South Carolina, according to The State. Ive heard similar stories from black professors in South Carolina whove also had white students balking at such work and got their parents to intervene. Let me be franker: If you came into my college classroom with that attitude, youd fail, and spectacularly. I would not disrespect you. But I will challenge you, sometimes make you squirm. And I will absolutely present information you dont like and expect you to explain it clearly and sometime provide comprehensive, well-reasoned explanations for why you agree or disagree. I will not hold your hold hand as though you are a delicate flower who needs protection from ugly truths. If you dont want to be educated, stay out of the classroom. Avoiding discomfort should not be a priority. It weakens rather than strengthens you. Let me be franker still: You live in South Carolina. Our state was the first to take up arms against the U.S. to begin what remains our bloodiest war. The state did so to implement a form of black enslavement built upon the idea that God supposedly wanted white people to own black people forever. But long before that, this country, and states such as South Carolina in particular, implemented laws that privileged whiteness like the kind you were born with. That meant white people were given free land, the best jobs, the most generous social safety net help including what often amounted to free education funded in part by tax dollars and economic growth built upon the labor of black people even as black people were largely excluded from such benefits. Better yet, take the 30-minute drive from Chapin High to the Statehouse. There youll find monuments to white men who literally used the lynching of black people to gin up votes to help them and others of like mind to attain or retain power, and if a black person objects to such an honor being bestowed upon men like those, its the black people who are shouted down and demeaned as wanting to erase history. And let me not get started on what it means to have to look at the faces of men who enslaved your ancestors every time you pull a dollar bill out of your pocket. I can only imagine what youd do if you had to grow up black in this state, maybe curl up in a ball and never leave the cozy-dark space in your closet where nothing that could cause you upset could reach you. You attended a school thats more than 80 percent white, and still, you couldnt handle a lesson on this countrys racial history and present without crying foul. Must this country, the world, forever cater to your every whim or preference? Heres the deal. Im convinced you are tougher than that, smarter than that. If you arent, dont come to my class because you will be challenged and not even your mama will be able to shield you from truth youd rather avoid. Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer based in Myrtle Beach. He teaches at Davidson College. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's president stepped up criticism of China's ambassador on Tuesday, saying the envoy had been disrespectful in suggesting South Korea had made the wrong choice by siding with the United States against China. The ambassador, Xing Haiming, sparked controversy last Thursday when, in comments to an opposition politician, he warned South Korea against making a "wrong bet" when it came to Sino-U.S. rivalry and urged it to stop "decoupling" from China. South Korea's foreign ministry summoned Xing on Friday to issue a protest and express "strong regret" over comments that the ministry said were "provocative" and a possible interference in internal affairs. President Yoon Suk Yeol made his disapproval clear in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, questioning Xing's approach as a diplomat. "Looking at Ambassador Xing's attitude, it's doubtful if he has an attitude of mutual respect or promotion of friendship as a diplomat," the Yonhap news agency, citing unidentified people at the meeting, reported Yoon as saying. "Our people are displeased with his inappropriate behaviour." Yoon's office did not immediately comment on the Yonhap report but a presidential official said Xing had made "distorted" remarks and the government was awaiting "appropriate measures" by China. South Korea has been a staunch U.S. ally for decades and is host to nearly some 28,000 U.S. troops but it has developed extensive economic ties with China in recent years. China's foreign ministry called in South Korea's ambassador on Saturday to express its "serious concern and dissatisfaction" over Seoul's "improper reaction" to Xing's comment. On Tuesday, it was more conciliatory. Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China regretted some South Korean media reports that had been "inconsistent with the facts" in reporting Xing's comments and had even attacked him personally but he also stressed the benefit of good ties. "Promoting the healthy and stable development of ChinaSouth Korea relations serves the common interests of both sides. We hope that the Republic of Korea will meet China halfway," Wang told a regular press conference. A growing number of legislators from Yoon's ruling party have been calling for Xing to be declared "persona non grata" and expelled. "If Ambassador Xing does not issue an official apology and continues his rude behaviour, we should consider taking steps to banish him," said Kim Seok-ki, a member of parliament's foreign affairs committee. Foreign Minister Park Jin said on Monday Xing's remarks violated the Vienna Convention governing diplomats' duties including promoting friendly relations. When asked about declaring Xing persona non grata, Park said the ministry had "clearly warned that he would be responsible for all consequences". Xing has decades of experience working in both South and North Korea. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Soo-hyang Choi; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; editing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel) Target stores in at least five U.S. states had to be evacuated over the weekend after receiving bomb threats, the latest example of backlash the U.S.-based retail chain has received for its Pride month merchandise. The Washington Post reported Monday that that news outlets in Oklahoma, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Louisiana received emails from unknown individuals about bomb threats at the stores. In one email sent to Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR, which is owned by Nexstar Media Group, the sender listed seven locations in and around Oklahoma City, claiming that two of the locations already had bombs in them, saying they hid the bombs inside of products. The bombs will detonate in several hours, guess which ones have the bombs. Time is ticking, the email reads, also ending with the date 4/19/1995, the date of the Oklahoma City bombing. Oklahoma City Police Department spokesperson Gary Knight said that several news outlets notified them about the emailed threats, adding that after evacuating the listed stores as a precaution, authorities didnt find any suspicious items, according to the Post. South Burlington (Vt.) police chief Shawn Burke said news outlets in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York all received the same emailed threat to Target stores over the weekend. It accused the retail chain of betraying the LGBTQ+ community and named the locations of four stores in the three states, including the South Burlington location. I think it had quite an impact locally, Burke said, according to the Post. It makes people a little bit uneasy to think about whats going on. Were more and more seeing this type of behavior in terms of swatting at schools locally and in terms of stores like Target [nationally]. Target initially received criticism for its LGBTQ+ initiatives last month, with the retail chain announcing last month it removed some Pride month merchandise in its stores last month after facing backlash from customers, citing concerns about their workers safety. After the announcement, company stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah received bomb threats from people who were claiming to be unhappy with the removal of the Pride merchandise, the Post reported. The Target controversy has followed a similar arc to Bud Light, which received backlash for its partnership with transgender actress and influencer Dylan Mulvaney. In a statement to The Hill, a Target spokesperson said that the safety of our team members and guests is our top priority. Law enforcement investigated these claims and determined our stores are safe, adding that their stores are currently open and operating on regular hours. This story was updated at 1:20 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump reacts as he attends the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro, N.C., on June 10, 2023. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters) Former President Donald Trump on Sunday said he sees no case in which hed drop out of the 2024 presidential race, even as he faces down a myriad of legal challenges, including a recent federal indictment over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Is there any circumstances under which you could see yourself dropping out of the 2024 presidential election? host and longtime Trump ally Roger Stone asked the former president on the debut episode of The Roger Stone Show on 77 WABC. No. None whatsoever, Trump said, speaking to Stone just days after he was federally indicted in a 37-count indictment over his handling of classified materials after leaving the White House. He called the indictment a disgrace on Sunday. No, I see no case in which I would do that. I just wouldnt do it. I wouldnt do it. I had opportunities in 2016 to do it. And I didnt do it, Trump said of dropping out of the 2024 race. 1st former president to face criminal charges The charges against Trump do not disqualify from running for president. The indictment has changed few minds in the GOP, with lawmakers and even his 2024 primary opponents coming to his defense along with likely Republican voters indicating in a new CBS-YouGov poll that he should still be able to serve as president even if he is convicted. Trump, who is running to retake the White House in 2024 after losing his 2020 reelection bid to President Biden, became the first former president to face criminal charges when was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after an investigation from the Manhattan district attorney earlier this year. Hes also being looked at by the DOJs special counsel in a probe into the transfer of power after the 2020 election, and by a district attorney in Georgia whos investigating possible election interference attempts in the state. Trump said in April, after the Manhattan indictment, that he wouldnt drop out of the race for any legal reason, and doubled down on that sentiment in the wake of the federal indictment in his conversation with Stone, who he notably pardoned at the end of his presidency. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Forced dispersal of nonviolent rallies abuses rule of law President Yoon Suk Yeol is a global crusader for freedom. Yoon mentioned "freedom" 46 times while addressing the U.S. Congress' joint session in April. He uttered it 82 times at Harvard University during a 19-minute speech, once every 15 seconds. Americans applauded when the Korean leader said free democracies should fight together against "authoritarian forces" worldwide. However, some commentators here were concerned that the president, intoxicated by the cheers and standing ovations, might overestimate the gestures as foreign recognition and support for his leadership. Unfortunately, their worry is becoming a reality. Last Friday, police forcibly dispersed a nighttime cultural event held in front of the Supreme Court by an organization of irregular workers. It was the second forceful breakup of a nonviolent assembly following one on May 25. The reason: the event was an "unreported rally" under the guise of a cultural festival. Some participants were even injured during the police crackdown. This comes after the president called for stricter responses to protesters. Yoon said, "The previous government virtually abandoned the use of police power against illegal gatherings." Police defined the Friday night event as an illegal gathering because its organizers failed to report it. They added that any gathering that involves "chanting slogans" must be reported beforehand. In strictly legal terms, they may be right. However, the Constitution, the law of laws, stipulates that the government must guarantee freedom of assembly and association if the gatherings and organizations are nonviolent. The toughened police move also came after a controversial overnight rally by the construction workers' union in central Seoul in mid-May prompted an angry response from the ruling party. Some unionists drank alcohol and urinated in places other than makeshift toilets. However, a 2016 U.N. report said it is incompatible with democracy for (governments) to view assemblies as disruptive and approach them solely from a "law and order" perspective. Disruption of daily life is to be expected at gatherings of large numbers of people, and (disruption) should be tolerated to ensure that (their) rights are not violated. The report effectively criticized the Assembly and Demonstration Act, saying, it is inappropriate to use domestic law as a yardstick for legality when freedom of assembly is an internationally recognized legitimate right. A government led by a chief executive who puts freedom and democracy above all else must listen. The Korean public also must rethink freedom and its inevitable cost of inconvenience. In advanced democracies, people do not complain about the ill effects of prolonged labor actions. When street sweepers go on strike, Paris and London are littered with heaps of garbage for days, even weeks. Few citizens take issue with it. They endure the situation to respect other people's fundamental rights. If similar things happen in Seoul, the authorities will forcefully end the strike, citing people's inconvenience. Koreans watched on TV how violently some French people protested the pension reform, fighting against riot police, setting fires and even looting shops. Most French people supported the protesters. Meanwhile, construction workers here cleaned up their rally site afterward. However, no major media outlets paid attention to it while focusing only on the mess they left. What democracy Korea earned was thanks to free assemblies and associations, including the movements of April 19, 1960, and June 10, 1987. Korea today does not face such situations. This country has long been democratized, if on the surface only. The consciousness of people both the rulers and the ruled have yet to be democratized. Otherwise, the ruling party cannot seek to ban rallies between midnight and 6 a.m. while lamenting the disappearance of water cannons. Yoon's police chief went to the office wearing riot gear a day after the ruling camp demanded a tougher response to protesters, leaving the decision to use red pepper sprays to squad chiefs. Are these conservatives recalling the candlelit protests of seven years ago? If so, why? Law enforcement authorities must allow all nonviolent rallies. Or the rallies will become violent and protracted. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is concerned that North Korea is planning to deliver more weapons to Russia, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Monday after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster strategic cooperation with Moscow. Earlier on Monday, North Korea's KCNA state news agency said Kim made the pledge in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin marking Russia's National Day. Kim called for "closer strategic cooperation" with Moscow, "holding hands firmly with the Russian president, in conformity with the common desire of the peoples of the two countries to fulfil the grand goal of building a powerful country," KCNA said. The State Department spokesperson said that despite Pyongyang's denials that it had sold weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, the United States had confirmed North Korea had completed an arms delivery, including infantry rockets and missiles, to the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group in November 2022. "We are concerned that the DPRK is planning to deliver more military equipment to Russia," the spokesperson added, using the initials of North Korea's official name. North Korea has sought to forge closer ties with the Kremlin and backed Moscow after it invaded Ukraine last year, blaming the "hegemonic policy" and "high-handedness" of the United States and the West. The United States said in March it had new information that Russia was actively seeking to acquire additional weapons from North Korea in exchange for food aid. In March, Washington imposed sanctions on a Slovakian man it said had tried to arrange the sale of over two dozen types of North Korean weapons and munitions to Russia to help Moscow replace military equipment lost in its war with Ukraine. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Stephen Coates) By Daina Beth Solomon and Ted Hesson MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. asylum appointments at a dangerous Texas-Mexico border crossing can no longer be scheduled via an online app following reports that migrants face extortion in Mexico. Advocates for migrants in the Mexican city of Nuevo Laredo, just across the border from Laredo, were informed of the suspension by a U.S. consular official, a June 2 message reviewed by Reuters showed. No reason for the change was stated. A website for the app, called CBP One, no longer lists Laredo as a city where asylum seekers can schedule appointments. Nuevo Laredo has long been notorious for widespread kidnapping and extortion of migrants. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not respond to requests for comment. The appointments are a key part of a border system put in place by U.S. President Joe Biden last month when COVID-era restrictions known as Title 42 expired. Biden's administration opened up legal pathways, including via the app, while also implementing a strict new regulation that could deny asylum to many migrants crossing the border illegally. Advocates and some Democrats argue that migrants should not be forced to wait in dangerous conditions in northern Mexico, particularly as demand outstrips the 1,250 CBP One appointments available per day. The suspension was first reported by the Associated Press. Lately, criminal groups in Nuevo Laredo have allegedly demanded payment from migrants headed to the port of entry, including those with CBP One appointments, according to a May report from the Strauss Center at the University of Texas at Austin. An advocate in Nuevo Laredo, who requested anonymity due to safety fears, said criminals have demanded as much as $500 per person. Human Rights First recorded over 13,000 reports of violent attacks against migrants in Mexico in 2021 and 2022. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory a threat with questionable credibility because the Kremlin lacks full control over areas it already annexed. In some of his most detailed remarks about the war in months, the Russian leader also asserted that Ukrainian forces had suffered catastrophic losses in a new counteroffensive, and he said he was not contemplating a new troop mobilization, as many Russians have feared. But he did not rule out another troop call-up later. And he reiterated Russias claim that Ukraine was responsible for blowing up a Dnieper River dam that caused vast flooding on both sides of the front line last week in the country's south. Putin's comments at an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers followed Kyiv's claims that Ukrainian troops had captured a handful of villages in the early stages of the counteroffensive as they seek to push Russian troops out of four regions of Ukraine the Kremlin illegally annexed last fall. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, came after Russian missile strikes in central Ukraine killed at least 11 people overnight. Putin said Ukraine's counteroffensive has been unsuccessful. He asserted that Ukraine lost 160 tanks and over 360 other armored vehicles, while Russia lost 54 tanks since the new assault began. Those claims could not be immediately verified. Ukrainian officials typically do not comment on losses. The White House offered no immediate reaction to Putins claims. A U.S. official familiar with American intelligence said Putins comments were not accurate and cautioned against putting any stock in Russias public assessments. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to offer an internal assessment, did not detail how Putins claims were misleading. Referring to alleged Ukrainian incursions into Russia and shelling of border regions, Putin said he was considering whether to create on Ukrainian territory a kind of sanitary zone at such a distance from which it would be impossible to get our territory. It was not clear whether Russia which failed to capture Kyiv and its surroundings early in the war and later had to give up other territory it had captured, even in annexed areas could afford to risk expanding its gains in Ukraine while trying to repel the evolving counteroffensive in several sectors of the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. In recent weeks, Russias border areas have come under increasing attack, with the Kremlin blaming Ukrainian forces for incursions of fighters and drone strikes. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed Kyivs involvement in the attacks but have obliquely welcomed them. Russian volunteer units sympathizing with Ukraine have claimed responsibility for the incursions. Local leaders in Russia have pleaded with the Kremlin to do more to protect residents, some of whom have been evacuated to safer areas. Putin acknowledged that Russian authorities should have foreseen and prepared to stop such attacks. Earlier in the war, the border was better protected because Russia held more adjacent Ukrainian territory, but Kremlin forces withdrew from much of it last fall under the brunt of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Putin's long meeting with military bloggers, along with war correspondents from traditional news media, was a dramatic acknowledgement of their importance in conveying the Kremlins viewpoint. In other remarks, Putin also said: Russias defense industry has ratcheted up production of drones and other weapons but needs more, and the West is also struggling to produce more weapons and ammunition. Russia might pull out of a U.N.-backed deal to allow grain shipments from Ukraine through a demilitarized Black Sea maritime corridor. The United States could stop the war by halting weapons shipments to Ukraine, leaving it too weak to carry on the fight. The West will eventually realize it wont succeed in Ukraine. They will never see it happen. Never. While Putin spoke, the State Department announced that the United States would send Ukraine a new military aid package worth up to $325 million, including a range of rockets, missiles and other munitions. Putin mocked alleged Ukrainian battlefield losses, including of high-tech Western equipment Kyiv has received. He said German-made Leopard battle tanks and U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are burning really well. Earlier Tuesday, his defense ministry published a video showing what it said was a Leopard 2 tank and a Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, Russian soldiers shot the video after fierce fighting in Zaporizhzhia. It was not immediately possible to verify the videos authenticity. Ukrainian officials have been nearly as forceful as Putin in vowing to win the war, with Zelenskyy insisting his people will not relent until all of Ukraine is liberated from Russian control. Contrasting with Putin's dim view of Ukraine's progress in its counteroffensive, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told President Joe Biden on Tuesday that Ukrainians are making progress," and that could bolster their position in any peace talks. Its still early days, but what we do know is that the more land that Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table, Stoltenberg said at a White House meeting. Also Tuesday, Ukraines deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, told Ukrainian TV that the country's forces are continuing the offensive in four areas in the south and east. The head of Ukraines ground troops said forces were moving forward outside Bakhmut, in Ukraines east. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks. Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities said at least 11 people were killed and 36 wounded overnight in a Russian missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown. Images from the latest missile attack relayed by Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling a blaze as flames poked through broken windows in a damaged apartment building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. Without providing details of the locations or timing, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces used long-range air-launched cruise missiles to hit Ukrainian military reserves and depots holding Western weapons and ammunition. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, wrote on Telegram that the bodies of seven people were recovered from a private company's warehouse, and another four destinies were cut short" at the apartment building. ___ Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine UNITED NATIONS (AP) The proliferation of hate and lies on digital platforms and the threat that artificial intelligence can become an uncontrolled monster demand coordinated global action starting with a code of conduct for governments, tech companies and advertisers that promotes truth and protects human rights, the U.N. chief said Monday. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board in a few days, and an advisory board on artificial intelligence in September to prepare initiatives that the U.N. can take. He said he would react favorably to a new U.N. agency on artificial intelligence and suggested as a model the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is knowledge-based and has some regulatory powers. Guterres told a news conference he plans to consult widely on the just released principles for the U.N. Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, which he will issue before next years U.N. Summit of the Future. He expressed hope that the code will be widely supported, but when asked whether governments and tech companies are willing to take steps to make digital space safer, he replied, Thats the question I ask myself. We are dealing with a business that generates massive profits, and we are dealing also in some situations with governments that do not entirely respect human rights, so this is a constant battle and in this constant battle, we must mobilize all those that are committed to information integrity in digital platforms, he said. Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, agreed that while it's a positive step that the U.N. is calling for international solutions to this global problem, its code of conduct won't likely be sufficient to stop the torrent of false and hateful information online. The fact of the matter is that voluntary codes, including the companies' own terms of service on these issues, have failed to rein them in, Beirich said. The problem for the U.N. is they can't do what it seems is going to have to be done to deal with this problem, which is basically legislation. Guterres said there are many initiatives underway, including a law and code of conduct in the European Union for its 27 member nations and a U.K. summit on AI safety in the autumn. Other governments also are looking into forms of regulation. But he said there is a view that regulation isnt easy because things are moving very quickly, and that therefore a global approach is needed. Guterres said a key problem is that the tech company business model prioritizes engagement over privacy, truth and human rights. He said tech companies need to understand that massive profits cannot be created at the expense of a model of engagement that goes before any other consideration." The U.N. chief said the code of conduct will not be a solution, but it will be global" and it will enable governments, tech companies, advertisers and others to commit to what needs to be done in order to guarantee or at least to seriously promote information integrity in digital platforms. The principles Guterres laid out for the code of conduct include commitments to refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose. For governments, it seeks commitments not to respond to misinformation, disinformation and hate speech by blocking legitimate comment, shutting down the internet or banning platforms or media outlets and to guarantee protections for journalists and independent media. For companies that control digital platforms, it seeks a pledge to be transparent about their algorithms, advertising and how they deal with misinformation, disinformation and hate speech and to eliminate double standards that allow hate speech and disinformation to flourish in some languages and countries while they are prevented more effectively in others. Tech companies are also urged to give people a greater choice over the content that they see, and how their data is used. Guterres said a commitment sought from digital platforms includes "urgent and immediate measures to ensure that all AI applications are safe, secure, responsible and ethical, and comply with human rights obligations. He said the United Nations will try to be in the center of all the networks and movements that will be created to deal with AI technology as it develops. But he said this wont be easy because governments and international organizations havent invested sufficiently in recent decades in personnel who have the necessary scientific and technical knowledge. It also requires the commitment of the platforms themselves, and of the AI creators themselves," Guterres said, but we will do our best to be a platform where everybody can be together in order to make this agenda advance positively. ___ Ali Swenson contributed to this report from New York. By Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release a final rule on biofuel blending volume mandates for the years 2023-2025 by June 21, after seeking a one-week extension on a deadline for the rule, according to a court document on Tuesday. The EPA was set to issue a final rule by Wednesday under a court-ordered deadline, but has agreed to an extension with industry trade group Growth Energy, the filing showed. Reuters reported the delay earlier on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources. The EPA will not seek a further extension for the deadline, the agency said on Tuesday in a statement. Growth Energy and the EPA submitted a consent decree agreement to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in July 2022 that required the agency to finalize 2023 renewable fuel volume requirements no later than June 14, 2023. The final rule is set to mark a new chapter of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which is more than a decade old. While Congress set out specific goals for the program through 2022, the law expands the EPA's authority for 2023 and beyond to change the way the RFS is administered. The RFS is an often contentious law that can pit the oil and biofuel industries against each other. Ethanol producers and corn farmers like the mandates because they provide a market for their products, while the oil industry finds the requirements too pricey. This most recent iteration of the RFS has brought in additional stakeholders, after the EPA in December proposed to include for the first time a pathway for electric vehicle manufacturers to generate lucrative credits under the rule. The EPA is expected to abandon that part of the proposal in the final rule, Reuters previously reported, citing sources. Also under the December proposal, the EPA would require oil refiners to add 20.82 billion gallons of biofuels to their fuel in 2023, 21.87 billion gallons in 2024, and 22.68 billion gallons in 2025. Those volumes will include more than 15 billion gallons per year of conventional biofuels like corn-based ethanol, with the rest made up of advanced fuels, including those made from switchgrass, animal fats, or methane from dairy farms and landfills. It is unclear whether those requirements will change in the final rule. (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Paul Simao and Barbara Lewis) By Arshad Mohammed (Reuters) - The United States and Iran are not discussing an interim nuclear deal, a U.S. official said on Monday, but Washington has told Tehran of steps that might trigger a crisis and also those that may create a better climate between the long-time antagonists. "There are no talks about an interim deal," said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. His comment went further than a U.S. denial last week, which called a report the nations were nearing an interim deal "false and misleading" and said reports of such a deal were "false" but did not deny the possibility of talks about one. The official did not deny media reports of recent U.S.-Iranian contacts but rather said that suggestions they were about an interim nuclear deal were inaccurate. "We have made clear to them what escalatory steps they needed to avoid to prevent a crisis and what de-escalatory steps they could take to create a more positive context," he said, declining to detail these but noting Washington would like to see greater Iranian cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. U.S. and European officials have been searching for ways to curb Tehran's nuclear program since the breakdown last year of indirect U.S.-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers. Under that accord, aimed at keeping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Tehran limited its nuclear program and agreed to more extensive U.N. inspections in exchange for the easing of U.N., U.S. and EU sanctions. Then-U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the pact in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions, leading Tehran to gradually move far beyond the deal's nuclear restrictions and reviving U.S., European and Israeli fears that Iran may seek an atomic bomb. Iran denies any such ambition. While the U.S. official declined to go into details, the latest U.S. messages to Iran appeared aimed at damage control. The Biden administration has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon and that all options are on the table, which is diplomatic language for the possibility of a military strike. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) By Doyinsola Oladipo NEW YORK (Reuters) -The City of New York will delay enforcing a municipal law that Airbnb Inc said could limit the number of people who can host rentals in the city, a Friday court filing showed. The short-term rental company filed a lawsuit against the city on June 1 over the law it called a "de facto ban" against short-term rentals set to go into effect on July 1. Under the law, hosts must be permanent occupants of the units being rented and must register with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) before posting rentals. The office will not issue fines against hosts or booking services until Sept. 5, according to the filing. Both parties agreed to a temporary stay of enforcement to afford them the opportunity to fully brief the issues before the court," said Jonah Allon, deputy press secretary for the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Airbnb said that the law would make it harder for hosts to do business by requiring that they comply with numerous zoning regulations, dwelling laws, and housing maintenance and construction codes. "We hope the city will use the extra time to collaborate with us on a sensible alternative solution that will benefit Hosts, tourism, and the local economy," said Airbnb's attorney, Karen Dunn, a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Airbnb said that in the first week of July, more than 5,500 short-term rentals are reserved to host more than 10,000 guests in New York City. Shares of the company rose 5.7% to $124.59. The case is Airbnb Inc v New York City Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. (Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Richard Chang) Congressional Republicans have subpoenaed Hunter Biden's former business partner, Devon Archer, demanding he sit for a deposition this week. The Oversight Committee has been investigating the business dealings of several members of President Joe Biden's family. Kentucky Republican James Comer wrote in a letter to an attorney for Archer stating that he "played a significant role in the Biden family's business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine." "Additionally, while undertaking these ventures with the Biden family, your client met with then-Vice President Biden on multiple occasions, including in the White House," wrote Comer, the Oversight Committee chairman. Archer's potential testimony to the GOP House Oversight Committee is a significant milestone in the congressional probe. Archer served alongside Hunter Biden on the board of Burisma, a Ukraine energy company, beginning in 2014. During this period, then-Vice President Joe Biden was deeply involved in Ukraine policy, an era when his opponents say the energy firm was involved in corruption. An independent forensic review of Hunter Biden's laptop data by CBS News confirmed hundreds of communications between Hunter Biden and Archer, specifically, emails that suggest working meals were arranged before or after Burisma board meetings. Archer is widely believed to have facilitated Hunter Biden's entry onto Burisma's board. In February, Comer informed Hunter and the president's brother James that he is seeking documents and communications from the Bidens as part of his committee's probe into any possible involvement by the president in their financial conduct, in particular in foreign business deals "with individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party." Comer accused them in his letter of receiving "significant amounts of money from foreign companies without providing any known legitimate services." White House spokesman Ian Sams tweeted on May 10 that the committee was "really just microwaving old debunked stuff" while offering "no evidence of any wrongdoing" by the president. "House Republicans have shown no evidence of any policy decisions influenced by anything other than U.S. national interests," Sams wrote. After reviewing thousands of records subpoenaed from four banks, the House Oversight Committee said in an interim report last month that some Biden family members, associates and their companies received more than $10 million from foreign entities, including payments made during and after President Joe Biden's vice presidency. But the White House countered that GOP investigators could not point to a "single Joe Biden policy" that was unduly influenced. The 36-page interim GOP report, released by Comer accused some Biden family members and associates of using a "complicated network" of more than 20 companies, mostly LLCs formed when Mr. Biden was vice president, and used "incremental payments over time" to "conceal large financial transactions." "From a historical standpoint, we've never seen a presidential family receive these sums of money from adversaries around the world," Comer said. After the report's May 11 release, Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the committee was "redoing old investigations that found no evidence of wrongdoing by Mr. Biden." Archer was convicted in 2018 of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud for his role in a scheme to defraud a Native American tribe and multiple pension funds. His conviction was overturned later that year, and U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abram wrote in her decision she was "left with an unwavering concern that Archer is innocent of the crimes charged." The conviction was later reinstated by a federal appeals court. Archer lost an appeal of that decision earlier this month. He has not yet been sentenced. An attorney for Archer did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Read the documents below: Trump attorney Alina Habba addresses reporters in front of courthouse at arraignment Trump heads to Miami courthouse to face federal arraignment "If this wasn't Donald Trump, it would be a slam dunk case," legal expert says A view from the Quintana Beach in Texas after thousands of fish washed up dead on the shore. (Quintana Beach County Park/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Beach crews spent the weekend clearing up thousands of dead fish along the Texas Gulf Coast, shore officials said. The fish began washing up on Friday because of "a low dissolved oxygen event," Quintana Beach County Park posted on Facebook. The fish continued to wash up on Saturday. On Sunday morning, officials said it appeared the last of the fish had washed ashore. "The most recent are deteriorated to the point of being shredded skeletons," the park said. Most of the fish that died were Gulf menhaden. As the fish kill continued, officials urged people to avoid swimming because of high bacterial levels and potential danger from the fish's sharp fins. Water samples taken from the area were found to have almost no dissolved oxygen, Quintana Beach County Park said. There was no evidence of a chemical release impacting the fish. "Fish kills like this are common in the summer when temperatures increase," the Texas Parks and Wildlife Kills and Spills Team said in a statement. "If there isn't enough oxygen in the water, fish can't 'breathe.'" Oxygen also enters the water when wind and waves meet, but the surf in the area has been calm for the past several weeks. Cloudy conditions may have also contributed to the water's low oxygen levels. David Byrne: The 60 Minutes Interview Exploring the human-like side of artificial intelligence at Google | 60 Minutes 2024 election may be similar to 2020 if Trump is the GOP nominee A view of Namsa-eup in Cheoin District of Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province where Samsung Electronics will build a major semiconductor cluster. Yonhap By Baek Byung-yeul The government tried to allay concerns, Tuesday, over possible difficulties supplying huge quantities of water to a mega-size semiconductor cluster that Samsung Electronics plans to build in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province by 2042 at a cost of 300 trillion won ($236 billion), according to officials. They say plans are being made to prepare infrastructure for water procurement, which is essential for chip production. To improve its capability in system semiconductors, Samsung, the global leader in the memory chip sector, is scheduled to begin construction of the facility in Yongin by the end of 2026. To this end, Gyeonggi Province and Samsung Electronics held a meeting on June 1 to discuss key issues such as securing industrial water and electricity, and analyzed that the semiconductor cluster will require 650,000 tons of industrial water per day. The amount is 2.5 times more than the 265,000 tons consumed by another semiconductor cluster in the city housing SK hynix. However, a media report said that the Ministry of Environment raised objections about drawing huge quantities of water from Paldang Dam in Gyeonggi Province, saying that the dam does not have enough water to spare. With the issue of a crucial plan that will shape the country's economy, the government has set out to give an explanation as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy jointly issued a clarification on Tuesday, stating that infrastructure supply of industrial water for the Yongin system semiconductor cluster, led by Samsung Electronics, is proceeding smoothly. "It is not true that the Ministry of Environment has stated that "it is difficult to withdraw water from Paldang Dam," the government said in a statement. "The Ministry of Environment has organized a water supply taskforce to secure additional water to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. The Yongin Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex requires 650,000 tons of water per day and is considering expanding the supply capacity of Paldang Dam by utilizing a large-scale power generation dam upstream of Paldang Dam. In addition, the ministry plans to secure additional water by utilizing surplus water in the company's existing business sites and reusing sewage to ensure that the water supply is not disrupted." An industry official working in the domestic chip industry said that "water is essential in the semiconductor production process, along with power supply, and this is an issue that must be resolved in consultation with the government." He added, "In a project of this magnitude, there will be various detailed plans back and forth during the discussion process, but the government has a strong commitment to the project." The official also said that he expects the plan to proceed without any problems. The semiconductor cluster to be built in Yongin is a project in which Samsung Electronics will invest 300 trillion won, an average of 15 trillion won per year for 20 years until 2042, to build five advanced semiconductor manufacturing plants. The cluster will not only produce system semiconductors, but also house a large ecosystem of semiconductor-related materials, components, equipment and research companies from Korea and abroad. President Yoon Suk Yeol said in March that the semiconductor cluster is a key project that will determine the fate of the Korean economy and be responsible for the country's future. "The current global competition situation is a matter of life and death, and we must hurry," he said in March. "We will grow the semiconductor mega-cluster into the world's largest." Samsung Electronics also vowed to make a significant contribution to the country's economic development through the cluster. "The world's largest semiconductor mega-cluster will link semiconductor production complexes such as Giheung (Yongin), Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and Icheon, as well as nearby small and medium-sized enterprises and fabless companies," Samsung said. "If 300 trillion won is invested, the direct and indirect production-inducing effects will reach 700 trillion won and the employment-inducing effects will reach 1.6 million people." WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon will deliver a new package of military aid to Ukraine that totals up to $325 million and will include a wide range of rockets, missiles and other munitions aimed at bolstering the counteroffensive against Russia, the State Department said Tuesday. The aid will include missiles for what are considered critical air defense systems the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAM) and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as Stingers and Javelin missiles and more than two dozen Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles. The aid comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, in the beginning stages of a counteroffensive to retake territory seized by the Russians. Including the latest aid, the U.S. has committed nearly $40 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022. This latest package will be done under presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to quickly take weapons from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine, officials said. Also in the new aid delivery will be 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, and a variety of other rockets and munitions. It also includes spare parts, communications and demolition equipment and funding for training. The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. A busy Florida beach had a strange and surprising creature wash up on its shore on Sunday a young, small black bear. "A bear just swam from way out in the ocean to shore in Destin," one witness tweeted who took a now-viral video of the moment the animal arrived. "Insane." The witness, Chris Barron, said many beach-goers thought the animal was a dog when they first saw it out in the Gulf of Mexico. When it finally got to shore, Barron said it "took off into the sand dunes." "I think most people were shocked instead of being scared," Barron told Storyful, adding that the bear had been swimming right next to his brother and 12-year-old son. "No one expected to see a bear in the Gulf of Mexico." A spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told CBS News it's aware of the incident. "While it is unusual to see a bear swimming in the shallows of a crowded beach, it isn't unusual to hear of black bears swimming in the Gulf, on their way back to barrier islands in search of food," they said. "During this time of year, juvenile bears such as the one seen in Destin are starting to leave their mother's home range and may be seen in unexpected areas as they try to find a new home." The department previously said that most bears venture out between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old. "Seeing a bear in a neighborhood is not necessarily cause for alarm," the department told CBS News. "However, it is important that residents secure food attractants so that bears do not linger in the area. If a bear is not able to find food, it will move on." Aside from the beach in Destin, young bears have also recently been spotted in Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida Fish and Wildlife said. The animals aren't naturally aggressive, but they could "become defensive" if they feel threatened, the department said, warning people not to disturb young bears or any other wild animal. "The most important thing people can do to help these bears is to leave them alone," Mike Orlando, FWC's bear management program coordinator, said. "Give them plenty of space and let them move along on their own." Rainbow Railroad and LGBTQI+ refugees | 60 Minutes Archive Voters, GOP candidates respond to Trump indictment After Nuggets win first NBA Championship, what are the odds they repeat? 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. gettyimagesbank By Baek Byung-yeul The government aims to come up with measures to deal with new cybersecurity threats posed by the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) services in various fields, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Tuesday. The ministry held a discussion session in Seoul with representatives from academia, government agencies and IT security companies to explore ways to respond to security threats from generative AI, exchange the latest information on domestic and global security threats and examine the industrial ramifications of the growing use of services such as ChatGPT, provided by U.S. AI company OpenAI, the ministry said. ChatGPT is an interactive AI service based on a language-processing AI model. It is regarded as a new technology whereby the AI learns how to generate answers by itself, processes large amounts of data simultaneously and tracks the relationship between words and data in a sentence to provide creative answers to users. Since the service's 3.5 version was unveiled last November, ChatGPT has seen unprecedentedly rapid growth, exceeding 100 million monthly users in about the space of two months, and is being utilized in various sectors. However, at the same time, the possibility of using ChatGPT for cyberattacks such as malware, ransomware and phishing emails has recently emerged and concerns have been raised about security issues such as the disclosure of personal information and the trade secrets of companies while using these generative AI services. "In response to the cybersecurity concerns, the ministry held the forum to listen to the vivid opinions of experts about the safe utilization of generative AI services and security threats and to discuss future policy responses," the ICT ministry said. "Other countries, including the U.S. and European nations, are also concerned about the risks of AI technologies such as chatbots. They are also moving to discuss regulatory measures to build a safe and trustworthy environment." During the forum, Lee Sang-keun, a professor at Korea University's School of Cybersecurity delivered a presentation about the evolution of ChatGPT technology and cybersecurity and shared his thoughts on why in-depth research is necessary to prepare for the development of generative AI technologies. Jung Il-ok, a researcher at cybersecurity company, Igloo Security, shared the latest industry trends related to AI at home and abroad and announced the growth potential of cybersecurity threat detection technology, which incorporates AI. He also demonstrated a security solution that determines cyber threat information by linking self-developed AI models and ChatGPT. Kim Jung-hee, director of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), also presented the current status and case analyses of security threats caused by using generative AI and countermeasures to prevent security threats. "It is necessary to actively respond to security threat concerns, as generative AI technologies such as chatbots will be further developed and widely used in our daily lives," Vice ICT Minister Park Yun-kyu said. "The government will do its best to create a safe cyber environment so that people can use generative AI services without fear and to prepare a response capability to deal with increasingly intelligent and sophisticated cyber threats," the vice minister added. Tibet implements rural revitalization strategy to accelerate development of border areas Xinhua) 16:51, June 13, 2023 This photo taken on June 11, 2023 shows houses at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Soinam Toinzhub, the first university graduate of Yumai Township, is pictured in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Yangzom milks at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) A staff member registers express parcels at a post office in Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Yangzom milks at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Zhoigar (L) and Yangzom talk with people in a street at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) People buy fruit and vegetable at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Zhoigar (R) and Yangzom pose for a photo with the sculpture of their father Sangye Quba at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) A staff member of State Grid helps a customer to pay electricity bill at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) A child is pictured at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Zhoigar recalls her father at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Yangzom walks out of the cabin to milk at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on June 10, 2023 shows houses at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This aerial photo taken on June 11, 2023 shows Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This aerial photo taken on June 10, 2023 shows Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) Zhoigar makes butter at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. Located on the China-India border, Yumai Township was once known as China's least populated township. For a long period since the 1960s, it was inhabited by only one household consisting of Yangzom, Zhoigar and their father Sangye Quba, who passed away in 2001. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. In February 2018, Tibet implemented the rural revitalization strategy, combining poverty alleviation and border defense with emphasis on key areas such as water and electricity supply, road construction, information networks, education, culture, health, and social security, striving to improve infrastructure and public services so as to accelerate the development of border areas. Since 2018, Yumai Township has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border village with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and central parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a state investment of over 500 million yuan (about 69.8 million U.S. dollars) completed the reconstruction of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township, which ended its pain of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. The once three-person township has transformed into a "well-off " one with two administrative villages under its jurisdiction. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorji) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Samsung's logo is seen in this undated photo. Yonhap Korean prosecutors have arrested and indicted a former executive of Samsung Electronics suspected of stealing trade secrets while attempting to establish a copycat computer chip plant in China. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office said Monday that the unnamed 65-year-old unlawfully obtained Samsung's factory blueprints and clean-room designs from 2018 and 2019 while trying, unsuccessfully, to replicate a chip factory in the Chinese city of Xi'an, near where Samsung operates a plant. The technology allegedly stolen by the man's China-based company would have been worth at least 300 billion won ($233 million) for Samsung, prosecutors said. They charged six people employed by the man with "active participation" in the tech theft. Korea is highly sensitive to breaches of technologies related to semiconductors, which accounted for nearly 17 percent of its total exports in 2022. Samsung, the world's largest manufacturer of computer memory chips, didn't immediately comment on the charges. In a statement, prosecutors described the arrested man as an "undisputed top domestic expert in semiconductor manufacturing." After an 18-year career at Samsung he held executive roles for a decade at SK Hynix, another major Korean chip maker which trails Samsung in the memory chip market. The man later created chip manufacturing companies in China and Singapore with the backing of Chinese and Taiwanese investors and lured more than 200 chip experts from Samsung and Hynix with higher pay before arranging to smuggle out crucial technologies from Samsung, prosecutors said. The manufacturing secrets allegedly taken from Samsung included processing blueprints and "basic engineering data" for designing clean-room environments to prevent contamination during semiconductor manufacturing, which prosecutors described as "core national technologies." "The suspect attempted to duplicate an entire (Samsung) factory to manufacture and mass-produce semiconductors in China," said the prosecutors' office, who described his crime as incomparable in damage and scale to previous theft cases. It said Korea's semiconductor industry would have been "irreversibly damaged" and the country's security interests greatly compromised if the factory was actually built and produced chips similar to Samsung's products. (AP) A counter-offensive always aims deep and is designed to unhinge the adversarys defenses I usually get the maximum public response whenever I address issues of a pure military nature related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. That confirms how much military knowledge appeals to people, especially explanations of ongoing conflict situations. The last time I wrote on the military aspects of the Ukraine war it was about the first so-called counter offensives that Ukraine had launched on August 29, 2022. Its important to understand why and when are counter-offensives launched. The why is easy to answer because its a question of gaining territory, such that your objectives lie deep in adversary territory; the destruction of maximum adversary forces is also the intent. When is a little more difficult to answer. These usually take place when sufficient forces are available at the onset of hostilities, but the initiative for initiation has been taken by the adversary, or have been generated and are reasonably well-equipped to carry the offensive to a logical conclusion. The situation on the battlefront is also important. Ideally, when the adversary is still unstable is the time to launch a counter-offensive after using deception to draw away forces from the intended objective area. A counter-offensive always aims deep and is designed to unhinge the adversarys defenses and force him to fight on the ground of your choosing. Quite dissimilar to a counter-offensive is a riposte. The scope and size of the operation is much more limited with the intent of targeting the bases from where the adversarys offensives have emanated, thus forcing him to retract. From all indicators in the media reports that I read in September 2022, there wasnt any counter- offensive that Ukraine launched; they were all ripostes. It's not a question of splitting hairs over terminologies, but one cannot expect that with the available size of forces, their state of equipment and logistics, and the probable motivation and morale in both armies, there can be anything called a counter-offensive which if successful would have the scope to comprehensively defeat the other side. The battle of Bakhmut fought over 10 months with meat grinder results was a positional defensive battle -- something which has characterised conventional operations thus far. There has been very little mobile warfare, and now with the Russians having dug in and created defensive obstacles and systems, its going to be very difficult to get past these. In Bakhmut, both sides had large-scale casualties but the Russians mainly lost men from the Wagner group; their regulars may be comparatively intact. In terms of resources, it is reported that Ukraine has mustered nine brigades freshly trained from the West (Nato) and another six to eight brigades have been mustered from the forces in battle, making it a total of about 15 brigades; that is slightly less than two corps-size formations. With surprise and deception, fresh troops can have a decided advantage over fatigued ones, but it does not appear that the Ukrainians are optimally equipped and armed. Their re-mustered formations in particular would be the ones rotated frequently through the siege of Bakhmut. How and where can the Ukrainian formations be applied? The bursting of the Nova Kakhovka dam has flooded about 500 sq. km. on both sides of the river. Therefore, an offensive into Kherson to cut off the Crimea from the mainland may not be possible any longer. It is the central sector which assumes importance, with thrusts possible from Zaporizhia to Melitopol, Berdyansk and Mariupol in the central portion of the northern coast of the Sea of Azov. Ukraine is trying to regain access to the Sea of Azov, splitting the occupying Russian forces in the region into two detached groupings. From the Russian angle, this area is also the most anticipated area for a riposte; the defensive posture hence will be strong and backed by lots of artillery and drones. Intelligence reports from the West indicate that Russia is fortifying almost the entire front line on Ukrainian territory, some 800 km long. These strips, according to media reports, consist of several lines of anti-tank trenches, barbed wire, obstacles and all sorts of fortified firing points. An offensive from Ukraine towards Donetsk in the Donbas is already being reported. If all these areas have been addressed, then the Ukraine Army has spread itself thin in the hope of gains all along the front. However, it will run short of reserves for exploitation if an operational-strategic breakthrough is achieved at any of the points of application. Initial reports are revealing that some villages have been occupied across the dividing line, but it appears these may have been abandoned and perhaps not occupied, or only lightly occupied by the Russians with early warning elements. Once pitched battles begin the Russians will resort to large-scale employment of artillery, according to Russian doctrine. With the Russians well embedded in defensive positions, it is the Ukrainians who will suffer heavy casualties whether mounted in combat vehicles, marching or assaulting. It is difficult to verify the competing claims by both sides. However, the delay in the launch of operations by Kyiv does signal that it preferred to optimise its forces rather than risk an early launch. The Russians may not simply resist and fight defensive battles; they could choose to bring some forces from the two flanks of the Ukrainian offensive. This could put the Ukrainians in a spot, but the feasibility of this happening is contingent upon the availability of reserves with the Russian Army. They could risk conducting their defensive battles with minimal strength and choose to go on offensives from the flanks, which too could be classified as ripostes. It does not seem possible that both sides have the means, especially the logistics, to slug it out endlessly. There will be tactical breaks in battle and lots of misreporting from the front lines. What is certain are two aspects. First, unless there is a quick breakthrough by the Ukrainians, success is likely to be elusive. Second, and more important, a failure by the Ukrainians is likely to result in the West getting convinced about the impossibility of the task and simply settling for what can be held militarily. For the Russians, successful resistance to the Ukrainian offensive operations is likely to bolster confidence, with all possibility of President Vladimir Putin looking at the reinforcement of whatever the Russians can gain for the moment. A few Russian ripostes would then be expected. The war does not seem to be heading towards an early end. The writer, a retired lieutenant-general, is a former GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 (Chinar) Corps PTIs last journalist must leave before the end of the month, following his colleagues from The Hindu, Prasar Bharati and Hindustan Times. This reflects increasing tensions between the two Asian powerhouses, especially along their Himalayan border. Beijing (AsiaNews) China is on the warpath against Indian journalists, refusing to renew their work visa, Bloomberg reported. The last Indian journalist working in China for the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency was told to leave by the end of the month. This comes after two Indian journalists from The Hindu and public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, as well as one Hindustan Times reporter, were denied visa renewals in April. For China, this is an appropriate action in response to Indias own treatment of Chinese journalists. All foreign journalists, including Chinese journalists, have been pursuing journalistic activities in India without any limitations or difficulties in reporting or doing media coverage," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told Reuters. India hoped that China would allow its journalists to continue to work in China. Indian journalists in China were reportedly barred from hiring local correspondents or even travelling in the country. Instead, the countrys authorities limited employment to three individuals at a time picked from a pool they provide, Bloomberg noted. Relations between Asias two powerhouses have been tense for a while, following a military clash in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley, where the border separates Indias Ladakh from China's Aksai Chin, with 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers killed. More clashes were reported in 2021 in Sikkim. While China has tried to keep the overall relationship focused on trade and economic ties, for India relations cannot be normal unless the border issue is settled. The military dispute flared up again late last year. According to India, its forces stopped Chinese troops as they tried to cross the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Yangtse area. Soldiers eventually disengaged and their commanders held talks to defuse the tension. China and India share a 3,488-kilometre border in the Himalayas, fighting a brief but bloody war in 1962. Delhi claims large parts of Aksai Chin (which the Chinese took from Pakistan) while Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh. In recent years, both India and China have reinforced their presence along the border. They have built infrastructure with military use, as well as deployed 50,000-60,000 troops and heavy weaponry on their respective side of the border, the most militarised in the world after the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Sino-Indian row over work visas for journalists is not unique. Washington and Beijing have a similar long-standing dispute. When the Trump administration labelled some Chinese media companies as foreign missions and put caps on the number of Chinese journalists in the country, China retaliated by revoking press credentials for US media staff. As diplomatic tensions between China and Australia worsened in 2020, two Australian correspondents tried to flee China. The two men were initially banned from leaving and spent five days under consular protection until Australian diplomats negotiated their departure. by Stefano Vecchia Alarm is growing after volcano erupts in south-eastern coast of Luzon. The lava is flowing slowly but consistently, with toxic fumes and rockfalls putting residents at risk. The Diocese of Legazpi mobilises to bring assistance. Manila (AsiaNews) As lava from Mayon volcano continues to flow, people continue to pour into evacuation centres, where they might have to remain for a long while, experts warn. Located near the city of Legazpi on the south-eastern coast of Luzon Island (Albay province), the volcano is famed for its activity. The lava, which has been moving slowly but consistently for the past week down from the 2,462-metre-high top, does not pose any immediate threat, but people remain at risk from toxic fumes and rockfalls. About 14,000 residents have been moved out of a six-kilometre radius around the mountain, housed in schools and emergency shelters. The authorities are already ready to evacuate a wider area if the situation should require it; meanwhile, despite a ban, many onlookers remain captivated by the spectacle. While Philippine emergency services have fine-tuned their capacity to respond to and limit the impact of the forces of nature, their limited resources will be sorely tested to provide food, drinking water and other necessities. In view of this, the Diocese of Legazpi through its Social Action Center and in cooperation with local parishes has already mobilised its own trained emergency staff and launched a campaign to collect donations in cash and kind. Mayon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. In the last four centuries it has erupted some 50 times, with the most destructive in 1814 with 1,200 deaths. The mountain is also a popular tourist spot, renowned for its perfect cone, in a mostly farming region, but its activity makes life hard for the communities that dot the bottom of its slopes. Ash and toxic gas emissions are permanent threats, reaching even faraway urban areas. The worst eruption in living memory to hit the Philippines and the world occurred on 15 July 1991 on Mount Pinatubo, near the city of Angeles, north of Manila. Following a swarm of earthquakes and phreatic explosions (steam-blast eruptions) that lasted months, the final explosion of the lava dome that had formed at the summit sent an ash cloud 40 km (25 mi) into the atmosphere. Once the ash started to follow back, it blanketed thousands of square kilometres with fresh volcanic deposits as much as 200 metres thick. When torrential rain followed, it turned into mudflows that crashed down the slopes, covering fields and villages with material that later hardened. Some 250,000 people were displaced, many of whom never went back, while the regions appearance was changed forever. At least two million Filipinos suffered the consequences of the volcanic event, whose impact on world climate was felt for years. The final death toll was 847, killed mostly under roofs that collapsed from the weight of ash mixed with water. by Arundathie Abeysinghe The intertwining of local economic crisis and global rise in raw material costs has led to paralysis in the industry. Trade bodies worried about competition from Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Malaysia, where foreign investors find lower costs per square meter to build. The government has agreed to raise capped prices for contracts on new roads by 20 percent, but has 200 billion rupees in back payments. Colombo (AsiaNews) - Due to the current economic crisis, more than one million construction workers in Sri Lanka have lost their jobs and thousands have left the country in search of employment, mainly in Japan, Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea. This was revealed during the meeting of the Committee on Measures to Mitigate the Impact of the Economic Crisis held in the Colombo Parliament last week. The committee met with representatives of associations representing small, medium and large construction companies and discussed possible plans of action for the sector, whose workforce is 90 percent semi-skilled workers. Since 2021, many construction companies have gone out of business and a large number of professionals have left the country, particularly civil, electrical and skilled mechanical engineers. Meanwhile, prices of raw materials needed for construction have risen, including cement, iron, aluminum, PVC pipes, cables, roofing materials, and steel, including floor and wall tiles. But a major problem is also the lack of institutions that provide training opportunities for apprentices in the industry. Neville Dissanayaka, an experienced civil engineer and managing director of a large residential complex in Colombo, explains to AsiaNews that "steel prices have reached Rs. 340,000 per ton, while the price of a cube of sand has increased by Rs. 5,000. Material suppliers are quoting at will, with prices rising by the day. Out of the approximately 1.5 million people employed in the construction industry currently 75%-80% are unemployed." "Import restrictions on construction materials such as tiles, air conditioning systems and elevator systems have further hurt the construction industry. In addition, the government has to pay about 200 billion rupees in arrears for several projects undertaken in the 2020-2021 period," Neville adds. According to civil engineer Mayantha Igalawithana, "The cost of building a square meter in Sri Lanka is increasing exponentially, compared to other countries in Asia. As a result, foreign investors will tend to invest in countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Malaysia instead of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's construction industry contributed about 9 percent to the country's GDP, so its collapse has a serious impact outside the industry as well." According to the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL), 95 percent of construction projects have been delayed due to shortages and high commodity prices. The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) pointed out that "the construction industry is unable to sustain itself because of these urgent problems." As a first response, the Colombo government agreed to pay contractors 20 percent over the pre-set prices for construction projects promoted by the Road Development Authority and the Maga Neguma Company because of rising costs. Photo: Flickr /Josep Castell by Vladimir Rozanskij The country's best-known influencers have been enjoined to "uphold a happy and prosperous image of the Turkmen nation." Surprise checks at schools and public companies to search their cell phones for materials deemed contrary to state interests. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan remains the country with the slowest internet network in the world with an average speed of 0.50 megabits per second. Ashgabat (asiaNews) - In recent days, officials of Turkmenistan's state agencies, which control the world of information in the center and regions, summoned the country's best-known bloggers and influencers to urge them to "uphold a happy and prosperous image of the Turkmen nation." The police warned everyone that the dissemination of any content critical of the country's politics and situation is definitely unwelcome, and could even lead to criminal consequences. Strict control of freedom of expression and the press is nothing new for Turkmenistan, and all media have always been under various pressures. With the new opportunities of the latest technology, however, the risk is that the situation will get at least partially out of hand for the country's leadership. Indeed, many Turkmen use free Vpn access and other tools to surf the Internet, circumventing the draconian restrictions imposed from above. Some bloggers, maintaining anonymity, have let international agencies such as Azattyk and others know that the police are monitoring them on a daily basis, and even putting a like or comment on unwelcome content could be considered an act of "anti-government sedition." Some well-known influencers are regularly summoned to police headquarters, especially those considered "opinion leaders" who use Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to spread videos in which they offer products and services and in which, according to the rules of the genre, they tell about themselves or express their ideas on various issues. Demands from the top now include the need to reproduce only materials that show Turkmenistan in a positive light, especially with images of happy children, or of the new constructions in cities, such as the new city of Arkadag overseen by former President G. Berdymuhamedov, now president of the Senate, who has complained about poor coverage of his enterprises by "free" websites. Those in the state, after all, have always been engaged in propaganda about "greater Turkmenistan," starting with government websites, where they also regularly illustrate the opening of new stores or markets, triumphant families excited about moving into new apartments, and never lacking very well-dressed elders ushering in the annual agricultural harvest seasons. Many link the IT crackdown by authorities with the recent release of a viral video showing Turkmen policemen tearing their badges from their uniforms, and accusing a motorist of forcing them into extreme gestures over their refusal to pay a bribe. The video shows the policeman accusing the driver of assault and of being the culprit behind the damage to the jacket, while throwing the badge on the car's top. Later the policemen realize that passersby are filming them, and they lash out at them. The protagonists have not been identified, although the car's license plate shows the numbers of the velayat (province) of Lebap, but since the beginning of June the video has been becoming increasingly popular. In addition to checks on the IT world, in recent days police officers have been conducting constant spot checks at schools and public companies to check the cell phones of students and workers for materials deemed contrary to state interests. Authorities often force students to sign pledges refusing to use Vpn, and other means of accessing prohibited sites. Lately in Turkmenistan more than 122 thousand web domains have been blocked. However, the country remains one of those with the slowest Internet network in the world, as even the company cable.co.uk calculated, so at the average speed of 0.50 megabits per second, Turkmenistanis remain at the bottom of the ranking of all 224 countries surveyed. To download a 5-gig video file, it takes 22 hours and 34 minutes in Turkmenistan. Photo: Flickr /sarflondondunc 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. Entrance of the Fair Trade Commission building is seen in this undated photo. Yonhap Korea's antitrust regulator said Tuesday it has decided to reject U.S. chipmaker Broadcom's proposal to voluntarily correct its unfair business practices with 20 billion won ($15.5 million), ruling in favor of Samsung Electronics. Broadcom made the proposal in January as the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has been looking into allegations the U.S. chipmaker violated local laws by pressing Samsung to ink long-term contracts for the supply of smart device parts. Specifically, Broadcom compelled Samsung Electronics to procure its smartphone parts worth $760 million annually from 2021 to 2023, and required the Korean tech giant to compensate for any shortfall if the purchasing amount falls below that amount. Under the correction scheme, Broadcom vowed to offer warranty services for three years for components purchased by Samsung from March 2020 to July 2021. The smartphones installed with such parts include the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy S22. The U.S. chipmaker added it will have the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association utilize the 20 billion-won fund to foster chip experts and support fabless companies. "(Broadcom's proposal) falls short as a suitable measure to restore the fair trade order and safeguard the interests of other industry players," the FTC said in a statement. "Expanding warranty and technology support for Samsung Electronics is deemed inadequate in terms of both content and extent as a means of damage reparation," the regulator added, noting the Korean victim "clearly" expressed its disagreement with the solution. In Korea, companies accused of anti-competitive practices can propose a correction scheme without needing to assess whether those practices violate the country's competition act. This provision aims to expedite the resolution of cases and address issues promptly, bypassing legal proceedings. The regulator believes that Broadcom has abused its capability to cut off shipments and technology support to Samsung. Following the decision made Tuesday, the FTC will initiate a review on whether Broadcom violated the country's fair trade rules, and subsequently determine the appropriate level of punishment. In 2021, the FTC approved Apple Korea's proposal to fix its anti-competitive business practices and kick off programs worth 100 billion won. The move came after Apple came under fire for forcing the country's mobile carriers to pay the cost of television advertisements and warranty service for its iPhones. (Yonhap) The 2024 TX represents the first of its kind. Lexus introduced the new premium SUV with three rows of seats to the North American market. TX is the first Lexus to be assembled at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Indiana and is based on the GA-K platform. It is built to provide space, comfort, and luxury, adapting to the Japanese automaker's values. The vehicle comes with all-wheel drive in all its versions. Lexus offers a 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, a Parallel (mild) Hybrid version, and a plug-in hybrid version for the SUV. The basic gasoline engine can also be paired with front-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid version found on the TX 550h+ version is based on a 3.5-liter V6 engine and is complemented by a CVT transmission to produce a power output of 406 hp (411 Ps). The mild hybrid version comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged gasoline engine is enhanced by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's exterior is shaped to enhance its aerodynamic performance, with engineers striving to achieve optimal results while maintaining the body's size in order to provide enough comfort for passengers across all three rows of seats. The headlights appear to be linked by an opening in the hood, while the L-shaped taillights give the impression of emerging from a continuous strip of light. Four grades are available for the 2024 Lexus TX: Standard, Premium, Luxury, and F SPORT Performance. These grades offer many optional features that help the vehicle have a more customizable appearance. There are 22-inch wheels available for Luxury grade as an optional feature and as a standard for the F SPORT Performance to replace the basic 20-inch wheels. Many color options are also available based on the grade of the SUV. With a focal point on making every seat in the car enjoyable, Lexus has developed a technologized interior with many features and storage devices throughout the vehicle. There are seven charging ports and three power outlets to ensure that all the rows receive equal treatment when it comes to staying connected. Interior customization isn't only defined by the palette of colors available for the vehicle. The second row can also be configured as two captain chairs or a folding bench. To boost the accessibility to the third row, the bench folds almost instantly at the touch of a button. Even with the third row of seats in place, the cargo space is ample enough to fit seven suitcases but can be extended up to 97 cubic feet (2,750 liters). The TX has all the features to perform well on the North American market as it offers top-class comfort, luxury, and power, all combined in a big body seven-seater that can easily accommodate big families. Mergers and takeovers have been a part of the automotive industry since the early days. And they've been used as a means to expand, cut costs, or better compete with larger companies. Studebaker-Packard Corporation (1954) Photo: Studebaker American Motors Corporation (1954) Photo: AMC DaimlerChrysler AG (1998) Photo: Chrysler Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (2014) Photo: Alfa Romeo Stellantis (2021) Photo: Peugeot EV General Motors, for instance, was set up in 1908 by bringing Buick , Oldsmobile, and Fisher Body Company under the same roof. The following year, GM purchased no fewer than seven car companies, including Cadillac and Oakland. But large-scale mergers did not begin until the 1950s.Established in 1954, this entity was created by purchasing the Studebaker Corporation by Packard Motor Company. While the former struggled to keep up with the Big Three, Packard aimed to regain its position at the top of the luxury market.The companies were initially supposed to be a part of a four-way merger with Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson Motor Car Company . However, disagreements over parts sharing and other arrangements led Nash and Hudson to merge separately and form American Motors Corporation (AMC).While the latter went on to become an essential player in the US market, the Studebaker-Packard merger didn't go according to plan. By 1956, Studebaker lost about 30% of its dealer network and was hemorrhaging money. At the same time, the closure of the company's Detroit plant left Packard without the means to build brand-new automobiles.Stuck with rebadged and slightly redesigned Studebakers, Packard lost its few loyal customers and was retired in July 1958. Studebaker soldiered on with innovative cars like the Lark and Avanti , but slow sales forced it to close its South Bend plant in 1963. The Hamilton, Ontario factory suffered the same fate in 1966, and Studebaker went into the history books as one of America's last independent automakers.Formed by Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company, American Motors Corporation (AMC) was the largest merger in US history at the time. The deal established the country's fourth-largest automaker and ensured the survival of its brands following the devastating 1953-1954 Ford/GM price war.AMC combined the Nash and Hudson product lines under a common manufacturing strategy in 1955 and launched two new brands, the Metropolitan and the Rambler, by the end of the decade. AMC became a key player in the emerging compact car market and introduced many innovations in the 1960s.The list includes the tandem master cylinder, automatic shift indicator sequence, adjustable front seat backrests, and dual reclining front seats. The latter was standard on AMC products nearly a decade before the Big Three introduced it as an option.The company entered the muscle car market in the late 1960s and expanded by acquiring Kaiser Jeep in 1970 and setting up AM General in 1971. Buying Jeep proved wise as sales of trucks and SUVs kept AMC profitable until the early 1980s. However, financial difficulties pushed AMC into a partnership with Renault, which owned as much as 49% of the company.In 1987, Chrysler purchased AMC for about $1.5 billion. The company became the Jeep-Eagle division of Chrysler and was fully merged into the corporation in 1990.The world's largest cross-border deal at the time, Daimler-Benz and Chrysler merged in 1998 when the German giant bought 92% of the American company. A highly controversial "marriage" described by its opposers as a takeover, the merger saw significant changes within Chrysler.The Eagle division was retired soon after the stock swap, Plymouth was discontinued in 2001, while Jeep became a stand-alone brand. The collaboration also gave birth to the LX platform, which underpins some of Chrysler's most iconic modern vehicles.Originally used to design the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, it also found its way into the Dodge Charger, revived in 2005. A shorter version called the LC platform was used to relaunch the Dodge Challenger. The said platform is still in use as of 2023, underpinning the likes of the Challenger Hellcat and Demon 170.The merger ended in 2007 when Daimler AG sold 80% of the Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management. Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009.Chrysler's merger with Italian giant Fiat can be traced back to 2009. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April, Chrysler emerged from the proceedings some two months later with four entities as principal owners. Fiat was one of them, with a 20% stake.The Italians owned almost 60% of the company in early 2012 and purchased the remaining shares from the United Auto Workers in 2014. The companies merged into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in October of that year.The newly established group released a five-year plan that repositioned Chrysler as the company's mainstream brand in the US, while Dodge would focus on performance vehicles . SRT was reintegrated into Dodge, while Jeep became Chrysler's leading global brand. Alfa Romeo became the premium marque and returned to the United States after a long absence.FCA is responsible for a long list of ground-breaking products, including high-performance versions of the Dodge Challenger, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The merger also oversaw the revival of the Grand Wagoneer as Jeep's modern foray into the luxury market. The Ram Truck lineup expanded to include vans based on Fiat products.After seven years on the market, FCA merged with the PSA Group. The French company owned the Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel, and Vauxhall brands at the time. The merger created the third-largest automaker by sales behind Toyota and the Volkswagen Group.The company announced several all-electric and hybrid vehicles and promised fourplatforms by the end of the 2020s. While under Stellantis, Dodge confirmed that the iconic Challenger would switch to battery power.As of 2023, Stellantis includes 16 automobile brands in five countries and more than 50 factories across six continents. Photo: Mobi House Photo: Mobi House Photo: Mobi House Olive is one of the most compact Mobi House designs, sitting on a 4.9-meter (16 feet) trailer. Still, that's enough to integrate two loft spaces, a flexible sleeping area on the main floor, a modern kitchen with all the basics, and a compact bathroom.Olive makes the most of its interior space, even keeping certain furniture pieces mounted on the walls. Versatility is key. Olive is highly functional and stylish at the same time a remarkable quality for a house this size, which is also meant for off-grid living.A reverse loft typically means that the functions of the main floor area and the loft area are switched: the bedroom is placed downstairs, while the space above it is configured as a living room.A generous sofa bed takes up the entire space in this part of the house, conveniently placed under the only window (a large one, for plenty of light). During the day, it acts as a simple lounge area, and at night it becomes a bedroom. The sofa bed also integrates lots of storage one of the key features of the entire layout.A ladder leads to the loft area above: not your typical living room, but a cozy one. A large TV screen and a compact, custom-made table are both mounted on the wall. There's not a lot of space, but enough for a couple of people to socialize and relax. Despite the size limitations, this loft living room offers more storage than most loft bedrooms, including a large closet and multiple shelves. The large skylight is a great touch, bringing in more luminosity and a connection to the outdoors.The kitchen and the bathroom occupy the other part of the house. Although tiny, this kitchen is packed with beautifully-crafted wood furniture and modern appliances. A large fridge is perfectly integrated into the kitchen closet. Cabinets and overhead shelves provide extra storage.Best of all? A dining spot can appear as if by magic. A large foldable table and several foldable chairs are neatly mounted on the side of the closet, staying out of the way when not in use. When it's time to eat, they instantly turn into a nice little dining area.A second ladder is unusually placed on the wall, between the two loft areas it saves space and even looks stylish. Thanks to the symmetrical layout and by using the same type of wood throughout, it almost looks like a quirky decor element.The second loft mirrors the first one, boasting the same type of wooden protection wall, large skylight, and generous storage (with sliding doors, this time). Future owners can decorate this space as they wish, depending on their needs (a home office, a playroom, or a storage area).The compact size makes Olive ideal for an off-grid setup. It comes with a composting toilet instead of a conventional one and dedicated tanks for clean water and grey water. Like all Mobi House models, it's designed for year-round usage in all weather conditions. They're made of Scandinavian spruce and built on galvanized steel trailers. PUR foam, injected under pressure, is used for thermal insulation. Still, customers can also opt for alternatives like mineral wool or ecological wood wool.In terms of heating, the basic versions come with electric heaters and floor heating mats. Those who need more can opt for a cozy fireplace or conventional gas heating. Mobi House designs include a full utility range with electricity, water, and sewage connections. Going off-grid also means paying more at first. Still, this is supposed to be a more affordable option in the long run, without all the bills associated with traditional households.Mobi House sticks to the standard dimensions for tiny house trailers and to a maximum weight of 3.5 tons. This ensures that all tiny homes are legally transportable across Europe. The Mobi House founder considers himself one of the pioneers of tiny living in this part of the world. After working for several years in Norway, Bartek decided to start designing and building homes on wheels in his home country, Poland. It turned out to be a success, and the connection with Norway is still visible in the choice of wood (Scandinavian spruce) and the well-known minimalistic style.Today, the Polish brand has a rich portfolio, with designs ranging from one-person mobile studios to spacious family homes. The Olive tiny house is one of the most compact yet incredibly practical and inviting versions. Who said off-grid living couldnt also be highly comfortable? A living piece of history, a Hollywood star, and a work of art in terms of restoration Malahne is all that and so much more. Once an ultra-glamorous motor yacht, this unique vessel changed several wealthy owners before ending up nearly abandoned. Thankfully, it was reborn like the Phoenix almost a decade ago, and it is currently a high-end charter yacht with a charming custom tender matching its golden-era style. Photo: Pendennis $167,000 could get you a relaxing week onboard a fancy modern yacht that feels like a floating resort. For the same amount, though, you could live a truly memorable experience at sea, where the past and present blend seamlessly. This is the promise of cruising onboard Malahne a historic pleasure craft that has survived since the 1930s, underwent major transformations in the '80s, and returned to its original splendor in the 2000s. A living legend with a glamorous past, Malahne is a work of art that doesn't sacrifice modern comfort.The 2016 prestigious World Superyacht Award for Best Realignment went to Pendennis. The previous year, the UK-based shipyard had completed one of the most complex restoration projects in the industry. After nearly two and half years, the 165-foot (50 meters) classic yacht Malahne hit the waves in March 2015. This was both an old and a new yacht. Initially built in 1937, it was radically transformed into a "modern" pleasure craft decades later. The current owner's goal was to revert the vessel back to its original look while modernizing it in terms of technology.Designed by the legendary Charles E. Nicholson of Camper & Nicholsons, Malahne was custom-built for a wealthy owner, also known as a passionate yachtsman. William Lawrence Stephenson, the co-founder of the famous Woolworth retail chain in Britain, names his two beloved yachts, Velsheda and Malahne, after his daughters. Velsheda combined the first letters of Velma, Sheila, and Daphne, while Malahne combined the last ones, hence its unusual name.During the war, Malahne went from a glamorous cruiser across the Atlantic to a rugged military vessel (it even played an important part in the evacuation of Dunkirk). When a Hollywood movie producer bought it in the early '60s, Malahne entered the most spectacular chapter of its life. It became a movie star, notoriously linked to popular films such as the 1962 "Lawrence of Arabia" and the 1973 "Last Cruise on the Sheila." At the same time, it was the equivalent of today's celebrity superyachts, where the rich and famous of the time would hang out on the French Riviera.The Saudi sheik, who became Malahne's new owner in the '80s, decided to modernize it with a focus on generous accommodation. Decades after that, the old beauty was left without an owner, metaphorically drifting away on the market. Luckily, the reputable yacht brokerage company Edmiston had kept an eye on it since the early 2000s and eventually found a perfect new owner, sharing the same desire to restore Malahne's old-era charm.In fact, the owner asked the naval architects at Pendennis to make the ship look as if it had never changed ownership. A complex team of experts worked on this large-scale restoration, including classic yacht expert G.L. Watson & Co. and famous Art Deco expert Guy Oliver from Oliver Laws.It took six months just to find and select the remaining original elements onboard. The rest was rebuilt, restructured, and redecorated in the spirit of the 1930s. The team at G.L. Watson used the yacht's original drawings to restore its aluminum superstructure. At the same time, Oliver combined custom-made furniture inspired by the '30s with gorgeous antique pieces from the same era. Malahne can now accommodate ten guests across six elegant staterooms. The master suite is as decadent as you'd expect, boasting the finest fabrics and furniture. The majestic bed and private lobby are matched in style by an opulent, marble-clad bathroom with a full-size bathroom. The main deck also houses a single en-suite cabin, while the other four cabins with flexible layouts sit on the lower deck.The crew accommodation area was redesigned entirely to the era's specific layout. Seven cabins accommodate up to 11 crew members, with personal quarters for the captain and two officers.Guests also get to enjoy lavish exterior areas, perfect for sun lounging and al-fresco dining. The main salon is like time traveling to 1937 precious details such as Baccarat crystal, Willer porcelain, and an authentic silver cutlery collection from that same year perfectly blend in with the rich wood panels and massive furniture.The yacht 's accompanying tender also reflects exquisite attention to detail. More than a luxury boat, the 7.5-meter (24.6 feet) Cockwells tender is a bespoke creation matching the pre-war style. Made of precious Brazilian mahogany with refined maple trimming, this high-class tender also boasts high-speed cutting through the waves at 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph). It can comfortably transport up to eight guests from ship to shore during summer. A modern Rib of the same size replaces it during the cold season. In response to contemporary expectations, the restored yacht also carries a wide option of water toys.As for Malahne's current performance, twin Caterpillar engines propel it at 12 knots (13.8 mph/22 kph), with advanced additions such as zero-speed stabilizers making the ride more enjoyable for modern taste. The 86-year-old yacht is perfectly equipped to handle extensive voyages, meeting current standards for large yachts and being fully classed by Lloyd's Register (the number one classification society). Even though the main talking points regarding battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) do not include the environment as much as before, the topic remains important for manufacturers and customers. But why can't Australia the world's largest lithium producer help them? Let's dive in. BEV ICE Photo: Now This World YouTube Digging for the truth SUV Photo: Planet Proof YouTube Is there an upside? Photo: Ultium Media A vicious circle Today, road transport is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even points out that light-duty vehicles (with a gross vehicle weight rating of under 8,500 lb) generate the biggest carbon footprint within the transportation sector. But that's not just the US saying so. The EU also agrees with this assessment.That's one of the reasons why BEVs became extremely important and why governments worldwide began incentivizing and subsidizing their existence. Moreover, Tesla's massive success prompted legacy automakers to follow suit because these zero-tailpipe emission vehicles are simply better from a non-gearhead point of view. If the skateboard architecture and the software work as they should, thebecomes an excellent commuting appliance.Unfortunately, multiple analyses revealed that BEVs aren't as clean as we would want them. The manufacturing process of each unit takes a severe toll on the environment. That's mainly because of global mining and complicated supply chains. The good news, however, is that a BEV will be less of a burden on the environment the longer it stays in operation. A report claimed that 21,000 miles (33,796 kilometers) are enough to equalize the carbon footprint of a BEV with that of an internal combustion engine () vehicle.From there on out, the ICE keeps producing exhaust fumes and, as an inevitable consequence, keeps growing its negative impact on the climate. A BEV will not. Unless it needs a new high-voltage battery pack, of course.So, why is Australia to blame for not helping BEVs leave the factory with a reduced carbon footprint? The simple answer is spodumene. But let's see what's exactly going on.Based on data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Australia has nearly 47% of the total lithium supply market. Also known as white gold, lithium is a silvery metal used in vehicle batteries. Be it an all-electric automobile or a plug-in hybrid one, chances are you will find such an energy storage unit somewhere in your car. They're also in your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other similar devices or backup energy storage solutions. Lithium is very popular, and its demand will not drop until a safe and reliable alternative is presented. Lithium-free sodium-ion (salt-based) batteries have recently been put on some small vehicles, and solid-state batteries (SSBs) are still four or five years away from reaching mass-market cars Since legacy carmakers are rushing to introduce more and more BEVs, and the world's best-selling vehicle in the first quarter of 2023 was the Model Y crossover, there's little to no chance that demand for lithium will drop. Analysts estimate that we will need millions of tons well after 2030. That may seem absurd, considering how badly environmentalists view mining. Still, when looking at a country like China, where BEV sales nearly doubled in just one year, the dominoes quickly start falling into place. It becomes especially clear as we discover that only 5.6% of the US car market comprised BEVs in 2022. There's a lot of room for growth.The high ex-factory carbon footprint of a BEV will remain an issue for most manufacturers (and regulators alike), even though some (like BMW , for example) are trying to minimize the impact of the production process using sustainable materials and by implementing aspects of the circular economy. That's because of how Australia obtains its lithium. The country is betting on quadrupling the lithium-ion battery market by 2030 and is heavily invested in getting lithium out of a rock known as spodumene.Lithium aluminum inosilicate is the primary "ingredient" found in the very colorful mineral known as spodumene. Seven steps are required to extract the lithium from it. The spodumene has to be crushed and grounded, roasted, put through a sulfuric acid treatment, filtrated, purified, and combined with sodium carbonate to bring out the lithium carbonate. The last part of the process sets the lithium carbonate into large pools. That's where the precipitation process turns it into lithium salts or other products such as lithium chloride.The two good things about spodumene are that it contains a lot of lithium, allowing the harvesting process to go faster. Unfortunately, the steps needed to obtain white gold are three times more carbon intensive than sourcing lithium from brine. That's what Chile, China, and Argentina are doing. Together, these three countries slightly overcome Australia's share of the lithium production market.We don't know how much the U.S. produces because USGS claims it must keep the figures a secret not to disclose proprietary information. But you can learn what America's doing by looking at Thacker Pass , where General Motors is already involved.But what Australia does is it sends the spodumene concentrate to China. The country only processes it partially at home. Australia stops at the fourth step of the production process. It's filtrated and dried, then packaged and shipped to China.The Asian country may have invested in renewable energy, but its electricity grid is powered mainly by coal, which has a big carbon footprint. Burning coal pollutes our atmosphere because of emissions such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other dangerous particulates that contribute to smog and respiratory issues. Australia is no different from this, so using "dirty" electricity remains a big issue.It's also worth noting that China is the world's most prolific lithium refiner, home to six of the top 10 largest battery makers. The use of coal-fired electricity extends beyond the lithium production process and contributes to BEVs coming out of the factory with a substantial initial carbon footprint.In comparison, Chile's 30% share of the global lithium supply is not as carbon intensive because the powdery metal is obtained from brine. Although there are worries regarding using fresh water, the South American country's electricity grid is not as important just 6% of the emissions are associated with the production process. In comparison, Australia's and China's carbon emissions associated with making lithium can go over 50% when considering just the electricity needed.Sadly, things won't change soon because a Benchmark Minerals analysis revealed that hard rock lithium sources remain popular. Over 60% of the metal used in batteries is mined from rocks and transported from one country to another to become what battery manufacturers need.It remains to be seen if sacrificing Thacker Pass and incentivizing battery makers to build new plants in the U.S. will help bring down the initial emissions of a BEV made in North America. IATA (the International Air Transport Association) members agree that SAF could help reduce up to 65% of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, the highest percentage of all potential routes. Compared to that, electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft would only account for 13%, and modifications in operational efficiency for even less (only 3%).This explains the global effort to ramp up SAF production . Right now, supply is still far beyond operational requirements. A Germany-based startup wants to improve things by introducing an innovative production method that could increase capacity considerably and at reasonable costs.The company is called CAPHENIA, and its technology is known as PBtL (Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid). CAPHENIA developed both the technology and an advanced reactor that's supposed to be simpler and much faster than existing designs.Through this process, CO2 and biogas are converted into renewable synthetic fuels. CAPHENIA also claims to use less electricity for its process than current reactors and use only renewable energy sources to generate it.The result, synthesis gas, is an intermediate product that can be then used for producing alternative fuels. This is an indirect way to make SAF (typically obtained from sources like used cooking oil, forest biomass, animal fat, and waste) but one that claims to be highly efficient.The SAF resulting from PBtL claims to be able to reduce CO2 emissions by 92% compared to fossil fuels. According to the German startup, this is the only fuel production route that comes close to these levels. Plus, its patented process claims to be the only one of its kind worldwide.CAPHENIA is set to kick off commercial production next year and reach a ten-million-liter capacity by 2027. This will grow to 100 million liters by the end of this decade. Over the next decade, production capacity would grow to more than one billion liters.The plan was convincing enough to determine a reputable player in the air travel sector to invest in CAPHENIA. Amadeus is not even an airline or aircraft manufacturer, yet it's committed to supporting the use of SAF. This is also an industry first since no other travel technology company has invested in SAF-related processes before.According to IATA estimates, global aviation will need nearly 450 billion liters of SAF annually to reach 65% GHG emissions reduction. The demand is huge, and innovative production technologies like CAPHENIA's PBtL can satisfy it in a way that's both sustainable and cost-effective. It's obvious that not all campers are created equally. In that spirit, we look closer at a mobile living machine to come out of South Africa, the Kunene Off-Roader from Echo 4x4. Photo: Echo 4x4 Photo: Echo 4x4 SUV Sure, I bring travel trailers and campers to light almost daily, and while quite a few of them come across as mostly the same, here's Echo 4x4 with their Kunene off-road caravan/travel trailer. It's a mobile habitat built in a manner that's sure to surprise.Now, very few people have ever heard of Echo 4x4, mainly because this South African crew only caters to a few regions worldwide, mainly South Africa and Australia. If you're aware of the sort of terrain found in those two regions, then you may have some idea of what to expect from the Kunene. Oh, and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to own and keep in running order.Upon seeing the images in the gallery, something stood out against most of the campers I cover: the shell of the Kunene is crafted using nothing more than fiberglass. The result of which is a monocoque camper, or one solid and continuous piece. There's no way for dust, water, and other elements to seep into the shell. From here, that shell is set upon a galvanized chassis with an independent spring suspension and shock absorbers. All that's supported by 15-in wheels. Once all the other basic systems are added, we're looking at a habitat weighing 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs), but can be loaded up to 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs). Let's see what else this thing can do.Once you've made it to your outdoor destination and are ready to unravel all Kunene's magic, you'll start to understand more of why I chose to bring this puppy to light. The first thing you'll do, once you've stabilized your unit, is pop the top. That's right, the Kunene's roof lifts expand the interior headspace. This sort of design element is one way to help reduce drag as you're driving down the road. But there's another mobile section integrated into this camper, and it's a forward-flip portion found at the front. Once activated, another bedroom is spawned, suitable for up to two guests or family members. Coupled with the other bedroom found at the opposite end of Kunene, up to five travelers can rest during the night.One thing you need to keep in mind is that the Kunene and Echo are focused heavily on outdoor living, meaning you'll be pushed to spend time outside. Not only do those tent positions blend the interior and exterior worlds, but once we factor in features like a complete outdoor galley and two showers, an expandable one inside and one outside, you should understand what the Kunene offers.Some basic systems are in place to help you get out there and live off-grid worry-free . Sure, water tanks and pumps are in store for you and your guests, and some basic electronic systems like a battery and control panel, but solar panels are nowhere to be seen except in the options list. LED lighting, hot and cold water system, and AC units bring more comfort.Now, take a moment and try to imagine yourself living in a Kunene. You may find yourself towing this bugger with a truck or some off-road-ready. As you're driving along on some asphalt, you see a gravel-covered road out of the corner of your eye. Go ahead; take that turn. Not only will the suspension handle that path, but the body does see some protective elements to ensure you don't crack that fiberglass. Later, the road abruptly ends, and you all find yourselves staring at a massive rock wall. All around, the sounds of wildlife and the sights of the natural world force you to take a moment and breathe in the fresh air.Moments later, everyone is scurrying around unfolding the Kunene, unraveling awnings, setting up tent annexes, and before long, your campsite is ready to go. With everyone settled down and the music blaring through speakers, you pull out the galley block and start working your magic. Again, take a moment to soak in the sights and sounds of a life well-lived, and the Kunene is to thank for that.As for the question on everyone's mind, there are quite a few things to consider regarding the rice for a new unit: the model year, features in place, and the dealership you grab your camper from. But, to give you an idea of what's out there, you can find 2023 units around $65K (60,200 at current exchange rates), so take the time to find the unit that fits you best. If not, give Echo a call and see if they can build a unit just for you. Remember those shipping costs if you live outside of South Africa or Australia. Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdelrahman, left, and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, shake hands at Asia Society Korea's 15th Anniversary Commemorative Dinner at Signiel Busan, Monday. Courtesy of Lotte Group By Kim Hyun-bin Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin hosted the 15th-anniversary event of the establishment of Asia Society Korea, inviting 30 ambassadors to Busan to promote Busan's 2030 Expo bid, according to the company, Tuesday. The 15th-anniversary event of Asia Society Korea was held for two days through Tuesday. Ambassadors from 30 countries visited Busan Port, a candidate site for the 2030 World Expo in Busan along with other government and company officials including Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee. Asia Society Korea, a private diplomatic organization, was established by Chairman Shin. Since its official launch in April 2008, Shin has served as its chairman, working to enhance understanding of Asia and expand cultural and diplomatic exchanges based on close cooperation with foreign embassies. Asia Society Korea has focused intensively on issues and current affairs encompassing politics, economy, security, society and culture, with experts from various fields discussing international relations and the future of the Korean Peninsula. Chairman Shin and the ambassadors visited the Naval Operations Headquarters, Tuesday morning, and participated in the naval memorial ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and honor fallen soldiers. Afterward, they visited the North Port of Busan Port, a candidate site for the Expo. The port is undergoing redevelopment projects through urban regeneration. It is being viewed as the optimal venue for the Expo because it has a three-dimensional transportation network that can utilize the advantages of both inland and maritime areas. Chairman Shin visited the Expo promotion office and candidate sites, accompanied by ambassadors from 30 countries to promote the attractiveness of Busan and its potential to host the Expo. Chairman Shin has been actively utilizing global networks to promote Busan's Expo bid. Shin visited the KLPGA Lotte Open and promoted the Expo at the gallery, Saturday. He also attended the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) held in Kyoto, Japan, and requested support for the Expo to be hosted in Busan to global executives there, Wednesday. Waze has become a must-have application not only for daily commutes, when everybody wants to find a faster route to the office, but also for long trips. The crowdsourcing engine at the heart of Waze makes the road significantly more predictable, as it alerts drivers about what happens on their routes in advance. Speed traps, potholes, accidents, traffic jams, and more are all available on Waze and reported by other motorists.On the other hand, it's not a secret that Waze hasn't been working flawlessly lately , as the application has become that buggy thing that many users would gladly replace if they found an alternative. Sure enough, Waze is a rare beast, and despite attempts to build a similar navigation app, most companies decided to stick with basic implementations.Fortunately, the Google-owned company is working non-stop on refining the experience with the app, and this is also the purpose of the latest iOS update.Published on the App Store as version 4.95, the new Waze version fixes a bug to help improve the navigation experience. The company explains that in some cases, the car icon went missing when the "keep map north up" mode was active. It's not hard to imagine how frustrating it can be to no longer see the car icon, as figuring out where you are would be much harder.The car icon is there for a good reason, as it indicates your location on the map and updates it as you drive. As such, if the car icon becomes invisible, using a navigation app is close to impossible.Waze says this latest update fixes the weird behavior, so the car icon is now always visible on the map when the north up mode is active.Other than that, Waze 4.95 seems to be light on changes, as the parent company focused mostly on bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements.As for those other attempts to compete against Waze, the most advanced alternative right now is probably Coyote. Apple also invested in incident reporting, but Apple Maps users can also mark the location of accidents, speed traps, and other hazards. Furthermore, the adoption of Apple's new feature is poor, to say the least, as you rarely come across a traffic report on Apple Maps. This isn't necessarily surprising, as many Apple Maps users prefer switching to Google Maps and Waze anyway, as the feature gap between the native navigation app and its competitors is more than obvious.You can download the latest Waze update from the App Store right now, and if you have automatic updates enabled on your phone, chances are the new version is already on your iPhone. The smartphone powers the CarPlay version, so you won't have to do anything on the car's side. As you're reading this, NASA's records read some 250 spacecraft sent into space, carrying with them either humans or our hopes for some revolutionary discovery. None of them have actually left our solar system, with only one being close to doing so, 46 years after it departed our planet. It's Voyager 1 I'm talking about, a spacecraft launched in 1977, and currently the one that's farthest out from home: almost 15 million miles (2.4 million km). It took the spacecraft almost five decades to reach that spot, located 160 astronomical units from Earth.The real wonders of space probably lie in the interstellar space. According to some scientists, that starts about 550 astronomical units away from our planet. At a speed of just three astronomical units per year, it would take Voyager a very, very long time to reach it.The above makes it obvious that if we are to ever leave the confines of our own solar system faster, new technologies and methods have to be devised. We know of no one working on a warp drive yet, but some people are trying to use nature and the properties of the Universe, combined with technology, to allow spacecraft to escape Sol.One idea involves a spacecraft powered by solar thermal propulsion and something called an Oberth maneuver. Named after physicist Hermann Oberth, one of the promoters of early rocket technology during the Second World War, it's a technique that calls for a spacecraft to essentially drop into the gravity well of a nearby celestial body.By letting itself go this way, the ship should gain speed, and if that is backed by impressive propulsion technology, higher escape velocity could in theory reached a lot easier. Technically, any celestial body in our solar system could be used for this, but given how the larger the body the larger the well, our Sun comes out as a prime target for such a maneuver.During last year's NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program grants, a researcher from the Los Alamos National Lab, Jason Benkoski, proposed something called a "combined heat shield and solar thermal propulsion system for an Oberth maneuver" and no, there's no acronym for that.Such a means of propulsion and a solar Oberth maneuver should allow spacecraft to exit the solar system at higher velocities, thus reaching their targets in the Kuiper Belt (located between 30 and 55 AU beyond the orbit of Neptune), or even interstellar space, much faster.One major hurdle with such a move is the Sun's heat, as the spacecraft would need to get pretty close for it to work. That's why the team behind the idea is looking into heat shield/heat exchanger technology. Furthermore, prototypes of solar thermal propulsion tech, made with special materials capable of withstanding high temperatures (2,800 degrees Kelvin/2,500 Celsius), have already been built and tested, making people confident the idea has some merit.The same heat though raises concerns about how the spacecraft could store fuel in cryogenic state in such conditions. That's why, as part of the NIAC grant, Benkoski suggested a study into alternate propellants and how much of them it would take to allow maximum escape velocity for a fully loaded spacecraft.We're told the fuels currently being researched are hydrogen, lithium hydride, lithium, methane, ammonia, and even water.We're not given any info on the current state of the research, but we do know what the people working on it are aiming for: a spacecraft leaving the solar system at a speed of at least ten astronomical units.On a realistic note, it's unlikely well see anything significant being announced on this front sometime soon, but there is some reassurance in the fact people have begun looking beyond our immediate neighborhood. Many people associate fuel with pollution, which is valid to a certain extent. But that doesn't mean fuels can't be sustainable - some companies, such as fuel specialist Coryton, have developed solutions that take the environment into account. The company announced that it launched its sustainable fuel range designed specifically for classic vehicles in the UK, the first of its kind. Photo: Coryton Photo: Coryton Photo: Coryton It bears a fitting and descriptive name: Sustain Classic. This new type of fuel allows classic car owners to fuel their vehicles with plant-based petrol without needing to make any changes to their engines. Three types of fuel will be initially available: Super 80, Super 33, and Racing 50. I'll tell you about each in a bit.Andrew Willson, Coryton's CEO, said, "Sustain Classic is the world's first-ever sustainable fuel catering for classic vehicles." The fuel is produced, tested, and certified at the company's blending facility in the UK.About half a million classic cars are in the UK , and Coryton set out to develop a collection of second-generation biofuels compatible with their needs, thus preserving both the vehicles and the environment. Compared to fossil fuels, the brand's fuel with the highest sustainable content promises a reduction of at least 65% in greenhouse gas emissions.But why do classic cars need a specific fuel? Older vehicles weren't engineered to support containing alcohol components such as the fuel systems, tanks, seals, gaskets, and pipes can be impacted by corrosion when running on traditional, modern gasoline."So, what makes this fuel sustainable?" you might wonder. It uses advanced second-generation biofuel made from agricultural waste, like straw, by-products, or waste from crops unfit for consumption, to create bioethanol. That means the fuel uses the existing carbon in our atmosphere rather than releasing additional CO2 from fossil fuel sources. The bioethanol is then transformed using a chemical process named ETG (ethanol-to-gasoline).Coryton has tested its sustainable fuel with a wide range of vehicles, both in testing centers and on the track. According to the company, Sustain Classic works year-round in all weather conditions. The MPG figures will be equal to traditional pump fuel, with some tests showing that it might even decrease it. What's more, it won't change the sound of your car, nor the smell of its exhaust fumes.Sustain Classic boasts an octane number greater than 98, with a bio-ethanol content of less than 1%. By comparison, the UK's E10 fuel boasts 10% ethanol and the rest octane. Sustain Classic features a premium additive package engineered to stabilize and extend the life of the fuel while also cleaning and protecting the engine. Even though it's been technically designed for classic vehicles , any old or new car that supports conventional petrol can run on these fuels.To be clear, we're not talking about full sustainability, as it's not yet commercially feasible regarding technology readiness and traceability. The fuels range from a minimum of 33% sustainable content to at least 80%. Furthermore, Coryton believes the industry can get there, provided it has the right support.Coryton explains that all the elements associated with bio, such as ethanol, are removed as part of the production process. The fuel looks identical to traditional fossil petrol at a molecular level, but it's obtained from biological sources. Furthermore, this sustainable fuel can be mixed with conventional gasoline, and customers can alternate or switch back to regular fuel after using it.The number in the fuel name indicates its renewable content percentage, so Super 80 is produced with at least 80% renewable content. It delivers GHG (Green House Gases) savings of over 65% compared to fossil fuels. It's 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant and features multifunctional deposit control additives that reduce existing deposits and maintain effective engine performance. Moreover, it's priced from 4.65 ($5.84) per liter.Super 33 has more than 25% GHG savings and is 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant. It has the same engine performance-enhancing properties, priced at 3.8 ($4.78) per liter.The top-of-the-line option is Racing 50, a high-performance, sustainable gasoline meant for performance and racing use in vehicles that need higher-octane fuel. It delivers a GHG saving of over 35% and is 102RON EN228 Compliant. Moreover, it has premium deposit control additives and is priced at 5.24 ($6.59) per liter.Sustain Classic is available to purchase at Bicester Heritage, with other distributors soon to follow. Bicester Heritage recently organized the Rally for The Ages event, where more than 70 cars used the Super 80 to complete the course. Moreover, the fuel will be available to the upcoming Flywheel 2023 event participants.Coryton has also developed another specialist fuel, Sustain Racing. The company launched it last year and proved its efficiency by claiming titles at the renowned Dakar Rally. Furthermore, late last year, a stock Mazda MX-5 Miata completed a 1,000-mile (1,609 km) drive using Coryton's 100% fossil-free fuel. SUV And there is no need to take our word for granted. So, Land Rover currently struggles with yet another recall this time for failing taillights, which is kind of ironic since they are essentially just LED light strips, and those should endure like forever. On the other hand, experts from around the world focused on tuning, customization, and car personalization are in a different sort of social media race as they all strive to be the ones to present the first-ever widebody kits for the successful L460 Range Rover.Back in February, we talked about how, sadly, the famous luxuryattracted some unwanted attention from Keyvany. This German company also maintains a presence in America through the local off-shoots Keyvany USA and Creative Bespoke but is more likely to play the card of an equally outrageous alternative to Mansory in places like the Middle East. Anyway, they worked out a way to make the subtle Range Rover both ugly and intrusive, all in one swift widebody and aftermarket wheel take.Then, soon enough, around April, we also noticed that those who know their stuff have also started their own widebody Range Rover journey the good folks over at Hollywood, California-based RDB LA were hard at work performing the necessary aerodynamic modifications on a pristine L460 example. Naturally, if you want to get things done good, you need a lot of time so it's only recently, in their latest vlog episode, that they are ready to show us the fruits of their arduous work.So, meet the "first 2023 Land Rover Range Rover widebody kit in the USA." Technically, that's inaccurate, as Keyvany USA and Creative Bespoke also showcased their version of a widebody Range Rover way before RDB LA. But we can still cut them some slack for a job that was way better performed, as they worked tirelessly on this kit with our partners at 1016Industries () This was the pre-production kit that was hand-built on this car, not a kit to just throw on. Proud to say all made in the USA too!" So, there you go, this is the first Range Rover widebody kit in the US that was also entirely made in America.Now with the details of the widebody Range Rover saga sorted out at least for the time being let us also check out the goodies that make this luxury SUV a lot more enticing than the Keyvany counterparts. First and foremost, this 2023 Range Rover LWB not only has the newest 1016Industries kit on it but is also dressed accordingly for the occasion in a Satin Pearl White wrap with color-matched painted accents all over the body. And last but not least, the mighty Land Rover is also appropriately lowered on assorted 26-inch RDB Zero Aerodisc-style wheels. That is remarkably cool to see an SUV that's both outrageous and subtle at the same time, right? Florida now has a brand-new autonomous driving research and test center. Located in Auburndale, this project needed six years to come to fruition. But now that it is ready to be put to good work, it might turn the Sunshine State into a next-level driving automation hotspot. Self-driving cars are a subject that seems to be turning into quite a hot potato. On the one hand, California the birthplace of many autonomous vehicle operators is on track to create a couple of big problems for these startups. Lawmakers are in the process of making it illegal to run trucks weighing over 10,000 lb without a human safety driver in the cabin, essentially making it impossible to fire all the truck drivers once the technology is reliable. If this bill becomes law as it reads today, some startups may have to find new arguments in favor of their software and hardware suites.On the other hand, Florida is joining the self-driving party. Not particularly known for having auto manufacturing plants or any significant contribution to the sector, the state is not ready to give up on the latest automotive trend driving automation. It's understandable since new technology has the potential to bring in a lot of money, attract skilled workers, and accelerate progress within its jurisdiction.Enter SunTrax. It is a unique facility for those living in the southeastern U.S. because it allows companies to thoroughly test self-driving vehicles before putting them on public roads. But instead of just being a simple track where cars can drive in circles for data-hungry engineers, this testing facility looks more like a giant outdoor laboratory.Researchers and students can take advantage of the 475-acre facility and its 2.2-mile oval track that contains multiple testing environments for self-driving cars and the associated tech. There are inclines, curves, intersections, pick-up and drop-off areas, and a weather simulation section where the units will be put through their paces.But besides a lot of asphalt and road markings, SunTrax also boasts a tall observation tower that will allow companies to supervise their vehicles and learn faster about what needs to be improved. When no R&D occurs, the campus, event building, and workshop areas will serve those looking to learn more about the automotive domain well. Students will surely be happy about getting access to this brand-new place.SunTrax was built by the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Turnpike Enterprise, and it will help state officials learn more about what they need to do regarding regulations and supporting innovation in the automotive space.Initially, SunTrax was supposed to help FDOT develop better toll technology. We will see if it can reach its renewed potential now and if players like Waymo, Zoox, or Cruise will make use of it. Toyota is still seen as an EV-skeptic automaker because it dared not follow the hype around these vehicles. The world's largest car company has tried to say several times it would only follow this path when battery technology was at the right stage. Considering what the company disclosed in its "Let's Change the Future of Cars" workshop, that stage will arrive in 2026, leading to battery electric vehicles with a range of 932 miles (1,500 kilometers) by 2028. Oh, and the cars will have giga castings, just like those Tesla developed. BEV SUV WLTP Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota Toyota'srevolution will start in 2026 with a new-generation square lithium-ion battery. By square, read prismatic. Called the performance version, these new cells will double the range provided by the ones installed on the bZ4X, which will allow a new BEV to also be introduced in 2026 to offer 621 miles (1,000 km) of range and cost 20% less than the current ones. And that will be just the beginning.The Japanese carmaker will later premiere a bipolar lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that will offer 20% more range, 40% less cost and a similar charging time as the bZ4X 30 minutes to go from 10% to 80% of charge. Toyota calls it the popularization version. That means that ansimilar to the bZ4X with bipolar LFP cells in its battery pack would run 302 miles in an EPA cycle instead of the 252 miles it now delivers. If we consider thecycle, it would be upgraded to 619 km (385 mi). Nowadays, the bZ4X can provide up to 516 km (321 mi). In the CLTC cycle for China the bZ4X presents a maximum range of 615 km (382 mi). The 20% boost would improve that to 738 km (459 mi) with LFP batteries, mind you.The bipolar technology will also include NMC cells . Toyota will present its ternary lithium-ion cell with a high nickel cathode by 2027. Looking at its numbers, they are not as impressive as those exhibited by the previous batteries: only 10% of range gains and cost reductions. On the other hand, it will save 10 minutes in the fast-charging process: 20 minutes to go from 10% to 80% instead of 30. The true game-changer will be solid-state cells.Toyota's first generation should debut in 2027 or 2028 with a 20% better range than that presented by its first-generation performance cells. In other words, it will deliver 745 miles (1,200 km) of range instead of 621 miles (1,000 km). Fast-charging times from 10% to 80% of total capacity should demand only 10 minutes. The Japanese carmaker is already working on a second-generation solid-state battery that should arrive after 2028. This is the one that will offer 50% more range than the performance cells or 932 miles (1,500 km) of range.These figures are obviously just a way to demonstrate the evolution leaps Toyota's future BEVs will have. With more energy-dense battery packs , they can be lighter with slightly lower ranges. The world's largest car company will also look for other ways to make its BEVs more efficient, such as delivering them with aerodynamic coefficients of less than 0.2. The company said it is targeting 0.1 with a "new technology to reduce aerodynamic drag in any shape" developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. If Toyota is able to deliver that, it should be groundbreaking. The company is also working on a smaller eAxle. That could save space for more cargo and also allow rear passengers to sit lower, which has a direct impact on aerodynamics.Perhaps the most surprising element Toyota shared in its workshop was stating it would use giga castings to build its EVs. That's something Tesla has been doing since it presented the Model Y. The goal is to save production time, which will bring BEV prices down. In the images Toyota disclosed, the massive cast parts seem to be only structural, built in a pretty different way than those from Tesla. The Japanese carmaker said it has "reviewed the structural design to make it simpler and slimmer." It also noted that "reducing the number of parts and processes" is something that "reflects the TPS philosophy of eliminating waste in each process." Tesla Production System?Joking aside, it will be interesting to see Toyota apply Tesla's idea to car manufacturing while taking repairability and dependability into account. The Japanese carmaker did not elaborate on those aspects. It also did not mention whether these new battery packs will be easily repairable or how long they will last. If we are to consider the 1-million-km or 10-year warranty it gave the bZ4X , it may be pretty confident about the new cells.Toyota also wants to eliminate conveyors to create a "self-propelling assembly line." In other words, the vehicles will move by themselves to the next production station through "sensors and control systems on the factory" that will communicate with the cars "to control them from the outside." If Toyota manages to do that, it will save billions in manufacturing preparations for the production of any new vehicle. At the same time, it will have to care a lot for data safety to prevent interferences with the cars in production lines and when they reach their new owners' hands as well. It will look like an alien dreadnought, something Elon Musk tried to create before making the Model 3 in tents. Drag races can get boring, but trust the Hoonigan crew to add a little spice to everything they do. For the last few episodes, the automotive outfit has been camping at the world-famous Cootamundra Airport in New South Wales, Australia. If you've been following our stories , you probably read about the 2023 Turbosmart Ultimate Street Car competitions at the Cootamundra Airport. Some of the meanest street cars on the continent converged at the event, and Hoonigan, among other global automotive outfits, took that chance to showcase some of Australia's top talents on asphalt."We took this versus that halfway around the world to Australia. We're here at Cootamundra Airport with some of the craziest cars that Australia could bring us," Vin of Hoonigan said, introducing the contenders.On the most recent episode of their This vs. That series, the Hoonigan crew put together a rather unusual duel, namely MotiveVideo's 1993 Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R against a 1975 Holden LH Torana.Here's the thing. While this race looks like a regular analog (Holden LH Torana) versus digital (R32 GT-R) type of battle on the surface, it's actually a fight between two of Australia's top names in street racing.The GT-R belongs to Andrew of MotiveVideo, popularly known as the GT-R go-to guy in Australia. The 1975 Holden LH Torana, which also happens to hold the most notorious wheelies in Australia, belongs to Johnny Habib.Andrew's 1993 Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R packs a turbocharged 3.2-liter inline-six engine good for 1,100 hp (1,115 ps). The powerhouse engine is mated to a six-speed sequential transmission sending all that juice to all four wheels. It weighs 3,500 lbs (1,588 kgs).According to Andrew, this 1993 R32 GT-R is a 10-year-old project. Some of the mods include an RB30 block, Garret G45 1500 turbo, and a vented carbon hood.Johnny Habib's big dinosaur 1975 Holden LH Torana packs a naturally aspirated 9.6-liter V8 good for 1,000 hp (1,014 ps). It runs on a 2-speed automatic transmission sending everything to the rear wheels. It has a conventional 588 big-block Chevy engine with a 400 shot of nitrous.Only one thing matters in Hoonigan's This versus That series that's the first car over the finish line. Well, the first race was a 1,000 ft head-to-head drag race and straight off the line, the R32 Skyline GT-R exerted its dominance over the relic 48-year-old Holden Torana. The GT-R won the race by two car lengths.Ideally, the second race would have been a 1,000-ft drag race (the loser gets a hit), but Johnny Habib, who's been racing cars for 30 years, didn't want any sympathy wins. As a result, the duo had a rematch.As expected, the wheelie-flipping 1975 Holden LH Torana didn't put up much of a fight against the mighty Godzilla . It was a brutal defeat."It's hard for a rear-wheel-drive car to hang with an all-wheel-drive car on a no-prep surface," Vin said after the final race.Do you think the 48-year-old Torana had a chance against the GT-R? Share your opinion in the comments section below. As a Mopar enthusiast, it pains me to see Chrysler issuing mammoth recalls for problems that could have been addressed rather easily. On this occasion, FCA US LLC is calling back 331,401 examples of the WL-generation 2021 to 2023 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee over incorrectly installed rear coil springs. An out-of-position rear coil spring may detach from the mid-size SUV while driving, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration SUV In documents filed with the, the Auburn Hills-based automaker says that both dealers and owners will be informed of recall number 23V-413 no later than July 28. The third-largest automaker of the Big Three in Detroit became aware of this problem back in March 2023, following a report involving a Grand Cherokee produced for the 2023 model year. With no prior warning to the driver, one of the rear coil springs fell off while driving.The North American half of Stellantis immediately looked into similar claims, identifying no fewer than 17 warranty reports and 2 field reports. Engineering found no fault with the rear coil spring's design. FCA US LLC refused to elaborate on how it corrected this issue in production. Considering how many vehicles are recalled and the nature of this problem, assembly plant workers were most likely given incorrect instructions.Dealers will be instructed to inspect suspect vehicles, and if necessary reposition the rear coil springs as intended. The assemblies in question are produced by Daewon Kang Up Co. Ltd., a South Korean supplier with a US office in Alabama.13 percent of the recalled vehicles are believed to have been produced with out-of-position rear coil springs. The population is split into two, beginning with the 2021 to 2023 model year Grand Cherokee L. Affected units of the three-rowwere assembled in the period between December 5, 2020 and May 31, 2023 at Mack Avenue Assembly Complex in Detroit.Mack also produces the 4xe plug-in hybrid, whereas Jefferson North Assembly Plant makes combustion-only versions of the Grand Cherokee. The regular-wheelbase Grand Cherokee with two-row seating is affected to the tune of 114,302 vehicles compared to a whopping 217,099 for the long wheelbase.Only the Grand Cherokee L can be configured with a V8, namely the 5.7-liter HEMI that Chrysler will ultimately discontinue in favor of a turbocharged inline-six engine family. The standard powertrain is the 3.6-liter Pentastar, a naturally-aspirated V6 that puts out a stout 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet (353 Nm). The 4xe plug-in hybrid is downgraded to a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder lump. It's the most powerful and torquey of the bunch, though, with FCA US LLC quoting 375 ponies and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm).The Grand Cherokee is by far the best-selling Jeep of them all in the United States of America. In the first quarter of 2023, no fewer than 54,502 deliveries were reported as opposed to 37,971 deliveries for the body-on-frame Wrangler. Last year, the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler tallied 223,345 and 181,409 sales, respectively, in their home market. What Pashinian announced is not a peace treaty, its a new capitulation, said Ishkhan Saghatelian, Dashnaktsutyuns top leader in Armenia. If its signed, it will have disastrous and tragic consequences for the Armenian people. The only way to prevent it is to organize a popular revolt and resistance front. Nikol Pashinian has no mandate to hand over Artsakh to Azerbaijan, he told a news conference. Saghatelian said that his party will try to initiate such a popular movement together with other opposition groups, including those not represented in the Armenian parliament. The opposition demonstrations will start this summer, he said without giving concrete dates. Saghatelian spoke on behalf of Dashnaktsutyun, rather than the main opposition Hayastan alliance, of which his party is a key member. Other Hayastan leaders have also condemned Pashinian for effectively recognizing Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. But the alliance headed by former President Robert Kocharian has not yet announced plans for renewed antigovernment protests sought by Dashnaktsutyun. Hayastan and Pativ Unem, the other opposition bloc represented in the parliament, jointly staged daily protests in Yerevan in May and June last year after Pashinian signaled readiness to lower the bar on Karabakhs status acceptable to his government. They claim to have delayed a capitulation agreement with Baku despite failing to topple Pashinian. Saghatelian admitted on Tuesday that the Armenian oppositions 2022 bid for regime change did not attract sufficient popular support. But he expressed confidence that the opposition will pull larger crowds this time around. Last year, many people did not quite understand whats going on and accused us of fighting for power, said Saghatelian. But now, I think, its clear to everyone that the guy [Pashinian] is going down the path of making Artsakh a part of Azerbaijan. The lawyer, Karen Alaverdian, said he was subjected to undue physical force, handcuffed and detained after trying to stop several officers kicking and punching his client at a police station in Yerevan last week. The Armenian police launched an internal inquiry into the incident. Nevertheless, Alaverdian was charged with hooliganism and obstruction of legitimate police actions. The lawyer said that he simply refused to leave the police station after intervening to stop the alleged torture of his client who is currently standing trial on unspecified criminal charges. The chairman of Armenias Chamber of Advocates, the national bar association, voiced support for Alaverdian and said the police had no right to evict him from the police station during the suspects interrogation. The lawyer did his job, Simon Babayan told a joint news conference with Alaverdian. Two other lawyers claimed to have been ill-treated at another Yerevan police station in February. They said the violence occurred after their teenage client stood by his allegations that he was beaten up in police custody. The Chamber of Advocates demanded at the time that law-enforcement authorities investigate the allegations and prosecute all guilty persons. No police officer is known to have been charged, fired or subjected to disciplinary action over that incident. Human rights activists say police torture in Armenia remains widespread despite police reforms declared by the Armenian government. A government bill enacted as part of those reforms three years ago called for surveillance cameras to be installed inside all police stations -- and their interrogation rooms in particular -- by 2023. Only ten police stations were equipped with such cameras. They were switched off in last July on then national police chief Vahe Ghazarian s orders. The police said the cameras are no longer needed because under another law enacted last year, suspects detained by police officers must be interrogated by another law-enforcement body, the Investigative Committee. Popular Japanese YouTuber General Manager Matsuda shoots YouTube content in collaboration with GS Retail at a GS25 convenience store in southern Seoul in May. Courtesy of GS Retail By Kim Jae-heun Retailers and food companies are rushing to collaborate with popular YouTubers to promote their new products and raise brand awareness, according to industry officials, Tuesday. As viewers are increasingly moving away from traditional media and engaging with online video content, some trendsetting YouTubers have become influencers with high commercial value. GS Retail's convenience store firm GS25 recently introduced its new Chat-GPT developed whiskey highball beverage Bubbly with Japanese YouTuber General Manager Matsuda, who has 1.04 million subscribers on his YouTube channel "544TV." Matsuda shot promotional content for the retailer's new alcoholic beverage at a GS25 store in southern Seoul in May, and will release it on his YouTube channel soon. "We chose General Manager Matsuda to introduce our new whiskey highball product, as highball culture is big in Japan and we believe he is the right creator to promote it," a GS Retail official said. On display are GS Retail's new jumbo-size instant noodles to be promoted YouTube at the company's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of GS Retail 13 June 2023 11:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more There are many important reasons that unite Azerbaijan and Turkiye, which are historical brotherly relations between the two brotherly states that have existed for centuries. This brotherhood, as a clear example of infinite sincerity, has always been in sight with the solidarity demonstrated by the two states both in internal affairs and in the international arena. It should be recalled that the relations developed between the former president of Turkiye Suleyman Demirel and the national leader Heydar Aliyev at the time when Azerbaijan entered its new independence were a great impetus for the strengthening of brotherhood. Today, the friendly and fraternal relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, make this chain of brotherhood even more unbreakable and durable. The victory of unshakable brotherhood It is no secret that Azerbaijan received the first support during the 44-day Patriotic War from brotherly Turkiye. In addition, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's personal political support to Azerbaijan, especially the statements he made on behalf of Azerbaijan at international forums, are of particular importance. I would like to stress again that Turkey will also constructively respond to any positive step aimed at establishing lasting peace, President Erdogan said as he attended a joint press conference in Zangilan, Azerbaijan on October 26, 2021. In addition, an expression used by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his speech on the eve of the victory parade clearly conveyed the vision of Azerbaijan's policy to the world. The biggest contribution to this success achieved by Azerbaijan in both the military and diplomatic spheres was undoubtedly made by my dear brother, Mr. President Ilham Aliyev. At the same time, my brother Ilham Aliyev made the dream bequeathed to him by the late Heydar Aliyev. Yes, Azerbaijan freed its lands from occupation thanks to its immense military power. Turkiye's political and moral support prevented the intervention of outside insidious forces in the course of events. The victory achieved in the second Karabakh war is considered as a historical victory not only for Azerbaijan, but also for Turkiye and the entire Turkic world. The Shusha Declaration is an important document in terms of raising the unity between the two countries to a higher level. This document is considered an important paper signed between the two brotherly countries during the independence of Azerbaijan, which shows the issues of military security and its various parameters. It is from this point of view that the Shusha Declaration was of historical importance and laid the foundation for the beginning of new geopolitical and geoeconomic relations in the region. Currently, Turkiye is closely involved in the restoration and reconstruction works carried out by our state in Karabakh, and as always, it shows its solidarity with Azerbaijan. The policy pursued by Turkiye and Azerbaijan serves to establish stability and peace in the region, and for the people to live together in peace and harmony. Together in good times and in bad times However, the Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood is not one-sided. Azerbaijan has always stood by Turkiye even in hard times. Azerbaijan's close participation, as well as both material and moral support, was remembered as one of the important initiatives for the relief of the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkiye in February of this year. At that time, Azerbaijan was the first country to arrive at the scene with 940 rescuers, and was also the party that left the scene as a result. Of course, the support was not only limited to the material and humanitarian spheres, but also manifested itself at the political level. For example, on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, an extraordinary summit meeting of the heads of state of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Ankara, the capital of Turkiye. Although this event was planned to be held in Shusha, due to the terrible earthquake, President Ilham Aliyev made a proposal to hold the Summit in Ankara in order to support the brotherly country. This was once again a clear example of Azerbaijan-Turkiye brotherhood, mutual support and respect in the Turkic world. The signature of brotherhood written in the skies The progress achieved by Turkiye in the field of technology in the last ten years is of special importance. The TEKNOFEST event, which is part of a larger initiative, is a signature of these achievements shown in the skies of both brotherly countries. This great festival, which was held in Azerbaijan last year, took place again in Turkiye this year, and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also visited the event. At the event, the speech of the President of Azerbaijan and his message to the people of Turkiye, as well as to the whole world, were very important. "Turkiye has covered a long and glorious road in the last 20 years. Under the leadership of the Honorable President, Turkiye has become a voice in the world and a guarantor of peace, stability and security in our region. Turkiye has played a great role in the unification of the great Turkic world. At the Summit of Turkic states held in Ankara last month, all Turkic states expressed their support, their respect and our common solidarity with my dear brother. The Turkic world has great geography, great potential, great natural resources, and great military power. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made historic contributions to the unification of the Turkic world." In addition, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the end of his speech with amazing expressions: "I am visiting the brotherly country for the third time this year. I was here in February, then I was here in March, and I am here again today. My dear brother, you have the floor. We are waiting for you, all the people of Azerbaijan are waiting for you, kissing you, hugging you, conveying their respect and love to you. Turkiye-Azerbaijan union is eternal! Recent elections a manifestation of the people's infinite sympathy The unequivocal support of the Azerbaijani community to Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential elections was an expression of infinite sympathy and confidence. It is no coincidence that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was the first person to congratulate his friend and brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for getting a high percentage of votes in the first round of elections in Turkiye on May 28. It was also a clear example of absolute support and unshakable faith in President Erdogan's victory. The President of Azerbaijan was the first to congratulate Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the presidential runoff in Turkiye. In addition, the special participation of our head of state and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva at the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Turkiye was remembered for its appearance. The fact that the leader of Azerbaijan sat side by side with the leader of Turkiye in the front row and the special warm relations between the two heads of state at that event was the most important example of the value given to brotherhood. Today, it is a logical result of the current high level of bilateral relations that the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is making his first state visit to Azerbaijan together with his spouse Emine Erdogan. It should be noted that in the classification of visits between countries, the first place is state visits of a high level nature. It is followed by official visits, official business visits, business visits, guest visits and personal visits. State visits are accompanied by special protocol rules and diplomatic ceremonies. The main goal here is to demonstrate and once again establish the highest level of interstate relations, the highest level of interstate friendship and cooperation. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 17:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more Since Azerbaijan recognized Armenia and its sister country, France, in the diplomatic world, it has never witnessed any rational political step taken by them, either in the world or in the region. The most interesting thing is that it is very interesting to know the factors that make an imperialist state like France so intimate with a dwarf state like Armenia. Indeed, the question arises, why does the leadership of an expansionist country with so many colonies reckon with the stupid ideas of a beggar state like Armenia? For this, it is enough to look through the dossiers of the French leader Emmanuel Macron and the hero of the Velvet Revolution in Yerevan, Nikol Pashinyan - in which the similar destinies of both heroes uniting them on one goal is clearly depicted... In addition, the fact that France has become the leading force in the European Union after the exit of England is directing the events in favor of the Armenian side. Russian political analyst Darya Grevtsova, who commented on the issue for Azernews, also agrees with this opinion. According to her, even the official Brussels makes decisions under the dictates of France. "France is not against the EU, but it is the driving force for the EU. France is politically a very influential country and one of the leading countries of the European Union supported by the West. Therefore, France has a significant influence on the policy and worldview of the EU. Besides, it quite formally participates in various organizations, including Chisinau. And most importantly, it is not Paris abiding the law, but rather Brussels which coordinates its policy in accordance with decision made at Elysee Palace. Referring to the strongest relations between Armenia and France, the expert said that France has been supporting Armenia for a long time. Its history even dates back to early XX century. "Currently, France openly declares that it defends Armenia. Even President Macron personally admitted that he is with Armenia on many issues, including Karabakh. We all know very well that the Armenian lobby is very strong in France. Maybe they even finance Macron himself. Therefore, the influence of the Armenian lobby in France is believed to be playing a significant role. The fact that France is now supplying weapons to Armenia is precisely the influence of the Armenian lobby in France," the expert said. In addition, expert Grevtsova touched on France's behind-the-scenes policy regarding the South Caucasus. According to her, the main task of France at the moment is to oust Russia from the South Caucasus. Therefore, it does this through Armenia, especially through getting the EU mission in the South Caucasus. France is trying to offer a negotiating platform to Brussels. In addition, France mobilized all its power to completely separate Armenia from Russia and constantly tries to keep Armenia dependent on the West. Besides, in her comment on the possibility of a change of power in the country against the background of growing dissatisfaction with the pension reform in France commented on it as follows: "Coups in France is not expected in the near future. Firstly, there are no special specific prerequisites for this. Second, Macron keeps the situation under control. As well as the power groups of France are also under the control of the president. Therefore, it remains only to wait for the end of the presidential term of Macron, and there it will already be clear who will be the next candidate for the elections. Of course, confidence in Macron has decreased significantly. He has a very low rating now. Even if re-elections are held in the country, Macron cannot be re-elected president even with the power of the Armenian lobby," the expert added. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 16:41 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more The Russian airline Utair has increased the frequency of flights to Baku from the cities of Surgut and Tyumen, Azernews reports. Since June, the airline has launched additional flights from Surgut and Tyumen to Baku. Now flights from Surgut are operated on Wednesdays at 07:10, Fridays - at 21:00 and Sundays - at 07:30, from Tyumen - on Wednesdays at 18:00 and Fridays - at 19:10, the company said. It should be noted that flights from Baku to Surgut will be operated on Wednesdays at 21:40, Saturdays - at 01:55 and Sundays - at 21:45, from Baku to Tyumen - on Wednesday at 11:35 and Friday - at 22:45. "Baku is a popular tourist destination among the residents of our country, so our planes connect seven Russian cities with it. This season, we began to operate more flights from Siberia to the capital of Azerbaijan and, if necessary, we will consider expanding the program of flights to Baku from other regions," - said the president of "Utair - passenger airlines" Oleg Semenov. To recall, passenger traffic in Azerbaijan exceeded 1.6 billion people, which was 33.5 percent more than in the previous year. Most of the passengers (86.7 percent) were transferred by road, 12.9 percent by metro, and 0.4 percent by other types of transport. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA: GYD) is the largest airport in Azerbaijan and the region in terms of passenger and freight traffic, takeoff and landing operations, the airport terminal area, and the capacity of the cargo complex. In June 2022, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport was designated as the best airport in the CIS countries for the fifth time in a row according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards. This award is the benchmark of quality for the airport industry. Skytrax also awarded Baku Airport the highest 5-star rating, as well as the highest epidemiological safety rating during the COVID-19 pandemic. -- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 12:37 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani animation authors have attended the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, which is the world's largest and oldest animation festival. Taking place from June 11 to 17, the festival brings together 15 640 viewers from 103 countries. The festival will also feature an international premiere of the short animation film "Hadis". The animated short film Hadis is dedicated to the memory of 22-year-old Azerbaijani Turk, Hadis Najafi, and to all those fighting against gender, ethnic, and cultural discrimination in Iran. Najafi was murdered by Iranian security forces on September 21, 2022, and is now revered as a symbol of Azerbaijani resistance and ethnic struggle in Iran. Notably, Hadis has been included in the Official Selection of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. In this years competition, Hadis was selected from among 3300 films from 112 countries. Moreover, only 71 films were selected for the Short films category. Being selected for the Official Selection at Annecy is a significant achievement for the Azerbaijani film industry. Directed by Nazrin Aghamaliyeva and produced by Rashid Aghamaliyev, Hadis follows a young woman who decides to fight for justice in an unjust world ruled symbolically by crows. The film Hadis is produced by ANIMAFILM Studio with financial and idea support from the Azerbaijan Cultural Society of Northern California. The Azerbaijan Animation Association, Akinchi platform, and Skwigly Animation Magazine provided media support for the film. Young animation director Ulviyya Mammadova is also participating in the Annecy festival. Her participation is made possible by winning the "Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film" award at the 5th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival with her film "White Fear." The sponsors of the award are the Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, French Institute in Azerbaijan, and the Annecy festival. The 6th ANIMAFILM Festival themed Women Rights, will be held in Baku from 6 to 10 September 2023. The festivals organizing committee encourages animation authors and animation studios to participate in the competition program. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2023. Entries can be submitted in local or international categories. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more At a time when many joyful events have been taking place in the Turkic world in recent days, another expected step is the first visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baku after his election as president. The fact that this meeting is important will be connected with the completion of unfinished work, as well as the implementation of joint projects of the two fraternal countries. Turkiye's support is felt now, as on the eve of the war. Because the Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood not only does not resemble the sisterly relations of some countries, but will also be an example for the whole world. This friendship, which began many years ago, will leave an unforgettable mark in world history years later. Speaking about the visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Azerbaijan, Turkish expert Engin Ozer told Azernews about the Shusha Declaration, which is considered an important segment of many meetings so far for both countries. "According to the Shusha Declaration, if a third country attacks Azerbaijan or Turkiye, they will consider that this action is taking place on the territory of both countries and will act together. This article is an agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkiye based on Article 5 of NATO. Both countries are always ready to protect their mutual interests. The Shusha Declaration entered into force on the day of its signing." Apart from the signed document, and as regards the brotherhood of the two countries, the expert also touched on the support of Turkiye to Azerbaijan in military sphere. "The volume of production of the military industry in Azerbaijan will be increased with the support of the Turkish company Bayraktar Holding. This means that they are ready to finance part of their operations located in Azerbaijan," Engin Ozer said. The expert, who made certain predictions about the upcoming meeting, noted that discussions will begin regarding the production of parts of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) system in Azerbaijan. According to Ozer, the second matter of discussion would be of Turkish agricultural companies and planning to invest in the Azerbaijani economy in the context of the liberated Karabakh territory. And the third, would be oil & gas issue as the demand for natural gas in Europe has increased due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. "Azerbaijan is preparing in new areas such as oil and gas. And Turkiye will play a key role in this process since it is going to Europe through Turkiye. I would like to note that both presidents will touch upon this issue at today's meeting," he stressed. Clarifying the question regarding the future support and contributions of the fraternal country to the development of Karabakh, the expert noted that Turkiye, like the support it showed in the Patriotic War, continues to show this kind of support in various fields in the future: "Currently, only restoration work is being carried out in Karabakh. Turkiye is currently supporting technology investments for the brotherly country." According to the expert, the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is a very important issue. When peace is signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia, this means that 95 percent of the issue has already been resolved, and Azerbaijan can be considered to have covered more than half of the way. In conclusion, the Turkish expert, referring to the Zangazur project, which is the focus of interest not only for Azerbaijan, but for many countries, said that this vital segment within the giant BRI project is expected to be implemented by the end of 2024. "Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Turkiye, as well as the meetings of the ministers of both countries in Europe, is a successful step towards normalizing relations with Armenia. The solution of this issue depends on the implementation of the Zangazur corridor project. I am sure that, with slow and at the same time confident steps, Azerbaijan is only moving forward," Engin Ozer concluded. -- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 10:55 (UTC+04:00) According to the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the service and combat activity of the units deployed in the liberated territories is organized at a high level, Azernews reports, citing MOD. Combat service is conducted 24 hours a day in an intensive working mode according to the daily routine, and high-level combat duty is organized in the units stationed at positions in high-mountainous areas with difficult terrain. Necessary measures are taken to further increase the combat capability of the servicemen, as well as constant high-level maintenance of combat readiness and moral-psychological state. Azerbaijan Armys military personnel serving in the liberated territories is always ready to suppress any possible provocation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 13:58 (UTC+04:00) The press secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nasir Kanani, speaking about relations with Azerbaijan, said that he believes that as a result of diplomatic measures, a positive result has been achieved regarding the control of tensions, Azernews reports, citing MFA. We are currently at the stage of negotiations to transition from a stage of tension to a new stage and to resume the official activities of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran. We need dialogue and exchange of ideas to take new practical steps. In the interpretation of Nasir Kananis statement, the Spokesperson of Azerbaijani FM Aykhan Hajizade noted that recently, a number of contacts have been held between Azerbaijan and Iran. During the negotiations between the ministers of Foreign Affairs, a detailed exchange of views was held on the known situation between our countries. Regarding the resumption of the work of the Azerbaijani embassy, which ceased to exist as a result of the terrorist attack in January of this year, it should be noted that Azerbaijan expects the completion of the investigation into the terrorist attack. The perpetrators and customers of the terrorist act should be brought to justice and punished in the most severe way. The Azerbaijani side must make sure that there are conditions for the safe operation of the embassy and that it must be fully guaranteed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 13:33 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held an expanded meeting with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Greeting President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: - We are very pleased with your state visit. I am delighted that you are visiting Azerbaijan shortly after the presidential election. I want to congratulate you once again on the victory and wish you continued success. I am sure that in the coming years our friendship and brotherhood will be at the same high level. We already discussed many issues during our private meeting today. Now it will be continued within the framework of delegations. The Turkiye-Azerbaijan unity and brotherhood are an international factor, a factor of stability, development and security. The Turkish people's trust in you in the presidential elections is a sign of appreciation for your services to the Turkish people for many years. You know that you are very much loved in Azerbaijan. You are our dear guest. I also want to sincerely congratulate the new government members. I know many of you. Yesterday, our ministers and other high-level officials were together, and today these contacts are continuing. As always, our meetings summarize the work done and at the same time draw a roadmap for the work to be done in the coming years. I am sure it will be the same this time too. Welcome again! x x x Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: - Dear Mr. President, my dear brother. Dear members of the delegation. I am greeting you with my most sincere feelings on behalf of myself and my delegation. After the being re-elected as president by the will of our nation, according to our usual tradition, we first visited Northern Cyprus and then we immediately came to Baku and are together with you. I express my sincere gratitude on behalf of myself and my delegation for the hospitality you have shown. The Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood is observed with envy all over the world. We saw the last example of this during the earthquake disaster in Turkiye. The government and people of Azerbaijan shared our pain as their own and immediately sent a team to the earthquake-hit region. On behalf of myself and my nation, I am personally grateful to every citizen of Azerbaijan whose heart beats with us. We are determined to develop our relations, which we have raised to the level of alliance with the Shusha Declaration, in all areas. We are ready to open our Consulate General in Shusha at your convenience. Mr. Hakan, if our Consulate General in Shusha can be opened at any moment without any delay, this will of course be a separate message to the whole world, especially Armenia. Our Education Foundation continues its activities in the field of education with the support of Azerbaijani institutions. Inshallah, next year we plan to put the new educational building of our school into use. In our one-to-one meeting with my dear brother, it would be useful to discuss the Middle Corridor across the Caspian Sea and, in this regard, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00) We have had an exchange of views on the soonest opening of the Zangazur corridor. The sooner it opens, the better it is. Opening of the Zangazur corridor is inevitable, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports. President also pointed out the importance of opening of the corridor not only for Azerbaijan but for many countries. We will continue our efforts in this direction either way. Opening of this corridor will open up new opportunities for all the countries and have a positive impact on the regional cooperation, the Azerbaijani President underlined. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 22:00 (UTC+04:00) President Ilham Aliyev has expressed condolences to President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, following the death of former Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, prominent statesman and public and political figure Silvio Berlusconi. Dear Mr. President, I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of former President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, renowned statesman and politician Silvio Berlusconi. Silvio Berlusconi had a great contribution to development and expansion of friendly and cooperative relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Italian Republic. It is with deep sorrow I extend my condolences over this heavy loss to You, family of the deceased and all the people of Italy. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 13 June 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong / Yonhap By Lee Kyung-min Major local conglomerates had differing opinions on Samsung Electronics' plan to implement a shorter workweek, according to market watchers, Tuesday. The local IT titan with 120,000 regular workers said it will implement a four-day workweek once a month starting June 23. Employees will be able to take every fourth Friday off, coinciding with the issuance of their monthly paycheck. Excluded are manufacturing production workers on 12-hour shifts, since manufacturing facilities must remain in operation around the clock. The shorter workweek is part of the final terms agreed upon during a management-labor consultation in April. SK said its affiliates have shortened their workweeks, long before Samsung made its decision. "SK Holdings, SK hynix and SK Telecom have differing policies, but employees of SK affiliates are given a Friday off every two or four weeks," an SK Group official said. An industry official said Samsung's announcement is nothing new, since most large firms have adopted flexible working hours prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Making employees take a Friday off every month is to encourage them to finish work before that day comes, not about reducing the workload itself. It goes a long way in how to best to achieve work efficiency and productivity." Hyundai Motor said it has no plans to adopt a shorter workweek, since over 80 percent of its workers are in manufacturing. "We have not discussed the issue, nor do we have plans to reduce work hours," a Hyundai Motor official said. Samsung's decision reflects the needs of young employees, most of whom place greater emphasis on work-life balance compared to their senior counterparts. Data from Deloitte Group released in May showed that younger employees' work-life balance satisfaction increased in the years of the pandemic, mostly due to remote work. In a survey of 20,000 young people in 44 countries, 34 percent said work-life balance increased in the first year of the pandemic, up 13 percentage points compared to responses in 2019. About a third of the respondents said the most desirable qualities of competent employees are the ability to strike a balance between work and their private life. 13 June 2023 22:07 (UTC+04:00) President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Van Truong has sent a letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the state and people of Vietnam, allow me to convey my sincerest congratulations to you and all the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of your national holiday the Independence Day. Vietnam always follows with interest and is proud of the achievements of your people towards improving the standard of living in Azerbaijan, developing the country and strengthening its international position. I am very pleased with the positive development of traditional friendship and multilateral cooperation, which helps to enhance the positions of Vietnam and Azerbaijan in the region and the international arena. I am confident that based on this Vietnam and Azerbaijan will expand cooperation in various fields in the future for the progress and prosperity of our countries and peoples, peace and development worldwide. I wish the Republic of Azerbaijan progress, and your people happiness and tranquility. Mr. President, I wish you robust health, happiness and great success in your high state activity. Sincerely, Vo Van Thuong President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 June 2023 10:35 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan oil-condensate production amounted to 12.7 million tons, Azernews reports, citing a tweet by the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry Parviz Shahbazov. Besides, the minister noted that Azerbaijan exported 10.6 million tons of oil-condensate. During this period, 10.3 bcm out of the 20.2 bcm gas produced with an increase of 3 % was exported. According to operational data in January-May, oil-condensate production was 12.7 million tons, and export was 10.6 million tons. During this period, 10.3 bcm out of the 20.2 bcm gas produced with an increase of 3 % was #exported. pic.twitter.com/Q1E3nj1jvn Parviz Shahbazov (@ParvizShahbazov) June 13, 2023 In addition, the minister tweeted that gas export increased by 9.6% in January-May. Some, 4.8 bcm of gas was exported to Europe, 4.3 bcm to Turkiye, and 1.2 bcm to Georgia. During this period, TANAP supplied Turkiye with 2.4 bcm of gas. Gas export increased by 9.6% in January-May. 4.8 bcm of gas was exported to #Europe, 4.3 bcm to #Turkiye, and 1.2 bcm to #Georgia. During this period, TANAP supplied Turkiye with 2.4 bcm of gas. pic.twitter.com/wn6b1Bfs6V Parviz Shahbazov (@ParvizShahbazov) June 13, 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. An official of the Pohang City Government introduces the city to visitors during InterBattery 2023 at COEX in Seoul in this March file photo. Courtesy of Pohang City Government By Park Jae-hyuk InterBattery Europe 2023 failed to attract the number of exhibitors that it had expected, as major domestic battery firms declined to participate in the first rechargeable battery exhibition held overseas by Korean organizers, according to industry officials, Tuesday. The event's organizers initially expected around 100 institutions to open more than 200 booths during the exhibition to be held from Wednesday to Friday in Munich, Germany. However, only 73 exhibitors, including eight Chinese firms and an Indian company, decided to participate in the event. In particular, the number of Korean exhibitors not counting organizers or public institutions stands at just 50. SK On, one of Korea's three leading electric vehicle battery manufacturers, and the nation's top three battery materials producers POSCO Future M, EcoProBM and L&F will all be absent from the event. The four companies, all of which are executive members of the Korea Battery Industry Association, one of the organizers of the forthcoming event, had opened large exhibition pavilions during InterBattery 2023, which was held in Seoul in March. "We disclosed our latest technologies during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January and InterBattery 2023 in Seoul in March, so we decided not to participate in the forthcoming event," an SK On official said. POSCO Future M said it is difficult for the company to participate in all kinds of exhibitions. "As we participated in a battery show held in Europe between May 23 and May 25, we decided not to participate in the upcoming exhibition," its official said. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, both of which are major players in the global battery market, will participate in InterBattery Europe, but the two companies have close ties with the association. LGES CEO Kwon Young-soo is its incumbent chairman, succeeding Samsung SDI Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun. LS Electric, another conglomerate joining the exhibition, will not only participate in InterBattery Europe, but also in the Electrical Energy Storage Europe 2023 event, which will be held in the same venue. Amid the absence of major battery firms, Korean municipalities will participate in the exhibition instead. North Gyeongsang, North Jeolla and North Chungcheong provinces, all of which have cities vying to be chosen by the central government next month to house an industrial complex specializing in the rechargeable battery industry, sent delegations to Germany to promote their cities to foreign businesspeople. As a result, speculation is growing that InterBattery Europe could be the venue for political battles, instead of the venue for competition among businesses. RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day to honor the oldest known commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Governor signed the proclamation at a Juneteenth event at the NC Museum of History last week. The largest circulation daily newspaper in the UK, the Daily Mail of London, has published an article warning of the rise of a dangerous new extremist movement, they have dubbed "Trantifa" consisting of violent, far left, advocates of radical gender ideology. They cite a number of examples of actions by this movement, and quote a UN investigator saying they are a threat to women. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11995903/The-new-face-extremism-unmasked-Republicans-watching-trantifa.html UPDATE: A "radical PRIDE" march in Strasbourg, France, where the EU parliament is located, called for the death of feminists who oppose trannies invading womens spaces. "Bullets for the TERFs (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists)" was their battle cry. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/radical-pride-march-features-bullet-for-terfs-slogan/ This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is Zach Rounceville Former President Donald Trump delivered remarks on Saturday evening during the Grand Old Party Dinner at the 2023 NCGOP State Convention in Greensboro.Speaking to a capacity crowd, the former president discussed a wide array of topics and pushed back against those he believes hate the United States and want to destroy it.said Trump.During the speech, Trump promoted the accomplishments of his former administration and put forth an ambitious domestic and foreign-policy agenda in the event he wins the Republican nomination and ultimately the presidency in 2024, The agenda centers on ending the war in Ukraine, improving care for U.S. military veterans, brokering fair trade deals, redeveloping major U.S. cities, gaining independence from China, making the U.S. the No. 1 manufacturing superpower in the world, and taking a hard line stance against illegal immigration with a focus on deportations.On confronting the threat of China, Trump said,China was given most-favored-nation trade status in 2000, but given the communist nation's hostility toward the United States in recent years, legislation has been proposed to revoke their designation.Trump did not shy away from attacking the record of President Joe Biden.said Trump.After the speech, Carolina Journal spoke with Cooper Falls, a delegate from Pitt County and president of the Republican Women of Pitt County organization. She believed that Trump's stance on countering China is the correct one and that he communicated well.she said.Delegates were also receptive to Trump's stance regarding the on-going war between Ukraine and Russia.said Karen Bentley, a delegate representing Mecklenburg County.Kyshia Brassington, who represents North Carolina as committeewoman with the Republican National Committee told CJ that Republicans need to focus on the important issues Trump discussed in his speech.she said.The former president also leveled criticism at his main primary opponents, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, who both spoke at the convention.Trump entered the Republican primary field in November of 2022, but since then he has been plagued by a flurry of lawsuits and indictments stemming from his handling of classified documents after leaving office in January 2021. He responded to the recent indictment in a video posted to his Truth Social page.Despite this, polling indicates that he remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. Trump is also the leading candidate among N.C. primary voters.For full coverage and recap of the NCGOP State Convention, visit www.carolinajournal.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. There has seldom been a more stark conflict than that which exists when government exercises eminent domain. And in many cases the conflict between the general welfare and private property comes down to two words: public purpose and public use. Even when the taking is for a public use, such as a highway, there is often an injustice. There can be no better example of this than right here in Beaufort County. The state is building a new bridge over the railroad on U. S. Business 17 between Chocowinity and Washington. In order to build the bridge the road had to be closed, or so the state contends. The problem comes for some of the businesses whose survival depends on that stretch of road. It is our understanding that none of the businesses is being compensated for lost income as a result of the road closure during the more than a year that the road has been closed. The public has never been told why the closure was necessary. That is, why an engineering solution was not found to keep the road open during construction. That is usually done when a bridge is replaced. Some will remember the old trestle bridge over the Tar River at Grimesland. There the state built a temporary bridge while it constructed a new one beside the old bridge. So the issue often becomes: Is a taking the only way to accomplish a public purpose or use? As Jordan Roberts, writing for the Carolina Journal, reports: In Federalist 49, James Madison wrote, The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived. This still holds today and applies equally to the U.S. Constitution and to state constitutions like North Carolinas. One of the key ways to bind the constitution to the people is by allowing them to amend their governing document. The process is, by design, difficult to do. In each biennium in North Carolina, lawmakers elected by the people propose constitutional amendments to be voted on in a future election. Several key constitutional amendments were proposed by lawmakers in the current long session and should be put to a vote by the people. How does the process work in North Carolina? Unlike some states where citizens can petition for constitutional changes, only the legislature can propose constitutional amendments. The legislature will propose language that can be voted on during an upcoming election, either on the primary or general election ballot. Before the language can be placed on the ballot, it must pass by a three-fifths margin in each chamber. This means it would need to be supported by 72 members in the House and 30 in the Senate. Then 50% of the voters would need to approve the changes for the language to be added to the constitution. Allowing voters to make their voices heard on proposals to amend the constitution is a hallmark of our democratic republic. When casting votes on a proposed constitutional amendment, lawmakers are essentially voting to give the option to the voters rather than voting on the proposal themselves. Some significant constitutional amendments have passed in recent years. In 2018 North Carolina voters voted on six amendments. Of those that passed, voters approved provisions to require showing an ID to vote in the state, a limit on the state income tax, an expansion of victims rights, and a right to fish and hunt. In total, voters have amended our states current constitution 42 times since it was ratified in 1971. Now, this year, there are several proposals that should be placed on the ballot in the future: Constitutional amendments are not subject to the crossover deadline or a gubernatorial veto. There is still time this session for lawmakers to vote on these proposals and give the decision to the people to vote on these crucial issues that need to be decided in our founding documents. Our representative republic primarily works by electing representatives to meet and decide on policy matters. However, the other way the people can be directly involved in policy is through constitutional amendments. Lawmakers should give the people a chance to vote on these popular provisions and provide them with the opportunity to add them to our states founding document. The English website of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea, left, shows the number of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) members is 170, while the Korean website shows the number is 179. Screenshot from each website Bid committee slow to publish updates of relevant info, news By Park Jae-hyuk The Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea, was criticized for neglecting the management of its foreign language websites, as President Yoon Suk Yeol heads to Paris next week to attend the fourth round of presentations at a meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) members. Rep. An Byung-gil of the ruling People Power Party, who represents a constituency in the southern port city and serves as an executive secretary of a National Assembly special committee supporting Busan's bid, pointed out, Tuesday, that the committee had not updated its English, French and Spanish websites for the past two months. This was in sharp contrast to its Korean website, which was updated regularly with the latest articles and other promotional videos. Additionally, the bid committee did not update the number of BIE members to 179 on its foreign language websites as of Tuesday morning. The lawmaker raised concerns that the neglected websites may prevent countries and people from around the world from learning more about Korea's efforts to host one of the world's three largest international events. "It is regrettable that the government's official website is insufficient in introducing Korea's enthusiasm for hosting the World Expo," he said. "Given that it is important to conduct marketing campaigns targeting foreign countries to win the hearts of the 179 BIE members, it is necessary to improve the management of the foreign language websites." News articles written by foreign media last month were uploaded on Tuesday morning. Screenshot from website of Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea Soon after the lawmaker mentioned the problems, the bid committee belatedly uploaded news articles written by foreign media last month. It also admitted that it needed to improve the way it is managing its official websites. "As the younger generation relies more on social media to communicate and get information, we have focused more on managing our social media than managing the official websites," a bid committee spokesman said. "It is also easy for us to get immediate responses through social media." Yoon Sang-jik, the bid committee's secretary-general, also promised to correct the problems, during Tuesday's meeting at the National Assembly. Yoon Sang-jik, right, secretary-general of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea, speaks during a session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. From the front row, left, are Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin and Yoon. Yonhap RINO Senator Mitt Romney has not yet said if he will run for the Senate from Utah again in 2024, but the signs look bad for him if he does. Romney was loudly booed at the last Utah state GOP convention. He already has a conservative mayor who has announced a primary campaign against him. And now he is underwater in the polls on approval and a majority of Utah voters say he should not run again. A poll conducted for the Deseret News, Utah's largest newspaper shows that 41% approve of Romney's job performance while 49% disapprove, making him "underwater" by 8 points, not a good position for re-election. Among all voters, 51% said Romney should not run again while 47% said he should. Tellingly, while 55% of Democrats said he should run again, 54% of Republicans said he should NOT run. Romney's approval numbers have dropped significantly since March. https://www.deseret.com/2023/6/11/23749782/mitt-romney-poll-approval-rating It looks like Romney will be the next Lix Cheney if he runs again. Prolonged Increased Risk of Blindness Post-Jab The second article was published May 2, 202 in NPJ Vaccines.7 Here, the researchers did a risk assessment to determine just how common retinal vascular occlusion which can cause blindness was after the COVID-19 jab. The results were devastating. Across age groups, the risk more than doubled in the two years following the shot. For a detailed breakdown of retinal vascular occlusion incidence among various age groups, genders and ethnicities, see Table 2 on this page.8 According to Retsef Levi, that amounts to one additional case for every 300 seniors jabbed (age 64 and older), and one additional case for every 1,000 people jabbed between the ages of 18 and 64.9 According to the CDC,10 58,739,476 seniors aged 65 and older have received at least one dose. Divide that by 300, and we could be looking at 195,798 additional cases of retinal vascular occlusion and potential blindness among the elderly. And thats just in the United States. If we look at the 18 and older age group, the CDC claims 238,163,284 Americans have received at least one dose.11 Divide that by 1,000, and were potentially looking at an additional 238,163 instances of eye damage that could lead to blindness. Thats an awful lot of visually impaired people. For reference, in 2017, an estimated 1.08 million Americans were blind.12 Of that 1.08 million, only 141,000 were younger than 40 (about 13%). Retinal Vascular Occlusion Post-Jab Not Likely Coincidental Patients included in the NPJ Vaccines study13 were jabbed between January 2020 and December 2022. Individuals with confirmed COVID-19, a history of retinal vascular occlusion, and those who used medication within four weeks of getting the jab that could affect blood coagulation were excluded. In the end, 739,066 vaccinated cohorts were matched to the same number of unvaccinated individuals at a ratio of 1-to-1. As reported in this paper:14 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are associated with several ocular manifestations. Emerging evidence has been reported; however, the causality between the two is debatable. We aimed to investigate the risk of retinal vascular occlusion after COVID-19 vaccination ... We employed multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models after performing a 1:1 propensity score matching between the vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts. Individuals with COVID-19 vaccination had a higher risk of all forms of retinal vascular occlusion in 2 years after vaccination, with an overall hazard ratio of 2.19 (95% confidence interval 2.002.39). The cumulative incidence of retinal vascular occlusion was significantly higher in the vaccinated cohort compared to the unvaccinated cohort, 2 years and 12 weeks after vaccination. The risk of retinal vascular occlusion significantly increased during the first 2 weeks after vaccination and persisted for 12 weeks. Additionally, individuals with first and second dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 had significantly increased risk of retinal vascular occlusion 2 years following vaccination, while no disparity was detected between brand and dose of vaccines. This large multicenter study strengthens the findings of previous cases. Retinal vascular occlusion may not be a coincidental finding after COVID-19 vaccination. The authors cite 10 different case reports15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 of retinal vascular occlusion following vaccination, as well as two additional literary reviews25,26 on the condition as it relates to mRNA COVID vaccination. Unfortunately, both are behind a paywall. You can review the case reports, however, if you want. Molecular mimicry of the S protein, which shares sequence homology with human proteins, may play a central role in retinal vascular occlusion. ~ NPJ Vaccines As for how the mRNA COVID jab might cause retinal vascular occlusion, the authors hypothesis is that molecular mimicry of the S protein, which shares sequence homology with human proteins, may play a central role. Special Vaccine Issue to Focus on Post-Jab Eye Problems Apparently, medical scientists are concerned enough about what theyre seeing so far that the journal Vaccine has issued a call for manuscripts for a special issue of Ophthalmic Adverse Events Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. The submission deadline is December 31, 2023, so obviously, we wont see this special edition until sometime in 2024. As noted in the manuscript request:27 Over the past 20 months, several reports and studies have highlighted the adverse events (such as myocarditis, GuillainBarre syndrome, etc.) following the administration of these vaccines. In this special edition, we are compiling case reports, series, review articles and studies focused on ophthalmic adverse events following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. The submissions may include: 1.Case of rare ophthalmic adverse events following vaccination 2.Studies reporting risk of ophthalmic adverse events following vaccine 3.Analysis of global databases reporting vaccine-associated ophthalmic adverse events 4.Review articles evaluating published literature on ocular adverse events with special emphasis on underlying potential mechanisms. Signs and Symptoms of Retinal Vascular Occlusion In closing, its important to realize that the primary symptom of retinal vascular occlusion is a sudden change in vision be it blurry vision, or a partial or complete loss of vision typically only in one eye. Rarely ever is there pain. Should this happen, seek evaluation immediately. The risk of more severe and/or permanent vision loss increases the longer the treatment delay. Your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) can give you a diagnosis, but it would be prudent to seek emergency room care if you suddenly lose your vision in one eye particularly if youve received one or more mRNA COVID shots. Since this is like a stroke in your eye, the sooner you are able to provide the tissue that is not being supplied with oxygen, the more likely it is you will recover function. We know that there are two supplements that will help with these types of reperfusion injuries, methylene blue and melatonin. I discussed this in my interview with Dr. Russel Reiter. In May 2023, actor Jamie Foxx suffered what is being reported as a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and blind.28 Hollywood journalist AJ Benza claimed Foxx had been pressured to get the shot for the production of Back in Action, but sources close to Foxx claim his condition is unrelated to the COVID jab, and no one has even confirmed that he got the shot, although it was supposedly required on the set. While its unclear if the mRNA shot had anything to do with Foxxs sudden incapacitation, his condition resembles what Ive discussed here, which drives home the point that this is something that needs to be taken seriously. HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville is the most expensive hospital to receive a colonoscopy in the state, while AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport is the least expensive, according to information from data analytics company Hospital Pricing Specialists. Hospital Pricing Specialists created an annual pricing survey that analyzed more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals by examining hospital machine-readable files and public claims. The goal of the survey was to analyze the effects of the price transparency law on CMS-defined shoppable codes, according to a May 25 email to Becker's from the company. Here is the pricing data for CMS shoppable code CPT 45380-Colonoscopy at the 10 most expensive hospitals in Florida to have the procedure done: 1. $23,964 HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital (Brooksville) 2. $22,365 Bravera Health Seven Rivers (Crystal River) 3. $21,179 HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital (Niceville) 4. $20,503 North Okaloosa Medical Center (Crestview) 5. $19,085 HCA Florida Highlands Hospital (Sebring) 6. $15,953 HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital (Panama City) 7 (tie). $15,592 HCA Florida Osceola Hospital (Kissimmee) 7 (tie). $15,592 UCF Lake Nona Hospital (Orlando) 9. $15,065 HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital (Kissimmee) 10. $13,989 HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Here is the pricing data for CMS shoppable code CPT 45380-Colonoscopy at the 10 least expensive hospitals in Florida to have the procedure done: 1. $3,845 AdventHealth Heart of Florida (Davenport) 2. $3,886 Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital (Jacksonville) 3. $3,927 Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital (Vero Beach) 4 (tie). $4,000 Baptist Hospital (Pensacola) 4 (tie). $4,000 Gulf Breeze Hospital 6. $4,065 Oviedo Medical Center 7. $4,078 HCA Florida Blake Hospital (Bradenton) 8. $4,129 AdventHealth Sebring 9. $4,372 Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast (Miramar Beach) 10. $4,470 - DeSoto Memorial Hospital (Arcadia) A Scranton, Pa.-based cardiology group's computer network was invaded by hackers, who potentially obtained private data of 181,764 patients, The Times-Tribune reported June 12. Commonwealth Health Physician Network-Cardiology, also known as Great Valley Cardiology, was hacked on Feb. 2, but the breach was not discovered until April 13, the system said. The health system did not announce the breach for two months in order to conduct a forensic investigation to identify everyone affected. Information obtained varied by person, but included names, addresses, demographic information, Social Security numbers, driver's license and passport numbers, and credit card or debit card and bank accounts, as well as health insurance, claims and medical information. Annmarie Poslock, a Commonwealth Health spokesperson, told the news outlet that there was no indication the hackers used the information "in any way." The system learned of the incident from the Department of Homeland Security, which tracks potential cyber threats. The cardiology group disconnected its network and referred the matter to law enforcement. "The unauthorized parties no longer have access to the GVC (Great Valley Cardiology) network," Ms. Poslock said. She added that the hackers used a specialized software to generate passwords until it found the right one. Affected clients were mailed notices, and a notice about the breach was posted on the website. The system is offering affected people free access to Experian IdentityWorks SM for 24 months to provide ID restoration and credit monitoring services. As hospitals face a vast array of cybersecurity threats, an effective working relationship between the chief information security officer and CIO becomes even more important. "The role of the CISOs is not to be righteous. It is to make sure the assurance perspective, data, and trends are factored into those final decisions and considered regardless of the eventual outcome," Jack Kufahl, CISO of Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine, told Becker's. "If you can find a CIO and CISO team that can be productive and joyful in their work together with those expectations, it is a pretty good deal." For CISOs, the weight of protecting an organization's data and deterring cyberattacks can come at a high cost. A report from cybersecurity company Cynet found that 94 percent of CISOs suffer from work-related stress, with 65 percent saying that the stress compromises their ability to protect their organization from cyber threats. According to a 2022 survey from Heidrick & Struggles, CISOs ranked burnout and stress as the top two personal risks of the job. In healthcare, the severe cost of a data breach of a patient's personal health information can add to the toll. To help bear the load of maintaining cybersecurity vigilance, many CISOs prefer CIOs who are active in cybersecurity operations. "What I look for in a CIO is someone that truly understands why cybersecurity is important, feels that cybersecurity is part of their job description and the responsibility, and it's not just the CISOs responsibility to keep the organization secure," said Teresa Tonthat, vice president and associate CIO of Houston-based Texas Children's Hospital. "I have always been lucky to have very security-conscious CIOs in my career," said Steven Ramirez, CISO of Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health. "I find the most important elements to a successful partnership are building trust, being adaptive, collaboration and communication. I generally look for what strategic initiatives my CIO has and tailor my strategy, communication and approach to meet their style." While partnering on cybersecurity initiatives, CIOs and CISOs also need to work through differences in organizational IT strategy. "CISOs and CIOs are two different seasonings for the soup, and you want to make sure that they blend well together even though they are distinct flavors on their own," Mr. Kufahl said. "Primarily, the relationship between the two should be one of private debate but public alignment. The ongoing discussions around balancing the protections of the company versus the priorities of information technology for the business should be full-throated and exhaustive, but at the conclusion of those discussions, the final decisions should be mutually supported." For hospitals, having a CISO and CIO team that complements each other is critical as sophisticated global threat actors target the American healthcare system and attacks result in increased damages. Spring Valley, Ill.-based St. Margaret's Health recently became the first healthcare facility to close because of a cyberattack. With this increased threat environment, CISOs said the responsibility of protecting patient data goes beyond them and the CIO to the whole healthcare organization. "Every individual at the hospital has a part of staying cyber-smart and helping maintain operational resilience around their knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity vigilance and cybersecurity hygiene," said Ms. Tonthat. Fresno, Calif.-based Community Health System is expanding its suite of Masimo monitoring tools across its four-hospital campuses. The health system has plans to install Masimo Patient SafetyNet, a centralized remote monitoring system that will transfer patient data into the EHR. Additionally, Community Health is looking to boost its preoperative monitoring tools, according to a June 12 Community Health news release. Community Health System first partnered with Masimo in 2014 to install Masimo Set at its Women and Children's Services and Neonatal Intensive Care at the Community Regional Medical Center campus. East Meadow, N.Y.-based Nassau Health Care Corp. is seeking a new marketing agency to help it rebrand. The health system issued a request for proposals from brand marketing and digital firms June 7. Proposals are due July 7. Nassau Health Care Corp. also wants the new agency to help modernize its website, create video, print and digital marketing campaigns, and conduct market research. The health system includes the 530-bed Nassau University Medical Center, a skilled nursing facility and seven community health centers. Medtronic has named Ken Washington, PhD, the former vice president and general manager of consumer robotics at Amazon, its first chief technology and innovation officer. Dr. Washington also served as chief technology officer at the Ford Motor Co. With his new role, he will become a member of the Medtronic executive committee, according to a June 1 Medtronic news release. "This new leadership role will help Medtronic to harness the innovative spirit of our founders and ensure we are capitalizing on our scientific and technological knowledge to invent, innovate and disrupt the healthcare technology market of the future," Chair and CEO of Medtronic Geoff Martha, said in the release. "Dr. Washington will help Medtronic expand use of our technology platforms across our portfolio including robotics, sensors, implantables and artificial intelligence improving our returns on investments in innovation and expanding our technological competitive advantage to drive durable growth." In this handout photo released by the Colombian Presidential Press Office, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro greets a nurse tending to one of the four Indigenous children who survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive, at a military hospital in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, June 10. AP-Yonhap The four Indigenous children rescued in the Colombian Amazon after wandering the jungle for 40 days were showing "satisfactory" recovery, welfare officials said Monday. Siblings Lesly, Soleiny, Tien Noriel and Cristin ages 13, nine, five and one respectively were receiving treatment at a military hospital in Bogota after they were found hungry and dehydrated last Friday, having survived a plane crash more than five weeks earlier. Their mother had died in the aftermath of the crash, which killed the two other adults they were travelling with. By Monday, the children were "in high spirits," Adriana Velasquez of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute said in a video sent to media. "They have been coloring, drawing. They love to talk," she added. Manuel Ranoque, the father of two of the youngest Indigenous children who survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults, and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive, speaks to the media from the entrance of the military hospital where the children are receiving medical attention, in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 11. AP-Yonhap The older siblings had been fighting fever spikes, a colleague of Velasquez, Astrid Caceres, told W Radio, while Tien Noriel was being monitored for a possible reaction to something he ate. Tien Noriel was too weak to walk by the time rescuers found the four after searching more than 2,600 kilometers (1,615 miles) of jungle only to discover them some five kilometers from the wreck of the small plane. The youngest of the siblings remains in intensive care "not due to any serious condition but for closer monitoring due to her age," said Caceres, adding that all four had been catching up on lost sleep. The children are expected to remain in hospital for another two to three weeks. (AFP) As CEO exits continue to climb, some hospitals and health systems are looking internally to fill the roles they leave behind. But in a C-suite full of talent, who is best poised to take the helm? Becker's sorted up this year's internal CEO promotions by the appointee's most recent C-suite role. Chief operating officers advanced to the helm most often, significantly outpacing their counterparts. Chief medical officers also saw a fair amount of CEO promotions, and a few other C-level roles traveled unconventional paths to the top. Editor's notes: Some of these leaders held dual-C-suite roles before their promotion to CEO. Their moves are listed under all applicable job titles. This is not an exhaustive list of CEO moves, and only accounts for internal promotions within a hospital or health system since January 2023. To submit one we've missed, email akayser@beckershealthcare.com. Chief operating officer 27 promotions 1. Cindy Meyer was promoted from COO to interim president and CEO of Oconomowoc, Wis.-based Rogers Behavioral Health. 2. Rozanna Penney, CRNA, chief nursing officer and COO, vice president of patient care services, and executive director of Heywood Medical Group, was named co-CEO of Gardner, Mass.-based Heywood Healthcare as part of a new leadership structure. 3. Nichole Geraci was promoted from COO to president and CEO of Kittanning. Pa.-based ACMH Hospital. 4. Chad Grant was named interim CEO of McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey, where he served as chief operating officer. 5. Brian Canfield was promoted from COO to president and CEO of Quincy, Ill.-based Blessing Health. 6. Jill Wehner, COO and vice president of fiscal services for Harbor Beach (Mich.) Community Hospital, was named president and CEO. 7. Paige Laughlin was promoted from COO to interim CEO of HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, part of HCA Healthcare. 8. Darrin Smith, former vice president and COO of Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Health System, was named CEO. 9. Corey Lovelace was promoted from COO of HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami to CEO of HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital in Port St. Lucie. 10. Fred Valtairo, BSN, RN, was named CEO of Placentia-Linda (Calif.) Hospital, part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. He used to serve as the hospital's COO. 11. Jamie Yoo was named CEO of CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. He previously served as the health system's chief strategic operating officer. 12. Lynn Buskill, chief operating officer of John C. Fremont Healthcare District in Mariposa, Calif., was named interim CEO. 13. Wally De Aquino was promoted from COO of AdventHealth Palm Coast (Fla.) to president and CEO of its new Parkway hospital. 14. Dave Hyatt was promoted from chief operating officer to president and CEO of Noblesville, Ind.-based Riverview Health. 15. Stephen Bowerman was named president and CEO of Midland (Texas) Health, where he most recently served as COO. 16. Crystal Hayden, DNP, RN, was promoted from COO of Rocky Mount, N.C.-based UNC Health Nash to president and CEO of UNC Health Lenoir. 17. Lori Rakes, RN, was promoted from COO to CEO of Piedmont Cartersville (Ga.) Medical Center. 18. Matko Vranjes, COO of Watsonville (Calif.) Community Hospital, was named its interim CEO. 19. Seth Kronenberg, MD, was named president and CEO of Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Health after serving as its joint chief operating officer/chief medical officer. 20. Tom Frank, who once served as COO of North Country Hospital in Newport, Vt., returned to assume the CEO title. 21. Robin Hynds, MSN, RN, COO of Lawrence (Mass.) General Hospital, was named interim CEO. 22. Buffy Key, COO of Cookeville (Tenn.) Regional Medical Center, was named interim CEO. 23. Cara Beatty, MD, was promoted from COO to chief executive of Providence Clinical Network for Eastern Washington and Montana. 24. Lloyd Guidry Jr., PharmD, transitioned from COO to CEO of Galliano, La.-based Lady of the Sea General Hospital. 25. Michael Backus was promoted from executive vice president and COO to president and CEO of Oswego (N.Y.) Health. 26. Howard Chrisman, MD, was named CEO of Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial HealthCare after serving as president and chief operating officer. 27. Cathy Edmisten, RN, was tapped as CEO of HCA Florida South Shore Hospital in Sun City Center after serving as COO of HCA Virginia Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond. Chief medical officer 8 promotions 1. Clint Seger, MD, was promoted from interim to permanent CEO of Billings (Mont.) Clinic, where he served eight years as regional chief medical officer. 2. Monica Hum, MD, was promoted from chief medical officer to CEO of Piedmont Rockdale Hospital in Conyers, Ga. 3. Saba Habis, MD, moved from the chief medical officer role in HCA Healthcare South Atlantic Division to the CEO role at HCA's West Hills (Calif.) Hospital. 4. Sebastian Strom, MD, was named CEO of HCA Florida Largo Hospital after leading HCA Healthcare's South Atlantic Division as chief medical officer. 5. Seth Kronenberg, MD, was named president and CEO of Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Health after serving as its joint chief operating officer/chief medical officer. 6. Nancy DiLiegro, PhD, was named president and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, N.J., where she previously served as chief clinical officer. 7. Gene Ma, MD, was promoted from chief medical officer to interim president and CEO of Oceanside, Calif.-based Tri-City Healthcare District. 8. Michelle Krause, MD, was named senior vice chancellor for UAMS Health and CEO of UAMS Medical Center after serving as the health system's chief clinical officer. Chief financial officer 4 promotions 1. Joy Coulston was promoted from CFO to CEO of Powell (Wyo.) Valley Hospital. 2. Jeremiah Sweet, the CFO of Oneida (N.Y.) Health, was named interim president and CEO of the health system. 3. Jared Stimpson was named CEO of Tell City, Ind.-based Perry County Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconess Health System. He previously served as regional CFO and director of affiliated hospitals for Deaconess. 4. Amber Williams was promoted from CFO to CEO of Liberal, Kan.-based Southwest Medical Center. Chief nursing officer 2 promotions 1. Rozanna Penney, CRNA, chief nursing officer and COO, vice president of patient care services and executive director of Heywood Medical Group, was named co-CEO of Gardner, Mass.-based Heywood Healthcare as part of a new leadership structure. 2. Maralyn Militello, BSN, RN, was promoted from chief nursing officer to CEO of Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, N.Y., which is set to close June 17. Chief administrative officer 1 promotion 1. Chris Blair, BSN, was named CEO of Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville (Ark.) after serving as the interim. He previously served as chief administrative officer of another hospital within Springdale, Ark.-based Northwest Health. Chief ancillary officer 1 promotion 1. Dawn Unruh, MSN, RN, was named CEO of Artesian Valley Health System in Meade, Kan., where she previously served as corporate compliance and chief ancillary officer. Chief information officer 1 promotion 1. Kyle Marek has been promoted from interim to permanent president and CEO of Morehead City, N.C.-based Carteret Health Care, a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. He previously served as the hospital's chief information officer and vice president of general services. Chief legal officer 1 promotion 1. Jason Hannagan, Olathe (Kan.) Health's chief ambulatory/legal officer, was tapped as interim CEO. Chief strategy officer 1 promotion 1. Fahad Tahir was promoted from chief strategy officer to president and CEO of Nashville, Tenn.-based Ascension Saint Thomas. Members of the New York State Nurses Association have voted to approve a new contract at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in New York City. The union represents about 1,250 nurses at the hospital. NYP-Brooklyn Methodist is part of NewYork-Presbyterian. Union members were set to begin an open-ended strike on June 12. However, they averted a strike due to the agreement. Under the deal, nurses will receive wage increases totaling 18 percent over three years with full retroactive pay, according to a June 7 news release from the NYSNA. NYP-Brooklyn Methodist nurse Diane Bonet, RN, said in the release: "It has been a long and challenging road to reach this agreement, but we're excited to have a new contract that protects quality care for our community and delivers respectful salary increases on par with nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian's flagship hospital in Manhattan. This was truly a team effort. We could not have accomplished what we did without the full support of all the nurses." The hospital shared the following statement with Becker's: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with NYSNA that reflects our commitment to our remarkable nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. With this agreement, we are making a significant investment in our outstanding nursing team and ensuring that we can continue to deliver the highest level of care to our patients." The previous contract for nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist ended on April 30, and nurses approved a new deal in early June. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law June 13 aimed at improving patient safety by closing a longstanding loophole that allowed an infamous physician to keep practicing despite concerns of harm being done to patients, NBC affiliate KXAN reported. The physician, nicknamed Dr. Death, was sentenced to life in prison in 2017 after being found guilty of harming or killing more than 30 patients. Despite concerns and because of gaps in reporting and monitoring in the National Practitioner Data Bank, he was allowed to continue practicing at multiple locations before his arrest. The new bill, HB 1998, seeks to equip the Texas Medical Board with necessary tools to protect patients from dangerous physicians while also maintaining transparency about physician disciplinary records. Here's what else the new law will enforce: Lying on medical license applications will be a Class A misdemeanor. Physicians who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to moral turpitude are not allowed to practice medicine in the state. Physicians who have had a medical license revoked, restricted or suspended in another state are not allowed to practice medicine in the state. Monthly monitoring of physicians will be required using the National Practitioner Data Bank which KXAN describes as "a confidential clearinghouse of all physician complaints, established by Congress." The complaints are not publicly available. The Texas Medical Board must update physician profiles on its website within 10 days of being notified about any disciplinary action against a physician. Becker's reached out to the Texas Medical Board for its comment on the passage of the legislation and will update this story if new information is provided. Nurses at Ascension Providence Hospital in Detroit performed CPR on a fellow nurse for more than 48 minutes after she passed out during a shift in April, WDIV-TV reported June 1. Litonya Bennett, RN, an oncology nurse at the hospital, doesn't remember how she got to the nurses station when she was called there during her April 26 shift. "They were like, 'Hey, come up front!'" Ms. Bennett told the news outlet. "They said as I got right up to the nurse's station, I just collapsed." After finding their colleague unresponsive, oncology nurses on the floor jumped in and performed CPR for more than 48 minutes and delivered seven shocks from the defibrillator. Ms. Bennett then spent two weeks in the hospital, including a week in intensive care. She was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and has since been to several follow up appointments with a cardiologist. "The reason that she was able to survive was that she got immediate care on the floor in the hospital," Kristopher George, MD, chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Ascension Providence, told WDIV-TV. With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, independent oncologists can no longer send prescriptions directly to Medicare patients. That's creating serious hurdles for some patients in rural areas, The Wall Street Journal reported June 12. The news outlet spoke to a patient in rural Texas who was getting treatments mailed to him during the pandemic. Now, he plans to make the 1,138-mile round-trip drive to his oncologist's office in Houston to pick up medications every few months. During the pandemic, a rule that requires independent oncologists to dispense prescriptions only to a patient who is physically in their office at the time was suspended. Its return has concerned patients and oncologists. "With oral cancer drugs that are dispensed by a practice, it's a Stark law violation if a patient isn't there himself picking it up. For the life of me, I can't comprehend why," Ted Okon, executive director of the Community Oncology Alliance, told the Journal. "It doesn't make sense at all." The group is lobbying Congress and CMS to rescind the restriction. The rule poses risks for seniors who don't have easy access to transportation, sources told the news outlet. Medicare patients can still get cancer drugs mailed to them from third-party specialty pharmacies, though that can lead to waste and higher costs. A CMS spokesperson said the ban is a long-standing policy and that the agency "will closely monitor patient complaints to watch for any issues affecting patient access." Read the full report here. The first half of 2023 has seen 19 medical device recalls. Here are the 10 biggest recalls listed in chronological order: 1. 2 deaths spur recall of 19.7M drug delivery devices Minneapolis-based Smiths Medical recalled nearly 20 million medical devices after two deaths, 25 injuries and 10,672 incidents were reported, the FDA said Feb. 2. In a Class I recall the most serious type more than 19.7 million Continuous Ambulatory Delivery Device administration sets and medication cassette reservoirs were pulled from the market in December for two potential issues. A tubing blockage that could stop or under-deliver medication has been tied to two deaths, 14 injuries and 1,571 incidents. 2. GE HealthCare recalls body scanners over risk of trapping, crushing patients GE HealthCare issued a recall of 688 of its Nuclear Medicine 600/800 Series Systems after identifying an issue that could lead to the machine's detector falling and trapping or crushing a patient. In a Feb. 15 statement, the FDA classified this as a Class I recall because the faulty machines could result in serious injury or death. 3. Philips recalls 13K reworked ventilators Philips Respironics recalled 13,811 ventilators the company reworked or replaced after it pulled millions of them off the market in summer 2021. The altered devices were recalled because foam could break away from the plastic backing and block the airpath, which can cause serious injury or death. There have been no deaths reported, and 82 medical device reporting complaints were filed. 4. FDA expands recall of eye products tied to bacterial infections The FDA expanded its recall for eye drops potentially contaminated with a highly drug-resistant bacteria that has hospitalized 16 and blinded six patients. One person died after the bacterial infection spread to their bloodstream. 5. FDA recalls 2K Datascope heart balloon pumps More than 2,000 heart balloon pumps are part of a Class I recall issued by the FDA. The two models being recalled Cardiosave Hybrid and Rescue pumps made by Datascope, a subsidiary of Getinge have been reported to unexpectedly shut down due to a malfunction of a coiled cable that connects the display to the device's base. There is one death and 71 complaints tied to the recall. 6. FDA, Abbott warn 4.2M glucose devices may be affected by fire risks Days after medical device company Abbott issued a voluntary safety warning for its glucose monitoring devices, the FDA published a recall note April 6 stating that more than 4 million of the company's FreeStyle Libre readers may be prone to an issue with the lithium-ion battery that can cause extreme cases of overheating. Although the FDA noted this is a Class I recall, none of Abbott's physical readers are actually being recalled, a spokesperson for Abbott clarified to Becker's via email. 7. Fresenius Kabi recalls drug infusion pumps with leak risk Fresenius Kabi USA recalled 1,546 large infusion pumps in a Class I recall, the most serious type, because of a risk of leaking products entering the electrical system and shutting down the device. As of April 19, there are 14 complaints, zero injuries and zero deaths related to this recall, according to the FDA. 8. Closed drugmaker recalls all lots of 84 drugs because of quality risk Akorn Operating Co., a Gurnee, Ill.-based drugmaker that closed all operations in late February, issued a nationwide recall of all lots of 84 drugs it made because the shutdown discontinued its quality measures. The company asked for customers to identify and destroy 51 human and 33 animal drug products, according to an April 26 post from the FDA. 9. Teva recalls 13 lots of fentanyl products Teva Pharmaceuticals recalled 13 lots of fentanyl buccal tablets, a Type II substance, because of omitted safety updates on its medication guide, the FDA said April 28. The agency said the main concern with the excluded safety update is it "could lead to life-threatening adverse events; although, based on a Health Hazard Assessment conducted by Teva, the likelihood of the harm occurrence is considered remote." 10. 570K breathing circuits, anesthesia kits recalled Draeger Medical, or Drager US, recalled more than half a million airway devices because of a manufacturing error that can lead to hypoxia and death, the FDA said May 24. The Class I recall includes Seattle-Positive Airway Pressure Plus systems and 21 other breathing circuits and anesthesia kits. Draeger alerted customers in mid-April of a risk of glued components separating and interrupting airflow, according to the agency. Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System is pushing back against False Claims Act allegations, arguing that alleged overlapping surgeries are allowed in some circumstances under Medicare. Two former orthopedic surgeons with Erlanger, Julie Adams, MD, and Scott Steinmann, MD, filed a lawsuit against the health system in April 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. They, along with former CIO Stephen Adams, MD, alleged that hospital leaders knew overlapping surgeries were happening and allowed trainees to operate on patients without physician supervision. Erlanger then billed for two or three surgeries taking place in the same time frame. Medicare and Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, require a supervising physician to be present for each surgery to receive federal payment. However, in a memorandum filed June 8, Erlanger argued that Medicare rules do allow overlapping surgeries and only prohibit cases when the "key and critical" portions cross over. The memorandum said the whistleblower suit didn't provide any necessary details that could "support a viable FCA claim." Erlanger also pushed back at allegations that it retaliated against the suing physicians for expressing concerns because the complaints were related to patient safety, not protecting against fraud. New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery named Mary Cassai, RN, executive vice president and COO. Ms. Cassai will join Aug. 14 from New York-Presbyterian, HSS said in a June 13 news release. During her 16 years there, she grew from an entry-level nurse to sernior vice president of perioperative services. "Mary's capability and character match this moment of historic opportunity for HSS to meet the demand for excellent musculoskeletal care," Bryan Kelly, MD, incoming CEO, said in the release. "I look forward to her partnership and leadership in advancing the operational excellence needed to ensure HSS is the best place for doctors and other clinicians to provide care, for patients to receive care, and for all colleagues to realize their full potential." HSS is undergoing a leadership shift, and Dr. Kelly will step into the CEO role later in 2023. Douglas Padgett, MD, will suceed him as surgeon-in-chief and medical director. Brian Ipsen, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Galena, Kan., has completed his 300th case using Augmedics' Xvision spine navigation system, according to a June 12 LinkedIn post from the medtech company. The company's augmented reality headset assists surgeons with screw placement and has recently been updated to assist with cervical and iliosacral anatomy. Dr. Ipsen began using Xvision in 2021 after six years of experience with other navigational systems. "Augmedics has helped streamline efficiency in my operating room and has pushed me to become more minimally invasive. I tell people all the time: Xvision can make an average surgeon a good surgeon, a good surgeon a great surgeon, and it can make a great surgeon nearly unstoppable. It truly is that powerful a tool," Dr. Ipsen said in the post. Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at Russian positions at the front line near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, May 22. AP-Yonhap Ukraine said on Monday its troops had recaptured seven villages from Russian forces along an approximately 100-km (60-mile) front in the southeast since starting its long-anticipated counteroffensive last week. The task of ending Russia's occupation of southern and eastern Ukraine is daunting, given Russia's numerical superiority in men, ammunition and air power, and the many months it has had to build deep defensive fortifications, especially in southern Ukraine. Despite rain and fierce fighting, Ukrainian forces were making progress on the battlefield, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address on Monday night. "The battles are fierce, but we have movement and that is crucial," Zelenskyy said. "The enemy's losses are exactly what we need." Soldiers were seen in video holding the Ukrainian flag in the village of Storozheve, along the Mokri Yaly River which flows northward out of Russian-held territory. Reuters confirmed the location. On Sunday, Ukraine said its forces heading south had liberated three other nearby villages along the Mokri Yaly: Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said in a Telegram post late on Monday that Ukrainian forces had also recaptured Levadne and Novodarivka, around 10 km (6 miles) west of the Mokri Yaly, as well as Lobkove, southeast of the city of Zaporizhzhia. Maliar said troops had advanced a total of 6.5 km and taken control of an area of 90 square kilometres (35 square miles). The reclaimed territory is just a fraction of the 40,000 square miles that remains under Russia's occupation. Maliar added that the seven settlements were taken over the past week, without giving details of precisely when. It was not possible to verify all the battlefield claims. Moscow has yet to officially acknowledge any Ukrainian advances. But prominent Russian military bloggers said Ukrainian forces had in fact taken Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka, and were pushing on southward. Russia's defense ministry on Monday repeated regular assertions of the past week that it had repelled attempted offensives in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Eight Ukrainian drones were destroyed and an ammunition depot hit in eastern Ukraine, the ministry said. Houses and stadium are seen underwater and polluted by oil in the flooded Kherson, Ukraine, June 10. AP-Yonhap Short of major breakthrough The push is already Ukraine's most rapid advance for seven months, though still short of a major breakthrough. The furthest advance claimed by Kyiv leaves its forces still some 90 km (55 miles) from the Azov Sea coast and the prize of cutting Russia's "land bridge" to Crimea, the peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, eight years before its full-scale invasion of its neighbor. A Ukrainian defense spokesperson said Russia had blown up a dam on the Mokri Yaly to make it harder for Ukrainian forces to thrust farther south. Last week a dam was destroyed on the much larger Dnipro River, causing a humanitarian disaster in parts of the south. Ukrainian forces have also launched assaults at other locations along the long front line, probing for Russian weaknesses, though it has given few details so far. A Ukrainian tank fires in Chasiv Yar. The site of fierce battles with Russian forces in Ukraine, June 7. AP-Yonhap Ukraine is banking on the tens of billions of dollars' worth of weaponry, training and intelligence it has received from the West, combined with its own battlefield resolve, tactics and the motivation of driving an invader from its own land, to give it the edge. It also knows it may have to show significant progress over the summer to maintain the same level of Western military, financial and political support, and one day have a chance of recovering from the loss and devastation inflicted by Moscow. The leaders of France, Germany and Poland - the so-called Weimar Triangle - met in Paris on Monday to discuss Ukraine and other topics. "We have intensified the delivery of ammunitions, weapons and armed vehicles ... We'll continue in coming days and weeks," French President Emmanuel Macron, who in recent days said he had spoken with Zelenskyy confirming the start of the counteroffensive, told a press conference. Asked whether Germany agreed Ukraine needed to be given security guarantees at a NATO summit in July, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "It's clear we need this and we need it in a very concrete way." Polish President Andrzej Duda, left, French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attend a joint press conference at the Elysee palace in Paris, June 12. AP-Yonhap Recruitment for several permanent roles is currently underway. Sponsored by Northern Ireland Prison service Do you want a job where you can change peoples lives and help build a better and safer community? Do you want to be part of a dynamic organisation that needs forward-thinking and motivated people to join its team? If this whets your appetite, then the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) wants to hear from you. NIPS are currently recruiting permanent Prisoner Custody Officers (PCOs) Driver/Escort to work at the Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service (PECCS) Base - Maghaberry Prison near Moira with some staff working at PECCS Base Magilligan Prison near Limavady. This is a unique opportunity to play your part in making Northern Ireland a safer place, not only by keeping the people in care safe and secure as they are taken to and from courts across Northern Ireland but will include various roles in support of the Prison Establishments. Successful candidates will undergo extensive training and will receive support and guidance as they begin working with people in care. Candidates will have the opportunity to develop new skills and to progress through the management structure in a career that will be varied, demanding and satisfying. The role of a Prisoner Custody Officer is a challenging one and will require motivation, courage, respect, resilience and compassion. If this sounds like you, then NIPS would like to hear from you. Van What will I get paid? 23,627 - 26,589 The position attracts a supplementary risk allowance which is currently 3,669 per annum (under review) and a boot allowance of 92.80 per annum. Starting salary will be at the minimum of the scale. Pay progression will be as per the current NIPS pay policy. What hours will I work? The shift pattern for a PCO Driver/Escort is based on a Monday to Friday 40-hour week. The actual hours worked per week will vary as they will be calculated across the working week and based on business needs, which can occasionally include evenings, weekends, and public/privilege holidays. Where will I work? PCOs driver/escorts will primarily work out of PECCS Base in Maghaberry Prison however, a small number of PCOs operate out of Magilligan Prison. What does the job involve? Your main role is to keep people in care safe while transporting them to various locations (usually between prisons and courts) across Northern Ireland. You will escort the people to custody suites and other locations, including into courtrooms. You will also share information as appropriate on prisoner behaviour/progress and use every opportunity to encourage positive behaviours. Where can I find more details? Further detail on the work of the Northern Ireland Prison Service is available here, or to apply, click here. Completed application forms must be returned no later than 12 noon (UK time) on Friday, 30th June 2023. A US regulator has taken legal action in a bid to block Microsoft from completing its deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has asked a San Francisco federal court for a temporary restraining order and injunction to stop Microsofts 69 billion dollar (55bn) purchase of the California company behind hit games such as Call Of Duty, World Of Warcraft and Candy Crush. Microsoft, maker of the Xbox game system, has been struggling to win worldwide approval for the deal just over a month before a deadline agreed with Activision. While a number of countries have approved the deal, regulators in the US and the UK have argued it could suppress competition in the video game market. We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court, Brad Smith, Microsofts vice chairman and president said. We believe accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told employees that the FTC filing is a positive development because the companies will be able to more quickly present their arguments to a federal judge. The FTC took Microsoft to court last year to block the merger but that case was brought to the US agencys in-house judge in a trial set to start on August 2. That administrative process did not preclude the parties from closing the deal. The contract between Microsoft and Activision says the deal is supposed to close by July 18 but the FTCs latest action seeks to stop that from happening. If Microsoft closes the deal now, and an FTC judge later finds that it was unlawful, it would be difficult, if not impossible to reverse course, the FTC said in asking a judge for a preliminary injunction halting the acquisition. For example, the FTC said, the combined companies could begin altering Activisions operations and game development, access sensitive information and eliminate key personnel. Activision Blizzard makes games such as Call Of Duty (Jae C. Hong/AP) Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have represented in the past that they cannot close their deal due to anti-trust reviews of the transaction in other jurisdictions, the FTC said in a statement on Monday. But Microsoft and Activision have not provided assurances that they will maintain that position. In light of that, and public reporting that Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are considering closing their deal imminently, we have filed a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent them from closing while review continues. One of Microsofts thorniest obstacles is in the UK, where the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) made a surprise decision in April to block the acquisition. The all-cash deal announced in January 2022 has been scrutinised by regulators around the world over fears that it would give Microsoft and its Xbox console control of Activisions hit franchises and give it an unfair boost in the emerging business of cloud-based game subscriptions. Fierce opposition has been driven by rival Sony, which makes the PlayStation gaming system. Microsoft sought to counter the resistance by striking a deal with Nintendo to license Activision titles like Call Of Duty for 10 years and offering the same to Sony if the deal went ahead. European Union regulators approved the deal last month on condition that Microsoft make some promises to boost competition in the cloud-based gaming market. A number of other countries, including China, Japan, Brazil and South Korea, have also approved it. But the blockbuster deal has remained in jeopardy because of the decision by the CMA and the ongoing case in the US. Microsoft filed an appeal against the CMAs decision but if it were to close the deal without Britains approval, it could face new legal challenges there or possibly decide to suspend its broader game business in the country. A west Belfast man suffered a broken hip while on holiday in Portugal after falling from an electric scooter. Three months after he fell, while in Lisbon for a friends birthday, 30-year-old Donnchadh Fitzsimons is still walking with a crutch or a cane, and has been told he will likely need a hip replacement in the next 15 to 20 years. The slow recovery hasnt allowed Donnchadh, from Clonard, to resume his roles as a special needs assistant at an Irish language school, a pizza chef, and hip-hop performer. And on top of the physical injuries, there are mental health struggles of not being able to work, plus seeing young people using 'e-scooters' fills him full of dread. I hope parents think twice, or at the very least buy a helmet. Every time I see kids flying about on them I think about what happened. Donnchadh says the process of hiring and working out how to use e scooters in Portugal on an app was very easy. The group went to a nightclub, where they had drinks, and later used the scooters on sport mode, hitting speeds of around 20mph. It started raining a wee bit. I went to go up on a kerb, which was tiled, and felt the scooter moving to the left and me going down the other way with it because it was so heavy. It was scary. I was trying to keep my head up as I hit the ground and started bouncing. I knew straight away I had hurt my leg badly. I only had a wee scratch on my elbow and all the pressure had gone on my hip. Donnchadh Fitzsimons' xray Read more Co Armagh teen behind Taylor Swift cover sings non-stop at social enterprise cafe In the aftermath of the fall friends didnt realise he was so seriously injured. My mate thought I was milking it because my foot was moving fine. I said to them to lift me up and I tried to put pressure on my leg. The only way I can describe the sound I made is like the sound you hear when you stand on a dogs tail. They put me back down and we waited for an ambulance. At the hospital they told me I had broken my hip, my femur, and that I needed surgery. Video of e-bike scooter speeding along motorway goes viral Surgery took place three days later. Donnchadhs cousin, and his mother, a former nurse, arrived in Lisbon to help bring him home. The hospital got me up on crutches as soon as they could. It was absolute agony. So much pain. It was so sore and because I didnt speak the language I was having to use my phone to translate everything. I was in hospital for another few days, and then we got ready to fly back to Ireland. I have an Irish passport so I didn't have any medical bills to pay. The airports assisted Donnchadh through security in a wheelchair and on and off the aeroplanes. Then the journey from Dublin to Belfast involved him lying down in the back of a car as comfortably as he could. It was good just to get home, he said. Doctors said it will be many months before he is recovered. Pain relief for weeks just made the pain bearable. Now it is more just discomfort. I would limp without a crutch. I am moving faster now and hope for good news every time I go to the hospital. I shouldnt have got on it with drink in me, but it was one of those things. It was an accident that happened and I just have to get on with it. I never dreamed that I would break my hip. That is crazy. But I stopped smoking to help me heal, which is the silver lining in all this. Donnchadh uses his late grandfathers cane when he is out socially with friends because its a bit more stylish than a health service crutch. I have had so much support from everyone, from my partner and my family. When I first got home I was just lying in bed. I couldnt even put on my own socks. Sitting around and being stuck in the house, and having nothing to do is not good for you. Not being able to work is hard, I cant go to the gym, finances are lower, and I am not using my Irish as much because I am not working every day. Donnchadh performing at Lavery's Read more NI-educated rogue breast surgeon also performed organ removals Donnchadh went to school with Naoise O Caireallain, aka award-winning rapper Moglai Bap from Irish language hip hip trio Kneecap, and supported them at their Telegraph Building concert. He says writing lyrics in English and Irish, and staying connected to the local music scene, has been helpful while he recuperates. I got up at a jam session in Laverys recently with the Groove Collective, and I have been to the studio, and writing every day. Its class seeing Kneecap, boys from west Belfast, do so well with gigs, and their new movie coming soon too. One of Donnchadhs friends also came off an e scooter but thankfully didnt suffer injuries. He was joking with me that hes made of sterner stuff! I am not the first person to come off one and I wont be the last. If I had hit my head I think I would be dead. You need to wear a helmet if you are on one of them. "If someone reads this and thinks twice about it I will be happy. I just hope my story makes people think about it. Donnchadh had never been on an e-scooter before March and says he will never be on one again. Definitely not." Donnchadh Fitzsimons Read more Dashcam footage shows e-scooter speeding along motorway Police outlined what the policing position is regarding e-scooters in Northern Ireland. A PSNI statement said: Currently, it is illegal to use electric scooters on public roads and in public spaces in Northern Ireland. Electric scooters are not defined within law nor are they approved for on-road use. Anyone found using an electric scooter anywhere other than on private property, with the permission of the landowner, should expect to receive a formal warning as a minimum course of action, and given the opportunity to walk their scooter home with advice to its further use. Repeat offenders may have their e-scooter seized as an uninsured vehicle and may be issued with fixed penalty notices or reported to the Public Prosecution Service. A biker from Northern Ireland who denies a rape in the Isle of Man has been granted bail after an appeal. Robert John Woolsey had previously been refused bail in summary court, the lower court of the island, last week. However, today he was granted bail by Deemster Graeme Cook, after an appeal at the islands higher court, the Court of General Gaol Delivery, with a friend who lives on the island putting forward a security of 12,000, on top of 30,000 security put forward by the defendants sister. The Deemster refused to allow Woolsey to be bailed to his home address, in Aghory Road in Portadown, Co Armagh, but did allow him bail to an address provided by his friend, in Douglas in the Isle of Man. The security amounts must be lodged and the defendant must hand in his passport, which he said was currently in Northern Ireland, before he can be released on bail. Prosecuting advocate James Robinson had earlier opposed bail, saying that there was a danger of the defendant failing to surrender for his trial if he was released. Defence advocate Jim Travers, representing Woolsey, said that there had been no suggestion of his client failing to comply at any point in the proceedings so far, and that he had several family and business ties in Northern Ireland. Mr Travers said that the defendant considered the thought of him disappearing off the face of the earth unthinkable, and that he wanted to clear his name. It was reported last week how Woolsey had denied the rape, as well as two counts of indecent assault, alleged to have been committed on May 26 at a portable toilet on Walpole Avenue in Douglas. Woolsey, the joint owner of a concrete manufacturer, was visiting the Isle of Man at the time, competing in the Pre-TT Classic Races. The rape allegation can only be heard at the Court of General Gaol Delivery, and he will be committed to that court on July 25 where all three matters will be heard as the case proceeds towards a trial. Deemster Cook granted bail with a recognisance of 1,000, and securities totalling 42,000, as well as conditions to live at the Douglas address, abide by a curfew between 7pm and 7am, report to Douglas Police Headquarters daily between 9am and 10am, not to enter licensed premises or consume or purchase alcohol, not to contact the complainant or witnesses, to surrender his passport, and not to go to specific locations relevant to the complainant. Senior judges in Belfast imposed the deadline after the childs mother was found to have unlawfully removed him in breach of her ex-husbands custody rights. A six-year-old boy brought to Northern Ireland without his fathers consent is to be returned to Switzerland next week, the Court of Appeal has ordered. Senior judges imposed the deadline after the childs mother was found to have unlawfully removed him in breach of her ex-husbands custody rights. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan confirmed: The child shall be returned to Zurich in the week commencing June 19, 2023 by connecting flight from Belfast. Legal action under the Hague Convention was launched after the woman left Switzerland with the boy on Christmas Eve 2021. Under the terms of a divorce obtained two years previously, she had custody of the child but her former husband retained visitation rights. Neither parent can be named to protect the identity of their son. During proceedings the woman claimed her ex-husband pressured her into having sex and forced himself on her if she refused. Alleging their relationship was characterised by bouts of domestic violence, she stated that he threatened to kill her and their son with a knife. According to the womans account she had begged for divorce from a man who others thought of as an angel. The court was told he made all the travel plans for her and the boy to travel to the United Kingdom. Denying all of the claims made against him, the man insisted he had never demanded sex, always provided financially for his family and was fully involved in his sons care. He alleged his ex-wife told him she wanted to travel to Ethiopia for her uncles wedding, and that he gave her cash for the trip. Once she had arrived in the UK, where an application for asylum was made, all attempts to contact her failed. He only discovered her whereabouts when informed that the mother and son had been sighted at a church in Northern Ireland. Earlier this year a judge at the High Court in Belfast ruled that the removal of the boy was wrongful and in breach of his fathers custody rights under Article 3 of the Hague Convention. However, he put a hold on the childs return to Switzerland until the conclusion of his mothers asylum application. Even though that stay has now lapsed, the Court of Appeal examined and confirmed the Swiss authorities have provided reassurances about the level of protection and support which will be available to the woman and her son. Dame Siobhan said: We cannot see that there is really any convincing argument to be made against the return order. In fact, any argument against return in these circumstances renders the Hague Convention totally redundant and meaningless. Allowing the fathers appeal against the stay, she confirmed his sons habitual residence remains in Switzerland. A series of undertakings were also agreed between the parents, including a pledge not to remove the boy again without permission from the Swiss court. A health and wellbeing officer for students at Lagan College has appeared in court charged with sexually abusing a dozen girls. Standing in the dock of Laganside Magistrates Court today, Neil Beckett (42), from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, nodded to confirm that he understood the 13 offences against him. Following a five-month investigation by the PSNIs Public Protection Unit, Beckett faces an indictment of 13 sex offences. In a letter to parents today, Lagan College said the school has been dealing with a very serious child protection safeguarding matter since January and contacted both the PSNI and the Education Authoritys child protection support service. Eleven of the charges facing Beckett allege the abuse of a position of trust to incite a child under-18 into sexual activity. Beckett was also charged with two counts of sexual assault. All of the offences are alleged to have occurred between October 2022 and February of this year. In the letter to parents, signed by the chairman of Lagan College Francis Martin, it explained that the school principal and other key staff have been working with the relevant authorities. This is a very serious and sensitive matter, added the letter. I wish to re-assure you that we are adhering fully to our child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures, and the safety and wellbeing of all our students remains our top priority. As you will appreciate, the Board of Governors is unable to make further comment at this time, so as not to compromise proceedings. If you have any concern about your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school. As well as holding the position of health and wellbeing officer, Beckett was also the medical officer at south Belfasts Lagan College. The court was told Beckett is currently suspended from his job. According to a post on the schools website, the health and wellbeing officer is responsible for the physical and mental health of all pupils and staff within the college. Mr Beckett, who is also the school medical officer, looks after all pupils who require specific medical support throughout the day, it said. The health and wellbeing officer liaises with external agencies for the organisation and delivery of routine annual visits by health professionals who provide services such as annual vaccinations or health checks. The health and wellbeing officer works in conjunction with the rest of the pastoral team, form tutors, heads of year and heads of school to deliver a conjoined pastoral, emotional health and wellbeing service for all pupils. The 11 abuse charges allege that Beckett intentionally caused or incited [the victim], a child under-18 to engage in sexual activity and at the time, you were in a position of trust over the said child. The charges of sexual assault accuse Beckett of sexually touching two females when he did not reasonably believe the complaint so consented. A PSNI statement last month said: Detectives from our Public Protection Branch in Belfast have charged a 42-year-old man with 11 charges of abuse of position of trust, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and a further two charges of sexual assault. In court today, a Detective Constable said he believed he could connect Beckett to each of the charges. A prosecuting lawyer stated that evidence is still being collated so was seeking a four-week adjournment of the case. Freeing Beckett on bail, District Judge Steven Keown adjourned the case to July 11, indicating that if he was not able to fix a date for a Preliminary Enquiry at that stage, he will want to know why not. Northern Irelands criminal justice system needs a more targeted, strategic approach to significantly reduce levels of adult re-offending. Some 16% of adult offenders went on to re-offend within one year. A new report by Northern Irelands Comptroller and Auditor General, Dorinnia Carville, acknowledges the current challenges that the Department of Justice faces, particularly in terms of its budget. But it also highlights initiatives and interventions which have shown encouraging results in potentially helping rehabilitate offenders. Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville (Andrew Towe/NI Audit Office) The report calls for a better-defined strategic approach, which takes account of the particular challenges associated with rehabilitating short-term and remand prisoners. It notes that around 77% of those handed prison sentences in Northern Ireland receive short-term prison sentences of 12 months or less. Re-offending rates for short-term prisoners was described as around 52%. The report acknowledges that these short sentences can limit the scope for rehabilitation services to be provided but they can still result in the loss of housing, employment and family contact, which can impact further on offending behaviour. It said the introduction of Enhanced Combination Orders in particular, has shown promise through positive evaluations, however budget pressures have prevented this along with several other pilot initiatives being taken forward to wider application. In terms of remand prisoners, numbers have risen sharply in recently years to 37% of the prison population in Northern Ireland. This compares to 25% in Scotland and 17% in England and Wales. The report found this provides further challenge as prisoners on remand have not been convicted of a crime and so tend to focus their efforts on their case defence, rather than their rehabilitation and resettlement prospects. The report observes that, while other jurisdictions have introduced a variety of bail initiatives providing the judiciary with viable alternatives to remand, none of these have been implemented in Northern Ireland. Ms Carville said they recognise that reducing re-offending is extremely challenging. Many factors that can prevent re-offending, such as good physical and mental health, accommodation, education and employment, sit outside the scope of the justice system, she said. In addition, the Department of Justice and other key statutory stakeholders are facing major financial pressures. We note there is a strong commitment to tackling this issue, but increased cross-government working is now required, along with a more clearly defined strategic direction that identifies the key actions, targets and expected outcomes required. She added: A number of initiatives have been brought forward in recent years which appear to have had a positive impact, but these have generally been stand-alone pilots limited to specific regions. More generally, a lack of robust outcome measurement has made it difficult to measure real progress and offer clarity on which initiatives are achieving the greatest impact. Better data collection, analysis and benchmarking is required to inform future plans, and deliver cost-effective initiatives, particularly in targeting a remaining cohort of prolific offenders. Importantly, this should include steps to reduce the numbers and improve the rehabilitation of short-term and remand prisoners. Responding, a Department of Justice spokesperson welcomed the report, saying it acknowledges the considerable work undertaken by justice partners to improve outcomes in this extremely challenging area. Ronnie Armour, director of reducing offending, said: Some individuals coming into the prison system have many requirements and issues that need addressed. These include physical and mental health problems; difficulties with educational attainment; provision of safe, secure accommodation; and unemployment. If we are to truly tackle levels of reoffending we need a system-wide approach with a key focus on these factors. Over the last 10 years, there has been a downward trend in the number of adults released from custody or receiving non-custodial disposals, as well as a corresponding reduction in the number who reoffend. Of those who do reoffend, almost half do so within the first three months. Many reoffenders live chaotic lifestyles and whilst the prison service is committed to offering them the very best chance of a fresh start, we need to equip them with the ability to desist from their offending behaviour. We need to address the fundamental environmental factors that lead them to reoffend. He also reiterated the Prison Services commitment to working across government and with a range of partners to further reduce the rate of reoffending. Natalie McNallys brother has urged the public to attend a Belfast vigil in honour of Chloe Mitchell. The 21-year-olds remains were found at a home in Ballymena on Sunday. Two men, aged 26 and 34, appeared in court charged in connection with the murder and disappearance on Monday. The Belfast vigil will take place at City Hall on Wednesday at 5.30pm. Ms McNally (32), was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in her home in Silverwood Green, Lurgan, a week before Christmas last year. Writing on Twitter, her brother Brendan said: I am urging a strong show out at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 5:30pm, as a vigil for the life of Chloe Mitchell and other victims of gender based violence. This is a scourge we cannot afford just to live with. Stop killing women. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Natalie McNally Another vigil has been organised in Ms Mitchells hometown of Ballymena on the same day at 7.30pm. This vigil has been organised by charity Turning Point NI, with permission from the Mitchell family. The memorial service which will take place in King Georges Park in the Harryville area of the town on Wednesday evening. Chloes brother Philip has requested that anyone wanting to send floral tributes leaves them at the park. "For anyone who wishes to leave flowers for my wee sister Chloe Mitchell can they please leave them at the bottom gate of Harryville Park, he said in a message shared online. Local businesses have rallied round to donate balloons, tea lights and refreshments. Turning Point NI said: Leaf Designs in Harryville are kindly donating 100 pink balloons and tealights for Wednesday evening. These balloons will have a luggage label on them for you to write your message to Chloe. The balloons and tealights will be available to collect from Leaf designs between 2pm and 5pm. We would like it if these balloons could then be tied to the railings around King Georges Park, where there will be banners in memory of Chloe, that have been kindly donated by Ballyprint.com. The Moat Bar Harryville and Dale Farm have also kindly donated refreshments, which will be available on the evening. Ex-internee Mickey Donnelly was speaking after Joe Clarke (71) passed away without receiving apology Joe Clarke (left) with other members of the Hooded Men outside High Court in 2017. Pic: Pacemaker One of the surviving Hooded Men has accused the Government of buying time and waiting on those it tortured to die rather than issue an apology now for how they were treated. Mickey Donnelly was speaking after the death of Joe Clarke, one of 14 internees used as human guinea pigs for torture methods in August 1971. Mr Donnelly said: Joe asked that they say sorry but, over half a century on, they still cant do so. Almost half of the Hooded Men are dead. Joe was the youngest of us, and now hes gone. There are just eight of us left. I think the British are buying time in the hope that soon well all be gone. Mr Donnelly described the 71-year-old as a lovely, honourable person. He said: Joe never changed. He was popular with everyone he met. He was unbelievably kind. He used to bring children from Chernobyl to Ireland even before he won the money. Ten years ago, Mr Clarke won 10m in the Euromillions lottery. The father-of-five reckoned those who detained him must have been sick as parrots at his luck. His friend Jim McIlmurray, who campaigns for justice for the Hooded Men, said: Joe was the embodiment of kindness. If anybody was in a corner, hed help out. And if they didnt come to him, hed go to them. He was a big man with a big smile and an even bigger heart. Joe fought his illness as he fought the legal campaign. He tackled things head on. He was a straight talker, and the pivot of the group. Joe Clarke aged 19 Read more We must approach legacy-related issues in a mature manner Speaking in a BBC documentary earlier this year after he had been diagnosed with cancer, Mr Clarke said all he wanted to hear was sorry. An apology is everything, he said. The Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the methods used on the Hooded Men would be characterised today as torture. Mr Clarke was a 19-year-old motor mechanic when he was arrested by paratroopers at his Beechmount home in west Belfast at 4.30am on August 9 1971 and taken to Girdwood Barracks. Two days later, he and three others were separated from the rest of the internees. They were hooded, handcuffed together, put in a helicopter and flown to a specially constructed torture centre in Ballykelly army base, although they didnt know where they were at the time. On the journey, I was asked if Id seen pictures of US soldiers pushing Vietnamese prisoners out of a helicopter. Then I was pushed out the door, Mr Clarke told me. I thought it was mid-air, but we were just a few feet off the ground. In Ballykelly, they were clad in over-sized boiler suits. For the next week, they were made to stand spread-eagled against a wall continually; deprived of sleep, food and water; and subjected to white noise in what was called the music room. The 14 internees singled out as human guinea pigs had numbers stamped on their hands. They were referred to by these numbers rather than their names. Not allowed to use a toilet, they were forced to urinate and defecate in their boiler suits. I felt I was going to suffocate under the thick hood, Mr Clarke said. My hands grew numb from standing in the search position. Every time you moved a limb, or fell down through pain or exhaustion, you were beaten until you got up again. You werent allowed to sleep. The only rest was when you lost consciousness. There were no meals. They pulled the hood up to your nose to feed you dry bread and water. I lost 16lbs in a week. I believed we would be murdered. I thought, Theyll never let us out alive to tell the world what they did. Read more Terrorism also destroyed the lives of many killers who feel shame at their actions After a week, Mr Clarke was taken to Crumlin Road Gaol. He remembered the look of horror on a prison officers face when he arrived. I was a battered, bruised and traumatised teenager and he asked me where Id been. I told him I didnt know because Id been hooded. He said, Son, dont worry. Youre with men now. Nothing more will happen to you. It was the first kind words spoken to me in nine days. I found it very moving. That prison officer was from the Protestant community. Mr Clarke was later moved to Long Kesh where he was held for three years without charge. He died peacefully at his south Belfast home on Monday afternoon surrounded by his children and wife Marie. Mr McIlmurray said Mr Clarkes dying wish was that he be buried in Milltown Cemetery with the eight surviving Hooded Men by his graveside. They are Mickey Donnelly, Kevin Hannaway, Francie McGuigan, Brian Turley, Liam Shannon, Jim Auld, Patrick McNally and Davy Rogers. His funeral is expected to take place later this week with Mr McIlmurray delivering the graveside address. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks to awarded servicemen who participated in a special military operation in Ukraine at the Central Military Hospital in Moscow, Russia, June 12. AP-Yonhap Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday it has signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, a day after Russia's powerful mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin refused to do so. The signing followed an order that all "volunteer units" should sign contracts by July 1 bringing them under the control of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, as Moscow tries to assert its control over private armies fighting on its behalf in Ukraine. In return, volunteer fighters would get the same benefits and protections as regular troops, including support for them and their families if they are wounded or killed. Prigozhin, who has waged a running feud with the defense ministry and accused it of failing to provide adequate ammunition supplies to his Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, said on Sunday he would refuse to sign any such contract. He said that Shoigu "cannot properly manage military formations". The contract the defense ministry signed on Monday was with the Akhmat paramilitary group that has often been called the private army of Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Russia's Chechnya region. Unlike Prigozhin, Kadyrov has recently refrained from criticizing the defense ministry. Members of the two groups have openly sparred, with one of Kadyrov's close allies on Thursday casting Prigozhin as a blogger who yells all the time about problems. Akhmat commander Apty Alaudinov, who took part in the signing of the contract, said the unit has "prepared and sent tens of thousands of volunteers" to Ukraine in the past 15 months. Moscow said on Friday that the Akhmat forces were waging an offensive near the town of Maryinka, in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. "I think this is a very good thing," Alaudinov was quoted as saying by the defense ministry's website after signing the deal. Russia's deputy chief of the general staff, Colonel General Alexei Kim, said after signing the agreement with the Chechens that he hoped other volunteer units would follow suit. (Reuters) Mary Lou McDonald has indicated that she would not attend commemoration events for the provisional IRA if Sinn Fein becomes the biggest party in government. In recent weeks, Sinn Fein has attracted criticism around MP John Finucanes decision to attend a republican commemoration event in Co Armagh at the weekend. The Irish Times has reported that while speaking to journalists, the Sinn Fein president said: For me... if I had the privilege of leading government I would be a taoiseach for everybody and I would act in a way to foster respect, reconciliation and understanding and never in a partisan way to give offence to anyone. If I were taoiseach theres a set pattern of what the taoiseach attends and does not attend. At the event in Armagh, Mr Finucane said everyone has the right to commemorate their dead. Commenting on Mr Finucanes appearance at the event, she stated: For me the issue has to be that we allow space for everybody to respectfully remember their dead and to respectfully remember their story. I dont think it should become a matter of controversy because somebody wears their poppy or because somebody wears their Easter Lily. We have to be at a point in our evolution as a society and as human beings that we can disagree. She added that Mr Finucane had very traumatic experiences in his own childhood. Mr Finucane's lawyer father, Pat, was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his family in 1989. Investigations into Pat Finucane's death found evidence of state collusion with the killers. Owner of Irish bar in Spain threatened to call cops on Kinahan cartel boss day before arrest The group didnt want to pay and I said Id call the police. I didnt know who he was, here in Spain he is just another tourist Liam Byrne being arrested in Mallorca Alan Sherry Tue 13 Jun 2023 at 13:40 Journalists line up to be admitted to the building (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) By Joshua Goodman and Sara Burnett, Associated Press By Joshua Goodman and Sara Burnett, Associated Press Hundreds of journalists from around the world gathered on Tuesday outside the court in central Miami where former US president Donald Trump will make his first appearance on criminal charges that he improperly held on to classified documents. Protests were scheduled for later in the day by Trump backers who have criticised the felony charges, though the number of supporters and those opposing him were a fraction of the crowd compared with the media. Journalists from China, the UK, Australia, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Germany and Switzerland were among the hundreds who have converged on the court. Some have spent several days camped out in the muggy heat. Police form a line outside the court (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) Security was tight. A yellow-tape police line and about half a dozen federal police vehicles formed a barricade, keeping people from a palm tree-lined path and the public entrance to the modern, largely glass federal court building. A police helicopter passed overhead at times, and about two dozen Miami police circled the buildings perimeter on bicycles. Miami mayor Francis Suarez has said the city is ready to handle any protests, and that local law enforcement has experience handling large demonstrations. The early crowd on Tuesday included people wearing T-shirts with Mr Trumps face in a mock mugshot, with large letters reading Not Guilty. Some people were protesting against Donald Trump (Wilfredo Lee/AP) Some had Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president next year. Another man, who opposes Mr Trump, was dressed in black-and-white prison stripes and held a sign reading Lock Him Up. At times, people shouted past each other with duelling megaphones. Among those who arrived early were father and son Florencio and Kevin Rodriguez, who arrived in the US fifteen years ago as asylum seekers fleeing dictatorship in Cuba. Wearing a shirt reading Jesus is my saviour, Trump my president, Kevin Rodriguez questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors lax attitude toward President Joe Biden and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, both of whom have also been accused of mishandling classified intelligence, albeit without any intention of hiding their actions. A supporter of former President Donald Trump in Miami (John Raoux/AP) Even if hes guilty, we will still support him, he said as a contingent of Miami police officers rode by on bicycles. We never abandon our amigos, those who love this country and our liberty, he added, highlighting the former presidents staunch opposition to Cubas communist government. Some came to counter the Trump supporters. Jack Kaplan, 68, drove two hours from Ft Pierce, where the judge assigned to the case is based. Carrying a copy of the indictment affixed to a clipboard, and a sign reading Trump Is Toast, the retired car dealer said he will celebrate with a bottle of expensive wine if the former president is locked away. Ive already got the bottle sitting in my wine cooler, said Mr Kaplan as a Trump supporter carrying a sign reading Keep America Great walked by. Im going to have a big party. Roshida Begum, 22, shows where the Myanmar military slit her throat, Dec. 1, 2017 in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. The military took me and 5 other women into a house and raped us. After they were done, they slit our necks with machetes. They thought I was dead and they left and set the house on fire. I was the only one who escaped. She fled from Tula Toli village in Myanmar to Bangladesh shortly after the Aug. 25, 2017, attack. Women gang raped, children stabbed and killed, men shot and burned to death. The criminal complaint of genocide by Myanmars armed forces against the Muslim Rohingya minority includes detailed accounts of stomach-churning atrocities. Argentina accepted the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction, in which crimes that are especially abhorrent can be taken by any country. Hearings at a federal court in Buenos Aires, set to end Tuesday, include in-person testimony from Rohingya witnesses a historic first. For security reasons the case is being held behind closed doors. The net is closing in around Myanmars military leaders. This trial shows that they cannot hide from justice anywhere in the world, said Tun Khin, head of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, or BROUK, the London-based advocacy group that brought the case. The case centers on abuses committed in Myanmar between 2012 and 2018. Those named include military junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, radical Buddhist cleric Ashin Wirathu, and ousted civilian leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Tomas Ojea Qintana, who was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar between 2008 and 2014, is representing BROUK in court. Much of the case is based on Ojea Quintanas own work in the region, the work of his successor Yanghee Lee, and reports submitted in 2018 and 2019 by a U.N. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar. Easy target The Rohingya live in the impoverished western Myanmar state of Rakhine, which borders the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh. They shared the region with other groups, mainly the Buddhist ethnic Rakhine. According to the criminal complaint, the genocidal final plan against the Rohingya was born in 2012, when a nominally elected military government, seeking support from the countrys Buddhist majority, began to promote hatred towards Myanmars Muslims and especially the Rohingya. The Rohingya, who had faced various forms of discrimination for decades, were an easy target. A Rohingya refugee boy looks at Senuwara Begum, 16, as she walks to her familys makeshift shelter with the help of a pair of donated crutches at Balukhali refugee camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Nov. 30, 2017. Senuwara Begum lost her right leg after she got shot in the thigh, above the knee, when her village, Shahab Bazar, in Maungdaw district, Myanmar, was attacked and burned to the ground by the Myanmar military at the end of August 2017, her father, Sayedul Rahaman, says. [Susana Vera/Reuters] In a coordinated manner among all state entities, the use of the name Rohingya began to be forbidden, replaced by the generic term Bengalis, the complaint reads. A campaign, fueled by radical Buddhist priests, then spread the idea that the tiny Muslim minority was plotting to take over the country and convert it to Islam. Two waves of violence broke out in October 2012 in Rakhine state, affecting 12 townships. Further violence broke out in the town of Thandwe in 2013. At the time authorities dismissed the incidents as intercommunal unrest. The attacks against the Rohingya and another Muslim ethnic group, the Kaman, were really part of a months-long plan to instigate violence and amplify tensions fueled by various Rakhine organizations, radical Buddhist monk organizations, and several officials and influential figures, the complaint reads. Security forces were at least complicit, often failing to intervene to stop the violence, or actively participated. Genocidal plan Witnesses in the towns of Sittwe and Kyaukpyu said police and soldiers stopped people from extinguishing fires set by Rakhine mobs, while witnesses at Maungdaw described security forces shooting indiscriminately at Rohingya and conducting mass arrests. Some 140,000 people were displaced, mostly fleeing to Bangladesh. Following the November 2015 elections that ushered in Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, the genocidal plan was perfected, the complaint states. In a cruel twist of history this allowed for the worst atrocities to be committed under the authority of those who had fought with their lives for democratic freedoms, human rights and peace, it says. A burned Rohingya village near Maungdaw, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar, is seen Nov. 12, 2017. [Wa Lone/Reuters] Violence escalated dramatically in August 2017 when the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army a small, poorly armed resistance group attacked security forces across northern Rakhine, killing 12 people. The military response, launched within hours, was immediate, brutal and grossly disproportionate, encompassing hundreds of villages in so-called clearance operations. Within a year nearly 725,000 Rohingya had fled to Bangladesh, with an estimated 10,000 people killed. Rape and other forms of sexual violence were perpetrated on a massive scale. Large-scale gang rape was perpetrated by Tatmadaw soldiers in at least 10 village tracts in Rakhine state, the complaint said. Massacres People were shot dead indiscriminately by soldiers, while others were burned to death in their homes. Rakhine men often joined the soldiers, wielding long knives and machetes. Sometimes up to 40 women and girls were raped or gang-raped together, often in public and in front of their families to maximize humiliation. Men and boys were not spared genital mutilation and sexualized torture, the document reads. Of the approximately 500,000 Rohingya children currently in Bangladesh, many fled alone after their parents were killed or after being separated from their families. Rohingya refugee Nur Kamal, 17, poses for a photograph to show his head injuries, at the Kutupalong refugee camp, near Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh, Oct. 13, 2017. Kamal says soldiers hit me with a rifle butt on my head first and then with a knife after they found the young shopkeeper hiding in his home in Kan Hpu village in Maungdaw, Myanmar. [Jorge Silva/Reuters] In a particularly heinous incident on Aug. 30, 2017, soldiers and armed ethnic Rakhine stormed the village of Min Gyi and attacked Rohingya who had taken refuge there. Soldiers opened fire on people trying to flee. Villagers who surrendered were rounded up, and women and children were separated from the men. The men were slaughtered and their bodies dumped into three pits, doused with gasoline and set ablaze. Women and girls were taken into rooms where they were robbed, raped and stabbed. Children and infants were killed or stabbed. All interviewees identified Tatmadaw soldiers as the main perpetrators, the complaint says, adding that ethnic Rakhine and members of other ethnic minorities participated. At least 750 people died in that attack. Downplayed Aung San Suu Kyi, then head of Myanmars civilian government, downplayed the violence when presented with evidence, describing it as fake news and an iceberg of misinformation. Two other international court cases are attempting to hold Myanmars authorities accountable. In 2019 the International Criminal Court began looking into abuses against Rohingya on the border with Bangladesh. Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, but Bangladesh is, so this probe is limited in scope. And in November 2020, The Gambia filed a case focusing on Myanmars responsibility as a state for the Rohingya genocide at the U.N.s top court, the International Court of Justice. Argentina is on the other side of the world from Myanmar but even here the Burmese military cannot escape justice, plaintiff Tun Kihn said. Malaysia and Indonesia have yet to reach full agreement on several maritime border disputes, including in the Sulawesi Sea, despite signing a number of treaties last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday, adding that such delicate matters need further discussion. The two countries have been locked in an 18-year dispute primarily revolving around overlapping territorial claims in the Sulawesi Sea and the waters off the coast of Borneo island, which is divided between the two nations and Brunei. During Indonesian President Joko Widodos visit to Malaysia last week, a joint statement between the two Southeast Asian nations announced the signing of six agreements, including two treaties on the delimitation of each nations territory in the Malacca Strait and Sulawesi Sea. Though the treaties were heralded as a breakthrough after 18 years of negotiations, parts of the longstanding maritime dispute have not yet been resolved, Anwar said during question time in Malaysias Parliament on Tuesday. It should be noted that there are areas still under negotiation, including Sebatik Island and South Sulawesi, [which are] not included in this treaty because we will need to call a representative from Sabah [state] to discuss the matter. Hence, they have not been finalized due to a small outstanding issue, he said. Anwar said he had made it clear to Widodo who is popularly known as Jokowi that Malaysia stood firm on its territorial claims. President Jokowi, according to his experts, claims it belongs to Indonesia; so we have postponed and will continue discussions, he said. He also said the agreements did not include borders along Tanjung Pelepas Port in the southern state of Johor, a ship-to-ship transfer area. The maritime disputes are significant for both nations due to their economic implications, including rights to fishing, oil and gas exploration, as well as maritime security. Anwar was responding to a question in Parliament from opposition lawmaker Takiyuddin Hassan, who asked if Malaysias sovereignty had been compromised by signing the treaties. The prime minister denied the government had defied expert opinion on the treaties. He said it had sought advice from various agencies including the foreign ministry, the maritime department, the National Security Council, the Department of Survey and Mapping, and the attorney-general. The question of sovereignty cannot be compromised, he said, adding he also did not want to jeopardize bilateral relations. I will continue to consider Indonesia as a friendly nation But we will not sacrifice even an inch of Malaysian territory. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, walks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as they visit a local wet market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, June 8, 2023. [AP] In a joint statement last week, Widodo said he welcomed the settlement negotiation of territorial sea borders in [the] Sulawesi Sea and the southern part of the Malacca Strait after 18 years of the negotiation. However, analysts said the agreements were based on non-disputed areas and some of the most sensitive overlapping claims were left out. In this case, the differences still remain on disputed territories and both countries have maintained their rights and claims on the specific parts of the areas, including in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, said Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs observer at the University of Malaya. These will be carried on in the rounds of discussions and talks, but the positive momentum of the agreement on the non-disputed areas will be a better foundation in the talks. The Prime Ministers Office and Malaysias foreign affairs ministry did not immediately reply to a request for more details on the treaties. Teuku Faizasyah, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the agreements signed last week were for the maritime boundaries in the southern part of the Malacca Strait and in the Sulawesi Sea. After this, the two countries still have to negotiate the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, he said, adding maritime boundaries take a long time to solve. The most sensitive areas of discussion were around where oil conglomerates from both countries have vested interests, such as exploration and the establishment of rigs, said Azmi Hassan, a geopolitical expert at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research. Malaysia needed to sign a comprehensive treaty with Indonesia, said Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli, a research associate at the Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy at University Utara Malaysia. What Anwar is doing is a good sign, he told BenarNews. We need a treaty with a proper maritime delimitation line...like the one we had with Singapore in 1995. Anwar and Widodo said last week that continued maritime boundary negotiations would start soon on all remaining and unresolved issues. Tria Dianti in Jakarta also contributed to this report. 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. Zhejiang launches Green Rural Revival Program Xinhua) 16:57, June 13, 2023 This aerial photo taken on June 13, 2023 shows a view of Wan'anzhuang Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Tourists drink tea at a teahouse in Shuanghu Village of Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a view of Changlong Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a theme park in Meiyuan Village of Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This aerial photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a view of Meiyuan Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Tourists drink tea at a teahouse in Shuanghu Village of Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This aerial photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a view of Shuanghu Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This aerial photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a view of Changlong Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a view of Changlong Village in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Pupils visit a garbage sorting science museum in Wan'anzhuang Village of Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 13, 2023. Cixi City has been promoting rural revitalization for years. The living environment and life quality of locals have been significantly improved, and the ecological environment of rural areas has also been optimized. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which plans to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Thanks to the program, the image of the countryside has been comprehensively lifted in Zhejiang Province. A total of 2,170 featured villages and over 3 million beautiful rural courtyards have been built. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) U.N secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the media during a visit to the U.N. office in the capital Nairobi, Kenya, May 3. AP-Yonhap The proliferation of hate and lies on digital platforms and the threat that artificial intelligence can become an uncontrolled "monster" demand coordinated global action starting with a code of conduct for governments, tech companies and advertisers that promotes truth and protects human rights, the U.N. chief said Monday. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board in a few days, and an advisory board on artificial intelligence in September to prepare initiatives that the U.N. can take. He said he would react favorably to a new U.N. agency on artificial intelligence and suggested as a model the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is knowledge-based and has some regulatory powers. Guterres told a news conference he plans to consult widely on the just released principles for the U.N. Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, which he will issue before next year's U.N. Summit of the Future. He expressed hope that the code will be widely supported, but when asked whether governments and tech companies are willing to take steps to make digital space safer, he replied, "That's the question I ask myself." "We are dealing with a business that generates massive profits, and we are dealing also in some situations with governments that do not entirely respect human rights, so this is a constant battle and in this constant battle, we must mobilize all those that are committed to information integrity in digital platforms," he said. Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, agreed that while it's a positive step that the U.N. is calling for international solutions to this global problem, its code of conduct won't likely be sufficient to stop the torrent of false and hateful information online. "The fact of the matter is that voluntary codes, including the companies' own terms of service on these issues, have failed to rein them in," Beirich said. "The problem for the U.N. is they can't do what it seems is going to have to be done to deal with this problem, which is basically legislation." Guterres said there are many initiatives underway, including a law and code of conduct in the European Union for its 27 member nations and a U.K. summit on AI safety in the autumn. Other governments also are looking into forms of regulation. But he said there is a view that regulation isn't easy because things are moving very quickly, and that therefore a global approach is needed. Guterres said a key problem is that the tech company business model prioritizes engagement over privacy, truth and human rights. He said tech companies need to understand that massive profits cannot be created "at the expense of a model of engagement that goes before any other consideration." The U.N. chief said the code of conduct will not be a solution, "but it will be global" and it will enable governments, tech companies, advertisers and others "to commit to what needs to be done in order to guarantee or at least to seriously promote information integrity in digital platforms." The principles Guterres laid out for the code of conduct include commitments "to refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose. " For governments, it seeks commitments not to respond to misinformation, disinformation and hate speech by blocking legitimate comment, shutting down the internet or banning platforms or media outlets and to guarantee protections for journalists and independent media. Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken March 31. Reuters-Yonhap This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle. MONTEREY A religious organization will be permitted to establish an RV park as part of its evangelical Christian camp over the objection of town officials, the states highest court has ruled. The Supreme Judicial Court this month issued a favorable ruling to Hume New England, allowing it to move ahead with plans for an RV park for campers, volunteers and staff at its Monterey facility because it is connected to the groups religious mission. The proposal was first filed by the organization in 2019. It was denied by the towns Planning Board, which cited local bylaws that ban trailer or mobile home parks throughout Monterey. Hume appealed to the Land Court, where a judge issued a split decision that proved unsavory to both the town and the camp. Both sides sought relief in the state Appeals Court, but then the SJC stepped in and decided to take up the case. And this month, the high court, ruling in favor of Hume, found that the RV park is religiously significant to its Christian mission. Therefore, the justices said the town has no grounds to stop Hume from moving ahead because the project is protected by a state law known as the Dover Amendment. The law limits municipalities ability to regulate or restrict the use of land or structures for religious purposes ... on land owned or leased by ... a religious sect or denomination. The justices rejected the Planning Boards argument that Humes motivation to build the RV park was financial, not religious. Writing for the court in an opinion published June 7, Associate Justice Frank Gaziano found that the purpose of the RV camp would be to facilitate the operations of and strengthen attendance at Hume NE, whose mission is to cultivate religious practice and spiritual growth. Humes plans call for 12 sites for temporary travel trailers, motorhomes, tents, and seasonal staff housing trailers on its land off Chestnut Hill Road. According to the organization, the sites are to be used by people participating in a new camp program for families, as well as volunteers and staff. Because Hume New Englands income from fees from campers and and concessions doesnt cover its operating costs, the ruling states, its subsidized by its parent organization Hume Lake Christian Camps. A representative for Hume, which has three camps two in California and one in the Berkshires said in a statement to The Eagle that the organization is thrilled that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has upheld our right to provide the housing accommodations we have chosen for our staff and volunteers. With this ruling and the subsequent housing, we are better positioned to provide life-changing programs and experiences for campers and families in the years to come, said spokeswoman Anna Hutsell. Monterey Select Board member Susan Cooper said she was disappointed with the ruling. She said she disagrees with the idea that Hume should be permitted to build an RV park when other groups cannot, per local regulations. I think religious organizations should have to follow the same building rules as everybody else, she said. Brian Donahue is professor emeritus of American environmental studies at Brandeis University and President of the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute. He farms in Gill. David Foster is director emeritus at the Harvard Forest in Petersham and co-coordinator of Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmland & Communities. To accelerate cross-border synergies between the two countries and put Vanuatu on the world map upGrad, Asia's largest integrated learning skilling and workforce development company, has announced the setting up of upGrad Institute of Medical Sciences (UIMS), a fully-offline campus in the Republic of Vanuatu to attract and train global talent with modern-day clinical competencies and build the next crop of skilled medical practitioners. The company earmarks $10 million to launch the university. Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometers. UIMS is expected to invite enrolments from the second half of June this year. The announcement comes soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 12-point development agenda for the Pacific Island Nations while making healthcare, renewable energy, and cyber-security the focus areas of development. He further allocated a significant budget to build a super-speciality cardiology hospital in Fiji. The Mumbai-headquartered skilling giant has also committed $50,000 to Vanuatu Prime Minister's Relief Fund to further enhance healthcare services at the Port Vila Central Hospital in the region. It will provide the Govt. of Vanuatu with a new tranche of technology and financial aid and the ability to scale across boundaries. Image caption- (L-R) Phalgun Kompalli Co-founder, Mayank Kumar Co-founder & MD, and Ronnie Screwvala, Chairperson & Co-founder, upGrad Two-day flagship event from 22-23 June in Mumbai; Top industry leaders expected to attend The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) is all set to host the eighth edition of the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit (GPQS) from 22nd to 23rd June in Mumbai. The theme for this years annual flagship event is Patient Centricity: New Paradigm of Manufacturing and Quality. The Summit aims to bring diverse stakeholders together, including global regulators, technical experts, and industry stakeholders on a common platform to discuss the key imperatives of operations and build on the Indian pharma industrys quality and manufacturing agenda going forward. Samir Mehta, President, IPA and Chairman of Torrent Indian Pharmaceuticals Ltd, will address during the inaugural session, which will be attended by stakeholders from government, industry and global experts. This will be followed by the release of IPAs Best Practices document. The Summit will witness speakers from key regulators such as DCGI, USFDA, MHRA, EDQM, and others as part of the conference, who will share their perspectives on observations on inspection, GMPs, global regulatory view, resilience in end-to-end operations, and increased focus on quality compliance and excellence. Furthermore, there are key technical sessions such as continuous manufacturing, nitrosamines impurities, digital analytics, and automation among others. The summit will conclude with a special panel discussion comprising CEOs of leading pharma companies such as Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Lupin, Sun Pharma, and Zydus, to deliberate on Vision 2047 for the Indian pharmaceutical industry and the way forward. India threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government's handling of farmer protests, co-founder Jack Dorsey said, an accusation Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government called an "outright lie". Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, said on Monday that India also threatened the company with raids on employees if it did not comply with government requests to take down certain posts. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said in an interview with YouTube news show Breaking Points. Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a top ranking official in Modi's government, lashed out against Dorsey in response, calling his assertions an "outright lie". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shut down'. Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law," he said in a post on Twitter. Dorsey's comments again put the spotlight on the struggles faced by foreign technology giants operating under Modi's rule. His government has often criticised Google, Facebook and Twitter for not doing enough to tackle fake or "anti-India" content on their platforms, or for not complying with rules. The former Twitter CEO's comments drew widespread attention as it is unusual for global companies operating in India to publicly criticise the government. Last year, Xiaomi in a court filing said India's financial crime agency threatened its executives with "physical violence" and coercion, an allegation which the agency denied. Dorsey also mentioned similar pressure from governments in Turkey and Nigeria, which had restricted the platform in their nations at different points over the years before lifting those bans. Twitter was bought by Elon Musk in a $44 billion deal last year. Chandrasekhar said Twitter under Dorsey and his team had repeatedly violated Indian law. He didn't name Musk, but added Twitter had been in compliance since June 2022. Big tech vs Modi Modi and his ministers are prolific users of Twitter, but free speech activists say his administration resorts to excessive censorship of content it thinks is critical of its working. India maintains its content removal orders are aimed at protecting users and sovereignty of the state. The public spat with Twitter during 2021 saw Modi's government seeking an "emergency blocking" of the "provocative" Twitter hashtag "#ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide" and dozens of accounts. Farmers' groups had been protesting against new agriculture laws at the time, one of the biggest challenges faced by the Modi government. The government later gave in to the farmers' demands. Twitter initially complied with the government requests but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification", leading to officials threatening legal consequences. In subsequent weeks, police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. Dorsey in his interview said many India content take down requests during the farmer protests were "around particular journalists that were critical of the government." Since Modi took office in 2014, India has slid from 140th in World Press Freedom Index to 161 this year, out of 180 countries, its lowest ranking ever. In this March 28, 2017 file photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein. AP-Yonhap JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay about $290 million to settle a class action lawsuit by Jeffrey Epstein's victims, resolving a large part of litigation over the bank's relationship with the disgraced financier. Monday's settlement follows months of embarrassing disclosures that JPMorgan ignored internal warnings and overlooked red flags about Epstein because he had been a valuable client. Epstein was a JPMorgan client from 1998 to 2013 and was kept on even after being arrested in 2006 on prostitution-related charges and pleading guilty two years later. Monday's accord would resolve claims against the largest U.S. bank by potentially more than 100 victims, led by a former ballet dancer known as Jane Doe 1, who said Epstein abused them when they were young women and teenage girls. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. "It could be that the bank doesn't want this to stay in the press," said Carliss Chatman, a professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Virginia. "At a time Americans are questioning the banking system, associating Chase with human trafficking is not good for business." Davia Temin, chief executive of crisis management firm Temin and Company, said settling rather than fighting to the end sends "the right message across Wall Street." The settlement of the civil case requires approval by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan. "Any association with (Epstein) was a mistake and we regret it," JPMorgan said in a statement. "We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes." Monday's settlement came 3-1/2 weeks after Deutsche Bank, where Epstein was a client from 2013 to 2018, agreed to pay $75 million to end a similar lawsuit by Epstein victims. "Deutsche Bank's settlement ... likely created momentum," said Adam Zimmerman, a law professor who recently accepted a position at the University of Southern California. "A settlement with Epstein's victims frees JPMorgan to begin to turn the page and change the narrative." The $290 million settlement amount was confirmed by David Boies, a lawyer for Epstein's victims. JPMorgan did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The settlements signal that financial institutions have an important role to play in spotting and shutting down sex trafficking," Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for victims in both lawsuits, said in a statement. In this Oct. 21, 2013 file photo, the JPMorgan Chase logo is displayed at their headquarters in New York. AP-Yonhap This year the Africa region of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards boasts six Gold Quills Awards and two special awards. Image supplied. This year the Africa region of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards boasts six Gold Quills Awards and two special awards Volkswagen Group SA and DevCom received a Best of the Best award for VWSA Communication Excellence Training. Recommended by evaluators and reviewed by the Gold Quill Awards chair, vice chair, and past chair, the Best of the Best winners represent the very best entries seen across the globe. DevCom and Builders Zambia were also presented with the Jake Wittmer Research Award for Research Informed regional focused integrated marketing for Builders Zambia for outstanding research by a communicator that was instrumental in ensuring the success of a communication programme. Recognising excellence in strategic communications The IABC has been recognising excellence in strategic communication worldwide for over 40 years. The Gold Quill Awards is the only programme that honours the dedication, innovation, and passion of communicators on a global scale. Since 2008, almost 6,000 projects have been entered. This year, 395 entries were received from across the world, delivering 82 merit awards and 52 excellence awards. The winning entries come from public and private sector organisations of all sizes in the world. Winning African entries Awards of Excellence Communication Research category DevCom and Builders Zambia: Research Informed regional focused integrated marketing for Builders Zambia submitted by Mari Lee and the Builders Zambia team. submitted by Mari Lee and the Builders Zambia team. Writing category Melagrana for integrated sustainability reporting, leadership communication and business, submitted by Ilse Blank. Communication Education & Training category Volkswagen Group SA and DevCom for VWSA Communication Excellence Training, submitted by Nicholas Batten, Margaret Loughead, Liza Wilmot, Ilze Olivier, Mari Lee, Theresa Lee, and Christine Bree. Awards of Merit Special & Experiential category Nandos: Nandos Grillers Challenge 2021 submitted by Palesa Tshabalala. submitted by Palesa Tshabalala. Special & Experiential category Anglo American: Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2022 submitted by Rochelle De Paiva. submitted by Rochelle De Paiva. Internal Communications category Thungela Resources: Thungela Internal Communication: Igniting Company Passion submitted by Tarryn Genis. Each of these entries exhibits the highest standard of communication strategy and execution. Professional communicators with more than 10 years of experience evaluate the Gold Quill entries against established criteria aligned to IABCs Global Standard of the communication profession. Entries are scored independently by two evaluators, who reconcile scores during face-to-face sessions in multiple locations around the world. Blue Ribbon panels South Africa also has hosted such sessions, called Blue Ribbon panels, for many years. Theresa Lee, IABC Africa Quill Coordinator, expressed pride in the achievement of African communicators and emphasised the significance of their contributions to the field of communication. Thank you to all who entered, and congratulations to our winners. Africas communicators count amongst the best of the best in the world. Your efforts are raising the bar and building legacies that not only inspire professionals all over the world but also deliver impact and grow the body of work in our profession." The 2023 Gold Quill Awards reception took place on 6 June 2023 at the 2023 IABC World Conference in Toronto. Social justice activist and documentary filmmaker Angelo Louw has released his debut book The Problem with Black People for free download in celebration of Youth Month. Angelo Louw is allowing people to download his book for free. Source: Supplied. The Problem with Black People is a selection of writings spanning his ten-year career as a columnist and three-time magazine editor, it unpacks the intricacies of race and race relations in contemporary South Africa through an intersectional lens. Louw commented on the title of the book: "The title is ironic. Very often the plight of Black and Brown people is met with this type of rhetoric and gaslighting when, in fact, the problems Black people face are systemically imposed." This anthology advances an agenda seeking to reclaim narratives of people of colour which are systemically destructive and stifling to their communities; turning the cliche on its head. By setting the record straight, Louw aims to enlighten, as well as empower. This is why he partnered with nonprofit publisher AfroStory app to make the book available for free on mobile devices. Louw said: "I want this book to be accessible to everyone. It is my contribution to the discussion. I hope to make it available in libraries across the country. But, as a first step, it is free for download on the AfroStory application." The Problem With Black People explores themes of climate justice, socio-economic rights, public policy, youth, sex and sexuality, and HIV. 'Education is the critical tool that can not only create a sustainable future for Africa. but play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of human rights and good governance across the continent', was a key takeaway from a recent webinar facilitated by Professor Kathija Yassim from the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Education. Photo by Dario Fernandez Ruz via www.pexels.com The A Sustainable Future for African Education webinar, hosted by Kagiso Trust in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) at the end of May, sought to shed light on the current state of education in Africa, explore potential solutions, and foster collaboration towards achieving a prosperous continent based on inclusive growth and sustainable development. Three themes were discussed: Education for Sustainable Futures how to enhance education in Africa; Education, Entrepreneurship and the World of Work acknowledging Africas current lack of preparedness for the world of work; and Leading Education for Sustainability and Inclusive Growth the importance of inclusivity in African education, particularly for women, people living in rural areas, and those without access to technology for learning. Professor Chinaza Uleanya of UJs Education Leadership and Management of Johannesburg spoke of the significance of Africa Day as an annual commemoration of the achievements and potential of the African continent but said there was a need to assess if the African Union (AU) had actually achieved its objectives. Education is the only tool capable of sustaining the future, said Phuti Ragophala, an associate at UJ. Teamwork and collaboration among all stakeholders are needed to improve education. To sustain the future we need flexible education resources that accommodate people from diverse backgrounds and emphasise the significance of lifelong learning. We need to focus on developing relevant skills to empower students to pursue their passions, start businesses, and achieve their goals. Brightness Mangolothi, a director at HERS-SA (Higher Education Resource Services South Africa), discussed the AUs aspirations and the role of higher education in producing skilled labour to ultimately transform the continent. The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscore the need for people-centred development to address issues of poverty and inequality in Africa. We need to be a united Africa, which we are currently not with the high number of gender-based violence cases we experience. Education is about good governance and human rights, and through it, we will be able to progress. Dr Beate Stiehler-Mulder, a senior lecturer at UJ who teaches digital and strategic marketing, urged participants to focus on developing new skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. The job titles that are in demand in todays changing world need creative problem-solving, adaptability and openness to change. We have the power to make the change for the Africa we want, said Mandisa Tselane, Head of Marketing and communications at Kagiso Trust in closing the webinar. Continuous education is needed if we are to embrace a sustainable future in education. We need to prepare our educators for problem-solving and a changing world of work. The future world of work requires a new mindset. The MyBroadband Cloud & Security Conference 2023 was attended by South Africa's top ICT executives, managers, and decision-makers. The MyBroadband Cloud & Security Conference 2023, hosted in partnership with main sponsor BCX, took place at The Venue, Melrose Arch, on 8 June 2023. This event served as a platform for the South African IT community to network and share insights about the local cloud and security industries. Over 250 ICT executives, managers, and decision-makers from across South Africa were treated to excellent presentations from some of the countrys cloud and security industry leaders. The event was hosted by Aki Anastasiou, well-known for hosting the Whats Next series on MyBroadband. The event sponsors were as follows: Main sponsor BCX Event sponsors Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2 Speaker sponsor CipherWave Gold sponsor VMware Silver sponsors Vodacom Business, BBD Software, OpenText, Africa Data Centres, Ruckus, Wipro, Synthesis Bronze sponsors BUI, The CRM Team Cocktail sponsors Microsoft, First for Cloud Coffee sponsor First for Cloud Delegates gift sponsor MetroFibre Literature sponsors Axiz, Orange Cyberdefense Photos of the successful conference are posted below: The MyBroadband Cloud & Security Conference 2023 was excellently attended and provided great networking opportunities. The presentation hall was packed with stands from South Africas top cloud and security businesses. MC Aki Anastasiou opened the conference by providing an overview of the South African cloud and security environment in 2023. BCX chief of Digital Platform Solutions, Jan Bouwer provided excellent insight into the extensive cloud growth opportunities in Africa. Liquid C2 CEO David Behr provided a comprehensive view of the state of cybercrime, including a preview of data that will only be released later in June. Lee Syse, VMwares lead Cloud Solutions architect for its Cloud Service Providers business in sub-Saharan Africa, discussed how companies could explore new possibilities with VMware Cloud Verified. Shamith Maharaj, chief business development officer at Cipherwave, discussed the evolution of cloud services. The first panel discussion was hosted by Aki Anastasiou and featured BBD Softwares Kevin Staples, OpenTexts Alvin Barnard, and Synthesis Software Technologies Jonathan Sidney. Attendees were treated to a delicious lunch and were invited to learn more about the events sponsors. After lunch, Garith Peck Vodacom Business executive head of department for security unpacked whether cybersecurity fatigue is fact or fiction. The second panel discussion was also hosted by Aki, and featured Africa Data Centres Dr Angus Hay, MTN Business Sudipto Moitra, and Ruckus Networks Vincent Janse van Rensburg. After Akis closing address, attendees were invited to enjoy drinks and networking. Edelman has announced the global launch of Edelman Business Marketing (EBM), a specialised division focused on driving reputation, business demand and revenue growth for B2B clients worldwide. This move establishes a new offering combining existing B2B practices in North America, EMEA, and APAC, building on the success and strong growth within the regions in recent years. Earning trust Edelman Business Marketing creates integrated marketing programs aimed at reaching and earning the trust of B2B buyers, inclusive of audience research, thought leadership strategy, content marketing, account-based marketing, demand generation and earned communications. Current global clients include Microsoft, HSBC, Shell, PayPal, DP World, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, TE Connectivity, MediaTek, Hologic, and Invest Alberta, among others. Edelman Business Marketing is redefining how we drive value for our B2B clients businesses, from reaching high-value stakeholders to taking on some of the worlds most important issues, said Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman. Our global B2B offering has become a key component of Edelmans strategy to provide integrated marketing solutions to clients worldwide. Edelman Business Marketing will be led by Joe Kingsbury, global chair, who will oversee a network of nearly 100 B2B specialists across the globe and David Whiting, global head of operations, who will drive client and sector growth, and operations. The B2B leadership team will also include regional leaders across the U.S., EMEA and Canada, with an executive search underway for a leader to oversee the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally appointed leadership includes: Ben Laws, executive vice president, Deputy U.S. Leader, Business Marketing Andrew Mildren, managing director, Business Marketing, EMEA Nick Turney, senior vice president, National Business Marketing Lead, Canada Hannah Buzicky, senior vice president, Global Development Manager "Clients are hungry for strategies that earn the trust of high-value decision-makers while driving reputation and business demand, said Joe Kingsbury, global chair, Edelman Business Marketing. We blend the art and science of creative communications and digital marketing to generate ROI through personalized content, targeted thought leadership strategies and marketing technology. This global launch accelerates our ability to deliver on this value proposition for B2B clients. "Through our collaboration with Edelman Business Marketing, they've played a key role in infusing MediaTek's brand narrative with creativity, issues expertise, and a global perspective," said Kent Davis, GM, Global Marketing & Communications, MediaTek. "Their unique approach to earned-centric creative combined with robust integrated marketing capabilities is uncommon in the B2B category and has helped propel our brand to new heights." The global launch of Edelman Business Marketing builds on years of strong regional business performance, innovative client work, and industry recognition within the B2B space, including ANA B2B Large Agency of the Year, the number one agency in the UK & Ireland in the B2B Marketing agency benchmarking study and the annual B2B Thought Leadership Impact Study in partnership with LinkedIn. MullenLowe SA has won the Spur Group's Panarottis account following a five-way pitch. Panarottis Pizza Pasta was founded by Spur Corporation in December 1990. With a focus on big on family, big on pizza, it has become a household name with an ever growing popularity. MullenLowe SA will be responsible for strategy and campaign ideation across relevant and impactful channels including TV, radio, OOH, instore and digital. MullenLowe SAs executive creative officer, Kirk Gainsford comments: The chemistry between the MullenLowe SA team and the Panarottis team is palpable. We presented great work during the pitch process, and this, coupled to the chemistry in the room, led to the win. Panarottis is an iconic South African brand, which is part of the iconic Spur Group, and Panarottis pizzas are amazing! Im excited about doing really great, interesting retail work, where the work actually makes a difference immediately to stores. Our team has the smarts to deliver really interesting, fun campaigns so that people notice and act on them. Sarah Dexter, CEO of MullenLowe SA, adds: Panarottis is a great iconic brand, and the energy, intelligence and enthusiasm of the brands team and their openness to fresh thinking makes our working relationship brilliant and inspiring. We have huge amounts of experience in food and retail and look forward to bringing impactful ideas to the table. Vuyo Henda, chief marketing officer of Spur Corporation, says: MullenLowe has the long track record of delivering impactful and meaningful work. The bold ideas they shared showed us what was possible with our brands. We really wanted a partner that would support our agenda and inspire with courageous creative. For us that is MulllenLowe. Mercedes-Benz South Africa recently introduced the latest GLC SUV to the local market, and we caught up with its co-CEO and executive director, Mark Raine, to find out more about the new model and some future plans at the company. Mercedes-Benz South Africa CEO Mark Raine | image supplied Highlight some of the key design elements and technological advancements in the new GLC that make it stand out from its competitors The new GLC has unique proportions coupled with classic SUV features such as a simulated chrome underguard, roof rails and running boards. It strikes a great balance between elegance, sportiness and off-road performance. Highlights include the new headlamps, which connect directly to the radiator grille and accentuate the vehicles width. In combination with the optional Digital Light, they feature daytime-driving ellipses in addition to the well-known torch. Another visual highlight is the radiator grille with chrome surround on the standard Avantgarde exterior. A feature were very excited about is the transparent bonnet, where cameras stitch together a view of the road surface underneath the car, making off-roading safer and even more convenient. How does the new GLC align with the company's sustainability goals and initiatives? The all-new GLC range is completely electrified. All petrol and diesel models feature a mild-hybrid system that not only enhances performance but also contributes to lower fuel consumption figures in mixed-use. The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation with the rise of EVs. How is MBSA adapting to these changes and incorporating them into its product lineup? Weve fully embraced that transformation! By the end of 2023, Mercedes-Benz South Africa will offer the largest range of electric vehicles of any manufacturer seven in total, from the city-slicker EQA to our flagship electric saloon, the EQS. Were also very excited about the Q4 launches of the EQE SUV and EQS SUV. Whats more, together with our partner GridCars, were launching a nationwide network of 68 Mercedes-Benz fast chargers to serve the needs of our electric-vehicle customers. These chargers will be positioned strategically to really ease charging on the go. Can you talk about some of the safety features integrated into the new GLC and how they contribute to ensuring passenger safety? Aside from its immensely strong passenger cell, the GLC features many advanced active and passive safety systems, including the latest generation of the Driving Assistance package containing additional and further improved functions, e.g. in Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, the new Parking package with a 360-degree camera and Trailer Manoeuvring Assist. How is Mercedes Benz South Africa incorporating connectivity and digital technologies into its vehicles, including the new GLC? Mercedes-Benz has never been hesitant to embrace technology to enhance the lives of our customers, and the GLC is no different. Every element of the GLCs tech-rich driving and ownership experience has been carefully considered. Just one example the infotainment systems zero-layer interface, where all the important features are just one click away. How does the new GLC maintain the luxury appeal while also meeting the practical needs of customers? Twofold the new GLC is more refined and more stylishly finished than ever before, but its also more spacious, more comfortable and more practical. The luggage area, for example, is 50 litres larger. Ultimately, the GLC is perfectly suited to the family customer who also wants to experience the absolute best that Mercedes-Benz has to offer as a luxury brand. Could you provide insights into Mercedes Benz South Africa's future plans, such as upcoming models, technological advancements, or initiatives to expand the brand's presence in the country? As mentioned, were launching a nationwide charging network, which were very excited about! On the product front, we have a whole line-up of exciting models coming this year, including the new SL, the EQE and EQS SUVs I mentioned, facelifts to the A-Class, CLA, GLA, GLB, GLE and GLS, plus towards the tail-end of the year, the introduction of the GLC Coupe and E-Class. The responsible business space is more complex than ever, which means professionals in the field need leading-edge industry information and opportunities to upskill. In response, corporate responsibility consultancy Trialogue has relaunched the popular Trialogue Knowledge Hub and launched the Trialogue Academy This new set of resources is dedicated to educating and informing professionals working in social development and responsible business. Bringing leading businesses, social investors, and changemakers together The Trialogue Knowledge Hub has been relaunched to provide more accessible solutions that equip organisations with information and tools to meet specific social challenges. This rich online library of resources for social investors in Africa supports businesses and non-profit organisations (NPOs) by offering hundreds of specialised and expert articles and multimedia resources on corporate social investment (CSI), development sectors, and responsible business topics. New resources are published regularly. The Trialogue Knowledge Hub is made available free through partnerships with leading brands. Companies including Investec, Rand Water, Capitec, Barloworld, Vodacom, Volkswagen Group South Africa, and Telkom support different topics and share valuable stories and learnings from their own initiatives. The platform contains a section for non-profit organisations and an NPO directory. Here, non-profits can list their work by location and development sector, making it easier for companies to connect with implementing partners that best fit their strategic needs. This need to share and partner is one reason companies come together to support the Trialogue Knowledge Hub. I always find the content on Trialogues Knowledge Hub so informative and thought-provoking. As a CSI specialist, we have to keep well-informed investments that have the right impact. Im especially passionate about education, so their focus on literacy always draws me in, said Mashadi Monaledi, senior consultant at Atlegang Social Intelligence, on LinkedIn. Speaking at this years Trialogue Business in Society Conference, business leader and entrepreneur Vuyiswa Ramokgopa said, Business need not be powerless in the face of current challenges in South Africa in fact, companies should become active corporate citizens, as the health of our democracy depends on our ability to get involved in issues that have a direct impact on business. Ramokgopas view is supported by Trialogue Director Cathy Duff, Companies are increasingly aware of the role they play in creating positive change in society, but they dont always have access to the latest knowledge to help them optimise their social investments. While there is plenty of information and guidance for businesses and NPOs in more developed economies, there are challenges in South Africa, and throughout Africa, that require context-specific solutions. This is what our dual approach to developing skills and intelligence hopes to facilitate a way for companies, social investors and non-profits in Africa to share and gain the knowledge and skills they need to become more impactful. More practical training in corporate social investment needed Trialogue has also launched an online learning platform, the Trialogue Academy, to focus on practical tools and problem-solving for CSI professionals and NPOs as the sector matures. Trialogue managing director Nick Rockey teaches the Strategic CSI Masterclass, where he distils his over two decades of consulting and management experience into an advanced-level course for CSI leaders. Here, delegates discover how to maximise both the developmental and business value of their CSI initiatives. Rockey encourages course participants to reflect on their own projects and to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from diverse industries. I found everything very beneficial and its given me a lot to work on going forward, said Katie Andrews, managing director of Nahana Foundation, I look forward to developing and drafting a clear and focused CSI strategy for 2023 and beyond. Recognising the need for professional development for NPOs, Nedbank Private Wealth sponsored the NPO Resilience course on the Trialogue Academy. This comprehensive course covers six key areas of resilience and is offered free. The course builds capacity and bolsters the NPO sector, ultimately creating benefits for both corporates and NPOs. It was really one of the best courses I have done in my 33 years working at NGOs, said Irene de Bod, chief development officer at National Institute for the Deaf. These platforms are a dual-channel solution to support responsible business practice and development work by providing up to date, specialised information and focused learning opportunities that guide businesses, NPOs and CSI professionals as they create change in our society. Emergency workers extinguish a fire after missiles hit a multi-story apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Tuesday, in this photo released by Dnipro Regional Administration. AP-Yonhap Russian strikes early Tuesday on the hometown of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy killed ten people, as Moscow said it had captured Western armored vehicles from Kyiv's forces. The strikes overnight hit multiple sites and smashed into a five-story apartment building in the central city of Kryvyi Rig, leaving smoke billowing from the housing block strewn with debris. "Ten people have died. One is under rubble. Twenty-eight are injured and 12 of them are in the city's hospitals in medium, serious and very serious condition," said Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city's military administration. "Rescue operations are ongoing," he added. Zelenskyy said after the strikes that Russian forces were waging a war against "residential buildings, ordinary cities and people". He promised Ukrainians that those responsible would be held to account. "Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch," he said in a statement on social media. Air raid sirens earlier had sounded across Ukraine as the capital Kyiv and the northeast city of Kharkiv also came under missile and drone attacks. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 14 cruise missiles and four Iranian-made drones overnight, with 10 missiles and one drone intercepted. In the morning, another missile was fired by Russian forces before being shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses. The fresh wave of attacks came shortly before Moscow claimed to have captured several German Leopard tanks and U.S. Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The defense ministry released footage showing Russian troops surveying the equipment supplied to Ukraine by Western countries. "Leopard tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. These are our trophies. Equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporizhzhia region," the Russian defense ministry said in a statement. "Servicemen of the Vostok group inspect enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles captured in battle." Kyiv has appealed to its allies in the West to deliver a broad range of modern military equipment to help Ukrainian forces recapture large swathes of territory controlled by Russia. The defense ministry said several of the captured vehicles had working engines, suggesting that battles they were involved in had been short and that Ukrainian troops had "fled" their offensive positions. Meanwhile, Ukraine has asked Australia about the condition of dozens of retired F-18 fighter jets, the country's ambassador told AFP on Tuesday, eyeing a potential weapons transfer that could significantly bolster Kyiv's airpower. (AFP) by Rhoda Wilson The Fabian Society is a British organisation that has aimed, and still aims, to promote socialist ideas and policies through a very slow and reformist approach. The societys members include activists, intellectuals and politicians such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau and former US President Bill Clinton who advocate for social justice, equality and other neo-Marxist nonsense. The Fabian Society and Sadiq Khan In January 2018 a group attempted to make a citizens arrest, for treason, of Sadiq Khan at the Fabian Societys New Year Conference. EuroNews branded them far-right protesters. In the description of a 49s clip on YouTube EuroNews states Police needed to disperse group chanting anti-EU slogans attempting citizens arrest of Khan. EuroNews is partly funded by the European Union. Outside of corporate media, the group was described as constitutional rights activists and the video recorded by these activists was at least 30 minutes long which you can watch HERE. The activists can be heard saying that the Fabian Society is subverting our constitution. When asked why they are trying to arrest Sadiq Khan, they answer: Because Sadiq Khan doesnt speak for everybody. Because Sadiq Khan has subverted our constitution Do you know who the Fabian Society are? Do you know what they stand for? Do you know what their coat of arms is? I object to the Fabian Society. Theyve subverted every part of our constitution. Theyve subverted our education system, our political system, theyve subverted everything. If you want to know why the country is in such a mess its because of people like this, its the Fabian Society that is at the root of all of this. Sadiq Khan is a former chair of the Fabian Society. As the 2018 common law or constitutional activists felt strongly about the Societys subversive activities and corporate media at the time completely ignored this was the reason a citizens arrest was being attempted, we thought we would see what we could find out about them. The Fabian Society was established in 1884 by a coterie of British eugenicists and Malthusians to promote a new social order designed to mould society into a new, mechanised order run by a managerial elite of social scientists from the top down. The Society founded the London School of Economics (LSE) in 1895 and was one of the founders of the UK Labour Party in 1900. Throughout the 20th century, the Fabian Society penetrated branches of government, military, academia, media and private corporate boards around the world. From below, plebs and labourers would be attracted by buzz words promoted by Fabians, like equality, social justice, and re-distribution of wealth that were ultimately hollow as these powerful networks had no intention of manifesting what those words actually mean. Wikipedia states: The Fabian Society is a British socialist organisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies, rather than by revolutionary overthrow [It] has had a powerful influence on British politics Today, the society functions primarily as a think tank and is one of 20 socialist societies affiliated with the Labour Party. Similar societies exist in Australia, in Canada, in Sicily and in New Zealand. In 2001 the Guardian published an article, The Fabian Society: a brief history, which states: From the first Fabian tract (Why are the Many Poor?) and the original Fabian Essays, published in 1889 in the wake of the Match Girls Strike, the society has been characterised by a passionate commitment to social justice and a belief in the progressive improvement of society. Since the 1997 general election, there have been around 200 Fabian MPs in the Commons, amongst whom number nearly the entire cabinet, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, Jack Straw, David Blunkett and Clare Short. The society has pursued its role as the new Labour governments critical friend The society published both Tony Blairs seminal pamphlet on the Third Way and Lionel Jospins philosophy of the active state. Blair was not the inventor of the third way concept, a term also used by the Austrian Marxist, Otto Bauer, for whom the third way was between Stalinist communism and traditional social democracy. Blair does not refer to socialism or socialists, preferring the term progressive centre-left. The Third Way stands for a modernised social democracy, passionate in its commitment to social justice and the goals of the centre-left It is founded on the values which have guided progressive politics for more than a century democracy, liberty, justice, mutual obligation and internationalism it draws vitality from using the two great streams of left-of-centre thought democratic socialism and liberals whose divorce this century did so much to weaken progressive politics across the West. Liberals asserted the primacy of individual liberty in the market economy; social democrats promoted social justice with the state as its main agent. The Third Way (1998) UK Column stated in a 2013 article that Tony Blairs Third Way and David Camerons Big Society, are in fact one and the same. The Big Society was not David Camerons idea nor did it originate from within the UKs Conservative Party. Camerons Big Society plan was directly based on the successful community organising movement established by Saul Alinsky in the United States and has successfully trained generations of community organisers, including former US President Barack Obama. Another similar organisation is Common Purpose which is present in over 200 cities worldwide. Common Purpose was founded by Julia Middleton in 1989 who at the time was a graduate of LSE. Whether she was a card-carrying member of the Fabian Society is left up to speculation, Rob Duigan said during an interview with Jerm Warfare. But her personal connections to think tanks like Demos, which are linked to the Fabian Society, suggest that [Common Purpose] is an affiliate [of the Fabian Society]. Further resources: Effects of the Fabian Societys Global Network Earlier this year, Rob Duigan discussed the Fabian Society with Jeremy Nell, host of the South African podcast Jerm Warfare. Duigan is a South African political analyst who is active in the movement for Cape independence and has produced research for several different conservative non-governmental organisations in the country. He publishes articles on a Substack page titled Marhobane. The Fabian Society has managed to hijack just about every institution in the English-speaking world, Duigan said. And, increasingly, much of the rest of the world. The founders of the Fabian Society included intellectuals, academics, and social reformers such as Sidney Webb, Beatrice Webb, George Bernard Shaw and Graham Wallas. It was named after the Roman general Fabius Maximus, who was known for his strategy of gradual and patient tactics during the Second Punic War. The Society published a series of pamphlets called the Fabian Essays in Socialism in 1889 which included contributions from the founding members and other prominent socialists of the time, presenting their vision of democratic socialism. Their idea was that the best way to achieve socialism, rather than by violent revolution, was by infiltration, influence and predominantly through education, Duigan said. So, most of their efforts were involved around convincing student leaders and converting them into future leaders of various movements. Nowadays, the successors of the Fabian Society have become so diffuse it can no longer be seen as a central conspiracy but rather an institutional culture that has a life of its own. The best way to generalise it, Duigan explained, would be to call it elitist collectivism. This elitist collectivism ideology crosses the political spectrum. The left-wing version is the Fabian Society and the right-wing version is the Rhodes Group or the Round Table group. While the Fabian Society is not a secret society, unlike the Bilderberg Group, it has existed for well over a century under the radar of most. Despite very few people knowing much about the Fabian Society, it has played a significant role in shaping British political thought and influencing policymaking, including the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) and the welfare state. In the mid-20th century, the society supported the decriminalisation of homosexuality. The societys member, Sir John Wolfenden, chaired a committee that produced the Wolfenden Report in 1957, recommending the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the United Kingdom. Most people will focus on the Fabians significant influence in the UK. But its influence has been global. Maynard Keynes, who dictated economics for much of the 20th century was a Fabian alumnus. He was also from LSE, a pet university of the Fabian Society. Many of the influential haymakers of the Left have come from [LSE] Karl Popper, George Soros, for example, Duigan said. The most successful members of the Fabian Society were Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Both men were mentored by Anthony Giddens. Much of his book, The Third Way, is dedicated to describing how one builds a synthesis between public and private sectors so that you can increase international agency and policy making and global governance by leaning on non-governmental organisations so you can bring corporations and government departments into the same agenda, Duigan explained. What this saw, in the 1990s through both of [the Clinton and Blair] governments, was an absolute explosion of NGOs as the main means for exercising international and domestic influence. In the UK these were called Quangos, thats a Quasi Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation. What they do is, the government will fund these nominally independent organisations who will, in turn, write policies that they lobby back to elected representatives. The Fabian Society in America was renamed several times. It has been known as The Student League for Industrial Democracy and the Students for a Democratic Society and has birthed organisations such as the Weather Underground. Graduates of the Weather Underground have flown to extraordinarily high positions in the Obama administration, Duigan said. The Weather Underground has also been in charge of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, doing a lot of the shady financing that went into [BLM]. Tony Blair runs the civil service for more than a dozen African countries, Duigan said. His wife has gone out of her way to defend war criminals in Rwanda while most of the civil service is directed and their agenda is set by Tony Blair. You have this very peculiar situation where you have a left-wing, mostly white organisation running a sort of colonial governance system across most of Africa. The podcast above is a must-listen for anyone who wants a glimpse of how Africa and its people have been used by the West, in particular by Tony Blair and his associated organisations. Relating to this, Duigan mentioned a study by Club des Cordeliers into the policies for pushing mandatory covid vaccination on the Western populations. He showed how these policies were modelled after the financing and implementation standards that were developed throughout the early 1990s and 2000s in African countries by Bill Gates organisations and various organisations similar to and including the Tony Blair organisations. So, you can see, Africa becomes a laboratory for a lot of very difficult policies to implement, Duigan said. Featured image: Hammering out a new world the Fabian Window at LSE And let us not forget that Sir Julian Huxley, brother of Brave New World author Aldous, was a prominent member of the Fabian Society, president of the British Eugenics Society, first director of the Fabian Society offshoot UNESCO, and founding member of the World Wildlife Fund which was one of the many Club of Rome PSYOP-CLIMATE-CHANGE nodes. Aldous Huxley along with fellow Fabian Society member George Orwell merely fictionalized the globalist transhumanist plans of their fellow Fabians. Just like todays various psyops flow into and out of each other, so too do the various technocommunist entities (e.g. Fabians, UN, WEF, CFR, Rockefeller foundation, etc.) flow into and out of each other as they deploy said psyops across the globe. The only difference now is that the tempo of the Fabian strategy has accelerated in lockstep with the escalating Great Reset and Agenda 21 and 2030 power grab schemes. Do NOT comply. Researchers in Wuhan, China working with the Chinese military were genetically manipulating the world's deadliest coronaviruses to create a new mutant virus right around the time that the Covid-19 pandemic began, according to the Sunday Times, which has reviewed hundreds of documents, "Including previously confidential reports, internal memos, scientific papers and email correspondence that has been obtained through sources or by freedom of information campaigners in the three years since the pandemic started." EcoHealth Alliance president Peter Daszak (L) collaborated with Dr. Shi Zhengli (R) The Times also interviewed the US State Department investigators, including experts specializing in China, emerging pandemic threats and biowarfare - who conducted what the outlet describes as "the first significant US inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak." [O]ur new investigation paints the clearest picture yet of what happened in the Wuhan laboratory. The facility, which had started hunting the origins of the Sars virus in 2003, attracted US government funding through a New York-based charity whose president was a British-born and educated zoologist. Americas leading coronavirus scientist shared cutting-edge virus manipulation techniques. The institute was engaged in increasingly risky experiments on coronaviruses it gathered from bat caves in southern China. Initially, it made its findings public and argued the associated risks were justified because the work might help science develop vaccines. This changed in 2016 after researchers discovered a new type of coronavirus in a mineshaft in Mojiang in Yunnan province where people had died from symptoms similar to Sars. -Sunday Times The Mojiang mineshaft strain which killed several people are now recognized as 'the only members of Covid-19's immediate family known to have been in existence pre-pandemic,' and were transported to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. After that, "The trail of papers starts to go dark," said one US investigator. "Thats exactly when the classified programme kicked off. My view is that the reason Mojiang was covered up was due to military secrecy related to [the armys] pursuit of dual use capabilities in virological biological weapons and vaccines." According to US investigators, the WIV embarked on a classified program to make the mineshaft viruses more transmissible to humans, which they believe led to the creation of Covid-19, which then leaked into the city of Wuhan following a lab accident. "It has become increasingly clear that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was involved in the creation, promulgation and cover-up of the Covid-19 pandemic," said one of the investigators, who found evidence that researchers working on said experiments were hospitalized in November 2019 with Covid-like symptoms, just one month before the West became aware of the pandemic. One of the victims' relatives died as well. "We were rock-solid confident that this was likely Covid-19 because they were working on advanced coronavirus research in the laboratory. Theyre trained biologists in their thirties and forties. Thirty-five-year-old scientists dont get very sick with influenza," said an investigator. Meanwhile, a separate analysis reveals that the epicenter of the original Covid-19 outbreak was close to the WIV, not Wuhan's "wet" wildlife market as previously thought. "I interviewed scientists in Asia who have close relationships with the Wuhan Institute of Virology," said one of the investigators, who said they had evidence that the WIV was also working on a Covid-19 vaccine before the pandemic. "They told me it is their belief that there was vaccine research going on in the fall of 2019, pertinent to Covid-19 vaccination." Rutgers University microbiologist, Richard Ebright, called the experiments "by far the most reckless and dangerous research on coronaviruses or indeed on any viruses known to have been undertaken at any time in any location." Humanized mouse tests Professor Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina is a pioneer in cutting-edge experiments which use a technique to fuse together different pathogens by combining their genes. To test the effects of these chimeric coronaviruses, Baric created "humanized" mice, which were injected with genes that allowed them to develop lungs and vascular systems similar to those of a human. "Ominously, tools exist for simultaneously modifying the genomes for increased virulence [and] transmissibility," Baric wrote in a 2006 paper. "These bioweapons could be targeted to humans, domesticated animals or crops, causing a devastating impact on human civilisation." Meanwhile, by 2012, campaigners and scientists were beginning to push back against gain-of-function research due to its inherent dangers. "About 30 labs now are working with live Sars virus worldwide. The probability of escape from at least one laboratory is high," wrote Lynn Klotz, a senior fellow at the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. "Would one in ten escapes lead to a major outbreak or pandemic? One in a hundred? One in a thousand? No one knows. But for any of these probabilities, the likelihood-weighted number of victims and deaths would be intolerably high." In 2013, WIV researcher Shi Zhengli called Ralph Baric to ask for his help in growing sufficient quantities of a Sars-like virus found in a cave, SHC014, in order to conduct testing. Baric agreed, and the WIV provided him with the genetic sequence for the strain so that he could recreate genes from its spike proteins. Baric's team inserted SHC014s's "spike gene" into a copy of the original Sars virus they created in North Carolina and tested out the new chimeric virus on humanized mice. Meanwhile in May 2014, EcoHealth Alliance was awarded $3.7 million from the US National Institutes of Health - of which over $500,000 went to fund lab equipment purchases at the WIV, and $130,000 went directly towards Shi and her assistant. Then, the Obama administration banned gain-of-function research, but a 'loophole' allowed the practice to proceed if deemed 'urgent and safe.' Baric argued just this to the NIH, which granted approval. The results of Barics experiment with the genetic sequence given to him by Shi were published in co-authored research in November 2015. The combined Sars copy and SHC014 virus was a potential mass killer. It caused severe lung damage in humanised mice and was resistant to vaccines developed for Sars. The paper acknowledged this might have been an experiment that was too dangerous. It caused a big stir. If the virus escaped, nobody could predict the trajectory, warned Simon Wain-Hobson, a virologist at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. -Sunday Times And in May, 2016, Daszak told a New York conference that She was moving "closer and closer" to obtaining a virus "that could really become pathogenic in people." By 2017, She wrote in a paper that her team had sought to create eight mutant coronaviruses based on strains found in the Shitou cave - two of which were found to infect human cells. The research had been carried out in BSL-2 laboratories, while US guidelines for such research require BSL-3 precautions, which include self-closing doors, filtered air and scientists equipped with full PPE while under medical supervision, the Times writes. We talk a lot about inequality. Well try these numbers: 20 million people dead. 1 billion sickened 8 billion lives put into a deep freeze. All because 1 lab wanted to do audaciously dangerous virus experiments. And 1 US official insisted on funding it. https://t.co/i5EXAKiDOx Ashley Rindsberg (@AshleyRindsberg) June 11, 2023 Enter smoking gun As Shi was creating her eight mutant viruses, the WIV took 'another perilous leap forward' with their work on the Shitou cave viruses - in what Ebright describes as the most dangerous coronavirus experiment ever undertaken - which was funded in part by EcoHealth's grant money. The scientists selected three lab-grown mutant viruses, created by mixing Sars-like viruses with WIV1, which had all been shown to infect human cells. These mutants were then injected into the noses of albino mice with human lungs. The aim was to see whether the viruses had the potential to spark a pandemic if they were fused together, as they might do naturally in a bat colony. The original WIV1 virus was injected into another group of mice as a comparison. The mice were monitored in their cages over two weeks. The results were shocking. The mutant virus that fused WIV1 with SHC014 killed 75 per cent of the rodents and was three times as lethal as the original WIV1. In the early days of the infection, the mices human-like lungs were found to contain a viral load up to 10,000 times greater than the original WIV1 virus. The scientists had created a highly infectious super-coronavirus with a terrifying kill-rate that in all probability would never have emerged in nature. The new genetically modified virus was not Covid-19 but it might have been even more deadly if it had leaked. -Sunday Times In his April 2018 annual progress report the WIV, EcoHealth's Peter Daszak omitted the mice deaths. He also failed to mention them in his grant renewal application filed with the NIH later that year. In fact, he said they had only experienced "mild Sars-like clinical signs." "What really went on inside the Wuhan lab weeks before Covid erupted?" "Fresh evidence drawn from confidential files reveals Chinese scientists spliced together deadly pathogens shortly before the pandemic, the Sunday Times Insight team report"https://t.co/6P2CzACMLP https://t.co/dfB12nqNTL pic.twitter.com/jdkpZHcjJe Richard H. Ebright (@R_H_Ebright) June 11, 2023 So Daszak lied, as the experiment had actually killed six of the eight infected humanized mice. Daszak eventually came clean, but says that his statement about "mild" illnesses was based on preliminary results (despite the fact that the mice had died months before he issued his statement). US State Department weighs in As the global lockdowns were coming to an end, the US State Department's investigators were given access to secret intelligence on China's coronavirus experiments in the months and years before Covid-19 emerged. Over a dozen investigators, given unparalleled access to "metadata, phone information and internet information" from US intelligence intercepts, published a report in early 2021 which made two assertions; that the WIV was experimenting on a strain, RaTG13, found in the Moijang mine, and that covert military research - including experiments performed on animal test subjects, was being conducted right before the pandemic. "They were working with the nine different Covid variants," said one of the investigators, adding that they think one virus at the WIV was an even closer match to Covid-19 than RaTG13. "We are confident they were working on a closer unpublished variant possibly collected in Mojiang." And of course, others believe that Covid-19 was largely a US production... Scientists exposed the US created the COVID virus in a US Lab in the recent COVID Summit. pic.twitter.com/CtsE9mDpKJ Alexander #LM8 (@HaalandGoalKing) June 11, 2023 Either way, there you have it. Apologies from the MSM, fact checkers, social media companies, and the Biden administration can be submitted to tyler@zerohedge.com I designed a book cover for satirist C.J. Hopkins based on the classic "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" paperback bestseller. I am appalled, but not shocked, to find that he is currently under criminal investigation for publishing said cover art. From C.J.: "The Berlin State Prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation of me for tweeting the image on the cover of my book, The Rise of the New Normal Reich. I am charged with disseminating propaganda, the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization, which is punishable by imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine. The propaganda in question is the image on the cover of my book, which image will be familiar to the thousands of readers who have bought and read it. It was a Barnes & Noble and Amazon bestseller upon its release in 2022, and continues to sell quite well internationally. As you might recall, the book was banned by Amazon in Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands in August 2022 (i.e., the time of my alleged Twitter crimes). The Prosecutors notice orders me to respond to the charge within two weeks, though its possible the deadline to respond was today, June 8, 2023 (i.e, the day I received the notice of the investigation, dated May 25, 2023, in the mail). Along with my response to the charge, I am ordered to provide the Prosecutor with all my personal identification papers and documentation of my net monthly income. Obviously, the cover of my book is not propaganda intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization. Anyone vaguely familiar with my work over the last 30 years is aware of my fierce opposition to fascism, totalitarianism, and all other forms of authoritarianism. The charge itself is ridiculous. Yes, swastikas are banned in Germany if they are used to promote Nazism, fascism, neo-Nazi organizations, etc. However, they are allowed to be displayed for the purposes of civic education, countering anti-constitutional activities, art and science, research and education, coverage of historic and current events, and similar purposes, according to German law. Given the circumstances, I have to assume the Berlin State Prosecutor has launched this absurd investigation in order to punish me for my aggressive opposition to the roll-out of the New Normal, or intimidate me into silence. Theres quite a lot of that going around these days. Just ask Matt Taibbi, Roger Waters, Sucharit Bhakdi, Kit Klarenberg, among others. Whatever the actual reason is, I am, needless to say, angry. I will be responding to this baseless and unsupportable charge in a robust fashion. Ill keep you posted." CJ Hopkins -- Reporters raise hand to ask Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a question during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Tuesday. AP-Yonhap Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled on Tuesday a package of wide-ranging measures to reverse a dwindling birthrate, saying the problem needed to be tackled as an ageing population threatens the world's third-largest economy. Kishida's flagship policy comes amid speculation that he will dissolve parliament this week and call a snap election, a move that could heighten calls from within his ruling party for big spending. "Now is the last chance to reverse the downtrend in childbirth by the early 2030s," Kishida told a televised press conference. "The low birthrate is a massive problem that concerns our country's society and entire economy and can't be put off." With measures such as bigger payouts to families with children and providing homes for hundreds of thousands of such households, Kishida said he hoped to double child care spending by the early 2030s, from about 4.7 trillion yen ($33.7 billion) now. The package may help his party appeal to the public, fanning speculation of an early election. Although an election for parliament's powerful lower house is not due until late 2025, Kishida, who swept to power in October 2021, is keen to boost his grip on power in the party ahead of a leadership race next September, analysts say. Kishida sidestepped queries on plans for a snap election, saying numerous factors would govern the decision as the approaching end of the parliament session could make for a fluid political situation. "I want to be sure that I can assess the situation appropriately," he added. "I would like to refrain from commenting further on this matter." Japan's birthrate has been on a steady decline, dropping last year to a record low of 1.26 from 1.57 in 1990, despite a series of government measures to reverse it. Kishida's plan would see the government earmark about 3.5 trillion yen annually for the next three years for child care allowances and support for those taking child care leave. The government will also urge companies to allow employees to choose more flexible working styles such as taking three days off a week, according to a draft of the package seen by Reuters. The government has yet to outline how it would fund the measures, stoking fears of a worsening of Japan's already tattered finances. On Tuesday, Kishida once again ruled out the prospect of a near-term tax hike, saying the funding gap would be filled by the issuance of special childcare bonds. The government will work out the details of securing stable sources of funding by year-end, officials have said. (Reuters) Dr. A. S. Pillai, Founder CEO of BrahMos, graced the occasion, and his words of wisdom inspired Team BrahMos to take the Defence JV to greater heights. NEW DELHI: The grand Silver Jubilee Year celebration by India-Russia JV entity BrahMos Aerospace culminated in a high note today on 12th June, 2023 in the presence of the companys Founder CEO & MD Padma Bhushan Dr. A.S. Pillai whose words of wisdom inspired Team BrahMos to take the Defence JV to greater heights. Addressing a gathering of BrahMos scientists, engineers and other staff members in the presence of Shri Atul Dinkar Rane, (DG, BrahMos), DRDO and CEO & MD of BrahMos, Dr. Sanjeev K Joshi, Dy CEO, Shri Praveen Pathak, Director, Market Promotion & Export and other esteemed officials, Dr. Pillai said: With the BRAHMOS programme, we proved to the world that India was the first country to have a supersonic cruise missile system. India had thus broken the Fifth Nation Syndrome, as exhorted by former President and Missile Man of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Founder CEO of BrahMos, who played a pivotal role in the Military-Technology partnership programme between India and Russia, said. Dwelling upon the many milestones the JV entity has achieved since its formation on 12th February, 1998 followed by the maiden successful launch of supersonic BRAHMOS on 12th June, 2001, Dr. Pillai said that the thought process in establishing a unique organisation like BrahMos was completely different. Every challenge was accepted...We never said No to any challenge, he said. Referring to the current geopolitical volatility, Dr. Pillai, while equating BRAHMOS to Brahmastra of 21st century, said: In democracy, only a strong Nation can advocate peace. And a powerful weapon like BRAHMOS can give strength to India to advocate peace in the world. He appreciated the efforts of BrahMos Aerospace in developing more advanced variants of BRAHMOS, including the BRAHMOS Next-Generation (NG) and hypersonic BRAHMOS. We can work on hypersonics and can definitely prove (to the world) that we are capable here too, Dr. Pillai said emphatically. BrahMos Chief Shri Atul D Rane in his remarks said that it takes a lot of courage and fortitude and Dr. Pillai had the vision to lead the JV programme from the front...hes one of the best leaders one could have. If BrahMos today stands on any pillar, then Dr. Pillai is that pillar, Shri Rane said. On this grand occasion, Dr. Pillai inaugurated the BrahMos auditorium which has been dedicated to him and named Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai auditorium. The Founders Gallery section of BrahMos museum also showcases the many awards and accolades he has received throughout his long, illustrious career as an iconic scientist of India. A mesmerizing dance performance by artists from the Shrinkhala group organised as part of the celebrations enthralled the audience. BrahMos work centres at Hyderabad, Nagpur and Pilani also celebrated BrahMos Silver Jubilee event in a grand way. CEO & MD Shri Atul D Rane addressed the staff in these work centres in virtual mode. Previously, BrahMos organised BRAHMOS Users Meet 2023 on 31st May, and Industry Meet 2023 on 02nd June, to commemorate 25 Supersonic Years of Success of the JV programme involving DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia. Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande interacted with Lt Gen Themistoklis Bourolias, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, #HellenicAirForce, #Greece and discussed aspects of mutual interest. (Photo: Indian Army/ Twitter) NEW DELHI (PTI): Greece's air force chief Lt Gen Themistoklis Bourolias met India's top military brass in New Delhi and discussed issues of mutual interest and ongoing and new avenues for defence cooperation, officials said on Monday. Lt Gen Bourolias, the chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari. The Integrated Defence Staff HQ tweeted pictures of the meeting between the visiting dignitary and Gen Chauhan. They discussed issues of mutual interest, ongoing and new avenues for defence cooperation, and opportunities for Greece to leverage India's vibrant defence industry, it tweeted. The Army tweeted, "General Manoj Pande #COAS interacted with Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, #HellenicAirForce, #Greece and discussed aspects of mutual interest. #IndianArmy #IndiaGreeceFriendship." It also shared a photo of the meeting between the two generals on Monday. In the meeting between Lt Gen Bourolias and Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari, bilateral issues of mutual interest and defence cooperation were discussed, the Indian Air Force said. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Court proceedings over a failure to restore the former City Arts Centre in Dublin have heard the developers who own the site expect they will soon be able to demolish the building. Dublin District Court heard the builders claim it would cost up to 90,000 to get the building on City Quay into a "satisfactory condition". Advertisement The action taken has been taken by Dublin City Council against Ventaway Ltd, which hopes to redevelop the site to construct the city's tallest structure, a 24-storey office building, on the site which has been idle for two decades. The council's refusal to grant planning permission has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala, which has yet to make a decision on the matter. On Monday at Dublin District Court, Judge Anthony Halpin heard Ventaway Ltd sought an adjournment of the case to see the planning body's decision and in the expectation "we will soon be able to demolish the building". Advertisement The court was told the firm bought the site in 2021, maintaining it was already "in a state of considerable disrepair" and that it would be hazardous to carry out repair work. Advertisement Counsel for the company submitted that being summonsed to court was disproportionate, adding that repair work would cost between 70,000 and 90,000 "to bring this structure to a satisfactory condition". However, the council believes the work could be done safely, the court heard. Judge Halpin adjourned the case, pending the appeal to An Bord Pleanala, until July 27th, when it will be listed for mention. Advertisement In refusing permission for the 24-story development on the site, the council's planners had said last year that it would be "likely to have noticeable and detrimental overbearing and overshadowing impacts" on neighbouring properties due to its "overwhelming scale, mass and height". The council announced it had refused planning permission for the project, partly due to its "scale, bulk and height", adding the proposed development would "seriously detract from the setting and character of the Custom House and environs". "The proposal would have a significant and detrimental visual impact on the River Liffey Conservation Area and important views and vistas, including those views from the Custom House environs, Amiens Street, Mountjoy Square, Gardiner Street Lower, Trinity College Campus and views westward from the River Liffey," the council's decision stated. Ireland Offaly man jailed for kicking his pregnant partner... Read More "Moreover, due to the excessive scale of the proposed building and its proposed location, removed from the permitted buildings at Tara Street Station and Apollo House, the proposed building would stand apart as an overly assertive solo building which would not form part of a coherent cluster. Advertisement "The proposal would therefore have a significant and detrimental visual impact on Dublins historic skyline, by reason of fragmentation and visual intrusion and would thereby seriously injure the urban character of the City Centre skyline, would create a precedent for similar type undesirable development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area." The council also said the scheme was likely to have "noticeable and detrimental overbearing and overshadowing impacts on neighbouring property". "The proposed development would therefore constitute an overdevelopment of the subject site, would seriously injure the amenities of neighbouring property, would devalue property in the vicinity, create a precedent for similar type undesirable development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area," it added. Business lobby group Dublin Town has said it is working with Dublin City Council to increase the frequency of street washing during the prolonged period of dry weather. It comes after Councillor Mannix Flynn said the city was looking "filthy and manky" earlier this month as visitors and residents enjoyed the sunshine. Advertisement The local authority said it has now made plans for many of the capitals busiest and well-known streets to be washed twice every week. These include Capel Street, Moore Street, Liffey Street, Liffey Steet Bridges, Mary Street and Middle Abbey Street. Talbot Street, Parnell Street, OConnell Street, North Earl Street and Moore Street are to be cleaned weekly. Additional monthly deep cleaning will be carried out in Moore Street, Manor Street, Store Street Plaza, James Joyce Street, Foley Street, Dominick Streeet lower, Parnell Street East and Parnell Street West. Advertisement Advertisement Sixty-five other inner city residential areas are to be power washed either, weekly, fortnightly or monthly which include Marys Mansions, Frankfurt Cottages and public areas such as Seville Place Bridges and Wolfe Tone Park. Independent councillor Christy Burke welcomed the move to "improve" the appearance and hygiene of the areas involved. Business lobby group Dublin Town says it is campaigning for cleaner streets Dublin Town chief executive Richard Guiney said the business group organises street cleaning every day from 4.00am. Advertisement "Our work is in addition to that done by Dublin City Council," he said. "Street staining occurs during prolonged periods of dry weather and is made worse by intense sunshine. Dust and grime sticks to liquids such as ice-cream and soft-drinks and street surfaces can deteriorate very quickly. A street washed at night can look terrible by the following afternoon. Ireland Council says good weather having impact as Dublin... Read More "Dublin Towns night team has been washing streets each evening and an additional crew has commenced at 4.00am over the past week, however, we are running to stand still once there is intense sunshine. Streets can only be washed at night and in the very early morning before people come into the city. Mr Guiney added: "The other big issue contributing to street staining is waste bags, particularly if they have oils, grease or food waste in them. We are rolling out the phased introduction of canvass bag holders with waste companies and Dublin City Council from the end of this month." "This will help with leaks from business waste bags, and bags being burst by vermin and seagulls. We have also lobbied for a change in the bye-laws for a tighter window of waste collections, so bags are on the street for a shorter period. Advertisement "We will continue to advocate for such a change, which we believe will help present the city as a more attractive and welcoming location in the evening and will assist with combatting vermin and bag bursts, which add to litter on the street." Any move to legislate for assisted dying would require protections and safeguards against inducement, incitement and pressure, the first public hearing of the joint committee on the matter has been told. The committee was formed to consider and make recommendations for legislative and policy change relating to statutory rights to assist a person to end their life and to receive such assistance. Advertisement While the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act of 1993 decriminalised suicide itself, the offence of assisting suicide was retained and put on a statutory footing. It is currently an offence for a person to aid, abet, counsel or procure the suicide or an attempted suicide of another person. Advertisement The offence has a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment on conviction on indictment. The severe penalty was to cover situations where a person deliberately procured the suicide of another for their own motives. Advertisement Rachel Woods, the Department of Justices assistant secretary with responsibility for criminal justice said fundamental rights lie at the heart of this difficult issue. Advertisement She said the department recognises the matter is complex and gives rise to medical, ethical and moral issues as well as criminal justice and constitutional matters that need to be considered. Article 40.3.2 of the Constitution guarantees that the State safeguards every citizens right to life while Article 40.1 guarantees that all citizens shall be held equal before the law. The courts have held that these paragraphs commit the State to value equally the lives of all citizens, while the European Convention on Human Rights provides that everyones right to life be protected by law. The obligation to safeguard the right to life is why in the absence of any legal framework to provide for assisted dying, the State has and must have laws to protect life. Advertisement Assisted dying campaigner Marie Fleming, who suffered from multiple sclerosis (Niall Carson/PA) The Act was challenged in a 2013 Supreme Court case by assisted dying campaigner Marie Fleming, who suffered from multiple sclerosis. However, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Act. Advertisement The basis for the decision was that theres no constitutional right to commit suicide, or to arrange for the ending of ones life at a time of ones choosing. Advertisement The courts further found that it is not possible to identify a constitutional right for a limited class of persons, in this case, persons suffering severe pain arising from a terminal and degenerative illness, who have the capacity to consent and wish to have the assistance of a third party to end their lives. Safeguards It held the prohibition on assisted suicide was neither discriminatory nor contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the court clarified that its judgment did not prevent this from legislating for assisted suicide assuming appropriate safeguards could be introduced. Sinead Gibney, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, raised concerns about possible unintended policy consequences if there was a lack of sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable groups. If we are to consider assisted dying to be an extension of patient-centred care and a humane response to suffering, we must ensure that these groups are robustly protected from pressure or coercion. She said this should include the positive obligation to protect the right to life, the need for free and informed consent and protection from duress, the right to health and palliative care, as well as the right to participation in decision making. Specifically, I will make the point that human dignity must be respected at all stages of each individuals life, including terminal illness and death. Ms Gibney said disability should be excluded as a grounds for eligibility. Updated: 5.30pm A thunderstorm alert is in place for most of the country, with Met Eireann warning of possible localised flooding and difficult travel conditions. Advertisement The status yellow warning began shortly after 2.30pm, covering Connacht, Cavan, Donegal, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath. The forecaster warned of "localised slow-moving showers with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and the chance of hail", with the alert remaining in place until 9pm on Tuesday. Very warm & humid this afternoon, sunny spells & scattered heavy showers Some heavy downpours & thunderstorms expected in parts of the midlands & west with spot flooding & hail likely Thunderstorm warning in place https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS Highs 22 to 27C pic.twitter.com/jxD7a63rnp Met Eireann (@MetEireann) June 13, 2023 A similar thunderstorm warning issued by the UK Met Office is in place in counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh until 9pm. Advertisement Earlier, Met Eireann said Tuesday was "shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far", with temperatures hitting 27 degrees in parts. The warm spell is expected to continue into the weekend, with temperatures generally remaining in the low 20s but reaching as high as 27 degrees in parts. Police in the North have issued an apology to a group known as the hooded men who were subjected to controversial interrogation techniques in the 1970s. It comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled in December that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was wrong not to investigate allegations of torture. Advertisement The 14 hooded men were subjected to a series of controversial interrogation techniques by the British army and police when they were interned without trial in Northern Ireland in 1971. The techniques included hooding and being put in stress positions, forced to listen to white noise and deprived of sleep, food and water. Advertisement They were also thrown from helicopters that were hovering close to the ground, having been told the aircraft were hundreds of feet in the air. The European Court of Human Rights previously ruled that while the men suffered inhumane and degrading treatment, it fell short of torture. Advertisement The PSNI took the case to the UKs highest court after failing in Belfasts Court of Appeal to overturn a court ruling that found the police should revisit the decision to end the investigation into the treatment of the men. Advertisement Representatives of the men had a private meeting with senior police officers in Belfast on Tuesday. They received the apology during this meeting at Garnerville. In the apology the PSNI said: We would like to convey an apology to you for the actions and omissions of police officers at that time. It has also emerged that an apology was hand-delivered to one of the hooded men, Joe Clarke, on his death bed last Thursday by his solicitor. He died four days later on Monday. Advertisement Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law who acts for the majority of the hooded men including Mr Clarke, said the apology comes after a 10-year campaign for justice. Since their landmark victory before the Supreme Court in December 2021, we have engaged at the very highest level to try and find a resolution for our clients, he said. The publication of this apology comes after weeks of intense negotiation which drew to a close in the days before Mr Joe Clarke tragically passed away. In the last days of his life, Mr Clarke was finally delivered closure in the form of an apology, for which he had long since campaigned, he said. Advertisement This is a seismic development in a seismic case. Advertisement Mr Mackin said that as the issue of how to tackle Northern Irelands troubled past is debated, the case of the hooded men can be pointed to as the pin up of due process, humanity and resolution coming together under one umbrella. This case is an example of why the efforts by the British government to brush the legacy of the past under the carpet will never, and can never, work, he said. Tribute ought to be paid to those at the upper echelons of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and in particular Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd and head of Legacy Branch Ian Saunders who, despite the sensitivities, engaged in an extensive negotiation, and against all odds, ensured the delivery of an apology before the passing of Mr Clarke. Today, those efforts must be acknowledged and appreciated in what is truly a landmark development. Mr Mackin paid tribute to Mr Clarke as a larger-than-life character who had unrivalled generosity and charisma. Ireland 'Hooded men': I still have nightmares after 50 yea... Read More This apology is a testament to that character and tenacity, in demonstrating that where there is a will, there is always a way, he added. However, he urged that the British government and UK Ministry of Defence also issue an apology. Today proves nobody is above the law, he said. The High Court has heard that a consultant surgeon who claimed the HSE placed him on enforced sick leave is entitled to return to work. Dr Pawan Rajpal, a colorectal surgeon at Cavan General Hospital for 25 years, brought a court case alleging he was informed last August that he was the subject of a complaint from another staff member and faced being suspended. Advertisement Dr Rajpal also works at Monaghan General Hospital and Connolly Hospital in Dublin. He strongly denies any wrongdoing and says the allegations relate to an alleged encounter outside working hours and away from HSE property. On Tuesday, counsel for the doctor read out parts of a letter from the HSE which acknowledged he is entitled to return to work. Dr Rajpals senior counsel, Patrick McCann, appearing with barrister David Lennon, told the court that the letter did not address all of their concerns, so the case will have to proceed. Advertisement The judge gave directions on how to progress the matter and adjourned the case. Advertisement In his action against the HSE, Dr Rajpal claims no formal decision was ever taken to suspend him and he has not been properly informed of the details of the allegation against him. Arising out of the claim against him, the consultant took two weeks' sick leave for work-related stress. In mid-September 2022, he got a certificate from his GP stating he was ready to return to work. However, he claims the HSE did not allow him to return to his duties. He alleges the HSE unlawfully and in breach of his contract of employment insisted he could not return to work unless he was reviewed by an occupational health therapist of the HSEs choice. Advertisement Ireland Port company 'shocked' that own lands earmarked fo... Read More This, he says, falls outside a stipulated process for referrals to occupational health professionals which expressly says an employee does not have to undergo any form of assessment and can refuse to attend. Prior to these incidents, Dr Rajpal alleges he voiced his opposition to what he says is the HSEs attempt to bring about changes he believes would downgrade facilities at Cavan General Hospital. Being out of work has damaged his reputation and his ability to earn a living, he claims. The court heard he has been working at other hospitals since September. A woman with cervical cancer whose lawyers pleaded with the HSE to have her case over the alleged misreporting of her smear slides settled before her death has died, the High Court has heard. Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that the 59-year-old woman, who cannot be identified, died at the weekend. Advertisement A part of her case has now died with her as the HSE and laboratories involved refused a plea in the womans last days to have her right to general damages preserved after her death if her action was successful. Her lawyers had pleaded with the HSE and laboratories involved to settle the case and made what they called "a humanitarian request" to also give an assurance that the womans right to general damages if her side went on to win the action be preserved after her death. Advertisement The womans case was due for trial in the High Court in July. All the claims made in the action are denied. At one stage last week, Mr Justice Paul Coffey told the parties they now find themselves "at the edge of what the law can do" and it was now a case "where common decency and honour become involved." Advertisement As a result, mediation talks began in the case late last week, but the woman died before those talks were able to reach any resolution of the action. In the High Court, counsel for the woman and her family, Jeremy Maher SC instructed by Cian OCarroll solicitors, said mediation talks took place again last Friday, but it did not resolve the case and the woman later died. He said the case was due to go ahead on July 5th and he asked the court to now vacate that date as the proceedings will have to be reconstituted. The action will have to be now brought by the womans grieving husband. Mr Maher said the HSE and laboratories had been asked to preserve the womans right to general damages after her death, but "that was refused." Advertisement Mr Justice Paul Coffey, who adjourned the case, said he was "very, very saddened" to hear of the womans death and he conveyed his "deepest sympathy" to her husband and family. The woman had sued the HSE along with laboratory Eurofins Biomnis Ireland Limited of Sandyford Industrial Estate, Foxrock, Dublin. The US laboratory CPL, which is based in Austin, Texas and which examined the womans August 2010 cervical smear slide, was added to the proceedings as a third party at the end of last month. At issue in the case are two cervical smear slides taken under the CervicalCheck national screening programme in February 2010 and August 2010. Ireland Cabinet unwilling to put cap on data centres as en... Read More She had claimed that had smear samples taken in February 2010 or August 2010 been correctly reported she would have been treated by curative surgery and would not have developed invasive cervical cancer. Instead, she said she underwent treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy and in October 2022 she was diagnosed as having widespread metastatic disease. It was claimed because of the alleged delay in diagnosis the woman allegedly lost the opportunity of cure and her life expectancy was severely impaired and limited to months rather than years. All the claims were denied. At least 10 people have been killed and dozens wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, a regional governor said. Serhiy Lysak, of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said the strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-storey residential building early on Tuesday and the area was engulfed in fire. Advertisement Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said that said that one person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble and 28 others were wounded. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelenskys home town is the latest bloodshed in Russias war in Ukraine, now in its 16th month, as Ukrainian forces are mounting counter-offensive operations using Western-supplied firepower to try to drive out the Russians. Firefighters tackle a blaze after missiles hit a multi-storey apartment building in Kryvyi Rih (Dnipro Regional Administration via AP) Advertisement Advertisement Images from the scene relayed by Mr Zelensky on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling the blaze as pockets of fire poked through multiple broken windows of a building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote on the social app. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. The aerial assault was the latest barrage of strikes by Russian forces that targeted various parts of Ukraine overnight. Advertisement That included Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, which was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, while the surrounding region was shelled, local governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Tuesday on Telegram. He reported that shelling wounded two civilians a 33-year-old man and 44-year-old woman in the town of Shevchenkove, south east of Kharkiv. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, separately reported that a drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the citys north east. Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery towards Russian positions on the front line (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Advertisement The Kyiv military administration reported that the capital came under fire as well on Tuesday but the incoming missiles were destroyed. Air defences overnight shot down 10 out of 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces, Ukraines General Staff said on its Facebook page. Advertisement Meanwhile, the head of Ukraines ground troops said the countrys forces were moving forward outside the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Advertisement Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks while Ukrainian troops were conducting defensive operations in the area. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which was largely devastated in the wars longest and bloodiest battle before Moscows forces took control last month. Over the last day in Ukrainian-held areas of Donetsk, nearly a dozen frontline towns and villages came under increased shelling as Ukrainian troops pushed forward, Mr Zelenskys office said. Also on Tuesday, the Russian Defence Ministry published a video showing what it said was a German-made Leopard 2 tank and US-made Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, the video was shot by Russian soldiers after fierce fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia, and a soldier is seen pointing at the immobilised vehicles. It wasnt immediately possible to verify the videos authenticity. Like the Bakhmut area, battle zones in Zaporizhzhia are one of several places along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line where Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their counter-offensive operations. Advertisement Vladimir Rogov, an official with the Moscow-appointed administration for parts of Zaporizhzhia that Russia controls, alleged that the Ukrainian counter-offensive had failed, and told state news agency RIA-Novosti that Ukrainian forces continue to suffer colossal losses when they make new attempts to advance He did not elaborate, and his claims could not be immediately verified. A bus driver was driving too fast when the vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog in an Australian wine region, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others, police have alleged. Brett Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales state, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late on Sunday. Advertisement Mr Button had been in police custody but was released on bail when he appeared in the Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday. He was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one count of negligent driving. A couple place flowers at a roadblock in Huntlee near the scene of the bus crash (Mark Baker/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, acting police assistant commissioner David Waddell alleged that Mr Button entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions. Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries, Mr Waddell told reporters. It was Australias most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38. Police said Mr Button underwent mandatory blood and urine testing for drugs and alcohol on Sunday night but no impairment was detected. Prosecutors argued against Mr Button being released on bail. Advertisement But magistrate Robyn Richardson said his family ties and bail conditions could reduce his risk of fleeing the country or interfering with witnesses. She also noted a trial was unlikely to be heard before late 2024. His bail conditions include that he does not drive and that he observes an overnight curfew at his Hunter Valley home of Maitland. Mr Button sat with his head bowed throughout the short bail hearing and wept when it was noted that he was clearly suffering along with the rest of the community that had been devastated by the crash. Advertisement Police inspect the bus following the crash in the Hunter Valley (Mark Baker/ AP) Advertisement Ms Richardson said there were concerns about his wellbeing. Police statements made by 10 passengers about Mr Buttons prolonged behaviour before the crash created a strong prosecution case, she said, without elaborating on that behaviour. Prosecutors said Mr Button could face further charges in relation to the seriously injured survivors. Advertisement Of the 25 passengers taken to hospitals, 14 had not been discharged from hospital on Tuesday, with two remaining in an intensive care unit in critical but stable condition, Mr Waddell said. He also said the dead and injured were aged from their 20s to their 60s. He declined to comment on media reports that Mr Button told passengers through the buss microphone shortly before the crash: If you think that was fast watch this. Mr Waddell also declined to comment on reports that passengers were standing moments before the crash. Boris Johnson has urged the UK's Commons Privileges Committee to publish its report on whether he lied to the British parliament over partygate and let the world judge their nonsense. In an angry statement on Tuesday, the former UK prime minister lashed out at the panels absurdly unfair rules which he said prevented him from criticising its findings. Advertisement It came after the committee said Mr Johnson had made last-minute representations ahead of the release of its report, which is expected to find that he deliberately misled MPs with his assurances that lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street. Advertisement He said: The Privileges Committee should publish their report and let the world judge their nonsense. They have no excuse for delay. Their absurdly unfair rules do not even allow any criticism of their findings. Advertisement I have made my views clear to the committee in writing and will do so more widely when they finally publish. Advertisement Mr Johnson previously attacked the seven-person committee, which is chaired by veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman but has a Conservative majority, as a kangaroo court when he announced his Commons exit on Friday after receiving a draft of its findings. The committee said it was dealing with submissions received from Mr Johnson at 11.57pm on Monday. The reports publication had already been pushed back towards the end of this week, reportedly due to printing problems in Parliament, before Mr Johnsons 11th-hour representations. A controversial UK government Bill on the legacy of the Troubles is not a blanket amnesty, Britain's Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted. Mr Heaton-Harris has written to US Congress members who had expressed concerns that the UK government's plans would deny justice to thousands of families. Advertisement But Mr Heaton-Harris has responded that he believes the proposed plans meant that the prospect of criminal justice outcomes will remain open for individuals who refuse to assist in the provision of information for bereaved families and victims and survivors. The Bill has proved highly contentious, with victims groups, all the main Stormont parties and the Irish Government opposed to it. The draft legislation would establish a new commission aimed at uncovering facts around unsolved deaths relating to the Troubles. One of the most controversial aspects of the new legal framework is the offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators who co-operate with the commission. Advertisement Advertisement The letter from 27 members of the US Congress earlier this year voiced strong concern and disappointment over the progression of the dangerous legislation. In his letter of response, Mr Heaton-Harris said current mechanisms for dealing with legacy case are providing outcomes to a very small number of those affected. Advertisement He added: Within the Police Service for Northern Irelands Legacy Investigation Branch, there is a caseload of approximately 1,000 cases with ever-dwindling prospects of successful prosecutions which will take many years to conclude. There are approximately 700 civil cases backlogged in a judicial system ill-equipped to process such numbers. He added: The UK governments Bill will establish an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to conduct reviews into Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries, with the primary objective of providing information to families, victims and survivors who request it. Mr Heaton-Harris said the fact that Northern Irelands former Lord Chief Justice Lord Declan Morgan had been appointed Chief Commissioner of the ICRIR was a demonstration of how seriously the UK government is taking the establishment of truly independent and effective legacy mechanisms that can deliver for victims, survivors and families. Advertisement He added: In support of its investigative processes, and to help facilitate the provision of information, the independent commission will be able to offer immunity from prosecution to individuals who cooperate with the ICRIRs inquiries. Advertisement Advertisement To be absolutely clear, this is not a blanket amnesty for Troubles-related offences. The Bill ensures that an individual will only be granted immunity from prosecution on a case-by-case basis, and only where the ICRIR having taken into account all relevant evidence in its possession is satisfied that the person applying has provided an account that is true to the best of their knowledge and belief. For individuals who are not granted immunity from prosecution, the ICRIR will consider whether the evidence available following its investigative process is sufficient to refer the cases to the relevant independent prosecutor for consideration. Ireland PSNI apologises to hooded men for actions and omi... Read More In all cases referred to the ICRIR, it will draft and publish a report with the ability to make findings to a lower threshold of proof than that required to secure criminal prosecutions. Mr Heaton-Harris continued: Far from concealing the truth of the past and denying justice, this will mean that more families will receive a measure of accountability and acknowledgement through the provision of information than is currently the case. However, the Bill is clear that the prospect of criminal justice outcomes will remain open for individuals who refuse to assist in the provision of information for bereaved families and victims and survivors. Boris Johnson has lobbed a grenade into the Tory Party on his way out of Parliament, hoping to accelerate the demise of Sunaks troubled government. This is the latest episode in the crisis of Britains regime. Revolutionary explosions lie ahead. The circus is back in town. Just when it seemed like things had settled down in Britain, someone threw a spanner into the works. And once again, the prize goes to Boris Johnson, Westminsters resident buffoon. Johnson decided to jump ship on Friday night, in an effort to escape the humiliation of being found guilty of lying to Parliament. This would have led to a suspension of at least ten days for the ex-PM, and the prospect of fighting (and potentially losing) a by-election. Kangaroo court Boris did not depart quietly, but with a fanfare of publicity / Image: fair use True to form, Boris did not depart quietly, but with a fanfare of publicity. His explosive resignation was designed to inflict the greatest possible harm on Rishi Sunaks government a kind of farewell present to his former Downing Street neighbour. Boris Johnson goes full Trump in search of one last act, was the headline in the austere Financial Times. Old Boris was found by the parliamentary privileges committee which has a Tory majority to have lied to MPs. He described the committee and its investigation as a kangaroo court and a witch-hunt, the aim of which was to force him out. There is clearly no love lost between Johnson and Sunak. The former Tory leader feels that he has been stabbed in the back. He was not defeated, he believes, but cheated out of his position as prime minister. Contained in Johnsons resignation letter was a threat that he will return. He harks back to when Winston Churchill was called back from the cold to serve his country. And no doubt he would like to tread the same path as his Conservative hero. But for now, outside Parliament, Boris will hurl thunderbolts at Sunak and those he regards as traitors. Dying days First up is a flurry of troubling by-elections for the Tories, arising from the resignation of Johnson and two of his loyal supporters, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams. This will cause the maximum discomfort for Sunak. With the Tories trailing in the polls, it is possible that the party will lose all three seats, adding to the pressures on the beleaguered Tory government. In fact, a string of by-election defeats could be the final nail in the coffin for this government, which is clearly in its death throes. Rather than staggering on to a drawn-out demise, Sunak could be pushed into calling an early general election. But this would offer no salvation. Whether it is sooner or later, his party would still face a wipeout. Whatever happens, it is clear that this Tory government is finished. Sensing this impending doom, dozens of Conservative MPs have already announced that they will not stand at the next election. This includes high-profile names such as Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid, and Matt Hancock Tory rats abandoning their sinking ship. There is even speculation that Boris may launch his own party, given the Tories current meltdown. Others have suggested that he will seek to contest a safer Tory seat at the next general election. Sunak could ban him from standing, however, putting Johnson on another collision course with the partys leadership. Mighty hath fallen It is not impossible that Boris parliamentary career could still rise from the ashes. What happens will be decided by the scale of the Tories losses. How far the mighty have fallen! Just over three years ago, Johnson was prime minister with an 80 seat majority. It is not impossible that Boris parliamentary career could still rise from the ashes / Image: Socialist Appeal Yet, as we predicted, he presided over a government of crisis. We believed that his administration was doomed from the outset. But the depth of the collapse has been remarkable. Johnson is a complete maverick, who is interested only in his own personal advancement. The leader of the Tory Party is supposed to represent the interests of big business. But when he clashed with them over Brexit, Boris said f**k business. In reality, under Boris, the ruling class lost control over the Tory Party. What they hated about Johnson was how, through his reckless actions, he brought the entire establishment into disrepute. He helped to undermine the institutions of bourgeois democracy, particularly Parliament, and showed what a sham these really are. Decline and degeneration This episode is the latest symptom of the crisis of the regime in Britain. This, in turn, is a reflection of the decline of British capitalism. Johnson reflected the degeneration of the Tory Party, and of the ruling class. They got the leader they deserved. Following the Liz Truss debacle, the establishment attempted a coup to install Sunak as leader and prime minister, hoping to bring a safe pair of hands to the table. The fratricidal conflicts within the Tory Party, however, have thwarted these efforts. The Johnson fiasco, therefore, is not an isolated incident, but a sign of the times; an indication of the impasse of British capitalism. Starmers establishment B-team Ironically, the ruling class has largely given up on the Tory Party. Instead, they are looking towards a Starmer Labour government as a better option. The Labour Party under Starmer poses no threat to them. On the contrary, Starmer has bent over backwards to prove his loyalty to big business, promising to be Blair on steroids. In other words, he will seek to lead a committed government committed to capitalism. Starmer will benefit from the Tory crisis, which will help to propel him into power. He probably would like for Labour to be in a minority after the next election. This would give him an excuse to form some kind of coalition with the Lib Dems, as a pretext for abandoning any promises of reform. Already, the right-wing Labour leaders are covering their tracks, stating that they will inherit a grave economic situation, and that they will have to act accordingly. A Starmer government will also be a crisis government, given the parlous state of British capitalism / Image: fair use A Starmer government will also be a crisis government, given the parlous state of British capitalism. There will be no boom to help them, as was the case with Blair and New Labour. The economic climate has radically changed since the 2008 slump. Now is the epoch of capitalist crisis and austerity. All that these leaders can offer is reformism without reforms. In fact, counter-reforms are on the order of the day. This will push the working class into opposition to Starmer, opening up a period of intense instability and class struggle in Britain. Are you a communist? As Lenin explained, splits in the ruling class are the first condition of revolution. This is true of the present situation. Lenins other prerequisites for revolution are also maturing: the middle classes in ferment; the entrance of the masses onto the scene. Britain is being transformed in front of our very eyes from one of the most stable countries to one of the most unstable. The objective conditions for revolution in Britain are developing. The problem we face is a crisis of leadership for the working class. A successful revolution requires a leadership and a party one that is prepared to seize the opportunity to overthrow the capitalist system. This is what we are building today in the International Marxist Tendency, in Britain and elsewhere, based on the ideas of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. That is why we say: Are you a communist? If so, then join us today in building the revolutionary party. There has never been a more important task. Hundreds of journalists from around the world gathered on Tuesday outside the court in central Miami where former US president Donald Trump will make his first appearance on criminal charges that he improperly held on to classified documents. Protests were scheduled for later in the day by Trump backers who have criticised the felony charges, though the number of supporters and those opposing him were a fraction of the crowd compared with the media. Advertisement Journalists from China, the UK, Australia, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Germany and Switzerland were among the hundreds who have converged on the court. Some have spent several days camped out in the muggy heat. Police form a line outside the court (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) Advertisement Security was tight. A yellow-tape police line and about half a dozen federal police vehicles formed a barricade, keeping people from a palm tree-lined path and the public entrance to the modern, largely glass federal court building. Advertisement A police helicopter passed overhead at times, and about two dozen Miami police circled the buildings perimeter on bicycles. Miami mayor Francis Suarez has said the city is ready to handle any protests, and that local law enforcement has experience handling large demonstrations. The early crowd on Tuesday included people wearing T-shirts with Mr Trumps face in a mock mugshot, with large letters reading 'Not Guilty'. Advertisement Some people were protesting against Donald Trump. Photo: Wilfredo Lee/AP. Some had Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president next year. Another man, who opposes Mr Trump, was dressed in black-and-white prison stripes and held a sign reading Lock Him Up. Advertisement At times, people shouted past each other with duelling megaphones. Among those who arrived early were father and son Florencio and Kevin Rodriguez, who arrived in the US fifteen years ago as asylum seekers fleeing dictatorship in Cuba. Wearing a shirt reading Jesus is my saviour, Trump my president, Kevin Rodriguez questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors lax attitude towards US president Joe Biden and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, both of whom have also been accused of mishandling classified intelligence, albeit without any intention of hiding their actions. Advertisement A supporter of former US president Donald Trump in Miami. Photo: John Raoux/AP. Even if hes guilty, we will still support him, he said as a contingent of Miami police officers rode by on bicycles. Advertisement We never abandon our amigos, those who love this country and our liberty, he added, highlighting the former presidents staunch opposition to Cubas communist government. Some came to counter the Trump supporters. Jack Kaplan (68) drove two hours from Ft Pierce, where the judge assigned to the case is based. Explained Explained: What are the charges against Trump in t... Read More Carrying a copy of the indictment affixed to a clipboard, and a sign reading Trump Is Toast, the retired car dealer said he will celebrate with a bottle of expensive wine if the former president is locked away. Ive already got the bottle sitting in my wine cooler, said Mr Kaplan as a Trump supporter carrying a sign reading Keep America Great walked by. Im going to have a big party. Two 19-year-olds and man in his 50s were killed in the Nottingham attacks, police in the UK have confirmed. The students were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at about 4am on Tuesday while the mans body was found in Magdala Road. Advertisement At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said it was believed the older mans van had been stolen and was driven at three people in Milton Street. Advertisement One man remains in hospital in a critical condition while two others suffered minor injuries following that incident. A 31-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder. The University of Nottingham said two of the victims were students at the university. One of them was named locally as Barnaby Webber. Advertisement Advertisement Police forensics officers on Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, where two university students were killed (Zac Goodwin/PA) A university statement read: It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight. We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends. We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Advertisement Ms Meynell, speaking outside a police station in the city, said: Police were called to Ilkeston Road just after 4am after a member of the public reported that two people aged 19 had been stabbed and were unresponsive. Police forensics officers search a white van on the corner of Maples Street and Bentinck Road in Nottingham (Zac Goodwin/PA) We had a further call to another incident in Milton Street, where the driver of a stolen van had attempted to run over three people. As a result, one man is in hospital in a critical condition while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries. Advertisement The van was then stopped on Maple Street, where a man was tasered and detained by police officers on suspicion of murder. A man in his 50s was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road by a member of the public. At the moment, we believe that the suspect has stolen this mans vehicle and driven it to Milton Street, where he is then driven at members of the public. Advertisement We are still in the early stages of the investigation. I need to determine exactly what the motives were behind this attack. Ms Meynell added: We are keeping an open mind and are working closely with counter-terrorism policing to establish the facts as we would normally do in this type of circumstance. The families of all the victims have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Officers have also carried out a number of searches of addresses across the city to gather evidence, but no further arrests have been made. Suella Braverman said were in a very early stage of the investigation when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related. The Home Secretary told broadcasters in Westminster: We need to allow the police the time and the space to carry out all of their operational activity to determine the motive. Its right that Nottinghamshire Police are working with Counter Terrorism Policing. But its also fair to say that everybody and all professionals on the front line are keeping an open mind as to what the precise motive might have been. Dominos chief executive Don Meij says ditching underperforming stores and dropping delivery fees should help turn the pizza chain around as it works to get sales back on track after an earnings slump and struggles to manage rising costs. In a trading update on Tuesday, the company said some store sales had improved in the second half but remained below the medium-term outlook of 3 per cent to 6 per cent, and it would reduce the number of stores. Dominos Pizza Enterprises CEO Don Meij is exiting the loss-making Danish market. Dominos will reduce the size of its current corporate store network of about 913 stores by 15 to 20 per cent, through closing underperforming stores and accelerating the refranchising of corporate stores in turnaround, the company said. Between 65 and 70 underperforming corporate-owned stores will close, along with the companys 27 Danish stores, acquired in 2019 for 2.5 million ($4 million), which Meij said had generated too many losses. Melbourne-based cybersecurity firm Tesserent has agreed to be acquired by French multinational Thales, in a $176 million share scheme recommended unanimously by the Tesserent board on Tuesday. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, values Australias largest listed cybersecurity company at $0.13 a share, which Thales said represented a 165.3 per cent premium to the closing price of Tesserent on June 9. After the aquisition, Tesserent will be marketed as Thales primary cybersecurity offering in Australia. Credit: Bloomberg Tesserents customers are expected to benefit from Thales enhanced product suite, global service capabilities and the acceleration of Tesserents existing growth and customer service strategy, said Tesserant chairman Geoff Lord. The share scheme represents a significant premium to Tesserents recent share price, reflects an enterprise value of $232 million, delivers certainty of value and provides opportunity for shareholders to realise their investment in full for cash. Alan Joyce, who has had five months to fashion a legacy for his 15 years wearing the Qantas crown, has embarked on a slew of farewell appearances, something of a magical mystery tour. He has taken centre stage at the International Air Transport Association conference in Turkey and fronted an investor day in Sydney to sell the airlines long-term vision, including how to keep the bumper profits rolling while funding a massive investment in new aircraft. All this while marketing the firms emissions-busting credentials. Qantas chair Richard Goyder (right) and Vanessa Hudson (centre), who will take over from CEO Alan Joyce (left). Credit: Rhett Wyman But Joyce is clearly not satisfied with being considered the shareholders king. He aspires to be humanised by the masses of Australians, including the staff and customers, who have been throwing darts at him for years. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping gig to date was the double act he fronted with this hitherto unheard of brother Anthony, an actuary from Medibank. The familial pair took the stage at an Actuaries Institute event to talk about, among other things, the courage of making right decisions, the value of actuaries, airline safety, and diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Queensland filmmaker Michael Wares 2015 Emmy-nominated documentary Only the Dead, was the culmination of years spent corresponding from Iraq and Afghanistan for Time magazine and CNN. His National Geographic films covered the war in Ukraine, Iranian spies in Albania and the burning of Papua New Guinean women accused of witchcraft. However, he describes making his first true-crime documentary, The Cape, which investigates the 2003 disappearance of commercial fisherman Bevin Simmonds and his 10-year-old son Brad in the Gulf of Carpentaria, as going back up the river into the heart of darkness. Journalist Michael Ware in the Gulf of Carpentaria, where some locals were hostile about the documentary being filmed. Its a world that exists in Queensland that even Queenslanders dont know about. It is absolutely Hobbesian, says Ware. When you peel away law and order, and society and values, who are we really? We can do whatever it is that we want and need, and thats what this small world in this vast expanse is like. Despite the landscape being the opposite to Afghanistan, I still felt like I was going up Taliban valleys when I was going up those snaking mangrove swamp rivers to find these fishing families and their encampments. And the way the locals up there dont want to talk about this crime, or these families, so it was with the villagers and the Taliban. Everyone knows who the Taliban is. Everyone knows where they are. But no one wants to talk about it. Also, heart attack symptoms can appear hours, days, or weeks in advance, as the Mayo Clinic explains on its website. Lloyd-Joness advice: If the symptoms seem more common with exertion and theyre better when you rest, thats a red flag for any doctor to say, Lets get you in and see whats going on. The classic symptom is that elephant sitting on the middle of your chest this heavy, crushing pressure, mid-chest. cardiologist Donald M. Lloyd-Jones One thing thats not a predictable heart attack warning sign: elevated blood pressure. Mine was high 156/84 before I went to the ER but some types of heart attacks can lead to very low blood pressure, Lloyd-Jones says. Other lessons from my experience include: Act fast really fast My approach to health issues is usually, Eh, Im sure its nothing. But once I realised that my symptoms matched many of the Mayo Clinics warning signs, I went to emergency. Within an hour of my arrival, cardiologist Yuri Deychak had received an electrocardiogram (EKG) of my heart at his home, diagnosed a blockage in a coronary artery leading to the heart and activated the catheterisation lab team at Suburban Hospital to unblock my artery. Time is muscle, Deychak later tells me, and its a common phrase among cardiologists. To prevent heart cells from dying, doctors need to quickly restore blood flow and oxygen levels. Their goal: to get a patient into a catheterisation lab to insert a stent a tiny expandable metal mesh coil that once in place will keep an artery open within 90 minutes of experiencing symptoms. Procrastination can be deadly, as one of my nurses learned. She shared the story of a friend, age 49, who showed signs of a heart attack. The friend called his primary care physician that evening but decided to see if his symptoms improved overnight. By morning he was dead. Call 000, not Uber (or a friend) I made a mistake: I asked a friend to drive me to the hospital. Thats smarter than driving yourself, experts say, but I should have called 000. If my heart had stopped during the drive, EMTs could have treated me immediately. They have a defibrillator to restart a heart, an EKG machine to test your heart rhythm, lifesaving medications, and they know which hospitals have the right facilities to treat a heart problem. My friend took me to the nearest hospital, but it didnt have a catheterisation lab, which is why I ended up having to be flown by helicopter to one that did. A cath lab is mandatory for unblocking an artery. Loading The New Jersey-based Atlantic Health System found that heart attack patients who called 911 the American equivalent of 000 received treatment 30 minutes faster on average than those who drove themselves. Yet many patients, like me, dont make that call. My symptoms seemed mild, so 000 felt extreme and an ambulance can be costly depending on circumstances. Some heart attack sufferers choose ride services, like Uber. A 2017 American study found that ambulance usage rates had dropped by seven per cent in cities where Uber operates. But taking an Uber for a heart attack is no safer than riding with a friend, since your drivers sedan probably wont have an EKG machine or defibrillator. Deychak says he remembers a patient who arrived at the hospital via Uber, then suddenly experienced ventricular fibrillation (a heart arrhythmia that is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death). If the driver had arrived even five minutes later, she may have died. You want EMTs monitoring you all the way, Lloyd-Jones says. If something happens, they can respond instantaneously. Embrace gratitude Having a heart attack is stressful. In the ER at the first hospital, I could hear the alarm in a nurses voice after she read my EKG report. I could see the helicopter crews concerned faces as they wheeled me to the helipad. In the cath lab, staff darted around the room, shaving parts of me that shouldnt be shaved, inserting a catheter in an artery and injecting a dye to detect blockages on a screen. (Its going to feel hot, a technician told me, and yes, the dye blazed in my arm and my chest.) And yet to my surprise, the overwhelming emotion I felt was not fear but gratitude. Amid the life-or-death bustle, I felt grateful for the people I love, and the people who love me, and for the team that was treating me. Those peaceful feelings may have reduced the strain on my heart. For patients who are understandably scared and upset, one of the treatments we often give in the emergency room is anti-anxiety medicine, Lloyd-Jones says. If we can keep the heart rate low, and keep blood pressure moderate, the heart works less hard, and fewer heart muscle cells will die. I soon had another reason for gratitude. Once the team had snaked the catheter through my arm to my heart, they expected to find major blockage. But my arteries looked clean. So what happened? Doctors suspect that a piece of plaque fatty buildups on artery walls caused by cholesterol and other substances had ruptured and clotted an artery, and the clotted plaque passed through on its own. I was incredibly lucky. What if the clot had been larger and hadnt moved through? Sometimes even slight heart attacks can make patients heart rhythm go haywire, Deychak says. Instead, less than 36 hours after the heart attack, I was pacing with my IV pole in my hospital room, ready to be released. Scans showed no damage to my heart muscle. I was lucky. Now that Ive had one heart attack, Im a likely candidate for another, Lloyd-Jones says. Its clear that plaque can form in my arteries. I largely feel OK the worst part was two weeks of wrist and arm soreness from the catheter. In the weeks following the heart attack, my EKG readings were irregular, and I experienced occasional heart palpitations, sometimes as often as three to five times a day. But nearly five months after my visit to the cath lab, everything is happily back to normal. I also have an excellent long-term prognosis, Schneider says. Ive finished cardiac rehab (picture a gym where everyone wears heart monitors and submits to blood-pressure checks), which helped me lose seven pounds and lower my blood pressure. Im also taking some new heart meds, including a platelet inhibitor and a daily aspirin, to reduce my risks (I was already taking a statin and beta blocker). Even before the heart attack, I was more likely to eat a salad than a burger, but my doctor suggested that I lower my daily sodium consumption, which has meant some sacrifices including a favourite: pizza. But from where I stand now, its worth it to prevent a return visit to emergency. This was a shot across the bow, Schneider says. You could have dropped dead, but instead, here you are, alive. And yes, Im grateful. This article was originally published in The Washington Post. Earlier this month, Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko ruled in a defamation case won by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times that Roberts-Smith was involved in the killings. Besanko found that the disgraced war hero kicked Ali Jan off a cliff while he was handcuffed and was implicated in his unlawful execution, as well as those of the two Easter Sunday prisoners. Besanko largely based his findings on the evidence of Australian special forces soldiers who witnessed the incidents and testified against Roberts-Smith. The standard of proof required for a civil court judge to make a finding is lower than that for a criminal court. The decision of the CDPP not to criminally prosecute Roberts-Smith raises major questions about why it took Commonwealth prosecutors almost three years to answer an obvious, albeit complex and novel, legal question concerning the use by police of information uncovered by the Brereton inquiry. The AFP provided the CDPP a brief of evidence involving the Ali Jan cliff incident in about May 2020, at which time Commonwealth prosecutors began to seek internal and external legal advice about the potential problem of evidence tainting, said a source with knowledge of the process who was not permitted to speak publicly. Loading The laws under which the inspector general operates prohibit the use of certain information derived directly or indirectly from suspects who attended coercive hearings undertaken by Justice Brereton. The office of the CDPP has spent way too long making a decision, delaying the ability for the OSI-AFP teams to restart the impacted probes, said one official source, who was not authorised to comment publicly. The CDPP declined to comment. In June last year, this masthead asked Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus if he had sought advice about delays in the Roberts-Smith investigations, potential problems around the handling of Brereton inquiry information and why the existing federal police probes had not been handed to the OSI. Dreyfus declined to answer the questions last June and when asked on Tuesday said they were a matter for the CDPP. The OSIs existing investigations into Roberts-Smith are not affected by the same problems facing the AFP inquiries because the OSI, which is headed by former judge and top prosecutor Mark Weinberg, adopted a different approach to handling Brereton inquiry information. The OSI is a special agency that works in partnership with the AFP and was created in 2021 to investigate alleged war crimes. The OSI has urgently taken over handling of key federal police witnesses linked to the cliff death and Easter Sunday killings, including Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) soldiers who had agreed to testify against Roberts-Smith. On Tuesday, the AFP said it had sought and abided by internal and external legal advice after it received the information from the Brereton inquiry in 2018 that led to its Roberts-Smith probes. The AFP relied on this advice to manage the legal risks known at the time, including how to use the information referred from the [Brereton] inquiry for a criminal investigation, noting some of the information was obtained through the use of powers which compel individuals to attend hearings (coercive powers), it said. The AFPs position was supported by some lawyers from the office of the Australian Government Solicitor, sources with knowledge of the process said. However, after receiving differing legal advice from external barristers, the CDPP believed there was a risk of a High Court challenge by Roberts-Smith and the prudent approach was to start over. Legal experts and official sources said the decision to restart the probe with new investigation teams underscored the catastrophic decision by Roberts-Smith to launch defamation action. McKenzies new book will be published in July. The case forced him and his special forces co-accused and witnesses to swear under oath and into the public domain, where their testimony can be accessed by the OSI and AFP without fear of evidence tainting. Leading criminal law barrister Robert Richter, KC, said: The calamitous decision [by Roberts-Smith] to launch and run the defamation trial means that significant re-examination by the OSI of the evidence which would or can be used in any criminal trial processes becomes essential. Richter said the CDPPs decision not to prosecute was most likely reached after arduous deliberation and that he had utmost faith in Special Investigator Weinberg to avoid any legal minefields in connection to the relaunched probes. What we do know, or can assume, is that whether Ben Roberts-Smith or anyone else is to face grave criminal charges, there will be bitterly contested legal debates about admissibility of some of the evidence, Richter said. SAS sources, not authorised to speak publicly, have told this masthead that the delay to an already traumatic investigation process that has taken five years would deeply frustrate witnesses. On Tuesday, one AFP witness told this masthead he had been contacted by federal agents and assured that new OSI-AFP teams would take over his role in the new inquiries. It is a massive blow for all the SAS witnesses who have stood up and agreed to co-operate with the federal police five years ago, said the witness, who cannot be identified because of a non-disclosure order issued in the defamation case. The massive delays all seem incompetent to me. It doesnt sit right, the witness, an Afghanistan veteran of the SAS, said. Earlier this month, Justice Besanko ruled Roberts-Smith had intimidated witnesses, a possible breach of the criminal law. Last week, this masthead revealed the AFP sent a witness intimidation brief last November to the CDPP in the hope of charging the ex-soldier. That brief of evidence is unaffected by the CDPPs decision that the AFPs handling of Brereton inquiry material may have exposed a future war crimes prosecution to legal appeal. Almost 80 per cent of flood victims in the Northern Rivers will miss out on a $700 million program set up last year to help them escape the disaster zone or make their homes safer. Five people died and more than 4000 homes were deemed uninhabitable after record floods devastated the region in February and March 2022. But the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation said on Tuesday only 1100 households will be offered a house buyback under the program almost half the number flagged in February. Flooding devastates Lismore in February 2022. Credit: Elise Derwin Resilient Lismore co-ordinator and local councillor Elly Bird said the significant change in the numbers would send shockwaves through the community. WA Police have raised the stakes in their probe of a faux gas leak that shut down Woodsides headquarters, raiding the homes of protesters and foreshadowing bodily harm charges amid claims the form of terrorism made dozens of workers sick. But Disrupt Burrup Hub protester Kristen Morrissey has vowed to defend the lawsuit, telling media outside Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday the gas was non-toxic and not harmful. Woodside protester Kristen Morrissey outside court on Tuesday. Credit: Jesinta Burton Morrissey, who is accused of creating false apprehension as to the existence of threats or danger, remains on house arrest after having her bail extended despite opposition from police prosecutors, who are pushing for the matter to be escalated to the District Court. Police allege 78 of the 2500 employees evacuated during the protest earlier this month reported discomfort after the non-toxic ethyl mercaptan (stench) gas was released into the foyer of the gas giants Perth headquarters and emanated over 20 floors. I received information several days before the first public reports went to air. I did nothing with that information. I was asked to keep that to myself and I did, Gallagher told the Senate. Loading Over the past week, Coalition members including those at the centre of the rape allegations have been alleging that I have misled the Senate over comments I made almost two years ago. I reject those allegations. Gallagher has faced a barrage of questions over her knowledge of the rape allegation before Higgins went public, following the publication of text messages indicating the Labor frontbencher was made aware in early 2021. She said on Tuesday she had not discussed the information she received about Higgins allegation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Foreign Minister Penny Wong nor any of their staff before the program went to air. Earlier, Gallagher accused Coalition MPs of being giddy over the past fortnight as media outlets revealed communications between Higgins camp and Labor MPs, warning that the leaking of private texts could have a chilling effect on sexual assault victims speaking out. We cannot lose perspective of what matters here, she said. Albanese said the criticism of Gallagher was absurd and described suggestions Labor had tried to use the allegation for political advantage as a bizarre conspiracy theory, while Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus confirmed in the House of Representatives that Australian Federal Police was investigating the leaking of material related to the Higgins affair. Its vital that victims of alleged sexual assault have confidence that if they come forward and report what happened to them they will be treated fairly by our justice system, Dreyfus said. Loading He added that material produced in court in response to a subpoena was subject to an implied undertaking that no parties involved would use the material for purposes outside of court proceedings. As Gallagher spoke in the Senate at noon, Morrison spoke in the House of Representatives to declare that he, too, had not misled parliament about what he knew of Higgins allegation. On Saturday, The Australian reported that Morrisons former director of operations, Fiona Brown, believed the former prime minister had misled parliament when he said he had spoken to Brown about Higgins claim her job had been threatened after her rape allegation. Morrison told the chamber that Browns recollection of events might have been more accurate than his own but that he had not misled the chamber. Brown was on loan from Morrisons office and serving as former defence industry minister Linda Reynolds chief of staff in 2019, when Higgins alleges she was raped by colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Reynolds office. Lehrmann has always maintained his innocence and his trial was aborted in October 2022 due to juror misconduct. A retrial did not proceed due to concerns over Higgins mental health. Morrison said he spoke to Brown last weekend and had reviewed the events of the parliamentary sitting week that began on February 15, 2021, when Higgins went public with her allegation. On the Thursday [of that week in February 2021] just before 3pm, I responded to a further question addressing these matters on that day. The question was from the then-leader of the opposition, and [he] asked whether Id raised a statement with a staff member in my office that is, Ms Brown that Ms Higgins had alleged in a statement that Ms Brown had continually made her feel as if her ongoing employment would be jeopardised if she proceeded any further with the matter, he said. In my response, I confirmed that I had raised the matter with a member of my staff and that was my recollection at the time. House hunters are increasingly compromising on their property wish lists in a competitive market, but experts warn against making some key trade-offs to avoid buyers remorse. At a time when demand for homes massively outstrips the number for sale, and the alternative to homeownership is a brutal rental market, buyers can easily make too many compromises in their haste to buy, which they could later regret. Buyers are having to compromise to find a home, but experts warn not to go too far. Credit: Peter Rae Potential home buyers have less choice than this time last year. The number of new listings in May across Australia was 26 per cent below the same time last year, on CoreLogic data, and 13.1 per cent below the five-year average, as owners hesitate to sell amid the markets uncertain outlook. Emma Bloom, director of Melbourne buyers agents Morrell & Kohen, said home buyers must work out what they can and cant go without, before starting their search. Washington/New Delhi: India threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the governments handling of farmer protests, co-founder Jack Dorsey said, an accusation Prime Minister Narendra Modis government called an outright lie. Dorsey, who quit as Twitter chief executive in 2021, said on Monday that India also threatened the company with raids on employees if it did not comply with government requests to take down certain posts. Jack Dorsey says the Indian government threatened to close down Twitter in the country, which was a big market for the website. Credit: Bloomberg It manifested in ways such as: We will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us; we will raid the homes of your employees, which they did; And this is India, a democratic country, Dorsey said in an interview with YouTube news show Breaking Points. Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a top-ranking official in Modis government, lashed out against Dorsey in response, calling his assertions an outright lie. Hsia found the two people needed to witness the marriage outside a nearby convenience store after a cleaner at the registry office had turned him down, Taiwans Liberty Times reported. According to the report, Hsia had convinced them to be part of the ceremony because their same-sex union had not received the blessings of their loved ones. The Beitou District Household Registration Office in Taichung where Lai and Hsia registered for marriage. Credit: Daniel Ceng Local advertising producer River Mei, who has known the Lai family for years, claims this was a lie. Hes definitely not gay, he said. Im worried that there is a group of people trying to use Little Lais incident to try and fight against LGBTI rights in Taiwan. They are accusing them of using gay marriage as a loophole. Taiwan was the first place in East Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, and in May it granted the right of adoption to same-sex couples. However, gay couples still face resistance from some conservative voters and religious groups. Tsai Ya-ting, secretary-general of advocacy network the Taiwan Rainbow Civil Action Association, said tolerance for same-sex marriage had improved markedly since it was legalised in 2019. But some anti-LGBTI people have used this case as an opportunity to attack these sexual minorities, she said, arguing it had fed into some concerns about fake marriages for visa or business purposes. Lais family may never know how he really felt about his sexuality. His truth died with him on the pavement at the bottom of the Emerald and Quiet apartment building. What they are now trying to piece together are the final moments of his life to determine how the shy multimillionaire ended up dead in central Taichung. The two-hour window between marriage and death is the critical time, said Mei. Lai was meant to deposit his fathers ashes at the local pagoda on the day he died. Instead, at 7am, Hsia convinced him to come to his apartment and bring his identification documents with him, according to Lais mother. Little Lais body was discovered outside the Emerald and Quiet apartment building. Credit: Daniel Ceng Hsia had said he would teach him how to handle the real estate portfolio he had just inherited. Hsia and his father had managed the properties of Lais father, which had slowly been transferred to Lai in the two months before his death. The $NT500 million ($24 million) portfolio covered assets in agriculture and metropolitan real estate across Taiwan. But Hsia also wanted to make Lai an offer, lawyer Michael Hsu said. The lawyer said Hsia told Lai that if they got married, Hsia would also be able to inherit the building they were standing in. He had claimed his father, who also owned and managed property, had told him that the first of his sons to wed would take ownership of the block. The proposal appealed to Lai, Hsias legal team claimed. He was said to have grown weary of complicated disputes in his own family and the plans for the fortune he had inherited. Loading According to Hsu, Hsias lawyers have argued he told Lai: If you want to have a sense of security, how about you marry me, and then we can all move into this apartment from my father ... My father said the first one of us to get married can have the building. Hsu said the building in question was the scene of the alleged crime. Hsia hung up when approached for comment by this masthead and his lawyers did not respond to inquiries. Hsia has previously denied all allegations against him. His lawyers have reportedly told prosecutors that Lais father also wanted to pass down his property portfolio to the first of his three sons to get married, suggesting it was a marriage of convenience for both men. But this defence is so weird, said Hsu. Because Little Lai already has so many apartments, and so many properties, he doesnt need additional property. By 9.50am the newlyweds had finalised their marriage. By 11am Lai was dead. Taichung police have told Lais lawyers they found his fingerprints and palm prints on the balcony that Lai fell from, indicating he had grabbed onto the barrier before falling. But we cant believe that he jumped because theres no motive for him to suicide, right? Hes just inherited millions of dollars, Hsu said. Lais mother, known only as Chen, said Lai had been preparing to start a philosophy degree at a university and had just obtained his motorcycle licence after buying a new scooter. Its impossible for my son to commit suicide, she said. We must uphold justice for my son. Lais body was found by the apartment blocks security guard. Photos show no blood around it. If he really jumped from the 10th floor, is it possible for his full body to remain intact? asked Hsu. A neighbour surveys the scene where Lais body was discovered. Credit: Daniel Ceng Local forensic doctor Kao Ta-Cheng suggested the injuries, which included a fractured elbow but no clear signs of haemorrhaging, were too light for Lai to have fallen from such a height. One witness was doing laundry on her balcony at the time of the incident. She says she heard a big sound but did not see anything unusual. Other photos of the body show what appear to be four small holes and bruising around the neck. Hsu will argue to prosecutors that there is evidence Lai may have been injected with a needle and had a struggle with Hsia before his death. We are alleging murder, but we dont have sufficient evidence to prove it, said Hsu. Police have been telling me that they believe it was a suicide. Lais autopsy was completed on June 3, a month after his body was found. The Institute of Forensic Medicine found Lais body falling from a height was the cause of death. The prosecutors office has agreed to further investigate the case based on the claims made by Chen and her legal team, who have disputed the autopsys findings. The prosecutor will have to decide whether he prosecutes this case or not, said Hsu. The police officer in charge of investigating the case said the prosecutors office was still directing the investigation. Detective Yu-Chia Kuo of the Taichung City Police Department said it was not appropriate for him to disclose any info on the approach or results of the investigation arbitrarily. Loading Taichung city councillor Huang Jian-hao suggested Hsia could prove he had no motive to kill Lai by voluntarily renouncing his inheritance rights to Lais property. Hsu said he is now pursuing three legal angles. The first one is criminal, the second is civil. And the third is immigration. Mr Hsia will not be able to inherit the property if he murdered his husband, said Hsu. If prosecutors decide not to pursue murder charges, Hsu will argue that the marriage should be invalidated under civil law. Because Lai did not love Hsia, he said. If successful, that could allow Lais mother, Chen, to inherit the property portfolio instead of Hsia, although she would have to get around the complication that she is an undocumented migrant from the Chinese mainland living in Taiwan. She arrived in 2002. Under Taiwanese law, the maximum a Chinese national or non-citizen can inherit is $NT2 million, a fraction of the $NT500 million fortune. Taichung resident River Mei. Credit: Daniel Ceng Advertising producer River Mei, who has known the Lai family for years, said it was a horrendous situation for the whole family. Mei remembers a modest family home that was messy and chaotic, with English lessons scrawled on the wall. People who are wealthy in Taichung tend to disguise themselves as poor. They keep a low profile for themselves, he said. Its like a camouflage. He was a very hardworking boy. He was a good person. His passing is something very unfortunate. I really want to do my part to help find out how he died. Lais parents were proud of their son, who despite being an awkward teen who sometimes struggled to communicate, managed to get himself into university. Last Friday, he was posthumously awarded his high school certificate. Lais classmates made him a collage. In my memory, your life was always coloured in grey, one friend wrote. I hope you left us with little pain. London: British police were questioning a man on suspicion of murder as they sought the motive for a stabbing and van attack in the central English city of Nottingham which had left three people dead and another critical. Two 19-year-olds, a man and a woman who were university students, were found dead on a city centre street with stab wounds after police were alerted at about 4am on Tuesday (local time). Another, 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates, was then found dead with knife wounds on a road about three kilometres away. Police officers block a road in Nottingham after the deaths of three people. Credit: AP A van, stolen from Coates, was then driven at three people, leaving one critically injured in hospital. After the vehicle was stopped, police used a stun gun to arrest a 31-year-old man, and say they are not looking for any other suspects. Counter-terrorism officers are helping with the investigation, but Nottinghamshire Polices Chief Constable Kate Meynell said they were keeping an open mind as to what happened. The BBC reported that the suspect was believed to be a migrant of West African origin with a history of mental health issues. After months of celebrating the film world, the 76th edition of the annual Tony Awards kicked off on Sunday (11 June, 8pm EST) at the United Palace in New York City, shifting the spotlight to Broadways brightest talents and best productions. In true Broadway star fashion, nominees and esteemed guests turned the red carpet into a fabulous stage, where they stole the show with their glamorous ensembles. Jessica Chastain, who was nominated for best lead actress for her role in A Dolls House, graced the carpet in a sunshine yellow Gucci caped gown, paired with a diamond necklace that beautifully complemented her bright dress. Meanwhile, Lupita Nyongo rocked a sleek power suit with a custom silver breastplate by Pakistani artist and designer Misha Japanwala, who created the piece from a mold of the actress own body. Vogues Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour was spotted on the carpet as well, wearing a glitzy gold haute couture dress by Valentino. Never one to shy away from daring choices, renowned theater producer Jordan Roth showed up in a head-turning hooded red dress by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, completed with a matching whip. On the other hand, the ever-talented Stephanie Hsu went for a classic look, wearing a gorgeous black gown by Markarian, along with a pair of dazzling diamond-embellished freshwater pearl earrings by Mindi Mond New York. Best believe the evenings leading men didnt disappoint either, with Broadway star Jordan Cooper stealing the show with his immaculate brown leather Off-White suit, while multihyphenate Utkarsh Ambudkars magnificent tweed suit by Atelier Cillian and bedazzled statement turntable bag by Judith Leiber had all eyes on him. Elsewhere, actor Antwayn Hopper looked as stylish as ever in a green checkered ensemble, finished with matching gloves and a black and white checkered bag. All in all, the prestigious affairs line-up of guests certainly knew how to put on a show both on and off the stage! After all, theyre hailed as some of Broadways most brilliant stars. Below, see our top picks of the best fashion moments from the 2023 Tony Awards red carpet. Jessica Chastain in Gucci 1/11 Lupita Nyong'o in Misha Japanwala 2/11 Stephanie Hsu in Markarian 3/11 Jordan Roth in LdSS 4/11 Anna Wintour in Valentino 5/11 Samuel L. Jackson and La Tanya Richardson Jackson in Armani 6/11 J. Harrison Ghee 7/11 Antwayn Hopper 8/11 Lea Michele in Emilia Wickstead 9/11 Jordan Cooper in Off-White 10/11 Utkarsh Ambudkar in Atelier Cillian 11/11 For more fashion reads, click here. FIRE WEATHER: A True Story From a Hotter World Author: John Vaillant Publisher: Alfred A Knopf Pages: 418 Price: $39 Is fire alive? the journalist and author John Vaillant asks early in his new book, Fire Weather. I rolled my eyes, even as Mr Vaillant ticks off a dozen lifelike characteristics it grows, it breathes, it travels in search of nourishment because the answer seemed so obvious: No. Of course not. Some 300 pages later, the question didnt feel quite so ludicrous. Also Read The capitalist generation's space race Film studies for your first show Maulana Azad: Proud Indian, proud Muslim Lost subtext of the planetary crisis Xiaomi Redmi Smart Fire TV 32 review: Among the best smart TVs on budget The maritime realm of Oman's sultans How traders win big when society collapses History through climate change Lost subtext of the planetary crisis The roots of male dominance Mr Vaillant tells the story of a colossal wildfire that, in the spring of 2016, torched much of Fort McMurray, a small city carved out of central Canadas boreal forest. It is a tale of firefighters, homeowners and local authorities confronting a conflagration so intense that it generated its own weather systems, complete with hurricane-force winds and bolts of lightning. More than 40 per cent of American oil imports come from Fort McMurray. In other words, the gargantuan mining and processing operation so vast that it is visible from 6,000 miles above Earths surface is a physical manifestation of the forces that have led to a warming world. It is also a physical manifestation of the grave threats posed by that warming world. A few decades ago, this would have been an unlikely setting for an out-of-control inferno, especially in the cool, damp months of spring. But in May 2016, temperatures soared into the high 80s almost 30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal and the air was as dry as a desert. The conditions, Mr Vaillant writes, were as conducive to fire as is possible anywhere on Earth. The small fire was first spotted, in the forest southwest of Fort McMurray, at 4 pm on Sunday, May 1. When it didnt quickly sputter out, it was given an impersonal code by firefighters: MWF-009. The little brush fire grew exponentially, fuelled by crispy trees and an unlucky wind. Even as the burgeoning blaze rushed toward the city, authorities were slow to grasp the magnitude of the danger. Before it was over, locals would rechristen 009 the Beast. To describe what happened next, Mr Vaillant takes full advantage of resources that previous generations of journalists could only have dreamed of: Cell phone cameras, dashboard cameras, security cameras, even stuffed animals with nanny cameras nestled inside. Countless people posted thousands of photos and videos to social media, and the digital trove, as well as interviews with witnesses, enables Mr Vaillant to vividly describe the fire as it devoured Fort McMurray. There was the instant that a clear blue sky was obliterated by a towering black cloud shot through with streaks of orange and seething with flames, transforming a sunny spring day into a long, dark night. There were the sounds of car tires, gas tanks and propane-fuelled grills detonating in awful synchrony as the fire ripped through tightly packed neighbourhoods. There was the spooky view from a nanny cam as flames tentatively lapped at a window before incinerating the entire house. It is a gripping yarn, though the storytelling is at times slowed by Mr Vaillants wanderings. Theres a painstaking history of the use of bitumen over the millenniums. Theres a discourse on the quasi-spiritual nature of fire in its many forms, which eventually meanders into a meditation on oxygen and human breathing. Theres a lengthy rehashing of the roots of climate science, activism and denialism. With a few poignant exceptions including the story of a Fort McMurray welder named Wayne McGrath, who valiantly tries to fight off the blaze and his own demons Fire Weather lacks many memorable human characters. But Mr Vaillant fills that void with an unforgettable protagonist: Fire itself. In the centre of the fire, a jet of fast-rising, superheated air sucked hundreds of thousands of gallons of water from fire hoses, broken pipes, icy rivers skyward. Miles overhead, the air cooled and the water vapour turned to carbon-infused ice, and hurricane-force downdrafts hurled fusillades of black hail back to the ground. Mr Vaillant notes that homes used to be crammed with natural materials: Wooden tables and chairs, sofas stuffed with cotton, curtains made of lace flammable, yes, but not compared with todays combustible houses. Now furniture is made of plastic or wood composites, held together with resins and glues and coated or filled with synthetic materials like nylon and polyurethane. Today, Vaillant writes, it is common to find oneself sitting or sleeping on furniture composed almost entirely of petroleum products. No wonder, then, that within minutes, newly built homes in Fort McMurray were reduced to cinder. Mr Vaillant anthropomorphises fire. Not only does it grow and breathe and search for food; it strategises. It hunts. It lays in wait for months, even years. Mr Vaillant even quotes someone comparing forest fires to farmers cultivating their crops. Fire, of course, is not alive in any technical sense. But that doesnt make it a less daunting antagonist. Climate change has warmed the air and dried the soil, creating tinderbox conditions. As Mr Vaillant notes, Around the world, fires are burning over longer seasons and with greater intensity than at any other time in human history. The catastrophe that ravaged Fort McMurray is probably an omen of what lies ahead. The reviewer is the author of Servants of the Damned: Giant Law Firms, Donald Trump, and the Corruption of Justice. The New York Times News service The Adani group is in talks with lenders, including global banks, as it seeks to refinance up to $3.8 billion of a loan facility taken for its acquisition of Ambuja Cements last year, said people familiar with the matter. The ports-to-power conglomerate owned by Gautam Adani is mulling whether to convert the original loan into debt with a longer maturity period and has started talking to banks individually about that plan, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private. By P R Sanjai, Saikat Das and Baiju Kalesh The effort is a significant test of whether global credit lines will open up again after US shortseller Hindenburg accused the Adani group of widespread corporate malfeasance in January. Adani has denied the allegations. Adani is expecting to conclude the process within three to four months and most of the existing lenders are expected to participate, the people said. A spokesperson for Adani didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Banks such as Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group are in talks to participate in the deal, people said. Meanwhile, some of the lenders have gone to their respective international credit teams for approval for the arrangement, the people added. Barclays, Deutsche, MUFG and Standard Chartered declined to comment. The deal is not yet finalised and may not proceed. Also Read Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners to invest another $1 bn in Adani group stocks Adani Group revives Mundra PVC project, gets credit line worth Rs 14,000 cr Adani stocks still reeling from losses inflicted by Hindenburg report Can Adani convince investors to back his capital-hungry businesses? Zydus Lifesciences gets USFDA nod to mfg generic version of Varenicline Ramco Systems secures new order from Australian company Skytek Pty BAM Digital Realty to set up data centre in Mumbai at Rs 2000 cr investment Keytrade Bank selects Infosys Finacle suite for core banking transformation Indian publishing turns the page on translations, as demand rises If the plan moves ahead, it would be the latest sign of the conglomerate returning to business-as-usual after months of damage control following Hindenburgs scathing broadside that at one point shaved off over $150 billion from the companys stocks. A panel of experts appointed by the Supreme Court also said in a report last month that theres no regulatory failure or wrongdoing behind the wild swings of Adani stocks. Still, another verdict is expected from India's securities watchdog in August after finishing its probe into the shortsellers allegations against the Adani group. Adanis purchase of Holcim AGs Indian cement assets last year made the billionaires conglomerate the countrys second-largest producer of the construction material. To finance that deal, bridge loans maturing in 2023 and 2024 were taken by Mauritius-domiciled Endeavour Trade & Investment, the Adani group vehicle that acquired Holcims cement business. After becoming one of the five electric two-wheeler companies that faced the heat during the fire accidents that happened last year, Coimbatore-based manufacturer Boom Motors has now not just rechristened itself to Bharat New-Energy Company (BNC), but on Tuesday announced the launch of its in-house developed battery - Etrol 40. The major EV two-wheeler manufacturers that were part of fire incidents happened across the country included Ola Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Pure EV, Jitendra Electric Vehicles and Boom Motors (Now BNC). After changing its name, the company is looking to ensure that the energy that powers its vehicles is coming from sustainable sources. The company had also re-introduced its electric crossover bike named as BNC Challenger. The primary driver for us to develop this battery has been safety. Even though there are over 100 battery manufacturers in India, there is an absolute shortage of good-quality vendors. We want to ensure first and foremost that there is zero probability of safety-related issues with the battery and that is exactly what we have accomplished said Anirudh Ravi Narayanan, chief executive officer, co-Founder, BNC. The electric vehicle battery market in India is currently valued at $4.3 billion as of 2022. The market is at a CAGR of 22.1 per cent and is expected to grow to $25.3 billion by the end of this decade, BNC said. The company is also working on a portable fast charger that can plug into a standard three-pin 16A socket and charge the battery in two hours. The fast charger will be an optional additional purchase. On average, the battery can cover over 90 km in eco mode. The company has set up a separate plant within its Coimbatore facility capable of manufacturing 100,000 batteries per annum, with extensive capital investments right from individual cell level characterization and capacity grading to complete battery pack functional and capacity testing. Further investments are planned in automation and increasing capacity. BNC envisions a five-fold increase in production of its 200MWh batteries by the end of the current fiscal. The Etrol 40 is certified to the latest standards: AIS-156 Amendment 3 Phase 2. The battery is tested to safety requirements beyond even the latest norms including nail penetration, crushing, thermal testing to 400-degree celsius, and continuous operations at over 45 C. Multiple redundancies are built-in for every possible failure to ensure there is no possibility of safety incidents, the company said. The Etrol 40 is a 2.1 kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack that can be used by two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and light vehicles. The battery is removable/swappable and comes with a portable charger that can be plugged into a standard three-pin 6A socket and charged the battery in four hours. The battery is IP67 waterproof and dustproof. It is modular and can be paralleled as required to increase capacity. Also Read FAME: Electric 2-wheeler manufacturers deny allegations of non-compliance Two-wheeler sales growth muted in Dec on dull rural demand, high inflation Electric two-wheeler sales surge 300%, breach 600,000-mark in 2022 Hero Electric denies receiving ministry letter for subsidy recovery Electric two-wheeler companies pencil in slow sales growth for FY24 Emirates to offer premium economy class on its flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru Subhash Chandra, ZEEL MD & CEO move SAT to challenge Sebi's order Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers Accenture plans to pump in $3 billion for data and AI in three years RJio has edge over Airtel in deploying FWA 5G tech to enter homes: Report The battery is the most important component of the electric vehicle and plays a huge role in the lifetime value and experience of the vehicle. The Etrol 40 will offer a standard warranty of five years and 60,000 km per battery. Vehicles that use two batteries will therefore have a standard warranty of up to 120,000 km, which is best-in-class in the industry. It added. BNC also plans to market the battery more broadly not only for internal consumption. We are very proud of the battery we have built and believe it is best-in-class by any objective measure safety, longevity, lifetime cost. We believe opening up our technology for usage by others will benefit the eco-system, and hence plan to market this broadly, Narayanan added. In the future, as and when the Battery Swapping Policy is implemented, the company plans to set up a swapping network based on the Etrol battery. With this battery, the customer will be able to swap and go in a minute, like refueling traditional petrol-based vehicles except without the pollution. We await the Battery Swapping Policy to be implemented so we can begin to roll out this benefit to our customers he said. Also Read South Korea's Lotte to invest Rs 450 cr in Indian unit Havmor Ice Cream The rich medicinal values of turmeric: Chhattisgarh is creating treasure Demand uncertainty may weigh on Havells stock; B2C sales show muted trend Summer scoop: how to get yourself a healthy ice cream treat From Adani Wilmar to Havells India: Q4 results to watch out for today upGrad forays into Pacific region with medical institute in Vanuatu SAT stays Irdai decision to transfer Sahara Life policies to SBI Life Zydus Lifesciences gets USFDA nod for anti-smoking and arthritis drugs NLC India JV plant in Ghatampur to supply 492 MW of electricity to Assam Boom Motors renamed to Bharat New-Energy Company, launches inhouse battery Many brands are a staple in consumers lives, repeated so many times that one can forget the origins and inspirations behind these companies. Here are some etymologies of some of the oldest and most popular homegrown brands in the country.Starting 1960s, the Jaquar Group now encompasses brands including Essco (value segment), Jaquar (premium segment), Artize (luxury segment), and Jaquar Lighting (complete LED lighting solutions).The name Jaquar came around officially, in 1986 and soon became the most well-known brand launched by Rajesh Mehra & family.In 2020, Rajesh Mehra, the director and promoter of the Jaquar Group told Your Story that the brand is named after their grandmother, Jai Kaur.Lakme is a cosmetic brand in India, owned by Hindustan Unilever. It started in 1952 under Tata Oil Mills and was ideated, reportedly, by then Prime Minister Jawahalal Nehru who had noticed a trend of women purchasing foreign beauty products since there were no domestic options widely available in the market.According to Tatas central archives, the name Lakme was inspired by the French opera of the same name. The opera, Lakme, was written by Leo Delibes and was first performed in 1883. The opera is based in India during British rule and tells the story of Lakme, the daughter of a Brahmin priest. The name Lakme was the French derivation of the name of the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi.The home-born ayurvedic herbal hygiene and healthcare company was founded in 1952 by Keshav Vishnu Pendharkar under the brand name Vishnu Industrial Chemical Company. The name was abbreviated to Vicco, which is popularly known by now.The shampoo brand has gone through many names. Initially founded in 1983 by C K Ranganathan, Chik India was renamed Beauty Cosmetics in 1990 and then CavinKare Pvt Ltd in 1998.In an interview with the Economic Times in 2012, founder Ranganathan stated that the name of the company and the product were after his father, Chinni Krishnan, who invented the sachet and recognised as the Legend of Disruption at YourStory Disruptors Tamil Nadu 2018 for this feat.One of the countrys largest cosmetic e-commerce brands was started by Falguni Nayar in 2012. The company boasts about its name being derived from the Sanskrit word, Nayaka which means actress or one in the spotlight. This name goes in line with the platforms mission which is about celebrating the star in each woman as they discover their unique style.Parle Products, best known for its Parle-G biscuits, is a multinational food processing company based in Mumbai. It was founded by the Chauhan family of Vile Parle in 1929. As the name is the same as the origins of the company, it is considered to be the inspiration for the name of the 94-year-old company.Voltas Ltd is a home appliance multinational company that specializes in air conditioning & Cooling technology. It was founded in 1954 as part of a collaboration between Tata Sons and Volkart Brothers. Recently the company has entered a joint venture with Ardutch, a Turkish company under the name of Voltas Beko.The origins of the name Voltas is speculated to be a combination of Volkart and Tatas to represent the collaboration equally.Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd was a multinational Indian pharmaceutical company, founded in 1961. Daiichi Sankyo, a Japanese pharmaceutical company acquired controlling shares of the Indian brand in 2008. However, Sun Pharma acquired Ranbaxy in an all-stock deal in 2014.The name of the company seems to be a blend of the founders names, Ranbir Singh and Gubax Singh. This has been a popular theory and seems highly likely, however, the origin of the name was never officially disclosed by the founders.Havells is an Indian-origin, multinational electrical equipment company that was founded in 1985.It is speculated that the name of the company comes from its founders name, Haveli Ram Gupta who later sold it to Qimat Rai Gupta in 1971. Neither founder had mentioned the origins or inspiration behind the name of the brand, however, the similarity to the first owner's name has drawn this theory in the media and among the public.Mapro is a food-processing company founded in Panchgani, near Mahabaleswar, in 1959. Started by pharmacist Kishore Vora, the region is considered to be the leading strawberry producer and is dubbed Maharashtras Garden of Eden, according to a 2006 report by the Telegraph.The name origin is speculated to be a shortened version of Mahabaleswar Products but has not been confirmed by the founders. Aviation safety regulator DGCA has granted permission to no-frills airline IndiGo to operate its flight services to Nairobi in Kenya, a DGCA official said on Tuesday. This would be the Gurugram-based airline's first foray into the vast African region. IndiGo had in February this year announced its plans to launch air services to Nairobi, Jakarta and some Central Asian Countries as part of its international expansion plans amid increasing competition due to a rejuvenated Air India under Tata Group. "Indigo operations to Nairobi with effect from July 24 has been approved today (Tuesday)," the official said. Early this month, the airline said it will connect Nairobi in Kenya and Jakarta in Indonesia, with direct flights from Mumbai in late July or early August. "Delhi will get connected in August to Tbilisi, Georgia and Baku, Azerbaijan and in September to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan," it said on June 2. Also Read IndiGo Q3: Focus on international destinations lifts outlook, say analysts IndiGo reinstates cabin crew bonus after 2nd consecutive profitable quarter Analysts see upto 38% upside in IndiGo; suggest tracking costs, airfare cap Go First may be grounded, but IndiGo is in no hurry to expand capacity Indigo Kolkata-Delhi flight grounded at IGI airport after tail strike Aviom Housing Finance raises $30 mn from Nuveen to expand mkt reach 16 people injured after steam leak at Tata Steel's power plant in Odisha 3I Infotech's unit signs MoU with SRM Valliammai Engineering College Microsoft's media literacy program aims to tackle online misinformation HFCL receives Rs 80 crore order from DMRC for three priority corridors It has also said at that time that once these routes are operational, the airline will be connecting a total of 32 international destinations compared to 26 currently. Azista BST Aerospace, an Indo-German manufacturing joint venture, on Tuesday launched its first satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that lifted off from Florida, US. Azista BST aims to mass manufacture satellites in India for the global market, aiming to produce two per week at a 50,000-square-foot facility in Ahmedabad. The companys first satellite, ABA First Runner (AFR), weighs 80 kg and was built on a modular bus platform and hosts a wide-swath optical remote sensing payload. AFR is the first satellite of its size and performance built by the private space industry in India. It is capable of supporting various critical applications for civilian and defence purposes, said Azista BST. "The launch of AFR marks an exciting beginning to support the realization of satellite constellations for various applications. Our factory in Ahmedabad is already geared up to produce 10 of these satellites in 2024. We are grateful for the support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the Indian National Space Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), and the Indian Space Association (ISpA) to help us achieve this major milestone," said Srinivas Reddy Male, managing director of Azista BST Aerospace. Indias Azista Industries holds a 70 per cent stake in Azista BST Aerospace and Berlin Space Technologies GmbH owns the remaining 30 per cent. This accomplishment not only showcases India's unwavering dedication to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, but also marks a significant landmark for the Indian space industry in terms of streamlined production of satellites, great precision on supply chain management and timelines. This is also a big milestone for the Indian space startup ecosystem as it takes our private industry into the next leap of international collaborations, said A K Bhatt, director general of Indian Space Association (ISpA). Azista BST said it will launch several within the next 12-24 months and strengthen production capabilities in India. Also Read Germany enters recession: What went wrong with Europe's largest economy? Hockey World Cup final, Germany vs Belgium: Germans out to stop Red Lions Bharti-backed OneWeb confirms deploying 40 satellites after SpaceX launch How Elon Musk's empire has made him a problem for the Biden administration TMS Ep 419: Telco wars, brand Sachin, power stocks, SpaceX's Starship Tata Group awards generous pay hikes of 16-60% to its top officials Peak XV Partners received 15x return on its investment in Go Fashion Zee board to review Sebi order on Subhash Chandra and CEO Punit Goenka Foreign automakers get a second chance as India transitions to EVs JLR to invest 3 bn by FY26, shares of Tata Motors DVR hits Rs 300 mark "Azista BST Aerospace invites researchers and organizations interested in exploring the use of fresh satellite data for various geospatial applications to get in touch with us and take advantage of this exciting opportunity," said Sunil Indurti, director of the company. People are hungry for accurate and reliable information online and may just need help to find it, according to a new media literacy project launched by Microsoft. The tech company worked with the Trust Project, a nonprofit consortium of news organisations, to create advertisements directing internet users to a list of eight trust indicators that can be used to assess a website's credibility. The indicators include things like the clear labeling of opinion pieces, a code of practices and the attribution of sources. Most people who saw the list expressed greater confidence in their own ability to find reliable news while ferreting out misinformation a promising finding that suggests media literacy can be a cheap and scalable solution to the daunting problem of online misinformation. This was a bit of an experiment for us, said Ginny Badanes, senior director of Microsoft's Democracy Forward Initiative, a unit at the company that focuses on efforts to strengthen democracy and online journalism. "The world is changing very quickly and people need tools to equip themselves. Also Read Bard, Bing and Baidu: How big tech's AI race will transform searches Microsoft packs Bing engine, Edge browser with AI in challenge to Google India among top 3 markets for AI-powered Bing preview: Microsoft official Google adds 'Search Status Dashboard' to provide real-time service outages Microsoft introduces new AI-powered Bing search engine, Edge browser HFCL receives Rs 80 crore order from DMRC for three priority corridors Adani Group in talks for first major debt refinancing after Hindenburg Zydus Lifesciences gets USFDA nod to mfg generic version of Varenicline Ramco Systems secures new order from Australian company Skytek Pty BAM Digital Realty to set up data centre in Mumbai at Rs 2000 cr investment The stakes are high. Misinformation on sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube has been blamed for encouraging political polarisation, undermining trust in democratic institutions and promoting vaccine opposition, election denialism and violent extremism. The speed and power of the internet can make online misinformation seem like an unresolvable problem. Journalistic fact checks are effective, but they're labor intensive, aren't read by everyone, and won't convince those already distrustful of traditional journalism. Content moderation by tech companies is often inconsistent and only drives misinformation elsewhere, while prompting cries of censorship and bias. Efforts to regulate the internet are legally and politically challenging. Measures to promote critical thinking and media literacy, however, have shown remarkable success in helping people learn how to detect misinformation themselves. Google launched a series of videos on YouTube in Eastern Europe last year designed to teach people how misinformation works; the campaign was recently expanded to Germany. Often, claims masquerading as reliable news don't cite their sources, mix opinion and fact and use slanted stories or headlines designed to exploit powerful emotions like fear, anger or disgust. Legitimate news organizations, by contrast, will identify their sources, invite feedback, include diverse voices and hold their journalists to a code of conduct, said Sally Lehrman, a journalist and chief executive at the Trust Project. The ads were seen by users of Microsoft products and systems, including email. Over the course of six months, the ads prompted twice as many people to visit the project's site; 62 per cent of those who visited the site said it helped them feel more confident about assessing online information. I'm very encouraged by our results, Lehrman said, noting that short internet ads are a relatively cheap, easy solution compared to complicated and controversial government regulations or hit-or-miss efforts by tech companies. The need for media literacy has become more obvious as deepfakes and artificial intelligence makes misinformation easier than ever to spread, Lehrman said. But will people actually watch advertisements designed to help them become smarter consumers of news and information? Lehrman said the research shows that they will especially when the ads are effective at grabbing people's attention. Are we asking people to eat their broccoli? I always reject that because I think broccoli is delicious, she said. But we have to make it delicious. Aviom India Housing Finance, a micro-mortgage lender, has raised $30 million in a funding round led by global investment management firm Nuveen. C4D Partners, an investment fund manager, announced a partial exit from the company. Delhi-based Aviom India said it will use the series D equity investment to expand market reach and strengthen operational capacity. The company provides construction, improvement, sanitation, and renovation loans to low-income households in rural and semi-urban areas. The company has 118 branches in 12 states and earlier raised funds from Japans Gojo & Company and India-based Sabre Partners. It runs a programme that offers loans to women who dont have formal income documentation and incentivises women agents to source the loans. The funds from this round will support our efforts toward amplifying Avioms market reach. We also have C4D Partners making a partial exit with this round. C4D has a track record of working closely with its portfolio, and the investor offers immense support beyond just capital, said Aviom Indias Kajal Ilmi, founder, MD and CEO. C4D Partners had invested in the company through its Fund-1. The investment fund manager has recently launched their India-dedicated Fund-2. Since its inception, Aviom has aimed at creating a disruption in the micro-mortgage space in India. The partial exit reinforces our commitment to supporting startups that are innovative, passionate, and focused on creating a positive impact both in the ecosystem and in society, said Arvind Agarwal, founder and CEO of C4D Partners. Also Read LIC Housing Finance raises lending rates by 35 bps, cites market conditions True account: Why Indian companies don't sweat over high audit fees LIC Housing Finance, HDFC: Trading strategies for housing finance companies NBFC-MFIs overtake commercial banks in micro loan market share in Q2 S&P affirms HDFC Bank's long-term issuer credit rating at 'BBB-' IndiGo aircraft suffers tail strike at Delhi airport, DGCA to probe Reliance Industries climbs 8 spots on Forbes' Global 2000 list to 45th rank Cummins India receives CPCB IV+ norm compliance certification from ARAI WinZo saw 40 bn micro-transactions on its platform in FY23, mostly via UPI Pfizer and GSK to battle for share of new RSV vaccine market: Report The fund claims to be committed to investing at least 30 per cent of its corpus in women SMEs (small, medium enterprises). The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Delhi will hear on June 17 the maintainability of aircraft lessor Aircastle (Ireland) Limited's second insolvency petition against low-cost carrier SpiceJet. The NCLT on Tuesday asked Aircastle's counsel to explain how the second plea was maintainable against the same defaulter(SpiceJet). The first plea filed by Dublin-based Aircastle in NCLT on April 28 was to initiate insolvency proceedings against the airline under Section 9 (application for initiation of corporate insolvency resolution process by the operational creditor) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code(IBC) for unpaid dues of 49-odd crore. The second plea filed on June 12 against the airline claims that SpiceJet has failed to pay its outstanding dues and also seeks to initiate insolvency proceedings. The tribunal said that a creditor is entitled to file one insolvency plea at a time and if insolvency proceedings are already initiated against a corporate debtor(in this case SpiceJet) then additional claims of dues can be raised with the resolution professional. A resolution professional looks after the company once the insolvency process has started. Also Read Spicejet insolvency: NCLT defers hearing of plea by Aircastle to June 1 'Air travel has come roaring back': SpiceJet net profit rises 160% NCLT sends notice to SpiceJet on lessor's insolvency plea, seeks reply SpiceJet soars 15% as net profit jumps five-fold to Rs 107 crore in Q3 Lessor Aircastle files case against SpiceJet to initiate insolvency process Govt asks e-comm firms for self-regulatory framework to end 'dark patterns' From Jaquar to Lakme: How some of the biggest Indian brands got their names upGrad forays into Pacific region with medical institute in Vanuatu SAT stays Irdai order to transfer Sahara Life Insurance assets to SBI Life Zydus Lifesciences gets USFDA nod for anti-smoking and arthritis drugs The tribunal also said that the IBCs intent was to reduce the burden on the company law tribunals and filing a second plea for another claim of unpaid dues may go against the heart of the Code. The NCLT also said that a creditor should not file multiple insolvency pleas for every one of its claims. With this, the question before the tribunal is whether a creditor can initiate two simultaneous proceedings against a single defaulter. Aircastle is set to argue in the next hearing on June 17. In the first case, a two-member Principal bench of President Ramalingam Sudhakar and Member Avinash K Srivastava of NCLT had issued a notice to Spicejet on May 8 to file their reply to Aircastles plea. After this SpiceJet had filed an application questioning the maintainability of Aircastle's petition on the ground that the Dublin-based lessors plea had two defects. The tribunal had on June 8 directed Aircastle to file a response to the application in two weeks. The application will now come up for hearing on July 17. In addition to Aircastles petitions, three more petitions for insolvency resolution proceedings against SpiceJet are pending. The plea by Willis Lease Finance Corporation was filed on April 12, the one by Acres Buildwell Private Ltd was filed on February 4 and the one by Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Ltd was filed on June 11. The Willis Lease Finance Corporation petition is likely to come up for hearing on July 4 and Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Ltd plea is likely to come up on June 16. State-owned NLC India joint venture Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power has inked a pact to supply 492 MW of electricity to Assam from its 1,980 MW Ghatampur thermal plant. Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL), a joint venture of NLC India and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd, is setting up a coal-based supercritical thermal power plant with a capacity of 1,980 MW (3 x 660 MW) at Ghatampur Tehsil in Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh, with 51:49 equity participation. NUPPL and the Assam government on Tuesday announced the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) to ensure a steady and reliable power supply of 492 megawatts (MW) to the state from the former's 1,980 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant. The PPA was signed and exchanged between NUPPL CEO CS Santhosh and Chandan Deka, Chief General Manager/Commercial & EE, APDCL, at Bijulee Bhawan in Guwahati. Under the agreement, NUPPL will supply 492.72 MW of power to the Assam government. This reliable energy supply will not only meet the growing demand for electricity in Assam but also contribute towards the development and progress of various sectors in the state. Also Read NLC India board approves raising up to Rs 5,000 crore through bonds Karnataka, Gujarat make most progress in clean energy transition: Report Assam HS Result 2023: AHSEC 12th results are out at official website Assam CEE Result 2023 is out on official website; all you need to know No aid needed from AIUDF, AAMSU to re-design district boundaries: Assam CM Boom Motors renamed to Bharat New-Energy Company, launches inhouse battery Emirates to offer premium economy class on its flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru Subhash Chandra, ZEEL MD & CEO move SAT to challenge Sebi's order Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers Accenture plans to pump in $3 billion for data and AI in three years In February this year, the power ministry revised the power allocation from the NUPPL's 3 x 660MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant. Based on the revision, Uttar Pradesh and Assam have been allocated 1,487.28 MW (75.12 per cent) and 492.72 MW (24.88 per cent) of power supply, respectively. "The signing of the agreement with Assam for 492.72 MW exemplifies our commitment to contributing to the growth story of Assam, Uttar Pradesh and the country as a whole. We are confident in meeting the increasing energy demands and driving progress in various sectors," NLCIL CMD Prasanna Kumar Motupalli said. "This PPA was a must for the project to be sustainable and it will bring confidence among the stakeholders," NUPPL CEO CS Santhosh said. The power supply provided by NUPPL will play a crucial role in enhancing the socio-economic landscape of Assam. It will support industrial growth, improve the quality of life for residents, promote entrepreneurship and attract further investments to the region. Capital markets regulator Sebi on Tuesday said it will auction 11 properties of Arise Bhoomi Developers and its directors on July 14 for a reserve price of over Rs 43 crore to recover investors' money. The properties that have been put on sale include land parcels, a shop and a plot, located in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a notice. Arise Bhoomi Developers mobilised over Rs 8 crore during 2013-14 from the public in the name of the 'purchase of agricultural land' through its various investment schemes, promising them an expected sum at the end of the contract. The schemes, as per Sebi, qualified to be a CIS (collective investment scheme), which requires compulsory registration from the regulator. However, the company launched the schemes without obtaining the necessary approvals from the regulator. Inviting bids, Sebi said it will auction the properties belonging to the company and its directors through an online mode on July 14 between 11 am to 1 pm. Further, the total reserve price has been pegged at Rs 43.6 crore. Sebi said Adroit Technical Services Ltd has been engaged by it to assist in the sale of the properties through the e-auction platform. Also Read Post pandemic pent-up demand surge, realty space may face global headwinds Govt considering registration of flats even if developers go bankrupt Realty sees surge in investment platforms, partnerships worth $4.5 bn HDFC Capital to hike stake in proptech startup Reloy by up to 2.4% Real estate sector gets $32 bn equity capital in 2018-2022, says CBRE RJio has edge over Airtel in deploying FWA 5G tech to enter homes: Report HFCL bags order worth Rs 80 crore from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Pricing mismatch, volatility force companies to let DRHP nods lapse Accenture to invest $3 bn in Data, AI to accelerate clients' reinvention Reliance may earn $10-15 bn revenue from new energy biz by 2030: Bernstein Earlier, the regulator had attached some of their properties after directives asking them to refund investors' money, along with interest did not materialise. In the case, Sebi had also attached bank and demat accounts. In June 2016, Sebi ordered Arise Bhoomi Developers and its directors to refund investors' money in three months. Besides, they were barred from the securities market for four years. However, they failed to pay investors' money, and consequently, Sebi attached their bank and demat accounts in October 2016 to recover pending dues. In November 2018, Sebi levied a fine totalling Rs 1 crore on the firm and its directors for mobilising funds from small investors through an unregistered collective investment scheme. While Wi-Fi penetration in Tier-I and Tier-II cities is considerably high at 74 per cent, many consumers are falling into a WiFi exclusion trap, a study by research and advocacy firm Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) has pointed out. Calling the inability to benefit from a home Wi-Fi connection, due to cost, awareness and availability constraints as a WiFi exclusion trap, the study said many consumers had been unable to install WiFi as a result. The study comes at a time when the government is deliberating on whether to reserve the 6 GHz spectrum band solely for mobile internet like 5G or for Wi-Fi use. It pointed out that of those who did not have a Wi-Fi connection at home, it was found that 63 percent wanted to explore the possibility of installing it. "Although most families in rural areas had the first dimension of the digital divide, i.e. physical access to an internet-connected device, many family members, particularly women in the family did not have a material access to such devices. The study thereby recommends efforts to extract consumers from this trap," the report said. It also advocated for Wi-Fi at newer bands being made available. "It can help extract those in the trap by providing more public Wi-Fi access points, reliable and multiple connections with additional bandwidth and by leveraging potential for enhancement of income generation," it said. The study also found 49 percent consumers preferred 6 GHz over existing 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, based on technical parameters of each band. Also Read Free Wi-Fi service down in Delhi since December as contract expires: Report DoT against giving 5G spectrum to enterprises for private network: Report Higher penetration doubles quarterly MSME loan disbursals since 2020: Rpt DoT may approach LawMin for clarity on spectrum allocation to entities Centre freeing up more 5G spectrum, auction likely next year: Report Production boost: PLI schemes 'course correction' likely in some sectors PLI scheme for mobile production led to 20% value addition, says govt UAE-India CEPA deal paying off on every economic front: UAE Min Al Zeyoudi Refinancing risk to India Inc with debt in foreign currency, says Moody's PLI schemes help boost production, employment, exports: DPIIT Secretary Control over the 6 GHz band is hotly contested by telecom service providers such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, and WiFi providers. This is because mid bands provide a balance between wide coverage and capacity, which is critical for the rapid and cost-efficient deployments of 5G. 6 GHz is also the last remaining mid-band spectrum range where city wide coverage can be provided with mobile networks. The Department of Telecommunications has till now reserved the 6GHz spectrum range and it was not available in the last round of 5G auctions. The Centre is currently in the process of deciding which sector to reserve the spectrum for. A panel formed under the Wireless Planning and coordination wing of the Department of Telecommunications is considering the issue. While many countries such as the United States, Canada and Brazil have made the entire 6 GHz band available for license-exempt use, countries like Australia, United Kingdom and Japan have made the band partially available for such use. To ensure that no eligible voter is left out from the electoral rolls in Jharkhand, booth level officers (BLOs) would visit each household between July 21 and August 21, state Chief Electoral Officer, K Ravi Kumar, said on Tuesday. The total number of eligible voters in Jharkhand is 2.45 crore, he said. Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said that the summary revision of electoral rolls commenced in the state from June 1. He said of the 2.45 crore voters, the number of men is 1.26 crore and women is 1.19 crore while the number of third gender voters is 368. Many women are yet to be enlisted as voters, Kumar said. Emphasising the importance of the right to exercise franchise for a healthy democracy, he expressed concern over low voter turnout in urban areas of the state during polls. 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 Karnataka Election Results 2023: Here is how tally looks like at 11:30 am Karnataka Election Results 2023: Here is how tally looks like at 12:30 pm After Karnataka victory, Congress gears up for next Assembly elections K'taka polls: Won in 15 of 20 seats Bharat Jodo Yatra traversed, says Cong Karnataka CM will be chosen through party's consensus: Cong prez Kharge I take full responsibility for the defeat, says Karnataka CM Bommai Congress' victory in Karnataka shows 'Modi is not invincible': Opposition This time the Commission plans to hold enrolment drives for senior citizens, divyang (differently abled), members of particularly vulnerable tribal groups, sex workers and transgenders on specific dates. The training programme for trainers are on at various levels in view of the 2024 Lok Saha polls. Millionaires or high-networth individuals (HNWIs) refer to those with investable wealth of $1 million or more. India is likely to see an outflow of at least 6,500 high-networth individuals in 2023, slightly lower than last year's figure of 7,500, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, 2023, which tracks wealth and investment migration trends worldwide. This places India as the country with the second-highest outflow of HNWIs globally, next only to China (net loss of 13,500). The report ranks the UK (3,200) and Russia (3,000 vs 8,500 in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine) in third and fourth places, respectively. Why are millionaires relocating? Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, said: Recent and persistent turmoil has caused a shift more investors are considering relocating their families for a range of reasons, from safety and security, to education and healthcare, to climate change resilience and even crypto-friendliness. It is important to note that nine of the top 10 countries for forecast net HNWI inflows in 2023 host formal residence by investment programmes that encourage foreign direct investment in return for the right to reside, which can also lead to citizenship in some cases. Investors see the clear value of diversifying their domicile portfolios as the ultimate hedge against both regional and global volatility, now and in the future." Also Read EB-5 visa: What is it, who can apply and how it is different from H1-B visa US extends visa walk-in interview waiver for more applicants; check here H1-B visa deadline likely to get extended as users face technical glitches Indian passport 85th most powerful in the world, slips two spots from 2022 US visa threat before B'desh elections: Warning to faltering democracies How you can rebuild your credit score even after late payments Denied boarding due to overbooked flight? How to get Rs 20,000 as refund What a hike in MCLR means for borrowers: Who gets impacted and who doesn't Mitigate prolonged hospitalisation with reasonably priced accident cover Why are airfares in India soaring and is there a way to beat it? The report cited India's prohibitive tax legislation, coupled with convoluted, complex rules relating to outbound remittances open to misinterpretation and abuse as some of the issues that had triggered the trend of investment migration from the country. Dubai and Singapore remain preferred destinations for wealthy Indian families. The former is seen as particularly attractive for its government-administered global investor Golden Visa programme, favourable tax environment, robust business ecosystem and a safe, peaceful environment. 'Millionaire outflow not very concerning' Given India's capacity to generate new millionaires, the outflows are not considered particularly alarming. Global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth projects India's HNWI population will experience a remarkable 80 per cent increase by 2031, positioning the country as one of the world's fastest-growing wealth markets during the period. This growth will mainly be fuelled by the thriving financial services, health care, and technology sectors within the country. Interestingly, the firm observed a notable trend of affluent individuals returning to India, and as the standard of living continues to improve, it anticipated a significant influx of wealthy individuals moving back to India in greater numbers. With a current count of approximately 357,000 HNWIs residing in the country, India showcases a robust wealth presence. Asia is home to various wealth hubs and just this year, the number of enquiries received from South Asia in the first four months of 2023 already accounted for 72.2 per cent of the total number of enquiries recorded the previous year, which in itself was a record year. We project this upward trajectory will continue this year, with Indian investors voicing the demand for alternative residences and additional citizenships," said Rohit Bhardwaj, director, private clients, Henley & Partners India. The report exclusively features the latest forecasts of net inflows and outflows of US dollar millionaires, as projected by New World Wealth, which has been tracking global wealth migration trends for over a decade. Portugal golden visa most popular in 2023 Portugals Golden Residence Permit Programme has been the most popular overall in 2023, followed by Austrias citizenship by investment offering and St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme. Next is Canadas Start-Up Visa Programme, the fastest way for entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals to access Canadian residence and the North American market. China is losing largest number of dollar millionaires As it has for the past decade, China continues to lose the largest numbers of dollar millionaires each year to migration. Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, said: General wealth growth in China has been slowing over the past few years, which means that the recent outflows could be more damaging than usual. Chinas economy grew strongly from 2000 to 2017, but wealth and millionaire growth in the country has been negligible since then (when measured in US-dollar terms). Rising in popularity this year and last in the top five is Italys Residence by Investment Programme, with Greeces Golden Visa Programme and Spains Residence by Investment Programme hot on the heels of their Mediterranean counterpart. Brexit a bad bet for Britain, and US appeal waning The UK is expected to see a net outflow of 3,200 HNWIs in 2023 higher than the projected 3,000 net loss for Russia. The UKs peak net outflow year was 2017, following the Brexit referendum in 2016. Prior to this, the country enjoyed net positive inflows of HNWIs. While net losses dropped slightly between 2017 and 2019, the 2023 forecast indicates a far more significant millionaire exit is currently underway. The appeal of another financial giant, the US, is also dwindling fast America is notably less popular among migrating millionaires today than before Covid, perhaps owing in part to the threat of higher taxes. The country still attracts more HNWIs than it loses to emigration, with a net inflow of 2,100 projected for 2023, although this is a sharp drop from 2019, when the country saw a net inflow of 10,800 millionaires. Australia takes the lead in 2023 in net inflow of HNWIs Australia is expected to see the highest net inflow of HNWIs in 2023, with 5,200 millionaires projected to relocate there. While the United Arab Emirates has dropped to second place after a record-breaking influx in 2022, it is still set to experience a significant net arrival of 4,500 new millionaires this year. Singapore ranks third with a net inflow of 3,200 HNWIs, its highest on record, followed by the US with an expected net influx of 2,100. Switzerland (net inflow of 1,800) and Canada (1,600) occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. Greece (1,200), France (1,000, doubling last year's net intake of 500 millionaires), Portugal (800), and New Zealand (700) also make it to this year's top 10 list for net HNWI inflows. However, Israel is predicted to drop out of top 10, with its net inflow of millionaires expected to almost halve to just 600, compared with 1,100 in 2022. As cyclone 'Biparjoy' with an extensive damaging potential is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening, the administration has so far shifted 21,000 people from different coastal districts to temporary shelters, an official said on Tuesday. The government is aiming to evacuate people within 10 km of the coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is predicted to make landfall near Jakhau port as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour (kmph). The cyclone is likely to impact the Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most. "We have already started evacuating people residing near the coast who are likely to be affected the most during the landfall. So far, various district administrations have shifted nearly 21,000 people to temporary shelters. The evacuation process is still on and all the targeted population will be shifted by today evening to safer places," said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. Among the 21,000 people, nearly 6,500 were evacuated in Kutch district alone, followed by 5,000 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,000 in Rajkot, 2,000 in Morbi, more than 1,500 in Jamnagar, 550 in Porbandar and 500 in Junagadh district, he told reporters in Gandhinagar. Also Read Cyclone Biparjoy turns into 'very severe' cyclonic storm, says IMD Cyclone Mocha likely to hit India's eastern coast next week, details here Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat to evacuate people living within 10 km from coast Biparjoy may cause extensive damage; Kutch, Jamnagar to be most impacted Nothing suspicious found on Moscow-Goa flight: Jamnagar Airport director Solar power generation up 75% in MP, panels installed at 8,550 places Threat actors don't have access to entire CoWIN portal, database: Report Cyclone Biparjoy weakens but strong enough to cause extensive damage: IMD Violence continues over nomination filing for Bengal panchayat polls 4 dead, 3 injured as chemical tanker explodes on Pune-Mumbai Expressway He said one person has died in an incident linked to the cyclone. On Monday, one Varsha Bavaliya was killed and her husband was injured after a tree fell on their motorcycle on a state highway in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district due to strong winds, he added. "VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centred at 0230 IST of the 13th June, 2023 over Northeast and adjoining Eastcentral Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by the evening of 15th June as a VSCS, IMD has said. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the cyclone, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," the ICG said in a release. It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy. Pandey said the government is constantly working to ensure that there is no loss of life due to the weather phenomenon. He said the rescue operation is being carried out in two phases, with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly. A total of 12 teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements have been made for the accommodation, food and medicine of the evacuated people. At a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the state government, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. As evacuation started on Monday, Jakhau port wore a deserted look. Fishing boats were lined up on the shore to ensure that they do not suffer much damage, said officials. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port in Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, have been shifted to safer places, district administration officials said. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on June 15, when Biparjoy which means disaster or calamity in the Bengali language is expected to make the landfall. It also said that a strong surface wind is likely to prevail under the influence of the cyclone during June 12-16. The Met department has warned of wind speeds of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said. 40 per cent of the total cancer cases are caused by tobacco, alcohol and pan masala, Professor Pankaj Chaturvedi, the Head Cancer Surgeon and Deputy Director of Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai said here in Lucknow on Monday. Professor Chaturvedi was giving a presentation at the efficiency enhancement lecture on 'Victory over Cancer' held at Lok Bhavan in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Addressing the event, the professor said, "Forty per cent of cancer cases are caused by tobacco, alcohol, pan masala etc, 4 per cent of cases are genetic and 10 per cent are related to cleanliness whereas there is no clue about 20 per cent of cancer cases". "For example, we have no clue as to what causes blood and bone cancer. It is very important to know the causes. There is a misconception about cancer in society," he added. Professor Chaturvedi said that 70, 000 cancer patients have been treated in Varanasi Hospital so far and 25,000 patients are getting registered every year, yet there has been no drop in cancer patients getting admitted to cancer hospitals in Mumbai as was anticipated. "The maximum number of patients of breast cancer and cervical cancer are found in women in urban areas. Cervical cancer patients are found more in rural areas than breast cancer patients. A unique gall bladder cancer occurs only in people residing near and on the banks of the Ganges in UP. Apart from India, this gallbladder cancer is more commonly found in Chile," he said. 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 US has 'significant' defence partnership with India, says White House Cyclone Biparjoy: PM Modi calls Gujarat CM, takes stock of measures Cyclone Biparjoy: Western Railways terminates 56 trains to coastal Gujarat Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a hotbed for start-ups led by women Person facing casteism has right to change surname: Delhi High Court The professor added, "We are also doing research on this, but the cause of this cancer is yet to be known. Mouth cancer is the most common in men, followed by lung cancer. According to the geographical area, stomach and colorectal cancer gradually occur. Cancer depends on lifestyle". Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Durgashankar Mishra described Professor Chaturvedi as a leading expert on cancer in the country and congratulated him for explaining to the audience the ways to combat the disease in simple terms. "More than 200 important research and articles have been published in the world on cancer. Cancer has become a big problem in every family," he said. Air India has suspended two of its two pilots for inviting a woman friend into the cockpit of a Delhi-Leh flight last week, India Today reported on Tuesday. The airline initiated action against the two officials who allowed an unauthorised woman into the cockpit of AI-445. The airline operator's action comes after a month after an Air India pilot was grounded for inviting his female friend into the cockpit and Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Air India management suspended the two pilots after receiving a complaint from the cabin crew about the cockpit violation. "A female friend of an AI-445 pilot entered the cockpit without following rules, both pilots have been grounded/off-roster by Air India," an Air India official told news agency ANI. Aviation regulator Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, DGCA is aware of the issue and necessary action is being taken in the matter following procedures." The Leh route is considered one of the most difficult and sensitive air routes in the country and allowing an unauthorised person in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft amounts to a violation of law, according to experts. Recently, the DGCA suspended the license of an Air India pilot for allowing his female friend into the cockpit of the Air India flight AI-915 on the Dubai to Delhi route on February 27. A cabin crew member of flight AI-915 had filed a complaint with the aviation regulator. The DGCA also fined Air India for not taking swift and effective action on the incident. A 28-year-old person has been arrested for the alleged murder of Jonali Nath, the BJPs Goalpara district secretary in Assam, the day after her dead body was found next to a national highway in the district. Hasinur Islam, 28, who was arrested in connection with her death is said to have been in a relationship with her, according to the police. Islam was apprehended for questioning, according to IG Law and Order Prasanta Kumar Bhuyan, who discovered over 500 calls in the previous two months in which he confessed to the murder. According to Bhuyan, the murder may have been caused by a disagreement between the two regarding his marriage to another woman. Several leaders of the BJP offered their condolences regarding Nath's passing. Pijush Hazarika, the minister in charge of Assam's water resources has called for a thorough and speedy investigation. Jonali Nath Murder Case: Detailed Overview Nath's relatives allegedly told the police know that she had left for Islampur on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. for personal work. At about 7 o'clock, her spouse tried to call her but the phone rang unanswered. Her body was found around 12 am after the family later informed the police regarding the incident. The family told that Jonali's body gave a few indications of injury. On Monday, members of her family revealed to reporters that the evidence suggests that she was brutally murdered and the criminals dumped her body after the crime. An investigation has been launched by the Goalpara Police. Two individuals have been taken into custody, according to officials who are familiar with the situation. The deceased Jonali Nath hailed from Matia town in Goalpara. As per reports, the lady BJP leader was allegedly killed, and her body was dumped on national highway 17 in Krishnai. The grim discovery was made late Sunday night by villagers in the Shalpara area near NH 17 and they immediately called the police. A report stated that local witnesses noted that the body displayed multiple signs of injury, indicating that she had been assaulted and killed by unidentified criminals who fled the scene. New Delhi city authorities will start impounding the bike taxis of companies such as Uber and local rival Ola if they do not cease operations in line with a court order backing a ban on them, a senior government official told Reuters on Tuesday. India's top court on Monday backed the city government's ban on bike taxis in a setback for U.S. ride-hailing company Uber which had legally challenged authorities to continue offering the services. The government has argued that bike taxis violate local city laws that require them to have a licence to offer such services, while Uber argued in the Supreme Court that the ban hurts the livelihoods of its riders. Ashish Kundra, principal secretary and commissioner for transport in the Delhi government, said the companies should not chase profits and instead focus on passenger safety. "We will issue an advisory to companies asking them to respect the court order. If they fail to do that, we will start impounding vehicles," Kundra said. "They have gone beyond the regulatory framework and are clearly on the wrong side of the law," he added. Also Read New Delhi city warns Uber, Ola on use of bike taxis, says official 2023 may see an M&A surge in insurance sector: Shriram General Insurance MD Tata's Air India to seal half of jumbo plane order of 495 jets: Report Composite insurance licence regime may trigger M&A activity: HDFC Life CFO Irdai grants permission to Go Digit Life Insurance to commence business Delhi Police seeks CCTV footage from 5 nations over FIR against WFI chief India should be a permanent member on UN Security Council: Rajnath Singh Indigo Kolkata-Delhi flight grounded at IGI airport after tail strike National SC Commission serves notice to Zomato over 'casteist' ad Show featuring Air India's famed art collection takes off at NGMA Mumbai Neither Uber nor Softbank-backed Ola, the biggest providers of bike taxis in the capital, responded to a request for comment. The two companies were still offering bike taxi services on their app on Tuesday. Uber says that in 2022, more than 1.9 million trips took place to and from metro rail stations in Delhi, a key market for ride-hailing firms, on bike taxi service Uber Moto. A news portal journalist has been arrested for allegedly circulating baseless and misleading news against judicial and government officers in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, police said on Monday. Raipur-based Nilesh Sharma, editor of the India Writers portal, was apprehended by a team of the Bilaspur district police in Raipur on Sunday and brought here, a senior police official said. Shama was arrested in a case lodged last month under sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505(1)(b) (Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause fear or alarm in the public) of the IPC based on a complaint of a lawyer, he said. The lawyer had complained over a news article published in a news portal - NewsTodayCG.com - against judicial, government and administration officials claiming it to be "baseless and misleading", he said. Acting on the complaint, the Bilaspur police along with their Raipur counterparts had apprehended Sunil Namdeo, the operator of NewsTodayCG.com, from the Mana area of the state capital on June 1 after a raid. During the raid, the police had also seized a contraband drug from the possession of Namdeo following which the Raipur police had registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against him, he said. The investigation into the case related to the news article revealed Sharma and Namdeo connived in publishing the controversial article following which the former was arrested, he said. Sharma was arrested last year by the Raipur police in a different case of allegedly spreading malicious information about the ruling Congress in the state. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will, on Tuesday, chair a high-level meeting convened to review the Satpura Bhawan fire incident, the CM office said in a statement. State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary, Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang will attend the meeting, the . Among others who are scheduled to be present are -- Director General of Police (DGP) Sudhir Saxena, Chief Secretary Mohammad Suleman, and Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Rajesh Rajora. The meeting will be held at the chief minister's residence at 10 a.m., as per the statement. Soon after the fire broke out in the building here on Monday afternoon, the Chief Minister formed a five-member committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter and submit its report as soon as possible. "It is an unfortunate incident. The administration is engaged in dousing the fire. I also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all efforts are being made. A high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident," he had said. Also Read IAF choppers sought to douse fire raging at Satpura Bhawan, Congress slams Priyanka Gandhi attacks MP's BJP govt with '21 jobs, 225 scams' jibe CM Chouhan, Kamal Nath engage in 'question war' on poll promises After delivering K'taka, Cong strategist Kanugolu looks for victory in MP Pegasus not in Rahul Gandhi's phone but in his mind: MP CM Chouhan Cyclone: Railway short-terminates 56 trains heading to coastal Gujarat Hackers don't have access to entire CoWIN portal or database: Researchers Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat to evacuate people living within 10 km from coast Tech 'master key' to unlocking real potential of Indo-US ties: Envoy India-US realising equitable bilateral partnership a win-win: USISPF Notably, the fire at Satpura Bhawan, which houses several government offices - including CBI, EOW, tribal welfare, health department etc -- was finally doused with joint effort of multiple authorities early on Tuesday. Confirming the incident, District Collector Ashish Singh said that the blaze has been brought under control. The fire broke out on the third floor of the building, and spread to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors before it could be contained. However, with joint effort of multiple agencies, it was finally doused after 15 hours of struggle. --IANS pd/shb/ As Cyclone Biparjoy' approaches and is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district off the Gujarat coast, evacuation efforts will pick up on Tuesday, with the government aiming to evacuate people within 10 km from the coast. Authorities in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi have started the process of shifting those living near the coastline. They said thousands of people residing in areas within 10 km from the shore will be moved to safer places from Tuesday. VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centered at 0230 IST of the 13th June, 2023 over Northeast and adjoining Eastcentral Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by evening of 15th June as a VSCS, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest post. Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey told reporters that the government is constantly working to ensure that there is no loss of life due to the weather phenomenon. Pandey said the rescue operation will be carried out in two phases beginning Tuesday, with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly. Also Read Cyclone Mocha likely to hit India's eastern coast next week, details here Nothing suspicious found on Moscow-Goa flight: Jamnagar Airport director Cyclone Biparjoy: PM Modi calls Gujarat CM, takes stock of measures PMO holds high-level review meeting on situation in Uttarakhand's Joshimath Cyclone Mocha: Low pressure likely to form today, IMD issues warning Tech 'master key' to unlocking real potential of Indo-US ties: Envoy India-US realising equitable bilateral partnership a win-win: USISPF Disappointed to hear of proceedings against journalists in Kerala: Tharoor Top headlines: Sebi debars Chandra, Goenka; Skymet predicts bleak monsoon Involve Indian firms, officials in your ops: Govt to Chinese smartphone cos A total of 12 teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements have been made for the accommodation, food and medicine of the evacuated people. At a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the state government, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. As evacuation started on Monday, Jakhau bore a deserted look. Fishing boats were lined up on the shore to ensure that they do not suffer much damage, said officials. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port in Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, have been shifted to safer places, district administration officials said. Fishing activities have been totally suspended. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on June 15, when Biparjoy which means disaster or calamity in the Bengali language is expected to make the landfall. It also said that a strong surface wind is likely to prevail under the influence of the cyclone during June 12-16. The met department has warned of wind speeds of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said. In view of the impending cyclone, the NDRF has deployed two additional teams in Mumbai as a precautionary measure, an official said on Monday. EVIL machinations from the countrys detractors to reverse successes registered by the Second Republic through asymmetrical warfare in the form of currency manipulation and price distortions will come to nought with perpetrators being brought to book, President Mnangagwa has said. The President spoke as the country is witnessing wanton price increases especially following his proclamation of election dates. With Zanu PF hot favourite to win the harmonised elections set for August 23, the countrys detractors have been seeking to manufacture economic chaos in the hope of stirring public anger against the Government using different forms of media. However, in his address to the 369th Ordinary Session of the Politburo in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa called upon the media to come to the party and highlight achievements scored by the Second Republic and debunk mistruths peddled by the countrys detractors. As we convene today and focus on the elections, the usual machinations and heinous acts of our countrys detractors to reverse our development agenda are glaring. This is evidenced by their antics and asymmetrical warfare tactics, which include the attack on our currency and the wanton increase in prices of basic commodities. Vakanyangira yaona. They will never succeed and perpetrators are being brought to book, he said. Zanu PF is a party from the people, by the people and for the people. We will always stand with the people to guarantee our collective aspiration to remain masters of our own destiny. In spite of the attacks, President Mnangagwa said the Government will continue to advance sustainable socio-economic development and empowerment programmes to lift many people out of poverty and into prosperity. The Politburo session also saw matters related to the partys election roadmap following the proclamation of August 23 as the date for the Harmonised General Elections being tabled, with President Mnangagwa saying party structures and communities should remain resolute, vigilant and peaceful. Already, the ruling party has dispensed of its primary elections and just last week the partys successful candidates underwent an orientation programme in Gweru designed to ensure there is a common vision during the campaign period. I want to commend the Commissariat Department, the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology as well as all the party staff for organising the National Ideology and Mobilisation Workshop. It is my expectation that the outcomes of the workshop will provide the requisite impetus for stronger, robust and efficient grassroots mobilisation for the partys resounding victory. Activities and programmes of the party must be where the people are, said the President. He commended the party affiliates for their mobilisation strategies. I am impressed by the mobilisation capacity and unity of purpose demonstrated by our partys affiliate organisations. I particularly commend the Young Women for Economic Development, Commissariat Department and Masvingo Province for successfully organising the historic rally for first time voters. Such mobilisation programmes targeted at first time voters should be cascaded down ward by ward, constituency by constituency, district by district and province by province, said President Mnangagwa. Riding on these mobilisation strategies, including the successful rally by the Vapositori nemaZion for Economic Development, President Mnangagwa said all leagues of the party must sustain the momentum with focus at the ward level. Now that our candidates for councils and Parliament, including youth and womens quota, have been trained and oriented, preparations for the launch of our 2023 Zanu PF Election Campaign Manifesto must be accelerated. The launch will be held in Chipinge, Manicaland Province. I challenge the Politburo to continue providing strategic guidance and leadership to our party structures, with regards sharpening our mobilisation towards August 23, he said. With achievements of the Second Republic vast and leaving no one and no place behind, the President said multiple voices communicating one co-ordinated message must speak to the constituencies, wards and villages with regards to what the party has delivered. In spite of the Governments pure intentions and palpable achievements, the so-called independent media has taken every chance and opportunity to discredit the States efforts. The Zanu PF election victory and that of the people of Zimbabwe is imminent and certain. This has unsettled and placed our countrys detractors and their surrogates into disarray. Their empty strategy has seen them resorting to peddling falsehoods, which is a characteristic feature of their panic. I, thus, urge the party and every citizen to be alive to their mischief on the various media platforms, including social media. Let us all from Zambezi to Limpopo, Plumtree to Mutare, guard against the falsehoods and disinformation which are being concocted to breed divisions within our communities. Lies and falsehoods have short legs, therefore, as a party, we must always ensure that our communities have the correct information about the state of our party and our nation. Collectively, let us never allow anyone or anything to divide us. Political parties, individuals, rogue institutions and organisations who enjoy the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe have no place in our countrys body politik, President Mnangagwa said. We are delivering on our promises as set out in our Manifesto and National Development Strategy. Our ongoing development, modernisation and industrialisation agenda will continue to be anchored on our utilisation of domestic resources. He said the party from Politburo members to the ward level must now focus on voter education paying attention to the characteristics and features of the ballot paper. A minute of silence was observed in honour of the late national hero Cde Abraham Kabasa who was interred at the National Heroes Acre on April 29, 2023. Herald The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday voiced concern over alleged intimidation and harassment of journalists by Union minister Smriti Irani and the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala. In a statement here, the Guild claimed that Irani intimidated a journalist during her visit to her Lok Sabha constituency Amethi on June 9 and threatened to call the owners of the Hindi daily he worked for. In a separate incident, on June 10, a senior woman journalist in Kerala was named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the state police in response to a complaint filed by the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student arm of the ruling CPI(M) party. "This trigger happy approach to browbeat and harass reporters and news camera persons undermine the freedom of the press," the Guild said in a statement. "The minister's threat to call newspaper owners and couch journalistic questioning as an affront to the people, was a clear intimidatory tactic," the Guild said. It also urged the newspapers to reinstate the journalist sacked in connection with the case. Also Read Editors Guild files petition challenging the Centre's fact-check rule Govt alone cannot determine fake news, says Editors Guild of India Determination of fake news cannot be in sole hands of govt: Editors Guild Editors Guild deeply concerned about I-T survey at BBC offices Editors Guild concerned over social media suspension of Punjab journalists Delhi govt to bring settlement scheme for water bills of 1.1 mn people CoWin data leak puts users at increased risk of online scams: Experts Minister asks officials to take steps to prevent landfill fire incidents Delhi's peak power demand crosses 7000 MW, highest in this season DGCA issues aerodrome licence to Pithoragarh's Naini Saini airport The Guild urged the CPI(M) government in Kerala to withdraw the case against the female journalist with immediate effect. "It is a matter of deep concern that mere reportage on political leaders can invite an FIR and questioning by the police," it said referring to the Kerala incident. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey in sensational allegations claimed the Indian government threatened to shut down Twitter unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during farmers' protests, a charge denied by the government on Tuesday as an "outright lie". In an interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new agri laws in 2020 and 2021. Rubbishing the claims, the Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar launched a no hold barred attack and said Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law...It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it." "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shutdown'," Chandrasekhar said. "This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitter's history." Dorsey also mentioned similar pressures from governments in Turkey and Nigeria. Others in the government too joined Chandrasekhar in rebutting the claims. Denying allegations made by Dorsey, senior BJP leader and former IT and communication minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said,"No threat was issued to Twitter. We did, however, flag anti-India activities being entertained on the micro-blogging site." "We did raise objections to Twitter timelines teeming with footage of the Tricolour being pulled down at the Red Fort and police personnel being beaten up", said Prasad, in an oblique reference to unsavory events that took place during agitations against farm laws. "We pointed out that the act was no less outrageous than the siege of Capitol Hill for which Twitter had shown sensitivity", Prasad, who was IT and communication minister between July 2016 -July 2021, said. Also Read Ex-Twitter CEO Dorsey alleges pressure from India, Centre denies claims Jack Dorsey's wealth tumbles $526 million after Hindenburg's latest report Twitter rival Bluesky backed by Jack Dorsey crosses 100,000 users Jack Dorsey back in social media game with Twitter alternative Bluesky Twitter violated laws between 2020-22, during Dorsey's tuenure: BJP IT head Indian authorities probe bribery claim in toxic cough syrup tests CAG for change in recruitment rules to make public auditor future-ready SAT stays Irdai order transferring Sahara's Life Insurance biz to SBI Life People buying fuel, jewellery, grocery to offload Rs 2,000 notes: Survey Editors Guild voices concern over intimidation by Kerala govt, minister "There were also instances of unverified accounts of people not living in the country engaging in anti-India activities. We had requested that they act against such users", he added. He also lashed out at the Congress for doing politics on the "sacked" CEO of the company. Information Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur in Shimla said Dorsey was attempting a cover-up of past misdeeds and Twitter's internal communications had exposed that the platform was "misused and there was bias and tinkering. The BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said the social media company violated laws between 2020-2022 when Dorsey was at the helm of affairs. Opposition parties quickly latched on to Dorsey's comments to attack the government with the Congress saying when farmers were protesting, the government was trying to suppress this news. "Be aware, 733 farmers were martyred in this movement and the dictator was engaged in polishing his image on their dead bodies," it tweeted without naming anyone. Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena-UBT Priyanka Chaturvedi replying to Chandrasekhar's tweet, said the law Twitter broke was to "allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda." The government had in 2021 asked Twitter to block certain provocative hashtags which the social media platform initially compiled but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification". This led to a standoff with government officials threatening legal consequences. Weeks later, police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. In the longish Twitter post, Chandrasekhar cited what the government saw as non-compliance with the local laws governing social media platforms. "Facts and truth - @twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied," he said. In Thiruvananthapuram, he said Twitter was not in compliance with Indian law during 2020 and 2022 but "they were neither raided nor sent to jail and so this is a fiction that Dorsey has put out there for whatever reasons he has put out there." "But the facts are that the government of India has consistently maintained that any platform, whether foreign or Indian, whether big or small, must comply with Indian laws if they are to operate in India and offer services and products to the Indian citizens," he said. "The most important thing that I would like to share is that certain people are now aware of what Twitter was doing during those two years as that has come out into public domain through the Twitter files," he added. Twitter, he said, was misusing its power as a platform to selectively de-amplify, selectively deplatform people both in India and abroad. In India, it was a direct violation of Article 14 and Article 19 of the Constitution and the government has always maintained that any platform whether Twitter or any other in in the country has to protect every Indian citizen's fundamental rights --Articles 14, 19 and 21-- and has to be in compliance with Indian laws, the minister said. "That is exactly where the government's views are, then in 2020 and currently in 2023," he said. He said he was "deeply disappointed" by Jack Dorsey's attempt at "lying about what happened because certainly whatever he has said in yesterday's statement is untrue and is false". India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India, the minister. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. "GoI (government of India) was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news," he said in the Twitter post without giving details. The minister charged Twitter with not complying with requests to take down tweets spreading misinformation. "Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under the Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India..." he said, noting they did it when similar events took place in the US. He also alleged that there was ample evidence in the public domain about Jack's "arbitrary, blatantly partisan and discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period". Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian laws but was partisan in how it was using "deamplify" and de-platforming arbitrarily, in violation of the Constitution and also assisting in "weaponising of misinformation", the minister alleged. "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring the compliance of Indian laws," Chandrasekhar said. "Our government's policies remain clear for all Intermediaries operating in India - compliance with laws to ensure the Internet is Safe and Trusted, Accountable". Dorsey made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressures Twitter faced from the Indian government when he was the CEO. The Indian government has repeatedly denied engaging in online censorship. "Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law. Say MoS IT. Lol! Yeah, the law they broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda. But there was no crackdown or compliance issues since it supported their agenda. The minute people and opposition started to fight back using the platform, the government started to crackdown! So please, spare this little sermon," Chaturvedi tweeted. She went on to state that Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has "on record spoken about GoI's multiple requests to take down content/suspend accounts that goes against his own belief regarding absolute FoS (freedom of speech). They comply, since GoI. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his visiting American counterpart Jake Sullivan on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for Indo-US collaboration in seven specific high-technology areas, including semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence and defence. After the roadmap was unveiled at an event, Sullivan said both sides are looking at a number of "deliverables" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Washington, which are fundamentally designed to "remove obstacles" for a deeper cooperation in the areas of defence, high technology, trade and a greater exchange of students. The roadmap for collaboration was announced at the second Track-1.5 dialogue on the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) that was organised by industry chamber CII. "As we look ahead to the State visit that Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi will be embarking upon to Washington next week, a number of the deliverables at that visit are not just bullet points on a page. They are fundamentally designed to remove obstacles in defence and high-tech trades and in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of better collaboration among our scientists and researchers," Sullivan said. In a major move, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May last year to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. The formal movement on the framework took place in January. Also Read AP ICET Result 2023 is expected today; everything you need to know NSA Ajit Doval to hold crucial talks with top US leadership on iCET US NSA meets Doval in Saudi Arabia, next meeting in Australia this month NSA Doval meets members of USISPF, discusses cooperation in defence, space Biden believes iCET key for US, India to create technology ecosystem None of Brij Bhushan's family members to contest WFI elections: Sources Narrative about govt jobs has changed, says Union Minister Chandrasekhar WFI elections to be held on July 6, result on same day, says official Make arrangements for Ratha Jatra in Puri keeping in mind hot weather: CM PM Modi to lead yoga session at UN Secretariat on Jun 21: Shombi Sharp In his remarks, Doval said the iCET will give an orbital jump to the strategic relations between India and the United States. The iCET is expected to forge closer linkages between the government, academia and industry of the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space and semiconductors. In his remarks at the Track-1.5 dialogue, Doval said significant progress has been achieved after the launch of the iCET around six months ago and that it will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers and related issues. "To kick-start the Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism, we have signed an MoU on semiconductors," he said. Doval said he sees a bright future for Indo-US cooperation under the iCET framework and that it is time to go for "big ideas". Besides semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence (AI) and defence, the other areas identified for cooperation under the iCET are space, biotechnology and advanced materials. The separate groups on each area of proposed collaboration made specific recommendations for boosting the cooperation. Earlier, Doval and Sullivan also held restricted talks covering a number of bilateral and regional issues. Sullivan arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit for talks with Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior Indian officials, ahead of Modi's visit to Washington. "Earlier today, the two National Security Advisers met for restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Later in the evening, they attended the second Track 1.5 dialogue on iCET organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The first edition of the dialogue was organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington on January 30. "We have been able to kick-start the Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism, we have signed an MoU on semiconductors, the public-private dialogue on telecom engaging stakeholders from the government, industry and academia to further open collaboration in open RAN, 5G and 6G," Doval said. The NSA said he is optimistic that more specific and tangible results will be achieved in the near future. Most importantly, a strategic trade dialogue has been established, he said, noting that it will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers and issues relating to exports control. Doval said the interest shown by the industry, businesses, scientists, research scholars and institutions in the iCET is encouraging and confidence-building. "The iCET is not a government-to-government arrangement alone, but a collaborative initiative of the industry, academia, research bodies and think-tanks, all making a common endeavour to see India and US in a higher orbit, an orbital jump to our strategic relations, where we are able to build technology capabilities and exploit opportunities," he noted. Sullivan said the iCET is more than just technology and that it is about people-to-people relationships, building skills as well as trust and confidence between the societies and governments of the two countries. He said it is also a way to deepen defence cooperation that will help both the countries strategically and economically. He noted that the industry is providing the power and propulsion for this initiative. Sullivan highlighted that one of the key focuses of the initiative is to remove barriers to collaboration on both sides to maximise the full potential of the bilateral cooperation. "The US and India are poised to lead in clean energy transformation, shore up and diversify global semiconductor supply chains and supply chains in other critical goods, and lead the revolution in AI, advanced computing, biotech and quantum," he added. The NSAs addressed the participants at the dialogue, which included leading representatives of the academia and industry from both countries. Sullivan will also meet with Jaishankar and other dignitaries of the government, the MEA said. Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador to India, said at the Track-1.5 dialogue that the foundation of the Indo-US ties is strong. For translating the iCET's vision into human terms, he said there is a need to have the technology that connects, protects and heals people, which is what technology is all about. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India should be made a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) while addressing a commemorative seminar on Tuesday, June 13. The seminar was a part of the 75-year celebration of UN Peacekeeping, organised by the Indian army in New Delhi. Indias contribution in UN peacekeeping operations In his address, Singh spoke about Indias long history of contributing to UN peacekeeping operations and as one of the largest providers of troops. Over the years, India has contributed approximately 275,000 troops to peacekeeping missions. Around 5,900 are currently deployed in 12 UN missions, including female engagement teams in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as well as women staff officers and military observers. Since their initial involvement in Korea in 1950, Indian troops have successfully managed complex peace operations, earning widespread admiration for their professionalism. Singh added that the UN decision-making bodies, including the Security Council (UNSC), needed to be more reflective of the demographic realities of the world. When India, the most populous nation, does not find a seat as a permanent member of the UNSC, it tends to undermine the moral legitimacy of the UN. Therefore, the time has come for making the UN bodies more democratic and representative of the current realities of our age, he said. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande also affirmed the readiness of the Indian Army to fulfill the country's responsibility and commitment to the UN, while working closely with other nations. Also Read India to deploy single largest platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei Defence, aerospace exports treble to Rs 12,815 cr in 5 years: Govt Aero show: Rajnath Singh rolls out red carpet to defence attaches Aero India 2023: Rajnath Singh lauds 'new energy' of defence start-ups India's defence equipment exports reach Rs 16,000 crore this year Indigo Kolkata-Delhi flight grounded at IGI airport after tail strike National SC Commission serves notice to Zomato over 'casteist' ad Show featuring Air India's famed art collection takes off at NGMA Mumbai Mitali Express between India, Bangladesh temporarily cancelled due to Eid Amit Shah to chair review meeting over preparedness for cyclone Biparjoy Safety and effectiveness of UN peacekeepers The defense minister also spoke extensively about ensuring the safety and effectiveness of UN peacekeepers. He called for international cooperation among responsible nations and for more innovative approaches to prevent conflict and help in the restoration of peace in violence-hit regions. As situations in violence-hit regions tend to evolve fast, it is important to invest more in the training of UN peacekeepers as well as technology and resources for their safety and productivity. Furthermore, opportunities where meaningful women participation can help diffuse tensions must be recognised, stated the Raksha Mantri. Stressing the need for global cooperation, Singh said, A conflict at a particular place or region creates ripple effects which adversely impact the whole world. So, the rest of the world becomes a stakeholder in resolving the conflict and to restore peace. This is because peace has positive externality. When conflicting parties restore peace, they benefit in terms of human lives saved, higher economic growth achieved, etc. The rest of the world also benefits as peace fosters stability and encourages economic growth. Authorities have launched an inquiry into an allegation that a local pharmaceutical regulator, in return for a bribe, helped switch samples of cough syrups that the World Health Organization (WHO) had linked to the deaths of children in Gambia before the samples were tested at an Indian laboratory, according to two government officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. In an April 29 letter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana state reviewed by Reuters, a lawyer named Yashpal accused the states drug controller, Manmohan Taneja, of taking a bribe of ~5 crore ($605,419) from local manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals to help it switch the samples before an Indian government laboratory tested them. Maidens factory is based in Haryana. Reuters was unable to independently establish that any bribes were paid. Taneja did not respond to phone calls, messages or emails seeking comment. Maiden did not respond to requests for comment. The WHO said it had no knowledge of the allegation. Yashpal, who like some Indians uses only one name, did not say in the letter where he got the information, or provide evidence for his claim about the syrups made by Maiden. The lawyer said he had learned about the alleged bribe in the Maiden case from at least two individuals in the pharmaceutical industry, including one within Maiden, but declined to identify any of them for fear of retribution. Also Read WHO stands by action of issuing alert against Maiden Pharma cough syrup Maiden Pharma's cough syrups are safe, WHO jumped the gun: DCGI After Gambia, now Uzbekistan alleges Indian cold drug killed its children Cough syrup deaths: Centre, UP team inspect pharma firm's Noida unit Contaminated cough syrup made in India found in Western Pacific: WHO CAG for change in recruitment rules to make public auditor future-ready SAT stays Irdai order transferring Sahara's Life Insurance biz to SBI Life People buying fuel, jewellery, grocery to offload Rs 2,000 notes: Survey Editors Guild voices concern over intimidation by Kerala govt, minister Delhi govt to bring settlement scheme for water bills of 1.1 mn people "I just want the matter formally investigated," said the 38-year-old, adding that he was waiting to be asked to submit an affidavit that would trigger such a probe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Indian economy is on a rise being fuelled by a spike in manufacturing activity and growing employment despite the growing geopolitical tensions. Addressing the newly recruits in various government departments at a 'Rozgar Mela' where more than 70,000 appointment letters were handed over virtually by him, the prime minister said that due to various government schemes like Startup India, Stand up India and Mudra Yojana, several employment opportunities have emerged in the private sector also. He said in his video address, that even in the government departments, job opportunities have grown in the last 10 years. With several startups having been established, youngsters in India are not only getting self-employed, but are also providing employment to other youngsters too, Modi added. He claimed that the world looks at India as a nation with a politically stable and decisive government. Incidentally, India's unemployment rate increased in April 2023 to 8.11 per cent from 7.8 per cent in March 2023. Also Read Chennai, Southern cities top in terms of women employment: Report Manufacturing PMI hits 31-month high in May, helped by demand and output Rozgar Mela will act as catalyst in employment generation, says Tomar India needs Rs 33,750 cr to set up Li-ion cell, battery mfg plants: CEEW Nearly half of Indian workers don't plan to hop jobs as hiring slows ED raids Tamil Nadu's electricity minister in money laundering probe US Prez Joe Biden's family to host intimate dinner for PM Modi on June 21 Mumbai police to launch 'No Honking Day' tomorrow to curb noise pollution Biparjoy: IMD issues 'Orange' alert for Saurashtra, Kutch coasts in Gujarat PM Narendra Modi to visit US from June 21 to 25: What is a state visit? According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate in the country has been on an upward trend since the start of the year, as it recorded an increase for the fourth consecutive month in April 2023. Unemployment rate was 7.14 per cent in January 2023. Compared to this, the unemployment rate in April was 0.97 percentage points higher. Over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate ranged between 6.4 per cent and 8.3 per cent, averaging at 7.6 per cent. Therefore, the unemployment rate of 8.11 per cent registered in April was on the higher end of the spectrum, CMIE said in an analysis last month. Meanwhile the 'Rozgar Mela' was held at 43 locations across the country. The new recruits, who got their appointment letters on Tuesday, joined the government in various departments, including financial services, posts, defence, school education, higher education, revenue and health among others. --IANS ans/dpb The Centre has asked Chinese mobile phone manufacturers to onboard Indian equity partners in their local operations, The Economic Times (ET) reports. Additionally, the government has also asked these firms to appoint Indian executives to their senior leadership. The report quoted executives who attended the meetings where these directions were issued. Chinese smartphone maker firms have been asked to appoint Indian officials to posts such as chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and chief technical officer etc. Moreover, the government has also directed them to delegate contract manufacturing work to Indian companies, develop manufacturing processes that involve local businesses, and multiply exports from the country via local distributors, the ET report said. At the meeting, it was also highlighted that Chinese companies comply with all the rules related to taxation and do not evade them, ET reported quoting the executives mentioned above. Senior government officials issued these directions to a number of Chinese firms, including Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, and Vivo. The meeting was organised by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY). The report added that members from the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), which is the smartphone manufacturers' lobby group, were also present at the meeting. Also Read Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50i available at discounted prices on Amazon: Details OPPO announces offers on Reno8 T 5G phone, Enco Air3 earbuds: Details here Falling behind in online sales, Xiaomi to focus on offline channels OPPO Find N2 Flip foldable phone's global launch at 8 PM: Watch livestream OPPO A78 5G smartphone with 5,000 mAh battery launched: Price and specs LIVE: Guj to evacuate those living within 10 km from coast as cyclone nears 'We'll shut you down, raid homes': Ex-Twitter CEO Dorsey on Indian pressure 'Biparjoy' likely to enter Rajasthan on June 16, NWR cancels train services Chhattisgarh web journo held for spreading baseless news against officials PM Modi to distribute 70,000 appointment letters to new recruits today The meeting was organised in the wake of several Chinese smartphone makers coming under the scanner for tax evasion and illegal remittances amounting to thousands of crores. Offline mobile phone retailers have also been lobbying with the government to create a level playing field and take action against predatory discounts available for smartphones on online platforms. People cited above said that the government want Indian equity partners not just in manufacturing but at all levels, which includes sales, marketing etc. As things stand, Chinese smartphone companies have wholly owned operations in India. Speaking on the matter, Realme's president for international business, Madhav Seth, told ET that the government wants to change this situation and wants these companies to involve local talent and ecosystem and develop India as their export base. Kuki members included in a committee set up by the Centre to facilitate the peace-making process among various ethnic groups of strife-torn Manipur expressed unhappiness, claiming they were not consulted before including their name in the panel. Several Kuki organisations also raised objections to the inclusion of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the 51-member panel headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey. The Meitei community members, however, welcomed formation of the Peace Committee. The apex body of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) in a statement said its president has been included in the list of members "without prior and proper consultation and information". "Kuki Inpi Manipur senses no rationale to pursue peace solely with individuals who have engineered the violence against its people... Peace must be the result of the concerted efforts of the Union Home Ministry and the affected communities. It cannot be a condition to impose normalcy," the KIM said. Kuki-based civil society organisation Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has also condemned the inclusion of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the panel. Also Read Cash-strapped Mizoram gets Bangla refugee influx; border talks with Assam As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Manipur students clash in DU area, situation under control: Police Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Shah to visit Manipur's Moreh on Myanmar border, review security measures Authorities to impound bike taxis if Uber, Ola do not comply with Delhi ban Delhi Police seeks CCTV footage from 5 nations over FIR against WFI chief India should be a permanent member on UN Security Council: Rajnath Singh Indigo Kolkata-Delhi flight grounded at IGI airport after tail strike National SC Commission serves notice to Zomato over 'casteist' ad The creation of such a Peace Committee... by the Central government must be made only after conditions of normalcy and security for Kuki-tribal villages have been secured," the ITLF said in a statement. Another organisation, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) asserted that unless the people's demand for taking action against illegal immigrants and narco-terrorists is fulfilled, peace and normalcy will remain a far cry. Since these demands have been ignored by the government of India, COCOMI will stay away from the Peace Committee," its Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba said in a statement. Multiple sources in the Kuki community claimed that its members in the panel are unlikely to attend the meetings. Several Meitei members included in the committee, however, welcomed the move. Damages and casualties have been enormous. The fight between brothers must be resolved at the earliest. Step by step solution must be sought and the formation of the Committee is the first step towards restoring peace and normalcy, Sarangthen Brajabihari, Chairman of the Bar Council of Manipur, told PTI. Retired news editor of All India Radio, BB Sharma, said the members have not been informed about the agenda of the Committee. I have been informed that the first meeting is on June 15 at 2 pm at Raj Bhavan. I will definitely go, he said. The Committee has 25 representatives from the Meitei community, 11 from the Kuki community and 10 from the Naga community which has Governor Anusuiya Uikey as the Chairperson. Three from the Muslim and two from the Nepali community are also included in the Committee. At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state. Curfew remains in force in 11 of the 16 districts of Manipur, while internet services are suspended in the entire northeastern state. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. The narrative about government jobs has changed and they were no longer about power or authority or control but about service, good governance and welfare of the poor, Union Minister for State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Tuesday. Addressing the newly inducted recruits at the Rozgar Mela event organised here, he said Rozgar Melas have been conceptualised to make the government recruitment processes more reformed, more efficient and more equitable. "Previously, we needed a Godfather or an influential connection for getting government jobs. Now the processes are much more transparent," the Minister was quoted in a release. Rozgar Mela was held at 43 locations across the country and about 70,000 appointment letters were distributed to newly inducted recruits in various government departments and organisations, the release said. Later in another event, Chandrasekhar inaugurated an IoT lab, set up in collaboration with Intel, at the Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology here. Addressing students as part of 'New India For Young India' lecture series, the Minister underscored the importance of skilling and said whether in government or in private sector, formal or informal sector, skilling is incredibly important. Also Read Rahul Gandhi represents 'laziest type of politics': Rajeev Chandrasekhar India should become producer of technology: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Do not see any threat to jobs from current form of AI: Rajeev Chandrasekhar AI won't be a threat to jobs for next 5-10 years: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Staffing, IT software industries show highest demand for freshers in India WFI elections to be held on July 6, result on same day, says official Make arrangements for Ratha Jatra in Puri keeping in mind hot weather: CM PM Modi to lead yoga session at UN Secretariat on Jun 21: Shombi Sharp Chandrasekhar slams Twitter ex-CEO Dorsey's comments on farmer protest Ex-CEO Jack Dorsey's Twitter shutdown claim an outright lie: Govt "Technology and Skills are the two important pillars that will transform the future of India and catalyse its India Techade journey," he said. The Minister asked the students not to pause the learning process and upgrade their skills to keep themselves relevant in the workforce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United States of America (USA) for an official state visit from June 21 to 25, where US President Joe Biden will host him at the White House. This will be PM Modi's first state visit to the US during his nine-year reign as prime minister. The last state visit to the US was made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh between November 23 and 25, 2009. Ahead of his visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that the trajectory of the India-US partnership is unthinkable and filled with promise. Blinken addressed the US-India Business Council's India Ideas Summit in Washington DC. The annual USIBC summit is part of the US Chambers of Commerce and is being conducted ahead of the upcoming state visit of PM Modi. "We know that India and the United States are big, complicated countries. We certainly have work to do to advance transparency, to promote market access, to strengthen our democracies, to unleash the full potential of our people. But, the trajectory of this partnership is unmistakable and it is filled with promise," Blinken said. At the same event, India's ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said that the speed and scale of the transformation of the India-US relationship have been "phenomenal." He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third Indian leader to be accorded the honour of a state visit by the US President. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' US President Joe Biden visits Kyiv ahead of Russia-Ukraine war anniversary China may soon be supplying arms to Russia, warns Antony Blinken Karnataka may keep additional expenditure on 5 poll promises fiscal neutral Should the BJP worry about Rahul Gandhi meeting US officials? MSP demand: Delhi-Chandigarh highway remains blocked, farmers to meet Cyclone Biparjoy turns into 'very severe' cyclonic storm, says IMD Centre asks employees to take 'Y-Break - Yoga at office chair' to de-stress All-party meeting over West Bengal panchayat polls scheduled for today CM Shivraj Chouhan to chair meeting to review Satpura Bhawan fire incident Also Read: PM Modi's US visit will decide contour of future of India-US relationship While addressing the India Ideas Summit, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, "We are a week away from the historic state visit of Prime Minister Modi to the US, at the invitation of President Biden. There is great excitement, on both sides, as you can see. My Prime Minister is only the third Indian leader, in our independent history, to be accorded the honour of a state visit by the US President. He also becomes the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice." While PM Modi has visited the US several times, it is the first time his trip has been called a state visit. But what are these state visits? What are state visits? State visits are visits of a head of state/ government to a foreign country in their official capacity. These visits are officially described as a "visit of [name of state]" rather than a "visit of [name of leader]". State visits to the US happen only at the invitation of the president of the United States, acting in their capacity as the head of state. In the US, these visits have elaborate ceremonies like a flight line ceremony, a 21-gun salute White House arrival ceremony, a White House dinner, and an exchange of diplomatic gifts, among other things. PM Modi will have a state dinner on June 22. Moreover, these visits are the highest-ranked category of foreign visits and are considered a sign of friendly bilateral relations. To maintain their prestige, these events are relatively rarer. For example, the US President can host one leader from a nation only once every four years. According to the level of importance, state visits are followed by official visits, official working visits, working visits, guest-of-government visits, and private visits, in that order. How is a state visit different from an official visit? In a state visit, only a head of a state (head of government in case of parliamentary democracies) can visit the foreign country. On official visits, any other leader like the president, vice-president or ceremonial heads can visit the foreign nation. The protocols that need to be followed by a host nation are also different in these two visits. Moreover, state visits are highly elaborate and include bigger ceremonies than official ones. The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is gravely concerned by the rising number of civilians impersonating soldiers using stolen army IDs and fake army fatigues to fleece hard-earned money and valuables from unsuspecting people. Seven people countrywide have recently been arrested for these offences, ZNA spokesperson and director Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore yesterday The Zimbabwe National Army is greatly concerned over the increasing number of civilians arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe Military Police (ZMP) officers for impersonating military members for purposes of fleecing money from unsuspecting ordinary people, he said. The bogus soldiers are using stolen and fake military identity cards. These alleged criminals also use stolen military uniforms to dupe and rob people of their property and money. To date, he said, Wiseman Makombe of Tafara in Harare, Priviledge Mapfumo of Tynwald South in Harare, Bornface Chinhano of Glenwood Park in Harare, Tafadzwa Mukuze of Mutare, Learnmore Ngwenyaya of Kuwadzana in Harare, Ngonidzashe Samuel Mapfumo of Harare and Bornface Muzambe Mashingaidze of Rujeko Township in Chinhoyi have been arrested for impersonating soldiers. Some of the arrested suspects will be appearing before the courts while others are still under police investigations. The public, he said is therefore warned to be alert in order to avoid being conned by such bogus soldiers who are on the prowl. The ZNA would like to strongly warn the public to desist from dealing with anyone they suspect to be a bogus soldier. The Criminal Law and Codification Act states that impersonating a police officer, peace officer or public official is an offence, he said. Members of the public are advised to report anyone found to be unnecessarily flashing their military identity card or in possession of military uniforms to the nearest police station or the Zimbabwe Military Police using the hotlines, 0712 842 318 and 0777 258 410. Colonel Makotore said the public can also effect a citizens arrest and hand over the culprits to the relevant authorities. Herald The legend goes that the artist B Prabha, fresh out of Sir JJ School of Art in the 1950s, had walked into the Air India office to find a buyer for her pensive paintings of rural women. The airline promptly picked up at least six pieces for 87 rupees and 8 annas each and developed an appetite both for the practice of collecting art and for more of B Prabhas paintings. Before all the recent talk about artificial intelligence in art, the only AI that deeply influenced the art world was Air India. The Tata Group-founded airline grew into one of the most prolific institutional patrons for artists in post-Independent India, especially those from the Bombay Progressive Artists Movement including VS Gaitonde and MF Husain, who were compensated for their brushwork with funds or flight tickets. Before all the recent talk about artificial intelligence in art, the only AI that deeply influenced the art world was Air India. The Tata Group-founded airline grew into one of the most prolific institutional patrons for artists in post-Independent India, especially those from the Bombay Progressive Artists Movement including VS Gaitonde and MF Husain, who were compensated for their brushwork with funds or flight tickets. Maharajas Treasure, a show glimpsing that famed collection, went on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai on June 13. The artworks officially passed into the care of NGMA in early 2023, as the government began disinvesting in the carrier. Air India was acquired in January 2022 by the Tata Group, which also owned the airline from inception until 1953 when the government decided to nationalise air carriers. JRD Tata, and later Ratan Tata, remained involved as chairperson or member of the board, and the tradition of art collection continued. Also Read One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Taxi to Take Off: Air India says Phase 1 of its transformation complete Overcast morning in Delhi with 25.4 deg C minimum temp, air quality drops CBDT to hold high-level meeting to review revenue collection of FY23 GST collection hits an all-time high of Rs 1.87 trillion in April Mitali Express between India, Bangladesh temporarily cancelled due to Eid Amit Shah to chair review meeting over preparedness for cyclone Biparjoy PM gives 70k appointment letters, says 'Rozgar Mela' new identity of BJP Assam Woman BJP Leader Jonali Nath Murdered By Boyfriend; details inside Satpura fire: Over 12k files gutted, Kamal Nath demands independent inquiry The artist-Air India relationship was symbiotic. Artists benefited from steady work and subsidies, and the airline, for its part, got unique pieces to show off at its lounges and booking offices around the world. It allowed the airline to pitch itself globally as a royal Indian carrier. As such, several of the works, including those playing on the turbaned Maharaja mascot, had a self-Orientalist quality that exoticised India. Documentation of the artworks is still on, said NGMA Director Nazneen Banu. That means the provenance of some of the works remains to be established, and as such, stories like the one about B Prabha are yet to be confirmed or catalogued. The collection has been handed over to NGMA because we can conserve and put it in the public domain. This first exhibition showcases the modern Bombay Progressive masters, so the Mumbai public has got the first right to see it. There will be many exhibitions curated out of the collection, Banu adds. The collection has about 4,000 works now, but it was once likely as large as 7,000. The airline rushed to audit its treasures in 2017 when it came to light that lots of them had gone missing. Not just placed on walls, art was integrated into the airlines day-to-day branding too, through tickets, in-flight storybooks, first-class menus, the sarees of air hostesses. These, however, are not part of the current display, which limits itself to 200 paintings and sculptures that were in exhibition-ready shape. Hinting at the collections international expanse, a multi-panel Husain canvas hangs in the main hall, metres away from a surrealist ceramic ashtray, designed by Salvador Dali in the 1960s in exchange for the equally surreal gift of a baby elephant. The shell-shaped and blue serpent-rimmed ashtray is propped up by elephant heads, which become swans when looked at upside down. Three of B Prabha's modernist portraits, of women dressed in traditional Kashmiri, Maharashtrian and Rajasthani garb, are on the second floor, dedicated to works by and of women. Among them is Arpana Caurs Women hold up half the sky, in which the pan used to transport construction materials sits on a womans head, resembling a blue crescent moon. The next section features paintings of scale such as abstract mindscapes by SG Vasudev, as well as stark landscapes of Ladakh by Serbjeet Singh. Two Anjolie Ela Menon paintings, Nawab with pigeon and Lady with kite, both framed inside wooden windows and both symbolising a desire to break free, dominate the mezzanine floor. The bird theme continues in the gnarly metal roosters sculpted by Pilloo Pochkhanawala and Raghav Kaneria. The exhibition ends with pieces marking celebration such as Laxman Pais Christmas in Goa, K H Aras Holi, 15th-century stone figurines of celestial musicians, and a mid-20th-century metal sculpture of Nataraja, the Hindu god of dance. The show, whose opening was originally planned for April 27, was put off after state mourning was declared following the death of former Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal. On view until August 13, it may be extended further. The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission has warned a "habitual litigant" against filing a large number of RTI applications and appeals, saying the Right to Information Act should not be used as "a tool to harass public authorities". The commission also observed that filing RTI applications in bulk leads to a "clogging of the system" and causes "unnecessary impediment in discharging the regular duties of the PIOs (Public Information Officers)". State Information Commissioner Ajaya Kumar Uprety passed the order while hearing the appeal of Anil Kumar Dubey against Public Information Officer at the office of District Panchayati Raj Officer, Vikas Bhavan, Varanasi, during a camp on May 9. The order was uploaded a few days back on the website of the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission (UPSIC). During the hearing, it was found the applicant submitted 35 RTI applications with the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department. "The commission is of the view that the applicant is a habitual litigant. The commission finds his appeal a tool to harass the public authorities," Uprety said in the order. Also Read Law must not be used as tool to harass accused, says Supreme Court What is World Freedom Index and why Indian govt keeps rejecting its report? Right to Repair: how to access it, what it covers, and consumer benefits I-T dept says delayed SFT filing attracts penalty; check details here Russia, India, China, among others target faith community members: US IPL betting: Businessmen, criminals among 53 arrested from posh locations Global Slavery Index 2023: G20 nations fuelling modern slavery Twitter violated laws between 2020-22, during Dorsey's tuenure: BJP IT head Time has come for making UN more democratic of current realities: Rajnath Shakti scheme offering free buses ride for women costs Rs 8.84 cr per day "A large number of appeals filed by him (Anil Kumar Dubey) against public authorities is nothing but a tool to impede the regular work/duty of the Public Information Officers for which they have been primarily appointed by the government. "The commission records its condemnation of such a habitual information seeker for filing such a large number of RTI applications, which led to clogging of the system and causing unnecessary impediment in discharging the regular duties of the PIOs," the commission observed. The order further said that the commission "records a warning" to this applicant to "desist" from filing such type of RTI applications in large numbers, so that this "Sunshine Act's basic purpose is not jeopardised". Also Read Jack Dorsey's Bluesky Social is a Twitter alternative in the works Hindenburg targets Jack Dorsey's payments firm Block: All we know so far Will immerse medals in Ganga, fast unto death: Protesting wrestlers RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate up by 25 bps, FY23 inflation pegged at 6.5% Rajasthan farmers to get Rs 500 cr in FY24 to build greenhouses, shade nets 'Biparjoy' likely to enter Rajasthan on June 16, NWR cancels train services Chhattisgarh web journo held for spreading baseless news against officials PM Modi to distribute 70,000 appointment letters to new recruits today Skymet Weather predicts bleak monsoon in India over next four weeks In a major win for the protesting farmers, the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana government on Tuesday announced that sunflower seeds will be procured as per minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,400 per quintal as demanded by the farmers. The government also announced to withdraw the criminal cases filed against nine arrested farmer leaders. "This is not a question of victory or defeat; this is our right," said Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on government's decision to buy sunflower seeds from the farmers at MSP. As their demands were accepted, celebrations began at the protest site with farmers breaking into a jig. The protesting farmers, who were demanding procurement of sunflower crop at MSP as announced by the Centre and release of arrested agitators, had blocked the National Highway-44 for the last two days by installing tents and temporary sheds. "The farmers are their ending protest in Pipli after talks with the district administration," Tikat announced. Also Read Thousands of farmers to descend at Ramlila Maidan for 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' 29% uptick in Madhya Pradesh farmers registering to sell wheat at MSP Farmers gather in Haryana for MSP on sunflower crop, release of leaders Agri Min sets up 30,934 organic clusters, benefitting 1.5 mn farmers Paddy procurement over 70 mn tonnes, Rs 1,45,845 crore MSP paid to farmers Bond auction: 11 states borrow Rs 22,500 crore; Maharashtra tops the list Centre imposes stock limits on quantity of wheat to cool down prices Seeds of stagnation in Bt cotton: Can newer variants impact productivity? G20 agriculture ministers' meet in Hyderabad from June 15-17: Kishan Reddy Bayer partners Cargill to bring digital solutions, market info to farmers The Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra, Shantanu Sharma, said the farmers have been assured of appropriate price for sunflower crop. "Today the government agreed to fulfil our demand," farmer leader Karam Singh Mathana said. Official sources told IANS that various rounds of talks were held between the district administration and the farmer leaders over the past two days, which remained inconclusive. On Monday, Khattar had invited the farmers for talks, but they had refused the proposal. The farmers had said that they will not leave the highway till the government agrees to procure oilseeds at the MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal as announced for the crop by the Central government for 2022-23. The oilseed growers were not happy with the relief announced on June 10 by Chief Minister Khattar, saying "it was an attempt to prevent the 'mahapanchayat' called by farmers' associations". Addressing the 'mahapanchayat', Tikait had said the government should release the farmer leaders who were arrested for blocking the national highway and ensure procurement at MSP, or protests will be held across the country. However, Tikait denied reports that the highway has been blocked. "We are not blocking the highway. It is not right... highways should not be blocked," he told reporters at the protest site on Monday. According to a police advisory, commuters coming from the Ambala side were diverted from Sadhopur to NH152-D (Chandigarh-Hisar) and further commuters can travel via Ismailabad, Karnal and beyond via NH-44. For traffic from Delhi, the commuters could turn via Indri road from Karnal on the NH-44 and travel via Ladwa, Babain, Shahbad and take the NH-44 for their further destination or turn right from Ladwa Chowk to travel via Radaur and take the NH3-44 (Saharanpur-Panchkula) or travel till Nilokheri in Karnal and take Dhand road to reach Kaul and commute via the NH152D for Ambala. --IANS vg/dan/arm Domestic passenger vehicle sales grew by 13.54 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 334,247 units in May, data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) on Tuesday showed. According to the latest data released by Siam, sales of passenger vehicles (PVs) from manufacturers to dealers stood at 294,392 units in May 2022. Two-wheeler domestic sales were up 17.42 per cent YoY to 1,471,550 units in May. Similarly, three-wheeler sales grew 70.42 per cent to reach 48,732 units in May 23, compared to 28,595 units a year ago. Total vehicle dispatches across categories were at 1,808,686 units in May 23, compared to 1,532,861 units in the same period last year, Siam data showed. "All the segments viz passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers have posted growth in double digits in May 2023, compared to May 2022. We anticipate this trend to continue supported by the prevailing economic environment," Siam president Vinod Aggarwal said. Also Read Maruti Suzuki Jimny: Banking on Gypsy's legacy to take on the SUV challenge Maruti Suzuki Q3 preview: Profit may decline up to 8% QoQ on lower volumes Maruti Suzuki Q4 net profit up 42.6%; firm declares dividend of Rs 90/share Maruti Suzuki India's sales jump 6.5% in April, exports drop by 8% Planning to buy Fronx? Maruti Suzuki to launch in India next week Toyota Japan announces battery electric vehicle initiatives amid criticism Foreign automakers get a second chance as India transitions to EVs Nearly all Tata Motors vehicle dealers turn profitable after a decade Hyundai to utilise $5.9 bn in overseas operations' money for EV investments Maruti to launch its own alternate for Innova in collaboration with Toyota Commenting on the data, the director general of Siam, Rajesh Menon, said, "Sales of passenger vehicles of May 2023 has been the highest ever in May, returning a growth of 13.5 per cent, compared to May 2022. Two-wheelers also posted a growth of 17.4 per cent in May 2023, compared to last year, but are still lower than 2016-17 levels. Domestic sales of three-wheelers in May 2023 grew by 70.4 per cent compared to May 2022, although on a low base, but is still lower than the 2018-19 levels." Toyota plans to make an all solid-state battery as part of its ambitious plans for battery electric vehicles, the company said Tuesday, amid mounting criticism Japan's top automaker needs to do more to fight climate change. Toyota Motor Corp. aims for a commercial solid-state battery as soon as 2027. Charging time, one of the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, will get shortened to 10 minutes or less, the company said in a statement. With the evolution of the vehicle's operating system, the next-generation battery EV will also enable customization of the driving feel,' with a focus on acceleration, turning and stopping, it said. EV owners usually have charging stations in their homes and keep their cars plugged in overnight to recharge. That's one of the main reasons Toyota has long insisted that hybrids are a better solution. A hybrid recharges as the car runs. Toyota President Koji Sato has said the company must play catchup after falling behind in the EV sector. The automaker is likely to face harsh criticism on its climate change commitments at a shareholders' meeting in Toyota city, central Japan, set for Wednesday. In its latest announcement, Toyota said it was also working on innovating lithium-ion batteries, the battery type now in most EVs, and wants to offer new affordable options. Also Read SMEV seeks extension of subsidies for EVs under FAME-II in Budget Vikram Kirloskar's daughter Manasi takes over as Toyota Kirloskar Motor VC Toyota debuts hydrogen Corolla race car in a bid to shift to green energy India needs Rs 33,750 cr to set up Li-ion cell, battery mfg plants: CEEW Toyota Kirloskar commences 3rd shift at K'taka plant to enhance production Foreign automakers get a second chance as India transitions to EVs Nearly all Tata Motors vehicle dealers turn profitable after a decade Hyundai to utilise $5.9 bn in overseas operations' money for EV investments Maruti to launch its own alternate for Innova in collaboration with Toyota Hero MotoCorp launches its popular motorcycle Passion+ at Rs 76,301 Toyota says it is committed to a hydrogen society" and is continuing to work on models powered by hydrogen, including fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen is still expensive and usually made using fossil fuels, although it can be made using renewable energy. Toyota said it's working with various partners to produce cleaner and cheaper hydrogen. Toyota, which makes the Prius hybrid, Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models, is also working on second-generation biofuels. Biofuels, such as ethanol, are considered more renewable than fossil fuels though they have other drawbacks. Domestic airfares registered a drop on several routes over the last week after the aviation minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, asked airlines to put a leash on prices. As a result of this, while the prices have cooled down from the highs of last month, fares on several routes are still higher than what they were a year ago, The Economic Times (ET) reports. Airfares skyrocketed last month as demand surged when GoFirst suspended its operations on May 3. The supply side struggled to keep up with the demand as some other carriers also grounded planes due to late engine deliveries, the ET report said. At its highest, one-way fare for a Delhi to Leh flight in May stood at a whopping Rs 43,519, more than thrice the prices a year ago, Rs 14,334, ET reported. The Delhi-Pune one-way fare shot up to Rs 30,626 in May compared with Rs 18,222 a year ago. In the wake of steep airfare hikes, aviation minister Scindia had asked the airlines to devise a "reasonable" pricing mechanism. Last week, the minister said that the highest fares on some routes were now down by as much as 61 per cent after meeting with various airlines officials. The chief financial officer of Cleartrip, Aditya Agrawal, was quoted by ET as saying, "The Indian market is supply constrained as several aircraft are grounded due to engine and other issues, while demand has exceeded pre-Covid levels. This has effectively created a floor below which prices aren't dropping. This will correct when new aircraft get delivered over the next few months." An industry expert told ET that the recent easing in prices is a routine airline response after the government asked them to reduce fares. However, the expert added that there is no concerted effort by airlines to cut fares overall. Average spot airfares on nine routes flown by Go First declined by up to 33 per cent compared to last week, the civil aviation ministry said in its analysis on Tuesday. Go First operated about 200 daily flights before halting operations on May 2. The cancellations resulted in a spike in airfares, prompting public uproar and ministry intervention. Average spot fare on the Leh-Delhi route for travel on Wednesday (booked on Tuesday) declined 33 per cent to Rs 14,133 over the last week, the ministrys analysis shows. Similarly, on Delhi-Leh, Delhi-Mumbai, and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes, the drop in fares was in the range of 26-28 per cent. Fares on the Mumbai-Delhi route (for travel on Wednesday), however, increased 29 per cent to Rs 7,394 as compared to last week. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has faced criticism from the Opposition for not doing enough to protect customers interest. Scindia, on his part, said the ministry not only took cognizance of the issue, but intervened by sending strict advisories to airlines to self-regulate fares. DGCA is closely monitoring the same, he tweeted. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed all telecommunication (telecom) service providers (TSPs) to deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning-based Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) detect systems to identify and act against unregistered spam callers and message senders. On Tuesday, the telecom sector regulator also asked telecom companies (telcos) to comply with the earlier directive of instituting the new Digital Content Authorization (DCA) and intimate the updated status on actions taken within the next 30 days. According to the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018), the entities that do not get registered with TSPs and use 10-digit mobile numbers for sending UCC through messages or calls are called Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs). These UTMs have been on Trai radar due to sending users messages having fraudulent links and telephone numbers, which entrap customers into sharing their critical information. Despite measures taken by the TSPs, UCC from UTMs continues. At times, these UTMs through messages having fraudulent links and telephone numbers trap customers into sharing their critical information causing financial loss to customers, Trai said on Tuesday. While telcos have implemented such detection systems, according to their suitability and feasibility, the UTMs are continuously evolving new techniques to send UCC, and the current detection systems are not fully capable to deal with the issue, Trai said. Also Read Trai's DCA platform for stemming out spam, pesky calls in next 2-3 months TRAI gives companies 2 weeks to verify templates for sending commercial SMS Trai to again meet telecom firms next week to end spam call menace Develop consent-driven anti spam tech within 2 months: TRAI to telcos Trai proposes regulatory framework to rate buildings on their digital infra Average spot airfares drop up to 33% in a week: Aviation ministry Infrastructure AIFs in slow mode despite a govt push for new roads, ports DGCA issues aerodrome licence to Pithoragarh's Naini Saini airport 71% Indian professionals seek to eliminate workplace jargon: Report TRAI directs telcos to deploy AI system to crack down on spam messages Earlier this month, Trai asked telcos to develop and deploy DCA facilities within two months. The DCA will be a unified platform to seek, maintain, and revoke consent given by customers towards receiving commercial communication from businesses. Given the sheer volume of complaints against incessant promotional calls and texts sent by businesses, the deadline will not be extended, officials had told Business Standard. DCA will take customer consent for brands or companies they would like to receive communication from. It will also expedite the process of receiving consumer consent on Digital Ledger Platform (DLT) platforms. DLT platforms are digital systems for keeping and managing the record of sender IDs and templates run by telcos. Businesses need to register on DLTs by submitting relevant details and get access to exclusive headers and message templates keywords denoting a business or brand that pops up when a phone user receives a message. In its latest direction, Trai said telcos have also been directed to share intelligence using the DLT platform. The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphone manufacturing has resulted in local value addition of 20 per cent within a span of two-three years, Rajesh Kumar Singh, secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, said on Tuesday. Vietnam achieved 18 per cent value addition in over 15 years, and China achieved 49 per cent value addition in 25 years...It is a big achievement, Singh told reporters. An official statement said the PLI scheme for smartphone manufacturing, along with the Phased Manufacturing Programme, had led to increased value addition in the electronics sector at 23 per cent. Of the $101 billion electronics production in FY23, smartphones constituted $44 billion. 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. American companies have made substantial contributions to India's progress, and they stand ready to do more, the head of a top American business advocacy group has said. Addressing a gathering of top American corporate leadership at the annual India Ideas Summit here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Official State visit to the US on June 22, US India Business Council (USIBC) president Atul Keshap said that American companies support India's ambitions and align with its national interests. Our companies have made substantial contributions to India's progress, and they stand ready to do more. We understand the challenges, and we are ready to adapt, to listen, and to respond, he said. We are here to offer world-class products, choices, technologies, and services that support India's ambitions and align with its national interests. Indeed, the rise of India in world affairs is good for Indians, good for America, and good for free people everywhere, he said. Keshap said in his recent visits to India. He has witnessed a nation on the move, building, innovating, and growing with unprecedented vigour. The metro lines, highways, and airports that are sprouting across the country symbolise the aspirations of its people and their journey towards a more prosperous future, he said. Also Read Working to support plans to promote a free open Indo-Pacific region: USIBC Choice International plans to launch 10 new branches in North India in FY24 Critics Choice Awards 2023: 'RRR' wins Best Foreign Language Film Finnish Parliament approves legislation allowing accession to Nato India to become global knowledge superpower: MoS Education Subhash Sarkar Bharti group-backed OneWeb could begin satellite broadband services by Sept Airtel, Jio target Vi's postpaid users with competitive int'l packages Even with smaller incentives by Centre, daily orders on ONDC touch 30,000 Need sectoral strategies to enhance export competitiveness: IIPMB Director Airfares down on some routes after aviation minister's meet but still high And, at the most fundamental level of humanity, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, food, and healthcare are transforming the lives of hundreds of millions and uplifting so many out of poverty. What is happening today in India is truly a modern miracle, said the USIBC president. The former American diplomat who played a key role in strengthening the India-US relationship, Keshap, during his two-year tenure as USIBC president, witnessed US-India relations transform and approach what a friend of his has been calling escape velocity. Not too long ago, it seemed that very real disagreements could take the relationship off course. But our civilisational partnership, founded on friendship, trust, and mutual affection, proved resilient. We are working together in more ways than ever, and the G2G and B2B activity ahead of this State Visit has shown the world that our two free and democratic nations are in it for the haul and are determined to make the world safe for free enterprise and free people, he said. Keshap said it is his belief that by strengthening the economic ties between the US and India, the world's oldest and largest democracies, and reaching our ambition of USD 500 billion in bilateral trade, they can demonstrate to the world that the future of the world will be anchored by democracy and freedom. India's largest asset manager SBI Funds Management on Tuesday said they are negative on equities from a shorter-term perspective as valuations have risen above the comfort zone. "We are not positive on equities. We think valuations are expensive. The market has gone up a lot more than the earnings have grown," said R Srinivasan, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) - Equity at SBI Mutual Fund, at the launch of asset management companies' (AMC) yearly report on the market outlook. The CIO further said that investors should lower their return expectations from equities in the present valuation and macro-economic scenario. Currently, the benchmark index Nifty50 is trading at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 22.2. The ratio, which was around 21 in March, has risen on the back of the ongoing rally since April. Highlighting the mismatch between earnings growth and stock market performance since 2014, Srinivasan said that while the earnings remained almost flat between FY 2014 and FY 2020, the Nifty50 almost doubled to 12,000. The earnings growth has since picked up, but valuations remain high. "Directionally, we are positive on earnings growth but a little cautious from the macro-economic perspective," he said, adding that 'value' stocks are likely to continue outperforming in coming years. Also Read What's capping rally in SBI shares despite record net profit in Q4FY23? NIM expansion, loan growth: Top 5 things to track in SBI's Q4FY23 results Sensex slips 347 pts on profit-taking, Nifty holds 18,500; RIL, SBI dip 2% RIL, ITC lift Sensex 418 pts, Nifty regains 18,700; MRF tops Rs 1-L mark RIL, ITC, HDFC twins lift Sensex 345 pts up; Bank Nifty hits new peak NSE, Maha, Moneybee Institute sign MoU to launch investor-awareness project Half of India's top-10 highest denominations stocks outperform indices Fear of failure? Firms let IPO nods lapse on pricing mismatch, volatility DLF hits highest level since September 2008; zooms 40% thus far in FY24 IndiGo falls 5% in 2 days even as Co clarifies on Gangwal stake sale buzz Value stocks are those that trade at relatively lower valuations. Most public sector stocks fall in this category. "Our view is that the economy will decelerate and the market will maintain a defensive bias. In such a situation, investors should prefer bonds over equities. However, from a longer-term perspective, this is the right time to accumulate equities, " Gaurav Mehta - CIO, Alternatives. The Congress Tuesday demanded answers from the Modi government after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened it would be shut down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government during the farmers' protest. The Centre has, however, rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "The Modi Government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers and Farmer's movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Government, or Twitter and its employees would be raided". "This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Government answer," he asked. He also shared clips from a TV interview in which Dorsey levelled the allegations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too took to Twitter, saying, "During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees." Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. Also Read Ex-Twitter CEO Dorsey alleges pressure from India, Centre denies claims Twitter rival Bluesky backed by Jack Dorsey crosses 100,000 users Meta-owned WhatsApp working on new 'text editor' for iOS beta: Report Committed to security of diplomatic facilities, says US condemning attack Nine shot at in 'targeted and isolated incident' in San Francisco Rajasthan CM raises horse trading issue amid truce talks with Pilot camp Bengal panchayat polls: BJP questions justification of all-party meet now Shiv Sena ad claims Shinde more preferred as Maharashtra CM over Fadnavis Bengal education dept orders to stop paying salaries to Guv appointed V-Cs Cong hits back at govt over ex-Twitter CEO claims over 'raiding' its office He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Monday alleged home minister Devendra Fadnavis was falsely claiming that warkaris- devotees of Lord Vitthal- were not lathi-charged by police in Pune district a day before. "Video clips of the lathi-charge are self-explanatory. What is Fadnavis trying to achieve by making a false claim that no such incident had taken place? The comments of Fadnavis regarding this incident are irresponsible and insensitive, he said. According to police, an argument broke out on Sunday between warkaris and police during a procession at Alandi town when devotees were scrambling to gain entry into Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir. Fadnavis had denied reports of lathi-charge and maintained that it was a minor scuffle. Patole said Fadnavis asking political parties not to instigate people over the incident is like "a thief lecturing the police". "If he cannot handle the home department, why is he blaming the warkari community for it?" the Congress leader asked. Also Read Extortion calls made investor drop Rs 6,000 cr Maha plan last yr: Fadnavis Ignore orders of 'unconstitutional' Maharashtra govt: Raut to officials Sena says no need to take Maha BJP chief seriously on Fadnavis as 2024 CM Maha cabinet expansion to take place before monsoon session: Shambhuraj Maha govt will teach lesson to those who want unstable state: Fadnavis IAF choppers sought to douse fire raging at Satpura Bhawan, Congress slams Manipur CM urges for peace, announces prefabricated homes for displaced UP govt woos diaspora to expand pool of investment beyond big firms Modi govt scaled up welfare schemes keeping poor in focus: Meghwal AAP govt acting against Constitution, says Guv; Punjab CM Mann hits back Every year, the palanquin of sant Dnyaneshwar leaves Alandi town for Pandharpur temple in Solapur district on the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage. The entire stretch is covered on the foot by lakhs of people. Maharashtra's warkari community has a rich tradition but the incident that took place in Alandi is a black day. The BJP is infected with a morbidity of spreading blatant lies, Patole alleged. In a sudden move, Bihar minister for SC and ST welfare, Santosh Suman, on Tuesday resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet, his party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) announced here. Suman is currently the national president of HAM which was founded by his father Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister. It was not immediately known whether the resignation was accepted. Sources in 'Mahagathbandhan', the ruling alliance in the state, however, said that even if HAM, a four MLA-strong party, pulls out of the coalition, it would not have a bearing on the survival of the government. Also Read Bihar ex- CM Jitan Ram Manjhi seeks 5 seats for HAM for 2024 LS polls Big fish cannot ignore political stature of Manjhi, Chirag Paswan Caste census will be beneficial for all sections of society: CM Nitish Bihar riots were orchestrated, culprits will be exposed soon: CM Nitish Ex-JD(U) president RCP Singh joins BJP, attacks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar PM gives 70k appointment letters, says 'Rozgar Mela' new identity of BJP Congress demands answers on ex-Twitter CEO's claim of pressure from Centre Rajasthan CM raises horse trading issue amid truce talks with Pilot camp Bengal panchayat polls: BJP questions justification of all-party meet now Shiv Sena ad claims Shinde more preferred as Maharashtra CM over Fadnavis Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the national-level 'rozgar mela' (employment fair) had become a new identity of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments. The PM was addressing the newly-recruited government employees after distributing appointment letters to over 70,000 people via video conferencing. With the employment fair on Tuesday, the prime minister has so far distributed appointment letters to over 430,000 people. The PM said the BJP-ruled states were organising similar employment fairs regularly. We have seen how dynastic political parties have promoted nepotism and corruption in all systems. These dynastic parties have betrayed crores of youth, he said. Modi said India was now a more stable, safe, and strong country than it was a decade ago, asserting that the government was identified with progressive economic and social decisions. There has never been such confidence for our economy in the past. On the one hand, there was a slowdown due to the pandemic, and on the other hand, the supply chain was affected due to war (Ukraine). Despite all these challenges, India is taking its economy to new heights, he said. Employment fairs are part of the governments efforts to fast-track recruitment of over 1 million personnel within a year at various levels, such as Group-A, Group-B (Gazetted), Group-B (Non-Gazetted), and Group-C, across 38 departments and ministries. In railways, appointment letters were given to 28,312 new recruits including 22,752 from the safety category, Business Standard has learnt. Also Read PM Modi addresses Rozgar Mela, distributes 71,000 appointment letters As NDA turns 25, time for BJP to reassess value of other alliances House in (dis)order: Early adjournments not limited to NDA government Narendra Modi govt's road to 2024: Reformist agenda or welfarism? Modi govt to complete 9 years this month, lines up series of events Govt unable to protect citizen's detail: Cong slams Centre over data breach Jitan Manjhi's son Santosh resigns from Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's cabinet PM gives 70k appointment letters, says 'Rozgar Mela' new identity of BJP Congress demands answers on ex-Twitter CEO's claim of pressure from Centre Rajasthan CM raises horse trading issue amid truce talks with Pilot camp The prime minister said how a rate card was prepared for every job posting similar to that of a menu card in a restaurant. On one hand we have political parties that present a rate card for jobs, on the other hand, it is the present government that is safeguarding the future of the youth. Now, the country will decide whether the future of the youth will be governed by the rate card or by the safeguard, the prime minister said. There are continuous new employment opportunities emerging in both the private and public sectors, he said, adding that there were also self-employment opportunities with initiatives like the Mudra Yojana, Start Up India and Stand Up India. Modi said this was a very significant moment for those who are joining government service as they have the opportunity to contribute towards making India a developed country in the next 25 years. Along with the present, you must give everything for the future of the country, he added. India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) would focus on strengthening partnerships with banks and financial institutions, a top official said on Tuesday. The company is backed by marquee investors -- Enact MI, Sagen (Brookfield Group), National Housing Bank, IFC (World Bank Group), And Asian Development Bank. The mortgage guarantee company, since its inception in 2012 has breached Rs 20,000 crore in home loan guarantees to over one lakh customers across 400 locations. In FY2022-23, IMGC doubled its market share in South India accounting 30 per cent of all originations in the region. The company guaranteed Rs 2,300 crore in home loans for over 18,000 families. "IMGC's expansion plans revolve around enhancing its participation in the housing ecosystem to enable first-time homeownership and provide ongoing support to existing homeowners," IMGC CEO Mahesh Misra said. "Strengthening partnerships with banks and financial institutions is a key focus for IMGC, ensuring that more Indians have access to affordable home loans and promote inclusive homeownership," he said. Also Read LIC Housing Finance, HDFC: Trading strategies for housing finance companies Tata Capital to LIC Housing finance: Companies to raise funds from markets ADB, Maldives sign $41mn financing package to support SMEs, tourism Asian Paints slips 3% after Q3FY23 result misses street estimates LIC Housing Finance raises lending rates by 35 bps, cites market conditions Disinflation process is likely to be slow and protracted, says RBI Governor RBI opens sub-office at Kohima, to increase presence in north east RBI likely to tighten norms for unsecured lending portfolios of banks India set for $168 bn behemoth as HDFC merger to be completed by 20 July FLDG norms may dampen biz volume in segments with higher 5% limit: CRISIL IMGCs expansion plans include entering new markets and increasing its guarantee portfolio to Rs 30,000 crore by FY2024, he added. Samsung has announced the global launch of its Odyssey OLED G9, the latest in its series of Odyssey gaming monitors. The Odyssey OLED G9 is the first OLED monitor to offer Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD; 5,120 x 1,440) resolution with a 32:9 ratio, said the South Korean electronics manufacturer. Last year, Samsung addressed the demands and expectations of even the most experienced gamers with the launch of the Odyssey OLED G8, said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. With the introduction of the Odyssey OLED G9, equipped with unrivaled picture quality, we are excited to offer our customers these powerful gaming monitors and raise the bar for OLED gaming. The Odyssey OLED G9 will go on sale worldwide from June 12. The launch schedule will vary by region, the company said. Samsung will organise a Fortnite gaming tournament with 100 gamers on its Twitch channel to celebrate the launch of its new model. No details on the India launch date and pricing have been announced yet. The Odyssey OLED G9 is offered in two variants G95SC and G93SC. Both the monitors are similar in design and features, and boast the OLED display, but the former comes with the Gaming Hub and smart TV offerings. Samsung said the G93SC model would be available globally in the third quarter of this year. Coming on to the specifications and features, the Odyssey OLED G9 monitors sport 49-inch displays with 1800R curvature. The Odyssey OLED G9 offers 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time and 240Hz refresh rate. Powered by a Neo Quantum Processor Pro, the gaming monitor uses deep learning to automatically adjust brightness and contrast based on on-display content requirements. The monitors feature AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and DisplayHDR True Black 400. Packaged in a metal frame, the Odyssey OLED G9 is fitted with CoreSync and Core Lighting+. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has preambled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming "historic" state visit, saying central to emerging cooperation in critical technologies between the two countries such as semiconductors and defense was "reducing strategic dependencies". Blinken has inserted a new phrase into the narrative around the India-US relationship whose limits have been defined by New Delhi's pursuit of strategic autonomy, which is a foreign policy construct deployed by India to choose friends without committing itself to anything serious. "Central to all of this cooperation is diversifying and deepening our supply chains with trusted countries, also reducing strategic dependencies," he said in remarks to business leaders of the two countries at the start of an annual conference on the relationship of the US-India Business Council, an offshoot of the US Chamber of Commerce, the most powerful of American lobbyists. Blinken was referring to a recent surge in cooperation between the two countries on emerging critical technologies, which is a dialogue that was flagged off by Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden in 2022 and fast-tracked by the two sides in a meeting of National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan earlier this year. This engagement contains the promise of the next big outcome in the relationship, which could be announced during Modi's visit later in June: joint production of US giant General Electric's (GE) jet engines in India. India currently uses GE jet engines delivered ready for use. Expanding on the theme of "reducing strategic dependencies", the top US diplomat spoke of cooperation between the two sides on semiconductors and solar power equipment, the two areas on which the US has been cutting its dependence on China, specially after disruption caused by Covid-19. Also Read India's semiconductor market to touch $64 bn by 2026: Counterpoint-IESA PM Modi meets CEO of Japanese semiconductor firm, discusses tech It's now or never for India to take lead in semiconductor sector: SEMI CEO Centre announces $2 bn investment in Mohali's Semiconductor Laboratory Vedanta-Foxconn JV set to get govt approval for its chip-making plant Tech 'master key' to unlocking real potential of Indo-US ties: Envoy Hong Kong to ease entry rules for foreign workers to stem manpower crunch Migrant workers in London face 'shocking' levels of exploitation: Report India-US realising equitable bilateral partnership a win-win: USISPF Lava pours from Mayon volcano, thousands warned to be ready to flee "My friend and colleague Secretary of Commerce (Gina) Raimondo and her counterpart Minister (Piyush) Goyal, recently established a partnership to make our semiconductor supply chains more resilient." He went on to talk about US investment in a solar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. "It will shift a key component of our clean energy supply chains to a close partner. That's what we mean when we say we are building more resilient, more diversified supply chains," he added. Secretary Blinken did not say the US has expectations of India on "reducing strategic dependencies", but it could be an acknowledgement and acceptance of India's dependence on Russian oil, which it has been getting at heavily discounted rates for its own use and export, to circumvent US-led western sanctions. The Secretary of State was extremely bullish on the bilateral relationship and pitched his own speech as a run-up to Modi's upcoming visit. "I couldn't be more pleased to actually kick off tonight the upcoming state visit with all of you," he said, calling the visit "historic" earlier. An Indian Prime Minister is coming to the US on a state visit -- including a state dinner -- after nearly 14 years, nine of which have been Modi's. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the last Indian Prime Minister given a state dinner. It was in 2009. He was President Barack Obama's first state guest -- an event that will probably be remembered also for the couple that gate-crashed it, in flagrant breach of security arrangements. --IANS yrj/khz/ By Chris Dolmetsch Elizabeth Holmes has limited financial resources and should not have to pay $250 a month in restitution once shes released from prison, lawyers for the Theranos Inc. founder told a judge. Federal prosecutors say theres a clerical error in a court filing that doesnt specify a schedule for Holmes to pay $452 million in restitution to victims of her massive fraud at the blood-testing startup. Theyre now asking US District Judge Edward Davila to correct the paperwork to require her to make monthly payments once she finishes the 11-1/4 year sentence that she started last month at a federal prison camp outside Houston. Like her former boyfriend, Ramesh Sunny Balwani, who served as president of Theranos and is now serving a 13-year sentence, Holmes has said she cant afford to pay the nine-figure sum demanded by the US. Thats common in large financial frauds, but the government is required to seek restitution and judges often impose payment schedules on convicts to ensure they make an effort. Davila, who presided over the trials of both Holmes and Balwani, ordered them to pay $452,047,268 in restitution, saying they are jointly liable for the amount with $125 million owed to Theranos investor Rupert Murdoch and lesser amounts for 13 other fraud victims. Also Read Elizabeth Holmes files fresh plea to put off prison as she appeals Former Theranos exec Ramesh Balwani seeks to avoid lengthy prison sentence Former Theranos COO Ramesh Balwani fights US over $900 mn restitution Ex-Theranos executive Balwani loses bid to stay prison-free during appeal World Haemophilia Day 2023: Theme, History, Significance, Full Details Climate laws could price Americans out of EV market, BYD executive warns Foreigners now flocking to New Zealand, net immigration surges in April China's factory gate prices fell at fastest pace in 7 years in May: Report NATO begins biggest ever air exercise amid fears of flight delays UN chief calls for coordinated global action on disinformation, hate, AI The judge ordered Balwani to pay $25 quarterly while in prison and at least $1,000 a month, or at least 10% of his earnings, once released. Holmes doesnt object to $25 quarterly payments while shes incarcerated, but argues the government is wrong to assume the absence of a post-prison payback schedule means the judge simply made a mistake. Her lawyers asked Davila on Monday to reject the correction proposed by prosecutors, saying the court had substantial evidence showing Ms. Holmes limited financial resources and has appropriately treated Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani differently in sentencing. They noted that while Davila ordered Balwani to pay a $25,000 fine, she was spared from that penalty. The case is US v. Holmes, 18-cr-258, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Jose). Pakistan police on Monday booked two journalists, an anchorperson and an army officer-turned-Youtuber for "abetting mutiny" and inciting attacks on sensitive military installations and government buildings across the country last month following the high-profile arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in a corruption case. In the FIR registered on Monday, the complainant, who identified himself as Muhammad Aslam, told the police that on May 9 he saw around 25 people sharing screenshots and messages of journalists Shaheen Sehbai and Wajahat Saeed Khan, as well as army-officer-turned-YouTuber Adil Raja and anchorperson Syed Haider Raza Mehdi. They were inciting people to attack military installations, spread terrorism and create chaos in the country, he said in the FIR registered in the Ramna Police Station here in the federal capital. In the FIR, Aslam said that he checked the social media accounts of these four men after the incident. After looking into their social media profiles, it was confirmed that all these people, under a planned conspiracy and mutual agreement, are aiding anti-state agencies, defaming the military and attempting to create mutiny in the army, he claimed. He alleged that the quartet wanted to weaken the army and increase terrorism in the country. Also Read Historical trail of Pakistan's powerful military enterprise: Explainer China takes 'approriate' action, denies visas to 2 Indian journalists Hackers impersonate crypto news journalists, steal $3 mn from 1,932 victims Sale of petroleum products halves in Pakistan, high inflation to blame Tiktok employees 'improperly accessed' data of two journalists: ByteDance US has 'significant' defence partnership with India, says White House Ex-Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's death draws tributes, even from critics G20 delegates say diplomacy, dialogue vital for resolution of Ukraine war Egyptian supply minister says no credit line has been opened with India Trump travels to Florida as court appearance nears in classified docs case On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest of Khan by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad. A man was charged in a shooting that killed three men -- including a father and son -- and wounded three others in a neighbourhood dispute over parking during a party, police said Monday. Charles Robert Smith, 43, of Annapolis, was charged with three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, assault and other offences in the shooting that happened Sunday evening, Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson told reporters at a media briefing. Smith surrendered to authorities Sunday night without incident, the police chief said, and he was ordered held without bond Monday. Police recovered both a semi-automatic handgun and a long gun at the scene. Jackson identified the victims as Nicholas Mireles, 55, of Odenton, Maryland; Mario Antonio Mireles Ruiz, 27, of Annapolis; and Christian Marlon Segovia, 25, of Annapolis. Police responded to a call for help at a home around 7.50 pm Sunday and found six people had been shot. The three wounded were in stable condition Monday and expected to survive, Jackson said. The dispute arose over parking during a party, authorities said in charging documents. "We know that those things did occur," Jackson said at a news conference when asked about the parking dispute, but he declined to elaborate on a motive for the shooting. Also Read One dead, several wounded in shooting at Maryland home, says police 20 cars gutted in fire at multi-level parking in Delhi's Subhash Nagar Noida Metro adds parking facilities at five more stations: Check details Teen killed, four others injured in shooting at Texas lounge over weekend Two dead, six injured in shooting at Georgia house party, says police Journo among 4 booked for inciting attacks on military installations in Pak US has 'significant' defence partnership with India, says White House Ex-Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's death draws tributes, even from critics G20 delegates say diplomacy, dialogue vital for resolution of Ukraine war Egyptian supply minister says no credit line has been opened with India A police report said the dispute happened after Smith's mother, Shirley Smith, called a local parking enforcement employee to complain that a vehicle was blocking their driveway, according to charging documents obtained by news outlets. Mireles went to Smiths' house to talk about the issue, police wrote. Then an argument broke out between him and Smith's mother. When Smith came home, he confronted Mireles, according to the charging documents. After the argument turned physical, Smith allegedly pulled out a gun and shot both 27-year-old Ruiz and Segovia. Other people at the party responded and saw Mireles on the ground, the documents said. When some ran over to the house next door, Smith went inside his house. Then, Smith allegedly began shooting with a long gun out the front window of his house, killing Nicholas Mireles, Mario Mireles' father. That is also when he shot the other three people, according to charging documents. Authorities were not ruling out the possibility of investigating the shooting as a hate crime, Jackson said. "We aren't ruling anything out," Jackson said. "Ostensibly, our suspect is a white male and the three victims are Latino. But we can't draw any inferences from that. We have to look at every possible angle." Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who spoke in English and Spanish at a news conference with Jackson and local officials at the city's police department, said local police and officials have his full support "in this dark hour". "As we speak, my office is moving in coordination with our local, our state and our federal partners, and we will ensure that all authorities have the resources that they need to investigate this heinous act, and support the people of Annapolis," Moore said. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman noted it has been nearly five years since five people were killed in a shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis. He recalled at the news conference how local officials running for office were asked by residents what they would do to prevent a mass shooting like that from happening again. "So, I apologise that we did not stop mass shootings in this town," Pittman said. "They have not stopped in this country. We have worked together, and we will continue to work together." The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are helping the investigation, Jackson said. A single-dose vaccine for chikungunya was found safe and produced a strong immune response against the viral disease, according to the first phase 3 trial of the preventive published in The Lancet journal. However, the researchers were unable to investigate whether the VLA1553 vaccine, developed by French biotech company Valneva, protects against subsequent disease since the study was not conducted in regions where chikungunya is endemic. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is endemic in some regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It causes a fever in patients roughly four to eight days after they have been bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and severe muscle and joint pain. The joint pain is often debilitating and usually lasts for a few days but may be prolonged, lasting for weeks, months or even years. Serious disease and death is rare, but older people and newborn babies are most at risk. Currently, there are no approved vaccines to prevent the disease caused by CHIKV infection nor are there effective antiviral treatments for the disease. Also Read Biological E, Bharat Biotech together sitting on 250 mn Covid vaccine doses HC directs Delhi govt to give free food, treatment to HIV-positive persons Health Minister addresses global vaccine research collaborative discussion Govt approves Bharat Biotech's intranasal Covid-19 vaccine as booster Climate change can drive global outbreaks in dengue, Chikungunya: WHO Oracle founder surpasses Bill Gates to be world's 4th richest person Russia seeks expansion in ties with Pakistan: Foreign Minister Lavrov Salesforce to invest $500 mn in generative AI startups, unveils AI Cloud Will provide remedy for Indian students facing deportation: Canadian min Eruption of Philippines' most active volcano may last for months: Expert "This could be the first chikungunya vaccine available for people living in endemic regions, as well as for travellers to endemic areas or areas at risk for an upcoming outbreak," said study lead author, Martina Schneider, Clinical Strategy Manager at Valneva. "Our promising results showed good persistence of antibody levels after vaccination, which is important considering that chikungunya outbreaks may recur suddenly. As age is a risk factor for severity and mortality of chikungunya disease, the strong immune response observed in older participants might be particularly beneficial," Schneider said in a statement. Study author Katrin Dubischar, Program Director, Chikungunya Vaccine at Valneva noted that there is no dedicated treatment or vaccine available against chikungunya. "Moreover, it is currently regarded as one of the viruses most likely to spread globally, and studies have shown that climate change is driving the spread of the mosquitos that carry it into new areas of the world. Therefore, having an effective vaccine is important for preparedness for future outbreaks," Dubischer said. The study enrolled 4,115 healthy adults across 43 study sites in the US. 3,082 participants were given one dose of VLA1553 via an injection in the arm, and 1,033 were given a placebo. All participants were included in the safety analysis but the immune response was only tested in a subgroup of 362 participants (266 given the vaccine and 96 given the placebo). Participants had their immune responses assessed one week, 28 days, three months, and six months after their vaccination. They also recorded adverse events in an electronic diary for 11 days after vaccination. After a single vaccination, VLA1553 induced antibody levels at a level that is considered to protect against disease among 99 per cent (263/266) of participants. There was no difference in immune response according to age, the researchers said. VLA1553 was generally well tolerated across all age groups with most adverse events being mild or moderate. In those given the vaccine, the most common adverse events were headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, and pain at the injection site. After six months, there were more adverse events recorded for those given VLA1553 than those given placebo. The safety profile in older adults was similar to that of adults. The authors note some limitations of their study. It did not take place in an endemic region, so participants' pre-existing immunity to the chikungunya virus is unknown, as is the safety of the vaccine in this population. In addition, the vaccine is made from a weakened version of the live virus, so is likely to be unsuitable for people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. They also acknowledge that to be highly effective in controlling endemic disease, a chikungunya vaccine will also need to be administered to children. To determine safety and efficacy in this age group, there is a study in adolescents in endemic areas of Brazil currently ongoing. Kathryn Stephenson, from Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said, "the positive results of this trial are very good news for CHIKV pandemic preparedness." "CHIKV and other arboviral infections continue to be global threats, spurred on by the expansion of mosquito habitats because of climate change and globalisation of trade and travel," Stephenson, who was not involved in the study, said. "Further studies of VLA1553 in endemic regions and expanded populations, such as an ongoing trial in adolescents in Brazil will be critical to affirming VLA1553's value for CHIKV prevention, as will be real-world effectiveness studies in the context of actual CHIKV outbreaks, Stephenson added. Oracle founder Larry Ellison is reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence popularity, edging past Microsoft founder Bill Gates to land the number four spot on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, according to Bloomberg, CNN reported. Ellison is now the world's fourth-richest person, with a staggering $129.8 billion net worth, Bloomberg reported. He just squeaked past Gates, whose net worth -- Bloomberg reported -- is currently $129.1 billion. It's the first time Ellison is richer than Gates and ranked above No. 5 on the list, the outlet reported. Ellison announced he was stepping down as Oracle CEO in 2014, though he didn't leave the company. He then became the technology company's chairman and chief technology officer and has accumulated most of his wealth from his stake in it. Oracle's stock has risen more than 42 per cent year to date and is currently trading at $116.50 as of Monday market close. Oracle earned a record $50 billion revenue in the 2023 fiscal year, according to company earnings released Tuesday. The company's infrastructure business and cloud services led the growth, CEO Safra Catz said, CNN reported. Oracle is cashing in on AI, investing in OpenAI competitor Cohere, which raised a total of $270 million in a funding round last week, according to reports. Also Read Why is Tesla so confused about Indian market? Challenges and opportunities Oracle lays off over 3,000 employees from health IT arm Cerner: Report FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Obstacles India will face on its home turf Tesla recalls 1.1 million electric cars from China over braking defect After China, Tesla now announces price cuts on its electric vehicles in US Russia seeks expansion in ties with Pakistan: Foreign Minister Lavrov Salesforce to invest $500 mn in generative AI startups, unveils AI Cloud Will provide remedy for Indian students facing deportation: Canadian min Eruption of Philippines' most active volcano may last for months: Expert At least 3 killed, dozens wounded in missile attack: Ukraine official Artificial intelligence is keeping investors optimistic. Bank of America economists said the S&P 500 move into the bull market was mostly because investors rallied around AI, CNN reported. Ellison is the largest stockholder in Oracle and owns approximately 42.9 per cent of its shares, a 2022 SEC proxy statement said. The 78-year-old also owns a 1.5 per cent stake in Tesla, a 2022 SEC proxy statement shows. --IANS san/dpb Russia-appointed officials and pro-Kremlin bloggers have reported intense fighting along the border of Ukraine's Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions -- an area where Kiev's forces have made significant gains in recent days since the launch of the counter-offensive. The fighting is currently underway south of the town of Velyka Novosilka along both sides of the Mokri Yaly river, reports CNN. In a social media post on Monday night, Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed Zaporizhzhia administration, acknowledged heavy fighting in an area known as the Vremivka ridge, but also claimed that higher ground remained under Russian control. He said Russian attack helicopters were in action, and that "reciprocal shelling and heavy fighting of ultra-high intensity continues" in the vicinity of the village of Urozhaine. Rogov also conceded that Ukrainian forces were "holding their positions on the northern and eastern outskirts of the village". He further claimed that in the nearby village of Makarivka, "the enemy has already been driven out by the quick and effective counterattack of the 127th Division", CNN reported. Also Read Russia says it thwarted attack in Donetsk; unclear on Kyiv counteroffensive Ukraine Conflict:11 killed from Russian missile strike in Sloviansk Ukraine launches largest attack on Donetsk in years, says report Russian missile strike in Ukraine's Sloviansk claims at least 8 lives Ukraine claims recapture of 4th village in eastern Donetsk, says officials It's a little shocking: Jill Biden as many Republicans still support Trump Blinken talks of 'reducing strategic dependencies' ahead of Modi visit Tech 'master key' to unlocking real potential of Indo-US ties: Envoy Hong Kong to ease entry rules for foreign workers to stem manpower crunch Migrant workers in London face 'shocking' levels of exploitation: Report Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers also reported of intense combat in the area, with one Telegram channel ('Our Donetsk') saying "the enemy managed to deepen and advance through the wooded areas, threatening with further advance to encircle" nearby Russian units. 'Our Donetsk' acknowledged that Russian troops had been forced to abandon Neskuchne -- just south of Velyka Novosilka -- for a second time, "retreating to positions where they would not be encircled". It said the Ukrainians were "accumulating forces" in the area, and heavy fighting continued. Also late on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the fighting in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia border region, saying "the enemy's losses are exactly what we need". The start of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive was announced by Zelensky on June 10 after months of speculation. The following day, the government announced that Ukrainian forces have retaken control of Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka -- three frontline villages in Donetsk. The three villages would be the first liberated since his comments, but not the first that Ukraine has recaptured since June 5, when pockets of its forces began to advance in the country's south. --IANS ksk/ Sri Lanka is not in the position to hold a snap presidential election this year because of the ongoing economic crisis and the government's focus is on debt restructuring, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday. No election would be possible this year as the state finances have not improved, Gunawardena said while responding to speculation that the government might opt to hold a snap presidential election. He said the government's focus, for now, is centred on successfully ending the process of debt restructuring. Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the President of Sri Lanka by the Parliament to serve the remainder of ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's term, which was supposed to end in November 2024. The IMF extended a nearly USD 3 billion bailout facility to debt-ridden Sri Lanka to help stabilise the country's economy after it was jolted by a devastating economic crisis last year. Without restructuring our debt it will not be possible to obtain any more foreign loans, Gunawardena, also the Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media, said, citing the example of 53 million dollars needed for improving the roads infrastructure. Also Read Sri Lanka concludes debt restructuring talks with Japan: Wickremesinghe India will help Sri Lanka in oil sector despite recent changes: Officials EAM likely to visit Lanka on Jan 19; talks on debt restructuring expected Sri Lankan rupee shows appreciation against US Dollar in recent months IND vs SL 1st T20I: Toss update, India Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai Pak deploys military to evacuate 100,000 people as cyclone moves closer Jack Dorsey saga: How Elon Musk learnt fast to respect strict Indian laws Press freedom in China has reached lowest point to date, finds report Amazon's cloud business slows as companies pull back on service, cut costs 9 people hurt in Denver shooting after Nuggets' NBA win, suspect in custody Until we pay back the existing loans we will not be able to borrow, he stressed. Sri Lanka has a tight September deadline from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conclude its outstanding debt. The nearly USD 3 billion bailout from the IMF that was approved on March 20 was delayed due to the need to restructure debt. President Wickremesinghe, who is also the finance minister, is also under mounting criticism for holding back the local council election claiming the treasury was short of funds to allocate money for election expenditure. The opposition who blamed Wickremesinghe for postponing elections due to fear of losing has petitioned the highest court for intervention in the matter. The election for 340 local councils was originally fixed for March 9. It has since been postponed indefinitely. Last year, Sri Lanka plunged into its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948 due to plummeting foreign exchange reserves that caused severe shortages of essential items and triggered massive public protests. In April 2022, the island nation declared its international debt default due to the forex crisis. Describing technology as the force multiplier for the Indo-US partnership, India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said tech is the "master key" to unlocking the real potential of the relationship. Sandhu's comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US next week. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official State Visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. "If you ask me, what I would bet on the most, what is that one force multiplier for this relationship, and for global wellbeing indeed, it is tech. It is that master key to unlock the real potential in the relationship," Sandhu said on Monday. "There is a lot of synergy and complementarity between us in the tech space. Tech, to me, is powered by trust. It is as much strategic as (it is) commercial," he added. Sandhu was addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council. "It was just four-and-a-half months ago that we had launched the iCET Industry Roundtable at this very location in the presence of both the NSAs (National Security Advisor) and (Commerce) Secretary (Gina) Raimondo. "And we have (US) NSA (Jake) Sullivan in Delhi today, including for the follow-up to the first round of iCET discussions," he said. Biden and Modi announced the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. The two sides are finalising the joint statement, which is being described as a robust outcome document and as something that would shape the nature and contour of the Indo-US relationship for decades, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Also Read Indian envoy discusses bilateral relationship with US Ambassador to India UP has potential to become India's economic powerhouse: US envoy Sandhu Indo Count hits 16-month high; surges 36% in four days on strong Q4 results Regional workshop on PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to conclude today Mann Ki Baat can rightly be termed as Jan Jan Ki Baat: NID Chief Patron Hong Kong to ease entry rules for foreign workers to stem manpower crunch Migrant workers in London face 'shocking' levels of exploitation: Report India-US realising equitable bilateral partnership a win-win: USISPF Lava pours from Mayon volcano, thousands warned to be ready to flee Biden determined to say as little as possible about Trump's indictment Sandhu further said, "Under each iCET vertical, our teams have been in regular touch. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Delhi last week when India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra was in (Washington) DC. "We launched the inaugural India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue, another game-changer dialogue, to discuss export controls. Delhi-DC depth has never been better." Referring to Modi's visit, the Indian envoy said there is great excitement on both sides. "My prime minister is only the third Indian leader in our independent history to be accorded the honour of a State Visit by the US President. He also becomes the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice," he said. According to the White House Historical Association, this will be the 11th State Dinner that a US President is hosting for an Indian leader. However, in the last 75 years, only two other Indian leaders have been given the honour of an official State Visit. The previous two State Visits included the one for President S Radhakrishnan in June 1963 and then for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009. When Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 23, it will make him only the third world leader, outside of Israel, to make such an address twice. The other two are Winston Churchill in 1941, 1943 and 1952 and Nelson Mandela in 1990 and 1994. Modi earlier addressed the US Congress in 2016. Sandu said, "While I will not spill the beans, I can tell you with confidence that the ceremonial and substantive parts of the visit will fully complement each other and will be unparalleled. "This is not just because the governments have been working hard, this is because all of you have been working hard." Asserting that the speed and the scale in the transformation of the relationship between the two countries have been phenomenal, Sandhu said India today has a mobile subscriber base of over 1.2 billion and 825 million Internet users. This means, in the last seven years, India has added one mobile subscriber and three Internet users every second. The cost of data has been cut by 98 per cent -- one of the lowest globally. It is about inclusion, innovation and empowerment, the Indian envoy said. "While we are keen to attract US companies to invest in India and step-up R&D (research and development), given our own strengths and talents, we are delighted that Indian companies are investing and creating new jobs in the US. "Our companies are actively involved in skilling initiatives here and are contributing to local neighbourhoods, just as US companies are doing in India," Sandhu added. Believing that immigrant students, largely from Punjab, who have been facing deportation from Canada over a case of fake documents, are the victims of fraud, the country's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said they would put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them. During Question Hour at the House of Commons on Monday, Fraser reiterated that they were working on helping innocent students. "I'm glad to share that we have been working hard as we discussed a week ago. We're working to develop a process to ensure that the innocent students, who are the victims of fraud, have an opportunity to remain in Canada," he said in response to a question from Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. Fraser added people who knowingly committed fraud or were complicit in fraudulent scheme will bear the consequences of not following Canadian laws. Acknowledging the mental health concerns of the affected students with the uncertainty they are facing, he said they will put a process in place to allow them to prove they were taken advantage of and provide a remedy for them. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued deportation notices to students whose admission offer letters to educational institutions were found to be fake. Also Read PAN-Aadhaar link status: Are your cards already linked? Learn how to check Card and internet fraud cases up 257% since Covid-19 pandemic began 39% Indian families claim to be victim of online financial fraud: Report Mobile users to lose $58 bn in scam calls globally this year: Report NTPC, Reliance, Adani top green hydrogen plays to bet on, say analysts Eruption of Philippines' most active volcano may last for months: Expert At least 3 killed, dozens wounded in missile attack: Ukraine official US Prez Joe Biden's family to host intimate dinner for PM Modi on June 21 Global town square needs transformation: New Twitter CEO tell employees Japan nuclear plant conducts tests before discharging wastewater into sea They filed visa applications 2018 onwards till 2022 through Jalandhar-based Education Migration Services headed by one Brijesh Mishra, who is on the run and has shut all his operations operating from Jalandhar. He is s also accused of cheating students of tens of thousands of dollars. The students had gone to Canada on a study visa but the fraud came to light after they applied for permanent residency (PR) recently. Standing behind the students facing deportation, Kwan, an MP for Vancouver East, had earlier moved two motions at the immigration committee in support of the international students subjected to exploitation scheme. She questioned how this situation was allowed to happen and why fraudulent documents were not detected until years later when the students began to apply for permanent status. Favouring a pathway on humanitarian grounds, Kwan said: "The significant harm experienced by students, including financial loss and distress, and measures necessary to help the students to have their deportation stayed, inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived and provide a pathway to permanent status." She asked the immigration committee to examine how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Saying the data of 700 Indian students who fear deportation is factually incorrect and highly exaggerated, Punjab-origin MP Sukh Dhaliwal said their number could be around 200. "As per our (MPs) briefing (by the government), their number could be around 200, 50 cases are under consideration and some of them have already been deported," Dhaliwal told IANS on Tuesday over phone. He said only one student from Punjab who is facing deportation has contacted him. "As per our information gathered by my office, the student, who passed out of a two-year programme from Langara College with high grades, is the genuine victim of fraud."We are in regular touch with the CBSA and immigration minister Sean Fraser and asked them to evaluate individually of those who were actually cheated and each one will be given the opportunity to present his/her case... The victim should not be punished but the culprit be brought to justice," he added. Dhaliwal said it is a network of immigration cheats, mainly based in Punjab and Delhi, who have colluded to cheat the Canadian system by getting the students admitted in a college on misrepresentation of facts and fraudulent details. Later, they told the students that their admission to the college has been cancelled due to a consultant's disagreement with the college. They further advised the student to take admission in any other college since they have study permit. "I have also asked the Punjab government to rein in ghost consultants so that not only the students but also others who are coming as immigrants to Canada should be prevented from fraud," he said, adding "they are a victim to fraud, due to which many of them went into a lot of stress". Lovepreet Singh, the first among the students to be deported on June 13, from Punjab's Mohali is accused by Canadian authorities of obtaining a visa on fraudulent admission letter for a Canadian university. His deportation has now been stayed. Social media has score of stories about victims from India losing thousands of dollars to ghost or unauthorised consultants. Many innocent people later realise that their consultants were unauthorised and not only cheated them but also ruined the application for permanent residency too. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) --IANS vg/ksk/ ExaGrid, the industrys only Tiered Backup Storage solution, today announced that the company was honored with two industry awards, including Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year and Immutable Storage Company of the Year, announced at the 20th annual Storage Magazine Storage Awards ceremony, The Storries XX, held in London on June 8, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ Photo courtesy of the Storage Awards. Winners are determined by public vote. This years awards mark the sixth year of wins for ExaGrid at The Storries and the third consecutive year that ExaGrid has won the Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year award. ExaGrid continues to gain recognition for its Tiered Backup Storage appliances, winning five awards so far in 2023, including: Storage Awards The Storries XX Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year Storage Awards The Storries XX Immutable Storage Company of the Year Network Computing Awards Bench Tested Product of the Year Hardware Category Network Computing Awards Company of the Year Network Computing Awards Storage Product of the Year We are honored to win these awards, and grateful to everyone who voted for us, and to our staff, customers, and channel partners for their support. Congratulations and special thanks to the Storage Awards team who have been recognizing excellence in the storage industry for 20 years at The Storries, and congratulations to our fellow award winners, said Bill Andrews, President and CEO of ExaGrid. ExaGrid appreciates the continued recognition for our Tiered Backup Storage solution, and we are proud to offer a next-generation approach to backup storage that provides organizations with the best in data protection: the fastest backup and restore performance, the only scale-out architecture to accommodate data growth, comprehensive security and ransomware recovery, and industry-leading customer support, all at the lowest cost up front and over time. About ExaGrid ExaGrid provides Tiered Backup Storage with a unique disk-cache Landing Zone, long-term retention repository, and scale-out architecture. ExaGrids Landing Zone provides for the fastest backups, restores, and instant VM recoveries. The Repository Tier offers the lowest cost for long-term retention. ExaGrids scale-out architecture includes full appliances and ensures a fixed-length backup window as data grows, eliminating expensive forklift upgrades and product obsolescence. ExaGrid offers the only two-tiered backup storage approach with a non-network-facing tier, delayed deletes, and immutable objects to recover from ransomware attacks. ExaGrid has physical sales and pre-sales systems engineers in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, Chile, CIS, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nordics, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and other regions. Visit us at exagrid.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. See what our customers have to say about their own ExaGrid experiences and learn why they now spend significantly less time on backup storage in our customer success stories. ExaGrid is proud of our +81 NPS score! ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ The premiere of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has been a success. The mega-production shot in Peru includes the most beautiful and ancient landscapes of the Cusco (Machupicchu) and San Martin (Tarapoto) regions. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the film, confessed: "I've always wanted to go to Machupicchu. It was one of the biggest desires in life and the great thing about Transformers is that it enables you to go to these wonderful places. The Peruvian culture and the jungle are incredible." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230611591218/en/ Transformers scenario: "The Rise of the Beasts" (Photo: Business Wire) Peru's welcome during the shoot, in the midst of the pandemic, was appreciated by director Steven Caple Jr, who chose Cusco to introduce the Maximals, a new race of robots: "Peru is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the team and the people are wonderful. Viewers will enjoy the culture, the history. Go there, shoot there, but also be present and enjoy the moment, it's one of the most magical places in the world." Dominique Fishback highlighted the energy and mysticism of Cusco: "A shaman came to bless the land. It was an incredible experience." Anthony Ramos added: "Peru is the protagonist of the movie, the festival, the people, their costumes, art, you just feel it," referring to the Inti Raymi festival recreated in the film, featuring 800 extras. For the first time in the saga, a robot will speak Quechua, Peru's main native language: "It's my favorite part of the movie, we'd never had a Transformer speaking in a language other than English. We wanted to respect the native culture and their heritage. One of the messages of the film is for Optimus to trust people and this scene shows that connection," says Di Bonaventura. During interviews with a PROMPERU team that traveled to New York, the actors and directors received panels with Cusquenian designs and Peruvian silver chains with the Autobots logo. The audiovisual production was supported by PROMPERU, through FilmInPeru, offering an unforgettable experience. Peru is an ideal shooting destination because of its amazing culture, infrastructure, connectivity and countless sites to tell all kinds of stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230611591218/en/ PlugFest validations from 60 companies, 10 global labs, plus further proof of momentum at MWC Shanghai Key activities included conformance testing of new products, security testing, and advanced RIC testing RIC use cases reveal the potential of AI in driving network optimization including energy savings and load balancing The O-RAN ALLIANCE (O-RAN), fulfilling its mission to transform Radio Access Networks to be open, intelligent, virtualized and fully interoperable, today announced the successful completion of the O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2023. This event, involving major operators, carried out critical testing and validation of O-RAN technologies to support and encourage ongoing adoption by the industry. In addition, O-RAN has unveiled a lineup of demonstrations that highlight the latest advancements, on-site at MWC Shanghai, or online at the O-RAN ALLIANCE Virtual Exhibition. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612575935/en/ O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2023 The O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2023 was conducted from April to June 2 in ten labs across Asia, Europe and North America, with 60 participating companies or institutions. The tests provided participants validation of O-RAN equipment conformance, performance and interoperability; tackled issues and overcome hurdles to wider technology adoption; and facilitated exploration of new features, scenarios and applications. The sheer scale of participation in O-RAN PlugFests is testament to industry support and momentum of deployment, said Alex Jinsung Choi, Chair of the Board of O-RAN ALLIANCE and SVP Group Technology, Deutsche Telekom. In the Spring 2023 PlugFest, we expanded the ecosystem by testing products from new vendors. Participants validated the security of end-to-end O-RAN architecture and demonstrated the power of the RIC to support critical use cases such as quality of service and energy efficiency. O-RAN ALLIANCE welcomes support of the PlugFest from its membership community and would like to give thanks to the participants listed later in this press release. Latest Innovations of O-RAN Technology to Be Demonstrated in MWC Shanghai and Virtually O-RAN companies plan to showcase 3 on-site and 15 virtual demonstrations, including innovations such as indoor positioning applications, cloud economics with 5G and AI applications, intelligent RAN control, machine learning load balancing, and energy-efficient network deployment solutions. The demos reveal the incredible potential of AI in enhancing energy efficiency and load balancing, and demonstrate the ability to effectively validate the security of O-RAN networks. Additionally, there are impressive exhibits featuring energy-efficient technology for indoor network deployment and a comprehensive solution for 5G Radio Unit testing. These groundbreaking advances will revolutionize the telecom industry, reflecting the O-RAN ALLIANCEs unwavering dedication to fostering a more open, intelligent, and efficient RAN. These demonstrations, featuring contributions from top tech companies, highlight the O-RAN ALLIANCE's dedication to creating a more open and efficient future RAN. Through the utilization of advanced technologies such as AI, cloud solutions, and machine learning, the O-RAN ALLIANCE is leading the way toward substantial enhancements in network performance, security, and energy efficiency. Visit O-RAN demonstrations showcased at MWC Shanghai 2023: O-RAN Energy-efficiency technology by Intel and partner inhall N2, stand B13 (TietoEVRY) O-RAN-based integrated base stations by Sageran in hall N1, stand B124 and hall N3, stand E93 (Sageran) O-RAN testing solutions by Rohde & Schwarz, VIAVI Solutions and Baicells in hall N1, stand E90 (Baicells) For more details, please read our web announcement. The demos will soon appear at the O-RAN ALLIANCE Virtual Exhibition. O-RAN ALLIANCE would like to give recognition to the latest demonstration additions from: Aarna Networks, ArrayComm, Artiza Networks, Baicells, GDCNI, Groundhog, Intel, Inventec, Lenovo, LitePoint, NVIDIA, Radisys, Rohde & Schwarz, Sageran, VIAVI Solutions, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University. Participants in O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2023 In South Korea, the PlugFest was hosted by KT in NIA 5G Testbed Center in Pangyo. Participants included: ETRI, Fujitsu, Keysight Technologies, NTT DOCOMO and SOLiD. In Taiwan, the PlugFest was hosted by Auray OTIC and Security lab in its two locations in Taoyuan and Kaohsiung. Participants included: Anritsu, Askey, Calnex Solutions, Capgemini Engineering, Compal, Institute for Information Industry (III), Inventec, ITRI, Keysight Technologies, LITEON, LitePoint, LIONS, Metanoia Communications, MiTAC Computing Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), Pegatron, Rohde & Schwarz, Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT), SageRAN Technology, TMYTEK, Ultraband Technologies, VIAVI Solutions, Wistron NeWeb Corp, Xena Networks. In Europe, the PlugFest was jointly hosted by Deutsche Telekom, EANTC, EURECOM, Orange and Vodafone in 3 labs: i14y Lab in Berlin, EURECOM Lab in Sophia Antipolis and Vodafone Central O-RAN Lab in Newbury. Participants included: Benetel, Capgemini Engineering, Dell Technologies, IS-Wireless, LITEON, Net AI, Nokia, Radisys, Red Hat, Rimedo Labs, Rohde & Schwarz, VIAVI Solutions, VMware, VoerEir and Wind River. In USA, the PlugFest was jointly hosted by University of New Hampshire, COSMOS, CableLabs and POWDER in partnership with AT&T and DISH Network, across 4 labs: University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab in Durham (NH), North American OTIC in NYC Metro Area/East (COSMOS) in North Brunswick (NJ), CableLabs Kyrio O-RAN Test and Integration Lab in Louisville (CO) and POWDER by University of Utah in Salt Lake City (UT). Participants included: Analog Devices, Calnex Solutions, Capgemini Engineering, EXFO, Fujitsu, highstreet technologies, IP Infusion, National Instruments, Red Hat, Spirent Communications, VIAVI Solutions, Wind River and Xena Networks. About O-RAN ALLIANCE The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a world-wide community of more than 300 mobile operators, vendors, and research & academic institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. As the RAN is an essential part of any mobile network, the O-RAN ALLIANCEs mission is to re-shape the industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks. The new O-RAN specifications enable a more competitive and vibrant RAN supplier ecosystem with faster innovation to improve user experience. O-RAN based mobile networks at the same time improve the efficiency of RAN deployments as well as operations by mobile operators. To achieve this, the O-RAN ALLIANCE publishes new RAN specifications, releases open software for the RAN, and supports its members in integration and testing of their implementations. For more information, please visit www.o-ran.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612575935/en/ Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, today announced that the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), renowned and ranked as amongst the most prestigious universities in Asia, has selected Junipers AP32 Access Points to provide a seamlessly unified wireless experience across its campuses enabling flexible management. These networking upgrades will enable the multiple departments in UTokyo to deliver a high-speed wireless network infrastructure to its 48,000 students and faculty actively engaged in learning and research across 10 faculties and 15 graduate schools. Established in 1877 as Japan's first national university, UTokyo has charted an illustrious history as one of the worlds leading universities, having produced 16 prime ministers, 13 Nobel Prize winners and five astronauts among its alumni. In alignment with the Japanese governments 10-trillion-yen fund to develop research universities that meet the highest global standards, the university announced UTokyo Compass, a set of guiding principles designed to foster world-class innovation and excellence in education and research, by embracing dialogue, diverse perspectives and experiences in 2022. The UTokyo Compass initiative has prompted the university to enhance its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) strategy. This entails a comprehensive reassessment of the network infrastructure and the transformation of its operations to facilitate active communication throughout all campus locations. Embarking on this transformative journey, UTokyo established a cross-organizational UTokyo Wi-Fi Task Force focused on enhancing the wireless network infrastructure, reinforcing its pivotal role in improving students' and faculty's educational and research experiences. The team placed significant emphasis on building a reliable, secure, and high-performing wireless network capable of accommodating large numbers of users, with multiple devices per person on each campus. A major focus was implementing a network solution that offered the team from different departments consolidated management across all departments while giving them appropriate management authority. This objective would be achieved through a single dashboard, enabling a unified view of the entire network, as well as the ability to observe and visualize faults and user experience. Juniper's solutions powered by Mist AI, with a successful track record in local and global implementations, proved to be the ideal choice, meeting all the required criteria for this transformative initiative. The deployment of Juniper AP32 Wireless Access Points across its three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba and Kashiwa, has successfully streamlined network management and operations for the different departments and provided them with a unified view of the entire network on a single dashboard powered by Mist AI. The team also utilizes the capabilities of the Juniper Mist rich API-centric architecture, which visualizes the necessary data for each site to improve operational efficiency. Since implementing a Juniper powered wireless network, the experience for the school's team and its students has significantly improved. Additionally, the network can seamlessly support the simultaneous connection of approximately 18,000 devices during peak usage period. The expansion is being carried out progressively, aiming to cover all campuses. As UTokyo looks towards the future, it is actively exploring the potential integration of Mist AI throughout its entire network, aiming to establish it as a fundamental component of its IT infrastructure. Supporting Quotes: "Since its establishment, the University of Tokyo has remained dedicated to providing a world-class research and education platform. The network plays a vital role in facilitating access to crucial resources and active communication for our students and faculty. An efficient and user-friendly network is equally important, enabling our team to address issues that may arise swiftly. With a Juniper powered wireless network, we can empower everyone within our campus to experience the best in connectivity and support, amplifying their potential for exceptional achievements. - Junji Tamatsukuri, Associate Professor, Deputy General Manager, Information Systems Division, The University of Tokyo The University of Tokyo is home to Japan's top medicine, law and engineering schools, and is a vital cornerstone of the countrys innovation-driven economy. It is an honor to partner with Japans leading university on the next phase of their ICT transformation journey. We recognized their need for a wireless network that offers consolidated management and visibility into the Wi-Fi user experience across departments and campuses. With an experience-first network, we can provide a seamless and more connected campus experience for their staff and students. We look forward to how the university will further harness the power of Mist AI in their network infrastructure to unlock limitless possibilities and achieve remarkable advancements that will shape the future of knowledge and innovation in Japan." - Tomohiro Furuya, VP & Country Manager, Japan, Juniper Networks Additional Resources: About Juniper Networks Juniper Networks is dedicated to dramatically simplifying network operations and driving superior experiences for end users. Our solutions deliver industry-leading insight, automation, security, and AI to drive real business results. We believe that powering connections will bring us closer together while empowering us all to solve the worlds greatest challenges of well-being, sustainability, and equality. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Category enterprise View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612891057/en/ The field of International Relations has gained significant prominence in recent years due to increasing globalization and the interconnectedness of nations. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations is an undergraduate program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of global politics, international economics, diplomacy, and cross-cultural dynamics. This article will delve into the scope of the program, highlight some of the best colleges offering the course, and provide admission details for aspiring students. What's the course BA in International Relations all about? The course BA in International Relations is an undergraduate program that focuses on studying the relationships between countries, global issues, and international organizations. It aims to provide students with a deep understanding of global politics, international diplomacy, and cross-cultural dynamics. Throughout the program, students study a wide range of subjects related to international relations, including political science, economics, history, law, sociology, and anthropology. The coursework typically covers topics such as international politics, global governance, international law, diplomatic relations, conflict resolution, and global security. The program helps students develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a global perspective. They learn to analyze and interpret political events, understand the complexities of international relations, and evaluate the impact of global issues such as globalization, climate change, human rights, and conflict. BA in International Relations programs often emphasize research and writing skills, as students are required to conduct research projects, write essays, and present their findings. They learn how to gather and analyze data, critically evaluate sources, and effectively communicate their ideas through written reports and presentations. Career Scope after pursuing BA in International Relations After pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations, graduates have various career opportunities available to them. Here are some potential career paths and scopes for individuals with a degree in International Relations: 1. Diplomacy and Foreign Service: Many graduates of International Relations go on to pursue careers in diplomacy and foreign service. They may work for government agencies, embassies, or international organizations, representing their country's interests abroad, negotiating agreements, and promoting diplomatic relations. 2. International Organizations: Graduates can find employment in international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They may work in areas such as development, humanitarian aid, human rights, or peacekeeping. 3. Policy Analysis and Research: International Relations graduates can work as policy analysts or researchers for government agencies, think tanks, research institutes, or private consulting firms. They analyze global issues, conduct research, and provide recommendations on foreign policy, security, trade, or global governance. 4. Journalism and Media: Some graduates pursue careers in journalism and media, specializing in international affairs and global news. They can work as foreign correspondents, reporters, or analysts, providing coverage and analysis of international events, conflicts, and policies. 5. International Business: Graduates with a strong understanding of international relations can pursue careers in international business and trade. They can work in multinational corporations, import-export firms, or trade associations, dealing with global market analysis, international negotiations, and cross-cultural business strategies. 6. Non-Profit and Development: Many International Relations graduates choose to work in non-profit organizations and development agencies. They contribute to projects related to sustainable development, social justice, human rights, and poverty reduction in different parts of the world. 7. Research and Academia: Some graduates pursue further education and research in International Relations, leading to careers in academia or think tanks. They can become professors, researchers, or policy analysts, contributing to the academic and intellectual discourse on global issues. 8. Intelligence and Security: Graduates with a specialization in security and intelligence can work for government intelligence agencies, security firms, or defense organizations. They may be involved in intelligence analysis, counterterrorism efforts, or strategic planning. List of Top 5 Best Universities for BA in International Relations Here are some esteemed colleges offering a BA in International Relations: 1. University of Delhi Establishment/About : Delhi University, often known as the University of Delhi, is a public central university in Delhi, India. Delhi University, which was founded in 1922, has been accredited by the NAAC with a "A+" grade and designated by the UGC as a "Institute of Excellence." Rankings: National and international groups have ranked DU in a number of categories. In terms of global rankings, DU is ranked between 521 and 530 in the 'University' category by QS Global Rankings 2023-2024; meanwhile, DU's overall ranking by NIRF is 23 out of 200 colleges in India in 2022, while it was 19 out of 200 colleges in India in 2021. The Week's overall ranking for DU in India is 3 out of 81 colleges in 2022, compared to 3 out of 79 in 2021. Application Start Date: Admission to DU's UG programmes for the class of 2023 will soon begin using the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). All UG programmes at Delhi University are accepting applications based on CUET results. The CUET UG 2023 exam will be conducted in a few cities on June 1, 2, 5, and 6 and from May 21 to May 31. Fee Structure: Fee for UG Course BA is INR 4,890/- per Sem. Admission Requirements/Eligibility: The primary requirement for admission to UG programmes is completion of 10+2 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 45%. Admission to all UG programmes at DU will take place in 2023 via the NTA-conducted Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG), followed by e-counselling. Official Website: www.du.ac.in 2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi Establishment/About : Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was established on September 22, 1969. It is a public central university located in New Delhi, India. The university was named after India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had a vision of establishing a world-class institution for higher education and research. Rankings: JNU Overall ranking by NIRF is 10 out of 200 colleges in India in 2022 and it was 9 out of 200 colleges in India in 2021. JNU Overall ranking by The Week is 1 out of 81 colleges in India in 2022 and it was 1 out of 79 colleges in India in 2021. JNU Overall ranking by QS World University is 601 out of 1400 colleges in International in 2023 and it was 1001 out of 5500 colleges in International in 2021. JNU Overall ranking by Times Higher Education is 601 out of 1799 colleges in International in 2023 and it was 601 out of 1201 colleges in India in 2022. JNU Arts ranking by Times Higher Education is 301 out of 400 colleges in International in 2020. Application Start Date: JNU admission 2023 is open for all UG programs through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). CUET UG exam 2023 exam will be conducted from May 21 to June 06, 2023. Fee Structure: Fee for UG Course BA is INR 648. Admission Requirements/Eligibility: Candidates appearing for the CUET will also have to apply separately on the official website of JNU after the CUET result declaration. Official Website: jnu.ac.in 3. Jadavpur University, Bengal Establishment/Ranking:Jadavpur University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and has received NAAC accreditation with a grade of 'A'. According to the NIRF 2022 Rankings, Jadavpur University is placed 4 and 11 in the categories of "University" and "Engineering," respectively. Jadavpur University is a state-level institution that was founded in 1955. At the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels, Jadavpur University's 36 departments jointly offer more than 130 courses. All of these courses are UGC-approved and are available in four disciplines: Arts, Science, Engineering & Technology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Additionally, the university provides distance learning programmes approved by Indira Gandhi National Open University. The J.D. Birla Institute and the Institute of Business Management are two institutions that are affiliated with the university. Application Start Date: Application Process is ongoing with no such info of closing soon. Jadavpur University admission for undergraduates degrees has typically begun following the release of Class 12 results. Fee Structure: Rupees 2400 annually Admission Requirements: Merit (i.e., results at the +2 level) and entrance exam results are combined for undergraduate admission to the Faculty of Arts. Departments are free to choose their own entrance standards. Official Website: www.jaduniv.edu.in 4. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi Establishment/About : Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a central university in New Delhi. The institution was founded in 1920 and has been accredited with an 'A' grade by the NAAC and the UGC. The Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, and the Centre for Management Studies are just a few of JMI's research facilities. More than 200 programmes at the UG, PG, and research levels are available at Jamia Millia Islamia. Rankings: Jamia Millia Islamia Overall ranking by NIRF is 13 out of 200 colleges in India in 2022 and it was 13 out of 200 colleges in India in 2021. Jamia Millia Islamia Architecture ranking by NIRF is 9 out of 30 colleges in India in 2022 and it was 10 out of 25 colleges in India in 2021. Jamia Millia Islamia Overall ranking by The Week is 8 out of 79 colleges in India in 2021 and it was 9 out of 76 colleges in India in 2020. Jamia Millia Islamia Architecture ranking by The Week is 5 out of 25 colleges in India in 2022. Application Start Date: CUET scores will be used to determine admission to all UG programmes. From May 21 to May 31, 2023, the CUET UG examination will be conducted. However, due to the high volume of applications, the CUET UG 2023 exam dates have been moved to June 1, 2, and 5 in several cities. Fee Structure: Fee for UG Course BA is INR 7200 annually. Admission Requirements/Eligibility: The admission process is completely online for all courses. Candidates need to register on the official website of the university. Official Website: jmicoe.in 5. Christ (deemed-to-be-university), Bangalore Establishment/About : Christ University is a deemed-to-be-university in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Christ College, which was founded in 1969 as Christ College, was granted autonomy by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India in 2004. approximately 20,000 students attend the university, and there are approximately 800 academic members. Around 700 international students from 58 different countries attend this university. The university provides undergraduate, graduate, and research programmes that are accredited both domestically and abroad. Rankings: Christ is ranked 20-25 in the QS India rankings for the year 2020. Christ was ranked 19 in 2019. Its position among Asian institutions is 501-550. Christ University is ranked second in the general (private) university category in India Today's Best Universities Survey 2022. According to India Today MDRA Survey of Excellence National Rankings, Christ University is ranked first for BCA Programme, fourth for BBA, seventh for Commerce, seventh for Media and Social Work, and ninth for Arts. Application Start Date: Open From : 28-May-2023, Open Until : 11-June-2023, Applicants may apply online for the programme from January 2023 on the University website till the date of applications officially closing. Fee Structure: Fee for UG Course BA is INR 75,000 INR P/A for Karnataka domicile students and 95,000 INR for students from other states students. The university provides comprehensive information on the course fees through their official website. Admission Requirements/Eligibility: Minimum Eligibility will be PUC/10 +2 from across Boards ((Karnataka PUC, ISCE, CBSE, NIOS, other State Boards), and recognized bodies in India.). Candidates writing the +2 examinations in March-May 2023 may apply with their class X and XI marks. The selection process will include auditions, skill assessments, personal interview and reviewing of previous academic performance. Official Website: christuniversity.in Note: Please note that the specific application dates, fee structures, and admission requirements may vary each year. It is recommended to visit the official websites of these universities for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the application process and admission requirements. Climb Out of the Darkness, the worlds largest event raising awareness of pregnancy and postpartum mental health disorders, will hold a regional Climb Out of the Darkness 5k Community Run and Free Family Event in Chattanooga on June 25.Women and men who are providers, supporters and survivors of postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder and psychosis from all over the world will walk, stroll or run together at a local park or hiking trail to symbolize their collective rise out of the darkness.Participants will raise funds for Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit organization and online community of support resources for parents around the world."Our events are unique from other health walks because our communities include the people who have suffered from a mental health complication and the doctors, therapists, hospital administrators, researchers and other professionals walking arm in arm," organizers said.Everyone is invited to participate in Team Chattanoogas Climb Out of the Darkness 5k Community Run and Free Family Event to be held at TN Riverpark, Shelter #4 in Chattanooga on Sunday, June 25 at 8 a.m. Participants must register prior to the event at https://www.classy.org/event/climb-out-of-the-darkness-5k-walk-run/e482296 Sponsorships from local businesses are also being accepted.Contact local Climb Leader Tamara Slocum at 423-503-3474 or climboutchattanooga@gmail.com for more information on sponsorships that will help support the Climb.It is an exciting time for Climb Out of the Darkness and a growing awareness worldwide of the mental health needs of new and expecting parents, said Wendy N. Davis, executive director of Postpartum Support International. Working together, we are improving the safety net for families around the world. This event unifies those suffering, survivors, doctors and therapists in the fight against perinatal mental health complications. We hope you will join us.Money raised by the Climb will support PSIs goal to provide funds to local groups and organizations, provide low-cost training in perinatal mood disorders for providers in underserved areas, train law enforcement and legal experts, mentor peer supporters and group leaders and train primary healthcare providers.To learn more about Climb Out of the Darkness, visithttp://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/ or contact Ms. Slocum at 423-503-3474 or climboutchattanooga@gmail.com. The Ark Pet Spa and Hotel in Red Bank, announces the grand reopening of its flagship location. Following a complete renovation, the facility now offers an upgraded experience for pets and their owners. The Ark Pet Spa and Hotel strives for constant improvement to provide the best for its two and four legged guests, said officials. The renovation project focused on upgrading both the interior and exterior of the facility. The interior features new spacious dog suites with premium beds, soothing music, new pet safe flooring, improved HVAC for pet comfort and much more. The exterior boasts an expansive outdoor play area with new artificial turf, play structures, and shaded lounging areas for sunny days. Adam Harbin, vice president of Development, expressed his enthusiasm for the reopening and the commitment to continuous improvement. "We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated location in Red Bank. This renovation showcases our dedication to providing an unforgettable experience for our guests and their pets." Pet owners in Chattanooga and surrounding areas are invited to explore the revitalized facility and experience the pet care provided by The Arks trained and loving crew. For more information or reservations, contact 634-0466 or redbank@thearkspa.com. The Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Chamber Networking at Lunch event at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Chamber member, Catering By Alan catered the event. The Chambers Leadership Catoosa Class of 2023 is the largest class ever, with 27 individuals earning the coveted award in the shape of the state of Georgia for their participation over the past nine months. Leadership Catoosa brings together existing and emerging leaders to discover and better understand Catoosa County. Together they use a creative approach to build leadership skills to show how they can make a difference in business and the community. Leadership Catoosa is an interactive program where Chamber members participate in one full-day monthly session. During these sessions, they study their community; visit state legislators during the General Assembly; build teamwork and leadership skills, and have opportunities to network with leaders in the community. This years class began in September 2022 with an overnight team-building stay at the WinShape Retreat on the Berry College Campus in Rome, Ga. It ended nine months later with Local Business Day, where the group toured Catoosa County manufacturing plants and visited area small businesses. The 2023 Leadership Catoosa Class included the following participants: Lisa Wiley Builtwell Bank Lisa Romero Builtwell Bank Chris Dutto Cadence Bank Bobby Daniels Baltzer Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Vanita Hullander Catoosa County Government Alex Harrison Catoosa County Government Mark Pierce Catoosa County Public Schools Josh Moore Catoosa County Sheriffs Office Karla Russell CHI Memorial Hospital Phil Minton City of Fort Oglethorpe Chief Keith Sewell City of Fort Oglethorpe Police Department Jamie Klementisz City of Ringgold Jennifer Toomey CMG Financial Geo Mejia Edward Jones Lynn Fant Erlanger Hospital Stewart Mosman Kiwanis of Fort Oglethorpe Tina Pinkston LIFT Youth Center Mark Collins Metro Boiler Tube David Day North Georgia EMC Tami Rich PruittHealth Fort Oglethorpe Holly Lehmann RH Real Estate Company Rita Croft Ringgold Telephone Company Cindy Chandler Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Center Mark Hartline Shaw Industries Evette Wheeler Shaw Industries Dustin Young Shaw Industries Loraine Young USA Mortgage The 2023 Leadership Catoosa Class organized Operation Stuffed Animal as their class service project. Participants collected over 1,700 new stuffed animals to provide to first responders, non-profits, and nursing homes throughout Catoosa County to distribute to those who could use comfort in times of need. It was a need that class participants identified as they did their everyday jobs. These new stuffed animals were collected throughout Catoosa County at various locations, like banks, schools, churches, and individual businesses. They were distributed by firefighters, police officers, family and children services representatives, counseling agencies, nursing homes, and ambulance personnel. The 2023 Leadership Catoosa class spokesperson Mark Pierce, principal of the CCPS From Here to Career College and Career Academy, delivered a moving retrospective summary of comments and takeaways from this years class participants. Some words used to describe their experiences were Impactful, Connections, Eye-Opening, Educational, Informative, and Fun. When asked what a great slogan for Leadership Catoosa would be, the class responded with, Learning to Lead, Learning to Serve, You Just Thought You Knew Catoosa County, and Leadership Catoosa: Get to Know Us. Encouraging others to take this course, participants of Leadership Catoosa 2023-2024 said, This class builds relationships that will benefit the good of the community., You will grow as a leader and learn how to give back., This investment will change your view of Catoosa and what it has to offer., I can't think of one reason NOT to join Leadership Catoosa! Chamber President and CEO Amy Jackson said, This is an exciting day in the life of our Chamber as we fulfill Leadership Catoosas mission to promote business networking and community leadership development. I am grateful for the leadership of the planning committee led by Brad Denton with Flegal Insurance, along with dedicated committee members: Randall Dyer, Kristy Lawson, Marissa Brower, Sandy Matheson, Penny Mahon, Andy Johnson, Cindy Marchant, Ian OShea, that put these amazing days together. I look forward to September when we begin the next Leadership Catoosa class. The Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce is now taking nominations for participants for the Leadership Catoosa 2024 Class that will begin this September with a newly formed group of Chamber members. For more information, please contact Chamber President and CEO Amy Jackson at ajackson@catoosachamberofcommerce.com or the Leadership Catoosa Nomination Form is available online at CatoosaConnects.com/Leadership. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Librarys Special Collections department has announced the publishing of two digital collections of photographs and documents detailing the labor and manufacturing history of Chattanooga.Made possible by a $3,630 grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission distributed by the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board, the two digitized collectionsavailable to researchers and the publicare housed on the Special Collections website.The Wheland Foundry and United States Pipe and Foundry photographs digital collection contains 189 items.The Dixie Mercerizing Company photographs digital collection contains 26 items.Wheland Foundry closed in 2002, followed four years later by U.S.Pipe and Foundrys Chattanooga property. Dixie Mercerizing Company is now known as The Dixie Group.Dates for the images in both collections range from 1875 to 1976, with the bulk falling around the 1950s. Images are primarily photographs, along with three booklets and the draft of a booklet; a 1930 newsletter for employees living in the Dixie Mercerizing Companys mill village, Lupton City; and a 1928 reference letter for a former Dixie Mercerizing employee.The items came to the Special Collections repository from the Chattanooga History Center (CHC), which folded in 2017. The CHC collections are now co-owned by UTC Special Collections and the Chattanooga Public Library.UTC Director of Special Collections Carolyn Runyon, Processing Archivist Erin Ryan and student assistant Jane Dodgewho, thanks to the grant, was hired for the spring 2023 semester to scan and write metadata for the materialscollaborated on the project.Dodge, a rising senior majoring in English and a Brock Scholar in the UTC Honors College, spent 242 hours on the endeavor.Jane scanned the physical photographs and other materials and composed metadata for them, noting titles, descriptions, dates, creators, and other elements of each item according to a standardized schema called Dublin Core and based on other uniform standards and vocabularies, Ms. Ryan said.Ms. Ryan noted thatwhile there are 215 items in the two collections551 total images were digitized.Many of the items are compound objects, such as booklets with multiple pageseach page of which was scanned separatelyor a photograph with writing on the back so that we scanned both front and back, she explained.We are delighted to be able to make these resources available to researchers.Click here for more information about Special Collections, including types of materials collected, hours and location, staff, past funded projects and digital preservation. A complete list of digital collections can be viewed here The Jimmy Simpson Foundation announces the hiring of Philip Wexler MD, FCCP to its Safehaven team as its director of Respiratory on June 20.In his new role with the long-term care facility, Dr. Wexler, who will be relocating from Atlanta where he has served as the director of the Pulmonary and Respiratory Department at the Shepherd Center since 2020, will provide continued pulmonary care for Safehaven's residents.When my mom, Carol, started the Jimmy Simpson Foundation and Safehaven 25 years ago, she set out to create a place where families could have peace of mind that their loved one was receiving the highest quality of care in a place that felt like home.Adding Dr. Wexler to our team is going to allow us to take our commitment to care to a whole new level which we believe is truly going to benefit our residents and their families. Dr. Wexler comes highly recommended and qualified; we know that our Safehaven family is going to welcome him with open arms, Vickie Hodge, CEO of Safehaven and the Jimmy Simpson Foundation, said.Prior to caring for patients at the Shepherd Center, Dr. Wexler spent a decade in Wyomissing, Pa., where he worked as a physician partner with Berks Schuylkill Respiratory Specialists. During the course of his career, he also spent several years working at Boston University Medical Center.A 2002 graduate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Wexler currently holds licenses in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Texas. He is a member of both the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and Dr. Wexler is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He has received numerous honors and awards including the Reading Hospital Platinum Quality Award in 2019.The work Safehaven does for individuals with traumatic brain injuries is exceptional. They truly care for their residents, and I am honored to add my skills and expertise to their repertoire of care. To the Safehaven team, residents and families, I look forward to serving you for many years to come, Dr. Wexler said.Dr. Wexler and his wife, Teresa, have been married for 17 years and have four children. When he's not working, you can find Dr. Wexler lounging at a pool, traveling or attending one of the many activities that his children are involved with. The historical and tragic dates of December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 are well documented and acknowledged as two of the darkest events in Americas background. June 8, 2023 should also be added for current and future recognition in the nations legal and judicial history. On said date, ex-president Donald J. Trump was indicted on seven charges in the United States District Court for Southern Florida that includes the favorite tool of federal prosecutors as a conspiracy to violate the law with one or more individuals. The same day it was leaked that the Democrat presidents former Vice President under Barack Obama, Joe Biden, had allegedly received part of a $10 million illegal bribe with his son, the embattled Hunter Biden, from a current resident of the Republic of Monaco in Europe. The attack dogs on both the far left of CNN and the conservative viewpoint of Fox News on the right will inundate (and nauseate) the airways between now and the 2024 election and for years thereafter. Both Trump and Biden are presumed to be innocent under our present criminal justice system. Their guilt or innocence may ultimately rest in the hands of 12 citizens under an oath to guarantee due process of law and a fair trial under the Bill of Rights contained in the first 10 Amendments in the United States Constitution. The preservation of our unique legal system of Justice in the three divisions of government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial) may be tested like the Watergate experience of the 1970s. (June 8, 2023 may or may not match the day of infamy of December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2021 in our nations history! Time will tell!) * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com The Signal Mountain Town Council has adopted a new comprehensive personnel policy that is intended to provide residents "with high quality services through the efficient use of resources. It aims to encourage sustainable growth while preserving a small-town character." The personnel policy includes, among many other things, a pay scale plan, updated job descriptions and compensation plan along with the towns policy related to drug and alcohol testing. The new personnel policy was developed by City Manager Elaine Brunelle and the department heads with the assistance of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), an agency that provides advice to municipalities in Tennessee. After doing a wide-ranging review, the new human resources policy was developed that will promote understanding by providing uniform policies to all employees. Some highlights of the new policy were discussed at the council meeting. In addition to the general description of a position, the job descriptions will now also include minimum qualifications required to perform the jobs. And drug and alcohol testing can be performed for certain jobs. The new pay plan gives equal compensation to positions that are grouped together in approximately the same level of job difficulty and responsibility. And the compensation plan is planned to be market competitive with pay ranges for each position which will be approved by the council while the budget is being developed each year. The new pay rates are seen as being comparable to the private sector and other public municipalities in the area. And it appears to already be working, said Council member Clay Crumbliss. There have been over 30 applications for a currently-advertised police officer position. The compensation policy will also provide a path to career opportunities. A revised organizational chart for the administrative department was approved along with a job description for the new positions, including a Communication Program Generalist. And to increase efficiency , effective July 1, three departments, the former Parks and Recreation department, the Parks Administration and Facilities Maintenance departments will be combined to form a new Public Works Facility Management department, under the Public Works Department. It will be responsible for taking care of all the town-owned facilities and will make more efficient use of materials and supplies. The new positions of Facilities Maintenance Supervisor and Facilities Maintenance Crew Leader will be created. In other restructuring, Building and Codes positions were updated with the addition of a Building Official and a Building Inspector. It is recognized that the fee structure in this department needs to be reviewed. And it has been recommended to make use of software and technology in codes enforcement and issuing permits. Building Codes will now be under the town manager instead of the fire chief. Council member Crumbliss said that these really big policy changes have been in the works for many months. Speaking for the council he said they all appreciated the collaborative work it took to create the document, by City Manager Brunelle, the department heads and staff who put it together. It paves the way for a stronger future for Signal Mountain, he said. An ordinance passed on the first reading that will increase stormwater rates throughout the town. The new rates will be used for the cost of stormwater management and operations of the department. The minimum amount will be $51.48 per year for impervious areas of 3,960 square feet or less. There is an additional fee per square foot for larger areas. Undeveloped, vegetated land is not charged this fee. Approval was given for the city managers proposed allocations of American Rescue Plan funds received by Signal Mountain. They must be designated by December 31, 2023. From the total $2,049,567 that was received, $502,026 has already been spent on infrastructure and to relieve economic impact. Of the remaining amount, the Stormwater/Streets Department will receive 45.1 percent. The Water Department will get 34.6 percent, Town Hall/Cyber Security will get 14.9 percent and 2.9 percent is planned to go to the Fire Department and 2.5 percent for the Police Department. A yearly review for City Manager Brunelle will be held on Thursday, July 15, at 5 p.m. at town hall. Council member Andrew Gardner said it is expected to be very positive but, because of the personal nature of the meeting, this special called meeting as well as other personnel reviews will not be streamed or recorded. Cherokee Nation citizen Tara Torres wore her tribal stole when receiving her masters degree in organizational leadership from Jacksonville University. Pixabay/Classically Printed In the past few decades, the Historic First Presbyterian Church has experienced a reduction in mass attendance and has had extensive church repairs, which has led to the possibility that the historic structure would be demolished. However, a charitable organization has agreed to lease the facility for $1 annually to undertake the required improvements. $1 Deal Saves Historic Church MSN reported that the old chapel in Mercer County desperately needed substantial repairs, but the church did not have the funds to pay for them. The building, which had been constructed in 1867, immediately after the end of the Civil War, was at risk of being destroyed. Kathleen Jordan, president of the nonprofit organization Friends of 1867 Sanctuary, which was established to keep up the structure's maintenance and operations, said that a different option came up: Preservation New Jersey, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to safeguard historical places in the state, agreed to lease the facility for a dollar a year to carry out the necessary repairs. P According to Jordan, Preservation New Jersey reached an unusual 50-year leasing deal with the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 2012. Because nearly all of the repairs were finished in March, the agreement to lease was terminated two decades earlier than originally scheduled. The property was returned to the Presbytery of the Coastlands, which is responsible for the administration of Presbyterian churches in the region at this time. Moreover, Kelly Ruffel, who serves as the executive director of Preservation New Jersey, referred to the event as "absolutely a win." It's a unique, nationally recognized building, and the architecture is exquisite," the director added. The church does not utilize the rehabilitated structure regularly, which now has its services across the street, although the congregation periodically uses it. In addition, it is available for rental for various events and performances, including weddings. On the other hand, Community News reported that the history of the Christian church, from the beginning until the founding of the Ewing Presbyterian Church, is depicted in stained glass windows that were put along the center aisle in 1967 to celebrate the building's 100th anniversary. The windows and doors both have arched openings that give the appearance of being Romanesque Revival in style. The remaining stained glass is reportedly an antique. Also Read: Authorities Release Chinese Pastor from 'Black Jail,' Held for Protesting Demolition of Crosses Brief History of First Presbyterian Church The First Presbyterian Church of Ewing was built in 1867 and characterized in the Romanesque Revival style. It has a brownstone facade, tall round-arched windows, arcaded corbels, buttresses, and a central tower. An article from New Jersey Historic Trust stated that on the original site of 55 acres, there was four structures total, including an active cemetery, a former manse built in 1880, and a modern fellowship hall. After the house of worship was forced to close in 2007 due to structural issues, the Presbytery of New Brunswick took over responsibility for the maintenance of the church. The Presbytery has granted the group that applied an agreement to lease the Sanctuary for the next fifty years, and they are already working to make necessary repairs to the building. With the assistance of the grant awarded in 2012, funding for a study of the potential to build an environmental policy center at the site would be possible. A complete structural study and the development of building and design documents to address the building defect were partially funded by a Trust grant awarded in 2009. Related Article: Mayor Eric Adams, Mark Ruffalo Unite to Save Iconic NYC Church from Demolition Unsplash/iam_os In a historic decision handed down on Monday, a Vatican court found two environmental activists responsible for the destruction of an antique statue at the Vatican Museums. The court also ordered them to pay over 28,000 euros ($30,000) in damages. The Last Generation environmental group, which uses disruptive actions to draw attention to the climate catastrophe, includes the guilty activists. Guido Viero and Ester Goffi, two activists, were also given a nine-month term with probation and will each have to pay a fine of 1,620 euros. The third activist participating in the incident, Laura Zorzini, received a lower 120 euro punishment. Vatican Court Convicts Environmental Activists for Damaging Antique Statue According to the story in Associated Press News, the convictions were related to an event that happened on August 18 in which Viero and Goffi attached their hands to the base of the priceless Laocoon statue, a work of ancient sculpture that is said to have been created in the first century B.C. Zorzini was in charge of photographing the protest, and they carried a sign that read, "Last Generation: No gas and no carbon." This civil disobedience is just one of many similar demonstrations that Last Generation and related organizations have organized around Europe. These demonstrations, which frequently target museums and other cultural institutions and have even resulted in protracted traffic jams, are intended to bring attention to what is thought to be government passivity in the face of worsening climate change. Also Read:Pope Francis Opts for Healing, Cancels Traditional Public Blessing to Prioritize Recovery Following Abdominal Surgery Priceless Vatican Statue Suffers Irreversible Damage Given the priceless nature of the monument and the lasting harm it had sustained, attorney Floriana Gigli underlined that it was difficult to determine the true cost of the damage. According to the shared article in ABC News, she wanted an evaluation from the court and mentioned that the restoration work alone cost 3,148 euros. In response, the court established that 28,148 euros in reparation was due to the Vatican City State. No immediate details on a potential appeal were given. Even though the damage to the statue foundation was less serious than feared, Guy Devreux, the director of the Vatican Museums' marble repair laboratory, testified during the final hearing that it was nonetheless irreversible. He stressed the marble base's significance by referring to it as an "integral part of the work." The Laocoon statue, which is said to have been carved in Rhodes between 40 and 30 B.C., was the object of The Last Generation's attack. The decision was made in light of the artwork's significant backstory. According to mythology and information on the website of the Vatican Museums, Laocoon cautioned his fellow Trojans against taking the wooden horse that the Greeks left behind after the Trojan War. The group compared the present climate problem to a modern-day warning that political leaders are ignoring. According to The Dialog, Ester Goffi, a conservationist and activist with two degrees, claimed she had engaged experts in restoration to protect the priceless statue. Guy Devreux, the director of the Vatican Museums' marble repair laboratory, disagreed, claiming that the activists' use of corrosive adhesive to attach their hands to the sculpture caused irreparable exterior damage to the sculpture's base. He continued, "This damage has since been covered up." Related Article:Vatican Raises Alarm on Declining Birth Rates and Reaffirms Opposition to IVF and Contraception Unsplash/Online Marketing A 60-year-old Christian doctor who was fired from his work in the UK for refusing to refer to his patients by their pronouns of choice has advised other doctors and people of religion to "stand up" and "affirm truth" in the face of gender ideology disagreements. Dr. David Mackereth admits that his case is not exceptional and issues a warning about possible repercussions on the standard of healthcare. During a training exercise in 2019, an experienced ER physician named Dr. Mackereth refused to use the preferred pronouns of a hypothetical transgender patient. Because of what he did, he was unexplainbly fired from his position. Christian Doctor Dismissed Over Gender Pronouns Speaks Out According to the article in Fox News Digital, he said, "As a Christian in good conscience, I couldn't do that." Dr. Mackereth clarified that his decision was not based on prejudice against transgender patients but rather stemmed from his dedication to honesty. He reasssured that he is not being discriminatory and he is only giving equal treatment to everyone, including the transgender patients. However, he expressed concerns about the introduction of a core principle of dishonesty into medical practice, emphasizing the significant impact it could have on the quality of healthcare provided. In the aftermath of his dismissal, Dr. Mackereth initiated legal proceedings against his former employer, claiming religious discrimination. However, three months later, the Employment Tribunal rejected his claim and stated that his biblical views on gender were deemed 'incompatible with human dignity.' In response to the tribunal's decision, Mackereth argued that Christianity isn't protected by the Equality Act in the United Kingdom. He is quietly sure that the Equality Act is worthless. Also Read: Democratic Governor's Resurfaced Photo with Anti-Christian LGBTQ Group Creates Stir in Top Race of the Year Christian Doctor's Case Referred to GMC; Council Dismisses Concerns Over Fitness to Practice Attorneys from the Christian Legal Centre defended Dr. David Mackereth and sued the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in the Employment Tribunal, but he ultimately lost. According to CBN, the Employment Appeal Tribunal did, however, partially overturn the judgment in May 2022. Despite this, the tribunal insisted that the DWP's decision to fire Mackereth was legal, and the Court of Appeal later affirmed this conclusion. Dr. Mackereth turned to the General Medical Institution (GMC), an independent institution tasked with preserving a medical database and advancing medical training and practice nationally, after these court processes. He asked the council to determine if his Christian views on gender compromised his ability to practice medicine. According to another source, the News God said that the Christian legal advocacy group for Dr. David Mackereth claims that his case may establish a precedent because it is the first time a judge has required someone to speak in their official role. Mackereth argues that the significance of free expression and the propriety of a court ordering an employee to use transgender names extends beyond his own particular set of circumstances. Mackereth underscores the case's wider ramifications by pointing out how it goes beyond his particular set of circumstances. He contends that the UK's existing legal system needs to be clarified when it comes to how to deal with these problems. According to Mackereth, requiring people to refer to LGBT people by a specific term would be dishonest and should not be done. He is in favor of clear instruction from the law in this area. Related Article: 83 Iowa Churches Part Ways with United Methodist Church Amidst Rift over LGBTQ Rights Pixabay/Anne The St. Paul's United Church in Grande Prairie, Alberta, is one of the churches in Canada that affirms the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, they were granted membership in Affirm United and other churches and ministries in their country. St. Paul's United Church Receives Affirm United Membership Affirm United has been working in collaboration with the United Church of Canada since 1992 to assist local congregations in becoming more welcoming environments for individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Based on a report from MSN, over 300 local ministries are part of Affirm United, including churches, colleges, assisted living homes, and other organizations. On Sunday, Jun 18, the St. Paul's United Church will take the necessary steps to become a recognized affiliate of Affirm United. Additionally, Whitehorse, Regina, Toronto, and Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia, are the locations of some other congregations that will join Affirm United in June. On the other hand, in the Peace Country, located in the northwest region of Alberta, St. Paul's Church is the first inclusive ministry. Accordingly, nearly seventy-five percent of the congregation, which included 125 families, voted in favor of the Affirm United membership in March. Also Read:Christian Leader Renamed Pride Month as Fidelity Month to Highlight Importance of Fidelity to God Becoming An Affirming Ministry The United Church of Canada stated that Congregations, presbyteries, Gatherings, institutions of learning, and other United Church ministries are considered to be Affirming Ministries if they make a public declaration of their dedication to inclusiveness and equality for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Even though Affirming Ministries has made an explicit claim about questions of sexuality and gender, the scope of their commitment to justice is far more extensive. They constantly develop and change as they work to more fully embody God's way of inclusion, love, and justice for all of creation. According to Yahoo News, Karen Scott, head of the council of St. Paul's United Church, stated that becoming an accepting ministry is about establishing an environment of safety for everyone, with the LGBTQ+ group receiving special attention. As mentioned, the procedure was first carried out at St. Paul's in 2020. Scott claimed that efforts toward inclusivity are also made outside of the weekly Sunday service. She represents St. Paul's by showing up at the yearly Grande Prairie Pride festivities, much to the astonishment of those who attend those activities. Moreover, an affirming education week was held at St. Paul's United Church in conjunction with organizations supporting LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities as part of the church's journey toward becoming an affirming ministry. The council's head of the church also asserted that becoming an official Affirm United member would not end the job. The committee that was previously responsible for affirming the ministry has been renamed the social justice committee, and it will reportedly continue to plan events and strive toward including more people. Furthermore, Rev. Gord Waldie expressed his delight at the emergence of the discussion around affirming ministries, yet he emphasized the significance of the congregation's role in the decision-making process. According to Waldie, Affirm United fights for change beyond LGBTQ+ issues, including truth and healing. Related Article: Seattle Megachurch Affirms LGBTQ Christians, Sever Ties With Evangelical Covenant Church Pixabay/William Sturgell The Methodist Church in Ireland has issued an apology following the conclusion of a comprehensive safeguarding review, which revealed 30 instances of abuse within the denomination in the last 25 years. Taking responsibility for its past failures, the church committed to creating a safe environment for all members. Methodist Church's Apology According to a report from Christian Premier News, the decision to conduct the Past Cases Review in November 2020 was driven solely by the desire of the Methodist people to acknowledge and confront their history, enabling victims to be heard, recognized, and supported. The objective was to ensure that the church evolved into a secure haven for everyone in the present and future. Among the 30 cases identified, some involved physical violence that did not result in police intervention. Additionally, there were incidents of peer-to-peer physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that went unreported to the authorities. The review also highlighted inappropriate relationships between young adult leaders and teenage participants and instances of the improper use of social media. Out of the total cases, only six had already led to police action being taken. The accusations primarily targeted lay volunteer leaders, while six cases involved ordained ministers, and three implicated lay employees. Although the church acknowledged that 30 cases might seem relatively small compared to other denominations or institutions, it stressed that no solace is derived from this figure, as abuse is unacceptable. Moreover, BBC News reported that the Rev. David Turtle addressed the public just two days after the church released its comprehensive three-year review into its handling of abuse allegations, expressing deep remorse and a collective sense of failure. Although the review encompassed a staggering 70-year timeframe, the report emphasized that the "overwhelming majority" of recorded cases occurred from 1998 onwards. Also Read:Jacksonville Ex-Pastor, 2 Others Accused of Physical, Sexual Abuse of Minors To Appear in Court Recent Arrest of Former Methodist Pastor On Thursday, February 23, the courtroom fell silent as Russell Woodman Davis, 70, pleaded guilty to raping and attempting to rape three boys during various periods spanning from 1988 to 2006. The locations of the horrific crimes included Newbury, Rowley, and Salisbury, The Salem News reported. In response to Davis' plea, Salem Superior Court Judge Thomas Drechsler sentenced him to three to four years in state prison. The judge had extended the offer to Davis before his scheduled trial, demonstrating an opportunity to acknowledge guilt and accept a lighter sentence. Drechsler emphasized that the punishment aimed to balance the "profound trauma and damage" inflicted upon the victims and Davis' exploitation of their trust. Additionally, the judge noted Davis' advanced age and previous remission from cancer. According to the prosecutor, Davis took advantage of his role as a mentor, enticing these young men under the guise of providing guidance. Seizing opportunities to be alone with them, Davis coerced and forced them into sexual acts, exploiting their vulnerability and inability to consent. As the trial ends and the victims seek solace, the community is left grappling with the immense damage inflicted upon these boys and the lingering question of how such abuse could have gone undetected for so long within the walls of their trusted church. Related Article:Around 445 Sexual Abuse Victims of Priests and Church Officials in Spain Break Their Silence Pixabay/briannad26 The Anglican Communion Church in Nigeria continues to hold an unwavering opposition against same-sex marriage, even though the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States have both voted to accept gay marriage. Unwavering Opposition of Anglican Communion in Nigeria Against Same-Sex Marriage A report from PM News stated that his Bishop's Charge at the 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Diocese is being held at Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba in Nasarawa State, Rt. Rev. Godwin Robinson, Bishop Lafia Diocese, Church of Nigeria, an Anglican Communion, announced on Saturday, Jun 10, that they firmly oppose same-sex marriage. The church was informed of the results of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), held in Kigali, Rwanda, from April 17 to 21, by Rt. Rev. Robinson who educated the congregation on international issues. He claimed that the Church of Nigeria, which participated in the conference, took a stance that opposes the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States, both of which favor marriage between people of the same gender. As per Sahara Reporters, the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, led by Nigeria, is mostly Churches from Africa and Asia. However, other divisions, led by England and the United States of America, support gay marriage. The religious leader asserted that they do not consider the word of God to be a truth that can be interpreted in various ways. Catholics reportedly adhere to Resolution 1:10 of Lambeth 1998, which reaffirmed marriage as a commitment for life between a man and a woman and made it clear that marriages between people of the same gender are morally reprehensible. On the other hand, Rt. Rev. Robinson asserted that he, along with other Nigerian representatives, participated in the Kigali Convention, which drew over 1,302 delegates from 52 nations worldwide who stood out against such awful crimes. "GAFCON promised to prioritise youth and children ministry and use discipleship to equip them for a lifetime of ministry, committed to demonstrating the compassion of Christ through the many GAFCON Mercy Ministries, among others," the priest noted. Also Read: Anglican Church in Singapore Expressed Dismay Over Church of England's Blessing of Same-Sex Marriage LGBTQ Issues in Global Anglican Church The global Anglican Communion has been experiencing tension for many years due to the significant disagreements amongst its 42 provinces on the issue of whether or not to accept same-sex marriage and ordain LGBTQ clergy, AP News reported. In the year 2022, the divides increased as a result of conservative bishops, mainly from Africa and Asia, reiterating their objections to accepting the LGBTQ community and demanding "repentance" from more liberal regions that have inclusive policies. At the Lambeth Conference, conducted by the communion on average once every ten years and brings together church leaders from over 165 nations with Anglican-affiliated churches, the dispute erupted into the public eye in August of 2022. Since 2008, this was the first time the Lambeth Conference had been held and the first time married gay and lesbian bishops were invited to attend. Accordingly, other bishops who agree with the conservative primates of Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda's objection to LGBTQ inclusion petitioned failed for the Lambeth assembly to reconsider the motion from 1998 condemning same-sex marriage. Related Article:Nigerian Archbishop Asks Church of England Members to Dissociate from Church Leader with Ungodly Teachings Wikimedia Commons/Long Thien Pope Francis is currently recovering after getting hospitalized and having a successful surgery for Hernia. The Pope was having persistent pain on his abdominal area according to the report of the Vatican. The operation is connected to the diverticular stenosis removal surgery the Pope had in his intestines at the beginning of July 2021. He stayed in the hospital for ten days during that time. Pope Francis Undergoes Successful Surgery for Abdominal Hernia The recent surgery, according to a statement from the Vatican, was required because the Pope had been experiencing sub-occlusive symptoms that were persistent and getting worse because of an imprisoned incisional hernia. In the article in Christian Today, according to the Vatican, the procedure went off "without complications," however, the Pope's schedule has been freed up until June 18. The 86-year-old Pope had visited the hospital on Tuesday for a regular examination when it was discovered that the procedure was required. He had canceled all of his meetings in late May due to ill health. Pope Francis held his customary Wednesday audience in St. Peter's Square before being driven to Rome's Il Gemelli Hospital to have surgery while sedated. According to the article in CNN, as stated in an official statement on the Vatican's press office Telegram account, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni provided an update on Pope Francis' condition following his abdominal surgery on Thursday, saying that "the night went well." In late May, the Pope had to postpone many engagements due to a sickness that rendered him incapacitated. He was again admitted to the hospital in March with bronchitis, but the medications worked well on him. Then, as he was leaving the hospital, Pope Francis made the amusing remark that he was "still alive." The Wednesday surgery, a laparotomy, properly speaking, used general anesthesia and was intended to treat a hernia that the Vatican claimed was the source of "recurrent, painful, and worsening" symptoms. Medical sources claim that this intervention is probably connected to the operation the Pope had in 2021 to have a section of his colon removed. The Pope was anticipated to recover fully functionally following surgery, according to Bruni. All of Francis' audiences have been postponed until June 18 as a result, according to the Prefecture of the Papal Household, to give him time to heal. Also Read:Pope Francis Reveals He Has Signed a Resignation Letter Due to Potential Health Issues Pope's Health Status Last March Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital in March with a respiratory ailment, the Vatican reported. The 86-year-old pontiff had complained of breathing issues but had Covid-19 testing come up negative. According to the article shared here in Christianity Daily, when a scheduled TV interview was abruptly canceled, there were questions about the Vatican's initial claim that the hospital visit was planned. In his youth, Pope Francis, who has a history of respiratory problems, had a part of one lung removed. The hospitalization happened right before the Palm Sunday ceremony, casting doubt on his capacity to oversee the holy week rituals. President of the United States, Joe Biden, urged people to pray for the Pope's health and lauded him as one of the most Christlike individuals he has met. Locals in Buenos Aires voiced concern for his health, with some advising him to think about whether he could still perform his job. Despite the difficulties, there is hope for Pope Francis' recovery because of his powerful physical constitution and intense religiosity. Related Article:Pope Francis Undergoes Treatment for Respiratory Illness, Expected to Stay for Several Days in the Hospital Pixabay/S K The United States of America has decided to return to UNESCO to counter the influence of China. Since they severed relations with the organization, they would be responsible for paying hundreds of millions of dollars for their back dues. United States Rejoin UNESCO During the presidency of Ronald Reagan, the United States withdrew from The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1984 due to its perception that the organization was poorly governed, riddled with corruption, and was being used to further Soviet objectives. In 2003, it resumed operations. NBC News reported that after UNESCO's membership voted in 2011 to admit Palestine as a member state, the United States of America and Israel withdrew their financial support of the organization, and both nations were stripped of their voting rights in 2013. The Trump administration decided 2017 to remove all personnel from the agency the following year, citing anti-Israel prejudice and management issues as the reasons for their decision. Moreover, in the letter he sent the previous week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma mentioned UNESCO's efforts toward management reform and minimizing the amount of politicized discourse, particularly on matters about the Middle East. The letter was personally delivered by hand last week by a Washington delegation traveling to Paris. UNESCO's solemn auditorium resounded with applause when Director General Audrey Azoulay announced the plan to ambassadors during a special meeting on Monday, June 12; member after member arose to cheer the news and the fresh infusion of funding. According to a UNESCO ambassador, the 193 member states are scheduled to vote on whether or not to accept the United States back into the organization next month. This organization is reportedly well-known for its World Heritage program and programs to fight climate change and teach girls to read, which will receive a significant increase in funding due to this decision. As per ABC News, officials from the United States stated that the decision to go back was driven by the worry that China has taken up the space left by the United States in policymaking at UNESCO, particularly in creating guidelines for technological and artificial intelligence education around the world. Within the next several weeks, the motion will be put to a vote by the member nations of UNESCO. After the thunderous acclaim that accompanied the news at the offices of UNESCO in Paris on Monday, Jun 12, acceptance appears to be a mere formality. Yet not a single nation reportedly voiced opposition to the readmission of a nation that had previously been the organization's primary source of financial support. Also Read: Ukrainian President Calls To Expel Russia From UNESCO After Burning Historic Church $600 Million Back Dues According to the letter written by Verma, the plan calls for the United States administration to pay its 2023 payments plus an additional $10 million in extra payments this year. These payments are reportedly designated for Holocaust education, the preservation of cultural heritage in Ukraine, journalist safety, and the education of science and technology in Africa, PBS News Hour reported. The financial plan for 2024 has been previously sought with an appeal for $150 million to go on UNESCO dues and receivables from the administration of Joe Biden. Similar requests are expected in the coming years due to the plan, which will continue until the total debt of $619 million has been cleared. This accounts for a significant portion of UNESCO's yearly budget for operations, $534 million. Additionally, before withdrawing its support, the United States provided 22% of the total financing for the organization. On the other hand, a diplomat working for UNESCO noted the organization's optimism that the United States' comeback would usher in "more ambition, and more serenity" and invigorate efforts to govern artificial intelligence, educate females in Afghanistan, and document victims of slavery in the Caribbean. Also, the ambassador stated that the organization would "welcome" Israel back into the organization if it decided to reapply for membership. However, the Israeli government did not immediately respond to the allegations. Related Article: North Korean Arirang Registered as UNESCO Heritage of Humanity Pixabay/Ichigo121212 Almost two years ago, a Chinese woman was arrested for intentionally starting a fire at the First Baptist Church in Montgomery. She was recently given a sentence that will put her behind bars for two decades. Setting Fire at Church Homeland Security Today reported that a woman was seen on surveillance footage shot from within the church the day before the fire carrying what seemed to be duffel bags and a plastic bag as she entered the building for the church's Wednesday evening service. The same person was seen on surveillance footage on September 30, just after 2:00 in the morning, taking silver canisters out of one of her bags and starting fires around the premises. The investigators recognized the automobile the suspect was driving and obtained a plate number connecting that car to Xiaoqin Yan. In addition, the church employees reported seeing someone who matched Yan's description on the church premises on many occasions before the blaze, which led law authorities to discover another piece of relevant information. Because of her peculiar conduct, a staff member had to remove her from the church premises at one point physically. Ultimately, the investigators determined that Yan was the same individual seen in both the staff's accounts and the surveillance films. As per Yahoo News, at the time of her first arrest on October 4, 2021, authorities claimed to have discovered many things that were identical to those shown being carried by the woman in the video evidence. These items included two blue duffel bags with white writing and a red gas container. Additionally, they claimed to have recovered a revolver, which Yan was illegally in possession of because she had overstayed her non-immigrant visa, prohibiting her from legally possessing any firearms. Also Read: Man Set Fire to Mount Zion Church Pleaded Guilty, Allegedly Suffers from Schizophrenia Charges Against Chinese Woman On June 4, a congregation of hundreds of Montgomery locals bent their heads inside the First Baptist Church in the downtown area of the city. They prayed for the woman who had attempted to set fire to the church building where they were gathered almost two years ago. Montgomery Advertiser reported that her court case was scheduled to start the next day. Xiaoqin Yan, a Chinese lady who was 29 years old at the time of her conviction, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a handgun and arson on Wednesday, Jun 7, by a federal jury. According to the information provided by the United States Attorney's Office, Yan will have a sentencing hearing scheduled sometime in the next few months. But she is currently facing a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. On the other hand, in a statement that he posted on social media, Senior Pastor Mark L. Bethea said that he had encountered nothing that has allowed him to comprehend why a person would wish to harm an institution that has been a carrier of such enormous light and hope to their city. "While I don't fully understand it, I do recognize that Scripture clearly reminds us that what man meant for evil, God has used for good," he added. As mentioned, the fire was put out by Montgomery Fire and Rescue when they arrived at the scene, but not before it inflicted an estimated $25,000 worth of damage. According to the initial assessment of the damage conducted by the church, the seats, bibles, and hymn books in the sanctuary sustained destruction, while the reception office was described as being "completely destroyed." Related Article: Canadian Police Arrests Two Men for Causing Fire at Historic Church With a robust governing structure and a 400-page Book of Church Order (BCO) that requires strict standards for those in church leadership, the Presbyterian Church in America should be a denomination thats good at handling abuse. I told friends I picked the PCA because I know I have somewhere to go if something goes wrong, Kristen Hann, a former director of womens ministry at Surfside Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, told CT. She and other women in the denomination have found that was not the case. The denomination meets for its annual general assembly this week and is marking its 50th anniversary. Over those decades, it has not experienced the reckoning with abuse that has occurred in the Southern Baptist Convention or the Catholic Church. But survivors within the PCA say the denominations problems with abuse are just unaddressed. The denomination has not commissioned an investigative report like the SBC on its response to abuse cases. At its denominational meeting in Memphis this week, PCA elders will consider a significant number of overtures (church legislation) related to abuse. Among them are two different proposals allowing anyone to be a witness in church courts for abuse casescurrently only those who believe in God, heaven, and hell are allowed to be witnesses. Another overture would require criminal background checks for new ministers and ministers transferring presbyteries or denominations. Ordained male elders vote at the PCA meeting, while SBC messengers can be men and women. The PCA, with its ostensible system of leadership accountability, may demonstrate how every denomination needs to have a reckoning with abuse from the outside. The denomination has the structure for abuse accountability in theory, PCA elders say, but not in practice. The BCO is a thick document for governing a church, but it doesnt have anything in it to help us adjudicate any abuse cases or reports, said Ann Maree Goudzwaard, who leads a church-based ministry in the PCA called Help[H]er for women in crisis. She has become a point person for women reporting abuse in the denomination, which is not a role she sought out. She receives daily calls from abuse survivors. People are still saying theres not as much as we think there is, Goudzwaard said. Its an avalanche. Last year, a denominational committee made up mostly of PCA elders as well as outside experts like Goudzwaard and Rachael Denhollander released a 220-page report with recommendations for how churches should handle domestic abuse and sexual assault (known as the DASA report). It was designed to be a resource for the PCAs local church leaders. In the absence of a denominational reporting mechanism for abuse, victims have contacted the committee, which was not designed for that purpose. The denomination made the committees report nonbinding, and committee members know of few presbyteries that have begun training based on the report. The abuse committee members have recommended that churches need third-party help when abuse cases come before them. The DASA report had phenomenally rich theology on abuse, Denhollander told CT. The report has informed work on abuse in the SBC, she said. But the PCAs court systems, which handle church discipline, are the denominations only mechanism for addressing abuse. Without change there, in the PCA it's ultimately the same question as in the SBC: Will they allow the rich theology of justice and holiness that Scripture calls us to to impact their actions and systems? The PCA is not a denomination with top-down governance but rather a collection of local churches that form regional presbyteries that govern those churches under the BCO laws. How well an abuse case is handled depends on the presbytery. Many presbyteries have put survivors through a procedural grinder that survivors say was worse than the abuse itself. Multiple cases CT reviewed that went through the church court process had thousands of pages of documentation, and sometimes stretched out for years. Laypeople were bewildered trying to file formal charges based on the BCO. Male elders who make up presbytery leadership are adjudicating these cases, so victims often are cross-examined by a group of men who all know each other and may have no experience handling abuse cases. Some abuse advocates say that a presbytery can be an old boys network if elders are protecting their friends instead of listening to allegations. In April, the PCAs Standing Judicial Commission (SJC)essentially the supreme court of the PCA courtsunanimously exonerated PCA pastor Daniel Herron, who had sued for defamation two former members of his church who accused him of sexual harassment. The SJC declared him not guilty on the charges of harassment, his use of lawsuits against accusers, and his overall character as a minister. On Herron suing his accusers, the SJC ruling argued that church teaching in 1 Corinthians 6 and the Westminster Confession of Faith allows Christians to file civil lawsuits in certain cases. The PCAs church court process stretched on for nearly four years after the women brought their complaints about the pastor. The trial transcript for the hearing in the case ran for 1,966 pages. The ruling is not yet public but will be announced at the general assembly this week. SJC rulings are only binding on the parties involved, according to the BCO, but the rest of the denomination must give SJC rulings due consideration, which means a ruling in the Herron case sets some level of precedent. From victims perspective, the denomination just gave a green light to pastors suing accusers for defamation. Several abuse victims and advocates CT interviewed said the ruling meant more victims would be afraid to report their abuse. As the denomination wrestles with these big questions, stories from local churches show how its procedural approach affects people in the pews. A bungled Presbyterian response to abuse Kristen Hann, the former director of womens ministry at Surfside Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, lost her job last year after objecting to how the church handled an abuse case. In 2021, Kappie Reynolds, a member at Surfside, reported that an elder groped her under her clothes, exposed himself to her, pulled her pants down, and attempted anal penetration. Reynolds requested that the elders name not be used in this story, as the case is still being litigated confidentially through the church court process. The encounter, which took place at an acquaintances home, was out of the blue, Reynolds said, and they had a platonic relationship before. She did not report the alleged assault to the police. The first person at the church Reynolds confided in told her not to ruin the elders reputation, she said. Surfsides church leadership declined to comment on the case, saying it would be unwise and reckless for us to discuss church discipline, member care, or employment matters in a public forum. Two months after the incident, Reynolds told Hann what had happened, and Hann and Reynolds reported the incident to Surfsides pastor, Brian Peterson. In the following weeks, Reynolds said no staff at the church other than Hann reached out to see how she was doing. Reynolds quit going to Surfside. For a time she could not get out of bed. The accused elder, a lay leader and not on staff, was quietly stripped of his ordination in the PCA (something the session, a group of governing elders of a church, has the power to do) and asked to attend another church. But church leadership did not communicate the reasons to the congregation. In the months that followed, Hann wanted the church leadership to talk about what happened with the congregation and bring in an outside investigator. They did neither. They consulted with one abuse expert but did not follow her major recommendations. They didnt know how to navigate, said Jeremy Reynolds, Kappies husband. One year after the alleged assault and repeated confrontations over Reynoldss case, the church leadership granted Hann a requested two month paid leave. But a month into the leave, the church asked Hann to resign, take severance, and sign a non-disparagement agreement and release from liability. She refused, and then was fired by email. The months of fighting makes you want to die, said Hann. Theyre not listening, and I didnt do anything wrong. In the fallout of Hanns firing, the pastor finally held a meeting with the congregation and took questions about the elder who had been stripped of his office, saying he had confessed to sexually deviant sin, according to Hanns husband, Aaron, who took notes on the meeting. The leadership never described it as an assault. Peterson, the pastor, told the congregation that Hann and church leadership had an untenable working relationship because of the tensions around the handling of the case of sexual sin. They did not commission a third-party investigation, which Hann thought could have turned up more wrongdoing by the elder as well as addressed the pastors handling of the case. Meanwhile, Reynolds figured out how to file a formal complaint under the BCO addressed to the presbytery. The presbytery ruled her complaint out of order on grounds that it preceded the timely response from the proper court. Hann has also filed charges in church courts, including a request for an investigation of Petersons handling of the case and treatment of the women involved. The SJC is now weighing charges related to the case. Goudzwaard, who served on the denominations commission on abuse, said she no longer counsels victims to go through the church court process. It is not designed to help [victims], Goudzwaard said. I had a best-case scenario on a case, and it should have resulted in a deposition of a pastor and it did not. It had a GRACE [Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment] report, multiple witnesses. Deposition in the PCA means a removal of ordination. When hearing charges, presbyteries tend to say either that how a church handled an abuse case was within their purview or that there isnt enough evidence, she said. One church brings in third-party investigators When one PCA church did communicate about an abusive leader and investigate, it found more cases of abuse. In 2018, a student reported an unsettling incident with a PCA pastor to the students campus minister, who reported it to the pastors presbytery in Georgia. Once confronted, the pastor, Brad Waller, confessed to abusing men and boys in the congregation with sexual foot massages. The pastors church, Grace Church of the Islands, stripped Waller of ordination over the abuse. The presbytery also communicated what happened to a PCA church where Waller served previously for more than a decade, Tates Creek Presbyterian in Lexington, Kentucky. Within 10 days of receiving the news, Tates Creeks session met, and then they communicated the news to the congregation. The church leadership received many stories of abuse in response. The church initiated a third-party investigation by GRACE. That approach was scary for the session, said then-pastor Robert Cunningham, but the vote was unanimous. In 2019, GRACE issued its report, which the church publicly posted. We didnt do this through the church courts, Cunningham said. Presbyteries and eldersnone of us are trained in abuse and trauma. Bring in experts. In other situations, he noted, churches arent scared to reach outside the church and bring in the legal experts to tell them what to do! Tates Creek is the exception, abuse advocates say, while Surfside is more of the rule in the PCAs response to abuse. In the wake of her firing, Kristen Hanns family had to move, and she now works at a Starbucks. Kappie Reynolds has gone through counseling and is recovering. Every Friday at 3 p.m., Hann now prays a litany for those abused in the PCA: Its what I can do. This article has been updated to clarify that witnesses in PCA courts dont need to be Christians but must believe in God, heaven, and hell. For eight months, the Ukrainian city of Kherson endured Russian occupation. Nowalong with at least seven churchesit is underwater. Experts estimate that the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, 44 miles upstream, released an amount of water equal to the Great Salt Lake. A new wave of evacuations is underway in southern Ukraine, with 25,000 people in Russian-controlled areas and 17,000 in Ukrainian-held territory advised to leave. An estimated 2,000 houses have been flooded, with 16,000 people made homeless. A lack of drinking water, electricity shortages, and floating land mines have contributed to the humanitarian and ecological disaster. The dams reservoir contributed 2,600 tons of fish to the local economy. Wheat prices have spiked, as 94 percent of Khersons irrigation system has lost its supply. And 150 tons of machine oil have been carried toward the Black Sea. But that is just the physical damage. Tavriski Christian Institute (TCI) in Kherson is a spiritual casualty. Liberated from Russian occupation last November, the seminarys riverside properties suffered a new blow with the deluge. Early in the war, TCI president Valentin Siniy evacuated west with his wife, two children, and much of the student body. Today he continues education from Ivano-Frankivsk as he oversees relief efforts over 500 miles away. CT spoke with Siniy about the state of the seminary campus, the emotional impact of the flood, and the rising challenges to faith that have led to newfound spiritual insights: What is the situation with your seminary? When the Russian military descended upon our cherished seminary, it was an emblem of knowledge and spiritual growth. They stripped it of its essence. Equipment from our printing shop vanished, books were burned, and I would say their very presence desecrated our sacred space. A friend later retrieved one of my favorite pictures: an image of Jesus crucified feet. But even after liberation, Russian missiles destroyed our buildings and sniper fire kept people away. I visited several times, but it was too dangerous to remain. Our once-vibrant campus, composed of five buildings, lay in ruins, mirroring the devastation that ravaged our nation. And just when we thought we had faced the worst, the catastrophic flooding submerged our greenhouse farm. It had been a source of sustenance and support for our students and area residentseven as it remained in occupied territory on the east bank of the Dnipro River. Now that the waters are slowly receding, our manageralso a local pastortells us that much can be repaired. But he has been threatened by the Russians, who also killed a pregnant volunteer woman while they confiscated the boats of those assisting others. The Russian government is godless and immoral; it simply destroys people. How have evangelicals been able to help? There is a lot of dirt and debris floating about. Cemeteries and cesspools have been flooded; viruses and diseases are spreading. Our volunteers are helping on the liberated west bank, and we have delivered ten pumps with another ten on their way. Unfortunately, most of the damage has been in Russian-controlled areas. Through the United World Mission-Overseas Council partnership, we are addressing the lack of drinking water by providing filters alongside dry food rations. And our churches continue to serve as refugee hubs, receiving again those displaced from their homes. How are local residents dealing with yet another tragedy? These trials have left an indelible mark on our emotions and spiritual state. War and environmental disaster have reshaped our perceptions of the world. In the face of extreme violence and suffering, our once-unwavering beliefs have undergone profound revision. Questions about the presence of God have become more prevalent, as individuals seek solace amid their pain. They yearn for a faith that transcends simplistic assertions and embraces the complexities of their reality. Faith is not a passive endeavor. It is a journey that demands deep introspection and unwavering commitment. Times of suffering force us to reevaluate our understanding of the relationship between faith and well-being. It is in these moments that the witness of Christians becomes most relevantnot through sermons alone, but through our presence and assistance to those who suffer. It is through practical acts of love and compassion that the essence of our religion is revealed. It is not easy, and some are losing their faith. What is the main issue believers struggle with? For many, their belief had been superficial. But even among believers, in the past we used to operate according to Psalm 37 where David said, I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread (v. 25). We trusted that if we lived a moral life, God would give us a prosperous life. And if we sinned, we would suffer, but we knew that weor othersdeserved it. Even with a more mature faith, we used to interpret 1 Corinthians 10 that our trials would not be more than we could bear. But my sin was not equal to this devastation, nor my sanctification proportionate to the level of suffering. My righteousness could not endure this terrible war. So many of us were left confusedeven scaredof the impact this great pain would have on our faith. I dont know how to understand these verses now; however, I do know that Jeremiah and Job came to different conclusions. Jobs righteousness was vindicated; there was no link between his suffering and sin. In this case, the pain simply comes from Russian aggression. How do you answer your fellow Ukrainians who are overwhelmed? It does not help to speak about the love of God at times like this; it is usually best just to sit in silence with them. But C. S. Lewis wrote about how suffering burns away the formalism of faith, inviting people into a deeper relationship with God. We want to be ready to help spiritually, when they are ready to inquire. And some are. Last week, I preached at a service where three young people were baptized. After the service, an older man approached me and asked how I have the strength to stand firm. I quoted from 1 Peter 1 about our inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. And while we still have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, through faith, we are shielded by Gods power (vv. 46). These verses have become a source of inspiration and solace. They speak of the hope that is bestowed upon us through our faith in God. And it reminds me that the strength to endure extreme violence and unspeakable suffering does not come from within ourselves, but emanates from Gods strength. What does shielding mean, in the face of so much loss? It was the flood that helped me think through this passage. Later in his letter, Peter connects baptism to the time of Noah, and how faith helped them escape in the ark. His family lost so much in the world, yet they were preservedtrusting in Gods promise. It is not our possessions that are shielded, as they were swept away in the floodwaters. Nor is it our emotions that are shielded, as we still go through pain. But what I have found is that God shields our hope, enabling us to trust in his sovereignty. It was by Gods word that the world was created, and one day by his word it will crumble like paper. But not one word of his promises will go unfulfilled, and in Romans 8 he tells us that all things work together for good (v. 28, ESV). Our salvation comes through his strengtheven nowas it gives us a future orientation. This is our anchor, grounding us in the present, as we await God there. Donations to Tavriski Christian Institute for refugees and reconstruction are collected here. Bart Barber reelected president of the Southern Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber has won reelection, defeating challenger Pastor Mike Stone of the Conservative Baptist Network. At the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Tuesday afternoon, messengers voted to determine which nominee they wanted to serve this year as president of the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. In results announced Tuesday evening, Barber was reelected to a second one-year vote, receiving 7,531 votes or 68.38% of the ballots. Stone received 3,458 votes or 31.40% of the ballots cast. Twenty-five votes were disallowed, representing 0.23% of votes cast. Pastor Jarrett Stephens of Champion Forest Baptist Church of Houston, Texas, nominated Barber, telling messengers that the incumbent had earned a second year as president, saying, Were headed in the right direction. Dr. Barber has represented us well, said Stephens. As president, he has traveled tirelessly across the country to represent you by encouraging churches and celebrating missionaries, supporting church planters, and standing with those on the front lines of disaster relief. Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, nominated Stone, saying that Stone was a man of conviction needed for the current times, which Rice described as an hour marked by apostasy and idolatry. Mike knows the times, and he knows what to do, said Rice. You can attack him, you can revile him, you can belittle him on Twitter with all the decorum of a middle school food fight, but this man will not bend, and this man will not fold. He has a spine of conviction as strong as his name. You dont have to wonder if he will stand, and you dont have to guess where he will stand. In late April, Stone announced his intention to run for SBC president. In modern times, it is rare for an SBC president to have an opponent after only serving the first year of a two-year term. Stone, the former president of SBC's Executive Committee, stressed that the convention is headed in a financially unstable direction, declaring that "unsustainable should be unacceptable." He also believes the SBC needs a biblical approach to the horrific issue of sexual abuse, adding that church leaders need to both care well for victims and practice scriptural principles of due process and the handling and publishing of accusations. Barber was elected in 2022 at the SBC's Annual Meeting held in Anaheim, California, winning in a second ballot runoff with 3,401 messenger votes, or 60.87% of the vote. Barber replaced Alabama Pastor Ed Litton, who had been elected president in 2021, but became the first SBC president in decades to not seek reelection after only one year in office. Christian university accused of stonewalling approval for pro-life student group An Indiana-based Christian university is facing allegations that it has stonewalled the approval process for a pro-life campus student group, while the institution claims the group hasn't completed the approval process. The legal counsel for Students for Life of America, Zachary Kester, sent the letter to Huntington University President Sherilyn Emberton and Vice President for Student Life Ron Coffey last Monday. Caroline Wharton, press strategist and staff writer for SFLA, provided The Christian Post with a copy of the demand letter on Monday. According to Wharton, Monday was the deadline for the school to respond to SFLA's letter. "If this deadline is not met, our students and legal counsel will agree upon our next move," she wrote. Wharton confirmed to CP in a Tuesday statement that the school reached out to SFLA's legal counsel and agreed to discuss the matter. Further updates are pending. Huntington University is a four-year liberal arts school affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. As of October 2022, around 1,200 students were enrolled to take classes on the university's Huntington campus. The student at the center of the controversy, who asked not to be named, reached out to the administration at HU in January 2023 to propose the creation of the Huntington University Students for Life Club. The student assured the administrators in an initial email that the HUSFL aligned with the university's Christian values and that it was not intended to cater to one side of the political spectrum. "Indeed, [the student] sought to form a club for likeminded Christians to care for women that are struggling with a monumental decision, to help point them towards choosing life, and ultimately to help point them towards Christ," the letter stated. The demand letter pointed out HU's mission statement on its website, which affirms the school's commitment as a Christian school to preparing students for the "contemporary world" instead of sheltering them from it. Kester argues that the university is not abiding by its mission to allow differing viewpoints if it does not approve of the pro-life group. "We would call on the University's administration to live by their own mission and allow the formation of HUSFL so that they may engage in discourse on campus, carry out the University's goals of fostering critical thinking, and live out Christ's mission," Kester's letter continued. In a Monday statement to CP, an HU spokesperson affirmed the university's commitment to their Creator, emphasizing that the school has a history of encouraging students to pursue their vocation through on-campus organizations. "The University has a process for approving school-sponsored clubs which involves multiple levels of authorization and communication," the spokesperson wrote. "The approval process for the proposed club in question had not been completed as of the end of the spring semester. The University has not denied permission for the proposed club to continue in the process to seek approval." "The University looks forward to engaging with the student in the upcoming fall semester and will assist in navigating the application process for the proposed student-led group," the HU spokesperson continued. In a blog post, Students for Life explains that the "process for approving a university sponsored club at HU is supposed to take no longer than a month and a half," and the student was expecting to receive approval sometime in February. However, the spring semester came to an end without formal approval. The student believes the request was ignored by the administration. Kester said that the draft of the club's constitution was provided to Sarah Rickerd in the Office of Student Life on Jan. 17. The university's club formation policies state that this is the first step, according to the letter. Two days later, the student informed Rickerd that he had completed the second step in the club formation process by securing a club sponsor. "Some correspondence via email continued throughout January, February, March, and April of this year, regarding HUSFL's formation. [The student] was finally able to meet in-person with [Vice President of Student Life Ron Coffey] on March 28, more than two months after providing HUSFL's constitution to administration and securing a staff sponsor," the demand letter outlined. During the March meeting, Coffey reportedly expressed displeasure with SFLA's involvement with the campus group, which the letter noted only extends to legal support and associated support. Other campus groups that the letter highlighted, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Occupational Therapy Association, Indiana Collegiate Farm Bureau, Circle K (Kiwanis) and Love Your Melon, have statewide or nationwide affiliations. The student then provided the school with an updated constitution for the club in March, stressing that the group is not affiliated with any specific political party, but added that it had connections with various pro-life non-profits to "help facilitate some activities." The letter cited multiple instances in April and May where Coffey reportedly indicated he would approve the pro-life club. "[The student] sent several emails requesting the status for approval in that time period, but no action occurred," SFLA's legal counsel wrote. "The University has refused to provide a reason for the delay." Pastor, former director of food bank allegedly paid employee for sex acts, stole thousands James Gill, a longtime minister who was most recently the senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tennessee, and served as the director of the Sumner County Food Bank has been indicted for stealing more than $250,000 from the food bank he founded and paying a volunteer for sex acts. A Sumner County Grand Jury indicted Gill, 81, for one count of theft of property over $250,000, one count of money laundering, and one count of patronizing prostitution on Thursday. He was arrested and booked into the Sumner County Jail on a $75,000 bond on Friday evening, according to a release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Gill, who founded the food bank that serves up to 1,000 families weekly, passed on the operation to First Baptist Hendersonville in March 2022, after citing his failing health. He told News Channel 5 Nashville at the time that he was awaiting heart and cancer surgery and that his doctor warned him that he would die if he didnt manage his stress. My doctors have told me, and theyve told me, 'Mr. Brawner, that if you dont take the stress off, youre going to die,' Gill told the news outlet. In May 2022, however, the TBI said 18th Judicial District Attorney General Ray Whitley asked the agents to investigate allegations of theft involving Gill who, according to the Liberty Baptist Church website, served as their senior pastor for 11 years and has more than 40 years of ministry experience. During the investigation, authorities determined that James Gill (DOB: 6/1/42), who was employed as the director of the Sumner County Food Bank, used the organizations money to make personal purchases, the release said. He also wrote checks to himself and others from the food banks account and transferred the money to other accounts under a different non-profit name. Further investigation revealed that Gill paid a food bank volunteer for sex acts. The Sumner County Food Bank reportedly had more than 300 volunteers between retirees and young adults in search of community service hours, at any given time. Under the leadership of First Baptist Hendersonville, the Sumner County Food Bank is now known as Feed Sumner Food Bank & Ministry. Liberty Baptist Church did not immediately respond to calls from The Christian Post when contacted for comment on Monday. A representative of First Baptist Hendersonville also told CP that no member of their leadership team was immediately available to respond to questions about the food bank. In his retirement from the work of the food bank last year, Gill said his only concern in passing on the work of the food bank was for the people who depended on their services to be fed. My only concern is that people continue to be fed, and they are fully equipped to do that, Gill said of First Baptist Hendersonville, which now houses the food bank in a larger space. We grew from a 10-foot classroom to 12,000 square feet. This will be much larger, and I just pray it still has a family atmosphere. Pastors son sentenced for pointing gun at church member during dispute Cedric Taylor, the son of Bishop Jerry Wayne Taylor of Holy City Church of God in Christ Memphis, Tennessee, where former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a campaign speech in 2020, was slapped with a suspended sentence Friday for pulling a gun at a former longtime member inside the church in February. Jamillah Zarif, the former church member, told WREG that Cedric Taylor left her traumatized when he threatened her with a gun inside the church on Feb. 12. Last Friday, the pastor's son received a suspended one-year sentence for his assault on Zarif. He was also placed on probation for a year and must do anger management over the period. "It was a horrible, terrifying thing and very traumatizing at the same time," Zarif told WREG. "I never would've thought something like this would happen. It's real heartbreaking and very emotional." When asked about the situation between Zarif and Cedric Taylor Tuesday, Doris Taylor, a representative of the just over 800-member Holy City Church of God, told The Christian Post that the church is doing well. She had nothing to say about the assault charge against her pastor's son. Zarif, who said she had been a member of the church for 13 years before leaving in 2019, told WREG that she returned to the church with her mother, who is still a member, in February to celebrate the pastor's 35th Founders' Day service. She said she was "just going to visit to support him and love on him at the same time" because "It's where I got saved and baptized at and it'll just be a part of my heart until the day, I leave this side." A police statement cited by the news outlet said at the end of the Feb. 12 service, Zarif and her family tried to speak with the pastor but were prevented from doing so, which triggered an argument. Zarif said the argument was due to a misunderstanding with Bishop Taylor's wife about why they couldn't visit him. During the argument, Zarif said Cedric Taylor intervened and introduced a gun. "Ced walked up by that time and said, 'What did you say? What did you say?' And I looked down, and he had a gun," she said. Zarif said Cedric Taylor walked up to her and pointed the gun at her stomach for approximately 30 seconds. "I asked him, 'Why do you have a gun, Ced? Why do you have a gun?' I was holding my chest because I was so shocked," she told the news outlet, noting, "A lot of people started gathering, holding him back." She said she is grateful she was not physically harmed but wished the church had apologized. "Hopefully, one day, they'll call and say, 'Hey Jamilla, I love you, still love you even though what has gone on,'" she said. 174 UMC churches in Indiana granted disaffiliation amid debate over homosexuality A regional body of The United Methodist Church has approved the disaffiliation votes of 174 congregations in Indiana that seek to leave the denomination amid an intense debate over its stance on homosexuality. At its annual meeting last Thursday at the Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, the UMC Indiana Conference approved a motion granting the disaffiliations with 95% of the vote. The conference reported that from April 2022 to March 2023, the regional body sold or disbursed 19 church and conference properties, totaling around $5 million. When asked about the disaffiliations, Indiana Bishop Julius C. Trimble said in a video posted to Facebook that he hopes that "we will not look back, but look forward." "There may become a point in the future where we have an opportunity to work closely even with some churches that have disaffiliated," Trimble added. "But right now, I think, we need to focus on the main thing of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,' and leaning into the places where there are exciting ministries happening all across the state of Indiana." The 174 disaffiliating congregations are in addition to 105 congregations that left the Indiana Conference last year. The regional body reportedly still has 675 member congregations. The churches departed via Paragraph 2553 of the UMC Book of Discipline, a measure that outlines the rules for which congregations can leave the UMC due to its ongoing debate over human sexuality. The paragraph will officially expire at the end of the year. Paragraph 2553 was added to the Book of Discipline via a vote at the 2019 special session of the UMC General Conference, with over 5,500 churches disaffiliating from the denomination since then. Over the past several years, the UMC has experienced a divisive debate over its official stance barring the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Although efforts to change the rules at the quadrennial UMC General Conference have failed for decades, progressives within the denomination have often refused to follow or enforce the rules. For example, the UMC Western Jurisdiction unanimously elected Karen Oliveto to be bishop of the Mountain Sky Area in 2016, even though she is married to a woman. While Oliveto's election was declared invalid by the United Methodist Judicial Council, the UMC's highest court, in 2017, she remains bishop of the Mountain Sky Area as of this month. Frustration over the debate has driven many conservatives to leave the UMC, with many joining the Global Methodist Church, officially launched in May last year. Is the ongoing violence in Indias Manipur state anti-Christian? At least 98 individuals, predominantly Christians, have died in the recent surge of violence in Manipur, a northeastern state of India. Despite the presence of certain religious undertones, local tribal leadership is not categorizing the violence as a religious conflict. Initiated on May 3, the violence predominantly occurred in the Imphal Valley and the Churachandpur district, igniting at least four days of tumult. This turmoil was followed by near-daily firearm incidents across the state. A local Christian leader informed The Christian Post about attacks on nine churches within the Kuki-Zomi community in Kangpokpi district that took place on Monday morning. Churachandpur's predominantly Christian Kuki-Zomi tribal communities accuse two Meitei community organizations in Imphal, Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, of inciting this violence. The Meitei people, who account for more than 50% of the state's population, are predominantly Hindu. According to media outlets, a sizable weapons cache exists among the rival communities. The violence has led to the destruction or damage of thousands of homes and hundreds of churches. The death toll from ongoing violence in Manipur between the Kuki and Meitei ethnic communities reached at least 98, according to a June 2 statement from the Manipur Chief Minister's office. However, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that local sources are saying that over 200 people have died. The North American Manipur Tribal Association reports that over 6,000 houses have been damaged or looted. According to the Press Trust of India, more than 50,000 people have fled their residences, a number that increases daily. Among those displaced, about 35,000 are said to belong to Christian tribal communities. Online videos display police indifference and alleged participation in violence against tribal individuals. Simultaneously, Meitei households in Christian tribal-dominated Churachandpur have also experienced significant damage. An unprecedented demographic shift has occurred, with tribal inhabitants leaving the Imphal Valley. In turn, all Meiteis in Churachandpur, including government and police officials, have deserted their homes. The conflict primarily stems from ethnic issues, but the complication for analysts arises when numerous churches belonging to Meitei Christians (about 50,000 in number) are reportedly attacked by Meitei Hindus. The local Christian leader (who identifies as neither Meitei nor Kuki-Zomi) told CP that Meitei Christians are being pressured to renounce their Christian faith and convert to Hinduism. He shared an incident where a Hindu Meitei mob prevented a Christian family from burying a deceased member until they converted to Hinduism. Before the violence, Christian Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities interacted more with each other than the Hindu Meiteis had with the Kuki-Zomis. This pattern may have contributed to the attacks on Meitei churches. Post-violence, both ethnic communities are concentrating on their respective unity, with religion being a component among others. The Bharatiya Janata Party, a Hindu nationalist party in power at the state and federal level, is alleged to support the Meiteis. Historically, disputes over land ownership and affirmative action policies have strained relations between the Meiteis and tribal communities. Tensions heightened after BJP's state election victory in 2017 when tribal settlements were reclassified as reserved forests, essentially treating them as illegal immigrants. Further aggravating the situation, the highest court in Manipur instructed the government, before the violence, to consider the Meiteis' request for tribal group recognition. This instruction instigated a protest from a tribal student group, which triggered the recent eruption of violence. The Meiteis have historically dominated the state's political and economic realms. Critics accuse Manipur's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of ordering the demolition of churches in Imphal for alleged illegal construction, thereby worsening inter-community relations. Following the outbreak of violence, both Singh and various Imphal-based media outlets have been referring to the Kuki-Zomis as "terrorists" or "militants." Although a Hindu nationalist party appears to back the Meiteis, neither community is employing religious terminology. The Kuki-Zomi leadership emphasized to CP that they don't view it as a religious conflict. A memorandum recently submitted to India's Home Minister Amit Shah by 10 Kuki-Zomi legislators from Manipur highlights the dire situation. The legislators expressed deep-seated mistrust that the tribals harbor toward the Manipur government, necessitating a separate administrative body for Kuki-Zo-dominated districts. Ethnic tensions have persisted in northeast India for several decades. However, they have primarily been of an ethnic nature. As Imphal Valley and Churachandpur once bustling areas now resemble ghost towns, their deserted homes and streets scarred by recent violence, the federal force, Assam Rifles, and India's military seem to be providing impartial protection to both communities. It is hoped that the state government, too, will respond judiciously and professionally. If not, the conflict could become even more complex with religion becoming an additional factor. SPLC labels moms group concerned about kids' education as 'extremist' hate group, akin to the KKK The Southern Poverty Law Center is facing criticism for listing the parental rights group Moms for Liberty on its hate map alongside the infamous Ku Klux Klan white supremacist group. The left-leaning activist organization compared Moms for Libertys message of parental rights and family values to organizations that opposed desegregating schools during the U.S. civil rights era. SPLC also likened the parental rights group to the Moral Majority that advocated for Christian prayer in schools and against homosexuality. SPLC accused Moms for Liberty of being at the forefront of the mobilization of hard-right attacks against schools, noting that such groups appeared to gain momentum due to the pandemic-related school closures. But they have grown into an anti-student inclusion movement that targets any inclusive curriculum that contains discussions of race, discrimination and LGBTQ identities, the report noted. Moms for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich told The Christian Post in a Monday statement that the groups goal is to help parents be a part of their childrens education, a mission that began two years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide school lockdowns prompted some parents to withdraw their children from public school, feeling as if remote learning measures were harmful to their childs education. Empowering parents continues to be our mission today and that has fueled our organizations growth like wildfire to now 45 states in the country, the organizations co-founders stated. Name-calling parents who want to be a part of their childs education as hate groups or bigoted just further exposes what this battle is all about: Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school parents or government employees? they continued. We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that. SPLCs list includes 1,225 organizations, labeling 523 of them as so-called hate groups and 702 as antigovernment extremist groups. The list of hate groups included 230 Moms for Liberty chapters and 12 chapters of another parental rights group, Parents Defending Education. Another group included on SPLCs hate group list is the Family Research Council, a faith-based think tank that advocates for traditional family values. FRC President Tony Perkins said in a statement shared with CP earlier this month that SPLCs hat map is dangerous and wrong, citing a 2012 shooting at the FRC headquarters by a gunman who was inspired by the SPLC hate map. The suspect attacked the FRC building after SPLC included the conservative family-values think-tank on its list of anti-gay organizations. It is a cloaked attempt by the SPLC to intimidate and silence anyone who holds to a biblical worldview or advocates for conservative principles, Perkins said about SPLCs hate map. Yet somehow, the SPLC is still viewed as a legitimate source of information and analysis by the mainstream media and even government agencies. In 2018, the SPLC was forced to issue a formal apology to British social commentator Maajid Nawaz, a former Islamist revolutionary group member who was deradicalized, and his Quilliam Foundation for listing them on its hate map. The SPLC paid Nawaz $3.3 million in a settlement for falsely claiming that he and Quilliam were an anti-Muslim group. SPLCs branding of parental rights organizations as hate groups comes amid multiple instances of parents objecting to the curriculum at their children's schools that has garnered media attention. As CP reported last month, a group of parents filed a lawsuit against members of the Montgomery County Board of Education and Montgomery County Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight. The complaint alleged that the school district barred parents from opting their children out of classroom instruction that includes LGBT-themed books. They (the parents) come from many faith backgrounds, including diverse strands of Islam and Christianity. Their concerns reflect those of thousands of other Montgomery County parents from a variety of faiths and political persuasions, the lawsuit stated. In September 2021, the parent of a student in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia read aloud sexually explicit material and shared graphic images featured in two books available in the districts high school libraries at a school board meeting. The mother read aloud from one of the books, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe: I cant wait to have your c--- in my mouth. I am going to give you the b------ of your life and then I want you inside me. She also read an excerpt from another book, Lawn Boy, which has a section promoting pedophilia by depicting an underage boy performing fellatio on an older man, which is a depiction of illegal child sexual assault. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation last month into another Virginia-based school district, Loudoun County Public Schools. A letter by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights by America First Legal Foundation (AFLF) in January had raised concerns about the districts handling of two separate claims of sexual assault carried out by the same male student in 2021. As CP previously reported in December, a special grand jury indicted former LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler and the school system's public information officer Wayde Byard following an investigation that found the district lied to parents about the alleged sexual assaults. The indictment came after the Loudoun County School Board voted to fire Ziegler following the grand jury reports conclusion that district leaders were "looking out for their own best interests" in their responses to the sexual assaults. During a June 2021 school board meeting, Ziegler told parents concerned about a transgender bathroom policy that would allow students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms that "we don't have any records of assaults occurring in our restrooms." The grand jury wrote in the report that the superintendents statement was a "bald-faced lie." The board ultimately approved Policy 8040 in August 2021, three months after the first sexual assault incident. Blasphemy then and now: God-man vs. man-god Then I was growing up in England in the 70s and 80s, Monty Python infused my childhood and youth. The TV series decisively shaped my sense of humor. At age 14, I attended a talk by Monty Python creator Terry Jones on Chaucers Canterbury Tales. His display of wit, broad learning, and love of engaging big ideas left me with a lasting desire to teach and to write. And Monty Pythons "The Meaning of Life" was the only movie I ever sneaked in to see while underage. Python defined a certain generation of English schoolboys, of which I am one. The Pythons were always controversial, however, because, like all great comedians, they mocked the powerful and the complacent, whether it was the landed gentry, the politicians of the day, or simply the pompous and self-important. And of course, they mocked religion in the infamous movie "The Life of Brian." The film was set in the first century, and its comic schtick depended upon the constant confusion between Jesus Christ and an ordinary bloke, Brian, who happened to have a somewhat parallel life. The most notorious scene, at least when the film was launched, was the crucifixion, where Brian hangs on the cross and sings Always look on the bright side of life. At the time, Christians in the United Kingdom protested the movie's overt mockery of Christianity. And it was undoubtedly blasphemous. But that was over 40 years ago. It is therefore both a little surprising and very instructive that the movie has been back in the headlines recently, again for blasphemy. Yes, it is still blasphemous. But this time the offending content speaks eloquently of the changes that have taken place in Western culture over the decades since the film's release. Some weeks ago, John Cleese, one of the film's stars, announced that he was working on a stage adaptation of "Life of Brian." He came under huge pressure from significant and influential members of the artistic community to omit a certain scene from the production, but refused to cut it. In the scene in question, a man named Stan claims to be a woman called Loretta and expresses the desire and demands the right to have a baby. Anyone watching the scene today can see the contemporary madness of our current trans moment being played out in all of its self-evident incoherence and contradictions. Humankind cannot bear very much reality, as T. S. Eliot opined, and that seems especially true of the progressive political class and its commissars among the creative types. In 1979, the scene was a cause for laughter. Collective madness today makes it a cause for lamentation. The incident is significant in at least two ways. First, it is a sign of how comedy has lost its way. Comedy is traditionally a means by which the weak can check the power of the powerful by pointing to their vanity, self-regard, and absurdities. So Aristophanes mocked the Athenian rulers of his day as later Erasmus and Luther used humor to prick the pretensions of the Renaissance papacy. Yet things have a tendency over time to turn into their opposites. Technology promised liberation from fear by allowing us to control nature but then delivered the Holocaust and the nuclear bomb. The internet aspired to democratize information but then fostered ideological silos where individuals can happily avoid being challenged by any views with which they disagree. And comedy, predicated on offering a healthy check to the powerful, has ironically become a tool of the powerful by which they can keep dissenters disempowered and on the margins. Anyone who can steel themselves to sit through a late-night talk show or an episode of Saturday Night Live knows that today the jokes are designed to affirm the bien-pensant audiences belief in the superiority of their progressive political views and not to challenge them to see the ridiculous elements of their own beliefs. The scene with Loretta in The Life of Brian is offensive because it does exactly that. And in a world where comedy is part of the culture industry, that is completely unacceptable. There is a reason why totalitarian states have never liked comedians and it has nothing to do with the poverty of their punchlines. Quite the opposite. But this incident does not simply reveal how members of the artistic class have assimilated their craft to the political tastes of the day, to the point where they are trying to castrate comedy of any contrarian social potency. It also reveals what is and what is not sacred to the officer class of today. The original movie was controversial because it mocked the God-man, the central truth of the Christian faith. Now it is controversial because it mocks the man-god, the central truth of our contemporary world. That it is Loretta, not Brian, who is now the most offensive character in the story is indicative of a sea-change in our cultural understanding of what is holy and what laws must therefore not be transgressed. Opponents of blasphemy then and of blasphemy now share something in common: a concern to protect that which is sacred. But that is where the similarity begins and ends. Old-style blasphemy involved desecrating God because it was God who was sacred. Todays blasphemy involves suggesting that man is not all-powerful, that he cannot create himself in any way he chooses, that he is subject to limits beyond his choice and beyond his control. That such blasphemy is obviously and undeniably true does not make it less offensive to the modern secular priests and priestesses whose power depends upon guarding our culture from reality. Ironically, John Cleese has now been indicted for blasphemy under both regimes. Regardless of where one stands on the merits of Life of Brian, his constant state of disfavor would perhaps suggest that he is actually an exceptionally competent comedian. Originally published at First Things. Calls for end to 'pills by post' abortion service after woman jailed There have been calls for the "dangerous" 'pills-by-post' abortion scheme to end after a woman was jailed for using the service when she was over the legal time limit. Carla Foster, 44, was sentenced to over two years in prison after she acquired pills from an abortion provider and used them to abort her unborn baby when she was between 32 and 34 weeks into the pregnancy. Abortions can be carried out legally in the UK up to 24 weeks. The pills by post service was launched during lockdown to allow women to access abortion pills and carry out their own abortions at home up to the tenth week of their pregnancy, following an e-consultation. Commenting on the verdict, Christian advocacy group CARE said that the pills by post scheme is "harming women" and that current rules make it "hard to determine gestation and spot the signs of coercion". It is urging the government to resist calls from some campaigners to decriminalise abortion and "instead work towards a society where both mothers and babies are cherished and protected". A spokeswoman for CARE said: "This tragic case underlines the dangers of the 'pills-by-post' scheme introduced during the pandemic, and still in force today. "Hundreds of doctors and charities including CARE warned that the approach makes it hard to determine gestation and spot the signs of coercion. "This dangerous scheme must be revoked now." She continued, "We recognise the emotional trauma and difficulty Ms Foster was facing. The government and healthcare providers should have been supporting mothers in her position, ensuring that they had access even in a pandemic to proper information and support so that abortion was not seen as the only option." Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said, "The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion. "Now a child has died and the mother lives with the terrible consequences. This should never have happened and would never have happened without the abortion industry's pet policies. "The government should urgently turn back the clock and end this disastrous policy of cheap, convenient, pills by post abortions." Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that Ms Foster took the pills between 32 and 34 weeks into her pregnancy. Concerns over new mandatory sex and relationships lessons in Northern Ireland The UK government is moving ahead with plans to introduce a new mandatory curriculum on sex and abortion in Northern Ireland. The plans were announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. The Northern Ireland Office said, "The regulations, in practice, will result in educating adolescents on issues such as how to prevent a pregnancy, the legal right to an abortion in Northern Ireland, and how relevant services may be accessed." It added, "This should be done in a factual way that does not advocate, nor oppose, a particular view on the moral and ethical considerations of abortion or contraception." Rebecca Stevenson, Policy Officer at CARE NI, a Christian social policy charity, accused Westminster of a "cultural imposition" of its values on Northern Ireland. "The people of Northern Ireland deserve more respect for their own traditions, culture and religious beliefs and should be left to make their own decisions on sensitive issues," she said. She called on the government to ensure that parents have the right to withdraw their children from the lessons and spoke of her concern that the regulations will leave Christian teachers and schools at risk of being criminalised. "It's saddening to see yet more Westminster overreach into NI and particularly regarding education on sex and relationships, and abortion," she said. "Education is a devolved area, and there are important cultural and religious considerations that make the existing settlement preferable." She continued, "We urge the government to ensure that there is a clear, unilateral right of withdrawal from new curriculum teaching. Christian parents, and others in NI, who have a conscientious objection to aspects of the curriculum must be free to withdraw their children from lessons. "The right of teachers who have a Christian faith must also be respected. At present, schools cannot compel a member of staff to take part in lessons that they conscientiously object to. This may be an issue in lessons on abortion, and teachers in this category must be accommodated." Pro-life campaign group, Precious Life, has also condemned the plans. It said, "Not content with 4136 babies already killed in Northern Ireland, the Westminster Government want even more babies killed by promoting abortion to school children. "Precious Life's 'Schools Outreach Teams' and 'Street Outreach Teams' will step up their awareness campaigns to give young people the truth - that abortion hurts women and kills babies." The AP's institutionalized betrayal of journalism and the truth (CP) The Associated Press is an agent of pernicious deceit, and while that is not entirely new, their latest advice is a smarmy clinic in gaslighting dressed up as objectivity. As sparkly June rainbows bedazzle everything from top to bottom, reporters on the transgender beat are now formally told to not only use "preferred pronouns" as a matter of courtesy, as has been the case for years, but also "not use the term transgenderism, which frames transgender identity as an ideology," according to the new Transgender Coverage Topical Guide from the AP. It should be noted here that the AP Style Guide is widely considered the gold standard of journalistic rules and decorum in the United States. Journalists should likewise not use phrases such as "birth gender" or refer to a trans-identified person as having been born a boy or girl, the AP says. Instead, "sex assigned at birth" is the correct phrasing because sex is usually assigned at birth "by parents or attendants, sometimes inaccurately." What about those publications that dare to examine the risks of chemical puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and trans surgeries on minors? Pay no attention to "opponents of youth transgender medical treatment," the AP cautions, because those outlets routinely cite "widely discredited research." One wonders what the AP might now say to Sweden, England, France, Finland, and, very recently, Australia, all of which have begun backpedaling to varying degrees, or are implementing restrictions on these interventions after their health authorities and prominent hospitals have conducted scientific literature reviews and revisited the empirical evidence for these experimental practices. Indeed, with every passing day, the breadth of the ideological capture of professions and institutions is seen more clearly. The worst, in my view, is the press which, in ideal circumstances, should present information to the public in an even-handed, non-partisan manner. But with the latest AP Style Guide's advice, they have further solidified their role as a protective phalanx around what many call the gender industry, which profits handsomely from these medical experiments. Or am I also not allowed to frame this as an "industry" either, AP? Unsurprisingly, notably missing from the AP's new guide is advice on how to report on detransitioners, whose numbers continue to rise. Such people, many of whom were harmed as minors, are increasingly speaking out about the irreversible damage to their bodies and relational havoc that transgenderism wreaked on their lives. But trans activists insist that such people are extremely rare so they do not warrant any guidance from the AP, we can presume. Assaulting language like this is so egregious because it inexorably assaults epistemology how we know what we know. Journalists following the new AP guidelines on this subject do the public a tremendous disservice because it forces readers to think in murky, convoluted categories and function behind an epistemological wall of distortion. It posits that physical reality is not knowable and presents postmodern word salad and fantastical theories as neutral, brute facts. Yet it appears that because a remnant of writers will not stop asking questions about this "ism" that we are supposed to believe is a biologically-wired personal identity the AP is compelled to advise that even the word "transgenderism" is completely off-limits. This shows that the critics of the ideology are over the target. The AP seems to realize that some people have basically said: "OK, fine, we won't even discuss 'trans' people at all, we will just explore what they say and debate the underlying ideas." But as soon as the ideas (the ism) are examined, the utter absurdity of gender identity ideology is exposed and its claims unravel, and thus the only fix, for those setting the rules, is to insist that discussing the ideology is also uncouth journalism. Upon reading the section of the AP guide that urged avoiding using words that convey biological meaning (like boy or girl) since sex might be inaccurately "assigned," it occurred to me how similar such advice was to the tactics of gender clinicians in medical settings. A detrans man from California told me over three years ago when I interviewed him how his doctors never used biological terms for his anatomy during his appointments. The language manipulation was so extensive and deep that he genuinely believed that when the gender clinicians proposed a surgery he thought it would only entail the removal of a piece of his body that produces the testosterone. They never said "testicle" so he was led to think that a tiny bit of tissue, not the entire organ, would be cut out. He agreed to undergo the procedure. A few weeks later they castrated him. That language manipulation yielded miserable consequences. It was not long before he was consumed with postoperative regret and suicidal ideation. Severe health problems ensued due to hormonal dysregulation and, when he finally attempted to have sexual relations, he wound up ejaculating blood. I also thought of a father named Bill, who was profiled in the recent indie documentary Dead Name. Upon his cancer-stricken son Sean's declaration that he was trans, Bill was uncertain about the risks of the "gender-affirmative" treatment protocol and began inquiring of the medical professionals advising Sean. Since he wasn't immediately and unquestionably ready to proceed with the medicalization, he recalled how the psychiatrist at the hospital turned around and called him "an unsupportive, abusive father." Aware of how synthetic cross-sex hormones might exacerbate his son's cancer and hasten his demise, the desperate dad stresses in the film: "I was just trying to keep him alive." But in the trans world, simply asking honest, life-and-death questions and expressing concern, as some determined journalists still try to do in their reporting, is "abusive." Everything, it seems, is furiously inverted. I've heard some say that the word "gaslighting" is being overused in this culture of constant social chaos. Be that as it may, its dictionary definition is "manipulating someone using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning." Is there a more effective mode of psychological manipulation than causing someone to question their sanity and reasoning powers by telling them, now with the AP's official endorsement, that a boy is a "she" and a girl? That all of a sudden, it turns out, some words mean the opposite of what they have always meant for all of time? That alone is crazy-making. Moreover, reasoning powers do not even exist without a common frame of reference and language with agreed-upon definitions of words. Domestic abusers that employ these and other similar tactics often explode in rage when they realize that the person on the receiving end of their manipulations is keenly aware of how they are being played. Such abusers cannot stand it when those whom they are trying to deceive and mistreat reply with a calm, resolute "no." Consider that one small word my response to the latest AP Style Guide. The Christian Post Vatican court sentences eco-activists to prison for damaging art Two environmental activists have been found guilty of vandalism for gluing themselves to a statue in the Vatican Museums. In the conclusion of the much-talked-about trial on Monday, Vatican judges sentenced the activists to nine months in prison and charged them a 1,500 euro fine with a suspended sentence of five years. Guido Viero, 61, and Ester Goffi, 26, glued themselves to the statue of "Laocoon and His Sons," in the famed Vatican Museums last summer. A third activist, Laura Zorzini, filmed the other two in action with her phone. Zorzini was sentenced to pay a 120 euro fine. Vatican City only has three prison cells, and its courts rarely sentence individuals to jail. The activists belong to the environmentalist group Ultima Generazione, "Last Generation," which has become famous in Italy in recent years for drawing attention to the climate crisis through acts of vandalism targeting the country's famed historical sites. "Nine months of jail for one gram of glue," Ultima Generazione commented on Twitter. "An exaggerated sentence, which doesn't want to recognize the drama of the situation that pushed to protest." The activists will also have to pay a 120 euro fine for trespassing. Viero and Goffi will have to compensate the Vatican City State for the damage done to the statue for a total of 28,148 euros. The judges decided the offense will not be added to the Vatican's criminal records unless the eco-activists transgress again. Speaking to RNS on the day of the second trial hearing on May 24, Last Generation activists said they hoped Pope Francis would intercede for Goffi and Viero. "He is more radical than we are," said Tommaso Juhasz, a member of the Last Generation. "If one reads 'Laudato Si' and what it says and what it demands, it's much more radical than we are," he added, referencing Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical promoting the care for the environment and the need for nations to come together to fight climate change. Last Generation declined to comment by the time this article was published. Religion News Service Wife of missing pastor takes Malaysian government to court The wife of a pastor who was abducted in 2017 has begun a civil case against the Malaysian government and police force in a bid to uncover the truth. Pastor Raymond Koh has not been seen since he was abducted in broad daylight in February 2017 by a group of 15 masked assailants in blacked-out SUVs. They surrounded his car before taking off with him. Following an investigation, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) concluded in 2019 that Koh had been abducted by the Special Branch of Malaysia's Police Department. The government then launched a taskforce into his abduction and was supposed to release the findings in 2019 but the report has never been published. His wife, Susanna Koh, believes that the government and police are hiding the truth about what happened to him. As part of her civil case, she wants the government to publish its findings into his disappearance. The first hearing in her civil case was held at the High Court last week and included testimonies from witnesses of the abduction. "I feel vindicated that we have been able to come so far and that our story is being heard. We are hopeful that we can get the justice that we want," she told Open Doors, which has been supporting her. Koh's family believe his abduction is linked to his work with his charity, Harapan Komuni - meaning 'Hope Community' - which works with drug addicts, homeless people, single parents, and people suffering from HIV and AIDS. "[There were] allegations that he was converting Muslims through the NGO that he set up ... but there is no evidence of it," said Susanna Koh. Hearings into the case will resume at the High Court on 20 June. Susanna's lawyer, Datuk Gerald Gomez said: "I believe, sooner or later, the truth will come out in one way or another. "Even if Raymond is martyred, he is with God and is in a better place. But if he is still alive then, I want to do all I can to get him out. I have had dreams and believe that one of these days soon, we will meet him again." Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Consultanta nationala pentru servicii de printare-editare a suporturilor didactice pentru cadre didactice si parintii cu copii mici refugiati din Ucraina. Centrul National pentru Educatie Timpurie si Informare a Familei (CNETIF) Asociatia Techsoup lanseaza Meet and Code 2023: programul dezvolta competente digitale pentru zeci de mii de copii. ONG-urile moldovenesti sunt incurajate sa aplice pentru granturi Campaigners have urged Girlguidings management team to reconsider plans to close five activity centres across the UK and suggested it should sell its central London headquarters instead. The letter by the Save our Centres campaign group , which has received over 1,800 signatures at the time of writing, also criticises the charitys recent announcement to end its British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) operations. A spokesperson from Girlguiding told Civil Society it is consulting staff who may be affected by the recommendations and plans to make an announcement in August on the outcome of the consultation. Meanwhile, two other petitions calling on the trustee board to reconsider the plans have reached over 44,000 signatures altogether. There are over 28,000 signatures on the petition against the closure of the five activity centres and more than 16,000 on a petition against ending BGO operations. Open letter challenges board recommendations The open letter writes that it does not accept the trustee board's recommendations which include the sale of five Girlguiding centres and the associated redundancies implied. It requests further clarification on some of the financial challenges facing the charity and presents a counter-proposal of selling its Buckingham Palace Road headquarters. The letter suggests using a significant fraction of the proceeds to fully renovate the centres to modern standards, adding new facilities where needed, to enable operation at their full potential and capacity, providing unrivalled guiding experiences for our young members. It also suggests the charity considers selling its London-based ICANDO activity centre and other offices in the capital or launches a substantial collective fundraising effort. The letter calls for an extraordinary general meeting where proposals can be discussed further before any final decisions are made. This decision is simply too large and long-lasting for the trustees and council to take independently from the wider community, it reads. Volunteer Girlguiding leaders to hold overnight vigil Girlguiding volunteers from around the country and overseas are set to host an overnight vigil at the charitys Buckingham Palace Road headquarters at the weekend. The candle-lit vigil is set to begin at 6pm on 16 June and end at 6am on the following day, to coincide with Girlguidings next annual general meeting. MPs have backed the campaigners in their hope to persuade trustees to reconsider the proposals. Conservative MP Nigel Evans spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire about the trustees suggestion to close the centres. He said: What are they going to spend the money on? Laptops so they can sit at home on their couches? This is a core belief of the Girlguides that theyre meddling with. They havent put forward any credible alternative. Commenting on the Save Our Centres campaign, he said: I believe that the campaign is just going to gather steam, to be honest. Ive not spoken to one person who thinks that its a good idea. Mims Davies, Conservative MP for Mid Sussex, said on BBC Politics South East: I really hope and urge them to think again, work with their colleagues, because Ive been there with birthday parties weve got businesses that are connected to the site here in Sussex that run outdoor adventures here its a really serious concern for my constituents and our young people. Their wellbeing, and getting outside, has never been more important. Girlguiding response Girlguiding told Civil Society it was not able to respond to the open letter or vigil directly due to its ongoing consultation with members. The charity referred us to its previous statement: Recently, the board of trustees have considered the future of British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) and the five activity centres Girlguiding owns - Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain. The board of trustees has decided to change how Girlguiding UK operates overseas and end organised guiding run by Girlguiding UK in these countries and territories from 1 September 2023. Further discussions are now taking place about how girls overseas might be involved in guiding in the future. Girlguiding is working with volunteers to support and provide information and guidance on the options available for girls. Further, following a comprehensive review, the board of trustees have made the recommendation to sell the five activity centres Girlguiding UK owns. Under the proposal, the five centres will keep operating until 31 December 2023. Girlguiding is now in a period of consultation with staff who may be affected by any implementation of this recommendation. Girlguiding is unable to comment further during this time. Whatever the outcome of this process, adventure is everywhere in Girlguiding and we remain committed to giving all girls opportunities to experience adventure within their units, near their home, and in other locations and facilities. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, In 2015, when Geoffroy Lejeune was a twenty-seven-year-old political writer at Valeurs Actuelles, a hard-right French magazine, he wrote a novel imagining the successful French presidential campaign of an unlikely candidate: Eric Zemmour, a (very real) far-right journalist. Promoting the book, Lejeune insisted that although the novel was fictional, its premise was plausible. If Zemmour ran, Lejeune said, it wouldnt be a fiasco. Last year, life imitated art. Zemmour, convicted several times of hate speech against Muslims and migrants, ran for president. His campaign attracted enormous media interest, not least from Valeurs Actuelles, now led by Lejeune; Zemmour was on the cover seven times. Unlike in Lejeunes novel, however, Zemmour did not win. He finished fourth, with 7 percent of the votenot a fiasco for a political outsider, but a weaker showing than the early hype prefigured. Fast-forward a year. Lejeune appears to be on his way out as editor in chief of Valeurs Actuelles, with his coverage of Zemmour reportedly to blame, at least in part. Alexis Levrier, a French media-watcher and historian, told me that Lejeune is seen as so connected to Zemmour that Zemmours defeat has ricocheted onto Lejeune. According to Le Monde, Lejeune was suspended following a confrontation with Jean-Louis Valentina former local official from the traditional center-right Republican party, who was recently appointed to lead the parent company of Valeurs Actuelles. When Valentin showed up to an editorial meeting, Lejeune reportedly shouted words along the lines of This is my newsroomyou have no business here. Get out! The blow-up came amid broader tensions between Lejeune and the owners of Valeurs Actuellesled by Iskandar Safa, a Franco-Lebanese naval-construction magnatewho reportedly believe that Lejeune has dragged the publication too far right and too close to Zemmour in particular. Valentin was brought in to reverse that shift. (Lejeune was scheduled to meet yesterday with bosses to start a process that, per Le Monde, is expected to lead to his departure. Neither he nor Valeurs Actuelles returned my requests for comment.) French media-watchers, including those I spoke to, suspect that managements turn against Lejeune derives not from any principled political stand but from financial considerations. Since the publications focus turned to Zemmours campaign, sales have fallen. Whatever the motivations, the situation points to an interesting dynamic on the French far right, which has grown dramatically in influence and popularity; Zemmour may have flopped in last years election, but his rival Marine Le Pen made the runoff and scored more than 40 percent of the vote. In some ways, the drama at Valeurs Actuelles illuminates factional sparring: leading voices at Valeurs Actuelles have long accused Le Pen of moving too far left on the economy (Zemmour is a fiscal conservative); Lejeune, for his part, is personally close to Marion Marechal, Le Pens niece, who broke with her aunt and backed Zemmour last year. (Lejeune has denied that their friendship influenced his coverage.) More importantly, the drama underscores just how successful these different factions have been at planting shared culture-war ideas in the pressnot just in right-leaning outlets, but in mainstream ones, too. Valeurs Actuelles was founded in 1966 as a magazine of the conservative right. It positioned itself as part of the mainstream, though it dallied with extremes. Lucien Rebateta virulent anti-Semite who received the death penalty for collaborating with Nazis during World War II, then had his sentence commutedwrote film reviews under a pseudonym in the magazines early years. A decade ago, the magazine started running incendiary covers: One referred to the countrys Roma population as an overdose. Another depicted Marianne, a character who personifies the French republic, wearing a Muslim veil. Both covers earned the magazine convictions for inciting hatred. As Valeurs Actuelles grew in notoriety, it also grew in popularity, steering and riding a right-wing backlash to the Socialist government of Francois Hollande. Yves de Kerdrel, the editor during that period, was, oddly enough, close to Emmanuel Macron, who was a centrist minister under Hollande. In the second half of the 2010s, de Kerdrel left, and Valeurs Actuelles was taken over by a new generation of committed right-wing reactionaries, including Lejeune. In a 2020 headline, Le Monde described them as young wolves. Ostensibly, they were brought in to tone down the vitriol, but the magazine continued to splash hard-right tropes, not least in a cover describing George Soros as the billionaire who is conspiring against France. In 2020, Valeurs Actuelles ran an illustration depicting Daniele Obono, a left-wing lawmaker who was born in Gabon, as a slave with an iron chain around her neck. Afterward, editors acknowledged that they had gone too far but maintained that the drawing was not racist, claiming that their intention had been to criticize Obono and other indigenists for ignoring African complicity in the slave trade. French courts disagreed, ruling that the magazine had committed public injury of a racist nature. Sign up for CJR 's daily email During the same years, mainstream political figures increasingly engaged with Valeurs Actuelles. Whereas, during the Hollande era, officials were routinely mocked on the magazines coversone referred to Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, an education minister, as the Ayatollahonce Macron became president, some of his ministers posed willingly. At one point, Macron invited Valeurs Actuelles journalists to an event conferring the Legion dhonneur onto Michel Houellebecq, a French author who has been accused of racism, misogyny, and Islamophobia. Later, Macron sat for an interview with Louis de Raguenel, a reporter at the magazine, and expounded at uncommon length on Islam and immigration. Macron, accused of sanitizing a far-right publication, told critics that he was merely trying to meet voters where they are. Maybe so, but as commentators also pointed out, in picking Valeurs Actuelles over more traditional-right newspapers and magazines, Macron signaled that he sees the far-right camp as his primary adversary. While mainstream politicians engaged with Valeurs Actuelles, so did mainstream news organizations. In 2020, Europe 1, a radio station, named de Raguenel as the head of its political service; his appointment was met with a staff revolt over his affiliations and lack of experience. Lejeune and other leading figures at Valeurs Actuelles became fixtures on radio and TV talk shows. LCI, a TV news channel, severed its ties with Lejeune following the Obono scandalWe make television built on respectful debate, the channels CEO said, not opinion TVbut he continued to appear regularly elsewhere, not least on CNews, a network that has been called the French Fox. Even as major French outlets have heaped attention on Valeurs Actuelles, they have often struggled to pinpoint its ideological position. Jean-Yves Camus, a prominent expert on the far right, told me that he wouldnt apply the label far right (extreme droite) to Valeurs Actuelles; the magazines mission, he said, is to unite different rightward factions, from the center-right through Le Pens party to Zemmour. In moving to oust Lejeune, the owners of Valeurs Actuelles are reportedly hoping to return to that rolethe latest in a series of efforts to broaden the magazines political and commercial appeal. (They were reportedly close to sacking Lejeune last year, only for Lejeune to rally the newsroom, and the magazines readers, around himthe latter via an online appeal claiming that the publication was under attack from the left.) It must be noted, though, that in recent years the entire French right has moved in a radical direction. The traditional center-right has effectively been sidelined, or co-opted by Macron, and even relatively moderate conservatives now hew to culture-war talking points on Islam, identity, and immigration. Zemmour may have lostand Lejeune may be looking for a jobbut they have undoubtedly succeeded in changing the terms of the debate. Even without Lejeune, Valeurs Actuelles is unlikely to stop hammering far-right themes. Zemmour and his ilk have won a media battle, Levrier told me. They have succeeded in imposing a far-right vocabulary and imaginary. And that victory is total. Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. PHILADELPHIA (AP) Drivers began longer commutes Monday after an elevated section of Interstate 95 collapsed in Philadelphia a day earlier following damage caused by a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo catching fire. Sundays fire closed a heavily traveled segment of the East Coasts main north- south highway indefinitely. Newscasts warned of traffic nightmares and gave advice on detours, urging drivers to take more time to travel. This is really going to have a ripple effect throughout the region, AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said Monday. She advised people to avoid peak travel times. Tidwell also anticipated that drivers will incur additional costs more gasoline, more wear and tear on their cars, additional tolls, in terms of leaving Pennsylvania into New Jersey and then back into Pennsylvania. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said it was operating three extra morning and late afternoon trains on its Trenton, New Jersey, line, and adding capacity to regularly scheduled lines during peak hours to help support the city and regions travel needs following the collapse. Transportation officials warned of extensive delays and street closures and urged drivers to avoid the area in the citys northeast corner. Officials said the tanker contained a petroleum product that may have been hundreds of gallons (hundreds of liters) of gasoline. The fire took about an hour to get under control. The northbound lanes of I-95 were gone and the southbound lanes were compromised by heat from the fire, said Derek Bowmer, battalion chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Runoff from the fire or perhaps broken gas lines caused explosions underground, he added. Some kind of crash happened on a ramp underneath northbound I-95 around 6:15 a.m. , said state Transportation Department spokesman Brad Rudolph, and the northbound section above the fire collapsed quickly. A massive concrete slab fell from I-95 onto the road below. Gov. Josh Shapiro said his flight over the area showed just remarkable devastation. I found myself thanking the Lord that no motorists who were on I-95 were injured or died, he said. The collapsed section of I-95 was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said. Motorists were sent on a 43-mile (69-kilometer) detour Sunday, which was going better than it would do on a weekday, Rudolph said. The fact that the collapse happened on a Sunday helped ease congestion. Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll said the I-95 segment carries roughly 160,000 vehicles per day and was likely the busiest interstate in Pennsylvania. Shapiro said he had been spoken directly to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and had been assured that there would be absolutely no delay in getting federal funds quickly to rebuild what he called a critical roadway as safely and efficiently as possible. But Shapiro he said the complete rebuild of I-95 would take some number of months, and in the meantime officials were looking at interim solutions to connect both sides of I-95 to get traffic through the area. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to investigate the fire and collapse. Officials were also concerned about the environmental effects of runoff into the nearby Delaware River. After a sheen was seen in the Delaware River near the collapse site, the Coast Guard deployed a boom to contain the material. Ensign Josh Ledoux said the tanker had a capacity of 8,500 gallons (32,176 liters), but the contents did not appear to be spreading into the environment. The fire was strikingly similar to another blaze in Philadelphia in March 1996, when an illegal tire dump under I-95 caught fire, melting guard rails and buckling the pavement. Associated Press writers Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Jake Offenhartz in New York, and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The driver of a bus was charged Monday after the vehicle carrying wedding guests rolled over on a foggy night in Australias wine country, killing 10 people and injuring 25 in the nations most deadly road accident in almost 30 years, police said. Brett Button has been in custody since the accident Sunday night and will appear in court on Tuesday on multiple charges of dangerous and negligent driving, a police statement said. It was Australias most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38. Sundays crash happened just after 11:30 p.m. in foggy conditions at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive in the town of Greta in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales state north of Sydney. The guests had attended a wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery and were heading to their accommodations in the town of Singleton, Chapman said. One guest told Seven News it had been a nice day and a fairytale wedding. A motorist who drove past the crash scene, identified by Australian Broadcasting Corp. only as Alison, said the fog was so heavy she could not make out the colors of the flashing lights of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. The fog was terrible, she told the ABC. You could barely see in front of you. Of the 25 people injured, one was in critical condition and several others remained in hospitals, the state government said. The conditions of the others were described as stable. Police had said 18 passengers escaped injury. But they later said there were only 36 people on the bus: the 10 dead, the 25 injured and the driver. The 18 were the least seriously injured among the passengers taken to hospitals. Police Commissioner Karen Webb said investigators have not yet determined what caused the bus to roll on its side. The cause may not be known for some time. It will require scientific examination, Webb told reporters. Whether passengers were wearing seatbelts also will come under scrutiny, Webb said. Chapman said rescuers smashed the front window to remove people from the wrecked bus. Linq Buslines, which provides school bus and event charters, owned the bus involved in the crash, media reported. Its website says all its buses are equipped with seatbelts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked first responders and offered government support to victims and their families, saying the mental scars of this will not go away. For a joyous day like that, in a beautiful place, to end with such terrible loss of life and injury is so cruel and so sad and so unfair, Albanese told reporters. People hire a bus for weddings in order to keep their guests safe. And that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy, he said. Jay Suvaal, the mayor of Cessnock, said the crash was truly horrific. We are a major wedding and tourist destination in the Hunter Valley, and so there will be people from all over the state and the country that have been to these areas and have probably done similar things, he said. I think it will send shock waves right through the broader community. Greta is in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine region, a picturesque area dotted with vineyards and restaurants. It was the first wine region established in Australia. The wedding was in the middle of a long weekend, with Monday a public holiday across most Australian states. Perry reported from Wellington, New Zealand. Top photo: Police inspect underneath a bus that rolled onto its side near Greta in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, Australia, Monday, June 12, 2023. The bus carrying wedding guests rolled over on a foggy night in Australias wine country, killing and injuring multiple people, police said. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CAIRO (AP) Three British nationals who went missing after a scuba diving boat they were cruising in caught fire in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast have died, a U.K.-based tour operator said Monday, Egyptian authorities said the three went missing when a medium-sized scuba vessel named Hurricane went up in flames off the southern Red Sea resort town of Marsa Alam on Sunday. The blaze was caused by an electrical short circuit in the boats engine room, they said. We must accept that three of our much-valued dive guests, who had not participated in the dive briefing early on the morning of June 11, perished in the tragic incident, the U.K.-based Scuba Travel said in a short statement. The company did not say how it determined the three are dead and Egyptian authorities have said only that they are missing. Scuba Travel has not identified the three. Twelve other British divers and 14 Egyptian crew members were evacuated Sunday morning from the vessel in a rescue operation near the Elphinstone Reef, Scuba Travel said in a short statement. All 15 tourists were qualified divers on a weeklong cruise, it said. At the time the fire broke out 12 divers were participating in a briefing on board, while those missing had apparently decided not to dive that morning, the statement said. Scuba Travel spokesperson Pat Adamson told The Associated Press that the tour operator was unable to provide any details about where the three guests were when the fire broke out at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday or the location of the bodies. However, he said it was normal for guests to opt out of early morning dives during week-long trips. Adamson said the tour company has not received any confirmation from Egyptian authorities that an investigation team has boarded the boat. The company is waiting for a full investigation. Egypts Red Sea coastline has some of the countrys most renowned beach destinations and are popular with European holiday goers. It has cemented its reputation as a dive destination with easy access to coral reefs from shores and dive sites offering diverse marine life. In recent years, Egypt has gone to great lengths to bolster its tourism industry, hurt by years of political instability, COVID-19 and the negative economic effect of the war in Ukraine. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- The city will pay American Fireworks in Hudson $36,000 a year over the next three years for annual Home Days and Christmas celebration fireworks displays. The price is 9 percent higher than what the city paid under the previous contract with American Fireworks. Also, the Christmas display will be shortened from 20 minutes to 15 minutes under the new agreement. The Home Days show will remain 20 minutes long. American Fireworks has certainly shown over these past eight years when weve worked with them that they can choreograph and deliver very, very good shows, in any budget ... that we are looking to stay within, Rebecca Riser, the citys purchasing director, told City Council in March. Riser said the city budgeted exactly $36,000 for the two fireworks displays this year. One display is on the last night of the annual summer Home Days festival and the second occurs in November during the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The city received bids from two other fireworks companies for the two annual displays. Zambelli Fireworks in Edinburg, Pa., bid $53,000. Grand Finale Fireworks in Painesville offered to handle the displays for $30,000. However, in a March 1 memo to council, Riser said Grand Finales bid didnt meet city specifications. They (Grand Finale) use a lot of cakes, which are filler shells that only go approximately 70 feet in the air, Riser said in her memo. Those keep the cost low, but wouldnt even be seen in our displays due to our shooting setup behind the service garage (on Brecksville Road just south of Ohio 82). Riser added that Grand Finale consists of one person who has been in business only two years and has done only about 10 relatively small shows a year, mostly at private events. Also, Riser said Grand Finale does not store its fireworks in Ohio, as the city requires, and can only provide liability insurance with a $1 million limit. She said reputable fireworks companies provide at least a $10 million limit. On its website, Grand Finale says the company started as a small outfit tackling minimal, modest-sized fireworks displays for private contracts but has since advanced and expanded its capabilities and inventory and hired a crew of talented pyrotechnicians. Grand Finale is run by three partners, according to the company website. Due to the rising cost of fireworks, Riser presented council with three options: A full-length 20-minute show at Home Days and a 15-minute Christmas show: $36,000. A full-length Home Days show and eliminate the Christmas show: $22,500. A full-length Home Days show and ground fireworks that dont ascend to the sky for the Christmas show: $27,500. Initially, some council members were leaning toward the final two options, eliminating or reducing the holiday lighting fireworks display. Budgets are tight everywhere, Councilman Daryl Kingston said. Theyre tight in the city too. Maybe thats a place we can save a little bit and maybe even go down to the ground display. Councilman AJ Ganim agreed. I close my eyes and think Christmas, and fireworks arent the first thing that come to my mind, Ganim said. It was nice during the pandemic when we had nothing else to do. Ultimately, council unanimously approved keeping the Christmas above-ground fireworks display. I was very happy with walking out of the tree lighting and the ceremony with my grandson and watching the fireworks, Councilman Brian Stucky said. Mayor Jerry Hruby said the city saved money on fireworks a few years ago when it eliminated a second Home Days display on the second-to-last night of the festival. Councilwoman Beth Savage said that after the 2022 year-end holidays, some residents complained about the Christmastime fireworks, saying the fireworks disturbed their children and pets. They didnt think fireworks were relevant for Christmas, Savage said. I just want to remind you about that. Hruby said only a small number of residents complained about the fireworks. Councilwoman Ann Koepke said the problem was that residents werent aware of the Christmas fireworks display in advance, even though the city publicized the event. She said the city should make a greater effort to inform residents about the fireworks before the event. Read more from the Sun Star Courier. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The Orange Board of Education has passed the second of two resolutions required to place a 1.5-mill permanent improvement levy on the Nov. 7 ballot. On May 23, the board approved a resolution of necessity -- the first required step in that process. The board passed the second resolution by a 4-0 vote Monday (June 12). The filing deadline for Nov. 7 ballot issues in Cuyahoga County is Aug. 9. Two board resolutions must be passed prior to that date, Treasurer Todd Puster had told the board in March. Puster has said that if voters approve the 1.5-mill levy, it would generate about $1.8 million annually for the districts permanent improvement fund. Such funds are used for capital improvement projects, maintenance and repairs of school property that are essential for the district, he said. Puster said the district currently has 2.2 mills on its tax duplicate for bond retirement. Voters authorized those bonds in 1998 when they approved a bond issue to build Moreland Hills Elementary School and to make various other improvements on the Orange Schools campus. That debt is being retired at the end of this year, Puster said. District homeowners are currently paying $77 per year in taxes per $100,000 of home valuation. The cost per $100,000 of home valuation for a 1.5-mill levy would be $52.50 per year. So if the 1.5-mill levy passes, the net result to homeowners will be a tax decrease, board President Scott Bilsky said in May. But even though it wont result in an increase in taxes for homeowners, Puster has said the ballot language for the levy will state that its an additional tax for the benefit of the Orange School District. The district has not had an operating or permanent improvement levy on the ballot since 2011. Denmark trip proposed Also on Monday, the district reviewed a proposal for an Educational International Immersion trip to Denmark for Orange High School students next April, with exact dates to be determined. It was one of eight contracts that were introduced for review, but the board did not vote on them, as is its typical procedure. Board member Jeffrey Leikin expressed concern that there wasnt much information in the Denmark contract for the board to approve. All were really approving is our kids are going to Denmark, and thats fine, but theres absolutely no details on whats going to happen on the trip, and I think we need to do that before the trip happens, he said. Leikin said he would like to know such information as the number of students taking the trip, the number of chaperones and the itinerary for the trip. Superintendent Lynn Campbell said he could work with Paul Lucas, interim principal of Orange High School, to obtain a typical itinerary for the trip and other data for the board. The Denmark (trip), we did itineraries the first few years, but its been a while since weve done one, Lucas said. It hasnt changed, but we can definitely get you one. This is the ninth year that OHS students in grades 10-12 will make the trip to Denmark in collaboration with Herning Gymnasium, a school in Herning, Denmark. Students will be housed with Danish families. There is no cost to the district, as students and/or their parents pay for the trip. Other contracts reviewed by the board included: A contract with CemCo Construction Corp. of Euclid to provide concrete work to replace the Orange High School stadium sidewalks and catch basin, in the amount of $51,805 A contract with Easy Graphics Corp. of Wickliffe to purchase and install 70 projectors to replace existing ones in Moreland Hills Elementary School classrooms, at a cost of $120,733 A contract with Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, based in Parma, in the amount of $12,000, to provide Brady Middle School eighth-grade students a program four times in 2023-24 A contract with Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, based in Cleveland Heights, in the amount of $32,400, to provide Brady Middle School ongoing STEM support for the Brady Fab Lab A contract with Capitol Aluminum & Glass Corp. of Bellevue to replace the windows at the Board of Education office, in the amount of $66,400 A contract with T3 Performance of Avon to provide weight-room training services, in the amount of $30,000, from July 1 through June 30, 2024 The Beech Brook program agreement for the 2023-24 school year, at a cost of $279,184. Beech Book, based in Pepper Pike, provides therapeutic social work support for special education and at-risk students in the district. The board is expected to vote on these contracts at its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. June 26. Two teachers hired In other action, the board approved one-year contracts for 2023-24 for Matthew Cain, social studies teacher at Brady Middle School, and Brooke Finch, speech-language pathologist at Moreland Hills Elementary School. The board also accepted the retirements of Pamm Herchek, media assistant at Moreland Hills Elementary School, and Mark Stone, bus driver. Both are effective June 30. Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Mental health of students was the No. 1 challenge identified by both the community and staff in feedback obtained for the Orange City Schools three-year strategic plan. Tom Speaks, principal of The Impact Group, provided that information to the Orange Board of Education Monday (June 12) when he made a presentation on the results of the strategic planning process. The board approved agreements last September with The Impact Group, a communications firm based in Hudson, to provide strategic planning for both the Orange School District and Orange Community Education and Recreation (OCER). The process began in November. A goal was set to complete it by May, so the plans can be rolled out at the start of the 2023-24 school year. On Monday, Speaks presented the board with a document that included six goals and 24 objectives that will be looked at for the next year. We talked to a lot of people -- elementary school, middle school and high school teachers, a lot of parents, certified staff and transportation, he said. Speaks said a community survey was conducted with 462 respondents, as well as a staff survey with 161 respondents. The Impact Group also did 15 personal phone-call interviews, he said. We had more than 800 data points throughout the community, he said. We then took all that information and have compiled goals, objectives and action steps. Speaks said The Impact Group received a lot of really positive feedback about Orange Schools from staff, students and the community. We asked people to describe Orange (Schools) in two to three words, he said. Community responses included excellent, diverse, inclusive, nice teachers, good study environment, smart, personalized, well-funded, dedicated, manageable, small, welcoming, friendly, caring, quality education, beyond amazing and dynamic. From staff members, Speaks said, responses included diverse and inclusive, supportive, collaborative, pride, values, educational, warm, enriching, fun, striving for excellence, prestigious, rigorous, friendly, engaging, amazing and challenging. Many people believe youre providing an excellent education for the students, he said. But there were challenges that surfaced in the process, as well, Speaks said. Thats when he said mental health of students was the No. 1 challenge identified by both the community and staff. It was the only challenge he mentioned. Board Vice President Angela Arnold asked if that is a typical challenge identified by school districts with which The Impact Group works. That is the No. 1 thing in any district -- urban, rural, suburban, he said. Right now, (mental health of students) is off the charts, so its entirely consistent with what we see elsewhere. Next steps On June 21, Speaks said The Impact Group will meet with the districts senior staff and look at each of the plans goals and objectives and fill them out a little bit. What is presently working and not working? he said. What do we have to do to build upon this? So each of the staff members are going to establish a baseline. The next steps, Speaks said, are recommendations based on that baseline, followed by implementation and measurement. A strategic plan is not a laundry list of new objectives, he said. (The district is) doing a lot of things well. Youre prioritizing things that are happening. On a quarterly basis, the districts senior staff will meet and report on what aspects of the plan are complete and what remains in progress, Speaks said. There will be some shifting as it moves forward, he said. Board member Jeffrey Leikin asked how the board will receive information about updates on each of the objectives. Superintendent Lynn Campbell said he would recommend providing those updates annually or semiannually at board retreats. I think it would be worthwhile to give a staff update in the fall, and in the spring, well have a lot more to share, he said. The board has tentatively set its fall retreat for Sept. 29. I think in the fall, youll see some progress moving on some of these (objectives), Speaks said. Everything doesnt have to be done in the first quarter. The idea is this is a three-year plan. But there should be some meaningful progress by the fall. Leikin said hed like to know at some point what the district will do differently than it has done in the past to recruit, hire and retain staff. This (document) is great, and I understand this is a starting space, he said. But I dont know what were doing to recruit differently than what we were doing before. Speaks replied, I think we want to establish through the baseline, this is what were doing; this is what we believe is working well. But youve got to report to us so we know, Leikin said. Campbell said the districts administration will provide regular updates to the board. Board President Scott Bilsky noted that it sounds like most of the data received by The Impact Group was overwhelmingly positive. I would be curious to see what wasnt so positive, too, because we know we cant be all things to all people, he said. So if possible, I would like to take a deeper dive. Speaks said that information can be provided to the board. OCER update Speaks did not provide an update on the OCER strategic plan, which he said is an entirely different initiative. Jill Korsok, director of OCER, said that department is at about the same level as the district in regard to the strategic planning process. Weve been reviewing what was given to us as our goals and objectives and kind of tightening those up, reviewing the wording, she said. Korsok said the feedback OCER received from the surveys and other community engagement was also by and large positive. There are things that came through that we know we want to address and change, so well be working on getting that ready for a document to be presented to the board and to the public with Toms assistance, she said. We anticipate having everything ready by August, so Id be happy to come back before school starts to give (the board) an update on where we are on that. Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. CLEVELAND, Ohio A judge Tuesday ordered a 43-year-old Cleveland husband to spend life in prison after he admitted to murdering his 23-year-old girlfriend and burying her body in Pennsylvania. Anthony Kennedy apologized to both his wife and Adrianna Taylor, whom Kennedy killed after suspecting she was in a relationship with another man. Prosecutors said there was no evidence that Taylor was in a relationship with anyone other than Kennedy. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After serving 12 of a 23 year sentence, convicted former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora was released from prison to serve the remainder of his term under house arrest, freeing up jail space if Donald Trump is convicted of any of the 37 federal charges he is being arraigned for Tuesday at 3 pm. Dimora had initially been sentenced to 28 years after being found guilty of a myriad of corruption schemes. The sentence had been reduced on appeal. The initial sentence had justifiably been stiff because Dimora was unrepentant and uncooperative, unlike his longtime cohort and co-defendant, the late Frank Russo, who had been the Cuyahoga County Auditor. CLEVELAND, Ohio Founded in 1887, Geauga Lake became the worlds largest amusement park in 2001. The park has been dormant since Wildwater Kingdom closed in 2016, but it might make waves again soon. The city of Aurora is planning to buy Geauga Lake and the former SeaWorld property in an acquisition the city is calling an opportunity of a lifetime. Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin presented a proposal to council Monday night to acquire Geauga Lake, with 40 acres of lakefront land that was once the former SeaWorld property. This is a legacy purchase for the people of Aurora, Womer Benjamin said. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to guarantee our residents lake access and a destination that is going to be one of the gems of Northeast Ohio. The city would pay about $4.5 million to Industrial Commercial Properties for the land with hopes of developing the property into a public park with a pool, beach, boating and other amenities. In November 2020, Industrial Commercial Properties acquired the remaining 377 acres that had once been the home of Geauga Lake Amusement Park and SeaWorld Ohio. The city of Aurora is planning to buy Geauga Lake and the former SeaWorld property in an acquisition the city is calling an opportunity of a lifetime.Provided by city of Aurora The lake has been a recreational attraction of the community for decades, and to lose access when the parks closed was certainly disappointing, Womer Benjamin said. To re-institute lake access coupled with a park and recreational amenities will enhance the overall community and enable the public to enjoy a beautiful area of Northeast Ohio. Furthermore, instead of housing units we will have greenspace. The city will spend $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with the remainder of the money used for the acquisition coming out of the citys budget. Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said some of the structures from SeaWorld Ohio, including the aquarium, may be saved and used in the citys plans. The aquarium may be redeveloped as a restaurant or similar facility. As part of the agreement, Industrial Commerical Properties would build a Lake Loop trail or boardwalk around the lake. The company will pay for a substantial portion of the demolition cost of some of the remaining structures. Womer Benjamin said some of the structures from SeaWorld Ohio, including the aquarium, may be saved and used in the citys plans. The aquarium may be redeveloped as a restaurant or similar facility. Site work on the property is expected to begin within 12 months after demolition is completed. While we have some initial conceptual plans for the property, we intend to be thoughtful and deliberate in its development. We expect to tackle this project in stages but are eager to provide public access as soon as reasonably possible, Womer Benjamin said. There are still many decisions to be made and more to come on this exciting opportunity. LONGMEADOW, Mass. Two children in Massachusetts suffered burn like injuries after coming into contact with an acidic chemical that was poured on three slides at a local playground, officials said Monday. Authorities responded Sunday morning to Bliss Park Playground in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, located about two hours west of Boston near the Connecticut state border. Longmeadow firefighters determined the chemical to be acidic in nature, according to a news release. The chemical poured onto the slides was taken from the pump room in the basement of a nearby pool building. The building was broken into, with the perpetrators climbing over two fences and through a ventilation shaft to enter the pump room, where the chemicals were stored properly in a secure area, according to the release. The Haz-Mat team on scene determined the chemical to be muriatic acid, and that it was the same chemical poured on the slides. The town of Longmeadow, in conjunction with the states Department of Environmental Protection, retained a specialty contractor to clean all hazardous materials from the playground and affected areas, according to the release. The playground is currently fenced off out of an abundance of caution, and its status will be updated at the conclusion of the cleaning. The rest of the park remains open. Investigators believe the perpetrators may have suffered acid burns to their bodies and/or clothing, and are requesting the publics help in identifying the perpetrators. Anyone with information or tips, or that knows anyone with burns to their hands or arm, is encouraged to contact Longmeadow police or its tip line at 413-565-4199. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Fire Service Hazardous Material Response team, Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab and district attorneys office also assisted in the investigation. WASHINGTON, D. C. U.S. Sen. JD Vance announced Tuesday that he will delay U.S. Senate approval of all Justice Department nominees as a protest of the unprecedented political prosecution of former President Donald Trump by President Joe Bidens Department of Justice. A statement from Vance called Trump merely the latest victim of a Department of Justice that cares more about politics than law enforcement. It said that the Justice Department under U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland harasses Christians for pro-life advocacy, but allows hardened criminals to walk our streets unpunished. COLUMBUS, Ohio An oil and gas extraction company asked the state for rights to drill under about 2,000 acres of Wolf Run State Park in Noble County. State law shields the identity of the company making the request and other details of its offer. The request, technically known as a nomination asking the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission to free up the land for drilling, triggers a public comment period. The intent of this nomination is to lease the entirety of the Wolf Run State Park and contiguous lands surrounding same that are owned by the State of Ohio, the document, posted online Tuesday, states. The OGLM will decide whether to accept the nomination. If it does, leasing rights go out in a competitive bidding process. The nomination doesnt indicate any surface impacts to the park. Drillers can access oil and gas underneath its lands by drilling thousands of feet vertically from a well on an adjacent plot. From there, they can turn horizontally to reach under the park for its minerals by pumping a high volume of water, sand and chemicals to free methane and other compunds from the shale. Wolf Run is the second state park eyed by the oil and gas industry. Other companies previously asked to frack under Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, and two other designated wildlife areas in eastern Ohio. The requests mark the states first forays into leasing out its lands to oil and gas drillers after a 2011 law created what was a largely dormant program until a recent GOP-backed legal change effectively forced it into implementation. Wolf Run offers recreational activities like fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, and hiking, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The park is known for its scenic, peaceful woodlands and cool, clean waters for a quiet retreat. Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Rotunda Rumblings Back to the drawing board: The Ohio Supreme Court ordered state Republicans to rewrite language that will appear on the ballot in August summarizing the effects of State Issue 1, the proposal to make it harder to amend the state constitution. As Andrew Tobias writes, the Republican majority on the court ordered the Ohio Ballot Board to fix two errors: one part that incorrectly described the number of signatures amendment campaigns would have to collect from each of Ohios 88 counties, and another describing that the proposal would affect all amendments. (The signature-gathering requirements actually would apply only to amendments proposed by the state legislature.) The Ohio Ballot Board, chaired by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, will meet at 1:30 p.m. today at the Ohio Statehouse to approve new language. Oops: If the court had not acted, voters would have seen summary language that described a much higher threshold for gathering signatures to get an amendment on the ballot than the proposal actually requires. Tobias explains the mistake, using Cuyahoga County as an example. The courts ruling on Monday, though, should avert that problem. Social engagement: Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted are pushing lawmakers to keep language in their final state budget plan that would require social-media companies to verify ages of people opening new accounts and require anyone younger than 16 to first get parental permission. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, it still remains to be seen what social-media rules will be in the final version of the budget, as the governors, Houses and Senates budget plans differ from each other. Lending a hand: The state of Ohio will soon offer no-interest, forgivable loans of up to $1 million each to East Palestine businesses hurt by the Feb. 3 train derailment. As Pelzer reports, its the first time the state is offering direct financial assistance of this type to East Palestine business owners or other residents who suffered economic losses after the derailment sent toxic chemicals into the nearby air, water, and soil. Victim card: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger will not be recognized as a victim of the racketeering enterprise overseen by his now-convicted successor Larry Householder, Jake Zuckerman reports. Judge Timothy Black rejected Rosenbergers request, which could have allowed Rosenberger to receive money or speak at Householders sentencing, scheduled for later this month. Drone ban: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a South Russell Republican, recently introduced a bill called the Securing Our Airspace from Reconnaissance (SOAR) Act to keep federal, state and local governments from using tax dollars to buy drones made in hostile countries like China and encourage U.S. made alternatives. Drones made by companies owned by the Chinese Communist Party are effectively Chinas modern-day Trojan Horse, yet federal agencies and countless state and local governments continue to purchase them, said a statement from Joyce. U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a Rocky River Republican, is among its cosponsors. Never mind: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear Attorney General Dave Yosts appeal of an earlier decision that upheld a prohibition against using coronavirus relief dollars to fund tax cuts. A lower court had ruled that to prevail, Ohio needed to submit concrete evidence about why Treasury might imminently pursue a recoupment action in response to its behavior past, present or future. It said Ohio didnt present evidence of a looming tax cut or a subsequent attempted clawback from the federal government. Full Disclosure Heres five things we learned from the May 11 financial disclosure of state Sen. Michele Reynolds, a Franklin County Republican. 1. Shes CEO of NISRE Inc., a community residential care center under the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections 2. She also earns income from M2 Social Enterprises Corp. 3. Besides her personal residence in Columbus, she owns a residential property south of downtown Columbus 4. She owed five creditors at least $1,000 at some point last year including First Commonwealth Bank, PHH Mortgage Services, Specialized Loan Servicing, Associated Bank, and FedLoan Servicing 5. She received gifts from the Republican Senate Campaign Committee, Ohio State University, and State Auditor Keith Faber. On the Move Jalina Porter, who formerly worked as a State Department spokesperson and for ex-U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, is the new communications director for U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Columbus Democrat. U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Heights Democrat, will host a Human Trafficking Prevention Summit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday June 17 at Cuyahoga Community College. The event being in partnership with the Department of Homeland Securitys Center for Countering Human Trafficking will help constituents and community officials learn more about human trafficking, efforts to combat it, and how they can help. The Ohio Chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association has endorsed the campaign to pass State Issue 1 on Aug. 8, according to a release. Bernie Moreno, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate, announced a slew of endorsements on Monday from local and state Republicans. They include a mix of state central committee members, county elected officials, state lawmakers and local party leaders. Birthdays John M. Pattison, Ohios 43rd governor (1847-1906) Straight From The Source These are very serious charges. Again, I have faith in the judicial system it will work out (and) justice will be done. I have not endorsed anybody for president yet. - Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, when asked by a reporter Monday whether his potential support for former President Donald Trumps reelection bid would be affected if Trump was convicted of federal charges that he mishandled classified documents. 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. Julie Su testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2023. President Biden's Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su is in current communication with labor and port management representatives in an effort to help broker a deal at a time of rising tensions at ports up and down the West Coast. Su, who served as secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency until 2021, has longstanding relationships with both sides, and is helping to maintain communication at the bargaining table and move towards a final contract between the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association. The Department of Labor confirmed Acting Secretary Su's involvement, but declined further comment. President Biden nominated Acting Secretary Su on February 28 to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who stepped down in March. Su has the backing of many labor unions, including the United Mine Workers, NABTU, LiUNA, the IBEW and AFL-CIO, but has also received support from business leaders, including a group of 250 executives who sent a letter to the Senate backing her nomination, as well as the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. She was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the deputy secretary of labor on July 13, 2021. The calls from industry for the Biden administration to intervene in the West Coast port situation have been increasing, from the National Retail Federation to the National Association of Manufacturers and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which voiced its concerns in a statement last Friday about a "serious work stoppage" at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach which would likely cost the U.S. economy nearly half a billion dollars a day. It estimated a more widespread strike along the West Coast could cost approximately $1 billion per day. "The best outcome is an agreement reached voluntarily by the negotiating parties. But we are concerned the current sticking point an impasse over wages and benefits will not be resolved," U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark wrote in a letter to President Biden. Supply chain fears are running high from trucking to rails and ocean carriers. Billions of dollars in cargo has been held up off ports, container congestion and delays have led to longer service and turnaround times. Further complicating the crisis planning for logistics firms was a landslide vote by ILWU Canada workers to authorize a strike at Canadian West Coast ports, and low water levels at the Panama Canal, which make the option of alternate trade routes on both the West Coast and the East Coast ports more difficult. Logistics managers trying to navigate the growing port congestion said involvement from the Biden administration is welcome news, but the on-the-ground situation at ports remain stressed and financial consequences, such as late penalties, are becoming more likely. "We are not getting the effective turns of our drivers," said Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage and intermodal at ITS Logistics. "Even if a terminal is saying they are operating and it's so slow, we can be charged with demurrage charges." The Pacific Maritime Association claimed that "intentional" slowdowns by the ILWU continue, according to a statement it put out on June 10. The ILWU declined to comment. An Oregon jury on Monday found the utility PacifiCorp, a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway , liable in a $1.6 billion class action lawsuit over four of the wildfires that devastated the state in 2020. Jurors in Portland, where PacifiCorp is based, awarded more than $73 million of compensatory damages to 17 plaintiffs, following a seven-week trial in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the plaintiffs' lawyers said. The jurors also applied their liability finding to thousands of other plaintiffs who said the fires damaged approximately 2,400 properties. Damages for those claimants will be determined in later court proceedings. Punitive damages for all plaintiffs have yet to be determined. PacifiCorp said it "plans to pursue appeals, and we are confident we will prevail," adding that "regardless of the outcome, a trial will never fully restore what was lost." Fire victims accused PacifiCorp of gross negligence and creating a nuisance for failing to shut down power lines during a Labor Day windstorm. Victims said PacifiCorp did nothing despite knowing its equipment was damaged, and despite forecasts for severe wind with gusts that could reach hurricane strength. Witnesses reported seeing power lines start fires or send off sparks. The case was brought by survivors of the Santiam Canyon fire, formed from the merger of multiple fires, east of Oregon's capital of Salem; the Echo Mountain fire in Lincoln County; the South Obenchain fire in Jackson County, and the 242 fire in Klamath County. PacifiCorp had defended its fire prevention efforts, saying power shutoffs would have been a last resort and were not necessary based on what it knew. It also said the plaintiffs did not establish that its equipment was to blame. Wildfires throughout Oregon in 2020 burned approximately 1,900 square miles (1.22 million acres), destroying an estimated 5,000 or more structures and killing at least nine people. The trial began on April 25. PacifiCorp is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which is 92% owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff sat down with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Monday during the company's AI Day in New York City to discuss generative artificial intelligence and Salesforce's newest venture into that realm, AI Cloud. Benioff stressed the importance of privacy when it comes to generative AI products, discussing the way it has been known to lie or "hallucinate" and fabricate information. "They're like huge vacuum cleaners sucking up as much data as they can all over the internet," Benioff said of large language models. "It's the ultimate plagiarizer; it steals everything, all the data that it can get, and then, you know, it's giving it back out to you, but, of course, it can also be the ultimate liar." These hallucinations are proving to be pervasive. Google stumbled in its own AI chatbot reveal back in February when the program generated false information about the James Webb telescope, Reuters reported. And in late May, two attorneys used ChatGPT to generate a legal motion, and the program cited "bogus" cases it had fabricated. Benioff said Salesforce's AI Cloud is combatting hallucinations and protecting customer privacy by keeping humans involved in processes, as well as adding a "trust layer" to anonymize crucial data. "You're not just going to take all your customers' names, account balances, their most sensitive and private and secure information and put it into some large language model that then all of your employees are going to have access to. You're going to need a trust layer," Benioff said. "So we don't see the data, the LLM doesn't know your data, but you're going to get the power of this generative AI for your employees, and you're going to get the productivity without giving up this kind of privacy that's so critical." This AI Cloud technology will be especially helpful for Salesforce clients with telecommunications needs, Benioff said, as it will allow customer service agents to access a more holistic, canonical look at customers' needs and their prior interactions with the company. In this article NVDA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT An animated avatar generated by the AI video platform Synthesia. Synthesia Synthesia, a digital media platform that lets users create artificial intelligence-generated videos, has raked in $90 million from investors including U.S. chip giant Nvidia , the company told CNBC exclusively. The London-based company raised the cash in a funding round led by Accel, an early investor in Facebook, Slack and Spotify. Nvidia came in as a strategic investor, putting in an undisclosed amount of money. Other investors include Kleiner Perkins, GV, FirstMark Capital and MMC. Founded in 2017 by researchers and entrepreneurs Victor Riparbelli, Matthias Niessner, Steffen Tjerrild and Lourdes Agapito, Synthesia develops software that allows people to make their own digital avatars to deliver corporate presentations, training videos or even compliments to colleagues in more than 120 different languages. Its ultimate aim is to eliminate cameras, microphones, actors, lengthy edits and other costs from the professional video production process. To do that, Synthesia has created animated avatars which look and sound like humans, but are generated by AI. The avatars are based on real-life actors who speak in front of a green screen. "Productivity can be improved because you are reducing the cost of producing the video to that of making a PowerPoint," Philippe Botteri, at Accel, the lead investor in Synthesia's Series C, told CNBC, adding that adoption of video has been proliferated by consumer platforms such as YouTube, Netflix and TikTok. "Video is a much better way to communicate knowledge. When we think about the potential of the company and the valuation, we think about what it can return, [and] in the case of Synthesia, we're just scratching the surface." Synthesia is a form of generative AI, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. But the company says it has been working on its own proprietary generative AI for years, and that although ChatGPT may have only recently emerged into public consciousness, generative AI itself isn't a new technology. Synthesia sells to enterprise clients, including Tiffany's, IHG and Moody's Analytics. The company doesn't disclose its sales or revenue metrics, though it says it has "consistently driven triple digit growth," with over 12 million videos produced on the platform to date. The number of users on Synthesia spiked 456% year over year, the company said. Synthesia plans to ramp up investment into its technology, with a particular focus on advancing its AI research and making Synthesia avatars capable of performing more tasks. "We work with 35% of the Fortune 100 [with a focus on] product marketing, customer support, customer success areas of the company you have a lot of text that you want to turn into video," Riparbelli told CNBC. WATCH: How Nvidia-backed A.I. video platform Synthesia works watch now "As we're progressing to the next phase of the next generation of Synthesia technology, it's all about making the avatars more expressive, be able to do more things, walk around in a room, have conversations," he added. Riparbelli explained Nvidia isn't just a semiconductor manufacturer it's also a powerhouse of research and development talent with an army of engineers, academics and researchers who produce papers on the subject. "They're not just a chip producer," he said. "They have amazing research teams that are very much leading in terms of, how do you actually train these large models? What works, what doesn't work?" Investor interest in A.I. Business Insider previously reported that Synthesia was in talks with investors to raise between $50 million and $75 million in new funds at a valuation of around $1 billion. The report didn't include detail about Nvidia's involvement, nor mention the total $90 million sum raised. Synthesia is one of many firms attracting interest from investors with AI and enterprise software that can reduce costs involved in certain business processes. Companies are looking to lower expenses everywhere they can to combat climbing inflation and prepare for a possible recession. Last week, French business planning software company Pigment raised $88 million from investors including Iconiq Growth, Felix Capital, Meritech IVP and FirstMark, in part to ramp up its investment in AI. watch now Generative AI has been a rare bright spot in a European tech market reeling from declining funding and a pullback in valuations. Investors have rotated out of high-growth tech firms into value sectors with more resilient income generation, such as financials, industrials, energy and consumer staples. Recently, a report from venture capital firm Atomico showed funding for Europe's technology startups was on track to fall a further 39% in 2023 to $51 billion from $83 billion in 2022. However, AI was one area that drew more investments, Atomico said, with generative AI accounting for 35% of total investment into AI and machine learning firms last year the highest share ever and a big jump from 5% in 2022. Ethical concerns about deepfakes There are concerns that the use of video AI tools as advanced as Synthesia could lead to deepfakes, videos which take a user's likeness and manipulate it to make it appear as though they are saying or doing something they're not. There has also been an increasing number of calls from tech leaders and academics for a global pause on AI development beyond systems like OpenAI's GPT-4, because of fears that the technology is becoming so advanced it may pose an existential risk to humanity. Synthesia first attracted mainstream attention in 2019 for a deepfake video that featured a digitally animated version of celebrity soccer player David Beckham speaking about a campaign to end malaria in nine languages. While that was done with the consent of Beckham and for a good cause, more widespread use of deepfake technology has led to worries about the potential for misinformation. watch now Alphabet -backed British fintech unicorn GoCardless has said it will reduce its global headcount by 15%, slashing 135 roles in a bid to cut costs. The redundancies will affect posts in the U.K., U.S., Australia and New Zealand, reducing senior leadership by 25% and taking the company's total workforce to just under 800. A separate 15 roles will be transferred from Britain to Latvian capital Riga. Founded in 2011, London-headquartered GoCardless processes direct debit payments recurring transactions withdrawn from a customer's bank account for things like subscriptions and invoices for its business clients. The cuts are part of the company's plans lower costs by 15%, CEO Hiroki Takeuchi said Monday in a statement, adding that the GoCardless business strategy will not be changing "fundamentally." The payments firm most recently raised $312 million in a Series G funding round in February, earning a $2.1 billion valuation. Its backers include Alphabet's venture capital investment arm GV, BlackRock and Permira. Takeuchi painted an optimistic picture for the firm's prospects despite the layoffs. "We can see that our revenue will continue to grow strongly, and the changes we are announcing today will get us within touching distance of profitability in the near future. This will make us one of very very few technology companies that is generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, growing fast, and being profitable," he said. The decision comes amid rising pressure in the tech startup sector, where funding has been skydiving and remains on track to shed another 39% to just 51 billion in 2023, down from $83 billion in 2022, according to venture capital firm Atomico. Takeuchi hinted at the firm's renewed focus on profitability to CNBC in comments at the Money 20/20 conference last week. "We need to be disciplined, we need to be careful and be more cautious about how we're deploying our investments and make sure that we're really driving that growth in a more profitable way," he told CNBC's Ryan Browne at the time. CNBC's Ryan Browne contributed to this report The GPT-4 logo is seen in this photo illustration on 13 March, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. AMSTERDAM, Netherlands Major banks and fintech companies claim to be piling into generative artificial intelligence as the hype surrounding the buzzy technology shows no signs of fizzling out but there are lingering fears about potential pitfalls and risks. At the Money 20/20 fintech conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, executives at large lenders and online finance firms sang the praises of generative AI, calling it an "explosion of innovation," and saying it will "unleash innovation in areas that we can't even think about." Chalapathy Neti, head of AI at global bank messaging network Swift, described the progress made with ChatGPT and GPT-4 as "mind-boggling." He added, "This is truly a transformative moment." But in the short term, banks are scrambling to figure out the use cases. The Netherlands' ABN Amro is one banking giant that's piloting the use of generative AI in its processes. Annerie Vreugdenhil, chief commercial officer of ABN Amro's personal and business banking division, revealed on a panel that it is using the technology to automatically summarize conversations between bank staff and customers. It's also using it to help its employees gather data on customers to assist with answering queries and avoid repetitive questions. The bank is now in the process of scaling these pilots to 200 employees and is exploring a number of new pilots to start this summer. In a closed-door session on the application of AI in financial services, meanwhile, two banking executives explained how they're using the technology to improve their internal code and analyze how their clients are behaving. "We are experimenting at this stage and we don't have necessarily anything client facing but we are using the [tech the] same as other companies, for example, code refactoring, comms calls, the other way around," said Mariana Gomez de la Villa, an executive at ING Bank specializing in strategy and innovation. Indeed, the banks appeared unanimous in their hesitation to roll out ChatGPT-like tools to customer-facing scenarios. Mark Cuban didn't always consider himself a nice person. When Cuban was in his 30s, running the tech company that would eventually make him a billionaire, he was laser-focused on productivity and results, he told the "Bio Eats World'' life science podcast on Tuesday. These days, he regrets it. "I wish somebody would have told me to be nicer," said Cuban, 64, when asked what advice he'd give his younger self. "Because I was always go, go, go ... Ready, fire, aim. Let's go. Let's go faster, faster." Cuban and his business partner Todd Wagner joined AudioNet, an audio streaming company, as co-founders in 1995 alongside its original founder, Chris Jaeb. The company was later renamed Broadcast.com, and acquired by Yahoo for $5.7 billion in stock in 1999, making Cuban rich. At first, Cuban's hustle-forward outlook tanked the company's morale and performance, he said: "Sometimes it took my partner Todd telling me, 'Look, you're scaring some people, [and] they're typically going to [quit] and you can't get mad.'" The business may not have grown so much and Cuban might not be a billionaire if he hadn't learned the "underrated" skill of being nice, he told Vanity Fair in 2018. "I went through my own metamorphosis, if you will. Early on in my career," he said. "I wouldn't have wanted to do business with me when I was in my 20s [and 30s]." "So I had to change, and I did, and it really paid off," he added. Kindness is a valuable leadership trait, according to a 2020 Gallup survey which found that workers have "four universal needs" when it comes to their bosses: trust, compassion, stability and hope. Those traits are correlated with better business performance, Gartner director of research Caitlin Duffy told CNBC Make It last year: Employees become more engaged in their work, leading to higher productivity, lower staff turnover and overall monetary gain. "It not only affects employees themselves. It has a downstream impact on the business," Duffy said. The proof extends beyond Cuban. For example, Lyft co-founders John Zimmer and Logan Green built their company using a "nice guy strategy," Zimmer told the Financial Times in 2017. "For a while, there was this idea that we are treating people well, and we are going to get beaten by a competitor that is more aggressive," Zimmer said. "There was a misunderstanding about those values [not being] tied to building a great business, which they are." At the time, Lyft was reportedly valued at $7.5 billion. It had a market cap of $3.59 billion in March, when Zimmer and Green announced they'd step back from day-to-day management duties. Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank," which features Mark Cuban as a panelist. DON'T MISS: Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter! Get CNBC's free Warren Buffett Guide to Investing, which distills the billionaire's No. 1 best piece of advice for regular investors, do's and don'ts, and three key investing principles into a clear and simple guidebook. Boeing 787 Dreamliners are built at the aviation company's North Charleston, South Carolina, assembly plant on May 30, 2023. Boeing handed over 50 airplanes to customers last month, up from 35 in April, though it trails rival Airbus in deliveries so far this year as the Paris Air Show approaches. The deliveries included eight 787 Dreamliners. Boeing last week said a new manufacturing flaw the second disclosed this year will slow near-term deliveries of the wide-body planes, which are in high demand due to the recovery in international travel. Boeing has delivered 206 planes so far this year, behind the 244 that Airbus has handed over in the first five months of the year. Both Boeing and Airbus have announced plans to increase output of new planes to meet strong demand in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing reported gross orders of 69 planes for May, up from 34 in April. Net of 11 cancellations it sold 58 planes, most of them 737 Max jets. The Paris Air Show kicks off Monday, when Boeing, Airbus and other aerospace manufacturers will meet with customers and potentially announce more new orders in the first in-person iteration of the event since before the pandemic. Ark Invest's Cathie Wood built a sizable stake in Meta Platforms on Monday after the innovation investor missed out on the recent rally in artificial intelligence winner Nvidia . Wood snapped up 150,459 shares of the Facebook parent for her flagship ARK Innovation ETF in the previous session. She also added 24,389 shares for ARK Next Generation Internet ETF . Combined, these purchases were worth more than $47 million based on Meta's closing price of $271.05. META YTD mountain Meta Platforms Meta has been a popular tech and AI play for hedge fund investors, including David Tepper, Daniel Sundheim and Philippe Laffont. Meta recently announced AI computer chips, which will power more advanced metaverse-related tasks, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as generative AI. The stock has soared 125% this year amid the AI optimism. To fund the purchase, Wood sold 324,551 shares of Tesla in ARK on Monday. The electric vehicle company, whose shares have doubled in price this year, is still the ETF's biggest holding with a nearly 12% weighting. Wood's flagship fund exited Nvidia entirely in early January, missing out on the jaw-dropping rally that propelled it to a $1 trillion market capitalization briefly. She continued to trim her Nvidia stakes in her smaller funds Monday. Wood revealed her reason for dumping Nvidia was its high valuation as the stock was "priced ahead of the curve." Meanwhile on Monday, she took a stake in Taiwan Semiconductor for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF . The chip bellwether is seen as another AI play, rivaling Nvidia. Industrial and oil refining cities in southern China are urging firms and citizens to curb electricity, while Hainan province called for less power usage at peak times, as grids become more stressed due to persistent searing hot weather. Southern China has been beleaguered by a combination of sizzling hot temperatures and heavy rainfalls in recent weeks, with power loads in several cities approaching historic highs due to soaring demand for air-conditioning. The growth rate of power consumption in Maoming city in southern Guangdong province was as high as 8.01% in the January to May period, and its residential electricity consumption increased by 27.41% in May from a year earlier, the city government said in a statement on Monday. The oil refinery city, whose power load broke records three times as of Monday, asked industrial firms to actively reduce power consumption and strengthen power-saving technology transformation. It also suggested that state-owned firms, residents and commercial venues set cooling temperatures to no less than 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the statement. Jiangmen, another industrial city in Guangdong, is also proposing to cut unnecessary power usage amid the power consumption peak. Writer E. Jean Carroll leaves a Manhattan court house after a jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990's, New York City, May 9, 2023. A federal judge Tuesday granted writer E. Jean Carroll's request to amend her original defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump to include comments he made about her in a CNN town hall last month. The order from Judge Lewis Kaplan in U.S. District Court in Manhattan is a blow to Trump, who had asked the court to deny Carroll's effort to update her lawsuit, which now seeks at least $10 million in damages. The judge's decision was made public shortly after Trump pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges during a historic arraignment in Miami. "We look forward to moving ahead expeditiously on E. Jean Carroll's remaining claims," Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge, said in a statement to CNBC following the latest order Tuesday afternoon. Alina Habba, an attorney for Trump, said in a statement to NBC News, "We maintain that she should not be permitted to retroactively change her legal theory, at the eleventh hour, to avoid the consequences of an adverse finding against her." Carroll sought to amend her lawsuit shortly after Trump unloaded a barrage of disparaging remarks about her during a live town hall on CNN on May 10. "What kind of a woman meets somebody and brings them up and within minutes, you're playing hanky-panky in a dressing room, OK?" Trump said during that event. "I swear on my children, which I never do, I have no idea who this woman is. This is a fake story, made-up story." That much-criticized town hall came one day after a jury in a separate civil case found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll and ordered him to pay her $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The writer has accused the former president of raping her in a department store in the mid-1990s and then defaming her after she came forward with her allegations in 2019. She filed a civil defamation lawsuit against him in 2019, and then filed a second civil lawsuit against him in 2022 that also included a charge of battery. Less than two weeks after the CNN town hall, Carroll's lawyers asked Judge Kaplan to let her amend her original civil complaint to include Trump's most recent comments, arguing that "the facts and circumstances have changed." Trump has denied raping Carroll. He has moved to appeal the verdict in Carroll's second case. In this article LIND Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT It felt as if we had the jungle to ourselves. As we explored Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park, we spotted rare birds, spider monkeys even a sloth and her infant among the trees of the rainforest. It was one of many experiences I had on an expedition cruise with 32 passengers aboard the Greg Mortimer, operated by the Australia-based Aurora Expeditions. During the 13-day voyage, we crossed the Panama Canal and snorkeled amid hawksbill turtles in Panama's UNESCO-protected Coiba National Park. We also met members of the indigenous Embera tribe deep in Panama's thick jungle. Aurora Expeditions' Greg Mortimer in Costa Rica. Its smaller size allows it to explore coastlines that are inaccessible to large cruise ships. Source: Carlo Raciti Built for polar regions, this was the ship's first foray into tropical waters, as companies like Aurora are responding to the growing demand for expedition cruises. Instagram posts which often showcase trips to Antarctica may have given expedition cruising more publicity, but this form of cruising isn't new. The evolution of expedition cruising U.S.-based Lindblad Expeditions started taking travelers to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands in the mid-1960s. The company specializes in expedition cruises, which differ from conventional cruises in that they focus on exploring isolated, less visited or inaccessible destinations. Smaller ships also allow itinerary flexibility, which means the captain can slow down for guests to observe polar bears or a whale shark. Aurora Expeditions has been plying Antarctica's frozen waters since the cruise line first leased rudimentary Russian icebreakers to reach the icy continent in the early 1990s. "Bathrooms were shared, and we'd string our clothes across the cabins to dry," said Bronwyn Stephenson, a veteran Aurora expeditioner. A cabin on the Greg Mortimer. Source: Carlo Raciti With its spacious cabins, plush library and lecture theater, the Greg Mortimer is a far cry from these original expedition cruise ships. Today, there is stiff competition among expedition cruise lines to launch more technologically advanced vessels and to secure onboard talent. Lindblad recently recruited underwater archaeologist Mensun Bound, who has discovered ancient shipwrecks, and former NASA chief scientist Robert Bindschadler, to educate passengers. Demand since the pandemic Aurora Expeditions' chief marketing officer Hayley Peacock-Gower said there has been a strong shift to immersive, experiential travel since the pandemic. As travelers demonstrate burgeoning interest in nature, wildlife and cultural tourism, expedition cruise lines have answered the call with more and varied itineraries. Aurora's Hayley Peacock-Gower said the company is seeing rising interest in the Arctic. Its East Greenland Explorer "will attempt to forge toward the northernmost tip of Greenland, both an Aurora and expedition cruising first," she said. Source: Aurora Expeditions Noah Brodsky, chief commercial officer of Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, described expedition cruising as the "breakout travel trend of the decade." "There's something truly special and transformative about experiencing remote destinations alongside a small group of like-minded people," he told CNBC. Bookings through the roof Lindblad recorded its biggest-ever booking day on Jan. 3, racking up some $5.6 million in sales, according to a company representative. In-demand destinations this year include Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic and Antarctica, according to the representative, while interest to Costa Rica is up 54% from 2019. The company also launched new routes to Greenland, French Polynesia and Western Australia's Kimberley region. An increasing number of people no longer want run-of-the-mill holidays. James Cole founder, Panache Cruises James Cole, founder of the U.K.-based cruise agency Panache Cruises, said expedition cruising saw the most growth in the cruising sector in the past decade expanding from about 67,000 passengers in 2012 to 367,557 in 2022. "An increasing number of people no longer want run-of-the-mill holidays," he said. "People crave adventure there is a certain amount of romanticism here which harks back to the time of great explorers like Hillary, Cousteau and Shackleton." Who takes expedition cruises? Most of the demand for expedition cruises comes from the over-55 age group, namely the semi-retired and retired who have the time and resources, Cole said. But he noted: "We are seeing more families entering the market." Gen Xers and millennials represent a smaller percentage of clients. "It is the 'experience' and 'adventure' which is driving their interest. The cruise aspect is really a secondary dimension," Cole noted. Expedition cruising is also a good option for the growing number of solo travelers. I hadn't visited Central and South America before, mostly because deciding which countries to visit and planning an independent trip seemed overwhelming and complicated. As a woman, I was concerned about safety too. The Aurora cruise was the ideal introduction, with shore excursions led by onboard experts and engaging local guides. Higher fares, longer cruises Plusher ships, onboard experts and fewer passengers translate to higher fares than conventional cruises. Expedition cruises often start at around $1,000 per person per day. Trips typically last eight to 15 days though some can take a full month. While conventional cruises can host thousands of people at once, companies like the polar micro cruising company Secret Atlas can take as few as 12 cruisers at a time. Cruisers from the Greg Mortimer meeting people from the Embera tribe in Panama. Source: Carlo Raciti But a push for more comfort and luxury in the industry is causing some expedition cruises to get bigger, said company co-founder Andrew Marsh. "Unfortunately, this has meant the new expedition cruise ships have become larger and the expedition experience itself has been sacrificed," he told CNBC. Environmental and cultural impact Though they're smaller in scale, expedition cruises have faced criticism for polluting oceans, introducing microbes to sensitive environments, and colliding with large mammals like whales. To combat some of these issues, the luxury travel agency Abercrombie & Kent is chartering the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot for a North Pole expedition next year. "To reduce emissions to the lowest possible level, this Ponant ship uses LNG as a fuel," said the company's product development and operations vice president Stefanie Schmudde. "The vessel also uses hybrid operation, with batteries to handle load fluctuations." A coati photographed in the jungles of Costa Rica during an expedition cruise shore excursion. Source: Carlo Raciti Google and OpenAI, two U.S. leaders in artificial intelligence, have opposing ideas about how the technology should be regulated by the government, a new filing reveals. Google on Monday submitted a comment in response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's request about how to consider AI accountability at a time of rapidly advancing technology, The Washington Post first reported. Google is one of the leading developers of generative AI with its chatbot Bard, alongside Microsoft -backed OpenAI with its ChatGPT bot. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman touted the idea of a new government agency focused on AI to deal with its complexities and license the technology, Google in its filing said it preferred a "multi-layered, multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance." "At the national level, we support a hub-and-spoke approach with a central agency like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) informing sectoral regulators overseeing AI implementation rather than a 'Department of AI,'" Google wrote in its filing. "AI will present unique issues in financial services, health care, and other regulated industries and issue areas that will benefit from the expertise of regulators with experience in those sectors which works better than a new regulatory agency promulgating and implementing upstream rules that are not adaptable to the diverse contexts in which AI is deployed." Others in the AI space, including researchers, have expressed similar opinions, saying government regulation of AI may be a better way to protect marginalized communities despite OpenAI's argument that technology is advancing too quickly for such an approach. "The problem I see with the 'FDA for AI' model of regulation is that it posits that AI needs to be regulated separately from other things," Emily M. Bender, professor and director of the University of Washington's Computational Linguistics Laboratory, posted on Twitter. "I fully agree that so-called 'AI' systems shouldn't be deployed without some kind of certification process first. But that process should depend on what the system is for. ... Existing regulatory agencies should maintain their jurisdiction. And assert it." That stands in contrast to OpenAI and Microsoft's preference for a more centralized regulatory model. Microsoft President Brad Smith has said he supports a new government agency to regulate AI, and OpenAI founders Altman, Greg Brockman and Ilya Sutskever have publicly expressed their vision for regulating AI in similar ways to nuclear energy, under a global AI regulatory body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The OpenAI execs wrote in a blog post that "any effort above a certain capability (or resources like compute) threshold will need to be subject to an international authority that can inspect systems, require audits, test for compliance with safety standards [and] place restrictions on degrees of deployment and levels of security." In an interview with the Post, Google President of Global Affairs Kent Walker said he's "not opposed" to the idea of a new regulator to oversee the licensing of large language models, but said the government should look "more holistically" at the technology. And NIST, he said, is already well positioned to take the lead. Google and Microsoft's seemingly opposite viewpoints on regulation indicate a growing debate in the AI space, one that goes far beyond how much the tech should be regulated and into how the organizational logistics should work. "There is this question of should there be a new agency specifically for AI or not?" Helen Toner, a director at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, told CNBC, adding, "Should you be handling this with existing regulatory authorities that work in specific sectors, or should there be something centralized for all kinds of AI?" Microsoft declined to comment and OpenAI did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. WATCH: Microsoft releases another wave of A.I. features as race with Google heats up European officials are looking at ways to use Russian assets to repay for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images The European Union is getting closer to brokering a detailed plan on how to use frozen Russian assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a senior official told CNBC. The EU has confirmed that there are more than 200 billion euros ($215.5 billion) and a separate 20 billion euros in assets across the bloc that belong to the Russian central bank and to Russian private individuals, respectively. These assets were frozen by European authorities in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to sanction the Kremlin for its aggression. "We have had quite lengthy discussions on [how to use these assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine]," Sweden's Anders Ahnlid, who chairs the discussions among the 27 EU member states on this topic, told CNBC Thursday. "And we are now, I hope, in a position to soon bring forward ideas on how to use at least the proceeds of these immobilized assets," Ahnlid said. The issue is highly technical, legally complex and politically challenging. watch now The EU has been adamant that Russia needs to pay for the damage and pain it is creating in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told CNBC in February that it would be "unthinkable" that this would not be the case. Speaking in November, von der Leyen said the idea is to create a structure to manage the frozen funds, invest them, then give the proceeds to Ukraine. She added at the time that these funds should also be put toward the reconstruction efforts, once the war is over and sanctions are lifted off the frozen assets. For the time being, officials are focused on the first step using the proceeds from Russian central bank assets as they believe this would be the easiest way to avoid legal issues. It is unclear how much money this will provide Ukraine, and how quickly Kyiv would receive it. "I think what is important is that it is confirmed that there [are] more than 200 billion euros of these assets, and then you have to know how much of that is in cash, how much is in other types of assets, and then of course, [how much] you can count on," Ahnlid said. "If you have 100 billion [euros] and you get a 3% return, you get the figure of what that would give in terms of availability for reconstruction per year," he added. The Ukrainian government was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC on Monday. Economists agree that there is a chance that the EU will manage to use the proceeds from Russian central bank assets in a legal way, but there are broader concerns about how much that will actually contribute to Ukraine. "This might legally work, though [it] will not be a game changer financially," Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said via email. The World Bank, the European Commission, the United Nations and the Ukrainian government in March said that the total cost of reconstruction in Ukraine had reached $441 billion. But the war wages on, and the continued loss of lives and infrastructure keeps increasing the bill. One example is the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, which has brought about further environmental, social and economic harm. The World Bank is still assessing the full cost. Residents carry belongings from a boat during the evacuation of a flooded area in the region of Mykolaiv, after a breach of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam, on June 10, 2023. Oleksii Filippov | Afp | Getty Images Republican lawmakers, state attorneys general and several advocacy groups have voiced their support for Illumina's acquisition of cancer-test developer Grail while the Federal Trade Commission fights to unwind the deal. The groups filed 14 amicus briefs Monday urging the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse an FTC order that would have Illumina undo the $7.1 billion Grail deal over concerns that it stifles competition. Last week, the San Diego-based DNA-sequencing company appealed the agency's ruling. Proponents of the deal argued in the court filings that the FTC overstepped its authority in trying to unwind the tie-up that closed nearly two years ago. They added that blocking the companies from merging could harm the development of life-saving technology. "Unaccountable federal agency power undermines liberty, and overzealous, unfair agency enforcement impedes technological advancements benefitting citizens' wellbeing," attorneys general from 12 states said in one of the briefs. Those states are Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia. Thirty-four Republican lawmakers touted Grail's early screening test, which can detect more than 50 types of cancers through a single blood draw. The test isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but it has raked in limited sales over the past year. Grail needs Illumina to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize production of the test, which are "required steps to delivering the full benefits of these tests to the public and detecting cancer as quickly as possible," the lawmakers argued. The FTC declined to comment on the filings. The deal has faced broad opposition. Last year, the European Union's executive body, the European Commission, blocked the acquisition citing similar competition concerns. Illumina has appealed that order. And activist investor Carl Icahn, who holds a 1.4% stake in Illumina, launched a proxy fight with the company over the Grail deal. Illumina shareholders voted to oust the chair of its board late last month. Company CEO Francis deSouza stepped down on Sunday after weeks of harsh backlash from Icahn. Icahn's opposition stemmed from Illumina's decision to close the acquisition without first gaining approval from antitrust regulators. Nvidia , a dominant player in the artificial intelligence computing market, may face increasing competition from custom chip designers in the near future, according to Morgan Stanley. A sharp rise in interest in AI-led technologies, sparked by the release of ChatGPT late last year, has led to a spike in demand for graphic processing unit semiconductors (GPUs). These chips, made almost exclusively by Nvidia today, are expensive to purchase and energy-intensive to operate. Nvidia's new H100 GPUs, for example, priced at $30,000 per unit, consume nearly twice as much power as a chip made by Intel or AMD. "Budget costs and energy requirements are the two major limitations for future AI computing, in our view," said Morgan Stanley analysts led by Charlie Chan in a note to clients on June 11. "We therefore expect to see increasingly energy-efficient and low-cost AI custom chip designs ahead, matching or even outpacing the growth of NVIDIA's and AMD's general purpose GPUs." The investment bank estimates that the total AI computing semiconductors market size will be around $43 billion in 2023 and could nearly triple to $125 billion by 2027. Additionally, the bank said there could be room for even more growth if investments in AI significantly enhance enterprise productivity or if more consumer-oriented applications emerge. The firm predicted that these custom chips will take up to 30% of cloud-based AI semiconductor market share by 2027 as increased demand justifies the upfront cost of custom designs. The Wall Street bank named five chip designers that could benefit from the trend: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ( TSMC ), Alchip Technologies , Global Unichip and King Yuan Electronics (KYEC) in Taiwan, and Hong Kong-listed ASM Pacific . Morgan Stanley is "overweight" on the five stocks, and increased their price targets in the June 11 note. TSMC TSMC, which currently holds a 60% market share manufacturing advanced AI chips, is expected to play an essential role in enabling future growth within this sector. As TSMC expands its capacity over time, it could see up to 13% of revenue coming from manufacturing these new chips by 2027, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. Here's what the investment bank said of the custom chip designers: Alchip Technologies Morgan Stanley raised its price target for Alchip to 1,800 Taiwan dollars ($58.49) from $1,480 Taiwan dollars. "We raise our intermediate growth rate assumption to 14% (from 13%) to reflect accelerated AI ASIC demand. As one of the few pure-play leading-edge design service houses, we believe Alchip (along with GUC) is a key enabler of future custom A.I. chip designs, and therefore a higher intermediate growth rate is justified." Global Unichip The chip designer has been awarded a contract from Microsoft to work on its new 5nm custom AI chip, which could be deployed across the U.S. company's cloud computing products. "According to our foundry supply chain checks, Chinese networking customers have turned more aggressive on order pull-ins, creating potential upside to 2023 earnings." KYEC The bank raised its price target for KYEC to $60.00 from $49.00. "We raise our intermediate and terminal growth rates to 4.5% and 3.0% (from 4.0% and 2.5%) for KYEC given its strategic position of capturing growing AI testing demand as NVIDIA's major final test provider." ASM Pacific The investment bank raised its price target to 88 Hong Kong dollars ($11.23) from $66.00 Hong Kong dollars. ASM Pacific manufactures chips that connect GPUs to a server's memory using specialized "packaging" and "bonding" technology." "In our Greater China semi coverage, we identify ASM Pacific as a key proxy for advanced packaging equipment makers. We estimate that 5-10% of ASM Pacific's 2023 revenue will be from [TCB bondinging technology], and the associated contribution will increase with growing demand for chiplet technologies, driven by the proliferating AI semi market." CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Samsung is the world's biggest maker of memory chips. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Companies big and small are shaping policies that say what employees can and can't do with generative artificial intelligence tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. Some organizations remain bullish while others are closing the curtains on access for the time being, but one thing is certain: the risks of generative AI are multifold, and it's up to executives to decide whether they want to get ahead of the issue or hold off while the technology rapidly unfolds. In May, Samsung banned the use of generative AI tools after the company discovered an employee uploaded sensitive code to ChatGPT. All inputs are part of the technology's learning protocol, making the act an issue of intellectual property. Digital business contract software company Ironclad, on the other hand, developed its own generative AI use policy, despite the fact that its technology is empowered by generative AI itself. That just goes to show that even the most bullish of companies are creating some barriers to mitigate risk. In generative AI, risk wanders Ironclad CEO and co-founder Jason Boehmig was a practicing attorney prior to founding his company more than eight years ago. This legal mindset persists, which is one of the reasons Ironclad moved forward with generative AI policy so swiftly. "You're responsible for the output of AI," Boehmig said. This includes so-called hallucinations, which are factually incorrect, overstated, or unrelated responses the AI tool generates. IP and hallucinations are just a couple of the risks associated with generative AI. According to Navrina Singh, CEO and founder of responsible AI governance platform Credo AI and a member of the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC), the risks are what she calls "technosocial." This means they impact technical issues like cybersecurity and liability, but also societal ones such as copyright infringement and even climate standards and regulation. Building company policy around generative AI is part of the process of communicating risk, which goes beyond simply knowing or acknowledging risk. Creating a generative AI company policy Singh says the importance of a company policy around generative AI usage boils down to the question, "How do you adopt AI confidently while managing risk, while staying compliant and while actively being honest about where you won't be able to manage risk?" Vince Lynch, CEO of AI-powered decision-making platform IV.AI who is currently working with a panel of AI leaders to develop adoptable policies for major businesses, says the time to create standards is now, even if you have the understanding they will change. "It's incredibly important that companies start right now and deploy different structures to ensure they are cautious of the way that AI can impact their company," he said. Singh agrees, but Boehmig offers a contrarian view even as his company takes policy-based precautions. Boehmig said, "Particularly if you're in a highly regulated industry, I think it's okay to sit back and say, 'We're going to watch how it unfolds.'" And it will unfold. NAIAC's Year 1 Report from May posits AI as a technology requiring government attention sooner rather than later, including adopting public and private policy based on the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Then there's The AI Act in the European Union, which is in progress for adoption and will impact U.S. companies that do business in many nations abroad. In the meantime, companies continue to set their own boundaries. As for Ironclad's policy, the highlights include: classifying data, banning data labeled as confidential from being input into generative AI, spelling out employee accountability for output, and prohibiting customer and identifiable data input. 'The roadblocks are when companies don't think about policy.' If a company is considering creating a policy on generative AI usage now, or simply wants to strategize for what may be an inevitable endeavor, experts suggest certain steps to take. One of the first steps should be determining stakeholders. Singh said, "It truly needs to be a multi-stakeholder dialogue," including teams from policy, AI, risk and compliance and legal. Lynch suggests asking, "What is the intent of the model?" Whether a company has created a particular generative AI model itself or is referring to external models, it's important to understand how it's trained, how it functions, and how it's tested. Creating a generative AI policy is also a good opportunity for companies to scrutinize all of their technology policies, including implementation, change management, and long-term usage. Lynch poses the question, "How often are you checking in on these policies after you deploy them?" With errors and hallucinations common on large language models, fact checking and employee accountability is a mustas is the notion of keeping the human in the loop. This is why Lynch advises, "Don't use AI to conduct business." This includes writing code or materials that go directly to clients or users. It can also include using generative AI tools as foundational content for work due to the fact it creates inherent bias. For some businesses, this may seem overwhelming, which is why companies are beginning to create extensions that input guardrails. Credo AI's GenAI Guardrails, for example, injects governance framework while you're typing into ChatGPT and flags for compliance as a form of automated oversight. Whether a company's strategy around generative AI policy is to ban employees from using it (for now) like Samsung, place barriers and document accountability like Ironclad, or somewhere in between, Lynch says it's important to have some clear path forward. "The roadblocks are when companies don't think about policy," he said, because that's where crisis management enters the picture. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks about China competitiveness legislation alongside Democratic Senate committee chairs at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2023. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is set to host the first of three educational sessions about artificial intelligence Tuesday as Congress considers how best to regulate the technology. Schumer announced Monday on the floor of the Senate that Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Antonio Torralba, a machine learning expert, would lead the first of the senators-only sessions. Tuesday's talk is set to offer a general overview of AI and its current capabilities, Schumer said. Lawmakers across Congress are trying to learn more about the technology and figure out what new legislation might be needed to tackle its unique challenges. Hearings about AI have focused on topics ranging from its effects on intellectual property to human rights. Lawmakers heard from Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, in May. Since then, other experts in the field have hoped policymakers would engage with a diverse range of voices as they consider legislation, so as not to be overly swayed by an early business leader in the space. The series of talks was first announced in a Dear Colleague letter Schumer sent last week alongside Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Todd Young, R-Ind. In the letter, the senators said the three discussions would ask the following questions: Where is AI today? What is the frontier of AI and how do we maintain American leadership? How do the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community use AI today and what do we know about how our adversaries are using AI[?] The third question would be tackled in a classified all-senators briefing, the first of its kind on AI. "The Senate must deepen our expertise in this pressing topic. AI is already changing our world, and experts have repeatedly told us that it will have a profound impact on everything from our national security to our classrooms to our workforce, including potentially significant job displacement," the group wrote. "We must take the time to learn from the leading minds in AI, across sectors, and consider both the benefits and risks of this technology." In his remarks on the floor Monday, Schumer reiterated, "It's imperative that we senators take the time to educate ourselves on AI and its implications, so that we can ensure it becomes a force for human prosperity, while mitigating its very real risks." Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: Can China's ChatGPT clones give it an edge over the U.S. in an A.I. arms race? Marchers with Starbucks pass through the landmark intersection of Hollywood and Highland during the annual Pride Parade in Los Angeles, June 12, 2022. Starbucks Workers United said Tuesday that dozens of the coffee chain's U.S. stores aren't allowing employees to decorate for Pride month. Starbucks said in a statement to CNBC that the company unwaveringly supports the LGBTQ+ community and hasn't changed its policies for store decorations. "There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June," the company said. A Starbucks spokesperson told CNBC the company's security and safety manual provides broad guidance for stores around decorations. However, local store leaders and employees have latitude to make their own decorating choices within those guidelines. The union's claim comes as the LGBTQ+ community faces heightened attacks, ranging from protests to legislation to physical violence. Republican state lawmakers have targeted transgender people's medical care and drag queens' performances. Nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this session, according to an ACLU tally. At the same time, conservative activists have stoked backlash in recent months against corporations that have shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community, including Anheuser-Busch InBev , Kohl's and North Face. Starbucks has long had a reputation as a progressive company, bolstered by its history of supporting its LGBTQ+ workers, including transgender baristas. Its health benefits extended to same-sex partnerships before the U.S. legalized gay marriage in 2015. Workers have previously received buttons and attire celebrating LGBTQ+ rights. Starbucks' insurance has covered gender reassignment surgery since 2013. But Starbucks Workers United said baristas in at least 22 states have reported instances where district and store managers have told them they can't decorate for Pride month or where store representatives have taken down Pride flags. Some Massachusetts workers were told there weren't enough labor hours to schedule partners to decorate, the union said. Managers told employees in Maryland some people didn't feel represented by the "umbrella of pride," according to the labor group. In Oklahoma, workers were told restrictions on decorating were out of a concern for safety after recent attacks at Target stores, the union said. In late May, Target pulled some of its Pride merchandise, citing threats against its employees. Some of the retailer's locations in the South also moved Pride collections to less visible areas on the floor. The Washington Post reported Target stores in at least five states were evacuated this weekend after bomb threats. Starbucks workers in Oklahoma were also prohibited from hanging Pride flags in store windows. Starbucks policy prohibits blocking windows to ensure baristas have a clear view of the area outside stores. The clash over Pride decorations also comes as Starbucks continues to battle its baristas over unionization. More than 300 company-owned locations have voted to unionize, but no stores have signed a collective bargaining agreement with Starbucks yet. The union has accused Starbucks of delaying negotiations, which the company denies. Baristas have been trying to use public pressure to bring the coffee giant to the negotiating table. Twenty-two U.S. service members were injured in a helicopter "mishap" in northeast Syria on Sunday, the U.S. military said late on Monday, without disclosing the cause of the incident or detailing the severity of the injuries. The U.S. military's Central Command said 10 service members were evacuated to higher-level care facilities outside the region. Central Command, which oversees U.S. troops in the Middle East, said no enemy fire was reported but added that the cause of the incident was under investigation. Officials at U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for further information. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which control swathes of northeast Syria, referred questions to the U.S.-led coalition under which American troops are deployed in the zone. The autonomous Kurdish-led administration which governs the area and the central Syrian government in Damascus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. There are about 900 U.S. personnel deployed to Syria, most of them in the east, as part of a mission fighting the remnants of Islamic State. American troops there have come under repeated attacks in recent years by Iran-backed militia. In March, 25 U.S. troops were wounded in strikes and counter-strikes in Syria, which also killed one U.S. contractor and injured another. U.S. forces first deployed into Syria during the Obama administration's campaign against Islamic State, partnering with a Kurdish-led group called the Syrian Democratic Forces. While Islamic State is now a shadow of the group that ruled over a third of Syria and Iraq in a caliphate declared in 2014, hundreds of fighters are still camped in desolate areas where neither the U.S.-led coalition nor the Syrian army, with support from Russia and Iranian-backed militias, exert full control. Thousands of other Islamic State fighters are in detention facilities guarded by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, America's key ally in the country. U.S. officials say that Islamic State could still regenerate into a major threat. The threats from Iran-backed militia to U.S. forces are a reminder of the complex geopolitics of Syria, where Syrian President Bashar al-Assad counts on support from Iran and Russia and sees American troops as occupiers. The signing followed an order that all "volunteer units" should sign contracts by July 1 bringing them under the control of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, as Moscow tries to assert its control over private armies fighting on its behalf in Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday it has signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, a day after Russia's powerful mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin refused to do so. Nearly a thousand volunteers attend the military training at Russian Special Forces University, where special troops are trained, in Gudermes, Russia on February 28, 2023. In return, volunteer fighters would get the same benefits and protections as regular troops, including support for them and their families if they are wounded or killed. Prigozhin, who has waged a running feud with the defense ministry and accused it of failing to provide adequate ammunition supplies to his Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, said on Sunday he would refuse to sign any such contract. He said that Shoigu "cannot properly manage military formations". The contract the defense ministry signed on Monday was with the Akhmat paramilitary group that has often been called the private army of Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Russia's Chechnya region. Unlike Prigozhin, Kadyrov has recently refrained from criticizing the defence ministry. Members of the two groups have openly sparred, with one of Kadyrov's close allies on Thursday casting Prigozhin as a blogger who yells all the time about problems. Akhmat commander Apty Alaudinov, who took part in the signing of the contract, said the unit has "prepared and sent tens of thousands of volunteers" to Ukraine in the past 15 months. Moscow said on Friday that the Akhmat forces were waging an offensive near the town of Maryinka, in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. "I think this is a very good thing," Alaudinov was quoted as saying by the defense ministry's website after signing the deal. Russia's deputy chief of the general staff, Colonel General Alexei Kim, said after signing the agreement with the Chechens that he hoped other volunteer units would follow suit. Reuters Women fill water from a municipal tank on May 26, 2023 in the Peth Taluka village in India. Ritesh Shukla | Getty Images News | Getty Images Water scarcity is seen as the most significant and potentially most impactful component of the wider climate crisis, and researchers say that large Asian economies like India and China will be the most affected from these water shortages. Asia is an industrialization hub that is experiencing the most rapid rates of urbanization, and this would require a copious amount of water, Arunabha Ghosh, the CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, told CNBC on the sidelines of Singapore's annual Ecosperity Week last Tuesday. "It's not just the old industries like steel making, but newer ones like manufacturing semiconductor chips and the transition to clean energy that are going to require a lot of water," Ghosh said. "Asia is the growth engine of the world, and these industries are new drivers for its economic growth." Global fresh water demand is expected to outstrip supply by 40% to 50% by 2030. Ghosh warned that water scarcity must not be viewed as a sectoral issue, but one that "transcends the entire economy." Asian economies "must understand that it is a regional common good and it is in their own interest to mitigate the risks that come their way in order to prevent the economic shocks that severe water scarcity will impose," he said. India, now the world's most populous nation, will be the hardest hit from water scarcity. Despite holding 18% of the world's population, it only has enough water resources for 4% of its people, hence making it the world's most water-stressed country, the World Bank said. The South Asian nation relies tremendously on its monsoon season to meet its water demands, but climate change has caused more floods and droughts to hit the country, and has exacerbated its water shortage. China is in the same rocky boat According to independent think tank the Lowy Institute, approximately 80% to 90% of China's groundwater is unfit for consumption, while half of its aquifers are too polluted to be used for industry and farming. Fifty-percent of its river water is also unfit for drinking, and half of that is not safe for agriculture as well. Although the world's second-largest economy has made progress in its transition toward clean energy, its power system remains largely dependent on coal. And if there is no water, there will be no coal. "Water is an essential input for the generation of coal power plants, and if water becomes scarcer or is not available for power generation, that plant becomes ineffective," Ghosh highlighted. Other developing countries in the region are in similar situations, but their water crises could be harder to solve. Countries like the Philippines are not as privileged and resilient, so there's a "huge imbalance in the water crisis that we're facing," Shanshan Wang, a Singapore water business leader at sustainability consultancy Arup, said. A villager drives a herd of sheep on the exposed bed of a reservoir on May 25, 2023 in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images India and China are close to seas and rivers, and are more threatened by rising sea levels, but they can afford technology and innovation for better water storage systems, Wang told CNBC on the sidelines of the Singapore International Water Week last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Wayne Middleton, the Australasian water business leader for Arup said that "we need to stick our hand up and say that we have not recognized the value of our river systems and we have exploited them for industry uses and agriculture." "We have only recently seen the damage that we have done," he said. Countries in the West won't likely remain unscathed by the risks associated with this water crisis. Europe's water problem is expected to get worse as resources grow increasingly scarce due to the deepening climate emergency. The region saw temperatures go through the roof in spring, after experiencing a winter heatwave that took a toll on its rivers and ski slopes. Sectors most affected Taiwan, home to Asia's largest semiconductor industry, has once again succumbed to water shortages less than two years after battling the worst drought it had seen in a century. Huge amounts of water are needed to power the plants and manufacture the semiconductor chips that go into our digital devices, and supply can be hindered if shortages occur. "Taiwan is a big user of hydropower and it always faces a dilemma on whether to store water for its semiconductor industry to utilize, or if the water should be released so they can have more hydroelectricity power," Wang highlighted. "Droughts and floods are both a problem for Taiwan, so the industry is unlucky and vulnerable," she added. watch now However, Wang noted that although many manufacturing industries do need water to function, water is not actually being used up and could be recycled. "Water scarcity is not particularly problematic to these industries because a lot of the water can be recycled. The process pollutes the water, and many industries might just want to dump the water directly back into the ecosystem instead of purifying and reusing it," she said. "Now that there is a crisis, there are opportunities for businesses to think about how to close the loop They cannot just take whatever is available in abundance for themselves." Water is also playing a huge role in the planned energy transition, and the lack of water could impede countries' transition to net-zero. In 2022, China experienced its worst heatwave and drought in six decades. Blistering temperatures dried up areas of the Yangtze River, impeding its hydroelectricity capabilities the country's second biggest power source. The Gezhouba dam water conservancy project of the Yangtze River after heavy rain in Yichang, Hubei Province, China. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) Students of Mauraro Elementary School in Guinobatan, Albay will again resort to blended learning, as hundreds of evacuees are set to occupy their classrooms due to threats from Mayon Volcano. Our contingency is blended learning. Face-to-face classes in the morning and modules in the afternoon. But our problem now is that we will be shifting to another contingency if all the classrooms will be used for evacuation, Giovanni Palacio, the school principal, told CNN Philippines. Palacio said at least 15 classrooms will shelter evacuees from the six-kilometer danger zone. He added that the evacuation has affected 60% of their learners, who will have to shift from face-to-face classes to blended learning. READ: The beauty is a beast: Mayon Volcano's unrest in 2023 Palacio said the evacuation will result in disruption of learning since students are still adjusting to face-to-face classes. We cannot rely on the modules because we are not sure kung 'yung mga parents may capabilities na magturo sa bata, he added. [Translation: We cannot rely on modules because we are not sure if parents are capable of teaching their kids.] Close to 3,000 individuals, or over 800 families, have been evacuated in Guinobatan. Local government units have appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to include residents near Mayon as beneficiaries of the governments housing projects. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plans to distribute cash assistance to families affected by Mayon Volcano's unrest. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday said it will help families buy other essential needs that are not included in the family food packs. He added that the initiative is part of DSWD's effort to practice the "anticipatory action" approach in disaster response. "Alam mong sasabog ang bulkan, so we can already empower the people through cash assistance," he said in a statement. "Kasi the boxes are typical. They are not tailored fit to meet every family's individual requirement." [Translation: You know the volcano will erupt, so we can already empower the people through cash assistance. Because the boxes are typical. They are not tailored fit to meet every family's individual requirement.] The DSWD did not say how much cash will be provided but said the funds will be sourced from Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. The United Arab Emirates government on Monday donated 55 tons of food items and medicine for Mayon-affected residents in Albay. READ: UAE gives 55 tons of food, medicine for families affected by restive Mayon According to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, a total of 13,811 individuals had been affected in the province of Albay. Of this number, the NDRRMC said 13,179 persons were served inside the 21 evacuation centers (ECs) and 632 persons were served outside ECs. https://monitoring-dashboard.ndrrmc.gov.ph/page/reports/situational-report-for-the-mayon-volcanic-activity-2023 READ: Thousands more residents to be evacuated if Mayon danger zone is extended, mayors say A total of 25 million worth of assistance from the government, private organizations, and non-governmental organizations has been provided to those who needed help, it added. The alert status of Mayon was raised in Alert Level 3 last June 8. Meaning, the volcano is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days. The Western Governors Association's annual meeting is returning to Colorado this month, bringing with it leaders from across the Western United States. Gov. Jared Polis, who chairs the association, will host the three-day event at the Boulder Theater from June 26 to June 28. During the meeting, governors will participate in roundtable discussions on issues facing the West, including water, health care access and ecosystem restoration. Governors representing eight states and territories will attend the meeting: Polis, Josh Green of Hawaii, Brad Little of Idaho, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Tina Kotek of Oregon, Mark Gordon of Wyoming, and Arnold Palacios of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The meeting will also feature keynote addresses from Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Ashley Llorens, vice president and scientist at Microsoft; and, Denis McDonough, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This will be the first time Colorado has hosted the annual meeting since 2019 when it was held in Vail, and the second time Colorado has hosted during Polis' time as governor. The meeting will also look at Polis' "Heat Beneath Our Feet" initiative that he announced during last year's meeting. The year-long initiative was intended to evaluate strategies to scale geothermal technologies across the West to expand clean energy recourses and jump-start the development of geothermal energy generation. Governors will discuss the key takeaways from the initiative during the first roundtable of the event, including remarks from Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk and panelists Claudio Berti, director and state geologist of Idaho Geological Survey, and Sarah Jewett, vice president of strategy at Fervo Energy. The Western Governors Association is a bipartisan coalition of 22 governors from the western half of the U.S. Polis was elected chair of the association last July, with his term set to expire next month. Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify that eight governors will attend the meeting instead of the original 10. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga dropped out due to scheduling conflicts after the article's publication. Bee activity at the hives maintained by the Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association in the Learning Garden on the OSU Hood River County Extension grounds will be buzzing with activity at the Garden Gathering on June 17, presented by Central Gorge Master Gardeners. In addition to the Learning Garden, Central Gorge Master Gardeners also design, maintain and teach at the The Water Wise Garden at the Hood River County Library, FISH Food Bank Garden at Spirit of Grace Church, and Parkdale Memorial Garden at the intersection of Dee Highway and Baseline Road in Parkdale all on the garden tour. For information, contact Megan Wickersham, megan.wickersham@oregonstate.edu. UST is a digital transformation services company with more than 35,000 employees around the globe. The company's services run the gamut of IT, from cybersecurity and data analytics to supply-chain management and next-gen cloud infractructure, and its clients run across seven vertical industries. Like every other company, UST has had to deal with a dramatically different workplace compared to what existed prior to the onset of COVID-19. It has moved from fully remote at the beginning of pandemic to requiring IT employees to be in the office two to three days a week. The company is also in the midst of creating a more flexible, blended workforce to meet its own and customers needs more effectively. USTs Open Talent strategy leverages the freelancer talent ecosystem. Its IT team has also had to adjust to the fact that technology automation is here to stay and will only continue to grow. Part of that automation includes generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, which can perform myriad business tasks, from uncovering software defects and data mapping to automating supplier invoices. UST's clients have also become more conscious of costs at a time when global economic security is in question and economists continue to warn of a possible impending recession. UST UST CTO Niranjan Ramsunder UST CTO Niranjan Ramsunder joined the California-based company in 2006 as a technical solutions manager. Since that time, hes also held roles as USTs director of technical solutions and global head of solutions before being named CTO in 2019. Since becoming the CTO, Ramsunder has been focused on data, AI, and how to identify client problems what he calls "the left side" of the service role, or discovering for the customer why theyre in the fix theyre in. Ramsunder spoke to Computerworld about the technology industry and the future of work, IT project costs and challenges, IT culture and trends, how generative AI will change the way technology problems get solved, and how the IT workforce can prepare for the future. The following are excerpts from that interview, lightly edited for clarity. How has your role as CTO changed over time? "My role has been to push that envelope to the left getting to the problem. Why do we have that problem in the first place? For example, we had one customer who was using AI to do reporting for analysis. We realized very quickly they couldnt state what wanted to do in terms of the number of critical data they were analyzing. Then we ended up very quickly with a new build on AWS Cloud. Sometimes problems and solutions have to go together in terms of what can be solved. What technology choices are they making? Is it cost effective?" AI has become a kind of necessary evil. Without it, we cant survive. With it, there are too many risks. What are the biggest IT trends? "Obviously, everybody is looking at ChatGPT. Generative AI is showing up everywhere. Normally, Im hesitant to jump on the buzzwords because they really dont translate to business very quickly. "Seven or eight years back, we had a buzzword for moving to the cloud. One of the first jobs we had with that was with a company called G4S, which delivers cash to ATMs with trucks. The trucks needed to get updates on where to go next for the day. They had a device that got updated at the center where they collect the cash and then distribute it. They wanted to use Azure. That project really suffered because Azure was not mature yet. It was 2010 or 2011. So, the cloud was more of a buzzword. Now cloud is taken for granted. "Theres a lot of discussion about... blockchains. But none of them translated into business. Right now, generative AI and large language models [LLMs] is definitely a place where we find the buzz and the reality are matching. So, thats the number one trend in my mind for customers. "The number two trend is a constant focus on costs. Particularly because of the expected recession from an economy point of view. From a client point of view, theyre all very conscience about spending cash. Theyll only spend cash if theyre able to see results in three to nine months no longer than that. Every dollar they spend, they want to see it result in something valuable. Our client jobs are linked to that: spend and results. "Those are the two trends that inform everything we do. How do we talk to the customers? How do we get funding for those projects?" How do you see AI affecting the workplace of the future? "The reality is, for companies like us people who work with customers to find solutions for them were finding AI has become a kind of necessary evil. Without it, we cant survive. With it, there are too many risks. "For example, AI may give you a wrong conclusion; it may be biased in its conclusions; it may give you things youre not able to track and audit backwards very clearly. At the same time, not using it puts you in a hole, because youre not that productive compared to someone else using it. "So, the use of AI is getting more targeted toward [specific use] areas where there is less confusion about hallucinations and wrong decisions, but more about, 'Can it improve productivity with less risk?'" How do you see AI affecting jobs? Will it eliminate more than it creates, and what jobs do you see going away or being created? "Thats a question that bothers all of us. Its a very subjective answer. From my point of view, I believe we at UST are focused on providing solutions for customers, and so AI will create more jobs there. "[On the other hand], the overall number jobs will I think reduce by, say, 20% or 10%. At the same time, the kinds of jobs coming to the marketplace [becase of AI] will not be the same. And not all jobs are going to go through this crush. Knowledge jobs white-collar positions that kind of work is going [to be reduced]. "One fundamental change, though, is the skill level that we have today will change. The kinds of jobs going away and the kinds of jobs coming in are definitely not the same. You may not [need to] be an expert in AI to use AI today, but when you get into the next level of the job change, you need to understand the implications of it. You have to understand, 'What can I do with AI that I cannot do today without it?' "So, for example, if youre someone [managing] invoices and making sure payments are being made correctly to a supplier, you're going to have to change the way you look at your work. You cannot be [manually] looking at matching invoices and paying suppliers. You can look at AI and say, 'Can I get some ideas on which [invoice] to look for first?' That thinking then will drive the way they act and what their jobs look like." How important a skill is generative AI prompt engineering to yours and other orgs? "I think prompt engineering is the key to using AI well. The way that its designed and the way its tracked is where the success or failure of whole area is going to be. That's absolutely crucial. "If you look at the kinds of jobs I want to prepare my child for today, I would say go for prompt engineering. The models deployed on hardware. What are the most efficient ways of doing it? Those are the two areas youre going to find the most opportunity to save money and make money for an organization. "So, when looking at jobs for [which high school students should prepare], Id say look for understanding the implications of cost while working with AI. And look for the costs of prompt engineering, hardware engineering. They all link to the same problem: how can I use AI in a way thats cost effective, gives me quick results, but doesnt take me in the wrong direction? "Thats where all of them are tending to go toward. Effective use of AI." I understand tailoring some of these LLMs for specific business use can be very expensive even cost millions of dollars. Have you tailored an LLM for use at UST? What was your experience? "Yeah, weve been doing a lot of work with AI over the last seven or eight months, ever since OpenAI released ChatGPT and it became much more visible. "To answer your question, yes, were using it for problems like if I want to generate a test score to test my software. I can do that automatically. I can look for security violations in my code. I can do it with ChatGPT frameworks large language models. Instead of going through every line of code to find defects, I can run it through this program. Again, the risk of not getting it right is not as much as the risk of not doing it. "Also, more mapping activities for example, when you have data mapping activities between your source system and target for analysis. That process [normally] takes a lot of people. When data flows in large volumes, you get too many errors if its not done well. That process can be automated with AI. "So, a lot of this work is where were spending a lot of our time in terms of using AI for productive work and reducing errors in other work. Thats really where the opportunity is. Can I be more accurate? Can I be faster? And at the same time, can it be cheaper than doing it any other way?" Needing to learn [new skills] used to be a requirement for the ambitious, but now even to survive youll have to have that future-proofing mindset for your skillset. Whos going to take on the task of prompt engineering IT workers or business-side workers? "The easy answer is both. But you need to appreciate what prompt engineering does. What kind of prompts make sense? You need to have domain knowledge but also need to have an IT framework in your mindset to understand how AI works. "Managing AI better in terms of your prompt engineering, managing the way an AI model is built, has got to be with an IT sensitive, knowledgeable person looking at the domain capability. You can hardly do any work today without IT. You cannot understand how automation works without IT. So I would say get a domain person, train them on AI. But you need both, and they need to be trained specifically on this." How have you adapted to hybrid work within IT? "Thats been one of the big challenges, because with COVID people expected to work from wherever they were. Then after two years, suddenly COVID went away somewhat. Now, we want the workers to come back to the office, but the genie is out of bottle. Were finding it very difficult to push it back into the bottle. "And people are either leaving or theyre dissatisfied or theyre not productive. There are many things that are not unique to the way different societies operate. At the same time, a lot of people hate the commute and spending time thats not productive. "The other side to that is why we want people to come back. We cannot collaborate. In spite of all the collaboration technologies we have, if I was meeting you face to face, Im sure our interaction would be 10 times better because you can see things. You can look at body language, and how someone is thinking even when theyre not speaking. "So, were finding theres a mix between some people who do well in a hybrid [or remote] environment and then some jobs where theres more collaborative work needed working with customers, working with larger teams. We find it makes sense to have face-to-face interactions there. "What were trying to mandate is at least two or three days a week in the office when people work together and then have time on your own to do stuff. Because meetings are not the only thing you do at work a lot of what you do is thinking, cohering things into something meaningful. Those things can be done in your own comfort zone; if its the office, its the office. If its home, its home. So were looking at a truly hybrid environment with a mix of flexibility and some days in the office." How has IT culture changed over the past three years? "What has become more and more clear to me is automation is here to stay even in our work. For example, a lot of the work we were doing before was manual. Manually configuring things, setting up things, mapping things to each other, creating an environment. A lot of that is getting automated. "So, were as much in the same revolution as our customers are in. That is disrupting the way we imagine our jobs, imagine the people we work with, the way we interact. Everything is changing fundamentally. Our children will definitely live in a different world than we live in." What IT skills do you believe are most important for the future of work? "I believe for people who are coming up today, for any area of enterprise work you need to learn how it will be impacted by things happening today in technology. "You need to have a constant outward focus on whats going to impact you. You dont want to get surprised. Needing to learn [new skills] used to be a requirement for the ambitious, but now even to survive youll have to have that future-proofing mindset for your skillset. That future-proofing is mostly technology based. It can be based on automation; it can be based on AI; it can be based on a completely new way of doing work that comes in and can replace you. "I dont think anyone taking a job can be complacent in todays world. Every job, including that of a doctor, for example. If theyre expecting to be productive throughout their career theyre finding their jobs may be at risk, because even a diagnostician working on AI may be able to offer a better diagnosis for a patient. An automated system monitoring all your heart, your bloodwork, your various vital signs can give you a better diagnosis. So youre competing against that all the time. "So, your willingness to be aware of what is going to take your job, thats a new skill you need to survive in this world." What are the greatest IT challenges today? "I think the number one challenge today... is youre no longer just finding a solution, but youre having to find how cost effective it is to do it that way. How expensive is it to do it that way? It has to give you a result thats cheaper than it cost to bring automation into it or AI or ChatGPT or the cloud. All of them cost money. The question is, who makes the money? "So, for example, you have cloud providers making money. Then you have the GPU manufacturers making money. Can you decide what is the most cost-effective way for my company to survive? "So first, be open to learning all the time. Second, be cost effective in all you do. Thats going to be driving a lot of job positions tomorrow. Were not going to be having big budgeting exercises. Money is always in short supply." How to redefine success? Singapore Dy PM Lawrence Wong gets a question from DBS Group CEO Piyush Gupta Achieving a good life in Singapore earning professional recognition and a degree of material wealth is supposed to define success by any standard. But is there another way to look at it? How do we define success? That was the question put to Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong by DBS Group CEO and Director Piyush Gupta yesterday, while Wong interacted with the audience at the 35th anniversary conference of the Institute of Policy Studies. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks at the 35th anniversary conference of the Institute of Policy Studies. Photo courtesy: Instagram/lawrencewongst Wong, who is also the Singapore Finance Minister, indicated at the conference that single-minded focus on material wealth would be detrimental for Singapore society. Were just going to be caught in a rat race, in an arms race, and everyone will be worse off, he said. If we keep pushing in that direction My house must be bigger than your house, my pay cheque must be bigger than your pay cheque, and my status in life must be higher than your status in life are we going to be happier? I seriously doubt so, he said at the conferences panel talk. This is not about not being able to deliver on housing and all those other good things but lets also reflect on beyond a certain point what do we want for ourselves, for our children? he asked. Posting a few images on Instagram from his panel talk at the conference, Wong outlined the thoughts and contents of his speech. He wrote: What is the good life we aspire towards? What does the Singapore Story mean to all of us? Im sure there will be a range of views on these questions. But through the #ForwardSG conversations, we see some common threads. We need a more inclusive definition of success to embrace diverse pathways of excellence, all deserving of equal respect in our society. The Instagram post focused on purpose, not just profit; on the community, not just the economy. Success is less about means and more about meaning finding purpose and fulfilment in all that we do. Success is not about grades and academic qualifications; its about a journey of lifelong learning, which the government will support fully through SkillsFuture. Deputy PM Wong highlighted that personal success was not enough; contribution to the community was also important. Success is not just about the individual; its about the collective, he wrote. Every success story is a shared story. So we must give back to the community, support our fellow citizens, and strengthen our sense of solidarity as a people. We can all do our part to equip and empower every citizen to write their own Singapore Story! In his speech at the conference, Wong highlighted these ideas, talking about a new social structure for the people of Singapore, a structure that would be more inclusive. Lawrence Wong and DBS Group CEO Piyush Gupta at the National Gallery building in April 2015. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Lawrence Wong Gupta asked Wong how to redefine success beyond material wealth, and do it within a short time frame. He added that any attempt to reorganise society would not be easy. The Deputy PM replied that this process of redefining success had to start with changing mindsets; people needed to look at different pathways to success, looking beyond career paths alone. Its not easy to do, but I think corporate leaders, business leaders or community leaders can help and we should try to move in that direction. If we make the effort, things can shift, he said. Lawrence Wong with Singapore school students, who could help redefine success for Singapore society. Photo courtesy: Instagram/lawrencewongst There will be inevitable struggles for some people, no matter how open and equal a society is. Accepting that, Wong said that society had to focus on helping the disadvantaged, enabling them to again find their path to success. In a campaign that exploits the relationships between different organizations, attackers managed to chain business email compromise (BEC) against four or more organizations jumping from one breached organization to the next by leveraging the relationships between them. The attack, which Microsoft researchers call multi-stage adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) phishing, started with a compromise at a trusted vendor and targeted organizations from the banking and financial services sectors. This attack shows the complexity of AitM and BEC threats, which abuse trusted relationships between vendors, suppliers, and other partner organizations with the intent of financial fraud, the Microsoft researchers said. Phishing with indirect proxies AitM phishing is a now common technique for bypassing multifactor authentication mechanisms that rely on one-time codes users manually enter during login sessions, regardless of how theyre received: email, SMS, or generated by a phone app. The most common way to perform AitM is to use a reverse proxy, where the victim connects to an attacker-controlled domain and website that simply proxies all the content and subsequent requests from the real login page of the targeted service. In such a phishing implementation, for which open-source toolkits are now available, the attackers gain a passive monitoring role of the traffic between the victim and the service theyre authenticating on. The goal is to capture the session cookie relayed back by the service when authentication is complete and then misuse it to directly access the victims account. However, this also has downsides for the attackers if additional policies are in place that capture and verify other aspects of the victims machine, because a subsequent login from an attacker could trigger a security alert and flag the session as suspicious. In the new attack observed by Microsoft, the attackers, which the company track under the temporary Storm-1167 moniker, used a custom phishing toolkit they developed themselves and which uses an indirect proxy method. This means the phishing page set up by the attackers does not serve any content from the real log-in page but rather mimics it as a stand-alone page fully under attackers control. When the victim interacts with the phishing page, the attackers initiate a login session with the real website using the victim-provided credentials and then ask for the MFA code from the victim using a fake prompt. If the code is provided, the attackers use it for their own login session and are issued the session cookie directly. The victim is then redirected to a fake page. This is more in line with traditional phishing attacks. By Microsoft Security Organizations are moving more infrastructure, data, and apps to the cloud supporting remote work and engaging with third-party ecosystems. This broader, more dynamic environment results in an expanded set of attack surfaces. Threat actors are taking advantage of this complexity, exploiting gaps and relentlessly stepping up the volume of attacks. Paired with the growth of the cybercrime-as-a-service ecosystem, the threat landscape has become broader and more complex. The good news is basic security hygiene still protects against 98% of cyberattacks. But keeping up with todays threats means securing every main attack surface: Internal, cloud, and external. While the challenges to each continue to evolve, so are the options available to defenders. Ask yourself this: If you were an attacker trying to get in, what could you exploit? Read on for actionable tips on defending each of the three main attack surfaces. Attack surface #1: Internal protecting things you can control Email, identity, endpoint devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are all under constant attack by threat actors, adding risk to day-to-day business processes. In 2022, the rate of phishing attacks increased by 61% compared to 2021; Microsoft alone blocks 710 million phishing emails every week. Safeguards such as URL checking and disabling macros can help, but employee education is essential especially as threat actors use more sophisticated social engineering tactics, including using AI to create more persuasive emails. With an estimated 921 password attacks every second in 2022 a 74% increase from 2021 threat actors are getting more aggressive and creative. Mitigating identity attacks means more than securing user accounts: it spans cloud access, as well as workload identities (identities assigned to software workloads like applications to access other services and resources). Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of identity and access will continue to be mission critical. Securing endpoints has become more challenging but is especially critical when defending internal attack surfaces. BYOD (bring your own devices) policies have led to a huge growth in unmanaged devices. On average, there are 3,500 unprotected, connected devices per enterprise. Unpatched servers provide additional points of entry. Its essential to keep up with patches and employ endpoint detection and response agents. By 2025, IDC predicts that 41 billion IoT devices will be present within enterprise and consumer environments. In one study, 35% of security practitioners reported that in the last two years, an IoT device was used to conduct a broader attack on their organization. While many countries are mandating improvements in IoT device cybersecurity, each organization needs to be especially mindful of their risks. Greater visibility into every connected device is crucial. Attack surface #2: Cloud defending offsite, multi-cloud and hybrid environments Securing the cloud environment means defending a range of services, including SaaS, IaaS and PaaS, distributed across multiple clouds. This can make it difficult to achieve end-to-end visibility across the entire cloud enterprise. Without this visibility, organizations are at an increased risk for critical security gaps. Microsoft found that 84% of organizations who suffered ransomware attacks did not integrate their multi-cloud assets with their security tooling. Unknown code-based vulnerabilities in cloud-native applications have dramatically increased the risk of compromise. Embracing a Shift-left security approach incorporating security thinking in the earliest stages of app development can help organizations strengthen their security posture and avoid introducing these vulnerabilities in the first place. Attack surface #3: External meeting an internet-scale challenge The global attack surface has grown with the internet, spanning multiple clouds, complex digital supply chains, and massive third-party ecosystems. The internet is now part of the network, and despite its almost unfathomable size, security teams must defend their organizations presence throughout the internet to the same degree as everything behind their firewalls. Your entire supply chain is at risk not only your suppliers and partners, but their vendors and partners. A 2020 Ponemon report revealed that 53% of organizations had experienced at least one data breach caused by a third party in the past two years, costing an average of $7.5 million to remediate. Component makers and third-party code developers can be hacked, potentially leading to stolen customer credentials or back doors into your systems. Meanwhile, cloud environments compromised by phishing attacks could enable threat actors access to your confidential data. This means taking inventory of internet-exposed assets has become more urgent than ever. Visibility is the linchpin of security You cant protect what you dont understand. Viewing the organization from the outside-in is a good place to start when evaluating your security posture. Beyond Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), its important to gain deep visibility into your attack surfaces so you can identify vulnerabilities throughout the entirety of your environment and extended ecosystem. Security teams need powerful threat intelligence to provide timely and relevant context into current attack behavior and trends. The benefits are twofold: first, the right threat intelligence helps security teams to successfully identify vulnerabilities, prioritize alerts, and disrupt attacks. Second, if and when a breach occurs, holistic threat intelligence is essential to learning what happened and preventing it from happening again. Simply put, organizations that leverage more threat intelligence will be better able to successfully secure their organization. End-to-end visibility into threats is foundational for good security hygiene. Once you know your vulnerabilities, you can apply the right defenses for your organization including human-centered approaches like Zero Trust principles, patch management, identity and access controls, and user education. Ready to learn more about protecting all of your attack surfaces? Read our in-depth threat brief and visit us at Microsoft Security Insider for more cybersecurity insights. The body positivity movement is becoming more socially recognized through the media, but the scope of its inclusion currently disregards the transgender community. The sentiments surrounding this movement include trans exclusionary language such as, Every body is perfect the way it is, and No one needs to change their body. For those coming to terms with their gender identity, the act of physically altering their body may be a matter of life or death. I started hormone replacement therapy at 17, and if I didn't start when I did, I wouldn't be alive today, Taliah Johnson, a nonbinary trans woman and sophomore psychology and sociology student at UO, said. While not all trans and nonbinary people seek gender affirming medical procedures to become more comfortable in their gender identity, many have found it to be a source of relief. Beck Banks, a nonbinary trans man and communication and media studies doctoral student at the UO, said HRT helped them to feel more comfortable with themself. Despite this very real lived experience of trans people, narratives of young people regretting their gender transition are being pushed. A New York Times article reported on a study that found 2.5% of children who changed their gender identity came to reidentify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Banks said articles like these encourage false information about trans people. I am all for reporting on underrepresented issues but these are incredible outliers, Banks said. They do not represent trans people, or the majority of trans people. The publication of these stories combined with legislative bans on trans healthcare work to discourage transitioning and create a social environment that is not body positive for trans people. For trans people coping with social rejection, feeling comfortable in one's body becomes much more difficult. Johnson said she has found confidence and comfort in their body through self-expression. This includes clothing, tattoos and jewelry, especially when buying these products supports trans artists. The clothing I wear makes me feel more confident in myself and gives me a great deal of comfort, Johnson said. It makes me feel like I'm a worthy human being and that I deserve everything any person deserves. It's very helpful to have the right clothes to help support myself in my journey. While it is not always catered to trans people, the body positive movement does preach self-acceptance and comfort as an important realization for any person. A large part of this journey involves being able to see people who look like you in the media. Underrepresentation of trans people both in body positive internet spheres and the media in general can make self-acceptance more difficult. This lack of representation often leads to others profiling the underrepresented as exotic. Johnson said she often feels fetishized by cisgender men on dating apps, which has made it difficult for them to see themself as attractive. To fight back against this social response, Johnson looks up to other trans, nonbinary and queer people she follows online. If they can live their lives authentically and be happy with the bodies that they've grown into, I can do the same thing, Johnson said. Even though it may clash with what society says, I'm still going to admire my transness because every part of me is absolutely beautiful. I deserve love and appreciation as much as anyone else deserves. For trans and nonbinary people, body positivity may not fit into the traditional mold of accepting the body you were born with, but it is still an important part of self-acceptance. Gender queer body positivity is gender queer pride. By growing into a body that fits one's own definitions of gender expression, body positivity is practiced. And for many, the destination of self acceptance is more powerful than the backlash thrown at them along the way. Hang in there, and invest in yourself, and lead with the best intentions, and understand that the people who treat you poorly just can't see humans as humans, Banks said. Hold on for that autonomy, the ability to navigate who you are, and what you're doing, and who you're going to be around. And, you know, it's going to be an interesting ride. Should you ever have been caught up in one of the hellish traffic jams caused by Just Stop Oil's roadblocks, you will doubtless be four-square behind Home Secretary Suella Braverman's proposed new laws giving the police greater powers to tackle them. There are many videos on social media of ordinary people whose days have been ruined by these eco-morons who think they have the right to impose their views on the rest of us. Some of the videos are heartbreaking, with people stuck in gridlock on their way to the funerals of loved ones, hospital appointments they can't miss or vital meetings. Enough is enough. These naive and self-indulgent individuals have been left by the police to give us the runaround for far too long. Anyone who believes in democracy and the rule of law would, you might think, support the Government. STEPHEN POLLARD: Should you ever have been caught up in one of the hellish traffic jams caused by Just Stop Oil's roadblocks, you will doubtless be four-square behind Home Secretary Suella Braverman's proposed new laws giving the police greater powers to tackle them Which brings us to Sir Keir Starmer. Far from supporting the reforms, the Labour leader has opposed the new powers at every stage. In deciding between the right of people to go about their lives free from disruption, and the right of groups such as Just Stop Oil to wreak havoc, he has backed the latter. The changes to the Public Order Act, which form the basis of the Home Secretary's plan to tackle these disruptions, have had a troubled passage through Parliament. The unelected House of Lords has repeatedly thrown out elements of the intended new laws. Nonetheless, thanks to the Government's majority in the Commons, the key parts have passed. The Act introduces a new offence of 'serious disruption' as well as criminalising interference with key infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways. And it makes it illegal to 'lock on to other people, objects or buildings' using handcuffs or superglue, for example one of the group's favourite tactics. All of these provisions are good and important. But if it was up to Sir Keir, none of this would be law. Last night he directed his MPs to vote against the Bill. The Labour leader likes to portray himself as some sort of tough guy. In pretty much any interview he gives, on any subject, he mentions his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. The implication is: I've done a real job, locking up criminals. I'm on the side of the public. But the problem with Sir Keir is that on some fundamental issues he is not merely out of touch, he is actively opposed to the views of ordinary people. Sir Keir, you see, is what used to be called 'soft Left'. Apart from a dalliance with Marxism in his 20s, he has been resolutely mainstream Labour not an extremist in the mould of a Jeremy Corbyn or Diane Abbott but one of those ostensibly decent socialists who thinks that, as he is an educated and intelligent man, his views are more elevated than those of people who disagree with him. He knows best. His colleagues know best. STEPHEN POLLARD: Which brings us to Sir Keir Starmer (pictuerd). Far from supporting the reforms, the Labour leader has opposed the new powers at every stage. In deciding between the right of people to go about their lives free from disruption, and the right of groups such as Just Stop Oil to wreak havoc, he has backed the latter He affects to be the people's representative. But confront him with people's actual views and he will . . . well, squirm, because it's not their fault they don't have his subtle insights they are just not really worthy. This attitude has formed the bedrock of the Left for generations. Back in 1937, the Labour MP Douglas Jay infamously wrote: 'In the case of nutrition and health, just as in the case of education, the gentleman in Whitehall really does know better what is good for people than the people know themselves'. This is Sir Keir all over he knows best. Take the green agenda. Almost everyone accepts the idea that we have to be more careful in looking after our planet, and that we need to tackle global warming. But for fanatics such as Just Stop Oil, the only acceptable policy is the clue's in the name just ending production of all oil (and gas). It is plain mad. Their one demand would destroy modern life as we know it which of course is what they actually want. If Sir Keir were a serious figure, he would be clear about all this. Indeed, as recently as eight months ago, he described the Just Stop Oil protests as 'wrong', adding: 'I think it's arrogant of those glueing themselves to the road to think they're the only people who have the answer to this. They haven't got the answer.' STEPHEN POLLARD: The Act introduces a new offence of 'serious disruption' as well as criminalising interference with key infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways. And it makes it illegal to 'lock on to other people, objects or buildings' using handcuffs or superglue, for example one of the group's favourite tactics. All of these provisions are good and important But when it comes to decisive action, he is found wanting. Not only does he order his MPs to vote against the Public Order Act but he is also, according to reports that have not been denied, planning in government to do Just Stop Oil's bidding by barring all new North Sea oil and gas extraction. He understands, you see, what others ordinary people who protest that such a move would destroy jobs and kill the prospect of growth just don't have the capacity to grasp. His politics are more morally worthwhile, so he must be right. Confront him with the unfortunate coincidence that, far from demonstrating the subtlety of his politics, his embrace of Just Stop Oil's agenda appears to show only that he has been bought and paid for by the protesters' principal donor, Dale Vince, and he will sneer as if the very idea is insulting. Yet to anyone looking at it objectively, the receipt by Labour of 1.5 million from Mr Vince before Sir Keir decided to vote against new laws that would shackle Just Stop Oil, and just as he appears poised to adopt the mad idea of banning new North Sea oil seems at best dubious and at worst truly shocking in its cynicism. This fits with a pattern in Sir Keir's career, exemplified by his attempts to overturn the Brexit referendum. As Shadow Brexit Secretary he pushed for a second referendum. His argument was couched in sophistry about the need for consent to any deal but to paraphrase it what he actually meant was that voters are too stupid to have been given the final say, and they should do what Sir Keir and his far more serious and sensible colleagues tell them to do. Infamously, he is unable to define what a woman is. STEPHEN POLLARD: Not only does Keir Starmer order his MPs to vote against the Public Order Act but he is also, according to reports that have not been denied, planning in government to do Just Stop Oil's bidding by barring all new North Sea oil and gas extraction. When he was first asked the question, he responded with embarrassing waffle that tied him in all sorts of verbal knots. More recently, he has refined his answer: asked if someone with a penis can be a woman, he said there are 'a very small number' who can. So much for science. But this confusion and inability to give a straight answer to an issue of biology is not, it's important to note, because Sir Keir doesn't have a clear answer he could give. It is because he has bought completely into the agenda of the trans lobby. He knows that, if he said what he really thinks yes, a woman can have a penis he would antagonise the female half of the population and many men. This is the politician whom polls suggest will be our next PM. A man who thinks it's just fine that a rabble can ruin the daily lives of hardworking people because he thinks his view of the world is more elevated than that of those who are actually affected. On Sunday's Antiques Roadshow, a mild-mannered man brought along a miniature portrait of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and four tiny pieces of old paper that had been folded over into envelopes. These envelopes were marked with the names of three Romantic poets William Wordsworth, Robert Southey and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Tucked into each envelope were a few wisps of the poet's hair: keepsakes handed down from generation to generation. There were two envelopes marked S. T. Coleridge the first containing dark hair from his youth, the second containing snowy-white hair, snipped from his scalp at his death. 'Think about that being cut from the poet's hair on his deathbed' said the antiques expert, Justin Croft. 'It's incredibly moving, isn't it?' CRAIG BROWN: On Sunday's Antiques Roadshow, a mild-mannered man brought along a miniature portrait of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and four tiny pieces of old paper that had been folded over into envelopes (expert Justin Croft pictured) CRAIG BROWN: Tucked into each envelope were a few wisps of the poet's hair: keepsakes handed down from generation to generation In his youth, Coleridge's hair had been a great mass, rough and thick and long 'black and glossy as a raven's' in the words of his fan William Hazlitt. These two little locks the one from his youth, the other from his deathbed are relics of this great whirlwind of intellectual and physical energy. In his youth, he would happily walk 40 miles in a single day. Of course, the Antiques Roadshow always thrives on the tension surrounding the valuation at the end. 'If we want to talk value, with the picture and locks of hair', said Justin Croft, 'without a doubt we're looking at 30,000 to 40,000.' Financially speaking, this puts the hair of these three Romantic poets on a par with the last autograph signed by President J.F. Kennedy ($39,000), the fibreglass 'stone tablets' carried by Charlton Heston as Moses in the 1956 Cecil B. deMille film The Ten Commandments ($80,000) and the nine pill bottles prescribed to Elvis Presley the day before his death ($46,000). However, they are all soundly beaten by the see-through dress worn by Kate Middleton at a university fashion-show when she first caught the eye of Prince William, which went for 78,000 at auction back in 2010. CRAIG BROWN: In his youth, Coleridge's (pictured circa aged 43) hair had been a great mass, rough and thick and long 'black and glossy as a raven's' in the words of his fan William Hazlitt CRAIG BROWN: These envelopes were marked with the names of three Romantic poets William Wordsworth (left), Robert Southey (right) and Samuel Taylor Coleridge When told the value of the objects they have brought in, it has become obligatory on the Antiques Roadshow for their owners to say, 'Oh, but of course, I'd never think of selling it', even though you can tell from the glint in their eyes that they'll be phoning Sotheby's the second the cameras stop filming. But the man who brought these strands of poetic hair along to the Antiques Roadshow seemed genuinely ungrabby, simply saying that in future he'd have to look after them a bit more carefully. Nonetheless, if ever times grow hard, he might care to follow the example set by the owner of clippings of John Lennon's hair. In 1966, Lennon was given a severe short-back and sides in preparation for his role as a soldier in the film How I Won The War. The Beatles' cautious manager, Brian Epstein, was so determined that Lennon's hair clippings wouldn't end up in the wrong hands that he asked his right-hand man, Neil Aspinall, to supervise their incineration. But, when Aspinall wasn't looking, the barber, Klaus Baruch, managed to pocket a few clippings. Fifty years later, they were sold at an auction in Dallas for $35,000, three times the estimate. The purchaser, Paul Fraser of Bristol, had the crafty idea of separating them out, cutting each hair into a half-inch strand, and then placing it on a display sheet 'ready for framing'. He is currently selling each tiny half-inch hair for 399. Whopping sum: The guests (pictured) were stunned to learn the collection, including the hair, was worth 30,000 - 40,000 Of course, there is always a danger that famous hairs might have been mixed with others from more obscure heads. Nine years ago, Channel 4 spent 3,000 on buying a lock of Hitler's hair from the eccentric World War II historian David Irving. Irving claimed that the black hair had been collected by Hitler's barber, using sticky-tape attached to the soles of his shoes. Unfortunately, when Channel 4 subjected it to DNA tests, they discovered it was not Hitler's after all. 'It was found to be non-European,' said a spokesman. Irving was furious. 'I know it was Hitler's because it came from his barber, with a signed letter of authentication,' he said. Better, perhaps, to let all these various hairs remain cosy in their bottom drawers, happy to be whatever one wants them to be. She became royalty eight years ago today when she married Prince Carl Philip It's increasingly normal for commoners to have had a career before marrying into one of Europe's royal families. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was a Wall Street banker. Queen Letizia of Spain was a broadcast journalist at ABC and CNN. None of them, however, quite matches the colourful past of Princess Sofia of Sweden, Duchess of Varmland, who once modelled topless with only a snake wrapped around her torso to preserve her modesty. But not even that could prevent her becoming royal in a glamorous wedding to Prince Carl Philip eight years ago today. Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden at the dinner for the Nobel Laureates at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. They married on June 13, 2015 Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden leave their wedding ceremony at the Royal Palace in 2015. The Prince's eldest sister, Crown Princess Victoria, is heir to the throne The Prince and Princess with their elder two sons, Prince Alexander, now six, and Prince Gabriel, five Princess Sofia, now 38, then went on to star on a Love Island-style reality television show before moving to New York where she became a yoga teacher and studied accountancy. When she joined the Swedish royal family in 2015, there was, as you might expect, something of a backlash. Since then, however, she has become one of the best-loved members of the Swedish royal family, praised for working in hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sofia Hellqvist was born on December 6 1984, in the affluent enclave of Danderyd north of Stockholm to a Swedish mother, who worked in marketing, and a Danish-Swedish father who worked at the Swedish employment agency. She was the middle one of three girls. After finishing school, she went on to complete an arts programme at Vansbro Education Centre, modelling to earn money while she was a student in Stockholm. Known for her piercing blue eyes and brunette hair, Sofia took part in her first modelling shoot when she was 20. It saw her posing topless wearing a pair of camouflage print bikini bottoms, holding a live boa constrictor to preserve her modesty. The racy photos were published in Slitz - a now discontinued men's magazine in Sweden. The photos were so popular it led to Sofia being crowned Miss Slitz 2004 by the readers. She continued modelling, including somewhat less raunchy shoots for the French style magazine, La Redoute. After finishing school, she went on to complete an arts programme at Vansbro Education Centre and started modelling to get money while she was a student in Stockholm During the pandemic Princess Sofia undertook a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College in Stockholm. This allowed her to work on the wards Princess Sofia and Prince Carl at the Christening of Princess Adrienne, daughter of his younger sister Princess Madeleine Following on from her modelling, Sofia was offered the opportunity to go on the Swedish reality show Paradise Hotel - a mix between Love Island and Survivor. The show documents a group of single people living at a luxury hotel. Sofia ended up making it through to the series' final, where she was filmed kissing American porn star Jenna Jameson. After the show, however, she decided to leave the showbiz industry for a life in the Big Apple. Sofia arrived in New York in 2005 to study accounting and business development at the New York Institute of English and Business. While attending the institution in the city, she also studied yoga, where she became a qualified yoga instructor. When she returned to Sweden, she continued her studies taking up courses at Stockholm University on global ethics, child and youth studies, and the UN Convention on the rights of the child in theory and Swedish practice. She also studied gender and international relations. In July 2010, her relationship with Prince Carl Philip was announced by the palace. It is not entirely known how the pair met, but it is understood Sofia crossed paths with the Prince, whose oldest sister Crown Princess Victoria is heir to the throne, in a nightclub in Stockholm. Princess Sofia attending the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm City Hall in Sweden in 2018 Princess Sofia said she faced a 'hate storm' when her relationship with Prince Carl was first made public Nine months after their relationship was made public, the couple moved into the Djurgarden of Stockholm, where they still live in the Villa Solbacken. After their relationship was announced, however, Sofia faced a public backlash because of her past life working as glamour model. She has spoken openly about her struggle from life in the showbiz industry to life in the royal family, as she received an onslaught of online abuse from members of the public. Princess Sofia told the Swedish channel TV4 in 2021: 'I was met with an enormous hate storm from people who had opinions about me as a person, about my relationship. 'I was surprised and it definitely affected me. 'I didn't understand that people had such a need to express how badly they felt about me. It was tough. 'I dont regret anything. All these experiences have made me the person I am.' It was not the first time she had opened up about the public scrutiny she received. In 2018, while speaking at the Let's Make Love Great Again festival about bullying, she described how the media furore 'knocked her over'. She explained: 'People had opinions about me and my relationship, and more. It was very tough. People had comments on everything possible, on what I do and how I look.' 'When my relationship with Carl-Philip became public I was greeted by a huge hate storm. 'People had opinions about me and my relationship, and more. It surprised me and knocked me over for a period of time', she told TV4 a short time earlier. Sofia's engagement to Prince Carl was announced on June 27 2014, and the couple were married at the Royal Chapel on June 13 2015. Since then she has become a valuable member of the royal family, It is not entirely known how the pair met, but it is understood Sofia crossed paths with the Prince in a nightclub in Stockholm Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip not having HRH titles would allow their children to have more freedom when they get older Following their wedding, the newly wed royal couple set up the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation. Princess Sofia spends much of her time at the charity, which mainly focuses on issues relating to younger people being safer online and as well as having a greater understanding and respect of those with dyslexia. The Princess devotes much of her time to the foundation, which focuses on issues relating to safer everyday online life for young people and greater respect for and understanding of people with dyslexia. In 2016, the couples first son Prince Alexander, six, was born followed by their second son Prince Gabriel, five, in 2017 and their youngest Prince Julian. In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf decided that Princess Sofia's sons, as well as those of Prince Carl Philip's sister Princess Madeline, will not have HRH titles. Although they will still go by prince and princesses they will not receive taxpayer funds. At the time of the announcement Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip said it would allow their children to have more freedom when they get older. When asked by Royal Central if she had ever considered stepping back from royal life, like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex she said: 'No. Not really. I think I have found such a fantastic balance, and I really see it as positive that I have made it through these stormy years. In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf decided that the sons of Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip, and the sons of his sister Princess Madeline, will not have HRH titles. Pictured: The couple's sons, Princes Alexander, Julian and Gabriel 'It is such a huge advantage, in that we have the opportunity to stand a little in both worlds.' During the pandemic Princess Sofia undertook a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College in Stockholm, where she is an honorary chair member. This meant she was able to assist with healthcare work and help fight the pandemic that killed 22,645 people since 2020. Photos surfaced of her scrubbed in, posing with other staff members, who worked at the Sophiahemmet hospital. An expert has explored some of the signs of narcissistic abuse in relationships - including apologising even when things aren't your fault and losing your confidence. Dr Sohom Das, 44, is a forensic psychiatrist based in London, as well as a YouTube content creator. On his channel A Psych for Sore Minds, Dr Das covers a range of mental health and crime-related topics. As a professional Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and expert witness, Dr Das has 'personally assessed hundreds of patients in prisons, secure locked psychiatric wards and courts across the UK', according to his YouTube bio. In a recent video on the channel, titled Narcissistic Abusive Relationship: What Are The Signs?, he discussed narcissistic relationships, outlining some of the characteristics of such pairings. According to the psychiatrist, the predominant sign you're in a narcissistic relationship pertains to your confidence levels. A psychiatrist has outlined some of the signs of narcissistic abuse in relationships, including loss of confidence and self-esteem among others (stock image) In the video, he explains: 'First and foremost there is a lot loss of confidence so you do not want to talk to strangers or even your friends and family. In fact, you don't even want to leave the house.' This consequently impacts other areas of behaviour, he explains, noting that: 'Another indication of this loss of confidence is you have difficulty with decision making. 'You're always doubting and second guessing yourself even outside of the context of the relationship.' This can extend, for example, to having problems when making decisions at work he says. According to Dr Das: 'This happens because the perpetrator has gradually chipped away at your own self esteem and your confidence and other side which is kind of in some ways related is that always thinking problems are your fault. 'So it's kind of accepting this blame shift. Again, I'm not just talking about decisions or behaviours within the relationship but in general. 'So you blame yourself for example, for your difficult friends and family who, as I said, are actually just looking out for you. You've been kind of brainwashed to think like that. The next sign listed by the psychiatrist is apologising, often even when it's not your fault - especially towards the perpetrator. Dr Sohom Das (pictured) is a London-based forensic psychiatrist who also makes YouTube content on his channel A Psych for Sore Minds 'You find yourself walking on eggshells and you spend most of your energy trying not to trigger anger or arguments from your partner,' he explains. The last sign Dr Das outlines in the video is feeling isolated from others. Describing this in the video, he says victims in such relationships will experience feelings of isolation and withdrawal which he says will make them 'feel alone and...like [they've] lost [their] sense of identity'. Dr Das says: '[This is] because you're spending so much time by yourself or with your perpetrator that there's nothing left in terms of your social life.' A number of viewers left comments on the video, with some opening up about their own experiences. A number of viewers took to the comments section of the video to share their own experiences of narcissistic abuse One wrote: 'I definitely lost my identity at one point. I realised I couldn't even remember the things I used to like, do etc. Took some time to remember who I was and years of recovering Im still learning.' Another added: 'I had these signs as a result of a toxic workplace.... I appreciate how clearly and succinctly you identify these signs.' And a further commentator said: 'The fear that everyone we encounter is just like our narcissistic family members. Coming from a large family where narcissism was pervasive, it became like swimming in a pool of alligators. So I ended up recreating the dynamic...Sometimes, we don't even know we've been recreating the dynamic. 'And I'm famous with all who know me for compulsively apologizing. I've grown a great deal and do so less and less, but under stress, it will resurface. We have to learn to be gracious and merciful with ourselves.' Dr Sohom Das is on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as YouTube. Actress, 27, is already a huge star in Argentina and filming the series in New York The Crown may be finally coming to an end later this year - but diehard royal fans will soon have another drama to sink their teeth into. Earlier this month, filming began on a new TV series based on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands began in New York. The show - titled Maxima Zorreguieta: Motherland - will dramatise the Dutch Queen's upbringing in Argentina and how she a chance meeting with Prince Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever. Taking on the role of the hugely popular royal is Delfina Chaves - who is tipped for superstardom, just like Meg Bellamy - the actress playing Kate Middleton in the final season of the Netflix series. The super glamorous actress, 27, is already a mega star in Maxima's home country - having already appeared in hit shows such as Love After Loving, Rap Battlefield and The Secret of the Greco Family. Pictured: Delfina Chaves, 27, has been cast as Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in a new TV series of the royal's life Pictured: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attending a gala dinner in Amsterdam in April 2019 However, her latest role in the Queen Maxima biopic is set to catapult the young actress to new heights. Delfina was born in Lobos, Argentina in February 1996 to Miguel Angel Chaves and Alejandra Schulz. While her father worked as an architect, Delfina's mother was also an actress - who appeared in the 1987 Argentinian movie What We Are Made Of. Aged 16, Delfina appeared in the sitcom Concubinos with her older sister Paula Chaves - who is 11 years older than her and now works as a TV presenter. What's more, the star has also opened up about her close relationship with her mother in the past and credits her for her success in the acting world. In April 2018, the actress shared a selfie with her mother and wrote: 'Mom, you are the most generous and pure human being I know. 'It is always a good opportunity to remind you of that!' Having already made a name for herself in TV dramas, Delfina set her sights on bagging the role of Maxima. Following the lengthy audition process, it was announced in March this year that Delfina would be playing Maxima opposite Martijn Lakemeier - who has been cast as King Willem-Alexander. Before she bagged the tole of Maxima, Delfina (pictured) was a natural brunette - but has since bleached her hair Left: Delfina Chaves poses for an Instagram photoshoot this year. Right: The star poses with the Maxima script Delfina Chaves attends the Che Netflix red carpet at the Four Season Hotel in Buenos Aires in 2017 Confirming the happy news on her Instagram, Delfina gushed: 'I never imagined an opportunity like this.' What's more, the star also said that her father was the first person she told that she had bagged the role of Maxima earlier this year. She told Yahoo: 'Honestly, I couldn't believe it. I got in my car, drove to my dad's, and I was shaking.' Having always been a brunette, the actress has since dyed her natural brown hair bright blonde to mimic Maxima's vibrant locks. Before filming began, Delfina relocated to Amsterdam to learn more about the country Maxima has been ruling with her husband for the past 10 years. Alongside her acting work, Delfina has been spent years building her Instagram account - which now boasts 1.2m followers. Deflina's latest role in the Queen Maxima biopic is set to catapult the young actress to new heights Having always been a brunette, the actress has since dyed her natural brown hair bright blonde to mimic Maxima's vibrant locks Pictured: Delfina with her actress mother in April 2018. She captioned the post: 'Mom, you are the most generous and pure human being I know.' In recent months, the star has worked on campaigns with high-profile brands including YSL, Givenchy, Puma, Volkswagen, Bombay Sapphire and nail polish company Sally Hansen. The upcoming series will feature six hour-long episodes and will begin with Maxima and Willem-Alexander meeting for the first time in 1999. The drama will follow Maxima's transition into royal life and the obstacles she had to overcome along the way, including the tragic death of a sister and Dutch public anger about her father's involvement in the military junta responsible for the 'dirty war' than killed thousands. Discussing the drama, Delfina said she was thrilled that the show will focus on Maxima's perspective. She said: 'Who she was and what she wanted from life were attributed by the outside world to first her father and after that her prince. Left: Delfina Chaves pictured in Amsterdam. Right: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands pictured in 2001 Introducing her Royal Highness: The Crown have cast actress Meg Bellamy (left) in the role of Kate Middleton (right in 2008) for series six of the drama 'I really love that the series now tells her story, from her point of view.' Filming for the series has got underway in New York - where Maxima was based when she first met her future husband. Maxima's father was an established politician, serving as the Minister of Agriculture under the regime of General Jorge Rafael Videla, commander in chief of the army and a member of the right-wing junta than ran Argentina. His involvement in the dictatorship would later become an issue for Maxima to confront. It is remembered as the period of the dirty war against political opponents in Argentina. Up to 30,000 people died. Maxima spent her childhood in Buenos Aires with two brothers, one sister and three half-sisters. Willem and Maxima making their first public appearance in 2001. The future King decided to keep his royalty a secret at first. When he finally admitted the truth, she thought it was a joke Prince Willem and Maxima pictured announcing their engagement in 2001. They met two years earlier The newly weds waving to the crowd on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam in February 2002 The future Queen was educated at the English-style Northlands school in the city, where she received a bilingual baccalaureate in 1988, speaking fluently in her native Spanish and English. She later learned to speak Dutch as well as conversational French. She went on to study at the Universidad Catolica Argentina, where she graduated with a degree in economics in 1995. While at university, Maxima revealed her strong-willed nature by confronting a priest in a theology class who said 'women should serve men' to which she retorted 'why am I actually studying then?' leading her to be removed from the class. After graduating, she had a brief stint working in Buenos Aires before relocating to the United States where she took on a series of high-flying roles. These included being vice president of Latin American Institutional Sales for the finance house HSBC James Capel Inc. in New York before moving to Deutsche Bank, where she became vice president of Institutional Sales. Little did she know that in April 1999, while on holiday in Seville, she would meet the love of her life. The pair had both been attending a party at the annual Seville Spring Fair where she bumped into her future husband Prince Willem-Alexander. During their chance encounter, the future King decided to keep his royalty a secret, not disclosing to Maxima he was a prince until later on. When he declared his royal status, she thought it was a joke. The fact Maxima was unaware of his royal ties, however, did not seem to put a dampener on their relationship as two weeks later Willem had flown out to New York to meet her. Although they were in a serious relationship, Maxima did her best to keep the princes identity secret. She said: 'I would tell them something different (about Willem) every time, but at some point, there was nothing for it other than to say: He's the Prince of the Netherlands. King Charles is famously relying on a slimmed-down monarchy, and there's no doubt that the Duchess of Edinburgh is right at the heart of his plans for the future, a royal expert has claimed. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK magazine the mother-of-two has the 'common touch' thanks to her her 'normal life' before marrying into the royal family. And certainly her philanthropic efforts haven't gone unnoticed by King Charles, as she's been dubbed an asset among senior royals as well as his 'secret weapon'. 'It is so much more evident now that Sophie is a key member of the list of working royals,' Jennie said. 'I think people have really taken her into their hearts, especially after she showed her obvious grief at losing Prince Philip and the Queen.' Sophie, Countess of Wessex (pictured) , 58, has been embraced in the hearts of many Brits. She was snapped at the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society Show, Windsor Great Park, Windsor on June 10 The mother-of-two's charitable nature hasn't gone unnoticed by King Charles (pictured), as she's been dubbed his 'secret weapon'. Here, Sophie and King Charles are spotted attending Royal Ascot 2022 Racecourse on June 14, 2022 Here, Sophie is gifted flowers and a gift bag by a young girl while opening the Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Gobowen, Oswestry, Shropshire in April this year The expert adds that the bond between the duchess and her in-laws is a deep one. The former PR girl was a close close ally of the Queen following the death of her husband, with the two regularly enjoying a spot of horse riding and movies together. Jennie says her perceived 'common touch' comes as a result of the normal life she enjoyed before marrying the reigning monarch's youngest sibling. She added: 'Sophie is absolutely one of the new female stars of the show elegant, engaging and empathetic'. Sophie, who's been married to Prince Edward for 24 years, was also viewed by the late Queen as The Firm's safest pair of hands. The senior royal is is the patron of over 70 charities and organisations, including Childline, and was recently spotted out and about putting her best foot forward at the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in London. She was said to have 'beamed' as she got creative with children with an arts and crafts session during her visit. Sophie read to the children and has even joined in with decorating biscuits during her previous visits. The Duchess of Edinburgh seemed in good spirits as she visited the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in London. She looked typically elegant in a sophisticated white gown which she paired with a cropped navy blazer She's been married to King Charles's youngest sibling, Prince Edward, for 24 years and the pair share two children together Sophie was said to be a close ally of the late Queen Elizabeth. Here, she is pictured (left to right) with Camilla, Queen Consort, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince George of Wales, Kate, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 The royal looked typically elegant in a sophisticated white gown which she paired with a cropped navy blazer. Having a strong personal interest in the provisions for people with disabilities and young people, she has been championing Shooting Star Children's Hospices for many years. In 2002, Sophie officially opened their Guildford hospice and has continued to visit regularly, while also showing support for the major fundraising event. The senior royal is known to be very hard working and undertakes over 200 engagements each year, including visits to schools, universities and military bases. A man who spoke almost no English when he arrived in the UK learned the language studying pizza menus and now runs his own store. Alok Yadav, 36, originally from Delhi in India, first took a job at the chain 16 years ago as an in-store cleaner while studying for a year-long placement at university. In 2007, the then-student arrived in Britain in 2007 and only knew basic phrases such as 'please' and 'thank you'. However, he spent hours learning how to pronounce words like 'chicken', 'anchovies' and 'pineapple' to improve his performance at work. Outside of work, Alok also role-played with his colleagues until he mastered the phrase: 'Thank you for choosing Domino's pizza, my name is Alok, how can I help?' Once he'd done this, Alok was able to answer the phone and take orders that way. He excelled and was soon promoted to store manager, running the Portsmouth North End Domino's branch. Last Monday he realised another dream through the company's Homegrown Heroes programme, opening his very own franchise in Swaffham, Norfolk. 'I knew I had to learn the language quickly if I wanted to progress, but it was really hard,' said Alok. 'It was tricky when someone ordered a 'Meatilicious' pizza because I couldn't say it. 'As I was young, I'd only heard of onions and tomatoes, so I had to learn the names of the other toppings and how to say them. 'It wasn't easy. My colleagues were great in helping me learn and I was determined to do it as I really enjoyed working in Domino's. 'We spent hours in the flat above the shop going through the phone greeting and working on the toppings. So that was how I learned English. Alok Yadav, 36, first took a job at the chain 16 years ago as an in-store cleaner while studying for a year-long placement at university 'I then had more confidence and I quickly rose from team member to supervisor, to store manager all within a year.' Alok even met his partner, Rachel Yadav, while working in a Domino's store, having fallen for her while they were colleagues in Farnham. Eventually rising up through the ranks to area manager, Alok began to get itchy feet and yearned to run his own franchise. He had already become an extremely successful entrepreneur in his own right, opening over 40 outlets, including coffee shops and other pizza stores. But there was always a special place in his heart for Domino's - so he leapt at the chance to own shop via the Homegrown Heroes programme. Alok said: 'I was always in contact with my ex-colleagues at Domino's so when I heard that Domino's was onboarding new franchise partners through the Homegrown Heroes programme I just had to get involved. Determined to move up the ladder at Domino's, Alok spent hours learning how to pronounce words like 'chicken', 'anchovies' and 'pineapple' Alok Yadav, 36, is pictured opening his very first Domino's store in Swaffham, 16 years after he joined the company as an in-store cleaner What is the Domino's Homegrown Heroes programme? Franchising enables entrepreneurs or budding businesspeople to start a new venture from the ground up, with the backing of a household brand. According to NatWest, in 2018 the UK franchise market was worth 17billion. Dominos Homegrown Heroes programme offers driven, entrepreneurial people with experience working in the Dominos network the opportunity to own their own store and become a Dominos Franchise Partner. The programme provides tailored support to successful applicants, helping them every step of the way before they run their own store and have their very own slice of the business. Apart from brand experience, a minimum of 70,000 is required to get started and the process takes between six and 14 months. Advertisement 'It was special for me. Working at Domino's gave me the business acumen that has served me so well over the years. 'It's a great place to build a career and provided me with opportunities and valuable skills. 'It was my first love as they gave me my first job, so I have really come full circle now.' 'It's been an incredible journey for me and I couldn't be happier.' Dan Maund, franchise development manager at Domino's UK & Ireland, said: 'Alok was one of the first people to apply to the Homegrown Heroes programme, reinforcing his commitment to the brand. 'His entrepreneurial mindset and determination that was developed through his time at Domino's has empowered him to open several successful businesses over the years. 'We're proud to have Alok come the full circle and open his first Domino's store in Swaffham.' She was 20 when she was in the horrific skydiving accident Emma Carey has returned to the site where she 'fell from the sky' ten years ago Emma Carey was just 20 years old when she 'fell from the sky' in an horrific skydiving accident in Switzerland. On Monday she went back to the jump site - to mark ten years since the disastrous accident unfolded. The 30-year-old mum is pictured in a short white dress, the sun shining on her face, her best friend Jemma Mrdak, who also jumped that fateful day, by her side. The very seen is ultimate bliss - but Emma admits the ghosts of the two young women who walked through the same town a decade earlier are never far away. 'Sitting across the table from us at dinner having twenty year old conversation, walking beside us on the way to the helicopter full of naivety, laying face down on this grass making a sound so awful I didn't even know it was coming from me,' she wrote alongside the photos. Emma Carey stood in the field where she 'fell from the sky' during horrific skydiving accident 10 years ago The accident left the then 20-year-old fighting for her life and 'making a noise so awful' she didn't realise it was coming from her She also shared a picture of the emergency services trying to save her life in the field - moments after she hit the ground. 'I like the idea that we can talk to our younger selves and comfort them with all the wisdom only hindsight can grant. So when I saw the ghost of me in this field I told her everything I needed to hear,' she said. 'I know you're scared but what if I could promise you it would all be ok? Not ok in the way you envision 'ok' to be, not ok as in 'you will get up from this field as though this never happened', but ok in a way that right now you could only describe as magical. Emma's parachute opened too late, sending her and her tandem instructor plummeting toward the ground. Jemma had jumped seconds later, landing on an unimaginable scene minutes later. Emma's post goes on to reassure her younger self some more. On her second visit back to the site, ten years to the day of the accident, the happy mum spoke to the 'ghost' of her younger self She stood and hugged her best friend, Jemma, who went skydiving at the same day - jumping seconds after Emma Emma mid dive - the shocking accident happened after the shoot opened seconds too late She explains she still 'hasn't heard her favourite song', seen the best sunrise of her life or met her daughter. 'You won't be able to run again but soon you'll be able to feel happy in other ways - don't you want to know what they are?,' she wrote. 'You're going to be ok. You don't believe me and that's alright, it's important that you don't. It's in the finding out you're capable of something you once thought utterly impossible, that you become you. 'There's a future and you are in it and it's brighter than anything you've felt before. I'm so glad you stayed so I could live it,' she wrote. The young women were days into their 'adventure' tour of Europe when the skydiving accident put them on an entire new life course. Emma returned to the site five years ago - and said her whole body told her not to go Emma was initially made a paraplegic during the accident but worked hard to regain the use of her legs Emma imagined she only had 'ten seconds to live' immediately following the accident. She was rushed to hospital where doctors worked on her broken body and told her she was now a paraplegic. She pushed herself through unimaginable pain to learn to walk again - and now shares her incredibly inspiring story online. It is the second time Emma has returned to the scene of her accident. The first as five years ago, at the time she said her body was urging her not to go. Emma has also written a book 'The girl who fell from the sky' which gives her version of the tragic accident in her own words. The Spanish Queen, 50, looked chic despite dropping her usual glamour Queen Letizia looked chic despite a long-haul flight as she landed in Cartagena, Colombia, last night. The Spanish Queen, 50, dropped her usual glamour for functional clothing as she prepares to get started on her three-day tour of the Spanish-speaking nation in South America. She donned a white linen shirt, beige cargo pants, walking boots and a red gilet from Spanish International Cooperation Agency AECID as she stepped off the plane to greet Colombia's First Lady Veronica Alcocer Her hair, which was worn down, blew in the sharp winds on the airport's concourse as she chatted to the First Lady. Mother-of-two Letizia's late-night arrival in the stunning city on the nation's Caribbean coast marks the beginning of her tour with the Spanish Cooperation, which ends on Thursday. Queen Letizia, 50, looked elegant even without her usual glitz and glamour as she touched down in Cartagena, Colombia, last night As she chatted to Mrs Alcocer, Letixia wore the AECID jacket which featured the Spanish and European Union Flags. AECID is an international agency that manages the Spanish government's international development policy. Its recent work in Colombia has included initiatives to develop renewable energy, with the combined aims of reducing the nation's carbon footprint and increasing competition in the agricultural sector. During her visit, Letizia will be learning more about how such projects are progressing. Queen Letizia looked deep in conversation with the nation's First Lady, Veronica Alcocer, after she landed Queen Letizia looked the part as she stepped off the plane in a white shirt, beige cargo pants and an AECID gilet Welcoming the Spanish Queen, Veronica Alcocer took her hand and smiled, suggesting the pair share a warm relationship The First Lady wore a beige linen shirt dress as she welcomed the Queen to the country's Caribbean coast Stepping off the plane, Queen Letizia looked ready to get to work as she will learn more about projects run by AECID The Queen's last public appearance was in her home country of Spain, when she attended a Santander event. Dressed in a highly stylish blue wrap dress that she had worn before, the queen's enviable trim figure was on full display. The high neck, midi length dress features a 'D-ring' buckle and is pulled straight out of high end Spanish brand Adolfo Dominguez's look book. The queen attended the 15th edition of the Euros en tu nomina - meaning 'Euros from your Salary' programme which is an initiative put on by Santander to promote projects that improve society. The winning social projects will receive a contribution to be able to develop their projects. A victim who was regularly abused by sex offender David Carrick while he worked for the Met Police has opened up about her ordeal. The woman spoke anonymously under the pseudonym Emma in a new Channel 5 documentary on the death of Sarah Everard titled Wayne Couzens: Killer in Plain Sight, which is airing on Thursday at 9pm. Carrick, who joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, was sentenced to life in prison in February at Southwark Crown Court on 49 charges of sex attacks, including 24 counts of rape. Speaking in the programme, Emma revealed the abuser put her at ease by showing her his police warrant card when they started dating in 2021, but quickly grew increasingly violent towards her. She also claimed that Carrick locked her up in a cupboard under the stairs and would boast he was 'untouchable,' daring her to call the police to report him, saying no one would believe her. A victim who was regularly abused by sex offender David Carrick while he worked for the Met Police has opened up about her ordeal in a new Channel 5 documentary exploring the police failures that led to the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard Pictured: Emma in a selfie with Carrick during their relationship. She eventually reported him in 2021 A picture of the tiny cupboard where Garrick locked up one of his victims as part of a 'punishment' Emma came forward to the police after the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, explaining on the programme: 'I sent a message to a friend, I said "I need to go to the police about Dave Carrick to stop him from doing it to anyone else".' She admitted she was initially trusting of Carrick, and thought he was 'the man of her dreams.' 'Trust was there from the start, he showed me his warrant card, put me at ease,' she said, adding Carrick was 'very charming.' She claimed Carrick wanted to 'show her off' to his colleagues, and the pair met with police officers who worked with him. Emma recounted that some officers playfully told her that Carrick was punching above his weight by dating her, and ask her why she was with 'b***** Dave,' which she didn't understand at the time. The abuse started occurring after Emma and Carrick had dated for three weeks, where he said the only thing he asked of her was 'you must obey me.' 'His persona changed, he became very forceful very quickly,' Emma recounted in the documentary. 'He would say: "you're my w****, I will do whatever I want to you," he would strangle me, I couldn't breathe,' she recounted. The victim, talking anonymously under the name 'Emma,; said Garrick would boast he was untouchable as he tormented her 'He said he was the law, I had to obey him, he was untouchable,' she added. Emma went on to give horrifying details of the abuse Carrick put her through. 'He always raped me anally to the extent I was bleeding. Once he said: "That's another one of your punishments" and he took me downstairs naked and put me in a little cupboard under the stairs,' she said, her voice breaking with tears. Emma told Carrick she would report him to the police, but this did little to deter the sex offender. 'He handed me the phone and said: "Go ahead, I am the law, who would they believe?",' she recounted. Carrick served in the same police unit as Wayne Couzens, who abducted, raped and killed Sarah Everard in March 2021. Emma said she believes 'without a doubt' that Couzens and Carrick knew each other, and suggested she might have met Couzens herself. Emma also revealed on the show that Carrick admitted to her he would 'often f*** prostitutes' and told her about another man in the force who would brag about going home to beat his partner. Carrick, who is thought to be one of the UK's worst sex offenders, was sentenced to life in prison after 'violent and brutal' sex attacks against a dozen women, including 24 cases of rape last February. Protesters gathering at Carrick's sentencing Southwark Crown Court last February in London, where he was sentenced to life in prison Details of some of the horrific crimes he committed were heard in court at the time of his sentencing, including how he sent one of his victims a photograph of himself with a police-issue gun, saying: 'Remember I am the boss.' In court, his victims bravely told of the hell they had been put through, with one saying she felt she had 'encountered evil' after being repeatedly raped by Carrick who put a black handgun to her head and put his hands around her throat. The serial rapist had boasted to the victim that 'I am the safest person you can be around, I'm a police officer' in order to get her back to his London flat. In 2023, Emma told MailOnline that Carrick would brag about the VIPs he guarded during his time at the Met - and took her on a visit to number 10 Downing St Another said she was convinced because of his position as a diplomatic and parliamentary protection officer she would not be believed if she reported him, saying she had had it drilled into her 'he was the police, he was the law and he owned me'. Photographs showing the cupboard under the stairs where serial rapist David Carrick locked one woman naked as punishment and surveillance cameras set up at his home to spy on his victims were also released at the time. Carrick used cameras he installed at home to monitor women while he was at work, a court heard yesterday as his two-day sentencing hearing got underway. He made another woman choke on her vomit, assaulted one with a sex toy and urinated on one of his victims. The armed officer tortured and abused women for 17 years despite coming to police attention nine times before his arrest and developing the nickname 'B*****d Dave' at work. He called women 'fat and lazy' and treated them as his 'sex slaves' as well as controlled them financially. Victims were isolated from their families and forbidden from speaking with other men. The former firearms officer also used his police baton as a threat and handcuffs in an attack. Carrick's crimes were all carried out while serving with the force - he guarded sites including embassies and the Houses of Parliament, and completed training courses, including one on domestic abuse in 2005. Emma recalled how Carrick repeatedly raped her and humiliated her, taunting her to report him to the police Like many other victims, Emma felt powerless in her relationship with Carrick and equally powerless to leave it. Ever so careful, he made sure that any injuries were out of sight Carrick would also send texts of himself in uniform, and even photos of his police-issued Heckler & Koch carbine firearm to drive the point home The woman, who wants to be identified as 'Emma' says she was repeatedly raped and degraded by Carrick, pictured here in his police uniform On the first day of his sentencing hearing, the court was told that the disgraced Pc used his 'power and control' to stop his victims leaving or reporting him. Prosecutor Tom Little KC said the 'systematic' offending was 'catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences'. One victim said she was told by an A&E nurse that 'the law tend to protect their own' when she revealed she was raped by a police officer. Others told how they feared they would not be believed if they reported Carrick and no longer trusted the police after what he had done to them. Mr Little said a search of Carrick's electronic devices revealed searches for pornography including words such as 'extreme' and 'painful'. Emma came forward after the death of Sarah Everard, who was abducted, raped and killed by Wayne Couzens in March 2023 The 49 charges admitted by Carrick include 24 counts of rape, nine counts of sexual assault, five counts of assault by penetration, three counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, three counts of false imprisonment, two counts of attempted rape, one count of attempted sexual assault by penetration, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of indecent assault. Some are multiple-incident counts, meaning they relate to at least 85 separate offences, including at least 71 sexual offences and 48 rapes. He denied a further count of rape in September 2020 relating to a 13th woman, whose allegation triggered the investigation, with the Crown Prosecution Service deciding it was not in the public interest to proceed to trial. Mr Little said the case fell short of meriting a whole-life sentence - because he had not killed anyone, and he had pleaded guilty - but called for a life sentence with a fixed minimum term. Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Carrick 'accepts fully responsibility for what he has done' and that it is likely any life sentence will 'bring him close to, if not to, the close of his natural life'. He told the court: 'He cannot ask for mercy and he wont ask for mercy. The Met was forced to apologise and admit Carrick should have been rooted out earlier after it emerged he came to police attention over nine incidents - including allegations of rape, domestic violence and harassment - between 2000 and 2021, with all but one of the incidents relating to his behaviour towards women. He was finally sacked from the force in January after pleading guilty and being unmasked as one of the country's most prolific sex offenders. As viewers are left reeling from the moving first episode of BBC drama Best Interests, many have noticed parallels between the plot of the programme and harrowing real-life cases of parents fighting for their children. The four-part drama tells the story of Nicci (played by Sharon Horgan) and Andrew (Michael Sheen) and their daughter Marnie (Niamh Moriarty), who has a life-threatening condition. While doctors believe Marnie should be allowed to die, her parents battle in the courts to keep her medical care going. Its plot has reminded many of the recent case of Archie Battersbee, the 12-year-old boy from Southend-on-Sea whose life support was withdrawn last August despite a long legal battle led by his parents Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee to keep him alive and continue his treatment. An inquest last year found that Archie's death had been caused by an 'experiment or a prank' that had gone wrong, which caused a severe injury and from which he never regained consciousness. Eventually, the High Court ruled in favour of Barts Health NHS Trust, which recommended ending Archie's medical care. Although the drama's creator, Jack Thorne, has not cited a specific case in the inspiration for Best Interests, Hollie Dance has herself highlighted the importance of the show in helping other people understand what parents in such tragic circumstances are going through. After moving BBC drama Best Interests, starring Sharon Horgan, Michael Sheen and Niamh Moriarty premiered last night, viewers have drawn parallels between Marnie's story and real-life cases of parents battling for their severely disabled children to continue medical treatment where doctors have recommended they should be allowed to die 'It is important it's highlighted,' she told the BBC. 'Because unless you go through this it's impossible to understand what the parents are going through.' Sharon Horgan, who plays Marnie's heartbroken mother, put into an impossible position, has revealed how her own real-life experiences brought her performance to life. Speaking to the Guardian this weekend alongside her co-star Sheen, she recalled the terror and desperation she felt when her own daughter contracted meningitis when she was young. 'While we thought we might lose her as I was watching them trying to find a vein and get some antibiotics into her I remember thinking: 'I don't care what happens like, take off her limbs, whatever you need to do just keep her alive'.' Hollie Dance, the mother of Archie Battersbee (pictured with her son) lost her High Court appeal against Barts NHS Trust to keep her son on life support after he was left with a brain injury from an 'experiment or prank' gone wrong Drawing on her experience, she explained the difficulties she faced when playing Nicci and revealed she and other cast members were taken to 'really awful places' while filming as they put themselves in the mindsets of people who were suffering. In the second episode, which airs next Monday, some more real-life cases are cited as Marnie's situation is compared to other children whose parents fought in court for their treatment to continue after medical professionals recommended they should be allowed to die. One such case is Ashya King, who was five years old when he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a brain tumour which was removed in an operation in July 2014. Ashya's doctors recommended that, following the operation, Ashya should undergo a course of radiotherapy. But his parents, Brett and Naghemeh King, disagreed and wanted their son to have proton therapy. At the time the NHS did not offer proton therapy in the UK but there was precedent for the health service to fund such treatment abroad where they thought the patient stood to benefit. In Ashya's case, doctors did not recommend him for proton therapy abroad. Sharon Horgan (pictured in 2011 with her daughters Sadhbh and Amer) revealed this weekend that she drew upon the fear and desperation she felt when her daughter contracted meningitis to play the role of Nicci Tafida Raqeeb was just 5 years old when she suffered a brain injury in 2019 and her parents, Mohammed Raqeeb and Shelina Begum, won a High Court battle to have her treated in Genoa, Italy In response, his parents took him out of Southampton General Hospital and headed for France without the consent of his medical team. After an international manhunt was launched, Ashya's parents were arrested in Spain and their son was rushed to hospital for urgent treatment. A legal battle followed in which the High Court ruled Ashya was eligible for proton therapy in Prague in the Czech Republic. Thankfully, in March 2015, Brett King announced his son showed no sign of having a brain tumour. Tafida Raqeeb was just five years old when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2019 and was placed on life support in the Royal London Hospital. While her UK medical team argued more treatment for Tafida would be futile, Tafida's parents Shelina Begum and Mohammed Raqeeb won a High Court battle to take her to Genoa, Italy, for more treatment. They argued that, under Islamic law, only God had the right to tale their daughter's life. In his ruling, Justice McDonald said: 'Where a child is not in pain and is not aware of his or her parlous situation, these cases can place the objective best interests test under some stress.' In March last year, Shelina Begum told BBC London her daughter was 'doing well' but is still undergoing treatment in Italy. In 2005 Charlotte Wyatt's parents, Debbie and Darren, won a High Court appeal to keep their daughter's medical treatment going after she was born three months early and had severe brain, lung and kidney damage In 2014, the parents of Ashya King, Brett and Naghemeh, were arrested in Spain after they took their son, who had a brain tumour, out of hospital and abroad for proton therapy. Thankfully, he has now made a full recovery The mother revealed: 'She continues to fight and we see new changes every day. She is stable and we are seeing her emerging. 'The treatments have been beyond belief. We have sacrificed everything, I am here in Italy with Tafida while my son is back in the UK.' She added the ordeal had been 'challenging beyond belief' for the family. A third case cited in the BBC drama is that of Charlotte Wyatt, who was born three months premature in October 2003 and was not expected to survive. She weighed just 1lb and was born with severe brain, kidney and lung damage. Medics at the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust recommended that, if Charlotte stopped breathing, it would be in her best interest not to resuscitate her, because she would likely have an incredibly poor quality of life. Charlotte's parents, Darren and Debbie, disagreed with doctors and took the NHS Trust to the High Court to challenge their decision. In August 2005, when Charlotte was two years old, the parents won their appeal. Speaking outside court that day, Darren said: 'This is the best birthday present for Charlotte. She can get on with her life now.' After spending the first three years of her life in hospital, Charlotte was finally discharged in December 2006 so she could spend Christmas at home. However by this time, Debbie and Darren had separated, citing the stress of the legal battle as the reason behind their split. Instead of going home to her biological parents, Portsmouth Council confirmed the toddler had been sent to live with 'experienced' foster parents. Debbie admitted that, in the nine months prior to Charlotte being discharged, she had only visited her daughter in hospital three times, claiming it wasn't possible to see Charlotte and look after her other children at the same time. As for Charlotte's progress, Darren revealed in 2009 that she still needed some oxygen to help her breathe, but was now able to stand and walk with a frame. 'Every time I see her I am just so pleased I went to court against all the wishes of the medical profession,' he insisted. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan looked breathtaking in baby blue when she attended a high profile charity fundraiser on Monday. Attending the King Hussein Cancer Foundations Hope Gala fundraising event in Amman, the 52-year-old royal dazzled in a custom Elie Saab ligown from the Spring-Summer 2023 Couture Collection. The high neck, layered dress featured sheer cap sleeves, intricate bodice detailing and delicate beading. The mother-of-four, whose elegant while striking style is celebrated around the world, carried a custom Jennifer Chamandi 'Le 8' satin clutch bag on the evening. The same one that she wore to her daughter Princess Iman's wedding in March, the bag is embellished with 'Imany' 'My Iman' calligraphed in Arabic. 'My Iman' also means 'My Faith' in Arabic. Queen Rania of Jordan wore a custom Ellie Saab gown in blue when she attended the King Hussein Cancer Foundations Hope Gala fundraising event in Amman She paired the beautiful beaded gown with a clutch from UK designer Jenifer Chamandi. A perfect colour match, the bag is embellished with 'Imany' 'My Iman' calligraphed in Arabic Queen Rania of Jordan is pictured here with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Talal bin Muhammad, special adviser to King Abdullah II, and Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Center and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. Princess Ghida looked equally attractive in a shocking pink Valentino dress Queen Rania wore her long hair loose and kept her make-up natural for the occasion, sticking with her trademark glossy lip. Her drop diamond earrings were the perfect finishing touch. Held under the patronage of Queen Rania and her husband King Abdullah II, the King Hussein Cancer Foundations Hope Gala aims to raise money to fund projects that will help in the fight against cancer in and around Jordan. Upcoming projects include the establishment of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Building in Aqaba and two additional buildings in Amman for pediatric treatment and cancer research, all under the umbrella of the King Hussein Cancer Center. Queen Rania is pictured with a fellow guest at the King Hussein Cancer Foundations Hope Gala fundraising event with another elegant guests who had incidentally also chosen to wear an Elie Saab gown Queen Rania is pictured again with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Talal bin Muhammad and Princess Ghida Talal. The fundraising event included a dinner which was attended by cancer survivors as well as high profile guests Also in attendance were Their Royal Highnesses Prince Talal bin Muhammad, special adviser to King Abdullah II, and Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Center and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. Princess Ghida Talal, 59, looked equally stunning in a shocking pink Valentino cape-effect dress. Speaking about the King Hussein Cancer Center and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation's work to guarantee cancer care, Princess Ghida said: 'We pledge to continue our fight against cancer, recognizing it as an adversary that is both formidable and deceptive, and one we must not tolerate.' Other high profile guests included Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh of Jordan and Former Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam while a number of cancer survivors had also been invited. Read more: 90s star Nick Berry looks unrecognisable from his heartthrob days after spotted out on a coffee run With its catchy theme tune, spectacular rural scenery and all-star cast, Heartbeat dominated the Sunday night TV schedules for 18 series. The 1960s police drama - set in North Yorkshire - put heartthrob Nick Berry back on screens after he left his role as Simon Wicks in EastEnders. The show quickly became a huge hit for people looking to escape ahead of the working week - and attracted audiences of up to 13 million at its peak. The small village that doubled up as fictional Aidensfield, Goathland, became a tourist attraction. However, by 2009 it was revealed that Heartbeat had lost millions of viewers, with between just 5 million tuning into series 18, with the axe coming a year later. A revival was rumoured but never materialised. This week, Berry, now 60, was spotted buying coffee close to his home, and while the star who played Heartbeat's central character has long since turned his back on acting, many of those he worked alongside are still very much on our screens. Here, FEMAIL looks at what happened to the cast of the much-loved show, which eventually aired its final episode in 2010... Nick Berry starred at Sergeant Nick Rowan, a police officer who finds himself suddenly living in the quaint rural fictional village of Aidensfield in North Yorkshire The cast of Heartbeat, which ran for 18 series on ITV from 1990 until 2010 and spawned spin-off show The Royal and Heartbeat Chronicles SERGEANT NICK ROWAN, PLAYED BY NICK BERRY Sergeant Nick Rowan in Heartbeat (left) played by Nick Berry. This week, the actor looked worlds away from his EastEnders and Heartbeat heyday while stepping out for a coffee on Sunday Nick Berry originally sprung to fame as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985, and appeared in the soap's first ever episode alongside icons Dirty Den Watts, Lofty and Kathy Beale. During his five-year stint in Albert Square, he quickly became one of the soap's most popular characters. He reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where the soap was filmed. After becoming a household name playing 'Wicksy', he decamped in 1990 to ITV and the Yorkshire Dales for a six-year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan. The handsome police officer arrived in the fictional village of Aidensfield as a young PC and left, 96 episodes later, promoted to Sergeant. He faced tragedy along the way; after marrying wife Kate (Niamh Cusack), a doctor, in the show, the couple had a daughter Katie...before Kate was diagnosed with, and eventually died from leukaemia. The policeman would later marry school teacher Jo Weston in the show. On the Square: The star, now 60, who made his last TV appearance in 2012 at the funeral of his on-screen EastEnders' mother Pat Butcher, cut a very low-key figure on the outing (pictured as Simon Wicks in 1985) Moving: His last acting role came back in 2012, when he briefly reprised his EastEnders character to attend the funeral of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher There was also a brief pop career during his EastEnders' heyday: in 1986 Berry released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year - it helped the actor amass a fortune said to be worth 5million at the time. Following on from the role of Sergeant Rowan, he appeared as harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights before apparently becoming disillusioned with the world of acting. Save for filming police drama In Deep as police detective Liam Ketman alongside Stephen Tompkinson, which ran from 2001-2003, Berry disappeared from view. He married his wife, actress Rachel Robertson in 1994, and they relocated to Essex, where turned his back on acting to become a stay-at-home father to his two sons Louis, now 27, and Finley, 24. He had previously dated his EastEnders co-star Gillian Taylforth, who played Kathy Beale, but the pair eventually split in 1988. Family time: He married his wife, actress Rachel Robertson in 1994, and they relocated to Epping in Essex (pictured at their wedding) Time away: Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, Nick (pictured at the time) said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it' At one point, Nick was rumoured to have been offered a 2million golden-handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late Eighties. He was said to have amassed an estimated 5million from his time in the spotlight enough to fund a rambling house in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove. Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, he said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it... 'I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it. While I'd never say never, I'm genuinely happy as I am.' PC PHIL BELLAMY, PLAYED BY MARK JORDAN After playing a policeman in four episodes of Coronation Street, Mark Jordan landed the part of PC Bellamy in Heartbeat, and quickly became a fan favourite. Right: As Jordan looks now - the actor stayed in Yorkshire for his other most famous role, playing Daz Spencer in Emmerdale in 2014, and from 2017 to 2019 Fresh-faced but still curly of hair, Mark Jordan, now 58 and most famous for playing Daz Spencer in Emmerdale, appeared in Heartbeat as PC Phil Bellamy, Sergeant Nick Rowan's younger policing sidekick. It wasn't his first time in uniform, Jordan had previously appeared in four episodes of Coronation Street in 1988 as PC Wilson. And his success as PC Bellamy in Heartbeat saw him playing the same role in spin-off show The Royal in 2003 and 2004. Before landing the part of Daz Spencer in Emmerdale, which he first played in 2014, and then from 2017-2019, Johnson enjoyed a tour of British staples, starring in Casualty, Hollyoaks and Doctors. In 2019, he described a 'year of hell' after he was accused - and later cleared of - attacking a pensioner in a 'drunken row' while toasting his engagement to fiancee Laura Norton. Off-screen romance: Jordan is married to Laura Norton, who he met when he joined Emmerdale in 2014 (pictured playing Daz Spencer and Kerry Wyatt in the show) The soap star couple share a son called Jesse, born in 2021, and daughter Ronnie, born in 2022 He told The Mirror at the time: 'I was portrayed as a violent drunk. Id never been in a fight before, never been in trouble with the law, never been in a cell or a police car, apart from a 1960s one in Heartbeat.' Mark, who shares two children with his ex-wife, Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran, has a younger son, Jesse, born in 2021, and daughter Ronnie, born in 2022, with his current partner, his former Emmerdale co-star Laura Norton, 39. Their two children both have Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, with Jordan dedicating much of his time to raising awareness of the condition - both he and Norton are patrons of the charity CureUsher. GINA BELLAMY, PLAYED BY TRICIA PENROSE A regular behind the bar in the Aidensfield Arms, Gail Bellamy was played by Tricia Penrose for 18 years. Right; the actress pictured in 2018 Clearly hugely proud of her time on the 60s drama, Penrose's Instagram account bio still reads: 'I played the part of Gina in ITV's Heartbeat for 18 years.' The Liverpool-born star, now 53, quickly became a pin-up after playing pub worker Gina Bellamy in the Aidensfield Arms in the show. PC Bellamy and his love affair with pub landlady Gail proved hugely popular, with the birth of their son at the finale of series 17 proving a ratings winner When her uncle, the pub's owner, died in the series, she became landlady - and went on to wed local bobby PC Phil Bellamy (Mark Jordan). The arrival of their son, Philip, brought series 17 to a heartwarming end. In real life, Penrose was betrothed to TV presenter Mark Simpkin, and the couple, who wed in 2003 but are now thought to have separated, went on to have two children together. Their wedding at Adlington Hall, Cheshire, was covered by Hello in 2003. While Penrose starred in spin-off series The Royal and Heartbeat Chronicles, when the main show ended, she gravitated towards reality television, starring on shows such as Big Star's Little Star, Celebrity Pointless and, in 2013, Celebrity Big Brother. The doting mum now broadcasts via Radio Wirral and BBC Radio Manchester, and lives in Cheshire. DAWN BELLAMY, PLAYED BY NIKKI SANDERSON Nikki Sanderson, who'd already appeared in Coronation Street, arrived in series 17 of Heartbeat, playing landlady Gina Bellamy's niece. Soap favourite Sanderson pictured at the Soap Awards in 2023 Already a soap favourite after playing Candice in Coronation Street, Nikki Sanderson arrived in Aidensfield to stay with her aunt, Gina Bellamy, bagging a job at her pub at the same time. After going off the rails in Manchester, it was hoped a stint in the North Yorkshire village would keep Dawn on the straight and narrow. Sanderson left the show in 2009, a year before its long run ended and has remained one of the country's highest profile soap stars ever since. Since 2012, she's graced the screens of Channel 4, playing Maxine Minnver in Hollyoaks. After going off the rails in Manchester, it was hoped a stint in the North Yorkshire village of Aidensfield would keep Dawn Bellamy (Nikki Sanderson) on the straight and narrow Sanderson has been dating fellow soap actor Anthony Quinn since 2022 Now 39, the actress is in a relationship with Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinn, 38. The pair became romantically involved last year. In an interview with The Sun, Anthony said of their romance: 'I slid into the DMs and that was it. I was lucky enough to get a date and the rest is history.' Last week, Sanderson was in court as a witness in Prince Harry's phone hacking case, she told the High Court that Mirror Group Newspapers' pursuit of her career and personal life had left her in a 'constant state of anxiety', focusing on 37 articles written about her by the newspaper group between 2003 and 2009. GREENGRASS, PLAYED BY BILL MAYNARD Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, known just as 'Greengrass' was played by Bill Maynard; he eventually had to leave the police drama following ailing health The character, far right, wore a distinctive floppy black hat and red neckerchief in the show No self-respecting Heartbeat fan would ever forget Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, played by TV stalwart Bill Maynard. The grumpy rogue was constantly bumping into members of the local constabulary thanks to his often misjudged entrepreneurial ways. In real life, many of Heartbeat's audience were already familiar with Bill Maynard's work - he'd been a regular in the Carry On film series and also 50s TV hit Great Scott - It's Maynard. Bill Maynard appearing as Greengrass in Heartbeat spin-off The Royal Greengrass wore a distinctive floppy black hat and red neckerchief in the show and proved such a hit with fans he appeared in spin-off show The Royal. He had two children from his first marriage to Muriel Linnett between 1949 and 1983, when she died of cancer. In 1989 he wed actress Tonia Bern, widow of land speed record holder Donald Campbell, but when she filed for divorce eight years later he publicly revealed how he had never really loved her. The actor shared many similarities with his character with Greengrass, including a fondness for racehorses, greyhounds and the occasional drink. Already a pensioner when filming began, poor health saw him exit the show after appearing in 155 episodes. In 2018, the 89-year-old died after an accident involving his mobility scooter - he had suffered with health problems in the years prior after having several strokes. DAVID STOCKWELL, PLAYED BY DAVID LONSDALE Odd job man David Lonsdale played lovable villager David Stockwell. Right: The actor pictured in 2016 Alongside Greengrass, more humour was injected into Heartbeat via David Stockwell. He was played by David Lonsdale, who was a familiar face thanks to his role as Peter Barlow in Coronation Street in the Eighties. Lonsdale playing David in the final series of Heartbeat in 2009 Bachelor Stockwell resided with his mum in the show and was frequently led astray by Greengrass - but Aidensfield's residents looked out for him; one episode saw him leave viewers reaching for tissues after Gina Bellamy asked him to be godfather to her newborn son Philip. Following on from Heartbeat, minor roles have followed, including panto and in TV series Vera, The Bay and Anne. The father-of-three also presents a radio show on Mighty FM. BERNIE SCRIPPS, PLAYED BY PETER BENSON Sticking around: Funeral parlour director Bernie Scripps was played by Peter Benson for 15 years The enterprising Yorkshireman also owned the local garage; he featued until the show's end in 2010 Slim-faced Bernie Scripps, played by Peter Benson, was a jack of all trades in Heartbeat...he ran the Aidensfield garage, and also the local funeral parlour. Scripps had staying power though, Benson played him for 15 years until the show was axed in 2010. Following the major role of his career, the actor appeared in smaller roles in shows including A Touch of Frost and Coronation Street before his death at the age of 75 in 2018. PC MIKE BRADLEY, PLAYED BY JASON DURR Move over Sergeant Rowan, PC Mike Bradley arrived in Heartbeat in 1997, played by Jason Durr. The star has since appeared in Casualty as David Hide When Nick Berry decided to exit stage left from Aidensfield, another handsome police officer was drafted in to replace him. Jason Durr played PC Mike Bradley, who was given short shrift by many of the village's residents until he convinced them he was worthy of the provincial role. Durr, left, announced in October 2022 that he would be filming his final Casualty scenes Durr, now 55, who until last year played nurse David Hide in the BBC medical drama Casualty was born in Singapore and grew up in Hong Kong and is married to wife Kate Charman. The couple have three children. Before taking on the Casualty role, Jason also starred as Lieutenant Colonel David Strangeways in ITV1 drama Fooling Hitler in 2004. Announcing last year that he was moving on from BBC hospital drama Casualty, he told fans on Twitter: 'After 6 yrs playing the wonderfully complex #NurseDavidHide, Ive hung up my scrubs. 'Ive forged firm friendships, learnt to pronounce Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty & had my squeamishness thoroughly challenged! Heres to new adventures (with less blood & guts).' Queen Maxima looked typically elegant as she visits a community centre as part of Neighbours Day in the Hague, Netherlands. The-mother-of-three, 52, looked stylish in a chic floor length satin skirt which she paired with a oversized white shirt. The flowy colourful ensemble donned her signature bright colours with a floral pattern in orange, blue, red and green. She cinched in her waistline with a chunky brown belt and accessorised with orange earrings. Her blonde locks fell loose and her glam makeup enhanced her flawless complexion. Queen Maxima looked typically elegant as she visits a community center as part of Neighbours Day in the Hague, Netherlands Neighbours Day is organised every year by the Orange Fund and Douwe Egberts with the aim of celebrating and promoting contact between neighbours. It comes after Maxima stepped out in a ready-for-business outfit last week as she began the secondary of her visit to Brazil. The Dutch Queen met with Fintech companies at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Sao Paulo. For the occasion, the busy mother-of-three donned a flattering blush pink suit. Maxima is visiting Brazil as part of her role as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Financial Inclusion and Development. Yesterday, she kicked off the trip with a business lunch with several bank representatives. King Willem-Alexander's wife was the picture of dynamism as she stepped out of her hotel ahead of a busy day with engagements today. Maxima opted for a business suit for the meet up, but picked a fun blush pink colour for the outing. The-mother-of-three, 52, looked stylish in a chic floor length satin skirt which she paired with a oversized white shirt The flowy colourful ensemble donned her signature bright colours with a floral pattern in orange, blue, red and green She paired the blazer and trousers with a matching pink top, and added a pop of colour with a large handbag with blue, white and orange patchwork fabrics from Dior. Maxima began her day with a sit down meeting at the hotel to discuss Fintech, before stepping out for a field visit where she met Toala Antonia, an entrepreneur who founded her e-commerce business, Casa das Kapulanas, with the help of Brazilian e-bank Nubank. Queen Maxima has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) since 2009. She was appointed by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and in this role is a leading global voice on advancing universal access to and responsible usage of affordable, effective and safe financial services. Princess Charlene of Monaco looked effortlessly elegant as she took her twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella on a family day out with Prince Albert over the weekend. The European royal, 45, cut a sophisticated figure in a green-and-white silk shirt as she attended the opening of the Historical Sites of the Grimaldis of Monaco. For the occasion, the mother-of-two donned matching olive wide-leg trousers by US designer Ralph Lauren. Charlene accessorised her tonal outfit with a thick brown belt and some oversized sunglasses. The royal kept her short brown hair tucked behind her ears and wore a simple pair of pearl earrings. Princess Charlene, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques attended the opening of the Historical Sites of the Grimaldis on Saturday Keeping her makeup to a minimum, Charlene opted for rosy pink lipstick and sweep of peach eyeshadow. Meanwhile, her husband Albert, 65, looked suitably smart in a navy blazer and beige chinos. The couple - who will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary next month - were also joined by their eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. Looking like the spitting image of her mother, Gabriella was dressed in a white shirred sundress with sweet puffed sleeves. What's more, Jacques also donned a white button-down shirt and beige trousers like his father. During the event, the children also had the chance to pet some horses and have their photo taken with some owls on the historical estate. The event on Saturday united ex-strongholds which were all controlled by Monaco's royal family. The family's history is set to be documented in a new TV series, which is being produced by one of the late Grace Kelly's grandsons. Charlene, 45, accessorised her tonal outfit with a thick brown belt and some oversized sunglasses Meanwhile, her husband Prince Albert of Monaco, 65, looked suitably smart in a navy blazer and beige chinos. Pictured: Charlene, Jacques and Gabriella pictured arriving at the royal event over the weekend Last month, Jacques and Gabriella made another public appearance when they cut the cake at a 100th anniversary celebration of Prince Rainier III's birth. While Prince Jacques held out his arms to present the cake to crowds, Princess Gabriella, guided by her mother, cut a ceremonial slice. The Principality of Monaco celebrated the centenary of the birth of Rainier III, whose reign was marked by strong urban development. Albert II, the son of iconic American movie star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, has been married to Princess Charlene since their wedding in 2011. The couple were also snapped with Princess Stephanie of Monaco, 58, who wore a cool white suit for the occasion. It comes as Charlene recently showed off her new look while stepping out for the Grand Prix alongside other members of the Royal Family. She sported new hair do as she attended the annual motoring event, which is held on the Circuit de Monaco, with Prince Albert. England's first-ever drive-thru Chinese takeaway is set to open - which its owners hope will become 'the McDonalds' of the Asian cuisine. Wiyo - which stands for 'what is your order' - sent foodies into a frenzy after it announced its first restaurant would open every day from next week. The menu at its outlet, in Warrington, Cheshire, has several mouth-watering dishes including house special chicken, shredded chilli beef and salt and pepper chicken. And these options cost 7 when they are bought as part of a 'box' deal - with either rice or fries - which customers can purchase from the comfort of their vehicles. Co-owner Leon Freeman spent five years developing the concept with his business partners and said he hoped to make Chinese food 'more convenient for the masses'. England's first-ever drive-thru Chinese takeaway is set to open in Warrington, Cheshire- which its owners hope will become 'the McDonalds' of the Asian cuisine He said: 'The aim was to make Chinese takeaway food quicker and more convenient for the masses 'Considering how popular Chinese food is in England, we were confused why no one had developed the concept before now. 'The goal is to make Wiyo the McDonald's of the Chinese fast food industry. 'We're already looking at franchises in Manchester, Liverpool, Essex and hope to make this national.' Leon said he and his co-owner Sally Gallagher and Dominic Freeman had come up with the idea for the restaurant around a kitchen table in 2018. They then developed their menu with a leading Chinese chef before finding the perfect site for their drive-thru business four years later. Diners get a choice of ordering three different meal options - with a single dish and drink costing 7, two and a drink priced at 9, and three with a drink going for 11. They can also opt for the 'salt + pepper sub', priced at 11, where chicken is layered on a roll with crispy lettuce, onions and Wiyo's house special soy mayonnaise. The outlet also offers a series of side dishes, such as battered spring rolls and chicken nuggets, costing between 3 to 4. Wiyo - which stands for 'what is your order' - sent foodies into a frenzy after it announced its first restaurant would open every day from next week Some lucky punters managed to get their hands on the restaurant's food early when it opened its hatch last weekend during a 'soft launch'. And one diner, who travelled 35 miles from Wrexham, North Wales, to try out its fare branded it 'delicious'. She said: 'It's delicious, drove all the way from Wrexham. Very tasty food and super-fast turnaround from order to pick up window'. Another added: 'Mine was amazing' while a third said: 'Mine was really good!' Despite the rave reviews, Leon said his plan was almost 'derailed' in January when he needed to have his leg amputated. He said a cut, which he picked up in the shower, became infected with sepsis and he was forced to run the burgeoning business from his hospital bed. Wiyo will officially open on June 17, and from then will be open seven days per week between 5-9pm He said: 'By the time I was hospitalised there was no other option but to amputate my leg. I was in hospital for two months. 'We continued working from my hospital bed and four months after coming out of hospital we have finally completed the project.' The restaurant isn't the first in the UK to develop a Chinese drive-thru concept, with those honours going to Waka Asian Fusion, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Wiyo will officially open on June 17, and from then will be open seven days per week between 5-9pm. Abortion laws in the UK are under huge scrutiny today after a woman was jailed for illegally procuring her own termination outside the legal limit. Carla Foster, from Staffordshire, was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication under the 'pills by post' scheme. The 44-year-old lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to secure the drugs in May 2020. Foster was jailed yesterday at Stoke Crown Court despite pleas from medical bodies and charities calling for leniency. She already had three sons one of whom has special needs before she became pregnant again in 2019. Foster posted on Facebook hours before being sentenced that 'no one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through'. Here we explain what happened, survival rates for babies born before full term, and what rules govern abortion access in the UK. Carla Foster lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to obtain abortion-causing drugs Foster posted this message on Facebook at 3am yesterday, just hours before she was jailed What is the 'pills by post' scheme? The 'pills by post' scheme is an at-home abortion procedure for pregnancies under 10 weeks. It consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken at least 24 hours apart. Women take mifepristone first. The pill blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy, from working. The second, misoprostol, contains a hormone called prostaglandin that causes the uterus to contract, triggering the abortion. Did the Covid lockdown play a part in what happened? Under pre-pandemic rules, women took the first pill at an abortion clinic or hospital under supervision from a clinician. They were then able to take the second at home up to 48 hours later. With Covid shutting down or restricting access to these services, there were fears women could miss out on the early termination service. The scheme allowed women to get the pills at home via a remote consultation with medical professionals. Foster was one of those women, with the court hearing how, based on answers to questions, a medic determined she was seven weeks pregnant at the time of the consultation. While the scheme was brought in during the pandemic, it is now here to stay. Ministers originally wanted to axe the scheme last summer, but they were defeated by a vote by MPs in March 2022. The Department of Health and Social Care said doctors will be required to certify in 'good faith' that the pills are only being used to terminate early pregnancies. Mifepristone is one of two drugs that form part of the 'pills by post' service allowing women to terminate early pregnancies at home How mother was prosecuted under 1861 law on 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' Carla Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' - and this was accepted by the prosecution. The law states as follows: 'Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for life' Advertisement What are the rules surrounding abortions in the UK? Women can legally request an abortion in the UK until 24 weeks pregnant, but it is up to medics if it is granted. Under the 1967 Abortion Act terminations are granted on grounds of physical or mental health as well as financial reasons, such as being unable to afford to care for a child. There is no access to abortion on demand in the UK. A woman cannot terminate a pregnancy without cause, she must have reason. Abortions can still be carried out after the 24-week limit but only under very strict circumstances. These include the mother's life being at risk from the pregnancy or if the child would be born with a severe disability. Before 10 weeks abortions can be carried at home out using only medication, after this period the procedure needs to be conducted in a specialised clinic. At these clinics, most abortion services perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of their last period. Surgical abortions are another method of pregnancy termination carried out in the UK but are normally carried out in later pregnancies or if drugs do not work. They are a fraction of total abortions carried out in the UK, only accounting for 13 per cent of terminations in 2021, the latest data available. Under what law was Foster sentenced? Foster pleaded guilty under a section of the Offences Against the Person Act entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion'. This law was written in 1861, making it 162-years-old. It essentially makes all abortions, as well helping carry them out, illegal. The 1967 abortion legislation was written to create legal exemptions to the 1861 act, effectively creating a legal avenue for women to terminate pregnancies. How late was Foster's abortion in terms of baby development? A full-term pregnancy is usually considered to last 37 weeks. Babies born before this period are considered pre-term and can have a reduced chance of survival as a result as their bodies are not fully developed. Thanks to a range of medical advances babies, born at 34 weeks and above now have the same survival chance as a baby born full term. This decreases to 95 per cent at 31 weeks, 89 per cent at 27 weeks, and so on with babies born at 22 weeks or less having much lower chances of survival. Foster's baby was estimated to be aborted at between 33 and 34 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term. Their odds of survival vary greatly depending just how early they are born but medical advances mean those born at 34 weeks and above have the same equivalent chance at life as a baby born at full term Access to abortion varies around the world with some countries allowing full access though gestational limits still apply. Others only allow abortions on medical grounds or forbid it entirely. The UK is considered a European outlier, only allowing abortions on both health as and economic grounds whereas most of its neighbours are more flexible. Abortion access in the US has undergone a radical shift recently and now varies greatly on a state-by-state level How have abortion rules in the UK recently changed? Home abortions were approved at the end of March 2020 by then Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new rules allowed women within the first ten weeks of pregnancy to take the first pill at home following a teleconsultation with a clinician. This was applied in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland which only started permitting abortions from 2020. But in February, the Government announced the rule would be ending in August, with women again required to go to clinics to get their first abortion pill. Health minister Maggie Throup said the move would ensure the 'wellbeing and safety' of women. However, rebel MPs voted down the plan to scrap the scheme in March. After an emotional debate, 215 MPs voted to amend the Health and Care Bill to keep the service in place. These included 72 Conservatives such as Cabinet ministers Grant Shapps and Brandon Lewis and former PM Theresa May. Conservative MP Laura Trott said that keeping the service was 'a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity'. Advertisement Why did medical groups call for leniency before the sentencing? Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, judge Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if 'the letter had not been written at all'. He said: 'The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence.' Does the case have any wider implications? The case has sparked a wider row about abortion access in the UK with campaigners, lawyers, feminists and MPs calling for abortion to be fully decriminalised in the UK. On the other side prolife groups have argued for greater restrictions, particularly on the 'pills at home scheme'. MPs from both the Conservatives and Labour have called for Parliament to overhaul the 'out-of-date' law used to jail Foster. Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme yesterday: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' This morning, senior MP Dame Diana Johnson urged ministers to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions. The chairwoman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is not in the public interest to see a mother with three children now in prison for 28 months.' Discussing existing abortion laws, the Labour MP added: 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. 'There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Clare Murphy called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data shows 214,869 women had abortions in England and Wale in 2021, up 2 per cent on the more than 210,000 recorded in 2020 She said: 'We are shocked and appalled by the decision to sentence a mother-of-three to 28 months in prison for using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent. 'Just this week, a police force contacted BPAS to request the medical records of a woman who is being investigated for allegedly attempting to end their own pregnancy. 'Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the numbers of women and girls facing the trauma of lengthy police investigations and threatened with up to life imprisonment under our archaic abortion law. 'On Saturday, BPAS, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Fawcett Society, and many others will be taking to the streets in London to demand legislative reform. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. 'In 2020, MPs in Westminster amended the law in Northern Ireland to remove the threat of criminal sanction for any woman who attempted to end their own pregnancy. 'MPs must extend the same protection so that no more women in these desperate circumstances in the UK are ever threatened with prison again.' But Catherine Robinson a spokesperson for the prolife organisation Right To Life UK claimed BPAS was using the tragedy for its own ends. 'Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically using this womans tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom,' she said. A spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children added: 'Now, that this policy has led to nearly full-term babies being killed well past the legal limit, abortion giants like BPAS are attempting to cover up this tragedy by calling for abortion to be entirely removed from the oversight of the law.' And Christian Action Research and Education have even called for the 'pills by post' scheme to be withdrawn. Louise Davies, the orgnaisation's director of policy and advocacy, said: 'This tragic case underlines the dangers of the "pills-by-post" scheme introduced during the pandemic, and still in force today.' 'This dangerous scheme must be revoked now.' Carla Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 How common are abortions in the UK? Nearly 215,000 abortions were carried out in England and Wales in 2021, according to Government data, up 2 per cent on the year before. More than half of these were carried out at home via the pills by post service, according to a report from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The number of abortions carried out in over-35s has been rising over the past decade. In 2011, 27,199 had a termination, compared to 40,789 in 2021. It has been linked to pressures to maintain their careers and lifestyles at a time when many are in unstable relationships. At the same time, rates in teenagers have been falling. In 2021, 6,273 under-18s had a procedure, down from 14,599 in 2011. Overall, there were 19.2 abortions carried out for every 1,000 women in 2021. This was up from 18.9 the year before and 12 per cent more than the 17.2 per 1,000 in 2011. Rates were highest for women aged 22 (at 31.0 per 1,000 women). The data also showed 43 per cent of women undergoing abortions had had one or more previous abortions, up from 36 per cent a decade ago. Meanwhile, there were 3,370 abortions performed because of a risk the baby would have been born with disabilities. This is a slight increase on 2020 (3,083). At the time the figures were released BPAS head Clare Murphy said: 'The pandemic, and the policies adopted by the Government in response, have had a clear impact on women's pregnancy choices. 'Faced with economic uncertainty and job insecurity, women and their partners have been making sometimes tough decisions around continuing or ending a pregnancy.' What happens when we die remains a mystery. But now a 36-year-old woman has shared her own fascinating experience with the afterlife. Jade, from Wisconsin, was declared technically 'dead' for three minutes after being struck down with what she describes as heat stroke. She said her body felt like it was 'shrinking' in the 32C sun until everything suddenly went 'black'. Describing her near-death ordeal, which occurred in 2011, Jade said: 'That was the moment I knew I was about to pass away.' Jade, from Wisconsin, was declared technically 'dead' for three minutes after being struck down with what she describes as heat stroke She said her experience made her completely OK with dying because she wanted to sleep forever Jade whose surname isn't known shared her story on TikTok, where it amassed almost 200,000 views. Her experience happened while she was visiting a friend in the 'unbearable' heat. Before collapsing onto a sofa, she felt nauseous, dizzy and had a dry mouth tell-tale signs of heat stroke, a life-threatening complication of overheating. What is heatstroke? Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool itself and a person's body temperature becomes dangerously high due to a long amount of time exposed to direct sunlight. Common symptoms include: Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech Not sweating - a sign of being dehydrated Loss of consciousness, incoherence Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating Seizures Nausea or vomiting Very high body temperature Dizziness or a headache Fast, strong pulse When heatstroke occurs, the body's temperature can rise to 106F (41C) or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment. Advertisement It can trigger cardiac arrest, in rare cases. While on the sofa, Jade recalls being slumped over and making gurgling sounds. She said: 'Everything must have happened in a matter of moments. 'But it felt like much longer and this profound feeling of utter sickness hit me like a tonne of bricks. 'My head felt like it was inflating, yet my entire body as if it was shrinking. I had never known anything like it before. 'It made me completely OK with dying because I wanted to sleep forever.' Jade added: 'Then, everything went black and that was the moment I knew I was about to pass away.' Jade was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital, where she claimed she was revived with a defibrillator. Defibrillators are used for cardiac arrest sufferers, with the sharp jolt restoring the heartbeat. Although Jade did not state explicitly that this is what she experienced. Cardiac arrest is often considered 'clinical death' because the heart stops beating, cutting off blood supply to the brain. Jade said she was rushed to the hospital, where medics allegedly told her she was dead for three minutes when she arrived. She spent four days there. Jade was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White and postural tachycardia syndrome, two conditions that can cause increased heart rate. She believes they were a contributing factor to her near-death experience. After sharing her story online, many viewers claimed they had gone through similar. 'I fainted TWICE that summer,' one person said. Someone else commented: 'I was pregnant that summer. The heat was HORRIBLE!!!' 'Your story was very interesting. Glad your safe,' another person added. Lauren said: 'Was it scary? What did you see? I really panic about the thought of death.' 'The thought of dying scares me so much I couldn't even sit thru listening to this,' one user commented. [sic] 'June 3, 2022 I died. My husband did cpr for 37 minutes until EMS took over,' Kate added. The number of people seeking hay-fever advice on the NHS website has tripled in the past five weeks, NHS England says. A rise in the search for advice on hay fever has coincided with the recent hot weather across the UK, which is in the midst of a scorching heatwave. So, why exactly is your hay fever so bad? What actually triggers hay fever in the first place and how can it be treated effectively? Read on below for MailOnline's breakdown as to why your hay fever may be worse than normal so far this summer. The Met Office has warned of 'very high' pollen counts across the UK, which will affect England and Wales the most Why is my hay fever so bad? On Tuesday June 12, the Met Office issued red warnings of 'very high' pollen counts in Yorkshire and Humberside, the North-West, West Midlands, Wales, East of England, South-West, London and South-East England over the coming week. England and Wales will be hardest hit by the 'very high' pollen counts but it warned levels will also be 'high in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Consequently, people with asthma may also find their hay fever symptoms worsen, with a spate of thunderstorms doing little to improve things. This is because water breaks down pollen granules into smaller particles, which may lodge deeper into the airways in the lungs. The Met Office warned the UK is entering 'peak' pollen season, as it noted grass pollen counts are on the rise. Lung health charity Asthma + Lung UK in turn warned the high pollen counts could pose a serious risk to those living with lung conditions, as it noted pollen is a major trigger for those living with asthma and COPD. The charity noted that almost half (47.1 per cent) of the five million Brits living with asthma and more than a quarter (27.4 per cent) of the 1.3million living with COPD are triggered by pollen. What can trigger hay fever? Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. People are most severely affected by hay fever between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy, as the pollen count is at its highest during this period. Pictured: a hay fever sufferer sleeps with an eye mask to prevent pollen getting into their eyes (File image) Pollen is a fine powder from plants, which is released as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed. Anyone suffering from hay fever could be allergic to tree pollen, which is released during spring. Grass pollen, which is released during the end of spring and beginning of summer, is also known to cause hay fever. Weed pollen is released in late autumn and may also provoke hay fever symptoms. People are most severely affected by hay fever between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy, as the pollen count is at its highest during this period. How to treat hay fever As it can last for weeks or months, hay fever can become a nuisance for those who want to make the most of the summer sun. Common symptoms can include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. There is currently no cure for hay fever. However, the majority of people can relieve symptoms by taking antihistamines, which help to prevent an allergic reaction to pollen. If steroids and other hay fever treatments do not work, your GP may refer you for immunotherapy. This form of treatment sees people given small amounts of pollen as an injection or tablet to slowly build up their immunity to pollen. There is currently no cure for hay fever. However, the majority of people can relieve symptoms by taking antihistamines, which help to prevent an allergic reaction to pollen. Pictured: Long grass - which can emit high amounts of pollen - on Basingstoke common in Hampshire Immunotherapy usually starts in the winter about three months before the hay fever season begins, but is not available to everyone. The NHS also says that people can put Vaseline around their nostrils to trap pollen and wear wrap around sunglasses to stop pollen getting into their eyes. Other advice includes investing in a pollen filter for the air vents in your car, as well as purchasing a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to help avoid severe hay fever. People should not cut grass or walk on grass if they routinely suffer from hay fever. They should also avoid keeping fresh flowers in the house, which will only increase their exposure to pollen. Women diagnosed with breast cancer today are two-thirds more likely to survive than those 20 years ago, major research shows. University of Oxford researchers found those diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer between 1993 and 1999 had a 14 per cent chance of dying from the disease within the first five years. But this risk has now fallen to five per cent in people diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Experts today said the figures were 'heartwarming' and would come as 'good news for the overwhelming majority of women' with breast cancer. The data illustrates the substantial improvements to both diagnoses and treatment since the 1990s, claimed influential voices in the field. A landmark study by scientists at the University of Oxford found those diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer between 1993 and 1999 had a 14 per cent chance of dying from the disease within the first five years. But for women diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, the risk had dropped to just 5 per cent The study included all 500,000-plus women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer in England between January 1993 and December 2015. It followed them up until the end of 2020. It is also the first of its size to map out the characteristics of the patients and their cancer, enabling doctors to provide more accurate prognoses for women. Early invasive breast cancer, defined as stage one or two, occurs where the cancer cells have spread through the lining of the ducts in the surrounding breast tissue, but it is still contained to a relatively small area. Read more: Warning that overwhelmed NHS is struggling to provide safe care for cancer patients due to huge staffing shortages Advertisement At stage one, the tumour is 2cm or less whereas those with stage two have a tumour up to 5cm in size. Between 70 and 80 per cent of all breast cancers are invasive. 'The prognosis for women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer has improved substantially since the 1990s,' the authors wrote. 'Most can expect to be long-term cancer survivors.' Scientists believe the biology of the disease may have changed over the decades, as a result of hormonal changes arising from obesity, hormone replacement therapy and reproductive factors. Treatment breakthroughs have also driven the improvement to survival rates, including targeted drugs such as Herceptin, novel hormonal therapies as well as better chemotherapy and improved radiotherapy. More sensitive breast imaging techniques and improved public awareness of signs and symptoms have meanwhile boosted early detection rates. Dr Carolyn Taylor, professor of oncology at Oxford Population Health and lead author of the paper, said: 'Our study is good news for the overwhelming majority of women diagnosed with early breast cancer today because their prognosis has improved so much. 'Their risk of dying from their breast cancer in the first five years after diagnosis is now 5 per cent.' But writing in the BMJ, Dr Taylor said it also shows 'prognosis after a diagnosis of early breast cancer varies widely'. She added: 'In the future further research may be able to reduce the breast cancer death rates for women diagnosed with early breast cancer even more.' Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities Meanwhile, Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: 'It's heart-warming news that women today have more time with their families and loved ones after an early breast cancer diagnosis. 'Receiving any cancer diagnosis is an extremely worrying time, but this study can give patients a more accurate prognosis and offer reassurance for many women.' She added: 'Through the power of science, research, clinical trials and screening over the last 20 years, huge improvements have been made in cancer diagnosis and treatment. 'However, the UK lags behind other countries when it comes to cancer survival,' she noted. 'The governments across the UK must show political leadership in cancer by taking action to help diagnose and treat cancers earlier and ensure the NHS has enough staff and equipment to meet the growing demands of the future.' It comes after a poll of all 60 directors of the UK's cancer centres by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) last week found 95 per cent feel staff shortages are leading to longer wait times for appointments and delays in cancer treatment. Half of services surveyed reported 'frequent delays' in patients starting radiotherapy, occurring every month or most months, while at one in five centres (22 per cent), this was happening most or every week. According to one head of service, prostate radiotherapy patients in their area face a three-month minimum wait to receive treatment, while breast cancer patients also have a seven-to eight-week wait. Around 56,800 women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, making it the most common cancer in the UK. Roughly 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women every year in the US. According to Cancer Research UK, 11,300 people die of the disease each year, the UK's fourth biggest cause of cancer death. It has been estimated that by 2040 there will be 70,300 breast cancer diagnoses each year, because of a growing and ageing population. The research, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, the University of Oxford and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, is published in the British Medical Journal. A 'dignified vigil' was also held outside the Inquiry by bereaved relatives The collateral consequences of shutting down society to fight Covid were barely considered, the inquiry's chief lawyer claimed today. As the probe finally kicked off, almost three-and-a-half years after the virus hit the UK, Hugo Keith KC said the lack of thought given to lockdowns was 'extraordinary'. He told the first public hearing there was little debate over whether such measures proved necessary, nor how they could be avoided. Mr Keith added: 'Very little thought was given to how if it proved to be necessary something as complex, difficult and damaging as a national lockdown could be put in place at all. 'Equally, there appears to have been a failure to think through the potentially massive impact on education and on the economy in trying to control a runaway virus in this way.' Hugo Keith KC told the Inquiry this morning that the nation was 'taken by surprise' by 'significant aspects' of the disease that has been recorded on 226,977 death certificates Launching the first public hearing this morning, Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett also vowed that those who suffered in the pandemic will 'always be at the heart of the inquiry' Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling 'excluded from sharing key evidence' Unprecedented stay-at-home orders, including the closure of schools, were among the key policies introduced at the start of the pandemic. Ministers had little choice but to shelter society once the virus reached the UK, after being warned that hundreds of thousands could die without immediate action. Vaccines considered the only safe route out of the pandemic were still months away from being deployed. But the restrictions had huge knock-on effects. Studies have shown students' academic performance suffered as a result, while the country also entered a recession due to the economic impact with restaurants and pubs losing an estimated 1.7bn a week during the height of the crisis and thousands of shops forced to shut. Brexit to blame for UKs lack of Covid preparedness as no-deal planning crowded out vital work Brexit hampered No10's pandemic preparations, the Covid Inquiry's chief lawyer claimed today. Hugo Keith KC said work managing a possible no-deal exit from the EU required an 'enormous amount' of logistical planning and might have drained critical resources and capacity needed to thwart potential infectious threats. As a result, it 'crowded out and prevented' the Government from fully preparing any strategy ahead of Covid's arrival, he claimed. He told the chair of the inquiry: 'The pandemic struck the UK just as it was leaving the EU. 'That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. 'It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. 'Did the attention therefore paid to the risks of a no-deal exit Operation Yellowhammer as it was known drain the resources and capacity that should have been continuing the fight against the next pandemic, that should have been utilised in preparing the United Kingdom for civil emergency? 'Or did all that generic and operational planning in fact lead to people being better trained and well marshalled and, in fact, better prepared to deal with Covid and also to the existence of improved trade, medicine and supply links? 'My lady on the evidence so far, but it will be a matter for you, we very much fear that it was the former.' The Operation Yellowhammer document, which was published by the Government in 2019, set out a series of 'reasonable worst-case assumptions' about what would happen if the UK did not reach a deal with the EU. It suggested there would be real risks of a rise in public disorder, higher food prices and reduced medical supplies. Advertisement Covid's knock-on impact has also delayed cancer diagnoses and fuelled record care backlogs. More than 200,000 Brits have died with Covid since the crisis began. Brexit hampered No10's pandemic preparations, Mr Keith also said today. He claimed that work managing a possible no-deal exit from the EU required an 'enormous amount' of logistical planning and might have drained critical resources and capacity needed to thwart potential infectious threats. As a result, it 'crowded out and prevented' the Government from fully preparing any strategy ahead of Covid's arrival, he claimed. The long-awaited probe is chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, who vowed that those who suffered in the pandemic will 'always be at the heart of the inquiry'. The retired Court of Appeal judge, who led inquests into the 7/7 London bombings, welcomed the 'dignified vigil' held by bereaved relatives outside the building in west London before it began. She vowed 'their loss would be recognised' and she would undertake the thorough investigation they deserve. The inquiry will examine the single biggest crisis in the UK's recent history, offering an honest assessment of the Government's failings. In recent months there has been huge criticism of the UK government's handling of the pandemic, including the country's lack of a thorough plan for dealing with such an event. Mr Keith told the inquiry, which will spend the next six weeks looking at 'resilience and preparedness', that the nation was 'taken by surprise' by 'significant aspects' of the disease. In his opening statement, he said the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the three devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, had published a Covid action plan in March 2020 'setting out how they planned to tackle the coronavirus outbreak'. He added: 'The plan stated that the UK was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. 'Whether that was actually the case will be examined in module one. 'Even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all.' He told the chair of the inquiry: 'The pandemic struck the UK just as it was leaving the EU. 'That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. 'It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. 'Did the attention therefore paid to the risks of a no-deal exit Operation Yellowhammer as it was known drain the resources and capacity that should have been continuing the fight against the next pandemic, that should have been utilised in preparing the United Kingdom for civil emergency? 'Or did all that generic and operational planning in fact lead to people being better trained and well marshalled and, in fact, better prepared to deal with Covid and also to the existence of improved trade, medicine and supply links? 'My lady on the evidence so far, but it will be a matter for you, we very much fear that it was the former.' The inquiry will be split into six areas, with the first looking at whether the UK was adequately prepared for the pandemic. Interim reports are scheduled to be published before public hearings conclude by summer 2026. Pictured, people hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic, outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Baroness Hallett - who previously led the inquests into the 7/7 London bombings - also welcomed the 'dignified vigil' held by bereaved relatives outside the building in west London. Pictured, people hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic, outside the UK Covid Inquiry The Operation Yellowhammer document, which was published by the Government in 2019, set out a series of 'reasonable worst-case assumptions' about what would happen if the UK did not reach a deal with the EU. It suggested there would be real risks of a rise in public disorder, higher food prices and reduced medical supplies. Mr Keith also said the significant risks of pandemics had been long assessed and officials had planned for them. 'But fundamentally, in relation to significant aspects of the Covid pandemic, we were taken by surprise,' he added. What topics will the inquiry cover? There are currently six broad topics, called modules, that will be considered by the inquiry. Module 1 will examine the resilience and preparedness of the UK for a coronavirus pandemic. Module 2 will examine decisions taken by Mr Johnson and his then team of ministers, as advised by the civil service, senior political, scientific and medical advisers, and relevant committees. The decisions taken by those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be examined. Module 3 will investigate the impact of Covid on healthcare systems, including on patients, hospitals and other healthcare workers and staff. This will include the controversial use of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation notices during the pandemic. Module 4 meanwhile will assess Covid vaccines and therapeutics. It will consider and make recommendations on a range of issues relating to the development of Covid vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Modules 5 and 6 will open later this year, investigating government procurement and the care sector. The inquiry has the power to announce further modules during its lifetime. It has no formal deadline but is due to hold hearings across the UK until at least 2025. Advertisement Before it disbanded, Public Health England admitted it carried out 11 epidemic-fighting scenarios between 2015 and 2018. One of the preparation tests called Exercise Alice focused on MERS, one of only seven coronaviruses known to infect humans. It kills around 35 per cent of people it strikes. Mr Keith said there's a need to question whether the health services were sufficiently funded or suffered from 'under-investment' ahead of the pandemic that 'left in its wake death, misery and incalculable loss'. Health inequalities and high levels of diabetes, respiratory illness, obesity and heart disease are also relevant to the state of the nation entering the pandemic, he said. 'Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions' were necessary in areas including shielding, employment support, schools, borders and lockdown restrictions,' he added. 'Few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail.' While other inquiries have opened across the world, the UK's will be the first to reach public hearings with evidence from witnesses. Many faces thrust into the limelight during the pandemic are expected to make an appearance. This could include Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance and members of the Independent SAGE group of scientists, who advocated for harsher lockdowns. Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson's former chief aide, is among other names likely to appear. Claire Mitchell KC, the lawyer for Scottish bereaved families, told the inquiry this afternoon that it would hear from former health secretary Matt Hancock as well as Sir Oliver Letwin, former minister for Government policy. As many as 70 witnesses will contribute to the first module on pandemic preparedness, which begins with Professor Jimmy Whitworth and Dr Charlotte Hammer, experts in infectious diseases, epidemiology and public health. According to the Covid inquiry's terms of reference, it will 'listen to and consider carefully' the experiences of bereaved families and others affected by the pandemic. It 'will not consider in detail individual cases of harm or death', but 'listening to these accounts will inform its understanding'. As the inquiry got underway, members of the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling 'excluded from sharing key evidence'. Lady Hallett said she had set out an 'ambitious' timetable for the inquiry, adding: 'To conduct the kind of thorough investigation the people of the UK deserve takes time and a great deal of preparation. 'I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised.' Government data up to June 4 shows the number of Covid cases recorded since March 2020. As many as 70 witnesses will contribute to the first module on pandemic preparedness, which begins with Professor Jimmy Whitworth and Dr Charlotte Hammer, experts in infectious diseases, epidemiology and public health Government data up to May 12 shows the number of deaths of people whose death certificate mentioned Covid as one of the causes, and seven-day rolling average. Baroness Hallett told the inquiry she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? The inquiry also saw a 17-minute video played of testimonies from some of the families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. It showed people describe the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on themselves and their loved ones, including those who had died alone. One woman cried as she said her father had died, followed, just a few days later, by her sister, and that she suffered guilt over the way they had died. Another woman said she had 'lost everything', while others described suffering anxiety. People also told how they had not hugged each other at family funerals because they were sticking to Covid social distancing rules laid down by the Government. The hearing was also told that people could not be buried in outfits chosen by families because body bags had to remain sealed. Baroness Hallett told the inquiry she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? The inquiry will be split into six areas, with the first looking at whether the UK was adequately prepared for the pandemic. It has no formal deadline but is due to hold hearings across the UK until at least 2025. Interim reports are scheduled to be published before public hearings conclude by summer 2026. A separate Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry chaired by Lord Brailsford is looking at the pandemic response in devolved areas in Scotland. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he and the Welsh government are fully committed to the inquiry, though they maintain that there is no need for Wales to hold its own inquiry. One of the authors of an influential scientific paper credited with casting the Covid lab leak hypothesis as a fringe conspiracy theory has today admitted they went 'too far'. Professor Robert Garry, a respected microbiologist who works at Tulane University in New Orleans, is one of five bylined on a paper in March 2020 entitled 'The Proximal Origin of Sars-Cov-2'. This controversial paper has been accused of trying to shut down the idea that Covid might have leaked from a lab in Wuhan and had instead emerged naturally, crossing over from an animal. The letter, published in the journal Nature Medicine, concluded: 'We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.' Now, Dr Garry has told the BBC this statement was never meant to dismiss all types of potential lab leak. Professor Robert Garry, a respected microbiologist, is one of five scientists who wrote a paper in March 2020 entitled 'The Proximal Origin of Sars-Cov-2' credited with dismissing the theory Covid meagered from a lab leak, now says the paper went too far in its dismissal Speaking to Fever: The Hunt for Covid's Origin, an eight-part BBC Radio 4 series, he said they were aiming to dismiss the idea the virus had been intentionally crafted as a bioweapon. 'At that point we were still largely under the influence, when that particular sentence was written, with the notion that this may have been a bioengineered virus or maybe a weapon that just sort of accidentally released,' he said. But pressed by John Sudworth, the BBCs former Beijing Correspondent, on how the paper's principal conclusion covered all types of lab leaks, such as a from a disease research facility, Professor Garry admitted the wording was wrong. Maybe we went a little too far there, he said. His comments mark a shift in his opinion. Read more: Brexit to blame for UKs lack of Covid preparedness as no-deal planning crowded out vital work, claims chief inquiry lawyer as probe finally kicks off 2 years after Boris Johnson ordered probe Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling 'excluded from sharing key evidence' Advertisement In March earlier this year, he said 'no lab leak scenario' was supported by data. 'It is time to nail the coffin containing all the lab leak conspiracy theories shut and give this long dead corpse a proper burial,' he said at the time. He's not the first author of 'Proximal Origin' to recently re-examine their influential paper's conclusion. Another, Professor Ian Lipkin, an epidemiologist based at Columbia University in New York, has also said he now has his doubts. In another episode of Fever, he said that while he stands by the idea Covid was not deliberately created in a lab and a natural origin remained the most likely scenario, it wasn't the only plausible one. While most lab leak scenarios for Covid's origins have centred on the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), known to be working on coronaviruses found in bats, Professor Lipkin has a different hypothesis. He pointed to another lab, the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control, located just a few hundred metres from Huanan market, where the first Covid cases were tracked, as one possible source. This lab was known to be involved in the collection of thousands of blood and faecal samples from wild bats with staff who worked there not always wearing the recommended level of PPE while doing so. Professor Lipkin said Covid could resultingly have 'originated outside of the market and been amplified in the market'. Another author of Proximal Origin is Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish biologist from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. While China has insisted the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have contemplated the possibility it leaked from a high-level biochemical lab in Wuhan - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread 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 Emails between him and Dr Anthony Fauci, who headed the pandemic response in the US, discussing how the virus may have been engineered early in the pandemic, emerged later in 2021. Dr Fauci has denied influencing the paper in anyway. And Dr Garry said shutting down debate on a lab leak 'never came into consideration' during the writing of Proximal Origin. The lab leak theory, once dismissed as an outright conspiracy, has gained increasing traction in the years since the virus first caused a global pandemic. And just last week it was revealed that China's own 'bat woman' Dr Shi Zhengli, a leading virologist based at the WIV, at one point feared Covid could have leaked from inside her secretive laboratory. Read more: Survivors of lockdown heart attacks are likely to die 18 MONTHS earlier, study warns Disruption to healthcare, a fear of catching the virus in hospital and campaigns telling people to stay at home meant many delayed seeking care, researchers say Advertisement Other insiders at the heart of Beijing's response to the pandemic have also admitted that the nation quietly investigated the possibility of the virus emerging from one of its labs. Such investigations occurred despite President Xi Jinping's communist administration repeatedly denying the hypothesis, labelling it a smear campaign by 'anti-China' forces and insisting the virus emerged naturally instead. Back in 2020 the overwhelming opinion, shared by the world's leading experts, was that Covid crossed naturally from animals infected with a bat coronavirus to humans. But consensus over how the pandemic began three years ago has slowly started to shift. Even some US intelligence officials have backed it, with FBI director Christopher Wray stating in February that the virus 'most likely' originated from a lab incident in Wuhan. However, most experts maintain that Covid most likely emerged naturally, being transmitted from animals to humans - what is known as zoonosis. Such theories have largely pointed to Wuhan's Huanan seafood wholesale market, where numerous species of live animals were kept and sold, as the potential site where such an infection could have taken place. Shi Zhengli - dubbed the 'Bat Lady' of 'Bat Woman' for her work on bat coronaviruses - investigated the possibility Covid could have emerged from her lab back in 2020 according to colleagues. Here she is pictured working with other researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2017 And in February 2021, an investigation into Covid's origin by the World Health Organization said it was 'extremely unlikely' the virus leaked from a lab. But plans for a second phase of the investigation, involving audits of laboratories in the Wuhan area, were rejected by the Chinese government. No concrete proof to support either argument has ever been found, leaving experts fearing the truth behind Covid's origins will never be uncovered. Beyond being just establishing a historical fact, experts also want to find how Covid emerged to help stop other similar pathogens becoming pandemics in the future. New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order Monday to protect gender-affirming care, saying 'hate has no place in our city.' The order prevents the use of city resources going towards the detainment, prosecution or investigation by another state into anyone providing or receiving gender-affirming healthcare services in New York City. The decision is at odds with the wave of restrictions to gender-affirming care access being put in place in Republican states. Adams is the 12th governor to sign an order that protects access. Most recently, Missouri signed a ban into law prohibiting doctors from giving gender surgeries or hormone therapy drugs to under-18s. Louisiana is expected to follow close behind. Mayor Adams said the order reaffirms that 'all people deserve the right to gender-affirming care and protection against prosecution for being who they are' At least 20 states have taken steps to restrict or fully ban transition healthcare for trans youth Mayor Adams said yesterday: 'As states across the nation continue their onslaught of attacks on our LGBTQ+ neighbors, New York City is doing what we have always done standing up for justice and against discrimination. 'This executive order reaffirms the fact that hate has no place in our city and that all people deserve the right to gender-affirming care and protection against prosecution for being who they are. To LGBTQ+ people across the nation feeling hurt, isolated, or threatened, we have a clear message for you: New York City has and will always be a welcoming home for you.' Across the country, at least 20 states have passed laws restricting minors' ability to receive gender-affirming care. In some states, if a doctor or patient goes against these laws, the state could request New York City to detain them if they are in the city. But, under Adams' Executive Order 32, if a health care provider in a restricted state works with NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, or another city agency to provide gender-affirming services to an individual, the City of New York will not cooperate with that state's investigation of the provider. NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr Mitchell Katz said: 'I applaud Mayor Adams for continuing to make New York City a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community and for allowing us to provide high-quality, comprehensive health care to anyone who walks through our doors.' At least 11 other states have established a law to protect access to gender-affirming care, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington and Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Most state-led initiatives restricting gender-affirming care have applied to minors, with many voices on the right concerned over what they argue is abuse with far more risks than benefits to a childs mental and physical wellbeing. But those arguments run counter to messaging from major medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association, which support using treatments like puberty blockers as medically necessary. Missouris Republican Gov Mike Parson signed a bill into law on Wednesday that prohibits doctors from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing hormone therapy or other drugs for gender transition to under-18s. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the state senate resurrected a once-presumed-dead bill banning hormone treatments, transition surgeries, and puberty blockers for trans minors there. Labour has vowed to embrace new technology and artificial intelligence to slash NHS waiting lists as new figures reveal the service still uses 79,000 pagers. Wes Streeting, the party's shadow health secretary, will set out his plans to get the latest breakthroughs into hospitals faster and at a lower price. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester he will outline how AI can be used to speed up cancer diagnoses and free-up staff time. It comes as a Freedom of Information request reveals 80 per cent of NHS trusts are still reliant on bleepers, which former health secretary Matt Hancock promise to scrap in 2019. Only one company in the world still manufactures pagers, with the NHS estimated to own one in ten of any brand still in use. The number of people waiting for routine hospital treatment in England soared to a record 7.42million (red line) in April, figures show. More than 370,000 people in the queue for routine ops, such as hip replacements, were waiting for more than a year (yellow bars) A new pager costs up to 400 today, meaning the NHS has spent as much as 32million on its remaining inventory. Mr Streeting will say in his speech to NHS leaders that the failure to move on from fax machines, paper, and pagers shows the NHS is 'stuck in the analogue age'. He will add: 'It's a bit rich for Rishi Sunak to promise to make Britain a world leader in AI, when he can't even axe the fax or purge the pager. 'Staff's valuable time is wasted, as they are forced to work around this totally outdated equipment, when they could be caring for patients. 'There are huge opportunities in emerging technologies which could change the face of healthcare, but how long will it be before they reach the NHS?' Mr Streeting will point to advances in AI that can diagnose cancers as accurately as the human eye. This could free up doctors to spend more time with patients, helping to address the NHS workforce crisis, as well as cutting missed cancer diagnosis. Other AI tools can help to map radiation therapy onto cancer cells more precisely and faster than a doctor working manually. The technologies are widely used in the US and Europe, but have not yet been adopted in most of the NHS. Breast cancer patients could also receive their mammogram results much sooner, rather than being left waiting and wondering for weeks, using technology that can spot signs of cancer doctors miss. The AI has been used in parts of Europe since 2021, but developers are struggling to sell the technology into the NHS. The technologies all work alongside radiologists, but can reduce their workload significantly. The breast cancer screening AI can cut radiologists workload by up to 30 per cent and improve detection of cancer by 13 per cent, studies show. Slow adoption of new technology has created a postcode lottery in the NHS, where only some patients have access to the new kit, because companies have to sell to each individual trust. Only half of NHS patients are in areas where they can access at-home kidney tests, which use a smartphone app to detect early signs of chronic kidney disease. Using an app on their phone and a urine test kit sent to their homes, it is designed to reduce unnecessary trips to the GP and hospital by encouraging more people to seek an early diagnosis. Labour's plan will include allowing the NHS to bulk buy the latest technology, so innovators are not forced to sell into each of the country's 227 trusts, meaning products can be bought at cheaper rates. It will cut the unnecessary red tape that requires new technology to be re-evaluated by several different bodies. And it will join up data records, so it is easier and faster to recruit patients to trials for new medicines and technologies. Mr Streeting will say: 'The revolution taking place in medical science, technology, and data has the potential to transform our healthcare. 'There is no reason why the NHS should not be leading the rest of the world in this field. 'Artificial intelligence that is already available can free up staff, provide better and faster care for patients, and get more bang for taxpayers' buck. There's no time to wait. 'Labour will arm the NHS with the best available technology to fight disease. 'We will cut unnecessary red tape and drive change to finally bring our health service into the digital age and make it fit for the future.' NHS trusts spent 112 million on postage last year, despite Jeremy Hunt's promise in 2013 to go paperless. And dozens of NHS trusts still use fax machines, despite Mr Hancock banning them in 2018. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations and is co-organiser of the conference, said: 'There are huge opportunities for patients and the provision of care in technology but NHS leaders across the country routinely tell us of their frustrations with the challenges in adopting and rolling it out quickly and at scale. 'A focus on improving the procurement of new technology and joining up data records will be welcome.' A Conservative spokesman said: 'If Labour want to cut waiting lists they should start in Wales, where they are in power and where patients are over 600 times more likely to wait over two years for treatment compared to England. 'In England, we have virtually eliminated the longest waits and are investing 123 million in our NHS for new AI technology, as we work to deliver on our promise to cut waiting lists.' America's postcode lottery for the price of giving birth has been revealed in DailyMail.com interactive maps. Based on data from healthcare insurance claims analyst FAIR Health, they show how the national average stands at $12,900 for a vaginal delivery and $15,500 for a C-section. The costs ranged by as much as $13,000 for a vaginal delivery depending on where someone lives, with Alaska and New Jersey charging up to $21,000 for birth, while in Alabama and Louisiana, the price for the same procedure could be below $8,000. The situation was worst for uninsured patients, who could face costs upwards of $50,000 for giving birth in the country. Some states were more expensive because of their high cost of living and the fact that they had nationally renowned healthcare providers. On the other hand, states with a lower cost of living tended to have lower price tags for giving birth. The map comes as the number of births per year continues to trend downwards in the US, with many now waiting until later in life to have children. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. For the analysis, FAIR Health looked at its database of 41billion claims the largest in the US and included those linked to giving birth in 2022. These were claims for the actual birth such as renting the labor room and for tests afterward like fetal stress and any scans. The analysis calculated figures for people with health insurance, comprising 92 percent of the population and those without. Patients will likely only need to pay a fraction of the total costs out-of-pocket typically $2,500 to $3,000, with insurance companies footing the rest. Major insurance groups like Cigna and Aetna negotiate the price of a birth or C-section with insurance companies, with patients later required to pay only a percentage of the total. However, those who come to healthcare systems without insurance face much higher costs. The costs were calculated for people who did not face complications, with those that do likely to face a larger bill. Broken down by state, the most expensive for vaginal delivery was Alaska ($21,525) and New York ($19,990). Rounding out the top five were New Jersey ($18,688), Connecticut ($17,387) and Massachusetts ($16,731). At the other end of the scale, there was Alabama ($7,840), Louisiana ($7,981) and Maryland ($9,183). Alaska was also the most expensive state for C-sections, with the procedure priced at more than $25,000. The state was followed by New Jersey, also at $25,000, New York ($22,353) and Connecticut ($29,956) regarding C-section costs. The cheapest state was Alabama, priced at $8,913, with Louisiana second at $8,995 and Maryland third at $9,856. Alaska is one of the most expensive places for healthcare in the United States, including giving birth, partly because of its geographical isolation. This leads to higher costs for getting vital medical supplies to the state, while the limited competition due to fewer providers allows those there to charge more. The costs of giving birth in Alaska are also forced by its high cost of living, with people needing to earn more to live comfortably in the state. The cost of giving birth is also higher in the New York metropolitan area New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This may be linked to it having a higher quality healthcare system, with hospitals there often ranking among the best in the country, alongside the higher cost of living in the area. Women giving birth in these areas may also face higher insurance premiums and deductibles due to the higher cost of living, also inflating prices. At the other end of the scale were the southern states particularly Alabama for both vaginal deliveries and C-sections. This is likely driven by the state having a lower cost of living and, as a result, being able to charge less for healthcare than in other areas. It also has a low population density, which can result in less demand for healthcare which would also help to push down prices. Robin Gelburd, the president of FAIR Health, said that Alaska's high prices were due to its 'remote geography and practice settings, cost of travel and potential lack of access to practitioners and relevant facilities.' On Alabama, he said this was a state with 'a relatively low cost of living that translates generally into lower cost of healthcare'. He added: 'The lower prices may also be a reflection of the reimbursement rates negotiated between plans and providers in the South and the relative negotiating power of the parties.' The above graph shows how the US birth rate is continuing to drop. Experts say that the rising cost of having a child has driven it ever lower, although people choosing to spend longer focusing on their career and social life is also a factor It comes after it was revealed that a record number of women are now waiting until they hit their 40s to have children. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the birth rate for women aged 40 to 44 rose four percent 2022 from the previous year to a record high. There was also a 12 percent uptick among women aged 45 to 49, 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 focusing on their career, travel and social life in their younger years. The cost of giving birth and becoming a mother is also a factor. 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 data was released as a 'Cost of Giving Birth' tracker on the FAIR Health website. Its president Robin Gelburd said: 'FAIR Health is pleased to shine a light onto the costs of giving birth from state to state and nationally. 'With the Cost of Giving Birth tracker, we once again use our vast data repository to inform healthcare stakeholders including patients, policy-makers, payors and providers on issues that matter to them.' First time users as adults had a 92% higher risk of depression than never-users Women who start taking birth control pills as teens have a drastically higher risk of developing depression than those who have never taken contraception. A new four-year-long study found that women who began taking an oral contraceptive (OC) before they turned 20 had a 130 percent higher rate of depression compared to never-users, And individuals who started OC as an adult had a lower depression risk at 92 percent. The likelihood of developing birth control pill-linked depression was highest within the first two years of starting the contraceptive - but the rate at which women were diagnosed with depression fell the longer they took an OC. The research team, led by health experts at Uppsala University in Sweden, posited that the link could be blamed on hormone level changes already wreaking havoc on a teens emotional well-being, which is magnified by the addition of hormonal birth control. The report comes as troves of women are revealing adverse effects of the Pill, such as blood clots, gallbladder disease and other mental health issues. The type of oral contraceptives considered in the study contain progestogen, a compound resembling the hormone progesterone, and estrogen A history of ever having taken an oral contraceptive was associated with an overall higher rate of depression compared to those who had never taken one. However, the risk of depression was less pronounced after two years of continued use. Therese Johansson, lead author of the study, said: 'The powerful influence of contraceptive pills on teenagers can be ascribed to the hormonal changes caused by puberty. As women in that age group have already experienced substantial hormonal changes, they can be more receptive not only to hormonal changes but also to other life experiences. The study, one of the largest and widest-ranging to date, encompassed nearly 265,000 women in the UK Biobank, a population-based cohort that recruited 500,000 participants in the United Kingdom aged 37 to 71 years between 2006 and 2010. Ms Johansson, a PhD candidate, added: It is important to emphasize that most women tolerate external hormones well, without experiencing negative effects on their mood, so combined contraceptive pills are an excellent option for many women. However, certain women may have an increased risk of depression after starting to use contraceptive pills. Though depression in adult women fell after about two years of routinely taking an OC, that similar incidence remained high among teens even after they stopped taking it. Mood disturbance is a common complaint among women taking hormonal birth control pills considered in the study, which contain estrogen and a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone called progestogen. Progestogen prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucous, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus. And estrogen thins the uterine lining, further hindering the implantation of a fertilized egg, thus preventing pregnancy about 99 percent of the time. One study in JAMA Psychiatry conducted by experts at the University of Copenhagen in 2016 reported that among more than a million Danish women, the ones using hormonal contraceptives were found to be at 0.9 to 1.9 times greater risk of a first-time diagnosis with depression. Teen girls had an even higher risk ranging from 1.2 times to 3.2 times, but researchers acknowledged that this could be attributed to the age group being generally more prone to depression symptoms. On the other hand, a wealth of evidence has piled up over the years to show that birth control pills can actually improve mood and emotional health In a 2013 report in the American Journal of Epidemiology, American doctors studied the effects of contraception in a sample of more than 6,600 sexually active non-pregnant women. They found users of hormonal contraceptives had lower average levels of depressive symptoms and were less likely to have attempted suicide in the previous year compared to women who took non-hormonal birth control and those who took nothing at all. And a 2003 study conducted by doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that a fraction of 658 women taking oral contraceptives slightly over 16 percent saw their mood worsen on the pill. But the vast majority of them, more than 71 percent, saw no changes to their mood at all. The latest study out of Sweden only considered hormonal birth control pills containing two types of female hormones and did not include other forms of contraception such as IUDs, vaginal rings, or mini pills containing only progestin. The study also included a generally healthy and overwhelmingly white population in the UK, which the authors said could undercut the degree to which their findings apply to a broader context of contraception side effects. Their findings were published in the journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. There are roughly 73 million American women of reproductive age ranging from 15 to 49 and a majority of them use at least one form of contraception, which could include hormonal OCs as well as condoms and IUDs. Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that from 2015 to 2017, nearly 65 percent of women used birth control in some form. Federal regulators said this week that new iterations of the Covid vaccine this fall and winter should target highly contagious omicron sub-variants that makeup about 95 percent of US cases. A briefing document outlines that Pfizer, Moderna and Novaxa must prioritize tinkering with vaccine formulations to target specific XBB sublineages of omicron, either the XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 or XBB.2.3. The Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) expert panel of virologists and vaccine scientists will convene on Thursday to determine which strain will be targeted in the next generation of Covid vaccines, similar to the method used to determine what strain of influenza the annual flu shot will target in the upcoming season. Covid vaccines have only been reformulated once when a bivalent version based on the original wild type strain and the BA.5 Omicron variant was introduced in September of last year. But health officials at the FDA and the World Health Organization believe that the next generation of Covid shots should be monovalent, which targets one specific sublineage like XBB currently dominating the spread in the US. The recommendation for a monovalent vaccine that targets specific XBB omicron subvariants comes almost a year after a bivalent vaccine targeting more than one variant was debuted and met with lackluster enthusiasm from the public The FDA's recommendation comes nearly a month after an advisory group for the World Health Organization said the current crop of shots should be updated to target the currently dominant XBB strains. Matching the vaccine to the circulating variant is crucial to providing the best possible protection against severe illness, though not necessarily preventing infection in the first place. Once the new strain is selected, vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax will have to update the formulations of their shots. Those companies have already begun reformulating their vaccines to target better the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant, given the foreboding nickname Kraken, as in the multi-tentacled sea monster of Scandinavian lore. The next iteration of Covid shots will be monovalent, meaning they target only one strain, such as XBB.1.5 or another omicron subtype. The bivalent booster shot unveiled last year targeted the Omicron BA.4/5 strain and original virus variants, but a subsequent study suggested that the protection afforded by the omicron-specific booster produced only slightly better neutralizing antibody protection against the XBB and XBB.1 variant than three doses of the original vaccine. Enthusiasm for the bivalent boost last year was tepid at best, with only about 17 percent of Americans rolling up their sleeves for one. One of the biggest takeaways from enduring a three-year viral pandemic was that a pathogen can mutate drastically over time, becoming more transmissible or able to sidestep vaccines. This was borne out during the advent of the devastating omicron variant when it became clear that the original iteration of the vaccine provided less protection against symptomatic disease. The FDA officials said: [The coronavirus] evolution is complex and remains unpredictable. There is no indication that SARS-CoV-2 evolution is slowing down, though immunity appears to mitigate severe clinical outcomes. Intrinsic viral factors, including mutation rate and recombination potential, generate possibilities for increased transmissibility and adaptation to the host. At the same time, host immune responses and other factors contribute to the selection of variants. The XBB.1.5 strain, a descendant of the XBB omicron sub-variant (itself a combination of two lineages descended from the subvariant BA.2) was described earlier this year as the most transmissible to date. The XBB.1.5 strain even earned the unofficial nickname Kraken, as in the enormous mythical multi-tentacled sea monster, citing its rapid spread and ability to evade vaccine protection. According to researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, XBB.1.5 has a reproduction number of around 1.6, meaning that every person infected by this subvariant will go on to infect an average of about 1.6 other people. Virologists have also said that they use headline-grabbing mythical creatures names as a way for laypeople to distinguish between the flurry of new variants that would otherwise have to be identified using a confusing string of letters and numbers. When Jacqueline Morgan arrived at Birmingham Airport two hours before her flight to Greece, she never thought she would be watching it take off from the departure lounge. But huge delays at security meant that the office administrator, from Dudley in the West Midlands, and her friend, Shirley Halliday, were stuck in queues for two hours and did not make it to their gate until it was too late. Jacqueline was one of more than 20 Ryanair passengers due to fly to Rhodes at 7am on May 6 who were left stranded because of disarray at the airport. She says: The crowds were massive there were thousands of people in the queue at security. Staff told us no one would miss their flight while blocking us from joining the fast queue. Law: Airlines must provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late After missing her flight, the 62-year-old was assured by airport staff that she would be reimbursed if she booked a new flight. But a month later, she is still waiting for a refund of more than 800 for the new flight, train tickets to transfer to another airport and a hotel room. A Ryanair spokesman said: Due to security delays at Birmingham Airport a small number of passengers missed their flight to Rhodes on May 6. It is a passengers responsibility to ensure they are at the gate before it closes. An airport spokesman admitted that it is was the source of the delay, but denied compensation, telling customers to claim on their insurance. Jacqueline is just one of thousands of passengers caught up in travel turmoil at Britains airports. On Monday, around 15,000 passengers were stranded after easyJet cancelled more than 100 flights due to thunderstorms. As Britain braces for another summer of travel chaos, Money Mail explains your rights if you get caught up in it... Can I claim due to queues at security? If you miss your flight because of long queues at security, then it is unlikely you will be able to claim compensation from your airline. These checks are carried out by the airport, which means your airline is not liable to pay compensation or refund you on this basis. If you miss your flight because you do not get to the gate in time, then it is deemed to be your fault, according to Gary Rycroft, of law firm Joseph A. Jones & Co. The airline is not obligated to provide you with a replacement flight and you will have to pay if you still want to travel to your final destination. Get in touch with your airline if you think you might miss your flight because of a long queue. If enough passengers are caught up in this chaos, then there is a chance the flight will be delayed. Some airlines will rebook you on to the next available flight for a fee. Ryanair charges customers who arrive at the check-in desk any time between 40 minutes before their flights scheduled departure time, to one hour after, a 100 fee per passenger to move to the next available flight. Stranded: Jacqueline Morgan (right) and her friend Shirley Halliday missed their flight to Rhodes But beware, this may exceed the cost of booking a new ticket. At easyJet, you can pay a 110 rescue fee to move to the next available flight if you arrive at the airport less than two hours after yours departed. Virgin Atlantic customers who miss their flight will be booked on to the next available plane with the airline for free. You may be able to make a claim for missing your flight on your travel insurance. Most policies will pay out if you arrive late to the airport because you were stuck in heavy traffic or your car broke down. Policies will list specific reasons you are covered for, so read the terms and conditions carefully. Missed flight insurance is not usually included in standard travel policies, and only on offer as an add-on, says Rebecca Goodman, of price comparison site Comparethemarket. As for the airport, your chances of claiming compensation are very slim, says Jo Rhodes, of consumer group Which?. She says: No large UK airport currently has a policy to compensate passengers in these circumstances. If you are in a long queue and worried you are in danger of missing your flight, its essential you speak up and make a fuss. Most airports will bring you to the front of the queue if your flight is departing imminently. What if the flight is late? Under UK law, airlines must provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. But there are exceptions to this rule. If the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather or strike action, then dont expect to receive any compensation, says the Civil Aviation Authority. How much compensation you qualify for depends on the distance you were travelling. Limited cover: Most insurance policies will pay out if you arrive late at the airport because you were stuck in heavy traffic or your car broke down For short-haul flights of less than 1,500km (for example, London to Split in Croatia) you are entitled to 220 if you are delayed by more than three hours. For distances of 3,500km, such as Greece, its 350. Compensation for any further than this is 520. During your delay your airline must provide food and drink, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight. If you are delayed by more than five hours and no longer want to travel, then you are entitled to a full refund. But once you accept a refund, or do not move to the first available flight, then your airline is not required to provide you with food, drink or accommodation. What if Imiss my connection? If you miss your connecting flight because of a delay during the first leg of your journey, then you may be entitled to compensation, but usually only if you booked both flights as a single booking, according to Citizens Advice. You should contact the airline as soon as possible to reschedule your second flight. If you booked the two flights separately, then you may have to pay for another flight if you miss your connection. This is because you failed to arrive for your flight within the recommended time, so will not be entitled to compensation from the second airline. If you were delayed by less than three hours, then you also may not be entitled to compensation from your original airline, even if you missed your connection. Some insurance providers will cover missed connections if the airline is not obliged to pay compensation, according to Ms Goodman. Check your policy to see if connections are included. Sean Tipton, of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says: The best way to protect yourself when booking two flights is to do it through a travel agent. The two flights are then treated legally as one contract, so you can claim directly from the airline. Nationwide customers should check their bank accounts as it begins dishing out 100 bonus payments to millions of people from today. Last month, Britain's biggest building society made bumper profits and announced it would hand out 100 to customers through its new Fairer Share scheme. However, many Nationwide customers have been left disappointed as fewer than a quarter of its 16million members qualify. But those who do will get 100 between 13 and 30 June - and joint account holders can get 100 each. Cashback: Millions of Nationwide customers get 100 this month Who qualifies for the 100? To be eligible, Nationwide customers - known as 'members' - must have had a Nationwide current account since at least March 31 and have kept it open until June. They must also have held at least 100 in savings accounts with Nationwide in March or owed at least 100 on a Nationwide residential mortgage on March 31. The rules mean loyal members who have saved with the building society for years or even decades will miss out if they don't have a Nationwide current account too. What should I do if I don't get my 100? The first thing to do is sit tight, as the payments are being made throughout June. Nationwide has already written to all customers it thinks are due the cash meaning you should have had a letter through the door. If you haven't had your 100 by June 30, and you think you qualify, check the criteria above and contact Nationwide. Those who only have Nationwide joint accounts will have it paid into that. What is Fairer Share? Nationwide launched its Fairer Share Payment after posting a strong set of financial results and profits of 2.2billion. Because Nationwide is a mutual, it can choose to share profits with its customers all of whom are members of the building society rather than handing them over to shareholders as banks do. The payments will automatically go into current accounts of eligible members in June. Nationwide says it intends to make the payment annually if profits allow it. You can find out more on the Nationwide Fairer Share payment website. As the sun sets behind him in the Nevada desert, Bob Lee flashes a mischievous grin for the camera. These flamboyant pictures obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show the slain Cash App founder at Burning Man in 2018, where friends who knew him said he was always the last to leave the party. Sporting a sequined military-style cap and a fur-lined leather duster jacket, the father-of-two strikes a candid pose as he surveys the empty horizon. The millionaire was a regular at the festival, notorious for drugs, sex and hedonism, where he partied with other high-flying tech executives. Pablo Gonzalez, a Mexican entrepreneur who hung out with Lee at Burning Man, told DailyMail.com he was 'a professional partier' with a personality like 'compressed dynamite'. Late Cash App founder Bob Lee pictured here at the 2018 Burning Man festival in Nevada - a favorite stomping ground for high-flying tech execs Lee was a regular at the festival, where friends who knew him said he was 'a professional partier' with a personality 'like compressed dynamite' Most attendees are invited to stay by a 'camp' - each of which has a distinct character. Lee stayed with the Kazbah camp (pictured), known for its hardcore party scene An old college friend also revealed Lee was nothing like the stereotypical reclusive tech nerd and was always a hit with women. The 43-year-old's savage killing on the streets of San Francisco on April 4 has shone a light on Silicon Valley's hardcore party culture, with the suspect due back in court today. An unnamed witness told police that alleged killer, IT consultant Nima Momeni, 38, confronted Lee at a house party over whether he had been getting his sister, Khazar Momeni, into 'drugs' or anything 'inappropriate'. Friends of Lee told The Wall Street Journal that he and Ms Momeni, the glamorous wife of a respected plastic surgeon, were part of what is known among certain wealthy tech circles as 'The Lifestyle' - a code for couples seeking freewheeling sex. The pair were engaged in a casual affair, friends have said. Enraged by word of their exploits, Momeni stabbed Lee with a kitchen knife in his BMW before leaving him to die on the street, prosecutors allege. A coroner's report revealed the victim had ketamine, cocaine and alcohol in his system. Others who knew Lee, including his ex-wife, have vehemently denied claims that he was wrapped up in a secretive, sordid subculture. Gonzalez said he never saw his friend 'do anything out of line'. 'He knew what the limits were,' he added. Burning Man began in the 1980s as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice, has become notorious for debauchery - and as a networking event for top techies. Elon Musk has previously said the event 'is Silicon Valley'. Lee and Khazar Momeni (above), the wife of a respected plastic surgeon, are alleged to have been part of an underground scene of drugs and casual sex IT consultant Nima Momeni is alleged to have stabbed Lee with a kitchen life before leaving him to bleed to death on the streets of San Francisco. He has pleaded not guilty to murder Khazar Momeni and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr Dino Elyassnia at her brother's arraignment. Prosecutors laid out part of their case and she is at the center of her brother's alleged motive Most attendees are invited to stay by a 'camp' - each of which has a distinct character. As the rich have flooded in, these camps have become more extravagant. Some fly in VIPs and models and feature luxury RVs and restrooms, sparking a backlash and even vandalism from some festival-goers. But 'Burners' who knew Lee, described a 'humble guy'. Gonzalez was introduced to Lee at the festival by Josh Goldbard, Lee's partner at his last venture, MobileCoin, a cryptocurrency payment firm. 'Once the guy started, it was very difficult to get him to stop,' said Gonzalez, who runs Mayan Warrior camp at the festival. 'He was the last guy leaving the party, always, and he was very funny. 'You never knew what he was going to do next. He was just this wild card.' Gonzalez said Lee was due to camp with Mayan this year, adding: 'It's painful to know that he's gone.' Lee also enjoyed 'jaw-dropping' parties in Tulum, a Mexican city for all-night raves, according to his friend Ali Khalili, who runs the Kazbah camp at Burning Man, where the Cash App founder stayed several times. Khalili, who 'throws parties' for a living, recalls hanging out with Lee and other high-flying executives from Uber and Facebook at the festival, but it was the Cash App founder who really stood out. 'When I met Bob, his energy just knocked me right out,' he said. But Khalili said 'The Lifestyle' was a 'very specific thing' that Lee 'had nothing to do with'. He added: 'I've thrown like a million parties and Bob has been to a bunch of them. 'I've never thrown a f****** sex party.' Lee and other wealthy tech entrepreneurs were regulars at Club Audio (pictured) in the Bay Area of San Francisco. There is no suggestion of impropriety at the club Lee regularly stayed with the Kazbah camp (pictured) at Burning Man festival Paris Hilton, 41, at Burning Man Festival. The event has become popular with the rich and famous in recent years Lee did, however, enjoy raves at Club Audio, a renowned European-style discotech in San Francisco where techno music is hammered out through its network of subwoofers, robotic lights and an 'infinity-mirror vortex'. Contrary to the stereotype of the tech nerd who preferred coding to clubbing at college, the entrepreneur was always the 'life of the party', according to Nate Wills, a fraternity buddy from Southeast Missouri State University. By the time they met, Lee had already earned the nickname 'Crazy Bob' at Lindbergh High School, Missouri, thanks to his enthusiasm for water polo. Wills said Lee never had a problem getting girlfriends at college. 'Bob's a good-looking guy,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Women were attracted to him because he had a great smile and his energy was infectious. 'In every single picture, you'll see he's smiling, and those aren't fake smiles. That is the most genuine smile in the world.' His extraordinary intelligence was also obvious, and he began his career as a software engineer at Google in his mid-20s. At 30, he became chief technology officer at Square, a fintech startup founded by former Twitter CEO. There, he helped design the company's Cash App, a popular mobile payment service. Lee's college friend Nate Wills said the entrepreneur had 'the most genuine smile in the world' New images released on Wednesday show the alleged timeline of events leading to Cash App founder Bob Lee's alleged murder last month The entrepreneur left Square in 2014 and Cash App is now valued at around $40billion. Friends have described Lee as a multimillionaire, although his net worth was unknown. Wills said Lee's 'naive optimism' may have led him into danger. 'For lack of a better word, if you're an a**hole, he didn't really care,' he added. 'He was still going to hang out with you. That could certainly get him into trouble at times.' Police say they have surveillance footage that allegedly lays out how Momeni lured Lee into his car and then down a dark side street in San Francisco before stabbing him to death. Momeni has pleaded not guilty to murder, but will appear in court today with a new legal counsel after he parted ways with previous defense attorney Paula Canny. He will instead be represented by a Florida-based legal team led by Saam Zanganeh, who has a history of high-profile cases. Fresh warnings have been issued about attempting Australia's most dangerous river crossing amid claims at least one car is lost in its crocodile-infested waters every month. Heart-stopping footage was shared online of a ute narrowly avoiding being swept away into the East Alligator River at infamous Cahills Crossing, in the Northern Territory. In the clip, onlookers gasp as the vehicle dips and slides its way across the submerged 70-metre concrete bridge, which links Arnhem Land to the Kakadu National Park. The crossing, which has recently re-opened after the wet season, is notoriously home to hundreds of saltwater crocodiles, some up to five metres long. According to local tourism operators and workers at least one car a month is washed away attempting Cahills Crossing, putting the drivers' lives in danger of crocodile attack every time In 2019 a Coffs Harbour woman, Lauren French, was photographed casually sitting in the river with her back turned towards it The crossing, which has recently re-opened after the wet season, is notoriously home to hundreds of saltwater crocodiles, some up to five metres long Some locals believe the crocs, which are highly intelligent and sophisticated hunters that work in teams, have learned to wait for vehicles and even impede their progress deliberately 'Very close to getting washed off, the dip in the road 15m from the Kakadu side entry almost got him,' said local tourism operator Andy Ralph, whose video of the ute appeared in the NT News. According to local tourism operators and workers at least one car a month is washed away attempting the crossing, putting the drivers' lives in danger almost every time. Boe Vella, civil construction worker who uses the crossing several times a month, said 'the worst time is now', with flood waters moving downstream and because the crossing is damaged with a hole in the bridge. He claimed that at least a dozen vehicles a year were swept away there. Mr Vella also said he'd seen locals take extreme measures to deal with crocs taking too much interest in swamped vehicles. 'I've seen a man standing guard with a gun looking for crocs while local rangers try pull the cars out,' Mr Vella said. He claimed to have personally seen a caravan, a truck, and a police car stranded in East Alligator River. Miraculously for such a high risk location it is understood only five people have died there since it opened in the 1960s and only two in recent memory, including one man who tried to cross on foot in 2017. Heartstopping footage was shared online of a ute narrowly avoiding being swept away into the East Alligator River at infamous river crossing Last year July concerns were raised another fatal attack was inevitable when between 100 and 200 tourists meandered up to the edges of the river bank In 1987 fisherman Kerry McLoughlin, 40, was decapitated by a crocodile while wading in the river. Last year July concerns were raised another fatal attack was inevitable when between 100 and 200 tourists meandered up to the edges of the river bank, ignoring warning signs. Surviving Cahills Crossing Only attempt it in a high clearance four-wheel drive with a 'snorkel' (which prevents water from getting into the engine) Never, ever try to walk across to wade in the river Only cross at low tide Never cross when the water depth is more then .5m. If you are unsure don't risk it Advertisement Kakadu National Park's officially condemned the dangerous behaviour and said the tourists were 'risking the chance of being eaten'. 'Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous animals and have attacked and killed people at Cahills Crossing. It is not safe to stand at the water's edge. The man-eaters gather around the causeway to feed on mullet and barramundi as the tide pushes over the road. But some believe the crocs, which are highly intelligent and sophisticated hunters that work in teams, have learned to wait for vehicles and even impede their progress deliberately. In September 2019 a tourist was left in a terrifying situation after their car became surrounded by more than 30 saltwater crocodiles. The peak season for croc sightings - and the biggest threat of being eaten alive - is when the crossing is open, from July until the start of the wet season, when it is fully underwater. As if driving through isn't dangerous enough, many people walk the crossing out of ignorance. In 2019 a Coffs Harbour woman, Lauren French, was photographed casually sitting in the river with her back turned towards it. Ms French saw the warning signs but later admitted she didn't realise their significance. Despite prominent signs, many tourists fail to appreciate how serious the threat of a crocodile attack is An aerial view of Cahills, Australia's deadliest river crossing, which links Arnhem Land and the Kakadu National Park 'Everyone keeps saying 'didn't you see the signs?' Yes [I did] but everywhere has signs up here,' she said. On TikTok, another woman admitted her mum naively waded into the river. 'My mum walked through that to take a photo of our car driving through, she didn't know about the crocs till after,' said one young woman on social media. 'To walk across the crossing is just foolishness,' says advice on dangerousroads.org. Daily Mail Australia approached Parks Australia for comment. The Queen last rode her horse Burmese at Trooping the Colour in 1986 Charles will join the birthday parade on Saturday and take the salute The King will join the first birthday parade of his reign on horseback, marking the first time in more than 30 years that a monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour. Charles, 74, will take the salute as Colonel in Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division during the Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade in London on Saturday. It will be the first time the reigning monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour since 1986 when Queen Elizabeth II last rode. Burmese was the Queens favourite steed for Trooping and ceremonial occasions and in 2020 the equestrian-loving monarch picked the black mare as one of her favourite horses of all time for a list for Horse & Hound magazine. She used Burmese, which was a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, for 18 years from 1969 to 1986 until the animal was moved to Windsor for retirement. The King will join the first birthday parade of his reign on horseback, marking the first time in more than 30 years that a monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour Queen Elizabeth last rode at Trooping the Colour in 1986 on her favourite horse Burmese The Queen then decided that, rather than train another charger for the ceremony, she would in future be driven in a carriage. On Saturday, the parade will move from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the King will be greeted by a royal salute and will carry out an inspection of the military on parade. Charles will be joined by the Queen and members of the royal family to view the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Troop their Colour. The Sovereigns Escort will be provided by The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals. After the parade, the King, accompanied by Camilla and other family members, will return to Buckingham Palace for the march-past and the fly-past, which will conclude the days celebrations. The annual event of Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the Sovereign for more than 260 years. Last year the Queen was joined by Charles, Kate, William and her great-grandchildren to watch a special fly-past after the Trooping The Colour ceremony. The Prince of Wales reviewed his troops on horseback on Saturday as at least three soldiers fainted in sweltering London temperatures. Charles and the Queen after the Platinum Jubilee Trooping The Colour in 2022. The annual event has marked the official birthday of the Sovereign for more than 260 years The Queen and family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony in 2022 A trombone player in the military band faints during the Colonel's Review for Trooping the Colour Thousands gathered at Horse Guards Parade to witness The Colonels Review ahead of Trooping the Colour this weekend. The ceremony involved hundreds of horses and soldiers carrying out complex battlefield drill manoeuvres to military music. But with temperatures reaching 28C, the baking heat proved too much for some, and the prince later tweeted his thanks to those who had taken part. At least three soldiers fainted and were taken off on stretchers while two more were helped off the parade ground. Former President Donald Trump will spend Tuesday back in court in downtown Miami, this time for the 37 federal charges he faces over his handling of classified documents after departing the White House. The ex-president arrived in Miami, Florida Monday afternoon on board his plane, 'Trump Force One,' and took a motorcade to his Trump National Doral resort, where he remained overnight. During the evening he was spotted at a meeting with his advisors and having dinner with his son Eric in the hotel's restaurant, while his wife Melania stepped out in New York to visit the dentist. A source familiar told DailyMail.com Monday night that Trump remained 'jovial' and 'upbeat.' 'There were reports that the mood had turned. That couldn't be further from the truth,' the source said. It is his second appearance in front of a judge in just three months and represents an unprecedented moment in American politics. Former President Donald Trump will spend Tuesday back in court in downtown Miami, this time for the 37 federal charges he faces over his handling of classified documents after departing the White House. Times below are estimates because of security precautions Law enforcement in Miami is braced for anywhere between 5,000 and 50,000 protesters to show up as the former president has his showdown with the judge in scenes similar to his arraignment in the Stormy Daniels hush money case in Manhattan. He is the first president to be hit with federal charges, and DailyMail.com has broken down how his day will unfold. TRUMP'S MORNING AND TRIP TO THE MIAMI COURT Trump will wake up at his Doral resort and have a clear morning, with his court appearance not scheduled until the afternoon. He is said to be meeting with different lawyers to finalize a team that will take him to trial. Two of his attorneys, Jim Trusty and John Rowley, suddenly resigned on Friday just hours after Trump announced he would be indicted. It is still unclear why they left. In the afternoon, he'll take the black SUVs Tuesday to drive about 25 minutes to Miami's downtown Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse. At around 2.30pm ET he'll turn himself in and be processed. A source familiar with the case told DailyMail.com that Trump won't be handcuffed, nor will there be a mugshot from this appearance, similar to what happened when he was processed for state charges in the Daniels case in New York in April. He is expected to be fingerprinted. The Miami Herald's longtime federal court reporter Jay Weaver told NPR the fingerprinting could happen in the courthouse's underground garage, away from the media's prying cameras. WHAT WILL HAPPEN INSIDE THE COURTROOM Once processed, Trump will be brought into the court and will stand alongside his lawyers as the magistrate reads the charges. The judge assigned to the case is the Trump-appointed Judge Aileen M. Cannon, but it's unclear if she'll oversee Tuesday's hearing. She previously ruled in the ex-president's favor last summer, by permitting a special master to look through the documents the FBI gathered as part of the August Mar-a-Lago raid. Once in court, Trump told Fox News Digital Thursday night that he will plead not guilty to the charges. That could happen Tuesday or he could come back for an arraignment. His lawyers could also ask the judge for the charges to be immediately thrown out. Cameras will also not be allowed into the hearing - but some lucky journalists will be allowed in the room to take in the proceedings. Late Monday, a judge rejected a request from news organizations to bring video equipment in, meaning there will only be a sketch artist. DailyMail.com's source noted that the configuration of the court building was different than the one in Manhattan. 'He's likely to be using one of the private entrances. So that will be a little different. There won't be much for the media to see,' the source said, adding: 'It will be a quick turnaround with a brief hearing.' Trump's personal aide Walt Nauta has been summoned to appear in court at the same time as the former president. Nauta traveled on Trump's plane with the 2024 hopeful, Politico reported. Trump also traveled to Miami with Todd Blanche, a new attorney, and longtime adviser Boris Epshteyn, the news site said. AFTER HIS COURT APPEARANCE, TRUMP HEADS TO JERSEY FOR PRIMETIME ADDRESS The proceedings are expected to be done by 3:30pm ET. Then he will head back to his New Jersey club where he'll make a primetime address. Trump is expected to head directly to the airport once his session in federal court concludes. After he faced state charges in Manhattan in April he flew to Florida to deliver a tirade in front of supporters and some family members at Mar-a-Lago. This time around, Trump will leave Florida and head back north to his Bedminster, New Jersey resort, where he'll address top donors and the press. Donald Trump is seen on Monday evening at his resort in Doral, a suburb of Miami Trump is seen posing with supporters in Doral on Monday evening. His aide Walt Nauta is seen to the far left, in a red tie: Nauta has been charged alongside Trump of conspiring to obstruct justice Melania Trump was seen in New York City on Monday going for a dentist appointment The address is expected to happen in primetime. The event will serve as a fundraiser for Trump's reelection bid, with Politico reporting that there will be a 'candlelight dinner,' a 'photo opportunity' and a 'VIP reception' with elected officials and special guests, according to an invitation. Congress is in session this week so it's unclear which lawmakers will make the trek. A spokesperson for Rep. Matt Gaetz told Politico that the Florida congressman would not make it. A representative for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has yet to respond to DailyMail.com's query on whether she'll attend the Bedminster fete. GOP Rep. Mike Waltz calls the Department of Justice's 'dual treatment' of Trump versus Democrats Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton over their alleged mishandling of classified documents 'laughable,' as the former president is set to be arraigned on a 37-count indictment Tuesday. Trump will appear before a federal judge at 3pm ET today in Miami, Florida. Law enforcement are preparing for up to 50,000 protestors outside the courthouse. The Florida congressman told DailyMail.com that the scathing federal indictment issued by Special Counsel Jack Smith last week will help Trump 'politically' with his support base. However, Waltz said there is a huge difference between how the DOJ is treating Trump, versus how it handled Hillary Clinton over her missing emails - she never had charges brought against her for destroying over 30,000 emails - and the current investigation by Special Counsel Rob Hur into President Biden's classified documents found at the Penn Biden Center and at his Delaware home. 'So many of his followers, so many of my constituents, and not just Republicans - across the board from the political sphere - say this is hypocrisy, this is two-tiered justice. The erosion of trust is just devastating,' he continued. Former President Donald Trump will spend Tuesday back in court in downtown Miami, this time for the 37 federal charges he faces over his handling of classified documents after departing the White House. Times below are estimates because of security precautions Law enforcement wearing riot gear ride past the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida He also pointed to the 51 intelligence officers' letter from 2020 which falsely discounted the Hunter Biden laptop as Russian 'misinformation' as an example of two-tiered justice. Waltz warned, if the DOJ can do this Trump, 'they can do this to any American.' He also brought up the allegations going 'back further' when former President Bill Clinton's National Security Adviser Sandy Berger broke into the National Archives and stuffed original classified documents into his sock before destroying them 'behind a dumpster.' All he got was a 'slap on the wrist,' Waltz said. Berger pleaded guilty in 2005 for destroying classified documents he swiped from the National Archives with scissors. Based on his plea deal, Berger did not serve any jail time and instead paid a $100,000 fee. 'I don't think President Trump had a bonfire of classified documents out back or hammers, you know, destroying devices like Hillary did,' he continued. 'It's just laughable if it weren't so serious.' Republicans are also taking issue with the FBI for failing to hand over an FD-1023 form, that they say shows Biden President Biden getting $5 million from a Ukrainian individual in exchange for policy decisions. 'If this is all Malarkey, like Biden says it is, and there should be no problem with transparency,' Waltz said on that. 'Transparency is always key especially if you say you've done nothing wrong,' he added. On Monday evening, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, revealed that the Burisma executive who allegedly paid Joe Biden the bribe has kept 17 audio recordings of phone calls as an 'insurance policy.' Biden has discounted reports of an internal FBI FD-1023 form that apparently details the 'arrangement' for an exchange of money for policy decisions between then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national. Trump has blasted his Miami indictment, calling it a 'political hit job' and taking swipes at Special Counsel Smith. 'They took one charge, and they made it 36 different times. And we have a thug who is in charge. This is a political hit job,' said Trump during a speech over the weekend at the Georgia Republican state convention. 'Republicans are treated far differently at the Justice Department than Democrats,' he continued. Even if Trump theoretically became a convicted felon or went to prison, he would not be legally prohibited from running for president. The former president gives a wave as he disembarks his Boeing 757 on Monday afternoon ahead of his showdown with a judge Trump supporter Gregg Donovan stands outside of Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse, ahead of Trump's appearance Tuesday Boxes of potentially classified documents were discovered in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom by the DOJ Waltz said there is a huge difference between how the DOJ is treating Trump, versus how it handled Hillary Clinton over her missing emails - she never had charges brought against her for destroying over 30,000 emails Waltz says the Trump indictment won't impact his 2024 chances And he could even pardon himself if he wins the 2024 general election. As of June 9, Trump is still the polling favorite among the Republican candidates - with a 32 point clearance from second place, Ron DeSantis. Waltz, who also sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), is looking forward to holding the FBI to account. HPSCI members had a closed door meeting with FBI Director Chris Wray Monday evening. Waltz told DailyMail.com that he planned to ask Wray about the 'abuses we've seen in the FBI,' including in Special Counsel John Durham's report released last month blasting the agency for its handling of the Trump-Russia investigation. He specifically wanted to press Wray about how his FBI us handling the Trump classified documents case compared to Biden's case. I want to know 'why the bureau really handled what was going on with Biden with kid gloves,' including 'extensive meetings with lawyers' before they conducted a search of the sitting president's residences. That comes in contrast to the 'sirens blaring, guns drawn' when it came to the FBI's August 2022 raid of Trump's Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. 'And so justify and explain to me this duel treatment,' he said. Waltz is also part of a the House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans who are urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to release a 'dissenting cable' from the disastrous 2021 pullout of Afghanistan. 'I said the same thing with the Afghanistan investigation. Why are we having to threaten to hold the Secretary of State in contempt if it was an outstanding success. Release the documents.' Blinken has agreed to allow committee members to read the document in a secure facility at the State Department, but is not allowing it to be made public. Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, is still mulling contempt of Congress charges against Blinken if he doesn't comply with the full subpoena. Grant Shapps wants to ensure the UK gathers power using satellite solar panels Britain must boldly go into space and beam down solar energy to earth, the Energy Secretary will announce today. Grant Shapps wants to ensure the UK is not left behind in efforts to gather power in space using solar panels on satellites. He made the Star Trek-style pledge as he announced 4.3million in government funding for the plan. Once gathered, the energy can be beamed back to earth in the form of radiowaves, which can then be collected and fed into the power grid. On Earth, solar power is only available while the sun is shining, but satellites in space could absorb the rays and convert them to electricity nearly 24 hours a day. And the technology is beginning to be tested around the world. Last month in the US, a research team from the California Institute of Technology announced they had successfully beamed down a small amount of energy from a satellite Last month in the US, a research team from the California Institute of Technology announced they had successfully beamed down a small amount of energy from a satellite 200milliwatts, calling it an important proof of principle. To stop the UK lagging in the race to pioneer space solar, the Government has offered financial backing to two UK-based projects. One at Cambridge University will develop ultra-lightweight solar panels for the satellites that can function in the high-radiation conditions of space. The other, at Queen Mary University in London, is working on a wireless system to enable the solar power collected in space to be transferred to earth. A study in 2021 found that space-based solar power could generate up to 10GW of electricity a year, a quarter of the UKs power needs, by 2050, creating a multi-billion-pound industry, with 143,000 jobs across the country. But the 4.3million funding is likely to be a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of getting a satellite solar power generator in space. Grant Shapps wants to ensure the UK is not left behind in efforts to gather power in space using solar panels on satellites One British-backed prototype design, a 2,000 tonne satellite system called CASSIOPeiA, designed by Oxford based IECL, has been estimated to cost between 10billion and 15billion. Mr Shapps said: I want the UK to boldly go where no country has gone before boosting our energy security by getting our power directly from space. But with the barriers to the space technology, such as ensuring solar panels can survive the high radiation in space, one solar energy insider argued the focus should be on supporting solar farms on earth, such as speeding up the process of linking them to the power grid which in some cases can take up to 15 years. Her body was discovered just miles away from where ex Adam Fravel grew up Remains were found wrapped in a fitted sheet that matched ones at her home The body of missing Minnesota mom Madeline Kingsbury was found in a remote highway area wrapped in a fitted sheet and sealed with Gorilla tape that matched tape found at the home she shared with her ex. Kingsbury, 26, went missing at the end of March and her remains were found on June 7 in a remote area near the home where her ex, Adam Fravel, was raised in Mabel. A criminal complaint against Fravel, 29, stated the sheet her remains were wrapped in matched a set found at the home she shared with the father of her kids. The ex-boyfriend has since been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection to her disappearance and death. Kingsbury disappeared after dropping off her two kids at daycare and Fravel was immediately suspected to have been involved as he was the last to see her alive. A criminal complaint against the ex of missing mom Madeline Kingsbury (pictured) alleged her body was found in a remote area wrapped in a fitted sheet and sealed with Gorilla tape Adam Fravel, 29, was in custody and booked for suspicion of second-degree murder and is being held in Winona County Jail Kingsbury's remains were found in a remote area off of Highway 43 near the home where Fravel was raised The criminal complaint against the father of Kingsbury's two children indicated that the Gorilla tape used on top of the sheet matched one found at their home. The color and width were the same, the complaint states. In their home, gray pillowcases matching the fitted sheet Kingsbury was found in were found on an air mattress. The sheet that accompanied the pillowcases was nowhere to be found at the time. The criminal complaint shared other shocking revelations including the assertion that Fravel was 'infatuated' with the Gabby Petito murder case. He allegedly threatened Kingsbury and told her that if she didn't 'listen up" she would end up like Petito. According to the complaint, police have video evidence of a person believed to be Fravel switching out the license plate on Kingsbury's van the day she disappeared. The video reportedly shows the van pulling out of the home and driving away with plates typically attached to a vehicle Fravel drives. The van was next caught driving on Highway 43 in the same area where Kingsbury's body was found two months later. Police say there was a 45-minute gap in Fravel's timeline and that they believe that is the time the ex-boyfriend used to dump the body. The complaint against Fravel indicates that the Gorilla tape used on top of the sheet matched one found at their home. Pictured: Fravel with he and Kingsbury's two kids The criminal complaint goes on to state that the sheet Kingsbury's remains were wrapped in matched a set found at the home she shared with the father of her kids Search crews and volunteers searched for the 26-year-old mother of two Fravel had also allegedly abused Kingsbury throughout their on-again-off-again relationship, which was wrought with jealousy. At one point, a friend reported she saw Fravel hit Kingsbury across her face on a video call. That friend said Fravel didn't know he was being watched. Family members of the woman said on another occasion they saw him put his hands around her neck. After that incident, Kingsbury reportedly walked around with red marks. Friends said she would often cover her neck with sweaters when she was on video calls with others, as well. In September 2021, Fravel exchanged unsettling messages with Kingsbury in which he said she would get over a domestic violence incident. 'I'm really not okay with.. the fact that you put your hand around my neck and pushed me down in front of the kids earlier so, don't,' Kingsbury wrote. 'You'll adjust,' Fravel responded. Additionally, the man told investigators their relationship wasn't working out and that Kingsbury was involved with another person. At one point, a friend reported she saw Fravel hit Kingsbury (pictured) across her face on a video call. That friend said Fravel didn't know he was being watched In September 2021, Fravel (pictured) exchanged unsettling messages with Kingsbury in which he said she would 'adjust' after a domestic violence incident, the complaint alleges Fravel, who is also the father of the Minnesota woman's children, was the last person to see Kingsbury alive the morning of March 31 On Friday, Fravel made his first appearance in Winona County Court. According to the complaint, he has denied involvement in Kingsbury's death. Following his arrest, his bail was set at $1 million. He has been ordered to appear at all upcoming court dates, abstain from drugs and alcohol and not contact Madeline's family Fravel is set to next appear in court on July 20. A GoFundMe has been launched for the victim A young girl has been viciously beaten outside a McDonald's restaurant after being targeted while enjoying a meal with her classmates. The 12-year-old, whose family had recently moved to New Zealand, was with three of her school friends at the McDonald's Glenfield restaurant in Auckland on Saturday. According to the victim's sister, Rein Crystal, the group were eating and laughing, which two girls at another table mistook as being directed towards them. 'One of the girls proceeded to approach the table, demanding an apology from my sister, assuming they had been mocking her,' Ms Crystal told the NZ Herald. When the girl and her friends finished eating and left the restaurant, they realised they were being followed by the two girls. A young girl (pictured), 12, has been savagely beaten outside a McDonald's in Auckland after enjoying a meal with her classmates The pair demanded an apology from the group before allegedly attacking Ms Crystal's sister. 'They kicked her in the leg and pinned her to the ground before repeatedly kicking her in the face and forehead, causing her to bleed,' Ms Crystal said. She claimed her sister had apologised to the girls, but they still assaulted her 'because she had no means of defending herself'. After she was beaten, the girl called her mother in tears. Her mother could tell something was seriously wrong, telling the publication that her 'hands were shaking' and she 'felt nervous' in her stomach. When the family arrived at the scene, they found her bleeding heavily. She was rushed to White Cross Hospital and treated for the wounds. Ms Crystal said her sister is 'currently okay', but her face was still injured and swollen. The family had only moved to New Zealand from the Philippines in August last year. Ms Crystal said her family had never experienced such violence in the Philippines. 'I don't know if this is a safe place because this is the first time this has happened to our family,' she said. The girl was allegedly attacked by two teenage girls who 'repeatedly kicked her in the head' The family are now hoping the perpetrators will be identified so they could 'engage in a conversation with them and their parents'. Police have since charged a 14-year-old girl over the alleged assault. She is due to face North Shore District Court on Tuesday charged with injures with intent to injure. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins described the attack as horrific, completely unacceptable, and maintained that New Zealand was a 'safe country'. He recalled seeing the photos released of the girl in blood-soaked clothes at White Cross Hospital after the attack. 'I can say, as a parent, that every parent would be heartbroken by that photo,' he said. A GoFundMe page for the victim has been set up here. The Australian woman stranded in Thailand after her insurance company claimed she was too drunk when she fell and suffered a catastrophic brain injury is set to be flown home after well-wishers raised over $205,000 to pay the huge bill. Kylee Enwright, 48, has been fighting for life in a coma since May 28 after she fell heavily and hit her face on a roadway during a holiday in the beach resort of Khao Lak in southern Thailand. Insurer Cover-More claims Mrs Enwright's fall was caused by her excessive drinking of multiple beers and Long Island ice tea cocktails, even though her blood alcohol level was never tested in hospital. Kylee Enwright's (above) will soon be flown home after over 3,000 people raised nearly $207,000 when her insurance company denied her claim because they said she had drunk too much Instead, the company used the couple's bar tab, CCTV footage and Mrs Enwright's bodyweight to calculate an estimated blood alcohol level of 0.35 at the time of her fall - more than seven times Australia's legal driving the limit. Her distraught husband, Paul, was unable to afford the $200,000-plus cost of chartering a medical evacuation flight back to their home in Singleton, NSW - let alone his wife's hospital bill which has already surpassed $50,000. But after 3,000 people donated almost $207,000 to a GoFundMe page set up for the couple, Mr Enwright is in the process of organising a medical retrieval for his wife. 'It is astounding the generosity of over 3,000 individuals and companies who have donated to get Kylee home, because of your support the Enwrights are currently in the process of organising medical retrieval from Bangkok,' wrote the GoFundMe organiser Olivia Kennedy. She added: 'A positive sign: Kylee has started to open her eyes for 10-15 minute increments during the day.' Mrs Enwright (pictured in hospital) seemingly mistook a balcony ledge for a set of stairs and fell half a metre, landing on her face and causing a brain injury Cover-More said it used a 'fair and reasonable' process to find Mrs Enwright had drunk too much to be covered at the time of her fall (above) The couple had been enjoying drinks at their resort's pool bar when Mrs Enwright left to use the bathroom and seemingly mistook a balcony ledge for a set of stairs. Not anticipating the sharp drop, she plunged down and then forward, face first, and was left bleeding from the head and ears. The couple's insurer Cover-More used CCTV footage and the couple's bar tab - showing nine Long Island iced teas and 14 beers ordered to their room number - and Mrs Enwright's weight to estimate how drunk she was. The company said it came to the conclusion Mrs Enwright was over its coverable limit, 0.19, after looking carefully at the evidence it gathered. But Mr Enwright claimed they had not drunk that much; that the tab was left open when he left to attend to his wife and believes other guests added their drinks onto the same bill. The distraught husband said the insurer's finding was just an excuse to avoid paying. 'They've always had it in their minds, from the get go, to find a way out of this policy,' he said. 'Like most Australians, we took up travel insurance at the level of coverage that we thought was going to be adequate. We thought we'd done everything right,' Mr Enwright told 7News. However, the insurer stood by its denial. 'Cover-More is fair and reasonable in our claims processes and we make our decisions after thoroughly assessing all available details and medical information,' Cover-More said in a statement on Thursday. Mr Enwright (pictured with his wife) said the couple thought they'd 'done everything right' be insuring their trip and is devastated Cover-More won't cover Mrs Enwright's medical bill 'We gave Kylee's husband, Paul, a detailed and transparent explanation for declining this claim. 'This is a sad case and we will continue to offer Paul and Kylee and their families all the non-financial assistance Cover-More can. 'This includes help with arranging repatriation to Australia, assisting with hospital admissions and a ground ambulance in Australia, travel arrangements and making appointments with local medical practitioners overseas or in Australia.' A man accused of running over and killing a Western Australian policeman was released on bail just 11 days before the incident. Reagan Ainsley Chown, 23, will face murder charges in court on Tuesday after he allegedly reversed over Constable Anthony Woods in Ascot, east Perth, while driving an allegedly stolen Holden Cruze at about 1am on Thursday morning. Const. Woods was left in a critical condition after the incident and died from his injuries in hospital on Sunday. Chown was previously granted bail on May 28 for offences allegedly committed in Morley and Maddington on May 25 and May 27, The West Australian reports. The charges levelled against Chown cannot be revealed for legal reasons, but his bail was held to a $3,000 surety and $3,000 personal undertaking. Reagan Ainsley Chown was released on bail just 11 days before allegedly running over and killing WA policeman Constable Anthony Woods (above) at about 1am on Thursday One of the passengers in the allegedly stolen Holden at the time of Const. Woods' death was Shamika Skye Prieto, 20. She was arrested at the scene but later released pending further investigation. Prieto is also currently on bail for several alleged offences including aggravated burglary, stealing a motor vehicle and stealing on April 5 in Baldivis, south Perth. The second passenger in the car was Trent Nathan Reeves, 25. He is known as the former vice-president of the Nomads bikie gang. It is understood police are investigating further gang links. Reeves was also released without charge in relation to Const. Woods' death. It's understood Const. Woods and other officers were following the car, allegedly bearing stolen number plates, through Ascot in Perth's east about 1am on Thursday. It came to a stop and as the officers tried to detain the three occupants, Const. Woods was hit by the vehicle and dragged underneath. Police said his fellow officers had to lift the car off him and attempted CPR at the scene before he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. The 28-year-old was in an induced coma at Royal Perth Hospital for three days but WA Police on Sunday night confirmed he had succumbed to his injuries. 'The thoughts and prayers of us all are with Anthony's family and colleagues,' the force said in a statement. Const. Woods' family described him as 'a funny, hard-working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates' (pictured, Const. Woods and his wife) WA Police also shared a message from Const. Woods' family on Monday. 'We are shattered to lose our dear Anthony. He was a devoted husband and loving son, brother and uncle who was taken from this earth far too soon,' it read. 'Anthony will be remembered as a funny, hard-working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates. 'He brought light and laughter to every situation and his wicked sense of humour is irreplaceable. 'Our pain at this time is indescribable and we take comfort in the outpouring of love from the community.' Chown faced Perth Magistrates Court on Friday after he was charged over the incident. He faced multiple offences, including committing an act intended to prevent arrest which caused grievous bodily harm, reckless driving to escape police pursuit and possession of methylamphetamine. Chown's charges were upgraded to murder after Const. Woods died from his injuries in hospital on Sunday (pictured, the allegedly stolen car) The charges against Chown were upgraded to murder following Const. Woods' death. Police asked anyone who was in High Wycombe, Belmont or Redcliffe and saw a white Holden Cruze sedan or police car travelling with lights and sirens between midnight and 1.30am on Thursday to call Crime Stoppers. Anyone with dash-cam, CCTV or phone vision is urged to upload the footage to the WA Police Evidence Portal. A charity worker who survived a 950-million volt lightning strike opposite the White House that killed three others has spoken out about her horrific injuries - and grueling road to recovery. Amber Escudero-Kontostathis, 28, was in Washington, DC, for her birthday when six bolts of lightning hammered the spot she was standing on in the space of half a second, giving out an electrical output of roughly 950 million volts. The freak weather event on August 4 fried her nerves, melted her watch to her wrist, and stopped her heart - and her recovery has also been marred with chronic pain and survivor's guilt. The strike killed Brooks Lambertson, 29, a Vice President at City National Bank, and James and Donna Mueller, 76 and 75, who were visiting the capital for their 56th wedding anniversary. Amber Escudero-Kontostathis, 28, was in Washington, DC, for her birthday when six bolts of lightning hammered the spot she was standing on in the space of half a second, giving out an electrical output of roughly 950-million volts Escudero-Kontostathis (pictured) had been planning on celebrating her 28th birthday on the day of the strike, and was waiting for her husband to pick her up to go out for dinner The group hid under a tree during a summer storm, which was subsequently hit by a bolt and flash of lightning that was caught on camera. Amber survived, but suffered appalling injuries, which left her using a walker. She was forced to take three hour showers to soothe her wounds - but would still scream with pain throughout. Speaking about her recovery, Amber told the Washington Post: 'Everyone's been optimistic. But I just want to know if any of my nerves are, like, dead-dead. Like not coming back. Is there any way to test that?' When she watched a clip of the first responders giving her CPR at the scene, she said: 'They were putting so much force on me. They were practically jumping on my chest.' Without watching the videos, she said she has no recollection of what happened. When they started resuscitating her, Amber recovered just long enough to squeeze one nurse's hand and lock eyes with an agent - but her heart stopped again for 13 minutes. And talking about her painstaking recovery, she added: 'Whatever I'm experiencing that day, however much pain I'm in, I try to hold on to the fact that I'm the lucky one. Her iPad, which had been sitting near her stomach during the strike, exploded - causing severe burns on that area of her body Five months into her recovery, she told her doctors that she was experiencing bewildering sensations thanks to the way that the intense lightening strike had affected her nervous system First responders are seen giving Amber compressions at the scene of the lightning strike 'The one who gets to feel anything at all. 'I didn't survive because of a miracle. I survived because good people, complete strangers, ran toward danger in the middle of a storm to save me.' Amber said her injuries were so intense, and her pain was so great, that in the first few weeks after the event she would spend hours just simply screaming. But after a while, she would follow each scream with a whisper: 'But I'm grateful.' Nearly a year after the event, Amber revealed she still has no feeling from the lower part of her back to her upper thigh and she can't sense where her legs are going. She said: 'It's like I'm floating on a box on my tailbone. I feel pressure pushing up on the box, but nothing else.' Five months into her recovery, she told her doctors that she was experiencing bewildering sensations thanks to the way that the intense lightening strike had affected her nervous system. She told them she felt a 'grinding pain, like sand grains' that were trying to squeeze through the pores of her skin. Amber experienced consistent hot and cold feelings - with the sensations of burning and freezing striking at random times of the day. She felt piercing needles in her toenails, bruising bone aches, and a twisting in her right foot. Brooks Lambertson, 29, and James and Donna Mueller, 76 and 75, were all killed by the lightening strike in DC on August 4 She said it felt as if a mechanical gear was spinning inside her ankle - the direct point where the initial split-second lightning strike entered her body. Her iPad, which had been sitting near her stomach during the strike, exploded - causing severe burns on that area of her body. In the early days, she would have to sit in the shower for three hours every day to scrub the wounds to avoid infection. And on her chest, the lightning left intricate red marks which have been likened to the roots of a tree, marking the intricate system of veins and arteries in her body. She said she was waiting for her husband to pick her up so they could celebrate her birthday as she canvassed near at Lafayette Square for non-profit Threshold Giving. Last year, the charity worker said she thought her shoes may have been the decisive factor in her survival as they were platform sandals with large rubber soles made by Doc Martens. Still, the flash of lightning traveled through the ground and shocked her body, resulting in her being rushed to the hospital in critical condition as she struggled to breathe and suffered from severe burns. An American tourist has become involved in a nasty skirmish with a kangaroo at a Perth zoo. Footage of the attack filmed by the man's daughter shows him smiling nervously as he fended off the aggressive marsupial. 'My dad was just trying to make sure that kangaroo stopped getting frisky with that lady,' the man's daughter captioned the video on TikTok. The clip started with a woman trying to get away from the animal before the tourist came between them. In response the marsupial reared up, jumping at and clawing at the man as he tried to keep it at bay. Both men at one point held the front paws of the 'roo to stop it from scratching but the animal launched both legs at them while balancing up on his tail (pictured) The father tried grabbing the 'roo's neck to subdue it during the prolonged attack (pictured) while appearing to remain calm with a smile A woman behind the camera shouted out to the man as she laughed: 'Here's your chance to fight a kangaroo.' She was then heard continuously laughing as the kangaroo carried on with the assault. The dad, wearing a black t-shirt, cap, blue jeans and brown boots, lifted up his leg to defend himself but the animal continues to come at him before a younger man came in to help. Both men at one point held the front paws of the kangaroo to stop it from scratching but it launched both legs at them while balancing up on its tail. Both men tried to walk away from the animal but the kangaroo continued to follow, kicking and jumping at them. Finally the 'roo was placated after a staff member at the zoo intervened, telling the two men to walk away. 'Cut it out, cut it out, naughty boy,' she said to the marsupial as it crouched back down on the ground. The post went viral with some comparing the stoush to a 'bar fight'. 'It's like the kangaroo just wanted to have a bar fight because the dude was messing with his lady,' they said. 'Just a juvenile enjoying a casual spar with the visitors,' another said. 'As soon as old love turned up bam... haha he's a good boy now!!', a third wrote. There was the rarest of sights in Parliament this afternoon a Westminster Hall debate packed to the rafters. These normally parochial affairs, held in a drab little annexe off to the side of the Commons, tend to be pathetically attended. Rarely do they attract much more than a handful of MPs looking for a favourable mention in their local paper and a couple of Parliamentary men in tights snoozing quietly in the corner. Yet yesterday's debate on the definition of sex as defined by equality law was a full house. Every seat around the room was occupied. Even the little area reserved for the public was packed to the brim. Yesterday's debate in Parliament on the definition of sex as defined by equality law was a full house. Pictured: Anneliese Dodds Speech of the day went to Rosie Duffield (Lab, Canterbury) who of course has been a brave Parliamentarian voice in advocating the need to protect female-only spaces The purpose of the debate was to determine whether equality laws should be rewritten on the basis of biology rather than gender identity, thus ending the current muddle which allows transgender women to access female-only spaces including hospital wards, prisons and toilets. The debate was opened by Tonia Antoniazzi (Lab, Gower) who had no sooner begun speaking when attention-seeking Layla Moran (Lib Dem, Oxford W) intervened to register her protest that the debate was even happening. She claimed it was likely to scare transgender people. Ms Moran, in case you hadn't noticed, is very much on the side of the snowflakes. No-nonsense Ms Antoniazzi, however, was adamant. 'We are legislators and where there is something to be addressed, it is up to us to have that conversation,' she announced bluntly. 'It goes with the job.' Bang on. Ranil Jayawardena (Con, NE Hampshire) agreed. The matter was too important for the 'shouting matches and hyperbole of social media', he said. As a father, he was concerned women were not being protected properly. It was time to apply a bit of common sense. Ms Duffield announced she was in favour of the law being amended 'We all know what sex we are,' he announced. Once again, Ms Moran leapt to her feet, angrily reminding everyone that 'intersex people' existed. The atmosphere was nervous. No one smiled. It wasn't long before tempers began to fray. Miriam Cates (Con, Penistone), who felt the difference between a man and a woman was as obvious as the difference between up and down, told a story about an NHS worker (born a man) who won a case against a hospital after it raised concerns that they had been naked from the waist down in the women's changing room. Hannah Bardell (SNP, Livingston) angrily accused Ms Cates of characterising trans people as predators. Ms Cates remained resolutely unapologetic. There followed a particularly snippy turn from Angela Eagle (Lab, Wallasey) who had hitherto been listening to the speeches in dismay, mouthing an exasperated 'What?!' whenever someone said something she deemed unpalatable. She blamed a hysterical media for 'concocting this war on woke'. 'I recognise a politically induced panic when I see one,' she said. Ms Eagle was particularly withering toward Joanna Cherry (SNP, Edinburgh SW) who had given a speech in favour of the law being clarified. She accused Cherry of being 'deliberately provocative', fixing her with a flinty stare as she did so. I swear, freshly uddered milk could have curdled under such a glare. Speech of the day went to Rosie Duffield (Lab, Canterbury) who of course has been a brave Parliamentarian voice in advocating the need to protect female-only spaces, much to her own personal cost. She announced she was in favour of the law being amended. 'That's not exactly going to surprise people here,' she joked. Ms Duffield described the gender identity issue as so toxic she actually 'looked back fondly' at the abuse she received during Labour's anti-Semitism saga compared to the 'spite, vitriol, trolling and daily defamation' she received nowadays. Incidentally, last time Ms Duffield spoke out in favour of women's rights in the Commons, she was heckled aggressively by her own side. When she arrived at yesterday's debate she sat in a different section to her Labour colleagues. Deliberate? You betcha. Anthony Albanese has dismissed suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its prior knowledge - and planned political exploitation - of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, labelling it a 'bizarre conspiracy theory'. The Prime Minister's comments come as he defends Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who is accused of misleading parliament in 2021 when she denied being aware of the allegations before they were made public. Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks and planned to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher denied any misleading conduct and said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations. Anthony Albanese has dismissed as a 'bizarre conspiracy theory' suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations Questions were raised of the Finance Minister after leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged last week suggesting the pair contemplated strategising her story with Senator Gallagher, who was in opposition at that time. 'It's a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,' he told ABC Radio. 'And indeed, according to Senator (Linda) Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katy Gallagher said, "yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand". 'So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time, since 2021, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.' As parliament resumes on Tuesday, Coalition senators are set to use Question Time to target Senator Gallagher over her knowledge of the allegations. Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019, a claim Mr Lehrmann has always denied. The trial of Mr Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins' mental health. The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution. Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations Ms Gallagher has 'categorically' denied she misled parliament following the release of the texts by The Australian this week. During the June 2021 Senate Estimates hearing, then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds accused Labor senators of being secretly briefed on the Higgins rape allegation. 'I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before,' She said. In response to the claim, Senator Gallagher said: 'No-one had any knowledge'. That statement was seemingly at odds with the text messages from Mr Sharaz, and she now says she had been made aware of 'some allegations' in the days leading up to Ms Higgins' explosive interview in February 2021. 'I've been clear, I've been honest and at all times I've been guided by the bravery and courage of a young woman who chose to speak up about her workplace and from that we have had massive changes to that workplace,' she said on Saturday. '(I was told) There was going to be some public reporting that a young woman making serious allegations about events that occurred in a minister's office were going to become public. 'I categorically rejected, and you see that in the footage of the committee, I categorically rejected the assertion she was putting, which was that we had chosen to weaponise that information weeks ahead of being told about this.' David Sharaz claimed he held a secret meeting with Labor senator Katy Gallagher four days before Brittany Higgins' bombshell interview on The Project, leaked text messages reveal. The under-fire Senator Gallagher has again denied she misled Parliament in 2021 by saying she had no knowledge of Ms Higgins' rape allegations before they were made public. However, leaked text messages reveal Mr Sharaz told Ms Higgins he met with Senator Gallagher in her office on February 11, 2021. He claimed to have detailed Ms Higgins' allegations against Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann and gave Senator Gallagher a transcript of her interview with The Project, which aired on February 15. 'I hope that's okay,' Mr Sharaz wrote in the messages to his now fiance. 'She's not doing anything with it. But I'm also happy to step out and let her talk to you if you want. 'Basically, I wanted her to get all the context because it's so complicated. She's currently reading your interview and has gone silent. ' In another text he added: 'Katy Gallagher messaged me. She's angry and wants to help. She's got the context. 'She says they knew something was wrong because they fired Bruce and not you. They avoided a scandal.' Newly released text messages reveal David Sharaz told his now fiance Brittany Higgins (left) he met with Labor Senator Katy Gallagher in her office on February 11, 2021. The under-fire Senator Gallagher has denied she misled Parliament in 2021 by saying she had no knowledge of Ms Higgins' rape allegations before they were made public. The following day, Mr Sharaz passed on Ms Higgins' mobile number to Senator Gallagher to allow them to talk directly ahead of Ms Higgins' explosive TV interview. Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by Mr Lehrmann, her former colleague, inside their boss Linda Reynolds' office in Parliament House in 2019 Mr Lehrmann has always denied the allegations. The trial of Mr Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins' mental health. The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution. Senator Gallagher, now finance minister, was expected to be grilled in Senate Question Time this week over what knowledge she had about Ms Higgins' complaint. But she got ahead of the grilling by issuing a statement to the Senate on Tuesday. 'I was provided with information in the days before the allegations were reported and I did nothing with those allegations. Absolutely nothing. I was asked to keep it to myself and that's what I did,' she said. 'I was not involved in any way with the story that went to air on the night, or reported online that morning. I was in no way involved with the timing in which this story was published or aired. 'Any allegations or assertion that I did is wrong and I reject it in the strongest possible terms.' Questions were raised about whether the Labor party used the rape allegations for political gain after audio was leaked from a production meeting Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz held with The Project host Lisa Wilkinson and producer Angus Llewellyn. The audio appears to show how the couple managed the revelation of Ms Higgins' rape claims for the greatest political advantage. They wanted the interview to air in a Parliamentary sitting week so then-prime minister Scott Morrison could be quizzed in Question Time, and then have Senator Gallagher follow up with questions at Senate Estimates in March, 2021. 'It'd be good to get a Question Time in there, I think,' Ms Higgins told the five-hour meeting, in new audio revealed by Sharri Markson on Sky News Australia. Mr Sharaz added: 'The reason we've chosen the timeline we have is because there's a sitting week when we want the story to come out and then a break, then senate estimates in March. 'That's when I'm going to talk to - I've got a friend in Labor Katy Gallagher who will probe and continue it going. 'So, sitting week, story comes out, they have to answer questions and question time... it's a mess for them. 'March, senate estimates. Hopefully we can try and get the footage, that sort of stuff. It brings clarity and then he's gonna call on election, whenever he calls it. David Sharaz and Brittany Higgins discussed targeting then-prime minister Scott Morrison (right) in Question Time over the rape allegations. Senator Gallagher subsequently questioned then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds (left) in Senate estimates 'That's why Britt's picked that timeline.' Ms Higgins admitted tearfully in the audio that she realised her rape allegations were about to be used in a political dogfight which would overshadow her. 'I am not naive to the fact I'll forever be tied to the story,' she said. 'And it's not about me broadly. 'It's pretty much always gonna be about the party. And it'll be about Linda [Reynolds]. And that's fine. 'But it's just sort of hard to reconcile personally [that] you're the least interesting part of your story.' In June 2021, Senator Gallagher angrily denied having knowledge of the allegations before they were broadcast in a fiery confrontation with Ms Higgins's former boss Linda Reynolds in Senate estimates. Senator Gallagher snapped at the then-defence minister: 'No-one had any knowledge. How dare you.' However, Senator Gallagher first admitted on Saturday that she had been made aware of the allegations in advance of them being aired, clarifying her original statement in the Senate. 'I was responding to an assertion that was being made by the Minister Reynolds at the time that we had known about this for weeks and had made a decision to weaponise it,' she said. 'That is not true. It was never true. I was aware of some allegations in the days leading up to the choice of Miss Brittany Higgins to make those allegations public. 'I did nothing with that information. So there's absolutely no issue here at all.' Fuming Anthony Albanese rages over 'bizarre conspiracy theory' as he defends Katy Gallagher after text leak PM says Labor did not know about rape allegations Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was sent texts about it Anthony Albanese has dismissed suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations as a 'bizarre conspiracy theory'. His comments come as he defends his frontbench colleague, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who has denied she misled parliament in 2021 about being aware of the allegations before they were made public. Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations. Anthony Albanese has dismissed as a 'bizarre conspiracy theory' suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations Questions were raised of the finance minister after leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged last week suggesting the pair contemplated strategising her story with Senator Gallagher when she was in opposition. Mr Albanese said his minister had been transparent and the suggestion Senator Gallagher misled parliament was 'absurd'. 'It's a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,' he told ABC Radio. 'And indeed, according to Senator (Linda) Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katy Gallagher said, "yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand". 'So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time since 2021, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.' As parliament resumes on Tuesday, coalition senators are set to use Question Time to target Senator Gallagher over her knowledge of the allegations. Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019, a claim Mr Lehrmann has always denied. The trial of Mr Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins' mental health. The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution. Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations Ms Gallagher has 'categorically' denied she misled parliament following the release of the texts by The Australian this week. She was previously quizzed in Senate Estimates in June 2021 about the extent of her knowledge on the allegations made by Ms Higgins before the story broke. During the June 2021 Senate Estimates hearing, then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds accused Labor senators of being secretly briefed on the rape allegation. 'I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before,' She said. In response to the claim, Senator Gallagher said: 'No-one had any knowledge'. Addressing the texts from Mr Sharaz, Ms Gallagher said she had been made aware of 'some allegations' in the days leading up to Ms Higgins' explosive interview in February 2021. 'I've been clear, I've been honest and at all times I've been guided by the bravery and courage of a young woman who chose to speak up about her workplace and from that we have had massive changes to that workplace,' she said on Saturday. '(I was told) There was going to be some public reporting that a young woman making serious allegations about events that occurred in a minister's office were going to become public. 'I categorically rejected, and you see that in the footage of the committee, I categorically rejected the assertion she was putting, which was that we had chosen to weaponise that information weeks ahead of being told about this.' San Francisco's struggling downtown has been dealt another blow as Westfield has stopped making mortgage payments on its massive mall due to crime and tanking sales. The firm has defaulted on the $558million loan and is handing it back to the lender, which will appoint a receiver. The mall will remain open for now. The decision was sparked by the decision from Nordstrom, the mall's anchor tenant, to close in August. Last month, Westfield blamed 'unsafe conditions' and 'lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity' in large part for Nordstrom's departure. Westfield in San Francisco (pictured) has announced that it is handing the building back to the lender A woman in a wheelchair injects drugs at San Francisco's infamous open-air drugs market. The taxpayer funded 'harm reduction' facility opened and shuttered close to Westfield in early 2022, after criticism that it had done nothing to sort out the city's many social ills Westfield said the 'unprecedented' poor performance in San Francisco was a sharp contrast to the rest of its properties. San Francisco Centre generated $455 million in sales in 2019, before the pandemic. Last year, sales were down about a third to $298 million. Nordstrom occupied 312,000 square feet in the mall: when it closes, Westfield San Francisco will only be 55 percent leased. Other Westfields are on average 93 percent leased. The mall is a smart and upmarket building, whose other retailers include Bloomingdales, Aesop, Rolex and Sephora. Westfield's struggles will pile fresh pressure on city leaders, after multiple retailers and hotels shuttered in downtown San Francisco as it continues to battle soaring crime, open drug use and homelessness. The famously progressive city has been condemned for its 'harm reduction' policies, which critics say have effectively legalized drug taking. Meanwhile, its police department remains short-staffed after woke lawmakers called for defunding in the wake of George Floyd's murder. 'For more than 20 years, Westfield has proudly and successfully operated San Francisco Centre, investing significantly over that time in the vitality of the property,' the company said. 'Given the challenging operating conditions in downtown San Francisco, which have led to declines in sales, occupancy and foot traffic, we have made the difficult decision to begin the process to transfer management of the shopping center to our lender to allow them to appoint a receiver to operate the property going forward.' Westfield's San Francisco mall includes 1.2 million square feet of retail space and 300,000 square feet of offices. It is in the troubled Union Square area in the center of downtown, where homelessness and crime are rife. Camps are set up around the city and people take drugs openly. Pictured: Homeless tents are seen in Tenderloin District during heavy rain in San Francisco on January 11 Several of the stores which have closed cited safety concerns as the downtown area of San Francisco is ravaged by homelessness and drug taking Retailer Old Navy has become the latest retailer to vacate crime-ridden San Francisco (File photo from 2020) Nordstrom recently shuttered a store in San Francisco, citing changing 'dynamics' in the city as the reason for the closures Employees at a Target store in San Francisco recently said it was being robbed as frequently as every ten minutes Whole Foods, Old Navy, Gap and Office Depot are just some of the stores in the district to announce in recent months that they are closing. Out of 203 retailers open in 2019 in the city's Union Square area, just 107 are still operating - a drop of 47 percent in just a few pandemic-ravaged years. The city is in something of a vicious cycle: office workers are now working from home, leaving the downtown area significantly quieter, and making the empty streets more dangerous. The rise in crime then deters people from entering downtown. And as the downtown empties, the city loses essential tax revenues, and the area becomes less appealing. The revenue loss to the city caused by decreased property taxes could reach $196 million per year by 2028, according to modeling published in November by the San Francisco Controller's Office. The best-case scenario from the modeling expects the cost will be nearer to $100 million per year. The building which houses The San Francisco Chronicle, a block from Westfield mall, faces a 60 percent vacancy rate by the fall as tenants Yahoo and Autodesk's leases expire. An analysis of official figures and other research reveals San Francisco may lose hundreds of millions of dollars through an exodus of businesses and its failure to recover from COVID Signs posted to cars near the linkage site announce 'nothing to steal' as crime continues to rise in one of the city's poorest and most drug-infested neighborhood Tourism is steadily recovering to its pre-covid highs, according to figures from the San Francisco Travel Association Next door, the 415 Natoma office tower is 97 percent vacant. San Francisco foot traffic totaled 5.6 million visits between January and December 2022 - a 42 percent drop. In 2019, the figure was 9.7 million visits. The city has been affected by a state-wide shoplifting law that downgraded stealing goods worth less than $950 from a felony to a far less serious misdemeanor crime. A disturbing recent report showed 95 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the COVID pandemic, a decline of more than 50 percent. In April, Whole Foods said it would shut its flagship store in downtown San Francisco 'for the time being' to ensure staff 'safety'. San Francisco Mayor London Breed has proposed a record budget despite the city facing a $1.3 billion deficit by 2028 'If we feel we can ensure the safety of our team members in the store, we will evaluate a reopening of our Trinity location,' a spokesperson said. Similarly, a Target store in the city has been forced to lock up more of its products to stave off thieves. An employee at the location recently said it was being robbed as often as 'every ten minutes.' Many major tech companies based in San Francisco - including Meta, Google, Salesforce and Twitter - have also axed tens of thousands of jobs in recent months as the industry suffered a post-covid downturn. In April, Salesforce said it will leave its eponymous 30-story Salesforce East building in downtown, where around 1,000 staff had worked before the pandemic. City officials launched a $6 million ad campaign in May to lure back tourists. Visitor numbers have improved since covid and in 2022 were around 16 percent lower than the record-breaking 26.2 million in 2019. The international campaign included a commercial featuring an array of local talent, including Lady Camden, a drag queen who became popular on 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' and local muralist Sirron Norris. Former President Donald Trump's poll numbers appear to be rocketing on the eve of his appearance in a Miami courtroom on criminal charges, scheduled for Tuesday. Trump touched down in the Sunshine State on Monday to face federal criminal charges as his campaign team plans to use the indictment to crush Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign once and for all, as his poll numbers soar. Indeed, Trump's team are looking to harness the amount of attention being placed on the presidential candidate and are hoping to steer narrative of the legal drama in their favor, by any means possible. Even Trump has boasted that the indictment boosted his numbers with the latest CBS News poll putting Trump at 61 percent and DeSantis at 23 percent. Trump's legal woes do not appear to have affected his popularity among Republican voters. The poll also suggests just 7 percent of likely Republican primary voters would have their view of Trump negatively affected by the indictment - with 80 percent believing that Trump should be able to serve even if convicted. A recent CBS News poll puts Trump at 61 percent and DeSantis at 23 percent The main pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc. is now shifting focus in its ad campaigns from attacks on the Florida Governor to President Biden. The pair are pictured in November 2019 In early May, Trump led DeSantis 49 percent to 19 percent, but that was before DeSantis had formally entered the race. Trump also views his 2024 campaign as a shield against prosecution with a second presidential victory securing his acquittal. Biden's approval rating stood at 41 percent last week, close to the lowest level of his presidency. Trump had a 40 percent approval rating at this point in his 2017-2021 presidency. Trump is scheduled to appear at Miami federal courthouse on Tuesday at 3pm ET. In the meantime, he is working to shape public opinion among Republicans and maintain his dominance in the 2024 field. Despite facing a 37-count indictment in the classified documents case, Trump and his team appear familiar with such political chaos, reports the New York Times. Trump, who turns 77 on Wednesday, has survived two previous House impeachments, several criminal investigations, and the imprisonment of key individuals associated with his business and campaign team. The 49-page indictment against Trump was unsealed on Friday and accuses him of mishandling classified documents after leaving office in 2021, as well as obstruction of justice This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate The strategy being employed is a familiar one and sees Trump portraying himself as a victim, blaming the 'Deep State,' claiming selective prosecution, punish disloyal Republicans, generate extensive media coverage, before seeking donations from small contributors. Those on the Trump train see the indictment as an opportunity to end the primary race before it even begins. The core objective is to reframe the 2024 election as a direct battle between Trump and President Biden rather than DeSantis. The main pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc. is now shifting focus in its ad campaigns from attacks on the Florida Governor to President Biden. The aim is to present Trump as the leader of the Republican Party and the presumptive nominee who is already engaged in a head-to-head confrontation with Biden and his 'politicized' Justice Department. The department says all investigative decisions are made without regard to partisan politics. Trump accuses Biden of orchestrating the federal case to undermine Trump's campaign. Biden has kept his distance from the case and has declined to comment on it. The hope is to essentially marginalize Trump's Republican opponents and diminish their stature. Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd in Georgia over the weekend and his campaign said he would make a statement on Tuesday night, when he returns to New Jersey. A separate poll on Monday shows that 61% of GOP voters say the indictment 'won't change' their view of Trump, while 14% said it does change their opinion of him 'for the better' A poll released Sunday shows that 48% of Americans do agree with the indictment against him, but 35% don't think he should have been charged Trump's legal woes do not appear to have affected his popularity among Republican voters Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd in Columbus, Georgia over the weekend With memories fresh of the January 6, 2021, assault by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol, officials have raised security concerns. Miami police chief Manny Morales said the city was planning for a crowd size of up to 50,000 people and would close roads in the downtown area if necessary. Special Counsel Jack Smith accuses Trump of taking thousands of papers containing some of the nation's most sensitive national-security secrets when he left the White House in January 2021. Pictures from legal documents show them being stored in a haphazard manner at his Mar-a-Lago Florida estate, according to the grand jury indictment. As special counsel, Smith, who is heading the case, is given a greater degree of independence than other Justice Department prosecutors, to try to minimize political factors. He is also investigating Trump's effort to overturn his 2020 loss to Biden. Photos included in the indictment show boxes of documents stored on a ballroom stage, in a bathroom and strewn across a storage-room floor. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside Mar-A-Lago, on Sunday Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside of the Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida. Trump is scheduled to appear tomorrow in federal court for his arraignment on charges including possession of national security documents after leaving office, obstruction, and making false statement The indictment alleges Trump lied to officials who tried to get them back. Trump is the first former or current president to face criminal charges, but legal experts say that does not prevent him from running for president - or taking office even if he is found guilty. Legal experts, including Trump's former attorney general William Barr, say the case is a strong one. The charges include violations of the Espionage Act, which criminalizes unauthorized possession of defense information, and conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Any federal trial in Florida may not take place until after the November 2024 presidential election. Trump also is due to go on trial in March 2024 in a separate case in New York state court, stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn star. A top plastic surgeon who struck up relationships with three vulnerable patients, sending explicit messages then having sex with them, has been struck off. Olivier Branford, 49, showered the women with compliments after they came to him for breast surgery, before sleeping with them at his private clinic. The married father-of-three also sent messages which included naked photos of himself and shared details of his sexual fantasies. He had sex with one woman at the Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, west London, after telling her she was 'beautiful' and that he 'loved her body'. Cambridge-educated Branford had sex with another woman - behind her husband's back - after saying her new breasts were 'perfect' and he wanted to 'oil them up' and put them on his Instagram page. Olivier Branford, 49, showered the women with compliments after they came to him for breast surgery, before sleeping with them at his private clinic He had sex in 'multiple positions' with a third patient while she was still recovering from breast surgery, despite it not being clinically advisable. French-born Branford admitted 14 of 18 charges against him when he appeared at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) misconduct hearing in November last year. Two of the remaining four charges were later found to be proven. Reconvening last week, the tribunal found Branford's fitness to practise had been impaired and, yesterday, it decided to erase him from the medical register. During the earlier hearings, Branford was said to have encouraged an 'emotional attachment' with all three women so he could have sexual relationships with them between 2019 and 2020. One woman - known as Patient A - went to his clinic and told him she 'hated the way she looked' and her large breasts were causing her back and shoulder pain, and self-esteem issues. He responded by sending her a WhatsApp message saying he could 'fix her and make her love her body'. They exchanged further messages before a relationship began. He sent a second patient - Patient B - sexually-explicit messages, telling her: 'I am French, so sensuality is good. You are very desirable and sexy.' The pair shared and acted out sexual fantasies and he sent her a naked selfie before they had sex at his clinic in October 2019. French-born Branford admitted 14 of 18 charges against him when he appeared at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) misconduct hearing in November, last year Branford began seeing Patient C after she underwent a breast enlargement, having earlier flirted during initial consultations which progressed to him liking pictures on her social media pages. They later had sex in multiple positions at his clinic, despite him knowing it wasn't 'clinically advisable' for a patient to do so for at least two weeks following breast surgery. Branford admitted to fostering an improper emotional relationship with Patients A and B but claimed he never encouraged an improper emotional attachment with Patient C, and she was just as eager to have sex with him. He denied knowing the women were vulnerable due to Patient A's body dysmorphia, Patient B's low self-esteem and Patient C's anxiety. When the accusations were made in 2020, Branford, who graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1994, lived with his doctor wife in a 2million home in Finsbury Park, north London. Tech giants have been accused of 'scaremongering' in lobbying efforts against laws that will force them to pay fairly for trusted news content. The News Media Association (NMA) has dismissed claims that the Digital Markets Unit (DMU), which will rein in the power of big tech, would have a negative impact on the UK press. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill is set to empower the new digital watchdog to mediate on negotiations between publishers and platforms, including Facebook and Google, over fair payment for news content. But opponents of the Bill are ramping up their efforts against it, including claiming it could lead to more clickbait and entrench the power of the biggest newspapers. Facebook and Google, meanwhile, have sought to counter research suggesting they make up to 1billion a year from news content yet pay back only 75million a year. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill is set to empower the new digital watchdog to mediate on negotiations between publishers and platforms, including Facebook and Google, over fair payment for news content Owen Meredith (pictured), chief executive of the NMA, said: 'This paper dispels the scaremongering around what should be an easily accepted principle that the platforms should trade on fair and reasonable terms with the trusted news publishers that safeguard our democracy' However, a paper by the NMA, which represents local, regional and national publishers, has 'debunked these myths' and highlighted how the DMU will help both sides. It says: 'If platforms are truly convinced news publishers provide them with little value, it would make commercial sense for them to welcome DMU regulation and reap the benefits of negotiation. READ MORE: Act now to protect freedom of the Press, MPs are urged Advertisement 'Instead, platforms have chosen to vociferously lobby against the Bill, and their efforts have given rise to several misrepresentations.' MPs will begin hearing evidence today as the Bill enters committee stage in the Commons. Similar legislation in Australia has already delivered payment deals for many news outlets. Owen Meredith, chief executive of the NMA, said: 'This paper dispels the scaremongering around what should be an easily accepted principle that the platforms should trade on fair and reasonable terms with the trusted news publishers that safeguard our democracy. 'We look towards the committee and Government to ensure the legislation is not watered down, so the new regime delivers fair competition in our digital economy.' The NMA's paper said: 'Platforms may have created an efficient advertising model, but they have not created any public interest journalism. 'Instead, they threaten its production because they benefit greatly from publishers' output without having paid for it.' Sunrise host Natalie Barr failed to ask Sarah Ferguson any questions about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in a gushing ten-minute interview on Tuesday morning. Barr's interview with Fergie came just weeks after recent revelations she allegedly met with Jeffrey Epstein when he was still under house arrest for having sex with underage girls in 2010. Instead, Barr and her Sunrise co-host Matt 'Shervo' Shirvington fawned over the ex-Royal, asking her questions about the coronation - which she was not invited to - and her relationship with the late Queen. Sunrise hosts Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr (pictured, left) threw softball after softball to Sarah Ferguson (right) - despite recent revelations about her alleged relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein 'The last thing the Queen said to me was "Sarah, just remember to be yourself". And then she said "you must continue with kindness like you always do",' the Duchess revealed. She then told 'Chervo' - appearing to mispronounce his nickname - that her one message to people was that 'judgment is not cool'. 'Its about love and kindness and being kinder and making the smile go a long way,' she said. Fergie was on the show to promote her new historical novel, 'A Most Intriguing Lady', with Shirvington gushing in the intro: 'And shes done it all while becoming a doting grandmother for the third time. Shirvington later attempted the most probing question of the interview by asking about Prince Harry and Meghan's departure from the Royal family. The Duchess dodged the question, claiming she 'would never be one to ever make a comment on any other member of the royal family' She then added: 'I just find anyone that stands very tall about their own beliefs is very brave, whoever it is.' Prince Andrew is pictured in New York's Central Park with Epstein in December 2010 In a scheduling entry for March 3, 2010, Epstein's assistant wrote: 'Still need to try and schedule the Duchess for Tues or Wed (I have emailed her assistant, Amanda, RE a meeting' Epstein told his assistant in an email, 'Duchess anytime,' referring to Fergie But interviewers failed to ask Fergie about her relationship with disgraced financier Epstein which has been under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks. The paedophile's private calendars from March that year revealed that he would make room in his schedule for Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of disgraced Royal Prince Andrew, according to files obtained by DailyMail.com. At the time Epstein still had five months of house arrest left for admitting to soliciting a minor for prostitution, an offense for which he served a 13-month jail sentence and was labeled a registered sex offender. Epstein told his assistant: 'Duchess anytime.' Photos posted by Epstein's driver and housekeeper in February and March 2010 show Fergie and Andrew visiting the financier's New York mansion. Fergie's links to Epstein have come under the spotlight once again after DailyMail.com's investigation into Epstein's files. The hundreds of pages in the files give an unprecedented insight into the late paedophile's extraordinary network of power and influence. Presidents, prime ministers, royalty and famous names previously not linked to Epstein are also featured in the emails and calendar entries. Before his suicide in jail in August 2019, Epstein revealed he had 'potentially damaging' dirt on high-powered figures Fergie's relationship with Epstein dates back to at least April 1998 when an entry on the flight logs for his private plane has him meeting her at Nassau airport in the Bahamas. The log mentions that she was traveling with her children, apparently referring to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and they would be 'on the ground' when Epstein met them. Fergie had divorced Andrew two years earlier but the two remained close friends, as they are still today. The Epstein files suggest that the paedophile knew intimate details of the former couple's finances and bragged about it while touting himself to JP Morgan. Epstein dropped Andrew's name while trying to persuade the bank to let him act as an intermediary for wealthy clients. On August 31, 2011 in an email to JP Morgan boss Jes Staley and senior banker Mary Erdoes, Epstein said that investors were wary of the bank because it was a 'quasi US govt arm'. Epstein wrote: 'I am also aware JPM has a colorful array of clients so a client relationship is much less problematic than an institutional joint venture'. Among the wealthy men Epstein reeled off was Prince Andrew. Epstein said: 'He is now allowed to make money'. Epstein did not elaborate on what prevented Andrew from making money before, but Fergie's finances were in a perilous state at the time. Andrew's lawyers did not return requests for comment on the above claims. Fergie's representative would not comment. Court affidavits accuse the couple of not only intentionally starving their child, but physically abusing him in front of their four other children Tyler and Krista Schindley were arrested on multiple charges of attempted murder and abuse after their emaciated son was found by neighbors The half-brother of the 10-year-old Georgia who was found wandering a suburb and begging for food after allegedly being starved has also been arrested after his parents were accused of attempted murder. Ethan Washburn, 19, has been charged with aggravated assault for the strangulation of his younger brother, who weighed just 36 pounds when he was saved by police. Washburn, a Tennessee resident, is the biological son of Krista Schindley, 47, who is accused of committing child cruelty alongside husband Tyler Schindley, 46. Police in Griffin, Georgia, said Washburn used his bare hands to choke the boy. In addition to not feeding their son, the couple allegedly allowed their four other children to 'see and/or hear' physical abuse against the boy on multiple occasions. Ethan Washburn (pictured) has been charged with aggravated assault related to the horrific and nearly fatal starvation of his younger brother, who weighed just 36 pounds Washburn is the biological son of Krista Schindley (left) who is accused of committing child cruelty alongside husband Tyler Schindley (right) The Schindleys' home in Griffin, Georgia, which is worth an estimated $447,000 Since Washburn lives out of state, it is unclear when he had last seen his younger half-brother or why he has been charged. Last month, FOX 5 Atlanta stopped by the nearly $450,000 Griffin home where the family lived and spoke with Washburn who said he was just housesitting. 'I'm not too close to the situation right now. I'm just actually watching the house. I don't really have any comment at this time on this story,' Washburn said at the time. Ethan is listed as a branch manager for the same chain of spas his mother was working for before her arrest. Authorities said neighbors found the boy wandering on Westminster Circle on May 12 and brought him off the street and called police. The boy - whose weight was equivalent to that of the average four-year-old - told police he was trying to go to Kroger to buy food. He reportedly begged officers that they not 'make me go back.' He was taken to the hospital and his current condition is unknown. 'This child was, simply put, being starved to death, and it is tragic,' District Attorney Marie Broder said in a statement. 'I truly believe that if he had not gotten out of that home, this would be a very different case,' the DA told local outlets. 'I'm not too close to the situation right now. I'm just actually watching the house. I don't really have any comment at this time on this story,' Washburn told FOX 5 in May Krista Schindley (center right) poses with her eldest son Ethan Washburn (center left) at a Float Spa booth. Ethan has been accused of strangling his younger brother The couple have been charged with attempted murder in the case The back of the $447,000 Griffin, Georgia home where the Schindleys lived The starving boy had been kept locked inside a bedroom and was left alone in the house 'for extended periods of time,' court affidavits state. During those periods of time, the boy would have 'no access to lights, food, clothing or adult interaction and/or assistance', the affidavit continued. The Schindleys are also accused of allowing a 'dental injury and disfiguration' the boy suffered to go unattended. The couple's other children who were in the home appeared to be OK and are currently with the Department of Family and Children's Services. The couple has been charged with criminal attempts to commit a felony, cruelty to children, false imprisonment, and simple battery. In May, Tyler's ex-wife Melissa Waynette claimed one of her kids who lived with the couple had run away - while a second had been denied 'treatment' he needed. Waynette said those two children she shared with Tyler had also lived in Griffin, Georgia, with the couple until recently. One of her sons escaped the home two years ago after tracking down Waynette through social media, while the other, she said, was returned to her two months ago. The couple has been charged with criminal attempts to commit a felony, cruelty to children, false imprisonment and simple battery. Pictured: The couple in court on May 23 Police in Griffin arrested Tyler and Krista Schindley after neighbors found their emaciated son roaming through the streets on May 12 Bikes are seen in the driveway of Krista and Tyler Schindley's home in Georgia The couple's next-door neighbor, Kim Seigler, told FOX 5 she had previously worried about the Schindley children. 'The fact that they're my neighbors... just made me feel bad... like I should've been more observant,' she said. Speaking with the media in May, Broder said they would not be releasing any photos of the child 'for obvious reasons' and because they are 'absolutely horrible.' 'As a mother, I can't comprehend it. As a human being, it breaks your heart,' she said. 'Anybody with a human heart, who looks at them, should be shaken to their core.' Krista and Tyler were scheduled to be in court Monday but did not have a lawyer to represent them. A judge postponed the case to a later date. Catherine shared a Facebook post prior to her death claiming Allen had physically abused her throughout their marriage Allan Kassenoff quit his job after his ex-wife Catherine Kassenoff acccused publicly claimed he abused her and that it led to her assisted suicide The man who was accused of abusing his NYC prosecutor wife who allegedly died by assisted suicide has quit his job as a litigator following a leave of absence. Officials with Greenberg Taurig said in a statement that Allan Kassenoff had tendered his resignation following a probe into him by his bosses at the firm. Allen was a patent litigator and shareholder at the agency before he stepped down, although it's unclear whether he was pushed out or did so willingly. The man had been on leave after ex-wife Catherine Kassenoff shared in a Facebook post that he had allegedly abused her, which - along with a terminal cancer diagnosis - factored into her decision to die. 'The firm has concluded its review of the situation to determine Allan Kassenoff's status with the firm,' a statement posted by Greenberg Taurig read. 'Our primary obligation is to maintain and protect the core values and best interests of our firm, our clients, our lawyers and our professional staff,' it continued. Allan Kassenoff, the man accused of abusing ex-wife Catherine Kassenoff who allegedly died by assisted suicide, has quit his job following a leave of absence. Pictured: Allan Kassenoff Allan had been on leave after ex-wife Catherine shared in a post that he had allegedly abused her, which factored into her decision to fly to Switzerland where she reportedly died by suicide on May 27. Pictured: Allan (top left) and Catherine (top right) with their three daughters In a shocking and heartbreaking post on Facebook, Catherine had asserted that Allan abused her and was attempting to ruin her life prior to her death. The woman, who at one point worked as special counsel to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, said she had a victim to a 'predatory' court system that kept her kids away. The couple had, according to Catherine's post, been engaged in a nasty custody battle for their three daughters that continued to escalate. In the post Sunday evening, Greenberg Taurig shared that following the departure of Allan, they would be looking out financially for the couple's kids. 'The firm is sensitive to the needs of the three children,' the firm wrote in their post, labeling the children as 'the primary victims of the situation.' 'Therefore will be creating a dedicated trust fund with an independent trustee for the sole benefit of these children, to be voluntarily funded by the lawyers and staff of our firm,' the post continued. In a separate post in early June, Greenberg Taurig said they planned to look into the claims made by Catherine on social media. The firm explicitly stated that no evidence of abuse had been uncovered by judges or attorneys throughout their custody trial but that they took the claims seriously. 'Nevertheless, the firm will be conducting its own investigation to determine his status with the firm,' the statement posted online read. 'In the meantime, he is taking a voluntary leave of absence to focus on his family,' adding that he had been awarded sole legal custody of the girls. DailyMail.com reached out to Allan's attorney, Gus Dimopoulous Monday evening but he did not respond in time for this report. 'Our primary obligation is to maintain and protect the core values and best interests of our firm, our clients, our lawyers and our professional staff,' Greenberg Taurig wrote in a post announcing Allan's departure from the firm. Pictured: Allan Kassenoff In the post Sunday evening, Greenberg Taurig shared that following the departure of Allan, they would be looking out financially for the couple's kids 'In the last four years of my life, I have woken up every day to a nightmare like no other. I can no longer endure the abuse and terror of Allan Kassenoff... I have also endured the emotional devastation of being without my children for so long...' In Catherine's Facebook farewell, she released thousands of court documents, alongside the videos, in a down defunct Dropbox link, that painted a different picture. In one email, Allan vowed to 'never stop' in their custody battle which he claimed was costing his $3 million. 'Even if this court awards you my last dollar, I will never stop protecting them,' Allan wrote in an email to Catherine on March 19. 'Until the day I die.' He added she 'must be really proud of financially decimating' him and their children throughout their trial. Allan also said she should have focused her rage on getting help rather than attempting to destroy him. Along with the details of their nasty legal woes and his alleged abuse, Catherine shared video of Allan throwing tantrums and calling her a 'fat, old loser.' In another video, he was heard berating the mom of three, saying he hated her. Other clips show him allegedly screaming behind doors, yelling at his kids to 'shut up,' and dramatically leaving their home and refusing to take care of his little ones. One heartbreaking video that Catherine shared showed one of her daughters crying that she doesn't 'want to go with that crazy guy.' She claimed in her Facebook post that Allan had made a false 911 call, claiming she was 'capable of 'killing' him or my own children.' He reportedly filmed her being questioned by police, who ultimately did not arrest her after they determined 'realized he was lying,' she claimed. In the email he sent on March 19, he listed the ruinous sum of money he said she had forced him to spend out of love for his children and said ' you must be really proud of financially decimating me and the children' Catherine and Allan had been engaged in a four-year custody battle for their daughters The Westchester custody battle has dragged on since 2019, records show. In 2022, Catherine was let go from her job as special counsel to the governor of New York after she was arrested for violating a protective order. The charges were later dismissed. In Catherine's May 27 Facebook post, she also wrote about her third cancer diagnosis and said she was not strong enough to go through 'debilitating chemo, surgeries, and radiation again.' She also said she kept her health secrets under wraps because her husband would have 'tried that much harder to end my existence.' DailyMail.com is working to confirm if Catherine did follow through with her planned suicide as she had indicated in her Facebook post. If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988. Allies of Boris Johnson yesterday stepped up criticism of the Commons Partygate investigation, despite warnings they could face suspension from Parliament. The Commons Privileges Committee reacted angrily at the weekend after Boris Johnson branded it a 'kangaroo court' over its 'biased' investigation into claims he lied to MPs when he said lockdown gatherings in No 10 did not break Covid rules. In a statement, the committee, chaired by Labour's former deputy leader Harriet Harman, said Mr Johnson had 'impugned the integrity' of the Commons with his attacks. Whitehall sources said the committee could also censure allies who have criticised its proceedings. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove yesterday urged MPs to 'respect the integrity' of the committee. Allies of Boris Johnson yesterday stepped up criticism of the Commons Partygate investigation, despite warnings they could face suspension from Parliament But backbench Tory MP Sir Michael Fabricant brushed aside the warnings yesterday, saying that the committee had shown 'predetermined prejudice' towards the former PM. Sir Michael said: 'I do find the extraordinary pomposity of 'if you don't agree with us it is impugning the integrity of Parliament' risible given the calibre of some of the people on whose behalf that comment is made. 'I sat in the Committee while Boris was interviewed. The body language and facial expressions of some of the panel demonstrated extraordinary predetermined prejudice and if it were a trial in an English Court, the jurists would have been reprimanded by the judge.' Tory peer Lord Marland also criticised the committee, suggesting that some of the Tory MPs on the committee were 'jealous' of Mr Johnson's success. Defenders of the committee have pointed out that four of its seven members are Conservative MPs. But Lord Marland said the fact was irrelevant, telling the BBC: 'There is a lot of difference of views and personal jealousy within the Conservative Party, as there is within the Labour Party. 'In some ways, you're better coming up in front of an entirely Labour group than a mixture.' Members of the Privileges Committee met in private yesterday to finalise their report into Mr Johnson's conduct. Whitehall sources said they would issue a stinging rebuke to the former prime minister - and accuse him of knowingly lying to Parliament. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove (pictured) yesterday urged MPs to 'respect the integrity' of the committee The committee had been set to suspend Mr Johnson for at least 10 days, clearing the threshold required to trigger a by-election. His shock resignation means he cannot now be suspended. The committee was last night considering alternative sanctions, including banning him from the parliamentary estate. The report could be published as soon as today, but sources said it was more likely to be released tomorrow. The Liberal Democrats yesterday began campaigning in Nadine Dorries' Mid-Bedfordshire seat in a bid to pull off a shock victory in the forthcoming by-election. Just days after the former Cabinet minister announced her resignation, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey visited the constituency, which had a 24,664 Tory majority in 2019. Three by-elections are expected next month after Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams and Ms Dorries announced they would quit the Commons. Labour and the Lib Dems will throw resources at the seats of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty, and Mid-Bedfordshire in a bid to take them from the Tories. But a Lib Dem source insisted the party would not engage in any 'pacts or deals' to bolster their chances. The Liberal Democrats yesterday began campaigning in Nadine Dorries' (pictured) Mid-Bedfordshire seat in a bid to pull off a shock victory in the forthcoming by-election Just days after the former Cabinet minister announced her resignation, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey visited the constituency (pictured), which had a 24,664 Tory majority in 2019 'We don't believe in any pacts or deals,' they said. 'It's up to voters to decide who to support, and in places like Mid Bedfordshire it's clear the Liberal Democrats are best placed to beat the Conservatives and send this out-of-touch government a message.' Sir Ed said Mid-Bedfordshire - where he met residents in the town of Ampthill yesterday - 'will be a close race between the Liberal Democrats and an out-of-touch Conservative party'. The constituency has been held by the Tories without a break since 1931, with Ms Dorries becoming its MP in 2005. Labour finished in second place in 2019 on 22per cent of the vote, 38 percentage points behind the Conservatives. The Lib Dems were further behind on 13per cent. Mr Adams won a majority of 20,137 in Selby and Ainsty in 2019, while Labour came second in 2019 with 25per cent of the vote, 35 percentage points behind the Tories. The Liberal Democrats finished third with 9 per cent. Meanwhile Uxbridge and South Ruislip has been held continuously by the Conservatives since the constituency was created in 2010. Mr Johnson's majority stood at 7,210 in 2019. Labour has always come second in this seat at general elections and polled 38per cent of the vote in 2019, 15 percentage points behind Mr Johnson. Mr Adams (pictured) won a majority of 20,137 in Selby and Ainsty in 2019, while Labour came second in 2019 with 25per cent of the vote, 35 percentage points behind the Tories Mr Johnson's (pictured) majority stood at 7,210 in 2019. Labour has always come second in this seat at general elections and polled 38per cent of the vote in 2019, 15 percentage points behind Mr Johnson The Liberal Democrats came a distant third in 2019, getting only 6per cent of the vote. Yesterday Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox announced he would make his first attempt to win a Westminster seat by standing in Mr Johnson's former constituency. He is to run after agreeing a 'mutual co-operation agreement' with the Reform Party that will see it run only in Mid Bedfordshire. Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted yesterday that by-elections are always 'challenging'. The Levelling Up Secretary said parties do best in by-elections when focused on 'good government'. He told BBC Breakfast: 'By-elections during the course of any government's time are always challenging, but we have good candidates I know that will be in place. I'm looking forward to supporting them. 'Elections are part of political life. It's also the case I think that you do best in elections when you concentrate on good government. Yesterday Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox (left) announced he would make his first attempt to win a Westminster seat by standing in Mr Johnson's former constituency Cabinet minister Michael Gove (pictured) admitted yesterday that by-elections are always 'challenging' 'And we are united behind Rishi Sunak in making sure that we demonstrate that the priorities that the British public have are those which govern every waking moment that we have.' He also played down calls for a snap general election, arguing that it was 'vitally important' to deal with the issues facing the country. Polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice said the 'ball is in Labour's court' over whether to do a deal with the Lib Dems in the Selby and Ainsty, and Mid-Bedfordshire by-election. He said last night: 'It's difficult to believe that the Liberal Democrats won't want to try hard in one of them at least, and Mid-Bedfordshire is the obvious one for them to try for, in a sense the choice is up to Labour as to how to play it.' But he said Labour may take the view that it is 'better for us to try and fail than it is to allow the Liberal Democrats to succeed'. It was after Mr Dutton was found to have misled parliament An old Facebook post has resurfaced showing Anthony Albanese calling for Peter Dutton to resign for misleading parliament - as his Finance Minister Katy Gallagher stands accused of doing the same thing. In a post published in September 2018, Mr Albanese said Mr Dutton should step down after a parliamentary inquiry found the then-Home Affairs minister had misled parliament about his connections to the employer of an au pair he granted a visa. 'Peter Dutton's position as a Minister in this ATM Government should be at an end and it should be at an end today,' Mr Albanese wrote at the time. 'He should do the right thing and resign.' Mr Dutton did not resign over the inquiry's findings. A 2018 Facebook post from Anthony Albanese has resurfaced where he called for Peter Dutton to resign after it was found he had misled parliament It comes as Senator Gallagher is accused of misleading parliament after she confirmed she did have prior knowledge about some of the details regarding the rape allegation made by former Liberal staffer, Brittany Higgins. Ms Higgins alleged former colleague Bruce Lehrmann sexually assaulted her in Parliament House after a night out in 2019. Mr Lehrmann has always denied the allegation. Text messages between Ms Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz emerged last week suggesting Mr Sharaz had a meeting with Ms Gallagher where they discussed Ms Higgins' allegations, days before Ms Higgins broke her silence on The Project. In the exchange, Ms Sharaz described Senator Gallagher as an 'old friend' who Ms Higgins could 'trust'. Ms Gallagher was previously quizzed in Senate Estimates in June 2021 about the extent of her knowledge on the allegations made by Ms Higgins before the story broke. During the June 2021 Senate Estimates hearing, then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds accused Labor senators of being secretly briefed on the rape allegation. 'I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before,' she said. In response to the claim, Ms Gallagher said: 'No-one had any knowledge.' Ms Gallagher has furiously denied misleading Parliament with her statement, saying at the weekend that she had not known the full allegations or 'made a decision to weaponise it'. It comes as Finance Minister Katy Gallagher (pictured) is accused of the same thing after she admitted she had some knowledge about the rape allegation made by Brittany Higgins Mr Albanese (pictured) rubbished suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Ms Higgins' rape allegations, calling the matter a 'bizarre conspiracy theory' Mr Albanese has rubbished suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Ms Higgins' rape allegations. He said Senator Gallagher had been transparent and the suggestion she misled parliament was 'absurd'. 'It's a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,' he told ABC Radio. 'And indeed, according to Senator (Linda) Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katy Gallagher said, "yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand". 'So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time since 2021, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.' As parliament resumes on Tuesday, coalition senators are set to use Question Time to target Ms Gallagher over her knowledge of the allegations. A small business owner has revealed how she has been targeted by online bullies after trying to warn Australians she fell victim to a scam and lost $15,000. Sunshine Coast woman Jessica Adelman shared a series of videos on Saturday detailing how she lost thousands of dollars to a fake online company. She said she was searching for a flexible job that would let her work from home and continue running her jewellery business. Ms Adelman said she found a website called FLX Australia that looked like the perfect fit for her. Small business owner Jessica Adelman (above) called out online 'bullies' after commenters called her an 'idiot' for falling victim to an online scam The website claimed people could make a daily income by leaving reviews for large companies, like Amazon, and collecting commission. However, it encouraged reviewers to spend their own money by asking them to pay for 'upgrades' and 'package orders' with the promise of more commission to earn. Ms Adelman had shared her story in hopes of warning other Australians to be careful about the website. She then posted a TikTok video on Monday revealing the response had mostly been negative with social media users turning on her for being so gullible. 'Some people are absolute savages, it's actually shocking how mean people can be on the internet,' she said. 'I'm getting sh** about my voice, some of you are calling me an idiot, I'm being accused of scamming people. 'I also wanna say, it really speaks to the mental state I was in and it really made me have empathy for the people who do get sucked into these things. 'In that moment... I was going through a bit of a hard time and I definitely wasn't clearly thinking.' Social media users turned on Ms Adelman mocking her for being fooled by the blatant scam. 'The hoops you jumped through to convince yourself that paying money to make money made any sense,' one commenter said. Another added: 'Love, the problem is greed, basically scams breed on greed, you deserve everything you get'. Ms Adelman (above) lost $15,000 after 'working' for a scam company that left fake reviews on big business websites, like Amazon Ms Adelman said she had thought the scam was a legitimate company thanks to the appearance of their flashy website and apparent 'myGov' verification. 'It honestly looked so legit and it only asked for my name, my phone number and my email which I feel like anyone can get anyway,' she said. Ms Adelman said she was then put in contact with the 'boss' of the company over Whatsapp who then redirected her to another website. 'None of these websites ever asked for any bank details, addresses, nothing - it was literally just your mobile, your name and your email address.' She explained she was then given a list of daily 'tasks' to complete and was halfway through a day's work when she was asked to pay $70 to make $220. 'I messaged him [the boss] and I'm like "why do I need to put in money?" and he's like "well, these are products you're leaving reviews on that you're technically meant to be buying",' she said. Skeptical but curious to see if it would work, Ms Adelman paid the $70 and, to her shock, received a $220 in return. Ms Adelman (above) said she fell for the scam because it seemed 'legit' and didn't ask for any banking details However, the real scamming began when she started being asked to review 'package orders' which cost significantly more but promised more profit in return. On top of that, the company's website offered an 'upgrade' that allowed reviewers to pay to receive more commission. 'To earn five times the amount of commission I would need to put in $7,500 which, unfortunately, I did,' Ms Adelman said. 'When I asked him [the boss] he said "no rush"... Him being so relaxed about it made me think it's 100 per cent not a scam. 'I upgraded and halfway through my tasks it came up with a huge package order which would require me to put in another $7,500. I just did it, like an idiot.' She said it wasn't long until she was offered another 'package order', this time for $28,000. 'At this point I was like "damn". I called my parents and I was pretty hysterical - not even about the money, that was devastating, but I felt so ashamed,' she said. Dozens of commenters under Ms Adelman's videos reassured her she isn't alone in falling victim to scams. Some commenters reassured Ms Adelman (above) she wasn't alone in falling for online scams while others accused the businesswoman of being a 'scammer' herself for leaving fake reviews 'I think Id probably justify my way through red flags as well. These scammers are counting on our desperation,' one person wrote. 'Yep someone did this to me, got me for $80 until I realised I was being scammed,' another commented. Several website scam tools have identified FLX Australia as a possible scam site noting it was only created in the last month, despite claiming to have been founded in 2018, and its lack of social media profiles. Daily Mail Australia contacted FLX Australia and Jessica Adelman for comment. Sydneysiders were left horrified after spotting two people wheeling uncovered raw chicken through the street. The pair were seen crossing the road on the corner of Mountain Street and Broadway, in the inner-city suburb of Ultimo, in Sydney. A picture of the pair was shared to Reddit on Sunday, claiming the duo were heading to a restaurant with the haul of meat. The photo shows pieces of raw chicken thigh fillets piled in a white plastic container which is precariously sitting on a utility dolly. Juices from the raw chicken are seen spilling onto the footpath, with a stream of liquid oozing out of the corner of the container. The two restaurant workers were spotted wheeling uncovered raw chicken through Sydney's inner city suburb of Ultimo (pictured) Social media users labelled the sight 'disgusting', with many claiming the restaurant should be named and shamed. 'All the bacterial juices just oozing out of with the person carting it around. F**k that,' one person wrote. 'Disgusting they can open a restaurant and not care they will make so many people sick,' another person commented. 'If you know the restaurant, report it to the food authority. That has potential to make someone very sick,' a third person chimed. One user joked they finally found out 'how' and not 'why' the chicken crossed the road. 'Diced,' one person replied. While another wrote: 'with salmonella.' A third joked: 'Dont forget the smattering of E. coli.' Others defended the workers claiming they have seen worse food safety violations than the uncovered raw chicken. 'As someone who works in many Sydney restaurants, this is probably the least concerning food safety violation I've ever seen,' one person wrote. 'As someone that used to deliver "fresh" meat to restaurants and takeaways, this isn't even the worst thing I have seen. Not even remotely as bad,' another commented. A third added: 'As someone that has been in almost every takeaway kitchen in Adelaide, I can assure you that it's way worse than you can possibly imagine.' Food Standards Australia and New Zealand enforce strict guidelines on transporting food within a premises as well as between locations. Social media users labelled the unhygienic practice as 'disgusting' and were horrified by the liquid dripping out of the container and onto the footpath Under the Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, businesses must transport food in a way that keeps it 'safe and suitable'. Safe transport means protecting the food from contamination and, if it is potentially hazardous food, keeping it at a safe temperature. Potentially hazardous foods - which includes raw chicken - is defined as food that has to be kept at certain temperatures to minimise the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The guideline explains raw meat should be kept cold - 5C or colder - while being transported. It also suggests businesses protect food from contamination by keeping it covered at all times. Residents call for nine council wards The Peninsula Residents Association has proposed the region be divided into nine wards, including one for the Peninsula, for future Central Coast Council elections. It has asked the council to include an option for nine wards in the Council's constitutional referendum, along with the choice of 15 or nine councillors The association said it would not support a reduction in the number of wards, but may support a reduction in the number of councillors. "We would support a reduction to nine councillors with one councillor for each of nine wards, if this choice were available and the Peninsula was one of those wards," said association secretary Ms Jen Wilder. Ms Wilder said the association had submitted its proposal to Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart and Council general manager Mr David Farmer last week. The submission suggested the wards follow the council's own "social planning district" boundaries, and included a proposed map. "Many of the council's operations are conducted at this level, because it is an appropriate and manageable scale to work at. "The association supports this approach. "The proposed boundaries also reflect local communities, where residents share common interests, and council can respond to local needs." The association's map shows Peninsula, Coastal and East Brisbane Water social planning districts would each form a ward of their own. Gosford Central and West Brisbane Water social planning districts would be grouped together to form a ward, as would Wyong and Southern Lakes districts. Northern Lakes would be grouped with the San Remo-Budgewoi social planning districts. Other groupings would be Ourimbah, Narara Valley and Mountains for one ward and Gorokan, Warnervale-Wadalba and Valleys for another. "Minor shuffling of the district boundaries, particularly of East Brisbane Water, Coastal and Southern Lakes, should allow the populations to fall within the necessary 10 per cent variation required for Council wards," the submission stated. The association argued that the Peninsula deserved its own representation in Council. "The population of the Peninsula is nearly 40,000, which is more than the population of half the councils in NSW. "The Peninsula has clear physical, social, and environmental boundaries that give residents a community identity and common interests. "The Peninsula has a population and a range of other features that would normally warrant it having a council in its own right. "In this context, it is unfair and inequitable that currently the Peninsula does not have the opportunity to elect its own representative to Central Coast Council." Ms Wilder said the association made the submission because the Council's resolution to engage the NSW Electoral Commission made no reference to offering a choice of the number of Council wards. She said the resolution stated that "a constitutional referendum arrangement be entered into for the Electoral Commissioner to administer in regard to a reduction of Councillors (15 to 9)". The submission said: "No reference was made in the resolution to the referendum including the opportunity for voters to choose the number of wards for the Council. "However, Council has previously made reference to wards being included in the referendum. "We request that the referendum includes a choice of five or nine wards." Chris Christie slammed Ron DeSantis on Monday for 'playing games' with Donald Trump supporters in order to win their vote. Christie, who is challenging DeSantis, Trump and others to be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, said the Florida governor and other contenders are buying time until Trump implodes - then they would swoop in to take his supporters. 'They're playing games,' Christie said during a townhall meeting that aired on CNN. 'Look, you all need to know this. They're playing political games with you ... and then trump kind of implodes and go away: then you're more likely to vote for me.' Chris Christie, in a townhall meeting with CNN, slammed Ron DeSantis for 'playing games' with Donald Trump supporters in order to win their vote Christie has attacked DeSantis before, particularly for the Florida governor's war with Disney, saying DeSantis' actions showed he wasn't a conservative. DeSantis has given a backhanded defense to Trump in the face of his federal charges. Speaking to Republicans in North Carolina over the weekend, he drew on his experience as a Navy lawyer and mused what the Navy would have done to him had he taken classified documents: 'I would have been court-martialed in a New York minute.' He also said he didn't understand why Trump was indicted but Hillary Clinton didn't face charges over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. 'Is there a different standard for a Democrat secretary of state versus a former Republican president?' he asked. 'I think there needs to be one standard of justice in this country. Let's enforce it on everybody and make sure we all know the rules.' Christie announced last week he would seek the presidential nomination. He ran in the 2016 GOP presidential primary but he dropped out when he failed to win the New Hampshire primary. Currently he's barely polling one percent in the RealClearPolitics polling average on the 2024 Republican nomination, trailing DeSantis by more than 20 points and Trump by more than 50. Christie, the former governor of New Jersey who got his start as a federal prosecutor, came out swinging during his town hall on CNN, moderated by Anderson Cooper. He said Trump was acting out about his federal indictment because he was furious he lost to Joe Biden and he predicted the former president would face trial this winter on the 37 federal charges tied to his possession of classified documents. 'He's angry and he's vengeful,' Christie said. 'I am convinced if he goes back to the White House that the next four years will be all about him settling scores.' Ron DeSantis subtly defended Donald Trump when speaking to North Carolina's Republican convention in Greensboro Chris Christie talks to Donald Trump on the 2016 debate stage in Manchester, N.H., as Marco Rubio stands to the left Chris Christie talks to supporters at a town-hall-style event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College last week Christie, at one point, was close to Trump. He was considered for the role of White House chief of staff, which he didn't get, and, during the 2020, helped him prepare for his presidential debates with Joe Biden. Christie also predicted there would be more to come out the federal indictment against Trump. The 49-page indictment alleges Trump willfully lied to the Department of Justice, got his lawyers to go along with his scheme and even boasted about having documents he knew he shouldn't have. Of the 37 counts against Trump, 31 of them relate to secret and top secret classified documents that he kept after leaving the White House in early 2021. 'He's voluntarily putting our country though this,' he said of Trump. 'It is a very tight, very detailed, evidence-laden indictment,' Christie said. 'There will guaranteed be a lot more. When you're a prosecutor, you never put every card on the table before the trial. So, there's going to be a lot more.' Christie, who served as a U.S. Attorney from January 17, 2002, to December 1, 2008, described it as a 'speaking indictment.' 'Remember, when you're the prosecutor, you can't comment beyond what's in the four corners of that document. So, I think that [special counsel] Jack Smith understood that the person people were going to need a fulsome explanation if you're going to bring an indictment against the former president of the United States. And I think he was right,' he said. 'So, that is much more detail than you'd see in the typical indictment. But also don't be fooled. There's a lot more information to come when they go to trial, specifically, I think, there are going to be a lot of witnesses who actually worked for Donald Trump who are now going to be testifying against him,' he predicted. Christie also slammed Trump for saying the classified documents that he took with him to Mar-a-Lago were his. Under the Presidential Records Act the documents from any presidential administration are the property of the federal government. 'He's saying, I'm more important than the country. These are my papers. You saw in the indictment that his employees were scared. His boxes. His boxes. He wants his boxes near him. He flew the boxes up to new Jersey for summer vacation. What is this, like, they're a family member? Seriously, I've got to have my boxes with me,' he said. 'This is vanity run amuck, ego run amuck,' he said. He went on to say of Trump: 'He cannot live with the fact that he lost to Joe Biden. He can't live with it. And, look, I watched the way Joe Biden's performing, I'd be pretty bummed out too if I had lost to Joe Biden. But the fact is, he did. And he wants to continue to pretend he's president. He wants the trappings of the presidency around him.' New Zealand Opposition leader Chris Luxon has been caught on a hot mic describing the country as 'negative, wet and whiny'. Mr Luxon made the comments as announced his National party would give farmers more time before they must pay for agricultural emissions, a key political battleground ahead of an election four months away. 'We have become a very negative, wet and whiny, inward-looking country and we have lost the plot,' he told a farmer in Helensville, northwest of Auckland. 'We've got to get our mojo back with a lot more ambition and aspiration.' Labour has seized on the comments, with campaign chair Megan Woods launching a fundraising drive as she accused Mr Luxon of 'talking down New Zealand'. Nationals Leader Chris Luxon (pictured) has described New Zealand as 'negative, wet and whiny' Told of the remarks, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was surprised. 'Sorry, Christopher Luxon said that?' he said. 'Well, I mean, I guess it makes a change that he's running New Zealand down in New Zealand, as opposed to running the country down when he's overseas.' Mr Hipkins' response recalls a speech Mr Luxon gave to a London think tank last year when he accused Kiwi businesses of 'getting soft and looking to the government for all their answers'. Mr Luxon stood by the comments, calling them 'true' and suggesting they had been twisted. 'New Zealand is the best country on planet Earth but under Labour we've been heading in the wrong direction and lost our mojo,' he said. 'We can be so much better than this. That's why I want to get New Zealand back on track.' In recent weeks, Mr Luxon has held public meetings around the country as part of the 'Get New Zealand Back on Track' tour - a possible slogan for the October 14 election. On Monday in Helensville, National released its agricultural emissions policy to widespread support from the farming sector. Agriculture produces roughly half of NZ's emissions, including the vast majority of nitrous oxide and methane. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (pictured) said it was a 'change' for Mr Luxon that he was criticising the country while he in New Zealand, which references a speech he made to a London think tank last year Both major parties are committed to lowering agricultural emissions so NZ can meet its Paris Agreement targets of a 30 per cent emissions cut by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. However, there is major dispute on how it gets there, and how much work farmers should be asked to do. Agriculture is not included in NZ's long-running emissions trading scheme, which was started in 2008. Labour had proposed starting a world-first on-farm pricing plan in 2025, but National will delay it to 2030, arguing the sector is already a global leader. 'Farmers don't have something they can do other than taking stock off their land to get methane emissions down,' National agriculture spokesman Todd McClay told Radio NZ. 'If we force farmers to de-stock ... all that happens is New Zealand becomes poorer and production goes to countries overseas not as carbon-efficient.' National has also pledged to relax a ban on gene technologies to allow GE crops to be grown in New Zealand. A former assistant US attorney turned CNN commentator attacked the 'preposterous' amount of time it is taking to probe alleged criminal behavior by Hunter Biden. Elie Honig, who now works as senior legal analyst for CNN, said on Monday the lack of progress in five years was absurd. He says the case could have been completed in five weeks, as others claimed elements of the investigation were being slow-walked because Hunter is Joe's son. The DOJ has been investigating Joe Biden's 53-year-old son over possible violations of tax and money laundering laws, related to his business dealings in Ukraine, China and elsewhere since 2018. The department is also looking into whether he lied on a 2018 gun permit application, where he confirmed he was not taking drugs. Honig said the seemingly endless investigation was 'beyond anything' he has ever seen. Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said it was 'preposterous' that the 'five week' investigation into Hunter Biden's gun permit had taken five years Hunter Biden, now 53, declared on a 2018 gun permit application that he was not on drugs at the time 'This is preposterous,' he said. 'This has been pending, according to our reporting at CNN, since 2018 five years.' Honig said he was shocked that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, who is overseeing the inquiry, was taking so long to reach a charging decision. 'By the way, this investigation is not the laptop,' said Honig, referring to a hard drive full of embarrassing material belonging to Hunter, which has raised further questions about cash given to the first son by prestige firms. 'This investigation is a tax issue: Did Hunter Biden declare his income? And a sort of obscure gun law: Did he possess a gun while he was addicted to drugs, which you're not allowed to do under federal law, did he lie about that? 'But five years? I mean, that's a five-week investigation. And this spans the Trump administration and the Biden administration.' He added: 'Someone's got to make a call on this case. I don't know what is going on. It's beyond anything I've seen before.' Hunter Biden's lawyers are pointing to a Supreme Court decision last summer that established a broad right for American to carry firearms in public. That could be a sound legal play, but it appears at odds with the president's own view of the 6-3 ruling by the conservative-leaning court. Attorneys for Hunter Biden have sought to discourage prosecutors from bringing a gun-related charge against their client based on an alleged false statement on a 2018 form where he denied being addicted to drugs The gun ruling 'contradicts both common sense and the Constitution and should deeply trouble us all,' Biden said last year. Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas authored the opinion, and said it protects 'an individual's right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.' President Biden has repeatedly called for new gun restrictions following a spate of mass shootings, including calling for renewing the assault weapons ban. Hunter Biden's defense team, including Chris Clark, have argued that a government gun charge could get tossed on appeal in light of the high court's ruling, the New York Times reported earlier this month. The pro-gun Firearms Policy Coalition retweeted the story and flagged the Biden quote about the ruling being an affront to 'common sense.' Federal authorities began that aspect of the investigation when Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden, allegedly threw a handgun into a dumpster A 2022 Supreme Court ruling that could provide a legal opening was authored by conservative Justice Clarence Thomas U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss, a Trump appointee, is overseeing the investigation Don't take your guns to town: A Supreme Court decision last summer that established a broad right for American to carry firearms in public. Hunter had a spat with Hallie Biden, who allegedly threw his firearm into a dumpster in 2018, commencing an aspect of the current probe The FBI reportedly began looking into the .38 caliber gun after his former girlfriend Hallie Biden, the former widow of Beau Biden, allegedly tossed it into a dumpster. Angry texts about the incident were found on Hunter's infamous laptop computer. Hunter could face a potential false statements charge related to the form required for gun purchasers. His team in the past has blasted prosecutors over alleged leaks related to the case. On his 2018 form, Hunter checked 'no' when asked if he was 'an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?' He has since admitted in his autobiography that he was using drugs at the time. The prestigious Johns Hopkins University has erased the word 'women' from a newly produced 'inclusive language guide' in its definition of the term 'lesbian'. The Baltimore-based university is known for its excellence in education and research, particularly in the field of medicine and recognized as one of the top medical institutions in the world. Yet the establishment appears to fall well short when it comes to basic terminology involving the sexes in the university's LGBTQ+ glossary. The extensive glossary is filled with definitions that aim to be inclusive, reflecting an evolving understanding of gender and sexual identity. But the current definition of 'lesbian' describes it as 'a non-man attracted to non-men'. Many feminists were particularly infuriated that the word 'woman' was vanquished - while their gay male counterparts were still referred to as 'men.' Johns Hopkins University has excluded the word 'women' in the definition of 'lesbian' within its newly created inclusive language guide JHU's definition has been approved by Paula Neira, the Program Director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education at the university who is herself transgender. The glossary is emblematic of the current struggle being faced by supporters of transgender rights who none the less claim that the word 'women' is 'being erased' in favor of woke terms such as 'birthing people' and 'menstruators'. In some cases, lesbian women have also complained of being bullied and shamed if they refused to have sex with transgender women who still have penises. Johns Hopkins' new guide is likely to inflame that ongoing argument further. Supporters say the controversial terms are inclusive of transgender men and non-binary people, but critics say they effectively erase another historically-oppressed minority - women - at the expense of a tiny minority. Some organizations have reached a compromise by publishing guides using phrases like 'women and birthing people' - but Johns Hopkins has made no such concessions. Many progressives have taken to using terms including 'pregnant people,' and even 'uterus-havers.' JHU's definition has been green-lighted by Paula Neira, the Program Director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education at the university - who is herself transgender. She works within the school's Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity. Neira chairs the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity workgroup at the university. Former US Navy nurse Paula Neira was one of the nation's leading experts on transgender military service and instrumental in the repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in the military The extensive glossary is filled with definitions that aim to be inclusive, reflecting an evolving understanding of gender and sexual identity She was one of the nation's leading experts on transgender military service, instrumental in the repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in the military which allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the Armed Forces. The entire department Neira works in is overseen by Sherita Hill Golden, M.D. who has the label of Chief Diversity Officer. The entire department Neira works in is overseen by Sherita Hill Golden, M.D. (pictured) who has the label of Chief Diversity Officer Golden, who is black, has helped to implement the university's 'Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards', a system-wide policy prohibiting patient discrimination toward employees and trainees. Golden also introduced a system-wide unconscious bias and anti-racism train-the-trainer program. It has led some to accuse the university of erasing women noting how there is an absence of non-binary-inclusive language when it comes to the definition of 'gay man' - who are still referred to as 'men'. Historically, 'gay' has been used specifically for both men and women - and more broadly for all homosexual or bisexual individuals, while 'lesbian' had always been a term specific to the female gender. The current definition of 'lesbian' in the Johns Hopkins glossary explicitly acknowledges such a shift from previous definitions aiming to be inclusive of non-binary individuals who identify as lesbian. The university has since released a statement to DailyMail.com explaining how the glossary was not compiled under the auspices of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. 'The LGBTQ Glossary is a resource posted on the website of the Johns Hopkins University Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI); the definitions were not reviewed or approved by ODI leadership and the language in question has been removed pending review. Paula Neira and Sherita Golden are leaders at Johns Hopkins Medicine and have no involvement in this university matter.' Online the outrage was swift and direct: 'What is this absolute nonsense @JohnsHopkins? 'Non-men'? We are women. Stop erasing us,' wrote Amy Curtis. Neira chairs the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity workgroup at the university. She is pictured at a Capital Pride celebration in Washington, D.C. this weekend 'New progressive definition of woman just dropped: We are now 'non-men',' explained Maggie. 'Why is a lesbian a non-man but a gay person isn't a non-woman? Progressive misogyny,' suggested Arielle Scarcella. 'One of the most prestigious universities in the world reduces women to 'non-men' in pursuit of LGBTQ perfection. Now do you see why women are so angry about gender ideology. The erasure of women as a separate sex-class is it's heart,' said Susan Dalgety. 'What the actual f....? So now we're not just reduced to being body parts or bleeders or a mere subset of women, we're now 'non-men'', wrote British TV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer. The incident echoes what is a broad backlash from conservatives against LGBTQ+ rights and the increasing acceptance of queer communities in society. Several state legislatures have passed laws targeting transgender communities, particularly focusing on parental access to gender-affirming care for trans children. Influenced by a small number of far-right voices, some conservatives have also criticized companies and brands, such a Target and Bud Light, that have marketed products towards LGBTQ+ communities or that participate in Pride Month events. Johns Hopkins University definition differs from that used by other organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Online the outrage was swift and direct with critics sharing their disgust The HRC's defines lesbian as an attraction to women while including references to non-binary lesbians. The ADL's definition describes a lesbian as a woman attracted to other women without any additional qualifying sentences. Both organizations include more flexible definitions of 'gay' that encompass all gender identities, with the HRC also uses the term 'queer' as an umbrella definition. The focus on such woke definitions shows just how far Johns Hopkins University has fallen from being one of the world's most prestigious and revered scientific institutions. After publication of this story John's Hopkins contacted DailyMail.com to say the controversial guide had been taken down. The college also claimed that neither Neira or Golden were involved in creating the definition of 'lesbian'. The University would not state who was behind the new document. The university had been known for its rigorous academics, commitment to research and innovation, and its contributions to advancing knowledge and solving complex problems in a wide range of fields. In recent times, the establishment kept track of a whole host of global data relating to the the coronavirus when it came to cases, deaths and vaccinations around the world. The university helped develop the first effective treatment for sickle cell anemia in the 1940s, and ten years later was involved in developing the polio vaccine. In the late 1940s the university was the first to capture images of the Earth's curvature, from a V-2 rocket and was instrumental in developing the first supersonic ramjet engine. Johns Hopkins University had been known for its rigorous academics, commitment to research and innovation, and its contributions to advancing knowledge and solving complex problems in a wide range of fields When it comes to the field of modern neuroscience Johns Hopkins has been at the forefront of pioneering treatment and research including mapping the human genome and developing the first effective cancer immunotherapy. The university has been a pioneer of cardiac surgery - the school performed the first successful surgical repair of congenital heart defects babies. Advancements in HIV/AIDS research and treatment has also been at the forefront of work by Johns Hopkins having been actively involved since the early years of the epidemic, developing diagnostic tests for HIV and paving the way for antiretroviral therapies. But it is not just here on Earth the university's influence can be felt - the school also has displayed leadership in space exploration and astrophysics. Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory has been involved in numerous space missions and scientific discoveries including the development of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which provided the first close-up images of Pluto and its moons and even helped to land the first spacecraft on an asteroid. Katy Gallagher has refused to reveal whether she was provided a full transcript of Brittany Higgins' interview with The Project prior to its release after being asked point-blank in the Senate. The finance minister argues that doing so would breach the confidence of a vulnerable young woman who confided in her about claims she'd been sexually assaulted in Parliament House. But Senator Gallagher did confirm during Question Time on Tuesday that it was Ms Higgins' boyfriend David Sharaz who first alerted her to the allegations - asking her to 'keep the information confidential'. The revelation came during a grilling by Liberal senators, hours after she formally denied misleading parliament in a statement delivered in the Senate. Ms Gallagher was asked about the apparent contradiction between her telling a Senate estimates hearing in 2021 that she had no prior knowledge of the accusations, to her now acknowledging she was aware of them before they became public. 'I came into... the information through the partner of the young woman who was going to raise those allegations,' Ms Gallagher said on Tuesday. 'It was asked of me to keep that information confidential, and I did.' Ms Gallagher was hit with four questions about the matter in a fiery session. The president of the Senate was forced to ask for 'respectful silence' as senators shouted accusations at each other across the chamber. Ms Gallagher said she did not want to breach Ms Higgins' confidence by discussing her knowledge of the matter, adding: 'If you confide in anybody, seek help from anybody... that information can be placed on the public record. 'The issues the Opposition are having is that someone might have actually acted with some decency or integrity in here.' Katy Gallagher (right) has refused to reveal whether David Sharaz (left) provided her with a full transcript of Brittany Higgins' interview with The Project prior to its release Mr Sharaz boasted of informing Ms Gallagher of the circumstances in leaked texts to his now-fiancee on February 11, 2021. Ms Gallagher cannot remember exact dates she had conversations with Mr Sharaz or Ms Higgins, but acknowledged it was in the week prior to the allegations being made public. During Senate Estimates in June 2021, Ms Gallagher was quizzed by then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who said: 'I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before.' In response, Ms Gallagher said: 'No one had any knowledge. How dare you.' She has maintained those comments do not constitute misleading parliament, even though she now admits she did have prior knowledge of the allegations. 'I was not involved in any way with the story that went to air on the night, or reported online that morning. I was in no way involved with the timing in which this story was published or aired,' she said on Tuesday. 'Any allegations or assertion that I did is wrong and I reject it in the strongest possible terms.' Senator Reynolds watched on, stony-faced, during Ms Gallagher's Senate speech. Ms Gallagher said today women across the nation who had been considering coming forward with any allegations had been sent a clear warning. 'I fear the message for this for women who want to come forward is "watch out",' she said. 'I'm not going to stand for that.' She also argued it was not unusual for women to confide in her about injustices, harassment and abuse, insisting she treated Ms Higgins' allegations no differently to any other. 'It happens all the time in this job,' she said. 'I can guarantee you, as I have done in absolutely every case of a woman coming to me and saying they had been sexually assaulted, harassed or subjected to violence - as often happens in this country, more than we would like - I have ensured they've been made aware of all options available.' Pictured: Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz Senator Linda Reynolds looked stern-faced during Ms Gallagher's speech Senator Gallagher has faced a barrage of criticism in the weeks since the accused, Bruce Lehrmann, did an interview with Channel Seven earlier this month. In the days that followed, leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged suggesting the pair strategised how to use their contacts with senior Labor figures to make her experiences a public issue. In an impassioned speech on Tuesday morning, Ms Gallagher said the attention on what she did or didn't do with the information is a distraction from the key issues. 'Those who owed Ms Higgins a direct duty of care had known of this for almost two years, and did nothing to make changes or improve culture and safety in the workplace where this incident had occurred,' she said. 'We must not lose perspective on what matters here. 'At the heart of this whole story sits the wellbeing or otherwise of a young woman who came forward and made allegations on her own terms, a woman who bravely stood up and spoke out on her own terms.' Gallagher hit back at her critics over her handling of Higgins' sexual assault allegations with a fiery message, arguing women across the nation have been sent a clear warning to 'watch out' Senator Reynolds was joined by Michaelia Cash in the Senate ahead of Senator Gallagher's speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong listened intently to the statement Ms Gallagher said Ms Higgins felt 'significantly let down' by her employer - the former Coalition government - in the months after she made a complaint. 'At a time when she needed their support the most, she should have been dealt with as a human being, not a problem that needed managing,' she said. 'The response shouldn't have been calculated by the political needs of the Coalition government; it should have been met with compassion and support, and it wasn't.' Her comments come after Daily Mail Australia revealed Ms Gallagher was invited to Mr Sharaz' wedding to his ex-wife Alexandra Craig in 2018. She did not attend, but the invitation appeared to stem from a friendship that sparked nine years ago, when Mr Sharaz worked for WIN News Canberra in 2014. On February 11, 2021, four days before Ms Higgins' allegations became public, Mr Sharaz sent a text to his girlfriend claiming to have met with Ms Gallagher to keep her in the loop about the story which was due to break. 'I hope that's okay,' Mr Sharaz wrote. 'She's not doing anything with it. But I'm also happy to step out and let her talk to you if you want. 'Basically, I wanted her to get all the context because it's so complicated. She's currently reading your interview and has gone silent.' In another text he added: 'Katy Gallagher messaged me. She's angry and wants to help. She's got the context. She says they knew something was wrong because they fired Bruce and not you. They avoided a scandal.' The following day, Mr Sharaz passed on Ms Higgins' mobile number to Ms Gallagher to allow them to talk directly ahead of Ms Higgins' explosive TV interview. David Sharaz is pictured with his ex-wife Alexandra Craig. They got married in 2018 and invited Katy Gallagher to the wedding In the days that followed, leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged suggesting the pair contemplated strategising with Sen. Gallagher when she was in opposition Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his minister at every turn, saying today that she had been transparent and any suggestion she misled parliament was 'absurd'. 'It's a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,' he told ABC Radio. 'And indeed, according to Senator [Linda] Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katy Gallagher said, "yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand". 'So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time since 2021, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.' Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by former colleague Mr Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019, a claim he has always denied. A criminal trial was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins' mental health. The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution. Jill Biden came out swinging at Donald Trump on Monday night even as her husband Joe Biden has repeatedly refused to comment on the criminal case against the former president. But, in her first solo campaign event since President Biden announced his bid for a second term in the White House, Jill didn't hold back. Speaking to Democratic donors at the Upper East Side home of Barry Ginsburg and his wife Merle in Manhattan, the first lady criticized Trump's supporters for backing the former president through his federal indictment. 'They don't care about the indictment. So that's a little shocking, I think,' she said, according to wire reporters who attended the event. 'They don't care about the indictment. So that's a little shocking, I think,' Jill Biden told Democratic donors - above the first lady at an event earlier Monday In contrast, President Biden has refused to comment on the situation. 'I have no comment at all,' President Biden told reporters repeatedly in North Carolina on Friday. Jill Biden was with him on that trip and saw his refusal to answer questions on the matter. And it wasn't the only harsh language from the first lady. She let loose in her pitch to Democrats who are donating millions to her husband's re-election bid, describing apocalyptic-type conditions the GOP would bring to the country if they were in power. She charged MAGA Republicans would bring 'chaos and corruption, hatred and division' to the nation and warned that 'We cannot go back to those dark days' when Trump was in the White House. Trump, meanwhile, arrived in Miami where he's due in federal court on Tuesday on 37 charges related to his possession of classified documents. Donald Trump arrived in Miami on Monday where he faces federal indictment; he must appear in court on Tuesday on charges related to his possession of classified documents The 49-page indictment alleges that the former president wilfully lied to the Department of Justice, got his lawyers to go along with his scheme and even boasted about having documents he knew he shouldn't have. Of the 37 counts against Trump, 31 of them relate to secret and top secret classified documents that he kept after leaving the White House in early 2021. Jill Biden is on a massive, three-day fundraising trip that will take her to the wealthy neighborhoods in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles as she helps the Biden campaign stuff its coffers ahead of the end of the second quarter fundraising deadline in June. The first lady is on a mission to persuade donors who have expressed skepticism that at 80, Joe Biden has the strength and the stamina for a second term. Speaking to 50 donors at an apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, she told them to 'think about where we were three years ago.' She didn't name Trump but referred to his habit during his White House years of firing off policies via Twitter. 'We know what's in store with the MAGA Republicans. We just know it, right? We know because we've lived it. We've seen it,' she said. 'We know what it's like to see U.S. policy tweeted out in late-night tweet-storms.' President Joe Biden gave a 'no comment' when peppered with questions about former President Donald Trump's federal indictment during a community college tour in North Carolina Friday The Biden campaign hasn't released its fundraising totals yet but will have to on June 30th when financial reports are due to the Federal Election Commission. President Biden will do his own campaign swing next week when he heads out to California to beg for dollars for his war chest. He'll also make a stop in Chicago, the hometown of former President Barack Obama. Ivanka Trump has shared a series of stunning photos to mark her daughter's Bat Mitzvah - with Donald and Melania holding a special dinner for the 11-year-old. Arabella Rose Kushner beamed from ear to ear during her religious coming-of-age celebration, as she posed for photos with her parents Jared and Ivanka, as well as her brothers, uncles, and aunts. Ivanka, 41, wore a stunning embellished $5,025 Jenny Packham dress for the occasion - which is the same design that Princess Catherine of Wales wore to a James Bond premier in London in 2021. The mom-of-three wrote on Instagram: 'With an abundance of love and immense pride, Jared and I celebrated our daughter Arabellas Bat Mitzvah this past weekend.' Ivanka Trump has shared a series of stunning photos to mark her daughter's Bat Mitzvah. Jared and Ivanka are pictured with their children Arabella, Joseph, and Theodore While there were no photos of Donald Trump at the celebrations this weekend, Ivanka posted that the former president and his wife Melania hosted a special birthday celebration for Arabella a few weeks prior 'We reflect on the weekend with full hearts and an abundance of joy and gratitude,' Ivanka added. 'From her commitment to feeding hungry families through the Jewish Community Service Kosher Food Bank to supporting children with special needs through her work volunteering with the Friendship Circle and Whispering Manes, Arabella's giving heart and commitment to making a positive impact embodies the spirit of this special milestone. 'We couldn't be prouder of the extraordinary young woman she has become. 'Her kindness, creativity, humor, empathy and passion have filled our lives with so much joy and inspiration. 'May her Bat Mitzvah be the beginning of a beautiful and fulfilling chapter in her life.' The series of photos, taken by Munoz Photography, showed Arabella with her two younger brothers, Joseph and Theodore. Ivanka also shared images of her daughter dancing, as well as one of her being lifted on a chair by a crowd of people during the celebrations. Ivanka converted to Judaism in 2009 before marrying her husband, Jared. A family photo also showed the Trump children - including Eric, Donald Jr and Tiffany with their partners - smiling with Arabella, who gleamed in a glitzy number for her special day. Ivanka also shared images of her daughter dancing, as well as one of her being lifted on a chair by a crowd of people during the celebrations. Ivanka converted to Judaism in 2009 before marrying her husband, Jared Donald Trump with his granddaughter Arabella a few weeks before her Bat Mitzvah celebrations. He threw a dinner for her birthday The young girl smiled from ear to ear in her glitzy gown, ready for her celebrations Arabella, 11, on her Bat Mitzvah. She is Jewish, like her mother and father Ivanka shared an image of the five of them at the intimate gathering, which took place at Mar-a-Lago Ivanka's gown was a turquoise version of a gold Jenny Packham dress Princess Kate wore to the premiere of James Bond movie No Time to Die in London in September 2021 While there were no photos of Donald Trump at the celebrations this weekend, Ivanka posted that the former president and his wife Melania hosted a special birthday celebration for Arabella a few weeks earlier. She wrote: 'Thank you dad and Melania for throwing Arabella the sweetest birthday dinner at Mar-a-Lago a few weeks ago in advance of her Bat Mitzvah! It was very special. We love you both so much!' Donald Trump posed with his grandchild, flashing his signature thumbs up, while Melania dotingly placed her hand on Arabella's shoulder. She is not Arabella's grandmother by blood, but by marriage. Ivanka shared another image of the five of them at the intimate gathering, which took place at Mar-a-Lago. Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr Trump pose with their spouses at the special occasion - with Arabella in the middle with her parents Ivanka and Jared shared a sweet moment during their daughter's celebrations The series of photos showed Arabella with her two younger brothers, Joseph and Theodore Ivanka wrote: 'May her Bat Mitzvah be the beginning of a beautiful and fulfilling chapter in her life' This comes after the Department of Justice unveiled 37 counts against Donald Trump in his classified documents case on Friday. Extraordinary photos revealed in the damning filing lay out claims Trump valet Walt Nauta walked into a storage room and found 'Five Eyes' intelligence files on allies including the United Kingdom and Australia spilled on the floor. Of the 37 charges, 31 counts are of Willful Retention of National Defense Information under the Espionage Act. He will appear in a Miami court on Tuesday afternoon and has already said he will plead not guilty. Actor Treat Williams has died at the age of 71 after crashing his motorcycle into an oncoming car near his Vermont home. The Golden Globe-nominated actor was thrown from his bike after smashing into the vehicle as it turned left into a parking lot by Long Trail Auto near Dorset on Monday. 'Williams was unable to avoid a collision,' police said in a release which named the Honda driver as 35-year-old Ryan Koss. The driver has not been arrested but an investigation remains ongoing. Williams - who was wearing a helmet - 'suffered critical injuries' and was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center in New York where he was pronounced dead. The actor, best known for his roles in Everwood and Hair, was enjoying his weekend mowing the lawn at his $1million Vermont home just hours before the tragedy. He was married to actress Pam Van Sant, and together they had two children, Gille and Ellie - and often shared his idyllic country life for his fans on social media. Actor Treat Williams has died at the age of 71 after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Williams, best known for his roles in Everwood and Hair, was enjoying his weekend mowing the lawn at his $1million Vermont home just hours before the tragedy Vermont State Police have not made any arrests following the crash, which occurred on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto near Dorset In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the film Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical This is believed to be Treat Williams' final photo, taken four weeks before his death In a social media post from just seven hours ago, Williams shared a snap of his land with the caption: 'Mowing today. Wish I could bottle the scent' DailyMail.com has contacted Koss for comment. The collision occurred at 4.53pm on Monday as Williams was riding his 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle. Koss of Pownal, Vermont, was driving a 2008 Honda Element and had signaled before he turned left across the oncoming lane towards the parking lot. 'Initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams. Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle,' the cops said. Koss had minor injuries from the crash. Police confirmed no one had been arrested as of Monday night, but an investigation is ongoing. Following the tragic news, Barry McPherson, his agent, told People: 'He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.' 'He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s. 'He was really proud of his performance this year. He's been so happy with the work that I got him. 'He's had a balanced career.' Williams' family said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident. 'As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. 'It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him. Treat Williams with his wife Pam Van Sant and his two kids Gille and Ellie in 2008 Treat Williams in Prince Of The City. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance Treat Williams (centre) plays Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood - a neurosurgeon who breaks down after his wife's death and relocates from New York to Colorado Treat Williams is pictured in 1981 and 1988. He earned two Golden Globe nominations during his career The actor, who died at the age of 71, often posted images of his Vermont home online Williams was known for sharing glimpses into his idyllic rural life in Vermont with his fans on Twitter One of Williams' Twitter posts including his tractor in the foreground and his stunning $1million country home in the background 'We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers.' Police in Vermont confirmed on Monday: 'The Vermont State Police is investigating a crash between an SUV and a motorcycle Monday afternoon, June 12, 2023, in Dorset in which the operator of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. 'The motorcyclist is identified as Richard Treat Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, Vermont. 'The crash occurred at about 4:53 p.m. Monday on Vermont Route 30 just north of Morse Hill Road when a southbound 2008 Honda Element driven by Ryan M. Koss, 35, of Pownal, Vermont, attempted to turn left into a parking lot. 'Initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams. 'Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead. 'Koss was checked by medical personnel at the scene for minor injuries and was not transported to a hospital. 'The investigation into this crash is in its early stages. A member of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was on scene Monday evening, and team members will return to the location of the collision Tuesday, June 13, to continue processing the scene.' Treat Williams in a yearbook photo in 1969 when he was a senior at Kent School in Connecticut Treat Williams (right) pictured in the Kent School yearbook, acting in The Apollo of Bellac Williams was also in the school's baseball team (pictured center) Treat Williams was born in Rowayton, Connecticut, in 1951 and kickstarted his professional acting career in his 20s, after graduating from Franklin and Marshall College. Williams shot to fame after his debut role in the thriller Deadly Hero in 1975. He also performed in 1976's The Ritz and The Eagle Has Landed. In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the film Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical. It was the role which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year - and two years later, he got his second nomination for his acting in Prince of The City. He also played Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood - and he received two SAG Award nominations for his work on the show. In a social media post from just seven hours ago, Williams shared a snap of his land with the caption: 'Mowing today. Wish I could bottle the scent.' And two hours before the news of his death came to light, he recorded himself mowing the ground, writing: 'What a real Vermonter does.' Williams enjoyed a successful decades-long career, performing in TV shows like Steven Spielberg's 1941, and Prince of the City. He was also in Blue Bloods and Chesapeake Shores. Williams had over 120 credits across television, movies, and theater. A local mayor has claimed the disappearance of a speech pathologist who helped children in need was completely 'preventable'. Wendy Richardson, 68, vanished after her six-metre long boat capsized while travelling between Badu Island and Mabuiag Island, in Queensland, on Thursday. Emergency services launched a search and rescue mission before suspending their effort four days later on Monday. Ms Richardson offered 'vulnerable people' in the remote islands assistance with spoken and written communication in her business Better Communication Clinics. Torres Strait Island Regional Council mayor Phillemon Mosby said the tragedy could have been avoided if flights between the island had not been suspended. Wendy Richardson, 68 (left), disappeared after her six-metre long boat capsized while travelling between Badu Island and Mabuiag Island, in Queensland, on Thursday Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) had stopped commercial flights to Mabuiag Island in November meaning Ms Richardson was forced to travel on a boat. 'What happened was a preventable thing because of the cut to the (flight) service that was there,' Mr Mosby told Cairns Post. 'Safety regulations need to be balanced by consideration for safe travel between islands for our residents.' CASA imposed tough restrictions on regional airline Skytrans operating in the area because of concerns about Mabuiag Island's 450 metre runway. Skytrans was only allowed to restart operations if the payload on the aircraft was reduced or the runway was lengthened. Mr Mosby said Ms Richardson provided an 'essential' service to islanders and her loss had hit locals hard. He 'strongly' believes CASA's restrictions on Skytrans to land at Mabuiag were unnecessary. Skytrans CEO Alan Milne said CASA's restrictions made the route unviable. On Tuesday Mr Milne told Daily Mail Australia the airline had finished a series of flights proving landing at Mabuaig was safe 'today'. 'The results will be submitted to CASA for their review and then hopefully their approval for us to resume services,' he said. Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, whose patch includes the Torres Strait islands, said CASA's ruling on Mabuiag should have been reviewed 'immediately' after it was made. He claimed the disappearance of Ms Richardson, and the fact that locals had been stranded on their islands, was a 'consequence' of CASA's decision. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was able to locate and rescue two others who were on the same boat south-east of Mabuiag Island (pictured), but failed to find Ms Richardson Mr Entsch, who is a personal friend of Ms Richardson, said he was 'deeply saddened' for her family. CASA confirmed to Daily Mail Australia in a statement that it was 'working closely with Skytrans' on test flights which are intended to see services to Mabuiag resume. 'We know how important air services are in the region and we are committed to working with operators and the airports to ensure flights can resume safely as soon as possible,' CASA said in a statement. 'Every CASA decision is made with the safety of passengers in mind.' 'We are reviewing options in the context of the unique environment in the Torres Strait Islands against international safety criteria for passenger transport and to find a safe solution.' CASA added it was 'aware of the recent accident involving a dinghy and our thoughts are with the family of the missing woman.' Ms Richardson is the only person missing from the vessel with two others onboard located and picked up by a rescue helicopter. Witnesses said Ms Richardson was not wearing a lifejacket at the time and that she was last seen swimming towards a large coral reef after the vessel flipped. Her sister Julie Ryan has been left devastated and is coming to terms with the prospect of never seeing her sibling again after the search was called off. Police investigating the bus crash that killed 10 wedding guests and injured 25 are seeking information about a mystery car seen tailing the bus in CCTV footage moments before the tragedy. The plea for help in identifying the unknown car comes as more details emerge about how trapped survivors were freed from the mangled wreckage. The chilling CCTV vision shows the bus speeding past a service station in the dark about 11.30pm on Sunday with the car seen closely behind. Two kilometres later, bus driver Brett Andrew Button, 58, lost control of the vehicle that was carrying 35 wedding guests and it tipped over and crashing into a guard rail. A police spokesperson said on Tuesday the incident was still considered a single-vehicle crash, but acknowledged the possibility of a second vehicle being involved. 'From everything we've found so far, this is a tragic but single-vehicle crash,' NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia. In a black hooded top and clutching a Coles bag, bus driver Brett Andrew Button (pictured) leaves Cessnock Police Station and walks towards the media pack on Tuesday 'But we are following up all lines of enquiries into the bus crash.' 'We are urging anyone with information, security and dash cam footage to come forward.' Investigators have not confirmed whether the driver of the second vehicle has come forward with any information about what happened leading up to the crash. The bus rolled at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off ramp at Greta, in the Hunter Region. It was about 17 minutes into the journey from the Wandin Estate wedding venue to the guests' accommodation in nearby Singleton. Button has been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of negligent driving occasioning death. Emergency services, including ambulance, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, police and Highway Patrol rushed to the site, and were met with horrifying scenes. Aerial footage from the site where 10 people died and more than 20 were hospitalised after a bus carrying wedding guests crashed in the NSW Hunter Valley First responders were forced to smash the front windscreen and use airbags to elevate the bus to free survivors. Several people remained trapped in the wreckage, with some suffering traumatic injuries including severed limbs. 'One of the surviving passengers was trapped beneath the bus,' Alix Merrick, the deputy captain of Branxton Fire and Rescue, told ABC's 7.30 show. 'We made the decision to use our high-pressure airbags and we lifted the bus up approximately 10inches (25cm) and stabilised the bus on either end to allow safe access to it. 'We accessed the patient with assistance from ambulance services, carried him out the back of the bus, back into a triage area that was being set up, Mr Merrick said. He said the scale of the tragedy was unprecedented and confronting even for hardened emergency workers. 'I mean the sheer size of it for these guys to walk into is not what we're used to,' he said. 'You can see a thousand car crashes and it's not going to prepare you for that.' Passengers had attended the wedding of Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney (pictured) Bride's desperate act after learning of horror bus crash Madeleine Edsell had just tied the knot on what was supposed to have been the best day of her life when she learned a bus carrying 35 passengers from her wedding had crashed. The crash, which took place 17 minutes after the bus left the venue, resulted in the deaths of 10 wedding guests, while 21 were taken to hospital. Unaware of the scale of the tragedy - but clear the situation was bleak - the desperate bride rushed to a car because she wanted to drive to the crash site. 'The bride was pretty much kicking down the door trying to get in the car,' Ms Edsell's cousin Kynan Stanford told 7News. '(She said) 'Get me there, I need to go,' and we were like, 'No, you don't need to go.'' Newlywed bride Madeleine Edsell (right) reportedly kicked a car door as she raced to get to the bus crash site, but family told her it was best for her not to go Advertisement Up to 30 ambulance crews raced to the scene, with the first arriving within seven minutes of the crash. At one point in the early hours of Monday, five helicopters were dispatched to airlift victims to hospital, although it is believed not all were eventually required. A number of patients have been treated and discharged, while others continue to receive care for their injuries. 'Patients were transferred to hospitals across the Hunter region and Sydney during the emergency response,' a NSW Health spokesperson said. 'One patient is in a critical but stable condition and eight patients are in a stable condition at John Hunter Hospital.' Daily Mail Australia understands passengers screamed at Button to slow down during the ride from the wedding venue. Passengers claim they recall the driver allegedly telling them over the microphone minutes into the trip: 'If you think that was fast... watch this.' There were tense scenes outside court on Tuesday as the bus driver's family and supporters pushed past reporters. Button has been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of negligent driving occasioning death. A male relative shoved a cameraman as supporters including Button's wife, daughter and two sons left the building. He made a brief appearance before Cessnock Local Court, where Magistrate Robyn Richardson imposed strict bail conditions. 'It is clear to this court that he suffers, along with his community,' Ms Richardson said as Button visibly shook and began weeping. Magistrate Richardson also granted an interim suppression order preventing the publication of Button's address, which was unopposed by the prosecution. The police prosecutor had 'strongly opposed' bail, on the grounds there was a risk he would fail to appear and that he might interfere with the ongoing police investigation. There were chaotic scenes outside court as Button's family and supporters pushed past reporters after letting out a collective and audible sigh of relief when bail was granted The prosecutor said police expected as many as 15 further charges of causing grievous bodily harm could be added, given the passengers' injuries. Button will appear before Newcastle Local Court on August 9 for a committal mention. Magistrate Richardson told the court Button's mental health had also suffered as a result of the incident and subsequent charges, with the matter unlikely to go to trial until 2024. He was seen leaving Cessnock Police Station wearing a black hoodie and carrying a Coles shopping bag without so much as a scratch. Singleton, a town of 16,000 people situated on the banks of the Hunter River, is believed to be home for many guests at the wedding, including the newlyweds Mitchel Gaffney and Maddy Edsell. Investigators will soon conduct a mechanical examination of the bus, after it was removed from the roundabout following Sunday's crash. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. A transgender actress and model raised eyebrows on Saturday by baring her breasts on the lawn of the White House at an event to celebrate Pride. Rose Montoya, 27, was among hundreds invited to the White House for the festivities where she met the president and first lady - before unhooking her dress and cupping her bare breasts on the South Lawn. 'Are we topless at the White House?!' the person recording the clip says, as Montoya moves her hands up and down while grinning. Montoya shared an Instagram montage of the day with her 103,000 followers on Monday, and was seen dancing to the DJ and striking poses in front of landmarks such as the Washington monument and the Truman balcony of the White House. Montoya is also seen meeting Jill Biden, and trying to take a selfie with the president - with the camera mistakenly on video, rather than photo. During her encounter with President Biden, she also said: 'Trans rights are human rights.' Rose Montoya, 27, on Monday attended a Pride party at the White House, and posed topless Montoya is seen with Joe Biden, and declaring: 'Trans rights are human rights' She captioned the video: 'I had the honor of attending White House Pride, the largest one in history where the Pride flag flew for the first time. 'This is trans joy. We're here at the White House unapologetically trans, queer, and brown.' When Montoya's topless video went viral, she pointed out that being topless in public was not illegal in Washington DC. She published a second video, declaring: 'Free the nipple!' The Idaho-born model, who began transitioning in 2015, films herself meeting her hosts. 'Hi, Mr President!' she says, on greeting Joe Biden. 'Hi, how are you?' he replies. She says: 'It is an honor. Trans rights are human rights.' In another part of the clip, Jill Biden tell the crowd: 'You are loved, you are beautiful, you are heard, you belong.' Joe Biden declares them to be 'some of the bravest and most inspiring people I have ever known.' The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the Pride flag between two American flags. But Twitter users were quick to criticize Biden, arguing the American flag should be in the center of any display featuring multiple national flags or pennants, according to the US Flag Code. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton tweeted: 'To advance revolutionary transgender agenda targeting children, Biden violates basic tenet of US Flag Code and disrespects every American service member buried under its colors.' He then cited the US Flag Code, which reads: 'The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.' Dr. Roger Marshall tweeted that the display 'is a disgrace.' 'This is a disgrace. Not only is it in breach of US Flag Code, but it's a glaring example of this White Houses' incompetence and insistence on putting their social agenda ahead of patriotism,' he wrote. The Idaho-born model is also seen with Jill Biden, and dancing with the trans flag President Joe Biden and his administration are being slammed online for US Flag Code violation after displaying a rainbow-colored Pride flag between two American flags on the White House The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the display An attendee uses a rainbow flag to stay cool during a Pride Month celebration event at the White House in Washington, DC, on Saturday Montoya has been open about her September 2020 breast augmentation, November 2020 trachea shave - to remove an Adam's Apple, and March 2021 genioplasty, which makes the chin more feminine. Montoya has not undergone bottom surgery. After her final surgery, Montoya went viral after she denounced airport checks, calling them insensitive and inappropriate. Montoya was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles when she was stopped at security after the full-body scanner detected an 'anomaly' between her legs. 'Can we talk about how horrible it is to travel while being transgender sometimes? I always have immense anxiety leading up to going through security,' the Hispanic model explained in her viral TikTok, which has been viewed 19 million times. 'And this means that I totally recognize the privilege of having all of my documents correct,' she continued. 'So, the gender marker on my license, for example, says female. 'But, going through the scanner, there's a male scanner and a female scanner in the TSA checkpoint.' Montoya opened up about the humiliation she faced at airport security when she was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles in March 2021 When a traveler enters the scanner, a TSA officer presses a button designating a gender, either male or female, based on the traveler's appearance, according to the TSA website. The system doesn't account for transgender people, which makes traveling difficult and sometimes traumatic for members of the trans community. 'Looking at me, you know, I look like a woman and I am a woman. So, that's great. I love having systemic privilege when I feel unsafe, which is in an airport,' Montoya continued. 'But, going through the scanner, I always have an 'anomaly' between my legs that sets off the alarm.' Montoya, who has more than 481,000 TikTok followers, has been using her platform to educate others about the difficulties trans people face. 'Being pulled over by the police or traveling is terrifying for many of us because of our documentation not being accurate,' she explained in a follow-up video. 'This is a large problem because there is a lot of gatekeeping. 'It's very difficult sometimes to change your documents,' she noted. 'Many states require you to have surgery, which is also difficult to access in the first place. Most states don't allow non-binary people to have a genderless marker on their identification documents.' Montoya said the state of Idaho, where she was born, still won't let her change her birth certificate, but all of her other legal documents have been changed to reflect she is female. Montoya said she felt misgendered and disrespected at the airport, insisting that 'TSA needs to remove the gender settings from their scanners' Montoya said TSA should believe her when she tells them she is a trans woman and doesn't want to be pat down by or a man or scanned as one 'So while my legal documents are changed, I truly hope that transgender people will be able to change their documents more easily in the future,' she said. Montoya revealed in another video that she had an easier time flying back home because she used a 'Tuck Kit' to tape her groin, allowing her to go through the TSA scanner without setting it off. Many people asked her what TSA can do better, and she pointed out that the problem is systemic. 'There is transphobia rooted into every system of power in this nation, so the root solution is to simply believe transgender people when they tell you who they are,' she said. 'TSA needs to remove the gender settings from their scanners, and they should also believe me when I tell them that I'm a trans woman and that I don't want to be pat down by a man or scanned as a man because I'm not one.' New documents have revealed Brittany Higgins' explanation for why the date of a key photograph of a bruise on her leg did not match the timeline of her rape claims against Bruce Lehrmann. The papers, released by an ACT government Board of Inquiry into the police and prosecution handling of the case, also reveal Ms Higgins spoke to her then-boyfriend David Sharaz about deleting several files from her phone, which police warned her 'looks deceitful'. Ms Higgins said those files were the audio of conversations she had recorded 'for personal records' and she 'didn't know if this was ok'. Ms Higgins had shared with police a photograph showing an apparent large bruise on her thigh, which she said was caused by Lehrmann pinning her down as he allegedly raped her in the office of their defence minister boss Linda Reynolds. In a legally binding statutory declaration made five days before her explosive interview with Lisa Wilkinson on The Project, Ms Higgins said the picture had been taken on April 3, 2019, 11 days after the alleged attack on March 23. But digital forensic experts said there was no evidence of it existing on her phone until just a few weeks before the rape allegations went to air in February 2021, almost two years later, and there was no previous mention of it in her text messages. Now, new documents reveal Ms Higgins told police it was actually a screenshot copy of a picture which she had stored on WhatsApp. Brittany Higgins is pictured during her interview on The Project in February 2021, when she first went public with her allegations against Bruce Lehrmann This photo of a bruise on Ms Higgins' leg was aired on The Project in February 2021. Mr Lehrmann claimed the image was 'fabricated' or 'a bruise from much later' The original was lost when the app was later deleted from her phone, along with other files. Mr Lehrmann, who strenuously denies all the allegations against him, branded the photograph a 'fabrication' in his interview with Seven's Spotlight earlier this month. He added: 'That's the only explanation - that it was fabricated or it's a bruise from much later.' At Mr Lehrmann's rape trial, Ms Higgins denied she had faked the evidence and told the ACT Supreme Court: 'I'm not a monster.' Now, her explanation to police has been revealed in the notes of her support person, Victim of Crimes Commissioner Heidi Yates, which have been published as part of the ACT Board of Inquiry into the investigation and prosecution of Mr Lehrmann. Mr Lehrmann's trial was abandoned in October because of juror misconduct and all charges dropped completely in December over concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. COURT GRILLING OVER PHOTOGRAPH During Bruce Lehrmann's trial, his defence barrister Steven Whybrow asked Ms Higgins why she didn't mention the photo to police. He told the court the photo didn't come up until police did 'extractions' of her phones in January 2021. 'In those extractions there is no reference to this bruise before January 2021,' he put to Ms Higgins. She replied: 'I don't think I sent it to anyone. I sent to to [News Corp journalist] Samantha Maiden and Lisa Wilkinson... but until I was making a police complaint, why would I send that around?' Mr Whybrow: 'I put to you that the bruises and injury you sustained is a fabrication.' Ms Higgins replied: 'I reject that completely.' Mr Whybrow said: 'You did what you thought was necessary to have people believe you had been [sexually assaulted].' Ms Higgins replied: 'I'm not a monster. I would never do something like that.' Advertisement The documents reveal Ms Higgins told AFP Detective Superintendent Scott Moller and Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman that she had stored the original in a message to herself on WhatsApp. But the picture sent to The Project was actually a screenshot of the original, which was lost when the app was wiped from her phone and she got a new phone. 'I took it to send to myself via WhatsApp during budget week 2019,' she told police when they questioned her over the timing of the picture, Ms Yates' notes revealed. 'Police have screenshot dated 19 Jan 2021. Was when BH sent to The Project.' Ms Yates noted detectives wanted to know when the original photograph was taken and whether it would still be on her previous phone she had used at the time. But, according to Ms Yates' notes, Ms Higgins 'confirmed that WhatsApp had been wiped (she wasn't the one who did this). No longer has original picture.' In her statutory declaration, Ms Higgins said she took the photo of her bruised thigh on April 3, 2019, 11 days after the alleged assault. Ms Higgins' statutory declaration was certified on the Gold Coast by a Brisbane Justice of the Peace, with Ms Higgins initialling the document in two places and signing her name at the bottom. The statement said: 'The photograph at annexure B shows the bruise on my leg that was caused by Bruce Lehrmann during the rape and sexual assault that occurred in Minister Reynolds' office on March 22-23, 2019. 'I took the photograph with my iPhone at annexure B on April 3, 2019.' Anyone who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory declaration can face up to four years in jail. Ms Higgins said in the statutory declaration she did not lie or misrepresent the truth at any stage of the interview. In the interview with police, Ms Higgins said the original was no longer available but she did have some photos on Google Drive 'connected to iCloud'. She said police should be able to access via iCloud but police were 'unclear' how to do this, according to Ms Yates' notes. During the meeting, Ms Higgins was said to have logged into her Google Drive and showed them photos of drinks on a table taken on the afternoon before the alleged rape. Ms Yates noted that Ms Higgins would be 'happy to share direct access to Google Drive'. The notes also revealed police quizzing Ms Higgins on a message to her partner David Sharaz telling him she was 'clearing out my phone ahead of giving to police'. Police grilled her on why she sent the message to Mr Sharaz and said it 'looks deceitful', according to the notes. Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) broke his silence in a TV interview two years after Brittany Higgins accused him of raping her in Parliament House. He denies the allegation Pictured: A statutory declaration Ms Higgins signed on February 10, 2021, claiming the bruise photo was taken 11 days after the alleged assault Ms Yates says Ms Higgins told police she was 'getting rid of audio', according to the notes. She said she had recorded some conversations for 'personal records' and appeared concerned about the legality of the recordings, say the documents. The noted added Ms Higgins 'didn't know if this was ok. Didn't want to leave them on her phone.' Ms Yates' notes say DS Moller replied: 'I understand why you wouldn't trust the system.' Ms Higgins also told police she had 'purged a lot of emails' from Mr Lehrmann in the wake of the alleged rape as she wanted to 'purge him from her life'. She said they may still be available from her Gmail trash and the detectives said they would get their digital team on the case. Ms Yates said she was later given Ms Higgins' old phone which she personally then immediately handed over to the detectives, according to the notes. Ms Higgins has not publicly commented on Mr Lehrmann's interview, but her fiance David Sharaz retweeted a post the morning afterwards condemning the TV piece. It read: 'No woman in her right mind would face what Miss Higgins has gone through for any reason other than peace of mind. 'No amount of money would be worth the nightmare of reporting [allegations of] rape.' A helicopter 'mishap' has left 22 US servicemen injured - including 10 who have been moved to high care facilities - in north east Syria despite no enemy fire being reported. US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement today, adding that the cause of the accident over the weekend was under investigation. The military statement said the service members involved in the 'mishap' were receiving treatment and 10 were moved to 'higher care facilities' outside the region. However, there has been no indication of the severity of the injuries. 'A helicopter mishap in northeastern Syria resulted in the injuries of various degrees of 22 U.S. service members,' it said. 'No enemy fire was reported.' A helicopter 'mishap' has left 22 US servicemen injured - including 10 who have been moved to high care facilities - in north east Syria despite no enemy fire being reported. Pictured: American military convoy patrol in Hassakeh, Syria, on Feb. 8, 2022 CENTCOM issued a statement today, adding that the cause of the accident over the weekend was under investigation. General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla (pictured), CENTCOM Commander A spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment. There are at least 900 US forces in Syria on average, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. US special operations forces also move in and out of the country, but are usually in small teams and are not included in the official count. US forces have been stationed in Syria since 2015 to advise and assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the militant Islamic State group. Since the extremist group was defeated in Syria in March 2019, US troops have been trying to prevent any comeback by IS, which swept through Iraq and Syria in 2014, taking control of large swaths of territory. Despite efforts to prevent any comeback, IS sleeper cells remain a threat. There are also about 10,000 IS fighters held in detention facilities in Syria and tens of thousands of their family members living in two refugee camps in the country's northeast. A map of carnage: The top ISIS leaders killed in surgical strikes by a US-led task group operating across Syria. Since the start of 2023, at least four senior commanders have been killed. And since 2019, the terror group has lost three of its heads, including its brutal founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who blew himself up during a raid carried out by US special forces in 2019 On April 17, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which partners with the US in anti-IS operations in northeast Syria, launched an operation from the Kharab Ishk base near the Turkish border and carried the raid out in Al Suwaydah. Nearby, in Killi, a US drone strike killed an ISIS leader on April 3 Over the past years, US troops have been subjected to attacks carried out by IS members and Iran-backed fighters there. In late March, a drone attack on a US base killed a contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor. In retaliation, US fighter jets struck several locations around the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, which borders Iraq. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the time that the strikes were a response to the drone attack as well as a series of recent attacks against US-led coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with Irans Revolutionary Guard. In a related development, Syrian Kurdish-led authorities announced Saturday that hundreds of IS fighters held in prisons around the region will be put on trial after their home countries refused to repatriate them. In April, the US military announced a drone strike in Syria had killed a senior ISIS leader in charge of planning attacks in Europe. CENTCOM confirmed the operation took out Khalid 'Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri - which it said would 'temporarily disrupt the organization's ability to plot external attacks.' The terrorist was responsible for planning attacks into Europe and developing the leadership structure for ISIS, the US Department of Defense command said. Weeks later, the US military said it had killed three and arrested one in a helicopter raid targeting senior ISIS leaders. Air Passenger Rights founder Gabor Lukacs said he agrees and believes the issue could be considered a matter of 'human rights' Chaney - who is a size 6XL - started a Change.org petition demanding changes benefiting obese and overweight flyers has received 17,000 signatures Jaelynn Chaney believes airlines should give overweight passengers extra seats on a plane for free and that current policies are 'discriminatory' A plus-size influencer is doubling down on her demand that airlines scrap their 'discriminatory' policies and give overweight passengers extra seats for free, as one expert suggested it was her human right to get what she wants. Jaelynn Chaney made headlines when she called for the FAA to offer 'an extra free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size' to obese flyers. Chaney, of Vancouver in Washington, conceded other passengers may have to foot the bill through increased fares. In a new interview with CNN Travel, Chaney - who is a size 6XL - maintained that airline policies are 'discriminatory' and that it's unfair they have to pay more than thinner people. 'People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,' Chaney said. 'And we have to pay two fares, even though we're getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.' Air Passenger Rights founder Gabor Lukacs told CNN he agrees and that it is a matter of human rights for these passengers of a certain weight. 'So through that lens of human rights, I don't see any justification for charging these people a double fare,' Lukacs said. He suggested that Chaney should get free seats to spread herself out, because airlines do not apply discounts to slim passengers or children who take up less space and help the plane consume less fuel and thus save money. Jaelynn Chaney, a travel and lifestyle creator, is demanding the FAA to 'protect' plus-sized travelers and make it more 'comfortable and accessible for everyone' 'People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,' Chaney (pictured) said in an interview with CNN. 'And we have to pay two fares, even though we're getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging' Lukacs asserted that he believes the issue has bigger implications since 'being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe,' he said. The passenger rights advocate stated that he believes there is a 'lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-sized people,' that impacts the issue. 'But it's not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they're going to be a large person,' Lukacs told CNN. Air Passenger Rights founder Gabor Lukacs (pictured) told CNN Travel he agrees and that it is a matter of human rights for these passengers of a certain weight He added that using 'immutable characteristics' being used to assess additional fees for passengers is a 'slippery slope' for airlines. Chaney agreed and said that she believes other overweight flyers are not asking for anything more than the same treatment a person with a smaller body gets. Her Change.org petition suggests otherwise as it asks the airlines to accommodate the larger customers who may 'encroach onto another passenger's space.' The influencer said that at the 'bare minimum,' the FAA should issue guidance that helps plus-size passengers navigate their travel plans. 'We need the policies to be a little bit more standardized,' Chaney said. She also wants airlines to be forced to refund overweight passengers for any extra seats they're forced to purchase when booking to accommodate their size. She said her fiance was 'subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them, amounting to discrimination' on one of his flights, while she was forced to squeeze into a seat without removable armrests that caused bruising Chaney's Change.org petition demanding changes benefiting obese and overweight flyers has received 17,000 signatures as of June 13 Chaney said that as a plus-size influencer, the situation is hugely personal to her and is her motivation for working toward the changes. 'As plus-size travelers, my partner and I have unfortunately experienced discrimination and discomfort while flying,' she wrote in her petition. In the interview with CNN, she said that she has always dealt with the issue of being overweight on a plane and acknowledged that planes are not made for larger guests 'I kind of knew that planes were not built for people like me by the time I was 12,' she said of her time flying as a child. 'There's so many different things, obstacles, that are in the way,' she said, discussing the physical and emotional issues - including biases against overweight flyers. 'During a flight from Pasco to Denver, my fiance was subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them, amounting to discrimination,' she said at the time. 'Similarly, on another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises,' she wrote. Chaney has widely documented her struggles flying, from showing her and her boyfriend being tightly packed into seats to showing what some passengers have said to her, including asking her if she bought two seats. In the interview with CNN, she said that she has always dealt with the issue of being overweight on a plane and acknowledged that planes are not made for larger guests In April, Chaney admitted that if she were to get her way, ticket prices for all customers would have to rise to cover her demands. She also said the 'government may have a role to play in funding or incentivizing these policies, as part of its responsibility to promote accessible and equitable transportation for all citizens.' 'In the end, the question of who will pay for these policies should not be a barrier to taking action,' she told Fox earlier this year. 'Implementing policies to accommodate plus-size passengers may come with associated costs, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits of creating a more welcoming and inclusive travel experience,' she said. A university professor has been called out for making an 'abhorrent' tweet comparing the media coverage of a fatal bus crash with those dying from Covid. Ten people were killed when the bus they were on rolled at a roundabout in the NSW Hunter Valley at 11.30pm on Sunday. Those on board had attended the wedding of Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney in the the Wandin Valley Estate, with another 25 who were on the bus suffering injuries, including two who are in critical conditions. Professor Deborah Lupton, from UNSW's Centre for Social Research in Health, responded to a tweet that questioned why NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hadn't commented on a recent surge in Covid-related deaths, but had spoken of the bus tragedy. 'You know what else is a disgrace? The MSM (mainstream media) eagerly leaping on the 'tragic wedding crash' clickbait story while ignoring the continuing COVID deaths each week,' she wrote. 'Unless the driver was impaired by COVID - he's been arrested for driving on a safe, well lit road.' Professor Deborah Lupton, from UNSW's Centre for Social Research in Health questioned why those dying with Covid were not given the same media coverage as those killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash Prof Lupton responded to a tweet that questioned why NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hadn't commented on a recent surge in Covid-related deaths, but had spoken of the bus tragedy Social media users were quick to condemn Prof Lupton's comments, with one suggesting she delete it. 'What an abhorrent tweet,' one person replied. 'Deb, this tweet is a bit disgusting really. Not everything is COVID, maybe take that into account the next time you tweet about horrific incidents that have impacted so so many people, stay in your lane,' said another. 'It wasn't well lit, it was extremely foggy,' one comment read. Others meanwhile defended the professor and said it was sad those dying with the virus were not given as much media attention as those involved in fatal accidents. Prof Lupton regularly shares research and statistics on Covid infections and deaths. In one tweet, she reposted a thread of 'hard cold facts' on the virus that the media 'are not reporting or misreporting'. The professor acknowledged the tragedy of the bus crash and said it needed to be reported on, but said the 'real outrage' was the 'silence around continuing Covid deaths in Australia'. 'Another issue is we get Chris Minns and Prime Minster Anthony Albanese appropriately expressing concern about deaths in tragedies such as this bus crash but they remain silent on the continuing tragedy of Covid deaths,' she said. Prof Lupton declined to comment further when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. In the week up to June 8, 81 people with Covid died in NSW. Ten people were killed when the bus they were on rolled at a roundabout in the NSW Hunter Valley at 11.30pm on Sunday Bus driver Brett Andrew Button, 58, has been charged with 11 offences, including ten counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, over the tragic crash The total number of virus-related deaths in the state is more than 7,100. Bus driver Brett Andrew Button, 58, has been charged with 11 offences, including ten counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, following the crash on Sunday. He was granted conditional bail on Tuesday. Survivors claimed Button made a chilling boast to the 35 passengers on board just moments before he allegedly lost control of the vehicle. Button allegedly said 'if you think that was fast... watch this' over the vehicle's internal microphone before the bus rolled near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, 183km north of Sydney. As of Tuesday morning, 14 people remain in hospital. Seven of the dead are understood to be from the nearby town of Singleton. They include Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen, mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride and Kyah's boyfriend Kane Symons. Married couple Andrew and Lynan Scott, from Singleton, also died in the crash. They appear to have two children. Angus Craig from Queensland and Zachary Bray from Byron Bay are also among those who lost their lives, as is Darcy Bulman from Victoria. Red fire ants are on the march in Australia with experts calling for the vicious and deadly pest to be eradicated before they claim further territory. The South American species, which was introduced to Australia in 2011, has been found west of the Great Dividing Range of mountains in central Queensland for the first time - with ants found north of the central city of Toowoomba. Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said two nests had been found and destroyed in the small town of Kleinton, which sits 16km away from Toowoomba. Mr Furner said 180 properties had been scoured for signs of the invader and further surveillance was being conducted. After being first detected in Australia at the Port of Brisbane in 2011 the fire ant has already spread to Ipswich, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Lockyer Valley areas After being first detected in Australia at the Port of Brisbane in 2011 the fire ant has already spread to Ipswich, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Lockyer Valley areas but was thought to be contained to south-east Queensland. National Fire Ant Eradication Program's general manager Graeme Dudgeon said the ants had likely been carried west in soil or mulch. 'Toowoomba is certainly a long way away from where the fire ants were on the other side of the range,' Mr Dudgeon told the ABC. The Invasive Species Council expressed concern that the ant had busted out of the containment zone designed to keep them cornered in south-east Queensland. 'We've seen a couple of containment breaches just in the last week on the north side of Brisbane, on the Gold Coast and now in Toowoomba,' the council's Reece Pianta said. The council has called for an extra $300million per year to eradicate the ant. 'The door is closing, the window of opportunity to eradicate fire ants is almost up, so we need urgent action on this right now,' Mr Pianta said. 'Fire ants will probably be worse, in terms of their impacts, on Australia than cane toads. 'They are a very aggressive, invasive species they [can be] lethal to humans and many animals, including farm animals and wildlife. 'They will have a pretty dramatic impact on Australia.' 'Fire ants will probably be worse, in terms of their impacts, on Australia than cane toads' Mr Furner said even with containment efforts the ants were still spreading at a rate of around four to five kilometres a year and this needed to be stopped or else they would be permanent invaders. The Invasive Species Council website warns the ants 'can wipe out entire native ecosystems, turning bustling bushland silent'. 'We have one shot at stopping red fire ants from taking over the country and the time for governments to urgently eradicate fire ant outbreaks is now.' The website warns without serious attempts at eradication the ants will 'spread to every corner of Australia. Our way of life will be changed forever'. The site points to the effect the ants have had on the US since being introduced into Alabama in the 1930s. 'They are an economic and environmental pest, responsible for killing people in the southern half of the United States where they are a prolific invasive species,' the website states. 'They severely impact natural habitats, parks and sporting fields, farms, and livestock. 'As well as being an environmental and health hazard, they cost US industry and agriculture a shocking $7billion a year and if left unchecked, fire ants would have similar impacts in Australia.' The council states that 30% to 60% of people living in red fire ant-infested areas are stung each year. 'The stings are painful, hence their name fire ants,' the website says. 'The alkaloid venom causes pustules and, in some people, allergic reactions.' A mother-of-three jailed for illegally procuring her own abortion outside the legal limit had posted on Facebook hours earlier that 'no one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through'. Carla Foster, 44, who lived in the Staffordshire village of Barlaston, lied about how advanced her pregnancy was in order to obtain abortion-causing drugs. She was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service under the 'pills by post' scheme. The scheme, which was introduced during the Covid pandemic, allows medication to be supplied after a remote consultation for pregnancies of up to ten weeks. Foster already had three sons - one of whom has special needs - before she became pregnant again in 2019. She had moved back in with her estranged partner when lockdown began, while carrying another man's baby. Despite a plea for leniency from medical bodies and charities which wrote to the judge, she was jailed for two years and four months at Stoke Crown Court yesterday. Mr Justice Pepperall said she was 'plagued by nightmares and flashbacks to seeing your dead child's face' and accepted she was a 'good mother' to her three children. Today, the case sparked a major row involving abortion providers, MPs and pro-life campaigners - amid calls for Parliament to consider overhauling 'out-of-date' laws, and others highlighting 'inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion'. Hours before the sentencing, at about 3am yesterday, Foster posted a text image on Facebook which said: 'No one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through. They may have heard stories, but they didn't feel what you felt.' Foster also posted a text image on Sunday evening around 7pm, saying: 'Life has knocked me down a few times, it showed me things I never wanted to see. I experienced sadness and failures. But one thing for sure, I always get up.' Most abortions in England are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can only be carried out after 24 weeks in very specific circumstances such as if the mother's life is at risk or if the child would have a severe disability when born. Carla Foster lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to obtain abortion-causing drugs Foster posted this message on Facebook at 3am yesterday, just hours before she was jailed Foster posted this message on Facebook at 7pm on Sunday, the day before her sentencing The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant. How mother was prosecuted under 1861 law on 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' Carla Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' - and this was accepted by the prosecution. The law states as follows: 'Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for life' Advertisement She carried out internet searches from February 2020 onwards that included 'How to lose a baby at six months'. In April she searched for 'I need to have an abortion but I'm past 24 weeks'. She spoke to a nurse practitioner at BPAS on May 6, 2020, leading the nurse to believe that she was around seven weeks pregnant. Her child, a girl, was born, not breathing, on May 11, 2020. A post mortem examination recorded cause of death as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. But she later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, judge Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if 'the letter had not been written at all'. He said: 'The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence.' But, following the sentencing, Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes said Parliament must consider overhauling the 'out-of-date' law used to jail Foster. Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday Ms Nokes, who is chairman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, joined women's rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation. What are the rules on abortions in England? Most abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can only be carried out after 24 weeks in very specific circumstances such as if the mother's life is at risk or if the child would have a severe disability when born. Most abortion services ask to perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of their last period. There are two methods of having an abortion in England. One is a medical abortion, or the 'abortion pill', which sees the woman take two medicines, usually 24 to 48 hours apart, to induce an abortion. The other is the 'surgical abortion' which sees a woman have a procedure to remove the pregnancy and normally go home soon afterwards. Advertisement She told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme yesterday: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' This morning, senior MP Dame Diana Johnson urged ministers to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions. The chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is not in the public interest to see a mother with three children now in prison for 28 months.' Discussing existing abortion laws, the Labour MP added: 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. 'There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal also argued it was not in the public interest to prosecute the mother-of-three. Citing public feeling towards laws restricting abortions and her mitigating factors, he told Radio 4's Today programme: 'Had I been involved, had I been doing this particular case, I would not have prosecuted it. 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now. And I think that's one of the things I would have factored in, in relation to this particular case.' Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 Centre for Women's Justice director Harriet Wistrich questioned how the prosecution was in the public interest. Reaction to sentencing of Carla Foster for inducing late abortion 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way.' Dame Diana Johnson, Labour MP and Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date.' Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP and Commons Women and Equalities Committee chairman 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' Stella Creasy, Labour MP 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent.' Clare Murphy, British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health.' Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International UK women's human rights programme director 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' Harriet Wistrich, Centre for Women's Justice director 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now' Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman 'BPAS is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom' Catherine Robinson, Right To Life UK spokesman 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion' Andrea Williams, Christian Concern chief executive 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Society for the Protection of Unborn Children spokesman 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Emily Hawkins, communications director of Alliance of Pro-Life Students 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' Judge Mr Justice Pepperall Advertisement 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' she said. 'She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. 'When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to women's basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system.' And Labour MP Stella Creasy tweeted: 'This case reveals bitter truth contrary to what some claim. Abortion is not legal in England - and you can be prosecuted for having one. 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' She also told the BBC's Newsnight programme: 'I don't understand in whose interests this case was.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister and director of the campaign group Right to Equality, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Abortion needs to be decriminalised. It needs be treated like any other healthcare procedure, just like in Canada. We don't have other procedures, for example, that are criminalised in this way. 'I don't think that it's the case that any woman at any time of pregnancy should be able to access reproductive healthcare. But it should be left to the professionals, to medical experts, to decide whether that termination should be carried out or not. Just like, as I say, any other healthcare procedure.' She continued: 'I feel absolute compassion for what this poor woman has had to go through. She is a victim, she is not a criminal. When you're in desperate circumstances like this woman was, you will take sometimes any step you possibly can to access an abortion or procure a miscarriage to the extent that some women are even Googling and looking up how to abort that pregnancy through physical means. That's going back to the 1960s when women used coat hangers to try and induce an abortion.' British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Clare Murphy called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. She said: 'We are shocked and appalled by the decision to sentence a mother-of-three to 28 months in prison for using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent. 'Just this week, a police force contacted BPAS to request the medical records of a woman who is being investigated for allegedly attempting to end their own pregnancy. 'Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the numbers of women and girls facing the trauma of lengthy police investigations and threatened with up to life imprisonment under our archaic abortion law. 'On Saturday, BPAS, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Fawcett Society, and many others will be taking to the streets in London to demand legislative reform. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. 'In 2020, MPs in Westminster amended the law in Northern Ireland to remove the threat of criminal sanction for any woman who attempted to end their own pregnancy. 'MPs must extend the same protection so that no more women in these desperate circumstances in the UK are ever threatened with prison again.' But Catherine Robinson, spokesman for the pro-life charity Right To Life UK, said: 'The abortion provider BPAS should never have sent abortion pills to this vulnerable woman when her baby was at 32 weeks gestation that's around eight months. 'Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom.' Mr Justice Pepperall criticised the medical establishment for sending a letter to the court And Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, told MailOnline today: 'At Christian Concern, we warned over and over about the dangerous pills by post abortion policies and how easy it would be to procure pills illegally. 'Our mystery client survey showed that this was possible and now we are seeing the tragic consequences of the lax policy BPAS campaigned so hard for. Judge criticises medical groups for sending letter to court Sentencing Foster, Mr Justice Pepperall criticised the medical establishment for sending a letter to the court urging leniency, saying it could be seen as 'special pleading'. Judge Pepperall said: 'I consider it may have been better if the letter had not been sent at all.' He said the letter had the 'capacity to be even a special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortion'. The judge said it would have been 'no less appropriate' than to hear from an organisation wishing to uphold stricter rules. 'My duty as a judge is to uphold the law as it stands,' he went on. 'I do not accept that imprisonment in this case would deter women and girls from seeking abortion within 24 weeks. 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' You can read the judge's full sentencing remarks by clicking here, which will take you to the relevant page of the Judiciary website Advertisement 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion. 'Now a child has died and the mother lives with the terrible consequences. This should never have happened and would never have happened without the abortion industry's pet policies. 'The Government should urgently turn back the clock and end this disastrous policy of cheap, convenient, pills by post abortions.' Emily Hawkins, communications director for the Alliance of Pro-Life Students, told MailOnline: 'It's outrageous that BPAS is not under more scrutiny for failing Carla and her child so badly. The pills by post scheme, which BPAS lobbied for, is clearly failing women. 'There were no checks for gestational age, no in-person appointments, nothing at all to safeguard Carla - who was clearly distressed in her pregnancy. 'We know that taking these pills beyond the recommended ten-week period increases the danger for the woman who takes the pill, as well as harming her unborn child. Due to BPAS' lack of care towards Carla, she now is living with the guilt of what she has done, and having 'nightmares and flashbacks to [her] dead child's face'. 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said: 'Abortion providers and pro-abortion politicians who are outraged at a case being taken for taking abortions pills "beyond the ten week limit" are not mentioning that we are talking about the tragic death of a fully viable baby of eight months.' They added: 'The real fault in this tragedy lies strongly with abortion providers who pushed for dangerous home abortions, and are now using this case to push for abortion up to birth. The needless tragedy of this death and its consequences should shame abortion giants like BPAS. 'They make business from the "DIY Abortion" policy which recklessly permits the distribution of deadly abortion drugs to be sent in the post. Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was 'complex and traumatic', but said it has a duty to ensure laws are 'properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions'. Foster did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was 'embarrassed' and did not know how far along she was, the court was told. She spoke to a nurse practitioner at BPAS, an abortion care service, on May 6, 2020, and, based on her answers to questions about her pregnancy, it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant and she was sent abortion pills in the post. Days later, on May 11, 2020, having taken the pills, a 999 call was made at 6.39pm saying the defendant was in labour. Her child was born during the course of the phone call, prosecutors told the court. The baby was not breathing and despite resuscitation attempts by paramedics, who arrived at the scene at about 7pm, she was pronounced dead at hospital around 45 minutes later. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation when born. The mother was jailed for two years and four months at Stoke Crown Court Prosecuting, barrister Robert Price said: 'She lied to BPAS about how pregnant she was so they sent the tablets to her. She said she had not seen a doctor about her pregnancy because she was embarrassed. 'While the baby was not full term, she was approaching that stage of development. Multiple and prolonged internet searches showed a level of planning. Previous case: Sarah Louise Catt was jailed for eight years in 2012 for aborting her own baby in the final phase of her pregnancy 'The taking of the drugs was a planned and deliberate act in which her intention could only have been to procure an abortion.' Defending Foster, Barry White said Covid lockdowns had changed the way healthcare and advice services were operating to minimise face-to-face contact. He told the court: 'The restrictions placed on services to advise women may explain why there were so many internet searches for information on behalf of the defendant. 'We can never really know or imagine the turmoil she would have been experiencing at the time. 'The defendant may well have made use of services had they been available at the time. This will haunt her forever.' Mr Justice Pepperall acknowledged it is an emotive case and said it was made more 'tragic' because the defendant did not plead guilty earlier, adding that he may have been able to consider suspending the jail sentence if she had. He said Foster, who was given a 28-month extended sentence, will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. He added: 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman, asked if Rishi Sunak is confident that criminalising abortion in some circumstances remains the right approach, told reporters: 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' READ MORE - 2013 - Married mother who aborted her baby two days before it was due following workplace affair has eight-year sentence reduced Advertisement Simon Myerson KC, barrister at St Pauls Chambers in Leeds, pointed out that the judge made reference to Sarah Louise Catt, a woman jailed for eight years in September 2012 for aborting her own baby in the final phase of her pregnancy. Catt, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, took a drug when she was full term at 39 weeks pregnant to cause an early delivery. In June 2013, she had her sentence reduced to three-and-a-half years. Mr Myerson referred to general sentencing guidance which states: 'For offenders on the cusp of custody, imprisonment should not be imposed where there would be an impact on dependants which would make a custodial sentence disproportionate to achieving the aims of sentencing.' And he tweeted in a long thread: 'Carla Foster was on the cusp - the judge said an earlier plea would have enabled him to suspend. On the guidance she met every criteria for a suspended sentence, and none for an immediate custodial sentence, except for length. 'The length was arrived at by stating that an earlier case - plainly more serious - would now be considered too lenient. 'I doubt that myself, but it's an odd thing to say unless that was a view expressed generally. It isn't. These offences are extremely rare. I wonder, therefore, if the judge consulted anyone else.' He also said: 'This is so marginal a decision that the failure to ask what purpose is achieved by an immediate custodial sentence is one I find genuinely worrying. 'As far as anyone can tell from the sentencing remarks, the answer is nothing but the immediate detriment of the living children, the impact on whom is not addressed in the smallest detail, even though the courts generally recognise that sentencing women to custody is far more detrimental to children than sentencing men to custody. 'Instinctively it feels wrong to me, but I've done this thread because I can't see the answers to specific questions from the public remarks.' Anthony Albanese has been accused of using a tricky answer in Parliament to avoid disclosing when he knew about Brittany Higgins' rape allegations. The Albanese government is facing fierce scrutiny over when senior Labor figures knew about Ms Higgin's claims she was raped by fellow Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann and whether they used those allegations as a political weapon. The Prime Minister, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher have all fiercely denied colluding with Ms Higgins while they were in Opposition to damage Scott Morrison's Coalition government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was left frustrated when Mr Albanese thwarted his attempt to keep pressing the issue during Monday's Question Time in the House of Representatives. 'My question is to the Prime Minister,' Mr Dutton said. 'When did the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's office become aware of allegations concerning sexual assault as broadcast by the Project in 2021?' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of giving a tricky answer to a question about when he knew of the Brittany Higgins' rape allegations Mr Albanese seized on the question as a chance to target former prime minister Scott Morrison, who led the Coalition when the alleged incident occurred and up until Ms Higgins made her claims public with media interviews. 'The Leader of the Opposition asked the question about when did the Prime Minister's office know about this and indeed that is the question, when did the Prime Minister's office know?' Mr Albanese said as the chamber grew increasingly noisy. 'There was, of course, an inquiry into what the Prime Minister's office knew and when and who was told, and we still have never seen the Gaetjens Inquiry. We still have never seen the Gaetjens inquiry.' In August 2021 top public servant Phil Gaetjens suspended his inquiry into the handling of Ms Higgins' rape accusation pending Mr Lehrmann's criminal trial. That trial was abandoned last October after a jury member was found to be doing independent research, which is not allowed. The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold later announced there would not be a second trial due to concerns over Ms Higgins' mental health. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured right front) was left frustrated after seeing his question ruled 'line ball' in parliament Mr Lehrmann has always strongly asserted his innocence over the incident, which was alleged to have occurred in the early hours of March 23, 2019 in the office of Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds, who was defence minister at the time. In parliament on Monday, Mr Albanese expressed his surprise that Mr Dutton had asked about 'when the Prime Minister's Office knew'. Mr Albanese said that Mr Morrison's office had been informed about the matter by Mr Dutton himself, who as Minister for Home Affairs was head of the Australian Federal Police at the time. As the chamber continued to erupt in MPs shouting over each other, the Speaker asked the prime minister to sit while Mr Dutton questioned the relevance of the answer. 'This is a tricky answer,' Mr Dutton said. 'The Prime Minister was asked a question. I asked with respect to your office, I framed it in that way, Mr Speaker. 'If he wants to play these silly juvenile games, the Australian public...' Leaked texts have shown Ms Higgins and her partner wargamed which Labor members would be best to ask questions in parliament At this point Speaker Milton Dick had to again quell a shouting match. Government Leader of the House Tony Burke made the point that according to Parliament's standing orders Mr Albanese was 'simply' answering the question that was asked about 'the Prime Minister's office'. 'What the Leader of the Opposition is embarrassed about is he couldn't work out how to get a question in order,' Mr Burke said. Coalition Manager of Opposition Business Paul Fletcher made a point of order in response. 'The question from the Leader of the Opposition clearly referred to the Prime Minister,' Mr Fletcher said. 'That's the Prime Minister of the day, this man (Mr Albanese) sitting here. 'He (Mr Albanese) knows what to answer - all kinds of sneakiness and trickiness does not get around what is and what he is supposed to be answering.' The Speaker sided with Mr Burke and noted Parliament's regulations state 'ministers or Prime Ministers cannot be asked about their former role or a private member before coming a minister'. Mr Dick said the question originally asked of Mr Albanese was 'line ball in terms of what the Prime Minister is responsible for' and said he would listen carefully to the full answer to make sure it was relevant. Leaked texts between Ms Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz reveal the couple plotted to enlist the help of key political figures and 'favoured' reporters to push the line that her allegations had been 'covered up' by the government. Just two weeks before the accusation of sexual assault was aired on The Project in February 2021, Mr Sharaz asked host Lisa Wilkinson if she knew any 'friendly MPs' who could lob questions at the then-Liberal government during question time. 'Oh, certainly Albo,' Ms Wilkinson said in response, adding: 'Tanya Plibersek, definitely.' Mr Sharaz told Ms Wilkinson and network producer Angus Llewellyn: 'I have a friend in Labor, Katy Gallagher on the Labor side, who will probe and continue it going. 'So sitting week, the story comes out, they have to answer questions at Question Time, it's a mess for them.' Senator Gallagher has been forced to deny misleading parliament after telling a Senate estimates hearing in June 2021 that 'no one had any knowledge' of Higgins' allegation before it was aired. In Parliament on Monday Senator Gallagher said she had been 'provided with information in the days before the allegations were first reported'. However, she insists she 'did nothing with that information. Absolutely nothing. I was asked to keep it to myself and I did.' 'I was not involved in any way with the story that went to air on the night [of 15 February 2021] or was reported online that morning. 'Any allegation or assertion that I did is wrong and I reject it in the strongest possible terms.' Senator Gallagher has also vehemently denied having any role in green-lighting the estimated $3million compensation payout to Ms Higgins that was signed off by the government in December last year. Parents agreed to vacate in exchange for $950,000 The 55 investors defrauded by late conwoman Melissa Caddick are set to get some of their money back with the sale of her parent's apartment. Caddick's parents, Barbara and Ted Grimley, have been living in an apartment in Sydney's eastern suburbs since 2017. The Edgecliff apartment was bought for $2.25million in Caddick's name, with some money stolen from her parents. The multimillion-dollar apartment is set to be listed after a bitter fight between investors and Caddick's parents. Melissa Caddick's Edgecliff apartment is set to be sold (pictured, apartment complex) The apartment was bought in Caddick's name with some money stolen from her parents Caddick's parents fought in the Federal Court to retain the Edgecliff apartment after paying more than $1m towards its purchase. However, the pair agreed to surrender their claim to the property and vacate the apartment in exchange for the hefty sum of $950,000. In the Federal Court on June 5, court-appointed receivers finalised the offer to pay Caddick's parents. The funds from the sale of the apartment will then be distributed between Caddick's 55 defrauded investors, according to a schedule devised by the receivers. Caddick left behind a substantial cache of assets including designer jewellery, luxury cars, and two multimillion-dollar properties with views of the Sydney Harbour. Investors have so far secured $9.8million from her Dover Heights house, $884,000 from jewellery and artworks, and $361,000 from the sale of cars. Caddick's parents Barbara and Ted Grimley (pictured) have been living in the property since 2017 and agreed to vacate the apartment in exchange for $950,000 This week, the Australian Taxation Office will also return $1million in taxes Caddick paid. The fraudster had paid the tax sum to create the appearance her financial scheme was operating legitimately. Bruce Gleeson from accountants Jones Partners, the appointed liquidators of Caddick's company Maliver Pty Ltd, said the firm have not finalised its position on recovering assets from her fictitious share portfolio. 'Our focus to date has been on realising material assets in both the receivership and liquidation of the Melissa Caddick matter,' Bruce Gleeson told The Daily Telegraph. 'We have not finalised our position on commencing potential recovery actions against investors who were repaid their initial investment and the profit from the fictitious share portfolio during the time that Caddick operated the Ponzi scheme.' Caddick vanished in November 2020, a day after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission raided her Dover Heights home in connection with her alleged financial scam. The 49-year-old has not been seen since she left her Dover Heights mansion without her phone, wallet or keys on November 12. A coronial inquest last month determined Caddick (pictured with husband Anthony Koletti) had died after vanishing from her Dover Heights home in November 2020. Caddick is believed to have stolen at least $23m from 55 investors while presenting herself as a financial adviser She was declared dead four months after her disappearance in February, 2021 when a decaying foot was found on a beach 400km south of Sydney. Since her disappearance, Jones Partners were tasked with unravelling Caddick's scam and identifying the amount she stole from unsuspecting investors. She is believed to have stolen at least $23m from more than 50 investors while fraudulently presenting herself as a financial adviser. A coronial inquest found last month that the conwoman had died but it could not determine the date, cause, or location of her death. Prince Harry has turned up to support US veterans at the Warrior Games in San Diego in his first public appearance since his phone-hacking trial in the UK. The Duke of Sussex was seen grinning and chatting as he cheered on servicemen and women competing in events similar to his own Invictus Games. The royal spoke animatedly to families, volunteers and staff - and was obviously cracking jokes to those sitting around him at the event in southern California. Later he looked relaxed as he posed with veteran gold medal winners from the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Teams from the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and SOCOM have been competing in sports including archery, cycling, golf, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. Harry is a self-confessed rugby fanatic. It is the first time Harry has been seen in public since he returned from London where he gave evidence at the High Court in his phone-hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers. He was the first royal to testify in court for more than a century - and returned to Montecito on Friday. The Duke of Sussex was seen grinning and chatting as he cheered on servicemen and women competing in events similar to his own Invictus Games. Harry was laughing and joking with people in the crowd with him Harry spoke animatedly to families and was obviously cracking jokes to those sat around him at the event in southern California Prince Harry with the gold medallist SOCOM team at Warrior Games in San Diego Harry has long been a supporter of veterans' charities Harry's own Invictus Games, which he set up in 2014, takes place in Dusseldorf in September. The event provides an opportunity for those who have suffered illness or injury during or as a result of their service to compete in a sporting events against other nations. But earlier this year the charity event's organisers were urged to distance themselves from Prince Harry after his insensitive Taliban revelations in Spare. Renowned publicist Lynne Franks said the Duke of Sussexs decision to share that he killed 25 soldiers while serving in Afghanistan made him look a complete idiot. Harrys claims, including that he regarded Taliban fighters as chess pieces during operations, prompted anger from the Armed Forces community who accused the duke of bad etiquette. Ben McBean, the former Royal Marine and friend of the prince, said such comments were unwise. Others said Harry had put people at risk. His appearance in San Diego came as the Department of Homeland Security has until today to respond to a legal claim to make Harry's US visa paperwork public because it may show he lied about his drug use. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games in the Netherlands in 2022 Harrys claims included that he saw Taliban fighters as chess pieces and revealing how many he killed The claims were aired at the US District Court in Washington last week, 3,000 miles away from the High Court in London where he gave evidence hours earlier in the trial he has brought against the Daily Mirrors publisher. The case relates to the Duke of Sussexs US visa application in March 2020, which could show he ticked the no box on questions about his drug use. Harry has admitted to using cocaine, marijuana and hallucinogens in his best-selling memoir Spare and his Netflix TV series. If Harry is found to have lied on his visa forms then he could be removed from the US. The allegations were made by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, which is seeking the release of the documents from the Department of Homeland Security under Americas Freedom of Information law. Samuel Dewey, the lead lawyer for the Heritage Foundation, said the case could take months. The next stage would be arguing whether or not the documents themselves should be released. Prince Harry, 38, poses for a picture with Tiktoker and flight attendant Holden Pattern, which was shared online on Friday The Duke of Sussex, 38, outside the High Court where he gave evidence last week Mr Dewey criticised the frankly frivolous anti-transparency position of President Joe Bidens administration. In court filings the Heritage Foundation focused on two questions on the DS160 visa application form. The first asks: Have you ever been a drug abuser or addict? The second asks: Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances? The Heritage Foundation, one of the most influential conservative think-tanks in Washington, argues that Harrys admissions about his drug use meant he should have ticked yes. The Freedom of Information (FoI) application was filed by Nile Gardiner, director of the foundations Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom. The US Department of Homeland Security initially rejected the FoI as, due to the personal nature of the information, it required Harrys permission and he had not given it. Immigration experts have said that Harrys admissions could lead to him being denied entry into the US by any border agent. During last Tuesday's hour-long hearing, Judge Carl Nicholas gave the Department of Homeland Security a week to decide whether or not the case should be expedited. A spokesman for Harry said they would not be making any comment at this time. South Africa: Magalies Water disputes Hartbeespoort Dam draining claims Magalies Water has disputed media reports about the entitys plans of draining the Hartbeespoort Dam, as part of its water resource management plan. According to the weekend report by an online newspaper publication, North West Times, as part of Magalies Waters water resource management implementation plan, which was approved by the Department of Water and Sanitation in addressing water quality challenges, the Crocodile West Catchment which includes the Hartbeespoort Dam, will be drained. Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae, noted that in a media statement issued on 25 May 2023, Magalies Water confirmed its three-year appointment as an implementing agent on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation, and set out clear plans in remedying the water quality challenges, which has beset the Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding areas, as a result of the negative effects of the Hyacinth. Magae confirmed that Magalies Water has no plans of draining the Hartbeespoort Dam as alleged, noting that if was, the case would be contrary to the approved water resource management implementation plan. He said the entity views the genesis of the media report as reckless, irresponsible, and unethical as in its entirety failed to meet the basic tenets of ethical journalism. There was unnecessary panic from the public, and other media outlets understandably as sustainable of potable water which is of the highest quality in the North West remains a subject of interest among various stakeholders. Neither did the publication afford Magalies Water as an implementing agent on behalf of the department, or the Department of Water and Sanitation itself an opportunity to confirm and or deny these allegations, which have no basis, Magae said in statement. Magae added that during an interaction with the publication, it has since been revealed that the story was authorised for publication by the editorial team, without having verified the allegations, and with no credible source to corroborate the contents, which is confirmatory of Magalies Waters stance in respect of substandard journalism practices. Further the publication failed to issue a retraction and or an apology, after it failed to produce any evidence to validate its news story, which was shared far-and-wide across various digital media platforms. We call on the public to exercise calm, as there will be no draining of the Hartbeespoort Dam and Magalies Waters key priority is determining a permanent solution to the Hyacinth challenge in the dam and improving the water quality in the catchment. Magalies Water has begun in earnest with its work on the Crocodile West Catchment, which includes among others investigating and conducting trials on various methods of removing the Hyacinth from the dam (dredging) and not draining the water resource as alleged, Magae said. He said the public and media will be updated in due course on the work towards improving water quality in the catchment area, including the dam. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-06-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. June 10th is the "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" of 2023. On June 9th, the main event of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day in Anhui Province was launched in Wuhu City. At the opening ceremony, the Wuhu Station of the Anhui Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology was unveiled, and the digital products of Wuhu Iron Painting and the achievements of the "One Building, One Handbook" project of excellent cultural relics and buildings in Wuhu City were released. The Wuhu Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the School of History of Anhui University. This year's main event also includes folk parades, the 25th anniversary exhibition of the Renzi Cave Site Archaeological Excavation, the "Wuhu Iron Painting" theme exhibition, the original Huangmei Opera performance of "Romance about Iron Painting", the Anhui provincial intangible cultural heritage tour, and the intangible cultural heritage market, etc., which concentrated on showcasing the achievements of cultural heritage protection and utilization work, and created a strong atmosphere of widespread attention to cultural heritage protection. During the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, various activities with rich content and diverse forms were held throughout the province. In Bozhou, a national historical and cultural city, a exhibition was held to comprehensively showcase the latest achievements of Bozhou's archaeological work from 2018 to 2023. In Hefei City, archaeological experience activities were carried out, leading primary and secondary school students to the archaeological site in the urban area to experience the excavation of cultural relics up close. In Shexian County, the "Wonderful Night of Huizhou Ancient City" event was launched, and the public's awareness of cultural heritage protection was enhanced through immersive park tours. According to statistics, cultural and tourism departments, cultural relics units, and cultural and museum institutions in various parts of Anhui Province organized more than 230 online and offline activities during the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, enriching the cultural life of the masses. Reported by Chen Xinran Translated by Zheng Chen Russia has suffered a major explosion at an oil refinery in a suspected drone or sabotage attack, just 80 miles from Vladimir Putin's Black Sea palace. The blast came as yet another Russian general was killed in Moscow's on-going war against Ukraine, this time in a missile strike. The double blow for Putin came as Ukraine stepped up its counteroffensive, with Kyiv's forces claiming they have liberated at least four front-line villages - amid reports that Russian troops are being killed fleeing through their own minefields. Meanwhile, Russia launched a 'massive missile' attack overnight on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing at least ten people and damaging civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said early on Tuesday. Video emerged this morning of the oil refinery in Krasnodar, showing flames and thick noxious black smoke pouring from the facility after the attack. Russia has suffered a major explosion at an oil refinery in a suspected drone or sabotage attack, just 80 miles from Vladimir Putin's Black Sea palace The blast came as yet another Russian general was killed in Moscow's on-going war against Ukraine, this time in a missile strike. Major-General Sergey Goryachev (pictured), 52, died in a missile attack in Zaporizhzhia region - adding to Putin's war woes Krasnodar city is capital of a region of the same name which is linked to annexed Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Putin's 1 billion clifftop palace and Gelendzhik - with an underground bunker, pole-dancing boudoir, and vineyard - is less than 80 miles away from the blast. The city is a key link in Putin's war effort and a hub for supplying occupied Crimea. The blaze was at Krasnodar Oil Refinery, in a diesel processing facility, said local Kuban News. More than 130 firefighters were called to the scene. Attacks inside Russia's borders have become more frequent in recent months. It is believed that Ukraine, or pro-Ukrainian groups, are using drones to strike key infrastructure such as oil refineries or military bases. There was no initial claim of responsibility for the Krasnodar attack. The city is around 200 miles away from the front lines in Ukraine. Krasnodar region also suffered a radio hack this week from anti-Putin partisan group Freedom of Russia Legion. The message threatened to destroy Putin's 'war criminals' in Crimea but would not pose a threat to the civilian population. The attack came as Major-General Sergey Goryachev, 52, died in a missile attack in Zaporizhzhia region - adding to Putin's war woes. He was Chief of Staff of the Russian 35th Combined Arms Army, and is one of at least 11 generals reported to have died in the war - the first this year. He appears to have perished with other senior officers. Popular Russian war blogger with 1.1 million followers Anatoliy Shariy said that Goryachev was hit by a UK supplied Anglo-French Storm Shadow missile. 'Another hello from the British and French,' he posted. 'He did not die alone. 'There is no information in Russian sources, so most likely we will see details from obituaries. '[But] along with him, at least eight staff officers died, [and] several were wounded.' He said Gorbachev died on the Vremievsky Ledge in Zaproizhzhia region. A Ukrainian expert Mikhail Zhirokhov told Nastoyashchee Vremya that the general died in a different strike in another region, Kherson, on a military HQ in occupied Ukraine on Saturday. He claimed it was a major blow to Russia. 'Usually, next to a general [there are] colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, who provide headquarters activities [who] die. 'Therefore, such an attack on the command post of the 35th Army before a big [Ukrainian] offensive is a very serious bid for success.' Pictures at the time showed a burning building close to Henichesk on the Arabat Spit, close to annexed Crimea. Earlier it was revealed that a leading Kremlin crony of Putin's - deputy PM Denis Manturov, 54, had departed minutes before the strike. 'A Storm Shadow missile hit a few minutes after his departure,' said one report. His death was revealed after Putin had awarded medals to wounded soldiers in a Moscow hospital, accompanied by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Putin's 1 billion clifftop palace and Gelendzhik (pictured) - with an underground bunker, pole-dancing boudoir, and vineyard - is less than 80 miles away from the blast at the oil refinery In personally presenting their medals, he acknowledged the heavy toll Russia has suffered in the war. Earlier the Russian leader had been at a Champagne reception in the Kremlin at a state honours ceremony. The death of the general was revealed by pro-war military channels who admitted that Russian forces were under pressure due to Ukraine's counter offensive. The Russian Defence Ministry has not commented, as is normal with high-ranking deaths among its forces. 'War takes the best,' reported war correspondent Yuri Kotenok. 'As a result of an enemy missile attack, Major General Sergey Goryachev, Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, was killed,' Kotenok said. 'The army today lost one of the brightest and most effective military leaders, who combined the highest professionalism with personal courage. Combat friends express their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.' Gorbachev had been promoted to general during the war. Kotenok said Russian forces were facing 'heavy fighting' on 'almost along the entire line of military contact'. He admitted: 'The situation is difficult in the defence zone of the 60th and 37th motorised rifle brigades.' News of Goryachev's death came as Russia launched a 'massive' missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih overnight. Pictured: Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 13 Ten people were killed and more were wounded in a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih early Tuesday, the regional governor said, as air attacks were reported in Kyiv and other cities. 'A five-storey building got destroyed. According to initial reports, three of its residents died. 25 people were injured,' Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said on Telegram. 'There are still people under the rubble.' Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said that said that one person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble and 28 others were wounded. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town is the latest bloodshed in Russia's war in Ukraine, now in its 16th month. Pictures from the scene showed emergency crews working at the bunt-out building, a sight that has become all-too common in the 15-months of war. Survivors were seen wrapping in blankets, looking on in disbelief. Seven other people were wounded in strikes on two other locations, he added. Lysak said three cruise missiles were shot down but others got through. The Ukrainian capital and the northeast city of Kharkiv also came under missile and drone attack. 'According to initial reports, the enemy used Kh-101/555 cruise missiles,' Kyiv city military administration said. 'All enemy targets in the airspace around Kyiv were detected and successfully destroyed by the forces and means of air defence,' it said, adding there was no immediate information on any casualties or damage. In Kharkiv, civilian infrastructure was hit in a drone attack, said the city's mayor Ihor Terekhov. Pictured: People react at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 13 Pictured: Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 13 'According to initial reports, a utility company in the Kyivskyi district, as well as a warehouse in Saltivskyi district got damaged. A fire broke out as a result of the explosion on the latter,' he said. Air alerts were also sounded in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast and the neighbouring Donetsk and Poltava regions. The fresh wave of air attacks came after Ukraine claimed to have retaken several villages and made advances in its counter-offensive against Russian forces. 'The fighting is tough, but we are moving forward, this is very important,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday in his daily evening address. Millions of Aussies can prepare for an injection of financial relief through a massive Queensland-wide surplus rebate. Queenslanders will see electricity bill relief, free kindergarten and a myriad of other cost-of-living relief measures in the next financial year after the state posted a $12.3billion surplus, the largest across all states. Every household in the Sunshine State will automatically receive a $550 rebate on their electricity bill from July 2023. Around another 600,000 vulnerable households will benefit from a higher $700 cost-of-living rebate while also continuing to receive a $372 rebate under the Queensland Electricity Rebate Scheme. About 650,000 small businesses will also receive a $650 in rebate for electricity bills. Queenslanders will receive hundreds in electricity bill relief and other cost-of-living measures from July 1 after the state posted a $12.5billion surplus over the financial year (stock image) What you need to know about the $550 handout $550 rebate on electricity bills to all Queensland households $700 rebate on electricity bills for vulnerable households in addition to $372 already under the Queensland Electricity Rebate scheme. $650 rebate on electricity bills for around 205,000 eligible small businesses Advertisement Royalties from the coal industry contributed $10.5billion of the $12.5billion surplus for the state over the past financial year. 'In this budget, our government will deliver greater and more widespread cost of living relief than any other government in Australia, state or federal,' the state's treasurer Cameron Dick said as he handed down the budget on Tuesday. 'We can deliver our state's biggest cost of living program, our state's biggest building program and deliver lower debt because of one simple reason - progressive coal royalties,' the treasurer said. 'Our decision to take on the mining lobby, to stand our ground and to fight for the people of our state, has delivered a rich reward for Queenslanders.' The rebates mean low-income households such as pensioners and those on welfare might not have to spend anything on electricity over the year. The decision comes after the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) determined houses in New South Wales, south east Queensland and South Australia will see increases to their electricity bills of between 19.6 per cent and 24.9 per cent from July 1. The state's treasurer, Cameron Dick (pictured), said the surplus was bolstered by $10.5billion in royalties from the coal industry The determination will be a stark difference to energy prices which have been significantly lower than the same time last year. 'It is obviously a very difficult decision and no one wants to put up prices, as you can imagine,' Clare Savage, AER chairwoman, told the Australian Financial Review. She said it was a 'difficult balance' to strike between keeping costs low and allowing retails to recoup costs. A distraught Australian family is pleading for help after their daughter went missing while hiking in bear country in Canada. Julia-Mary Lane, 24, who is known as JM, had been living in Canada since January and last spoke to her family in Brisbane on Saturday. Her mother Rosalind said JM's Canadian housemate contacted them in the early hours of Tuesday after she failed to return from the Bear Lake Trail near the town of Kimberley in British Columbia. Mrs Lane said it is 'very out of character' that their daughter, who is the youngest of four children, had not responded to phone calls and messages from the family. 'She's very well-travelled, she's fit, she's capable the worry is there's unstable ground and she's had a fall and there's bears around,' Mrs Lane told the ABC. Brisbane woman Julia-Mary Lane (pictured) went missing while hiking in the eastern Canadian province of British Columbia Ms Lane's SUV was found at Bear Lake Trail (pictured) in the eastern Canadian province of British Columbia The Lane family contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who began a search and found JM's SUV parked at the Bear Lake Trail. She had been house-sitting while waiting to start a finance sector job in Canada and had been using her spare time to go on hikes. Her housemate Janet Hamilton posted a message posted on a local Facebook group appealing for help finding the young Aussie. 'I haven't seen my young Australian housemate, JM, since Saturday afternoon, and I'm wondering if anyone ran across her while hiking? 'She came to Kimberley from Canmore just for a week, with plans to hike most days,' Ms Hamilton said. 'She drives a Ford Escape SUV, about 10 years old, light taupe colour, bike rack attached to the hitch, Alberta plates. Please let Kimberley RCMP know if you have any information.' One responder said saying she and her husband may have seen JM walking on the trail on Saturday afternoon, while others offered to help search for her. Ms Lane (pictured) is 'very well-travelled, she's fit, she's capable,' according to her mother Rosalind Ms Lane failed to return from the Bear Lake Trail near the town of Kimberley. A Canadian bear is pictured Mrs Lane said police, volunteers and rescue dogs search for JM into the night (British Columbia is 17 hours behind Australian east coast time), with temperatures expected drop to around 10 degrees. JM last spoke with her father, Julian, on Saturday (which was Friday in eastern Canada) and is in touch with her older sister most mornings. Mrs Lane said family members are 'trying not to think of the worst-case scenario' but 'will quite probably' travel to Canada. 'I just hope she comes home safely,' she said. Two teenagers were arrested in Greece yesterday after a British woman told police they raped her and filmed the act after a drunken night out. The 24-year-old unidentified Briton claimed the two 19-year-olds took advantage of her inebriated state in her hotel room in Rethymno on the Greek island of Crete. She alleged the pair, who are also British, filmed the sexual assault, according to Greek press. It is not clear whether the trio knew each other before the night leading up to the alleged rape. Greek police yesterday arrested the two unidentified teens on suspicion of rape, while the 24-year-old was taken to a medical examiner to undergo tests. MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment. The 24-year-old unidentified Briton claimed the two 19-year-olds took advantage of her inebriated state in her hotel room in Rethymno (pictured) on the Greek island of Crete The case comes just days after an Albanian man accused of raping a British tourist in the sea and attempting to do so again at her hotel in Rhodes was freed from custody, but barred from leaving Greece pending further investigation. The British woman, 20, told police the 23-year-old man raped her on Saturday, June 3 after they went for a swim at Glystra beach on the east coast of the island. The young woman said the man then took her back to her hotel room in Kiotari where he attacked her and tried to rape her a second time, Vradini newspaper reported. The tourist, who has not been named, testified that she had met the man two weeks ago and that they exchanged messages on WhatsApp before meeting up in person last week. The Albanian national insisted to investigators that the pair had consensual sex before they ate together and then went to her room to have sex again, the Dimokratiki newspaper reports. A British woman, 20, told police a 23-year-old man raped her on Saturday, June 3 after they went for a swim at a beach on the east coast of Rhodes (pictured) The British tourist told police that she had met the suspect at her hotel room in the afternoon of June 3 before they agreed to ride on his brother's motorbike to Glystra beach where they went swimming. She said that the man then attacked her while they were in the sea and raped her. The victim walked onto the beach and put on her clothes before begging the suspect to drive her back to her hotel room. But when they arrived at the hotel at 4pm local time, the 23-year-old man followed her back to her room where he took off her clothes and tried to sexually assault her again. This time, the woman was able to push him away from her and forced him to leave the room. The victim then left the hotel and reported the rape and assault to Rhodes police. Detectives launched a manhunt for the Albanian man. He was found hours later and taken to the police station. A case has been filed against him for rape, for which he could face up to ten years in prison. He has now been released from custody on the condition that he does not leave the country. The investigation continues. Tanya Plibersek has shrugged off Linda Reynolds' threats of legal action over a TV interview earlier this week. Ms Reynolds is threatening to sue the Labor Minister for defamation over comments she made about the former defence minister's knowledge of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations. The Liberal Senator sent the Environment Minister a defamation concerns notice over remarks she made on Sunrise Tuesday morning. But Ms Plibersek told Daly Mail Australia she's not intimidated after being told she has 28 days to provide a signed apology and retract her comments. 'I received this interesting letter today,' she said. 'As far as I'm concerned, all legal options are on the table.' The comments which triggered the legal action were involving Ms Higgins' allegations she was sexually assaulted by Bruce Lehrmann while they both worked in Senator Reynolds' office. The Liberal Senator filed a defamation concerns notice over the Environment Minister's comments, which were made on Sunrise on Tuesday morning She is also asking for her legal costs to be covered and to be paid an 'appropriate sum to compensate... for the damage caused by the publication'. Mr Lehrmann denies the allegations, and a criminal trial crumbled in 2022 due to juror misconduct. Ms Plibersek said on Tuesday: 'The central point here is that a young woman made an allegation that she had been in her workplace and that it had been inappropriately investigated, even covered up by her employers.' According to the publication, Ms Reynolds will argue Ms Plibersek's comments implied she 'acted to conceal or hide the commission of a criminal offence' and 'acted inappropriately during the investigation of the Brittany Higgins' allegations'. 'Each of the above imputations are totally false, without basis and constitute serious defamations of my client,' a concerns notice read. 'You have portrayed an inaccurate and harmful depiction of my client that has prompted damaging speculation amongst the public as to my client's conduct.' Ms Higgins herself was critical of Ms Reynolds' handling of her complaint at the time, and Ms Reynolds famously called Ms Higgins a 'lying cow' in an open-plan area of her office in Parliament House. Ms Plibersek said on Tuesday: 'The central point here is that a young woman made an allegation that she had been in her workplace and that it had been inappropriately investigated, even covered up by her employers.' The Liberal senator paid damages to Ms Higgins (left) over the comments, which were later donated to the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre The inference at the time was that Ms Reynolds was questioning whether Ms Higgins was raped at all - but Senator Reynolds claims she was responding to allegations that she and chief-of-staff Fiona Brown had failed to offer support to the young staffer. Ms Reynolds and Ms Brown have continually claimed they did offer support to Ms Higgins, while the former staffer claims she believed her job was on the line. The Liberal senator paid damages to Ms Higgins over the comments, which were later donated to the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. Our three years of hell living next to 200k 'monster mansion': Neighbours say owner 'used fleet of DPD vans and couriers to help build home', beams smashed through walls - and they had to play loud music to drown out building noise The bus driver at the centre of the catastrophic Hunter Valley bus crash reportedly spent the night in jail sobbing and saying 'I'm sorry'. Brett Andrew Button, 58, was transporting 35 passengers from a wedding when the bus crashed at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, in New South Wales. The crash resulted in the deaths of 10 people and 25 people injured, 14 of which are still in hospital. The passengers were returning from the wedding of Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney the the Wandin Valley Estate, just 12km from the crash site. The father-of-four remained in a cell at Cessnock Police Station after he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one additional charge of negligent driving occasioning death. He was granted bail on Tuesday after Button's lawyer Chris O'Brien said his client had 'strong ties to the community' and a number of medical conditions'. Bus Driver, Brett Andrew Button (pictured), reportedly 'curled up' and sobbed throughout his night in jail after being charged over a fatal bus crash that killed 10 and injured 25 Button had reportedly spent his night in Cessnock Police Station sobbing while repeating 'I'm sorry', the Daily Telegraph reports. 'He basically sat there for most of the night, curled up just saying over and over 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' a police source said. 'He was certainly emotional, as you'd expect.' Button's emotions followed through into the following day, appearing in Cessnock Local Court teary-eyed and in handcuffs on Tuesday morning. The court was told 10 witnesses had come forward alleging Button's 'prolonged period of unsafe driving'. Button had allegedly said 'if you think that was fast... watch this' over the vehicle's internal microphone before the crash. Despite noting the charges laid against Button were 'most serious', Magistrate Robyn Richardson granted him bail on strict conditions. 'Mr Button has sat here head bowed and it is clear he suffers along with the rest of the community,' Magistrate Robyn Richardson said. Button was granted a suppression order on his address, and imposed bail conditions including a 8am-6pm home curfew, and requirements to report to police three days a week, surrender his passport, and not to drive. A neighbour of Button, Sarat Babu Perala, described him as a 'good bloke' who was always friendly. Mr Perala said Button could regularly be spotted tinkering on his cars, mowing the land and doing chores around the house. He said Button has a teenage daughter and a son around 10 and some adult children from a previous relationship. Mr Perala said he was saddened to hear the news and hoped Button was doing ok. Button was also described as a 'family man' by another of his neighbours. He was held overnight on Monday at Cessnock Police Station (pictured) before facing Cessnock Local Court where he was granted bail with strict conditions The father-of-four was driving a bus of 35 passengers from a wedding back to accommodation on Sunday night when it crashed at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive Button was granted bail as Victorian, Darcy Bulman, was announced as the 10th victim of the crash. Of the victims, seven came from the nearby town of Singleton. They include married couple Andrew and Lynan Scott, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen, and mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride. Kyah's boyfriend Kane Symons is unaccounted for. Andrew and Lynan Scott leave behind two children under the age of five who have tragically been orphaned from the crash. Angus Craig from Queensland and Zachary Bray from Byron Bay are also among those who perished, as is Darcy Bulman from Melbourne. Zach Bray's uncle posted his shock at the death of his nephew in the bus crash. 'My nephew Zach Bray passed away in last night's Cessnock bus crash,' Zach's uncle Martin Bray said. 'All my friends and family (are) in shock at the loss of such a beautiful young man.' In June last year James Watson, 42 - who was just 13 at the time - was jailed A man serving a life sentence for the murder of six-year-old Rikki Neave nearly 30 years ago will challenge his conviction at the Court of Appeal. The schoolboy was found strangled, naked and arranged in a 'star pose' in woods near his home in Peterborough, the day after he was reported missing by his abusive mother Ruth Neave on November 28, 1994. Rikki's murder in 1994 was among the most high-profile cold cases on police files, until DNA was identified on the victim's clothes following a re-examination of the case two decades later. In June last year James Watson, 42 - who was just 13 at the time of the killing and lived in Peterborough - was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years at the Old Bailey. He was given the go-ahead to challenge his conviction by judges at a hearing in March, who said he had 'arguable' grounds of appeal. Six-year-old Rikki Neave was found strangled, naked and arranged in a 'star pose' in woods near his home in Peterborough Rikki's murder in 1994 was among the most high-profile cold cases on police files, until DNA was identified on the victim's clothes two decades later In June last year James Watson, 42 was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years at the Old Bailey. His lawyers told the Court of Appeal at that hearing that the evidence against Watson was 'circumstantial'. Appeal judges said media reports of the hearing could not reveal detail of Watson's grounds of appeal. Watson's trial heard he had lured Rikki to woods and strangled him to fulfil a 'morbid fantasy'. Prosecutors told the Old Bailey he had stripped Rikki and posed his naked body in a star shape for sexual gratification, deliberately 'exhibiting' him near a children's woodland den. Watson denied murder but was found guilty by a jury. Trial judge Mrs Justice McGowan said Watson's sentence was determined largely by the age he was at the time of Rikki's death. Rikki's mother Ruth Neave was cleared of his murder following a trial at Northampton Crown Court in 1996, but given a seven-year jail term after admitting child cruelty. The appeal will be heard by Lord Justice Holroyde and two other judges from 10.30am today. Lord Burnett, the Lord Chief Justice, Mr Justice Goose and Mr Justice Bennathan considered Watson's application at the Court of Appeal hearing in London on March 29. Watson was just 13 at the time of the killing and lived in Peterborough Watson's trial heard he had lured Rikki to woods and strangled him to fulfil a 'morbid fantasy' After Rikki was found dead, it emerged that his body was clean as if it had been freshly bathed and the position of his arms, hands and legs symmetrically set out. Even his thumbs were in same position. Above: The spot where his body was found A policeman leaving flowers at Welland County Primary School in Peterborough in 1994 Watson was not at the hearing. Lord Burnett told Watson's lawyers: 'We will be granting leave to appeal.' He said lawyers representing Watson had 'arguable' grounds for mounting a full appeal. Appeal judges did not fix a date for the full appeal. Court of Appeal judges have made an order, under the Contempt of Court Act, limiting what can be reported from the hearing. They said no detail of the grounds on which leave to appeal had been given could be revealed in media reports - in case reporting prejudiced any retrial. They indicated that arguments about what detail could be reported would be considered by judges overseeing the full appeal. Barrister Jenni Dempster KC, who led James Watson's legal team, had said the case against her client was 'circumstantial'. The murder case around Rikki Neave was unsolved for nearly two decades, until Cambridgeshire Police agreed to re-open the investigation in 2015 following repeated campaigning by Ruth Neave. A BBC podcast The Boy in the Woods claimed last year that the police ignored expert forensic evidence that challenged the case against Neave, whilst the jury at her trial were not alerted to the findings. Ruth Neave went on trial for his murder in 1996, but she was found not guilty. After seven years in prison for child cruelty, she repeatedly campaigned to have the case reopened Watson was finally brought to justice in part because of forgotten pieces of Sellotape that contained clothing fibres carrying his DNA Scientist Professor Tony Brown, who was tasked by police with examining Rikki's clothes early in the original investigation, said that mud on his shoes proved the child walked into the woods, but never walked out again. He told the BBC that he also offered to test Neave's push chair for mud from the woods, but the object was never sent to him. At the time, the law allowed police not to disclose evidence to a jury that undermined the prosecution's case. The senior officer who led the 2015 re-investigation said in response to the BBC's findings that he and his team could not explain 'why this evidence was not used originally,' but added it 'would not happen now' Watson was finally brought to justice in part because of forgotten pieces of Sellotape that contained clothing fibres carrying his DNA. During the review, police had to comb through more than 15,000 documents, whilst nearly all of the original evidence was gone and Rikki's body had been cremated. And reconsidering the post-mortem evidence showing he died within two house of his Weetabix breakfast showed he died in the morning - rather than during the day or in the evening. He was 13 when he carried out the crime. Whilst nearly all of the evidence that had been collected in the original investigation had been destroyed or returned to Rikki's family, police found envelopes containing the pieces of sticky tape. They bore fibres collected from Rikki's clothing that were found to be a 'billion to one' match to Watson's DNA. Suspicion originally fell on Rikki's mother because of the documented instances of abuse that she had inflicted on her son. Suspicion originally fell on Rikki's mother because of the documented instances of abuse that she had inflicted on her son The murder case around Rikki Neave was unsolved for nearly two decades. Pictured: Little Rikki with his father Trevor Harvey She was described in Watson's trial as a 'wholly unfit mother' who used Rikki as a drug runner and 'punch bag'. On one occasion, Rikki was allegedly left screaming after being locked out of the house in his pyjamas; in another it was claimed Neave had held her son upside down on a bridge as he screamed. She had also grabbed the child around his throat, pushed him against a wall and lifted him up 'to the point his feet were about a foot above the ground'. In the original case, Watson's name was discounted very quickly. A Christian man has been sentenced to be hanged in Pakistan for receiving 'blasphemous' cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed on his phone, reports say. Noman Masih, who according to different sources in either 19 or 22, was sentenced to death by the Court of Bahawalpur, in the Punjab province on May 30. He was arrested in 2019 for violating 295-c of the Penal Code, which punishes contempt shown towards the Prophet Mohammed. Agenzia Fides, the Vatican's news agency, reported that Masih was sent the images by a young Muslim man, who police have taken no action against. Both Masih and a second man - his friend friend Sunny Mushtaq - were arrested after images receiving the images over the messenger app. It is expected that Mushtaq will be handed a similar punishment. Noman Masih (pictured), who according to different sources in either 19 or 22, was sentenced to death by the Court of Bahawalpur, in the Punjab province on May 30 Fides reported that photographs of drawings of Mohammed were found on the phones belonging to the two friends. The trial against the two men ended in January, but it has taken five months for the sentence to be handed down by the district judge of the Bahawalpur Magistrate Court, which was made public on May 30. Masih's family has denied the accusation. Lazar Allah Rakha, attorney for Masih, told Morning Star News that he was 'extremely disappointed by the conviction, because there was absolutely no case.' 'There was no proof against Noman, and none of the witnesses produced by police could corroborate the blasphemy allegation against him.' He continued: 'Despite so many contradictions in the case, I'm at a loss to understand why Bahawalpur Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Hafeez Ur Rehman sentenced Noman instead of acquitting him. This is murder of justice.' Speaking to Fides, Aneeqa Maria Anthony - an attorney from the NGO 'The Voice' - slammed the decision. Anthony said 'the magistrate ignored all the procedures and dismissed all the evidence in favour of the accused. 'He [the judge] only wanted to complete his 'sacred duty' to punish an alleged blasphemer. We expect the same fate for Sunny Mushtaq. 'They were arrested for a teenage game. Their families are suffering greatly. 'Our legal team at The Voice is doing everything necessary to grant them justice, helping their families and standing by their side in these dark and difficult times.' Pictured: A photograph of a sentence which, according to Voice4Justice, shows that Noman Masih was sentenced to death under section 295-C of Pakistan's blasphemy laws Anthony said the drawing was sent to the friends by Bilal Ahmad, a young Muslim. However, police took no action against Ahmad. 'This is another example of the misuse of blasphemy laws,' the attorney said, according to Fides. He called on the authorities to conduct a fair investigation, and said that his lawyers intended to appeal the sentence, and could go to the High Court of Lahore. Images recieved over WhatsApp are automatically downloaded to a person's phone, and can even be automatically backed-up with the right settings. This means that any images Masih would have recieved would have been saved on to his phone automatically, whether he wanted them or not. Pakistan has been staunchly criticised for its extreme blasphemy laws, which critics say are used to persecute and intimidate members of religious minorities. In 2020, an American man was shot and killed in a courtroom in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on charges that he had claimed to be a prophet. In August 2021, an eight-year-old Hindu boy was faving the death penalty after becoming the youngest person ever charged with blasphemy in the country. In January 2022, a court sentenced a woman in Pakistan to death over 'blasphemous' messages sent over WhatsApp and Facebook The boy was arrested on charges of intentionally urinating on a carpet in the library of a madrassa, or religious school, that houses religious books. And in January 2022, a court sentenced a woman in Pakistan to death over 'blasphemous' messages sent over WhatsApp and Facebook. The woman, 26-year-old Aneeqa Ateeq, said she believed the person who accused her intentionally dragged her into a religious discussion over social media so he could collect 'evidence' and take 'revenge' after she refused to be friends with him. Nevertheless, the court found her guilty, handed her a 20-year prison sentence, and ordered for her to be hanged. Grandfather Narciso Mucutuy claims his daughter was beaten by her husband A custody battle has broken out among relatives of four Indigenous children who miraculously survived a plane crash and 40 days alone in the Amazon rainforest of southern Colombia amid accusations their father was a domestic abuser. The siblings, ranging in age from one to 13, remained hospitalised on Monday and were expected to stay for several more days, a period that Colombia's child protection agency is using to interview family members to determine who should care for them. On Sunday, grandfather Narciso Mucutuy accused his son-in-law Manuel Ranoque of beating his wife, Magdalena Mucuty. Mr Mucutuy told reporters that his grandchildren would hide in the forest when fighting between their parents broke out. Mr Ranoque acknowledged to reporters there had been trouble at home, but he characterised it as a private family matter and not 'gossip for the world'. Asked whether he had attacked his wife, Mr Ranoque said: 'Verbally, sometimes, yes. Physically, very little. We had more verbal fights.' Mr Ranoque said he has not been allowed to see the two eldest children at the hospital. Four Indigenous children miraculously survived a plane crash and 40 days alone in the Amazon rainforest of southern Colombia Narciso Mucutuy, the grandfather of the four rescued Indigenous children, speaks to the media from the entrance of the military hospital where the children are receiving medical attention, in Bogota, Colombia Manuel Ranoque (C), father of the four Indigenous children who were found alive after being lost for 40 days in the Colombian Amazon rainforest following a plane crash, speaks with the press before arriving at the Military Hospital Exclusive photos show the four siblings, Lesly, 13, Soleiny, nine, Tien Noriel, four, and baby Cristin, one, safe in their hospital beds at a military hospital in Bogota, Colombia Handout picture released by the Colombian Army showing a soldier standing next to the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed in the Colombian Amazon forest in the municipality of Solano, department of Caqueta, on May 19, 2023 Astrid Caceres, head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, said in an interview with local BLU radio that a caseworker was assigned to the children at the request of their maternal grandparents, who are vying for custody with the father of the two youngest. EXCLUSIVE: Four brave children found in the Amazon jungle are pictured recovering in their hospital beds surrounded by stuffed animals Advertisement 'We are going to talk, investigate, learn a little about the situation,' Ms Caceres said, adding that the agency has not ruled out that they and their mother may have experienced domestic abuse. 'The most important thing at this moment is the children's health, which is not only physical but also emotional, the way we accompany them emotionally,' she said. Ms Caceres refused to comment on why Mr Ranoque was not allowed to see his children in the hospital. The children were travelling with their mother from the Amazonian village of Araracuara to the town of San Jose del Guaviare in southern Colombia on May 1 when the pilot of the Cessna single-engine propeller plane declared an emergency due to engine failure. The aircraft fell off the radar a short time later and a search began for the three adults and four children who were on board. All adult passengers were found dead in the wreckage of the plane that was suspended almost vertically after smashing into the trees. Yet more than a month later, the children were found dishevelled, malnourished and dehydrated - but miraculously alive. They survived by eating cassava flour, seeds and fruits they found in the rainforest which they were familiar with as members of the Huitoto Indigenous group. Members of the army assist four Indigenous children who were found after spending more than a month lost in the Colombian Amazon jungle Lesly and Soleiny Mucutuy have made touching coloured drawings of Wilson the Belgian shepherd rescue dog who went missing during the mission to save them Head of the Colombian Armed Forces, General Helder Giraldo, accepts the moving drawings of missing rescue dog Wilson completed by two of the children A traditional doctor performs a ritual during the press conference of Luis Acosta (R), coordinator of the Indigenous guard in charge of searching for the children lost in the jungle Mr Acosta speaks to the press in Bogota, Colombia, 11 June 2023 The children were scooped up on Friday and helicoptered to the Colombian capital, Bogota, and then to a military hospital where they have been given psychological services and other support. Officials have sought to do so in a culturally sensitive way, arranging for spiritual ceremonies and food the children are accustomed to. As they heal, the children have told relatives harrowing details of their time in the jungle. The oldest, Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, said their mother was alive for about four days after the crash before dying, Mr Ranoque said on Sunday. 'Let's be clear, the girl (Lesly) knows everything,' he said. 'The only thing that she clarified is that the mother was alive for four days. Before she died she told them ''Go!'' And you will find out what your dad is made of and what your father's love is like.' Meanwhile, the children's rescuers at the weekend revealed the tragic first words spoken by the severely malnourished kids upon their rescue. They described how the eldest child ran towards them holding a baby when she saw them coming. 'I'm hungry' and 'my mom is dead,' the rescuers say they were told. Soldiers of the Colombian Air Force and employees of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) give medical attention inside a plane to the surviving children of a Cessna 206 crash A Colombian Air Force soldier carries one of the surviving children on to the plane. After wandering alone for more than a month, the Huitoto Indigenous children - ages 13, nine, five, and one - were rescued and airlifted out of the Amazon on Friday One of the children holds a surgical glove with a happy face drawn on it while being transferred to Bogota via air in San Jose del Guaviare READ MORE: Hunt for hero rescue dog whose paw prints led search teams to four children lost in Amazon jungle Belgian Shepherd Wilson played a vital role in tracking down the four children but remains missing in the Amazon rainforest Advertisement 'The eldest daughter, Lesly, with the little one in her arms, ran towards me. Lesly said, "I'm hungry,"' Nicolas Ordonez Gomes, one of the search and rescue crew, told public broadcast channel RTVC. 'One of the two boys was lying down. He got up and said to me, "My mom is dead." 'We immediately followed up with positive words, saying that we were friends, that we were sent by the family, the father, the uncle. That we were family,' Ordonez Gomes added. In a video released on Sunday which showed the children soon after they were found, they seemed to be emaciated from their time spent in the wilderness. Their rescuers were seen singing, smoking tobacco - a plant considered sacred among many jungle residents - and celebrating. Magdalena Mucutuy, the children's mother, was an Indigenous leader. It was in part down to the local knowledge of the children and Indigenous adults involved in the search alongside Colombian troops that the youths were ultimately found alive despite the threats of jaguars and snakes, and relentless downpours which may have prevented them from hearing possible calls from search parties. 'The survival of the children is a sign of the knowledge and relationship with the natural environment that is taught starting in the mother's womb,' according to the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Colombia. A stony-faced Lisa Wilkinson has returned to her sprawling mansion after highly embarrassing recordings of a conversation with Brittany Higgins were leaked. Wilkinson's luxury home in the Sydney harbourside suburb of Cremorne is now being patrolled by security after the fallout from Ms Higgins' rape allegations deepened. Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed Wilkinson called a newspaper columnist who had been critical of her husband, Peter FitzSimons, a 'disgusting human being'. The TV host made the scathing assessment of Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston during a meeting with Ms Higgins at a Sydney hotel on January 27, 2021. The under fire ex-Project host is also facing severe criticism after she compared the preselection of an Indigenous politician to hiring a 'black cleaner'. A stony-faced Lisa Wilkinson is pictured returning to her sprawling harbourside mansion after highly embarrassing recordings of a conversation with Brittany Higgins were leaked Wilkinson's luxury home in the Sydney suburb of Cremorne is now being patrolled by security (pictured) after the fallout from Ms Higgins' rape allegations deepened Shadow Indigenous Affairs minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price demanded an apology from Wilkinson after the TV presenter struggled to pronounce her name. Those comments were recorded during the same five-hour meeting between Wilkinson and Ms Higgins, which also included her partner David Sharaz and Channel 10 producer Angus Llewellyn. '(The Liberal Party) has preselected over 20 new and wonderfully diverse and strong female candidates like, and what's her name, Nam Nampinjumba? (sic). She's an Indigenous woman,' Wilkinson is heard saying on the leaked recording. Mr Sharaz laughed and said: 'She clearly got in. Clearly it was a safe seat.' 'That's the thing, it was - as soon as I looked at it I thought, "Oh, you're joking",' Wilkinson replied. Mr Llewellyn then joked about the Coalition preselecting Ms Price, saying: 'See, we know brown people'. Mr Sharaz joined in: 'It's like, "I'm not racist. I have a black friend" - it's that argument.' Wilkinson then added: 'And our cleaner's black.' Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) is coming under increasing pressure amid the fallout from Brittany Higgins' rape allegations Lisa Wilkinson's Sydney mansion now appears to be now under 24/7 security protection (pictured) Ms Price said she wasn't surprised by the 'derogatory' comments made by Wilkinson, who she accused of virtue signalling to pretend she cared about Indigenous people. 'I certainly didn't get to where I am without hard work, respect from my community and outlining the hard issues,' she told 2GB's Ben Fordham. 'I would absolutely expect an apology from the 10 network, from Lisa Wilkinson herself. That would be the decent thing,' she said last Friday. Late on Friday Wilkinson released a statement saying: 'I sincerely apologise to Senator Price for any offence I may have caused. 'The conversation was private and not intended to appear as it has out of context and in the public arena. 'The tenor of our conversation was about the need for real, genuine change within the Liberal party, and that too many of their female pre-selections were in unwinnable positions.' Lisa Wilkinson (left) is pictured with Brittany Higgins, whose rape allegations she revealed on Channel 10's The Project in 2021 But Ms Price said Wilkinson has not contacted her directly. 'She hasn't personally made an apology to myself,' she told Sky News. 'If she was a real woman, I'd guess she'd ring me and personally apologise.' Ms Price said Wilkinson was living in an ivory tower and was far removed from real issues pertaining to Indigenous Australians. 'What would you expect from individuals who belong to the woke,' she told 2GB. 'The Project has never been interested in the view of a conservative Indigenous woman from outback Australia. Not once has it demonstrated interest in the concerns I've raised. 'Unfortunately, this woke culture allows racism to exist in plain sight.' During an episode of The Project aired on February 15, 2021, Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in March, 2019. He has always denied the allegations. The meeting two weeks earlier to discuss Ms Higgins' allegations happened on the same day that Australian Financial Review (AFR) journalist Aston lost a defamation case taken by businesswoman Elaine Stead. Senator Jacinta Price (pictured) has slammed Lisa Wilkinson's apology over comments claiming she was a diversity pick for parliament Ms Price claimed Wilkinson (pictured) is still yet to contact her personally, with the apology being sent to Ms Price through her staff Ms Stead, the former managing director of venture capital at Blue Sky Alternative Investments, was awarded $280,000 after suing the AFR and Aston over two articles from 2019. Aston had labelled Ms Stead a 'feminist cretin' in one article with a judge ultimately finding his columns had amounted to bullying. During the meeting, Ms Higgins was discussing how her dress had been pulled up during the alleged incident at Parliament House when Wilkinson interrupted to say her husband Peter FitzSimons - who writes at another Nine publication The Sydney Morning Herald - had just texted her to say that Aston had lost his case. 'That's a good win, because Joe Aston, he had massive goes at me for years, and my husband,' Wilkinson said in leaked audio obtained by Daily Mail Australia. 'And then he did one almighty...' she continued before Mr Llewellyn jumped in to say 'oh yeah, that was appalling'. 'It was just disgusting,' Wilkinson responded. 'He mostly went for Pete ... but I was collateral damage as well. So, sorry, that's a good moment. See, good people do win. Sorry to interrupt.' Ms Higgins assured Wilkinson the interruption was warranted, saying she was 'glad' and noting Aston was living in LA. 'He's barely connected to this world even though somehow, he pretends to be a part of it,' she said. Wilkinson then called him a 'disgusting human being'. 'A gossip columnist and proud, apparently,' Ms Higgins replied. Wilkinson then made one final criticism before changing topics. 'Yeah, I know. Talk about people who are basically just with black souls. That's Joe Aston,' she said. Aston has taken shots at both Wilkinson and her husband several times over the years in his AFR columns. The fallout from Ms Higgins' allegations took another dramatic twist on Tuesday when Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds threatened to sue Labor's Tanya Plibersek for defamation. The threatened lawsuit is over comments the Environment Minister made about the former defence minister's knowledge of Ms Higgins' rape allegations. 'The central point here is that a young woman made an allegation that she had been in her workplace and that it had been inappropriately investigated, even covered up by her employers,' Ms Plibersek said on Tuesday. According to The Australian, Ms Reynolds will argue Ms Plibersek's comments implied she 'acted to conceal or hide the commission of a criminal offence' and 'acted inappropriately during the investigation of the Brittany Higgins' allegations'. The lunch was on the same day Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston (pictured) lost his defamation battle against Elaine Stead, the former managing director of venture capital at Blue Sky Alternative Investments Aston has taken shots at both Wilkinson and her husband Peter FitzSimons (pictured) over the years in his columns 'Each of the above imputations are totally false, without basis and constitute serious defamations of my client,' a concerns notice read. Ms Reynolds has told Ms Plibersek she has 28 days to provide a signed apology and retract her comments. She is also asking for her legal costs to be covered and to be paid an 'appropriate sum to compensate... for the damage caused by the publication'. Mr Lehrmann denies the allegations made against him, and a criminal trial crumbled in 2022 due to juror misconduct. A one-day-old baby girl has been taken from a hospital in Queensland, with police desperately worried for her wellbeing. The newborn was seen being bundled into a white Suzuki Liana with the registration 095HI8 at Ipswich Hospital on Monday. The car has since been found. Police now wish to speak with 18-year-old Khloe Bornen, who is believed to be with the baby. Police now wish to speak with 18-year-old Khloe Bornen, who is believed to be with the baby The newborn was seen being bundled into a white Suzuki Liana with the registration 095HI8 Khloe is white, around 165cm tall and has brown hair. Pictures released by the police show her wearing a nose ring. Queensland Police said the baby 'may be at significant risk'. Anyone with information is urged to call 000 or 131 564. Egypt has started work on mummifying the shark that devoured a Russian tourist so that it can be displayed at a museum, according to local media. The body parts of Vladimir Popov, 23, who was eaten alive off a beach at an Egyptian resort, have been found inside the shark that was then beaten to death 'in revenge'. Mr Popov was circled by the 'meat grinder' tiger shark before he was dragged underwater in Hurghada, as he screamed out: 'Papa, save me!' On Monday, specialists at the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves started the embalming process in Hurghada in preparation for the shark being placed in the institute's museum, according to Arabic news channel Al Arabiya. Sources revealed to the media outlet that the authorities were successful in extracting the victim's head, chest and arms from the shark's stomach, while fishermen also managed to recover the other half of his body from the sea. On Monday, specialists at the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves started the embalming process in Hurghada in preparation for it being placed in the institute's museum, according to Arabic news channel Al Arabiya Video purportedly shows the shark's body being operated on by specialists, with its mouth stuffed with a white material. One man appears to be making incisions while another checks the firmness of the skin Video purportedly shows the shark's body being operated on by specialists, with its mouth stuffed with a white material. One man appears to be making incisions while another checks the firmness of the skin. Sources said that the shark almost ate the victim's entire body, but after it noticed the fishermen's boat approaching, it fled, throwing the lower half into the water. The fishermen pulled out the lower part of the body and then chased the shark until they were able to catch it and transport it, the sources said. Dr Mahmoud Dar, a professor at the Egyptian National Institute of Marine Sciences, also revealed that the shark was female and that nothing else was found, according to Al Arabiya. Holidaymakers scrambled from the water as horrified onlookers called out to Mr Popov to swim away from the shark before he was mauled to death. The tiger shark was then caught and dragged to land by boat before it was clubbed to death on the beach 'in revenge'. Mr Popov's distraught father, Yury, told of his horror at watching his son be mauled to death by the shark as he cried out for help. 'We went to the beach to relax,' Mr Popov, originally from Russia, told the 112 media outlet. 'My son was attacked by a shark, it all happened in seconds.' The heartbroken father said there were no family members near his son to help in the water, though initial reports said the 23-year-old's girlfriend had managed to flee the attack. 'What kind of help can you give? This meat grinder happened in 20 seconds, he was just dragged under the water,' Mr Popov said. The father said: 'This is an absolutely ridiculous coincidence, because it is a safe beach. There are ships and yachts around. It's never happened there. They usually attack on wild beaches. It's just some kind of evil fate.' Mr Popov had been living with his father in Egypt for several months before the horrific attack. He said he would cremate his son and return his ashes to their native Russia. Vladimir Popov was heard screaming 'papa' as he was mauled to death by a shark in Egyptian resort Hurghada. Pictured: A still grab from a graphic video showing the attack. The shark's fin can be seen just feet away from Mr Popov as he attempts to swim away from the beast The shark was later caught and clubbed to death on the beach (pictured) Vladimir Popov, 23, (pictured) has been named as victim of the shark attack in Hurghada Tourists watched in horror from the shore as the beast wounded Vladimir Popov before dragging him under the water Holidaymakers scrambled from the water as onlookers called out to Mr Popov (pictured) to swim away from the shark before he was mauled to death The Egyptian authorities confirmed the shark has been handed over for research to find out the causes of its behaviour and identify whether the animal is related to one that 'caused several previous accidents'. Video taken by horrified onlookers shows Vladimir desperately shouting 'Papa, Papa' as the predator circled him in the water before launching the attack. The 23-year-old can be seen desperately trying to swim towards the shore to no avail. His body is seen spinning in the water, and his legs are raised above the surface. 'Swim away, swim away! Quick! A shark!' people can be heard shouting in the video. Soon the splashing in the water stops, and the man's head returns to the surface. He appears to be moving around in the water again but slowly. He can be heard screaming 'Papa', pleading for help, as the water turns red. The shark's body can be seen clearly at the surface at that moment, and its fin and tail are visible as it circles the victim. The shark turns around again to attack and charges at the victim before clamping its jaws around him and pulling him under water. The man's head appears above the water one last time, and the shark's body is seen writhing in the ocean as it appears to maul the body and drag it further into the depths of the water. One witness said: 'The shark's eating his remains now. There she is, eating his remains.' Another said: 'Right in front of my eyes, the shark ate the guy, the girl [the girlfriend] managed to escape. He took the blow from the shark. 'It's a terrible thing, the remains of this man are lying there.' The victim Vladimir Popov (pictured) had moved to the resort with his father several months before the attack A video showed a distraught woman on the beach being comforted by two other woman moments after Mr Popov was mauled to death. It is believed the Russian woman had been pulled out of the water after being close to the man who was killed. It is not known if she was a relative of Mr Popov. So far his father is the only member of the family to speak. After witnessing the attack, it took a long time to find the body and bring it onshore. 'Later, the remains were found, and the body was put in a bag and taken to the morgue,' he said. 'Children swam [in the area where the shark attacked] very often - there were children's slides,' another witness said. 'All this happened not far from a descent into the sea, next to the ladder, used by everyone who went into the water. 'At one point, the shark appeared, and immediately bit this man. Rescuers saw this and began to start the boat. He tried to swim away from the shark, but he couldn't. 'And the shark dragged the body for two hours. It constantly dragged him under the water.' A new video showed a distraught woman on the beach being comforted by two other woman moments after Mr Popov was mauled to death Witnesses said the victim's girlfriend had been in the water at the time of the attack. Russian reports say she is safe and has returned to Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of a citizen from a shark attack. Mr Popov had moved to the resort with his father at a time when many young males are moving abroad to avoid facing conscription - and likely death - as the brutal war in Ukraine continues. The family had bought a property at the British Resort in Hurghada, say reports. Other accounts said he had been staying at the four-star Elysees Dream Beach Hotel in Hurghada. IT specialist Mr Popov 'loved his father very much and was just beginning to live', said a friend. He was said to be working remotely when he died, as are many young Russian men who are defying Putin. Born in the sub-Arctic city Archangel, or Arkhangelsk, he had moved to Moscow before decamping to Egypt amid the war with Ukraine. His girlfriend, Anastasia, who is in her early twenties, has so far not spoken of the tragedy. One female friend said: 'Vova [Vladimir] was a good guy. 'He was only a month away from his birthday. Friends say that he moved there [to Egypt] with his father. 'As far as I know, he really liked living in Moscow, his whole life was there. 'Vova was a wonderful person and loved his father very much.' Another friend, Oleg, said: 'He was into music. He recorded songs.' There was speculation that a woman seen on the beach being comforted by two other women was his mother. But 360TV reported that she was at home in Balashikha, Moscow region. A source said: 'His mother cried all day. She screamed that she had lost her son.' The commotion was so great that a neighbour said 'we were even afraid that someone was being killed there'. Locals wanted to call the police. The 23-year-old is not the first victim to be killed by a shark at a resort. In July last year, 68-year-old Austrian Elisabeth Sauer was attacked in front of horrified onlookers at a resort in Sahl Hasheesh - 15 minutes after English speaking guests warned Egyptian lifeguards about sharks but had been laughed off. The resort is a 30-minute drive from Hurghada, where Mr Popov was killed. A second woman - identified only as a Romanian national in her 40s - is thought to have been killed in a similar attack just 650ft away from where Ms Sauer died, with her badly disfigured remains found on a nearby reef the same day. Ms Sauer lost an arm and a leg in an attack that was caught on film, as onlookers tried to distract the shark and get her to safety. She reached the shore with the help of a flipper, but died a short time later. Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh's cause of death has been revealed a fortnight after he died suddenly at his home at the age of 52. The actor, who played Dennis Markowski - the manager at Gustavo Fring's laundromat - in three episodes of the show from 2011-2012, died by 'asphyxia hanging'. It comes just days after Batayeh's family had revealed to TMZ that he had suffered a heart attack in his sleep at his Michigan home on June 1. The actor's sister Diane had also said that her brother did not have a history of heart issues. Batayeh's cause of death has now been confirmed by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office, according to an email received by the New York Post. Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh's cause of death has been revealed a fortnight after he died suddenly at his home at the age of 52 (pictured as laundromat manager Dennis Markowski in the show) Batayeh's family had initially revealed to TMZ that he had suffered a heart attack in his sleep at his Michigan home. Pictured: Batayeh (second from left in back surrounded by family) A family statement about his passing on Instagram, which featured a picture of Batayeh and his dog read on June 4: 'It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that my sisters and I announce the passing of our dear brother Mike Batayeh on Thursday June 1 2023. 'He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many. Funeral arrangements will be posted at a later date.' Batayeh, a native of Detroit who resided in Los Angeles, is survived by his five sisters and many nieces and nephews. The Lavanderia Brillante industrial laundromat which Batayeh's character managed served as a front for the meth lab used by Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). Batayeh, recognizable for his role in Breaking Bad, also appeared on several popular shows including Everybody Loves Raymond, The Shield, and Sleeper Cell. As well as TV, Batayeh also starred in a variety of films including American Dreams, Gas, American East, Don't Mess With The Zohan and Detroit Unleaded. Beyond film and TV, he was a successful comedian who was part of the first wave of western comics to perform for local audiences in the Middle East in places such as Dubai, where he filmed a comedy special for Showtime. Batayeh (pictured 2012) starred across TV, film, comedy and had a voice acting role in X-Men: Days of Future Past The actor (pictured on stage in 2014) was part of the first wave of western comics to perform for local audiences in the Middle East in places such as Dubai, where he filmed a comedy special for Showtime The Lavanderia Brillante industrial laundromat which Batayeh's character managed served as a front for the meth lab used by Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) He also had a voice acting role in the 2014 hit film X-Men: Days of Future Past. Batayeh last appeared on screen in the 2018 TV movie Prank of America where he played the role of Nacho. Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from the acting world, including from Hollywood director Rola Nashef who wrote on Facebook: 'A devastating loss of a huge life - Mike Batayah, you were everybody's friend. And I mean everybody. 'There isn't a person that I introduced you to or a waitress that took our order whom you didn't make laugh, think, inspire and root for. 'You wanted to see us all win. I still can't believe this news. People keep saying 'But I just talked to him last week'- not text or messaged with him, but talked with him. Because you are an old school friend, who was loyal, generous, wise and invested in the people that you loved. She continued: 'Amin Matalqa referred to you as the 'Robin Williams' of Arab-America - so spot on. Your sense of humor and your talent for stage, screenwriting, television and film was genius, outrageous and fearless. 'I pray so much for your sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins and our entire community who will feel your loss forever. Rest in peace dear Mike, you're my friend always.' Meanwhile comic Mina Liccione said: 'Oh my heart...I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace and laughter, Mike. You'll be greatly missed!'. Before dying he changed his will to exclude them The man raped his daughter and beat one of his sons Father cuts out children from will after abusing them A father who sexually, physically and emotionally abused his children cut them out of his will as his final dying act. His three children, now adults, claim he had legal obligation to include them in his will, taking the matter to the New Zealand Supreme Court. Their lawyer Lady Deborah Chambers, KC, said after leaving the family home none of them had any real contact with their father, including their mother. The man had raped his daughter from the age of seven and had also beaten one of his sons. A father who knew he was dying of cancer changed his final will to exclude his three children, one of which he raped and another who he beat to ensure they couldn't get their hands on his estate (stock image) When the father was diagnosed with cancer he changed his will in what Ms Chambers told the court was a move to disinherit them by creating a trust to strip away the available assets, Stuff reported. After he died in 2016 his estate contained a property and shares believed to be worth about $780,000. The beneficiaries of the trust he set up were the children of a woman he had a brief relationship with. His children took the trustees to court and were successful in proving that their father had made a deliberate act to avoid the obligations he owed them in the High Court, but the Court of Appeal ultimately ruled against them. They have now asked the Supreme Court to find that his fiduciary duty to them continued into adulthood. When he died in 2016 his estate believed to be worth about $780,000 was left in a trust he set up for the children of a woman he had a brief relationship and friendship with (stock image) The court heard that seven wills were prepared between 2001 and 2015 and before his final one was finalised he made it clear to his lawyer that he wanted the trust to prevent his family from getting their hands on his assets. Ms Chambers told the court the children were entitled to have expected that he would not exclude them from his will and estate. 'He deliberately set out to do that and was disloyal and went ahead to do harm,' Ms Chambers said. Andrew Steele, the lawyer for the trustees, stated there was no other case he could find where a fiduciary duty continued after a relationship was over. The trustees are set to argue that the father had no obligation to his adult children and he could do with his assets as he wished. The case is set to be finalised on Wednesday. *The names of each of the parties are suppressed. Small businesses will have the chance to open rent-free shops on Oxford Street in units vacated by illicit candy stores amid a business rates evasion investigation. Westminster City Council officials are trying to rid London's iconic shopping street of the tacky shops, which have replaced household names and blighted the area. Now, a new 10million scheme aims to transform the area by allowing small business owners to open stores rent free and lower their business rates by 70 per cent. The plan, called 'Meanwhile On: Oxford Street' will offer nine units to businesses trying to launch their first store, with the first expected to open next month. The scheme, which is intended to prevent candy shops opening, is also offering the new occupants marketing help, business support and a fit-out of the new stores. It comes as the council works with Trading Standards on an investigation into the sweet shops amid allegations some have evaded 8million worth of business rates. The council has seized 1million worth of illegal and counterfeit goods from candy stores and souvenir shops on Oxford Street since operations began in late 2021. This is the outrageous moment a tearaway teen hijacked a police car and raced it at 113mph before smashing into another vehicle and crashing into a hedge. 'Dangerous' Dafydd Williams, 19, was caught on dashcam as he took the police car for his hair-raising getaway as he was chased by officers. A court heard the drama began when police were called to arrest Williams and an accomplice after a racist attack on a garage owner. Officers got out of their car to taser his accomplice - but reckless joyrider Williams hopped in to speed away in the marked patrol vehicle. He then drove the high-performance Skoda Superb at speed through narrow country lanes in the village of Machen, near Caerphilly, south Wales, causing other horrified road users to swerve out his way as he was pursued by cops. Prosecutor Roger Griffths told Cardiff Crown Court: 'I will now play the CCTV footage of the dangerous driving because no words can adequately describe it. 'Dangerous' Dafydd Williams, 19, was caught on dashcam after hijacking a police car and crashing it. Pictured is the damaged cruiser Williams drove the police vehicle at speeds of 113mph through narrow country lanes before losing control and crashing into a hedge (pictured) Williams (pictured) drove the high-performance Skoda Superb through the village of Machen, near Caerphilly, Wales 'He mounted the pavement close to pedestrians. He accelerated into a built-up area and drove at up to 90mph in a 30mph area, performing a number of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres and contravening road signs. 'He travelled through Machen village at 80mph and at one stage reached 113mph in a 30mph area, swerving from side to side. 'At one point the defendant tried to use a bus stop to undertake a red Honda Jazz, but he collided with its rear at 64mph, causing the Honda to travel across the carriageway and collide head-on with a Nissan travelling in the opposite direction.' Witness Karl Johnson, 32, was in the quiet lane when the smashed-up patrol car sped past around a corner. He then saw a police motorcyclist followed by another marked police car in hot pursuit of the hijacked cruiser. And his dashcam then captured the moment fleeing thief Williams veered off the road into a hedge. Karl said the stolen car narrowly avoided crashing into him. 'As the police vehicle swerved it lost control and disappeared through the hedge. It was a close call,' he said. Cardiff Crown Court heard after crashing into the hedge he tried to run away but was caught by a police dog. Dashcam footage captured the moment a police motorbike and car were seen chasing after Williams Footage from inside the stolen police cruiser also revealed the moment Williams slammed into the back of a Honda Jazz while travelling at speeds of 64mph And more video from insider the hijacked police car shows the moment Williams loses control and crashes into a hedge Police noticed an 'overpowering' smell of alcohol emanating from Williams, who appeared 'very drunk'. Williams admitted possession of an offensive weapon, racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated criminal damage, taking a police car without authority, dangerous driving, damaging property, and driving while disqualified and unfit through drink with no insurance or licence. Williams, of Wattsville, was already under a suspended 16-week jail term for thefts and driving while disqualified. He also had previous convictions for dangerous driving, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and threats to kill. Richard Ace, mitigating, said: 'There is an obvious level of immaturity, not just because he's 19 but because he's an immature young man for his age. Williams hijacked the car after police were called to arrest him and an accomplice after a racist attack on a garage owner. Pictured is the damage to the vehicle after Williams slammed into a red Honda The court heard Williams accelerated into a built-up area and drove at up to 90mph in a 30mph zone, performing a number of 'dangerous overtaking manoeuvres'. Pictured is footage from inside the stolen police car 'He was introduced to alcohol and drugs when he was barely a teenager. When he was 16 he started offending. Judge Recorder Simon Hughes jailed Williams for 92-weeks and banned him from driving three years and 46 weeks. Speaking after the case, Superintendent Leanne Brustad, head of Gwent roads policing, said: 'Dafydd Williams was stopped by officers after he was seen driving dangerously. 'He chose to then take a marked police car, while intoxicated, and put members of the public and road users - many of whom undoubtedly thought he was an officer using the car for its intended purpose in response to an emergency - at direct risk of harm. 'A marked police car is not just something that our officers use to attend emergencies, it is a resource which helps us keep our communities safe. Williams' dangerous behaviour meant that we were unable to use this car, which is funded by the taxpayer, to respond to calls to service while it was repaired.' An alleged Russian spy and his family are living a life of luxury in London thanks to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, it has emerged. The Ukrainian businessman was reportedly allowed to enter Britain on a pre-existing visa before using the Government's flagship relocation programme to bring over his family. The unnamed tycoon is staying in a multi-million-pound apartment in the capital while enjoying dinners at high-end restaurants, reports the i - despite the FBI warning he is an 'asset' for Vladimir Putin's intelligence service the FSB. The revelation raises tough questions about the Homes for Ukraine scheme's security vetting, with one insider at the Department of Levelling Up claiming they have been under 'inexplicable pressure' to accept as many applications as possible. It comes after MailOnline revealed multiple incidents of alleged abuse by Ukrainian refugees, including one British host who claimed the male guest he had taken in had 'tried to rape him'. A view of the headquarters of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), also known as the Lubyanka Building, in Lubyanskaya Square in central Moscow The unnamed tycoon is staying in a multi-million-pound apartment in the capital while enjoying dinners at high-end restaurants, reports the i - despite the FBI warning he is an 'asset' for Vladimir Putin's intelligence service the FSB (Pictured: Putin in Moscow this month) READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: British host claims Homes for Ukraine refugee 'tried to rape him' in his bedroom - but says 'police took no DNA' and released suspect without charge to be re-homed West Midlands Police decided there was insufficient evidence after taking statements from both men, and 'did not even try' to collect DNA evidence, the host's shocked partner claimed. (Pictured: Ukrainian guest, main, during video call with the British host, top right corner) Advertisement The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion to come to the UK, provided they have a sponsor from an approved host family. It is not known who was the sponsor for the family of the alleged Russian agent, but Western intelligence officials are said to be fuming that he is now living freely in the capital. Have you been affected by the Homes for Ukraine scheme? Email laurence.dollimore@mailonline.co.uk One FBI officer, who has been on the asset's tail for years as part of the force's kleptocrat team, said that it 'rubbed salt in the wound' when he heard of his comfortable London set up, insisting he 'shouldn't be a free man.' A cache of US intelligence documents, seen by the i, show the businessman was investigated by the Americans in 2021 for allegedly planning 'cyber threats, domestic terrorism and malign foreign influence'. A source told the newspaper: 'He has been written about in numerous intelligence reports and is considered a threat to Ukraine and the US and implicated in money laundering on behalf of sanctioned entities, engagement in transnational criminal activities and attempted influence over US politicians.' The man is said to have made his fortune through various businesses in Russia and he is on the sanction list of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council. He is also suspected of large-scale financial crimes by the country's Security Services (SBU). MailOnline has contacted Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation, the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up for comment. The alleged Russian agent dismissed his links to the FSB as 'yet another provocation aimed at undermining my reputation', but confirmed his family joined him in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. He insisted he arrived to the UK on a visa he was granted in 2017 and that he and his family left Ukraine 'absolutely legally'. He also said he was challenging the sanctions placed upon him in the courts, adding that they do not restrict his movements 'in any way'. He blamed the sanctions on a 'gross legal error'. The businessman said he had donated to his country's military, adding: 'This clearly demonstrates my proactive position as a patriot and citizen of Ukraine... I repeat, the imposition of sanctions on me is nothing but a gross legal error.' The alleged Russian agent dismissed his links to the FSB as 'yet another provocation aimed at undermining my reputation', but confirmed his family joined him in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme (stock image) A spokesman for Ukraine's economic crime bureau said the tycoon is under a 'complete suspension of transit of resources, flights and transportation through the territory of Ukraine'. He said the man's businesses are under ongoing investigation to 'identify [any] threats to the economic security of the state' and any 'violations' of Ukrainian law. The FBI is believed to have discovered correspondence between the Ukrainian and Russian intelligence officials, in which the issue of payments was discussed. Documents also reportedly show he has worked with another suspected FSB agent to help launder money for sanctioned individuals in the US and Europe. READ MORE: Brits who took in Ukrainian refugees demand tougher background checks after falling victim to fraud and theft Emma Nishigaki, 53, told MailOnline that she discovered her passport had been used on up to 22 Homes for Ukraine or other visa applications without her knowledge (Pictured right, Ms Nishigaki, while left, her 'fabulous' Ukrainian guest Yulia) Advertisement The FBI is said to have sent at least 15 recommendations for the Ukrainian to be placed on the sanctions list in the US. The Homes for Ukraine scheme has been blighted with issues since it began following the start of Russia's invasion last February. Some critics blasted delays in getting Ukrainians to the UK and away from Putin's bombs, leading to calls for security checks to be loosened. However such plans were shut down by then-home secretary Priti Patel who warned there would be people willing to 'exploit' the scheme. She said at the time: 'There are those who would come to our country, to this country, who would mean us harm and who plot to strike at our very way of life.' On claims the Homes for Ukraine scheme has had issues with security vetting, a UK Government spokesman said: 'These claims are misleading and inaccurate. 'Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, robust security checks are conducted to issuing visas and neither the Levelling Up Secretary or his department has any role in this process.' The spokesman called the scheme 'one of the most successful humanitarian programmes anywhere in the world'. He added: 'All arrivals need to meet standard security checks prior to being issued with a visa - and we've been clear from the outset of this scheme that there would be no departure from these protocols.' Parliament should consider overhauling abortion laws as a priority after a woman was jailed for terminating her pregnancy after the legal limit, senior female MPs said today. Campaigners also demanded the procedure be completely decriminalised as the threat is 'archaic' and 'terrifying' for women. Caroline Nokes, the Conservative who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has joined women's rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation used to prosecute Carla Foster. Tory MP Ms Nokes said: 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' But the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the largest and oldest pro-life group in the UK, has hit back by saying: 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Ms Foster, from the Staffordshire village of Barlaston, lied about how advanced her pregnancy was in order to obtain abortion-causing drugs. She was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service under the 'pills by post' scheme, which pro-life campaigners believe is inhumane and should be banned. The 44-year-old was given a 28-month extended prison sentence yesterday. The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant. Foster already had three sons - one of whom has special needs - before she became pregnant again in 2019. She had moved back in with her estranged partner when lockdown began, while carrying another man's baby. Carla Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday. She was jailed for 28 months. Her case has sparked debate about Britain's abortion laws Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, told LBC: 'Abortion should not be subject to criminal law. They [abortions] should be regulated. I'm not saying there should be zero regulation. But you can't allow a situation where the patient can be criminalised. 'We have to have long, cold hard look about why we still allow a Victorian era law to prevail in the 21st century when just across the way in Northern Ireland we have done away with that'. Abortions are generally only legal before 24 weeks and are carried out in clinics after ten weeks of pregnancy. Dame Diana Johnson, the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, urged the Government to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions so women cannot be jailed in such cases. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Foster was sent the drugs by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after she lied about how far along in her pregnancy she was during 2020's pandemic lockdown. The prosecution said Foster made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including 'how to hide a pregnancy bump', 'how to have an abortion without going to the doctor' and 'how to lose a baby at six months'. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. The sentencing has prompted a backlash. Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 Foster lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to obtain abortion-causing drugs Ms Nokes told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. Reaction to sentencing of Carla Foster for inducing late abortion 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way.' Dame Diana Johnson, Labour MP and Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date.' Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP and Commons Women and Equalities Committee chairman 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' Stella Creasy, Labour MP 'No woman can ever go through this again. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent.' Clare Murphy, British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health.' Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International UK women's human rights programme director 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' Harriet Wistrich, Centre for Women's Justice director 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now.' Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman 'BPAS is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom.' Catherine Robinson, Right To Life UK spokesman 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion.' Andrea Williams, Christian Concern chief executive 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Society for the Protection of Unborn Children spokesman 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Emily Hawkins, communications director of Alliance of Pro-Life Students Advertisement 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. Dame Diana said both society and healthcare have 'moved on' since the existing abortion laws were put in place. The Labour MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world, as I understand it, that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal also argued it was not in the public interest to prosecute the mother-of-three. Citing public feeling towards laws restricting abortions and her mitigating factors, he told Today: 'Had I been involved, had I been doing this particular case, I would not have prosecuted it. 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now. And I think that's one of the things I would have factored in in relation to this particular case.' Centre for Women's Justice director Harriet Wistrich was also among those questioning whether the prosecution was in the public interest. 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' she said. 'She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. 'When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to women's basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said: 'No woman can ever go through this again' and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system,' she said. The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was 'complex and traumatic', but said it has a duty to ensure laws are 'properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions'. The court heard Foster, who had three sons before becoming pregnant again in 2019, did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was 'embarrassed' and did not know how far along she was. She spoke to a BPAS nurse practitioner in May 2020 and was sent abortion pills in the post after it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant based on her answers. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation when born. Her cause of death was recorded as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Pepperall said: 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' What are abortion pills? And what are the survival odds for a 34-week baby? UK abortion law explained Abortion laws in the UK are under huge scrutiny today after a woman was jailed for illegally procuring her own termination outside the legal limit. Carla Foster, from Staffordshire, was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication under the 'pills by post' scheme. The 44-year-old lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to secure the drugs in May 2020. Foster was jailed yesterday at Stoke Crown Court despite pleas from medical bodies and charities calling for leniency. She already had three sons one of whom has special needs before she became pregnant again in 2019. Foster posted on Facebook hours before being sentenced that 'no one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through'. Here we explain what happened, survival rates for babies born before full term, and what rules govern abortion access in the UK. What is the 'pills by post' scheme? The 'pills by post' scheme is an at-home abortion procedure for pregnancies under 10 weeks. It consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken at least 24 hours apart. Women take mifepristone first. The pill blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy, from working. The second, misoprostol, contains a hormone called prostaglandin that causes the uterus to contract, triggering the abortion. Did the Covid lockdown play a part in what happened? Under pre-pandemic rules, women took the first pill at an abortion clinic or hospital under supervision from a clinician. They were then able to take the second at home up to 48 hours later. With Covid shutting down or restricting access to these services, there were fears women could miss out on the early termination service. The scheme allowed women to get the pills at home via a remote consultation with medical professionals. Foster was one of those women, with the court hearing how, based on answers to questions, a medic determined she was seven weeks pregnant at the time of the consultation. While the scheme was brought in during the pandemic, it is now here to stay. Ministers originally wanted to axe the scheme last summer, but they were defeated by a vote by MPs in March 2022. The Department of Health and Social Care said doctors will be required to certify in 'good faith' that the pills are only being used to terminate early pregnancies. Mifepristone is one of two drugs that form part of the 'pills by post' service allowing women to terminate early pregnancies at home How mother was prosecuted under 1861 law on 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' Carla Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' - and this was accepted by the prosecution. The law states as follows: 'Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for life' Advertisement What are the rules surrounding abortions in the UK? Women can legally request an abortion in the UK until 24 weeks pregnant, but it is up to medics if it is granted. Under the 1967 Abortion Act terminations are granted on grounds of physical or mental health as well as financial reasons, such as being unable to afford to care for a child. There is no access to abortion on demand in the UK. A woman cannot terminate a pregnancy without cause, she must have reason. Abortions can still be carried out after the 24-week limit but only under very strict circumstances. These include the mother's life being at risk from the pregnancy or if the child would be born with a severe disability. Before 10 weeks abortions can be carried at home out using only medication, after this period the procedure needs to be conducted in a specialised clinic. At these clinics, most abortion services perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of their last period. Surgical abortions are another method of pregnancy termination carried out in the UK but are normally carried out in later pregnancies or if drugs do not work. They are a fraction of total abortions carried out in the UK, only accounting for 13 per cent of terminations in 2021, the latest data available. Under what law was Foster sentenced? Foster pleaded guilty under a section of the Offences Against the Person Act entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion'. This law was written in 1861, making it 162-years-old. It essentially makes all abortions, as well helping carry them out, illegal. The 1967 abortion legislation was written to create legal exemptions to the 1861 act, effectively creating a legal avenue for women to terminate pregnancies. How late was Foster's abortion in terms of baby development? A full-term pregnancy is usually considered to last 37 weeks. Babies born before this period are considered pre-term and can have a reduced chance of survival as a result as their bodies are not fully developed. Thanks to a range of medical advances babies, born at 34 weeks and above now have the same survival chance as a baby born full term. This decreases to 95 per cent at 31 weeks, 89 per cent at 27 weeks, and so on with babies born at 22 weeks or less having much lower chances of survival. Foster's baby was estimated to be aborted at between 33 and 34 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term. Their odds of survival vary greatly depending just how early they are born but medical advances mean those born at 34 weeks and above have the same equivalent chance at life as a baby born at full term Access to abortion varies around the world with some countries allowing full access though gestational limits still apply. Others only allow abortions on medical grounds or forbid it entirely. The UK is considered a European outlier, only allowing abortions on both health as and economic grounds whereas most of its neighbours are more flexible. Abortion access in the US has undergone a radical shift recently and now varies greatly on a state-by-state level How have abortion rules in the UK recently changed? Home abortions were approved at the end of March 2020 by then Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new rules allowed women within the first ten weeks of pregnancy to take the first pill at home following a teleconsultation with a clinician. This was applied in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland which only started permitting abortions from 2020. But in February, the Government announced the rule would be ending in August, with women again required to go to clinics to get their first abortion pill. Health minister Maggie Throup said the move would ensure the 'wellbeing and safety' of women. However, rebel MPs voted down the plan to scrap the scheme in March. After an emotional debate, 215 MPs voted to amend the Health and Care Bill to keep the service in place. These included 72 Conservatives such as Cabinet ministers Grant Shapps and Brandon Lewis and former PM Theresa May. Conservative MP Laura Trott said that keeping the service was 'a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity'. Advertisement Why did medical groups call for leniency before the sentencing? Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, judge Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if 'the letter had not been written at all'. He said: 'The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence.' Does the case have any wider implications? The case has sparked a wider row about abortion access in the UK with campaigners, lawyers, feminists and MPs calling for abortion to be fully decriminalised in the UK. On the other side prolife groups have argued for greater restrictions, particularly on the 'pills at home scheme'. MPs from both the Conservatives and Labour have called for Parliament to overhaul the 'out-of-date' law used to jail Foster. Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme yesterday: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' This morning, senior MP Dame Diana Johnson urged ministers to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions. The chairwoman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is not in the public interest to see a mother with three children now in prison for 28 months.' Discussing existing abortion laws, the Labour MP added: 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. 'There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Clare Murphy called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data shows 214,869 women had abortions in England and Wale in 2021, up 2 per cent on the more than 210,000 recorded in 2020 She said: 'We are shocked and appalled by the decision to sentence a mother-of-three to 28 months in prison for using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent. 'Just this week, a police force contacted BPAS to request the medical records of a woman who is being investigated for allegedly attempting to end their own pregnancy. 'Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the numbers of women and girls facing the trauma of lengthy police investigations and threatened with up to life imprisonment under our archaic abortion law. 'On Saturday, BPAS, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Fawcett Society, and many others will be taking to the streets in London to demand legislative reform. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. 'In 2020, MPs in Westminster amended the law in Northern Ireland to remove the threat of criminal sanction for any woman who attempted to end their own pregnancy. 'MPs must extend the same protection so that no more women in these desperate circumstances in the UK are ever threatened with prison again.' But Catherine Robinson a spokesperson for the prolife organisation Right To Life UK claimed BPAS was using the tragedy for its own ends. 'Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically using this womans tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom,' she said. A spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children added: 'Now, that this policy has led to nearly full-term babies being killed well past the legal limit, abortion giants like BPAS are attempting to cover up this tragedy by calling for abortion to be entirely removed from the oversight of the law.' And Christian Action Research and Education have even called for the 'pills by post' scheme to be withdrawn. Louise Davies, the orgnaisation's director of policy and advocacy, said: 'This tragic case underlines the dangers of the "pills-by-post" scheme introduced during the pandemic, and still in force today.' 'This dangerous scheme must be revoked now.' Carla Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 How common are abortions in the UK? Nearly 215,000 abortions were carried out in England and Wales in 2021, according to Government data, up 2 per cent on the year before. More than half of these were carried out at home via the pills by post service, according to a report from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The number of abortions carried out in over-35s has been rising over the past decade. In 2011, 27,199 had a termination, compared to 40,789 in 2021. It has been linked to pressures to maintain their careers and lifestyles at a time when many are in unstable relationships. At the same time, rates in teenagers have been falling. In 2021, 6,273 under-18s had a procedure, down from 14,599 in 2011. Overall, there were 19.2 abortions carried out for every 1,000 women in 2021. This was up from 18.9 the year before and 12 per cent more than the 17.2 per 1,000 in 2011. Rates were highest for women aged 22 (at 31.0 per 1,000 women). The data also showed 43 per cent of women undergoing abortions had had one or more previous abortions, up from 36 per cent a decade ago. Meanwhile, there were 3,370 abortions performed because of a risk the baby would have been born with disabilities. This is a slight increase on 2020 (3,083). At the time the figures were released BPAS head Clare Murphy said: 'The pandemic, and the policies adopted by the Government in response, have had a clear impact on women's pregnancy choices. 'Faced with economic uncertainty and job insecurity, women and their partners have been making sometimes tough decisions around continuing or ending a pregnancy.' A Victorian politician has alleged the government is trying to 'cover up' details about a koala massacre. A total of 152 koalas were put down after contracting a disease from a nearby American-owned aluminum smelter. The disease was first identified at Alcoa in Portland in regional southwest Victoria in 2010. The company recently admitted to killing the marsupials after learning the creatures were deteriorating from exposure to fluoride - a waste product of smelting. A total of 152 koalas were put down after deteriorating from exposure to fluoride - a waste product of smelting from nearby American-owned aluminum smelter (stock image) Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell (pictured) has alleged the government is trying to 'cover up' details about koalas which were killed after falling ill Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell told Yahoo News the government's handling of the contagion was 'embarrassing' and stated that they were 'passing the buck' on their responsibility to protect native wildlife. 'Killing over 150 koalas cannot be considered appropriate management as they say it is. The Victorian public simply won't accept it,' Ms Purcell said 'That is why they are so desperate to cover up what is going on... and why it has been so difficult to get any answers or outcomes about the koalas. 'Frankly, it is unacceptable and quite embarrassing. Not only do we have a minister in Victoria that is directly responsible for the welfare of our native animals, but we also have an entire government department, and they are outsourcing (koala management) to an American company.' In May it was revealed that the Alcoa assessed 348 koalas and gave fertility control to 79 females since beginning assessment on koala health. The industry giant found the large group of marsupials living in the 17 hectares closest to the smelter were suffering from the effects of fluorosis. The disease can lead to malnutrition as well as skeletal and dental defects. The 152 worst-affected koalas - about 60 per cent of those assessed were euthanised and the forest was closed off from the public in March. US-owned Alcoa admitted to euthanising 152 koalas near its Portland smelter (stock image) In response to the tragic loss of life, Alcoa implemented a Koala Management Plan. Part of its plan to rehabilitate koala's wellbeing in the area includes planting 16,000 eucalyptus trees on 14 hectares further from the smelter. Alcoa hopes that by gradually removing the 17 worst-affected hectares while the plantation grows it will encourage the koalas to move to the new forest. 'We remain committed to supporting the ongoing protection and management of the local koala population,' a spokesperson said in a statement. However, wildlife activist groups say the situation in Portland is only an example of a wider koala crisis across Victoria. Koalas are listed as endangered in NSW, QLD and the ACT but the Victorian Government claims its koala population is 'secure'. Some parts of the state have even declared an overpopulation of koalas, including the southwest where Portland is located. Alcoa has since enacted a Koala Management Plan to plant 16,000 eucalyptus trees near the smelter (pictured) In 2022 the government euthanised almost a third of the 125 koalas near the Budj Bim dormant volcano, about 70km from Portland. Koala Alliance Victoria is just one of the agencies that claim Victoria is overestimating the stability of its koala population and calling for the national icons to be treated with more respect. 'If we don't act, koalas in Victoria will vanish without even getting onto the endangered list,' spokesperson Jessica Roberson told Yahoo. 'That would be a terrible tragedy and we will not rest until something is done to turn this around.' Vladimir Putin has claimed that Ukraine's armed forces have suffered 10 times the losses incurred by his own troops amid Kyiv's long-awaited counteroffensive in startling remarks today. The Russian president declared that Kyiv's large-scale counter-offensive began on June 4 and has not been successful in any area, suggesting that Ukraine had lost over 160 of its tanks, 25%-30% of which he said were supplied by Western allies. His remarks came during a media session in which he downplayed the toll of the war on Russia's forces, saying he saw no need for additional mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine, or to declare martial law in some regions of Western Russia that have suffered attacks. 'There is no reason to introduce some kind of special regime or martial law in the country,' Putin said, though he admitted his forces were suffering from shortages in some military equipment, including 'high-precision ammunition and drones'. Ukrainian officials disputed Putin's claims of high losses, with deputy defence minister Hanna Mailar reporting the country's troops had recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometres (35 square miles) of eastern Ukraine over the past week in the first days of their counteroffensive. It comes as Russia's defence ministry claimed to have captured German-made Leopard 2 tanks and US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles on the frontlines. The ministry released a short clip on its official Telegram channel which appeared to show Russian troops surveying the seized equipment supplied to Ukraine by Western countries. 'Leopard tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. These are our trophies. Equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporizhzhia region,' the defence ministry said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with war correspondents at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2023 The Russian president declared that Kyiv's large-scale counter-offensive began on June 4 and has not been successful in any area, suggesting that Ukraine had lost over 160 of its tanks, 25%-30% of which he said were supplied by Western allies Russian soldiers inspect captured vehicles on the frontline, including Leopard 2 tanks The vehicles had evidently been damaged amid frontline skirmishes, but the defence ministry said several of the captured vehicles had working engines An image provided by the Russian Defence Ministry's press service on June 10 2023 shows German and American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles destroyed in combat in the Zaporizhzhia region, southern Ukraine The vehicles had evidently been damaged amid frontline skirmishes, but the defence ministry said several had working engines and that this suggested the battles they were involved in had been short. Meanwhile, Germany's defence minister admitted the country will not immediately be able to replace the tanks it has provided to Ukraine. Earlier this year Berlin started sending advanced Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, after months of pleas from Kyiv for the heavy weapons to bolster its fightback against Russia. Defence minister Boris Pistorius told broadcaster RTL in an interview aired late Monday that 'we will not be able to replace every tank that is now out of action'. He refused to confirm the authenticity of images circulating online purportedly showing some of the tanks damaged in battle. But he added that 'unfortunately it is the nature of war that weapons are destroyed, that tanks are destroyed and people are killed. 'That is why our support for Ukraine is so important.' Other Ukrainian and German politicians have been calling for rapid resupply of tanks given the destruction of the armaments. Mr Pistorius said Berlin would continue to supply the less advanced Leopard 1 tanks, and there would be over 100 by the end of the year. After coming under sustained pressure, Berlin in January agreed that the German-made tanks could be sent to Ukraine. The government has so far delivered 18 of the advanced Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. In an attempt to avoid a further depletion of military stocks as the war in Ukraine continues, the heads of leading arms-making companies meet NATO defence ministers this week to discuss increasing production and standardising artillery shells. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned in February that Kyiv was burning through shells much faster than Western countries could produce them. The start of a Ukrainian counteroffensive is certain to lead to even greater use. But the lack of common standards among the various manufacturers has hampered the flow of munitions supplies. 'It is about supercharging the NATO standardisation process in order to enable smoother supplies, which will help prevent delays and shortfalls in the future,' a NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters ahead of the meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Those invited include BAE Systems, Turkish drone maker Baykar, General Dynamics, the KNDS holding representing Leopard 2 producer KMW and French Nexter, Kongsberg, Leonardo, Lockheed, MBDA and Northrop Grumman, according to a defence source. NATO has been talking with industry representatives about boosting defence production since last year, but this is the first time the alliance holds such a high-level gathering. Discussions on Thursday will focus on ways to ramp up supplies of artillery shells, air defences, precision-guided deep-strike ammunitions and missiles with a range of hundreds of kilometres such as the British Storm Shadow. Two Leopard 2 tanks are seen in action during a visit of German defence minister Boris Pistorius at the Bundeswehr tank battalion 203 at the Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, Germany, Feb. 1, 2023 A US Army M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle Gun barrels for Leopard battle tanks at the facility of German armaments company and automotive supplier Rheinmetall in Unterluess, northern Germany, on June 6, 2023 Ukrainian artillery fires towards the frontline during heavy fighting amid Russia's attack, near Bakhmut, April 13, 2023 A technician of German armaments company and automotive supplier Rheinmetall works on 155mm ammunition that will be delivered to Ukrainian Forces for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (armoured howitzer 2000) A Storm Shadow Cruise missile on display inside the R.A.F. Museum Production of artillery ammunition, for example for the Panzerhaubitze 2000, in a production hall of the armaments group Rheinmetall AG for further processing on June 6, 2023 in Unterluess, Germany A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Sunday, May 28, 2023 Demand for 155mm artillery rounds has soared in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But allies' supplies for their own defence have been run down as they have rushed shells to Kyiv, which fires thousands of rounds per day. While NATO enforces standards for rounds fired by small arms such as assault rifles, enabling troops from all allies to use each others' munitions, it is not so easy for artillery shells. Although some large NATO countries have agreed on certain standards for the 155mm rounds used by howitzers, additional calculations are often needed to hit a target with the required precision, experts say. The NATO official said companies themselves have an interest in producing rounds that can be fired by multiple countries, with orders worth billions of euros expected as the war drags on in Ukraine. A defence industry source welcomed NATO's push for more standardisation and called it 'long overdue'. 'If national governments could bring themselves to throw national standards overboard and agree on common NATO standards - in particular with regard to munitions - this would be a landslide change,' the defence source said. Standardisation would also be useful for 120mm tank rounds. 'This would be a real gamechanger. You could go looking for 120mm shells all over the world - because the ones that suit the (German) Leopard (tank) will work as well with the (US) Abrams.' Still, NATO may run into opposition from ammunition makers as such a move could raise competition and lower prices. 'There are hard-hitting business interests behind the entire ammunitions issue,' the industry source said. 'Companies are making money out of the fact that ammunitions are not interchangeable, that they can dominate their national markets with their munitions.' The push for more standardisation comes at a crucial time when defence companies can already see much bigger orders on the horizon as NATO, at its Vilnius summit in July, is about to raise targets for how much munitions allies have to stockpile. More than a year of conflict in Ukraine has left national inventories badly depleted. Before that many NATO countries had run down their stocks as governments considered wars of attrition with big artillery battles a thing of the past. 'It will take six to ten years until all European munitions depots will be filled up again,' Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger told the German RND newspaper group in an interview. Rheinmetall is one of the biggest producers of artillery munitions and is about to ramp up its production capacity to 600,000 from 450,000 rounds of 155mm shells per year. Labour's candidate to replace Boris Johnson in Parliament sparked fury today by backing Sadiq Khan's ULEZ tax and suggesting struggling families hit by the 250-a-month green levy should blame the Government. Danny Beales said 'we all need cleaner air' as he was challenged over the 12.50 daily emissions toll, which will be expanded to outer London areas like Uxbridge and South Ruislip. And while he admitted that some will find payments 'tough' he blamed the way 'this government has mismanaged the economy' and eaten into their spare cash. Mr Beales will contest the constituency in the west London borough of Hillingdon after the shock decision by Mr Johnson to quit his seat to avoid censure over Partygate lawbreaking. Labour is hoping to overturn Mr Johnson's 7,210 majority, but the plan to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in August could still cause the party problems. Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands said: 'I've been in Uxbridge today to kick off our by-election campaign, where residents have been telling me how furious they are with Sadiq Khan's cynical ULEZ cash grab. Danny Beales said 'we all need cleaner air' as he defended plans for the 12.50 daily emissions levy to be expanded to outer London areas like Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Mr Beales will contest the constituency in the borough of Hillingdon after the shock decision by Mr Johnson to quit his seat to avoid censure over Partygate lawbreaking. Asked by ITV if he supported Ulez Mr Beales, 34, a charity worker, said: 'I think it is tough at the moment for families facing the potential of an extra bill when this government has mismanaged the economy - mortgage rates are up, fuel bills are up, food bills are up, so it is difficult - but I think what we need is a strategy from the government to transition our vehicles' 'But it's clear that Labour would rather back Mayor Khan than stick up for Uxbridge residents - selecting to be their candidate a Camden councillor who wanted ULEZ expanded years ago. 'Only the Conservatives can be trusted to stand up for Uxbridge's motorists.' Asked by ITV if he supported ULEZ Mr Beales, 34, a charity worker, said: 'We all want cleaner air, we all need to take polluting cars off the roads, to get more electric vehicles and we need to do that in the right way. 'I think it is tough at the moment for families facing the potential of an extra bill when this government has mismanaged the economy - mortgage rates are up, fuel bills are up, food bills are up, so it is difficult - but I think what we need is a strategy from the government to transition our vehicles. 'We all want electric vehicles and this government is doing nothing to make it happen.' But Howard Cox, the founder of FairFuelUK and the Reform UK candidate for London mayor, said the main parties 'are under the delusion that we all want to own expensive and impractical electric vehicles'. 'This could not be further from the truth and shows how our politicos are completely out of touch with public opinion,' he said. 'The detested Ulez expansion will not make any demonstrable difference to the quality of the air we breathe, as clearly proven by Khan's very own Transport for London.' Mr Cox, who is running on a platform of scrapping ULEZ across all fo London, added: They are simply following the scent of an easy cash grab under the trendy naive journey to the ruling elite's unattainable net zero pipedream.' Constituency level polling by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft earlier this month found voters were quite evenly divided as to whether they would prefer a Conservative government with Rishi Sunak as prime minister (29 per cent) or a Labour government led by Sir Keir (27 per cent) - while 30 per cent wanted neither. However, there is the additional complicating factor of an insurgent campaign of rightwing Reclaim party leader Laurence Fox, which could claim some Tory votes. The Tory civil war that has helped the party plummet in the polls is unlikely to die down any time soon. Boris Johnson will reportedly be found tomorrow to have deliberately misled MPs over parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. The Privileges Committee has rejected the former prime minister's defence that senior officials advised him Covid rules and guidance had been followed in No 10, according to the Times. But Mr Johnson - who resigned on Friday after receiving the group's report - struck a defiant tone, quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger as he told the Daily Express: 'I'll be back.' The ex-MP accused the committee of 'bias' and likened it to a 'kangaroo court' in a furious 1,000-word exit statement after receiving a draft of its findings. The panel, chaired by Labour MP but with a Conservative majority, found that one of his most senior officials in fact warned him against claiming social distancing guidelines were followed at the gatherings, the Times reported. Meanwhile Rishi Sunak's personally rating has slipped to the lowest of his premiership in terms of being the best person to lead the country, as he tries to hold a fractured Conservative Party together. Mr Sunak is 10 points being Labour's Keir Starmer in terms of who is seen as the better leader, after a brutal week in Westminster. Mr Sunak is 10 points being Labour's Keir Starmer in terms of who is seen as the better leader, after a brutal week in Westminster. He was backed by just 33 per cent of those polled by Redfield and Wilton Strategies after Boris Johnson announced he was quitting Parliament and his controversial resignation honours list was published. Sir Keir was on 43 per cent, and his personal approval rating has also risen by 4 per cent ahead of three key by-elections Labour needs to win to show they are on course for power at the next general election. Amber Heard has finally paid Johnny Depp the $1million settlement she owed him after their bitter legal battle - as the Pirates of the Caribbean star vows to split it five ways among his favorite charities. Depp and his ex-wife eventually settled their defamation claims against each other in December after five years of furious legal battles. Heard, who will return to the big screen as she debuts her new movie In The Fire at a film festival in Italy later this month, had alleged she was a victim of domestic violence during her 15-month marriage to Depp. While a courtroom in London found in Heard's favor, a a second case in Fairfax, Virginia, last year came out on Depp's side. After Heard was ordered to pay $10million in compensatory damages and $5million (later reduced to $365,000) in punitive damages, and Depp told to hand $2million in defamation damages, the former couple's legal teams eventually came to an agreement. Amber Heard (pictured in Madrid last month) has finally paid Johnny Depp the $1million settlement she owed him after their bitter legal battle The Pirates of the Caribbean star (pictured in Istanbul on June 10) has vowed to split the money five ways among his favorite charities Now, six months on from one of the most bitter Hollywood divorces in modern times, TMZ reports that Depp has finally received his $1million from Heard's insurance company. The outlet reports that the money will be divided evenly, $200,000 each, across Depp's five favorite non-profits. The charities range from organizations helping sick children with life-threatening illnesses and providing housing for deprived communities. The five non-profits Depp will choose to donate the money to are: Make-A-Film Foundation, The Painted Turtle, Red Feather, Tetiaroa Society and the Amazonia Fund Alliance. Sources have told TMZ that Depp has chosen Painted Turtle and Tetiaroa Society as a homage to two heroes in his lives, the respective founders Paul Newman and Marlon Brando. He has chosen Make-A-Film, a charities which grants kids wishes from those within the acting world, because he has done a short movie with them in the past. Red Feather and Amazonia focus on helping indigenous communities maintain their culture and heritage through shelters and large-scale infrastructure projects. Despite the bitter dispute, Depp has always insisted he was not trying to get money off his ex-wife but rather to clear his name and reputation. The money will be divided evenly, $200,000 each, across Depp's five favorite non-profits. Pictured: Depp at the Cannes Film Festival last month Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard have finally settled their defamation claims against each other in December. Pictured together in 2016 Despite the bitter dispute, Depp has always insisted he was not trying to get money off his ex-wife but rather to clear his name and reputation. Pictured: Heard in Madrid last month As both actors attempt to restore their lives, Depp has been spotted at Cannes Film Festival and more recently being mobbed by fans ahead of his Hollywood Vampires gig in Istanbul over the weekend. While Depp took center stage on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival to mark the debut of his new movie Jeanne du Barry, Heard was pictured stepping out for a walk with her daughter in Madrid, Spain, last month. The actress was pictured on the daytime stroll after DailyMail.com exclusively reported earlier this month that she has retreated from the U.S. - and the hustle and bustle of Hollywood - in the wake of her ex-husband Depp's mostly successful defamation trial against her in Virginia last year. Now, she has set up camp in a home just outside Madrid with her daughter. It was unclear whether Heard will attempt to step back into Hollywood, but she will appear in the upcoming thriller In The Fire, which is set to premiere at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy later this month. It will be the first time she is on the big screen since the defamation trial. While Depp has made several public appearances, DailyMail.com revealed last week that the actor has absolutely no plans to ever work with film giant Disney again. Despite furious speculation about the actor's potential return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise - which reports suggested could earn him up to $20 million - Depp is, sources close to him say he is done with Disney because he is still furious over the way the studio unceremoniously 'dropped him' when his ex-wife accused him of abuse. DailyMail.com revealed last week that Depp (pictured June 10) has absolutely no plans to ever work with film giant Disney again Although he said in Cannes that he doesn't feel boycotted by Hollywood, Depp is angry about the way that the domestic abuse allegations played out and has decided that focusing on a life away from the industry is the best thing for him. After years of legal battles against Heard, Depp is concentrating on music, art, and directing arthouse films. Thousands of fans sang to Depp in Romania as the film star celebrated his 60th birthday last week by kicking off his band's European tour in Bucharest. He thanked Hollywood Vampires fans for the 'beautiful gesture', adding that it was 'the largest happy birthday song I've ever heard'. Julian Assange has lost his latest attempt to appeal against extradition to the US, where he faces criminal charges under the espionage act. The 51-year-old is wanted by US authorities on 18 counts after Wikileaks, an organisation he founded, published thousands of classified documents between 2010 and 2011. Assange has faced a lengthy legal battle over the past thirteen years, and has spent four of them held at Belmarsh prison. He has gained a mass of supporters from across the globe from Australian officials to ex-Baywatch star Pamela Anderson. But what charges has Assange faced over the past decade? Here is a timeline of events. Julian Assange (pictured above in 2017) has faced an eleven year legal battle after charges brought to him by Swedish authorities, he sought refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London Julian Assange pictured outside Westminster Magistrates Court in 2019 What did Julian Assange do? Julian Assange is an Australian-born computer programmer and founder of WikiLeaks, the non-profit organisation. In 2010, he was accused of rape and sexual assault by two women in Sweden, he denied charges and sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in June 2012. He faces being extradited to the US WikiLeaks, the company he co-founded, published a series of leaks provided by US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. The leaks included 75,000 documents relating to the war in Afghanistan and approximately 390,000 army field reports relating to the Iraq war. They also published more than 250,000 diplomatic cables dated between 1996 and 2010. Assange requested political asylum in the embassy and said he would not leave if charges brought by the Swedish government were dropped, because of fears of being extradited in the US. If extradited, Assange faces a lengthy prison sentence for crimes under the espionage act and would be the first ever person to be convicted under the act. Chelsea Manning was a key whistleblower to WikiLeaks who was sentenced to 35 years in a US prison, she wasfreed after almost seven years by Barack Obama Timeline of Julian Assange's 13-year legal battle 2010 August: An arrest warrant is issued over separate allegations of rape and molestation after Assange's visit to Sweden. He is questioned in Stockholm and says the claims are 'without basis'. November: Interpol put out an international arrest warrant after a Swedish court approves request to detain him on suspicion of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. December: Assange is remanded in custody after an extradition hearing in London and received bail on the second attempt. 2012 May: The UK Supreme Court rules he should be extradited to Sweden to face allegations. June 19: Ecuador's foreign minister says Assange has applied for political asylum at Ecuador's embassy in London. WikiLeaks' publishing of confidential information on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and American diplomatic memos has provoked US intelligence and defence chiefs. August 16: Ecuador grants Assange asylum saying there are fears to his human rights if he is extradited. Assange cannot be arrested as long as he doesn't leave the embassy. Metropolitan Police guard the building in case he tries to flee to safety in Ecuador. Assange pictured on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy on August 19, 2012 August 20: The UK insists it will not grant him 'safe passage' to Ecuador. Downing street said the government was obliged to extradite Assange to Sweden. October 8: Nine people who placed bail sureties for Assange to appear in court are ordered by a judge to pay thousands of pounds each, after his failure to show. November 29: The Ecuadorian ambassador to the UK says Assange has a chronic lung condition, the embassy said it has sought assurances Assange will not be arrested if taken to hospital. 2014 August: Assange tells a news conference he will soon be leaving the embassy, after two years of refuge. He dismisses claims that he will give up his fight over extradition in Sweden. December: American philosopher Noam Chomsky and Hollywood actor John Cusack visit Assange, becoming the first among many famous faces to visit. Pamela Anderson, Vivienne Westwood and Eric Catona would later join. Vivienne Westwood pictured protesting against Assange's extradition charges outside the Old Bailey in 2020 Dame Vivienne Westwood held a picnic for Julian Assange's birthday in 2021 2015 August 13: Swedish prosecutors drop their inquiry into molestation and unlawful coercion allegations after a legal time limit passes. The more serious allegation of rape does not expire until 2020. October 12: Police call off their 24-hour watch of their embassy in London, after three years and an estimated 12million in costs. CCTV is installed instead. 2016 February 5: The United Nations says Assange is being 'arbitrarily detained' at the embassy and said he should be compensated for his 'deprivation of liberty'. Then-Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond says the ruling is 'ridiculous'. November 14: The Swedish authorities finally question Assange, chief prosecutor Ingrid Isgren travels to London and listens as questions are put to him by the embassy. Ingrid Isgren travels to London in November 2016, where Assange answers questions from Swedish authorities put to him by the embassy 2017 January 17: Barack Obama, US president at the time, frees WikiLeaks key whistleblower and then-soldier Chelsea Manning. Assange says he stands by his decision to be extradited to the US if Obama grants Manning clemency. April 21: The new US attorney general, Jeff Sessions marks Assange's arrest as a 'priority'. May 19: Sweden's prosecutor Marianne Nye says the rape investigation has been dropped. 'At this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted,' she said. June 18: Media outlets share details of former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson online love letter to Assange, asking for world leaders to set him free. Pamela Anderson claimed she 'loves' Julian Assange while leaving Belmarsh prison, the former Baywatch star protests of his innocence 2018 January 11: The Ecuadorian government confirms Mr Assange was granted Ecuadorian citizenship in December, the UK refuses him diplomatic immunity. February: An arrest warrant is upheld by Westminster Magistrate's Court. Ecuador says the country's efforts to negotiate Assange's departure from the embassy have failed. March 28: Ecuador cuts Assange's internet connection. May 18: The embassy removed extra security outside the building following reports that over 3million has been spent to protect him. October 16: The Ecuadorian embassy issued a set of house rules to Assange which include cleaning his bathroom and looking after his cat's 'wellbeing, food and hygiene'. The Ecuadorian Embassy issued a set of rules to Assange which included taking proper care of his cat The embassy says it will partially restore Assange's WiFi access. October 19: Assange launches legal action against Ecuador, accusing the government of violating his 'fundamental rights and freedoms'. In a statement, Wikileaks said: 'Ecuador's measures against Julian Assange have been widely condemned.' December 6: Barry Pollack, Assange's lawyer, says his client will not accept a deal between the UK and Ecuador to allow him to be released over fears he may be extradited to the US. 2019 April 5: A senior Ecuadorian official denies claims that Assange will be removed from the London building. April 11: Assange is arrested at the embassy after the Ecuadorian ambassador 'invites' Met Police officers inside. Foreign Secretary tweeted to thank the Ecuadorian government for their cooperation. May 1: Judge Deborah Taylor sentences Assange to 50 weeks in jail after being found guilty of breaching the Bail Act. Julian Assange pictured outside court on May 1, 2019 where a judge sentenced him to 50 weeks in jail for breaching the Bail Act May 7: Pamela Anderson visits Assange at Belmarsh prison, accompanied by WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnssonn. She tells the press 'I love him' and says: 'He has never committed a violent act. He is an innocent person.' May 13: Sweden reopens the 2010 rape allegations made against Assange, which he denies. Deputy director of public prosecution, said there was 'probably cause' to suspect Assange had committed the crime. November 19: Prosecutors in Sweden drop the case completely, Persson says too much time has passed since the allegation was made, and the evidence has weakened. 2020 January 13: Assange appears at Westiminster Magistrates' Court and is backed by dozens of supporters including rapper MIA. Julian Assange pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates Court on January 13, 2020 February 24: Assange faces an extradition hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, his defence argues he cannot be legally handed to the US for 'political offences' due to a 2003 extradition treaty. March 25: Assange is denied bail because of the coronavirus pandemic. April 11: It emerges Assange has fathered two children while living in the embassy, Stella Moris issues a plea for his release amid fears of health. Stella Moris pictured leaving Belmarsh prison in 2020 after visiting the father of her two children. Moris gave birth to both children while Assange was in the Ecuadorian embassy June 24: The US Department of Justice issues an 18-count indictment against Assange. August 25: Ms Moris is allowed to visit Assange in Belmarsh Prison after almost six months. September 7: Assange's extradition hearing resumes at the Old Bailey October 1: Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourns the case 2021 January 4: A judge at the Old Bailey rules Assange cannot be extradited to the US. January 6: The US government appeals against the decision and Assange is refused bail at Westminster Magistrate's Court. December 10: The US government wins its High Court bid to overturn the decision not to extradite Assange. December 23: Ms Moris says Assange's lawyers have started the process towards a Supreme Court appeal over his extradition to the US 2022 January 24: Assange wins the first stage of the Supreme Court appeal. March 14: The Supreme Court confirms Assange is denied permission to appeal against the High Court's decision to extradite him to the US in 2021. March 23: Assange marries his fiancee at Belmarsh prison, joined by their sons and Assange's father and brother. Stella Moris wed Julian Assange at HMP Belmarsh prison on March 23, 2022 the pair have two children together June 17: Julian Assange's extradition from UK to US approved by home secretary Priti Patel. July 2: Julian Assange, who is wanted on 18 counts, has appealed to the High Court in London to block his extradition to the United States October 8: Assange supporters form human chain at UK parliament to protest against Assange's potential extradition. November 30: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raises the issue of Julian Assange's detention with US officials 2023 April 11: Australian federal politicians ask the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, to drop attempts to extradite Assange from the UK. Anthony Albanese is among dozens of Australian politicians asking the US attorney general to drop attempts to extradite Assange May 5: Anthony Albanese says he's 'frustrated' at the continued detention of Assange. May 6: Juliane Assange writes letter to King Charles and urges him to visit Belmarsh prison. June 9: Assange lost his latest attempt to fight extradition to the US, though he will renew his repeal If convicted, Assange faces a combined total sentence of up to 175 years in prison. Who is Julian Assange's wife? Sara Gonzales Devant changed her name to Stella Moris after beginning a love affair with Julian Assange, the two are now married after a private ceremony at Belmarsh Moris has two sons with Assange and kept their identity secret, she refused to even share to her close friends who the father was Julian Assange married his long-term partner Stella Moris on March 23, in a small ceremony at HMP Belmarsh. After the ceremony, she spoke to those gathered outside the prison. 'I am very happy and very sad. 'I love Julian with all my heart, and I wish he were here. He's the most amazing person in the world and he should be free.' Moris' real name is Sara Gonzales Devant, she is of Cuban, Spanish and Swedish decent and lived in several different countries before moving to the UK to pursue a career in human rights. Moris first met Assange in 2011 while he was under house arrest, she had been hired as part of Assenge's legal team to help fight his case against extradition in Sweden. In 2012, she officially changed her name to Stella Moris to protect herself and her family and reportedly began a love affair with Assange in 2015. They have two sons together, Gabriel and Max who are both British citizens. Moris kept their identity secret at first and refused to even share to her close friends who the father was. Their relationship was made public in April 2020. Sir Keir Starmer today warned of 'staggering' job losses from an Artificial Intelligence revolution set to affect the world in the 'next 12 or 18 months'. The Labour leader acknowledged 'many' workers would be replaced in their current roles by technology as he called for a 'much more informed discussion' about AI's impact on employment. Sir Keir shied away from supporting widespread payouts for Britons - through a Universal Basic Income - as AI takes over work and said there should instead be an effort to 'retrain and reskill the workforce into other areas'. He also insisted AI would be 'a real gamechanger for the country' and outlined how the technology could be used to increase cancer detection rates or even drive buses. Speaking at London Tech Week, the Labour leader claimed Britain was 'slightly behind the curve' on the development of AI despite recent efforts by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Sir Keir Starmer warned of 'staggering' job losses from an Artificial Intelligence revolution set to affect the world in the 'next 12 or 18 months'. The Labour leader acknowledged 'many' workers would be replaced in their current roles by technology as he called for a 'much more informed discussion' about the impact on jobs Sir Keir revealed his 14-year-old son regularly gives him a 'masterclass' in the AI chatbot ChatGPT 'The Government is right to focus on AI but there's a long way to go in terms of what we do with it,' Sir Keir said. 'On regulation we're just beginning to have the discussion that's needed both here and internationally. 'And a much more informed discussion about jobs, I think, is vitally, vitally important. 'Otherwise we will risk not addressing one of the key questions, which is who benefits from this? 'Is it just those that always benefit from advances in technology? Or is it everybody that we take with us? And it's got to be the second of those.' Sir Keir was asked how many jobs he feared could be lost to AI in Britain, with the UK economy heavily dependent on the financial and creative services sector. 'I don't know the number, is the honest answer, I'm not sure anybody really does,' the Labour leader replied. 'But the percentages that have been put out there are quite staggering. 'And you can see why because AI is now moving so fast, it is capable of doing things like drafting contracts, writing documents, assessing financial material, helping with driving buses, radiologist scanning. 'So it is obvious it will have an impact - the question is how do we harness that good?' A recent report by investment bank Goldman Sachs suggested AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. It also noted that almost half of tasks in administrative and legal professions could be automated in the future using AI. Sir Keir vowed, if he becomes PM, his Labour government would 'partner with business' to embrace changes in technology. And the Labour leader - who revealed his 14-year-old son regularly gives him a 'masterclass' in the AI chatbot ChatGPT - warned the pace of change could be quicker than many expected. The Labour leader added: 'Rather than sit and try to identify each and every job that might be affected - and there's going to be many - I think it's a sense of what's the infrastructure, the framework that a government needs to set up. 'And are we ready for the speed of this? Because I think there's still a bit of a feeling that AI may affect us in five years, or six or seven years. 'I think it's more likely to be in the next 12 months or 18 months, so we've got to plan for rapid change. 'At the moment, under this Government, we don't have that infrastructure, that framework in place.' But Sir Keir suggested the growth of AI should not be accompanied by the rollout of a Universal Basic Income - regular payments given to everyone without means-testing to create a minimum income across society - as technology causes upheaval for jobs. 'I'm not attracted to Universal Basic Income,' he said. 'I think the advantage here would be for AI to take some of the jobs that AI will be able to do and for us to make sure we can train and retrain and reskill the workforce into other areas. 'So that's where I would put my energy.' Sir Keir also rejected a suggestion that AI could pose a 'Terminator 2-style' threat to humanity, adding: 'I tend to be much more grounded than that.' A shocking video has shown Russian barrier troops appearing to shoot their fellow soldiers as they attempt to flee the field of battle, Ukrainian sources have claimed. Captured by a Ukrainian drone and posted to online messaging platform Telegram, the footage shows three Russian soldiers aiming weapons in the direction of at least seven comrades, and seemingly firing off rounds. The brutal clip emerged as Ukraine stepped up its counter-offensive, with Kyiv's forces claiming they have liberated at least four front-line villages - amid reports that Russian troops are being killed fleeing through their own minefields. There have also been reports of Russian troops retreating as Ukraine breaks through Moscow's defensive lines, with a number of other videos posted online appearing to show dozens of soldiers running across fields as they abandon their positions. The latest clip was first posted to a channel called 'Look for Your Own', a project created with the backing of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs to share photos of Russian invaders captured or killed in Ukraine, to help their relatives identify them. A shocking video has shown Russian barrier troops appearing to shoot their fellow soldiers as they attempt to flee the field of battle The 14-second video shows the three armed Russian soldiers appearing out of a treeline and confronting the retreating troops who are running towards them across an area of open ground, marked by vehicle tracks. The fleeing soldiers appear exhausted, barely able to stand as it is. Some can be seen dropping their helmets to the ground as they see the trio appear. It's possible they were relieved to see fellow Russian troops, but that is not clear. Quickly, however, the scene changes. The three Russian barrier troops push two of the fleeing soldiers back, and fire their rifles in the air as a warning. Some of the fleeing soldiers drop to the ground and begin to crawl the other way. But as they do so, the barrier troops appear to open fire. The flash of a muzzle is seen about nine seconds into the clip, and two of the soldiers fall to the ground. They are not seen moving again in the footage. One of the three barrier troops moves over to where the other soldiers were. While it is not clear from the footage whether he opens fire, the soldier is seen aiming a rifle in their direction, and more of the fleeing troops stop moving. As the clip ends, the three Russians are seen moving between the prone bodies on the floor, seemingly checking for any sign of life. It was not clear from the footage whether the fleeing troops were killed, injured or just told to lie prone on the ground. MailOnline was not able to verify the authenticity of the footage, with the Telegram channel only saying a 'barrier unit' had shot Russian military personnel. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN) said on Monday that it had confirmed the authenticity of the video, the Kyiv Post reported. Barrier troops are units tasked with preventing soldiers running away from the field of battle, using lethal forces if necessary. The 14-second video shows the three armed Russian soldiers (top) appearing out of a treeline and confronting the retreating troops who are running towards them across an area of open ground, marked by vehicle tracks The fleeing soldiers appear exhausted, barely able to stand as it is. Some can be seen dropping their helmets to the ground as they see the trio appear. The three Russian barrier troops push two of the fleeing soldiers back, and fire their rifles in the air as a warning According to the Kyiv Post, such troops have been deployed by Russia to Ukraine for months, as Moscow desperately tried to make advances. Stalin's Order No. 227: 'Not a step back!' During the first stages of the Second World War on the Eastern Front, the Soviet forces suffered from heavy losses - but also from mass retreat and desertion - as Nazi Germany advanced towards Moscow. In an attempt to counter this, on July 28, 1942, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin issued Order No. 227 - known for its famous line: 'Not a step back!'. The order commanded each front (or Soviet military formation) to create up to three penal battalions made up of 800 middle-ranking commanders and high-ranking commanders accused of disciplinary problems. These battalions were sent to the most dangerous sections on the frontlines. From 1942 to 1945, more than 422,000 Red Army personnel were sentenced to join penal battalions. The order also established 'blocking detachments' at the rear, tasked with shooting 'panic-mongers and cowards' within the Red Army's ranks. In the first three months, blocking detachments killed 1,000 penal troops and sent 24,000 more to penal battalions. Records from October 1942 show that 15,649 soldiers were picked up having fled the Stalingrad Front. Of these, 278 were shot dead. By October 1942, the idea of regular blocking detachments were quietly dropped by Soviet leadership. Advertisement In November, Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported that Russia had 'probably started deploying 'barrier troops' or 'blocking units' in Ukraine. It said this was 'due to low morale and reluctance to fight'. 'These units threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers in order to compel offensives and have been used in previous conflicts by Russian forces,' the MoD added in its intelligence update at the time. 'The tactic of shooting deserters likely attests to the low quality, low morale and indiscipline of Russian forces,' the update added. Such reports also emerged from the Kremlin's months-long assault on the eastern city of Bakhmut, which saw the Wagner mercenary group employ 'human wave' tactics in an attempt to overwhelm the city's defences. This resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, publicly threatened to execute deserters. At least two Wagner deserters, who joined the Ukrainian side but were later captured by Moscow's armies, were executed with a sledgehammer to the head. It is likely the shocking 'barrier troop' practice will become even more commonplace as Kyiv's counter-offensive continues, and Russia works to defend its positions. There have been frequent reports about Russian soldiers suffering from poor morale as Ukraine inflicts heavy losses on Vladimir Putin's armies. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin used 'barrier troops' in the Second World War as part of his 'No One Turn Back' order. While Ukraine's troops are fighting to protect their homeland, Russians are battling on foreign soil in an invasion that many thought would be over in a matter of days. According to Ukraine, Russia has suffered more than 200,000 casualties since Putin ordered the invasion on February 24, 2022 - a high attrition rate for what many only recently considered to be the second most powerful military in the world. Jason Jay Smart, a political adviser on post-Soviet and international politics, told Newsweek that 'Russians shooting their own troops has a long tradition in Russian military history, and it has been commonplace throughout this war'. The trio of Russian barrier troops can be seen marching towards their fleeing comrades with their weapons raised. Some are seen falling to the floor As the clip ends, the three Russians are seen moving between the prone bodies on the floor, seemingly checking for any sign of life He said the incident captured by the drone footage, which he said shows 'a total lack of concern or interest in preserving human life', is the epitome of 'how the Russian military thinks and behaves'. READ MORE: Russia boasts it has captured German Leopard tanks and US Bradley vehicles as Berlin admits it cannot replace the tanks they are donating to Ukraine Advertisement Meanwhile, at least ten people have been killed and dozens wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, a regional governor said on Tuesday. Serhiy Lysak, of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said the strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-storey residential building and the area was engulfed in fire. Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said that one person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble and 28 others were wounded. The devastation in president Volodymyr Zelensky's home town is the latest bloodshed in Russia's war in Ukraine, now in its 16th month. Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine's ground troops said the country's forces were 'moving forward' outside the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are 'losing positions on the flanks' while Ukrainian troops were conducting 'defensive' operations in the area. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which was largely devastated in the war's longest and bloodiest battle before Moscow's forces took control last month. Over the last day in Ukrainian-held areas of Donetsk, nearly a dozen frontline towns and villages came under increased shelling as Ukrainian troops pushed forward, Mr Zelensky's office said. Also on Tuesday, the Russian Defence Ministry published a video showing what it said was a German-made Leopard 2 tank and US-made Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. At least ten people have been killed and dozens wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, a regional governor said on Tuesday In this photo released by Dnipro Regional Administration, emergency workers extinguish a fire after missiles hit a multi-story apartment building in Kryvyi Rih According to the ministry, the video was shot by Russian soldiers after fierce fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia, and a soldier is seen pointing at the immobilised vehicles. It wasn't immediately possible to verify the video's authenticity. Like the Bakhmut area, battle zones in Zaporizhzhia are one of several places along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line where Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their counter-offensive operations. Vladimir Rogov, an official with the Moscow-appointed administration for parts of Zaporizhzhia that Russia controls, alleged that the Ukrainian counter-offensive had failed, and told state news agency RIA-Novosti that Ukrainian forces 'continue to suffer colossal losses when they make new attempts to advance'. He did not elaborate, and his claims could not be immediately verified. Hotels in Britain's tourism hotspots are on course for a bumper summer with half of rooms already booked up until the end of the holidays, data revealed today. Some 55 per cent of rooms in Devon and Cornwall have been reserved for the rest of June, July and August - which is up from 52 per cent this time last year. Figures from analytics firm STR also showed Cumbria has seen strong demand, with 44 per cent of rooms booked up in the region, up from 36 per cent in 2022. In Edinburgh the figure is about 67 per cent this summer, up from 61 per cent last year; while in East and North Yorkshire it is at 55 per cent, up from 48. Holiday operator Bourne Leisure said it expects to host three million people this year across its 39 Haven caravan parks, up 20 per cent from 2.5million last year. And Sykes Holiday Cottages has a record 21,000 holiday lets available this summer after increasing its total by 15 per cent in expectation of further demand. It marks a continuation of the staycations boom that began when pandemic travel rules restricted foreign holidays, even though demand for foreign trips is also rising - with outbound flight bookings for this summer now up 9 per cent on last year. This graphic from Visit England shows how hotel room occupancy in England has varied since 2019 - excluding 2020 when much of the tourism industry was shut due to the pandemic Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told MailOnline today: 'Holidays within the UK used to be a bit of a laughing stock due to poor quality accommodation and food. That perception has been transformed as hotels have invested in much better quality facilities, which guests can be proud of staying at. 'The post-pandemic period has also helped to encourage UK citizens to re-evaluate what's on their own doorstep for a vacation, rather than automatically think about going abroad. 'I have no doubt that the volume of people taking UK trips will continue to rise. Some people don't wish to travel through busy airports at peak periods, some prefer not exchanging currency, some prefer to explore lesser-known parts of the UK by bike or car. 'Whatever the reason, the UK has become more attractive on so many levels and you will only continue to see higher visitor numbers in all counties.' Malcolm Bell, chair of Visit Cornwall, told the Financial Times: 'For a lot of people, it's not a holiday unless they are at the airport. But more and more people, especially families, are at least entertaining the idea of a staycation.' And Paul Flaum, Bourne Leisure boss, said: 'Guests don't just want value for money, they want certainty and to make sure every penny spent is worth it.' A survey of British tourists by Visit Britain found nearly 40 per cent are more likely to go on a holiday in the UK in the next six months compared with the previous year. But there is also increased demand for holidays abroad, with easyJet planning 28 per cent more capacity on its flights than in 2019 in the peak summer period. People enjoy the warm weather at Paignton in Devon on Saturday as temperatures soared Lake Windermere in Cumbria, which has enjoyed strong summer demand, is seen on May 29 Flight data aggregator ForwardKeys said outbound flight bookings between June and August are up 9 per cent on last year, and just 6 per cent down on the last pre-pandemic year of 2019. WHERE BRITS ARE GOING TO THIS SUMMER COMPARED TO 2019 & 2022 DESTINATION 2023 V 2019 2023 V 2022 1 Greece 44% -2% 2 India 41% 13% 3 Mexico 41% -4% 4 Turkey 35% -42% 5 Cyprus 32% 0% 6 Japan 2% 201% 7 Germany 2% 28% 8 France 1% 4% 9 Spain 0% 5% 10 Sweden -1% 4% Data from ForwardKeys compares summer travel from the UK (June-August) to levels in 2019 and 2022 The biggest increase in demand compared to before the pandemic has been for Greece, which is 44 per cent up on 2019 levels, ahead of India and Mexico, both at 41 per cent ahead. Turkey is up 35 per cent while Cyprus is 32 per cent ahead. Its data, shared with MailOnline, also found that Japan is 201 per cent up on 2022, reflecting that country's late reopening following the pandemic, while Germany is up 28 per cent on last year and India 13 per cent. But UK tourism bosses will also be hoping that sustained good weather will help convince people to stay in Britain for their holidays, following highs of 32C (90F) in London over the weekend and temperatures of 28C (82F) expected today. Graham Donoghue, Sykes Cottages boss, told the FT: 'When the weather is good, domestic travel does well. We're pretty simple us Brits: when it's sunny, we look out the window and think "Aha, it's time to book a holiday".' The biggest increase in demand for Britons going abroad compared to before the pandemic has been for Greece, which is 44 per cent up. The island of Zakynthos is pictured (file image) This morning, bookmaker Coral cut its odds to 1-2 from 5-6 on this month ending as the country's hottest June on record. The firm is also now also odds-on at 4-5 for the highest UK temperature being broken this summer - a year after the all-time high of 40.3C in Lincolnshire on July 19, 2022. Tourism chiefs in Britain will also be keeping an eye on whether planned strikes by security guards at Heathrow Airport go ahead and cause disruption, which could also affect Britons' decisions on whether to go on a last-minute trip abroad. The action for June 24 and 25 was postponed yesterday following an improved pay offer, but but more than 2,000 Unite members could still walk out for 29 days across the summer until late August if the latest offer is rejected by the union. An alleged people smuggler attempted to sneak 50 migrants into the UK on an 'overloaded' small dinghy - in return for not having to pay the 1,700 fee to cross the English Channel himself, a court has heard. Hamouda Chitioui's vessel was intercepted six miles off the Kent coastline as part of a plan to 'breach immigration laws', jurors were told. Prosecutors have alleged that the 34-year-old Egyptian fisherman, who was trying to get to Britain himself, offered to pilot the boat across the Channel from France. The majority of the migrants making the crossing on June 29 last year were from Afghanistan, while others were from other countries including Albania, Iran, Iraq, and Sudan. As well as skippering the vessel, Chitioui was seen striking other passengers with his hand for not disembarking quickly enough on to the Border Force boat that intercepted them, the court heard. The Home Office is expecting to house around 1,000 channel migrants aboard two vessels - likely to be moored in Merseyside and potentially Teesside Immigration officers Jade Powell (pictured) and Christopher Getley were at the scene when Chitioui arrived in British waters He became one of the first people to be arrested in the wake of then-Home Secretary Priti Patel's 2022 Nationality and Borders Act, which came into force the day before on June 28. He denies assisting unlawful immigration to the UK, claiming he paid his way as a passenger and simply helped pilot the Rigid Inflatable Boat [RIB] when the driver fell ill. Opening the case at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, prosecutor Daniel Bunting said: 'On June 29 last year there was a RIB, a small dinghy, that set sail from northern France with 51 people on board, including the defendant.' Mr Bunting said all people on board were from countries which meant they had to apply for visas but hadn't. 'The consequence was that all people, by seeking to arrive without permission, were seeking to breach immigration law', he said. 'The UK authorities became aware of a RIB coming to the UK... around 7.30am one of the vessels, Border Force Typhoon, was sent to where the RIB was. 'A Border Force official was keeping observation and he saw Mr Chitioui piloting the boat for about 15 minutes.' READ MORE: Why is net migration so high in the UK? What you need to know about the rise in immigration Advertisement Mr Bunting said all of the migrants were helped off the boat and on to Typhoon, given a number for identification reasons, then taken to Dover. Immigration officer Christopher Getley was given the task of keeping watch of Chitioui. He told the court: 'I saw him piloting it for about 12 minutes. He looked to be in control. 'He was one of the last off the boat [when it was intercepted]. He was telling people what to do. People were not moving fast enough so he struck them, back of the hand. He seemed to be in control.' Mr Getley said the small boat was 'unsuitable' and 'overloaded'. He added: 'The risk of an accident was our concern.' In Dover, immigration officer Jade Powell arrested Chitioui. She told the court Chitioui said: 'I did not drive. Only hand on [the boat tiller] like others.' Prosecutor Mr Bunting said an investigation showed Chitioui had 'planned' the trip some weeks before. Messages from June 8, 2022, obtained from Chitioui's WhatsApp showed him telling another individual he 'agreed' to pilot the boat. In one message, he said: 'I want to go, I am a captain, I am originally a fisherman.' Mr Bunting said: 'This is him offering his service because the driver does not pay. He agreed to pilot the boat for free passage to the UK. 'This is a clear indication that several weeks before the crossing he was arranging it and offering his services in order to avoid having to pay, like someone in his position would have had to do. Hamouda Chitioui allegedly volunteered to pilot the vessel in exchange for not paying the 1700 fee to cross the channel, a jury has heard at Westminster Crown Court (pictured) 'It was not something that on the day he agreed to do, this was something he planned in advance. 'He was not a mere passenger, he was someone that was piloting the boat.' A total of 28 Afghans were on board the RIB. Others were from Albania, Egypt, India, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. Under current UK law, some citizens from certain countries need permission to enter the UK and must apply for a visa. Chitioui denies assisting unlawful immigration to the UK. However, he has admitted an alternative count of attempted entry to the UK. A Somerset doctor who denies putting his semen into a cup of coffee he made for a woman acquaintance believes it was done as a practical joke by somebody else at his expense, a jury heard yesterday. Dr Chapman told Gloucester Crown Court he had suffered from a condition since he was 16 that meant he involuntarily 'discharged' from his penis while defecating. Of how the substance got into the cup of coffee, he added: 'When I tried to put the information together the only scenario that seems to me to make sense is that it was a practical joke played by someone, and it wasn't me, which has gone wrong.' Dr Chapman, of Taunton, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of trying to engage a woman in sexual activity without her consent between September 12, 2020, and September 12, 2021. He said: 'It started in the early 1980s when I went to the toilet and it was something my mother noticed. Dr Nicholas Chapman, 55, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of trying to engage a woman in sexual activity without her consent Dr Chapman said he had suffered from a condition since he was 16 that meant he involuntarily 'discharged' from his penis while defecating. Here, the doctor, circled arrives at Gloucester Crown Court on June 5 'I was able to keep this condition a secret from everybody.' He told the court the reason for having semen in the pots was to test it and that he had been collecting them since 2013 when he was told he had left smear marks on the toilet seat. He added: 'The purpose of collecting substances in a tube was to avoid smears on the toilet seat and sticking on inside of a bowl.' He told the jury he would only do this when he was pooing at work which he would do on an 'almost daily basis'. He acknowledged there were at least ten to 12 'collections' a month and 140 collections a year that he did not put down the toilet. Chapman also described masturbation - including at work - as 'nothing to do with pleasure - but a painful necessity'. 'I am a very private person, especially when it comes to personal issues such as this,' he told the jury from the witness box. 'The defecating dribbles are a clear, egg white looking substance. 'Both ejaculate and defecating dribbles were placed in pots for different reasons. The defecating fluid was for cleanliness and the ejaculate for testing. 'I only began putting the defecating fluid in a bottle when my partner made a comment about me leaving a mess on the toilet seat in 2013. Until then I had been removing the excess from the toilet seat with a tissue. 'Sometimes I would wash my penis in the sink while removing any remnants of the defecating fluid. Occasionally my hand washing regime was not adequate but I would never be left with globules on my hand, just smears. He told the court the reason for having semen in the pots was to test it and that he had been collecting them since 2013 when he was told he had left smear marks on the toilet seat 'To me the two fluids looked different. The defecating fluid was less in volume and occasionally it would be darker or be yellow in colour. I didn't connect it as being the same as ejaculate. 'I never put this fluid in anybody's coffee cup. 'I agree that testing my fluids with a urine dipstick is not usual, but it works as testing doesn't have to be urine only. The testing of semen may seem unorthodox but NICE guidelines for my condition suggest that testing should be undertaken. 'I know prostatitis is a rare condition and I have not had another patient showing the same symptoms.' The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was shocked after discovering a 'gloopy' substance at the bottom of her cup when she finished a hot drink given to her by the defendant, the court heard. After she found suspicious 'specimens', she reported him to cops and a laboratory test later confirmed the substance was the doctor's semen. The GP was arrested when he turned up to work and suspended from his post at a health centre in Somerset, when the allegations came to light. Prosecutors argued that by adding semen to coffee, he had been attempting to engage her in a form of sexual activity - by her 'ingesting his semen'. Prosecution barrister Richard Posner said : 'She took a sip of her drink and spat it out into the sink... it didn't taste right. It tasted salty. She tipped the remainder into the sink and saw a thick, gloopy substance go into the sink. 'She just knew it was something that shouldn't have been there. She did not for a moment think it could have been semen.' She believes it happened on around six or seven other occasions, but her suspicions were raised in September 2021, when she noticed a plastic specimen in his possession that had 'no business being there'. The woman shared her concerns and 'realised the reality' of what had been happening, Mr Posner told the court. Samples were put in the freezer and later given to police. Analysis of the coffee made on the September 13, 2021, found semen and DNA provided a match to the defendant. He was arrested by police at his surgery as he arrived to work. The two charges are that on September 13, 2021, and between September 12, 2020, and September 12, 2021, he attempted to engage in sexual activity without consent by making her ingest his semen. Dr Chapman was born in South Africa, where he qualified as a doctor at the University of Cape Town in 1993. Asked about his social life Dr Chapman said: 'I enjoy a banter with most people and this could be described as flirting if I am talking with a woman. 'I felt I had a good relationship with this particular woman, having previously supported her. We'd discussed personal issues together, especially when I told her my genitals were incompatible with my partner. She suggested trying a number of different positions when having sex.' Today, June 13, Dr Chapman will be in the witness box for the third day in giving his evidence as he will continued to be cross examined. The trial continues. Two British victims on the Egyptian dive boat that caught fire in the Red Sea had decided to sleep in on the morning fire broke out, while the other Brit who died returned to his cabin to grab personal belongings, according to a report. Sources told Al Arabiya.net that the three missing persons, a woman and two men, were inside their rooms on the boat at the moment that the fire broke out on Sunday morning, noting that one of them left the room in an attempt to escape, but then returned. They also added that he may have wanted to take his phone, passport or some of his personal belongings from the room but he was then unable to leave. The sources told the media outlet that the other two, the man and the woman, hated waking up early and were asleep when the fire started because they did not take part in the diving trip. They also noted that their rooms were located near the fuel tank and that they may have died from suffocation or from their burns. Three British tourists who were reported as missing have been confirmed dead after a boat caught fire during a diving trip Scuba Travel, the company that chartered the boat, announced that the three Brits who 'perished in the tragic incident' off the coast of Marsa Alam had chosen not to go diving that day, leaving them unable to evacuate the boat quickly. Investigators combing through the wreckage confirmed today that the three victims were found below deck in their cabins after failing to escape the intense fire. Scuba Travel said that the three passengers were among 15 qualified diving enthusiasts who were on board the 'Hurricane' boat for a week-long trip when the fire broke out at around 6.30am UK time. 'At the time the fire broke out, 12 divers were participating in a briefing on board, while those missing had apparently decided not to dive that morning,' the company added. Scuba Travel said that due to the severity of the blaze, 12 divers were evacuated immediately to a nearby craft, while the 14 crew members had to abandon the ship after trying to reach the missing guests. Footage on social media showed the tour boat transform into a floating inferno as its stern was engulfed by flames, producing plumes of black smoke while it was off the Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea. A video showed terrified passengers jumping from the ship, which had 29 people on board at the time, to escape after a suspected electrical fault in the engine room. This is the heart-stopping moment a passenger jumps from an Egyptian tourist boat engulfed by flames Other passengers could be seen dropping down from the boat into nearby crafts in a bid to escape A spokesman for Scuba Travel confirmed to MailOnline yesterday: 'It is with great regret that we, as tour operator, with heavy hearts, must accept that three of our much-valued dive guests, perished in the tragic incident. 'Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.' In total, 26 passengers were rescued, 12 British and the other 14 are thought to be Egyptian. Local police said the people rescued had no injuries and were in good health. They also said the crew rescued suffered no injuries and were taken to shore in good health. The shocked group of survivors were today being offered trauma counselling following their ordeal, which was compounded by the devastating loss of the three people with whom they bonded closely during their week together. The Britons have been moved to a hotel in Hurghada, 180 miles north of the tragedy, while emergency travel documents to allow them to return to the UK are arranged. A spokesperson for Scuba Travel, Pat Adamson, said: They lost everything on the boat. People will be searching under the sea, but if nothing reappears, then thats it. All of their credit cards, money, personal belongings, toothbrush, car keys, credit cards, everything gone - and their passports. 'Their cars are at Gatwick, they dont have their house keys.' The group had been together for a week-long trip. Mr Adamson added: 'Theres a trauma counsellor with them now. Even though theyd only been together for a few days, its a small group and you get to know each other incredibly well.' The wrecked Egyptian diving boat was seen lying on its side as it was brought to shore for an investigation Rescue services were alerted to the fire after the blaze was said to have started in the engine room because of an electrical fault A full investigation is set to be carried out by local authorities to determine what caused the fire. The wrecked boat has been pictured lying on its side with smoke still billowing out of it on the shore as it cools down. The cruiser left Port Ghalib in the eastern city of Marsa Alam on June 6 and was meant to return on Sunday. It was said to be one of the Tornado Marine Fleet tours, which offers 'Luxury Red Sea Liveaboards' for just under 1,500 per trip. A Foreign Office spokesman said on Sunday: 'We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a dive boat near Marsa Alam, and are supporting British nationals involved.' MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for an updated comment. Shocking footage showed the boat's stern being ravaged by the flames as black smoke erupted from the ship The Red Sea Governorate said: 'The initial examination resulted in an electrical short circuit in the engine room, and the investigation authorities went to conduct an inspection and investigation.' It added: '[The Secretary General] pointed out that the crew and passengers were rescued by the boat named "Blue" and returned to central Marsa Alam, and a search is still underway for three British passengers by the concerned authorities and other boats, stressing that the Ambulance Authority and the Directorate of Health Affairs have been notified to raise the level of readiness and follow-up is underway.' A diving enthusiast who was on the same ship in May, said the boat was plagued with problems and no one was surprised the blaze had occurred. He told MailOnline: '[We had] recurring issues from the week of May 1 and 8. There was no nitrox on board. They should have had it but they never told us. 'The toilets and the showers weren't working properly.' He added: 'There was some issue below the decks. They were pumping something out but it was coming up my toilet. Police said the crew rescued suffered no injuries and were taken to shore in good health The scuba diving ship moored at Daedalus Reef in the Red Sea, Egypt, before the blaze 'The crew work very hard - they don't get paid a lot - but the boat has seen better days. 'I was in cabin six in the bow so I wouldn't have wanted to get out from there. 'None of us are surprised that [the blaze] happened.' Egypt's Red Sea resorts harbour some of the country's most renowned beach destinations and are popular with European holidaymakers. The country has cemented its reputation as a dive destination with easy access to coral reefs from shores and dive sites offering diverse marine life. This week there was much excitement when it emerged that another king of England might be buried underneath a car park, just like Richard III. Philippa Langley, the amateur historian who led the successful hunt for Richard in 2012, is among those backing a project to investigate the ruins of Reading Abbey, which was built as a mausoleum for King Henry I, who died in 1135. But Henry I is far from the only English ruler whose remains have been lost to time. Among those without a definitive burial site include Alfred the Great and the 12-year-old King Edward V. Edward and his brother became known as the Princes in the Tower after they went missing in 1483 and are believed to have been murdered on the orders of their uncle, Richard III. Also missing is King Harold II, who was vanquished at the Battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror in 1066. Below, MailOnline delves into the mysteries surrounding the remains of five monarchs, as well as Oliver Cromwell, who ruled as Lord Protector after the execution of Charles I. Alfred the Great - 886 October 26, 899 Alfred the Great, the monarch remembered for having vanquished the Viking invaders, died in 899 Alfred the Great, the monarch remembered for having vanquished the Viking invaders, died in 899. He was buried amid much pomp and ceremony at Old Minister in Winchester, Hampshire. But his corpse was then moved twice and ended up in Winchester's Hyde Abbey. When King Henry VIII disbanded the monasteries in 1538, Hyde was among the churches which were dismantled. Mystery surrounds what happened to the tombs of Alfred and his family. Some believe they would have been ransacked by vandals who stripped the abbey of valuables, whilst others say the tombs remained initially undisturbed but were then raided during the construction of the town jail in 1788. An excavation in the 1990s confirmed where the tombs used to be, but the location of the bones themselves remains a mystery. He was buried amid much pomp and ceremony at Old Minister in Winchester, Hampshire. But his corpse was then moved twice and ended up in Winchester's Hyde Abbey. Above: Part of the ruins of Hyde Abbey King Harold II - January 5 - October 14, 1066 Harold Godwinson's defeat at the hands of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 sealed his place in history, albeit for the wrong reasons. The King, who had been on the English throne for less than eight months when he met his end, is thought to have been shot through the eye with an arrow. But as for what happened to his remains, it is a mystery which continues to dog historians. His remains were so mangled after his death that only his wife, Edith Swannesha, could identify them. Harold Godwinson's defeat at the hands of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 sealed his place in history, albeit for the wrong reasons The famous Bayeux Tapestry includes a depiction of King Harold's death. He is seen with an arrow in his eye William is believed to have ordered that Harold's body be buried in secret, to prevent it becoming a shrine. This is despite the fact that the vanquished king's mother offered the Norman invader a sum of gold equal to the weight of Harold's body. Some legends suggest that he was later buried at Waltham Abbey in Essex. However, no bones have ever been discovered. In 2017, amateur historians Kevin McKenzie and Terry Muff revealed their theory that Harold was laid to rest underneath St Michael's Church in Bishop's Stortford. There were said to be four intact Norman stone coffins in a vault under the church, and the two men argued they might have been those of Edith, Harold and his brothers. However, it has also been claimed that Harold survived the Battle of Hastings and actually lived the rest of his life in hiding. In 2017, amateur historians Kevin McKenzie and Terry Muff revealed their theory that Harold was laid to rest underneath St Michael's Church in Bishop's Stortford (above) King Stephen - December 22, 1135 October 25, 1154 King Stephen is another monarch whose remains are now lost, again due to Henry VIII's destruction of the monasteries. The King, whose reign was so turbulent that it was known as The Anarchy, was buried in a magnificent tomb in the newly constructed Faversham Abbey in Kent after his death in 1154. It remains unclear what happened to Stephen's remains after the abbey was demolished. Excavations at the site of the abbey in 1965 and 2015 failed to find the bones. King Stephen, who died in 1154, is another monarch whose remains are now lost, again due to Henry VIII's destruction of the monasteries King Stephen was buried in a magnificent tomb in the newly constructed Faversham Abbey (depicted above) in Kent after his death in 1154. It remains unclear what happened to Stephen's remains after the abbey was demolished According to local legend, the royal tombs were desecrated by vandals who wanted to get their hands on the lead coffins and the jewels on the bodies. The bones were then allegedly thrown into the local creek before being retrieved and reburied in the church of St Mary of Charity in Faversham. The reputed tomb inside the church is marked by a brass plaque dating from the Victorian era. According to local legend, the royal tombs were desecrated by vandals who wanted to get their hands on the lead coffins and the jewels on the bodies. The bones were then allegedly thrown into the local creek before being retrieved and reburied in the church of St Mary of Charity (pictured) in Faversham King Edward V - April 9, 1483 June 25, 1483 What happened to the young King Edward V and his younger brother Richard is perhaps the biggest royal mystery of all. The boys are believed to have been locked in the Tower of London by their scheming uncle - the future King Richard III - in 1483, after the death of their father Edward IV. The two boys, aged just 12 and nine, were declared illegitimate heirs by Richard, then the Duke of Gloucester, and were never seen again. What happened to the young King Edward V and his younger brother Richard is perhaps the biggest royal mystery of all. Above: A painting of the boys by Sir John Everett Millais, 1878 Legend has it that the pair were murdered at his request to secure his succession. However, their remains have long been missing. For years experts have wanted to test the remains of four children - two of which were found in the Tower of London in the 1600s and two in the grounds of Windsor Castle in the 1700s - in the hope that some may belong to Edward and Richard. However, the late Queen Elizabeth II was understood to have blocked any investigation on the basis that the bodies have long been interred in royal crypts. Historian Tracy Borman claimed last year that King Charles was more open to an investigation taking place. In 2021, researchers claimed they had found evidence that Richard III may have spared Edward and instead allowed him to live under a false name in a rural Devon village. Ms Langley was among the academics involved in the project. They followed a paper trail including medieval documents that led them to Coldridge, where royal Yorkist symbols are carved into the local church, St Matthew's. The findings hint at a secret deal struck between the boys' mother and Richard III, that allowed Edward V to live his life under the fake name 'John Evans'. In the church there is also an effigy of 'John Evans' gazing directly at a stained glass window that depicts Edward V, suggesting they were one and the same person. John Dike, lead researcher on the project, said at the time: 'To have all these symbolic details in such a remote and inaccessible church, which in 1500 would have only been accessed by cart track, and is right in the centre of rural Devon, suggests the presence of a person of importance.' Oliver Cromwell - December 16, 1653 September 3, 1658 Oliver Cromwell turned down the chance to reign as king after Charles I's execution. But he did take the reins of power as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. Although he was initially buried in Westminster Abbey, after the monarchy was restored in 1660, supporters of Charles II dug up Cromwell's remains. Oliver Cromwell famously turned down the chance to reign as King after Charles I's execution They hanged his body on the scaffold at Tyburn near what is now Marble Arch before it was cut down and beheaded. His body is believed to have then been thrown in a pit, whilst his head went from owner to owner and even became an attraction in a travelling show. It was finally reburied at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1960. His body is believed to have then been thrown in a pit, whilst his head went from owner to owner and even became an attraction in a travelling show. It was finally reburied at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1960. Above: Chapel Court at Sidney Sussex College King James II - February 6, 1685 December 23, 1688 (death: September 16, 1701) King James II was forced from the throne by Parliament in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 after attempting to restore the absolute monarchy of his father Charles I. He went into exile in Paris and died there in 1701. Afterwards, his body was dissected. James's brain was sent to Scots College in Paris and put in a silver case on top of a column. King James II was forced from the throne by Parliament in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 after attempting to restore the absolute monarchy of his father Charles I His heart went to the Convent of the Visitandine Nuns at Chaillot in Paris and his intestines were divided between the churches of St Omer and St Germain-en-Laye. But the remains disappeared in the French Revolution of 1789. The case containing James's brain was even sold for scrap. However, when the church of St Germain-en-Laye was demolished and rebuilt in 1824, James's intestines were found again and re-interred, meaning at least a bit of him does survive. When the church of St Germain-en-Laye was demolished and rebuilt in 1824, James's intestines were found again and re-interred, meaning at least a bit of him does survive Rishi Sunak today ruled out liberalising abortion laws after a woman was jailed for terminating her pregnancy using the 'pills by post' scheme at 32 to 34 weeks - significantly after the legal limit. Senior female MPs have said that Parliament should consider overhauling abortion laws as a priority following the case of Carla Foster, who was sentenced to 28 months in prison yesterday. But a spokesman for the Prime Minister insisted today that Mr Sunak believes the current regime 'provides the right balance and there are no plans to change them.' Asked whether he might look at reducing the length of any prison sentences in future, the spokesman said: 'I'm not aware of any plan to review the sentencing guidelines. They are generally kept up to date. Through the Abortion Act, all women have access to safe abortions on the NHS up to 24 weeks and we have made changes so that now includes taking abortion pills at home'. Rishi Sunak has no plans to change abortion laws or sentencing guidelines following the conviction of Carla Foster The spokesman added: 'We recognise that this is a highly emotive issue and obviously we recognise that the strength of feeling on all sides.' Campaigners also demanded the procedure be completely decriminalised as the threat is 'archaic' and 'terrifying' for women. Caroline Nokes, the Conservative who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has joined women's rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation used to prosecute Ms Foster. Ms Foster, from the Staffordshire village of Barlaston, lied about how advanced her pregnancy was in order to obtain abortion-causing drugs. She was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service under the 'pills by post' scheme, which pro-life campaigners believe is inhumane and should be banned. The 44-year-old was given a 28-month extended prison sentence yesterday. The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant. Foster already had three sons - one of whom has special needs - before she became pregnant again in 2019. She had moved back in with her estranged partner when lockdown began, while carrying another man's baby. Tory MP Ms Nokes said: 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' But the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the largest and oldest pro-life group in the UK, has hit back by saying: 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Carla Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday. She was jailed for 28 months. Her case has sparked debate about Britain's abortion laws Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, told LBC: 'Abortion should not be subject to criminal law. They [abortions] should be regulated. I'm not saying there should be zero regulation. But you can't allow a situation where the patient can be criminalised. 'We have to have long, cold hard look about why we still allow a Victorian era law to prevail in the 21st century when just across the way in Northern Ireland we have done away with that'. Abortions are generally only legal before 24 weeks and are carried out in clinics after ten weeks of pregnancy. Dame Diana Johnson, the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, urged the Government to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions so women cannot be jailed in such cases. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Foster was sent the drugs by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after she lied about how far along in her pregnancy she was during 2020's pandemic lockdown. The prosecution said Foster made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including 'how to hide a pregnancy bump', 'how to have an abortion without going to the doctor' and 'how to lose a baby at six months'. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. The sentencing has prompted a backlash. Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 Ms Nokes told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. Reaction to sentencing of Carla Foster for inducing late abortion 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way.' Dame Diana Johnson, Labour MP and Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date.' Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP and Commons Women and Equalities Committee chairman 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' Stella Creasy, Labour MP 'No woman can ever go through this again. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent.' Clare Murphy, British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health.' Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International UK women's human rights programme director 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' Harriet Wistrich, Centre for Women's Justice director 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now.' Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman 'BPAS is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom.' Catherine Robinson, Right To Life UK spokesman 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion.' Andrea Williams, Christian Concern chief executive 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Society for the Protection of Unborn Children spokesman 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Emily Hawkins, communications director of Alliance of Pro-Life Students Advertisement 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. Dame Diana said both society and healthcare have 'moved on' since the existing abortion laws were put in place. The Labour MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world, as I understand it, that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal also argued it was not in the public interest to prosecute the mother-of-three. Citing public feeling towards laws restricting abortions and her mitigating factors, he told Today: 'Had I been involved, had I been doing this particular case, I would not have prosecuted it. 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now. And I think that's one of the things I would have factored in in relation to this particular case.' Centre for Women's Justice director Harriet Wistrich was also among those questioning whether the prosecution was in the public interest. 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' she said. 'She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. 'When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to women's basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said: 'No woman can ever go through this again' and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system,' she said. The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was 'complex and traumatic', but said it has a duty to ensure laws are 'properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions'. The court heard Foster, who had three sons before becoming pregnant again in 2019, did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was 'embarrassed' and did not know how far along she was. She spoke to a BPAS nurse practitioner in May 2020 and was sent abortion pills in the post after it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant based on her answers. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation when born. Her cause of death was recorded as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Pepperall said: 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' What are abortion pills? And what are the survival odds for a 34-week baby? UK abortion law explained Abortion laws in the UK are under huge scrutiny today after a woman was jailed for illegally procuring her own termination outside the legal limit. Carla Foster, from Staffordshire, was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she received the medication under the 'pills by post' scheme. The 44-year-old lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to secure the drugs in May 2020. Foster was jailed yesterday at Stoke Crown Court despite pleas from medical bodies and charities calling for leniency. She already had three sons one of whom has special needs before she became pregnant again in 2019. Foster posted on Facebook hours before being sentenced that 'no one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through'. Here we explain what happened, survival rates for babies born before full term, and what rules govern abortion access in the UK. What is the 'pills by post' scheme? The 'pills by post' scheme is an at-home abortion procedure for pregnancies under 10 weeks. It consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken at least 24 hours apart. Women take mifepristone first. The pill blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy, from working. The second, misoprostol, contains a hormone called prostaglandin that causes the uterus to contract, triggering the abortion. Did the Covid lockdown play a part in what happened? Under pre-pandemic rules, women took the first pill at an abortion clinic or hospital under supervision from a clinician. They were then able to take the second at home up to 48 hours later. With Covid shutting down or restricting access to these services, there were fears women could miss out on the early termination service. The scheme allowed women to get the pills at home via a remote consultation with medical professionals. Foster was one of those women, with the court hearing how, based on answers to questions, a medic determined she was seven weeks pregnant at the time of the consultation. While the scheme was brought in during the pandemic, it is now here to stay. Ministers originally wanted to axe the scheme last summer, but they were defeated by a vote by MPs in March 2022. The Department of Health and Social Care said doctors will be required to certify in 'good faith' that the pills are only being used to terminate early pregnancies. Mifepristone is one of two drugs that form part of the 'pills by post' service allowing women to terminate early pregnancies at home How mother was prosecuted under 1861 law on 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' Carla Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' - and this was accepted by the prosecution. The law states as follows: 'Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for life' Advertisement What are the rules surrounding abortions in the UK? Women can legally request an abortion in the UK until 24 weeks pregnant, but it is up to medics if it is granted. Under the 1967 Abortion Act terminations are granted on grounds of physical or mental health as well as financial reasons, such as being unable to afford to care for a child. There is no access to abortion on demand in the UK. A woman cannot terminate a pregnancy without cause, she must have reason. Abortions can still be carried out after the 24-week limit but only under very strict circumstances. These include the mother's life being at risk from the pregnancy or if the child would be born with a severe disability. Before 10 weeks abortions can be carried at home out using only medication, after this period the procedure needs to be conducted in a specialised clinic. At these clinics, most abortion services perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of their last period. Surgical abortions are another method of pregnancy termination carried out in the UK but are normally carried out in later pregnancies or if drugs do not work. They are a fraction of total abortions carried out in the UK, only accounting for 13 per cent of terminations in 2021, the latest data available. Under what law was Foster sentenced? Foster pleaded guilty under a section of the Offences Against the Person Act entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion'. This law was written in 1861, making it 162-years-old. It essentially makes all abortions, as well helping carry them out, illegal. The 1967 abortion legislation was written to create legal exemptions to the 1861 act, effectively creating a legal avenue for women to terminate pregnancies. How late was Foster's abortion in terms of baby development? A full-term pregnancy is usually considered to last 37 weeks. Babies born before this period are considered pre-term and can have a reduced chance of survival as a result as their bodies are not fully developed. Thanks to a range of medical advances babies, born at 34 weeks and above now have the same survival chance as a baby born full term. This decreases to 95 per cent at 31 weeks, 89 per cent at 27 weeks, and so on with babies born at 22 weeks or less having much lower chances of survival. Foster's baby was estimated to be aborted at between 33 and 34 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term. Their odds of survival vary greatly depending just how early they are born but medical advances mean those born at 34 weeks and above have the same equivalent chance at life as a baby born at full term Access to abortion varies around the world with some countries allowing full access though gestational limits still apply. Others only allow abortions on medical grounds or forbid it entirely. The UK is considered a European outlier, only allowing abortions on both health as and economic grounds whereas most of its neighbours are more flexible. Abortion access in the US has undergone a radical shift recently and now varies greatly on a state-by-state level How have abortion rules in the UK recently changed? Home abortions were approved at the end of March 2020 by then Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new rules allowed women within the first ten weeks of pregnancy to take the first pill at home following a teleconsultation with a clinician. This was applied in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland which only started permitting abortions from 2020. But in February, the Government announced the rule would be ending in August, with women again required to go to clinics to get their first abortion pill. Health minister Maggie Throup said the move would ensure the 'wellbeing and safety' of women. However, rebel MPs voted down the plan to scrap the scheme in March. After an emotional debate, 215 MPs voted to amend the Health and Care Bill to keep the service in place. These included 72 Conservatives such as Cabinet ministers Grant Shapps and Brandon Lewis and former PM Theresa May. Conservative MP Laura Trott said that keeping the service was 'a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity'. Advertisement Why did medical groups call for leniency before the sentencing? Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, judge Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if 'the letter had not been written at all'. He said: 'The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence.' Does the case have any wider implications? The case has sparked a wider row about abortion access in the UK with campaigners, lawyers, feminists and MPs calling for abortion to be fully decriminalised in the UK. On the other side prolife groups have argued for greater restrictions, particularly on the 'pills at home scheme'. MPs from both the Conservatives and Labour have called for Parliament to overhaul the 'out-of-date' law used to jail Foster. Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme yesterday: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' This morning, senior MP Dame Diana Johnson urged ministers to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions. The chairwoman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is not in the public interest to see a mother with three children now in prison for 28 months.' Discussing existing abortion laws, the Labour MP added: 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. 'There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Clare Murphy called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data shows 214,869 women had abortions in England and Wale in 2021, up 2 per cent on the more than 210,000 recorded in 2020 She said: 'We are shocked and appalled by the decision to sentence a mother-of-three to 28 months in prison for using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent. 'Just this week, a police force contacted BPAS to request the medical records of a woman who is being investigated for allegedly attempting to end their own pregnancy. 'Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the numbers of women and girls facing the trauma of lengthy police investigations and threatened with up to life imprisonment under our archaic abortion law. 'On Saturday, BPAS, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Fawcett Society, and many others will be taking to the streets in London to demand legislative reform. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. 'In 2020, MPs in Westminster amended the law in Northern Ireland to remove the threat of criminal sanction for any woman who attempted to end their own pregnancy. 'MPs must extend the same protection so that no more women in these desperate circumstances in the UK are ever threatened with prison again.' But Catherine Robinson a spokesperson for the prolife organisation Right To Life UK claimed BPAS was using the tragedy for its own ends. 'Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically using this womans tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom,' she said. A spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children added: 'Now, that this policy has led to nearly full-term babies being killed well past the legal limit, abortion giants like BPAS are attempting to cover up this tragedy by calling for abortion to be entirely removed from the oversight of the law.' And Christian Action Research and Education have even called for the 'pills by post' scheme to be withdrawn. Louise Davies, the orgnaisation's director of policy and advocacy, said: 'This tragic case underlines the dangers of the "pills-by-post" scheme introduced during the pandemic, and still in force today.' 'This dangerous scheme must be revoked now.' Carla Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 How common are abortions in the UK? Nearly 215,000 abortions were carried out in England and Wales in 2021, according to Government data, up 2 per cent on the year before. More than half of these were carried out at home via the pills by post service, according to a report from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The number of abortions carried out in over-35s has been rising over the past decade. In 2011, 27,199 had a termination, compared to 40,789 in 2021. It has been linked to pressures to maintain their careers and lifestyles at a time when many are in unstable relationships. At the same time, rates in teenagers have been falling. In 2021, 6,273 under-18s had a procedure, down from 14,599 in 2011. Overall, there were 19.2 abortions carried out for every 1,000 women in 2021. This was up from 18.9 the year before and 12 per cent more than the 17.2 per 1,000 in 2011. Rates were highest for women aged 22 (at 31.0 per 1,000 women). The data also showed 43 per cent of women undergoing abortions had had one or more previous abortions, up from 36 per cent a decade ago. Meanwhile, there were 3,370 abortions performed because of a risk the baby would have been born with disabilities. This is a slight increase on 2020 (3,083). At the time the figures were released BPAS head Clare Murphy said: 'The pandemic, and the policies adopted by the Government in response, have had a clear impact on women's pregnancy choices. 'Faced with economic uncertainty and job insecurity, women and their partners have been making sometimes tough decisions around continuing or ending a pregnancy.' Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that he wouldn't hesitate to order the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons - that are set to be deployed to Belarus - if his country faces an aggression. Earlier this year, Vladimir Putin announced the planned deployment of short-range nuclear weapons to Moscow's neighbour and ally Belarus in a move widely seen as a warning to the West as it stepped up military support for Ukraine. The Russian president has emphasised that Russia will retain control of them, but Lukashenko's statement contradicted that. 'God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons today, but there would be no hesitation if we face an aggression,' Lukashenko, known for his blustery statements, said, according to the state news agency BelTA. Russian officials had no immediate comment on Lukashenko's remarks. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (pictured left on Friday with Vladimir Putin) said Tuesday that he wouldn't hesitate to order the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons - that are set to be deployed to Belarus - if his country faces an aggression Lukashenko emphasised that it was he who had asked Putin to deploy Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus, and not the other way around. He argued that the move was necessary to deter a potential aggression. 'I believe no one would be willing to fight a country that has those weapons,' Lukashenko said. 'Those are weapons of deterrence.' Putin said during Friday's meeting with Lukashenko that work on building facilities for the nuclear weapons will be completed by July 7-8, and they will be moved to Belarusian territory quickly after that. Tactical nuclear weapons are intended to destroy enemy troops and weapons on the battlefield. They have a relatively short range and a much lower yield (from a fraction of a kiloton to around 50 kilotons) than nuclear warheads fitted to intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of obliterating whole cities. By comparison, strategic nuclear weapons can have a yield from 100 kilotons to over a megaton, which much larger warheads available. There are 1,000 kilotons to a single megaton. Earlier this year, Vladimir Putin announced the planned deployment of short-range nuclear weapons to Moscow's neighbour and ally Belarus in a move widely seen as a warning to the West as it stepped up military support for Ukraine. Pictured: Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems drive along a street before a military parade in Moscow, May 9 Only the United States had so far used nuclear weapons in anger - in the 1945 attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 'Fat Man', the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, had a blast yield of 21 kilotons. The blast killed an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 people. The most powerful nuclear bomb ever created and tested was the Russian Tsar Bomba, which demonstrated a blast yield of between 50 to 58 megatons. Lukashenko said that Belarus doesn't need Russia's strategic nuclear weapons to be deployed to its territory. 'Am I going to fight America? No,' he said. The Belarusian leader added, however, that Belarus was readying facilities for intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles as well, just in case. Along with Ukraine and Kazakhstan, Belarus hosted a significant share of Soviet nuclear arsenals when they were all part of the Soviet Union. Those weapons were withdrawn to Russia after the 1991 Soviet collapse under a deal sponsored by the U.S. Lukashenko emphasised that it was he who had asked Putin to deploy Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus, and not the other way around. Pictured: The pair are seen during a meeting in Sochi, Russia on June 9 Russia didn't say how many of its tactical nuclear weapons would be sent to Belarus. The U.S. government believes Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, which include bombs that can be carried by aircraft, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery rounds. Russia used Belarus' territory to send its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and has kept forces and weapons on the territory of its ally. Lukashenko, who has been in power for 29 years, has relied on Russia's political and economic support to survive months of protests, mass arrests and Western sanctions following an election in 2020 that kept him in power but was widely seen at home and abroad as rigged. A 48-year-old mother-of-two who died after falling from a waterfall near San Diego while trying to rescue a teenage girl who was stuck on a ledge has been described as 'joyous, kind and caring' by heartbroken friends. California artist Sarah Louise Crocker sustained 'multiple blunt force injuries' on her chest and right pelvis before drowning in the popular hiking area of Three Sisters Falls just before 10am on June 8, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. Experienced walker Crocker, who leaves behind her husband Brad, and teenage children Owen and Delaney, had been visiting the Descanso waterfalls with a group of family friends when tragedy struck. The Laguna Beach-born mother noticed that one of four teenagers in the group -reportedly a 15-year-old girl - slipped while they were hiking along a ledge over the middle of three plunge pools. Crocker reached out to prevent the girl from falling over the edge, but lost her footing, and they went tumbling towards a rocky-bottomed ravine. Sarah Louise Crocker was hiking at the Three Sisters Falls in Descanso, California, when she tumbled to her death as she tried to help a teenage girl who was stuck on a ledge The 'talented and accomplished' artist leaves behind her husband, Brad, daughter, Delaney, and son Owen following the June 8 tragedy Bystanders called 911 and walkers attempted CPR, while San Diego sheriffs also attended the scene. The 15-year-old girl was taken from the Cleveland National Forest site to a hospital via helicopter with 'severe' but not life-threatening injuries. The 48-year-old was an experienced hiker who ran an Orange County walking club and loved nature Footage captured by onlookers shows the moment a chopper arrived at the scene, gradually descending between grassy crags towards a cluster of people seen from a afar at the foot of a waterfall. Crocker sustained 'multiple blunt force injuries' particularly to her 'chest and right pelvis' and died at the scene due to this combined with drowning, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. Heartbroken friends and relatives have paid tribute to Crocker, who raised her daughter and son in Ladera Ranch, Orange County, California. In a fundraiser established for her children, they described her as a 'much-loved' wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, an 'amazing human being', and a 'talented and accomplished artist'. 'Sarah was pure joy,' they said. 'Her love of family, friends and all things outdoors made her special to all who knew her... Sarah was a joyous, kind, and caring woman who will be missed tremendously.' Crocker was an experienced hiker who led a walking club as well as elementary school trips at The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, according to the page, which has so far raised more than $16,000. Crocker has been described as an 'active' part of the community who helped out at several societies, including her daughter's A4 Volleyball Club, and her son's robotics team at Capistrano Valley High School The walker's 'love of family, friends and all things outdoors made her special to all who knew her', her close friends have said A fundraiser for Crocker's children had already raised more than $16,000 within a day The moment a helicopter descended to the scene of the tragedy was caught on camera by onlookers before it airlifted the severely injured teenage girl to hospital As well as the fundraising page, friends have paid tribute to Crocker via Facebook with photographs and heartfelt posts Her death also comes as a huge loss to the local community, as she was known for playing an 'active' role in several societies, including her daughter's A4 Volleyball Club, and her son's robotics team at Capistrano Valley High School. The fundraiser states that all donations will go to the Crocker family. Crocker's friend, named on Facebook as Kim Pho Hewlett, paid tribute to the 48-year-old in a heartfelt post. Alongside a picture of them both on another hike, she said: 'Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort tomorrow... RIP my friend.' Three Sisters Falls is described by the US Forest Service as 'three large waterfalls wedged between tall, rocky mountains' which offers an 'often crowded, yet challenging' trail for 'extreme hiking, mountain climbing, and rock traversing'. The service said the area has 'recently undergone some new developments' in an attempt to reduce 'injury risks and casualty rates'. This is the horrifying moment a tanker truck plowed at speed into a bridge under Philadelphia's I-95 before bursting into flames, killing the driver and causing the highway above to collapse. Part of the major US highway, which extends from the Maine-Canada border south to Miami, Florida, collapsed on Sunday after the truck carrying an estimated 8,500 gallons of fuel caught fire. It brought traffic to a stop, on a highway in which more than 160,000 vehicles a day travel, and resulted in one fatality after human remains were found. It is believed to be those of Nathaniel Moody, whose family members confirmed he was the driver of the tractor-trailer. A surveillance camera has captured the moment the tanker truck was traveling towards the bridge at some speed, before it crashes and blows up into an inferno. It burst into flames at around 6am Sunday underneath the interstate near the Cottman Avenue exit. VIDEO: Surveillance camera captured the tanker truck as it was in the Northbound I-95 Cottman Ave exit ramp, crashed and ignited. pic.twitter.com/pOQEqwz7T3 Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) June 13, 2023 This is the horrifying moment a tanker truck plowed at speed into a bridge under Philadelphia's I-95 before bursting into flames The remains are believed to be those of Nathaniel Moody (pictured), whose family have identified him as the driver of a tractor-trailer that caught fire Sunday morning As flames engulf the interstate, plumes of smoke can be seen billowing into the skies. The blaze took about an hour to get under control, authorities said, but it left the highway structurally unsound. The northbound section was left with a gaping hole while the southbound overpass was closed. The collapsed section of I-95 was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, state Transportation Department spokesman Brad Rudolph said. In the first official accounting of a wreck that threw hundreds of thousands of morning commutes into chaos and disrupted untold numbers of businesses, state Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said yesterday that the driver was northbound 'trying to navigate the curve, lost control of the vehicle, landed on its side and ruptured the tank.' Pennsylvania State Police said a body was turned over to the Philadelphia medical examiner and coroner, but did not identify the remains or respond when asked if they belonged to the driver. 'The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) has confirmed that body was recovered from the wreckage (and) has been turned over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner and Coroner,' said an update from the state's Department of Transportation. The blaze took about an hour to get under control, authorities said, but it left the highway structurally unsound A general view shows the partial collapse of Interstate 95 after a fire underneath an overpass in Philadelphia on Sunday The northbound section was left with a gaping hole while the southbound overpass was closed An aerial view shows the fire and smoke near the collapsed section of the interstate 'Authorities are in the process of identifying the remains,' it added. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has predicted it will take months to fully restore the 'critical artery' - a major blow ahead of the summer vacation rush. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse could once again snarl the country's supply chain. As of last night, I-95 was still closed in both directions in the area, the state transportation department update said. While workers cleared debris, commuter trains were delayed, highway entry and exit ramps were blocked up and travel times were increasing, The New York Times reported. Shapiro on Monday issued a disaster declaration to help free up federal funds for the repairs. 'Crews are working around the clock to ensure that demolition and reconstruction occurs quickly and efficiently, and that I-95 will reopen as soon as possible,' Shapiro said on Twitter. 'Demolition has already begun, and is expected to be completed in a few days.' Local media reported Sunday that Philadelphia police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were looking for the driver of the tanker, who has not been identified by authorities. Sadiq Khan's staff have been banned from using the phrase 'ladies and gentlemen' as part of a new inclusivity drive branded woke 'nonsense' by MPs. Civil servants working for the Labour London Mayor are also barred from describing migrants as 'illegal' and must now call them people with 'insecure immigration status' or 'undocumented'. The new inclusivity guide for City Hall also urged employees to scrap the use of 'asylum seekers', instead demanding workers say 'people seeking asylum'. But the ultra-woke memo, leaked to The Sun, has today been blasted by Conservative critics who branded the document's contents 'absurd'. 'This is the sort of nonsense that would be imposed on the whole country if Labour were ever to get into power,' Tory MP Tom Hunt said. Sadiq Khan's staff have been banned from calling people 'men and women' as part of a new inclusivity drive branded woke 'nonsense'. Mr Khan is pictured Pictured is an example of some of the banned phases issued to staff working for the London Mayor's office 'If you've illegally entered our country and broken our immigration laws you're an 'illegal immigrant' end of. No ifs or buts.' In the guide's section on gender, staff were told: 'Avoid using "men and women" - say "people" or "Londoners". 'Similarly, instead of 'ladies and gentlemen' say something that doesn't exclude non-binary people.' The memo reportedly goes on to say the terms male and female are 'dated and medicalised' and that 'female humans are called 'girls and/or women', male humans are called 'boys and/or men'. Workers are also told that 'not all women have periods' and to use the phrase 'people affected by period poverty' as some trans men and non-binary people may have periods too. Tory MP Miriam Cates lashed out at the guidance and told The Sun: 'The idea that "male" and "female" are medical conditions is frankly absurd. This taxpayer-funded guidance is in conflict with fact, reality and the law.' And on the issue of migration, the guide reportedly urges workers to not 'make a distinction between "migrants" and "Londoners". 'Remember, we are all Londoners,' it adds. In the guide's section on gender, staff were told: 'Avoid using 'men and women' - say 'people' or 'Londoners'. Mr Khan is pictured Meanwhile, staff working for Mr Khan must no longer call someone a 'non-English speaker' because it portrays them as flawed and defective'. Instead, Greater London Authority employees must refer to them as 'Londoners with English Language needs'. Unconscious bias training is mandatory for all new staff at the Greater London Authority (GLA). The GLAs inclusive language guide was last updated in April 2022. A spokesperson for the GLA said: 'This guide is about encouraging precision, offering recommendations and highlighting things for staff to consider, not banning words. 'London's diversity is its greatest strength and it is right that the language we use to talk to and about London's communities is as accurate, inclusive and representative as possible.' A trans activist has sparked outrage after she bared her breasts at a White House Pride party attended by Joe Biden. Rose Montoya, 27, unhooked the top of her dress and grabbed her chest on the South Lawn as someone shouted, 'are we topless at the White House?' But the move, posted on her Twitter, has sparked outrage from Conservatives who compared it to the X-rated files found on First Son Hunter Biden's laptop. Radio Host Dana Loesch said: 'This is the White House, not a hookers-n-blow photo from Hunter's laptop, it was the Pride party on the White House lawn two days ago hosted by Joe. They also didn't hang the American flag right according to code.' Montoya met with Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who posed for pictures with her and others at the Pride event. The party, on Saturday, attracted a huge backlash with many branding the actions of the model as 'perverted' and 'criminal' But the move, which was posted on the model's Twitter, has sparked mass outrage from Conservatives who compared it to the X-rated files found on First Son Hunter Biden's laptop During her encounter with President Biden, posing for pictures and videos with him, she also said: 'Trans rights are human rights.' The party, on Saturday, attracted a huge backlash, with many branding the actions of the model as 'perverted' and 'criminal'. Todd Starnes tweeted: 'Could someone explain why transgender activists were permitted to disrobe in front of children on the White House lawn during Biden's gaypalooza? #perverts #criminal.' Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik also lashed out, posting the video with the caption: 'OK, so who is running the f***ing White House and allowing this deviant garbage to go on right outside the oval office? 'We know it's not Joe Biden - this dude has no idea where he is. So who is it? Who is the cause of this international embarrassment?' Newsmax host Rob Schmitt called the display 'pitiful,' while Dear America podcast host Graham Allen tweeted, 'This is a cult and a disgrace to our Country!' Colin Rugg added: 'This is what happened on the White House lawn. These are the 'bravest and most inspiring' people Biden has ever known. The country you once knew is gone.' When Montoya's topless video went viral, she quickly defended herself by pointing out that being topless in public was not illegal in Washington DC. When Montoya's topless video went viral, she quickly defended herself by pointing out that being topless in public was not illegal in Washington DC Montoya shared an Instagram montage of the day with her 103,000 followers on Monday, and was seen dancing to the DJ and striking poses in front of landmarks Rose Montoya, 27, (left) on Monday attended a Pride party at the White House, and posed topless - which resulted in the images being compared to those found on Hunter Biden's laptop (right) The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the display President Joe Biden and his administration are being slammed online for US Flag Code violation after displaying a rainbow-colored Pride flag between two American flags on the White House Montoya shared an Instagram montage of the day with her 103,000 followers on Monday, and was seen dancing to the DJ and striking poses in front of landmarks. In a video on Instagram, she said: 'I would just like to say that first of all, going topless in Washington, DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple because why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not? 'All you're doing is affirming that I am a woman. All you're doing is saying that trans women are women because for some reason, people like to sexualize women's bodies and say that they're inappropriate. 'My transmasculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy, and I wanted to join them. 'And because it is perfectly within the law in Washington, DC, I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe, because I wanted to be fully free and myself. 'I had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in any way.' The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the Pride flag between two American flags. The Idaho-born model is also seen with Jill Biden, and dancing with the trans flag Newsmax host Rob Schmitt called the display 'pitiful,' while Dear America podcast host Graham Allen tweeted, 'This is a cult and a disgrace to our Country!' The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the Pride flag between two American flags Conservatives were quick to slam the move, saying if it was a Republican president in power then there would be 'a dozen think pieces on how wrong it is' But Twitter users were quick to criticize Biden, arguing the American flag should be in the center of any display featuring multiple national flags or pennants, according to the US Flag Code. Veterans also lashed out at the Biden administration for diminishing the American flag during the pride celebrations. They say that the Pride flag being placed at the centre was a break of the US flag Code, 'should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.' Chad Robichaux, a Marine veteran who helped spearhead one of the largest civilian evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, told The New York Post: 'You would think the White House knows this. They do, they just don't care. 'The American flag is the symbol of freedom and equality for every skin color, every (legal) sexual preference, no social group needs another flag. 'If every group could understand what the American flag truly represents, it would not be a divisive thing.' During his White House Pride celebration on Saturday, Biden told attendees: 'I want to send a message to the entire community, especially to transgender children: 'You are loved, you are heard, you're understood, and you belong'.' A 65-year-old man who went on the run after allegedly attacking a woman at a well-known beauty spot has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and rape. Armed cops had been hunting for Anthony Manson, who lives off-grid without planning consent on the side of a valley in historic Tintern, Monmouthshire, since the early hours of yesterday morning. His alleged victim was found staggering along a nearby road, covered in cuts and bruises and with her clothing torn, by a local who contacted the police. A statement released today by Gwent Police confirmed Manson had been caught. The force said: 'We previously appealed for information to find Anthony Munson from the Tintern area. He has been arrested on suspicion of force and rape. He remains in police custody.' Anthony Manson, 65, went on the run after allegedly attacking a woman in his caravan in Tintern, Monmouthshire According to locals, Manson bought the two-acre parcel of land where he lives for 60,000 from a farmer seven years ago and installed a caravan without consent from the local authority, Monmouthshire Council. Council officials have made several attempts in recent years to speak to Manson on his land, but they have been unable to enter the field due to a padlocked gate and aggressive dogs protecting him. Manson is understood to have gone on the run following the attack, which is believed to have taken place at his caravan. Police quickly launched a hunt for Manson that saw them send out a helicopter, two police vans, specially trained fireams officers, and four other vehicles. It is believed he hid from police officers with his dogs in the sprawling Tintern Forest behind his caravan in the Angidy Valley. Manson's nearest neighbour, retired consultant engineer Barry Saunders, 82, previously said the attack sounded 'extremely out of character'. 'I've got to know him a little over the years and I've always found him to be the most pleasant, charming man,' Mr Saunders said. 'He does seem to have lady friends staying with him quite frequently. They come and they go. Manson is believed to have gone on the run with his dogs in Tintern's sprawling forests 'He lives off grid and he doesn't bother anyone. He has solar panels and his own generator and he uses water from a nearby brook to wash and cook. 'I've never known him show any sign of aggression. I don't know a great deal about him, but I think he told me once that he was from Paraguay, or somewhere in South America, but he has no trace of a foreign accent. 'He has two Italian mastiff-type dogs and they are strong, potentially fierce dogs, but he always has them perfectly under control. 'I do know the council have sent officials, usually accompanied by the police, to his field several times because he doesn't have any consent to live there, and they always turn back because they are afraid of the dogs. 'They have also been unable to get in because he has a huge padlocked gate at the entrance and he won't come out to anybody.' Michael Wolff was so close to Jeffrey Epstein that the pair looked to buy New York Magazine together and met multiple times over the last decade, court documents claim. The author met with the pedophile nine times after he was found guilty of abusing a 14-year-old girl, records from the US Virgin Islands' attorney general allege. The two were known friends during the 1990s and early 2000s, but the new documents claim they remained close between 2012 and 2015, too. Wolff, however, made no reference to their post-conviction meetings in a chapter of his most recent book titled 'The Last Days Of Jeffrey Epstein.' He has previously been accused of maintaining too close a relationship with some of his subjects. Instead, the chapter focuses almost entirely on Epstein's relationship with Steve Bannon. Court documents from the US Virgin Islands reveal at least nine alleged meetings between author Michael Wolff and Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2015 Epstein became a registered sex offender following a 2008 conviction of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18 The new documents, obtained by the Daily Beast, uncover the significant amount of time the two men spent together. Scheduling records reveal that Wolff and Epstein allegedly met up to nine times following Epstein's 2008 conviction. Even prior to Epstein's conviction and subsequent jail time, Wolff had defended dubious aspects of the financier's personal life. In 2007, Wolff told New York Magazine that Epstein 'has never been secretive about his girls.' 'At one point, when his troubles began, he was talking to me and said, 'What can I say, I like young girls.' I said, 'Maybe you should say, 'I like young women,'' Wolff said. Wolff and Epstein had been close in the 1990s and early 2000s, in 2003 bidding to buy New York Magazine in a deal that included a handful of other Wall Street tycoons. Wolff's first scheduled meeting with Epstein after he had become a registered sex offender allegedly occurred in February of 2012. It was followed by a lunch meeting that Wolff was scheduled for with Epstein in the summer of 2013. In early 2014, Wolff and Epstein were slated for a January breakfast meeting, in addition to a dinner that also allegedly included director Woody Allen, his wife Soon-Yi Previn, and former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was recently deposed in a series of lawsuits that were brought against the bank over its questionable relationship with Epstein. Wolff then allegedly had two more meetings with Epstein in September of that year, and one in October. In 2015, the two had plans to meet in January and in April. Michael Wolff's latest book 'Too Famous' includes an entire chapter after the end of Jeffrey Epstein's life that did not mention their extensive relationship Wolff has previously been accused of maintaining too close a relationship with some of his subjects The chapter head from Wolff's book 'Too Famous,' in which he does not disclose his apparently extensive personal relationship with Epstein The more than half-dozen alleged meetings, which occurred between 2012 and 2015, may have been 'source meetings' for Wolff, who ostensibly has meetings with a range of high-profile individuals about whom he writes. But their engagements prompt further questions due to the extent and history of their relationship, in addition to the 2019 killing of a Wolff profile of Epstein by New York Magazine over 'fact-checking concerns.' Said concerns were later alleged by the fact-checker to have included Wolff allowing Epstein to 'dictate' the piece and review all fact-related questions. The revelations come after JP Morgan yesterday agreed to pay Epstein victims up to $290million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of one woman but the settlement will reward anyone who was victimized by the pedophile, who killed himself in prison in 2019. The number of victims who may stand to gain from the settlement could reach 100, though it's unclear if there is a limit on the number who can come forward, or whether each is limited in how much money they may receive. 'The parties believe this settlement is in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epstein's terrible abuse,' a statement released by JP Morgan on Monday morning read. David Boies, an attorney acting on behalf of Epstein victims, said: 'The historic recoveries from the banks who provided financial services to Jeffrey Epstein, speak for themselves. 'It has taken a long time, too long, but today is a great day for Jeffrey Epstein survivors, and a great day for justice.' Sigrid McCawley, another of the victims' lawyers, said: 'The settlements that have been reached are both life-changing and historic for the survivors. 'Money, which for far too long flowed with impunity between Jeffrey Epstein's global sex trafficking enterprise and Wall Street's leading banks, is decisively being used for good. 'The settlements signal that financial institutions have an important role to play in spotting and shutting down sex trafficking'. 'The parties believe this settlement is in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epstein's terrible abuse,' a statement released by JP Morgan on Monday said Epstein was a client of JP Morgan between 1998 and 2013 - seven years after he was arrested and convicted of using underage prostitutes in Palm Beach, Florida Brad Edwards, an attorney representing the Jane Doe who launched the case, said: 'The information and support the US Virgin Islands and its legal team provided to the survivors was enormously valuable, and we recognize the importance of the government's continued litigation against JPMorgan Chase to prevent future crimes.' A spokesman for the government of the US Virgin Islands, which is still suing the bank over similar violations, added: 'We are gratified to hear about the settlement that will provide victims of Jeffrey Epstein some compensation for JPMorgan Chase's role in facilitating Epstein's crimes against them. 'The US Virgin Islands will continue to proceed with its enforcement action to ensure full accountability for JPMorgan's violations of law and prevent the bank from assisting and profiting from human trafficking in the future. 'The US Virgin Islands is committed to protecting women and girls who could otherwise become victims going forward.' Epstein was a client of JP Morgan between 1998 and 2013 - seven years after he was arrested and convicted of using underage prostitutes in Palm Beach, Florida. Bank employees were concerned about Epstein's large cash withdrawals, some of which were used to pay underage girls in exchange for sex, but he was allowed to remain a client for years. According to depositions that were part of the lawsuit, he would regularly withdraw between $40,000 and $80,000 a month. The withdrawals sounded alarm bells among compliance officials, but he explained them away by claiming they were for fuel and landing fees for his private plane. The bank is still entangled in a separate lawsuit filed by the government of the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein kept a home and is said to have abused dozens of girls. Epstein is shown with former private banking chief, Jef Staley (far left), Larry Summers, Bill Gates (second right) and Boris Nikolic (far right) Last year, the same attorneys who sued the bank successfully sued Deutsch Bank - which took Epstein on as a client after JP Morgan eventually cut ties with him in 2013 - over the same allegations. Deutsch Bank settled for a tentative sum of $75million and was fined $100million by New York regulators. Epstein died in custody while awaiting trial for allegations of sex trafficking. In his absence, the only person to have faced criminal prosecution over his crimes is Ghislaine Maxwell. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of facilitating the abuse. American author Elizabeth Gilbert has been criticized by other authors for buckling to pressure and canceling the publication of her upcoming book over outrage that it was set in Russia. Gilbert, 53, announced last week that 'The Snow Forest' would be set in remote Siberia in the mid-20th century and tell the story of a secluded family isolating themselves from the Soviet Union. But on Monday, after a backlash from Ukrainian readers over deciding to set the book in Russia, Gilbert posted on Twitter that she would call off its scheduled publication. Now that decision has also come under attack - an opinion piece in The Atlantic on Monday afternoon accused her of 'setting a terrible precedent,' while literary advocacy group PEN America labeled her 'wrongheaded'. But legendary author Joyce Carol Oates responded to PEN America on Twitter and said that the move was nothing out of the ordinary. American author Elizabeth Gilbert has been criticized after announcing Monday that she called off the upcoming publication of her new book over criticism it was set in Russia An opinion piece in The Atlantic on Monday afternoon was mockingly titled 'Eat, Pray, Pander.' On Twitter its author Franklin Foer called Gilbert 'feckless' over her decision top pull the book Author Leigh Stein argued that pulling the book would not protect innocent Ukrainians from harm but could cause issues for authors with less money and flexibility than Gilbert 'Setting aside a novel that is likely to be controversial is not an extreme move; many writers have put manuscripts in the drawer realizing that this is not the right time to publish,' she wrote. Gilbert is the author of the novel 'City of Girls' and the memoir 'Eat, Pray, Love,' which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts. It sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, according to Gilbert's website, netting sales in the region of hundreds of millions of dollars. Author Leigh Stein, wrote on Twitter that although she sympathized with Gilbert, she said the move 'sets bad precedent for writers with less money, career stability, and clout than she has'. 'Canceling the publication of this novel will make not one iota of material difference for innocent Ukrainian citizens,' she went on. In a tweet promoting The Atlantic article, its author Frank Foer described Gilbert's response to the initial criticisms as 'feckless'. Foer also argued in the article that pulling the book achieved nothing. 'I'm struggling to conjure a reason for why the delay of Gilbert's book benefits anyone. Perhaps it saves some of her fans from having to reconcile the fact that they might enjoy a story set in a country they despise,' wrote Foer. He also said it might make those readers feel like they had a small victory, 'but that's a meaningless victory fought in the name of a deeply confused principle,' he added. 'By withdrawing the book, she has set a terrible precedent. In meekly complying with the angriest voices, she accepted their argument that setting a book in Russia is an act of collusion, even though that's an entirely nonsensical argument,' wrote Foer. 'Gilbert had a chance to gently explain herself and defend her work, to argue for the importance of literature in a time of war, but she chose to abnegate her responsibilities as a writer and go another way: Eat, pray, pander.' The cover of Gilbert's upcoming book 'The Snow Forest,' which is set in remote Siberia tells the story of a secluded family living isolated from the Soviet regime 'Eat, Pray, Love' sold more than 10 million copies worldwide netting sales in the region of hundreds of millions of dollars Foer's opinions appeared to be large reflected in a statement published Suzanne Nossel, the CEO of non-profit PEN America. 'It is regrettable that Elizabeth Gilbert felt it necessary to delay the publication of a novel set in Russia,' wrote Nossel. 'The publication of a novel set in Russia should not be cast as an act exacerbating oppression. Fiction and culture are essential to supporting mutual understanding and unleashing empathy.' 'We hope Gilbert might reconsider and we urge others to rally around the on-time publication of her book, and the principle that literature and creativity must not become a casualty of war.' But some original critics of Gilbert's decision to set her book in Russia returned to Twitter, many criticizing the use of the word 'casualty' and mentioned the scale of Ukrainian death since Russia's invasion in last February. 'Instead of supporting the empathetic and compassionate Elizabeth Gilbert, who heard us and made a difficult but incredibly caring decision, you decided that the real "casualty" of this war is books,' wrote one person. 'I doubt that books set in russia are the most heartbreaking casualty in this war, when UA authors,dancers,actors & musicians are literally dying on the frontlines,' wrote another. Some original critics of Gilbert's original decision to set the book in Russia returned to Twitter to support Gilbert after she pulled the book The statement form PEN America encouraging people to 'rally around the on-time publication of her book' was criticized for labeling Gilbert's book a 'casualty' The second bout of controversy arose when Gilbert posted a video to Twitter Monday to say that an 'outpouring' of negative reaction within a week of the book's announcement had compelled her to call off its publication. 'Over the course of this weekend I have received an enormous, massive outpouring of reaction and responses from my Ukrainian readers expressing anger, sorrow, disappointment and pain about the fact that I would choose to release a book into the world right now - any book, no matter what the subject of it is - that is set in Russia,' said Gilbert in the short video. 'I do not want to add any harm to a group of people who have already experienced - and who are continuing to experience - grievous and extreme harm,' she said. 'I want to say that I have heard these messages, and read these messages and respect them, and as a result I am making a course correction and I am removing the book from its publication schedule,' she said. 'It is not the time for this book to be published.' The Snow Forest was due to be released in February 2024 and Gilbert said in a caption that anybody who pre-ordered the book would be refunded. By SA Commercial Prop News Jeffreys Bay, a town located in the Eastern Cape, is in for a commercial transformation, with Department of Environmental Affairs investing over R12m to upgrade facilities at the main beach area. Seen as a tourism draw card, Jeffreys Bay is in for a commercial transformation, with Department of Environmental Affairs investing over R12m to upgrade facilities at the main beach area. Kouga Municipality mayor Elza van Lingen announced last week that the funding could not have come at a better time as the town was busy preparing for an influx of holiday makers this festive season. The municipality received R12.3-million through the Department of Environmental Affairs Working for the Coast Programme. A portion of the funding will be used to upgrade facilities at Jeffreys Bays Dolphin Beach, including the construction of a new lifeguard tower, Van Lingen said. Dolphin Beach was again awarded Blue Flag status this month, a major feat for the town as it is seen as a tourism draw card. Van Lingen said they expected the new lifeguard tower to be completed in time for the summer season. Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of the Kouga region and our beaches a re one of the main reasons people visit Kouga, Van Lingen said. About 70 residents would benefit from the jobs created by the project, she said. The project will also see the construction of a boardwalk, ablution facilities at Pellsrus Beach and a clean-up of the 15km coastalline. Van Lingen said construction of the project would start next month, and should be completed in April. Jeffreys Bay also known as J-bay is a town located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town is situated just off the N2 Highway, about 75 km southwest of Port Elizabeth. A struggling pensioner has raised concerns that the impending crackdown on controversial buy now pay later (BNPL) services will lead to her becoming unable to afford essential items. After being left with as little $10 a week from her disability payments, Mona Ibrahim turned to BNPL services - Afterpay, Zippay and Hum - to make ends meet. Although it started as a way to purchase items she wanted, Ms Ibrahim quickly accrued $22,000 in credit card, finance and BNPL debt across her three accounts. She fears the new crackdown on BNPL will lead to her and others being left behind, unable to purchase items over a period of time. The Albanese government announced plans to make BNPL services to be classified as a credit product, requiring operators of those services to hold an Australian credit licence and adhere to standards of conduct. Ms Ibrahim's two kidney transplants, two years of dialysis and a $2,000 operation have contributed to her crushing health bills. She fears having to pay more for groceries and bills in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis. 'Everything's going up. I'm scared of where we're gonna end up, we are going towards poverty,' Ms Ibrahim told A Current Affair. She said she has become dependent on the BNPL services as her disability payments are not enough to cover basic necessities such as groceries. 'I'm not thinking about myself I'm thinking about everybody, I've seen a lot of people suffer,' she said. Referencing Anthony Albanese's winners speech, Ms Ibrahim said: 'you (Mr Albanese) promised us that you wouldn't leave us behind, (that) you would help us'. 'You're making it a nightmare for us not a dream.' Aussie pensioner, Mona Ibrahim (pictured), fears for her financial future after crackdowns on buy now pay later schemes might lead to her unable to pay for essential services Ms Ibrahim has been left with $22,000 in credit card, finance and BNPL debts and will be unable to pay it off on a disability pension that leaved her with about $10 per week More than 7 million BNPL accounts were active throughout the 2021-22 financial year, bringing in more than $16billion in revenue, a 37 per cent increase from the year prior. These services are not regulated in the same way credits cards are, leading to a much greater financial risk for consumers. Financial Services minister Stephen Jones said the changes were sorely needed as there was 'growing dangers to consumers, which up until now have been largely unregulated and unchecked'. 'The plan will protect people from the spirals of harm that unregulated, unrestricted lending can cause,' he explained. Mr Jones said it 'looks like credit, it acts like credit, it carries the risk of credit'. Wealthy residents whose homes block an exclusive beach in Malibu have been ordered to spend millions and construct public access and a parking lot ending a decades-long battle. Following a 40-year effort, the California Coastal Commission and California State Coastal Conservancy collaborated to open access to Escondido Beach. Last week, the commission approved an agreement with former movie mogul Frank Mancuso and the heirs of defunct Bally Total Fitness founder Don Wildman, who died in 2018, to rectify the violations that prevented people from accessing the exclusive beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. Mancuso is to remove a driveway and pay a $600,000 fine, while the Wildmans will build a path to the beach, parking lot and other adjustments at an estimated $3 million. Wealthy residents whose homes block an exclusive beach in Malibu have been ordered to build public access ceasing a decades-long battle connected with Escondido Beach Former movie mogul Frank Mancuso (left) and the heirs of defunct Bally Total Fitness founder Don Wildman, who died in 2018, (right) will need to rectify the violations that prevented people from accessing the exclusive beach along the Pacific Coast Highway Reaching Escondido Beach has been historically difficult after former homeowners put in obstructions starting in the 1980s - here a large metal fence obscures the path Reaching Escondido Beach has been historically difficult after former homeowners put in obstructions starting in the 1980s, according to SFgate. A report obtained by the outlet said 'an unpermitted lot line adjustment' as well as metal fencing, thick vegetation and paving driveways over the easement has obscured access. Mancuso and Wildman both sued the conservancy in the late 1990s and 2000s in separate lawsuits as the battle for public access continued. Both argued through the 1990s and 2000s that the public accessway should be moved elsewhere due to the difficulties of building on and improving the recorded easement area, the report said. To access the beach, the public either had to pay an entrance fee to park a quarter-mile away or go through a nearby restaurant half a mile away. According to the Los Angeles Times attorneys for Wildman and Mancuso claimed that they 'inherited' the violations which had not been disclosed to them at the time of purchase. Wildman purchased his property in the mid-1980s and Mancuso in 1991. 'The Mancuso family has never done anything on the property whatsoever, they bought it the way it is, but they understand the law, and they've worked out an agreement and they hope the commission will approve it,' Alan Block, an attorney for Mancuso, said to the outlet. Susan Hori, an attorney for the Wildman family, shared a similar sentiment. Mancuso is to remove a driveway and pay a $600,000 fine, while the Wildmans will build a path to the beach, parking lot and other adjustments at an estimated $3 million According to the Los Angeles Times attorneys for Wildman and Mancuso claimed that they 'inherited' the violations which had not been disclosed to them at the time of purchase. Mancuso Sr. (left) seen pictured with his son (right) Following a 40-year effort the California Coastal Commission and California State Coastal Conservancy collaborated to open access to Escondido Beach 'We are very happy that the commission did support and approve the resolution,' Hori said. 'And we're very appreciative of the time that it took from staff to come and work with us on that resolution.' The violations stretch to the early 1980s, when prior owners Ken and Jeannette Chiate and Marilyn and Roger Wolk wrongly recorded the location of the easement. In California, the coastline is considered public land up to the high-tide line. 'It's so hard for us to get new access to the coast, and new vertical accessways are like unicorns, they just don't exist, especially in Malibu,' said chief of enforcement for the Coastal Commission Lisa Haage said. 'Settling this case without litigation is huge. This is like flying to the moon or something.' Haage said Malibu is synonymous with 'going to the beach' calling the agreement a significant victory for the public. 'If you say the word 'Malibu' to anybody in the world, they think of going to the beach, they think of surfing and beach life and picnicking and all the stuff that goes along with the California coast,' Haage said. 'It's just so ironic that there's so few access points, and every single one, we've had to fight and fight and fight for.' Nearby neighbors include billionaire David Saperstein, Jay-Z and Beyonce , and was home to Tom Petty whose home went on the market there for $9.85 million last year The easement could open to the public in 2024 pending permit and construction At present, to access the beach, the public either had to pay an entrance fee to park a quarter-mile away or go through a nearby restaurant half a mile away Escondido Beach, which overlooks Point Dume, is home to many wealthy residents who have long enjoyed access to the secluded spot. Nearby neighbors include billionaire David Saperstein, Jay-Z and Beyonce, and was home to Tom Petty whose home went on the market there for $9.85 million last year. 'Escondido Beach means 'Hidden Beach' in Spanish, and the lack of public access here kept it hidden from many people that could not find a nearby public trail to the beach, or even a public parking spot, over the decades,' commission staff wrote ahead of Wednesday's decision. The easement could open to the public as soon as 2024, pending permit and construction. Actor Treat Williams was 'unable to avoid' a fatal collision which threw him from his motorcycle, according to a police report. The Golden Globe-nominated actor was rushed to hospital with critical injuries before being pronounced dead on Monday in Vermont. Reports released by Vermont State Police revealed that Williams, 71, didn't stand a chance as the 2008 Honda Element cut across the northbound lane of the V-30 into his $3,500 bike. The driver of the car, Ryan Koss, attempted to turn left onto Morse Hill Road into a parking lot and came to a stop as he indicated at around 4:53pm. Koss, 35, was 'checked by medical personnel at the scene for minor injuries' but was not taken to a hospital and has not been arrested by officers. Reports released by Vermont State Police revealed that Williams, 71, (pictured with his wife) didn't stand a chance as the 2008 Honda Element cut across the northbound lane of the V-30 into his bike Koss' car had major damage to the front end passenger side, while William's 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle (pictured) had 'front-end damage' The police report states that 'Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle.' Data collected by the Vermont Agency of Transportation revealed that there have been just five incidents on that stretch of road in 12 years, with three resulting in injury but only Williams being pronounced dead. Members of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team remain on the scene to try to piece together the lead up to the accident. Koss' car had major damage to the front end passenger side, while William's 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle had 'front-end damage'. An investigation remains ongoing, though it is not clear if Koss is cooperating with authorities on the matter. Williams - who was wearing a helmet - 'suffered critical injuries' and was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center in New York where he was pronounced dead. The actor, best known for his roles in Everwood and Hair, was enjoying his weekend mowing the lawn at his $1million Vermont home just hours before the tragedy. He was married to actress Pam Van Sant, and together they had two children, Gille and Ellie - and often shared his idyllic country life for his fans on social media. In a social media post from just seven hours ago, Williams shared a snap of his land with the caption: 'Mowing today. Wish I could bottle the scent' Williams' family said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident' The driver of the car, Ryan Koss, attempted to turn left onto Morse Hill Road into a parking lot and came to a stop as he indicated at around 4:53pm Treat Williams (centre) plays Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood - a neurosurgeon who breaks down after his wife's death and relocates from New York to Colorado Following the tragic news, Barry McPherson, his agent, told People: 'He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.' 'He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s. 'He was really proud of his performance this year. He's been so happy with the work that I got him. 'He's had a balanced career.' Williams' family said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident. 'As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. 'It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him. Treat Williams in Prince Of The City. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance The 2008 Honda Element (stock pic) driven by Koss cut across the northbound lane of the V-30 into his $3,500 bike Treat Williams is pictured in 1981 and 1988. He earned two Golden Globe nominations during his career In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the film Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical 'We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers.' Treat Williams was born in Rowayton, Connecticut, in 1951 and kickstarted his professional acting career in his 20s, after graduating from Franklin and Marshall College. Williams shot to fame after his debut role in the thriller Deadly Hero in 1975. He also performed in 1976's The Ritz and The Eagle Has Landed. In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the film Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical. Treat Williams with his wife Pam Van Sant and his two kids Gille and Ellie in 2008 The actor, who died at the age of 71, often posted images of his Vermont home online One of Williams' Twitter posts including his tractor in the foreground and his stunning $1million country home in the background It was the role which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year - and two years later, he got his second nomination for his acting in Prince of The City. He also played Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood - and he received two SAG Award nominations for his work on the show. In a social media post from just seven hours ago, Williams shared a snap of his land with the caption: 'Mowing today. Wish I could bottle the scent.' And two hours before the news of his death came to light, he recorded himself mowing the ground, writing: 'What a real Vermonter does.' Any witnesses to the crash or those with information about the incident are asked to call the Vermont State Police Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421 or leave an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit. SNP politicians rallied round Nicola Sturgeon today after she was arrested by police investigating the party's finances under her leadership - including sending her flowers. Nationalists at Holyrood are to send the former first minister a floral collection as a show of support after she became the third senior SNP figure to face questioning by detectives over 600,000 of missing donations. The revelation was made by depute leader Keith Brown today, after Ms Sturgeon's successor Humza Yousaf launched an astonishing defence of his mentor, branding her Europe's 'most impressive politician'. He again refused to suspend her, but denied allegations he was being too 'weak' to act against his predecessor, who was held for seven hours on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at Holyrood today he said he refused to move against his former ally because he believed in 'natural justice', adding: 'Nicola Sturgeon is the most impressive politician I think we have seen in Europe, she is an asset to our movement and to our party,' he added. Mr Brown also tried to downplay the seriousness with which her arres should be treated, telling the BBC she had been released without charge and 'arrest is just a way of making sure that the interview and information gathering by the police is put into formal footing'. Scotland's First Minister tried to brush off accusations he was too 'weak' to act against his predecessor, who was held for seven hours on Sunday by detectives investigating SNP finances. Speaking to reporters at Holyrood today he said he refused to move against his former ally and mentor because he believed in 'natural justice'. Keith Brown told the BBC said she had been released without charge and 'arrest is just a way of making sure that the interview and information gathering by the police is put into formal footing'. Ms Sturgeon's arrest on Sunday morning was a fresh blow for Mr Yousaf, as the Police Scotland Operation Branchform investigation continues to dominate his first three months as First Minister. She was released without charge pending further inquiries after seven hours of questioning and issued a statement insisting that 'I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing'. She became the third figure in the SNP to be arrested and interviewed by detectives in the ongoing investigation into the party's finances, alongside former chief executive Peter Murrell - her husband - and former treasurer Colin Beattie. SNP MSP Michelle Thomson was among those calling for Ms Sturgeon to resign from the whip while the investigation was ongoing. Ms Thomson argued that she herself had needed to resign the whip while an MP in 2015, despite not being 'personally under investigation' and 'certainly not arrested'. Former leadership contender Ash Regan and MP Angus MacNeil, both of whom were critics of Ms Sturgeon's leadership, had also suggested that she should be suspended. Today Mr Brown told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that he 'certainly' agreed with Mr Yousaf's decision not to suspend his predecessor as the investigation is ongoing. 'Nicola Sturgeon has not been charged - she has not been accused, in fact, of anything,' he said. 'The arrest I appreciate is a dramatic thing to have happened. 'It's perhaps not as well understood that arrest is just a way of making sure that the interview and information gathering by the police is put into formal footing.' He also raised the case of Boris Johnson, saying Conservatives had not called for him to be suspended despite being investigated by the police. The SNP depute leader said Ms Sturgeon had given a 'strong defence' of her own innocence and he was not aware of any complaints being made to the party's member conduct committee. The Scottish Conservatives said some of Mr Brown's claims were 'absurd'. Deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: 'Keith Brown's desperate spinning in defence of Humza Yousaf will only pour petrol on the bitter civil war between SNP MSPs and MPs over Nicola Sturgeon's preferential treatment. 'His claim that Michelle Thomson had voluntarily given up the SNP whip when she was under investigation amounts to gaslighting, as she has said very clearly she had the whip removed from her by Nicola Sturgeon.' She added: 'No amount of spin can disguise the fact that Humza Yousaf is so compromised by his closeness to Nicola Sturgeon that he is having to move the goalposts on internal discipline.' Was swarmed by bees while walking her dogs She spent the last decade caring for street dogs An Aussie mother who moved to Peru to save street dogs has met a tragic end after being stung to death by bees while walking her rescue dogs. Cristina Corales sold her home in Sydney in 2010 to relocate to South America, pouring her time and money into hundreds of pups. Last Wednesday Ms Corales was out walking her dogs, including one who was blind, when it accidentally disturbed a bees nest. The swarm attacked the 78-year-old, relentlessly stinging her. It is understood she was stung more than 100 times on her face alone. Aussie mum Cristina Corales (pictured) sold her home in Sydney in 2010 to move to Peru to save street dogs While walking her dogs Ms Corales (pictured) was stung over a hundred times by bees and tragically died On June 9, approximately 36 hours after the attack, she died in hospital. The mother is not thought to have been allergic to bees. Her blind dog Jairo also died as a result of the bee strings but the other dogs managed to escape. Ms Corales' family paid tribute to her on social media, noting that she founded a dog-rescue centre in Puerto Maldonado in 2010 which took in 20 homeless dogs at a time and provided them with shelter. Her daughter Jessica Bailey, took to Facebook to ask for donations on a fundraiser she set up to help pay for the rent of the rescue shelter while a new home is found for the dogs. Ms Bailey is also in talks with the Australian consulate for her mother's ashes to be brought back to Australia. Her daughter Jessica Bailey (pictured with her mother in Sydney), took to Facebook to ask for donations on a fundraiser she set up to help pay for the rent of the rescue shelter while a new home is found for the dogs She told The Age that the family had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from around the world. 'I just wished that she was alive to know how many people loved her and admired her,' Ms Bailey said. 'She lived in a house that had no electricity and no running water. She slept in a hammock. 'She's like "I've got two pairs of thongs and I've got three pairs of shorts and that's all I need". It is estimated Ms Corales helped more than 1800 dogs during her time in Puerto Maldonado. British Columbia saw 24 percent more people getting assisted suicides last year what campaigners call an 'alarming' sign of unraveling safeguards on euthanasia in the Canadian province. Some 2,515 people received Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), as procedures are known, in the West Coast region, more than the 2,030 who did so in 2021, BC Ministry of Health figures show. The data come amid concerns that BC and Canada as a whole are headed toward a euthanasia free-for-all, as federal officials weigh whether to extend the procedures to the mentally ill and even children. BC's record last year was marred by a police probe into the MAiD death of a nurse, whose daughters said afterward that she should not have been granted a euthanasia death due to her poor mental health. 'These numbers are alarming and should give British Columbians reasons for concern,' Mike Schouten, director of ARPA Canada, a Christian advocacy group, told DailyMail.com. Some 2,515 people received Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in BC last year, Ministry of Health figures show Police last year launched an investigation into the euthanasia death of Donna Duncan, 61, a nurse and mom Duncan's daughters Christie and Alicia Duncan say doctors should have treated their mum's mental health and pain problems rather than greenlighting her for an assisted suicide 'Not only has there been a 24 percent increase in the number of people who died by euthanasia, but the number of MAiD deaths relative to the overall deaths in the province continues to climb as well.' Last year, some 5.5 percent of all fatalities in BC were assisted suicides, making it one of the top causes of death in the province after cancer, heart disease, and dementia, and roughly on par with drug overdoses. Poll Should doctor-assisted suicide be available where you live? Yes No Not sure Should doctor-assisted suicide be available where you live? Yes 4255 votes No 3300 votes Not sure 569 votes Now share your opinion Of particular concern was Vancouver Island, a pristine, forested territory on the Pacific Ocean with a population of only about 865,000 people. Some 823 residents opted for MAiD last year, the data show. Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said that amounted to 'an unbelievable' 10-15 percent of all deaths perhaps the highest euthanasia rate of anywhere in the world. Last year, police in Abbotsford launched an investigation into the MAiD death of Donna Duncan, and claims by her daughters that the 61-year-old should not have been approved because of her mental health troubles. Duncan's daughters Alicia and Christie requested the probe, saying their mom was suffering from depression linked to a concussion sustained in a car crash when she applied for MAiD. Doctors should have focused on treating her pain and mental health problems rather than greenlight her euthanasia request, they said. The procedure was carried out in October 2021. 'I don't want this to ever happen to another family ever again,' daughter Alicia told CTV. Alex Schadenberg, director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition 'Ultimately, I want stronger laws and legislation.' Police in Duncan's home city of Abbotsford, on the US-Canada border, did not immediately answer DailyMail.com's requests for an update on the investigation. Under Canadian law, any adult with a serious illness, disease, or disability can seek help in dying. Those with mental health issues are not eligible, but there are moves to expand access to this group. For Schouten, Duncan's death shows how 'loopholes are being found' for individual cases and 'safeguards are not always being adhered to' as euthanasia is normalized in Canadian society. 'We are still on a very slippery slope and without government action that implements restraint on who is eligible for euthanasia and assisted suicide these numbers are going to continue to increase,' said Schouten. Officials need to deliver 'robust palliative and hospice care so that people aren't in situations where they feel as though the only solution to their suffering is to ask a doctor to end their life,' he added. The Duncan family tragedy echoes the case of Alan Nichols, a 61-year-old BC man with a history of depression who was greenlighted for euthanasia on the basis of a single health condition: hearing loss. Canada is set to record some 13,500 state-sanctioned suicides in 2022, a 34 percent rise on the previous year Mike Schouten, director of ARPA Canada, a Christian advocacy group, says BC's euthanasia numbers are 'alarming' Gary Nichols (right), with his brother, Alan, on the eve of his euthanization in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, in July 2019 Nichols submitted a request to be euthanized, and he was killed by lethal injection in 2019, despite concerns raised by his family and a nurse practitioner. His brother, Gary, says he was 'basically put to death.' Many Canadians support euthanasia and the campaign group, Dying With Dignity, says procedures are 'driven by compassion, an end to suffering and discrimination and desire for personal autonomy.' An opinion poll released in May showed how widespread support for MAiD had become more than a quarter of voters said the poor and homeless should be allowed to end their lives with MAiD. Rights groups say the country's regulations lack necessary safeguards, devalue the lives of disabled people, and prompt doctors and health workers to suggest the procedure to those who might not otherwise consider it. Canada is on track to record some 13,500 state-sanctioned suicides in 2022, a 34 percent rise on the previous year, according to an analysis of official data by Schadenberg. Canada's road to allowing euthanasia began in 2015, when its top court declared that outlawing assisted suicide deprived people of their dignity and autonomy. It gave national leaders a year to draft legislation. The resulting 2016 law legalized both euthanasia and assisted suicide for people aged 18 and over, provided they met certain conditions: They had to have a serious, advanced condition, disease, or disability that was causing suffering and their death was looming. The number of MAiD deaths in Canada has risen steadily by about a third each year from the previous year Euthanasia is legal in seven countries Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain plus several states in Australia The law was later amended to allow people who are not terminally ill to choose death, significantly broadening the number of eligible people. Critics say that change removed a key safeguard aimed at protecting people with potentially decades of life left. Today, any adult with a serious illness, disease, or disability can seek help in dying. Schadenberg said MAiD teams in clinics were aggressively pushing for sick people to opt for euthanasia. He described cases of medics asking terminally sick people as many as five times if they wanted to end their lives. In some cases, they asked them when relatives were present, and again when alone, Schadenberg said. 'The selling of MAiD by the MAiD teams is a big reason why the numbers are skyrocketing. 'If you're going to pay people to be on a MAiD team, they will sell what they are offering,' Schadenberg said. Euthanasia is legal in seven countries Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain plus several states in Australia. It's only available to children in the Netherlands and Belgium. Other jurisdictions, including a growing number of US states, allow doctor-assisted suicide in which patients take the drug themselves, typically crushing up and drinking a lethal dose of pills prescribed by a physician. In Canada, both options are referred to as MAiD, though more than 99.9 percent of such procedures are carried out by a doctor. The number of MAiD deaths in Canada has risen steadily by about a third each year from the previous year. Misogynist influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are being investigated for more serious human trafficking charges, Romanian prosecutors announced today. The officials said the pair - along with two other female Romanian suspects - are now being investigated for human trafficking in continued form, saying it was a more serious crime than separate counts of trafficking. The brothers - along with Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - are currently under house arrest pending a criminal investigation for suspected human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The four have denied the accusations. Under Romanian legislation, prosecutors have filed charges against the four suspects, but the case is under investigation and has not yet gone to trial. Prosecutors are expected to commit them for trial later in June. Notorious misogynist Andrew Tate (pictured in April) and his brother Tristan are being investigated for more serious human trafficking charges, Romanian prosecutors said today The officials said the brothers (pictured together April 21 in Bucharest) - along with two other female suspects - are now being investigated for human trafficking in continued form, saying it was a more serious crime than separate counts of trafficking The four were held in police custody from December 29 until March 31, when a Bucharest court placed them under house arrest. On Tuesday, Romania's DIICOT anti-organised crime prosecuting unit notified the Tate brothers that the human trafficking charge had changed to trafficking in continued form, a DIICOT spokesperson said. Under Romanian law, trafficking of adults carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. One more alleged victim was added to the case, which started out with six women, the spokesperson said. The Tate brothers' legal team said Tuesday's changes were in the suspects' 'legal interest'. 'The legal framework has been revised and altered to ensure an impartial investigation is upheld,' they said in a statement. 'The brothers and their legal team consider today's hearing proves their legal rights are respected and necessary steps are being taken to ensure an objective investigation. They will continue to collaborate with authorities to prove their innocence and restore their reputation,' the statement added. DIICOT prosecutors also said they had opened a separate criminal investigation against a Romanian man close to the Tate brothers on allegations of human trafficking and forming a criminal crime group to sexually exploit seven women. Prosecutors have said Vlad Obuzic, whose social media platforms show pictures of him with the Tate brothers, and two other suspects recruited their alleged victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship or marriage. The alleged victims were then coerced to produce pornographic content for social media sites, with the suspects keeping most of the gains. 'To ensure the victims' loyalty and that they will perform only to the benefit of the members of the group, they were forced to tattoo the name or face of the group member exploiting them,' prosecutors said in a statement. Like Andrew Tate, Obuzic is a kickboxer. In the same vein as Tate, he cultivates an ultra macho image online, posing with women, fast cars and luxury properties. Romanian news outlet Gandul reported in January that Obuzic - in one video posted online - bragged about bruises on his girlfriend's body. Andrew Tate gave an interview to the BBC from his home in Romania earlier this month News of the change in charges against Andrew Tate and his associates came a week after a fourth British woman claimed she she was victim of sexual assault by the influencer, alleging the he choked her until she lost consciousness. The 30-year-old has joined a civil claim for damages against Tate, after three other women said in April that they intended to begin proceedings. The woman, who was a university student aged 20 at the time of the allegations in 2014, said she met Tate on a night out in his hometown of Luton, Bedfordshire. She said they had consensual sex but this became violent when Tate choked her, and when she awoke he was still having sex with her, which she did not consent to. The woman told BBC Newsnight that this was her second encounter with Tate. A few months earlier they had consensual sex. She said while they were having sex on their second encounter, Tate put his hand on her throat and 'strangled me' until she passed out - and that when she came round 'it was a bit confusing at first', and he was 'still having sex with me'. The woman also said she was subjected to violent threats by Tate, including one to kill her, adding: 'He kept saying: "I own you, you belong to me". 'All throughout the night he was being fairly aggressive and saying horrible things.' The Tate brothers (seen handcuffed together), Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel (right) arrive at the Bucharest Court of Appeal on February 27 Romanian police officers wait to enter Andrew Tate's and his brother Tristan's residence, on the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, to check if they are present at the location, April 1 A Lamborghini seized in the case against Tate is towed away in Bucharest on January 14 A spokesman for Tate insisted that all sexual acts he had been involved in had been consensual - and that he does not condone violence towards women. The woman did not report the incident to police at the time, saying she only realised she had been sexually assaulted about six years later when she described what had happened to her friends. She has now joined three other British woman aged in their late 20s and early 30s as they pursue civil claims for damages against Tate. They all say they were victims of sexual violence by Tate between 2013 and 2016, when he lived in the UK. The mother-of-three and animal sanctuary worker jailed for terminating her pregnancy at eight months in lockdown had just moved back in with her partner fearing she was carrying another man's baby. Carla Foster, 44, already a mother of three, had been too 'embarrassed' to see her GP about the baby so lied and gave the false impression she was around seven weeks pregnant in order to obtain abortion-causing drugs sent by post. The baby was born days after she took the pills in May 2020, while she was on the phone to the emergency services. Paramedics arrived and the child was not breathing and could not be saved. The child was between 32 and 34 weeks. Foster already had three sons - one of whom has special needs - before she became pregnant again in 2019. She had moved back in with her estranged partner when lockdown began. The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant. Foster is in prison today but lived in a neat, terraced home in Barlaston, a quaint village on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. Located opposite open fields, Foster's 160,000 home lies on the picturesque Wedgwood Estate, MailOnline can reveal. The estate was founded and named after the world famous Wedgwood ceramics family and is made up of canals, rolling hills, lakes, wildlife and a Natural Trust nature reserve. She had recently started working at the Animal Lifeline sanctuary around a 15 minute drive from her home outside Stoke-on-Trent. She shared the news with followers on Facebook and a link to the charity, which vows to rehome all its dog - or keep them for life. And in a defiant final message before she was jailed, she wrote on social media: 'No one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through'. Carla Foster lied about how advanced her pregnancy was to obtain abortion-causing drugs. She recently started work at an animal sanctuary close to her home outside Stoke She carried out internet searches from February 2020 onwards that included How to lose a baby at six months. In April she searched for I need to have an abortion but Im past 24 weeks. Despite a plea for leniency from medical bodies and charities who wrote to the judge, Foster was jailed for two years and four months at Stoke Crown Court yesterday. Sentencing her, Mr Justice Pepperall said she was 'plagued by nightmares and flashbacks to seeing your dead child's face' and accepted she was a 'good mother' to her three children. Today, the case sparked a major row involving abortion providers, MPs and pro-life campaigners - amid calls for Parliament to consider overhauling 'out-of-date' laws, and others highlighting 'inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion'. Hours before the sentencing, at about 3am yesterday, Foster posted a text image on Facebook which said: 'No one has the right to judge you because no one knows what you've been through. They may have heard stories, but they didn't feel what you felt.' Foster also posted a text image on Sunday evening around 7pm, saying: 'Life has knocked me down a few times, it showed me things I never wanted to see. I experienced sadness and failures. But one thing for sure, I always get up.' Most abortions in England are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can only be carried out after 24 weeks in very specific circumstances such as if the mother's life is at risk or if the child would have a severe disability when born. Foster's terraced home in Barlaston, a quaint village on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent Foster, 44, arrives at Stoke Crown Court for her sentencing hearing yesterday Foster posted this message on Facebook at 3am yesterday, just hours before she was jailed The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant. How mother was prosecuted under 1861 law on 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' Carla Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, entitled 'administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion' - and this was accepted by the prosecution. The law states as follows: 'Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for life' Advertisement She carried out internet searches from February 2020 onwards that included 'How to lose a baby at six months'. In April she searched for 'I need to have an abortion but I'm past 24 weeks'. She spoke to a nurse practitioner at BPAS on May 6, 2020, leading the nurse to believe that she was around seven weeks pregnant. Her child, a girl, was born, not breathing, on May 11, 2020. A post mortem examination recorded cause of death as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. But she later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. Ahead of the sentencing, a letter was sent to the court from leaders of health organisations calling for a non-custodial sentence. The letter from leaders of medical groups such as the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, warned that imprisoning Foster could put other women off accessing telemedical abortion services. The letter also said it could put off late-gestation women from seeking medical care or from being open and honest with medical professionals. In response, judge Mr Justice Pepperall said in his sentencing remarks it would have been better if 'the letter had not been written at all'. He said: 'The letter also has the capacity to be seen as special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortions and is, in my judgment, just as inappropriate as it would be for a judge to receive a letter from one of the groups campaigning for more restrictive laws and which might seek to argue that it is important that the law is upheld by passing a deterrent sentence.' But, following the sentencing, Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes said Parliament must consider overhauling the 'out-of-date' law used to jail Foster. Foster posted this message on Facebook at 7pm on Sunday, the day before her sentencing Ms Nokes, who is chairman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, joined women's rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation. What are the rules on abortions in England? Most abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can only be carried out after 24 weeks in very specific circumstances such as if the mother's life is at risk or if the child would have a severe disability when born. Most abortion services ask to perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of their last period. There are two methods of having an abortion in England. One is a medical abortion, or the 'abortion pill', which sees the woman take two medicines, usually 24 to 48 hours apart, to induce an abortion. The other is the 'surgical abortion' which sees a woman have a procedure to remove the pregnancy and normally go home soon afterwards. Advertisement She told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme yesterday: 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. 'And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. 'I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail.' This morning, senior MP Dame Diana Johnson urged ministers to 'step up' and decriminalise abortions. The chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is not in the public interest to see a mother with three children now in prison for 28 months.' Discussing existing abortion laws, the Labour MP added: 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. 'There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way. 'The Government should step up and say we should decriminalise, we should reform abortion law, take the criminal law out of this, but that doesn't mean you don't have regulation.' Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal also argued it was not in the public interest to prosecute the mother-of-three. Citing public feeling towards laws restricting abortions and her mitigating factors, he told Radio 4's Today programme: 'Had I been involved, had I been doing this particular case, I would not have prosecuted it. 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now. And I think that's one of the things I would have factored in, in relation to this particular case.' Foster eventually pleaded guilty to a charge under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 Centre for Women's Justice director Harriet Wistrich questioned how the prosecution was in the public interest. Reaction to sentencing of Carla Foster for inducing late abortion 'Society has moved on, healthcare has moved on, and I think Parliament has a role now to look at reforming our abortion laws. There's no other country in the world as I understand it that would criminalise a woman in this way.' Dame Diana Johnson, Labour MP and Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman 'This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date.' Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP and Commons Women and Equalities Committee chairman 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' Stella Creasy, Labour MP 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent.' Clare Murphy, British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health.' Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International UK women's human rights programme director 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' Harriet Wistrich, Centre for Women's Justice director 'This whole terrible event took place during the pandemic and people were making some terrible choices during that period that perhaps they regret now' Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman 'BPAS is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom' Catherine Robinson, Right To Life UK spokesman 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion' Andrea Williams, Christian Concern chief executive 'Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' Society for the Protection of Unborn Children spokesman 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Emily Hawkins, communications director of Alliance of Pro-Life Students 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' Judge Mr Justice Pepperall Advertisement 'What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support?' she said. 'She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. 'When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to women's basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system.' And Labour MP Stella Creasy tweeted: 'This case reveals bitter truth contrary to what some claim. Abortion is not legal in England - and you can be prosecuted for having one. 'No other healthcare procedure has such a status. No other patient group would be treated this way. It's time to change law and trust women.' She also told the BBC's Newsnight programme: 'I don't understand in whose interests this case was.' Women's human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was 'shocking and quite frankly terrifying'. 'This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health,' she said. Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister and director of the campaign group Right to Equality, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Abortion needs to be decriminalised. It needs be treated like any other healthcare procedure, just like in Canada. We don't have other procedures, for example, that are criminalised in this way. 'I don't think that it's the case that any woman at any time of pregnancy should be able to access reproductive healthcare. But it should be left to the professionals, to medical experts, to decide whether that termination should be carried out or not. Just like, as I say, any other healthcare procedure.' She continued: 'I feel absolute compassion for what this poor woman has had to go through. She is a victim, she is not a criminal. When you're in desperate circumstances like this woman was, you will take sometimes any step you possibly can to access an abortion or procure a miscarriage to the extent that some women are even Googling and looking up how to abort that pregnancy through physical means. That's going back to the 1960s when women used coat hangers to try and induce an abortion.' British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Clare Murphy called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. She said: 'We are shocked and appalled by the decision to sentence a mother-of-three to 28 months in prison for using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. 'No woman can ever go through this again. In their sentencing remarks, the judge made it that women will only be protected from prosecution if MPs bring forward legal change. There has never been a clearer mandate for parliamentary action, and the need has never been so urgent. 'Just this week, a police force contacted BPAS to request the medical records of a woman who is being investigated for allegedly attempting to end their own pregnancy. 'Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the numbers of women and girls facing the trauma of lengthy police investigations and threatened with up to life imprisonment under our archaic abortion law. 'On Saturday, BPAS, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Fawcett Society, and many others will be taking to the streets in London to demand legislative reform. 'Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system. 'In 2020, MPs in Westminster amended the law in Northern Ireland to remove the threat of criminal sanction for any woman who attempted to end their own pregnancy. 'MPs must extend the same protection so that no more women in these desperate circumstances in the UK are ever threatened with prison again.' But Catherine Robinson, spokesman for the pro-life charity Right To Life UK, said: 'The abortion provider BPAS should never have sent abortion pills to this vulnerable woman when her baby was at 32 weeks gestation that's around eight months. 'Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically using this woman's tragic experience of using their abortion service to lobby the Government to introduce extreme abortion legislation throughout the United Kingdom.' Mr Justice Pepperall criticised the medical establishment for sending a letter to the court And Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, told MailOnline today: 'At Christian Concern, we warned over and over about the dangerous pills by post abortion policies and how easy it would be to procure pills illegally. 'Our mystery client survey showed that this was possible and now we are seeing the tragic consequences of the lax policy BPAS campaigned so hard for. Judge criticises medical groups for sending letter to court Sentencing Foster, Mr Justice Pepperall criticised the medical establishment for sending a letter to the court urging leniency, saying it could be seen as 'special pleading'. Judge Pepperall said: 'I consider it may have been better if the letter had not been sent at all.' He said the letter had the 'capacity to be even a special pleading by those who favour wider access to abortion'. The judge said it would have been 'no less appropriate' than to hear from an organisation wishing to uphold stricter rules. 'My duty as a judge is to uphold the law as it stands,' he went on. 'I do not accept that imprisonment in this case would deter women and girls from seeking abortion within 24 weeks. 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' You can read the judge's full sentencing remarks by clicking here, which will take you to the relevant page of the Judiciary website Advertisement 'The responsibility for this tragedy lies firmly with pro-abortion campaigning organisations that promote an up-to-birth abortion culture and facilitated this dangerous and illegal abortion. 'Now a child has died and the mother lives with the terrible consequences. This should never have happened and would never have happened without the abortion industry's pet policies. 'The Government should urgently turn back the clock and end this disastrous policy of cheap, convenient, pills by post abortions.' Emily Hawkins, communications director for the Alliance of Pro-Life Students, told MailOnline: 'It's outrageous that BPAS is not under more scrutiny for failing Carla and her child so badly. The pills by post scheme, which BPAS lobbied for, is clearly failing women. 'There were no checks for gestational age, no in-person appointments, nothing at all to safeguard Carla - who was clearly distressed in her pregnancy. 'We know that taking these pills beyond the recommended ten-week period increases the danger for the woman who takes the pill, as well as harming her unborn child. Due to BPAS' lack of care towards Carla, she now is living with the guilt of what she has done, and having 'nightmares and flashbacks to [her] dead child's face'. 'We need to revisit the pills by post scheme, and make sure that no more women are harmed by it, and that abortion providers are properly held to account for allowing this kind of thing to happen.' Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said: 'Abortion providers and pro-abortion politicians who are outraged at a case being taken for taking abortions pills "beyond the ten week limit" are not mentioning that we are talking about the tragic death of a fully viable baby of eight months.' They added: 'The real fault in this tragedy lies strongly with abortion providers who pushed for dangerous home abortions, and are now using this case to push for abortion up to birth. The needless tragedy of this death and its consequences should shame abortion giants like BPAS. 'They make business from the "DIY Abortion" policy which recklessly permits the distribution of deadly abortion drugs to be sent in the post. Surely the death of a baby of eight months exposes the complete inadequacy of the safeguards for this regime of abortion?' The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was 'complex and traumatic', but said it has a duty to ensure laws are 'properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions'. Foster did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was 'embarrassed' and did not know how far along she was, the court was told. She spoke to a nurse practitioner at BPAS, an abortion care service, on May 6, 2020, and, based on her answers to questions about her pregnancy, it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant and she was sent abortion pills in the post. Days later, on May 11, 2020, having taken the pills, a 999 call was made at 6.39pm saying the defendant was in labour. Her child was born during the course of the phone call, prosecutors told the court. The baby was not breathing and despite resuscitation attempts by paramedics, who arrived at the scene at about 7pm, she was pronounced dead at hospital around 45 minutes later. A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation when born. The mother was jailed for two years and four months at Stoke Crown Court Prosecuting, barrister Robert Price said: 'She lied to BPAS about how pregnant she was so they sent the tablets to her. She said she had not seen a doctor about her pregnancy because she was embarrassed. 'While the baby was not full term, she was approaching that stage of development. Multiple and prolonged internet searches showed a level of planning. Previous case: Sarah Louise Catt was jailed for eight years in 2012 for aborting her own baby in the final phase of her pregnancy 'The taking of the drugs was a planned and deliberate act in which her intention could only have been to procure an abortion.' Defending Foster, Barry White said Covid lockdowns had changed the way healthcare and advice services were operating to minimise face-to-face contact. He told the court: 'The restrictions placed on services to advise women may explain why there were so many internet searches for information on behalf of the defendant. 'We can never really know or imagine the turmoil she would have been experiencing at the time. 'The defendant may well have made use of services had they been available at the time. This will haunt her forever.' Mr Justice Pepperall acknowledged it is an emotive case and said it was made more 'tragic' because the defendant did not plead guilty earlier, adding that he may have been able to consider suspending the jail sentence if she had. He said Foster, who was given a 28-month extended sentence, will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. He added: 'This case concerns one woman's tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. 'The balance struck by the law between a woman's reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman, asked if Rishi Sunak is confident that criminalising abortion in some circumstances remains the right approach, told reporters: 'Our laws as they stand balance a woman's right to access safe and legal abortions with the rights of an unborn child. I'm not aware of any plans to address that approach.' READ MORE - 2013 - Married mother who aborted her baby two days before it was due following workplace affair has eight-year sentence reduced Advertisement Simon Myerson KC, barrister at St Pauls Chambers in Leeds, pointed out that the judge made reference to Sarah Louise Catt, a woman jailed for eight years in September 2012 for aborting her own baby in the final phase of her pregnancy. Catt, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, took a drug when she was full term at 39 weeks pregnant to cause an early delivery. In June 2013, she had her sentence reduced to three-and-a-half years. Mr Myerson referred to general sentencing guidance which states: 'For offenders on the cusp of custody, imprisonment should not be imposed where there would be an impact on dependants which would make a custodial sentence disproportionate to achieving the aims of sentencing.' And he tweeted in a long thread: 'Carla Foster was on the cusp - the judge said an earlier plea would have enabled him to suspend. On the guidance she met every criteria for a suspended sentence, and none for an immediate custodial sentence, except for length. 'The length was arrived at by stating that an earlier case - plainly more serious - would now be considered too lenient. 'I doubt that myself, but it's an odd thing to say unless that was a view expressed generally. It isn't. These offences are extremely rare. I wonder, therefore, if the judge consulted anyone else.' He also said: 'This is so marginal a decision that the failure to ask what purpose is achieved by an immediate custodial sentence is one I find genuinely worrying. 'As far as anyone can tell from the sentencing remarks, the answer is nothing but the immediate detriment of the living children, the impact on whom is not addressed in the smallest detail, even though the courts generally recognise that sentencing women to custody is far more detrimental to children than sentencing men to custody. 'Instinctively it feels wrong to me, but I've done this thread because I can't see the answers to specific questions from the public remarks.' Vladimir Putin has not openly criticised his long-suffering defence minister amid the war in Ukraine, but the Russian president appeared to make his feelings towards Sergei Shoigu very clear on a visit to a hospital for wounded soldiers. Putin and Shoigu yesterday visited the Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow to greet several servicemen who sustained all manner of gruesome injuries amid the Kremlin chief's war in Ukraine. Upon their arrival at the medical facility, Putin quickly walked around the group, awkwardly shaking the hands - and in some cases bandaged stumps - of the medically discharged veterans, asking them how they were coping and thanking them for their service. As is typical of such visits, most of the soldiers could not look their leader in the eye and instead stared straight ahead, their bodies rigid with anxiety. None smiled, or seemed particularly pleased to meet their president. Having completed his round of pleasantries, Putin returned to stand shoulder to shoulder with Shoigu who waited mute at the hospital's entrance. As the president approached, Shoigu leaned towards him and appeared to utter a few words, but was met with a wall of silence as Putin promptly made an about-face and stood with his back to the defence minister, ignoring his every word in a characteristically frosty manoeuvre. It comes as Russian troops continue to falter on the frontlines in Ukraine, with Kyiv's forces having successfully recaptured ground in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions amid their long-awaited counteroffensive. Putin made an about face and stood with his back to the defence minister, ignoring his every word in a characteristically frosty manoeuvre Putin awards a medal to a wounded soldier at a hospital in Moscow during a visit to greet medically discharged servicemen Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) meets with servicemen participants of the special military operation in Ukraine at the Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow, Russia, 12 June 2023 Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has been widely criticised for his troops' failures in Ukraine Shoigu was appointed Russia's defence minister in 2012 and has been one of Putin's closest allies for the past decade. The pair are known to have holidayed together regularly and are believed to have shared a close personal friendship outside of their respective roles. But Shoigu has no military background, having trained as a civil engineer and held the position of emergency situations minister for years prior to his move to head up the Russian defence ministry. In addition, Shoigu was never a part of Russia's state security apparatus - experience held by many of Moscow's political elites - and thus his competence as defence minister was questioned by many analysts even before Russian tanks rolled across the Ukrainian border last February. Since then, Shoigu is one of the few top ranking defence and military leaders that has somehow retained his position. Putin has run through several army chiefs of staff, demoting or outright removing military chiefs he perceived as incompetent amid his troops startling losses and battlefield failures. Shoigu has also faced a torrent of angry criticism from Wagner chief Prigozhin, who has routinely hit out at the Russian army's failure to support his mercenaries in the fight for Bakhmut and accused the Russian defence minister of withholding ammunition from his troops. Prigozhin's Wagner group just last month managed to wrest Bakhmut out of Ukrainian hands after months of brutal fighting reminiscent of World War I trench warfare, with tens of thousands killed on both sides. The mercenary figurehead just weeks ago released a video in which he scolded Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov, taunting them and urging them to go to the frontlines and see the failures for themselves. 'Now part of the settlement of [Berkhivka] has already been lost, the troops are slowly falling back. What a disgrace! 'Shoigu, Gerasimov, I urge you to come to the front, raise your pistols at your men to make them go forward. Come on, you can! 'And if you can't, then you will die as heroes.' Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, awards servicemen who fought in Ukraine at the Central Military Hospital named after Alexander Vishnevsky, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 12, 2023 Sergei Shoigu and Vladimir Putin on Siberian vacation in September, 2021 Shoigu has no military background, having trained as a civil engineer and held the position of emergency situations minister for years prior to his move to head up the Russian defence ministry Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has launched several verbal tirades at Putin's military leaders. He has accused them of ordering their troops to retreat from their positions and leaving Wagner fighters unprotected on the frontlines On Monday, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Mailar said the country's troops had recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometres (35 square miles) of eastern Ukraine over the past week in the first days of their counteroffensive. Russian officials didn't confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. But the Institute for the Study of War, which analyses a variety of open source information to provide near-daily updates of frontline developments, confirmed Ukrainian troops had retaken some seven settlements in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk and had continued to push back Russian troops around the embattled city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces spokesperson Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty stated that Ukrainian troops continued counterattacks on the flanks of Bakhmut and advanced 250 to 700 meters in unspecified areas on the outskirts of the city, and pro-Russian military bloggers noted that Ukrainian forces continued counterattacks on Russian positions southwest, north and northwest of Bakhmut. The advances have amounted to only small bits of territory and underscore the difficulty of the battle ahead for Ukrainian forces, who will have to fight metre by metre to regain the roughly one-fifth of their country under Russian occupation. But any counterattacking success enjoyed by Ukraine only serves to highlight the continued struggles of Putin's forces whose progress in Donetsk and the capture of Bakhmut was largely down to the efforts of Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner group of mercenary fighters, rather than Moscow's own regular troops. Three years ago, Navy captain Brett Crozier became an early martyr of the pandemic when he was relieved of command for raising concern about how quickly COVID was spreading through his ship, the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Now, despite his retaliatory ouster and after grueling global shutdowns, the retired sailor has resurfaced to promote a memoir about his career and to speak publicly for the first time about his firing. On March 30 2020, after eight of the 5,000 sailors onboard the Roosevelt had to be hospitalized with severe COVID symptoms, Crozier, the Commanding Officer, begged Navy top brass to evacuate the entire ship, writing in an alarming email: 'There will be losses.' He estimated that at least 50 servicemembers would die from the virus unless they were separated, but was largely ignored then fired for showing 'poor judgement' in the face of a crisis. Crozier, 53, said he doesn't blame bosses for not acting as severely as he urged them to, but has admitted in interviews this week that he thought he would be reinstated to his post after then Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned. Scroll down for video Capt. Brett Crozier is speaking out for the first time about being relieved of command in 2020 after he raised concerns about how quickly COVID was spreading through his air carrier of 5,000 sailors In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, Crozier said he spoke with admirals who 'acknowledged that the decision to fire me had been made in haste and in the fog of war.' Modly, he says, acted 'angrily' when he publicly disparaged him in front of his crew by telling them he was 'stupid' if he didn't anticipate his memo to leak. 'Theres a lesson there probably for all of us that when you act out of anger, youre generally going to regret it because youre going to make decisions that are not in your best interest and certainly not in the best interests of those youre trying to lead. 'Rather than err toward the side of kindness, kind of step back and take a more strategic look at it. I think he reacted angrily,' he said. When he wasn't reinstated, he moved into a different role quietly until his retirement this year. 'I mean, I think at the time I did what I needed to do, as a CO of a ship, you're ultimately accountable for the success or failure of your ship. 'And I wasn't going to leave anything on the table when it came down to COVID and protecting my sailors. 'The Navy wanted what was right for the sailors, as well. I just knew no one wanted as much as I did,' he said in a subsequent interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo. Crozier was clapped off the ship after being relieved of command. His sailors chanted 'CAPTAIN CROZIER' as he disembarked Some of the 5,000 soldiers on the USS Roosevelt in April, 2020, when Crozier was relieved of command Crozier's email resulted in some 4,000 soldiers being put up in a hotel in Guam to avoid further spread. Above, US Navy Hospitalmen perform a test on a sailor at the Naval Hospital in Guam 'He acted angrily': Crozier was relieved of command by then Navy Secretary Thomas Modly. Modly later resigned in a row over his mishandling of the Roosveelt and Crozier's concerns Crozier had served 26 years in the Navy before he was shown the door. He maintains that his final post, Commanding Officer of the Roosevelt, was his best. 'I didn't go back to that ship, even though it was the best job in the world. You could fly a helicopter one day, fly a fighter, drive the ship in the South China Sea with the Chinese Navy chasing you. 'But at the end of the day, it was a job and the Navy had to move on and do their mission. 'The Navy took great care of us. We're a Navy family, it's a family business for us. 'I have a son who's a veteran and another son active duty so I was gonna do all I could to make sure I honor the Navy till I retire,' he said. He is promoting his memoir, Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain. He is also the COO of Veterans Village of San Diego, which looks after 3,000 homeless veterans in San Diego. by Dae-Han Song and Michael McGrath Seishi Hinada is a National Executive Committee member of ZENKO (National Assembly for Peace and Democracy). ZENKO emerged in 1970 out of the student movement in the 1960s. He joined ZENKO in 1981 as a university student activist in Hiroshimas anti-nuclear peace movement. The International Strategy Centers Dae-Han Song and Michael McGrath interviewed Seishi online. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. We began with a brief background on post-World War II Japan, summarized here. According to Seishi, at the root of the Japanese publics acceptance of the 55,000 U.S. military personnel in Japan, despite the wartime destruction inflicted on Japan by the United States, is a wartime compromise: in exchange for Japan adopting a peace constitution and renouncing war and military force, the United States would absolve it and its Emperor Hirohito for war crimes (i.e., the colonization of Korea and the invasion of China and other Asian countries). Likewise, the United States would be absolved of its nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The impetus for this collusion was to make Japan an anti-communist bulwark against the USSR at the time. According to Seishi, This complicit relationship between the two countries has caused a lack of a sense of war responsibility among the Japanese general public and a lack of attitude to pursue U.S. responsibility. Thus, except for those directly impacted by the crimes such as Okinawans, much of the Japanese public are very lenient about the existence of U.S. military bases within Japan. Protestors hold a rally against the South Korea-U.S. military exercise in central Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) International Strategy Center (ISC): The U.S. is waging a new Cold War against China, and one of the key components of its military strategy is the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral military alliance. In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to increase Japans military budget by 50 percent over the next five years. What are the Japanese publics thoughts around this re-militarization in Japan? Seishi: The Japanese government is making the most of the war in Ukraine and the rocket launch by DPRK is getting the general public behind its policy of massive military expansion and acquiring the capabilities to attack foreign bases. Regarding the military buildup by the Japanese government, the general public seems to be in support of those policies, but there are weak points. When it comes to a tax hike for the sake of military expansion, the approval ratings will drop. So Kishida cannot talk out loud about the tax hike, and the only option he has left is to cut the budget in every other field: social welfare, health care, education, and the rest of it. In addition, the Japanese population is shrinking quicker than anticipated. So the government is asked to take drastic measures to deal with this issue too. But again, they cannot finance it because they allocate a large share of the budget to military expenses. By exposing these contradictions, more and more people will realize the necessity to radically shift the policy of military alliance and military buildup toward peaceful dialogue and disarmament. The general publics consciousness is changing. Kishidas support base is not so strong. ISC: ZENKO has been fighting against the U.S. military base in Okinawa. What is driving this campaign? Why is ZENKO opposed to Japans remilitarization? What is the role of international solidarity in this struggle? Seishi: In 1987, Zenko held its annual assembly in Okinawa. Its members visited Okinawa and met survivors of the Battle of Okinawa. We learned from them that the military will not protect civilians. We also met and saw the strong anti-base movement in Okinawa that we couldnt see in mainland Japan. Since then, we have been in solidarity with Okinawa Islanders struggles. No More Battle of Okinawa was formed a couple of years ago when Okinawan activists felt it urgent to stop the militarization and fortification of the Okinawa Islands. The U.S. and Japan are now talking a lot about the Taiwan emergency, with missiles and war machines deployed to Okinawa Island. The slogan No More Battle of Okinawa reflects a sense of this war crisis. They are organizing a prefecture-wide organization to oppose militarization in Okinawa and promote grassroots diplomatic efforts for peace through dialogue with people in surrounding areas like Taiwan, China, and Korea. ISC: From the recent international peace conference, it became clear that while Japan is dependent on U.S. military strength, Japan also plays a leading role in the region. Former Prime Minister Abe, in particular, played a key role in creating the concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. What is the current Kishida governments vision for Japans role in the region? Seishi: Basically, Kishida is following the path set by Abe. Some people emphasize that Japan is still dependent on the U.S. militarily, economically, or politically and is, in a way, a colony of the U.S. However, we should not overlook Japans drive to become a military global power. Japan has already built an overseas military base in Djibouti [in] east Africa, in cooperation with the U.S. and [South] Korea. Japan aims to build up its military to protect its vested interests around the globe. Additionally, Kishida is removing war compensation issues from the agenda and imposing a false solution on Korean War victims. We need to be very careful about what Kishida is doing now. ISC: What would ZENKOs alternative vision be for Japans role in the region? Seishi: First, Japan should provide an official apology and compensation to wartime victims, including victims of wartime sexual slavery and Korean workers forcibly mobilized by Japan. Second, Japan should engage in multilateral talks, such as the Six-Party Talks, to resolve issues [of conflict] through diplomacy and dialogue. ZENKO will support this direction from the grassroots level. Finally, we should expand international solidarity work among the peoples of the countries concerned and raise our voices against militarization and the rhetoric of the new Cold War. ZENKO has been actively involved in international solidarity efforts for the past two or three years and plans to resume those activities. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Dae-Han Song is in charge of the networking team at the International Strategy Center and is a part of the No Cold War collective. Michael McGrath is a freelance journalist living in Seoul and a member of the International Strategy Center. Two police officers who followed two teenage boys on an electric bike before they died in a crash in Cardiff have been served with gross misconduct notices, according to the UK police watchdog. Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were fatally injured in a crash on Monday 22 May 2023 in Ely in Cardiff. Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand. South Wales Police (SWP) initially dismissed this as a rumour before CCTV footage emerged showing a marked van following the boys. The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after it admitted the teens were being followed by a van 85 seconds before the crash. Investigators from the IOPC have now served gross misconduct notices to two SWP officers, the driver and the passenger of the unmarked van, as part of its investigation into the incident. Childhood best friends Kyrees, 16, (right) and Harvey, 15 (left) were fatally injured after they crashed in the suburb of Ely, Cardiff, at 6pm on May 22 Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand Pictured are Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan on the electric bike, which was an early birthday present, moments before their fatal crash The watchdog said the serving of the notices did not mean that disciplinary proceedings would follow. It previously said it was looking at the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of their decisions and actions, whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit and whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision. Investigators have been reviewing hundreds of video clips and initial accounts and body-worn video from police officers and staff, the watchdog said. In a statement, the IOPC said: 'As part of our investigation, we have served gross misconduct notices on two police officers, the driver and passenger in a marked police van, which was seen on CCTV footage driving behind the boys' electric bike a short time prior to the fatal collision on May 22. 'Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to investigation. They do not necessarily mean that any disciplinary proceedings will follow. 'Our investigation began last month following a referral from South Wales Police, after relevant CCTV footage came to light. 'Investigators are reviewing hundreds of video footage clips that we have gathered as a result of our house-to-house enquiries and leafleting at properties in Ely. 'To ensure we identify and secure relevant evidence, we have followed up inquiries with, and taken statements from, some local residents. 'We have also set up witness appeal boards on relevant streets. In addition to these lines of inquiry, we have reviewed initial accounts and body-worn video from relevant police officers and staff. 'We are in regular contact with the families of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, who sadly lost their lives, to keep them updated on the progress of our investigation. 'Our investigation continues to focus on the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the officers' decisions and actions. 'In particular, we are examining whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit. South Wales Police has continued to co-operate with our investigation.' One video shows a police van following an e-bike less than two minutes before the accident that killed the two boys. This image shows the boys riding the e-bike A marked police van then follows behind the bike about one second later IOPC director David Ford: 'I wish to again extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, and to everyone who has felt the impactful loss of two young lives in Ely. 'The response from the community in helping our investigators has been very positive and I am extremely grateful for this assistance. 'In case there are still people with relevant information we have yet to speak to, we have placed witness appeal boards in the vicinity of the incident. 'We would urge anyone who believes they have useful information to come forward to us. 'We have also met with local community leaders and elected officials to explain our role and the remit of our investigation. 'As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run up to the tragic incident. 'Our work will remain impartial and completely independent of the police.' A dozen officers were injured - but none seriously - during the riots on the night of the boys' deaths. Cars were torched and paving slabs and fireworks were thrown at officers armed with riot shields, leaving 15 injured. Footage from the night showed fireworks, rocks, paving slabs and even a door being hurled at police in riot gear. Car windows were smashed and set on fire, while tyres exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames. South Wales Police said 17 males and three females, aged between 14 and 36, had been arrested on suspicion of riot. All have since been released on police bail while the investigation continues, the force said. Riot police in Ely, Cardiff joined emergency services at the scene of a crash after objects were thrown at officers A car burns on Highmead Road during the riots in Cardiff on 22 May One rioter stands on top of an overturned car as tyres were also exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames during the riots Timeline of the crash according to police 17:59.40 CCTV shows the bike travelling towards the police vehicle in Frank Road. The bike then turns around. 18:00.52 The bike is followed by the police vehicle, as seen on CCTV images. Blue lights or sirens were not illuminated. 18:01.18 Police vehicle is at New Ely Church roundabout and travels through Archer Road, Stanway Road and Howell Road. 18:02.31 Police vehicle turns onto Grand Avenue. 18:02.17 - 18:02.41 Approximate time of the road traffic collision in Snowden Road. At the time of the collision, the police van is in Grand Avenue, half a mile away from Snowden Road. 18:06.59 The police vehicle is on Cowbridge Road West when it receives information about a road traffic collision, illuminates blue lights and makes its way to the collision scene. Advertisement Claims that Harvey and Kyrees were pursued by the police were denied by Alun Michael, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales. But CCTV from the area has since emerged showing a marked police van following them less than two minutes before the crash. According to the official police timeline, the bike was being followed by the police van, with no blue flashing lights or siren, at 52 seconds past six on Monday evening. The alleged chase ended at 18:02.31 when the marked police van turned into Grand Avenue. Kyrees and Harvey were in a collision between 18:02.17 18:02.41 and died at the scene in Snowden Road. The teenagers, from the suburb of Ely, were known for riding the e-bike around the streets despite a clampdown on illegal riding. Friends described them as 'motorbike heads' who had grown up together on the tough estate in the west of Cardiff and were 'just enjoying themselves' when they died. Harvey's godmother, Bridy Bool, said Harvey was 'a typical 15-year-old' who 'loved motorbikes, bikes and football' and who had eaten dinner with his mother Nadine just ten minutes before he died. She insisted the boys had done nothing to spark a police 'chase', adding: 'They were bare-faced innocent children.' One witness who caught the pair cycling on CCTV said they appeared scared of the vehicle, having 'panicked' and trying to flee after coming across it on the road. Eight in 10 Republicans believe former President Donald Trump's federal indictment is politically motivated. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday found that 81 percent of the ex-president's party believed the charges stemming from his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House were trumped up, as he runs for the White House for a third time. The number of Republicans who believe the former president is being unfairly targeted vastly exceeds the 30-35 percent of Trump supporters who are estimated by political analysts to make up his core base. Some 62 percent of respondents in the Reuters/Ipsos poll, including 91 percent of Democrats and 35 percent of Republicans, said it was believable that Trump illegally stored classified documents at his home in Florida as alleged by prosecutors. That hasn't turned off Republicans, with the poll finding that Trump continues to lead his rivals for the party's presidential nomination by a wide margin. Former President Donald Trump arrives in Miami Monday ahead of his day in federal court Tuesday. A poll released Monday found that 81 percent of Republicans believe the charges he faces are politically motivated Supporters of Trump rally outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. federal courthouse in Miami Tuesday ahead of the ex-president's court appearance Some 43 percent of self-identified Republicans said Trump was their preferred candidate, compared to 22 percent who picked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's closest rival. In early May, Trump led DeSantis 49 percent to 19 percent, but that was before DeSantis formally entered the race. DeSantis is among Trump's primary rivals who have suggested President Joe Biden's Justice Department has been weaponized against the GOP ex-president. Trump accuses President Joe Biden, a Democrat, of orchestrating the federal case to undermine Trump's campaign. Biden has kept his distance from the case and declines to comment on it. After Trump and DeSantis, the fresh poll found that all of the other Republican hopefuls are in the single digits. Former Vice President Mike Pence gets 7 percent support, former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are sitting at 3 percent and Sen. Tim Scott and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie each receive 2 percent of support from those polled. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the only GOP hopeful who has encouraged Trump to drop out of the race once he faced federal charges, received zero percent support in the Reuters/Ipsos poll. Christie, who served as an adviser to Trump's 2016 election campaign, was asked during a CNN townhall on Monday night if he thought the Biden Administration was weaponizing the Department of Justice against Trump. 'I don't think so,' Christie said. 'This evidence looks pretty damning.' Massachusetts middle schoolers tore down Pride decorations and chanted that their pronouns were 'USA' in a striking protest after they were asked to wear rainbow colors to school. Students at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington, Massachusetts, were asked to wear rainbow-colored shirts to celebrate Pride Month on June 2, but a preplanned protest broke out with students tearing up Pride flag stickers and chanting: 'USA are my pronouns.' Decked out in red, white and blue, the students destroyed the decorations lining the hallway the student organization Spectrum Group distributed, including a quote from American playwright Tennessee Williams, signage saying the school was a 'safe space' and 'equality for everyone' decorations. 'I was shocked and horrified,' Nila Almstrom, a parent of an LGBT student, said at a town hall meeting about the protest. Parents have told local news outlets their straight-identifying students said they felt forced to participate and were 'offended' by the Tennessee Williams quote that reiterated that the human heart is 'curved like a road through the mountains' and only lines and streets can be straight. Scroll down for video Burlington Equity Coalition Co-Chair, Nancy Bonassera (pictured) said during a town hall meeting: 'These displays of intolerance and homophobia are unacceptable and impact the whole community.' Her and other supporters are are now calling for the school district to reinstate the DEI board Christine Steiner, whose daughter participated in the protest, said their intention was not to 'hurt anybody's feelings,' but simply that they didn't want to be forced to wear rainbow shirts Decked out in red. white, and blue, the students destroyed the decorations lining the hallway that the student group Spectrum Group distributed, including a quote from American playwright Tennessee Williams, signage saying the school was a 'safe space,' and 'equality for everyone' decorations, and crumbled up stickers 'My daughter just said, "You know, mom, that's offensive to me, I am straight,"' Christine Steiner told WCVB. 'Some of the kids threw the stickers on the ground. But I can only speak for my daughter, she just didn't want to wear that to school. It's not that she wanted to hurt anybody's feelings.' However, Burlington Public Schools said in a letter to parents that the district is 'obligated to provide a safe environment for all students to feel safe, seen and respected without retaliation.' 'I recognize that discussions and celebrations of individual identity are complex and impacted by individual values, religions, and cultural norms, the result of which may include expressions of racism, anti-religious hate, ableism, and in this case homophobia,' Superintendent Eric Conti wrote. 'The Burlington Public Schools believe in the individual dignity and humanity of each and every person in our community. We embrace everyone for who they are and for what they bring to our schools and larger community,' he continued. 'Let us all work on being kinder to each other.' One straight student told her mother she was offended by the Tennessee Williams posters that claimed the the human heart is 'curved like a road through the mountains,' rather than a straight line However, Burlington Public Schools stated in a letter to parents that the district is 'obligated to provide a safe environment for all students to feel safe, seen and respected without retaliation' The altercation sparked allies and parents to call for more diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the school, claiming that 'this type of intolerant rhetoric starts in the home.' 'These displays of intolerance and homophobia are unacceptable and impact the whole community,' Burlington Equity Coalition Co-Chair, Nancy Bonassera, said during the meeting on Monday night. 'We challenge Burlington town leadership to take an active stand against hate under the guise of "free expression."' Principal Cari Perchase apologized in a letter, stating that she wanted to 'publicly state that I stand in solidarity and support of the members of the LGBTQ community who were impacted by these events.' Days after the disastrous Pride celebration, anti-Semitic and racist graffiti was found inside the schools bathroom. However, Perchase told parents she does not believe it was related to the Pride outburst, the Boston Globe reported. Parents are now calling for the DEI board to be reinstated. It dissolved in 2022 after its one-year scheduled tenure was up. Former member, Carl Foss, said the 'need [for the board] is pretty clear' after the town hall meeting. Select Board member Michael Espejo called for the district to fill its DEI administration role, but ensured parents of the district that the 'administration takes this matter seriously.' 'I assure you we will be having conversations over the coming weeks regarding this issue and we will report back by the end of the summer,' he said. The school did, however, meeting with students after the Pride incident to 'educate them about how their behaviors affect others, to take responsibility for their behaviors, and to help us become a more inclusive community where all of us feel that we belong,' Burlington School Committee Chairwoman Martha Simon said, according to the Boston Globe. School officials are planned to meet tonight to discuss the issue, according to NBC Boston. Pride month this year has garnered plenty of backlash, from people boycotting Target over 'tuck-friendly' swimwear, to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passing the 'Don't Say Gay' bill. Plenty of parents across the nation are arguing that children are too young to know about sexuality and gender-affirming care and that schools and healthcare officials are pressuring youngsters to start hormone blockers and start transitioning early. Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has demanded that his GOP nomination rivals promise to pardon Donald Trump if elected. He said that he would quash any conviction against the former president for mishandling classified documents, obstructing justice and making false statements. The 37-year-old biotech entrepreneur said the Trump prosecution 'will permanently damage public trust in our electoral process and our justice system.' 'Whoever among us is elected, our job of reuniting the nation will become daunting if not impossible,' he said. 'I condemn these charges by the U.S. Department of Justice.' 'I have signed a commitment to pardon President Trump promptly on January 20, 2025, for the federal charges in United States of America v. Donald J. Trump and [former valet] Waltine Nauta,' the 37-year-old biotech entrepreneur told reporters. The GOP hopeful demanded that his Republican rivals pledge to pardon Donald Trump if he is convicted Issuing a rallying cry to his fellow Republicans seeking to be the candidate for 2024, Ramaswamy said; 'I respectfully request that you join me in this commitment or else publicly explain why you will not.' The businessman and Harvard graduate has lodged a Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request demanding that the Department of Justice hand over any communications with the White House about that case. Ramaswamy, who has been among the most vocal defenders of Trump, warned that he was ready to go to court to secure their release. 'If they do not comply with the law in the next 20 business days, then we will sue them in Federal courts at our campaign's expense to get to the bottom of those answers,' he said in Miami earlier on Tuesday. Fellow rivals, who previously spoke up for the real estate mogul, have been somewhat mooted in their defense of the ex-president since the classified documents indictment charges were unsealed. But the 37-year-old barely registers so far in the primary voting intentions of registered Republicans. According to a poll of polls calculated by Real Clear Politics, the son of Indian immigrants picks up just over 2 percent alongside larger-than-life former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Allies of Ramaswamy deny that he is seeking a position in a second-term Trump administration. They insist that he will return to his business interests if he fails to win the GOP nomination. He has largely positioned himself on an 'anti-woke' ticket, vowing to scrap the U.S. green card lottery, end affirmative action and to raise the voting age to 25. According to Ramaswamy's plan, 18-24-year-olds would only be allowed to cast ballots if they have served in the military, worked as a first responder or pass a civics test. His blueprint would, however, require a change to the U.S. Constitution. The long-shot candidate's appearance in Florida came as hundreds of people, including media representatives and supporters of the former president, gathered outside the courthouse in Miami. A Trump supporter pulls a trailer showing the former president in front of a group of prominent Democrats standing behind bars Former President Donald Trump will spend Tuesday back in court in downtown Miami, this time for the 37 federal charges he faces over his handling of classified documents after departing the White House. Trump is seen posing with supporters in Doral on Monday evening. His aide Walt Nauta is seen to the far left, in a red tie: Nauta has been charged alongside Trump of conspiring to obstruct justice Trump faces a rap sheet of 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents that were found at his Florida Mar-a-Lago residence. He denies all the allegations and has branded the charges brought against him as a politically-motivated witch hunt. The 76-year-old GOP front-runner and other Republicans claim the DOJ has not pursued an investigation into current US President Joe Biden's own alleged mishandling of classified documents with the same rigor. Biden said Friday he had not spoken to Attorney General Merrick Garland about Trump's latest legal woes and had no plans to do so. 'I have not spoken to him at all and I'm not going to speak with him,' Biden said, when asked by a reporter if he would speak to the attorney general. The Code of Federal Regulations states any special counsel must have 'a reputation for integrity and impartial decision-making,' The rules also call for 'an informed understanding of the criminal law and Department of Justice policies.' Furious activists have sprayed graffiti on San Francisco mayor London Breed's home over the killing of a transgender man earlier this year. The vandals daubed 'Get a life London yr a killer' on her building two months after Banko Brown was shot dead while shoplifting from Walgreens in the city. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' house was also targeted, with messages reading 'F*** Brooke Jenkins,' 'Rest in peace Banko' and 'ACAB' left for her, The San Francisco Standard reported. It comes two months after 24-year-old Brown was shot dead by a security guard at Wallgreens for shoplifting on April 27. The security guard, Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, had his murder charge dropped because the shooting was deemed self defense, which sparked outrage in the city. San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who had appointed Jenkins and was supporting the decision not to file charged, told a roomful or reporters she would not be opposed to a state or federal investigation The 24-year-old Brown was unarmed when he was shot dead by Walgreens security guard Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony while he was shoplifting at Walgreens in May Graphic surveillance footage showed Brown holding a bag as he walks toward the store exit. Anthony steps in his path, confronts him about allegedly stealing from the store, which leads to a scuffle before Brown is shot. His death sparked outrage across the Bay Area, but DA Jenkins' office announced they were not pressing charges against Anthony. The footage shows Brown in a white T-shirt and gray sweatpants, walking out of the store, when the confrontation between him and the security guard unfolds. Anthony is able to pin Brown to the ground, but then lets him go and Brown walks out of the store, still clutching his bag. More words are exchanged and then Brown appears to move slightly forward with his arms out, then backs up just as Anthony shoots him. A protester holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the San Francisco district attorney's office on May 17, 2023 in San Francisco, California Graphic footage shows Brown holding a bag as he walks toward the store exit. Anthony steps in his path, confronts him This was your city last night @LondonBreed at 01:40 a.m. This went on for over 20 minutes blocking the only entrance to the Emergency Dept @UCSFChildrens while pediatric patients & their families were tormented by the noise & smell of burning tires inside. @kron4news @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/cyb4MGkhSk SilverPatriotRedux (@ReduxPatriot) June 11, 2023 Brown collapses on the sidewalk outside the store and a crowd of people gather around him. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. Anthony was originally booked on suspicion of murder the day after the shooting, but released without charge after the Jenkins said Anthony was in 'mortal danger'. In the report, the DA citied 'insufficient evidence' that his actions equated to a murder or manslaughter charge. Instead, the evidence showed Anthony was 'sincerely afraid,' the DA's office said. 'All of this evidence strongly suggests that Anthony firing at Brown in self-defense was objectively reasonable,' the office's report reads. The report also notes Anthony claimed Brown had repeatedly threatened to stab him. However, investigators found no knife at the scene or on Brown, the SF chronicle reported. Brown's death sparked outrage across the Bay Area, but despite the many demands to charge Anthony, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' office said they would not be charging him Floral tributes and candles where left in memory of Banko Protests had already began following the decision to drop the charges against Anthony and at a meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors activists held up signs reading 'Justice for Banko Brown'. One protestor, who identified herself as Lia McGeever, erupted into a scream over the death of Brown, who was homeless and an intern with the Young Women's Freedom Center. She said: 'I hate a lot of people on this board for the reasons that led up to Banko Brown's death. Speaking to The San Francisco Standard , Anthony said: '[I'm] still dealing with it, still don't understand and don't have the time to reflect. 'It's not like I go through this many times. This is a very life-changing matter.' Anthony pointed to the pressure that security guards are under during these types of confrontations, saying: 'This is important for more people to be more aware of,' he said. It was happening too frequently. 'It's a lot to deal with. It's a lot of pressure. A person can only take so much. When you are limited to certain options, something will happen.' 'Who has my back? Nobody. You are left with no support. It's a frightening feeling with a lot of people around you.' The Mayor's office and the DA have been approached for comment on the graffiti. Terrorist Ted Kaczynski, known as 'Unabomber', was found with serious neck injuries after he died by hanging in a North Carolina jail after three decades behind bars, according to a 911 call. A short recording of the phone conversation has revealed the 81-year-old, who carried out a 17-year bombing campaign which killed three people and injured 23 others, was found in his cell on Saturday. The caller said he 'got a guy that was hanging' and 'they got a crash cart (a wheeled medical supply container) up there now', according to TMZ, who obtained the tape. Inside sources also told the tabloid that Kaczynski, who had late-stage cancer, suffered reddening of the skin from ear to ear and a deformed trachea. Rigor mortis - which is the fourth stage of death when the limbs turn rigid - had also already set in, especially on his arms and legs. Kaczynski, 81, who carried out a 17-year bombing campaign which killed three people and injured 23 others, was found in his cell on Saturday The 'Unabomber' was found in his jail cell in the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina - a supermax security facility Kaczynski built the explosives which he used to kill three people and injure 23 others while living in a Montana cabin without electricity or running water between 1978 and 1995 This normally begins around two to three hours after death, suggesting Kaczynski died in his cell at the Federal Medical Center in Butner hours before he was discovered. Four people with knowledge of the situation also confirmed to the Associated Press that the murderer's death was a suicide. They added that emergency responders performed CPR and revived him, before he was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead later on Saturday. This is not the first time the prisoner has attempted to hang himself - as he used a pair of underwear to conduct the process in 1998 but did not succeed. One of his would-be victims Buckley Crist Jr, who received a bomb package from the terrorist but he had the sense to never open it His death comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in the last several years following the death of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, who also died by suicide in a federal jail in 2019. Kaczynski had been held in the federal Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, since May 1998, when he was sentenced to four life sentences plus 30 years for a campaign of terror that set universities nationwide on edge. He admitted committing 16 bombings from 1978 and 1995, killing three people and permanently maiming several of his victims. In 2021, he was transferred to the federal medical center in North Carolina, a facility that treats prisoners suffering from serious health problems. Bernie Madoff, the infamous mastermind of the largest-ever Ponzi scheme, died at the facility of natural causes the same year. A Harvard-educated mathematician, Kaczynski lived as a recluse in a dingy cabin in rural Montana, where he carried out a solitary bombing spree that changed the way Americans mailed packages and boarded airplanes. His targets included academics and airlines, the owner of a computer rental store, an advertising executive and a timber industry lobbyist. In 1993, a California geneticist and a Yale University computer expert were maimed by bombs within the span of two days. Kaczynski was flanked by federal agents as he is led to a car from the federal courthouse in Helena, Mont., on April 4, 1996 Kaczynski skipped two grades before attending Harvard at age 16, where he published papers in prestigious mathematics journals Pictured: Kaczynski outside his cabin near Lincoln, Montana, in June, 1972 The domestic terrorist insisted he was not insane when he carried out the series of bombings Two years later, he used the threat of continued violence to convince The New York Times and The Washington Post to publish his manifesto, a 35,000 word screed against modern life and technology, as well as damages to the environment. The tone of the treatise was recognized by his brother, David, and Davids wife, Linda Patrik, who tipped off the FBI, which had been searching for the Unabomber for years in the nations longest, costliest manhunt. Authorities in April 1996 found him in a small plywood and tarpaper cabin outside Lincoln, Montana, that was filled with journals, a coded diary, explosive ingredients and two completed bombs. Though he was diagnosed by a psychiatrist as a paranoid schizophrenic, he was adamant that he wasnt mentally ill. He eventually pleaded guilty rather than allow his attorneys to present an insanity defense. Growing up in Chicago, Kaczynski skipped two grades before attending Harvard at age 16, where he published papers in prestigious mathematics journals. His explosives were carefully tested and came in meticulously handcrafted wooden boxes sanded to remove possible fingerprints. Rigor mortis - which is the fourth stage of death when the limbs turn rigid - had also already set in when Kaczynski was found Kaczynski's diplomas from Harvard University and the University of Michigan Kaczynski was finally arrested in 1996 after a 17-year reign of terror which saw three people murdered and 23 injured by his homemade mail bombs Later bombs bore the signature 'FC' for 'Freedom Club.' The FBI called him the 'Unabomber' because his early targets seemed to be universities and airlines. An altitude-triggered bomb he mailed in 1979 went off as planned aboard an American Airlines flight; a dozen people aboard suffered from smoke inhalation. During his decades in prison, Kaczynski maintained regular correspondence with the outside world, becoming an object of fascination - and even reverence - among those opposed to modern civilization. 'Hes turned into an iconic figure for both the far-right and far-left,' said Daryl Johnson, a domestic terrorism expert at the New Lines Institute, a nonprofit think tank. 'He definitely stands out from the rest of the pack as far as his level of education, the meticulous nature in which he went about designing his bombs.' So what did they do? Find out below Strong accusations against Miller in 2022 put the film's release in doubt Ezra Miller plays the lead role of Barry Allen in 2023's The Flash film which was originally meant to be released in 2018. The movie's completion and release were delayed by a series of issues, going through a number of directors, clashes in actors' diaries, and then Covid. After all those, a series of scandals around Miller in 2022 threw fresh doubt over the seemingly cursed production. The film will finally be released in the UK on June 16. So what did Ezra Miller do? Find out below. Ezra Miller was arrested in March 2022 for disorderly conduct and harassment in Hawaii Miller plays the lead role of Barry Allen in 2023's film The Flash March 2022 On March 28 2022, Miller war arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment after an incident at a bar in Hilo, Hawaii. They reportedly yelled obscenities at a 23-year-old woman singing karaoke and grabbed her mic, before lunging at a 32-year-old man playing darts. The bar owner reportedly told the actor to calm down several times but called the police after they failed to do so. Miller posted a $500 bail before charges were eventually dropped. April 2022 Again in Hawaii, Miller was arrested for second-degree assault after police responded to reports in the early hours in Pahoa. Authorities said they became irate after being asked to leave a gathering, and threw a chair which struck a 26-year-old woman who was left with a half-inch cut to the forehead. June 2022 There was uproar at the start of June 2022 when an 18-year-old ran away from their home with the Miller. However, Native American activist Tokata Iron Eyes, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, firmly pushed back against criticism of the film star, saying, 'I'm disappointed in my parents and the press in every way,' and adding that Miller had 'only provided loving support and invaluable protection.' Nevertheless Tokota's parents Chase and Sara lodged a protection order in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court against the actor on behalf of Tokota, but this was eventually withdrawn. Miller at the premiere for The Flash in June 2023 August 2022 In August, Miller opened up about 'complex mental health issues' and said they were seeking treatment. It followed them being charged with burglary of a home in Vermont, New England. Miller's representatives issued a statement on their behalf saying: 'Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment. 'I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.' Miller ended up pleading guilty to trespassing in January 2023, in a deal which saw the burglary charge dropped and Miller make a commitment to undergo random drug tests and continue seeking mental-health treatment. READ MORE: Stoli vodka chief with 'poisonous intentions' is a womanizing billionaire oligarch who married a Victoria's Secret model and then Miss World Jolie accused Pitt of trying to get her to sign an NDA relating to his conduct as part of a deal to sell him the winery for $67 million in 2021 When the couple split in 2016, there were multiple reports that Pitt had been physically and mentally abusive to his family during a plane trip Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's messy legal battles included a dispute over the winery in the south of France that the couple bought in 2008 Shocking new details have been revealed about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's seemingly never-ending legal battles stemming from their acrimonious 2016 split. In a new article for Vanity Fair's July/August edition, special correspondent Mark Seal delved into Brangelina's dispute over their once-beloved French winery, Chateau Miraval. The couple bought the vineyard in 2008 for around 25 million Euros and became 50/50 owners of the property as well as its wine making enterprise. Among those who spoke to Vanity Fair are the couple's former head of security, winemakers, real estate brokers and others with intimate knowledge of the couple's time in the south of France. The report notes that in 2021, Jolie, 47, and Pitt, 58, appeared to have come to an agreement in which he would purchase her half of the business. The deal stalled when Pitt tried to insert an NDA that would prevent the Maleficent star from publicly talking about their infamous argument in front of their kids on a private jet in 2016, according to the Vanity Fair piece. An aerial view taken on May 31, 2008 in Le Val, southeastern France, shows the Chateau Miraval, the winery and home that Brangelina bought for 25 million Euros 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 Representatives for Pitt have maintained that in fact it was Jolie who first broached the idea of an NDA, when the 12 Monkeys star began negotiating about the contents of the agreement, that's when Jolie backed away from the deal. DailyMail.com has reached out to Angelina Jolie's representatives for comment on this story. Not long afterwards, Jolie sold her share to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, who has been designated as an 'oligarch' by the US Treasury Department. 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 who are now aged between 14 and 21. The Vanity Fair piece notes that cracks began appearing in the marriage in 2015. Those tensions reached boiling point as the family were returning to the US from Chateau Miraval in 2016. 'By September 14, 2016, tensions between and had been boiling for about a year. They tried to keep their arguments between themselves and had made a point to never argue in front of the children. Until the plane,' Seal wrote. 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 The couple's head of security Gary Bradbury told the magazine that in 15 years working Pitt, he never saw him drunk. On the day of the flight from Nice, France, to Los Angeles that included a refueling stop in Minnesota, Pitt was 'drinking quite a bit.' 'Brad was drinking, and the confrontation got out of hand. He was absolutely wrong in how he behaved but immediately apologized and acknowledged that he had crossed a line,' another source said. 'He will always regret [it], and right away took steps to address this and try to make amends,' the source added. Following the incident, Pitt became sober. Jolie filed for divorce shortly after that incident and a long legal battle, primarily over the custody of their six children, ensued. The pair were also in dispute over the fate their Chateau Miraval property. When it looked as though an agreement was in place, Jolie pulled back when she learned about the NDA. Pitt alleges that Jolie's sale to a 'Russian oligarch' would potentially tarnish the reputation of its highly regarded rose Vanity Fair quotes a source close to Pitt alleging that the NDA was just related to the winery 'to ensure the seller doesnt damage the value of the asset after being paid for it.' Pitt alleged, through lawyers, that the real reason Jolie walked away from the deal was because she was angry about separate custody ruling which had granted him more access. Jolie's lawyers also sought to correct an unfair depiction of her role in the success of the wine brand during their ownership, claiming she had invested $60 million into the company. A Pitt-related source said her investment was more like $38 million. It was earlier reported that Pitt learned that estranged wife had sold half of their property and business to a 'Russian oligarch' from a press release. The couple had a 'mutual and binding commitment' to the $160 million Chateau Miraval business and agreed not to sell up without the other's permission. According to Vanity Fair, Jolie says that 'no such agreement ever existed.' Pitt 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. The buyer was part of a 'Russia-affiliated' vodka conglomerate headed by Shefler, who would use his new relationship with the A-lister to enhance and improve his reputation, court filings alleged. 'For Jolie, the sale was a business transaction she had every right to make. In an effort to preserve her own mental health and well-being, she looked for and found what she believed would be a good business partner for Pitt,' a source told Vanity Fair. While Pitt saw the sale as a 'betrayal.' 'It is not a coincidence that she sold her interest in Miraval to an adversarial party, and part of the family home to a stranger, right after a judge granted a huge win: 50-50 custody,' a source close to Pitt told Vanity Fair. The Fight Club star attempted to fight Jolie's sale to Shefler. 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 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' By selling instead to Shefler, Jolie linked the Chateau Miraval to Russia and Vladimir Putin - hurting the brand perhaps irreparably, Pitt alleges. In a counterclaim Jolie accused Pitt of forcing her into selling to his company, Mondo Bongo, and spreading lies that Shefler's connections and dealings with the Kremlin. Pitt was further accused of hiding assets and using profits from the wine on a swimming pool and ornate staircase that was rebuilt multiple 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 protested in documents filed in 2022. '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 said Pitt trusted Jolie 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.' The legal battle apparently continues to this day, with French authorities investigating the business, report VF. The Vanity Fair article ends by noting that since September 2016, nobody from either Pitt or Jolie families have returned to stay at the property. Many of the responses were positive, but several Twitter users blasted Josephine for her views about working A Home Depot employee has sparked an online debate after she posted a selfie claiming she is 'too pretty' to work at the hardware store. The employee, Ariana Josephine, tweeted out the photo of herself in her orange apron on Friday saying her role as a paint mixer at the chain store in Texas is 'the only job I work at [where] I get reminded I'm [too] pretty to work at.' That tweet soon went viral, with 'Home Depot' trending on Twitter for several days straight. As of Tuesday, it had been viewed nearly 35 million times, earning over 106,000 likes and almost 7,000 bookmarks. Many of the responses on social media were positive, agreeing with Josephine that she is attractive and respecting her for working while trying to earn a degree in college. But several Twitter users blasted Josephine for her views about working. A Home Depot worker sparked debate online after she posted a selfie Friday claiming she was 'too pretty' to work at the store Many of the people who commented on her post seemed to agree with her But several Twitter users blasted Josephine for her views about working Shortly after Josephine posted the photo of her donning her work uniform, several other women started posting photos of themselves in their Home Depot aprons, claiming to be fellow employees. One even said she was a corporate employee. Others commented on Josephine's post asking about the salary and benefits at the Home Depot, while others still agreed with Josephine including Vashaun Blanks, who wrote: 'I wouldn't go to Lowe's no more.' Another user, Adam Beezee, posted a meme of someone looking at the results of a lie detector test saying 'No lies detected.' Sonny Blaze, however, said that 'any girl with this mindset is a serious [red flag].' And a fourth user agreed with him, tweeting: 'Bro, these young ladies need prayer. 'They seek the attention of others too much. They need to be validated every five minutes.' He also noted that Josephine's Twitter profile says she is a '"follower of Christ," yet her profile photo suggests that she is seeking admiration from men who probably do not follow Christ.' Famous NBA'er Shaquille O'Neal even commented, though privately. He sent a direct message to Josephine saying 'don't let them peopl [sic] bother u,' according to Legion Hoops. Later adding, 'have a great day tell all your boyfriends I said hello lol.' DailyMail.com has reached out to Home Depot for comment. Josephine later clarified that she does not think she is 'too pretty' to work anywhere as she hit out at the haters who she claimed doxxed her After Josephine posted her bathroom selfie, several other female Home Depot workers showed off their figures in the orange apron Josephine said she is working at the Home Depot while attending college In the aftermath, Josephine said people doxxed her location. She wrote on Instagram: 'Y'all turned something innocent into something crazy, and ruined my way of making money by seriously taking the internet TOO far. 'Thanks for all the nice people I've spoken too and inspired, and thanks to the hate because it's helped me grow closer to God and be more tough skinned.' And on Twitter, Josephine clarified: 'I don't think I am too pretty to work anywhere. 'I work at Home Depot because it's a decent job that pays [well] while I'm in school. 'Please stop taking social media to heart. God bless.' A man in Belgium faked his death and then turned up to his own funeral in a helicopter as part of a dramatic stunt to teach his family a lesson about staying in touch. David Baerten, 45, a TikTok creator, told his wife and children about his elaborate plan and they helped him to pull it off by going along with it on social media. One of his daughters helped to trick his followers in what many online have slammed as a cruel 'joke', writing on social media: 'Rest in peace, Daddy. I will never stop thinking about you. 'Why is life so unfair? Why you? You were going to be a grandfather, and you still had your whole life ahead of you. I love you! We love you! We will never forget you.' They staged a funeral last weekend near Liege and as mourners gathered Baerten, who goes by Ragnar le Fou online, made a grand entrance with a film crew by helicopter. The 'pitiful' prank by the TikToker, who has 162,000 followers, has received serious backlash from some quarters. Baerten was forced to explain his actions, The Times reports, suggesting that he did so to see how his wider family would react after he claimed they had fallen out of contact with him. 'What I see in my family often hurts me,' he said. 'I never get invited to anything. Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated. 'That's why I wanted to give them a life lesson, and show them that you shouldn't wait until someone is dead to meet up with them.' Baerten has not yet released the full video of him arriving by chopper. A fellow TikTok user, who was attending the funeral, shared footage of it landing in a field where friends and family were gathered. Many rushed over to greet and hug Baerten as he emerged from the helicopter, no doubt explaining himself to those in attendance. His close friend Thomas Faut shared a video of the two men hugging after they were reunited, captioning the emotional clip 'you got us'. 'I swear I was crying and then I had the shock buddy, we love you very much,' he said of the emotional reunion, despite his friend's deception. Friends and family of David Baerten appeared to be in disbelief as they looked up to the sky, witnessing his arrival to his own funeral Many rushed over to greet and hug Baerten as he emerged from the helicopter, no doubt explaining himself to those in attendance His close friend Thomas Faut shared a video of the two men hugging after they were reunited Baerten said that while 'only half of my family came to the funeral' other relatives have since reached out. 'That proves who really cares about me,' he said. 'Those who didn't come, did contact me to meet up. So in a way I did win.' Some of his fans agreed that it was a valuable 'life lesson' for his family and told him to 'ignore the haters'. Many admitted they themselves had been deceived by the prank, but that they were relieved he was alive. In Order Make a Comment You need to login. The United States has granted General Electric permission to manufacture its F414 jet engine in India. GE will transfer technology to an Indian firm to set up a new manufacturing plant there. The engines will be used in the new Tejas Mark 2 Medium Weight Fighter. India tried to develop and manufacture an Indian engine but failed. This led to the deal with GE to build the F414 locally. Imported F414s cost ab0ut $4.8 million each, not including spare parts. The locally manufactured F414 will be cheaper and India plans to use them in future Indian developed fighters. Currently the F414 is used in the F-18E/F/G and the Swedish Gripen. The 11-ton Tejas is a delta-wing light fighter armed with a 30mm autocannon and up to six tons of bombs and missiles. This is a change for India, which has long used Russian MiG-21s and MiG-29s as well as French and British jets. The Russian jets are being phased out. The Tejas will replace older MiGs. X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Volpe is in New York's Residential Reentry Management program, where there 7,900 inmates in halfway houses and nearly 6,000 under home confinement Justin Volpe, 51, was jailed in 1999 after he sexually assaulted Abner Louima with a broomstick inside a Brooklyn precinct following his arrest outside a nightclub A former NYPD officer who brutalized an innocent man at a Brooklyn precinct in 1997 has been released from federal prison after serving 24 years of his 30-year sentence. Justin Volpe, 51, was jailed in 1999 after he sexually assaulted Abner Louima with a broomstick in the toilets inside the 70th Precinct in Kensington following his arrest outside a nightclub. He admitted to sodomizing Louima who suffered a ruptured colon and bladder as a result of the horrific assault and he spent two months in hospital having required three major surgeries. Louima later received an $8.7million payout by the city in 2001. Volpe has been transferred from a prison in Sandstone, Minnesota, to 'community confinement' in New York, a spokesman for the federal Bureau of Prisons told The Free Lance. His release date was on January 10, records show, which is almost two years earlier than the previously listed earliest eligibility for freedom of January 9, 2025. Justin Volpe, 51, who brutalized an innocent man at a Brooklyn precinct in 1997 has been released from federal prison after serving 24 years of his 30-year sentence He was jailed in 1999 after he sexually assaulted Abner Louima with a broomstick in the toilets inside the 70th Precinct in Kensington following his arrest outside a nightclub He admitted to sodomizing Louima who suffered a ruptured colon and bladder as a result of the horrific assault and he spent two months in hospital having required three major surgeries The Bureau of Prisons said he had been transferred to 'community confinement' which means 'the inmate is in either home confinement or a halfway house'. It said it could not elaborate on 'reasons for transfer, or specific release plans,' and pointed to 'privacy, safety, and security reasons'. Volpe is currently in New York's Residential Reentry Management program, where there almost 7,900 inmates in halfway houses and nearly 6,000 under home confinement. 'I wish everybody well that involved with my case,' he said. 'I have nothing but love in my heart for all of New York City and everybody in my case involved, especially Mr Louima. 'I wish us all peace, I just want to rebuild my life at the pace that I am able to. God bless everyone.' The disgraced cop's move to 'community confinement' comes two years after he was denied compassionate release when he admitted to a judge that he 'committed a serious wrong'. It was strongly opposed by the Brooklyn US Attorney's Office which called his assault 'one of the most heinous crimes in New York City's history'. 'His actions were premeditated, brutal and brazen, evincing a clear belief that he was above the law and that his victims' lives, quite simply, did not matter,' the filing said. Volpe wrote a handwritten letter which said he took 'full responsibility and live with the pain' the attack had caused. 'For over two decades I have tried to live in a way to make up for it,' he said. 'I do not seek to evade just punishment for my crime. But it is my family who is being punished more.' Louima later received an $8.7million payout from the city in 2001 after the brutal assault Louima pictured in May 2021 alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams Thousands of demonstrators marched across Brooklyn Bridge in August 1997 to protest the beating and sexual assault of Haitian immigrant Louima During sentencing in December 1999, Judge Eugene Nickerson said: 'Short of intentional murder, one cannot imagine a more barbarous misuse of power.' Louima was arrested in Flatbush, Brooklyn on August 9, 1997, when Volpe claimed he hit him when officers were breaking up a party. The ex-cop committed the brutal assault in the police station toilets and then threatened to kill Louima if he told anyone about it. He then emerged from the bathroom holding a pair of blood-soaked leather gloves before declaring: 'I broke a man down.' At first Volpe denied the assault, and even called on a colleague Charles Schwartz to testify on his behalf. Schwartz was convicted of perjury over the cover up and sentenced to serve five years. It was only until halfway through the trial when he pleaded guilty to battery and sexual abuse of Louima and the assault of another innocent man. Volpe admitted during his trial that he targeted Louima in retaliation for a punch thrown at his head in a brawl outside a nightclub in Flatbush. It later emerged another man had thrown the punch. Volpe claimed the attack was not racially motivated, pointing to the fact that he was at the time in a three-year cohabitational relationship with a black woman. Louima had moved to New York from Haiti seven years before the attack. He used some of the payout to pay for schooling for children in his homeland. An 'orgasmic meditation' sex guru accused of keeping women in residential warehouses and forcing them into sex acts has surrendered to cops. Nicole Daedone, former CEO of 'sexual wellness' company OneTaste, turned herself into the Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday morning. The 56-year-old is set to be arraigned this afternoon, according to the US Attorneys Office. Daedone founded the San Francisco-based firm in 2004 and it soon became renowned for orgasmic meditation (OM) which promised to help clients 'reclaim their sexuality.' But last week Daedone and her top lieutenant Rachel Cherwitz, 43, were hit with a federal indictment which accused them of forcing volunteers, contractors, and employees into sex acts using cult-like tactics. The pair are charged with conspiracy to violate federal laws prohibiting the use of forced labor. Prosecutors say the alleged victims were kept under surveillance and made dependent on Daedone and Cherwitz for shelter and basic necessities. Nicole Daedone, of One Taste Inc, is pictured smiling while leaving the Brooklyn Federal Court after her arraignment in Brooklyn, New York, on June 13, 2023 Daedone turned herself into the Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday morning after being at large since June 6 Nicole Daedone (C), of One Taste Inc leaves the Brooklyn Federal Court after her arraignment with her attorney (L) Julia Gatto Daedone's attorney Julia Gatto denied the shocking allegations against her client. 'Nicole Daedone is a ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur who built and grew a company like no other supporting and embracing female sexuality, female worth and female empowerment. 'The idea that this woman at this company engaged in forced labor is as far from the truth and reality as one can comprehend. She pleaded not guilty today, shes not guilty.' If convicted, Daedone and Cherwitz each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Cherwitz, who was the head of sales for OneTaste, was arrested on June 6 in California, while Daedone remained at large and was believed to be overseas prior to turning herself in. In a statement to DailyMail.com last week, current OneTaste CEO Anjuli Ayer slammed the charges as 'unfounded' and the result of a 'misogynistic, media-driven campaign to tear down a feminine empowerment project and the women who devoted their lives to it.' OM exploded in popularity following a 2009 New York Times profile of OneTaste, and at one point the company was reportedly raking in $12 million a year from eager clients. But in 2018, the FBI launched an investigation when ex-customers came forward saying they were left in debt after paying for expensive classes, and former employees said they were told to engage in sexual relations with potential clients to close sales. Now, prosecutors say that between 2004 and 2018, Daedone and Cherwitz deployed a series of abusive and manipulative tactics in order to obtain the labor and services of a group of OneTaste members, including volunteers, contractors, and employees. The indictment alleges that the duo used tactics designed to render the OneTaste members dependent on the group for their shelter and basic necessities, and to limit members' independence and control. Members of OM were allegedly kept in 'residential warehouses' where they were forced into sex acts. OM involves a woman, naked from the waist down, having her clitoris 'stroked' for exactly 15 minutes by a man, either her own partner or another paying customer. Prosecutors say the alleged victims were subjected to 'constant surveillance' and isolated from friends and family. 'While employing such tactics, Daedone and Cherwitz demanded absolute commitment to the CEO, including by exalting Daedone's teachings and ideology,' the Justice Department said in a statement. It is claimed that Daedone was a 'messianic' figure at the center of the conspiracy. Nicole Daedone, 56, founder and former CEO of OneTaste, surrendered at the Brooklyn federal courthouse Tuesday morning, and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone, 56, (left) and her top lieutenant Rachel Cherwitz, 43, (right) were charged in a federal indictment accusing them of extracting forced labor If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment Daedone has previously denied that she ran a sex cult, telling the Mail on Sunday last year: 'I want to continue the work of getting OM into the world' 'As part of this ideology, Daedone and Cherwitz instructed the OneTaste members to engage in sexual acts including acts the members found uncomfortable or repulsive as a requirement to supposedly obtain freedom and enlightenment and demonstrate their commitment to OneTaste and Daedone,' the statement added. Prosecutors say they extracted forced labor from group members who were subjected to 'economic, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, surveillance, indoctrination, and intimidation.' OneTaste and current CEO Ayer are not accused of wrongdoing, with Ayer telling DailyMail.com: 'We have cooperated with the Eastern District of New York throughout the investigation. 'We are appalled by this long-term, misogynistic, media-driven campaign to tear down a feminine empowerment project and the women who devoted their lives to it,' she said. 'OneTaste is a women-led organization that has devoted itself to wellness, healing, inclusion and personal growth, and has always focused on female empowerment at its core,' the statement added. Prosecutors say that when members could no longer afford OneTaste classes, they were pressured to take on debt, and that at times Daedone and Cherwitz even assisted them in opening new credit cards. In December, Daedone illustrated the intimate hands-on techniques on her associate Cherwitz, who lay naked on a raised table in front of an audience of 200 The company used to have several buildings in San Francisco, including a cafe, an events space and communal housing known as 'OM houses' where between 30-40 staff would live together. Pictured, one of the properties once used as OneTaste dormitories An OM class is seen above, in which a woman, naked from the waist down, has her clitoris methodically 'stroked' for exactly 15 minutes by a man At one point, OneTaste operated centers in cities including New York, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Boulder, Los Angeles, Austin and London. In New York City, OneTaste leased residences and hosted events in several different locations, including in Brooklyn and the Manhattan neighborhoods of Harlem, Hell's Kitchen, Soho and West Village. 'Under the guise of empowerment and wellness, the defendants are alleged to have sought complete control over their employees' lives, including by driving them into debt and directing them to perform sexual acts while also withholding wages,' said Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. 'This prosecution should serve as a reminder to both employer and employee that no matter the marketing mantra, this conduct is never acceptable,' added Peace. Daedone has previously denied that she ran a sex cult, telling the Mail on Sunday last year: I want to continue the work of getting OM into the world. It is such a powerful practice and we have a world that is so starved of something that will bring a fundamental connection. Following the disturbing allegations that emerged in a 2018 Bloomberg report, Daedone has mostly maintained a low profile, and OneTaste all but disappeared from public view. A video captured the horrifying moment a suspect set two sex workers on fire on a street in Brazil. Beatriz Vilella, 18, and her friend Gabrielle Victoria, were walking in the western Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Bangu when they were attacked on Saturday night. The footage showed the driver filming a man sitting on the front passenger seat as he was slowing down on Brasil Avenue when the passenger flicked the lighter and sprayed the aerosol can. A small fireball engulfed Vilella's hair as she turned around and appeared to fall to the ground. Rio de Janeiro sex worker Beatriz Vilella has her head briefly covered by a fireball after a man flicked a lighter and sprayed an aerosol can at her and a friend on Saturday night. Vilella's hair was burned in the attack while her friend had to cut off one braid that was covered in flames Beatriz Vilella (right) was walking with Gabrielle Victoria (left) when they were attacked on a Rio de Janeiro street on Saturday. Vilella said the suspects, who as of Tuesday have not been arrested, returned the day following the incident and offered them money to remain silent The attacker subsequently pulled the can and lighter inside the vehicle as everyone laughed. One of the occupants in the vehicle then said in Portuguese, 'Very good, dear. Very good,' before they flew the scene. 'It burned me a little, but it's okay,' Vilella told Brazilian news outlet G1. 'My hair is horrible; it burned all my hair.' The fire spread to Victoria's head and burned one of her braids, which she cut off. Vilella revealed the suspects returned Sunday and tried to dissuade them from going to the police. They have not been caught. 'They came back wanting to talk (and asked) me to get in the car and offered for us to be quiet, not say anything or got out (before the media) saying all that,' she said. Rio de Janeiro authorities are looking into a video in hopes of finding out the identity of a man (pictured) who set two sex workers on fire Beatriz Vilella looks inside the vehicle moments before her hair was deliberately set on fire Vilella revealed it's not the first time she's been attacked as a sex worker - she had shots fired at her foot but was not injured Victoria recalled she and Vilella were standing at a bus stop waiting for customers and saw the suspects come to a full stop prior to the attack. She saw the driver and a person sitting in the front slide down their windows and initially thought they were going to seek their services before the group cursed them out. Vilella, who once had shots fired at her foot but was not harmed, called on authorities to provide additional protection for sex workers. 'We want justice, even more so in this LGBT world,' she said. Transgender model Rose Montoya who flashed her breasts at the White House is a pastor's daughter from Idaho who transition after performing drag at university. Montoya, 27, has since been banned from the White House by officials after unhooking the top of her dress and grabbed her chest on the South Lawn. She sparked outrage from Conservatives who compared it to the X-rated files found on First Son Hunter Biden's laptop, before officials at the White House banned her for the 'inappropriate and disrespectful' behavior. The activist claims on her website that she knew from a 'very young age' that she was a girl, and can even be seen saying her name is 'Queen Rose'. Growing up in Burley, Idaho, Montoya lived with her religious parents and four siblings before the family moved to Arizona. Her mother Kathryn, 57, is a speech therapist and she set up the Commissioned Believers Deaf Ministry where her husband Raymond, 60, was a pastor. L-R: Joshua, Kathryn, Emily, Ray, Natalie, Rachael and Rose Rose Montoya, 27, on Monday attended a Pride party at the White House, and posed topless Her mother Kathryn, 57, is a speech therapist and she set up the Commissioned Believers Deaf Ministry where her husband Raymond, 60, was a pastor. Rose's siblings include Joshua, 25, who goes by 'Prince Joshua' and also regularly posts X-rated content on his social media. She also has three sisters, Rachael, 34, Natalie, 31, and Emily, 19 who is adopted and deaf and her mother shared her reel where she went topless on her Instagram page in an apparent show of support. Montoya claims that her religious family initially made it difficult to come out, and she was outed in 10th grade. She attended Seattle University and graduated June 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film Studies and started performing in drag before coming out as transgender later that year. The model started gender affirming hormone therapy and legally changed her name to Rosalynne Montoya the same year and came out as bi in 2016. Montoya said the state of Idaho, where she was born, still won't let her change her birth certificate, but all of her other legal documents have been changed to reflect she is female. Her website states that she revealed that she was non-binary in 2019, though it is unclear what her male name was. Montoya, 27, has since been banned from the White House by officials after unhooking the top of her dress and grabbed her chest on the South Lawn The activist claims on her website that she knew from a 'very young age' that she was a girl, and can even be seen saying her name is 'Queen Rose' In 2021 she stated that she had undergone three gender-affirming surgeries, but not bottom surgery. Montoya met up with fellow controversial trans activist Dylan Mulvaney at the Queerties Awards in March, and revealed earlier this year she was being treated for herpes. She has been featured in modelling campaigns by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, and Yandy, and delivered speeches at Yale University and Stanford University, according to her LinkedIn page. The social media star has been open about her September 2020 breast augmentation, November 2020 trachea shave - to remove an Adam's Apple, and March 2021 genioplasty, which makes the chin more feminine. Montoya also funded a Brazilian Butt Lift operation earlier this year by making an OnlyFans account. After her final surgery, Montoya went viral after she denounced airport checks, calling them insensitive and inappropriate. Montoya was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles when she was stopped at security after the full-body scanner detected an 'anomaly' between her legs. 'Can we talk about how horrible it is to travel while being transgender sometimes? I always have immense anxiety leading up to going through security,' the Hispanic model explained in her viral TikTok, which has been viewed 19 million times. Montoya opened up about the humiliation she faced at airport security when she was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles in March 2021 Growing up in Burley, Idaho, Montoya lived with her religious parents and four siblings before the family moved to Arizona Montoya met up with fellow controversial trans activist Dylan Mulvaney at the Queerties Awards in March 'And this means that I totally recognize the privilege of having all of my documents correct,' she continued. 'So, the gender marker on my license, for example, says female. 'But, going through the scanner, there's a male scanner and a female scanner in the TSA checkpoint.' When a traveler enters the scanner, a TSA officer presses a button designating a gender, either male or female, based on the traveler's appearance, according to the TSA website. The system doesn't account for transgender people, which makes traveling difficult and sometimes traumatic for members of the trans community. 'Looking at me, you know, I look like a woman and I am a woman. So, that's great. I love having systemic privilege when I feel unsafe, which is in an airport,' Montoya continued. Montoya also funded a Brazilian Butt Lift operation earlier this year by making an OnlyFans account The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the Pride flag between two American flags 'But, going through the scanner, I always have an 'anomaly' between my legs that sets off the alarm.' Montoya shared an Instagram montage of the day with her 103,000 followers on Monday, and was seen dancing to the DJ and striking poses in front of landmarks. In a video on Instagram, she said: 'I would just like to say that first of all, going topless in Washington, DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple because why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not? 'All you're doing is affirming that I am a woman. All you're doing is saying that trans women are women because for some reason, people like to sexualize women's bodies and say that they're inappropriate. President Joe Biden and his administration are being slammed online for US Flag Code violation after displaying a rainbow-colored Pride flag between two American flags on the White House The Idaho-born model is also seen with Jill Biden, and dancing with the trans flag The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the display 'My transmasculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy, and I wanted to join them. 'And because it is perfectly within the law in Washington, DC, I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe, because I wanted to be fully free and myself. 'I had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in any way.' The president celebrated Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community with a reveal of the Pride flag between two American flags. During his White House Pride celebration on Saturday, Biden told attendees: 'I want to send a message to the entire community, especially to transgender children: 'You are loved, you are heard, you're understood, and you belong'.' During his White House Pride celebration on Saturday, Biden told attendees: 'I want to send a message to the entire community, especially to transgender children: 'You are loved, you are heard, you're understood, and you belong'.' A transgender model has been banned from the White House after going topless at a Pride Event where she met President Joe Biden. A White House official slammed the behavior as 'inappropriate and disrespectful.' Rose Montoya, 27, unhooked the top of her dress and grabbed her chest on the South Lawn as someone shouted, 'are we topless at the White House?' Video of the move went viral on social media. 'This behavior is inappropriate and disrespectful for any event at the White House. It is not reflective of the event we hosted to celebrate LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of guests who were in attendance. Individuals in the video will not be invited to future events,' a White House spokesperson said in a statement to DailyMail.com. Rose Montoya, 27, attended a Pride party at the White House on Saturday and posed topless White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that point at her Tuesday press briefing. 'Individuals in the video certainly will not be invited to future events. And this is has not occurred before. This is not this was not a normal thing that has happened under this administration,' she said. Montoya was one of thousands invited to a Pride Month concert on the South Lawn on Saturday at the White House. Montoya shared an Instagram montage of the day with her 103,000 followers on Monday, and was seen dancing to the DJ and striking poses in front of landmarks such as the Washington monument and the Truman balcony of the White House. She is also seen meeting Jill Biden, and trying to take a selfie with the president - with the camera mistakenly on video, rather than photo. During her encounter with President Biden, she also said: 'Trans rights are human rights.' She captioned the video: 'I had the honor of attending White House Pride, the largest one in history where the Pride flag flew for the first time. 'This is trans joy. We're here at the White House unapologetically trans, queer, and brown.' When the video went viral, she pointed out that being topless in public was not illegal in Washington DC. Montoya is seen with Joe Biden, and declaring: 'Trans rights are human rights' Jill Biden and President Biden at Saturday's Pride event at the White House She published a second video, declaring: 'Free the nipple!' The Idaho-born model, who began transitioning in 2015, films herself meeting her hosts. 'Hi, Mr President!' she says, on greeting Joe Biden. 'Hi, how are you?' he replies. She says: 'It is an honor. Trans rights are human rights.' The White House hosted the concert after postponing it from its original Thursday date due to the smoke that blanketed the city from the Canadian Wildfires. Biden and his administration have emphasized they are allies to the LGBTQ movement. 'You are loved, you are beautiful, you are heard, you belong,' Jill Biden told the crowd on Saturday. Montoya has been open about her September 2020 breast augmentation, November 2020 trachea shave - to remove an Adam's Apple, and March 2021 genioplasty, which makes the chin more feminine. Montoya has not undergone bottom surgery. After her final surgery, Montoya went viral after she denounced airport checks, calling them insensitive and inappropriate. Rose Montoya with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney The Idaho-born model is also seen with Jill Biden, and dancing with the trans flag President Joe Biden and his administration are being slammed online for US Flag Code violation after displaying a rainbow-colored Pride flag between two American flags on the White House Montoya was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles when she was stopped at security after the full-body scanner detected an 'anomaly' between her legs. 'Can we talk about how horrible it is to travel while being transgender sometimes? I always have immense anxiety leading up to going through security,' the Hispanic model explained in her viral TikTok, which has been viewed 19 million times. 'And this means that I totally recognize the privilege of having all of my documents correct,' she continued. 'So, the gender marker on my license, for example, says female. 'But, going through the scanner, there's a male scanner and a female scanner in the TSA checkpoint.' Montoya, who has more than 481,000 TikTok followers, has been using her platform to educate others about the difficulties trans people face. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended the Navy's highest-ranking officer go to a man over a woman - who was widely believed to be the front-runner. Admiral Samuel Paparo serves as the commander of Pacific Fleet and was reportedly tapped by Austin for Chief of Naval Operations over Admiral Lisa Franchetti. Franchetti serves as vice chief of naval operations and was considered top pick for the role since she was the Navy's No. 2 officer. Last week, Austin sent his submission to the White though President Joe Biden has not signed off on anything as of Tuesday afternoon. Admiral Samuel Paparo currently serves as the commander of Pacific Fleet. Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd tapped him for the prominent position of Chief of Naval Operations over Admiral Lisa Franchetti Admiral Lisa Franchetti serves as vice chief of naval operations and considered a front-runner for the position since she became the Navy's No. 2 officer It is unclear why Paparo was chosen over Franchetti but Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Ryan Perry called it 'a presidential decision.' He said: 'The United States Navy has several highly qualified senior leaders, and it would be inappropriate to speculate which leader the president will nominate to serve as the next chief of naval operations.' Since May 2021, Paparo has been the commander of the Navy's Pacific Fleet and is regarded as one of the top operational leaders in the Navy facing challenges against China. He was expected to bring his expertise to the Indo-Pacific Command at a time when China is top of Biden's agenda, NBC News reported. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is pictured speaking at a joint press conference earlier this month with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada after their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo As a commander of Indo-Pacific Command he was expected to expand on his expertise in the region, but senior officias say if he becomes head of the Navy, he will have to shift focus to manning, equipping and training, with less focus on operations. Admiral Mike Gilday is still currently the Chief of Naval Operations until his four-year term ends in fall. If Austin nominated Franchetti for the role, she would have been the first female servicewoman to hold the job and the first female on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. US Coast Guard Admiral Linda L. Fagan, who was appointed in the position in June 2022 and is the first female to hold that position. Law and Order star Diane Neal has said she feels 'definitely safer' in Israel than New York after experiencing 'unpleasant' anti-Semitism in the city. The 46-year-old actress said she has 'experienced some anti-Semitism in a really unpleasant way' within the last few years in the Big Apple - and she moved to the Middle East nation in March. Neal described her solo move to Israel as a 'dream come true' in an Instagram post celebrating the milestone around 10 weeks ago. More recently, the actress, who is best known for playing New York Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak in Law and Order, spoke with the Jerusalem Post about her decision to relocate. 'Even in the last few years in New York, I have experienced some anti-Semitism in a really unpleasant way, which to me was shocking, absolutely shocking,' she said. The Law and Order star said she has 'experienced some anti-Semitism in a really unpleasant way' in recent years in New York - and she has legal action underway Neal shared news of her relocation via Instagram, and she told the Jerusalem Post she feels 'incredibly grateful' to be living in Israel 'For me, the better place to be is in Israel. I am feeling incredibly happy to be here, incredibly grateful to be here. 'Believe it or not, I feel safe here and definitely safer. I cannot express the gratitude I have for all of my family members that came before me who suffered horrific things so that there would be a country to come to.' Neal said she could not give further details about the anti-Semitic incidents in New York because legal action in underway, but she described the ordeals as 'detrimental' to her life. The Virginia-born and Colorado-raised actress, who does not speak Hebrew, said some of her fans found her decision to support Israel distasteful amid heightening tensions with Palestine. Neal, who unsuccessfully ran for the US House of Representatives as an independent in New York in 2018, added that she has 'always loved being politically active' but she does not 'presume to know anything about a country I just landed in'. The TV star said that 'things are super crazy' in Israel and she spent time at her cousin's safe room in the north of the region 'learning what the different sirens meant' during rocket fire. Neal made aliyah - the move by Jews to Israel - through the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency. Writing on Instagram shortly afterwards, Neal, who is also known for playing agent Abigail Borin on NCIS, thanked those who had facilitated her move for 'making my dream come true'. Neal is best known for playing New York Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak in Law and Order Neal has described her solo move to Israel as a 'dream come true' despite a backlash from some fans who have condemned her support for the nation during ongoing tensions with Palestine Neal described the political climate in Israel as 'super crazy' but she feels safer there than in New York, where she said she experienced anti-Semitism Neal's time in New York was also blighted by an acrimonious relationship with magician JB Benn (right), which she described in an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV as a 'unilateral horror show' 'I know things are wild here right now, but that's the best time to support Israel #soproud,' she added. Neal's time in New York was also blighted by an acrimonious relationship with magician JB Benn, which she described in an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV as a 'unilateral horror show'. In 2019, Neal filed a lawsuit in New York against her ex, claiming he was a 'manipulative and maniacal fraudster' who swindled millions of her lifetime earnings, while physically and emotionally abusing her. Writing a text to DailyMailTV in November of that year, she blasted Benn even further, claiming that after 'years of extreme domestic violence... I fled leaving all I earned and my homes behind.. trying to get away from him.' Benn hit back by filing a defamation complaint against Neal, claiming that she was the abuser, citing audio recordings where she threatened his life. It is unclear how their legal feud was resolved. The family of murdered British tourist Julie Ward has pledged to continue her father John's unrelenting 35-year fight to nail the prime suspect for her murder in Kenya. Julie, 28, died on a photographic safari in the Masai Mara game reserve near the Tanzanian border in 1988 and hotelier Mr Ward battled cover-up, corruption and even alleged collusion by MI6 to try and bring his daughter's killer to justice. Mr Ward's death at the age of 89 was announced this week, only two weeks after his wife Jan, who was the same age. Now their sons Bob, 60, and Tim, 61, have vowed to continue their parents' tireless work to pin the murder on Jonathan Moi, son of the then President of Kenya, Daniel arap Moi. The evidence Mr Ward gathered during over 150 trips to Kenya left him in no doubt that Moi had raped and murdered Julie. Julie Ward (pictured) was kidnapped while on holiday in Kenya Yesterday John Ward's son Bob announced his father had died. Tragically Julie Ward's mother Janette also died last month Now their sons Bob, 60, and Tim, 61, (pictured with their sister Julie) have vowed to continue their parents' tireless work The family want to pin the murder on Jonathan Moi (pictured), son of the then President of Kenya, Daniel arap Moi Such was the level of corruption in the Kenyan government and police that it took the authorities a year to even admit that she had been murdered, and blamed wild animals for her death something which particularly upset the Ward family, given Julie's love of animals. Julie had vanished near the Park's Serena Lodge as she drove to pack up her tents and was due to head for Nairobi for a flight home to her family in Suffolk the next day. Initial police reports blamed her death on animals, or even suicide, despite the fact her body had been mutilated with a bladed weapon and partially burnt. With gritty determination, John Ward, the multi-millionaire boss of a chain of hotels, used every ounce of his energy and razor-sharp intellect to build the case against Moi, who died in 2019 from cancer. The Kenyans only officially owned up to their part in the cover-up at Julie's inquest in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2004 Coroner Peter Dean praised John's campaign, saying: 'It is impossible not to have been moved by the unrelenting dedication of Mr Ward and his sheer determination to seek the truth against what appears to have been a mounting wall of official obstruction and ludicrous misinformation.' In 1991 John published a book called The Animals Are Innocent: The Search for Julie's Killers, telling the story of his fight for justice up until then. The 28-year-old wildlife photographer (right) was murdered in 1998 Julie Ward's (left) father died without seeing his daughter's killer brought to justice Julie War's (pictured) father made 200 trips to Kenya in his bid to solve his daughter's murder Speaking of his father's dedication, Bob Ward told the East Anglian Daily Times he was following leads 'until the end'. 'His eyes started giving up, as did his hearing, but he never stopped,' he added. 'We've been helping him for the last six years and loved working with him. 'He was a truly extraordinary man, a relentless individual and both he and my mother will be greatly missed.' Now, he and his brother will take up the mantle and a second book by their father, as well as a documentary, are on the way. Mr Ward added: 'I always said to dad, if we can't win the legal challenges, let's at least expose them and tell everyone the truth.' John Ward claimed Moi and his drunken friends came across Julie when she stopped to photograph the wildlife near the Serena Lodge in the Masai Mara. Moi owned a large farm not far away. He says Moi then raped and murdered her as his sidekicks prevented farm manager Ibrahim Choge stepping in to stop him. Moi's men were then ordered to dispose of her body, John claimed. Mr Choge who was married to President Moi's daughter Doris quit his job for the family. He died in a suspicious road accident 10 years later, which Mr Ward claimed happened after Choge threatened to expose Moi. Mr Choge's father Simeon, a former assistant government minister, also claimed his son's death was orchestrated and blamed police for allegedly covering it up. John told the Mirror in 2020: 'A lot of information has been gathered over the years. For a long time, anything I gathered I reported to Scotland Yard, expecting them to act on it, but they never did.' In 1992 two park rangers were charged but cleared in court. In 1998 Simon Ole Makallah, chief park ranger at the time, was arrested. He was cleared the following year. John always believed all three were scapegoats. The Suffolk coroner also heard how MI6 had been in contact with Kenyan police within days of the murder. An unnamed agent admitted he could not explain the involvement of the Secret Intelligence Service, but denied it was part of a cover-up. A separate report by Jon Stoddart, later chief constable of Durham, accused Kenyan police of being 'brazen, deceitful and dishonest'. John Ward (left), who devoted his life to hunting the brutal killers of his daughter Julie Ward in Kenya, died yesterday after his wife Janette (right) died last month John Ward told in 2020 of a new witness who came forward with crucial information about Moi, following the suspect's death. 'Once Moi died, people were more willing to speak,' he said. 'I met one guy who was able to tell us Moi had been in the park, had been in that immediate area where the body was found, and he had proof. 'When I met him he was physically trembling.' Compared to his eminent father, Jonathan Moi, known as 'JT' was merely a playboy, happy to spend his money on lavish entertaining and indulging his fondness for rally driving. His only attempt at standing for a Parliamentary seat failed when his father refused to back him, and likewise, any prospect of him going for the presidency fizzled out. John Ward wrote in Nairobi Law Monthly of the dramatic moment when he first heard the name of Moi as the prime suspect. As he waited for transport at one of the Mara lodges, a 'large lady' approached him and furtively pressed a folded note into his hand. It said: 'The man who killed your daughter is Jonathan Moi', with a Mombasa PO Box number. He later learned that the woman sold second-hand clothes to the wives of park rangers and Moi's guilt was an open secret among the staff and their families, but all were too frightened to say so. Bob and Tim Ward are as determined as their father and mother to see justice done, even if Moi managed to escape it in his lifetime. Bob told the Mirror 'We will never stop.' 'There have been lies and cover-ups all the way along. 'The Kenyan government and British government were both complicit in attempting to cover up Julie's murder. This isn't over.' Tim added: 'The facts clearly suggest Jonathan Moi killed Julie. 'We know that but the authorities still refuse to admit it. 'Both governments [in Kenya and the UK] know this as well, but it became too much of a big issue for both of them. But we do have the evidence.' Meape, of Camberwell, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault He will call medical evidence and witnesses to confirm he has a sleep disorder A talent scout for Parlophone record label claims he was in the group of 'sexsomnia' when he groped a woman during a drunken sleepover, a court has heard. Matthew Meape, 30, shared a double bed with two female colleagues following after-work drinks and allegedly molested the woman in the early hours of October 10, 2019, Inner London Crown Court heard. Meape, of Ada Road, Camberwell, will call expert medical evidence as well as other witnesses to confirm he has a sleep disorder. He insists he was not aware of what he was doing. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the woman. Prosecutor Louise McCullough told the court: 'There is an unusual feature of this case, which is that Mr Meape is raising a defence of 'sexsomnia' essentially behaving in a sexual manner in a sleep-like state.' The complainant told the jury it was approximately 5:30am when she felt Meape, who was lying between the two women, touch her. She had gotten under the duvet fully-clothed, and believed the other two in the bed were also dressed. Matthew Meape, 30, shared a double bed with two female colleagues following after-work drinks and allegedly molested the woman in the early hours of October 10, 2019 'I felt very startled when Matt put his arm on me', she said. 'I was frightened when he put his arm on me, across my midriff, across my stomach. 'At first I thought he was asleep, but very quickly realised that he probably was awake. 'His arm turned very purposefully and he started stroking my skin under my top. As soon as he touched my skin I was in complete shock, I don't think we had even hugged before. 'When he was stroking I realised he was awake and I felt very unsafe. He crossed a line without any regard for me or any boundaries. 'I made any small movements I could to protect my body and the stroking slowly moved up to my chest area,' added the woman, confirming she did not shout out at any point. 'I grabbed myself with both arms so he would not be able to touch my breasts and it felt like it was going on forever, twenty minutes or so. 'He tried to get his fingers under my hands, but I was so tight he just gave up.' She told the court she ran into the bathroom, where she repeatedly texted her sleeping female friend, hoping she would wake and read what was happening. Meapewill call expert medical evidence as well as other witnesses to confirm he has a sleep disorder to the trial at Inner London Crown Court 'I went back in and tried whispering her name and I did not want to wake Matt', she said. 'I felt so violated and frightened I didn't know how things would go if he woke up.' She said she returned to the same spot because she wanted to charge her phone and initially laid on top of the covers, before Meape escalated his behaviour. 'I felt it was getting more aggressive and forceful. He was stroking his fingers down my face from my head and tried to put his fingers in my mouth three times. 'He was brushing different parts of my body around my bum and between my legs, stroking over my tights under my skirt. 'He was playing with the waistband of my tights and I remember shaking'. She added that Meape then pushed with more force between her legs. 'He had his feet overlocking mine and I felt I could not move and he was twisting into me', she said. 'At that point I thought he was going to rape me. 'I could feel Matt grabbing me and thrusting towards me. He was using force, that's all I can say and when I was lying there I knew he was awake.' She recorded two short clips on her phone, which were played to the jury, showing her with a terrified look on her face, lying on the edge of the bed with Meape, eyes closed, behind her. She left the address for work at 8am and reported the evening's events to her boss, telling the jury it started out as four colleagues enjoying after-work drinks. They had left their Kensington Parlophone office - part of Warner Music Group - and visited the nearby Devonshire Arms, where Meape agrees he drank Guinness. At closing time, they wanted to continue drinking. Meape says he had a Peroni beer and a shot of tequila at the local Holiday Inn bar, with the complainant saying she had one gin and tonic all night. The fourth colleague left and the remaining three agreed to have a sleepover because it was late and convenient to travel to work the next day. Meape woke up alone and received a work message telling him he was suspended. Later that day he messaged the complainant: 'I want to apologise if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way. I genuinely did not mean to make you uncomfortable. 'I would never knowingly put myself in that situation. I told my girlfriend and she told me I do similar things to her when I am asleep. I want you to know from the bottom of my heart I'm really sorry.' The trial continues. I am a hardened reality TV aficionado. I've been there on the couch for it all the good, the bad and the incredibly, stunningly ugly. Yet even I was disturbed by what I watched in the finale of the three-part Vanderpump Rules cast reunion a woman reduced to a shaking, crying mess. Now most of the cast is moving on, but I'm not. There is a dark side to reality TV that we can't forget. In August 2011, the husband of The Real Housewives of Orange County star Taylor Armstrong, Russell Armstrong, committed suicide amid years of financial and marital difficulties and assault allegations - all detailed on-air. Josh Duggar, one of the long-time stars of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting was arrested in 2021 for sexually molesting five underage girls, including his sisters. And in what is considered the most troubling chapter in reality TV history, a contestant on VH1's 'Megan Wants a Millionaire,' murdered his wife, Jasmine Fiore, and killed himself in 2009. The series never aired. Fans love the reality genre because the emotions are raw. But with real people come potentially devastating outcomes. Vanderpump Rules launched in January of 2013, and it centers around the life of Lisa Vanderpump, a successful restaurateur and veteran of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.' The drama pours out of her Los Angeles restaurant 'Sur' and the gorgeous, dramatic employees, who work there. Pump devotees have watched for years as relationships among the staff bloomed and faded. But through it all one romance between dashing Tom Sandoval, 40, and beautiful Ariana Madix, 37, endured. Yet even I was disturbed by what I watched in the finale of the three-part Vanderpump Rules cast reunion a woman reduced to a shaking, crying mess. The drama pours out of her Los Angeles restaurant 'Sur' and the gorgeous, dramatic employees, who work there. Their bond proved the cynics wrong. They showed that love can survive and thrive in the filthy, flirty, back-stabbing world of reality television. Tom and Ariana were so committed that she froze her eggs, so that one day the couple could start a family, despite the fact that Ariana said she didn't want to have children, but Tom did. They were together forever. Then 'Scandoval' hit. Tom cheated on Ariana with 28-year-old Raquel Leviss, an emotionally muted brunette bombshell. And this was no ordinary affair. The details were sordid. It became a cultural phenomenon even the New York Times covered it. Eat your heart out Real Housewives. Tom and Raquel had been sneaking around behind Ariana's back for months, as Raquel pumped Ariana on camera for the nitty-gritty on her and Tom's relationship and sex life. Raquel pretended to be a concerned friend. It was an act. The disloyal pair even slept together in Tom and Ariana's home while Ariana was attending her grandmother's funeral. Then, Ariana found naughty videos on Tom's phone and the secret was out. This was TV gold. It was the kind of real-life car crash that any connoisseur of unscripted slop relishes. But somewhere along the way something went terribly wrong. Tom and Raquel were smothered in hate real hate. As 'Scandoval' played out in the media for months, I found myself feeling more compassion for Raquel than Ariana. Tom (above, right) cheated on Ariana with 28-year-old Raquel Leviss (above, left), an emotionally muted brunette bombshell. And this was no ordinary affair. The details were sordid. Tom and Raquel had been sneaking around behind Ariana's (above, right) back for months, as Raquel pumped Ariana on camera for the nitty-gritty on her and Tom's relationship and sex life. Yes, she and Tom had behaved terribly. But she took responsibility for what she did, and she was clearly suffering. Raquel checked herself into a mental health facility and had been in hiding - until the reunion finale. The scene on the Bravo stage was nothing short of a bloodbath. If wine was served, it would have been thrown. One cast member called Raquel a 'whore'. Ariana branded her a 'f-ing psychopath' and a 'diabolical, demented, disgusting, subhuman'. Ariana told her to, shockingly, go 'f herself with a cheese grater.' For her part, Raquel apologized profusely. 'I'm so ashamed and embarrassed that I'm even capable of keeping this secret from somebody who has been in my corner since the beginning,' she told her former best friend. 'Ariana, I am so sorry for betraying you. I can't even fathom the pain that I've caused you,' she pleaded. 'I have been completely selfish and, you're right, selfish is not the right word because it doesn't even begin to describe the state of mind, I have been in. It was a mistake.' It wasn't enough. There was blood in the water and frenzy couldn't be stopped. To her credit, Lisa Vanderpump recognized the pile on, and she tried to stop it. She defended Tom and rebuked cast member Lala Kent, who accused him of being a 'dangerous person.' But even the series matriarch couldn't hold back the vitriol. Reality television is meant to be escapism, not sadism. Yet that's what this became. Raquel was shaking and crying. And it all may have taken a terrifying toll. There was blood in the water and frenzy couldn't be stopped. To her credit, Lisa Vanderpump (above, center) recognized the pile on, and she tried to stop it. Bravo TV host Andy Cohen revealed that he thought Raquel was 'really medicated' during the show. And as of today, she has spent more than 70 days in that mental health facility. At what point is enough - enough? Well now, apparently, even Raquel's inquisitors grudgingly agree that things got out of hand. After watching the reunion, which was filmed months before it aired, Ariana admitted that she had 'a little empathy' for Raquel. Lala Kent said she 'felt a little dirty' seeing it all on a TV screen. But today, everyone except Raquel seems to be moving on. Ariana has a new boyfriend, is on the cover of Glamour magazine, starring in a new Lifetime movie, and making an estimated one-million dollars in endorsement deals. But what of Raquel? This storyline needs to be resolved. Bravo shouldn't forget about Raquel they should be thanking her. 'Scandoval' brought the show and the network a degree of cultural significance that they have never achieved before. And from here now on out, they should proceed with a level of sensitivity that this debacle deserves. I, for one, want to watch how her story plays out. Britain has resumed using the Swedish Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle. Britain had used older versions of Carl Gustaf until 1990. Until recently Britain had been using the Swedish NLAW (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon), a new system that entered service in 2008 to complement, not replace Carl Gustaf. NLAWs projectiles are guided while Carl Gustavs are not. Britain had sent all its NLAWs to Ukraine, where the Ukrainian found it very effective against Russian tanks. NLAW was popular with Ukrainian troops, who used this weapon frequently and often ran out of ammunition for it. To help with that Sweden has ordered another quarter million projectiles for LLAW and its predecessor, Carl Gustaf. NLAW is a fire-and-forget system firing guided shells. All the operator has to do is find a target, track it for two or three seconds and fire the shell, which will home in on the designated target even if it is moving. Each NLAW weighs 12.5 kg (27.5 pound) and uses a shell that can be fired from enclosed spaces. NLAW can employ top-attack to penetrate the thinner top armor of any tank but has a max range of only 600 meters. Carl Gustaf first entered service 75 years ago and has been regularly upgraded but never replaced. Thats because it is a lightweight reloadable recoilless rifle that works well in combat and its 84mm shells have also been continually upgraded. There is also a single-shot (non-reloadable) version of Carl Gustaf called the AT-4. Gustavs projectiles are not guided and are chiefly used against fortifications and lightly armored or unarmored vehicles. The current version of Carl Gustaf is M4. This model uses lightweight materials (titanium) and user-requested improvements like an easier to use carrier handle and hand grips. M4 is shorter and does away with the optional stand as it is light enough to be used all the time as shoulder fired. M4 weighs 6.6 kg (14.5 pounds) and is 950mm (38 inches) long. The new barrel lasts a lot longer (up to 2,000 rounds) and fires all the ammo used in the earlier (and still widely used) M3. The M4 Carl Gustaf was introduced in 2014 and is popular because of its ability to use several different Snap-On sights (including thermal/night vision) with 84mm shells that can now be programmed to detonate under specific conditions. The Carl Gustaf has been a popular infantry weapon since it was introduced in 1948. By the 1980s troops in most NATO nations used it, including U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and special operations troops in many other countries. Carl Gustaf has undergone steady improvement since 1949 and by 1991 the M3 version entered service as what was basically a lightweight (8.5 kg/19 pound) recoilless rifle that is 1.1 meters (43 inches) long. The barrel is rifled and good for about a hundred rounds. The 84mm projectiles weigh about 2 kg (4.4 pounds) each and come in several different types (anti-armor, combined anti-armor/high-explosive, illumination, and smoke). The anti-armor round is very useful in urban areas and against bunkers. Range is 500-700 meters (depending on type of round fired), but an experienced gunner can hit a large target at up to 1,000 meters. The Carl Gustaf shells cost $500-3,000 each, depending on type and complexity. The launcher, with rifled barrel and sight, costs about $20,000. The single shot version of Carl Gustaf, the AT-4 was introduced in the 1980s, and did little to hurt reloadable Carl Gustaf sales. The Americans were the largest user of the AT-4 and over a dozen other export customers ordered it. While U.S. Army leaders liked the AT-4, most troops preferred the standard reloadable Carl Gustaf because you got more shots for less weight. Each AT-4 weighs about 6.8 kg. In combat it was more effective to carry one Carl Gustaf, at 8.5 kg, and a bunch of shells at about 2.2 kg (5 pounds, with packaging) each. The M3E1 is lighter than the AT-4 and more capable. Carl Gustaf is currently in use in 40 countries worldwide and sales went up significantly with the introduction of the M4 in 2014 and many users of the AT-4 version switched to the M4. Because of the Ukraine War, Carl Gustaf demand is particularly high, as is the need for more ammunition. Swede is spending over $250 million to replace some of the nearly half a million 84mm Carl Gustaf ammo sent to Ukraine or NATO nations to replace what they had themselves sent to Ukraine, probably the largest European conflict Carl Gustaf, and a lot of other modern weapons, have ever been involved in. Ukraine was the first major war in Europe since World War II, which ended three years before Carl Gustaf was introduced. Dutch military intelligence warned the CIA of a Ukrainian plan to blow up the Nord Stream gas pipeline three months before explosions damaged the undersea system. The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, built to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, were rocked by underwater explosions on September 26. The Netherlands was one of the key stakeholders in Nord Stream along with Russia, France and Germany. The US spy agency then urged Kyiv not to go ahead with the operation, according to the Dutch NOS public broadcaster in collaboration with German broadcaster ARD and national weekly Die Zeit. The CIA then warned Ukraine 'after receiving an alarming report from the Dutch Military Intelligence Services (MIVD) which heard about the plans via a Ukrainian source,' NOS said. The Netherlands was one of the key stakeholders in Nord Stream along with Russia, France and Germany [File image] Built to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, the pipelines were rocked by underwater explosions on September 26 The Washington Post reported last week that the CIA was tipped off about the Ukrainian plans by a European spy agency, but it did not say which country was responsible. Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren declined to comment when asked about the reports. 'I cannot comment on the work of our intelligence services,' she told reporters at a press conference in Amsterdam, adding that the incident was under investigation by Germany, Sweden and Denmark. Accusations were made against several countries including Russia, the United States and Ukraine, but all denied responsibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month again denied Kyiv's involvement. The plan allegedly intercepted by Dutch intelligence said that top Ukrainian general Valerii Zaluzhnyi was in charge of the operation, involving a small team of divers using a sailing boat, and that Zelensky was not aware, NOS said. It added that along with German media it had spoken to several international intelligence sources who were aware of the involvement of the MIVD. The Washington Post said documents leaked by a US Air National Guard computer technician indicated that an unnamed European spy service had told the US Central Intelligence Agency about the plan in June 2022. Meanwhile, German investigators are probing evidence that Poland was used as a staging base for the operation, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has said she will not be able to afford $250-per-month in restitution payments when she's released from prison in 11 years. The mother-of-two was found guilty last year of four fraud-related counts and was sentenced to just over 11 years in prison, a sentence she began last month. Holmes and Ramesh 'Sunny' Balwani, her business partner and former longtime love interest, were ordered by the court to pay more than $452million in restitution to a number of victims of their fraud. An attorney for Holmes argued before a judge she has 'limited financial resources' and should not be made to pay $250 a month in restitution once she is released. Disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes takes a stroll through the prison yard in Bryan, Texas days after reporting for the start of her 11-year sentence Holmes' husband Billy Evans, as well as her parents, visited her about a week into her prison sentence Federal prosecutors say there was a clerical error in a court filing that resulted in no official post-prison payment schedule for Holmes. The judge ordered Balwani to pay $25 quarterly while in prison, and at least $1,000, or at least 10 percent of his earnings, once he is released. Holmes' legal team have not objected to $25 quarterly payments while she serves her time, but say prosecutors should not assume the failure of the judge to assign a post-prison payment schedule was a mistake. Her lawyers, on Monday, sought to reject the correction proposed by prosecutors, arguing that the court had 'substantial evidence showing Ms. Holmes' limited financial resources and has appropriately treated Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani differently in sentencing.' Balwani was, for instance, made to pay a $25,000 fine, while Holmes was not. He has now begun serving a 13-year prison sentence. In a lengthy New York Times profile last month, Holmes said she was unable to pay her legal bills, let alone restitution. 'I have to work for the rest of my life to try to pay for it,' she said. Holmes and Balwani owe $125million to Theranos investor Rupert Murdoch, and lesser amounts to 13 other victims of their fraud - including Walmart and Safeway. Holmes has said she cannot afford to pay the nine-figure sum demanded by the court, which is common in cases of massive financial fraud. However, the government is obliged to institute a payment schedule on convicts. Balwani was last year sentenced to 13 years in federal prison plus three years parole for conspiracy and fraud Elizabeth Holmes arrives at the minimum-security federal women's prison camp that she will spend the next 11 years at after scamming the tech world with her start-up, Theranos The casual outfit she reported to prison in was a far cry from the poised red-lipped, black turtleneck tech CEO she once was during her blood-testing hoax heyday Holmes smiled as she walked into prison to begin serving her sentence in late May Restitution funds are often not fully paid out, though the court will sometimes look for ways to collect some amount of the money, even if it is coming from assets. Late last month, Elizabeth Holmes reported to a minimum security prison outside of Houston. About a week later, her parents and husband, Billy Evans, visited her for a full day. While she is in prison, her family are allowed to visit once per week. Her long-awaited arrival at the Texas prison comes more than a year after her conviction and about six months after she was sentenced in November for defrauding investors out of $945 million. Just about the same time as Elizabeth was reporting to prison in Bryan, Texas, on May 30, 1,400 miles away, Billy's mother took the couple's two kids - Williams and Invicta -to Seaworld in San Diego, California. Holmes had been pregnant with Invicta when she was sentenced. The convicted fraudster spent her final days of freedom soaking up the sun with her family without any hope or possibility of another last-minute reprieve that allowed her to dodge prison for much of the month of May. She will see out her jail sentence out of state - miles away from the $9million San Diego mansion she shares with partner Billy Evans and their two children. A Pennsylvania woman drove her estranged boyfriend to suicide by sending him 'heinous' text messages as well as a video of her having sex with another man while he was training at a US Army academy, prosecutors said. Mandie Reusch, 35, of Greensburg, 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, was arraigned on Tuesday morning. She's accused of aiding the suicide of her one-time boyfriend Kevin Metzger in June 2021. According to a statement from prosecutors, officials have been investigating Metzger's death for two years. Officials said that Metzger's suicide note as well as postings on his Facebook page detailed the turmoil that he was allegedly put through by Reusch. In a press release, prosecutors called the messages she sent Metzger 'heinous and graphic.' The messages from Reusch began in May 2021 while Metzger was away at military training. The suspect was at home at the time with the couple's daughter, the criminal complaint states. Mandie Reusch, 35, is accused of aiding suicide, a felony, and harassment, a misdemeanor, she will make her first appearance in court on June 27 Kevin Metzger, 37, served in the US military for nearly 20 years and thought of his daughter as the 'light of his life' In texts sent via WhatsApp, Reusch said that she was planning to move in with another man, that the man would become their daughter's new father and that Metzger would no longer be a part of her life. 'I hope for [their daughter's] sake that you do kill yourself. She would be better off not even knowing you,' Resuch wrote, according to documents. On Mother's Day 2021, she texted Metzger to say she would be having sex with her new partner as their daughter 'calls him daddy.' Another message said that Metzger would 'burn in hell' and that she would be dancing on his grave. Following an argument over money, Resuch then sent Metzger a video her having sex with another man and destroyed some of his belongings. She was first charged with harassment in June 2021 when Metzger made an initial complaint. Following his suicide, those charges went away. 'I actually want you to kill yourself because I think you are the worst person on this planet,' another message read. 'I will make it my dying wish to make sure you don't see your daughter and that she knows who you really are,' read another. While another read: 'I hope you burn in hell and my daughter will dance on your grave with her real dad. Never talk to us again. Die slow and suffer.' During the investigation, older messages surfaced. In 2020, she told him 'Go kill yourself. You aren't a real f*****g man.' Metzger was found dead on June 18, 2021, two days before Father's Day. He was found after a friend asked police to perform a welfare check. Messages in the lead-up to Father's Day show Reusch saying he wouldn't be allowed to see his daughter. A friend of Metzger's told police that he had asked her to ensure that the messages he was receiving 'get known to the world.' After his death, Reusch deleted WhatsApp from her home, police said. 'Mr. Metzger may still be here today if those messages did not influence and encourage him to take his own life,' Westmoreland County Nicole Ziccarelli said in a statement. Ziccarelli described the messages as being 'continuous and unrelenting' only ending when Metzger took his own life at the age of 37. Metzger, 37, was an outdoor enthusiast who was passionate about live music 'We extend our condolences to the Metzger family for their loss and the grief they have experienced since his death. We will not allow or tolerate this kind of egregious behavior,' the DA added. In a 2020 feature in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on dining establishments reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic, Reusch is referred to as a 'booking agent for a multinational alcoholic beverages company.' The piece notes that at 11:30am on the day bars reopened, she was having a pint of Guinness.' 'I wanted to go out and have a cold draft. It met all my expectations. It was almost like things are normal again. Except for the masks,' she was quoted as saying. According to his obituary, Metzger served in the US Army for nearly 20 years, including a period in South Korea where he worked on the patriot missile defense system. Following his time in the US Army, he reenlisted in the Reserve, specializing in water purification. He's referred to as a 'selfless and dedicated friend' who loved the outdoors and live music. At the time of his death, he had been working as a bartender. 'Above all though, he passionately cared for his daughter. He was a devoted father, and she was an extreme light in his life,' the tribute also says. Reusch is charged with aiding suicide, a felony and harassment, a misdemeanor. She will make her first appearance in court on June 27. If you or anybody you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call 9-8-8 or the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-273-8255, or you can text TALK to 741741 Prosecutors say that Momeni killed Lee, 43, in April over a suspected fling He was supported by his mother and his sister, Khazar Momeni, and her husband Momeni, 38, is set to face murder charges over the killing of Bob Lee A tech entrepreneur accused of murdering CashApp founder Bob Lee was denied bail again today ahead of a preliminary hearing later this year. Nima Momeni was supported by his mother and his sister, Khazar Momeni, and her plastic surgeon husband Dr. Dino Elyassnia, at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Tuesday. Several family members made heart symbols with their hands as he entered court with his new legal team after Paula Canny declared a conflict of interest on May 30. Prosecutors claim that Momeni fought with Lee over his relationship with his married glamorous sister which allegedly resulted in Lee being stabbed on April 4 in San Francisco. Momeni's former lawyer had been trying get additional evidence, including surveillance video and guest logs, from the building where his sister lives. Nima Momeni was supported by his mother and his sister, Khazar Momeni, and her plastic surgeon Husband Dr. Dino Elyassnia, at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Tuesday I asked Nima Momeni's mother and sister if they were feeling better about his new defense team in the Bob Lee fatal stabbing case. Here's the response I received (from Momeni's new defense attorney Saam Zangeneh) pic.twitter.com/veCuAWSr73 Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) June 13, 2023 Several family members made heart symbols with their hands as he entered court with his new legal team after Paula Canny declared a conflict of interest on May 30 However the request has been fought by the building's lawyer, though prosecutors claim they visited the tower hours before Lee, a father-of-two, was stabbed. Momeni's new high-flying lawyers Saam Zangeneh and Bradford Cohen said it plans to create a new defense independent of anything done by Canny and refused to answer questions over the change of representation. Khazar, 37, who was with Lee the day he died, has so far refused to be interviewed by investigators after they charged her brother Nima Momeni with the murder. Prosecutors say that video and DNA evidence show Momeni at the scene of the murder, but his previous legal team claimed that he did not commit the slaying. Momeni, who pleaded not guilty, is being held without bail in San Francisco, and prosecutors will detail their case against him at his preliminary hearing on July 31. His appearance in court comes after DailyMail.com revealed flamboyant pictures of Lee at Burning Man in 2018, where friends who knew him said he was always the last to leave the party. An unnamed witness told police that Momeni confronted Lee at a house party over whether he had been getting his sister, Khazar Momeni, into 'drugs' or anything 'inappropriate'. Khazar, 37, (pictured with her plastic surgeon husband Dr. Dino Elyassnia) who was with Lee the day he died, has so far refused to be interviewed by investigators Bob Lee, 43, was allegedly stabbed to death by Momeni on April 14 after a night out in San Francisco Court sketches in San Francisco Superior Court show Momeni in court for a hearing to assign new counsel Friends of Lee told The Wall Street Journal that he and Momeni's sister were part of what is known among certain wealthy tech circles as 'The Lifestyle' - a code for couples seeking freewheeling sex. Momeni has also been accused of stabbing two teenagers in a 'dispute over drugs' in 2005 but was never charged. According to the SF Chronicle, a then-20-year-old Momeni stabbed a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old in 2005, inflicting only minor wounds. A witness claimed the younger victim had attacked Momeni first, and Albany Police listed him as both a suspect and a victim in its report about the incident. Momeni was cited for potential charges including assault with a deadly weapon, possession of drugs and possession of drugs with the intent to sell, but prosecutors declined to pursue charges. Prosecutors argued that he vowed to 'come down hard' on Lee over his relationship with his married sister, before he then allegedly stabbed him in the heart with a kitchen knife. He is set to face a murder trial for the slaying, however legal experts say his previous brush with the law as a 20-year-old could be an 'interesting development'. Late Cash App founder Bob Lee pictured here at the 2018 Burning Man festival in Nevada - a favorite stomping ground for high-flying tech execs Lee and Khazar Momeni (above), the wife of a respected plastic surgeon, are alleged to have been part of an underground scene of drugs and casual sex Momeni allegedly stabbed the teens as a 20-year-old. He is pictured in his Albany High School yearbook photograph Khazar Momeni and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr Dino Elyassnia at her brother's arraignment. Prosecutors laid out part of their case and she is at the center of her brother's alleged motive Due to the length of time since the alleged stabbings and a lack of evidence that initially saw the case dropped, coupled with the lack of a conviction, it likely will not have any legal standing. But if Momeni were to testify in court, the incident could be used by prosecutors to question his character and paint him as a dangerous individual. 'The prosecution will be watching like hawks for an opportunity to bring it in,' said Tom Kensok, a former prosecutor, to the SF Chronicle. 'It's something the prosecution will make some effort to explore and develop.' Police they have surveillance footage that lays out how Momeni lured Lee, a prominent, well-known Silicon Valley entrepreneur, into his car and then down a dark side street in San Francisco before stabbing him to death. Text messages revealed a close friendship between the pair, and some of Lee's friends believed they might have been in a romantic relationship. Shocking surveillance footage captured Bob Lee's agonizing final moments after he was stabbed in the heart. The entrepreneur was filmed staggering through the streets of San Francisco pleading for help as he left a trail of blood behind him. He was seen lifting his shirt to reveal the fatal wound to an unnamed driver, who callously drove away from Lee before he collapsed in the street. After Lee was rushed to hospital by paramedics, they tried desperately in vain to save his life, including stapling shut wounds in his heart over a four-hour battle. The entrepreneur was pronounced dead on the operating table, and a coroner's report revealed he had ketamine, cocaine and alcohol in his system. Trump regularly clashed with Schiff over his attempts to impeach him She lambasted the 62-year-old Senate candidate on the floor of the House of Representatives Freshman GOP Congresswoman wants to hit Schiff with a fine equal to half the cost of the Russiagate probes A freshman Republican has filed a motion to fine Adam Schiff $16 million, accusing him of lying over the Russiagate probe into Donald Trump's alleged links with the Kremlin. Anna Paulina Luna, a 34-year-old lawmaker representing Florida, confirmed the move in a speech earlier on Tuesday. She accused the Democrat Congressman, who is now running for the Senate, of spouting a 'conspiracy theory' about Trump's ties to Russia. Luna, an ardent Trump loyalist representing Florida, lashed out at Adam Schiff during her five-minute speech to the House of Representatives 'The allegation that President Trump colluded with Russia to steal the 2016 presidential election has been revealed as false by numerous in-depth investigations. 'The conspiracy theory was invented, funded and spread by President Trump's political rivals,' she added, saying the fine would amount to half of the cost to taxpayers of the Russia probes. The Trump loyalist said Schiff enjoyed and abused the special access he got 'sensitive information unavailable to most members of Congress' as the chair of the Intelligence Committee. Luna also pointed to the recently published John Durham report that trashed the FBI investigation into the claims. Durham said investigators had placed too much emphasis on unverified intelligence complied by ex-British spy Christopher Steele. The Republican Congresswoman slammed the dossier as being full of 'debunked collusion accusations'. Lawmakers will vote on the 'privileged resolution' motion this coming Thursday (15 June). Such reprimands are reserved for serious infractions that fail to reach the threshold of expulsion, and only five members have been expelled in U.S. history. Trump was up in court in Miami on Tuesday (June 13) to face federal charges over allegations he mishandled classified documents on leaving the White House The former president then went to eat at a local Cuban restaurant near the courthouse Schiff said Luna's motion was a mere PR stunt to divert attention from Trump's court hearing Schiff, 62, claimed the move was 'to distract from Trump's indictment and retaliate against me for impeaching him.' 'Im not backing down,' he wrote on Twitter. 'This isn't going to stop me from standing up for our democracy.' He also posted a link to his fundraising campaign where he is trying to replace the ailing Dianne Feinstein, who said she would step down at the end of her current term next year. The recent investigation by John Durham has since debunked any evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia in the election. Durham's task, according to an order by then-attorney general Barr, was to look into the origins of Crossfire Hurricane, which was launched in July 2016, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller's subsequent investigation initiated in May 2017. But the special counsel said senior FBI personnel showed 'a serious lack of analytical rigor' and a 'significant reliance on investigative leads provided or funded (directly or indirectly) by Trump's political opponents.' The former commander-in-chief has repeatedly clashed with the top Democrat, branding him 'Shifty Schiff' over his repeated allegations that he was in cahoots with Vladimir Putin. Kevin McCarthy, the speaker of the House, removed Schiff from his post as intelligence chair soon as he took up his new role. Around 46 percent of stores in downtown San Francisco's Westfield mall have closed since 2020, as owners announced plans to close the shopping center amid spiking crime and rampant homelessness. A total of 45 out of the 97 retailers operating in the mall - and 16 of the 36 food vendors - shuttered in just over three years, according to an analysis by the San Francisco Standard. Days ago, Westfield announced it would be closing the mall altogether, and weeks after its anchor tenant Nordstrom potentially hammered the nail in its coffin by announcing its own closure in August. Other major retailers to have abandoned the mall since 2020 include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Microsoft, Tiffany & Co. and Timberland. Last month, Westfield blamed 'unsafe conditions' and 'lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity' in large part for Nordstrom's departure and claimed the poor performance in San Francisco was in sharp contrast to its other locations. Around 46 percent of stores - 45 out of 97 - in Westfield San Francisco Centre have closed since 2020, according to an analysis by the San Francisco Standard Major retailers to have abandoned the mall since 2020 include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Microsoft, Tiffany & Co. and Timberland The San Francisco Centre generated $455 million in sales in 2019, before the pandemic. Last year, sales were down about a third to $298 million. Nordstrom occupied 312,000 square feet in the mall: when it closes, Westfield San Francisco will only be 55 percent leased. Other Westfield shopping centers are, on average, 93 percent leased. The mall is an upmarket building, whose other retailers include Bloomingdales, Aesop, Rolex and Sephora. Westfield's struggles will pile fresh pressure on city leaders after multiple retailers and hotels shuttered in downtown San Francisco as it continues to battle soaring crime, open drug use and homelessness. 'For more than 20 years, Westfield has proudly and successfully operated San Francisco Centre, investing significantly over that time in the vitality of the property,' the company said. 'Given the challenging operating conditions in downtown San Francisco, which have led to declines in sales, occupancy and foot traffic, we have made the difficult decision to begin the process to transfer management of the shopping center to our lender to allow them to appoint a receiver to operate the property going forward.' The mall is located in the troubled Union Square area in the center of downtown, where homelessness and crime are especially rife. Westfield in San Francisco (pictured) has announced that it is handing the building back to the lender The collapse of the mall aligns with a wider disaster affecting retailers downtown. Pictured is a map showing retailers to have ceased their operations in the area The collapse of the mall aligns with a wider disaster affecting retailers throughout that part of the city. Whole Foods, Old Navy, Gap and Office Depot are just some of the stores in the district to announce in recent months that they are closing. Out of 203 retailers open in 2019 in the city's Union Square area, just 107 are still operating - a drop of 47 percent in just a few pandemic-ravaged years. San Francisco is now widely thought to be stuck in a vicious cycle. Office workers are now working from home, leaving the downtown area significantly quieter, and making the empty streets more dangerous. The rise in crime then deters people from entering downtown. And as the downtown empties, the city loses essential tax revenues, and the area becomes less appealing. The revenue loss to the city caused by decreased property taxes could reach $196 million per year by 2028, according to modeling published in November by the San Francisco Controller's Office. The best-case scenario from the modeling expects the cost will be nearer to $100 million per year. San Francisco is dealing with widespread crime, homeless and drug use that has driven away companies and consumers A significant handful of high-profile criminal episodes, in addition to a number of retail closures prompted by rampant and unprosecuted theft, have tarnished the city's image to potential visitors. Tech exec Bob Lee became one of the city's latest murder victims. Lee, 43, was allegedly murdered by another tech executive on April 4 while visiting San Francisco from Miami, where he moved last year with his family. A coroner's report reveals in graphic detail how Lee was found slumped outside an apartment block with no pulse before paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where knife wounds were found on his heart and a lung. He died with ketamine, cocaine and alcohol in his system. In another criminal episode, Don Carmignani, 53, an ex-fire chief, is facing charges for using pepper spray on a homeless man who attacked him with a metal crowbar. Carmignani suffered a fractured skull and jaw. Prosecutors are able to charge him because he used pepper spray on the vagrant thereby instigating the attack. The city's District Attorney has opted not to prosecute the homeless man because he was acting in 'self-defense.' The number of homeless people in San Francisco was tallied in February of last year at almost 8,000 San Francisco saw a 41 percent surge in the number of drug-related deaths in the first quarter of 2023 The number of homeless people in San Francisco was tallied in February of last year at almost 8,000, the second highest figure of any year since 2005, according to the official government count which takes place every three years. San Francisco saw a 41 percent surge in the number of drug-related deaths in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same time last year, as fentanyl ravaged the city's homeless population. The Californian coastal hub saw 200 people die due to overdoses between January and March, compared to 142 deaths in 2022, according to recent data from the city's medical examiner. That amounts to one overdose death every 10 hours in a city that has seen its reputation as a coastal gem tarnished by worsening crime, drugs, and, homelessness rates, even as it remains home to tech billionaires. Abby Zwerner, 26, was shot in January by one of her students who had brought a gun to school The Virginia first grade teacher who was shot and injured by her six-year-old student has been fired by the school. Abby Zwerner, 26, said she received an email last month saying Newport News Public Schools was canning her contract from June 12. Her lawyers claimed it was because she is suing NNPS and some of its administrators for $40million. But the school argued that the teacher had told bosses she would not be returning so the message was simply procedural. Abby Zwerner, an elementary school teacher who was shot by one of her students in January, claims the school terminated its contract with her Deja Taylor, the mother of the young boy who shot Zwerner, she recently pleaded guilty to two counts related to the shooting The email on May 22 read: 'NNPS has processed a separation of employment for you effective the close of business 06/12/2023.' Jeffrey Breit, an attorney for Zwerner, referred to the one-page email from HR as a firing. 'I don't think you can read this any other way than you've been fired. And that's what she thinks. 'She doesn't understand it; there's no other communication,' he told local news station WAVY. According to Michelle Price, spokesman for NNPS, Zwerner had notified the school system in March that she would not be returning to teach. Price said: 'The email that Ms. Zwerner received from the Human Resources Department is a confirmation of her separation of service from Newport News Public Schools. 'Every employee who is separating from the school division receives a similar communication. 'Ms. Zwerner notified the Human Resources Department that she was resigning from her position as a teacher for NNPS on March 13, 2022. 'Ms. Zwerner was an employee of Newport News Public Schools until June 12, 2023, the last day of her contract.' Breit said his client was beyond shocked to receive the email. 'To say we were shocked is an understatement; we have litigation. They haven't paid her in a couple of months. They are trying to squeeze her. 'She has to August 1 to leave or re-sign, (but) they fire her two months early. The only thing I can think, they were trying to put pressure on her because we filed suit. 'It's outrageous, as outrageous as I've ever seen,' he said. Breit says Zwerner has not been paid since February. He alleges the school tried to force her to take workers' comp, but when she refused, they ceased paying her. Both Zwerner and the school have been approached by DailyMail.com for comment. Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where several of the administrators who oversaw the treatment of the troubled student who wound up shooting his teacher have resigned Dr. George Parker III - the former Superintendent of the school - is named in a $40million lawsuit Zwerner filed against multiple parties Former Richneck principal Briana Foster-Newton is also named in the suit Zwerner and her attorney are now claiming that the Newport News Public School system fired Zwerner ahead of her contract's official end date On January 6 of this year, Zwerner was in her classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, when her six-year-old student shot her. She was seriously injured in the incident. Police ultimately confirmed that the gun used by the child belonged to his mother, Deja Taylor. Earlier this week, Taylor was in person to face federal charges related to this case. She pleaded guilty to charges of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Zwerner filed a $40million lawsuit against the Newport News School Board, former Superintendent Dr. George Parker, former Richneck Principal Briana Foster-Newton, and former Richneck Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker. Parker's attorneys have asked a judge to dismiss the suit. They are arguing that Zwerner was shot while performing her job, so her injuries are covered by the Workers' Compensation Act. Since the shooting, several Richneck employees have resigned from their NNPS positions, including Parker, but this development marks the first notification about Zwerner's employment status with the school. Two days prior to the shooting that nearly took Zwerner's life, the same boy who would shoot her, had smashed her phone and called her a 'b***h.' The child - who has not been named - was so troublesome that he'd been removed from the school a year earlier after trying to choke a different teacher, and was supposed to be chaperoned by a parent every day. On January 6, he was dropped off at the school by his mother. He told other children that morning that he had a firearm in his backpack and staff were also told about it. Rather than remove him from any classes, the school's administrators allowed him to be around other children and teachers. The school checked his backpack for a weapon, but he had already removed it and put it in his sweatshirt at that point, according to Zwerner's lawsuit. The vice principal then forbade any teachers from searching the boy himself, according to the lawsuit. At 1.59pm, he pulled out the gun from his sweater and shot Zwerner in the chest. The bullet hit one of her hands first - which she says saved her life. Now, she is suing the school for not doing more to protect her and others from the child. Dr Ebony Parker, vice principal of Richneck Elementary, (right) allegedly 'forbade' any teachers from searching the child. The lawsuit also names principal Briana Newton (left) as a defendant The 20-page lawsuit describes the boy's past behavior in disturbing detail. It also claims that his parents would not allow him to attend classes with other special needs kids, despite claiming in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that he has an 'acute disability'. 'John Doe had been removed from school during the 2021-2022 school year when he was in kindergarten after he strangled and choked a teacher. 'Also during the 2021-2022 school year, a female child had fallen on the playground and John Doe came up to her, pulled her dress up and began to touch the child inappropriately until reprimanded by a teacher,' it reads. Between 11.15am and 11.30am on the day of the shooting, Zwerner complained to the Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker that he seemed to be in a 'violent mood' that day and had been threatening to beat up another child. The vice principal, however, did nothing, according to the suit. The same vice principal had a reputation for never disciplining kids, and instead rewarding any who came to them with candy. The 25-year-old first-grade teacher survived the attack. She was shot at point-blank range. The bullet went through her hand and into her chest The mother of the troubled child, Deja Taylor, is facing federal charges At 11.45am, two students told a different teacher that the boy had a gun in his backpack. That teacher approached him and asked him if he had a weapon, the suit says, but he lied. He then refused to give her his bag to check. The child was then seen removing something from the bag and placing it in his sweatshirt pocket. When that was reported to the same assistant principal, she said his pockets were too small to hold a handgun. At around 1.10pm, still concerned that he had the gun on his person, teachers asked for permission to search the boy but the same assistant principal 'forbade' them from doing so. Less than an hour later, he pulled it out of his sweatshirt and shot Zwerner in front of other terrified students. Sen. Chuck Grassley says the foreign national kept the recordings 'as a sort of insurance policy for the foreign national in case he got into a tight spot' Joe Biden was referred to as the 'Big Guy' by the Burisma executive who allegedly paid him a $5 million bribe and who has kept 17 audio recordings of phone calls as an 'insurance policy,' DailyMail.com has learned. According to a 'highly credible' whistleblower, an internal FD-1023 memo created in 2020 based off information from a highly-paid FBI informant apparently details a $5 million 'arrangement' for an exchange of money for policy decisions between then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national. A source familiar confirmed to DailyMail.com that the foreign national - an executive from Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings Limited - referred to Joe Biden as the 'Big Guy' according to the 1023 form. In a bombshell speech on the Senate floor Monday, GOP Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa cited what is believed to have been redacted in the FD-1023 file from the FBI on the alleged payment. Grassley said the executive has 15 recordings of phone calls with Hunter and two with Joe. Grassley said the foreign national has 15 recordings of phone calls with Hunter and two with Joe He claims they were kept as an 'insurance policy' in case the foreign national was in a 'tight spot.' The form also indicates that then-Vice President Joe Biden may have been involved in Burisma employing Hunter Biden, Grassley continued. The senator also slammed the FBI for finally agreeing to show lawmakers a redacted version of the FD-1023 form 'on the same day' that the Department of Justice announced a 37-count indictment of former President Donald Trump for alleged mishandling of classified records. Trump was arraigned Tuesday in Miami and pleaded 'not guilty' to all 37 counts. 'Two standards of justice in this country will turn our constitutional Republic upside down,' Grassley said on the Senate floor Monday. 'Thanks to the political infection within the Biden Justice Department and FBI, we're well along the road for that to happen.' On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz questioned the FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate regarding the FD-1023 form. Abbate told the Texas senator that he would not comment on the form or its contents. 'I'm just not going to comment on information we've received investigations or other matters.' Cruz fired back, accusing Abbate and the FBI at large of 'stonewalling and covering up serious allegations of evidence of corruption from the President.' After a long back-and-forth between the FBI and congressional Republicans, including a threat of holding the director in contempt of Congress, Wray finally allowed the form to be viewed by lawmakers in a secure setting last week. After reviewing the document last week House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told reporters the accusations contained in the form 'suggests a pattern of bribery' consistent with findings the committee has put out publicly. It's called 'money laundering,' he said, saying it fits within the pattern of over $1 million in Romanian-linked payments to the Biden family revealed last month. However, Grassley slammed the FBI for the 'disrespect' it has shown Congress in the manner it allowed the document to be read. 'The FBI made Congress review a redacted unclassified document in a classified facility,' the senator criticized. 'Based on the facts known to Congress and the public, it's clear that the Justice Department and FBI will use every resource to investigate candidate Trump, President Trump and former President Trump,' the senator stated. He continued in to say the agencies haven't had the 'same laser focus' on the Biden family. Grassley added that he want everyone to remember, that he has read the full unredacted version of the form and will continue to press the FBI for transparency with the American people. The 'confidential human source' behind the allegations in the form is a 'trusted, highly credible informant' who has been used by the FBI for over 10 years and has been paid over six figures, Republicans have said. Republicans led by Comer and Grassley released a report digging in on over $10 million received by Biden family members from foreign actors In addition, the FBI record is currently being used in an ongoing investigation that is being conducted by the Department of Justice in Delaware into Hunter Biden's finances. Republicans have also told DailyMail.com that the Biden whistleblower in the alleged bribery scheme is now afraid 'someone could kill them if someone found out who they are' for bringing potentially damaging info to light about Joe Biden when he was vice president. The FBI confirmed to DailyMail.com last week that it would allow the lawmakers to view the document. '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.' In early May, Republicans led by Comer and Grassley released a report digging in on over $10 million received by Biden family members from foreign actors, including previously undisclosed $1 million in Romanian-linked payments, and a 'web' of 20 companies created while President Joe Biden was vice president and pushing anti-corruption efforts abroad. The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Biden family associate and Hunter Biden business partner Devon Archer, Monday evening. Comer wrote that Archer's testimony is 'critical' to the Republicans' investigation based on his deep ties to Biden family business deals internationally - including in Ukraine. He is demanded to appear for a deposition on Friday, June 16. Comer also confirmed there are at least three additional FD-1023 forms in existence that Wray agreed committee leadership can view in coming days. The Pulitzer Prize-winner found acclaim with works including 'The Road,' 'Blood Meridian' and 'No Country for Old Men' Cormac McCarthy, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in American history, has died aged 89. McCarthy died of natural causes at his home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, on Tuesday, his son John McCarthy confirmed. The Pulitzer Prize-winner was known for such Western and apocalyptic novels as 'The Road,' 'Blood Meridian' and 'No Country for Old Men,' which was adapted by the Coen brothers into an Academy Award-winning movie of the same name. His other honors include a National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award for 'All the Pretty Horses.' Cormac McCarthy attends the HBO Films & The Cinema Society screening of Sunset Limited at Porter House on February 1, 2011 in New York City Fellow author Stephen King led tributes online, writing on Twitter: 'Cormac McCarthy, maybe the greatest American novelist of my time, has passed away at 89. 'He was full of years and created a fine body of work, but I still mourn his passing.' Writer Robert McFarlane also paid tribute, writing on Twitter that McCarthy was: 'A giant of a writer, who wrote with a pen of iron, torqued language into new forms & worked the rhythms of prose into wire-flashes of lightning & great rolls of thunder.' In 2009, he became the second author, after Philip Roth, to receive the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for lifetime achievement in American fiction. He explored themes of despair as well as tenderness, while not shying away from brutal violence. 'If it doesnt concern life and death,' Mr. McCarthy once told Rolling Stone, 'its not interesting.' His novels took readers across the great range landscapes of the United States from the deserts of the Southwest to the woods of Tennessee, even the bleakness of a post apocalypse world. McCarthy was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was compared to William Faulkner for his Old Testament style and rural settings. McCarthys themes, like Faulkners, often were bleak and violent and dramatized how the past overwhelmed the present. McCarthy seen at the premiere of 'The Road' at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas in New York City in 2009 Cormac McCarthy sitting between Nicky Tirrell (left) and his second wife Anne DeLisle, who were singing partners under the stage of name of the Healey Sisters, taken while the couple was on a trip to Bermuda in 1972 'The Road,' his stark tale of a father and son who roam a ravaged landscape, brought him his widest audience and highest acclaim McCarthy seen at a 2011 screening of 'Sunset Limited' with actor Samuel L Jackson, HBO Films president Len Amato, and director and actor Tommy Lee Jones Across stark and forbidding landscapes and rundown border communities, he placed drifters, thieves, prostitutes and old, broken men, all unable to escape fates determined for them well before they were born. As the doomed John Grady Cole of McCarthys celebrated 'Border' trilogy would learn, dreams of a better life were only dreams, and falling in love an act of folly. McCarthys own story was one of belated, and continuing, achievement and popularity. Little known to the public at age 60, he would become one of the countrys most honored and successful writers despite rarely talking to the press. He broke through commercially in 1992 with 'All the Pretty Horses' and over the next 15 years won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer, was a guest on Oprah Winfreys show and saw his novel 'No Country for Old Men' adapted by the Coen brothers into an Oscar-winning movie. Fans of the Coens would discover that the films terse, absurdist dialogue, so characteristic of the brothers work, was lifted straight from the novel. 'The Road,' his stark tale of a father and son who roam a ravaged landscape, brought him his widest audience and highest acclaim. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and was selected by Winfrey for her book club. McCarthy pictured in c.1967 while living in Louisville, Kentucky McCarthy pictured as a student at the University of Tennessee, which he dropped out of twice In his Winfrey interview, McCarthy said that while typically he didnt know what generates the ideas for his books, he could trace 'The Road' to a trip he took with his young son to El Paso, Texas, early in the decade. Standing at the window of a hotel in the middle of the night as his son slept nearby, he started to imagine what El Paso might look like 50 or 100 years in the future. 'I just had this image of these fires up on the hill ... and I thought a lot about my little boy,' he said. He told Winfrey he didnt care how many people read 'The Road.' 'You would like for the people that would appreciate the book to read it. But, as far as many, many people reading it, so what?' he said. McCarthy dedicated the book to his son, John Francis, and said having a child as an older man 'forces the world on you, and I think its a good thing.' The Pulitzer committee called his book 'the profoundly moving story of a journey.' 'It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, each the others world entire, are sustained by love,' the citation read in part. 'Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.' In 2022, Knopf made the startling announcement that it would release McCarthys first work in more than 15 years, a pair of connected novels he had referred to in the past: 'The Passenger' and 'Stella Maris,' narratives on a pair of mutually obsessed siblings and the legacy of their father, a physicist who had worked on atomic technology. 'Stella Maris' was notable, in part, because it centered on a female character, an acknowledged weakness of McCarthys. 'I dont pretend to understand women,' he told Winfrey. His first novel, 'The Orchard Keeper' written in Chicago while he was working as an auto mechanic was published by Random House in 1965. His editor was Albert Erskine, Faulkners longtime editor. Other novels include 'Outer Dark,' published in 1968; 'Child of God' in 1973; and 'Suttree' in 1979. The violent 'Blood Meridian,' about a group of bounty hunters along the Texas-Mexico border murdering Indians for their scalps, was published in 1985. His 'Border Trilogy' books were set in the Southwest along the border with Mexico: 'All the Pretty Horses' (1992) a National Book Award winner that was turned into a feature film; 'The Crossing' (1994), and 'Cities of the Plain' (1998). McCarthy was known for such Western and apocalyptic novels as 'The Road,' 'Blood Meridian' and 'No Country for Old Men,' McCarthy said he was always lucky. He recalled living in a shack in Tennessee and running out of toothpaste, then going out and finding a toothpaste sample in the mailbox. 'Thats the way my life has been. Just when things were really, really bleak, something would happen,' said McCarthy, who won a MacArthur Fellowship one of the so-called 'genius grants' in 1981. McCarthy was married first to poet Lee Holleman McCarthy with whom he had a son, Cullen. According to her obituary she filed for divorce after he asked her to get a job as well as tend to the house and a baby, so that he could focus solely on his writing. He met his second wife, singer Anne De Lisle while travelling Europe on an American Academy of Arts and Letters fellowship, and they later moved into a converted dairy farm near Knoxville. 'We lived in total poverty,' De Lisle once told the Times. 'We were bathing in the lake. Someone would call up and offer him $2,000 to come speak at a university about his books. And he would tell them that everything he had to say was there on the page. So we would eat beans for another week.' The couple separated in 1976, when McCarthy moved to El Paso. In 2009, Christies auction house sold the Olivetti typewriter he used while writing such novels as 'The Road' and 'No Country for Old Men' for $254,500. McCarthy, who bought the Olivetti for $50 in 1958 and used it until 2009, donated it so the proceeds could be used to benefit the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit interdisciplinary scientific research community. He once said he didnt know any writers and preferred to hang out with scientists. The Southwestern Writers Collection at Texas State University-San Marcos purchased his archives in 2008, including correspondence, notes, drafts, proofs of 11 novels, a draft of an unfinished novel and materials related to a play and four screenplays. McCarthy attended the University of Tennessee for a year before joining the Air Force in 1953. He returned to the school from 1957 to 1959, but left before graduating. As an adult, he lived around the Great Smoky Mountains before moving West in the late 1970s, eventually settling in Santa Fe. His Knoxville boyhood home, long abandoned and overgrown, was destroyed by fire in 2009. A flight attendant was indicted by an Argentine court for allegedly sending a bomb threat message to a pilot and two other airline workers to prevent her ex-boyfriend from flying to Miami with his new, younger girlfriend. Daniela Carbone, 47, appeared in Buenos Aires court Tuesday and was charged with aggravated duress, public intimidation and obstruction of public service. She can be sentenced to up to six years in prison if she is found guilty. The 47-year-old was placed in pre-trial detention, but was allowed to wait for the start of her trial under home confinement 24 hours a day. She will be required to wear an ankle monitor. Her flight attendant license has been suspended and she is banned for stepping foot at any airport in Argentina. In addition, the judge placed a $1.6 million levy on her assets. Carbone has been held under arrest at a police station at Ezeiza International Airport in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, since May 28, when she was apprehended after stepping out of an Aerolineas Argentinas flight from Miami. Argentine national Daniela Carbone was indicted on three counts by a Buenos Aires court on Tuesday for allegedly sending WhatsApp messages to three Aerolineas Airlines employees, including the pilot, and false claiming that there were three bombs aboard the flight that was traveling about to depart from Ezeiza International Airport to Miami Passengers were removed from an Aerolineas Argentinas flight at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 21 after the reported threat Daniela Carbone was charged with aggravated duress, public intimidation and obstruction of public service during a court appearance in Buenos Aires. She will be allowed to remain in home confinement as she awaits the start of the trial The defendant, who was fired by the air carrier Monday following 25 years of service, sent a voice message to the pilot, a ticket agent manager and another worker on May 21 before flight AR1304 was set to depart from Ezeiza International Airport to Miami and claimed that there were three explosives on the airplane. Carbone wanted to prevent her former boyfriend of five years from leaving on the flight with his girlfriend, who is much younger than her. Carbone used her daughter's cellphone to send the voice message via WhatsApp and utilized an application to distort her voice. 'Tell the little captain that we put three bombs on the Miami flight, to stop messing around with politics and to check the airplane because it's going to blow up in a thousand pieces,' she said. Argentine newspaper Clarin learned that Carbone will be allowed to remain home because she told the judge and prosecutors that she had sent the message. A law enforcement source with knowledge of the case told the newspaper that Carbone committed a series of mistakes "that show that it was not a state of violent emotion. She knew the damage that the audio message sent would generate and measured the consequences of her actions." Carbone was in New York, where she purchased an iPhone at an Apple Store and used it to contact her daughter to let her know that she was trying to delete the damning messages that were in another cellphone that police that confiscated from her. Aerolineas Argentinas flight attendant Daniela Carbone reportedly was working as a secret agent for a criminal group that wanted to destabilize the aviation industry, Argentine news outlets reported Sunday Another source told Clarin that she sent the bogus bomb threat message because she was having problems with splitting property that she and her former partner and coworker, identified as 'Picho,' shared ownership of prior to splitting up two months ago. During an argument, Carbone slammed the door of Picho's car so hard, that he had to cover $800 worth of damages. Carbone told authorities that she had never cheated on Picho, but messages that were revised by investigators found that she had cheated on him with at least two other men. Aerolineas Argentinas decided to fire Carbone without cause Monday, one day after local outlets reported that she was allegedly part of a criminal network that wanted to disrupt the aviation industry. Authorities discovered that her goal was to create fear and chaos among passengers and crew members. Investigators learned that Carbone used her relationship Picho as a coverup to earn the trust of her coworkers and put the company's flights at risk. Once Picho uncovered who she really was, he proceeded to contact Argentine intelligence authorities, who apprehended Carbone and several members of the criminal enterprise. Carbone's actions cost Aerolineas Argentinas $1 million in losses. MBABANE Police officers were taken aback when they discovered a suspect missing from a cell at the Mbabane Police Station. Information gathered was to the effect that Phinda Martins escaped without a trace shortly after Sergeant Tevin Ndlangamandla, who was the shift officer on the day, had locked all the burglars leading to the cells.Testifying against Martins, Ndlangamandla told the court that the shocking discovery was made after officers under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) came looking for the suspect, who was kept in the cells at around 8pm. suspect He told the court that the officers requested for the cell keys in order to see the suspect. Ndlangamandla told the court that he handed over the keys to the officers as he was attending to other clients.I told the officer to make sure that they lock the cell and all buglars leading to it and return the keys after seeing the suspect.Within a short space of time, the officers informed me that the burglar leading to the cell was widely opened with the padlock hanging from the chain. I was shocked by what was said by the officers because I had personally locked the burglar when I took over as the shift officer, Ndlangamandla told the court. He stated that he then proceeded to the cell only to find three out of four suspects. shocking He told the court that what shocked him the most was that even the metallic door, which he had personally locked, was unlocked. I had locked the metallic door with the long key and all the bundle of keys were under my custody before I gave them to the CID officers, he submitted.He stated that while wondering about what had happened, one of the suspects informed him that the missing suspect was Phinda Martins, who was charged with robbery among other cases.Ndlangamandla told the court that he then verified the name of the missing suspect from the RSP registry. He stated that he also verified with the officer who handed over the shift to him. Ndlangamandla submitted that he raised the alarm so that the police officers available at the time could search the police station and the surrounding areas. However, he told the court that the search was in vain as Martins was nowhere to be seen.I then reported the matter to the authorities before an inquiry file was opened, he submitted. During cross-examination, Martins asked Ndlangamandla if there was a break-in to the cell. He also asked when exactly the police officers discovered that he was missing from the cell. Worth noting is that Martins admitted having escaped from police custody.In response, Ndlangamandla told the court that the discovery was made even before the CID officers could use the cell keys. The matter has been adjourned until July 14, 2023 for continuation. Disgraced attorney Tom Girardi, ex-husband of RHOBH star Erika Jayne, has been cleared to stand trial for allegedly embezzling $18 million dollars from clients, including victims of the Lion Air crash. Dr. Diane Goldstein, a court-appointed psychologist, evaluated the 84-year-old Girardi and confirmed that he was mentally competent to face the judge at his August 3 federal trial despite an earlier Alzheimer's diagnosis. The sham attorney, who co-founded the now-bankrupt Girardi & Keese, was featured on the Bravo reality show, 'Real Housewives of Bevery Hills,' alongside 51-year-old Jayne, his third wife. The couple were together for 21 years and are in the middle of a divorce that has been held up since the law firm filed bankruptcy in 2021. He was disbarred in 2022 after allegations of misappropriation of funds. Prosecutors allege he lied to clients and swindled them out of more than $18 million from 2010 to 2020 - $3million of that money was supposed to go towards the families of the victims of the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. Disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi is pictured leaving the Federal Courthouse in February 2023. He was indicted on five counts of wire fraud, and was also charged in a second criminal case, filed in Chicago, where he faces eight additional wire fraud counts He was featured on the Bravo reality show, 'Real Housewives of Bevery Hills,' who Erika Jayne, 51, Girardi's third wife Girardi was indicted on five counts of wire fraud in February. He was also charged in a second criminal case, filed in Chicago, where he faces eight additional wire fraud counts. The crime carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. He remains free on $250,000 bond. Others involved in the scheme include the former firm's Chief Financial Officer Christopher Kamon, 49, who faces similar charges as Girardi and David Lira, Girardi's son-in-law. Federal prosecutors revealed in a court filing last week written by neuropsychologist Dr. Diana Goldstein that she 'has concluded her examination and opined, among other things, that [Girardi] is competent to stand trial,' she wrote. It is unclear the basis for that conclusion and her full analysis. Goldsteins report was filed under seal and partly redacted by Girardis attorneys. The prosecutors who retained Goldstein do not have access to the complete document, Yahoo News reported. California forensic and clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Nathan Lavid wrote in a sworn affidavit that Girardi suffered from late-onset Alzheimers disease and dementia, the news outlet reported. Girardis brother, Robert, had been acting as conservator on his brother's behalf after Girardi underwent a mental evaluation in February 2021, The New York Post reported. A one-day-old baby girl who police claimed went missing after leaving hospital with her mother has been found following a frantic police search. Queensland Police confirmed that an 18-year-old woman and a newborn baby who had been missing from Basin Pocket, Ipswich, had been found on Wednesday. 'They were located at Ipswich shortly after 11am,' the alert read. 'Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.' The update comes two days after a newborn baby was seen being placed into a white Suzuki Liana by two women at Ipswich Hospital. Officers were asked to check on the new mother and her baby, but when they arrived at the home the pair were nowhere to be seen. Police on Tuesday issued an urgent amber alert asking for the public's help locating the mother and daughter, saying the child could be at 'significant risk'. The baby's grandmother took to social media to blast the amber alert, claiming the newborn was safe and being well looked after. It's understood the 18-year-old discharged herself and her baby from Ipswich Hospital on Monday, prompting health providers to raise concerns with Queensland Police The newborn was seen being bundled into a white Suzuki Liana on Monday She accused the amber alert of being a 'discrimination of lies'. It was earlier reported the baby had been taken from Ipswich Hospital, however this was disputed by West Moreton Health chief executive Hannah Bloch. 'The mother discharged herself and her child soon after giving birth,' she said. 'I am disclosing this information in the public interest so women can continue to feel safe giving birth at Ipswich Hospital. 'This was an isolated incident and the healthcare provided to mother and baby is not in question.' A top Russian general killed fighting Ukraine was hit by a long range British-supplied Storm Shadow missile, said Moscow war sources. Major-General Sergey Goryachev, 52, died in a strike in Zaporizhzhia region, according to multiple reports. He was Chief of Staff of the Russian 35th Combined Arms Army, and is one of suspected 11 generals reported to have died in the war - the first this year. He appears to have perished with other senior officers. Popular Russian war blogger with 1.1 million followers Anatoliy Shariy said that Goryachev was hit by a UK supplied Anglo-French Storm Shadow missile. Major-General Sergey Goryachev (pictured), 52, died in a strike in Zaporizhzhia region, according to multiple reports 'Another hello from the British and French,' he posted. 'He did not die alone. There is no information in Russian sources, so most likely we will see details from obituaries. '[But] along with him, at least eight staff officers died, [and] several were wounded.' He said Gorbachev died on the Vremievsky Ledge in Zaproizhzhia region. A Ukrainian expert Mikhail Zhirokhov told Nastoyashchee Vremya that the general died in a different strike in another region, Kherson, on a military HQ in occupied Ukraine on Saturday. He claimed it was a major blow to Russia. 'Usually, next to a general [there are] colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, who provide headquarters activities [who] die. 'Therefore, such an attack on the command post of the 35th Army before a big [Ukrainian] offensive is a very serious bid for success.' Pictures at the time showed a burning building close to Henichesk on the Arabat Spit, close to annexed Crimea. Earlier it was revealed that a leading Kremlin crony of Putin's - deputy PM Denis Manturov, 54, had departed minutes before the strike. He was Chief of Staff of the Russian 35th Combined Arms Army, and is one of s suspected 11 generals reported to have died in the war - the first this year. He appears to have perished with other senior officers 'A Storm Shadow missile hit a few minutes after his departure,' said one report. The facility is believed to have been visited by Putin in April in a rare visit by the president to the war zone. The missiles have a 155 mile range and are fired from Ukrainian Su-24 war planes. Russian sources say evidence of the missile parts at the strike site indicate it was a Storm Shadow. Neither official Russian nor Ukrainian sources have confirmed the circumstances of the general's reported death. Tech giants are set to launch a major lobbying campaign that will nullify new laws designed to curb their immense power, MPs have been told. Peter Wright, editor emeritus at DMG Media, said platforms would try to change the appeals process for challenging decisions made by the Digital Markets Unit. Instead of a judicial review, which is cheap, quick and flexible, they are understood to be calling for a merits-based process that is expensive and could take years to resolve. This would essentially make the watchdog which is vital in ensuring news publishers are finally paid fairly for their online content redundant, he said. Giving evidence yesterday, Mr Wright said: From our point of view, this is not truthfully about the justice of the decisions [but] a delaying tactic. Tech giants are set to launch a major lobbying campaign that will nullify new laws designed to curb their immense power [File image] Under the new regime, publishers will be able to negotiate with tech firms over a fairer price for their journalism He was speaking to a Parliamentary committee scrutinising the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, which will empower the new regulator. Research has shown the value of trusted news content to both Google and Facebook is 1billion a year yet they only give 75million in return to publishers. Under the new regime, publishers will be able to negotiate with tech firms over a fairer price for their journalism. Mr Wright described how high-quality, public interest journalism was expensive to produce and that it was increasingly hard to fund given the current digital advertising market. READ MORE: Tech giants accused of 'scaremongering' over fight against laws to pay for trusted news content Advertisement He said news websites particularly smaller, regional publishers needed a level playing field where they were able to bargain with vast multi-billion pound platforms. Under the bill, the DMU will have the power to potentially force online giants to significantly alter their business models or fine them up to 10 per cent of their global turnover. Following careful consultation, the Government agreed that any decision made by the DMU would be subject to a judicial review rather than a merits-based system of appeals. This is similar to other British watchdogs, such as Ofcom, and was said to reflect the DMUs expertise in deciding how best to promote competition in digital markets. Crucially, it was also noted that it would deliver robust outcomes at pace rather than a drawn-out and expensive appeal. Mr Wright said he had heard that platforms alongside big City law firms were gearing up for a concerted lobbying campaign calling for a merits-based process. This would mean every decision by the DMU will be subject to appeals that are likely to involve weeks in court, months and years before decisions are taken. He added: If that happens, the whole purpose of this Bill the whole structure which we believe is very good and is legislation that is likely to be copied around the world will simply be nullified. Its important that we stick with the judicial review process thats in the Bill. A top private school has become the latest to ditch the terms 'sir' and 'miss' to address teachers after the titles were deemed politically incorrect. London's Westminster School, whose alumni include composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, actress Helena Bonham Carter and former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, is said to be dropping the formalities from September in the hope of becoming 'more egalitarian'. It comes after nearby state school Harris Westminster Academy announced it was planning on dropping the terms last week. 'The policy was announced by a senior teacher at a Westminster Abbey service for the school several days ago,' a former pupil of Westminster School told the Daily Mail. 'It appears to have been adopted without consultation.' They added: 'The intention appears to be to make the school more egalitarian. Teachers will now only be addressed as 'Mr Smith' or 'Mrs Jones'.' London's Westminster School will ditch the terms 'sir' and 'miss' to address teachers after the titles were deemed politically incorrect The school's alumni include composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, actress Helena Bonham Carter and former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg The 700-year-old school charges 45,432 per year for those who board and 31,464 for day pupils. The school admits female pupils in its sixth form but it is planning to become fully co-educational by 2030. Yesterday, a spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'There was no policy announced at [the] Abbey, just a brief mention of something that we will progress next school year, within a wider address talking about language and forms of address. 'Pupils addressing teachers as 'sir' and 'miss' has not been a formal requirement. Instead it is more a matter of convention, as in most schools. We know and respect that forms of address are a very important matter to some.' They added: 'The school is entirely content for individual staff to ask pupils to address them as they prefer.' Staff working for London Mayor Sadiq Khan have been banned from using the phrase 'ladies and gentlemen' as part of an inclusivity drive branded woke 'nonsense' by MPs. A new leaked guide for City Hall urges staff to use 'people', 'Londoners' or 'something that doesn't exclude non-binary people'. An Indiana mother has been jailed after she was caught traveling across Indianapolis with her crying two-month-old twins in a milk crate strapped to her bicycle. Blossum Kirby, 36, will spend a year behind bars after being convicted of neglect of a dependent for her actions. Multiple people called 911 when they saw Kirby traveling across Indianapolis with the infants in a milk crate that was attached to the front of her bicycle in July 2022. Some say they saw the mother nearly fall off the bike as the babies sat in the plastic box during the scorching summer heat. When police stopped her, Kirby told them she always transported her children that way - because she did not have a car, court documents stated. Blossum Kirby, 36, will spend a year behind bars after being convicted of neglect of a dependent for her actions. She was jailed after she was caught biking across the city with her crying two-month-old twins in a milk crate strapped to her bicycle The two-month-old babies, one boy and girl, were found in their diapers in the milk crate on the hot day in Indianapolis, Indiana The kids were just wearing diapers in the mid-80s summer sunshine, and the crate was being held on by a bungee cord, pictures showed. The babies, one boy and one girl, were taken to Riley Hospital for Children and treated for sunburns and minor scratches. Brian Henderson, who witnessed the ordeal, said he first thought the two children were dolls until he saw one of the twin's arms moving. He shared a video at the time, and was heard saying: 'You cant have those babies in there like that, maam.' Suezanne Lynch had also seen Kirby transporting the children in the crate, and told Fox 59: 'She had told me that prior to me stopping her, she had one baby in the front and one baby in the back. The babies, one boy and one girl, were taken to Riley Hospital for Children and treated for sunburns and minor scratches. She is pictured being confronted on the streets The mother was handed two years in prison, with one year suspended for both counts - which would be served at the same time 'She couldnt control the bike that well, so she put both babies in the one milk crate in the front. [She said] that was her way of transporting the babies any time she left.' The passerby added: 'It was heartbreaking. What I cant stop thinking about is I know I wasnt the only one to see her there were so many people who drove past her and just kept driving for who knows how long.' On May 22, 2023, the mother was found guilty on both child neglect counts by a Marion County jury. She was handed two years in prison, with one year suspended for both counts - which would be served at the same time. But a spokesman for the coffee giant has slammed the union's claims and insisted it was spreading 'false information' Starbucks' union alleged Tuesday that the company had 'bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure' and removed Pride merchandise from stores Starbucks has slammed its union for spreading a 'false' allegation that staff across the US were ordered to remove LGBTQ+ in-store decorations halfway through Pride month. The Starbucks Workers United union tweeted Tuesday that executives had 'banned' stores from displaying Pride merchandise, accusing the coffee giant of caving to backlash and failing 'to materially support the LGBTQ+ community'. The union, which represents over 41,000 workers across more than 325 stores, added that the move was especially hurtful 'during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack'. But a Target spokesman has hit out at the allegation, telling DailyMail.com the union's claims were false and the company 'unwaveringly supports the LGBTQIA2+ community'. Starbucks faced allegations it 'bowed to pressure' and removed its Pride products from stores, which the coffee giant denies The back and forth comes amid mounting scrutiny over Pride product releases among major US brands, with Target losing a staggering $15 billion in market cap after offering 'tuck friendly' transgender swimsuits in its female line. This fueled allegations Starbucks attempted to avoid a similar fate by removing its Pride products after just two weeks. However, a spokesman for the company denied the policy change was ever instated. 'There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for US Pride Month in June,' the brand said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners.' In a statement to DailyMail.com, the union doubled down on its claims, saying: 'In stores across the country, Starbucks is refusing to let workers decorate for Pride and is also taking down Pride flags across the country. 'This is contrary to Starbucks in previous years, where union stores were allowed to put up pride decorations without incident. 'To us, this is clearly a continuation of Starbucks anti-union campaign against workers and yet another way to try to silence queer voices.' On Twitter, Starbucks' union accused the brand of bowing to pressure, claiming 'corporate and district management' ordered the removal of their 'annual tradition' decorations. 'In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make unilateral changes without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway - ignoring their own anti-union talking point,' the union continued. 'If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. 'A company that cares wouldnt turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.' The union also alleged that some transgender workers had reported that benefit plans had changed since October, as it ordered the company to negotiate new contracts that 'legally locks-in our benefits, our freedom of expression, and ways to hold management accountable.' The Starbucks Workers United union have been contacted by DailyMail.com for comment. Retailer Target faced backlash for its Pride merchandise release, pictured in Queens, New York Some customers have called for boycotts because of LGBTQ+ products being pushed by major corporations Target's latest swimsuit line included a label which advertises the 'tuck-friendly construction' and 'extra crotch' coverage Sportswear giant Adidas used two biologically male models, who have a clear bulge in their crotch and chest hair, for its women's Pride swimwear range Claims that Starbucks' leadership 'bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure' comes as several brands have grappled with how to celebrate the month and avoid backlash. Retail behemoth Target came under fire after it began selling 'tuck-friendly' bathing suits in its women's swimwear selection. The brand's Pride product line also included children's clothing with trans-friendly slogans, LGBTQ+ friendly kids literature and calendars. Sportswear brand Adidas has also faced calls for a boycott after it used two biological men to advertise its women's Pride swimwear range. The Tories are set to capitalise on driver fury at Sadiq Khans clean air zone as they fight to hold onto Boris Johnsons former constituency. Kicking off the Conservative by-election campaign in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, party chairman Greg Hands said residents are furious at the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) cash grab. Labour is the favourite to win the seat, but Mr Khans decision to expand Ulez could cause the party problems. The Labour candidate, Danny Beales, has backed the tax and suggested struggling families hit by the 250-a-month green levy should blame the Government. The 12.50 daily emissions toll will be expanded to outer London areas such as Uxbridge and South Ruislip in August. Asked yesterday by ITV if he supported Ulez, Mr Beales said: We all want cleaner air, we all need to take polluting cars off the roads, to get more electric vehicles and we need to do that in the right way. Labour is the favourite to win the seat, but Mr Khans decision to expand Ulez could cause the party problems Uxbridge & South Ruislip has been held continuously by the Conservatives since the constituency was created in 2010. Mr Johnsons majority stood at 7,210 in 2019 I think it is tough at the moment for families facing the potential of an extra bill when this government has mismanaged the economy mortgage rates are up, fuel bills are up, food bills are up, so it is difficult but I think what we need is a strategy from the Government to transition our vehicles. We all want electric vehicles and this government is doing nothing to make it happen. The Conservatives launched their campaign in Uxbridge today warning that the Ulez charge would hurt constituents. Tory chairman Greg Hands said: Ive been in Uxbridge today to kick off our by-election campaign, where residents have been telling me how furious they are with Sadiq Khans cynical Ulez cash grab. But its clear that Labour would rather back Mayor Khan than stick up for Uxbridge residents selecting to be their candidate a Camden councillor who wanted Ulez expanded years ago. Only the Conservatives can be trusted to stand up for Uxbridge. The 12.50 daily emissions toll will be expanded to outer London areas such as Uxbridge and South Ruislip Uxbridge & South Ruislip has been held continuously by the Conservatives since the constituency was created in 2010. Mr Johnsons majority stood at 7,210 in 2019. Labour has always come second in this seat at general elections and polled 38 per cent of the vote in 2019, 15 percentage points behind Mr Johnson. Bookmakers Ladbrokes put Labour at 9/1 on to win Uxbridge, with the Tories at 5/1 to hold onto it. Two other by-elections are expected next month alongside Mr Johnsons former seat, after Nigel Adams and Nadine Dorries announced they too would quit the Commons. Their seats of Selby & Ainsty and Mid-Bedfordshire are also key targets for Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Discovery comes just hours after Disney heiress Abigail Disney said her grandfather would be 'spinning in his grave' at the protesters The 'OBS' is a white supremacist group based in Florida that started earlier this year and the protest was their first The group who protested outside Disney World over the weekend has been identified as the Order of the Black Sun, hate group experts say The group of Neo-Nazis who protested outside Disney World were from a newly-established hate group identified as the Order of the Black Sun. Anti-Defamation League (ADL) researcher Ben Popp told local media that the group - also known as 'OBS' - is a white supremacist network that formed just months ago and that the demonstration outside the children's theme park was its first. Popp said the hate group is 'well known' to the ADL and that it's comprised of individuals who have 'been involved in other white supremacist groups and organizations in the state of Florida for the past couple of years.' Pictures and videos posted to Twitter by a Florida state representative showed about 15 protesters waving the Nazi flag and saying 'Go back to Mexico' on Saturday. The identification of those involved comes after Disney heiress Abigail Disney said her grandfather would be 'spinning in his grave' at the sight outside the famous park. The group of Neo-Nazis who protested outside Disney World were from a newly-established hate group identified as the Order of the Black Sun and the protest was their first The group protested an entry way into the iconic Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida Anti-Defamation League (ADL) researcher Ben Popp told local media that the group - also known as 'OBS' - is a white supremacist network that formed just months ago Popp told the Orlando Sentinel that Florida hate groups often work together to 'make themselves appear bigger than they are to intimidate communities.' The ADL researcher specializes in far-right extremism and white supremacy, according to his LinkedIn page. He said the goal of the organizations is to 'normalize their anti-Semitism' so that communities become numb to their horrific actions. 'You know, they want these sorts of things to be a common occurrence. So that people will sort of get used to this and become desensitized,' Popp said. 'That's really their whole goal,' he continued. In 2022, Popp spoke with FOX 4 and discussed an alarming rise in extremist-related incidents in the Sunshine State, along with a growing white supremacist network. 'We've seen a white supremacist network within the state continue to grow and add new groups and add new members,' Popp told the local news outlet. Part of that growing network is the Order of the Black Sun. The ADL's website states that the name 'Black Sun' is a reference to a Nazi symbol often referred to as the 'sonnenrad' or the 'sunwheel.' The logo, which looks like a wheel with jagged spokes, was used by the Nazis 'in their attempt to invent an idealized 'Aryan/Norse' heritage, the website states. The shocking photos and video show protesters marching with signs featuring Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's face, the n-word, and homophobic slurs. A 'DeSantis 2024 Make America Florida' flag was also planted in the ground nearby. 'You know, they want these sorts of things to be a common occurrence. So that people will sort of get used to this and become desensitized,' Popp said People were seen Saturday waving Nazi flags outside the main entrance to Disney World The Republican governor is seeking to limit Disney World's power in Orlando. In a statement following the protest, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the demonstration, which dissipated after about two hours with no arrests. 'We are aware of these groups that aim to agitate and incite people with anti-Semitic symbols and slurs,' it said in a statement. 'They are also aware of the law. 'The Orange County Sheriff's Office deplores hate speech in any form, but people have the First Amendment right to demonstrate,' it continued. 'And while what these groups do is revolting and condemned in the strongest way by the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Office, they did not on Saturday, to our knowledge, commit a criminal act.' On Sunday, Abigail Disney posted to social media her response to the protestors saying, 'My grandfather is spinning in his grave.' Roy Disney, Abigail's grandfather, founded the eponymously named company with his brother Walt Disney in October 1923. After Walt's death, Roy helped oversee the construction of the Florida theme park. For years, rumors have been circulating that Walt was anti-Semitic because of stereotypes found in early cartoons. But a 2015 documentary dismissed those claims, with several people who knew the man saying they never believed he was anti-Semitic. Abigail Disney, the heir to the Disney empire, said her grandfather is 'spinning in his grave' as video emerged of Nazi flags being waved outside Florida's Disney World On Sunday, Abigail Disney posted to social media her response to the protestors saying, 'My grandfather is spinning in his grave' Roy Disney (left) was Abigail's grandfather and founded the company with brother Walt in 1923 In recent months, Disney has been at war with the Florida Governor since it decided to speak out against the state's 'Don't Say Gay' bill last year. The now-law bans the discussion of homosexuality and other LGBTQ issues in schools among younger children. DeSantis has revoked Disney's special tax status - known as the Reedy Creek oversight district - as a result, and imposed his own board of governors with the power to close down rides at their theme parks. He has also threatened to build a prison or a competing theme park next door. In response, Disney sued DeSantis and Florida's Tourism Oversight Board for stripping its control over Reedy Creek. The company accused the Republican governor of 'weaponizing' his power to inflict political punishment. The decision to speak out spiked Disney's popularity among Democrats but plummeted their popularity with Republicans. Police believe she lost her footing on 'steep terrain' Julia-Mary Lane, 24, had been hiking in bear country An Australian woman has been found dead while hiking in the Canadian wilderness, with evidence suggesting she slipped and fell on steep terrain. Julia-Mary Lane, 24, who moved from Brisbane to Alberta in early January, was hiking on the Bear Lake Trail, 60 km east of the town of Kimberley, which is 200km southwest of Calgary. Royal Canadian Mounted Police corporal James Grandy said it appeared Ms Lane had lost her footing on 'pretty steep terrain' during her hike in a statement to 9News. Ms Lane was reported missing by her Canadian roommate, Janet Hamilton, in the early hours of Tuesday (AEST). The young woman's family had not heard from her since Saturday morning and held grave fears for her safety. Brisbane woman Julia-Mary Lane (pictured) has died after she reportedly lost her footing while hiking on 'steep terrain' in Canadian bear country Her family confirmed on Wednesday morning that she had died in an 'unfortunate hiking accident'. 'We have lost our beautiful baby girl,' Ms Lane's family wrote in a post on Facebook. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) conducted a search for Ms Lane after they were contacted by Ms Hamilton. 'The roommate was concerned for the woman, who was visiting the area from Australia and enjoyed hiking and the outdoors,' Mr Grandy said in a statement. Police discovered Ms Lane's SUV parked at the Bear Lake Trail before they initiated the search for the young woman, using both sniffer dogs and a drone. 'Search and Rescue and PDS (Police Dog Services) were on the way up the mountain when we got notified that these two hikers had located the female,' Cpl Paul Tent pf the RCMP told the Kimberley Bulletin. Police said the cause of death is not considered suspicious. Ms Lane's SUV was found at Bear Lake Trail (pictured) in the eastern Canadian province of British Columbia The young Aussie's family confirmed she had died in an 'unfortunate hiking accident' and said in a post to Facebook: 'We have lost our beautiful baby girl' Ms Lane had travelled out to the trail in British Columbia as part of a week-long road trip, according to Ms Hamilton. Her housemate posted a message posted on a local Facebook group appealing for help finding the young Aussie after she went missing. 'I haven't seen my young Australian housemate, JM, since Saturday afternoon, and I'm wondering if anyone ran across her while hiking?' Ms Hamilton said. 'She came to Kimberley from Canmore just for a week, with plans to hike most days.' One responder said her and her husband may have seen Ms Lane walking on the trail on Saturday afternoon, while others offered to help search for her. Ms Lane (pictured) moved from Brisbane to Alberta, Canada, in early January. She had been house-sitting while waiting to start a finance sector job Upon the confirmation of her death, Ms Hamilton updated her post: 'Thank you everyone in this wonderful community for all your help and support over the past two days in the search for Julia-Mary. 'I feel honoured to to have spent time with her this past week, as she was a joy to be around. A truly beautiful soul.' Ms Lane had been house-sitting while waiting to start a finance sector job in Canada and had been using her spare time to go on hikes. Her family have asked for privacy. MANZINI - Government says the alleged fraudulent activities in the Reconstruction Fund are an unacceptable abuse to the kindness of His Majesty King Mswati III. This was according to Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, when responding to a questionnaire that was sent to him yesterday, following allegations that a syndicate by some Asian businesspeople was allegedly defrauding government and businesses through the Reconstruction Fund claims.He said as government, they preferred not to make a substantial comment for now since the matter was still under investigations by members of the countrys national security agencies of law enforcement.However, Nxumalo said on the surface, it appeared as if serious criminal tendencies and behaviour were displayed by some of the concerned parties. He said should the investigations confirm that the law was broken by some of the beneficiaries of the fund; the might of the law should take its full course, without favour or fear of the individuals involved. This also, at another level, proves to be an unacceptable abuse to the benevolence and good initiatives of His Majesty the King, as the sole visionary of this particular fund, Nxumalo said. In that regard, he said government, therefore, discouraged such unbecoming and unethical business behaviour, if at all it would be proven to be true. The government spokesperson was asked what was the administrations position regarding the reports suggesting that there were some foreign nationals who allegedly defrauded government through the Reconstruction Fund claims, which was launched by His Majesty King Mswati III to assist businesses that were affected during the June/July 2021 civil unrest. Meetings Meanwhile, a source within the Asian community living in the country, said they were still arranging meetings to deliberate on the matter internally, even though it was already being investigated by the police Fraud Department. According to the allegations, the purported syndicate is said to have allegedly forged some documents like invoices and police reports to escalate the claims and fraudulently registered some emaSwati as shareholders in their businesses in order to claim 60 per cent instead of the 40 per cent of the total claim, which they were supposed to get as foreign nationals. In the fund, businesses, which are owned by emaSwati, were given 60 per cent of the total claim, while those that were operated by foreign nationals were paid 40 per cent.In June/July 2021, there were protest actions across the country and they were carried out by people who were calling for political reforms and culminated into violence, vandalism and looting of private and public properties, including businesses, some of which were torched. After that, the King launched the Reconstruction Fund (in September 2021) and government injected a start-up of E500 million. After it was launched, the fund received a contribution from Taiwan worth E330 million, as well as from a number of local businesses, including EswatiniBank, Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC), Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), Montigny Investments, Dalcrue and Standard Bank Eswatini. Riley Keough has officially become the sole trustee of her mother's multimillion-dollar estate after coming to an agreement with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley. Keough, 34, is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of Elvis Presley - and she petitioned the court to approve last months settlement agreement to put her in charge of her late mother's estate. Priscilla, 78, was officially removed as Trustee of her late daughters estate on May 11, according to the documents. Yesterday, it was reported the Daisy Jones & the Six star filed paperwork requesting the court finalize the arrangement regarding the trust of her late mother, some five months after Lisa Marie's January 12 death following multiple cardiac arrests. Riley Keough, 34, has officially become the sole trustee of her mother's estate after coming to an agreement with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley Riley Keough, Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley were pictured in June of 2022 at the Elvis premiere in Memphis The actress's lawyer Justin Gold said in documents seen by People if the court approves the petition, Riley will not charge for her services as a trustee. He wrote: 'The beneficiaries all save money that would have gone to Priscilla who was going to charge a trustee fee.' Gold said: 'In settling the claims pending in Priscilla's Petition, the parties are saving significant legal fees by avoiding litigation, and they are likewise avoiding the spectacle of intra-family litigation that would have been inimical to Lisa's wishes and not in the best interests.' As well as being the sole trustee of Lisa Marie's estate, Riley is also the sub-trusts for her 14-year-old twin sisters Harper and Finley Lockwood. Riley is set to invest the money 'in a manner consistent with the needs of the beneficiaries, and not influenced by the desire of a Trustee,' according to her lawyer. The latest transaction involving the Santa Monica, California, native comes after she and her grandmother Priscilla, 78, came to an accord in May after lawyers for both parties announced at a Los Angeles probate court that a settlement had been reached. Following the testy months-long legal battle, Keough 'doesn't want any drama with her grandmother,' sources close to the actress said. Lawyers for Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough (pictured in 2016 in Hollywood) announced last month at a Los Angeles probate court that the two had 'reached a settlement' 'Riley is relieved to have settled the dispute over her mom's estate,' an insider informed People. The granddaughter of Elvis Presley 'is still grieving her mom,' who died shockingly at the age of 54 in January after going into cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home. When the legal tussle broke out between Keough and Priscilla, Keough 'was hoping they could reach a settlement quickly,' the source added. The source said the tension with Priscilla 'has been very tough for' Keough, who is mother to a baby daughter with husband Ben Smith-Petersen. 'She wants to focus on making memories with her own daughter now,' the insider told the magazine. 'This is her priority.' Priscilla's attorney Ronson Shamoun told DailyMail.com she was happy when the settlement was reached, and that 'the families are happy and unified and together and excited for the future.' Asked if Keough was happy with the settlement, her attorney Justin Gold told DailyMail.com: 'She would not have agreed to the settlement if she was not happy with it.' The bitter family feud between Priscilla and Riley over the multimillion dollar estate of the late Lisa Marie Presley (pictured) ended last month. Lisa Marie was pictured two days before her death at the Golden Globe Awards in LA Only two weeks after Lisa Marie's death in January, her mother Priscilla filed a legal challenge to her daughter's will - which gave control of Lisa Marie's wealthy Promenade Trust to her daughter Keough. Keough, who was reportedly furious when her grandmother went to court to protest the will, did not file an objection to Priscilla's challenge. Keough always supported her mother during her drawn out, often nasty divorce and child custody disputes with her fourth husband, musician Michael Lockwood, 62, father of Lisa Marie's twin, 15-year-old daughters, Finley and Harper. It's been reported that Priscilla and Lisa Marie were 'barely speaking' just before the latter's death after Priscilla sided with Lockwood over custody of the twins. Multiple sources told People the mother and daughter were not on speaking terms, despite appearing at multiple events together, including the premiere for the Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler. 'Riley was always on her mom's side when it came to Michael [Lockwood],' one source told the magazine. 'It bothered her that her grandmother and Michael flew to [Lisa Marie's] funeral together.' A truck driver has been hospitalised after crashing into a two-storey building in Melbourne's southeast. The driver, believed to be a man in his 60s, was rushed to the Alfred Hospital following the crash at Engine Australia on Lonsdale St, Dandenong, at 6.45am on Wednesday. The man was trapped in the cabin of truck for some time and needed to be cut out by emergency services. He is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A heavy haulage team has been called to the scene to remove the truck from the shopfront. A truck crashed into a two-storey Engine Australia Store (above) in southeast Melbourne on Wednesday Tucker Carlson claimed on Tuesday night that Donald Trump was indicted because he dared to challenge the U.S. military industry, and question America's role in international conflicts. He declared that the elite in Washington, D.C., decided to 'take Trump out' because he rejected involvement in foreign wars, and accused the intelligence community of lying about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction. 'It's been inevitable since February 16, 2016,' said Carlson, referencing a Republican primary debate held in Greenville, South Carolina. 'That's the day Donald Trump made a blood enemy of the largest and most powerful organization in human history, which would be the federal Government.' Carlson said Trump was 'doomed' when he condemned the Iraq invasion, and told the South Carolina audience: 'They lied. They knew there were no weapons of mass destruction.' Carlson added: 'Seven and a half years later, we can point to the precise moment that permanent Washington decided to send Donald Trump to prison.' The former Fox News host made the claims in the third episode of his social media news cast, Tucker On Twitter, which has replaced his primetime show. Tucker Carlson on Tuesday aired the third episode of 'Tucker on Twitter', his new show which has replaced his primetime Fox News slot Ep. 3 America's principles are at stake pic.twitter.com/eJNSUVvvqY Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 13, 2023 Carlson said Trump was 'doomed' when he declared in February 2016 that he disagreed with American involvement in conflicts abroad Carlson was fired by Fox in April: the network is now taking legal action to stop him broadcasting on Twitter, insisting that he is not allowed to host a show until his contract ends in 2025. But Carlson's lawyers insist that Fox executives violated his contract, and rendered it invalid, so he is free to air his show. On Tuesday night he claimed that Trump's indictment was due to his foreign policy, and dislike of international involvement. 'Most of permanent Washington decided that thwarting Trump was the single most important mission in their lives,' he said. He began by describing what he saw as the culmination of a plot to bring down Trump. 'The Biden administration arrested Donald Trump this afternoon: they had him arrested and fingerprinted in a Miami courthouse like the accused felon he technically is,' Carlson said. 'These are the first steps in a process that is designed to put Donald Trump behind bars for the rest of his life. 'Cable news carried every moment of it live: 'It's unprecedented', they told us, with what looked like shock.' He said no one ought to be shocked, because his arrest had been a long time coming - sparked by his questioning of America's foreign policy. Donald Trump is seen on Tuesday at the Versailles restaurant in Miami's Little Havana district, shortly after his court appearance The former president is seen with pastor Mario Bramnick, third from right, who prayed for him Trump is seen in court signing his bond, flanked by his defense attorneys He said his fate was sealed not by rhetoric around immigration, or China, or calling Mexicans rapists. 'Identity politics doesn't mean much to permanent Washington,' said Carlson. 'What matters, then and now, is foreign policy. The invasions and occupations and proxy wars. 'The decisions which determine which global populations will thrive, and which will die. 'The policies that come with trillion dollar price tags. 'The ones which, over time, made the counties around DC the richest suburbs in the world.' He said that whenever 'Congress decides to start a war, no matter how foolish or counterproductive or obviously disconnected from America's interests that war may be', the political class respond enthusiastically. 'The leaders of both parties automatically jump behind it like circus clowns,' Carlson said, arguing that they stayed in formation until it was decided it was acceptable to admit the war had been a failure. 'Until then, no dissent is allowed,' he said. 'That's the first rule of Washington. 'But somehow Trump didn't bother to follow it. 'He's from out of town so maybe he didn't know it was a rule: maybe he just didn't care. 'Either way, seven and a half years later we can point to the precise moment that permanent Washington decided to send Donald Trump to prison.' The scene outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Miami on Tuesday Police stepped up security around the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Miami on Tuesday ahead of the hearing Attorney Todd Blanche stands as he enters Trump's 'not guilty' A supporter of Donald Trump comes face-to-face with a protester dressed in prison garb who was seen wielding a 'lock him up' sign outside the courthouse Trump arrived and left in a five-SUV motorcade. He is seen here departing the courthouse, with Secret Service agents flanking his armored Suburban Carlson claimed that the more cannier operatives in Washington who disagreed with Trump - he cited Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Lindsey Graham and Mike Pompeo - got close to him in a bid to bring him down. 'The stealthier ones took another path. They ran towards Trump, not away from him,' said Carlson. 'They did this in order to be able to subvert his administration from inside. 'They were there slobbering over their boss with elaborate self-abasement, as if they were addressing a monarch of a God. It was a scene from the Ottoman court. 'It was filthy and decadent and false.' He then showed Pompeo, on Fox News on Tuesday morning, condemning Trump for withholding classified documents. 'Pompeo toadied up to Trump - a man he despised - in the oiliest, most over the top way imaginable,' said Carlson. 'Ask anybody who worked in the Trump White House at the time. 'Who's the appointee most likely to tell Donald Trump on a daily basis that he was handsome, virile, sleek and powerful? Mike Pompeo: that would be the consensus answer.' Carlson said that the indictment against Trump was frivolous, saying there was an excess of classified documents because the federal government liked to exert its authority. And he said there was a double standard with previous officials, saying that Dick Cheney, vice president under George W. Bush and the architect of the Iraq war, would never have his home raided. 'Dick Cheney supports war with Russia: Donald Trump does not,' said Carlson. From a 'crying with laughter' face to a space rocket, there's an emoji for almost everything. Now doctors have suggested they could be used to help stroke patients or those on ventilators express symptoms. Kendrick Davis, a scientist at the University of California, Riverside, has been designing an emoji-based measurement system for the past two years. Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, he said they could be a useful tool for patients who cannot speak. 'Emoji have universal appeal. Their use can bypass levels of education, language and age. They open a bridge for communication,' he said. Kendrick Davis, a scientist at the University of California, Riverside, has been designing an emoji-based measurement system for the past two years (File image) Doctors have suggested they could be used to help stroke patients or those on ventilators express symptoms (File image) Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Mr Davis said they could be a useful tool for patients who cannot speak (File image) 'They are so readily used in communication and exclude only few populations, such as the visually impaired. 'Medical societies should come together to agree on a comprehensive set of symbols that are universally recognised and understood,' he added. 'By promoting effective communication between patients and care providers... a universal emoji-based language system with a common agreement of meanings can be developed.' The first children's climate trial in US history convened Monday, as 16 individuals from Montana claim the state's continuous use of fossil fuels contributed to the climate crisis. The plaintiffs, who were between the ages of 2 and 18 when they filed the lawsuit in 2020, want Judge Kathy Seeley in Helena to declare Montana officials violated their constitutional right. The lawsuit describes how children are more vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, noting it 'harms their physical and psychological health and safety, interferes with family and cultural foundations and integrity, and causes economic deprivations.' If the youths win the case, the state legislature may have to rescind a recently added provision to the environmental-policy act that prohibits state officials from considering climate change when conducting environmental impact assessments. The first children's climate trial in US history convened Monday. These individuals filed a lawsuit against Montana in 2020 that claims officials contributed to climate change Roger Sullivan, an attorney for the young plaintiffs, painted a picture of the costs and consequences of Montana's energy policies, which he said violate a state constitutional provision that guarantees a right to a 'clean and healthful environment,' during his opening statement at the two-week bench trial in state court. The historic hearing will run for 10 days at the Lewis and Clark County District Courthouse. Sullivan said during the hearing that Montana's ongoing permitting for polluting fuels like coal and gas is contributing to a global crisis that is shrinking the states glaciers and making its rivers run dry, and argued that the young people he represents are suffering psychological, health and economic damages as a result. 'This case is about the equal rights of children and their need now for extraordinary protection from the extraordinary dangers of fossil fuel pollution and the climate crisis that their state is exposing them to,' Sullivan said. Attorney Mark Stermitz, representing the state, said the trial will include 'lots of emotions' and 'lots of assumptions, accusations, speculation and prognostication and, notably, fear' about the future. But he said the reality is 'far more boring' than what the youth have claimed. Montana's greenhouse gas emissions are declining, Stermitz said. Roger Sullivan, an attorney for the young plaintiffs, painted a picture of the costs and consequences of Montana's energy policies, The lawsuit, filed in March 2020, comes from 16 children suing Montana for its continuous use of fossil fuels, which has contributed to the climate crisis. Pictured are photos from when the lawsuit was filed three years ago And the youth are not challenging policies that would, if invalidated, meaningfully change the state's impact on the climate, he continued in the courtroom. Attorneys for the state had repeatedly attempted to have the case tossed before trial, arguing climate change is an issue best addressed through the political process, not in courtrooms. The plaintiffs claim the state's 'systemic authorization, permitting, encouragement and facilitation' of fossil fuels exacerbates the climate crisis, despite what they call an affirmative duty under a 1972 amendment to the Montana Constitution to protect and improve the environment for past and future generations. They had originally sought an injunction ordering the state to develop a remedial plan or policies to reduce emissions. Mica (bottom left), who is now 17 and one of the youth plaintiffs, said in a 2020 statement: I am eager to have our day in court so all of the plaintiffs voices can be heard' Seeley rejected that bid in 2021 since she said it would require the court to make policy decisions better left to other branches of government. The case is among several constitutional climate cases on behalf of youth plaintiffs across the U.S. and is the first of those to head to trial. The 2020 lawsuit included details from each plaintiff, describing how the climate crisis has personally impacted each plaintiff. For example, Rikki Held, who was 18 at the time of the filing, included a story about her family-owned cattle ranch. One of the ranches is the Powder River, that her family relies on to grow crops and hydrate cattle. The latest development in the case is it will be brought to trial on June 12, 2023, which will see all 16 children argue why Montana is to blame for the climate crisis The river dried up in 2007, and then in the spring of 2017, 'abnormally high temperatures linked to the climate crisis caused the frozen river to melt at a rapid rate and flood,' the lawsuit claims. The youngest of the group, Nathaniel, was two at the time of the filing. Nathaniel has respiratory issues that cause frequent illnesses. The document claimed the climate crisis is increasing the length and severity of Montana's wildfire season, threatening the young boy's health. The document continues to explain that due to the increased wildfires, Nathaniel spends much of his time indoors rather than outside enjoying nature. Held, now 22, said Monday: 'I know that climate change is a global issue, but Montana needs to take responsibility for our part. You cant just blow it off and do nothing about it Lead plaintiff Rikki Held testified on Monday during a hearing in the climate change lawsuit. Montana is rich in both fossil fuels and renewable resources, but in 2021, coal-fired power plants produced 43 percent of Montana's electricity, compared with hydropower at 41 percent and wind power at 12 percent, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Held spoke about getting heat alerts on her phone for temperatures up to 110 degrees and about a fire that burned power lines and left her ranch powerless for a month, meaning they couldnt pump water for their cattle. 'It's stressful,' Held said, her eyes welling with tears, when asked her feelings about climate change. 'Thats my life, and my home is there, and it impacts the wellbeing of myself, my family, my community.' In opening arguments, Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said that the state had little control over global emissions. He said the harms alleged by Held and the other plaintiffs could not be traced to specific actions by state officials. 'Montanas emissions are simply too minuscule to make any difference,' Russell said. 'Climate change is a global issue that effectively relegates Montanas role to that of a spectator.' Russell also suggested that the plaintiffs, backed by a well-financed Oregon law firm, had exaggerated the case's importance, which he said was 'far more boring than the plaintiffs would make it out to be.' Social time was found to have the greatest impact on the health of a pooch Scientists sought to understand what a dream lifestyle would look like for dogs Time and time again, dogs are shown to have a beneficial impact on the health of children - lessening their chances of eczema, asthma and even Crohn's disease. But scientists now claim this is just a one-way street as pooches that spend time around more children actually have worse health. In a survey of more than 21,000 pet owners, Arizona State University sought to find out what a dream lifestyle would look like for optimal doggy health. Researchers were shocked by the 'detrimental' impact of children, while also finding that dogs from higher income households were diagnosed with more diseases. 'We found that time with children actually had a detrimental effect on dog health,' said MSc student Layla Brassington, who co-led the study. Dogs that spend time around more children were found to be less healthy overall (file image) READ MORE: Children who have a pup are less likely to develop Crohn's disease, study reveals Researchers from the University of Toronto found that young children who grow up with a family dog have healthier guts and are less likely to develop Crohn's disease a common inflammatory bowel disease (stock image) Advertisement 'The more children or time that owners dedicate to their children, likely leads to less time with their furry children.' PhD student Brianah McCoy added: 'You can think of it as a resource allocation issue, rather than kids being bad for dogs.' As part of the study, pet owners were first asked 33 questions to identify key factors that impact a dog's health, including social time, the owner's age, household income and neighbourhood stability. Scientists then compared this list against the number of reported diseases in each of the 21,410 dogs - accounting for their age and weight too. Socialisation was shown to have the biggest effect of all, with an influence five times greater than financial stability. Although dogs that lived with more children were found to be less healthy, those that lived with numerous other animals were significantly healthier. Experts also found that less stability in a home negatively impacts a pooch's wellbeing. 'This does show that, like many social animalsincluding humans, having more social companions can be really important for the dog's health,' Ms McCoy said. 'Here, we see how dogs can help us to better understand how the environment around us influences health, and the many ways in which dogs mirror the human experience. Just as with people, dogs in lower resource environments are more likely to have health challenges.' Social time was found to have the greatest impact on the health of a pooch (file image) Despite this, researchers were puzzled by some of the results in their study, including the idea that dogs from higher income backgrounds had more diseases. While this could suggest they are less healthy, scientists claim it could also be a result of seeking expensive veterinary care more frequently. Extortionate costs could put off some lower income workers from going to the vet at all, perhaps leading to less diagnoses. Even still, scientists acknowledge there may be some error in their findings as disease reports were solely based on information from owners and not medical records. 'We now want to understand how these external factors are getting under the skin to affect the dog's health how is the environment altering their bodies and cells?' Dr Noah Snyder-Mackler said. 'In future research, we will look at electronic veterinary medical records, molecular and immunological measures, and at-home physical tests to generate more accurate measures of health and frailty in the companion dog.' Ms McCoy added: 'But the take home message is: Having a good network, having a good social connectedness is good for the dogs that are living with us. 'But the structure and equities that are in our society also have a detrimental effect on our companion animals as well. And they are not the ones thinking about their next paycheck or their health care.' Sky and BT customers are among millions that could face huge changes from next year in a major broadband shake-up. The cheapest broadband deals may soon be off the table for homes across the UK as bosses look to swap out less expensive copper cables for ultrafast full fibre. Openreach, the internet installers driving this change, said the new digital network will be complete by December 2026 - speeding up TVs and phone lines ten times over. But this puts cost-effective Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) deals, which depend on copper wires for their cheapness, in an uncertain spot. Over 100 locations across the UK will no longer have access to copper cabling plans from 2024 - so are you affected? Scroll down to find out. Sky and BT customers are among millions that could face huge changes from next year in a major broadband shakeup (stock image) What is ADSL broadband? Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is an older type of broadband that works through copper wires. It is known to be a cost-effective broadband provider with speeds often ranging between 1Mbps (megabits per second) and 24Mbps. Yet, it's rare that ADSL users will consistently achieve high speeds as the service is 'contended'. This means that usage is shared between other homes and businesses nearby. Advertisement 'As an industry we're transforming the UK's digital infrastructure. That's a fundamental upgrade that will take more than a decade,' said Richard Allwood, Openreach's Chief Strategy Officer. 'There are two parts to that upgrade. Firstly, building the new full fibre network. Secondly, upgrading customers from the copper-based platform onto the new full fibre one. 'Now the first gets a lot of attention and headlines. The second gets less attention but is much harder and just as critical.' Openreach claims the ultrafast fibre rollout will have numerous benefits, including the cheaper and faster delivery of healthcare, education and other vital services. It also claims this will save the need for 300million daily commutes, allowing people to work at home with ease, using internet at 1Gbps (gigabit per second). By contrast, the speed of ADSL broadband can often range between 1Mbps (megabits per second) and 24Mbps, according to provider SCG. For context, Netflix recommends a minimum speed of 3Mbps to stream a high definition (720p resolution) programme effectively - so 1Gbps is plenty. Yet, it's rare that ADSL users will consistently achieve high speeds as the service is 'contended'. This means usage is shared between other homes and businesses in the nearby area. 'Once we've rolled out Full Fibre into an area, it doesn't make sense for us to keep lots of different old technologies running it'll be very expensive, replacement parts are no longer being made, and it won't allow us to push forward with our plans to give the UK world class connectivity as quickly as we'd like,' Openreach said. Openreach, the internet installers driving this change, said the new digital network will be complete by December 2026 - speeding up TVs and phone lines ten times over Openreach confirmed that 119 locations will no longer have the option to buy traditional copper-only based services from 2024. However, the firm told MailOnline that broadband users will not have to give up their current services straight away, as the switch to digital will be a staggered approach. This means that potential changes to price will only be felt in new contracts. A spokesman added that full fibre may not always be more expensive than ASDL deals as providers battle to provide the most competitive price. Special exemptions may be made for vulnerable customers too, as well as those who have critical copper-dependent equipment. It said: 'If you have a good reason not to make the move - there may be special exceptions such as if you're a vulnerable customer or have critical equipment that might not work. 'If you think this applies to you, you should check with your service provider to check what's the best option for you.' As of now, Openreach has already halted the sale of copper products in Salisbury and Wiltshire, but 2,900 other locations have also been announced. To find out if you'll be affected, check out the list below. You can also use Openreach's postcode checker for more local updates. Officials have killed the first rabid moose reported in North America after it was spotted 'drooling' and 'being very aggressive towards people' in an Alaskan town. The giant horned animal was initially seen bleeding and covered in patchy fur, and after being put down, it tested positive for an Arctic fox variant of rabies. Alaska wildlife officials believe an infected fox bit the moose and are now widening surveillance efforts to track rabies, testing all brain samples from wild mammals found dead or euthanized in shelters across the regions plagued by Arctic fox rabies within the past year. Before this case, all recorded cases of moose with rabies were limited to Europe. A 'drooling' moose caught 'being very aggressive towards people' in the small, oceanside community of Teller, 70 miles northwest of Nome in Alaska, is the first ever in North America to test positive for rabies. Wildlife experts believe a rabid fox bit the moose 'That moose was being aggressive towards people and charging and getting a little bit too close for comfort to them,' Sara Germain, a Nome-based wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), told local NBC affiliate WMTV. In response to local reports of the moose's erratic behavior, Germain traveled to Teller, a small seaside community 70 miles northwest of Nome, with additional ADF&G personnel as a backup. 'We decided to dispatch the animal,' Germain said, 'take the head and some other samples to try and see what was wrong with it.' Further study of the downed moose, Alaska Wildlife Veterinarian Kimberlee Beckmen told reporters, revealed a partially healed chest wound believed to be a fox bite. Beckmen and her ADF&G colleagues said this bite was likely how the moose contracted the Arctic fox rabies variant, which was later corroborated via samples tested by the Alaska State Virology Laboratory and the CDC. 'We're going to begin testing all mammals that come out of Northwest Alaska and other parts of the endemic region for fox rabies,' Beckmen said. 'So that includes Southwest Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula, and the North Slope. We'll test all mammals now.' Alaskan wildlife officials 'decided to dispatch the animal' following reports on June 2, 2023 that the moose was 'being aggressive towards people and charging' residents of Teller, Alaska Of the 66 local foxes tested for rabies this past year, 28.8 percent tested positive, a record number, Alaska's wildlife officials reported. Rabies rates for local foxes are typically between 3 to 5 percent in a non-outbreak year, and 15 percent in an outbreak year, these experts said Sara Germain, a Nome-based wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, told local news that the head of the moose (pictured) was brought back to the lab for analysis The arctic fox variant of rabies has hit local fox populations in record numbers this year, according to the ADF&G, circulating among red foxes on Alaska's Seward Peninsula and among Arctic foxes on its North Slope all winter. Of the 66 local foxes tested for rabies this past year, 28.8 percent tested positive, Alaska's wildlife officials reported a record number. 'The normal underlying is three to five percent in a non-outbreak year,' Beckmen said, 'and 15 percent in an outbreak year for normal foxes.' Alaskan state veterinarian Dr. Bob Gerlach said that moose are very solitary this time of year which means that the likelihood of this rabies strain spreading to infect more moose is, fortunately, fairly low. After correcting their initial statement, Alaskan wildlife officials confirmed that the now-dead, rabid moose was the first known case of a moose with rabies in North America. Beckmen said that moose had previously been tested for rabies in 'close call' cases in South Dakota, Minnesota and Canada but the results were negative in each of those cases. Alaska's Department of Fish and Game advised the public that the best way to protect themselves, their domesticate animals and their livestock from rabies is to ensure their pets are vaccinated. According to ADF&G, pets are the most likely to come into contact with rabid wildlife. 'Likewise,' ADF&G commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang said in a statement, 'preventing pets from interacting with foxes or other wildlife, and not leaving garbage or other attractants accessible to foxes and other wildlife, remain important.' Amazon Web Services (AWS) are back online following a four-hour outage that impacted hundreds of websites that use the company's cloud hosting service, including Delta Airlines, TikTok and IMDB. DownDetector monitors online outages and showed hundreds of thousands of issue reports from users worldwide who were unable to access AWS or websites that use that platform. AWS provides cloud computing services to individuals, universities, governments and companies worldwide, such as servers, storage, networking, remote computing, email, mobile development and security. The problems, which hit at 2:49 pm ET, stemmed from a subsystem responsible for capacity management for AWS Lambda at a data center in Virginia. AWS Lambda lets customers run code for different types of applications. The platform's Health Dashboard states, ' as of 6:37 pm, the backlog was fully processed... and all AWS Services are operating normally.' Amazon Web Services was hit with a worldwide outage that impacted hundreds of websites that use the company's cloud-hosting service The incident at Amazon Web Services disrupted everything from airline reservations and auto dealerships to payment apps and video streaming services to Amazon's own massive e-commerce operation. That included The Associated Press, whose publishing system was inoperable for much of the day - the outlets said the blackout happened as Donald Trump was in court today. Along with commerce sites, video games like Fornite, PUBG Battlegrounds and Dead by Daylight were also offline. AWS' service health dashboard showed 'degradation' among four services: AWS CloudFormation, AWS Lambda, Amazon API Gateway and Amazon Connect. When AWS goes down, so do other websites that use its services, which is an embarrassing blow to the Amazon-owned platform - these companies, universities, individuals and governments pay to use the services. AWS did not acknowledge the outage on its social media platforms but provided this message on the health dashboard: 'We continue to experience increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS Services in the US-EAST-1 Region. Amazon Web Services began experiencing problems around 2:56 pm ET, taking out other websites like IMDB, McDonald's and OkCupid Amazon Web Services began experiencing problems around 2:56 pm ET, taking out other websites like IMDB, McDonald's and OkCupid 'We have identified the root cause as an issue with AWS Lambda and are actively working toward resolution.' However, AWS Support responded to a frustrated user on Twitter who tweeted that AWS console was down. 'Sorry for the trouble & any concerns this has caused, Gabriel. I can confirm we're currently investigating the increased error rates and latencies. Feel free to refer to the AWS Health Dashboard to view further,' the reply tweet reads. Companies that use AWS took to Twitter to share their site was down Hundreds of tweets from companies are appearing on Twitter - all citing AWS for their services being down A similar out hit AWS in 2021 - but this incident lasted for eight hours and disrupted Amazon's shipping operations just weeks before Christmas. The December outage shut down communications between the e-commerce giant and the fleet of thousands of drivers it relies on, preventing drivers from getting route assignments or packages. Issues hit the app Amazon uses to communicate with the network of independent contractors who carry out much of its last-mile shipping, leaving vans that were supposed to be on the road idle, sources told Bloomberg. Amazon Web Services was formerly run by Andy Jassy, who succeeded founder Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO in July. The cloud-service operation is a huge profit center for Amazon. It holds roughly a third of the $152 billion market for cloud services, according to a report by Synergy Research - a larger share than its closest rivals, Microsoft and Google, combined. Advertisement Eva Longoria had a Marilyn Monroe moment when in New York City on Tuesday. The actress, who has directed the new film Flamin' Hot, was seen walking down the street when her cream-colored satin dress flew up after a gust of wind hit her. It was reminiscent of when Hollywood Golden Age goddess Monroe saw her white halter dress fly up in 1954 when she stood over a subway grate, thus exposing her undies. At the time, it was a bit of a scandal to see a woman's undies, though today it has become commonplace. Though Eva's dress did not fly up enough to reveal her underthings, her gown did move around quite a bit making the pleats dance. The 48-year-old Texas-born star has been in New York City this month to plug her new film Flamin' Hot, about a janitor at Frito Lay who pushed the brand to make spicy chips. So MM of her! Eva Longoria had a Marilyn Monroe moment when in New York City on Tuesday Similar but not the same: The actress was seen walking down the street when her white dress flew up after a gust of wind hit her. It is reminiscent of when Hollywood Golden Age goddess Monroe saw her white halter dress fly up in 1954 when she stood over a subway grate, thus exposing her undies Eva looked sensational in the long gown that was a light beige champagne color and seemed to be made of shiny satin material. It was an iconic design. While it was plunging in front with long pirate sleeves that had a tailored finish, the dress came in at her waistline to show off her slender frame with a wraparound twist. The skirt portion was on an A line and had small, loose pleats that made the skirt flow nicely. The star added bronze platform heels that showed off her blood red pedicure. And her glam was just right: her chocolate brown hair was worn down and straight as she had on nude toned makeup and showcased her age-defying and radiant complexion after recently revealing the LYMA Laser was her 'go-to' beauty device. With elegant drop earrings finished off her red carpet ready look. When Marilyn flashed her bottoms, she was in a white halter dress that also had pleats. And while her sling-back shoes were not platforms, they showed off her toes nicely. She was making an appearance to promote her comedy Seven Year Itch which came out in 1955. Class act: Eva looked sensational in the long gown that was a light beige champagne color and seemed to be made of satin. It was an iconic design Playing chest: While it was plunging in front with long pirate sleeves, the dress came in at her waistline with a wraparound twist Never forgotten: When Marilyn flashed her bottoms, she was in a white halter dress that also had pleats. And while her sling-back shoes were not platforms, they showed off her toes nicely Monroe died in 1962 at the age of 36 from an alleged barbiturate overdose inside her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, though it has been claimed many times she was snuffed out under some very suspicious circumstances. Stunner Eva recently revealed: 'I'm using the Lyma Laser lately. Oh my God, I noticed such a difference'. The LYMA Laser, the most powerful at home Laser device on the market helps and sun-related pigmentation, and as an at home product. Beloved by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne, a concentrated beam of light passes through the top layers of the sun damaged skin helping improve the appearance of dark spots, accelerated fine lines and wrinkles. This appearance comes after Longoria chatted up her new film Flamin' Hot. The actress told InStyle there is a lack of representation in Hollywood. 'I have to be the one to tell the story,' she recalled thinking about her film. 'I felt ownership about it. I felt like I was Richard Montanez. I've been told no a million times for many reasons. I've been told, "No, ideas don't come from people like you," and, "No, you're a woman, maybe you shouldn't direct."' Slick for TV: And her glam was just right: her chocolate brown hair was worn down and straight as she had on nude toned makeup with elegant drop earrings She knew she had to do justice in telling the story properly. 'Authenticity was absolutely my North Star,' she explained. 'We got to get this right. We don't see the Mexican-American community all the time on the big screen, so if we do, let's get it right.' And she wants to help advance representation in Hollywood. 'You can't be what you can't see, and Hollywood gets to define what heroes look like. I thought, "Oh my god, this is an opportunity to define a new hero." And that hero happens to look like me,' Longoria said. On working twice as hard as her peers to prove her abilities: 'I don't have a problem out hustling anybody in the room. I will work twice as hard. I'll work twice as good. I'll work twice as fast. I don't have a problem with that,' she said. 'I will prove to you that our stories are worth telling, and I will prove to you that we're amazing storytellers. That is a challenge I'll take on any day.' She also debunks a misconception about Hollywood and gender equality: 'We're like any other industry there's no gender parity, not even close,' she claimed. At a screening: Longoria, left, and America Ferrera attend a special screening of the Searchlight Pictures movie Flamin' Hot at Quad Cinema in New York on Monday A rare casual look for this glamazon: Here she had on a black top, blue jeans and black blazer with heels 'Not only are we not close, we're going in the wrong direction. I think the illusion is that Hollywood is very progressive.' When she sat down with Hoda Kotb as a part of NBC's 2023 Inspiration List she opened up about her mission to help other Latinas. The actress wants them to 'reach their full potential.' 'That's a big idea,' Longoria told Kotb. 'Just telling people you believe in their potential is huge.' And she added it's all about the language. 'Language is really an entryway into understanding a culture in its entirety. So I just had this sudden urge to like: I need to speak Spanish. I need to speak Spanish. And I was 40 when I started,' she said. Inspiring America: The 2023 Inspiration List aired Saturday, June 10. GLOBALink | Scholars hail China's poverty alleviation efforts at seminar in Tanzania Pub Date:23-06-13 08:57 Source:Xinhua Scholars attending a seminar on experiences of poverty alleviation in China have spoken highly of the country's development achievements, believing that China has provided precious experience for other developing countries. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor: Related News China's top legislator holds talks with ch... China sees prosperous development of inter... Nature, natural produce lend Jiulong Peak ... Air quality improvements keep nation on tr... MBABANE - Self-proclaimed commander of the solidarity forces Thabo Kunene and his co-accused Sibusiso Nkomonye, are reportedly in dire need of medical attention after they were allegedly interrogated by the police. This was disclosed by their attorney, Professor Dlamini, during their second remand hearing at the High Court yesterday. Professor informed the court that the accused persons were experiencing excruciating pain all over their bodies due to the alleged interrogation they were subjected to by the police . Thabo, according to his lawyers, was experiencing severe pain in his back and he suspects that some of his ribs were fractured during the alleged interrogation. According to the lawyer, so serious is the situation that Thabo sometimes experiences hematuria, a medical name for the presence of blood cells in urine.Coming to Nkomonye, he stated that he sometimes bleeds from his nose and he was complaining of severe pain all over his body. Situation They seriously need to go to hospital as the situation might get out of hand and they constantly require painkillers to subdue the pain in their bodies, the lawyer said.. The duos health issues was brought to the attention of Judge Mazwi Mavuso by their legal team, which also consists of Leo Dlamini. It was immediately after Principal Crown Counsel Macebo Nxumalo had addressed the court that Professor stood up to apply that the accused persons should be allowed to go to hospital, as they were experiencing pain all over their bodies after they were allegedly interrogated by the police during investigations. He said his clients were also refused visitation rights.According to Professor, even their relatives were not allowed to see them at the Correctional Services facility, where they were currently detained. Addressing It was while Professor was on the floor addressing the court that Principal Crown Counsel Nxumalo, shot up from his seat to interject.My Lord, I object because my learned friend is adducing evidence from the bar, which is not accepted, argued Nxumalo. It was after Nxumalos submissions that Judge Mavuso informed Professor that he should he file a proper application, instead of taking the prosecution by surprise.You should have brought a formal application earlier. You can even bring the application after the accused persons have been committed to the High Court, said Judge Mavuso. Professor then informed the court that he would move a full-blown application to have the accused persons taken to hospital to receive medical attention. He also disclosed that in the same application, he would seek an order directing the authorities at His Majestys Correctional Services to allow relatives of his clients to have access to them. Meanwhile, it was also recently reported that when the duo was arrested at the Inyangas home in the Republic of South Africa, they were assaulted with an assortment of weapons. This allegation was also confirmed by Kunenes other attorney, Leo, yesterday who stated that the accused disclosed this when he had gone to check on him at the Correctional Services facility where he is currently detained. He disclosed that he was also assaulted in the Republic of South Africa when they were at the inyangas homestead. There is a need for them to see a doctor as that is within their rights, said Leo. According to Leo, they would do all within their powers to ensure that the duo was eventually taken to hospital. Cheska Hull says she's finally found her 'happily ever after' in new fiancee Damian Crook after the pair met on the school run. The former Made In Chelsea star, 38, who left the E4 series eight years ago and now resides in Devon, told MailOnline she feared her 'Prince Charming' would never come after she was depicted by TV producers as unlucky in love Bridget Jones. But after quitting the show for good in 2014 and becoming a mum, Cheska says she regained her independence, which eventually led her to carpenter Damian, 44, whose children attended the same school as her five-year-old son, Charlie. She describes their 11-month romance as a 'whirlwind' after the now engaged couple first set eyes on each other in the playground, later connecting on dating app Tinder, and now share a home together with their families, including Damian's three children. Cheska said: 'I did not expect him to propose at all, but I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world. Cheska Hull says she's finally found her 'happily ever after' in new fiancee Damian Crook after the pair met on the school run The ex Made In Chelsea star, who left the series eight years ago, told MailOnline she feared her 'Prince Charming' would never come after she was depicted by TV producers as Bridget Jones But after quitting the show in 2014 and becoming a mum to son Charlie, Cheska says she regained her independence, which eventually led her to carpenter Damian Father-of-three Damian popped the question on June 2, which is Cheska's birthday, and the couple are now busy planning their Devon wedding 'This time last year I was having my nails done with my best friend on my birthday and we do that every year. 'We were doing our nails and Damian drove past in his car and I said "oh my God, that's the guy I really fancy" because I met him in the playground at my son's old school. And a year later we're engaged, which is amazing.' Cheska found fame as part of the original Made In Chelsea cast in 2011 alongside close friends Ollie Locke, Binky Felstead, and Gabriella Ellis. But after three seasons she took a step back from the show in pursuit of a quieter life in her hometown Salcombe, admitting that she struggled with fame and not being able to control the way she was portrayed on the reality series. She said: 'I remember saying to my best friend Gemma that Made In Chelsea used to portray me as a Bridget Jones character, which wasn't what I wanted but I was always dealt that card. 'They would say, "try and see if that guy will go out with you", and I put myself out there and it was almost like master planned that he would turn around and say "no." I always felt really embarrassed by that. It almost got to the point where I felt, am I this Bridget Jones type character and will I never find my Prince Charming.' But her world change on an average day last year when she was collecting her son, who she shares with ex-partner Tom Huggett, from school and she first saw Damian, describing the handyman as 'ruggedly handsome' and the most 'romantic person she's ever met.' She said: 'I remember the first time I looked over and saw him in the queue to pick up the kids. Cheska found fame as part of the original Made In Chelsea cast in 2011 alongside close friends Ollie Locke, Binky Felstead, and Gabriella Ellis After three seasons she took a step back from the show in pursuit of a quieter life in her hometown Salcombe, admitting that she struggled with fame Also, a father to three children, Cheska admits it was clear from the offset that she was meant to be with Damian and their engagement after 11 months of dating didn't feel rushed 'I hadn't ever seen him before, but I instantly thought he's super-hot and my type. I thought to myself, I have quite bad luck with men and why did I not go for a man like that? 'Looking at him I could just tell he's a big character, larger than life, laughing, and he had longish hair, but I quite like that look. He reminded me of Thor, he's rugged and big and strong.' After feeling as though her love life had dwindled, Cheska logged back into Tinder, where she discovered that her dream man had 'super liked' her, so they went on an official date, where they established their deep connection. Also, a father to three children, Kitty, 15, Evie, 13, and Arthur, 5, Cheska admits it was clear from the offset that they were meant to be together and neither one of them felt their engagement after less than a year of dating was rushed. She explained: 'We moved in together 10 months down the line and now we're engaged. It is our one-year anniversary on July 10. It has been a real fairytale for me. We are older and because we have children, when you know, you know. 'I have gone from being a single mum, just myself and Charlie living alone in a cottage to meeting Damian, who has three children and integrating this family together and the engagement has made us feel like a proper team. 'We are a proper unit, and it is just wonderful. His children are incredible and we're all living together now, and the engagement has made it stronger for the kids as well. They are over the moon, the two teenage girls are going to be bridesmaids and that was said on day one and they're super excited.' The couple are now planning their Devon wedding, but Cheska says she will be celebrating her hen party, organised by former co-star Ollie, in London, tributing the night out to her former Chelsea days. She continued: 'It is really hard because part of me would like something small and charming and bespoke for our wedding day but there's a part of me that's always had this fantasy about getting married and having a big do. Cheska, pictured on Made In Chelsea in 2014 alongside close friend Fran Newman-Young, has no regrets over leaving the show, saying fame had a negative impact on her mental health Many of Cheska's former Chelsea co-stars used the reality series as a springboard for further TV opportunities but the mother-of-one said she prefers living the quiet life in Devon (pictured in 2013) Cheska celebrated her engagement to Damian with her close friends, excitedly showing off the diamond ring in photos taken with her girlfriends 'I have all my London lot like Ollie and Gareth, Fran, Binky, Gaby Roslin and all my London mates. 'We may get married on a beach in Salcombe, which is where I grew up. It will be a Devon wedding but my hen do will be in Chelsea because of that whole life I had, and Ollie has said he will already organise my hen do.' With many of her former Chelsea co-stars going onto feature in the series for over a decade, using the show as a springboard for further TV opportunities, does Cheska regret giving it all up after just three seasons? The PR guru, who works for Devon-based agency Raw Food and Drink, says there's no chance she would return to London long-term and is 'proud' she put her mental health and wellbeing, which she admits suffered after being on TV, ahead of fame. She said: 'Looking back on it, I am really proud of myself for sticking to my guns and not sleeping around with people and getting involved in some of the drama that I could have done. 'I moved my whole life to Devon I couldn't stay in London; the show was so consuming. I used to feel such anxiety about what was filmed and then you have the backlash once it airs. 'And it's more than doing that one scene, it goes on and on and on because you can't get away from it. I felt very alone. I could talk to producers but there was no one I could talk to that understood what I was going through. 'It is your feelings and emotions. I really suffer badly from anxiety now, I've got help from it in the past, but I know it all stems from the show I never had anxiety at all. 'I was very depressed after the show, but I can manage it now because I know fitness and health and being outdoors with my dogs really helps. 'But something happens and my heart races and that feeling instantly transports me back to sitting back in a movie theatre and waiting for the music to come on and watching the episode before the world watched it two hours later and that feeling of oh my God, how have I been portrayed?' She's now looking to explore the complexities of rising to fame and giving up life in the fast lane in her new podcast Girls Gone West, which will also feature interviews with her former co-stars and possibly new Chelsea cast members, starring on the current series. Cheska added: 'It is about having the courage to realise that you're in a really bad place and starting again it is a really hard thing to do. I felt like if I left the show and London, who is ever going to employ me? How am I going to get a job? I feared going to the shop and people looking at me and laughing. 'But having left Chelsea and since becoming a mum to my son, I have a whole new sense of independence.' Amber Heard is headed back to the big screen. The 37-year-old actress, who has stepped away from the limelight since losing the 2022 defamation case brought by her ex-husband Johnny Depp, 60, will appear in the upcoming thriller In The Fire, which is set to premiere at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy. It will be the first time she has promoted a film since her court battle, reported Deadline. The plot is set in Colombia in 1899. The synopsis on the festival's website, reveals that Amber will play a widowed American psychiatrist who 'arrives in a rich farm in Colombia after being called to solve the case of a disturbed child.' Return: Amber Heard,37, is headed back to the big screen. will appear in the upcoming thriller In The Fire, which is set to premiere at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy. The boy's mother is concerned about accusations by a local priest that her child is possessed by the devil. 'When the doctor arrives, she discovers that the boys mother is dead and that the father himself has begun to believe in the possible possession of the child.' While the doctor uses the still new practice to try to cure the child, it becomes a race against time to save the boy, and perhaps her own life. Amber will travel to Sicily with her co-star Eduardo Noriego, 49, and director Conor Allyn to promote the film. The festival will take place June 23-July 1, 2023. Amber will also appear in the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. She is expected to reprise her role as Mera, for the superhero film due out in December. Amber has been living in Spain, where she moved after the volatile court case. Thriller: Amber will star as an American psychiatrist called to Colombia in 1899 to treat a young boy whom a local priest has accused of being the devil Promotion: Amber has been living in Spain with her daughter, two. Her appearance at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, Italy will be the first time she has promoted a film since her court battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp, 60 Mera: Amber will reprise her role as Mera in the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, due in theaters in December She lives there with her daughter, Oonagh Paige, two. The little one was born via surrogate in April 2021. The doting mother has been spotted playing with the girl in a park in Madrid. When recently asked 'How is your new life here in Madrid?' by a TikTok user who goes by @casaenplaya. Amber answered in Spanish, 'I love Spain so much.' Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible as she went braless in a khaki figure hugging midi dress as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday. The model, 36, showed off her sensational figure in the sleeveless ribbed number as she walked along the street. She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering grey pointed toe heels from Gia Borghini and added a stylish pearl anklet. The actress tucked a large beige woven bag under her arm and accessorised with a gold bracelet and several matching earrings. Rosie applied a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty including blushed cheeks and a bold swipe of red lipstick. Gorgeous: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible as she went braless in a khaki figure hugging midi dress as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday Incredible: The model, 36, showed off her sensational figure in the sleeveless ribbed number as she walked along the street She styled her long blonde tresses poker straight as they cascaded down past her shoulder from a centre parting. The outing comes after Rosie unveiled her new collaboration with iconic swimwear brand Hunza G last week. The stunning model proudly revealed the news with a series of Instagram snaps, showing the beauty modelling the collection. The collaboration between her beauty line Rose Inc and Hunza G includes chic bikinis and swimsuits in a pink and white colour palette. One of the mirror selfies shows Rosie posing in a white two-piece which highlights her toned and tanned figure. Other photos show her modelling scoop-neck swimsuits in pretty blush and pink shades. 'Couldn't be happier to have created a limited edition collection in collaboration with @roseinc and @hunza.g. Swipe to check out some of my favourite styles and colour ways inspired by our iconic Rose Inc Solar Collection,' Rosie captioned her post. Of her love of Hunza G, Rosie told Vogue: 'I came across the brand back in 2018. And I was instantly impressed by this beautifully stretched crinkle fabric.' Sensational: She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering grey pointed toe heels and added a stylish pearl anklet Flawless: The actress tucked a large beige woven bag under her arm and accessorised with a gold bracelet and several matching earrings 'I think another thing the team does so well is staying true to a small number of styles and cuts, but introducing really iconic colours every season.' 'I'm predominantly known over the last couple of years for my love of neutrals,' says Huntington-Whiteley. 'But when it comes to swimwear like a pop of colour. I feel that's where I can be a bit more adventurous and playful.' Rosie recently spoke of her longing to return to her home county of Devon after living in celebrity enclave Malibu, California for years. She and Jason Statham - who share five-year-old son Jack and daughter Isabella, one, together - sold their Malibu mansion for $18.5 million to move to the Chelsea district of London. Rosie was born in the Devon city of Plymouth before moving to market town Tavistock, also located in the South West English county, and she admits that part of the world is still her favourite. In an interview with Great British LIFE, she said: 'I'm a country girl at heart... 'I spend a lot of my time living in LA which is lovely. I spend a lot of time in other major cities too.' She added: 'There might be the glamour and fun to enjoy in a city but the real beauty is in the countryside and especially in my home county where the people are so nice and ready to volunteer smile for no particular reason. Model behaviour: The appearance comes as Rosie has unveiled her new collaboration with iconic swimwear brand Hunza G in a series of sizzling Instagram snaps Amazing: The collaboration between her beauty line Rose Inc and Hunza G includes chic bikinis and swimsuits in a pink and white colour palette 'The country air smells so fresh and I still love to see the sheep, the pigs, the ducks, chickens and, of course, the horses. 'Whenever I am here and I really don't like to be away for very long, I just find it all so relaxing and lovely. It is home to me.' Despite being engaged since 2016, Rosie and Jason are in no hurry to rush their wedding preparations. Welcoming their son, Jack, a year after her beau got down on one knee, Rosie told ET in 2018 that the wedding wasn't a 'huge priority.' She said: 'We're looking forward to that time. It's also not a huge priority for us; we're so happy. I think it will be fun to do it when the baby's grown up a bit and he can be involved in the wedding.' Rumer Willis showcased her toned postpartum body in a new photo shared onto her Instagram stories on Monday nearly two months after welcoming her daughter, Louetta. The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actress, 34, who recently stepped out with her baby girl and new grandmother Demi Moore, struck a pose to snap a quick selfie in a mirror while trying comfy clothes on. The eldest daughter of Demi and Bruce Willis donned a pair of white sweatpants that were secured with a drawstring tie around the waist. She additionally wore a cropped bra top that showed off her midriff and layered the look with a white sweater. The ensemble was from the Malibu-based brand called Bleusalt, which specializes in 'luxurious elevated basics.' Her wavy locks were parted to the side, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders inside of what appeared to be a small shop. Postpartum 'bod': Rumer Willis, 34, showcased her toned postpartum body in a new photo shared onto her Instagram stories only two months after welcoming her daughter, Louetta The star paired the all-white ensemble with warm, gray and blue socks for ultimate comfort during her day of shopping. In a caption added towards the bottom of the mirror selfie, Rumer penned to her 1 million fans and followers, 'Mom bod feeling so cozy in my @bleusalt.' The actress announced that she had welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Louetta, on April 18, whom she shares with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas. Willis and the music artist went Instagram official with their budding relationship late last year in November, and revealed they were expecting their first baby together the following month in December. In late April, she announced that their little girl had been welcomed to the world and shared an adorable photo of the newborn. 'Louetta Isley Thomas Willis,' Rumer had typed at the time, revealing the name. 'You are pure magic. Born at home on Tuesday April 18th. You are more than we ever dreamed of.' The House Bunny actress recently opened up about the birth of her daughter during an appearance on the Informed Pregnancy podcast earlier this month and revealed that she broke her own water during labor. The star explained that she had, 'dilated from 2 to 8 inches in about an hour,' but her water was still not broken, per People. With instructions from her doula, Rumer stated that she 'popped it.' Entering motherhood: In late April, she announced that their little girl had been welcomed to the world on April 18 and shared an adorable photo of the newborn Lovebirds: Willis and the music artist went Instagram official with their budding relationship late last year in November, and revealed they were expecting their first baby together the following month 'I think there's a photo of me and I just have this look of shock and surprise on my face,' she admitted during the podcast episode. Rumer revealed that only after a few pushes, her daughter had been born. 'My midwife and my partner caught her. It was the wildest thing. She had a cord wrapped around her neck, but it was also wrapped around her body in like almost like a prom sash,' she recalled. However, she was soon able to hold her baby. 'But then, as soon as they untangled her, she was in my arms,' and expressed that the whole experience was, 'the most ecstatic, joyful moment of my entire life.' 'I just started sobbing with joy. I have some of the most beautiful photographs of it of just me looking at her, and looking at my sisters, and looking at my mom and my mom holding me.' Rumer then remembered her sister told her that at one point, 'I said, "I missed you so much." I thought that was so sweet because it truly was like this moment of, "Oh, yes! We're back together."' 'It's like, "Oh, yes. This person who I've known and I've been waiting for forever, here you are."' Along with her doula and mother, Demi, being present for the big moment, her younger sisters Tallulah, 29, and Scout, 31, as well as boyfriend, Derek, had also been there for support. Opening up: The House Bunny actress recently opened up about the birth of her daughter during an appearance on the Informed Pregnancy podcast earlier this month Recent celebration: Late last month in May, the actress shared a sweet tribute to the musician in celebration of his 29th birthday on Instagram Late last month in May, the actress shared a sweet tribute to the musician in celebration of his 29th birthday on Instagram along with a carousel of snaps. 'Happy Birthday my sweet love @derekrichardthomas. Last year we were still discovering each other and now this year we get to celebrate with this beautiful girl we made,' she wrote. Rumer gushed how 'grateful' she was to have Thomas in her life and added 'You truly have such a gift and I cant wait to see you shine this year even brighter than you already do.' Willis lovingly concluded with, 'You are such a great dad and our girl is so lucky to call you papa. I know this is just the beginning of the expansion of you and your dreams. What a privilege it is to walk beside you on this journey as your best friend and love.' Australian swimmer Geoff Huegill and his partner Roxan 'Roxy' Toll have welcomed their second child, a baby boy. The notoriously private Olympian, 44, surprised his fans on Monday after he uploaded a photo of himself cradling his newborn son while working on his laptop at a cafe. Huegill, who is based in Singapore, smiled wearily as the tiny infant slept in a linen swaddle on his chest. 'Back to sleepless nights with this new little man and into the Daddy Daycare jugglethe coffee helps,' he jokingly captioned the image, referring to a large cup of coffee sitting nearby. His fans were shocked by the news, as Hugeill had never publicly announced Roxy was pregnant. Notoriously private Olympic swimmer Geoff Heugill, 44, (pictured) announced that he and his partner Roxan Toll had welcomed their second son on Monday by sharing this photo of himself cradling the newborn at a cafe His fans were understandably shocked by the news, as Hugeill had never publicly announced Roxy was pregnant. Huegill was spotted with his partner Roxy and their one-year-old son Rafe at Bondi Beach in January this year Several fellow athletes commented on the post to extend their well-wishes, including the likes of Australian swimming champions Libby Tricket and Leisel Jones. Lindy Rama, the ex-wife of Olympic swimmer Michael Klim meanwhile commented: 'Congratulations!!!! How wonderful.' Huegill began dating Roxy, who works as a lawyer, in 2019 and the couple welcomed their son Rafe in 2021. Huegill began dating Roxy, who works as a lawyer, in 2019 and the couple welcomed their son Rafe (left) in 2021 He was previously married to public relations worker Sara Hills, with whom he shares two daughters: Mila, 10, and Gigi, eight. Last year Huegill discussed how his marriage fell apart after he and Hills were charged with cocaine possession in 2014. In a searing episode of SAS Australia, which aired in August, he broke down as he revealed the awful impact that fateful night had on his family. 'We got pulled aside by the police and I was searched. And basically in the blink of an eye, our life turned upside down,' he said during an interrogation with the show's Directing Staff. Huegill and Hills married in 2011 but split in 2018. He was previously married to public relations worker Sara Hills (pictured together in 2013), with whom he shares two daughters: Mila, 10, and Gigi, eight Following their divorce, Sara, 38, reverted to her maiden name Hills and relocated to Tasmania. 'I definitely have regrets. My biggest one would be not being in my kids lives on a daily basis, because of our marriage separation,' he went on. Huegill was at Royal Randwick racecourse on April 26, 2014 with his wife when they were caught on CCTV cameras entering a disabled toilet together. The Huegills were guests at the running of the Australian Turf Club's $400,000 race, the Champagne Stakes, which is sponsored by Moet & Chandon. Police noticed the couple stayed in the toilets for some time. When the Huegills re-emerged and returned to the Moet & Chandon private box, police interviewed and around 5.45pm allegedly took possession of a small bag of cocaine. Wes Anderson says he will continue to support Bill Murray amid a spate of misconduct allegations against the veteran actor. The 54-year-old filmmaker, chatting with IndieWire prior to the opening of his new movie Asteroid City, opened up about his close relationship with the 72-year-old actor. 'My experience with Bill is so extensive,' the Oscar-nominated director said. 'Bill was such a great supporter of me from the very beginning. I don't want to speak about somebody else's experience, but he's really part of my family.' The Houston native said of Murray: 'You know, he's my daughter's godfather. In fact, he actually baptized her. He's the one who splashed the water.' Anderson has collaborated with Murray on nine films, including 1998's Rushmore, 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums, 2004's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, 2007's The Darjeeling Limited, 2009's Fantastic Mr. Fox and 2014's The Grand Budapest Hotel, among others. The latest: Wes Anderson, 54, says he will continue to support Bill Murray, 72, amid a spate of misconduct allegations against the veteran actor The actor had been slated to play the motel manager in Asteroid City, but Anderson said that he dropped out of the film due to illness, unrelated to the misconduct allegations. 'There was some confusion about what happened with Bill,' Anderson told the outlet. 'He was supposed to play the motel manager who Steve Carell plays, and Bill got COVID four days before he was supposed to start shooting.' Anderson said Murray 'was in Ireland and in the case of our movie, we had schedules of so many people that are all puzzled around' and 'the people who Bill was supposed to play scenes with were going to be gone by the time he cleared the COVID protocols and stuff.' Anderson noted that with Murray was 'quite sick' due to the virus, Carell 'came in quite suddenly' and did a good job with the role. 'He was great, I loved having him,' Anderson said. 'I met him, he arrived, and we were immediately shooting.' Anderson said that when Murray was feeling better, he joined him in Spain, where production on Asteroid City had wrapped up. 'We finished the movie, and Bill and I got in a car and drove to France,' he said. 'It was a great way to finish but it was the first time I hadn't had him in a movie in a long time.' The Oscar-nominated director said Murray 'was such a great supporter of me from the very beginning. I don't want to speak about somebody else's experience, but he's really part of my family' The Houston native said of Murray, 'You know, he's my daughter's godfather. In fact, he actually baptized her. He's the one who splashed the water' According to a report from Puck last October, sources said Murray paid a female staffer on the film Being Mortal $100,000 for a nondisclosure agreement after she said he kissed and straddled her on the set of the film without her consent. Murray in April of 2022 broke his silence about his 'inappropriate behavior' on the set of his latest movie Being Mortal that led to it being shut down by Searchlight Pictures. Murray told CNBC on April 30, 2022 that he had a 'difference of opinion' with a woman he was working with on the film, but did not name the woman or give any details about what happened. The film, which was written and being directed by comedian Aziz Anzari, was set to star Seth Rogan and Keke Palmer, as well as Murray. 'I did something I thought was funny and it wasn't taken that way,' he told CNBC during a special interview at Berkshire Hathaway's earnings event. 'As of now we are talking and we are trying to make peace with each other,' Murray said. 'We are both professionals, we like each others' work, we like each other I think and if we can't really get along and trust each other there's no point in going further working together or making the movie as well. It's been quite an education for me.' Searchlight Pictures suspended production on the film after Murray was accused of inappropriate behavior, Variety reported, as it sent a letter to the cast and crew informing them of the situation. Filming on Being Mortal was halfway completed before production was shut down and it was slated for release in 2023, but it remains unclear if Murray will continue on with the project or if he will be recast. In April of 2022, Murray spoke out about allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of his latest movie 'Being Mortal' that led to it being shut down Murray told CNBC that he had a 'difference of opinion' with a woman he was working with on the film, but did not name the woman or give any details about what happened Being Mortal, which was written and being directed by comedian Aziz Anzari, was set to star Seth Rogan and Keke Palmer (pictured), as well as Murray Being Mortal, based on Atul Gawande's nonfiction book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, starred Murray, as well as Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogan Searchlight tells cast and crew filming of Being Mortal will be PAUSED amid the Murray claims A letter to the cast and crew, seen by Deadline, said: 'We know you are all concerned about the recent delays in production and want to give you an update. 'Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it. 'After reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time.' The statement added: 'We are truly grateful to all of you for everything you've put into this project. 'Our hope is to resume production and are working with Aziz and Youree to figure out that timing.' Advertisement Being Mortal, based on Atul Gawande's nonfiction book 'Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,' starred Murray, as well as Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogan. Murray told CNBC that he was optimistic that 'we are going to make peace' and that production will restart, but added that he'll only do so if the woman is comfortable doing so. 'I think it's a sad dog that can't learn anymore,' Murray said. 'That's a really sad puppy that can't learn anymore. I don't want to be that sad dog and I have no intention of it.' 'What would make me the happiest would be to put my boots on and for both of us to go back into work and be able to trust each other and work at the work that we've both spent a lot of time developing the skill of,' he added. This is not the first incident Murray has encountered on a film set. On the set of the 2000 action-comedy 'Charlie's Angels,' actress Lucy Liu reportedly confronted Murray for 'hurling insults' at her following a rewrite of a scene without his knowledge, Variety reported. Liu addressed the incident for the first time last year. She called Murray's behavior 'inexcusable and unacceptable.' Liu claimed on a 2021 Asian Enough podcast episode that the team had to rework a scene so Murry could attend a family gathering. On the 2000 action-comedy 'Charlie's Angels,' actress Lucy Liu (right) reportedly confronted Murray for 'hurling insults' at her following a rewrite of a scene without his knowledge Liu addressed the incident for the first time last year. She called Murray's behavior 'inexcusable and unacceptable' 'As were doing the scene, Bill starts to sort of hurl insults, and I wont get into the specifics, but it kept going on and on. I was, like: "Wow, he seems like hes looking straight at me." 'Some of the language was inexcusable and unacceptable, and I was not going to just sit there and take it. So, yes, I stood up for myself, and I dont regret it. Because no matter how low on the totem pole you may be or wherever you came from, theres no need to condescend or to put other people down. And I would not stand down, and nor should I have.' Murray defended his actions in The Times of London in 2009, stating: 'Look, I will dismiss you completely if you are unprofessional and working with me.' The star also reportedly headbutted Charlie's Angel's director Joseph McGinty Nichol - known professionally as McG, 'square on the head.' 'An inch later and my nose would have been obliterated,' he told the Guardian in 2009. Murray denied the claim, telling the Times: 'Thats bulls**t! Thats complete crap! I dont know why he made that story up. He has a very active imagination.' The Ghostbusters star also famously got into an altercation on the SNL set in 1978 with Chevy Chase. The fight reportedly broke out have the pair started to throw insults at each other. Murray importantly told Chase to go have sex with his then-wife Jacqueline Carlin. Chase retorted Murray's face look 'like something Neil Armstrong landed on,' according to the book Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live. Murray (left) also allegedly got into a physical altercation with SNL costar Chevy Chase (right) after they started insulting each other and Chase told him his face looked 'like something Neil Armstrong landed on' Murray also once threw an ashtray at Richard Dreyfuss' head after a 'meltdown' on set of What About Bob. Dreyfuss' son Ben, 37, revealed on Twitter in April that Murray allegedly threw an ashtray at his father's head and threatened to 'throw' a female producer across a parking lot and 'ripped off her glasses' during the meltdown after being denied an extra day off on the What About Bob set in 1991. Ben also revealed bodyguards had to be on set once filming resumed to separate the Murray and Dreyfuss, 75. 'Everyone walked off the production and flew back to LA and it only resumed after Disney hired some bodyguards to physically separate my dad and Bill Murray in between takes,' he said in a tweet. Ben also revealed that he was 'like five' when the altercation happened, but still said it was some of his 'fondest and earliest memories' and praised the movie as being 'good.' The rumor of the ashtray incident, among others, have apparently been circling Hollywood for decades and Dreyfuss even addressed it in 2009. 'He put his face next to me, nose-to-nose, and he screamed at the top of his lungs, Everyone hates you! You are tolerated!' the actor said at the time. 'There was no time to react because he leaned back and he took a modern glass-blown ashtray. He threw it at my face from [only a couple feet away]. And it weighed about three-quarters of a pound. And he missed me. He tried to hit me. I got up and left.' Dreyfuss had complained about Murray's behavior toward 'petite' producer Laura Ziskin, who denied Murray the day off. In 2013, she revealed to the Los Angeles Times: 'Bill threatened to throw me across the parking lot and then broke my sunglasses and threw them across the parking lot.' Ziskin has since died from breast cancer and the pair never worked together again. Bill Murray, 72, allegedly threw an ashtray at What About Bob costar Richard Dreyfuss, 75, after he complained about the former's behavior, his son Ben, 37, revealed. He allegedly complained about Murray threatened to throw producer Laura Ziskin across the parking lot and broke her glasses His son also revealed that everyone 'walked off set' and Disney had to hire 'bodyguards to physically separate my dad and Bill Murray in-between takes' It eventually turned physical in front of several costars, including Laraine Newman, who described it as a 'very sad and painful and awful' on What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2021. This isn't Murray's first fight on set, he reportedly got physical with director Harold Ramis on Groundhog Day. The director allegedly threw the actor against the wall during the dispute. Ramis' daughter claimed Murray didn't talk to the director for 20 years after the fight and that Ramis' was 'heartbroken.' Murray also reportedly hurt The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou costar Anjelica Huston's feelings after he didn't invite her out to a dinner party during filming. 'The first week I was there [filming in Italy], we were all in this little hotel, and he invited the entire cast to go and have dinner, except me,' she said in 2019. Murray had the Being Mortal complaint filed against him in April of 2022 before Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogan's movie was temporarily shelved, it was claimed. The details of the allegations were not immediately clear but Searchlight Pictures said an investigation had been launched and halted production. A letter to the cast and crew, seen by Deadline, said: 'We know you are all concerned about the recent delays in production and want to give you an update. 'Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it. After reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time.' The statement added: 'We are truly grateful to all of you for everything you've put into this project. Our hope is to resume production and are working with Aziz and Youree to figure out that timing.' Being Mortal is an adaptation of the 2014 book by surgeon Atul Gawande, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Iris Law and Ellie Bamber dressed to impress in leather skirts as they attended the Saint Laurent SS24 menswear collection presentation at Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin on Monday. Model Iris, 22, turned heads in a plunging maroon vest which she tucked into a tan knee length skirt. The daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost cinched in her waist with a black belt and opted for a pair of sexy sheer tights with the number. Iris elevated her frame in a pair of black pointed toe patent heels and styled her signature short blonde tresses tucked behind her ears. Meanwhile Ellie looked effortlessly styled in a black knee length leather skirt which she teamed with a scoop neck vest top. Looking good: Iris Law and Ellie Bamber dressed to impress in leather skirts as they attended the Saint Laurent SS24 menswear collection presentation at Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin on Monday Coordinated: Model Iris, 22, turned heads in a plunging maroon vest which she tucked into a tan knee length skirt The actress, 26, added an oversized beige blazer over the top of the evening outfit and added inches to her frame in a pair of pointed toe black heels. The beauty accessorised with an eye catching gold bracelet and a chunky pair of matching hoop earrings. Ellie styled her red tresses in loose waves as they cascaded down to her shoulders from a centre parting as she posed for photos at the glamorous fashion event. During the evening, Iris was spotted talking to Anja Rubik who looked nothing short of sensational in a black halterneck dress. The Polish model, 40, she opted for a pair of sheer tights and showed off her slim waist by adding a matching belt. The beauty turned up the heat throwing a leather jacket over her one shoulder and elevated her frame with a pair of patent heels. Anja flashed her gorgeous smile for camera as she completed her outfit by donning a pair of chunky black sunglasses. Models took to the runway to showcase the new Saint Laurent menswear collection in Germany. Sensational: The daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost added inches to her frame in a pair of towering patent pointed toe heels and opted for a pair of sexy sheer tights with the number Incredible: Iris cinched in her waist with a black belt and styled her signature short blonde tresses tucked behind her ears Glamorous: Meanwhile Ellie looked effortlessly styled in a black knee length leather skirt which she teamed with a scoop neck vest top Stylish: The actress, 26, added an oversized beige blazer over the top of the evening outfit and accessorised with an eye catching gold bracelet and a chunky pair of hoop earrings Pals: During the evening, Iris was spotted talking to Anja Rubik who looked nothing short of sensational in a black halterneck dress Stunning: The Polish model, 40, she opted for a pair of sheer tights and showed off her slim waist by adding a matching belt Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia is in hot water for a skit that mocked the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Chia, 41, was slammed by Malaysian officials after the joke, which took place in an American comedy club, went viral. The New York-based comedian posted the act on social media, sparking outrage in Malaysia and prompting Singapore officials to quickly apologize. She made crude remarks about Malaysia, which she said lagged far behind Singapore after the two separated in 1965. She joked about Malaysian airplanes not being able to fly, drawing gasps from the audience. Chia continued: 'Why? Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny, huh? Some jokes don't land.' Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia (pictured) is in hot water for a skit that mocked the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Flight MH370 was carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it vanished on March 8, 2014, and is presumed to have crashed in the far southern Indian Ocean. Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said Chia's act 'showed a total lack of sensitivity and empathy' toward Malaysians and the victims families. 'This video also clearly depicts behavior that is contrary to the values of Asian countries that are known for their manners and morals,' he said in a statement. Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan took to Twitter on Thursday to apologize. He said he was appalled by Chia's 'horrendous statements' and that Chia doesn't speak for Singaporeans. 'We treasure our ties with family and friends in Malaysia, and are sorry for the offense and hurt caused to all Malaysians,' he said. Singapore officials said Chia was no longer a citizen. The Singapore Straits Times reported she is now a U.S. citizen. Following the backlash, the video appeared to have been removed from some of Chias social media but could still found on some sites. Chia joked about Malaysian airplanes not being able to fly, drawing gasps from the audience. 'Why? Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny, huh? Some jokes dont land!' A Malaysian social news portal, the World of Buzz, reported that Chia was defiant. She had posted earlier on social media in response to criticism that 'people take jokes way too seriously,' it said. Chia added that 'tragedy + time = comedy' and said that the joke was acceptable as it has been long enough since the incident, the site reported. Her comments were later inaccessible. Scattered pieces of debris that washed ashore on African beaches and Indian Ocean islands indicated that MH370 likely crashed in a distant remote stretch of the ocean. But a government search by Australia, Malaysia and China failed to pinpoint a location. And a second, private search by U.S. company Ocean Infinity found no sign of a possible crash site. According to Dreshare, Chia is known for her 'witty and edgy humour' that often touches on subjects like 'politics, gender and relationships'. Horror buffs are gearing up for Australia's latest horror film, Talk To Me, with many calling it the 'first great horror movie of 2023'. The A24 film follows Adelaide teens Mia (Sophie Wilde) her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) and her younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), who attend a party that involves conjuring dead spirits and letting them possess their bodies by using a severed, embalmed hand. The kids use the phrase 'Talk to me,' before saying 'I let you in' in order to be fully possessed by the spirit. After becoming hooked on the thrill, things take a turn when Mia sees her dead mother after being possessed by a spirit for more than the maximum time of 90 seconds. Viewers of the trailer on Reddit were left stunned by the trailer's depiction of supernatural terrors. 'Been a minute since a horror movie had me excited,' one fan said on Reddit. 'It's honestly one of the most insane levels of horror I've seen since Hereditary,' another added. 'It's not gimmicky, it's not arthouse. It's straight up horror cinemait's nasty, scary, unpredictable and fresh!!' said a viewer. Horror buffs are gearing up for Australia's latest horror film, Talk To Me, with many calling it the 'first great horror movie of 2023' The A24 film follows Adelaide teens Mia (Sophie Wilde) her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) and her younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), who attend a party that involves conjuring dead spirits and letting them possess their bodies by using a severed, embalmed hand The kids use the phrase 'Talk to me,' before saying 'I let you in' in order to be fully possessed by the spirit One fan reviewed: 'Creepy but quite surprising and not cliche like I was excepted. I loved the ending!' Starring Wilde, Bird, Jensen, plus Otis Dhanji and Miranda Otto, among others, the film is set to bring unnerving scares. The gripping film has already received a rating of 97 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes after it was premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January and screened at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival in Berlin on March 12. Things take a turn when Mia (pictured) sees her dead mother after being possessed by a spirit for more than the maximum time of 90 seconds Starring Wilde, Bird, Jensen, plus Otis Dhanji and Miranda Otto, among others, the film is set to bring unnerving scares Directed by twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, the duo also wrote the picture that was was acquired by A24 for a high seven-figure deal, according to Variety. 'It was a dream come true,' the brothers said of the deal. Talk To Me is in cinemas everywhere from July 28. David Tennant has admitted that his return to Doctor Who is his 'last shot' before he's too old to play the iconic role. Describing the stint as a 'victory lap' the actor, 52, will once again jump into the Tardis for string of specials to celebrate the series' 60th anniversary this autumn. David, who originally played the part of the Time Lord from 2005-2010 and returned for a 2015 special, will be reunited with Catherine Tate as companion Donna Noble for the episodes alongside show-runner Russell T Davies. He told the Radio Times: 'The specifics of coming back to Doctor Who took a bit of wrangling. But we were always receptive to the notion'. 'Initially, it was a casual conversation going 'Wouldn't it be fun to do a one-off?' then Russell was back running the show and suddenly it could be something bigger'. Back again! David Tennant, 52, has admitted that his return to Doctor Who is his 'last shot' before he's too old to play the iconic role Special: Describing the stint as a 'victory lap' the actor will once again jump into the Tardis for string of specials to celebrate the series' 60th anniversary this autumn (David pictured on the show) Before adding: 'But there's really no pressure.' 'It's a victory lap, in a way you get to enjoy something that had meant so much to you, one last shot before you get too old to do it again.' David's appearance comes before the reigns and the role will be handed to Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, 30 for the show's 14th season. He will be joined Bonnie Langford who is returning to the show over three decades after she originally boarded the TARDIS. The actress, 58, is reprising her role as Melanie Bush for the new series alongside incoming Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, with her return set to hit screens in 2024. Bonnie made her debut on Who back in 1986 as Melanie alongside the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, and went onto be the companion for the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy. It also comes after the West End star briefly reprised her role in the BBC's Centenery Special The Power Of The Doctor, last year. Ncuti will make his debut as the new Doctor in a Christmas Special later this year, after David Tennant reprises the role for a trio of specials to mark the show's 60th Anniversary in November. Coming soon! David, who originally played the part of the Time Lord from 2005-2010 and returned for a 2015 special, will be reunited with Catherine Tate (pictured) as companion Donna Noble for the episodes alongside show-runner Russell T Davies Honest: He said: 'It's a victory lap, in a way you get to enjoy something that had meant so much to you, one last shot before you get too old to do it again.' Of her return, Bonnie said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Melanie Bush back. 'To be part of the exceptional cast, crew and production team led by the force of nature that is Russell T Davies is a career highlight. Out now: Read David's full interview in the Radio Times out now 'I'm so privileged and proud to have been a member of the Doctor Who family since the classic era and to be included in the new generation is phenomenal.' Showrunner, Russell T Davies said: 'Open those TARDIS doors wide, because Bonnie's back! What an honour, delight and hoot to welcome back the character of Melanie, after too long away. 'And this isn't just a cameo, Bonnie is right in the thick of the action, battling monsters and chaos and cliffhangers, right at the Doctor's side, just like the old days.' Making her West End debut at just seven years old in Gone with the Wind at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Bonnie has since gone on to lead an outstanding career. She's had countless performances on both Broadway and West End, such as Chicago, 9 to 5 and Cats, to her award-winning role as Carmel Kazemi on EastEnders. Joining Ncuti's Doctor in the TARDIS will be his companion Ruby Sunday, played by Coronation Street star Millie Gibson. The new series marks a brand new era for the show under returning showrunner Russell T Davies, after the departure of Chris Chibnall, and the last Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, last year. Back to the TARDIS! David's appearance comes before the reigns and the role will be handed to Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, 30 for the show's 14th season (pictured) Blast from the past! He will be joined Bonnie Langford who is returning to the show over three decades after she originally boarded the TARDIS Dynamic duo! Bonnie made her debut on Who back in 1986 as Melanie alongside the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker Bonnie's last appearance in Who aired back in 1987 when she bid farewell to the Doctor to travel the universe with the rogue Glitz. It was previously announced that the likes of Jinkx Monsoon and Jonathan Groff will be joining the cast for Ncuti's upcoming series of Doctor Who. The Broadway star, 38, who is known for the crime series Mindhunter, was previously announced to be joining the science fiction series. The BBC said he will play a 'mysterious and exciting' guest part where he will be 'jumping aboard the Tardis'. Read David's full interview in the Radio Times out now stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler, has launched the kingdom's first Vulnerability Operations Centre (VOC), a state-of-the-art platform dedicated to helping organisations tackle offensive security challenges. This pioneering initiative, introduced in collaboration with Yogosha, marks a significant milestone in Bahrain's cybersecurity landscape, reinforcing stc Bahrain's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and safeguarding digital environments. The official launch of the stc VOC was marked by a signing ceremony with Yogosha, and attended by Eng Nezar Banabeela, stc CEO, and Oliver Quix, Regional Director of Yogosha, and senior representatives from both companies. The ceremony was followed by a presentation and a session on Offensive Security and Vulnerability Management followed by a product demo of stc Vulnerability Operations Centre. Fresh approach Recognising the need for a fresh approach, stc partnered with Yogosha to offer a new perspective on Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) via its stc VOC. Departing from the conventional model, the stc Vulnerability Operations Centre provides an integrated platform for detecting, managing, and fixing vulnerabilities connected to offensive security activities. This will enable Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and security teams of stc Business customers to approach offensive security in a new way while enabling them to interact with security researchers and ethical hackers safely through the platform to secure their systems and applications. Moreover, stc VOC activates business customers to have Bug Bounty programmes, Vulnerability Disclosure Programmes (VDP) and live hacking events. Testing protocols By digitalising the penetration testing process, the stc VOC enables customers to seamlessly integrate and streamline their existing testing protocols, reducing the penetration testing duration by 50% and the efforts of their internal resources by 60%. Moreover, it allows them to reduce recurring vulnerabilities by up to 98% by activating continuous penetration test programmes with no disruptions to their operations. Banabeela said: "Our first locally deployed Vulnerability Operations Centre is a game-changer in offensive security. In today's evolving threat landscape, organisations must adopt a proactive and flexible approach to cybersecurity. Our VOC with all offensive security operations integrated into a single platform by connecting organisations with a diverse pool of skilled researchers and ethical hackers, allowing for enhanced flexibility and a higher level of expertise. Most importantly, it will empower businesses across the country to stay ahead of potential threats and minimise the risk of cyber-attacks, he added further. Securing digital assets Yassir commented: With this strategic partnership we bring together Yogosha technology and stc Bahrain capabilities to help Bahraini organisations secure their digital assets through the Vulnerability Operations Centre." During the event, Ameen Altajer, CEO of Inifitware was a guest speaker and he demonstrated how ethical hackers can use software engineering skills to reverse engineer web-based client applications. The platform allows stc Business customers to be informed about potential vulnerabilities within their application stack through experiences of security researchers. David Colombo, advisory board member and globally recognised cyber security expert, was also a guest speaker talking about the importance of deploying Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP) for Bahrain organisations. This kind of framework will allow security researchers from around the world to legally and confidentially report found vulnerabilities to destination organisations that have their workloads exposed to the internet. David Colombo stressed these efforts that stc Bahrain are employing will help increase the cyber security index of Bahrain and set it on par with global benchmarks. The stc VOC is a testament to the company's dedication to helping organisations protect their critical assets and maintain a strong security posture in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats.-- TradeArabia News Service Paramount Pictures released a new trailer for their animated sequel Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, featuring the characters voiced by Kim Kardashian and her oldest child, nine-year-old North West. The 42-year-old Kim is reprising her voice role as the poodle Delores in the sequel - before turning to live-action acting in American Horror Story - with both North and seven-year-old Saint West also landing new roles. While it's currently unclear what character Saint is voicing, North is voicing a Pomeranian pup named Mini. North's character Mini is seen perched atop a large swinging wrecking ball alongside another Pomeranian named Nano (voiced by Minari star Alan Kim). Kim is seen briefly getting scooped up into a motorcycle at the 1:49 mark, and again at the 2:11 mark, when a towering figure looms over the poodle and she says, 'Ugh, you've got to be kidding me,' as the trailer comes to an end. Kim as Delores: The 42-year-old Kim is reprising her voice role as the poodle Delores in the sequel - before turning to live-action acting in American Horror Story - with both North and seven-year-old Saint West also landing new roles North's character: North's character Mini is seen perched atop a large swinging wrecking ball alongside another Pomeranian named Nano (voiced by Minari star Alan Kim) Paramount announced that Kim would return as Delores back in January, with Kim sharing on her Instagram story that North would voice one of the new characters in the film. Kim also teased that Saint West would also have a 'cameo' in the sequel, though no details about Saint's character were revealed. It seems that Saint's character is in fact featured in the new trailer though, according to Kim's latest Instagram post featuring the trailer. 'This September, a new breed of heroes hits the big screen. Meet the Mighty Pups in our SUPER new trailer for PAW Patrol: Can you spot North and Saint in the trailer?' Kim said in the caption. The sequel follows the pups of the Paw Patrol who are given magical new powers after an asteroid lands in Adventure City. They're forced to fend off their arch-rival Humdinger once again, who has teamed up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers from the pups. The voice cast also includes James Marsden, McKenna Grace, Kristen Bell, Marsai Martin, Serena Williams, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Rel Howrey and Chris Rock. Kim revealed at a private premiere party for 2021's Paw Patrol: The Movie that she took the role of Delores for her kids. Kim as Delores: Paramount announced that Kim would return as Delores back in January, with Kim sharing on her Instagram story that North would voice one of the new characters in the film Cameo: Kim also teased that Saint West would also have a 'cameo' in the sequel, though no details about Saint's character were revealed Humdinger: They're forced to fend off their arch-rival Humdinger once again, who has teamed up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers from the pups Cast: The voice cast also includes James Marsden, McKenna Grace, Kristen Bell, Marsai Martin, Serena Williams, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Rel Howrey and Chris Rock Theaters: Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie will be released in theaters on September 29 'I want to welcome everyone here to the Paw Patrol: The Movie,' Kim began in her speech before the movie. 'I'm so excited that I get to show all my kids, and all their cousins, and all my friends and everyone my first movie! This is so amazing,' Kim added. She then turned to her four children and said, 'I did this for you guys because I know how much you guys love Paw Patrol. Dolores in the house!' Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie will be released in theaters on September 29. Advertisement Katie Holmes, Suki Waterhouse and Juliana Margulies showed off their effortless fashion sense while attending the 16th Annual Chanel Tribeca Artists Dinner in New York on Monday. The Batman star, 44, looked casually chic in black leather jacket worn over a white t-shirt, which she paired with black satin pants. The actress who recently stunned at the Theatre World Awards finalized the look with black dress shoes and a delicate gold necklace. The mother-of-one wore her brunette tresses parted on the side and cascading down in beachy waves. As for glam Katie drew attention to her magnetic eyes with black eyeliner and wore a touch of nude gloss on her pout. The celebrity-studded annual dinner celebrates the artists who make the pieces that later become prizes for film winners at the festival, founded by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. Effortless: Katie Holmes, Suki Waterhouse and Juliana Margulies showed off their effortless fashion sense while attending the 16th Annual Chanel Tribeca Artists Dinner in New York on Monday While at the event she was pictured posing with her stylist Brie Welch, who showed off her taut abs by going shirtless in a grey suit. Welch who went viral for styling Katie in a Y2K look last year wore a black bra underneath and rounded out her look with a sparkly black purse and heels. Her brunette strands were styled straight and she wore delicate glam for the occasion. The ladies were also seen arriving to the event together. Actress Suki Waterhouse, 31, bared her washboard abs in a flirty white bandeau top with a bow, and matching white two-layer pants. Robert Pattinson's girlfriend wore her honey-toned tresses in light waves. Suki opted for a pop of color on her lips, wearing bright red lipstick. She accessorized with a number of silver jewelry pieces. Meanwhile The Good Wife star Julianna, 57, wowed in a sleeveless white vest over a matching top and bell bottoms. Casual cool: The Batman star, 44, looked casually chic in black leather jacket worn over a white t-shirt, which she paired with black satin pants Stylist: While at the event she was pictured posing with her stylist Brie Welch, who showed off her taut abs by going shirtless in a grey suit Abs! Actress Suki, 31, bared her washboard abs in a flirty white bandeau top with a bow, and matching white two-layer pants Blondie: Robert Pattinson's girlfriend wore her honey-toned tresses in light waves Elegant: The Good Wife star Julianna, 57, wowed in a sleeveless white vest over a matching top and bell bottoms She accessorized with a chunky gold chain necklace. The actress wore her raven tresses parted on the side and cascading down. She touched up her stunning visage with just a hint of pink blush and lipstick. Also at the event was Nina Dobrev, 34, who had all eyes on her in a black Chanel mini dress which she accessorized with large sparkling silver and pearl statement earrings. The Vampire Diaries star wore smokey eye makeup and held a mini black purse in her hand. Vampire Academy star Zoey Deutch, 28, flashed her midriff in a three-piece set consisting of an elegant bandeau top, bell bottoms, and a jacket which she wore draped over her shoulders. The beauty pulled her brunette locks back in a chic bun, with a few strands left to frame her face. Succession star Annabelle Dexter-Jones, 36, and fashion consultant Vanessa Traina, 39, both opted for pastel yellow looks. Dianna Agron, 37, put on s stylish display in an off-shoulder black Chanel top and high-waisted jeans. The Glee star sported her honey-toned locks in light waves for the night. Stunners! Nina Dobrev, 34, had all eyes on her in a black Chanel mini dress and statement earrings, while Vampire Academy star Zoey Deutch, 28, flashed her midriff in a three-piece set Chanel chic: Dianna Agron, 37, put on s stylish display in an off-shoulder black Chanel top and high-waisted jeans Natural beauty: The Glee star sported her honey-toned locks in light waves for the night Parisian style: Fatal Attraction star Lizzy Caplan, 40, was the epitome of Parisian chic in a high-neck white button up tucked into black leather Chanel shorts Marvelous! Rachel Brosnahan, 32, showed off her toned arms in a sparkling silver sleeveless Chanel top and black leather pants Delicate: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel beauty wore light glam and brushed her tresses back Trendy: Model Camila Morrone, 25, wore a trendy black leather trench coat dress with a quilted black Chanel purse Picture perfect: Leonardo DiCaprio's ex looked picture perfect for the night Blonde bombshell! Jemima Kirke, 38, was a blonde bombshell in a transparent lace white mini skirt and button up crochet top Sister: Meanwhile her sister Lola Kirke, 32, was a vision in a form-fitting black dress and open-toe heels Racy: Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin, 33, wore a racy transparent lace bodysuit with a checkered black and white coat Yellow vision: Succession star Annabelle Dexter-Jones, 36, and fashion consultant Vanessa Traina, 39, both opted for pastel yellow looks Pixie: Annabelle wore her blonde tresses in a pixie cut Golden girl: Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara McGregor, 27, wowed in a see-through gold lace co-ord consisting of a long-sleeve top and a matching skirt Lovely! She accessorized with gold Chanel earrings Dynamic duo: She was joined on the red carpet by designer Zac Posen, 42, who looked handsome as ever in a white button-up, black pants and a black coat Taking the plunge! Tracee Ellis Ross, 50, took the plunge in a low-cut plaid romper Vintage vibes: She wore her dark tresses in a voluminous beehive hairstyle Rachel Brosnahan, 32, showed off her toned arms in a sparkling silver sleeveless Chanel top and black leather pants. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel beauty wore light glam and brushed her tresses back. Model Camila Morrone, 25, wore a trendy black leather trench coat dress with a quilted black Chanel purse. Jemima Kirke, 38, was a blonde bombshell in a transparent lace white mini skirt and button up crochet top. The Girls star added height to her look with silver heels. Meanwhile her sister Lola Kirke, 32, was a vision in a form-fitting black dress and open-toe heels. Tracee Ellis Ross, 50, took the plunge in a low-cut plaid romper. She wore her dark tresses in a voluminous beehive hairstyle. Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin, 33, wore a racy transparent lace bodysuit with a checkered black and white coat. Stephanie Hsu, 32, showed off her toned legs in a black mini dress. Amanda De Cadanet, 51, put on a busty display in a low-cut black gown. Fatal Attraction star Lizzy Caplan, 40, was the epitome of Parisian chic in a high-neck white button up tucked into black leather Chanel shorts. Fashionistas: Nora Zehetner, 42, sparkled in a black sequin crop top and matching pants, Nesta Cooper, 29, looked classy in a form-fitting black dress, while Stephanie Hsu, 32, showed off her toned legs in a black mini dress Model looks! Supermodel Iman, 67, showed off her sophisticated stoke in a one-shoulder black gown, which she paired with a sparkling black and white sweater Enviable figure: Havana Rose Liu put her enviable midriff on display in a black bandeau top and patterned pants Youthful style: Lola Tung, 20, showed off her youthful style in a lavender top and sparkling blue oversized pants Blonde ambition: Harley Viera-Newton, 35, put on a leggy display in a halter neck dress, Amanda De Cadanet, 51, wore a busty low-cut black gown, while Cinema legend Martin Scorsese's daughter Francesca Scorsese, 23, sparkled in an iridescent shirt Cheeky: Nicole Shipley rocked an elegant all-black look with a cheeky purse in the shape of a hotel door sign that read, 'Please dare to disturb' Exuding sophistication: Racquel Chevremont, Sofia Black D'elia, and Christy Miller all wore white blazers Original: Greta Lee showed off her distinctive style in a beaded orange pantsuit and silver Chanel crossbody bag Dazzling: Aurora James, 39, dazzled in a baby blue bodysuit She wore her chocolate-toned tresses in a high voluminous bun and accessorized with dangling earrings. Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara McGregor, 27, wowed in a see-through gold lace co-ord consisting of a long-sleeve top and a matching skirt. She accessorized with gold Chanel earrings. She was joined on the red carpet by designer Zac Posen, 42, who looked handsome as ever in a white button-up, black pants and a black coat. Supermodel Iman, 67, showed off her sophisticated stoke in a one-shoulder black gown, which she paired with a sparkling black and white sweater. Nora Zehetner, 42, sparkled in a black sequin crop top and matching pants, while Nesta Cooper, 29, looked classy in a form-fitting black dress. Aurora James, 39, dazzled in a baby blue bodysuit and rounded out the look with a white Chanel purse. Lily Rabe, 40, looked lovely in a monochrome maxi dress and was joined by partner Hamish Linklater, 46. Cinema icon Robert De Niro, 79 who co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival was joined by girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, at the event. The couple welcomed a daughter his seventh child called Gia on April 6, but refrained from announcing her arrival until early last month. The Taxi Driver star cut a smart figure in a black blazer and matching pants, while Tiffany sported a brown dress and white cardigan for the night. Monochrome: 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman, 31, wore a black beaded cardigan and wide-leg white pants Gold accessories: Dorfman accessorized with a number of gold jewelry and wore bright red lipstick to the event Rocker chic: Jane Rosenthal, 66, rocked an all-black outfit which she layered with a multitude of pearl necklaces Cute pair: Justin Bartha, 44, was joined by wife Lia who wore a chic black dress and unique-style boots Elegant pair: Lily Rabe, 40, looked lovely in a monochrome maxi dress and was joined by partner Hamish Linklater, 46 Dapper: Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor Oscar Isaac, 44, looked handsome as ever in a black suit jacket and shirt which he paired with green/blue trousers Handsome: Mummy star Brendan Fraser, 54, looked dapper in a navy suede jacket and a brown fedora Smart look: Fraser also sported a pair of black reading glasses New parents: Cinema icon Robert De Niro, 79 who co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival was joined by girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, at the event Dapper: The Taxi Driver star cut a smart figure in a black blazer and matching pants, while Tiffany sported a brown dress and white cardigan for the night Father-of-seven: The couple welcomed a daughter his seventh child called Gia on April 6, but refrained from announcing her arrival until early last month Host of the night: De Niro, Rosenthal, and Paula Weinstein hosted the festivities Recognizing women artists: The Chanel dinner recognized 10 women artists Art: This years art collection will be displayed at the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios throughout the Festival, which runs from June 7 until the 18th in New York City Havana Rose Liu put her enviable midriff on display in a black bandeau top and patterned pants. She accessorized the look with a belly chain and wore her brunette tresses in bouncy curls. Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor Oscar Isaac, 44, looked handsome as ever in a black suit jacket and shirt which he paired with green/blue trousers. Lola Tung, 20, showed off her youthful style in a lavender top and sparkling blue oversized pants. Model Harley Viera-Newton, 35, put on a leggy display in a halter neck black dress, while cinema legend Martin Scorsese's daughter Francesca Scorsese, 23, sparkled in an iridescent shirt and black satin pants. Nicole Shipley rocked an elegant all-black look with a cheeky purse in the shape of a hotel door sign that read, 'Please dare to disturb'. Racquel Chevremont exuded sophistication in white tweed jacket and skirt. Sofia Black D'elia, 31, wore a similar look but accessorized with a pink feather shawl and mini Chanel purse. Christy Miller also rocked a white blazer. Greta Lee showed off her distinctive style in a beaded orange pantsuit and silver Chanel crossbody bag. Jane Rosenthal, 66, rocked an all-black outfit which she layered with a multitude of pearl necklaces. 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman, 31, wore a black beaded cardigan and wide-leg white pants. Dorfman accessorized with a number of gold jewelry and wore bright red lipstick to the event. Justin Bartha, 44, was joined by wife Lia who wore a chic black dress and unique-style boots. Mummy star Brendan Fraser, 54, looked dapper in a navy suede jacket and a brown fedora. On arrival: Katie was pictured arriving to the event Cool gal: The actress finalized her look with black dress shoes and a delicate gold necklace Magnetic: As for glam Katie drew attention to her magnetic eyes with black eyeliner and wore a touch of nude gloss on her pout Dream team: She was joined by her stylist Rainy day: Suki stayed under an umbrella to avoid getting wet Careful: Margulies had to be careful not to stain her cream-toned outfit Making her way: Tracee was pictured navigating the streets in her teetering red heels as she made her way to the event Host: Robert De Niro hosted the annual Chanel dinner Sofia: Sofia Coppola is all smiles at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Lewis and Robert: Lewis Hamilton and JR chat with Robert De Niro at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Brendan and Oscar: Brendan Fraser and Oscar Isaac chat at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Jemima: Jemima Kirke is all smiles at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Jeremy, Oscar and Rachel: Jeremy O. Harris, Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan chat at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Zazie: Zazie Beetz is all smiles at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Oscar and Elvira: Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind chat at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Jane and Katie: Jane Rosenthal and Katie Holmes posts at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner Suki and Camila: Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone pose at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner The Chanel dinner recognized 10 women artists: Ana Benaroya, Beverly Fishman, Christie Neptune, Lisa Lebofsky, Natia Lemay, Patricia Encarnacion, Renee Cox, Sheree Hovsepian, Shinique Smith, and Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz. De Niro, Rosenthal, and Paula Weinstein hosted the festivities. 'Tribeca and Chanel recognize the significance of representation and the undeniable impact women artists can have when their work and stories are in the spotlight,' Tribeca Festival co-founder and Tribeca Enterprises CEO Jane Rosenthal said in statement as per Variety. 'We are dedicated to celebrating creativity and culture, fostering diverse voices, and encouraging the development of a new generation of visionaries. Our eighteen-year partnership with Chanel underscores our joint commitment to honoring powerful storytelling, artistic excellence, and the spirit of artists supporting other artists.' This years art collection will be displayed at the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios throughout the Festival, which runs from June 7 until the 18th in New York City. Edwina Bartholomew and her husband Neil Varcoe's plans to renovate a rundown pub in country New South Wales has got off to a rocky start. The Sunrise star, 39, recently sold their Sydney home to buy and renovate the bar in Carcoar and turn it into a hotel, but her partner, 41, doesn't appear convinced it'll work. In a video posted to Instagram last Wednesday, the journalist gushed over the project and awkwardly attempted to get Neil excited about it. 'We just bought this house to turn into a hotel. Do we know anything about running a hotel?' Edwina said with a wide smile as they stood outside the rundown building. With his hands buried in his pockets, Neil replied in a deadpan voice: 'No, we don't.' Edwina attempted to laugh off his negative response as she wrapped her arm around him and joked: 'We know absolutely nothing.' Later in the clip, after a montage of Carcoar's historic sites and The Victoria's more decrepit features, Edwina tried once more to encourage her husband's excitement. 'We sold our house in Sydney to buy what was once the old pub... [It has] so much potential. We hope,' she said. Edwina Bartholomew and her husband Neil Varcoe's plans to renovate a rundown pub in country New South Wales has got off to a rocky start. The Sunrise star, 39, recently sold their Sydney home to buy and renovate the bar in Carcoar and turn it into a hotel, but her partner, 41, doesn't appear convinced it'll work in a video they posted on Instagram When Neil didn't respond, she prompted him again by saying: 'We really hope.' Finally he reluctantly admitted: 'We do hope, yeah.' Edwina laughed off her partner's dry humour once more and awkwardly nudged him: 'Don't sound so convinced.' In a video posted to Instagram last Wednesday, the journalist gushed over the project and awkwardly attempted to get Neil excited about it. 'We just bought this house to turn into a hotel. Do we know anything about running a hotel?' Edwina said with a wide smile as they stood outside the rundown building The couple, who share children Molly, three, and Tom, one, plan to film the 177-year-old property's renovation and turn it into a web series for Instagram. However, it's unclear how much time they can spend on the project as Edwina will continue to stay in Sydney during the week with their children so she can work at Sunrise. Meanwhile, Neil, who recently left his job at Twitter following Elon Musk's takeover, will move to Capertee Valley which is almost a two-hour drive away from Carcoar and three hours west of Sydney. He will be working there as the 'chief farming officer' at Warramba - the 1890s farm he and Edwina lovingly restored several years ago. Edwina recently posted this historic photo of the old pub Lea Seydoux revealed the pressure she and the cast of Jame Bond were under when keeping the plotline to No Time To Die after the film was delayed for two years due to Covid. The French actress, 37, who played Bond girl Madeleine Swann, said she was 'very surprised' the ending of the film never leaked as so many people had to keep it quiet for such a long time. She admitted the film would have been 'f***ed' if the plot twist of James Bond dying had been spoiled to fans ahead of the release date back in September 2021. Lea told Radio Times: 'Oh yes, I couldnt tell. I was surprised that it didnt leak. Because if it did, we were f***ed! 'If the secret is revealed my God! Maybe some people knew it. I dont know. But I was very surprised [it didnt get out] we had to keep the secret for such a long time.' Top secret: Lea Seydoux revealed the pressure she and the cast of Jame Bond were under when keeping the plotline to No Time To Die after the film was delayed for two years due to Covid Tight lipped: The French actress, 37, who played Bond girl Madeleine Swann, said she was 'very surprised' the ending of the film never leaked as so many people had to keep it quiet for such a long time Lea played one of only two Bond girls to appear in two films Spectre and No Time To Die and is the first in the film series to have a child with Bond. The Bond film which had its release postponed three times by Covid-19, was Daniel Craig's last outing as 007. The Daily Mail's Brian Viner gave Bond's 'daring, tense and explosive' 25th outing four stars, writing that 'the thunderous ovation that rocked the venue as the end credits rolled was not misplaced'. Reviews from around the world flooded in with a slew of five star accolades for Craig's swansong - along with gushing praise over the movie's 'magnificence, glee, extravagance and bulgingly proportions'. Teasing an ending that 'no one saw coming', Viner hailed No Time To Die as 'a triumph', gushing: '[No Time To Die is] an explosive, tense, daring, and most of all surprising adventure, toying with our preconceptions about the world's greatest secret agent and exploring his personal life more intimately than ever before.' Addressing the film's 163 minutes run-time, Viner assured readers that 'the breathless pace rarely slackens'. On the fact that Craig's fifth and final outing as Bond was filmed in a post Time's Up era, Viner notes: 'Is there now a danger of the character tilting too far away from the callous ladykiller of yesteryear, becoming 00-woke?... 'Yes, there is. However, not least of the achievements of this exciting movie is that it feels progressive, while staying faithful to the spirit of Bond. This is a serious film, and it will leave you seriously blown away.' Shocked: She admitted the film would have been 'f***ed' if the plot twist of James Bond dying had been spoiled to fans ahead of the release date back in September 2021 Lea told Radio Times: 'Oh yes, I couldnt tell. I was surprised that it didnt leak. Because if it did, we were f***ed! If the secret is revealed my God! But I was very surprised [it didnt get out]' No Time To Die is the 25th film in the franchise, and finds Bond after he has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica when his old friend Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, from the CIA turns up asking for help. Leaving his seemingly happy life with Madeleine (Lea Seydoux), Bond returns to the field to face Safin (Rami Malek) who is armed with a new dangerous technology that could impact the world. Daniel took over the role of Bond from Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale in 2006 and went onto appear in Quantum of Solace in 2008, Skyfall in 2012 and Spectre in 2015. Lea went onto to discuss that fame 'has not change her much' as she still does normal things like 'taking the subway, not wearing makeup, dressing casually'. She also revealed she would like to next try singing and dancing and star in a musical. Kyle Sandilands revealed Russell Crowe suffered an awkward moment during celebrations for his 52nd birthday on Saturday. The KIIS FM star was invited by the Oscar winner to see him perform with his band at Sydney's Manning Bar, only for him to leave early - unbeknownst to Russell. Kyle and Jackie O discussed the awkward moment on their podcast, with Kyle busted for the early exit after Russell tried to give him a gift onstage. Recalling the embarrassing moment, Jackie said: 'He stops down again and says ''It's your birthday'' and he has a present for you that he brings out onstage. 'He has a $400 bottle of tequila and he's talking about how great it is, and he's pointing in the direction he [thinks] you're in,' she added. Russell Crowe suffered an awkward moment at Kyle Sandilands's 52nd birthday when he invited him onstage to gift him with a $400 bottle of tequila, only for Kyle to have already left Jackie and newsreader Brooklyn Ross said it was then the entire crowd at Manning Bar turned to find Kyle, only for him not to be there. 'The whole room is turning in our direction and he's waiting for you to come up and accept the gift, none of us knew what to do,' Jackie added. Russell's arm was extended with the bottle waiting for Kyle to come to the stage in the sold out venue, with everyone searching for him. Brooklyn tried to cover for Kyle by saying he was in the toilet. 'He has a $400 bottle of tequila and he's talking about how great it is, and he's pointing in the direction he knows [thinks] you're in,' Jackie said, of the moment. Pictured: Russell Crowe 'The whole room is turning in our direction and he's waiting for you to come up and accept the gift, none of us knew what to do,' Jackie said, admitting it was awkward. Pictured: Crowd The incident happened 30 minutes after Kyle left. The shock jock ended-up sating 'sorry' and admitted he felt 'embarrassed' by the encounter. Kyle said he was confused as he was there during the first birthday shoutout from Russell and former colleague, Marcia Hines. He said he didn't expect 'two shoutouts' in one night. The incident happened 30 minutes after Kyle left with the shock jock saying sorry and admitting he felt 'embarrassed' by the encounter. He went on to say it was a 'great' show 'I was with John Ibrahim and I said to him ''well that's the birthday shoutout'' and I said 'should we bail?' and he went ...I'm ready to go,' Kyle said. Kyle added he liked the show but left early as his son Otto was sick. He also said he didn't think he'd get mentioned multiple times. 'I liked the show but I didn't think I'd get mentioned multiple times,' he said. He also missed Rita Ora coming out to surprise the radio king. 'By that point he knows you're not there. So he just makes it a surprise for everyone,' Jackie said. Pictured: Rita Ora He also missed UK songstress Rita Ora coming out to surprise him with a performance. 'By that point he [Russell] knows you're not there. So he just makes it a surprise for everyone,' Jackie said. Kyle said Russell sent him a text about the tequila after his performance. 'It was a great show,' Kyle finished. The Hollywood icon performed with his band The Gentlemen Barbers at the show. An 18-year-old influencer has stunned her followers after revealing her boyfriend is almost the same age as her father. Paris Ow-Yang, a TikToker-turned-OnlyFans creator who goes by the name Ppwang, is currently dating 44-year-old nightclub boss and playboy Julian Tobias. Speaking on the Pnclads podcast, Ow-Yang revealed her neurosurgeon father is 46 years old. 'My boyfriend and my dad are two years apart,' the Bondi resident told the hosts. 'My dad's 46 and my boyfriend's 44.' Paris Ow-Yang, an 18-year-old TikToker-turned-OnlyFans creator who goes by the name Ppwang, has shocked social media after revealing her boyfriend is almost as old as her dad Ow-Yang went on to say she met Tobias at a restaurant in Sydney when she was 17 years old. A segment of the podcast was later shared to TikTok and was flooded with comments. 'Im sorry, did she just say her boyfriend is 44 years old?' someone wrote. Ow-Yang is currently dating 44-year-old nightclub boss and playboy Julian Tobias 'Didnt she just graduate from high school last year?' another asked. Tobias, a nightclub proprietor who runs popular Sydney Harbour venue The Island and Potts Point disco Sussudio, has been sighted around town recently with Paris. Neither wanted to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia last month, but friends say the new couple have been 'close friends' for several months but have recently taken the relationship to the next level, with Ow-Yang a regular visitor to Tobias' $5.5million Bondi penthouse. Tobias, who opened his first Sydney bar in 2009, has established a reputation for dating a succession of stunning, high-profile women over the years. Ow-Yang says she met Tobias when him at a restaurant in Sydney when she was 17 years old The one-time Cleo Bachelor of the Year has established a reputation for dating a succession of stunning, high-profile women over the years Tobias' most significant relationship to date was Charlotte Coquelin with whom he said to be engaged to for five years before the French model packed her bags and moved back to Paris in 2021. Prior to that, he made headlines in 2014 when he began dating Canadian actress and Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, before moving on with American Instagram megastar Alexis Ren in 2016. Ow-Yang, meanwhile, has a significant presence on OnlyFans, attracting 40,000 views per post on the subscription adults-only content site. She also boasts a huge following in TikTok and Instagram. Robert De Niro was sleek in a black suit and was joined by his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, at the star-studded 16th Annual Chanel Tribeca Artists Dinner in NYC on Monday. The Taxi Driver actor, 79, who welcomed his seventh child with Chen two months earlier in April, joined other A-listers at the glitzy event including Oscar winner Brendan Fraser and actress Nina Dobrev. The star opted for a pair of black trousers along with a black suit jacket while stopping by the special dinner at the Balthazar Restaurant, and added a dark green polo shirt underneath. The Goodfellas star completed his overall look by slipping into a pair of black loafers and was seen strolling next to his girlfriend, whom he was first romantically linked to in 2021. She opted for casual comfort in a figure-hugging brown tank dress with a hem that stopped a few inches above her ankles. Dressed for the occasion: Robert De Niro, 79, was sleek in a black suit and was joined by his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, 45, at the star-studded 16th Annual Chanel Tribeca Artists Dinner in NYC on Monday Celebration: Robert hosted the annual Chanel dinner alongside Jane Rosenthal, Paul Weinstein, and the luxurious French brand itself, according to Variety The martial arts instructor slipped into a pair of white sneakers to stay comfy during the busy night, and added a long, white knit sweater to help her stay warm in the drizzly weather. Her locks were pulled back into a simple ponytail and Tiffany threw on a pair of brown shades to accessorize her outfit. While heading towards the main venue, the mother of one carried a vibrant yellow purse in her hands. Robert hosted the annual Chanel dinner alongside Jane Rosenthal, Paul Weinstein, and the luxurious French brand itself, according to Variety. The festivities help honor a number of artists, such as Ana Benaroya, Beverly Fishman, and Christie Neptune. Each of the female artists that are recognized at the dinner also have been asked to create original pieces that are presented to winners at the 2023 Tribeca Festival. De Niro was later spotted inside the eatery mingling other guests and talking to attendees in the crowded space. The Irishman actor co-founded the Tribeca Festival in May 2002 with Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, and the event was originally known as the Tribeca Film Festival up through 2020. The actor his been keeping busy, and made an appearance during opening night of the festivities last week on Wednesday by attending the special screening of the documentary, Kiss The Future. He was also joined by Tiffany on the red carpet to help kick off the festival, which comes to an end on June 18. Along with spending time at the annual event, Robert recently celebrated becoming a father for the seventh time. Stepping out of the rain: The Goodfellas star completed his overall look by slipping into a pair of black loafers and was seen strolling next to his girlfriend Casual flare: She opted for casual comfort in a figure-hugging brown tank dress with a hem that stopped a few inches above her ankles A pop of color: While heading towards the main venue, the mother of one carried a vibrant yellow purse in her hands Stylish: The star opted for a pair of black trousers along with a black suit jacket while stopping by the special dinner at the Balthazar Restaurant A cool touch: The martial art instructor's locks were pulled back into a simple ponytail and Tiffany threw on a pair of brown shades to accessorize her outfit In April, he welcomed a baby girl named Gia with Tiffany and confirmed the big news during an interview with ET Canada last month in May. At one point, interviewer Brittnee Blair, mentioned his 'six kids,' but Robert quickly cut in with the correction, 'Seven, actually. I just had a baby.' On the Today show to promote the Tribeca Festival, he additionally opened up about his newborn daughter, Gia, and also briefly mentioned his close pal, Al Pacino. 'Listen, Al Pacino just had a baby, I was told yesterday morning, and hes a few years older than me. God bless him, very happy for him.' Robert also gushed about raising a newborn once again, stating, 'It feels great.' In regards to how he has changed as a father, the star told host, Hoda Kotb, 'I have certain awareness when youre older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics.' The Goodfellas actor added, 'You cant avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual. It's amazing, but I'm very happy about it.' Along with baby girl Gia, Robert also shares daughter Drena, 51, and son Raphael, 46, with Diahnne Abbott, twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with ex, Toukie Smith, and also son Elliot, 24, and daughter Helen, 11, with ex-wife Grace Hightower. Shortly after the news of his new family addition came to light, the actor told Page Six that welcoming his seventh child was 'planned' and questioned 'How you could not plan that kind of thing?' Behind the festival: The Irishman actor co-founded the Tribeca Festival in May 2002 with Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff Having a blast: De Niro was later spotted inside the eatery mingling other guests and talking to attendees in the dimly lit space Recognition: Each of the female artists that are recognized at the dinner also have been asked to create original pieces that are presented to winners at the 2023 Tribeca Festival Father of seven: In April, he welcomed a baby girl named Gia with Chen and confirmed the big news during an interview with ET Canada last month in May; the couple seen earlier this month in NYC Keeping busy: 2023 has been a monumental year of De Niro thus far, with the actor recently whisking himself away to the Cannes Film Festival last month in May for the premiere of Martin Scorsese's Killers Of The Flower Moon To conclude the Tribeca Festival, a screening of A Bronx Tale, which was released in 1993, will also be shown on June 17. Robert notably both starred in and directed the crime drama. He opened up about the movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and told Extra, 'I am really looking forward to it, especially at the Beacon Theater the audience cant wait.' 2023 has been a monumental year of De Niro thus far, with the actor recently whisking himself away to the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival last month in May for the premiere of Martin Scorsese's Killers Of The Flower Moon. The film, which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Brendan Fraser and Jesse Plemons, received a nine-minute standing ovation following the screening. Matt Shirvington is celebrating a ratings win after his first day on the Sunrise couch. Continuing its reign as Australia's number one breakfast program, Sunrise drew in an impressive 235,000 metro viewers on Monday, beating Nine's Today show by 32% market share. Meanwhile, Today earned 188,000 metro viewers while ABC News Breakfast drew just 104,000. As Shirvington and co-host Natalie Barr celebrate their big win, Today continues to operate without its leading man Karl Stefanovic, who is away from the desk on a two-week holiday. Stefanovic was previously slated to go head-to-head with David Koch's replacement, but is MC'ing at chicken heiress Tamie Ingham's wedding to Guillaume Brahimi in Paris instead. Matt Shirvington (right, with Natalie Barr) is celebrating a ratings win after his first day on the Sunrise couch. Continuing its reign as Australia's number one breakfast program, Sunrise drew in an impressive 235,000 metro viewers on Monday, beating Nine's Today show by 32% market share Instead, the program is being fronted by Karl's co-host Sarrah Abo and fill-in, Nine's chief political editor Charles Croucher. 'The timing is absolutely horrible. It's never been more important for Karl and Sarah to put on a united front,' a source told New Idea 'It's crucial Karl be there to prove what Today is made of while Shirvo and Nat [Barr] try to step up without Kochie [David Koch].' As Shirvington and co-host Natalie Barr celebrate their big win, Today continues to operate without its leading man Karl Stefanovic, who is away from the desk on a two-week holiday. Stefanovic is pictured with co-host Sarah Abo However Nine Network's director of morning television Steven Burling has defended Karl's break and said it is 'pure coincidence'. '[Karl] booked in these two weeks' leave some months ago. The fact his holiday coincides with Shirvo's first day is pure coincidence. Nothing more,' he said. 'Karl hasn't had any time off since hitting the ground running during the Australian Open in January.' 'The timing is absolutely horrible. It's crucial Karl be there to prove what Today is made of while Shirvo and Nat try to step up without Kochie,' an insider said. Kochie (left) is pictured with Shirvington (right) during his last day hosting Sunrise It comes after Stefanovic delivered a cheeky blow to his long-time professional rival Kochie, following the Sunrise host's shock resignation. Speaking to guests at a lavish media event at Sydney's Crown last week, Stefanovic said of Kochie: 'To be honest, I'm glad he's gone.' According to Sky News, Karl also credited Kochie for paving the way for him and many others in the TV industry. 'He pulls up stumps at the end of this week and I just want to pay my respects to him on what a wonderful career it has been,' Karl said. 'It has been an extraordinary one for 21 years. He's got up with the bakers and the road workers; and he has crunched it out across the nation.' He's known as one of Australian media's top insiders. And Rob McKnight has announced he's quitting his job at Brisbane's 4BC out of frustration. McKnight, a former TV executive, said he was exiting his role as producer of the Sofie Formica afternoon show because he had been overlooked for an on-air gig. Taking to Twitter last week to announce the shock move, McKnight, who has worked at 4BC since October 2021, sounded out his frustration with the talkback station. McKnight told followers on Twitter his last day on the job will June 23. TV media and radio insider and veteran producer Rob McKnight has resigned from Brisbane's 4BC McKnight, a former TV executive, said he was exiting his role as producer of 4BC's Sofie Formica afternoon show, because he had been overlooked for an on-air gig Pictured: Formica Known for his insider industry blog TV Blackbox, McKnight was the original executive producer of Channel 10's morning show Studio 10 when it debuted in 2013 Pictured: Studio 10's host Sarah Harris 'Today I handed in my resignation,' the former TV producer announced on Friday. 'It's been a great ride but my goal was to transition over to an on-air role and that doesn't seem to be on the cards,' he continued. 'So, off into the sunset I ride. My last day is June 23. Much love xo.' McKnight who has held top positions at Seven, Nine and Ten, paid tribute to 4BC's popular afternoon host, tweeting: 'And leaving the wonderful Sofie is the hardest part of all this, as I absolutely love her.' McKnight also denied he was in the running to replace 4BC's drive-time host Neil Breen, who announced he was quitting the station last month. McKnight's tweet made clear his frustration with his current role McKnight has worked for all three of the major commercial networks and served as a producer on Seven's Sunrise Pictured: Current Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington 'Nah mate I wasnt even considered for that role,' he tweeted one well-wisher. 'And I was being overlooked for fill-in roles so it was pretty clear it wasnt going to happen. All good though, at least I know and can move on.' Known for his insider industry blog TV Blackbox, McKnight was the original executive producer of Studio 10 when it debuted in 2013. In an earlier role, he worked as a producer on Channel Seven's Sunrise. Riley Keough has requested a court approve her as the sole trustee of late mother Lisa Marie Presley's estate, after coming to an accord with grandmother Priscilla Presley following a monthslong legal tussle over the title. The Daisy Jones & the Six star, 34, has filed paperwork requesting the court finalize the arrangement regarding the trust of her late mother, some five months after Lisa Marie's January 12 death at the age of 54 following multiple cardiac arrests. Lisa Marie Presley's trust includes funds from a life insurance policy she held, TMZ reported Monday after reviewing court docs. The latest transaction involving the Santa Monica, California native comes after she and her grandmother Priscilla, 78, came to an accord in May after lawyers for both parties announced at a Los Angeles probate court that a settlement had been reached. Following the testy monthslong legal battle, Keough 'doesn't want any drama with her grandmother,' sources close to the actress said. The latest: Riley Keough, 34, has requested an LA court approve her as the sole trustee of late mother Lisa Marie Presley's estate, after coming to an accord with grandmother Priscilla Presley, 78, following a monthslong legal tussle over the title. Pictured last month in LA 'Riley is relieved to have settled the dispute over her mom's estate,' an insider informed People. The granddaughter of Elvis Presley 'is still grieving her mom,' who died shockingly at the age of 54 in January after going into cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home. When the legal tussle broke out between Keough and Priscilla, Keough 'was hoping they could reach a settlement quickly,' the source added. The source said that the tension with Priscilla 'has been very tough for' Keough, who is mother to a baby daughter with husband Ben Smith-Petersen. 'She wants to focus on making memories with her own daughter now,' the insider told the magazine. 'This is her priority.' Priscilla's attorney Ronson Shamoun told DailyMail.com that she was happy when the settlement was reached, and that 'the families are happy and unified and together and excited for the future.' Asked if Keough was happy with the settlement, her attorney Justin Gold told DailyMail.com: 'She would not have agreed to the settlement if she was not happy with it.' Only two weeks after Lisa Marie's death in January, her mother Priscilla filed a legal challenge to her daughter's will - which gives control of Lisa Marie's wealthy Promenade Trust to her daughter Keough. Keough, who was reportedly furious when her grandmother went to court to protest the will, did not file an objection to Priscilla's challenge. Riley Keough, Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley were pictured in June of 2022 at the Elvis premiere in Memphis Lawyers for Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough (pictured in 2016 in Hollywood) announced last month at a Los Angeles probate court that the two had 'reached a settlement' The bitter family feud between Priscilla and Riley over the multimillion dollar estate of the late Lisa Marie Presley (pictured) ended last month. Lisa Marie was pictured two days before her death at the Golden Globe Awards in LA Last month, it became clear why: she and her grandmother had buried the hatchet and settled their differences. It's unlikely that the terms of their settlement will become known to outsiders. After announcing to LA Superior Court Judge Lynn Scaduto that there was an agreement between the two, Gold added that he planned to file a motion to seal the details of the settlement to keep them from the public eye. The lawyers also declared in court last month that the women had reached a settlement on a second trust involving Lisa Marie's insurance policies - thought to total $35 million. Judge Scaduto scheduled a hearing August 4 for the court to give official approval of both settlements. Keough always supported her mother during her drawn out, often nasty divorce and child custody disputes with her fourth husband, musician Michael Lockwood, 62, father of Lisa Marie's twin, 15-year-old daughters, Finley and Harper. It's been reported that Priscilla and Lisa Marie were 'barely speaking' just before the latter's death after Priscilla sided with Lockwood over custody of the twins. Multiple sources told People that the mother and daughter were not on speaking terms, despite appearing at multiple events together, including the premiere for the Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler. 'Riley was always on her mom's side when it came to Michael [Lockwood],' one source told the magazine. 'It bothered her that her grandmother and Michael flew to [Lisa Marie's] funeral together.' Just days after Lisa Marie's memorial service, Priscilla filed a petition questioning the 'authenticity and validity' of her trust Last month, a judge granted Lockwood's petition to be appointed 'guardian ad litem' of Harper and Finley The will contains the rights to the Graceland mansion (pictured) and a 15 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises Priscilla also helped Michael get into the ceremony at Elvis's famous home, Graceland, despite her late daughter's wishes. 'Michael was not invited,' a close friend of Lisa Marie told People. 'He came to Memphis under the pretense that he had to chaperone the twins - and he forced his way in with Priscilla's help. 'The last thing Lisa Marie would have wanted was for Michael to be there.' The rift between Keough and her grandmother began when Priscilla went to court - just days after Lisa Marie's memorial service - to dispute her daughter's decision in 2016 to change her will, remove Priscilla and her ex-manager Barry Siegel as trustees and replace them with Riley. The will contains the rights to the Graceland mansion and a 15 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises. Lisa Marie also had two life insurance policies, one believed to be worth $25 million and another one for $10 million. As well as replacing Priscilla as a trustee and cutting her out of the will, Lisa Marie's 2016 amendment also named Riley's brother Benjamin as the other trustee. Benjamin however committed suicide in 2020, leaving Keough as sole named heir. Riley honored her late mom on the first Mother's Day since since her passing, posting a photo of her mom and father, Danny Keough, 58, holding her as a newborn. 'Lucky to have had the best and most deeply loving mama I could ask for' Priscilla's challenging petition to the court questioned the 'authenticity and validity' of the trust, claiming that Lisa Marie's signature was 'inconsistent,' and asked to be restored as a trustee. The grandmother of four also claimed she was not aware Lisa Marie had changed the trust in 2016 until after her daughter passed away. If Priscilla's petition were granted, she and Keough would be made co-trustees of Lisa Marie's estate. Last month, Judge Scaduto granted Lockwood's petition to be appointed 'guardian ad litem' of Harper and Finley - allowing him to represent the girls over their mother's hotly-contested estate. Harper and Finley are both beneficiaries of Lisa Marie's trust while their father Lockwood is not. But being declared their legal guardian gives him control over his daughters' inheritance - at least until they reach adulthood at 18 - and his second chance to share in the Presley wealth after his first ended with nothing in his divorce. Lisa Marie - Elvis' only child - filed for divorce from Lockwood in 2016 after 10 years of marriage. The two spent years fighting about finances and were still negotiating over child support for the twins up until her death. Lockwood asked the divorce court in 2018 to order Lisa Marie to pay him $263,000 a year in spousal support so that he could 'enjoy a lifestyle closer to my marital status of living' - which included lavish entertaining, expensive vacations and flying on private jets. Michael Lockwood and Lisa Marie spent years fighting about finances and were still negotiating up until her death And he tried to persuade the judge to tear up a post-nuptial agreement - in which he and Lisa Marie both signed away their rights to the other's property and spousal support if they divorced. But Lockwood ended up on the losing end, not getting a penny from Lisa Marie after openly admitting that he hadn't read the post-nup and claiming his attorney at the time failed to explain it to him. The judge upheld the post-nup and threw out Lockwood's case, telling the court: 'If Lockwood elected not to read the post-nup and accept the consequences that it would be upheld, that is his choice.' Before her death, Lisa Marie and her ex were sharing custody of Finley and Harper and she was reportedly paying him $6,000 a month in child support. But Lockwood - who is now re-married to hair stylist Stephanie Hobgood - was claiming $40,000 a month, insisting Lisa Marie had much more money than she revealed in court documents and saying his legal battles over the divorce and child custody had cost him more than $1 million. Main Content The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is a Historically Black University and an 1890 Land Grant Institution. It serves a diverse student body of over 2,380 graduate and undergraduate students. Over the past several years, students have enrolled at the institution from 40 different countries. The University offers 31 baccalaureate, 12 master's, and one PhD degree across a broad spectrum of subject areas. The faculty is the most racially and ethnically diverse of any public institution in the state of Arkansas; 62.4% are African-American, 21.0% are Asian-American; 0.6% are Hispanic/Latino; 2.5% are Native Hawaiian; 0.6% are two or more races; and 12.7% are Caucasian-American (European descent), representing 18 different countries. General Institutional Information The University is pleased to provide information in accordance with federal and state regulations and/or institutional policies for students, parents, employees, and other stakeholders. For details, please visit the links provided below: Accreditation The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It has program accreditation by the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM), American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The institution is a member of the American Council on Education, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Association of American Colleges, National Collegiate Honors Council, and the Council on Social Work Education. All degree programs at the University are approved by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Quick Facts A brief overview of the University which includes date established, size, student demographic profile, student to faculty ratio, tuition and fee cost annualized, etc. Quick Facts Academic Year 2022-2023.pdf Student Right to Know Information: Data are reported as of the official fall reporting date which means that date (in the fall) on which an institution must report fall enrollment data to either the State, its board of trustees or governing board, or some other external governing body. The 2022 first-year (fall-to-fall) retention rates for the fall 2021 cohort class of first-time full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students is 58.9% The 2021-22 six-year graduation rates for the fall 2016 cohort as reported to the National Center for Education Statistics/Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is 41%. The transfer-out rate is 25%. Graduation rates for additional cohort classes are included in the following documents Student Diversity: Fall 2022 student enrollment totaled 2,387; by race/ethnicity 0.5% are American Indian, 0.4% are Asian, 88.9% are Black, 0.1% are Native Hawaiian; 2.4% are Hispanic, 2.4% are Nonresident Alien (International), 3.2% are White, and 2.0% are two or more races; by gender 56% are female and 44% are male. Undergraduate and graduate degrees were conferred to 391 students in Academic Year 2021-22: by race/ethnicity 0.3% are American Indian; 0.8% are Asian, 86.7% are Black, 2.6% are Hispanic, 4.3% are Nonresident Alien (International), 4.3% are White, and 1.0% are two or more races; by gender 64.5% are female and 35.5% are male. Pursuant to 34 CFR 668.41(a) Athletically related student aid athletically related student aid means any scholarship, grant, or other form of financial assistance, offered by an institution, the terms of which require the recipient to participate in a program of intercollegiate athletics at the institution. Other student aid, of which a student-athlete simply happens to be the recipient, is not athletically related student aid. Additional Information is available at this link: "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) - A federal law designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings."The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is committed to assisting students and graduates in their employment and career advancement endeavors. Employment placement is 90% for recent graduates in the Industrial Technology Management and Applied Engineering Program (ITMAE).An annual cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and other expenses.This calculator is intended to providenet price information (defined as estimated cost of attendance including tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board (meals), and other related expenses minus estimated grant and scholarship aid) to current and prospective students and their families based on what similar students paid in a previous year.The mission of the UAPB Police and Public Safety Department is to adhere to and enforce the rules and regulations as set by the University's administration, by the City of Pine Bluff, and by the State of Arkansas; to serve and protect, and to ensure a safe environment for the University community, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to deliver quality services in a professional and ethical manner. For additional information, please visit the below link: The 2021-22 six-year gra Sami Sheen opted for casual comfort as she shared a kiss with her boyfriend while spending time together at a skate park in Malibu on Monday. The OnlyFans star, 19, who recently shared a TikTok video as she got ready for her 'sex worker' job last week, dressed down for the outing during the overcast day. The eldest daughter of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards donned an oversized, pink hooded sweatshirt with the word 'Berkeley' printed on the front, referencing to the California University. She also slipped into a pair of baggy jeans as well as black and white sneakers to stay comfortable while testing out her skills with a skateboard. Her platinum blonde locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down straight past her shoulders. The media personality added a pair of silver earrings to accessorize her overall look. Quality time: Sami Sheen, 19, opted for casual comfort as she shared a kiss with her boyfriend while spending time together at a skate park in Malibu on Monday Casual flare: The OnlyFans star donned a light pink Berkeley sweater along with baggy jeans and sneakers for the weekday outing Her boyfriend, whose name and identity has yet to be revealed, also opted for comfort for the weekday outing at the skate park. He donned a pair of loose-fitting, black pants that were secured with a black belt at the waist along with a dark gray, short-sleeved T-shirt. After spending some time honing their skateboarding skills, the two strolled over to a parked vehicle where they shared a quick kiss. Although Sami hasn't publicly revealed who the mystery man is, he has made an appearance on her Instagram page in the past. In March, the star uploaded a carousel of snaps in celebration of her 19th birthday, with one of the photos showing them walking hand-in-hand with their backs towards the camera. Sami's latest outing comes shortly after she jumped to her main TikTok page last week as she got ready for her 'sex worker' job. Sheen's daughter spoke about a 'big reveal' after her fans had been asking her to share topless photos - and celebrated the one year anniversary of her OnlyFans account. The model told fans, 'I know youre probably thinking: "How the hell are you a sex worker if you keep [your breasts] censored?" But trust me, I have my ways. I still show pretty much everything.' Sharing a kiss: The media personality was seen cozying up and sharing a kiss with her boyfriend, whose name and identity has yet to be revealed Past appearance: Although Sami hasn't publicly revealed who the mystery man is, he has made an appearance on her Instagram page 'Sex worker' job: Sami's latest outing comes shortly after she jumped to her main TikTok page last week as she got ready for her 'sex worker' job Sami, who recently enjoyed a getaway to Hawaii, also shared her plans to undergo breast implant surgery and marked the one-year anniversary of her OnlyFans account. She explained, 'I just want to wait until the girls are done so Im fully confident with everything Im showing.' Going into further personal detail, the star revealed, 'Im starting laser hair removal soon so thats gonna be a huge game-changer. I just cant stand shaving my whole entire body every time I need to work! Its so annoying! 'I just get all pretty and then see what happens' before adding that video content is her 'least favorite' to make because shes 'so awkward.' The shock comments come after the young star joined OnlyFans last year when she was 18-years-old. She made headlines for posting images alongside her Bond girl mom Denise, who posed for Playboy almost 20 years ago. Sami previously faced opposition from her actor dad Charlie Sheen, who wasn't happy with her decision to join OnlyFans, and revealed he still hasn't been won over. Anniversary: Sami also shared her plans to undergo breast implant surgery and marked the one-year anniversary of her OnlyFans account Opening up: The model told fans, 'I know youre probably thinking: "How the hell are you a sex worker if you keep [your breasts] censored?" But trust me, I have my ways. I still show pretty much everything' Supportive: Denise has been far more supportive of her daughter's OnlyFans endeavors, and later joined the service as well The media personality told TMZ at the time, '(My mom) has been incredibly supportive from the jump. I'm grateful to have to her in my corner. But my dad hasn't seen the light yet.' But Denise has been far more supportive of her daughter's OnlyFans endeavors, and later joined the service as well. She also defended her daughter's decision to join OnlyFans by sharing a statement on social media by applauding Sami's confidence and expressing she had no place to judge because she did 'Wild Things & Playboy, quite frankly her father shouldn't be either.' Richards further stated that she was 'in awe' of her daughter's 'ability to shut out the noise' and asked if there was, 'a difference posting a picture of [ourselves] in a bikini on IG? We've all done it. Because you get paid on Only Fans?' Denise later added, 'Perhaps I should open my own account...' Advertisement Emmy winner Jon Hamm beamed while posing arm-in-arm with his castmate-turned-fiancee Anna Osceola at the world premiere of Maggie Moore(s), which was held at The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios in Manhattan during the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday. At 52, the St. Louis native is 17 years older than the Massachusetts-born redhead, but they got engaged in February after two years of dating. Anna made sure the red carpet photographers caught a good glimpse of her large square-cut diamond engagement ring on a gold band. Osceola gave her slim 5ft11in frame an additional boost with black stilettos and she wore a coral floral tube dress. Jon dressed his 6ft2in frame in an navy blue suit with matching shirt, no necktie, a light-blue pocket square, and black Oxfords selected by stylist Taylor Jacobson Wolf. Bride and groom-to-be! Emmy winner Jon Hamm beamed while posing arm-in-arm with his castmate-turned-fiancee Anna Osceola at the world premiere of Maggie Moore(s), which was held at The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios in Manhattan during the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday Groomer/hairstylist Kim Verbeck made sure Hamm - who wore a retro pair of spectacles - was ready for his close-up at the film festivities. The Confess, Fletch couple originally met in 2014 when she played a receptionist at an Esalen-like spiritual retreat in California that his character Don Draper met during the Mad Men series finale. The two-time Golden Globe winner recently revealed he and Anna have scheduled their wedding 'in about a month' and while he didn't mention where he said 'right at the coast' while he was physically in Los Angeles. 'It's not too far. It's drivable,' Jon confessed on Sunday's episode of Club Random with Bill Maher, which he films in the man cave of his 3.2-acre Beverly Hills estate. 'Your invitation should be in your inbox.' Hamm also gushed that getting married 'has changed my life. I'm very happy. It's a wonderful thing.' Earlier on Monday, the self-described Bravo-holics were spotted arm-in-arm after he pretaped this Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen alongside his Mad Men castmate John Slattery. The 60-year-old Emmy nominee just so happens to have directed Jon and nine-time Emmy winner Tina Fey in Maggie Moore(s), which marks his third directorial feature film. May-December duo: At 52, the St. Louis native is 17 years older than the Massachusetts-born redhead, but they got engaged in February after two years of dating Wedding bling! Anna made sure the red carpet photographers caught a good glimpse of her large square-cut diamond engagement ring on a gold band Amazon: Osceola gave her slim 5ft11in frame an additional boost with black stilettos and she wore a coral floral tube dress Dapper: Jon dressed his 6ft2in frame in an navy blue suit with matching shirt, no necktie, a light-blue pocket square, and black Oxfords selected by stylist Taylor Jacobson Wolf Perfect complexion: Groomer/hairstylist Kim Verbeck made sure Hamm - who wore a retro pair of spectacles - was ready for his close-up at the film festivities Remember? The Confess, Fletch couple originally met in 2014 when she played a receptionist at an Esalen-like spiritual retreat in California that his character Don Draper met during the Mad Men series finale Soon! The two-time Golden Globe winner recently revealed he and Anna have scheduled their wedding 'in about a month' and while he didn't mention where he said 'right at the coast' while he was physically in Los Angeles Jon confessed on Sunday's episode of Club Random with Bill Maher, which he films in the man cave of his 3.2-acre Beverly Hills estate: 'It's not too far. It's drivable...Your invitation should be in your inbox' Therapy changed him! Hamm also gushed that getting married 'has changed my life. I'm very happy. It's a wonderful thing' Chatting Scandoval! Earlier on Monday, the self-described Bravo-holics were spotted arm-in-arm after he pretaped this Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen alongside his Mad Men castmate John Slattery Slattery at the helm! The 60-year-old Emmy nominee (R) just so happens to have directed Jon and nine-time Emmy winner Tina Fey (M) in Maggie Moore(s), which marks his third directorial feature film Hitting limited US theaters and VOD this Friday! In the R-rated comedic who-done-it, New Mexico police chief Jordan Sanders (Hamm) gets entangled with nosy neighbor Rita Grace (Fey) while investigating the double homicide of two women both named Maggie Moore. Ted Lasso alert! The 99-minute twisted dark comedy - also starring Nick Mohammed (R) as the randomly British Deputy Reddy - currently has a dismal 56% critic approval rating (out of nine reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes Spring style: The 53-year-old Pennsylvania native - who previously worked with Hamm on SNL and 30 Rock - wore a pastel pink pantsuit over a casual T-shirt and black loafers selected by stylist Cristina Ehrlich Jon, Tina, John made sure to pose with the cast and crew in attendance (from L-R) - Oona Roche, Christopher Denham, Bobbi Kitten, Louisa Krause, Vincent Newman, Nancy Leopardi, Ross Kohn, Happy Anderson, Micah Stock, and Allison Dunbar Date night! Allison Dunbar - who plays Stephanie in Maggie Moore(s) - glammed up in a blue gown and will celebrate her first wedding anniversary with two-time Emmy nominee Ron Perlman (R) on June 28 In the R-rated comedic who-done-it - hitting limited US theaters and VOD this Friday - New Mexico police chief Jordan Sanders (Hamm) gets entangled with nosy neighbor Rita Grace (Fey) while investigating the double homicide of two women both named Maggie Moore. The 99-minute twisted dark comedy - also starring Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed as the randomly British Deputy Reddy - currently has a dismal 56% critic approval rating (out of nine reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes. The 53-year-old Pennsylvania native - who previously worked with Hamm on SNL and 30 Rock - wore a pastel pink pantsuit over a casual T-shirt and black loafers selected by stylist Cristina Ehrlich. Jon, Tina, John made sure to pose with the cast and crew in attendance - Oona Roche, Christopher Denham, Bobbi Kitten, Louisa Krause, Vincent Newman, Nancy Leopardi, Ross Kohn, Happy Anderson, Micah Stock, and Allison Dunbar. Allison Dunbar - who plays Stephanie in Maggie Moore(s) - glammed up in a blue gown and will celebrate her first wedding anniversary with two-time Emmy nominee Ron Perlman on June 28. Indy Clinton has announced she is pregnant with her third child, eight months after giving birth to a baby girl. The Australian influencer, 26, welcomed her first daughter Bambi, last October, with her husband Ben Azar, and they also have a two-year-old son called Navy. She announced the exciting news on her TikTok account on Tuesday, where she shared a video of herself showing off her growing baby bump. In the clip, the young mother cradles her baby bump in a long knitted white dress as she poses on the beach. Her eight-month-old daughter and two-year-old son also feature in the video, as she bounces them around in her arms. Indy Clinton (pictured) has announced she is pregnant with her third child, eight months after giving birth to a baby girl Rubble To Rubble by Winderado accompanies the clip, with Indy mouthing the words, 'Oh my god we're having a baby', as she holds both her children with her visible baby bump. Friends and followers of the mother jumped to the comments to congratulate her. One person wrote: 'KEEPING UP WITH CLINTON!!! Congratulations gorg'. The Australian influencer, 26, welcomed her first daughter Bambi, last October, with her husband Ben Azar, and they also have a two-year-old son called Navy While another said: 'This is EVERYTHING'. And a third commented: 'SORRY WHAT???? omg congratulations'. The pregnancy announcement comes just week after the influencer said her husband was in the 'dog house' for a week. Indy posted a video to her TikTok of a remorseful-looking Ben giving her flowers and begging her for forgiveness. 'He's been in the dog house for a week so I finally let him out,' she wrote next to the footage. She announced the exciting news on her TikTok account on Tuesday, where she shared a video of herself showing off her growing baby bump According to an alleged friend of the influencer, he was in the dog house after Indy found photos on his phone of him visiting a venue she didn't approve of while on a work trip. She then reportedly decided to get back at him by running wild with his credit card, maxing it out at The Star casino in Sydney. The alleged friend of the influencer described her punishment to Instagram celebrity watchdog account Dutch Minty: 'He was away for work and lied about it. 'So, she took the kids and went to max out his credit card as payback.' Annie Kilner and husband Kyle Walker put on a united front as they were joined by Riyad Mahrez and his wife Taylor Ward as they continued to celebrate Manchester City's recent success. The team made history by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League Final, earning a historic treble for the club. The WAGs showed their support as they head out and partied till the early hours of the morning at Depot Mayfield in Manchester on Monday. Annie, 31, put on a busty display in a plunging black jumpsuit, teamed with chic heeled boots. Meanwhile Kyle, 33, cut a casual figure in a white t-shirt and blue jeans while walking hand-in-hand with Annie. Pals: Annie Kilner and husband Kyle Walker put on a united front as they were joined by Riyad Mahrez and his wife Taylor Ward as they continued to celebrate Manchester City's recent success Gorgeous: Annie, 31, put on a busty display in a plunging black jumpsuit, teamed with chic heeled boots Kyle hit the headlines again recently after he faced a police probe for allegedly flashing and kissing another woman in a Vodka Revolution branch. While the state of Kyle and Annie's relationship was called into question, they shared an apparent show of solidarity when Kyle commented a heart emoji under one of Annie's posts. It emerged earlier this month that Manchester City defender Kyle will not face criminal charges by police following their probe into an alleged incident at a Wilmslow bar. The England star, however, has been punished with an out of court disposal, with the investigation now closed. Riyad looked typically stylish in black ripped jeans and a white t-shirt as he followed closely behind. His wife Taylor put on a very leggy display in a white mini skirt, top and jacket, teamed with nude strappy heels. Man City stars took to the streets in an open-top bus parade today to celebrate their historic treble, with the club's biggest names, including talisman Jack Grealish, in the midst of an almighty three-day bender. Amid the jubilant celebrations Norwegian striker Erling Haaland drenched Grealish with champagne. The England winger has been out until sunrise for three nights running, with the party showing little sign of stopping. Looking good: Riyad looked typically stylish in black ripped jeans and a white t-shirt as he followed closely behind Glam: His wife Taylor put on a very leggy display in a white mini skirt, top and jacket, teamed with nude strappy heels Loved-up: Ilkay Gundogan - joined by WAG Sara Arfaoui - and Rico Lewis, who also brought a partner - also tagged along with City stars Beaming: Ederson Moraes was joined by his glamorous partner Lais at the event Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland went for the pyjama party look as they led Manchester City stars continuing their treble-winning celebrations at a nightclub Couple: Erling was joined by his girlfrined Isabel Haugseng Johansen Stunning: Isabel put on a leggy display in a blue pinstriped shirt dress Even boss Pep Guardiola decided to get involved with his players as they partied into the night Happy: Kalvin Philips gave a thumbs up as he arrived solo at the party As he downed vodka on stage, Grealish told fans he had 'the best day and night' since the momentous win, adding 'I don't think I've slept' and that he had lost his voice from all the partying. He and his team proudly posed for photos with the Champions League trophy, while their manager Pep Guardiola was seen sipping some well-deserved champagne and enjoying a cigar as the bus paraded through the city centre. Fans piling into the city centre for the parade were delayed due to bad weather and lightning storms - but not even the pouring rain could dampen their spirits. Guardiola, who fans tonight dubbed a 'wizard', summed up the atmosphere: 'What a parade. What an afternoon. It has to be like that, no sunshine. We want rain. The perfect way.' Jack Grealish arrived to the open-top bus parade with his shirt off, but as the rain continued to pour he put his shirt back on and posed for some photos with the Champions League trophy. He will certainly be feeling worse for wear after he was spotted staying out until sunrise for two nights running in an almighty bender Tens of thousands lined the streets, some clambering on buildings and lampposts or arriving hours earlier for the best view of the parade route and victory celebrations. Celebrating: Jack Grealish triumphantly posed with the Champions League trophy alongside Ederson and Kyle Winners: The bad weather didn't put a stop to the treble-winning celebrations Party: A large group of Manchester City's Treble winners continued the party by chartering a plane to Ibiza after they arrived back home from the Champions League final in Istanbul Jubilant players - who on Saturday equalled bitter rivals Manchester United's 1999 record triumph of winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in one season - unusually arrived in the city centre on a specially-chartered tram. The parade - in a fleet of blue open-topped buses - was delayed by 30 mins due to the lightning but eventually got underway at 7pm. The route ended on a big stage where the luckiest fans, who had arrived from early afternoon to secure a spot where they could see, watched the players show off their trophies. Manager Pep Guardiola joked of the rain: 'It has to be like that. This is Manchester.' Carol Vorderman flaunted her hourglass figure as she prepared to host her daily quiz podcast, Perfect 10, on Monday. The former Countdown host, 62, looked simply sensational in a pair of skin-tight leather leggings and a bright ruched top. She showed off her tiny waist in the fitted outfit, boosting her height with some towering platform boots. Carol styled her blonde hair into neat waves and wore a bronzed palette of makeup to complete her glamorous look. Posing for a selection of photos to Instagram, she perched on some steps and flashed a big smile for the camera. All smiles: Carol Vorderman, 62, flaunted her hourglass figure as she prepared to host her daily quiz podcast, Perfect 10, on Monday Stylish: The former Countdown host looked simply sensational in a pair of skin-tight leather leggings and a bright ruched top Alongside the post, she captioned: 'Whos ready for another week of Perfect 10? Head over to the link in my bio or @perfect10carols for todays quiz podcast.' The social media update comes after Carol revealed who she thinks will replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning. Television presenter Phillip, 61, announced his departure from the ITV programme in May before he sensationally confessed to the Mail on Friday he'd had an affair with a young male colleague on the show. Phillip has now resigned from ITV and will not host what was his last remaining TV appointment, the British Soap Awards, and has been dropped by his agents at YMU 'with immediate effect'. The broadcaster left This Morning amid reports of a feud between him and his former co-host Holly Willoughby, 42, with Holly taking two weeks off from the daytime show before returning on June 5 with other members of the ITV family. And, during an appearance on the BBC's Have I Got News for You on Friday, Carol hinted at who would permanently replace Phillip alongside Holly, with the star claiming it would be Alison Hammond. Former Countdown regular Carol appears every other Friday on This Morning do discuss various topics. When her Have I Got News For You team captain Ian Hislop put it to her she could replace Phillip, Carol said: 'No! Probably Holly and Alison, I would have thought.' Pose! She showed off her tiny waist in the fitted outfit, boosting her height with some towering platform boots Stunning: Carol styled her blonde hair into neat waves and wore a bronzed palette of makeup to complete her glamorous look Host Steph McGovern asked Carol: 'Is that where your money is?', she responded: 'That's where I'd put my money.' Alison currently hosts the show every Friday alongside Dermot O'Leary. Phillip stepped down last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves and confirmed the affair in a statement to the Mail on Friday. He has resigned from ITV and will not host the British Soap Awards and has been dropped by his agents at YMU 'with immediate effect'. Prediction: It comes after Carol claimed Alison Hammond would permanently replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning during an appearance on Have I Got News For You (pictured on the show) Coronation Street will return to screens with another action-packed week of drama, filled with more shocking reveals and woes. After discovering the identity of his catfish, a devastated Ryan Connor finds himself sharing another kiss with Daisy Midgeley, as they struggle to hide their growing feelings for each other. Elsewhere, struggling with the symptoms of his motor neurone disease diagnosis, Paul Foreman clashes with his loved ones after their attempts to ease his struggles, admitting he's too proud to seek financial helps after being left unable to work. And as newcomer Isabella continues to frustrate residents on the cobbles, Brian is stunned to learn she won't be heading back to Italy anytime soon. Here is everything you need to know about next week's action on the Corrie cobbles... Ryan and Daisy's relationship takes a shock new turn SPOILER: A devastated Ryan finds himself sharing another kiss with Daisy Midgeley, as they struggle to hide their growing feelings for each other. Shocking: But later he is devastated when he realises that Daisy was the one catfishing him as Crystal, and decides it's time Daniel learned about their kiss After learning the truth about Crystal, a devastated Ryan holes himself up in the flat. Hearing from Carla that Ryan is struggling, Daniel calls at the flat, asking why he now refuses to see Daisy when they were such good friends. Thinking on his feet, Ryan reveals he's been in a dark place since he found out the truth about Crystal. Daniel urges a guilty Daisy to pay Ryan a visit, but when Ryan admits how much he's missed her and leans in for a kiss, Daisy finds herself kissing him back, just as Carla returns! When a brooding Ryan reveals that after a chat with Max he's realised that she was the catfisher pretending to be Crystal, Daisy desperately tries to explain how after the attack Crystal made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him and she was only trying to protect his feelings. Bubbling with rage, Ryan throws her out, and as Daisy tries again to plead her case, insisting her intentions were honourable, Ryan is scathing and asserting that it's time Daniel knew about their kisses and heads out. Will Daniel finally learn the truth? Isabella outstays her welcome... Since she arrived on the cobbles as Brian's distant Italian cousin, Isabella has continued to ruffle feathers with her unfiltered nature. When Isabella offends yet more people in the cafe, Brian admits that he can't wait for her to return to Italy tomorrow. However when Isabella takes a call from her builder, Brian is horrified to discover he's stuck with her for a further two weeks. In a bid to get rid of her, Brian suggests to Isabella she should visit the sites of the north and offers to draw up an itinerary. Will Isabella finally bid farewell to the cobbles? Adam goes on a revenge spree Drama! After discover his wife's affair, Adam winds up Damon by kissing her while he's in full view, before kickstarting a revenge plot agains him Scary! After meeting with one of Damon's associates, Adam claims he's planning to rat him out to the police after the car insurance scam - is Damon in grave danger? Adam and Sarah's marriage is hanging by a thread after she admitted her affair with the villainous Damon. And in upcoming episodes, Damon takes great pleasure in getting under Adam's skin, after the solicitor agreed to give his wife another chance. Sarah is pleased when Adam pulls her in for a kiss but when she spots Damon she realises it was for his benefit not hers, and Adam urges Nick to cut Damon adrift as the man is poisonous. Later, Dee-Dee finds Adam trawling through Paul's file looking for dirt on Damon, and she furious and quickly snatches it away. As Damon tells Nick he's booked an appointment with the Head of the Weatherfield Market Association, Adam wheedles information out of an unsuspecting Paul about the car theft scam, managing to glean info on the guy he dealt with. Having traced Niall's phone number, Adam meets with Niall, telling him that Damon Hay is planning to do the dirty on him and inform the police about his involvement in the car insurance scam. Is Damon in grave danger? Amy gets some bad news Oh dear! Amy tells Summer that she intends to start afresh and focus on uni after her rape ordeal, but is devastated when her tutor tells her she's got to repeat the whole year Amy's life was thrown into turmoil when she was raped by Aaron Sandford, sparking a huge legal battle when she posted her accusations on social media. Eventually Amy decided to publish a retraction, but the fallout has left her drastically behind in her schoolwork, throwing her university plans into jeopardy. In the upcoming episodes, Amy tells Summer that she intends to start afresh and focus on uni. But she is devastated when her tutor tells her she's got to repeat the whole year, and she debates whether she should drop out. Summer tries to cheer Amy up, pointing out that by re-doing the year they'll be starting together. Will Amy agree? Paul's pride sparks a family feud Raging: Elsewhere, struggling with the symptoms of his motor neurone disease diagnosis, Paul Foreman clashes with his loved ones after their attempts to ease his struggles Oh dear! But when Paul suffers a fall, Bernie steps in to help, and convinces him to let her try her crystal therapy on him After finally sharing his motor neurone disease diagnosis with his loved ones, Paul continues to struggle with his symptoms. Returning from a holiday with boyfriend Billy, Paul is taken aback to discover that someone's been looking into a Personal Independence Payment on his behalf. When Chesney admits it was Bernie, Paul rails at his mum, making it clear he finds her fundraising attempts humiliating. Later, as Paul climbs off the bus with his shopping, his leg gives way, sending him sprawling. Bernie rushes over to help him, and eventually persuades her reluctant son to let her try out her crystal therapy on him. Evelyn struggles to part ways with Freddie Parting ways: When Roy tells Evelyn that he's feeling a lot better and it's time Freddie moved back home she does her best to disguise her sadness Following the death of her beloved dog Cerberus, Evelyn has been slowly bonding with a stray called Freddie after taking him in while Roy recovered from a nasty health scare. But next week, when Roy tells Evelyn that he's feeling a lot better and it's time Freddie moved back home she does her best to disguise her sadness. Elsewhere when Stu declines, Yasmeen invites Roy to a book reading at the library, much to Evelyn's annoyance. Is she jealous? Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult battled wildfire smoke on Sunday to film scenes for their new crime film The Order in Calgary, Alberta. Filming continued despite 'high risk' air quality resulting from the wild fires raging across Canada. The series, bought by Prime Video for 'eight figures', features Jude as an FBI agent fighting a criminal white supremacist group fronted by Nicholas. Jude, 50, dressed smart in a white shirt and black tie underneath a green jacket, teamed with grey trousers. Nicholas, 33, cut a casual figure in a white t-shirt and blue jeans as he strolled around the set. Filming: Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult battled wildfire smoke on Sunday to film scenes for their new crime series The Order in Calgary, Alberta Risky: The show must go on! Filming continued despite 'high risk' air quality resulting from the wild fires raging across Canada Officials have warned that wildfires in Canada will continue to burn with increased severity this summer, potentially spewing intermittent smoke over the lower 48 states for the coming months. Forecasts prepared by Natural Resources Canada indicate that throughout June, July, August and September, wildfires will burn across larger swathes of forest than in previous years. The smoke last week that sent US air quality ratings to record levels may return throughout this year's wildfire season. The extent to which smoke from Canada is steered onto the lower 48 states will be determined by wind patterns. For as long as the fires do burn, atmospheric currents could steer smoke into the lower 48 states. Last week's severe bout of fires was thought to have been triggered at least in part by a bout of lightning, igniting the fires across predominantly southeastern Quebec, as well as jet stream currents forced smoke over the East Coast and Midwest. That left residents of New York City and Philadelphia, among other places, in dense smoke that turned the sky yellow and caused officials to warn people to stay inside. June 6, 7 and 8 were three of the worst days for wildfire smoke in recorded US history in terms of the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere, according to the Stanford ECHO Lab . New York City and Philadelphia were some of the hardest hit locations for the smoke. A yellow haze came over the Big Apple early in the week, as health officials warned of the potential dangers. 'The Canadian wildfires present a common exposure to almost all New Yorkers right now,' acting Health Commissioner James McDonald said at the time . Costume: Jude, 50, dressed smart in a white shirt and black tie underneath a green jacket, teamed with grey trousers Plot: The series, bought by Prime Video for 'eight figures', features Jude as an FBI agent fighting a criminal white supremacist group fronted by Nicholas Low-key: Nicholas, 33, cut a casual figure in a white t-shirt and blue jeans as he strolled around the set New: The film, directed by Justin Kurzel and written by Zach Baylin, is based on the 1989 non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood Plot: An Idaho-based FBI agent (Law) spots a pattern in recent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists terrorizing communities across the Pacific Northwest Action: He sets out to prove it is not the work of a traditional organized crime unit, but a radical group with a charismatic leader (Hoult) 'Our risk from this exposure is based on our own personal underlying health condition. 'Those New Yorkers with underlying conditions such as lung or heart disease are at increased risk from this exposure and are encouraged to adjust their activities accordingly.' Scientists warn that wildfire events are likely to continue as the planet warms, creating an ideal environment for fires. Canada had an extremely dry and snow-free winter, which has left all 10 provinces currently facing conditions termed abnormal dryness, moderate or severe drought, according to the Canadian government's drought tracker. In June 2021, Canada experienced its hottest day ever when the town of Lytton, in British Columbia, hit 121 degrees Fahrenheit, smashing the previous record of 113 degrees. Dry, hot weather also breeds more lightning. Half of Canada's wildfires are started by lightning; the other half by humans. Lightning-sparked fires also tend to be more destructive. Some scientists believe rising global temperatures can affect the jet stream's flow, making it weaker. That allows air to sit stagnant for longer, and heat up. Canada's natural resources agency says climate change could potentially double the amount of area burned by the end of this century. For Canada, that means a possible problem for the timber industry, as well as destruction of valuable ecosystems. Bad: Scientists warn that wildfire events are likely to continue as the planet warms, creating an ideal environment for fires Awful: Officials have warned that a wildfires in Canada will continue to burn with increased severity this summer Scary: The extent to which smoke from Canada is steered onto the lower 48 states will also be determined by wind patterns. Pictured is New York City smothered in smoke causing its air quality ratings to drop their lowest ever levels. Pictured is the Manhattan Bridge on June 8 Some have argued that the blazes and ensuing smoke could have been avoided with better forest management, claiming too few controlled burns are being performed to clear the forest of flammable surplus. In 2020, four scientists wrote a paper published in Progress in Disaster Science in which they said not enough money was being spent by Canada on managing forests. 'Wildfire management agencies in Canada are at a tipping point,' they wrote. 'Presuppression and suppression costs are increasing but program budgets are not.' In July 2021, the editorial board of Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper warned that more needed to be done to hold controlled burns, and reduce the problem of out-of-control wildfires. Ant Middleton has a new career on the horizon. The SAS Australia host is delighted to have signed up to star in his first film, action-thriller Shelter. Middleton will star as hitman Rob Shaw who travels to a remote location to rescue his ex-wife. The British television personality, 42, tells TV Week that the plot is close to his heart. 'That really resonates with me, because I am a huge family man,' Ant told the publication. Ant Middleton (pictured) has a new career on the horizon. The SAS Australia host is delighted to have signed up to star in his first film, action-thriller Shelter Middleton added that he has aspirations of continuing to star in big screen roles in the future. 'Hopefully it will be the start of my acting career,' he told TV Week. He previously said was been attracted to the role because, 'it's got depth, it's got purpose and relatability'. Ant also confessed that he has his sights set on becoming a film star and hopes to 'make ripples through the industry'. Ant's latest venture, Million Dollar Island, which he hosts, hit Channel Seven Monday night. Middleton will star as hitman Rob Shaw who travels to a remote location to rescue his ex-wife. Pictured in the film 'Hopefully it will be the start of my acting career, he told TV Week 'Think The Hunger Games meets Lost... but not quite as brutal,' the former British Special Forces soldier said in a statement. 'This is a high-stakes challenge for regular, everyday Aussies. Literally anyone can apply. You don't have to be the fittest or the strongest person to win big. 'I can't wait to see what the Aussie contestants have got, how well they know themselves and how far they'll go to change their lives.' Contestants must learn to survive on the uninhabited island while they compete for 100 wristbands ultimately worth $1million. Tim Robards has showed off his gym honed physique in a pair of very tight budgie smugglers. The former Bachelor star shared a series of photos to Instagram in which he posed in the skimpy swimwear. He worked his angles by the pool as well as stretching out on a sun longue, with his rippling muscles on display. 'Smuggling and maybe I'll finally finish my book. I'm getting there!' he wrote in the caption. The 40-year-old is on holiday with wife Anna Heinrich 36, to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Tim Robards (pictured) has showed off his gym honed physique in a pair of very tight budgie smugglers. The former Bachelor star shared a series of photos to Instagram in which he posed in the skimpy swimwear They returned to the place they were wed, Puglia, Italy, and are staying at the upmarket boutique hotel Paragon 700. The couple exchanged vows in a beautiful wedding ceremony in Puglia on June 7, 2018. Australia's original Bachelor couple tied the knot at the Masseria Potenti hotel, among the olive groves and vineyards of the Puglian countryside. Anna looked absolutely breathtaking in her couture Steven Khalil dress while being walked down the aisle by her father, Les Heinrich. The 40-year-old is on holiday with wife Anna Heinrich 36, to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Both pictured He worked his angles by the pool as well as stretching out on a sun longue, with his rippling muscles on display They returned to the place they were wed, Puglia, Italy, and are staying at the upmarket boutique hotel Paragon 700 The couple dated for four years before getting engaged in May 2017 while on holiday in Kimberley, Western Australia. They share one child, daughter Elle, two. The reality TV lovebirds spent a good chunk of their first year of marriage living apart. Tim moved from Sydney to Melbourne after landing a role on Neighbours. The former Bachelor hunk played Pierce Greyson on the long-running soap and lived in Melbourne from Monday to Friday, but returned home to Sydney on the weekends. Robert Irwin is known for his love of dangerous wild animals. And on Saturday, the 19-year-old proved he loves animals large and small as he cuddled the family's beloved pet pug, Stella. In a photo shared to Instagram, Robert smiled for the camera as Stella gave him a kiss on his face. He also shared another close-up image of his dog as she looked directly into the camera. It comes amid reports Robert is planning to pop the question to his girlfriend Rorie Buckey after seven months of dating. Robert Irwin cuddled with his adorable pug Stella in sweet photos amid rumours he has 'engagement plans with girlfriend Rorie Buckey' According to New Idea magazine, protective mother Terri has concerns that her lovestruck son and his smitten girlfriend, 18, will rush down the aisle too early. 'Terri feels like Robert is moving way too fast,' a source told the publication. 'Rorie's a sweetheart and it's easy to see why he is absolutely smitten, but Terri knows the stakes are high,' they added. Robert's big sister Bindi is also said to have reservations about his possible marriage. The publication also claimed Robert is a 'romantic' who is hoping to emulate his mother's quick engagement to her late husband Steve after just eight months of dating in 1992. Robert and Rorie, who is the niece of legendary Australian actor Heath Ledger, are currently in a long-distance relationship, with Robert based at Australia Zoo in Queensland while Rorie is in Perth. In another close-up image, Robert's dog Stella looked directly into the camera It comes amid reports Robert is planning to pop the question to his girlfriend Rorie Buckey after seven months of dating The couple were last spotted in May at Perth Airport packing on the PDA after Robert travelled to Western Australia to spend time with his girlfriend's family. Robert and Rorie have plenty in common; both grew up in the public eye after suffering the devastating loss of a family member. Heath was at the top of his Hollywood career when he was found dead in January 2008 following an accidental prescription drug overdose. Robert's father Steve Irwin, known to the world as the 'Crocodile Hunter', died aged 44 on September 4, 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray. Washington, June 13 (UNI) US President Joe Biden has extended for one year a national emergency with respect to Belarus, declared due to an internal political crisis in Belarus, the White House said in a statement. Washington accuses the Belarusian leadership of electoral fraud and persecution of political opposition, which Minsk denies. The national emergency with respect to Belarus was originally declared on June 16, 2006, by Executive Order 13405 "to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus... to undermine Belaruss democratic processes or institutions...; to commit human rights abuses related to political repression." The Executive Order was expanded in 2021 and will now be continued for one more year. "On August 9, 2021, by Executive Order 14038, I expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13405... The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons, and the Belarusian regimes harmful activities and long-standing abuses, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States... I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13405," Biden said in a statement as quoted by the White House. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK The 12th series may have come to an end earlier this year, but preparation for is already underway for the 13th. And Call The Midwife fans rejoiced as the cast of the drama reunited to count down the days until filming begins. In an update shared to the beloved BBC's show Facebook, the show's writer Heidi Thomas could been seen surrounded by the cast for a meal in London. Fan favourites Georgie Glen was seen alongside Megan Cusack and Judy Parfitt while Olly Rix and Heidi's husband also joined. The captioned read: 'Since our tumultuous season 12 finished airing at the end of February, our intrepid team have been grabbing the chance to rest up, relax, or else fit in some quick theatrical work before filming commences again!' Coming soon: Call The Midwife fans rejoiced as the cast of the drama reunited to count down the days until filming begins It continued: 'But today marked an important celebration our team gathered at a plush venue in the west end of London for their first get-together before the cameras roll again and the scripts drop through the doors. 'We hear the producers organised the team a wonderful meal - there were speeches, lots of laughter and many reunion hugs! 'Meanwhile, the costume fittings have begun, locations are being scouted, sets painted all in readiness for our brand new collection of stories! 'The countdown begins!! Call the Midwife returns with a new Christmas Special and series 13 in 2024.' Sharing their thoughts, one fan wrote: 'Absolutely love love love this fantastic, heart warming show! Cant wait to watch series 13 xx' Another added: 'I cant wait for the new series and the Christmas special episode. I love your show and I have been watching it from the beginning to the Present Day.' A third said: 'So looking forward to the next chapter in this wonderful series. x' Earlier this year, Helen George teased the return of famous faces for Call The Midwife's final ever episode. Exciting: The captioned read: 'Since our tumultuous season 12 finished airing at the end of February, our intrepid team have been grabbing the chance to rest up, relax' Ready for a return: Earlier this year, Helen Georg e teased the return of famous faces for Call The Midwife 's final ever episode The actress, 38, who portrays Trixie Franklin, admitted that it would be 'amazing' to have some old characters back on the show. Among the favourites to appear on the BBC drama is Miranda Hart. The star played nurse and midwife Chummy between 2012 and 2015 - but left after not being able to 'birth the schedule to make it work', she said at the time. Speaking to RadioTimes about the possibility of a reunion with past characters, Helen said: 'We've talked about that, wouldn't it be nice? 'Like at the end of Titanic, all the characters come and it's just beautiful. It would have been amazing to have everybody.' Teasing reunion plans ever further, she continued: 'Look, you'll have to wait and see. But it'll be nice at some point maybe at the end of the very, very last series to get some of the old faces back, for sure.' The BBC recently confirmed that the show will return for two more seasons, keeping it on air until at least 2026. The show is set in the 1950s and 1960s in London's East End - and focuses on a group of midwives in a nursing convent. Backing Miranda's return even more, Call the Midwife's creator Heidi Thomas previously confessed that the star would be at the top of her wish list of characters to bring back. Heidi said: 'I still hope that one day we will come back to Chummy.' Elliot Page has revealed he developed stress-induced shingles on the set of Inception in 2010 after feeling 'out of place in a cast full of cis men'. The Oscar-nominated star, 36, opened up about the incident in his new book Pageboy which has lifted the lid on his life in showbiz so far. Elliot - who was just 22 at the time - told that he developed the illness and feared he would be 'recast with Keira Knightley'. He starred in the Christopher Nolan blockbuster alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy. He wrote: 'Shingles communicated the stress my body felt. It popped out of my spine while filming Inception when I was twenty-two. Difficult: Elliot Page has revealed he developed stress-induced shingles on the set of Inception in 2010 after feeling 'out of place in a cast full of cis men' Cast: He starred in the Christopher Nolan blockbuster alongside Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured), Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy 'Despite everyone being delightful to work with, I felt out of place. In a cast full of cis men, I did not understand the role I found myself in. 'For the first two weeks of the film, I joked I would be recast with Keira Knightley, and rightfully so.' It comes as Elliot said a male director sought to groom him for sex when he was a teenager. He claimed he was at dinner in Toronto at the French eatery Swan on Queen West when the incident occurred. The Canadian actor, who was once known as Ellen Page and came out as transgender in 2020, said the director began stroking his thigh under the table in an effort to seduce him. The Umbrella Academy said the filmmaker whispered to him, 'You have to make the move, I can't' in their effort to instigate physical intimacy. The Juno star said that the director's 'frequent texts made me feel special, as did the books he gifted me.' In a chapter in the book titled Leeches, Page said that on a previous movie he was working on, 'a crew member had done the same' in making overt sexual advances toward him. Tough: He wrote: 'Shingles communicated the stress my body felt. It popped out of my spine while filming Inception when I was twenty-two' Worry: Elliot - who was just 22 at the time - told that he developed the illness and feared he would be 'recast with Keira Knightley' (pictured) Huge film: Director Christopher Nolan, Elliot, Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard are pictured at the Inception premiere in 2010 'In between takes he would talk to me about art and films he invited me to hang out on a Saturday afternoon,' Page said in the book. 'After a walk in the rain he grabbed me, asserting we go upstairs. 'Pulling me in to his body, I could feel his hard c*** against me.' Page described another instance of sexual harassment during the time he was working on the 2005 motion picture Hard Candy at the age of 17. He said that a crew member on the dramatic thriller, who has gone on to be a director, made strong advances toward him at a wrap party for the film. 'He was funny and strange, and he was kind to me,' Page said in the book. 'We spoke about books, discussed films and obscure, depressing graphic novels. 'A glint in his eyes made me feel seen, supported. He had a sweetness even.' Page said that the crew member invited himself into Page's apartment and placed his hands on his shoulders. Page said that he was 'unsure what to do' and 'went stiff with a smile' amid the advances. 'He laid me down on the bed,' Page said, adding that the crew member took his pants off and said he wanted to perform oral sex on him. 'I froze,' Page said. 'After it was over, he tried to stay in the bed with me. I had thawed marginally and told him he couldn't, to get out. He slept on the couch.' Page said that on the set of a different movie, a female crew member assaulted him multiple times. Page said that the circumstances behind his life and career made him 'a perfect target' for sex predators in the industry. 'As puberty transmuted me into a character I had no interest in playing, my isolation, insecurity, and unknowing grew,' Page said. 'I desperately needed to anchor myself. In new cities, with no friends, alone in hotel rooms, it was not hard for someone to prey. I'm sure they sense that.' Elsewhere in his new memoir, Page graphically detailed his failed attempts to have sex with a man at age 16, as he battled with his sexuality years before coming out as gay. Page revealed he once dated a classmate called Kenneth and repeatedly attempted to lose his virginity to him - to no avail. Page said the pair - who met in grade 10 at Queen Elizabeth High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia - would 'fool around upstairs' and engage in 'dry humping,' which did not arouse Page. He wrote: 'Kenneth was sweet, sensitive and cute. A unique face with prominent cheekbones and electric eyes, his hair dark brown and floppy. 'We'd fool around upstairs. I didn't really like it but I didn't mind it either. 'The kissing, meh. The dry humping, alright. I would pretend to orgasm. Not that Kenneth wasn't or wouldn't be fantastic in bed. I am certain he would be a selfless and generous lover.' Going into further explicit detail, Page said when they tried to have sex, Kenneth was unable to enter him, adding: 'That whole 'wet' thing was not happening. 'We'd try and then stop, try and then stop, try and then stop, and then we stopped trying. I was lucky it was with someone as lovely as him, it could have ended a different way.' The star added that due to suffering a tear in his private parts during a rollerblade accident, he had this 'idea that something had happened to my vagina - causing my body to refuse entry. 'Everyone was talking about 'doing it' and 'hooking up' and 'virginity'... and I didn't get it. Was everyone also pretending? 'I avoided sex with guys and suppressed my real, unrequited crushes. My brain could not comprehend that I simply wasn't interested, that I just didn't want to go through with it, which would be a completely appropriate feeling and response.' Page would come out as a lesbian in 2014 - and would transition from female to male six years later. This comes after Page claimed he had sex with Juno co-star Olivia Thirlby 'all the time' while they filmed the hit 2007 movie - just days after revealing he had a secret romance with Kate Mara. The star said he was instantly attracted to Thirlby, now 36, who played Juno's best friend Leah in the film, as he recounted their fling in Pageboy. He said: 'I was taken aback the moment I saw Olivia Thirlby. She seemed so much older, capable, and centered. 'Sexually open, far removed from where I was at the time. But the chemistry was palpable, it pulled me in.' Page - who played pregnant teen Juno MacGuff in the film - recounted how they started 'sucking face' in a hotel room after Thirlby confessed she was 'really attracted' to him, to which Page reciprocated her feelings. He wrote: 'It was on. I had an all-encompassing desire for her, she made me want in a way that was new, hopeful.' He added it was one of the first times someone would make him orgasm. Terrible: It comes as Elliot said a male director sought to groom him for sex when he was a teenager (pictured 2022) Fling: This comes after Page claimed he had sex with Juno co-star Olivia Thirlby 'all the time' while they filmed the hit 2007 movie - just days after revealing he had a secret romance with Kate Mara (pictured) Candid: Page opens up about a number of sexual advances made toward him at a young age in his new book Page said he and Thirlby began having sex 'all the time', writing: 'Her hotel room, in our trailers at work, once in a tiny, private room in a restaurant We thought we were being subtle. Being intimate with Olivia helped my shame dissipate. I didn't see a glint of it in her eyes and I wanted that done feeling wretched about who I am.' Around the time Page and Thirlby filmed Juno, the pair were slated to star as the title characters in Jack & Diane - playing two young women who fall in love - but both dropped out before production, and the cast was replaced numerous times over. Thirlby publicly came out as bisexual in 2011 - she has been married to Jacques Pienaar since 2014. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Thirlby for comment. She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. And Kendall Jenner looked casually chic as she stepped out for dinner at Sushi Fumi in LA on Monday night. The model, 27, opted for a stylish brown leather jacket as she strutted her stuff along the pavement. She completed the look with a pair of high-waisted denim jeans which she wore with a black belt to cinch her in at the waist. Under the jacket she wore a cropped white T-shirt and boosted her height with heeled leather boots. Beauty: Kendall Jenner looked casually chic as she stepped out for dinner at Sushi Fumi in LA on Monday night Kendall wore her dark tresses in a sleek style over her shoulders and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look. The beauty is currently rumored to be dating Bad Bunny, aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29. Neither Kendall nor the Puerto Rican rapper has spoken publicly about their relationship, but a source told People in May, the pair were 'getting more serious.' 'They are very cute together. Kendall is happy,' the insider claimed. 'He is a fun guy. Very much a gentleman and charming. She likes his vibe. He is very chill. The source also revealed 'it was a slow start,' to the relationship, 'but they spend almost every day together now.' Kendall has also been busy with her tequila business. Since she launched 818 Tequila in May 2021, Jenner has thrown several star-studded bashes to celebrate her tequila line and its investors. Confident: The model, 27, opted for a stylish brown leather jacket as she strutted her stuff along the pavement Love life: The beauty is currently rumored to be dating Bad Bunny, (pictured) aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29 She recently hosted an event for the brand on June 5 at Lavo Ristorante in West Hollywood. For the West Hollywood event, Jenner wore a brown strapless corseted leather dress with a white plisse at the hem. She completed her look with a matching brown woven box clutch and pointed heels. The model's 818 Tequila event was held in conjunction with the birthday party of Pavan Pardasani, the chief marketing officer of The Tao Group. Besides Jenner and Pardasani, among the celebrities who attended the West Hollywood event included Lori Harvey, Trevor Noah, Jason and Brett Oppenheim, and Tristian Thompson. Love? Neither Kendall nor the Puerto Rican rapper has spoken publicly about their relationship, but a source told People in May, the pair were 'getting more serious' He was once considered one of TV's most prestigious actors, with iconic roles in EastEnders and Heartbeat. But Nick Berry has turned his back on acting in recent years, stunning with his unrecognisable appearance during a recent outing to his local baker. The actor, 60, who was previously considered one of the small screen's biggest heartthrobs, turned his back on his career at its peak to focus on being a stay-at-home father to his two children. Fast-forward 38 years, and Nick's appearance is a far cry from his TV heyday, sporting a bushy beard and a head of silver hair. His last acting role came back in 2012, when he briefly reprised his EastEnders character to attend the funeral of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher. Blast from the past! Nick Berry has turned his back on acting in recent years, stunning with his unrecognisable appearance during a recent outing to his local baker Iconic: The actor was best known for his role as heartthrob Simon Wicks on EastEnders, appearing in the soap's first ever episode in 1985 Family: But Nick, who married his wife Rachel Robertson in 1994, turned his back on his career to focus on being a stay-at-home father to his two sons, who are now in their twenties Nick had a stellar acting career on British television but stepped away from the screen aged 39 to raise his two sons. He originally sprung to fame as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985, and appeared in the soap's first ever episode alongside icons Dirty Den Watts, Lofty and Kathy Beale. During his five-year stint in Albert Square, he quickly became one of the soap's most popular characters. One of his most prominent storylines came when he became embroiled in a steamy affair with Cindy Beale, sparking an explosive feud with her husband Ian. The pair's constant tension eventually led Simon to leave Walford with Cindy and their son, and years later it was revealed he'd settled down in New Zealand. Nick left the soap in 1990 and decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan, before taking on the role of harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights. He reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where the soap was filmed. There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Berry released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year. Beloved: During his five-year stint in Albert Square, he quickly became one of the soap's most popular characters Music star! There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Berry released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year Screen star: Nick left the soap in 1990 and decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan Moving: His last acting role came back in 2012, when he briefly reprised his EastEnders character to attend the funeral of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher Save for filming police drama In Deep as police detective Liam Ketman alongside Stephen Tompkinson, which ran from 2001-2003, Berry disappeared from view. He married his wife, actress Rachel Robertson in 1994, and they relocated to Essex, where turned his back on acting to become a stay-at-home father to his two sons Louis, now 27, and Finley, 24. He had previously dated his EastEnders co-star Gillian Taylforth, who played Kathy Beale, but the pair eventually split in 1988. At one point, Nick was rumoured to have been offered a 2million golden-handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late Eighties. He was said to have amassed an estimated 5million from his time in the spotlight enough to fund a rambling house in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove. Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, he said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it... 'I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it. While I'd never say never, I'm genuinely happy as I am.' Family time: He married his wife, actress Rachel Robertson in 1994, and they relocated to Epping in Essex (pictured at their wedding) Time away: Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, Nick (pictured at the time) said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it' 'The job was great. You're driven everywhere, fed every five minutes and told what to do and where to go. What I struggled with was that the boys were very young and I felt like I was away filming all the time... 'I'd been blessed with these little people and yet I wasn't really there. I realised I wanted to be at home.' Despite his spectacular screen success, east London-born Berry said he wasn't a natural actor. He said: 'I was never that comfortable in the spotlight. Some of the egos you can do without. A lot of actors take themselves so seriously but, by and large, you're getting paid to show off.' Love Island's Georgia Harrison looked ready for summer when she stepped out wearing a pretty blue co-ord on Tuesday. The Influencer, 28, looked incredible in the daisy-print crop top which she teamed with matching tiny shorts for the outing. She kept cool in the look by adding a matching blue shirt over the top as she headed to the PrettyLittleThing showroom to try on some clothes. Georgia was sporting slightly darker locks and looked happy as she headed out into the heatwave. The pretty social media star had arrived at the shop wearing another two-piece, but loved her new look so much, she insisted on wearing it home. Looking good: Love Island's Georgia Harrison looked incredible in knitted daisy shorts and a crop top as she headed to the PrettyLittleThing showroom in London on Tuesday Blue is the colour... The Influencer, 28, looked incredible in the ensemble which she teamed with a matching shirt She likes what she sees... The pretty social media star had arrived at the shop wearing another two-piece, but loved her new look so much, she insisted on wearing it home She accessorized it perfectly wearing white heeled thong sandals and added a pop of colour to her look with a small, bright yellow handbag. Earlier this month, Georgia apologised to fans for over-editing her photos in the past in a heartfelt Instagram post. While she appeared confident in her bikini photos, she admitted that it wasn't always the case and had previously edited her snaps. In an attempt to 'take accountability' for her past actions, Georgia issued an apology to her followers in which she said sorry for 'being part of the problem' at one point. She penned in her caption: 'I'm currently reading power vs force and I feel this is something I need to address after finishing it. 'I haven't been over editing my photos for a long time now and although I learnt my lesson I never really took accountability for the fact that I done it. So here it is 'I'm sorry to you if I made my insecurities your insecurities. I'm sorry to myself for not loving my imperfections the way I encourage others too 'And I'm sorry to society for once being part of the problem. Walking tall: She accessorized the look perfectly wearing white heeled thong sandals and added a pop of colour to her look with a small, bright yellow handbag Bronzed babe: Georgia showed off her golden glow from her recent trip to Ibiza for pal Olivia Attwood's wedding They've been loved-up for 40 years - but never got married. But that hasn't stopped Hollywood icon Goldie Hawn, 77, from acting like she in still in the honeymoon period with her love, Kurt Russell, 72. The couple enjoyed a speedboat ride together, with Goldie looking absolutely incredible in a black swimsuit. Kurt went shirtless and slipped into a pair of black and white patterned shorts as he topped up his Californian tan. Later, Goldie was pictured walking down the beach with a red pareo wrapped around her neck and carrying a basket of treats. Stunning: Goldie Hawn, 77, turned back the clock in a black swimsuit as she joined her shirtless long-term love Kurt Russell, 72, on a speedboat outing in Greece on Monday Her love of 40 years: Kurt went shirtless and slipped into a pair of black and white patterned shorts as he topped up his Californian tan Hawn and Russell initially met while working on The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, which was released in 1968. The actress was previously married to Gus Trikonis, and their marriage lasted from 1969 until 1976. The Cactus Flower star moved on and eventually tied the knot with Bill Hudson that same year. The former couple went on to welcome a son named Oliver, 46, as well as their daughter Kate, 43, during the course of their marriage, which ended in 1982. Russell was also formerly married to Season Hubley from 1979 until 1983. Hawn and her longtime partner reconnected on the set of 1984's Swing Shift, in which they costarred. The two began a relationship and brought a son named Wyatt, 36, into their lives in 1986, and they costarred in Overboard, which premiered the following year. The pair have remained selective about appearing alongside each other since then, although they did portray Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in 2018's The Christmas Chronicles, as well as its 2020 sequel. Walking tall: The couple enjoyed a speedboat ride together, with Goldie looking absolutely incredible in a black swimsuit He knows what he's doing: Kurt looked delighted as he took control of the wheel Happy days: The couple looked as though they were having a whale of a time at their holiday destination Hawn and Russell opened up about their relationship during an interview with People, where the latter expressed that he and his partner did not feel the need to formalize their relationship. 'For people like us, the marriage certificate wasn't going to create anything that otherwise we wouldn't have,' he said. The actress also stated that she was not interested in tying the knot, as she still felt strongly connected to her partner. 'It's not about the marriage. It's about the people and the relationship, and the will to stay together,' she said. Hawn concluded by remarking that she and Russell felt immensely grateful for the family that they had raised. 'That feeling of gratitude is important, because it's good for your brain and your heart and your health. It's a good thing to pass on,' she said. Pip Edwards is known for her love of designer clothes and accessories. And on Tuesday, the P.E Nation founder, 42, showed off her 'outback glam' as she attended an event in Sydney. The designer flaunted her figure in a black and brown leather coat as she posed for a mirror selfie. She wore a black fringe dress under the designer jacket, which had a matching belt, and a pair of black stilettos. Pip tied her blonde locks back and completed the look with a pair of gold earrings. Pip Edwards looked glamorous in a designer coat as she showed off her 'outback glam' at event in Sydney. Pictured The post comes on the heels of the unfortunate news of P.E Nation downsizing due to 'challenging market conditions'. 'In response to the challenging economic conditions, the board of P.E Nation has implemented measures to streamline and restructure the business,' Edwards stated in an official release to The Daily Telegraph. 'Regrettably, this has resulted in the difficult decision to make six staff redundant.' Pip added: 'These measures align with the overall restructuring efforts, which are necessary to secure the continued growth and success of the business.' The Sydney socialite launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend and business partner Claire Tregoning, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries. Earlier this year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire - whose office had been cleared out and turned into a 'creative space' following a months-long absence. The post comes on the heels of the unfortunate news of P.E Nation downsizing due to 'challenging market conditions' The pair went on a business trip to the UK together in November 2022, where they promoted their athleisure company, took selfies in London, and lunched with the likes of former foreign minister Julie Bishop. But Daily Mail Australia revealed there were rumours swirling the deep friendship at the core of the business may have crumbled during their luxury trip away. A source with knowledge of the company's internal dealings alleged: 'Pip and Claire have had a falling out.' The source said Tregoning took one month off in December, extended her break for another month in January, and then opted for another three months' leave. Her office in the company's Sydney headquarters has now been cleared and repurposed as a 'creative room'. A P.E Nation spokeswoman denied that the pair are feuding, insisting they remain 'committed and collaborative business partners'. The socialite launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend and business partner Claire, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries 'Claire is taking some well-earned time off and remains an important part of P.E Nation,' the spokeswoman said. '(She) is taking a well-earned sabbatical for a few months.' Tregoning reiterated the message when contacted for comment, adding: 'The business and Pip have both been great supporters of my sabbatical and I am grateful to have this time off with my family.' She did not respond to questions about her office at headquarters being cleared out, however the P.E Nation spokeswoman admitted it has been repurposed for the duration of her absence. 'Whilst Claire is not in the office, we are using her office space for other purposes, including a meeting and creative room,' they said. An Australian baker has surprised Jennifer Coolidge with White Lotus-themed cookies at Sydney's Vivid Festival. The Perth-based baker named Kristy Diffey shared a video to Instagram on Monday of the actress receiving a surprise box of her sweet treats. Jennifer opened the box to reveal a cookie version of her character Tanya McQuoid. 'It's Tanya and a dolphin and me on a Vespa with my hideous lover. Oh my god, wow,' the actress said after receiving the box on stage. Kristy captioned the clip: 'More from the Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge event from last Saturday night. Mostly so I can have a video on my grid of [broadcaster] Benjamin Law referring to my Tanya from White Lotus biscuits as my Magnum Opus.' An Australian baker has surprised Jennifer Coolidge (pictured) with White Lotus-themed cookies at Sydney 's Vivid Festival. 'And so you know I didn't just make a biscuit of Armond sh*tting in a suitcase. Thanks to [my friends] for all filming this moment while I was in shock.' It comes after the show's creator Mike White teased plans for a potential Australian edition of hit series White Lotus at a press conference at the Vivid Festival. 'My dream would be to hit every continent, so yeah, this is like its own continent basically,' he said. The baker named Kristy Diffey shared a video to Instagram on Monday of the actress receiving a surprise box of her sweet treats. Jennifer opened the box to reveal a cookie version of her character Tanya McQuoid 'We kind of have to come to Australia if we keep going. It would be so fun. ' He added: 'Obviously, there's a huge wealth of talent here and the beauty is inarguable, so it feels like it checks all the boxes'. Mike went on to explain that if the series decided to film a prequel to season one, beloved Australian actor Murray Bartlett, who played hotel manager Armond, could return to the show. 'I absolutely think that's possible, we were just talking about that,' he said, adding that Jennifer, who was killed off in season two, could also come back for a prequel. It comes after the show's creator Mike White teased plans for a potential Australian edition of the hit series White Lotus at a press conference at the Vivid Festival 'It's a funny idea. And making Jennifer, you know, 20 years younger, that would be fun too. We can bring Murray Bartlett back,' Mike said. While a fourth season could hit Australia, after seasons set in Hawaii and Italy, The White Lotus will reportedly set its upcoming third season in Thailand. White, the creator, sole writer and director of the hit HBO series, had been scoping out the Southeast Asian country in recent weeks, multiple sources told Variety. Jackass star Johnny Knoxville a friend of White previously set off speculation that the show might be set in Tokyo, after he mentioned that the two had spent some time in the metropolis, though it appears White's real focus was elsewhere in Asia. Matt Shirvington has revealed that his Today rival Karl Stefanovic hasn't yet gotten in touch. The television host started his run on Sunrise this week after taking over from David Koch. 'I haven't heard from Karl yet,' the 44-year-old admitted to Woman's Day this week. Matt went on to say that his predecessor, Kochie, had however offered him some advice. 'The biggest thing that he has said to me by far is that I'm the perfect fit for the role,' Matt told the magazine. Matt Shirvington (right) has revealed that his Today rival Karl Stefanovic hasn't yet gotten in touch. The television host started his run on Sunrise this week after taking over from David 'Kochie' Koch 'That for me is a green light. To have a predecessor of his integrity and reputation turn around and say that, it's like, "wow"'. Matt is celebrating a ratings win after his first day on the Sunrise couch. Continuing its reign as Australia's number one breakfast program, Sunrise drew in an impressive 235,000 metro viewers on Monday, beating Nine's Today show by a 32 per cent market share. Meanwhile, Today earned 188,000 metro viewers while ABC News Breakfast drew just 104,000. As Shirvington and co-host Natalie Barr celebrate their big win, Today continues to operate without its leading man Stefanovic, who is away from the desk on a two-week holiday. 'I haven't heard from Karl yet,' the 44-year-old admitted to Woman's Day this week. Karl is pictured Stefanovic was previously slated to go head-to-head with Koch's replacement, but is MC'ing at chicken heiress Tamie Ingham's wedding to Guillaume Brahimi in Paris instead. Instead, the program is being fronted by Karl's co-host Sarah Abo and fill-in, Nine's chief political editor Charles Croucher. 'The timing is absolutely horrible. It's never been more important for Karl and Sarah to put on a united front,' a source told New Idea 'It's crucial Karl be there to prove what Today is made of while Shirvo and Nat [Barr] try to step up without Kochie [David Koch].' Matt went on to say that his predecessor, Kochie (left), had however offered him some advice. 'The biggest thing that he has said to me by far is that I'm the perfect fit for the role,' Matt told the magazine However Nine Network's director of morning television Steven Burling has defended Karl's break and said it is 'pure coincidence'. '[Karl] booked in these two weeks' leave some months ago. The fact his holiday coincides with Shirvo's first day is pure coincidence. Nothing more,' he said. 'Karl hasn't had any time off since hitting the ground running during the Australian Open in January.' It comes after Stefanovic delivered a cheeky blow to his long-time professional rival Kochie, following the Sunrise host's shock resignation. Speaking to guests at a lavish media event at Sydney's Crown last week, Stefanovic said of Kochie: 'To be honest, I'm glad he's gone.' Chris Pratt has developed a theory about why vengeance stories like his series The Terminal List have struck such a chord. 'Some critic said something like it was an "unhinged revenge fantasy." And, to be honest, thats exactly what it is in a way,' said the Hollywood heartthrob. 'I think every dad secretly fantasizes about what they would do if someone ever f***ed with their kids,' the 43-year-old quipped to Men's Journal. 'Thats one of the reasons Liam Neeson's movie Taken was such a hit. Us dads are just like: "Yes! Get em! Use that special set of skills."' He himself has two daughters - Lyla, two, and Eloise, one - with his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, as well as a son called Jack, 10, by his ex-wife Anna Faris. Appeal: Chris Pratt has developed a theory about why vengeance stories like his series The Terminal List (pictured) have struck such a chord Doting dad: 'I think every dad secretly fantasizes about what they would do if someone ever f***ed with their kids,' the 43-year-old quipped to Men's Journal In his new interview, Chris expounded on the particular way that men with children can connect to his show The Terminal List. Based on a novel by a former Navy SEAL, the show stars Chris as a SEAL seeking retribution after his whole platoon is killed under suspect circumstances. Politically correct critics have denounced the series as an 'unhinged right-wing revenge fantasy' and 'another invitation to worship at the altar of the Navy SEALs.' However the public's view has sharply diverged from the reviews, making the show a massive hit and giving it a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes in the face of a comparatively dismal 39% from the critics. Chris reflected on the show's particular to appeal to fathers, saying: 'Whenever you're put in a position, or even imagine a position, where those kids are in danger, your mind goes to wild places.' The Hollywood beefcake confessed: 'I mean if I was put through the situations that James was in, I would probably do the same f***ing thing. I think that's why those storylines resonate so strongly with fathers.' He dished: 'I think every dad secretly fantasizes about what they would do if someone ever f***ed with their kids.' Chris set the stage: 'Your partner sees you staring off into the distance and says: "Honey, what are you thinking about?" And you say: "Oh, nothing." But what youre really thinking is, Where's the duct tape and how deep is the trunk?' Details: He himself has two daughters - Lyla, two, and Eloise, one - with his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, as well as a son called Jack, 10, by his ex-wife Anna Faris He theorized: 'I think that's most dads. Or maybe that's just me and I'm revealing something here! But as someone who's talked to a lot of dads, I think we all ask ourselves what we would do. Thats one of the reasons Liam Neeson's movie Taken was such a hit. Us dads are just like: "Yes! Get 'em! Use that special set of skills."' Having children has 'one hundred percent' improved his work as an actor by shoring up the 'tools and techniques' at his disposal, Chris said. 'As an actor, one of those tools can be substitution, where you're mentally substituting the reality you've felt in the past for one that your character is supposed to be experiencing,' he explained. 'And when you add the reality of being a father, being a parent, and what that means for us, it's a very powerful tool. That level of responsibility opens up a whole new cavern of emotional potential. What would you do to save them? What would happen to you mentally if you lost them?' said he. 'That instinct you have to protect them - those are all things you can try to fake, but it doesnt really come close to what you have access to when you've lived it.' He clarified: 'For me, having kids is what its all about, and how its benefitted me as an actor is a pleasant byproduct.' Chris noted: 'People say all the time: "Dont rush to have kids." I personally disagree. Rush. Have them. Of course, make sure you find a great partner, but dont wait.' The Jurassic World star recalled: 'I was talking to Adam Sandler a while back and he said: "Every day you wait is a day they dont get to have you in their life." The younger you have kids, the more time they get to have with you. Its wild.' Premise: Based on a novel by a former Navy SEAL, the show stars Chris as a SEAL seeking retribution after his whole platoon is killed under suspect circumstances Backlash: Politically correct critics have denounced the series as an 'unhinged right-wing revenge fantasy ' and 'another invitation to worship at the altar of the Navy SEALs ' Chris admitted he has 'found myself wanting to do more PG movies' ever since he had children and began watching more of those films himself. 'I see a lot because my kids want to watch them, and to be honest, some of them are bad. And Im sitting there thinking, This is terrible. So at the same time as wanting to make movies that would entertain my kids, Im also thinking about creating movies that are merciful on the parents,' he spilled. Last month Chris found himself on the business end of a social media frenzy when he posted a gushing Mother's Day tribute and neglected to mention Anna. He marked the occasion an Instagram picture of himself with Katherine, his mother Kathy Pratt and his current mother-in-law Maria. 'Especially grateful today for Katherine,' he wrote in the caption. 'Youre a wonderful partner. Youve provided me such a blessed life. Our two daughters are so lucky to have you and youre the best step mama to Jack.' The Guardians Of The Galaxy sizzler included testimonials to his mother for bringing up him and his siblings 'with such love and light and laughter,' as well as to his mother-in-law, whom he lovingly referred to as 'the best Mama G.' While some Instagram commentators slated him for failing to mention Anna, Chris also received a spirited defense from other social media users. 'All of those people making comments about Chris's ex wife, she never made a father's day post about him after they broke up either,' one noted. 'Double standards and making him a villain over nothing. If it's your ex partner you shouldn't have to include them in anything unless you see fit. I'd do the same.' 'The reality of being a father': Having children has 'one hundred percent' improved his work as an actor by shoring up the 'tools and techniques' at his disposal, Chris said The hubbub over Chris' Mother's Day post comes less than two years after he faced a deluge of blowback over an Instagram post praising Katherine. 'She's given me an amazing life, a gorgeous healthy daughter, she chews so loudly that sometimes I put in my ear buds to drown it out, but that's love!' he wrote. An army of social media scolds interpreted the 'healthy daughter' line as a dig at Jack, who suffered a spate of medical problems after his premature birth. Shortly after the furor, Chris gave an interview to Men's Health and candidly discussed the toll the 'f***ed up' backlash took on him. 'My sons gonna read that one day. Hes nine,' said Chris. 'And its etched in digital stone. It really f***ing bothered me, dude.' The doting father confessed: 'I cried about it. I was like, I hate that these blessings in my life are - to the people close to me - a real burden.' Ankara, June 13 (UNI) The delegations of Turkey, Finland, Sweden and NATO will meet on June 14 in Ankara, the Turkish presidential administration said in a statement. "The fourth meeting of the Permanent Joint Mechanism, established in accordance with the tripartite agreement, will be hosted by Ambassador Akif Cagatay Klc, Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic, at the Presidential Complex on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 09:00 a.m.," it said. Finland, along with its neighbor Sweden, applied to join NATO in May 2022, months after a conflict broke out in Ukraine. Swedens entry process was stalled by Turkey, while Finland went on to become a formal NATO member in April 2023. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty flashed her legs in denim shorts as she stepped out in London on Tuesday. The presenter, 49, was out and about on Regent Street in the heatwave and kept cool in her ensemble. She looked great in the light grey denim numbers which she teamed with a pink vest top and comfortable trainers. Naga accessorised her look with huge dark shades and had her headphones on to listen to some music. The TV star wore her short tresses in the usual cropped style and opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features. Out and about: BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty flashed her legs in denim shorts as she stepped out in London on Tuesday Warm: The presenter, 49, was out and about on Regent Street in the heatwave and kept cool in her ensemble Naga had a large light grey backpack on as she strutted her stuff along the street in central London. It comes after last month Naga revealed that she has a debilitating womb condition. The star suffers with adenomyosis which leaves her needing to take pain killers everyday. On Monday she told how she suffered a flare-up of her adenomyosis over the weekend, which got so bad that her husband called an ambulance for her. The presenter said on BBC Radio 5 Live: 'The pain was so terrible I couldn't move, turn over, sit up. I screamed non-stop for 45 minutes. 'And then it happened again in the middle of the night and we had to call an ambulance because I couldn't be moved. And I was just screaming. 'All I remember saying is 'if the ambulance comes', which it didn't. 'Do not let them, give me a full hysterectomy' because that is the only cure to get rid of it.' 'It was like something was exploding inside of me constantly. It was all around my pelvic area, down my thigh, and my lower back - to the point I couldn't turn over.' Stroll: She looked great in the light grey denim numbers which she teamed with a pink vest top and comfortable trainers Summer: Naga accessorised her look with huge dark shades and had her headphones on to listen to some music Speaking to the Independent she also discussed a time she nearly passed out on BBC Breakfast due to the sever pain. She recalled: 'I just said, 'I have to leave'. And I went to the loo and I thought I was going to pass out, but I threw up and then just came back.' The broadcaster has had a long wait for answers and treatment from doctors and revealed she's in pain even as she works. She said on the radio: 'Right now as I sit here talking to you: I am in pain. Constant, nagging pain. 'In my uterus. Around my pelvis. Sometimes it runs down my thighs. 'And I'll have some level of pain for the entire show and for the rest of the day until I go to sleep.' Difficult: It comes after last month Naga sadly revealed that she has a debilitating womb condition Tough: The star suffers with adenomyosis which leaves her needing to take pain killers everyday (pictured with co-presenter Charlie Stayt on the show) Support: She recently told how she suffered a flare-up of her adenomyosis which got so bad that her husband James Haggar called an ambulance for her (pictured with James) Adenomyosis is a condition that causes the lining of the womb (the endometrium) to bury into the muscular wall of the womb. It can affect the whole womb or just one part of the womb. Adenomyosis is not a life-threatening condition, but the symptoms can have a big impact on your day-to-day life. One in 10 women is thought to have adenomyosis, yet it can often go undiagnosed for years. Kristin Davis took the firm stance that she is not willing to chime in on the years-long feud between her Sex And The City co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. The 58-year-old actress - who also talked about feeling pressure to look like her 'younger self at all times' - candidly revealed in a recent interview with The Telegraph that she does not want to get involved in the drama. She played coy as she said: 'You have to respect peoples wishes. Im not gonna waste energy on it. I cant change anybody. 'I do understand fans feelings that theyre upset I wish I could fix it, but I cant, its not in my power.' It is an interesting time to make such comments as it was recently revealed that Cattrall, 66, will be making a shock cameo in season 2 of reboot series And Just Like That... Keeping mum: Kristin Davis (seen in New York last week) took the firm stance that she is not willing to chime in on the years-long feud between her Sex And The City co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall Enemies: Davis, 58, candidly revealed in a recent interview with The Telegraph that she does not want to get involved in the drama between Kim and Sarah (pictured together in 2008) Cattrall was convinced to join And Just Like That with a promise of 'nice career boost and great payday' by her 'dear friend' and producer Darren Star, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last week. The iconic actress confirmed her shocking return as Sex And The City's Samantha Jones for the second season of the spin-off last week - despite her explosive feud with co-star Parker. According to Variety, Kim will return for only one 'cliffhanger' scene, which she shot in New York City, without seeing or speaking with Sarah or their fellow leading ladies Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. In the scene, Samantha, who has moved to London, will have a phone conversation with Parker's Carrie Bradshaw. 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. She's back! It is an interesting time to make such comments as it was recently revealed that Cattrall, 66, will be making a shock cameo in season 2 of reboot series And Just Like That... Iconic: The original Sex and the City ran for six seasons from 1998-2004 and was followed by two movies in 2008 and 2010 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. 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 2010 film, Sex and the City 2. The original Sex and the City ran for six seasons from 1998-2004 and was followed by two movies in 2008 and 2010. Meanwhile, in the same interview Kristin got candid about the criticism she has faced over trying to maintain a more youthful appearance. The star - who will appear in the second season of the show's spinoff next month - told The Telegraph that she's been 'ridiculed relentlessly' about her use of fillers. 'It's hard to be confronted with your younger self at all times,' Kristin told the outlet. She continued: 'And it's a challenge to remember that you don't have to look like that. The internet wants you to but they also don't want you to. They're very conflicted.' The And Just Like That actress revealed that she started using Botox years ago, but 'didn't do anything else for a long time' - until she tried fillers. Sex and the City: Kristin also got candid in a new interview about the criticism she has faced over fillers she's used Breakout role: She is best known for her role as Charlotte York, from the television series Sex and the City, which earned her two SAG Awards (seen in 1995) And Just Like That: The 58-year-old Sex and the City alum - who will appear in the second season of the show's spinoff next month - told The Telegraph that she's been 'ridiculed relentlessly' about her use of fillers 'I have done fillers and it's been good and I've done fillers and it's been bad,' Kristin admitted. 'I've had to get them dissolved and I've been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. It's very stressful.' Kristin also revealed that 'people personally blame us when it goes wrong,' rather than the doctor who did the work. And the Holiday in the Wild star also dished on the lip fillers she got, which were criticized for when the spinoff of Sex and the City debuted in later 2021. 'No one told me it didn't look good for the longest time,' Kristin said. 'But, luckily I do have good friends, who did say eventually. The thing is you don't smile at yourself in the mirror. Who smiles at themselves in the mirror? Crazy people.' The interview comes a few days after Kristin and her SATC co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker, 58, and Cynthia Nixon, 57, got together to celebrate 25 years since the first episode of the iconic HBO show premiered. On Thursday, the three actresses made an appearance at the And Just Like That...It's Been 25 Years, A Sex And The City Experience. Botox and fillers: 'It's hard to be confronted with your younger self at all times,' Kristin told the outlet. 'And it's a challenge to remember that you don't have to look like that. The internet wants you to but they also don't want you to. They're very conflicted' Work done: The And Just Like That actress revealed that she started using Botox years ago, but 'didn't do anything else for a long time' - until she tried fillers Aging: 'I have done fillers and it's been good and I've done fillers and it's been bad,' Kristin admitted. 'I've had to get them dissolved and I've been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. It's very stressful' Confirmed! Season 2 of And Just Like That... will return June 22 on HBO Max It is an immersive pop-up that showcases the iconic fashion looks worn in the series. Last month the official premiere date for And Just Like That season 2 was confirmed by Max. Billed as 'a new chapter' of the iconic Sex and the City, the sequel to the spin-off will begin streaming on June 22, reuniting all the major stars. To accompany the news, HBO unveiled a new poster featuring original stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. Miriam Margolyes stunned as one of British Vogue's most unlikely cover stars, posing for an eye-popping naked shoot for the magazine's annual Pride issue. The veteran actress, 82, left little to the imagination in the jaw-dropping snap, with just a selection of iced buns to preserve her modesty. And despite the confident images, Miriam admitted she's struggled to accept her shape, saying: 'I like my face. I think my face is kind and warm and open and smiley. 'But I hate my body. I hate big t*ts [and I have] a drooping belly, little twisted legs. I'm not thrilled with that. But you just make the best of it. You have to. You do the best you can.' She also revealed that in the midst of her other work commitments, she will be undergoing heart surgery to have a stent fitted. Wow! Miriam Margolyes stunned as one of British Vogue's most unlikely cover stars, posing for a naked shoot while reflecting on her own body image Despite the operation, she insisted she's 'not terrified,' adding: 'When you're young, you never think about death. You just think about your next f**k basically. I think about death a lot.' 'Oh, every day, for sure. Every morning when I get up I think, 'Hmmm, another day,' which maybe I wasn't expecting.' Miriam also reflected on the moment she came out as gay to her parents, admitting it 'hurt them,' and her mother made her swear on the Torah that she would never have sex with another woman again. The outspoken actress came out back in 1966, when homesexuality was still illegal, but despite this the star never felt any shame about being attracted to women. She said: 'I never had any shame about being gay or anything really. I knew it wasn't criminal because it was me. I couldn't be criminal.' As well as interviewing for the publication, Miriam joined a slew of LGBTQ+ stars including Ncuti Gatwa, Janelle Monae and Bella Ramsey posing for Vogue's July Issue, which focuses on Pride And Joy. Alongside her fun cake-themed snap, Miriam alsodonned a striking blue wrap over a black dress, a pearl necklace and a black sheer headpiece for her cover image. It comes after Miriam revealed last month that she was rushed to A&E following a health scare over the weekend. Open: The comedian admitted she 'hates her droopy t*ts and belly' as she revealed she'll be undergoing heart surgery to have a stent fitted Worrying: It comes after Miriam revealed last month that she was rushed to A&E following a health scare over the weekend The comedian, who played Professor Sprout in the fantasy franchise, shared a Facebook photo of herself taken in her hospital bed as she informed fans about her condition. The July issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20 June She wrote: 'Thanks to my precious friends who thought of me on Tavi Day. I did survive and I am still in The Royal Brompton Hospital certainly till Sunday. 'I am growing energy but it's still not quite me. I am putting this so you know how grateful I am for lovely messages. 'Slowly I'll get back to The Chase and then Italy, Oz filming in WA and return for 22 city books tour on Sept 7. Loving hugs. MM'. Miriam had been hoping to be sent home on Sunday but sadly took to Facebook again with another health update. She wrote: 'I spoke too soon. Can't come home yet. I have a chest infection. Probably tomorrow but at least I'm resting. Love to all. Thank you for your lovely messages.' Along with her role in Harry Potter, Miriam is also known for starring in The Age of Innocence and the TV series Call The Midwife and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She is married to Australian historian Heather Sutherland, who keeps out of the public eye. The July issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20 June. Ncuti Gatwa left little to the imagination as he posed completely nude for British Vogue's Pride July issue. The Sex Education actor, 30, looked incredibly handsome as he sat on top of a pile of black cushions as if depicting a work of art. He wore nothing but a delicate silver chain necklace and strategically bent his knee to preserve his modesty. Ncuti's buff physique was in full display in the steamy snap, as he showed off his bulging biceps and ripped chest. The striking photo comes after Ncuti won praise last month after performing at King Charles' Coronation Concert. Sensational: Ncuti Gatwa left little to the imagination as he posed completely nude for British Vogue's Pride July issue Inspiring: He posed in the spread for British Vogue's Pride July issue alongside other stars like Miriam Margoyles (pictured) and Janelle Monae He took to the stage as Shakespeare's Romeo with actress Mei Mac for the dramatic segment of the celebratory variety show. In May last year, Ncuti was announced as the replacement for Jodie Whittaker in the role of Doctor Who, and viewers of the concert took to Twitter to express their delight, insisting the part would be in 'good hands'. One person wrote: 'Ncuti Gatwa is going to be the most amazing Doctor #CoronationConcert.' While someone else shared: 'And I think we can be very confident that #NcutiGatwa is going to be amazing in #DoctorWho.' 'Ncuti Gatwa is going to be an incredible Dr. Who If that performance is anything to go by . Really looking forward to him fighting daleks and the like,' wrote another viewer. While someone else posted: 'That Performance was great. I can't wait to see Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who later in the year.' Someone else tweeted: 'Ive just watched #NcutiGatwa doing a spot of Shakespeare and I know now that hes going to make a brilliant #DoctorWho. Lovely performance.' Another viewer posted: 'With Ncuti Gatwa on board, #DoctorWho is definitely going to be in very good hands.' Impressed: The striking photo comes after Ncuti won praise last month after performing at King Charles' Coronation Concert Born to perform: He took to the stage as Shakespeare's Romeo with actress Mei Mac for the dramatic segment of the celebratory variety show Impressed: One person wrote: 'Ncuti Gatwa is going to be the most amazing Doctor #CoronationConcert' Opinion: Viewers of the concert took to Twitter to express their delight, insisting the part of Doctor Who would be in 'good hands'. While referencing the Royal Shakespeare Company, another viewer wrote: 'So. Ncuti Gatwa. Can certainly deliver blank verse with aplomb. Should be in the RSC. #CoronationConcert.' One other viewer simply shared: 'Doctor who is in good hands #NcutiGatwa.' And someone else shared: 'I would honestly die for Ncuti Gatwa, he's the most charismatic performer. You beam just watching him.' Ncuti's first episode as the 15th doctor will air over the festive period, with Millie Gibson, 18, becoming the youngest companion in the show's history. Jamie Foxx transformed into a pimp in a new trailer for his latest Netflix film, They Cloned Tyrone - amid the actor's mystery health battle. Jamie, who was born Eric Bishop, was filming the action-comedy Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, Georgia, in April when he was admitted to hospital. The actor, 55, has been treated at a facility in Chicago, which specializes in treatment for adults with 'severe complex conditions', including stroke recovery - although it has not been revealed what condition Foxx is suffering from. The first trailer sees Fox play Slick Charles, who forms part of an unlikely trio with Boyega (Fontaine) and Teyonah Parris (Yo-Yo) who discover a government conspiracy in an underground laboratory. The trio witness a man being kidnapped off the street and follow the car to an underground lab hidden beneath a convenience store. Icon: Jamie Foxx transformed into a pimp in a new trailer for his latest Netflix film, They Cloned Tyrone - amid the actor's mystery health battle Sci-fi: The first trailer sees Fox play Slick Charles, who forms part of an unlikely trio with Boyega (Fontaine) and Teyonah Parris (Yo-Yo) who discover a government conspiracy in an underground laboratory In the lab, the group find a clone of Tyler Antonius' character Tyrone - and start to investigate experiments being carried out on their community by a government organization. In a hilarious scene, Foxx, toting a gold revolver, returns to the convenience store to raid the lab, telling the store owner: 'Excuse me sir, if you could point me to the elevator that leads to the freaky laboratory, I'll be out your atmosphere.' Foxx is seen shooting a man in a lab coat as the group enter the lab, and spread the word around their city about the conspiracy. The trailer ends with a news report claiming a number of clones resembling people in the town have been uncovered - with the tagline 'dozens of clones mysteriously appear' flashing across the screen. The Netflix bio reads: 'A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper," reads an official logline for the film from Netflix.' They Cloned Tyrone - which will be released on Netflix on July 21 - marks Foxx's first film release since he suffered a 'medical complication' in April - with the star currently in recovery This comes after Foxx's representative denied a bizarre online conspiracy claim that the COVID-19 vaccination caused the actor's mystery hospitalization. Claims on social media that Foxx was left seriously ill after being injured by a vaccine have gone viral - with notable figures including conservative host Candace Owens suggesting Foxx had indeed been damaged by the vaccine. Drama: The trio witness a man being kidnapped off the street and follow the car to an underground lab hidden beneath a convenience store Serious stuff: Boyega is seen unravelling as his character Fontaine tries to unearth a conspiracy Foxx: The star was in his comedic element in the film What's going on? Foxx is seen shooting a man in a lab coat as the group enter the lab, and spread the word around their city about the conspiracy Off they go: The trio are seen investigating the conspiracy The furore began when podcaster A.J.Benza made a shock unsubstantiated claim on Dr Drew Pinsky's online talk show that Foxx had been left 'partially paralyzed and blind' after he received a COVID-19 vaccine. Benza claimed Foxx was 'forced' to get a vaccine to work on a film and further alleged the actor developed a blood clot which led to a stroke afterwards - Foxxs representatives told NBC News that Benzas claim is 'completely inaccurate.' Pinsky later told the publication in a statement: 'The statements from A.J. were based on his own confidential sources, so I cant speculate further than what he said on the show. I sincerely hope that AJs sources are wrong and Mr. Foxx will make a full recovery. 'There is no evidence and I have no reason to believe that his medical condition is directly related to vaccine therapy or a post-COVID phenomenon. Any evidence of either would have to come from his physicians.' He added that he supports and recommends 'all safe vaccines', but added that 'a concerning number of people have seemingly had their lives significantly affected by side effects, health issues, and the deaths of loved ones and some signs suggest a connection to mRNA vaccines.' Owens then insinuated on her podcast that Benza's statement must be true because Foxx's family didn't 'outright deny it' - with Owens' video racking up more than 180,000 views. She said: 'Their silence seems as though there is some veracity to this claim. Were all holding our breath to see whether or not Jamie Foxx speaks out.' Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative organization Talking Points USA, tweeted: 'Those of us who spoke against the mRNA shot were attacked in every imaginable way. I am infuriated a decent person like Jamie Foxx fell victim to Big Pharma because a movie set is still dumb enough to mandate their cash cow clot shot.' Kirk's spokesman told the publication he had shared the article 'so readers could check it out for themselves.' Denied: This comes after Foxx's representative denied a bizarre online conspiracy claim that the COVID-19 vaccination caused the actor's mystery hospitalization (Foxx pictured March 2023) The furore began when podcaster A.J.Benza made a shock unsubstantiated claim on Dr Drew Pinsky's online talk show that Foxx had been left 'partially paralyzed and blind' after he received a COVID-19 vaccine (Benza pictured 2016) Pinsky later told the publication in a statement: 'The statements from A.J. were based on his own confidential sources, so I cant speculate further than what he said on the show. I sincerely hope that AJs sources are wrong and Mr. Foxx will make a full recovery' Actor Kevin Sorbo also retweeted an article repeating the bizarre claims, and wrote: 'Praying for Jamie Foxx. I cant imagine how many Americans are dealing with similar problems and the MSM hardly bats an eye. Anti-vaxx tweets and Youtube videos have quickly spread across social media - the widespread misinformation about vaccines has included false claims about their safety, efficacy, ingredients, side effects and purpose. Studies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that vaccines are safe and effective. DailyMail.com has contacted Jamie Foxx's representative for further comment. Foxx was said to have had a stroke after it was previously claimed he suffered a mystery health scare last month, according to Mike Tyson. During an appearance on the Valuetainment podcast, ex-boxer Mike said of Jamie: 'He's not feeling well. They said a stroke. I have no idea what happened to him.' The actor's health scare has come as a shock to fans and those who knew him, including host Patrick Bet-David, who revealed in his discussion with Tyson that he dined out with the star just months before. 'We were at a restaurant in LA... he showed up, looked really good,' he said. 'And then all of a sudden you hear stories.' Conservative: Candace Owens then insinuated on her podcast that Benza's statement must be true because Foxx's family didn't 'outright deny it' - with Owens' video racking up more than 180,000 views Bizarre tweet: Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative organization Talking Points USA, tweeted: 'Those of us who spoke against the mRNA shot were attacked in every imaginable way. I am infuriated a decent person like Jamie Foxx fell victim to Big Pharma' Tweet: Actor Kevin Sorbo also retweeted an article repeating the bizarre claims, and wrote: 'Praying for Jamie Foxx. I cant imagine how many Americans are dealing with similar problems and the MSM hardly bats an eye The boxer responded: 'Hey listen, we can't anticipate our next breath, we don't know when we're going to die.' Jamie, who was born Eric Bishop, was filming the action-comedy Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, Georgia, in April when he was admitted to hospital. According to reports, Jamie's health scare has thrown production into chaos, and Cameron, 51, has been filming with body doubles in his absence. Jamie's daughter Corinne was among several loved ones to visit the actor at his physical rehab center over the weekend. Corrine was pictured arriving at the facility, which is touted as the top rehabilitation center in the country, for 'the most severe, complex conditions'. It specializes in the treatment of severe conditions like strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. His good friend Dave Brown was also seen visiting the facility and spent time chatting to Corinne before going to visit the star. On May 12, Corrine spoke out to share an update about his condition, insisting that her father had been 'out of the hospital for weeks'. Corinne confirmed in a statement via Instagram that her father is currently receiving 'great care' and 'is already on his way to recovery.' Jamie is understood to have arrived at the facility in late April and is 'recovering well' after first getting treatment at a hospital in Atlanta. Shortly after Jamie's 'stroke', sources claimed to Page Six that he suffers from high blood pressure and that he was 'lucky to be alive'. In an Instagram post on May 3, his family posted on his profile said: 'Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed' followed by praying hands, heart and fox emojis. It's unclear if Jamie himself made the post. At that point, no further details on his condition had been shared, leading to speculation about how serious his illness is. Grave: Fans were initially alerted about the health scare when his daughter Corinne shared a grave statement on social media on April 12 Speaking out: Former boxer Mike Tyson said of Jamie: 'He's not feeling well. They said a stroke. I have no idea what happened to him' Pals: Jamie and Mike are pictured together The Oscar winner's account also gave a shout-out on Instagram to friend Nick Cannon who has filled in hosting duties for him on popular game show Beat Shazam. Fans were initially alerted about the health scare when his daughter Corinne shared a grave statement on social media on April 12. The actress wrote, 'We wanted to share that, my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday. 'Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,' she continued. 'We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time,' the statement concluded. At the time of the alleged stroke, Jamie was filming Back In Action, which is funded by Netflix and is Cameron's comeback movie after she retired from film. The project has faced a number of difficulties, including Jamie reportedly firing a number of crew members, while the film faces delays. A source told The Sun: 'This has been a disaster, and Cameron must be wondering what she was thinking by coming back. 'But the truth is Jamie's health problems now look pretty serious and those delays earlier on might end up looking quite minor by comparison. Of course it's desperately sad and everyone wishes him all the best.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jamie, Mike and Netflix for comment. A representative for Mike told MailOnline: 'Mr. Tyson was just speaking about what he heard at the time but it wasnt from Mr. Foxx's camp. 'He doesnt know what happened as he hasnt spoken directly to anyone on Mr. Foxx's team. Medical emergency: Jamie was filming the action-comedy Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, Georgia, in April when he was admitted to hospital (pictured with daughter Corinne in 2020) 'He was asked about it on a podcast but hes hoping whatever the undisclosed medical condition is that Jamie will make a full recovery.' His latest film shoot in Atlanta appears to have been a surprisingly stressful ordeal for the Baby Driver actor, as well as his colleagues. It was reported in March that Jamie 'had an absolute meltdown' while the film was shooting in the UK, which led to the firing of multiple people. He reportedly booted an executive producer from the project, along with two directors and even his own driver. According to The Sun, one staffer was fired in relation to an apparent scam to access 33,000 in cash from the actor, which was reportedly in relation to the sale of a Rolex watch. There was even more drama when it was revealed that production was paused last month after an unexploded WWII-era bomb was discovered on the film's set in London, just before two major action scenes were set to be filmed. Molly-Mae Hague looked incredible in a white co-ord as she shared an 'archived' picture on Tuesday to Instagram from her PrettyLittleThing photoshoot in Nice. The former Love Island star, 24, cut a stylish figure as she displayed her toned midriff in the plunging cropped shirt and matching mini skirt. She perched on an outdoor sofa looking away from the camera showing off her bronzed glow. The mother-of-one looked stunning as she styled her long blonde tresses in a low bun and accessorised with a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings. Molly-Mae opted for a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty including blushed cheeks and perfectly applied winged eyeliner. Gorgeous: Molly-Mae Hague looked incredible in a white co-ord as she shared an 'archived' picture on Tuesday to Instagram from her PrettyLittleThing photoshoot in Nice The PrettyLittleThing creative director penned: 'Archives from France'. The ITV2 star later took to her Instagram Story to share a stylish mirror selfie wearing a black sleevless top with white straps and a pair of white high-waisted trousers. Molly-Mae flashed her gorgeous smile as she kept comfy in a pair of black sandals while posing in her lavish Manchester mansion's dressing room. She placed a pair of dark sunglasses on top of her head and toted her belongings around in a large handbag. The influencer styled her long blonde tresses in luxurious beachy waves as they cascaded down past her shoulders from a centre parting. It comes after Molly-Mae revealed that she 'doesn't have the confidence to wear a bikini' after giving birth. The new mum - who welcomed daughter Bambi with boyfriend Tommy Fury in January - also admitted that her insecurity is getting worse. In her latest YouTube video, filmed while in Barbados, the former Love Island star spoke numerous times about her lack of confidence and apprehension towards wearing skimpy swimwear. Stunning: The Love Island alum, 24, later took to her Instagram Story to share a stylish mirror selfie wearing a black sleevless top with white straps and a pair of white high-waisted trousers Candid: It comes after Molly-Mae revealed that she 'doesn't have the confidence to wear a bikini' after giving birth (Pictured in April) While relaxing on a sunlounger, dressed in a white strapless bathing suit, Molly first admitted: 'I've got this swimming costume on...for me at the minute swimsuits are the one. 'I'm not a bikini girl at the minute because I just don't have the confidence. I didn't really have the confidence for bikinis before I had a baby.' Returning to the topic later in her vlog, the reality star continued: 'Right now with my body, I need anything that is going to give me confidence... 'Because I genuinely feel like with time, my confidence with my body is actually getting worse. It's irritating me. 'I really felt on this trip that I am going to embrace it, I don't care, my new mum body, I'm proud of it, and I am but at the same time I'm finding it hard to accept that I've got a real journey to start, if I want to feel more confident in my body. 'I was speaking about it to my family. I just don't ever picture myself putting on a bikini ever again [and feeling confident], I never did in the first place. There's just no way. 'Before I had a baby I didn't feel confident in a bikini, so after having a baby I don't picture myself ever thinking ''I'll slip a bikini on and feel amazing''. 'I want to and I want to come on here and say ''I feel confident and amazing'' but that's not how I'm feeling at the minute. 'So any clothes or outfits that can make me feel a little more confident, covered up and super flattering right now, that is what I'm going for.' However, Molly-Mae did indeed wear a bikini during her Barbados holiday, when she stunned on the beach in a white two-piece set. Love Island and West End star Amber Davies turned heads as she attended a star-studded Gala perfomance of Grease The Musical at London's Dominion theatre on Tuesday. The actress, 25, flaunted her incredible figure as she took to the jam packed red carpet in a tight white denim mini-dress. Her frock featured exposed seam detailing and was cinched at her waits, with Amber flashing a glimpse of her matching bra beneath. The stunner, who starred most recently in Back To The Future The Musical, completed the look with thigh-high boots and toted her essentials for the evening in an eye-popping orange handbag. Amber sported a radiant make-up palette with her hair styled into loose waves and wore a pair of statement making gold earrings. Woman in white: Love Island and West End star Amber Davies, 25, turned heads as she attended a star-studded Gala perfomance of Grease The Musical at London's Dominion theatre on Tuesday Leggy: The actress flaunted her incredible figure as she took to the jam packed red carpet in a tight white denim mini-dress It comes after Amber sent pulses racing as she took to her Instagram Story last month during her sun-soaked Mexico getaway. The reality star looked incredible in a sheer black dress featuring a plunging neckline and giant floral prints. She toted her essentials around in a small pink handbag, which she showed off while posing seductively against a mirror. Later on in the night, the West End actress pushed open a drinks cabinet to reveal a secret nightclub, titled The Gypsy Club. She couldn't conceal her surprise while being filmed wandering into the lavish-looking hotspot. Earlier this year, Amber fumed about her encounter with Kim Kardashian during the superstar's London city break. The stage star had been performing in the Back To The Future West End musical when the SKIMS mogul, 42, had been in the audience. Having posed for a sweet cast shot with Kim and her son Saint, seven, Amber wrote: 'Thank you for coming to watch @bttfmusical. Ermmmmmm...... My life is made. @kimkardashian.' Cheeky: Her frock featured exposed seam detailing and was cinched at her waits, with Amber flashing a glimpse of her matching bra beneath Glam: The stunner, who starred most recently in Back To The Future The Musical, completed the look with thigh-high boots and toted her essentials for the evening in an eye-popping orange handbag But she was soon left mortified after realising she had met the fashion icon while wearing 1970s attire, as well as bags under her eyes and a padded suit. Giving her followers a full-length view of her outfit, which included a brown wig, Amber penned alongside a video, 'Bags under my eyes & a padded suit. Amber - who joined the cast as Lorraine Baines in July - added: 'It's the fact that Kim Kardashian saw me dressed like this. Ready for the met gala.' Kim had spent her St. Patrick's Day on a pub crawl around before going to the musical - sending local pub-goers and fans into a frenzy. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star celebrated the Irish holiday with several of her friends as she made her way around the city and ended the night at the show. *WARNING: Explicit content and spoilers below* The Idol lost over 100,000 same-day viewers between its premiere and and its rollercoaster second episode. Ever since it screened at Cannes, the show has provoked an explosive controversy over its racy depiction of Lily-Rose Depp's pop star character Jocelyn, who becomes ensnared by a cult-leading nightclub owner played by The Weeknd. During episode two, Jocelyn masturbates and self-harms while mourning her dead mother and ultimately falls into the carnal thrall of The Weekend's character Tedros. In what British GQ has called 'the worst sex scene in history,' Jocelyn pleasures herself as Tedros instructs her to 'make that throat wet for me' and demands that she 'f***ing stretch that tiny little p***y.' Now a report in Variety has revealed that the new episode attracted 800,000 same-day viewers on Max and HBO, down from 913,000 for the premiere. Comedown: The Idol lost over 100,000 same-day viewers between its premiere and and its rollercoaster second episode Scandal: Ever since it screened at Cannes, the show has provoked an explosive controversy over its racy depiction of Lily-Rose Depp's pop star character Jocelyn Entitled Double Fantasy, the episode pulls the curtain back on the way Tedros treats his acolytes, including one whom he uses a shock collar on while saying: 'You're not a human, Izaak, don't forget - you're a f***ing star.' The sex scene involves Jocelyn masturbating on the bed with a blindfold on as Tedros hisses his desires, such as to 'suffocate you with my c***.' Viewers flocked to social media to express their unvarnished opinions, with one going to The Weeknd's Instagram and getting over 900 likes for commenting: 'the show is dogs**t my guy i love you but stick to music.' HBO and Max' parent company Warner Bros Discovery said that the streaming figures for the two episodes were 'nearly even.' In that case, 12% audience loss was among viewers who were watching The Idol on television, where it airs Sunday nights. However delayed viewing for the premiere has been a roaring success, to the point that the first episode of The Idol was watched more times over the course of one week than the pilots of either The White Lotus or Euphoria. The Weeknd co-created The Idol with former nightlife entrepreneur Reza Fahim as well as Sam Levinson, the writer behind Euphoria. Sam, whose own history with drugs helped inspire Euphoria, is Lily-Rose's fellow 'nepo baby' as the son of the acclaimed director Barry Levinson. Seduction: During episode two, Jocelyn masturbates and self-harms while mourning her dead mother and ultimately falls into the carnal thrall of The Weekend's character Tedros Shock value: In what British GQ has called 'the worst sex scene in history,' Jocelyn pleasures herself as Tedros instructs her to 'make that throat wet for me' Numbers game: Now a report in Variety has revealed that the new episode attracted 800,000 same-day viewers on Max and HBO, down from 913,000 for the premiere Upon its premiere at Cannes, The Idol got a five-minute standing ovation but also elicited a raft of blistering responses from critics. The Playlist's Gregory Ellwood called the second episode 'Sexist, pseudo-porn,' while the New York Times' Kyle Buchanan dismissed the show as 'a Pornhub-homepage odyssey' starring 'Lily-Rose Depps areolas,' and The Wrap dubbed it 'luxury sleaze.' 'Lots of strong reactions to #TheIdol out of #Cannes2023 - ranging from: "I hated it" to "the TV version of clickbait" to "I dont need to see any more of Lily-Rose Depp naked,"' tweeted Variety reporter Ramin Setoodeh, author of the bestselling book Ladies Who Punch about the backstage drama on The View. Much of the chatter revolved around Lily-Rose's raunchy role, which at one point involves an apparent picture of her character with semen on her face. Insiders alleged to Rolling Stone in March that the show was almost completely reshot in order to give it less of a feminine outlook. Pet Sematary actress Amy Seimetz, who has also helmed such movies as Sun Don't Shine and She Dies Tomorrow, was claimed to have directed around 80 percent of The Idol before she left the project. The Weeknd was said to have felt The Idol had an excessively 'female perspective' and wanted the plot to give his character more attention than Lily-Rose's. Sam stepped in as director and reshot the show, which reportedly was heavily rewritten with so much raunchy material that one source was left thinking: 'What is this? What am I reading here? It was like sexual torture porn.' Blowback: Upon its premiere at Cannes, The Idol got a five-minute standing ovation but also provoked a raft of blistering responses from critics Plugging away: Lily-Rose and The Weeknd are pictured at Cannes with Sam Levinson, who co-created The Idol with The Weeknd and ex-nightlife entrepreneur Reza Fahim Other sources, however, said that the insiders Rolling Stone quoted had made their remarks without seeing the finished product. The Weeknd responded publicly by denouncing the report as 'ridiculous,' arguing to Vanity Fair: 'Shows get reshot every day.' Lily-Rose also defended Sam, issuing a statement to E! News in which she called him 'for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with.' She added: 'Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued.' The showbiz legacy continued: 'Working with Sam is a true collaboration in every way it matters to him, more than anything, not only what his actors think about the work, but how we feel performing it.' At a press conference at Cannes, Lily-Rose defended the extensive nudity on the show, arguing that 'the occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness that we get to see emotionally in her,' according to People. Newlyweds Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup were in good spirits on Monday in one of their first outings together as a married couple, just days after tying the knot. The 54-year-old actress stepped out with her actor beau, also 54, to walk their adorable dog, Izzy, who Naomi adopted in 2021. Naomi looked chic in a pair of faded denim jeans and an oversized grey jacket that she'd rolled at the sleeves, while donning a cream knit jumper underneath. She accessorised with a pair of beige sandals, a brown suede cross-body bag as well as a camo tote bag carried over her shoulder. The Mulholland Drive star had her short blonde hair styled in a loose wave and she completing her look with bold black sunglasses. Newlyweds Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup were in good spirits on Monday in one of their first outings together as a married couple, just days after tying the knot The 54-year-old actress stepped out with her actor beau, also 54 As for Billy, he kept casual in dark blue denim jeans, and a navy T-shirt while sorting a grey cap and aviator sunglasses. When they stopped walking, the married couple shared a passionate kiss in the middle of a busy New York City street. As Billy wrapped his arm lovingly around his new wife's waist, the actor flashed his solid black wedding band. Naomi looked chic in a pair of faded denim jeans and an oversized grey jacket that she'd rolled at the sleeves, while donning a cream knit jumper underneath She accessorised with a pair of beige sandals, a brown suede cross-body bag as well as a camo tote bag carried over her shoulder As for Billy, he kept casual in dark blue denim jeans, and a navy T-shirt while sorting a grey cap and aviator sunglasses Their sighting comes after Naomi shared a number of stunning wedding photos of herself posing with a white bouquet, which she revealed were purchased from a local deli, on Instagram over the weekend. The couple's celebrity friends were quick to congratulate them on the happy occasion. 'Yipeeeeeee!!!! Sending so much love,' Gwyneth Paltrow commented on Naomi's post, while Miranda Kerr added: 'Congratulations!' Naomi's ex-boyfriend Liev Schreiber, 55, who she previously dated for 11 years, also extended his well wishes by commenting: 'Congratulations!!! Gorgeous!!!' The married couple stopped walking to share a tender moment in a busy street When they stopped walking, the married couple shared a passionate kiss in the middle of a busy New York City street The famously secretive couple previously sparked marriage rumors after they were spotted in wedding attire in photos obtained by Page Six on Friday. Naomi first sparked rumors that she and Billy had gotten engaged earlier this year, when she debuted an enormous diamond with a tasteful marquise cut, along with a diamond-encrusted band. The star however refused to confirm the engagement chatter, even after American Today show host Hoda Kotb directly referenced it during a late April appearance on the morning talk show. The loved-up pair were out walking their adorable dog, Izzy, who Naomi adopted in 2021 Billy's wedding ring appears to be a sold black band Toward the end of Naomi's segment, Hoda joked that he 'eye was hurting' from the 'big glint coming from some ring over here.' 'It just struck me, but it's beautiful,' she added. Lest there be any doubt about her implied question, Hoda's co-host Savannah Guthrie added: 'Hoda is asking if you're engaged.' The famously secretive couple previously sparked marriage rumors after they were spotted in wedding attire last week Naomi first sparked rumors that she and Billy had gotten engaged earlier this year, when she debuted an enormous diamond with a tasteful marquise cut, along with a diamond-encrusted band But Naomi simply replied, 'So, the brain fog...' Savannah went on to compliment the ring's design, but Naomi avoided saying more about her ring, while also not outright denying that she had gotten engaged to Billy. So far, the Morning Show star has also avoided discussing the potential engagement. The King Kong star appeared to have worn the ring at least as early as March, and she was spotted displaying the sparkler on the red carpet at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills. Their sighting comes after the star shared a number of stunning wedding photos of herself posing with a white bouquet, which she revealed were purchased from a local deli, over the weekend Naomi and Billy met on the set of her 2017 Netflix series Gypsy, in which she starred as a therapist who uses an alias to develop close (and unethical) relationships with people intimately connected to her patients, while Crudup played her husband. The costars began a relationship later in 2017, a year after Naomi had split from her partner of 11 years, the actor Liev Schreiber. The friendly exes share two children: Kai, 14, and Sasha, 15. Billy is father to son William Atticus Parker, 19, who he shares with ex Mary Louise Parker. Naomi's ex-boyfriend Liev Schreiber, 55, who she previously dated for 11 years, also extended his well wishes by commenting: 'Congratulations!!! Gorgeous!!!' 'Hubby,' Watts captioned a selfie with her man He caused a huge scandal in 2003 after ditching Parker while she was seven months pregnant with Atticus, then beginning a relationship with actress Claire Danes. The pair split around two years later, amid rumors Billy had been ditched by Claire for another co-star, British actor Hugh Dancy. Claire and Hugh wed in 2009, and remain married. Since they began dating, Naomi and Billy have kept their public appearances to a minimum and have largely avoided commenting on their relationship, though Naomi has occasionally shared sweet photos of herself with her boyfriend on social media. During a past interview with PorterEdit in 2019, The Impossible actress opened up about their blended families and co-parenting together. 'We're doing things very differently.' She revealed that her bouquet was from flowers assembled from a local deli 'I'm pretty proud of us, corny as that may sound. We've made it our absolute priority to be good and kind to each other and we're absolutely committed to that.' Liev announced earlier this year that he's expecting his first child with model girlfriend Taylor Neisen. Billy was long infamous for the terrible timing when he ended his multi-year relationship with Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker. He separated from the actress, who he began dating in 1996, in November of 2003, when she was seven months pregnant with their son. He subsequently began a relationship with Claire Danes that ended in 2006. Dylan Mulvaney was among a number of stars who attended the premiere of Asteroid City at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Tuesday. The transgender influencer, 26, put on a leggy display in a black Stella McCartney mini skirt and matching black vest. Mulvaney who's been at the center of controversy after fronting a Bud Light campaign after which Anheuser-Bush lost a staggering $27 billion in market value added Western flair to the outfit with a pair of stylish black cowboy boots featuring white stars. The TikTok star arrived to the even wearing a trendy oversized blazer with structured shoulders before taking it off. It comes after the social media sensation caused a stir at Sunday's 76th Annual Tony Awards, after being frightened on the red carpet by Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger. Western chic: Dylan Mulvaney was among a number of stars who attended the premiere of Asteroid City at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Tuesday Dylan's raven tresses were styled into a funky 90's reminiscent bun with spiky gelled pieces sticking out in the back. The entertainer further accessorized the stylish look with a black purse featuring a gold chain. As for glam Mulvaney opted for a smokey eye and nude lipstick. Dylan also posted a 'get ready with me' style video on TikTok explaining how the stylish outfit came together and calling it a 'she/they outfit of the day.' The influencer explained of the stylish jacket, 'Sometimes the internet says that I have broad shoulders, so I said let's lean in and give them even broader shoulders.' Other stars at the event included Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, Bryan Cranston and wife Robin Dearden, as well as Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman. Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, which stars the likes of Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson and Hanks, is set in the 1950s in a fictional American desert town that has an eerie feel to it. At a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention, which is designed to unite students and parents in scholarly competition, things go haywire when a world event takes place. Leggy: The transgender influencer, 26, put on a leggy display in a black Stella McCartney mini skirt and matching black vest Trendy: The TikTok star arrived to the even wearing a trendy oversized blazer with structured shoulders before taking it off 90s vibes: Dylan's raven tresses were styled into a funky 90's reminiscent bun with spiky gelled pieces sticking out in the back Stylish: The entertainer further accessorized the stylish look with a black purse featuring a gold chain Glam: As for glam Mulvaney opted for a smokey eye and nude lipstick Asteroid City premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2023. It is scheduled for a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles on June 16, 2023, before a wider release on June 23, 2023. Mulvaney was in for a fright on the magenta carpet at Tony Awards after Tony the Tiger snuck up on her. She posted a video to Instagram showing her on the carpet getting spooked by the tiger, causing her to hilariously fall over. 'That just scared the hell out of me,' Dylan said as she and photographers taking pictures could be heard laughing about the interaction. She wore a black floor-length dress with gem decals made by Christian Siriano which accented her newly-debuted bleach-blond hair. Mulvaney studied musical theater in college and played Elder White on the National Tour of The Book of Mormon in 2019. Mulvaney appeared at the event through a partnership with Meta, according to her Instagram post. In her video, she said she was overjoyed at the chance to attend Broadway's biggest night, especially considering her theater history. Influencer: Dylan also posted a 'get ready with me' style video on TikTok explaining how the stylish outfit came together and calling it a 'she/they outfit of the day' The reasoning: The influencer explained of the stylish jacket, 'Sometimes the internet says that I have broad shoulders, so I said let's lean in and give them even broader shoulders' Not all were so supportive of the trans activist's presence at the event. 'She's only here because of the controversy,' one Facebook user wrote. The user is referencing the Bud Light controversy which saw the company hiring Mulvaney to do an endorsement of their beer, which triggered mass outrage. The company has since lost billions of dollars in market capitalization after it was boycotted by millions of consumers. In early June, Modelo Especial dethroned Bud Light as the top American beer, as its sales have increased more than 15 percent from the same time a year ago. For the week ended May 20, Bud Light sales were down 25.7 percent, according to data from Bump Williams Consulting cited by the New York Post. 'While Bud Light loses week after week, Modelo Especial gains week after week and now Modelo outsells Bud Light on a national basis across all trade channels combined,' Bump Williams told the Post. Bud Light officials have since issued a 'half-brewed' apology for upsetting fans. Mulvaney recently talked with 'Them,' an LGBTQ+ magazine and said she will only work with brands who want to support all transgender people. 'If a brand wants to work with me so bad, then they should work with other trans people, too,' Mulvaney told the magazine. Tony Awards: It comes after the social media sensation caused a stir at Sunday's 76th Annual Tony Awards in a glamorous gown Controversy: Mulvaney has been at the center of controversy after fronting a Bud Light campaign after which Anheuser-Bush lost a staggering $27 billion in market value 'Its not enough to just hire me, this white, skinny trans girl. I want all the dolls getting all the brand deals,' she continued. Speaking for the first time, Mulvaney said: 'No matter your gender, people will project things on to you about who you're supposed to be. And I think we equally have to tell people our actual purpose.' Mulvaney told 'Them' she prefers not to name her critics 'because it gives them the satisfaction of believing they're on my mind.' 'It shows my followers that I'm standing up for myself, but also pushes that their narrative is loud enough to matter,' she told the magazine. By Jim Leffman via SWNS Astronomers are looking for alien life in the center of the Milky Way galaxy in a ground-breaking new project. Researchers at Cornell University and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute will be listening for intermittent signals coming from the core of our glalaxy. The area is dense with stars and possible habitable exoplanets so they believe that is the best place to be looking. The combined team, called the Breakthrough Listen Investigation for Periodic Spectral Signals (BLIPSS), believes that if an alien civilization wanted to communicate with others throughout the Milky Way, the galaxys core holds potential as a strategic site for a beacon. BLIPPS aims to survey one million nearby stars, the entire galactic plane and 100 nearby galaxies at a wide range of radio and optical bands. Akshay Suresh, a graduate student at Cornell, said: "BLIPSS showcases the cutting-edge potential of software as a science multiplier for SETI." Dr. Vishal Gajjar, SETI Institute astronomer, added: Until now, radio SETI has primarily dedicated its efforts to the search for continuous signals. Our study sheds light on the remarkable energy efficiency of a train of pulses as a means of interstellar communication across vast distances. "Notably, this study marks the first-ever comprehensive endeavor to conduct in-depth searches for these signals. The team began by testing their algorithm on known pulsars, successfully detecting the expected periodic emissions. Subsequently, they turned their attention to a dataset of scans of the Galactic Center captured by the Breakthrough Listen instrument on the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia. Unlike pulsars, which emit signals across a broad range of radio frequencies, BLIPSS narrowed its search to repeating signals within a narrower frequency range, covering less than a tenth of the width of an average FM radio station. The significance of this approach is that it combines narrow bandwidths with periodic patterns that could signify planned technological activities by intelligent civilizations. Sureshs technique presents a novel methodology to sift through this metaphorical haystack, enabling the team to identify tantalizing evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life forms. The study was published in the Astronomical Journal. SETI was founded in 1984 Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research that encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and NSF. Brian Cox has revealed to Emily Blunt that he once told iconic actress Meryl Streep that he didn't like her. The 77-year-old Succession star was paired up with the 40-year-old Blunt for the latest in Variety's Actors on Actors interview series. Cox - who recently admitted that he still hasn't seen the Succession series finale - was speaking about Blunt's breakthrough role in 2006's The Devil Wears Prada alongside Streep. He admitted that it's one of his 'ambitions' to work with Streep before he 'snuffs it,' while Blunt added she's, 'sure you will.' Cox then added a brief and humorous story about the one time he met Streep... where he told her exactly why he didn't 'like' her.' Brian didn't like: Brian Cox revealed to Emily Blunt that he once told iconic actress Meryl Streep that he didn't like her in a new interview Emily: The 77-year-old Succession star was paired up with the 40-year-old Blunt for the latest in Variety 's Actors on Actors interview series Ambitions: He admitted that it's one of his 'ambitions' to work with Streep before he 'snuffs it,' while Blunt added she's, 'sure you will' 'I met her once, and I said, 'I never liked you.' And she went, "What?" I said, 'I never liked you because I was jealous of your acting.' I kept thinking, "How can anybody be that good?'' Cox explained. He added that her work is 'so centered,' but Blunt said of Cox, 'I think that about you, I think that watching you.' 'You do keep us guessing, from that caustic, fiery writer in Adaptation, and then what you did with Abbott in Bourne Supremacy. You just feel this sense of foreboding,' she added. Cox added of his acting method, 'What's important is really what's underneath. There's this whole debate about Method acting and all that. I'm all for whatever gets you through the day.' 'But the great thing is how you transmit energy. If you hit it right, it just works. That's the most important thing that we have as actors, that ability to go into something very quickly and come out of it. Not to dwell,' he said. Cox famously spoke out about the method acting of his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong earlier this year, stating, 'Oh, it's f***ing annoying. Don't get me going on it.' Blunt also revealed that Streep went full Method for one of the first times in her career on The Devil Wears Prada, which was a unique experience. 'She's amazing and was slightly terrifying on that film. She said it was one of the first times she's tried Method acting. But it made her so miserable, playing Miranda,' Blunt said. How: 'I met her once, and I said, 'I never liked you.' And she went, "What?" I said, 'I never liked you because I was jealous of your acting.' I kept thinking, "How can anybody be that good?'' Cox explained Succession end: Now that Succession has come to an end, he opened up about now being the 'f**k off' man, when people see him on the streets of Brooklyn where he now lives Guessing: 'You do keep us guessing, from that caustic, fiery writer in Adaptation, and then what you did with Abbott in Bourne Supremacy. You just feel this sense of foreboding,' she added Energy: 'But the great thing is how you transmit energy. If you hit it right, it just works. That's the most important thing that we have as actors, that ability to go into something very quickly and come out of it. Not to dwell,' he said Now that Succession has come to an end, he opened up about now being the 'f**k off' man, when people see him on the streets of Brooklyn where he now lives. 'I've been doing this for 60 years. Most of the time it's been, 'Were you in... Oh yeah, you were in that, but now I am the 'f**k off man,' Cox explained. 'It has its charm. I'm not knocking it, but at the same time, it's not easy to be a cultural icon. As they say in Scotland, it's an awfully big job for an ordinary boy,' Cox joked. When asked about his character Logan Roy's shocking death, Cox joked, 'I actually pretend that he's not dead, that he just disappeared.' This Account has been suspended. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot. High around 100F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Gina Kolata in The New York Times: On Nov. 30 last year, OpenAI released the first free version of ChatGPT. Within 72 hours, doctors were using the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. I was excited and amazed but, to be honest, a little bit alarmed, said Peter Lee, the corporate vice president for research and incubations at Microsoft, which invested in OpenAI. He and other experts expected that ChatGPT and other A.I.-driven large language models could take over mundane tasks that eat up hours of doctors time and contribute to burnout, like writing appeals to health insurers or summarizing patient notes. They worried, though, that artificial intelligence also offered a perhaps too tempting shortcut to finding diagnoses and medical information that may be incorrect or even fabricated, a frightening prospect in a field like medicine. Most surprising to Dr. Lee, though, was a use he had not anticipated doctors were asking ChatGPT to help them communicate with patients in a more compassionate way. In one survey, 85 percent of patients reported that a doctors compassion was more important than waiting time or cost. In another survey, nearly three-quarters of respondents said they had gone to doctors who were not compassionate. And a study of doctors conversations with the families of dying patients found that many were not empathetic. Enter chatbots, which doctors are using to find words to break bad news and express concerns about a patients suffering, or to just more clearly explain medical recommendations. More here. Joshua Abramson Cohen in the Boston Review: I have never in my life loved any people or collective, Hannah Arendt famously wrote in a 1963 letter to Gersom Scholem, embracing Scholems accusation that she was a daughter of the Jews who failed to love the Jewish family as a whole. Besides the circularity and the meanness entailed in such self-love, Arendt made clear, the love of an abstraction made no sense to her: I indeed love only my friends and the only kind of love I know of and believe in is the love of persons. Daniel Boyarins latest book, The No-State Solution: A Jewish Manifesto, can be read as the reply that Scholem, who stopped talking to Arendt, never sentan attempt to describe a Jewish love of the Jewish people that somehow turns on the love of persons. Putting it somewhat crassly, Boyarin explains, I am interested here in real Jews, Jews who live and breathe, eat and make love and get pregnant (or dont), get sick and die, and on the way, behave in various ways: singing, dancing, writing books, reading books, speaking quaint languages, and arguing constantly. Real Jews might be crass, but it is a term of art in Jewish Studies, usually used to cordon off living, breathing Jews from the Jew of non-Jewish imaginations. In The No-State Solution, though, Boyarin is interested in the Jew of Jewish imaginationsand in giving that figure flesh and bones. Above all, his manifesto sets itself against the mode of self-attention that Boyarin calls Jewish pride. More here. Avenir Corp purchased a new position in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,462 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $236,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 85.3% during the 3rd quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group now owns 202 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Align Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.71% of the companys stock. Get AbbVie alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently commented on ABBV. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of AbbVie in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of AbbVie from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Barclays upped their price target on shares of AbbVie from $155.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of AbbVie from $178.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Argus downgraded shares of AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $163.40. Insider Transactions at AbbVie AbbVie Price Performance In related news, SVP Elaine K. Sorg sold 6,130 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total value of $1,011,450.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 35,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,829,450. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other AbbVie news, SVP Elaine K. Sorg sold 6,130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total transaction of $1,011,450.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 35,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,829,450. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, SVP Elaine K. Sorg sold 15,002 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.03, for a total transaction of $2,400,770.06. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 42,829 shares in the company, valued at $6,853,924.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 32,151 shares of company stock valued at $5,187,783 in the last ninety days. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Shares of NYSE:ABBV traded down $0.42 on Monday, reaching $137.76. 4,888,484 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,940,047. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.46. AbbVie Inc. has a 1-year low of $131.10 and a 1-year high of $168.11. The firm has a market cap of $243.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50-day moving average of $149.76 and a 200-day moving average of $153.66. AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.02. AbbVie had a net margin of 13.37% and a return on equity of 153.92%. The business had revenue of $12.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.16 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that AbbVie Inc. will post 10.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AbbVie Company Profile (Get Rating) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies. Read More Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC lessened its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 0.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 41,290 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 177 shares during the quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $5,537,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Twin Lakes Capital Management LLC raised its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Twin Lakes Capital Management LLC now owns 13,786 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,849,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Karpas Strategies LLC raised its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Karpas Strategies LLC now owns 21,608 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,898,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 8,158 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,094,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Sanford Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Sanford Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,176 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $426,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Gould Asset Management LLC CA grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA now owns 6,580 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $882,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.89% of the companys stock. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: Insider Transactions at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In related news, Vice Chairman Peter Scher sold 1,240 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total transaction of $167,424.80. Following the sale, the insider now owns 45,056 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,083,461.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, Vice Chairman Peter Scher sold 1,240 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total value of $167,424.80. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 45,056 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,083,461.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ashley Bacon sold 16,766 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total value of $2,263,410.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 195,356 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,373,060. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 138,449 shares of company stock valued at $18,806,497 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance NYSE JPM traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $141.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,596,680 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,528,995. The firms 50-day moving average price is $136.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $136.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 1 year low of $101.28 and a 1 year high of $144.34. The company has a market capitalization of $412.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.38, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.10. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.41 by $0.69. The business had revenue of $38.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $35.77 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 16.02% and a net margin of 23.73%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.63 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 14.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 6th will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 5th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.84%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.52%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on JPM. 92 Resources restated a maintains rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $157.00 to $192.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $150.00 to $132.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $155.00 to $151.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $189.00 to $179.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $157.65. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile (Get Rating) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Golden Star Resources (NYSE:GSS Get Rating) in a report issued on Friday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock. Golden Star Resources Trading Up 0.3 % NYSE:GSS opened at $3.90 on Friday. Golden Star Resources has a 12-month low of $2.04 and a 12-month high of $4.04. Get Golden Star Resources alerts: Golden Star Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) See Also Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa underground mine in Ghana, West Africa. Listed on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ghanaian Stock Exchange, Golden Star is focused on delivering strong margins and free cash flow. Since winning the PDAC 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award, Golden Star has remained committed to leaving a positive and sustainable legacy in its areas of operation. Receive News & Ratings for Golden Star Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Golden Star Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EdgeRock Capital LLC reduced its stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GSIE Get Rating) by 7.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,676 shares of the companys stock after selling 899 shares during the period. EdgeRock Capital LLCs holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF were worth $307,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Signature Securities Group Corporation purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF by 110.5% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,105 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 580 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $50,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $87,000. Finally, EPG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $138,000. Get Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF alerts: Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of NYSEARCA GSIE traded up $0.13 during trading on Monday, hitting $31.46. 216,428 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 426,738. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF has a 1 year low of $24.21 and a 1 year high of $31.91. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $31.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 0.87. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF Profile The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF (GSIE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks in developed markets outside of the US comprising four sub-indices: value, momentum, quality and low volatility. The index uses multiple factors to pick stocks, and each sub-index receives equal weight. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International 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 International Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oaktree Fund Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Rating) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 618,908 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 17,404 shares during the quarter. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras comprises 9.9% of Oaktree Fund Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Oaktree Fund Advisors LLCs holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras were worth $6,591,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 30,293,524 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $448,343,000 after buying an additional 826,668 shares during the period. ARGA Investment Management LP boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 17,933,504 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $190,938,000 after purchasing an additional 1,878,854 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 4,034.3% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 14,281,595 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $152,099,000 after purchasing an additional 13,936,150 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP bought a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras in the 3rd quarter valued at about $161,666,000. Finally, Mondrian Investment Partners LTD boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 153.2% in the 4th quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 12,777,021 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $136,075,000 after purchasing an additional 7,730,286 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 12.29% of the companys stock. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have issued reports on PBR shares. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $12.50 to $16.50 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $11.50 to $15.50 in a report on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $14.67. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Price Performance Shares of NYSE:PBR traded up $0.23 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $13.99. The stock had a trading volume of 29,494,954 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,299,992. The companys 50-day moving average price is $11.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.10. The company has a market capitalization of $91.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has a fifty-two week low of $8.88 and a fifty-two week high of $16.32. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $26.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras had a net margin of 28.50% and a return on equity of 44.84%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras will post 3.24 EPS for the current fiscal year. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 14th will be given a dividend of $0.336 per share. This represents a yield of 39.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 13th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobrass dividend payout ratio is 35.93%. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Company Profile (Get Rating) Petroleo Brasileiro SA engages in oil and gas exploration, production, and distribution activities. It operates through the following segments: Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation, and Marketing; Gas and Power; and Corporate and Other Business. The Exploration and Production segment involves crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas exploration, development, and production. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lowered its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) by 18.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,720,260 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 377,080 shares during the quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD owned 0.06% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $2,386,844,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FourThought Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% during the third quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 20 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter worth about $44,000. 93.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,023 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,695.00, for a total value of $1,733,985.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,573,165. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,023 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,695.00, for a total value of $1,733,985.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $39,573,165. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 105 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,073.08, for a total transaction of $217,673.40. Following the sale, the director now owns 853 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,768,337.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 12,346 shares of company stock worth $24,704,401. 0.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance Shares of CMG stock traded up $24.00 on Monday, hitting $2,064.55. The stock had a trading volume of 228,731 shares, compared to its average volume of 293,377. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12-month low of $1,196.28 and a 12-month high of $2,139.88. The stock has a market cap of $56.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a 50 day moving average of $1,948.76 and a 200 day moving average of $1,687.68. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.89 by $1.61. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. The firm had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.70 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on CMG. BTIG Research increased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,825.00 to $2,175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Loop Capital increased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,700.00 to $1,850.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,050.00 to $2,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Wedbush upped their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,080.00 to $2,200.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $2,039.89. About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Get Rating) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc engages in the development and operation of classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It offers a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads prepared using classic cooking methods. The company was founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of United States Antimony (NYSE:UAMY Get Rating) in a report released on Friday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. United States Antimony Price Performance Shares of UAMY stock opened at $0.32 on Friday. United States Antimony has a fifty-two week low of $0.29 and a fifty-two week high of $0.52. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.39. The company has a current ratio of 18.25, a quick ratio of 17.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. Get United States Antimony alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sargent Investment Group LLC grew its position in shares of United States Antimony by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC now owns 320,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,000 after acquiring an additional 120,000 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC grew its position in shares of United States Antimony by 41.9% during the 3rd quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 147,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 43,634 shares during the period. Boston Financial Mangement LLC bought a new position in shares of United States Antimony during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of United States Antimony by 80,772.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,185,459 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,420,000 after acquiring an additional 13,169,155 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp bought a new position in United States Antimony in the 4th quarter worth approximately $487,000. 9.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. United States Antimony Company Profile United States Antimony Corporation produces and sells antimony, silver, gold, and zeolite products in the United States and Canada. The company's Antimony division offers antimony oxide that is primarily used in conjunction with a halogen to form a synergistic flame retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings, and paper. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for United States Antimony Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United States Antimony and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utah Retirement Systems reduced its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Get Rating) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,747 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 77 shares during the quarter. Utah Retirement Systems holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $2,707,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,298,111 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,866,025,000 after buying an additional 52,604 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,988,080 shares of the business services providers stock worth $863,125,000 after buying an additional 32,550 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 171.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 718,288 shares of the business services providers stock worth $288,185,000 after buying an additional 453,799 shares during the period. Amundi grew its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 27.4% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 508,493 shares of the business services providers stock worth $209,468,000 after buying an additional 109,306 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 21.6% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 477,977 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $191,770,000 after purchasing an additional 84,788 shares in the last quarter. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: FactSet Research Systems Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of FactSet Research Systems stock traded up $2.75 on Monday, reaching $400.33. 243,529 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 237,352. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a one year low of $345.92 and a one year high of $474.13. The company has a market capitalization of $15.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.75, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The company has a 50-day moving average of $401.86 and a 200 day moving average of $414.36. FactSet Research Systems Increases Dividend FactSet Research Systems ( NYSE:FDS Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 23rd. The business services provider reported $3.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.65 by $0.15. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 40.18% and a net margin of 22.30%. The company had revenue of $515.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $510.79 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.27 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 14.86 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. This is a boost from FactSet Research Systemss previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio is currently 34.03%. Insider Transactions at FactSet Research Systems In related news, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 297 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $417.58, for a total transaction of $124,021.26. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 451 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $188,328.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 297 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $417.58, for a total transaction of $124,021.26. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 451 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $188,328.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Robert J. Robie sold 2,457 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $412.31, for a total value of $1,013,045.67. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,436 shares in the company, valued at $592,077.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 12,537 shares of company stock worth $5,165,878 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $408.00 to $419.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $477.00 to $454.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $500.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, March 24th. SpectralCast reiterated an initiates rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, FactSet Research Systems presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $445.78. FactSet Research Systems Profile (Get Rating) FactSet Research Systems Inc (the Company or FactSet) is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications and services for the investment and corporate communities. Since inception, global financial professionals have utilized the Companys content and multi-asset class solutions across each stage of the investment process. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FDS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for FactSet Research Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FactSet Research Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, June 1st, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0305 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $0.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Trading Up 0.5 % BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust stock traded up $0.05 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.21. 797 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 53,190. The businesss 50 day moving average is $10.17 and its 200 day moving average is $10.37. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a 52 week low of $9.06 and a 52 week high of $11.92. Get BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BNY. Logan Stone Capital LLC grew its stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 1,655.8% in the 4th quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 209,732 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,112,000 after purchasing an additional 197,787 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $1,178,000. Robinson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $1,050,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 26.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 260,218 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,620,000 after acquiring an additional 54,162 shares during the period. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 482,861 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,881,000 after acquiring an additional 42,581 shares during the period. About BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. The company was founded on March 30, 2001 and is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD) by 1.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,288,495 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 13,279 shares during the quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in Toronto-Dominion Bank were worth $83,370,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Toronto-Dominion Bank in the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Toronto-Dominion Bank in the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in Toronto-Dominion Bank in the 4th quarter worth about $56,615,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 87.3% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 676 shares of the banks stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.22% of the companys stock. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays cut shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. CIBC upgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Toronto-Dominion Bank presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $100.57. Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance Shares of NYSE:TD opened at $58.99 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $108.52 billion, a PE ratio of 9.90, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $59.95 and a 200-day moving average of $63.18. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 12 month low of $55.43 and a 12 month high of $70.67. Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The bank reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.52 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $9.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 17.72% and a return on equity of 15.51%. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.709 per share. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.81%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 7th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.65%. Toronto-Dominion Bank Profile (Get Rating) The Toronto-Dominion Bank engages in the provision of financial products and services. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The Canadian Retail segment offers various financial products and services, as well as telephone, Internet, and mobile banking services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD). Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (OTCMKTS:CGIFF Get Rating) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 130,000 shares, a decrease of 47.5% from the May 15th total of 247,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 14.8 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Desjardins increased their price objective on shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from C$12.50 to C$13.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Raymond James upgraded shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Scotiabank cut their target price on shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from C$10.50 to C$10.00 in a report on Thursday, March 9th. National Bank Financial increased their price objective on shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund to C$12.50 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from C$10.00 to C$11.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Get Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund alerts: Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Stock Performance Shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund stock remained flat at $6.24 on Tuesday. 842 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,632. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund has a 12 month low of $4.93 and a 12 month high of $7.64. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $5.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.49. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Company Profile Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund engages in the provision of portfolio of industrial chemicals and value-added services. It operates through the following segments: Sulphur and Water Chemicals, Electrochemicals, and Corporate. The Sulphur and Water Chemicals segment markets sulphuric acid, liquid sulphur dioxide, sulphur, sodium hydrosulphite, sodium bisulphate, zinc oxide and a variety of inorganic coagulants used in water treatment. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ECF Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.13 per share by the investment management company on Friday, June 23rd. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.16%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 12.6% annually over the last three years. Get Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund alerts: Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Price Performance ECF stock opened at $8.44 on Tuesday. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund has a 1 year low of $7.75 and a 1 year high of $10.01. Institutional Trading of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Company Profile A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ECF. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 24,045 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 1,555 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 88,043 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $932,000 after acquiring an additional 1,867 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 11.0% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 75,294 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $797,000 after acquiring an additional 7,454 shares during the last quarter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new stake in Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund in the first quarter valued at approximately $178,000. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its position in Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 116.2% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 55,643 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 29,911 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.24% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Operates as a closed-end, diversified management company and invests primarily in convertible securities. It invests in stocks of companies across market capitalizations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing on Monday, pledging to advance cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the leaders of the two countries have elevated the China-Nepal relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. China is willing to work with Nepal to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and promote the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and Nepal, Zhao said. Noting that China and Nepal are linked by mountains and rivers, Zhao said that developing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. Zhao said that China appreciates Nepal's consistent and firm adherence to the one-China policy and its valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports Nepal in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects the development path chosen by the Nepali government and people in light of their own national conditions, Zhao added. He called on both sides to build and maintain infrastructure projects, continue to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and deepen cooperation in various fields, adding that China welcomes Nepal's support for and participation in the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to jointly promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the National Assembly of Nepal, consolidate the social and popular support for friendly China-Nepal cooperation, provide legal guarantee for practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation between multilateral institutions, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Timilsina said that Nepal and China have been closely linked in geography, culture and tradition since ancient times. Nepal firmly pursues the one-China policy and will not allow any force to use its territory for anti-China activities. The Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible results to Nepal, Timilsina said, adding that the National Assembly of Nepal is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the NPC of China and give full play to the active role of the legislative bodies in promoting bilateral cooperation. Enterprise Financial Services Corp bought a new stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 2,839 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $236,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of SCHW. Phocas Financial Corp. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Exos TFP Holdings LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Sittner & Nelson LLC bought a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.49% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Stock Down 1.9 % Shares of SCHW stock opened at $53.98 on Tuesday. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $45.00 and a 12 month high of $86.63. The firm has a market cap of $95.50 billion, a PE ratio of 14.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $51.75 and a 200-day moving average of $67.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.32%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on SCHW shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Redburn Partners cut Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com cut Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, May 29th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Charles Schwab from $83.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.04. Insider Activity at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at $3,093,761,349.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at $533,844.48. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 16,000 shares of company stock worth $883,760. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Charles Schwab (Get Rating) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Get Rating) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the twenty research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have issued a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $70.59. Several research analysts have recently weighed in on EQR shares. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Equity Residential from $67.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Equity Residential from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the company from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Raymond James downgraded shares of Equity Residential from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Equity Residential from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised shares of Equity Residential from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the company from $63.00 to $68.00 in a report on Friday. Get Equity Residential alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Equity Residential news, Director Mark S. Shapiro sold 42,435 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.91, for a total transaction of $2,627,150.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 12,497 shares of the companys stock, valued at $773,689.27. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.69% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Equity Residential Equity Residential Price Performance Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hollencrest Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 340.0% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 440 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 133.5% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 474 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares during the period. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.62% of the companys stock. Shares of EQR stock opened at $65.65 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.87 billion, a PE ratio of 27.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $61.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Equity Residential has a twelve month low of $54.60 and a twelve month high of $80.89. Equity Residential Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 27th were issued a dividend of $0.6625 per share. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.04%. This is a boost from Equity Residentials previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 24th. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio is 109.05%. Equity Residential Company Profile (Get Rating) Equity Residential operates as a real estate investment trust. It engages in the acquisition, development, and management of rental apartment properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. The company was founded by Robert H. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 138,195 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,357,000. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF comprises 3.3% of Main Management ETF Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 517.2% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,364 shares of the companys stock worth $1,161,000 after purchasing an additional 2,819 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 1.9% during the first quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 3,708 shares of the companys stock worth $1,279,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new position in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF during the first quarter worth $4,834,000. Mariner LLC lifted its stake in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 8.9% during the first quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 22,085 shares of the companys stock worth $7,617,000 after purchasing an additional 1,814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KCM Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 86.1% during the first quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,297 shares of the companys stock worth $447,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF alerts: iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Price Performance IGV traded up $7.84 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $338.10. 849,084 shares of the stock were exchanged. The stock has a market cap of $6.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.65 and a beta of 1.06. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has a 12 month low of $123.69 and a 12 month high of $183.23. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $306.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $285.89. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Company Profile iShares North American Tech-Software ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P North American Technology Software Index (the Underlying Index). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IGV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMS Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, June 1st, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of 0.036 per share on Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund has decreased its dividend by an average of 0.1% per year over the last three years. Get Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance NMS stock traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $11.13. The stock had a trading volume of 8,976 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,360. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $10.33 and a 52 week high of $15.44. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.69. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund About Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund by 32.2% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 33,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $378,000 after purchasing an additional 8,181 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund by 731.5% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 31,598 shares of the companys stock valued at $355,000 after purchasing an additional 27,798 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund by 26.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 29,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 6,076 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. (Get Rating) Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in investment grade municipal securities that are exempt from regular federal and Minnesota personal income taxes. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Rating) announced an annual dividend on Monday, June 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 1.1296 per share by the utilities provider on Monday, July 17th. This represents a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This is a positive change from Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbks previous annual dividend of $0.81. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk has a payout ratio of 50.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Get Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Price Performance Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk stock traded down $0.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $27.96. 50,545 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 213,666. The companys fifty day moving average is $28.04 and its 200-day moving average is $26.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.85. Perusahaan Perseroan has a 52 week low of $23.02 and a 52 week high of $31.95. The firm has a market cap of $25.18 billion, a PE ratio of 18.97 and a beta of 0.63. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk ( NYSE:TLK Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk had a net margin of 14.21% and a return on equity of 14.51%. The firm had revenue of $2.53 billion for the quarter. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TLK. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its holdings in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 30.2% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 11,257 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $307,000 after acquiring an additional 2,611 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk during the first quarter valued at approximately $298,000. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk in the second quarter worth approximately $295,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC purchased a new stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk in the third quarter worth approximately $278,000. Finally, Barclays PLC grew its position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 16,089.7% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 9,390 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $224,000 after purchasing an additional 9,332 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 4.04% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Company Profile (Get Rating) PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications, information, and technology services. It operates through the following segments: Mobile, Consumer, Enterprise, Wholesale and International Business (WIB), and Others. The Mobile segment provides mobile voice, SMS, value added services and, mobile broadband. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp cut its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Get Rating) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 56,027 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,769 shares during the quarter. Pfizer makes up approximately 2.0% of Enterprise Financial Services Corps portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Enterprise Financial Services Corps holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,871,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of PFE. Front Street Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Pfizer by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,168 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $268,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 34,338 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,503,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the last quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank now owns 32,775 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,435,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC now owns 7,287 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Motco boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 31,376 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,608,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. 67.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Pfizer alerts: Insider Transactions at Pfizer In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $38.42 per share, for a total transaction of $38,420.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 5,000 shares in the company, valued at $192,100. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $38.42 per share, for a total transaction of $38,420.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 5,000 shares in the company, valued at $192,100. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder Pfizer Inc bought 1,811,594 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2.76 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,999.44. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 5,952,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,428,245.88. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired a total of 1,813,594 shares of company stock valued at $5,076,999 over the last 90 days. 0.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Pfizer Stock Performance Several research analysts have recently issued reports on PFE shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $43.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.33. Shares of PFE stock opened at $39.89 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $39.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market cap of $225.19 billion, a PE ratio of 7.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.64. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $36.17 and a 12 month high of $54.93. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $18.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.49 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 31.25% and a return on equity of 37.53%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.62 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 EPS for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is presently 32.28%. Pfizer Company Profile (Get Rating) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The North American Income Trust plc (LON:NAIT Get Rating) insider Susannah Nicklin bought 534 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 278 ($3.48) per share, with a total value of 1,484.52 ($1,857.51). The North American Income Trust Stock Up 2.2 % NAIT stock traded up GBX 5.98 ($0.07) during trading on Tuesday, hitting GBX 280.98 ($3.52). 297,791 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 148,070. The company has a current ratio of 10.20, a quick ratio of 7.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.57. The North American Income Trust plc has a 52-week low of GBX 262 ($3.28) and a 52-week high of GBX 324 ($4.05). The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 275.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 292.62. The stock has a market capitalization of 393.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 955.17 and a beta of 0.70. Get The North American Income Trust alerts: The North American Income Trust Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be paid a GBX 2.60 ($0.03) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th. The North American Income Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 3,793.10%. About The North American Income Trust The North American Income Trust plc is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in the stocks of large-cap companies, within the market capitalization range of S&P 500 Index. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The North American Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The North American Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducts raids at the residence of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji as part of a money laundering investigation. (Photo: Twitter/@ANI) CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji and some others as part of a money laundering investigation and held multi-city searches, official sources said. Balaji's office room at the Secretariat here was among the locations raided by the ED officials. The minister, a DMK strongman from Karur district, said he was not aware of what the officials had come searching for at his premises and assured to extend total cooperation in the probe. The raids are being carried out at Balaji's premises in state capital Chennai and his native Karur. Besides these, ED officials also searched the house of a Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) lorry contractor in Erode district. State-run TASMAC is the retailer of liquor in Tamil Nadu. Balaji also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio The Supreme Court had earlier allowed police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who was earlier with the AIADMK. He was Transport minister in the late Jayalalithaa-led cabinet. The ED conducted the searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. Last month, the Income Tax department too had searched people close to Balaji in the state. Responding to the ED searches today, Balaji said he was "ready to extend full cooperation" to the investigating agency. "With what intention have they come, what are they looking for, we will see. Let it get over," he told reporters soon after the sleuths started the searches. Whether it be the IT or ED, Balaji assured full cooperation for the authorities concerned, adding whatever explanation sought by officials based on documents, will be provided. The minister, who went for a morning walk, said he took a taxi back home after receiving a message about the raids at his premises. ED officials were accompanied by central paramilitary personnel during the raids. Last month, Income Tax officials were allegedly attacked in Karur when they went to conduct searches at some places linked to Balaji. In an interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new agri laws in 2020 and 2021. AP NEW DELHI: Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey in sensational allegations claimed the Indian government threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during farmers' protest, an accusation Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed as an "outright lie". In an interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new agri laws in 2020 and 2021. Rubbishing the claims, the Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted that Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shutdown'," Chandrasekhar said. "This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history." In the longish post, he then went on to cite what the government saw as non-compliance with the local laws governing social media platforms. "Facts and truth - @twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated in continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied," he said. "It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it." Opposition parties quickly latched on to Dorsey's comments to attack the government. Congress said when farmers were protesting, the "coward dictator sitting in Delhi was trying to suppress this news." "Be aware, 733 farmers were martyred in this movement and the dictator was engaged in polishing his image on their dead bodies," it tweeted. Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena-UBT Priyanka Chaturvedi replying to Chandrasekhar's tweet, said the law Twitter broke was to "allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda." India as a sovereign nation, Chandrasekhar said, has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. "GoI was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news," he said without giving details. The minister charged Twitter with not complying with requests to take down tweets spreading misinformation. "Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India, when they did it themselves when similar events took place in the USA," he said. "There is ample evidence now in public domain abt Jacks twitter's arbitrary, blatantly partisan n discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period," he said. Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian laws but was partisan in how it was using "deamplify" and deplatforming of some arbitrarily in violation of the constitution and also assisting in weaponising of misinformation, he said. "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring the compliance of Indian laws," Chandrasekhar said. "Our govts policies remain clear for all Intermediaries operating in India - compliance with laws to ensure the Internet is Safe and Trusted, Accountable". Dorsey made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. The Indian government has repeatedly denied engaging in online censorship. "Twitter under Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of Indian law. Say MoS IT. Lol! Yeah the law they broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda. But there was no crackdown or compliance issues since it supported their agenda. The minute people and opposition started to fight back using the platform, the government started to crackdown! So please, spare this little sermon," Chaturvedi tweeted. She went on to state that Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has "on record spoken about GoI's multiple requests to take down content/ suspend accounts that goes against his own belief regarding absolute FoS . They comply, since GoI." "The BJP and the government tried to crush the farmers' protest, They tried to defame the movement, They called farmers terrorists, They called farmers anti-national, They lathi-charged the farmers, They let farmers die, "They tried to silence the opposition in parliament, They tried to arm-twist social media platforms to mute the voices of those supporting the farmers... but despite their might, despite their power, the farmers humbled their arrogance and forced the government to withdraw the farmers act. Indian democracy or rule of Modiocracy?," she added. Union minister Amit Shah is expected to arrive in the city late on Wednesday evening instead of on Thursday morning as originally scheduled around 11 am. (File Photo: Deepak Deshpande) Hyderabad: Union minister Amit Shahs public meeting in Khammam on June 15 will not only kick off the partys Assembly election campaign in Telangana state, but will also set in motion a week-long flurry of public meetings to be addressed by senior state party leaders in all the 119 Assembly constituencies in the state. Shah is expected to arrive in the city late on Wednesday evening instead of on Thursday morning as originally scheduled around 11 am. As per the original plan, he was to go to a private hotel near RGI airport, and then go to a nearby convention centre for a meeting with BJP leaders. Its only his arrival that has been brought forward and the rest of his schedule on Thursday will include a breakfast meeting with party leaders following which he will fly to Bhadrachalam, visit the Sri Seetharamaswamy Temple, and then on to Khammam. Shah is scheduled to fly to Vijayawada after the public meeting before leaving for Gujarat. Shah will meet RRR director S.S. Rajamouli in Hyderabad. With party leaders working hard to make Shahs meeting a success, and expecting a strong boost to all its cadre, the state BJP has made plans to follow the Thursday public meeting with smaller public meetings in all the 119 Assembly constituencies. The plan is to have around 5,000 people for each meeting which will be addressed by senior state party leaders. Though these Assembly constituency wise meetings were originally planned as part of Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan, there appears to be a new sense of urgency in the party which decided that all these meetings will be held in one week. "In a manner of speaking, we want saturated coverage by our party across the state, and from July, we will truly enter the election mode," another party leader said. Bihar minister Santosh Suman PATNA: In a sudden move, Bihar minister Santosh Suman resigned from the state cabinet on Tuesday alleging "pressure" to merge his Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U). Suman, who held the SC and ST welfare portfolio, is the national president of HAM founded by his father Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister. "I have sent my resignation to the chief minister and personally met Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (senior JD(U) leader and minister) to explain my point. I hope my resignation will be accepted. We are, though, not pulling out of the Mahagathbandhan," Suman told reporters. He pointed out that his father, who then headed the party, had decided to quit the NDA last year and join the Mahagathbandhan because of his loyalty towards the chief minister. "It is for the CM to decide whether we be kept in the Mahagathbandhan or expelled. We will decide accordingly. But in view of the JD(U)'s proposal, I had to take a decision to save my party from extinction. Hence I resigned," said Suman. The opposition BJP in the state was quick to claim that the development was a dampener for Nitish Kumar's opposition unity efforts as part of which he will be hosting a conclave next week, to be attended by bigwigs like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. "The resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi's son is proof of the chasm that exists in the Mahagathbandhan. The alliance has been rejected by the people and it will become evident in the Lok Sabha polls next year and culminate in the defeat of the Mahagathbandhan in the assembly elections a year later," said BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. However, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari, whose party helms the Mahagathbandhan, said, "Jitan Ram Manjhi has been known for his pressure tactics and prevarications. Though our government will not be affected by this decision, this is a move they will regret." While Suman is a member of the legislative council, HAM has a total of four MLAs, including Manjhi. In the 243-strong Bihar assembly, 122 members are needed for a government to survive. Minus HAM, the Mahagathbandhan, which also includes Congress and the Left, still has close to 160. Tiwari added, "At the Mahagathbandhan rally in Purnea earlier this year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had spoken of the BJP's attempts to beguile Manjhi. It seems he has fallen into the trap. Claims of pressure for merger by JD(U) do not hold water." Notably, many eyebrows were raised when, about a month ago, Manjhi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. This was followed by repeated demands for "not less than five seats for HAM in Lok Sabha polls", by the father-son duo. Meanwhile, Leshi Singh, a minister and a senior leader of the JD(U), reminded Manjhi that "it was because of the blessings of Nitish Kumar that he rose to the chief minister's chair". The reference was to the development in 2014, when Nitish Kumar stepped down, owning moral responsibility for the JD(U)'s drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls. Manjhi, then seen as a low-key minister, was appointed as the CM with the support of his mentor. The eight-month-long tenure of the Dalit leader was marked by many controversies and factional feuds within the party and he revolted when Kumar decided to return as the chief minister. A floor test was ordered but Manjhi chose to resign as CM, realising that he did not have sufficient support, and later on quit the JD(U) to form HAM. He started off as an NDA partner in the assembly polls held later that year, but has switched alliances on more than one occasion since then. A 39-year-old physiotherapist murdered her 71-year-old mother over a family dispute, stuffed her body in a suitcase and took it to the police station. Sonali Sen, the suspect, was living with her husband Subrata Sen, an electrical engineer, mother Biva Paul, mother-in-law Chaya Rani, 70, and nine-year-old son in a first-floor flat in NSR Green apartment on Kodichikkanahalli Road in Bilekahalli, Southeast Bengaluru. Preliminary police investigations showed that Sonali strangled her mother with a dupatta between 11 am and 11.30 am on Monday. She later stuffed the body in a trolley suitcase, placed a picture of her father inside and went to the police station in an auto-rickshaw around 1 pm. She surrendered to the police. Also Read: Bengaluru: Odisha man dies after auto driver attacks him over fare C K Baba, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), said: "Prima facie, we have learnt that there were some differences within the family. So, the accused woman killed her mother by strangulation. She brought the body to the police station because she didn't want her family to face any issues." A suo motu murder case was registered at the Mico Layout police station based on a complaint filed by sub-inspector Sanjeev Gurappa Gol. More details will be known after an investigation, Baba added. A senior officer said Sonali was the only daughter of Biva. The family is from Kolkata. After the death of her father five years ago, Biva brought her mother to her house in Bengaluru and took care of her. The motive Biva and Subrata's mother Chaya had disputes over the last two to three years and fought regularly. Sonali was disturbed by the two elderly women fighting. She was already disturbed over her hyperactive son who is undergoing treatment. On Sunday, Biva and Chaya fought over trivial issues. The same night, Sonali and Biva had a conversation about the constant fights. According to Sonali's confession, Biva told her that the issues will be solved only by her death. She asked Sonali to kill her by giving her pills and sending her to her father. Sonali thought over it through the night and decided to kill her mother. Fateful morning Subrata, who works at a private firm in Jigani, left home around 7.15 am on Monday. Sonali's mother-in-law was in one room and her son in the other. Sonali and Biva were in another room. Sonali gave her around 30 blood pressure pills and locked her up. She later checked on her and found her wriggling with symptoms of paralysis. Sonali didn't want her mother to suffer. So, she took a dupatta and strangled her, police said. Sonali told the police that without telling her mother-in-law, she bundled the body into a suitcase and hired an auto. She carried the suitcase to the auto and drove to the Mico Layout police station. She carried the suitcase inside and narrated the story to the police. She told the police that she decided to surrender as she didn't want her husband and family to get into trouble over the incident. Police have taken Sonali into custody for two days and are investigating her claims. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded two Tata Group-owned Air India pilots for an incident in which one of the pilots allowed a female friend inside the cockpit during a domestic flight recently, a DGCA official said on Tuesday. The official also said that the regulator received a report from the airline (into the incident) and has completed its investigation. Air India, in a statement, without sharing any details about the incident, said that "such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis, and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations". Also Read | IndiGo aircraft suffers tail strike on arrival at Delhi airport It may be mentioned here that the DGCA had last month slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for not reporting a similar incident that took place on its Dubai-Delhi flight in February this year. "We have received the report (into the incident) and completed our investigation. The pilots have been grounded," the DGCA official said. As per DGCA safety norms, unauthorised people are not allowed to enter the cockpit, and any such entry could violate norms. "Air India has a Just culture approach to all safety-related events and has a zero tolerance for deliberate breaches of regulations," an Air India spokesperson said in the statement without mentioning information about the incident. "Such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis, and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations," the spokesperson added. In the February incident, the aviation regulator slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for lapses in effectively addressing the "safety-sensitive issue" related to the incident of a pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit during a Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27. This was the third time in less than four months that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Air India, which is now under the control of Tata Group, for lapses. While imposing the penalty, the DGCA had said that Air India did not take prompt corrective action. In connection with the Delhi-Dubai flight incident, the regulator has also suspended the licence of the pilot who operated the flight for three months, and the co-pilot was warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation. Besides, the airline has been directed to take administrative action against the "Staff On Duty (SOD)/passenger, including removal from any managerial functions in the organisation for a specified period". While acknowledging and accepting the DGCA ruling, the airline rejected the "assertion that no action was taken by Air India in response to the complaint". Two unidentified militants were killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Tuesday. Jammu and Kashmir police said two militants have been killed in an encounter near the LoC in Dobanar area of Machil. Two (02) #terrorists have been #neutralised in a joint operation of Army and Kupwara Police in Dobanar Machhal area (LoC) of #Kupwara district. Search still continues, Kashmir Zone Police tweeted. Two (02) #terrorists have been #neutralised in a joint operation of Army and Kupwara Police in Dobanar Machhal area (LoC) of #Kupwara district. Search still continues.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 13, 2023 The infiltration along the LoC has decreased significantly since the beginning of this year and rare attempts by militants to sneak into the Indian side from Pakistan have been reported in Kashmir. In recent years the Army has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration. This includes multi-tiered deployment along the International Border/LoC, border fencing, improved intelligence and operational coordination, equipping security forces with advanced weapons and taking action against infiltrators. According to officials, in 2017, the infiltration attempts made were 419. The number was 328 followed by 216, 99, and 77 in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Pakistan and India have been observing a ceasefire along the LoC since February 2021. Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company specializing in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of healthcare products. The company has its headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois and operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. The company was founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, and it has since grown to become one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare companies. Abbott Laboratories has a diverse portfolio of products, including medical devices, diagnostic tests, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is committed to developing innovative products that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. Robert B. Ford is the current President and CEO of the company. He was appointed to this position in 2020 after serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Abbott Laboratories since 1996 and has held various leadership positions. Abbott Laboratories has delivered strong financial performance, declining as investors seek growth. The company's net earnings have been increasing steadily. Abbott Laboratories has a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio. The company has consistently delivered strong cash flow, allowing it to invest in research and development and return value to shareholders. Abbott Laboratories has a higher price-to-earnings ratio than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also higher than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the market has a positive outlook on Abbott Laboratories and is willing to pay a premium for the company's shares. Over the past year, Abbott Laboratories' stock has declined as consumers seek to see what the company will do post-pandemic. The company's shares have experienced some volatility, but overall, they have outperformed the broader market. Abbott Laboratories operates in the healthcare industry, which is highly regulated and complex. The industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology, changing regulatory requirements, and shifting consumer preferences. Abbott Laboratories competes with other large healthcare companies such as Johnson & Johnson. Abbott Laboratories' robust product pipeline is expected to drive growth in the coming years. The company is focused on developing innovative products that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. In addition to its core businesses, Abbott Laboratories is expanding into new markets and investing in digital health technologies. Like any company, Abbott Laboratories faces a range of risks and challenges. One of the most significant risks facing the company is regulatory uncertainty. Changes in regulatory requirements could impact the company's ability to bring products to market and could also increase the cost of doing business. Another risk facing the company is the threat of competitive pressures. The healthcare industry is highly competitive, and Abbott Laboratories faces competition from established companies and new entrants. Changes in consumer preferences could also impact the company's performance, particularly in the nutritional products segment. Additionally, Abbott Laboratories is exposed to geopolitical risks, such as changes in trade policies or political instability in key markets. The company's international operations also expose it to currency fluctuations, which could impact its financial performance. Derry-born author Maggie OFarrell is one of the six winners of this years KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards which were announced as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. Selected by an independent panel of expert judges, including a Young Judge, and a network of Junior Jurors nationwide, Derry author Maggie OFarrell received The Honour Award for Fiction for her book The Boy Who Lost His Spark. The long-form picture book which features a mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within, was illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. Born in Coleraine, and now living in Edinburgh, OFarrell is an award-winning author for both adults and children. Her first book for children, Where Snow Angels Go published in 2020, was also illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. Speaking at the ceremony, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Childrens Books Ireland, said: Our congratulations to every one of the authors, illustrators and publishers celebrating their wins. Through our KPMG Junior Juries programme, we have seen the wonder and delight that these six books have inspired in young readers across Ireland, and it is a joy to recognise and reward the artists that created them at this level. Ireland has always been a nation of storytellers, and every one of these winners exemplifies the sheer excellence visible in contemporary Irish childrens books. As we celebrate another year of the KPMG Childrens Book Awards, we hope that the celebrations encourage them to keep creating stories that speak as powerfully to their readers as these. Damian Smyth, Joint Head of Literature and Drama for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: These awards are recognised as the most prestigious for childrens books in Ireland, and we are thrilled once again to see two artists from Northern Ireland taking home prizes. The stories we encounter in childhood are the ones that shape us for life, and the young readers of Ireland are fortunate to have such excellent homegrown titles at their fingertips. Our congratulations to everyone celebrating! Derry schools participate in Junior Jurors Programme Students from four schools in Derry participated in the Junior Jurors Programme. These schools included: Dominican College Portstewart, St. Mary's College, Derry, Derry Model Primary School and St Cecilias College, Derry. Through the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries Programme young people in schools, libraries and book clubs shadowed adult judges on the judging panel in reading, discussing and assessing the shortlisted books. Seamus Hand, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland, said: Well done to all our winners, and a special congratulations to our Reading Hero Shi Lei Chen who was nominated by her teacher, Caroline Fox. Shi Lei came to Ireland from China aged 11 and is a voracious reader in both English and Chinese. We were delighted to hear about the incredible kindness and empathy for the characters bought to life through reading in class. This along with her dedication to improving her reading and writing in English has been truly admirable. The KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards and Junior Juries programme are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding. Dr Gerard Walls, an Academic Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Oncology at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre and Queen's University Belfast, has been named as one of 37 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2023-2024. As a Fulbright - HRB Health Impact Scholar, Gerard will join the world-leading Cardio-Oncology research team at Washington University St. Louis to conduct further analysis on the interaction between radiotherapy and cardiovascular health in patients with lung cancer. The Fulbright bilateral exchange program is known for selecting outstanding candidates from across the island of Ireland to study and work with U.S. Institutions across all disciplines ranging from health, science, technology and business to the arts and culture. As the Fulbright Awardees forge ahead on these exciting opportunities, the breadth of their U.S. engagement is diverse and impressive. Awardees will travel to 17 states across the USA embedding themselves in institutions ranging from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Poets House New York and The University of Hawaii to The Smithsonian Institution in Washington and East Los Angeles College, the largest community college in California. Fulbright Irish Scholars, Students, and Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) will also engage with U.S. society and share their knowledge and expertise when they return home. In a year that saw Irish American President Biden visit Ireland, when ties between Ireland and the U.S. have increased, the 37 Irish awardees will head to the U.S. to exchange ideas and knowledge and serve as cultural ambassadors. By doing so they strengthen connections between the U.S. and Ireland to foster much needed understanding and empathy in todays increasingly polarised world. In his clinical practice, Magherafelt's Dr Gerard Walls specialises in radiotherapy and systemic therapy for all stages of lung cancer. Gerard seeks to improve the prognosis of patients with lung cancer by greater personalisation of treatment. Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and at the Department of Education, Thomas Byrne TD said: The warmth of the relationship between Ireland and the United States is underpinned by our shared history and common values. "The Fulbright Commission and the Fulbrighters, past and present, are a testament to the best traditions of academic and cultural exchange, and have an outstanding record in representing Ireland. The Government of Ireland is proud to support this programme, which plays an essential role in building transatlantic understanding and fostering extraordinary academic links, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media." Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that a woman who claimed to have witnessed her daughter being assaulted has a conviction for perjury in a murder case in 2015. The revelation was made in the case against Jason Cooke (28) of Dunvale Close in Derry who was charged with assaulting a female on June 11. The court heard that police were told by a woman that she had been on a video call with her daughter and had witnessed Cooke slap the female on the side of the face. Police attended and the woman denied anything had occurred but police noticed redness on the side of her face. The mother told police she had been talking to her daughter when the incident occurred and was able to provide police with an audio of the conversation in which the mother could be heard saying 'I saw that.' A police officer opposed bail and said Cooke had 54 previous convictions and 2 of them involved the same alleged injured party. She said if released Cooke could interfere with the course of justice. Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that the alleged victim lived in County Antrim. He asked the police officer did anyone in the case have a conviction for perjury or perverting the course of justice. The officer replied that the alleged victim's mother had a conviction for perjury from 2015. Mr Quigley asked was that in a murder case where a Chinese national had been killed and the woman had given evidence that the perpetrators had been at her home at the time. The solicitor then asked had the woman been sentenced to six months for perjury and the police officer said she did not know the sentence. Mr Quigley said that the evidence against his client was 'flawed' as the woman was 'hardly a reliable or truthful witness'. District Judge Barney McElholm released Cooke on bail on condition he does not enter Antrim or has any contact with the woman. He will appear again next month. A woman has been arrested in Derry today, Tuesday, 13 June, as part of a proactive police investigation by the Paramilitary Crime Task Taskforce (PCTF) and Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch. The 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B controlled drug, and she remains in custody at this time. PCTF Detective Inspector Phelan said a search of an address in the city was also conducted, during which a number of electronic devices were seized, which will be examined further in due course. Detective Inspector Phelan said today's operation is part on an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the North West Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), and added: "We will continue in our work to disrupt those involved in criminal activities, and reduce the harm they cause in our communities and we urge anyone with information which could assist us to call us on 101." A report can also be submitted online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed an apology to the Hooded Men from the PSNI. The PSNI apologised to the Hooded Men days before the death of Joe Clarke. Mr Eastwood called on the British Government and British Army to follow suit and formally apologise to the men who were tortured. Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: Todays apology for the Hooded Men from the PSNI is another step forward in their long, difficult battle for truth and justice. I appreciate this apology coming before the death of Joe Clarke so that he could achieve some form of closure after years of campaigning for the apology that was so deserved after what he and his fellow victims went through. These men and their families have waited 52 years for this apology and others have unfortunately passed away without seeing it. "An apology from the PSNI is an essential step towards recognising the ordeal that these men suffered. The attention must now turn to the British government and security forces who also owe an apology to these men. The SDLP will continue to support these men in their campaign to receive a full, unequivocal apology from the British government, British Army and other security services involved. "The Supreme Court was clear in its ruling and its long past time this was acknowledged by those responsible for what these men endured. Minister of State Burke to visit Serbia and North Macedonia Press release The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Peter Burke TD, will visit Serbia and North Macedonia from 13-16 June 2023. In Belgrade, Minister Burke will hold bilateral consultations with his Serbian counterpart, Tanya Miscevic, Minister for European Integration, and meet Borko Stefanovic, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Serbian National Assembly. Both meetings will cover a range of issues, including Serbias EU perspective, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and the need to de-escalate tensions in northern Kosovo. In addition, Minister Burke will have an opportunity to meet leading members of Serbias small, but vibrant Irish community. The Minister will travel to North Macedonia on 14 June, to attend the Prespa Forum Dialogue, which brings together regional and international leaders, think-tanks and organisations, to discuss key challenges facing the Western Balkans. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Irelands EU accession, Minister Burke will address a panel on EU Enlargement in the Transforming Geopolitical Dynamics, which will be moderated by Bojan Marichikj, North Macedonias Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs. He will also hold bilateral meetings with a range of leading political figures from across the Western Balkans and South East Europe. Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Burke said: I am delighted to visit Serbia and North Macedonia, on my first visit to the Western Balkans region as Minister for European Affairs and Defence. Ireland has been clear that the future of the Western Balkans lies at the heart of the European Union. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our own accession, this visit is an opportunity to reaffirm that message to our partners. Of course, candidate countries accession to the EU depends on their meeting all necessary criteria for membership, not least full commitment to core EU values democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I will be using my appearance at the Prespa Forum Dialogue to encourage political leaders from across the Western Balkans region to accelerate the implementation of EU-related reforms. And I will underline that Ireland stands ready to support them in these efforts, as we work to grow our bilateral relations with the countries of the region. Minister Burkes visit comes after Serbias Prime Minister Ana Brnabic visited Ireland in April, and North Macedonias Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani, visited Ireland in May. Previous Item | Next Item On Monday, there were some social media posts and news reports about the CoWin data leak and that it was easily accessible via a bot. However, now Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India, Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar has denied the allegations. He clarifies what really happened in a Twitter post. Govts review of the CoWin data leak claims CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team) has inspected the leaked data and upon reviewing the CoWin data available online, govt. realized there is in fact a Telegram bot that was showing CoWin app details when you feed it phone numbers. The bot is relying on a leaked database but apparently, the data within it was from a past leak. Mr Chandrasekhar assures there has not been a direct CoWin breach this time. Finally, he announces the National Data Governance policy is ready and should offer a common framework for data storage, access and protection across the board. Also Read: Lost your Aadhaar Card? 3 easy methods to recover it instantly Additionally, the Health Ministry has said that whatever data is out there cannot be accessed without an OTP. But, there are still some concerns about the whole incident. What was the CoWin data leak problem? Yesterday, the news broke out that CoWin data has leaked and the public data in the CoWin database like gender, date of birth, ID card information, phone number, last four digits of Aadhaar, and the name of the centre where the person got vaccinated. Note, these were the data that you gave the portal at the time of booking Covaxin or Covidhsield vaccination slots. Who knew, the data you shared at times of distress will leak like this? Even if we pay heed to the governments rebuttal, we are concerned about the data that was supposedly leaked in the past. Also Read: Google Pay lets you activate UPI using Aadhaar: Here's how it works This is deemed to be a massive leak. And as some critics are pointing out, the Aadhaar number shouldnt have been stored anywhere other than the Aadhaar Vault. This is something underlined in the Aadhaar Act. You can read about this on the UIDAI website. Journalists including: 1. Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today 2. Barkha Dutt of Mojo Story 3. Dhanya Rajendran of The NewsMinute 4. Rahul Shivshankar of Times Now@sardesairajdeep @BDUTT @dhanyarajendran @RShivshankar (4/7) pic.twitter.com/zJv094RRiU Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 12, 2023 CoWin had it mandatory that we enter the Aadhaar number to book vaccines for Covid-19. This and other data dont seem to have been encrypted. Else, this breach wouldnt have taken place. In the CoWin privacy policy, the platform is said to have reasonable security measures. It also puts the onus on the user for their data safety. It says, You have and so long as You access and/or use the Platform (directly or indirectly) the obligation to ensure that You shall at all times, take adequate physical, managerial, and technical safeguards, at your end, to preserve the integrity and security of your data which shall include and not be limited to your Personal Information. More importantly, now that Covid isnt as big a threat as it once was, people who have taken the vaccines should be allowed to delete their CoWin account. This isnt a big ask, one may argue. Any move to legislate for assisted dying would require protections and safeguards against inducement, incitement and pressure, the first public hearing of the joint committee on the matter has been told. The committee was formed to consider and make recommendations for legislative and policy change relating to statutory rights to assist a person to end their life and to receive such assistance. While the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act of 1993 decriminalised suicide itself, the offence of assisting suicide was retained and put on a statutory footing. It is currently an offence for a person to aid, abet, counsel or procure the suicide or an attempted suicide of another person. The offence has a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment on conviction on indictment. The severe penalty was to cover situations where a person deliberately procured the suicide of another for their own motives. Rachel Woods, the Department of Justices assistant secretary with responsibility for criminal justice, said fundamental rights lie at the heart of this difficult issue. She said the department recognises the matter is complex and gives rise to medical, ethical and moral issues as well as criminal justice and constitutional matters that need to be considered. Article 40.3.2 of the Constitution guarantees that the State safeguards every citizens right to life while Article 40.1 guarantees that all citizens shall be held equal before the law. The courts have held that these paragraphs commit the State to value equally the lives of all citizens, while the European Convention on Human Rights provides that everyones right to life be protected by law. The obligation to safeguard the right to life is why, in the absence of any legal framework to provide for assisted dying, the State has and must have laws to protect life. The Act was challenged in a 2013 Supreme Court case by assisted dying campaigner Marie Fleming, who suffered from multiple sclerosis. However, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Act. The basis for the decision was that theres no constitutional right to commit suicide, or to arrange for the ending of ones life at a time of ones choosing. The courts further found that it is not possible to identify a constitutional right for a limited class of persons, in this case, persons suffering severe pain arising from a terminal and degenerative illness, who have the capacity to consent and wish to have the assistance of a third party to end their lives. It held the prohibition on assisted suicide was neither discriminatory nor contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the court clarified that its judgment did not prevent this from legislating for assisted suicide assuming appropriate safeguards could be introduced. Sinead Gibney, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, raised concerns about possible unintended policy consequences if there was a lack of sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable groups. If we are to consider assisted dying to be an extension of patient-centred care and a humane response to suffering, we must ensure that these groups are robustly protected from pressure or coercion. She said this should include the positive obligation to protect the right to life, the need for free and informed consent and protection from duress, the right to health and palliative care, as well as the right to participation in decision making. Specifically, I will make the point that human dignity must be respected at all stages of each individuals life, including terminal illness and death. Ms Gibney said disability should be excluded as a grounds for eligibility. Unfortunately, because of the ableist society that we live in, people with disabilities do not always have that same level of self-determination and autonomy and decision making capacity. The commissions head of legal Michael ONeill said the key issue is whether disability is the sole reason given. The nature of the concern is that the fact that a person is old or the fact that person is disabled, in and of itself should not be sufficient grounds to activate a scenario that ultimately, by that simple fact could lead to their death, rather that it its a much more complex and nuanced issue. Senator Lynn Ruane asked if this risked excluding and diluting the rights of disabled people. Ms Gibney said she appreciated this concern but added: Having a disability is not the issue for a lot of people. It is the society we live and how theyre not by virtue of the way that weve built our society able to participate fully and I think its really important to get into that mind frame. She said that one of the protections against coercion is to ensure social conditions, support, care and services are in place so that people with disabilities or serious and terminal illnesses do not feel that they are a burden to their loved ones or to society. Quoting a partner organisation in the UK, Ms Gibney said this must include active efforts to create a society where people are able to live life on equal terms free from discrimination. She said society is coercing people into having an unpleasant life because of the conditions that prevent them from participating fully by virtue of their disability. So I think thats why that safeguard is important, she added. Committee member Gino Kenny TD, who introduced the Dying with Dignity Bill in 2020, said it would take guts and political will to change the current legislation. He said: I think the public is ahead of politicians on this issue by a million miles. An IRA terrorist who murdered a man in Northern Ireland and fired a shot-gun into the face of another man in the Republic is being considered for parole in this jurisdiction while authorities in Northern Ireland want him to be extradited to serve a life sentence, the High Court has heard. Robert Duffy (50) was convicted in 1996 of the murder of John Gibson in Belfast in October 1993 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released after just four years under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in July 2000. On March 10, 2007, he attempted to murder Colin O'Neill at the Emerald Bar in Dundalk by firing a shotgun into Mr O'Neill's face at point-blank range. He was sentenced to life imprisonment having pleaded guilty to that offence. It has emerged recently that Duffy is being considered for parole, prompting the Northern Irish authorities to seek to have Duffy extradited so he can be returned to prison for breaching the terms of his release by attempting to murder Mr O'Neill. Among the terms of his release under the GFA was that he must not be a danger to the public. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at High Court hearings relating to Duffy's extradition has heard that Duffy has engaged with the parole board while in prison and is being considered for temporary release. She said a report from 2021 states that he has engaged well with probation services, is a trusted prisoner, is considered at a "moderate to low risk of reoffending" and no longer affiliates with any paramilitary organisation. He was being held at the low security Shelton Abbey prison but is now on remand in Wheatfield as a result of the extradition proceedings. Ms Justice Biggs yesterday (MON) dismissed objections to Duffy's extradition to Northern Ireland but said she would not order his extradition at this time. She added that if the parole board decides to release Duffy, he will be entitled to bail with regard to the High Court extradition proceedings. Ms Justice Biggs said she doesn't want the extradition proceedings before her to be a bar to Duffy being released by the parole board. Ms Justice Biggs said that the parole board is expected to make a decision on Duffy's release this month or next. If Duffy is released by the parole board, Ms Justice Biggs said the Minister for Justice should be ready to apply to the High Court to have Duffy extradited to Northern Ireland. She noted that the Northern Irish authorities have given assurances that Duffy will be free to apply for release to the Sentence Review Commission once he has been returned to prison in Northern Ireland. Duffy had objected to his extradition to Northern Ireland but Ms Justice Biggs dismissed all grounds of objection. Staff and students from the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music and the Department of Nursing, Midwifery & Early Years at DkIT have been involved in the Arts and Mindfulness in Education Erasmus funded project and the purpose of their recent event was to introduce participants to the benefits of mindfulness and share with them a range of resources to support learning in their educational settings. The inclusion of mindfulness as part of the daily curriculum for students has been demonstrated to be extremely effective in supporting a students learning. DkIT have been involved with the Erasmus+ funded Arts Mindfulness in Education (AMiE) project with a number of European educational and industry partners from Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Portugal. The aim of this initiative was to provide European teachers with inspirational and supportive tools to be utilised in classrooms. At the training event, one of the DkIT members of the AMiE project team, Jemma McGourty, introduced the project, speaking about the relevance of mindfulness to the Early Years Curriculum. She also presented on each of the intellectual outputs and classroom supports developed as part of the project including a website https://calminder.eu, video lessons, a book on mindfulness activities for children, music to be used for mindfulness activities and a free online training programme. The Calminder website is an innovative and interactive web-based application that serves as an inspirational tool for teachers in pre-primary and primary education for introducing mindfulness through arts in their daily educational contexts in the form of a weekly calendar containing free exercises. Students from the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years and the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music who were involved in the AMiE project spoke about their experiences. PhD student Leesa Flanagan who is completing a project on mindfulness in the early years supported by the Technological Universities Transformation Fund, was a guest speaker. She gave an overview of mindfulness and included some short exercises for the participants. Speaking about the event, Dr Myles Hackett, Head of Department of Nursing, Midwifery & Early Years at DkIT, noted: "We were delighted to host a half-day training event in the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years to share the AMiE project. Student educators and professionals working in education joined us to explore using arts and mindfulness in their work. The day concluded with an immersive mindfulness experience which was received with great enthusiasm." Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music, Dr Adele Commins said: "We were delighted to work with our colleagues on the Early Years Programme at DkIT to share the outcomes of the AMiE project with early years educators and practitioners. We are proud of all of the outputs created by our colleagues and students to support educators. Throughout the project we witnessed the significant benefits to the inclusion of arts and mindfulness in the curriculum. We look forward to developing our ideas in this area and working together on future projects." For further information on the outputs from the AMiE project see Calminder https://calminder.eu/about Neurological patients in Louth are being failed by the current shortfall in community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) who launched a new campaign today Tuesday, seeking commitments from elected representatives and the HSE to tackle the absence of a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO Area 8, which includes Louth services. There are only two community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland, despite nine teams being required which is outlined in the Implementation Framework (2019-2021) for the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy. According to NAI, this means that only 15% of neurological patients in Ireland have access to teams that provide vital care to support their recovery. In CHO Area 8, which includes Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath, the group say there has been no commitment for funding to date for a community neurorehabilitation team. At the campaign launch, Sorcha Boyle, from Ardee, Co. Louth, who is living with Multiple Sclerosis described her experience: I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014, and the following year I had a severe relapse and spent 10 weeks in Beaumont Hospital, after which I was transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH). It took me being seriously ill before I received the neurorehabilitation services I needed. People living with neurological conditions shouldnt have to wait until they are very unwell before they receive the wrap around services they require. Mentally, trying to engage and get access to the services we need is very disheartening and leaves you feeling completely disengaged with your care. Unfortunately, there is currently no support available in my community. Having access to a community neurorehabilitation team nearby would mean that people like me with Multiple Sclerosis, could take ownership of our own care, we could get access to rehabilitation services when we need them, and continue to live well within our communities. We shouldnt have to fight for these services. We need our represented electives and the HSE to take action now. Also speaking at the launch, Magdalen Rogers, NAI Executive Director, said: Once a person receives a diagnosis of a neurological condition, they need to be supported in their recovery and the management of their condition. Thats what a community neurorehabilitation team does. It brings together health care professionals from a range of disciplines such as an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, a physiotherapist and a clinical psychologist to enable a person living with a neurological condition to live well. As well as outlining the positive impact a community neurorehabilitation team can have on a patients recovery, the NAI presented a economic rationale for urgently establishing the teams in the seven CHOs that do not have a team in place. Ms Rogers continued: For every euro spent on a community neurorehabilitation team, the health service saves 11 euro. Having these teams in place is vital in reducing the length of stay and delayed discharges and therefore freeing up beds in acute hospitals. The support of neurorehabilitation teams is also proven to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospitals and improves the overall well-being and quality of life of patients with a range of neurological conditions. We have estimated that having these vital teams in place could save up to 42,000 bed days annually. We are calling on elected representatives in Louth and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the people of Louth. There is still no funding in place for a team in the CHO 8 region. Having a team in place here would have a significantly positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions in Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath. Dr Karen OConnell, Consultant Neurologist at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant in Neurorehabilitation at Peamount Hospital Dublin; and Dr Rosie Mangan, a person living with an acquired brain injury also spoke at the online launch event today. The Patients Deserve Better campaign brings together over 22 non-profit organisations working with people with neurological conditions. The Patient Deserve Better campaign is a joint initiative brought to you by NAI and Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd. Summer Stars is back for 2023 and Louth Library Service is looking forward to providing an exciting programme throughout the summer. Summer Stars is a free national reading programme for children taking place in all public libraries, which encourages children to read for enjoyment during their summer holidays. Louth Library Service is providing Summer Star bags and activity packs highlighting the national reading programme for children during the summer tying in with the Right to Read Programme. Throughout the summer, families are encouraged to visit their local library branch to borrow books, for Art & Crafts and Childrens Storytime. Summer Stars will be launched on Saturday 17th of June when all five library branches will celebrate Sign up Saturday. We are encouraging parents to bring along their children to join the library, if not already members, and sign up for Summer Stars. Louth Library Service will also run a Summer Stars competition to win a day entry family pass for Dublin Zoo, just be sure to return your Summer Stars reading card to your local library branch to be in with a chance of winning this great prize. There are lots of events happening throughout the summer so keep an eye on social media at Louth Library Service on Facebook and Instagram. All children joining must have parental consent and membership is free. Local Branches can be contacted at the following: Dundalk: 042-9353190 Drogheda: 041-9876162 Ardee: 041-6859023 Dunleer: 041-6859016 Carlingford: 042-932411 Social Media: Facebook & Instagram @LouthLibraryService & Twitter @Louthcoco AS one of the first Cyber Security companies to be based in Cork, Trend Micro has been a pioneer and catalyst for the creation of the Cyber Security Cluster that now exists, partnering with academia, technology clusters, innovation hubs and government agencies, positioning Cork as a competitive cyber security ecosystem on the global stage. Since 2003, the Trend Micro European headquarters has evolved from an operations centre with 30 staff to now being a Centre of Excellence supporting the European business and some global functions employing a diverse, highly skilled workforce of more than 270 people with scope for continued growth. This week reflecting on the past 20 years Marianne Lee, Co-Site Lead at Trend Micro Cork, stated: Our people have been key to this growth. Trend Micro has always been a great place to work and continuously endeavours to make an impact on personal, professional and societal levels. Cyber Security is an ever-growing market with phenomenal opportunities due to the increase in frequency of the waves of technological advancements and business innovation. Our people are the critical enablers that allow us to take advantage of these developments where protecting our customers is at the core of what we do, so it was great to celebrate this milestone with them. During the last 20 years, Trend Micro has had a significant community impact through its global Internet Safety for children and families (ISKF) programme. This program has successfully reached 112,558 children and 46,318 parents and teachers across Ireland, partnering with key enabler organisations such as Cyber Safe Kids, Webwise, Science Foundation Ireland, Cyber Ireland, Cyber Skills MTU, Media Literacy Ireland and COGG to name but a few. Avril Ronan, Global Programme Manager at Trend Micro, said: Trend Micro genuinely cares, supporting individuals who selflessly contribute their time to highly rewarding work that has a positive and long-lasting impact on both children and parents within our community. This work focuses on enhancing cyber literacy and ensuring cyber safety. The number of cyber security incidents nationally and globally are continuously increasing with many garnering significant public attention such as the recent attacks on the healthcare, education and enterprise sectors and many more attacks going unreported. Trend Micros ongoing and dedicated investment in Cork demonstrates their commitment to supporting the Irish market and beyond through their European headquarters in Cork. Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions headquartered in Japan, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fuelled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micros cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the company provides advanced security solutions and services that are powered by the XGen security strategy. For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com. Kanturk based Or-Real Irish Butter has signed a new deal with the supermarket giant Tesco, which will see the product stocked in 123 stores across the country for the first time. The agreement with Tesco means that it is now stocked in more than 350 stores in Ireland. North Cork Creameries uses the traditional method of slow churning to produce Or-Real, the only addition is a touch of salt. Or-Real Irish Butter has signed a new deal with the supermarket giant Tesco. Pictured are Stephen Daly, Commercial Manager, North Cork Creameries and Michael Conway, Buying Manager Dairy, Tesco Ireland. North Cork Creameries has been making butter for almost 100 years. The farmer-owned independent cooperative was established in 1928. It employs 120 local people directly, supports 250 farming families in North Cork, Kerry and Limerick, and contributes significantly to the local economy. In 2022, Or-Real Irish Butter swept the boards, picking up three separate food industry awards. It was named Gold Award winner in the butter category at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards and won Gold in the same category at Blas na hEireann. Or-Real Irish Butter was also awarded two stars at the Great Taste Awards 2022, the only entries considered to be outstanding receive two stars. Volunteers across Cork marked the 20th anniversary of Clean Coasts by collecting 3.5 tonnes of litter at 64 beach clean-up events. Wednesday, June 8, marked the global celebration of World Ocean Day, highlighting the important role the ocean has for our life and the planet. In honour of the international day coinciding with their birth-month, Clean Coasts gifted a number of volunteers who registered for World Ocean Day in Cork with free clean-up kits. Almost 600 volunteers in Cork collected 3.5 tonnes of litter at 64 clean-ups held both on land and by the coast by groups of all sizes, from individuals, to households, community groups, sport groups, Tidy Towns, and more, to prevent litter pollution. Clean Coasts held a number of public events in Cork, including on Cape Clear Island with Meitheal Phlean Teanga Chleire, and the Marina with the Cork Volunteer Centre. The significance of community spirit in Clean Coasts volunteers across Cork this year and years prior cannot be understated and over the past two decades, groups nationwide have tirelessly worked towards the preservation and conservation of our precious coastlines, reminding us all of the vital role we play in protecting our oceans, said a spokesperson. Cork Volunteer Centre took part in the World Ocean Day by cleaning up the Marina in Cork where bags of litter were collected. Clean Coasts collaborated with Dave Ludgate, aka Subowti, for a clean-up of the River Lee, both on water and on land, as part of the Cork Harbour Festival. Volunteers from Kinsale Tidy Towns also hosted a beach clean at Dock Beach. Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager said: "Clean Coasts are thrilled to see so many groups and individuals stepping up across Ireland to help protect our ocean and celebrate Clean Coasts' 20th birthday and want to take this opportunity to thank and celebrate the efforts of all individuals and groups who have been protecting the Irish marine environment, whether they have been involved with the programme since 2003 or this is their first time joining the initiative." As part of its 20th anniversary, Clean Coasts created a special sand art mural with artist Sean Corcoran from The Art Hand, which is available to watch on Youtube.com. There are more events organised by Clean Coasts taking place across Ireland throughout the month of June. The line up can be viewed on Clean Coasts' Eventbrite page. THE Mercy University Hospital (MUH) has launched a new Quit Smoking campaign, backed by a range of support services to help people who want to stop smoking. Funded by a 7,000 Tobacco-Free Campus Bursary granted by the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, the campaign will include fresh signage, literature for patients and the public, and local advertising targeting public compliance. The new campaign was launched as part of World No Tobacco Day which took place recently. World No Tobacco Day is a yearly event used to inform the public about the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, and what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic. The member states of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. HSE Tobacco Lead for Cork and Kerry Anna Burns said that the hospital implemented a tobacco-free campus policy on National No Smoking Day in 2021. She said that since then, the hospital has begun a process of going tobacco-free on its wider campus. What this means is that smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted anywhere in and around the Mercy University Hospital that can be considered its campus. Pharmacy Department Here to support you on your QUIT Journey. L- R: Eimear Cronin, Holly OConnor, Susan Lane, Jennifer Haugh. Breda Graham feature We are here to support you in quitting, she said, adding that the Stop Smoking Service is provided at Mercy University Hospital to staff and patients. You will be supported to suspend your smoking while in the Mercy, from the Emergency Department to out-patients, to your stay as an in-patient. Make sure to ask for your free stop smoking medications as soon as you arrive and when you feel you need them. Smoking is defined by the World Health Organisation as a chronic relapsing disease. Treat it as such. It is the nicotine in cigarettes that you are addicted to as a smoker and it is this that you are craving when you are in withdrawal. Nicotine-replacement losenges, patches and other products can ease your cravings and make you comfortable, while in our hospital. If you choose to quit smoking and seven or so out of 10 smokers want to then you will be referred into the Stop Smoking service nearest to where you live. We run daily clinics in St Marys Health Campus that you can access, she said. She said that using a standard treatment programme, which involves a combination of behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy, will support people to be free of nicotine over a few short weeks. You might continue to take the free Stop Smoking Medications for a period of twelve weeks to ensure you are free of your dependency and on the path to better health. You can find the clinic nearest to you on the Quit.ie website. By availing of the one-to-one supports, as well as the medications, you are four times more likely to quit, even if you have tried many times before. It is never too late to quit. While it is understandable that nicotine addiction needs to be managed while at work, we need to highlight that this issue poses many risks to colleagues and patients if allowed to continue. Most people would not know that a smoker takes in only approximately 15% of the smoke available from a cigarette. What is exhaled and what is called side-stream smoke escapes the smoker. Therefore, 85% goes into the atmosphere. When smoking outside back doors or under windows, it must be understood that lots of that smoke travels back into the building. There is also a concept called third-hand smoke; the stuff of particles that land and stay (for years) on soft surfaces; that is difficult to remove and that contains carcinogens, as does second and first-hand smoke, she said. FREEDOM The Smoking Cessation Service supported upward of 30 Mercy staff members over the last year since the initiative began. Staff member Pauline Ryan said that quitting has had multiple benefits in her life and that she now has a freedom that she never had before. My decision to quit had many influences, but in terms of timing two factors coincided, firstly MUH became a smoke-free campus and secondly my own acknowledgement that if I didnt change my behaviour, the damage I have caused would not be reversible. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I still hope that I am not too late, she said. Speaking about the colleagues who have successfully quit through the free supports available, Ms Burns, said: A core principle of health promotion is making the healthier choice the easier choice. By implementing our tobacco-free policy we are doing just that. We should be proud of how far we have come. Of course, it is a journey. We have made a good start on the journey and will keep working towards the goal, that is worthy of us all; of a tobacco-free workplace and by 2025 a tobacco-free society. Consultant Respiratory Physician and Chairman of the MUH Tobacco Free Campus (TFC) Working Group Dr David Curran, said: Of the 7,000 chemicals in a cigarette, over 60 of them are known carcinogens. Cigarettes are also expensive. It will cost you over 5,000 per year to smoke 20 cigarettes a day currently. It will also cost you your health. Smokers lose, on average, 10 to 15 years of life, as compared to non-smokers. Quality of life is also diminished through smoking. Most smokers, for these reasons, want to quit. Seven out of 10 smokers do in fact want to quit, on average. This means that most people who smoke have often tried to quit before and may feel they have failed. New Smoking Cessation Officer at MUH Jonathan Hannafin recently joined the HSE as a health promotion and improvement officer, with a priority on tobacco, and will be running clinics in the hospital on Wednesdays and Thursdays for inpatients, out-patients and staff. He plans to help service users to become tobacco-free using a standard treatment programme, which involves a combination of behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy. Those who wish to learn more about the free standard treatment programme, nicotine replacement therapy for patients or staff or referral pathways can contact Jonathan by email: Jonathan.hannafin@hse.ie. CUSTOMS officers and gardai carried out a joint investigation in which a man was caught with a 700,000 stash of cannabis at a storehouse on Bandon Road in Cork. At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Colin Daly imposed a sentence of six years with the last year suspended in the case against Eugene Barrett, 49, with an address at an apartment at Smithgrove Terrace on Middle Glanmire Road, Cork. He affirmed a signed plea of guilty to the charge against him possession of 700,000 worth of cannabis herb at Ardrostig, Bandon Road, Cork, for sale or supply to others at a time when the street value of the drugs exceeded 13,000, the threshold figure for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances. Det Garda Eoin OToole testified that a large consignment of cannabis was first located at a holding unit in Spain. It consisted of 35kg of cannabis with a street value of 700,000. From the time of the interception of the drugs in Spain, a joint operation was set up in Cork City between customs officers and gardai. Judge Daly said in terms of the gravity of the offence that the accused man was involved in the supply and distribution of a very significant amount of drugs and that his culpability was high. The judge said he was also taking into consideration the harm caused to society by a drug enterprise such as this. The five-year jail term was backdated to the date the crime was detected on September 29, 2022. Gardai objected to bail being granted at that time and Barrett was remanded in custody since that date. THE Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey has reassured the Cork public over potential safety fears during the planned rolling strikes by retained firefighters which are scheduled to begin today. Retained firefighters - part-time firefighters, who are paid an annual retainer to be available for callouts - are currently seeking better pay and conditions. They began a campaign of industrial action last week and their union SIPTU has accused the Government of failing to address a recruitment and retention crisis in the service. With no breakthrough yet, rolling strikes are scheduled to escalate from today with a series of one-day work stoppages at 50% of fire stations nationally at any given time. If no resolution reached in the coming days, an all-out strike would begin on Tuesday, June 20. Speaking at a full council meeting on Monday, Mr Lucey said in a strike situation all emergency crises would be responded to which involved a life-threatening situation. We have a Code of Practice to cover contingency planning in emergency situations. Both SIPTU and ourselves are committed to upholding that. This ensures that in a strike situation that all emergency calls that would be involving a life-threatening situation would be responded to, he said. We will be doing everything to ensure that there is no risk to public safety in that regard." Meanwhile, at a city council meeting yesterday evening, several motions related to the Fire Services were discussed. An Rabharta Glas councillor Lorna Bogue advocated for full-time firefighters for large urban areas and called on the council to ensure that all stations within the city boundary are resourced accordingly. In a report responding to the motion, the council stated that in line with the national risk management categorisation, Ballincollig is suited to a retained service delivery model. Its current station ground has a lower risk profile to the full-time station grounds. It has approximately 230 incidents per year compared to our two full time stations which would have approximately 2,800-3,000 incidents in total per year, the report continued. It asserted that Cork City Council is committed to ensuring that all areas in the newly expanded city are provided with the best possible fire service. The fire station in Ballincollig was never designed as a full-time station and is not suitable for a full-time crew and their requirements, it added. There were renewed calls from the council floor for Ballincollig Fire Station to be reopened and crewed with full-time staff. Ms Bogue said firefighters have a difficult and dangerous job and retained positions are not good enough as compensation for the risk that is taken on by people. Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy said the city needs more full time firefighters to provide adequate cover and better response times in the event of an emergency. Fianna Fail councillor Colm Kelleher commended both sides of the dispute over Ballincollig Fire Station for engaging with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on the matter and said he hoped a constructive and conclusive solution towards reopening Ballincollig Fire Station in some shape or form could be found. Cork City Councils chief executive Ann Doherty said she would not be commenting on the matter at this time. The employer has been engaged with the WRC, with the firefighters and that is in the process of being considered by the firefighters so out of respect to the workings of the industrial relations machinery of the State, I think it would be respectful not to discuss that tonight because were waiting for a response from SIPTU, she said. CALLS for significant action to prevent further collisions at a railway bridge on the northside of the city have been made after a double decker bus struck the bridge yesterday morning. The Bus Eireann vehicle was heading towards Blackpool when it collided with the bridge at the end of Dublin Hill shortly after 9am. Four units from Cork City Fire Brigade, gardai, and ambulance services attended the scene where the bus was wedged in the railway bridge almost on its side. Bus Eireann said there were no passengers on board and it would carry out a full investigation. Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said that the incident highlights that existing signage warning of the height restrictions is clearly insufficient. A Bus Eireann bus which collided with the crash rail at a railway bridge at Dublin Hill, Cork. Picture Denis Minihane. Independent councillor Ken OFlynn said the situation has become untenable, with accidents and damage causing chaos in the area. The road at Dublin Hill on the northside of the city was closed to traffic for some time yesterday following a road traffic collision (RTC) involving a double-decker bus. The Bus Eireann vehicle was heading towards Blackpool when it collided with a railway bridge at the end of Dublin Hill shortly after 9am. A spokesperson for Cork City Fire Brigade told The Echo that the fire service was alerted to the incident at 9.12am. They described the bus as wedged in the railway bridge and said four units attended the scene, three from Anglesea St and one unit from Ballyvolane. A Garda spokesperson said no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. The road was closed for a time following the incident with diversions put in place. A Bus Eireann bus after colliding with the crash rail at a railway bridge at Dublin Hill, Cork. Picture Denis Minihane. Route 207A was unable to serve Dublin Hill and Blackpool village until the road reopened in the afternoon. A spokesperson for Bus Eireann said the bus was not in service at the time of the collision, so there were no passengers on board. The spokesperson said the bus driver was being medically assessed following the incident and that Bus Eireann was grateful for the assistance of the emergency services. Bus Eireann will carry out a full investigation into this incident, the spokesperson added. Last month, Mr Moran proposed that the city council would place HGV restrictions between the IDA business park on Dublin Hill and Blackpool Village. His motion also included that the council would install appropriate warning signs at the business park, warning of the height restrictions at the railway bridge ahead. The report to the motion from David Joyce, director of services for roads and environment operations, said: Currently there are height restriction signs on Dublin Hill at Thorndale Estate/entrance to the IDA park, at Delaney Park, and on the bridge. Cork City Council will review the condition and location of these signs and any works deemed appropriate will be added to the works programme. Speaking yesterday, Mr Moran said he believes the existing signage is clearly insufficient. The bridge is struck too often for it to be a case of one or two unobservant drivers. Clearly beginning the ban on taller vehicles at the IDA site, before they proceed too far and too fast to stop, needs to be considered. Something suggested to me by a resident today was to place overhead clearance warning barriers on the approach to the railway bridge. Mr OFlynn also called on Cork City Council and Irish Rail to take swift action to address ongoing safety concerns. The most recent incident involving a double-decker bus has demonstrated just how dangerous the situation has become, he said. Mr OFlynn said consideration should be given to raising the railway bridge. A spokesperson for Irish Rail said: At Iarnrod Eireann safety is our number one priority and we work closely with local authorities in Cork and in all locations where we have restricted height bridges. All of the necessary statutory signage is in place on the approach to the bridge and we also have details of all restricted height bridges on our network available on irishrail.ie. In this particular incident, there was a delay of 30mins to the 09:25 Cork Heuston. The bridge was inspected by our engineers and no structural damage occurred. Ulster Bank is set to put three of its Cork stores on the market. The bank, which closed its door in April of this year, have revealed plans to sell three of their former Cork locations. Among the former branches for sale are 17 Winthrop Street and 88 St Patrick Street in the city centre, as well as 116 Main Street in Mallow. The Ulster Bank branch network in Ireland has now ceased trading. The properties are currently being prepared to go on the market to buy or to lease. In the coming months the properties will be brought to the market on a phased launch basis, a spokesperson for Ulster Bank explained. The buildings will be available to buy following the completion of ongoing renovations to remove equipment. A spokesperson for the bank said: Following the closure of the branches on April 21 2023 there is a programme of works being carried out on all branches across the portfolio to remove signage, operational equipment etc. The programme commences in May and runs for approximately six months. As works are completed the property will come to the market shortly after. At present, only two of the former banks are listed as for sale, these include Main Street, Gorey, County Wexford and another in Swords, County Dublin. The current asking price for the Dublin location is 495,000 and 390,000 for the Wexford site. There is no price yet advertised for the Cork locations, however, interested parties are invited to express their interest on Ulster Bank Portfolio, a special website created for the sale of the former branches. The bank, which closed its final 63 locations on Friday April, owns 31 of those buildings outright. It rents the remainder. The former Ulster Bank, located on 95 Main Street, Midleton will also be available to lease within the coming months. The 41 branches that Ulster Bank either owns or on which it holds a long lease on the open market on a phased basis, are expected to be made available before the end of this year. Gardai in a Cork Garda station got a surprise over the weekend when a duck and her ten ducklings made themselves at home in the station. The mother duck waddled into Bishopstown Garda Station and demanded assistance after she and her ten babies had gotten lost. Gardai at the station made the family of ducks comfortable while they called Wildlife Rescue Cork for help. Garda Tommy Ryan from Bishopstown Garda Station, who assissted the stranded ducks. Picture: Wildlife Rescue Cork The animal rescue charity was quick to come to the rescue and escort the ducklings back home safely. Sharing the story on their Facebook page, yesterday, Monday 12, Wildlife Rescue Cork said: She was too far from water and a main road being a big obstacle. We were able to scoop them all up and will find a good spot tomorrow to release them. We are so full that she's taking up a spare room at the centre. The ducks have now been returned to their home, with the charity sharing a video of their release online. Based in Whitechurch, the rescue charity is run entirely by volunteers and are experiencing a particularly busy period as they have said it has been relentless with calls for help. In recent days, the volunteers have reported rescuing and releasing four house martins, 22 ducks, a buzzard and five other injured birds. The organisation has said that despite the hard work of their volunteers, costs can still arise due to requirements for food, shelter and transport so have welcomed any donations so that they can continue to rescue Corks wildlife. CORK fishermen recently uncovered what they thought was the motor of a failed rocket ship that was launched earlier this year. While fishing for monkfish, the group of fishermen from Keelbeg, Union Hall hauled what they believed was a part of the Virgin rocket ship. Virgin Orbit, a company created by business tycoon Richard Branson, made their debut launch of the LauncherOne rocket off the coast of Cornwall in January. The launch was the first of its kind off of UK soil. However, just two hours after the first rocket launch, it was revealed that the Virgin Orbit ship had suffered an anomaly and had crashed into the sea following an engine failure. Local photographer, Andrew Harris expressed his surprise when friend and harbour master of Union Hall, Garrett OMahony invited him to the harbour to see their newly found rocket. I headed down to check it out for myself, Mr Harris said. Landed in Keelbeg by local fishermen, part of a rocket motor pulled up from the seabed approximately 200 miles south of Dingle. Credit: Andrew Harris The Cork fishermen were fishing off the coast of Kerry when they discovered the part. However, a spokesperson for Virgin told The Echo the rocket is not from Virgin Orbit. "The exhaust valves are totally different between whats been found and what was launched in Cornwall." A contractor acting in revenge against a company in Cork for a perceived grievance stole 37,000 worth of computers from them and sold the items online. Judge Helen Boyle said, This was a planned, deliberate and well-executed theft of laptops and he was selling them online for profit for himself and causing a loss to the company. Detective Garda Manus ODonnell gave evidence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court of the thefts of laptop computers and think-pads which caused a 37,000 loss for MSD in Brinny, County Cork. The thefts were carried out between October 24, 2020 and January 31, 2021. 41-year-old Andrew McMorran of Bandon, County Cork, was a contractor working for MSD in Brinny at the time and he was stealing the computers and offering them for sale online. The particular equipment was used uniquely by the company at Brinny and was readily identifiable. The crimes were linked to the accused because a Paypal account set up for payment by online purchasers was set up in McMorrans name. A total of 24 computers were purchased most of them by people outside of Ireland and it was not possible for investigating gardai to recover property from outside the jurisdiction. The average cost of each computer to MSD was 1,300. The ones stolen by the defendant were sold for 300 to 700. He is a South African national living in Bandon for a number of years. Other than these offences he has not come to the notice of gardai, Det. Garda ODonnell said. Peter OFlynn, defence barrister, said the defendant was in Bandon for almost 20 years. He said Mr McMorran lost the job he got with another company afterwards. These offences are something he deeply regrets, Mr OFlynn said. The accused brought 5,000 compensation to court for MSD and apologised for his actions. Judge Helen Boyle said the company was still as a loss of 32,000. She imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence which she suspended on condition that he would pay back a total of 15,000 more to the company. CREW members of L.E. William Butler Yeats are preparing for some tearful goodbyes as they set sail on a courageous mission off the coast of Libya. A total of 63 crew members are making the most of their last day with loved ones before Thursdays Mediterranean deployment from Haulbowline, known as Operation IRINI. The mission will last six weeks in total before the vessels return on July 30. Lt. Cdr. Alan Flynn, officer commanding the L.E. William Butler Yeats, at the ship. Launched on March 31, 2020, the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINIs primary aim is to enforce the United Nations arms embargo to Libya due to the second Libyan civil war. Its secondary role will form part of a contribution to the implementation of UN measures to prevent illicit exports of petroleum from Libya. Petty Officer Kara Foley is one of just five women making up the L.E. William Butler Yeats crew. The mother of two, who is looking forward to her first overseas deployment, opened up about the challenges she faces as a mum to twins - Hannah and Aaron. PO Kara Foley at the L.E. William Butler Yeats at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, ahead of deployment to the Mediterranean. I only joined the ship in January so this is my first two-year rotation since the children were born, she explained. I try not to let them know Ill be gone for too long because when I first joined they had a habit of balling their eyes out whenever I was leaving. Kara, who lives in Cork city, is happy to be a role model for her children. Both of them are excited. "My girl wants to be the captain of a ship one day. My husband is ex-army. He retired last year so I could go back to sea. Hes staying at home to mind the children. With the modernisation of ships and the equipment we have on board, well be able to stay in touch as much as possible. The 47-year-old left her secure job as an accountant to pursue her Navy dream more than two decades ago. I thought I wanted a desk job but I was working as an accountant and it bored me. I was in Cobh one day when I saw a ship from the quay wall. That was when I knew that the Navy would be a more exciting career. I was initially told I was possibly too old or overqualified. However, I said Id give it a try and told myself that if I didnt like it I could leave. 21 years later Im still here and I have no intention of going anywhere. Despite being in the navy, Kara admits she is not immune to sea-sickness. Ive suffered from sea sickness since I joined, she told the Echo. Id never stepped foot on a boat until I joined the navy. During my first patrol I thought Id made the wrong career move having come from an accountancy background. You have to keep moving. "Im just hoping there will be calm weather and that I wont be seasick. She described the tight-knit nature of the crew. You make lifelong friends in the Navy just like you would in school. They say that school days are the best days of your life but for me it was the Navy. Its going to be a great experience, especially after being in for so long and not getting an overseas deployment, she added, speaking of the mission. The foreign ports we get to visit will also be very exciting. Meanwhile, Leading Seaman Clodagh Bradshaw, who will serve as the leading communications officer on board, spoke to the Echo about what she will be bringing to the mission. We have a vast variety of communications on board, including signalling through morse code. We also have the more up-to-date technology of radios. We can cover all means of communication regardless of who we are talking to and when. She elaborated on her role adding: The training is intense. Its probably the most textbook-heavy branch we have in the navy. Once were out at sea its less textbook and more hands-on. Its a nice role to have. I joined in 2018 when the missions were on standby so its great to be on the first one. L/S Clodagh Bradshaw at the L.E. William Butler Yeats. Picture: Denis Minihane. Ms Bradshaw said she immediately adapted to learning morse code during her initial training. I picked it up very easily. I quite like it even though I know some struggle with it. Its one of those things that youre either good at or youre not. I enjoyed school and learning never really fazed me. For those who arent school lovers, it can be harder. LT. Aron Nutley, Executive Officer also spoke to the Echo, describing how the crew spend their free time. There are recreational rooms on board and television, as well as a basic form of internet, he said. There are also two gyms on board so you can do a bit of training during your downtime. Lt. Aron Nutley, executive officer. The mission will be the first of its kind since Operation Sophia in 2018, which aimed to combat and disrupt human trafficking networks in the Mediterranean and reduce loss of life. A STUDENT who went outside his rented house with friends after a rock was thrown through the window sustained a serious attack on his face with a glass bottle and as friends escorted him home to safety, they came under continued attack. Detective Garda Lorna Healy testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the incident happened at around 5am on May 30, 2021 and she described the violence that followed. 20-year-old man Jamie OSullivan confessed to a charge of assault causing serious harm that morning. Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of three years with the final year suspended on OSullivan, formerly of Farranree, Cork, and now living in Buttevant, Co Cork. This was a violent and cowardly assault from behind on the injured party who did not see it coming. You followed the victim and his friends when they tried to remove him from the scene, Judge Boyle said. Det Garda Healy said the students, who were renting a house at Connaught Avenue, were at home when a rock was thrown from a laneway, smashing a window. The residents went out on to a green area to see OSullivan and others, and they approached them to find out who had thrown the rock. One of the residents was punched in the face and the situation escalated where some of the youths, who were part of the initial rock-throwing from the lane, armed themselves with glass bottles and a plank of wood. It was at this point that OSullivan came at the victim of the serious assault, causing him extensive facial and dental damage with the glass bottle. Judge Boyle said the victim was someone who had just completed his university education and was looking forward to the rest of his life, and now had to contend with these serious injuries. A concurrent 18-month sentence was imposed on OSullivan on another charge of assault causing harm to an older man at Union Quay, Cork, on December 3, 2020. On that occasion the victim was at the boot of his car putting away Christmas decorations when he was attacked without warning by OSullivan and left with a fracture to his skull, which fortunately did not require surgical intervention. OSullivan brought compensation of 10,000 and 5,000 for the victims of the Connaught Avenue and Union Quay incidents, respectively. Two co-accused, who faced different charges relating to the Connaught Avenue incident, were also before the court for sentencing. Karl Cleary of St Vincents hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, was given an 18-month suspended sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to another young man at Connaught Avenue, Cork, on May 30, 2021. This assault was carried out by striking him across the back with a plank of wood which he pulled out of a builders skip that was nearby. Kenneth Cotter of 9 Seminary Buildings, Blackpool, Cork, was given a two-year suspended sentence on a violent disorder charge for his part in the Connaught Avenue incident. PLANS are currently being drawn up by Cork Council Council to build 1,366 housing units on 72 hectares of council land at Newtown, north of the town of Cobh. Key components of infrastructure are however required to work in tandem with the development plans, which will in all probability mean the creation of a new train station and an upgrade of local roads and of Belvelly Bridge. Michael Lynch, the councils director of services for planning, outlined in a report to councillors at Mondays full council meeting that to progress the development of the urban expansion area (UEA), significant investment is envisaged in the county development plan by the council and other agencies. This investment would see the upgrade of the R624/Belvelly Bridge, installation of water supply infrastructure, connectivity to rail services, new roads and an upgrade of existing roads infrastructure. Mr Lynch also said that significant investment is needed for the project, and it will require multi-annual government supports in terms of funding, including the required level of engagement by state agencies and government departments. Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen welcomed the plans, saying: I appreciate that a large amount of work needs to be undertaken by consulting engineers relating to studies, surveys and plans for us to be in a position to move this project forward. This is the first time I feel there is a process to help develop this and other projects in Cobh. "We are still a long way from the master plan and funding, which is key to help develop this land for housing and many other community activities." Fine Gael councillor, Sinead Sheppard, added: It is great to see the top table having an appetite for Cobh. It is great to see there is a plan in place and hopefully funds will be drawn down for this area. It is a very vast area in the Cobh MD that really needs to be looked at it and funding invested in. It would go a big way in regards to our issues with housing and sporting facilities. TWO-THIRDS of all adults have never heard of Irelands new Assisted Decision-making law, or have any knowledge of what it is about. The finding has prompted a call for a major public drive on understanding and applying the law, which came into effect in April. The law or Act is one of the most significant new bodies of social legislation in Ireland for many years and is designed to uphold peoples rights and reduce adult abuse, particularly among vulnerable adults. The findings are contained in a RED C survey of a representative sample of 1,000 adults. Of the one third of people (33%) who said they had heard of the new law, half of those said they still did not know what it is about. Just 4% said they had a good understanding of assisted decision-making. As Chairperson of Safeguarding Ireland I encourage every person, professional and organisation to become familiar with the law and to apply it. The new law is about rights, and taking every possible step to assist people to continue making their own decisions about their health, finances, housing, work or personal welfare even if there are challenges in doing so. The Act is of particular importance for people who have challenges with decision-making such as those living with frailty, dementia, an intellectual disability, an acquired brain injury, or mental illness. But it may be important to all of us at certain times in our lives. Up until last April, the 1871 Lunacy Regulations (Ireland) Act remained the law being used. It created Wards of Court whereby the court took charge of decisions when a person was declared of unsound mind and people in authority decided what was in peoples best interests. However, this is now gone forever and all 2,000 Wards of Court cases are being reviewed. Also included in the law is guidance for doctors, lawyers and financial providers such as banks on actions they must take to uphold the rights of all people to decision-making. To coordinate this major change, a new State Agency called the Decision Support Service (DSS) has been established and is responsible for promoting public awareness, to register the new decision support arrangements, to provide oversight and to resolve issues which arise. The key principles of the new law are: To always presume that each person has the ability to make decisions about their own life If a person has a challenge, but with help can make their own decision, then that support must be provided Making what some may perceive as an unwise decision does not mean a person is unable to make a decision If a person has reduced decision-making capacity, then the Act sets out five different support arrangements which can be put in place and have legal standing. The five new Decision Support Arrangements are: 1. A Decision-Making Assistant can be appointed by a person to gather and explain information and communicate a decision for them. However, the person still makes the decision. The agreement must be recorded with the DSS and certain people must be notified about it. 2. A Co-Decision Maker can be appointed by a person to make decisions jointly with them. This arrangement can be used where a person feels unable to make decisions on their own. The agreement must be written down and registered with the DSS. Co-decision-makers make annual reports to the DSS about the decisions that have been taken under the agreement. 3. A Decision-Making Representative can be appointed if a person is unable to make decisions, even with help. This person is appointed by the Court and can be someone trusted by the person, or from a panel maintained by the DSS. Their role is limited to the specific requirement identified by the Court and must take into account the wishes, values and beliefs of the person. It is registered with the DSS and the Representative reports to the DSS. 4. When a person has decision-making capacity they may legally appoint a person to make decisions on their behalf, if in the future they are unable to do so. This is known as appointing an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA). An EPA includes financial, property and personal welfare decisions. 5. For healthcare decisions, a person may appoint a Designated Healthcare Representative (DHR) for a time in the future when they may no longer have decision-making capacity. In appointing a DHR, the person sets out their preferences for healthcare and treatment decisions. It is important to clarify the common and completely incorrect myth that when someone needs help a next-of-kin would assume charge of their affairs. While next-of-kin can be an important contact point, a next-of-kin has no legal standing or authority to act on a persons behalf. To have legal authority a person must be appointed under one of the five decision support arrangements. We know that there is unacceptable adult abuse, neglect and coercive control in Ireland. The aim of this law is to support a person to make their own decisions which will in turn help to prevent, reduce and detect adult abuse. Safeguarding Ireland encourages every person, professional and organisation to become familiar with the Assisted Decision-making Act and to apply it in their lives and work. More information at: Decision Support Service: 01 211 9750 / decisionsupportservice.ie. HSE: assisteddecisionmaking.ie / 1800 700 700 National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities: advocacy.ie / 0818 073000: Sage Advocacy: sageadvocacy.ie / 01 536 7330. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. The UK government has announced 4.3 million ($5.4 million) in funding for space-based solar projects, which will go to UK universities and technology companies. Space-based solar power involves setting up solar panels on satellites sent into space. The panels collect solar energy, and wireless technology can send the power back down to Earth, as explained by the UK government in a statement. Eight projects will be awarded portions of the funding. One awardee is Cambridge University, which will receive funding to develop ultra-lightweight panels that can withstand higher levels of radiation found in space. MicroLink Devices, another recipient, is developing lightweight and flexible solar panels. Winner Queen Mary University is developing a wireless technology that can send solar power collected on satellites back to Earth. Other winners include the Satellite Applications Catapult, which will be testing steering and beam quality of its satellite antenna technology in one project as well as studying the advancement of commercialized solar power from space in a separate awarded project, as Energy Voice reported. The University of Bristol will receive funding to explore wireless power transfer and to provide evidence on safety and performance of space-based solar. Imperial College London is a winner tasked with studying benefits and impacts of space-based solar power. EDF Energy R&D UK Centre Ltd will receive a part of the funds to improve knowledge of the value of introducing space based solar power into the UKs grid, according to a government statement. According to officials, space-based solar power could improve energy security in the UK, lower utility bills for consumers and decrease the reliance on fossil fuels. According to a 2021 study, space-based solar power could generate 10 GW of electricity per year by 2050 and would create 143,000 jobs. Were taking a giant leap by backing the development of this exciting technology and putting the UK at the forefront of this rapidly emerging industry as it prepares for launch, Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said in a statement. By winning this new space race, we can transform the way we power our nation and provide cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy for generations to come. The UK joins several countries in exploring solar power projects in space. Earlier this month, researchers at the California Institute of Technology in the U.S. shared that their space-based solar power prototype was able to successfully beam power back to Earth for the first time. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A family of southern white rhinos at Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2017. Andre Seale / VW PICS / Universal Images Group via Getty Images The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently welcomed the reintroduction of 16 southern white rhinoceroses to Garamba National Park, according to officials, as Phys.org reported. The last wild northern white rhino was poached there in 2006. The white rhinos were transported to Garamba, which lies in the northeastern part of the country, from a South African private reserve. The return of white rhinos to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a testament to our countrys commitment to biodiversity conservation, said Yves Milan Ngangay, the director general of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), according to Phys.org. ICCN led the operation, along with conservation NGO African Parks and Barrick Gold, a Canadian mining company that sponsored the effort. White rhinoceroses are the second biggest land mammal after the elephant, and adult males can weigh more than 7,700 pounds. Northern and southern white rhinos were once found in abundance in different parts of Africa and are genetically distinct. The northern white rhino is considered functionally extinct, as only two individuals remain at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, both female. Research is still being done as to whether it can be saved from the brink of extinction. Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, died in 2018. In the late 19th century, the southern white rhino subspecies was believed to be extinct due to poaching until a population of fewer than 100 was discovered in South Africa in 1895, according to WWF. Following more than 100 years of management and protection, there are more than 20,000 southern white rhinos living in private game reserves and protected areas, and the subspecies is classified as Near Threatened. Nearly all white rhinos are found in four countries: Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Garamba National Park was established in 1938 and is one of the oldest wildlife parks in Africa, but poaching and conflicts in the country have wiped out its wildlife. This reintroduction is the start of a process whereby southern white rhino as the closest genetic alternative can fulfill the role of the northern white rhino in the landscape, said African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead, as reported by Phys.org. Fearnhead said attempts to save the parks northern white rhinos had been too little, too late. The new southern white rhinos residents of the park were fitted with ear tags and GPS collars to monitor their health and movements, Nature World News reported. The rhino arrived by aircraft from South Africa this week and have now been released in the park where professional staff and qualified veterinarians will regularly monitor their acclimatization, the Barrick Gold website said. Fearnhead added that additional southern white rhinos were expected to be sent to Garamba National Park in the future, as reported by Phys.org. US university economist to head project focused on better communication on animal diseases' economic impact A Kansas State University (K-State, US) agricultural economist has been selected to lead a five-year project to develop decision-making tools and improve communication on the economic impacts of animal diseases, ultimately improving the health of those animals. Dustin Pendell, a professor in K-State's department of agricultural economics, was named head of the Americas region of the Collaborating Center for the Economics of Animal Health. The project is supported by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) which has headquarters in Paris, France. WOAH approved the creation of the center during its 90th General Assembly in late May. It has 183 member countries, 33 of which are in the Americas region. "Our thought process is that we can start to work together across these 33 countries in the Americas region to develop a set of consistent methods and tools that everyone can use to estimate the economic impacts of animal health," Pendell said. "Then we can take that knowledge that we generate and disseminate that information back to the decision-makers, whether that be animal health officials, producers or anybody throughout the supply chain, so they can make better management decisions." The Collaborating Center for the Economics of Animal Health-Americas centers its operations at K-State's Manhattan campus, though there are no physical buildings representing the group. It will involve partners at the University of Sao Paulo, University of Brasilia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and Washington State University. The center will focus its effort on animal health related to terrestrial livestock animals that live primarily on land and aquaculture. "As an economist, I will focus my work in that area, but this center is much more than economics," Pendell said. "It will take multiple disciplines, such as veterinarians, economists, epidemiologists, engineers and more, to make this a success." Pendell said he anticipates the center's work will build upon recent global efforts such as the Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) and Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases, a joint effort of WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "The GBADs team has been working together for the past five years or so, during which time we've been developing methods on how we estimate the burden of animal health," Pendell said. Pendell added that knowing the burden of animal diseases across the world will not only assist governments and animal health officials invest appropriately in combating those diseases but will help everyone across the livestock and meat supply chain. "My hope is that we can provide decision-makers with the information such that they will be better able to optimally allocate their limited resources," he said. Pendell said his vision for the CCEAH-Americas is rooted in K-State's land-grant mission. "As an agricultural economist at a land-grant university, my job is to provide unbiased research to our stakeholders, such that they can make a better-informed decisions," he said. "We want business management decisions to be based on more than just a gut feeling. My vision for this center incorporates the land-grant philosophy and gets the research into the hands of the stakeholders, both here at home and around the world." K-State News and Communications Services June 13, 2023 Irish dairy farm incomes could halve due to falling milk prices and rising costs The incomes of dairy farmers in Ireland are at risk of being halved in 2023 compared to the high levels seen last year due to a sharp reduction in milk prices and soaring production costs, Agriland reported. According to the National Farm Survey 2022 conducted by Teagasc, the average family farm income (FFI) for Irish dairy farmers surged by 53% to EUR 150,884 (~US$162,000; EUR 1 = US$1.08) in 2022, primarily driven by a significant increase in milk prices. Data from 15,319 dairy farmers revealed that the average income per hectare (ha) on dairy farms reached EUR 2,332 (~US$2,513) in 2022, marking a year-on-year rise of EUR 794 (~US$855) per ha. While 2022 was an exceptional year for Ireland's dairy and tillage sectors, the situation has taken a downturn in 2023, said Trevor Donnellan, a research officer at Teagasc. Donnellan highlighted that milk prices experienced a substantial international surge in 2022, with Ireland witnessing an even greater increase. However, in 2023, Irish milk prices are declining more significantly compared to other European countries due to the previously reached high levels and a decrease in international demand for dairy products. The research officer emphasized that the persistently high production costs for milk are currently squeezing dairy farm margins in 2023. Donnellan cautioned that average income levels on dairy farms in Ireland could potentially be halved, dropping back to EUR 75,000 (~US$80,800) this year. Milk prices in Ireland have seen a sharp reduction so far in 2023, returning to levels that are considered "more normal" after the highs of 2022, according to Donnellan. He said that when comparing the income difference between 2022 and 2023, there will be a significant contrast in both the dairy and tillage sectors during these two periods. - Agriland Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company buys 42.4% stake of National Aquaculture Group Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and chairman of Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, attended the signing ceremony of SALIC's acquisition of a 42.4% stake in the National Aquaculture Group (Naqua) at the ministry's headquarters on June 12. Al-Fadley said that the strategic partnership between SALIC and Naqua will contribute to achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals, which include ensuring the sustainability of the country's vital resources. The partnership aligns with the objectives of the Public Investment Fund and its portfolio companies, which are a key driver of local economic growth, through building long-term partnerships with the private sector. SALIC will leverage its partnership with Naqua to develop the local aquaculture sector and boost its production, which will contribute to both direct and indirect job creation. Al-Fadley added that the acquisition is in line with SALIC's strategic objectives, which include achieving national food security targets and increasing the local agricultural food sector production, to improve Saudi Arabia's food balance deficit. Naqua chairman Dr. Ziad bin Othman Al-Hogail said that this SALIC investment represents a strategic alliance that will re-enforce the quality and sustainability of Naqua's aquaculture, which is at the core of its institutional culture and brand. "We will work together to achieve our common goals in the field of food security and create added economic value for our partners and customers within and outside the Kingdom. Since its inception, Naqua has consistently applied the latest technologies and practices for its activities in shrimp, fish, sea cucumber and fish feed," said Al-Hogail. Naqua is SALIC's second investment in the aquaculture sector, following the ownership transfer of Saudi Fisheries Company's 39.99% stake from the Public Investment Fund to SALIC in March 2021, with the objective of driving aquaculture growth as well as enabling and advancing SALIC's role as the investment arm of the Public Investment Fund in the food and agriculture sector. Given its experience in investment management across the food and agriculture sector, SALIC is considered one of the main contributors to the re-enforcement of Saudi Arabia's food security drive. - Saudi Press Agency Brazilian pork exports surge to record highs in May According to a market report from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), Brazilian exports of pork, including both fresh and processed products, reached a 101,700 tonnes in May, The Pig Site reported. This figure represents an increase of 13.9% compared to the same period last year when 89,300 tonnes were shipped. The revenue generated from Brazilian pork exports in May amounted to US$251.4 million, surpassing last year's total by 23%, which stood at US$204.3 million. In the cumulative data for the year from January to May, the sector witnessed a substantial growth in shipments, totalling 481,100 tonnes. This represents an increase of 15.5% compared to the same period in 2022, where 416,600 tonnes were recorded. In terms of revenue, the cumulative balance for January to May 2023 already stands at US$1.149 billion, marking a surge of 28.2% compared to the same period last year, which amounted to US$896.3 million. China remains the largest importer of Brazilian pork, having imported 176,200 tonnes between January and May. This figure represents a growth of 20.8% compared to the same period in 2022 when 145,900 tonnes were recorded. Noteworthy sales were also observed in Hong Kong, with 51,300 tonnes (+21.1%), the Philippines, with 38,000 tonnes (+17.5%), Chile, with 34,200 tonnes (+69.6%), and Singapore, with 29,000 tonnes (+5.7%). Luis Rua, Director of Markets at ABPA, highlights the significance of exports to the newly opened market of Mexico, which has swiftly positioned itself among the top ten destinations for Brazilian pork. Despite China's increased volume of purchases, it has reduced its percentage share of total Brazilian exports, indicating the success of Brazil's market diversification strategy and the potential for opening new markets in the near future. - The Pig Site Government and Wildlife Groups team-up over rare Risso's dolphin stranding A female Rissos dolphin has been found dead by a member of the public after it washed up on Kirk Michael beach last week. The 2.3 metre long juvenile had no obvious signs of injuries. The rare stranding was reported to the Marine Strandings Network, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) before being removed from the beach to determine the cause of death. The removal efforts involved DEFA, MWT, the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW) and the Manx Museum. Dr Haywood MHK, DEFA Political Member for the Environment, said: The waters surrounding the Isle of Man are a hotspot for Rissos in the summer months. Despite this, relatively little is known about why they come to the Irish Sea, what they specifically eat while here, and why their presence in Manx waters is seasonal. Measures to stop farmers burning straw and encourage alternative uses, such as the production of biomass fuel, are resulting in profound changes in North China. Yuan Hui reports from Hohhot, with Hou Liqiang in Beijing. Like their peers in many other parts of North China, generations of farmers in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region once used a simple method to dispose of straw stalks they simply set them on fire on the farmland. However, since the turn of the new millennium, when the central authorities imposed a ban as part of efforts to improve control of air pollution, local authorities' supervision of straw burning has evolved into a game of cat-and-mouse between law enforcement officers and farmers. "As soon as the local government relaxed its supervision a little, farmers went to set fires, no matter whether it was day or night," said Gao Yinhai, a farmer from the region's Hinggan League. "Sometimes, it looked as if entire fields were burning." With his home area shrouded in heavy smoke, visibility on the local highway was sometimes no more than 100 meters, said Gao, who runs Kunpeng, a dairy cattle cooperative. Rural vitalization Now, instead of polluting the air, the straw stalks in many of Inner Mongolia's major grain-producing areas are contributing to efforts to promote rural vitalization and help the country reach the government's climate targets: peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and becoming carbon neutral before 2060. A lot of agricultural waste and animal dung is transformed into biomass fuel, a clean, renewable energy source. While the smoke that blocked out the sky has gone, an industry chain has come into being, with many farmers making stable incomes by collecting straw stalks. As a major grain-producing area, Inner Mongolia boasts about 11.5 million hectares of farmland, second only to the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. According to a survey of pollution sources in the region published in 2020, more than 36.7 million metric tons of straw stalks are generated every year. While promoting traditional approaches to the disposal of straw stalks, such as digging them into the soil as organic fertilizer or compressing them to produce animal fodder, places such as Bayannuur have tapped into the potential of waste material as a source of biomass fuel. In 2017, the city introduced a biomass power-generation project with total investment of 277 million yuan ($38.7 million). Since becoming operational on May 8, 2019, the project has not only helped improve the environment and mitigate climate change, but also provided financial benefits for local farmers. Financial bonus Li Huaiqing, general manager of Hanglong Biomass Power Generation, the company that runs the project, said that in addition to generating about 210 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, the project supplies 250,000 tons of industrial steam and provides heating for 1.5 million square meters of housing. This results in the use of standard coal being reduced by 95,000 tons and lowers carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 210,000 tons every year, he added. According to the department of industry and information technology in Bayannuur's Hanggin Rear Banner, since the project went into operation it has consumed more than 1.2 million tons of straw stalks. In addition to employing 120 local people, the project has benefited more than 3,000 people, as the company has paid 320 million yuan to local farmers to buy their straw stalks, it added. One of the beneficiaries is Zhu Xiaomei, who lives in Bayannuur's Menghai township. The 43-year-old used to take whatever odd jobs she could find such as working at a local coal washing plant when she could spare time from her approximately 7 hectares of farmland. Now, she can make a more stable, higher income as an agent collecting straw stalks for the biomass plant. "Before, I could only make a little more than 100 yuan a day by working odd jobs," she said, adding that it was impossible to find odd jobs all the time. All she needed to do to start her straw-collection business was to buy a strapping machine, she said. The local farmers don't charge her for the straw she collects from their farmland, and she sells it to the biomass plant for about 280 yuan per ton. From September to May, which is the fallow season for farming, she can collect 700 to 800 tons of straw stalks, she said. Thanks to the project, many local farmers no longer burn straw. "The air quality has improved, while the biomass power plant has brought considerable financial benefits to local people," she added. Wu Zhanjun, from Shanba township in Bayannuur, noted the great environmental and financial benefits from the project. The heavy smoke that blocked out the sun and the sky has gone, said the 50-year-old, who has been a farmer since he was 16. After the biomass power plant went into operation, Wu bought a strapping machine to collect straw on his 20 hectares of farmland, which produces about 100 tons of stalks every year. He has also started a business collecting straw stalks from other farms with his machine, charging 150 yuan for every hectare of farmland he clears, he said. Every year, Wu can collect stalks from almost 670 hectares of farmland, making full use of his time in the fallow season. "It's a good business," he said. The use of straw stalks as biomass fuel is also popular in Horqin Right Wing Front Banner, Hinggan League, as part of local efforts to dispose of agricultural waste in an environmentally friendly way. At present, roughly 15 percent of the 130 tons of straw stalks generated in the banner every year are used as biomass fuel. Business opportunities Gao, head of the Kunpeng cooperative, also found emerging business opportunities in biomass fuel production after the price of coal rose to a record before winter 2021. Instead of making fodder from straw stalks on his cattle farm, he switched to producing biomass fuel via machines that cost him about 2.6 million yuan. Local people used to depend on coal to dry grains and heat their homes, but if they use his cooperative's biomass fuel they can cut their costs by 30 percent, he said. Though his two biomass production lines have a combined production capacity of 60,000 tons a year, they currently only produce 10,000 tons as there is not enough storage space for the large volume of straw stalks required to meet production demand throughout the year, he said. Despite that, the 10-member-strong cooperative can still make annual net income of about 800,000 yuan by producing biomass fuel, he added. The local price for straw stalks stands at 220 to 260 yuan per ton, and the cooperative sells the biomass at 900 to 1,200 yuan a ton, Gao said, adding that there is no lack of raw materials for biomass fuel production in his home area. His village boasts more than 3,300 hectares of farmland, and if they were all planted with corn, they could produce 12,500 tons of straw stalks every year, he noted. According to the local government, nearly 1.2 million hectares in Hinggan League were sown with grain last year, yielding 6.7 million tons of the crop. Expansion plans Gao said that the cost-effectiveness of his cooperative's biomass fuel led the local government to invite him to run the heating supply plant in his home township. The rise in the price of coal saw the previous contractor quit the business last year as she found it difficult to balance the books, Gao said. As such, the local government was forced to operate the facility itself during the most recent heating supply season, but it lost 800,000 yuan. Gao said that if he accepts the invitation, the annual output of biomass fuel from his cooperative would be just enough to meet the demand of the heating supply plant, so he is considering investing more money to raise output, he said. "Demand for fodder is not that high in the local market however, the demand for biomass fuel is huge," he said. Scammer posing as a police officer Police are warning of a person pretending to be a police officer. The force said it has been receiving reports of members of the public receiving calls from a person claiming to be PC 03 Armstrong who is fictitious. A spokesperson for Isle of Man Constabulary said: "Although we will on occasions contact people by phone, if you are in any doubt that the person you are speaking to is a Police officer, or just want to confirm they are genuine, we will always be happy for you to contact them directly through the Police switchboard on 631212." People urged not to light campfires or disposable barbecues in countryside People are urged not to light campfires or disposable barbecues in the Manx countryside due to the heightened risk of wildfires". The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is asking people to act responsibly to help reduce the risk fire poses to people, wildlife and livestock. According to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service the recent dry spell has left ground vegetation "tinder dry" meaning even small fires could spread quickly. In the last week crews from all of the Isle of Man's fire stations have attended outside fires. Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: 'We still want people to enjoy our wonderful Biosphere in this glorious weather, but please be mindful that a wildfire could cause havoc and have disastrous consequences. Our message is simple, please avoid lighting barbeques, fires, or discarding cigarettes near combustible vegetation as it could endanger lives and destroy property, habitat and crops. The controlled burning of vegetation by land managers is forbidden at this time of year, so anyone who sees a fire should call 999 immediately. People are also encouraged to download the What3Words app, which is free and can help pin point the exact location of a fire, and save the emergency services valuable time. New signage has been put up to remind those visiting DEFA managed forests, glens and plantations of the wildfire risks. Google's Pixel Watch is a relatively new addition to the market compared to its competitors, so it has some catching up to do features-wise. To that end, Google has announced a new update for the Pixel Watch that will allow for blood oxygen tracking. While you sleep, your watch will monitor your nighttime oxygen saturation and notify you of any changes. The Samsung Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch and Google-owned Fitbit trackers all offer blood oxygen tracking. Some of Fitbit's features were integrated into the Pixel Watch at launch though not always smoothly. In Engadget's original review of the Pixel Watch, we noticed a regular delay (between hours and days) in the availability of recent health data, like walks and sleep time. It's unclear if the same issue will persist with this latest feature. The addition of blood oxygen tracking comes alongside a series of new updates for the Pixel Watch and Pixel Phone. On the health side of things, the Pixel Watch will also monitor your heart rate and send you alerts if it becomes abnormal. The Pixel Watch will also have Google Assistant available in a greater number of languages and locations, three new Spotify tiles and the option to purchase Brushed Silver or Matte Black Metal Link Bands each $200. New features for Google Pixel Phones include improved emergency sharing, emoji wallpapers and the option to export recordings to Google Docs. All updates should be available now, except the new Metal Link Band colors, which will roll out in the next few days. If the rumors are true, the Google Pixel Watch 2 will launch this fall hopefully bringing even more new features. Meta's Horizon Worlds is getting a text-based 'world chat' feature Meta will automatically scan and remove messages that go against its code of conduct. After introducing mini-games and allowing access to younger teens, Meta is trying to make its VR-based Horizon Worlds more social. In its latest update, the company released a new feature called world chat that lets users send messages to anyone else in the same world session. At the same time, it's promising strict security controls for the new feature. A voice chat feature is already available, but this works much like a regular text messaging app. A screen shot (below) shows a classic group texting interface, with multiple users participating. Messages directed at specific people appear in their own view as a floating bubble, and when clicked, open up a new chat. People can connect with or follow others participating in a chat by clicking the individual's name to view their profile and inviting them to connect, Meta said. You'll be able to @mention others in world chat, provided they're in the same world. It offers ease-of-use tools like quick replies so you can connect without the need to type long messages. Meta Along with world chat, Facebook introduced tools to "help create a positive community experience," it said. To start with, it automatically scans and deletes messages that go against its code of conduct. It allows users to blur chats so that messages from people they don't know will be blurred, and their own chats will appear blurred to others. Users can report, block or mute anyone, and minimize or hide the chat window. The blur setting is automatically enabled for teens aged 13-17. Meta is also expanding parental supervision tools to allow users to ensure that their kids "have an age-appropriate chat experience by changing or locking the blurred chat settings," it wrote. Earlier this year, US senators urged Meta not to open Horizon Worlds up to younger teens, citing the company's record of failure to protect them. That concern appeared to be justified following recent report of widespread CSAM on Instagram. Meta did it anyway, though, promising to put in place age-appropriate tools and protections. "We have to build experiences which are tailored to the unique vulnerabilities of teens," the company said at the time. Meta recently unveiled the Meta Quest 3 mixed reality headset, just a week before Apple launch its own much-anticipated model, the Vision Pro. Nothing will reveal the Phone 2 on July 11th This is the first Nothing Phone coming to the US. After months of teases, Nothing is finally ready to show its second smartphone to the world. The company will hold a Nothing Phone 2 launch event on July 11th at 11AM Eastern, with a livestream available through the official website. The preview image doesn't show much, although we'd note that the signature Glyph lights aren't quite the same as on the Phone 1. The Phone 2 may be more important than its predecessor for one main reason: it's the first Nothing handset coming to the US. Until now, you've had to either participate in a limited beta program or take a chance on an import. If you've made that leap, you've dealt with gaps in network coverage (such as missing 5G) and no real technical support. An official US release should improve wireless support and reach a wider audience, especially if carriers sell the phone themselves. Nothing founder Carl Pei has described the Phone 2 as a more premium device than last year's model, which shipped with a Snapdragon 778G+ chip and other mostly mid-range specs. The company has already confirmed it will use the slightly old (but noticeably faster) Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. That will also deliver improved camera performance, such as RAW HDR photos and 4K video at 60 frames per second. It's not certain if there are upgrades to the cameras themselves or other key components. Software may also play an important role. Inverse claims Nothing OS will be more "distinct" on the Phone 2, with a more polished experience developed in-house rather than outsourced. The phone maker reportedly has a much larger software team that now includes multiple veterans from OnePlus, Pei's former outfit. Whether or not Nothing makes a significant dent in the US market is another matter. Apple and Samsung dominate the American phone landscape, with even well-known names like Google and Motorola trailing well behind. OnePlus hasn't made significant inroads despite the backing of Chinese tech giant Oppo. The Phone 2 won't necessarily need to be a huge hit to succeed, but Nothing is facing rivals with many more resources at their disposal. Spotify has been fined $5.4 million for violating GDPR data rules A Swedish regulator says the company wasn't transparent enough about its handling of user data. A Swedish regulator has fined Spotify SEK 58 million ($5.4 million) after determining that the company had violated the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ). The issue concerns how Spotify handles users' personal data and its customers' access to the information. Advocacy group Noyb, which is led by privacy campaigner Max Schrems, filed a complaint against Spotify and other major tech companies in early 2019 . In the complaint, Noyb asserted that, among other issues, Spotify didn't provide all personal data to users upon request and that it didn't disclose the reasons for processing such information. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) found that while Spotify gives users personal data that it processes upon request, it "does not inform clearly enough about how this data is used by the company." It said that Spotify should be more transparent "about how and for what purposes individuals' personal data is handled." The lack of clarity meant that "it has been difficult for individuals to understand how their personal data is processed and to check whether the handling of their personal data is lawful," the IMY added. The regulator said it considered the issues to be "a low level of seriousness" and noted Spotify, has taken steps to resolve them. The IMY determined the fine based on those factors along with Spotify's revenue and number of users. It noted that it made the decision with the help of other EU data protection authorities, given that Spotify has users in many countries. Scientists have identified and characterized a new inhibitor that prevents the malaria parasite to infect human red blood cells. It is non-toxic to human cells and targets a nanomotor of the parasite. Structural studies conducted at the ESRF beamlines, in collaboration with teams from the Curie Institute and Vermont University, elucidate the novel mode of inhibition that paves the way for new preventative medications against this disease. The results are published today in Nature Communications. Malaria infection in humans, caused by the Plasmodium parasites and transmitted via the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, is a prominent global health issue. In 2020, malaria caused 627,000 deaths, the majority being children under the age of five according to the WHO. In 2021, nearly half of the worlds population was at risk of malaria. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that with global climate change, there is a risk that malaria appears in Europe in the coming decades. In recent years, there has been a remarkable progress in antimalarial therapeutics. However, the parasite is developing resistance to all existing treatments, including current first-line treatments containing artemisinin-based therapies. The first ever malaria vaccine is on the market since October 2021, however its efficacy is relatively modest. Therefore, the international community is still on the lookout for novel treatments. Six years ago, an international collaboration of scientists, including the Institut Curie in France (Julien Robert-Paganin & Anne Houdusse), the University of Vermont in the USA (Kathleen Trybus) and Imperial College in the United Kingdom (Jake Baum) investigated a large molecular complex called the glideosome that plays a crucial role in the movement of the Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasite. The scientists found that the motor within this glideosome complex, Pf myosin A (PfMyoA), is a key-protein essential for the parasite (Robert-Paganin et al., 2019; Moussaoui et al., 2020). Without it, the parasite cannot move in its host and cannot infect human cells. Myosins are a large class of molecular motors that produce force and movement using ATP, the energy currency in the living organisms. Interestingly, PfMyoA is specific to malaria parasites and sufficiently different from human myosins so that it can be used as a target for drug development. Following up on their findings, the team focused on a promising inhibitor, called KNX-002, which binds specifically to PfMyoA. They studied it on living malaria parasites and the results are very promising: in the presence of KNX-002, the parasites cannot invade human red blood cells. The inhibitor was subsequently crystallized in complex with PfMyoA. The structure could be solved using the structural biology beamline ID30B at the ESRF. The atomic structure demonstrates how KNX-002 docks close to the ATP binding pocket of Pf myosin A, thus blocking its ability to produce force. Dihia Moussaoui and Christoph Muller-Dieckmann on beamline ID30B. Credits: C. Argoud. "It is very exciting to be part of this new approach to a possible malaria drug candidate. A big challenge of this research was the crystallization part", says Dihia Moussaoui, co-first author of the paper and post-doctoral researcher at the ESRF. "I had to successfully crystallize the protein, which is inherently flexible all the time, with the inhibitor, which took more than six months", she explains. The experimental setup of ID30B was essential to optimize data collection from these challenging crystals, explains Christoph Muller-Dieckmann, scientist in charge of ID30B and co-author of the publication. The success of this research is due in part to the high brilliance, small size and stability of the beam we have now with EBS, and it opens new vistas to further research on this field at the ESRF, he adds. In parallel to the work done at the ESRF, the collaborators also used the techniques of transient kinetics and parasitology to gain insights into the inhibitor. The discovery of the new inhibitor KNX-002 paves the way for the development of a new generation of antimalarial prevention treatments. It is worth noting that no current treatment tackle PfMyoA. These results demonstrate that PfMyoA is a realistic antimalarial target and we will now focus on improving the action of the inhibitor, concludes Dihia Moussaoui. Reference: Moussaoui, D., Robblee, J.P., Robert-Paganin, J. et al. Mechanism of small molecule inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum myosin A informs antimalarial drug design. Nat Commun 14, 3463 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38976-7 Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. An aerial view of a natural gas fired electrical generation station being built near the Yellowstone River in Laurel, Montana. (Photo by Ed Saunders, used with permission). Changes made by the 2023 Legislature may have been enough to restart construction on a natural gas-fired power plant in Laurel as a district court judge ruled that state law had changed enough to reverse a stay even as the case sits on the states Supreme Court docket. Previously, Yellowstone County District Court Judge Michael G. Moses ruled that a power generation station operated by NorthWestern Energy could not proceed because the states Department of Environmental Quality had failed to consider proper lighting and not taken a hard look at the environmental impacts posed by the plant, which had the potential to produce the equivalent emissions of more than 167,000 vehicles running non-stop. However, a case at the Montana Supreme Court and a law enacted by the 2023 Legislature dramatically changed the legal landscape, and caused Moses to vacate his previous order that stopped work at the plant, situated near the Yellowstone River. In court documents filed by attorneys for NorthWestern, the company argued that a pause in construction due to the legal wrangling could result in a $50 million in extra cost in a power generation plant that is already expected to be in the ballpark of $250 million. That additional cost would have to be absorbed by NorthWestern or public utility ratepayers. In addition, attorneys told the court that 130 of the 246 workers were temporarily laid off. A separate, unrelated court case filed in Flathead County, but ultimately decided by the Montana Supreme Court, ruled that the remedies in the Montana Environmental Protection Act do not allow district courts to halt projects in this manner. Furthermore, after Moses ruling on the effects of tons and tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 971, which was signed on May 10, and effective immediately. That bill prohibited the DEQ from considering greenhouse gas emissions in the state when issuing air-quality permits. Both the appeal from NorthWesterns attorneys and the order from Moses question whether the new law is constitutional, given the constitutions provision giving residents the right to a clean and healthful environment. But since that question wasnt explicitly included as part of the existing legal challenge to the plant, that question is reserved for another court on another day, according to the energy companys counsel. Although only two months have passed since this court issued its order vacating the air quality permit for the Laurel Gas Station, much changed in the legal landscape, Moses wrote in part of his order vacating the previous decision. Whether (NorthWestern and the DEQ) will have to analyze the impact of LGSs carbon dioxide emissions within the boundaries of Montana will depend upon the changing legal landscape. The post Construction on Laurel power station will continue while appeals head to Supreme Court appeared first on Daily Montanan. Protesters barricade a road on Sunday, June 11, 2023 near Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, holding signs and blocking cars from accessing the canyon. The barricade was erected to protest a public lands order banning new oil, gas and mining leases near the canyon. (Photo by Liam DeBonis for Source NM) CHACO CANYON Instead of the celebration planned on a sunny Sunday morning in northwestern New Mexico, Native American communities argued at a barricade set up by protesters from the Navajo Nation. Their shouts telling non-Navajo people to go away emanated beyond a long line of cars unable to get through the roadblock to enter Chaco Culture National Historical Park, where U.S. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland (Laguna) planned to be that morning following a recent 20-year federal ban on new oil, gas and mining leases. The protesters were mainly Navajo Nation citizens who are allotted land in the area that pays them royalties for oil and gas exploration around Chaco. Many said this moratorium undermines their sovereignty, something supported by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and some federal Republican officials. Haaland later said she was heartbroken that anyone was denied entry into the public lands area, something other Native community members reiterated on their own with the sites sacred ancestral value in mind. A heated crowd faced each other on Sunday morning, one half lined up with signs in front of a row of small orange cones and the other looking on, occasionally trying to get through the barricade. Navajo Nation Police arrived around when the celebration was supposed to start, stepping in when scuffles or arguments broke out. Police officials initially told protesters to take down the roadblock. However, Navajo Nation police officer Robert Williams told Source NM that the police didnt know if the land where the protest was is under management by the federal government or Navajo Nation. Some protesters threatened to slash or shoot tires. If theyre not going to leave, Ive already loaded my gun, one person told a police officer standing on the other side of a barricade shortly after police arrived. Source NM did not see any weapons. Mario Atencio is the vice president of Torreon/Star Lake Chapter of Navajo Nation and a member of the Board of Directors for Dine Citizens Against Ruining our Environment. Hes also one of the plaintiffs suing New Mexico for its oil and gas allowance. Atencio (Dine) was supposed to speak Sunday morning but watched on as the protesters didnt allow anyone through their blockade. He told Source NM to document what was happening. He said the oil and gas industry is damaging to peoples health and the environment. Hes an allottee as well, he said, but his family isnt blocking the roads. Everyone has freedom of speech, he said. People express how they want to express. A safe space across the state instead Six-and-a-half hours later, more than 150 miles away, those celebrating the moratorium gathered outside of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Southwest Regional Office in Albuquerque in the late afternoon instead, surrounded by federal police officers on the outskirts of the area. Before tribal, state and federal officials spoke about the importance of this oil and gas ban, Haaland addressed what happened that morning. The nicest thing she could say, she said, was that it wasnt an ideal morning. She said theres a long history between the Laguna Pueblo and the Navajo Nation, and her family personally has deep connections with the Navajo community. To see any road into any of our national parks or our public lands blocked was heartbreaking, she said, because our public lands belong to all Americans. Haaland said she comes from a matrilineal society, like Dine people, and has an obligation as a woman to nurture our families, our homes and our communities. She said she takes that seriously as Interior secretary. We can disagree on policy but we must be united in the protection of our children, our culture, our shared sacred spaces, she said. That is the most important thing. A protester at the barricade who identified herself as Delora Jesus, an oil and gas advocate, pointed to recent allegations made by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives that Haalands child, Somah, is part of Pueblo Action Alliance, a New Mexico organization that advocated for the halt on oil and gas leases in the Chaco region. Similarly, allottee Manuel Sales, a semi-retired veteran, said he feels betrayed by Haaland for his insistence that she is allowing the federal government to rule over Native American sovereignty. Its not right the way they did it, Sales (Dine) said. Mark Mitchell, chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, said many Native communities call Chaco home and the federal government listened to Indigenous voices in enacting the moratorium. Mitchell (Tesuque) thanked the Biden administration for protecting Chaco and other sacred sites. We did not do this work alone, he said. The voices of other tribal nations joined together with ours to call for these protections. An internal divide Protesters yelled for people to learn more about the Navajo culture, and Dine people who wanted to attend the celebration shouted back. I am Dine, and whats being said is wrong, Janene Yazzie, southwest regional director of Indigenous environmental advocacy group NDN Collective, said to the crowd. Atencio said on Sunday he represents 4,000-6,000 allottees and the protest wasnt representative of all of them. What you do to the Earth, you do to the people, he said. Something must be done. Jade Begay is the director of policy and advocacy for the NDN Collective. Begay (Dine / Tesuque) told Source NM this split between Navajo people is affecting her as someone who is half Pueblo and half Dine. To hear my Dine community say no Pueblos allowed on our own ancestral sacred site is beyond heartbreaking, she said. Conflicting consequences Jesus (Dine) said the northwestern area of the state, so heavily dominated by the oil and gas industry, has adequate safety measures in place for any potential health risks, though she didnt get into specifics. Advocates for stalling energy production have said its doing widespread damage to both humans and the land. Jesus went to an elementary school in Counselor, New Mexico that had an oil and gas operations rig across the way, and she said she didnt get sick from any potential pollution from production. Environmental advocates specifically brought up her school, Lybrook Elementary, when asking New Mexico to limit the oil and gas pollution this year, voicing concern for children breathing in the poor air. Earlier this month, the New Mexico Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard temporarily banned new oil and gas leases near schools. Theres also a moratorium on oil and gas leasing near Chaco that Garcia Richard enacted in 2019. Garcia Richards said Sunday afternoon that shes committed to extending that ban without an expiration date. Her offices spokesperson Joey Keefe said the state still needs to finish consultation with tribal governments in New Mexico. Kendra Pinto (Dine), another plaintiff in the oil and gas lawsuit against New Mexico and a field advocate at EarthWorks, lives near Chaco. She described invisible dangers like greenhouse gas emissions and the more obvious ones like wellheads caked in oil. She said it makes her sad, rather than angry, that her neighbors arent aware of the threats. A huge majority of the dangers are invisible, which is why its not like a widespread problem in this area, she said. Its going to be something we worry about in five years, 10 years, like we did with uranium and coal. Pinto said allottees couldve pushed to have been part of federal conversations on the oil and gas issues, instead of just sort of showing up when something big is happening. She said they took up that responsibility when they agreed to a lease for their land. This all didnt magically happen, she said. Jesus said allottees did ask Haaland to prevent this moratorium. Shes not listening to us, Jesus said. I mean, its our livelihoods that were defending. Begay said Navajo Nation police didnt prepare for this situation. Sadly, I did not see the Navajo Nation police prepared for this day, she said. Nygren, Navajo Nation president, told Fox News that people were planning to protest. Nygren last week urged the federal leaders to cancel the Sunday celebration. In April, the Navajo Nation Councils Naabikiyati Committee rescinded an order under the previous administration supporting a five-mile oil and gas buffer zone. Nygrens office did not respond on Sunday to a request for comment about the protest from Source NM. Danny Simpson is a Navajo Nation council delegate that attended as a protester. He told the crowd theyre going to draft legislation this week that the road blocked off on Sunday can only be used for local traffic by Navajo Nation citizens. This is our way to say that the federal government is not going to push us around, he said. This is our land. Jesus and others cheered when they heard this. An oil and gas advocate, Jesus said she believes this moratorium will affect Navajo allottees, though the federal governments current buffer does not apply to existing leases. She said the allottees are standing up for their rights now and should be able to defend their land. I didnt really want it to get this loud and everything, she said. But we have every right to be here. Begay said theres a lot of misinformation about the Chaco moratorium, signaling that the ban is actually a win for not only Indigenous people but all communities. Begay pointed out the new policy will not stop existing leases held by the protesting allottees. The order only temporarily bans new oil and gas or mining leases. The Navajo Nation needs to really assess the amount of conflict and harm and tension that theyre creating with these lies, she said. Jennifer Marley, Red Nation organizer, said a lot of people protesting dont understand that their allotment rights wont be impacted. Marley (San Ildefonso) added that splits between Native American communities arent often reported in the media, although she said Pueblo nations which include 19 different sovereign nations in New Mexico arent divided like the Navajo Nation is on this issue. Im pretty shocked to see it, she said, looking at the shouting crowd. This story was originally produced by Source New Mexico which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The post Protest at Chaco Canyon deters event to celebrate new federal oil and gas leasing ban appeared first on Daily Montanan. UPDATE: Tuesday, June 20 at 11:43 a.m. The Fergus County Sheriff's Office said in a release the death of the man who was recovered in the Missouri River June 11 was ruled as a result of drowning. The following press release is from the Fergus County Sheriff's Office: Jim Kurz, 78 years old from Lady Smith Wisconsin, arrived at James Kipp Campground on June 5th 2023. He began his voyage traveling upstream, similar to Lewis and Clark, and headed to an area he had traveled through before. Jim arrived at Heller Cabin and logged an entry on June 6th, 2023, in the guest book. Jim wrote about the tough paddling and was waiting for the wind to change before heading to Gist Cabin. On mid-day of June 7th, 2023, Jim met a fellow paddler heading down stream named Bill Burke. Bill started his journey down the Missouri on May 22nd, 2023, in Three Forks, Montana. Jim and Bill exchanged canoeing stores and Bill learned that Jim had published a book about his earlier canoe trip up the Missouri River called "Out My Back Yard". Bill and Jim took photos for each other. Bill expressed his need to resupply before continuing past James Kipp. Jim told Bill to use his car, that was parked and James Kipp boat ramp, to run to Malta for supplies. Bill expressed how kind Jim was and how he admired his determination to paddle up river. After hearing of Jim's passing, Bill referred to Jim as River Angel Jim. Sometime in the later aftemoon of June 7th, 2023, Jim setup camp near the Missouri River and Bull Creck. There were severe storms reported this day and we believe at some point Jim's canoe broke loose from the shore and Jim tried to retrieve it. Jim and his canoe did not make it back to camp. Jim's body was located on June 11th, 2023, in the Missouri River several miles downstream from James Kipp campground. Jim Kurz death has been determined to be a result of drowning. UPDATE: Thursday, June 15 at 10:26 a.m. The Fergus County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) has identified the man whose body was recovered in the Missouri River Sunday. The man was identified as James "Jim" Kurz of Lady Smith, Wisconsin. FCSO said in a release there is no foul play suspected in Kurz's death. Kurz's family has been informed. "We would like to send our condolences to the Kurz family and their firends during this time," FCSO said in the release. LEWISTOWN, Mont. - Investigators are asking the public if they have any information regarding an unidentified deceased male body that was discovered in the Missouri River in Fergus County Sunday afternoon. The body was found several miles down stream from the James Kipp Campground near Winifred. The Fergus County Sheriff's Office said in a release the sheriff's office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and nearby counties are investigating where the body possibly originated and the identity. The body is described as a man approximately aged in his late 50s or early 60s, has short gray stubble beard, wearing cutoff shorts and a red and black belt. Personnel will be working up and down stream from James Kipp Campground as the investigation continues. Anyone with concerns about overdue campers, fishers or any other information is asked to call Central Montana Dispatch at (406) 535-1800. A project using artificial intelligence to monitor dairy cows has featured in a focus on the future of farming on BBC Ones Countryfile. Using the latest artificial intelligence, computer and machine-vision and data-driven biology, scientists can automatically monitor cow health in commercial dairies. Every cow in the herds monitored is individually tracked through camera systems, which then which feed into an AI network. The Harper Adams University project was put in the spotlight on the Sunday 11 June episode of BBC's Countryfile. The universitys Professor of Applied Animal Behaviour, Mark Rutter, spoke to BBC presenter Adam Henson about the technology. He told Adam: Rather than having individual sensors on cows, so we can detect when they are in oestrus or monitor their health, a different approach is that we can have all these cameras, giving us a great top-down view of the cows. The cameras are using artificial intelligence and machine vision, so we can identify individual cows, we can also look at their behaviours and work out exactly what they are doing. The project is a collaboration between both Harper Adams and the University of Nottingham, as well as experts at Stirling-based electronics and automation engineering consultancy and research incubator, Peacock Technology. Adam told viewers: AI learns to recognise each individual cow and logs their behaviour such as their eating and their milking efficiency. "It can then analyse the data, to warn of possible signs of illness. Professor Rutter said: Its really taking off. The last four or five years, were seeing large amounts of data on-farm. "It really is helping to improve the efficiency of production, its improving animal welfare so we are seeing all these benefits, and farmers really are starting to come on board. He added: This is the future of farming. The solutions developed for the project could become commercial products or data processing or consultancy services that can be marketed to other livestock farms in the UK and worldwide. Summing his visit up for viewers, Adam added: My dad started milking cows by hand, and my first tractor had no cab, manual gears and would now be considered a collectors piece and Im not even that old. With these projects going on up and down the country, the changing face of farming is happening far quicker than I ever imagined. Whatever the future of farming holds, its safe to say technology is going to play a big role. Watch the Countryfile episode again on BBC iPlayer here. A Scottish hill farmer has called for the government to stop "dragging its heels" on providing an emergency authorisation of bracken control herbicide Asulam. If the Scottish government fails to provide authorisation, it would be "a dereliction of duty to protect farmers, crofters, the rural workforce, and public health." This is according to Brian Walker, a tenant farmer at Carloonan Farm in Inveraray, Argyll, who said that the government had been "dragging its heels because Asulam is a herbicide". Bracken is an aggressive and invasive weed, with reports it is growing frantically throughout the hillsides of Scotland. Where bracken grows, the land is unproductive. It is also a risk to livestock health due to the abundance of ticks. Currently, Asulam is not registered for use in the UK. However, the emergency authorisation of the herbicide was issued last year. Mr Walker, who looks after 2,500 acres of hill ground with 80 suckler cows and 950 breeding ewes, said the Scottish government must do the same this year. He said: "The truth is that the negative impacts of not controlling bracken far outweigh those of using Asulam to control it," "In fact, by not spraying bracken to prevent it growing, it will actually lead to more chemicals being used. This is because bracken is the perfect harbour for ticks. I have never before seen more cows coming off the hill this spring covered in ticks. The warm temperatures in the dead bracken over the winter months makes it the perfect place for them to survive and breed over winter." He said this was having a devastating impact on his livestock, adding: "Once an animal becomes a host for ticks, we have to use a chemical like spot-on treatments used on cats and dogs to get rid of them. "If we dont do this, it could lead to the animals getting seriously ill - redwater disease in cattle and louping ill in sheep are nasty diseases." Mr Walker said: "It is ironic that to protect our animals, we would have to use chemicals on them, rather than control the problem at the source by removing bracken." Not controlling bracken could also have a serious detrimental impact to the general public, he noted, as bracken is carcinogenic. "And there have been increased reports of its spores entering watercourses - this is a threat to the public," Mr Walker explained. He asked: The Scottish government want us to use an alternative, but what is the alternative? Scottish farmers dont use chemicals if they can avoid it, but in this case, it is the only viable option." The tenant farmer said it was vital that the Scottish government made a decision on the issue urgently, as aerial contractors only have a short window to spray the bracken. They also need to order the chemical from overseas, which can take up to six weeks. "They can only do this when the emergency authorisation has been approved," he said. The delay in Scottish government issuing the authorisation last year meant not as much bracken was sprayed in 2022 than in previous years. "This meant that money that had gone into controlling the bracken before 2022 is in effect lost and makes it harder to control in future years. "Controlling bracken is something you need to keep on top of, not do once and then think its all fine." Mr Walker concluded: "We press Lorna Slater, the Scottish government Minister in charge, to urgently issue the authorisation to use Asulam this season. "To not do so would be a dereliction of duty to farmers, crofters, the rural workforce, animal welfare and the general public. Two dogs that killed 28 sheep on farmland in Herefordshire have now been located and their owner has agreed to have them put to sleep. Two out-of-control dogs had caused the death of 28 sheep in a series of recent attacks in the Dinedor area of the county. West Mercia Police said the spate of incidents had caused "considerable upset" among the local farming community. The force has now confirmed that the owner of the two dogs had agreed to put them both to sleep. West Mercia Police's Sergeant Mark Jones said: We have been aware that there has been considerable upset among the farming community in the Dinedor area. We have taken steps wherever possible to keep the victims informed of what we have been doing and have carried out exhaustive enquiries which have ultimately proved successful. We have now located the dogs and in light of what has happened, the owners have agreed to have them both put to sleep. Id like to thank everyone affected for their patience and co-operation following an unfortunate set of events." A lack of action by the government to tackle the crime is putting further risk to animal suffering, the sheep sector recently warned in a letter to Defra. It follows alarming findings from a survey by the National Sheep Association (NSA) that shows sheep farmers are experiencing an increasing occurrence of dog attacks. In the survey of more than 300 sheep farmers, 70% had experienced a sheep worrying attack in the past 12 months. On average, three sheep deaths were reported each year per farmer as a result of dog attacks Pope Pius XII covered up a UFO crash. Pope Pius XII covered up a UFO crash in Italy Former US intelligence officer David Grusch has claimed that the Vatican was involved in concealing the first UFO that crash-landed on Earth 90 years ago in Italy. Grusch suggested that the Pope - who reigned from 1939 until his death in 1958 - acted as a go-between during World War II to make sure that the craft was moved from Italy to the United States. The former intelligence officer - who alleges that the US Government secretly kept debris from crashed UFOs - said: "1933 was the first recovery in Europe - in Magenta, Italy. They recovered a partially intact vehicle and the Italian government moved it to a secure airbase in Italy until around 1944-1945. "The Pope back-channelled that and told the Americans what the Italians had and we ended up scooping it." Asked if the Catholic Church was aware of "non-human" existence on Earth, Grusch replied: "Certainly." Miriam Margolyes despises her big t*** and dropping belly. Miriam Margolyes despises her big t*** and dropping belly The Harry Potter actress, 82, made the admission as she posed for a naked shoot for British Vogues annual Pride issue using a selection of iced buns to cover her privates. Miriam admitted: I like my face. I think my face is kind and warm and open and smiley. But I hate my body. I hate big t*** (and) a drooping belly, little twisted legs. Im not thrilled with that. But you just make the best of it. You have to. You do the best you can. Miriam also revealed she is going into surgery to have a stent fitted in her heart, but insisted she is not terrified. She added: When youre young, you never think about death. You just think about your next f*** basically. I think about death a lot. Oh, every day, for sure. Every morning when I get up I think, Hmmm, another day, which maybe I wasnt expecting. Openly-gay Miriam also addressed how she came out to her parents, saying the admission hurt her mum and dad. The actress, famed for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter franchise, came out in 1966 when homesexuality was still illegal. She said about always being proud of her sexuality: I never had any shame about being gay or anything really. I knew it wasnt criminal because it was me. I couldnt be criminal. Miriam who is married to Australian historian Heather Sutherland, 80,who keeps out of the spotlight was last month rushed to hospital following a health scare, and posted a photo on Facebook of herself on a ward as she updated fans about her condition. It turned out she had contracted a chest infection following a routine heart procedure to treat aortic stenosis a narrowing of the aortic valve. She told her followers: I did survive and I am still in The Royal Brompton Hospital certainly till Sunday. I am growing energy but its still not quite me. I am putting this so you know how grateful I am for lovely messages. The July issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20 June. Ricky Gervais long-term partner Jane Fallon has opened up about a worrying skin cancer scare. Ricky Gervais long-term partner Jane Fallon has opened up about a worrying skin cancer scare The 62-year-old writer posted a picture of herself on Twitter appearing to tear up with an arrow pointing to a growth on her face she said had been removed and gone to biopsy heaven. She said: Goodbye thing on my face. You tried to hide under a freckle, but now youve grown into something potentially more worrying, you have to go. Dont you dare leave a scar. Jane then added: The Thing has gone to biopsy heaven. I bet it never rings, never calls. Ungrateful little s***. Her fans sent well-wishes, including one who said their mum had suffered cancer. Jane posted a laughing GIF in response to a fan who told her: You watch, itll have its own twitter account soon. The best-selling author has been in a relationship with After Life creator Ricky, 61, for 39 years now, with the pair living in poverty together before his comedy career took off. Ricky constantly thanks fans for making his After Life show about widower Tony grieving the death of his wife from cancer the most watched British comedy in the world. He has also told fans how he is terrified of being diagnosed with illness and how he goes for a check-up every year from a private doctor. Jane supported him by making 40 a week at a theatrical agency, learning to be a script editor and the couple were too poor to afford the constant feed of 50p coins needed to keep the heating going, and endured freezing cold every winter. They once lived above a brothel in Kings Cross, London, before Ricky became worth around 130 million thanks to his shows including The Office. Jane has said about why they never got married: It is not that I am anti-marriage. It is just that it has never particularly interested me. Having children had always been something I didnt feel like I wanted to do. I just never thought that I would be a good mother. I see people who are good at being parents and I dont know how they do it. How can they be so relaxed? Treat Williams was revelling in the beauty of his home hours before he died in a motorcycle accident. Treat Williams was revelling in the beauty of his home hours before he died in a motorcycle accident The Everwood actors final Instagram posts showed him enjoying the scenery at his country farm in Manchester, Vermont, and watching hay get cut, with the star posting a video of it with the caption: Hay Day. Treat, who died on Monday (12.06.23) aged 71 following a motorcycle accident near Dorset, Vermont, also uploaded a photo earlier in the day showing the greenery of his grounds with the message: There is no better smell than new mown hay. The actor had previously revealed how he first fell in love with Vermont as a child during family vacations before settling there, and told Vermont magazine in 2021: I bought the house that were in 35 years ago. Ive always had an enormous love for Vermont, both in winter and summer. There was something incredibly special about it to me, and the people here are incredibly honest, real, and good-humoured. Theres also always something new to discover somewhere on a dirt road that youve never travelled on before. I think very few people are lucky as I am to say, I love where I live. I dont have any fantasies of being somewhere else. I have everything I want and need in Vermont. Ive been all over the world, and Ive never seen a place as beautiful as Vermont. Treat is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, 68, who he married in 1988, and their two children, Gill, 31, and 25-year-old Elinor. The actors representative Barry McPherson confirmed the actors death by saying: He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right (and) a car cut him off. Im just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. Barry added to People on Monday (12.06.23): He was an actors actor. Filmmakers loved him. Hes been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s. He was really proud of his performance this year. Hes been so happy with the work that I got him. Hes had a balanced career. The Vermont State Police said in a statement Treat was unable to avoid a collision with a 2008 Honda Element and was thrown from his motorcycle. It added: He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead. The Responsible Business Hub, set up by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) with support from the German development agency GIZ, was launched in Dhaka yesterday. The hub will support garment factories in strengthening their capacities to adapt and comply with new regulations and reporting requirements with regard to due diligence and sustainability. The Responsible Business Hub, set up by Bangladesh's two major garment industry associations with support from the German development agency GIZ, has been launched in Dhaka. It will be an information centre, raising awareness and providing guidance to RMG manufacturers on the standards and requirements of human rights and environmental due diligence. It will serve as an information centre, raising awareness and providing guidance to readymade garment (RMG) manufacturers in the country on the standards and requirements of human rights and environmental due diligence. Manufacturers and labour union leaders urged buyers at the launching event to practise ethical buying practices in their supply chain as responsible business is possible only when buyers and consumers change their mindset apart from manufacturers, which account for only 20 per cent of the apparel supply chain. Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers face uneven competition with non-compliant exporters, he mentioned, BKMEA vice president Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said. "When buyers source from China, they don't care about compliance but despite maintaining all compliance Bangladeshi exporters do not get the ethical prices for sustainable products," was quoted as saying by media outlets in the country. When we talked about the emerging due diligence, there are too many laws and regulations getting passed every day regarding the same issue. We need a unified principle-based legislation which is accepted by all the players in the global supply chain," BGMEA vice president Shahidullah Azim said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Exports of textiles and apparel from the US reduced by 3.28 per cent in January-April 2023, reaching a value of $7.842 billion, compared to $8.108 billion in the same period last year, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), US department of commerce. Among the top ten markets, textile and apparel shipments to the Netherlands increased by 31.08 per cent to $166.301 million in the first four months of 2023. Exports also increased to the United Kingdom (17.96 per cent) and Dominican Republic (1.67%). However, shipments to Canada, China, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Japan experienced a decline of up to 38.49 per cent. The US supplied $2,286.809 million worth of textiles and apparel to Mexico during this period, followed by $1,779.378 million to Canada and $441.032 million to Honduras. Category-wise, apparel exports increased by 6.49 per cent year-on-year to $2,397.707 million, while fabric exports decreased 4.65 per cent to $2,810.096 million in January-April of this year. The exports of yarn and made-up and miscellaneous articles decreased by 6.98 per cent to $1,394.900 million and 12.11 per cent to $1,239.682 million, respectively, during the same period. US textile and apparel exports fell by 3.28 per cent to $7.842 billion in January-April 2023, despite gains in markets like the Netherlands (31.08 per cent), the UK (17.96 per cent), and the Dominican Republic (1.67 per cent). Exports dropped in Canada, China, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Japan. Apparel exports increased by 6.49 per cent. US textile and apparel exports increased by 9.77 per cent to $24.866 billion in 2022 compared to $22.652 billion in 2021. In recent years, US textile and clothing exports have remained in the range of $22-25 billion per annum. In 2014, they stood at $24.418 billion, while the figure was $23.622 billion in 2015, $22.124 billion in 2016, $22.671 billion in 2017, $23.467 billion in 2018, and $22.905 billion in 2019. The value dropped to $19.330 billion in 2020 due to the pandemic. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Shilpa Shetty Swimsuit Pic: When it comes to fitness, no one can beat Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra. Over the years, the actress has not only served as an inspiration for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle but has also motivated her followers to exercise regularly. Known for sharing her fitness tips on social media pages, Shilpa is also a stunner when it comes to fashion. Several times, the diva has wowed her fans with her impeccable fashion sense, and on Tuesday, she took the internet by storm by sharing a picture in a sexy monokini. Shilpa Shetty drops a super hot pic in a printed cut-out monokini Shilpa Shetty, who is currently vacationing in Italy, shared a photo of her soaking in the Tuscan sun. Dressed in a cut-out printed monokini, the Dhadkan actress proved that age is just a number for her. On Tuesday evening, Shilpa gave her fans a sneak peek of her holiday moment in a swimsuit, and needless to say, she looked super hot. Sharing the photo, the actress wrote, "Basking under the Tuscan Sun soaking in the natural thermal spring waters. This place is divine , also known as the holy waters, for 3000 years ,hot spring water has gushed from the centre of the earth bringing enormous health benefits to those that come in contact with it. Feel blessed and rejuvenated to experience this #thermalcrater #hotsprings #tuscany #grateful #healing." Mother's Day 2023: Raj Kundra & Shilpa Shetty Head Out For A Lunch Date With Their Mothers & Kids Further, she styled the swimsuit with a dainty necklace, bangle, and pink shades and left her hair straight as she posed for the camera. Take a look below:- Fans react to Shilpa Shetty's swimsuit picture Soon, Shilpa's fans were left spellbound by the actress' hotness. Many could not believe how the diva has maintained a body like that at the age of 48. While many flooded the comment section with fire and red heart emoticons, one of her fans wrote, "Kaun bolega ye 48 saal ki hai?" Another fan commented, "Such fitness goals @theshilpashetty. Inspiring us every single day." One said, "Yeh tho santoor wali mummy se bhi zyada young lag Rahi hai." "Absolute STUNNER," one said. Some were reminded of Shilpa's Dostana song Shut Up And Bounce. Shilpa Shetty recently celebrated her 48th birthday, on June 8. To mark the occasion, her husband, Raj Kundra, shared a special note along with a video for her on Twitter. The video consisted of montages of the couple and snaps of their two kids, Viaan and Samisha. Check out the video here. To my soulmate we have really seen some highs & lows recently. Thank you for your implicit trust & faith in me. You are my rock of Gibraltar I love you & wish you only the best my Angel @TheShilpaShetty here to creating better memories Happy Birthday yummy mummy..my Cookie pic.twitter.com/RgfttzaKTr Raj Kundra (@TheRajKundra) June 8, 2023 Shilpa Shetty Shares Emotional PIC Of Mom Sunanda Post Surgery With Doctor Who Also Operated On Sushmita Sen Shilpa Shetty on the work front Shilpa Shetty made a comeback in films with Hungama 2 in 2021 after 14 years. She was last seen in another flop, Nikamma. Next, she has Rohit Shetty's web series, Indian Police Force, Sukhee. Meanwhile, she is also returning to Kannada films with KD - The Devil. Kangana Ranaut's Venture Into OTT World: Kangana Ranaut has established herself as one of the leading actresses in Bollywood. She has showcased her acting prowess through her performance in a variety of films across different genres and has received several accolades for her performances. Kangana is currently gearing up for the release of 'Tike Weds Sheru' featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Avneet Kaur which marks her first venture into the digital platform as a producer. KANGANA RANAUT'S LATEST POST MAKES HER FANS INTRIGUE Recently, Kangana took to Instagram and shared a picture of her office, Manikarnika Films in the suburb of Mumbai all decked up with marigold flowers and twinkling lights, all set for some celebrations. However, soon the actress shared another video that shows her interacting with the media, handing over invitation cards to them. When the paps quizzed her about the occasion, she remained tight-lipped and just mentioned that she is all set to share some khush khabar! It led to speculations that the actress is getting married. Check out the video. Well, now it has been revealed that the actress is nit getting married but is on a promotional spree for Tiku Weds Sheru. Meanwhile, TIKU WEDS SHERU is set to release on Amazon Prime Video and is set to premiere on June 23. The film will see Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Shiraz Khan and Avneet Kaur as Tasleem Khan. The film also features Sanjay Mishra, Zarina Wahab, Mahaakshay Chakraborty, Hemant Kumar, and Nikki Tamboli in pivotal roles. KANGANA'S WORK-FRONT Meanwhile, on the professional front, Kangana has an interesting line-up of films. She is set to feature in a film titled, The Incarnation: Sita. She will seen essaying the role of former prime minister, Indira Gandhi in her upckoing directorial film, Emergency. Kangana also has Tejas, Chandramukhi 2, and Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda in her kitty. Johny Antony Remembers Late Kazan Khan: In an interview with Manorama Online, actor-director Johny Antony reflected on the late actor Kazan Khan, highlighting his gentle nature despite his rough appearance. Kazan Khan portrayed a villainous character in Johny Antony's film 'CID Moosa.' Johny Antony expressed his fond memories of their time working together and extended his heartfelt wishes for Kazan Khan's soul to find eternal rest. Danny Danz Shares Emotional Tribute And Video Of Late Kazan Khan Dancing To 'Lungi Dance' Kazan Khan gained recognition among Malayalis for his notable roles in various Malayalam films, including Varnapakittu, Gandharvam, and Ivan Maryadaraman. Johny Antony recalls Kazan Khan's desire to be considered for non-villainous roles rather than being typecast as a "Bombay villain." Their collaboration fostered a strong friendship, and Johnny Antony treasures the time they spent together. Dedication And Kazan Khan's Impressive Timing In Stunt Describing Kazan Khan as a disciplined actor, Johnny Antony acknowledges the contrast between his rough appearance and his gentle demeanour. Kazan Khan expressed his preference for portraying regular roles rather than the stereotypical "Bombay villains" or characters involved in planting bombs. Johnny Antony humorously mentions their conversations where he would jest about Kazan Khan's physical appearance, highlighting that casting him as a rubber tapper, coconut tree climber, or local tea vendor wouldn't be fitting. Johnny Antony reminisces about Kazan Khan's handsome and memorable portrayal of Vikram Ghorpade in the film 'The King.' Despite a considerable gap since their collaboration on 'CID Moosa' twenty years ago, Johnny Antony notes that Kazan Khan's appearance remained largely unchanged when they reunited for the film 'Masters' in 2013, except for a slight increase in size. Kazan Khan's dedication and discipline were apparent in both his personal and professional lives. Johnny Antony shares the news of Kazan Khan's passing, recounting his conversations with fellow industry professionals such as Dileep and cameraman Saloo George, who also mourned the loss. Kazan Khan's distinct appearance evoked the image of a "villain from the north of India' in the minds of those who knew him, making him a memorable figure in the industry. Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 5: Akhil Marar Faces Early Elimination In Intense Ticket To Finale Task The director commends Kazan Khan's commitment and cooperation during filming, citing a particular scene in 'CID Moosa' where he admirably performed a complex sequence involving being chased, beaten, thrown from a building, and ultimately shot-all captured in a 'single shot'. Kazan Khan's ability to immerse himself in roles and display excellent timing, especially in action scenes, impressed Johnny Antony. Johnny Antony concludes his tribute by remarking that Kazan Khan's untimely demise, attributed to a heart attack, resulted in the loss of a dear friend. He bids a heartfelt farewell, expressing the hope that Kazan Khan's soul finds peace. Gautham Vasudev Menon Insulted Silambarasan TR? It has been reported that there was a conflict between director Gautham Vasudev Menon and actor Silambarasan TR. Rumours about this are spreading in Kollywood circle now. Gautham Menon, a famous director of Tamil cinema, has directed many hit films. Vinnaithandi Varuaya film was released in Simbu - Gautham Menon alliance in 2010 and it was a big hit. After this, they also gave hits together in the films Acham Enbathu Madamaiyada and Vendhu Thaninthathu Kaadu. GVM's VTK Part 2 With STR In this situation, it is sid that Gautham Menon has spoken to Simbu to do the second part of the film Vendhu Thaninthathu Kaadu. Then Simbu is said to have rejected Gautham Menon citing that he is currently acting in STR 48. So, the director decided to make a film in Malayalam. It has been reported that Mammootty and Fahadh Basil are going to act together in this film. Also, it has created huge expectations in the Malayalam film industry. Actor Gautham Menon Is Busy Gautham Menon, who made his directorial debut with Minnale, is now busy acting in many films. Simbu recently acted in Pathu Thala directed by Krishna. Gautham Menon also played a charcater role in it. However, there were no combination scenes between the two. Even this is said to be due to the conflict between Simbu and Gautham. Sources says that Gautham spoke to Simbu frankly about his choice of films as both of them were close friends. But Simbu feels that he has been disrespected. Also, Simbu jokingly said that Gautham won't have time to direct the second part of Vendhu Thaninthathu Kaadu as he is busy in acting. However, Gautham Menon, who was still waiting patiently, did not get a proper response from Simbu. So, Gautham is ready to direct a film in Malayalam. It is expected that the update of Gautham Menon's Malayalam film will be released soon and the shooting will start next year. Gautham Menon is currently acting in Mammootty's Bazooka. Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, which has been one of the most anticipated shows on Indian television, is currently being shot in South Africa's Cape Town. The adventure based reality show is being hosted by Rohit Shetty and has some interesting contestants testing their fears and performing breathtaking stunts. The contestants include Shiv Thakare, Archana Gautam, Nyrra Banerjee, Arjit Taneja, Daisy Shah, Anjali Anand, Rohit Roy, Aishwarya Sharma, etc. As the contestants have been sharing interesting updates about Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, it is reported that Archana Gautam has been injured during the shoot. The news was shared by the former Bigg Boss 16 contestant on social media wherein she revealed that she got injured on the face and even received stitches. The diva, who is quite active on social media, shared pics of her injury. In the pics, Archana suffered an injury on her chin area and was immediately rushed to the hospital wherein she received stitches. As the news has certainly got the fans worried, Archana's recent update states that she is fine and vibrant like always. In fact, she is enjoying her time in Cape Town. Earlier, Archana had made headlines after there were reports about her massive fallout with her Bigg Boss 16 rival Shiv Thakare. According to a report published in Spotboye, the Bigg Boss 16 arch rival got into a heated argument during the shooting following which Shiv ended up insulting Archana in front of the entire crew of the show. It was reported that Shiv made fun of Archana in front of everyone which left the actress in tears. Earlier, Sumbul had also reacted to this rumoured tiff and said, "Dekho humei har ek cheez maloom nahi hai na ki waha pe exactly ho kya raha hai. Toh hum log kuch bhi assume nahi kar sakte ki ye baat hui hogi, ye galat hai, ye sahi hai. To wo jo bhi hua hai, waha pe hai hai. I've no idea about it. And, I'm still rooting for Shiv and I want him to win". Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 12, 2023) - Global Girls Initiative, a Tampa-based non-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty, announced its support for a newly implemented law in Florida, HB 389: Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools. This law provides free menstrual hygiene products to students in school districts across the state, marking a crucial stride towards achieving menstrual equality. Aanya Patel of Global Girls Initiative Spearheaded by Florida State Representative Kelly Skidmore (D - Boca Raton), and supported by Global Girls Initiative, the legislation permits the placement of menstrual hygiene products in a range of school facilities such as the nurse's office, health service facilities, and restrooms, and ensures accessibility in wheelchair-friendly facilities, thus endorsing inclusivity. The enactment of HB 389 is set to have a significant impact on over 1.5 million students in Florida's school system, offering them the opportunity to manage their menstrual cycles in a respectful and dignified manner. "Through this legislation we are letting our students know that we take their educational success seriously and will not allow the lack of access to tampons and pads to be an obstacle anymore," reveals Representative Skidmore. The transformative power of this legislation goes beyond ensuring physical comfort. It enhances mental and social health, builds confidence, stimulates involvement in extracurricular activities, and aims to improve class attendance, thus enabling students to maximize their academic capabilities. Founder of Global Girls Initiative, Aanya Patel, a vocal supporter of the bill, remarked, "The benefits of this legislation extend beyond physical health and comfort. It hopes to foster mental and social well-being, instills confidence, encourages participation in extracurricular activities, and aims to boost class attendance, thereby empowering students to reach their full academic potential." Patel added, "I am thrilled that Florida now has a structured solution addressing young menstruators within the school system. No student should miss out on educational opportunities simply because they lack access to a basic hygiene necessity." Further emphasizing the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Patel urged for more discussions and awareness to break down societal stigmas associated with period poverty. Aanya Patel with the menstrual hygiene dispenser About Global Girls Initiative The Global Girls Initiative (GGI) is a Tampa-based non-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty. Founded by Aanya Patel, GGI has donated over 350,000 menstrual hygiene products to students and youth in underserved communities over the past three years. The organization also offers free educational workshops, known as P.A.D.S (Period Awareness with Dignity & Self Esteem), to empower young menstruators. Additionally, GGI has spearheaded the development of cost-effective menstrual hygiene dispensers which can hold any brand and size of pads and tampons. The menstrual hygiene dispensers are installed in various institutions, including Hillsborough County's Title I middle & high schools, the University of Tampa, Johns Hopkins University, and more. 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/169569 Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Toyota City, Japan, June 13, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) recently held a technical briefing session, "Toyota Technical Workshop," under the theme "Let's Change the Future of Cars" and announced a variety of new technologies that will support its transformation into a mobility company.Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, explained Toyota's technology strategy and the direction of future car manufacturing. In addition, he spoke on specific and diverse technologies, including concepts under development, which will help achieve the vision and policies that have been communicated so far. Also speaking were Takero Kato, who has been appointed president of the newly established BEV Factory, and Mitsumasa Yamagata, who is scheduled to be appointed president of the Hydrogen Factory to be launched in July. They elaborated on their respective strategies for the battery EV and hydrogen businesses.For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/39288520.html.Source: Toyota Motor CorporationCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. 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. Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Duke Energy (DUK) said that it agreed to sell its unregulated utility scale Commercial Renewables business to Brookfield Renewable at an enterprise value of about $2.8 billion, including non-controlling tax equity interests and the assumption of debt. Duke Energy expects net proceeds from the transaction to be about $1.1 billion. It will utilize the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and avoid additional holding company debt issuances. According to the company, the sale agreement for the Commercial Renewables business platform includes more than 3,400 megawatts (alternating current) of utility scale solar, wind and battery storage across the U.S., net of joint venture partners ownership, in addition to operations, new project development, and current projects under construction. The primary operations of the Commercial Renewables business will remain in Charlotte, N.C. and the Duke Energy employees that support the business will transition over to Brookfield to maintain business continuity for its operations and customers. The sale is expected to close by the end of 2023. Duke Energy said it also continues to make strong progress on a separate sale underway for its distributed energy business, which is also expected to close by year-end 2023. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The New Zealand dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The NZ dollar fell to nearly a 4-month low of 1.1049 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.1021. Against the yen and the euro, the kiwi dropped to 4-day lows of 85.16 and 1.7641 from yesterday's closing quotes of 85.49 and 1.7565, respectively. The kiwi edged down to 1.6106 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.6121. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.11 against the aussie, 82.00 against the yen, 1.80 against the euro and 0.58 against the greenback. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. Industry solution experiences, augmented reality and virtual twins will be on display at Dassault Systemes' chalet B159 and booth D170 hall 2B Industry roundtables to feature executives from Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Vertical Aerospace and more Discussions to cover decarbonizing aviation, managing production ramp-up, developing new defense programs, accelerating new space and upskilling the workforce Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) (Paris:DSY) today announced a full program of demonstrations and discussions at the Paris Air Show June 19-25, 2023 that will showcase how its 3DEXPERIENCE platform is unleashing sustainable innovation in the aerospace and defense industry. In an era of industry disruption defined by net carbon neutrality goals, thousands of satellite launches, increased production demand for single-aisle aircraft, rising global military expenditures, and an aging workforce, companies are seeking to achieve new ways of collaborating, creating and working by leveraging virtual twins. At its chalet B159 and booth D170 in hall 2B, Dassault Systemes will delve into the latest industry challenges and examine how the industry uses the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to decarbonize commercial aviation while managing production ramp-up, support defense modernization, accelerate new space innovations, and upskill the workforce. Highlights include: In-depth roundtables with executives from Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Vertical Aerospace, Safran Group and more; Panel discussions addressing challenges and trends in European defense, decarbonization, manufacturing, new space and workforce skills; The development of Blue Spirit Aero's hydrogen-powered plane, Dragonfly, using virtual twin experiences; The 3DEXPERIENCE playground showcasing Dassault Systemes' industry solution experiences for sustainable innovation in aerospace and defense. "Today's industry is experiencing a paradigm shift, where it needs to meet short term goals while accomplishing long-term objectives in sustainability," said David Ziegler, Vice President, Aerospace and Defense Industry, Dassault Systemes. "At the Paris Air Show, we will examine this shift with industry thought leaders and demonstrate how our 3DEXPERIENCE platform is leading the industry's transformation toward a more sustainable and innovative future." FOR MORE INFORMATION Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com SHARE THIS ON TWITTER Unleashing sustainable innovation at the ParisAirShow: @Dassault3DS to showcase the 3DEXPERIENCE platform Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTEMES Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all -consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612728279/en/ Contacts: Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate France Arnaud MALHERBE arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73 North America Natasha LEVANTI natasha.levanti@3ds.com +1 (508) 449 8097 EMEA Virginie BLINDENBERG virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21 China Grace MU grace.mu@3ds.com +86 10 6536 2288 India Kriti ASHOK kriti.ashok@3ds.com +91 9741310607 Japan Misae HASHIDA misae.hashida@3ds.com +81 3 4321 3418 Korea Jeemin JEONG jeemin.jeong@3ds.com +82 2 3271 6653 AP South Minming CHEN minming.chen@3ds.com +65 6511 7931 COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new consortium, companies and university researchers will create a sustainable source of proteins for human food derived from CO2. The aim is to help fight the rising global problems with food insecurity and greenhouse-gas emissions from agriculture. Two leading foundations are supporting the initiative with up to DKK 200 million (27 million). Food insecurity is a rising global problem. A recent UN-led report shows that more than 250 million people faced severe hunger during 2022, which was an increase of 65 million compared to the year before. To counteract this development, we need to establish a sustainable, safe and stable food production that can feed a growing world population. With this aim in sight, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are funding a new consortium that will utilise CO2 to produce proteins for human food. The consortium combines knowledge and expertise from Novozymes A/S and Topsoe A/S, two leading companies within biotechnology and chemical engineering, respectively, Washington University in St. Louis in the US and the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) at Aarhus University in Denmark. The total funding from the two foundations is up to DKK 200 million (27 million). "By utilising CO2 for food production without involving agricultural land use, this ambitious consortium addresses two of our biggest global challenges: supplying nutritious food to a growing world population and mitigation of climate change. This has the potential to be the first step towards a novel bioeconomy providing a more sustainable, safe and stable food production, reducing the strain on nature's resources in multiple ways," says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. An alternative to animal protein The basic idea is to provide a more sustainable way of producing proteins through fermentation - a way of producing food we have been using for millennia. By using biological and electrochemical processes, the consortium partners will process CO2 and turn it into acetate, which is vinegar - a well-known substance already present in the metabolism of the microorganisms used for fermentation. The acetate can then be used to produce proteins that can be used directly in food for humans. By creating alternatives to animal proteins, we can reduce the need for meat and dairy production, which puts a significant strain on our natural resources by using land for the animals and growing crops to feed them. In addition, using acetate derived from CO2 directly in the fermentation process will eliminate the need to use sugar, which is a big part of fermentation processes. This will free up substantial agricultural areas currently used for sugar production. Thus, converting CO2 into acetate and using it to produce proteins for food will enable us to decouple part of our food production from land use and make room for biodiversity. This will be a major contribution to a more sustainable society. Making use of existing production facilities The first step for the consortium is to optimize and evaluate three potential production technologies and mature them. The goal is to lift all technologies to demonstration scale (TRL 6 or above) within two years. The consortium partners have several relevant production technologies and facilities at their disposal, which enables them to take advantage of already existing infrastructure to verify and scale the new developments expected from the collaboration. This is a great opportunity to create synergy across the different technologies involved in the collaboration and makes it possible to speed up the upscaling process significantly. "The possibility to engineer biology to efficiently produce protein for human nutrition from simple raw materials has been around for some time. With this programme, there is a possibility to develop a completely climate-neutral way of transforming CO2 into protein without the use of land, water, and fertilizer. I am excited and proud that we can contribute with technology and knowhow that makes this transformation possible - it holds tremendous potential for having biosolutions solve major world problems," says Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Science Officer in Novozymes A/S. Beneficial for low- and middle-income countries Once scaled up to production, the technologies developed by the consortium can represent a paradigm shift in our approach to food security, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The technologies are estimated to be able to produce enough protein for more than 1 billion people every year, creating a stable source of nutritious food for people living in areas with limited potential for conventional agriculture. An important goal for the two foundations is to make sure that the technologies are disseminated globally and are accessible at an affordable price in countries where they can be of greatest use. This will be ensured by global access agreements with the consortium partners. "The technologies offer a big potential to provide food security globally, especially in low- and middle- income countries. It is therefore very important that the technologies can be implemented in areas of the world where they can benefit the most at a fair cost. This is ensured with the setup of this consortium," concludes Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen. Funding and consortium partners The two foundations are each funding half of the activities in the consortium. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is funding activities at: Novozymes A/S - a global leader in biosolutions. Washington University in St. Louis. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding activities at: Topsoe A/S - a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies. The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) at Aarhus University. The total funding budget is up to DKK 200 million (27 million) and covers a two-year period. If the work in the consortium is successful, it will be possible to continue the support for later stages of the project, where the technologies can be matured even further. About the Novo Nordisk Foundation Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation's mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society. www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novo-nordisk-foundation-co2-as-a-sustainable-raw-material-in-our-future-food-production-301848332.html SENJU PHARMACEUTICAL AND NOVALIQ ENTER INTO LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR NOV03 (PERFLUOROHEXYLOCTANE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION) FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRY EYE DISEASE IN JAPAN Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a researched-based Japanese pharmaceutical company focusing the field of ophthalmology, and Novaliq GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on its unique EyeSol water-free technology, are pleased to announce the closing of a license agreement on Japan rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution), the first and only prescription treatment for signs and symptoms of dry eye disease that directly targets tear evaporation. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Novaliq as a pioneer for cutting edge water-free eye drop technology. On the basis of very unique features and unparalleled clinical data of NOV03, we strongly believe that it will provide huge clinical benefits to Japanese patients", said Shuhei Yoshida, President of Senju Pharmaceutical. NOV03 is a first-in-class, preservative-free treatment for signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Its unique mode of action directly targets tear evaporation by forming a monolayer at the air-liquid interface of the tear film. NOV03 has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the indication in multiple, adequately controlled studies in patients with a history of dry eye disease and clinical signs of Meibomian gland dysfunction. In Japan, potentially more than 5 million patients are diagnosed with dry eye disease [1] and current treatment options addressing evaporative dry eye disease or dry eye associated with clinical signs of Meibomian gland dysfunction are limited. "We are proud to partner with Senju Pharmaceutical, a leading ophthalmic company in Japan, to bring NOV03 to patients in Japan", said Dr. Christian Roesky, CEO, Novaliq. "NOV03 offers a new and unique mode of action and is clinically validated. Its safety and efficacy has been demonstrated in numerous studies in Europe, United States and China. With approximately 10 million units sold in Europe and Australia since its launch in 2015, our water-free EyeSol technology is proven to be safe and well accepted". Under the terms of the license agreement, Novaliq is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments contingent upon the achievement of regulatory and sales milestones as well as royalties on net sales of NOV03 in Japan. About NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) is a water-free, preservative-free eye drop being developed as a treatment for patients with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction. It has a novel mode of action to stabilize the tear film lipid layer and thereby protects from excessive evaporation. In addition, it has been shown to penetrate into the Meibomian glands and potentially liquify altered secretions. Four adequate and well controlled studies have demonstrated that NOV03 improves the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in patients with clinical signs of Meibomian gland dysfunction and is very well tolerated [2-5]. NOV03 is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug therapy in the USA for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease and in NDA review in China. About Senju Pharmaceutical Senju is a privately held, research-based Japanese pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes a variety of innovative products, focusing on the field of ophthalmology to improve the health and quality of vision for people worldwide through the company's products. The characters that comprise Senju's company name in Japanese language are "Sen" and "Ju", or "thousand" and "bringing happiness". Senju's mission is to improve the joy of living of people associated with the company through the development of original pharmaceutical products. Senju is headquartered in Osaka, Japan and has its subsidiaries and representative offices around the world. More on www.senju.co.jp/english/. About Novaliq Novaliq is a private biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol, the worldwide first water-free technology, using ultrapure semifluorinated alkanes (SFAs) that are physically, chemically, and physiologically inert with excellent biocompatibility and a very good safety profile. On May 18th, 2023, U.S. FDA approved MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution; formerly known as NOV03) followed by the approval of VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution, development name CyclASol) 0.1% on May 30th, 2023. In the EU, perfluorohexyloctane is registered as a medical device to treat patients with dry eye disease since 2013. The company continues to progress into other ophthalmic indications based on its validated EyeSol platform. Novaliq GmbH is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany and Novaliq Inc. has an office in Cambridge, MA, USA. The long-term shareholder is dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH Co. KG, an active investor in Life and Health Sciences companies. More on www.novaliq.com. Recommended Readings Global Data. Dry Eye Syndrome: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis Update December 2022 Tauber J, Wirta DL, Sall K, Majmudar PA, Willen D, Krosser S; SEECASE study group. A Randomized Clinical Study (SEECASE) to Assess Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of NOV03 for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Cornea. 2021 Sep 1;40(9):1132-1140 Tian L, Gao Z, Zhu L, Shi X, Zhao S, Gu H, Xu G, Wang L, Dai H, Zhang H, Jin X, Ma K, Xu Y, Ma L, Pei C, Ke B, Krosser S, Zhang Y, Jie Y. Perfluorohexyloctane Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease Associated With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Chinese Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr 1;141(4):385-392 Tauber J, Berdy GJ, Wirta DL, Krosser S, Vittitow JL; GOBI Study Group. NOV03 for Dry Eye Disease Associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Results of the Randomized Phase 3 GOBI Study. Ophthalmology. 2023 May;130(5):516-524 Sheppard JD, Kurata F, Epitropoulos AT, Krosser S, Vittitow JL; MOJAVE STUDY GROUP. NOV03 for Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease Associated With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: the Randomized Phase 3 MOJAVE Study: NOV03 for Dry Eye Disease Associated With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (69 characters; limit, 60). Am J Ophthalmol. 2023 Mar 20: S0002-9394(23)00098-3 Any product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners. 2023 Novaliq GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612304814/en/ Contacts: Novaliq Media Contact: Simone Angstmann-Mehr info@novaliq.com Senju Media Contact: Senju Communications cc@senju.co.jp Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. 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. This is a joint press release by RoodMicrotec N.V. ("RoodMicrotec" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "RoodMicrotec Group") and Microtest S.p.a. ("Microtest"), an entity incorporated under Italian law, controlled by Seven Holding 3 S. a r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of the private equity fund Xenon (as defined below), pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 Paragraphs 1 and 3, Section 5 Paragraph 1 and Section 7 Paragraph 4 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft, the "Decree") in connection with the intended recommended public offer by Microtest for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of RoodMicrotec (the "Offer", and together with the Post-Closing Restructuring (as defined below), the "Transaction"). This press release does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. Any offer will be made only by means of an offer memorandum (the "Offer Memorandum") approved by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiele Markten) (the "AFM"). This press release is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, the United States, Canada and Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. ROODMICROTEC AND MICROTEST AGREE ON RECOMMENDED ALL-CASH PUBLIC OFFER OF EUR 0.35 PER SHARE Deventer, the Netherlands, 13 June 2023, RoodMicrotec and Microtest, a well reputed player both in designing and manufacturing automated test equipment and in providing testing services, are pleased to announce that a conditional agreement (the "Merger Agreement") has been reached on a recommended public offer to be made by Microtest for all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of RoodMicrotec (each a "Share") for EUR 0.35 in cash per Share (cum dividend) (the "Offer Price"). Transaction highlights RoodMicrotec and Microtest have reached conditional agreement on a recommended all-cash public offer by Microtest for all issued and outstanding Shares in the capital of RoodMicrotec at an offer price of EUR 0.35 (cum dividend) per Share in cash. The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately 35.7% to RoodMicrotec's closing price on 12 June 2023 of EUR 0.258 per Share, and a premium of approximately 49.5%, 54.9% and 61.0% respectively over the volume-weighted average price per Share over the last three, six and twelve calendar months, respectively. The Offer for 100% of the Shares as at closing of the Offer (on a fully diluted basis, assuming all of the 7,485,000 outstanding warrants issued by RoodMicrotec (the " Warrants ") are exercised immediately prior to closing of the Offer) amounts to EUR 28.9 million. ") are exercised immediately prior to closing of the Offer) amounts to EUR 28.9 million. The Transaction is the culmination of an extensive strategic review conducted by RoodMicrotec's board of management (the " Board of Management ") and supervisory board (the " Supervisory Board ", and together with the Board of Management, the " RoodMicrotec Boards ") and creates a stronger European player in the fast-growing semiconductor market. ") and supervisory board (the " ", and together with the Board of Management, the " ") and creates a stronger European player in the fast-growing semiconductor market. The RoodMicrotec Boards unanimously and fully support the Transaction and recommend the Offer for acceptance to the shareholders of RoodMicrotec. The Offer is also supported by the members of the Board of Management (in their capacity as shareholders) and several of RoodMicrotec's large shareholders and Warrant holders, representing approximately 24.8% of the Shares as at closing of the Offer (on a fully diluted basis, assuming all Warrants are exercised immediately prior to closing of the Offer). Each of these individuals has irrevocably committed to support the Offer and tender all Shares held by it (immediately prior to closing of the Offer) in the Offer. Microtest has committed financing in place for the entire Transaction providing certainty of funds and high deal certainty. A first draft of the Offer Memorandum is expected to be submitted to the AFM in July 2023. The Offer is subject to certain customary conditions and is expected to complete in Q4 2023. Ruud van der Linden, chairman of the Supervisory Board of RoodMicrotec: "The Supervisory Board of RoodMicrotec unanimously supports the transaction and is delighted with the announcement today of the merger of RoodMicrotec with the Italian company Microtest. We strongly believe that the merger is a win-win for all the stakeholders of both RoodMicrotec and Microtest. This transaction is fully in line with the strategy we pursued with RoodMicrotec for the last couple of years, to aim for autonomous growth while at the same time explore the semiconductor industry market and look for a significant larger ecosystem to join, supporting the future growth of RoodMicrotec. We believe that we have found that ecosystem in a merger with Microtest, an entity that is backboned by Xenon with the strategy to invest in growth of such a larger ecosystem." Martin Sallenhag, CEO of RoodMicrotec: "RoodMicrotec has achieved a lot during the last years where we have added new customers, extended engagements with present customers, increased revenue and cleared up the balance sheet. We are now very well positioned for the next step in building a larger and more efficient company. To be able to do this there is a need to be part of a bigger entity to make use of economies of scale as well as a better position towards customers and suppliers. The merger with Microtest and the expansion plan provided by Xenon will put the new entity in a very strong position to be a major player in the growing market in Europe. We are thrilled to be able to join on this journey towards something better for the future." Franco Prestigiacomo, Chairman of Microtest and CEO of Xenon: "Together with Microtest's CEOs, Giuseppe Amelio and Moreno Lupi, we are committed to setting a clear path for our internationalisation strategy, which is only just beginning. With RoodMicrotec, we are adding a key piece to our growth strategy, not only in terms of revenue, but also in terms of scale. We want to drive synergies to create an integrated European group specialised in manufacturing ATE, OSAT and fabless microchips. Our objective is to maintain the current RoodMicrotec corporate structure and to better integrate the technologies of both companies in order to ensure even better performance for our customers, which I expect will increase significantly after the closing of this transaction." Strategic rationale The Transaction is the culmination of an extensive strategic review conducted by the RoodMicrotec Boards in the last couple of years, which concluded that RoodMicrotec' growth potential is hampered by the relatively extensive costs and other non-business-related requirements of operating in a public environment as a listed entity. Also, the current size of RoodMicrotec does not allow substantial investments and capital expenditure in pursuit of strong growth, without obtaining considerable financial obligations. Becoming part of a larger ecosystem will give RoodMicrotec more 'firepower' to realise targeted growth and create a higher shareholder value. Microtest is a well reputed player both in designing and manufacturing automated test equipment and in providing testing services. It is an entity controlled by Seven Holding 3 S. a r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of the private equity fund Xenon Private Equity VII SCA SICAV RAIF ("Xenon"), which is managed by Xenon AIFM S.A, a leading mid-cap private equity fund with 33+ years of experience and 175+ investments. RoodMicrotec believes the sustainable and long-term success of RoodMicrotec can be enhanced under Microtest's ownership as it will be part of a larger ecosystem in the semiconductor industry. Moreover, having a single shareholder and operating without a public listing will increase RoodMicrotec Group's ability to achieve the goals and implement the actions of its strategy. With Microtest and Xenon, RoodMicrotec will have a financially sound owner, with a strong track record in supporting entrepreneurial businesses and a wealth of experience in the semiconductor industry. Microtest fully supports RoodMicrotec's growth strategy maintaining the focus on RoodMicrotec's chosen technologies and services. Furthermore, the aggregation of Microtest and RoodMicrotec will allow the companies to better serve their customers' increasingly sophisticated needs and to be in a better position to deal with the complex and growing semiconductor market. Full and unanimous support and recommendation by the RoodMicrotecBoards Consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities, the RoodMicrotec Boards have followed a thorough and careful process in which they have frequently monitored and discussed the developments. Consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities, the RoodMicrotec Boards, with the support of their outside financial and legal advisors, have given careful consideration to all relevant aspects of the Transaction, including the rationale for the Transaction, the interests of all of RoodMicrotec's stakeholders, the Offer Price, the Non-Financial Covenants (as defined below) and other terms of the Transaction. After due and careful consideration, the Boards consider the Transaction to be in the interest of RoodMicrotec and to promote the sustainable success of its business, taking into account the interests of its stakeholders. Accordingly, the Boards have unanimously resolved to support the Transaction, recommend the Offer for acceptance by the holders of Shares and recommend to RoodMicrotec's shareholders to vote in favour of the resolutions relating to the Transaction (the "Resolutions") at an extraordinary general meeting of RoodMicrotec's shareholders (the "General Meeting"), to be held during the acceptance period of the Offer (the "EGM"), each in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement (the "Recommendation"). The Recommendation will be included in the position statement of RoodMicrotec which will be published simultaneously with the publication of the Offer Memorandum. Fairness Opinion AXECO Corporate Finance has issued a fairness opinion to the RoodMicrotec Boards to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the qualifications, limitations, and assumptions set forth in the fairness opinion, (i) the Offer Price in the Offer is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Shares, and (ii) the purchase price payable in the Share Sale (as defined below) is fair, from a financial point of view, to Company Holdco (as defined below). The full text of the fairness opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, will be included in RoodMicrotec's position statement. The opinion of AXECO Corporate Finance has been given to the RoodMicrotec Boards, and not to the holders of Shares. As such, the fairness opinion does not contain a recommendation to the holders of Shares as to whether they should tender their Shares under the Offer (if and when made) or how they should vote or act with respect to the Resolutions or any other matter. Irrevocable undertakings The Offer is supported by several of RoodMicrotec's substantial shareholders and warrant holders, together representing approximately 24.8% of the Shares as at closing of the Offer (on a fully diluted basis, assuming all Warrants are exercised immediately prior to closing of the Offer). Each relevant shareholder has irrevocably committed to Microtest to support the Offer and tender all Shares held by it (immediately prior to closing of the Offer) in the Offer. Furthermore, all large holders of Warrants have, subject to the Offer being declared unconditional, irrevocably committed to either (i) assign their Warrants to Microtest or (ii) exercise their Warrants and to tender the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants. In accordance with the applicable public offer rules, any information shared with these individuals about the Offer shall, if not published prior to the Offer Memorandum being made generally available, be included in the Offer Memorandum in respect of the Offer (if and when issued) and these shareholders will tender their Shares on the same terms and conditions as the other shareholders. Fully committed financing for the Transaction The Offer values RoodMicrotec at approximately EUR 28.9 million (on a fully diluted basis, assuming all Warrants are exercised immediately prior to closing of the Offer). Microtest has available cash resources and equity commitments in place to finance the Offer. In this context, Microtest has received equity commitment letters from entities managed, controlled and/or advised by Xenon, which are fully committed. Microtest has no reason to believe that the required cash resources will not be available or that any conditions to the equity financing will not be fulfilled on or prior to settlement of the Offer. Non-Financial Covenants RoodMicrotec and Microtest have agreed to certain covenants in respect of, amongst others, strategy, structure and governance, financing, employees and minority shareholders for a duration of one year in general after settlement of the Offer (the "Non-Financial Covenants"), including the covenants summarised below. Strategy Microtest shall support and respect RoodMicrotec's current business strategy as described in RoodMicrotec's annual report for the financial year ending 31 December 2022 (the "Strategy"). RoodMicrotec shall continue to be a state of the art and one-stop-shop service company for clients in the semiconductor industry, offering supply chain management, wafer & component testing, and qualification & failure analysis for companies in the application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) value chain, a highly valued partner to clients who wish to launch high-quality semiconductor devices globally and recognised player with a strong brand name and market position. Following settlement of the Offer, Microtest shall work with RoodMicrotec to grow the business in a manner that reflects the Strategy and Microtest undertakes to set up a financial framework, including sufficient levels of cash, that supports the realisation of the Strategy. Structure and governance The current governance structure with a two-tier board will be maintained. After successful completion of the Offer, the current members of the Board of Management, Mr. Martin Sallenhag (CEO) and Mr. Arvid Ladega (CFO), shall continue to serve as members of the Management Board, with Mr. Luca Civita joining the Board of Management as Chief Integration Officer. It is envisaged that, immediately following settlement of the Offer, the Supervisory Board will be composed of: (i) three members nominated by Microtest, Mr. Giuseppe Amelio, Mr. Franco Prestigiacomo and Mr. Stefano Calabro and (ii) Mr. Ruud van der Linden (chair) and Mr. Marc Verstraeten, both (who will continue to serve on the Supervisory Board as "Independent SB Members"). The affirmative vote of the two independent Supervisory Board members shall be required in respect of any new Management Board appointments or of replacement of Messrs. Sallenhag, Ladega and Civita. The two Independent SB Members will be tasked in particular with monitoring compliance with the Non-Financial Covenants, and any deviation from the Non-Financial Covenants will require the approval of the Supervisory Board, including the affirmative vote of the two Independent SB Members. Microtest shall not break up the RoodMicrotec Group or its business units, other than by way of a strategic reorganisation or re-grouping of its activities. Microtest does not intend to pursue any divestments (other than the Post-Closing Restructuring). RoodMicrotec or its legal successor, together with their respective subsidiaries, will have their own operating and reporting structure. The management of RoodMicrotec or its legal successor remains responsible for managing the RoodMicrotec Group and its businesses, subject to applicable rules and regulations. RoodMicrotec's Dutch finance function shall be maintained in the Deventer area. The operations in Nordlingen and Stuttgart, Germany, shall be maintained and Microtest is committed to further grow the operations at these locations. The major brand and product names of the RoodMicrotec Group in all relevant markets and the name of RoodMicrotec and the RoodMicrotec Group companies shall remain unchanged. The RoodMicrotec Group shall be allowed to maintain its corporate identity, values and culture. Financing Microtest shall procure that the RoodMicrotec Group will remain prudently capitalised and financed to safeguard the continuity of the business, also taking into account any dividends paid out, and the execution of the Strategy. Employees The existing rights and benefits of the employees of the RoodMicrotec Group will be respected, as will the RoodMicrotec Group's current employee consultation structure and existing arrangements with any employee representative body within the RoodMicrotec Group. No reduction of the workforce of the RoodMicrotec Group is envisaged as a direct consequence of the Transaction or completion thereof. Commencement conditions and Offer conditions Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the commencement of the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following commencement conditions, customary for a transaction of this kind: no material breach of the Merger Agreement having occurred that has not been timely remedied; no amendment or withdrawal of the Recommendation having occurred; no material adverse effect having occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement; no Superior Offer (as defined below) having been announced or made; no mandatory offer pursuant to article 5:70 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht; " DFSA ") for all the issued Shares with a consideration that is at least equal to the Offer Price having been announced or made; ") for all the issued Shares with a consideration that is at least equal to the Offer Price having been announced or made; the AFM having approved the Offer Memorandum; no order, stay, judgment or decree having been issued by any regulatory authority that remains in full force and effect, and no regulatory authority has enacted any law, statute, rule, regulation, governmental order or injunction (any of the foregoing, a " Governmental or Court Order "), which in each case restraints or prohibits the making of the Offer in any material respect; "), which in each case restraints or prohibits the making of the Offer in any material respect; no notification having been received from the AFM stating that the Offer has been prepared or announced in violation of the provisions of chapter 5.5 of the DFSA or the Decree and that, pursuant to Section 5:80 paragraph 2 of the DFSA, investment firms will not be allowed to cooperate with the Offer; and trading in the Shares on Euronext Amsterdam not having been suspended or ended by Euronext Amsterdam. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if and when made, the Offer will be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following Offer conditions, customary for a transaction of this kind: minimum acceptance level of at least 95% of RoodMicrotec's issued and outstanding ordinary share capital (geplaatst en uitstaand gewoon aandelenkapitaal) as the closing of the Offer, which percentage will be automatically adjusted to 80% if the General Meeting has adopted the Resolutions relating to the Post-Closing Restructuring and such Resolutions are in full force and effect on the closing date; no material breach of the Merger Agreement having occurred that has not been timely remedied; no amendment or withdrawal of the Recommendation having occurred; no material adverse effect having occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement; no Superior Offer having been announced or made; no mandatory offer pursuant to article 5:70 DFSA for all the issued Shares with a consideration that is at least equal to the Offer Price having been announced or made; no Governmental or Court Order being in effect that restraints or prohibits the consummation of the Transaction in any material respect; no notification having been received from the AFM stating that the Offer has been prepared, announced or made in violation of the provisions of chapter 5.5 of the DFSA or the Decree and that, pursuant to section 5:80 paragraph 2 of the DFSA, investment firms will not be allowed to cooperate with the Offer; trading in the Shares on Euronext Amsterdam not having been suspended or ended by Euronext Amsterdam; and the General Meeting having adopted the Resolutions which will be voted on at the EGM and the Resolutions being in full force and effect. The Offer conditions will have to be satisfied or waived ultimately on 30 April 2024. Post-Closing Restructuring Microtest and RoodMicrotec believe that having the RoodMicrotec Group operate in a wholly-owned set up without a listing on Euronext Amsterdam is better for the sustainable success of its business and long-term value creation. This belief is based, inter alia, on: the fact that having a single shareholder and operating without a public listing increases the RoodMicrotec Group's ability to achieve the goals and implement the actions of its strategy and reduces the RoodMicrotec Group's costs; the ability of RoodMicrotec and Microtest to terminate the listing of the Shares from Euronext Amsterdam, and all resulting cost savings therefrom; the ability to achieve an efficient capital structure (both from a tax and financing perspective); the ability to implement and focus on achieving long-term strategic goals of RoodMicrotec, as opposed to short-term performance driven by periodic reporting obligations; and as part of long-term strategic objectives the ability to focus on pursuing and supporting (by providing access to equity and debt capital) continued buy-and-build acquisition opportunities as and when they arise. Microtest and RoodMicrotec will seek to procure the delisting of the Shares from Euronext Amsterdam, as soon as practicable after the ending of the post-closing acceptance period of the Offer (the "Post-Closing Acceptance Period"). If, after the Post-Closing Acceptance Period, Microtest holds at least 95% of the Shares, Microtest will as soon as possible commence a compulsory acquisition procedure or a takeover buy-out procedure to obtain 100% of the Shares. If, after the Post-Closing Acceptance Period, Microtest holds less than 95%, but at least 80% of the Shares, Microtest intends to acquire the entire business of the RoodMicrotec Group for an amount equal to the Offer Price, pursuant to: a legal triangular merger of the RoodMicrotec Group into a newly incorporated wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of RoodMicrotec (" Company Sub "), with a newly incorporated wholly-owned direct subsidiary of RoodMicrotec (" Company Holdco ", the sole shareholder of Company Sub) allotting shares to holders of the Shares in a 1:1 exchange ratio and upon which RoodMicrotec will cease to exist and the Shares' admission to listing and trading on Euronext Amsterdam will terminate (the " Triangular Merger "); "), with a newly incorporated wholly-owned direct subsidiary of RoodMicrotec (" ", the sole shareholder of Company Sub) allotting shares to holders of the Shares in a 1:1 exchange ratio and upon which RoodMicrotec will cease to exist and the Shares' admission to listing and trading on Euronext Amsterdam will terminate (the " "); a subsequent share sale pursuant to which Company Holdco will sell and transfer the outstanding Company Sub share(s) to Microtest (the " Share Sale "); and "); and a subsequent dissolution and liquidation of Company Holdco (the "Liquidation" and, together with the Triangular Merger and the Share Sale, the "Post-Closing Restructuring"). Microtest will, with the cooperation of RoodMicrotec, ensure that the liquidator of Company Holdco arranges for an advance liquidation distribution to the shareholders of Company Holdco, which is intended to take place on or about the date of the closing of the Share Sale and will result in a payment per share equal to the Offer Price, without any interest and less applicable withholding taxes or other taxes. The Post-Closing Restructuring is subject to the approval of the General Meeting, which will be sought at the EGM. If, after the Post-Closing Acceptance Period, Microtest holds less than 95% of the Shares, Microtest may effect or cause to effect other restructurings of the RoodMicrotec Group for the purpose of achieving an optimal operational, legal, financial or fiscal structure, all in accordance with applicable laws and the terms of the Merger Agreement. Exclusivity and Superior Offer As part of the Merger Agreement, RoodMicrotec has entered into customary undertakings not to solicit third party offers. If the RoodMicrotec Boards determine that RoodMicrotec has received from a bona fide third party a written and binding unsolicited proposal relating to a public offer for all Shares (on a fully diluted basis, assuming all Warrants are exercised), a sale of all or a substantial part of the assets or business of the RoodMicrotec Group or any other transaction that could result in a change of control of RoodMicrotec or all or a substantial part of the RoodMicrotec Group's business or otherwise prevent the Transaction from being consummated, which in the good faith opinion of the RoodMicrotec Boards is on balance more beneficial to the RoodMicrotec Group and the sustainable success of its business than the Transaction and the consideration of which exceeds the Offer Price as included in this press release by at least EUR 0.04 (a "Superior Offer"), RoodMicrotec will promptly notify Microtest in writing thereof. In such case, Microtest has the opportunity to match such Superior Offer within ten business days. If Microtest timely submits to RoodMicrotec a revised offer in writing that the RoodMicrotec Boards determine to be, on balance, at least equally beneficial to RoodMicrotec and the sustainable success of is business as the Superior Offer, RoodMicrotec will not accept the Superior Offer and Microtest and RoodMicrotec will remain bound to the Merger Agreement. If Microtest does not timely match the Superior Offer or informs RoodMicrotec that it does not wish to match the Superior Offer, RoodMicrotec will be entitled to (conditionally) agree to the Superior Offer, in which case each of Microtest and RoodMicrotec may terminate the Merger Agreement. Termination If the Merger Agreement is terminated by Microtest because (i) RoodMicrotec has agreed to a Superior Offer or (ii) the Boards have amended or withdrawn their Recommendation, or (iii) RoodMicrotec has materially breached the Merger Agreement and such breach is incapable of being remedied or has not been remedied, RoodMicrotec shall pay Microtest an amount of EUR 600,000. If the Merger Agreement is terminated by RoodMicrotec because (i) Microtest has materially breached the Merger Agreement and such breach is incapable of being remedied or has not been remedied, or (ii) all commencement conditions have been satisfied or waived and Microtest has failed to timely make the Offer or all Offer conditions having been satisfied or waived and the settlement of the Offer not having occurred timely, Microtest shall pay RoodMicrotec an amount of EUR 1 million. These rights to payment are without prejudice to the right of Microtest or RoodMicrotec to demand specific performance of the Merger Agreement. Timing and Next Steps Microtest will launch the Offer as soon as practically possible and in accordance with the applicable statutory timetable, subject to satisfaction or waiver of the pre-offer conditions. Microtest will submit a first draft of the Offer Memorandum to the AFM as soon as practicable. The Offer Memorandum will be published shortly after approval, which is expected to occur in Q3 2023, subject to satisfaction or waiver of the commencement conditions. RoodMicrotec will hold the EGM at least six business days before the Offer period ends, in accordance with section 18, paragraph 1 of the Decree, to inform its shareholders about the Transaction and to adopt the Resolutions (including with respect to the Post-Closing Restructuring). Based on the required steps and subject to the necessary approvals, RoodMicrotec and Microtest anticipate that the Offer will close in Q4 2023. Advisors On behalf of Microtest, Rothschild & Co is acting as sole financial advisor and Linklaters LLP is acting as legal counsel. AXECO Corporate Finance B.V. is acting as RoodMicrotec's sole financial advisor and Bird & Bird (Netherlands) LLP is acting as RoodMicrotec's legal counsel. About RoodMicrotec With more than 50 years of experience in the semiconductor and electronics industry, RoodMicrotec is a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services. RoodMicrotec is a highly valued partner for many companies worldwide and offers specifically tailored turnkey solutions for each single customer's requirements. The turnkey services include project management, wafer test, assembly, final test, qualification, failure analysis, and logistics. All services provided by RoodMicrotec meet the high quality standards of the automotive, industrial, healthcare, and high reliability aerospace sectors. RoodMicrotec is headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands, with operational units in Nordlingen and Stuttgart, Germany. For more information please visit https://www.roodmicrotec.com. About Microtest Microtest is a well reputed player both in designing and manufacturing automated test equipment and in providing testing services. It is an entity incorporated under Italian law, controlled by Seven Holding 3 S.a r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of the private equity fund Xenon, a leading mid-cap private equity fund with 33+ years of experience and 175+ investments. The current CEOs, Giuseppe Amelio and Moreno Lupi, have been leading Microtest since its foundation in 1999 in Altopascio (Lucca). Over time, Microtest has become a technological partner of some of the world's leading microchip manufacturers, skilled in developing innovative solutions, thanks to a solid engineering team and good production flexibility. In 2004, Microtest started the design and production of Automatic Test Equipment (the systems used in the semiconductor industry for electronic components and wafter testing) for several applications such as avionics and cars' electronic modules, radar and wireless communications for defense and medical devices. Few years later Microtest broadened its scope by offering also "test house" services furthermore enhanced with a direct presence in the Far East following the opening of a subsidiary in Malaysia in 2018. In April 2022, Xenon Private Equity acquired a majority stake in Microtest, spurring its international expansion strategy. Microtest has reached more than 30 million in revenues in 2022, with an Ebitda margin above 38%. Microtest commercial network and customer service is spread over the US, Europe, and Asia. In 2023 Microtest acquired Test Inspire, a highly innovative Dutch company focused on Automatic Testing Equipment. For more information please visit https://www.microtest.net. Disclaimer This is a joint press release by RoodMicrotec and Microtest pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 Paragraphs 1 and 3, Section 5 Paragraph 1 and Section 7 Paragraph 4 of the Decree and contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information in this press release is not intendedto be complete. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, RoodMicrotec andMicrotest disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither RoodMicrotec nor Microtest, nor any of their respective advisors, assumes any responsibility for any violation of any of these restrictions. Any RoodMicrotec shareholder who is in any doubt as to his or her position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. This announcement is not to be published or distributed in or to the United States, Canada or Japan. The information in the press release is not intended to be complete. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire the securities of RoodMicrotec in any jurisdiction. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements," such as statements relating to the impact of this Offer on RoodMicrotec andMicrotest and the targeted timeline for the Offer. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words "anticipated,""expected" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although RoodMicrotec andMicrotest believe that the assumptions upon which their respective financial information and their respective forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions, Microtest's ability to successfully operate RoodMicrotec without disruption to its other business activities, Microtest's ability to achieve the anticipated results from the acquisition of RoodMicrotec, the effects of competition, economic conditions in the global markets in which RoodMicrotec operates, and other factors that can be found in RoodMicrotec's and/orMicrotest's press releases and public filings. Neither RoodMicrotec nor Microtest, nor any of their respective advisors, accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business, results of operations or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of RoodMicrotec and Microtest expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Attachment Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2:00 am ET Tuesday, the Office for National Statistics releases U.K. labor market data. The jobless rate is forecast to rise to 4.0 percent in April, from 3.9 percent in the preceding period. Ahead of the data, the pound showed mixed trading against its major rivals. While the pound rose against the U.S. dollar and the yen, it fell against the euro and the Swiss franc. As of 1:55 am ET, the pound was trading at 0.8610 against the euro, 1.1356 against the Swiss franc, 1.2538 against the U.S. dollar and 174.79 against the yen. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. Regulatory News: Press Release June 13th, 2023 Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) is happy to announce Corby Spirit and Wine (Corby) is to acquire a 90% stake in Ace Beverage Group (ABG), the largest independent player of the fast-growing Canadian ready-to-drink (RTD) market, at an Enterprise Value of CAD$165m. Corby will have a path to full ownership of ABG through a series of two call options on the remaining shares, exercisable in 2025 and 2028. Established in 2020, through the merger of Cottage Springs (founded 2013) and Ace Hill (founded 2015), Ace Beverage Group has become a Canadian RTD leader. Its flagship brand Cottage Springs is the leading RTD brand in Ontario, with bestselling products that include Cottage Springs Vodka Soda, Vodka Water and Tequila Soda. ABG also boasts a rich and diversified portfolio of other brands such as, Ace Hill, Cabana Coast and Liberty Village. This acquisition enables Corby to add scale, expertise, agility and efficiencies in the dynamic Canadian RTD category. Canada is indeed one of the top global RTD markets and RTDs are one of the fastest growing beverage alcohol categories, enjoying +20% year on year growth between 2016 and 2021, and expected to pursue double-digit rate increases in coming years1 Additionally, ABG will benefit from Corby's powerful and extensive distribution network to support its brands in further growing their presence across Canada. "Corby's sustained growth, as well as Pernod Ricard's, relies on our ability to bring even more exciting choices to our consumers, by continually expanding into new and promising categories. RTDs are one such category and we are excited to partner with such visionary entrepreneurs to further develop our rich portfolio of RTDs now made up of ABG, Corby and Pernod Ricard brands," said Nicolas Krantz, President and CEO of Corby. "With ABG, Corby becomes a key player in the Canadian RTD market, giving the scale and synergies needed in this category. It is well aligned with our ambition of building a global RTD business and capture our fair share," added Fredrik Syren, Global Managing Director of RTD Convenience at Pernod Ricard. "We are thrilled to join Corby, and are extremely proud of Ace's journey and accomplishments to date. As we begin this next chapter, we believe the combined expertise, experience and resources will help our businesses take the next step in our shared ambition of continuing to develop industry-leading beverages for consumers," said Cam McDonald, Co-Founder of Ace Beverage Group. About Corby Corby is Canada's second largest marketer and distributor of spirits wines, and is majority owned by Pernod Ricard. The company owns or represents many of the 25 top-selling brands in the country and support its brands with innovative and award-winning marketing campaigns and events. In addition to sales across Canada, Corby products are also exported for sale to the United States, Europe and other international markets. Corby's portfolio includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's, Lot No.40, Pike Creek and Gooderham Worts Canadian whiskies. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard, Corby also represents leading international brands such as Absolut vodka, Chivas Regal, Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Ballantine's Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey and Beefeater gin. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to 10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard's portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. The Group's mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing "Good Times from a Good Place", in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricard's decentralized organization empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its "Conviviality Platform", a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. ______________________ 1 According to IWSR figures View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612019927/en/ Contacts: Pernod Ricard Investor relations Florence Tresarrieu Global SVP Investors Relations and Treasury +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03 Edward Mayle Investor Relations Director +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13 Charly Montet Investor Relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13 Media Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34 Anu Rao Pernod Ricard NA SVP Communications S/R +1 917 880 94 60 Corby contacts Valerie Brive-Turtle Senior Director, Communications and PR +1 416 705 8013 ABG Cam McDonald +1 416-400-2023 Powens' cutting-edge Open Finance platform will help Italy's financial sector embrace digital transformation and unlock next-gen customer experiences. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612025886/en/ Powens Launches in Italy (Photo credits: Powens) Consumers expect almost everything to be done digitally these days. Whether it's to open a bank account or request a line of credit, they want to be able to go from "point A to point B" in the fewest clicks possible-typically, via a mobile device. Unfortunately, many financial institutions still don't offer their customers the kind of digital experiences they've grown to expect. Fortunately, this is about to change in Italy. Today, Powens, Europe's Open Finance leader, is bringing its Open Finance expertise as well as its full suite of industry-leading Open Finance solutions to Italy, empowering banks and financial institutions to harness the potential of Open Finance to create customer experiences that boost engagement, increase conversion, and drive customer loyalty. Italy is ready to harness the power of Open Finance Over the past few years, Italy's financial landscape has experienced a renaissance all of its own, driven by a combination of timely regulatory changes, a strong and rapidly growing fintech ecosystem, and increased consumer demand for innovative, streamlined, and effective digital banking services. Coupled with the country's large, digitally-savvy population, it becomes the perfect backdrop for Open Finance to make its mark. The growth potential for Open Finance in Italy was further reinforced in the recently released The Global Open Finance Report. In the report, CBI and PwC found that the overall number of unique users for Open Finance-fueled Account Information Services (AIS) has grown by 64% since June 2021 and by a whopping 564% since June 2020. Taking that one step further, account aggregation services were most often used by consumers with only one additional account; however, since June 2021, the greatest growth potential (+28%) stems from consumers looking to aggregate more than three additional accounts-thereby signifying a desire among Italian consumers to simplify and streamline their financial lives. These numbers prove one thing: the time is now for banks and financial institutions in Italy to take full advantage of the Open Finance revolution that has seen meaningful digital transformation take hold in many of Europe's leading financial markets. By establishing a solid presence in Italy, Powens has a unique opportunity to lean into Italy's already robust digital infrastructure and build partnerships with the country's leading financial institutions, helping them not only deploy next-gen customer experiences but also close the Open Finance gap that currently exists between Italy and its European counterparts. The expansion of Powens' European footprint into Italy is a proactive step in both helping the country's financial services sector meet the ever-evolving needs of Italian consumers and reinforcing its longstanding commitment to unlocking the potential and promise of Open Finance technologies to all corners of Europe and beyond. Work is already underway with a handful of local customers who are ready to be Italy's Open Finance pioneers. Case studies showcasing their success will be shared in the coming weeks. Powens: Europe's definitive Open Finance leader While Open Finance may seem like a relatively new concept for some within the financial services industry, for decades Powens has led the Open Finance movement in Europe. Powens' deep technical and regulatory expertise has led to the creation of fully-compliant, next-gen Open Finance solutions-that streamline, automate, and improve processes like customer onboarding, identity verification, real-time credit scoring, and instant payments-while also significantly reducing (user) error and minimizing the risk of fraud. "In just a little over 10 years, we've not only established Powens as Europe's definitive Open Finance leader, but we've also created a robust dialogue around the power of Open Finance to fuel much-needed digital transformation across the financial services industry," says Bertrand Jeannet, Powens CEO. "Our goal is to continue growing our presence so that we can give financial institutions in every country across Europe-and well beyond-an easy and effective way to take advantage of everything that Open Finance has to offer." But creating cutting-edge Open Finance solutions is only part of the equation. Powens' has earned its leadership position across Europe by being a trusted voice for its customers in front of European regulatory bodies. As a best practice, the Powens team actively solicits customer feedback to not only inform and influence regulatory decisions but also anticipate rapidly changing market (and consumer) dynamics to fuel its innovation pipeline. For these reasons, Powens is well-positioned to help financial institutions across Italy get ahead of the Open Finance curve. "Growing adoption of Open Finance technology has brought digital transformation to Italy's financial landscape, sparking rapid innovation, increasing competition, and even motivating banks and fintechs to collaborate to develop personalized financial services, streamlined payments, enhanced safety measures, and well beyond," explains Daniele Zini, Business Development Director at Powens. "But there's still a lot of room for growth-and Powens is ready to lead Italy into the Open Finance future." Europe's financial and tech leaders trust Powens Powens' client roster boasts over 260 banks and financial institutions across Europe, in addition to disruptive tech companies and industry-leading software vendors. Although each customer taps into a tailor-made combination of Powens' Open Finance solutions differently to address a variety of end-user needs, there's nonetheless a common thread among them all: Powens has enabled them to embrace digital transformation to create automated, efficient, and frictionless customer journeys that fuel business growth. From aggregating multiple financial data sources to verifying customer identity to streamlining payments, Powens' end-to-end Open Finance platform can help banks and financial institutions in Italy compete at the global level in terms of customer experience. Ready to learn how easy it is to bring your business into the Open Finance future? Schedule a demo to learn more about Powens' cutting-edge Open Finance platform. Contact us About Powens Powens was founded in 2012 in Paris, France, as one of the few Open Finance pioneers for B2B customers in Europe. Today, the cutting-edge Open Finance Platform empowers over 260 leading financial services companies to automate processes, improve risk management, shorten time to decisions, and enrich customer insight. Powens' powerful end-to-end Open Finance platform not only makes it possible to access the most accurate financial data from multiple sources-checking and savings accounts, loans, investments, and assets-in a fully-compliant way, but it also provides solutions to streamline customer onboarding, enable credit decision-making, and automate invoicing and payments. The company was originally founded as Budget Insight and rebranded to "Powens" in 2022 to pave the way for its ambitious international growth strategy. The company is a licensed Account Information and Payment Initiation Services provider with a passport to operate throughout the EU. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612025886/en/ Contacts: Powens Press Cecile Abescat Head of Marketing Communications cecile.abescat@powens.com +33 6 82 27 61 90 - Results from the largest European and first multicenter, retrospective, observational chart review study investigating the real-world use of ECP in heart transplant patients reinforce its use as a treatment for heart transplant rejection and prevention of rejection1 - DUBLIN, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE American: MNK), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the publication of findings from a retrospective, observational, single arm, European chart review study assessing the real-world use of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and its impact on clinical outcomes in the modern era of heart transplantation.1 An online version of the data manuscript - the largest-known study of ECP in heart transplant patients - is currently published on the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation website in advance of print publication in the second half of 2023. Interim results of this study were presented in a late-breaking session at the 20th Congress of the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) in 2021 in Milan, Italy.2 The study, titled "European Multicenter Study on The Real-World Use and Clinical Impact of Extracorporeal Photopheresis After Heart Transplantation," examined data from the medical charts of 105 patients who received ECP following heart transplantation at seven medical centers in Austria, Germany, France, Hungary, and Italy between 2015 - 2021. At time of data extraction, 58 patients (55.2%) had completed their ECP treatment and 47 patients' (44.8%) ECP treatment was ongoing.1 "These findings from the largest European and first multicenter study investigating the real-world use of ECP in heart transplant patients support ECP as a treatment for various types of graft rejection and in prevention of graft rejection with varied treatment schedules,1" said Markus Barten, M.D., Surgical Director of Heart Failure Clinic, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg. "This data not only builds upon the growing body of real-world evidence supporting the use of ECP in heart transplant patients, but also reflects the importance of supporting clinicians with treatment modalities for transplant rejection and stabilization.1" About the Study1 Mean age of patients at start of ECP was 47.7 (SD 14.4) years (min. 16 years to max. 74 years), and most patients (70.5%) were male. They were followed for a mean time of 25.1 (SD 16.8) months from ECP treatment initiation to last visit at the transplant center (follow-up time for outcome overall survival). Mean time from ECP treatment initiation to last visit right censored at 2 years after the end of ECP treatment was 22.5 (SD 13.7) months (follow-up time for outcomes graft function, response, and complications). Cardiomyopathy was the primary reason for heart transplantation (n=81 patients; 77.1%), followed by coronary heart disease (n=11 patients; 10.5%), heart valve disease (n=5 patients; 4.8%), and myocarditis (n=5 patients; 4.8%). The main reason to start ECP treatment was acute cellular rejection (ACR; n=37 patients; 35.2%), followed by prevention of rejection (n=34 patients; 32.4%), mixed rejection (n=19 patients; 18.1%), and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR; n=15 patients; 14.3%). The prevention of rejection subgroup included patients who started ECP treatment without biopsy-proven rejection and with standard or reduced immunosuppressive therapy. Key Findings1 Graft function was stable for almost all patients throughout the study who completed ECP and had graft function change assessed (97.2%; n=35/36). In patients who started ECP to treat ACR, AMR or mixed rejection (n=26), completed ECP treatment and had a biopsy at the start and end of treatment, 92.3% (n=24) were classified as responders, having demonstrated an improvement of ACR and/or AMR International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) grading after a mean ECP treatment duration of 5.4 months. The remaining patients had stable grades. In patients who started ECP to prevent rejection (n=34), 88.2% (n=30) remained free from any rejection over a mean follow-up of 26 months despite being considered at high risk for rejection and reduced immunosuppressive therapy. All patients started ECP treatment while on immunosuppressive therapy, and almost all remained on immunosuppressants until last reported visit prior to data extraction. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate derivatives were the most frequently used immunosuppressants. The number of patients on steroid therapy decreased slightly over time. Among patients with ongoing ECP treatment who remained on steroid therapy (n=34), steroid dose was reduced on average by 63.0% from start of ECP to last reported visit for 41.2% (n=14) of patients. Steroid dose increased for 5.9% (n=2) of patients and was stable in 52.9% (n=18) of patients. Among patients who completed ECP treatment and remained on steroid therapy (n=42), steroid dose was reduced on average by 67.0% from start of ECP to last reported visit for 52.4% (n=22) of patients. Steroid dose increased for 4.8% (n=2) of patients and was stable in 42.9% (n=18) of patients. Amongst the 19 patients in the prevention group, 16 (84.2%) received tacrolimus at the start of ECP and last reported visit. In 11/16 patients, tacrolimus trough levels were available of which 7 (63.6%) patients experienced an average trough level decrease of 34.0%. Amongst the 19 patients in the prevention group, 14 (70.4%) received mycophenolate derivatives at the start of ECP and last reported visit. In 4/14 patients, mycophenolate doses were available of which 100% of patients remained on stable mycophenolate derivate dose. Seventeen of 105 included patients (16.2%) experienced a complication after ECP treatment initiation, the most common of which was infections (n=13, 12.4%). Four of 105 patients (3.8%) experienced an endocrine/respiratory/blood/cardiac disorder, 2 patients (1.9%) an intolerance of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy, and 1 patient (1.0%) an acute kidney injury. Overall survival was 95.2% (n=100) over a mean follow-up of 25.1 (SD 16.8) months. Of the 5 deceased patients, 3 (60.0%) died with a functioning graft and 4 (80.0%) died after end of ECP treatment. No deaths were related to ECP. No major safety events occurred. Eighteen of 105 included patients (17.1%) had at least one ECP-related safety event, the most common of which was complications with venous access (n=13; 12.4%). Two (15.4%, n=2/13) patients stopped their ECP treatment as a result. Furthermore, 6/105 patients (5.7%) had ECP-related anemia, 3 patients (2.9%) ECP-related hypotension, 1 patient (1.0%) ECP-related fever, and 2 patients (1.9%) had an unspecified ECP-related safety event, but none of them discontinued their ECP treatment as a result. Limitations1 The effectiveness of ECP in comparison with other treatment options was not assessed due to the descriptive, single-arm design of this study. Study limitations include that data generation for this observational study was not standardized. Patient examination schedules varied and not all data were available at all centers. No source data verification was performed and therefore, transmission errors cannot be excluded. Not all demonstrated benefits may be solely attributable to ECP treatment, as transplanted patients may have received multiple therapies at time of ECP treatment. In patients with AMR or mixed rejection, ECP is commonly used in combination with other treatments. This study was funded by Mallinckrodt. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE THERAKOS PHOTOPHERESIS PROCEDURE Indications The THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is indicated for the administration of photopheresis. Please refer to the appropriate product labelling for a complete list of warnings and precautions. Contraindications THERAKOS Photopheresis is contraindicated in: Patients possessing a specific history of light sensitive disease Patients who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss or who have white blood cell counts greater than 25,000 / mm 3 Patients who have coagulation disorders or who have previously had a splenectomy Warnings and Precautions THERAKOS Photopheresis treatments should always be performed in locations where standard medical emergency equipment is available. Volume replacement fluids and/or volume expanders should be readily available throughout the procedure. Safety in children has not been established. Do not expose the device to a magnetic resonance (MR) environment. The device may present a risk of protective injury, and thermal injury and burns may occur. The device may generate artifacts in the MR image, or may not function properly. Thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, have been reported in the treatment of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). Special attention to adequate anticoagulation is advised when treating patients with GvHD. When prescribing and administering THERAKOS Photopheresis for patients receiving concomitant therapy, exercise caution when changing treatment schedules to avoid increased disease activity that may be caused by abrupt withdrawal of previous therapy. Adverse Events Hypotension may occur during any treatment involving extracorporeal circulation. Closely monitor the patient during the entire treatment for hypotension. Transient pyretic reactions, 37.7-38.9 ?C (100-102 ?F), have been observed in some patients within six to eight hours of reinfusion of the photoactivated leukocyte-enriched blood. A temporary increase in erythroderma may accompany the pyretic reaction. Treatment frequency exceeding labelling recommendations may result in anaemia. Venous access carries a small risk of infection and pain. Please refer to the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System Operator Manual for a complete list of warnings and precautions. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR METHOXSALEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THERAKOS PHOTOPHERESIS Contraindications Methoxsalen is contraindicated in: Patients exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to methoxsalen, psoralen compounds, or any of the excipients Patients with co-existing melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell skin carcinoma Patients who are pregnant, and sexually active men and women of childbearing potential unless adequate contraception is used during treatment Patients with aphakia because of the significantly increased risk of retinal damage to the absence of a lens Warnings and Precautions Special care should be exercised in treating patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosynthesizing agents. Oral administration of methoxsalen followed by cutaneous UVA exposure (PUVA therapy) is carcinogenic . Patients should be told emphatically to wear UVA absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses for twenty-four (24) hours after methoxsalen treatment. They should wear these glasses anytime they are exposed to direct or indirect sunlight, whether they are outdoors or exposed through a window. Safety in children has not been established. Refer to the package insert for methoxsalen sterile solution (20 micrograms / mL) or the oral 8-methoxpsoralen dosage formulation for a list of all warnings and precautions. Please refer to the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System Operator Manual for a complete list of warnings and precautions and adverse events. About Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) ECP, a blood based immunomodulatory therapy developed more than 30 years ago, is recommended by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)3 and other clinical societies4,5,6 as an adjunctive therapy for the prevention and treatment of ACR after heart transplantation. Additionally, ECP may be considered to treat AMR with or without donor specific antibodies.7,8 In countries where it is approved, ECP is used to treat a range of immune-mediated diseases, including skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid organ transplant rejection and other autoimmune diseases. During ECP treatment, a small amount of white blood cells is collected and treated with a drug that is activated by ultraviolet light. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains forward-looking statements, including with regard to ECP and its potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACT Media Inquiries Heather Guzzi Senior Vice President, Green Room Communications 973-524-4112 hguzzi@grcomms.com Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale Global Corporate Controller & Chief Investor Relations Officer 314-654-3638 daniel.speciale@mnk.com Derek Belz Vice President, Investor Relations 314-654-3950 derek.belz@mnk.com Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2023 Mallinckrodt. EU-2300168 06/23 1 Barten, MJ et al. European multi-center study on the real-world use and clinical impact of extracorporeal photopheresis after heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2023.03.005. 2 Barten, MJ. et al. Real World Use and Clinical Impact of Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Heart Transplant Patients - Results From a European Multi-Centre Study. Abstractpresented at: European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Congress 2021. August/September 2021. 3 Costanzo MR, et al. The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the care of heart transplant recipients. J Heart Lung Trans. 2010:29(8);914-956. 4 Alfred et al. The role of extracorporeal photopheresis in the management of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease and organ transplant rejection: a consensus statement update from the UK Photopheresis Society. Br J Haematol. 2017;177(2):287-310. 5 Padmanabhan et al. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Eighth Special Issue. J Clin Apher. 2019;34:171-354. 6 Knobler et al. European dermatology forum - updated guidelines on the use of extracorporeal photopheresis 2020 - part 2. Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(1):27-49. 7 Colvin et al. Antibody-mediated rejection in cardiac transplantation: emerging knowledge in diagnosis and management: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015;131(18):1608-1639. 8 Barten et al. Transplant Rev (Orlando). The clinical impact of donor-specific antibodies in heart transplantation. 2018;32(4):207-217. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/167103/mallinckrodt_plc_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mallinckrodt-announces-publication-of-real-world-data-on-the-use-of-extracorporeal-photopheresis-ecp-in-heart-transplant-patients-301848443.html Reward, a global leader in customer Engagement and Benefits programmes, has partnered with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, to provide capabilities and content in support of Visa issuer loyalty programmes across Europe. Reward's Customer Engagement Platform and Global Merchant Marketplace will be leveraged by Visa, providing cutting edge loyalty and rewards propositions to more than 550 issuers. Rewards Capabilities and Content play an important role in Visa's customer engagement strategy across three continents, with Reward providing global, regional, and local propositions using their 'Home & Away' X-border technology. First scheduled launch is a direct to customer proposition in support of the Olympic & Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, with Visa providing customers with a rich, omni-channel reward experience, with content and offers relevant to Visa cardholders The programme is one of many to emerge from this strategic partnership between Reward and Visa, supporting Reward's strategic goal of giving 2bn to customers in rewards by 2025 LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reward, a global leader in Customer Engagement and Benefits programmes, is today announcing news of a strategic partnership with Visa, with Reward selected as preferred partner to provide capabilities and content in support of Visa issuer loyalty programmes across Europe. The first planned delivery under the new partnership has been announced as a direct to customer proposition providing rewards relevant to Visa cardholders during the Olympic & Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Reward's technology platform will be aggregating content from multiple sources, including the extensive network of global and local retailers utilising their ground-breaking 'Home & Away' X-border reward technology. In addition, both Visa-owned, and third-party content is to be presented through a single customer facing Rewards hub. Gavin Dein, founder and CEO of Reward says: "Our mission is to make everyday spending more rewarding and this partnership with Visa Europe, supports us in continuing to do exactly that. In delivering the content and capabilities that underpin Visa loyalty programmes, we hope to provide exceptional experiences for millions of Visa and Visa Issuer customers across Europe. "These successful collaborations are being scaled across the globe with similar propositions launching in APAC and CEMEA as well as Europe." Dan Truscott, Head of Loyalty Solutions at Visa: "Our Loyalty Solutions programme offers a seamless and flexible digital experience that adds value for consumers, participating businesses and issuers and is easily adaptable to each of our bank partners' loyalty strategies. We are delighted to build on our existing partnership with Reward and look forward to our work together on issuer loyalty programmes across Europe." About Reward Founded in 2001, Reward is a global Customer Engagement Platform for the world's leading banks. Our mission is to make everyday spending more rewarding. Operating in 20 countries with over 300 merchants, Reward provides end to end Customer Engagement programmes for Visa, Mastercard and American Express and leading banks in Europe, CEMEA and Asia Pacific. The Company's cloud-hosted, API-based platform is provided on full or modular basis to both challenger and traditional financial institutions, driving increased NPS, customer loyalty and retention. Reward's give-to-get permission-based model unlocks the power of consumer data to create actionable Insight for merchants whilst enabling consumers to monetise their data without selling their identity - all behind the secure privacy firewall of their bank's loyalty programme. Reward believes you can do good and do good business. As a purpose-driven business, in the last 5 years Reward has given back over GBP 1 billion in rewards to customers and has set a new target of giving back GBP 2 billion in rewards to customers by 2025. This is made possible through the multi-award-winning customer engagement platform it operates across 3 continents. For more information, please visit www.rewardinsight.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099143/Reward_Visa.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/reward-to-provide-customer-engagement-capabilities-and-content-to-visa-cardholders-across-europe-in-expansion-of-existing-partnership-301848553.html WiLD is a new and fast-growing professional network for women in senior positions across industry and academia in Danish life science A key objective is to provide professional, tailored mentoring programs for women in the life science business - from young talents to executives - in critical career transitions and WiLD has received a grant from the Lundbeck Foundation to build a mentorship programme, which will be launched in September 2023 COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD) is pleased to announce that is has been awarded a grant of EUR 63.800 from The Lundbeck Foundation to advance its mentoring program for women working in life sciences in Denmark. WiLD's Female Leadership Mentoring Program aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry at critical points in their careers and address the lack of support many women experience in the pursuit of senior leadership positions in corporate and academic institutions. To achieve this, the WiLD network will leverage the significant leadership experience of its members and external experts, who have extensive experience in the design and execution of leadership development programs using a mentoring format for both national and global organisations. The full Program will be launched in the Autumn of 2023 and is intended for female life science leaders who have either recently been promoted or are aiming for a significant career transition in the next 12 to 24 months. Lene Gerlach, Co-Founder and Chairperson of WiLD said: "We are delighted to receive this significant funding from The Lundbeck Foundation. It is a momentous achievement for WiLD and validates the importance of diversity and inclusiveness across the life science industry. The funding will help us realise our ambition of providing a Female Leadership Mentoring Program to enable more women in the industry to reach for higher leadership positions. It will contribute to removing one of the critical barriers to achieving gender equality in leadership positions across Danish life sciences, namely having support at critical career transitions." Inge Berneke, CVP Corporate Affairs at The Lundbeck Foundation added: "The Lundbeck Foundation believes in the importance of talent development and is pleased to support WiLD's mentorship program for women in the life science industry. There is a need to further leverage, grow and invest in our talents. Mentoring can be vital for female talents at critical moments in their career and we look forward to seeing the mentorship programme unfold in the months to come." Since its inception in January 2023 with support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, WiLD's member base has grown significantly. The network has already reached its primary target of 150 members - a milestone it initially set to reach by 2025. WiLD was co-founded by Lene Gerlach, a Partner at life sciences venture capital firm Eir Ventures. To find out more and apply to become a member of the WiLD network, please click here for further details. Four members of WiLD's Board of Directors will be attending the upcoming Folkemdet - The Democracy Festival of Denmark , 15-17 June in Allinge, Denmark. Please get in touch if would like to set up a meeting at the festival and learn more about the WiLD network. About Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD) Women in Life Science Denmark is a non-profit organization based in Denmark, founded by Lene Gerlach and ten other experienced women from the Life Science Industry. The organisation is focused on seeking to increase diversity in professional senior leadership positions in life sciences in Denmark for the benefit of society . The network aims to unfold the full talent potential of women in life sciences by increasing visibility of female role models contributing to value creation through professional knowledge sharing and network activities. The Initiator of WiLD is Lene Gerlach, PhD who is a Partner at EIR Ventures and the Chairperson of WiLD. Lene is backed by a strong volunteer board of directors including Vice Chairperson Helle Busck Fensvig, Business Angel and Boardperson; Louise Lyhne, CEO of Lyhne Life; Ingelise Saunders, Chairperson of Boost Pharma and ISD Immunotech; Mette Rosenkilde, Professor at the University of Copenhagen and serial entrepreneur; Lone Veng, Board member of Mercy Ships; Claudia Blomgren-Hansen, Partner at LIFE SCIENCE PLUS Advokater; Pernille Winding Gojkovic, CEO of Hiberg and Hervr Lykke Olsen, Principal at the BioInnovation Institute. For more information, please visit us at www.womeninlifescience.dk View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/women-in-life-science-denmark-wild-receives-grant-from-the-lundbeck-foundation-to-support-and-advance-its-female-leadership-mentoring-program-301848472.html LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK is expected to see a net outflow of 3,200 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023 - higher than the projected 3,000 net loss for Russia, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2023.This will make the UK the third-biggest loser of millionaires globally after China (net loss of 13,500) and India (net loss of 6,500). Perhaps most notably, the UK's anticipated HNWI flight is double that of last year, when it saw a net exodus of 1,600 millionaires. The report by investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners features the latest net inflows and outflows of dollar millionaires (namely, the difference between the number of HNWIs with investable wealth of USD 1 million or more who relocate to, and emigrate from, a country) as projected by global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth. The figures focus only on HNWIs who have moved - namely, who stay in their new country more than six months a year. Note: All HNWI figures are rounded to the nearest 100. "Down Under" back on top Australia is expected to attract the highest net inflow of HNWIs in 2023 at 5,200, and although the UAE drops into 2nd place following its record-breaking influx in 2022, it is still expected to enjoy an impressive net arrival of 4,500 new millionaires this year. Singapore ranks 3rd with a net inflow of 3,200 HNWIs, its highest on record, followed the US with an expected net influx of 2,100 millionaires. Switzerland (net inflow of 1,800) and Canada (1,600) are in 5th and 6th place, respectively, with Greece (1,200), France (1,000 - double last year's net intake of 500 millionaires), Portugal (800), and New Zealand (700) all making it onto this year's Top 10 list for net HNWI inflows. Israel is predicted to tumble out of the Top 10 with its net inflow of millionaires set to almost halve to just 600 compared to 1,100 in 2022. Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says there's been a steady growth in millionaire migration over the past decade, with global figures for 2023 and 2024 expected to be 122,000 and 128,000, respectively. "In general, wealth migration trends look set to revert to pre-pandemic patterns this year, with the notable exceptions of former top wealth magnets, the UK and the US." Brexit a bad bet for Britain The UK's peak net outflow year was 2017, following the Brexit referendum in 2016. Prior to this, the country enjoyed net positive inflows of HNWIs. While net losses dropped slightly between 2017 and 2019, the 2023 forecast indicates a far more significant millionaire exit is currently underway. Prof. Trevor Williams, former Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial, says "whatever one may think about the merits of Brexit, this cohort is voting with its feet. Coupled with the policy change to remove permanent non-domiciled taxpayer status, Brexit has made the UK less hospitable and welcoming to HNWIs." Sunita Singh-Dalal of Hourani & Partners agrees that "the recent unsettling British 'Non-Dom debate' triggered by unprecedented political volatility, coupled with rising debt, a dysfunctional healthcare system, high crime rates, and a general sense of lingering malaise, has clearly tarnished the lustre of London." The appeal of another financial giant, the US, is also dwindling fast. America is notably less popular among migrating millionaires than pre-Covid, owing in part to the threat of higher taxes. The country still attracts more HNWIs than it loses to emigration, with a net inflow of 2,100 projected for 2023, although this is a staggering drop from 2019 levels, which saw a net inflow of 10,800 millionaires. The other big losers in 2023 As it has for the past decade, China continues to lose the largest numbers of dollar millionaires each year to migration. Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth, explains that "general wealth growth in China has been slowing over the past few years, which means that the recent outflows could be more damaging than usual." Although the second-biggest loser globally, India's net exit numbers are predicted to drop to 6,500 in 2023 compared to last year (7,500) and as Amoils points out, "these outflows are not particularly concerning as India produces far more new millionaires than it loses to migration." The UK (3,200) and Russia (3000 vs 8,500 in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine) sit in 3rd and 4th place respectively, with Brazil (1,200), Hong Kong (SAR China) (1,000 - less than half the actual net outflow in 2022), South Korea (800 - double the net outflow in 2022), Mexico (700), South Africa (500), and Japan (300 compared to last year's net loss of 100) making up the rest of the Top 10 biggest millionaire losers forecast for 2023. Award-winning journalist Misha Glenny says the lessons for those who hope to attract HNWIs are clear. "Political stability is the key metric, together with low taxation regimes and personal freedom. Until the Russo-Ukrainian war comes to end, both countries will continue to export HNWIs, and this will remain the single largest driver of relocation. But with elections due in many key Western countries in the next 18 months, other HNWIs may wait until their outcome, notably in the US and the UK, before making their choice." Download the Full Press Release View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uk-set-to-suffer-bigger-net-exodus-of-millionaires-than-russia-in-2023-301847277.html Chris Caldwell CEO of United Renewables in Conversation with Eduardo Famini Silva Director of Renewables and Utilities at RBC Capital Markets Chris Caldwell CEO of United Renewables in Conversation with Eduardo Famini Silva Director of Renewables and Utilities at RBC Capital Markets DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prepare to be transported to the summit of Mount Olympus as United Renewables presents an awe-inspiring episode of "Conversations on Climate" titled "A 360 Tour of Global Energy Markets." In this remarkable episode, listeners will soar above continents, exploring the intricate web of global ESG trends with the guidance of Eduardo Famini Silva, one of the world's foremost green energy bankers. Investment bankers possess a unique ability to observe problems from all angles, and when their perspective spans across Europe, South America, Canada, and Asia, it becomes a truly panoramic 360 view. Brace yourself for an exhilarating experience as we traverse the vast landscape of global energy markets, guided by Eduardo Famini Silva's expertise. Consider this episode our Mount Olympus expedition, offering an extraordinary vantage point that will leave you in awe. We invite you to ascend with us, transcending boundaries and immersing yourself in the macro ESG level-up that awaits. "Conversations on Climate" is a groundbreaking podcast series produced by United Renewables, dedicated to addressing the challenges of climate change. In each episode, we talk with remarkable minds from academia and business, offering their experience and expertise to inspire collective action. Hosted by Chris Caldwell, CEO of United Renewables, the series fosters a platform for illuminating discussions that shape the future of our planet. Don't miss the chance to join us on this unforgettable journey. Tune in to this informative episode of "Conversations on Climate" for an extraordinary 360 tour of global energy markets with Eduardo Famini Silva. The view from the top is truly magnificent. To listen to this episode and explore the entire "Conversations on Climate" podcast series, visit the Conversations on Climate Podcast the Youtube channel, visit the official United Renewables' websiteor your preferred podcast platform including Appleand Podbean. United Renewables is a leading organisation dedicated to driving the transition to clean and sustainable energy systems. Through collaborative initiatives, United Renewables aims to foster engagement between academia, industry, and policymakers, providing innovative solutions to combat climate change and create a sustainable future for all. Chris Caldwell is an entrepreneur and founder of United Renewables, a green energy firm working across wind, solar, tidal and anaerobic technologies with a special interest in serving island communities. He is also a growing authority in the digital climate debate, as host of the podcast Conversations on Climate. Eduardo Famini Silva is a renowned green energy banker with a wealth of expertise in M&A and financing in the energy sector. With over fifteen years of international experience, he has traversed continents, from Europe to South America to Canada to Asia, gaining a unique 360 perspective on global energy markets. As the Director of Renewables and Utilities at RBC Capital Markets, Eduardo is a leading authority in driving sustainable energy solutions and shaping the future of the industry. Conversations on Climateis a joint production of United Renewables and the London Business School Alumni Energy Club. Episode 5 of Season 2 of the Conversations on Climate Podcast, featuring Eduardo Famini Silva, is available here. Conversations on Climatebrings world-leading thinkers from business and academia together to share their expertise on the subject of climate change. Previous guests include Sir Andrew Likierman, Julio Dal Poz, Professor Jean-Pierre Beno it , and Professor Ioannou. Tara Schmidt, Professor Dan Cable, Professor Zoe Chance, Professor Lynda Gratton. All previous episodes can be found here. Related articles can be found here. CONTACT Isabella Hawke - Sales and Marketing Consultant COMPANY United Renewables PHONE +447624457139 EMAILIIhawke@unitedrenewables.co.uk WEB unitedrenewables.co.uk/resources A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/abd975ca-9d87-4829-9edb-070a83fa812d A highly complementary proposition; bringing together Zensho's extensive Japanese food heritage with Snowfox's multi-channel international presence and expertise Mayfair exits having overseen successful diversification, international growth, and establishment of Snowfox Group LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Snowfox Group ("Snowfox" or "the Company"), a multi-channel and international Japanese food business, today announces that it has been acquired by Zensho Holdings co., ltd ("Zensho" or "the Group"), the premier food service company in Japan by sales, in a transaction valued at $621 million. Mayfair Equity Partners ("Mayfair"), a dedicated consumer and technology investor with over 2 billion in assets under management, will fully exit Snowfox. The terms of transaction are to be confirmed and completion remains subject to customary closing conditions. A combination of Zensho and Snowfox's capabilities represent a highly complementary proposition. Snowfox's diversified international offering will support Zensho's ambitions outside of its home market of Japan. Zensho will be able to bring its Japanese heritage and expertise to Snowfox's business, to the benefit of employees, franchisees, retailers, and end-customers alike. Snowfox's leadership team, including CEO Richard Hodgson, will remain with the business to work closely with Zensho's Senior Management. Founded in 1982, Zensho is a leading Japanese food group and is the number one food service company in Japan by sales. The Group is developing a wide range of food businesses and expanding globally with the mission of providing safe and delicious food at affordable prices to people around the world. Zensho operates its business under the corporate philosophy of 'To take responsibility for the stability and development of human society and to eradicate hunger and poverty from the world' to sustainably deliver safe and high-quality food to their customers as a 'food infrastructure'. The company operates a diverse portfolio of businesses in Japan, including the beef bowl restaurant Sukiya, the 100 yen sushi restaurant Hama-sushi, and the family restaurant Coco's, as well as retail and nursing care businesses. Outside of Japan, the company also operates Sukiya, Hama-sushi mainly in East Asia, Advanced Fresh Concepts (AFC) mainly in the US, and The Chicken Rice Shop (TCRS), which operates halal-certified chicken rice shops in Malaysia. The Snowfox Group has established itself as a highly reputable global sushi platform, fulfilling increased consumer demand for Japanese food across its four distinct brands - Snowfox, Bento, Taiko and YO! in North America and the United Kingdom. The Group provides consumers with high quality, convenient and affordable Japanese food and operates approximately 3,000 chef-operated sushi kiosks and other restaurants in North America and the UK, as well as being a sushi manufacturer and wholesaler. Mayfair first invested in YO! in 2015, the UK's leading Japanese fast casual restaurant group and iconic brand. After a period of successful growth and diversification in the UK, Mayfair identified, funded, and helped complete YO!'s first international transaction in 2017, where it acquired Bento. Following the Bento acquisition, YO! acquired Taiko, a leading supplier of sushi products to the supermarket sector, in 2018. At this point, the natural expansion of the business was into the United States through which it gained access through a merger with Snowfox in 2019. Following these transactions and under the leadership of Richard Hodgson, the Snowfox Group was created in 2021. Richard Hodgson, CEO at Snowfox, said: "This is an exciting moment for the Snowfox Group, and, having had seven successful years owned by Mayfair Equity Partners, this proposed transaction represents the next natural step for us as a business. "I have been hugely impressed by Zensho during my recent meetings with them, and they share our own ambition of providing the highest quality, most authentic Japanese food at the best possible value. "I believe this is absolutely the right move. Zensho recognises the value of the Snowfox Group's highly attractive brands, our customer relationships, and our diversified international presence. Above all - it is testament to the quality, authenticity, and breadth of our Japanese food offer that a Japanese food business of Zensho's calibre wants us to join them. "I am grateful to all of my colleagues for their hard work and support in building the Snowfox Group into what it is today, and I look forward to our continued journey together. I would also like to thank the team at Mayfair, who have been hugely supportive owners. "I am looking forward to being part of the next stage of the Snowfox growth story, and as part of Zensho, I am confident that we will be ideally placed within the large, attractive, and highly competitive Japanese food category". Waqqas Ahmad Partner at Mayfair Equity Partners, commented: "The fact that Zensho, a leading Japanese food conglomerate, is welcoming Snowfox to their group reflects the quality of the Japanese food business Snowfox has built. Richard and the whole Snowfox team have served customers exceptionally well over the last seven years, driven by a clear vision of continuous innovation and ensuring the highest quality products. It has been a pleasure to be their partner, providing specialist support to diversify their business and grow internationally. As part of Zensho, Snowfox will be primed to reach more customers than ever before." Media enquiries For further information, please contact: The Snowfox Group: Headland Will Smith snowfox@headlandconsultancy.com Mayfair Equity Partners: The One Nine Three Group Charlie Harrison + 44 (0)788 4136 143 Charlie.harrison@the193.com About The Snowfox Group The Snowfox Group specialises in the preparation of Japanese cuisines with a focus on sushi, a traditional Japanese food featuring specially prepared rice combined with fish, meat, or vegetables in easy bite-size portions. It also offers a variety of food-to-go products including bento and poke. The Snowfox Group's mission is to create better food for everyone, the Japanese way. The Snowfox Group is well positioned to meet growing consumer demand for high quality healthy food offerings through its versatile business model across three key channels: its Kiosk business, its Sushi Commissaries business, and its Restaurant business. The Group has chef-operated sushi kiosks globally, with customers including blue chip grocery retailers. Overall, the Snowfox Group is a trusted operator in North America and the UK, via its four leading brands - Snowfox, Bento, Taiko, and YO! - the Group provides sushi to a large and growing international customer base across three main channels. About Mayfair Equity Partners Mayfair Equity Partners is a dedicated technology and consumer investor, with assets under management of over 2 billion. Mayfair's investment philosophy centres on backing people and their ideas, working with founders and management teams to help them realise their ambitions. Mayfair's model of Active Partnership includes a senior team of dedicated functional Specialists who support portfolio companies with business process improvement initiatives that help unlock their full potential. Mayfair has an established track record of supporting fast-growing, sector-defining companies, including Ovo, a digital challenger which has scaled to become the third largest provider in the UK retail energy sector; LoopMe, a leading brand-focused mobile advertising platform; and Tangle Teezer, the category defining British haircare brand. For more information, please visit www.mayfairequity.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099474/Snowfox_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099481/mayfair_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-snowfox-group-signs-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-zensho-at-a-valuation-of-621-million-301849227.html EQS-News: EnergyNet Ltd. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous KenGen Picked as Country Host as Nairobi Opens Doors to AEF 2023: 25 Years of Participation Leads to a Hosting Opportunity for Kenya's Energy Pioneers 13.06.2023 / 10:25 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. KenGen Picked as Country Host as Nairobi Opens Doors to AEF 2023: 25 Years of Participation Leads to a Hosting Opportunity for Kenya's Energy Pioneers Achieving 'firsts' is nothing new to KenGen, having been the very first public utility on the continent to offer shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Back in 1998, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) became the first public utility to confirm attendance at the inaugural Africa Energy Forum (AEF). A quarter of a century later, the leading electricity generator in East Africa and a leading global geothermal developer will profit from its unwavering loyalty, as Kenya's capital, Nairobi opens its doors to the event and a delegation of global innovators, decision-makers, financiers, ministers, and future game-changers. Achieving 'firsts' is nothing new to KenGen, having been the very first public utility on the continent to offer shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), to ignite investments into the energy sector in the country as a result, to export skills to the continent and to catalyse new forms of electrification such as with geothermal. It is through these efforts that Kenya's energy mix now comprises the highest proportion of renewables in Africa, amounting to close to 92 percent. KenGen has also been no stranger to sharing its expertise and success stories through the lens of conferences. The organisation hosts an annual Good-to-Great Global Innovation seminar to give a voice to innovators from across their teams, to charge development, and to entice new ideas for the next phase of evolution. KenGen also hosted its inaugural annual Sustainable Energy Conference last year and plans are underway to hold the second edition later in the year. The Company's constant strive for improvement is especially poignant given that it was first incorporated back in 1954 with the mandate to generate electricity through the development, management, and operation of power plants. Regular restructurings, strategic pivots, and investment boosts have ensured that KenGen has moved with the times throughout its tenure, making it a natural fit for AEF - an event that has similarly sought to stay abreast of current challenges while also keeping ahead of the curve regarding future power requirements. KenGen Chairman, Julius Migos Ogamba, says: "Since its inception in 1954, KenGen has made considerable inroads in Kenya's energy sector. With an installed electricity generation market share of 65 percent and an installed capacity of 1,904MW, KenGen is the largest energy producer in East Africa. In Africa, KenGen is currently working with electricity agencies in Ethiopia and Djibouti providing geothermal drilling services." For his part, Ag. Managing Director and CEO, Abraham Serem, affirmed the NSE-listed firm's strategic direction going forward, saying: "The strategy remains to deliver competitively priced clean energy by creating value for shareholders and while expanding energy sources and revenue streams. The company's installed generation capacity mix includes hydro 43%, geothermal 42%, thermal 14%, and wind 1%." KenGen's full scope spans six operational areas, built of a geothermal area along the Great Rift Valley, with geothermal power plants and wellheads running as baseload energy sources in two of the sites - Olkaria and Eburru. The Western region has an installed capacity of 250MW encompassing four hydro stations, a thermal power plant, and gas turbine units. Meanwhile, the Eastern region is made up of five power plants along the Tana River cascade; compounded by four more in the Upper Tana region, as well as the Ngong wind plants in the outskirts of Nairobi. Today, hydro still remains KenGen's leading source of energy, consisting of an installed capacity of 826MW. This volume of generation across a diverse mix of sources epitomises why the company has become such a pioneer on the continent over the years, and why it has so much knowledge to share at events such as AEF. While it has been a concerted effort of the event to make Kenya the first mainland African host of AEF, it has also been an ambition of the country to leverage KenGen's expertise and to open its doors to the world via such a global forum. "One of the key economic drivers in Kenya is the tourism sector and conference tourism has grown to become a major contributor to the same. The government has therefore placed great importance to ensuring that Kenya is not only a global holiday destination but equally a global business and conference destination," says Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Republic of Kenya. "Taking place under the important theme of 'Africa for Africa', we look forward to welcoming AEF's many partners and developers from across the world, as well as our colleagues from across Africa's ministries and public sectors - all of whom are welcome, and we are grateful for their efforts to reduce the energy deficit, both regionally and across the broader continent." Merging a shared vision for a prosperous future in Africa, driven by energy innovations, Kenya will reaffirm at AEF its mission to invest significantly in future industries. This especially targets climate-resilient technologies for mining, carbon reduction, and the development of green industries, including green steel and hydrogen. Mr. Chirchir continues: "We have already formed an inter-governmental Task Force to ensure that the forum's delegates have an exceptional experience during their time with us in Kenya. This Task Force, which includes the Ministry of Tourism, is also supporting those planning to explore our great nation beyond the borders of Nairobi City, to enjoy the safaris in numerous parts of the country as well as several areas of outstanding national beauty along the coastline. "We extend the warm hand of friendship to all those joining us and look forward to an exceptional week of productive meetings." Facilitating energy investment in fast-growing economies - EnergyNet has produced investment forums and executive dialogues for Africa and Latin America's power sectors for the last 25 years - in Europe, the USA, Asia and across Africa and Latin America. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.. For media queries, please contact: Frank D. Ochieng Tel:0721816896 fochieng@kengen.co .ke or media@kengen.co.ke About KenGen: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region, with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company's primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders. Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources, namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Thermal (253MW), and Wind (25.5MW). 13.06.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Dutch utility Eneco has announced plans to build a 50 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage installation in Wallonia, Belgium, using Tesla Megapacks. The battery plant will offer four hours of storage.Eneco is planning a 50 MW/200 MWh battery in Belgium that could become one of the country's largest energy storage projects. The system will be used to help balance Belgian Elia's electricity grid as more renewables come online. Eneco said last week that it has obtained permits, ordered the battery, and initiated preparatory study works to make the project operational by the end of 2024. The four-hour ... 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. AMSTERDAM and LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synechron, a leading global digital transformation consulting firm, today announced that it has been ranked in the 10th position on the list of Best Workplaces in 2023 in the Netherlands. This list is based on the Great Places To Work survey. Great Place To Work the Netherlands explores and recognizes the amount of trust, pride and camaraderie within organizations, based on direct employees' feedback. The highest scoring companies have been acknowledged with the 'Best Workplace' title. The forty highest scoring organizations, out of the 187 participating, have been recognized as Best Workplace organizations. Of note, this is the sixth time Synechron has been among the top Best Workplace organizations. The company has won multiple Best Place To Work Awards since 2017. Based upon the Culture Audit evaluated by Great Place To Work, Synechron Netherlands scores high on: T rust, including the company culture of growing together through Meaningful Values including the company culture of growing together through Effective Leadership which includes various leadership trainings to ensure everyone is on the same page and an onboarding bootcamp which includes various leadership trainings to ensure everyone is on the same page and an onboarding bootcamp An Innovative Culture and inclusive innovation which lies at the heart of Synechron's DNA and inclusive innovation which lies at the heart of Synechron's DNA Maximizing Everyone's Potential which enables employees, from the very start, to be guided toward fulfilling their full, individual potential Eveline van Raaij, Director of Synechron Netherlands said on winning this designation, "We are truly honored to be included among the elite list of Best Workplaces in 2023 in the Netherlands. Our placement at the 10th place is testament to the high-quality workplace that our valued employees experience and create together every day. At Synechron, we are continuously evaluating and developing new ways to grow together and provide an excellent work culture and environment across many facets of our dedicated employees' work lives, and beyond." Rene Brouwers, CEO of Great Place to Work the Netherlands said,"The forty Best Workplaces of 2023 have created an organizational culture in which psychological safety is number one. An important theme regarding actual themes such as cultures of fear, transgressive behavior, and burnouts. Our list is based on feedback from all employees through the Trust Index employee survey. These forty organizations can rightly be proud of this award, and it promises to be a very good starting point for even more success. This year we presented the Awards during Walk Your Talk, an inspiring and activating tour through Utrecht, to walk together for a positive workplace For All. Because it is time for every employer to have a safe work culture as priority number 1. The forty Best Workplaces are leaders in this and show how it can be done." About Synechron: At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron's progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Consulting, Digital, Cloud & DevOps, Data, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,000+, and has 40 offices in 17 countries within key global markets. For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community. About Great Place To Work For more than 35 years Great Place To Work has helped organizations to increase trust on the work floor: the most fundamental aspect of every successful company. The Trust Index survey gives insight into the perception of employees, the way people work together and the leadership within a company. Based on these insights, Great Place To Work gives advice on how to build a strong(er) organizational culture. The international organization works with companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in 60 countries worldwide. On a yearly basis, 10.000 companies, representing approximately 12 million employees, take part in the Trust Index survey. This makes the survey the largest of its kind. For more information, go to www.greatplacetowork.nl. For more information about Synechron, please contact: Rashmi Joshi Synechron Media@synechron.com Or SEC Newgate UK: Andrew Adie / Sophie Morello / Matthew Redley Synechron@secnewgate.co.uk View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/synechron-named-among-the-best-workplaces-2023-in-the-netherlands-301849033.html The guide will help business owners avoid the potential ramifications of non-compliance. Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Nour Attorneys & Legal Consultants, a law firm based in Dubai, has released a new guide addressing the complex subject of the invalidity of Limited Liability Company (LLC) structures. This comprehensive resource aims to provide valuable insights to entrepreneurs, foreign investors, and different business entities operating within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The newly launched guide, titled "The Invalidity of Limited Liability Company (LLC)," is an in-depth exploration of the legal framework surrounding the dissolution and invalidation of LLCs within the UAE jurisdiction. The guide has been written by the Nour Attorneys & Legal Consultants team under the leadership of Mohamed Noureldin (Nour), a reputable business lawyer in Dubai with over 13 years in the industry dealing with cases related to corporate law and commercial regulations. The guide covers a comprehensive range of topics, including Business Practices to Invest in a Limited Liability Company in the UAE, The Invalidity of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), and The National Partner Controlling the Majority of the Voting Rights in LLCs. Moreover, it talks about the Profit and Loss Distribution Ratio in LLCs, the Distribution of the Company Assets (Fixed and Movable), and Invalidity of Fixed Payment Agreements as well as the Invalidity of the LLC due to Non-Capital Payment. Talking to the media, the founder of the firm and renowned Corporate Lawyer in Dubai, Nour, said, "We are delighted to release this authoritative guide that addresses an often-overlooked aspect of UAE corporate law. By shedding light on the intricacies surrounding the invalidity of LLCs, we want to empower business owners, and business managers with the necessary knowledge to operate effectively and avoid potential ramifications for non-compliance. We hope this will also help encourage foreign investors to start their journey in UAE without any misconceptions." The resource has been written in a clear, and concise manner so entrepreneurs and business managers can start to understand how to operate optimally in the UAE. It offers authoritative guidance to businesses struggling to navigate the complexities of company formation and legal obligations. Individuals interested in Offshore company formation in Dubai can check out the guide on the invalidity of LLCs on their official website. They also have other guides that deal with Company Formation on Mainland to assist people in their business journeys. About Nour Attorneys & Legal Consultants Nour Attorneys & Legal Consultants is a corporate law firm based in Dubai, UAE founded by Mohamed Noureldin (Nour). The firm offers legal services specially designed to suit businesses, brands, investors, and the corporate sector. The firm's expertise includes services covering Trademark Registration in UAE, due diligence services, Company Formation in Mainland, mergers & acquisitions, company valuation, and corporate restructuring. MEDIA CONTACT Contact Person: Mohamed Noureldin Company: Nour Attorneys Email: info@nourattorneys.com Phone: +971 55 83 155 83 Address: Office 402, Crystal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE Website: https://nourattorneys.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169726 SALEM, NH / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / For the second consecutive year, WEI placed in the top 100 in the Solution Provider 500 list. The announcement comes as CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named WEI as a member of this exclusive list over the past several years. "We are extremely pleased to have once again earned a place on this prestigious list," said WEI President Belisario Rosas. "WEI's organic growth is largely due to our unique focus on customer relationships and enabling them to meet and exceed their business objectives. The technology challenges we solve are complex and our skilled team works hard to deliver innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to each customer. We are so proud to be recognized for our success this year." WEI's steady, organic growth the past 30+ years is a product of investing in customer success, acquiring and retaining premier IT engineering talent, and working in lockstep with the industry's leading technology companies. From the initial assessment to solution deployment and ongoing monitoring, WEI's award-winning formula puts its customers in a position to succeed with real, tangible business outcomes. As a minority-owned IT solution provider, WEI continues to prosper in a period where many solution providers are restructuring, facing an acquisition, or experiencing supply chain challenges. Since 1995, CRN's annual Solution Provider 500 list has ranked North America's largest solution providers by revenue and serves as the gold standard for recognizing the channel's most successful companies. This year's list of companies represents a combined revenue of more than $475.9 billion, and the honorees are among the top influencers impacting today's IT industry and the global technology supply chain. "It's a distinct honor to recognize CRN's 2023 Solution Provider 500. These are today's top technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consulting firms, making this list the go-to resource for creating strategic partnerships among technology vendors and today's top-performing IT solution providers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "My heartfelt congratulations go out to each of these companies for the significant impact they make on the continued growth and success of the IT channel." CRN's 2023 Solution Provider 500 list will be available online at www.CRN.com/SP500, and a sampling of the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine. About WEI WEI is an innovative, full-service, customer-centric IT solution provider. It is an expert in business technology improvement, helping clients optimize their technology environments and work efficiently. WEI works closely with clients to help them establish goals, integrate strategy with technology solutions, and transform their IT environment into a company-wide model to increase utilization and efficiencies. WEI's clients benefit from a strong focus on customer satisfaction and attention to detail. They combine cutting-edge technology with architectural design, value-added services, onsite training, integration, testing labs, and a commitment to quality. From solution design to implementation, WEI's sales and technical team remains focused on providing unwavering support throughout a project. For more information, please visit www.WEI.com. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. 2023 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact: Natalie Lewis The Channel Company nlewis@thechannelcompany.com SOURCE: WEI View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760389/WEI-Recognized-on-CRNs-2023-Solution-Provider-500-List Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Atalaya Mining and Enel X Global Retail will work together to build a 50 MW capacity solar power plant at the Riotinto Mine. The plant will cover 234,000 square meters and include more than 75,000 photovoltaic panels.Spain's Riotinto mine will be the site of the country's largest solar power plant, which is being built thanks to a partnership between Enel X Global Retail and Atalaya Mining, one of the world's largest extractors of copper and other essential minerals for economic development. In the historic Riotinto open-pit copper mine, energy consumption accounts for 70% of the carbon footprint ... 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. New report explores the top trends and challenges in the car rental market, including the shift towards MaaS, strategic alliances, autonomous vehicles, and big data Changing traveler expectations, legacy operational processes and increased competition are driving forces behind the transformation of the car rental industry LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The car rental market continues to evolve and grow, with Amadeus car rental data showing worldwide car bookings increased by 23% in Q1 2023 compared to the same time last year. Alongside increased desire from consumers for car rental options, the industry faces a number of challenges as it undergoes huge transformation. Emerging business models, disruption of supply chains, the sustainability curve, demand for seamless customer experiences and maintaining agile technology capabilities are key challenges facing the industry today. This is what led to Amadeus and Microsoft's latest report, Ahead of the Curve: how technology is driving the future of the rental car industry. The report outlines the challenges and demonstrates the key trends and opportunities for car rental companies to adapt for the future of travel. It aims to examine new ways of thinking for the industry to help providers deliver a best-in-class service to the end traveler. The report highlights five top trends that are emerging and shaping the car rental market: MaaS connectivity - a single service that enables city-based trip planning, cost comparisons and purchasing. A competitive MaaS market can bring together services such as public transit, ride hailing, and bike sharing into one marketplace to help meet customer expectations for multi-mobility and sustainable options. - a single service that enables city-based trip planning, cost comparisons and purchasing. A competitive MaaS market can bring together services such as public transit, ride hailing, and bike sharing into one marketplace to help meet customer expectations for multi-mobility and sustainable options. Agile competition - as business models shift from product-centric to customer-centric services, traditional car rental providers face strong competition as new providers offer flexible, convenient, and sustainable offerings. - as business models shift from product-centric to customer-centric services, traditional car rental providers face strong competition as new providers offer flexible, convenient, and sustainable offerings. Evolution of autonomous vehicles - with the rise of AI and technological advances in AV (autonomous vehicle) fleets, it is more inevitable that these will become a reality. Alongside decreased demand from consumers to own vehicles, AVs offer a shared use mobility model. - with the rise of AI and technological advances in AV (autonomous vehicle) fleets, it is more inevitable that these will become a reality. Alongside decreased demand from consumers to own vehicles, AVs offer a shared use mobility model. Original Equipment Manufacturers' developing role - OEMs are moving from only automobile manufacturers into mobility solution providers. Through understanding their end users' customer preferences, OEMs are finding new ways to reach customers with new offerings in sustainable and innovation technologies. - OEMs are moving from only automobile manufacturers into mobility solution providers. Through understanding their end users' customer preferences, OEMs are finding new ways to reach customers with new offerings in sustainable and innovation technologies. Big data - increased use of data insights and AI mean car rental providers will be able to optimize their fleets, enable future forecasting and provide personalized customer experiences. Peter Altmann, Vice President, Mobility and Travel Protection, Hospitality, Amadeus, says: "The car rental market continues to evolve at a fast pace, and it is both challenging and exciting for the industry, as new players and models enter the space. What is clear from our research is that technology plays a central role in helping traditional and new car rental providers create the experience and travel that consumers want. Research into the future traveler is fascinating: with 70% of Generation Z not having a driver's license, there is a huge opportunity for rental providers to target the modern traveler. Sustainability is also another rapidly evolving priority for the industry, and through transformation such as MaaS, we can start to unlock new avenues, data, partnerships, and technologies to successfully harness this transformation." Julie Shainock, Global Leader, Travel and Transport, Microsoft, says, "With the advent of Generative AI, car rental providers are gaining more visibility into their entire data ecosystem. This is creating accelerated disruption in everything from improved operational efficiency, increased employee insight to make more informed decisions, to hyper personalized and frictionless experiences for consumers. As we look toward the future of car rental, all facets of the business will have a new passenger in the car assisting everyone at each stage of their own journey." Read the full report here: Ahead of the Curve: how technology is driving the future of the rental car industry. Notes to the editors: Methodology This research was conducted by Prowess Consulting, Amadeus, and Microsoft. Interviews were conducted with key industry leaders in the rental car and technology sector between November 2022 and January 2023. Participants included senior management and major decision makers involved in the rental car and technology businesses, encompassing startup, medium-sized, and large enterprises. About Amadeus Amadeus powers more personalized and authentic travel experiences. Our solutions are designed to enrich every stage of the traveller journey and help hospitality providers acquire, service, and retain guests by profitably driving demand and converting them into loyal fans. Backed by over 30 years of experience, we design open, cutting-edge software to provide the most efficient, trusted, and reliable systems for our customers. With experts in 175+ countries, we have a deep understanding of the hospitality industry and a desire to enable our hotel partners to create memorable guest experiences. To find out more about Amadeus, visit www.amadeus-hospitality.com. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099330/Amadeus.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mobility-as-a-service-maas-revealed-as-top-trend-for-future-of-car-rental-market-finds-amadeus-and-microsoft-report-301849262.html NANJING, China, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosiwit, a leading provider of cleaning cobotics, is thrilled to announce that its complete line-up of innovative cleaning robots will be available in Europe starting in July. As one of the few total solution providers for cleaning cobotics, Rosiwit is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art cleaning solutions to businesses and organizations across the globe. As the development of intelligent cleaning and the marketing insights based, Rosiwit's complete line-up of cleaning cobots is designed to meet the cleaning requirements of almost any commercial environment, from small or limited area like restaurants, hotels and office to large-scale industrial facilities, which can work constantly with AGV connected cooperation. In addition to its range of cleaning cobots, Rosiwit's adaptable Cloud is designed to provide a smart system that is both efficient and enjoyable. The application and smart management background is easy to use and comes with a range of customized modules and functions, allowing users to track or optimize cleaning tasks with ease. Therefore, it is worth mentioning that all the products of Rosiwit are cloud based, that means every relevant cleaning operation and management can be realized remotely. With a range of robots that scrubbing sweping and even self-charging/ drainage and water refilling with the working station to realize around the clock workingflow. Rosiwit offers a comprehensive solution that can streamline cleaning processes and improve overall efficiency. This cutting-edge line-up of cleaning cobotics are designed to make the cleaning experience effortless and enjoyable. "We are excited to bring our innovative and effective cleaning solutions as a working partner to Europe and help businesses and organizations achieve a new level of cleanliness and efficiency." said to the spokesperson of Rosiwit. This profesional intelligent cleaning solution providor's commitment to delivering reliable and effective cleaning solutions, has made it a trusted provider of cleaning cobotics to businesses and organizations worldwide. With its complete line-up products and techonology, Rosiwit is poised to continue leading the way in the cleaning cobotics industry. Rosiwit's cleaning cobots will be available in Europe starting in July, with outdoor and indoor cleaning applicable scenes covered. For more information on Rosiwit's complete line-up of cleaning cobots, please visit the company's website or contact their sales team directly. You can find Rosiwit in LinkedIn info@rosiwit.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/892e1570-b256-4542-8820-c8408809b0eb https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7cf720dd-e1f0-46cf-b6f0-a952f4b7b5f8 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQX: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from four recent diamond drill holes at the newly discovered "Horseshoe" Gold Zone on its 100% owned Bullseye property along the Appleton Fault Zone ("AFZ"). Of note, 55 grains of visible gold were observed within a network of quartz veins in drill hole BE-23-019, located approximately 450 metres north of New Found Gold's recently reported high-grade intercepts at Everest in central Newfoundland. Horseshoe Gold Zone Highlights: BE-23-019 intersected 38.21 g/t Au over 2.80 m core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 145 m below surface, where 55 grains of visible gold were noted within a network of quartz veins. Including 118.92 g/t Au contribution from a 0.85 m sample . intersected core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 145 m below surface, where were noted within a network of quartz veins. BE-23-015 intersected 4.65 g/t Au over 2.00 m core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 166 m below surface. Including 8.90 g/t Au contribution from a 0.80 m sample . intersected core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 166 m below surface. Horseshoe Gold Zone remains open in all directions. Diamond drilling totaling 11,292 m has been safely and cost-effectively completed over the 30-hole first phase evaluation at Bullseye. Assay results from 18 of the 30 drill holes have been received and publicly reported to date. The results from the 12 remaining drill holes are pending. Jeff Swinoga, President and CEO, comments, "We are thrilled to announce our first gold discovery called Horseshoe on our Bullseye property. Our first phase of drilling so far has intercepted visible gold in a half-dozen drill holes and generated several high-grade intercepts up to 118.92 g/t Au. Consistent with the high-grade intercepts that our peers are reporting just south of Bullseye, our geologists are seeing mineralization within a complex network of multi-stage quartz veins. I am very proud of our local team's accomplishments during the first phase of our drilling campaign." Figure 1: Plan map displays Exploits' Bullseye property with locations of drill holes including BE-23-015 to BE-23-017 and BE-23-019 shown within yellow dashed box. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/169691_8ef0dfa7c4e2a94b_002full.jpg Figure 2: Plan map showing Exploits' assay results from the 2023 diamond drilling program at Bullseye. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/169691_8ef0dfa7c4e2a94b_003full.jpg Figure 3: Cross-section of the Horseshoe gold mineralized zone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/169691_8ef0dfa7c4e2a94b_004full.jpg Horseshoe Interpretation: Mineralization at the Bullseye property is hosted within a fold-thrust sequence of northeast-striking, steeply dipping, turbidite sequence. These rocks were deposited and deformed during the closure of the Iapetus Ocean and subsequent continent-continent collision. The Appleton Fault Zone is a regional scale deformation zone that developed during this period. The AFZ likely serves as a primary conduit for gold-bearing fluids. Brittle faults within the envelope surrounding the AFZ form a vast network of gold rich quartz veins. Visible gold has been noted within 8 drill holes contributing to the locally high-grade intercepts. Several wide intervals of gold mineralization, in the 1.00 - 3.00 g/t range, are linked to quartz veining with elevated sulphide content. Notable sulphide minerals, such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, and boulangerite have been observed within the veins and in the surrounding host rocks. Within the Horseshoe zone, visible gold is found in brecciated and locally annealed vuggy quartz veins, features characteristic of epizonal gold deposits. Photo 1: NQ core from drill hole BE-23-019 showing example of distribution of the 55 flecks of visible gold noted within the quartz veining. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/169691_8ef0dfa7c4e2a94b_005full.jpg Photo 2: Example of free-gold observed in drill hole BE-23-019; Yellow marks on scale = 1 mm. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/169691_8ef0dfa7c4e2a94b_006full.jpg Bullseye Drilling - Tables of Selected Assays Table 1: Selected drill assays Bullseye Drilling 2023 - Selected Assays (Exceeding 1.00 g/t Au Value) from Sawn NQ Drill Core Hole ID From (m) To (m) Sample Length (m) Vertical Depth (m) Below Surface Analysis Method Au Assay (ppb)* Au Assay (g/t) Comments Au - Weighted Average Grade (g/t)** BE-23-015 200.50 201.05 0.55 ~166m FA-AA 1,334.00 1.33 4.65 g/t Au over 2.00m 201.05 201.85 0.80 8,897.00 8.90 201.85 202.50 0.65 2,236.00 2.24 AND 206.20 207.20 1.00 ~170m FA-AA 1,582.00 1.58 AND 224.30 224.90 0.60 ~184m FA-AA 1,068.00 1.07 AND 373.30 373.70 0.40 ~309m Screen-Met 1,444.51 1.44 BE-23-016 134.30 135.15 0.85 ~100m FA-AA 2,634.00 2.63 BE-23-017 NSV BE-23-018 Assays Pending BE-23-019 46.00 46.45 0.45 ~45m FA-AA 1,608.00 1.61 2.21 g/t Au over 0.90m 46.45 46.90 0.45 2,803.00 2.80 AND 51.00 51.35 0.35 ~50m FA-AA 1,470.00 1.47 AND 56.60 57.00 0.40 ~53m FA-AA 1,067.00 1.07 1.94 g/t Au over 0.90m 57.00 57.50 0.50 2,643.00 2.64 AND 60.00 60.55 0.55 ~55m FA-AA 9,116.00 9.12 AND 106.00 107.00 1.00 ~82m FA-AA 2,024.00 2.02 AND 108.50 109.00 0.50 ~85m FA-AA 1,529.00 1.53 2.16 g/t Au over 0.95m 109.00 109.45 0.45 2,865.00 2.87 AND 190.60 191.05 0.45 ~140m Screen-Met 4,042.51 4.04 AND 195.20 195.55 0.35 ~145m Screen-Met 3,469.63 3.47 38.21 g/t Au over 2.80m 195.55 196.40 0.85 118,916.36 118.92 VG Noted 196.40 197.10 0.70 2,377.60 2.38 197.10 198.00 0.90 3,356.25 3.36 AND 199.00 199.80 0.80 ~147m Screen-Met 1,089.72 1.09 1.07 g/t Au over 1.15m 199.80 200.15 0.35 1,033.26 1.03 AND 205.45 206.70 1.25 ~153m Screen-Met 2,395.52 2.40 AND 220.00 221.00 1.00 ~162m FA-AA 1,355.00 1.36 AND 226.25 227.05 0.80 ~166m Screen-Met 1,755.33 1.76 AND 228.60 229.55 0.95 ~169m Screen-Met 1,848.86 1.85 AND 232.00 232.75 0.75 ~175m Screen-Met 1,607.62 1.61 2.41 g/t Au over 5.50m 232.75 233.20 0.45 2,084.22 2.08 233.20 233.65 0.45 4,234.04 4.23 233.65 234.05 0.40 3,944.97 3.94 234.05 234.50 0.45 1,913.15 1.91 234.50 235.00 0.50 1,579.64 1.58 235.00 235.55 0.55 978.98 0.98 235.55 235.90 0.35 2,068.13 2.07 235.90 236.75 0.85 3,054.97 3.05 236.75 237.50 0.75 2,816.64 2.82 AND 238.60 239.40 0.80 ~177m Screen-Met 1,116.69 1.12 5.64 g/t Au over 1.40m 239.40 240.00 0.60 11,662.32 11.66 AND 240.00 241.00 1.00 ~178m FA-AA 1,845.00 1.85 AND 381.80 382.20 0.40 ~281m FA-AA 1,459.00 1.46 *Assays reported direct from lab certificate. Screen-Met samples are 'Weighted Averaged ppb' as calculated from lab **All intersections are core intervals and do not represent true thickness Table 2: Drill Collar Data Bullseye - Collar Information for Reported Drill Holes Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) BE-23-015 659589 5431022 38 195 -55 502 BE-23-016 659597 5431023 38 235 -45 409 BE-23-017 659595 5431021 38 70 -45 430 BE-23-019 659589 5430993 38 195 -45 400 Coordinates Reported in NAD-83 Bullseye Gold Property The Bullseye claims were staked by Exploits in September 2022, and are contiguous to the very active targets currently being drilled by both New Found Gold and Labrador Gold. The claims are considered by the Company's geologists to be highly prospective because they directly overlay a 1,200 by 400 metre segment of the Appleton Fault and its related splay structures. Over a dozen exploration drill rigs have been employed by the three companies operating within this structural-stratigraphic setting over the past two years. Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC") All prospective NQ core is logged and delineated for sampling by an Exploits' professional geologist. The core is subsequently halved by a diamond-bladed core saw by the Company's technicians with one half being placed in a bag with a unique sample identification. The remaining half core is retained within the Company's secure storage facility in Gander, NL. Sample bags are sealed and then shipped directly to Eastern Analytical Ltd. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at defined intervals following the Company's QA/QC documented procedures, representing approximately 5% of all samples sent for assaying. All core samples are currently analyzed at Eastern Analytical Ltd. of 403 Little Bay Road, Springdale, NL, a commercial laboratory that is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and completely independent of Exploits. Samples are analyzed using fire assay (30g) with AA finish (Au-FAA 30 ppb process) and/or a four-acid digestion followed by multi-element ICP-OES analysis. All samples with visible gold or assaying above 10.0 g/t Au are further assayed using metallic screen to mitigate the presence of the nugget effect of coarse gold. Metallic screen assays are reported as 'Weighted Averaged ppb' directly calculated from the lab. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure Ken Tylee, P.Geo., VP of Exploration with Exploits, is a qualified person within the Provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Tylee has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein. About Exploits Discovery Corp. Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company is focused on discovering high-grade structurally hosted epizonal gold similar to New Found Gold's success along the Appleton Fault zone and parallel structures within the Exploits Subzone. Exploits is utilizing its experienced, talented local team and geologic understanding with the vision to become one of the most successful explorers in Canada. On Behalf of the Board /s/ "Jeff Swinoga" President and CEO For more information, please contact: Shanda Kilborn VP, Investor Relations +1 (778) 819-2708 investors@exploits.gold https://exploitsdiscovery.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by 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, labor 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. Acknowledgments Exploits Discovery would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169691 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - T2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: AGLAF) (WKN: A2DR6E) ("T2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company and Kiciwapa Cree Nation, have signed an Exploration Agreement ("the Agreement") that outlines a framework for collaboration on the proposed exploration of the Sherridon copper-zinc project in the Flin Flon district of west-central Manitoba. The Agreement details how the parties shall work together to progress exploration activity at Sherridon, which lies within the Traditional and Ancestral Territory of the Kiciwapa Cree and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. The Agreement promotes a cooperative, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship for all of T2 Metals activities at Sherridon. Kiciwapa Cree Nation representative Mr Floyd North commented, "the Kiciwapa Cree community is pleased to see renewed investment in exploration at Sherridon and look forward to contributing to the success of T2 Metals exploration programs." Mark Saxon, CEO of T2 Metals Corp. said, "recognition of the traditional territories and rights of First Nations is paramount to the success of our mineral exploration project. We have been made to feel welcome in the Sherridon community, and signing of this important Agreement provides certainty for the Company and ensures cultural heritage and environmental protections as well as commercial benefits for the Kiciwapa Cree Nation." T2 Metals is now completing exploration planning for Sherridon, with drilling planned for Q3 2023. Sherridon is a large volcanic hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) camp with an extensive mining history and multiple copper-zinc-silver-gold historical resources and occurrences. The project is well-served by all weather roads, rail and the Sherridon/Cold Lake village. T2 Metals is focused on copper, nickel and lithium acquisition, exploration and development within the major mining belts of western North America. The Company continues to target under-explored areas, including the Sherridon, Lida and Cora projects where post-mineralization cover masks areas of high geological prospectivity in the vicinity of major mines. Any references to the terms "ore minerals", "mineralization" or "mineralized zones" are purely for descriptive purposes and are not intended to be interpreted as or relied upon for any resource or economic evaluation of the project at this time. Although historic exploration data was generated by reputable companies applying practice of the day, T2 Metals Corp cannot verify the data or determine the quality assurance and quality control measures applied in generating the data. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the exploration history is fully captured. Additional drilling may have been undertaken, however the Company has not been made aware of or obtained additional data. Accordingly, the Company cautions that the exploration data reported in this news release may not be reliable. Readers are cautioned that a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has not completed sufficient work to be able to verify the historical information, and therefore the information should not be relied upon. The qualified person for the Company's projects, Mr. Mark Saxon, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and approved the contents of this release. About T2 Metals Corp (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: AGLAF) (WKN: A2DR6E) T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. T2 is focused on the Sherridon Project in Manitoba, the Lida Project in Nevada, and the Cora Project in Arizona. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Mark Saxon" Mark Saxon President & CEO For further information, please contact: t2metals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 info@t2metals.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 Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include uncertainties relating to exploration activities. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169692 LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunrider Europe, headquartered in Soho Square, London, England, and an affiliate office of Sunrider International, recently received the LUXlife Health, Beauty & Wellness Award for Best Herbal Nutrition & Cosmetics Brand 2023. The announcement was made on the LUXlife Magazine website in June 2023. This is the third LUXlife Health, Beauty & Wellness accolade Sunrider Europe has earned. In 2021, the company was recognized as the Best Herbal Nutrition Brand (Europe) and received the LUXlife Award for Innovation in Herbal Cosmetics Manufacturing. According to the LUXlife website, the aim of the awards program is "to recognize market-leading companies who stand above their competition and provide high-quality luxury products, services, and treatments which an elite clientele appreciate and expect." The awards program is conducted by LUXlife Magazine, a premium lifestyle publication founded in 2015. Distributed to a circulation of 94,000 globally, LUXlife "focuses on a range of topics within the luxury lifestyle industry, featuring articles on fashion, beauty, fine dining, travel, luxury real estate and much more." Sunrider Europe's LUXlife brand award is showcased in the June issue of LUXlife Awards Winners Magazine, https://www.lux-review.com/issues/health-beauty-and-wellness-awards-2023/ page 19. Information about Sunrider Europe and Sunrider's wide range of products for healthy living can be found at uk.sunrider.com . The public is also invited to visit the company's office showroom in Soho Square, London, open Monday-Friday. About Sunrider Sunrider International, is a direct selling and retail sales company, and was founded in 1982 by Drs. Tei-Fu and Oi-Lin Chen. All five of their children hold senior executive positions within the multi-generational, family-owned company, either directly at the corporate headquarters or on the Board of Directors. Their passion for people led them to create proven herbal products that help others achieve optimal health and wellness, and a business opportunity that offers them the freedom to live happier, more balanced lives. Guided by owner expertise, Sunrider is a growing global enterprise that currently spans nearly 40 countries. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sunrider-europe-wins-prestigious-luxlife-health-beauty--wellness-award-301848075.html HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan [L] and Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung [R] announced the HKTDC Export Index for the second quarter of 2023 at a press conference today. HONG KONG, June 13, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The HKTDC Export Index rose 8.8 points to 47.8 in the second quarter this year, showing better business sentiment among Hong Kong exporters after Mainland China's borders reopened and business activities return to normal.All major industries and export markets rallied except for clothing, with toys (55.4, up 7.5 points) and machinery (50.3, up 7.4 points) moving above 50 into expansion territory while, among markets, the European Union (51.4, up 9.4 points) and United States (51.1, up 6.7 points) turned positive for the first time in five years.Based on a quarterly Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) survey of 500 exporters from six major industries - machinery, electronics, jewellery, timepieces, toys and clothing - the index at above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook, and below 50 pessimistic.Export outlook upbeatHKTDC Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung said three new sub-indices - inventory (48.5), current new orders (45.1) and expected new orders (53.6) - provided a more comprehensive exporter sentiment picture. Respondents - especially those from toys, timepieces and machinery sectors - expected strong growth in new export orders in July-September.The profitability outlook improved as more respondents (66.3%, up 15.3 percentage points from the final quarter of last year) expected higher or stable net profit margins for this year."Against this backdrop, the city's exporters have adjusted their business strategies, shifting the focus from cash-flow management to spending more resources on marketing, promotion and business matching (41.6%, up 11.7 percentage points from previous quarter) and diversifying sales into additional overseas markets (31.1%)," Ms Yeung said.All sub-indices riseOther sub-indices grew this quarter with the Trade Value Index and Employment Index edged up 0.8 point to 48.8 and 0.5 point to 48.1 respectively, while the Procurement Index leapt 15.9 points to 44.3.The Offshore Trade Index, which tracks sentiment around shipments not passing through Hong Kong but managed by businesses within the city, soared 18.5 points to 46.5, "signalling a sustained recovery in demand for Hong Kong's trading services", Ms Yeung added.Growing economic risksThe survey results also revealed a slower-than-expected recovery of cargo routed through Hong Kong. Only 13.4% (down 23.1 percentage points from previous quarter) of related respondents expected an increase this year. As of last month, the number of cross-boundary vehicles at all crossings for goods vehicles and containers reached a plateau at about 60% of the pre-pandemic level. Some industry players said reduced capacity had raised cross-border logistics costs between 20% and 30% from pre-pandemic levels, slowing the recovery.The biggest risk was seen as an external one, with most respondents (66.1%, up 29.9 percentage points from the final quarter last year) recognising an economic slowdown or recession in overseas markets as the top challenge to export performance over the third quarter this year.Sustained recoveryAffected by weakened global demand, a slower-than-expected recovery in cross-border land transport capacity, coupled with a longer-than-expected downcycle in the electronics sector, Hong Kong's total exports fell 16.5% year-on-year in the first four months of this year. Among markets, the Middle East grew 11.5%, driven by the two economies' closer economic and trade ties. Stimulated by a post-pandemic spike in demand in Mainland China and Macao, Hong Kong's precious jewellery exports to the two markets surged 32% and 42% respectively.HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said the recovery was gathering momentum for the second half of this year which was likely to carry into next year. "However, traders remain cautious, with many concerned about the challenging external backdrop. The risk of escalating geopolitical tensions, may create uncertainties for electronics trade flows throughout the region, especially those relating to the semi-conductor industry," she said.Taking all these factors into account, HKTDC Research has revised its forecast for Hong Kong export growth this year down from earlier estimate of 5% to between 0% and 2%.References- HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/- HKTDC Export Index 2Q23: Confidence at Two-Year High https://bit.ly/3Nk5wfP- 2023 Mid-Year Export Review: Recovery Set to Accelerate in the second half https://bit.ly/42Ay2y2- Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Ce0P0AAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedInMedia enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.orgSource: HKTDCCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Bunge Limited (BG) has entered into a definitive agreement with Viterra Limited together with, certain affiliates of Glencore PLC (GLEN.L), Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, to merge with Viterra in a stock and cash deal. Viterra shareholders would receive approximately 65.6 million shares of Bunge stock, with an aggregate value of approximately $6.2 billion, and approximately $2.0 billion in cash, representing a consideration mix of approximately 75% Bunge stock and 25% cash. Bunge will assume $9.8 billion of Viterra debt. Bunge plans to repurchase $2.0 billion of Bunge's stock to enhance accretion to adjusted EPS. Viterra shareholders would own 30% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis upon the close, and approximately 33% after completion of the repurchase plan. The merger is anticipated to close in mid-2024. Bunge expects the transaction, coupled with the associated $2.0 billion share buyback, to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first full year post closing and continue to improve with the realization of synergies. The combined company will be led by Greg Heckman, Bunge's CEO, and John Neppl, Bunge's CFO. Viterra CEO David Mattiske will join the Bunge Executive Leadership Team in the role of Co-Chief Operating Officer. The combined company will operate as Bunge. Glencore and CPP Investments will each enter into a shareholder agreement with Bunge at the closing of the deal. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. The Company is one of the first to successfully qualify, demonstrate and operationalize optical inter-satellite link (OISL) technology on a nanosatellite Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) ("Spire" or "the Company"), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, successfully launched and made contact with two satellites on the SpaceX Transporter-8 mission carrying optical inter-satellite link (OISL)payloads that will significantly reduce data latency and strengthen security of communication. The 6U satellites are equipped with optical communications terminals (OCT) to send information between them securely and almost instantaneously, reducing the latency of data acquired by Spire's nanosatellites by more than an order of magnitude. The OCT developed by Spire, which is the smallest on the market, allows for the creation of optical links between satellites that enhance link speeds, security and resiliency to interference such as signal jamming and spoofing. With the OCT, Spire's satellites will be able to communicate via optical link while up to 5,000 kilometers apart. The launch of the satellites follows an in-orbit technology demonstration where Spire successfully demonstrated its ability to transmit and detect optical signals between two of its 3U satellites. "We are celebrating the culmination of more than three years of work in creating one of the most complex systems from both the hardware and mission perspectives. The use of optical links instead of traditional links leads to higher resiliency to interference, higher security, and higher efficiency," said Jeroen Cappaert, Spire chief technology officer and co-founder. "We are one of the first to successfully qualify and demonstrate this technology in our satellite size and weight class our part in a growing trend, as the space industry is moving to optical links as the backbone for sending data." The technology development was funded partially through the European Space Agency (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) Pioneer Programme and the UK Space Agency (UKSA). "The successful launch of these two Glasgow-made satellites from Spire Global marks a milestone, not just for the company, but for how we look at intersatellite communications and make these technologies more efficient," said Craig Brown, Director of Investment at the UK Space Agency. "The UK Space Agency provided 2.9 million towards the project, which includes five satellites across three launches, through the European Space Agency's ARTES Pioneer Programme, dedicated to supporting new commercial opportunities in the telecommunications sector. We look forward to following the next steps of Spire Global's journey and seeing the results." In addition to reducing the time to downlink data for Spire's maritime, aviation and weather data solutions, the OISL payloads can also be leveraged by Spire Space Services customers as a fast and secure communications system. Aboard Transporter-8, Spire also launched FOREST-2, a 6U satellite carrying a proprietary thermal-infrared optical payload and data processing unit for OroraTech. Following FOREST-1, this is the second satellite that Spire Space Services has developed and launched for OroraTech, the global industry leader in space-based thermal intelligence, to detect and monitor wildfires across the globe. FOREST-2 features higher resolution, upgraded processing and two times the swath of thermal imaging to be gathered from space than its predecessor. About Spire Global, Inc. Spire (NYSE: SPIR) is a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, offering unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth so that organizations can make decisions with confidence in a rapidly changing world. Spire builds, owns, and operates a fully deployed satellite constellation that observes the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The data acquired by Spire's satellites provides global weather intelligence, ship and plane movements, and spoofing and jamming detection to better predict how their patterns impact economies, global security, business operations and the environment. Spire also offers Space as a Service solutions that empower customers to leverage its established infrastructure to put their business in space. Spire has eight offices across the U.S., Canada, UK, Luxembourg and Singapore. To learn more, visit spire.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613963650/en/ Contacts: Kristina Spychalski Director of Communications Kristina.Spychalski@spire.com High-resolution ground gravity survey identifies significant new anomalies that support the potential for a large-scale sediment-hosted copper system as predicted by geological modeling Strong gravity anomalies identified below and adjacent to the known near-surface copper mineralization The anomalies have an upper boundary at 200 metres (m) depth, extend for several kilometres, and are interpreted to represent dense bodies that are consistent with copper sulfide deposits The outer periphery of one large gravity anomaly was intersected by a 2022 drill hole that terminated in 68m of copper-bearing sulfide mineralization (remaining open at depth) from 277m downhole Gravity anomalies are coincident with historical electromagnetic (EM) and induced polarization (IP) anomalies indicating both dense and electrically chargeable bodies which are interpreted to be consistent with sulfide mineralization TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY) (OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") reports on significant gravity anomalies in results from the high-resolution ground gravity geophysical program at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The program was conducted this April and May by American West Metals Limited ("American West"), who are the project operator since entering an option agreement with Aston Bay in March 2021. Figure 1: Gravity data interpretation map showing the 3D gravity targets, known copper sulfide deposits and major faults (overlaying topography). "These are spectacular results from the gravity survey conducted at Storm this spring by our partners American West," stated Thomas Ullrich, CEO of Aston Bay. "The anomalies are large, with a strike length of several kilometres, and spatially coincident with the known shallow high-grade copper mineralization. Importantly, the anomalies are relatively shallow, with an upper boundary at about 200m depth, well within range of the diamond drill. "The upper margin of one of the largest gravity anomalies was intersected by drill hole ST22-10 in the 2022 drill campaign. Targeting a conductivity anomaly, the hole ended in 68 metres of sulfide mineralization. Being both dense and electrically chargeable, the sulfide is a plausible cause for both the gravity and conductivity anomalies. "Further, the dominantly pyrite-chalcopyrite sulfide mineralization in the intercept is the style of mineralization found on the periphery of the high-grade copper zones elsewhere at Storm. Here we have a drill hole intercepting peripheral-style sulfide mineralization on the margin of a very large gravity anomaly - this is an exciting target for the summer 2023 drill program." Figure 2: Chalcocite (with malachite alteration) is extensively exposed at surface at Storm and suggests potential 'leakage' sourced from a large sediment-hosted copper system below. LARGE AND DENSE BODIES DEFINED UNDER KNOWN COPPER MINERALIZATION The gravity survey is interpreted to have effectively defined a series of dense features that are spatially associated with the interpreted graben fault architecture and known copper sulfide mineralization at Storm (Figures 3 & 4). These geological features closely adhere to the typical sediment-hosted copper model as seen in the large copper deposits of central and southern Africa and highlight the exceptional exploration potential of the area. The interpretation has highlighted a series of NW-SE orientated gravity anomalies along the main Storm graben axis, which are discontinuous and/or are offset in places due to a series of N-S oriented faults. The anomalies appear to have higher densities where they intersect the main graben faults, and form a series of lobes with decreasing density away from the faults (Figures 1 & 4). Figure 3: Total bouguer gravity anomaly image and graben fault architecture, overlaying topography. Refer to Figure 4 for locations of known surface mineralization. The 'northern fault' gravity anomaly extends over approximately 4.8km, is located to the north of the main fault, and is broken into two main zones. The easternmost zone is located directly below the 4100N Zone, where ongoing drilling has defined thick and continuous copper mineralization in the near-surface (<100m depth) over 1km of strike. The 'southern fault' gravity anomaly is approximately 4km long, lies south of the graben fault, and is bounded by the 3500N, 2750N and 2200N high-grade copper zones. Figure 4: Interpretation of the bouguer gravity data showing the anomalies spatial relationship to the graben faults and known near-surface copper deposits (overlaying topography) LARGE SIGNIFICANT TARGETS MODELED BY 3D INVERSION A 3D inversion was completed on the gravity data to produce a series of gravity contrast iso-shells, which are designed to highlight the areas with the greatest density contrasts in 3D (Figures 5 & 6). These could represent potential areas of stronger copper mineralization and are high priority drill targets. The largest of the 3D gravity targets is located along the northern fault and directly underneath the 4100N Zone (Figures 5 & 6). The feature commences at approximately 200m depth and is approximately 2.3km long. The gravity feature is coincident with a strong historical IP anomaly on its upper contact. This is a highly significant association and indicates a both dense and electrically chargeable body. The only known dense and chargeable geological feature at depth in the Storm area are sulfides. Several other gravity targets are also defined by the 3D inversion along the southern fault. The data indicate that a strong gravity anomaly is located near the surface to the west of the high-grade 2750N Copper Zone. This location also features strong EM and IP anomalies associated with known copper mineralization in sparse, shallow historic drilling (5m @ 2% Cu and 0.8m @ 20% Cu in drill hole ST00-66). Figure 5: Geophysical summary map showing the new gravity density contrast anomalies, deep EM conductors and strong IP (>14Mv) anomalies (overlaying drill collar locations, graben faults and topography). Figure 6: East-West long section showing the large density anomaly (red) underneath the 4100N Zone mineralization. Note the strong IP anomaly (magenta) is spatially coincident with the top of the gravity anomaly. DRILL HOLE ST22-10 -THE EDGE OF A MAJOR COPPER SYSTEM? Exploration drill hole ST22-10 was completed in 2022 targeting a large EM anomaly to the west of, and at a deeper stratigraphic level than, the near-surface high-grade 4100N Zone. The EM anomaly is located on the southern edge of a strong airborne gravity anomaly associated with the northern graben fault. The drill hole intersected a thick sequence of copper and zinc sulfide-bearing mineralization hosted within carbonate sediments before being abandoned due to technical drilling issues. Approximately 68.8m of chalcopyrite-bearing sulfide mineralization (Figure 7) was intersected from 277m downhole (approx. 230m vertical depth), remaining open at depth. The sulfide mineralization is interpreted to be stratabound and is hosted within a vuggy, bituminous and fossiliferous unit. Figure 7: Chalcopyrite (copper sulfide), pyrite (iron sulfide), sphalerite (zinc sulfide) and galena (lead sulfide) within vuggy bituminous dolostone in ST22-10 drill core from 313m downhole. A distinct zonation of metal associations and mineralogy is noted at the 4100N, 2750N and 2200N Zones at Storm: a large copper-rich core (chalcocite, bornite and covellite) gives way laterally and vertically to thinner peripheral zones of copper-iron (chalcopyrite), iron (pyrite), zinc (sphalerite) and minor lead (galena). ST22-10 intersected the peripheral mineralogical assemblage (chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena) suggesting the potential for a nearby larger, more copper-rich core. The metal associations and zonation of the mineralization suggest that drill hole ST22-10 potentially intersected the edge of a larger copper system. Additionally, the geology displays all the elements required in the sediment-hosted mineralization forming process: permeable carbonate rocks to act as a fluid conduit and host mineralization, hydrocarbons to reduce metal-bearing fluids and force metal precipitation, sulfur source from bitumen and sour gas, proximity to faults known to be an effective source for plumbing, all within a favourable structural setting. These key features are similar to many of the world's major sediment-hosted copper systems, including the deposits of the Kalahari Copper Belt (Botswana) and Central African Copper Belt (DRC, Zambia). The three-dimensional interpretation of the 2023 gravity data suggests that drill hole ST22-10 was drilled just to the south of, and likely intercepted the margin of, the large anomaly below and to the west of the 4100N Zone (Figures 5 & 6). Both the metal zonation and geophysical modeling suggest the intersection of the periphery of a potentially larger mineralized zone. As such, the large gravity anomaly below the 4100N Zone and to the northwest of ST22-10 is a key target for the discovery of additional copper sulfides. Diamond drilling will test this and other highly prospective exploration targets that sit at 200m to 500m below the surface. Figure 8: Conceptual geological and exploration targeting model for the Storm Project, showing depth of current drilling and conceptual location of discovery drill hole ST22-10. GAME-CHANGING TARGETING TOOL The 2023 high-resolution ground gravity survey was designed to follow up historical airborne and limited ground gravity surveys. The prior surveys had identified a series of broad density anomalies that lay adjacent to the large graben faults - interpreted to be conduits for copper-forming fluids - and below known near-surface copper sulfide mineralization. Given the high contrast in density between copper sulfide mineralization and the mostly homogenous dolomite sedimentary host rocks at Storm, this geophysical technique was expected to be an effective targeting tool. The new survey has provided high-quality data and a significant increase in the understanding of the Storm graben area. The survey included a total of 2,657 gravity stations (Figure 9), with an approximate station spacing of 150m x 50m (E-W and N-S respectively). Topographic surveying was performed simultaneously with gravity data acquisition, and terrain corrections were applied to the data. Figure 9: Ground gravity station locations overlaying geology. PLANNED PROGRAM Drilling at the 4100N Zone will continue in the summer field program, with a focus on the expansion of the mineralized footprint. This program will be followed by resource definition drilling at the 2200N and 2750N Zones - drilling here intersected high-grade copper sulfides close to surface including 41m* @ 4.18% Cu from 38m (ST22-05), 110m* @ 2.45% Cu from surface (ST97-08) and 56.3m* @ 3.07% Cu from 12.2m (ST99-19). Processing and interpretation of the Moving Loop EM (MLEM) data collected during the spring program are almost complete. Diamond drilling will be scheduled to test new high-priority exploration targets identified from the gravity survey. Sorting and beneficiation test work for a potential direct shipping product operation is continuing with results to follow shortly. An environmental baseline survey is scheduled to begin this summer at Storm. About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.45% Cu from surface and 56.3m* @ 3.07% Cu from 12.2m) as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.58% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect where 10 grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. Storm Discovery and Historic Work High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization at the surface for hundreds of metres strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N Zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics, and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure. Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources re-staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retains a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims. In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018 yielding a best intercept of 1.5m* @ 4.39% Cu and 20.5m* @ 0.56% Cu. Agreement with American West Metals An earn-in agreement for the Storm and Seal properties was signed with American West Metals in March 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, an expenditure of C$10m will earn 80% ownership of the property for American West. Aston Bay is carried for all expenditures to the completion of a feasibility study and production decision. If Aston Bay chooses not to participate and is diluted below 10% ownership, the ownership converts to a 2% Net Smelter Royalty, half of which is purchasable by American West for C$5m at first production. Aston Bay received a cash payment of C$500,000 on signing. Recent Work American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly. In April 2022 results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation studies are ongoing. In April 2023 American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable reverse circulation (RC) drill rig as well as gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs. Results from the programs are in process and are released as they come available. A summer 2023 program plans further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource reports by late 2023. Diamond drilling is planned to test new high-priority gravity targets and environmental baseline studies will be initiated. *Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 95% of core length. Figure 10: Storm Copper Project, Location Map. Qualified Person Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Aston Bay Holdings Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade copper and gold deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company is currently exploring the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade copper potential in the area. The Company is 100% owner of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit and has been optioned to American West Metals Limited. About American West Metals Limited AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. Our strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. Our portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to our approach is our commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where our projects are located. Led by a highly experienced leadership team, our strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders. For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements made in this news release, including those regarding the Option Agreement, grant of the Option and the expected closing date, American West's interest in the Storm Project and its other acquisitions and plans, plans for the upcoming field season, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation. For more information contact: Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com (416) 456-3516 Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com (647) 821-1337 SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760820/Aston-Bay-and-Partner-American-West-Metals-Identify-Large-Significant-Copper-Targets-at-the-Storm-Copper-Project-Nunavut Asia to lead growth driven by travel demand from rising middle class Over US$4 trillion will be required to finance new deliveries providing major role for aircraft lessors Long-term demand to travel to see friends, family and do business undiminished by pandemic Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, today publishes its World Fleet Forecast Return to Growth projecting trends in the commercial passenger aviation fleet out to 2042. It forecasts the fleet will almost double by 2042, growing 94% to 46,880 aircraft, underpinned by sustained growth in demand for air travel, building on the rapid recovery experienced since the pandemic. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613029173/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) Avolon estimates that over $4 trillion will be required to finance the 44,300 new passenger commercial aircraft to be delivered over the next 20 years, providing a considerable opportunity for lessors to partner with airlines globally to finance their growth ambitions. Passenger demand will continue to rise by c.3.5% per annum from a 2019 base, but the pace of expansion will be lower than the 5-6% of the previous 20 years due to reduced potential for further deregulation to drive growth, and higher fares because of aircraft supply shortages and increasing sustainability levies. The biggest growth driver will be new middle-class consumers, particularly in India, South-East Asia and Latin America. Aviation is confronting the challenge of decoupling growth from environmental impact. Trillions of dollars of new investment will be required to fund the required transition to new-technology lower emissions aircraft, to ramp up the supply of sustainable aviation fuel, and to explore new designs that pioneer alternative energy sources. Aircraft lessors will play a key role in accelerating fleet renewal, and a growing industry will attract the capital required to hit aviation's net zero target by 2050. Avolon's World Fleet Forecast is available here, and the key takeaways include: The regions showing the biggest increase in travel out to 2042 will be India (4.4%), China (3.7%), Asia (5.0%) and Latin America (4.9%). Mature markets such as North America (2.0%) and Europe (3.1%) will continue to grow, although at a more moderate rate. 44,300 new aircraft will be delivered over the period and 21,600 aircraft will exit the passenger fleet through decommissioning at the end of their economic life or freighter conversion. Growth of the narrowbody fleet (112%) will outpace widebody fleet growth (97%) as single-aisle aircraft are able to accommodate more passengers and trans-continental flight distances. Regional Jet (11%) and Turboprop (36%) growth will be more modest. The global fleet will have transitioned to largely (95%) new-technology fuel-efficient aircraft by the end of the forecast period Airbus is set to maintain its strong market position in the narrowbody segment accounting for 58% of the global narrowbody fleet in 2042, compared to 53% currently. Boeing will maintain its 59% share leadership of the widebody segment, with the resumption of 787 deliveries a key driver. Supply constraints currently being experienced will continue into the second half of the decade, increasing the value of booked production slots and aircraft that have already been delivered. Those airlines that have not secured sufficient capacity will rely on lessors for new and used aircraft. Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, said: "The human desire to connect with friends and family, and to do business remains undiminished, as shown by the post-pandemic recovery in air travel. Emerging markets and their growing middle class underpin our forecast for continued expansion of the global fleet. Near-term production constraints will remain a feature and will reward those who have secured their orderbook pipeline. The resilience aviation has shown, and its anticipated long-term growth trend, reaffirms the investment case for aircraft as an asset class." Jim Morrison, Chief Risk Officer of Avolon and co-author of the report, said: "Whilst the pace of growth in demand for travel will moderate, increasing GDP per capita will drive the global fleet to nearly double by 2042. Delivering on sustainability commitments is an imperative to secure aviation's continued growth. Fleet renewal, scaling sustainable aviation fuel production, and the development of transformational new aircraft designs will be capital intensive. Lessors will play a critical role in the industry's future success and net zero transition." About Avolon Headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the United States, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Avolon provides aircraft leasing and lease management services. Avolon is 70% owned by an indirect subsidiary of Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd., a public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SLE: 000415) and 30% owned by ORIX Aviation Systems, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation which is listed on the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX). Avolon is a global leader in aircraft leasing with an owned, managed and committed fleet, as of 31 March 2023 of 830 aircraft. www.avolon.aero Disclaimer This document the Fleet Forecast and any other materials contained in or accompanying it (collectively, the "Materials") are provided for general information purposes only. The Materials are provided without any guarantee, condition, representation or warranty (express or implied) as to their adequacy, correctness or completeness. Any opinions, estimates, commentary or conclusions contained in the Materials represent the judgement of Avolon as at the date of the Materials and are subject to change without notice. The Materials are not intended to amount to advice on which any reliance should be placed and Avolon disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the Materials. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613029173/en/ Contacts: David Breen Joe Brennan Avolon Investor Relations ir@avolon.aero T: +353 1 231 5800 Douglas Keatinge Avolon Head of Communications dkeatinge@avolon.aero T: +353 86 037 4163 Agreement will deliver renewable natural gas to U.S. research and manufacturing sites, starting in Newark, Delaware, and accelerate progress on global emissions reduction targets New partnership leverages food and beverage waste from manufacturing and cow manure to power sites, contributing to the circular economy BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, AstraZeneca (AZN) is partnering with Vanguard Renewables to enable the delivery of renewable natural gas (RNG) to all of its sites in the United States by the end of 2026. From June 2023, AstraZeneca will begin purchasing RNG produced by Vanguard Renewables for its Newark Campus in Delaware, where the Company packages 26 medicines for distribution across the U.S. and makes medicine formulations for global supply. By 2026, this collaboration will enable as much as 650,000 million British thermal units (MMBtu), or 190,500 megawatt hours (MWh), per year of RNG to be used across AstraZeneca's U.S. sites, equivalent to the energy required to heat more than 17,800 U.S. homes for a year. Pam Cheng, Executive Vice President of Global Operations & IT and Chief Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca, said: "We recognize the interconnection between the health of people and the planet, and are committed to driving deep decarbonization across our operations and value chain. Our innovative partnership with Vanguard Renewables in the U.S. is an illustration of how we are collaborating at scale to deliver sustainable science and medicines, as part of the transition to net zero health systems and a circular economy." AstraZeneca is taking a science-led, patient-centric approach to deliver improved health outcomes with a lower environmental footprint. As heat and power are critical to the manufacture of medicines, the decarbonization of healthcare requires access to clean sources of heat, such as renewable natural gas. This new partnership with Vanguard Renewables is an important milestone in delivering emissions reductions in line with AstraZeneca's flagship Ambition Zero Carbon program. The Company is on track to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 98% by 2026 from a 2015 baseline, and by 2030, AstraZeneca aims to halve its entire value chain footprint on the way to becoming science-based net zero by 2045 at the latest. The use of RNG at AstraZeneca sites in the U.S. will further enable the company's transition to 100 percent renewable energy for heat and power. This agreement will utilize Vanguard Renewables Farm Powered process, allowing Vanguard Renewables to work with dairy farmers and food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to produce RNG using farm-based anaerobic digestion (AD) from food and dairy cow manure. Once the RNG is produced and captured through AD, it will be injected into existing natural gas infrastructure for use in AstraZeneca medicines research and manufacturing processes. Through the partnership with Vanguard Renewables, AstraZeneca will access high quality RNG from three on-farm anaerobic digester facilities across the U.S. for the next 15 years or more. Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Vanguard Renewables stated: "Vanguard Renewables is excited to be partnering with AstraZeneca on this transformative business-to-business clean energy solution. AstraZeneca has set a very ambitious and challenging net zero target, which is a benchmark for their sector and other global corporations. We strongly believe this partnership will provide a path for other like-minded companies to join us on the journey towards global decarbonization." This collaboration will utilize food and beverage waste from the manufacturing sector and cow manure from local and family-owned farms, supporting rural communities across the U.S. By capturing methane from dairy operations that would have otherwise ended up in the atmosphere, this partnership also reduces pollution from the farming sector. John Hanselman, Chief Strategy Officer at Vanguard Renewables shared: "We have been working with multi-generational farms and food and beverage manufacturers since 2014 to provide sustainable solutions to greenhouse gas emissions challenges by diverting food waste from landfills and sequestering on-farm emissions. Vanguard's Farm Powered process provides farmers across the U.S. with additional revenue streams, supports regenerative agriculture practices, and helps to ensure that these farms will be operating for years to come - thanks in part to change-making partnerships like this with AstraZeneca." Notes: Anaerobic Digestion Inedible or unsaleable food and beverage waste from the manufacturing and retail sectors is collected, sorted, depackaged on-site, and combined with dairy farm manure in a sealed biodigester tank. Once combined in the biodigester, microorganisms that naturally occur in manure digest the waste, converting sugars, fats, and other compounds into biogas. Harnessing the waste's energy captures as much as 95 percent of the potential greenhouse gas emissions that would result if food and beverage waste was sent to a landfill or if the farm manure was field applied. The process produces biogas that is upgraded to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) that is injected into the existing pipeline infrastructure on-site displacing traditional fossil fuels. The RNG is then used for heating and cooling or can be used to make compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles. The by-products of the anaerobic digestion process include a low-carbon and nutrient dense fertilizer (digestate) that reduces the farm's dependency on chemical fertilizers and a dry by-product that is used for animal bedding. When food and beverage manufacturers send their organic waste to a Farm Powered site and purchase the RNG created by their waste to power their plants, they are creating a closed-loop solution that helps to address Scope 1 and 3 emissions in their business practices. About Vanguard Renewables Vanguard Renewables, based in Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 120+ anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered anaerobic digestion. The Company is a member of The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets. To learn more visitwww.vanguardrenewables.com. About AstraZeneca AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Vanguard Renewables on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Vanguard Renewables Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/vanguard-renewables Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Vanguard Renewables View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760890/Vanguard-Renewables-Announces-Innovative-Partnership-With-AstraZeneca-to-Decarbonize-United-States-Medicines-Manufacturing Princess Margaret Cancer Center's retrospective analysis found a 30% improvement (83.2% vs 53.2%) in one-year overall survival for patients treated with treosulfan, among other positive findings Toronto, Ontario and Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Medexus Pharmaceuticals (TSX: MDP) (OTCQX: MEDXF) is pleased to highlight positive new data on treosulfan that researchers at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) recently presented at MDS 2023, the 17th annual International Congress on Myelodysplastic Syndromes, held in Marseille, France. The study, a retrospective analysis of patient outcomes, further confirms Medexus's optimism regarding treosulfan's potential positive impact in both Canada and the United States. The study found that reduced toxicity conditioning (RTC) with fludarabine-treosulfan (FT) improves transplant outcomes in myeloablative conditioning (MAC) ineligible patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who receive graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with dual T-cell depletion (TCD). Notably, the study found a 30% improvement (83.2% vs 53.2%) in one-year overall survival for patients treated with treosulfan, among other positive findings. See "About the study" below for additional information about the study's methods, results, and conclusions, including information about the study's design and a summary of selected statistical information. "We are very encouraged by these new results of PMH's study, which are consistent with previous studies and further demonstrate the potential benefits of treosulfan," said Ken d'Entremont, Medexus's Chief Executive Officer. "We see this latest evidence as yet another important indicator of this product's prospects, including because we view these results as equally relevant to patient communities in the United States market." "Clinicians should always make the best choice possible for their patients, so we are very pleased with the data we presented at MDS 2023, as it further underscores the clinical and therapeutic utility of treosulfan," added Dr Ivan Pasic from PMH. The full abstract, which includes further discussion of the study's design and findings, was published in the Leukemia Research journal and is available at the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107131 The MDS 2023 presentation is substantially consistent with the previously published final study results and analysis of the pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of treosulfan, which Medexus announced in June 2022. Among other things, that earlier study demonstrated clinically relevant superiority of treosulfan over a reduced-intensity conditioning busulfan regimen with regard to event-free survival, that study's primary endpoint. "We remain excited about the prospect of a treosulfan approval in the United States and about treosulfan's significant potential in the US market," Mr d'Entremont concluded. "If approved by the FDA, we expect that treosulfan would have a meaningful impact on Medexus's total revenue. For reference, as one indicator of the potential market opportunity, we estimate that a market-leading product in the United States generated approximately US$126 million in peak annual revenue before genericization." About Trecondyv (treosulfan) Treosulfan is part of a preparative regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to be used in combination with fludarabine, used in treating eligible patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Final study results and analysis of the pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of treosulfan conducted by medac GmbH, which was published in the American Journal of Hematology, concluded that the study demonstrates clinically relevant superiority of treosulfan over a widely applied "reduced-intensity conditioning" busulfan regimen with regard to its primary endpoint, event-free survival. The publication also includes favorable conclusions on two key secondary endpoints, finding that overall survival with treosulfan was superior compared to busulfan and that non-relapse mortality for patients in the treosulfan arm was lower than for patients in the busulfan arm. For more information about the study and the publication, including a link to the full publication, see Medexus's June 6, 2022 press release, available via the Investors section of Medexus's corporate website. During the phase 3 clinical trial of treosulfan, treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 92.6% of patients in the treosulfan treatment group. TEAEs were most commonly reported in the system organ classes, or SOCs, of "Gastrointestinal disorders", "General disorders and administration site conditions", and "Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders". TEAEs of at least CTCAE Grade III were reported by 54.8% of patients in the treosulfan treatment group. Severe adverse events were reported by 8.5% of patients in the treosulfan treatment group. For more information about Trecondyv (treosulfan), including important safety information, see the product monograph, which is available on Health Canada's website at: https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=100678. Treosulfan is approved by Health Canada for sale and use in Canada only and is not intended for export outside Canada. Medexus makes no representation that treosulfan is appropriate for, or authorized for sale to or use by, persons who are not located in Canada. Treosulfan is currently the subject of a regulatory review process with the US Food and Drug Administration. Medexus holds exclusive commercialization rights to treosulfan in Canada and the United States. About the study PMH researchers determined that several studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes with FT RTC in MAC-ineligible patients with MDS undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, but that none of these studies included individuals who received dual TCD for GVHD prophylaxis. The researchers therefore retrospectively analyzed outcomes with FT conditioning in a cohort of MAC-ineligible MDS patients who received dual TCD for GVHD prophylaxis. The researchers compared transplant outcomes among 29 MDS patients who received FT to a propensity-score matched cohort of 58 subjects who received conditioning with fludarabine, busulfan, and 200 cGy (or centigray) of total body irradiation (FBT200). The study concluded that RTC with FT improves transplant outcomes in MAC-ineligible patients with MDS who receive GVHD prophylaxis with dual TCD. One-year overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), GVHD- and relapse-free survival (GRFS), transplant related mortality, and relapse in FT and FBT200 patients were: 83.2% vs 53.2% (P=0.003), 76.1% vs 42.7% (P=0.005), 72.4% vs 37.9% (P=0.003), 8.6% vs 33.0% (P=0.01), and 15.3% vs 24.3% (P=0.38). There was no difference in day-100 grade 2-4 or 3-4 acute GVHD or one-year all-grade chronic GVHD between the two groups: 20.8% vs 15.5% (P=0.42), 0% vs 8.6% (P=0.37), and 17.5% vs 29.8% (P=0 .24). FT was associated with superior OS, RFS, and GRFS in multivariate analysis. Median follow-up for the whole cohort was 20.5 months (range: 3.1-77.4). The groups were well-matched; FT subjects included more men (P=0.01) and received a lower median CD34 cell dose (P=0.03). In both FT and FBT200 groups, dual TCD was the most common form of GVHD prophylaxis: 93.1% and 91.4% (P=1.0). Medexus provided partial support for the research through supply of treosulfan. About Medexus Medexus is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company with a strong North American commercial platform and a growing portfolio of innovative and rare disease treatment solutions. Medexus's current focus is on the therapeutic areas of oncology, hematology, rheumatology, auto-immune diseases, allergy, and dermatology. For more information about Medexus and its product portfolio, please see the company's corporate website at www.medexus.com and its filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Contacts Ken d'Entremont | CEO, Medexus Pharmaceuticals Tel: 905-676-0003 | Email: ken.dentremont@medexus.com Marcel Konrad | CFO, Medexus Pharmaceuticals Tel: 312-548-3139 | Email: marcel.konrad@medexus.com Victoria Rutherford | Adelaide Capital Tel: 480-625-5772 | Email: victoria@adcap.ca Forward-looking statements Certain statements made in this news release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements). The words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "will", "plans", "potential", and similar words, phrases, or expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words, phrases, or expressions. Specific forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits of treosulfan (currently marketed in Canada as Trecondyv), the occurrence, timing, and expected outcome of the FDA review process for treosulfan, and expectations regarding the product's prospects if approved by the FDA. These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions based on historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, and, in particular, Medexus's interpretation and assessment of the data presented by Medexus as summarized in this news release. Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Medexus cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Material risk factors include, but are not limited to, those set out in Medexus's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including Medexus's most recent annual information form and management's discussion and analysis. In addition, specific risks and uncertainties relevant to the content of this news release include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research initiatives (including the possibility of unfavorable new data and further analyses of existing data); the risk that data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities and/or other relevant third parties; and whether regulatory authorities and/or other relevant third parties will be satisfied with the design and methodology of and results from the relevant study, which will depend on many factors, including determinations as to whether the product's benefits outweigh its known risks and determinations of the product's efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the context of a given facility (which varies by facility type). Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this news release. Other than as specifically required by law, Medexus undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. Additional notes Trecondyv (treosulfan), as discussed in this news release, is a Canadian trademark of medac GmbH. Solely for convenience, trademarks may appear without the "", "", or similar symbols. Each such reference should be read as though it appears with the relevant symbol. Any such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the holder or holders of the relevant intellectual property rights will not assert those rights to the fullest extent under applicable law. The information in this news release is provided for informational purposes to investors in Medexus securities. Uniform resource locators, or website addresses, that appear in this news release are intended to be provided as inactive textual references only. Information contained on or accessible through these website addresses is not a part of this news release and is not incorporated by reference into this news release or any of Medexus's public filings. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169672 Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Accenture Plc (ACN) on Tuesday said it plans to invest $3 billion in its Data & AI practice over three years. 'Our expanded Data & AI practice brings together the full power and breadth of Accenture in creating industry-specific solutions that will help our clients harness AI's full potential to reshape their strategy, technology, and ways of working, driving innovation and value responsibly and faster than ever before,' said Paul Daugherty, group chief executive, Accenture Technology. Accenture's expanded Data & AI practice will offer new industry solutions and pre-built models to companies across 19 industries to help them enhance value. The company plans to invest in assets, acquisitions and ventures. It also launched AI Navigator for Enterprise platform. Accenture said it intends to double its AI talent to 80,000 people through hiring, acquisitions and training. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Nextech3D.AI (formally "Nextech AR Solutions Corp') (the "Company") (OTCQX:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR) (FSE:EP2), a Generative AI-Powered 3D model supplier for Amazon, P&G, Kohls and other major e-commerce retailers is pleased to announce that the Company has received court approval for the Toggle3D.ai Inc. ("Toggle3D.ai") spinout, and the trading date on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) will commence on June 14, 2023. Toggle3D.ai will be trading under the ticker symbol TGGL on the CSE. Th spinout will be effected pursuant to the Company's previously announced plan of arrangement which received final court approval on June 9, 2023 (the "Arrangement"). Nextech3D.ai shareholders will automatically receive an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares as a stock dividend. After the spin-out Nextech3D.ai is going to retain 13 million shares or about a 50% ownership stake in Toggle3D.ai. Toggle3D.ai has raised $2,158,118 pursuant to the issuance of 8,632,473 common shares and 8,632,473 $0.50 warrants. The spin-out of Toggle3D.ai follows Nextech's successful spin-out on 10/26/2022 of ARway.ai, currently trading on the CSE as ARWY and on the OTCQB as ARWYF. Toggle3D.ai is emerging as a standalone public company, initially trading on the CSE as TGGL, with plans to expand its presence to the Frankfurt and OTC markets in the near future. This strategic move not only drives innovation but also unlocks substantial shareholder value, reflecting Nextech's commitment to driving the industry forward. Further Details of the Arrangement Pursuant to the Arrangement, amongst other matters, the Company will receive an aggregate of 16,000,000 common shares of Toggle3D.ai (of which it shall immediately transfer 3,000,000 such shares to certain service providers in respect of services rendered) and an aggregate of 4,000,000 common shares of Toggle3D.ai will be distributed directly to the shareholders of the Company as noted above. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reclassification. Also pursuant to the Arrangement, the Company will undertake a reorganization of its share capital by: renaming and redesignating all of its issued and unissued common shares as Class A common shares; and creating a new class consisting of an unlimited number of common shares (the "New Shares"). Each shareholder of Nextech3D.ai will exchange each Class A common share held at the effective time of the Arrangement for (A) one New Share, and (B) such shareholder's pro rata share of an aggregate of 4,000,000 common shares of Toggle3D.ai to be distributed amongst all such shareholders, and such shareholders will cease to be the holders of the Class A common shares so exchanged. The authorized share capital of the Company will then be amended to delete the Class A common shares. The New Shares of the Company being distributed pursuant to the Arrangement will also commence trading at market open on June 14, 2023. All registered Nextech shareholders must submit a letter of transmittal to Computershare Trust Company of Canada to receive their New Shares and common shares of Toggle3D.ai. The letter of transmittal was included with the meeting materials distributed in connection with the annual and special meeting of the Company held on June 5, 2023 and can also be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Toggle3D.ai Toggle3D.ai (CSE:TGGL) is a groundbreaking SaaS solution that utilizes generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and enable seamless publishing of superior 4K 3D models, serving various industries within the $160 billion CGI market. With its Augmented Reality-based rapid prototyping web app, Toggle3D empowers designers, artists, marketers, and eCommerce owners to effortlessly convert, texture, customize, and publish high-quality 3D models and experiences, regardless of technical or 3D design expertise. Toggle3D.ai Benefits Over 3D Legacy Software NO Learning Curve Toggle3D.ai stands out from legacy 3D design software by eliminating the learning curve and making 3D design accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical background. Unlike traditional systems that require months of learning, Toggle3D.ai simplifies the process by humanizing design terminology, providing guided templates, and using machine learning to make the tools user-friendly. Web-based Collaboration Being web-based, users can access Toggle3D.ai instantly on their browsers without the need for downloads, updates, or system compatibility concerns. Additionally, the platform will offer advanced in-app collaboration features, enabling multiple users to work together on the same project in real-time, facilitating quick feedback, decision-making, and cross-department collaboration. These collaborative tools empower businesses to adopt 3D design organization-wide, enhancing workflow efficiency and unleashing the potential of group iteration. Visit the Toggle3D.ai website to learn more https://toggle3d.com/ Recent News ? Nextech3D.ai Showcases Its Patent Pending Groundbreaking AI for Fixed Point Diffusion Of 2D to 3D Model Conversion ? Nextech3D.ai Launches The Public Company CEO Experience Podcast ? Nextech3D.ai Reports Sales Surging +550% YoY & Record 3D Modeling Revenue For First Quarter 2023 To learn more, please follow us on Twitter , YouTube , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook , or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com . About Nextech3D.ai (formally "Nextech AR Solutions Corp" or the "Company") (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: EP2 is a diversified augmented reality, AI technology company that leverages proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to create 3D experiences for the metaverse. Its main businesses are creating 3D WebAR photorealistic models for the Prime Ecommerce Marketplace as well as many other online retailers. The Company develops or acquires what it believes are disruptive technologies and once commercialized, spins them out as stand-alone public Companies issuing a stock dividend to shareholders while retaining a significant ownership stake in the public spin-out. On October 26, 2022 Nextech3D.ai spun out its spatial computing platform, "ARway" as a stand alone public Company. Nextech3D.ai retained a control ownership in ARway Corp. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake, and distributed 4 million shares to Nextech AR Shareholders. ARway is currently listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:ARWY), in USA on the OTCQB (OTC: ARWYF) and Internationally on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: E65). ARway Corp. is disrupting the augmented reality wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon spatial computing platform enabled by visual marker tracking. On December 14, 2022 Nextech announced its second spinout of Toggle3D, an AI-powered 3D design studio to compete with Adobe. Toggle3D will go public in June 2023, listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:TGGL). For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Contact Lindsay Betts investor.relations@Nextechar.com 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Ext 7201 Nextech3D.ai Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760791/Nextech3Dai-AI-IPO-Spin-off-Toggle3Dai-Approved-By-The-Canadian-Securities-Exchange-CSE-to-Trade-on-Wednesday-June-14th-Symbol-TGGL TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Magna Terra") (TSXV:MTT) is pleased to announce through its 100% owned Argentine subsidiary Atala Resources S.A. ("Atala"), that Oroplata S.A. ("Oroplata"), a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation ("Newmont"), has provided a detailed summary report of its initial exploration program undertaken to date on the Boleadora Project. In addition, Oroplata has made the third anniversary option payment of US$100,000 to Atala under the option agreement (see details below). The Boleadora Project ("Boleadora") is a large greenfields exploration land package (~55,000 hectares) encompassing 12 exploration licenses situated 17 kilometres southeast of Newmont's Cerro Negro mine area in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina (Figure 1). According to Newmont geologists, Boleadora is underlain by extensive Jurassic volcanic sequences that include welded pumice crystal-rich rhyolitic ignimbrites cut by bimodal subvolcanic domes. Main structural trends include northwest, north-northwest, and east-west corridors with chalcedonic and opaline silica veins with massive textures up to one-metre wide and silica sinter up to 50 metre by 50 metre exposures that might correspond to shallower levels of low-sulphidation epithermal system (Figure 2). This geology is favourable for hosting low-sulphidation epithermal gold mineralization similar in style to the nearby Cerro Negro and Cerro Vanguardia deposits. Since first assessing the project in 2019, Newmont subsidiary Oroplata has collected 198 rock-chip samples (surface float and outcrop) and 134 drainage sediment samples for analysis via Bulk Leach Extractable Gold ("BLEG") and completed a hyperspectral survey covering the main geological areas of interest. Based on fieldwork conducted to date and review of existing exploration data, Newmont geologists, have identified 10 exploration targets on the property. Each of these target areas demonstrate anomalous precious metal (Au, Ag) and pathfinder elements (As, Sb, Bi, Hg, Tl, and Mo) that are associated with silica alteration, host fault zones and sinter that could relate to deeper hydrothermal activity. These areas have subtle favorable hyperspectral responses; indicative of zones of gold-associated hydrothermal alteration. Project Highlights Large land package comprising ~55,000 hectares; 17 kilometres along strike from Newmont's Cerro Negro Mine; Geological environment with potential to host low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits; and Recognition of ten target areas for follow-up exploration with two noted as high priority based on geochemical sampling and hyperspectral surveying; and Significant ongoing financial commitment by Newmont on the nearby Cerro Negro Mine. "We are very pleased with the generative exploration field programs that Newmont has completed to date on Boleadora. Their initial work supports the existence of a geological environment that is favourable for hosting low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits in north-northwest structural control along strike from Cerro Negro, including ten geochemical and geological targets that require follow-up exploration. The trend associated with the north-northwest structural control that is an important geological feature to mineralization at Cerro Negro continues well into the Boleadora project area. The US$100,000 payment will allow Magna Terra to sustain all property maintenance obligations on our Argentinian portfolio outside of Boleadora as we continue to seek strategic partners to advance these other assets." ~ Lew Lawrick, President and CEO, Magna Terra Minerals Inc. Figure 1: Location of Magna Terra exploration projects in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Figure 2: Boleadora generalized geology with structural interpretation at district scale (courtesy Newmont). Boleadora Purchase Agreement Magna Terra entered into a Purchase Agreement with Oroplata (Newmont) (see press release dated June 9, 2020) that will pay Magna Terra (Atala) US$1 million as follows: US$25,000 on signing and six installments totalling US$975,000 payable (US$175,000 paid) within six years from the date of the Agreement. In addition, Newmont (Oroplata) has granted a 2% NSR to Magna Terra (Atala) on the Boleadora Project. The royalty can be reduced to 1% by payment of US$2.5 million by Oroplata to Atala at anytime, and the gross royalty payable is capped at US$20 million. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by David A. Copeland, P. Geo., Chief Geologist with Signal Gold Inc., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 - Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Magna Terra Magna Terra Minerals Inc. is a precious metals focused exploration company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Magna Terra owns two district-scale, resource stage gold exploration projects in the top-tier mining jurisdictions of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Further, the Company maintains a significant exploration portfolio in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina which includes its precious metals discovery on its Luna Roja Project, as well as an extensive portfolio of district scale drill ready projects available for option or joint venture. Forward Looking Statements 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 Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the ability of the Company to file a report that complies with Regulation 43-101. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future 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, and the ability of the author of the Technical Reports to finalize same. 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 the inability of the Company to execute its proposed business plans, and carry out planned future activities. Other factors may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company, including general economic, market or business conditions, future prices of gold, changes in the financial markets and in the demand for precious metals, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the mineral exploration industry, and the Company's investment and operation in the mineral exploration sector, as well as the risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and in other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Magna Terra Minerals Inc. Lewis Lawrick President and CEO, Director 647-478-5307 Email: info@magnaterraminerals.com Website: www.magnaterraminerals.com SOURCE: Magna Terra Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760743/Magna-Terra-Provides-Update-On-Recent-Exploration-Results-By-Partner-Newmont-At-Boleadora Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. The Hydrogen Collective (H2C), an Australian project developer, has revealed plans to build a solar-powered production facility in the state of Queensland. The facility, set to be operational from later this year, will supply commercial customers with green hydrogen. Construction is scheduled to start in the coming weeks.From pv magazine Australia H2C said the Goondiwindi Hydrogen project is moving to the procurement and construction phase, following the announcement of a financial investment decision and the formal execution of a 20-year agreement with the Goondiwindi Regional Council. H2C said ... 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. ExaGrid Honored at 20th Annual Awards Ceremony, "The Storries XX" in London ExaGrid, the industry's only Tiered Backup Storage solution, today announced that the company was honored with two industry awards, including Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year and Immutable Storage Company of the Year, announced at the 20th annual Storage Magazine Storage Awards ceremony, "The Storries XX," held in London on June 8, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ Photo courtesy of the Storage Awards. Winners are determined by public vote. This year's awards mark the sixth year of wins for ExaGrid at "The Storries" and the third consecutive year that ExaGrid has won the Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year award. ExaGrid continues to gain recognition for its Tiered Backup Storage appliances, winning five awards so far in 2023, including: Storage Awards "The Storries XX" Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year Storage Awards "The Storries XX" Immutable Storage Company of the Year Network Computing Awards Bench Tested Product of the Year Hardware Category Network Computing Awards Company of the Year Network Computing Awards Storage Product of the Year "We are honored to win these awards, and grateful to everyone who voted for us, and to our staff, customers, and channel partners for their support. Congratulations and special thanks to the Storage Awards team who have been recognizing excellence in the storage industry for 20 years at 'The Storries,' and congratulations to our fellow award winners," said Bill Andrews, President and CEO of ExaGrid. "ExaGrid appreciates the continued recognition for our Tiered Backup Storage solution, and we are proud to offer a next-generation approach to backup storage that provides organizations with the best in data protection: the fastest backup and restore performance, the only scale-out architecture to accommodate data growth, comprehensive security and ransomware recovery, and industry-leading customer support, all at the lowest cost up front and over time." About ExaGrid ExaGrid provides Tiered Backup Storage with a unique disk-cache Landing Zone, long-term retention repository, and scale-out architecture. ExaGrid's Landing Zone provides for the fastest backups, restores, and instant VM recoveries. The Repository Tier offers the lowest cost for long-term retention. ExaGrid's scale-out architecture includes full appliances and ensures a fixed-length backup window as data grows, eliminating expensive forklift upgrades and product obsolescence. ExaGrid offers the only two-tiered backup storage approach with a non-network-facing tier, delayed deletes, and immutable objects to recover from ransomware attacks. ExaGrid has physical sales and pre-sales systems engineers in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, Chile, CIS, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nordics, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and other regions. Visit us at exagrid.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. See what our customers have to say about their own ExaGrid experiences and learn why they now spend significantly less time on backup storage in our customer success stories. ExaGrid is proud of our +81 NPS score! ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Mary Domenichelli ExaGrid mdomenichelli@exagrid.com CARLSBAD, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Verdani LLC, d/b/a Verdani Partners, a leading full-service ESG consulting firm advising the commercial real estate industry, announced that it has earned B Corp Certification, joining a community of companies using business as a force for good. Verdani Partners has been verified by B Lab as meeting the necessary high standards for social and environmental impact, has made a legal commitment to stakeholder governance, and is demonstrating accountability and transparency by disclosing its performance in its public B Corp profile. Verdani exceeded the base score by 25 points on the rigorous B Impact Assessment, which examines a company's performance in five areas: Governance, Workers, Environment, Customers, and Community. Verdani's focus on employee satisfaction, commitment to professional development, and generous benefits and profit-sharing programs contributed to a high Workers score, while Verdani's focus on its mission was key to earning a high Governance score. Further, because their consulting services are designed to deliver increased ESG impact for clients, are aligned with independent third-party frameworks like GRESB and UNPRI, and improve performance year over year, Verdani received points in the Customers impact area for this "impact business model." Founder and CEO Daniele Horton stated that "B Corp Certification resonates with Verdani's values as a company whose mission is to accelerate sustainability in the built environment. Certification also keeps us accountable and focused on improving our impact." Horton adds, "Since founding Verdani in 2012, becoming a B Corp has been one of my dreams. As a minority and woman business owner and an immigrant, I am thrilled that Verdani Partners is joining this community of companies that share our values." B Corp Certification was developed by B Lab, a nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet by mobilizing the B Corp community to address society's most critical challenges. To learn more, visit http://www.Verdani.com/impact About Verdani Partners: Verdani is a leading full-service ESG and sustainability consulting firm for the commercial real estate industry. Verdani manages ESG programs for 21 real estate firms, representing over $660B AUM and 1.3 billion square feet. Verdani helps clients minimize risk and create long-term value by implementing strategies including resilience, decarbonization/net zero, healthy buildings, biodiversity, DEI, data management, green building certifications, ESG frameworks, regulatory and annual reporting, ESG education, and stakeholder engagement. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/verdani-llc-announces-b-corp-certification-301845952.html MADRID, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IESE Business School, in collaboration with Kapita, has released a report on the innovation benefits of corporate venturing squads - the practice of a group of corporations joining forces to innovate with one or more startups. The report finds these strategic alliances are a potential route to providing better access to start-up deal flow, innovation networks, and reduced costs and risks compared to when companies work alone. The report, titled "Open Innovation: Corporate Venturing Squads," co-authored by IESE Business School professor M Julia Prats as well as Josemaria Siota, Carla Bustamante, and Beatriz Camacho from IESE's Open Innovation and Corporate Venturing Institute, explores the benefits and strategies employed by these squads to enhance innovation. As such, the report is a useful guide for how chief innovation officers and industry leaders can leverage these strategic alliances for best effect. The report highlights the advantages of pursuing innovation as a team effort, including better access to start-up deal flow in terms of quantity and quality, thanks to providing a more attractive corporate value proposition to start-ups. Teaming up with other corporations also enhances access to innovation networks, facilitates the sharing of knowledge and best practices, increases credibility and visibility, and reduces costs and risks. Real-world successful examples of corporate venturing squads are analyzed, such as the collaboration between InBev, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, and Unilever, which resulted in 70 pilot projects addressing sustainability challenges in multiple countries. In the mobility sector, MobilityXlab in Sweden accelerates start-ups through partnerships with automotive and ICT companies like Volvo, CEVT, Polestar, Ericsson, and more. Another case is the Construction Start-up Competition launched by CEMEX Ventures, streamlining the construction start-up market through collaboration with ten corporates. The research analyzed 50 corporate venturing squads, involving 340 squad members and 262 corporations, and conducted interviews with 50 chief innovation officers across Europe, Asia, and America. To learn more about the power of corporate venturing squads in driving innovation, access the full report. The study was released at IESE's 10th Open Innovation Conference with C-level speakers from TDK Ventures, IKEA, Acciona, Johnson Controls, Mondragon, Mapfre, Coca-Cola, Decathlon, etc. The initiative counted on the support of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator as well as 19 dissemination partners such as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, the University of Navarra, Tecnalia Ventures, Global Corporate Venturing, Endeavor, SpainCap, and more. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iese-research-unveils-power-of-corporate-venturing-squads-in-driving-innovation-301849395.html KYOTO, JAPAN / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Officials from leading businesses, the Japanese government, and the United Nations met in Kyoto for a roundtable discussion to strengthen collaboration and accelerate respect for human rights in Japan's consumer goods value chains. Taking place during The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)'s prestigious Global Summit, the roundtable featured fruitful exchanges on how to best implement responsible business practices - particularly human rights due diligence (HRDD) - to enable respect for Workers' rights in Japan. Following the recent meeting of G7 countries in Hiroshima in which leaders discussed ambitions for creating a more inclusive labour market, the roundtable marks an important step to realise this ambition in the Japanese context. During the two-hour event hosted by the CGF's CEO-led Human Rights Coalition (HRC), in collaboration with the CGF Japan Sustainability Local Group (JSLG), leaders shared perspectives from the private and public sectors on how to best collaborate to enable respect for Workers' rights in the consumer goods industry. Gen Nakatani, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan for international human rights issues, and Tetsuo Nishimoto, Food Manufacturer Affairs Division, New Business and Food Industry Department, Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), spoke to the Japanese government's approach for encouraging responsible recruitment and employment practices. They referenced the government's recently published Guidelines on corporate HRDD, which build on the 2019 National Action Plan on Human Rights and support Japan's ambitions as president of the G7 to ensure just working conditions for all. With these advancements, Japan is poised to become the first country in Asia with a strong framework for HRDD, aligning it with other G7 counterparts. Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, then joined the rountable to welcome Japan's ongoing efforts to strengthen HRDD together with the business community and other stakeholders. As the global trend of voluntary and mandatory HRDD requirements continues - and more people are in cases of forced labour and modern slavery than ever before - he encouraged ongoing collaboration among roundtable participants for the benefit of human rights globally. The roundtable also provided space for member companies of JSLG to share their experiences implementing HRDD systems in their value chains. Yoshiaki Hiramatsu, ESG Division, Division Head, Fuji Oil Holdings introduced a case study on HRDD implementation while Jonathan Kushner, Chief Communications Officer, VP, McDonald's Company (Japan), Ltd., shared a case study of McDonald Japan's efforts to introduce due diligence practices in its supply chain. Yumiko Watanabe, General Manager, Sustainability (Social) Group, Sustainability Development Dept., Ajinomoto, and JSLG Social Sustainability Working Group leader, also explained the work of the group and the efforts to enhance collaboration among businesses and Japanese government. Christine Montenegro McGrath, SVP and Chief Impact and Sustainability Officer, Mondelez International, and Salla Ahonen, Vice-President, Sustainability, Neste, also joined the roundtable to share global consumer goods brands' perspectives on these efforts, providing examples of how HRC members are implementing an aligned HRDD approach in their own operations globally. HRC Co-Chair, Paul Lalli, Global VP, Human Rights, The Coca-Cola Company, also spoke with Nishimoto on how the efforts of both Japanese companies and global brands and retailers can be aligned and accelerated to achieve greatest impact for Workers. Paul Lalli, Global VP Human Rights, The Coca-Cola Company, and HRC Co-Chair, said, "We are delighted to see the Japanese government's leadership in driving corporate sustainability across supply chains. Embedding respect for human rights in businesses across the globe is a pressing challenge for all who care about building a better tomorrow. As today's discussion highlighted, meeting the moment depends on true collaboration of business, government, and civil society to deliver meaningful progress for the world's most vulnerable stakeholders. The CGF HRC will continue to seek inclusive partnerships and support best practices among consumer goods companies around the world to drive respect for human rights across corporate value chains." Yoshiaki Hiramatsu, ESG Division, Division Head, Fuji Oil Holdings, said, "We hope that our case studies will help many companies and government officials to accelerate their efforts to build sustainable food value chains in the future." Tomoya Obokata, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, said, "Protection of Workers' rights and the implementation of human rights due diligence goes hand-in-hand with business prosperity. As greater collaboration advances between government and businesses in Japan, I look forward to seeing the positive impacts for Workers that will result from their collective efforts." - END - EDITOR'S NOTE: The HRC is a CEO-led Coalition of Action advancing human rights due diligence throughout consumer goods value chains to enable respect for Workers' rights; with nearly 30 members, the Coalition represents one of the world's leading initiatives of consumer goods companies ensuring responsible recruitment and employment of Workers globally. In parallel, the JSLG Social Sustainability Working Group consists of 21 Japanese CGF members collaborating on key sustainability issues in the regional market, notably around human rights. About the Human Rights Coalition The Human Rights Coalition is the leading collective of consumer goods companies strengthening due diligence throughout their business practices to ensure Workers' rights are protected, respected, and remedied at every step of the value chain. As a CEO-led initiative hosted by The Consumer Goods Forum, the only organisation to convene manufacturers and retailers globally, the HRC supports companies to effectively address salient human rights impacts, notably around forced labour, in their business practices through aligned, accelerated action driven at the highest levels of leadership. The work of the HRC continues the CGF's long history of engagement on the issue of forced labour within consumer goods supply chains by building on the CGF's Social Resolution on Forced Labour, the first of its kind in the industry; its Priority Industry Principles; and ongoing relationships with key stakeholders in the industry. To learn more about the Human Rights Coalition, visit www.tcgfsocial.com. About The Consumer Goods Forum The Consumer Goods Forum ("CGF") is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 55 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com For additional information, please contact: Didier Bergeret Director, Sustainability The Consumer Goods Forum social@theconsumergoodsforum.com Noriko Shindo Senior Manager, Sustainability The Consumer Goods Forum, Japan office Madelaine VanDerHeyden Manager, Communications The Consumer Goods Forum m.vanderheyden@theconsumergoodsforum.com Credit: CGF View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Consumer Goods Forum on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The Consumer Goods Forum Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/consumer-goods-forum Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: The Consumer Goods Forum View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760902/Business-and-Government-Convene-To-Advance-Collaboration-for-Human-Rights-in-Japan PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / The Consumer Goods Forum's (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce that SIZA, the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa, completed the SSCI Benchmarking process and achieved SSCI Recognition. SIZA's standard, SIZA Social Standard February 2020 v.6, was successfully benchmarked against the SSCI Benchmarking Requirements for Scopes AI - Manufacturing and Processing and BI - Primary Production Version 1.0. In achieving SSCI Recognition, SIZA demonstrates leadership in the effort to build credibility among sustainability standards worldwide. SIZA, the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa, is enabling the South African agricultural sector to become a global leader in sustainable farming, ethical trade, and environmental stewardship. The aim is to encourage continuous improvement in practices over time. SIZA aims to have a cost-effective approach for growers by supplying one standard and one audit, no matter which market a producer supplies. SIZA engages directly with stakeholders throughout the value chain to improve supply chain sustainability, ensuring compliance and reducing risks while at the same time offering support and training with regard to best practices and continuous improvement. Verification occurs via third-party audits. As it 'verifies the verifiers,' the SSCI awards an additional, yet essential, layer of trust to sustainability standards that demonstrate alignment with the SSCI Benchmark Criteria and achieve SSCI Recognition. As SSCI-Recognised standards, third-party auditing, monitoring, and certification schemes and programmes signal a strong commitment to raising the bar in their certification processes and driving harmonisation in a diverse field of sustainability standards, while at the same time remain free to innovate their approaches to ensure sustainability a dynamic way. Today's announcement demonstrates the SIZA Social Standard February 2020 v.6 meets the industry's expectations and SIZA is now fully recognised by the SSCI. Didier Bergeret, Director of Sustainability, The Consumer Goods Forum, said, "We congratulate SIZA on completing the SSCI Benchmark process and achieving SSCI Recognition. Not only is SIZA the first scheme to achieve SSCI Recognition under two sectoral scopes, but it is also the first to be recognised in our Primary Production scope. The SSCI is proud to work with this leader in sustainable agriculture and support a more aligned, efficient approach to sustainability certifications in South Africa." Retha Louw, CEO, SIZA, said, "SIZA strives to assist South African agricultural growers in achieving effective ethical labour and environmental compliance in their business while minimizing costs related to auditing. By closely aligning with recognised certification bodies and standard holders across the globe, SIZA aims to avoid duplicating market requirements for South African suppliers. The Benchmark with SSCI exemplifies how aligned standards can significantly reduce benchmarking time and cost, enabling the creation of a unified platform that ends up reducing audit fatigue and costs for suppliers. Through this collaborative effort, we can aim to drive ethical labour practices that are relevant on the ground and contribute to meeting the global Sustainable Development Goals." - ENDS - About The Consumer Goods Forum The Consumer Goods Forum ("CGF") is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com. About the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) builds trust in sustainability standards worldwide by benchmarking third-party auditing and certification programs and recognizing schemes that meet industry expectations. By providing an open-source list of recognized programs, the SSCI delivers clear guidance on which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The SSCI improves transparency in the market, facilitates decision-making on schemes at both buyer and supplier level and sets the responsible sourcing expectations for the industry. The Initiative initially focuses on social compliance with the potential to expand the scope to environmental compliance. For more information, visit www.tcgfssci.com. For further information, please contact: Didier Bergeret Sustainability Director The Consumer Goods Forum ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com Madelaine VanDerHeyden Communications Manager The Consumer Goods Forum m.vanderheyden@theconsumergoodsforum.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Consumer Goods Forum on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The Consumer Goods Forum Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/consumer-goods-forum Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: The Consumer Goods Forum View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760903/Third-Scheme-Achieves-SSCI-Recognition-SIZA China's first TV series popularizing health information for the elderly premiered in Shanghai on Wednesday. The 10-episode series, which takes a lighthearted approach, focuses on helping the elderly understand common acute and severe threats to health, as well as chronic diseases in a scientific way, and also teaches them how to take precautions just in case. The show is the joint creation of Huashan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University and the Shanghai Theatre Academy and is titled Ms Kang and Her Elderly Neighbors. The series follows the lead character, a retired head nurse from a geriatrics department with plentiful experience in care, as she and her elderly neighbors help one another deal with diseases. Huashan Hospital said that the series includes information on 10 common health issues and diseases that affect the elderly, including accidental falls, malnutrition, pain in the back and legs, periarthritis of the shoulder, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, stroke, senile syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Nie Yaliang, who studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in the 1960s, plays the director of a hospital rehabilitation department in the series, in which many of the actors and actresses are seniors aged 75 on average. He said he learned a lot about health threats to the elderly and hoped that the knowledge would be of benefit to people. "The stories are designed to help the audience, especially the elderly and their families, clearly understand clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment processes, as well as teaching them about common chronic diseases affecting the elderly," said Zhou Houguang, a senior physician at the geriatrics department of Huashan Hospital. "We also call on society to provide better care to the elderly. In the stories, we see that some elderly people may experience challenges to their quality of everyday life, interpersonal relationships, and psychology as a result of either acute or chronic disease," he said. While an aging society is an issue for a number of countries, it is a mounting issue in China. The United Nations forecasts that the number of elderly citizens in the country will rise to 280 million in 2025, accounting for one-fifth of the population. By 2050, that number will rise to 480 million, or 37 percent of the country's total population. "With the continuous rise in life expectancy, the high incidence of chronic disease poses a major challenge in an aging society. More than 180 million elderly people currently suffer from chronic disease, and 75 percent suffer from more than one," said Zhou. The Huashan Hospital National Geriatric Clinical Medial Research Center was established in 2016. It has been involved in clinical research and is trying to develop solutions to diseases of the nervous system and limb injuries among the elderly, the prevention and treatment of geriatric comorbidity and debilitation, as well as rates of elderly infection and the rational use of antibiotics. Autel Energy is today announcing an official partnership with Orange Charging, a leading Dutch-based EV charging solutions provider. With this partnership, Autel and Orange Charging can serve a larger number of companies to meet electric vehicle charging demand in the Netherlands and Belgium. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613919470/en/ Autel Energy signs new partnership deal with Orange Charging in The Netherlands (Photo: Business Wire) Ting Cai, CEO of Autel Europe, is very pleased with the deal with Orange Charging. "Together with Orange Charging, we can serve the Benelux market perfectly. In both the Netherlands and Belgium, they have offices with training facilities for installers. In addition, they have a strong sales organization and a large network with customers in various industries. We can't wait to see what Orange Charging can do with our MaxiChargers, and what we can do together to create a greener future for the world." Jasper Boogert, General Manager, says: "At Orange Charging we strive to facilitate the transition to electric driving for every company. Autel enriches our range of electric charging solutions with an extensive range of fast, reliable and convenient chargers." Autel has utilized its previous 19 years of automotive aftermarket expertise to create the world's foremost EV chargers. With a rich history of extensive testing procedures and strong knowledge of automobiles, Autel manufactures high-quality electric vehicle chargers with a focus on reliability, design, convenience, and intelligence. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613919470/en/ Contacts: Jiaqi Liu Jiaqi.liu@autel.com Repeat Customer Via Bluum Partnership TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions and school communication platforms, today announced it has been awarded two additional purchase orders for at least $100,000 under its contract with Licking Heights Local School District in Ohio. Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This repeat order from Licking Heights Ohio is significant as our initial contract from a year ago marked our initial entrance into the Ohio market. Additional orders from existing customers demonstrate the value add of our products and our excellent customer service." Darian Kovach, of Licking Heights Local School District, stated, "Overall, I have been very pleased with this experience and can recommend Galaxy with no hesitation. From RFP and sale to installation and support they have been exceptional. I know this relationship between our school district and Galaxy is only a year old, but I believe the partnership can grow with the district, and since their system is modular, I have lots of options for upgrades and such in the future. The bell system is extremely easy to program and the GUI is intuitive enough that I am not getting any pushback on office staff using it, which is always a good thing. We look forward to a long term relationship." About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors Contact: IR@GalaxyNext.us P:888-859-1274 SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760815/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Receives-Two-Additional-Purchase-Orders-from-Ohio-School-District Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Sibannac, Inc. (OTC Pink: SNNC), a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), announced the following: Sibannac, Inc, is excited to announce its recent acquisition of Immersive Brand Concepts, an Oklahoma-based, product development and manufacturing company in the next-generation wellness space. The acquisition of Immersive Brand Concepts is a significant milestone for Sibannac in its effort to disrupt the alternative wellness market, by developing and marketing effective, safe and legal supplements which are innovatively formulated and delivered to the health-conscious consumer. Immersive Brand Concepts brings a wealth of expertise in creating unique and captivating brand experiences, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to engage and captivate audiences. The Immersive deal brings manufacturing and logistical efficiencies to Sibannac in addition to Immersive bringing proprietary tech to the Company. The key executive who will be heading the Immersive operations in Oklahoma is a long-tenured industry professional. Due to contractual obligations involving a separation from a national brand, the Company is delaying his announcement, but anticipates a public disclosure within weeks. The Immersive subsidiary was newly created to take in the assets and intellectual property in a streamlined transaction. "Sibannac is thrilled to welcome Immersive Brand Concepts into our family," said David Mersky, CEO of Sibannac, Inc. "Their experience in manufacturing and automation efficiencies should add immediate intrinsic value to Sibannac. Immersive perfectly aligns with our vision and together, we will create an unparalleled customer experience that will redefine the way brands connect with their customers." The Immersive Brand Concepts team has built a solid reputation for designing and executing lean manufacturing across various industries, including Kratom and hemp-derived consumables. Their portfolio includes formulations for flavor, consistency, sustainability and fulfillment, with all natural ingredients. "We are excited to join forces with Sibannac," said Michael Jon Lazaar, Public Relations Director for Immersive Brand Concepts. "By combining our expertise in Immersive and their innovative approach to building brands, we will unlock new possibilities and create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on consumers." The combined forces of Immersive's manufacturing and quality controls with Sibannac's world-class marketing, the acquisition will enable Sibannac to offer an expanded range of services and solutions, providing clients with end-to-end immersive experiences that captivate and engage their target audiences. This strategic move reinforces Sibannac's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and delivering exceptional value to clients and customers. Lazaar further states, "We believe in treating the causes rather than just the symptoms of issues such as pain, inflammation, and Immune breakdown. We stand firm in the belief that prevention is the best treatment with the fortification of earth-based and plant-based enriching elements." Through Immersive Brands, Sibannac will be announcing product development and licensing opportunities for the NOHO shot as well as other consumer drink products, including a celebrity endorser. NOHO Brand Acquisition Sibannac acquired the NOHO brand intellectual property from NOHO, Inc. (OTC Pink: DRNK) in a spin-off transaction that was effectuated at the end of last year. As part of the transaction, the Company has agreed to pay royalties to NOHO, Inc. The After Shot has received an updated flavor and formulation. While maintaining many of the core ingredients, the new formulation contains a proprietary liver blend and removed some minor compounds in an effort to improve the new flavor profile. While still in the citrus family, the update was partially influenced by feedback from potential distribution partners. Distribution Sibannac is actively in discussions with several distributors responsible for product placement from the convenience store market - both chain stores and independents - to grocery and big box discounters. The Company is also working with a brand development firm based in Phoenix, who will be retained to do retail support, consumer engagement and sales optimization, as the NOHO shot gains retail traction. About Sibannac Sibannac, Inc. (OTC Pink: SNNC) is a Nevada corporation founded in 1999 and located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sibannac currently specializes in creating and selling premium next generation wellness products in the consumer packaging goods space. In addition to mainstream supplements, the Company is producing Kratom and Hemp-derived Delta-8/9 products, Kratom, and Amanita mushroom edibles for wholesale and retail sales and distribution. Sibannac provides contract manufacturing and white labeling services for independent firms and creates and manages its own brands from the concept phase through to distribution. Sibannac has opened its platform to outside clients to offer its marketing and brand-building assets, through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Campus Co., led by Eric Stoll, Sibannac's Chief Marketing Officer. The Campus is already providing services to leading wellness brands. More from Sibannac - For additional information and product updates, please follow us at The Campus Co. and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sibannacinc. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Sibannac, Inc. (the "Company"), its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Media Contact: IR@theCampusCo.com Twitter: @SibannacInc To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169643 Drilling Focused on Discovery of Shallow High-Grade Basement-Hosted Uranium Three High Priority Target Areas to be Drill Tested Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7N) ("CanAlaska or the "Company") is pleased to announce mobilization of field team, drill crew and equipment to it's 60%-owned Geikie project in the Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). The Geikie project is located approximately 10 kilometres east of the Athabasca Basin margin and 10 kilometres west of Highway 905. The drill program will be focused on testing shallow, high-priority targets that have been compiled from recent high-resolution airborne radiometric, magnetic, and electromagnetic surveys in combination with prospecting, structural mapping, and historical data review. The initial drill program is planned for 2,000 metres, consisting of eight drill holes with proposed depths around 250 metres each. Figure 1 - Geikie Project Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/169723_27bcfcbe048bea40_002full.jpg 2023 Geikie Summer Drill Program Figure 2 - Geikie Project Target Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/169723_27bcfcbe048bea40_003full.jpg The drill program will be focused on a 15-kilometre-long northeast trending conductor system, striking through the southern half of the property, recently identified during the completed VTEM Plus survey (Figure 2). Three high-priority target areas have been identified where interpreted north-south trending fault splays cause offsets along the conductor trend. These north-south trending structural features are interpreted to be related to the regionally significant deep-seated faults of the Tabbernor Fault System. The Preston Creek target area is located at the northeastern end of the 15-kilometre-long conductor trend. 3D modelling of the VTEM anomalies shows a succession of steeply dipping sub-parallel EM plates that are disrupted by a north-south trending structural lineament. The Hourglass Lake target area is located midway along the 15-kilometre-long conductor trend. Drill testing of this target area will focus on interpreted disruption in the modelled steeply-dipping VTEM conductor along a north-south trending lineament. The Aero Lake target area is located at the southern end of the 15-kilometre-long conductor trend. In this target area, the VTEM plates are modelled to be more shallowly dipping and indicate a potential fold-hinge which occurs near an interpreted north-south trending fault splay. The Company believes the structural complexity causing disrupted EM plates and signatures in association with north-south trending fault structure, provides potential conduits for the movement of uranium-bearing fluids. CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "Mobilization of the team and crews to the Geikie project area is a great accomplishment for the Company. From inception of the project through to this first drilling program, the Company has been diligent with its methodical approach to exploration and developing very high-quality targets for testing. I look forward to the first drill results from this inaugural program in what is one of the most interesting Athabasca Basin exploration regions for shallow basement-hosted uranium mineralization." Geikie Project Overview The Geikie Project is located just outside the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin within the Wollaston Domain. The Project area has been subject to minimal exploration for uranium, with most significant work targeting base metals between 1967 and 1980. During this regional work, a series of mineralized showings were discovered in the Mud Lake and Marina areas. The Mud Lake uranium-molybdenum showing recorded a series of anomalous rock chips with grades of up to 0.225%U, 5.2%Mo, and 1.4%Cu. The Marina lead-zinc prospect recorded anomalous mineralization in outcrop of up to 2.03% Pb, 7.2% Zn and 0.93 oz/t Ag. Recent ground prospecting on the project has since confirmed the Mud Lake uranium-molybdenum, showing results with up to 3,250 ppm molybdenum total and 0.21% uranium total in grab samples. The primary target on the Geikie project is basement-hosted uranium mineralization, where uranium bearing structures intersect favourable metasedimentary host rocks. The Geikie project is located within 10 kilometres of recent discoveries of basement-hosted uranium mineralization at the nearby Gemini Mineralized Zone ("GMZ") and ACKIO. These recent discoveries along with known mineralization at the nearby Agip-S and West Way prospects, all underscore the prospectivity of this portion of the Wollaston Belt. The Geikie project is currently being sole-funded by Basin Energy Limited (ASX: BSN) under an option earn-in agreement with the Company. About CanAlaska Uranium CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7N) holds interests in approximately 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres), in Canada's Athabasca Basin - the "Saudi Arabia of Uranium." CanAlaska's strategic holdings have attracted major international mining companies. CanAlaska is currently working with Cameco and Denison at two of the Company's properties in the Eastern Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska is a project generator positioned for discovery success in the world's richest uranium district. The Company also holds properties prospective for nickel, copper, gold and diamonds. For further information visit www.canalaska.com. The qualified technical person for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P.Geo., CanAlaska's Vice President, Exploration. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Cory Belyk" Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC CEO, President and Director CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. Contacts: Cory Belyk, CEO and President Tel: +1.604.688.3211 x 138 Email: cbelyk@canalaska.com General Enquiry Tel: +1.604.688.3211 Email: info@canalaska.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169723 Partnership will accelerate adoption of Cognetivity's AI platform in Japan and other Asia-Pacific territories Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd. (CSE: CGN) (OTCQB: CGNSF) (FSE: 1UB) ("the Company" or "Cognetivity"), is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with CLAIRVO TECHNOLOGIES, Inc. (hereinafter, "Clairvo"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation (market cap US$ 28bn, TYO: 8002), aimed at revolutionizing brain health and addressing dementia-related challenges in Japan. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), this partnership seeks to enhance preventative care and promote healthy aging within the Japanese population. As part of the collaboration, Clairvo, a leading company in medical AI diagnostic imaging products, will join forces with Cognetivity, renowned for its novel technology and testing platform CognICA. Together, they aim to integrate CognICA into Clairvo's existing AI portfolio of health and wellness products, providing innovative cognitive monitoring capabilities to the Japanese population. Dementia and cognitive decline have become a global healthcare challenge particularly in Japan where the aging population is on the rise. By harnessing the potential of AI and cognitive assessment technologies, Clairvo and Cognetivity aim to empower individuals and healthcare professionals in early detection and continuous monitoring of cognitive health. This proactive approach will enhance the benefits of early intervention and personalized care, ultimately promoting brain health, well-being, and improved quality of life. Earlier this year the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lecanemab, a breakthrough drug to treat Alzheimer's, manufactured by Eisai Co Ltd (TYO: 4523) a Japanese biopharmaceutical company, which requires early diagnosis to be effective. Clairvo Technologies is a major player in the medical device industry and is committed to providing innovative solutions that enhance patient care and contribute to better health outcomes. Clairvo sources world-leading AI driven medical technologies with strong validation to accelerate their adoption in Japan. Dr. Sina Habibi, CEO of Cognetivity Neurosciences, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, "This is another significant development for Cognetivity in Japan, one of the largest and most advanced economies globally. However, Japan is facing a growing aging problem, with over 29% of its population currently aged above 65. We are delighted to be working with our partners across the Japanese healthcare systems from payers to providers and technology suppliers to tackle this public health crisis and give the elderly population a brighter and healthier life. CognICATM will enable wide scale population screening and provide access to the incoming treatments at earlier stages when they are most effective. Our AI platform enables clinicians to make more informed decisions when diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients at the provider level and healthcare managers at population level. Japan can be a role model for the rest of the world and we are extremely excited by the opportunity." Mr. Riichi Yamada, President and CEO of Clairvo Technologies, added, "We are thrilled to join forces with Cognetivity Neurosciences, a leader in cognitive assessment technology. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to introducing innovative AI solutions that improve healthcare outcomes. By incorporating Cognetivity's cutting-edge cognitive assessment platform into our offerings, we aim to provide healthcare professionals in Japan with a powerful tool to enhance cognitive health management and support early interventions." About Cognetivity Neurosciences Cognetivity is a technology company that has developed a cognitive testing platform for use in medical, commercial, and consumer environments. Cognetivity's CognICATM uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to test the performance of large areas of the brain to help detect early signs of cognitive dysfunction. CognICA is currently available for clinical use in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East, with regulatory approval in other regions expected in 2023. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Sina Habibi" Sina Habibi Chief Executive Officer and Director Forward-looking statements: Certain statements contained in this news release, including those identified by the words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" and similar expressions, to the extent they relate to the Company or its management, constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, the "Forward-Looking Statements"). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Such statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such statements and information are based on a number of assumptions regarding our current and future business strategies and the environment in which we operate. We assume no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange is not responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please visit: website: www.cognetivity.com or contact: info@cognetivity.com; media inquiries can be sent to pr@cognetivity.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169737 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (TSXV: PNRL) (OTCQX: PNRLF) ("PNRL" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a financing with Cymbria Corporation (TSX: CYB) ("Cymbria" or "CYB"), EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. and certain entities managed by it ("EdgePoint") for aggregate gross proceeds to PNRL of CAD$33,999,200. The financing will include three concurrent and inter-conditional transactions (collectively the "Financing Transactions"). Equity Financing PNRL and Cymbria have entered into a binding term sheet dated June 12, 2023 providing for the issue and sale of 14,772,000 units at a subscription price of CAD$1.10 per unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds to PNRL of CAD$16,249,200 (the "Equity Financing"). Each unit will be comprised of one common share of PNRL (the "Common Shares") and 22.5% of one whole Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Transferable Warrant" and together the "Transferable Warrants"). The total whole number of Transferable Warrants issuable in the Equity Financing is 3,324,000. Each Transferable Warrant may be exercisable by the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$1.4375 per Common Share for a period of three years. The Transferrable Warrants will be freely transferable upon issuance thereof, subject to the restrictions on transfer pursuant to applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Issue Price represents a premium of approximately 9.5% to the volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares of the Company on the TSXV over the past twenty trading days. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV on June 12, 2023 was CAD$1.15. Term Loan PNRL and Cymbria (the "Lender"), an affiliate of EdgePoint, have also entered into a binding commitment letter dated June 12, 2023 pursuant to which the Lender has agreed to advance to PNRL on closing CAD$15,000,000 for a three-year term (the "Term Loan"). The Term Loan will bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum payable quarterly in arrears. The principal amount of the Term Loan will mature and be payable on the third anniversary of the date of issue. The obligations of the Company pursuant to the Term Loan will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company's existing and future subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantors"). The Term Loan will be subject to certain covenants and provisions on events of default, repayments and mandatory prepayments that are customary for a loan of this nature and secured by a pledge of all the shares of the Company's subsidiaries and other security customary for a loan of this nature. In connection with the Term Loan, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 2,000,000 non-transferable Common Share purchase warrants (the "Non-Transferable Warrants") to the Lender. Each Non-Transferable Warrant shall be excisable by the Lender to purchase one Common Share upon payment of the cash purchase price of CAD$1.4375 per Common Share for a period of three years from the issuance thereof. Option Payment Concurrently with the closings of the Equity Financing and the Term Loan, Cymbria has also agreed to pay an aggregate of CAD$2,750,000 to two subsidiaries of PNRL (the "Option Payment") to acquire a right to participate with such subsidiaries in the exercise of certain contractual rights, as and when the same may be exercised by such subsidiaries. The Option Payment will be allocated by the PNRL subsidiaries having regard to the relative purchase prices payable in connection with the exercise of their respective contractual rights. PNRL's indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Premium Nickel Resources Proprietary Limited ("PNRP") acquired the Selebi mine in January 2022 out of liquidation. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, the liquidator retained a 2% net smelter returns royalty on the Selebi mine (the "Selebi NSR"). PNRP has a contractual right to repurchase one-half of the Selebi NSR at a future time on payment by PNRP to the liquidator of US$20,000,000. PNRL's indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Premium Nickel Group Proprietary Limited ("PNGP") acquired the Selkirk mine in August 2022 out of liquidation. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, the liquidator retained a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the Selkirk mine (the "Selkirk NSR" and together with the Selebi NSR, the "NSRs"). PNGP has a contractual right to repurchase the entirety of the Selkirk NSR at a future time on payment by PNGP to the liquidator of US$2,000,000. Each of PNRP and PNGP has agreed to grant to Cymbria, in exchange for the Option Payment, an option to participate in any such repurchase of the applicable portion of its NSR from the relevant liquidator. Cymbria will, following the exercise of its option to participate in any such repurchase, acquire a 0.5% net smelter returns royalty on the applicable property by paying an amount equal to (x) one half of the repurchase price payable by PNRP or PNGP pursuant to the applicable NSR, less (y) the Option Payment paid at closing pursuant to the relevant option agreement among Cymbria and PNRP or PNGP, as applicable. Cymbria has the right to put its options back to PNRP and PNGP in certain circumstances in return for the reimbursement of the applicable portion of the Option Payment. Closing Closing of the Financing Transactions will occur simultaneously, on or before June 28, 2023 or such later date as may be agreed by the parties, subject in each case to customary closing conditions, including receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV and the approval of the Minister of Mines and Energy in Botswana in relation to certain of the security, and no material adverse change in the business of PNRL having occurred between signing and closing. Closing of the Financing Transactions is inter-conditional. If PNRL fails to satisfy the conditions precedent to closing of any one of the Financing Transactions it does not expect to complete any of the Financing Transactions. Use of Proceeds The Company intends to use approximately CAD$7,360,000 of the proceeds from the Financing Transactions to prepay all principal and interest owing by the Company under its currently outstanding promissory note in favour of Pinnacle Island LP. The balance of the net proceeds of the Financing Transactions will be used to advance exploration and resource development at PNRL's Selebi and Selkirk nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum-group elements ("Ni-Cu-Co-PGE") sulphide mines in Botswana, including the acquisition of adjacent mineral and property rights as appropriate, and for general corporate purposes. Through a combination of resource drilling and continued exploration drilling at both the Selebi and Selkirk mines, PNRL is working to establish a maiden mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company is committed to redeveloping the mines through modernization and implementation of mining best practices to improve mine safety and efficiency, reduce power consumption, adopt alternative energy sources and minimize water usage. PNRL expects that the rehabilitation of the mines on this basis will actively contribute to Botswana's economic, social, climate and environmental objectives. These mines, once they are brought back into production, are expected to be a significant source of critical minerals for aerospace, decarbonization technologies and general industrial uses, in particular, during what is forecast to be a period of significant supply shortage at a critical time in the global renewable electrification transition. PNRL CEO Keith Morrison commented: "I would like to welcome the EdgePoint team to PNRL and thank Pinnacle Island for their long-term support. This debt refinancing pursuant to the Term Loan will extend our current debt maturity for three years until June 2026. The total funding resulting to PNRL pursuant to the Financing Transactions of approximately CAD$34 million will provide us with the resources to advance both the National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") resource compliance and additional exploration drilling at the Selebi and Selkirk mines." About Cymbria Cymbria is an investment corporation with approximately $1.5 billion in assets and publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. About EdgePoint EdgePoint is an employee owned and investment led Canadian wealth management company, based in Toronto, Ontario. General All securities issued in connection with the Financing Transactions will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation and policies of the TSXV. Fort Capital Partners acted as financial advisor to PNRL on the Financing Transactions. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or to "U.S. persons" ("U.S. persons"), as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The securities being offered have not been, nor will be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. About Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. PNRL is a mineral exploration and development company that focuses on discovering and advancing high-quality nickel, copper and cobalt resources. We are driven by our belief that the demand for these metals will continue to grow in the medium to long term, as a result of global urbanization and the increasing adoption of electric motors over internal combustion engines. These metals are vital for achieving a low-carbon future. Our global strategy is to identify the most promising Ni-Cu-Co-PGE projects and acquire or invest in opportunities that offer high prospectivity in mining friendly jurisdictions located in low-risk countries with supportive foreign investment and resource acts and strong rule of law. Our portfolio includes various projects (Botswana, Greenland, Canada and Morocco) that complement our flagship Selebi Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mine located in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana. PNRL is committed to governance through transparent accountability and open communication within our team and our stakeholders. Our skilled team has worked over 100 projects collectively, accumulating over 400 years of resource discoveries, mine development and mine re-engineering experience on projects like Selebi and Selkirk. PNRL's team members have on average more than 20 years of experience in every single aspect of mine discovery and development, from geology to operations. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Morrison Chief Executive Officer Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. For further information about Premium Nickel Resources Ltd., please contact: Jaclyn Ruptash Vice President Business Development +1 (604) 770-4334 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. The words "will", "plan", "potential", "expect", "could" and similar expressions identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release includes statements relating to: the completion of the Financing Transactions and the timing thereof; the satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent to the closing of the Financing Transactions; the aggregate gross proceeds and estimated net new financing proceeds of the Financing Transactions and related use of proceeds; PNRL's plans and timeline to re-develop the Selebi and Selkirk mines and the drilling planned by PNRL; PNRL's plans to establish mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates in accordance with NI 43-101 for each of the Selebi and Selkirk mines; PNRL's possible acquisition of adjacent consolidating mineral and property rights; the expected benefits from resuming production at the Selebi mine or Selkirk mine; and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release concerning the Company, see: (i) the section entitled "Risks and Uncertainties" in the most recent management discussion and analysis of the Company; and (ii) the risk factors outlined in the filing statement of the Company dated July 22, 2022, both of which are available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under PNRL's issuer profile. The forward-looking statements set forth herein concerning the Company reflect management's expectations as at the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169727 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Segra International Corp. ("Segra"), an agriculture technology company is pleased to announce a new exclusive global distribution agreement with Grounded Genetics and The Holding Company. Under the terms of the agreements, Segra will partner with both companies to bring a significant collection of proven, award-winning and unreleased genetics to Canadian and International markets. Access to these genetics will be available in the fall of 2023 in the form of tissue culture mother plants and tissue culture plantlets (clones). In addition to their extensive collection, Segra will collaborate with both groups to offer custom phenotype selection and breeding projects for customers on an "a la carte" basis. "We believe that pheno selection and breeding initiatives are better suited in a dedicated environment vs. the grow rooms of our customers. Offering this service fills a gap in the market place and allows our customers to focus on what they do best, cultivation," said Matthew Don-Carolis, Vice President of Sales for Segra. "I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Grounded Genetics and The Holding Company. Their global reputation and experience in breeding and genetic selection is impressive. Their ability and commitment to identify the best cultivars for specific environments and outcomes aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional products to our customers," said Jamie Blundell, CEO of Segra. "Together, we can leverage our collective strengths to refine the cannabis experience and provide unmatched quality and variety in the market. This partnership marks a significant milestone for our companies, and I am excited to embark on this journey of discovery and growth." Ramone, CEO of Grounded Genetics commented, "We are excited to announce our partnership with Segra International. We have been waiting for the right partner and Segra has demonstrated that they are a global leader in both cannabis tissue culture and molecular biology IP, with an unparalleled global distribution network. As a breeder, getting our genetics to market in a clean, safe format is critical to the long term success of our business and mitigates the risk and spread of disease, a significant issue facing the industry." "In addition to the business rationale, Segra is a great fit culturally, where we are all focused on doing the right thing for our partners and customers alike," said Dave, CEO of The Holding Company. "This collaboration represents an incredible opportunity to leverage the synergies between our companies and drive innovation in the cannabis industry. Segra's DNA fingerprinting technology also brings confidence that our genetics will be preserved safely in tissue culture and adds a level of protection that our genetics will not be widely distributed." This partnership presents a compelling opportunity to leverage years of innovation and genetic development for growers to introduce true-to-type, proven and diverse cultivars into their respective markets. Through Segra's cutting-edge clean stock tissue culture plantlets, growers can have peace of mind, knowing that the plants they receive are free from detectable pests, pathogens, viruses or viroids. With limited supplies available, we encourage interested growers to reach out today to learn more about this opportunity and join Segra's growing network. For further information, please contact us at info@segra-intl.com. About Segra International: Segra is a Vancouver, Canada based agriculture technology company offering plant tissue culture, plant genomics, and pathogen detection services to accelerate the advancement of the cannabis industry. Its proprietary technologies empower clients to drive financial performance and mitigate risk while exploring the next frontier of optimized cultivation practices. Segra has developed industrial-scale laboratories to produce Verified Segra Stock cannabis plantlets in collaboration with top breeders, and currently ships to licensed producers in Canada and International destinations. Segra has assembled a world-class team of specialists in agronomy, molecular biology, genetics, plant tissue culture, and regulatory compliance to support this vision. Learn more at segra-intl.com Storage Magazine's annual Storage Awards selected CDS as the "Storage Management Monitoring Vendor of the Year" and the "Channel Partner Program of the Year." CDS, the leading provider of multi-vendor services (MVS) for data centers worldwide, today announced winning the "Storage Management Monitoring Vendor of the Year" award for its Raytrix MVS platform and the "Channel Partner Program of the Year" for its Commit Partner program at the annual Storage Awards. "Our innovative Raytrix MVS platform is one of the most advanced data center monitoring products in the post-warranty support market and enables proactive and preventative maintenance, allowing CDS to be a true partner to our data center infrastructure providers," Joe Cozzolino, CEO of CDS, said. "I'm proud of our team's expertise and effort in providing tools, like Raytrix, and developing great partnerships with our customers and partners to support their business success." The Raytrix platform provides predictive and proactive monitoring for enterprise systems maintenance issues, empowering data center infrastructure providers with insights and guidance to get the most out of existing systems and fix product issues before they begin failing. Raytrix extends a full suite of capabilities to various OEM hardware platforms, from midrange and high-end storage systems to the most popular server and networking products. The "Channel Partner Program of the Year" award recognizes CDS' Commit Partner Program for its partnership approach. As a partner-first organization, CDS works alongside OEMs and data center infrastructure providers to not only support maintenance but also to equip them with competitive advantages and help enterprises save money by maintaining existing data center infrastructure. Through the value-add from global multi-vendor services, organizations ultimately win more business while saving dollars. Now in their 20th year, the Storage Awards, hosted by Storage Magazine, are unveiled at a premier storage industry event that recognizes the achievements of key individuals and organizations in the global data storage industry. Selected by readers of Storage Magazine, winners were unveiled at the awards ceremony held in London on June 8, 2023. For more information on CDS's Raytrix capabilities, check out our Raytrix page. To learn more about the CDS' Commit program, check out our partner program page. About CDS CDS is the leading provider of multi-vendor services (MVS) for data centers worldwide. Its Raytrix MVS software platform offers a range of mission-critical data center hardware maintenance and support for high-end storage, server and network equipment. CDS offers post-warranty support services through OEMs and channel partners, servicing a diversified customer base throughout the Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company's maintenance and support services are designed to extend the useful life of its clients' IT infrastructure, further increasing return on investment for these systems. CDS employs highly skilled, industry-certified engineers and dedicated account managers globally. Partnering with the leading data center infrastructure providers to deliver MVS on a global basis, CDS is assisting more than 700 customers in 45 countries to unlock spend in the data center across enterprise IT infrastructure with diverse maintenance needs and cost containment requirements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613215684/en/ Contacts: Danielle Scotto INK Communications for CDS cds@ink-co.com Creative Vision and Work Has Been Instrumental for Clients TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2022 / Specificity Inc. (OTCQB:SPTY) (the "Company"), a full-service digital marketing firm that delivers cutting-edge marketing solutions, today announced that Mary Steele has been given additional roles and named Creative Director. Mary provides Specificity clients creative vision along with high level creative work. Her skills range from graphic design, web design and animation and brings to the table serious experience in campaign strategy. She's been tasked with running the creative aspect of Specificity's biggest clients and has most recently been responsible for the complete overhaul of the Specificity brand position. Jason Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Specificity, commented, "Mary and I have worked together for almost 15 years. She was the very first employee in my first marketing firm and has been with me ever since. She was instrumental in our transition from an agency model to the technology driven digital marketing products we deliver now. In fact, she's done the graphic artwork for virtually every company I've owned over that time. As we evolve as a company, she has been on the front lines in the illumination of our brand position to the market through creative and I'm excited to launch our latest brand position soon." About Specificity, Inc. Specificity, based in Tampa, Florida, is a full-service digital marketing firm that delivers cutting-edge marketing solutions to business-to-business clients as well as business to consumer clients. Our core mission is to offer our clients the most advanced audience targeting capabilities out there. We believe that precision targeting is the key to building the most successful marketing campaigns possible. Specificity has developed tools that allow it to identify and market to people who are actively in the buying cycle. Specificity takes advantage of the real-time messaging opportunities digital marketing offers to give small and medium-sized businesses a fair chance at online traffic. For further information about Specificity Inc. and the range of digital marketing solutions offered, visit - https://www.specificityinc.com/ . Specificity also has a growing online community across social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn . Specificity is a publicly traded company, ticker symbol SPTY. For more information, please contact: ClearThink Investor Relations , Investor Relations nyc@clearthink.capital Jason Wood, CEO jason@specificityinc.com Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Specificity's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Specificity Inc. believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. Specificity Inc. undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Specificity Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760916/Specificity-Appoints-Mary-Steele-as-Creative-Director Visited has published a list of top 10 most popular churches around the world, based on their user's data. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / The travel app Visited by Arriving In High Heels Corporation has published a list of the top 10 churches to visit in the world. "It is not surprising that the top 10 list are found exclusively in western Europe, with Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris topping the list. Churches are important indicators of culture not just from religious perspective but from historic and architectural significant," said Anna Kayfitz the founder and CEO of Arriving In High Heels Corporation. Most Popular Churches Visited, available on iOS or Android, and is available in 30 languages which has attracted over 1.7 million users world wide. The app allows users to map their journeys with a personalized map of countries, states and cities they have been to or wish to visit in the future. For those looking for inspirations, you can check off famous sites and experiences from travel lists, or swipe through travel photos to uncover new places to visit and add to their bucket lists. The top 10 church destinations in the world based on popularity include: Notre Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, Sagrada Familia, St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel. Other travel lists based on religion's includes most visited synagogues, top 10 mosques, top 10 temples and monasteries. The travel app, has over 100 travel lists to choose from. To browse more top travel lists, see the most popular destinations, and create a personalized travel map, users can download Visited on iOS or Android. Get the full Visited 2022 travel report for more travel stats with the most visited destinations based on U.S. and international travelers. To learn more about the Visited Map App, visit https://visitedapp.com. About Arriving In High Heels Corporation Arriving In High Heels Corporation is a mobile app company with apps including Pay Off Debt, X-Walk, and Visited, their most popular app. Contact Information Anna Kayfitz CEO anna@arrivinginhighheels.com SOURCE: Arriving In High Heels Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/756240/Visited-Publishes-Top-10-Most-Visited-Churches-as-per-International-Travelers Proventus Bioscience continues to be a leading innovator and producer of bio-based products that improve crop yields, shorten growing periods, and create healthier, more resilient soils for organic farmers, greenhouse growers and mainstream production farmers. Its impact has been recognized globally. MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Proventus Bioscience, a biotech company that produces sustainable biological microorganisms for use by various industries, announced the start of construction of its new 20,000-square-foot production plant and corporate headquarters at 4455 Griffith St., Saint-Laurent, QC. Proventus' new 20,000-square foot facility is designed to be compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (camps) required by the food industry that include bio-infused products for probiotics, agriculture formulations, and treatments for waste management and pollution control. GMP was first developed by the World Health Organization in 1968 and has since evolved and expanded, with 100 countries adopting the provisions in their own requirements. Speaking at the company's official announcement, the founders of Proventus, Mr. Vincent Delorenzo and Peter Bozel, commented on the company's incredible growth over the last seven years as proof that the company's technology is widely accepted by the industry. The demand for Proventus' products is what propelled this incredible expansion: "The inauguration of this facility will take place sometime in August and will give Proventus a launching pad from [which to] introduce novel first-in-class sustainable microbial formulations that can be used for a wide spectrum of industries and add many new novel products such as biostimulants and bio-protectants for use in agriculture and remediation of polluted soils. "Our plans and pipeline for new products are ambitious but attainable because our technology solution is unique in the remediation of polluted waters and soils and for enhancement of biorational agricultural production practices by developing biologicals as compliments or replacement for chemical fertilizers and plant protectants. Its efficacy is being [proven daily] in farmers' fields and in tests conducted in laboratories and greenhouses at respected research institutions throughout Canada. "Proventus' core technology is in constant development. We have acquired the most up-to-date fermentation equipment, solid-state fermenters, high-capacity freeze dryers and methods to formulate and stabilize viruses, bacteria, and fungi for optimal activity under all environmental conditions." Internationally recognized plant scientist Dr. George Lazarovits heads the Proventus Scientific Advisory Board. Visit proventusbioscience.com or call 438-387-1117 for more information. About Proventus Bioscience Inc. Proventus Bioscience Inc., based in Montreal, is a biotech company that develops sustainable biological products for the management of polluted environments and for use in sustainable agriculture. It has pioneered many other products with eco-positive solutions and continues to develop new innovations as a response to market changes on its own as well as with major partnerships. Acknowledgment: Proventus Bioscience would like to take this opportunity to thank the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec for its financial support. REGI is a national funding program that supports the economic growth of businesses and regions through innovation. Contact Information Vincent DeLorenzo Founding Member info@proventusbioscience.com SOURCE: Proventus Bioscience View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760895/Proventus-Bioscience-Breaks-Ground-on-Its-New-Production-Facility-and-Expansion-of-Its-Laboratories-and-Fermentation-Plant NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Suncor Energy The SickKids hospital in Toronto is the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in Canada. And its foundation, The SickKids Foundation, recently received a funding boost from the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation - a registered Canadian charity that receives contributions from Suncor, the proud owner of Petro-Canada. "As a world-leading paediatric hospital, SickKids treats some of the sickest kids in Ontario and across the country," says Krista Keilty, Associate Chief of Interprofessional Practice with Connected Care at the SickKids Foundation. "As patients transition home, many will require complex care." Every year, the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation provides grants to Canadian charitable organizations that support family caregiving to help them fund critical resources and programs. The SickKids Foundation is one of those recipients and recently received a $200,000 grant toward funding its Connected Care program- a program that provides education and virtual support for caregivers transitioning from hospital to home with a child who is dependent on medical technology. "Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation's investment in this novel program is a key driver in our ability to deliver this service, which not only improves patient safety and health outcomes but builds confidence through a support network for parents and caregivers," adds Krista. CareMakers also awarded grants to 12 additional Canadian charitable organizations recently for a total of $1.7 million through its national grant stream to help address systemic challenges in the area of family caregiving. Grant levels vary for each organization and reflect the scale of the project or program for which funding was requested. The newest group of national grant recipients also includes: The Children's Link Society (Alberta) Family Caregivers of B.C. Inclusion New Brunswick Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland & Labrador Inc. Institute for Advancement in Mental Health (Ontario) Families for Addiction Recovery (Ontario) The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (Ontario) The Baycrest Foundation (Ontario) Young Caregivers Association (Ontario) Brain Injury Ontario Autism Society Ontario Saskatoon Council on Aging (Saskatchewan) "It's an honour to support the work of these amazing organizations who make a difference in the lives of family caregivers," says Leila Fenc, Executive Director of the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation. "Their efforts are critical to achieving our Foundation's vision, of a country where family caregivers are valued, recognized and supported." To hear more from grant recipients, follow the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Registered charitable organizations interested in a national or local grant may apply for funding based on eligibility and timing requirements. Launched in 2020, the Petro Canada CareMakers FoundationTM creates awareness about family caregiving in Canada and inspires Canadians to help by raising funds to enable charitable organizations across the country to provide critical programs and resources for family caregivers. CareMakers is a registered Canadian charity that receives contributions from Suncor, the proud owner of Petro-Canada, as well as other corporate and individual donors. As its profile grows among Canadians, the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation continues to demonstrate Suncor's purpose and complements our social investment activities. 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/760923/Petro-Canada-CareMakers-Foundation-Grants-Support-Caregiving-Programs Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - At least 10 people were killed in Russian missile attacks targeting civilian centers in the home city of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys Tuesday. Rescue workers are searching for survivors trapped under rubble in several civilian buildings in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, reports say. 28 people were injured in the attack carried out by Russian forces in the early hours. Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down most of the 14 cruise missiles and intercepted one of four Iran-made Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also reported Russian attacks in the northeastern regions of Sumy and Kharkiv. Pro-Kremlin military blogger Yuri Kotenok wrote on the messaging app Telegram that Russian Major General Sergei Goryachev was killed in a missile attack in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are reportedly making some gains in intense clashes with Russian forces along the borders of the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions. 'Ukrainian Defense forces continue the defense operation in the Bakhmut direction. Our soldiers are advancing, the enemy is losing ground on the flanks,' Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces, said Tuesday. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. PUNE, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataintelo, a leading market research firm, has recently published a comprehensive report on the Global Citric Acid Market, providing an in-depth analysis of the market by type, application, and region. The report covers the period from 2023 to 2031 and offers valuable insights into the current market scenario, trends, and future growth prospects. The Global Citric Acid Market is segmented by type into Powder Citric Acid and Liquid Citric Acid, and by application into Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care, Detergents & Cleansers, and Others. The report also provides a detailed regional analysis, covering North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Download PDF Sample here: https://dataintelo.com/request-sample/?reportId=165390 Key Highlights of the Global Citric Acid Market Report: The global citric acid market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for citric acid in various industries, such as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals & personal care, and detergents & cleansers. The food & beverages segment is anticipated to hold the largest market share, owing to the widespread use of citric acid as a flavor enhancer, preservative, and acidity regulator in various food products, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, candies, and bakery products. The pharmaceuticals & personal care segment is also expected to witness substantial growth, as citric acid is widely used in the formulation of various pharmaceutical products, such as effervescent tablets, syrups, and ointments, as well as in personal care products, such as cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products. The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market for citric acid during the forecast period, due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging economies, such as China and India, coupled with the growing demand for processed food and personal care products in the region. The report also highlights the competitive landscape of the global citric acid market, featuring key players, such as Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, and Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, among others. Get Full Access to this Report: https://dataintelo.com/checkout/?reportId=165390 About Dataintelo Dataintelo is a renowned market research firm offering comprehensive market analysis and intelligence solutions. With a vision to empower decision-makers and transform businesses, Dataintelo delivers actionable insights and market forecasts to help clients stay ahead in the competitive landscape. The company's skilled and experienced analysts leverage their in-depth knowledge of numerous industries to deliver accurate and reliable research reports. Contact Us: Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: sales@dataintelo.com Web: https://dataintelo.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099960/Dataintelo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dataintelo-releases-comprehensive-report-on-global-citric-acid-market-forecast-from-2023-to-2031-301849335.html ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Dinewise, Inc (OTC PINK-DWIS)(referred to as "Dinewise", "we", "us", "our" or the "Company") today announced it will sponsor a tasting event at FireWater Package and sales event at Pawn Club, both in Marietta, Georgia for the celebration of Juneteenth. FireWater Package; a Black Owned and Operated Liqour store in Marietta, Georgia is having over 30 Black owned Spirit companies for a free tasting held on June 17, 2023 in celebration of Juneteenth. Pawn Club; a Black owned and Operated Pawn Shop in Marietta, Georgia is having a huge sales event that day as well. The event features Food, Story Telling, Music and Dance. Both of these companies are clients of Dinewise, Inc. "Being connected and involved in the community that we serve coupled with supporting our portfolio companies on their endeavors continues to fulfill our philanthropic and business goals" Christina Moore, Director. The event also features one of the nation's only Black Owned Sprit Distributors; Kelly Family Distributors. Dinewise's sponsorship made this event possible and supports the celebration of African American Heritage. The event will be hosted by metro Atlanta's top radio station 94.5 The Street with Talent Jazzy McBee. For more information visit www.firewaterpackage.com About Dinewise Dinewise through its company PawnTrust engages in small business loans to thriving entrepreneurs. PawnTrust has now added a marketplace exclusively for Pawn Shops to its business model. PawnTrust acts as an intermediary between the Pawn Shop and consumer using the best technology to streamline borrowing, buying and bartering transactions through and app on a mobile phone. PawnTrust has established Pawn Partners; which are local Pawn Shops, in which inventory is extrapolated into the PawnTrust Marketplace. This allows the Pawn Shops to immediately and seamlessly have their inventory displayed nationally. PawnTrust works like an amplifier. Many of these local stores do not have a web presence nor capital to market their inventory on a national basis. By leveraging the PawnTrust national marketplace the local store can create incremental sales from a wider range of buyers. PawnTrust uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the marketplace platform to automate various workflows including advance image recognition algorithms. Items are automatically identified and descriptions are generated with remarkable accuracy which speeds up the process and standardizes the descriptions. This has the potential to transform the pawn industry where descriptive tags help to create a context based search for a user friendly interface. Using AI will bring an immersive and engaging experience. PawnTrust is a publicly traded company on the OTC: Pink traded under the symbol DWIS. For more information visit www.pawntrust.com About Juneteenth Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is an annual holiday celebrated in the United States on June 19th. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, in 1865. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in the Confederate territory were to be set free. However, the news of this proclamation did not immediately reach many parts of the South, including Texas, where slavery persisted. It was on June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and read General Order No. 3 announcing the freedom of enslaved people in Texas. This event effectively marked the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth represents a significant milestone in the nation's history and symbolizes the delayed but realized emancipation of enslaved African Americans. About FireWater Package Firewater Package (FireWater) is a Black owned and Operated Liquor Store in Marietta, Georgia. FireWater sells Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cigars. There is a wide selection of wine from all regions around the globe. Domestic and Imported Beer is available with a large stock of Craft Beer. A full service Beer Cave is available for ease of access for customers. Spirit, liqueur and ready to drink selection are unmatched and wide ranging. FireWater makes it easy to unwind, drive thru service, curb side delivery, online deliveries and a beautiful showroom, there is no need to stress for recess. Trained staff will help customers with wine, beer, spirits and cigar selection. For more information visit www.firewaterpackage.com About Pawn Club Pawn Club is a Black Owned and Operated Pawn Shop located in Marietta, Georgia where its customers can bring valuable items, such as jewelry, electronics, musical instruments or collectibles in exchange them for a loan. Pawn Club assesses the value of the item and offers a loan amount based on that value. The loans can be renewed every 30 day period by paying the agreed upon extension fee. Pawn Club also directly purchases items from individuals, offering a price base on the items value. Pawn Club serves as a way to give its customers quick cash without the need for traditional credit check or bank loan. About Kelly Family Distributors Kelly Family Distributors (KF) is a black owned Alcohol Distributor based in Kennesaw, Georgia. KF is proud to celebrate 3 years of commitment to its employees, customers and the community. KF Distributors strives to bring the best Black owned beverage options in the area with a strong commitment to form partnerships with its customers, suppliers and team members. KF Distributors delivers excellence serviced and is committed to improving every day. For more information visit: www.kellyfamilydistributors.com Contact PawnTrust Investor Relations (650) 228-0680 invest@pawntrust.com Forward-Looking Information This release includes statements that may constitute 'forward-looking' statements, usually containing the words 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'expect' or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this release. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, risks and uncertainties related to the current unknown duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release. SOURCE: Dinewise, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760926/Dinewise-Sponsors-Juneteenth-Events-in-Georgia On 7 June 2023, AB Kauno Grudai, owned by AB Linas Agro Group, signed a share purchase and sale agreement with the shareholders of the cooperative company Grybai LT for the acquisition of 100% of this company's stock. Negotiations on the acquisition of the shares of Grybai LT were conducted based on a letter of intent concluded on 7 March 2023 between AB Kauno Grudai and Baltic Champs, UAB, the owner of the stock of Grybai LT. The transaction will only be completed subject to clearance by the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania, the consent of Grybai LT's financing bank, and the fulfillment of other customary conditions precedent to such transactions. The final purchase price of Grybai LT shares will be calculated for the closing date according to the formula set out in the agreement: Purchase price = EUR 17,000,000 (i.e. the value of the Grybai LT shares fixed by agreement between the parties) minus Grybai LT's net debt (i.e. the difference between Grybai LT's financial debts and its cash and cash equivalents) plus the difference between the Grybai LT's base net working capital (EUR 1,601,176.51) and the net working capital as at the closing date minus all Grybai LT's costs related to the transaction. According to Linas Agro Group's valuation, the purchase price is expected to be up to 2% of Linas Agro Group's assets. Grybai LT, a cooperative company based in Sirvintos with over 40 employees, is active in producing and selling ready meals. The company operates a modern robotic factory covering an area of around 3,600 sq meters. The main products produced are ready-to-eat organic soups, curries, cereal meals, and organic vegetables in packets - around 70 product names. The annual production is 8-9 million packets of various products exported to more than 30 countries. Grybai LT's revenue in 2022 was EUR 7.1 million, consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was EUR 1.3 million, and assets were EUR 7.9 million. The acquisition of Grybai LT would be particularly significant for Linas Agro Group in the way that it would supplement the production of the Group's companies with organic food products and provide an opportunity to open new markets for other products produced by the companies of the Group. According to Linas Agro Group's estimates, over a period of 5-6 years, this acquisition, with additional investments, would increase the EBITDA of AB Linas Agro Group by 5-10%. "Our ambition is to grow by diversifying our activities, and the most attractive seems to be expansion in the food segment. We have not yet had any ready-to-eat product groups in our range, nor have we had any organic food products. Following the acquisition of Grybai LT, we will expand our product range with three new product groups. Organic products will not only complement our product range perfectly but will also take us into markets such as the US and Japan, where Grybai LT has made significant inroads. We see an opportunity to increase production and an evident synergy with our other activities," says Darius Zubas, Chairman of the Board of Linas Agro Group. The AUGA brand is not being purchased. The production facilities, recipes, and contracts with buyers are. And although the company is called Grybai LT(eng. mushrooms), it is not engaged in the mushroom growing or processing business. "We are not new to the consumer food segment and have popular brands. However, until now, we have not had an organic food offer. We expect to cooperate with organic vegetable growers in Lithuania and maintain an organic product line under a different name. We can also produce private-label products for our customers according to their preferences - not just organic. While obtaining the company, we already think about expansion. The European market is huge and attractive: around 1.8 million tons of soups and 1.3 million tons of ready meals are consumed annually. Grybai LT can currently produce around 3 thousand tons, so the prospects for growth are high. Over the next 5-6 years, we plan to invest an additional EUR 4.4 million to expand maximum production capacity to 33 million packets or 11 thousand tons per year, and to increase annual EBITDA from EUR 1.3 million to EUR 6 million", says Andrius Pranckevicius, Deputy Chairman of the Board of AB Linas Agro Group and CEO of AB Kauno Grudai. According to A. Pranckevicius, it is the synergy with other activities that will highlight the value of this acquisition. "Grybai LT will fit perfectly complement the business scheme and activities of Kauno Grudai, the company's production will open new markets for other products manufactured by Kauno Grudai. For example, the USA is a dream market, as over 1 million tons of soups alone are consumed annually, but it usually takes years to enter and establish oneself. We hope to see not only organic soups but also our other products on the shelves in the US. Grybai LT currently sells around 20% of its production in the EU. Meanwhile, our noodles are already well established in the EU market, working with 30 of the EU's largest supermarket chains, and we hope to be able to successfully sell soups, curries, and other meals in packets there. We see an opportunity to increase production to 24 hours a day and to sell new products on the EU market to those customers who already buy our porridges and noodles," says Pranckevicius. The shares in Grybai LT are sold by the cooperative companies AgroMilk, Juodmargelis, Sventosios Pievos, also UAB Baltic Champs, and UAB AUGA Luganta, all of which together own a 100% stake in Grybai LT. Two of the latter sellers are owned by the public company AUGA group, while the others are also related to this company through shareholders. "We are delighted to be able to put the business we have developed in good hands. The new owners of Grybai LT will be able to use their experience and synergies with their other activities to expand in the existing markets and to reach even more export markets, creating value for the company, its employees, and the Lithuanian economy as a whole," says Kestutis Juscius, General Manager of the AUGA group. AB Linas Agro Group was represented in the transaction by the law firm Norkus ir Partneriai COBALT, and the companies selling the stake by the law firm WALLESS. About AB Linas Agro Group AB Linas Agro Group employs almost 5 thousand people in a group of 70 agribusiness and food companies. The Group's financial year starts on 1 July. The Group's consolidated revenue for the nine months of the 2022/2023 financial year exceeded EUR 1.5 billion, with a net profit of EUR 25 million. Additional information will be provided by: Andrius Pranckevicius, Vice-Chairman of the Board of AB Linas Agro Group Mob. +370 687 71 419 E-mail a.pranckevicius@linasagro.lt CFO of Linas Agro Group AB Mazvydas Sileika Mob. +370 619 19 403 E-mail m.sileika@linasagro.lt PUNE, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent market study published by Growth Market Reports, titled, "Global Portable Loudspeaker Market Segments - By Type (Wired, Wireless), Application (Automotive, Residential, Outdoor, Commercial, and Others), Distribution Channels (Online, Offline), and Region: Size, Share, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2031", the market size was USD 22.58 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 56.38 billion expanding at a CAGR of 10.7% by the end of 2031. The market is propelled by growing demand for portable loudspeakers in developed countries and rising music trends. Key Market Players Profiled in the Report Bose Corporation Bowers & Wilkins DYNAUDIO Edifierr FOCAL-JMLAB Fugoo, Harman International Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd InMusic, LLC KEF International Klipsch Group, Inc Koninklijke Philips N.V LG Electronics Logitech Martin Logan Download PDF Sample here: https://growthmarketreports.com/request-sample/4054 The report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can change the market dynamics. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market segments, which include type, application, distribution channels, and competitor analysis. This report also includes a complete analysis of industry players and covers their latest developments, product portfolio, pricing, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. Moreover, it provides crucial strategies that are helping market players to expand their market share. For Any Questions on This Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/enquiry-before-buying/4054 Highlights on the Segments On the basis of region, the global portable loudspeaker market is classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is projected to dominate the global market due to the presence of major players in the region. To Buy the Complete Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/portable-loudspeaker-market-global-industry-analysis Key Takeaways from the Study: A loudspeaker is a device that converts electrical energy into acoustical signal energy, which reproduces sound. Portable loudspeaker decompresses, decodes, and amplifies the audio through built-in speakers. Advancement in audio technology is anticipated to create lucrative opportunities for market players. The wired portable loudspeaker segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period as it transmits data through a wired cable with high audio quality. segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period as it transmits data through a wired cable with high audio quality. The automotive segment is anticipated to hold a major share of the market due to the high demand for portable loudspeakers from various automobiles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and trailers. segment is anticipated to hold a major share of the market due to the high demand for portable loudspeakers from various automobiles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and trailers. The outdoor segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Portable loudspeakers are rechargeable and played without any power connection and can be carried outside. Read 254 Pages Research Report with Detailed TOC on "Global Portable Loudspeaker Market Segments - by Type (Wired, Wireless), Application (Automotive, Residential, Outdoor, Commercial, and Others), Distribution Channels (Online, Offline), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast, 2023 - 2031" Get Full Access to this Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/checkout/4054 Key Segments Covered Type Wired Wireless Application Automotive Residential Outdoor Commercial Others Distribution Channels Online Offline Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Other Related Reports: Portable Blenders Market Segments - by Materials (Plastic, Glass, and Steel), Distribution Channels (Offline and Online), and Regions (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2021 - 2028 Global Loudspeaker Unit Market by Type (Cone Type Loudspeaker Unit, Dome Type Loudspeaker Unit, Horn Type Loudspeaker Unit, Flat Panel Loudspeaker Unit, Belt Loudspeaker Unit, Heil Loudspeaker Unit), By Application (Home audio, TV, Automotive, Others) And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 Global Loudspeaker Subwoofers Market by Type (Powered Subwoofers, Passive Subwoofers), By Application (Car Audio, Home Audio, Cinema Sound, Other Applications) and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa), Forecast To 2028 Global Loudspeaker Unit Market by Type (Cone Type Loudspeaker Unit, Dome Type Loudspeaker Unit, Horn Type Loudspeaker Unit, Flat Panel Loudspeaker Unit, Belt Loudspeaker Unit, Heil Loudspeaker Unit), By Application (Home audio, TV, Automotive, Others) And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 About Growth Market Reports: Growth Market Reports provides global enterprises as well as small & medium businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Industry Intelligence Solutions". Growth Market Reports has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients in making strategic business decisions and achieving sustainable growth in their respective market domains. Our key analysis segments, though not restricted to the same, include market entry strategies, market size estimations, market trend analysis, market opportunity analysis, market threat analysis, market growth/fall forecasting, primary interviews, and secondary research & consumer surveys. Contact: Alex Mathews 7th Floor, Siddh Icon, Baner Road, Pune. Maharashtra - 411045. India. Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: sales@growthmarketreports.com Web: https://growthmarketreports.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/growth_reports LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growth-market-report/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980656/Growth_Market_Reports_Logo1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-portable-loudspeaker-market-to-surpass-usd-56-38-billion-by-2031-growth-market-reports-301849010.html CHEYENNE, WY / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Mighty Fire Breaker is pleased to announce that its Independent Advisory Board has been joined by Several Retired Fire Officials: Southern California Fire Chief Jeff Bowman, San Bernardino Fire Chief/Marshall Peter Brierty and Northern California Fire Chief/Marshal Jim Thomson. These decorated, Retired Fire Officials see the need to add new, second lines of defense in wildfire defense, and MFB's DIY wildfire defense systems to all homes in wildfire regions as well as endorsing the use of MFB's Green EPA Safer Choice Fire Chemistry for proactive defense across all wildfire regions. Before joining its Board, each of them thoroughly vetted MFB's proprietary fire inhibitor, MFB-31-CitroTech and its Accreditations. They are each ready to help all fire departments understand how adding MFB's defense science and strategies could help them make things safer for firefighters. These retired fire officials have witnessed MFB's Do-It-Yourself Wildfire Defense System (DIY WFDS) and the ability of its chemistry to support interruption of a wildfire advance upon dry vegetation and landscaping. Next week in San Bernardino at a wildfire demonstration event, MFB will showcase and prove once again that its affordable, Patent Pending DIY WFDS can help address the California Fire Insurance Crisis by mitigating the risk of loss for property owners who obtain and install a System. There is a need for new, proactive safe chemistry to defend against wildfires, like the unprecedented wildfires now burning in Canada that have destroyed millions of acres and displaced over 100,000 residents. With many experts cautioning about climate change, this clean, safe solution has the ability to help support our brave firefighters in the U.S. and Canada. Retired Chief Jeff Bowman was quoted as having said that, "the same-old, same-old approach to wildfire management isn't working. An effective, proactive strategy is the best way forward, so embrace the Mighty Fire Breaker technology to protect your property and your family." Retired Fire Marshall Peter Brierty says, "More and more Wildfires in California stretch State and Local firefighting resources beyond their limits, and they will continue to do so into the future. The Mighty Fire Breaker system can help fill those gaps with an added level of protection for your home or business. For the last 25 years as a former Fire Marshal and Assistant Chief, I have promoted and enforced fire hazard reduction particularly in Wildland Fire environments. The new and patented Citrotech chemistry has passed the tests set by State and Federal EPA for use in California". Retired Fire Marshal Jim Thompson said that, "traditional wild-land fire response isn't reducing wildfire losses. It's responsive to fire. Pre-treatment by vegetation management is a beginning, but it's not enough. Pretreatment by using eco-safe chemistry is where I see phenomenal protection of both property and the lives of firefighters." For technical product information: Info@mightyfirebreaker.com Contact Information Twitter:@GEVIOfficial Website:? https://generalenterpriseventures.com/ Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'could,' 'target,' 'potential,' 'is likely,' 'will,' 'expect' and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. SOURCE: GENERAL ENTERPRISE VENTURES, INC. ("GEVI") View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760793/General-Enterprise-Ventures-Inc-OTC-PINKGEVI-Mighty-Fire-Breaker-LLC-Ohio-Officially-Unveils-its-Advisory-Board-of-Retired-California-Fire-Chiefs-and-Fire-Marshals-at-a-Wildfire-Risk-Reduction-Event-in-San-Bernardino-California-Next-Week WESTBURY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / FAVO Capital Inc. (OTC Pink:FAVO) FAVO Capital, Inc today announced the addition of Glen Steward and Bilal Adam to its Corporate Advisory Board. We are pleased to welcome Glen Steward and Bilal Adam as our first two additions to our newly created Advisory Board," said Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital, Inc. Glen Steward is a highly accomplished professional with over 23 years of experience in the financial industry. As the Founder, Director, and Chief Investment Officer of Stewards Financial Custodians (South Africa) and Stewards International Ltd. (Mauritius). Glen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the investment landscape. Furthermore, Glen's strategic mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and risk management acumen have been instrumental in establishing effective corporate financial strategies and driving strategic development initiatives. Mr. Steward's impressive career also includes serving as a Director and Board Member for esteemed organizations such as Foundation Fund Managers (Pty) Ltd. Glen has also played key roles in driving success and strategic decision-making at Secure Clear Trade Finance (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa) since 2016, as Director and Board Member and Stewards Investment Capital Ltd. (Mauritius) as Chairman. Glen Steward, stated. "I am delighted to be joining FAVO's Advisory Board and I look forward to bringing my experience, my guidance and my international contacts to assist FAVO in pursuing their mission statement." Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital, Inc added, "Glen brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources. His talents will be instrumental in helping FAVO accelerate our business across all platforms. I am extremely excited to work with Glen as we grow our shareholder and investor base globally." Bilal Adam brings a remarkable track record in the financial services industry. Mr. Adams has over 15 years of experience in investment management and banking, spanning London, Johannesburg, and Mauritius. As the President of the South African Chamber of Commerce of Mauritius, Bilal has been a driving force in fostering commercial relations across various sectors, including Financial Management Services, Banking, Travel, Retail, Property, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, and Professional Services. Mr. Adam has held prominent positions at renowned institutions such as Investec, and AfrAsia Capital Management. He is a Chartered Accountant and is currently the CEO of Stewards Investment Capital successfully providing investment management services to family offices and institutional investors, covering a wide range of asset classes such as Equity, Fixed Income, and Alternative Assets. Under his leadership, the company expanded its operations to include market-making and liquidity provision in specialized niche markets. Bilal Adam stated, "I am ecstatic to be joining FAVO's Advisory Board and working with their exciting team of entrepreneurs. I'm looking forward to bringing my finance, investment and operational skills to the table and contributing to FAVO's future growth." Shaun Quin, President of FAVO Capital, Inc., said, "Bilal is a phenomenal addition to our Advisory Board as he has built a stellar reputation on a global scale. Both Glen and Bilal's experience and leadership will be instrumental in helping FAVO reach its goals and objectives and we are honored to have them as part of our Advisory Board." 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, PTY ("SIC"): STEWARDS INVESTMENT CAPITAL, PTY, forms part of the Stewards affiliation of financial services companies established two decades ago. SIC provides investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors across multiple asset classes and acts as a market makers and liquidity provider in specialized niche markets. SIC holds a Global Business License and an Investment Advisor (unrestricted) License from the Mauritius Financials Services Commission. www.stewardsinvestment.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/760940/FAVO-Capital-Inc-Announces-the-First-Two-Additions-to-Its-Newly-Created-Corporate-Advisory-Board NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / International WELL Building Institute By Liz Peters A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) curtails the power of the EPA to address wetland protection and pollution, limiting its scope in control over water pollution through the Clean Water Act. With the already tenuous state of clean water globally, what does it all mean? What are the implications, near and long-term? At issue in Sackett v. EPA was whether the wetlands on the Sackett family's property constituted "waters of the United States" and considered "protected wetlands" under the Clean Water Act, the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. The majority opinion found that protection under the Clean Water Act applies to wetlands with "continuous surface connection"-or a form of interconnectivity. With the decision, the vast majority of wetlands in the United States - more than 100 million acres - are no longer protected. Four of the justices disagreed with this reasoning, finding the new test overly narrow and that adjacent wetlands covered by the act should also include wetlands near to but not connected. The May 25 decision restricts the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from issuing new regulations, raising concerns about water quality and flood control impacts, with scores of wetlands no longer under the purview of the Clean Water Act. This narrowed scope presents an opportunity for development on these land areas without being subject to the EPA's regulation of the use of materials, chemicals or consideration of the immediate bodies of water. Earthjustice's Director of Strategic Legal Advocacy Kirta Datla shared: "Why should you care? Wetlands are essential. They store water to prevent and mitigate floods, filter pollutants before they reach other bodies of water, support forestry, food and seafood production, and recreation, and more." All this can have a tremendous impact on the quality of the water we drink and public health at large, leaving a regulatory void. Hear from experts in water safety and quality on the consequential ruling and the need for robust regulation: Amy Cornelius, Founder, Sustainability Consultant, GreenBeams Member of the IWBI Water Concept Advisory "Water is precious and it is up to all of us to protect what we have for our health - not just people, but all the living things on the earth. Wetlands are key to protecting water. They not only store more carbon than rainforests. They also hold floodwater, minimizing erosion and storm damage, while trapping sediments and pollutants, cleansing the water as it is slowly released. Also, we all know that waters do not stop at state borders. Taking away the federal standard will result in a mishmash of protection as states go in different regulatory directions, which will lead to more pollution running downstream from newly deregulated wetlands and streams." Matt Howard, Vice President, Water Stewardship, The Water Council Member of the IWBI Water Concept Advisory "While the Supreme Court ruling is disappointing and seems to ignore the emerging science on how wetlands interconnect with other water bodies, this process raises a bigger question. That is, how much longer can we wait until comprehensive updates are made to the Clean Water Act? It's been just over 30 years since its passage and watershed conditions, emerging contaminants, and the science of surface and groundwater connections have changed. Let's use this setback to ignite broad-based improvements to our federal water laws. And while we're at, develop a national water strategy to mitigate against these types of setbacks in the future." Rodolfo Perez, Ph.D., IWBI's Senior Director, Standard Development, Water and Materials Concept Lead "Nature repeatedly tells us that resources are interconnected. Wetlands act like buffers to hold stormwater and discharge water to surface streams and ground wells. Eventually, this water may make it to our taps. As wetland management undoubtedly impacts our water quality, effective water governance should strive to become as integrated as possible to be truly sustainable and to promote people's health. At IWBI, we know water is a critical resource for our health and well-being-and its preservation is compulsory to it remaining clean, fresh and accessible." View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-well-building-institute Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760947/Breaking-It-Down-SCOTUS-Ruling-Sackett-v-EPA NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. Decision to waive acceptance threshold of 50 percent plus 1 share underscores strong long-term support from Silver Lake of Software AG's management team and its strategy Silver Lake has already secured a c. 31 percent stake in the Company incl. tendered shares which would make Silver Lake the new largest and anchor shareholder of Software AG EUR 32 offer price represents a substantial 63 percent premium to the last undisturbed close price with high transaction certainty Silver Lake has a long track-record of investing in public companies and supporting management teams in the execution of their strategy as the lead anchor shareholder Silver Lake reiterates that it does not require a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) to finance the Takeover Offer and hence does not intend entering into a DPLTA Silver Lake intends to pursue a delisting of Software AG as soon as practically possible after closing of the voluntary public tender offer to partner with the Company on its multi-year transformation journey in a non-listed setting Offer acceptance period automatically extended by two weeks to 28 June, with closing thereafter subject only to regulatory clearances MENLO PARK, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing, together with Mosel Bidco SE, a holding company controlled by funds managed or advised by Silver Lake ("Silver Lake"), today waived the minimum acceptance threshold of its voluntary public tender offer for all outstanding shares (ISIN: DE000A2GS401) of Software Aktiengesellschaft ("Software AG"). The offer is expected to result in Silver Lake owning, at a minimum, the c. 31 percent stake in Software AG Silver Lake has secured to date including tendered shares. Silver Lake does not require majority control to finance the offer or to underpin its investment strategy. Silver Lake has a long track-record of investing in public companies and supporting management teams in the execution of their strategy over a long investment horizon as a significant minority shareholder. The decision to waive the minimum acceptance condition of 50 percent plus 1 share underscores Silver Lake's commitment to Software AG, its strategy and its people. Silver Lake's fully financed cash offer remains the only opportunity for Software AG shareholders to realize a substantial, timely and certain premium by tendering their shares into the offer at a price of EUR 32.00 per share, which represents a premium of 63 percent to the closing price of EUR 19.59 per share on 20 April 2023, and a 57 percent premium on the last three months volume-weighted average price (EUR 20.32 per share) at announcement. Further, Silver Lake reiterates that it does not require a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) to finance its offer or achieve its economic and strategic objectives. Silver Lake hence does not intend to implement a DPTLA. After closing of the voluntary tender offer, Silver Lake intends to as soon as practically possible pursue a delisting of Software AG to support management with implementation of its strategy in a non-listed environment, and with the long-term backing of a significant new anchor shareholder. Silver Lake is comfortable to support Software AG on its multi-year transformation journey in a private setting out of a substantial minority position. Due to the amendment of the offer, Shareholders receive an additional two weeks' time to crystallize the highly attractive premium until midnight (CET) on 28 June 2023 when the acceptance period ends. Closing thereafter is subject only to regulatory clearances; all other offer conditions remain unchanged. Should shareholders not tender into the offer, there is no guarantee that they will be able to achieve this attractive premium for their shares again or that they will be able to sell their shares at this price level given the limited liquidity and trading volumes in Software AG shares. To tender their shares, shareholders must issue a declaration to their respective custodian bank. Shareholders should inquire with their custodian banks for any relevant deadlines set by custodian banks which may require actions prior to this date. About Silver Lake Silver Lake is a global technology investment firm, with more than $98 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital and a team of professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia. Silver Lake's portfolio companies collectively generate more than $276 billion of revenue annually and employ more than 710,000 people globally. For more information about Silver Lake and its portfolio, please visit http://www.silverlake.com. About Software Aktiengesellschaft Software AG simplifies the connected world. Founded in 1969, it helps deliver the experiences that employees, partners and customers now expect. Its technology creates the digital backbone that integrates applications, devices, data and clouds; empowers streamlined processes; and connects "things" like sensors, devices and machines. It helps 10,000+ organizations to become a truly connected enterprise and make smarter decisions, faster. The Company has about 5,000 employees across more than 70 countries and annual Group revenue of over 950 million. Media Contact for Silver Lake Jeffrey Vogeli, FGS Global Email: jeffrey.voegeli@fgsglobal.com Phone: +41 79 511 1763 Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statement This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Software AG shares. The final terms of the Takeover Offer as well as other provisions relating to the Takeover Offer are set out solely in the offer document authorized for publication by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht). Investors and holders of Software AG shares are strongly advised to read the offer document and all other documents relating to the Takeover Offer, as they contain important information. The offer document for the Takeover Offer (in German and a non-binding English translation) with the detailed terms and conditions and other information on the Takeover Offer is published amongst other information on the internet at www.offer-2023.com. The Takeover Offer will be implemented exclusively on the basis of the applicable provisions of German law, in particular the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz - WpUG), and certain securities law provisions of the United States of America relating to cross-border takeover offers. The Takeover Offer will not be conducted in accordance with the legal requirements of jurisdictions other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Accordingly, no notices, filings, approvals or authorizations for the Takeover Offer have been filed, caused to be filed or granted outside the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Investors and holders of Software AG shares cannot rely on being protected by the investor protection laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Subject to the exceptions described in the offer document and, where applicable, any exemptions to be granted by the respective regulatory authorities, no takeover offer will be made, directly or indirectly, in those jurisdictions in which this would constitute a violation of applicable law. This announcement may not be released or otherwise distributed in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction in which the Takeover Offer would be prohibited by applicable law. Silver Lake reserves the right, to the extent permitted by law, to directly or indirectly acquire additional Software AG shares outside the Takeover Offer on or off the stock exchange, provided that such acquisitions or arrangements to acquire are not made in the United States, will comply with the applicable German statutory provisions, in particular the WpUG, and the Offer Price is increased in accordance with the WpUG, to match any consideration paid outside of the Takeover Offer if higher than the Offer Price. If such acquisitions take place, information on such acquisitions, including the number of Software AG shares acquired or to be acquired and the consideration paid or agreed, will be published without undue delay if and to the extent required under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction. The Takeover Offer relates to shares in a German company admitted to trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable to companies listed in the Federal Republic of Germany, which differ from those of the United States and other jurisdictions in certain material respects. The financial information relating to Silver Lake and Software AG included elsewhere, including in the offer document, are prepared in accordance with provisions applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany and are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; therefore, it may not be comparable to financial information relating to United States companies or companies from other jurisdictions outside the Federal Republic of Germany. The Takeover Offer will be made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the Exchange Act, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Shareholders from the United States should note that Software AG is not listed on a United States securities exchange, is not subject to the periodic requirements of the Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any contract entered into with Silver Lake as a result of the acceptance of the Takeover Offer will be governed exclusively by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. It may be difficult for shareholders from the United States (or from elsewhere outside of Germany) to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the Takeover Offer under United States federal securities laws (or other laws they are acquainted with) since Silver Lake and Software AG are located outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides), and their respective officers and directors reside outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides). It may not be possible to sue a non-United States company or its officers or directors in a non-United States court for violations of United States securities laws. It also may not be possible to compel a non-United States company or its subsidiaries to submit themselves to a United States court's judgment. To the extent that this document contains forward-looking statements, they are not statements of fact and are identified by the words "intend", "will" and similar expressions. These statements express the intentions, beliefs or current expectations and assumptions of Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections made by Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it to the best of their knowledge, but are not guarantees of future accuracy (this applies in particular to circumstances beyond the control of Silver Lake or the persons acting in concert with it). Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are usually beyond Silver Lake's control or the control of the persons acting in concert with it. It should be taken into account that actual results or consequences in the future may differ materially from those indicated or contained in the forward-looking statements. It cannot be ruled out that Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it will in future change their intentions and estimates stated in documents or notifications or in the offer document. SOURCE: Silver Lake View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760957/Silver-Lake-Reaffirms-Attractiveness-of-Tender-Offer-for-Software-AG-and-Waives-Minimum-Acceptance-Threshold-Acceptance-Period-Extended-Until-28-June RESTON, VA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE:SAIC) has been named the Large Prime Company of the Year at the Small Business Industry Awards, sponsored by the National 8(a) Association and the HUBZone Contractors National Council. "Small businesses bring talent, innovation and technical expertise to support our customer's missions," said John Bonsell, senior vice president of Government Affairs at SAIC. "We are proud of our Supplier and Small Business Team's efforts to support small businesses through advocacy, mentorship and networking programs." SAIC was recognized for supporting the organizations leadership panels, facilitating and sponsoring outreach events, and helping small businesses identify new business opportunities. Led by Rita Brooks, director of Small Business Programs, SAIC was also recognized for its programs to support and promote long-term relationships with small businesses. The Mentor-Protege program matches small businesses to subcontract and prime contract opportunities. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program utilizes innovative solutions from small businesses to solve the complex defense requirements of SAIC customers. The National 8(a) Association provides assistance to small, disadvantaged businesses. The HUBZone Council is a non-profit trade association comprised of companies and organizations working together to improve and support the HUBZone program and small business community. As a partner with both organizations, National 8(a) Association and the HUBZone Council presented the award to Brooks at the awards gala in New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, February 16, 2023. More information about SAIC's small business outreach, is available on SAIC.com. About SAIC SAIC is a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator driving our nation's technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions. We are approximately 25,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion , which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.7 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release contain or are based on "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "guidance," and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC's website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC's expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others. Media Contact: Thais Hanson 703.676.8215 | publicrelations@saic.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Science Applications International Corp. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Science Applications International Corp. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/science-applications-international-corp Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Science Applications International Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760967/SAIC-Named-Large-Prime-Company-of-the-Year-for-Partnership-With-Small-Businesses Press Release Eviden launches "AIsaacCyber Mesh", strengthened by AWS, for reinforced cyber resilience "re:Inforce", Anaheim, California and Paris, France - June13, 2023-Eviden, an Atosbusiness, a leader in digital, cloud, big data and security, today announces AIsaacCyber Mesh, a next generation of cybersecurity detection and response, reinforced by Amazon Web Services (AWS) Security Data Lake and powered by generative AI technologies. AIsaacCyber Meshoffers an advanced end-to-end detection, response, and recovery solution, built on acybersecurity mesh-enabled architecture1using generative AI and predictive analytics. Combined with Amazon Security Lake, which centralizes data from multiple sources including on-premises and custom sources, AIsaacCyber Meshenables businesses to have a more complete understanding of the scope and impact of security incidents. This powerful use of Eviden's AI-powered cyber mesh on top of AWS services enables faster and more accurate alert detection that increases rapid response times and reinforces cyber resilience across enterprise digital estates. AIsaacCyber Mesh leverages Eviden's proven, award-winningManaged Detection & Response (MDR) service capability and includes AWS services that drive the creation and use of generative AI, such as Amazon Bedrock. This solution is part of AWS' new Strategic Partner Security Initiative, which aims to develop end-to-end security solutions and managed services jointly with global systems integrators, by leveraging their capabilities, scale and deep security knowledge. Key benefits of AIsaacCyber Mesh: Anticipate and neutralize threats : Predict and identify potential threats before they occur using hyper-threat intelligence customized to each business environment with industry specific AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) models for fine-grained threat anticipation. : Predict and identify potential threats before they occur using hyper-threat intelligence customized to each business environment with industry specific AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) models for fine-grained threat anticipation. Enhance cyber resilience: Businesses can reduce downtime even in the most aggressive attack scenarios by rapidly recovering business-critical systems and data. Businesses can reduce downtime even in the most aggressive attack scenarios by rapidly recovering business-critical systems and data. Effectively manage exposure : Identify and fix exposures across a digital estate before attackers can exploit them. Assist with maintaining regulatory compliance by pinpointing and mitigating vulnerabilities. : Identify and fix exposures across a digital estate before attackers can exploit them. Assist with maintaining regulatory compliance by pinpointing and mitigating vulnerabilities. Automate cognitive response: Mitigates breaches despite the most complex attacks by containing threats and automating responses using sophisticated algorithms that complement human responders. Mitigates breaches despite the most complex attacks by containing threats and automating responses using sophisticated algorithms that complement human responders. Transition from mess to mesh : Use mesh architecture to leverage security features and data from existing security product investments to amplify outcomes and benefits. : Use mesh architecture to leverage security features and data from existing security product investments to amplify outcomes and benefits. Visualize business risks : Organizations can gain insight into their security posture with business context and identify and prioritize potential risks. : Organizations can gain insight into their security posture with business context and identify and prioritize potential risks. Access to cutting-edge innovation: The Cyber Mesh will enable customers to access the potential of Eviden's ongoing proprietary innovation streams, while also leveraging pioneering startups in its renowned accelerator program, Scaler (https://atos.net/en/atos-scaler), so that they may benefit from the most advanced cybersecurity solutions of today and tomorrow. Jean-Philippe Poirault, CEO Big Data and Security,Eviden, Atos Group said "As businesses' digital estates become increasingly complex, the risk of cyber threats,and effective anticipation andmanagementof these, becomes more and more challenging.We are delighted to bring together the expertise and capabilities ofAWS and Eviden withAIsaacCyber Mesh- a purpose-built, end-to-end cyber resilience solution that offers businesses a cohesive way to manage, detect and recover from security threats and cyber-attacks." Antonio Alonso Lopez,Director of Partner Sales, EMEA, AWS said"With the rapid evolution of technology, companies should have an end-to-end cybersecurity strategy that enables them to innovate confidently. Reinforced by Amazon Security Lake and Eviden's Gen AI services, AIsaac will handle detection, investigation, and responses to cyber threats so companies can focuson achieving their business objectives." A Leader in European Managed Security Services-winningAI cybersecurity mesh platform AIsaac Cyber Mesh. AWS and Eviden have a long and successful history. Atos has been collaborating with AWS since 2013 to bring together market-leading technologies for cloud deployments. Atos was named AWS Global Systems Integrator (GSI) Partner of the YearEMEA in 2022. Through the Atos Group, Eviden has more than 3,400 active AWS certifications, 16 AWS competenciesand AWS KMS External Key Store. AIsaacCyber Mesh will be available from the end of H2. For more information https://page.eviden.com/aisaac-cyber-mesh *** About Eviden3 Evidendesigns the scope composed of Atos' digital, cloud, big data and security business lines. It will be a global leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation. As a next generation digital business with worldwide leading positions in digital, cloud, data, advanced computing and security, it brings deep expertise for all industries in more than 53 countries. By uniting unique high-end technologies across the full digital continuum with 57,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of technologies for enterprises and public authorities, helping them to build their digital future. Eviden is an Atos Group business with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion. About Atos Atosis a global leader in digital transformation with 110,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atosis to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. Press contacts Global: Lucie Duchateau - lucie.duchateau@atos.net- +33 (0) 7 62 85 35 10 Global: Laura Fau - laura.fau@atos.net- +33 (0) 6 73 64 04 18 North America: Maggie Wainscott - maggie.wainscott@atos.net 1 Cybersecurity mesh, or cybersecurity mesh architecture. 2 Report: "IDC MarketScape: European Managed Security Services 2022 Vendor Assessment" (document EUR146178820, January 2022) 3Eviden business is operated through the following brands: Alia Consulting, AppCentrica, ATHEA, Atos Syntel, Bull, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, digital.security, Eagle Creek, EcoAct, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, IDnomic, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Miner & Kasch, Motiv, Nimbix, Processia, Profit4SF, science+computing, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion, zData Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden SAS, 2023. Attachment NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / International Paper (IP) and Via Separations Inc. (Via) are pleased to announce a collaboration aimed at reducing the energy intensity and carbon emissions of the kraft pulping process. After four successful pilot demonstrations, Via Separations Inc. will break ground on a new manufacturing technology enhancement - the first of its kind - at IP's Grande Prairie mill in Alberta, Canada, in the second quarter of 2023. Via's Black Liquor Concentration System displaces steam use in evaporators, electrifies the separation, and provides modular demand response for kraft pulp mills translating to cost, energy and emissions savings for the facility. This first-of-a-kind deployment will unlock repeatable projects across other IP mills. "We are proud to be a leading global supplier of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and fiber-based products people depend on every day," commented Clay Ellis, senior vice president, Global Cellulose Fibers, International Paper. "We believe in being responsible stewards of our resources and this project is a great example of our Vision 2030 commitment to reduce enterprise greenhouse gas emissions by 35% and ensure our manufacturing process is sustainable for generations to come." International Paper is one of the world's leading producers of fiber-based products. Beyond creating products people depend on every day, IP is creating what's next through innovative solutions, sustainable operations and collaboration with innovative companies like Via. Shreya Dave, CEO of Via Separations said, "Via is decarbonizing industries today by changing the way we manufacture our most important chemical and material products. The pulp and paper sector is a perfect focus for us due to its renewable products and focus on sustainability. Our collaboration with IP demonstrates their commitment to energy efficient solutions that boost the economy and create jobs." Via Separations Inc. and International Paper are excited to join with Natural Resources Canada's Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (NRCan IFIT) program to support the collaboration. NRCan IFIT is designed for innovative and transformational capital investments to ensure industry competitiveness in the forestry industry. "The collaboration with NRCan and Via Separations has allowed us to bring our technology to one of our most innovative mills to reduce emissions and advance a key industry in the Alberta and Canadian economy," said IP's Government Relations Director, Dave Kluesner. "It's an honor to work with both groups." About Via Separations: Based in Watertown, MA & spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Via Separations eliminates energy use in industrial processes, enabling pathways for a more sustainable, resource efficient future. With its core filtration technology, Via has applications across industrial manufacturing. Via is a venture-backed company with investors such as The Engine, Safar Partners, Prime Impact Fund, NGP ETP, and MassCEC, along with federal and state support such as the National Science Foundation. More information is available on its website at www.viaseparations.com. About International Paper: International Paper (NYSE:IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting www.internationalpaper.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Paper Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International Paper Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-paper-company Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International Paper Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/761004/Via-Separations-Inc-and-International-Paper-Collaborate-on-Technology-To-Build-a-Better-Future-for-People-and-the-Planet BH Macro Limited - Net Asset Value(s) PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, June 14 BH MACRO LIMITED (the "Company") (a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 46235) LEI: 549300ZOFF0Z2CM87C29 As at the close of business on 9th June 2023 the estimated Net Asset Values of each class of the Company's shares are as follows: Fund Name Sedol NAV per share MTD Performance YTD Performance NAV Date BH Macro Ltd B1NPGV1 $4.10 0.22% -5.31% 9th June 2023 BH Macro Ltd B1NP514 394p 0.18% -5.69% 9th June 2023 The Net Asset Value figures in this announcement are an estimate, and are based on unaudited estimated valuations. The final month-end Net Asset Value may be materially different from these estimated weekly values, and should only be taken as indicative values which have been provided for information only and no reliance should be placed on them. Estimated results, performance or achievements may differ materially from any actual results, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations to update or revise such estimates to reflect any change in expectations, new information, subsequent events or otherwise. This document is for information purposes only and is not an offer to invest. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decisions. The MTD performance figures are calculated by reference to the previous estimated month end NAV or, if published, the previous month end confirmed NAV. The YTD performance figures are calculated by reference to the NAV at the end of the last calendar year. MTD and YTD performance figures are based on the NAV per share calculated to four decimal places. Enquiries: bhfa@ntrs.com Date: 14th June 2023 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Lenovo Ada Lopez, Senior Manager, Global Product Diversity Office, Lenovo The past year has seen artificial intelligence (AI) become a dinner-table topic of conversation around the world, thanks to bots such as ChatGPT, which dazzles users with its ability to compose lifelike text and even computer code. But what happens when AI makes wrong decisions? It's a serious issue. Bias - and gender bias in particular - is common in AI systems, leading to a variety of harms, from discrimination and reduced transparency, to security and privacy issues. In the worst cases, wrong AI decisions could damage careers and even cost lives. Without dealing with AI's bias problem, we risk an imbalanced future - one in which AI will never reach its full potential as a tool for the greater good. AI is only as good as the data sets it is trained on. Much data is skewed towards men, as is the language used in everything from online news articles to books. Research shows that training AI on Google News data leads to associating men with roles such as 'captain' and 'financier', whereas women are associated with 'receptionist' and 'homemaker'. As a result, many AI systems, trained on such biased data and often created by largely male teams, have had significant problems with women, from credit card companies which seem to offer more generous credit to men, to tools screening for everything from COVID to liver disease. These are areas where wrong decisions can damage people's financial or physical health. This is compounded by the fact that just 22% of professionals in AI and data science are women, according to the World Economic Forum's research. Gender itself is also becoming a more complex topic, thanks to non-binary and transgender expressions, leading to more potential for bias in many different forms. AI is a powerful tool that offers us the chance to solve previously unsolvable problems from cancer to climate change - but unless the bias issue is addressed, AI risks being untrustworthy, and ultimately irrelevant. If AI professionals cannot confront the bias issue, these tools will not be useful, and the artificial intelligence industry risks another 'AI Winter', as seen in the 1970s, when interest in the technology dried up. Dealing with data Going forward, businesses will increasingly rely on AI technology to turn their data into value. According to Lenovo's Data for Humanity report, 88% of business leaders say that AI technology will be an important factor in helping their organisation unlock the value of its data over the next five years. So how will business leaders deal with the problem of bias? For the first time in history, we have this powerful technology that is entirely created from our own understanding of the world. AI is a mirror that we hold up to ourselves. We shouldn't be shocked by what we see in this mirror. Instead, we should use this knowledge to change the way we do things. That starts with ensuring that the way our organisations work is fair in terms of gender representation and inclusion - but also by paying attention to how data is collected and used. Whenever you start collecting data, processing it, or using it, you risk inserting bias. Bias can creep in anywhere: if there is more data for one gender, for example, or if questions were written by men. For business leaders, thinking about where data comes from, how it's used, and how bias can be combatted will become increasingly important. Technical solutions will also play an important part. Data scientists don't have the luxury of going through every line of text used in a training model. There are two solutions to this: one is having many more people to test the model and spot problems. But the better solution is to have more efficient tools to find bias, either in the data which the AI is fed with, or in the model itself. With ChatGPT, for example, the researchers use a mental learning model to annotate potentially problematic data. The AI community needs to focus on this. Tools to provide greater transparency in the way AI works will also be important. Understanding bias It also helps if we consider the broader context. The tools we use today are already creating bias in the models we will apply in the future. We might think that we have 'solved' a bias issue now, but in 50 years, for example, new tools or pieces of evidence might change completely how we look at certain things. This was the case with the history of Rett syndrome diagnosis, where data was primarily collected from girls. The lack of data on boys with the disorder introduced bias into data modelling several years later and led to inaccurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations for boys. Similarly, in 100 years, humans might work for only three days a week. That would mean that data from now is skewed towards a five-day way of looking at things. Data scientists and business leaders must take context into account. Understanding social context is equally important for businesses operating in multiple territories today. Mastering such issues will be one of the touchstones of responsible AI. For business leaders using AI technology, being conscious of these issues will grow in importance, along with public and regulatory interest. By next year, 60% of AI providers will offer a means to deal with possible harm caused by the technology alongside the tech itself, according to Gartner. Business leaders must plan thoroughly for responsible AI and create their own definition of what this means for their organisation, by identifying the risks and assessing where bias can creep in. They need to engage with stakeholders to understand potential problems and distinguish how to move forward with best practices. Using AI responsibly will be a long journey, and one that will require constant attention from leadership. The rewards of using AI responsibly, and rooting out bias wherever it creeps in, will be considerable, allowing business leaders to improve their reputation for trust, fairness and accountability, while delivering real value to their organisation, to customers and to society as a whole. Businesses need to deal with this at board level to ensure bias is dealt with and AI is used responsibly across the whole organisation. This could include launching their own Responsible AI board to ensure that all AI applications are evaluated for bias and other problems. Leaders also need to address the broader problem of women in STEM, particularly in data science. Women - especially those in leadership roles - will be central to solving the issue of gender bias in AI. An AI-driven future Understanding the problem of gender bias and working towards effective ways of dealing with it will be vitally important to forward-thinking organisations hoping to use AI to unlock the value of their data. Thinking carefully about how AI is used across an organisation, using tools to detect bias and ensure transparency, will help. But business leaders also need to take a broader view of where their data comes from, how it is used, and what steps are being taken to avoid bias. Doing so will be essential to unlocking the value of their data - and creating an inclusive future where AI can work to its fullest potential. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Lenovo Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Lenovo View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/761013/AI-Needs-To-Deal-With-Gender-Bias-Or-It-Will-Never-Reach-Its-Potential ROAD TOWN, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / With its launch of the first attention economy token on the Bitcoin network's BRC20 protocol, NiFTiesLab Corp has begun its mission to reshape how user attention impacts the future of digital economies, including the blockchain. The initiative is part of NiFTiesLab's overall goal of guiding companies and individuals into the age of the metaverse and improving how they interact with an increasingly online world. With the shift into the digital era, companies in all industries are finding it challenging to engage with their customers and keep their attention. Consumers and their new ability to rapidly consume large amounts of information are, in effect, driving what is known as the attention economy, in which interactions are defined by seconds, not minutes. Tokenization, which can be used to quantify the value of social engagement, can help companies get ahead of this issue. NiFTiesLab explains that its HSAC token leverages Unisat , an open-source browser extension wallet for Bitcoin NFTs, and the BRC20 protocol to facilitate a decentralized ecosystem. The protocol facilitates the minting and transferring of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain by employing ordinal inscriptions. This strategy rewards user engagement and interaction, enabling the translation of attention into tangible value with the HSAC token. The result is that the distribution of value within digital economies shifts, and the benefits typically concentrated among large corporations are decentralized. With the successful rollout of HSAC, NiFTiesLab has moved into the second stage of its operational plan: to increase its user base and introduce its token to those who are less familiar with cryptocurrencies, to maintain compliance with all regulations, and to pursue new projects that will continue to define how the crypto/blockchain space impacts global society. About NiFTiesLab Corp: Based in the British Virgin Islands, NiFTiesLab Corp is acknowledged in the blockchain industry for the launch of the HSAC token, the premier attention economy token on the Bitcoin network's BRC20 protocol. Potential investors are reminded that while the opportunities in the new token economy are abundant, they also involve a degree of risk. Comprehensive research and possibly consulting with a financial advisor are strongly advised before making any investment decisions. For more information about NiFTiesLab Corp and its new HSAC token, please see its website or contact: www.hsac.cash Twitter: @HSACASH https://ordspace.org/brc20/hsac Telegram: https://t.me/+wNkFqjnwp6xmNDM0 Contact: Peter F. Andras niftieslab@proton.me 305 340 2940 SOURCE: NiFTiesLab Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/761022/Customer-Attention-Becomes-a-Commodity-NiFTiesLab-Corp-Releases-Its-HSAC-Token-on-the-BRC20-Protocol Latest release of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform drives enhancements throughout, resulting in the most complete, end-to-end data ecosystem for the enterprise, driving faster, better, more impactful decisions A new release of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform from Pyramid Analytics puts powerful analytics into the hands of more people, for more use cases, than ever before. Building on its vision to deliver a no-code/low-code, AI-driven approach to move enterprises-and the users making crucial daily decisions-along the analytics maturity curve. Key updates make sophisticated processes like business modeling, decision modeling, and various applications of prescriptive analytics more accessible and more useful to both technical and non-technical personnel. Highlights from the Pyramid 2023 release include extensions of both Tabulate and Solve, which provide business modeling and decision modeling, all within the consolidated Pyramid Platform. A robust integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT and DALL-E saves time and sparks creativity by providing generative AI support for spreadsheet formula creation in Tabulate, code snippet creation (including Python, R, SQL, MDX, DAX, and other languages) in the Model app, and graphic design generation in the Present app. And personalization tools like the new Hub feature deliver the tailored analytics experience analysts and business users need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. An established leader in the Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) space, Pyramid was recently named a "Visionary" in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms report for the company's overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Gartner's companion report, the 2023 Critical Capabilities for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms, ranked the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform 1st in its Augmented Consumer and Business Analyst Use Cases. Pyramid was also highly ranked in the two other Use Cases, including a second-highest ranking for the Data Scientist Use Case and fourth-highest ranking for the Analytics Developer Use Case Download Gartner's Magic Quadrant and Critical Capabilities reports. Pyramid Analytics' latest release-Pyramid 2023-features major platform upgrades/enhancements across every part of the platform. This includes over 80+ named new features, more than 75% resulting from customer feedback and collaboration. The newly enhanced Tabulate app brings business modeling into the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. app brings business modeling into the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. Solve is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. Our OpenAI/ChatGPT integration delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organization's own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organization's own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. The new Hub feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. We have once again lowered the technical skills barrier for important data prep and modeling tasks and processes-for instance, the Custom Columns and Virtual Column Calculation features enable users to extend their virtual semantic model quickly and easily and add and edit new columns, all without needing to write custom SQL views. These enhancements and others have improved query performance throughout the platform. Learn more. Schedule a demo of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform Executive quotes: Omri Kohl, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder : "Pyramid was recently named a 'Visionary' in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solve-for business modeling and decision modeling-bring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams' analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making." : "Pyramid was recently named a 'Visionary' in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solve-for business modeling and decision modeling-bring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams' analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making." Avi Perez, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder: "With Pyramid 2023 'Archimedes', we have achieved our vision of a complete data factory for decisions: an end-to-end data ecosystem for the enterprise, driving faster, better, more impactful decisions. To do so, we added support for the elusive 'last mile' in analytics with business modeling in Tabulate and decision modeling in Solve. To make the platform more useful and user-friendly we again lowered the complexity barrier through another leap in more no-code tooling-with innovations like 'Explain the Difference' and our numerous OpenAI ChatGPT and DALL-E integrations. These major capabilities, together with the other 80+ features, drive more personalization options, improved query performance, and better embedding capabilities-delivering the most powerful, comprehensive business and decision intelligence platform available today." About Pyramid Analytics Pyramid Analytics is the next generation of business and decision intelligence. The award-winning Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform empowers people with augmented, automated, and collaborative insights that simplify and guide the use of data in decision-making. The Pyramid Platform operates directly on any data, enabling governed self-service for any person, meeting analytical needs in a no-code environment. It combines data prep, business analytics, and data science into one frictionless platform to empower anyone with intelligent decision-making. This enables a strategic, enterprise-wide approach to business intelligence and analytics, from the simple to the sophisticated. Schedule a demo today. Pyramid Analytics is incorporated in Amsterdam and has regional headquarters in global innovation and business centers, including London, New York City, and Tel Aviv. Our team lives worldwide because geography should not hinder talent and opportunity. Investors include H.I.G. Growth Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Sequoia Capital, and Viola Growth. Learn more at Pyramid Analytics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613528894/en/ Contacts: Pete Vomocil Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Pyramid Analytics E-Mail: pr@pyramidanalytics.com CHICAGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the US remote patient monitoring market will grow at a CAGR of 11.167% during 2022-2028. To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3870 Browse In-Depth TOC of the U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market?????? 70 - Tables??????? 86 - Charts??????? 248 - Pages? Market Overview The healthcare landscape in the United States has undergone significant transformations, from focusing on avoiding re-admissions to preventing admissions and providing remote patient treatment. This shift has resulted in increased efficiency and effectiveness within healthcare settings, ultimately enhancing the value of patient care. Healthcare settings invest in remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and advanced patient monitoring systems to support this model. Technical and software companies are crucial in facilitating this market shift. Home patient monitoring has become a standard for adult patients requiring long-term alternatives to hospital-based treatment. Wireless patient monitoring systems to track vital signs are a growing trend in healthcare, offering numerous benefits, such as enabling enhanced home care for chronic and acute conditions. Factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic have further highlighted the potential for integrating care at home, while technological advancements have made remote patient monitoring feasible. Healthcare systems are actively partnering with market vendors and stakeholders to raise awareness about the advantages of remote patient monitoring devices, thereby driving the market growth. Key players in the industry focus on product approval and launch initiatives to expand their product portfolios, foster technological advancements, and meet consumers' demands seeking these monitoring devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the healthcare landscape's shift, compelling healthcare settings to reduce costs and provide value-based treatments. This presents significant opportunities for vendors operating in the vital sign monitoring and remote patient monitoring markets to address the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. As chronic diseases account for a substantial portion of patient treatment and healthcare expenditure in the US, vital signs monitoring and remote patient monitoring devices are poised to play a crucial role in the future of the country's healthcare market. The U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 25.28 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 13.40 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 11.16 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Component, Application, End-User, and Geography Geographic Analysis United States (South, West, Midwest, and Northeast) Market Dynamics Increasing Focus on Developing Software & Apps for RPM by Manufacturers Demographics of the Aging Population & Chronic Disorders Augmenting Continuous Monitoring Demand Increasing Innovations in Wearable Technology Growing Use of RPM to Monitor & Improve Patient Engagement Growing Use of Mobile Technologies & Smart Devices in RPM Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3870 Market Opportunities Impact of AI & IoT Drives RPM Adoption: One of the fastest-growing segments of the IoT market is healthcare devices. While remote patient monitoring, which involves IoT sensors that collect patient data such as heart rate and body temperature, is the most well-known example of IoT in healthcare, there are numerous other applications. When an IoT device captures patient data, it sends it to a software application where healthcare professionals and patients may see it. Algorithms can analyze data to make treatment recommendations or send out alarms. For instance, an IoT sensor that detects a patient's exceptionally low heart rate may send an alarm so medical personnel can intervene. Health parameters can be self-assessed at home with the help of the remote health monitoring framework, and the information can be shared with a certified doctor who is far away. If a patient suffers from a serious medical condition, the specialist cannot help. These parameters can be communicated remotely to a doctor who can assist them from anywhere. In the worst-case scenario, even if the treatment is unavailable in their country, they can communicate with a specialist in a more technologically sophisticated country and continue the treatment. As a result, by combining remote patient monitoring with IoMT, death rates can be reduced, and improved service quality. Rising Adoption of Telemedicine Ushering New Opportunities for Remote Monitoring: Telehealth, or healthcare enabled by technology, has begun to revolutionize the home care environment and is expected to increase significantly in the future years. Simple technology (for instance, e-mail, the Internet, and cell phones) can now monitor people's health remotely. Telephone lines or internet connections can send high-resolution visual pictures and audio. Remote monitoring will become much more common in the next years, involving more types of home equipment. Technology such as wireless electronics and digital processing will enable the connection between various devices and remote health care practitioners. Some wireless equipment, particularly meters, and monitors, will be wearable, allowing continuous monitoring or more convenient testing. Key Highlights Cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest share of the application segment and are expected to retain the leading position during the forecast period, with musculoskeletal diseases expected to grow at the highest CAGR. Hospitals and healthcare providers increasingly invest in remote patient monitoring technologies such as telehealth and connected devices. The increasing demand for healthcare services, especially from the aging population, and the rising number of home healthcare patients are contributing to the growth of the US remote patient monitoring market. The high adoption of telehealth and telemedicine solutions significantly contributed to the growth of AI software solutions, which will likely continue for the foreseeable future. The end-user segments, such as ambulatory and home healthcare settings, will likely grow at healthy rates as patient care monitoring shifts from hospital-centric to patient-centric. The increasing usage and application of advanced remote patient monitoring devices by healthcare professionals in ambulatory care settings and patients in home care settings are projected to drive both segments' growth. Buy the Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-remote-patient-monitoring-market Post-Purchase Benefit???????? 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% of customization Hospitals Drive US Remote Patient Monitoring Market, Accounting for 34.04% of Market Share in 2022 The hospitals segment emerged as a prominent player in the US remote patient monitoring (RPM) market, capturing a market share of 34.04% in 2022. Healthcare systems and hospitals in the United States are strategically adopting remote patient monitoring technology to enhance patient outcomes and reduce costs. Hospitals particularly dominate the domain of cardiac monitoring equipment, leveraging their position as the primary point of contact for patients facing health challenges. With specialized machines and advanced monitoring technology, hospitals play a vital role in managing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and treating patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmia. Teladoc Health, a notable player in the market, offers a comprehensive range of RPM devices and software tailored for hospitals and clinics. Their product portfolio includes Lite & Lite with Boom Camera, enabling a clear view of local care teams while monitoring precise patient vitals in crowded settings like the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Additionally, their compact virtual care device, the Mini, is specifically designed for behavioral health, providing improved audio and video capabilities for exam rooms and clinics. Teladoc Health's Solo Virtual Care Platform is a clinical and administrative healthcare solution, facilitating a scalable digital intake process and self-service check-in to support care coordination across healthcare networks. As health systems face an ongoing shortage of clinicians, more hospitals are expected to embrace remote patient monitoring technology in the future. The increasing adoption of telehealth and remote patient monitoring is seen as a viable solution to address this challenge, enabling hospitals to monitor and care for patients remotely efficiently. Key Company Profiles AMD Global Telemedicine GE Healthcare Koninklijke Philips Medtronic ResMed Teledoc Health Vivify Health 100-Plus Abbott ACL Digital Altumview Baxter Biobeat Biofourmis BIOTRONIK Boston Scientific Cardiologs Cardiomo CAREMINDr CareValidate Datos Health Dexcom Dragerwerk AG F.Hoffmann-La Roche GrandCare Systems Health Recovery Solutions Hinge Health Honeywell International iHealth Unified Care Intel iRhythm Technologies Limber Health Masimo MedM Medopad ModivCare NIHON KOHDEN OMRON OSI Systems OSPLabs Qardio Resideo Technologies Senseonics TeleMedCare Ventricle Health VitalConnect Vitls VivaLNK Market Segmentation Component Services Devices & Software Application Cardiovascular Diseases Respiratory Diseases Diabetes Musculoskeletal Diseases Others End-User Hospitals Home Healthcare Settings Ambulatory Care Settings Long-term Care Centers Region South Texas Florida Virginia Oklahoma New Mexico West California Colorado Nevada Montana Midwest Michigan Illinois Ohio Northeast New York Pennsylvania Massachusetts Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Reports: Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028: The global multiparameter patient monitoring market to reach USD 15.20 billion by 2028. U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Market - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027: The U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit market to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2027. Interactive Patient Engagement Solutions Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027: The interactive patient engagement solutions market to reach USD 393.79 million by 2027. Home Healthcare Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026: The global home healthcare market to reach USD 390 Bn by 2026. Table of Content 1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 3 RESEARCH PROCESS 4 SCOPE & COVERAGE 4.1 MARKET DEFINITION 4.1.1 INCLUSIONS 4.1.2 EXCLUSIONS 4.1.3 MARKET ESTIMATION CAVEATS 4.2 BASE YEAR 4.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 4.3.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY COMPONENT 4.3.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION 4.3.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USER 4.3.4 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GEOGRAPHY 5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS 5.1 KEY CAVEATS 5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION 5.3 MARKET DERIVATION 6 MARKET AT A GLANCE 7 PREMIUM INSIGHTS 7.1 OVERVIEW 7.1.1 COMPONENT INSIGHTS 7.1.2 APPLICATION INSIGHTS 7.1.3 END-USER INSIGHTS 8 INTRODUCTION 8.1 BACKGROUND 8.2 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: OVERVIEW 8.3 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: GLOBAL OUTLOOK 8.3.1 GLOBAL REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING BY GEOGRAPHY 8.4 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: GLOBAL VS US OUTLOOK 9 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS 9.1 ADVANCES IN REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING TECHNOLOGY 9.2 INCREASING DEMAND FOR WIRELESS PATIENT MONITORING AT HOME 9.3 RISE OF VIRTUAL CLINICAL TRIALS 9.4 AI & IOT DRIVES RPM ADOPTION 9.5 TELEMEDICINE USHERING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR REMOTE MONITORING 10 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS 10.1 INCREASING FOCUS ON DEVELOPING SOFTWARE & APPS FOR RPM BY MANUFACTURERS 10.2 AGING POPULATION & CHRONIC DISORDERS AUGMENTING CONTINUOUS MONITORING DEMAND 10.3 INCREASING INNOVATIONS IN WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY 10.4 GROWING USE OF RPM TO MONITOR & IMPROVE PATIENT ENGAGEMENT 10.5 GROWING USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES & SMART DEVICES IN RPM 11 MARKET RESTRAINTS 11.1 REGULATORY VARIATIONS ACROSS US 11.2 LACK OF DATA ACCURACY 11.3 THREAT FROM HEALTHCARE FRAUDS 11.4 ACCESSIBILITY OR CONNECTIVITY OBSTACLES WITH PATIENTS 12 MARKET LANDSCAPE 12.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 12.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 12.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES 12.3.1 MARKET BY COMPONENT 12.3.2 MARKET BY APPLICATION 12.3.3 MARKET BY END-USER 12.4 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS 12.4.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS 12.4.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS 12.4.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS 12.4.4 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES 12.4.5 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY 13 COMPONENT 13.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 13.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.3 SERVICES 13.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 13.4 DEVICES & SOFTWARE 13.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14 APPLICATION 14.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 14.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.3 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES 14.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.4 RESPIRATORY DISEASES 14.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.5 DIABETES 14.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.6 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES 14.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.7 OTHERS 14.7.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.7.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15 END-USER 15.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 15.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.3 HOSPITALS 15.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.4 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS 15.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.5 AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS 15.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.6 LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS 15.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 16 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 16.1 COMPETITION OVERVIEW 16.1.1 VENDORS ACTIVITIES 16.2 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS 16.2.1 AMD GLOBAL TELEMEDICINE 16.2.2 GE HEALTHCARE 16.2.3 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS 16.2.4 MEDTRONIC 16.2.5 RESMED 16.2.6 TELADOC HEALTH 16.2.7 VIVIFY HEALTH 17 KEY COMPANY PROFILES 17.1 AMD GLOBAL TELEMEDICINE 17.2 GE HEALTHCARE 17.3 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS 17.4 MEDTRONIC 17.5 RESMED 17.6 TELADOC HEALTH 17.7 VIVIFY HEALTH 18 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS 18.1 100-PLUS 18.2 ABBOTT 18.3 ACL DIGITAL 18.4 ALTUMVIEW 18.5 BAXTER 18.6 BIOBEAT 18.7 BIOFOURMIS 18.8 BIOTRONIK 18.9 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC 18.10 CARDIOLOGS 18.11 CARDIOMO 18.12 CAREMINDR 18.13 CAREVALIDATE 18.14 CLEARARCH 18.15 DATOS HEALTH 18.16 DEXCOM 18.17 DRAGERWERK AG 18.18 F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE 18.19 GRANDCARE SYSTEMS 18.20 HEALTH RECOVERY SOLUTIONS 18.21 HINGE HEALTH 18.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL 18.23 IHEALTH UNIFIED CARE 18.24 INTEL 18.25 IRHYTHM TECHNOLOGIES 18.26 LIMBER HEALTH 18.27 MASIMO 18.28 MEDM 18.29 MEDOPAD 18.30 MODIVCARE 18.31 NIHON KOHDEN 18.32 OMRON 18.33 OSI SYSTEMS 18.34 OSPLABS 18.35 QARDIO 18.36 SENSEONICS 18.37 TELEMEDCARE 18.38 VENTRICLE HEALTH 18.39 VITALCONNECT 18.40 VITLS 18.41 VIVALNK 19 REPORT SUMMARY 19.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS 19.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS 20 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY 20.1 MARKET BY COMPONENT 20.2 MARKET BY APPLICATION 20.3 MARKET BY END-USER 20.4 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY REGION 20.5 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY COMPONENT 20.6 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY APPLICATION 21 APPENDIX 21.1 ABBREVIATIONS About Us:???????????????????????????? Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.?????????????????????????? We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.??????????????????????????? Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.???????????????????????????? Contact Us????????????????????????? Call: +1-312-235-2040???????????????????????? ????????? +1 302 469 0707??????????????????????? Mail:?enquiry@arizton.com????????????????????????? Contact Us:?https://www.arizton.com/contact-us????????????????????????? Blog:?https://www.arizton.com/blog????????????????????????? Website:?https://www.arizton.com/????????? Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099997/US_Remote_Patient_Monitoring_Market.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818553/Arizton_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/multi-billion-opportunities-in-the-us-remote-patient-monitoring-market-revenue-to-surpass-25-billion-by-2028-fueled-by--ai--iot--arizton-301849516.html NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / The Seleni Institute, a leading maternal mental health clinic and training institute, is pleased to announce the addition of new members to its advisory board from across the healthcare sector. Founded in 2011 by Nitzia and George Logothetis, Seleni is a recognized leader in treating, training, supporting and advocating for the emotional health of women, caregivers and their families during the family-building years. It does this through a unique hybrid approach that includes a maternal mental health practice, launched in 2013, serving individuals and families in the U.S., and through its accredited mental health training institute for healthcare practitioners around the world. Seleni was launched based on a simple yet powerful insight: Change a parent's life, change a child's life. Seleni expands its advisory board amid a growing demand for the organization's clinical services and training curriculum globally. Seleni reached a milestone of 50,000 patient appointments in 2022 and has trained more than 5,000 health professionals in 60 countries through in-person and online CE-accredited courses developed by Seleni clinicians, at times in partnership with other maternal mental health experts and institutions. Seleni's advisory board members offer insights from their respective fields and support Seleni in its mission to raise greater global awareness around and address perinatal and reproductive mental health issues that affect tens of millions of families worldwide. Seleni's new advisory board members include: Babalola Jinadu, DO, an obstetrician gynecologist with a special interest in women's healthcare. an obstetrician gynecologist with a special interest in women's healthcare. Orinthia King, DO, an emergency medicine physician with a specialty in clinical ultrasonography. an emergency medicine physician with a specialty in clinical ultrasonography. Sarah Mallin, MA, BSN, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, a former NICU nursing director, and founding member and director of operations at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York. a former NICU nursing director, and founding member and director of operations at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York. Renee M. Rawcliffe, LMSW, director of continuing education and professional development at Adelphi University School of Social Work. She is a licensed social worker with over 25 years of experience as a clinician and program director in the nonprofit world. director of continuing education and professional development at Adelphi University School of Social Work. She is a licensed social worker with over 25 years of experience as a clinician and program director in the nonprofit world. Ashanda Saint Jean, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist with over 20 years of experience and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Health Alliance Hospitals of the Hudson Valley. an obstetrician gynecologist with over 20 years of experience and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Health Alliance Hospitals of the Hudson Valley. Susan Wilner, LCSW, assistant director for behavioral health operations at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. They join their esteemed peers on the advisory board: Deena Blanchard MD, MPH , a pediatrician in New York with a strong interest and commitment to maternal mental health. , a pediatrician in New York with a strong interest and commitment to maternal mental health. Lee S. Cohen, MD, director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health and Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Philanthropy and Departmental Communications at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is a leader in the field of women's mental health and was among the founders of the field of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry. director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health and Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Philanthropy and Departmental Communications at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is a leader in the field of women's mental health and was among the founders of the field of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry. Phyllis Magrab, Ph.D ., a pediatric psychologist and director of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD). She also holds a UNESCO Chair and serves as the vice chair of the US-Afghan Women's Council. ., a pediatric psychologist and director of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD). She also holds a UNESCO Chair and serves as the vice chair of the US-Afghan Women's Council. Ellen Manos, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist who has practiced for more than two decades. She serves as senior attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital. "Seleni's advisory board has helped the organization become a leader in maternal mental health care over the past decade. As we look to expand our services beyond mental health during the family-building years and the reach of our continuing education program, we are excited to welcome these new board members who bring a wealth of expertise and new ideas that will help propel our growth over the next ten years," said Seema Bajaj, executive director of Seleni. Learn more about Seleni at seleni.org and see all advisory board member biographies at seleni.org/leadership-team. About Seleni Seleni is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 on a simple yet powerful insight: Change a parent's life, change a child's life. As a recognized leader in maternal and reproductive mental health, Seleni is dedicated to destigmatizing maternal mental health care and supporting the emotional health of individuals and families during the family-building years. By removing many barriers to therapy through in-person and virtual treatment for individuals and couples and its CE-accredited training and scholarships for health professionals, Seleni helps scale access to treatment and expand practitioner knowledge worldwide. Visit seleni.org and explore the organization's professional training curriculum at training.seleni.org. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Seleni Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Seleni Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/seleni-institute Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Seleni Institute View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/761052/Seleni-Institute-Announces-Six-New-Advisory-Board-Members NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Ceres President and CEO Mindy Lubber issued the following statement following the announcement of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank. The innovative program, launched Tuesday by the administration of Gov. Maura Healey, is designed to unlock private and federal funds to accelerate the shift to zero-carbon buildings with a focus on affordable housing units. "The launch of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank is a tremendous example of the Commonwealth's continued leadership in establishing ambitious climate policies that can serve as models for the nation," Lubber said. "By using state funds to unlock substantial federal and private-sector resources, the Commonwealth is charting a novel form of public-private partnership to equitably address some of the most vexing challenges standing in the way of achieving its climate targets." Lubber is also a member of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, a group of business and civic leaders working together to meet Boston's climate goals that played an active role in supporting the development of the Community Climate Bank. She was invited to offer remarks at the Community Climate Bank's announcement today. The full press release from the Healey administration can be read here. Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org , 617-247-0700 ext. 214 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ceres on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Ceres Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ceres Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Ceres View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/761065/Ceres-CEO-Massachusetts-Climate-Bank-Will-Equitably-Address-Some-of-the-Most-Vexing-Challenges-Facing-the-Commonwealth WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - General Motors (GM) and Samsung SDI will build a more than $3 billion electric vehicle battery cell plant in northern Indiana. The 656-acre site in New Carlisle, about 15 miles west of South Bend, has been chosen for the facility, which is expected to create 1,700 manufacturing jobs. The project, known as Ultium Cells LLC, is a joint venture between GM and South Korea-based LG Energy Solution. The decision to select the site follows several months of anticipation and negotiations. The origins of the project trace back to August last year when Ultium Cells filed a tax-abatement application for what was initially planned as a $2 billion facility. In September, the St. Joseph County Council approved an economic development agreement and tax incentive package. However, plans were halted in January after GM and LG Energy Solution failed to reach an agreement on building their fourth plant together. In April, GM announced a new joint venture with Samsung SDI, and the St. Joseph County Council subsequently amended the original agreement and incentives to align with the new partnership. The plant, located in the Indiana Enterprise Center, will host production lines for nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical cells, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of electric vehicles (EVs). Construction of the facility is expected to commence within the next year, with production anticipated to begin in 2026. While the exact size of the plant has not been specified, the initial plans for Ultium Cells called for a 2.5 million square feet area. Once operational, the facility will have an annual capacity of over 30 gigawatt-hours. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb expressed his excitement about the investment, stating that it showcases Indiana's commitment to creating a future of mobility and expanding customer options in the automotive industry. The project has been hailed as the largest single investment and job commitment in St. Joseph County in the past 75 years. Carl Baxmeyer, president of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the region's history of innovation in the automotive sector and highlighted the transformative impact this venture will have. Samsung SDI is already involved in another joint venture with Stellantis, a global automotive corporation, for constructing a more than $2.5 billion EV battery facility in Kokomo, Indiana. Yoonho Choi, president and CEO of Samsung SDI, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Indiana's economy and job creation through the battery joint venture with GM. The collaboration aims to supply high-quality and safe products, supporting the transition to an era of electric vehicles in the United States. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is finalizing an incentive package for the project. In addition to St. Joseph County, Indiana Michigan Power based in Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Public Service Co. in Merrillville have also offered incentives. GM's recent announcement of investing $632 million in its Fort Wayne Assembly plant, along with $491 million to expand and upgrade its Marion Metal Center and $45 million in its Bedford Casting Operations, further demonstrates the company's commitment to Indiana. GM currently employs over 5,700 individuals across the state. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the United States presents a historic opportunity for critical dialogue on issues pertaining to U.S.-India relations. WASHINGTON, June 13, 2023, a nonprofit organization of global Indian diaspora leaders, expressed enthusiasm for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the United States from June 21 to June 23, 2023. This is a historic trip as Prime Minister Modi is only the third Indian leader after President S Radhakrishnan in 1963 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009 to be invited to the U.S. for a State visit. "We are excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi to the United States," said MR Rangaswami, Founder of Indiaspora. "The U.S.-India relationship has grown substantially over time and is poised to be the consequential partnership of the century. I expect several key issues to be discussed between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden including the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) and defense ties. I believe that the two countries also need to continue their dialogue on climate change." Indiaspora, as a diaspora leadership group that has convened track two diplomatic dialogues, is deeply invested in the U.S.-India relationship and its impact on the Indian diaspora. To further bolster the two countries' relationship and to engage the global diaspora in envisioning India after 100 years of its independence, Indiaspora will be hosting a G20 Summit in New Delhi in August of 2023. This summit will bring together Indian-origin leaders from around the world to discuss geopolitics, trade and commerce, entrepreneurship and innovation, healthcare, philanthropy, education, arts and culture, and sports. "This historic visit comes at a pivotal moment for U.S.-India relations. Indians and the Indian diaspora are center stage. Cross-border investments and diaspora engagements are growing exponentially. This aligns with our organizational goal to inspire the Indian diaspora to be a force for good" said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora. Addendum: Facts and Figures about U.S.-India Trade and Investment In 2022 the United States became India's largest trading partner with bilateral goods and services trade exceeding $191 billion, double what it was in 2014 (https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/joint-statement-india-us-commercial-dialogue). (https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/joint-statement-india-us-commercial-dialogue). The recently launched U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) (https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/joint-statement-india-us-commercial-dialogue), elevates and expands the strategic technology partnership between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. (https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/joint-statement-india-us-commercial-dialogue), elevates and expands the strategic technology partnership between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. Over 160 Indian companies are present throughout all 50 US states and have collectively generated over $40 billion in tangible investments in the US (https://www.cii.in/PublicationDetail.aspx?enc=WSYB8GdN0iVks0YwBgR1P+IcUVQOTne+yk/gt98YoLLpctgP65BDS1i9cc9CCf5csMFbmNo5tVR8LeQV+xgF9MwW3gjne9KPXRk5ZscA/nSpPTlVvGNNZceG3tp6nhzdFxBMeWM0JEb4eAtZeCarBen/YuqSzryVshTZiny7jEg=). Together, they have created or saved over 425,000 jobs in the US. Their financing of US-based Research and Development (R&D) projects with nearly $1 billion invested, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with nearly $195 million invested, is also on the rise. (https://www.cii.in/PublicationDetail.aspx?enc=WSYB8GdN0iVks0YwBgR1P+IcUVQOTne+yk/gt98YoLLpctgP65BDS1i9cc9CCf5csMFbmNo5tVR8LeQV+xgF9MwW3gjne9KPXRk5ZscA/nSpPTlVvGNNZceG3tp6nhzdFxBMeWM0JEb4eAtZeCarBen/YuqSzryVshTZiny7jEg=). Together, they have created or saved over 425,000 jobs in the US. Their financing of US-based Research and Development (R&D) projects with nearly $1 billion invested, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with nearly $195 million invested, is also on the rise. The nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contributed approximately $7.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy (https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-india/). About Indiaspora: Indiaspora) is a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for positive impact by providing a platform to collaborate, engage, and catalyze social change. Media Contact: Sunny Matani Senior Marketing & Communications Manager sunny@indiaspora.org 240.671.6896 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Mandeville Ventures Inc. (TSXV: MAND.P) (the "Corporation" or "Mandeville"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), has entered into a binding letter agreement with Sumer Resources Inc. ("Sumer") dated June 13, 2023 (the "Letter Agreement") in respect of a proposed business combination transaction pursuant to which Mandeville will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Sumer (the "Proposed Transaction"). It is anticipated that the Proposed Transaction will constitute the qualifying transaction of Mandeville in accordance with Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies of the Corporate Finance Manual (the "CPC Policy") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The resulting company following the completion of the Proposed Transaction is referred to as the "Resulting Issuer". All currency references used in this news release are in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted. Sumer is a private mineral exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia with 20 exploration licenses prospective for the discovery and exploitation of copper in Botswana and Namibia. Sumer holds 19 prospecting licenses covering an area of over 13,655 km2 within a historic regional copper belt in Botswana (the "Cuprum Project") and a 60% interest (with an option to acquire the remaining 40% interest) in a company holding a prospecting license covering over 149.55 km2 in Namibia, which includes a past producing copper mine operational in the 1950s (the "Kamanjab Project", and together with the Cuprum Project, the "Projects"). On its December 31, 2022 unaudited financial statements Sumer had total assets of $4,354,717, total liabilities of $419,791, and recorded a loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 of $3,382,829. Qualified Person Nico Scholtz is a consulting geologist to Sumer and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mr. Scholtz is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No. 400299/07). Mr. Scholtz is Sumer's qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Summary of the Proposed Qualifying Transaction The Letter Agreement contemplates that Sumer and Mandeville will negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction on or before September 1, 2023 (the "Definitive Agreement"), pursuant to which it is anticipated that Mandeville will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Sumer common shares (the "Sumer Shares"), and shareholders of Sumer will receive Mandeville common shares (the "Mandeville Shares") in exchange for their Sumer Shares on a share-for-share basis (both as presently constituted or on a post-consolidation basis as otherwise provided for herein). The Proposed Transaction will be structured as a three-cornered amalgamation, plan of arrangement or other structure based on the advice of the parties' respective advisers and taking into account various securities, tax, operating and other considerations. It is anticipated that the Resulting Issuer will continue the business of Sumer under the name "Sumer Resources Corp." or such other name to be determined by Sumer (the "Name Change"). It will also be a condition of the Proposed Transaction that Mandeville (i) continue from the laws of Ontario to the laws of British Columbia (the "Continuance"); and (ii) if requested by Sumer and provided that the Sumer Shares are consolidated on the same basis, consolidate its common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated Mandeville Share for up to every ten (10) pre-consolidated Mandeville Shares (the "Mandeville Consolidation"). The business of the Resulting Issuer will be primarily focused on the exploration of the Projects. Certain Mandeville Shares to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction are expected to be subject to restrictions on resale or escrow under the policies of the TSXV, including the securities to be issued to principals (as defined under the TSXV policies), which will be subject to the escrow requirements of the TSXV. Cash finder's fee will also be payable by Mandeville to arm's length finders on the successful completion of the Proposed Transaction in the aggregate amount of CAD$58,100 (plus applicable taxes). The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including and without limitation to the following: negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement; there being no material adverse changes in respect of either Mandeville or Sumer; the parties obtaining all necessary consents, orders, regulatory and shareholder approvals, including the conditional approval of the TSXV; completion of the Name Change, Continuance and, if required, the Mandeville Consolidation and any other required corporate changes; completion of a NI 43-101 compliant technical report for the Projects; completion of a thorough business, legal and financial review by each party of the other party; and other standard conditions of closing for a transaction in the nature of the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction does not constitute a Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction (as that term is defined in the CPC Policy) and, accordingly, is not expected to require the approval of Mandeville's shareholders. There can be no assurance that all of the necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals will be obtained or that all conditions of closing will be met. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that the Resulting Issuer will be listed as a Tier 2 mining issuer on the TSXV, with Sumer as its operating subsidiary. Sumer Financings In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Sumer intends to complete: (i) a non-brokered working capital private placement of up to 4,700,000 Sumer Shares at a price of $0.15 for gross proceeds of up to $705,000; and (ii) a brokered private placement on terms to be negotiated but on a basis not less than $0.15 per Sumer Share as presently constituted (collectively, the "Sumer Financings"). The price per security will not be below the Discounted Market Price (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSXV). The brokered financing shall be structured as either a common share offering, a subscription receipt offering, or such other security offering as determined by Sumer based on discussions with brokers and investors. Other than in connection with the Sumer Financings, neither party will issue any shares or rights exchangeable or exercisable into shares of such party prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction. The proceeds of the Sumer Financings will be used to finance (i) exploration and other expenses relating to the Projects, (ii) cost of the Proposed Transaction; and (iii) the working capital requirements of the Resulting Issuer. Further particulars regarding the Sumer Financings will be disclosed in subsequent news releases relating to the Proposed Transaction. Any agent, finder or underwriter engaged in connection with the Sumer Financings will be entitled to receive compensation in an amount and form to be determined. The Proposed Transaction is not conditional upon the completion of either of the Sumer Financings. Summary of Proposed Directors, Officers and Insiders Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Resulting Issuer's board and management will consist of the following persons: Daniel Baard, Chief Executive Officer and Director Rodger Roden, Chief Financial Officer and Director William Johnstone, Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary Armando Farhate, Chief Operations Officer and Director Arno Brand, Chairman of the Board Peter Sheppeard, Director Dean Hanisch, Director The bios of each of the above are outlined below: Daniel Baard CEO & Director Mr. Baard is an operationally oriented finance executive with extensive experience in logistics, contract mining, finance, administration, and public company accounting in diverse industries. He is a strategic leader with proven ability to streamline operations, impact business growth, and enhance profitability through achievements in finance management, cost and internal controls, productivity, and efficiency improvements. Mr. Baard is a CPA (Canada) / ACCA (Fellow, UK) who brings business, financial and analytical acumen to resolve complex problems creatively. He most recently served as the Chief Investment Officer for the Dukathole Group from December 2018 to May of 2021. He has wide-ranging experience as a CEO, COO and CFO, spanning several impressive projects including Supergroup Coal and Southern Seas Advisory Group. Rodger Roden CFO & Director Mr. Roden, CPA CA, has more than 35 years of industry experience, has worked as Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer with public and private companies in a broad range of industries and has worked exclusively as a chief financial officer in the resource sector for the past eleven years. His experience includes all aspects of corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, IT implementations, tax, business systems, and process analyses and implementation. Armando Farhate COO & Director Mr. Farhate's prior experience in the planning, engineering, research and development, processing, project management, sales, and marketing areas of the graphite mining industry make him the ideal candidate to fill the position of COO and Head of Copper Marketing & Sales. In past projects, he was responsible for quality management, environmental management, and implementing strategic and tactical planning. Mr. Farhate will oversee the completion of the processing plant at the Sumer project, as well as regular operations at the site. He will coordinate important decisions regarding processing. Mr. Farhate's experience provides an invaluable asset to the Sumer team regarding what he is able to accomplish as well as the broad network of contacts within the copper industry. Bill Johnstone Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary Mr. Johnstone has been a partner at Gardiner Roberts LLP since February of 2005 practicing in the areas of securities and corporate law. He is the Practice Leader of the firm's Securities Law Group. Mr. Johnstone has been practicing law for over thirty (30) years. He is also a director and/or officer of five other TSX Venture Exchange listed companies and three Canadian Securities Exchange listed companies. Arno Brand Chairman of the Board Mr. Brand, is a Namibian entrepreneur with 14 years of experience working on major construction and mining projects in Africa. As an experienced commodity Trader/Broker with over a billion dollars in trades. Arno has been involved in numerous public transactions and company financings worth more than 200 million dollars. He has negotiated uranium off-take agreements on behalf of Soupamine with utilities providers around the world. Mr. Brand generated over 500 million dollars for shareholders in taking private companies public & has held various important roles in several companies over his career, including CEO, COO, Director, and Project Manager. Peter Sheppeard Director Mr. Sheppeard has a wide variety of experience in the mining and finance industries. He worked underground in coal mining for 10 years, spent 23 years in capital markets with 16 years as a founder and managing director of a boutique stockbroking firm based out of Australia and is active in the cryptocurrency market. Sheppeard also holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Finance from Charles Sturt University in NSW, Australia. Dean Hanisch Director Mr. Hanisch is a serial entrepreneur starting up, advising, assisting, and selling private companies in a multiplicity of industries over the last 30 years. Dean is currently the Founder and President of Terpene Therapeutics Inc., a company involved in the research, development, and manufacture of nutraceutical products, and Founder of Multi Developments, an Ottawa-based developer of infill small scale multi-unit residential buildings. Dean holds a diploma in finance from Algonquin College, which he received in April of 1992. Information Concerning Mandeville Mandeville is a capital pool company and its common shares ("Common Shares") are listed for trading on the TSXV under the symbol "MAND.P". As at February 28, 2023 (unaudited), Mandeville had cash, net of liabilities, of approximately C$1,391,000. Filing Statement In connection with the Proposed Transaction and pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, Mandeville will file a filing statement or a management information circular on its issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), which will contain details regarding the Proposed Transaction, Sumer, the Projects, the Sumer Financings, and the Resulting Issuer. Sponsorship of Qualifying Transaction Sponsorship of a qualifying transaction of a capital pool company is required by the TSXV unless exempt in accordance with TSXV policies. Mandeville intends to apply for an exemption from the sponsorship requirements. Reinstatement to Trading In accordance with the policies of the TSXV, the Mandeville shares are currently halted from trading and will remain so until such time as the TSXV determines, which, depending on the policies of the TSXV, may not occur until completion of the Proposed Transaction. For further information, please contact: Dean Hanisch Mandeville Ventures Inc., CEO e: deanhanisch@hotmail.com p: (613) 612-6060 Arnoldus Brand Sumer Resources Inc., Executive Chairman e: boswellprojects@icloud.com p:(416) 561-4095 Information concerning Sumer, including the proposed directors of the Resulting Issuer, has been provided to the Corporation by Sumer for inclusion in this press release. Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The securities referenced herein have not been, nor will 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 absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") 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 press release. 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 statements. In this press release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the Proposed Transaction and certain terms and conditions thereof; the business of Sumer, information concerning the Projects, the commissioning of NI 43-101 compliant technical reports with respect to the Projects, the Sumer Financings; the proposed directors of the Resulting Issuer, TSXV sponsorship requirements and intended application for exemption therefrom; shareholder, director and regulatory approvals; and future press releases and disclosure. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive shareholder, director or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Mandeville assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169815 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition from Teck Resources Limited (Teck) of the 8,964-hectare porphyry copper-molybdenum CR property, located contiguous to Sun Summit's 43,000 hectare Buck property in central B.C. The combined property covers 52,000 hectares (520 square kilometres), which expands the Company's land position by more then 20%. Sun Summit acquired the CR property by the issuance to Teck of 2,272,727 common shares valued at $250,000. Teck retains a 1.0% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty on the property, of which one-half (0.5%) may be re-purchased for $2,000,000 at any time, resulting in Teck retaining a 0.5% NSR royalty. There is a pre-existing 0.5% NSR royalty to the original landowner which can be re-purchased for $10,000,000. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, the shares are subject to a four month hold period expiring on October 13, 2023. Termination of SmallCap Communications Inc. Sun Summit also announces that, effective June 30, 2023, SmallCap Communications Inc. of Vancouver, B.C. will no longer provide social media management and communication services to the Company. About the Buck Project The Buck Project is situated in a historic mining district near Houston, B.C., with excellent nearby infrastructure that allows for year-round, road-accessible exploration. The project is host to the Buck Main intermediate-sulfidation epithermal-related gold-silver-zinc system. Most of the mineralization drilled to date at Buck Main consists of long, continuous zones of disseminated and breccia-hosted, bulk tonnage-style gold-silver-zinc. Vein-hosted, high-grade mineralization has also been intersected near the center of Buck Main. Exploration at the Buck Project is focused on investigating the lateral and vertical extent of gold-silver-zinc mineralization at the Buck Main system, and to define additional drill targets across the entire land package through systematic exploration programs. About Sun Summit Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on expansion and discovery of district scale gold and copper assets in north-central British Columbia. Sun Summit is committed to environmental and social responsibility, with a focus on accountable development and building respectful and beneficial relationships with Indigenous and local communities. Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Sun Summit's Vice President Exploration, Ken MacDonald, P. Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has not been able verify the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical and test data, underlying the technical information in this news release since such data was historical and the original drill core is not readily available. For further information, contact: Sharyn Alexander President info@sunsummitminerals.com Roger Blair Acuity Advisory Corp., Corporate Communications rblair@acuityadvisorycorp.com Tel. 778-588-9606 Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: risks inherent in exploration activities; the impact of exploration competition; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/169843 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Park Lawn Corporation (TSX:PLC, PLC.U) ("Park Lawn" or "PLC") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Ward Funeral Home Limited, a business consisting of three stand-alone funeral homes located in Brampton, Woodbridge and Toronto, Ontario (collectively, "Ward"). The Ward acquisition further expands Park Lawn's geographic presence in the Greater Toronto Area and is anticipated to close in July, 2023. "The Ward businesses have been a staple within the Greater Toronto Area for over 100 years and these well-established best-in-class funeral homes not only complement Park Lawn's existing Greater Toronto Area presence, but also closely align with Park Lawn's values," said J. Bradley Green, Chief Executive Officer of PLC. Mr. Green continued, "We look forward to furthering our strategic growth in the Greater Toronto Area through our partnership with the Ward family." Highlights of the transaction include: The addition of three (3) stand-alone funeral homes. The transaction represents 1,218 calls per year and is expected to be financed with funds from PLC's credit facility and available cash on hand. Following the closing and integration of the transaction, the Ward acquisition is expected to add approximately US$1,800,000 in Adjusted EBITDA annually.[1] For the 12 months ended December 31, 2022, PLC had Adjusted EBITDA of US$74,948,868and net earnings of US$25,124,765. The agreed upon purchase price multiple for the transaction is within PLC's publicly-stated targeted Adjusted EBITDA multiple range for its historical transactions. About Park Lawn Corporation: PLC provides goods and services associated with the disposition and memorialization of human remains. Products and services are sold on a pre-planned basis (pre-need) or at the time of a death (at-need). PLC and its subsidiaries own and operate businesses including cemeteries, crematoria, funeral homes, chapels, planning offices and a transfer service. PLC operates in three Canadian provinces and nineteen U.S. states. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of PLC and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements in this news release are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "project", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may", "estimate", "pro-forma" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on PLC's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding PLC's expectation that the Ward acquisition will add approximately US$1,800,000 in Adjusted EBITDA; the acquisition will provide operational synergies for existing businesses in the market and the expected time of closing of the acquisition. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions, including that PLC is able to satisfy regulatory requirements for the acquisition, the acquisition closes in the anticipated time frame, the acquisition will perform as expected following closing, PLC will be able to implement business improvements and achieve cost savings, PLC will be able to retain key personnel, there will be no unexpected expenses occurring as a result of the acquisition, the purchase price multiples for future acquisitions remain at or below levels paid by PLC for previously announced acquisitions, the acquisition and financing markets remain accessible, capital can be obtained at reasonable costs and PLC's current business lines operate and obtain synergies as expected, as well as those regarding present and future business strategies, organic growth initiatives, the environment in which PLC will operate in the future, expected revenues, expansion plans and PLC's ability to achieve its goals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in PLC's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, PLC assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Non-IFRS Measures Adjusted Net Earnings is not a measure recognized under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Such measure is presented in this news release because management of PLC believes that such measure is relevant in evaluating PLC's proposed acquisition of Speaks. Such measure, as computed by PLC, may differ from similar computations as reported by other similar organizations and, accordingly, may not be comparable to similar measures reported by such other organizations. Please refer to pages 8, 9 and 21 of PLC's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ending December 31, 2022, which was filed on SEDAR on March 2, 2023, for how PLC reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest IFRS measure. Contact Information Daniel Millett Chief Financial Officer (416) 231-1462, ext. 221 [1] Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this news release for more information on this non-IFRS financial measure. SOURCE: Park Lawn Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/760101/Park-Lawn-Deepens-its-Presence-in-the-Greater-Toronto-Area MUNICH, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the Intersolar Europe 2023 held in Munich, Germany, Huawei successfully hosted the launch event for its new smart PV & ESS products and solutions. Guoguang Chen, President of Smart PV & ESS Business at Huawei Digital Power, unveiled the smart PV strategy and the all-new upgraded smart PV brand FusionSolar. Three Main Strategic Announcements Focus on the convergence of 4T (Watt/Bit/Heat/Battery) technologies, increase research and development investment, continuously innovate to lead in technology, and accelerate the development of the solar industry Collaborate with partners to establish high-quality industry standards and promote healthy development of the industry Join hands with six global ecosystem partners to create, share, and win together, driving sustainability and high-quality development in the industry In utility-scale plant scenarios, Huawei has driven the industry's transition from low cost to high value through the integration of digital technology and power electronics innovation in its smart PV solutions over the past decade. This has positioned smart string inverters as the global mainstream. In commercial and industrial (C&I) scenarios, Huawei deeply cultivates the industry and achieves success through "intelligence". Huawei promotes technological innovation to set active safety as a standard, enabling green electricity in various industries, helping customers achieve business sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. In residential scenario, Huawei aims to lead the future by advancing the evolution of household energy through component innovation and technological upgrades. Through off-grid power backup, intelligent home energy scheduling by AI Energy Management Assistant (EMMA) and the future virtual power plant (VPP) interconnection will enable power independence and self-sufficiency for homes. Comprehensive Upgrade of FusionSolar Brand As an all-new brand image, FusionSolar positions itself as a leader in integrated innovation in the field of PV. It combines the innovative capabilities of digital technology and power electronics, integrating the capabilities of the industrial chain and intelligence, providing safe and stable products and strives to deliver an ultimate user experience. It aims to work with industry partners to build an open and win-win industry ecosystem, accelerate PV to become the main energy source, and enable green electricity to benefit thousands of industries and households. Release of New Products and Solutions in Three Major Scenarios Steve Zheng, President of Utility Smart PV & ESS Business, Huawei Digital Power, has addressed the great challenges imposed to grid stability in the fast-growing solar energy industry, which makes the fusion of PV and ESS becomes inevitable. The various "PV + x" scenarios will also bring more challenges. In response to the trends and challenges above, Huawei has introduced the FusionSolar Smart PV Solution -utilizing SUN2000-330KTL's new generation of 1500V Smart PV controller as the core, together with PV-ESS low-voltage AC coupling capabilities, array-level smart fusion control, industry-leading grid connecting abilities, PV-ESS end-to-end"5+4" multi-level safety design and smart fusion diagnosis. These offerings provide customers with three major values: lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), grid-compatible high reliability, and comprehensive digitalization. Mingming Zhong, President of C&I Smart PV & ESS Business, Huawei Digital Power, unveiled the C&I Optimizer+PV+ESS+Charger+Management System Solution for commercial and industrial applications. The comprehensive solution includes the industry's first 1300W optimizer compatible with 182/210 modules, the first series of inverters that achieve enterprise-level power supply reliability, the first 200 kWh commercial and industrial energy storage system using smart string architecture, the first 720 kW modular all-liquid-cooled supercharging system, and the first commercial and industrial intelligent management system that connects with AI from end-to-end. Steven Zhou, President of Residential Smart PV & ESS Business, Huawei Digital Power, launched the Residential Smart PV Solution 4.0. This comprehensive solution adopts a 1+4+X framework, where"1" represents the core smart energy controller, "4" represents the smart module controller, Smart string ESS, smart charger, and smart PV management system, and the "X" is composed of the home appliances ecosystem, like air conditioner, heat pump, and so on. The solution aims to elevate household self-consumption of solar energy to 90%+ and gradually evolve towards 100%, offering core values such as electricity freedom, smart control experience, and active safety. At this launch event, TUV Rheinland and Huawei jointly released the "All-Scenario Security White Paper", verifying FusionSolar all-scenario solutions satisfied the safety standards in all dimensions, establishing industry safety standards for PV and ESS applications. As of the end of March 2023, Huawei Digital Power has helped generate 770 billion kWh of green electricity worldwide, reducing carbon emissions by 355 million tons, which is equivalent to planting 485 million trees. Going forward, Huawei will continue to collaborate with customers and partners, accelerating the adoption of PV as the main energy source. This will ensure that the benefits of green electricity reach every industry and household, driving the high-quality healthy development of the industry and collectively building a greener and better future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100497/Opening_ceremony.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100498/Guoguang_Chen.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100499/FusionSolar_upgrade.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100500/Steve_Zheng.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100501/Mingming_Zhong.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100502/Steven_Zhou.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100503/White_paper.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/making-the-most-of-every-ray--huawei-launches-new-all-scenario-smart-pv-products-and-solutions-continues-to-lead-the-industry-301850061.html GENK, Belgium, June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Belgian company, SOLiTHOR who is at the forefront of next generation solid-state lithium batteries has added three leading scientists to grow and upscale its technology, taking it to a whole new level. Having invested in a multi-million-euro new research and cell testing laboratories as well as a new cell production facility in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, the appointment of these leading scientists will form the backbone of SOLiTHOR's move toward commercialisation of cell and module technology for the electrification of vehicles for the aviation, defence and maritime sectors. Dr. Sergey Yakovlev is an accomplished electrochemist and material scientist with a twelve-year track record of research and development in electrochemical energy generation and storage systems. Dr. Yakovlev spent many years working for llika, a pioneer in solid-state battery technology enabling solutions for applications such as loT, MedTech and Electric Vehicles. Dr. Yakovlev has a strong background in the formulation of slurries for lithium-ion battery electrodes, rheology and electrochemistry. His main focus at the moment is on building a supply chain for the mass-production of battery electrode components and building R&D research facility. Dr Yakovlev will lead the components development team at SOLiTHOR. Dr. Ali Darwiche will be responsible for components and cell design. He is an expert in Materials Chemistry with more than ten years' experience in research and development. His forte is the use of Lithium metal and assembly of pouch cells. Dr. Darwiche previously worked for Hydro Quebec, the largest power utility in Canada and a major player in the global hydropower industry. Dr Darwiche will guide the assembly and testing team to build pouch cells with larger capacity from 0.1Ah to 3 and 10 Ah. Dr. Matthieu Moors is a Creative Engineer and Technical leader, with an MSc in Chemistry and PhD in Materials Science. He has twelve years of international experience in cutting-edge product design, cost-efficient process development and high-volume manufacturing. Dr. Moors joins SOLiTHOR from Tesla, the American multinational automotive and clean energy company where he played a significant role in developing the 4680 Tesla cell technology. His expertise in upscaling of process and manufacturing will be a big asset for SOLiTHOR when moving from laboratory to pilot line demonstration and increase the number of cells produced in the next 3-5 years. Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of SOLiTHOR says, "We are delighted to welcome these eminently qualified scientists to our team. Their appointment means that SOLiTHOR can move swiftly toward the deployment of its solid-state cell and battery systems into demonstrator battery systems. The reason that we can recruit such talent is confirmation of our current capabilities and our Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)." About SOLiTHOR SOLiTHOR is pioneering the design, development and the commercialisation of intrinsically safe, high-energy solid-state Lithium cell technology. Having acquired a strong intellectual property portfolio from imec, the company already has access to nearly 30 personnel of the highest calibre. www.solithor.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100330/SOLiTHOR_Inc_Belgium.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1817892/SOLiTHOR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/solithor-expands-its-expertise-platform-301849702.html ClimateView, a Stockholm, Sweden-based climate action technology company, closed a 14m funding round. The round was led by 2050, with participation from 115K the VC fund of La Banque Postale, Sandwater, Polar Structure and existing investors CommerzVentures, NordicNinja, SEB Greentech VC and Norrsken VC. The company intends to use the funds to develop its climate finance platform and to support cities in their climate investment planning needs as part of the EUs innovative program 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities. Led by Einar Bodstrom, CEO, ClimateView provides a SaaS-based impact intelligence platform platform, called ClimateOS, which helps cities finance their climate action. It combines data and systemic analysis to enable cities to plan, manage and fund the transition to net zero. ClimateOS gives cities impact intelligence, a comprehensive view of a citys climate mitigation decisions, enabling them to understand the socio-economic benefits of climate action and securing the investments to transition better and faster. It is currently used by 30+ cities including metropoles like Madrid, Dortmund, Cincinnati and Nottingham. FinSMEs 13/06/2023 EdgeTier, a Dublin, Ireland-based company that helps customer contact centers improve customer experience using AI, raised 6M in Series A funding. The round was led by Smedvig Capital, with participation from Episode 1 and Act Venture Capital. The company intends to use the funds to grow its headcount from 22 people to 70 across its Irish and Spanish bases over the coming 24 months. The team is hiring across product, commercial, and operations functions to meet its product roadmap. Founded by Shane Lynn PhD, Bart Lehane PhD, and Ciaran Tobin, EdgeTier enables contact centers to improve their customer experience with AI. Its advanced AI platform analyses conversational data in real-time to offer a deep understanding of customer attitudes, detect subtle issues as they arise, and improve agent performance with assisted responses and training based on performance analysis. The SaaS platform leverages natural language processing to monitor customer conversations across all channels, 24/7, in multilingual environments. The company operates in more than 20 countries across Europe and the Americas, processing billions of messages through their systems for household-name clients, including Abercrombie & Fitch, LoveHolidays, Holiday Extras, CarTrawler, RyanAir, TUI Travel, Electric Ireland, Tipico, and Betclic. FinSMEs 13/06/2023 Filigran, a Paris, France-based cybertech startup, closed 5M in Seed funding. The round was led by Moonfire Ventures with participation from Motier Ventures, Kima Ventures, Raise Sherpas, etc. The company intends to use the funds to expand its operations and development efforts. Founded in September 2022 by CEO Samuel Hassine, Filigran provides threat intelligence, adversary simulation and crisis response open solutions to strengthen and expand the ecosystem of open source products such as OpenCTI, OpenEx, OpenCrisis and OpenRiskManager. The software has already been proven to more than 40 private companies, public agencies, non-profit organizations and individuals. The company can now count on a team of more than 20 employees. Hidden River Strategic Capital, a Philadelphia-based investment firm, announced that its inaugural fund, Hidden River Strategic Capital I, LP, has closed on $245m of committed capital. Founded by Steve Gord, Todd Morrissey and Kevin Condon, Hidden River focuses exclusively on flexible junior capital for small business owner-operators, an area underserved by the investment approaches of growth equity, buyout, and mezzanine/credit funds. Hidden River Strategic Capital invests $5m to $25m into U.S.-based positive cash flow businesses typically generating at least $10m of revenues. The fund, licensed as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC), will support management teams who will continue to own and operate their business. FinSMEs 13/06/2023 Voima Ventures, a Helsinki, Finland-based early-stage investor focusing on science-based companies across Nordic and Baltic countries, announced the first closing with a new 90m fund. Investors in Fund III include among others European Investment Fund EIF, Finnish Tesi and its fund of funds KRR, VTT of Finland, Saminvest from Sweden, and pension funds Nordea Life and Elo, as well as established foundations, and family offices. With the new fund, Voima Ventures mission is to support Nordic and Baltic early-stage deep tech companies with globally scalable solutions, with the initial investment ticket size ranging from 200K to 3 million and beyond. Led by Inka Mero, Founding Partner, Voima Ventures invests in companies tackling pressing global challenges with science-driven entrepreneurship. The investment thesis focuses on the highest value-creating opportunities in the venture capital domain; solutions that accelerate global green transformation, life science and health technologies, and new technologies, such as quantum, that are changing entire industries. Since its founding year 2019, the firm has had a strong track record in investing in high-potential science-based solutions by being an early investor in companies and next-generation unicorns like game-changing novel protein developer Solar Foods, AR pioneer Dispelix, carbon-neutral construction material company Betolar, and AI-based cancer treatment provider MVision. The previous two funds have 30 active companies of which several have grown into globally scaling companies, including 5 exits and one IPO. FinSMEs 13/06/2023 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 The Indian government has dismissed reports suggesting a breach of data on the CoWin portal, which stores COVID-19 vaccination data. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar assures that there is no direct breach of the CoWin app. Claims on Twitter Regarding Data Access Certain posts on Twitter have alleged that personal data of vaccinated individuals is being accessed through a Telegram BOT. The BOT reportedly retrieves individual data using mobile numbers or Aadhaar numbers. With ref to some Alleged Cowin data breaches reported on social media, @IndianCERT has immdtly responded n reviewed this A Telegram Bot was throwing up Cowin app details upon entry of phone numbers The data being accessed by bot from a threat actor database, which seems to Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@Rajeev_GoI) June 12, 2023 Reports Deemed Baseless and Mischievous The government clarifies that these reports are unfounded and mischievous. The Co-WIN portal of the Health Ministry is entirely secure, with robust measures in place to safeguard data privacy. The portal utilizes a Web Application Firewall, Anti-DDoS, SSL/TLS, regular vulnerability assessments, and Identity & Access Management. Data access is only granted through OTP authentication. CoWin Data Access Levels The Co-WIN portal allows data access at three levels: Beneficiary dashboard: Vaccinated individuals can access their own Co-WIN data using their registered mobile number with OTP authentication. Authorized user of Co-WIN: Vaccinators who have verified login credentials can access personal-level data of vaccinated beneficiaries. The system tracks every authorized users access activity. Access through APIs: Personal-level data of vaccinated beneficiaries can be accessed by third-party applications that have authorized access to Co-WIN APIs, with the beneficiarys OTP authentication. Clarification on the Telegram BOT Data of vaccinated beneficiaries cannot be shared with any BOT without OTP authentication. Only the Year of Birth (YOB) is captured for adult vaccination; claims suggesting the BOT also captures the Date of Birth (DOB) are incorrect. There is no provision to capture the beneficiarys address. No public APIs allow data access without OTP The developers of CoWin assure that OTP verification is required for any data retrieval through public APIs. Some APIs have been shared with trusted third parties, such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), but data requests through these APIs require specific whitelisted access. Government Actions to Address the Issue The Union Health Ministry has sought the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to probe the matter and report back. Meanwhile, CoWINs security measures are undergoing an internal check to secure the data. CERT-Ins initial report indicates that the Telegram bots backend database does not directly access the CoWin database APIs. Commenting on the reports, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Information Technology, said: Google Photos for the Web Gains Advanced Editing Tools, but with a Catch News oi -Kabir Jain Google Photos is a versatile and free cloud-based photo storage and editing service that allows users to store, organize, and edit their photos and videos. With a range of features designed to make photo management effortless, Google Photos has become a popular choice for both casual users and photography enthusiasts. Recently, the Mountain View giant introduced a set of new editing tools specifically for Google Photos on the web. These tools empower users to enhance and customize their photos, enabling them to bring their creative vision to life. Let's explore the exciting features that have been added: 1. Portrait Light The Portrait Light tool allows users to adjust the position and brightness of light in portraits. By controlling the lighting, you can create captivating effects, highlight your subject, or add a touch of drama to your photos. 2. Portrait Blur With the Portrait Blur tool, you can now adjust the background blur in portraits. This feature provides greater control over the depth-of-field effect, allowing you to create professional-looking portraits that emphasize your subject. 3. Dynamic The Dynamic tool enhances the contrast and saturation of your photos, making them more vibrant and captivating. It brings out hidden details, breathes life into dull shots, and provides an overall boost to the visual impact of your images. 4. Color Pop Color Pop is a fantastic tool that enables you to highlight a specific color in your photos while converting the rest to black and white. This creates a stunning contrast and draws attention to the chosen color, resulting in eye-catching and artistic compositions. 5. HDR HDR (High-Dynamic-Range) is a popular technique that combines multiple exposures to create a photo with a wider range of colors and tones. By leveraging the HDR tool, you can capture more detail in both the shadows and highlights of your images, producing stunning and balanced photos. 6. Sky The Sky tool allows you to modify the color and contrast of the sky in your photos. Whether you want to intensify the blue tones, create a dramatic sunset effect, or match the sky color to the overall mood of your photo, this tool offers an easy and effective way to achieve your desired look. Accessing the New Editing Tools However, it's important to keep in mind a few significant considerations before exploring these new features. As explained on Google's help page, some of these tools will require a Google One membership when accessing the app on a computer. Additionally, to ensure a seamless experience, Google recommends having a computer with at least 4GB of RAM and an up-to-date web browser. These system requirements are necessary to fully utilize the editing tools' potential and ensure optimal performance. Via 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 Metas New MusicGen AI Can Generate Music From Prompts News oi -Kabir Jain Meta has recently unveiled MusicGen, an open-source AI model designed to generate music based on text prompts. Developed by Meta's research scientists, MusicGen harnesses the power of Meta's EnCodec audio tokenizer and an advanced AI transformer model to create captivating musical pieces in response to user-provided text cues and melodies. Empowering the Music Community with Open-Source Technology The announcement of MusicGen was made by Facebook research scientist Gabriel Synnaeve on LinkedIn, generating significant excitement within the music industry. Synnaeve described MusicGen as a "simple and controllable music generation model" and provided the GitHub link for easy access to the project's code and pre-trained models. Leveraging Extensive Training Data for High-Quality Output To ensure the highest quality output, Synnaeve's team employed a vast dataset of 20,000 hours of licensed music to train MusicGen. This comprehensive dataset included 10,000 meticulously selected high-quality music tracks sourced internally, complemented by additional music data from renowned platforms such as Shutterstock and Pond5. Open Research and Reproducibility Emphasizing the importance of open research and collaboration, Synnaeve and his team have made the code and pre-trained models of MusicGen publicly available. This initiative aims to encourage further exploration and participation from the broader music community, fostering innovation and reproducibility. In a collaborative research paper with Cornell University, Synnaeve, and his team showcased MusicGen's ability to generate high-quality music samples. By incorporating both text and melody as conditioning factors, the model provides enhanced control over the generated output. This breakthrough allows musicians and creators to shape the music according to their desired artistic vision. Navigating Potential Challenges While AI-generated music opens new possibilities for creativity, it is crucial to address copyright and plagiarism concerns. As AI models like MusicGen become more sophisticated, there is a risk of unintentional infringement on existing copyrighted musical compositions. Similarities to existing works or inadvertent reproduction of copyrighted melodies may pose legal challenges. Responsibilities of Meta: Striking a Balance As the creator and promoter of MusicGen, Meta carries the responsibility of ensuring that the generated music complies with copyright laws and respects intellectual property rights. It is essential for Meta to proactively address potential copyright infringement instances to prevent frustration and legal actions from artists, copyright holders, and the music industry. Via Source Best Mobiles in India US FTC Seeks Interim Restraining Order To Stop Microsoft Activision Blizzard Acquisition Deal Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai The US FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is trying to prevent any action from Microsoft in the hotly-contested acquisition of Activision Blizzard. It appears the FTC is concerned that Microsoft will push forth regardless of the legal hurdles and acquire the massively successful game developer and publisher. Even though the FTC had already filed a legal challenge to try and block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard for an estimated $68.7 billion, the agency is seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and injunction from a US federal district court. FTC Concerned Microsoft Might Proceed With Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard The US FTC is asking for US courts to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard even while the US government's larger case on this exact matter is pending. The FTC had filed the first legal challenge to stop Microsoft's proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition back in December. The US FTC is now seeking a TRO to try and prevent Microsoft from moving forward and closing the deal. Incidentally, the Windows OS maker has until July 18 to close most of the formalities regarding the acquisition, and the FTC is concerned that Microsoft may proceed even without FTC's blessing, states the latest complaint: "Both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are necessary because Microsoft and Activision have represented that they may consummate the proposed acquisition at any time." "Press reports began circulating suggesting that defendants were seriously contemplating closing the proposed acquisition despite the pending administrative litigation and the CMA orders." Can Microsoft Ignore The US FTC And Buy Activision Blizzard? A US judge assigned to hear the FTC's complaint will now need to decide on issuing a TRO to restrict Microsoft from closing the deal for two weeks. Furthermore, the preliminary injunction would also prevent Microsoft from closing until the result of the FTC's legal challenge. Simply put, FTC is exploring legal ways of ensuring Microsoft doesn't buy Activision Blizzard even while there are legal challenges pending. It appears Microsoft's confidence is high. The European Union recently granted its approval to the deal. The European Commission essentially accepted remedial measures suggested by Microsoft to ensure fair play and healthy competition. Todays action by the FTC to file suit in our Activision case in federal court should accelerate the decision-making process. This benefits everyone. We always prefer constructive and amicable paths with governments but have confidence in our case and look forward to presenting Brad Smith (@BradSmi) June 12, 2023 With the EU on Microsoft's side, the company has to now fight with the US FTC and the UK CMA. Interestingly, licensing commitments made by Microsoft could potentially expand the cloud gaming market and would bring several popular PC and console game titles to the emerging market. It is possible that the FTC's actions might just help Microsoft as they might accelerate the legal process. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick even hinted that these developments could be viewed as a positive. 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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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 Lebanese security forces detain journalist on suspicion of spying for Israel Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 7:35 AM Lebanon's security forces have arrested a Lebanese journalist, who used to work for a number of Lebanese and international media outlets, on suspicion of collaborating with the Israeli regime. According to a report published by the Arabic-language al-Modon online newspaper on Saturday, the Lebanese national, identified as H. Muzahem, was in contact with the "Israeli enemy" since 2018. He was arrested by members of the Intelligence Division of the Internal Security Forces waiting for the completion of technical and security investigations into his case. Al-Modon, citing informed sources speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that his case has been referred to the military tribunal for prosecution. Muzahem had been working in the media for more than twenty years and had written articles for the Beirut-based and Arabic-language al-Mustaqbal newspaper, which is affiliated to the Future Movement led by former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, as well as other Arab newspapers, magazines, and foreign media outlets. He had also worked as a researcher into Israeli affairs, and penned research papers on political issues and international crises. Last month, Lebanon's security forces arrested a professional Lebanese photographer for spying for the Mossad spy agency by collecting sensitive information and taking pictures of high-profile resistance figures residing in the Arab country. In May, the Arabic-language al-Akhbar daily newspaper reported that the woman, identified as Layal Ramadan, was in close contact with Israeli officials between 2021 and 2022. She shot photographs and videos of a house in the Tariq al-Jadideh neighborhood of Beirut, which apparently accommodated a senior leader of the Gaza-based Hamas resistance movement. Ramadan also took pictures of houses of Hezbollah members in Dahiyeh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and sent them to Israeli agents later on. The report added that the photographer received 50 dollars for each of her espionage missions. Lennon's intelligence agency arrested the woman on April 5 on suspicion of collaborating with the Israeli regime, and it was found after careful investigations and interrogations that the photographer had sent hundreds of pictures and videos from different areas in Lebanon to Israeli authorities. The report said that the woman's connection with the Mossad spy agency has been conclusively proven. She was tried in a military court and handed down a long jail term. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: China Upgraded Cuban Spy Operations in 2019 By VOA News June 12, 2023 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that China conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. Blinken told reporters that when the Biden administration took office in January 2021, it was briefed on a "number of sensitive efforts by Beijing around the world" to expand China's overseas operations for collecting intelligence. He said the administration of former President Donald Trump was aware of the issue and that the Biden administration concluded Washington was not making enough progress on the matter. Since that time, Blinken said, the United States has been implementing a new strategy that has been yielding results. "I can't get into every step that we've taken. But the strategy begins with diplomacy," he said. Blinken said the United States has engaged at high levels with governments that are considering hosting Chinese bases. He said U.S. experts have determined the diplomatic efforts slowed down China's efforts to expand its intelligence-gathering activities. China rejects the allegations that it has been carrying out an intelligence-gathering operation in Cuba, an island located about 160 kilometers from the southern U.S. state of Florida. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Monday at a news briefing that the allegations about a Cuban spying effort were false and that the United States was giving inconsistent and contradictory information. Earlier in the day, a U.S. official said China's intelligence-gathering operation in Cuba was "well-documented" when President Joe Biden took office. "This is an issue that this administration inherited," said the Biden administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. "It was our assessment that, despite awareness of the basing efforts and some attempts to address this challenge" during the White House tenure of Trump, "we were not making enough progress and needed a more direct approach," the official said. The official said that since the U.S. changed its strategy, U.S. experts have assessed progress being made and that Beijing "isn't quite where they had hoped to be" in their spying efforts. But the official said, "There are still challenges, and we continue to be concerned" about China's efforts in Cuba. China "will keep trying to enhance its presence in Cuba, and we will keep working to disrupt it." In a Twitter post Saturday, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de CossAo called the allegation "slanderous speculation." The developments come as Blinken is expected to travel to Beijing next week. His prior plans to visit China in February were canceled amid a spike in tensions as a Chinese spy balloon flew over the United States. State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching and Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this article. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Good news for the Povazie region as defence firms there are making progress Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 09.06.2023 On an away-day trip to the Povazie region today, top defence leaders, led by Defence Minister Martin Sklenar and Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer, visited the defence firms in Dubnica nad Vahom for a tour of their production and assembly lines. Together with the companies' executive managers, they discussed scaling up manufacturing operations and gave reassurances to the mayor of Dubnica nad Vahom that the activities of the defence firms were safe. Speaking from Dubnica nad Vahom, Martin Sklenar said: "From the perspective of the defence industry, the region's tradition and potential are significant. Even with the backing of the MOD, the defence firms are making additional investments in manufacturing and infrastructure upgrades. Not least, this will have a positive influence on the town and the region, with the outlook for employment growth improving." As he announced, work on the key modernisation programmes for the Slovak Armed Forces is being taken forward by DMD GROUP, a state-run holding company overseeing ZVS Holding, KONSTRUKTA - Defence, and ZTS Special. These defence firms are currently working on three major projects: the CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicle, the Patria wheeled armoured modular vehicle, and 155mm artillery munitions. On artillery munitions, Martin Sklenar said: "It is exactly the experience of Ukraine that points to the importance of refilling artillery munitions stocks. Over medium and long term horizons, we, therefore, assume that our increased manufacturing capacity will be used to support the needs of the Slovak Armed Forces as well as those of NATO and the EU and the Ukrainian Armed Forces." ZVS Holding, which produces different types of artillery rounds, would welcome a call for proposals for EU funds to extend its capacity to produce sufficient levels of artillery munitions. "Currently, we have prepared investment projects worth roughly 30m to boost our manufacturing capacity. We are going ahead with them, regardless of whether or not we get EU funding for them," Director General of DMD GROUP Stefan Skultety said, adding that the positive trend is supported by figures - this year ZVS Holding is going to offer 200 new jobs and 2m will be used to extend the production facilities at KONSTRUKTA - Defence and ZTS Special. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed group attacks Vietnamese police stations, 26 people arrested Reasons behind attack in Central Highlands unclear but people in region have felt oppressed, cheated. By RFA Vietnamese 2023.06.11 -- Police in Vietnam's Central Highlands have arrested 26 people in connection with an armed attack on two police stations that left six people dead, according to state media reports Monday. The attack took place in a part of Dak Lak province that's home to some 30 tribes of indigenous peoples - known collectively as Montagnards. Two state newspapers, VnExpress and Cong Thuong, published detailed information about the incident, saying that at dawn on Sunday, around 40 people wearing camouflage vests split into two groups to attack the two police stations in the Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes. Some of them then stopped a pickup truck and shot and killed the driver, according to a VnExpress bulletin, which was deleted shortly after posting. Cong Thuong also reported the shooting of the driver but then withdrew its article. The reasons behind the attack weren't immediately clear, but anger and frustration in the region has grown after decades of government surveillance, land disputes and economic hardship. In recent months, there have been a number of land revocation incidents by local authorities, police and military forces, according to a researcher who specializes in ethnic minority cultures in the Central Highlands and Vietnam's south-central coast. "As many people have suggested on social media, this could have happened because of oppression and tensions caused by land conflicts. They might have come to a dead end and therefore, they risked their lives," he told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. History of intimidation, mistreatment In 2020, Human Rights Watch said the Montagnards have been subject to "constant surveillance and other forms of intimidation, public criticism, arbitrary arrest and mistreatment in security force custody." "In detention, the authorities question them about their religious and political activities and any efforts to flee Vietnam," the group said. During the Vietnam War, the Montagnards fought alongside U.S. Army Special Forces in the Central Highlands. Hundreds have crossed the border into Cambodia over the last few decades, citing oppression by the Vietnamese government, religious persecution of the mainly Christian minority, and expropriation of their land. Many have been forced home, ending their hopes for resettlement and a better life. The Ministry of Public Security had previously said on its website that six suspects were taken into custody in connection with the attack.. The ministry said six people - police officers and commune officials - were killed in the attack and several officers, commune officials and civilians were injured. The State-linked Voice of Vietnam website said Monday that police had now arrested 26 people and freed two hostages, quoting Ministry of Public Security spokesperson Lt. General To An Xo, who said another hostage escaped on his own. Government crackdown expected The government has continued to monitor residents of the Central Highlands while failing to create jobs and education opportunities, said Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Quang A, former director of the now-dissolved Institute of Development Studies. "The participation of many young people did not surprise me." he said, referring to Sunday's attack. "Young people are more likely to be incited by information on social media," he said. "For young and unemployed people, when they are at a dead end, they are very likely to explode." The Ministry of Public Security and the government will surely deploy more forces to the Central Highlands to forestall similar incidents, the researcher said. "In terms of consequences, it's certain that the Vietnamese government will consider this a big deal," the researcher told RFA. "Involved people, if arrested, would definitely get heavy sentences, even death sentences." But a more appropriate approach would be to make sure people "feel safe, free, and satisfied," Nguyen Quang A said. "I think we should have a better understanding of them," he said. "It's unfortunate that the elite in Vietnam seems to fail to understand indigenous and ethnic minority people, what they want, and how they want things to be managed. We should have respected those things." Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Matt Reed. This story has been updated to add background information on the Montagnards and analysis quotes. 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 June 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 Minister Sklenar at V4 Defence Ministerial: "Talks with our partners from the V4 and Germany confirmed their shared interest in continuing to deepen our regional defence cooperation" Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 11.06.2023 During today's first working session of the two-day V4 Defence Ministerial in Strbske Pleso in the High Tatras, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar hosted talks with partners from the Vysegrad Group plus Germany on issues of common interests in the field of defence and security, including on how to make their mutual ties deeper and NATO's Eastern Flank stronger, which also calls for bringing defence plans up to date. Ahead of the high-level defence meeting, Defence Minister Sklenar held bilateral defence talks with the German Federal Ministry of Defence Parliamentary State Secretary, Ms Siemtje Moller. He expressed his appreciation for Germany's continued interest in the security of Slovakia, especially for its initiative to make the Bundeswehr's capabilities available to bolster Slovakia's defences. He informed her about Slovakia's intent for fast-track procurement of short range and very short range air defence systems and thanked Germany for gifting the MANTIS systems to Slovakia, hence giving it an additional boost to control its airspace. Speaking at the SVK-DEU bilateral defence talks, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "Germany is a strategic partner for Slovakia and the other V4 countries and I am delighted to see that our cooperation within international organisations and multilateral talks is increasingly being brought up to the practical level, and this is especially true in enhancing the nations' defence capabilities and supporting their defence industries." Minister Sklenar and Parliamentary State Secretary Moller agreed that the German-made Leopard BMTs - which are now in service with all V4 countries - offer a window of opportunity for a further deepening of regional defence cooperation. Slovakia is getting 15 Leopard 2A4 MBTs as a gift from Germany for having transferred 30 of its BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine under an arms swap deal. In addition, Germany is planning to transform its contingent in the NATO Battlegroup in Slovakia with a reinforcement of Leopard MBTs. Whilst building on the B9 Defence Ministers Meeting in April, at today's V4 + Germany Working Session, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar, German Federal Ministry of Defence Parliamentary State Secretary Siemtje Moller, Polish Ambassador to Slovakia Krzysztof Strzaka, Czech Deputy Defence Minister Daniel Blazkovec, and Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky covered NATO and EU support for Ukraine and the official positions of the V4 countries ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. According to them, the summit's conclusions may lead to a further strengthening of the transatlantic bond and collective strength. Speaking about the NATO Vilnius Summit, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "The summit will afford an opportunity to clearly voice our interests directed towards reinforcing our capabilities and to send out a clear signal that we remain committed to supporting Ukrainian defenders in their bid to retake Russia-occupied territory." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Arrives in Agadir, Morocco US Navy 11 June 2023 From Lt. j.g. Benjamin Cusimano AGADIR, Morocco -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Agadir, Morocco for a scheduled port visit, June 10, 2023. The visit, held in support of exercise African Lion 2023, will include a ship tour for leaders and representatives of U.S Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. Arleigh Burke will also partake in a Maritime Exercise Key Leader Engagement (MTX KLE), critical in strengthening U.S. and Moroccan Armed Forces' relations, supporting NAVAF readiness goals, and building interoperability with Morocco. "It is an honor to visit Agadir," said Cmdr. Pete Flynn, commanding officer of USS Arleigh Burke. "Our partnership with Morocco provides the U.S. Navy with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous Africa." After this port visit, Arleigh Burke and its crew will join approximately 8,000 participants from 18 nations in the ongoing exercise African Lion 23, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual, combined, joint exercise. In addition to U.S. forces, participants include allies and African partners from Morocco, Djibouti, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. African Lion provides a critical opportunity for members of the joint team to build and test their strategic readiness to deploy, fight and win in a complex, multi-domain environment. The maritime portion of the exercise, led by NAVAF, includes maritime interdiction operations, air defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and naval gunfire exercises. The exercise underscores the United States' approach in Africa as partner-led and U.S. enabled. Participation in multinational exercises like African Lion has a lasting and sustained impact on regional security while also enhancing Allies and partners' abilities to operate together in pursuit of common goals. "African Lion will again show the true grit and resilience this crew has displayed throughout our third patrol," said Arleigh Burke's Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Rafael Barney. "Just like our namesake, Admiral Arleigh Burke, once said, 'This ship is built to fight,' and we cannot wait to put our commitment to African security on full display for our African partners." Arleigh Burke is on its third patrol in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations as a member of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E). The ship began patrol on Feb. 2, 2023, departing from its homeport of Naval Station Rota, Spain, and has operated in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Arctic Circle, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Red Sea. FDNF-E destroyers routinely operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain. Arleigh Burke is one of four U.S. Navy destroyers based at Naval Station Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO's Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BALTOPS 23 Demonstrates Integrated Logistics Capability as U.S. and Danish Navy Conduct Inert SM-2 Missile Load on Bornholm US Navy 11 June 2023 From Staff Sgt. Madeleine E. Jinks BORNHOLM, Denmark -- In a notable first for the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise started in 1972, the Royal Danish Navy hosted the U.S. Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 from Williamsburg, Virginia, to conduct an on load of an inert SM-2 anti-aircraft missile aboard the Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), June 10, 2023. U.S. Navy and Royal Danish Navy teams in Bornholm used a mobile crane to transfer the inert missile to the launcher of Peter Willemoes (F362) while pier-side in Rnne, Denmark to validate and strengthen the operational and logistical capacity of the NATO Alliance. "Seamless cooperation is essential if NATO is to operate professionally and under time pressure," said Deputy Commander of the Danish Navy Command Flotilla Admiral Carsten Fjord-Larsen. "Therefore, it is extremely important that we train, especially the logistical parts. We train to ensure that we can work safely and rapidly at all times and solve the tasks we are given and to show that we have the ability and the will to be ready. We train continuously - both on Bornholm and other relevant places in Denmark, because what we train, we become good at." Once in the Royal Danish Navy's arsenal in the coming years, the SM-2 missile will extend the Danish air denial protection radius. Combined with Danish frigate's advanced radar system, the missile greatly increases Denmark's maritime air defense capabilities, and exponentially increases NATO's defense capability in the Baltic Sea. "Interoperability across logistics and supply chains is critical to an effective naval force and the NATO Alliance," said Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) chief of staff, Rear Adm. Michael Wosje embarked on the Blue Ridge-class command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). "Our work alongside the Danish Navy is one of many valuable ways exercise participants have reinforced the NATO alliance deterrence and defense capability during BALTOPS 23." The loading of an inert missile aboard the Danish frigate, follows the successful test launch of an SM-2 missile by the Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel during the U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO exercise Formidable Shield 2023 executed in May. U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) and STRIKFORNATO-led BALTOPS 23 is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise uniting 19 NATO Allies and one NATO to provide complex training designed to strengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. U.S. European Command and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) have promoted the traditional U.S.-led or bi-lateral exercises as opportunities for NATO to improve interoperability as a collective force, using NATO command and control systems as a foundation for the exercise design. For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. SIXTHFLT is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. STRIKFORNATO, headquartered at Oeiras, Portugal, is a rapidly deployable and scalable headquarters, under the operational command of SACEUR, capable of planning and executing full spectrum joint maritime operations including maritime ballistic missile defense, primarily through integration of U.S. and other nation's carrier and amphibious forces into NATO operations to provide assurance, deterrence, and collective defense for the Alliance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan Refugee Crackdown Continues in Pakistan Despite Taliban Objections By Roshan Noorzai, Khudai Noor Nasar June 11, 2023 Pakistan is continuing a months-long crackdown on Afghan refugees living in the country, detaining hundreds of people accused of lacking proper documentation. Taliban leaders have asked Pakistan to stop the process "immediately." Not only has it continued, but Afghan refugees in Pakistan have told VOA that the crackdown in recent days has intensified in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and adjacent areas. "Unfortunately, the detentions have intensified, and it still continues," said Shukria, an Afghan refugee who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover. Shukria, who asked that her full name be withheld, told VOA that the security forces arrested "even those refugees who have UNHCR's documents." She added that some Afghan refugees were arrested at their homes. "In the places where most Afghans live, Pakistani police arrest Afghans from their houses. They know where they are living ... as they were required to register in the nearest police station," she said. Shukria said that "among those arrested include women and children." She added that Afghan refugees are "terrified." "Most of the Afghans do not want to get out of their houses," she said. The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, in a tweet Thursday, said that Taliban officials at the embassy met with officials of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior and had a "serious discussion on the detentions and harassment of Afghans in Pakistan, and it should stop immediately." "The Pakistani side assured the leadership of the [Afghan] embassy of cooperation and added that they only arrest those who do not have legal documents." Abdul Karim Haqqani, a Taliban official in the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, told VOA on Wednesday that 300-400 Afghans have been detained by Pakistani security forces. He added that they are trying to negotiate with the Pakistani officials for their "immediate release." Asif Durrani, Pakistan's newly appointed special envoy to Afghanistan, told VOA that those Afghans "without proper documents, or he or she has overstayed their visa limit, there is a law that they will be detained." Quoting Pakistani officials, local media reported that undocumented Afghans face deportation. But Arsala Khan, an Afghan refugee who works as a laborer at Islamabad's Fruit and Vegetable Market, told VOA that he was detained while working even though he had his refugee card on him. "I was halfway loading a car. I was arrested though I showed my smart card to them," said Khan, who said he was later released on bail. The government of Pakistan, with the support of the United Nations, began issuing smart cards to Afghan refugees in Pakistan in April 2021. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stated that more than 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees are in Pakistan. The U.N. refugee agency says about 3.7 million Afghans are living in Pakistan. Of about 1.6 million Afghans who fled Afghanistan to neighboring countries after the Taliban seized power in August 2021, about 600,000 went to Pakistan, according to the agency. Devon Cone, senior advocate for women and girls at Refugees International, told VOA that refugees who fled to Pakistan after August 2021 "bring a lot of challenges." Cone said that the Afghans who arrived in Pakistan after the fall of Afghanistan into the hands of the Taliban have "limited opportunities." Cone added that newly arrived Afghan refugees in Pakistan are "running out of money. Most of them sold all their belongings in Afghanistan, and almost two years later, they've run out of money ... Their visas expired. They can't work in the labor market. They can't access public education." "And finally, they have mental stress and trauma from having had to flee Afghanistan, [and] not being able to go back," Cone said. Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, told VOA that once refugees cross the border, they have "a right to international protection." "All [refugees] have the right to have their asylum cases treated seriously and fairly," he said. This story originated in VOA's Afghan Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tennessee National Guard Joins Exercise with Bulgarian Partners By Lt. Col. Marlin Malone, Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office June 12, 2023 SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Approximately 70 Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard landed in Bulgaria June 11 to begin the international joint readiness exercise Thracian Sentry 2023. More than 170 military personnel from the Bulgarian Armed Forces, the Hellenic Air Force in Greece, and the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard have partnered to develop and improve skills that include combat medical care, aircraft fire rescue, joint operations, logistics and sustainment, aeromedical evacuation and weapons training. Thracian Sentry 2023 highlights the 30-year State Partnership Program relationship between the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and the Tennessee National Guard and commemorates many years of military cooperation. This exercise also allows Tennesseans to improve their readiness alongside their Bulgarian counterparts and to train combat-ready Soldiers and Airmen. "For three decades, Tennessee and Bulgaria have worked to grow and develop together across a wide variety of military capabilities," said Col. Jason Glass, Tennessee's assistant adjutant general-air. "This year's Thracian Sentry 23 exercise will display a level of advanced security cooperation and partnership that will further strengthen the regional stability across Southeast Europe and the Black Sea." One of the more complex elements of the exercise is the use of the U.S. Air Force's new doctrine, Agile Combat Employment. "ACE shifts operations from centralized physical infrastructures to a network of smaller, dispersed locations that can complicate adversary planning and provide more options for joint force commanders," according to the Air Force. This new way of operating will increase the way commanders can attack adversary targets by coming from multiple locations and directions while better protecting U.S. and allied forces. ACE will also employ and Thracian Sentry 23 will help develop the concept of multicapable Airmen. The goal is to have Airmen trained in expeditionary skills that might fall outside their main area of expertise, increasing flexibility. "Tennessee and Bulgaria are ready to employ this new doctrine through teamwork that has developed over many years of friendship and cooperation," said Glass. "There is nothing we can't accomplish together." The name Thracian Sentry comes from the term Thrace, used by the ancient Greeks to describe the tribes and inhabitants of Southeast Europe that has evolved into what is Bulgaria and some surrounding nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York National Guard Unit Deploys to Eastern Europe By Sgt. 1st Class Warren Wright, New York National Guard June 12, 2023 FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Thirty-five New York Army National Guard Soldiers marked the beginning of their deployment to Eastern Europe following weeks of training and fulfilling readiness requirements. The Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Main Command Post-Operational Detachment (MCP-OD), based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, flew to Romania and Poland June 10. They joined their active-duty counterparts of the 10th Mtn. Div. headquarters, already in Europe, to expand capabilities and enhance the division's mission as part of NATO's commitment to security and stability in the region. "I'm absolutely proud of everyone in the MCP-OD," said Lt. Col. Alvin D. Phillips, MCP-OD's commander. "That includes the support staff, as well as the Soldiers who answered the call to serve and preserve what I feel is a real-world mission." Most of the deploying Soldiers volunteered for the mission, including multiple Soldiers from other units across the state, as the 10th Mtn. Div. had specific requirements for which military occupational specialties they required. The mobilization occurred on an accelerated timeline, according to Capt. Darren Hagen, the detachment's executive officer. Soldiers had limited time to meet deployment requirements, including weapons qualifications, medical and physical fitness tests. "The MCP-OD is trained, they're equipped and they're well-integrated within the 10th Mtn. Div. headquarters," Phillips said. "This is what they've trained for. They understand their mission, they understand their capabilities, and they're prepared to go." Brig. Gen. Joseph Biehler, the commanding general of the NYARNG's 53rd Troop Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowarski, the NYARNG senior enlisted leader, bid farewell to the MCP-OD Soldiers during an informal gathering. "I wish you all the best," Biehler said. "You're going to come back with a lot of great experience (working with a division headquarters). Take that experience, come back, feel good about yourself, be confident, and look to the horizon." The detachment will serve approximately six months in Europe as part of the U.S. commitment to provide a robust deterrent and defensive posture alongside allies across the continent. The detachment last deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mtn. Div. headquarters in 2018 for a 10-month deployment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 12, 2023 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Defense Minister of North Macedonia Slavjanka Petrovska to the Pentagon Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Defense Minister of North Macedonia Slavjanka Petrovska SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, Madam Minister, it's great to welcome you back to the Pentagon. Since your country joined NATO three years ago, our bilateral relationship has grown even stronger. North Macedonia has long been a great friend to the United States and both our interests and our values drive us to pursue a Europe that is free, whole and at peace. As Russia continues to wage its cruel and unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine, I am truly grateful for North Macedonia's work to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need. The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia also contributes to NATO vigilance activities on the alliance's eastern flank, as well as to the KFOR mission. With the NATO Summit in Vilnius coming up in July, I look forward to discussing our other shared defense priorities. Now, we're not just proud NATO allies, we also have a long and strong bilateral defense relationship. Today, I'm proud that we will jointly sign the United States-Republic of North Macedonia roadmap for defense cooperation. Now, this roadmap lays out our goals for a bilateral defense relationship over the next 10 years and it shows ways that we can work together on modernization and focus our security cooperation to work to address today's global threat environment. So Madam Minister, I look forward to a great conversation today, and again, we are delighted to have you here at the Pentagon. DEFENSE MINISTER SLAVJANKA PETROVSKA: Well, thank you very much, Secretary of Defense Mr. Austin. I'm glad that today, I have the opportunity to meet you. It's my pleasure to be in Washington, in the Pentagon, to discuss all of the items that we have on our table. But first, at the beginning, let me express my gratitude and my honor to be here but also for the support that the United States of America has given to North Macedonia throughout the years. Several years ago, my country was suffering and struggling with an internal security crisis. Today, several years later, we are a member state of NATO. We are going together with the United States and with the other alliances shoulder-to-shoulder in our fight, in meeting all the challenges that we are having and we are sharing, and we are doing quite well with that. Last year, the United States of America gave huge support to North Macedonia. It was financial assistance, but throughout these years, the assistance that we are receiving from your side is very precious. It's not just about the financial assistance, it's the assistance that we are getting throughout different kind of exercises, knowledge, experience, and transfer of knowledge of course. We are grateful for that, and North Macedonia as a country, we are proud, that day-to-day, we can contribute to the peace mission that NATO and all the alliances are conducting, including in the region. Today, we are proud that, from a country that was struggling internalli, today, we are contributing to regional peace and security and prosperity. Of course, it's my pleasure once again to be here to meet you and your team and to share our thoughts and views on the topics which are important these days for the security in the world. On the subject of Ukraine, from the very beginning, North Macedonia condemned the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Russia to Ukraine. We are supporting not just politically but throughout the numbers of military donations that we have delivered so far and we will continue to do that as far as we can. Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Welcome, Madam Minister. We're delighted to have you. Thanks, everybody. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3425275/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 12, 2023 By Joseph Clark , DOD News U.S., North Macedonia Defense Officials Hold Bilateral Talks, Lay Out 10-Year Roadmap for Defense Ties Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and the Defense Minister of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska, pledged to further solidify the two countries' defense relationship today during a meeting at the Pentagon. The two leaders met, in part, to sign a 10-year roadmap for defense cooperation which lays out goals for the two countries to work together on addressing shared defense challenges. "North Macedonia has long been a great friend to the United States and both our interests and our values drive us to pursue a Europe that is free, whole and at peace," Austin said as he welcomed Petrovska to the Pentagon. "As Russia continues to wage its cruel and unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine, I am truly grateful for North Macedonia's work to support the Ukranian people in their time of need." Austin praised North Macedonia, a NATO member since 2020, for its contribution to the alliance in addition to celebrating the two countries' "strong bilateral defense relationship." "Today, I'm proud that we will jointly sign the United States-Republic of North Macedonia roadmap for defense cooperation," he said. "This roadmap lays out our goals for a bilateral defense relationship over the next 10 years and shows ways we can work together on modernization and focus our security cooperation to work to address today's global threat environment." Petrovska said North Macedonia will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S. in meeting shared challenges, to include continuing to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression. The Biden administration continues to stand behind Ukraine and has signaled that it will do so for as long as it takes until Russia ends its brutal assault. The U.S. has provided more than $39.7 billion in security assistance to help Ukrainian forces defend their country since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022. The U.S. also continues to lead an alliance of more than 50 countries in rallying behind Ukraine through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Austin said he looks forward to discussing the U.S. and North Macedonia's shared defense priorities further during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM spox says Persian Gulf islands are inseparable parts of Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 12, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani describes three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb as inseparable parts of the Islamic Republic's soil. In reaction to the statement issued at the 156th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council, Kanaani reiterated on Monday that the regional strategy and fundamental policy of the Islamic Republic is to boost and deepen ties with the countries of the (P)GCC and to increase cooperation with neighbors. He expressed hope that regional states would set up new frameworks for cooperation in the region as he urged the countries in the Persian Gulf to adopt prudent views and to refrain from repetitive statements. The official described regional developments in recent months as promising and said that they fall within the interests of all the countries in the region. Regional states have a collective responsibility to promote the interests of the region, he said, adding that Iran has always supported dialogue and cooperation with Persian Gulf countries. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman termed recent claims about Iran's nuclear program as baseless. In cooperation with relevant countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues its peaceful nuclear program based on its rights and in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements (CSA), Kanaani underlined. He voiced Iran's serious determination to turn the Persian Gulf into a stable, safe and prosperous region through cooperation with neighboring and brotherly counties of the (P)GCC bloc. 6125**7129**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan refinery to resume operations on eve of Raisi's visit IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 12, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Production operations in Venezuela's El Palito refinery which stopped about a year ago is expected to resume on Monday with financial and technical assistance provided by Iran and on the eve of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to the Latin American country. The reactivation of El Palito refinery, located in the state of Carabobo, will be made with the cooperation and participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Reuters said in a report on Sunday. "El Palito, the country's smallest refinery, is undergoing major repairs and expansion projects after a 100-million-euro deal signed with the state-owned Iranian National Company of Petroleum Refining and Distribution (NIORDC)," according to the report. Raisi left Tehran early on Monday for a trip to three countries of Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Prior to his departure, Raisi described relations with "independent Latin American states" as strategic. . The visit is the thirteenth foreign trip by the Iranian president since he took office in August 2021. 1483**9417**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on June 5-11, 2023 Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-06-12 International cooperation On June 5-11 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled 15 times to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. On June 5 fighter aircraft of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Detachment were scrambled to intercept one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad and back through international airspace without a pre-filed flight plan, not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre, its onboard transponder off. On June 5 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad and back via international airspace. The flight had no pre-filed plan, the aircraft crew was not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre and kept the onboard transponder switched off. In the course of the same flight NATO fighter aircraft also intercepted two SU-27s escorting the IL-20 from Kaliningrad and then back. The aircraft also had no flight plans, maintained no radio communication and had their onboard transponders off. On June 6 NATO air policing fighter aircraft intercepted one SU-24MR on its way from Kaliningrad to the mainland of the Russian Federation in international airspace. The aircraft had no flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched on and the crew was keeping radio communication. In the course of the same flight one TU-134 was intercepted flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia without the flight plan, with is onboard transponder switched on and maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On June 7 NATO fighter jets were scrabbled to intercepted one IL-20 flying from and back to Kaliningrad through international airspace without the flight plan, not using its onboard transponders and not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. While on the same scramble, NATO fighter jets also intercepted one AN-26 heading from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia through international airspace without the flight plan, with its onboard transponder on and maintaining radio communication. On June 7 NATO air policing fighter jets intercepted one AN-30 that took off from Kaliningrad, flew into international airspace and returned to Kaliningrad without a pre-filed flight plan, though its onboard transponder was on and the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. In the course of the same scramble NATO aircraft also intercepted one IL-20 and two SU-30s flying out of and back to Kaliningrad through international airspace without the pre-filed flight plans, without using the onboard transponders and not maintaining radio comminutions. On June 8 NATO fighter jets were scramble to intercept one AN-30 flying from and back to Kaliningrad via international airspace without a pre-filed plan, its onboard transponder on, maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. While conducting the scramble NATO fighter jets also identified and escorted two SU-30s flying from Kaliningrad and back through international airspace without the flight plans, onboard transponders off, not keeping radio contact. On June 8 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one IL-20 flying in international airspace from and back to Kaliningrad without the flight plan, with its onboard transponders off and not maintaining radio communication. On June 8 NATO air policing fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept IL-20 and SU-27 aircraft of the Russian Federation flying from and back to Kaliningrad via international airspace without having pre-filed a flight plan, not maintaining radio communication, onboard transponders off. On June 9 NATO fighter aircraft identified and escorted one AN-72 flying from mainland Russia and back via international airspace. The flight had no pre-filed plan, the crew was maintaining radio communication and kept the onboard transponder on. In the course of the same scramble NATO fighter jets also intercepted one AN-12 flying in international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, without the pre-filed flight plan, with its onboard transponder switched on, and maintaining radio communication. Also, two TU-22s flying from and back to mainland Russia via international airspace without the flight plan, onboard transponders off, not keeping radio communication. And as well, two SU-30s flying out of the mainland Russia and returning in international airspace without the pre-filed flight plan, without using the onboard transponders and not maintaining radio communication. On June 9 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted two SU-24 and two SU-27 flying from and back to Kaliningrad through international airspace without the pre-filed flight plans, without using the onboard transponders and not maintaining radio communication. On June 10 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad and back in international airspace without the flight plan, its onboard transponders switched off, not maintain radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On June 10 NATO fighter jets identified and escorted two SU-30SM that flew into international airspace from Kaliningrad and returned, not using the onboard transponders, not maintaining radio communication, and without the pre-filed plans for the flight. On June 10 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept two SU-27s flying from and back to Kaliningrad without the flight plans, not using onboard transponders, not maintaining the radio contact. On June 10 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept two TUM3 and two SU-30s flying through international airspace from mainland Russia and back. The flight had no pre-filed plan, none of the aircraft used the onboard transponders nor maintained radio communication. On June 11 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted two SU-24M flying from and back to Kaliningrad via international airspace without the flight plans, not using the onboard transponders and not keeping radio contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany hosts biggest ever air exercise of NATO forces NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 12 Jun. 2023 Allied air forces began the largest deployment exercise in NATO's history on Monday (12 June 2023). Twenty-five nations are taking part in the two-week long "Air Defender" exercise, with around 10,000 personnel and 250 aircraft. "Air Defender sends a clear message that NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory", said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, adding, "Air Defender is necessary because we live in a more dangerous world. As we face the biggest security crisis in a generation, we stand united to keep our countries and our people safe." The exercise, she added, "is a strong display of Germany's commitment, and capabilities and we thank Germany for hosting this record exercise. With 250 aircraft, including around 100 from the United States, Air Defender also demonstrates the strong bond between Europe and North America, working together in NATO." Exercise "Air Defender" has been planned for several years. Hosted and led by Germany, it will help ensure NATO air forces are trained and ready to respond together. Most of the aircraft will be stationed on several German air bases. Training missions will primarily take place over the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and Southern Germany. The drills are aimed at boosting interoperability and preparedness to protect against aircraft, drones and missiles attacks on cities and critical infrastructure. Other training events will include supporting ground troops and evacuation missions. Air Defender will run until 23 June. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wider Europe Briefing: What Can Ukraine Expect At NATO's Vilnius Summit? Plus, The EU's New Migration Quandary By Rikard Jozwiak June 12, 2023 Brief #1: What Will Ukraine Get At The Upcoming NATO Summit? What You Need To Know: The NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12 will essentially focus on one thing: Ukraine and its relationship with the military alliance. Two things will for sure be offered to Kyiv. First, there will be an agreement on a multiyear, possibly even open-ended, assistance package to assist Ukraine in transitioning from Soviet-era military doctrine to NATO standards and weapons. This, of course, is already under way with all the weapons and training provided by Western allies since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A potential pot of 500 million euros ($538 million) a year has been touted to assist Ukraine, but that figure could rise or fall depending on the discussion in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. The second deliverable Ukraine will likely receive is an update of the political relationship between Kyiv and the alliance. The current NATO-Ukraine Commission is set to become a fully-fledged NATO-Ukraine Council -- in essence meaning that Kyiv will be sitting at the table as an equal. In the commission previously, Ukraine was only invited to participate in meetings with the NATO member states, but now it can call a meeting whenever it wants, with NATO officials believing that a council will deepen cooperation in various policy fields. Setting up the council with Ukraine is also seen as the morally right thing to do, as there is already a NATO-Russia Council, even though it has been dormant since early 2022. The hope among NATO officials is that the inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council will be chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Vilnius, but it's more than possible that Hungary might spoil that party in July. For years, Budapest has blocked meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission over its testy bilateral relations with Kyiv, partly because of ethnic Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine. Deep Background: More money and an upgraded meeting format will be very beneficial to Ukraine, but Kyiv is looking and hoping for more. Rather, the country wants to know when it can join the alliance, and what sort of security guarantees it can rely on until then. Those two questions will be on everyone's mind going into the two-day powwow. Kyiv was already promised future membership at NATO's Bucharest summit in 2008 and the alliance has since then continuously repeated that its door remains open. But it never offered a pathway, or in NATO terms, a Membership Action Plan (MAP). So, in short, Vilnius cannot be another Bucharest. Yet, it is also clear that the offer of immediate membership for Kyiv won't be on the table in Lithuania. Western officials and politicians alike have pointed out that this doesn't make sense for a country in the middle of a war with a nuclear-armed neighbor. Instead, expect plenty of creativity on how the wording around future membership of the bloc will be phrased in the final summit declaration and something similar on security guarantees that might not make it into the final communique but is rather agreed on the sidelines. Drilling Down: The drafting of the Vilnius summit declaration has just started, and the most ambitious language will be something akin to Ukraine receiving an "invitation to join NATO when conditions allow." The most controversial word in that sentence is "invite," which many might see as too much too soon. The most likely scenario is that there will be some sort of qualifier before it, such as "consider inviting" or "look into the possibility of inviting." Some eastern NATO members want a concrete timeline or plan for when Ukraine can join, but it is hard to agree on anything more precise when no one knows quite how the war will pan out. But their position is believed to be a key starting point for the negotiations. Security guarantees are splitting opinions as well. French President Emmanuel Marcon recently talked about "clear and tangible security guarantees" for Ukraine. He noted that Kyiv is already de facto being protected by the alliance and is so well-equipped that it needs to be "reanchored" in some sort of security framework. Much talk has focused on an "Israel scenario" -- essentially meaning arming the country to the teeth. But there are certain issues with that. One is that Israel is a nuclear power; Ukraine isn't, but it is fighting one. Israel also sometimes strikes deep into neighboring countries to secure its safety, sometimes even as far as Iran. It is believed that Ukraine has carried out strikes on Russian territory, for example, using drones and artillery to target sites like fuel depots and pipelines. While NATO countries have generally looked the other way, it does make the alliance and its members very nervous. Of course, there are also the types of bilateral security guarantees given to the likes of Sweden and Finland by the United Kingdom and the United States during their ratification period to be NATO members. But, unlike Ukraine, those countries are not in a war that is likely to drag on. Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has been promoting a "security compact" in which a core group of allies provide yet unspecified security guarantees -- something that also has been referred to as "deterrence by denial." But what does it mean in practice? And would it eventually entail Western boots on the ground in Ukraine? Many officials I have spoken to on background, notably from eastern NATO members, see all the talk of various "security guarantees" as something of a fig leaf, so the alliance can avoid making any crucial decision on membership. They point out that the only security guarantee NATO can truly offer is its Article 5 guarantee -- an attack on one alliance member is an attack on all. For them, membership sooner rather than later is the only real guarantee. In Vilnius, the hard part will be finding the right language to satisfy everyone -- including, of course, Ukraine. Brief #2: A New Agreement On Migrants Coming To The EU What You Need To Know: Of all the crises that have hit the European Union in recent years, the migration crisis of 2015-16 was probably the one that truly threatened to rip the bloc apart. Frontline Mediterranean member states such as Greece, Malta, and Italy were furious about what they perceived as a lack of solidarity from the rest; several eastern member states flatly refused to take in migrants; and countries such as Germany and Sweden saw a huge influx of new arrivals that has shaped political debates ever since. As one senior EU official recently put it in a briefing to journalists: "in Europe, you still lose or win elections on the issue of migration." So, it was with a certain triumph that the bloc's interior ministers, after three years of difficult talks, on June 8 announced that they had reached an agreement of sorts to revamp the way the bloc handles all aspects of migration. It comes as so-called "irregular border crossings" at the EU's external borders are spiking. In the first four months of the year, the number of crossings reached nearly 81,000 -- 30 percent more than a year ago and the highest total for the January-April period since 2016. Most of those crossings are coming through what is called the Central Mediterranean route, meaning largely that people, mostly of African or Middle Eastern origin, are trying to get into Italy. Deep Background: Italy, whose hard-right leader Giorgia Meloni has made limiting migration the cornerstone of her premiership, is the key player and has become more insistent on asking other member states to relieve some of the burden the country is currently facing. And while the entire issue is complex, with two legislative proposals underpinning the new migration pact, each of which has well over 100 pages, the rough battle lines are that many southern states want others in the EU to share the burden, while many northern countries fear that southerners are just letting in migrants so they can continue on to other EU states, a practice known as the secondary movement of migrants. Ukrainian refugees are in a different situation. Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine last year, and for the first time ever, the EU triggered the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians fleeing the war. That meant that they could get residence permits in the bloc and have access to local labor markets and other forms of welfare benefits. This measure was recently and unanimously prolonged by another year. So, for now, the 4 million Ukrainians currently residing in the EU are covered by the directive. In the future, that could well change. Drilling Down: So, what is the centerpiece of the June 8 agreement? Essentially, it is to get rid of the long-standing current framework in which the first country that receives migrants, normally a Mediterranean EU member state, is legally required to process their asylum applications and send them back if they don't get refugee status. To avoid mandatory migrant quotas to ease the burden on the frontline states -- something that is anathema for some eastern member states -- a concept called "mandatory solidarity" is envisioned. You either accept a certain number of migrants per year based on criteria such as a member state's size and GDP per capita, or you can pay to opt out from the relocation program. For months, member states have been haggling about what price per migrant a country should pay to be able to opt out, settling in the end on 20,000 euros ($21,543) -- a figure derived by calculating the average cost to process and accommodate an asylum seeker for one year. Still many, notably in the east, are balking at such a high cost and have asked why they should pay when they are already hosting many Ukrainian refugees, which is a significant financial burden. The aim is to relocate some 30,000 people per year throughout the bloc. Should the target be missed, then EU states could be allocated a certain number of asylum seekers instead of sending them back to the first country of entry. The deal was sealed when Italy received assurances that it could reject migrants staying on its territory and when the number of countries that EU countries consider safe enough for denied applicants to be sent to was increased. More money for Tunisia was also promised, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing on June 11 that the country could receive as much as 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) to help the economy and prevent people from attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first place. In the end, not all the 27 member states gave a thumbs-up to the agreement when voting in the EU's Council of Ministers. Bulgaria, Malta, Lithuania, and Slovakia abstained, while Hungary and Poland voted against, but the pact passed by qualified-majority voting -- 55 percent of member states, representing at least 65 percent of the EU population, voting in favor. Arguments ranged from the fact that 20,000 euros per migrant is too steep and, in fact, constitutes a compulsory relocation and that the pact will actually act as a trigger for people coming to Europe. Don't be surprised to see Budapest and Warsaw challenging the decision in court or even refusing to participate. But it doesn't stop there. What the 27 are trying to agree on is just something resembling a joint position to enter negotiations with the more migration-friendly European Parliament, which is a co-legislator together with the Council of Ministers on home-affairs issues. Expect talks and tricky negotiations to continue throughout the year and the pact to potentially be ready ahead of the European Parliament elections in June 2024, where it's likely to be a real hot-button issue. Looking Ahead EU member states might on June 14 finally agree on the bloc's next sanctions package on Russia. Presented in early May, many thought that it would be agreed quickly but approval has been held up, notably by Germany, which has been busy watering down a proposal that eventually could make the EU go after third countries and companies that the bloc deems to be intentionally circumventing sanctions on the Kremlin. Hungary and Greece have also reportedly been angered that some companies linked to Athens and Budapest have been put on a Ukrainian "name and shame list" of entities still doing business with Moscow and have said that Kyiv must do something about this before the new sanctions package can be green-lit. The presidential and parliamentary elections are over in Turkey and this means that diplomatic efforts between Stockholm and Ankara will resume this week to find a way to lift the Turkish veto on Sweden's NATO accession. Senior civil servants from the two countries will meet in Turkey early this week before the defense ministers from both states are likely to discuss the issue again when they meet for the NATO defense ministerial meeting in Brussels on June 15-16. The alliance's goal is still that Sweden can become the 32nd NATO member before the Vilnius summit in mid-July, but the clock is ticking for the Turkish (and Hungarian) parliaments to overcome their objections and vote in favor of Swedish membership ratification. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/32455301.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 Bulgaria's Judicial Council Votes to Dismiss Geshev As Chief Prosecutor, Await President's Signature By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service June 12, 2023 SOFIA -- Bulgaria has moved to dismiss powerful Prosecutor-General Ivan Geshev halfway through his seven-year term amid growing domestic and Western frustration with his failure to tackle endemic corruption. Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council voted on June 12 to oust Geshev following months of political intrigue that included an alleged bomb attack against the prosecutor-general. President Rumen Radev must sign off on the dismissal before it becomes official. The council's decision comes on the heels of a new coalition government in Bulgaria that had made the removal of Geshev, one of the most powerful political figures in the country, a priority. The 52-year-old Geshev immediately denounced the council's decision, blaming former longtime Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and influential tycoon Delyan Peevski for his ouster. Geshev had been seen as a loyal appointee of Borisov and Peevski, who together had dominated Bulgarian politics for much of the past 14 years. But Borisov recently backed calls for Geshev's dismissal as his GERB party sought to form a coalition government with We Continue The Change-Democratic Bulgaria. Geshev was elected in late 2019 to a seven-year term by the 25-member council, believed to be under the control of Borisov and Peevski. His election immediately triggered outrage among activists who accused Geshev of politically targeted investigations while serving as the special anticorruption prosecutor. Geshev's decision the following year to order the search of an aide to Radev, who initially rejected his election, gave new impetus to a growing antigovernment protest movement. Geshev was soon accused by Bulgarian tycoons of launching criminal cases in an attempt to seize their assets. They took their complaint to Capitol Hill, hiring Washington lobbyists to make their case. Geshev's actions and inactions caught the attention of the U.S. Senate, which criticized his office for failure to rein in corruption in a rare rebuke of a NATO nation. Representative Warren Davidson (Republican-Ohio) signaled out Geshev in a December letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, saying there has been an "escalation in the misconduct of the Bulgarian judiciary" since the Senate rebuke. The United States and Britain in February sanctioned several Bulgarian individuals for corruption in what some experts interpreted as growing frustration in Washington and London over Geshev's failure to crackdown on powerful people involved in graft. Bulgaria ranks among the bottom in the European Union in corruption perception, according to Transparency International. Amid the growing heat, Geshev in May claimed he was the target of a roadside bomb attack that critics said was staged in an attempt to boost his image as an anticorruption crusader. However, his political star was jeopardized after Borisov's GERB agreed to form a coalition government with We Continue The Change-Democratic Bulgaria, which has been a strong critic of Geshev. As part of the coalition agreement, the new government agreed to remove Geshev. Radev has not indicated when he will sign Geshev's dismal as there is no deadline. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-council-dismisses- geshev-prosecutor/32456098.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 Romanian Prime Minister Transfer Moves Forward Following Settlement Of Teacher Strike By RFE/RL's Romanian Service June 12, 2023 BUCHAREST -- Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on June 12 submitted his resignation as part of a scheduled plan to swap premiers following the 2020 parliamentary elections that left the two leading parties with near-equal strength. Ciuca, of the National Liberal Party (PNL), will step aside for coalition partner Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), a move delayed for three weeks due to the nation's teacher strike, which appeared to be settled on June 12. Catalin Predoiu will serve as interim prime minister until Ciolacu is able to form a government. Predoiu was a former justice minister who had previously served as an interim prime minister for three days in February 2012. The PNL and PSD had agreed that the PSD would replace the PNL at the helm of government at the halfway point of the term. The next parliamentary election is scheduled for late 2024. But the switch was delayed by three weeks due to a teacher strike in the country, with Ciolacu saying he did not want to take office before an agreement was reached with the teachers' unions. On June 12, the unions accepted a government offer for an average 25 percent salary increase. "Considering that this conflict in the education sector has been ended, today the moment has come when I am ending my activity as prime minister of Romania," Ciuca said. Ciolacu's resignation from the leadership of the Senate -- a post that Ciuca will assume -- the allegation of ministries, and the installation of the government is expected to take place at the end of the week. Ciolacu hailed the smooth transfer of power and congratulated the coalition partner for "keeping its word" over the deal, which stipulated the change at the midway point of the term. The main ministries that are the subject of negotiations include the Transport and Development ministries, which will finalize in 2024 multiple projects with electoral impact in local and county communities. The Finance, Environment, Energy, Interior, European Funds, and Justice ministries are also the subject of discussion. With reporting by dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romanian-prime-minister- transfer-teacher-strike/32455993.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 Finland Completes Military Integration With NATO Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The head of the Finnish Defense Forces and the NATO supreme allied commander in charge of transformation signed a declaration on Monday, marking the closure of the Nordic nation's military integration with NATO. "As an affirmation of fulfillment of the Integration Phase objectives by the Finnish Defence Forces today, the 12th day of June 2023, we hereby declare the formal end of the Integration Phase," the joint statement read. Gen. Timo Kivinen of Finland and Gen. Philippe Lavigne of France, the current NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, signed the declaration at a ceremony in the Presidential Palace in Helsinki in the presence of Finnish leader Sauli Niinisto. "Finland's accession to NATO is a game changer, a major contribution to our collective defense. A decisive step towards restoring stability on the European continent," Gen. Lavigne said. Finland, along with its neighbor Sweden, applied to join NATO in May 2022, months after a conflict broke out in Ukraine. Sweden's entry process was stalled by Turkey, while Finland went on become a formal NATO member in April, which marked the start of the final phase of its military integration with the US-dominated alliance. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Largest Air Force Exercise Air Defender 23 Starts in Germany Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO's multinational exercise, Air Defender 23, the largest air force deployment in the bloc's history, has started in Germany, involving 10,000 personnel and hundreds of aircraft from 25 countries, the alliance said on Monday. "German-led multinational exercise Air Defender 23 is the largest air force deployment in NATO's history. From June 12-23, the goal is to exercise air operations with Allied and Partner air forces. The focus is on optimizing and expanding cooperation among participating nations," the bloc said in a statement. The participants of the training will focus on conducting operations to defend the territory of member states under the so-called Article 5 scenario, deploying air forces in response to a potential attack on a member state to fight against "hybrid occupation forces" of the enemy, the statement also read. As many as 10,000 personnel and over 250 aircraft from 25 countries are expected to take part in the drills, with the United States in particular sending its air national guard units to Germany, the alliance stated. It added that by organizing and conducting the training, the allies and Germany, in particular, demonstrate its readiness to take more responsibility in a changing global security environment. Japan and Sweden, which is currently seeking membership in the bloc, are also participating in the drills, which Germany started to plan and organize as early as in 2018. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony with the #AfghanEvac Coalition US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State National Museum of American Diplomacy Washington, D.C. June 12, 2023 MS TEKACH: Good afternoon and thank you for joining us here today at the National Museum of American Diplomacy to recognize the extraordinary efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers elemental to the unique and unprecedented collaboration and partnership between the United States Department of State and the #AfghanEvac Coalition. My name is Mara Tekach. I am the coordinator for Afghan relocation efforts at - in the department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Since October 2022, I have had the great privilege of managing State's operations to relocate eligible Afghans to the United States and the honor to work alongside all of you in this incredible effort toward the shared goal of keeping the promise we made to Afghan allies. What makes this effort so unique? It is the heartfelt support of volunteers like you and the hard work that is embodied in the #AfghanEvac Coalition. Our partnership is the cornerstone of our mutual success. I would like to extend our deep thanks to Secretary Blinken for how highly he places the priority of keeping our promises to our Afghan allies. Thank you to our other honored guests for taking the time to join us for this ceremony to recognize this vital partnership and its vital work: Under Secretary John Bass, Ambassador Timmy Davis, Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary Don Lu, NSC Chief of Staff Curtis Ried, and Congressman Zach Nunn. You embody the incredible interdepartmental and interagency collaboration that makes this undertaking succeed. CARE staff and #AfghanEvac engage in a disciplined partnership. We meet biweekly like clockwork to exchange critical information, discuss operations, provide feedback, and find solutions to the goal of relocating and resettling Afghans. Your insights and ideas, often delivered to us by the kinetic Shawn VanDiver - (laughter) - and thoughtful March Bishop give us, your government counterparts, constructive material with which to target actions more precisely and to move more nimbly. And lest we get too caught up in procedure and process, Shawn, we know your friendly but spirited reproach is not far away, keeping us on our toes. (Laughter.) We at CARE welcome the feedback that helps us monitor progress and encourages us to move faster and smarter. Our partnership with the #AfghanEvac Coalition gives us a single conduit through which to collaborate with more than 200 organizations. This rare efficiency allows CARE to maximize our focus on operations. As CARE's operations scale up, go wide, and drill down, as we work with #AfghanEvac to relocate more Afghans faster, we share each success together with dedicated public-facing comrades in arms. Thanks to you, we are trimming the bureaucracy. A few examples: the elimination of the DS-157 as a step in the SIV application has streamlined that process; better systems have been put in place for assisting individuals through our platforms in less time, a change which will also benefit other refugee populations around the world; and a pathway for the reunification of separated families, with the creation of the famous DS-4317. #AfghanEvac had a hand in all of those successes and so many more, and lives have been changed as a result. We are grateful for your continued partnership. CARE is so proud not just to be working to relocate Afghans, but also to be working with so many talented Afghans whose presence on our team makes us stronger - like Yalda Rezayee, whose hard work and organization over the last weeks helped make this very event possible; and Farid Afghanzai, whose thoughtful analysis enables us to have a more thorough understanding of crucial issues on the ground. There are many other Afghans who have joined CARE and help keep us on track and moving forward. Thank you all, and thank you as well to the entire CARE team, who bring their diligence, talent, and heart every day to assist our Afghan allies. Winston Churchill said that where there is resolute purpose, great strides are made. I am so glad all of you could be here, both present and watching at home, on a day we honor our shared solidarity, pride, and resolute purpose. Together we have made great strides and are poised for even more. Now I'd like to invite the kinetic Shawn VanDiver - (laughter) - to say a few words. (Applause.) MR VANDIVER: "Kinetic" is quite a descriptor. Thank you, Mara. It has been an incredible honor to work with you and the entire team at CARE. Under your leadership, we have accomplished so much more than I think people would have said was even possible; some would have said it's impossible. Thank you also to my friends and colleagues from #AfghanEvac and all of our coalition members who traveled here today from all over the country to celebrate this work that we've been doing together for so long. Thank you to everyone within government who took the time to be here and recognize the importance of this work and this collaboration. Everyone here looks pretty great considering we've been on Kabul time for two years, right? (Laughter.) Look, the State Department impacts lives all over the world every day, changing the course of history with its work. And we're standing in a place where many of those amazing achievements are featured and honored through museum displays. One day, I believe that this work that we're doing together will be remembered for time immemorial in rooms just like this, but not yet. There is still so much more to be done, and I am grateful to be here today to reaffirm that we will continue to do this vital work together. #AfghanEvac was born when my buddy Lucky texted me from a mountaintop in Urgun, eight hours outside of Kabul. He told me that he was out of ammunition and believed he wasn't going to make it. He asked me to fulfill his final request and to get his wife and children out of Afghanistan and back to San Diego. I promised him that I would try, just as so many volunteers in this room and in this space were making similar promises at that same time. This effort continues nearly two years later because an unprecedented, diverse cross section of America stood up to help thousands of others. We've got everyone from veterans and frontline civilians to a children's book author, corporate executives, a member of Congress, and former senior U.S. government officials among our ranks. This is a shared experience of folks putting their lives on hold and pushing themselves to the limit for people half a world away. This is the story of America, of immigration and diversity and people of different beliefs and backgrounds coming together with a common purpose and bridging divides, closing the gaps that exist between citizens and their government, between the U.S. and Afghanistan, closing the gap between an Afghan family escaping persecution and that family finding a safe home here in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world. Like Lucky, who against all odds made it out of Kabul - and with just a little bit of help he and his family made it out. He's here with us today, and he exemplifies the story of the Afghan allies that we're working so hard to assist. Lucky lives in Texas now and is the owner of Afghan markets there and in Oklahoma. He has applied for U.S. citizenship, and when he takes the oath to become a citizen, our country will be stronger and better for it. (Applause.) And so this is also the story of creating new Americans, of creating generational change. Lucky may have been the inspiration for #AfghanEvac, but this effort has continued because of the determination of the hundreds and likely thousands of everyday Americans - like all of you - in and out of government and civil society who believe in the promise of America. This partnership that we are recognizing today is an amazing feat of civic engagement. It is the very definition of democracy. And that idea, the idea of collaborating with the private sector on this, began in a small room right here in this building back in September 2021 with JP Feldmayer and now-Ambassador Timmy Davis, enabled by State Department Chief of Staff Suzy George and Under Secretary John Bass. They recognized government could not take on this daunting challenge alone. And their expeditionary approach allowed us to chart a new path forward. People from all walks of life have joined together with our State Department to live our values, and the result has shaped the course of world events. I want to recognize our #AfghanEvac team who represent all 50 states and several countries working together to help honor our allies. There are folks who break down barriers. We have people who started as #AfghanEvac volunteers and now work at State. March Bishop, Chuck Rush, and more recently Jessica Bradley Rushing like many of you, their lives can be broken down into two distinct eras: before and after the fall of Kabul. They came into the bureaucracy of federal government and blazed trails, finding new and creative ways to solve longstanding problems. And look, I know that many in this room would agree with me when I say that they are nothing short of American heroes. (Applause.) Many of the people in this room have been with #AfghanEvac since day one, like Joe Saboe from Team America, whose team led intel briefs back in August of 2021; and Maggie Feldman-Piltch from Operation Eagle, who I met because a member of Congress sent me a text after the airport fell with her phone number, and that's it. I dropped into yet another chat, bringing the number to about 15 separate, disconnected groups that I was involved in, like so many of you, all working in silos on the same issue, which inspired us to establish the coordination calls and led to the coalition that we have today. We have folks in our team that represent the most vulnerable among us with their expertise and their ideas as well as their own identities. People from the Hazara community like Mahnaz Akbari who commanded the first female tactical platoon with Afghan Special Forces and has been working to help relocate her sisters-in-arms still in Afghanistan all while getting support for those she helped get here to the U.S. (Applause.) Our team also includes other Afghan women like Naheed Farid, who served as a member of parliament from Herat and has been fighting tooth and nail for Afghan women since she arrived. (Applause.) We have people who keep us as a coalition focused on the challenges at hand, like Angela and Jordan, who are all over P-1 and P-2 issues. (Laughter.) We have folks that help the helpers like Kate Kay, who created our Resilience Duty Officer Program. (Applause.) And we have a lot of noisy people. I mean not me, but definitely others. (Laughter.) But we have so many quiet operators getting things done behind the scenes, like Judy and Leannne. (Applause.) This is a team of doers. Very few coalition members get paid for this. Everyone has sacrificed for this and all of our lives have been changed by this. There are so many who couldn't be with here with us today and are just as worthy of recognition as anyone else here. There are space constraints. Some couldn't make it due to day jobs, finances, or the circumstances of life. We've also - we've lost allies with whom we've worked during this effort as well as some of our volunteers. Those losses have impacted each of us. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the great sacrifice that our loved ones have made. As we've thrown ourselves into this work, our friends and families have given up precious time with us, and they certainly deserve our gratitude. I am blown away by the tenacity, the determination, and the patriotism of folks here, and not just our volunteers. Our government partners here at State and across the interagency, the allies that we are trying to help, and certainly the incredible coalition of folks here in this room. This is a group made to build bridges and break down walls. I want to recognize the partnership that we're renewing today, which is a testament to this department and its leadership. To Secretary Blinken and Under Secretary Bass, to your willingness to do things differently, to your willingness to bridge the gap between the government and the people - it has been a whole-of-government collaboration, and we would never have seen such success without the efforts of folks like Curtis Ried and Jacqui Pilch and so many others on the NSC team, as well as Adam, Emily, Jason, Becky, and Lisa, and so many others from across the various departments and agencies that we work with. The progress that we have made together is real. We have seen extraordinary successes, and that feeling we get every time we get a get a text or a call from someone we've worked with getting on a flight is unmatched. USRAP case processing has been revolutionized at CAS, going from 18 months or more down to 30 or 60 days. This has since expanded to 12 locations around the world. The SIV process has been streamlined, and we're working on more changes to further decrease those processing times. We are collaborating across the interagency to align communications, increase the frequency of messaging, and ensure we are reducing uncertainty at every opportunity. There is no doubt that this work is historic. But before we call it history, we have to finish the job. So here's my message to the decision makers in the room: There remain places in the world, including here in the U.S., where Afghans are languishing awaiting permanence. Throughput and capacity for relocations continue to improve, but we have not yet hit our goals. We must move faster and process more people. (Applause.) We must further streamline the SIV process, and the efficiencies in USRAP case processing must be implemented globally. Afghans in the refugee track need more attention, and at-risk populations must be prioritized. (Applause.) Well, but sir, we've got a laundry list. It's my only opportunity. We must continue to work with allies and partner nations to find solutions to these issues in a way that emphasizes the dignity and humanity of those in need. Resettlement agencies need additional resources. Time and again, our colleagues are bridging the gap between what resettlement agencies can provide and what our new neighbors actually need for a warm welcome. And while there will always be a need for civil society to bridge the gap between government and people, for our democracy to deliver we need government to help us shrink the gap. And that's what we're doing here today. We are demonstrating the American promise in action and renewing our commitment to the work ahead. We are building bridges and solidifying this partnership, and we are saying to our Afghan friends you are not forgotten, we are here and we are working together today and into the future to bridge the gaps, close the divides, and keep the promise. The war in Afghanistan began in the wake of 9/11, a tragedy which unified the nation. And this work started just eight months after January 6th, when the bitter divides present in our country were more prevalent than ever and threatened our democracy. This team - both volunteers and government partners alike - and the work that we continue to accomplish together represents the kind of incredible outcomes that we can achieve when we shed our differences and unify toward a common goal. Thank you for having us all here, thank you for recognizing these incredible volunteers, and thank you for renewing this partnership. (Applause.) I think you're up. MS TEKACH: Thank you, Shawn. Now, I would like to invite to the stage a leader who has put the strength of the entire State Department behind this humanitarian effort, Secretary Antony Blinken. (Applause.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, thank you, everyone, and good afternoon. First, it seems apparent that there's been a name change today, and Shawn's new first name is "Kinetic." (Laughter). We'll try to formalize that with the appropriate authorities in the days ahead. But Mara, first of all, thank you for kicking us off. Thank you for sharing so much of the remarkable work that's been done, but especially thank you for helping to lead this effort, to fulfill the commitment that President Biden and I have made to Afghans who stood with us over so many years. Shawn "Kinetic," - (laughter) - thank you for bringing us together today, but especially for your extraordinary leadership of the #AfghanEvac Coalition. Now, virtually every one of us in this room in some fashion or another has been on the receiving end of Shawn's tenacious advocacy. Maybe that's another possible first name: Tenacious. But I can say this: Our Afghan partners are deeply, deeply fortunate to have you in their corner, and we're grateful to have Shawn as a partner. To everyone else who is here - Members of Congress, including Representative Nunn - leaders from across this department who've been playing key roles in this relocation effort, including our Ambassador to Qatar Timmy Davis (applause), to the entire CARE team, to our Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, who has done remarkable work, to John Bass, who has his heart and soul in this effort, and so many other colleagues - and especially, especially to our #AfghanEvac Coalition volunteers joining us from around the country - some in this room today, some virtually. Now, as you heard from Shawn, it's actually very fitting that we're meeting in this particular place, the National Museum of American Diplomacy. It honors the contributions of generations of diplomats and aid workers, locally employed staff, civil society partners throughout our history, including in Afghanistan. There's actually a Great Seal emblem from the U.S. Consulate in Herat - a plaque remembering Anne Smedinghoff, an extraordinary Foreign Service officer who gave her life while delivering books to a school in Zabul Province - and a collection of the very books that she and her colleagues were delivering on that day. These items are a reminder not only of the contributions of our diplomats, but also - also of the courage and sacrifice of our servicemembers over two decades in Afghanistan. Their professionalism was on extraordinary display during the evacuation, when they put their lives on the line to help bring more than 120,000 people to safety - American citizens, Afghan partners, citizens of partner countries. Thirteen American heroes gave their lives in that operation. We honor them and all who served in Afghanistan for their truly extraordinary service. When President Biden brought an end to America's longest conflict, he made a commitment that the United States would continue to relocate and resettle our Afghan partners. We are determined - I am determined - to fulfill that pledge, just as this group is. And together that's what we're doing. What began as a 6:30 a.m. call between seven groups in August of 2021 has now evolved into a coalition of more than 200 groups - thousands of volunteers. Many of you are veterans. Catalina Gasper was deployed to Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019. She worked closely with Shams, a facility manager on her compound. And after Kabul fell, Catalina helped evacuate Shams and other SIV applicants. Shams, his wife, his two young children are now here with us in Virginia. He and Catalina still get together regularly to share a meal. Others in this coalition are Afghans drawn to serve their fellow Afghans. Samad served in Embassy Kabul from 2012 to 2014, where he helped coordinate development programs for USAID. He came to Arlington, Virginia as an SIV in 2014. In August 2021, he volunteered his Dari and Pashto skills to help guide our Afghan partners to rendezvous sites in Kabul. Now, as a volunteer at the #AfghanEvac Coalition, he helps newly arrived Afghans by sharing his own experience and answering their questions about resettling in the United States. And many in the coalition are Americans who had never even set foot in Afghanistan - teachers, humanitarian workers, firefighters, other citizens, who wanted to help their fellow human beings in a time of need. Danielle Cosgrove, a former protection officer for the UN Refugee Agency, remotely helped eligible Afghans safely pass through the gates at Hamid Karzai International Airport and get onto planes that were heading to safety. For Catalina, for Samad, for Danielle, who are here with us today - for so many of you in this room - this wasn't a question of whether you would help, but how. You've risen to the challenge with incredible integrity and persistence at every step along the way. And quite honestly, it's your expertise, it's your ideas, it's your local networks that have made all the difference, that have been invaluable in this effort - and we've relied on this partnership for every step of the process. And we heard a little bit about what has been such an effective public-private partnership in this instance, maybe the most effective that I've seen, and a big part of that is our partners pushing us, prodding us, trying to not only break down institutional barriers, but to just break down walls in our own thinking to make sure that we were testing every idea, every option to make this move better, move faster, move forward more effectively. Thank you. (Applause.) Our diplomats worked around the clock with you to coordinate the initial evacuation, and our CARE team - strengthened by the #AfghanEvac Coalition members who chose to contribute their talents to the State Department full-time - Chuck, March, Jessica - has continued to partner with you to relocate and resettle our partners in the United States. And what this comes down to is to the extent that we've been effective - and I believe, as Shawn does, that we have - it's because we worked together in common cause, in common enterprise, with community of purpose and community of action. And that really is a model for what public-private partnerships can be. So thanks to the leadership that we've seen, thanks to our state and local partners, thanks to the generosity of our fellow citizens, we've relocated more than 24,000 Afghans to the United States and third countries since September 2021. Overall - (applause) - overall, we have relocated more than 97,000 Afghans to the United States - Afghans who are going to school, who are starting new jobs, who are settling into their communities. And as Shawn so rightly put it, the next generation of Americans, of our renewal, of our country, of our future - most of us in this room are Americans by accident of birth; they are Americans by choice and they will be our future as well. (Applause.) Finally, because this is so important: For all the success that we've had, as you've heard both of my colleagues say, this job is not yet done. The Memorandum of Understanding that we will shortly sign will allow us to keep sharing information with one another, to coordinate our outreach to additional civil society partners, to guide our ongoing efforts to find more, and better, ways to serve our Afghan partners - both those already here, and those yet to come - and keep pace with their evolving needs. I think what inspires all of us is we talked about some of the numbers just a minute ago. They're impressive. But we know that behind each and every one of those numbers is a real person, a real life, a real story. A mother, a father, a sister, a brother. A son, a daughter. And because of what you've done, because of what you're doing, those stories will continue. They won't be interrupted. And I hope at the very least that each and every one of you who's been involved will take that with you. Of all the things that one has the opportunity to do in life, few things are more meaningful, more powerful, than the opportunity that we have to come to the assistance of our fellow human beings and to make a real difference in making sure that their stories continue, that their contributions continue. That's what you've done. That's what you're doing. That's what we're determined to keep doing until we finish the job. Shawn, you've described the #AfghanEvac Coalition as, and I quote, "the most American thing [that] I've been a part of." And looking out at all of you, I know exactly what you mean. You all show what America is when we're at our best: a compassionate country, full of big-hearted people from different backgrounds, different beliefs - but all ready to drop everything and work together, work as one team, to help other people. A country that honors its tradition of providing refuge to those who need it. As Secretary of State, but mostly as a fellow American: thank you. Thank you for your service. Mara, over to you. (Applause.) MS TEKACH: Thank you, Secretary Blinken. Now we have the privilege of presenting six letters of thanks to individual volunteers whose dedication and ongoing efforts have made such a difference for so many. But to all the #AfghanEvac volunteers here and to those who couldn't join us here today, we say thank you. While a few volunteers are receiving their letters in person today, additional letters will be sent to #AfghanEvac volunteers following this ceremony. We thank you for your hard work, your compassion, and your tenacity. When I call your name, please come up to the stage so Secretary Blinken can present you with your letter. Abdul Manan. (Applause.) Catalina Gasper. (Applause.) Maggie Feldman-Piltch. (Applause.) Samad Fazli. (Applause.) Mahnaz Akbari. (Applause.) Danielle Cosgrove. (Applause.) Now I'd like to ask Shawn back to the stage for the signing ceremony. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Right. MS TEKACH: Shawn will sign one copy while Secretary Blinken signs the other. Then they swap papers and sign the second copy. And then swap again so you have your own original. (Laughter.) (The Memorandum of Understanding was signed.) MR VANDIVER: Lovely. SECRETARY BLINKEN: All right. Now it's official. (Applause.) MS TEKACH: The MOU signed today renews our mutual commitment to share relevant information, coordinate communication, and ensure that both government and private organizations are able to provide our Afghan allies with the support and welcome they deserve. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Secretary Blinken. Thank you, Shawn. Thank you, Deputy Secretary Rich Verma, government partners. Thank you to all of you volunteers without whom we would not have seen such success up to now. (Applause.) And without you, we wouldn't be looking forward to more success in the months and years to come. Your selfless dedication has changed the lives of thousands, and we will have an impact for generations to come. Please join us for the remainder of the reception in our beautiful National Museum of American Diplomacy. Thank you all. (Applause.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at a Joint Press Availability US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC June 12, 2023 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Greetings everyone. Let me begin by extending my condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Berlusconi. Mr. Minister, we're thinking of you, we're thinking of the Italian people at this time. I am so glad to be able to welcome my friend Antonio to the State Department for the first time as foreign minister. We've seen each other repeatedly around the world, including just a couple of weeks ago in Oslo for the NATO ministerial, and today we picked up where we left off in an ongoing conversation, building on the close alliance that we share and the longstanding ties between our nations. We, of course, discussed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We admire Prime Minister Meloni's strong, principled leadership. Earlier this year in Irpin, the prime minister signed a Ukrainian flag with the words "at your side," and that's a very powerful description of the solidarity that all of us are showing for Ukraine. Italy has stepped up in powerful ways, not only with military assistance, but supplying generators, electrical equipment to keep Ukraine's power grid up in the face of Russian attacks on that grid; millions of dollars - tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance from medicine to blankets. And, of course, Italy has welcomed more than 170,000 Ukrainian refugees into what is already the largest Ukrainian community in Western Europe. Our two countries will continue to support efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter. Our Italian allies are, of course, vital to the stability to NATO's southern flank, and I thanked the minister for Italy's leadership in supporting peace and security in North Africa. In Tunisia, Italy has played an invaluable role in urging the Tunisian Government to implement durable solutions to the country's political and economic challenges. In Libya, we've worked very closely together to support the UN-led process to find a path toward free and fair elections. Italy is making major investments in Libya's oil and gas industry that will deliver economic benefits to both shores of the Mediterranean. Italy's actions have also embodied the growing strategic convergence across the Atlantic with the European Union, within NATO, and among the G7. Italy is a source of stability not only in the Mediterranean but also in Sub-Saharan Africa, and we greatly value Italy's growing strategic partnership with countries like Japan and India as we work to promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. As Italy prepares to assume the presidency of the G7 next year, we look forward to Italy's continued leadership on issues of global consequence where we've been spending a lot of our time together - tackling the climate crisis, combating terrorism, safeguarding democracy, building food security, building global health security. All of these issues are front and center in our common agenda. What makes our close partnership so productive across these many issues are, of course, the remarkable, enduring bonds between our people: ties of shared history, shared values; some 18 million Americans who claim Italian ancestry, including our First Lady Jill Biden - all of which helps explain why American visitors are returning to Italy in record numbers after the pandemic. So on behalf of the United States, let me just say to our good friends, our close partners, our close allies, thank you. We are so grateful for the work that we're doing together around the world. In many ways, it's more meaningful than ever. The challenges are tremendous, the opportunities are real, and because of that partnership - notably the partnership between our countries is more important than it's ever been. Thank you, my friend, and over to you. FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: Thank you very much, Tony. Allow me to speak in my mother tongue, in Italian. (Via interpreter) First of all, I'd like to thank Antony Blinken for the flexibility he showed today at a time that is very challenging for me, for Italy. He accepted to modify our program and to move up this meeting so that I could be allowed to go back to Italy. I am deeply grateful for that. I see this as one more gesture of friendship towards Italy, and I also want to thank him for the condolences that he expressed for our loss of Silvio Berlusconi. And being here today for me is a way to honor his memory because he considered the United States to be Italy's best friend and he never missed an opportunity to thank all of the young American soldiers who have fallen to defend freedom and democracy in Italy and in Europe. And when before Congress, he said, "When I look at the flag of the United States, I don't see just the flag of a country who's a friend, but I see a message of democracy and freedom all over the world." That's - these are in the foundations upon which the friendship between Italy and the U.S. are based. I'm here to restate today our strategic solidarity, which is not connected just to what is happening at the time. This is a longstanding relationship based on the many Italians that have come to America and who are today the children and grandchildren of other Italians. This bond is very strong and very solid. It is political, it is strategic, and it is based on a joint vision about freedom and democracy. Over the course of our meeting, we agreed on all of the big issues, starting from the most dramatic ones, such as the war in the Ukraine. We all want peace but peace must be a just peace. It must be a peace that restates international rule of law and allows freedom to a people that were the victim of invasion. We agreed on the kind of work that can be performed in the Balkans, where we are part of the Quint format, and we can restore these and we can favor the entrance of countries that are candidates to become part of the European Union. We want the Ukraine to be a future member of the European Union. We agreed on the action to be implemented to support peace and stability in the area of the Mediterranean, including Tunisia, which for us in Italy is a priority. I have explained to my friend Antony what the Italian Government is doing to achieve stability. We found agreement on the actions to be taken in the Middle East and North Africa, in the Indo-Pacific area. Italy is in favor of maintaining the status quo in that region. I also stated once again to Antony that Italy, with this government, intends to keep its positions. It will be a stable country. It will be a loyal country, serious, credible, and reliable. And soon there will be the visit of the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who will meet President Biden in order to strengthen even more the relationship between Italy and the United States, which are two countries that are brothers for us. This transatlantic relationship, based on a common vision of NATO and trade exchanges that are very solid, this will allow us to solve any issue that might happen, and we will do so as friends. And under an economic point of view, we are in total agreement. We are two industrialized countries. We know what the issues with raw materials are. And in Africa we can work in this direction as well together in order to make sure that the market, especially for raw materials, is not dominated by others. Therefore, there is perfect agreement. There is an action towards common purposes. And I am very satisfied of my meeting with the Secretary of State of the United States. I want to thank him for the showing of affection that he had towards me and towards the Berlusconi family and towards Italy. MR MILLER: Four questions. The first one goes to Shannon Crawford with ABC News. QUESTION: Thank you very much. As Ukraine begins its counteroffensive, its military reports that it's up against a massive uptick of drones on the battlefield, and more and more reports suggest that some of these drones, or at least some of their key parts, are coming from China. Now, my question to you both is: Do you assess that China is ramping up its material support for Russia? And Mr. Secretary, will you bring this up when you are in Beijing, and also will you raise China's efforts to spy on the U.S. from Cuba while you're there? And second, Mr. Secretary, we saw another American arrested in Moscow over the weekend. Do you have any updates on those case - on that case, rather - that you can share? And more broadly, does this administration's willingness to engage in negotiations over detentions encourage these type of provocative arrests? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Let me - let me start with the second question first. We've been seeking to learn more about the apparent detention of Travis Leake, and we are working to be not only in touch with him, to have consular access, but also with his family. My number one priority as Secretary of State is the safety and security of Americans abroad, and this is - this is no exception. So we're working to gather information to understand exactly what happened, and of course we will be very focused on this. Look, generally speaking, there is always a balance to be found in working to secure the release of Americans who are being arbitrarily detained, which we've done very successfully over the last couple of years, bringing Americans home from many different places with, of course, concerns about whether any actions we take might further incentivize countries to engage in this practice. But that's why, even as we've been doing this, we've been imposing penalties, imposing sanctions, including under the Robert Levinson Act, to disincentivize countries from engaging in this practice. At the same time, we're working more and more closely together with other countries that unfortunately are similarly situated to us and having been the victims of the arbitrary detention of their citizens to make it clear to countries that do this that there will be a price to be paid. But it is a balance. I believe we can do both things at the same time. At the same time, the countries that engage in this practice ultimately are simply going to further isolate themselves as people from around the world will have to really think twice, think three times, about whether they want to travel to any of these countries when there's a risk that they will be arbitrarily detained and used as a pawn in some kind of political issue that that country may have with us or with many other countries around the world. And that ultimately is going to be very self-defeating for countries that have an interest in maintaining contacts, remaining - maintaining relations, having economic connectivity with the world. They will be isolating themselves. But we work on this virtually every single day and we work to make sure that we get the balance right. With regard to drones in Ukraine that are being used by Russia, we've been very focused on this, particularly the concern that drones coming from Iran are being used in Ukraine. We have seen that over many months, both to attack civilians, to attack civilian infrastructure. We've been very focused on trying to disrupt those efforts and the provision of those drones. We've been on this for some time. We've shared concerns in the past with counterparts in China about the possibility that the provision of weapons to Russia for Ukraine is something that they might be considering. To date, we've not seen that line crossed. At the same time, we have concerns about private companies engaged in the provision of technologies, including dual-use technologies. That's something that's of much - an issue. It's something that we've brought up in the past, and I know we'll continue to bring up going forward if that remains a concern. With regard to Cuba, when this administration took office in January 2021, we were briefed on a number of sensitive efforts by Beijing around the world to expand their overseas logistics, basing, collection infrastructure, to allow them to project and sustain military power at the greater distance. They were considering a number of sites around the world for that expansion, including intelligence collection facilities for intelligence collection in Cuba. In fact, based on the information we have, the PRC conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. It was our assessment that despite awareness of the basing efforts and some attempts to address the challenge in the past administration, we weren't making enough progress on this issue and we needed a more direct approach. And that's exactly what President Biden instructed his team to do to address the challenge. And within months of getting that instruction from the President, that's exactly what we did. We've been executing on that approach quietly, carefully, but in our judgment, with results ever since. I can't get into every step that we've taken, but the strategy begins with diplomacy. We've engaged governments that are considering hosting PRC bases at high levels. We've exchanged information with them. Our experts assess that our diplomatic efforts have slowed down this effort by the PRC. It's something that we're very carefully monitoring and, as I said, taking steps to counter. We remain confident that we are able to meet all of our security commitments both at home and in the region. FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: (Via interpreter) As far as China is concerned, I believe that a country that submitted a number of points to build peace cannot and should not provide any kind of support to a country such as Russia that violated international law. Therefore, I believe that China's commitment should be aimed not at strengthening Russia but, on the other hand, to favor peace. Therefore, I hope that it will go in that direction. Regarding Cuba, Cuba is a fundamental area, or country in a strategic area. This is an appeal that I launch to the Cuban regime, and that is to free many political prisoners. And in that case as well we must defend, first and foremost, human rights, especially also about Iran. Sending drones to the Russian Federation must be stopped. Those who want peace cannot contribute to support those who violated international law and invaded a free and democratic country. MR MILLER: Massimo Gaggi with Corriere della Sera. QUESTION: Thank you for having us. And to both of you, Tunisia is the top of an iceberg of a deep crisis in Africa. Given that a plan to stabilize this continent is essential for Europe and, frankly, for our democracies, do you see room for a pragmatic approach to avoid the default of Tunisia given that - the reservations of IMF, as far as I understand, are more based on market economy issues more than on human rights issues. And if I may, specifically to you, Mr. Secretary: Do you have any memories specifically on Silvio Berlusconi that was recently criticized for his position on Ukraine, but that I remember that long ago he was a bridge to keep Putin very close to NATO and also to allow Mr. Erdogan to be as integrated as possible in the European Union? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: I'm happy to start, Antonio, if there's anything you want to add of course. On Tunisia, we very much share the concern that Italy has and that other partners have about the economic situation in Tunisia, as well as - as well as political challenges. And very much appreciate the work that's being done, including by the delegation led by Prime Minister Meloni and also the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen to visit and to see if there's a way forward. We very much would welcome the Tunisian Government presenting a revised reform plan to the IMF and for the IMF to be able to act on the plan presented. But these are sovereign decisions. This is a sovereign decision for Tunisia; it's not a decision for us or anyone else to make. But it's clear that Tunisia needs additional assistance if it is going to avoid falling off the proverbial economic cliff. And what the EU and Italy have done, I think, is an important step, but something more comprehensive - that in our judgment the IMF can best provide - would be important to actually helping Tunisia get on a sustainable and positive path. But the decisions that are involved really are decisions for Tunisia to make, but we would very much support finding some way forward because it's important for Tunisia, but it's also, I think, important for the region. It's important - it's important for Europe, and we have a stake as well in Tunisia's success. After the Arab Spring, Tunisia was one of the most important bright spots in its trajectory - something that I had the opportunity to be involved in when I was last in government. And so we want to see Tunisia succeed, and we want to find ways to provide the support necessary for its success. But fundamentally, the government in Tunisia has to make decisions about how it wants to proceed, and we would hope that there's a practical way forward that we can find with, as necessary, appropriate flexibility. And of course we're in very close contact, coordination with the Government of Italy as well as with other partners in Europe on this. We have the same objective. And then finally, with regard to Prime Minister Berlusconi, I must say I never had the opportunity to meet him or to work with him. He was obviously a tremendously significant figure in the life of Italy - in the political life, in the public life of the country. Many American administrations worked with him over the years. And for me, not having known him, I simply want to extend my condolences to his family, because let's not - never forget in these situations, the people who are affected first and foremost is the family - but also to the Italian people for their loss. FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: Thank you very much. On Tunisia, I informed the secretary-general on a trip of Prime Minister Meloni to Tunisia we want to achieve good solutions. We want to pave the way for an agreement. Of course, for us, we need to be pragmatic - to talk, to talk, to talk with the Tunisians for achieving an agreement between Tunisia, the European Union, Italy, also Monetary Fund, and for this also the position of the United States is very, very important. But we need to work step by step. The idea of the Italian is to put money - the first step of money, then reforms; without reforms, not the second step. But we need to talk, we need to achieve good solution for the stability, because the stability of Tunisia, as the stability of Libya, is crucial for the stability of the Mediterranean region. Italy is strongly engaged on this. We will work in contact with our European friends but also our American friends for achieving good results for - in favor of the stability, peace, against illegal immigration, against terrorism. All together, this is a priority for everybody. MR MILLER: Next question, Zeba Warsi with PBS NewsHour. QUESTION: Thank you so much. First to you both on Sweden's bid to join NATO, Mr. Secretary, you called Turkiye's newly appointed foreign minister and emphasized the need for Sweden to be a part of NATO. Sweden has announced that it will extradite self - a self-proclaimed PKK supporter. Do you believe that will satisfy President Erdogan, or rather Turkiye, to clear the path for Sweden to join NATO ahead of the NATO Summit? And secondly, on the Dnieper dam disaster, do you have an update to share with us based on intelligence reports? Can you say with absolute certainty that the Russians were behind it? And more broadly, what kind of an impact has that had on the ongoing counteroffensive? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: On Sweden and NATO, a few things. First, as we've said all along, if you look in the context of history, if you look at this historically, the process for both Finland and Sweden has been very rapid, and appropriately so given the fact that both countries have been longtime partners of NATO, among the strongest democracies in the world, members of the European Union. And of course, the challenge posed to European security by Russia's aggression in Ukraine makes the matter even more urgent. As I also said, it's a process, and it's appropriate that during that process every member of the Alliance be able to raise any concerns or issues that it might have. That's especially true because a big part of being a member of NATO is the Article 5 commitment for each member to come to the defense of any other member if they are the subject of aggression. So that process has worked, and in the course of it Turkiye was able to raise some concerns that it had. Finland and Sweden have both addressed those concerns, and in our judgment, addressed them appropriately and effectively. There is I think scheduled for later this week another meeting between Turkiye, Sweden, NATO to look at where things are. But in our judgment and, as important, in the judgment of virtually every other Ally in NATO - and Antonio and I were just at a meeting with our colleagues a couple of weeks ago - each and every one expressed the conviction that now is the time for Sweden to formally join the Alliance, for the accession process to be complete. And that's certainly the judgment of the United States. So our expectation is that this will happen by the time of the Vilnius Summit in July, and that's what we're looking to see take place over the coming weeks. On the dam, we don't have any further information on exactly what happened. We do know that it's having catastrophic effects on Ukrainians, and that's in and of itself a terrible thing, magnified, of course, by the fact that this is happening in the midst of Russia's broader aggression against Ukraine. But we don't have any further information on exactly what caused the dam to collapse. Of course, Russia started this war. Russia is - was actually in control of the dam, and we've seen the results affecting so many Ukrainians. FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: Italy is strongly in favor NATO for membership for Sweden. We would work for achieving this goal with other NATO members. I want to have Sweden full member during the Vilnius meeting. We will work for achieving this goal. On the other point, we don't have clear information for this. It's much better to stay in silence, of course. We want to protect the civil population. We need to help the civil population. Also, Zaporizhzhia region is very dangerous for the same proposal during the meeting of the United Nation assembly to have a free zone around Zaporizhzhia, supporting the action of Mr. Grossi, general director of atomic agency of the United Nations. MR MILLER: Final question goes to Andrea Gerli with RAI TG1 TV. QUESTION: Thank. For both of you, Minister Tajani and Secretary Blinken, how do you evaluate what's happening on the ground in Ukraine with a counteroffensive, and where would - where could it lead eventually? And another question: What are the next steps of the cooperation between Ukraine and NATO? I'm thinking about the next summit. And is it possible that Ukraine joins NATO - well, a de facto joint partnership, not the (inaudible)? Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: (Via interpreter) I believe that we must follow a process that had been started a few years ago in order to have the Ukraine become an operational member of NATO. I believe that a substantial first step that can lead into this direction would be that of establishing a sort of NATO council with Ukraine that can see the involvement of Ukraine also in terms of information sharing and political information at NATO level. And this could be a first step towards entering NATO by the Ukraine. Regarding the counteroffensive, I hope that it can help to make steps towards peace, because we all want peace. We are helping Ukraine because we want peace. Because if we did not help the Ukraine, Ukraine would be invaded and we would have a threat that is much greater towards Europe, and Georgia, Moldova, and many other countries would be at great risk. Therefore, we're doing this to defend freedom and democracy. But we do want peace. So if this counteroffensive is useful to have the Russians retreat back from the Ukraine, well, this will give freedom back to Ukraine. SECRETARY BLINKEN: On the counteroffensive, these are, of course, early days, so much too soon to say exactly where this is going. But I think it's important to note that, as a result of more than 50 countries coming together in support of Ukraine, and particularly the courage and tenacity of Ukraine's military and its people, we're confident that they will continue to have success in what they're trying to achieve, which is to take back the land that's been seized from them by Russia. It's very important to note that, in terms of what President Putin was trying to achieve in Ukraine, it's already been a strategic failure, because the objective that Putin had - that he stated himself - was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, and to absorb Ukraine, in one fashion or another, into Russia. That has failed and it cannot succeed. But it remains the case that Russia has illegally seized almost 20 percent of Ukraine's territory. And we both want - Italy, the United States - in fact, the Ukrainian people more than anyone - want peace, but it needs to be a just and durable peace. And by just, we mean a peace that basically reflects the principles of the United Nations Charter, including on territorial integrity and sovereignty. And by durable, we mean a peace that doesn't simply leave things in a place where Russia can rest, rearm, and re-attack six months later, a year later, two years later. So this is what we're working toward. Ukraine's success in the counter offensive would do two things. It would strengthen its position at any negotiating table that emerges, and it may have the effect as well of actually causing Putin to finally focus on negotiating an end to the war that he started. And in that sense, it can actually bring peace closer, not put it further away. So we will continue to do two things - and we're determined in this - we'll continue to maximize our support to Ukraine now so that it can have success on the battlefield, but also our enduring support is critical, support for Ukraine so that it can build up over time a strong deterrent and defense capacity for its military so that in the future, if Russia tries to pursue another aggression, it has the chance to deter that and, if necessary, effectively defend against it; but also to support its economy, to support its integration with the European Union where Italy is a leading voice; and of course, the ongoing process of democratic reform. These two things - its military strength and its economic and democratic strength - these are the critical things that Ukraine needs to succeed not only to survive, but to thrive going forward. And it also sends a very strong message to President Putin that, to the extent he believes that he will outlast Ukraine, that he will outlast our countries, he's wrong; and that we're committed to Ukraine not just in the moment, but for the long term as well. And that gets me to the NATO Summit. I think - without getting ahead of ourselves, I think what you can expect to see at the NATO Summit is a robust package of both political and practical support for Ukraine going forward. And this too, I think, will send a very strong message to President Putin that he can't simply try to outlast any of us, that we're all here to stay, we're determined. The Ukrainian people, we, all want peace, but again, it has to be just, it has to be durable. And if and when Russia is prepared to engage on that basis, we'll all be prepared to do that. But what we've seen to date is that it's not prepared to do that. MR MILLER: Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everyone. 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 12 June 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Alright, good afternoon. Paulina Kubiak is not here today, but she will be sharing with you online the highlights of the PGA's (President of the General Assembly) activities. ** Information Integrity in Digital Platforms You all have seen the Secretary-General today launched of the policy brief on Information Integrity in Digital Platforms, and I will not be going on through details, because it is still hopefully very fresh on your minds. But we are working on a transcript and that should be out soon. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo A quick update from a Peacekeeping Mission and another Political Mission in Africa. The Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo MONUSCO condemned today the attack that took place last night at the Lala site for displaced people which is about 75 kilometres from Bunia, in the Ituri Province, in the eastern part of the country. Initial reports that we are receiving indicate that more than 45 people were killed and 10 more were injured. The peacekeeping mission said that, according to its information, members of the CODECO armed group are responsible for this targeted attack against vulnerable displaced people. Peacekeepers have stepped up security in the area, in collaboration with the provincial authorities. The Mission extends its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all those who were injured. In a statement, our peacekeeping colleagues added that they will spare no effort to put an end to these attacks and to combat impunity, within the framework of its mandate. The Peacekeeping Mission also reaffirmed its commitment to work alongside the Congolese defence and security forces to increase joint patrols to protect civilians and displaced people in the area. ** Mali And we have some more sad news from Mali over the weekend. Following Friday's attack on our patrol near the peacekeeping base in Ber, in the Timbuktu region of the country, one of our colleagues died following his injuries and he passed away yesterday after undergoing treatment in Dakar, in Senegal. This brings the total number of Burkinabe peacekeepers killed in the attack to two. Private First Class Bouma Bamouni, who passed away on Friday, was 28 years old, while First Lieutenant Ali Barro, who passed away yesterday, would have turned 33 next month. Both of them joined the Peacekeeping Mission on 11 October 2022, where they served with professionalism, contributing to our efforts to restore peace and security in Mali. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Government of Burkina Faso. We are relieved that two of the seven peacekeepers that were injured were discharged from the hospital, and we wish, of course, a speedy recovery for the other five who continue to undergo treatment. ** Sudan An update from Sudan where ceasefire or not, we and our partners continue to deliver assistance to people in need. As of yesterday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had facilitated the movement of at least 274 trucks carrying life-saving supplies for some 2 million men, women and children. That is over the past three weeks. Items reached people in Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Gedaref, Kassala, White Nile and other states and included at least 57 crossline movements. For his part, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, underscored that humanitarian warehouses should not be used as shields by parties to the current hostilities. This clearly keeps us from accessing and delivering critical humanitarian aid to the millions of Sudanese who so desperately need. This past Friday, OCHA negotiated access for the delivery of medical supplies to Tuti Island in Khartoum, which sits on the Nile between Khartoum and Omdurman, where 42,000 people have been stranded without access to health and other basic services. We can't stress enough that we need safe passage immediately to distribute relief items to civilians. Also, we want to flag an important event coming up in one week: On 19 June, there will be a High-Level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region. We are co-hosting this conference with the Governments of Egypt, Germany, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the European Union. This is a hybrid event taking place in Geneva at 3 p.m. local time there. ** South Sudan Moving south to South Sudan, where the peacekeeping mission there (UNMISS) says that it is increasing patrols and peacekeepers are helping to restore calm at the Malakal UN protection of civilians site, and that is following the intercommunal fighting we have been reporting to you since last week. The Mission is also enabling humanitarian agencies to safely provide emergency assistance, including clean drinking water and non-food items to people displaced in the Malakal town; and we are also working with the Government to ensure that those families are provided with adequate resources in order to survive. The Peacekeeping Mission specifically appeals to national and community leaders to discourage the smuggling of arms into the site and urges leaders to take strong steps to prevent revenge killings as well as hate narratives. More than 110,000 returnees have entered South Sudan from the North. The Mission and UN agencies are working to mitigate emerging tensions resulting from the congestion at IDP (internally displaced persons) centres, increased competition for resources, and intercommunal tensions. ** Somalia In Somalia, over the weekend, the World Health Organization (WHO) condemned in the strongest possible terms the attack on the Pearl Beach Hotel and Restaurant located in the Abdiaziz district of Mogadishu. The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians, including a 27-year-old who was working for the World Health Organization. This tragic event also left more than 10 people injured. WHO extended its deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who died in the attack. The UN in Somalia also condemned the deadly Al-Shabaab attack, stressing that the UN resolutely stands with all Somalis. ** Ukraine Moving up to Europe and turning to Ukraine: The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, was in Kherson today, and that is for the fourth day in a row. She is coordinating relief efforts following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. We, along with our partners, continue to deliver help. We delivered vital supplies mainly water, hygiene items and food for nearly 180,000 people. This is up from the 35,000 people we were able to reach last Friday. We are also supporting people impacted by water availability in the south of the country. Today, we delivered water and hygiene items to nearly 2,000 people facing water shortages in Pokrov, in the Dnipro Region. In total, since the dam was destroyed on 6 June, we have reached more than 5,000 people with cash and distributed more than 800,000 litres of bottled water and 70,000 monthly rations of ready-to-eat food. We've also reached 100,000 people with information on the risks regarding mine contamination. We will continue to make every effort to help people in southern Ukraine, while also sustaining our humanitarian response in parts of the country heavily impacted by the Russian invasion. ** Yemen Just a quick note that earlier today the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, briefed the Security Council in closed consultations on the situation there and his mediation efforts. Martin Griffiths also briefed the Council members in the closed session. ** Palestine The Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, warned of the imminent risk of forced eviction in the old city of Jerusalem. She recently visited two elderly people who may soon face forced eviction from the home they have lived in since 1954. Ms. Hastings called for an end to this practice, reminding that it is incompatible with international law. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, at least 970 Palestinians, including 424 children, are at risk of forced eviction in East Jerusalem, due to cases brought before Israeli courts. ** Gender Our colleagues at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) today released the latest Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) report, which reveals no improvement in biases against women in a decade, with almost 9 out of 10 men and women worldwide still holding such biases today. Half of people worldwide still believe men make better political leaders than women, and more than 40 per cent believe men make better business executives than women. A staggering 25 per cent of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife. The report argues that these biases drive hurdles faced by women, manifested in a dismantling of women's rights in many parts of the world with movements against gender equality gaining traction and, in some countries, a surge of human rights violations. That report is online. ** Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Week I also wanted to flag that this week is Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration week better known as DDR Week. Our colleagues in UN Peacekeeping will bring together DDR and Community Violence Reduction practitioners, as well as Member States and other key partners, here at the Headquarters to discuss key operational issues. This includes a high-level event that will take place tomorrow and will focus on "the future of Integrated DDR". More information online. World Day against Child Labour Today is World Day against Child Labour. It is estimated that 160 million children across the world are still engaged in child labour that is almost one in ten children worldwide many are in dangerous conditions. To mark this Day, the International Labour Organization (ILO)organized a discussion which focused on the link between social justice and the elimination of child labour. ** Hybrid Briefing Lastly, tomorrow, there will be a hybrid briefing at 11:00 on the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16). The COSP16 Chair, the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the UN, Ambassador Tarek Ladeb, will be here to brief you. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : Mr. Bays? Question : First following up on... Can you hear me? Spokesman : Yeah. Question : Following up earlier on the SG... I have a question about Mr. [Volker] Perthes. So give us the update on the SRSG (Special Representative of the Secretary-General) for Sudan, who's not in Sudan. Spokesman : Mr. Perthes currently is working from our UN headquarters in Nairobi in Kenya. Meanwhile, there remains a team present in Port Sudan, where the Deputy Special Representative arrived 8 June, and she's working there. Question : Are there efforts to try and get his persona non grata status, that you don't recognize, to get that overturned? Spokesman : We continue to be in discussion with Sudanese authorities on a host of issues. I will update you when I get some more. Question : One other question. The US is re-joining UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Your reaction? Spokesman : We very much welcome the decision by the United States to re-join UNESCO. It is clear for us that multilateral organizations are only stronger with more Member States actively participating in their work. Yes, sir? Question : Is it me? Spokesman : Yes, you. Question : Thank you. My colleagues in southern Ukraine confirmed that UN agencies have done a great deal of work to assist victims of Russia's act of terrorism. However, it is reported that the occupation authorities do not allow humanitarian organizations into the occupied territory. Could you please specify at what level are contacts made? Which Russian officials have you been able to reach? Spokesman : I'm not going to go into the details of who exactly we're speaking with, but I can assure you we're continuing all of our good faith and principled efforts to gain access to all people in Ukraine who need humanitarian help, and that includes people in areas currently under Russian control. Amelie? Question : Sorry. Could you update us on the salvage operation of the FSO Safer? Because it's been almost two weeks now that we had the press conference saying that the pumping could start in 10 to 15 days. So do you have any update for us? Thank you. Spokesman : I don't have any update with me, but I will get you one, but I understand things are proceeding in a positive manner. Because if they weren't, I would hope we would know about it. Please, go ahead. Yeah. Question : Thanks, Steph. I have two questions for you, if you'll allow. Number one, the UN focal point on antisemitism, Miguel Moratinos, postponed a meeting that was scheduled for next week with Jewish leaders and international antisemitism envoys. Those would-be attendees said that his draft plan was, and I'm quoting here, "deeply flawed and not a serious initiative". Does the Secretary-General have any comment on why, after three years, there hasn't been a serious plan proposed yet? Spokesman : It is a draft. It is my understanding, there's a draft circulating, and a draft is exactly that. Consultations are ongoing, and the work is ongoing. So a draft is a draft. But I think if you look at and re-examine everything the Secretary-General has said on antisemitism, I think his position against antisemitism in all its forms, in all its manifestations is extremely clear. Second question? Question : Yes. Lebanese media outlet Al Akhbar reported over the weekend that the health of Palestinian Authority President [Mahmoud] Abbas is deteriorating. It's not the first time we've heard this, but it raises a timely question. Based on all the resources that the UN has invested in the Palestinians, have there ever been recently high-level discussions at the UN about the day after Mahmoud Abbas? Spokesman : Let me just put it this way. I have no information on the health of what may... [cross-talk] Question : Whether it's health or tiredness or whatever. Spokesman : No, no, I understand. I think that we are constantly looking and analysing the situation between Israel and Palestine and how to best move it forward for the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians. Question : Thank you, Steph. Spokesman : Okay. Joe, am I boring you that much that you're sighing? Question : No. Spokesman : Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'm glad if that's your fascinated sound, I'd hate to hear where your bored sound is. Question : I'm mesmerised. Spokesman : Yeah. Excellent. We like mesmerised. I think, Abdelhamid, you have a question. Okay. Hold on. Abdelhamid, you're muted. While you unmute, I've an answer to Amelie. The UN team in Yemen is working through the remaining challenges, but the Nautica vessel is expected to sail from Djibouti to the Safer tanker at some point this month to begin the ship-to-ship transfer of the oil. Abdelhamid, you're... Question : Steph, can you hear me? Spokesman : I can hear you now, and I can see you even better. Question : Oh, thank you. On 25 May, Houthi militias stormed a meeting for the Baha'is in Sana'a, arresting 18 of them. Do you have a statement on that? Spokesman : I don't have... I know our colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights have expressed their concern and their worry at the detention of the Baha'is, and we share that. Question : And my second question, does the Secretary-General believe that criticizing Israel, criticizing the practices of Israel, even a strong criticism of the behaviour and the practices of the Israeli occupation, have to do anything to do with antisemitism? Spokesman : I think everything depends on the nature of the comment. We believe Israel is a full member of this Organization, has the same rights and responsibilities. Iftikhar? Question : Thank you, Steph. The latest UN Security Council report from Taliban Sanctions Committee speaks of the collaboration between the Taliban and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the attacks on Pakistan by TTP. Any comments on that? Question : Well, you know these reports are independent of the Secretariat. However, I would refer you back to what the Secretary-General has said on Afghanistan and on the de facto authorities, notably when he was in Doha, when he framed the meeting as one of the discussion topics was the fight against terrorism. Stefano, then Michelle, and then Joe. Question : Thank you, Stephane. It's about the mission that the Vatican sent last week to Kyiv, a mission for peace. Does the Secretary-General think that the Vatican can have a role on finding a peace solution for the war of Ukraine? And of all those proposals that are around or missions that are around the thinking, the Africa one, Brazil, and so on which one for the Secretary-General has more chance to go ahead? Spokesman : We're not going to rank them. What is clear is that every Member State or, in the case of the Holy See, a Permanent Observer has a responsibility to do whatever they can so that we reach a just peace in Ukraine in line with the international law, in line with the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and in line with the relevant General Assembly resolutions. Michelle, then Mr. Klein. Question : Iftikhar just reminded me. On Afghanistan, has the UN received any further clarity on the possibility of education restrictions? Spokesman : None that I'm aware of. So hopefully none, because if they had, I'd like to be aware of it. Mr. Klein? Question : Thank you. I just want to go back to the issue of the question regarding antisemitism and criticism of Israel. What some critics of those who have condemned Israel and Zionism have said is that it's not criticism of Israeli policy per se that's antisemitic. It's the demonization, discrimination, double standard, and delegitimization of Israel that raises concerns about antisemitism. Does the Secretary-General agree with that characterization of antisemitism as it relates to Israel? Spokesman : Look, I think we have spoken clearly, and the Secretary-General has spoken clearly on his concerns about a number of Israeli policies. But what is clear for the Secretary-General is that Israel is a full member of this organization with the same rights and responsibilities. I'm not going to go into a detailed analysis of whichever statements. I can only speak for him, and I think he's made his position clear. Linda? Question : Thank you, Steph. Regarding Afghanistan, I was wondering if there's any update in terms of latest developments regarding UN Afghan workers. Spokesman : No. James? Question : Regarding Afghanistan again, you brought up the Doha meeting. The Secretary-General announced to that meeting that there would be a follow-up. Can you give us any idea of the timeline for that? Spokesman : Not at this point. I have nothing to share with you at this point. Mr. Stefano? Question : Thank you. Is a follow-up on my question. Because we know that, for example, the President of South Africa called the Secretary-General before he start his mission to propose his plan for peace. Did the Vatican do the same? Did they have a contact with the Secretary-General before...? Spokesman : I'll check. I'll check. I meant to ask him and I forgot. So it's on me. I will check. Now it's on me, not on the Holy See. On that note, I will leave you, and see you tomorrow around 12:00, maybe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt Turns Over Command of Multinational Red Sea Task Force US Navy 12 June 2023 From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- The Egyptian Navy turned over command of a multinational Red Sea task force to the U.S. Navy, June 12, six months after Egypt began leading the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operational staff for the first time. U.S. Navy Capt. Anthony Webber relieved Egyptian Navy Rear Adm. Mahmoud Abdelsattar as the commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 during a ceremony in Bahrain where CMF his headquartered. Established in April 2022, CTF 153 is one of five CMF task forces responsible for conducting maritime security and training operations across the Middle East. The multinational staff supporting CTF 153 specifically focuses on international maritime security efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. "It was a great honor to be the commander of CTF 153," said Mahmoud. "For the last six months, we have worked closely with partner nations, maintained stability in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden, and proved once again that Egypt is committed to maintaining maritime security and enhancing our capabilities through trust, training and working together." Webber assumes command of CTF 153 while still serving as commander for Task Force 55, U.S. 5th Fleet's operational staff overseeing U.S. Navy surface assets employed in the Middle East. "It takes all of us working together to make a winning team, and I have all the confidence in the world that we will do just that in carrying out our duties with honor and commitment," Webber told the CTF 153 team. "Your achievements are vast and I am honored in having this remarkable opportunity to serve with you." With 38 nations, CMF is the largest naval partnership in the world. Other task forces include CTF 150, focused on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden; CTF 151, which leads regional anti-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 154, established in May to enhance maritime security training throughout the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Navy Assists Mariners Experiencing Engine Trouble in Gulf of Oman US Navy 12 June 2023 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Juel Foster, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs GULF OF OMAN -- The U.S. Navy assisted seven stranded mariners from Oman and the United Arab Emirates, June 11, after their fishing vessel experienced engine trouble in the Gulf of Oman. Guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) spotted the vessel as its civilian crew signaled for help in the early afternoon local time. McFaul quickly deployed a small-boat team to provide the mariners water and engine-testing assistance for two hours until the United Arab Emirates Coast Guard arrived. "We were proud to assist fellow mariners at sea," said Cmdr. Antonia Shey, commanding officer of McFaul. "We remained on scene until follow-up assistance from the United Arab Emirates arrived. Our duty to render assistance at sea allows us to aid mariners in distress and we're proud to have provided that support." McFaul is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. The U.S. 5th Fleet operating area includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Outgoing NATO Chief Stoltenberg to Visit White House Tuesday By Patsy Widakuswara June 12, 2023 U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on Tuesday as jockeying to secure Stoltenberg's successor intensifies. While the White House says the official agenda for the meeting is to discuss the alliance's upcoming July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the issue of who will be next at NATO's helm during this difficult period in its 74-year history will no doubt be front and center, as the alliance faces Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, is the longest-running NATO chief in a generation and has had his tenure extended three times since taking the job in 2014. In February, his spokesperson said he will leave office when his current term ends in October. Stoltenberg is widely credited for managing rocky transatlantic relations between former U.S. President Donald Trump and European allies over defense spending, the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, and overseeing the alliance's response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. His preference about his successor carries weight and Biden is expected to consult with him. "A lot of people will look to him to say, 'Who do you think is the best to follow up your leadership?" said Andrew Hyde, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, to VOA. Whoever succeeds Stoltenberg will face the daunting challenge of shepherding the security of 1 billion people in 31 countries and growing. The next leader militarily while preventing the conflict from bleeding into the territory of a NATO member, which would trigger the alliance's Article 5 principle of collective defense and potentially lead to World War III. Consensus based A U.S. general is traditionally the Supreme Allied Commander Europe but the post of NATO chief has always been assumed by a European, even though there's nothing in its charter that requires it. There's no formal process and candidates don't announce that they're running for the post. Selection is done through consensus, achieved mostly through quiet and informal diplomatic channels. As the biggest donor, the U.S. plays a key role the reason why two contenders have paid a visit to the Oval Office recently. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Biden at the White House last Monday. She is seen as a front-runner; however, her candidacy would mean a third successive secretary-general from a Nordic country. Another potential hurdle is that Denmark has long failed to meet the 2% minimum requirement in defense spending for member states. In December, her government launched a plan to meet NATO's target by 2030, and recently ramped up military aid to Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Washington days after Frederiksen, with a broad agenda that includes lobbying for his defense secretary, Ben Wallace. Britain, supplier of more military assistance to Ukraine than any country after the United States, has clout. And as one of the first defense ministers to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, Wallace is well-known among the alliance. However, out of 13 chiefs in NATO's history, three were British. Biden was non-committal when asked whether it was time for another one. "Maybe. That remains to be seen," he said during a joint news conference with Sunak Thursday. All who have filled the post since 1952 were male. Several women likely in running There is a sense that it's time the alliance selects a female leader, Hyde said. With the Russian war raging, "there's also a feeling it should be somebody from Eastern Europe," he added. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and her Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Simonyte meet both requirements. However, some observers argue that a leader from one of the Baltic countries, which are usually hawkish on Russia, could be perceived as a provocation by Moscow. Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of Germany have been floated as potential candidates. So has Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, although her Ukrainian heritage may prove to be a complication. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been mentioned as another contender. And there's always the possibility that the allies might prevail on Stoltenberg to extend his tenure yet again. The issue of who is the next NATO secretary-general is expected to be settled by July, when the group's leaders meet in Vilnius. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As Anti-War Russians Flock to Georgia, Tbilisi Warms to Moscow By Lisa Bryant June 12, 2023 Koshini's rooftop bar serves up local wine and a stunning view of Tbilisi, bathed, one recent evening, in a rosy sunset. The clientele sipping cocktails are not hip young locals, but Russians. "People here see the difference between the Russian government and its people," says 30-year-old Aleksabd Klabukov from Saint Petersburg, who arrived here shortly after his country's forces invaded Ukraine. "I didn't agree with the war," Klabukov says, adding, "I feel welcome here." Anti-Russian graffiti blanketing Tbilisi's streets tells a more complicated story between the two countries and their peoples. Georgians have given the recent influx of Russians like Klabukov a mixed welcome, mirroring the country's fractured overall view of Russia. Warming ties between the ruling Georgian Dream party and Moscow sharply contrast with staunchly pro-Ukraine sentiments on the streets. Even as Georgia's government claims joining the European Union and NATO are still firmly in its crosshairs goals strongly endorsed by most Georgiansit is increasing economic ties with Russia. And analysts and critics say, drifting steadily from its EU dreams. "We are under enormous pressure, and under a big, big, risk of being attacked," says Georgian Dream lawmaker Nikoloz Samkharadze, explaining his party's "pragmatic" stance towards its powerful neighbor. "Therefore, we have to walk a very fine line." The party's myriad critics see things differently. A number also suggest Georgian Dream founder, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili who made much of his fortune in Russia is orchestrating the country's alleged tilt towards Moscow. The party adamantly denies any involvement by Ivanishvili, who formally left politics in 2021. "The Georgian government has chosen the Russian side," says Giorgi Vashadze, chairman of the opposition Strategy Builder party. "Publicly Georgian Dream says they're pro-Western. But their actions are anti-Western and pro-Russian." Rooting for Ukraine Russia's footprint is evident on a windy bluff 100 kilometers from the capital, where EU monitors help to maintain stability. Below, a Russian supply truck is wending its way down a curvy road to Khurvaleti village, cut in half by an earlier Kremlin invasion. That was in 2008, when Georgia fought and lost a brief war that severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Today, 20% of Georgia, including half of Khurvaleti, is controlled by Moscow-backed separatists. Georgian Dream's Samkharadze was a teenager during the war. "As a generation that grew up with that, we feel a responsibility to avert any similar scenario," he says, explaining his party's careful stance towards Moscow. But in Tserovani settlement, sheltering thousands of Georgians displaced by that conflict, Nana Chkareuli from South Ossetia draws a different conclusion. She still dreams her breakaway region will eventually return to the Georgian fold. But not thanks to Russia. "Every day, we are supporting Ukraine and watching what's happening," Chkareuli says. "If Ukraine wins, we will have more chance. If not, we will have no chance." A number of Russians here are also rooting for Kyiv. An estimated 100,000 have flocked to Georgia since the Ukraine war, for business or political reasons. Others came years earlier, seeing the country as a safe haven against an increasingly repressive Kremlin. "Georgia is the center of the political exile community," says Egor Kuroptev, who arrived in Tbilisi nearly a decade ago. Today, he heads the South Caucuses office of the Free Russia Foundation, which supports Russian political exiles. Like Klabukov of Koshini's bar, he says Georgians have largely treated them well although relations frayed earlier last year. When Russian exiles began joining anti-war demonstrations in Tbilisi, things got better, Kuroptev says. "Georgians saw they weren't monsters," he says of the Russian newcomers."They were normal." That sentiment isn't universal. Graffiti daubed on Tbilisi's walls and sidewalks calls on Russians to leave, and reserves colorful expletives for their leader, Valdimir Putin. While the Russian newcomers have injected millions into Georgia's economy, they have also driven up prices, feeding local resentment. In the Black Sea resort of Batumi, luxury high-rises advertise apartment sales in Russian. "Many of the Russians here are pro-Putin," claims Irkali Mirianashvili, an IT specialist in Tbilisi, airing one popular suspicion. "If there are many of them here, it will be dangerous for Georgia. We are a little country." Profiting from the war Since invading Ukraine, Russia has become one of Georgia's top trading partners. A February report by Transparency International Georgia says the country earned $3.6 billion last year from Russia through remittances, tourist and exports three times more than in 2021. Popular sentiment however trends towards disengagement. A September survey by U.S. nonprofit the International Republican Institute, found most Georgians consider Russia their country's biggest political and economic threat. Roughly half are suspicious of Tbilisi's warming relations with Moscow. By contrast, polls show massive support for joining the EU. Last year, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, but not Georgia setting instead a dozen conditions for the government to meet. Brussels is set to reassess Georgia's progress by this year's end. Observers doubt Tbilisi's claims it has fulfilled most of the conditions. Recent events instead suggest Georgia may be moving in the opposite direction. In March, thousands of Georgians protested legislation requiring media and nongovernmental groups to register as so-called "agents of foreign influence" if 20% or more of their funds came from foreign sources. The government ultimately dropped the bill, which critics say echoed Russia's ongoing measures to crack down on civil society. More protests greeted last month's resumption of direct flights from Moscow to Tbilisi. Georgian Dream's Samkharadze says Moscow intended "to break" Georgia's EU candidacy chances with it. He did not explain, however, why Tbilisi agreed to the flights which, as expected, drew EU criticism. "All they care about is staying in power," George Melashvili, head of the nongovernmental group the Europe-Georgian Institute, says of the ruling party, which nonetheless remains more popular than the fractured opposition. "They will do literally anything to sustain the power grip they have on the country including attempting to keep good relations with Russia." Irakli Porchkhidze, vice-president of the Tbilisi-based Georgian Institute for Strategic Studies, similarly describes the ruling party as in "stay-in-power mode." "Their heart is not with Ukraine, and that can be a strategic blunder," he says of Georgian Dream. That will be especially so if Western-backed Kyiv wins the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodia Pumps Brakes on Plan for ASEAN Joint Military Exercises in South China Sea By Sim Chansamnang, Meas Da June 13, 2023 Cambodia has thrown a diplomatic wrench in ASEAN plans for joint military drills in the contested South China Sea, in the latest test of Prime Minister Hun Sen's balancing act between the regional bloc and Beijing. Indonesia's military commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, announced on Thursday that his regional counterparts had agreed on first-ever joint military drills in September. Margono said the drills would focus on strengthening "ASEAN centrality," while an Indonesian military spokesman cited the "high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia," according to Reuters. The proposed military exercises would not include combat operations, according to Indonesia. But General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, released a statement soon after saying that Cambodia had yet to agree to the drills. Vong Pisen said Indonesia's military chief had raised the idea as the rotating chair of the bloc, but Cambodia and "several other countries" which were not named did not respond. He added that a joint statement from the 20th ASEAN Commander-in-Chief Meeting, held in Bali last week, "did not mention ASEAN joint military exercises in the South China Sea." He said Cambodia's military had now formed a working group to study the proposal and would ultimately request a decision from the Ministry of Defense. Cambodia's Defense Ministry Spokesperson General Chhum Socheat told VOA Khmer on Friday that the military has not yet confirmed its position on what he called Indonesia's "request." He also claimed that all nine ASEAN members, apart from Indonesia, had yet to respond. VOA Khmer reached out to the embassies of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in Phnom Penh for comment but did not receive any responses as of Monday morning. Experts told VOA Khmer the exercises are likely to upset Beijing, which has aggressively staked its claims in the South China Sea. The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, told VOA on Monday evening that while he wasn't aware of the specifics of the ASEAN exercises, "China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conductive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party." On May 27, Beijing announced plans for joint military exercises with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, but left details unspecified. The exercise "will serve as a stabilizer for regional security," Zhuo Hua, an international affairs expert at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy of Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times. Area of rising tension The South China Sea, rich in natural resources including gas and oil, is a flashpoint of rising tensions between China and the United States. China's claims are contested by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, a self-governing island China claims as its own territory. All but Taiwan are members of ASEAN, and each has its own claims to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The apparent dispute or at least miscommunication over the joint drills would not be Cambodia's first time breaking from the ASEAN majority on issues related to the South China Sea. ASEAN failed to reach a consensus on maritime disputes in the sea in 2016 after Cambodia blocked mention of a ruling by an international court in The Hague against Beijing. That move and others have fueled the perception that Phnom Penh is representing the interests of Beijing in regional matters, as ties between the governments have grown increasingly cozy over the past decade, and Cambodia has increasingly leaned on China for economic support. Vann Bunna, a researcher at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, told VOA Khmer that the stakes of its pending decision were clear. The military exercises could damage China-ASEAN relations and increase tension in the South China Sea, he said. "But if we look in the interests of ASEAN, we see that if the military drills were held by ASEAN, it would strengthen the military cooperation between the 10 countries in response to any issue," Vann Bunna said. Additionally, the joint activities would signal that ASEAN is its own force in the region, separate from either superpower, he added. Seng Sary, a political analyst and research fellow in social and political sciences at Australia's University of Melbourne, told VOA Khmer on Saturday that Cambodia should carefully consider its options, as its decision would likely be seen as an indicator of its global allegiances. "Importantly, in the event that Cambodia refuses to participate in military exercises in the ASEAN region, Cambodia itself will put the international community in doubt about Cambodia's bias to China," he said. "At the same time, Cambodia should consider and examine whether Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN, will drag Cambodia into the South China Sea dispute between China and Indonesia." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 12 June 2023 - Day 474 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 the over the last week, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has maintained a high public profile, likely with the aim of presenting himself as in control of strategic issues while Ukraine accelerates offensive operations. Shoigu has provided at least two comments on Russia's defensive operations, including making almost certainly seriously exaggerated claims about Ukrainian losses. This contrasts with other key periods in the war when he had disappeared from public appearances. Shoigu has also urged Russia's defence industry to redouble its efforts, and castigated Western Military District officers for not dispatching reserve armoured vehicles to the front quickly enough. Shoigu is likely acutely aware of the need to maintain a positive image in the face of increasingly unmasked criticism from some fellow Russians. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day, Russian forces launched 2 missile strikes with Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles on residential buildings in the Kharkiv Oblast. In addition, in total, it carried out 17 airstrikes and carried out about 22 attacks from rocket salvo systems. The civil infrastructure was destroyed. In particular, residential private buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed as a result of the shelling of Bilopil, Sumy Oblast, and Shevchenkiv, Kharkiv Oblast. Also, Russian forces dropped 3 guided aerial bombs on the town of Orihiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one civilian was killed, and private houses were destroyed. The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine. Russia is concentrating its main efforts on the Lymansky, Bakhmutsky, Avdiyivskyi and Marinsky axiss. During the day, 23 combat clashes took place. Volyn' and Polissya axes: the operational situation has not changed significantly. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces shelled with mortars and artillery such settlements as Tymonovychi, Khotiivka, Chernihiv Oblast; Seredyna-Buda, Sopych, Zarutske, Hirky of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Ivashki, Veterinarne, Visoka Yaruga, Strelecha, Morokhovets, Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Budarky in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the areas of Milovi and Kislivka in the Kharkiv Oblast and Novoselivskyi in the Luhansk Oblast. Dvorichna, Masyutivka, Lyman Pershiy Kislivka, Tabaivka, Berestov in the Kharkiv Oblast and Novoselivske in the Luhansk Oblast got under artillery and mortar attacks. Lyman axis: the Russian occupiers conducted unsuccessful offensives in the Vesely area. They carried out airstrikes on the settlements of Yampil', Spirne and Vesele in the Donetsk Oblast. Nevs'ke, Belogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast and Yampolivka, Torske, Dibrova, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka of the Donetsk Oblast were subjected to artillery shelling. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces carried out an airstrike in the area of Bila Hora, Donetsk Oblast. Vasyukivka, Blagodatne, Novomarkove, Kalynivka Ivanivske, Bila Hora, Druzhba, Torets'k, Pivdenne, Sukha Balka of the Donetsk Oblast shelled by Russian artillery. Avdiivka axis: the Russian occupiers carried out offensive actions in the axis of Avdiivka, without success. They carried out airstrikes in the Avdiivka and Severny areas of the Donetsk Oblast. Shelled Keramik, Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, Severne, Vodyane, Pervomais'ke, Netaylove, Karlivka, Nevelske settlements in the Donetsk Oblast. Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled all 14x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka. The Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the districts of Staromykhailivka and Krasnohorivka. Also, russian forces shelled Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Georgiivka, Maksimilianivka, Pobyeda and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk Oblast. Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the axis of Blagodatny. They carried out airstrikes in the areas of Zolota Niva, Shakhtars'ke, Velyka Novosilka, Vremivka and Blagodatne settlements of the Donetsk Oblast. The Russian occupiers fired at Bogoyavlenka, Ugledar, Prechistivka, Zolotaya Niva, and Velika Novosilka. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive. They carried out an airstrike in the Orikhov area of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. russians shelled populated areas. Among them - Vremivka, Zelene Pole, Novopil' of the Donetsk Oblast; Levadne, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Orihiv, Zherebyanky, Lobkovo, Kam'ians'ke of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Novoberyslav, Vesele, Kozats'ke, Chornobayivka, Dniprovs'ke, Yantarne, Berehove, Kizomys of the Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson. Moreover, the Russian occupiers continue to use civilian infrastructure to provide medical care to their wounded servicemen. Thus, in Mystka, Luhansk Oblast, on the territory of a local school, the invaders set up a field hospital, where more than 100x occupiers are being treated. Due to successful combat operations of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and because of significant losses of the Russian manpower, in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk Oblast, there is an increased number of desertions in the "storm-z" assault units of the russian occupying forces, who are leaving their positions on their own accord more and more. Also noted was the desertion of about 25x russian occupiers in Mariupol and Novoazovsk due to the unofficial termination of vacations that were promised to the occupiers by the russian military leadership. In the flooded Hola Prystan of the Kherson Oblast, the Russian occupiers allow the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens only after receiving a bribe. Moreover, they destroy passports and birth certificates and other Ukrainian-style documents. Local residents are relocated to the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea and Krasnodar of the russian federation. Ukrainian Air Force conducted 8x strikes on Russian manpower concentrations. Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed a Russian Ka-52 helicopter and an Orlan-10 operational-tactical UAV. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 3x control points, 2x anti-aircraft missile systems, the Russian manpower concentrations and 3x Russian artillery units at firing positions. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation employed long-range, sea-based precision weapons to engage the locations of AFU reserves. All the assigned targets have been engaged. The purpose of the strike has been achieved. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued to attempt offensive actions in the South Donetsk direction. Close to Vremevka salient, three enemy attacks from the direction of Velyka Novosyolka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by decisive actions of the defending units, artillery fire, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces. The enemy's casualties were more than 120 Ukrainian personnel, two tanks, and three armoured fighting vehicles. Clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware of the 1st Separate Presidential Brigade, 128th Territorial Defence Brigade, 31st Mechanised Brigade, and 1st Tank Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were hit in the areas of Prechistovka, Velikaya Novosyolka, and Neskuchoye (Donetsk People's Republic). In Zaporozhye direction, Army Aviation and artiller have inflicted fire damage on the units of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy has suffered losses of up to 250 Ukrainian troops, five tanks, seven armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer in these directions in the past 24 hours. In Donetsk direction, the fiercest fighting took place in the areas of Avdeevka and Mariynka (Donetsk People's Republic). The Yug Group of Forces successfully repelled two attacks by units of the 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade and the 79th Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the direction of Pervomaiskoye and the northern outskirts of Mariynka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 80 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised in this direction during the day. In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on the units of the enemy close to Novomlynsk, Masyutovka, and Kislovka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Moreover, one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance units was annihilated near Rozovka (Lugansk People's Republic). The enemy's losses have amounted to over 35 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer in this direction during the day. In Krasny Liman direction, Russian aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Tsentr Group of Forces hit units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryasnky forestry. One sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been disabled close to Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy has suffered losses of over 55 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours. Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been hit close to Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). In Kherson direction, up to 15 Ukrainian servicemen, one motor vehicle, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised by fire. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 96 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, enemy manpower and hardware in 102 areas. One radar of Ukrainian S-300 air defence system was neutralised near Gai (Dnepropetrovsk region). Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Glubokoye (Kharkov region). In addition, a battalion command and observation post of the 68th Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was eliminated close to Velikaya Novosyolka (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian air defence forces intercepted a Ukrainian Tochka-U tactical missile. In addition, eight Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the areas of Varvarovka, Rubezhnoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Spornoye, Novoandreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), Kopani, Removka (Zaporozhye region), and Podstepnoye (Kherson region). In total, 442 airplanes and 238 helicopters, 4,579 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 9,915 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,122 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 5,093 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 10,905 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 Deputy Secretary General addresses Space Fest in Romania NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 12 Jun. 2023 Speaking at the Space FEST conference in Bucharest on Monday, Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said that "competition in space is fierce and is becoming fiercer" and that "this has implications for our economy, but also for our security". In his virtual address Mr. Geoana said that space is "becoming more crowded, more promising, and also more dangerous, and indeed more unpredictable", noting that hundreds of new satellites are launched every year. He highlighted that space assets are essential for military operations "to navigate, track forces, gather intelligence, and detect missile launches". He said that "we must make our space assets more resilient" and noted that individual Allies are setting up national space commands and that NATO has established a dedicated Space Centre at Allied Air Command in Ramstein. Stressing that NATO Allies are still home to the "largest space technology ecosystem in the world", Mr. Geoana said that "competitors are investing heavily in advanced space technologies" and that to "maintain our lead and keep space safe, we have to accelerate innovation and sharpen our technological edge". Space FEST is an event dedicated to the exploration of outer space and the opportunities it offers, organised by the Politehnica University in Bucharest and the Aim Higher Consortium in Romania. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Space Force Needs Systems to Disrupt, Degrade Other Nations' Satellites - General Sputnik News 20230612 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Space Force needs to develop capabilities to degrade the space-based capabilities of other, potential adversary nations, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson told a meeting at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Monday. "We are certainly going to need to disrupt, degrade and deny (deceive) the space capabilities of adversaries," Thompson told the podcast meeting. "We are in the next chapter of the Space Force." The Space Force is handing over the mission of tracking all satellites and debris and other activity in space to other US agencies in order to concentrate on its primary mission of maintaining space dominance and protecting US space assets, the general explained. The greatly expanding volume of launchings of satellites in large numbers to create a new, far more numerous, survivable and resilient constellations of orbiting space assets meant that the Space Force was close to its maximum capacity in its volume and rate of launchings, Thompson said. The force was also looking at ways of putting more advanced sensors and program upgrades on existing satellite systems to improve and expand their capabilities in global surveillance and weather forecasting for US surface military forces, Thompson added. Thompson also noted that the US Space Force will need to take over the role of providing ground surveillance imagery to US combat forces around the world from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). "We are looking to put sensors on existing satellites to proliferate capabilities in real time forecasting," Thompson told a meeting at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. "We are looking at ways to do this mission differently." The Space Force was looking to replace the current global system of weather surveillance for the US armed forces from a small number of relatively large and lavishly equipped satellites with a far more survivable much larger constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit that would offer far superior prospects for survivability and resilience in the event of attacks by hostile nations, Thompson said. The Space Force was also developing reconnaissance capabilities to get tactical information to warfighters in combat ground operations in real time far more quickly than current systems operated by the National Reconnaissance Office were capable of doing, Thompson added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi meets Castro, guiding China-Honduras relations to new high level Global Times Significant step taken in setting tone for bilateral cooperation with various documents signed including on Belt and Road By Chen Qingqing Published: Jun 12, 2023 11:13 PM Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with visiting Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in the Great Hall of the People on Monday, as Castro became the first Honduran president to make a state visit to China, opening a new historical chapter in China-Honduras relations. Officials and experts hailed the meeting as significant as it set the tone for bilateral relations and injected new momentum into bilateral cooperation, bringing it to a higher level. President Xi extended a warm welcome to Castro and hailed her visit as one of special significance as it opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship. Xi commended her unwavering political will as evidenced by the historic decision she made to fulfill her campaign promise of establishing diplomatic relations with China. Honduras officially inaugurated its embassy in Beijing on Sunday three months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Central American country severed its so-called "diplomatic" relations with Taiwan island on March 25. Xi underscored the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, saying the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise. China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in the country, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development, Xi said during the meeting. The Chinese top leader also expressed his readiness to work with the Honduran president from a strategic and long-term perspective to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development and to turn the vision of cooperation into tangible results to the greater benefit of the two peoples. Following the meeting, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents including those related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), quality inspection, trade, agriculture, tech, culture and education. In the initial stage of China-Honduras relations, the two sides reached consensus on negotiating a free trade agreement and promoting practical cooperation in various fields, according to a joint statement released following the meeting. The meeting between Chinese and Honduran leaders set the tone for China-Honduras relations, reflecting the high level of political mutual trust and respect for each other's development path, Pan Deng, executive director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center of China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Monday. "While the two leaders pointed out the future direction for diplomatic relations, those positive outcomes in the political field will soon be turned into full-scale cooperation between the two countries," Pan said. During Castro's state visit to China, some senior officials from the Honduran delegation expressed high expectations for Honduras-China relations, which have been developing at a very fast pace, and more Honduran enterprises and people are willing to share the opportunities of the giant Chinese market. Over the past week, a Honduran business delegation has visited various provinces in China and negotiated with local entrepreneurs, with cooperation intentions being reached in exporting Honduran products such as coffee, white shrimp and melon. 'Good friend, good partner' The one-China principle is the first premise and political foundation of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras and the development of bilateral ties, and it's believed that Honduras will fully meet its commitment, Xi told Castro during the meeting. China firmly supports Honduras in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and its efforts in promoting development and improving livelihoods, supporting it to independently choose development paths suited to its national conditions and opposing interference of any foreign forces in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. With the shift in its own strategic focus, the US has made many "empty promises" to Honduras in recent years, which prompted it to stand up to the pressure from Washington and establish diplomatic relations with China, Pan noted. "Compared with the empty promises from the US, China can provide pragmatic cooperation that benefits its development, which has become a consensus within political and business circles in Honduras," he said. Castro said during the meeting that the establishment of diplomatic relations with China is a decision made by the Honduran government that will go down in history. Honduras firmly supports and upholds the one-China principle, and firmly supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve reunification. The Xi-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative are conducive to building a safer and more secure world in line with people's expectations, which Honduras highly praises and will actively participate in, she noted. After joining Belt and Road, China's experience in poverty reduction, education, infrastructure, logistics, science and technology will provide a reference for Honduras to overcome many structural problems, bringing new development opportunities for the country to better integrate into an interconnected and interactive world, Cui Shoujun, professor of the school of international relations of Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Monday. Shortly after the establishment of diplomatic ties with China, Honduras expressed willingness to join the BRI, which shows that the initiative has shown a positive demonstration effect overseas, making other countries willing to take the express train of China's development, Pan noted. "Joining the initiative shows that it is now very popular overseas, especially when the US often smears the initiative in Latin America," he said. Furthermore, unlike other countries that previously established diplomatic relations with China, Honduras abolished the free trade agreement with China's Taiwan region while signing the joint communiquA on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, which shows that Honduras attaches great importance and shares a bullish view on the Chinese market and economy, experts said. In the future, more Honduran agricultural products will no longer need Taiwan as a "middleman" and will be able to be sold more quickly and directly to the Chinese mainland and reach people's tables, Fredis Cerrato, Honduran Minister of Economic Development, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Sunday. Direct exports of Honduran goods to the Chinese mainland also mean "lower costs, greater speed, and more opportunities," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts refute foreign speculations, accusations about China's nuclear arsenal modernization Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jun 12, 2023 10:07 PM Chinese experts on Monday refuted foreign speculations and accusations on China's nuclear arsenal modernization program. They emphasized that China having a credible nuclear force contributes to global peace and stability amidst global tensions and pressure from the United States. On Monday, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its 2023 yearbook, estimating that China had built 60 additional nuclear warheads in the past year. According to SIPRI's estimates, China's nuclear arsenal size increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. The think tank expects this number to continue growing. SIPRI suggested that by the turn of the decade, China could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as either the United States or Russia. In response, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a regular press conference on Monday that China adheres to a defensive nuclear strategy. They maintain their nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and do not target any specific country. "We have honored our pledge to 'no first use' of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear weapon state to have adopted such a policy. China will stay committed to safeguarding its legitimate security interests and upholding world peace and stability," Wang said. China has never publicly disclosed its nuclear warhead stockpile, and Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, questioned SIPRI's estimation. "The figure estimated by SIPRI lacks concrete evidence," Song told the Global Times on Monday. SIPRI's press release also quoted an analyst who claimed that "it is increasingly difficult to reconcile this trend with China's declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces necessary to maintain its national security." Song dismissed this accusation as obviously incorrect. A senior Chinese diplomat said in January 2022 that China has no plan to drastically expand its nuclear arsenal, but the country will continue to modernize it in response to the changing security environment. Observers noted that as China's comprehensive national strength develops, there is a need to modernize its nuclear arsenal to serve as a credible deterrent and protect the achievements of its development, particularly considering the comprehensive and strategic containment efforts by the United States, which include military measures. In comparison, experts pointed out that the United States and Russia possess over 5,000 nuclear warheads each, significantly more than China. The aim of China's nuclear arsenal modernization is to safeguard national security, deter hegemony, and the country has no intention of participating in a nuclear arms race with the United States and Russia, according to Song. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM lambastes US-led statement on 'economic coercion' Global Times By Global Times Published: Jun 12, 2023 11:46 PM The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday blasted a statement from the US and five of its allies about "trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices," saying the statement looks more like describing the US. "The statement is made by the US together with its Five Eyes allies and Japan, but every sentence in it reads like a description of the US itself," Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the ministry, said at a regular press briefing on Monday, when asked about statement. On June 9, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan jointly released a statement, emphasizing their concern that trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices threaten the multilateral trading system and harm relations between countries. They also expressed concern about pervasive subsidization, anti-competitive practices by state-owned enterprises, forced technology transfer, and government interference with corporate decision-making. While the statement did not name any country, but foreign media reports have suggested that it was aimed at China. Also, US officials have recently hyped "China's economic coercion." Commenting on the statement on Monday, Wang did not mince words. "As the US attempts to project its deplorable image onto others, the world gets a chance to see clearly what the US really is - a country that tramples on market economy principles and international trade rules," he said, "We suggest the UK and the other countries use this statement as a checklist and call on the US to correct its economic coercion, unilateral sanctions, long-arm jurisdiction, and other non-market practices." The US CHIPS and Science Act prohibits companies that receive federal funding from expanding advanced semiconductor production capacity in China for a decade. It also cajoles and coerces US allies into restricting export of semiconductors to China, according to Wang. The US has also overstretched the concept of national security and abused state power to suppress companies like Huawei and TikTok, and for many years running, the US has been the only one impeding the appointment of new judges to the WTO's Appellate Body, thus paralyzing the dispute settlement mechanism, Wang noted. As to forced labor, it is a persistent problem in the US as old as the country itself. Even today, more than 500,000 people in the US still live under the yoke of modern slavery and forced labor, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing slams new Iran-related US sanctions on Chinese entities Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 10:56 AM Beijing has slammed the new Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States on Chinese targets, urging Washington to stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese entities and people. A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry told reporters on Monday "The US action lacks factual basis and due process, harming the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and individuals." The spokesperson also vowed that "China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and individuals." Last week, Washington slapped a new round of sanctions on more than a dozen individuals and entities in Iran, China, and Hong Kong over what it claimed to be aiding the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program. "This network conducted transactions and facilitated the procurement of sensitive and critical parts and technology for key actors in Iran's ballistic missile development, including Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics," the US Treasury Department claimed in the statement on Tuesday. The sanctions, which ban US firms, individuals, and companies from doing business with those placed on the blacklist, come as China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in March 2021 to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance. The bans are also part of Washington's so-called pressure campaign against Tehran. The United States under former president Donald Trump reinstated crippling sanctions on Iran after unilaterally walking out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018, despite Iran's full compliance with the terms of the agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, saying the Islamic Republic's defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cuba spy base revelations may jeopardize Blinken China visit White House official says eavesdropping facility was in operation since at least 2019. By Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.06.12 -- China has reacted forcefully to reports of an alleged Chinese "electronic eavesdropping facility" on Cuba, claiming that the "smearing" of China jeopardizes an anticipated Beijing visit by U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken. A Wall Street Journal story on Thursday last week claimed that China has invested in Cuba with the purpose of establishing a listening post there. The report was first denied by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby as "not accurate" but later confirmed on Saturday, by an anonymous Biden administration official, who told Politico that China has operated a spy base out of Cuba since at least 2019, adding, "This is an issue that this administration inherited." The unnamed official said that the base, which can pick up U.S. military and commercial signals, is "an ongoing issue ... not a new development." China pushes back Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday described the comments by the U.S. official as "false information." "Over the past two days, we have seen the U.S. government and media releasing a great deal of inconsistent information on the so-called allegation ... This is a display of the 'self-contradictory USA'," Wang said at a regular news briefing. Chinese media claimed that the "media hype" and "smearing" of China put the thawing of Sino-U.S. relations at risk. "The U.S. had unilaterally announced that top diplomat Antony Blinken planned to visit China in February of this year, but it was postponed due to the so-called 'balloon incident,'" the online version of state mouthpiece the People's Daily said. "This time U.S media once again claims Blinken may soon be visiting China, while broadcasting 'fake news' that China intends to build an eavesdropping facility in Cuba." Blinken's visit is tentatively scheduled for June 18 with hopes it might bring about a thaw in China-U.S. relations, but China has yet to agree to the visit and has rebuffed many recent overtures from Washington. 'U.S. politics to blame' Chinese press continued that it was difficult not to suspect that "some forces in the U.S. political arena ... do not want Sino-U.S. relations to ease [and] are constantly undermining the relationship between the two countries." The English-language tabloid Global Times added that the latest U.S. developments recalled "the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 - one of the fiercest scenes of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union - [and] could be a new farce staged by the media and some U.S. politicians as 'good cop, bad cop' with the purpose of gaining the 'upper hand' and pressuring China in any possible dialogue," a reference to Antony Blinken's possible visit to China." Improving Sino-U.S. relations still faces great challenges, Chinese media chorused. Han Yang, a former Chinese Foreign Ministry diplomat now in Australia, told RFA that the U.S. had left itself open to the Chinese move by allowing itself to be held hostage by the exiled Cuban community, providing Beijing with an opportunity to set up operations on Florida's doorstep. "I think ... the embargoes have been proved counterproductive and created opportunities for China to invest in Cuba," Yang said. "The sanctions don't make any foreign policy sense as the U.S. trades with many nations with worse human rights records than Cuba." Two leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee released a joint statement Thursday, even before the spy base was anonymously confirmed, reported Politico. "The United States must respond to China's ongoing and brazen attacks on our nation's security. We must be clear that it would be unacceptable for China to establish an intelligence facility within 100 miles [160 kilometers] of Florida and the United States, in an area also populated with key military installations and extensive maritime traffic," senators Mark Warner and Marco Rubio said. An expert on the U.S. told the Global Times on Sunday that while China is open for talks and will not put up barriers to communication, it was still possible that the Biden administration and US politicians could trip over themselves. "It's a highly controversial topic in the US about how to deal with China, and obviously, the Biden administration's decision-making on the topic is under heavy impact of the U.S.' internal politics," said Lu Xiang, an expert on U.S. studies and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "By spreading groundless accusations, the Biden administration is actually trying to legitimize its close reconnaissance missions and spy activities around China's territorial waters and airspace," Lu said. Edited by Mike Firn. Updated to include Monday's comments from China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. 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 June 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 Banned anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' gets global airing on protest anniversary Rallies mark the first tear gas attack on protesters outside the city's legislature in 2019 By Raymond Cheng, Wu Sui Lam and Amelia Loi for RFA Cantonese, Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2023.06.12 -- Exiled protesters have been singing the banned anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' in cities around the world to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the 2019 mass protest movement, which falls on Monday. The song, which has sparked a police investigation after organizers played it in error at recent overseas sporting fixtures, was regularly sung by crowds of unarmed protesters during the 2019 protests, which ranged from peaceful demonstrations for full democracy to intermittent, pitched battles between "front-line" protesters and armed riot police. Dozens of people gathered in the democratic island of Taiwan on Monday in a flash-mob performance outside Taipei's main railway station, with many more singing along in the surrounding crowd. Several other flash mobs gathered to sing the song across Taiwan, including in the central city of Taichung, and Taipei's Ximending district. Symbol of resistance It was banned in 2020 as Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the city, and the Hong Kong government last week applied for a High Court injunction to prevent its performance or dissemination in the city, including online. Hong Kong artist Kacey Wong, who took part in the Taichung event, said the song is a symbol of ongoing resistance by Hong Kongers. "The Hong Kong government banned 'Glory to Hong Kong,' and wants to ban anyone from playing it, and suddenly, a whole lot of people are buying this song on iTunes," Wong said. "Hong Kongers scattered all over the world are using it as a means of resistance." Sky Fung, secretary-general of the exile group Hong Kong Outlanders, said the song belongs to the people of Hong Kong. "By [singing it], we want to encourage or remind our friends in Taiwan in the hope that what happened in Hong Kong won't be repeated in Taiwan." "Everyone knows that Hong Kong was once one of the freest places, yet today we don't even have the freedom to sing this song," Fung said. Several people in the crowd had luggage with them, and appeared to be visiting the island. They declined to be photographed or interviewed for fear of political reprisals. "Glory to Hong Kong" calls for freedom and democracy rather than independence, but was nonetheless deemed in breach of the law due to its "separatist" intent, officials and police officers said at the start of an ongoing citywide crackdown on public dissent and peaceful political activism. Show of solidarity A Taiwan resident who gave only the surname Sun said he had come along to show solidarity with Hong Kongers. "Today we are standing up to support the people of Hong Kong, who have suffered a lot in the past few years, to the extent that they can't even sing [certain songs]," Sun said. "I think the whole world finds the Hong Kong government's lack of human rights [protections] unacceptable." Fu Tong, a Hong Konger who attended the event, said Hong Kongers overseas need to use their voices to speak out for those who can't, who remain in Hong Kong. "Some people say we are for Hong Kong independence, but I want to say that we are in pursuit of freedom and democracy, just like you," Fu Tong said. "We weren't suppressed because we wanted independence but because we wanted freedom and democracy." He said Taiwan's 23 million people should take heed and not believe the Communist Party's proposal to "unify" Taiwan using the "one country, two systems" model it uses to rule Hong Kong. "Don't believe China's promises, don't believe in 'one country, two systems', and please use your votes to protect Taiwan," he said. London, Toronto protests In London, protesters gathered in Parliament Square at the weekend to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2019 protest movement, and again in Piccadilly Circus on Monday evening to sing "Glory to Hong Kong," which is regarded by many as Hong Kong's "true national anthem." Protesters in Toronto also took up the anthem, with protesters calling on people not to forget the protest movement in exile. "A lot of Hong Kongers took to the streets peacefully in 2019 to express their demands, but sadly the government didn't respond to their calls," a participant who gave only the nickname Jenny told Radio Free Asia. "Four years have gone by, and the political crackdown has only gotten more serious ... so Hong Kongers living in Canada have a responsibility to turn out so as not to forget June 12, and also to think about what we can do in the future," she said. The use of tear gas and other forms of violence to contain the June 12 protests, which began peacefully outside the Legislative Council, was condemned by rights group Amnesty International at the time as a violation of international law. Since then, more than 10,000 people have been arrested under public order and "rioting" offenses for taking part in the movement, of whom around 2,300 have been prosecuted. A Hong Konger who attended the Toronto rally, who gave only the nickname Tom, said this is his second anniversary rally. "My heart is heavy, because the political environment in Hong Kong is getting more and more restrictive," he said. "I have a responsibility ... to let everyone know that we haven't given up, and that our ultimate goal is to restore Hong Kong [to the way it used to be]." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by 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 June 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 Xi, Xiomara Castro chart course for China-Honduras ties at historic meeting People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:25, June 13, 2023 BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING FRIENDLY TIES Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE AS POLITICAL FOUNDATION Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. ENHANCING COOPERATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea's leader vows to 'hold hands' with Russia's Putin for cooperation Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 3:07 PM North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un says he will "hold hands" with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, offering "full support and solidarity" to Moscow. In a message to Putin on the occasion of Russia's national day on Monday, Kim called for "closer strategic cooperation" with Moscow, and "holding hands firmly with the Russian president, in conformity with the common desire of the peoples of the two countries to fulfill the grand goal of building a powerful country." Kim also pledged his government's "full support" for Russia's war with Ukraine, although not directly mentioning the war, according to the North Korean official news agency KCNA. "Justice is sure to win, and the Russian people will continue to add glory to the history of victory." Kim praised Putin's "correct decision and guidance... to foil the hostile forces' escalating threats." The North Korean people, he said, extend "full support and solidarity to the Russian people in their all-out struggle for implementing the sacred cause to preserve the sovereign rights, development and interests of their country against the imperialists' high-handed and arbitrary practices." Kim has described the war in Ukraine as a US "proxy war" to destroy Russia. He has condemned Western military aid to Kiev and blamed the "hegemonic policy" and "high-handedness" of the United States and the West for the conflict. In an exchange of letters last August, Putin said Moscow and Pyongyang would "continue to expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations" to strengthen the security and stability of the Korean Peninsula and north-east Asia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDO-MALDIVES JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE "EKUVERIN" COMMENCED AT CHAUBATIA, UTTARAKHAND India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 12 JUN 2023 5:59PM by PIB Delhi The 12th edition of joint military exercise "Ex Ekuverin" between the Indian Army & the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand from 11 to 24 June 2023. Ekuverin meaning 'Friends' is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives. A platoon strength contingent from Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force will be participating in 14 days long exercise. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism Operations under the UN mandate and carry out joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. The focus is to share best practices, enhance coordination and cooperation between both the forces at tactical level. The 11th edition of the exercise was held in Maldives in December 2021. The defence cooperation between the two countries extends from joint exercises to assisting Maldives with defence training and equipment requirements. Both the nations have very close and friendly relations in economic, cultural and military cooperation. 'Ex Ekuverin' will assist in further bolstering of these ties between the two nations. ******** SC/RS/VBY (Release ID: 1931728) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC vessels equipped with 2,000-km-range missiles IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 12, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri has said that the IRGC has for the first time equipped its vessels with domestically-made missiles that have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers. Speaking on Monday in Tehran, Tangsiri said that the missiles have been mounted on the Iranian-made warship dubbed Martyr Soleimani. The commander said that the warship has been for the first time equipped with domestically-made vertical launch missiles as well as surface-to-surface cruise missiles with ranges from 40 to 2,000 kilometers. Tangsiri also spoke about the progress the Iranian missile industry has made after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He said that the missiles Iran possessed before the Islamic Revolution had a maximum range of 40 km, but now they have a minimum range of 2,000 km. Plus, he added, the country knows how to use the weapons without using any foreign help. The IRGC commander also said that Iran has managed to achieve progress in manufacturing vessels and missiles while it has been facing difficult sanctions. 4194***4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Raisi arrives in Caracas at start of Latin American tour IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 12, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has arrived in the Venezuelan capital Caracas at the start of a Latin American tour. Raisi arrived in Caracas on Monday noon local time. He is visiting Venezuela at the official invitation of his counterpart Nicolas Maduro. The visit is aimed at expanding political and economic relations between the two countries. Prior to his departure, Raisi said that the Islamic Republic's relations with independent Latin American states are strategic. The Iranian president's Latin American tour will also take him to Nicaragua and Cuba. He has said that good relations have been developed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and those three countries in recent years. 4194**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran seeks outcomes from nuclear deal revival talks: Spox IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 12, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Tehran has never left negotiations with world powers on securing a revival of its 2015 nuclear deal, which is known as the JCPOA, adding that the country has always shown that it is ready to hold talks to achieve outcomes that could serves its national interests. Iran attaches importance to how the other side acts, not to what it says in media, Nasser Kanaani told reporters during his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday. Referring to speculations about the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States to revive the JCPOA and to remove the sanctions, the spokesman said the Islamic Republic has adopted a clear and fundamental approach to the issue of JCPOA revival. Also, Iran has put on agenda the policy of foiling the sanctions by relying on domestic resources and by boosting its relations with neighbors, he said, adding that the country has not left the diplomatic process that is aimed at lifting the unjust sanctions from Tehran, Kanaani said. The spokesman went on to say that the exchange of messages and diplomatic consultations with the other sides via neighboring and friendly states will continue. Iran will continue to negotiate based on Supreme Leader's views and the country's national interests as well as the laws adopted by the Iranian parliament for the nuclear talks, he said, adding, however, that Tehran will not ignore its red lines while seeking to reach an outcome in the talks. An area of interest Elaborating on President Raisi's ongoing visit to three Latin American states, Kanaani said that South America is one of Iran's areas of interest. Fortunately, we have common political views with many countries in South America and there are complementary economic capacities which can facilitate bilateral cooperation, he said. The official said Iran's potentials in the economic sector, in industries, and in new technologies are sought-after by Latin American states, adding that President Raisi's visit to the region would be a good opportunity to develop business cooperation between Iran and countries in the region. As to Iran-Libya ties and appointment of a new Iranian ambassador to the African country, Kanaani said that Libya is of importance to the Islamic Republic and that n Iranian diplomat will go to Tripoli after administrative issued are resolved for the trip. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Islamic Republic and the caretaker government in Kabul have reached a consensus on water rights issue as he urged the Afghan side to take positive steps regarding Iran's rights from the water of the Helmand (Hirmand) River. Kanaani said Iran expects the ruling government in Afghanistan to abide by its obligations on the water rights issue and show good faith. Prisoner swap with the US On the issue of prisoner swap between Iran and the United States, Kanaani said an agreement is within reach if the other side is serious. "We hope to witness the exchange of prisoners because we have made all the necessary efforts regarding the humanitarian aspects of the issue," he added. He explained that negotiations are continuing through mediators, adding that "everything depends on the will of the other party." Asked about the latest developments in Iran's relations with Egypt, Kanaani said, "Regarding Egypt, the clear position of the government and diplomatic institutions was clearly stated, and the Supreme Leader also expressed his position in the meeting with the Sultan of Oman." He said that President Ebrahim Raisi's administration's priority is to develop relations with Islamic and neighboring countries. Concerning Egypt, he added, Iran welcomes restoration of ties if the Egyptian side is willing to do the same. Touching upon the latest developments concerning Iran-Saudi ties, Kanaani said that the implementation of an agreement between the two states has had a proper pace and there have not been any obstacles in the way of carrying out the agreement. The spokesman also noted that Saudi Arabia's foreign minister is to visit Iran in the near future, adding that the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran will probably open soon. On the resumption of ties between Iran and Bahrain, he stated that Manama has declared its readiness to this end and that Iran is keen on developing ties with all Islamic and regional nations. According to the official, Bahrain and Iran are involved in indirect negotiations, adding that it is expected that the current positive trend in the region would lead to the restoration of ties between the two states. Persian Gulf security Commenting on Iran's maritime coalition with some of the Persian Gulf states, he said that Iran's policy in the Persian Gulf is to engage in collective cooperation to safeguard the interests of regional states. Kanaani said that Iran believes that the security of the Persian Gulf should be guaranteed by regional countries, adding that the presence of trans-regional forces is a security threat to the region. Regarding the repayment of part of Iraq's arrears to Iran, Kanaani said Iran expected the debt to be repaid according to the agreement reached between the two countries, but unfortunately, that did not happen. "On many occasions, we treated the Iraqi side, as a friendly and brotherly country, with tolerance," he said. "One should know that adherence to agreements is necessary for the establishment and continuity of constructive relations between the two sides." Iran ready to boost ties with Europe He also said that Iran believes in focusing on mutual interests in its relations with European countries and opposes any move by European governments to views serving the interests of the Zionist regime as a precondition for relations with Iran. "We are ready to develop our relations with any European country that wants to have relations with us based on mutual respect," he asserted. Regarding Iran and Russia's drone cooperation, he said the two countries cooperate in various fields, including defense, and the cooperation preceded the Ukraine war. He dismissed claims targeting the cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, saying, "We once again reject the claims that are made with political motives." 1483**9376**9417**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran reacts to statement of ministerial meeting of Persian Gulf Cooperation Council ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 12 June 2023 / 14:29 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani has reacted to the statement of the 156th meeting of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, stressing the regional strategy and principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in strengthening and deepening ties with countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and development of the neighborly principle. Kanaani expressed hope that regional countries establish new frameworks for cooperation in the region with a look to the future and away from their traditional rhetoric of the past. The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said the developments of the recent months in the region have raised hopes and are in line with the interests of all countries in the region. "Countries of this region have a communal responsibility to advance the interests of this region and Iran has always supported talks and cooperation among Persian Gulf countries as regional partners," he added. Kanaani also reiterated the unchanging position of Iran, stressing that the three Iranian islands of Abou Mousa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs are inseparable and everlasting parts of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The foreign ministry spokesman also rejected the statement of the council on issues related to the nuclear program of Iran as unfounded, adding that "the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues its peaceful nuclear program through interaction with relevant countries and in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, in compliance with its rights and duties under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the comprehensive nuclear safeguards agreement." Kanaani concluded by saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran, once more, declares its serious will to move toward the objectives of a stable, secure and prosperous region in cooperation with neighboring countries and its brothers in the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Raeisi arrives in Caracas on first stop of Latin American tour Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 6:01 PM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has arrived in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, the first leg of a five-day tour of Latin American countries. Raeisi arrived at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas on Monday, leading a high-ranking delegation at the formal invitation of his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro. Upon arrival, the Iranian president was welcomed by Venezuela's Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren as well as other senior officials from the Latin American country. Within hours, Raeisi was officially welcomed by his Venezuelan counterpart Maduro at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, after which the two heads of state sat for bilateral negotiations. The two countries' high-ranking delegations have also started negotiations on issues of interest to both sides. A high-ranking delegation comprised of ministers of foreign affairs, oil, defense, and health is accompanying Raeisi on the five-day tour, which will also take him to Nicaragua and Cuba. During his visit to the three countries, various cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding will be signed between Iranian officials and their counterparts. Raeisi is also scheduled to meet with Iranian businesspeople and economic actors in those countries. Iran has close ties with many Latin American states in different domains and seeks to further deepen its relations with those nations. Back in February, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made an official visit to two Latin American countries of Nicaragua and Venezuela. Last June, Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year partnership agreement aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation in various fields during Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's visit to Tehran. The partnership agreement includes cooperation in the fields of science, technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism and culture. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran advisor denies reports about direct, secret talks with US Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 3:26 PM An advisor to the Iranian negotiating team has rejected reports about direct talks between Iran and the United States but confirmed "indirect" bilateral negotiations through parties including Oman and the United Nations. "The two parties do not sit together [for talks] in one room," Mohammad Marandi said in a televised interview on Monday. He emphasized that the talks between Tehran and Washington have so far included issues pertaining to the swap of prisoners and the release of Iran's assets which have been frozen and seized by the US following the re-imposition of its sanctions. Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani confirmed the exchange of messages between Iran and the US through the mediation of Oman with the aim of activating the sanctions removal talks. Multilateral diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have been stalled since last August, with Iran blaming the United States for failing to guarantee that it will not leave the deal again. Former US president Donald Trump pulled out of the UN-endorsed agreement in May 2018 and imposed what he called "maximum pressure" sanctions against Iran. The advisor's remarks came a day after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said there is nothing wrong with reaching a deal if Iran's nuclear infrastructure remains untouched. Ayatollah Khamenei, however, made clear that Iran does not trust the West, which has "reneged on its promises many times and has proven to be untrustworthy." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says never left negotiating table, always ready to strike deal on JCPOA Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 9:11 AM Iran has never left the negotiation table and has shown seriousness to reach a conclusion on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, the Foreign Ministry spokesman says. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Nasser Kan'ani said Iran has never abandoned diplomatic efforts to remove the cruel sanctions that were slapped on the country after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Iran's government has never left the negotiation table and has shown its readiness to conduct serious and substantive negotiations in order to reach a conclusion," he said. The remarks came a day after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said there is nothing wrong with reaching a deal if Iran's nuclear infrastructure remains untouched. Ayatollah Khamenei, however, made clear that Iran does not trust the West, which has "reneged on its promises many times and has proven to be untrustworthy." Like the Leader, Kan'ani also noted that Iran will continue to rely primarily on trying to neutralize sanctions as it does not trust the West, and at the same time, pursue negotiations to have them removed altogether. "We have clear, principled views about the JCPOA and nuclear negotiations," he said. "While Iran has put the policy of neutralizing sanctions at the top of its agenda by relying on its internal capacities and expanding its relations with neighbors and friendly countries, it has never stopped the diplomatic processes with the aim of removing the cruel sanctions," he added. Multilateral diplomatic efforts to revive the JCPOA have been stalled since last August, with Iran blaming the United States for failing to guarantee that it will not leave the deal again. The US withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 under former US president Donald Trump, who, in ditching the deal, began to impose "maximum pressure" sanctions against Iran. Iran rejects claims on interim deal Also in his remarks, the spokesman confirmed the exchange of messages between Iran and the US through the mediation of Oman. "We welcomed the mediation proposal put forward by senior Omani officials several weeks ago, and exchanged messages with the opposite side, with the aim of activating the sanctions removal talks," he said. "The exchange of messages continues and the diplomatic apparatus uses all capacities within the framework of Iran's principled policies to secure national interests. We used Oman's capacity and assistance as a friendly country." Kan'ani further noted that the Muscat talks were not secret, emphasizing that Iran will not miss any opportunity to uphold its national interests while considering the country's red lines. On Friday, the US-based news website Axios reported that American and Iranian officials had held indirect talks in Oman last month with Omani officials shuttling between their separate rooms to deliver messages. The report came one day after the Middle East Eye news portal claimed Iran and the United States "are nearing a temporary deal that would swap some sanctions relief for reducing Iranian uranium enrichment activities." Kan'ani said media speculations about an interim agreement and similar deal to replace the JCPOA cannot be confirmed, adding that the JCPOA is the basis of negotiations on the lifting of sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's President Raeisi sets off on groundbreaking tour of three Latin American nations Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 2:08 AM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has left Tehran on a tour of three Latin American countries, saying they share Iran's views on opposing hegemony and unilateralism. He made the remarks during a short interview early Monday before starting his five-day tour, which will take him to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. Raeisi said Iran's relations with those countries have been consistently cordial during past years, as they have common views with Tehran on major international issues. "Our common position with these three countries is opposition to the [world's] hegemonic system and unilateralism," the president said, adding that Iran cooperates with those countries in numerous areas. "Export of technical and engineering manpower is among our important cooperation areas," Raeisi said, adding, "We also cooperate with Latin American countries in the fields of politics, energy, science and technology, medicine and economy." He said his trip comes at the invitation of the presidents of the three countries, adding that it would be a turning point in developing Tehran's ties with Caracas, Managua and Havana. Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran's president stated that making the most of the potentialities that exist in Iran and the three Latin American states can lead to further expansion of their "strategic relations." This is Raeisi's 13th foreign trip during almost two years that have passed since he was elected Iran's president. A high-ranking delegation comprised of ministers of foreign affairs, oil, defense, and health are accompanying Raeisi in his tour of Latin America. During his visit to the three countries, various cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding will be signed between Iranian officials and their counterparts. Raeisi is also scheduled to meet with Iranian businesspeople and economic actors in those countries. Iran has close ties with many Latin American states in different domains and seeks to further deepen its relations with those nations. Back in February, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made an official visit to two Latin American countries of Nicaragua and Venezuela. Last June, Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year partnership agreement aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation in various fields during Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's visit to Tehran. The partnership agreement includes cooperation in the fields of science, technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism and culture. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Expansion of China-Iran deal will improve both nations' livelihood: Envoy Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 6:33 AM The Chinese ambassador to Iran says the expansion of a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries will be beneficial to the livelihood of both nations. In an interview with Fars news agency published on Sunday, Chang Hua described as "very proper" the current state of Beijing-Tehran relations. "Two years ago, we signed the 25-year agreement with Iran, which includes political, economic, cultural, tourism, and health ties, among others. Since then, the pact has developed well through bilateral cooperation and deals," he said. The envoy also referred to February's visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to Beijing, where he met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. It marked the first state visit to China by an Iranian president in the past two decades. During the trip, the two heads of state "held very important talks and reached a consensus to still develop the 25-year agreement. This issue will be beneficial to the livelihood of the people of both states," he added. China is Iran's largest trade partner. Both countries are subject to different levels of illegal sanctions imposed by the US. They have enjoyed close ties in recent years, particularly after the United States reinstated sanctions on the Iranian economy in 2018 after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal. The two countries signed the landmark 25-year partnership agreement in March 2021 in an attempt to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance. The deal was announced during President Xi's visit to Tehran back in 2016. It sets the outlines of China-Iran cooperation in political, cultural, security, defense, regional, and international domains for the next 25 years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan extends order to target any N Korean projectile ahead of satellite launch Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 10:32 AM Japan has extended a military alert to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missile, rocket or debris approaching the island nation ahead of Pyongyang's anticipated next satellite launch. Japan's Defense Ministry declared on Sunday that the order for its military forces to be on high alert would remain in place "for the time being" in an apparent expectation of North Korea's re-launch of a satellite after its first attempt failed due to a reported rocket malfunction. The development came after Pyongyang announced that it had made necessary adjustment following the first attempt and a second satellite launch would take place "as soon as possible." North Korea further stated that it may not issue an advance notice for the next satellite launch as it did the first time, likely sparking Tokyo's extension of its high alert against a potential re-launch by Pyongyang. The country's first attempt to launch a satellite into orbit took place on May 31 amid strong objections by the US and its close regional allies South Korea and Japan, but it crashed into the sea due to what was described as a malfunctioning rocket. Japan's Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada first issued the high alert order under the Self-Defense Force (SDF) law on May 29 after Pyongyang notified Tokyo of its plan to launch a satellite sometime between midnight on May 30 and midnight on Saturday. The SDF has deployed Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air interceptors to its southwestern islands. In addition, Japanese Aegis destroyers equipped with Standard Missile-3 interceptors have been deployed to the East China Sea. This is while the defense forces of both Japan and South Korea are totally dependent on the US military and cannot function without authorization and coordination of American forces stationed in the East Asian countries. Meanwhile, Japan's top government spokesman further claimed that it was possible that Pyongyang could seek to "push forward" a second launch without announcing a time frame, describing the decision to indefinitely extend the destroy order as a "reasonable" move by the Japanese SDF commanders. "Such a launch, even for the purpose of launching a satellite, would be in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting the use of ballistic missile technology by North Korea," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno further stressed at a news conference on Monday. He then added that Tokyo was taking necessary steps "to be able to respond to any eventuality." North Korea, however, has remained quite clear about the aims of its advancing missile development program, insisting that it is part of a national security exercise to defend the nation against persisting war games by US and South Korean militaries intended to wage an aggression against Pyongyang and invade the country. The US has even declared recently its approval of a nuclear-armed warship to South Korea to purportedly defend Seoul against rival Pyongyang, which already possesses a nuclear weapon program as a self-defense measure against the massive presence of nuclear-powered American military forces in South Korea. Moreover, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the North's ruling Workers' Party, Ri Pyong Chol, also declared on May 30 that leaders in Pyongyang strongly feel "the need to expand reconnaissance and information means and improve various defensive and offensive weapons" in an effort to bolster its military preparedness against enemies. The official also blamed the US of conducting "hostile air espionage activities on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity." North Korea's official KCNA news agency further cited Pyongyang officials as adding that it will continue to develop its weapons and missile programs, justifying the move as a "legitimate right of a sovereign state to have more powerful means of self-defense" to fend off "serious situations and prospective threats." The US, along with South Korea and Japan, however, view the North's launch of a reconnaissance satellite as a thinly veiled means of advancing its missile program arguing that similar technology is employed in the process using ballistic missile technology. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What are Japan's New 'Defensive' Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Targets? Sputnik News 20230612 Ekaterina Blinova Japan has kicked off a new project under the banner of "island defense" within the framework of the nation's military reinforcement plan. The Japanese Defense Ministry has unveiled a plan to create a new surface-to-ship guided cruise missile, according to the ministry's press release. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has been assigned to implement the project over the next four years. The anti-ship cruise missile program is just one in the Japanese MoD's vast list of endeavors, including the development of hypersonic gliders, and comes as part of the nation's broad "Defense Buildup Program" announced in December 2022. It was earlier reported that Japan's military budget of 1.42 trillion yen ($10.2 billion) would specifically include $257 million "for research on a new anti-ship missile." The new missile will reportedly have a length of between six and ten meters; boast a range of 2,000 kilometers, and be capable of achieving a subsonic speed of Mach 0.8 (980.04 km/h). To that end it would be equipped with the KJ300 turbofan engine currently under development by KHI. Judging from the Japanese MoD's press release, the weapon will have a "modular" design, allowing different configurations for various missions including land attack, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance. For its part, the US press reveals that during its cruise phase, the highly maneuverable "island defense anti-ship missile" will be guided by an inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS). Having entered the terminal phase, the weapon will use an infrared (IR) and/or a radio frequency (RF) seeker. Military observers pointed out that combining infrared and radar seekers will make it less vulnerable to jamming. Reportedly, the new surface-to-ship guided missile will be launched from warships, aircraft, and land-based launchers, as well as from submarines. The Drive noted that even though the contract was unveiled earlier this month, KHI has already been developing a prototype of the wonder weapon for several years. Moreover, a scale model of the KHI's "anti-ship missile" was demonstrated at the DSEI Japan 2023 exhibition this March. The media report went on to say that the new missile could be used in disputes with both China and Russia over islets in the East China Sea and Sakhalin, respectively. It noted that Japan has "a particular stake" in "protecting" the territories within the First Island Chain - which comprises the Kuril Islands, the Japanese archipelago, the Ryukyu (Nansei) Islands, Taiwan, northwestern Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan) and ending at Borneo. US military observers believe that Tokyo is set to invest in new cruise missiles as part of its broader strategy to "deter" China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and, possibly, Russia. To that end, last December Japan passed a record defense budget for the 2023 fiscal year. In addition to the aforementioned anti-ship cruise missiles, Tokyo doubled down on the development of aircraft carriers - such as the Izumo class JS Kaga (DDH-184) - and hypersonic missiles. Furthermore, some commentators suggest that the new "island defense anti-ship missiles" would primarily target enemy hypersonic-armed ships. Given that there are no countermeasures or air defenses capable of effectively thwarting the hypersonic threat, a pre-emptive strike at hypersonic armed assets could purportedly be held, preventing them from launching their missiles. Russia, China and the DPRK have already obtained powerful hypersonic military capabilities. Meanwhile, Article 9 of Japan's pacifist Constitution prohibits offensive actions by the nation's military. Therefore Tokyo's new cruise missile project is presented as an issue of "self-defense", as per the US media. In January 2023, Western media suggested that Japan was gradually "scrapping" its post-WW2 pacifist defense strategy. The ongoing military buildup in Japan comes in parallel with the US beefing up its military presence in the Asia Pacific along with the UK and Australia within the framework of the tripartite AUKUS alliance. The US Indo-Pacific Command made it clear in April 2023 that the ongoing developments are aimed at "deterring" China, Russia and the DPRK. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Junta ban on private oil wells could affect 300,000 owners and workers Observers say the closures are part of a bid to cut off tax revenue to opposition forces. By RFA Burmese 2023.06.12 -- Myanmar's junta last week issued an order shutting down all privately operated oil wells in a the central Magway region, a move that could affect as many as 300,000 workers in the industry. The decree, which came with no prior warning and provided no reason for the closure, immediately forced entrepreneurs in the oil fields in Magway's Min Hla and Thayet townships to cease production and walk away from their wells. Oil well owners and workers told Radio Free Asia that the military ordered the closure out of fear that tax revenues from the operations are being used to fund People's Defense Force paramilitary groups fighting the military, which took control of the country in a 2021 coup. Among those impacted by the ban was a businessman who had invested 40 million kyats (US$19,000) in three oil fields. "I have lost a lot at the Da Hat Pin oil field in Min Hla township, where I am currently based," said the businessman who, like other oil well owners interviewed for this article, spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. "I didn't even have any money left for food at the Na Lal oil field." The businessman said that after the fields where he runs wells were shut down by the junta he "lost everything that I invested," leaving him broke. The third well he ran is located in the Tet Ma oil field in Mandalay's Nyaung-U township, where officials shut down operations on May 21 after having issued a notice the previous day at the behest of the township junta. The notice threatened "serious action against anyone who fails to comply with the prohibition." "I have nothing left," he said. Those who only lost their source of income as a result of the shutdown can be considered relatively lucky. Others have lost their life savings or taken on debt to fund their entry into the industry and now find themselves in a very different hole than the ones they dug in search of oil. Another businessman who invested 42 million kyats (US$20,000), including a loan of 20 million kyats (US$9,500), to start up his wells on Oct. 1 last year said he has since lost all of it and now is facing an insurmountable debt. "I will never be able to pay back this loan by working in the plantations now that the oil wells have been shut down," he said. "If I can't continue my oil well this year, I will never be able to pay back this loan in my lifetime." The businessman likened the oil well closures to "killing us." "Not just me - over 100,000 workers and their families have been affected by the shutdown," he said. "I am really upset but I can't do anything about it. I had to stop working and return home as they ordered." He said the junta had caught oil well owners flat footed with the sudden closures, including those who had invested "hundreds of millions" of kyats in their operations. Wells left unattended can be rendered inoperable, and owners said they are desperately waiting to learn whether they will be able to restart production. Tax revenue under scrutiny Bagan Gyi, a soldier with the anti-junta Nyaung-U People's Defense Force, said that the closure of the Tet Ma oil fields has choked off the local economy. "Many surrounding villages rely on the oil field for their livelihoods," he said. "The junta has shut down their economy with this closure ... [It's a] deliberate attempt to make people suffer." Bagan Gyi also said he believes that the junta shut down the oil field to cut off funding to the PDF. He did not provide a definitive answer when asked whether the PDF is receiving tax money from the region's oil well businesses. But a resident of Magway's Myaing township with ties to the oil industry said that the PDF does receive funding from its taxation, which is why the junta recently ordered the closure of private wells there and in nearby Pauk township. "The PDF even has some oil wells of their own and they derive income from the wells in other ways, too," the resident said. "What I am confident to say is that the military must have calculated that the PDF business transactions would stop if the oil fields were shut down." Residents of Magway said that junta troops conducting clearing operations in the region have set fire to private oil wells, while PDF groups have also attacked military units stationed at oil fields. More closures likely Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun did not respond to RFA inquiries about the oil well closures by the time of publication. But Thein Tun Oo, executive director of Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, made up of former military officers, said it came as no surprise that the junta shuttered the oil fields in Magway. "If the military assumes that revenue from oil fields is funding the PDF, they will definitely be shut down," he said. "Any government would work to prevent local businesses from funding illegal terrorist organizations." Thein Tun Oo said he expects the junta to close more oil fields used for private wells going forward, adding that authorities in countries under martial law may restrict the rights and properties of the people if they are deemed to contribute to a "national emergency." Meanwhile, private oil well owners who, in some cases, entered the industry only months earlier to escape escalating costs and irregular weather conditions affecting agricultural work are suddenly finding themselves out of work and mired in debt due to the ban. "Soon after I bought two wells and extracted some oil to sell, I now have to return home, leaving everything I invested," said a businesswoman who spent 20 million kyats on her operations, but only earned around 3 million kyats (US$1,430) before the closure. "People from my area have invested tens of millions of kyats in this business and they are all devastated now that the oil fields have been shut down and they are left with nothing." Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June 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 More than 5,000 people flee villages in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region The exodus follows the capture of locals used as human shields by junta troops. By RFA Burmese 2023.06.12 -- More than 5,000 people have fled their homes in Myanmar's southernmost Tanintharyi region, locals told RFA Monday. The mass exodus follows the capture of 30 residents of villages in Thayetchaung township during junta raids between Thursday and Sunday. Locals said at least six villages are empty after residents fled in heavy rains. One woman, who didn't wish to be named for safety reasons, told RFA a convoy of around 100 soldiers entered Ka Net Thi Ri village on Thursday, only to be ambushed by members of a local People's Defense Force. A junta ship arrived by sea and reinforcements opened fire with heavy artillery. The local defense force surrounded the village, leading junta troops to seize residents to use as human shields, the woman said. "The first day the junta column arrived, they arrested about 30 people camped at the monastery at the top of the village," she said. "The next day, they used the people as human shields and moved them to the safety of Hpa Yar Koe Su mountain. The captured include the elderly and children. Those who can escape have fled." Another resident of a nearby village, who also requested anonymity, told RFA locals fled to other villagers or left in boats. "They brought nothing when they fled ... in heavy rain"," she said. "They need clothes and accommodation urgently. Food is provided by our village. A member of the Thayetchaung People's Defense Force said junta troops have only one escape route, which the PDF has blocked. "The battle may take a long time. It is still very difficult for them to get out by the way we have blocked," said the man, who declined to be named. "We prepared as much as possible in advance." The Thayetchaung People's Defense Force was aware of the possibility of junta attacks as early as June 8, warning civilians to travel along the local roads only between 6am and 9pm The junta has not released a statement on the current fighting and calls to the local junta spokesperson, Yin Htwe, went unanswered Monday. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June 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 Myanmar's junta met jailed NLD chief Suu Kyi twice to discuss peace The entreaties were rebuffed and analysts say it is unlikely that she will accept. By RFA Burmese 2023.06.12 -- Myanmar's junta has met at least twice with Aung San Suu Kyi, the jailed head of the deposed National League for Democracy, to enlist her help in peace negotiations with the armed resistance, only to be rebuffed by the former state counselor, Radio Free Asia has learned. Suu Kyi was visited on May 27 and June 4 in Naypyidaw Prison by three military officers - Lieutenant Gen. So Htut, the junta's home affairs minister, Lieutenant Gen. Yar Pyae, who has led the military's negotiation teams for peace talks with ethnic rebel groups, and retired Lieutenant Gen. Khin Zaw Oo, a source in the capital with close connections to the facility told RFA Burmese on Monday. "As much as we can confirm, the generals met her two times," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media. "We heard that the generals urged her to help the junta in its peacemaking process amid the current political situation and help stop the violence," he said. "We've heard that [Aung San Suu Kyi] did not respond." The junta has been embroiled in a protracted conflict with Myanmar's increasingly formidable armed resistance groups and ethnic armed organizations since the military detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other top leaders of the NLD in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat. Junta courts found the 78-year-old Suu Kyi guilty of corruption charges and the violation of election and state secrets laws in December 2022. She faces a total of 33 years in jail for 19 cases, and is being held in solitary confinement in Naypyidaw. Suu Kyi's supporters say the charges were politically motivated. The source in Naypyidaw told RFA that while the three generals may have met with Suu Kyi in prison more than twice, they hadn't been able to confirm the visits. The junta has not made any official announcement about the meetings and RFA has been unable to independently confirm that they took place. Sources close to Suu Kyi's legal team, including within the NLD, said that they were unaware of the meetings. Attempts by RFA to contact Naing Win, the junta's deputy director general of the Department of Prisons, went unanswered Monday. Sources told RFA that Ottama Thara, the Buddhist abbot of Thabarwa Sanctuary in Thanlyin township, a port city located across the Bago River from the commercial capital Yangon, met with senior NLD party patron Thura Tin Oo on June 8 and advised that Suu Kyi should "retire from politics and participate in peacemaking efforts." The monk, who reportedly met several times with top military leaders in Naypyidaw before the meeting with Thura Tin Oo, said that the junta generals hope that by doing so, Suu Kyi can facilitate an end to the country's political deadlock. Suu Kyi 'vital' to Myanmar politics RFA spoke with NLD Central Working Committee member Kyaw Htwe, who said the party had heard that the generals met with Suu Kyi in prison, but couldn't confirm the visit. "In Myanmar's political world, the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is vital," he said, using an honorific to refer to the veteran politician and party chief. "There will never be practical political change without her. Meeting with her and holding discussions is very important." Kyaw Htwe said that the military had violated Myanmar's constitution by seizing power and is "entirely responsible" for the country's current problems. "Only after all political prisoners, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, are freed will the path to a resolution be implemented," he said. Nay Phone Latt, the spokesman for Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, said he had been unable to confirm the generals' visits to Suu Kyi, adding that "it is too early for us to comment." RFA contacted Thein Tun Oo, the head of the Thayninga Institute of Strategic Studies, a pro-military think tank founded by retired military officers in Naypyidaw, who said he was "surprised to hear that the generals visited her in prison." "Some may think the generals met her as the [armed resistance] has become stronger," he said. "But in my opinion, it's almost impossible that the generals actually went to meet her ... That may be the reason why it has not been publicly announced." Violence 'cannot be left unaddressed' Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, told RFA that enlisting Suu Kyi to lead a peacemaking process between the junta and the armed resistance would "contradict her position and her beliefs." "I believe that she will never accept such an offer from the junta because the violence ... happening in Myanmar is the direct consequence of the military junta's seizure of power," he said. "Their offer to restrict her from the political arena and only allow her to participate in the peacemaking process may sound appealing, but it is complete nonsense as they did not discuss the political problems or the violence happening in the country." Than Soe Naing said he could only envision Suu Kyi accepting such an offer "if the junta admits wrongdoing with the coup and reinstates the results of the 2020 election," which saw the NLD secure victory in a landslide. The junta has since accused the NLD of election fraud, but has yet to provide evidence of its claims. "Additionally, the violence and crimes that the junta has committed against the people during the two years of the coup has to be discussed - it cannot be left unaddressed," he said. "That's why I believe that the junta's offer, despite its sugar-coated words, is very cowardly and cunning. I don't think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will accept such an offer." Since mid-January, Suu Kyi's legal team has submitted several official requests to the junta's Naypyidaw Prison Department for in-person meetings with the former State Counsellor, but has yet to receive permission to do so. Last year, Sanda Min and Toe Lwin, two of the NLD's Central Committee members who were not arrested following the military coup, met with Suu Kyi in prison and requested that she allow the party to re-register under the junta's Election Commission and re-open its offices. After news of the visit became public, NLD party leaders in exile ordered the duo's expulsion. The junta dissolved the party in late March when its leadership chose not to re-register. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June 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 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address to the citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, Moscow, June 12, 2023 12 June 2023 08:00 12-06-2023 Dear citizens of Pakistan! I am glad to congratulate you on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We know about the great interest and respect that the Pakistani people entertain towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin. We appreciate it very much. There have been different periods in our relations over the past three quarters of a century. However, Russia has always been interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan, and under no circumstances has abandoned its commitments. The participation of Soviet specialists in the construction of the largest steel mill in Karachi (now called Pakistan Steel Mills) in the 1980s, despite the conflict raging in Afghanistan at the time, is clear evidence of this. The Guddu Thermal Power Plant, then the largest in your country, was also commissioned at that time. Nowadays, our relations are advanced and based on trust. They are founded on the concurrence or proximity of approaches to the key issues of the international agenda. Together with our Pakistani partners, we stand for shaping a more just and democratic multipolar world order. We respect the cultural and civilizational diversity of peoples and their right to determine the avenues of their political, social and economic development themselves. I would like to note that Russia's vision of the world order and our understanding of traditional moral values is in harmony with the principles of faith, unity and discipline formulated by the Father of the Pakistani people Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is on these pillars that the statehood of modern Pakistan is based. We attach great importance to further constructive cooperation with your country in international fora. We highly appreciate Pakistan's contribution to the activities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. We welcome Islamabad's active involvement in joint work within the SCO as a full member of this Organization, which plays an important role in establishing multilateral cooperation in Greater Eurasia. We consider the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to be a key international partner in the joint efforts to combat common security challenges and threats, including transborder crime and terrorism. It is encouraging that over the recent years we have succeeded in making significant progress in bilateral trade. Russia has become a major supplier of wheat to Pakistan, with shipments exceeding one million tons last year. Negotiations on launching a cooperation project in the oil sector are at their final stage. We are willing to work together on further engagement of our countries and peoples, strengthening mutually beneficial relations in politics, security, economy, education, in cultural and humanitarian fields as well as in other areas. Pakistan-Roosi dosti zindabad! (in Urdu "Long live the friendship between Russia and Pakistan!"). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Visit to Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital June 12, 2023 17:30 Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region The President visited the Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital of the Russian Federation Defence Ministry where Armed Forces service personnel wounded during the special military operation are undergoing treatment. Vladimir Putin presented state decorations to the servicemen and talked to them. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: To start with, I congratulate you on your state decorations and today's holiday, Russia Day. Of course, we cannot gather here all men taking part in combat actions in the special military operation zone - it is impossible to have them all in one place, not only in this hall, but anywhere. That's the first thing. The second thing I'd like to say is that the commander was awarded the Star of Hero; the rest of you received the Order of Courage. The Order of Courage is a high decoration, but judging by what and how you describe things - artillery shelling, then tanks, then armoured vehicles, infantry - these are tough battles, which suggests that in fact the level of the decoration is certainly symbolic in nature. I think Yury Zhulanov would also understand: everyone here has done the same kind of combat work that Yury Zhulanov was doing. By and large, each of you is a hero in this sense. If I were to explain all this in detail to a person who is far from the army and from the service that you have chosen for yourselves, then in the eyes of any normal person, each and every one of you is a hero, just like the other men who are fighting at the front, fighting in the special military operation zone. Artillery fire, tanks, armoured vehicles - all this is not a movie, it is all happening in reality. So I want to emphasise that this awards ceremony today - of course you each deserve it, obviously, but it is to a certain extent a symbolic act, to emphasise the importance of the combat work that all the personnel in the special military operation zone do, all of them without exception. My special gratitude to you, of course, for your service, for your loyalty to your oath, for your loyalty to your Motherland, for your loyalty to Russia. I don't have to tell you how important this is for the country, for it to be independent, strong, to protect the people in these territories. They are our people, they feel like part of our nation, and it is our duty to stand up for them, which we are doing and which you are doing, risking your lives and the lives of your comrades, risking your health. We will certainly do everything we can to make sure your rehabilitation progresses as quickly as possible so you can get back on your feet and face the future with confidence. I talked to Yury Zhulanov on the phone and asked him what he wanted to do next, what kind of life he wanted to live. He said he would like to return to the Armed Forces. Yes of course, certainly, go ahead. I think those of you who want to, can take the next step and go to study. The country, the Motherland, and the Armed Forces undoubtedly need people like you. If someone sees their future with the Armed Forces, it would be correct - the Defence Minister is listening to us, this is his position too - that the future command staff of the Armed Forces should be made up of people like you, people who have experienced what combat operations are like and have not wavered, who have fulfilled their duty to the end. Of course, the Armed Forces need people like this who have been tested by fire in combat operations. Therefore, for those who want to stay, the best thing to do would probably be to take the next step in their military career, which is to get a proper military education. If one has a military education already, then they would continue training in their respective specialty. And the state, of course, does and will do everything to support you and your families, and the families of our fallen comrades. This is a holy cause: we will do everything we can in this respect. I wish you a speedy recovery and rehabilitation. They will work with you individually considering your wounds, so that your future will be good, so you feel that you did not fight in vain. Everything will be all right with you, everything must be stable. We will work on that individually. I congratulate you on both your state decorations and this holiday, and I congratulate you on being real men. I would like to conclude by thanking your parents. The fact that you are the way you are is, to a considerable extent, may be even primarily, the result of the influence of your families and parents. We don't even notice it sometimes, we sometimes don't understand it, but in the end, everything comes from the family, from the parents, from the closest environment. So, a word of gratitude to them. Congratulations again. Get well. All the best to you guys! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Akhmat volunteer detachment signs a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence 12.06.2023 The Akhmat volunteer detachment trained by the Russian Special Forces University has signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence as part of the implementation of an order of the Russian Defence Minister defining the procedure for organising the service activities of volunteer organisations. The contract, which defines the legal regulation and activities of the Akhmat volunteers in the area of the special military operation as well as the extension of social protection and support measures established by the state to the volunteers and their families, was signed by Colonel General Aleksey Kim, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and Adam Dashaev, Director of the Russian Special Forces University. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint statement by Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on instituting proceedings at International Court of Justice to hold Syria to account for torture Global Affairs Canada Statement June 12, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, today issued the following joint statement: "On June 8, Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands started legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice to hold Syria accountable for torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own people. Since 2011, Syrians have been tortured, murdered, sexually assaulted, forcibly disappeared and subjected to chemical weapon attacks on a mass scale. Twelve years on, human rights violations at the hands of the Syrian regime persist. "Canada and the Netherlands invoked the responsibility of Syria under international law, including under the United Nations Convention Against Torture on 3 March 2021 and 18 September 2020 respectively. With that, they initiated a dispute with Syria under this convention. Despite genuine attempts made by Canada and the Netherlands, a negotiated solution with Syria could not be reached, nor could an agreement be reached on terms of arbitration. Canada and the Netherlands have thus taken this step of referring the dispute to the International Court of Justice to seek Syria's compliance with its obligations under the Convention Against Torture. "Canada and the Netherlands have also requested that the court order provisional measures for Syria to immediately cease the torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of its people, while the case is being decided. "Canada and the Netherlands are guided by the firm belief that there can be no sustainable peace and lasting reconciliation in Syria without accountability for human rights violations and justice for its victims and survivors. We remain committed to upholding compliance with international law and call on all states and the international community to support accountability efforts for Syrians." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Netherlands and Canada to bring case against Syria before International Court of Justice Government of the Netherlands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12-06-2023 Together with Canada, the Netherlands will be instituting proceedings against Syria before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population. This is the next step in a process invoking state responsibility that started in September 2020. For some time now, the Netherlands and Canada have been pursuing justice for the many victims of the Syrian regime and seeking to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. 'Syrian citizens have been tortured, murdered, disappeared, attacked with poison gas or forced to flee for their lives and leave behind everything they had,' Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra said. 'These large-scale atrocities have been reported on extensively by international organisations. Establishing accountability and combating impunity are important elements of achieving a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria. Bringing this case before the ICJ is a major next step on the long road to that goal.' It is the Dutch government's position that there is ample evidence demonstrating that Syria has committed serious human rights violations against Syrian citizens on a grand scale. This evidence has been gathered by various bodies, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, the UN's investigative body for Syria. This is why the Netherlands decided to invoke state responsibility against Syria in September 2020; Canada joined this process in March 2021. For over two years the Netherlands and Canada have attempted to reach a negotiated settlement with Syria, in line with the dispute resolution mechanism set out in the UN Convention against Torture. These talks have not led to a solution. In addition, Syria did not consent to the proposal for arbitration within the six-month period stipulated by the Convention. For this reason, it was decided to bring the case before the ICJ on 8 June 2023, in an effort to compel Syria to comply with its obligations under the Convention, to which Syria is itself a State Party. Syria has been notified of this decision in the form of a diplomatic note from the Netherlands' Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva. The Netherlands and Syria have had no diplomatic relations since 2011, but they are both represented at the UN in Geneva. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. backs Taiwan presidential hopefuls in seeking dialogue with China: Envoy ROC Central News Agency 06/12/2023 03:15 PM Taipei, June 12 (CNA) The de facto United States ambassador to Taiwan said last week that Washington supports Taiwan's presidential candidates in seeking to establish dialogue with China as it believes communication would ease ongoing cross-Taiwan Strait tensions. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk made the remarks during a TV talk show aired on Friday when asked if she supports the move by Taiwanese presidential candidates to explore the possibility of reconciliation with China to alleviate the tense situation between the sides. In response, Oudkirk began by saying that she has personally met with all three presidential candidates nominated by the three main political parties in Taiwan, namely, sitting Vice President Lai Ching-te (), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) nominee; New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih () of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je () of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP). She said that the AIT has "good working relationships" with the Taipei City government, the New Taipei City government, and the vice president's office, "so we're really familiar with them on a number of issues, not just [as candidates], but a sort of know the person and know the job that they've been doing for the last couple years." On the cross-strait dialogue issue, the U.S. diplomat praised dialogue as "good, useful and important" for communication. "The United States is seeking more dialogue and engagement with the PRC, and we would certainly not stand in the way of anyone else wanting to do that," she said. Though establishing communication channels could be challenging, she noted that she believes all three main political parties in Taiwan have also talked about a desire to communicate. "They've fashioned it sort of from different angles. But it seems to be a common goal. And it's certainly one that we would support," she added. Meanwhile, asked about why the U.S. continues to sell weapon systems to Taiwan and if that means a cross-Strait war is inevitable, the AIT director answered: "I don't think war is inevitable." "But I do think that the best way to deter war or to avoid war, okay, is to have a really good self-defense," she said. Oudkirk noted it is an objective fact that there is a huge size difference between the populations of the PRC (People's Republic of China) and Taiwan. "So, Taiwan needs to be flexible and agile, it needs to message deterrence, it needs to message determination. And one way to do that is to have a strong military, a well-trained military, [and] a capable military that people are confident in," she added. The PRC has curtailed cross-strait exchanges and closed the official dialogue channel since the DPP's President Tsai Ing-wen () assumed office in May 2016 because of her refusal to accept the "1992 consensus." The "1992 consensus," as the KMT defines it, refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then KMT administration and Beijing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is only "one China," which includes both mainland China and Taiwan, but leaves each side free to interpret what "one China" refers to -- the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) or the People's Republic of China (PRC, China's official name). Beijing has never publicly recognized the second part of that interpretation. The DPP and its supporters reject the concept of "one China," preferring Taiwan to be completely independent of the mainland, and have insisted the "1992 consensus" is only what Beijing wants it to be. The KMT, meanwhile, argues that the understanding gives the two sides flexibility to get around the disputed issue of Taiwan's status and focus on building good relations. Oudkirk assumed the directorship of AIT, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties, in July 2021, and is the first woman to serve in the role. She previously served as U.S. senior official for APEC and deputy assistant secretary of state for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allowing collusion with secessionists 'not in interests of Europe,' experts warn, as Taiwan regional officials set off for Europe Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 12, 2023 09:49 PM The series of visits to Europe by Taiwan regional officials, including the head of its external affairs authority leader Joseph Wu, reflects the anxiety of DPP authorities to seek more "international space." However, by allowing collusion with the Taiwan secessionists, Europe will only end up shooting itself in the foot, experts warned on Monday. Joseph Wu will visit the Czech Republic in mid-June at the invitation of Czech think tank European Values Center for Security Policy (EVC), and will make a public speech while attending the European Values Summit 2023, the Taiwan local external affairs authority announced on Sunday. Sources close to the matter said that Wu will attend a security conference in Prague on Wednesday and is due to speak immediately after Czech President Petr Pavel, marking a highly unusual occasion, given that European leaders generally do not share the same stage with senior Taiwan regional officials, according to a Reuters report last week. He is also scheduled to visit Brussels, headquarters of the European Union. Another senior official from the island, Audrey Tang, head of the regional digital affairs authority, has been visiting the UK since Sunday to attend a number of events for London Tech Week, local media reported. She is scheduled to hold meetings with British officials in science and innovation, as well as business and trade departments in an attempt to deepen cooperation in digital security, industry investment, and application and innovation areas, media reports said. The series of visits by Taiwan's DPP authorities to Europe has demonstrated the clear goal of expanding its so-called international visibility, as the diplomatic struggle for the DPP authorities has become increasingly intense, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. As a result, Europe has become the main target for the DPP authorities in recent years, Cui said, as they spare no effort to win support from European countries by using the pandemic and now the Ukraine crisis as leverage. As for European politicians who collude with the DPP secessionists, one of their goals is to use the "Taiwan card" to gain political benefits domestically and appease the US, while hoping to "mobilize" China by playing this "card," so as to better "bargain" with China in economy and trade and other areas, Cui noted. The change in the Czech Republic's attitude toward the Taiwan question stems from changes in its domestic political landscape, as the country now has a multi-party coalition government, and some of its politicians have always been provoking China. In addition, as some countries have practical interests in Taiwan's semiconductor industry, they hope to attract the island's investment or participation in its industrial layout. Some Central and Eastern European countries have become particularly keen to show support for Taiwan secessionists. However, the majority of Europeans would want to remain neutral in any conflict between China and the US over the Taiwan question, according to a recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations. The opinion poll conducted in April across 11 EU member states showed that if a conflict does break out between the two world powers over the Taiwan question, only about one-quarter would want their country, or Europe, to take America's side. Whether it is to cater to the US, or for their personal interests, these politicians should think twice before they risk losing their relations with China and the benefits they can gain from cooperating with China. Otherwise, they will only end up shooting themselves in the foot, experts warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway providing support to flood victims in Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 12/06/2023 'Norway is increasing its humanitarian support and sending equipment to help the many thousands of people affected by the flooding following the collapse of the Kakhovka dam,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt. Norway is now providing NOK 150 million in humanitarian funding via the UN and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 'The funding from Norway will be used to provide life-saving emergency assistance for the thousands of people in southern Ukraine who are contending with the devastation caused by the flooding. All the humanitarian actors we support in Ukraine can rest assured that Norway will do its part to promote a rapid response in the flood-affected areas,' said Ms Huitfeldt. The full extent of the damage will become clearer in the coming few days. However, the flooding is already having severe, wide-ranging impacts on large parts of the population in Kherson province and the other affected areas. 'Norway has flood response equipment that Ukraine needs. This is now being prepared for shipment. I am pleased that the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and other relevant actors were able to respond quickly in this situation so that we can offer this equipment right away,' said Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl. Five containers carrying flood response equipment valued at NOK 7.5 million will be made available to the Ukrainian authorities. The equipment can be used to secure critical infrastructure, hold floodwaters back and prevent contamination. It includes among other things flexible flood barriers and retention ponds, pumps, generators and hoses. Norway is providing this support in response to a request from the Ukrainian authorities for assistance in dealing with the floodwaters. Areas downstream of the Dnipro river will be flooded for a long time to come due to the destruction of the dam. Large numbers of people have already been evacuated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow rejects Kiev's claims about capturing villages, says has repelled Ukraine's offensives in southeast Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 9:58 PM Russia says it has repelled attacks by Ukrainian forces on several villages in the southeastern regions of Ukraine, rejecting earlier claims by Kiev that its troops have "liberated" those villages from Russian control. In a statement on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said the country's forces have successfully fought off three Ukrainian assaults near the town of Velyka Novosilka, which is located in the eastern region of Donetsk where Kiev has claimed gains. "Decisive actions of defending units a [including] artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok grouping a repelled three enemy attacks," the statement added. According to the ministry, Russian forces also foiled Ukraine's attacks west of Velyka Novosilka, around the nearby village of Levadne in the neighboring southern region of Zaporizhzhia. Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his country's forces had retaken "seven villages" in those regions, alleging that Ukrainian troops had "de-occupied" the territories in question. Ukraine's Defense Minister Ganna Malyar also said on the Telegram messaging app that "seven settlements were liberated." Zelensky had confirmed on Saturday that his country has launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces. Russia began what it calls a special military operation against its neighbor last February, saying the offensive was aimed at defending Ukraine's pro-Russian population in Donetsk and Luhansk, another eastern Ukrainian region, against persecution by the Kiev regime. Several Ukrainian regions have ever since voted in separate referendums in favor of joining the Russian Federation. Kiev and its Western allies, however, accuse Moscow of seizing those territories by force. The West has also been pumping Ukraine full of state-of-the-art weaponry and other military equipment despite Russia's repeated warnings that such a measure would only prolong the war and torpedo prospects of peace between the two countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says evacuated 7,000 from Kherson flooded areas Iran Press TV Monday, 12 June 2023 11:09 AM Nearly 7,000 people have been evacuated from flooded areas in the war-ravaged Russia-controlled Kherson region of eastern Ukraine, its acting governor has declared. Vladimir Saldo declared in a post on his Telegram social media channel that coordination has been made to provide essentials for affected residents who have received certificates of residency in the emergency zones at temporary accommodation centers, TASS news agency reported Sunday. "By the end of June 10, almost 7,000 people were evacuated from the flooded territories of the Kherson region (323 of them were children, 112 people with limited mobility), including 902 people per day. Of the total number of evacuees, about 1,500 people are in temporary accommodation centers," Saldo further wrote. The emergency zones, the report noted, were established after the Western-backed Ukrainian forces struck the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant with a missile on the morning of June 6, destroying the valves in the dam and prompting an uncontrolled release of water. Thirty-five settlements and areas have been affected by floodwaters, according to the report, which noted that residents of nearby settlements are still being evacuated. Local officials further stated that eight people were killed during the flooding. Two of them were killed in an artillery strike on an evacuation center. More than 60 people were taken to hospitals. The destruction of the dam has caused serious damage to the environment, washed away farmlands along the Dnieper and raised the risk of the North Crimean Canal drying up. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, censured the attack on the Kakhovka HPP as a deliberate act of sabotage by Ukraine and insisted that the Kiev regime should be held responsible for the consequences. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Says It Retakes Territory In South, East As U.S. Backs Counteroffensive By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 12, 2023 Ukraine says it has liberated seven settlements in the south and eastern regions of the country and made further advances in Bakhmut amid heavy fighting, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was confident the counteroffensive would make progress and that it was maximizing its support to insure Kyiv's "success on the battlefield." Blinken told reporters in Washington on June 12 that a "robust" package of support could be expected at the upcoming summit of the NATO alliance in Lithuania on July 11-12. "Success in the counteroffensive would do two things: It would strengthen [Kyiv's] position at any negotiating table that emerges, and it may have the effect as well of actually causing [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to finally focus on negotiating an end to the war that he started," Blinken said during a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. "In that sense, it can actually bring peace closer, not put it further away," Blinken said, adding that Washington would "maximize our support to Ukraine now, so it can have success on the battlefield." Kyiv's long-anticipated counteroffensive to regain territory occupied by Russia appeared to be kicking into gear, although both sides reported gains on the battlefield on June 12. "The national flag is flying over [the village of] Storozhove again, and this will be the case with every settlement until we liberate all Ukrainian land," the Ukrainian forces' press center reported in a message accompanied by a video showing Ukrainian soldiers patrolling the village. Ukraine on June 11 said three Donetsk villages -- Makarivka, Neskuchne, and Blahodatne -- had been retaken by Kyiv's forces. The claim could not be independently confirmed. Later, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the villages of Lobkove, Levadne, and Novodarivka in the southeastern Zaporizhzhya region had been taken, although Russian officials said Ukrainian forces had been repelled in some of those areas.. The claims could not be independently confirmed. Earlier, a territorial defense group called the Zaporizhzhya Separate Territorial Defense Brigade said it had freed the village of Novodarivka in the southern region more than a week ago. "On June 4, 2023, as part of a defense operation, the village of Novodarivka was liberated from the occupiers by the joint actions of the mechanized unit and the combined unit of the Zaporizhzhya Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Numerous attempts by the enemy to return the settlement under their control that lasted for several days were unsuccessful," the group said on Facebook. In the Bakhmut area, the Ukrainian military has managed to advance up to 700 meters, while the Russian army suffered losses, Serhiy Cherevatiy, a spokesman for the Eastern Group of Ukraine's Armed Forces, told Ukrainian state television on June 12. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said the previous day that Ukrainian forces continued to make advances in Bakhmut area. The Donetsk city of Bakhmut was the scene of the longest and fiercest battle for the control of the Donbas where Ukraine had put up a fierce defense for several months before recently going on the offensive. Earlier on June 12, the General Staff of Ukraine's military said heavy fighting had been taking place over the past day in Bakhmut, Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka areas in Donetsk. It reported a total of 25 combat clashes over that period of time in the area. A resident of Avdiyivka was killed as a result of shelling by Russian troops, regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on June 12. Meanwhile, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said that "Army Group East has repelled three attacks by the opponents in the direction of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk Republic and in the area around the village of Levadne in Zaporizhzhya." Many analysts have speculated that Ukraine will seek to move southeast toward Mariupol, an industrial city on the Azov Sea, in order to cut off and encircle Russian forces to the west. Ukraine's counteroffensive has been complicated by the bursting on June 6 of the Russian-controlled Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River. Kyiv has accused Moscow of mining the dam and deliberately causing its destruction to flood Kherson region in the south and slow down its counteroffensive. Ukraine said 10 people were killed in the region by the floods resulting from the dam breach and that 41 people remained missing. Zelenskiy said in a video message posted on his Telegram channel late on June 11 that about 4,000 people had been evacuated from the flooded areas in Kherson. Zelenskiy added that dozens of towns and villages remain flooded, and "the worst situation, as before, is in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, from where volunteers are helping to evacuate Ukrainians under fire from the occupiers." The United Nations has warned of catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the dam breach and resulting flooding. The destruction of the dam has sparked concerns about the safety of the nearby Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant -- Europe's largest. But Ukrainian Environment Minister Ruslan Strylets said on June 12 that the water levels in the plant's cooling ponds are stable and sufficiently high. "The situation is now under control," Strylets told Ukrainian television. His statement came ahead of a visit that Rafael Grossi, the chief of the UN's nuclear agency, the IAEA, is due to begin at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant on June 13. On June 11, the Ukrainian military said that Russian forces had blown up another dam, in Zaporizhzhya region, near the village of Novodarivka. The destruction of the dam "led to the flooding on both banks of the Mokri Yaliy River," said military spokesman Valeriy Shershen. He said the incident did not affect the Ukrainian military operations in the area. The information could not be independently confirmed immediately. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-taking- territory-russia/32455157.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 UN Secretary-General Says 'Concerned' About Prospects of Non-Renewal of Grain Exports Deal Sputnik News 20230612 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was concerned about the prospects that the grain exports agreement, formally known as the Black Sea Initiative, will not be renewed again. "First of all, I am concerned. We are working hard in order to make sure that it will be possible to maintain the Black Sea initiative and at the same time that we are able to go on in our work to facilitate Russian exports," Guterres said during a press conference. On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said Russia remained disappointed that despite all the statements regularly coming from Western capitals, the barriers for Russian agricultural exports via the Black Sea are still in place and Russia's bank specializing in agricultural transactions remains barred from the SWIFT system. In mid-May, the grain deal was extended until July 17 without any changes. The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that if the problematic issues with the deal, including Moscow's demand to reconnect the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT system and relaunch the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, are not addressed within two months, the deal will be terminated after July 17. The grain deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye in July 2022 to facilitate the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from Black Sea ports amid the military operation launched by Russia in Ukraine in February that year. The package agreement also includes a memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations to unblock Russian grain and fertilizer exports via the Black Sea, which, according to Moscow, has not been implemented due to Western sanctions. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raytheon to Give Ukraine 5 Patriot Systems by End of 2024 Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Raytheon Technologies plans to deliver five more air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of 2024, its chief executive said. Greg Hayes told the American news outlet that the Arizona-based company wanted to increase production of surface-to-air missiles to 12 a year. Ukraine currently has two full Patriot systems at its disposal, which include a launcher, radar and a control station. The Ukrainian military reportedly changed the settings to allow for the tracking and destruction of hypersonic missiles, which travel at twice the speed of missiles the Patriot was designed for. The Russian Defense Ministry said in mid-May that Russian troops had destroyed a Kiev-stationed Patriot with a hypersonic Kinzhal missile. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced a successful hit on another Patriot two weeks later. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Urges Germany to Spare 'Many More' Leopard Tanks After Military Setback Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Melnyk says Germany has the capacity to triple the number of Leopard 2 main battle tanks supplied to Kiev. The Russian Defense Ministry said over the weekend that Ukrainian armed forces lost four Leopards and five US-supplied Bradley fighting vehicles in an attempt to breach Russian defenses in southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions. "The Ukrainian army urgently needs many more Western battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles ... Every Leopard 2 is literally as good as gold for the decisive offensive," Melnyk told a German dailyin an interview published on Sunday. Melnyk, a former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany who was recalled from Berlin last year after repeatedly offending the host country's government, estimated that the number of Leopard supplies could be "tripled without endangering Germany's defense capability." According to the Ukrainian official, Germany gave Ukraine only 18 Leopard 2 tanks from its armed forces' stockpile of more than 300 tanks. Ukraine's EU allies pledged to muster more than 50 Leopard 2 tanks from their arsenals. Melnyk also asked for another 60 Marder tracked infantry fighting vehicles and reminded Berlin of Kiev's requests to give it a tenth of Bundeswehr's Puma tracked infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer wheeled armored fighting vehicles, Fuchs armored personnel carriers and Fennek armed reconnaissance vehicles. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Army Launches Counteroffensive Near Vremovka Ledge - Official Sputnik News 20230612 SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - Russian armed forces have launched a counteroffensive to push back Ukrainian army near the Vremovka ledge in the Zaporozhye direction, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Russian-appointed Zaporozhye regional administration, said on Monday. Earlier in the day, Rogov said heavy fighting was going on in the area, while Ukrainian forces managed to capture the settlements of Neskuchnoye and Makarovka. "Currently, a counterattack has been launched by our guys - the 127th division is going into battle, going forward. At the same time, massive support is being provided by the Russian aerospace forces," he told the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda broadcaster. Rogov said that the objective of the counterattack is to drive Ukrainians out of the captured villages, adding that Russian artillery is "giving hell" there. The Ukrainian government has been planning a major counteroffensive against Russia forces for several months. Ukrainian and Western military experts have repeatedly named the Zaporozhye Region as one of Kiev's main targets, as it would open the access to the Azov Sea and cut off the land corridor to Crimea. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses 250 Military in Zaporozhye, South Donetsk Directions in Past Day Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 250 military in the Zaporozhye and South Donetsk directions over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. Over the past day, the Ukrainian armed forces continued to attempt offensive operations in the South Donetsk direction. In the area of the Vremovka ledge, the Vostok group of the Russian armed forces repelled three enemy attacks from the direction of the Donetsk People's Republic and in the Zaporozhye region. "Over the past day, up to 250 Ukrainian military, five tanks, seven armored combat vehicles, two cars, an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in [the Zaporozhye direction]," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Ukraine lose over 120 military in South Donetsk direction. The Russian military also repelled two attacks of Ukraine in the Donetsk direction, the statement said, noting that Kiev lost up to 140 military in the direction over the past day. The ministry also reported that the Russian armed forces launched a missile attack with sea-based high-precision long-range weapons, targeting places of deployment of reserves of Ukrainian troops. "[On Sunday night], the Russian armed forces launched a sea-based high-precision long-range weapon at the places of deployment of the Ukrainian armed forces' reserves. The designated objects were hit. The goal of the strike was achieved," the ministry said in a statement. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan to Continue Providing Assistance to Ukraine in Demining, Reconstruction Sputnik News 20230612 TOKYO (Sputnik) - Japan will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine in demining and reconstruction, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday. "Japan has already pledged $7.6 billion in assistance to Ukraine and neighboring countries. In addition, Japan provides comprehensive assistance in various areas, including the provision of equipment for defense ... We will use the experience and knowledge of Japan in such areas as mine clearance, debris removal, restoration of life support, including in the field of energy, agriculture," Kishida said. The government and private companies of Japan have created a council for the preparation of promoting the economic recovery of Ukraine, Kishida added. In February, Japan provided non-lethal assistance to Ukraine, which included bulletproof vests, helmets and trucks. In addition, wounded Ukrainian militants will be treated in Japan with two of them starting treatment in June. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam was well prepared and supported by Russian national legislation - Oleg Ustenko in Newsweek President of Ukraine 12 June 2023 - 22:27 A few days before the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam, the Russian government adopted a law that could be a "smoking gun" in proving Russia's involvement in this disaster. This was stated by Oleg Ustenko, an economic advisor to the President of Ukraine, in a commentary to Newsweek. According to Oleg Ustenko, on May 30, a week before the dam's collapse, the Russian government approved a law aimed at "ensuring the safety of hydraulic structures" in the territory of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions it proclaimed to have annexed in September 2022. The legislation states that until January 1, 2028, investigations into accidents at hydro-technical structures that occurred as a result of military operations, sabotage and terrorist activities are prohibited. The decree was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and came into effect on the day it was published. Russia maintains that it wasn't behind the Kakhovka dam's collapse, but as stated by Oleg Ustenko, it would take someone with a "very vivid imagination" to believe that the passing of the legislation days before the dam's collapse was a coincidence. "Of course, coincidences happen. However when the Russian government passes a special decree, about a special regime, on special territories, in case of special accidents on hydro technical objects a it looks suspicious," Oleg Ustenko noted. "It looks like it could be evidence when the decree was signed by the Russian Prime Minister on May 30 and it became effective next day. Then one week later the greatest hydroelectric catastrophe happened in Kherson," he added. Oleg Ustenko emphasized that the attack happened exactly in the same way "accidents" were described in the official document related to the decree. He believes the dam's destruction was well prepared and supported by Russian national legislation. "Moreover, paragraph 10 in this legislation prohibits any investigation of such accidents till January 1st of 2028," Oleg Ustenko stressed. He added: "What is it if not a "smoking gun" of a terrorist?" According to the President's advisor, the total damage caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam amounts to billions of dollars. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Kakhovka dam aid effort reaches 180,000 people 12 June 2023 - Heavy rains and thunderstorms in the area of the Kakhovka dam disaster in southern Ukraine aggravated the humanitarian situation there on Monday, making evacuations and aid distribution harder. That's the latest from the UN's aid coordination office (OCHA), which tweeted that the UN and its humanitarian partners have delivered vital supplies, mainly water, hygiene items and food, to cover the needs of nearly 180,000 people, despite the difficult conditions. The number of people reached with aid is up five-fold since 9 June. "Drinking water continues to be an issue", and long-term solutions are needed immediately, the UN's top official in the country, Denise Brown, said on Sunday, speaking from an evacuation point in Kherson city. In a video tweet, she said that it was some solace at least to see "people coming together", at a humanitarian hub she visited, which is supporting evacuees from the flood zone. Volunteers, the authorities, agencies and other humanitarians had brought supplies, clothes, support and food, "to ensure that people like the people I have been meeting today...have a safe place to sleep, food to eat and support." IAEA still concerned over nuclear safety Meanwhile, the UN's nuclear safety watchdog, IAEA, has stressed the need to "clarify the reason for a significant discrepancy" between different measurements of the height of the reservoir whose water cools the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant occupied by Russia. The level has been "dropping rapidly" since the Kakhovka dam, situated not far downstream from the power plant, was destroyed last week. Aid continues UN humanitarians in the region, along with partners, continue to deliver help those impacted, said UN Spokesperson StAphane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York. He said apart from the delivery of mainly water, hygiene items and food for nearly 180,000 - up from the 35,000 people reached last Friday - the UN was also supporting people impacted by water availability in the south of the country. "Today, we delivered water and hygiene items to nearly 2,000 people facing water shortages in Pokrov, in the Dnipro Region. In total, since the dam was destroyed on 6 June, we have reached more than 5,000 people with cash and distributed more than 800,000 litres of bottled water and 70,000 monthly rations of ready-to-eat food." Mines alert He said around 100,000 people had been reached regarding the risk of mine contamination, due to floodwater. "We will continue to make every effort to help people in southern Ukraine, while also sustaining our humanitarian response in parts of the country heavily impacted by the Russian invasion", Mr. Dujarric added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest in Ukraine: US Pledges 'Robust' Political, Practical Support for Kyiv By VOA News June 12, 2023 Latest developments: Russian forces have unsuccessfully attempted to advance near the Donetsk Oblast village of Blahodatne, which was recently liberated by Ukrainian forces, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces alleged Monday. U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has been pushed back a day after Biden underwent an unexpected root canal procedure. The two are now expected to hold talks Tuesday. Swiss authorities said Monday's attack of several government websites was claimed by the NoName hacking group controlled by pro-Russian hackers. The government websites were down as Switzerland's parliament prepares for a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thursday. It also coincides with a national holiday in Russia. During a news conference Monday in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was determined to maximize its support for Ukraine so it can succeed on the battlefield. A "robust" package of political and practical support for Ukraine, Blinken added, can also be expected at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius. Blinken said that although it was too soon to predict where Ukraine's counteroffensive will lead, Washington was confident that Kyiv will continue to take back its land occupied by Russia. Ukraine says that since the beginning of its counteroffensive last week, its forces have liberated seven villages in the southeast. In his nightly video address Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the advances of the Ukrainian forces during fierce battles and despite unfavorable weather. "The strength of our warriors still yields results," he said. Zelenskyy thanked everyone "who is in combat now, everyone who supports our combat brigades in the relevant areas." A Ukrainian official said Monday the country's troops retook control of Storozhov, a village in the Donetsk region as part of the counteroffensive. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar thanked a marine brigade in a Telegram post, saying the Ukrainian flag was flying over Storozhov. She said the scene would repeat in every area until Ukrainian forces liberate all of Ukraine's land. The development came a day after Ukrainian officials said their troops recaptured three other villages in the area: Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka. Ukraine's General Staff said Monday that during the past day there had been heavy fighting elsewhere in Donetsk, including in Bakhmut, and in the Luhansk region. F-16s training Ukrainian pilots could begin training on F-16 fighter jets as soon as this summer. The Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said this is a first step toward supplying Kyiv with a powerful, long-term capability in its war with Russia, Reuters reports. Previously, the Netherlands had said it aimed to start training Ukrainian pilots "as soon as possible," but had not specified when such training could start. Ollongren told Reuters the goal was to have the training program fully operational within six months. A possible location for the training could be in Denmark where there are flight simulators. The training would begin with two groups of 12 Ukrainian pilots, already experienced flying Soviet-era MiGs. The Dutch defense chief did not, however, commit to supplying F-16s to Ukraine. "It is a very strong weapons system. It's a very strong capability. But it's not going to be available anytime soon and President Zelenskyy, of course, knows that," Ollongren said. She did note that F-16s will be "very important for the future," in Ukraine. "When the war is over Ukraine has to be able to defend itself to deter Russia from trying again," she said. "And I think ... that's what the Ukrainians also see." Zaporizhzhia nuclear power The United Nations atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is expected to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant this week to assess risks from the decrease of water levels at the Kakhovka reservoir. Ukraine's Kakhovka reservoir has lost nearly three-quarters of its volume of water since the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine was destroyed last week, but it has not impacted the plant's cooling ponds, Ukrainian Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets said Monday. Ukrainian nuclear authorities said the water at the plant's cooling ponds remains stable and high enough because the pods are separate from the reservoir and can be refilled by wells in the area. The water in the pond evaporates slowly, they said, because the reactors are not producing power. In Kherson, the United Nations is coordinating relief efforts for the Kakhovka disaster by delivering water, food and hygiene items to almost 180,000 people. Since the day of the disaster, the U.N. has distributed more than 800,000 liters (211,000 gallons) of bottled water and 70,000 monthly rations of ready-to-eat food, U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Dujarric told reporters Monday, adding that the U.N. has also provided information to 100,000 people in the area about risks regarding mine contamination. In his nightly video address Sunday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy decried Russian attacks on evacuation routes for civilians escaping flooded areas. "It was an evacuation from Kardashynka, a village on the left bank of Kherson region. ... The occupiers created this disaster by blowing up a dam, leaving people to their fate in flooded towns and villages, and then shelling the boats that are trying to take people away," he said. Kyiv and Russia trade blame on the destruction of the dam that led to catastrophic flooding. Black Sea grain deal United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern Monday that Russia will pull out of the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain deal by July 17. The agreement allowing safe wartime export of grain and fertilizers from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports may be nixed by Moscow if its terms regarding its own grain and fertilizer shipments are not met. While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have obstructed shipments. Russia demands the export of ammonia via a pipeline to Ukraine's port of Pivdennyi and the reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the SWIFT international payment system. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Providing $325 Million More in Aid for Ukraine By Carla Babb June 12, 2023 The United States is providing up to $325 million in additional military aid for Ukraine, a U.S. defense official tells VOA. The package is expected to include Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles that can replace those damaged and destroyed in the Ukrainian counteroffensive currently underway, according to two Defense officials, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity ahead of the package's expected release Tuesday. The officials said the latest aid also includes munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), along with more rockets for Ukraine's High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The aid announcement comes amid reports that Ukraine has lost more than a dozen Bradley infantry fighting vehicles in recent days, highlighting the military costs of the current counteroffensive. "These top systems, as good as they are, are vulnerable and will need to be replaced, and so it's a reminder that this security provision is not a one-off. This is going to have to continue for the long term," said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Once released, the latest aid package will mark the 40th authorized presidential drawdown of military equipment from Defense Department inventories since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin travels to Brussels this week for a meeting of NATO defense ministers, where support for Ukraine will be a top priority. During his time in Brussels, Austin will host another meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to discuss how Western allies can better support Ukraine's military now that its new counteroffensive has begun, according to officials. Defense leaders also will continue to iron out plans for Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16 fighter jets, the officials added. The U.S. has pledged more than $39 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 Defense Department 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 is expected to translate into billions of additional dollars that will be available for more aid to Ukraine, according to officials. The Pentagon announced Friday it is providing an additional $2.1 billion in long-term weapons aid for Ukraine, including more Patriot missile battery munitions and small, hand-launched Puma drones. Unlike the immediate aid to Ukraine sent from Pentagon stocks through the presidential drawdown authority, this aid money is provided under the United States' Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and is meant to be spent on Ukraine's future security needs. Moscow began a renewed offensive in Ukraine earlier this year that has stalled, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently confirmed that Kyiv's massive counteroffensive has begun. A senior military official, speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, said the Ukrainian counteroffensive 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. Russian forces have spent months heavily fortifying their positions inside Ukraine, making Kyiv's counteroffensive even more difficult to execute. "It's harder to go on offense than it is to be on defense," Bowman said. Ukrainians "have entrenched, dug in Russian forces with minefields in front of them. That's about as hard as it can get in warfare." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest in Ukraine: Officials Say Ukrainian Troops Reclaim Village in Donetsk By VOA News June 12, 2023 Latest developments: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that representatives from the International Criminal Court visited the Kherson region following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting White House talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. A Ukrainian official said Monday the country's troops retook control of Storozhov, a village in the Donetsk region as they conduct a counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory seized by Russia. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar thanked a marine brigade in a Telegram post, saying the Ukrainian flag was flying over Storozhov. She said the scene would repeat in every area until Ukrainian forces liberate all of Ukraine's land. The development came a day after Ukrainian officials said their troops recaptured three other villages in the area: Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka. Ukraine's armed forces general staff said Monday that during the past day there had been heavy fighting elsewhere in Donetsk, including in Bakhmut, and in the Luhansk region. NATO drills In Germany, NATO was beginning the largest air deployment exercise in its history with 250 aircraft from 25 nations. Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz said last week the exercise had been in planning since 2018 when it was conceived in response to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Highlighting that NATO is a defensive alliance, Gerhartz said the exercise, which will last until June 23, would not involve sending any aircraft toward Russia's Kaliningrad enclave that borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. In addition to NATO members, other participants include Japan as well as Sweden, which has applied to join NATO and received the necessary approval from all but two existing members. Kakhovka dam In his nightly video address Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried Russian attacks on evacuation routes for civilians escaping areas flooded after last week's destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. "It was an evacuation from Kardashynka, a village on the left bank of Kherson region. ... The occupiers created this disaster by blowing up a dam, leaving people to their fate in flooded towns and villages, and then shelling the boats that are trying to take people away," he said. [[ https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/duzhe-vazhlivo-sho-predstavniki-mizhnarodnogo-pravosuddya-na-83553 ]] There have also been concerns about the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant after the dam breach dramatically lowered the levels of water available for cooling operations. The International Atomic Energy Agency said Sunday it needs to access areas around the plant to verify current water levels. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement he expects IAEA experts will be able to go to the site soon. He plans to travel the plant this week. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Think Tanks Say Nuclear Arsenals Expanded, Modernized Last Year By RFE/RL June 12, 2023 Nuclear-armed states have continued to expand and modernize their atomic arsenals amid a deterioration of the world's geopolitical situation, investing huge sums of money diverted from other development goals, an influential think tank said in a report published on June 12. While the total number of the nuclear warheads dipped year-on-year from 12,710 to 12,512, the number of nuclear weapons ready for use at the start of this year -- 9,576, accounting for about two-thirds of the total --grew last year by 86, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said. The report said that several of the nine nuclear-armed states -- the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel -- deployed new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems last year. As a matter of official policy, Israel has declined to comment on whether or not it possesses nuclear weapons. Separately, a report also published on June 12 by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) said the nine nuclear-armed states spent a total of $82.9 billion on nuclear weapons last year, with the United States alone accounting for more than half of the amount ($43.7 billion). Russia and China were the second- and third-ranked nuclear spenders with $11.7 billion and $9.6 billion in expenditures, respectively. Russia and the United States together account for more than 90 percent of all the world's nuclear weapons, SIPRI said, adding that transparency about both countries' nuclear weapons declined since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February last year. China has also substantially increased the number of nuclear warheads that it possesses -- from 350 to 410 year-on-year, SIPRI said. After many years of a slow decline in the number of nuclear weapons, SIPRI said the trend is reversing. "The big picture is we've had over 30 years of the number of nuclear warheads coming down, and we see that process coming to an end now," SIPRI Director Dan Smith told French news agency AFP. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-arsenals- expanded-modernized-2022-russia/32455819.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 States invest in nuclear arsenals as geopolitical relations deteriorateaNew SIPRI Yearbook out now 12 June 2023 (Stockholm, 12 June 2023) The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches its annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament and international security. A key finding of SIPRI Yearbook 2023 is that the number of operational nuclear weapons started to rise as countries' long-term force modernization and expansion plans progressed. Read this press release in Catalan (PDF), French (PDF), Spanish (PDF) or Swedish (PDF). Click here to download the sample chapter of SIPRI Yearbook 2023 on world nuclear forces. Nuclear arsenals being fortified around the world The nine nuclear-armed statesathe United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israelacontinue to modernize their nuclear arsenals and several deployed new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022. Of the total global inventory of an estimated 12 512 warheads in January 2023, about 9576 were in military stockpiles for potential usea86 more than in January 2022 (see the table below). Of those, an estimated 3844 warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft, and around 2000anearly all of which belonged to Russia or the USAawere kept in a state of high operational alert, meaning that they were fitted to missiles or held at airbases hosting nuclear bombers. Russia and the USA together possess almost 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons. The sizes of their respective nuclear arsenals (i.e. useable warheads) seem to have remained relatively stable in 2022, although transparency regarding nuclear forces declined in both countries in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In addition to their useable nuclear weapons, Russia and the USA each hold more than 1000 warheads previously retired from military service, which they are gradually dismantling. SIPRI's estimate of the size of China's nuclear arsenal increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023, and it is expected to keep growing. Depending on how it decides to structure its forces, China could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as either the USA or Russia by the turn of the decade. 'China has started a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal,' says Hans M. Kristensen, Associate Senior Fellow with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). 'It is increasingly difficult to square this trend with China's declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces needed to maintain its national security.' Although the UK is not thought to have increased its nuclear weapon arsenal in 2022, the warhead stockpile is expected to grow in the future as a result of the British government's announcement in 2021 that it was raising its limit from 225 to 260 warheads. The government also said it would no longer publicly disclose its quantities of nuclear weapons, deployed warheads or deployed missiles. In 2022 France continued its programmes to develop a third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and a new air-launched cruise missile, as well as to refurbish and upgrade existing systems. World nuclear forces, January 2023 a = nil or a negligible value. Notes: All estimates are approximate. SIPRI revises its world nuclear forces data each year based on new information and updates to earlier assessments. The data for Jan. 2023 replaces all previously published SIPRI data on world nuclear forces. Countries are ordered by date of first known nuclear test. There is no conclusive open-source evidence that Israel has tested its nuclear weapons. The figures for Russia and the USA do not necessarily correspond to those in their 2010 Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) declarations because of the treaty's counting rules. a 'Deployed warheads' refers to warheads placed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces. b 'Stored warheads' refers to stored or reserve warheads that would require some preparation (e.g. transport and loading on to launchers) before they could be deployed. c 'Total stockpile' refers to warheads that are intended for use by the armed forces. d 'Total inventory' includes both stockpiled warheads and retired warheads awaiting dismantlement. e SIPRI previously estimated that the UK had about 45 retired warheads awaiting dismantlement; however, SIPRI's assessment as of Jan. 2023 is that these warheads are likely to be reconstituted to become part of the UK's growing stockpile over the coming years and the stockpile number remained at 225 in Jan. 2022. f The British government declared in 2010 that its nuclear weapon inventory would not exceed 225 warheads. It is estimated here that the inventory remained at that number in Jan. 2023. A planned reduction to an inventory of 180 warheads by the mid 2020s was ended by a government review published in 2021. The review introduced a new ceiling of 260 warheads. g Information about the status and capability of North Korea's nuclear arsenal comes with significant uncertainty. North Korea might have produced enough fissile material to build 50a70 nuclear warheads; however, it is likely that it has assembled fewer warheads, perhaps around 30. Table: SIPRI A Source: SIPRI Yearbook 2023. India and Pakistan appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals, and both countries introduced and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery system in 2022. While Pakistan remains the main focus of India's nuclear deterrent, India appears to be placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets across China. North Korea continues to prioritize its military nuclear programme as a central element of its national security strategy. While North Korea conducted no nuclear test explosions in 2022, it conducted more than 90 tests of missiles. Some of these missiles, which include new ICBMs, may be capable of carrying nuclear warheads. SIPRI estimates that the country has now assembled around 30 warheads and possesses enough fissile material for a total of 50a70 warheads, both significant increases over the estimates for January 2022. Israelawhich does not publicly acknowledge possessing nuclear weaponsais also believed to be modernizing its nuclear arsenal. 'Most of the nuclear-armed states are hardening their rhetoric about the importance of nuclear weapons, and some are even issuing explicit or implicit threats about potentially using them,' said Matt Korda, Associate Researcher with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Senior Research Associate with the FAS Nuclear Information Project. 'This elevated nuclear competition has dramatically increased the risk that nuclear weapons might be used in anger for the first time since World War II.' 'With billion-dollar programmes to modernize, and in some cases expand, nuclear arsenals, the five nuclear weapon states recognized by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty seem to be moving further and further from their commitment to disarmament under the treaty,' said Wilfred Wan, Director of SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme. Nuclear diplomacy dealt a further blow by Russia's invasion of Ukraine Nuclear arms control and disarmament diplomacy suffered major setbacks following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the wake of the invasion, the USA suspended its bilateral strategic stability dialogue with Russia. In February 2023 Russia announced it was suspending its participation in the 2010 Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START)athe last remaining nuclear arms control treaty limiting Russian and US strategic nuclear forces. Talks about a follow-on treaty to New START, which expires in 2026, were also suspended. Nevertheless, by SIPRI's assessment, both countries' deployed strategic nuclear forces remained within the New START limits as of January 2023. Iran's military support to Russian forces in Ukraine and the political situation in Iran also overshadowed talks on reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 agreement meant to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The JCPOA's revival now seems increasingly unlikely. The USA and the UK both declined to release information to the public concerning their nuclear forces in 2022, which they had done in previous years. 'In this period of high geopolitical tension and mistrust, with communication channels between nuclear-armed rivals closed or barely functioning, the risks of miscalculation, misunderstanding or accident are unacceptably high,' says Dan Smith, SIPRI Director. 'There is an urgent need to restore nuclear diplomacy and strengthen international controls on nuclear arms.' Global security and stability in increasing peril The 54th edition of the SIPRI Yearbook reveals the continuing deterioration of global security over the past year. The impacts of the war in Ukraine are visible in almost every aspect of the issues connected to armaments, disarmament and international security examined in the Yearbook. Nevertheless, it was far from being the only major conflict being waged in 2022, and acute geopolitical tensions, mistrust and division had been growing long before Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour. 'We are drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in human history,' says Dan Smith, SIPRI Director. 'It is imperative that the world's governments find ways to cooperate in order to calm geopolitical tensions, slow arms races and deal with the worsening consequences of environmental breakdown and rising world hunger.' In addition to the usual detailed coverage of nuclear arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation issues, the SIPRI Yearbook presents data and analysis on developments in world military expenditure, international arms transfers, arms production, multilateral peace operations, armed conflicts and more. Special sections in SIPRI Yearbook 2023 explore the rise of private military and security companies such as the Wagner Group, and the related impact on peace and security; how the war in Ukraine has affected governance of space and cyberspace; the attacks on nuclear power plants during the fighting in Ukraine, and their implications; and the regulation of new technologies such as autonomous weapon systems. For editors The SIPRI Yearbook is a compendium of cutting-edge information and analysis on developments in armaments, disarmament and international security. Three major SIPRI Yearbook 2023 data sets were pre-launched in 2022a23: total arms sales by the top 100 arms-producing companies (December 2022), international arms transfers (March 2023) and world military expenditure (April 2023). The SIPRI Yearbook is published by Oxford University Press. Learn more at www.sipriyearbook.org. For information or interview requests contact Amelie Lutz (amelie.lutz@sipri.org, +46 76 628 61 33)A or Stephanie Blenckner (blenckner@sipri.org, +46 8 655 97 47). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global Nuclear Arsenals Growing Amid Increased Tensions - SIPRI Sputnik News 20230612 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The nine nuclear powers continued to increase or modernize their atomic weapon stockpiles in 2022 as the fallout from the Ukraine conflict undermined nuclear diplomacy, a fresh report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) claimed on Monday. "A key finding of SIPRI Yearbook 2023 [annual assessment of global armaments] is that the number of operational nuclear weapons started to rise as countries' long-term force modernization and expansion plans progressed," SIPRI said in a statement. Of the total global inventory of an estimated 12,512 warheads in January 2023, about 9,576 were in military stockpiles for potential use a 86 more than in January 2022. Of those, some 3,844 warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft and around 2,000 were fitted to missiles or held at airbases hosting nuclear bombers. The United States and Russia account for almost 90% of those arsenals. SIPRI's estimate of China's nuclear arsenal increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023 and is expected to keep growing. The arms control watchdog said China could grow its stockpile of intercontinental ballistic missiles to match those of the US or Russia by 2030. The United Kingdom is similarly expected to increase its warhead stockpile after raising the limit from 225 to 260 warheads. It also said it would no longer disclose the size of its nuclear weapons publicly. France continued in 2022 to refurbish its existing nuclear weapons and work on new ballistic missile submarines and air-launched cruise missiles. India and Pakistan both appeared to increase their nuclear arsenals and develop new types of nuclear delivery systems in 2022, while North Korea conducted hundreds of missile tests, including with new ICBMs. SIPRI says it may have around 30 warheads and fissile material enough to build another 50-70. The research institute believes that Israel is also modernizing its nuclear arsenal, despite it having never publicly acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons. SIPRI Director Dan Smith warned that there was an urgent need for the world's governments to find ways to restore nuclear diplomacy and strengthen international controls on nuclear arms as tensions and mistrust permeate geopolitical relations. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE: S) investors who suffered substantial losses submit your losses now. Class Period: June 1, 2022 June 1, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Aug. 7, 2023 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/S Contact An Attorney Now: S@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 SentinelOne, Inc. (S) Securities Fraud Class Action: The complaint alleges Defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) SentinelOne lacked effective internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; (2) as a result, the companys key reported business metric annualized recurring revenue or ARR was overstated; and (3) as a result, the companys guidance was overstated. Investors learned the truth on June 1, 2023, when after the market closed, SentinelOne published a press release titled SentinelOne Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results. Therein, the Company disclosed that [a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracies, which we further describe in our letter to shareholders, we made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR. The Company also revised its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance downward to a range of $590 million to $600 million from a range of $631 million to $640 million. In a shareholder letter published the same day, SentinelOne further explained that we . . . discovered historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected and that [w]e are applying a comparable estimated adjustment to the remaining quarters in fiscal year 23, which we believe is a reasonable approximation of the impact in those periods. On this news, SentinelOnes stock price fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023. Were focused on investors losses and proving SentinelOne first became aware of the historical inaccuracies in ARR and the decline in customer usage well before the companys disclosures, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you invested in SentinelOne and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding SentinelOne should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email S@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. Selbyville, Delaware, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market size is expected to surpass USD 15 billion by 2032. Rising awareness and subsequent demand for early detection of skin disorders is shaping the industry scenario. The increasing prevalence of skin disorders and conditions worldwide. Skin diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer have become more common, necessitating the need for accurate and efficient diagnostic tools. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4613 Furthermore, technological advancements play a crucial role in driving the market forward. The development of advanced imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and dermatoscopy, has revolutionized dermatology diagnosis. These devices provide high-resolution imaging and enable dermatologists to visualize skin layers and structures more effectively, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Dermatoscopes with effective detection to gain positive traction The dermatology diagnostic devices market is classified into imaging devices, microscopes, dermatoscopes, and others. The dermatoscopes segment is slated to grow considerably by 2032 on account of increasing incidence of skin disorders. Dermatoscopes are effective tools for examining skin lesions, moles, and other abnormalities, aiding in the early detection and diagnosis of these conditions. Moreover, growing preference for non-invasive techniques among patients and healthcare professionals across the world will promote the use of dermatoscopes. Rising prevalence of skin cancer to generate market revenues The dermatology diagnostic devices market in terms of application is categorized into psoriasis, acne, skin cancer, dermatitis hair & scalp disorders, and others. The skin cancer segment will hold significant market share by 2032, driven by rising incidences of melanoma which is a critical health concern worldwide. The global situation has encouraged significant advancements in diagnostic technologies, such as dermatoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), confocal microscopy, and molecular diagnostics. The availability of advanced diagnostic devices has fueled their adoption in the diagnosis of skin cancer. Increasing number of dermatology clinics in APAC Asia Pacific dermatology diagnostic devices market is poised to display decent growth by 2032. A significant rise in the number of dermatology clinics and hospitals in the region offering specialized skin care services is expected to fuel the use of dermatology diagnostic devices. This has pushed the need to cater to the increasing patient load and improve diagnostic capabilities. Many countries in the region have implemented favorable government initiatives to promote healthcare infrastructure development, including dermatology services, boosting the overall business dynamics. Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/4613?gmpaycod=sugmp Major Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market Players Some of the key players profiled in the dermatology diagnostic devices industry report include Caliber I.D. Inc, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, ILLUCO Corporation Ltd., BOMTECH Electronics Co., Nikon Corporation, DermoScan GmbH, Leica Microsystems GmbH, Canfield Imaging Systems, Michelson Diagnostics Limited, Abbott Diagnostics, and Bruker Corporation among others. Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market News In March 2023, Eris Lifesciences, an Indian drug firm, announced the acquisition of Dr. Reddys Labotories' nine dermatology brands for more than USD 33 million to boost its cosmetic dermatology product line. With this, the company also intended to expand their customer reach in the Indian market. In May 2023, STRATA Skin Sciences, a medical technology firm, revealed the first successful patient trial for its TheraClearX open label, single-arm, clinical research study for acne. This exposed a new development in dermatology and is set to fuel the companys market position. Partial Table of Contents (ToC) of the report: Chapter 3 Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.2 Industry impact forces 3.2.1 Growth drivers 3.2.1.1 Rising incidence of skin associated diseases and skin cancer worldwide 3.2.1.2 Increasing expenditure on skin care in developing countries 3.2.1.3 Advances in technology of skincare devices 3.2.1.4 Growing demand for cosmetic procedures in developed countries 3.2.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.2.2.1 Excessive equipment cost 3.2.2.2 Stringent regulatory landscape Chapter 4 Competitive landscape, 2022 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Company matrix analysis, 2022 4.3 Competitive dashboard, 2022 4.4 Company market share analysis, 2022 4.5 Competitive analysis of major market players 4.6 Competitive positioning matrix 4.7 Strategic outlook matrixBrowse Our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse About Global Market Insights 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. Westford, USA, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The peptide therapeutics market is expanding due to the rising prevalence of some metabolic disorders such as genetic disorders, organ dysfunction and mitochondrial dysfunction. For instance, glucocerebroside storage in macrophages, primarily in bone, bone marrow, liver and spleen, progresses in Gaucher disease (GD), an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. According to a July 2022 publication in the journal JPHO, there were 1.5 instances of GD for every 100,000 live births worldwide. The prevalence of GD was 0.9 cases per 100,000 people worldwide. There is a rising need for peptide therapies to treat them, propelling the development of the market under investigation due to the high frequency of these metabolic illnesses. According to SkyQuest, the rising incidence of cancer worldwide and the increasing usage of peptide treatments in cancer treatment are the primary drivers of the market. For instance, according to information from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2022 report the US documented 1.9 million new cancer cases in 2022. As a result, the rising incidence of cancer cases is projected to contribute considerably to the study segment's growth throughout the forecast period. Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/peptide-therapeutics-market Browse in-depth TOC on "Peptide Therapeutics Market" Pages - 213 Tables - 152 Figures 78 Peptides are the small chain amino acids and disease-treating molecules. They are fighting with the infections and helping people to produce hormones. Peptide therapies are the substances which body naturally produces, they have no adverse side effects and are readily absorbed by the body when used in medical procedures. Prominent Players in Peptide Therapeutics Market Eli Lilly and Company Pfizer, Inc. Amgen, Inc. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. Lonza Inc. Sanofi Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) AstraZeneca PLC GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) Novartis AG Novo Nordisk A/S Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/peptide-therapeutics-market Generic Segment is Anticipated to Grow Due to Increasing Healthcare Expenses The generic segment is likely to grow fast throughout the forecast period. It is projected that increasing healthcare expenses and federal government healthcare spending will accelerate the adoption of generic pharmaceuticals. The loss of patent protection for many branded pharmaceuticals is also believed to be a significant driver of the generic segment. One of the biggest opportunities for generic drug companies to enter the market with less-priced versions of well-known pharmaceuticals is when a patent expires. But for some novel medications, brand loyalty might impact the sector's growth. North America held the maximum market share for peptide therapeutics. The regional market's growth is primarily related to the development of the biotechnology sector, rising consumer awareness for peptide therapeutic products. Furthermore, the rising government R&D expenditures are anticipated to contribute to peptide treatments' continued dominance in the forecast period. Metabolic Segment is Anticipated to Grow Due to Expanding Number of Businesses Providing Outsourced Services Growing geriatric population prone to metabolic illnesses and the high prevalence of metabolic disorders caused the metabolic segment to lead the market. Peptide therapies are utilized to control the physical metabolic processes such as insulin production and glucose metabolism in the metabolic segment. Peptide therapies can be used to improve or supplement missing hormones or enzymes, change cellular signaling pathways. Owing to the increase in patient pool, the metabolic segment is anticipated to expand rapidly over the next few years. Asia Pacific is expected to have considerable growth throughout the forecast period because of the region's high untapped potential, low raw material costs, expanding number of businesses providing outsourced services, burgeoning biotech sector and higher R&D spending. In the near future, it is projected that the market would rise significantly due to decreasing raw material costs and the patent expiration of popular medications. A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the Peptide Therapeutics market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/peptide-therapeutics-market Key Developments in Peptide Therapeutics Market New targeted protein degradation therapeutics for challenging the pharmacological targets are expected to be made available in 2022 through a multi-year research partnership and license agreement between Amgen and Plexium, Inc. The multiyear cooperation helps to create fresh molecular glue treatments by utilizing Amgen's experience in creating multi-specific molecules. ISSAR Pharmaceuticals decided to licence out its peptide-based novel chemical compounds with pre-IND filing and a U.S. Patent to make it affordable and widely available for better outcomes in 2021. This was objected at addressing various unmet healthcare requirements of the public. Key Questions Answered in Peptide Therapeutics Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence? In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Tissue Engineering Market Global Protein Engineering Market Global Gene Synthesis Market Global Tangential Flow Filtration Market Global Biologics Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com Pune, India, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global metal cutting tools market size was valued at USD 76.05 billion in 2022 and is expected to be worth USD 78.89 billion in 2023. The market is projected to be valued at USD 120.44 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. The metal cutting tools sector involves several companies that are engaged in the manufacturing, design, and sales of tools and machines that are used to cut, form, and shape metal components. Some of the prominent examples of these tools include saws, grinders, shears, milling machines, and CNC machines. The demand for metal products is growing across a wide range of industry verticals, such as automotive and industrial manufacturing, thereby augmenting the metal cutting tools market growth. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in a report titled, "Global Metal Cutting Tools Market, 2023-2030." Segments: CNC Lathe Machines Witness High Demand for Their Favorable Properties Based on product, the market is segmented into machining centers, lathe machines, boring machines, grinding machines, milling machines, and others. The lathe machines segment is predicted to be the fastest-growing segment in the market due to the increasing demand for this product from the automotive sector. Metal Cutting Machines to be Widely Used in Automotive Sector to Manufacture Complex Vehicle Parts Based on application, the market is divided into automotive, general machinery, precision engineering, transport machinery, and others. The automotive segment had generated significant revenue for the market in the recent past. The need to manufacture complex automotive parts for high-end and modern vehicles is one of the key factors driving the market during the forecast period. Based on region, the market covers North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Ask for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/metal-cutting-tools-market-101751 Report Coverage: The report offers an in-depth analysis of the industrys dynamics and competitive landscape. It also provides a wide range of key insights including SWOT analysis, recent developments in the market, such as mergers & acquisitions, macro & microeconomic factors, and profiles of leading metal cutting tools manufacturers. Drivers and Restraints: Industry 4.0 Widely Adopted to Boost Industrial Automation, Augmenting Product Demand Industrial automation has picked up significant pace, which has boosted the demand for smart manufacturing technologies. One of these technologies, Industry 4.0, has gained immense popularity in recent years as it can help manufacturers save costs on their operations, use energy efficiently, and improve human-machine interfaces. The usage of Industry 4.0 solutions has launched a real-time quality assurance process, thereby boosting the penetration of metal cutting instruments. However, high initial investments and volatile prices of raw materials may hamper the market growth. COVID-19 Impact: Pause on Manufacturing Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic Stifled Market Growth The COVID-19 pandemic had a heavy impact on the operations of the global manufacturing sector as governments across the world had imposed several restrictions and lockdowns. This had a major effect on the metal cutting tools market as the demand for metal cutting machines declined dramatically during this period. However, most industries that are dependent on metal cutting instruments are expected to recover post the pandemic crisis, thereby expanding the market size. To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/metal-cutting-tools-market-101751 Regional Insights: Growing Demand for Metal Cutting Devices from Different Sectors to Boost the Asia Pacific Market Progress Asia Pacific has captured a large metal cutting tools market share and is predicted to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period. This is due to the rising demand from sectors such as automotive, construction, and food & beverage. Favorable government initiatives to promote the sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) are expected to push the market development. For example, China has put restriction on investments in new production factories for conventional vehicles, with the local governments introducing a quota for EV production for all manufacturers. In Europe, Germany recorded the highest revenue for 2022 and the country is expected to continue this trend during the forecast timeframe as well due to the growing expansion of industrial and manufacturing sectors. Inquire Before Buying- https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/metal-cutting-tools-market-101751 Competitive Landscape: Leading Players Focus on New Product Developments to Maintain their Market Position The key market players, such as Doosan and Okuma Corporation, are planning on introducing innovative products in the market. The growing number of manufacturers in this industry vertical is increasing the competition in the global market. Thus, many prominent companies in the market are focusing on improving their capacity and functional efficiency. Key Industry Development: January 2020: ARCH Global Precision confirmed the acquisition of Arundel Machine Tool LLC, a producer of high-precision components and assemblies, especially for aerospace & defense sector, oil & gas, and semiconductor sectors. LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN THE REPORT Yamazaki Mazak Corporation (Japan) Doosan Machine Tools Co., Ltd. (U.S.) Trumpf (Germany) Amada Machine Tools Co., Ltd (Japan) JTEKT Corporation (Japan) Okuma Corporation (Japan) Hyundai WIA (South Korea) FANUC America Corporation (Japan) Komatsu Ltd. (Japan) Makino (Japan) Table of Content: Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology Approach Data Sources Executive Summary Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Global Metal Cutting Tools Market Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2022 Global Metal Cutting Tools Market Size Estimates and Forecast (Quantitative Data), By Segment, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Product (USD) Machining Centres Lathes Boring Grinding Milling Others By Application (USD) Automotive General Machinery Precision engineering Transport Machinery Others By Geography (USD) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa North America Metal Cutting Tools Market Size Estimates and Forecast (Quantitative Data), By Segment, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Product (USD) Machining Centres Lathes Boring Grinding Milling Others By Application (USD) Automotive General Machinery Precision engineering Transport Machinery Others By Country (USD) U.S. By Application Automotive General Machinery Precision engineering Transport Machinery Others Canada By Application Automotive General Machinery Precision engineering Transport Machinery Others TOC Continued. About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner - Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune-411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime or the Company) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt: 04V3) is pleased to announce the filing of a technical report for the updated mineral resource estimate (MRE), reported on May 2, 2023, for its Los Reyes gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. The report, dated June 12, 2023, is titled "The Los Reyes Project, Mexico" (the "2023 Technical Report"). The 2023 Technical Report was prepared under the supervision of Mr. John Sims, CPG. Mr. Sims is President of Sims Resources LLC and is an "Independent Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The 2023 Technical Report supersedes the technical report on the Los Reyes Project dated April 2, 2020. The 2023 Technical Report can be found on the Company's website at https://primeminingcorp.ca/ and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, under the Companys Issuer Profile. Resource Highlights: The addition of 100,000 metres (m) of Prime drilling has doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource, with a discovery cost of approximately US$25 per gold equivalent 1 (AuEq) ounce (oz). (AuEq) ounce (oz). At the resource gold cut-off grade of 0.22 gpt, Primes updated open pit MRE (Table 1) contains: 1.47 million Indicated AuEq ounces at a 1.68 grams per tonne (gpt) average grade. This represents a 73% increase in Measured and Indicated AuEq ounces, and 26% increase in AuEq grade. This is 1.0 million ounces of gold at 1.16 gpt and 35 million ounces of silver at 40.4 gpt. 0.73 million Inferred AuEq ounces at a 1.26 gpt average grade. This represents a 175% increase in AuEq ounces and 8% increase in AuEq grade. This is 0.5 million ounces of gold at 0.85 gpt and 18.4 million ounces of silver at 31.5 gpt. Using a higher 1.00 gpt gold cut-off grade, the MRE highlights a robust, higher-grade open pit resource that contains in excess of 1.0 million AuEq Indicated ounces at an average AuEq grade of 3.70 gpt (see Table 2 for more details). The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower grade heap leach portion. The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022 from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central. This MRE does not include positive results from: Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo; highly prospective exploration targets outlined in Primes February 27th news release; over 34,000 m drilled to-date during 2023. With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is significant potential to expand the MRE. Drilling is ongoing in the three known main deposit areas (Guadalupe, Central and Z-T) that are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries where mineralized trends have been identified outside of the currently defined resource areas. New multiple wide, high-grade intercepts in Z-T area Following the May 2 resource update news release, Prime reported on May 24, 2023 the results from fourteen new core holes drilled at the southeast end of the Z-T Area, which were all outside of the resource pit shell (link to press release here). These results confirm the potential ongoing expansion of gold-silver resources in addition to and not included in the Companys MRE and follows similar Z-T results released January 11, 2023. Recent results from Z-T drilling are expected to be reported in the coming weeks. Next Steps Prime is advancing its 60,000 m exploration drilling program at Los Reyes in 2023. The Company is drilling the highly prospective Guadalupe, Z-T and Central Zones in order to expand known resources in these areas and is further exploring newly developing resource areas. Prime has approximately $45.5 million in its treasury (as reported in Q1 2023 financial results news release) and remains prudent in exploration expenditures by utilizing a success-based approach to the drill program planning. Work will also continue on other technical areas including metallurgical test work, geotechnical assessments, mine and processing stream optimization and trade-offs, environmental studies and social contributions. Table 1 2023 Resource Estimate at 0.22 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade ($1,700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2 Process Stream Assurance Category Ore Tonnes Average Gold Grade Contained Gold Average Silver Grade Contained Silver Average AuEq Contained AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) Mill Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 M+I 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 Inferred 10.8 1.18 411 47.2 16,390 1.79 623 Heap Measured (M) - - - - - - - Leach Indicated (I) 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 M+I 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 Inferred 7.3 0.37 86 8.3 1,944 0.47 111 TOTAL Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 M+I 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 Inferred 18.1 0.85 497 31.5 18,334 1.26 734 Resource Description The Los Reyes resource is composed of three main areas: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central (see Figure 1 Resource Area Map). Resources were estimated assuming a gold price of $1,700 and silver price of $22, and various processing, operating cost and other economic parameters as described in Note 2 below. Resources are reported from blocks within an economically constrained pit containing gold grades greater than 0.22 gpt. The resource areas remain open along strike and at depth (see Figure 2 Resource Area 3D view). The majority of the Los Reyes resource is contained within a high-grade envelope. For example, at a 1.00 gpt gold cut-off, the Los Reyes MRE contains in excess of 1 million gold equivalent ounces at an average grade of 3.70 gpt AuEq in the Indicated category and 374,000 ounces at a grade of 3.07 gpt AuEq in the Inferred category (see Table 2). Table 2 2023 Resource Sensitivity Estimate at 1.0 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade ($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2 Assurance Category Ore Tonnes Average Gold Grade Contained Gold Average Silver Grade Contained Silver Average AuEq Contained AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) 1.00 g/T Measured (M) - - - - - - - Cutoff Indicated (I) 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 M+I 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 Inferred 3.8 2.30 281 59.2 7,208 3.07 374 For the purposes of this MRE, all resources are assumed to be mined using conventional open pit methods (see Note 2 for further assumptions). The MRE was estimated using a drilling cut-off date of December 31, 2022. It is based on a resource block model developed from almost 50,000 m of drilling completed by previous property owners, and over 100,000 m of drilling completed by Prime, of which more than 90% is diamond drill core. The following information is available on our website, including the full drill hole table up to December 31, 2022: Link 1 PDF Figures Link 2 PDF Drill Hole Table Figure 1 Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations Figure 2 Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential Notes Gold equivalent grades are calculated as in-situ contained grades, applying the assumed ratio of gold to silver prices using the following formula: AuEq grade (gpt) = Gold grade (gpt) + Silver grade (gpt) x ($22 / $1,700). Relative recoveries are not considered in the in-situ contained grade estimate but are stated below and utilized in the resource shell economic pit constraints. All dollar values are in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Resource estimate is based on economically constrained pits using the following optimization parameters (all dollar values are in US dollars): $1,700/ounce gold price and $22/ounce silver price Mill recoveries of 93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively Heap leach recoveries of 73% and 25% for gold and silver, respectively 45-degree pit slopes, with an assumed 5% ore loss and 5% dilution factor applied to the 5x5x5m resource block model Mining costs of $2.00 per tonne of waste mined and $2.50 per tonne of ore mined Milling costs of $15 per tonne processed and heap leaching costs of $4 per tonne processed G&A of $1.60 per tonne processed 3% royalty costs and 1% selling costs were also applied Unless otherwise noted, an overall 0.22 g/T gold cut-off was applied to all ore blocks Advisory Payment The Company also announces that, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it will issue 63,025 units (each, an Advisory Unit) at a deemed price of $1.785 per Advisory Unit, to an arms-length advisor, in payment of a fee of $112,500 owing in connection with a services agreement renewed by the Company on June 8, 2022. Each Advisory Unit consists of one Common Share and one share purchase warrant exercisable at a price of $2.52 until June 8, 2026. The Advisory Units are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law for a period of four-months-and-one-day following issuance. QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre mm), reducing to NQ size (47.6 mm) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled and split, and one half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into two halves, with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored. Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials and blanks as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole. Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns. Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements. Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21. Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories. Drill core assay results range from below detection to 200.00 gpt gold and 4,955.0 gpt silver. Qualified Person John Sims, CPG, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release pertaining to the MRE. Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release pertaining to the exploration results. Additional Notes Primes mineral resource estimate as of May 2, 2023 is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the CIM Definition Standards) and in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mineral resources are not reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and resource expansion. Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling over 100,000 metres. Results to date suggest the three known main deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries outside of the currently defined resource areas. About Prime Mining Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Daniel Kunz Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Daniel Kunz Chief Executive Officer and Director Prime Mining Corp. 1307 S. Colorado Ave. Boise, Idaho 83706 Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 office email: daniel@primeminingcorp.ca Scott Hicks Executive Vice President Prime Mining Corp. 710 1030 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC, V6E 2Y3 Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 office email: scott.hicks@primeminingcorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances 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 involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3746c6cc-c851-42f6-80d6-44038da3556f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d458a4b1-509e-4fca-aa33-bcf5c03f903c Dublin, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report covers the overview of the global and regional market for water and wastewater treatment technologies and analyzes global market trends, with market data for 2022 (base year) and 2023 and forecast for 2028 with a projection of CAGR during 2023-2028. Advancements in the level of technology and chemical, good government support, rising demand for freshwater resources, public health concerns and strict environmental regulations from the government impact overall growth of the water and wastewater treatment market. This study evaluates the market from different viewpoints based on significant segments (offerings, processes, end users and regions [North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World]). The study begins with an overview of the market and the process involved in treating wastewater broken down into sections (regulatory framework, megatrends) focusing on key market segments. The report includes current and projected market value and a general market outlook. It contains tables and figures that provide comprehensive insight into the market with detailed company profiles. The report scope excludes services from the offering's segments, and the chemical treatment segment will be transferred from report MS077A-Wastewater Treatment: Coagulants, Flocculants, Corrosion Inhibitors, Biocides and Antifoaming Agents. Report Includes 35 data tables and 35 additional tables An overview of the global market for water and wastewater treatment technologies Estimation of the market size and analyses of global market trends with data from 2022, 2023, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2028 Discussion on treatment technologies, end-use demand drivers, patents and economic trends that are affecting the market Highlights of the current and future market potential and quantification of the water and wastewater market by three product categories essentially offering, end user and region A look at the regulatory norms and updates imposed by the government for discharge and disposal of wastewaters Market share analysis of the key companies of the industry and coverage of their proprietary technologies, strategic alliances, and other key market strategies and a relevant patent analysis Comprehensive company profiles of the leading players of the industry, including 3M Corp., BASF SE, Dupont De Nemours Inc., Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Xylem Inc., and Pentair PLC Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 134 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $303.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $515.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.2% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights Chapter 3 Market Overview 3.1 Market Outlook 3.2 Market Definition 3.3 Regulatory Framework 3.3.1 International Organization for Standardization (Iso) 3.3.2 Clean Water Act (Cwa) 3.3.3 Water Framework Directive (Wfd) 3.3.4 Safe Drinking Water Directive (Sdwd) 3.3.5 Urban Wastewater Directive (Uwwtd) 3.3.6 Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations 3.3.7 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act Chapter 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.1.1 Growing Worldwide Population 4.1.2 Increasing Urbanization and Industrialization 4.1.3 Declining Fresh Water Resources 4.1.4 Strict Environmental Regulations 4.1.5 Technological Advancements 4.2 Restraints 4.2.1 High Cost 4.3 Opportunities 4.3.1 Water Reuse 4.3.2 Decentralized Wastewater Treatment 4.4 Challenges 4.4.1 Megatrends Chapter 5 Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market by Offering 5.1 Overview 5.2 Technologies 5.2.1 Filtration 5.2.2 Disinfection 5.3 Chemicals Chapter 6 Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market by Process 6.1 Overview 6.2 Primary Treatment 6.3 Secondary Treatment 6.4 Tertiary Treatment 6.5 Advanced Treatment Chapter 7 Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market by End-user 7.1 Overview 7.2 Municipal Wastewater Treatment 7.3 Industrial Wastewater Treatment 7.3.1 Oil and Gas Industry 7.3.2 Chemical Industry 7.3.3 Dairy, Food and Beverage 7.3.4 Paper and Pulp 7.3.5 Pharmaceuticals 7.3.6 Semiconductors Chapter 8 Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market by Region Chapter 9 Mergers and Acquisitions and Venture Funding Outlook Chapter 10 Company Profiles 3M Corp. Aquatech International LLC Basf Se Dow Chemical Company (The) Dupont De Nemours, Inc. Ecolab Inc. Kemira Oyj Kuraray Co. Ltd. Kurita Water Industries Ltd. Pentair plc Veolia Environnement S.A. Wartsila Xylem Inc. Chapter 11 Appendix: Abbreviations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kobizz 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 Pune, India, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global oil & gas fabrication market size was worth USD 4.86 billion in 2021. The market value is slated to rise from USD 5.03 billion in 2022 to USD 6.93 billion by 2029 at 4.7% CAGR during the forecast period. The infrastructure of the oil & gas industry is complex. An oil rig or platform is a large structure with facilities for drilling wells and extracting and processing oil and natural gas. Some of these oil platforms even have facilities to house workers. There are different oil platforms such as fixed platforms, semi-submersible platforms, compliant towers, and others. All of these structures are built on steel legs. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled Oil & Gas Fabrication Market, 2022-2029. Get a Free Sample of Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/oil-gas-fabrication-market-102154 Key Industry Development: December 2022 - A leading Indian engineering and manufacturing company emerged as the frontrunner for a major offshore contract from the government-controlled Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for the Daman Upside Gas Development Project (DUDP) off the country's west coast. Report Highlights: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2029 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 4.7% 2029 Value Projection USD 6.93 Billion Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 USD 4.86 Billion Historical Data for 2018-2020 No. of Pages 110 Segments covered Oil & Gas Fabrication Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Application (Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream) and Regional Growth Drivers Growing Demand and Consumption of Oil & Gas to Foster Market Growth Increasing Production and Exploration Activities to Boost the North America Market Market Drivers & Restraints: Growing Demand and Consumption of Oil & Gas to Foster Market Growth The rising oil & gas production & exploration activities, along with increasing investments in the services market, surges the demand for oil & gas fabrication. The necessity to enhance the efficiency of established and fresh reserves is increasing. Rising investments in ultra-deepwater and deepwater projects and growing emphasis on emerging unconventional hydrocarbons propel the global oil & gas fabrication market growth during the forecast period. However, the oil & gas industry production results in rising pollution levels and increasing global warming threats. Governments have imposed regulations on oil & gas companies. COVID-19 Impact: Global Market Experienced a Downward Trend Due to Decreased Oil & Gas Demand In March 2020, oil prices plunged due to geopolitical events along with the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, in 2020, the average number of the U.S. rigs fell 52% from 2019. The U.S. rig count hit a low of 244 in mid-August since then it has risen to 397 as of February 19, 2021. In 2020, industrial participants business was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as customers delayed purchases and planned projects, citing COVID-19-related market uncertainties, permitting delays and logistical constraints. To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/oil-gas-fabrication-market-102154 Report Coverage: The report offers: Major growth drivers, restraining factors, opportunities, and potential challenges for the market. Comprehensive insights into the regional developments. List of major industry players. Key strategies adopted by the market players. Latest industry developments include product launches, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Segmentation Analysis: By Application, Upstream Segment to Gain Traction over 2022-2029 Based on application, the market is segmented into upstream, midstream, and downstream. The increase in upstream application increases the global demand for oil & gas fabrication services. In addition, it includes onshore and offshore production and exploration activities that require production equipment, structural steel, and various other products and components. Regional Insights: Increasing Production and Exploration Activities to Boost the North America Market North America is the most lucrative market where the oil & gas industry is concerned. The U.S. accounts for majority of the oil & gas fabrication market share in the North America region. However, Canada is working extensively to enhance the growth in the market. Both countries are increasing exploration and production activities. Quick Buy - Oil & Gas Fabrication Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102154 Competitive Landscape: Key Players Focus on Increasing Production Capacities In past decades, regulations for petroleum derivate were more environment-friendly and with better derivative performance, it reduced the consumer demand for residue streams drastically. For example, rules such as IMO 2020 impose significant sulfur content reductions. Processes, such as the DCU technology, help in improving the crude residue stream quality and are foundational in complying with the regulations related to the environment along with maintaining the profitability and competitiveness of refineries by increasing refining margin. A List of Key Manufacturers Operating in the Global Market: Newpark Resources Inc. (U.S.) Northern Weldarc Ltd. (Canada) Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (Canada) Lamprell (UAE) DryDocks World (UAE) National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) (UAE) Gulf Piping Company (IMCC Group) (UAE) Lefebvre Engineering FZC (UAE) Eversendai (Malaysia) Larsen & Toubro (India) Oil & Gas Fabrication Market Segmentation: By Application: Upstream Midstream Downstream Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/oil-gas-fabrication-market-102154 Table of Content: 1. Introduction 1.1. Research Scope 1.2. Market Segmentation 1.3. Research Methodology 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Dynamics 3.1. Market Drivers 3.2. Market Restraints 3.3. Market Opportunities 4. Key Insights 4.1. Key Emerging Trends 4.2. Latest Technological Advancement 4.3. Insight on Regulatory Landscape 4.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.5. Impact of COVID-19 on the Oil & Gas Fabrication Market 5. Global Oil & Gas Fabrication Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 5.1. Key Findings / Summary 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Application 5.2.1.Upstream 5.2.2.Midstream 5.2.3.Downstream 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Region 5.3.1.North America 5.3.2.Europe 5.3.3.Asia Pacific 5.3.4.Latin America 5.3.5.Middle East & Africa Continued. Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/oil-gas-fabrication-market-102154 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good is proudly launching its second annual impact report , detailing the nearly $40 million of its initial $100M investment commitment which has almost doubled its portfolio to 26 mission-driven startups, and is generating promising early results with portfolio companies delivering a 155 per cent revenue growth. The Pollinator Fund invests into early-stage, forprofit companies where impact is baked into the business model. We support tenacious, mission-driven and diverse founders by leveraging TELUS broad network to make introductions, open doors, and guide the portfolio companies to maximum growth and impact, said Blair Miller, Managing Partner, TELUS Pollinator Fund. As one of the worlds largest corporate social impact funds, communicating our progress to our stakeholders is an important aspect of our commitment to advancing the impact investment ecosystem. We want to inspire other corporations to step up, and like us, invest in the next generation of responsible businesses. Investment with tangible social impacts Since its launch in 2020, the Pollinator Fund has backed compelling solutions in four key pillars: supporting responsible agriculture, caring for our planet, transforming healthcare and enabling inclusive communities. The Pollinator Fund led numerous investments in 2022 into companies at the forefront of their sectors, including a series A in Virtual Gurus, which provides virtual assistance services while creating meaningful employment for marginalized groups, a bridge round in GotCare, which extends the reach of health care providers into the home setting, and a series A in Flash Forest, which accelerates wildfire reforestation using drones and technology. Highlights over the last year include: Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion with 54 per cent of portfolio companies led by Indigenous and racialized people and 42 per cent led by women More than 1.1 million lives touched through improved services, products or income 22.2 million hectares of land sustainably managed 1.8 times increase in income for marginalized workers. The Pollinator Fund has been recognized for excellence as an impact investor - not only through the investments across North America, but also by being awarded with Foresight Canadas 2023 BC Cleantech Awards as Funder of the Year, and being named a finalist for Fast Companys World Changing Ideas Awards for Social Impact Investing. With a large base of portfolio companies already, including Flash Forest , GotCare , Eli Health , Propagate , Moozoom , Shoelace Learning and Virtual Gurus , with even more to come, the future of social innovation through the Pollinator Fund is promising. Advancing the impact investment ecosystem The Pollinator Fund is launching the Pollinator Impact Navigation Tool which is built to serve the needs of startups and equip them with the information required to begin managing their impact and communicating outcomes to investors. The tool will help early-stage companies assess their progress in developing an Impact measurement and management (IMM) system, identify priority areas to address in order to level up their IMM system, and track, manage and communicate their impact on an ongoing basis in a meaningful way. The Pollinator Impact Navigation Tool is released as an open-source resource to enable other impact investors to improve their own operations by deploying the tool to their portfolio companies. To learn more about the highlights of the fund and commitments made to date, read the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good Impact report . Founders looking for a practical resource for impact management can access the Pollinator Impact Navigation Tool . About the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good The $100 million TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good is one of the worlds largest corporate social impact funds, and focuses its investments on for-profit companies and founders committed to driving social innovation. The TELUS Pollinator Fund is an extension of TELUS long-standing commitment to leveraging the power of technology to drive positive social and environmental outcomes for all Canadians by funding the development of solutions for transforming healthcare, caring for our planet, supporting responsible agriculture and enabling inclusive communities. To learn more about the TELUS Pollinator Fund, please visit: telus.com/pollinatorfund . For media inquiries, please contact: Francois Marchand TELUS Media Relations francois.marchand@telus.com A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5689ff38-1a02-493f-8553-936ecf1871c9 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. TORONTO, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerita Resources Corp. (Emerita or the Company) (TSX-V:EMO) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement offering of units of the Company (the Units) pursuant to which the Company issued 20,000,000 Units at a price of $0.40 per Unit (the Offering Price) for aggregate gross proceeds of $8,000,000 (the Offering). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.60 per Common Share for a period of 36 months following the date hereof (the Closing Date). The Offering was led by Clarus Securities Inc., as lead agent, on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the Agents) that included Canaccord Genuity Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., and iA Private Wealth Inc. The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Offering to continue the exploration and development work on its Spanish base metals properties as well as general corporate working capital purposes. In connection with the Offering, the Agents received an aggregate cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds from the Offering. In addition, the Company issued to the Agents 1,400,000 non-transferable broker warrants (the Broker Warrants). Each Broker Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price equal to the Offering Price for a period of 36 months following the Closing Date. The Common Shares and Warrants issued pursuant to the Offering will not be subject to a statutory hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws as the Offering was completed pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106. The Offering remains subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Emerita Resources Corp. Emerita is a natural resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Europe, with a primary focus on exploring in Spain. The Companys corporate office and technical team are based in Sevilla, Spain with an administrative office in Toronto, Canada. For further information, contact: Ian Parkinson +1 647 910-2500 (Toronto) info@emeritaresources.com www.emeritaresources.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Offering and the completion thereof; the Companys intended use of proceeds from the Offering and the Companys future plans. 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 actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. 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 Emerita, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Emerita 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. Emerita does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Trinseo PLC (Trinseo or the Company) (NYSE: TSE) and certain of its officers, on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased, or otherwise acquired Trinseo securities between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firms site: www.bgandg.com/tse. This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws. The Complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) the Company's Bristol, Pennsylvania plant had a troubled safety record while under prior ownership and continued to be unsafe after the Company acquired it; (2) Defendants did not sufficiently disclose specific risks related to conducting operations at that plant; (3) Operating a chemical plant with an unsafe history and presently unsafe operations exposed the Company to a heightened risk of a chemical spill or other adverse event; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firms site: www.bgandg.com/tse or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Trinseo you have until June 20, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson 212-697-6484 | info@bgandg.com RALEIGH, N.C., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Board of Directors announced today that Leigh Brady has been named CEO. The appointment follows the resignation of Jim Hayes, who is leaving SECU to become CEO of State Department Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Virginia. Brady is the Credit Unions first female CEO. Leigh has spent 35 years at SECU and is intimately familiar with the Credit Union and its members. She has served as chief operating officer since 2021 and previously held leadership positions in various areas of the organization including human resources, communications, organizational development, accounting, marketing, and auditing. No one understands SECU better than Leigh Brady, said Chris Ayers, chair of the Board of Directors. She has been an integral part of the Credit Union for more than three decades and uniquely understands our mission and our members. She is well equipped to continue the improvements and advances that are underway at SECU. I am excited about the future of SECU under Leighs leadership. Brady will provide stability and continuity as SECU moves forward with a strategic plan to enhance service to the credit unions 2.7 million members. This includes investments in technology and an ongoing commitment to give employees the tools and support necessary to succeed. Ive spent my career focused on enhancing SECU for its members and their families, Brady said. Im excited to step into this new role and will work to further strengthen our Credit Union. That work will be centered on what SECU has always done well remembering our mission and serving our members. Hayes joined SECU in 2021 after serving as president and CEO of Andrews Federal Credit Union in Maryland. We are grateful for Jims strong leadership and the vision he cast for SECU, Ayers said. Jim brought ideas from outside our institution that will continue to help SECU meet our members where they are and improve their experience. His contributions helped strengthen our staff, modernize technology, enhance member products and services, and position SECU for the future. Hayes said, I would like to thank the SECU Board of Directors for their leadership, direction, and support during my time here. SECU is well positioned for continued success, and I have complete confidence in Leigh Bradys leadership of the Credit Union going forward. She is an outstanding choice. About SECU A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 86 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $50 billion in assets. It serves over 2.7 million members through 274 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and a Mobile App. Contact: Sandra Jones, SVP Communications Office: 919-508-8773 | sandra.jones@ncsecu.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1aedb0e-b3a3-4869-995b-9c2df0cbe241 NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howard Jonas, leading a consortium of investors that maintains an economic interest in more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LL), today sent a letter to LL Floorings Board of Directors strongly encouraging the Board to seriously consider the offer made on May 26, 2023 by F9 Investments, LLC and Cabinets to Go, LLC to acquire the company at a price of $5.76 per share as a fair starting point for acquisition discussions. Mr. Jonas urged the Company to constructively engage with the F9 Group and to advance an immediate sale process. The full text of the letter that was sent to LL Floorings Board of Directors on June 13, 2023 follows below: June 13, 2023 Nancy M. Taylor Chairperson of the Board of Directors Charles Tyson Chief Executive Officer LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. 4901 Bakers Mill Lane Richmond, Virginia 23230 Dear Ms. Taylor and Mr. Tyson: I am writing on behalf of an investment consortium that I lead to strongly encourage the Board of Directors of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. to seriously consider the offer made on May 26, 2023 by F9 Investments, LLC and Cabinets to Go, LLC (collectively, the F9 Group) to acquire the company. The consortium maintains an economic interest in more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LL Flooring through a combination of direct holdings and swaps. We believe the F9 Groups offer of $5.76 per share is a fair starting point for acquisition discussions and that the Board should engage with the F9 Group and immediately enter into a sale process for the company with $5.76 per share as an acceptable floor bid. While we believe there is significant value in LL Floorings underlying net assets (including its strong brand and market position) that is in excess of the current market price, and potentially in excess of the $5.76 per share offer, unfortunately, as evidenced by the companys record of severe underperformance over the last several years, it is apparent that management change would be necessary for stockholders to benefit from that value. While competitors demonstrated strong performance in 2022, LL Flooring lagged considerably, with significant and alarming levels of negative operating cash flow and inventory buildup. First quarter 2023 results were also extremely disappointing, and we are gravely concerned by the significant increase in the companys SG&A as a percentage of net sales. If anything, LL Floorings record of underperformance suggests that failing to sell now could threaten further value erosion for stockholders. In our view, a sale now, at this price or above, whether to the F9 Group or to an alternative bidder, would provide stockholders an attractive opportunity to obtain immediate liquidity at a fair valuation in excess of what LL Flooring, with its management as currently constituted, can be expected to achieve. For these reasons, we strongly encourage you if the Board has not already done so to constructively engage immediately with the F9 Group and to advance an immediate sale process. Sincerely, Howard Jonas cc: Steve Wolosky and Mitchell Raab, Olshan Frome Wolosky, LLP Vancouver, June 12, 2023 - MTB Metals Corp. (TSXV: MTB) (OTCQB: MBYMF) (FSE: E8H) ("MTB" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the second and final tranche of the non-brokered private placements for Flow Through and Non-Flow Through Units, as announced on May 4th. The two tranches total to $2,031,991. The funds will be used primarily for exploration on MTB's Telegraph property in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Lawrence Roulston, CEO, stated: "We are grateful for the strong support for this financing, which raised more than the initial target. MTB is now well funded for work on the Telegraph copper-gold porphyry. The geological team are now preparing for the field season, which will focus on drilling on the Dok Trend." Flow Through Offering MTB raised gross proceeds of $1,531,389 from the sale of 11,779,918 flow through units (the "FT Units"). Each FT Unit consists of one common share of the Company to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"). The price of each FT Unit is $0.13. Each FT Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.18 for a period of 24 months, expiring on May 26, 2025 for the first tranche and on June 12, 2025 for the second tranche. Non-Flow through Offering In addition, MTB also closed a non-brokered private placement of 4,171,684 units ("Units") at $0.12 per Unit for gross proceeds of $500,602. Each Unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.18 for a period of 36 months, expiring on May 26, 2026 for the first tranche and on June 12, 2026 for the second tranche. A total of $133,034 finder's fees were paid in cash and the Company also issued 1,045,804 finder's warrants. Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.12 for a period of 36 months, expiring on May 26, 2026 for the first tranche and on June 12, 2026 for the second tranche. All securities are subject to a four month hold period expiring on September 27, 2023 for the first tranche and on October 13, 2023 for the second tranche. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur resource exploration expenses which will constitute "Canadian exploration expenses" as defined in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023 to the purchasers of the FT Units in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares. If the Qualifying Expenditures are reduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Company will indemnify each subscriber of FT Units for any additional taxes payable by such subscriber as a result of the Company's failure to renounce the Qualifying Expenditures. The securities offered 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 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, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. About MTB MTB has six active projects spanning 670 square kilometres (67,587 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. With the focus on the Telegraph project, discussions are now underway leading to joint ventures and/or spinouts of other projects. Telegraph is located in the vicinity of 4 world-class porphyry deposits being advanced by major mining companies: Galore (Teck / Newmont), Schaft (Teck), Saddle (Newmont) and the operating Red Chris copper-gold mine (Newcrest / Imperial Metals). Field work by MTB on its 310 square kilometre property, together with earlier results, provides compelling evidence for the presence of one or more porphyrys similar to others in the area. The American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine. The project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart. There are multiple silver, gold and copper occurrences on the property, including a 2006 drill hole that encountered 5 kgs of silver over 5 metres. Red Cliff is a past producing gold and copper mine in which the Company holds a 35% interest. On the BA property, 182 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway. Several targets with high-grade silver potential remain to be tested. Surprise Creek, to the north, hosts the same prospective stratigraphy. On the Theia project, work by MTB and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 metres long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton). Two other zones on the property produced copper values over 5%. Southmore is in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s and was overlooked until MTB consolidated the property and carried out airborne geophysics and field work which confirmed several zones of gold and copper, with values up to 20% copper and 35 g/t gold. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Lawrence Roulston President & CEO For further information, contact: Caroline Klukowski info@mountainboyminerals.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. This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that 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. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169688 MONTREAL, June 12, 2023 /CNW/ - (SYDNEY, June 13, 2023) - Champion Iron Ltd. (TSX: CIA) (ASX: CIA) (OTCQX: CIAFF) ("Champion" or the "Company") announces the resumption of railway services from its Bloom Lake mine ("Bloom Lake") to the port of Sept-Iles (the "Railway"). Following recent forest fires north of Sept-Iles, Quebec, on June 6, 2023, the Company announced interruptions to the Railway. As the forest fires recently subsided in the region, no significant damage was identified to the Railway following inspections by its operator, resulting in a gradual reopening of services. On June 10, 2023, the Company successfully completed its first rail shipment from Bloom Lake to the port of Sept-Iles since the interruptions to the Railway. Despite supply chain challenges impacting operations, Bloom Lake operated continuously throughout the Railway interruptions and stockpiled iron ore concentrate at the Bloom Lake mining complex. Following the gradual ramp-up in capacity of the Railway and limited additional availability of rolling stock to accommodate excess volumes beyond Bloom Lake's production capacity, the Company expects material delays in sales of its stockpiled iron ore concentrate at Bloom Lake. Champion's CEO, Mr. David Cataford, said, "We sincerely thank all involved in mitigating the impact of forest fires for the local communities and the environment." About Champion Iron Limited Champion, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore Inc., owns and operates the Bloom Lake Mining Complex, located on the south end of the Labrador Trough, approximately 13 km north of Fermont, Quebec. Bloom Lake is an open-pit operation with two concentrators that primarily source energy from renewable hydroelectric power. The two concentrators have a combined nameplate capacity of 15 Mtpa and produce a low contaminant high-grade 66.2% Fe iron ore concentrate with a proven ability to produce a 67.5% Fe direct reduction quality concentrate. In January 2023, the Company announced the positive findings of a feasibility study evaluating upgrading half of the Bloom Lake mine capacity to a direct reduction quality pellet feed iron ore and approved an initial budget to advance the project. Bloom Lake's high-grade and low contaminant iron ore products have attracted a premium to the Platts IODEX 62% Fe iron ore benchmark. The Company ships iron ore concentrate from Bloom Lake by rail, to a ship loading port in Sept-Iles, Quebec, and has sold its iron ore concentrate to customers globally, including in China, Japan, the Middle East, Europe, South Korea, India and Canada. In addition to Bloom Lake, Champion owns a portfolio of exploration and development projects in the Labrador Trough, including the Kamistiatusset Project, located a few kilometres south-east of Bloom Lake, and the Consolidated Fire Lake North iron ore project, located approximately 40 km south of Bloom Lake. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain information and statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "aims" "targets", or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. Specific Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address future events, developments or performance that Champion expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, the impact of forest fires on Champion's business, operations, sales or assets, including the impact on Bloom Lake's production, governmental authorities' responses thereto and the timing for the Railway services and operations of third party infrastructures to resume. Risks Although Champion believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include the impact on the Company's business, operations or assets, the climate and impact of weather conditions on the forest fires, the intensification of the forest fires, the ability to control forest fires and the impact on forest fires on the Company's business, operations, assets or personnel, on third party infrastructure, including the Railway and the communities where the Company works, and include those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's 2023 Annual Report, Annual Information Form and MD&A for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, the ASX at www.asx.com.au and the Company's website at www.championiron.com. 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 forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Additional Updates All of Champion's forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof or such other date or dates specified in forward-looking statements and is based upon the opinions and estimates of Champion's management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Champion cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Readers should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risks they entail. For additional information on Champion Iron Ltd., please visit our website at: www.championiron.com. This press release has been authorized for release to the market by the CEO of Champion Iron Ltd., David Cataford. SOURCE Champion Iron Ltd. VANCOUVER, June 12, 2023 - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSXV: ZNG) (OTC: GRLVF) (FRA: 3GE) ("Group Eleven" or the "Company") announces that it has issued a total of 1,714,284 deferred share units ("DSUs") to three independent directors as settlement of remuneration owing for directorship services ($20,000 per director per year) provided in fiscal years 2020 and 2022, in accordance with the provisions of the Company's deferred share unit plan. Correction to Terms of Finder's Warrants Further to the Company's news release dated May 26, 2023 announcing the closing of the Company's private placement of units (the "Closing News Release"), the Closing News Release incorrectly stated that the Company issued 102,600 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") which are exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.09 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company wishes to correct the Closing News Release by clarifying that the Finder's Warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per Finder's Warrant Share. About Group Eleven Resources Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; OTC: GRLVF and FRA: 3GE) is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced stage zinc exploration in Ireland. Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bart Jaworski, P.Geo. Chief Executive Officer 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. SOURCE Group Eleven Resources Corp. VANCOUVER, June 13, 2023 - Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its acquisition of two highly prospective licenses, being the East Trend and Media Sur properties, in the San Ramon Greenstone belt in Bolivia. Under the share purchase agreement with Jacob Garland (the "Vendor"), the Company acquired all of the shares of Minera Meranti Ltda ("Merenti"), a Bolivian company that holds title to the East Trend and Media Sur licenses. In consideration of Merenti, the Company issued 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share for a deemed value of $100,000. The Vendor will be entitled to a payment equal to USD $3 for every one (1) ounce of gold and/or gold equivalent of measured resource, indicated resource or inferred resource, or any combination thereof, on the mineral rights above 500,000 ounces of gold and/or gold equivalent. The total amount of cash that the Vendor may receive is USD $1,500,000 ("Maximum Amount"). For greater certainty, the Maximum Amount applies to both properties and the Vendor is not entitled to the Maximum Amount for each mineral property. The East Trend property is comprised of a total of 2,650 hectares and is located within the San Ramon gold producing district. The property covers faulted greenstone terrain which forms the eastern extension of the La Cruz Gold trend, a NW-SE striking gold mineralized zone that has been mined via a large number of small open pits by small-scale gold miners over 8 strike kilometres. Recent activity by small scale miners indicates the gold mineralized trend continues to the southeast the East Trend property. The property is located 20 kilometers east from the Puqio Norte historical gold mine and the Company's Golden Hill Property. East Trend is significantly underexplored, despite its highly prospective geological setting, which is analogous to known proximal gold mines and deposits. The Media Sur property is comprised of a total of 4,750 hectares and is centered on the underexplored southern arm of a highly gold prospective metasedimentary - metavolcanic faulted greenstone belt. The project is situated along the same broad structure as two large orogenic gold systems, Medio Monte and La Lupa. The latter is currently in production and is operated by a local Bolivian company that producing a significant amount of gold using basic gravity circuits. Recent artisanal mining activity suggests that gold mineralization continues to Media Sur. Qualified Person Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph. D., FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill orogenic gold property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored Precambrian Shield, Bolivia. In Peru, the Company has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria silver property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay properties. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. 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 limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mantaro-precious-metals-corp-closes-acquisition-of-prospective-bolivian-properties-301848964.html SOURCE Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. TORONTO, June 13, 2023 - Madison Metals Inc. ("Madison" or the "Company") (CSE: GREN) (OTCQB: MMTLF) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Impact Capital Markets Inc. ("Impact") to provide investor awareness services to the Company. Impact Capital Markets is a full-service marketing agency that provides investor awareness campaigns. "This is a particularly exciting time for Madison. With the recent signing of our multi-year, uranium forward-sales agreement, we believe this is the right time to increase our engagement with investors," said Duane Parnham, Executive Chairman and CEO of Madison Metals. "As we drill and expand our uranium resources in Namibia, Impact Capital Markets will assist in providing investors with greater visibility on our progress." "Impact Capital Markets is excited to be working with an innovative industry leader like Duane Parnham who has a proven history of success in the mining sector and has delivered a strategy to monetize the Company's in-the-ground uranium resources," said Alexander Roberts, Director of Growth Marketing for Impact Capital Markets. Under the terms of Madison's agreement with Impact, which commences July 1, 2023 for a one-year period and will end on June 30, 2024, Impact will execute a comprehensive online investor awareness campaign to support the Company's brand strategy. This will include online marketing and advertising, digital video content, email awareness campaigns and a monthly webinar, among other activities. For these services, Impact will be paid a fee of C$10,000 + HST per month on a cash basis. Madison has also granted 725,000 stock options to management and consultants at C$0.38 in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. The options carry a term of five years and vest immediately. About Madison Metals Inc. Madison Metals Inc. (CSE: GREN) (OTCQB: MMTLF) is an upstream mining and exploration company focused on sustainable uranium production in Namibia and Canada. With over 50 years of mining experience, including 22 years in Namibia, its management team has geological and financial expertise and a track record of creating shareholder value. Additional information about Madison Metals Inc. can be found at madisonmetals.ca and on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. For further information, please contact: Duane Parnham Executive Chairman & CEO Madison Metals Inc. +1 (416) 489-0092 ir@madisonmetals.ca Alex Roberts Director of Growth Marketing Impact Capital Markets Inc. 401 Bay Street, Suite 2704 Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 + (416) 460-5002 enquire@impactcap.ca Media inquiries for Madison Metals: Adam Bello Manager, Media & Analyst Relations Primoris Group Inc. +1 (416) 489-0092 media@primorisgroup.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the fulfillment of terms of the forward-sales agreement; the issuance of common shares of Madison; and the proposed future exploration and drilling by Madison. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "schedule", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "continue", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important facts that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. 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. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others: the global economic climate; competition; labour shortages, and unanticipated expenses of the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: failure of the Company or its contractual partners to fulfil their respective obligations under agreements; unanticipated delays in drilling as described in this press release; the impact the COVID 19 pandemic may have on the Company's activities and the economy in general; the impact of the recovery post COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on precious metals; receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental risks; and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that are available on the Company's SEDAR profile page at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, June 13, 2023 - Ameriwest Lithium Inc. (the "Company" or "Ameriwest") (CSE: AWLI) (OTC: AWLIF) (FSE: 5HV0) is pleased to announce that following discovery of significant concentrations of up to 1,295 ppm lithium from surface soil sampling, as outlined in a December 13, 2022 press release, it has now expanded its Thompson Valley Lithium Property with the addition of four new Mineral Exploration Permits ("MEP's"). Each new MEP is recorded with the Arizona State Land Department ("ASLD") and the four, combined, total 2,560-acres (1,026 ha) in size. On, May 19,2023 Ameriwest announced it had completed a Technical Report (the "Report") on its Thompson Valley Property located in west-central Arizona. The Report, prepared under the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 and standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum, summarized geological test work completed by the Company in 2022 including geologic mapping, surface sampling and geophysics. It identified six lithium exploration targets at Thompson Valley with potential to host 200-400 million tonnes (220-440 million tons) of clay deposits, with expected average grade of these deposits ranging from 114 to 842 ppm Li. The location of the lithium exploration target areas (the "Target Areas") is shown in Figure 1 below. No mineral resources or reserves have yet been delineated on the Property. The new MEP's cover an area to the north of the Target Area between the Thompson Valley Fault and the Eastwood Creek Fault. While there is a basalt cap covering the surface of these four new MEP's, Ameriwest's geologists believe the MEP's may host lithium clay exploration target similar in characteristics to the Target Area, with lithium bearing sediments buried below the basalt cap. The new MEPs brings the mineral rights controlled by Ameriwest at Thompson Valley to 17 MEP's and 33 Federal lode mining claims encompassing approximately 9,400 acres (3,800 ha). The mineral rights controlled by Ameriwest are also shown in Figure 1 below and are held in Ameriwest's subsidiary Oakley Ventures (USA) Corp. Ameriwest Lithium's CEO, Mr. David Watkinson, commented "With the encouraging results announced by Ameriwest in December 2022 and with completion of the Technical Report in May 2023, our team has identified six exploration targets at Thompson Valley. We expanded the size of the project area to the north to perfect and protect our land position. Our current plans are to initiate our inaugural drill program in 2023 to test these targets, pending necessary permits, drill availability, and favorable weather conditions. We have mobilized a field crew to lay out drill pads and drill roads. We expect to complete archaeological and native plant surveys within the next few weeks, to be followed by submission of a Geological Field Plan of Operations ("GFOP") to the ASLD." Qualified Person Statement David Watkinson, P.Eng., a non-independent qualified person under the NI 43-101 Instrument, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Mr. Watkinson is CEO of Ameriwest. Figure 1 Mineral Rights, Thompson Valley Property, AZ About Ameriwest Lithium Inc. Ameriwest Lithium Inc. is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on identifying strategic lithium mineral projects for exploration and resource development. The Company is currently exploring its 9,400-acre Thompson Valley property in Arizona. In addition, it is one of the largest lithium land holders in Nevada exploring its 15,300-acre Railroad Valley property, 22,200-acre Edwards Creek Valley property, 5,800-acre Little Smoky Valley property and 7,600-acre Deer Musk East property. These include three lithium brine properties and two lithium clay properties. Find out more at: https://ameriwestlithium.com/. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Glenn Collick Chief Operating Officer and Director For further information, please contact: Glenn Collick Chief Operating Officer and Director 778-868-2226 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward?looking information. Forward?looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward?looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward?looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward?looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward?looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward?looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward?looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation 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 legislation. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8fec47eb-1769-4cba-85b9-66213084a51c Vancouver, June 13, 2023 - Westward Gold Inc. (CSE:WG) (OTC:WGLIF) (FSE:IM50) ("Westward" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Allan ("Al") Fabbro to the Company's board of directors as an Independent Director. Mr. Fabbro is a 40-year veteran of the finance and mining industries, and currently serves as President, CEO and Lead Director of Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSX-V: MMA). From 1984 to 1990, he led the retail trading department of Yorkton Securities, followed by six years with their Natural Resources Group. Mr. Fabbro subsequently joined Canaccord Capital as an Investment Advisor, a role he held for a decade. More recently, Al was also Co-Founder and Lead Director of Roxgold Inc., which was named the top company on the TSX Venture 50 and raised in excess of $60 million in equity financing during his tenure. Roxgold was acquired by Fortuna Silver Mines in 2021 in a deal valued at ~C$1 billion. Following his tenure at Canaccord Capital, Mr. Fabbro became President of American Consolidated Minerals Corp. ("ACM") in 2009. At that time, ACM owned - and was actively exploring - the Toiyabe Gold Project in Lander County, Nevada ("Toiyabe"), now Westward's flagship property. Under Mr. Fabbro's leadership, prior to ACM's acquisition by Starcore International Mines Ltd. in 2014, some of the most significant drilling campaigns were conducted at Toiyabe. Mr. Al Fabbro, incoming Director, commented: "I've been intrigued by what the Westward team has been able to accomplish at Toiyabe, the fresh approach they've taken to its exploration, and the regional consolidation. I'm pleased that the property is getting the attention it deserves, and grateful for the opportunity to be involved in its development once again. I've always felt like I had some unfinished business here." Westward also announces the resignation of Mr. Johnathan Dewdney from the board of directors. The Company would like to extend its gratitude to Mr. Dewdney for his long-tenured work and wishes him the best in future endeavours. Colin Moore, Westward President and CEO, commented: "On behalf of management and the board of directors I would like to thank John for his tireless efforts supporting the Company over the last many years. He was a key contributor to the transactions that led to our current asset portfolio in Nevada, fundraising efforts, and overall corporate strategy. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Al Fabbro, whose personal knowledge of Toiyabe and experienced industry leadership will serve us immensely moving forward." Option Grant In addition, the Company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 600,000 stock options (the "Options") to Mr. Al Fabbro and Mr. Terry Salman. Mr. Salman was recently appointed as Strategic Advisor to the Company (see press release dated March 27, 2023). The Options, which vest immediately, are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant. About Westward Gold Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developing the Toiyabe, Turquoise Canyon, and East Saddle Projects located in the Cortez Hills area of Lander County, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Company may also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assets and opportunities. For further information contact: Colin Moore President, CEO & Director Westward Gold Inc. colin@westwardgold.com www.westwardgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. MONTREAL, June 13, 2023 - Yorbeau Resources Inc. (TSX: YRB) ("Yorbeau" or the "Company") announces that the nominees listed in the Company's management proxy circular dated May 12, 2023 were elected as directors of Yorbeau. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors held at the annual general meeting of shareholders on June 13, 2023 in Montreal are set out below. Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld G. Bodnar Jr. 157,659,769 99.84% 258,654 0.16% John Jacobsen 157,908,269 99.99% 10,154 0.01% Henri Gelinas 157,667,273 99.84% 251,150 0.16% Terry Kocisko 157,489,263 99.73% 429,160 0.27% Marcel Lecourt 157,910,823 100.00% 7,600 0.00% Jerome Gendron 157,914,823 100.00% 3,600 0.00% Dany Laflamme 157,914,823 100.00% 3,600 0.00% About Yorbeau Resources Inc. Yorbeau Resources is a Canadian public company (TSX: YRB) involved in gold and base metal exploration in Quebec, Canada. Its properties are in northwestern area of the province containing many significant deposits on the famed Abitibi Greenstone Belt, including major gold mines along the Larder Lake- Cadillac Break and several volcanic centers hosting major copper-zinc-gold deposits. Yorbeau is focusing on its Rouyn Gold and Scott Lake Zinc-Copper projects which have demonstrated the most immediate and substantial prospects for discovery and eventual mine development. While Scott is very favorably located in the Chibougamau mining camp, Rouyn represents a consolidation of several contiguous properties strategically located on the famously productive Cadillac Break in the Rouyn-Noranda Mining Camp. Other holdings of the Company include its interest in the past producing Joutel Gold Mining Camp and the Beschefer Property adjacent to SOQUEM's B-26 deposit in the Selbaie Mine area. For additional information on the Company, consult its website at www.yorbeauresources.com. For further information, please contact: G. Bodnar Jr. President, Chief Financial Officer Yorbeau Resources Inc. gbodnar@yorbeauresources.com Tel: 514-384-2202 Toll free in North America: 1-855-384-2202 It was not so long ago: Sergio Perez thought he had a real chance of winning the world title after his win in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After a truly dramatic weekend in Monaco and 'only' a fourth-place finish in Barcelona, the world looks completely different: Max Verstappen is now 53 points ahead of the Mexican, who can no longer afford a misstep. Article continues under ad Look and read all the interviews on it, and turf how often Perez uses the word 'team'. Of course, in Formula 1 it is customary to talk about 'we', but still. Perez mentions time and again how important 'the team' is, especially at times when he stands with a trophy in his hands. Or, the reverse also happens, when things don't go as hoped, he also frequently uses the word 'team'. Fair is fair, the Mexican admitted after his crash during qualifying at the Monaco GP that he and not the team had made a mistake. Not the quality of Verstappen After the Barcelona race - where Perez failed to make it out of Q2 - the word 'we' was back. 'We' did not have to take unnecessary risks. The word 'we' implies a certain partial responsibility if something doesn't go right, but is that really the case in Perez's case? After all, for a season and a half, this team has been delivering a car that is unbeatable in Verstappen's hands. Of course, Verstappen is an absolutely top driver, with qualities that Perez does not possess. Perez does have a car with which he should really be able to finish at least second every time without much effort. But he doesn't, at least not in Barcelona. That is not for the first time. In Red Bull's preview of the Canadian Grand Prix, Perez - just like Verstappen - comes into play. After doodling that he is looking forward to the next race, the Mexican says he has been in Milton Keynes recently, at Red Bull Racing's factory. "We have put in a lot of good work and had some very constructive conversations. I know what I must do to get back to the form I am capable of," Perez said. To add: "And as a team, we know how to get the car into a window where I will perform best." 'Working together as a team' With this, Perez says he did not fit in with the car and its characteristics as Red Bull has given it lately. The car is dead fast when Verstappen is driving it. That car, Perez apparently struggles with. Is the team really to blame? Did it look too much at Verstappen's qualities and not at Perez? Then the Mexican talks about 'the team' again: "Getting through moments like this, its more important than ever to work as a team and we will all support each other to push for the win in Canada. I have a fantastic car and its always exciting to get behind the wheel." Perez then concludes self-critically, because more than adjusting the car in detail to suit his own driving style, he realises, "I must be massively consistent in Montreal and have a complete weekend." Spa GP promoter has really positive F1 meeting Organisers of the fabled Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps had a "really positive" meeting with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on Monday. Yuki Tsunoda, Belgian GP 2022 Red Bull Organisers of the fabled Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps had a "really positive" meeting with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on Monday. That is the claim of Gaetan Vigneron, a well-known correspondent for the Belgian news agency RTBF following speculation the talks would be about a new race contract for 2024. Earlier, promoter Vanessa Maes dismissed as "pure speculation" reports that Spa's best hope of keeping the race next year might be an annual rotation deal with Dutch GP host Zandvoort. "We would prefer to sign a multi-year contract as before, but we will always be happy with what we get," she said. Maes was accompanied to the London meeting with Domenicali by Melchior Wathelet, president of the race promotion company Spa Grand Prix. Maes is director-general. "According to our information," reports Vigneron, "the outcome of the meeting is really positive. "Nothing is on paper yet but we can probably assume that the announcement of a grand prix at Spa for 2024 should not be delayed for much longer." However, it is rumoured that all Spa may be granted by Domenicali and F1 owner Liberty Media is a single-year contract extension for next season. Beyond that, Vigneron said: "It's still too early to tell but a lot of factors come into play. "But F1 respects Spa and the feeling at the moment is positive." (GMM) Collaboration needed for growth of blue economy RMU Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 12:51 The Regional Maritime University (RMU) is calling for strong collaborative efforts from all stakeholders including government and industry players to help achieve a greater economic growth in the blue economic industry. Blue economy is a term that refers to the sustainable use of coastal and marine natural resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods and jobs. It is linked to the exploitation and conservation of the maritime environment, while maintaining the integrity and health of the coastal and marine ecosystems. The Student Representative Council (SRC) President for the RMU, Alex Kojo Abayateye, said the blue economy not only sought to promote economic growth but also to preserve the health and cleanliness of the ocean. If we all join hands to support this blue economy initiative, we can and will, by all possible means available, increase the growth of the economy and fight against environmental degradation regarding the oceans. The ocean has more to give us than we are benefiting from now. Lets keep the ocean healthy and be safe, let's invest in the ocean and be rich, he said. Mr Abayateye made the call at the Blue Economy Conference organised by RMU-SRC in Accra last Friday on the theme: Employment in the Blue Economic Industry, A catalyst for economic growth, the role of stakeholders, government and the university. The conference brought together experts in the maritime industry, policy makers and academia to chart a roadmap to battle the grave unemployment issue in the country and Africa at large, while harnessing the potential of the blue economy and sustaining ocean health. He explained that right after Ghanas independence, the blackstar line and the Regional Maritime University (Blue Economy) were one of the very first institutions established by the then government of Ghana. The leaders, he said, then envisioned a roadmap to economic recovery after colonialism was to use the ocean (Blue economy) to aid our trade and boost the economy. We all know that our industry, the maritime industry, is one of the leading sources of income for our country and we need to protect our environment as we work, he added. Employment The maritime industry remains one of the most specialised industries in the world such that the global economy today depends on the port as a prime facilitator with more than 90 per cent of world trade carried out by the international shipping industry. It is the only cost-effective way to transport raw materials, finished goods, fuel and foodstuffs over great distances. In some countries, this industry forms the foundation of those countries economic growth and development. The global maritime industry has been growing at an impressive rate. The maritime industry is a leading source of employment in many countries, especially those with many ports and a lengthy coastline. University-industry collaboration The Monitoring Manager at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Captain Ebenezer Gakpey, explained that the maritime industry had seen a lot of development in recent years. He said the Takoradi port had also seen some developments, notable amongst them being the liquid bulk terminal, a dry bulk terminal equipped with modern ship loaders and eco hoppers, and the construction of a 16 meter Container multipurpose terminal which is currently underway. These developments, he said, were providing substantial economic benefits for Ghana by enhancing trade opportunities, increased revenues for the state through taxes, levies, and fees, creating direct and indirect jobs (during construction and operation) and positioning the ports as the leading trade and logistics hub in the sub region. However, he said these developments in the maritime industry cannot function on their own without proper collaboration with the academic institutions and vice versa. University-industry collaboration holds great prospective for fostering innovation, bridging the gap between academia and industry, and preparing students for real-world experience. Telecoms bled during SIM deactivation exercise Kester Aburam Korankye Business News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 04:14 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) saw a dip in their daily revenue after the National Communications Authority (NCA) directed the deactivation of all SIM cards that had not been linked to a Ghana card. With about 8.9 million SIM cards barred from voice and data services between June 1 and 5 this year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, told the Graphic Business in an interview that the companies suffered some losses. Although Mr Ashigbey could not give the exact amount of revenue that was lost within the period, he said the sheer number of customers that were barred from voice and data services, as well as mobile money accounts, could indicate the quantum of lost revenue. Complete process However, Mr Ashigbey said the grace period for reactivating deactivated SIM cards was still in progress and the public must, therefore, take advantage of it now. The most important thing is that the grace period is not defined. The NCA has just given us this concession to go ahead and just bar, but not delete. But they are monitoring the situation and checking those who are not really interested, he said. Although he was unable to state the exact number of SIM cards that had been reactivated, he said the window was open now for the reactivation for those who would be able to complete the process. You know, the initial directive by the NCA was to bar, deactivate and de-link from the SIM database. However, engaging with players in the industry, the NCA has been magnanimous enough to say that currently, we should bar. What is happening is that, all of the 8.9 million subscribers are not able to make calls, not able to send SMS, neither are they able to also do mobile money or do any of the data services. Once they do the linking, they have to go ahead and get their biometrics captured to complete their registration. When they do that, they then restore their services and get their numbers back, Mr Ashigbey advised. Mr Ashigbey said the option available for persons whose mobile money accounts had been blocked was the same as any other affected subscriber. What they need to do is to get their Ghana Cards and get their SIM cards registered. If they register their SIM, they will get their mobile money back, but if they do not have their Ghana Card yet, they can contact the NCA on 03070114119 or reach them on the toll number 080110622, he added. Context At the inception of the re-registration exercise on October 1, 2021, there were about 42 million active SIM cards in the country. They were made up of SIM cards registered with identity cards (IDs) such as the National Health Insurance Scheme cards, passports and driving licences. The NCA, at whose behest the re-registration, started said a lot of the IDs were not verified at the time they were used to register the SIMs, hence the re-registration. After the first phase of the exercise, there were about 36 million active SIM cards in circulation as of last month, out of which 25 million (69.6 per cent) had been duly re-registered. This means that over 25.4 million SIM cards had completed both stages one and two of the SIM re-registration, which was done with verified Ghana Cards. The remaining 11 million, representing 30.4 per cent, include active SIM cards exempted based on various demographics and active SIM cards that had not been registered with the Ghana Card using the current process. Already, the NCA has deactivated about 6.1 million SIM cards which belonged to subscribers that had completed only stage one of the current registration process. Highlife is part of new Best African Performance Grammy category Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 16:38 Ghanas Highlife music has been recognised as part of relevant African music styles for the Best African Music Performance category at this year's Grammy. The Best African Music Performance category is one of the three new slots that have been added to the 2024 edition of the prestigious awards scheme. The other two are the Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording. Apart from Highlife music, the popular Ghanaian drill spearheaded by the Asaaka boys from Kumasi was mentioned as a music style for the Grammy Best African Music Performance category. The latest news is quite reassuring for promoters of Highlife who have been advocating for global recognition for the genre. Last year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Recording Academy, Harvey Manson Jnr. Disclosed the schemes intention to get the right representation for African music when he visited Ghana. Best African Music Performance category as a track and singles category that recognizes recordings that utilise unique local expressions from across the African continent. Highlighting regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions, the Category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres, the category definition states. According to grammy.com, these category additions and amendments were voted on and passed at the Recording Academys most recent semiannual Board of Trustees meeting held in May 2023. The Recording Academy is proud to announce these latest Category changes to our Awards process. These changes reflect our commitment to actively listen and respond to the feedback from our music community, accurately represent a diverse range of relevant musical genres, and stay aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. By introducing these three new categories, we are able to acknowledge and appreciate a broader array of artists and relocating the Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories to the General Field ensures that all our voters can participate in recognizing excellence in these fields, Mason continued. We are excited to honor and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories, while also exposing a wider range of music to fans worldwide, he added. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions on social media with some calling for the inclusion of of Hiplife over Drill music. Ghanaian Drill is variant of Hiplife; a burgeoning sub-genre of hiplife still in its formative stage. Hiplife deserved a mention in that category definition more than Ghanaian Drill. This is no hate, no tribalism. Fact! Kwame Dadzie posted. Kelly Nii Lartey Mensah posted on Facebook: Ghana Drill. Highlife in Grammy category. The glory to young people innovating highlife with new sounds. Be proud to call yourselves highlife artistes. But To my drill and Kumerica yobos, the awards in Ghana ignored you but the Grammys has got you! Lets go GH!! Recommended articles Stonebwoy is hopeful VGMA will be like the Grammys or BETs Guinness World Records confirms Hilda Bacis cooking record Professor Lade Wosornus The Unattached book to be reviewed Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 18:28 As part of the celebration of the yearlong Accra World Book Capital (AWBC) started in April, the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) will host a review of The Unattached by Professor Lade Wosornu virtually tomorrow, June 14. Tomorrows series forms part of Through the Mind of a Playwright literary series where books of renowned authors and playwrights are reviewed at this years Accra World Book Capital. . Professor Lade Wosornus The Unattached was first published under the title The Casebook of Dr OP Asem but revised and published for the purpose of the Accra World Book Capital. The event will also present an opportunity for a conversation with Prof. Lade Wosornu, one of Ghanas literary legends and an astute retired surgeon, regarding the play. Panelists for the session include Ama Serwaa Nerquaye-Tetteh (Sec.-General, Ghana Commission for UNESCO; Dr. Gheysika Agambila (Author/ former Vice President, GAW; Madam Kate Addo (Dir., Public Affairs of the Republic of Ghana); Lucille Hewlett Annan (Mrs) Lawyer/Ag. Commission Secretary of NCCE. The others are Melody Esiawonam Boateng(National Professional Officer, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Office in Accra), Adjoa Yenyi (programme Specialist, Adolescent&Youth(UNFPA) and Dr. Wale Okediran (Secretary General, Pan African Writers Association). HE Abdourahamanne Diallo (Country Representative, UNESCO Ghana) will be the chairperson for the event and Dr Wale Okediran (Secretary General, Pan African Writers Association). Interested participants can join this all-important event on Wednesday, 14 June, 2023 at 3:00 pm by using the zoom details as follows: Meeting ID85624362804; Passcode721171. Accra World Book Capital AWBC, 2023 is a yearlong programme under the theme; 'Reading to connect minds for social transformation'. It is a UNESCO World Book Capital, to celebrate books and reading. Read also Highlife is part of new Best African Performance Grammy category It was awkward being on Young, Famous and African -Fantana Actor Treat Williams, who starred in the film musical Hair and the US television series Everwood, has died in a road accident aged 71. Williams was thrown from his motorbike in Vermont on Monday after being hit by an SUV turning left, police said. Remove financial barriers on menstrual products From Benjamin Xornam Glover, ASHAIMAN Junior News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 12:15 A Water and Sanitation Diplomat for Schools in Ghana, Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah, has appealed to the government to remove financial barriers that prevent girls from getting access to menstrual products. She also called on the government to provide free or subsidised menstrual products for girls in order to end period stigma. Ms Gyimah, who is a student of the Dawhenya Methodist B Junior High School, made the appeal when members of the Network of Professional Women in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WiWASH) marked this years Menstrual Hygiene Day with an educational programme on menstrual hygiene and donation of sanitary materials to some girls in Ashaiman. Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on May 28 every year. The celebration is to create a world where every girl and woman manages menstruation and its related issues without a speck of shame. Together lets create an environment where girls feel comfortable to discuss their periods openly and seek help when needed, Miss Gyimah said. As part of activities marking the day, members of WiWASH donated sanitary materials including 24 boxes of sanitary pads, gallons of liquid soap, boxes of carbolic soap, and bundles of toilet and paper towels to about 300 pupils in the Ashaiman Church of Christ School, Ashaiman A and B Presbyterian Schools to support their menstrual hygiene management. Health officials from the Ashaiman Polyclinic also educated the learners on the effective use of sanitary pads. Menstruation and its management are a challenge to many women and girls. Studies have found that inadequate sanitary facilities have adverse effects on girls experience at school, causing them to miss classes during menstruation or drop out altogether. According to Miss Gyimah, menstrual hygiene was not just a personal matter but a human right, stressing that every girl and woman has the right to access clean water, safe sanitation facilities, and the materials needed to manage their periods safely. Additionally, she called on all to intensify peer education in order to remove the myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. The Secretary of WiWASH, Ms Solace A. M. Akomeah, said in general, girls in developing countries were reported to miss up to five days of school per month when they menstruated because of period poverty. She said if girls continued to miss school for several days a month because of menstruation, it would be impossible for Ghana to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all. Teach children about womens historical contributions By Priscilla Asantewaa Obeng Junior News Jun - 13 - 2023 , 11:58 Panellists have called on schools to design a curriculum that incorporates the contributions of women in history to serve as references for students in their studies. According to them, a lot of schools curricula focus on a few women such as Yaa Asantewaa, the great warrior, leaving the rest who made great sacrifices towards Ghanas history out of the limelight. The panellists made the call during the launch of a book titled Black and Bold Queens: Women in history in Accra. The book, written by Dr Nikitta Dede Adjirakor provides detailed information about the contributions of 16 great women towards Ghanas history such as Yaa Asantewaa, a warrior, Ama Ata Aidoo, a writer, Efua Theodora Sutherland, a playwright and Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, a business woman. They were of the view that when children were able to easily access proper documentation of women in history, they would have a wide variety of women sources to aid them in their studies and research work. This would go a long way not only to make information about women easily accessible but also promote inclusivity and gender equality as well as give youngsters relevant sources to inspire them to go after their dreams and aspirations, they advocated. They also urged content creators such as writers, film-makers and poets to collaborate to document information about women in videos, books, audio visuals and poems to target different audiences including children and the aged across the country. According to Dr Adjirakor, the book will add to the scarce literature about women from different geographic locations who have made significant impact in different careers and interests in the past and yet their stories had not been documented. Additionally, she noted that the aim of the book was for children to easily access information of great women in history that might not be found in their schools curriculum. Two students of the Happy Kids School, Erica Amoah and Nyameye Kwesi Oware, said they were motivated to start writing down information about themselves and their families into a book so that they could pass them on to the future generation. University Professor cautions public against use of alcohol for sex GNA Life Jun - 13 - 2023 , 07:34 Professor Eugene Kufuor Maafo Darteh of the Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast (UCC), has warned that having sex under the influence of alcohol can have dire personal and social consequences. There is recent craze for sex boosters among the youth in Ghana and the media is inundated with countless assorted alcoholic beverages touted for their ability to enhance sex drive. However, Prof. Darteh said the use of alcohol and related drugs for sex, impaired judgement and led people to abandon or forget to use contraceptives such as condoms for protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections (STDs/STIs). The ramifications, he cautioned, were a hike in STDs, unwanted pregnancies, abortions and deaths among others, which could weigh heavily on the health system and the economy. The Professor of Social Dimensions of Sexual and Reproductive Health, gave the caution when he delivered his professorial inaugural address on the theme: Eating the Forbidden Fruits: Reflections on Risky Sexual Behaviours among Young Women in Ghana over the Last Three Decades. Prof Darteh observed that despite efforts by traditional, religious and legal systems to check Risky Sexual Behaviours among the youth, the menace remained a major public health concern. Beyond the use of alcohol for sex, he noted, the youth were also actively engaged in early sex, multiple sex partners, unprotected sexual affairs, age mixing (having sugar mummies and daddies) and early marriage. Citing data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, he said in 1988, 43.73 per cent of young people from 15 to 24 years had sex before age 16 but reduced to 27.8 in 2014. However, he observed that 9.74 per cent of the same age group had multiple sex partners in 2003 and increased to 63 per cent in 2014. He added that less than six per cent used condoms in 1998 when data was collected and in 2014, it was less the seven per cent. It means that our young people are not using the condoms, but they are having sex, having multiple sexual partners and are mixing ages, he noted. If nothing is done about these risky sexual behaviours, it will shake the foundation of our health, our wellbeing and our education, he added. When that happened, he indicated, Ghana risked missing SDG goals one, two, three, four and five which dealt with poverty reduction, elimination of hunger, good health, quality education and gender equality respectively. Prof Darteh called for the development of the skills and potentials of the future generation aged 15 to 24 to mitigate the incidence of such Risky Sexual Behaviours. The size is huge and so when we get them well-educated and in good health, they move into proper adulthood and they are going to create a certain labour force that propels the economic development, he said. He said young people should be equipped with the appropriate sexual education to ensure they did not engage in the Risky Sexual Behaviours. Prof Darteh said there was also a need to provide holistic services which offered all forms of services to encourage young people to seek help. We need to ensure that services that target young people will cater for their minds and bodies, he stressed. Prof Darteh was first appointed lecturer at the then Department of Geography and Tourism, UCC in 2007, was promoted to senior lecturer in 2013, moved up to Association Professor in, February 2018 and a full Professor in February 2021. He has more than 65 peer-reviewed journal articles in Scopus indexed journals, a book chapter, a few technical reports and modules to his credit. Over the period of his employment at the UCC, he has supervised and graduated five PhD holders, and more the 30 M.Phil. and MA thesis. He has provided mentorship to a few young academics who are occupying positions in academia, research and industry. Changing world requires new teaching approach GES Director-General Haruna Yussif Wunpini Education Jun - 13 - 2023 , 09:41 The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah, has stated that the rapidly changing world has made it necessary for a change in approach of teaching learners. That, he said, was to equip learners with the 21st-century skills needed to transform communities and the country as a whole. Dr Nkansah explained that the Ghana Education Service (GES) was implementing the Standards Based Curriculum (SBC) for kindergarten, primary one and primary six pupils, as well as replacing the Objective Based Curriculum (OBC). The Director-General made this known in his address at the 15th annual congregation of the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education at Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern Region last Saturday. The event was the theme, "Total recovery of Ghana's economy hinges on education: The role of the 21st-Century teacher", during which 360 students passed out. Out of the number, 17 had First Class, 181 Second Class Upper, 143 Second Class Lower and 19 passes. 21st-century skills Dr Nkansah said the Ministry of Education was also implementing the Common Core Programme (CCP) curriculum at the Junior High School (JHS) level to equip learners with knowledge, abilities and attitudes with 21st century skills and competencies needed for further studies, field work and lifelong learning. According to him, the government in 2012, therefore, launched the pre-tertiary teacher professional development and management policy to foster the development of world-class teachers to contribute to students learning and achievement. Teaching approaches That policy, the Director-General stated, provided the framework for development standards, core values and ethics for the teaching profession which also sought to develop teachers ability to adopt reflective teaching approaches to enhance the quality of lessons delivery in kindergarten, primary, JHS and second cycle institutions. Colleges history Giving a historical background of the college, the Principal, Rev. Dr Charles Fosu-Ayarkwah said the college was founded in 1963 with only six tutors and eight students under the management of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. He said currently, the educational institution, which was accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) of the Ministry of Education as a degree research institution affiliated to the University of Cape Coast, had a student population of 1,954. Negative attitudes The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who also addressed the graduates, said it was unfortunate that negative attitudes of Ghanaians were serving as draw back to Ghana's development. He said it was ,therefore, necessary to adopt positive attitudes in all their undertakings rather than negative attitudes. According to the Okyenhene, the college had made significant strides since it's inception. 64-acres of land He said the establishment of the college was made possible by the allocation of a 64-acres of land to the PCG by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council. The Okyenhene said with the assistance from the government, a number of facilities were provided to cater for the students and tutors. He said over the last six years, the college had witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development with the construction of several edifices to serve the needs of the college. According to the Okyenhene, that was in line with the government's initiative to transform teacher training colleges to universities. Ama Ata Aidoo, creator of Anowa Ivor Agyeman-Duah Jun - 12 - 2023 , 15:30 Ama Ata Aidoos literary capital was social justice. Even in an imperfect state, she believed that moral fiats and laws were essential human ideals. These were reflected in the protagonists of her signature plays, the vanguard of educational literature The Dilemma of a Ghost written in her early 20s in 1964 and Anowa in1970. A plethora that followed included poetry collections, the last of which was, After the Ceremonies. It could be inferred from her thoughts that strands of justice should be those which were not coloured and more than a feminist approval of anything. It is certainly not an appeasement necessarily of womanhood. She once had a literary clash when she reviewed a play by the Nigerian Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, as she expressed concerns about his characterisation of women. Many were surprised as they thought he had constantly portrayed women respectfully: The Lion and the Jewel and the magnus Opus, Death and the Kings Horseman among others, and which Ama Ata Aidoo had taught for years in the United States. Professional work It was in 1999 after a decade of professorial work and when she had returned to Ghana from Zimbabwe that I understood what justice meant to her. She had invited me for lunch at her favourite but now demolished Shangari Hotel at the West Airport Residential Area. This was where an interview for West Africa magazine took place. It became frequent. On an occasion, I did so with the world leading philosopher, Kwame Anthony Appiah and his Anglo-Ghanaian mother, Peggy Appiah. Ama Ata Aidoo had agreed to jointly launch (with J.H. Kwabena Nketia) an edited work of ours, Bu Me Be Proverbs of the Akans. After that British Council event, we got closer in friendship.She was not an easy person to always deal with. She had agreed that I could work with our mutual publisher in Oxfordshire, Ayebia Clarke for the launch of Essays in Honour of Ama Ata Aidoo at 70, edited by the African-American scholar Anne Adams and the collection of short stories, Diplomatic Pounds. Then on Soyinkas 80th birthday, she contributed to, Crucible of the Ages (alongside Derek Walcott, Nadine Gordimer, Toni Morrison, her good friend, Ngugi wa Thiongo and others) which I edited with the Nigerian novelist, Ogochukwu Promise. Two anthologies As her mobility deteriorated, she occasionally invited me home for lunch and wines. At this point, she contributed to two anthologies I had edited, All the Good Things Around Us which was launched at the Houses of Parliament in London and The Gods Who Send Us Gifts to mark the 55th anniversary of the Makerere Conference of African Literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). One of her favourite writers (of the Noma Award classic, The Cry of Winnie Mandela ) Njabulo Ndebele and younger ones such as Sefi Atta, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Martin Egblewogbe, Ayesha Harruna-Atta made enjoyable company for her. At another lunch, she discussed a new writing: short story of a train journey set during the Syrian civil war. Engage & disengage As we ate, she read parts of it and gave me the manuscript later on. It was the best from she who could happily engage and sometimes quickly disengage. She called one morning and said I could publish Aleppo, the Syrian Short Story in my next anthology. As it was getting to her 80th birthday, I decided for a title, Between the Generations with Aleppo as the headliner and a younger generation of writers stories in between. Aleppo was her last published story among other unpublished works such as Zero Means Down-stairs. In the last couple of years, aging was against her mobility. Her eyes were not as before. She read to me her written poem of lamentation published in Between the Generations titled Eyes. Poetic riposte In a poetic riposte, I wrote in A Playwrights Eyes: You do not see it has issues, No cataract, Not teary, The eyelids roll like any other, It sees, It reads, Enables writings. A feel of the humanity around her, Of the grandchildren who come to see her behind the desk; say their goodbye and goodnights;their facial expressions which make her laugh because the eyes can see. The small money they need: for telephone credit, transport fare-the humanity of their presence; aided by senses of the eyes. But that is on the face of it, For she who wears it complains of its deterioration, No ingratitude; for 80 years, they have opened and closed in millions:dailyweeklymonthlyyearly. It is naturally weary, A needed rest from the collective functionary whole. That reminds us of rest and death, she says. With the same enabled eyes, she says again:Friends and family could console, We thank God for your eyes, So much they helped you accomplish.Her response: But that was then How about now? When I was a Centenary Research Associate at SOAS, Baroness Amos asked if I could arrange for Ama Ata Aidoo and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to receive honorary degrees. The latter had paid growing tribute to the former for her own confidence to write. It was to be a room-packed event. It was still so even if Ama Ata Aidoo could not eventually honour it. Chimamanda spoke in gratitude of the elders footsteps and their imprints on her generation and the future. The end is always at a time. Even for the great:a Gold Coast seedling that blossomed into a literary rose!!May you travel back in the shadows of the muses that gave your power!! Beneficiaries of GARID project in Greater Accra charged to live up to expectation Vincent Amenuveve Jun - 13 - 2023 , 08:29 The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Dan Botwe, has charged the 17 metropolitan and municipal assemblies (MMAs) in the Greater Accra Region who are beneficiaries of a resilient and integrated development (GARID) project to live up to expectation. He said if they failed to deliver on their mandate such as using their internally generated funds (IGF) judiciously as part of the project, they would be denying innocent citizens of their right to essential services such as desilting of drains to prevent floods. Mr Botwe also said that the GARID funds were likely to be slashed for any non-performing assembly which he said would not augur well for the welfare of the citizenry. The minister gave the charge in Accra yesterday at the beginning of a five-day working visit to the beneficiary MMAs to assess the progress of work, including ongoing desilting works of drains which forms part of the project. Areas visited were Ablekuma West, North and Central municipalities. Ablekuma North In Ablekuma North, Mr Botwe observed that work had not started although the assembly had received some GH420,000 on March 31, 2023, as funding for this year under GARID. Mr Botwe identified two areas, Darkuman junction and Kwashibu in the municipality where work on two storm drains had been halted. He said the situation if not attended to immediately could cause flooding in those communities. The minister also warned that non-performing officials of the assembly would face sanctions by the Local Government Service, including answering queries on why they under-performed under section 226 of the Local Governance Act 936 of 2016. In response, the Ablekuma North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Kofi Ofori, said work on the desilting of drains would continue, while the construction of storm drains would start today. As to why the assembly had not started any work after the release of funds, he gave an assurance that work will start after completion of the procurement process. In all, over $1,300,000 was released to the 17 beneficiary MMAs in tranches over a two-year period to improve the condition and maintenance of secondary and tertiary drains in the Odaw River catchment area. The project is targeted at improving drainage, solid waste management and provision of infrastructure in priority flood-prone informal settlements within the Odaw River basin. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Housing, the MLGDRD, and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources. Ablekuma West, Central In the Ablekuma West District, the MCE, George Bray, said the assembly had exhausted its funds in desilting choked drains, gutters and sensitisation programmes. The Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly was, however, commended by the minister for the judicious use of its funds. However, when Mr Botwe visited the field around Kaneshie, it was realised that the assembly had desilted only the Takoradi station side of the drains, leaving those around the Abbossey Okai area unattended to. Generally, the minister said: I am happy that at all the three assemblies I visited, they have started sensitising the general public at the market place, churches and mosques on sanitation and flood prevention behaviours. He also urged the assemblies to ensure they demolish illegal structures sited on watercourses to prevent flooding. Bepotrim M/A Basic School deathtrap Biiya Mukusah Ali Jun - 13 - 2023 , 18:20 Danger looms at the Bepotrim M/A School in the Wenchi Municipality in the Bono Region as schoolchildren study in a dilapidated classroom block. The school,which runs a nursery, primary and junior high school (JHS), has a population of about 400 students and pupils,and 14 teachers,but most of them are not enthused about being in school as they have been haunted by the death trap since 2020. Located on the Wenchi-Buoku Highway,one of the old classroom blocks in the school,built with clay, has developed deep cracks,with parts of the roof of the structure ripped off,putting the lives of about 90 junior high school (JHS) students and teachers at risk. With the onset of the rains, the situation has worsened. Request On May 24,2020,the headteacher, executives of the School Management Committee (SMC) and the ParentTeacher Association (PTA) sent a request to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to save the situation,after parts of the structure in which classes were held collapsed. In the interim,the school authorities resorted to teaching the Kindergarten (KG) pupils,who were then using the structure,under trees around the school to avoid any disaster. However,since nothing was done about the situation,the authorities had no choice but to return to the old structure three years ago. The best management could do was to swap classrooms with the Kindergarten pupils and the Junior High School (JHS) students because the latter were more mature. Some students studying in the dilapidated structure Observation The situation was also affecting attendance as both teachers and students always abandon classes or vacate the premises for their safety anytime the clouds gathered. When the Daily Graphic visited the school,classes were in session,and it observed that the pupils seemed distracted by the condition of their classrooms. On the day,not many of them were in class obviously because it had rained earlier that morning. It was further observed that as a result of inadequate classrooms due to the bad condition of the structure, classes had been merged. Pupils in Kindergarten One and Two had been lumped in one classroom with two teachers,while Classes One and Two had also been combined in another classroom with two teachers. Classes Three and Four had also been combined under two teachers. Danger looms A source close to the school expressed concern about the situation and said the authority of the school had subsequently banned students from touching the structure,jumping and playing in the structure and around the school block as they feared that a little touch could lead to its collapse. The source pleaded with the Wenchi Municipal Assembly and other duty bearers in the region to,as a matter of urgency,evacuate both teachers and learners from the structure and give them a safer place,even if on a temporary basis, a the situation was seriously disrupting teaching and learning. Cry for help Confirming the situation, the Chairman ofthe SMC, Vincent Kontene, told the Daily Graphic that the community and the authorities of the school had made several complaints through letters and verbally to the assembly since 2020,but had not received any positive result. He said the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wenchi, Seidu Haruna, had started the construction of a three-unit pavilion to replace the old structure. However, the project was at the foundation level,thus,Mr Kontene appealed to the MP to speed up work in order to save lives and improve teaching and learning The Bepotrim M/A School SMC Chairman also appealed to the MP and the assembly to consider expanding the three-unit pavilion to a complete six-unit classroom block to eliminate infrastructure deficit in the school. Assemblys effort When the Daily Graphic contacted the Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alexander Obour Damoah,he said the assembly was very committed to addressing problems of the school and other schools with similar problems in the municipality. He explained that the MP had started the construction of a pavilion,while he (Damoah) had also lobbied and secured support from a non-governmental organisation to construct a six-unit classroom block for the school,indicating that all the processes had been completed for work on the facility to start soon. We are keen to address this challenge.Aside from what the NGO will be putting up for Bepotrim M/A School in particular,government has also awarded a contract for the construction of some school blocks in the municipality to improve the educational infrastructure deficit, the MCE stated. BOST presents 550 desks to Accra Academy 'Plants trees at Tema depot" Diana Mensah Jun - 13 - 2023 , 16:31 The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) has donated 550 desks to Accra Academy Senior High School to help address some of the infrastructure gaps in the school. The donation was in response to an appeal made by the Accra Academy Old Boys Association (AAOBA). At a brief ceremony to present the desks to the school last Friday, the General Manager of Corporate Communications and External Affairs of BOST, Marlick Adjei, said the donation was part of the organisations corporate social responsibility towards the community. BOST, a company responsible for importing storing and distributing petroleum products to meet the demands of the nation, is committed to contributing towards the future of the country, especially in the education sector as it is the objective of the organisation to uproot poverty in the country, he said. Mr Adjei said investing in the human resource base of the country would help improve the lives of citizens. He expressed the hope that the items would go a long way to enhance the academic work of students and help to generate the next batch of leaders in the country. The President of the Accra Academy Old Boys Association (AAOBA), Kofi Amoa-Awuah, commended BOST for responding to the request and expressed the hope that it would help close the infrastructure gap in the school. He added that the association was working to reach to other AAOBA members to support their alma matter. Mr Amoa-Awuah, therefore, urged the headmaster and management of the school to ensure that all items donated were well maintained in order to encourage others, especially the alumnis to emulate such gesture. Yaw Antwi-Dadzie (right), Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, BOST, and other staff of BOST planting trees at the premises of the APD Depot of BOST in Tema. Pictures: EDNA SALVO-KOTEY Appreciation, more support The Headmaster for Accra Academy, Emmanuel Ofoe Fiemawhle, who received the items, expressed gratitude to the management and representatives of BOST and also to AAOBA for the gesture. He added that the initiative constituted some of the basic needs of the school. Mr Fiemawhle said the school needed support for more beds, desks, classrooms as well as the extension of the dinner hall and, therefore, appealed to other well-meaning organisations to support in that regard. The dining hall is small to contain all the students. It can take about 1,000 students, but we have over 3,000 students who are boarders, so they are forced to have their meals in batches, the headmaster pointed out. Tree planting Prior to the donation, BOST planted 100 tree seedlings as part of the national tree planting exercise, the Green Ghana Day. The seedlings were to provide shade and aesthetic beauty for the companys Tema depot. The Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Government Relations and Protocol of BOST, Yaw Antwi-Dadzie, said the exercise was to contribute to environmental sustainability issues. "We are aware of the benefits that planting of trees will bring to our organisation that was why we engaged in this project to save our climate and our world. We are much concerned about the environment, he said. Charles Bissue: Former IMCIM Secretary declared a wanted person by the OSP Kweku Zurek Jun - 13 - 2023 , 11:43 Former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Bissue, has been declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after failing to respond to an invitation. The invitation is in relation to an ongoing investigation into suspected corruption within the dissolved IMCIM. The Office of the Special Prosecutor views his failure to honour the invitation as a significant obstruction to the investigation and has thus declared him wanted. Mr. Bissue, who recently filed a writ at the High Court in Accra to prevent the OSP from prosecuting him, failed to honour the invitation sent by the Special Prosecutor. The investigation is focused on alleged corruption involving the disbanded IMCIM. In December 2022, Mr. Bissue initiated legal proceedings by issuing a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim against the OSP and two others after the OSP announced the conclusion of investigations into corruption allegations made by Tiger Eye P.I. and Anas against him. In January 2023, Mr. Bissue amended the writ and filed an injunction to restrain the OSP from further investigating and prosecuting him. Complete colleges of education hostel project - Teacher trainees entreat govt Emmanuel Bonney Jun - 13 - 2023 , 08:39 The Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) has entreated the government to expedite action on the construction of 300-bed hostel facilities for colleges of education in the country. According to the association, inadequate accommodation had resulted in the colleges running the double-track system which it said was not the best for the degree awarding institutions. For instance, it said levels 200 and 400 students were currently on campus while levels 100 and 300 were at home, adding that such a situation did not allow for a smooth academic work. The President of TTAG, Nana Kwame Jephthah, made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday. Situation The president further said that the inadequate dormitory blocks had compelled trainees to spend short periods in school. For instance, Mr Jephthah said instead of spending 16 weeks on campus, students now spent about 12 weeks. He said a formal request had been submitted to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for the government to provide the hostel facilities within the shortest possible time. Mr Jephthah said although work had started in some of the institutions such as the Accra and the St Francis Colleges of Education, there was the need to speed up work and also extend the project to other institutions where work was yet to commence. Last year, the government announced that it had completed processes for the construction of 300-bed hostel blocks in all 46 colleges of education. The construction of a three-storey block for each college was estimated at GH485 million. The project is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). Projects The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who announced this, told journalists that the project was an initiative of the government through the ministry and its agency, GTEC. He said the project, which was aimed at resolving accommodation challenges in the colleges, would be executed by 45 local contractors and that work was expected to be completed in 15 months and handed over to the colleges by August this year. As part of the government's education reforms, all public colleges of education have been converted into four-year Bachelor of Education degree awarding institutions. This has necessitated the expansion of facilities to accommodate the increasing number of students and also improve teaching and learning in those institutions. For his part, the coordinator of TTAG, Stanley Edem Ekissi, also said that the double track system had been going on in the colleges for the past two years. Allowance The trainees, however, commended the government for releasing funds to the Controller and Accountant-Generals Department for the payment of their allowances. Mr Ekissi said the association was aware that GH 241 million had been released for onward disbursement to trainees for the entire academic year. We want to urge the department to speed up processes and release the money to us to facilitate our academic work, the coordinator said. Controversy over national anthem: "Prez. Akufo-Addo's directive misinterpreted" - GARCC Kweku Zurek Jun - 13 - 2023 , 07:07 The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has dismissed reports claiming that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed anger towards Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey during the Green Ghana Day Celebration over the weekend. A video clip from the 2023 edition of the event, held at the University of Ghana, went viral, showing the President seemingly directing the Regional Minister to reprimand a chief for not standing during the National Anthem. However, the GARCC clarified the situation, stating that the President was not expressing fury towards the Regional Minister. Instead, he was instructing him to address the invited guests who remained seated while the National Anthem was being played. "We feel compelled to address certain misconceptions arising from this footage, as some have unfortunately misinterpreted the video to presume that the President was expressing fury at the Greater Accra Regional Minister," the GARCC said in a statement. Contrary to the misinterpretation, the GARCC explained, "The President was instructing the Regional Minister to take prompt action regarding some invited guests who chose to remain seated in disregard to the National Anthem that was played before the start of the program. The President and all others had been up on their feet in patriotic reverence to the National Anthem." The GARCC urged the public and all well-meaning individuals to dismiss the false narrative being spun around the video, which appears to be an attempt to create unwarranted public disaffection. Read the entire statement below; PRESS RELEASE MISCONCEPTION OF A SHORT VIDEO DEPICTING THE PRESIDENT'S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL MINISTER The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has taken notice of a short video circulating on various social media platforms. The video depicts the President of the Republic H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo instructing the Regional Minister Hon. Henry Quartey to take instant action on a situation, during the Green Ghana Day event held on Friday 9th June at the Mensah Sabah Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon campus. We feel compelled to address certain misconceptions arising from this footage, as some have unfortunately misinterpreted the video to presume that the President was expressing fury at the Greater Accra Regional Minister. On the contrary, the President was instructing the Regional Minister to take prompt action regarding some invited guests who chose to remain seated in disregard to the National Anthem that was played before the start of the program. The President and all others had been up on their feet in patriotic reverence to the National Anthem. Acting on the President's directive, the Regional Minister promptly approached the individuals concerned and gave them the necessary information and guidance. It is important to emphasize that the Regional Minister sat alongside H.E. the President throughout the entire event, exemplifying their harmonious collaboration. As has been his mode of appreciation to key invited guests at such functions, the President, after the program, exchanged pleasantries with the special invited guests including the persons who were educated at his instance by the Regional Minister. We therefore urge the public and all well-meaning persons to disregard the contemptuous spin to the video which appears crafted to create unwarranted public disaffection. We also call on all residents of the region to support the Greater Accra Regional Minister as he advances the "Let's Make Greater Accra Work" agenda to improve the lot of our region. Together we can make Greater Accra a cleaner, healthier, and resilient space to live in. Thank you. -SIGNED- MRS. JEMIMA LOMOTEY Ag. CHIEF DIRECTOR, GARCC Ghana's local currency ratings upgraded by Moody's Kweku Zurek Jun - 13 - 2023 , 08:10 Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the Government of Ghana's local currency long-term issuer rating from Ca to Caa3, with a stable outlook. The local currency senior unsecured MTN program rating has also been upgraded from (P)Ca to (P)Caa3. The upgrade follows the completion of the government's primary local currency debt restructuring, which has reduced the expected losses on local currency debt in the future. The debt exchange has also provided Ghana with some fiscal relief, reducing the likelihood of seeking another debt restructuring of a similar scale from the same creditors in the near to medium term. However, the Caa3 rating still reflects the existing risk of potential default, which remains a tangible concern until Ghana settles its local currency debt that has not undergone restructuring and restructures its foreign currency debt. The stable outlook indicates a balance between downside and upside risks. On the one hand, prolonged negotiations regarding the restructuring of the government's foreign currency debt and increasing limitations on accessing local currency funding pose downside risks that could result in a more significant loss than indicated by the Caa3 rating in another local currency debt restructuring. On the other hand, there is the possibility of a relatively smooth foreign currency debt restructuring process, coupled with Ghana's fiscal and external adjustment supported by the official sector, including the IMF. These factors contribute to the balanced outlook. The upgrade by Moody's is a positive development for Ghana, but it is important to note that the country still faces significant challenges. The government will need to continue to implement its economic reforms and work to restructure its foreign currency debt in order to improve its credit rating and access to capital markets. How to avoid romance scams Getrude Ankah Nyavi Jun - 12 - 2023 , 19:33 The Cyber Security Authority has cautioned the public against engaging in activities that exposes them to romance scams. The Authority in a statement dated June 12, 2023 advised the public to avoid sending money or providing financial assistance to someone they only met online. It also urged the citizenry to avoid sharing personal details such as full name, address or financial information with someone they have only met online. "Be wary of individuals who quickly express strong emotional interest or attachment or make ambitious promises. Avoid sharing your nude pictures or compromising images. Use reverse internet image search service like https//images.google.com and https//tineye.com to ascertain it the person's profile picture (s) appear elsewhere online", the Authority further advised. How the scammers operate? According to the Authority, the scammers create attractive and convincing profiles on dating sites or social media platforms using impersonated information. Secondly, they conduct extensive research on their potential victims based on the targets' online habits such as social media posts, before engaging them. The Authority further stated that the scammers then exploit the vulnerabilities of their targets, such as loneliness, insecurity, or previous traumatic experience to build an emotional connection with them. "They use flattery, alluring compliments and affectionate messages to gain their target's love, affection, and trust. Once trust has been established, the scammers ask for money using various excuses such as medical expenses, business transactions, and travel costs to exploit the victims desire to help", it added. The Authority has therefore advised the general public to be mindful of of the activities of cyber scammers in the name of romance. Below is a copy of the full statement Background A romance scam is a type of online fraud or scam where fraudsters create fake identities, usually on dating sites, social media, or unsolicited emails to establish intimate relationships with their targets. The scammers then exploit the victims' trust to extort something valuable such as money, property, or investments. 2.0. Modus Operandi The scammers create attractive and convincing profiles on dating sites or social media platforms using impersonated information. They conduct extensive research on their potential victims based on the targets' online habits such as social media posts, before engaging them. The malicious actors then exploit the vulnerabilities of their targets, such as loneliness, insecurity, or previous traumatic experiences to build an emotional connection with them. They use flattery, alluring compliments, and affectionate messages to gain their targets love, affection, and trust. Once trust has been established, the scammers ask for money using various excuses such as medical expenses, business transactions, and travel costs to exploit the victim's desire to help. They often avoid physical meetups, but some perpetrators may meet the eventual victims depending on how they intend to exploit the victim. For example: to facilitate a significant payment or take a valuable item like a vehicle. These actors may fake an emergency to justify their inability to fulfil requests for physical meetings or video calls. When victims attempt to back out of the relationship, the malicious actors may escalate the scheme into blackmail or sextortion (esp. in cases where they have the nudes of the victim). 3.0. Recommendations Never send money or provide financial assistance to someone you have only met online. Be wary of individuals who quickly express strong emotional interest/attachment or make ambitious promises. Avoid sharing personal details with someone you have only met online, such as your full name, address, or financial information. Avoid sharing your nude pictures or compromising images. Use reverse Internet image search services like (https://images.google.com/ ,and httos://tineye.com/ ) to ascertain if the person's profile picture(s) appear elsewhere online. The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities. Information Minister commends Graphic for digitising archival materials Juliet Akyaa Safo Jun - 13 - 2023 , 06:35 The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has commended Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) for its efforts in digitising the companys archives to provide an effective platform for research work. He expressed his excitement at the progress of work, urging the company to roll it out and commercialise it for easy access to archival and current materials. I am excited to see how the upload is going and how easy it is to reference and download materials for research purposes or for personal use. What the company is doing is impressive because it fits clearly into the policy direction the country is trying to move towards, he said. Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said this when he visited the companys Digital Unit in Accra on Monday (June 12, 2023) to observe the digitisation of documents. He further commended the company for diversifying its channels and going deeper into the digital space. Digital Unit So far, digital scanning of documents and photos and capturing information and activities in the various brands of the company from 1950 to 2002 have been done. The project, which started in March last year, has been progressing steadily and is about 70 per cent complete. Information Service sector Mr Oppong-Nkrumah indicated that the Information Service sector was itself going through a gradual transformation in the past years and had intensified in the last couple of months. The various entities under the information sector are working to reposition themselves. Information Service Department (ISD), for instance, is going through a transformation exercise, he noted. He urged other institutions and agencies to learn from the GCGL and reposition themselves to move into the digital space. Institutions must not get stuck in old ways but look to how they can use new methods and skills to deliver better value for their customers, he said. Digital archive The Managing Director of the GCGL, Ato Afful, was optimistic that the Digital Space would soon be up and running. He therefore encouraged the public to take advantage of it when it becomes operational. He said information and activities that dated back to the 1950s would be available and made easily accessible to people in search of information. He said people could also access digitalised archived material with interesting information to help them in their work. Graphic Digital Unit The Head of Archives and Digital Unit of the GCGL, William Ashaley, expressed the hope that the digitisation process would be completed by the end of July. He said people could access information they wanted through a keyword system. By paying a small token through online payment platforms such as mobile money or Visa, an individual can access information by typing a keyword such as a name, event or location and all materials related to the keyword would be made available, he said. A person can also visit the Graphic Digital Unit to access information and also receive assistance from technical persons at the unit, he explained. However, he indicated that the next phase was to approach institutions to digitise materials for them. We are also appealing for funds since digitising materials was an expensive exercise, he said. Make tree planting civic responsibility Institute Emmanuel Bonny Jun - 13 - 2023 , 08:54 The Frimpong-Manso Institute (FMI) has commended the government and its agencies for spearheading efforts to protect the environment through the Green Ghana Day initiative. It said trees and, for that matter, forests were critical components of the ecosystems and provided mechanisms for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere - the culprits of climate change and global warming - through the utilisation of carbon dioxide. We should, therefore, do whatever is within our means to promote trees planting, a statement issued by the FMI said. It was against this years Green Ghana Day which was held last Friday, June 9, 2023 with the planting of 10 million trees. The FMI said tree planting should become part of our civic responsibility and should be seen as part of our everyday life. While commending the government for the Green Ghana Day initiative, FMI wishes to encourage various ministries, agencies and departments as well as other stakeholders to put in place mechanisms and strategies to ensure the growth and development of trees planted, it said. Financial resources It said since a significant amount of time and some of the countrys scarce financial resources had been put into the noble initiative, it called for a robust mechanism to monitor and evaluate the survival and growth of planted trees to ensure long-term success. It said follow-up, including care and replacement of the tree, was often neglected and that the use of drones was one way of monitoring tree health, survival, and growth to assess the effects of tree planting efforts. Additionally, it said photographs could be taken before planting and there after about twice a year by locating points with a clear view of both the planted sites and notable landmarks, resource permitting. This should be accompanied by ground surveys. Destruction It further urged Ghanaians to take environmental management seriously by making sure their actions did not negatively contribute to the destruction of the environment. We stress the need for increased awareness creation among the populace on the importance of safeguarding the integrity of our environment. This is, particularly, important in the light of the wanton destruction being witnessed across the country. There is the need to always remind ourselves that our very existence as mankind is dependent on the ecosystems and its support systems, it said. The statement said the country should proactively enforce regulations and by-laws relating to the protection of our environmental resources, adding that it was only through those efforts that we can serve notice to the general public and other users of our environmental resources of the need to protect our natural environment or face the consequences. This years World Environment Day, marked on June 5, was on the theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution". It was followed up by the third edition of Green Ghana Day on June 9, 2023. The Green Ghana Day is an initiative of the Government of Ghana, aimed at planting 10 million tree seedlings across the country and creating awareness of the effects of climate change on the environment. The immediate-past President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, is the President of the FMI. The Frimpong-Manso Institute is a resource centre established to contribute to the knowledge and experiences in the Christian body and the corporate world at large. This institute seeks to bring together a body of knowledgeable and experienced resource persons drawn from an eclectic mix of disciplines under the leadership of Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso. NCCE urges citizens to respect national anthem, pledge Kweku Zurek Jun - 13 - 2023 , 07:55 The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed concern over the increasing disregard for patriotic values among citizens of Ghana. In a statement issued on June 12, 2023, the NCCE said the trend is gradually negatively redefining the country's identity. "The Commission calls on all Ghanaians to support moves to re-affirm Ghanaian values and identity," the statement said. The NCCE said among its concerns is the lack of respect for national symbols. "Every citizen must respect our national symbols and promote the good name of Ghana wherever they find themselves," the statement said. The NCCE reminded citizens that national symbols such as the National Pledge, the National Anthem, the National Flag, the Coat of Arms, the Ghana Currency and the Mace of Parliament among other symbols and State identities must be respected. "These symbols identify us, as citizens of Ghana and they must be accorded the requisite levels of recognition and decorum," the statement said. The NCCE said the words in the National Anthem and the National Pledge are sacred. "As citizens with deeply held religious values, we must not just say the words but sing and recite them with great commitment," the statement said. The NCCE said it is the civic duty of every citizen of Ghana to stand at the sound of the National Anthem and the National Pledge as a sign of respect to the State and these national symbols. "No one is born a good citizen and that is why the NCCE believes that we must be deliberate about nurturing good citizens with patriotic values," the statement said. The NCCE urged Ghanaians to appreciate their civic duty and collectively uphold and safeguard Ghanaian patriotic values and national symbols for today's generation and posterity. The NCCE's statement comes after a viral video from the 2023 edition of the Green Ghana Day Celebration, which was organized at the University of Ghana, in which President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is seen angrily directing the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, to tell a chief to stand up and observe the National Anthem. Regions go greenplant 10 million trees Raymond Arthur Jun - 13 - 2023 , 12:09 For the third year running, the entire country has embarked on a tree planting exercise to replace destroyed trees in an aggressive national afforestation effort. While in the first year (2021) an initial plan to plant five million trees was exceeded, 20 million tree seedlings were planted across the country in 2022. The target for this years exercise, which took place in all regions and districts last Friday, June 9, was 10 million trees. It was on the theme, Our Forest Our Health. Ashanti From Kumasi, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II joined the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, to plant 2.1 million trees in the region. Speaking to the media, Mr Osei-Mensah warned residents who reared animals to keep them in their pens to prevent them from roaming the streets and chewing the trees planted. He warned that the ruminants would be arrested and their owners fined. If they fail to pay, we will slaughter the animals and give them to the prisoners, he said. For his part, Mr Bio entreated all to take care of the trees and nurture them to grow, as it was everyones collective responsibility. We all stand to benefit from it, he said. Northern From Kushegu in the Yendi Municipality, Northern Region, Mohammed Fugu reports that a durbar was held to promote community participation in the restoration of the environment and fight against climate change in the Northern Region. It was organised by The Feed the Future (FtF) Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity and the Feed the Future (FtF) Ghana Policy LINK Activity, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Team Leader of MSR, Michael Amaniampong Owusu, said the durbar sought to foster a sense of community ownership and engagement for active participation in sustainable environmental practices. "Ghana MSR and Policy LINK Activities would complement the governments efforts by facilitating the establishment of community nurseries to serve as a sustainable source of seedlings for farmers," he said. Aggressive afforestation For his part, the Climate Change Lead at Policy LINK, Dr Gerald Forkuor, said "The crusade to restore the depleted landscape requires the commitment of all stakeholders through awareness creation of climate change and community participation". The Manager of the Yendi District Forest Services Division, Michael Kofi Benni, lamented the rampant destruction of the forest cover by bushfires and the indiscriminate felling of trees. The Chief of Kushegu, Kushe Naa Abdulai Osman, commended the USAID MSR Activity and partners for the engagement and pledged his continuous support to preserve the environment. Upper East Gilbert Mawuli Agbey reports from Bolgatanga that the Upper East Regional Minster, Stephen Yakubu, accompanied by the District Chief Executive for Bolgatanga East, David Akolgo Amoah and other dignitaries planted trees at the Gambibgo Community Day Senior High School as part of this year's Green Ghana Day. A total of 600,000 tree seedlings were raised to be planted across the 15 municipal and district assemblies in the region. Addressing the gathering, Mr Yakubu said although the policy was laudable, it would take the contributions of all stakeholders to ensure the survival of the trees. He urged the people to personally monitor the trees to ensure they survived to justify the huge investment made by the government over the years. He advised the municipal and district assemblies (MDAs) to reactivate their anti-bushfire squads to bring incidents of bushfire to the barest minimum. For his part, the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam II, said the benefit of the tree planting exercise was enormous, and the immediate benefit would be the stoppage in the southward creep of the Sahara and improvement in the rainfall pattern. Central From Cape Coast in the Central Region, Shirley Asiedu-Addo and Francisca Eshun report that government agencies, religious organisations and educational institutions in Cape Coast joined others to plant trees to mark the day. The Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, who planted trees at the Central Regional Coordinating Council, underscored the importance of trees to the well-being of all and said it was important that all participants committed to nurturing the trees to survive. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Johnson Nyarko Boampong, also led the UCC community to plant trees in the UCC community. Emeritus Archbishop Kobina Nketiah, who also led the Catholic Church's exercise, planted a tree at the Cornelia Connelly School of the Holy Child Jesus and urged religious bodies to be proactive in efforts to restore and protect the environment. The Director of Operations, Plantation at the Forestry Service Division of the Forestry Commission (FC), Daniel Donkor, led the FC team in the region to undertake the exercise. He stated that a lot of money had gone into the Green Ghana Day and said ensuring that the trees survived was necessary to ensure the investment was not wasted. Western From Bohomodzen in the Western Region, George Folley reports that the Sekondi -Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, led by the Chief Executive, Abdul Momin Issah, joined the staff of the Bohomodzen Clinic to plant tree seedlings around the premises of the facility. He also supported the Ghana Air Force and the Holy Child Teacher Training College with seedlings. Mr Issah enumerated the benefits of the seedlings and urged the three beneficiary establishments to nurture them as expected from every Ghanaian participating in the Green Ghana Project. He said the assembly supplied 10,000 seedlings of various species under the Palermo City of Italy sister relationship, while the Forestry Commission also supported with a thousand species. Bono From Sunyani, Biiya Mukusah Ali reports that the Bono Region distributed 601,727 seedlings to be planted on Green Ghana Day. Sixty per cent of the trees were planted in degraded forest reserves, while 40 per cent were planted in the off reserve. The species included mahogany, Kokrodua, Teak, Ofram, Emire, Cedrella, Gmelina, Cassia, Mangoes, Avocado Pear and Oranges, among others. Speaking at the exercise at the Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre, the Bono Regional Forest Manager, Augustine Gyedu, said the region had distributed seedlings to the registered groups. He said last year, the region planted 1.9 million seedlings, adding that the region exceeded its target of one million seedlings which had a survival rate of over 70 per cent. Release death report to deceased family - Court orders 37 Military Hospital Daily Graphic Jun - 13 - 2023 , 16:07 An Accra High Court has ordered the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the 37 Military Hospital to release an investigation report conducted on the death of one Solomon Asare-Kumah, a 48-year-old man, to his family. The court presided over by Justice Charles Ekow Baiden, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, sitting as an additional High Court judge, said the report should be released within 10 days. The family of Solomon Asare-Kumah had sued the Hospital, together with Col/Dr. G. A. O. Appiah, a doctor at the facility, the CDS and Attorney-General demanding GH2 million in damages for medical negligence leading to the death of Asare-Kumah. Alleged breach The bereaved family contended that the death of Asare-Kumah at the Hospital in October 2019 was due to a breach of contract and negligence by the hospital and the doctor, Col. Dr Appiah, who took care of him. Consequently, the family petitioned the CDS for an enquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Asare-Kumah, but after the investigation, the report was not given to the family. After suing the hospital in damages and pending the determination of the case, the family through one Emmanuel Asare-Kumah, on October 21, 2022, filed an application for an order for discovery. The plaintiff sought an order directed at the 2nd Defendant (CDS) to furnish plaintiff with the final Report of the Board of Inquiry held in respect of the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah and allegations of extortion against Col/Dr Appiah. The plaintiff also sought an order directed at the 3rd Defendant (37 Military Hospital) to furnish plaintiff with the full and complete medical record of Solomon Asare-Kumah (deceased)." Justice Oteng, a Legal Officer at the Department of Legal Services at the Ghana Armed Forces General Headquarters, responding to the application, opposed to the request, said the report was exclusively for internal use. He said: The 2nd Respondent is vehemently opposed to the request by the Applicant for the Report/Record of the Board of inquiry." He said the report of the Board of Inquiry was a restricted document meant for the exclusive internal use of the Ghana Armed Forces. But the Court directed that the report or record of proceedings of the Board of Inquiry relating to the admission, treatment and death of the deceased, howsoever described by the AG, CDS and the hospital, together with the medical records of the deceased shall be furnished to the plaintiff within 10 days. The 10 days order was expected to end yesterday, Monday, June 12, 2023. Ruling Justice Baiden in his ruling, said: "I take judicial notice and it is so proven that on or around January 2023, a summary report of Board of Inquiry into the alleged missing baby at the 37 Military Hospital maternity unit, which Board of Inquiry was convened by the Hospital was disclosed to an aggrieved couple in that matter. "I am of the humble view that the principles of accountability enshrined in the Preamble, Articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution frowns upon unbridled exercise of such wide discretionary power contained in Article 21.17.1 of AFR (Volume 1) C.I 12 which purports to oust the jurisdiction of the court," he said. He said even if the defendants had the discretion not to disclose a Board of Inquiry Report to the plaintiff/ applicant, such discretion must be exercised fairly, reasonably and not arbitrarily or in a biased manner. "Indeed, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitutions abhors discrimination against persons such as the Plaintiff/Applicant herein." The Judge said it had not been demonstrated to the Court that there was a reasonable justification for treating the plaintiff/applicant differently from the manner the couple had been treated. He said the defendants/respondents had denied the existence of a contract. If so, the defendants/respondents must be made to subject the dispute to the ordinary rules of negligence in tort, contract and the remedies available to a party who alleged violation. He said in so far as the defendants/respondents engaged in commercial transactions, they must necessarily abide by the rules of engagement, including good faith obligations and the duty of care, among others. "The Defendants/Respondents ought not to be allowed to seek refuge elsewhere," he added. He said for all the above reasons: "l am of the firm view that the Plaintiff/Applicant has shown reasonable cause for this Court to grant the order prayed for as the report relating to the death of the deceased is necessary to fairly dispose of the matter, pursuant to the overriding objective of Order 1rule 2of C.I. 47." Case of family The family contended that, the Hospital and its employees failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomons breathing tube under his skin, thereby denying oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing stain on his heart and other organs and thus causing his death. They, therefore, requested a refund and an administrative enquiry into the claims as well as the allegations of breach of contract and negligence, but the hospital refused to accede to the demand for investigations. A petition was, therefore, lodged with the Medical and Dental Council, which took up the matter with the Military Command. It said the Military Command subsequently commissioned a Board of Inquiry to look into the petition, where they were invited to give testimony as part of proceedings held by the Military Command, in March 2020. Unfortunately, the Military Command, just like the Hospital has failed and or refused to communicate its findings or make available its report to the family, in spite of several demands by the family and plaintiffs lawyer," they said. GNA Set agenda on natural resource management - Prof. Gordon to media Timothy Ngnenbe Jun - 13 - 2023 , 08:17 The media have been urged to set an agenda on good natural resource exploration practices and environmental protection. A former Executive Director of the Institute of Environment and Sanitation Studies (IES) at the University of Ghana, Prof. Chris Gordon, said setting an agenda based on facts and evidence would ensure the implementation of policies that would promote the sustainable exploitation of natural resources in the country. "The governance of natural resources should be done in a manner that ensures sustainable development. If we indiscriminately destroy our environment in the exploitation of natural resources, we cannot bring it back to equilibrium. "This is why we need a proactive media that will help to monitor the government, industry and other stakeholders in the natural resource management sector," he added. Prof. Gordon was speaking at a maiden biennial conference on natural resource, environment and climate change organised by Media Platform for Environment and Climate Change (MPEC), a CSO, in partnership with Afro-Sino Centre for International Relations (ASCIR) and The Steminist Foundation Ghana in Accra yesterday. About organisation The organisation is an initiative of a group of journalists and other professionals aimed at addressing the communication gap in science, environment and natural resource governance issues. Established in 2015, MPEC has the ultimate goal of enhancing public awareness about science, environment and natural resources governance and the impact of those sectors on populations, including migrants. Participants included representatives from academia, civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as state and non-state institutions. They were from the Environmental Protection Agency, University of Media, Arts and Communication Ghana Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-GIJ), journalists in the Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) sector and the representative from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) as well as the Media for Environment, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), a Kenya-based organisation. Significance Prof. Gordon said given the important role natural resources played in national development and the survival of humanity, it was important for journalists to give special attention to that sector. He, however, said that would require journalists learning and acquiring in-depth knowledge of issues relating to the environment and climate change which had direct impact on natural resources. The media ought to be that megaphone that amplifies low voices and environmental challenges so that policy can be used to address them, the former director added. He also underscored the need for the media and other stakeholders to work together to push the African voice and proffer an African solution to our environmental problems. Prof. Gordon further said that in an era where social media had taken over the social discourse, it was important for journalists to rise to the occasion by putting natural resource management issues on their priority list. Collaboration The Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE), Dr Collins Yeboah-Afari, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the natural resource sector to help address the gaps in the industry. He also said that given the crucial role media played in mobilising stakeholders, it was important to strengthen ties between journalists and other actors in the natural resource and environment sector to help deal with inherent challenges in the industry. During a panel discussion, the Regional Page Editor of the Daily Graphic, Edmund Smith Asante, called on media training institutions to encourage journalists to develop an interest in environmental reporting, while urging journalists to make stories about the sector more appealing to readers. Award scheme The Executive Director of MPEC, Ama Kudom Agyeman, said her outfit, together with its partners, had instituted an award scheme to recognise efforts of media persons, institutions and initiatives whose work focused on science innovation, sustainable natural resources management and climate change, among other initiatives. Ghana tourist arrivals surge - USA, India, Nigeria, China top list Maclean Kwofi Jun - 13 - 2023 , 10:14 Ghana has recorded 247,834 international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year. It represents a 45.19 per cent increase over the 170,696 arrivals for the same period last year. Although higher than last years arrivals, the figure is still below the record 256,457 arrivals for the same period in 2019 during the implementation of the Year of Return. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) explained that the increase was influenced by arrivals from the United States of America, India, Nigeria, China, Britain, Germany, Liberia and the Netherlands. With the growth in figures, some industry stakeholders have projected that the country would be able to meet its 1.2 million tourist arrival targets for 2023. Data sourced from the GTA show fluctuations in international tourist arrivals in the country between the first quarters of 2019 and 2023. From 256,457 arrivals in 2019, the number of tourists who visited the country dropped to 212,788 in 2020 before declining further to 98,950 in 2021. The sector, which recorded 170,696 visits in 2022, experienced a jump to 247,834 in 2023, close to the pre-pandemic level. One million target The Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ekow Sampson, in an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, stated that the country would continue to attract international tourists owing to key interventions, policies and investments being implemented by the government. When you look at the numbers, we have successfully doubled our tourist arrivals over the previous year. All things being equal, we are going to exceed the one million tourist arrival level and even meet the target for the year which is 1.2 million, he said. That meant that the country would be able to cross the one million target set for tourist arrival this year, Mr Sampson said. The GTA Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations said the increase in the number could be attributed to sound policies by the government over the years to grow the tourism sector as a key revenue generator for the country. He said efforts of the GTA, the industry regulator and other supporting agencies in the industry had culminated in the growth. Marketing promotions and initiatives such as Year of Return, Beyond the Return, Destination Ghana, among other programmes, have made a positive impact, Mr Sampson said. The GTA is very happy that the country has been positioned as home for diasporans seeking to visit and do business within the African continent, he added. For 2022, the deputy CEO noted that the international arrivals moved from 623,523 in 2021 to 914,892 in 2022, representing 46.73 per cent year on year growth. According to him, the corresponding revenue also saw an exponential increase of more than 107 per cent, with the country making over $2.5 billion from tourism and associated spending. Mr Sampson said Ghanas arrivals recovery stood at 81 per cent from the pre-pandemic levels. He said that was significantly higher than the African average and around the same recovery levels as the European markets. Our recovery rate was far above the entire continents recovery rate of 61 per cent, Mr Sampson said. The deputy CEO stated that the tourism sector was the backbone of economies around the world as it brought in the essential currency and investment, created jobs and stimulated several sectors of the economy. Mr Sampson noted that the growth showed that the country could do more to attract and deepen the sectors progress towards the end of the year and beyond. That, he said, was because the tourism sector had exhibited strong resilience in the past year and had seen a significant rebound from the pandemic. We are hopeful that the country would make a full recovery by surpassing the pre-pandemic level, he added. We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama - Prez. Akufo-Addo GraphicOnline Jun - 13 - 2023 , 15:23 President Akufo-Addo has assured that his government will remain steadfast in ensuring a consistent power supply, despite the fluctuations in global energy prices, as the alternative is not acceptable. Speaking at the inauguration of the US$40 million 161-kilovolt GRIDCo, ECG Bulk Power Supply Point at Adabraka in Accra on Tuesday, June 13, the President emphasized that the nation would not revert to the era of power outages, known as "dumsor," which occurred during the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama. We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama, he said. In his address, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the significance of stable and affordable electricity in the 21st century, stating that access to reliable power is vital for a country's industrialization and the improvement of citizens' quality of life. He highlighted the essential role electricity plays in daily activities, from charging mobile phones to running businesses, and stressed the need for universal power coverage to fuel economic growth. The President also acknowledged the importance of meeting the power demands of Accra's Central Business District, where the electricity consumption rate is projected to grow by 10% annually. The Greater Accra region is expected to reach a power demand of 1,000 megavolt-ampere (MVA) with an average annual growth rate of 8%. He emphasized that the Accra Central Bulk Power Supply Project aligns with the country's power needs and economic development. President Akufo-Addo lauded the completion of the 161-kilovolt Bulk Supply Point, which ensures stable and reliable electricity supply to the bustling Accra Central Business District and surrounding areas. He expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA) for their generous grant and technical assistance, which contributed to the realization of the project. The President also thanked the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), traditional leaders, and other stakeholders who supported the project. The Accra Central Bulk Power Supply Project is equipped with gas-insulated substation technology, enabling the installation of compact switchgear and transformers in limited spaces. This innovation reduces transmission and distribution losses, improves power supply reliability, and enhances personnel safety. With the successful operationalization of the Accra Central BSP, voltage stability has increased, power supply reliability has improved, and system losses have been minimized, meeting the requirements set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). The President concluded by expressing his commitment to the nation's continued progress and development, as well as his appreciation for the strong cooperation between Ghana and Japan. We need morally upright judges - President Akufo-Addo declares as he swears in new Chief Justice Donald Ato Dapatem Jun - 13 - 2023 , 06:42 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn in Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as the 15th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court since the inception of the Fourth Republic. Laying out his expectations of the Judiciary, President Akufo-Addo declared that it is crucial that we have judges who are morally upright with intellectual integrity and with the thorough understanding of the law. After reading a long list of her rich profile at the well-attended investiture at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo described Justice Torkornoo as having the full grasp of the intricacies of judicial administration and therefore will be an effective leader of the Judiciary, zealously defending its independence, constantly upholding its dignity and makes a worthy successor to her predecessor. The President added that the choice of Justice Torkornoo as the Chief Justice was not a particularly difficult one to make in view of her level of qualification, years at the bench and bar, and personal attributes. Investiture After the introduction of the nominee by the Director of the State Protocol, Yaw Kumah, the President administered the Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy in succession to Justice Torkornoo who is the third female ascending the position after Georgina Theodora Wood in 2007 and Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo in 2017. Coincidentally, the female trio attended the same secondary school, Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, and the old students were in attendance. Smartly sporting the ceremonial regalia of a Supreme Court Justice, made up of a red gown, white collar and a grey wig, with white lacy gloves, Justice Torkornoo received the Instrument of Appointment which was draped in the national red, gold and green colours from the President, after which they both signed the Oath Book to seal the investiture. Three Presidents All three living Presidents of the Fourth Republic have had a hand in her judicial journey. She was appointed to the High Court by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, promoted to the Appeals Court by former President John Dramani Mahama, while President Akufo-Addo graduated her to the Supreme Court. The investiture attracted the creme de la creme of the Ghanaian society, including Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Chairman and members of the Council State, Ministers of State, the leadership of Parliament, retired and sitting justices of the Supreme Court, judges, and the President and members of the Ghana Bar Association. Others include the spouse, children and mother of the Chief Justice; heads of the security agencies, classmates, friends, Christian and Muslim clergy, and chiefs and elders from across the country. Two Supreme Court Justices from the Supreme Court of Nigeria also graced the occasion. Expectation President Akufo-Addo said he was expectant that the tenure of Justice Torkornoo would also be marked by order, fairness, diligence, deep-seated respect for the rule of law and continuation of the modernisation of judicial functions and the expansion of infrastructure. The Judiciary has the heavy burden of being the bulwarks of the defence of the liberties and rights of our people, a burden that is best executed where it enjoys the peoples unalloyed respect, he told the Chief Justice who has close to 20 years experience at the bench. The President said the Council of State in its advice to him about the nominee noted that they had known the nominee in both her private and public life and could vouch for her discipline, integrity, efficiency, and above all, her God-fearing nature. The President described those attributes as essential for the position of a Chief Justice. President Akufo-Addo stressed that the Judiciary commanding the respect of the population by the quality of justice delivery and by the comportment and conduct of its judges was important for the development of the country. Judges President Akufo-Addo noted that it was unacceptable for judges to pronounce judgments based on decisions of lower courts and cite them as law and even less acceptable when judges issued orders without providing any justification. He said judges must be knowledgeable, familiar with case law and committed to making well-informed decisions, adding that was the only way the rule of precedents could operate to promote the even-handed, predictable and consistent development of legal principles, foster reliance on judicial decisions and contribute to the actual and perceived integrity of the judicial process. President Akufo-Addo assured the Chief Justice that just as he did with her predecessors, he would be a dependable and trustworthy partner of the Judiciary so that the Executive and the Judiciary could work together in a spirit of mutual respect to consolidate the tenets of good governance for the benefit of Ghanaians. Chief Justice Torkornoo called for the national digitalisation agenda to be expedited to allow for easier networking of all stakeholders. She also called for an expansion in the budget of the Judiciary to allow it to expand its infrastructure in the automation and digitalisation space. That, the Chief Justice explained, was because the efficiency of court processes and administration was assured with more deliberate use of technology. There is a need to increase our budget to make learning, library and operational resources available to all judges and staff in order to enhance the speed with which both judicial and administrative decisions are made and communicated to stakeholders, Justice Torkornoo asserted. The Chief Justice said the Judiciary must also make itself accountable by increasing transparency in the process and output of their judgments and decisions through real time publications of decisions, especially when it came to decisions on land ownership and other areas of law that affected the economy and social stability of the country. Brief Justice Torkornoo joined the Judicial Service in 2004 as one of the first Justices of the Commercial Division of the High Court. She has been active in the core reform agenda and activities of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service of Ghana since 2005. Education She holds an LLM, Intellectual Property Law from the Golden Gate University, San Francisco, USA between 2010 and 2011. In 2001, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Organisations for Development at the Institute of Social Studies (now part of Erasmus University in The Hague, Netherlands). Justice Mrs Torkornoo had her Professional Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law in 1986, having obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Sociology at the University of Ghana in 1984. She went to Achimota School, Accra, and Wesley Girls High School, Cape Coast. Dreams of Nkrumah dashed CPP Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 13 - 2023 , 07:38 The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) says the dreams of its founder and Ghanas first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for a self-sufficient and sustainable Ghana has been dashed because of policies that do not benefit Ghanaians. It said in a statement issued and signed by the General Secretary, Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, to mark the partys 74th anniversary that the country had no import substitution policy to ensure that there was a cap on goods that had to be imported into the country. Unfortunately, most of our consumables are imported. An attempt at industrialisation is left in the hands of foreigners whose only interest is to make profit, and repatriate most of their resources out of this country, contributing to the weakening of our local currency. The statement said while the CPP ruled Ghana with a well-thought out Economic Development Plan which was aimed at ensuring that the country attained economic independence, successive governments had had no plans to ensure that Ghana had a sound economy. In marking the anniversary yesterday, the CPP reflected on the past and projected into the future. It recalled the struggle by the party to gain independence for Ghana with a view to creating jobs through the massive industrialisation drive, the quest to liberate the nation from the claws of colonialism and imperialism. The struggle was to ensure that as Africans and Ghanaians, we will forever be capable of managing our own affairs as espoused by our Founder Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was also Ghanas first president. As the party goes forward to create the internal mechanisms and structures to enable us win power in 2024 to liberate this nation, we call on all comrades to support the cause towards bringing victory and liberation to Ghana. Ghana needs the CPP to come on board at this crucial moment of our existence, the statement added. Let's consolidate gains in constitutional democracy Bagbin Mohammed Fugu Politics Jun - 13 - 2023 , 07:06 The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has emphasised the need for all to work towards consolidating the gains made in the countrys 30 years of uninterrupted constitutional democracy. He described Ghana's journey in multiparty constitutional democracy as a remarkable achievement worthy of celebration. He said it was an opportunity for Ghanaians to remember where the country came from, reflect and examine the journey, challenges and opportunities, and map out the way forward. Courtesy call Mr Bagbin said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, in Nalerigu yesterday. The visit formed part of a week-long activities being undertaken by Parliament in the northern part of the country to celebrate Ghana's 30 years of uninterrupted constitutional democracy. It aimed at fostering civic engagement and enhancing public awareness of Ghana's parliamentary democracy. Democratic dispensation Paying glowing tribute to traditional authorities for their contribution to the democratic dispensation, Mr Bagbin said the story of Ghanas journey in uninterrupted constitutional democracy could not be told without the traditional rulers. He urged citizens to develop interest in parliamentary activities, saying "let's all show interest in parliamentary affairs and not leave everything to only the politicians". "It is not only for the District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament, but we all must get involved in the governance of the country, he noted. For his part, Naa Bohagu Sheriga thanked the Speaker for the visit and said he was the first Speaker of Parliament to have visited him since he ascended the skin. The OnePlus Nord 2 is turning two years old next month, so it's clearly high time for its successor to make its debut, and that's looking like it will happen very soon. Today some official-looking press renders of the upcoming Nord 3 have been leaked, and the launch could very well be imminent. The Nord 3 is presented here in two hues, as you can see - the now-trademark OnePlus blue/green/teal hue, as well as a more classic-looking dark gray/black. OnePlus Nord 3 leaked renders Rumor has it the Nord 3 will be just a rebranded OnePlus Ace 2V, a phone that went official in China back in March. If this pans out, then expect the Nord 3 to come with a 6.74-inch 120 Hz 1240x2772 touchscreen with Asahi Glass on top, a triple rear camera setup (64 MP main, 8 MP ultrawide, 2 MP macro), a 16 MP selfie camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 80W wired charging support. More OnePlus Nord 3 leaked renders The OnePlus Nord 3 will be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9000 SoC, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, if it is indeed just an Ace 2V by another name. It will run Android 13 with OxygenOS 13 on top. The OnePlus Nord 3 won't be available in Germany due to an ongoing patent dispute between parent company Oppo and Nokia, but should be out in other European countries "in the coming days", according to the usually reliable source of this leak. Source (in German) Oppo Benelux confirmed a short list of 11 phones that are scheduled to receive Android 14. The phones in question include the past two Find X-series devices and four members each for the Reno and Oppo A-series. Here is the full list provided: The list was confirmed by Oppo Benelux to DroidApp though Oppo was hesitant to confirm when its Android 14 rollout is set to begin. Also, keep in mind that this list is regional for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and the eligible devices may differ in other regions around the world. Google recently published its third Android 14 developer beta and were expecting a final release in August. Source (in Dutch) Samsung is readying its upcoming foldable phones for launch. The Galaxy Z Flip5 was spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website with the model number SM-F731B, signaling its approaching availability. The certification doesn't reveal any other details about the phone, however, the phone is to be announced alongside the Galaxy Z Fold5, and possibly the Galaxy Watch6 series on July 26, and become immediately available in India on the same day. India was in the first wave for the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Flip4. As for specs, we expect the new Flip to premier a bigger cover display - a 3.4-inch 720x748px 60Hz panel with support for specially-optimized Google apps. The rest of the specs are a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a familiar wide + ultrawide 12MP camera setup, 8GB of RAM, and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. The battery capacity is expected to remain 3,700mAh with 25W charging support. Source As expected, Xiaomi brought over the Xiaomi Pad 6 to India today alongside a new pair of wireless earbuds dubbed Redmi Buds 4 Active. Weve already covered the Pad 6 announcement back in April and you can check out all the details here. Xiaomi Pad 6 and its accessories Xiaomi Pad 6 comes in a 6/128GB trim for INR 26,999 and an 8/256GB version for INR 28,999. As for the accessories, the official Xiaomi keyboard case is INR 4,999 while the second-gen Smart Pen is INR 5,999. ICICI Bank credit and debit cards get an INR 3,000 discount. Xiaomi Pad 6 goes on open sale from June 21 via Xiaomi online and retail stores as well as Amazon India. Redmi Buds 4 Active bring 12mm dynamic drivers, environmental noise cancelation and a 30-hour combined battery life from the buds and their case. They pair over Bluetooth 5.3 with support for Google Fast Pair and charge via USB-C with fast charging. The buds are also IPX4 sweat and splash-resistant and feature touch controls on their stems. Redmi Buds 4 Active key specs Redmi Buds 4 Active come in black and white colors and costs INR 1,399. The early bird sales promo (June 20-23) takes off an additional INR 200. Youll be able to get a pair from Xiaomi India online and offline stores as well as Amazon India. Xiaomi Pad 6 Redmi Buds 4 Active Officials of Joeten Daidai Foundation gather with Red Cross NMI Chapter Executive Director John Hirsh, center, and other American Red Cross representatives for a check presentation at Joeten Susupe, Saipan. A man was charged with theft by receiving when the owners of two stolen iPhones activated a feature that helped them get their devices back. According to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, Dominic Joshua Contreras Cruz faces a second-degree felony charge when police found him in possession of two iPhone 12 Pros. According to the complaint, the two victims told police they had gone to the beach on Sunday. The following day, they noticed that their phones and a Go Pro camera were missing from their bags. They activated the Find my iPhone feature, which said the phones were located at Adelfa Ct. in Dededo. Police went to the location and met with Cruz, who said that his friend had the items. Cruz led officers to the general area of S. Gab Gab Ct., claiming he would get the phones back. Police later searched the suspects car and found the phones and camera, along with numerous cards belonging to one of the victims. Police asked the suspect if he were in possession of the items and he replied, Yes, they were in the car the whole time. The estimated total value of the items was $2,400. Moving leaves leads to suspected meth arrest Benjamin Ada Pangelinan was charged with possession of a schedule II substance following a traffic stop. According to a magistrates report, the suspect was motoring along Rt. 1 in Yigo using a bar light on the front bumper of a Toyota Corolla, right before midnight. Officers traveling in the opposite direction passed the suspect and as one officer positioned himself behind the suspect, another officer noticed that the operator threw something out of the front passenger window. The officer who saw the item thrown from the window observed leaves moving and the sound of leaves rustling in a vegetated area, according to the report. Officers searched the area and found a black zipper pouch with suspected drugs in a small bag. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine, according to officers. According to the document, when questioned by police about the pouch, Pangelinan told officers, Sir, to be honest, thats the only thing I have. Im sorry. The suspect faces a third-degree felony charge for drug possession. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Haiti - FLASH : The 2000 market located in Delmas 29, destroyed in a fire Monday around 5:30 a.m., according to testimonies, the 2000 market located at Delmas 29, near Star 2000, was engulfed in flames, reducing almost all the goods that were there to ashes. Despite the presence of firefighters from the Town Hall of Delmas, the fire spread and several warehouses were completely destroyed. Under the helpless gaze of the firefighters and the Delmas police, merchants in distress saw their millions of Gourdes of investments go up in smoke. The damage is considerable. Desperate, the traders implore the government authorities to come to their aid. Currently in Jamaica, Prime Minister Ariel Henry expressed his sympathy to the merchants who were victims of this fire "I was shocked to learn of the fire which devastated the Marche 2000, at Delmas 29, early this morning. to determine the cause of this accident. I would like to express my sympathy and all the solidarity of the Government with regard to the merchants who were victims of this fire. We are committed to looking into their case, with a view to an urgent response to their situation," Ariel Henry. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : 28th anniversary of the PNH and 10 police officers killed each month (Report) The National Police of Haiti (PNH) celebrated its 28th anniversary (June 12, 2023) around the theme "Ann kontinye pote kole pou Sekirite a blayi". In this circumstance, a mass of thanksgiving was sung, at the amphitheater of the National Police Academy, route des Freres. The Commander-in-Chief of the PNH, members of the High Command of the PNH, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ms. Emmelie Prophete-Milce, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Patrick Boisvert, and other members of the Government, Ms. Mirlande Manigat, President of the High Council of the Transition, members of the High Staff of the Armed Forces of Haiti, judicial and civil authorities, diplomatic and consular Representatives, are some of the personalities who have took part. In his speech, the Acting Commander-in-Chief, Frantz Elbe took the opportunity to salute the efforts of the valiant police officers who fought body and soul in the battle against armed gangs, while launching a strong call for unity within the police institution. In addition, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the police officers who were victims in the exercise of their duties. "On the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the creation of our National Police, I would like to salute the courage, the determination, the professionalism of our valiant police officers, who, every day, sacrifice themselves, put their lives in danger, to protect the population. I renew to these brave agents, as well as to the High Command, the unwavering support of my government, while assuring them of our desire to accompany them in the quest for a more professional, dynamic, efficient, modern and equipped police force. I take this opportunity to honor the memory of the police officers killed in the line of duty. The common fatherland will always be grateful to them for their gesture of bravery, aimed at putting bandits and criminals out of harm's way," said Prime Minister a.i Henry from Jamaica At least five police officers have been killed each month in Haiti since the beginning of 2023 (29 police officers killed) according to a report by the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) dated June 11, 2023. According to this report published on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the PNH, between June 2022 and June 2023 at least 58 police officers were killed (9.7 police officers per month, average over one year), some of them after being kidnapped by the armed gangs. In addition, continues the RNDDH, the agents "are not protected by the judiciary which, on several occasions, decides to release armed bandits arrested by the PNH, endangering the lives of the agents who had participated in the interventions that led upon their arrest." Download the RNDDH report (PDF in French) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/6-Rap-PNH-12Jun2023-FR.pdf.pdf S/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter. Stay logged in Lost password Contact Published on 2023/06/12 | Source Actor Moon Dong-hyeok will appear in tvN's new Saturday and Sunday drama "See You In My 19th Life". Advertisement "See You In My 19th Life" is a reckless reincarnation romance that takes place when the 19th-lifer Ban Ji-eum (Shin Hye-sun) who remembers her previous lives, visits Moon Seo-ha (Ahn Bo-hyun), who she must meet. According to the agency on the 7th, Moon Dong-hyeok will play the role of ban Ji-eun's brother, Ban Dong-woo, who aims for money in the drama. Contrary to his bad attitude, he will show off his childish charm which makes him an un-hateable character. Attention is focusing on what else Moon Dong-hyeok, who is naturally melting into various characters and stacking his own filmography, will show in "See You In My 19th Life". Meanwhile, tvN's "See You In My 19th Life" will premiere at 9:20 PM on the 17th. Published on 2023/06/12 | Source New photos added for the Korean drama "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" (2023). Advertisement Directed by Jo Nam-hyung, Kang Sin-hyo Written by Han Woo-ri Network: tvN With Lee Dong-wook, Kim So-yeon, Kim Beom, Ryu Kyung-soo, Hwang Hee, Kim Yong-ji,... 12 episodes - Sat, Sun 21:20 Follow up to "Tale of the Nine Tailed" Synopsis The story of Lee Yeon, a gumiho who was summoned back to a chaotic 1938 after being embroiled in an unexpected incident. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2023/05/06 Published on 2023/06/12 | Source New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "Manhae Han Yong-un's Silence" (2022) Advertisement Directed by Han Myeong-goo With Oh Ahn-jin, Jung Hye-sun, Kim Hee-ra, Kim Dong-hyun-I, Ahn Byung-kyung, No Hyun-hee,... Synopsis Donghak Rebellion (Donghak Peasant Movement) takes place in Hongjuseong (now Hongseong). Manhae, a boy who participates in the Donghak Rebellion as a 16-year-old, steals 1,000 nyang and sends it to military funds. At the age of 55, at Simujang in Seongbuk-dong, Manhae remarried while staying in a boarding house. While making a living by sewing his wife's wages, Manhae continues to resist Japanese imperialism by participating in the movement against the name change of the Chang clan and against the dispatch of Korean student soldiers along with writing. He takes over the military funds from Madam Baekhwa of Myeongwol in Yongjing. Lee Hwa-yeong hands over the military funds with Man-hae. In 1944, Manhae passed away at the age of 66. As the poem "Your Silence" flows, Manhae's achievements are introduced as highlights, and his subtitles flow. Release date in Korea : 2023/06/29 Published on 2023/06/12 | Source New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "The Childe" (2022) Advertisement Directed by Park Hoon-jung With Kim Seon-ho, Kang Tae-ju, Kim Kang-woo, Go Ara, Kwon Hyuk-hyun,... Formerly known as "Sad Tropics" (, seul-peun-yeol-dae) Synopsis "The Childe" will focus on a man born to a Korean father and a Filipino mother who aspires to be a boxer. He travels to the Philippines in the hopes of tracking down his father, and in the process, he gets mixed up with some bad people. Release date in Korea : 2023/06/21 Members of the Kraut Creek Ramblers play traditional bluegrass music at Watauga County Habitat for Humanitys The Big Cheese 2023 Finale at AMB on June 6th, 2023. On June 6th, 2023, Watauga County Habitat for Humanity hosted The Big Cheese 2023 Finale at Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone, N.C.. This event, formerly known as The Big Kahuna, marked the end of a two month fundraising campaign that seven different teams participated in. The fundraiser is a friendly competition to see who can raise the most money for Watauga County Habitat for Humanitys efforts to build safe and affordable housing. Fundraising efforts finished at 7:45pm on June 6th, and the winning team was crowned at 8pm the same night. The final standings are as follows: THE BIG CHEESE 2023: 1). High Country Home Builders: $17,750.00 2). Alpha Delta Pi: $6,141.00 3). Lambda Chi Alpha: $3,702.00 4). High Country REALTORS: $3,348.00 5). Allen Tate Realtors: $2,484.00 6). The Terrapins 2: $1,510.00 7). The Royal Misfits: $325.00 Sponsorships: $1,200.00 Grand Total: $36,535.00 The winning team, The High Country Home Builders, was made up of members Chuck Perry, Sonya Garland, Sarah Grady and Brandon McKeever. Chuck Perry raised the most money overall, with $6,465 raised. Sonya Garland has participated in the fundraiser two years in a row on the High Country Home Builders team, raising a combined total of $11,390 in the past two years. Watauga County Habitat for Humanity would like to thank all of our donors, partners, Board of Directors, fundraisers, volunteers, our live band the Kraut Creek Ramblers, and our sponsors for The Big Cheese. Sponsors included Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Watauga Building Supply, Jared Munday Electric (authorized Generac Service Dealer), Blackberry Creek Mattress, and Jeffs Plumbing & Repair Inc. All proceeds from The Big Cheese fundraiser go directly to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, and help affordable homeownership in Watauga County. Watauga County Habitat for Humanity works with local families to provide access to interest-free mortgages. Habitat relies heavily on support from the community to build homes, communities and hope in Watauga County with local residents. If you are interested in donating time or resources to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, please call 828-268-9545, or email nathan@wataugahabitat.org Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket (HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged investment adviser Sabby Management LLC and its managing partner, Hal D. Mintz, with fraud in connection with a long running scheme involving misrepresentations and violations of rules for short selling and order making, as well as other violative trading, that generated more than $2 million in illegal profits. The SECs complaint alleges that, from at least March 2017 through May 2019, Sabby and Mintz repeatedly circumvented trading rules to conduct unlawful trades in the stock of at least 10 public companies. Short selling is a legal practice where, generally, a trader borrows a security from a securityholder and sells the security at one price, speculating that the trader can buy the security at a lower price in the future before it must be returned to its owner. As alleged in the complaint, for example, Sabby and Mintz engaged in illegal naked short selling by intentionally and improperly placing short sales when they knew or were reckless in not knowing that they had not borrowed or located the shares, and then failed to make timely delivery of the shares. According to the SECs complaint, the purpose of Sabby and Mintzs fraudulent scheme was to earn profits they could not have gained through legal trading. Additionally, as the complaint alleges, on occasion Sabby and Mintz used their naked short selling to artificially deflate the price of securities, allowing them to obtain more shares at a cheaper price. The SECs complaint further alleges that Sabby and Mintz tried to conceal their fraudulent trading, including by using securities acquired after the trades to make it appear to brokers executing the trades that they had complied with the requirement to have borrowed or located the shares prior to their trades. As the complaint alleges, when questioned by at least one broker regarding their trading, Sabby and Mintz repeatedly lied about the trading. The SEC alleges that Sabby and Mintz attempted to game the system and make an illegal profit, said Carolyn Welshhans, Associate Director of the SECs Division of Enforcement. When someone uses naked shorts or other manipulative practices to cheat the market and investors, the SEC will ensure that they are held accountable. The SECs complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, charges Sabby and Mintz with violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 10b-21 thereunder. The complaint also charges Sabby with violations of Sections 204 and 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rules 204-2 and 206(4)-7 thereunder and charges Mintz with aiding and abetting those violations. The complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. 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 City of Espoo has announced the winner of the Espoo House architectural competition, and it is the Finnish-Danish consortium Cobe + Lunden Architecture Company with their proposal Kohtaamisia. The winning design, which impressed the panel of judges, is a wooden building that will contribute to the future identity of Espoon keskus. Olli Isotalo, Director of Urban Environment and Chair of the panel of judges, describes the winning proposal as ambitious, individual, and of high-quality in terms of architectural and urban design. The design aligns with the competition's objectives of creating a distinctive new building that strengthens the future identity of Espoo. The panel evaluated various aspects of the proposals, including their suitability to the urban structure and environment, the interconnectivity of facilities, functionality, pleasantness, views, life-cycle solutions, and building costs. The winning proposal stood out for its strong and visionary overall architecture, which can accommodate future design developments while maintaining its architectural richness and quality. Architect Eero Lunden explains that the Espoo House is designed for the city residents of a new era, based on the principles of community-based urban living and sustainable construction. Dan Stubbergaard, Founder of Cobe, adds that the building will primarily be constructed using wood, utilizing columns, beams, and walls of mass timber, in line with Finland's tradition of building with wood. The Espoo House will be a multi-purpose building serving the city residents and will feature a high open space around which all functions and facilities will revolve. It aims to facilitate smoother interaction between elected officials, residents, and city employees, while also bringing cost savings to the city's administrative premises. Four proposals Kohtaamisia, Kontrapunkti, Lehteri, and Virta were selected to continue in the competition, and they were displayed publicly online for comments and feedback. Kohtaamisia received the most comments and was the public's favorite. The public's feedback was considered by the panel of judges in selecting the winner. With the architectural competition concluded, the detailed planning and preparation of the project plan will commence. The project plan will be presented to the City Council for approval, and the final decision to proceed with construction will be made thereafter. Construction of the Espoo House is estimated to begin in 2026, with completion expected in 2029. The building will be located on the site of the former Virastotalo 2, north of the station area. The Espoo House architectural competition is an integral part of the broader area development. In addition to the Espoo House, the competition area will feature new residential construction for nearly 600 residents, a grocery shop, and various business premises. The future City Rail Link will also enhance public transport connections in the area. The competition was organized in collaboration between the City of Espoo and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA). An exhibition showcasing all four proposals will be held at Entresse Library from June 13 to 21, allowing the public to view the designs. Additionally, a 3D model of the winning design will be available for virtual viewing using special glasses. HT The contracts between reception centres and municipalities were made for a fixed term and are valid until 31 December 2023. After this, the contracts will not be renewed as there is no longer a need for additional accommodation arrangements. The contracts will expire without notice. The Finnish Immigration Service developed the municipality model for accommodation in spring 2022 as a response to the exceptional situation caused by the war of aggression in Russia. At the beginning of 2022, there were around 5,000 customers in the reception system, and by the end of the year their number had increased to around 43,500. The model was developed as a temporary solution to compensate municipalities for the costs of accommodation and guidance services for applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection. The original purpose of the municipal model was to enable people fleeing the war in Ukraine to stay in the place where they had settled when they arrived in Finland. There is no longer a need for exceptional accommodation arrangements Since the launch of the municipal model, the accommodation capacity of the reception system has increased considerably. In addition, the network of reception centres has become more extensive at regional level. Currently, there are 107 reception centres, secondary branches of the centres and private accommodation service points, as well as 10 units for minors in Finland. The reception system is sufficient to cope with the accommodation needs under normal circumstances. In its decision, the Finnish Immigration Service has also taken into account that around 5,500 people accommodated through the municipality model may choose to apply for a municipality of residence in Finland during 2023. By applying for a municipality of residence, customers have the right to settle in the municipality of their choice. There are currently around 45,500 customers registered in the reception system 51% of whom live in reception centres and 35% in private accommodation. The remaining 14%, or around 6,200 people receiving temporary protection, are accommodated in nearly 140 municipalities across Finland through the municipal model. Every person who applies for or is granted temporary protection is a customer of a reception centre, even if they live in municipal accommodation. "The municipal model will be brought to a close in close cooperation with municipalities and reception centres through customer-oriented solutions. The Finnish Immigration Service will inform and advise customers accommodated through the municipal model with separate customer instructions. The reception centres also support the transition to municipal residence by offering advice and guidance. For customers accommodated through the municipal model who do not or cannot apply for a municipality of residence before the end of the year, accommodation will be provided at the reception centre," says Elina Nurmi, Director of the Reception Unit. The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the coordination, planning and supervision of the reception system. The Finnish Immigration Service has reception centres in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) and Oulu. Other reception centres are run by organisations, municipalities and private enterprises, among others. HT Source: Finnish Immigration Service Amnesty International has released a new report titled "Tiedan etten saa apua" (I know I won't receive help), shedding light on the significant disparities in healthcare and the lack of equal access to healthcare services in Finland. Despite international human rights bodies criticizing Finland for deficiencies in healthcare, the country has failed to ensure sufficient funding and accessibility to primary healthcare, according to the report. Based on extensive background research and 117 interviews, the report explores the perspectives of patients, healthcare workers, and experts, unveiling the fragmented state of public healthcare in Finland. Access to healthcare is contingent upon factors such as employment status and financial resources, with employed individuals benefiting from occupational healthcare and affluent individuals having the option to seek private healthcare services. On the other hand, those with limited means, often facing health issues, rely solely on the public healthcare system. Amnesty International's Mariko Sato, an economic and social rights expert, highlights the existence of a two-tiered healthcare system in Finland, contributing to healthcare inequality. Parallel service systems are identified as one of the underlying reasons for this disparity, further exacerbating the situation. Patients relying on public healthcare services shared their experiences of barriers encountered when seeking medical assistance. Difficulties include challenges in securing appointments, unanswered calls, excessively long waiting times, and the rapid digitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses various challenges for individuals. These obstacles to healthcare perpetuate health disparities and feelings of exclusion and distrust toward society. Finland has witnessed cuts in healthcare funding since the early 1990s. Although there have been intermittent increases in healthcare funding, the growth has been slow compared to other Nordic countries. Inadequate funding and austerity measures have contributed to a chronic shortage of resources and healthcare professionals within the public healthcare system, resulting in potential delays or denial of necessary treatments. To compensate for funding gaps, user fees have been introduced. Most public healthcare services are subject to user fees, and in nearly all well-being regions, these fees are at their highest legal limit. In 2022, nearly half a million healthcare user fees ended up in debt collection. Amnesty International views the right to healthcare as a fundamental human right. According to human rights norms, states have an obligation to ensure the highest attainable standard of health for all individuals and provide healthcare services without discrimination. Amnesty urges Finland's future government to strengthen primary healthcare, ensuring equitable access to affordable healthcare services for all. The organization emphasizes the need for improved resource allocation in healthcare, rather than further cuts. Amnesty International's report sheds light on the disparities and challenges within Finland's healthcare system, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The call to strengthen primary healthcare, eliminate discrimination in access to healthcare, and prioritize adequate funding resonates with the aim of achieving universal and equitable healthcare for all individuals in Finland. HT Were close to each other on the major bones of contention, on both development co-operation funding and the distribution obligation [for renewable fuels], he was quoted saying to reporters at the House of the Estates in Helsinki on Monday by YLE. PETTERI ORPO , the chairperson of the National Coalition, believes today should tell whether the coalition formation negotiations can be wrapped up by the end of this week, the seventh week of negotiations. This gives me confidence that we can finalise the decisions today and tomorrow. While the National Coalition, Finns Party, Swedish Peoples Party and Christian Democrats are starting to be on the same page on the issues, the parties are faced also with a number of other issues, such as social and health care and the retail monopoly of Alko. Anna-Maja Henriksson, the chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party, on Monday suggested that she is not quite as optimistic as Orpo. Plenty of issues are still on the table, but its possible, she commented, speaking about the possibility of wrapping up the talks by the end of the week. On Monday, its difficult to make any predictions about where well be on Friday. The degree of difficulty is still there and the economic situation is challenging. She drew attention especially to the need to find agreements on social and health care, the distribution obligation for renewable fuels and development co-operation funding. These major questions will be decisive when it comes to the possibility of us getting over the finish line this week, she said according to YLE. Negotiations [on development co-operation] are still open. Another unresolved question is the retail monopoly of Alko, according to Henriksson. The Swedish Peoples Party is presently the only party that has yet to approve a provisional agreement on slashing development co-operation funding, Riikka Purra, the chairperson of the Finns Party, stated on Monday. She also assured that the rise in fuel prices stemming from the distribution obligation would be compensated fully to motorists. Sari Essayah, the chairperson of the Christian Democrats, on Monday declared that the Christian Democrats will not stand by dissolving the monopoly of Alko. In a situation like this where we have long queues in health care, congestions in emergency care and we have to close wards for the summer due to the nursing shortage, any talk about dissolving Alkos monopoly is irresponsible, she stated. Aleksi Teivainen HT Doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland analysed data of 10,528 patients across the island of Ireland (7,112 in the Republic of Ireland, 3,416 in Northern Ireland) admitted to hospital between 2013 and 2018 with the most serious type of heart attack. According to new figures that are presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester, serious heart attacks are more likely to occur at the beginning of the working week than at any other time. This is known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and occurs when a major coronary artery is completely blocked. The researchers found a spike in rates of STEMI heart attacks at the start of the working week, with rates highest on a Monday. There were also higher rates of STEMI than expected on a Sunday. Scientists have so far been unable to fully explain why this "Blue Monday" phenomenon occurs. Previous studies suggesting that heart attacks are more likely on a Monday have highlighted an association with circadian rhythm - the body's sleep or wake cycle. Over 30,000 hospital admissions are due to STEMI each year in the UK. It requires emergency assessment and treatment to minimise damage to the heart, and this is normally performed with emergency angioplasty - a procedure to re-open the blocked coronary artery. Cardiologist Dr Jack Laffan, who led the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust research, said: "We've found a strong statistical correlation between the start of the working week and the incidence of STEMI. This has been described before but remains a curiosity. The cause is likely multifactorial. However, based on what we know from previous studies, it is reasonable to presume a circadian element." Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "Someone is admitted to hospital due to a life-threatening heart attack every five minutes in the UK, so it's vital that research continues to shed light on how and why heart attacks happen. "This study adds to evidence around the timing of particularly serious heart attacks, but we now need to unpick what about certain days of the week makes them more likely. Doing so could help doctors better understand this deadly condition so we can save more lives in future." HT Source: ANI On June 12, 1942, Annelies Marie Frank was given a diary for her thirteenth birthday. It was a gift she really wanted and her parents let her pick one out herself. Like all tweens, she must have dawdled before settling on a red-and-white chequered notebook, words from which would go on to become part of one of the most inspiring books in the world. PREMIUM Anne Frank on a Dutch postage stamp. (Shutterstock) The first words she wrote in the diary were telling: I hope I shall be able to confide in you completely, as I have never been able to do in anyone before, and I hope that you will be a great support and comfort to me. Anne and her family had fled Germany after the Nazis seized power in 1933 and resettled in the Netherlands. The Germans occupied Amsterdam in May 1940, and two years later began rounding up Jews and deporting them to concentration camps. In July 1942, Anne, her sister, Margot, her mother, Edith, and her father, Otto, were forced to go into hiding in a secret attic apartment behind the office of their family-owned business at 263 Prinsengracht Street. The annex would eventually hide four Dutch Jews as well. Amidst the turmoil, Anne lived the life of a regular almost-teen going to school, hanging out with friends, and learning to navigate life. The first entry in her diary was short; the real confiding starting two days after her birthday. She wrote in Dutch, occasionally using German or English words, and addressed her diary as Kitty. The name was drawn from a series of books by Dutch author Cissy van Marxveldt about Joop, a girl who had adventures with her group of friends, which included the bright, cheerful, and funny Kitty Francken. The fact that we can never go outside bothers me more than I can say, and then Im really afraid that well be discovered and shot, not a very nice prospect, needless to say, Anne wrote to Kitty not long after. For two years, between June 1942 to August 1944, Anne regularly penned down what she saw happening around her, juxtaposing the deplorable events with her feelings and thoughts. Her work, regarded as the most famous personal account of the Holocaust, has since been dramatised into a play and a movie. Millions of people have read Diary of a Young Girl since it was first published in 1947. The candid account, simultaneously sad, funny, beautiful, thought-provoking, and joyous, has been translated into more than 70 languages. The diary tragically stopped suddenly in August 1944, when Anne and her family were betrayed, arrested by the Gestapo, and sent to Auschwitz. In November 1944, Anne and Margot were transferred to Bergen-Belsen where they died (probably of typhus) in 1945. Anne was 15, a child who tragically never realised her dream and promise of becoming a writer. But her diary made sure that she was known the world over for her writing. Kitty served as friend and comfort, a platform for the 13-year-old girl to explore her tempestuous emotions in a time and place of unbelievable stress, anxiety, and terror. In todays fractured world, in a time of anxiety, uncertainty, and hate, there are many lessons the world can learn from the effervescent teenager who loved ice-skating, wrote stories, trained her inner chatterbox to remain still and silent from 8 am to 5 pm each workday, and found her own self even as she was confined to 450-square feet with seven other people. Her diary, which revealed her new life and constant fear, her hopes and disappointments, and her anger and aspirations, offers numerous lessons that remain relevant, every day and especially on Anne Frank Day. Dont compromise on your dreams Anne and her family were forced to leave everything and everyone they knew -- their home, life, friends, and community, only to make their home behind a wall. The secret annex or achterhuis (Dutch for back house) was the rear extension of 263 Prinsengracht Street. Concealed from view by houses on all four sides of a quadrangle, the cloister must have seemed oppressive and stifling to a young girl and her dreams. Its difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality, Anne wrote in her diary, adding: Its a wonder I havent abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. The next moment, however, she revealed why she wouldnt let go of her dreams. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. Own your opinions Anne was very critical of the fact that she was treated like children when it comes to external matters as she felt that inwardly, were much older than other girls our age. She was vocal about the fact that despite not being allowed to have any opinions, everyone had a right to one. People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but it doesnt stop you having your own opinion. Even if people are still very young, they shouldnt be prevented from saying what they think, the 13-year-old wrote. Another time, she wrote, I know what I want, I have a goal, an opinion, I have a religion and love. Let me be myself and then I am satisfied. I know that Im a woman, a woman with inward strength and plenty of courage. Trust your own potential Anne, who wanted to become a writer when she grew up, found writing in a diary a strange experience. Not only because Ive never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year old school girl. Oh well, it doesnt matter. I feel like writing, she wrote. But she believed that she and everyone in the world had their own part to play. Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you dont know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is! She also warned that true happiness could not be found by taking the easy way out. Earning happiness means doing good and working, not speculating and being lazy. Laziness may look inviting, but only work gives you true satisfaction, she wrote. Look for the silver lining Even in hiding, Anne looked not at the ground, bit at the sky. She wrote that she had often been down in the dumps, but never desperate. I look upon our life in hiding as an interesting adventure, full of danger and romance, and every privation as an amusing addition to my diary. She believed that her experiences in the annex were a good beginning to an interesting life, which is the reason the only reason why I have to laugh at the humorous side of the most dangerous moments. Im young and have many hidden qualities; Im young and strong and living through a big adventure; Im right in the middle of it and cant spend all day complaining because its impossible to have any fun! Im blessed with many things: happiness, a cheerful disposition and strength. Every day I feel myself maturing, I feel liberation drawing near, I feel the beauty of nature and the goodness of the people around me. Every day I think what a fascinating and amusing adventure this is! With all that, why should I despair? Find happiness within At a time when Anne and her family had to subsist on the bare minimum, she realised that happiness did not depend on material things; it was contingent on your own way of looking at things. I looked out of the open window, letting my eyes roam over a large part of Amsterdam, over the rooftops and on to the horizon, a strip of blue so pale it was almost invisible. As long as this exists, I thought, this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?, she wrote. Anne believed that the best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy was to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be. In her own words: Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again. And that whoever is happy will make others happy. The Federal government of Canada has recently implemented changes to the settlement fund requirement for skilled workers applying for permanent residency programs under the Express Entry system. ImmigCanada, a renowned Canadian Immigration Consultancy which is led by a seasoned RCIC Ms. Eivy Joy Quito offers crucial insights and assistance regarding these updates. The revised settlement fund requirement applies specifically to skilled workers under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs within the Express Entry system. It does not affect applicants under the Canadian Experience Class, who are not required to demonstrate proof of funds. Importantly, the new rule does not apply to skilled workers who are already employed in Canada under the FSW and FST programs, and possess a valid job offer. To determine the amount of settlement funds applicants must possess, the eligibility criteria vary based on the size of the applicant's family. This includes the primary applicant, their spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and any dependent children. It is important to note that even if the spouse or dependent children do not accompany the applicant to Canada or are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they are still counted in the family size. The settlement fund requirements, which are revised annually, are as follows: Number of family members Funds Required (CAD) 1 13,757 2 17,127 3 21,055 4 25,564 5 28,994 6 32,700 7 36,407 Each additional member 3,706 Express Entry is an online system for managing immigration applications from skilled workers. It comprises of three key federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class: Projected for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. Requires work experience attained within three years prior to the application. Federal Skilled Worker Program: Designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience. Requires meeting specific criteria related to education and other factors. Federal Skilled Trades Program: Tailored for skilled workers with qualifications in a skilled trade. Demands a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. ImmigCanada is a Montreal-based Canadian immigration consultant who is dedicated to providing comprehensive guidance and support throughout the immigration process. With the exceptional expertise of RCIC, Ms. Eivy Joy Quito individuals and families can navigate the intricacies of the Express Entry system, ensuring a smooth transition and successful settlement in Canada. 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. Guwahati, Assam, India Business Wire India Founded with a mission to foster a supportive and beneficial environment for its members, the Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA) has evolved into an indomitable force within the FMCG industry. Since 1997, NEDAs testament to their commitment is the impressive resolution of over INR 100 Crores in unsettled damages from FMCG companies to distributors. Achieved through determined efforts and astute planning, this milestone epitomizes NEDA's dedication to the security and development of its members who are distributors of FMCG companies. Guiding these endeavours is a formidable leadership team, helmed Dr. Vijay Kumar Gupta, President of NEDA, Mr. Poonam Kumar Taneja, General Secretary of NEDA and Shri Pradip Kr. Das working President of NEDA. Accompanying them are Mr. Prakash Gupta, Chairman Grievance of NEDA and a dedicated team of 125 NEDA Executive delegates. Together, they have successfully championed the rights of their members, navigating the complex landscape of the FMCG industry, and setting new benchmarks for collective growth and success. In 2022, Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA) marked its 25th anniversary with a grand celebration during its 20th Annual General Meeting in Sonapur, Guwahati, Assam. This commemorative occasion was a significant milestone in NEDA's journey, made even more special by the presence of distinguished guests from the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF). Among the notable attendees were Mr. Dhairyashil Patil, the AICPDF President from Maharashtra, Dr. P.M. Ganeshraam, the Chief Patron from Tamil Nadu, Mr. J.K. Vaishnav, the General Secretary from Rajasthan, and Mr. Chetan Kapdi, the Secretary of Company Affairs from Goa. This assembly also included distinguished FMCG distribution delegates from across 27 states, adding further prestige to the event. This landmark meeting of the NEDA held in Assam was a true testament to the robust evolution and growth of the association. By hosting delegates and dignitaries from across the country, Assam demonstrated its influential position in the FMCG distribution network. This significant gathering was not only a matter of pride for Assam, showcasing its ability to facilitate such an important event, but it also signified its integral role in this rapidly expanding industry. Recently the 2nd Executive Meeting held at Guwahati Assam marked a significant milestone for the Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA). The event boasted a record attendance of over 60 members across various states and districts from Northeast India essentially Guwahati, Tezpur, Hojai, Nowgaon, Meghalaya, Golaghat, Shivsagar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Dimapur, Dhubri, Imphal, Silchar, Tinsukia, B Charali, Badarputi, and Kokrajhar, indicative of the increasing influence and reach of the organization. A highlight of the meeting was a thought-provoking discussion led by Mr. Taneja. He underscored the dangers of FMCG companies prioritizing financial strength over professional experience when choosing distributors. Emphasizing that distributor know-how often outweighs capital, he urged for a balanced consideration of both these factors for healthier, more effective distribution networks. The meeting also honoured Mr. Prakash Gupta, NEDA's Grievance Chief, for his outstanding role in resolving disputes between distributors and FMCG companies. His continuous service plays a pivotal role in sustaining a harmonious industry environment, proving him an invaluable member of the association. An additional thrill to the meeting was the virtual presence of Mr. Dhairyashil Patil, President of the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation. Known for his enthusiasm and passion for the FMCG sector, Mr. Patil imparted crucial industry insights to the NEDA members. Notably, he shared key information about the amicable solution to the inconsistent trade rates between e-commerce giants and traditional distributors for FMCG products. Dr. Vijay Kumar Gupta, NEDA's President, intertwined philosophical wisdom with practical advice. He urged members to undertake a SWOT analysis, focusing on individual will power to fuel the association's growth. He emphasized the association's vision to overcome challenges and elevate the FMCG distribution industry to newer heights. NEDA's strategic plan outlines the key objectives of membership expansion, fostering networking opportunities, encouraging fellowship activities, and promoting profitable growth for both distributors and FMCG companies. This proactive approach is designed to enhance the association's collective resources, provide supportive environments, build a resilient organization, and support members in their pursuit of success and growth. NEDA's unwavering commitment to its members and its bold, strategic vision promises a more robust, collaborative, and successful FMCG distribution industry in the northeast region of India. About Northeast Distributors Association [NEDA] Established in 1997, the Northeast Distributors Association (NEDA) has grown to become an instrumental force in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector within Northeast India. With its extensive network of over 3000 members of dealerships/ distributors & stockiest of all FMCG Companies, NEDA encompasses an array of FMCG. As a collective body, NEDA's primary role is to safeguard the interests of its members, offering a protective shield against the dynamic challenges brought about by FMCG and burgeoning E-commerce companies. Over the years, NEDA's influential standing in the industry has been instrumental in advocating for fair business practices, facilitating constructive dialogues, and fostering a resilient FMCG ecosystem in the Northeast. NEDA's commitment and dedication towards its members development and security have been pivotal in its successful journey, leading the association to be recognized as a vital player in the FMCG sector of Northeast India. NEDA is affiliated to All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation who has approximately 4 lakh members across INDIA with all the 29 states president as executive body member of the National Governing Council. Website: www.aicpdf.com Official Address | Northeast Distributors Association, 431, Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati 781001, Assam. For communication with NEDA, the office secretary can be reached at tiwarybk2015@gmail.com or contacted via phone at +91 6001058340. Further References: President of NEDA: Dr. Vijay Kr. Gupta [9435043654] Working President of NEDA: Shri Pradip Kr. Das [9435044764] General Secretary of NEDA: Shri Poonam Kr. Taneja [9864067410] Treasurer of NEDA: Shri Amit Maloo [9864021529] Chairman Grievance of NEDA: Shri Prakash Gupta [9954061571] In today's almost competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance marketing efforts and drive measurable results. This is where a performance marketing agency plays a vital role. Performance marketing is a data-driven approach that focuses on maximizing returns on marketing investments by tracking and optimizing key performance indicators (KPIs). Here we will explore the concept of performance marketing, how a performance marketing agency can help businesses achieve their goals and what are the top performance marketing agencies in India. What is Performance Marketing? Performance marketing is a results-oriented approach that aims to generate measurable outcomes by leveraging data analytics, technology, and targeted strategies. 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Website: www.cinfoways.com Email: support@cinfoways.com Phone No: +91-959-988-8800 Neil Patel: NeilPatel is a performance marketing agency that helps businesses grow their online presence and generate leads and sales. The agency offers a wide range of services, including SEO, content marketing, paid advertising, and social media marketing. NeilPatel.com has a team of experienced and certified professionals who are dedicated to helping businesses succeed online. Website: https://neilpatel.com/ 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. In a shocking incident that unfolded in the Bilekahalli area of Bengaluru on Monday morning, a 35-year-old woman was arrested by the police for allegedly murdering her aged mother. The accused, identified as Senali Sen, is alleged to have fed her sleeping pills and then strangled her to death. The incident occurred at the NSR Green apartment, Bilekahalli, where Senali Sen and her mother, Biva Pal, lived together. (ANI) The incident occurred at the NSR Green apartment, Bilekahalli, where Senali Sen and her mother, Biva Pal, lived together. According to police, tensions had been running high between Biva Pal and Senali Sen's parents-in-law, leading to frequent altercations. READ | Bengaluru murder: Woman kills mother; feeds sleeping pills, strangles her Investigation revealed that it was disclosed that Biva Pal had recently confided in Senali about her intention to end her life by consuming sleeping tablets due to the alleged harassment from Senali's parents-in-law. Taking matters into her own hands, Senali Sen administered approximately 20 sleeping tablets to her mother on Monday morning. After Biva Pal complained of stomach pain resulting from the ingestion of the pills, she was then strangled to death by her own daughter, said a senior official. READ | Man held for killing neighbour who abused his dead mother Following this, the accused placed her deceased mother's body in a trolley bag, along with a photograph of her late father, and proceeded to the Mico Layout police station, in an Uber Auto, where Sen surrendered before the police. Hailing from Kolkata, Senali Sen had been residing in Bengaluru for the past six years. Previously employed as a physiotherapist, she had been unemployed for the last two years, remaining predominantly at home. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Dev Arun Dev is an Assistant Editor with the Karnataka bureau of Hindustan Times. A journalist for over 10 years, he has written extensively on crime and politics. ...view detail Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the previous BJP-led government did not approve the power tariff hike proposed by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai denies that the BJP gave approval to power tariff hike by KERC. (ANI) Speaking at a press conference in Hubballi, Bommai highlighted that during their tenure, the government had rejected the tariff revision. Our government did not increase power tariffs. We rejected the tariff revision. However, Congress, after assuming power, approved the power tariff hike, resulting in increased power bills. According to the former CM, the increase in tariff will be a big burden on people. In the coming days, the electricity department will be in a big crisis. The KERC hiked the electricity tariff on June 5 by 2.89 per unit, days after the Karnataka government announced the Gruha Jyoti scheme, offering free power up to 200 units. After the announcement, chief minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the decision to increase the electricity tariff by 2.89 per unit was made by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and not the government. We do not decide hike in electricity tariff. There is Karnataka electricity regulatory authority, which has decided. It had been decided in the past. We have only implemented it, he explained. Public works Minister Satish Jarakiholi reassured industrialists on Tuesday that the recent increase in electricity rates is temporary, urging them not to consider migrating to Maharashtra. Jarakiholi acknowledged their concerns and mentioned that chief minister Siddharamaiah would soon hold a meeting with stakeholders and electricity supply company officials to address the issue. I am also shocked to see that commercial users have got bills with twice or thrice the normal billing amounts. Even domestic users have also received such high amounts. I do not know why, but I am guessing it is because officials have added the additional amounts from the last two months to this months bills, he said. Jarakiholi explained that the state government was unable to roll back the hike as it was approved by the Karnataka electricity regulatory commission (KERC), but assured the industrialists that their grievances would be communicated to the KERC. He concluded by assuring the public that the government would find a resolution to the issue of increased power bills. Meanwhile, Bommai expressed his disappointment on the Congress governments lack of responsibility in addressing the potential impact of natural calamities on the state. He emphasized the adverse effects of the delayed monsoon, which have led to delayed sowing and difficulties for farmers. Another issue raised by the former chief minister was the low water levels in several dams across the state, contributing to the existing water crisis. While Bommai acknowledged that it was premature to declare a drought, he urged the state government to take necessary steps to prepare for such a situation. He proposed the establishment of taluk-level task forces comprising officials and local representatives, immediate allocation of 100 crore for relief work, and activation of NDRF teams to address potential challenges. Turning to the guarantee schemes, Bommai stated that the BJP would closely monitor the situation. He criticized the insufficient number of buses provided despite the announcement of free rides for women, which has caused trouble to the public. The Congress government has failed to provide adequate information on how funds would be mobilized for the implementation of these schemes, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After a thumping victory in the assembly elections last month, the Congress government in Karnataka is now keen on holding elections for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council that have been delayed for three years. However, with the new Siddaramaiah-led government reviewing the delimitation of wards, and reconvening the BBMP restructuring committee to reimagine Bengalurus governance and administration, experts said that major hurdles are yet to be cleared. Karnataka transport minister says Congress is keen to hold civic body polls in the state. (HT Photo) Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, who heads the BBMP elections preparatory committee, said on Tuesday that the Congress is looking to conduct the much-delayed elections to the existing 243 wards, by November. Everyone wants to hold the elections soon. But there were errors in the delimitation exercise. We discussed the path ahead. We cant hold elections for just 198 wards because the new law (BBMP Act) has come into force for the 243 wards. Everyone wants to hold the elections soon, once the monsoon ends, by November, Reddy said. The municipal body has been without an elected council since September, 2020 and the last BBMP polls were held in November 2015. The previous Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government had delayed holding the BBMP polls, first due to COVID-19, and then citing delimitation of wards and political reservation for OBCs. The Congress, which was then the principal opposition party in the state, had accused the BJP of misusing its powers in the BBMP delimitation process and ward-wise reservation to help it politically and not for the welfare of the city or social justice.HT reached out to BJP for a response but couldnt get an immediate reaction. After assuming power in state, the Congress is now upbeat on holding the elections to the civic agency. A committee has been formed to discuss holding the polls. The BJP, which defied the statewide Congress wave, is also hopeful of retaining its hold on the cash-rich Council. The BJP won 16 of the 28 Assembly seats up for grabs in the city in the assembly elections last month, while the Congress won 12 and the JD(S) could not retain even the two seats it won in 2018. We welcome the state governments move to conduct the BBMP election...BJP has a strong hold in Bengaluru irrespective of anti-incumbency and other factors. We look forward to facing the elections. We are ready at any given time, former minister CN Ashwath Narayan said. Experts however, said that while the review of the delimitation exercise by the previous BJP government is necessary, the process might further delay the BBMP elections. The state government has also reconvened the BBMP restructuring Committee, which the previous Congress regime had formed, which might also put the BBMP polls into a limbo. I dont think immediate election is on the cards. They are also trying to restructure the BBMP and amend the BBMP Act. All these point to the fact that the BBMP elections will be delayed, Civic activist Sandeep Anirudhan, said. The ward delimitation is also not based on present day statistics. They have used the old census (2011). The population has now doubled or tripled. The wards are also not scientific. The repeat of delimitation is very essential. If they can fastrack the process, do a proper delimitation, thats good. Also, its important that an impartial body like the Election Commission (EC) carry out the delimitation process, Anirudhan added. The committee, led by former chief secretary BS Patil, with former civic commissioner Siddaiah and urbanist V Ravichandar as its members, had recommended splitting the BBMP into multiple corporations. This time around, the three-member committee is expected to focus on reimagining Bengalurus governance and administration covering the BBMP and all other parastatal agencies. Our committee is looking at the longer term sustainable solutions for Bengaluru. Our focus is, if Bengaluru has to be strengthened, its citizens should be provided with better services, what is the best governance and arrangement to achieve that? Our recommendation is a multi-corporation setup because one BBMP is not viable, Ravichandar said. The delay in holding the polls has resulted in the city falling under the control of MLAs rather than local governance by city councilors. For residents of Bengaluru, the lack of civic governance has trickled down to their day-to-day affairs with flooding, pothole menace, encroachments, water issues rampant corruption. Elections are over. Ward committee meetings are still not happening. While we wait for the elite Task Force, can we at least have ward committee meetings going? Murali Govindarajulu, a resident of Whitefield in Bengaluru said, referring to deputy chief minister and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumars proposal to constitute an elite advisory committee to invigorate the tech citys infrastructure. More importantly, Bengaluru needs corporators, so that the day-to-day civic issues are addressed and true decentralisation could be achieved, another citizen pointed out. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress-led Karnataka government has initiated a comprehensive review of land parcels allotted to social and educational organisations associated with various Hindu right-wing outfits, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), during the last few months of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime, people familiar with the development said on Monday. Congress-led Karnataka government initiates review of land given to RSS-affiliated organisations. (ANI) Also read: Karnataka poll guarantees tough call, can be template in other states: DK Shivakumar Senior officials of the revenue department on Monday said the state government has started the process of shortlisting disputed land parcels for evaluation. One of the land parcels being reviewed is the 116-acre property allocated to the Centre for Education and Social Studies (CESS) for the establishment of Chanakya University in Haralur, near Devanahalli in Bengaluru Rural district, an official said. In 2021, the then BJP government got the Chanakya University Bill passed in the legislative assembly amid opposition by the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular). Congress leaders had previously accused the BJP government of undervaluing the land, claiming it was given away for a mere 50 crore even as its actual worth was in excess of 300 crore. The government is also looking into the nearly 8-acre plot near Baiyappanahalli in Bengaluru allotted to a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Rashtrotthana Parishat, for educational purposes. A five-acre land allotted to the NGO at Jambunathanahalli in Hospet taluk of Bellary district has also come under the governments scanner, a senior revenue department official said, requesting anonymity. Approximately 25-30 acre of land granted to Rashtrotthana Parishat in Kalaburagi, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Anekal, and Yadgir districts are being reviewed, the official added. Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda told the reporters that chief minister Siddaramaiah has instructed a comprehensive review of all land grants made since December 2022. The decision to review these grants comes as concerns were raised regarding the previous governments decisions and their impact on legitimate organisations and the public at large, he added. The previous government rammed through the Cabinet various such decisions The scrutiny will encompass the decisions made by the previous administration during the past few months of its tenure, Gowda said. Another property being reviewed is a 40.07-acre tract in Channenahalli, South Bengaluru, allotted to an organisation, Jana Seva Trust. The revenue department has also directed its attention towards a 25-acre land sanctioned to the trust at Tavarekere in Bengaluru, officials said. In Shivamogga, a two-acre land parcel belonging to the irrigation department was allotted to an organisation known as the Study, Research, and Training Centre. Similarly, a 0.33-acre land in Mudhol [in Bagalkote district] was assigned for the construction of the BJP office, but it is now being reviewed by the government, another senior official said, also declining to be named. All these land parcels were allotted in the last thee-four months of the BJP-led government. The BJP lost the power to Congress in the Karnataka assembly polls last month. HT reached out to Rashtrotthana Parishat and the Centre for Education and Social Studies for comments, but could not get a response immediately. Officials of Study, Research, and Training Centre were not available for a comment. Revenue minister Gowda stressed that the evaluation will focus on determining whether these land grants served the public interest and contribute to societal welfare. The government will honour the land grants if they are found to be legitimate, serving genuine organisations, and benefiting the public, he said. However, any grants that are deemed questionable or not in the publics best interest will be reconsidered. Also read: 5.71 lakh women passengers avail Shakti scheme on the first day at Karnataka BJP leader and former education minister BC Nagesh questioned the governments decision to only review those land allotted during the BJPs tenure. Let them look into all allocations, why only BJP tenure? Nagesh said. The way Siddaramaiah is operating shows he is taking revenge. It is not right. Gowda, however, said the governments objective was not to target any specific organisation based on religion or caste, but to ensure transparency and accountability in land allocations. We cannot re-examine all land grants given by the previous government as it will hamper our work. That itself will become our job whereas people expect progress from us, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Dev Arun Dev is an Assistant Editor with the Karnataka bureau of Hindustan Times. A journalist for over 10 years, he has written extensively on crime and politics. ...view detail In response to the tragic deaths of three people allegedly due to contaminated water in Koppal and Raichur districts in the past week, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday has asked for a detailed report from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, officials said. The chief minister conducted a review meeting with rural development and panchayat raj minister Priyank Kharge, revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and other officials from various districts. Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asked the officials for a detailed report on deaths due to contaminated water. (PTI) The victims, including an infant, a 10-year-old girl from Koppal, and another individual from Raichur, lost their lives in the past week due to the contaminated water. Siddaramaiah assured that appropriate measures would be taken once the report is received, officials said. According to the chief ministers office, the state experienced rainfall 67% below normal levels until June 12, with the monsoon arriving about a week later than usual on June 10. However, as the monsoon gains momentum in the coming weeks, the water situation is expected to improve. Siddaramaiah also chaired a meeting with district administrations to discuss water shortages and the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). According to CMOs statement, drinking water in 322 villages across 15 districts is being supplied through tankers, while private borewells have been rented to provide drinking water to 148 villages. During the review meeting, Siddaramaiah ordered an investigation into the water contamination incidents in Koppal, Raichur, and Yadgir. He also called for a third-party audit of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which is Prime Minister Narendra Modis flagship scheme in Karnataka. The decision was prompted by complaints regarding the implementation of the project. I have asked for an inquiry to be conducted. Two people died in Koppal and one in Raichur due contaminated water. I have requested an inquiry to determine those responsible for it, Siddaramaiah stated during a press briefing after the meeting. The CM urged officials to take immediate action and conduct a comprehensive study to prevent such incidents in the future. Questioning officials regarding the incident during the meeting, Siddaramaiah, according to his office, asked them: What are you doing? Do not work sitting in the office. Visit the place and conduct a comprehensive study so that the disaster of polluted water does not happen again. If it happens again, you will be held responsible. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project aims to provide piped potable water to over one crore households. However, concerns have been raised by Congress legislators who claim that pipelines are being laid without proper connections to reliable water sources. Taking these concerns into account, the CM instructed the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department, the nodal department for the JJM scheme, to implement it only in areas where there are readily available water sources and avoiding ad-hoc approaches. Given the magnitude of the JJM schemes implementation and the state of reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water units, officials decided to conduct a third-party audit. Allegations of unscientific pipeline placements and non-functional RO plants have further necessitated the audit. Engineers have been instructed to assess the already laid pipelines for any faults, particularly those designated for the scheme. Also, officials highlighted the challenges faced by RO plants due to the lack of potable water resources, said a senior IAS officer. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday ordered an inquiry into deaths allegedly due to drinking contaminated water recently in Koppal and Raichur district, and warned that the Chief Executive Officers of the Zilla Panchayat will be directly held responsible and suspended if such incidents happen again. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. The Chief Minister held a video conference with the district administration officials in the background of the drinking water problem in parts of the state. READ | A model for other government hospitals: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah lauds Jayadeva Hospital "I have asked for an inquiry to be conducted. Two people had died in Koppal and one had died in Raichur because of drinking contaminated water. I have asked for an inquiry and to find out those responsible for it," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting. Questioning officials regarding the incident during the meeting, the Chief Minister, according to his office, asked them: "what are you doing? Do not work sitting in the office. Visit the place and conduct a comprehensive study so that the disaster of polluted water does not happen again. If it happens again, you will be held responsible." READ | Karnataka begins review of lands alloted to right-wing organisations by Bommai regime He directed the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry in Koppal district and wherever problems have been to the health and life of people due to drinking polluted water. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office, the Chief Secretary said an investigation is already underway locally, and a team will also be sent from Bengaluru to investigate. After receiving both the reports, action will be taken against the culprits, the CMO said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that necessary steps would be taken to improve treatment and service quality in government hospitals. Siddaramaiah spoke at the Florence Nightingale Nurses Awards ceremony held in collaboration with the Health Department and Indian Unity Center at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha. (PTI) He spoke at the Florence Nightingale Nurses Awards ceremony held in collaboration with the Health Department and Indian Unity Center at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha. A system should be evolved so that everyone, including me can get treatment in government hospitals. This requires the government and health workers to work together with determination. READ | Zika virus: A Bengaluru doctor's guide to prevention techniques "Jayadeva Hospital is a model. All politicians are treated at this hospital. Quality, cleanliness and discipline persists in Jayadeva Hospital. It is possible to create the same system in other government hospitals as well. All that is needed for this is honesty, service spirit and diligence," the Karnataka CM said. Congratulating all the awardees for the year 2023, which is named after Florence Nightingale, who was known as "Lady with the Lamp", the Chief Minister said that nursing profession is the most sacred one. READ | Karnataka govt to receive socio-economic caste survey report: CM Siddaramaiah Nurses are the true caretakers of all patients. If the nurses work with a smile, half the disease will be cured. Confidence is the cure for many diseases, he said and appreciated the service mindset of the nurses, saying that their smiles increase the confidence of the patients to recover soon. The Chief Minister presented the Nightingale Award to Jemimal Christopher, R. Priyadarshini, Shashi Kumar, John Marshall, Bhuvaneshwari, Prescilla Rodrigues, Bharti Patil, MM Rathi, Shailaja BM, B. Renuka, Kavita and Dr. Sanjay M. Peerapur. Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao and senior officials of the department were present. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The BJP lost the Karnataka Assembly polls as it could not work in the southern state the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi works at the national level and also failed to set a proper narrative before elections, party general secretary C T Ravi said on Monday. The senior BJP leader said it was Opposition parties that were working for industrialists "Adani and Ambani," while Modi and his party were committed to uplift of the poor. Hitting out at the Congress, CT Ravi said the party was associated with corruption, communalism and family politics. Hitting out at the Congress, he said the party was associated with corruption, communalism and family politics. Addressing a press conference here in Goa, Ravi said multiple factors were involved in the outcome of the Assembly polls in Karnataka, where the Congress put up an impressive performance last month, winning more than 130 seats in the 224-member House. The BJP bagged 65 seats, down from more than 100 in 2018. READ | 'Wants to eliminate patriotism, make 'Mughalistaan': BJP v Cong on textbook row The BJP has managed to secure its own vote. Due to guarantee card (pre-poll promises made by Congress), we lost 100-200 votes in each polling booth, he said. The general secretary in-charge of Goa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu said the BJP could not set a proper narrative in Karnataka head of polls last month, which was one of the reasons for its loss in the southern state. The BJP failed to retain power in Karnataka "as we could not work like PM (at the national level", said Ravi. Speaking further, he alleged it was Opposition parties that were working for top industrialists in the country, while the BJP was pro-poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a reformer, performer and transformer. The Opposition has been making baseless allegations against him. PM Modi has never worked for Adani and Ambani. It was Opposition parties which were working for Adani and Ambani, Ravi said. The BJP leader said the Modi government has been working for the poor people through its welfare schemes and policies. Modi introduced 'Make In India' concept which will help the country become self-reliant, he maintained. Ravi alleged the Congress rule between 2004-2014 was linked to corruption which was not the case with the BJP-led government at the Centre. READ | Karnataka government shouldn't act out of revenge: Former minister Ashwath Narayan We have to compare the situation during the UPA (headed by Congress) to the current Modi-led rule. We can say the Congress means scam. Today there is no scam. The BJP means scheme, while the Congress means scam, he claimed. The BJP leader said the poor have been made part of the administrative system under the Modi government and pointed out that crores of bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a financial inclusion programme, since 2014. He said the Congress means communalism and family politics. Politics of Modi encompasses entire India, while Congress politics means only their own family members, Ravi said. The BJP leader said political outfits like the NCP, the Samajwadi Party, the RJD, the JDS, the National Conference and the TMC are pariwarwadi parties (family run). All these parties are against the BJP. They claim democracy is under threat but there is no (internal) democracy in their own parties. There is dynasty and dictatorship, he alleged. The BJP leader claimed foreign policies were earlier either Russia or America-centric, but now they have become "India-centric". SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday attended a tiffin meeting at Jhandutta in his home district Bilaspur to mark the completion of nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at centre.The tiffin meeting is an outreach initiative of the BJP, wherein workers and leaders bring their own meals and eat together while holding interactions. Nadda said more than 1,121 lakh metric tonnes of free food grains have been distributed under Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojna. (HT Photo) BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal, national vice president Saudan Singh, MLAs JR Katwal and Trilok Jamwal, former ministers Rajendra Garg, former MP Suresh Chandel and BJP state chief spokesperson Randhir Sharma were among others present on the occasion. While relishing homemade food, the leaders discuss various achievements of the Modi government in nine years. Speaking on the occasion, Nadda said that the Modi government has taken major steps to ensure food security of 80 crore population of country and more than 1,121 lakh metric tonnes of free food grains have been distributed under Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojna while people were easily getting ration under one nation one ration card scheme. Nadda said that India has taken the worlds largest financial inclusion initiative, under this, more than 48.27 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the country and direct benefit transfer of more than 25 lakh crore rupees has been done in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries across the country. An estimated saving of 2.73 lakh crore has been achieved through this process, he said. To ensure the welfare of the farmer, Nadda said, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana was launched in 2019, under which farmers get 6,000 every year in three equal installments. So far more than 11.39 crore farmers have been benefitted under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana, he said. He said that Kisan Fasal Bima Yojana has also benefited the farming community immensely. Opposition depriving OBCs of rights: Nadda Later addressing a press conference at Bilaspur, Nadda said that a report by National Commission for Backward Classes has made some very crucial revelations about OBC reservation being openly violated in West Bengal, Bihar and Rajasthan. He said that the opposition parties, which claim to be biggest well-wishers of OBC community and demand a caste census, were depriving the OBC people of their rights in the state where they were in power. He alleged that the Mamta Banerjee government was offering OBC quota to Muslim community for politics of appeasement. You will be surprised to know that the benefit of 91.5% OBC reservation in Bengal has been given to Muslims, he alleged. In Bengal, 179 castes of OBCs have been recorded by the NCBC and out of these 118 castes of the Muslim community have been included. Mamta government was giving caste reservation certificates to Bangladeshi infiltration and Rohangiyas. This is a very serious issue and can be detrimental for national security, he said. He said that the similar was the situation of OBC reservation in Bihar and Rajasthan. Notwithstanding the vehement resistance from the Opposition, Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit on Monday gave the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) a go-ahead to set up the new integrated waste management plant at Dadumajra, where another plant already exists. AAP councillors after the all-party meeting with the UT administrator in Chandigarh on Monday. (Keshav Singh/HT) The Opposition leaders, primarily Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors, had been crying foul as the agenda on the new plant had been passed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors in the June 6 meeting after mayor Anup Gupta suspended all 13 AAP councillors for a day following their verbal spat with BJP MP Kirron Kher. On Monday, the administrator called an all-party meeting after AAP and Congress councillors sought his time and demanded to declare all proceedings of the June 6 meeting null and void. Six out of the total seven councillors of the Congress, and 11 out of the 13 AAP councillors and 12 out of 14 from BJP were present in Mondays meeting. No other option available After meeting all-party councillors and listening to their demands, Purohit addressed the media and said, As per the citys 1987 master plan, the dumping ground has been approved at Dadumajra. The city does not have any other vacant 50-acre land where the new integrated plant can be set up. Also, the site has already got environmental clearances and the project has been designed and approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), which is a premier institute and has previously worked on several successful projects like the waste processing plant in Goa. He added, The new plant will ensure greenery, cleanliness and technical functionalities at Dadumajra and the area will become free of foul smell. Legacy waste will be bio-mined and the fresh waste will be processed on the same day, leaving no scope for garbage dump. Also, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed heavy penalties on Chandigarh for not processing the waste and I advise Chandigarh MC and the UT administration to speed up the process to set up the plant so that the city can be freed of the garbage dump. Batting for transparency, he shared that councillors, along with the mayor, will be made part of the pre-bidding meeting -- as members of the high-powered committee -- so that they can discuss technical aspects with the firm. On Dadumajra councillor Kuldeep Dhalors request of relocating the plant from the residential area, Purohit said, I will personally visit the area every three months to take stock of the processing and listen to the public and councillors grievances. Dhalor owes allegiance to the AAP. AAP, Congress continue protest The AAP and Congress councillors continued to oppose the upcoming project. The meeting called by the administrator was a mere formality. In fact, the Chandigarh administration has already made up its mind to set up a plant in Dadumajra itself. The administrator got up from the meeting as soon as I wanted to present my point. I urged the administrator to visit the area and see the problems of the local people, but he said that the solid waste plant will be set up in Dadumajra only, said Kuldeep Dhalor of AAP. Congress city chief HS Lucky said, The UT administration is adamant to set up the plant in Dadumajra and now they have got backing from the administrator himself. We still want them to find an alternative site for the plant and it can be set up near N-choe. We wanted to discuss technical and financial issues but he said those can be taken up in a pre-bid meeting. We will decide the further course of action soon. Abuses should not have been made in House Meanwhile, reacting to abuses hurled during the June 6 meeting, Purohit said it should not have happened. There was some misunderstanding and ignorance. It should not have happened. Also, the house meeting cannot be called null and void because even Parliament sees walkouts, protests and suspension of leaders, he said. About the project Aimed at effectively tackling the citys daily waste generation of 550 metric tonnes (MT), the new plant, with a capacity of 600 tonnes per day, is proposed to comprise three facilities one each for dry, wet and horticulture waste. Spread over 20 acres, it will be set up on a part of the Dadumajra landfill after clearing the area and as per the proposal, the project will be allotted for a total of 17 years, including two years for construction, and 15 years for operation and maintenance. The waste management journey of Chandigarh has been checkered and two legacy waste mountains of 5 LMT and 8 LMT have come up in the past decades as a result of inadequate waste processing facilities. At present, the civic body collects around 550 metric tonnes (MT) of garbage daily, of which around 374 MT is wet waste while the remaining is dry waste. The Chandigarh MC is operating a wet waste plant on the premises of the erstwhile Jaypee Group Plant, the capacity of which, even after upgrade and extensions, is less than 200 MT daily. With insufficient processing capacity, the civic body is dumping around 174 MT of unprocessed fresh wet waste at Dadumajra dumping ground daily, which can cause a third garbage mountain in coming years if the new plant is not set up. Notably, MCs failure to run the solid waste processing plant efficiently has been among the reasons for Chandigarhs poor show in the last few Swachh Survekshan rankings, and was also a central issue during the 2021 MC elections. UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit has recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged manipulations in the minutes of a meeting of a State Board for Wildlife of Chandigarh held last year, and subsequent clearance for construction in Sukhna catchment and bird sanctuary area. Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Monday. (Keshav Singh/HT) Addressing the media on Monday, Purohit confirmed that a CBI probe has been ordered. The administrator said that the probe was one of the reasons for Indian Forest Services (IFS) officer IFS Debendra Dalais transfer. As per information, in mid-May, a complaint was lodged with the UT administrator regarding six illegal constructions by two UT builders and four by Punjab builders, in Sukhna catchment and bird sanctuary area. It is pertinent to mention here, that all construction activities are banned in the Sukhna catchment area as it is an eco-sensitive zone. In 2017, the Delhi high court had rejected the proposal to construct a 95-metre high and 28-storey building project named Camelot in Kansal area of the Sukhna catchment. Later, on November 5, 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict of Delhi HC on the Camelot project. A senior official said that during the State Board for Wildlife meeting held on June 27 last year, which was chaired by UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit, the then chief wildlife warden-cum-member secretary Debendra Dalai had brought additional agenda about the projects but it was not discussed, However, in the minutes of the meeting, it was mentioned that after discussion, it was decided that no further action was needed against the projects as the stalled projects were currently facing proceedings under the law and the board had decided to close the matter. Of the two projects of Chandigarh, located in Industrial Area, one project had environmental clearance and a clarification was sought from the Ministry of Environment and Forest if wildlife clearance was also required, but the reply was still awaited. In the second project, an FIR was registered for starting construction without getting approval from the board. The officer added, when the UT administrator came to know that the agenda has been approved, even though he had never given a go-ahead to it, an internal inquiry was conducted. On May 22, in-camera proceedings were done and Dalais statement was also recorded, and on May 26, he was transferred, the officer added. When contacted, IFS Debendra Dalai said, I have nothing to do with the issue. It is an old matter and it seems there is some confusion. On May 26, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change transferred Debendra Dalai, chief conservator of forest and environment director, Chandigarh, to Arunachal Pradesh with immediate effect. Dalai had joined Chandigarh in 2018 and served for around five years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hillary Victor Hillary Victor is a Principal Correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh administration, municipal corporation and all political parties. ...view detail The Haryana government on Tuesday said that the Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (also known as HAFED) has started procurement of sunflower crop on 4800 and now it will be increased to 5000 a quintal, paving way for the farmers to end their protest. The government had earlier announced to procure sunflower seed at 4800 a quintal and now the rate has increased to 4900, but now we have been told to increase the rate to 5000 a quintal from Wednesday. Even the government has also decided to provide fair price to the farmers by increasing the procurement price or the compensatory amount ( 1000 per quintal) under the Bhavantar Bharpai Scheme, Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Shantanu Sharma announced. Sharma said there was no clarity weather the procurement will be done on minimum support price (MSP) or not. Farmer leader Suresh Koth said that the government has agreed to fill the gap between the MSP and market price including 1000 being paid under Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. He added that Gurnam Charuni and other farmer leaders will be released soon. Following the announcement, the farmers lifted the blockade and started vacating the protest site. Traffic is likely to be restored on NH-44 (Delhi-Amritsar). The farmers had blocked the National Highway-44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Shantanu Sharma said the farmers will get fair price as the commercial procurement rate will be enhanced to 5000 from 4800 per quintal.(Twitter/ANI) Days after an Ambala-based hotelier was found dead in the fields on Durana-Bokar Majra village road, police on Monday claimed to have solved the case with the arrest of his friend. Days after an Ambala-based hotelier was found dead in the fields on Durana-Bokar Majra village road, police on Monday claimed to have solved the case with the arrest of his friend. (HT File) A special investigation team (SIT), constituted to probe the matter, arrested Vikas of Tosham in Bhiwani, an employee of the health department, posted as a multi-purpose health worker (MPHW) at primary health centre (PHC) of Nurpur village in the city. The victim, Sukhchain Singh, 36, a resident of Nurpur village, was found dead on May 27, a day after he had gone missing. His wife said that Sukhchain had left for work but not returned. Superintendent of police Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, said, During interrogation, the accused Vikas revealed that for the last two years, he had been living in a rented accommodation in Durana village and often used to have food at a hotel on Durana village chowk. He became good friends with the hotel owner (Sukhchain). Vikas said he had taken a loan from a private bank to start a computer centre, but his business did not go well and he failed to repay the same. He then took a loan on a car, but he was unable to repay the installment of both the loans, the SP said. Later, bank officials reached his parents house for loan payment following which, he asked Sukhchain for help but was turned down. Vikas, however, knew that Sukhchain was in possession of some money as he was in the middle of a land deal. In an attempt to obtain Sukhchains money with deceit, Vikas mixed some sedatives in the formers milkshake and took him to his room. Seeing Sukhchain in an inebriated condition, Vikas strangled him with a belt and took away 3.60 lakh in his possession. He then dumped Sukhchains body in the field, Randhawa added. A police spokesperson said Vikas was arrested on June 10 and taken on a six-day remand after he was presented before a court. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Khanna police have arrested another member of weapon supply mode and recovered five illegal weapons from his possession. A case under sections 25, 54 and 59 of Arms act is already lodged against the accused at police station Doraha of Khanna. (iStock) His aide was earlier arrested by Khanna police on May 17. As many as 10 illegal weapons have been recovered from the gang. The arrested accused has been identified as Gagandeep Singh of Sandhu Patti village of Barnala. He was lodged in Gurgaon jail. The Khanna police brought him on a production warrant from the jail. Following the information provided by the accused, the police recovered 3 pistols, 2 revolvers and 1 countrymade pistol from his possession. Gagandeep is already facing trial in 39 cases, including possessing illegal weapons, attempt to murder and other cases. Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said that the accused has links with various gangs operating in Punjab. The accused used to supply weapons to them. The SSP added that on May 17, the police had arrested Divesh of Beri village in Jhajjar of Haryana and had recovered 5 illegal pistols from his possession. Following the information provided by him, the police booked Gagandeep in the case. A case under sections 25, 54 and 59 of Arms act is already lodged against the accused at police station Doraha of Khanna. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Working on the new building for the deputy commissioners (DC) office near Hotel Shivalik in Sector 17, the Delhi-based consultant recently submitted its report to the UT administration whose engineering department has suggested some changes. The proposal to relocate the DC office was mooted in 2018. The Chandigarh administration subsequently identified the vacant two-acre land next to Hotel Shivalikview for the project. (HT Photo) UT chief engineer CB Ojha said they had suggested a few changes, including that all public-dealing offices should be on the ground floor for convenience of the public. We will be holding a meeting with all stakeholders soon. Thereon, the project file will be sent to the ministry of home affairs for final approval and work is expected to begin by year-end, he said. He further said tenders for conducting the soil capacity check of the project site had been floated. The proposal to relocate the DC office within Sector 17 was mooted in 2018. The administration subsequently identified the vacant two-acre land next to Hotel Shivalikview for the project. The seven-storey building will have parking space for around 600 cars in the basement. Besides, it will also house several offices, including those of the registering and licensing authority, registrar co-operating society, excise and taxation department, census department, election department, revenue department, tehsildar office and registrar, food and supplies department, labour and employment, measurement department, industries, colony rehabilitation wing, building branch and Red Cross. The UT engineering department will also approaching the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) next week, as the existing DC Office building, near the TS Central State Library in Sector 17, is proposed to be converted into a modern art gallery with an amphitheatre in front of it. Box: 100 crore project To be set up a cost of nearly 100 crore, the new building will come up with future-proof technologies and conform to a 5-star GRIHA rating. Incorporating the latest environmental norms, the building will have a sewage treatment plant and rooftop solar power plant, to generate its own tertiary treated water and electricity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has reiterated its previous directives to all doctors, emphasising prescription of generic medicines for patients who seek medical care or are admitted to PGIMER. Earlier, PGIMER had issued office orders on May 25 regarding prescription of generic medicines. A copy of the fresh order has been sent to the deans, deputy director administration, medical superintendent, all heads of the departments and Association of Resident Doctors president. (HT File) According to the institute, it is also in line with the vision of the Union ministry of health and family welfare in providing affordable medical treatment to the poor and needy patients. As per the recent orders undersigned by PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal, It has been observed that the order is not being followed in letter and spirit. It is therefore again reiterated to prescribe generic medicines so that every patient visiting PGIMER gets affordable medicines. Any deviation to this order will be viewed seriously. Earlier, PGIMER had issued office orders on May 25 regarding prescription of generic medicines. A copy of the fresh order has been sent to the deans, deputy director administration, medical superintendent, all heads of the departments and Association of Resident Doctors president. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hours after police removed protesting farmers from outside the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) headquarters in Patiala, farm unions on Tuesday blocked national highways at multiple locations in seven southern Malwa districts. Farm leaders being detained in Punjabs Mansa during protest on Tuesday. (HT Photo) However, Punjab police detained a large number of farmers and forcefully lifted protests from all the sites. The police on Tuesday resorted to mild lathicharge to evict the farmers from the gates of PSPCL HQ and arrested their leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite fast in support of their demands. The police action began around 3.30am. In Faridkot, the district police detained 63 farmers, who were blocking National Highway 54 (Amritsar-Bathinda) near Tehna village and started inquest proceedings under Sections 107 and 150 of CrPc at Faridkot Sadar police station. In Bathinda, more than 50 farmers were detained by police. The farmers had blocked NH-54 at Goniana village and the Bathinda-Dabwali highway at Balluana. BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) leader Ranjit Singh said that the government is behaving like a dictator as the action was taken on farmers protesting peacefully. In Mansa, around 36 farmers, who were blocking the Mansa-Bathinda highway, were detained by the cops. BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) Mansa president Jagdev Singh Bhaini said the government is trying to suppress farmers agitation with the strength of baton, which is wrong. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, and environment forest and climate change Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Tuesday handed over as many as 152 appointment letters to new recruits during a Rozgar Mela in Ambala. Union minister handing over appointment letters to new recruits during a Rozgar Mela in Ambala. (HT Photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who participated in the mela at 45 locations across the country via video-conferencing, addressed the successful candidates at the central event. A total of 70,000 appointment letters were distributed to the candidates. The newly-inducted employees will be joining departments such as the department of posts, department of school education, department of higher education, ministry of defence, department of revenue, ministry of health and family welfare, department of atomic energy, ministry of railways, department of audit and accounts, department of atomic energy and ministry of home affairs among others. While addressing the gathering, Choubey said, The government remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable development. The Union minister later met Haryana home minister Anil Vij at his residence and both inspected the under-construction site of Shaheed Smarak (1857 war memorial) on NH-44. The memorial, being constructed on 22 acres, is the largest such covered structure in India and is likely to be inaugurated by the PM next year. Amid ongoing communal tension in Purola town, the Uttarakashi district administration in Uttarakhand on Tuesday denied permission to the maha panchayat called by Hindu organisations on June 15. The Uttarakhand Police said that they are committed to ensure the security of law-bound citizens. (File) Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Purola, Devanand Sharma on Tuesday evening said, We have denied permission to the Purola Pradhan Sangathan to hold the Mahapanchayat on June 15. After the peace meeting with district magistrate (DM) and superintendent of police (SP) on Monday, the organisers gave in writing that they are taking back their request (for permission). His statement came after Hindu and Muslim organisations on Tuesday reiterated their call for the maha panchayats. The Muslim organisations had scheduled their maha panchayat in Dehradun on June 18. Ankit Rawat, president of Block Pradhan Sangathan, said, The administration wanted us to call off the Mahapanchayat. We conveyed to the DM that the maha panchayat would be peaceful. Local people want maha panchayat, not us. We are bound by what people say. We want to send a message through maha panchayat that illegal activities by a particular community will not be tolerated in our peaceful town anymore. We will take a call tomorrow (Wednesday) after meeting of stakeholders whether to hold maha panchayat or not. Swami Darshan Bharti, founder of the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, said, Its our democratic right to hold the maha panchayat. How can they speculate that violence can happen during the maha panchayat? We will conduct the maha panchayat peacefully. Even if the administration denies (permission), the maha panchayat will take place. If anybody would try to disturb us, we will end the maha panchayat at that very moment. We will not allow this (maha panchayat by Muslims) to happen even if we have to take a big step, he said. Waseem Ahmed, media in-charge of the Muslim Seva Sangathan, said, The preparations for the maha panchayat are underway. People from across the state including Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haldwani will participate in the maha panchayat. Additional director general of police (Law and Order) V Murugesan said, It is for the local administration to decide whether to allow or not the maha panchayat in Purola. It is paramount for us to maintain law and order and we are committed to ensure the security of law-bound citizens. Action will be taken against people who will try to take the law into their hands. He said instructions have already been issued to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) and superintendent of police (SP) to take appropriate action in this regard. The interfaith tensions in the hill town of Purola trace back to May 26 after two men, a Muslim and a Hindu, allegedly tried to abduct a 14-year-old girl. Local residents alleged it was a case of love jihad a term used by right-wing groups to describe an alleged conspiracy by Muslim men to woo and seduce Hindu women, although courts and the Union government do not officially recognise it. While the two accused Ubed Khan (24), a local shopkeeper, and Jitender Saini (23), a motorcycle mechanic were arrested on May 27, the incident led to right wing groups holding protests in several areas and attacking shops and houses of several Muslims. Posters threatening Muslim traders to shut shops and leave the state by June 15 also came up at Uttarkashis Purola market on June 5. The tension has prompted Muslims to keep their shops shut and some families to leave the district. The Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, whose courtesy was given in the posters that came up in Purola asking Muslim traders to vacate before June 15 maha panchayat, on its Facebook page on Monday posted an invitation for people to participate in large numbers in the maha panchayat on June 15. The post said, To protect the Santan heritage of our sisters, daughters and forefathers, all right-wing organisations, warriors, saints and public of the Purola area should attend the maha panchayat. All should discharge their religious duty. Meanwhile, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and member of Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday tweeted, The scheduled Mahapanchayat on June 15 should be banned. Those living there should be given security. Arrangements should be made to bring back those who are migrating from there. The BJP government should send culprits to jail, and peace should prevail. A delegation of Muslim leaders met chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday over the exodus of Muslims from Purola. MLA Laksar Mohd Shahzad said, We ask CM Dhami to ensure that the law takes its course in the Purola incident and the security of Muslims should be ensured. He gave us assurance that the situation will get back to normal in Purola. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji and some others as part of a money laundering investigation and held multi-city searches, official sources said. Tamil Nadu electricity minister V Senthil Balaji.(File) Balaji's office room at the Secretariat here was among the locations raided by the ED officials. The minister, a DMK strongman from Karur district, said he was not aware of what the officials had come searching for at his premises and assured to extend total cooperation in the probe. The raids are being carried out at Balaji's premises in state capital Chennai and his native Karur. Besides these, ED officials also searched the house of a Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) lorry contractor in Erode district. State-run TASMAC is the retailer of liquor in Tamil Nadu. Balaji also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio The Supreme Court had earlier allowed police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who was earlier with the AIADMK. He was Transport minister in the late Jayalalithaa-led cabinet. The ED conducted the searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. Last month, the Income Tax department too had searched people close to Balaji in the state. Responding to the ED searches today, Balaji said he was "ready to extend full cooperation" to the investigating agency. "With what intention have they come, what are they looking for, we will see. Let it get over," he told reporters soon after the sleuths started the searches. Whether it be the IT or ED, Balaji assured full cooperation for the authorities concerned, adding whatever explanation sought by officials based on documents, will be provided. The minister, who went for a morning walk, said he took a taxi back home after receiving a message about the raids at his premises. ED officials were accompanied by central paramilitary personnel during the raids. Last month, Income Tax officials were allegedly attacked in Karur when they went to conduct searches at some places linked to Balaji. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday staged a massive protest in Jaipur against the ruling Ashok Gehlot government over paper leak incidents in the state. To disperse the protesters, the Jaipur Police used water cannons. The BJP accused the Ashok Gehlot government of corruption practices. (Twitter/ANI) In a video, posted by news agency ANI, police officers can be seen using a water cannon on protestors, many of whom were carrying BJP flags. The BJP accused the Ashok Gehlot government of corruption practices. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Meena told new agency PTI, that the protest was to expose the corruption practices carried out by state's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal as well as the mines and Jal Jeevan Mission related scams in Rajasthan. Addressing the party before the protest march, Meena said that there was a 5,000 crore-worth scam in the Department of Information and Technology (DoIT), however when the Anti-Corruption Bureau sought permission to investigate, Gehlot refused. He said, The BJP will expose a mines scam in the days to come. Also, a scam in Jal Jeevan Mission and corruption cases of UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal will be exposed. He further added, Corruption is rampant under Gehlot government. Sixteen papers of competitive exams were held in one year in Rajasthan and all of them were leaked. Now, the Enforcement Directorate has come and started investigation, and therefore Gehlot is afraid. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The University of Lucknow is organising a free yoga camp at 100 different locations in Lucknow from Wednesday (June 14). This initiative is spearheaded by the Faculty of Yoga and Alternative Medicine, as part of the Campus to Community programme, aimed at promoting yoga and alternative therapies among the public. For representation only (HT File Photo) The week-long yoga camp ending on June 21, will offer individuals a unique opportunity to embrace the transformative power of yoga. The camp is free of charge, reflecting the universitys commitment to making yoga accessible to everyone, said vice chancellor, Prof Alok Kumar Rai. The camp holds promise for individuals grappling with health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and joint issues. Participants will have the chance to not only engage in rejuvenating yoga sessions but also receive expert consultations tailored to their specific needs. The efforts of the dean faculty of yoga, Prof SK Sonkar, and Amarjeet Yadav are instrumental in ensuring that the camp will be a valuable experience for the public. Their expertise and dedication are integral to the success of this transformative event, which aims to empower individuals and enhance their well-being through yoga, said LU spokesperson, Durgesh Srivastav. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Four teenaged boys were feared drowned in the sea at Juhu Koliwada beach on Monday evening after they ventured to the deep end of the jetty and were washed away during high tide. Search and rescue operations on for four children who drowned at Juhu Koliwada beach, in Mumbai on Monday. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT) Ignoring warnings of rough sea because of Cyclone Biparjoy and high tide, a total of eight boys ventured to the deep end of the jetty and sat on the ledge there. According to the Mumbai Police, one boy was rescued by the local fisherman, while three others ran away. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporaton (BMC) suspended search and rescue operation due to bad weather and darkness at 11pm. The four drowned boys have been identified as Dharamsh Bhujiya, 15, Manish Bhogania, 15, Shubham Bhogania, 16, Jai Tajpariya, 16. The rescued boy is Dipesh Karan, 16, and the three who managed to run away from the spot are Dharam Nitesh, 16, Kaushal Tajpariya, 15 and Ankit Bhujia, 16. They are all residents of Dutt Mandir road, Vakola. Mumbai Fire Brigade launched a search and rescue operation around 5:30pm and said lifeguards with jet skis and life jackets were deployed. Officials of the Mumbai Fire Brigade said that the high tide made the operation difficult. A Navy chopper too was pressed into operation at 8.20 pm. Disaster management said, search operation was carried out with night search light, rope manilla etc but the missing boys were not found. However, due to darkness and bad weather, the BMC suspended the search operation at 11 pm. At Juhu Koliwada, fishermen said drowning is a frequent occurrence in this part of the beach. They said that easy access to the jetty, which goes a few hundred meters into the sea, and lack of security often leads youngsters to venture to the deep end of the jetty, causing accidents. A distressed relative of Dharmesh Faujiya said, We didnt know that the kids were here. We have lost our young boy. I hope the authorities bring him back alive. The sea has taken him. As Juhu Beach gets crowded with visitors, most of the lifeguards are stationed there, and this part of the beach rarely has any. While the locals understand the dangers of the rough sea, youngsters and tourists do not and venture into the sea. The sea gets so rough that it is difficult even for us to rescue or take the boats inside, said a fisherman. This part of the beach has a huge opening; youngsters keep walking on the jetty and go deep. We keep discouraging them, but the crowd is so much that it gets difficult, said a policeman. A distressed relative of Dharmesh Faujiya said, We didnt know that the kids were here. We have lost our young boy. I hope the authorities bring him back alive. The sea has taken him. Due to the rough sea in the evening and following the incident, entry to the Main Juhu Beach was shut by the police and heavy security was deployed. Cyclone Biparjoy caused inclement weather across the west coast as it modified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Monday. It is expected to make landfall near Jakhau in Gujarat on June 15 . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The mortal remains of 32-year-old Saraswati Vaidya, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner Manoj Sane, 56, on June 4, were handed over to her sisters on Monday who performed her last rites in the evening at Mira Road. Mira Road murder: Sisters collect mortal remains of Saraswati Vaidya; perform last rites After completing the paperwork at the Naya Nagar police station, the three sisters were sent to JJ Hospital along with a police constable to collect Vaidyas chopped body parts which the police found at the crime scene on June 7. Also read: Mumbai Mira Road murder: Manoj and Saraswati were husband-wife, claim victim's sisters The sisters thereafter performed the last rites of Vaidya in the evening, said a police officer. The police on Sunday concluded the search operation for Vaidyas body parts after they failed to find any in the drain behind Geeta Akashdeep Building, Geeta Nagar, Phase 7, Mira Road, where the couple stayed. Sane, who was arrested on June 7, told the police that he had dumped a few parts of the victims body in the drain. The police have collected 13 pieces of evidence from the couples flat on the seventh floor. The evidence includes two buckets, a tub, two bowls, a pressure cooker, medicines, the couples phones, an electric saw used to hack her body, knives, clothes and Sanes black backpack, which he used to dispose of the body parts. Upon checking Sanes phone we have found a photo of Vaidyas body taken immediately after he had killed her and was planning to dispose of it, said an officer. Meanwhile, Sane, who is in police custody, said that he married Vaidya in Tungareshwar temple in Vasai a few years ago. We have found photos of the couple in the temple premises, added an investigating officer. Also read: Mumbai Mira Road murder accused claims to be HIV+, says Saraswati was possessive: Report On June 7, the Naya Nagar police responded to a call by the residents of the Geeta Akashdeep Building about a stench emitting from flat number 704. Upon breaking the door, the police saw an electric saw on the bed and the body parts of Vaidya chopped into pieces and stacked inside buckets, tubs and bowls. A bunch of her hair was lying on the kitchen floor and some body parts boiled in a pressure cooker. The police arrested Sane the same night for murdering Vaidya. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it would be difficult to provide separate reservation for transgender persons in education and government jobs. Transgenders persons.(HT File) Advocate General Birendra Saraf told a division bench of acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep Marne that creating additional reservations for transgender persons would breach the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations set by the Supreme Court. "Considering the extent of vertical and horizontal reservations, which are already provided, providing additional reservations for transgender persons seems difficult," Saraf said. READ | Tracking devices, separate transgender cells: Centre outlines new prison rules The court was hearing a petition filed by one Vinayak Kashid, a transgender who is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and post graduate in Technology (Electrical Power System Engineering), seeking modification to the advertisement issued by MahaTransco in May this year for mass recruitment to include transgenders. Kashid's lawyer Kranti LC had earlier informed the court that 1 per cent reservation was provided for transgenders in all caste categories in Karnataka, and prayed that such reservation policy be adopted in Maharashtra as well. The bench adjourned hearing in the plea so that the state government's expert committee (set up on the issue) consider the aspect of reservation first. The state government had in March this year issued a government resolution (GR) for recruitment of transgenders in employment and education. The GR stated that an expert committee would be set up under the social justice department comprising 14 members. The 14 members were mostly secretaries of various state departments and psychologists. KALYAN Deceased Amol Lokhande (Pramod Tambe / HT PHOTO) The Kolsewadi police in Kalyan have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly stabbing to death a 39-year-old man over personal enmity in Kalyan on Sunday night. The accused has been identified as Jayesh Doiphode alias Takya, while the deceased is identified as Amol Lokhande. Both resided in Kolsewadi area of Kalyan. According to police, the incident took place in Samtanagar area in Durgamata Temple Road in Kolsewadi when the accused Doiphode started a heated argument with Lokhande. Following this, Doiphode pulled out a knife, and stabbed Lokhande in his abdomen, chest and hands. He collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood. Locals and passersby took him to Rukhmanibai hospital nearby where he was pronounced dead during treatment. The Kolsewasi police booked a murder case against Doiphode on Sunday on the charges of murder. Further investigations are on, said police inspector Sunil Gavli, he added We are checking how many offenses had been registered against the accused across the Thane commissionerate. An advertisement put out in regional and national newspapers by the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has upset the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the state, bringing the fissures between the two ruling parties to the fore. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. (File) The full-page advertisement was run with a headline Modi for India, Shinde for Maharashtra and it carried a survey report that projected Shinde as more popular than deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The BJP had projected Fadnavis as the face of the state unit of the party in the previous election of 2019 through similar advertisements. The advertisements in Marathi with the pictures of Modi and Fadnavis was run with the slogan Deshat Narendra, Rajyat Devendra (Narendra for nation, Devendra for the state). The latest advertisement said, According to the election surveys, 30.2% of citizens of the state prefer BJP, while 16.2% prefer Shiv Sena led by Shinde. This shows 46.4% of people trust the ruling alliance for the development of the state. According to the surveys done for the chief ministers position, 26.1% of the population desire to see Shinde as the CM, while 23.2% give preference to Fadnavis. Thus, 49.3% of the state population wish to see a strong ruling alliance for the states leadership, it added. However, reacting to it, BJPs state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that 2024 polls will tell who is more popular. Such advertisements or surveys have no value, as the people of the state decide who is more popular. The advertisement does not bear any significance. The people of the state will decide who is more popular in 2024-elections. One thing is clear, people of Maharashtra love the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Modiji. Fadnavisji was sworn in as the CM twice and is popular among the people. The advertisement has carried Shindes picture because he is chief minister of the state, he said. School education minister and Shiv Sena-Shinde faction leader Deepak Kesarkar said, The percentage of the popularity of the CM and DCM is collectively 59%. If there is an error in the advertisement, we will rectify it. Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, The advertisements given by government generally carry the photographs of both the leaders, but surprisingly this time Fadnaviss photograph is missing from the advertisement. I am also surprised about the figures quoted in the advertisement as the authenticity of these figures is in question. I am sure the two ruling parties will resort to damage control exercise, but such things widen the rift between the parties leading to rising discontent among the followers. I am sure Fadnavis followers must be upset over it. Excise minister and Shinde faction leader Shambhuraj Desai said that the advertisement has not created any rift between the ruling parties. The percentage of the popularity pertains to the ruling alliance and not only any of the parties. I have spoken to Fadanvis saheb and will speak to other BJP leaders to weed out any discontent if any within alliance. There are no differences within the ruling alliance, but some (opposition) are trying to engineer one. We will sort this out with mutual deliberation, he said. Earlier, the Shiv Sena led by Shinde was upset over BJPs claim on Kalyan and Thane seats and on reports that the BJP wants to drop 4 to 5 Shinde camp ministers for nonperformance and controversies. Kesarkar said that the reports that the BJP wants four to five ministers from Shinde faction to be dropped, have no substance. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: A media campaign by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde that apparently sidelines his deputy and the man who orchestrated his rise to the top, Devendra Fadnavis, has created a stir in the state. Mumbai, India - October 20, 2022: CM Eknath Shinde interacts with Dy. CM Devendra Fadnavis during the oath taking ceremony of Pollution-free Diwali along with students of various schools of Mumbai at Mantralaya, in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, October 20, 2022. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT PHOTO) A few days shy of the anniversary of his big revolt against Uddhav Thackeray which split the Shiv Sena, Shinde blanketed Mumbai newspapers with full page advertisements citing a survey that claims 46.4% people in the state trust a BJP-Sena government led by Shinde. Then, the advertisement goes on to claim that while 26.1% people want to see Eknath Shinde as their next CM, only 23.2% of those surveyed want to see Devendra Fadnavis as their next CM. The campaign, coming on the back of state BJPs purported demand that Shinde drop some of his partys ministers from the cabinet, is seen as a manifestation of the growing fissures between Shinde and Fadnavis. On Tuesday, the deputy CM, citing health issues, cancelled his appearance at a government function in Kolhapur where Shinde was the chief guest. I feel bad for my friend Fadnavis, quipped state congress chief Nana Patole. That famous Hindi film song, Dushman na kare dost ne who kaam kiya hai...seems apt for the occasion. What particularly hurt those in the Fadnavis camp was that the campaign projects the duopoly of Modi and Shinde. The double engine in this instance is driven by Prime Minister Modi at the centre and chief minister Eknath Shinde in the state. Not too long ago, in 2019 in fact, newspapers had run a campaign that went: Deshat Narendra, Rajyat Devendra (Narendra for nation, Devendra for the state). Shindes campaign instead projected his deputy as the third wheel. Such advertisements or surveys have no value as the people of the state will decide who is more popular in 2024, said state BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule before going on to add that all three, Modi, Shinde and Fadnavis enjoyed peoples support. Sources say that after Fadnavis expressed his displeasure, certain ministers from Shindes party met him at Sahyadri guest house and tried to placate him. By late afternoon on Tuesday, Fadnavis had reportedly instructed his party folk to remove all social media posts ranting against the advertisement, and the Shinde camp confirmed that as part of the campaign another advertisement was being issued on Wednesday to talk about the team work of Shinde and Fadnavis with a prominent photo of the two men. Both parties should respect each others leaders without falling prey to any political motive. This will hurt the relations between two parties. We have thrice the number of MLAs than the Shiv Sena, and Shinde could become CM only because of the BJPs sacrifice, said senior BJP leader Pravin Darekar. You (Shinde) could not have come to power on the strength of 40 MLAs alone. A close associate of Eknath Shinde who spoke to HT on the condition of anonymity, insisted that Shindes media campaign had been cleared at the highest level. The BJPs internal survey shows that its fortunes are dipping. The party has also taken note of whats happening in some quarters of the BJP in the state and they want to end this discomfort these people may have with the Shiv Sena leading the alliance. As much as ours, this campaign is also the BJP top brasss message to its cadre to fall in line, said the associate. He then went on to add that the campaign was also a message to the traditional Sena voter that no matter what, a Sainik would remain at the helm in state. Its a message to the Sena fence sitters to come to our side. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: Of the four teenagers who drowned off the Juhu Koliwada beach on Monday evening, the bodies of three were recovered from around the beach by the police and fire brigade on Tuesday. Mumbai, India - June 13, 2023: Body of one of the four teenaged boys who drowned on Monday found after search and rescue operations, at Juhu Koliwada Beach, Santacruz (West), in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.(Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO) Bodies of Shubham Bhogania, 16, Manish Bhogania, 15, and Dharmesh Bhujiya, 16, were recovered on Tuesday while search operations for Jay Tajpariya, 16, was on late in the night. As per Mumbai Fire Brigade, heavy winds and rough sea owing to Cyclone Biparjoy made the search and rescue operations difficult. After suspending the operations at 11 pm on Monday, the search and rescue efforts resumed on Tuesday morning, along with fire officials and lifeguards, helicopters from Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard were also pressed into service. Sachin Talekar, assistant divisional fire officer, said, Bodies of three have been recovered and one is still missing. Search operations are underway. Yesterday, the sea was extremely rough making it very difficult for anyone to go inside. The winds were so strong that even we, fire officials, had to hold each other and stand at the jetty while looking to rescue. Today, after we resumed operations, we saw one body near the Jetty. Our firemen and lifeguards jumped in using ropes and ring and recovered the body, added Talekar. The bodies of the three teenagers were handed over to the family on Tuesday. All four were residents of Datta Mandir road in Vakola. At 7:30pm in a narrow chawl lane, the atmosphere was sombre. The tiny houses, all in close vicinity, were home to the teenagers. The final rites of those who had been cremated were being carried out. Neighbours and relatives stood perched on the ledges of the shops. Passersby went through, the cobblestones wet and dirty from the rain. The neighbourhood, said one of its members, is tight knit and comes out in large numbers on all occasions. They enquired if the families, two out of the three of whom are helmed by widows, would receive any help. It was this way with the boys as well, who, according to a neighbour Hasmukh R Kavithiya, were born and brought up together. They were tight. Shubham worked as a distributor and earned around 10,000 a month, supporting the family as his father is deceased. His brother, Manish was on his way to the 10th grade. Dharmesh helped his ailing mother carry her load of saris as she went door to door selling them. With a brother who is mentally challenged and a deceased father, the burden of the family was on him. Jay was a grade behind Manish in the same Gujarati-medium school near the station, Sheth Chimanlal Nathuram High School. The friends were fond of shooting reels at various locations, be it Gateway of India or Bandra Bandstand. However, they were only out to play on the day of the incident. According to Hasmukh, theyd gotten muddy, and hence decided to go to Chowpatty to wash up. The lifeguard there shooed them away, leading them to venture to the empty Koliwada. There are fewer people today. But if youd come yesterday, youd have seen it was brimming with people, said Hasmukh. It was because we were all standing and demanded it, that the government sent out the helicopters and boats to search for them. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A jail inmate, accused of murder and extortion, on Tuesday escaped from a Faridabad hospital where he was undergoing treatment for a hip surgery, police said. Around 6 am, Naveesh gave a slip to the cops on duty on the pretext of going to the washroom, police said. The jail inmate's escape has raised questions on the police, since he was walking with the help of a walker after his surgery in BK Hospital. The inmate, identified as 30-year-old Naveesh alias Nahar Singh, was lodged in Neemka Jail following an FIR against him at Tigaon Police Station under sections 302 (murder) and 386 (extortion) of the IPC in 2021. A fresh FIR was registered against Naveesh on Tuesday, officials said, adding that police will probe the role of the five cops who were on duty with him at the hospital. According to the police, Naveesh had been hospitalised for seven days after complaining of pain in his hip. After the surgery, he was admitted to the prisoner ward in the hospital. A police team was also deployed to watch him in hospital. Around 6 am, Naveesh gave a slip to the cops on duty on the pretext of going to the washroom, police said. "Efforts are on to nab the accused. He will be arrested soon. Action will be taken against the cops if anyone is found involved with the accused," said ACP Aman Yadav, ACP (headquarters) of Faridabad. A local news portal journalist was arrested in Chhattisgarhs Raipur district on charges of allegedly circulating rumours against judiciary and government officers, police said on Monday. The case pertains to an article run on the portal by the arrested individual. (Representative file image) Nilesh Sharma, a Raipur based operator of the India Writers portal, was arrested by Bilaspur district police from capital Raipur on Sunday. Police said that Sharma was an associate of Sunil Namedeo, another Raipur-based news portal owner who was booked last month under sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505(1)(b) (Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause fear or alarm in the public) of the IPC based on a complaint of a lawyer. Namedeo was arrested on June 1 from Raipur. It is the same case in which Namedo was arrested. Sharma was an associate of Namdeo, said a senior police officer. Also Read:Two including a journalist arrested for extorting businessman According to a statement issued by Raipur police on June 1, Namedeo, the operator of NewsTodayCG.com was booked on the complaint by an advocate in Bilaspur over a news article run by him on a judge. Pursuing the legal action in the case against Sunil Namedeo, a team of Bilaspur police had come to Raipur. When they raided the Mana area of Raipur along with the local police station officers, the accused was caught. The police also recovered the banned MDMA drug from the accused which has been seized and the case under the NDPS Act was lodged by the Raipur Police against the accused, the statement issued on June 1 stated. However, Namedeos wife, Manmeet Sohal accused Chhattisgarh police claiming that her husband was framed by the police. This is a conspiracy against my husband. He is completely innocent and doing his journalism. The police framed them under the NDPS Act and sent him to jail, alleged Sohal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritesh Mishra State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh. Reports Maoism, Politics, Mining and important developments from the state. Covered all sorts of extremism in Central India. Reported from Madhya Pradesh for eight years. ...view detail A meeting at the Central Young Mizo Associations office by Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee on Monday has decided to hold a solidarity mass protest on June 23 in support of the members of the Kuki community in Manipur. Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee is a joint organisation of all the major civil societies and student bodies. (Representative file image) Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee is a joint organisation of all the major civil societies and student bodies. The protest rally will take place in front of the northern gate of the Raj Bhavan on June 23. We, the representatives of major organisations in the state expressed anguish over the loss of lives and properties which have created massive sufferings to our kindred brothers and sisters in Manipur hill areas, the statement issued stated. Also Read: No rationale: Meitei, Kuki groups refuse to participate in peace process In order to express condolences and sympathies to our brothers and show our solidarity with them in this hour of darkness, we have decided to organise Thlavang hauhna hun (a rally to show support and solidarity), the statement added. The Central Young Mizo President R Lalngheta said, The NGO Coordination Committee had also invited all the people of the state to participate in the protest rally; and also extend a request the sub-headquarters of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Young Lai Association (YLA) and Mara Thyutlia Py (MTP) or Young Mara Association, to organise a rally on that day in their respective district headquarters. On Saturday, the Centre constituted the peace committee headed by governor Anasuiya Uikey, and also comprising chief minister N Biren Singh, ministers, lawmakers and leaders from various parties, former civil servants, educationists, litterateurs, artists, social workers and representatives of different ethnic groups. The peace panel was first announced by union home minister Amit Shah as part of a raft of measures to tamp down tensions on June 1. At least 100 people lost their lives, while at least 310 people were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As maximum temperature levels are breaching previous records almost every day, the rise in demand for power has overwhelmed the states power infrastructure, resulting in frequent outages. Against this backdrop, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) chairman M Devraj spoke to HTs Brajendra K Parashar on distribution bottlenecks, outages, power theft, and more. Excerpts:- M Devraj (HT Photo) Power cuts are adding to the woes of people already grappling with the scorching heat spell. Is there a demand-supply gap? There is no demand-supply gap in the state. We are supplying electricity to people without any additional load shedding. For instance, the electricity demand peaked at 27,384 MW on Monday but we were successful in meeting the demand. So, where lies the problem? Power supply gets disrupted at some places due to local breakdowns like the explosion of transformers, bursting of underground cable, or breakage of overhead wires. The main issue is overloading due to increased demand. The problem is aggravated due to power theft by dishonest consumers, who use katiya connections to run ACs throughout the night. Recently, we found power pilferage to be the main reason behind overloading in some localities. Is overloading also an outcome of the mismatch in the sanctioned power load of consumers and the capacity of distribution substations? Load sanctioning and capacity augmentation is a continuous process. It is not a major factor responsible for overloading. What preparations have the UPPCL made to deal with the situation arising from distribution bottlenecks? We have asked officials to keep a strict watch on the situation. They ensure that local faults, if any, are fixed promptly. Field officials have been asked to stay in touch with local MLAs and MPs, to take their feedback, and to act accordingly. We have also told them to check power theft on the suspected feeders to reduce unauthorised load during the night. Sub-station staff and engineers often dont take phone calls when there is an outage. I do not dismiss this charge. Field staff, including engineers, have been directed to attend to all the calls and always give satisfactory response to complainants. However, at the same time, I also advise consumers to use the 1912 helpline as well to lodge their complaints. It helps us do online monitoring and act against erring staff. Generally, the power situation worsens in August-September due to coal shortage at thermal plants as rain spells hamper mining and transportation of coal. Any such crisis is unlikely this year because we have adequate coal stocks available to fire thermal plants in August and September. Besides, we have sufficient arrangements to procure power from various sources. At present, we are getting 3,000 MW of power from various states under the banking system. For the first time, we are getting power from states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir, among others. This has turned out to be a huge help. Also, some new thermal plants are expected to start generation partially by the next month. Any other message you would like to convey to people? Please refrain from indulging in the theft of electricity and pay your bill regularly and on time. This enables us to give even better consumer services. After all, the UPPCL has to pay the cost of the power it buys from generation companies. Nowadays, we are spending more than 3 crore on power purchases every day. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LUCKNOW The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government to probe the killing of 48-year-old Sanjeev Maheshwari (alias Jeeva) is likely to submit its findings in another 48 hours, said senior police officials aware of the development. Sanjeev Jeeva (HT File) The SIT, headed by additional director general of police (Technical) Mohit Agarwal, has Lucknows joint commissioner of police (Crime) Nilabja Choudhury and inspector general of police (Ayodhya range) Praveen Kumar as its members. The SIT was constituted on the night of June 7 hours after Jeevas killing inside a Lucknow court room. The assailant was dressed as a lawyer while eliminating Jeeva. Our investigation related to the incident is almost complete and its likely that report will be submitted within the time limit of one week provided to us, said an SIT member requesting anonymity. He added that the process of recording statements of as many as 10 police personnel, who were deployed to bring Jeeva from Lucknow district jail to court, and some other cops deployed to ensure security of the court is already done. The SIT member further said that the recreation of crime scene was also conducted to understand the sequence of events and the circumstances in which the shootout took place is also done. He said that the SIT head, Mohit Agarwal, will compile all the facts and decide on submitting the report after concluding the report. Earlier, the SIT had swung into the action soon after its formation and visited the crime scene inside the court room of SC/ST court at the old high court building, which is now part of the Lucknow district and sessions court premises,. The SIT, on Wednesday night itself, started their investigation. The SIT recreated the crime scene on Thursday. Later, it recorded the statements of 10 police personnel on Thursday and Friday. Similarly, the statements of four other local police official -- including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), West, Chiranjeev Nath Sinha -- were recorded on Monday. Earlier, Jeeva was shot dead allegedly by 26-year-old accused Vijay Yadav (alias Anand Yadav). He entered the court premises dressed as lawyer reportedly on the behest of an unknown mastermind. In the shoot-out, three more people -- including two head constables Lal Mohammed and Kamlesh Chowdhary, and an 18-months-old girl Laxmi -- sustained injuries. The girl is still undergoing treatment at the King George Medical Universitys trauma centre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihar Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe welfare minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM-S) chief Santosh Suman quit the state Cabinet on Tuesday amid speculations that the HAM might join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Santosh Suman said that the decision to quit was a well thought out decision after serious contemplations with party leaders over the last 10 days. (HT Photo) Also Read| After polls, parties will sit and decide the PM candidate, Nitish not in race: JD-U president His decision to quit came a day after his father and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said that he would not attend the united Opposition meeting called by chief minister Nitish Kumar to be held in Patna on June 23. On Monday, he also announced that the HAM would not contest even a single seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Earlier in February, he met Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi, triggering speculations about the HAM joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Suman told media persons that the decision to quit was a well thought out decision after serious contemplations with party leaders over the last 10 days. There was no option left for us, as the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) wanted to merge the HAM with it. It was not acceptable, as we could not sacrifice our party. That meant I should quit, he said. Also Read| 'Nitish will do same to Modi': Tejashwi's big claim ahead of Lok Sabha polls Asked whether the HAM will also walk out of the Grand Alliance (GA), he said, This is for the bigger Grand Alliance (GA) parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the JD-U to decide. I have quit as minister. The HAM is a party, and we cannot accept its dilution. We want to continue with the GA. On speculations that he might join the BJP alliance, Suman said that so far there has been no decision taken. My father Jitan Ram Manjhi had categorically said that he would remain with Nitish Kumar, but this never meant we should merge our party and end its existence. The proposal was such that we were left with no choice. The future strategy will be made after consultation with party leaders in the wake of the new situation, he said. People familiar with the matter in the HAM said that demand for tickets for the Lok Sabha election was another point of dispute with the GA. What has happened is not a days development. The ground for it was being prepared over the last few months, a person familiar with the matter on condition of anonymity. The JD-U, on the other hand, had deputed finance minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary to convince Manjhi. Earlier, chief minister Nitish Kumar had also met Manjhi. Soon after the Sumans announcement on Tuesday, senior JD-U leaders, including party president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, finance minister Vijay Kunar Choudhary, and deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav reached the CMs residence for discussion in the wake of the emerging situation. RJD MLA Bhai Birendra said that the decision of Manjhis party would not affect the health of the GA government. There was no pressure on HAM for merger. I will request Jitan Ram Manjhi to reconsider his decision, as it was time to unite to uproot the Narendra Modi government, he added. BJP MLC, Janak Ram said that Sumans resignation had exposed the anti-Dalit face of Nitish Kumar. Any self-respecting leader would have done the same. How can one merge ones party with another? This is what Nitish Kumar is up to and Manjhi had exposed it with his courageous move, he said. Earlier too, Manji had thrown uncomfortable posters at Nitish Kumar over various issues. He has been consistently criticising the government over liquor prohibition and has called the government anti-poor. he had even advised Nitish Kumar to turn incognito to see what the officials around him dont allow to him to see. Social analyst NK Choudhary said that Manjhis move was a political one in the wake of the emerging situation and he has timed it well to suit him. In the election year, all parties flex their muscles. The bigger parties know who to accommodate and how far to accommodate. Manjhi may not be a big player, but at a time when Nitish Kumar is striving for Opposition unity across the country, a setback on the home turf would not go down well for him. Manjhi is a shrewd politician and he wants to send the message across that he can do it, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Kumar Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues. ...view detail Three persons were killed after a fire broke out inside a hotel at the Market Yard area at around 1 am on Tuesday. According to the fire brigade officials, the incident was reported at Reval Siddhi Hotel near gate number 1 of Market Yard. Three workers sleeping inside the hotel were trapped in the blaze. Two of them were declared dead by doctors while one succumbed to burn injuries while receiving treatment, fire brigade department officials said. Three persons were killed after a fire broke out inside a hotel at the Market Yard area at around 1 am on Tuesday. (HT PHOTO) Despite immediate efforts from on-site staff and emergency services, the intensity of the blaze and spread of flames made it challenging for workers to escape. The deceased have been identified as Shashikant Gadappa from Solapur, Munna Rathod from Nanded, and Sandeep Sakpal of Malkapur in Budhana district The fire brigade officials received a distress call at around 1:08 am on Tuesday. Fire tenders and vehicles from Gangadham, and Kondhwa Khurd stations were pressed into service. Fire brigade officials said the rooms of the hotel in a two-storied building were locked from inside. Locals confirmed that three workers were trapped inside the hotel. By using a gas cutter and other equipment, officials broke the lock of the hotel and rescued the three workers, who were unconscious and rushed to Sassoon General Hospital. Authorities have launched a probe into the cause of fire. Preliminary reports suggest that the blaze started at the hotels kitchen area due to a malfunctioning electrical appliance. Officials will also check if the eatery followed fire safety norms. Sunil Naiknaware, a fireman, said, The owner illegally made provisions inside the hotel to house workers. He does not possess any fire NOC. Anagha Deshpande, senior police inspector, Market Yard police station, said, Two workers were declared dead by doctors on arrival while one succumbed to burn injuries at hospital during medical treatment. Market Yard police officials are awaiting detailed report from the fire brigade department to take future course of action. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON AP Inter 1st and 2nd year Supplementary exam results have been announced. Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) Andhra Pradesh has announced these results on official websites: bie.ap.gov.in or examresults.ap.nic.in. Students can now visit one of these websites and download their marks memos. AP Inter Supply result 2023 live updates. AP Inter 1st, 2nd year Supplementary result out, steps to check marks(PTI File) Login credentials required to check AP Inter Supplementary result 2023 is board exam hall ticket number. Steps to check AP Inter 1st, 2nd year Supplementary results 2023 Go to bie.ap.gov.in. Now, go to the Advanced Supplementary exam result link given on the home page. Enter your hall ticket number. Login and check your result. Take printout of your e-marks memo. BIE AP announced Inter Public exam results on April 26 and candidates who could not pass Class 11 and 12 through IPE exam was given another chance to pass these classes through the supply exam. It's been three years since Ali Abbas Zafar has made a theatrical film. His last was Bharat on Eid in 2019, and his next, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, a buddy action comedy starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, is slated to release next Eid. (Also read: Bloody Daddy movie review: This Shahid Kapoor-starrer serves everything half-baked) Shahid Kapoor plays the lead in Ali Abbas Zafar's Bloody Daddy. Meanwhile, he's not been sitting idle. He came up with three OTT titles that introduced a different side of the filmmaker to his core audience. The latest, Bloody Daddy, an action film starring Shahid Kapoor, is streaming free on Jio Cinema. Immediately after the release, in an exclusive interview, Zafar talks about designing a Gurgaon gangster film, mining humour out of the COVID times it's set in, and whether he thinks it should've been a theatrical release. The common gripe with Bloody Daddy is that it should've been a theatrical release. Looking at the reactions, do you feel it belonged to the cinemas? It's a big compliment when people watch your content and say it's a big-screen experience. But we were very clear that the film deals with certain things that are very important for its storytelling. Like the bag of drugs. Secondly, it's a little hard in terms of action. There are guns, there's blood. And there's also a certain kind of language that the characters speak. When people say they're liking Bloody Daddy, they're also liking it for its authenticity. Most of the action films aren't reviewer-friendly. What we wanted to do was a commercial action film which was very credible. That's why even in the action, there's not even one slow-motion shot. It's more of a street brawl. If we would have made it for the big screen, we'd have to put in songs suddenly in the middle of the narrative. Then this would get corrupted. Tomorrow, if there's a sequel, we'll see if we can make it for the theatres. Is there a sequel? Because you do leave some scope for one in the end. Haha! Let's see. It always depends on the love the character and the world get. And it can't be defined by one-day love. It has to be a long love. People have to be talking about it six months or a year after the release. Then it's a validation that the film and the character have stayed with the audience. What made you adapt Bloody Daddy from its original, 2011 French thriller Sleepless Night, when it had already been adapted in India into the Kamal Haasan-starrer Thoonga Vanam in the same year? When I watched the original, the vulnerability of the lead character really attracted me. You don't know how he's going to rescue his kid from the bad guys. And I needed an actor who had intensity, but at the same time can give me a softer side to him. So he played the character on the lines where you don't know whether you love him or hate him. He's not responsible as a father. Till the very end, we don't know if he's a good guy or a bad guy. But he proves that he's definitely a good father. I feel the free release on Jio Cinema is an apt distribution plan because the film is set after the second COVID wave, a phase in which many of us had switched to OTT. Was the idea behind the setting to lend situational humour to the film? The idea was to situate the film in a very real world. Because the plot is really a one-liner. COVID was a real problem for a lot of us, including those who couldn't pay rent on time and were forced out of their homes. But I wanted to make people enjoy this in hindsight through a quirky lens. In India, we either do slapstick or we become very intense. But there's a famous Charlie Chaplin line, "If you see tragedy in a wide shot, you see it as comedy." While we've seen a lot of films and series that dealt with that phase, they've mostly been decidedly introspective. Bloody Daddy just happens to be an action film set in the COVID times. Exactly! It was a really tough time because people lost lives. But when the lockdown of the second wave was lifted, I was in Delhi and Chandigarh, and it was an entirely different scene. There were weddings in hotels, people were dancing, there was a lot of partying. Because people were at home for over a year. Weddings that were planned got pushed. So when things opened, everyone just let loose. It was almost like revenge partying after the second lockdown because by then, people were tired of getting locked into their homes all over again, months after the first wave. Bloody Daddy is also such a Gurgaon gangster film. We've seen gangster dramas set largely in Mumbai or Uttar Pradesh. But how did you design a gangster film set in Gurgaon, one that's diametrically opposite in visuals and textures to Shanker Raman's Gurgaon (2016)? Gurgaon NCR is very relatable. People wear flashy clothes but don't know how to talk. There's a lot of showsha in Delhi, with swanky cars and glitzy weddings, and Badshah performing. My favourite scene is when Ronit Roy and Sanjay Kapoor cool down after a brawl. Ronit says, "Dekh tune meri Gucci jacket ka kya kar dia". And Sanjay Kapoor replies, "Aur mere Armani ka kya?" It's such a Gurgaon thing because no one just says jacket there. They prefix it with the brand so that people know they're wearing a Gucci or Armani. Fans have been comparing Bloody Daddy to John Wick since it's a stylistic action film set in a hotel. Were there any hat tips to that franchise? People only draw that comparison because Shahid is wearing a black suit and his body type is very close to that of Keanu Reeves. The reason behind wearing that in the film is because people have seen him in the leather jacket so he needs to change his identity. He changes clothes in order to mingle with the crowd. There may be visual parallels like action sequences in a washroom and gaming room, but character and story-vise, both films are poles apart. Bloody Daddy is set in a hotel and is the story of one night. You've always shot sprawling films that stretch across place and time, like Sultan (2016), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Bharat (2019). You finished this film in one place within 36 days. Did this concentrated style of shooting lend an urgency to the thriller? We were still in the middle of COVID so we had to create a bubble. That helped prepare the actors and the crew mentally to believe they were back in the COVID world. Shahid and I were very clear that since it's the story of one night, we had to make the filming very contained so as to create an environment that it's really happening that fast. It's your third OTT project after Tandav and Jogi. Now that you're filming your next theatrical release, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, are you going to miss creating for the streaming space? OTT has been very liberating for me. As an artist, you don't have to think about anything else and you can bring your art form to the fore without any corruption. But when you make a film for theatres, you have to design it in a way that it caters to everyone: the kids, the elders, the youth. You have to justify the star power of the actor who's in it. I didn't do a theatrical film in the last three years because of COVID. My sets are very extensive with a lot of people and travel. Travel restrictions and budgets were becoming a big nightmare because everyone was asking for health insurance. So we were very clear as a company that we'll make a theatrical film when life starts ticking some normalcy. I've finished my principal photography for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and have started editing the film. So you'll see my next theatrical release next Eid. Lastly, with Bloody Daddy, you made all lactose intolerant people feel seen. Where did the crucial inclusion of lactose-free milk in the narrative stem from? Haha! When you go out now, everyone's asking for lactose-free milk. And for the longest time, I had no clue what it was. It represents the Gen-Z that's so well-educated, clued in, and they know so early in life what they want. We'd never thought about this concept because hum toh bhains ka doodh pee ke bade huye hain. So to my generation, it's a term that we'll never forget. And that's what I played on in my film. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Arshad Warsi has revealed that a lot of insecure leading men have kicked him out of their films. He claimed that there are only a couple of actors who are secure enough to let him perform to his optimum capacity in a supporting role in their movies. (Also read: Jaya Bachchan had a role in kickstarting Arshad Warsi's acting career. Here's how) Arshad Warsi as Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. Warsi named Munna Bhai co-star Sanjay Dutt and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya co-star Salman Khan as the leading actors who aren't insecure that their co-actors would steal the spotlight. 'Sanjay Dutt was the reason I did Munna Bhai' "In fact, one of the reasons I originally did Munna Bhai MBBS was because of Sanju. He's such a secure actor that I knew he'd let me do my own thing," Warsi said in an interview to Siddharth Kannan. The actor also revealed that he was initially sceptical of playing the now-legendary character of Circuit in Munna Bhai MBBS. While he loved the film as a whole, and wanted to work with Rajkumar Hirani in his Bollywood directorial debut, he thought that he wouldn't get noticed even if the film became successful. He considered himself just one of the sidekicks to a goon, and supporting actors don't really get recognised for these parts. But he convinced Hirani and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra to at least let him "enjoy the failure" and allow him to play Circuit his own way. He's glad that a seasoned actor like Makarand Deshpande turned down that role as it paved the way for his Bollywood breakthrough. On sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar in Jolly LLB 3 In another interview, with Bollywood Spy, Warsi confirmed he'll be sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar in Jolly LLB threequel, reportedly titled Jolly vs Jolly. He said Kumar is "a riot" and he's looking forward to working with him. When Kumar replaced Warsi in Jolly LLB 2, there were speculations that the two had a rift. But at the trailer launch of Bachchan Pandey, the two dismissed the rumours. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mimoh Chakraborty has defended his father, actor Mithun Chakraborty' s decision to work in "B-grade films" during his younger days in the film industry. Mimoh is the elder son of Mithun and Yogita Bali In a recent interview, Mimoh said Mithun did it all for the family as they needed the money. (Also read: Mimoh reveals parents Mithun Chakraborty and Yogita cried when his debut film failed) Mimoh talks about the struggles of his father Mithun Chakraborty. While Mimoh is the first child of Mithun, he also has an adopted sister, Dishani Chakraborty. Their younger brother Namashi Chakraborty recently made his Bollywood debut with Bad Boy, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Mithun's B-grade films Asked if Mithun or Mimoh ever regretted that the quality of films went down when the actor shot films in 30 days and invited producers to shoot them in his Ooty hotel, Mimoh told Siddharth Kannan, He did it for us, he did it for the hotel. Every unit from Bollywood movies, and also from the South, theyd stay at our hotel, so there was always an influx. He was doing it for the money, but it wasnt like his producers were going into losses. If they were spending 70 lakh on a film, they were getting 1 crore in return. He never had any qualms. That was a phase like I want to save for my children. Even today, hes doing Dance Bangla Dance, Dance India Dance Everything he does, he does it for us." Mithun's downfall Mimoh also said that he is proud everything that Mithun does is for his family. He added, Honestly, my mother saw his downfalls more than us. When we were kids, dad was a superstar. Mom would tell us that whenever he delivered a flop, he would go into depression. He was doing four shifts a day at that time, spending two hours each on each set. Mimoh added that Mithun brought the concept of vanity vans to India when he made a house of wheels and had a living room, sofa, etc inside the van. Mimoh's career Mimoh started his acting career with Jimmy. After his debut, he had a significant role in Vikram Bhatt's Haunted 3D. He has since worked in films such as Rocky, Loot, Enemmy and Main Mulayam Singh Yadav, among others. Most recently, he was seen alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Neha Sharma in Jogira Sara Ra Ra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail The age-old debate of Arnold Schwarzenegger versus Sylvester Stallone has been reignited, and this time it's Stallone who's throwing in the towel. In a surprising twist, the legendary Rocky and Rambo actor made a shocking admission about his long-time rival, conceding that Schwarzenegger was the superior action hero. The age-old debate of Arnold Schwarzenegger versus Sylvester Stallone has been reignited. During a recent appearance in Schwarzenegger's documentary film, Stallone openly acknowledged the Austrian powerhouse's dominance in the genre. He pointed to the iconic film "First Blood" as a turning point in action cinema, where physicality took precedence over dialogue. Stallone confessed, "I saw that there was an opportunity, 'cause no one else was doing this...except some other guy from Austria, who doesn't need to say much." The reference to Schwarzenegger was met with applause from fans who had witnessed their fierce on-screen rivalry for decades. Stallone didn't hold back in his praise for Schwarzenegger, acknowledging his superior physique and strength. "He had the body. He had the strength. That was his character. I had to get my ass kicked constantly, whereas Arnold, he never got hurt much. And I'm going, 'Arnold, you could go out and fight a dragon and you'd come back with a Band-Aid,'" Stallone confessed, laying bare his admiration for his colleague. Schwarzenegger, in return, expressed his respect for Stallone's impact on his own career, stating that without Stallone's motivation and the rivalry they shared in the '80s, he wouldn't have been driven to accomplish the kind of movies and hard work he did. Despite their fierce competition, the two action legends have collaborated on several films, with "Escape Plan" being the standout where they shared the most screen time. The admission by Stallone has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, igniting a new wave of discussions among fans and critics alike. The once-mighty rivalry has now evolved into a mutual admiration, as these two titans of action cinema acknowledge each other's contributions. Also read | Is Arnold Schwarzenegger plotting a secret plan to outshine Sylvester Stallone?. Whether you're Team Schwarzenegger or Team Stallone, one thing is certain: their legacy as action heroes will forever be etched in cinematic history. The torch has been passed, and the era of Arnold Schwarzenegger's reign as the ultimate action hero has been solidified, thanks to the humble admission from none other than Sylvester Stallone himself. Brice Gonzalez, the charismatic young talent known for his viral TikTok videos alongside his late father Randy Gonzalez, is making waves in Hollywood. The dynamic duo, known as Enkyboys, captured the hearts of millions with their entertaining content, amassing a massive following in a short period of time. Following the tragic loss of his father to colon cancer earlier this year, Brice continues to carry their legacy forward. Brice Gonzalez, the charismatic young talent known for his viral TikTok videos alongside his late father Randy Gonzalez, is making waves in Hollywood. Brice's talent and undeniable charm caught the attention of Flamin' Hot producer DeVon Franklin, who reached out to the Gonzalez family on Instagram. Soon after, Brice landed his first major Hollywood role in Eva Longoria's Cheetos origin film, Flamin' Hot, now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. In the film, Brice portrays Steven Montanez, the son of Richard Montanez (played by Jesse Garcia), the man who claims to have invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Brice shared that his favorite scene to film was a heartwarming moment where Steven ignites his father's passion for spicy food. As they enjoy a meal of elote, Steven proudly expresses his love for the burning sensation. Brice recently recreated this memorable scene in a touching TikTok video, marking his return to the platform since his father's passing. Reflecting on his experience working on Flamin' Hot, Brice described it as "fun, exciting, and amazing," emphasizing that he knows exactly what to do on set because, well, it's easy for him. The talented youngster has already secured additional roles, including playing Chance Lopez-Van Bryan in Mayan and George Lopez's sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez. Moreover, Brice will lend his voice to the adorable Pomeranian character named Tot in the highly anticipated PAW Patrol movie. Also read | Unlock your TikTok potential: How to become a TikTok influencer at any age Brice's mother, Kimberly Gonzalez, expressed their excitement for his budding career and hopes for more incredible opportunities in the future. She remarked, He loves this. He's a natural, 'cause he's a true character. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jin is the latest member from the band to share his heartfelt letter to fans on 10 years of BTS. Jin is currently serving as an active soldier in the military. Talking about not being there to celebrate the occasion with fans and members, Jin also apologised in his letter. However, he also revealed that he will be there for their loyal fans aka BTS ARMY next year. Also read: BTS' 10th anniversary: RM, Jimin pens heartfelt letters, J-Hope surprises fans from military BTS: Jin joined the South Korean military service last year. Jin on 10th debut anniversary of BTS In a long letter, Jin wrote on their online fan community, Weverse, as per translation by Twitter user @btsbaragi_jk, "Hello, its Jin. Thanks to you all, our ARMYs, we get to celebrate/welcome our 10th anniversary. Theres a saying that even rivers and mountains change if its 10 years, but its quite fascinating/amazing that BTS and ARMYs love doesnt change. I, too, of course, want to give you all something as 10th anniversary content, but..as I cant be together with [you all], Im with such a bummed out heart (i.e. its such a bummer/shame). I shouldve filmed more of various content before enlisting, but I dont know how to convey my apologetic/sorry heart (i.e. IDK how to express my apologies) [to you all], Jin apologised to fans. Jin on celebrating next year with fans He went on and also revealed when he's going to get discharged from the military. He shared plans of spending time with fans as soon as he reaches the office. His discharge date would be around the time of BTS' 11th debut anniversary. Kim Seok Jin said, I know/am aware that our remaining members are diligently proceeding well with the 10th anniversary content, and.. I, who have 365 days 1 year left of military service, for our 11th anniversary content, will try to come see you all through Weverse live by going to the company, rather than going home, as soon as I am discharged [from the military] Of course, with it (*the time of being discharged) being early [in the day] I may go and stay at home [for a bit] and come, but I wont make any plans and try to be with you all on my day of discharge on [our] 11th anniversary. Im so happy I can at least say something like this haha." Thank you so much for being together with us for the time of our 10th anniversary, and I will hope that [you all] will be together with us until/as long as our bodies are able to pull off stages/performing, he signed out. Jin was recently seen in Suga's show Suchwita as a guest. It was recorded days before he joined the army. Meanwhile, other members including RM, Park Jimin, Suga and Kim Taehyung have shared posts, unseen footage and letters for fans. J-Hope who is also serving in the army, also treated fans to a rare post online. All of them are slated to reunite as a group in 2025. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON While some slammed Kanye for including the Japanese practice, called nyotaimori, at his birthday bash on Saturday, others could not look past how one of the celebrity attendees at the bash included Kanye's eldest daughter, North West, who is aged 9. Reactions to North attending Kanye's party A Redditor questioned why North was at Kanye's bash, and said, "This the same party, where they were eating sushi off a naked lady." One asked if people would slam Kanye's ex-wife Kim Kardashian if she had made their daughter attend a similar party. She wrote, "Imagine the uproar if Kim had North at a party with that naked lady food tray." Another Redditor had a similar reaction, writing, "If Kim did this, y'all (you all) would be calling it SATANIC." Reacting to which, a person said, "I wouldnt, but I would be pretty bothered if she had her kids at a party, where sushi was being eaten off of a naked ladys body" Many others called North attending the 'inappropriate' bash 'problematic'. Others said they 'seriously questioned' North's parents for letting her be there. North and Bianca held hands at Kanye's party Earlier, videos and photos of North West and Bianca Censori from the bash had surfaced online. The two walked hand in hand as they arrived at Kanye West's birthday bash. Bianca wore a long black coat with black boots, while North was in a grey sweatshirt and black shorts paired with black boots. Reacting to their photo shared on the aforementioned Reddit post, a person said, "She (Bianca) looks just like Kim." One more said, "I dont really know Bianca that well, but Id trust her 10000 percent with my child..." Kanye and Bianca's relationship Kanye West and Bianca Censori, a Yeezy architectural designer, 'got married' in a non-legally binding ceremony in January, as per a 2023 Page Six report. In a recent TikTok video, Bianca confirmed her marriage to Kanye. Kanye was earlier married to entrepreneur and reality TV personality Kim Kardashian. The former couple shares four children North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm West. They wed in 2014 and Kim filed for divorce in 2021. The divorce was finalised in 2022. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail Tamannah Bhatia confesses she couldn't leverage the groundbreaking success of Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) as much as she should've. She adds that since she wasn't as evolved a person to make sense of the film's unprecedented success, she didn't get much benefit out of it as the rest of the team. (Also read: Tamannaah Bhatia confirms her relationship with Vijay Varma began on the sets of Lust Stories 2: Hes my happy place) Tamannaah Bhatia in Baahubali: The Beginning Tamanaah played Avantika, a skilled combatant opposite Amarendra Baahubali, played by the leading man, Prabhas. While she had a major, action-heavy role in the first part, she was seen only for a cameo in the climax of the sequel, Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017). 'Male stars get credit for action films' "I feel like in action films, still the credit is always given to the male counterparts. I think it's fair that what the film did for Prabhas and Rana (Daggubati) is different from what it did for me, because the amount of the part I had was also like that," Tamannaah said in an interview with Film Companion. She added that she didn't understand the magnitude of the fanfare that Baahubali: The Beginning enjoyed then. While she wishes she got more out of that success, she admits she hasn't gotten any less. She revealed that the kind of feedback she still gets for that film is 'unreal.' I wasnt that evolved as a person' She also attributed the lack of that film's impact on her career to her own mental state at that time. She wasn't evolved enough as a person, and that reflected in not only her performances but also in the way she handled achievements like these. About Baahubali: The Beginning Baahubali: The Beginning is a period war film directed by SS Rajamouli, starring Prabhas, Tamannaah, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj and Nassar in key roles. It became the second highest grossing Indian film, only behind its sequel Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, that released a couple of years later. ott:10 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 19 employees of Tata Steels 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Meramandali area of Odishas Dhenkanal sustained burn injuries around 1 pm on Tuesday, with five of them critical, after one of the steam pipes exploded due to a leakage. Representative Image(REUTERS File Photo) The incident occurred when a steam pipe burst because of a gas leakage during an inspection. Some labourers and engineers, who were inspecting the blast furnace, were injured in the incident after hot water fell on them. Tata Steel in a press release said the injured were immediately shifted to the Occupational Health Centre inside its plant and then to Cuttack for further treatment. We are working closely with relevant authorities and conducting our own internal investigation. Safety remains our top priority and we are committed to learning from this incident. More details will follow as they become available, the Tata Steel said in an official statement. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: New Delhi, June 13 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a meeting with the Ministers of Disaster Management of the States and Union Territories, at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo/Sanjay Sharma) (Sanjay Sharma) There should be no loss of life due to any disaster anywhere in the country, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday while announcing three schemes worth 8,000 crore related to disaster management that include modernisation of fire services, flood mitigation in seven major cities and prevention of landslides in 17 states. In the past nine years, the central government along with the states have crossed many milestones in managing disasters, Shah said at a meeting of the ministers of disaster management of states and union territories at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The Centre will provide 5,000 crore to the state to modernise and expand fire brigade services. We have prepared a detailed plan, which will be forwarded to you, he said. To mitigate the impact of floods in urban areas, seven major cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune will get a total of 2,500 crore, he said. As many as 17 states will be given 825 crore to deal with landslides, he added. The National Disaster Management Authority has visited states where seven nuclear power stations are being built and has prepared a protocol to avert any possible disaster. I appeal to all those concerned states to make it a priority. Before the commissioning of the nuclear power plants and before the generation of power, whatever disaster prevention measures have to be taken, should be taken. It is of utmost necessity for all of us, Shah said. Disaster management is not a new concept in our country. There are documents available from Chanakyas Arthashastra to the works of state administration of mythological times, the home minister said. All of them talk about disaster management. Responding to suggestions from some state ministers to enhance compensation to farmers who face natural disasters, the home minister said the central government would examine the proposal, but states should also increase their budgetary provisions to deal with it. Speaking on the model fire prevention law, disaster prevention policy, thunderstorm and lightning policy and cold wave policy formulated by the central government, Shah said a majority of the states have either not implemented them or work plans have not been formulated. He appealed to the states to work on them on a priority and appreciated those who have implemented or formulated work plans. Under the Aapda Mitra (friend during disaster) scheme, one lakh youth volunteers have been trained in 350 disaster-prone districts and this has yielded good results, the home minister said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Testing Agency on Tuesday announced that 56.2% candidates qualified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG for admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges across the country, with four out of the 10 top-scoring candidates from Tamil Nadu, even as the number of total qualifying students went up from 993,069 last year to 1,145,976 this year. Prabanjan J While Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu and Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh tied for the top spot with the perfect score of 720 marks, or 99.99 percentile, Kaustav Bauri (Tamil Nadu), Pranjal Aggrawal (Punjab), and Dhruv Advani (Uttar Pradesh) stood third, fourth and fifth respectively. According to NTA, the nodal agency for conducting the exam, NEET-UG recorded the highest registration of 2,087,462 candidates this year. Of them, 2,038,596 or 97.6% appeared, and 1,145,976 or 56.3% candidates qualified the exam. The pass percentage is roughly the same as last year. Last year, of the 1,764,571 students who appeared, 993,069 or 56.2% qualified the exam. However, in absolute figures, the number of qualifying students increased by 152,907 an increase of 15.4% over last year. Among those who qualified this year, 490,374 are male, 655,599 are female and three transgender candidates, NTA said. Apart from Prabanjan, three other candidates from Tamil Nadu Kaustav Bauri, all-India rank 3, Surya Siddharth N, rank 6, and Varun S, rank 9 featured among the toppers. What makes this development significant is that the results come months after the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DKM)-led Tamil Nadu government in February 2022 passed a bill in the state assembly to abolish NEET and reinstate the previous method of using Class 12 board exam scores for admissions in state medical colleges. On February 18 this year, Tamil Nadu, in a suit filed against the Centre, also challenged before the Supreme Court the constitutional validity of holding a single window entrance to medical colleges across the country through NEET on the ground that it violates the principle of federalism. The state has maintained that NEET violates the students right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution on the grounds that it is modelled on the CBSE/NCERT syllabus, which adversely affects students from Tamil Nadu, particularly from rural areas studying under the Tamil Nadu State Board of Education. While the state bill is pending with the President, state BJP chief K Annamalai on Tuesday hit out chief minister MK Stalins government. Lets hope todays results will teach a proper lesson to the DMK who politicised NEET which created equal opportunity for all in medical studies, Annamalai said. While there was no response from the DMK, the state government earlier in the day had strongly opposed the National Exit Test (NExT), with chief minister M K Stalin saying it was an additional burden on medical students. The examination was conducted in 13 languages including Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. While 50candidates scored the 99.99 percentile, NTA awarded ranks using its tie-breaker formula under which if more than one candidate gets the perfect score, the marks in biology are considered first to decide their rank, followed by chemistry and then physics. The result of NEET-UG, 2023, has been declared on the basis of the qualifying criteria prescribed by the National Medical Commission and Dental Council of India and also based on the information submitted by the candidates in their online application forms, NTA said. The exam witnessed an increase in qualifying marks this year. For instance, the qualifying marks range for unreserved category last year was 715-117 marks and has increased to 720-137 this year. Similarly, for OBC SC, and ST categories, it has increased from e 116-93 to 136-107 this year. Of the 1,145,976 qualified candidates, 312,405 were from unreserved category, 525,194 from OBC category, 153,674 from SC, 56,381 from ST, and 98,322 from EWS category. Besides, 3,508 candidates from persons with disabilities category also qualified the exam. In terms of state-wise performance, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of qualified candidates (139,961), followed by Maharashtra (131,008), Rajasthan (100,316), and Tamil Nadu (78,693). To be sure, these numbers are usually down to number of candidates from the state and feature those with higher population. The exam was conducted on May 7 across 4,097 centres across 499 cities throughout the country, and 14 cities outside India. The examination was also conducted outside India in Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Colombo, Doha, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore along with Dubai and Kuwait City. the NTA said in a statement. Separately, seven candidates were identified for using unfair practices in the examination and have been dealt with according to NTA norms, the agency said. The qualified candidates may please note that they have to further complete the formalities with the respective counselling Authorities viz DGHS, Medical Education Directorates of States, etc. for admission to MBBS/BDS Courses. The details and schedule of counseling would be available on the websites of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education Directorates of States as applicable, NTA said. Air India has off-rostered two pilots operating from Delhi to Leh for violating safety norms by allowing entry of a woman friend into the cockpit on June 3, an official close to the matter said on Tuesday. An official said that the matter was formally reported by a male crew upon the flight landing in Delhi. (Representative Image) This comes a month after the airline grounded another pilot for inviting a woman friend into the cockpit of a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27. The incident was first reported by HT in April. Also read: 'Utter chaos' at Mumbai airport after flight delays, passengers furious The (latest) incident took place on AI 445 last week after the flight took off from Delhi. Both the pilots have been off-rostered since then, an official close to the matter said. The friend is a senior helicopter pilot who was travelling as a passenger, the official added. A second official requesting anonymity said, The matter was formally reported by a male crew upon landing in Delhi. While officials said that the incident was reported to the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there was no clarity if the DGCA had taken any action against them. This is not an uncommon scenario, and it is not limited to Air India. Pilots across the airlines have been allowing their friends just for a chat keeping safety of the passengers in mind, a former Air India pilot told HT. Also read: Why India sees sharp hike in airfares, explained An Air India spokesperson said, Air India has a Just Culture approach to all safety related events and has a zero tolerance for deliberate breaches of regulations. Such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations. An industry expert, requesting anonymity, said, There should be no excuses given for not following rules. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday lauded national security advisor Ajit Doval, calling him an "international treasure". National security advisor Ajit Doval. Highlighting Doval's humble origins as a village boy from Uttarakhand, the envoy said, "India's NSA has not only become a national treasure but an international treasure". The envoy also expressed admiration for the strong foundation between the United States and India. "When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians," Garcetti said at the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) meet in Delhi. Praising India's advancements in digital payments and financial technology, the US Ambassador said: "When I look at digital payments and financial technology that India has, we have rocked the world. A 'tea wala' in a village makes sure that she gets direct payment from the government on her phone, a 100 per cent of each one of those rupees." He said he recently had dinner with a group of multi-faith leaders in India, one of them said "We hear all these talks about 4G, 5G and 6G, but here in India we have something more powerful than that-'Guruji'. Meanwhile, national security advisor of the US Jake Sullivan who is on a two-day India visit on Tuesday met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. Sullivan is accompanied by a delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of US industry during his visit. His visit to the national capital comes in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the US. The two national security advisers had restricted discussions earlier in the day to discuss topics of common interest. Later that day, they both attended the second Track 1.5 discourse on it, which the confederation of Indian industry hosted. The first edition of this dialogue was organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on January 30 this year, the release of Ministry of External Affairs said. During the visit, NSA Sullivan will also meet with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and other dignitaries of the government of India, the official press release of the ministry of external affairs said. Earlier, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and national security advisor Ajit Doval met each other in New Delhi and discussed Indo-Pacific, and cooperation in specific niche technologies in maritime, military and aerospace domains. According to government officials, the two leaders also spoke on the greater transfer of technology, co-production and building indigenous capacities in line with India's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Additionally, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and NSA Ajit Doval stressed that nations in several regions, including the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, and the Indo-Pacific retain their freedom of action in line with their national priorities and are not coerced into poor choices. Austin, who arrived in India concluded a roadmap for defence industrial cooperation with defence minister Rajnath Singh. National security advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday met his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in the national capital wherein they held restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Later in the day, the duo attended the second Track 1.5 dialogue on iCET which was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Both the NSAs addressed the dialogue, with the listeners comprising representatives of academia and industry from both India and the United States. They expressed satisfaction at the progress made under iCET and encouraged stakeholders on both sides to strive for technology value chain partnerships that would lead to co-development and co-production of high technology products and services in both the countries, a government statement said. Sullivan is currently on an official visit to India at the invitation of NSA Doval. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of American industry. The visit comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled state visit to the US from June 21 to 24, wherein he will be hosted by President Joe Biden for a state dinner. Modi will also address a joint session of the US Congress. National security advisor Ajit Doval with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan. A week into the Bonn climate talks which is scheduled to close on Thursday, there is as yet no official agenda on the table for the technical negotiations. Visitors sit inside the World Conference Center Bonn during the Climate Change Conference in Bonn, western Germany on June 13, 2023. (AFP) At the heart of this logjam is the issue of funding for the mitigation of the climate crisis. In line with the Paris Agreements principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, developing countries have sought an agenda on finance for scaling up mitigation action. Also read: India and the South Pacific in climate cooperation But developed countries led by the US and the EU have opposed the agenda stating that existing mechanisms address the issue of finance; the former has added that it is open to a discussion when the flow of finance is not limited to developed countries paying developing countries but also includes funding from emerging economies and the private sector. The impasse, which could jeopardise the agenda at the COP28 climate conference to be held in Dubai in November and urgent action on the climate crisis, stems from a deep lack of trust because developed countries are not willing to recognise their historical responsibility . During the opening plenary of the subsidiary bodies held at Bonn on Monday evening, the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) grouping of which India is also a member stated that they seek the inclusion of an agenda item on urgently scaling up finance to support implementation of mitigation action during this decade in developing countries. We are conscious of the need to scale up ambition. Its now an imperative. But, it has to be in line with equity and common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities. In the hunger for action, the discussion cant solely be on scaling up ambition especially in the background of failed promises on finance. We need discussion on how mitigation action can be achieved. We need to correct the course of financial support, Bolivias representative said on behalf of LMDC on Monday. China backed this and said there should be a negotiation track on finance. This agenda item is very important to us because we have been asking that finance be taken up as an agenda for many years but it was not allowed in the SBs (subsidiary bodies). Finance is important to put NDCs (nationally determined contributions) in action. We are eager to fulfil our commitment on mitigation and that is why the issue is important. Finance has always been a dialogue but there has been no serious negotiation on it. We need a negotiation track for finance, said a negotiator from China. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established three governing bodies: COP (or the Conference of Parties), which is the apex decision making body, the CMP (the signatories of the Kyoto agreement), and the CMA (the signatories of the Paris agreement). It also established two subsidiary bodies, one on scientific and technological advice (SBSTA) and another on implementation (SBI) to assist the parties. Cuba on behalf of G77+China also explained that there will be more suspicion if the finance agenda was restricted. The EU objected to the agenda by LMDC and stated that though the discussion on finance was very important to them, the Paris Agreement has provisions which states support will be provided and there are several discussions on finance that are ongoing under different heads. The US said they do not support Bolivias proposal because there are many other opportunities to discuss the issue and a new agenda is not needed. They also said the new agenda item does not derive from the COP mandate and that there is nothing that limits donors to developed countries . In 2009, at COP15 in Copenhagen, developed countries committed to a goal of raising $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries. They specified that the finance would come from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral, and multilateral, including alternative ones. The climate finance goal was formalised at COP16 in Cancun but has still not been delivered on. It is estimated that $4 trillion per year needs to be invested in renewable energy up until 2030 to be able to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. An investment of at least $4-6 trillion per year will be needed for a global transformation to a low-carbon economy, Bhupender Yadav, union environment minister had said last month at an HT summit on G20, while highlighting that developed countries who agreed to mobilise $100 billion funds for mitigation efforts in developing countries couldnt yet fulfil the promise. Experts and observers of the climate talks in Bonn said the issue is a question of equity and needs to be addressed for the talks to move forward. Wealthy nations persistently focus on pressuring emerging economies to bear the cost of global climate action. In doing so, they conveniently overlook their own historical responsibility. These wealthy nations have repeatedly failed to meet their equitable obligation in providing climate finance, opting instead to transfer this burden onto developing nations. Its high time for these countries to cease passing the buck, and instead pay their long overdue climate debts, said Harjeet Singh, Head of Global Political Strategy, Climate Action Network International. The Government of India has rightly continued its efforts to corner the developed world on its inaction on pre-2020 commitments, particularly finance. The Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) crafted at Sharm-al-Sheikh aims at urgently scaling mitigation ambition and implementation. How is the developing world supposed to do so in absence of any support on the means of implementation from the developed world? The developed world needs to understand that it is infeasible to deliver on the MWP in absence of means of implementation, said Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Fellow, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). There is a complete deadlock in the process right now because developed countries are not willing to put more money on the table to enable mitigation ambition in developing countries. The proposal by LMDC asking for ambition on financial support is extremely crucial, someone needed to say it, said Avantika Goswami, climate change lead at Centre for Science and Environment. Also read: Indias climate crisis susceptibility and the way forward HT reported on June 8 that India will not accept prescriptive messages from the Global Stocktake scheduled to take place at this years UN Climate Conference (COP28) on what national determined contributions should constitute. At the ongoing climate conference in Bonn, seen as a run-up to the COP28 meeting later this year in Dubai, India and other developing countries demanded that the Global Stocktake be guided by the principles of equity and historical responsibility. The Global Stocktake (GST) is the process for reviewing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and its goal of keeping global warming to well below 2C and pursuing efforts to keep it under 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. India intervened during a technical dialogue on the Global Stocktake to make its point. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. India and Pakistan braced for the first severe cyclone - Biparjoy - this year expected to hit their coastal regions later this week, with authorities halting fishing activities, deploying rescue personnel and announcing evacuation plans for those at risk. From the Arabian Sea, cyclone Biparjoy is aiming at Pakistan's southern Sindh province and the coastline of Gujarat. It is forecast to make landfall on Thursday and could reach maximum wind speeds of up to 150 kmph. People gathered at a corner at Juhu Beach.(Ashish Vaishnav) What are the latest updates? According to Skymet, the sea surface temperature in the extreme northeast Arabian Sea has decreased from 31C to 29C, resulting in a slight weakening of Cyclone Biparjoy. It has now weakened to a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 118-166 kmph, as opposed to an extremely severe cyclonic storm with sustained winds of 167-221 kmph. However, as the storm progresses towards Kutch, it is expected that the wind intensity will gradually decrease. On Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat as Biparjoy is set to cross the Jakhau Port in Gujarat by the evening of June 15. How will Cyclone Biparjoy affect the weather? After June 15, the weather system will move from south to north across Rajasthan, leading to significant rainfall in the state from June 16 to 18, Skymet said. Gujarat has already started experiencing rains in some coastal areas like Bhuj, Mandvi, and Naliya. Mahuva, Porbandar, Okha, Diu, Somnath, Jamnagar, and Dwarka will also see rainy weather in the upcoming days, the weather monitoring website said. Normally, Gujarat and Rajasthan have hot and dusty conditions with minimal rainfall in the first half of June. Biparjoy, which began as a Low Pressure Area just last week, rapidly intensified into a formidable Severe Cyclonic Storm. Remarkably, it has become one of the most persistent cyclones to affect India in recent decades. The prolonged duration over the sea has allowed Biparjoy to gather significant energy and moisture, thereby enhancing its intensity. Consequently, there is an increased risk of severe impacts and destructive consequences upon landfall, weather.com reported. What is landfall? According to the US National Hurricane Center, A landfall is the intersection of the centre of a tropical cyclone with a coastline. In other words, landfall is when the eye of the cyclone moves to land after being on the water. This does not mean that cyclone has hit the land or arrived. The cyclone arrives hours before the landfall bringing rainfall and dust storms. A landfall often carries heavy winds, lashing rains, increasing sea level that can pose a threat to people living in the neighbouring region. Where will cyclone Biparjoy make landfall? Classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, Biparjoy is expected to make landfall around Thursday evening between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, the IMD said. On June 15, wind speed in Dwarka, Jamnagar, Kutch and Morbi districts of Gujarat will be around 125-135 kmph and gusting to 150 kmph, it could have extensive damaging potential, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the IMD said at a press briefing on Tuesday. Mohapatra added that the wind speed is picking up in Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka districts upto Kutch to go up to 65-75 kmph on Wednesday. Places to be affected High waves in the Arabian Sea, accompanied by a heavy downpour and gusting winds pounded Gujarat's coastal areas, uprooting trees and resulting in a wall collapse that killed three people in Kutch and Rajkot districts of the state, authorities said. Eight districts in coastal Gujarat are expected to be affected, the state government said. The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts on June 15. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Winds gusting up to 145 km are predicted to batter these districts. "Tidal waves reaching heights of up to six metres could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. Evacuation measures have been recommended, and authorities are taking prompt action," Mohapatra said. Damage expected during cyclone Biparjoys landfall Total destruction of thatched houses/extensive damage to kutcha houses, with some damage to pucca houses, according to weather.com. Potential threat from flying objects. Bending/uprooting of power and communication poles. Major damage to kutcha and pucca roads. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems. Damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. How India and Pakistan are prepping for cyclone Biparjoy? In India, thousands were evacuated from low-lying regions, including residents living within 5 km of the coast in Gujarat. Those within 10 km of the coast might be moved over the next two days if required, officials said. We have shifted 20,580 people from Gujarats coastal districts and moved them to relief camps where they will be provided with food, drinking water and other essential material," said CC Patel, director of relief in the Gujarat state government. Fishing operations in India and Pakistan in the regions likely to be affected have been suspended till Friday while schools have declared holidays. According to the Gujarat government, 21 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and 13 teams of the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the state for rescue work. Reliance Industries, which operates the world's largest refining complex in Gujarat's Jamnagar, declared a force majeure, suspending exports of diesel and other oil products from Gujarat's Sikka port due to the storm, traders said. The Adani conglomerate's ports business, Adani Ports, said it suspended vessel operations on Monday at Mundra, India's biggest commercial port that has the country's largest coal import terminal, and also at Tuna port near Kandla. The Indian Coast Guard said it evacuated 50 personnel from a jack-up oil rig off Gujarat's coast named Key Singapore, which is owned by Dubai-based Shelf Drilling and currently working for Cairn Oil & Gas (Vedanta Ltd.), according to Shelf Drilling's website. In Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority said instructions were being given to take precautionary measures in southern and southeastern parts that may be affected. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Cyclone Biparjoy forecast to hit the Gujarat coast on Thursday is the only third cyclone in nearly 60 years to hit the western coast. Experts say that the increase in frequency and intensity is indicating the negative impact of climate change. (Click here to get the latest updates on Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE) The formation process of cyclone Biparjoy began in the Arabian Sea. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)(HT_PRINT) Is climate change behind it? Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change Skymet Weather, a private Indian weather forecasting agency, told Hindustan Times that deteriorating climatic conditions could be one of the possible reasons for the anomaly in weather. In the month of June, as the monsoon is onset, the possibility of occurring cyclone is limited to only the first half and further cyclonic activities seize due to monsoon till September, he said in a Twitter Space on Tuesday. He further added most cyclones develop in the Bay of Bengal, but for the last 4-5 years cyclones in the Arabian Sea are frequently occurring. ALSO READ: Trains cancelled, Gujarat coast on alert ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy | 10 points June cyclones on the Gujarat coast are a rare occurrence According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Biparjoy would be the third cyclone to impact the western state in June since 1965. "Based on data from 1965 to 2022 for the month of June, 13 cyclones developed over the Arabian Sea. Of these, two crossed the Gujarat coast, one Maharashtra, one Pakistan coast, three Oman-Yemen coasts and six weakened over the sea," the IMD said. The frequency and intensity are increasing. ALSO READ | Gujarat braces as cyclone Biparjoy nears; IMD warns: Wind speed to touch 150kmph How is this change in weather going to affect monsoon? The cyclone of the Bay of Bengal mostly travels from West Bengal, Odisha, and Andra Pradesh towards Bangladesh and increases the monsoon, Skymet's Palawat said. On the other hand, cyclones of the Arabian Sea mostly travel in the Northwest direction, absorbing the moisture and decreasing the amount of rainfall. Usually, these cyclones travel towards Oman and Yaman, and only 2 out of them come towards India. They absorb moisture from the west coast and central India and decrease the rainfall in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Central India resulting in these areas being dry, he added. Cyclone Biparjoy latest updates According to Skymet, the sea surface temperature in the extreme northeast Arabian Sea has decreased from 31C to 29C, resulting in a slight weakening of Cyclone Biparjoy. It has now weakened to a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 118-166 kmph, as opposed to an extremely severe cyclonic storm with sustained winds of 167-221 kmph. However, as the storm progresses towards Kutch, it is expected that the wind intensity will gradually decrease. (Inputs from PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bhopal/Sagar: Administration in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district on Tuesday demolished one floor of the Ganga Jamuna Higher Secondary School claiming it was constructed illegally, even as the school remains in the eye of a controversy over allegations of girl students allegedly being forced to wear a headscarf. HT Image The Damoh municipality had served a notice to the school over illegal construction of the fourth floor of its building three days ago, senior officials said. The school administration replied and accepted that fourth floor was constructed without permission, so we initiated the process of demolition, Bhaiyalal Singh, chief municipal officer, Damoh, said. The papers of building permission of other parts of the school are also being verified. No statement was issued by the school till late on Tuesday. On May 30, there was outrage by Hindu right-wing groups over a poster outside the school celebrating performance of 18 students in Class 10 board examination, showed girls, irrespective of their religion, wearing headscarves. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on June 2 referred to poet-philosopher Iqbal as he alleged that the school administration was teaching poetry of a man who talked about the division of the country. Such acts wont be allowed in Madhya Pradesh, the chief minister added. Meanwhile, the district police have slapped sections of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act against 13 school administrators, who have been booked under sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Damoh superintendent of police Rakesh Singh said. The police have already arrested three accused school principal Afsha Khan, mathematics teachers Anas Athar and school staff Rustam Ali in connection with the case. We are still looking for the remaining 10 accused, a police officer said, requesting anonymity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi today even as he will sit with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval to hammer out future multi-pronged bilateral cooperation including a USD 2.7 billion semiconductor chip-making facility in India by Idaho-based Micron Technology, sharing of high-performance quantum computing technology and finalize the manufacturing of US aircraft engines in India. Sullivan will also be meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan. Sullivans visit to India comes on the eve of PM Modis state visit to the US next week with both natural allies all set to push the bilateral cooperation to the next level. Accompanied by US Indo-Pacific Coordinator at the National Security Council Kurt Campbell, the US NSA will also discuss the situation in the Indo-Pacific in the wake of increasing Chinese assertiveness over Taiwan and the South China Sea. The recent incident of a Chinese warship making a dangerous and deliberate pass across the bows of a US-guided missile destroyer in the South China Sea has caused major concern among Quad countries. It is understood that while the US State Department bureaucracy with its past legacy was resisting intensifying defence and hi-tech cooperation with India, it is the Pentagon and NSA Sullivan who have pushed the agenda to make PM Modis forthcoming visit to the US historic. Fact is that the US has never shared aircraft engine technology for manufacturing in a third country including the hot engine technology with even their closest ally. Despite the State Department trying to place hurdles, the Pentagon and National Security Council under Sullivan have ensured that 100 per cent transfer of technology for the manufacture of GEs F-414 engine is possible in India. It is the same engine that will empower DRDOs designed and developed Tejas Mark II fighter, which will form the backbone of the Indian Air Forces capability. India is also looking towards US defence majors to manufacture high-end ammunition like loiter bombs, air-to-air missiles and long-range guided artillery bombs in the country. While chip makers like Micron Technology have taken a decision to invest in manufacturing in India, the Modi government is looking at top semiconductor chip makers like Intel Corporation to come to India to establish a global supply chain that is not dependent on China or Taiwan only. Both the NSAs will also discuss sharing of US technology with India on quantum computing for processing gazillion data collected all over the country as well as technology to make Indian critical infrastructure protected from cyber attacks from China and Pakistan. Besides, the two sides will be deepening cooperation in the fields of telecommunication, 6G technologies, rare earth metals mining and in space. The two NSAs covered all the above grounds for cooperation during the meeting on initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) in Washington on January 31, 2023 and the required amendments to rules to translate these deals on ground were discussed during the first India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue meeting last week. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji and some others as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaj The minister, a DMK strongman from Karur district, said he was not aware of what the officials had come searching for at his premises and assured to extend total cooperation in the probe. The raids are being carried out at Balaji's premises in state capital Chennai and his native Karur. The Supreme Court had last month allowed a police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio. The searches are being undertaken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. Last month, the Income-tax department too had searched people close to Balaji in the state. Responding to the ED searches today, Balaji said he was "ready to extend full cooperation" to the investigating agency. "With what intention they have come, what are they looking for, we will see. Let it get over," he told reporters soon after the sleuths started the searches. Whether it be the IT or ED, Balaji assured full cooperation for the authorities concerned, adding whatever explanation will be sought by officials based on documents, will be provided. The minister, who went for a morning walk, said he took a taxi back home after receiving a message about the raids at his premises. Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches against Tamil Nadu minister for electricity, excise and prohibition Senthil Balaji, prompting chief minister MK Stalin to call the action backdoor tactics of BJP against its political opponents, and he found support from his ally Congress and his West Bengal and Delhi counterparts Mamata Banerjee Arvind Kejriwal. Rapid Action Force personnel during the ED raid at Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balajis premises in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI) ED officials raided the ministers official residence in Chennai and his office in the state secretariat besides the premises in his native Karur and Erode. The action comes after the income-tax department raided more than 40 places across Tamil Nadu linked to the minister two weeks ago and after the Supreme Court in May allowed the ED to probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji by overruling an order by the Madras high court in 2022. The case against Balaji pertains to allegations when he was the transport minister during the AIADMK-led government from 2011 to 2015 before he switched to the DMK. DMKs organising secretary R S Bharathi, who was present in Balajis residence, questioned if the ED was targeting the minister since there was a power cut of 15 minutes after Union home minister Amit Shah came out of the Chennai airport on June 10. This is happening after Amit Shahs visit. They have an ulterior motive, said Bharathi, adding that the raids are also a diversionary tactic since the BJPs ally AIADMK is threatening to break the alliance. Balaji on Monday said the power cut during Shahs visit was accidental, blaming the BJP for politicising the incident. EDs raid at the secretariat office of the minister is a direct assault on the federal principle, Stalin said. The West Bengal chief minister took to Twitter to condemn the political vendetta by the BJP against Tamil Nadus DMK government. Misuse of central agencies continues, Banerjee said. ED raids in Tamil Nadu at the office of the minister for prohibition and excise at the state secretariat and his official residence are unacceptable. Desperate acts by BJP. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the raids as a form of harassment and intimidation by the Narendra Modi-led Union government. Such gross misuse of investigative agencies against political opponents has been the hallmark of the Modi government, Kharge said. These tactics will not succeed in silencing the Opposition. They only reinforce its determination and resolve to continue its democratic struggle against the anti-people policies of the Modi government. The minister was on his morning walk when the raids began. After my friends informed me about the raids, I cut my walk short and took a taxi here (home), Balaji said. Lets see with what intention they have come to raid. Let them complete it, he said, adding that necessary documents were submitted to the I-T department when they had conducted simultaneous searches against those close to him. Whether it is I-T or ED, I will fully cooperate with them. The opposition AIADMK-BJP alliance has been demanding that the minister resign. The backdoor tactics of BJP against its political opponents will not yield the desired results, Stalin said. BJP will learn it the hard way soon. The silence of people who are watching BJPs cheap acts of vindictive politics should not be underestimated. It is nothing but the calm before the storm of 2024 that will sweep BJP away. DMK leader Bharathi said he was not allowed to meet the minister who is also a district secretary in the party. But, legally Im his lawyer. Ive appeared for him in several cases, said Bharathi. So, I have the right to meet him. I told officials that I will meet him in their presence for 10 minutes. I want to know what is happening. We are in the dark. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Divya Chandrababu Divya Chandrababu is an award-winning political and human rights journalist based in Chennai, India. Divya is presently Assistant Editor of the Hindustan Times where she covers Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. She started her career as a broadcast journalist at NDTV-Hindu where she anchored and wrote prime time news bulletins. Later, she covered politics, development, mental health, child and disability rights for The Times of India. Divya has been a journalism fellow for several programs including the Asia Journalism Fellowship at Singapore and the KAS Media Asia- The Caravan for narrative journalism. Divya has a master's in politics and international studies from the University of Warwick, UK. As an independent journalist Divya has written for Indian and foreign publications on domestic and international affairs. ...view detail Farmers have kept the highway connecting Delhi with Chandigarh blocked near Pipli in Haryana for the second day as they press their demand for minimum support price (MSP) for sunflower seeds. The protesting farmers will hold a meeting today to mull the future course of action after the two rounds of talks with the district administration failed to yield any outcome. Farmer leaders, including Rakesh Tikait and Balbir Singh Rajewal, announced from the stage that they will support whatever decision is taken by the local farmers. (HT Photo) On Tuesday morning, farmers gathered and sat at the protest site in Haryana's Kurukshetra again over their demand for MSP on sunflower seeds. The farmers here have two demands purchase of sunflower seeds at MSP promised by the central government and release of arrested farmers, said farmer leader Rakesh Tikait as the road blockade by protesting farmers continued in Kurukshetra. The farmer leaders, including Tikait and Balbir Singh Rajewal, had earlier announced from the stage that they will support whatever decision is taken by the local farmers. In view of the protests, alternative routes have been marked on this major highway connecting Delhi with the north Indian states. Traffic advisory to keep in mind while travelling on this highway Traffic from Chandigarh or Amritsar is being diverted at Sadhopur to NH-152 (Chandigarh-Hisar). Commuters can travel via Ismailabad, Karnal, and beyond on NH-44 or choose to turn from the Ambala Cantt bus stand. For traffic from Delhi, three alternative routes have been assigned by authorities. Commuters can turn to Indri Road from Karnal on NH-44, travel via Ladwa, Babain, Shahbad, and take NH-44 for their further destination. Another option is to turn right from Ladwa Chowk, travel via Radaur, and take NH-344 (Saharanpur-Panchkula). Travellers can also reach Nilokheri in Karnal, take the Dhand road to Kaul, and commute via NH-152D for Ambala and beyond. Local traffic in Kurukshetra has diversions at Sector 2/3 to travel via Brahmasarovar and Kurukshetra University Gate No. 3, taking NH-152D for their destination. Commuters travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi should avoid Aman Hotel flyover and turn left below the flyover for the Saha cut. They can then travel via Dosarka, Adhoya, Babain, Ladwa, Indri, and Karnal to take NH-44 for Delhi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A massive fire that broke out at Satpura Bhawan in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal on Monday afternoon was brought under control after 12 hours of firefighting operations, according to officials. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors were the worst affected due to the blaze. Firemen douse fire that broke out on the third floor of Satpura Bhawan, a building housing offices of various departments of the Madhya Pradesh government, in Bhopal, Monday, June 12, 2023.(PTI) "The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working," Bhopal Commissioner of Police Harinarayanachari Mishra told ANI. The scale of the fire prompted chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to seek help from the Indian Air Force and, on the directions of defence minister Rajnath Singh, IAF's AN 32 and Mi-15 aircraft were sent to Bhopal for the dousing operation. Mishra, however, insisted that there is no need for IAF helicopters as of now. "Primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it," Mishra said. The fire broke out at around 4.00 pm in the office of the Tribal Welfare Department operating on the third floor of the building and later spread to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors. No casualties were reported as all officers and employees were taken out safely in time. The chief minister on Monday announced a committee to find out the preliminary causes of the fire as the opposition launched a series of allegations against the BJP government. Congress MLA Jitu Patwari wrote over Twitter, "This is our health directorate. It is operated from the Satpura Bhawan in the state capital Bhopal. Today it caught fire again." He added, "CM Chouhan, my direct question is, whether the fire breaks out or has it been set? Because it is generally believed that the government does such 'action' to destroy the evidence before the elections. Now, the BJP should also tell who were the culprits in the old fire incident. How many people were punished?" Former Pradesh Congress Committee President (PCC) Chief Arun Yadav tweeted, "Today, when Priyanka Gandhi attacked regarding the scams while addressing in Jabalpur, a huge fire broke out in the Satpura Bhawan in which important files were burnt to ashes." "Whether it is a conspiracy to burn the documents of scams on the pretext of fire? This fire incident is indicating a change in Madhya Pradesh," he further wrote on Twitter. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhis son, Santosh Suman, on Tuesday quit the state cabinet to protect his Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) from extinction, amid a proposal to merge it with the Janata Dal (United). HAM-S national president Santosh Suman. (Santosh Kumar/HT photo) Suman, who held the SC and ST welfare portfolio and is national president of HAM-S, said he tendered his resignation as he was not ready to sacrifice his party. He also said that he took the decision after holding talks with several party leaders over the last 10 days. HAM-S is part of the Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance in Bihar. The Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and the Left are also part of the alliance. The RJD, however, said there was no pressure on HAM to agree to the merger. The party also claimed that Suman, in a letter, expressed his inability to continue with the alliance. Sumans resignation was accepted and a notification to this effect was issued by the cabinet secretariat later in the day. According to people aware of the developments, JD(U) MLA Ratnesh Sada is likely to replace Suman. Speaking to reporters on his resignation, Suman said: There was no option left for us as the JD(U) wanted HAM to merge with it. It was not acceptable as we could not sacrifice our party. This is why I quit. He added: I have sent my resignation to the chief minister (Nitish Kumar) and personally met Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (senior JD-U) leader and finance minister) to explain my point. I hope my resignation will be accepted. Asked if HAM(S) would continue to be a part of the Grand Alliance, Suman said: It is for parties like the RJD and the JD(U) to decide. We want to continue with the alliance. In view of JD(U)s proposal, I had to take a decision to save my party from extinction. HAM is a party and we cannot accept its dilution. The Grand Alliance has 164 MLAs in the 243-seat Bihar assembly. While Suman is a member of the legislative council, HAM has a total of four MLAs in the assembly. Sumans resignation came days before a much-anticipated strategy meeting of Opposition parties for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in Patna on June 23. Chief minister Kumar has already spoken and met a number of Opposition leaders in recent months to try and bring them together on a common platform. Amid speculations that he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Suman said nothing has been decided as of yet. My father had categorically said that he would remain with Nitish Kumar, but this never meant we should merge our party and end its existence. The proposal was such that we were left with no choice. The future strategy will be made after holding talks with party leaders, he said. Sumans resignation was accepted later in the day. In accordance with the provisions laid down under Article 164-1 of the Constitution, Dr Santosh Kumar Suman is not a minister and a member of the cabinet with immediate effect, said the cabinet secretariat notification signed by chief secretary Amit Subhani and issued by the order of the Governor. RJD MLA Bhai Birendra, however, said there was no pressure on HAM to agree with the merger. There was no pressure on HAM for the merger. I will request Jitan Ram Manjhi to reconsider his decision as it was time to unite against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, he said. Soon after Sumans resignation, several senior JD(U) leaders, including party president Rajiv Ranjan, alias, Lalan Singh and finance minister Chaudhary arrived at the chief ministers residence for a discussion on the matter. Deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was also present. Singh said Suman had resigned citing personal reasons. He has also written a letter as HAM-S president that due to personal reasons, it was difficult for him to continue with the Grand Alliance. We see it as his decision not to be part of the GA, he said. Suman did not specifically respond to a query on whether HAM-S had decided to quit the alliance, but said: If they dont want HAM-S in the alliance, we will look for other options. We are not at the mercy of anyone. We will work to strengthen our organisation. The very fact that I had to resign to save my party and reject the offer of a merger with JD(U) was an indication enough that there was no room for compatibility. The BJP questioned the proposal to merge HAM with JD(U). Any self-respecting leader would have done the same. How can one merge ones party with another? This is what Nitish Kumar is up to and Manjhi has exposed it with his courageous move (through his sons resignation), former BJP MP and present MLC Janak Ram said. Social analyst NK Choudhary said: In the election year, all parties flex their muscles. The bigger parties know who to accommodate and how far to accommodate. Manjhi may not be a big player, but at a time when Nitish Kumar is striving for opposition unity across the country, a setback on the home turf would not go down well for him. Manjhi is a shrewd politician and he wants to send a message across that he can do it. Meanwhile, Sada was summoned to the chief ministers residence in the evening. According to people aware of the matter, he is likely to replace Suman as SC and ST welfare minister. I received calls from ministers Vijay Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, asking me to reach Patna. So, I have come here. I dont know anything beyond this. Who should be a minister (of SC/ST welfare) is the prerogative of the government, Sada said. The cabinet expansion in Bihar is due ever since two RJD ministers, Kartikey Kumar and Sudhakar Singh, quit. The state government currently has 28 ministers and can have up to 36 ministers. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The government commandeered boats and ships and evacuated 37,794 people to safety on Tuesday as Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Delhi to put finishing touches on a massive rescue-and-relief mission to forestall any damage caused by cyclone Biparjoy, which is expected to slam ashore in two days. People evacuated from Kandla port at a shelter in Gandhidham, Gujarat, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Also read: Cyclone Biparjoy only third in 60 years to hit Gujarat in June. Expert explains anomaly As Biparjoy barrelled up the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, it lost some of its intensity and dropped one rung to become a very severe cyclone, with winds gusting up to 185kmph. But experts warned that it could pick up pace again and cause colossal devastation in Gujarat by triggering gigantic storm surges. In Delhi, Shah told local authorities to ensure there are zero casualties and asked the Gujarat government to shift people residing in low-lying areas to safety. Our aim is to minimise the possible damage caused by the cyclonic storm Biparjoy and ensure that there are zero casualties. There is a need to act quickly on important instructions given by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) in the review meeting chaired by him on June 12, Shah said during the meeting, according to a statement issued by the ministry of home affairs (MHA). Biparjoy is likely to cross Saurashtra, Kutch and adjoining the Pakistan coast between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around evening on Thursday, with winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In Gujarat, local authorities said they took 37,794 people to makeshift relief centres. Relief commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said priority was given to the migration of individuals to safe locations, aiming to mitigate casualties and minimise losses. Four persons died in the state in three separate incidents in the past 24 hours because of pre-cyclonic rains and strong winds, police officialssaid. Biparjoy developed as a depression over southeast Arabian Sea at 5.30am on June 6, and intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm by June 11. On Tuesday, IMD said it weakened marginally to a very severe cyclonic storm but still retained its devastating capacity. Biparjoy has a huge damaging potential from massive storm surge to high waves, said M Mohapatra, director general of IMD. Storm surge, strong winds and high waves are expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts, IMD said. In Delhi, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel told the meeting that 21,595 boats, 27 ships and 24 large ships were commissioned. A list of sensitive villages has been prepared for the purpose of evacuation, he added. In addition, 450 hospitals were identified in the areas likely to be affected by the storm and the supply of essential medicines was ensured; 597 teams were deployed to ensure power supply. Besides, 18 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 teams of SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) were deployed, said the MHA statement. Shah also asked to make all necessary arrangements around Somnath and Dwarka temples, and said the safety of animals and trees in the Gir forest should also be ensured, the statement added. In Bhuj, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed measures being taken by the Centre and Gujarat administration and said an action plan was being put in place to tackle medical and health emergencies. According to a health ministry release, six Central Quick Response Medical Teams pooled from various hospitals such as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital Delhi, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences of Delhi, Jodhpur, and Nagpur have been mobilised to fulfil the emergency needs and services. NDRF teams comprising 500 rescuers and doctors readied themselves for rescue operations Armed with satellite phones, inflatable rubber boats and tree cutters, the teams were stationed along the coastline in Kutch, Dwarka and Jamnagar districts. Until this year, only two cyclones that developed over the Arabian Sea crossed the Gujarat coast in the month of June. Biparjoy is on course to becoming the longest sustaining Arabian Sea cyclone, having completed 150 hours at hurricane strength till Tuesday. On Tuesday, waves of height between nine and 14m defined as phenomenal waves were seen over northeast and east central Arabian Sea. Along and off the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough wave height of 4m and above till Wednesday evening. In simple terms, this means extremely rough seas with high storm surge affecting the coast, explained Vineet Kumar Singh, a researcher from Typhoon Research Centre, Jeju National University. Tidal waves of 2-3m in height above astronomical tide are likely to inundate low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch coasts (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Morbi districts) during Biparjoys landfall, IMD warned. Astronomical tide is expected to be between three and eight metres in height, IMD added. Astronomical tide is normal high tide (rise in sea water) due to the moons gravity which occurs every day at every coast. So, the cyclone will increase wave height beyond the normal (no cyclone) high tide conditions. This will affect low lying areas, added Singh. IMD has warned fishermen to suspend all operations over east central Arabian Sea till June 15 and asked those out at sea to return to the coast immediately. Biparjoy can smash thatched and kutcha houses, and damage pucca houses, IMD warned. There is a threat from flying objects, bending or uprooting of power and communication poles, flooding of escape routes, disruption of railways,and overhead power lines and signalling systems, the weather office added. Salt spray can damage standing crops too. We have recommended evacuation of vulnerable areas which is being carried out, Mohapatra said. Also read: IMD warns of 'extensive damaging potential' as cyclone Biparjoy approaches In Delhi, Patel apprised the home minister about the preparedness and measures taken by the local administration to protect the population. He said fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea and those at sea called back, MHA said. Along with this, units and assets of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been deployed for help as per requirements. The MHA and state government control room is monitoring the situation round the clock and all the agencies of the government of India are prepared to deal with any emergency situation. Shah has assured all possible help to the government of Gujarat, the statement said. Shah asked the Gujarat government to make arrangements for all necessary services for electricity, telecommunication, health and drinking water. He said that our preparedness should be such that in case of any damage, these services can be restored immediately. He directed to ensure mobile and landline connectivity and alternate arrangements for electricity in all hospitals. He also said that the storm is expected to bring 8-10 inches of rain, which may cause floods in Kutch and Saurashtra, the statement added. The review meeting, held virtually, was attended by Patel, Mandaviya and Union minister Purushottam Rupala, several ministers of Gujarat, members of parliament, state legislators, chief secretaries and district magistrates, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, director general of the meteorological department M Mohapatra,member secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),and senior officials of MHA. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended a man from Srinagar on Monday, suspecting his involvement with the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) module. On June 9, the ATS uncovered an ISKP module and took into custody three men from Porbandar. (Representative file image) According to ATS officials, the arrest now brings the total number of individuals detained to five, which includes one woman. Zubair Ahmed Munshi, a resident of Srinagar was taken to Ahmedabad on a transit remand, as stated by the ATS. Also Read: IS module busted: 3 J&K youth among 4 held by Gujarat ATS from Porbandar On June 9, the ATS uncovered an ISKP module and took into custody three men from Porbandar, along with a woman from Surat, all allegedly linked to ISKP. The three men from Srinagar, along with the Surat resident, were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). During the interrogation, it was discovered that Munshi was also a member of the ISKP module. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Days after a Varanasi district judge ordered a joint trial of eight suits claiming the existence of Hindu idols inside the Gyanvapi mosque adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple, one of the first plaintiffs in the case announced her withdrawal from the matter, alleging pressure and harassment. This is the second time Rakhi Singh has sought to distance herself from the Gyanvapi case since May 2021, when she, within days of a similar announcement, had made a volte-face and chose to stick around. PREMIUM The Gyanvapi case is currently being heard in the Varanasi district court.(HT_PRINT) Also read: Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case: Bhadri ex-royal meets plaintiff, assures support to legal battle Last Wednesday, Singh wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging the other four plaintiffs in the case and their lawyers spread false propaganda against her, adding she was considering euthanasia due to mental pressure. While the Hindu side appears divided, Singhs withdrawal from the case is unlikely to impact the proceedings before the Varanasi district judge because she is just one of the plaintiffs in the first case and there are four others in the same suit. Besides, there are six other suits in the Gyanvapi matter that have pressed for a claim over title of the land where the mosque currently stands. The latest turn of events puts the spotlight back on the Gyanvapi case, which, after the Ayodhya verdict in the Supreme Court in November 2019, is a key marker in Indias balancing act between religion, polity and the law. Gyanvapi dispute Less than two years after the Supreme Court delivered the landmark Ayodhya verdict, permitting the construction of a Ram temple at the site where the Babri Masjid stood before it was demolished by a mob in 1992, five Hindu women filed a civil suit in Varanasi in August 2021. Besides Singh, the other four plaintiffs included Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas, and Rekha Pathak. The women asserted their right to worship inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex, claiming that since the mosque was allegedly built after the demolition of a temple in its place in the 16th century, Hindu deities some visible, some not so are present inside the mosques precinct. The women asked for yearlong access to pray at a shrine behind the western wall of the mosque complex. The site is currently opened for prayers once a year. In April 2022, a Varanasi civil court ordered an inspection of the premises through an advocate commissioner. The following month, the civil court ordered a full survey of the mosque complex, rejecting the demands of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, the panel which manages the mosque, to limit the inquiry to certain parts of the precinct and remove the present surveyor. Even as the committee invoked the 1991 Places of Worship Act to seek the cessation of the survey, the Allahabad high court refused to halt the operation of the civil court order. The 1991 Act locks the position or religious identity of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. The mosque management committee endeavours to bar all claims over the access to the mosque or title of the Gyanvapi complex relying on the 1991 law. Section 3 of the Act imposes a prohibition on individuals and groups of people against converting, in full or part, of a place of worship of any religious denomination into a place of worship of a different religious denomination, or even a different segment of the same religious denomination. Also read: Main litigant in Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque cases to withdraw after lack of resources, harassment Supreme Court intervention On May 13, 2022, the Supreme Court declined to stop at once the survey of Gyanvapi mosque, saying the matter would have to be considered in due course, as the committee appealed against the high court order. Two days later, the Varanasi civil court ordered a section of the mosque complex sealed after Hindu petitioners lawyer Hari Shankar Jain claimed that a shivling was spotted at the bottom of a tank during the survey. On May 17, 2022, when the top court took up the matter, the mosque management committee urged the bench to immediately stay the proceedings before the Varanasi court, but to no avail. The bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud (presently Chief Justice of India) and PS Narasimha directed the section of the mosque complex where the shivling was purportedly found shall remain protected, adding that Muslims will also have the right to offer namaz in other sections of the mosque without any hindrance. If a shivling is found, we have to maintain a balance... We have to balance it out. We are aware of the sensitivities involved... This is a situation where everybody must co-operate, it remarked on that day. On May 20, the Supreme Court bench, which included justice Surya Kant in addition to the two judges mentioned above, made a crucial observation regarding the applicability of the 1991 Act to the Gyanvapi case. Ascertainment of religious character of a place may not be barred by the 1991 Places of Worship Act, the top court observed on that day as it refrained from interfering with the mosque survey. The court, in its order, shifted the suit filed by Hindu women from Varanasi civil judge to the district judge for deciding the mosque management committees preliminary objections against the enquiry. Noting that the complexities and sensitivities involved in the matter would require a more senior and experienced hand, the three-judge bench transferred the suit to the Varanasi district judge. It asked the district judge to decide on priority the application of the mosque management committee under Order VII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) that challenged the maintainability of the suit on the ground that the case of Hindu plaintiffs was barred by the 1991 Act. On September 12, the Varanasi district judge dismissed the committees application, holding that the suit filed by the Hindu women seeking the right to pray daily to idols installed inside the Gyanvapi Masjid is not barred under the 1991 Act or any other existing laws and should be decided on merits. The district judge emphasised the Hindu plaintiffs were not seeking a title of the property or a declaration that the disputed property is a temple. The plaintiffs are claiming only right to worship at disputed property, it added. The Supreme Court was apprised of the district judges decision during the hearing on November 11 when the court extended indefinitely the protection of the section inside the mosque complex where the shivling was stated to have been found during the survey. On that day, the bench also asked the Hindu parties to move an application before the Varanasi district judge for consolidation of all the suits filed on the Gyanvapi row. On May 19, the Supreme Court intervened again to put on hold the Allahabad high court order for a scientific survey to determine the age of the structure inside Gyanvapi mosque that Hindus insist is a shivling and Muslims say is part of a fountain. While the Uttar Pradesh government favoured suspending the impugned order to protect the structure from any harm, the top court said it would hear the challenge to the scientific survey along with the main case filed by the mosque management committee against the first order of survey by the Varanasi civil court that led to the discovery of the purported shivling inside the mosque complex in May last year. Six lawsuits that seek title Six suits that were filed after the one filed in August 2021 notably did not just pray for a right to worship but also claimed title over the land where the Gyanvapi Masjid currently stands. Filed through advocate Vishnu Jain, these six suits demanded restoration of a temple at the disputed site following a declaration that the entire area belongs to Hindu deity Asthan Lord Adi Visheshwar. The first plaintiffs of these suits included Satyam Tripathi, Ranjana Agnihotri, Suresh Chavhanke, Mahant Shiv Prakash Pandey and Sitendra Choudhary. Most of these suits were filed as next friend and devotees of the Hindu deities. The suit by Mahant Shiv Prakash Pandey seeks a declaration that the deity is the owner of the land where the mosque stands and the mosque management has no right to enter upon or use this land and property in any manner. Issue mandatory injunction directing Defendants No.1 (UP Central Sunni Waqf Board) and 2 (Committee) to remove the super structure raised over Aadi Visheshwar Jyotirlinga within the time provided by the court failing which same may be removed through the executing agency of the honble court, prayed this suit, adding a new temple of Aadi Visheshwar must be constructed at the site where the Gyanvapi mosque stands. The suit filed by Pandey further sought annulment of the registration of the plot in favour of Uttar Pradesh Central Sunni Waqf Board at the disputed site while seeking a restraining order against the board and the committee from making any interference in the worship of the deity within the property in suit. The other five suits plead similarly, pressing for the ownership and title rights over the land where the Gyanvapi mosque stands. By an order on May 23, the district judge ordered clubbing and joint trial of these six suits and one more suit with the first case filed by Rakhi Singh and others while allowing consolidation of suits. The district judge noted that in all these cases, the subject matter and points raised for determination are almost similar and, therefore, it will be expedient in the interest of justice that all the eight suits are tried together. The judge clarified the oldest among the batch of suits, filed by Rakhi Singh and others, will be the leading case and evidence will be recorded in that case. Long road ahead A week after the cases were clubbed before the Varanasi district court, the Allahabad high court paved the way for the trial in the matter as it dismissed the mosque management committees appeal against the September order which had held the suit filed by Rakhi Singh and others to be maintainable. However, while the Varanasi district court has fixed July 7 as the next date of hearing, the mosque management committee has decided to challenge the high courts order on maintainability before the Supreme Court. When the top court will take up the matter, the committee is expected to seek a stay before the proceedings before the district judge. Besides, the district judge now has eight suits before him. In six of these suits that have sought ownership of the disputed land, the mosque committee has filed separate applications under Order VII Rule 11, demanding rejection of the plaints. The remedy enshrined under Order VII Rule 11 is an independent and special remedy that enables the court to summarily reject a suit at the beginning, without proceeding to record the evidence or conduct a trial, if it is against the set grounds. There are several grounds that can be raised under Order VII Rule 11, which include a lack of suitable cause of action, undervaluation of the relief claimed and if the suit is barred by limitation or any other statute. The mosque committee has raised the last two grounds mentioned above while pressing for rejection of the six plaints, arguing the suits are filed belatedly (barred by limitation) and further in contravention of the 1991 Places of Worship Act. The mosque management committee is likely to stress on decisions on their separate applications under Order VII Rule 11 at the threshold before the district court. They rely on a raft of Supreme Court judgments, including the one in Dahiben vs Arvindbhai Kalyanji Bhanushali (2020) that made an affirmation that there shall be a rejection of the plaint if it fails to meet the preliminary grounds of maintainability. The Muslim side also cites the apex court judgment in K Roja vs US Rayu & Anr (1960), which held that while an application under Order VII Rule 11 can be filed at any stage, the court must decide the same before proceeding with the trial. There is no point or sense in proceeding with the trial of the case if the plaint is only to be rejected at the threshold, said this judgment. Therefore, the district judge will be urged to first take a call on the applications moved under Order VII Rule 11 in each of the seven suits clubbed by it. On the other hand, the Hindu side is expected to argue the district court should proceed to record the evidence without the need to decide the applications on maintainability of the seven suits in the first instance. They bank on the Supreme Court judgment in Sopan Sukhdeo Sable vs Astt Charity Commissioner (2004), holding that the trial court can exercise its power at any time before the conclusion of the trial. With an array of legal battles parallelly set in motion, the Gyanvapi dispute is a microcosm of what is to follow in terms of the role of the judiciary and judicial scrutiny after the 2019 Ayodhya verdict. But there will be many twists and turns before the case reaches its verdict, inevitably in the Supreme Court. Central paramilitary forces must be deployed in seven sensitive districts and other areas witnessing law-and-order problems to ensure free and fair panchayat elections in West Bengal on July 8, the Calcutta high court ordered on Tuesday. The court also declined to extend the polling date or the period for filing of nominations. A vehicle is damaged after violence erupted in South 24 Parganas district. (ANI) Also read: Bengal panchayat polls to be held in single phase on July 8: State election body The order came amid reports of sporadic violence in several districts over filing of nominations that started on June 9 hours after the state election commission (SEC) announced the polls on June 8 and will continue till June 15. A division bench headed by chief justice TS Sivagnanam also ordered the SEC to install CCTV cameras in all polling stations. We are of the view that the state election commission should and shall requisition the deployment of central forces to work in tandem with the police force of the state of West Bengal to ensure free and fair elections, the bench also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya said in its order, a copy of which HT has seen. The court order came on separate petitions filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari and state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on June 9, a day after state poll commissioner Rajiva Sinha announced the schedule of the three-tier zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats elections. The court ordered that the Centre has to provide the paramilitary force units to the state free of cost, said lawyer Koustav Bagchi, representing Chowdhury. The order said that SEC has to decide their deployment after reviewing law and order problems along with the state administration. The districts earmarked as sensitive by the SEC are Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Murshidabad, East Midnapore and Jalpaiguri. We direct the State Election Commission to install CCTV cameras in all polling stations and only those polling stations where it is technically not feasible to install CCTV cameras, the entire process commencing from the filing of the nomination papers till the declaration of the result have to be videographed, the bench ordered. In their petitions, the Congress and BJP leaders had also demanded extension of the polling date and deadline for filing of nomination, but the bench did not order any changes in the election schedule. The judges, however, on Monday suggested that polling may be held on July 14 and nominations can be filed between June 15 and 21. The judges did not allow filing of nominations online or through social media apps as demanded by the petitioners, said lawyer and Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Kalyan Banerjee, representing the state. The court also refused to extend the daily timing for filing of nomination, which is from 11 am to 3 pm. State chief secretary HK Dwivedi held a meeting with SEC officials soon after the court order. The SEC also held an all-party meeting for the first time on Tuesday afternoon. The attitude of the SEC was not inspiring. It is doubtful that the order of the court will be followed in letter and spirit, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty, who attended the meeting, said. The SEC is acting like an arm of the state government which should not be the case. Meanwhile, several Opposition parties in the state alleged that workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) resorted to violence and stopped their candidates from filling nomination papers. Crude bombs were hurled at random by miscreants at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas. One policeman was injured when glass bottles were hurled at him, a police officer said, requesting anonymity. The situation was brought under control late in the afternoon. Indian Secular Front (ISF) leader Nawsad Siddique, who represents the Bhangar assembly constituency, alleged that one of his party workers sustained bullet injury while several others were injured in attacks. Also read: Congress to Bengal guv on panchayat polls: 'TMC thugs preying like monsters' Senior TMC leader Arabul Islam, however, claimed that his car was ransacked by ISF workers who also planted a crude bomb in the glove compartment to implicate him. Let the state police investigate and find the truth, Siddique said. BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh welcomed the court order. The judiciary realises that no election can be held in Bengal without deploying central forces. Violence intensifies especially during panchayat and civic body elections, Ghosh added. India and the US on Tuesday unveiled a major initiative to drive cooperation in hi-tech across seven areas, ranging from artificial intelligence to semiconductors and defence, with the focus on removing barriers and export controls standing in the way of enhanced collaboration. NSA Ajit Doval with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI) The move, spelled out by national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his visiting US counterpart Jake Sullivan, is part of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) launched in January and envisages closer cooperation between private industry, researchers and academia of the two sides. It is also part of efforts to focus on deliverables for Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US next week. Sullivan also met PM Modi and briefed him on progress in various areas of cooperation. He said US President Joe Biden looked forward to welcoming Modi on his state visit. Modi expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the comprehensive global strategic partnership with the US, and said he looked forward to a productive visit and an engaging conversation with President Biden on bilateral, regional and global issues, according to a readout from the external affairs ministry. Addressing a roundtable on the theme Advancing India-US iCET organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Doval highlighted the speed at which things had moved. I was very excited, but I was also sceptical. I wasnt very sure whether the idea would be able to take off. Today, I am much more confident and hopeful. And it is because of not what has happened between the governments, he said. Its more because of the response [from] industry, business, scientists, research scholars [and] institutions. They took the battle, and they took the battle much faster, at much greater speed than I had anticipated. Sullivan said the cooperation was about much more than technology. Its about our people-to-people relationships. Its about building the skills of our populations. Its about building habits of trust and confidence between every element of our societies and governments, its about deepening our defence cooperation in ways that will serve us strategically as well as economically, he said. The visit again underlines the deepening ties between India and the US, which will be further bolstered when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington DC. The partnership spanning several fields will be crucial for New Delhis plans to counter Chinas aggression. Apart from restricted discussions between Doval and Sullivan on Tuesday, separate groups held discussions on seven specific areas of cooperation AI and quantum computing, advanced materials, defence, semiconductors, next generation telecommunications, bio-tech, and space. People familiar with the matter said the focus is on concrete deliverables ahead of Modis visit to the US, removing barriers, and aligning export control regulations of the two countries. This is a work in progress though we have made significant progress in just six months. The export controls are more on the US side, one of the people cited above said. Doval noted that the two sides have put in place the Quantum Coordination Mechanism, signed an MoU on semiconductors and launched a public-private dialogue on telecommunications to drive collaboration in Open RAN, 5G and 6G. There have also been important exchanges on AI and positive momentum on the defence and space pillars, he said. Sullivan noted the two sides are seeking to address issues that have stood in the way of maximising the full potential of cooperation. The deliverables for Modis visit are not just bullet points on a page, he said. They are fundamentally designed to remove those obstacles in defence trading, in hi-tech trade, in investment in each of our countries, in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of better collaboration among our scientists and researchers, in stimulating greater access for our students going both ways, for Americans coming to India, for Indians coming to the US, he added. Sullivan described recent contacts between key institutions and departments of the two sides as unprecedented and designed to remove barriers keeping us from being able to drive forward in ways that all of us want to see. This includes research and development on 5G, 6G, defence cooperation and removing barriers to strategic trade. Fundamentally, our aim is to catalyse and encourage as much, if not more, momentum between our businesses, our think tanks and research chambers, he said. Key recommendations from Tuesdays discussions include signing a security of supply agreement in the realm of defence and listing India among the qualifying countries for the Defence Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), while also easing regulatory mechanisms to facilitate co-design and co-development of critical technologies. In the field of semiconductors, there were recommendations to decentralise supply chains to create an alternate eco-system for de-risking and for developing a talent corridor between India and the US. In the field of advanced materials, there was a recommendation to simplify export control guidelines and speed up clearances for manufacturing licensing agreements and joint technology development agreements. There was also a recommendation in the realm of space cooperation for joint satellite missions to co-develop core technologies and to create a white list for technology transfers between India and the US. In telecommunications, the recommendations included the development of an innovation corridor for joint research and chip innovations and creating a trusted and structured framework for supply chains, cyber-security and technology access. Sullivans visit to India comes on the heels of trips to New Delhi by other key US officials such as treasury secretary Janet Yellen (in February), secretary of state Antony Blinken (in March), under secretary of state for political affairs Victoria Nuland (in March) and defense secretary Lloyd Austin (in May). The iCET is being seen as a major new initiative that builds on framework agreements signed by the two sides for collaboration and sharing of sensitive technologies, including the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that was inked in 2018 and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) signed in 2020. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail In a dramatic rescue operation spread across 48 hours the Indian Coast Guard has succeeded in evacuating 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the coast of Gujarat as the state preps for the impact of cyclonic storm Biparjoy. Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) ALH Mk-III (CG 858) helicopter airlifts 11 personnel from jack-up rig 'Key Singapore' operating off Dwarka to Okha, in Dwarka, Monday, June 12, 2023.(PTI) The 50 personnel were evacuated in two batches -24 were rescued this morning and 26 on Monday. "All 50 personnel have been evacuated from jack-up rig 'Key Singapore' operating off Dwarka coast near Okha (in) Gujarat by ICG ALH Dhruv helicopters," the maritime defence organisation said. Watch video of Indian Coast Guard's heroic rescue The ALH, or Advanced Light Helicopters, and naval vessels carried out the rescue mission despite 'very rough sea conditions' because of Biparjoy, which is expected to make landfall along Gujarat's Kutch coast Thursday. Where is Cyclone Biparjoy and what next? The intensity of rainfall in Gujarat is expected to gradually increase as Biparjoy approaches, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. Biparjoy is very likely to move nearly northwards till Wednesday morning and then move north-northeast and make landfall near coastal Gujarat districts of Saurashtra and Kutch, as well as adjoining parts of Pakistan's coast. The cyclone is expected to hit the coastal areas with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. Saurashtra and Kutch are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall today. The intensity of rainfall is likely to increase on Thursday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh districts. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday hailed India's strides in digital payments and financial technology. US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti speaks at an event in New Delhi.(Twitter/ANI) "When I look at digital payments and financial tech that India has, we have rocked the world. A 'tea wala' in a village makes sure that she gets direct payment from the govt on her phone, a 100% of each one of those rupees... I recently had a dinner with a group of multi-faith leaders in India, one of them said We hear all these talks about 4G, 5G and 6G, but here in India we have something more powerful than that-'Guruji, ANI quoted him as saying at an event. Garcetti also hailed national security advisor Ajit Doval, calling him an international treasure. Ajit Doval, a village boy from Uttarakhand who has not only become a national treasure but an international treasure... When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians, Garcetti, who took over as US envoy in India three years after his predecessor Kenneth Juster had completed his term, added. The event was also attended by US national security advisor Jake Sullivan, who is in the capital to finalise the agreements which will be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States next week. US President Joe Biden is thrilled to see what is happening here and to watch how things unfold... As we look ahead to the state visit that PM Modi will be embarking upon in Washington next week, a number of the deliverables at that visit are not just bullet points on a page, they are fundamentally designed to remove obstacles in defence and high-tech trades and in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of better collaboration among our scientists and researchers, Sullivan said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday called upon the people of the state to stop the entry of political parties who are bashing the land record management portal Dharani, and throw them in the Bay of Bengal. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao unveils the collectorate complex in Gadwal district headquarters. Addressing a public meeting following the inauguration of the integrated Collectorate and police complex in Gadwal district headquarters, the chief minister continued his tirade on opposition Congress. Ge accused the grand old party of carried out a malicious propaganda against Dharani portal and the development works of his government. This government is keen on welfare and development and it has been undertaking unique programs of welfare for the people of different communities and different sections of the society, KCR, as the CM is popularly called, said. Rao detailed how the state of Telangana progressed during the past nine years and how it became a front runner in all development activities. We are first in the country to provide drinking water facility to each and every household with our mission Bhagiratha and we succeeded in implementing mission Kakatiya. The government has improvised the conditions of common people through various welfare schemes such as Dalith Bandhu and the recent Bandhu concepts with a concerted approach in the rural areas, he added. Rao said that the endeavours of the government entailed in the improvement of medical and health care facilities in the state. The government has established thirty plus medical colleges and it is perfectly implementing the development at the doorstep, he added. During the meeting, the chief minister detailed the development on the land regulation pattern through the Dharani portal. Dharani has been the innovative concept that helped the people in general and poor sections in particular to get their land records in a systematic manner, Rao said. Per capita income has increased in the state and how the government has succeeded in providing the integrated Collectorate complexes in the state, h added. KCR said the administration was achieving several development concepts through welfare. He detailed that five medical colleges were established in Mahabubnagar alone where development remained a mirage several years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Reacting to the Centre's outright lie' response to former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's claims on farmers' protest, ex-IT minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday remarked that while Dorsey had no reason to lie, the BJP-led central government had every reason to do so. Ex-Union minister Kapil Sibal (File Photo/ANI)(Sanjay Sharma) "Jack Dorsey Ex-Twitter CEO said : BJP government during farmers protest threatened: To shut down Twitter-India offices Raid homes of Twitter-India employees Minister denies Some have no reason to lie Others every reason to lie !" A vocal critic of the BJP regime and prime minister Narendra Modi, Sibal, an independent Rajya Sabha MP who resigned from the Congress last year, was the IT minister under then PM Manmohan Singh's Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, holding the portfolio from Jan 2011 to May 2014. What is the controversy? Dorsey, who co-founded the social media giant and was the CEO of its namesake parent company until his departure from the role in November 2021 Elon Musk bought Twitter in October last year but the ex-CEO retained his 2.4% ownership spoke about India's year-long farmers' protest (Nov 2020-2021), doing so on a YouTube show, Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar. There, he was asked by the hosts if, as the chief executive officer, he ever faced pressure from a foreign government. On this, the 46-year-old said: "India for example, India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government, and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India we would raid the homes of your employees', which they did; we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit. And this is India, a democratic country. How has the government responded? Rajeev Chandrashekar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Technology, described the claims as an 'outright lie.' "No one went to jail nor was Twitter shutdownIndia as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India, the minister said in a tweet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 'That is why they banned Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account', Congress leader KC Venugopal declared Tuesday amid outrage over ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey's comment - about 'pressure' to shut down accounts and delete tweets critical of the Narendra Modi government during the farmers protest of 2020 and 2021. Declaring Dorsey's allegations 'alarming and shocking for all', he said, "Entire government machinery is pressurising Twitter CEO to suppress and shut the opposition's voice." KC Venugopal (Twitter/INCIndia) "That is why they banned Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account. Where is the freedom of expression, freedom of media?... Not only in Parliament, but we will also raise this issue throughout the country," Venugopal said. The Congress leader's comments come after Dorsey - who quit as Twitter boss last year, after Elon Musk's sensational takeover - claimed the company received 'many requests' from India to block accounts covering the farmers' protests. "India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government, and it manifested in ways such as 'we will shut Twitter down in India' 'we would raid the homes of your employees', which they did" he told YouTube-based podcast Breaking Point. Venugopal's party colleague Supriya Shrinate has slammed the government too, tweeting, "When farmers were agitating at Delhi border for more than a year braving winter, summer, and rain they were called 'Mawali, Khalistani, Pakistani and terrorists' and platforms like Twitter were told that if they show farmers, they would be shut down in India and raided." Government's response The government has predictably dismissed Dorsey's claims; junior union technology minister called it an 'outright lie' and said Twitter 'had a problem accepting sovereignty of Indian law'. "Between 2020-2022, Twitter was violating Indian law multiple times. It started complying only in 2022. During that period nobody went to jail and nobody was raided. Dorsey, knowing Twitter did not comply and didnt face any consequence, is today lying and making up stories" Rahul Gandhi's account banned on Twitter Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account had been 'temporarily suspended' in 2021 after he posted pictures of the parents of a minor girl who was raped and murdered in Delhi. "We have followed the necessary due diligence process to review the appeal in order to protect the safety and privacy of the affected individuals. We have updated our enforcement action based on the consent provided by the people depicted in the image," a Twitter spokesperson said at the time. (With ANI inputs) Law does not recognise live-in relationships as marriage, the Kerala high court observed on Tuesday. The court added that when two individuals decide to live together by virtue of a mere agreement and not in accordance with any personal law or Special Marriage Act, they cannot claim it to be a marriage or seek divorce, legal website Bar and Bench reported. A division bench comprising justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Sophy Thomas made the observation about live-in relationships. The justices observed that they (live-in relationships) are yet to recognised legally, adding that a relationship is granted recognition by law only if marriage is solemnised in accordance with personal law or secular law like the Special Marriage Act. The Kerala high court said live-in relationships might be recognised for other purposes, but not for divorce. Reiterating that law is yet to recognise live-in relationships as marriages, the court said marriage isn a social institution which is recognised by legislation and reflects the social and moral ideals in the society. The high court said that divorce is just a means to separate a legal marriage. Live-in relationships might be recognised for other purposes, but not for divorce. The court added that parties can be allowed for divorce only if they are married as per recognised forms of marriage. The high court judgment said that divorce is customised via legislation. The extra-judicial divorce followed in some communities have also got recognition through statutory laws and all other forms of divorce are of statutory nature. The high court bench made the observations while hearing an appeal filed by a couple of different faiths who were in a live-in relationship and had challenged a family court order refusing to grant them divorce under Special Marriage Act. The petitioners, a Hindu and another a Christian, decided to live together as a husband and wife in 2006 through a registered means.. The couple also had a child together during the relationship. But now the couple wished to end their relationship and had approached the family court with a joint petition for mutual divorce under Special Marriage Act. But the court refused to grant them divorce on ground that they were not married under the said act. As a result, the petitioners moved the high court. The petitioners' lawyer had argued that when both parties had accepted their relationship as a marriage through declaration, the court cannot decide whether they are legally married or not. The high court said that when two parties decide to live together through a mere agreement and not as per any personal law or Special Marriage Act, they cannot claim it to be a marriage or seek divorce. The high court noted that the family court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain such a divorce claim, and asked it to return the petition holding it as not maintainable. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar on Tuesday reiterated that the personal details of Indian citizens provided by an automated account on the messaging application Telegram were prima facie not leaked from CoWIN app even as the data included the location of their last Covid vaccination. CoWIN is the repository of all data of beneficiaries who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Union minister of state for electronics and information technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar. (File) Chandrashekhar, the minister of state for Electronics and IT, said that the country's nodal cyber security agency CERT-In reviewed the matter and reported that the alleged leaked details were either fake or had been collected from some other source by some third party threat actor. He alleged that there are many forces and interests in the world that want to undermine the government portal used for vaccination registration. I believe that yesterday's alleged breach of CoWIN was one more instance of people trying to target the CoWIN app, Chandrashekhar said. Agency that is tasked with dealing with cybersecurity breaches is investigating the matter. Yesterday prima facie they already reported that the data reported by Telegram bot was not from CoWIN app. Data was either fake or had been collected from some other source by some third party threat actor, he added. Opposition parties on Monday demanded an inquiry into the data breach claims and asked the government to take deterrent action. Congress leaders alleged it was a case of "criminal negligence" and asked why the government was sitting on a data protection law. "In its Digital India frenzy, GoI has woefully ignored citizen privacy. Personal data of every single Indian who got the COVID-19 vaccination is publicly available. Including my own data. Who let this happen? Why is GoI sitting on a data protection law?" Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said. The health ministry said in a statement that there was no basis for the reports alleging the breach of data from the CoWIN portal. "Only OTP authentication-based access of data is provided. All steps have been taken and are being taken to ensure the security of the data in the CoWIN portal," the ministry said. "CERT-In in its initial report has pointed out that the backend database for the Telegram bot was not directly accessing the APIs of the CoWIN database," the statement said. It said certain Twitter users have claimed the personal data of individuals who have been vaccinated is being accessed using a Telegram (online messenger application) Bot. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bargari agitation in 2015 and Nabha jailbreak in 2016 brought North India based gangsters and Khalistanis together, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a charge sheet filed in March, details of which are only emerging now, that claimed that this alliance, and active involvement by Pakistans spy agency created a network involved in high-profile killings, and smuggling of drugs and arms. The agency added that this successful terrorists-gangster nexus was cemented by the sensational Nabha high security jail break in November 2016. (HT) NIA filed the charge sheet against Canada-based Satinder Singh alias Goldy Brar and jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in its investigation into a nexus between the North Indian gangs and Khalistani terror groups. The Bargari Morcha (agitation) which started after the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot in (October) 2015 and subsequent police action on agitators provided a public space to radical extremists. Many Sikh radicals held a protest in Bargari with the support of pro-Khalistani elements (PKEs) based abroad, in guise of Kaum Vaaste Kamm (task in the name of religion). The PKEs used this opportunity and started their nefarious activities to disturb the hard-earned peace and unity in the state, NIA said in its charge sheet, a copy of which has been reviewed by HT. These PKEs started identifying and executing killings in the garb of Kaum de Dushman (enemies of the religion). Radicalising innocent people, they started using the large pool of people gathered at Bargari Morcha and such other options, across the state, for terror activities. It has been revealed in numerous investigations that most of these accused were radicalised after the incident, the charge sheet said, adding that the PKEs, however, faced a major problem as they didnt have foot-soldiers who were ready to execute the killings on the directions of terror groups based abroad, and lacked logistical support in terms of supply of weapons, training, and access to vehicles and safe havens.This is where gangsters came handy. The charge sheet mentions that Pakistan-based and now deceased chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) Harmeet Singh alias PhD was first approached by a dreaded gangster Dharminder Singh alias Gugni (lodged in Ludhiana) seeking weapons for the Kaum (religion). Gugni , it added, provided weapons to Hardeep Singh alias Shera and Ramandeep Singh alias Canadian who embarked on a spree of targeted killings with their victims including Brigadier (retd) Jagdish Gagneja (vice president of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, Punjab), Shiv Sena leaders Durga Das Gupta and Amit Sharma, RSS leader Ravinder Gosain, and some Dera Sacha Sauda followers. It was for the first time Punjab witnessed such large-scale targeted killing after the end of terrorism in 1995, said the charge sheet. The agency added that this successful terrorists-gangster nexus was cemented by the sensational Nabha high security jail break in November 2016. Such a daring act was not witnessed even during the heydays of militancy in Punjab. The jailbreak was successful manifestation of terror- gangster association which led to escape of two dreaded terrorists Harminder Singh alias Mintoo (chief of KLF) and Kashmir Singh Galwandi (a KLF terrorist) and four gangsters, NIA added. The planning, execution and capabilities shown by gangsters in the jail break caught the eye of terrorist organisations. The mastermind of Nabha jailbreak, Ramanjit Singh alias Romi was detained in Hong Kong. A US based Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is believed to be providing him legal support. But it isnt always one-way, the charge sheet explained. It said the Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leaders, Wadhawa Singh and Harwinder Singh Rinda were searching for experienced killers and shooters in India. This is where (the) Lawrence Bishnoi gang fitted into the scheme of things. His syndicate is spread across the states (and Union territories) that include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand. For the Indian gangs, the PKEs and terror groups provide an avenue to access sophisticated weapons, launder money, and settle members abroad with the help of PKEs who are well settled in various countries across the world the charge sheet said. The charge sheet added that in several attacks planed by BKI , such as the one on Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in May 2022, or the one a police station in Sarhali, Tarn Taran (December 9, 2022), the executioners were from outside states like Haryana, Delhi, and UP. And there is a further pay-off for the PKEs, the charge sheet claimed, saying that its investigators found that a considerable amount of money generated by Lawrence Bishnoi through his activities is being sent to Canada, US, Thailand and Australia for the use of foreign based gang members, and also for funding of PKEs. The agency has compared Bishnoi gang with what D-Company of Dawood Ibrahim was in 1990s. Bishnois gang has 700 members, who, NIA says, have generated crores of rupees over the years. Overall, close to 300 gangsters and mid-level criminals have been arrested by the NIA and the Delhi Police as part of a larger crackdown since August last year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The new Parliament building, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, is set to host the upcoming monsoon session, with offices for nearly all political parties present in Parliament identified and key departments told to shift to the new establishment, senior functionaries directly involved with the development said on condition of anonymity. The parliament building was inaugurated on May 28. (File photo) Also read: Can't run away from dynasty politics; Parliament not run by my father: Supriya Sule The upper ground and first floors of the new building the key areas for daily functioning are ready for use, they added. These areas house the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, the Speakers and Rajya Sabha Chairmans offices, the Prime Ministers Office, and rooms for senior ministers and a few political parties. Finishing touches are being given to the remaining areas, the functionaries said. Important departments such as the Table Office, the legislative branch and the Notice Office have been asked to shift to the new building. Officers are being told to get accustomed to their new offices quickly. All this is being done keeping the upcoming session in mind, said one of them. The monsoon sessions usually runs from the middle of July to August. A second functionary said the allotment of offices for political parties will be done next week. In the new Parliament building nearly all political parties represented in Parliament will get offices (in the current building, only a few parties have dedicated office space). The offices of ministers will be distributed by the parliamentary affairs ministry and those of the parties , by Speaker Om Birla. In the existing building, completed in 1927, the Prime Ministers Office has only two rooms on the ground floor. The SPG operates from a small room at the basement. There is an urgent need for a bigger space for PMO in the new building. In the old building, top-ranking PMO officials are allotted only a table and a chair, said a third functionary. Modi laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020, but construction was delayed due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. Despite the delay, the Parliament secretariat said, the building has been built in record time with quality construction. Also read: New Parliament is made with all colours of India; Check what comes from where The second official added that computers and other instruments are being fitted and the enter exercise is expected to be over by June. HT reported on June 1 that a large number of officials will continue to work from their existing offices and only a few sections will shift to the new building. The second and the third floors of the old building will continue to have parliamentary offices. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Over 35,000 people from coastal areas in Gujarat have been evacuated and moved to makeshift relief centres ahead of cyclone Biparjoy, which is expected to cause extensive damage when it makes landfall near Jakhau port in Kutch district on Thursday, officials said on Tuesday. The army arranges relief materials for local residents in Gujarats Bhuj on Tuesday. (Indian Army) Seventeen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on standby for rescue operations, as the state recorded four deaths in a span of 24 hours because of pre-cyclonic rains and strong winds, the officials added. Government schools in eight districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi-Dwarka, Gir-Somnath, Morbi and Rajkot, where heavy rainfall is predicted, were declared shut till Friday and prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC, which bans gathering of five or more people, have been imposed in Kutch till June 16. Fishermen were strongly advised against venturing into the Arabian Sea, officials said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Biparjoy is likely to cross Saurashtra, Kutch and the adjoining Pakistan coast between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around Thursday evening, with winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph. Biparjoy developed as a depression over southeast Arabian Sea at 5.30am on June 6, and intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm by June 11. As it barrelled up the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, it lost some of its intensity and dropped one rung to become a very severe cyclone, with winds gusting up to 185 kmph. But experts warned that it could pick up pace again and cause colossal devastation in Gujarat by triggering gigantic storm surges. The cyclonic storm will have maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph. The state is expected to get heavy to very heavy rainfall in these areas from June 12 to June 16, IMD Ahmedabad director Manorama Mohanty said. Earlier in the day, Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Delhi to discuss the situation. The meeting was also attended by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel. Relief commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said the government is focusing on evacuating the people to safer areas, and ensuring minimum loss of life and damage to property. As a result, 37,794 people have been evacuated to secure areas in various districts of Gujarat. The evacuations took place in the eight districts, the official said. IMD has predicted heavy rain in these eight districts on Wednesday and Thursday. Pandey said that more evacuations will be held in the coastal areas in the next 24 hours. There are enough makeshift relief centres, including government buildings, with vital facilities such as water, food and medicine available for those who have been shifted, he said. All hospitals, both private and public, and health centres in areas which are likely to be affected by the storm have adequate medical staff and proper stock of medicines, Pandey said. The state government is in constant touch with the district administration for providing immediate and necessary assistance during rescue operations, he added. Officials linked to the preparations said over 40,000 food packets, 2,000 kgs of milk powder and 45,000 tetrapacks of milk have been prepared to delivered to those who are likely to be affected. According to NDRF officials, their teams will be stationed along the coastline in Kutch, Dwarka and Jamnagar. Armed with satellite phones, VHF sets, inflatable rubber boats, and tree cutters, these teams will help clear roads and rescue those trapped. Each team will also comprise senior officers of the rank of deputy commandant or assistant commandant, the officials said. We did not want to send teams at the last minute, so all our teams reached the state by road. The teams are a mix of experienced and new rescuers. The experienced are those who have worked in floods or similar natural calamities before. We are working with the state authorities and posting the rescuers in places where the cyclone may have its biggest impact, NDRF director general Atul Karwal said. Officials aware of the matter said the teams selected to work in the state are a mix of young rescuers. While some are from Maharashtra, who have handled floods in the state, others are those who worked during the floods in Jodhpur last year. In a statement, the army said that flood relief columns have been kept ready in Bhuj, Jamnagar, Gandhidham, Dharangdhra, Vadodara and Gandhinagar as well as forward locations in Naliya, Dwarka and Amreli. The army authorities have also jointly planned the relief operations with civil administration as well as NDRF, the statement said. The road building Department said it has formed 115 teams which will be deployed with 167 JCBs and 230 dumpers. The power department said it has kept a total of 889 teams on stand-by, including 597 in the above eight districts, and will ensure that power supply from 6,950 feeders is not affected. The measures came as four people died in separate instances caused by the impending cyclone. Government officials and police said that on Tuesday, a migrant labourer from Madhya Pradesh died and her son was injured after a chimney at a ceramic factory in Morbi district collapsed due to heavy rains. On Monday, two minor siblings, aged 4 and 6, died in an incident of wall collapse caused by heavy downpour in Bhuj. In Porbandar, a 50-year-old man died after his house in Kharwavad area collapsed during the rains. The area registered heavy downpour and strong winds between 4am and 4.30am, which weakened the structure of the house. The man succumbed to injuries in a hospital, Porbandar superintendent of police Neelam Goswami said. The government has closed nine ports, including the Adani Groups Mundra port, in Kutch. Privately owned captive ports in Vadinar, operated by Nayara Energy, and Sikka, managed by Reliance Industries Ltd, have also suspended activities in view of the cyclone, officials said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the new appointees as he distributes about 70,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits in various government departments and organizations at the "Rozgar Mela" via video conference, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI) Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused Opposition parties of promoting corruption, nepotism and malpractice in schemes and government recruitment as he credited his administration for safeguarding the future of young people and distributed job appointment letters to 70,000 candidates. Addressing virtually a Rozgar Mela (employment fair) on Tuesday where he distributed 70,126 recruitment letters, the PM alleged that dynastic parties looted the youth of the country with rate cards for jobs while his government brought in transparency and pace in the employment exercise. Out of the appointment letters handed out, 28,312 were given to the Railways, said a senior railway official. Out of 28,312 appointment letters, 22,752 are from the safety category, a railways official said, requesting anonymity. We have seen how dynastic political parties promoted nepotism and corruption in all systems. When it came to government jobs, these parties encouraged nepotism and corruption. These dynastic parties have betrayed crores of youth, Modi said. Recruitment process earlier used to take one to one-and-a-half years, but now it gets over in a few months transparently. The PM said the employment campaign has started to emerge as a new identity of the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance-led Union government. More than 70,000 youth have been given appointment letters today [Tuesday]. The Rozgar Mela has become a new identity of the NDA-BJP government. I am happy that all BJP ruled states are also conducting such Rozgar Melas. I congratulate all the appointees and their families, he said while addressing the new recruits. We are working to safeguard your and your families aspiration. The country will now decide whether the future of the youth will depend on rate cards or safely prosper under the system of safeguard. he said. The PM alleged that corruption, malpractices in schemes, and misuse of public funds used to be the identity of previous governments. Today, India is known for its political stability. This means a lot globally. The Indian government is known for its decisiveness...The Indian government is identified with its economic and progressive social reforms, he ADDED. This is a very crucial period for those stepping into governmental roles as Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal [the period leading up to the 100 years of Independence in 2047] has started, where the new recruits have before them the goal of making India a developed country in the next 25 years, he added. The Congress accused the PM and the BJP of resorting to desperate gimmicks to manage the headlines. Let us be absolutely clear. The Rozgar Mela does not mean new jobs. What it is doing instead is making the personalisation of governance complete, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter. People are getting government jobs presumably against already sanctioned posts and after going through a recruitment process that has existed for years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet business leaders of 20 top American companies here and is also expected to address a gathering of more than 1,500 diaspora and business leaders at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(File) Top 20 business leaders of US companies including Mastercard, Accenture, the Coca-Cola Company, Adobe Systems and Visa are expected to meet with the Prime Minister privately, two people familiar with the event and its logistics told ANI. The business advocacy group, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) headed by Dr Mukesh Aghi will facilitate the meeting with some of the important names including Shantanu Narayen, Chief Executive Officer of Adobe Systems; Julie Sweet CEO of Accenture; Ryan McInerney CEO of Visa Inc, Michael Miebach, CEO Mastercard; James Quincey, CEO Coke Cola. "The meeting will witness eminent industry leaders from across various sectors including IT, Telecom, FMCG, logistics, and industrials," a person familiar with the planning told ANI. This meeting will be post Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the State Dinner at the White House and before going on an official visit to Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The event will have a get-together of not just business leaders but also some of the Biden administration's top officials. "More than 1,500 invites have been sent out for the Kennedy Center event that includes some of the top CEOs and business leaders. Invites are also being sent to several officials in the Biden administration," the person further told ANI. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, Mukesh Aghi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, on Monday (local time) said that India and the US are getting over the suspiciousness of each other. While speaking to ANI, Mukesh Aghi said that they are witnessing a much more "concrete, deeper and broader relationship" coming up between India and US. Aghi said that India is taking an independent position at international forums. However, he noted that India also supports the US position. He also recalled PM Modi's address to the joint session of the Congress. In response to a question regarding the change in India-US ties over the years, he said, "Well, when Prime Minister spoke for the first time to a joint session of the Congress, he said we need to overcome the hesitation of history. And I think what we are seeing is both sides are coming, getting over the suspiciousness of each other." "We had in India 1998 sanctions and India couldn't bring in a lot of those technologies. Now we're seeing a lot of those technologies moving to India. We are seeing India stepping up in the international forum, taking an independent position, but it also supports the US position also. So, I think we are seeing a much more concrete, deeper and broader relationship coming up," he added. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in New York. After leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. Modi is expected to leave New York for Washington DC on June 21, soon after the event, to begin the bilateral leg of his visit. On June 22, President Joe Biden will host him for a State visit, which includes a ceremonial welcome at the White House, bilateral talks, luncheon sponsored by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary Blinken. Besides the state visit, cabinet ministers in the Biden administration and key leaders are likely to call on the Prime Minister for meetings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit underlines the rising importance of India in global affairs and the deepening ties between our two nations, senior US diplomat Atul Keshap said on Monday. Keshap, president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), stressed the visit is truly a momentous thing since it will be only the third state visit from India to the United States. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The previous two state visits included the one for President S Radhakrishnan in June 1963 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009. It is the reflection of friendship and trust between the people of the United States and people of India, Atul Keshap said. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official state visit which would include a State Dinner on June 22. The preparation for the historic visit is expected to gain momentum this week with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan heading to New Delhi for the second round of the iCET Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu asserted that the ceremonial and substantive part of the state visit will "fully complement each other and will be unparalleled." "We are a week away from the historic state visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United States at the invitation of President Biden. There is great excitement on both sides. My PM is only the third Indian leader in our independent history to be accorded the honour of a state visit by the US President. He also will become the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice," Sandhu said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration sees the defining relationship as a unique connection between the world's oldest and largest democracies and the importance of the partnership in a shared commitment to address regional and global challenges. Last year, as you all know, trade between our nations reached a record $191 billion dollars, making the US the largest trading partner for India. American companies have now invested at least $54 billion in India. In US, Indian companies have invested over $40 billion in IT, pharmaceuticals and more, supporting 425,000 jobs from California to Georgia, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait - at the forefront of 2020-21 agitations against the government's three (now-scrapped) farm laws - has backed Twitter founder Jack Dorsey's claims the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party browbeat him and the company into blocking accounts covering the protests and those critical of prime minister Narendra Modi and his administration. "Government of India must have made such attempts what he said is correct," Tikait told reporters Tuesday morning. Bharatiya Kisan Union national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait(ANI) "We had information that the kind of reach on Facebook and Twitter that was expected on farmers' protest was not coming. They (the government) used to try to stop it at their level. The head (Dorsey) has clearly said this now but such companies don't come under (just) anyone's pressure" he said. Jack Dorsey's allegations In an interview with YouTube podcast Breaking Points, Dorsey was asked if and how governments put pressure on Twitter to toe the establishment narrative. Dorsey - who quit as Twitter boss last year after Tesla founder Elon Musk's sensational takeover - gave India as an example. "India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers' protests around particular journalists who were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as 'we will shut Twitter down in India we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did," Dorsey said. "And this is India a democratic country." Govt hits back Junior union Information Technology minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar has rubbished Dorsey's claims and called it an 'outright lie'. Chandrashekhar said Twitter - under Dorsey - had repeatedly violated Indian law between 2020 and 2022 and complied only in June 2022, weeks after Musk became CEO. He accused Twitter of having a problem accepting the 'sovereignty of India law'. The minister maintained there was a lot of 'misinformation' and 'fake' reporting on Twitter during the farmers' protest and that the Modi government had been 'obligated' to demand such content. READ | Centre dismisses Dorsey's claims of Twitter shutdown over farmer protests "To set the record straight no one was raided or sent to jail. Focus was only ensuring compliance with Indian laws," he said this morning. Opposition reacts The Congress has red-flagged Dorsey's 'sensational' disclosure and demanded the government answer to the ex-Twitter chief's allegations. "The real face of the cowardly dictator and oppressive government will be exposed," party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate tweeted. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also tweeted and accused the BJP of having 'tried to crush the farmers protest'. "They tried to defame the movement called farmers terrorists, anti-national lathi-charged let (them) die. They tried to silence the opposition in Parliament tried to arm twist social media platforms to mute voices supporting farmers" READ | BJP vs Congress over ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's claims on farmers' protest Farmers protest sunflower seeds MSP The comments come as farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh gather for another round of protests - this time over disparity in payments for sunflower seeds; they say they are forced to sell to private buyers at 4,000 per quintal when the Minimum Support Price is 6,400 per quintal. READ | 'We have two demands...': Farmers protest over sunflower MSP, block NH44 In visuals circulated online hundreds of farmers streamed onto the national highway near Kurukshetra in Haryana waving flags and holding placards. "We have only two demands - release farmers detained and start purchasing sunflower seeds at MSP. We are ready to hold discussions with the government," Tikait said Monday, referring to farmers arrested at a protest last week. What was the 2020-2021 farmers' protest? The protests started after the Modi government introduced (the opposition alleged the rules were rushed through without discussion) three farm laws in September 2020. Thousands of farmers from across the country camped in and around Delhi for nearly a year and forced the repeal of the laws. (With inputs from ANI) One senior counsel waited outside the court hall in the searing heat; another inside the court room was strongly advised against arguing. The Supreme Court is on vacation till July 2. (File) Tuesday was a day when a vacation bench in the Supreme Court remained out of bounds for the lawyers with coveted gowns. Before the bench presided over by justice Vikram Nath, the proceedings were all about giving opportunity to young lawyers to learn the ropes of advocacy and hone their craft. The message of refrain was loud and clear as soon as the bench, also comprising justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, commenced its business for the day. Why are you appearing through VC (video-conferencing) Mr Singhvi? Why are you appearing before a vacation bench? We will not hear a senior counsel during the vacation. Please, ask your advocate on record (AoR) to mention, justice Nath was quick to tell senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who logged in to mention a matter. Singhvi received the message well. I understand my lords. Its accepted. I will not mention it. I will rather ask my assisting counsel to mention it tomorrow, he said. One of the assisting counsel, who was present in the court hall, then mentioned the case and got a date of hearing on Monday. Minutes later, it was the turn of senior counsel Anjana Prakash to incur courts indisposition. Why are you here? Is it not the vacation? We wont hear you, senior counsel. We will rather hear the counsel standing next to you, the bench told Prakash. To this, Prakash retorted that apart from not hearing senior lawyers during the vacation, the bench should also follow the practice of not dismissing the case during the vacation when junior lawyers argue. That, we will see. Let him start arguing first, justice Nath told Prakash. The assisting counsel then argued the matter and got the case admitted. Should I say, I am obliged, my lords? asked Prakash after getting the propitious order. No, madam. You may not. Let the one who got the order say it, quipped the bench. To be sure, there is no rule that restrains senior lawyers from arguing during the vacation. However, as a matter of convention, vacation benches urge senior lawyers to let young and junior counsel take centrestage. But Justice Nath, who is in the line to become the Chief Justice of India in 2027 for a little over seven months, has adopted a rather firm stand on allowing only the junior counsel to argue before his bench. Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, who came next, tried to put up some resistance. Senior counsel have been allowed to argue during the vacation benches. I also argued before a vacation bench yesterday,he contended. But the bench was unmoved. Not in my court, Mr Dave...We will not allow seniors during the vacation. We have been transparent in this. And if you insist, your client may not be happy, the bench replied. But I have appeared in multiple matters during the vacation. Many senior lawyers have...the time my lords are talking about will also come someday, Dave pressed. Justice Nath responded: Things need to change...We think its time to start changing things here. The benchs unwillingness to indulge senior lawyers travelled like the clappers. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, thus, chose to wait outside the court hall. His assisting counsel submitted: Mr Kaul is waiting outside the court room, and he will enter only if the court permits. This is a high-stakes matter about the control of a company and therefore, we want him to argue. Can he be permitted, my lords? No, replied justice Nath, asking the assisting counsel, Aniruddha Deshmukh, to begin arguing the matter. Deshmukh then argued for around 10 minutes. The bench not only entertained the petition and issued notices, it also granted an order of status quo till July 10. Later in the day, senior counsel Sidharth Luthra made his way into the court hall but made it abundantly clear that he would be the assisting counsel in the case. Luthra pointed out that the petitioner-in-person will have to argue the matter since there was nobody else ready with the brief apart from him. I will only assist her with the list of dates, added Luthra. As the petitioner argued the matter and Luthra tried to assist the court with certain facts, the bench remarked:Mr Luthra, you will put us in trouble. We have so far asked four senior counsel to desist from arguing before the vacation bench. Luthra was prompt in offering a solution: I can step out of the court room, my lords. The bench, however, acknowledged the complexities of the case and adjourned it to next week. We dont want to pass any adverse orders since the matter requires a counsel to argue it. Let it come up before some other bench next week. That bench may allow a senior to argue, said justice Nath, wrapping up the board for the day. The Supreme Court is on vacation till July 2. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utkarsh Anand Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance. ...view detail Opposing the introduction of the National Exit Test (NExT) for medical college students, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday saying that it is neither in the interest of the students nor the state governments who fund most of the medical institutions. This step seems to be just another attempt to dilute the role of State Governments and Universities in the health sector and to centralise the powers with the Union Government, Stalin said in his letter seeking for the existing system to continue. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin. (File) NExT is a common national level exit examination which would be a qualifying criterion for final-year undergraduate medical students, the measure for merit-based allocation of postgraduate seats, and the screening mechanism for foreign medical graduates wanting to practise in India. The National Medical Commission (NMC) in December last year put draft regulations related to NExT in the public domain for comments and it is likely to be rolled out next year. Stalin recalled that they have already addressed their strong reservations against this with the Prime Minister and Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The opposition continues to be in line in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu governments opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions into undergraduate medical colleges. A Bill to abolish NEET and reinstate the previous method of using Class 12 board exam marks for admissions has been passed by the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and is pending with the Union government for the Presidents assent. Stalin said that NEET has already adversely impacted the equitable school education based selection process and its contribution to the strengthening of the public health system. Also Read |Government continues to give unfair advantage to Hindi, says Stalin At this juncture, the proposed introduction of NExT will surely exacerbate this trend and cause an irreparable damage to the interest of rural and socially disadvantaged students and the public institutions under State Governments, Stalin said. In this situation, the introduction of such a common exit test will definitely be an additional burden on the students. Given the high academic burden and stress faced by our medical students this needs to be strictly avoided. The Tamil Nadu chief minister added that all states are devising the curriculum for medical education under the norms fixed by the NMC. The curricula, training and examination system are monitored vigilantly by the respective State Medical Universities and students are awarded MBBS degree in recognised colleges, only after such rigorous training and examinations, he said. In addition, the introduction of such a course as a mandatory exit test will also hamper the clinical learning, which is vital for MBBS graduates, Stalin said. Today, young graduates focus both on the theoretical and clinical aspects of medical science and only after graduation, the students who opt for PG admissions focus on theoretical PG exams. But the introduction of mandatory exit exams will force them to focus more on the theoretical part of medicine during their course and internships. This is bound to hamper development of adequate clinical skills. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Divya Chandrababu Divya Chandrababu is an award-winning political and human rights journalist based in Chennai, India. Divya is presently Assistant Editor of the Hindustan Times where she covers Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. She started her career as a broadcast journalist at NDTV-Hindu where she anchored and wrote prime time news bulletins. Later, she covered politics, development, mental health, child and disability rights for The Times of India. Divya has been a journalism fellow for several programs including the Asia Journalism Fellowship at Singapore and the KAS Media Asia- The Caravan for narrative journalism. Divya has a master's in politics and international studies from the University of Warwick, UK. As an independent journalist Divya has written for Indian and foreign publications on domestic and international affairs. ...view detail A war of words has expectedly broken out between the ruling BJP and the Congress-led opposition over former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's allegations of pressure from India during the year-long farmers' agitation in the country. The controversy has, however, once again put the spotlight back on Twitter Files. Ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (File Photo/REUTERS) Several BJP leaders, central ministers and party supporters referred to Twitter Files, as they hit back at opposition parties who attacked the Narendra Modi government over Dorsey's claims. What are Twitter Files? These were released by billionaire Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in October last year. First released on December 2, these are internal documents that reveal how the social media giant handled high-profile content moderation decisions, including banning then outgoing US President Donald Trump from the platform, after his supporters, on January 6, 2021, attacked the US Capitol. These decisions were taken during Dorsey's tenure as CEO; the 46-year-old resigned in November that year. The documents also showed how the company censored Trump's Republicans due to their political views. How are these documents relevant to India? In March, Matt Taibbi, one of the journalists who collaborated with Musk for the exercise, disclosed in the seventeenth revelations of the series that Twitter, in 2021, received at least 40,000 accounts from a US think-tank's disinformation lab, with the think-tank accusing these handles of engaging in inauthentic behaviour in support of Hindu nationalism. The BJP is seen as a Hindu nationalist party. When Twitter checked these 40,000 names and found them to be real people, it also found that they were mostly US nationals: people who had been never been to India, and were not Hindu. However, that the handles were reported was seen by many as censorship. Rajeev Chandrashekar, the MoS for Electronics and Technology, who is leading the government's defence on the current issue, had described the revelations as a sign that not everything was right at Twitter. Why is BJP raking up Twitter Files? The party apparently wants to portray Dorsey as a person who takes unethical decisions like censorship and, therefore, as someone who must not be believed, at least not at face value. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Jack Dorsey's claims that the Indian government put pressure on Twitter to block accounts covering the farmers' protests has snowballed into a massive political slugfest, with the Bharatiya Janata Party hitting out at the former CEO of the microblogging site, while the Congress describing it a sensational disclosure. BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya and former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya, in a long post on Twitter, slammed Dorsey saying his allegations were not surprising because under Dorsey, Twitter had turned rouge, disregarding laws of the sovereigns they operated in, muzzling freedom of speech (shadow banning ideologically differing voices) and in many cases promoting secessionist voices and those who were working to exacerbate social fault lines, including several Twitter employees (Dorsey himself is guilty of it). Malviya also claimed that several Twitter Files, released after Elon Musk got rid of the toxic people in Twitter, is a testimony. But why is the Congress and assorted Opposition excited by an invertebrate liars misplaced assertions? What is their compulsion to latch on to anyone who speaks against India? Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and seeks help of foreign powers and his minions in India amplify stray disposed voices to demonise India Is leaning on foreign money and media the only way Congress hopes to undermine the will of the people and unseat a democratically elected Govt? Malviya asked. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at the Congress and said Janeudhari Rahuls party find validation in Jack Dorsey who wanted to smash Brahmanical patriarchy. Just a few days after Kirby, USA shut down the fake democracy is dead narrative. When World Bank, IMF, Morgan Stanley give thumbs up to Indian Economy, Janeudhari Rahuls party Congress find validation in Jack Dorsey who wanted to smash Brahmanical patriarchy. Last time when Doklam was happening Rahul was spotted with the Chinese. Then Rahul wanted foreign intervention in UK. Now Rahul has been in USA on an agenda. Sanyog ya prayog? U decide !! Guess desh ki janta se haare to Rahul Baba videshi ke share, the BJP leader tweeted. Will shut Twitter down raid homes: Jack Dorsey In an interview with YouTube channel 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', on Monday, Dorsey who stepped down from Twitter's board last year, alleged that the Indian government had put pressure on Twitter and said that it will shut down the company in India and raid the houses of its employees. ".....India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, India is a big marketplace for us. We would raid the homes of your employees, which they did and we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit and this is India, a democratic country, " Dorsey said. Earlier, the Congress sought an answer from the Centre Dorsey's claim. Modi Govt. forced twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers & Farmers movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Govt, OR Twitter and its employees would be raided. This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Govt answer? Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted. Sensational disclosure of former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. 'Indian government threatens to ban Twitter and raid during the farmer's movement'. The real face of the cowardly dictator and oppressive government will be exposed, Congress's chairperson of social media and digital platforms Supriya Shrinate tweeted. At a Congress press conference over the issues, Shrinate said, The topic of this press conference is to reveal how the murder of democracy is being done in the mother of democracy...When farmers were agitating at the Delhi border for more than a year, braving winter, summer and rain, they were being called 'mawali, Khalistani, Pakistani and terrorists' and platforms like Twitter were being told that if they show farmers, they will be shut down in India and raided Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also reacted to the interview alleging that the BJP and the government tried to crush the farmers protest. They tried to defame the movement, They called farmers terrorists, They called farmers anti national They lathicharged the farmers They let farmers die, They tried to silence the opposition in parliament, They tried to arm twist social media platforms to mute the voices of those supporting the farmers but despite their might, despite their power, the farmers humbled their arrogance and forced the government to withdraw the farmers act. Indian democracy or rule of Modiocracy? Chaturvedi tweeted. An outright lie: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Meanwhile, the Centre rejected Dorsey's claims terming it as an "an outright lie" and "an attempt to brush out the very dubious period" of the social media company's history. Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law and that they complied only after June 2022. "No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he said in a tweet. "This is an outright lie by @jack- perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history. @twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied. No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown," he wrote. He further said that Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. "It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it. India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India," Chandrasekhar wrote. Referring to the farmer's protest in January 2021, he said that since there was a lot of misinformation the government of India was obligated to remove such information from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. He added that no one was raided or sent to jail the focus was to ensure compliance with Indian laws. In November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the three Central farm laws. Farmers staged a protest in large numbers against the government's three farm laws since the Centre passed the laws in 2020. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The cast and makers of recently-released Zara Hatke Zara Bachke stepped out to attend a bash to celebrate its success. Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan, the movie's lead stars, arrived at the event in outfits inspired by their film. Many other celebrities from B-Town, including Kriti Sanon, Sonakshi Sinha, Tamannaah Bhatia and others, were clicked at the event. Keep scrolling to find out what the stars wore to the occasion. Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon at Zara Hatke Zara Bachke bash. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Who wore what at the Zara Hatke Zara Bachke bash Vicky Kaushal Vicky Kaushal attended the success bash of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke in a comfy look featuring a black sweatshirt and matching linen pants set. The top featured the name of his film printed on the front in a yellow hue, a hoodie, full-length sleeves, and a relaxed silhouette. He styled it with greyish black pants, white sneakers, tinted retro sunglasses, a rugged beard, and a backswept hairdo. Sara Ali Khan Sara Ali Khan also opted for a casual vibe like her co-star Vicky Kaushal during the Zara Hatke Zara Bachke success party. She wore a white tee featuring the film's name printed on the front and denim jeans. While the top comes with a round neckline, half-length sleeves, and a relaxed fit, the light blue pants have a high-rise waist, distressed design, and a straight-leg fitting. Smily face earrings, chunky white sneakers, a half-tied hairdo, and minimal makeup rounded it off. Kriti Sanon Kriti Sanon arrived at the venue dressed in a stunning cobalt blue bodycon dress featuring a sleeveless halter neckline, a figure-hugging fit accentuating her svelte frame, and a mini hem length. She styled the ensemble with stilettos, hoop earrings, side-parted open locks, subtle eye shadow, glossy pink lips, and a glowing rouged base. Tamannaah Bhatia Tamannaah Bhatia chose a little black dress for the Zara Hatke Zara Bachke success party. Her ensemble features a round neckline, a quirky cut-out on the waist, padded shoulders, silver embellishments on the trims, full-length sleeves, and a mini hem. She completed the look with a high ponytail, hot pink heels, ear studs, and striking glam. Sonakshi Sinha Sonakshi Sinha arrived at the event with Zaheer Iqbal in a monotone black look featuring a relaxed button-down shirt and matching tights. She styled the outfit with a chain shoulder bag, killer high heels, centre-parted open locks, winged eyeliner, a dewy face, rouged cheeks, nude lips, and mascara on the lashes. Personal Narratives and vulnerability in songs or interviews: BTS members have shared their personal struggles with mental health, including anxiety, depression and self-doubt and there have been several instances where they have openly expressed vulnerability in interviews, songs and social media platforms. BTS released a series of fictional narratives called "The Notes," which delve into the emotional struggles and hardships faced by the characters within the storyline and through these narratives, the members provide a glimpse into their own experiences with mental health and emotional turmoil. The album "Love Yourself: Answer" in 2018 featured the track "Epiphany," sung by BTS member Jin and addressed self-love and self-acceptance, with lyrics like "I'm the one I should love in this world." Jin's emotional delivery reflects his own journey of learning to love himself. The documentary in 2018, "Burn the Stage: The Movie", provided an intimate look into BTS' experiences during their world tour where the members discussed their fears, doubts and the pressure they face, highlighting their vulnerability and the emotional toll of their demanding schedules. In 2020 during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, BTS members shared their thoughts on the Covid-19 pandemic's impact and their own struggles where RM spoke about feeling "powerless" during the early stages of the pandemic and expressed his hope that their music could provide comfort to others. Same year in his mixtape "Blue Side", Suga (also known as Agust D) opened up about his struggles with mental health and the lyrics conveyed feelings of exhaustion, loneliness and the pressures of fame, shedding light on his personal battles with depression. Currently on a world tour promoting his latest album D-Day, the rapper, producer and songwriter once again opened up about depression and sang of his past accidents, familys misfortune and the effect it ended up having on him in his new song Amygdala, a track from D-Day. Social media posts and live streams: BTS members often use social media platforms, such as Twitter and V Live, to connect with their fans where they share heartfelt messages about their own struggles, offering words of encouragement and support and these posts often express vulnerability and a genuine desire to uplift their fans. In V's V Live broadcast in 2019, Taehyung openly discussed his insecurities and encouraged fans to embrace their unique qualities as he expressed his own journey towards self-acceptance and told fans, You're perfect just the way you are. Don't try to change yourself to fit into someone else's standards. Embrace your flaws and shine. During a live broadcast in 2021, Jungkook addressed fans who might be feeling down and shared his own experiences with self-doubt while encouraging fans to embrace their uniqueness and strive for personal growth, saying, Don't compare yourself to others. You're on your own journey and it's important to focus on becoming the best version of yourself. These instances demonstrate BTS's willingness to openly discuss their own vulnerabilities, showcasing their authenticity and creating a space where fans feel understood and supported. Their candidness serves as a source of strength and inspiration for their global fanbase, encouraging others to embrace their own vulnerabilities and seek help when needed. Destigmatising mental health through lyrics: BTS have used their platform to challenge stigmas surrounding mental health where their honesty about their own mental health struggles have had a profound impact on their fans, making them feel understood and less alone in their own journeys. By openly discussing their personal mental health battles, BTS members have demonstrated that these struggles are not exclusive to their fans and this relatability creates a sense of validation, allowing fans to realise that their own experiences are valid and shared by others, including their idols. This understanding reduces feelings of isolation and fosters a sense of belonging within the BTS fanbase. BTS' transparency has played a vital role in breaking stigmas surrounding mental health as their willingness to address sensitive topics head-on has prompted important conversations within their fan community and beyond where fans are inspired to speak up about their own experiences and seek help without fear or shame. BTS' impact reaches far beyond their music, as they empower fans to confront mental health challenges with courage and seek the support they need. Here are some BTS songs and lyrics that exemplify this: The lyrics of "Not Today" convey a message of resilience and determination. The chorus, "If you can't fly, run / If you can't run, walk / If you can't walk, crawl / Even if you have to crawl, gear up," encourages listeners to face challenges head-on, no matter how difficult the journey may be. In the song "I'm Fine," BTS addresses the struggles of mental health and self-acceptance. The lyrics acknowledge the ups and downs of life, while emphasizing the importance of finding inner strength and being true to oneself. "Mikrokosmos" celebrates the beauty of individuality and reminds listeners that their presence in the world is significant. The lyrics convey the message that everyone has a place and purpose, providing comfort and encouragement to those who may feel lost or insignificant. "Magic Shop" is a comforting and uplifting track that reassures listeners that they are not alone in their struggles. The lyrics express BTS's desire to be a source of support and a safe space for fans, encouraging them to find solace and healing within themselves. The song "Answer: Love Myself" encourages self-love and acceptance. The lyrics emphasize the importance of embracing one's flaws and finding happiness within oneself, inspiring listeners to prioritize their own well-being and seek self-compassion. "Spring Day" acknowledges the pain of loss and longing, but also offers a message of hope and healing. The lyrics express the desire to find comfort in memories and the belief that better days will come, providing solace to those dealing with grief or difficult times. These songs, among others in BTS's discography, empower fans to confront their mental health challenges with courage and remind them that seeking support is crucial while the uplifting messages and relatable lyrics serve as a source of encouragement, providing comfort and motivation to those navigating their own mental health journeys. Providing hope and inspiration: BTS members have often shared their journey of overcoming hardships and developing resilience and this sharing of their personal growth stories provides hope and inspiration to fans facing their own mental health struggles. From being invited to the United Nations to the White House by US President Joe Biden apart from topping Billboard charts, BTS' success serves as a reminder that it is possible to overcome obstacles, fostering a sense of optimism and motivating fans to persevere in their own journeys. BTS' honesty about mental health has cultivated a supportive and understanding community among their fans, known as the BTS ARMY where fans are encouraged to support and uplift one another, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to share their experiences and seek guidance and the sense of camaraderie within the fandom offers a valuable support system that can positively impact fans' mental well-being. BTS' advocacy for mental health has emphasised the importance of seeking professional help. Their messages often stress the significance of therapy, counselling and reaching out to trusted individuals for support. By normalising these resources, BTS encourages fans to prioritise their mental well-being and seek the necessary help when needed, promoting a proactive approach to mental health care. Overall, BTS's honesty about mental health has had a profound impact on their fans, making them feel understood, validated and less alone in their own mental health journeys. Through their vulnerability, BTS has fostered a community that supports and uplifts one another, ultimately empowering fans to confront their mental health challenges, seek help and find hope in their shared experiences. With India assuming the G20 presidency from Indonesia in December 2022, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi outlined the aim of this year-long stewardship as one that would seek to amplify the voice of the Global South in accordance with the theme: 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. Framing this objective within the civilisational ethos of India, PM Modi asserted that the path to this lofty aspiration is through human-centric development. PREMIUM Indias G20 opportunity will be to persuasively encourage an inclusive, equitable and reformed multilateralism appropriate to meet the next decades challenges(PTI) While the challenges for the G20 as a group and for India as the president are daunting this is also an opportunity for Delhi to try and inject a degree of credibility and hope into the idea of multilateralism an initiative that has proved to be less than adequate as the tumultuous events of 2022 revealed. 2022 was a blighted year. While it carried Covid-19 from 2020, the most disruptive event was the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24 last year. The tragic consequences of that war are still playing out, even as it entered its second year with no sign of cessation of hostilities. Add the intractable tragedy in Sudan to the many global security challenges. Existing multilateral bodies, with the United Nations (UN) as the most representative global entity and the Security Council (SC), with its five permanent members at its core, proved ineffective in managing the war in Ukraine. This was predictable since Russia, one of the permanent members of the UNSC, embarked upon this war of choice to assuage its insecurities and anxieties that date back to the end of the Cold War in December 1991, when the former Soviet Union imploded. It may be recalled that the G20, under the Indonesian presidency, tried to broker a peace negotiation in 2022, but this was in vain. Nevertheless, India will have to grapple with the fallout of the Ukraine war and its corrosive impact on human security. Hence, a compelling case exists for working on consensual and reformed multilateralism. This will be both an opportunity and challenge for Delhi, given that its heft in matters global is modest. The limitation of any major global grouping is structural since the genesis for forming such a cluster is less altruistic, and the primary objective is to protect the collective interests of its members. Two examples are illustrative. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was imposed in 1970, and the world was divided into the five nuclear haves (the United States, former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now Russia), the United Kingdom, France and China) and the nuclear have nots (essentially the rest of the world). India described this tenacious resolve of the Permanent Five nations as one of disarming the unarmed and resisted this imposition. In the economic domain, the formation of the G7 was triggered by the oil shock of 1973, which led to the worlds most developed economies (the US, the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan) banding together to deal with that convulsion and protect their interests, even as the global economy had to contend with a huge spike in energy prices. Interestingly, the G20, which began as a meeting of finance ministers formed to deal with the Asian financial crisis of 1997-99, was elevated to a summit-level meeting in 2008 when a global financial crisis began. At the time, the G7 nations determined that other major economies had to be brought into the management tent such as China and India, among others - and gradually, the group consolidated to its present profile. The G20 is an exceedingly disparate group that includes the G7 and the five BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MITKA members), and Argentina and Saudi Arabia. The European Union as a collective and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are also members. The fact that some members have intractable territorial disputes (India-China) cannot be ignored. While it is a useful forum for summit-level deliberations among developed and developing nations, given the geopolitical polarisation due to the war in Ukraine, the probability of finding a swift and sustained G20 consensus on contentious issues would be akin to herding irate cats. Yet India could seek to soften the impact of such differences on the global economy and the climate crisis. PM Modis exhortation at the Voice of Global South Summit 2023 is a normative vision, wherein he noted: Together we must attempt to redesign global political and financial governance. This can remove inequities, enlarge opportunities, support growth and spread progress and prosperity. This laudable objective of equitable growth and prosperity, where holistic human security is the objective of global governance, can be located in the ancient Chanakyan formulation of prioritising yogakshema (welfare of the populace). However, global wealth and prosperity distribution is skewed in favour of the rich. For example, it has been estimated that during the Covid-19 years, while the incomes of almost 99% of the global community went down, the personal wealth of the 10 wealthiest individuals doubled to $1.5 trillion. But as the climate crisis-induced disruptions demonstrated in 2022, current global challenges - whether a pandemic or extreme weather difficulties - will be unsparingly democratic in their impact on life and property. Indias G20 opportunity will be to persuasively encourage an inclusive, equitable and reformed multilateralism appropriate to meet the next decades challenges. It is a tall order, but aspirations must be normative and lofty. Commodore (retired) C Uday Bhaskar is director, Society for Policy Studies The views expressed are personal. It is a buzzword in global foodie circles, so I guess you have come across the term umami before. Until the beginning of this century, hardly anyone (outside of Japan, and I am not sure about all of Japan, anyway) knew what umami was. And even today, many people who misuse the term to mean harmony of flavour (as the French sometimes do) dont really understand it at all. What Is umami, exactly? (Pexels) Part of the problem is that it is very difficult to define umami. This applies to all the basic tastes as well, not just to umami. For example, how do you define salty? Tastes are difficult to put into words. So usually, we fall back on examples. Seawater is salty, we say. Or honey is sweet. This doesnt work so well with umami because the examples people use are often actually more confusing than defining the taste would be. Umami is the taste of chicken broth, we are told. But somebody else will say umami is the taste of soya sauce. Any lay person recognises that chicken stock and soya sauce do not taste the same so this is especially confusing. When people quote other examples, like Parmesan cheese, for instance, it gets even more complicated. Do Parmesan and soya taste the same? Nor does it help when American foodies describe umami as a meaty taste. Well, it is. And it isnt. There is nothing particularly umami about a mutton kabab, for instance. This is the kind of confusion that led scientists, for years, to deny that there is any such taste as umami. They only shut up when umami receptors were found on our tongues near the receptors for sweet, salty etc. I have given up trying to define umami because, as we have seen, it is so confusing. But, as US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously said about obscenity in 1964, I know it when I see it. I know umami when I taste it. The chicken broth example is what has really confused people so ignore it. Think instead of soya sauce (pretty much the template for umami flavours) or dried shitake mushrooms. Now, try and think if one of the flavours in those ingredients reminds you of a flavour you also find in tomato ketchup. Or in some cheeses. Or in some fermented sauces like Thai nam pla (fish sauce). If you try them all together you will recognise that they have a certain something in common, a savoury taste that is different from say, salty or sour. If you do find that commonality of flavour, then you will be following in the footsteps of the Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda who set out in 1908 to figure out what made dashi so distinctive. Dashi, as you probably know, is the ubiquitous Japanese stock, often made with flakes of the Bonito fish that Japanese cooks use to add an extra oomph to everything. (Japanese food has very delicate flavours so a little oomph goes a long way.) Ikeda conduced that the oomph in dashi came from a particular kind of seaweed. He tried to isolate the substance that gave the seaweed its oomph and discovered a molecule that contained the secret. Being a commercially minded scientist, he made crystals from that molecule and began packaging them. Thus, was born ajinomoto, the additive that is used all over the Far East. (And now the West except in the US because Americans think it may give them a headache). Ikeda used the word umami for the flavour from the Japanese word umai (delicious). Ajinomoto was a glutamate, a substance that occurs naturally in the body and in many foods. (Technically there is a chemical difference between Ajinomoto which is made from MSG and bodily glutamates that involves different numbers of atoms in the molecule, but the flavours are the same.) Once scientists learned how to measure the glutamate in various food ingredients, they discovered that lots of foods were full of glutamate-rich flavour. Japan has its dashi but all of East Asia also has soya sauce. The Italians have their passata and other tomato sauces. And of course, they have Parmesan. Chefs all over the West add anchovies to their sauces without understanding why. It turns out that preserved anchovies have a high glutamate content and add umami flavours to food. Science can now tell us which ingredients are high in glutamates and we know that when we preserve many ingredients (by drying or fermenting), their umami count shoots up. Why do you suppose Italians sun-dry their tomatoes? Well, because that boosts their umami factor. Fresh tomatoes have 250 mg of glutamate per 100 grams. But once you dry them, that shoots up to between 650 and 1,140 mg. Why, when fresh shitake mushrooms are plentiful, do chefs still prefer to use dried shitake in East Asia? Well, because the glutamate content of fresh shitake is 70 mg per 100 grams. Once you dry them, it becomes 1,060mg. Any fermented sauce is rich in umami. Thai Nam Pla has 950 mg. Soya Sauce can be all umami: 1,700mg per 100 grams. Some people love umami. Some dont. I am a fan. I order junk sushi in India only so that I can dip the rice in soya sauce. I love lots of Parmesan on my pasta. My wife is less keen. (Though she loves nam pla so that is confusing.) But basically, if you dont like umami, you wont like East Asian food. I have long believed that the absence of umami in Indian cuisine made us suckers for the umami explosion when it came along. Thats why we love Indian Chinesetomato ketchup and soya sauce. Thats why we like tomato sauce on pasta. The entire Indian sushi boom is based not on fish but on the combination of rice and soya. In the West, it is a little more complicated. The sushi/Japanese boom is soya/umami based. So was the Chinese food boom till Americans invented Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, the claim that ajinomoto could give you headaches. (There is no scientific evidence for any allergy but yes, a small minority of people are intolerant to large quantities of MSG, the molecule in ajinomoto.) The French managed to rule over Vietnam for years but never took many umami flavours from the local cuisine to add to their own. In nearly every western country, umami has either entered by the backdoor or become a favourite with a new generation. During World War II, the US army added MSG, the chemical heart of Ajinomoto (they would have used ajinomoto itself but they were at war with the Japanese) to secretly oomph up the bland rations issued to soldiers. And the packaged food industry has always used MSG though the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome scare made this difficult in the US. You will find MSG in Indian packaged foods too though this may not be advertised. But what has completely changed the perception of umami is the tendency of a younger generation of American chefs (most famously New Yorks David Chang) to act as though it is a prized flavour. Interview a modern American chef and the term umami will usually turn up in the conversation. Entire chains of restaurants are now based on umami Umami Burger for instance. Europe has been slower to catch on. The French still dont understand it. A few British chefs play around with umami flavours, but it is not a concept that the average Brit understands. I reckon that will change all over the world in this decade. Whether they finally understand what it means or not, everyone is going to be talking about umami. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have developed a new technique using which they successfully conducted an experiment on the lines of the mission shown in the Tom Cruise-starrer summer 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick.' A visual representation of the experiment (Image courtesy: MIT) In the film, Cruise's US Navy veteran pilot, Captain Pete Maverick Mitchell, leads a team of young pilots on an extremely dangerous mission, which the group accomplishes. In the experiment, however, the MIT team showed that in real-life, the operation is possible with an autonomous aircraft as well. First, what was the mission in Top Gun: Maverick? Captain Mitchell and his team are tasked with destroying an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant. Their target, however, is located deep inside a rocky canyon. The pilots, therefore, must fly their jets deep inside the canyon, staying so low to the ground that they cannot be detected by radar, hit the plant, and then rapidly climb out of the canyon, taking care to avoid the rock walls. All this is in addition to the high-tech weaponry at the enemy's disposal to protect the plant. What did MIT team do in their experiment? The researchers effectively piloted a simulated 'jet' through a narrow corridor without the machine crashing into the ground. How was this achieved? For an autonomous aircraft, if sent on such a mission, the most straightforward path towards the target goes against what the machine must do to avoid colliding with the canyon walls, or to stay undetected. This conflict, which many existing artificial intelligence (AI) methods have not been able to resolve, is called stabilise-avoid problem. To solve this, the researchers broke down the issue into 2 parts: they reframed the stabilise-avoid problem as a constraint-optimisation problem, and then, this constraint-optimisation problem was solved using a deep-reinforcement learning algorithm. The experiment The team conducted several control experiments under different initial conditions. Finally, they flew their jet in a scenario simulating the one portrayed in the Oscar-nominated movie. Their controller was able to prevent the jet from crashing or stalling. The 'jet' The model was open-sourced in 2018. It was designed by flight control experts as a testing challenge. " SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail California Governor Gavin Newsom sidestepped a question on Monday regarding speculation about his potential entry into the 2024 presidential race. FILE - California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions at a press conference in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 1, 2023. Newsom announced Thursday, June 8, 2023, that he is proposing an amendment to the United States Constitution that would enshrine into law gun regulations including universal background checks and raising the minimum age to buy a firearm to 21, his latest foray into national politics. (Renee C. Byer/The Sacramento Bee via AP, File)(AP) With recent polls indicating growing concerns among Americans about President Biden's mental fitness for office, Newsom was asked by Fox News's Sean Hannity if he had received requests to join the presidential race. Newsom responded, "I see where you're going with that. NoI'm not answering." While several rumours have circulated about Newsom's possible presidential ambitions, he previously endorsed Biden's re-election bid in April, seeking to dispel such speculations. At present, President Biden, who is 80 years old, has not faced a challenge from a sitting Democrat politician. But, two figures have emerged as his primary opponents: spiritual guru and self-help author Marianne Williamson, and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nonetheless, concerns about Biden's age and vitality have loomed over his re-election bid. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll revealed that only 32% of voters believed the 80-year-old President possessed the mental sharpness necessary to be commander in chief. The unease surrounding Biden's fitness for office extends beyond partisan lines. A CBS News/YouGov survey disclosed that just 58% of Democrats felt Biden should run for re-election, while 75% of self-described independents were opposed to the idea. Among Democrats who believed Biden should not run, 45% expressed fears that he would be unable to complete a second term, while 20% were skeptical of his chances of winning re-election. California Governor brushed aside concerns about Biden's fitness during his interview with Hannity, asserting that he believed the President was mentally sharp. "I have conversations with him all the time. Yes, I do [believe he's sharp enough]. I'm dead serious about that," Newsom stated. While affirming his confidence in Biden, Newsom has been actively raising his national profile in recent days. He criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for transferring migrants to Sacramento from the US-Mexico border and proposed a "28th Amendment" aimed at restricting gun ownership. In a surprising move, the 55-year-old Governor also commended former US President Donald Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "It was incredible. He...played no politics during COVID with Californiaplayed none whatsoeverit's a fact." ALSO READ| | Hard-line conservatives demand concessions from House Speaker McCarthy in debt-ceiling standoff Newsom did not shy away from acknowledging the dire homelessness situation in his state, attributing it to various factors. He cited high housing costs, problematic regulations, and resistance to new housing starts and construction due to local opposition. While assuming responsibility for the situation, Newsom remarked, "We own this, Sean. I'm not here defending this." Keechant Sewell, the commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), announced her unexpected resignation on Monday, less than 18 months into her tenure. FILE PHOTO: Nassau County Chief of Detectives Keechant Sewell looks on as she is announced the first ever female NYPD Commissioner by incoming New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in Queensbridge Houses, Queens, New York City, U.S., December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo(REUTERS) Despite winning the support of many within the rank and file, Sewell's departure comes without any stated reason, leaving the circumstances surrounding her resignation unclear. Appointed by Mayor Eric Adams and assuming her role in 2022, Sewell became the first woman to lead the nation's largest law enforcement force. With a promise to name a woman to head the public safety agency, Mayor Adams aimed to bring fresh perspectives and address several concerns over police brutality and racism following widespread protests. While the mayor expressed gratitude towards Sewell, highlighting her dedication and hard work, her resignation email to the department made no mention of him. Instead, she focused on praising the line officers for their dedication, compassion, heroism, and selflessness. The specific date of her departure was not disclosed, and there is no immediate information on when a replacement will be chosen. Throughout her tenure, the former commissioner remained an enigmatic figure, rarely deviating from her prepared statements during news conferences and offering limited insight into her personality, unlike her more talkative predecessors. When asked about her current reading material in an interview, Sewell simply replied, "stats." In a departure from the convention, Philip Banks III, the deputy mayor for public safety, began delivering widely publicized weekly live-streamed public briefings, a role typically fulfilled by the police commissioner. Questions and concerns surrounding Sewell's position within the administration emerged early on, with some senior current and former police officials suggesting that she faced undermining from the mayor and his senior aides, including Timothy Pearson and Chief Banks. According to a city official who recently spoke with Sewell, Banks acted as a shadow police commissioner, making Sewell feel frustrated and undermined when defending his decisions. When contacted for comment on the accusations of sidelining Sewell, Chief Banks stated that he was too busy to discuss the matter and abruptly ended the call. ALSO READ| Hard-line conservatives demand concessions from House Speaker McCarthy in debt-ceiling standoff The dynamics within the agency appeared challenging for Sewell, who sought to navigate the complex politics at play. Last month, she proposed a punishment for one of the department's top chiefs, Jeffrey Maddrey, which involved removing 10 vacation days. The move sparked a dispute over the acceptable exercise of power for someone in a leadership position responsible for thousands of officers. Chief Maddrey, a close associate of the mayor, was handpicked by him and often bypassed Sewell by directly contacting the mayor instead. When asked about the extent of his involvement in relatively low-level personnel decisions, Mayor Adams stated that he required the approval of all department heads, emphasizing his role as the elected mayor of New York City. Despite encountering challenges within the administration, Sewell managed to make a positive impression on the NYPD rank and file during her short tenure. She delivered poignant funeral speeches for Detectives Jason Rivera and Wilber Mora, who tragically lost their lives while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Harlem. Plus, Sewell took action to improve conditions for officers, renovating dilapidated break rooms and agreeing to a work schedule that involved long days but shorter weeks, a concession long sought by the police union. Critics, however, accused Sewell's department of employing unacceptable tactics on the streets. In a recent report, a court-appointed monitor revealed that anti-crime units, despite assurances from Mayor Adams regarding policy changes and training, were still unlawfully stopping, frisking, and searching individuals, predominantly people of color. Approximately 97% of the stops made by the rebranded "neighborhood safety teams" analyzed in the report targeted Black or Hispanic individuals, with 24% of the stops deemed unconstitutional. Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, acknowledged Sewell's significant impact on the force. ALSO READ| California Governor Gavin Newsom dodges 2024 Presidential race question amid concerns over Biden's fitness She cared about the cops on the street and was always open to working with us to improve their lives and working conditionsThere are still enormous challenges facing the N.Y.P.D. Her leadership will be sorely missed. In a recent interview, Ms. Sewell, who owns a home in Valley Stream but opted to rent an apartment in the city upon assuming the role of commissioner, shared her surprise at the loss of privacy she experienced. She remarked, Im surprised at the level of privacy that Ive lost, and added, This is New York. Theyll forget about me when I do leave. In a highly anticipated legal battle, former President Donald Trump is set to make another appearance in federal court, this time facing charges of mishandling classified documents. The Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment revealing 37 felony counts against Trump, including allegations of concealing documents, obstructing justice, and providing false statements to law enforcement. As the courtroom drama unfolds, tensions rise, with both opponents and supporters of Trump preparing to make their voices heard. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro, North Carolina,(REUTERS) The Unveiled Indictment The indictment sheds light on Trump's alleged efforts to transport boxes of classified documents from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The documents were purportedly hidden throughout the property, including unconventional spots like a bathroom, public ballroom, office, and even a bedroom. The indictment suggests that Trump went to great lengths to keep these documents away from his lawyers, the FBI, and the grand jury. Public Outcry and Contention The news of Trump's appearance at the prestigious Taormina Film Festival with her new film has taken the world of social media by storm. While many fans of Amber Heard call for Hollywood to stand with "survivors," a vocal contingent of Johnny Depp's supporters criticize the festival for featuring Heard's film, given her controversial past. The inclusion of both Depp's and Heard's movies in the festival lineup has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing it tarnishes the festival's reputation. Legal Analysis and Speculations Legal experts weigh in on what to expect during Trump's court appearance. Richard Serafini, a former Department of Justice senior trial attorney, believes Trump's initial appearance will likely result in bond or his own recognizance, without fingerprinting or a mugshot. If Trump pleads not guilty, as anticipated, his arraignment is expected to follow immediately. However, any potential trial is likely to be postponed for a year or more. The maximum sentencing guidelines for the charges vary, with potential prison terms ranging from 5 to 20 years. Secrecy Surrounding the Classified Documents One aspect of the case that remains shrouded in mystery is the content of the classified documents seized from Mar-a-Lago. Legal experts believe the public will not have access to these documents, as their publication would compromise national security and the integrity of the case. Only the court and jurors will have access to this critical evidence. Controversial Appointments and Security Concerns The judge assigned to Trump's federal case, Judge Aileen Cannon, previously made headlines for appointing a special master to review the seized classified documents. While there have been calls for Cannon to recuse herself, it is uncertain if she will preside over Trump's hearing. Security concerns loom large as protests from both opponents and supporters of Trump are expected outside the courthouse. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Police Chief Manuel Morales assure the public that security measures are in place. Polarizing Rhetoric and Reaction Trump's case has ignited a war of words and heightened tensions. The former president, his supporters, and prominent figures have used strong language on social media and at public events. Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted about a "war phase," while Kimberly Guilfoyle, the fiancee of Donald Trump Jr., posted an Instagram photo with the caption "Retribution Is Coming." Kari Lake, a former Republican candidate, made bold statements at a state convention. However, legal experts emphasize that the investigation is not politically motivated. Also read | | Rod Stewart reveals wife's bold move: No more socializing with disgraceful Trump amidst controversy As Donald Trump prepares to face federal court for mishandling classified documents, the nation watches anxiously. The courtroom drama, public protests, and heated rhetoric surrounding the case underscore the deep divisions within society. The outcome of this trial will have far-reaching implications, shaping the future political landscape and potentially influencing Trump's aspirations for a presidential run in 2024. The rise of fentanyl, an anesthetic turned street drug, has brought on the most dangerous phase yet in the decades-long US opioid epidemic, driving record rates of fatal overdoses even higher. Fentanyl is claiming the lives not just of people with an opiate addiction but also users of cocaine, methamphetamines and other drugs to which its added. Its consumption spiraled upward during the Covid-19 pandemic. And the threat keeps evolving: Dealers have begun mixing fentanyl with xylazine, a cheap animal tranquilizer that poses its own health risks. A person holds a pack of fentanyl test strips dispersed from a vending machine that offers free naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips and birth control packs, with using only zip codes, in Brooklyn, New York, US.(REUTERS) 1. What is fentanyl? Its a synthetic form of painkilling opioids like morphine. Originally developed to meet a need for stronger painkillers and used in hospitals for surgeries, fentanyl is now a cheap and abundant ingredient in the illegal drug trade. Its often used to strengthen or stretch stockpiles of other illicit drugs, or make counterfeit versions of other frequently abused prescription drugs such as Adderall. 2. How deadly is it? Fentanyl is up to 100 times as powerful as morphine in its prescription form and 50 times as powerful as heroin. Just 2 milligrams, equal to a few grains of salt, can cause a fatal overdose. Drug overdose death rates involving fentanyl more than tripled in the US from 2016 to 2021, reaching almost 22 per 100,000 people in 2021. US Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram has described fentanyl as the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered. 3. Where does it come from? Much illicit fentanyl is manufactured abroad and smuggled into the US through Mexico, according to the DEA. Government representatives from Mexico and the US in April pledged to work together to address the supply chain for fentanyl, including the chemicals that are its raw ingredients. But those chemicals are globally available, and many experts think the trades huge profits make it likely that a crackdown in one place will just lead to new sources of supply. In 2019, China moved to declare fentanyl and its precursor chemicals controlled substances at then-President Donald Trumps urging, but the change simply ended up diverting more of the trade through Mexico. 4. How did its use spread? The current drug crisis has unfolded in three waves, US health officials say. In 1996, Purdue Pharma LP introduced OxyContin, a form of oxycodone, as a safer alternative to existing opioids; by 2001 its annual sales had surged to $1 billion. In 2007, Purdue paid $600 million in fines for misbranding the product as less addictive than other painkillers. In 2010, it released a reformulated version that was harder to crush or dissolve, as many users had been doing to replace the intended effect with an instant high. Some of those addicted to legal painkillers began turning to heroin, triggering a surge in its use. Dealers eventually began lacing heroin with cheaper fentanyl and then turned to selling fentanyl by itself, sometimes mixed with inert materials such as flour or baking soda. 5. What impact did the pandemic have? Driven into boredom and isolation by the pandemic, many Americans turned to illegal drugs. The increase in fatalities was fastest from 2019 to 2021, as deaths from overdoses rose in general. Opioid overdoses took the lives of 80,000 Americans in 2021, the last year with official final numbers, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl played a role in 88% of those. The pandemic also saw a shift in who was using fentanyl, officials say, as the rate of opioid deaths among Black people passed the rate among White people. Overdoses among Black teenagers and young adults increased 86% between 2019 and 2020, primarily driven by fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; it was the largest jump among any group analyzed by age or race. 6. What about xylazine? Xylazine, the animal tranquilizer, can lethally depress breathing and blood pressure. It also constricts blood vessels, creating low oxygen levels that can make wounds grow worse, sometimes leading to limb loss. Because its not an opioid, emergency treatments given for heroin or fentanyl overdoses, such as naloxone, dont work on xylazine. The sedative, which comes at a small fraction of the cost of wholesale fentanyl, is not a controlled substance and is readily available through websites that dont verify veterinary need for the product, the DEA said in a 2022 report. While US wholesale prices for a kilogram of heroin or fentanyl run to the tens of thousands of dollars, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the same amount of xylazine can be purchased from Chinese suppliers for $20 or less. It was implicated in more than 3,000 overdose-related deaths in the US in 2021, a number health officials say is likely an undercount. The White House designated the sedatives combination with fentanyl an emerging threat in May, convening an interagency working group to develop a national response. A Journal of the American Medical Association article analyzing 50 years of heroin use. Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The Drug Enforcement Administrations threat assessment for 2018. A Cincinnati Enquirer series on Seven Days of Heroin. A Bloomberg News article on surgeons working to reduce the use of painkillers by their patients. A seven-point plan for fighting the epidemic outlined in a column by Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News. A major breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment has emerged as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel unanimously endorsed the use of lecanemab (Leqembi) to combat the progression of the debilitating disease. Clinical trial results of lecanemab were hailed as "robust" and "clear and consistent" by experts, offering a glimmer of hope for the estimated 6.5 million individuals affected by Alzheimer's. FILE PHOTO: The Alzheimer's drug LEQEMBI is seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on January 20, 2023. Eisai/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT/File Photo(via REUTERS) The FDA's accelerated approval process for lecanemab has been a significant step towards its full FDA approval, anticipated by July 6. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have added a condition to its coverage. They will only cover the drug for patients who join a national registry, which is yet to be established. This has raised concerns among patients, doctors, and caregivers, as they are uncertain about the registration process and its timeline. The Alzheimer's Association strongly disagrees with this requirement imposed by CMS. They believe it is unnecessary and could create obstacles that hinder access to Medicare coverage for those with Alzheimer's. The association argues that individuals living with Alzheimer's should have unrestricted access to FDA-approved therapies, similar to patients dealing with cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS. They believe that everyone should have equal access to these potentially life-changing treatments. In addition to the human toll, these coverage delays and restrictions have long-term financial implications. Researchers from the University of Chicago estimate that providing coverage for effective Alzheimer's and dementia drugs could save public payers anywhere from $13.1 billion to $545.6 billion in healthcare costs over a 17-year span. Despite the CMS's reservations, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has already decided to utilize lecanemab for patients within the VA system. In clinical trials, lecanemab demonstrated a 27% slower decline in cognitive abilities among individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's dementia compared to those on a placebo. The drug also showed the potential to enhance patients' capacity to carry out daily tasks, such as dressing and feeding themselves. Nevertheless, lecanemab does come with some side effects, including infusion site reactions and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), characterized by brain swelling. The current label for lecanemab emphasizes the need for doctors to monitor patients using MRI imagery to detect signs of ARIA. Alzheimer's disease currently has no cure, and its advanced stages can lead to severe brain function loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and fatal infections. The approval of lecanemab brings renewed optimism for patients and their families in the battle against this devastating disease. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hard-line conservatives angered by House Speaker Kevin McCarthys debt-ceiling deal are demanding power-sharing and budget-cutting concessions from him in exchange for allowing legislation to move on the House floor. U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/(REUTERS) In agreeing Monday to temporarily lift a nearly week-long blockade of the House floor, some of the lawmakers threatened to stall business again if McCarthy doesnt meet their demands. ALSO READ| Rod Stewart reveals wife's bold move: No more socializing with disgraceful Trump amidst controversy I think everybodys attitude into the room was how do we move forward, McCarthy said. I think you will see an agreement in the next few days, said Representative Bob Good, a Virginia Republican among the 11 dissidents who initiated the blockade. Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana, another protester, said the House will be functioning this week. The ultra-conservatives have been angered by the compromise McCarthy forged with President Joe Biden to avert a US debt default. They want deeper cuts in government spending. Representative Matt Gaetz suggested that even if the hard-liners permit the House to resume business, tensions remain. Trust is a serious problem, Gaetz said. ALSO READ| Documents leak serious, could cost US lives, ex-Donald Trump official flays him Their blockade marked the first time in more than two decades that a speaker had been unable to muster the votes for a procedural step to begin debate on a bill on the House floor, according to C-Span. McCarthy eventually gave up on votes and sent lawmakers home for the week. The narrow 222-212 House GOP majority McCarthy oversees enables as few as five Republican lawmakers to sabotage a measure on a party-line vote. China's efforts to whitewash the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre are not new. Every year, the Communist regime unleashes its full might to enforce censorship especially on the internet to block any mention of the gruesome killings on June 4 that year. This year, the censorship firewall is slightly more stringent than the previous ones. As per a submission by Twitter user @whyyoutouzhele, Chinese social media platform Tik Tok has issued an online advisory to the users asking them to avoid certain content like candle-lighting emojis , numbers of unknown meaning, slogans, tanks old photographs with a sense of age content containing elements such as crowd gathering , mention of Tiananmen Square, Victoria Harbour, the summer palace etc. Iconic image. A lone demonstrator blocks the path of a tank convoy along the Avenue of Eternal Peace near Tiananmen Square in June 1989.(Getty Images) According to media reports, all internet platforms including Weibo, WeChat, Xiaohongshu, bilibili and others were heavily censored and scrutinised by China around June 4. To avoid being tagged by offensive content around Tiananmen Square, name of top Communist Party officials were replaced by figurative symbols. For example, Chinese president Xi Jinping was mentioned as *. But it seemed that the Chinese regime could not completely black out internet on the Tiananmen anniversary. There are netizens in China who display resistance to remember the victims and came up with innovative methods. Some of them repost their Weibo accounts, some comment on dont forget and year after year under the music software international song and some just ask each other as to what happened in 1989 on the state owned chatbot. ( Even the foreign embassies in China used metaphors to keep the memory of June 4 massacres alive and used satire against the Jinping government. The German embassy in China posted a video with candles in the early hours of June 4, which was deleted less than ten minutes after it was posted. According to report, the British Embassy in China posted a front page clipping from the People's Daily on June 4 1989 with the caption Although China has banned any public discussion of the tragic events that took place on 4 June 1989, we are posting this image on social media today as a way of showing that the party media did, in fact, report on the incident. Although China prohibits any public discussion of the tragic events on 4 June 1989, we are posting this image on social media today to indicate that the event was reported in the party media. On its Weibo account @EUinChina, the EU Delegation posted the famous painting "The Scream" by Norwegian painter Munch with the caption, "We will not forget, we will never forget those who remember history. Both the British and the EU posts survived long on Weibo. The Dutch embassy on its Weibo account posted that on June 4 a Russian tank was destroyed during the Russo-Ukrainian War on Leiden Square in Amsterdam. The Swedish Embassy in China posted an article on 4 June describing the shooting of protesters by soldiers in Sweden in 1931. Although the content posted by the Dutch and Swedish Embassies was not directly related to June 4, the highly sensitive symbols of shooting and tanks posted on June 4 made netizens think. The Internet users left comments on the Embassys Weibo account, writing RIPs to express their condolences or pay their respects. Many of these comments were quickly deleted. Since June, the bridge watchers at several flyovers in Beijing were put back on duty. The Sithong Bridge, the beginning of White Paper Revolution was given 'special attention' as searches for 'Sithong Bridge' on Baidu Map and Gaode Map, the commonly used navigation software in China, showed no results. The physical road signs on the bridge were removed. The Chinese government also censored apps on the mobile phone. Several public security bureaus recently announced that suspected overseas telecoms net fraudsters have recently used "Telegram," "WhatsApp," Twitter, "Secret Chat Cat," "Bat" and "Mimita" to lure minors into committing telecoms network fraud. "Teachers and parents need to check whether such software is installed in their children's mobile phones, and if so, "then your child may be assisting overseas fraudsters in committing crimes," the announcement said. The police bulletin also added: "If you find that your child has installed it, pay great attention to it, inform them of the dangers, and take them to the nearest public security authorities to find out if they are engaged in crimes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prince Harry feels that he is no longer bound by the "mentality" shared by working members of the royal family, a friend of the Duke of Sussex said. Prince Harry has found in Meghan Markle a person "supportive" of his fights and beliefs, which has "emboldened" him. Prince Harry and his wife stepped down as full-time working royals. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, departs the Rolls Building of the High Court in London, Britain.(Reuters) This comes as Prince Harry is involved in a phone hacking trial against Mirror Newspapers. Referring to the caution normally adopted by royals and the palace when speaking publicly, the friend told Sunday Times, Hes free from the shackles of that mentality. "In Meghan, he has found someone supportive of that stance and hes emboldened by that. But the bigger picture is that he believes there are some very significant wrongs that need to be righted." Another source told the Times that Prince Harry won't stop discussing the British press even after his legal cases against a number of publications will come to an end. He sees his mission as being the standard bearer of a fair media and I think well see more of this in years to come. He feels so strongly about it. Hell always be a powerful advocate of fair and true reporting, the friend said. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step back as full-time working members in January 2020 after which they live in the United States. The couple have launched a new organisation, Archewell, which includes a non-profit foundation through which they carry out their charity work. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Economic linkages are the heart of the India-United States strategic relationship, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said on Monday, adding that both countries are together determining the norms, rules and standards that will govern innovations for the future. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US-India Business Council Ideas Summit in Washington on Monday. (AP Photo) Blinken said Prime Minister Narendra Modis official visit to Washington DC on June 22 will be historic and solidify what President Joe Biden has called the defining relationship of the 21st Century. As someone who has worked for Biden for two decades, dating back to the Democrat Presidents time as chair of Senate foreign relations committee, Blinken said he knew Biden had not arrived at this conclusion yesterday. From that time, I know the premium he has attached to the relationship between our countries and the vision that he has had for the centrality, the importance, of that relationship, he said. Blinken was speaking at the inaugural reception of the India Ideas Summit, hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), on Monday evening (eastern time). Held at Renwick Gallery, right opposite the White House in downtown DC, the event saw high-level participation from the US government. Guests included US special envoy for energy affairs Amos Hochstein, deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger, State department officials for South Asia, Donald Lu and Nancy Jackson, Pentagons Lindsay Ford, the energy departments Geoffrey Pyatt, among others. Indian ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and USIBC president Atul Keshap too spoke at the event, where representatives of top US and Indian companies with business interests in each others countries were also present. We see the importance of the partnership in a shared commitment to address regional and global challenges promoting health security, working with our Quad partners to build a free, open, secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific where people, where goods, where ideas can travel freely and rules are applied fairly, Blinken said, adding that he had seen Indias constructive leadership on the issues in the past two-and-a-half years and as chair of the G20. Suggesting that economic ties were at the heart of the strategic relationship, Blinken highlighted the $191-billion-dollar US-India trade last year, the US investment of over $54 billion in India and Indian investment of over $40 billion in the US, and India joining three pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as evidence of growing economic ties. Also Read:How NSA Jake Sullivan is playing his part in charting India-US ties He spoke of the convergence on supply chain diversification, the progress under the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET) and the intense people-to-people ties. Blinken also quoted a Gujarati entrepreneur from North Carolina from a ground report in HT published in March suggesting this was unimaginable 15 years ago. Both countries were making transformative investments to build their respective strengths, pointing to infra push by both Biden and Modi, and this will help make both economies become more productive and attractive for investors, Blinken said. Referring to ICET, he stated that India and the US were elevating and expanding the strategic technology partnership not just between governments, but also between businesses and academic institutions, because they believed that how technology is designed, how it is used should be informed by democratic values and respect for human rights. This was a clear reference to China, which is seen as creating an authoritarian tech ecosystem. Together, we are helping to shape the innovations of the future, but not just the innovations themselves, also and this is so critical the norms, the standards, and rules that govern them, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, Blinken said. Whats central to this vision was diversifying and deepening supply chains with trusted countries, Blinken said. He gave two examples of a recent partnership unveiled by commerce secretary Gina Raimondo and commerce and Indias commerce minister Piyush Goyal to make semiconductor supply chains more resilient and of a US International Development Finance Corporation support of $500 million to a US company build a solar manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu. Blinken also referred to people-to-people ties, with the education systems of both countries producing leaders of iconic brands such as Google and Infosys, and the Mastercard CEO-turned-World Bank president Ajay Banga. Indian Americans have created a third a third of all immigrant-founded startups in the United States. Think about that for a minute. That is extraordinarily powerful, Blinken said, adding there were 200,000 Indian students in US universities. Both countries have work to do in enhancing transparency, promoting market access and strengthening democracy, Blinken said, but the trajectory of this partnership is unmistakable, and it is filled with promise. Its being written in places like North Carolina, where our growing engagement is benefiting both our countries. The Tar Heel State has become a hub for Indian investment, with tech companies like HCL creating 2,400 jobs, training American high schoolers for IT careersCommenting on this explosion of U.S.-India commercial activity, one North Carolina entrepreneur from Gujarat observed, and I quote, This could not have happened 15 years ago. HT had reported on the bilateral relationship from a bottom-up perspective from North Carolina, quoting the entrepreneur from a small business summit organised by both countries and tracking Indian investments in the Indian state, including the one by HCL. What I am now trying to imagine and what I know you are all working on not only imagining but bringing to life is what this is going to look like 15 years from now or 50 years from now, and all the benefits that it will bring to Indians and Americans alike, Blinken told the audience of Indian and American government officials and corporate leaders. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a breathtaking tale of resilience and survival, four Indigenous children who spent 40 harrowing days lost in the Colombian jungle have been found and rescued. The heart-wrenching first words spoken by the children upon their rescue were revealed by the courageous individuals who saved them. The Huitoto children, aged 13, nine, five, and one, had miraculously endured alone in the Amazon until their discovery and subsequent airlift to a military hospital in Bogota. TOPSHOT - This handout picture taken on June 9, 2023 released by the Colombian Air Force shows members of the Colombian Army checking one of the four Indigenous children who were found alive after being lost for 40 days in the Colombian Amazon rainforest following a plane crash in San Jose del Guaviare during their transfer to Bogota. Exhausted but happy, four Indigenous children who had been missing for more than a month in the Colombian Amazon rainforest were reunited with their relatives Saturday, in a happy ending to a nerve-racking saga that gripped the nation.(AFP PHOTO / COLOMBIAN AIR FORCE) Members of the rescue team, who themselves belong to the Indigenous population, recounted the emotional moments after encountering the children. The eldest, Lesly, bravely ran towards them, cradling the youngest child, and uttered the words, "I'm hungry." Another child, one of the boys, disclosed the devastating truth, saying, "My mom is dead." These heart-rending words pierced the rescuers' souls, prompting immediate comfort and reassurance. Footage released shortly after their rescue showcased the visibly emaciated children, their bodies reflecting the toll of their jungle ordeal. The rescuers celebrated their discovery, singing and smoking tobacco, a sacred plant among the jungle inhabitants. The children had been lost since the crash of the Cessna 206 they were traveling in on May 1, alongside their mother and another adult. Tragically, the bodies of the pilot and the children's mother were found at the crash site, while the children were nowhere to be seen. The search intensified as weeks went by, with fears of predators and challenging weather conditions. However, the remarkable knowledge of the children and the Indigenous adults involved in the search, combined with the perseverance of Colombian troops, ultimately led to the reunion. Their deep connection with the natural environment, instilled from birth, played a pivotal role in their survival. The children relied on their upbringing in the Amazon region, identifying edible seeds, fruits, roots, and plants to sustain themselves. The father of the two youngest children expressed both frustration and gratitude. While grateful for their rescue, he voiced frustration at hospital authorities for preventing him from seeing his older children. Amid rumors of authorities seeking influence over their upbringing, the father passionately affirmed his role as their caretaker. He emphasized their indigenous heritage, declaring, "The kids are possessed by nature." He called upon the nation to respect his fatherly rights, ensuring a proper future for his children. Also Read | Chaos in concrete jungle! Video shows rampaging woman target unsuspecting strangers in Manhattan Park The remarkable story of Lesly, the eldest child, emerged as a testament to her courage and leadership. Guiding her siblings through the treacherous jungle, she showcased an intimate knowledge of the forest's dangers and edible resources. Lesly's bravery and resourcefulness were hailed by officials and family members alike. It was her unwavering strength that helped her siblings survive the unimaginable. The successful rescue mission, described as a "miracle" by the army, exemplified the power of Indigenous and military collaboration. The joint efforts of soldiers, indigenous communities, and traditional ceremonies held in the jungle demonstrated a unique path toward a new Colombia. As the children continue their recovery in the military hospital, the nation hopes to provide them with a secure future, ensuring they have access to education and the opportunities they deserve. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 14,000 people evacuated from around a volcano spewing lava and noxious gases in the central Philippines may remain displaced from their homes for months, authorities warned on Tuesday. Lava flows from Mount Mayon volcano, in Daraga, Philippines June 11, 2023.(Nehemiah Manzanilla Sitiar/via REUTERS) Incandescent lava was seen flowing slowly from the mouth of the 2,462-metre (8,077-foot) Mayon volcano, which was placed on a high alert level last week following seismic tremors and hundreds of rockfall events. "Based on our previous experiences, this volcanic activity may persist for a few months," Teresito Bacolcol, chief of the state volcanology and seismology agency, told DZMM radio, adding that residents usually living within a 6 km radius of the volcano would have to stay in evacuation centres. Roughly 14,000 people have been evacuated and are sheltering in schools and community centres, disaster agency data show. Larry Llenaresas, a community leader in Albay province, told DZMM radio there was a need for more food and drinking water for the displaced. Authorities said people living further away from the volcano should also be ready for possible evacuation, with the police placing checkpoints to prevent residents from returning. "We will make sure evacuees cannot return until they are advised to do so," police regional director Westrimundo Obinque told reporters. Mayon is a tourist attraction because of its near near-perfect conical shape. Dorothy Colle, a provincial tourism official, said while the no-go zone was being enforced, people were still flocking to observation stations to witness lava flows, which appear particularly bright at night. (Prone to volcanic activity! See photos: Only ash, shells of homes left on Philippine volcano island) Mayon is among the most active of the Philippines' 24 volcanoes, having erupted more than 50 times in the last four centuries. Its most destructive eruption came in February 1841 when lava flows buried a town and killed 1,200 people. The Philippines is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prince Harry always remained close with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II who died in September 2022. She was a large part of Prince Harrys life, including while he and Meghan were finalizing their exit from the royal family. A royal biographer claimed that Prince Harry had a way of getting the queen to go with any schemes he created because she always had a soft spot for her grandson. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leaves the Royal Courts of Justice, Britain's High Court, in central London.(AFP) The late monarch had eight grandchildren. Perhaps the soft spot was due to Prince Harry going through so much as a young boy which royal author Andrew Morton believes always allowed him to get in with the queen when others couldnt. He had the ability to get in to see his grandmother because he is part of the family. He was very good at getting the Queen to agree to some of his schemes. And good for him, its great that he could do that, Andrew Morton said recalling the time when the queen filmed a commercial with Prince Harry for his Invictus Games in 2016. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield echoed the sentiment saying that Prince Harry was the grandchild who always had a knack for jumping the line to see the Queen." Both are said to have remained close even after Harry and Meghan left their positions as working royals in 2020. In the couples 2021 bombshell interview with Oprah, Meghan Markle recalled that the queen shared a blanket with her. The couple shared good moments with the late monarch in the interview as well. Both attended the queens Platinum Jubilee in 2022 as well as her funeral. Meghan, however, did not attend King Charles IIIs coronation ceremony. In June 2021, Harry and Meghan named their second child after Queen Elizabeth, calling her Princess Lilibet Diana. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Footage of Prince William's reaction to becoming an uncle for the first time in May 2019 has recently gone viral on social media, capturing the attention of TikTok users. Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales talks with outpatients as he visits The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust's Oak Cancer Centre, in Sutton, south London on June 8, 2023, where he officially opened the centre. (Photo by Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP)(AFP) The video, uploaded by TikToker l0velycatherine on June 10, shows William being asked by a reporter about his thoughts on Meghan giving birth to Prince Archie. In the footage, William can be seen telling the reporter that he was "very pleased" and jokingly added, "Glad to welcome my brother to the sleep-deprivation society that is parenting." This comment came just a day after Meghan gave birth and coincided with fans noticing William's tired appearance at a Westminster Abbey Anzac Day ceremony in London. The viral video cleverly contrasts the Prince of Wales light-hearted remark with footage of him with closed eyes during the Anzac service, creating a humorous juxtaposition. Since its upload, the video has amassed over 212,000 views on TikTok and received more than 24,000 likes, along with numerous comments praising the prince's parenting skills and sense of humor. In an extended version of the Duke of Cambridges response, not shown in the TikTok video, he further expressed his joy and excitement, saying, "We're obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled. And looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down." When asked if he had any advice for his younger brother, William mentioned that there was plenty of advice to give but ultimately wished Harry and Meghan all the best in their new journey as parents. Were obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled. And looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quientened down and Im very pleased and glad to welcome my brother to the sleep-deprivation society that is parenting, so that will be fun! Prince Harry and Prince William with Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton viewed the floral tributes, notes, balloons and more left by the well-wishers in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns about her health grew earlier on Thursday.(AFP) During the same event, Kate Middleton, who was accompanying William to launch a sailing event, also shared her well wishes for Harry and Meghan. She expressed, And with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, its such a great time of the year to have a baby. And yes, spring is in the air, so its really great. And, as William said, were looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name is going to be. Its really exciting for both of them. The article also touches upon Prince Harry's memoir and his Netflix docuseries released in December 2022. In these projects, Harry delves into the circumstances surrounding his decision to leave Britain and the monarchy with Meghan and Archie in 2020, seeking a new life in the United States. The strain in Harry's relationship with William is revealed, as Harry disclosed in a January 2023 interview that they were not speaking. However, Harry expressed his hope for finding peace and reconciliation in the future. ALSO READ| Royal family will welcome Harry if he divorces Meghan: Expert's explosive claim Although the princes last attended an event together for King Charles III's coronation in May, no public interaction between them was observed at Westminster Abbey in London. Reports suggest that Harry left soon after the event, with no reported reunion between the brothers thus far. President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that for now he saw no need for an additional mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine but said it all depended on what Russia wanted to achieve there and he asked if Moscow's forces should try to take Kyiv again. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with war correspondents at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday, June 13. (via REUTERS) "There is no such need today," Putin told a televised meeting of Russian war correspondents and military bloggers when asked about another mobilisation after last year declaring what he cast as a "partial mobilisation" of 300,000 reservists. Putin said the defence ministry saw no need for another wave of mobilisation. "Some public figures say we need to get 1 million or two million," Putin said. "It depends on what we want." "Should we return there?" Putin said of Kyiv, which Russian troops failed to take in the early stages of what Moscow calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Putin also said Russia needed to fight enemy agents and improve its defences against attacks deep inside its own territory but said there was no need to follow Ukraine's example and declare martial law. "There is no reason to introduce some kind of special regime or martial law in the country," Putin said. "There is no need for such a thing today." Ukraine's large-scale counter-offensive began on June 4 and has not been successful in any area, Putin said, adding that Ukrainian human losses were 10 times greater than Russia's. Ukraine has lost over 160 of its tanks and 25%-30% of the vehicles supplied from abroad, he, while Russia had lost 54 tanks. Reuters could not independently verify his assertions. Putin also said Ukraine had deliberately hit the Kakhovka dam on June 6 with HIMARS rockets supplied by the United States, a step he said had also hindered Kyiv's counteroffensive efforts. Russia's goals in Ukraine might evolve with the situation, but their fundamental character will not change, Putin said. In a stunning development, Romanian authorities have escalated the charges against social media influencer Andrew Tate from human trafficking to the more serious crime of "human trafficking in continued form." Prosecutors claim that this new charge carries even graver implications than the initial counts of trafficking that Tate and his brother Tristan were facing. Andrew Tate looks at a man filming with a mobile phone as he leaves the Bucharest Tribunal, in Bucharest, Romania,(AP) The Tate brothers, along with two Romanian female suspects, are currently under house arrest as they await trial for suspected human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women sexually. These accusations have been vehemently denied by all four suspects, who continue to maintain their innocence. While the case is still under investigation and yet to reach trial, Romanian prosecutors have officially filed charges against the Tate brothers and their associates. The trial is expected to commence in June, where prosecutors will present the evidence against them. Andrew Tate, a British-US citizen renowned for his massive Twitter following of 5.4 million, along with his co-accused, spent over three months in police custody before being placed under house arrest by a Bucharest court in March of this year. The prosecution unit of Romania's directorate for investigating organized crime and terrorism (DIICOT) recently informed the Tate brothers that the initial human trafficking charge has been upgraded to "trafficking in continued form." This change carries severe consequences under Romanian law, with a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years for trafficking of adults. Furthermore, the DIICOT spokesperson revealed that another victim has been added to the case, bringing the total to seven women involved in this harrowing affair. Andrew Tate's legal team responded to the charge modification by asserting that it is in the suspects' legal interest. They stated, "The legal framework has been revised and altered to ensure an impartial investigation is upheld." In a shocking twist, DIICOT also disclosed that they have initiated a separate criminal investigation against a Romanian man closely associated with the Tate brothers. Vlad Obuzic, who is often seen in social media posts with Andrew and Tristan Tate, and two other individuals, is being accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal group to exploit seven women. According to prosecutors, Obuzic and his alleged accomplices lured their victims by seducing them under the pretense of seeking a relationship or marriage. Subsequently, the victims were coerced into producing explicit content for social media platforms, while the suspects reaped most of the financial gains. To maintain control and ensure the victims' loyalty, the prosecutors revealed a shocking detail: "They were forced to tattoo the name or face of the group member exploiting them." Such appalling tactics further underscore the severity of the crimes being investigated. Also read | British woman reveals shocking allegations of assault by influencer Andrew Tate As the case unfolds, the public awaits the upcoming trial where the evidence against Andrew and Tristan Tate, as well as their alleged associates, will be presented. The gravity of the charges, coupled with the disturbing details emerging from the investigation, has sent shockwaves through social media and beyond. The world watches intently as justice seeks to uncover the truth behind these disturbing allegations of human trafficking. Royal expert Jennie Bond said that despite the years-long rift between Prince Harry and the royal family, the latter would be willing to welcome him back into the fold, on one condition: split from wife Meghan Markle. Meghan Markle, and her husband Prince Harry are seen.(AP) I think that Harry, without Meghan, would be forgiven and welcomed back into the royal fold in the fullness of time. Its still unlikely at the moment," Jennie Bond told OK. I think there is still enough goodwill towards Harrywell, to the old Harry that we all remember, she said, adding, He could recoup the ground hes lost in time and be welcomed back. But I dont think its anywhere on the horizon. Princess Dianas former butler Paul Burrell also said that its only a matter of time before Prince Harry and Meghan part ways, leading to an eventual reconciliation with father King Charles and Prince William. I have no doubt that when this happens, because we all know that it will happen, when it does happen then he will return to the United Kingdom and I think his father, the King, and his brother, the Prince of Wales, will both greet him back into the country with open arms,. There is an element of Harry we all lovewe just dont understand why hes doing what hes doing at the moment," Paul Burrell said. A report in the Insider however claimed that the entire reason Prince Harry brought the phone hacking lawsuit to trial was because he wanted to stop the hate towards Meghan Markle from the UK press. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine: At least six people were killed in a Russian missile strike on an apartment building in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, officials said. Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Residents sobbed outside the burnt-out apartment block, from which smoke billowed after the early-morning attack on the central Ukrainian city. Officials said at least 25 people were wounded and others could still be trapped under the rubble. Olha Chernousova, who lives in the five-storey apartment block, said she was woken by an explosion which sounded like thunder and thrown out of her bed by a violent blast wave. I ran to my front door, but it was very hot there... the smoke was heavy, she said. What could I do? I was sat on the balcony, terrified I would lose consciousness. Nobody came for a long time... I thought I would have to jump into a tree. Around her, the street and courtyard were strewn with glass and bricks. At least five cars were ruined husks. Ihor Lavrenenko, who lives in a different part of the building, said he heard two blasts. I woke up from the first bang, a weak one, and went straightaway onto the balcony. Then the second one erupted overhead, I watched from my balcony as hot debris fell, he said. Rescue operations were underway in the apartment building and in a destroyed warehouse, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram messaging app. City mayor Oleksandr Vilkul confirmed at least six people had been killed. In an earlier post, he had said three people were killed, at least seven were believed trapped under the rubble and that 25 others were wounded. President condemns attack Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people, Zelensky, who was born in Kryvyi Rih, said on Telegram. Russia did not immediately comment on the attack. It has repeatedly struck cities across Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in February 2022 though it denies targeting civilians. Moscow has also accused Ukraine of cross-border shelling as Kyiv carries out counter-offensive operations. The governor of Kursk in Russia said on Tuesday several houses had been damaged and power supplies disrupted in two villages in the region near the border. During the early hours of Tuesday, air raid sirens blared across the whole of Ukraine, with Kyivs military officials saying air defence forces destroyed all Russian missiles targeting the Ukrainian capital. Ukraines top military command said that air forces destroyed 10 out of 14 cruise missiles Russia launched on Ukraine and one of the four Iranian-made drones. In a tragic incident that unfolded at one of Egypt's popular Red Sea resorts, a 23-year-old Russian tourist Vladimir Popov met a horrifying fate as he was attacked and eaten alive by a tiger shark. The incident, witnessed by horrified onlookers, occurred on June 8 in the city of Hurghada. The shocking attack lasted for approximately two hours.(Unsplash) According to New York Post, Vladimir Popov was enjoying a swim in the Red Sea when the 10-foot tiger shark suddenly targeted him. As the shark pounced on its unsuspecting victim, tourists watched in shock and horror as Popov was dragged underwater and brutally mauled to death. The shocking attack lasted for approximately two hours. The incident left the beachgoers traumatised as they grappled with the terrifying sight before them. Following the horrific event, local beachgoers in Egypt took matters into their own hands and unleashed a brutal act of revenge on a tiger shark, which they believed was responsible for the death of Popov. Several videos have surfaced online that showed a group of people driving boats out into the sea and capturing the animal in a net before savagely clubbing it to death. The slain shark was later dissected by specialists to confirm its identity. The body parts of the unfortunate victim were later discovered inside the belly of the shark responsible for the attack. Russia's Tass news agency said that Popov was born in 1999 and lived in Egypt full-time. In a statement posted on its official channel on the Telegram messaging application, the consulate urged Russian tourists to be vigilant when in the water and to strictly adhere to any swimming bans imposed by local authorities, as per The Guardian report. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kanishka Singharia Kanishka is a journalist at Hindustan Times news desk. When not in newsroom, you will find her on streets of Delhi exploring food cafes or capturing world through her lens. ...view detail Twenty-two US service members were injured in a helicopter "mishap" in northeast Syria, the US Central Command said late on Monday. The cause of the incident on Sunday was under investigation, although no enemy fire was reported. (File) Ten service members had been evacuated to higher care facilities outside the Central Command area of responsibility, it said in a statement. The cause of the incident on Sunday was under investigation, although no enemy fire was reported, said the US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East. In March, 23 US troops in Syria suffered traumatic brain injuries during two attacks by Iran-backed militants, it said in April. A new poll ranked the most popular members of the royal family following the coronation of King Charles III on May 6. So who ranks at the top of the list? The new poll was conducted by Lord Ashcroft Polling in which respondents named Queen Elizabeth II as the most popular royal. The queen died on September 8, 2022, but those surveyed placed her as the most popular member with 76% votes. Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London.(AP) The queen was like the British symbol, so when she passed it seemed she took a huge part of the monarchy with her," a pollster said. After the queen came Prince William with 64% who had earlier topped the list of most popular royal family member. Prince William and Harrys mother Princess Diana came in third and one percentage point behind her oldest son while Williams wife, Kate, and his aunt, Princess Anne, were viewed favorably with 62%. The new monarch King Charles came in behind them with a 54% rating. Diana was for the people, wasnt she? She was like a normal person, like the rest of us. Thats why she had such mass appeal. And when damage was done to her, thats probably why people went off Charles in their droves," a pollster said. At the bottom of the poll was the disgraced royal Prince Andrew with a mere 7%. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail Further expanding the Group's presence as its 11th hotel in Nigeria and 7th hotel in operation and under development in Lagos, is the highly anticipated debut of the bold and cutting-edge upscale Radisson RED brand in Nigeria. The new-build, 62 room hotel scheduled to open end-2025 will introduce the country to the renowned Radisson RED brand and its unique food and beverage concepts through its lobby bar, all day dining restaurant and rooftop bar and terrace which in true Radisson RED style will become the most coveted rooftop venue in the country. Additional facilities will include a gym and pool along with 249 square meters of flexible meetings and events space, consisting of a conference room, a board room and two meeting rooms. The hotel will be located just over 30 minutes' drive from Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport, in Victoria Island, the main business and financial center and one of the most sought-after residential areas in Lagos, which has the highest hotel performance in West Africa due to its financial hub status and size of its economy. Hotel website Radisson RED Lagos VI Victoria Island Lagos, 106104 Nigeria Hotel Website Wietse has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a focus on operations and technology. Previously, he led a successful technology strategy as Group Director Technology & Business Solutions at Sircle Collection, delivering curated guest experiences. The appointment strengthens Shiji's position as an industry-leading provider of innovative solutions for hotel professionals around the world - focusing on the company's next generation cloud-based PMS, Shiji Enterprise Platform. Shiji, the global hospitality technology innovator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Wietse Bijzeit as Vice President Global Solutions Architect to accelerate the growth of the Shiji Enterprise Platform. Wietse brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, making him a highly seasoned professional with a deep understanding of operations and technology. In his previous position as Group Director for Technology & Business Solutions at Sircle Collection, Wietse successfully designed and implemented a complete technology stack, demonstrating his exceptional talent for innovation. He spearheaded a new technology strategy, creating curated guest experiences, future-proofing the technology infrastructure of the hotel group, and empowering teams with effective technology. Wietse's remarkable track record and expertise will play a critical role in driving the growth of the Shiji Enterprise Platform, the company's next generation cloud-based PMS built for hotel groups and enterprise chains. With his comprehensive understanding of hotel technology and his experience at Sircle Hotels, he is a valuable addition to the Shiji team. Working with hotel IT professionals, and potential hotel customers, Shiji is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions for the industry. With Wietse on board, the company is now better equipped to address the complex needs of its clients and forge stronger relationships within the hospitality sector. View Wietse Bijzeit's LinkedIn Profile Wietse Bijzeit is a graduate of Stenden (CHN) in Leeuwarden - Netherlands, The Shiji Berlin Germany Website Continuing its commitment to delivering the highest F&B experiences across all its properties, Pro-invest Hotels is excited to announce the appointment of Jean-Baptiste Robert to the role of Regional Director Food & Beverage. Based in the Pro-invest Hotels Sydney office, Jean-Baptiste's new role involves overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the F&B of all the group's hotels across the Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, voco, Holiday Inn Express and The Sebel brands. A key focus of his new role will be implementing strategies to ensure each venue provides guests with a truly unique F&B experience and the highest quality service. As a proud French national, Jean-Baptiste boasts over 25 years industry experience that combines French technique with Anglo-Saxon management experience. After completing hospitality school in rural France, he moved to Paris where he worked with renowned French chef, Joel Robuchon and has since spent the past 18 years working in the travel and hospitality industry in Australia across hotels, resorts and multi-venue establishments. Prior to joining Pro-invest Hotels, Jean-Baptiste worked with the Trippas White Group as General Manager at Sydney Tower Dining and QVB Venues. Franklin, Tenn. - (June 13, 2023) - Quore, the leading provider of workflow management and productivity tools for hotels, today announced the recreation of its Reports app, or Reporting Engine. The recreation includes new report options, more flexibility, and enhanced capabilities, like scheduled distribution, for hotels to leverage actionable data and trends to make smarter business decisions and improve guest satisfaction. We are continuously improving our hospitality operations solution to evolve alongside our customers needs. The recreation of our Reports app to a reporting engine does just that. It evolves reporting capabilities to allow for more customization so our customers can more easily aggregate and consume the data they put into Quore, evaluate trends, and make informed decisions about the future, said Scott Schaedle, Founder and CEO of Quore. Our Reports app has always pulled specialized data to make our customers jobs easier, but this enhancement increases visibility, productivity, and data-driven intelligence and decisions. Quores reporting engine simplifies access to data and visibility with detailed reports on everything within a hotel and across properties. It provides detailed historical data and clear analytics to streamline maintenance and operations, track assets, view inventory trends, and analyze individual and department-wide performance trends. In addition to the recreation and simplification of existing reports, Quore introduced new reports and the ability to schedule and distribute them. Some of the new reports include User Activity, Log Book Activity, Cleanings/Cleanings Plus Inspection Item Details, All To Do Items, Area Activity, and more. The enhanced Reports app will be available for demo at HITEC Toronto 2023 (June 26-29) in Quore booth #437; and at The Hospitality Show (June 27-29) in Las Vegas at Quore booth #1142. For more information on Quores Reports app, please visit go.quore.com/reports-inquiry. About Quore Quore is an award-winning, cloud-based hotel operations solution, supporting hotels of any size to be more efficient and improve guest experiences. Founded in 2012, Quore manages all aspects of the guest experience, including preventative maintenance, guest requests and complaints, work orders, housekeeping and workforce/shift communication. Quore's software is used by more than 6,000 hotels, including hotels from the industry's largest brands, like IHG, Marriott, and Choice. The Tennessee-based company is privately owned and was named one of America's Best Startup Employers by Forbes. Ashley Schulte Media Contact Last week, we welcomed nearly 40 members of the Research Advisory Committee for our annual in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. Through meaningful presentations from industry experts on the evolving drivers of international travels recovery and the disruption and opportunities of ChatGPT, the meeting was extremely informative, engaging and thought provoking. The committee had the opportunity to exchange and share ideas with each other through an open forum discussion. Topics discussed included sustaining leisure travel demand beyond the summer, destination management and sustainability initiatives and business travels new normal. The group also heard from U.S. Travels CEO, Geoff Freeman, on the importance of research to advance U.S. Travels priorities and participated in an insightful dialogue highlighting the importance of advancing advocacy through research. Not only was the meeting content highly valuable but the networking, connections and sharing of ideas were irreplaceable. We look forward to meeting again soon. Top Takeaways: The U.S. economy is not in a consumer recession, but rather a business recession. Consumers continue to prioritize travel and are willing to pay higher prices. While some destinations are seeing a softening compared to last year, and some indicators are normalizing in the near-term, demand has not let up. Business travel demand has been fairly consistent, but spending continues to lag as corporate travel recovery remains slow. Blended leisure and business travel has emerged as a real segment with a lot of opportunity that is still not totally understood and how to best capitalize on or measure. Destinations and travel organizations need to evolve to appeal to both the traditional business traveler and leisure traveler desiring new experiences. The United States has a competitive disadvantage in terms of cumbersome entry policies and processes. Based on Euromonitors Top Cities index, the U.S.s unwelcome entry process and challenging visa requirements have hindered the recovery of international inbound and has resulted in many other countries and cities being more attractive destinations to visit. ChatGPT is really a sophisticated auto-complete tool and has endless possibilities and opportunities to more effectively communicate, generate new ideas and even identify target audiences or analyze data in a spreadsheet but it also requires experts to validate the output. Strong research, supportive data and examples are essential to help make our case and advocate for policies that improve the travel experience and increase travel. Greg Staley U.S. Travel Association Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President - Development, Africa & All-Inclusive, EMEA at Marriott International Hotels are located in in Nigeria, Tanzania, Botswana and Ethiopia From the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum in Nairobi, Marriott International announced five deal signings in Africa under its Protea Hotels by Marriott brand. The signed projects reinforce the companys commitment to expanding its presence across the continent and highlight the demand for the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand. Protea Hotels by Marriott has a long-established legacy in Africa, and we are excited to further strengthen the brands footprint in the continent with these five signings, said Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President - Development, Africa & All-Inclusive, EMEA at Marriott International. While we continue to see demand for new build opportunities, the brand is seeing an uptick in conversion projects where developers are looking to rebrand their existing property into a Protea Hotel. Protea Hotels by Marriott is a leading hospitality brand in Africa and one of the most widely recognized across the continent. With properties in primary and secondary business centres and desirable leisure destinations, the brand remains a popular choice for travellers into Africa. In line with brand standards, the five projects will feature modern facilities, proactive and friendly service and consistent amenities such as full-service restaurants, meeting spaces and well-appointed rooms. Marriott Internationals current portfolio in Africa features nearly 140 properties and more than 24,000 rooms across 20 countries and 19 brands. Protea Hotels by Marriott represent more than 40 percent of Marriott Internationals portfolio in Africa with over 60 properties and more than 6,500 rooms in operation across nine countries. The projects announced during the African Hotel Investment Forum are: Protea Hotel by Marriott Serowe, Botswana Marriott International expects to grow its presence in Botswana with the signing of Protea Hotel by Marriott Serowe in collaboration with Letsatsi Partners. Slated to open in 2026, the hotel is anticipated to feature 155 guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool and multiple meeting rooms. Protea by Marriott Serowe will be situated near the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe, between Gaborone and Orapa, one of the worlds largest diamond-producing mines. Protea Hotel by Marriott Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Protea Hotels by Marriott is expected to make its debut in Ethiopia with the opening of Protea by Marriott Bahir Dar. The conversion deal was signed with Blue Nile Resort Hotels PLC to rebrand its Blue Nile Resort to a Protea Hotel following a full renovation. The property is expected to be rebranded to Protea by Marriott Bahir Dar by 2025 and will offer 127 guest rooms and suites, multiple dining outlets, a fitness centre and nearly 1,000 sqm of meetings and event space. The hotel is situated next to Lake Tana and a short distance from Blue Nile River. Protea Hotel by Marriott Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania The company signed an agreement with Parklane Holdings Zanzibar Limited to convert its existing property to Protea Hotel by Marriott Zanzibar Stone Town. The project, which is anticipated to open as a Protea Hotel by the end of 2023, is located in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist areas in Zanzibar. Plans for Protea by Marriott Zanzibar Stone Town include 26 guestrooms, an all-day dining restaurant and a rooftop bar. Protea Hotel by Marriott Abuja Jahi, Nigeria Projected to open in 2027, Protea Hotel by Marriott Abuja Jahi, Nigeria will consist of 144 guestrooms, two food and beverage outlets, a swimming pool and meeting facilities. The hotel will be situated in the developing district of Jahi which is located northwest of Abujas city centre and will be close to Gwarinpa and Jabi, two prominent commercial areas. Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta is a franchised property owned by Gold Reef Hotel Limited and will be managed by BON Hospitality West Africa Limited. Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta, Nigeria The company signed an agreement with Dutch Gate Hotel & Suites Limited to convert its existing property to Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta. The property is expected to open as a Protea Hotel in 2024 with 108 rooms, four food and beverage outlets, meeting facilities, a fitness centre and swimming pool. Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta, Nigeria will be situated in Warri, a major oil and gas hub in the South region of Nigeria. Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta is a franchised property owned by Dutch Gate Hotel & Suites Limited and will be managed by BON Hospitality West Africa Limited. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. 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Copyright Royalty Board reform is needed now [Dr. Richard Burgess] Congress created the Copyright Royalty Board to untangle the complexities of statutory copyright licenses and royalty distribution. But to deliver on its mission, the CRB urgently needs reform, writes Dr. Richard James Burgess of the American Association of Independent Music. Op-ed by Dr. Richard James Burgess MB, the President and CEO of A2IM The Copyright Royalty Board plays a vital role in the music industry, and there is a growing consensus that the process by which it operates is in dire need of reform. Unfortunately, the harms of the current process fall disproportionately on the independent creators that are the lifeblood of the industry. To ensure independent rights owners and creators can have a real voice, I believe CRB reform must address the following three main areas. First, as I wrote last year, any reform should encourage early settlements that represent a broad industry consensus, as this benefits everyone. Currently, however, the enormous expense associated with a CRB proceeding prohibits independents from participating. Most small businesses, such as the majority of our members, simply cannot afford this expense. As a result, crucial, broad-sweeping changes have been determined by the major record companies and music publishers without providing independents with an opportunity to present how these decisions would impact their business. The initial phonorecords IV settlement, for example, was reached early in the process, but it clearly did not reflect a broad consensus among publishers; the second settlement, reached late in the process, left independent labels in a disadvantageous position, and did not reflect their greater dependence on physical goods and downloads. Clearly, CRB reform should provide an early and inexpensive forum to encourage settlements that reflect input and participation from across the industry including independents. For independents the cost of formal participation in proceedings out of reach Second, when settlements are not possible, its essential to lower the costs and bring CRB litigation procedures back in line with Congresss original intentions. When Congress established the CRB, it intended to create a relatively streamlined judicial process that minimized the costs traditionally associated with large trials. In practice, however, discovery in these proceedings has grown far beyond the original boundaries anticipated by Congress, creating enormous burdens for participants and non-participants alike. Congress did not intend for discovery in these proceedings to be as far-reaching and expensive as federal litigation but that, unfortunately, is what has come to pass. For independents, discovery is the key factor that puts the cost of formal participation in proceedings out of reach. Similarly, there should be procedural mechanisms to ensure the CRB acts promptly on pending motions and other disputes, and issues determinations in a timely way. Just to take one current example, the CRB only recently issued its post-appeal determination in the Phonorecords III decision nearly three years after the decision was sent back to the CRB for new proceedings after the appeal. Prolonged delay drives up the costs of proceedings and introduces unnecessary uncertainty burdens that, again, fall disproportionately on independent businesses. lack of clarity destabilizes the entire process Third, there should be a procedure to ensure that important questions are not left hanging by the CRB in the course of a proceeding, even if they ultimately become moot. Otherwise, erroneous CRB actions become precedent as a practical matter simply because the case ends without the issue being addressed. One stark example is the question that emerged in Phonorecords IV, when the CRB rejected the first mechanicals settlement based on a single participants objection and a raft of comments by non-participants. Immediately afterwards, the RIAA recognized that the law was unclear on how this rejection should apply and raised an important question namely, whether the rejection applied to all participants or only those participants that objected to the settlement. Given, however, that the RIAA and NMPA subsequently reached a second settlement that was accepted by the CRB before this critical question was addressed, it remains unanswered. As a result, this lack of clarity destabilizes the entire process and makes settlements much less likely. Clearly, we need to address these issues to ensure that all industry participants are heard and treated fairly by the CRB process. To that end, I look forward to working with the entire industry to reach a sensible set of solutions, with a particular focus on protecting independent businesses and creators whose perspectives are too often ignored. Share on: CHP Mobile Health Team Honored by Massachusetts Nonprofit Network GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. The CHP Mobile Health Team was honored as a finalist for the "Excellence in Resilience" award by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 6. CHP was among more than 130 statewide nominees for the 2023 awards, presented to organizations and employees that exemplify the most innovative, creative, and effective work being done throughout the Commonwealth. Members of the Mobile Health team and CHP leadership attended the awards ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. "Our Mobile Health team is fully deserving of this recognition for its on-the-road outreach and vaccination work during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Rick Gregg, interim CEO of CHP. "With Covid-19 now in a more manageable status, this team is now expanding with broader forms of mobile health care, while keeping pace with ongoing vaccination and booster needs in our community." Finalists were selected in the following six categories; advocacy, innovation, leadership, resilience, small nonprofit, and young professional. CHP was founded as mobile health care in the mid-1970s, and on-the-road care has expanded as a key CHP operation. This year, CHP is adding three new mobile health vehicles to its fleet to provide additional medical care, dental care and a mobile farm stand providing fresh, free, local food. "Our winners demonstrate that when idealism and excellence come together, the results are amazing," said Jim Klocke, the CEO of MNN. "As we recognize them, we honor the work that nonprofits across Massachusetts do every day in service to their communities. We are grateful for that work and for Citizens' continued support of the Nonprofit Excellence Awards celebration." podcasts Enterprise of the Future How does the modern enterprise transition into the future? Finding the intersection of IT investment and business value is key as is a well-conceived strategy for navigating the journey. Join us for an engaging look into how technology drives outcomes with applications, data and AI and impacts digital transformation at every level. The experts at Kyndryl will lead the way. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two prominent global human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced that they will hold a private screening in Washington DC of the BBC documentary on Narendra Modi banned in India. Indian prime minister Modi is going on a state visit to the US, hosted by US president Joe Biden, from 21 June and will be in America till 24 June. Just two days ahead of the visit, HRW and Amnesty will hold a private screening of the BBC documentary titled India: the Modi Question for audiences that include policymakers, journalists and analysts, it was reported on Tuesday. The documentary was banned in India as the Indian government called it a propaganda piece which displays bias, [a] lack of objectivity, and frankly a continuing colonial mindset on the part of the BBC. The BBC, meanwhile, defended itself and said that it was conducted by adhering to the highest editorial standards. HRW said it wanted the screening to serve as a reminder that the documentary had been banned in India, according to Reuters. The documentary, according to the BBC, investigates tensions between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and the countrys Muslim minority. The documentary was released in the UK on 17 January this year and was briefly available on YouTube in India but was taken down by Indian authorities. The Indian government issued orders to both YouTube and Twitter to block content related to the documentary using emergency powers under the countrys information and technology laws. In May this year, the Delhi High Court issued summons to the BBC while hearing a defamation suit filed by a Gujarat-based non-profit Justice on Trial. It is contended that the documentary makes defamatory imputations and casts slur on the reputation of the country and the judiciary and against the prime minister. Issue notice to the respondents, the court said. The BBC documentary showed a previously unpublished report from the UK Foreign Office that holds Mr Modi directly responsible for the climate of impunity that enabled the Gujarat riots in 2002 to take place. It claims that Mr Modi was directly responsible for the riots that left nearly 1000 people, mostly Muslims dead, when he was the states chief minister in 2002. Mr Modi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Last year Indias Supreme Court also cleared Mr Modi of any wrongdoing over the riots. On 10 February, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition calling for the BBC Modi documentary to be banned. The court called the petition entirely misconceived, and without merit and disagreed with complete censorship of the documentary. In February, the Indian tax department officials raided BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. Amnesty International at the time, issued a statement saying that this was an intimidatory act. In a statement, the rights group said: The tax departments raids, which are being presented as surveys, come less than a month after the organisation released a documentary that openly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These raids are a blatant affront to freedom of expression. The Indian authorities are clearly trying to harass and intimidate the BBC over its critical coverage of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The overbroad powers of the Income Tax Department are repeatedly being weaponised to silence dissent and added that these intimidatory acts, which undermine the right to freedom of expression in India, must end now. Meanwhile, during his state visit, on 22 June, several thousand Indian Americans are expected to gather on the South Lawns of the White House, where Mr Modi will be welcomed by the US president, reports said. The White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, last month, defended Mr Modis planned visit to the US. She said Mr Biden believes this is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A defence handbook was released by Taiwans military to distinguish between Chinese and Taiwanese soldiers based on their uniforms, camouflage, and insignia through colourful cartoons. The updated defence handbook released on Tuesday with the latest changes detailed how civilians can find bomb shelters, water and food supplies using apps on their mobile phone. A colourful graphic with a 14-point guide was added for civilians on how to prepare for war scenarios after Taiwans defence ministry received feedback that the book needed to reflect the conflict situation better in the wake of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the ministry said. A key change in the handbook included illustrations of Taiwanese and Chinese personnel standing against each other with the latter wearing lighter olive fatigues and termed as enemy soldiers. It further detailed four different uniforms of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) such as the ones worn in summer, winter, jungles and in the desert. The civil defence handbook showing different kind of Chinese soldiers in uniforms (Screengrab: All-out Defence Mobilisation/ Taiwan defence ministry) The handbook graphic also categorically identified the right chest military badge, armband on the right arm, identification tag on the left side of their chest and the two-dimensional barcode used on the PLAs uniform for military identification. For Taiwanese soldiers, the graphic contained details about the military-rank patches worn by the army from the colonel level, to captain, lieutenant among a total of dozen ranks. Taiwan handbook detailing its army national military clothing (Screengrab: All-out Defence Mobilisation/ Taiwan defence ministry) Under my countrys national army clothing, the handbook had three soldiers in their respective uniforms of army, marines and air forces. While the Taiwanese soldiers are shown smiling, the Chinese troops have downturned frowns and a serious expression. Its actually quite hard to distinguish them," All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency director Shen Wei-chih told reporters at the defence ministry. The handbook was unveiled last year when the tensions between the self-governed island nation and Beijing spiked, followed by Russias invasion of Ukraine. In its earlier version, the handbooks colourful graphics detailed how civilians can find bomb shelters, water and food along with tips for preparing emergency first aid kits. Under the usual circumstances seeking preparedness from civilians, the handbook listed four points on looking out for air defence sirens, nearby locations of safety and trusting the correct information. The other 10 points listed what civilians needed to do in war-time situations in the booklet available for download online. Experts warned that the booklet assumes that the invading Chinese soldiers will enter the nation wearing their PLA uniforms. Special forces troops may wear different gear as they will look to infiltrate Taiwan during an invasion. The agency is working on an English translation, Mr Shen said. China has said it can take the democratically governed Taiwan by force as it calls the sovereign island its own territory despite Taipeis strong objections. In the last year, China ramped up military and political pressure over Taiwan to push its sovereignty claims. Taiwan has also been inspecting bomb shelters a takeaway from Ukraine which is increasingly relying on these bunkers to shield people from incoming Russian missiles. They have been making sure they were easier to find, with markers that might eventually include flashing lights, officials said at the same news conference. The handbook comes amid discussions on implications of the example set by Russia by invading its neighbour. Officials in Taiwan were looking and working on ways to boost preparedness, such as reforms to the reservist training and extending military service. The resignation of Boris Johnson and two of his close allies, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams, as MPs means there will be three by-elections as a direct result of Johnsons decision to evade the findings of the Commons privileges committee. A fourth by-election may well occur in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. That seat is held by the former SNP politician Margaret Ferrier. She was ordered to be suspended from the House after her conviction for breaking Covid regulations, and a recall petition has been opened in her seat. If 10 per cent of the constituents sign up, then there will be a by-election. Ferrier may contest it, but not as an official SNP candidate. After the local elections in May, these by-elections will be the first real-world test of voter sentiment, and should provide an interesting insight into the matter of whether tactical voting is likely to play a significant role in the next general election. Therell also be some interest in how the minor parties, such as the Greens and Reform UK, perform. The four seats are a reasonably good mix, and a psephological feast awaits. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Airbnb customer was left furious after being charged for leaving pet hair at a home rental, despite the listing for the property labelling it as pet friendly. The angry guest, called Maddie, claimed the cottage stated that it allowed pets on the listing, and even checked her German Shepherd, Judge, in on the booking. However, Maddie, who initially enjoyed her stay, took to social media to express her anger after the host demanded she pay an additional cleaning fee for leaving behind pet hair. After challenging the host, Maddie was furious to discover the house was not pet-friendly after all. The picturesque, three-bedroom property is listed as Travel Haus: Stunning Cottage in German Village and is based in Columbus, Ohio. The cottage currently has a 4.96 out of five star rating on Airbnb. I hate Airbnb. I checked out and received a message from the host saying they have to charge me an additional cleaning fee because pets arent allowed, Maddie said on Twitter. Your listing literally says pets allowed. I even included my dog on the booking. The disgruntled guest then proceeded to share her conversation with the host, whod messaged Maddie to say: Maddie, my cleaner is at the house and has informed me that you had a pet with you. This house is not a pet-friendly home and will now require additional cleaning due to the amount of pet hair that was left behind before the next guest. I need to charge you an additional cleaning. (Jam Press) (Jam Press) (Jam Press) However, the charge was ultimately waived after Maddie pointed out that the listing for the home had described it as pet-friendly. The listing was updated to state that it was not pet friendly after the host suggested the pet-friendly label had been wrongly placed on the listing. The heated encounter has left many divided - with some backing Maddie, while others sided with the Airbnb host. I mean she ultimately didnt charge you and now youre doxxing her business and left a really excessive amount of hair on her property, one person wrote, while another said: She clearly shouldnt be charging you. Some of these people do not know how to run a business and sometimes you have to eat certain fees if you want to get those longer bookings. That being said, you didnt feel an urge to sweep up after the dog? Thats a lot of hair. According to someone else, Maddie should have definitely said no to paying the fee. Also, when you book with a pet included you dont see it but the rate is higher than it would be without a pet! Thats already built in! they wrote. In a statement, an Airbnb spokesperson said: Our Community Support team had already assisted our host and guest to resolve this. We understand this issue was due to a misunderstanding by the host, and they have since apologised to the guest who will not be charged for this. As of now, the property has been changed to no pets. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chris Hemsworth has expressed immense gratitude for his wife of 13 years, Elsa Pataky. During an interview with British GQ, the 39-year-old actor spoke candidly about his partner, with whom he shares an 11-year-old daughter, India, and nine-year-old twins, Tristana and Sasha. He described some of the foundations of their relationship as he said that they both have the desire to have a good time, to laugh, and be involved in new adventures. The Thor star also confessed that without his wife, he wouldnt have the personal or professional success that he currently has. Her sacrifice, commitment, work, support, forgiveness everything that she has given me over the years has been incredible, he said. I couldnt have done any of the things Ive done without it. He noted how his life has moved so fast, before recalling a point in marriage where he ultimately felt closer to his wife. We were having kids [at] the same time my career was taking off, same time we were getting married, same time we were getting to know each other, he said. It feels like we got to know each other halfway through our relationship, five, six years ago. In a beautiful way. Once our kids were out of nappies, things became a bit more manageable. Hemsworth continued to explain how he felt like his life was on fast forward when his children were born. He said that after the release of Thor, he was constantly focused on his career, which was a feeling that didnt stop until the last couple years. I was going from one film to another, didnt know if the phone was going to stop ringing, he said. Id spent so many years coming up thinking, Am I going to make it? And once it starts to roll youre like, I dont want to get off this train. This could be my one shot. He noted that throughout the making of his 2022 series Limitless he realised that he needed to take a step back from acting. All of these beautiful moments were rapidly flying past me, Hemsowrth continued. It made me just kind of want to wrap that show and get back and see my family. And I did. The actors comments about his family come a few months after he and his wife made headlines as they shared a prank that they pulled on their twin sons birthday. To celebrate his kids ninth birthday in March, Hemsworth posted a photo of his family on Instagram, in which Pataky held her sons head down in a chocolate cake. Despite the amused looks on Hemsworths and his two other childrens faces, the prank sparked mixed reactions from fans. In the comments section, some Instagram users said the stunt was just a bit of harmless fun, while others branded the move as ridiculous and violent. The Marvel star and the Spanish actress first met in 2010 and got married that same year. The family of five soon relocated from Los Angeles to Australia, where they are currently living in the southeastern coastal town of Byron Bay in New South Wales. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, has revealed the challenges he faced while coming to terms with his sexuality as a young man from a religious background. Writing exclusively for The Independent during Pride month, the Ghanaian-born British former model turned stylist and journalist, has described the years in which he began to embrace his identity as a gay man. Enninful, 51, has been responsible for shifting British Vogues creative and editorial output towards representing people across the spectrum of LGBT+, disability and race. In turn, the media mogul has been credited for influencing representation in the fashion industry as a whole. He has announced he is stepping down to take up a new position as editorial advisor to British Vogue and global creator and cultural adviser to Vogue. Enninful recalls the first time he ever encountered someone who was openly gay, when he was aged 16, in 1980s London but laments that he feared the prospect of ever coming out himself. I was 16 when I encountered the first person Id ever met who actually called themselves gay, he writes. I was a sheltered Ghanaian immigrant a good, Christian schoolboy who kept his head down, worked hard and always had his fathers words thundering in his ears: If any of those gays come into this house it will be over my dead body. He observes that fashion changed not only his career prospects but allowed him to express himself in a way he never thought would be possible. Suddenly, I was a teenager in London and meeting gay and trans people everywhere; photoshoots, parties, gigs, clubs, he says. But did I feel pride? It was probably more complicated than that. Enninful writes that he was petrified of coming out as gay, especially given his religious upbringing, and feared enernal damnation if he revealed his sexuality. The fire and brimstone that would rage in church seemed so real that I genuinely thought I was going to hell and that a life and afterlife of eternal damnation awaited me. This is the way for a lot of young LGBT+ people still today, especially in religious communities. The feelings are terrifying and real seeming. At the age of 21, Enninful told his mother he was gay, and was thankful for her reaction. Eventually, he writes, his father came around to the idea of him being gay. I was extremely fortunate to have the mother I had, he writes. She loved me - I knew that always - and when I eventually told her I was gay at the grand old age of 21, having returned to London after a romantic epiphany on a New York dance floor, there was no question of me being exiled by the family, he writes. But in London in the Eighties and Nineties, he says, others were not as lucky as he was. I saw friends and relations in my community thrown out of their family homes. Meanwhile, the infamous AIDS adverts, with their looming tombstones and terrifying iceberg visuals, were everywhere. Gay London gay life felt like it teetered on a knifes edge. Throughout and beyond Pride month, British Vogue, under Enninfuls leadership, will represent different LGBT+ stories, including pop star Janelle Monae, British-Australian actor Miriam Margoyles and The Last Of Us actor Bella Ramsey, exclusively revealed here by The Independent. Throughout Pride month, British Vogue will represent different LGBT+ stories, including Janelle Monae, British-Australian actor Miriam Margoyles, and Rina Sawayama. The covers are being revealed exclusively in The Independent, the official news partner of Pride in London. See the full feature in the July issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20 June (British Vogue/Tim Walker ) In the July issue youll find exquisite fashion and thoughtful portraits and interviews with everyone from raconteur supreme Miriam Margoyles to Janelle Monae, Rina Sawayama, Emma DArcy and Bella Ramsey, to the residents of the Tonic Housing, the UKs first LGBT+ residential home for older people, and Rose Ruth, who, now 90, transitioned in her 80s, and who I adore, Enninful writes. Despite the celebration of Pride being widely embraced by a new generation, Enninful points out that the world today remains unsafe, especially for the more marginalised people in the LGBT+ community. Transphobia abounds, hate crimes are on the increase and a scary establishment pushback seems wholly unable to grasp the idea that people are who they say they are. That gender fluidity is not new, he says. That the only difference now is that we are finally able to talk about it a bit more. In recent months, Enninful has released a memoir, A Visible Man, sharing how as a Black, gay, working-class refugee, he found solace in fashion. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chris Pratt has opened up about his fatherly instinct to protect his family. The Guardians of the Galaxy actor, 43, recently spoke to Mens Journal about how becoming a father has made him a better actor. Pratt shares son Jack, 10, with ex-wife Anna Faris and daughters Lyla Maria, two, and Eloise Christina, one, with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger. The father of three recently starred in the Amazon Prime Video series The Terminal List as NAVY Seal James Reece, who seeks to avenge his familys murder. Speaking to Mens Journal, Pratt explained how hed go to similar lengths to protect his children. Some critic said something like it was an unhinged revenge fantasy. And, to be honest, thats exactly what it is in a way. Whenever youre put in a position, or even imagine a position, where those kids are in danger, your mind goes to wild places, he told the outlet on 8 June. I think every dad secretly fantasizes about what they would do if someone ever f***ed with their kids, he continued. Your partner sees you staring off into the distance and says, Honey, what are you thinking about? And you say, Oh, nothing. But what youre really thinking is, Wheres the duct tape and how deep is the trunk? I think thats most dads. Or maybe thats just me and Im revealing something here! The Parks and Recreation alum went on to share that fatherhood has made him a more versatile actor because it allows him to tap into his emotional potential during a scene. That instinct you have to protect them those are all things you can try to fake, but it doesnt really come close to what you have access to when youve lived it, Pratt said. For me, having kids is what its all about, and how its benefitted me as an actor is a pleasant byproduct. Pratt also encouraged others to have children as soon as possible because of the joy that it brought to his own life. People say all the time, Dont rush to have kids, Pratt said. I personally disagree. Rush. Have them. Of course, make sure you find a great partner, but dont wait. He then recalled a conversation he had with actor Adam Sandler, who told him: Every day you wait is a day they dont get to have you in their life. The younger you have kids, the more time they get to have with you, Pratt continued. Its wild. Having kids is incredible. The things you normally take for granted in life are new. Chris Pratt has often shared glimpses into his life as a father of three on social media. The Jurassic World star was married to Anna Faris in 2009. They welcomed their son Jack in 2012, but announced their split in August 2017. Pratt and Faris finalised their divorce in October 2018, four months after he began dating his current wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. He proposed to the 33-year-old author in January 2019 and they were married in June that year. They went on to welcome daughter Lyla Maria in August 2020 and daughter Eloise Christina in May 2022. Chris Pratt previously sparked backlash on social media when he praised his wife for giving him a gorgeous healthy daughter, as many people noted that his son Jack was born prematurely. He shared an Instagram post of himself and Schwarzenegger in 2021, encouraging his followers to find someone who looks at them the way his wife does. We met in church. Shes given me an amazing life, a gorgeous healthy daughter, she chews so loudly that sometimes I put in my earbuds to drown it out, but thats love! the actor wrote in the Instagram caption. She helps me with everything. In return, periodically, I open a jar of pickles. Thats the trade. Her heart is pure and it belongs to me. However, many fans accused the actor of being passive aggressive towards Faris, who has been open about their sons health issues in the past. In June 2022, he addressed the backlash towards his social media post by calling out critics. I said something like, Find someone who looks at you the way my wife looks at me. And then I gave her some sh*t in the thing and said, But I love you. Im so thankful for my wife she gave me a beautiful, healthy daughter, he told Mens Health at the time. And then a bunch of articles came out and said, Thats so cringeworthy. I cant believe Chris Pratt would thank her for a healthy daughter when his first child was born premature. Thats such a dig at his ex-wife, he recalled. And Im like, That is f**ked up. My sons gonna read that one day. Hes nine. And its etched in digital stone. It really f**king bothered me, dude. I cried about it, he said. I was like, I hate that these blessings in my life are to the people close to me a real burden. His wife Katherine Schwarzenegger has since revealed that she tries to ignore online criticism, though shes aware of the negative comments often centred around her husband. Growing up, hearing people say certain things about my parents, my siblings, my extended family was difficult, Schwarzenegger told the New York Times, referencing her famous parents Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I see what people say, she said. But I just know that its so far from the reality. Most recently, Chris Pratt sparked a debate by posting a Mothers Day tribute in May that didnt include mention of his ex Anna Faris. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Colin McFarlane has revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Dark Knight star, 61, said he discovered the condition nine months after his brother was also diagnosed with the same cancer. McFarlane, also known for his roles in Doctor Who and Outlander, explained that both he and his brother found out about the cancer after taking a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which can be given to men without symptoms after a consultation with a doctor. The actor said that he has been regularly testing for cancer after a fellow actor who was treated for it 17 years ago told him about its prevalence among Black men. He said: I was already aware of the risk to me, so had been having annual and then six-monthly regular PSA blood tests with my GP. Thankfully, just over a year ago, I had told my brother to get a PSA blood test otherwise he wouldnt have been diagnosed, because he had no symptoms. He added that he is one of the lucky ones as he has been able to catch this very early. McFarlane added: So, although I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, I do not require any treatment. I am being regularly monitored with PSA blood tests every three months and an MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging scan) once a year. As its a very slow-moving cancer I am in the best possible position to ascertain what treatment I would need in the future if that were ever deemed necessary, and currently that scenario is a long way off, he continued. Its men who take no action and dont know anything about their prostate health that are at the greatest risk. His diagnosis arrived on the same day as his late mother Gwendolyns birthday. She died at the age of 94 earlier this year. McFarlane is backing Prostate Cancer UKs campaign to encourage men over 50 and Black men over 45 to get a PSA test, as a result of his experience. The charity said that Black men are at double the risk of getting the disease, with one in four expecting to get it in their lifetime, compared to one in eight among other men. McFarlane said: Too many men black men are dying from prostate cancer. They need to know that a simple blood test could save their life. In The Dark Knight, McFarlane appeared as Gotham City police commissioner Gillian B Loeb, alongside Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine. He has also made several appearances in Doctor Who and is the voice of The Cube on the ITV game show. Additional reporting by PA Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A charity has warned people with lung conditions that very high pollen levels this week could lead to hospitalisations and deaths. The Met Office has shared a red warning for hay fever sufferers, showing that pollen counts will rise throughout the week. Its map shows the UK areas that will be hardest hit with very high pollen levels. England and Wales will be the worst off, but levels will also be high in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Asthma + Lung UK, a charity focusing on lung health, has warned that such high pollen levels could pose a serious risk to people with lung conditions. In particular, it shared how pollen can be a major trigger for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. Campaigners have said that the very high pollen levels could be deadly to asthma sufferers as it may leave them struggling to breath. Nearly half (47.1 per cent) of the five million people in Britain who have asthma and more than a quarter of COPD sufferers are triggered by pollen, according to the charity. The Met Office has issued red, amber and yellow warnings for pollen levels across the UK this week (Picture: Met Office/OpenMapTiles) (Met Office/OpenMapTiles/OpenStreetMap) The Met Offices red warnings cover most areas of England including Yorkshire and Humberside, the North West, the West Midlands, London the East of England and the South East and South West. It also covers Wales. Pollen levels will also be high in the North East of England and parts of Scotland including the Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway and the Lothian Borders, as well as Northern Ireland. Emma Rubach, Asthma + Lungs head of health advice, told the Mail: High pollen levels can be very dangerous for people with conditions like asthma, bringing on serious symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness. Hay fever can trigger people with COPD or asthma (Getty Images) They can prompt asthma attacks which can be terrifying, leaving them fighting to breathe. This can be deadly and around four people already die in the UK each day from an asthma attack. The charity has advised anyone who does have asthma or COPD to carry their inhaler wherever they go and to book a doctors appointment if they feel their symptoms getting much worse. It comes as very warm weather is set to continue across the majority of the UK this week after temperatures hit highs of 32C on Sunday, the hottest day of the year so far. This weekend saw the hottest day of 2023 so far with temperatures reaching 32C (PA) Temperatures went above 30C over the weekend in parts of the UK for the first time since August 2022, the Met Office said. However, large parts of the UK face warnings for thunderstorms with lightning strikes and torrential downpours forecast on Monday. The Independent has contacted Asthma + Lung UK for a comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A representative for Jamie Foxx has shut down conspiracy theories that the actors recent hospitalisation was due to the Covid-19 vaccine leaving him partially paralyzed and blind. In a statement to NBC News, Foxxs representatives called the claims completely inaccurate. The conspiracy theory began on 30 May, when Hollywood gossip columnist AJ Benza made the unsubstantiated claim on Ask Dr Drew, hosted by reality TV host Dr Drew Pinsky. During the podcast episode, Benza alleged that Foxx was forced to get the Covid-19 vaccine while he was working on a film, citing a source in the room with Foxx when he was hospitalised. Benza claimed Foxx developed a blood clot in the brain after receiving the vaccine, which caused him at that point to be partially paralyzed and blind. Despite Foxxs representatives refuting Benzas claims, it hasnt stopped far-right commentators from spreading the anti-vaccination conspiracy theory on the internet. Political commentator Candace Owens peddled the theory on her YouTube-based podcast, where she has 1.67m subscribers, on 6 June. In the video, titled Whats Going On With Jamie Foxx?, Owens suggested there may be some veracity to Benzas claim because nobody in Foxxs family had denied it at the time. Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk also weighed in on the claim, tweeting on 1 June that he was infuriated a decent person like Jamie Foxx fell victim to Big Pharma because a movie set is still dumb enough to mandate their cash cow clot shot. Theres been much speculation surrounding Jamie Foxxs health after the 55-year-old actor was hospitalised in April following a medical complication. On 12 April, his daughter Corinne Foxx shared in a social media statement that the Django Unchained star experienced a medical complication yesterday. Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers, she said. The family asks for privacy during this time. Foxx was filming the forthcoming Netflix film Back in Action in Georgia when he was taken to a medical facility. Many rumours soon emerged about Foxxs health. While most reports suggested that the actor was recovering, one source told Radar that his friends and family were hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. On 3 May, Jamie Foxx broke his silence on social media when he thanked fans for their support. Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed [prayer, heart and fox emoji], the actor shared on his Instagram Story. Meanwhile, his daughter Corinne later rebuked claims that his family were preparing for the worst and revealed that the actor had been out of the hospital for weeks. Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild. My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating, she shared on her Instagram on 12 May. In fact, she continued, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyones prayers and support! We have an exciting work announcement coming next week too! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Travel anywhere on the planet and you'll find some version of ice cream. Grab a lemon gelato in Italy; a stick of butterscotch kulfi in Nepal; a cinnamon paleta bar in Mexico. If youre in Seoul, try a J-shaped puffed corn cone filled with soft ice cream. North Americans tend to be loyal to chocolate, vanilla and cookies 'n cream, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. We like our half gallons or waffle cones stuffed with the fondly familiar. Still, the world of ice cream isnt immune to change, and like any culinary domain, its evolving. Recent years have seen an explosion of novel flavor combos, unexpected ingredients and new presentations from ice cream makers large and small, food editors say. On the flavor front, there are floral ingredients like rose, orange blossom, lavender and jasmine, and herbal notes like saffron and tarragon. Unusual combos of savory and sweet are another trend. Jenis Splendid Ice Cream has an Everything Bagel flavor featuring cream cheese ice cream with everything bagel gravel, says Delish.coms Assistant Food Editor Taylor Ann Spencer. Liz Sgroi, executive director at Food Network Magazine, points to a collab this spring between Van Leeuwen and Hidden Valley on a ranch-dressing-flavored ice cream. Ice cream makers, like a lot of chefs, are embracing an international pantry, says Alana Al-Hatlani, assistant food editor at Southern Living magazine. Ive noticed a lot of new citrus flavors beyond lemon, orange and lime, like calamansi, kumquat and mandarin, she says. In her city, Birmingham, Alabama, the artisan ice cream company Big Spoon Creamery has a Key Lime Yuzu Pie flavor, for instance. Spencer notes Oregon-based ice creamery Salt & Straw for "combos like Pistachio with Saffron, and Hibiscus and Coconut. Other offerings there sound like a warm hug in gelid form: Jasmine Milk Tea laced with chocolate-coated almond slivers, or Rhubarb Crumble with Toasted Anise. Tyler Malek, who co-founded Salt & Straw with his cousin Kim Malek, says they enjoy partnering with chefs and makers to tell cultural stories through ice cream. In a regional collab, they worked with Florida-based Panther Coffee on a Coffee Chocolate Tres Leches ice cream that launched at Panther's Miami shop. It's now available nationwide through Salt & Straw's website. One of Tyler Maleks favorites is Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream. To showcase flavorful Oregon strawberries, he worked with a local beekeeper whod developed a honey balsamic vinegar. Adding a splash of that allowed the strawberry flavor to really shine through, Malek says. Salt & Straws Thanksgiving lineup features turkey bacon, buttery brittle and jammy cranberry sauce flavors folded into a five-course feast of ice creams. In Tivoli, New York, in their Fortunes Ice Cream shop, Brian Ackley and his wife, Lisa, offer Halva Honeycomb, based on Middle Eastern sesame candy, and citrus-y Olive Oil Satsuma. Both are non-dairy, born of Brian's wish to create creamy texture without using typical coconut cream or neutral oils. Tahini and oat milk are the keys to the halva flavor, while almond milk is blended with extra virgin olive oil in the satsuma ice cream. Lisa is Persian, so the couple were delighted to find orchards in the Hudson Valley that could source perfect black cherries for a Labne Sour Cherry ice cream. The labne is similar to tangy Greek yogurt. Texture also plays a role in the modern ice cream experience. Our Cider Donut flavor has whole donuts blended into the base, says Ackley. And weve got a green apple sorbet made from whole fresh apples chunks or not chunks, depending on what I feel delivers the best flavor and texture combo that day. Jenis recently launched a Ted Lasso ice cream, called Biscuits with the Boss, with shortbread cookies inside. Sgroi has seen some fun hacks on TikTok, like blended, frozen, sweetened cottage cheese ice cream. Another popular one (though slightly less healthy!) is ice cream wrapped in a fruit roll-up. Its gimmicky, messy and a bit hard to eat, but no one seems to mind the original recipe video has millions of views, she says. Non-dairy ice creams are evolving to meet modern demand, says Al-Hatlani: Vegan or plant-based options arent new, but theyre getting better and creamier. Soft serve is no exception. The New York City ice cream shop Morgensterns recently opened a dairy-free, soft-service outlet, Morgenstern's Bananas. And in Seattle, the plant-based ice cream shop Frankie & Jos, also offers the treat. Coconut milk ice cream has been popular for the last five years, says Spencer, but with the rise of oat milk as an alternative, oat milk ice cream is now trending. Were also seeing brands play with new alt-milks in their ice creams, like macadamia nut milk. Grocery store shoppers are encountering new ice cream flavors and formats from familiar brands. To name just a few: Baskin Robbins has pints of Triple Mango Ice Cream, swirled with real mango, mango sorbet and mango ribbons; Ben and Jerrys has introduced chocolate-coated ice cream bars called pint slices; and Entenmanns has launched an ice cream sandwich line based on some of their baked goods, like chocolate chip cookies and glazed donuts. - New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The AP. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome. For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/lifestyle. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the first woman to hold the position, is stepping down after 18 months on the job. Sewell, who was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, announced the resignation in an email to department staff Monday afternoon. While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City, she wrote. Adams, a Democrat, confirmed the move in a statement, thanking Sewell for her steadfast leadership. Sewell took over as commissioner when Adams became mayor in January 2022, having pledged beforehand to name a woman to the post. Adams, a former police captain, took an outsized interest in the departments operations compared with other mayors. Since Sewell's appointment, Adams has faced questions about whether she has been granted the autonomy of past commissioners. Almost immediately after taking office, Adams hired former NYPD Chief of Department Phillip Banks as his deputy mayor for public safety, somewhat diminishing Sewells authority. Banks has been holding weekly public briefings on crime, often without Sewell in attendance. Sewell started with the Nassau County Police Department as a patrol officer in 1997, then became a precinct commander, head of major cases, a top hostage negotiator and finally chief of detectives, where she oversaw a staff of about 350 about 1% the size of the NYPDs unformed ranks. In his statement, Adams said Sewell deserved credit for combatting crime in New York City. "The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson was given updates about his resignation honours list before he met with the Prime Minister in June, it is understood. The former prime minister is involved in a public spat with Rishi Sunak over his House of Lords nominations, after Nadine Dorries and other allies missed out on getting peerages. Ms Dorries has claimed information about what was needed for her to pass the vetting process for nominees was not relayed to her in time and accused the Prime Minister of duplicitously and cruelly blocking her appointment. She used an interview with TalkTV to launch a fresh attack on Mr Sunak, claiming he used weasel words and sophistry in a meeting with Mr Johnson last week which left the outgoing MP believing she would be included. It is understood Mr Johnson was provided with information via the Cabinet Office about his list some time after the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac) sent a list to Mr Sunak in February of the seven approved names which were announced on Friday. The former leaders team has been contacted for comment. Obviously it is not for No 10 or the Cabinet Office to be in contact with individuals going through the Holac process again, that would not be appropriate Downing Street Downing Street said it would have been inappropriate for either No 10 or the Cabinet Office to contact individuals going through the vetting process directly. In line with the longstanding custom, the Prime Minister forwards the list unaltered following vetting by Holac (the House of Lords Appointments Commission), the Prime Ministers official spokesman said. Obviously it is not for No 10 or the Cabinet Office to be in contact with individuals going through the Holac process again, that would not be appropriate. Ms Dorries, who claims she stood down as an MP after being bullied by Downing Street, said she only learned that her name was not on the list around half an hour before it was published. Mr Johnson announced a shock resignation from Parliament on Friday in advance of a report which was expected to find he deliberately lied to MPs over the partygate scandal, before launching into a war of words with the man who was once his chancellor. The rancour between the former Tory leader and his successor descended into a public slanging match as Mr Sunak said his one-time ally had asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do. The Prime Minister suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. But Mr Johnsons camp accused him of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Ms Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. The Cabinet Office dismissed the attack, saying: Holac did not support the nominations of the MPs put forward by the former prime minister. It is unprecedented for a sitting prime minister to invite Holac to reconsider the vetting of individual nominees on a former prime ministers resignation list. It is, therefore, not a formality. Despite the expected findings of the Privileges Committee this week, Mr Johnson has insisted Ill be back a reference to Arnold Schwarzeneggers Terminator. The committees report has been pushed back towards the end of the week, reportedly due to printing problems in Parliament. In the Daily Express, the former prime minister said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, Ill be back. The message echoed Mr Johnsons sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Ministers Questions last year, when he told MPs: Hasta la vista, baby the catchphrase of Schwarzeneggers cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the back benches until quitting the Commons on Friday. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer warned that Tory infighting between the two erstwhile allies is damaging the UKs reputation internationally and putting off investors. The Labour leader said the three by-elections triggered by Ms Dorries, Mr Johnson and Nigel Adams were effectively political tantrums. Beyond the potential neglect of UK-wide issues like the cost of living, focus on the turmoil could also have more far-ranging implications, he suggested. Speaking to business chiefs at London Tech Week, he said: Theres a deeper price because theres a reputation hit to the UK. I think theres an economic hit as well many investors said to me, were not investing in the UK right now because we dont see the conditions of certainty and stability we need in order to invest. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The twists and turns of a new rail link between Oxford and Cambridge competes with Britains bendiest road, ministers have heard. Richard Fuller, Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire, claimed a proposed section of the East West Rail line running between Bedford and Cambridge was full of twists and turns, and ups and downs. Transport minister Huw Merriman, meanwhile, said the rail link could have the option of hybrid rolling stock, after MPs voiced concerns that only diesel trains may initially travel the route. East West Rail aims to restore a direct railway link between Oxford and Cambridge, to boost economic growth across the region between the two university cities. While some of the western sections of the route use existing lines, a new section of track must be built between Bedford and Cambridge. A preferred route for the new section was announced by East West Rail at the start of June. In a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Fuller lambasted the plans, comparing it with a B road in Dorset known as Zig Zag Hill, sometimes claimed to be the UKs bendiest road. The Tory former minister said: East West Rail, the route chosen is so full of twists and turns and ups and downs, it surely competes with what is probably our countrys bendiest road I am not sure if the minister knows this, the B3081 at Cann Common in Dorset, that twists and turns more than many an Alpine climb. Words that could be transposed to the route chosen by East West Rail. Back when governments and other people knew how to build railways in the Victorian age, of course they chose a straighter, less hilly route. The route chosen is so full of twists and turns and ups and downs, it surely competes with what is probably our country's bendiest road Richard Fuller MP Mr Fuller also said MPs were misled about whether the line would be electrified, adding: Originally, as the minister will know, in the 2005 Railways Act it was going to be an electrified line as part of the electric spine. In July 2012 in the high level output specification, East-West Rail was listed as a new electric railway line. It was then dropped by East West Rail company, but now in their latest document, well, they say it may come back. Well minister, which is it? Are we electrified? Are we not electrified? Is it battery powered? Is it not? Mr Merriman said: With every project of this scale important decisions must be made to optimise and maximise the benefits it can provide. The proposals to build new stations at Tempsford and Cambourne will enable communities to grow, provide opportunities to improve biodiversity, and give people increasing access to green spaces, significantly outweighing the benefits that a St Neots station could provide. On the electrification of the line, he added: Phase one, which is the part that goes from Oxford over to Bletchley, is of course a mix of an existing line and (what) once was a railway line. Phase two that goes from Bletchley to Bedford is an existing line. In that sense it is a more difficult challenge in terms of electrification because bridges and other infrastructure matters are already in place and would have to be significantly changed. Where we have built in new bridges, new infrastructure, we have done that with electrification for the future in mind. So it does have that pathway available to it and of course we look with the future towards hybrid options as far as trains are concerned, with the ability to make for a better decarbonised line of route. Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse (Bath) also emphasised the importance of electrifying the line, telling the debate: We are in a climate emergency. If people want to really see the benefits of a new infrastructure, they need to see the benefits to the environment, but also to their health. The Government is not making electrification the main priority, isnt that really what this line should be about, electrification? Labour MP for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner added: I think in the end electrification, she is absolutely right, is obviously the way we should be going. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The victims of a suspected double murder in Stoke-on-Trent have been named as Ethan John, 11, and seven-year-old Elizabeth John. The schools of both of the children paid tribute to them after they were found unresponsive with significant injuries inside a home on Flax Street on Sunday. A 49-year-old woman from Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remained in custody on Monday evening being questioned by detectives. Ethans school said: Ethan was a wonderful member of our school community. He had impeccable manners and an infectious smile. He will be hugely missed by the staff and pupils alike, and will forever be part of our hearts. In a tribute to Elizabeth, her school said: Elizabeth was a kind, caring and friendly member of our school family. She was a ray of sunshine who always had a smile on her face. She was everyones friend she was both bright and popular. The loss of Elizabeth is truly devastating for us all and her absence will leave a huge hole within our school community. Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, said: I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering felt by the family and friends of these two children at this time. Specially-trained officers are continuing to support those closest to the children whilst we find out more about what happened yesterday afternoon. Id like to thank those who have already come forward with information and to the local community who have been respecting the cordon in place on Flax Street. We are solely focused on finding out what happened to these two children and supporting those affected by this deeply traumatic incident. Officers were called to a car wash on Campbell Road just after 2pm on Sunday following reports of an assault involving a man and a woman. A man in his 40s was taken to hospital by paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and has since been released. Officers found the children injured at the property in Flax Street. Despite the efforts of paramedics, both children died at the scene, police said. Detectives renewed their appeal for any information and are particularly interested in any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area of Flax Street and Campbell Road between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, and to hear from anyone in the area at the time. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} UK businesses continuing to operate in Russia are complicit in the war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people, MPs have heard. Labour former minister Sir Chris Bryant told the Commons about the Russian government introducing a new law last year, requiring all businesses, including foreign ones, operating in the Russian Federation to assist in the war in Ukraine. Sir Chris urged the Government to make it absolutely clear that all British businesses should completely and utterly desist from business in Russia immediately. Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said there has been a positive attitude from British businesses and a willingness to take financial pain immediately in order to step away from Russian markets and activity. The Rhondda MP said: The Russian government introduced a new law last year which requires all businesses, including foreign businesses that have any footprint in the Russian Federation, to assist in the war in Ukraine. That means any British businesses who are still doing business now in Russia are complicit in the war crimes that Russia is perpetrating against the Ukrainian people. Would the minister now make it absolutely clear that all British businesses should completely and utterly desist from business in Russia immediately? Ms Trevelyan replied: One of the extraordinary things that we saw early last year when the war broke out was the positive attitude of British businesses and their willingness to take financial pain immediately in order to step away and demonstrate not only where we imposed sanctions and prohibitions but beyond that, to pull themselves away from Russian markets and activity. She said the Government will continue to work with businesses. Foreign Office questions also saw James Cleverly telling MPs how the UKs support to Kyiv will all have helped to speed up Ukraines path to join Nato. His comments came after shadow foreign secretary David Lammy called on Britain to play a leading role in securing Ukraines accession to the Alliance. He said: As the Nato secretary general said last month, Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, and over time our support will help make this possible. Does the Foreign Secretary agree with me that once with our support Ukraine has prevailed in its war against Russias invasion, there can be no Minsk 3.0 and that Britain should play a leading role in securing Ukraines path to join Nato. Mr Cleverly replied: Ive very glad that (he) agrees with the Governments position on this that Ukraines rightful place is within Nato. We have worked towards that aim and our support, the training that we provided, the equipment that we provided, the advice that we provide will all have helped to speed up the pathway from now to the point where Ukraine becomes a full member of Nato. The best thing that they can do to protect the environment, to protect civilian infrastructure and to end this loss of life is to withdraw their troops and do so immediately James Cleverly The Foreign Secretary was also asked by Tory former minister Vicky Ford about the blowing of the Kakhovka dam. She said: Will the Foreign Secretary confirm again that the UK will leave no stone unturned in holding the Russian regime to account for the damages that have been caused by their war? Mr Cleverly told the Commons: She is right about the huge environmental damage that is caused by the breaking of the dam. It is worth reminding the house, Im sure everyones already very conscious of this, that instances like this, the damage to other civilian infrastructure, of course, across Ukraine is only happening because of Russias war, because of their illegitimate invasion of Ukraine. The best thing that they can do to protect the environment, to protect civilian infrastructure and to end this loss of life is to withdraw their troops and do so immediately. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who allegedly murdered a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant has said he felt sad that the officer died. Louis De Zoysa, 25, is accused of shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed. The prosecution alleges De Zoysa, who denies murder, pulled the trigger on purpose four times while he was handcuffed in a holding room at the custody centre, the first and second shots hitting Sgt Ratana, the third hitting the wall during a struggle with officers, and a fourth hitting De Zoysa himself. Giving evidence in a modified way at Northampton Crown Court, because of communication difficulties caused by brain damage due to a gunshot wound, De Zoysa nodded when asked if he knew that Sgt Ratana had died and said he felt sad about it. De Zoysa agreed that the CCTV footage showed him firing a gun at the sergeant and that the prosecution say he murdered him. Asked what murder meant, De Zoysa said: Kill. Imran Khan KC, defending, asked: Are you guilty of murder, Louis? De Zoysa told his barrister no but later said he did not know what guilty meant. He went on to deny wanting or meaning to kill Sgt Ratana or cause him really serious harm which he said meant scar. De Zoysa sat in a wheelchair in the well of the court with a small whiteboard and marker on the desk in front of him. He promised to tell the truth in a modified oath and has given evidence using a combination of speech, writing and drawing with a break every 20 minutes. De Zoysa said he had autism and would regularly get stressed, leading him to punch chairs and walls. Questioned on his family, De Zoysa confirmed his father used to beat him over trivial matters. He wrote the word coke on his whiteboard before adding: He is a criminal. He used to be a drug dealer. The defendant drew a stickman wearing a cast on one leg before confirming that his father hit and broke his leg. The incident caused him to feel a brewing inside of him which he could not further explain, the court heard. De Zoysa went on to say he hit his father on the head using a metal rod in an apparent separate incident and did it out of panic a feeling which he said was possibly caused by his autism. He was arrested for fighting his father in June 2019. Jurors watched police body-worn video of De Zoysas 2019 arrest in which an officer could be heard saying: Hes kicked his father off his bike. Asked about the incident, De Zoysa said his dad was upsetting him and talking too loud. The jury heard more about the defendants home life including an inference that he liked eating dinner alone because there was violence at the dinner table with his family which was crazy. He confirmed that he broke the stairs in his family home and set a carpet on fire because he was upset. The court also heard he smoked cannabis because of stress which helped him feel mellow. Jurors were told De Zoysa was bullied at school, the defendant explaining that his peers threw chains at him because he was vulnerable and an easy target. But he received three As at A-Level for Chemistry, Physics and Maths and attended University College London although he did not finish his degree. He worked in coding at HMRC and told the jury he got on well with his colleagues. De Zoysa was asked to point to the drawing of either a circle or a semi-circle to indicate 100% or 50% sureness respectively in his answers when it came to discussing the day Sgt Ratana died. But the trial was adjourned early after the defendant grew tired. De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, had been arrested on London Road, Norbury, south London, during the early hours of September 25 2020, after a stop and search by officers found he had cannabis and seven rounds of ammunition. Officers did not know he had a gun until it was used to shoot Sgt Ratana. Jurors have been told they will have to consider whether De Zoysa deliberately fired the revolver and the question of diminished responsibility. Mr Khan previously told the jury that the defendant was suffering an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting. The trial continues on Wednesday at 9.30am. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US is formally investigating whether to give safe haven to the Afghan pilot UK officials are threatening to deport to Rwanda, sparking fury from top politicians and military figures who called it shameful that Britain should turn its back on the war hero. The former air force lieutenant, who flew multiple combat missions alongside coalition forces, has been living in limbo for months after coming to the UK on a small boat while his wife and child hide from the Taliban in Afghanistan. There was shock at defence secretary Ben Wallaces refusal to intervene after the pilots application to the UKs Afghan refugee scheme was rejected this week a decision that left him facing the prospect of a one-way flight to Rwanda. While British officials have refused to intervene to halt the Home Office deportation threat, the US Department of State is now considering the pilot and his familys asylum application after The Independent first raised his case. General Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the British army, said the fact that the pilot had been cast off by the British for the US to handle was a complete abrogation of our responsibilities and our decency. Air Marshal Edward Stringer, commander of RAF air operations during the Afghan conflict, said the UK government was making a weaselling distinction over the pilots war record. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said that for Britain to turn its back on a pilot and fail to do what is necessary to keep to the covenant that we protect his life as he helped to protect ours is shameful. Sir Iain told The Independent: Without heroes like this pilot, who is now seeking our help to stay here, we would not be able to fight causes which matter to democratic governments who fight for freedom. He added: We were allies and comrades in arms to those who helped the coalition, and now they themselves and their families are at risk from the Taliban. We have failed our pledge we gave to stand by them. To see America stand in for us and do the decent thing is galling and shameful. Labour said Rishi Sunaks government appeared to be applying Operation Cold Shoulder to Afghan heroes, describing the intervention by the US as deeply embarrassing. Sign The Independents petition calling for UK to support Afghan war heroes who served alongside Britain The airman, who flew more than 30 sorties planned by British and US commanders against terrorist threats, was described as a true patriot to his nation by his US supervisor. But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has rejected his application to stay in the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap), which is aimed at getting those who helped British forces out of Afghanistan. The government said it did not accept that his role had resulted in a high and imminent risk of a threat to [his] life. The MoD also said it did not accept that Britains operations in Afghanistan would have been materially less efficient or materially less successful without his role. Although category 4 of the Arap scheme thought to be the pilots best chance of staying in the UK is aimed at those closely supporting and assisting British forces, officials deemed him ineligible. Senior military figures are disappointed that Mr Wallace rumoured to be angling for the job of Nato secretary general has not rushed to the aid of the Afghan pilot, who helped coalition forces against the Taliban. The Afghan pilot has called on Rishi Sunak to stop his deportation and help him bring his family to the UK (Holly Bancroft) This is a very disappointing decision, justified on very narrow grounds, Lord Dannatt told The Independent. Are we denying he fought against the Taliban? This is a most ungenerous decision which sits uncomfortably with common decency. He came to this country, trusting in the decency of the British, by the only means available to him, and now seems doomed to be deported to Rwanda. To cast him off as Americas problem is a complete abrogation of our responsibilities and our decency. Air Marshal Stringer said: Whether we had a de jure contract with these Afghan servicemen or not seems a weaselling distinction on which to fall back. The de facto contract was that we encouraged Afghans to join the security services and fight alongside us to achieve our ends, putting themselves at risk from regressive and dangerous forces such as the Taliban. He added: When we removed the cover we had promised them, we left them dreadfully exposed. What weight does our moral authority carry when we weasel out of our obligations; and why should we expect people to trust us in future? Dozens of military chiefs, politicians and celebrities have backed The Independents call to allow the pilot and other Afghan veterans who helped coalition forces to be given safe refuge. Lord Dannatt has backed the Afghan pilots case (AFP/Getty) After serving alongside coalition forces, the pilot received two personal recommendations that referred to his strength of character and the role he had played in fighting the Taliban in the years leading up to the fall of Kabul in August 2021. He has now been accepted onto the USs P1 resettlement scheme, for which applicants have to be personally approved by a US official. There is no guarantee that he will be offered asylum, and the process can take years, but he has entered the assessment stage. Currently living in Home Office accommodation in the UK, the pilot is despairing at his situation and said that the decision he made to risk his life for the coalition is his biggest regret. We made the biggest mistake in my life when we cooperated with the American forces and British forces, and now we have to suffer the pain of being stateless, far from family, [in] humiliation and misery, he said. He is also growing increasingly worried for the safety of his family, as he waits to hear the outcome of a separate asylum application to the Home Office. Officials at home secretary Suella Bravermans department warned the airman that he could be sent to Rwanda because his Channel journey is deemed to have been illegal. He has been given 90 days to appeal the decision to turn him down for the Arap scheme. The pilot flew combat missions organised by coalition forces in Afghanistan (The Independent) A number of Afghans who helped American forces before the US withdrew from Afghanistan, including the pilot, were referred to the scheme by their US supervisors directly after the fall of Kabul. But aside from being asked to fill out a form with more details, the pilot heard nothing more from the state departments Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. However, last month, after being approached by The Independent, the White House said it would investigate his case, and it has been confirmed to be in the system. Listen: Geordie Greig discusses The Independent's Afghan pilot campaign on LBC During his trip to Washington last week, Mr Sunak ignored questions about the pilot from The Independent as he arrived at the White House to meet US president Joe Biden. He also declined to address a similar question at the end of a joint press conference with Mr Biden later that day. Labours shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said: Britain has a moral obligation to these Afghans, yet Operation Warm Welcome has become Operation Cold Shoulder. The fact that the British government is trying to send a loyal-to-Britain Afghan pilot to Rwanda is a tragedy in itself, while the US governments intervention is deeply embarrassing evidence of just how far the UKs international reputation is being tarnished by the shameful behaviour of this callous and chaotic Conservative government. Armed forces minister James Heappey has said that members of the Afghan forces, such as the pilot, do not qualify in principle for the MoDs scheme, which was initially set up to help Afghans who were employed by the British army. A spokesperson for the government said it remained committed to protecting vulnerable and at-risk people fleeing Afghanistan, and so far has brought around 24,500 people to the UK. We continue to work with like-minded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan on resettlement issues, and to support safe passage for eligible Afghans, the spokesperson said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. Madeleine McCann went missing in Praia da Luz in May 2007 (PA) However, on Monday, police activity was spotted at a reservoir some 30 miles from the Praia da Luz resort, in what was soon reported to be international authorities gearing up for a major new search this week based on leads suggesting Brueckner made repeated trips to the area which he dubbed his little slice of paradise. The fresh search at the reservoir one of six in the Algarve is the first in Portugal since 2014, and comes as the Metropolitan Police were granted a further 110,000 by the Home Office to fund their search for Madeleine, who would turn 20 this month. It brings the total amount spent on the search for the Leicestershire-born girl, codenamed Operation Grange, to just shy of 13.1m since 2011, and is significantly less than the more than 300,000 approved by the Home Office the year prior. While the costs incurred by German and Portuguese authorities are unknown, Lisbons then-attorney general Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro said in 2012 that the search for Madeleine had been the most expensive in the countrys history. As they began their fresh search near the Arade reservoir on Tuesday, police combed the waterways banks with the help of sniffer dogs, rakes and pickaxes, with emergency service divers spotted on a rigid-hull inflatable boat. Further along the banks of the reservoir, emergency services and officials from Portugal, Germany and the UK were seen holding briefings near blue police tents. Four teams of officers from the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria are involved in the operation, along with at least 20 of their German counterparts, Portuguese news outlet SIC said. A no-fly zone has been put in place over the water and media and other onlookers are being kept a mile back from the site of the search. Police used pickaxes and divers in their search on Tuesday (AFP via Getty Images) The reservoir was previously searched in 2008, at the height of efforts to find Madeleine, when Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia paid for specialist divers to search it, claiming to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleines body was there. Earlier this month, Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann posted a short statement on their Find Madeleine Campaign website to mark the anniversary of her disappearance. They said: Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleines abduction. Still missing still very much missed. It is hard to find the words to convey how we feel. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Additional reporting by PA Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain may not have been very well prepared at all for Covid-19, the official inquiry into the governments handling of the pandemic has heard. Hugo Keith KC, lead counsel for the inquiry, said in his opening statement on Tuesday that the nation was taken by surprise by significant aspects of the disease that has been recorded on 226,977 death certificates. Baroness Heather Hallett opened the inquiry, saying the British people deserve a thorough investigation into government planning for the pandemic and the events that unfolding during it. Lady Hallett accepted that it would be a huge task for her team to meet its ambitious timetable, with the probe expected to run until summer 2026. The inquiry has been divided into four modules: resilience and preparedness, core UK decision-making and political governance, impact of the pandemic on healthcare and vaccines and therapeutics. Below are some of the key moments from day one of the inquiry. Did you lose loved ones to Covid during the pandemic? If so email matt.mathers@independent.co.uk Day one - 13 June Chair pays tribute to people who lost their lives Lady Hallet paid tribute to bereaved family members as she opened the first hearing. UK Covid-19 Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA) (PA Media) People hold pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic outside the UK Covid-19 Inquiry at Dorland House in London (Belinda Jiao/PA) (PA Wire) At the start of the inquiry, videos were played showing people telling their stories and describing how their family members had died alone or had been rushed to hospital. One woman cried as she told how her father had died but then, just a few days later, her sister also died. She said she suffered guilt over the way they had died. Another woman said she had "lost everything", while others described suffering anxiety. UK may not have been prepared for pandemic The UK may not have been "very well prepared at all" to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the official inquirys lead lawyer said. Lead counsel Hugo Keith KC questioned whether the nation was equipped to offer substantial protection to the public as leaders had promised when the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the three devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published a Covid-19 action plan. Hugo Keith KC says UK may not have been prepared for pandemic (Covid 19 Inquiry) "The plan stated that the United Kingdom was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. Whether that was actually the case will be examined in module one. "Even at this stage before hearing the evidence it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all." Very little thought given to impact of lockdowns Mr Keith said there was very little thought given to the impact lockdowns could have on the country. "Very little thought was given to how, if it proved to be necessary, how something as complex, difficult and damaging as a national lockdown could be put in place at all. "Equally, there appears to have been a failure to think through the potentially massive impact on education and on the economy in trying to control a runaway virus in this way." Mr Keith also questioned whether past experiences could have led to complacency in planning, adding: "Did our experience of the 2009 swine flu lead to concerns about overreacting?" Brexit could have crowded out planning for pandemic Hugo Keith KC suggested to the Covid inquiry that preparing for Brexit "crowded out and prevented" the work that was needed to improve pandemic preparedness. He said: "The pandemic struck the United Kingdom just as it was leaving the European Union. That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. "It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. Evidence likely to show chaos in government Evidence is likely to show a lack of responsibility in government and "chaos" which led to a slow reaction to a pandemic where "lost time is measured in lost lives", the Covid inquiry has been told. Pete Weatherby KC, of Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said: "The families expect the evidence will show a lack of responsibility in Government for civil emergency preparedness, with little or no ministerial leadership and the chaos of committees which led to poor planning and ultimately a reactive rather than proactive response to the virus. "We anticipate the evidence will show that the most fundamental consequence of this was a slow reaction. And with a pandemic, time is of the essence and lost time is measured in lost lives." NHS England failed to prepare PPE stocks Failures of planning and preparation for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare staff "led to the ludicrous spectacle of doctors making aprons from bin liners" during the pandemic. Brian Stanton, lawyer for the British Medical Association, listed the ways in which medical workers had to improvise due to the lack of adequate protective clothing. He said: "Frontline staff often had to go without PPE, buy their own, use homemade, donated or expired items, and reuse single-use items. Staff also had to use items that were out of date, with multiple expired stickers visibly layered on top of each other. "Many felt pressured to work without adequate protection, with consequences for their mental and physical health." Politicians presided over chaos The barrister representing bereaved families in Scotland told the inquiry that political leaders "stand accused of presiding over a carousel of chaos". Claire Mitchell KC demanded answers as to whether politicians in the UK and devolved administrations could put aside political differences and act in the public interest, as well as justifications for delays in lockdown and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. She told the inquiry "at best, those in charge sought to prepare for the wrong pandemic" and the UK was "woefully under-prepared for the virus that swept our shores". The inquiry is covering the whole of the UK, although Scotland will hold its own probe. David Cameron gives evidence - 18 June David Cameron conceded it was a mistake for government not to consider different types of disease when planning for future pandemics but denied that his austerity policies damaged the UKs ability to respond to the pandemic. The former prime minister said that the primary focus was preparing for a flu pandemic, adding groupthink had inhibited officials ability to think about other respiratory infections. Giving evidence to the inquiry, he said that much more time was spent on the dangers of flu pandemic rather than on potential pandemics of other, more respiratory diseases, like Covid turned out to be. "This is so important - so many consequences followed from that, he added. Mr Cameron defended his record on risk planning, pointing to his decision to set up the National Security Council, a cabinet committee which considers matters relating to national security, foreign policy, defence, trade, international relations, development, resilience and resource security. He added, however, that there was "always a danger of group think - perhaps that is what is happening here". "I think the failing was not to ask more questions about asymptomatic transmission." Former prime minister David Cameron giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA) (PA Media) Referring to austerity, Mr Cameron said I think it was the right economic policy. And Mr Cameron added that the time spent focusing on flu during contingency planning was the thing I keep coming back to when considering the horrors of the Covid pandemic. I think it was a mistake not to look more at the range of different types of pandemic, Mr Cameron said, giving evidence under oath. He added: Much more time was spent on pandemic flu and the dangers of pandemic flu rather than on potential pandemics of other, more respiratory diseases, like Covid turned out to be. And you know, I think this is so important because so many consequences follow from that. He said he had been wrestling with the issue, adding: But thats where I keep coming back to is, so much time was spent on a pandemic influenza and that was seen as the greatest danger and we had very bad years for flu so it is a big danger.. But why wasnt more time and more questions asked about what turned out to be the pandemic that we faced? Its very hard to answer why thats the case. And Im sure this public inquiry is going to spend a lot of time on that. He was questioned on his own warning back in 2015 that the Ebola outbreak was a wake-up call to the emergence of a more aggressive and more difficult to contain virus. He said that his government did look at pandemics other than flu, such as Mers and Sars. So I think that wasnt a failing, I think the failing was not to ask more questions about asymptomatic transmission, highly infectious what turned out to be the pandemic we had, he added. Sir Oliver Letwin gives evidence - 19 June Failing to appoint a senior minister with sole responsibility over planning for pandemics and other threats has been an "error", a former minister has said. Sir Oliver Letwin told the official UK coronavirus inquiry on Tuesday that it was a "lasting regret" that he had not focused more on pandemics while in the Cabinet Office. The minister, who has described himself as David Camerons "Mr Fix It", said resilience only formed a "relatively small part" of his role despite it being in his brief between 2011 and 2016. Instead he said he spent a lot of time on "endless discussions" with Liberal Democrat colleagues in coalition with the Tories in the "rather wide-ranging and unusual role". Sir Oliver said: "Actually there really ought to be a minister solely devoted to resilience at a senior level." Sir Oliver Letwin gives evidence to the inquiry (Screengrab) Asked if anyone had ever had this role, he told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry: "There hasnt as far as Im aware and I think that is an error. "I came to that view very gradually but by the end of my time I was pretty convinced that we ought to have, and had I remained in situ, I wouldve tried therefore to move to a model where somebody took that position." But appointing a junior minister would "achieve nothing", he said, as they must be senior and close to the prime minister. He expressed regret at following advice to focus on critical national infrastructure, which he described as "wildly under resilient", instead of pandemic flu, which he believed may have allowed him to identify "some other catastrophic pathogen" to prepare for. "Actually, it is absolutely not an excuse for a minister, alas, because you can always ask the following question, you dont have to accept the advice," he said. "That is actually what I shouldve done and its a matter of lasting regret that I didnt." Sir Oliver also warned that the churn of ministers and officials tasked with preparing for emergencies is a "disaster for the country". He said there is an "overwhelming case" for training for ministers dealing with civil contingencies. George Osborne gives evidence - 20 June George Osborne rejected claims his austerity programme while chancellor depleted the NHS as he suggested his cuts better prepared Britain to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The Conservative former MP "completely" disputed the allegations at the official UK Covid-19 Inquiry from medics and unions that his cuts left health and social care in a "parlous state". Mr Osborne argued on Tuesday that the UK may not have had the financial scope to spend vast amounts to support the public through the crisis without austerity. George Osborne at the inquiry (PA) The chancellor between 2010 and 2016 conceded that his Treasury should have planned economic measures such as the furlough scheme needed in the pandemic. Mr Osborne argued that it was key to ensure that the economy after the "massive economic shock" of the 2008 financial crisis was able to "flex in a crisis". Inquiry barrister Kate Blackwell KC asked: "Do you agree, by the time Covid-19 hit the consequences of austerity were a depleted health and social care capacity and rising inequality in the UK?" Mr Osborne replied: "Most certainly not, I completely reject that. "I would say if we had not done that Britain would have been more exposed, not just to future things like the coronavirus pandemic, but indeed to the fiscal crisis which very rapidly followed in countries across Europe ..." Jeremy Hunt gives evidence - 21 June Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has admitted being part of groupthink when he was health secretary, leading to a narrowness of thinking that failed to expand UK pandemic preparedness beyond planning for a flu outbreak. The focus on any future pandemic being flu-based meant there was a shared assumption that herd immunity was inevitably going to be the strategy used to contain a new virus, he told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. He also revealed that he was not briefed about the UK governments modelling of a non-flu-based epidemic despite it being carried out while he was the cabinet minister responsible for health. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt (PA) (PA Wire) Mr Hunt said it was a wholly mistaken assumption for past administrations not to prepare for other types of pandemic that might emerge. The senior Conservative politician, who was health secretary between 2012 and 2018, said exercises to prepare for a future pandemic were full of groupthink, which he wished he had challenged at the time. He said studies by the likes of Johns Hopkins University in the US had viewed the UK as being very good at dealing with pandemics but said that assumption proved to be completely wrong. We hadnt given nearly enough thought to other types of pandemic that might emerge and that was, with the benefit of hindsight, a wholly mistaken assumption, Mr Hunt told the inquirys lead counsel Hugo Keith KC on Wednesday. Oliver Dowden gives evidence - 22 June Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden claimed that planning for a no-deal Brexit made the UK match fit for the Covid pandemic. The senior Tory minister told the Covid inquiry that preparations for crashing out of the EU without a trade deal put the country in a strong position to respond to other challenges. Mr Dowden, Cabinet Office minister from July 2019 to February 2020, said the UK was in a pretty strong state of preparedness for any future pandemic telling the public inquiry he had taken an interest in planning, including for a possible flu pandemic. Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the inquiry, has previously said that work arising from the threat of a no-deal Brexit under Boris Johnson may have drained the resources and capacity that were needed for pandemic planning. Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden previously said some information requested by the Covid inquiry needed to be protected (UK parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA) (PA Media) Mr Keith asked Mr Dowden on Wednesday about a 2019 memo about the National Security Council threats programme which suggested that work on pandemic influenza was expected to be affected by the step-up in planning for a no-deal exit from the EU. Mr Dowden said: It was the case at that time that no deal was the default position of the government this is worth remembering the kind of frankly, apocryphal warnings that were being delivered about the consequences of no-deal Brexit. Matt Hancock gives evidence - 28 June Matt Hancock has admitted that the UK was not properly prepared for the Covid pandemic claiming officials were more concerned with counting bodybags than preventing the spread of the virus. Speaking at the Covid inquiry on Tuesday, the former health secretary described the failure to plan as an absolute tragedy and repeatedly insisted that the governments approach had been completely wrong. He conceded that pre-pandemic plans to protect care homes had been terrible, saying the care sector was in nowhere near good enough shape when Covid struck. Mr Hancock also revealed that the UK came within hours of running out of vital medicines for intensive care units at the height of the pandemic but said that the planning that had been undertaken in preparation for a no-deal Brexit meant hospitals were able to cope. Matt Hancock gives evidence to inquiry on 28 June (Reuters) Mr Hancock apologised directly to the families of Covid victims, dramatically turning to address the bereaved in the public seating area. Im profoundly sorry for each death, he told them. I understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me I understand that. I get it. But it is honest and heartfelt. Lorelei King, 69, showed Mr Hancock a poster featuring a picture of her husband, Vincent Marzello, who died in a care home in March 2020 at the age of 72, alongside the former health secretary. You shook my husbands hand for your photo op, the poster was captioned. At the end of the hearing, Mr Hancock approached the public gallery to attempt to apologise in person but one woman later said she had turned her back on him. Amanda Herring Murrell, who lose her brother Mark to Covid in March 2020, told Sky News: I wasnt having any of it. Nicola Sturgeon gives evidence - 29 June Nicola Sturgeon was told off at the Covid inquiry for getting on her soap box and criticising the impact of Brexit . Scotlands former first minister condemned the threatened Tory no-deal Brexit of 2019, arguing that it damaged the UKs ability to prepare for health emergencies. Appearing at the public inquiry on Thursday morning, the ex- SNP leader went on to say: Every aspect of Brexit has been a false economy. Inquiry lawyer Hugo Keith KC rebuked Ms Sturgeon for straying into politics, telling her: That is a witness box, not a soap box. Ms Sturgeon said there had been a need to divert resources from emergency planning on potential pandemics because Boris Johnson, then prime minister, had threatened to crash the UK out of the EU without an exit deal. She said Scottish government ministers were not at all happy, but had no choice but to switch focus to prepare for the grim warnings in the UK governments Operation Yellowhammer report including major supply chain disruption. Nicola Sturgeon at Covid inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry / YouTube) It was a matter of deep regret and frustration for us at the time, she said. We had no choice but to do that planning. I deeply regret any consequences that had for our emergency planning in other areas. Questioned if this was a false economy, the senior SNP figure said: I think every aspect of Brexit has been a false economy before being chastised by the inquiry lawyer. Ms Sturgeon, under intense pressure in recent weeks over a police investigation into SNP finances, also told the Covid inquiry that the Scottish government she led during the Covid crisis did not accept the worst-case scenario of the pandemic. The former first minister said: It was our determination from the outset to suppress it to the maximum. Meanwhile, Ms Sturgeon admitted that Scotland had no specific plan for a non-flu pandemic before Covid struck. The former first minister said there was some thinking around high-consequence infectious diseases which were not flu. She told the Covid inquiry the government she led during the pandemic did our best... but did not get everything right. The former SNP leader added: The pandemic may be over but for many people their suffering continues and there is not a day that passes that I dont think about that. Evidence from Welsh government - 4 July The Welsh government has been accused of "locking the stable door after the horse has bolted" in its planning for a future health pandemic. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry heard the Welsh government had carried out a review earlier this year which found there remained flaws in Wales civil contingencies system, including around leadership, training and learning lessons. Dr Andrew Goodall, the permanent secretary to the Welsh government, said "work was under way" to ensure the identified issues in civil contingency planning were addressed. But Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the inquiry, suggested to the witness: "Dr Goodall, would you agree that many of those issues have been raised consistently and continuously from 2012 onwards that is an egregious example of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted?" Dr Goodall replied: "We have had to learn many lessons and adapt, and we need to ensure that we keep addressing the issues from our planning and also from our recent experiences as well." The inquiry heard some civil contingency planning powers were transferred from Westminster to the devolved Welsh government in 2018, but Dr Goodall said planning for a no-deal Brexit had diverted resources away from that focus. Dr Goodall, who was chief executive of the NHS in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic, told the inquiry: "While we had done the sector resilience oversight and we had expanded the team with the new responsibilities coming over, our attention and activity had simply moved across to Operation Yellowhammer and the EU exit arrangements and that meant the resilience team was embedded in that work as well as a very large part of the organisation as well. "The discharging of those responsibilities as we intended was put on pause even though we were using it and deploying the civil contingency mechanisms for EU exit." Dr Goodall told the inquiry he agreed a 2011 pandemic strategy had a "number of assumptions" and it resulted in the Welsh government not planning for measures it might have needed to respond to a coronavirus outbreak. "There were a number of assumptions in there that directed us to not plan for a range of areas and that might have included mass gatherings, non-pharmaceutical interventions," he told the inquiry. "I do agree that there were a range of areas in which were not looking to contain mechanisms and therefore, more focus on those non-pharmaceutical interventions would have genuinely helped in the response." Mr Keith had put it to him that the 2011 pandemic flu strategy had a "number of flaws". He went on: "The inability to carry out that review, of course, and inability which existed prior to Wales being struck by the pandemic has been described by one of your own ministers as extremely disappointing. "And even after the pandemic struck when the review of civil contingencies in Wales took place in 2023, did it then become apparent that there were still flaws in the civil contingency system, in particular in relation to leadership capacity, effective and continuous training and exercising, a system for the systemic capture of lessons from exercises, the need of an establishment of minimum standards, for competency, skills and qualifications, training and development?" Dr Goodall replied: "Yes, they remain the themes in those areas and that work is under way to ensure they are resolved. "There is a system that captures the lessons learnt now which is held at an all-Wales level by Public Health Wales and that is a new introduction since 2017. "We do need to make sure we embed those arrangements and deal with the actions as well as the culture and behaviour of those issues as well." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A daughter whose father received his shielding letter nine days after he died from Covid has raised fears that bereaved families will be left out of the public inquiry into the governments handling of the pandemic. The Covid inquiry began today at Dorland House in London over three years after the pandemic started in 2020. The inquiry found that a lockdown was given very little thought before the pandemic began and there was a failure to consider the potentially massive impact it might have. The Covid inquirys lead counsel, Hugo Keith KC, also said the probe had found that there was a lack of forethought regarding some of the major areas of life affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. Jo Goodman, co-founder of Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, lost her incredibly warm and supportive father at the start of the pandemic. He contracted Covid the week before the UK went into lockdown, and died soon after on 2 April 2020. Stuart Goodman, a retired press photographer, was 72 when he died from Covid. It left Jo and her family heartbroken because they felt his death didnt need to happen. Ms Goodman told The Independent: My dad was a one-off youd meet him once and remember him years later. He was a big character, incredibly warm and the most supportive father you could wish to have. Stuart Goodman was a retired press photographer working on a photography book (Jo Goodman) Its easy to write people off but he wasnt sitting around waiting to die he was about to publish a photography book. Ive got a baby now who will never know his grandfather nothing can bring him back or undo how that feels. Explaining what happened, Ms Goodman said her family believe Stuart may have picked Covid up when he went to a hospital appointment on 18 March and there were no mitigations in place. She continued: Sadly we knew he was very vulnerable due to his age and health conditions and he went downhill very quickly. I mainly felt it didnt need to happen. We had done everything. Our family had put ourselves into lockdown and shielded. But my dad got his shielding letter nine days after he died. We did everything in our power to protect him but the state didnt he didnt need to die. Jo Goodman says her dad was a one off (Jo Goodman) Ms Goodman co-founded Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK with Matt Fowler, who also lost his father to the virus. She contacted him after spotting a comment he made under an article in The Independent which featured Ms Goodman. She said they felt that bereaved families needed a voice and the idea for the inquiry was subsequently born. Ms Goodman continued: We wanted to minimise the risk of people losing loved ones to this in the future. Preventing was our motivation. The initial phase of campaigning and demoralising because our grief was so fresh. People were joining the group on a daily basis and it felt like everyone was having similar experiences. It was heartbreaking because it felt like these losses could have been prevented. We felt a weight of responsibility to protect people who were yet to be bereaved. Ms Goodman added that Boris Johnson and his government were saying they were too busy to meet the group. Bereaved people hold pictures of loved ones lost to Covid as they gather outside Dorland House in London, the venue of the inquiry (PA) Speaking about the launch of the Covid inquiry, Ms Goodman said today is a momentous occasion but that shes quite concerned that bereaved families are being somewhat sidelined. She was potentially going to be called as one of the witnesses for module one of the inquiry, but wasnt in the end. Ms Goodman said: By listening to stories from bereaved families theres way of understanding what was happening in the rest of the country. A proportionate number of witnesses would help to reveal failings in the response. Aamer Anwar, a lawyer representing the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, said that listening to personal experiences from the crisis is vital in learning how to handle any future pandemics. He told The Independent there is no one in the country who wasnt impacted by Covid but its like peoples bodies were treated like toxic waste. Mr Anwars father, a care home resident, had dementia and didnt understand what was happening in the country. Baroness Hallett is chairing the Covid inquiry (PA) He said: I know the agony and pain of watching someone with dementia not understanding what is happening and not being able to visit them, and meanwhile untested people were being allowed into care homes. It was shocking. People felt powerless. Mr Anwar said the families he speaks to want answers and truth. He added: Today was very important. Its a start. We realise the complexity of it but for families who have lost loved ones this is about finding truth and creating a legacy for the future. A number of the bereaved with whom Mr Anwar has worked shared their stories of loss at the press conference. Among them was Carolyn Murdoch, 67, who lost her father John Connelly to Covid in early 2020. She said: My dad went into a care home on the 27 of February 2020 where he contracted Covid-19 in April 2020 despite the government promising to throw a safety ring around them. He sadly passed away on the 23rd of April in Glasgow Royal Infirmary alone at the age of 104 as no one was allowed to be with him. The memorial wall for the victims of Covid-19 in London (AP) Myself and the rest of the family have been left heartbroken by the circumstances of his death. We were unable to support or comfort each other as we grieved him. He was a kind, loving family man and was known affectionately as our Legend. I hope the inquirys findings ensure that the same mistakes dont happen again. The Covid inquiry is expected to cost more than 100m. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old girl from Rothley, Leicestershire, was reported missing from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on 3 May 2007, a case still unsolved and still the subject of intense interest among the public and press. Her parents, Kate McCann and Gerry McCann, posted a statement on the Find Madeleine website on 3 May 2023 marking the latest anniversary of their daughters disappearance, reiterating their hopes of being reunited with her one day and posting a poem, The Contradiction by Clare Pollard, to express their feelings. Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleines abduction. Still missing... still very much missed, they wrote. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support it really helps. Follow all the latest updates on The Independents liveblog Here is a reminder of the events of the case. The story began when the McCanns affluent doctors Kate and Gerry, their three-year-old daughter Madeleine and her two-year-old twin siblings Amelia and Sean joined a group of seven family friends and their five children on holiday at the Ocean Club in the village of Praia da Luz on the southwestern tip of Portugal on 28 April 2007. After a pleasant spring break by the sea, the adults in the party went out for dinner at the resorts open-air tapas bar on 3 May, gathering at 8.30pm. The children were left behind sleeping in their respective apartments with the doors unlocked and a rota system in place among the parents to ensure that someone returned every half-hour to check on them. When Kate McCann took her turn and returned to her apartment at 10pm, she raced back to the restaurant screaming Madeleines gone! Someones taken her! The police were quickly called and 60 staff and fellow guests searched the complex, calling out the girls name in vain until daybreak the following morning. Border police and airport staff were put on alert and hundreds of volunteers joined the efforts to find the missing girl over the coming days, the case fast becoming a sensation. The Portuguese authorities would later attract criticism over their conduct in the crucial earliest hours of the investigation when the trail might still have been warm, accused of making rudimentary mistakes like failing to conduct a house-by-house search of every local residence or interview all of the other guests at the resort, acting slowly to erect roadblocks and potentially compromising forensic evidence at the crime scene. Madeleine McCann (PA) The police initially stated that they believed Madeleine was still alive and had been abducted from the room by a stranger as the parents described their anguish and despair over her vanishing, a worst fear realised for any parent. On 26 May, police issued a description of a suspicious man seen on the night of the girls disappearance. The individual in question was spotted by Jane Tanner, one of the McCanns dining companions, who said she had seen a Mediterranean man with dark hair and beige trousers carrying a child close to the apartment when she went to check in on her own children. Scotland Yard would later come to dismiss the sighting as a red herring. The search continued as the summer progressed amid a wild media circus and with huge fundraising activities underway, the McCanns setting up Madeleines Fund on 15 May to raise cash to support further investigation and keep the profile of the case high, attracting generous donations from celebrities like Richard Branson, Simon Cowell, JK Rowling and Coleen Rooney. By 30 May, the case was such a cause celebre that they were being flown out to meet the Pope at the Vatican in Sir Phillip Greens Learjet. A local man, Robert Murat, subsequently became its first suspect and had his house and car searched, his swimming pool drained and his electronic devices confiscated but no evidence was found to link him to Madeleine and the matter was soon dropped. By June, the Portuguese police admitted that they had failed to protect potentially useful evidence at the scene as frustration with the lack of developments grew and the media began to question whether the McCanns themselves had been involved in the matter. Lurid tabloid allegations suggested the couple and their friends might have been swingers and that the McCanns, as physicians, might have been in the habit of sedating their children, while others claimed inconsistencies in their version of events. The intensity of the hostility towards the parents would later be described by Roy Greenslade of The Guardian as no journalistic accident, but a sustained campaign of vitriol against a grief-stricken family, singling out The Daily Express and Daily Star for particular condemnation. In July, assistance offered by former South African police officer Danie Krugel who claimed his handheld matter orientation system could help to find Madeleine was rubbished, while British police sent over two springer spaniel sniffer dogs to search for DNA. Gerry and Kate McCann (PA) Relations with the local authorities would ultimately sour as the latter came to resent British intrusion into a Portuguese inquiry, according to Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swans book Looking for Madeleine (2014). By August, Madeleine has been missing for 100 days and police admitted for the first time that she may never be found. They also told the McCanns that they were no longer considering the matter an abduction case but, rather, a murder inquiry. The McCanns themselves were interviewed as arguidos (suspects) by Portuguese police in September, with the parents told that the dogs had discovered DNA evidence from the missing girl in the boot of their holiday rental car, lines of inquiry that had already been leaked to the British press. They vehemently denied having any part in her disappearance. Despite being listed as suspects (a designation that would linger until the following July), the McCanns were allowed to return to Britain on 9 September. A day later, chief inspector Tavares de Almeida of the Policia Judiciaria in Portimao signed a nine-page report concluding that Madeleine McCann had died in their apartment as a result of an accident, that the tapas dinner and rota checks on the McCann children had been part of a planned cover-up, that the familys friends had helped to mislead the police and that the McCanns had concealed the body and then faked an abduction. A public prosecutor subsequently applied for the confiscation of Kate McCanns diary and Gerry McCanns laptop plus the groups phone records. On 2 October, chief inspector Goncalo Amaral was removed from the case and transferred after alleging that the British police were only interested in pursuing leads favourable to the McCanns. He would later publish a book, Maddie: The Truth of the Lie, the following summer, resulting in a lengthy libel battle with the McCanns that would run back and forth through the courts until March 2017. Back in Britain, Gerry McCann issued a video that November in which he speculated that his family had been watched by a predator during their stay at Praia da Luz. His wife had come to believe that a potential perpetrator could have seen a note in the resorts guest book visible to all in reception noting their dining arrangements on the evening of Madeleines disappearance. The couple followed up on 20 January 2008 by releasing a sketch of a creepy man they said other holidaymakers had said they had seen loitering at the Ocean Club. In April, a month before the one-year anniversary of the fateful night, Portuguese police travelled to Leicestershire to conduct further interviews with the McCanns friends. Then, on 21 July, Portugals attorney general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, announced that there was no evidence to link either the McCanns or Robert Murat to the disappearance and closed the case, unsolved. With the trail cold and no closure in sight, the McCanns continued to publicise their cause, issuing computer-generated images of how Madeleine might look now that she had aged on 3 November 2009 and condemning the release of previously unseen Portuguese police files detailing possible sightings of their daughter to British newspapers in March 2010. The McCanns published a book of their own about their ordeal in May 2011, entitled simply Madeleine, which was serialised in The Sun as the newspaper led a campaign calling on British prime minister David Cameron to launch a new inquiry. He did so. Commenced by then-home secretary Theresa May, the Metropolitan Polices Operation Grange would be led by commander Simon Foy and comprise a team of three detective inspectors, five detective sergeants, 19 detective constables and six civilian staff. It began to yield results in 2013, with Scotland Yard formally announcing a new investigation in July and saying in October it had identified 41 potential suspects. That same month, BBC Crimewatch released an e-fit image of a man of particular interest who had been seen in Praia da Luz with a child matching Madeleines description in May 2007. Detectives arrived in Portugal in January 2014 promising new arrests and finally searched the village in June, interviewing four people the following month but without unearthing new information. The quartet would be definitively ruled out in April 2017, before the UK government said it would continue to fund the investigation until 2020, having already admitted it had cost 10m in its first four years of operation. That investment had enabled detectives to have tens of thousands of documents translated, investigate over 8,000 potential sightings, take 1,338 statements, collect 1,027 exhibits and investigate 650 sex offenders and 60 persons of interest, all without definitively establishing the truth. The Madeline McCann case lay dormant before suddenly exploding into life in June 2020 when German media revealed that Christian Brueckner, a 43-year-old prisoner with a track record of child abuse and drug trafficking, had been identified as a new suspect by the public prosecutor of the German city of Braunschweig. Christian Brueckner (AFP/Getty) He had reportedly been living in a Volkswagen camper van in the Algarve at the time of Madeleines disappearance and one woman has since come forward to suggest she saw a girl that might have been Madeleine speaking German in a supermarket in Portugal in 2017. German investigators classified their probe into his movements as a murder inquiry, saying they were working on the assumption that Madeleine is dead and reporting in July 2021 that they had found an abandoned cellar beneath his former allotment near Hanover where she could, theoretically, have been held captive. Hans Christian Wolters, the prosecutor leading the investigation into Brueckner, has said he was very confident the inmate is responsible for kidnapping her. If you knew the evidence we had you would come to the same conclusion as I do but I cant give you details because we dont want the accused to know what we have on him these are tactical considerations, he told the BBC. It was subsequently revealed that Madeleines Fund still had 773,629 to spend as of 31 March 2020, meaning the McCanns can continue to bankroll a private investigation to find their daughter long after the police hunt is finally drawn to a close, should they choose to. Brueckner was formally made a arguido in relation to the case on 21 April 2022. On 19 September, the McCanns lost their libel case against Mr Amaral, the former chief inspector who had investigated the disappearance, before the European Court of Human Rights. The couple had attempted to argue that Mr Amaral was responsible for damaging their reputation and breaching their rights to respect for their private life and to be presumed innocent after taking exception to his book and associated media appearances in which he had repeatedly suggested they were responsible for the vanishing. Their complaint also argued that Portugals Supreme Court had failed to allow them proper redress over the alleged libel by Mr Amaral after judges threw out their earlier claim in 2017. The verdict left the McCanns with three months to appeal against the decision. In February 2023, a Polish woman called Julia Faustyna made headlines by claiming she was Madeleine, using the Instagram name @iammadeleinemccann. Ms Faustyna, 21, did not provide any supporting evidence but sought DNA tests to prove her origins. The results ultimately revealed that she was entirely of Polish origin, with no British heritage, disproving her claims for good. In April 2023, a court in Braunschweig dropped a rape charge against Brueckner, unrelated to the Madeleine McCann case, concluding it did not have jurisdiction. Police in Germany continue to claim they have concrete evidence that Madeleine is dead but this has still not been confirmed and their investigation is ongoing, with Brueckner still not charged in the McCann case. Investigators explore the Barragem do Arade beauty spot (EPA) Like her parents, Madeleines sister Amelie, now 18, observed the 16th anniversary of her disappearance in May 2023. Speaking publicly for the first time at a prayer meeting in Rothley, she said: Its nice that everyone is here together but its a sad occasion. Amelie McCann reportedly joined in with chants including Never never give up, leave no stone unturned, dont forget about me and still missing, still missed. Later that month, the case unexpectedly lurched back into life in when investigators launched a major search operation at a reservoir in the Algarve, with Mr Wolters saying they were acting on certain tips from Brueckner, whom the prosecutor said he remains very confident holds the key to Madeleines disappearance. With help from Portuguese police and with Scotland Yard detectives watching on, German investigators carried out a thorough examination of the Barragem do Arade beauty spot in Silves. They combed the shoreline and surrounding grasslands with sniffer dogs, rakes, spades and pickaxes and inspected the water in a rigid-hull inflatable boat. A no-fly zone was put in place in the skies overhead to allow police drones to survey the region undisturbed. The site is located approximately 30 miles northeast of the Ocean Club resort, from which the missing girl first disappeared. In their most recent update, the investigators said they were comparing soil samples from the reservoir with others taken from Brueckners VW camper van in an attempt to establish for certain that he was in the area during the timeframe of interest in order to try to close the net around him. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UKs second-largest pharmacy chain is shutting down all its branches in Sainsburys supermarkets after the decision to withdraw from the market was pushed forward. All 237 Lloyds Pharmacy branches will operate for the last day on Tuesday, shutting down operations forever in Sainsburys. The closure of the leading pharmacy chain stores, initially scheduled for gradual implementation over the course of the upcoming year, has now been brought forward. The closures are expected to put 2,000 jobs at risk in the UK in the decision that follows a major restructuring operation at the firm. In January 2023 Lloyds Pharmacy announced the withdrawal of pharmacy services from all Sainsburys stores, to take place throughout 2023, a spokesperson from LloydsPharmacy told Pharmacy Business. "It can now confirm that any remaining branches within the Sainsburys estate will close by 13th June 2023. It added: Throughout the process, LloydsPharmacy has been committed to helping patients easily find a suitable alternative provision. It has kept patients informed of when services from their specific pharmacy will end so that they can transfer their nominations as needed. The decision comes after Aurelius, a multinational private equity firm, purchased Lloyds Pharmacys parent company McKesson UK and announced major restructuring plans. It blamed "changing market conditions" for the closures, adding that it is exploring options for each site individually and will announce exact closure plans on a branch-by-branch basis. Lloyds Pharmacy was also reportedly considering closures of some standalone stores at the beginning of this year. After the announcement by Lloyds Pharmacy last year, a Sainsburys spokesperson said: Lloyds Pharmacy is withdrawing pharmacy services from our stores over the coming months. We will work with them to ensure customers are clear on how they can access an alternative pharmacy provision to meet their needs. Close The crowd stood in a minutes silence at the vigil Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police have charged a man with three counts of murder following the attacks in Nottingham which left three dead. Students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar, both aged 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were all fatally stabbed in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Valdo Calocane, aged 31, of no fixed address, is also charged with three counts of attempted murder. He will appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Saturday. Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance. The University of Nottingham said in a statement on Thursday: We are devastated that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student. The police have confirmed that this is not believed to be connected with the attack. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tesco has urged its 20 million Clubcard customers to cash in their rewards 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 today (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. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nadine Dorries has claimed Rishi Sunak is a privileged posh boy who cruelly blocked her from a future in the House of Lords. Using an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV to launch a fresh attack on the Prime Minister, she claimed hed used weasel words and sophistry in a meeting with Boris Johnson last week. She labelled both Mr Sunak and his political aide James Forsyth privileged posh boys who duplicitously and cruelly blocked her from a peerage. A long-standing ally of the former PM, Ms Dorries had believed she would be included in his resignation honours list, from which former Cop26 president Sir Alok Sharma and former minister Nigel Adams were also omitted. Nadine Dorries had believed she would be included in former PM Boris Johnsons resignation honours list (TalkTV/Screengrab) This story is about a girl from Liverpool who had something that was offered to her removed by two privileged posh boys who went to Winchester and Oxford, Ms Dorries told Mr Morgan on Monday, similarly denying knifing the party by triggering a by-election in her Mid Bedfordshire seat when she stood down on Friday. Im broken-hearted, not just for me but for everyone who comes from a background like mine, she said. Mr Johnsons own background is not a fair comparison because he attended Eton on a scholarship and has no money, she claimed. Asked to explain her understanding of what had happened, she said the House of Lords appointment commission (Holac) had told No 10 she would need to announce her departure as an MP in order to enter the Lords. She said she was aware of this rule, but that she had been urged via back channels not to prompt a by-election so held off. Former culture secretary Ms Dorries resigned with immediate effect on Friday, triggering a by-election in her Mid Bedfordshire constituency (TalkTV/Screengrab) A plan was devised by the cabinet secretary whereby she would stay on the list until a general election, but we found out that suddenly that wasnt allowed, Ms Dorries claimed. Detailing the chain of events on Friday, the former minister said she only learned that her name was not on the list half an hour before it was published. The chief whip spoke to her in the morning to say everythings fine before contacting her hours later to reveal she was not included, she said. Ms Dorries has been a long-standing ally of Boris Johnson (Getty Images) On the reason behind her shock resignation, she said: It was the sheer audacity of the chief whip thinking that at my age having worked in Parliament for 21 years, serving 18 years on the back benches, having been a minister during Covidhaving been a secretary of state, that he can dangle out to me some kind of stick and carrot, like be a good girl and well make sure somethings sorted for you in the future, which is basically what he was saying to me. That for me, and that moment, was what made me change my mind. I think you come to a point in life when you have to stop, when you cant just be pushed around, when you cant allow people to bully you, as Ive just been bullied by No 10. You cant allow that to happen, you have to stand up for yourself, and thats what I did. Ms Dorries alleged shed been bullied by No 10 (PA) Ms Dorries said she was 100% sure that her former boss had not decided to axe her from the list himself. It comes amid an escalating war of words between Mr Johnson and the Prime Minister. The former prime minister accused Mr Sunak of talking rubbish for claiming his predecessor asked him to overrule the vetting committee to push through his House of Lords nominations. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality, Mr Johnson said. One Downing Street source said the Cabinet Office had made it clear to Mr Johnson that there is no re-vetting process, while the Prime Ministers official spokesman said it is entirely untrue to say that anyone from No 10 attempted to remove or change to Holac-approved list. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A swathe of the UK stretching from the North West to the South East of England has exceeded the threshold for a heatwave. The temperature has soared in recent days, hitting 32.2C in Chertsey, Surrey, on Saturday June 10, the highest recorded so far this year. Porthmadog, north west Wales, saw Tuesdays highest temperature, at 30.8C. According to the Met Office, a heatwave is defined as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies in each county. Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said the rest of the week will be hotter than average for the time of year, but that the extreme heat may come down slightly, meaning that heatwave criteria may not continue to be hit. The heat is set to drop slightly in coming days. London might not meet heatwave criteria, for example, but theres a good deal of dry, fine, sunny weather to be had this week with temperatures remaining well above average, he told the PA news agency. Into the weekend there should be a fair amount of dry weather, with temperatures remaining warm for many, although also humid and warm overnight. Meanwhile, yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms have been issued for northern Scotland and the west of Northern Ireland for Tuesday afternoon and evening, with more rain and thunder possible later in the week. Mr Dixon said: On Thursday there is a chance of thunder moving into western areas of Northern Ireland and possibly moving further east into parts of Wales. The risk of showers will persist into Friday, but on Thursday and Friday there will still be a good deal of dry weather around, especially in the South East. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan extended the current high air pollution warning to those in the capital to Wednesday. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson will reportedly be found on Wednesday to have deliberately misled MPs over parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. The Privileges Committee has rejected the former prime ministers defence that senior officials advised him Covid rules and guidance had been followed in No 10, according to the Times. But Mr Johnson who resigned on Friday after receiving the groups report struck a defiant tone, quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger as he told the Daily Express: Ill be back. The ex-MP accused the committee of bias and likened it to a kangaroo court in a furious 1,000-word exit statement after receiving a draft of its findings. The panel, chaired by Labour MP Harriet Harman but with a Conservative majority, found that one of his most senior officials in fact warned him against claiming social distancing guidelines were followed at the gatherings, the Times reported. According to the paper, Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnsons principal private secretary at the time, advised him in December 2021 that he should remove a claim from a statement to the Commons that all guidance had been followed at all times. The aide reportedly questioned whether it was realistic to argue that all guidance had been followed at all times. Mr Johnson is said to have removed the line from his opening statement, but repeated the assertion during a debate later which the committee reportedly views as evidence MPs were deliberately misled. But in the Daily Express, the former prime minister said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, Ill be back. The message echoed Mr Johnsons sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Ministers Questions last year, when he told MPs: Hasta la vista, baby the catchphrase of Mr Schwarzeneggers cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the back benches until quitting the Commons on Friday. The committees report will find that Mr Johnson would have been sanctioned with a suspension of more than 10 days enough to trigger a by-election, according to the Times. It is also expected to make clear that criticism of the committee should be considered contempt of parliament after Mr Johnson and his allies dismissed the inquiry as a witch hunt. Downing Street defended the group for having done exactly what parliament asked them to do while senior Tory MP Damian Green said it was monstrous the committee was being attacked for their work. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} They were the 12 words that ultimately brought down a prime minister and if Boris Johnson didnt know it then, he will almost certainly know it now. In a Commons showing believed to have been key to the findings of the report, the then prime minister stood at the despatch box at Prime Ministers Questions at 12.28pm on Wednesday, 8 December 2021. He was answering a question from Labour MP Catherine West, eight days after the first reports of Downing Street gatherings emerged. With a knowing smile, Ms West asked Mr Johnson to tell the house whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 November. He stood up calmly, placing his notes on the historic despatch box, telling her firmly, No, before adding, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times. But just a few hours earlier, two of Mr Johnsons top aides had urged him against making this very claim. Mr Johnsons former communications chief Jack Doyle and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary, are reported to have warned that any assertion that guidance and rules had been followed may not stand up to scrutiny. In evidence submitted to a Privileges Committee investigation into whether Mr Johnson deliberately or recklessly misled MPs, Mr Reynolds confirmed he asked the then prime minister ahead of the session about the line proposed for PMQs. He did not welcome the interruption but told me that he had received reassurances that the comms event was within the rules, Mr Reynolds said. And in an admission which, according to The Times, was crucial in the committees finding that Mr Johnson deliberately misled the Commons, Mr Reynolds said: I accepted this but questioned whether it was realistic to argue that all guidance had been followed at all times, given the nature of the working environment in No 10. He agreed to delete the reference to the guidance. In a statement to the Commons opening PMQs, Mr Johnson said: I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken. And that is what i have been repeatedly assured. Just thirty minutes later, Mr Johnson told MPs the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times. In the 18 months since, this statement has pushed Mr Johnson not just out of office as prime minister but ultimately out of parliament altogether. First, investigations by the Metropolitan Police and Partygate investigator Sue Gray confirmed that, as well as gatherings on at least seven other dates, there had been a party on 13 November in No 10, in breach of Covid-19 restrictions. Mr Johnson, too, was handed a 50 penalty by police for his own lockdown breach, at his birthday bash in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020. Boris Johnson on 8 December 2021, as he insisted the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times during Partygate (UK Parliament/AFP/Getty) Now, more than a year since its inquiries began, the Privileges Committee is set to conclude that Mr Johnsons response to Ms West in parliament deliberately misled the House of Commons breaching the MPs Code of Conduct. Commons rules state MPs and especially ministers must not give inaccurate information to parliament, either deliberately or inadvertently. Giving evidence to the committee, Mr Johnson insisted mid-pandemic gatherings in Downing Street were essential and stated he had been misremembering when claiming during Partygate that rules had been followed at all times. Mr Johnson also claimed to have been relying on the advice of officials when answering questions in parliament. Central to his defence was the claim that he had been given repeated assurances that the Covid rules and guidance had been followed by advisers. But the committee was not convinced, with its findings set to recommend Mr Johnson be suspended from parliament for long enough to trigger a vote in the Commons on whether he should face a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat. An early version of this report prompted his bombshell resignation on Friday, as Mr Johnson bids to avoid putting his fate in the hands of MPs or his constituents. A politician who built and burnished his image on his colourful metaphors, verbosity and command of the English language, Mr Johnson was ultimately undone by 12 simple words. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has vowed to launch an unprecedented attack on a parliamentary probe into Partygate widely expected to be so damning it is predicted to finally end his hopes of a political comeback. Hours after it emerged an 11th-hour appeal from the former prime minister had delayed the publication of its findings, Mr Johnson said they should be released so the world could judge the nonsense. In a warning to MPs who conducted the probe, including Tory MPs, he said: "The Privileges Committee should publish their report and let the world judge their nonsense. They have no excuse for delay. Their absurdly unfair rules do not even allow any criticism of their findings. Adding: I have made my views clear to the committee in writing and will do so more widely when they finally publish. The former prime minister sent a letter to parliaments Privileges Committee, which has carried out the investigation, at 11.57pm on Monday containing further representations for it to consider. The committee said it would deal with Mr Johnsons letter and report promptly, but the late-night intervention pushed back the widely anticipated report yet again. A source close to Mr Johnson told The Times he believes the committee has no evidential basis for its criticism of the former PM. The rebuttal put forward by Mr Johnson and his lawyers will deal with the matters raised in the report in a very thorough manner, the source added . A separate source told the paper Mr Johnsons submission would not change the committees conclusions, adding that it was an open and shut case. It is believed to have concluded officials did not tell Mr Johnson all rules and guidance were followed in No10 during the pandemic, a claim he made repeatedly in the Commons. The last-minute submission also raised fresh questions over the former prime ministers behaviour, coming as it did just days after Mr Johnson branded the committee a kangaroo court not worth engaging with. He claimed to have been the victim of a political hit job with no formal ability to challenge anything they say. The findings, which follow a year-long investigation by the Privileges Committee into whether Mr Johnson deliberately or recklessly misled MPs over Partygate, are now expected as soon as Thursday. MPs are expected to have concluded Mr Johnson is guilty and had he not resigned he would have faced a suspension long enough to trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. As tensions flared ahead of the publication, Mr Johnsons allies urged Tory MPs to revolt when it is presented to the Commons. It came as: It emerged that Mr Johnson had been warned by one of his most senior officials not to claim social distancing guidelines were followed at Downing Street gatherings Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries claimed she was bullied by No 10 after not being given a peerage The official Covid inquiry was told the governments focus on Brexit crowded out and prevented the work that was needed to prepare for the next pandemic The Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO), a grassroots group of Mr Johnsons staunchest supporters, warned the partys MPs not to endorse the Privileges Committees findings or any recommended sanctions. Former Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman, chairman of the CDO, encouraged Tory MPs to show their deep misgivings about the committees treatment of the former PM. We would hope Conservative MPs will not endorse that behaviour and will support due process and the rule of law by voting against. The public will be watching, he told The Independent. And Claire Bullivant, the CDOs chief executive, said: Any MP who believes in democracy and fair play should vote against this sham. Any MP with an ounce of integrity must make clear their disapproval of the report. The inquiry was launched after a motion last April backed unanimously by MPs. Once the committee publishes its report, MPs will debate it and decide whether to accept or reject its findings. Sources close to the committee said MPs could avoid a spectacle by unanimously waving it through, but suggested supporters of Mr Johnson may object embroiling the party in a further day of turmoil. And despite backers of the former PM agitating for a rebellion, a former minister said the majority of Tory MPs wanted to draw a line under the Johnson era, especially following the turmoil of the last few days: We are all just hoping that this abusive relationship is coming to an end. The report is expected to rely on an appearance by Mr Johnson at PMQs in December 2021 during which he claimed the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times in Downing Street. The committee believes this is evidence he deliberately misled parliament, having been warned by an aide earlier that day to not argue that all guidance had been followed at all times. As he dramatically quit as an MP last Friday, Mr Johnson used his 1,000-word exit statement to leave the door open for a return to Westminster. In a furious outburst, in which he attacked the committee and Rishi Sunak, Mr Johnson said he was leaving parliament for now. The days since have been rife with speculation about whether he could try to stand elsewhere at the next general election, with ally Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was honoured in Mr Johnsons resignation list, claiming the former PM could easily get back into parliament at the next election meaning he would return next year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The owner of the Brasserie Blanc restaurant chain has revealed a major rebrand as part of a new strategy which will see the hospitality firm expand into pubs with rooms. Brasserie Bar Co, which was acquired by private equity firm Alchemy Partners last year, has said it is being renamed as the Heartwood Collection as part of a refreshed growth strategy. The group said it plans to almost double its number of sites over the next four years as part of the strategy, on the back of the recent investment. It currently runs 20 premium pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK and has set out plans to grow to 60 locations by June 2027. The company will create around 1,500 further jobs across the UK as a result, it added. Heartwood said the growth plan will see it snap up new pubs and pubs with rooms, as bosses at the business said it continues to see strong demand for staycations despite the recovery of the international travel market following the pandemic. Richard Ferrier, managing director of Heartwood, told the PA news agency: We have always been a pub and restaurant group but see it as a big year as we are moving into pubs with rooms for the first time. We have a great opportunity to invest in new sites and communities, so it is a really exciting time for us. As an industry, there are obviously challenges, but with these areas pubs and pubs with rooms we have seen a really positive picture from customers. Staycations are still really strong and customers are definitely veering more towards places to stay with real character, so we think now is actually a great time. The new strategy will also focus towards growing its portfolio of freehold sites further in a shift away from leasehold ownership. We will target new pubs but Brasserie Blanc is still key to the future of the business Richard Ferrier Heartwood said it has completed the acquisition of 11 freehold sites over the past 12 months, and is close to completing a further five. Bosses said that Brasserie Blanc the dining chain named after the groups chef patron Raymond Blanc will not be the focus of the growth plan but would still see significant investment. We will target new pubs but Brasserie Blanc is still key to the future of the business, Mr Ferrier said. Around 30% of the Brasserie Blanc sites will get fresh investment for refurbishment within this plan. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The body of an Australian hiker who had gone missing in Canadian bear country has been found. Julia-Mary Lane, 24, disappeared while on a hike at Bear Lake, near Kimberley, British Columbia, according to her family. Ms Lane is originally from Brisbane but has been living in Alberta since January and took the trip before starting a job in finance. Unfortunately, searchers found the woman, deceased, Canadian authorities said in a statement, adding: The death is not considered suspicious. According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police corporal James Grandy, the death appears to be accidental. All evidence of the scene shows she accidentally maybe lost her footing, he told The Guardian. When she failed to return from the hike, her Canadian roommate, Janet Hamilton, contacted Ms Lanes family and alerted the authorities. Her Garmin watch shows that her last activity was on a hike on Friday near Marysville, British Columbia. Lanes Ford Escape vehicle was later found at Bear Lake and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have launched a search and rescue effort. Shes very well-travelled, shes fit, shes capable the worry is theres unstable ground and shes had a fall and theres bears around, her mother, Rosalind Lane told Australias ABC. She added that family members will quite probably travel to Canada and are trying not to think of the worst-case scenario. I just hope she comes home safely, Mrs Lane said. Before disappearing, Ms Lane had posted to a Facebook group looking for hiking recommendations in the area. Im visiting from Canmore for a few days and would love to join any moderate to challenging hikes anyone has planned, she wrote. I am comfortable hiking solo but would prefer to go with a group to minimise bear risk of course. (Facebook) Ms Hamilton took to Facebook to say that her roommates family were all very worried about her. Disappearing like this is completely out of character for JM, she wrote. They are normally in contact with her daily and have not heard from her since Saturday morning. Ms Lanes brother, Conor, wrote on social media on Tuesday that the search was concentrated on the area where her car was found. Last we heard from her she was on a hike/heading for a hike, he wrote. Please reach out and let me know if you have seen her or have any info on where she might be. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The flight to the Colombian capital of Bogota on 1 May was always meant to be life-changing for Magdalena Mucutuy and her four children. They were leaving behind their life in their Indigenous reserve near the Amazon Rainforest, and everything that was familiar to them. It was meant to be a fresh start, a new beginning an opportunity to join Mucutuys husband and the father of her two youngest children, Manuel Ranoque, who had fled the reserve allegedly prompted by threats from guerrilla members. Mucutuy and the children Lesly, 13, Soleiny, nine, Tien Norien, four, and one-year-old Cristin were following behind, but a tragic crash ended her life and left her kids stranded in the forest. Like many Indigenous kids, a profound sense of respect for the jungle and an appreciation for both its captivating beauty as well as its hidden dangers was instilled in the Mucutuy children from a young age. They relied on those instincts to survive a nearly-impossible odyssey that made headlines across the world. For forty days, the jungle became their maze but also their protector, their only resort as hundreds of Army officials combed through dense foliage with unwavering hope. On 9 June, news of their rescue brought relief to millions following the case. But with the prospect of a long physical and emotional recovery ahead and amid allegations of abuse against Mucutuys husband, a legal battle for the childrens custody has ensued, marking the continuation of what promises to become the hardest chapter in their lives. The jungle saved them, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said last week. They are children of the jungle, and now they are also children of Colombia. Surviving a plane crash and 40 days in the jungle The children were travelling with their mother from the Amazonian village of Araracuara to the town of San Jose del Guaviare on 1 May when the pilot of the Cessna single-engine propeller plane declared an emergency due to engine failure. Their mother, the planes pilot, and another passenger died in the accident, but the children were nowhere to be found. The children were finally found on Friday and transported in a helicopter to Bogota and then to a military hospital (AP) Days into the initial search Mr Petro announced that the minors had been located and were in good health. But hours later, he walked back that assertion, clarifying that the Air Force and indigenous communities had established contact with the children, but that their location remained unknown. For more than a month, the children survived by eating cassava flour and seeds as well as some fruits they found in the rainforest, which they were familiar with as members of the Huitoto Indigenous group. Soldiers in helicopters dropped boxes of food into the jungle, and planes fired off flares at night to illuminate the ground for crews searching around the clock. Rescuers also used speakers to blast a message recorded by the childrens grandmother telling them to stay in one place. Colombia President Gustavo Petro visits the children after they were rescued (AP) The children were finally found on 9 June and transported by helicopter to Bogota and then to a military hospital. They are receiving traditional psychological treatment but officials have also sought to offer support in a culturally sensitive way, arranging for spiritual ceremonies. As they continue their recovery, the children have told relatives harrowing details of their time in the jungle. Allegations of abuse and custody battle Astrid Caceres, head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, said in an interview with BLU radio that a caseworker was assigned to the children at the request of their maternal grandparents, who are fighting for custody against Mr Ranoque. The childrens grandfather, Narciso Mucutuy, has accused Mr Ranoque of beating his daughter. He said that the children would sometimes hide in the forest to escape from the alleged beatings when Mr Ranoque was drunk. Once, he hit my daughter with a machete, Mr Mucutuy told reporters, according to the Associated Press. Another time, Lesly hid in the forest with her siblings for three days to protect them from the beatings when [Mr Ranoque] arrived home with alcohol breath and started hitting them without mercy. Manuel Ranoque , the father of the two oldest children who survived the crash (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Narciso Mucutuy, the grandfather of the 4 rescued Indigenous children, speaks to the media (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Mr Ranoque acknowledged to reporters that there had been trouble at home, but he characterised it as a private family matter and not gossip for the world. Asked whether he had attacked his wife, Mr Ranoque said: Verbally, sometimes, yes. Physically, very little. We had more verbal fights ... Sometimes when youre drunk, you gotta understand, there are moments that you can lose your temper. Mr Mucutuy also accused Mr Ranoque of allegedly trying to assault one of his stepdaughters in an interview with Semana, which Mr Ranoque denied. Mr Ranoque previously said that he had left their Indigenous community following threats by a chapter of the guerilla group FARC. The widowed husband first said the oldest child told him Magdalena survived four days after the crash, but the grandparents denied those claims, noting Mr Ranoque has not been allowed to visit Lesly and Soleiny. A complex journey ahead After the children were found, army radios could be heard saying: Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle. Defence minister Ivan Velasquez has since paid tribute to the various army units unshakeable and tireless work, as well as to the Indigenous people who took part in the search. But ahead lies a complicated journey as the children reel from the loss of their mother and grapple with the psychological aftermath of their survival. We are going to talk, investigate, learn a little about the situation, Ms Caceres told BLU radio, adding that the agency has not ruled out that they and their mother may have experienced domestic abuse. The most important thing at this moment is the childrens health. Not only their physical but also emotional. A drawing the children made for the Army officers who lead rescue efforts (Colombian Army ) The childrens grandparents have asked the Colombian government for housing assistance so they can settle in Bogota. They are planning to fight for the childrens custody and raise them in the capital. Once they recovered, well fight to gain custody, Mr Mucutuy told Semana in Spanish. We want our grandchildren to go to school and have a better life. Ill care for them as a father and their granny will care for them as a mother. Thats our hope. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A dispute over custody has erupted among relatives of four Indigenous children who miraculously survived a plane crash and spent 40 days alone in the Amazon rainforest in Colombia. The Colombia family welfare agency said they were not ruling out the possibility of domestic abuse experienced by the mother who died in the crash. Four children, Lesly, 13, Soleiny, nine, Tien Noriel, four and one-year-old Cristin, survived in the dense Colombian jungle teeming with snakes, jaguars and mosquitos for over a month. The children, who were travelling with their mother, were stranded in the rainforest after their Cessna single-engine propeller plane crashed due to engine failure on 1 May. The children, who belonged to the Huitoto Indigenous group, survived by eating cassava flour, seeds, and fruits they found in the rainforest. The siblings were the only survivors of the crash that killed everyone else onboard including their mother Magdalena Mucutui Valencia. The head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, Astrid Caceres, said they are investigating the family background as the maternal grandparents are vying for custody with their father. We are going to talk, investigate, learn a little about the situation, Ms Caceres told BLU radio. She said they are not ruling out that they and their mother may have experienced domestic abuse. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro greets a nurse tending to one of the four Indigenous children who survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive (Cesar Carrion) The most important thing at this moment is the childrens health, which is not only physical but also emotional, the way we accompany them emotionally, she said. The children, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, have been assigned to a caseworker by the welfare agency at the request of their maternal grandparents. The decision came after Narciso Mucutuy, maternal grandfather, accused their father, Manuel Ranoque, of beating his daughter. He said that domestic harassment forced the children to hide in the forest when fighting broke out. Speaking to the reporters, Mr Ranoque acknowledged there had been trouble at home, but he characterised it as a private family matter, not gossip for the world. Mr Ranoque said: Verbally, sometimes, yes. Physically, very little. We had more verbal fights. He claimed the welfare agency would not allow him to meet the two oldest children at the hospital. The children were flying from the Amazonian village of Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare when the plane pilot declared an emergency. The aircraft fell off the radar a short time later. The authorities began searching for survivors, recruiting around 200 soldiers and Indigenous people who knew the area dispatched to comb through the jungle. After days of relentless search through storms, thick vegetation, and marshy terrain, army radios could be heard saying: Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle. The children were found with signs of dehydration and insect bites and have been offered mental health services. Revealing the harrowing details of their survival in the jungle, eldest daughter Lesly said their mother was alive for about four days after the crash before dying. Mr Ranoque said that their mother likely asked the children to go away and asked them to leave the wreckage site to survive. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Colombian Army continues searching for a Belgian Shepherd dog that vanished while helping rescue four children stranded in the Amazon Rainforest after a plane crash. The miracle rescue of Lesly, 13; Soleiny, nine; Tien Noriel, four; and one-year-old Cristin last week was celebrated by millions across the world closely following their story. The children spent forty days trapped in the dense Colombian jungle after the light aircraft they were travelling in crashed on 1 May. The childrens mother, the pilot and another adult died in the crash, and with no outside help, Lesly and Soleiny resorted to using their knowledge of the jungle to survive before their rescue. But one of the key players behind the arduous efforts in Operation Hope, a four-legged hero by the name of Wilson, has yet to return home. He got lost on 18 May when he was ordered to go look for the children in the jungle, but Colombian authorities have noted that no one will be left behind, and the search for Wilson continues. It was quite strange because Wilson is trained to do what he was ordered. He was supposed to come back to his handler, Special Forces Commander Gustavo Narvaez Orozco told Semana in Spanish.On the day he went missing, he was approaching his handler, then he had a weird reaction and ran away. Mr Narvaez Orozco said Wilson may be hiding from intimidating animals living in the jungle, such as alligators, jaguars, panthers and water boas. He said he hopes Wilson is able to hunt for survival until he is found. Members of the army searching the jungle saw Wilson again on 6 June and tried to approach him. They sent another K-9 his way so he wouldnt feel threatened but the hero dog ran away again, according to Mr Narvaez Orozco. The officers said he was a bit thinner. They tried to lure him with food, they called for him, and sent a female dog from our unit ... Once he saw them, he ran away and that was the last time we had any type of contact with him. As the search continues, army officials are hoping Wilson displays the same instincts that helped the children survive. The miracle rescue of Lesly, 13, Soleiny, nine, Tien Noriel, four, and one-year-old Cristin last week was celebrated by millions across the world closely following their story Wilson, the hero Colombia dog that helped recued four siblings trapepd in the Amazon Rainforest, is missing (Especial) The dog has been credited with using his sense of smell to help find the baby bottles the children used and then left behind after surviving the crash. Colombian authorities have previously said finding those items was one of the first signs the children were alive and helped fuel further efforts to continue the search. From their hospital bed, the children have drawn images of their journey through the jungle, including one in which Wilson was featured. Damarys Mucutuy told a local radio station that the children are fine despite being found with signs of dehydration and insect bites and have been offered mental health services. They are currently being cared for at a military hospital in the capital, Bogota. In addition to making a camp, Lesly knew what fruits she cant eat because there are many poisonous fruits in the forest. And she knew how to take care of a baby, her grandmother Fatima Valencia told Caracol News. From their hospital bed, the children have drawn images of their journey through the jungle, including one in which Wilson was featured (Colombian Army ) Ms Valencia added that Leslys experience looking after her siblings while her mother was at work also helped. It is thought that this knowledge, combined with food they managed to salvage from the planes wreckage and other skills learned growing up in the Huitoto indigenous group, helped the children survive for such a long period. President Gustavo Petro called them an example of survival and predicted their saga will remain in history. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The suspect in the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee was investigated for stabbing two teenagers in San Francisco in 2005, according to a new report. Nima Momeni, 38, has been charged with stabbing the 43-year-old tech entrepreneur to death in San Franciscos Rincon Hill neighbourhood in April. Mr Momeni was also investigated for stabbing a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old in a possible drug dispute 18 years earlier, according to a police report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. Police in Albany, California, declined to charge the then-20-year-old due to insufficient evidence and conflicting witness statements, according to the Chronicle. The report found that the two teenagers suffered minor injuries, and that the 16-year-old may have instigated the altercation. Mr Momeni was listed as a potential suspect and victim, and had faced possible charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of drugs and possession of drugs with the intent to sell, the Chronicle reported. The Independent has contacted Mr Momenis lawyer Paula Canny for comment. Nima Momeni allegedly stabbed two teenagers in 2005 (Associated Press) Mr Momeni is accused of stabbing the mobile payments founder to death on 4 April after getting into an argument while driving near San Franciscos downtown area. According to prosecutors, Lee had been having an affair with Mr Momenis sister. Surveillance footage captured the stabbing and events leading up to the altercation. Footage from around 2am that night allegedly showed the victim and suspect getting in to Mr Momenis car and driving to the secluded area where Lee was killed. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, and his attorney has insisted that the stabbing was accidental and in self defence. Bob Lee, known to his friends as Crazy Bob, was knifed to death in central San Francisco early on Tuesday morning (Twitter / Bob Lee) San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said during a May court appearance that prosecutors believe it was an intentional killing and that the suspects DNA was found on the murder weapon. An autopsy showed Lee sustained knife wounds that pierced his heart and lung. In April, it emerged that Mr Momeni was cited but not charged in a 2022 domestic battery case. Mr Momeni also had previous run-ins with police, including a dismissed misdemeanour charge for driving under the influence in 2004 and charges of driving with a suspended license and selling a switchblade in 2011 which were later dropped. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kouri Richins, a childrens author accused of fatally drugging her husband, was denied release on bail and was seen crying as her dead husband's sisters gave victim impact statements. On Monday, the Utah author and mother of three was ruled a "substantial danger" to herself, her family, and the community, resulting in a judge denying her request for bail. Prosecutors previously argued that Ms Richins was an "extreme danger" to others, noting that she allegedly killed her husband through a "calculated" poisoning plot, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Poisoning is a disturbingly calculated murder method and money an ever-present murder motive, Summit County prosecutors argued. Her husband, Eric Richins, was found dead on 4 March, 2022, collapsed at the foot of his bed. Toxicology reports found five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system. Ms Richins was charged on 8 May with one count of aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in connection to her husband's death. Prosecutors believe the author who later self-published a children's book about an angelic father watching over his children after his death drugged a Moscow Mule she made for her husband after the couple had marital fights over money. On Monday, the state called Detective Jeff O'Driscoll to the stand, who confirmed that Mr Richin died due to a fentanyl overdose. He further revealed that an individual going by CL, who he said was a friend of Ms Richins, allegedly provided her the fentanyl. That information led to her arrest. Kouri Richins is accused of murdering her husband Eric in March 2022 (Facebook) The state also called the victims sister, Amy Richins, to give a victim impact statement. Eric is gone and I am brokenhearted. He was my best friend and protector. I can never talk to him, never hug him, and never more be a part of his life,she said. I never knew evil like this existed." She also recalled a time when she found Ms Richins allegedly trying to break into her brother's safe. Amy Richins said she confronted Ms Richins, who "looked at her with pure hatred and rage" and allegedly punched her several times in the face and neck. The prosecution also allegedly found that Ms Richins had searched the internet for information about whether "naloxone [is] similar to heroin," "what is considered a non-natural manner of death," and looked for "luxury prisons for the rich." Summit County prosecutor Patricia Cassell argued on Monday that Ms Richins was in "dire financial straits" and saw the alleged murder as a pathway out of debt. Brooke Karrington, a financial forensic analyst called by the prosecution, told the court that Ms Richins received $1.3m in life insurance policies after her husband died. The author's defence attorneys have maintained that the state has failed to produce evidence of the fentanyl and that it has failed to link any fentanyl to Ms Richins. Skye Lazaro, the attorney representing Ms Richins, told the court that there is "nothing to show that Kouri did anything to Eric." She said his death "could have been accidental" and reminded the court that "being bad with money does not make you a murderer." The defence has argued that the prosecution "simply accepted" the narrative given by the victims family that she poisoned him and "worked backward in an effort to support it." Ms Richins has denied involvement in her husband's death, and told investigators she attempted CPR after she found him unresponsive. Mr O'Driscoll told the court that after speaking to a first responder who treated Mr Richins, he believes Ms Richin did not attempt CPR. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Madeline Kingsburys stepsister has vowed to get justice for the slain mother-of-two in a heartbreaking Facebook post. Authorities in Filmore County, Minnesota, discovered Kingsburys body wrapped in a bedsheet on the side of a highway on 7 June. The 26-year-old had gone missing on 31 March after dropping off her children at school, prompting massive efforts across vast wooded areas in Winona and nearby counties. Her former partner and the father of her two children, 29-year-old Adam Fravel, has since been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Prosecutors revealed last week a trove of evidence they say suggests Kingsbury suffered domestic violence at the hands of Mr Fravel. Reacting to news of Mr Fravels arrest, Kingsburys stepsister Holly April opened up about feelings of rage and anger following the discovery of Kingsburys body. Ms April said she felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the emotions her family is experiencing as they reel from the devastating loss. It has poked its head up sporadically and, until now, Ive been beating Rage down like a perverse game of whack-a-mole, she wrote in an emotional Facebook post. But now Rage is raging. I cannot hold back the feeling of how severely angry I am that someone could be so spineless and have the audacity and selfishness to take Maddis life. I cannot comprehend how a human could take another humans life, especially someone as kind and loving as Maddi. Ms April went on to describe her step-sisters murder as disgusting, sickening, and particularly cruel. She said the details about Kingsburys death, which was ruled a homicide, were unbearable. However, Ms April reconciled that although rage is a normal step of the mourning process, she wishes to use her feelings as a catalyst for demanding justice for Kingsbury and other victims of domestic violence. Not just for Maddi, but for the countless other young women enduring the same plight that Maddi faced, Ms April wrote. ... Justice will never bring Maddi back, and so at times it feels hollow, but it is the best way we can continue to fight against the evil that ultimately took her young and beautiful life. I believe in my heart that the coward responsible will be held accountable. Madeline Kingsburys body was found wrapped in bedsheets on the side of a highway near Filmore County (Winona Police) According to a criminal filing last week, Mr Fravel choked Kingsbury on at least one occasion and told her that if she did not listen up, she would end up like Gabby Petito - the young vlogger strangled by her fiance on a road trip in 2021. Shortly after her disappearance, a friend of the slain mother told law enforcement that Kingsbury and Mr Fravel, who had a seven-year on-and-off relationship, were having issues. Mr Fravel also told investigators that he and Kingsbury were in the process of separating and both planned to move out of their home. The alleged murderer was confronted by investigators about remarks he had allegedly made to Kingsbury in reference to the murder of Petito, who investigators determined was choked to death by her partner Brian Laundrie in August 2021. Mr Fravel allegedly admitted that he was infatuated with the highly-publicised case and had told Kingsbury she would end up like Petito. A friend of Kingsbury also told police that she was on a video call with the mother-of-two sometime in 2020 or 2021 when Mr Fravel walked into the room. Mr Fravel then allegedly struck Kingsbury in the face before fleeing the room when he realised he was being observed on the video call. The friend told investigators that there were several times during video calls that she observed bruises on Madelines face, the complaint alleged, per KIMT3. When the friend inquired about the bruises, Madeline would cover them with her sweater. Law enforcement learned through phone records that Kingsbury and Mr Fravel discussed an incident in which he allegedly put his hands around her throat and pushed her down in front of the children. Not okay with it all but especially with them there, Kingsbury texted Mr Fravel in September 2021. ...You do that again without asking me and you can go somewhere else. Mr Fravel replied: Youll adjust. Kingsburys former partner and the father of his two children, 29-year-old Adam Fravel, has since been charged with two counts of second-degree murder (Adam Fravel/Winona PD) Kingsburys remains were discovered on 7 June after law enforcement conducted searches near an area that had been maintained by one or more members of the Fravel family. Her body was located next to a gravel road approximately one mile from the highway. She was wrapped in a grey bed sheet that was closed with Gorilla Tape. Her head and neck were also wrapped in a knotted towel. According to the criminal complaint, the tape found at the crime scene matched the type seized from Kingsbury and Mr Fravels home. One of the mattresses at the home was missing bedding and had pillows on top with casings of the same colour and fabric as the bedsheet used to wrap Kingsbury. At the time of Kingsburys murder, she and Mr Fravel were engaged in a legal battle for the custody of their two children, aged five and two. Mr Fravels next court hearing is scheduled for 20 July. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man in Schuylerville, New York, has been arrested for violating a do-not-fly order after he was accused of stalking a woman from his low-flying plane and pelting her yard with tomatoes. Michael Arnold was arrested at Saratoga County Airport after violating the protection order that was issued after a previous arrest in May. The woman he was accused of stalking, Cassie Wilusz, said the incidents had been happening for almost four years and left her and her family - as well as the wider town - plagued by the sound of Arnolds low-flying plane as he allegedly flew his single-engine Cessna over her home at 7am, around three times a week. He is terrorising us, Ms Wilusz told the Times Union. He flies so close to the house that it feels like hes going to go through it. Its a nightmare that just doesnt stop. According to Ms Wilusz, who works in a cafe, the pilot came into her workplace for lunch and later sent her an email in which he suggested they go on holiday together and sent her an inappropriate picture of himself. Initially, Ms Wilusz did not know who the email came from, until she realised he was a customer fom the cafe. Then he started flying over my house, sending me pictures of my house, my pool, my backyard, of me, my family, my friends, she explained. He tells me karma is going to get me. She also claimed that Mr Arnold had thrown tomatoes at her yard and her home from his plane on one occasion last year, and on another buzzed past her home a day after she lost her husband to cancer. Schuylerville Mayor Dan Carpenter said: Hes flying lower than what we feel is acceptable, and its loud. We see this as harassment of the whole community. Then last year he dropped tomatoes in her yard. ... Whats stopping him from dropping something heavier? The police say they are doing everything they can, but its not been resolved. Its been four years. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch live from outside a federal court in Miami on the day that Donald Trump appeared for arraignment. The former US president arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday 13 June, and his not guilty plea was entered by his lawyer Todd Blanche. Mr Trump is the first current or former US president to ever face federal criminal charges. Some of his supporters have been protesting outside the courthouse, including a Florida-based chapter of the neo-fascist group the Proud Boys. At least one person convicted for their role in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, white nationalist live streamer Baked Alaska, has suggested that he plans to join demonstrations in Miami. No new mugshot of the former president will be released after his appearance, and he was also spared the indignity of having his hands placed in handcuffs during his arraignment. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 76-year-old woman from Ecuador who was pronounced dead last week started gasping for air and hitting on the insides of the coffin at her funeral, according to reports. Bella Montoya, who was admitted to a hospital on Friday after she suffered a cardiac and respiratory arrest and was later pronounced dead by local doctors, startled mourners when she started banging on the inside walls of the coffin as her relatives were preparing to change her clothes ahead of the burial. According to the countrys Ministry of Health, Ms Montoya suffered from cardiac and respiratory arrest without responding to resuscitation attempts, after which the duty doctor confirmed her death. The family was reportedly also given a death certificate. Now the authorities have launched an investigation to determine responsibility for the false death certificate that was issued to Ms Montoya. She was taken to the Martin Icaza Hospital in the central city of Babahoyo in Ecuador where she is currently on life support. A video posted on social media showed the woman lying in the open casket, opening her mouth and gasping for breath. She is seen surrounded by a few people whose identities couldnt be verified. Local media quoted Ms Montoyas son Gilberto Barbera as saying that his mother had been admitted around 9am [on Friday], and at noon a doctor told me [she] died. He later said that she was on artificial respiration and her heart is stable. I am slowly recovering from what happened, Mr Barbera told Associated Press. There were about 20 of us there [at the funeral, Mr Barbera said. After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds. My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily. He added that now all I ask is that my mothers health improves. I want her to be alive and by my side. Ms Montoyas condition remains serious at the moment. It gave us all a fright, Mr Balberan said. Additional reporting with agencies. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rose Montoya, a trans woman who also advocates for her community, defended her decision to pose semi-topless with other trans activists during a White House Pride event over the weekend. She celebrated Pride with the other attendees and was given the chance to meet the president. "I had the honor of attending @WhiteHouse Pride, the largest one in history where the pride flag flew for the first time," she wrote on Twitter. "This is trans joy. We're here at the White House unapologetically trans, queer, and brown." After facing conservative backlash, she defended her decision. Ms Montoya released a video following the backlash addressing the event and expressing their support for the free the nipple movement, which pushes back against the idea that womens breasts are inherently sexual and should be covered in the name of decency. She also pointed out the conservatives hypocrisy; while many refuse to acknowledge trans women as real women, she argued that their objection to their breasts only makes sense if they consider them a real woman. I would just like to say that first of all, going topless in Washington DC is legal and I fully support the movement in freeing the nipple because why is my chest now deemed inappropriate or illegal when I show it off, however before coming out as trans it was not? All youre doing is affirming that I am a woman. All youre doing is saying that trans women are women because for some reason people like to sexualize womens bodies and say that theyre inappropriate, she said in the video. My transmasculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy and I wanted to join them. And because it is perfectly within the law in Washington DC, I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe, because I wanted to be fully free and myself. I had zero intention of trying to be vulgar or be profane in any way. I was simply living in joy, living my truth, and existing in my body. Happy Pride! Free the nipple. She shared a video of the event on Twitter. At one point in the video Montoya can be seen exposing their breasts on the White House lawn near the Truman Balcony. A voice can be heard off camera asking "are we topless at the White House?" A pair of transmasculine individuals who underwent top surgery also posed topless next to Montoya, who uses she/they pronouns. Some social media commenters mostly conservatives offered their apoplectic reactions to the video. Todd Starnes, a former Fox News staffer who was fired for saying Democrats worship the child-sacrifice-demanding pagan god Moloch, tut tutted at the sight of breasts near the White House. "Could someone explain why transgender activists were permitted to disrobe in front of children on the White House lawn during Biden's gaypalooza?" he wrote on Twitter, along with the hashtags "pervert" and "criminal." While children did attend the event, it is unclear if any children were present when the activists posed topless, or if that video was shot in a more secluded portion of the lawn. CJ Pearson, another former Fox News commenter, lamented the "shame" of the event. "This is the White House. Joe Biden has brought more shame onto this country than any other President in American history," Mr Pearson, whose presidential preference is a twice indicted former reality television host, wrote. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik offered similar rage. OK, so who is running the f******* White House and allowing this deviant garbage to go on right outside the oval office? the former official, whose city is known for a man nicknamed "The Naked Cowboy," wrote. We know its not @JoeBiden this dude has no idea where he is. So who is it? Who is the cause of this international embarrassment? Karol Markowicz, a columnist at the New York Post and Fox News, argued that conservatives would condemn a conservative president who "befouled" the White House. "Again, if a Republican president befouled the White House like this there would be a dozen thinkpieces from conservatives about how wrong it is. Where are the sane liberals calling this disgusting behaviour out?" she wrote on Twitter. "Stop hiding under your beds." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nearly all of the people on Louisianas death row have asked to convert their prison time into life sentences, after Governor John Bel Edwards recently broke his silence on capital punishment and stated his opposition to executions. In total, 51 of the states 57 people on death row filed petitions with a state parole and pardon board seeking clemency. The decision ultimately rests with the governor, a Democrat, who could convert the inmates sentences to life in prison. "Looking at these cases collectively makes it clear that the system is fundamentally broken," Cecelia Kappel, executive director of the Capital Appeals Project, which helped spearhead the mass appeal, told Nola.com. "These applications show that the same problems of racial disparity, intellectual disability, severe mental illness, trauma, innocence and others repeat over and over in Louisianas death penalty cases." Three-quarters of those on Lousiana death row are men of colour, according to the outlet, reflecting the structural racism experts say is built into the death penalty in America. All clemency applications are reviewed by the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole, a spokesperson for the governors office told The Independent. Any applications recommended to the governor by the Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole for gubernatorial approval are reviewed on a case-by-case basis before a final decision is made. In March, Governor Edwards, citing his Catholic faith, said he was against capital punishment. The death penalty is so final, he said. When you make a mistake, you cant get it back. And we know that mistakes have been made in sentencing people to death. He added that it was fortuitous the state hasnt had to carry out any executions during his tenure. Louisiana has only executed two people since 2002. Thus far, however, lawmakers have ignored Mr Edwards calls, and a bill the governor backed during his recent state-of-the-state address died in committee in May. The governor previously maintained a careful silence on the death penalty, making his newfound outspokenness all the more notable. The rare Democratic governor in the South, Mr Edwards previously avoided taking a hard position on the matter, which put him in a tricky position as a member of a long-time Louisiana law enforcement family, and as a Catholic. The Catholic Church opposes execution, and parts of Louisiana have large Roman Catholic populations. A mass commutation has some precedent. In the earlier 2000s, then-Illinois Governor George Ryan commuted every person on state death row to a life sentence, citing the results of a state commission that found the administration of the death penalty in Illinois had been fraught with error. As The Independent has reported, revelations of widespread Chicago police coercion, abuse, and even torture of accused criminals were coming to light at that time, raising serious doubts about the integrity of capital convictions from previous decades. The state of Louisiana has executed 28 people since the death penalty was reinstated in the 1970s, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The Independent and the nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to their Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty - with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives like Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage. Close Survivors of New York state boat capsizing share chilling story Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A tour boat capsized inside a cave 20 miles from Niagara Falls on Monday morning. Lockport Police said that passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it overturned around 11.20am. Multiple agencies were called to the scene to search for the passengers in the water. Mayor Michelle Roman said during a press conference that one person was killed during the accident, according to Spectrum News. The name of the fatal victim was not released but authorities said he was in his 60s and his wife is recovering at hospital. Twenty-eight passengers and one staff member were on board when the tour boat overturned. According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, sixteen people were rescued by boat after the wall outside the cave was breached. The rest of the passengers walked out of the cave themselves as the water in the caves is around two to six feet in depth. The individuals on board the boat were all locals participating in a free tour for hospitality workers. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New York Police Department (NYPD) commissioner Keechant Sewell has resigned just 18 months after she was appointed by mayor Eric Adams. She announced her decision on Monday in an email to the department without providing any further explanation, Mr Adams confirmed on Monday. While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City, she wrote. Ms Sewell, who was appointed by Mr Adams in 2022, announced her decision on Monday The mayor, in a statement, said that Ms Sewell had worked tirelessly and thanked her for her steadfast leadership and added that New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude. The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude. NYTimes reported that the email by Ms Sewell to the department did not mention the mayor at all. It also reported that Ms Sewell was frustrated and undermined. They tied her up, New York Post quoted a source as saying. Theres no executive choices on her behalf. If a cop distinguishes himself and she wants to promote him, she cant do it, the unidentified source reportedly said. You have the first female police commissioner and shes surrounded by males who have her in check, the source added, referring to Mayor Adams and deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks. The patriarchy is in control. Sewell is not in control of the NYPD. The Independent has reached out to the mayors office for clarification on the allegation. In a statement, Patrick Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said her leadership would be sorely missed. There was no information provided by the mayor about when she would be leaving or when her replacement would be chosen. Ms Sewell was the first woman to lead the police department and the third Black commissioner in the NYPDs history. Benjamin Ward and Lee Brown served in the 1980s and 1990s, preceding Ms Sewell. When her appointment was announced, Mr Adams praised the Long Island police official for her emotional intelligence, describing her as calm, collected, confident and someone who had risen through the ranks. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The production company of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck has asked the Trump campaign to stop using their work in the fundraising videos. Former President Donald Trump posted a video on Saturday on his Truth Social platform that included a monologue from the Amazon movie Air in which Mr Damon plays the Nike marketing and sales representative Sonny Vaccaro, a film directed by Mr Affleck. The film depicts the story of Nikes rise as a brand. Money can buy you almost anything, Mr Damon can be heard saying in the video as footage of Mr Trump is shown. It cant buy you immortality that you have to earn. The caption states MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN and also has a link where supporters can donate to the campaign. The video was posted after an indictment of Mr Trump was unsealed on Friday afternoon, revealing that the ex-president has been charged on 37 counts in relation to his handling of classified national defence information after he left the White House in January 2021. A spokesperson for Mr Damons and Mr Afflecks production company Artists Equity told Axios that We had no foreknowledge of, did not consent to and do not endorse or approve any footage or audio from Air being repurposed by the Trump campaign as a political advertisement or for any other use. Specifically in terms of any and all rights available to us under US copyright law, we hereby, expressly give notice that in the case of any use of material from Air by the Trump campaign where approval or consent is required, we do not grant such consent, the spokesperson added. No matter how viciously they attack me, I will NEVER, EVER SURRENDER, Mr Trump said in a statement alongside the video. With your support, we will once again surge even higher and prove that our America First movement truly is UNSTOPPABLE. Mr Damon supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, later calling Mr Trumps response to the riots in Charlotteville, Virginia, which included white nationalists, absolutely abhorrent in scathing comments to The Hollywood Reporter. A lot of people, myself included, are really waking up to the extent of the existing racism, and its so much worse than I naively thought. I just feel naive at this point. It was shocking to see those kids they looked 20 and 30 years old in button-down shirts, with Tiki torches, walking down the street, he said at the time in 2017. I thought, Those people are a lot younger than me. Who raised them? Again, I naively thought that, behind our generation, [another one] was coming with more awareness and inclusiveness, and that everything was getting better with each generation. And to see these young, aggrieved, white boys walking with their torches and screaming Jews will not replace us! It was just shocking. Then the night that the president [made his] many sides comment was absolutely abhorrent, Mr Damon said about Mr Trump, who had claimed there were good people on both sides. In the monologue in Air used by the Trump team, Mr Damon says: People are going to build you up ... Because youre great. And new. We love you. Man, well build you into something that doesnt even exist ... But you know what? Once theyve built you as high as they possibly can, theyre going to tear you back down. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A vengeful Donald Trump swore that hed get even with Joe Biden on Monday as he boarded a private jet to Miami where he is set to face his second criminal indictment this year. The ex-president ranted on Truth Social that he planned to use the power of the federal government, should he be elected to the presidency in 2024, to personally target Mr Bidens family. I WILL APPOINT A REAL SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO GO AFTER THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE USA, JOE BIDEN, THE ENTIRE BIDEN CRIME FAMILY, & ALL OTHERS INVOLVED WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ELECTIONS, BORDERS, & COUNTRY ITSELF! fumed Mr Trump in an all-caps rant posted around noon. It was a stunning declaration that throws the future of Americas justice system into question as such a move would wholly eliminate the independence and integrity of the Department of Justice, should he be successful. Mr Trump has been indicted on 37 criminal counts related to his handling of presidential records in the wake of his departure from the White House in January 2021. He separately faces 34 counts brought by prosecutors in New York related to a hush money scheme set up during his 2016 campaign for president. He has loudly protested both investigations and declared his innocence; meanwhile, the Department of Justices indictment last week coincided with the release of several images purporting to show presidential records including potentially classified materials stored in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. Separately, the hush money scheme for which he now faces charges in New York was well-documented by journalists as well as his own former body man and fixer, Michael Cohen, who was a key player in the arrangement. The former president has long claimed to be innocent of all the various charges against him, and has pointed to the now-shuttered investigation into whether his 2016 campaign conspired with Russia as evidence of a supposed greater campaign by US law enforcement agencies to stop him from becoming president once again. He has also long alleged that President Joe Bidens family members are guilty of the same kind of corrupt dealings that his own family has been accused of taking part in by their political rivals. Republicans in the House have launched investigations aimed at uncovering that supposed criminal activity, but as of yet definitive proof of criminal behaviour or unsavoury dealings has yet to be found. The Justice Department is thought to be investigating Mr Bidens son Hunter for a handful of tax law violations, as well as for potentially having made a false statement while in the process of purchasing a firearm, though he is not thought to be under suspicion by authorities of corrupt or illegal foreign dealings, as Republicans have alleged. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump is now the subject of two criminal cases after being arrested over a state case in New York and a federal case in Miami at a time when he is hot on the trail for another stint in the White House. On 13 June, the former president was arraigned in a Miami federal courthouse where he pleaded not guilty to all 37 federal charges over his handling of classified documents, including national defence information, after leaving the White House. Mr Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury on 8 June less than a year after the Department of Justice found a cache of secret papers at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The DoJ later unsealed a 49-page, 37-count indictment accusing Mr Trump of showed highly-classified information to unauthorised persons on two separate occasions - among many other allegations. Less than two months before this, he became the first former or current president to face criminal charges on 30 March when a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges over the hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election. He pleaded not guilty in that case to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal an alleged scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by suppressing negative stories about him. And less than one month ago, a Manhattan federal jury found on 9 May that Mr Trump sexually abused Elle magazine columnist E Jean Carroll in a dressing room in Manhattans Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s. Ms Carroll, 79, sued the former president for raping her and then destroying her reputation when he accused of lying about the encounter, claiming that she was not his type. Now that Mr Trump has not one but two indictments on top of his loss in Ms Carrolls case, what does his political future look like? Can Trump still run for president? In short, yes. There are no restrictions in the US Constitution preventing anyone indicted or convicted of a crime, or even currently serving prison time, from running for or winning the presidency. Even if Mr Trump were to be tried and convicted in one of the so-called quick trials he has repeatedly cheered Chinas government for operating in cases of drug offences, he could still run the entirety of his presidential campaign from a prison cell. What is far less clear is what would happen were he to win in that scenario. Just as there are no restrictions in the Constitution on a person running while under indictment, there is no explanation for what should occur in the event that they win. There is nothing in the document that would automatically grant Mr Trump a reprieve from prison time, save for the likelihood that any charges brought by federal authorities, were they still being litigated at the point when he assumed the presidency for a second time, would be dropped due to the Justice Departments refusal to prosecute a sitting president. In Ms Carrolls case, Mr Trump did not face any jail time because it was a civil trial. State-level charges like the ones being filed by Mr Bragg in the Manhattan case are far trickier and would fall outside of Mr Trumps prospective presidential pardon power were they to conclude in a conviction. Were conviction on state charges to occur alongside a Trump election victory, it would likely lead to a massive legal fight to determine whether there was a way for the former president to worm his way out of serving time. If Mr Trump was unable to avoid that outcome, it would almost certainly lead to his impeachment (for a historic third time) or removal via the 25th Amendment, which allows the Cabinet to remove a president who is unable to perform their duties. There are many duties and trappings of the presidency that he would simply be unable to fulfill from a prison cell, the viewing of classified materials to name just one. Any potential conviction of Mr Trump is still a long way off and little more than a distant possibility. But the conversations he has started with his bid for the presidency, despite facing two indictments and multiple criminal investigations, have already pushed parts of theoretical US constitutional law into a much realer place than many experts ever believed they would live to see. This story was updated on 14 June 2023 to reflect new developments Close Chris Christie lays into Trump at 2024 campaign launch Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former New Jersey governor and 2024 presidential candidate Chris Christie appeared before Americans on Monday night in a town hall hosted by CNN. During the event, Mr Christie tore into Donald Trump, accusing the former president of vanity run amok. The conduct in there is awful, Mr Christie said of the former presidents recent indictment. The former New Jersey governor also claimed that Mr Trump who he compared to Voldemort wanted to blame him for supposedly being the Patient Zero of a Covid-19 superspreader event, when the two men contracted the virus in 2020. In reality, he says Mr Trump sought his assurance that he would not blame him for infecting those present at a debate preparation session where Mr Trump had not told attendees that he had tested positive for the virus that morning. Less than a week ago, Mr Christie officially entered the already-packed race for the Republican nomination joining Mr Trump, former vice president Mike Pence, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and more. Thus far, the former New Jersey official is polling well behind the rest of the Republican frontrunners, barely cracking one per cent support. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chris Christie was in peak form on Monday evening as he laid into former President Donald Trump in his second town hall-style appearance as a presidential candidate. The governors performance on CNN was in many ways a repeat of his initial launch event at St Anselm College in New Hampshire a week earlier. But the governor fine-tuned his attacks over the days ahead of his first cable news spot, and came out swinging against the Republican frontrunner. He largely ignored his other GOP rivals as he took questions from voters and moderator Anderson Cooper, while landing every blow he could on his main rival (and former ally). Mr Christie hit his opponent on nearly every topic, from his most recent indictment for the mishandling of presidential records and violations of the Espionage Act to the performance of the Republican Party electorally since 2016, blame for which he laid squarely at the the feet of the de facto GOP leader. He flew the boxes up to New Jersey for summer vacation. What is this, like, theyre a family member? Mr Christie vented at one point, referencing recent reporting on the 37-count indictment Mr Trump faces in the Southern District of Florida. This is vanity run amok, ego run amok, he continued. His only criticism for the others in the race was reserved for the failure of other Republicans to call out Mr Trump by name, and to denounce his alleged criminal behaviour. He was even willing to critique his own performance back in 2016, offering a political analysts view of the race: The establishment lane, as Mr Christie dubbed himself and his fellows like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, fought against each other and ignored Mr Trumps rise to power to their own detriment. By the time that battle was over, Mr Christie noted, his rival had already largely won the fight for the GOP nomination. If there was one main difference between his previous performance and Mondays, it was that. The surgical precision with which Mr Christie depicted the character (or lack thereof) of his opponent had only improved over the past few days, and the governors ability to answer for his evolutions in policy positions and past BridgeGate scandal had clearly been practiced as well. It was evident when he attacked Mr Trumps electoral record, with the governor depicting the 2020 election as just one step in a long trail of mediocre performances for the former president since 2016. Even that election, he said, was lost by Hillary Clinton rather than won by Donald Trump. The American people and Republican primary voters have to start to understand this. When did we get to the point where were always blaming our adversaries for the weakness of our candidates? Oh, its the Democrats fault, Its DOJs fault. Its this persons fault. Its the medias fault, Mr Christie said. How about: Its his? He hasnt won a damn thing since 2016. Three-time loser. He pointed to midterm elections that resulted in surprisingly favourable results for Democrats in 2018 and 2022 for context. Loser. Loser. Loser. Now were going, Itll be different this time. Why? Why will it be different this time? Mr Christie questioned. And his proficient media training was also evident when Cooper asked Mr Christie about his time in an intensive care unit (ICU) during the 2020 race, following his diagnosis with Covid-19. The governor was ready for a seemingly random question about what his ex-boss had said to him on the phone as he recovered with a revelation that Mr Trump had sought his assurance that the governor would not blame him for infecting those present at a debate preparation session even though Mr Trump had not notified those attendees that he had tested positive for the virus that morning. Then, he spun the anecdote further, revealing that two White House reporters had later given him the off-the-record details of Mr Trumps own response, which he said had been to blame Mr Christie for supposedly being the Patient Zero of the superspreader event, despite contradictory evidence. The former governor also had a notable moment when took a stand for the integrity of the Justice Department, vowing to tell his attorney general to remain independent and avoid contact with the White House on day one. In past years, this would be an unremarkable statement. In 2024, its not, thanks to a declaration earlier on Monday by the former president that he would direct the Justice Department to go after Joe Bidens entire family should he be elected to office again. Other Republicans in the race have avoided questions on that same topic, or given wishy-washy answers degrading the Justice Department and accusing the Biden administration of weaponising the agency; Mr Christie firmly rejected that characterisation, calling the agencys indictment of Trump pretty damning from the ex-presidents perspective. With his statements on Monday evening, Mr Christie clearly defined himself as the only Republican in the race seeking a return to the traditional relationship between president and attorney general embraced at least publicly by Joe Biden and Merrick Garland, respectively. He also reused a line from his New Hampshire town hall in this regard, dubbing Mr Trump the Voldemort (of Harry Potter fame) whom other candidates were afraid to name. It remains unclear whether Mr Christies aggressive, targeted town hall performances will seriously move the needle in his favour as the GOP primary season officially kicks off, and campaigning heats up in early primary states. What is clear, after Monday, is that the New Jersey governor has a clear, defined strategy for winning the nomination and its one that promises a spectacular debate-stage showdown with his old friend along the way. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chris Christie is punching back at Donald Trump after the former president responded to his campaign announcement with a juvenile video edit making fun of Mr Christies weight. The former New Jersey governor appeared on CNN on Wednesday after launching his campaign with a town hall event at St Anselm College a night earlier. During his interview, he was questioned by The Lead host Jake Tapper about a video Mr Trump posted on Truth Social of Mr Christie delivering remarks edited to appear as if the candidate is holding a plate of food while he talks. Mr Christie responded that the move reinforced, for him, the childishness of his opponent. It just renewed in my own mind what a child he is. Hes a baby. Whenever you want to criticise him, in any way, thats the way he responds, Mr Christie said. Likening that behaviour to that of a toddler, he added that Mr Trump should be sent to [his] room, not to the White House. Its so juvenile. He is such a spoiled baby, Mr Christie continued. He then noted that he had been struggling with his weight and health for many years, quipping derisively that Mr Trump was breaking news with his response. Separately, Mr Trump accused the former governor of having a fixation on the word small during his town hall event in another Truth Social statement. How many times did Chris Christie use the word SMALL? Does he have a psychological problem with SIZE? Actually, his speech was SMALL, and not very good. It rambled all over the place, and nobody had a clue of what he was talking about. Hard to watch, boring, but thats what you get from a failed Governor (New Jersey) who left office with a 7% approval rating and then got run out of New Hampshire, barked the former president. This time, it wont be any different! It was, generally, a sign of the aggressive tone that both Mr Christie and Mr Trump plan to adopt in the GOP primary, which has heated up this week with the addition of three separate candidates in the field. Comparatively, their fellow candidates in the Republican primary have shied away from directly attacking the former president or responding to his own jabs at them. Not so for the New Jerseyan two-time presidential candidate, who laid into his opponent during his appearance in New Hampshire this week and accused the entire Trump family of the same grift and corruption which they accuse the Biden family of undertaking. He also tore into the former presidents record, characterising Mr Trump as an inefficient president who failed to address a number of problems but namely immigration reform during his four years in the White House. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} UFO whistleblower David Charles Grusch is coming forward with more allegations that the US government has evidence that humans are not alone and there may be extraterrestrial life. Last week, Mr Grusch claimed that the US government has concealed evidence of a non-human craft from Congress and filed a formal whistleblower complaint alleging he received retaliation for confidential disclosing this to the Intelligence Community Inspector General. After making his initial allegations in an explosive interview with The Debrief, Mr Grusch is coming forward with more details and information about the governments evidence of possible extraterrestrial life. Mr Grush told NewsNation that the US may have an intact or partially intact craft of non-human origin in its possession and possibly evidence of deceased people through the alleged broad crash retrieval program. Well, naturally, when you recover something thats either landed or crashed sometimes you encounter dead pilots and, believe it or not, as fantastical as that sounds. Its true, Mr Grusch told NewsNation. Mr Grusch, a veteran of the US Air Force, former member of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and former co-lead of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) task force for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, said during his time on the task force colleagues confided in him about a broad crash retrieval program. I thought it was totally nuts and thought at first I was being deceived, Mr Grusch said. I had plenty of senior, former intelligence officers that came to me, many of which I knew almost my whole career, that confided in me that they were part of a program. UFO whistleblower David Grusch speaks to NewsNation (NewsNation) The programme had quite a number of retrieving non-human origin technical vehicles, Mr Grusch explained. Though Mr Grusch said he never saw the non-human evidence himself, he said hes talked to enough people involved in the program that he believes its real. He reportedly told Congress about the programme and how it was concealed from the government branch according to The Debrief. He also informed them of a decades-long, competition with near-peer adversaries over the years to identify UAP crashes / landings and retrieve the material for exploitation / reverse engineering to garner asymmetric national defence advantages. However, Mr Gruschs claims are contradicted by the government. To date, AARO has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently, Sue Gough a Department of Defense spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent. Mr Grusch believes the US has a disinformation campaign about the information he is alleging, according to NewsNation. Im not a disgruntled employee, Mr Grusch told NewsNation. I resigned on my own accord because I thought, altruistically, its more appropriate to show leadership on the outside. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The White House has once again asserted the independence of the Department of Justice amid accusations from Donald Trump of a political vendetta against him. Karine Jean-Pierre spoke to reporters on Tuesday afternoon as the former occupant of the White House appeared in Miami for his second criminal indictment in as many months, this time on 37 counts related to the retention of presidential records, including classified materials, at Mar-a-Lago. During her news conference, she issued what was essentially a variation of the same canned response that the Biden administration has made at every level since the investigations into Mr Trump were formally confirmed: that Joe Biden has instructed the Justice Department to not brief him on the subject at all. He was not involved. The president has been very, very clear: the Department of Justice is independent, she asserted. The unremarkable statement contrasted sharply with the rantings of the Republican former president on his Truth Social platform, an outlet for the unbridled rage of Mr Trump as he faces what legal experts including his own former attorney general say are extremely serious allegations. On that platform, Mr Trump insisted just a day earlier that he would weaponise the Department of Justice to target members of Joe Bidens family, including presumably his son Hunter, should he win the White House once again. Doing so would permanently mar the agencys credibility and paint it as merely a tool of the White House and a vengeful president. The agency is already undertaking an investigation of Hunter Biden for a range of possible offences including a gun crime and tax law violations; the agency has reportedly been nearing a decision on issuing formal charges for several months just as investigators made the same considerations in the case of Mr Trump. The former president, however, remains under a second, separate investigation by the agency for his involvement in January 6 and the effort to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 election. That probe is reportedly continuing at full steam while state-level investigators in Georgia examine the same issue. Mr Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination despite the more than 60 criminal charges now facing him; few in the GOP, with exceptions such as Mitt Romney and Chris Christie, have even been willing to give credence to the Department of Justices allegations while the partys hyper-conservative base largely views the cases as a hit job against their leader. Mr Biden and his aides have largely refrained from commenting on the former presidents prosecution at all, while the president himself has been slow to begin his campaign for re-election and has held comparatively fewer events than his Republican challengers. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} After he was indicted for the second time in three months, former president Donald Trump stoked fears of possible violence by urging his supporters to show up at the Miami federal courthouse where he made his first appearance on Tuesday. Judging from the turnout, most of his supporters didnt seem to be listening. More than two years ago, the twice-impeached, now twice-indicted ex-president summoned a riotous mob of supporters to Washington, DC, many of whom assaulted police officers and sacked the US Capitol in hopes of preventing Congress from certifying his loss to President Joe Biden. That day, Mr Trump spoke to a crowd of tens of thousands whod gathered near the White House to hear him denounce the electoral process that had, four years earlier, made him the leader of the free world. Now, with the former president facing state criminal charges in his former home state of New York and federal charges in his adopted home state of Florida, his ability to manifest a violent mob appears to have been attenuated since his exit from the White House. To be sure, law enforcement officials in Miami appeared to have made preparations for the possibility that protesters could show up en masse on Tuesday. On Monday, Miami mayor Francis Suarez told reporters that there would be plans in place to make sure that everyone has a right to peacefully express themselves and exercise their constitutional rights in an obviously peaceful manner and said he hoped anyone who showed up to protest would be peaceful. City officials had reportedly prepared for as many as 50,000 protesters to pack the area surrounding the downtown courthouse. But in the end, the number of Trump superfans who came to support the ex-president looked to be only a few hundred. The paltry crowd didnt appear to be organized in any manner, though they did disrupt proceedings outside the building by blocking traffic at times. Dramatic moment protestor Domenic Santana of Miami, Florida, runs out in front of former President Donald Trumps motorcade (EPA) One anti-Trump protester, a man called Domenic Santana, even went to far as to temporarily block Mr Trumps motorcade as the ex-president attempted to leave after court proceedings. Mr Santana, who had been walking around the building clad in an old-time prisoner costume while carrying a sign that read Lock Him Up, spoke to The Independent earlier in the day about his reasons for coming to the courthouse. Hopefully, someday he has to be locked up. He should have been locked up a long, long time ago. Hes gotten away with it. Hes the master of spin, either graduate from New York School of Rats and he has a masters degree and he knows how to spin it. Hes going to spin it on this one. Its political. Its because Im running for president that theyre accusing me, he said. He has his case made up. He doesnt need lawyers to defend him. He already knows the spin. Before the election, Oh, if I lose its because of fraud. That day he lost Oh, fraud, fraud fraud. His Attorney General There was no fraud. Youre fired, the next day. Come on. Enough is enough, Mr Santana added. The ersatz prisoner was one of a few colourful characters who spent the day wandering around the massive courthouse and adjacent buildings, either in support or in opposition to the man who was arraigned there on Tuesday. One pro-Trump performer, a man who identified himself only as Uncle Jams, rolled about the courthouse plaza on a hoverboard while singing pro-Trump and anti-Biden ditties. Another group of well-known Trump supporters, members of the Blacks for Trump group, arrived on the scene early in the morning, led by founder and Miami native Maurice Woodside, also known as Michael the Black Man. Mr Woodside, who gained some measure of notoriety during Mr Trumps rise to the presidency due to his constant presence at the ex-presidents campaign rallies, led a group of maybe 30 people in identical Blacks for Trump shirts, who walked around together and intermittently chanted the ex-presidents name. Trump supporters gather outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse as former President Donald Trump appears for his arraignment on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images) At times, the scene outside the courthouse took on a circus atmosphere, with pro-Trump protesters mingling among scores of tents belonging to news organisations, whod sent correspondents from all over the world to cover the spectacle of the ex-presidents court appearance. There was, however, one more ominous moment earlier in the day, when Federal Protective Service officers and Miami police cordoned off the area directly in front of the courthouse while they investigated what they described as a suspicious package discovered in a local television stations satellite truck. After roughly an hour, officers signaled that there was no danger, and reporters returned to their work while awaiting the former presidents arrival. Throughout all the chaos, Miami residents who live and work in the downtown area milled about the courthouse plaza as they went about their day. One such city denizen who spoke to The Independent but declined to state his name, said he thought the ex-president could have avoided the jeopardy posed by the case against him had he just followed the law. I dont know why he did it I read the indictment and he wouldve been in a good place right now if hed just given it all back when asked, he said. Don Julio. (Andrew Feinberg/The Independent) The Miami resident, who was out walking his American Bulldog, Don Julio, commented that there appeared to be far more reporters than protesters. Don Julio, who at first seemed slightly annoyed by the interruption to his daily routine, did not comment on the allegations against Mr Trump, but instead sat down next to this reporter to accept a belly rub before looking out at the courthouse plaza, a broad smile on his face. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has now become the first current or former president to be arrested on federal charges in the history of America. On Tuesday 13 June, the former president was arrested and arraigned on 37 counts in a federal indictment stemming from the US Department of Justice investigation into his possession of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property. Federal prosecutors charged the former president with willful retention of national defense secrets in violation of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing documents, concealing documents in a federal investigation, scheme to conceal, and making false statements. Thirty-one counts relate to each document alleged in his possession, five counts relate to Mr Trump concealing them, and two counts relate to false statements. A potential sentence, if convicted, could include decades in prison. Mr Trump surrendered to authorities at Miami federal court where he was arrested and formally charged. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and flew straight back to New Jersey to deliver a speech at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey where he launched into his usual unsubstantiated narrative that he is the victim of political persecution and lashed out at President Joe Biden and Special Counsel Jack Smith. The federal indictment was unsealed on 9 June. An investigation from special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed to lead the Justice Departments probe into the former presidents alleged mishandling of documents after leaving the White House, has been looking into whether Mr Trump and his lawyers falsely certified that he returned classified records to the government, or whether he concealed them, illegally, and lied to his legal team. Federal prosecutors are expected to present compelling evidence that the former president knowingly and deliberately misled his attorneys about his retention of sensitive documents after leaving the White House in January 2021 after losing his re-election bid. Among the mounds of documents in his possession when they were collected by FBI agents were 102 classified documents 27 were in his office, 75 were in storage, and 17 top secret-designated documents were among them, according to prosecutors. Several included nuclear weapons capabilities of the US and foreign nations, potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack, according to the indictment. The indictment states that Mr Trumps possession could put at risk the national security of the United States. Willful retention of national security information The frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is charged with violations under the Espionage Act, which the Justice Department invoked against now-former National Security Agency translator Reality Winner while Mr Trump was president in 2018. Julian Assange and Daniel Hale also were charged under the Espionage Act in 2019. Mr Trump now faces 31 counts under that same charge. One of the six sections under the Espionage Act, Section 793, prohibits gathering, transmitting or losing any information respecting the national defence. Counts one through 31 in Mr Trumps federal indictment include individual documents in his possession from 20 January 2021 until 6 August 2022 or 3 June 2022. The documents include documents designated secret and top secret, related to White House intelligence briefings, foreign military activity, communication with foreign leaders, foreign military impacts on US interests, and communications with a foreign leader. At least one document concerns US nuclear weaponry Another involves nuclear capabilities for a foreign government. The use of Section 793, which does not make reference to classified information, is understood to be a strategic decision by prosecutors that has been made to short-circuit the former presidents ability to claim that he used his authority as president to declassify documents he removed from the White House and kept at his Florida property long after his term expired on 20 January 2021. That section of US criminal law is written in a way that could encompass Mr Trumps conduct even if he was authorised to possess the information as president. It states that anyone who lawfully having possession of, access to, control over, or being entrusted with any document relating to the national defence and willfully transmits such information in any way can face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Obstructing justice, conspiracy and withholding records The former president and Walt Nauta did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate and agree to withhold documents under Section 1512 under Title 18 of US code, according to the indictment. The statute includes a broad prohibition against tampering with a witness, victim or informant involved in a federal investigation. According to prosecutors, Mr Trump conspired to conceal documents from a grand jury and federal officials, by suggesting that his attorneys make false statements to authorities, by moving boxes of documents to hide from attorneys, by suggesting that documents be hidden or destroyed, and falsely certifying that classified documents were produced to authorities when, in fact, they had not. The statute applies to matters before Congress as well as federal agencies and civil and criminal judicial proceedings, including grand jury proceedings. A conviction includes a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. In a case before a jury, federal prosecutors must prove whether Mr Trump knowingly retained documents under the National Archives and Records Administrations custody, and willfully defied the Justice Departments subpoena for classified documents in his possession. A conviction includes a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. An additional charge of conspiracy, which would need to include another person in order to commit a crime, could carry a sentence of five years. False statements and representations Mr Trump faces additional charges for making false statements, or allowing his legal team to make false statements, for allegedly lying to law enforcement about the documents in his possession. That could include an additional five-year sentence, if convicted. According to the indictment, the former president made a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement when he swore to a grand jury investigation and federal law enforcement probe that he provided all documents as requested. A federal indictment against Mr Trump arrives days after a last-ditch attempt by his legal team to convince Justice Department officials against charging him. Investigators launched a probe early last year after officials with the National Archives and Records Administration discovered more than 100 documents bearing classification markings while reviewing 15 boxes retrieved from Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago home. US Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Mr Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor at The Hague, as special counsel to lead the probe. An indictment serves as a formal accusation, among a prosecutors first steps before a case can be brought to trial. Grand jurors heard evidence and testimony brought forward from prosecutors and witnesses they chose to present. In a trial, a jury will hear from defence attorneys. Following Mr Trumps formal indictment, prosecutors will share evidence with his legal team who likely begin motions to dismiss the case. Andrew Feinberg contributed reporting Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump broke another legal barrier on 13 June when he became the first former US president ever to be arrested on federal criminal charges. A federal grand jury indicted Mr Trump on 8 June in the investigation into his alleged improper retention of classified documents. The indictment unsealed the next day revealed 37 counts against the former president, including conspiracy to obstruct, willful retention of documents, and false statements. He was already under a New York state indictment for his role in an alleged scheme to make a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the buildup to the 2016 election. Now, Mr Trump is facing yet more legal headaches. The former president appeared at a federal courthouse in Miami to face arraignment on 13 June. Heres a rundown of what all the legal terminology means and how we might see Mr Trumps case progress through the criminal justice system. What is an indictment? In the American legal system, an indictment is a formal notice that the state believes a person has committed a crime. A prosecutor secures an indictment by presenting their case to a grand jury, which then votes on whether it believes there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime. All proceedings surrounding grand juries are sealed, and the burden of proof for prosecutors is lower than it is at a trial. Typically on 12 of the 16 to 23 grand jurors need to vote to indict a person as opposed to a trial where unanimous verdicts are often required. An indictment does not determine guilt or innocence, but is a required procedural step in a criminal proceeding. What is an arraignment? After the state secures an indictment, it can take a case forward to an arraignment. At an arraignment hearing, which takes place before a judge, defendants are read the charges facing them and the maximum penalties they carry and then are offered the opportunity to make a plea either not guilty, no contest, or guilty. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the case most frequently moves to sentencing. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the judge will set the terms of bail for the defendant and the dates for subsequent events in the case including any pre-trial hearings and an eventual trial, which can sometimes occur months or years after the initial charging date. So where is Trump in all of this? The former president has now been indicted twice once by the Manhattan District Attorney for his role in the alleged hush money scheme, and now by the US Justice Department in Florida for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstruction of justice. Mr Trump was arraigned in New York in the former case in April and in Miami in the federal case on 13 June. Mr Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases. Mr Trump was released after both arraignments and is not expected to be held in jail while awaiting a potential trial in either case. Mr Trump is, of course, running for president again and is the current polling leader for the Republican nomination. This might not be the last time Mr Trump is indicted this year, either: the former president and several of his advisers are also currently under investigation in Georgia for interfering in the 2020 election. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican reportedly days away from launching a campaign for president, was called a swamp monster by an irate Donald Trump supporter outside the courthouse where the former president is set to be arraigned on federal charges today. Mr Suarez, 45, has been critical of Mr Trump in the past and reportedly did not vote for him for president in 2020. That presumably did not endear him to supporters of the former president, who has pleaded not guilty to a plethora of charges regarding his handling of classified documents after leaving the presidency and alleged attempts to impede the governments attempts to get the documents back. Weve got a Deep State corrupt mayor! a Trump supporter screamed at Mr Suarez as he made his way towards the courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Weve got a Deep State swamp monster! Weve got a swamp monster folks! Weve got a big swamp monster! Swamps getting rounded up, baby! Times coming, baby! The swamps getting taken down, and youre getting taken down, brother. The indictment of Mr Trump over his handling of classified documents has once again inflamed the passions of his most ardent supporters, who are arguing that the prosecution of the former president amounts to a political witch-hunt against him as he campaigns to reclaim the White House next year. That is not, however, a view shared by everyone who served with him in his first presidential administration. William Barr, the former attorney general, called the notion that Mr Trump is a victim in the situation ridiculous, and Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, said that, if the allegations against the former president are true, his behaviour was wrong. Mr Trump is the first former president ever charged with federal crimes with his indictment in Florida coming just months after his indictment in New York for his alleged role in a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Mr Suarez has no connection to the case, except that it is playing out in the town where he is mayor. The timing, however, is interesting: Mr Suarez suggested to a reporter on Tuesday morning that he will formally kick off his bid for the White House with a speech on Thursday. When Mr Suarez enters the race, his most formidable opponent will be Mr Trump. He will also have to contend with the presence of his states governor Ron DeSantis, who has staunchly defended Mr Trump in the documents case even as Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked him since the beginning of the year. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When Californias Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom appeared on Fox News for an interview with Sean Hannity, the Fox host interrupted the debate to show a compilation of what Fox News called President Joe Bidens embarrassing struggles. Mr Newsom had just pushed back against claims that Mr Biden wasnt up for the job of being president. Heres the problem that Joe Biden has. Youre arguing, youre fighting, youre battling, youre articulate We could sit here for three hours, probably have a beer or two in the middle of this, and you can keep going, Mr Hannity told Mr Newsom. Heres the problem. Your president cant have this conversation. Hes not capable of it, he claimed. Is Joe Biden up to the job of being president? And as a little reminder, take a look at your president in the monitor. Mr Hannity then showed a video of Mr Biden mumbling, mispronouncing names, and appearing to forget his trip to Ireland as the chyron below said Bidens embarrassing struggles. After the compilation of gaffes, Mr Hannity said, And then youve got Joe Biden whos having a hard time standing up. Take a look at that one, before showing Mr Biden falling over on 1 June in Colorado Springs. I want you to tell me that you think he is cognitively strong enough to lead this country against China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and a new Axis of evil, Mr Hannity said. Yeah, but I dont think hes capable, I know hes capable. I see results. Ive seen a masterclass in results the last few years, Mr Newsom said, according to Mediaite. The governor was asked if Mr Biden is cognitively strong enough to be president. I have conversations with him all the time. Yes, Mr Newsom said. Mr Newsom refused to say if hes been told by supporters to run against Mr Biden in 2024. How many times does your phone ping a day, people saying you need to get in this race because they agree with me that hes not up to the job? the Fox host asked. Im not answering, Mr Newsom said. The California governor has said on numerous occasions that he has no intention of challenging Mr Biden. He attended a fundraiser for Mr Biden in Washington in April not long before Mr Biden announced his 2024 campaign to remain in the White House. Mr Newsoms expanding national profile is prompting speculation that hes harbouring presidential ambitions and outlining plans beyond the next election. He set up a new political action committee with the millions left over in his campaign account following his 2022 reelection as governor, according to the AP. He has said that hes planning to use the funds to help Democrats campaigning in deeply red states such as Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Mr Newsom recently said that the committee would also lobby for a 28th amendment to be added to the US Constitution to expand federal gun legislation. Mr Newsom last appeared on Fox News in 2010 when he was the mayor of San Francisco, the AP noted. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill into law that effectively outlaws book bans in schools and public libraries, a response to right-wing challenges to library materials and classroom instruction surging across the country and threatening access to hundreds of titles, mostly involving LGBT+ people and honest discussions of race and racism. Here in Illinois, we dont hide from the truth, we embrace it, the Democratic governor said in a statement announcing his signature on the legislation, which his office hailed as a nation-leading response to censorship campaigns targeting schools and libraries. Young people shouldnt be kept from learning about the realities of our world; I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next, he added. The law, which was signed on 12 June and goes into effect on 1 January, 2024, instructs the state librarian and the Illinois State Library to implement the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights across its facilities. That statement prohibits libraries from removing materials because of partisan or personal objections, and libraries in the state that do not adopt the ALAs policy or a similar statement will be ineligible for state-funded grants. We refuse to let a vitriolic strain of White nationalism coursing through our country determine whose histories are told, not in Illinois, Mr Pritzker said in remarks from Chicagos Harold Washington Library. There have been at least 1,477 attempts to ban 874 individual book titles within the first half of the 2022-2023 school year, according to free expression group PEN America, which monitors book challenges across the US. The figures mark a nearly 30 per cent spike from book challenges over the previous year. Last year, a record high of more than 1,200 attempts to remove books from schools and libraries were reported to the American Library Association, marking the most attempts to remove books and materials since the organisation began reporting such data more than 20 years ago. Those attempts targeted 2,571 unique titles, according to the ALA. In 2022, there were 67 attempts to ban books in Illinois libraries, the group found. More than 100 bills filed in state legislatures across the country this year threatened to cut library budgets, implement book rating systems, regulate the kinds of books and materials in their collections, and amend obscenity definitions that preempt First Amendment protections, according to a database from EveryLibrary. Last week, President Joe Biden announced a suite of federal measures intended to bolster protections for LGBT+ people, including the appointment of a federal monitor with the US Department of Education to address the spike in book challenges. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former educator, has supported the legislation and connected threats to learning materials to a broader lack of access in vulnerable communities, Including voting rights, access to gender rights, access to health care, and access to fully funded schools, he said in a statement. We cannot continue turning the clock back on children who have already experienced decades of disinvestment, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump was arrested and arraigned on Tuesday 13 June for the second time in less than three months. At 3pm local time, Mr Trump surrendered to authorities at the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida on 37 federal charges stemming from his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information, adding another criminal case to the legal pressure against the twice-impeached former president as he seeks to win his partys nomination in next years Republican presidential primary. The arraignment comes just days after a federal grand jury indicted the former president. Mr Trump first revealed the indictment in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform on 8 June just one day after The Independent reported that federal prosecutors had planned to ask a grand jury to return an indictment against him. The 49-page indictment was unsealed on Friday (9 June), revealing 37 counts against the ex-president. They include: willful retention of national defence information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, concealing a document in a federal investigation, scheme to conceal, and false statements and representations. Each charge carries a maximum sentence ranging from five years to 20 years. A potential sentence, if convicted, could include decades in prison. Just before the arraignment hearing, deputy marshals booked Mr Trump and took electronic copies of his fingerprints. Proceedings followed similarly to what happened in early April when Mr Trump appeared in Manhattan court to face criminal charges following Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation into hush payments leading up to the 2016 presidential election. They did not take a mugshot of the former president since he is recognisable nor did they place him in handcuffs. After approximately 45 minutes, in which Mr Trump pled not guilty the former president left the courthouse to return to his home in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he gave a speech covering his usual unsubstantiated narrative that he is the victim of political persecution. Former US President Donald Trump waves from his vehicle following his appearance at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse, in Miami, Florida, on June 13, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images) In the speech, where he lashed out at President Joe Biden and Special Counsel Jack Smith, Mr Trump claimed that the boxes of classified documents discovered in his possession actually contained clothes. Many people have asked me why I had these boxes, why did you want them? he said. The answer, in addition to having every right under the Presidential Records Act, is that these boxes were containing all types of personal belongings many, many things, shirts and shoes, everything. The latest charges come just days after a last-ditch attempt by Mr Trumps legal team to convince Department of Justice officials not to seek charges against him in the classified documents probe, which began early last year after National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) officials discovered more than 100 classified documents in boxes that were retrieved from Mr Trumps Palm Beach, Florida residence. That discovery led NARA officials to notify the Department of Justice, which kicked off an investigation into how the documents ended up at Mr Trumps property. Following his indictment, Mr Trump declared that he was an innocent man. This is election interference and continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time, he ranted. The corrupt Biden Administration has informed my attorneys that I have been Indicted, seemingly over the Boxes Hoax, he wrote, using the phrase he has frequently used to describe the long-running probe. Throughout the investigation, prosecutors and investigators harboured concerns that the ex-president was not being truthful about whether he had returned any and all classified documents in his possession to government custody as required under the Presidential Records Act. But the classified nature of the records at issue added another wrinkle to the dispute between Mr Trump and the government he led from January 2017 to January 2021. Trump stops off at Versailles restaurant after his arrest and arraignment (Sky News) At times, the ex-president has claimed that he had used the sweeping classification and declassification authority to declassify any record he took with him to his Palm Beach home at Mar-a-Lago. No evidence has emerged that any such order was ever issued, and in audio recordings obtained by prosecutors, Mr Trump is said to have acknowledged that he did not declassify certain records that were in his possession long after his authority to possess them expired. The Department of Justice is likely to attempt to have Mr Trump incarcerated if hes convicted. National security lawyer and George Washington University law professor Kel McClanahan said that the department will probably want to go for incarceration in the case of Mr Trump, according to Insider. Mr McClanahan said that the evidence in the indictment is intended to show that Mr Trump is a kingpin who knowingly broke the law, endangered national security, endangered nuclear weapon security, [and] endangered other countries national security. The consensus among most legal experts commenting on the indictment appears to be that Mr Trump is in serious legal jeopardy. A former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York, Sarah Krissoff, said that to the extent that theres a conviction here, the Department of Justice is going to want to be seeking a real sentence because of the nature of the conduct, how long it lasted, his involvement, the involvement of other people, working allegedly at Trumps direction. She noted that if Mr Trump is convicted, the sentence would depend on the judge, which seems likely to be Trump-appointee Aileen Cannon in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Mr McClanahan noted the novelty of possibly having to find a proper way to put a former president behind bars. He questioned how the authorities would go about imprisoning someone who has a Secret Service detail and who has national security secrets bouncing around his brain, such that if someone holds a shiv to his neck, hell reveal the location of our missile bases. In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, stacks of boxes can be observed in the White and Gold Ballroom of former U.S. President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida (Getty Images) He added that Mr Trump might become a foreign intelligence gold mine for most countries on earth if hes imprisoned. Mr McClanahan sees it as more likely that if Mr Trump is convicted, he would be sentenced to house arrest with an ankle monitor. But Ms Krissoff told the outlet that Trump can share that information that is in his head whether he is incarcerated or not incarcerated. So Im not particularly concerned that, as a citizen, the incarceration will trigger the sharing of information that wouldnt be shared otherwise. Fox News legal commentator Jonathan Turley also didnt hold back after the indictment was unsealed. Mr Turley, the Shapiro Chair of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, said on Fox News that it is an extremely damning indictment. There are indictments that are sometimes called narrative or speaking indictments. These are indictments that are really meant to make a point as to the depth of the evidence, there are some indictments that are just bare bones, he added. This is not one of those indictments, Mr Turley said. The Special Counsel knew that there would be a lot of people who were going to allege that the Department of Justice was acting in a biased or politically motivated way. This is clearly an indictment that was drafted to answer those questions. Its overwhelming in detail, he continued. The Trump team should not fool itself. These are hits below the waterline. These are witnesses who apparently testified under oath [and] gave statements to federal investigators, both of which can be criminally charged, if theyre false. Those witnesses are directly quoting the president in encouraging others not to look for documents or allegedly to conceal them. Its damaging, Mr Turley said. This is not an indictment that you can dismiss. There are a lot of people who are testifying under oath, and theyre saying highly incriminating things, the attorney added. Speaking about the images from Mar-a-Lago of the boxes of documents found in a ballroom and a bathroom, in addition to other less-than-ideal places, Mr Turley said, Its really breathtaking. Obviously, this is mishandling. Putting the classified documents into ballrooms and bathrooms borders on the bizarre. And these are the types of pictures that hit you below the waterline in a trial. A photo published by the U.S. Justice Department in their charging document against former U.S. President Donald Trump shows boxes of documents stored in a bathroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in early 2021 (Justice Department via REUTERS) Its hard to show a picture of these boxes surrounding a toilet and saying we really acted responsibly, he added, going on to note that the government is bringing dozens of counts they only have to land one of those punches. Keep in mind that every one of these counts is coming with a substantial potential sentence, Mr Turley said. The lawyer said that the Trump legal team has to run the table, they have to take out every single count, or youve got a 76-year-old man looking at a potentially terminal sentence. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} First lady Jill Biden has said she is shocked about the number of Republican voters who continue to back former president Donald Trump, despite him having been indicted on federal charges. In her first solo outing of the 2024 campaign, Ms Biden said on Monday that it was a little shocking that a sizeable number of Republicans are still thinking of voting for Mr Trump. She told Democratic donors that the 2024 election presents a choice between what she described as the strong, steady leadership of President Joe Biden and the chaos and corruption, hatred and division of MAGA Republicans. Ms Biden, speaking to a small group of Democrats in an apartment on Manhattans Upper East Side, said she was surprised to see a headline before her flight landed that described a majority of Republicans in a poll saying they were still planning to vote for Trump, who is set to appear in a Florida court on Tuesday. They dont care about the indictment. So thats a little shocking, I think, she said, addressing a topic her husband, President Joe Biden has thus far attempted to avoid being drawn on. The 49-page indictment was unsealed on Friday and revealed 37 charges against the former president that relate to his alleged retention of classified documents including national defence information. Mr Trump has denied the charges and is set to sppear at a federal courthouse on Tuesday 13 June at 3pm. After the indictment was unsealed, he wrote on Truth Social that he was an innocent man. This is election interference and continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senator Lindsey Graham defended himself after a former CIA head called him a "spineless coward" for refusing to condemn Donald Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents. Mr Graham said his opposition to Mr Trump's second indictment related to the documents and his beliefs that sensitive materials must be handled properly are not contradictory. "I'm very concerned about mishandling classified information," he told The Independent. "I'm also very concerned about ... equal treatment under the law. Those two things are not inconsistent." His comments come after former CIA director John Brennan called him a "spineless coward" for defending the former president. That is why I find it so, so disheartening and It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey Graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump," Mr Brennan said during an appearance on MSNBC. Those are the words of a spineless coward, quite frankly, who is frightened by Donald Trump and is frightened by those individuals who still cling to an image of Donald Trump as being this very strong leader, which he is not. Mr Graham defended Mr Trump during an ABC News interview on Sunday, arguing his second indictment would make him "stronger" in his re-election campaign. The senator insisted that Mr Trump's investigation is no different than the Hillary Clinton email scandal despite their being notable difference between those situations and argued that the former president had been "overcharged" through the use of the Espionage Act. "Did he do things wrong? Yes, he may have. He will be tried about that. But Hillary Clinton wasn't," he told ABC News's George Stephanopoulos. When Stephanopoulos pressed Mr Graham on the audio recordings of Mr Trump discussing the secret information and admitting he had not declassified it when he was in office, Mr Graham claimed ignorance. Senator Lindsey Graham insisted that his support of Donald Trump was not in conflict with his concerns over the handling of sensitive government documents (AFP via Getty Images) "I don't know what happened; I haven't heard the audio," Mr Graham said. "But look at who's been charged under the Espionage Act: Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning -- people who turned over classified information to news organizations ... or provide it to a foreign power. That did not happen here." Each time Mr Graham was confronted with the evidence against Mr Trump, he deflected to Ms Clinton, prompting Stephanopoulos to tell him that she had been fully investigated and that no charges were brought against her. Mr Graham dismissed that explanation saying "yeah right" and "give me a break." No evidence was found that Ms Clinton intended to "communicate classified information on unclassified systems," according to the investigation's findings. That report also noted that Ms Clinton's emails were not marked in a way that would inform her of their classification status. The evidence against Mr Trump includes the previously stated audio recording, but also allegations that he worked to conceal the records from federal authorities after they asked for their return. Both Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence were also found to have sensitive documents in their personal possession, but they cooperated with authorities to return those documents a key difference between their situations and Mr Trump's. With reporting from Eric Garcia Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics and competing for energy resources. In announcing the visit, Chinas Foreign Ministry said China was willing to help broker relations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. The ministry did not say who Abbas would meet in Beijing or give other details of his four-day visit. Increased fighting over the last year between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank has resulted in the deadliest period of violence between the sides in years in that territory. The visit also comes after China hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in the two restoring diplomatic relations. That development was seen as representing a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region. But it remains to be seen how far the reconciliation efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia will progress. The rivalry dates to the 1979 revolution that toppled Irans Western-backed monarchy, and in recent years the two countries have backed rival armed groups and political factions across the region. State broadcaster CCTV quoted Foreign Minister Qin Gang as saying that "China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the two-state solution, and is willing to play an active role in this regard." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Another senior official in the Trump administration has come out and stated that the former president is accused of serious crimes, hamstringing the Donald Trump and his allies ability to spin his latest legal development. Ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on Fox & Friends on Tuesday and delivered a sobering assessment of the charges against his former boss which dismantled the assertion Mr Trumps allies have pushed on social media seeking to explain away the boxes of documents and classified materials at Mar-a-Lago as the presidents own property. That explanation has been pushed by Trump loyalists like Senator JD Vance, the former presidents hated critic-turned devoted supporter from Ohio, who tweeted that prosecuting a president over his own governments documents is turning a political issue into a legal one. Mr Pompeo rejected that idea on Tuesday. By all indication, he said, Trump had classified docs when he shouldnt have had them, and when given the opportunity to return them, he chose not to do that. Then explaining the gravity of that misdeed, he continued: Thats inconsistent with protecting Americas soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines ... if these allegations are true, some of these were pretty serious, important documents. Mr Pompeo, Mr Trumps second appointee to lead the State Department, is a notable defection from the ex-presidents ranks of allies given that he remained in service to the twice-impeached POTUS even after January 6, 2021, when the attack on the Capitol spurred a wave of resignations across the administration. Among those to quit were Elaine Chao, secretary of Transportation and partner to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and members of the presidents White House team. And his remarks are interesting for another reason: they come from a Republican who is clearly interested in maintaining a national profile as a conservative, even if not in direct competition to Mr Trump himself. The former secretary was long thought to be plotting a 2024 bid, but reconsidered and announced that he would not run in early 2024. He continues to appear regularly at GOP-aligned events like the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an annual gathering of the right in Washington, DC that in recent years has come to be dominated entirely by the pro-Trump faction. The former secretary of state currently has few colleagues making the same arguments in the media; one of those few is ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, now a candiate for the 2024 Republican nomination against Mr Trump, who has fiercely attacked his former ally over the issue. Most other Republicans, especially those running against Mr Trump for the nomination, have avoided the issue or disparaged the Justice Departments independence. Mr Christie, on the other hand, mocked Mr Trump during a CNN town hall on Monday evening over his prosecution, and joked that the ex-president had taken classified documents on summer vacation. He flew the boxes up to new Jersey for summer vacation. What is this, like, they're a family member? Seriously, I've got to have my boxes with me, quipped the governor. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden Administration to punish South Africa for what they call its support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine by relocating an important trade meeting to another country, according to a letter published Tuesday in The New York Times. The lawmakers also said that South Africa's aid" for Russia, including allegedly supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, calls into question its eligibility to receive trade benefits from the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. South African Foreign Ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said Tuesday in a statement that the U.S. lawmakers letter had been noted but South Africa still enjoys the support of the U.S. government for its hosting of the AGOA meeting. South Africa's exports to the U.S. through AGOA were estimated at $3 billion last year. The U.S. is South Africa's second-biggest trade partner behind China. Moving November's AGOA meeting to another country would send a clear and important message that the United States continues to stand with Ukraine and will not accept our trading partners provision of aid to Russias ongoing and brutal invasion, the letter from lawmakers said. It said that despite the South African government's claim that it was neutral in the war in Ukraine, it had deepened its military relationship with Russia over the past year. The letter was dated June 9 and sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. It was signed by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Republican Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. AGOA is legislation passed by Congress that allows Sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for their exports provided they meet certain conditions. South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries. The U.S. considers South Africa an important political and economic partner even though the country especially its ruling African National Congress party has historic ties with Russia dating back to the days of the Soviet Union. Because of that, South Africa's government says it has adopted a non-aligned stance on the war in Ukraine. But while the U.S. largely accepts that position, it has viewed some of South Africa's recent actions as not being neutral but actively favoring Russia in the war. The U.S. concerns burst into the public sphere last month when U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety held a news conference in the South African capital of Pretoria and accused the country of providing arms to Russia in a cargo ship that made a secret visit to South Africa's main naval base in December. South Africa has denied the allegation but is investigating the visit of the Russian-flagged Lady R ship, which is under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting weapons for the Russian government. The lawmakers said there was U.S. intelligence that indicated South Africa had covertly supplied Russia with weapons on the Lady R. In their letter, they also referred to the visit of a Russian military plane, also under U.S. sanctions, to a South African airbase in April, and South Africa's decision to host Russian and Chinese warships for naval drills in February that coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africas damaging support for Russias invasion of Ukraine and possible violation of U.S. sanctions law, said the lawmakers' letter. South Africa was also working to facilitate the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit of emerging economies in Johannesburg in August, the U.S. lawmakers said, despite Putin being indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine. A senior official in South Africa's ruling party said recently it would welcome a visit by Putin. The Biden Administration has not spoken of any sanctions or punishment against South Africa, but AGOA has been mentioned by analysts in South Africa as a means by which the country might be punished. Any restriction of South Africa's trade with the U.S. would be deeply damaging to Africa's most developed country, which is wrestling with a stagnant economy, huge unemployment and an energy crisis. South Africas largest opposition party said it viewed the lawmakers' letter as an indication that Washington's patience with South Africa over its Russia relationship was fast diminishing. On Monday, the spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said any talk of formal sanctions for South Africa over Russia was reckless and purely alarmist. ___ Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this report. ___ More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Martha Nyanguour didn't have time to bury her husband, son or granddaughter when they were killed by gunfire in September. Instead, the 50-year-old paid her respects by throwing bits of grass over their bodies, grabbed her remaining children and fled. It had taken years for the mother of seven to muster the courage to return to South Sudan and trust its fragile peace deal ending a civil war. But weeks after she arrived in Atar town in Upper Nile state, fighting erupted between militias aligned with government and opposition forces. I thought if there was peace I was supposed to go back to my land, said Nyanguour, seated under a tree in Kowach village in Canal Pigi county where she now lives with thousands of other displaced people, five days' walk through swamp water from her home village. I thought maybe there would be peace in the future, but now, hearing gunshots daily, I think South Sudan will remain in war. In 18 months, South Sudan is supposed to hold its first presidential elections, the culmination of the peace agreement signed nearly five years ago to pull the young nation out of fighting that killed some 400,000 people. While large-scale clashes have subsided, violence in parts of the country persists, killing 2,240 people last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Earlier this month at least 20 people were killed and more than 50 wounded during inter-communal clashes in a United Nations protection camp in the north of the country. Implementation of the peace agreement has been sluggish. The elections, originally scheduled for this year, were postponed until December 2024. Other key elements of the deal have not been implemented, sparking concern that the country could see a return to war instead of a transfer of power. We are going to go for (the) electoral process without meeting the benchmarks that create a conducive environment for the conduct of elections," said Edmund Yakani, executive director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a local advocacy group. The return of the country to violence is more evident than the country staying in stability." A permanent constitution still has not been drafted. A census has not been conducted. Security arrangements, considered the backbone of the agreement, are only partially complete. Some 83,000 soldiers from opposition and government forces are meant to unite in a national army, but so far 55,000 have graduated and are yet to be deployed. Others languish in training centers with poor conditions and little food. Soldiers say many are rarely paid. Locals involved with the security arrangements say there's so little trust that the main parties have held back key fighters, sending less seasoned ones or new recruits. In addition, Joshua Craze, a researcher on South Sudan, says, The peace agreement signed in 2018 has enabled the government to fragment the opposition by encouraging defections and setting commanders against each other, intensifying violent conflict." The opposition accuses the government of lacking political will to hold elections so it can keep plundering the nation's resources, which include oil. They dont have genuine political will to implement the peace agreement because they look at the agreement from the angle that it is crippling their powers, said Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary for the first vice president, head of the main opposition and former rebel leader Riek Machar. South Sudan has billions of dollars in reserves but there is little transparency on where the money goes. The country was voted the second most corrupt in the world last year by Transparency International. The international community is exasperated with South Sudan's lack of progress. At a press conference in May, United Nations representative Nicholas Haysom cautioned that the conditions did not currently exist to hold transparent, free and fair elections. But some diplomats are concerned that another extension to the peace deal would send a negative message to South Sudanese citizens, investors and aid donors. The government says it's serious about the peace process and will hold elections on time. During a conference in May on reconciliation and healing, President Salva Kiir vowed that I will never take South Sudan and its people to war again. The capital, Juba, appears peaceful. Billboards of Kiir and Machar shaking hands above the words peace, unity, reconciliation and development line the streets. Children of the political elites are returning with money and opening trendy restaurants, and construction is booming. But outside the capital is a different reality. The fighting that killed Nyanguour's family last year also sent tens of thousands fleeing, part of the highest displacement levels since the peace agreement was signed, according to a report by a U.N. panel of experts. It said government and opposition forces played facilitating roles in the violence. The conflict in Upper Nile cut off access to healthcare, with some severely wounded people having to travel up to four days by canoe to the closest clinic, aid workers said. The biggest issue was accessibility. It was hard to bring in supplies, said Kudumreng David, a supervisor for the International Medical Corps in Kowach. Food has also become scarce as fighting worsens conditions after years of floods and cuts in food aid. In Kowach, some children rip leaves from trees into a pot for their only meal of the day. Many people outside Juba said they didn't even know elections were set for next year. We heard theres peace but it hasnt reached here, said Roda Awel, a resident of Kowach. People are still afraid." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For the second time in three months, the man who served as the 45th President of the United States stood before a judge as a defendant in a criminal case that could cost his freedom for a significant portion of his remaining lifespan. Flanked by attorneys Todd Blanche and Christopher Kise, Donald Trump entered a Miami federal courtroom as US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman formally presented him with a 37-count indictment accusing the former president of illegally retaining national defense documents and other classified materials at his Florida home, and obstructing government efforts to reclaim them. Asked to enter a plea to the charges, Mr Blanche replied on behalf of the twice-impeached and now twice-indicted former president: We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty. An hour later, a former president accused of hoarding hundreds of classified documents, allegedly disclosing them to others and storing them haphazardly was out of the courthouse and visiting a restaurant in Miami, where a mob of supporters reached out to pray for him. Food for everyone! he declared. During Mr Trumps court appearance roughly an hour prior, the magistrate did not impose any conditions of release upon the former president, save one: An order barring him from speaking with any witnesses in the case. That includes some US Secret Service agents assigned to his protective detail, as well as Walt Nauta, his co-defendant and employee. Any conversations related to their case must go through their attorneys. Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as his motorcade leaves federal court in Miami on 13 June after he pleaded not guilty to 37 charges in a sweeping indictment accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. (Getty Images) Mr Trump, who sat impassively with his arms folded during the proceedings, appeared in court alongside Mr Nauta, a retired Navy chief petty officer who served as his White House valet and followed him to political exile in Florida when he left the White House in January 2021. Mr Nauta, who was with Mr Trump as a co-defendant in the courtroom but travelled to Florida with him as a staffer, was represented by an attorney paid by Mr Trumps political action committee, Stanley Woodward. He did not enter a plea, as he does not have a local attorney. The former president and Mr Nauta arrived at the Wilkie Ferguson Jr Federal Courthouse shortly before 2pm ET on 13 June after traveling with a motorcade and police motorcycle escort from the ex-presidents nearby Doral golf club. Mr Trump was not photographed entering the court complex as he surrendered to authorities; the armoured SUV carrying the former president entered through an underground gate typically reserved as a secure entrance for vehicles transporting defendants in law enforcement custody. Cameras, recording devices and laptops were prohibited from the courtroom, and there was no live video or photographic record of Mr Trumps first appearance in federal court. But outside the courthouse, the landscape was dotted with tents and shelters from news organisations that sent reporters from across the country and around the world to cover the unprecedented spectacle of a former leader of the free world being placed under arrest for the second time this year. Donald Trumps motorcade arrived at a federal courthouse in Miami to face a 37-count indictment accusing him of illegally retaining national defence documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. (AP) Not long after Mr Trumps arrest, one of his attorneys, Alina Habba, told reporters in brief remarks that the former president remains defiant while condemning what Mr Trump and his allies have characterised as a two-tiered system of justice, where selective treatment is the norm. Today is not about President Donald J Trump, who is defiant, she said. It is about the destruction of the long-standing American principles that have set this country apart for so long. Ms Habba, a civil litigator from New York who entered Mr Trumps employ not long after he left office, is not participating in his defence in either of the criminal cases that have been brought against him. While Mr Kise, a former Florida Solicitor General, is a veteran legal practitioner in the Sunshine State, the ex-president has had difficulties securing top-tier legal representation for what is expected to be a complex case that will require an attorney with experience in sensitive national security matters. Two of the more experienced criminal defence lawyers on his legal team, James Trusty and John Rowley, resigned from Mr Trumps federal case last week, hours after a Florida grand jury voted to charge him with 37 separate counts stemming from alleged violations of the Espionage Act and other crimes. Another criminal defence attorney who once represented Mr Trump in the documents probe, Evan Corcoran, stepped away from that role in the wake of a court ruling ordering him to give evidence against the former president before a grand jury and turn over his notes and recordings. A judge invoked a rarely used exception to the attorney-client privilege used in cases where an attorneys advice is found to have been used to commit crimes. Mr Corcorans testimony and evidence figured heavily in Mr Trumps federal indictment, which detailed his reaction after he was served with a subpoena compelling him to return all documents with classification markings in his possession. Thus far, only Mr Blanche, who represented Mr Trump in his criminal case in Manhattan, and Mr Kise, who joined the former presidents legal team after the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago last summer, are representing him in his federal case. Donald Trumps supporters gathered outside federal court on 13 June as the former president was booked on 37 charges stemming from an investigation in to his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. (Getty Images) Mr Trump is scheduled to return to his Bedminster, New Jersey, club to deliver remarks Tuesday evening before a fundraising event. He similarly returned to his Mar-a-Lago property hours after he appeared in Manhattan criminal court in April to face 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In his remarks from his estate that night, he lambasted District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the judge overseeing the case, as well as the judges family members, and continued his narrative of political persecution. Both cases are separate from the US Department of Justice probe into Mr Trumps role in the events surrounding January 6 and a Georgia prosecutors investigation into his attempts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election in that state, among mounting legal challenges facing the former president as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination for another shot at the White House. US District Judge Aileen Cannon who was appointed by the former president in 2020 and previously ruled in his legal teams favour in a series of court decisions surrounding the investigation will oversee his Florida case. Last year, she appointed a special master to review materials seized by federal law enforcement and restricted the FBI from using those documents as part of the investigation until she completed a review, effectively freezing the Justice Department probe. That order was ultimately thrown out entirely by a federal appeals court, which roundly criticised her decision. If she does not recuse herself from the case and she remains a trial judge, she could play a potentially critical role in the cases development, from setting a trial date to overseeing jury selection, the admission of certain evidence, and sentencing, if there is a conviction. The district is known as a rocket docket court, where judges adhere to a speedy trial schedule that processes cases to trial within 70 days. Special counsel Jack Smith who was tapped by US Attorney General Merrick Garland to handle the federal investigations into the former president also has stated that prosecutors will push for a speedy trial consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused, he said during brief public remarks announcing the indictment last week. Mr Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, and he has insisted that he will remain in the race regardless of any outcome in the criminal cases against him. He also has relied on the investigations, indictments and news coverage to raise money for his campaign, which netted millions of dollars in the days after his charges were announced in his New York case. But the timeframe for the federal case and, potentially, other pending cases that could result in criminal charges this year could complicate his campaign ambitions. A first debate among Republican candidates is set for 23 August. A trial for the New York attorney general lawsuit targeting Mr Trump, his adult children and his business is slated to begin in October. And he is scheduled to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on 25 March days after voting begins in primary states. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former CIA director John Brennan has branded Lindsey Graham a spineless coward for defending Donald Trump over his alleged mishandling of secret documents. Mr Brennan, who ran the spy agency under Barack Obama, attacked the US Senator from South Carolina for backing the former president who has been indicted on a string of federal criminal charges. During an appearance on MSNBC Mr Brennan was asked if he viewed Mr Trump as a threat to the United States, and replied, He is definitely a threat, a major danger to our national security, he has been for many years and will continue to be. That is why I find it so, so disheartening and It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey Graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump. Those are the words of a spineless coward, quite frankly, who is frightened by Donald Trump and is frightened by those individuals who still cling to an image of Donald Trump as being this very strong leader, which he is not. On Monday Mr Trump flew from New Jersey to Miami where he will appear in a federal courthouse on Tuesday for his arraignment on 37 charges over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. The former president is accused of hoarding troves of classified papers, including national defence information, at his Mar-a-Lago home and private club. John Brennan on Lindsey Graham, "It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump. Those are the words of a spineless coward." pic.twitter.com/qQxc8vE3yI Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) June 12, 2023 And Mr Brennan condemned Mr Trump for his alleged mishandling of the countrys secrets. Anybody who continues to support Donald Trump for any kind of political office is ignoring what the facts and reality have demonstrated to all of us, this is a man who didnt care about our national security, he said. His actions and behaviour continue to put this country at risk and American citizens at risk. He has no interest in doing anything except that which will advance his own political craven interests. This indictment reveals in very vivid detail just how dangerous he is to our future. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps supporters and many Republican officials contend that the former president is the target of a politically weaponised justice system that has ignored similar alleged crimes committed by his rivals. Lock her up chants directed at Hillary Clinton still dominate GOP rallies. House Republicans have launched committees to investigate the sitting president and his family. But in classified documents cases involving President Joe Biden and former vice president Mike Pence, both men cooperated with federal law enforcement and returned those records. Ms Clinton was not found to have deliberately mishandled classified information or obstruct justice in the recovery of communications. Mr Trump, according to prosecutors, did exactly that. A federal indictment details the alleged coordination among Mr Trump, his aides and attorneys to bring documents to his Mar-a-Lago property and, later, conceal them from law enforcement when US officials sought their return. His alleged refusal and obstruction is at the centre of the 37-count indictment against him. On 13 June, Mr Trump appeared for his arraignment in a Miami federal courthouse on the 37 charges where he pleaded not guilty to all counts. The indictment lays out more than 40 pages of allegations based on witness testimony and recordings allegedly showing how the former president sought to hide and keep classified documents by conspiring with his aides to obstruct an investigation into their recovery, then lied to both the government and his own attorneys about them. He faces 31 counts of willful retention of national defence information in violation of the Espionage Act, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Each count represents a different top-secret document Mr Trump held at his Mar-a-Lago property, months after he left the White House in January 2021. The indictment does not include charges connected to dozens of other documents that he ultimately did return in the course of investigations surrounding the case underscoring some of the key differences between his prosecution and those involving the former vice presidents. Late last year, a lawyer for Mr Biden discovered a small number of classified documents from his time as vice president under then-President Barack Obama during a search of a Washington DC office space. Those documents were returned to the Justice Department. Another batch of documents were discovered at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Federal law enforcement agents found more when they searched the property. Trump had 'blatant disregard for rules', says ex homeland security official In January, US Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel to investigate those documents, which is still ongoing. No charges have been filed. The Justice Department also closed an investigation into Mr Pence earlier this month after the discovery of classified material at his home in Indiana. There were no allegations of obstruction or the willful retention of such documents, and no charges were brought against him. And in Ms Clintons case, then-FBI director James Comey said she was extremely careless with her handling of sensitive information, but law enforcement officials found no clear evidence that she intentionally obstructed justice or committed any other crimes in connection with the server. He said no reasonable prosecutor would have brought a case against her. Those findings stand in stark contrast to the allegations in the indictment against Mr Trump, who is accused of actively concealing documents and even suggesting that a lawyer hide them or falsely state to authorities that all requested records were returned, while hundreds remained at his property. None of the nearly 200 documents that Mr Trump ultimately returned to authorities are connected to the charges against him, suggesting that if he had returned them in the first place, he may not face criminal prosecution. In January of last year, a year after leaving the White House after losing his 2020 re-election bid, Mr Trump gave 15 boxes of documents to the National Archives and Records Administration, as required under the Presidential Records Act. The agency wrote to Mr Trump in May 2021 noting that some documents were missing, noting that there are certain paper/textual records that we cannot account for. Around that same time, according to the indictment, Mr Trump directed aides to clear a storage room on the ground floor of Mar-a-Lago. More than 80 boxes were moved there, according to prosecutors. A few months later, he allegedly showed a plan of attack document prepared by the US Department of Defense to a group at his Bedminster, New Jersey club. As president I could have declassified it, he said, according to a transcript of a recorded conversation in the indictment. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret. The National Archives received 15 boxes from Mr Trump in January 2022, 14 of which contained classified materials, according to prosecutors. Among them, 67 were marked confidential, 92 were marked secret and 25 were marked top secret. The next month, the agency alerted the US Department of Justice that classified information was discovered in those boxes. It was then that a criminal investigation surrounding the former president started to build not from the results of the National Archives and its ultimately successful recovery of 15 boxes. A federal grand jury was opened in April of last year. In the weeks and months that followed, Mr Trumps aide Walt Nauta began moving more than a dozen boxes out of the storage room, according to the indictment. Mr Nauta also is charged in connection with the case. On 3 June of last year, Mr Trumps then-attorney Christina Bobb falsely certified to federal law enforcement that the former presidents legal team performed a diligent search for any and all responsive documents at his property, and that no other classified documents were found, according to prosecutors. The Justice Department received 38 documents in that file, including 17 marked top secret, 16 labeled secret and five others marked as confidential. Meanwhile, Mr Nauta and others loaded several boxes onto a plane that Mr Trump boarded out of his Florida home, according to the indictment. In August, FBI agents performed a search of Mar-a-Lago and discovered more than 100 classified documents among hundreds of government documents and photographs. In the documents outlined in the indictment, at least two of which involved nuclear secrets according to an inventory listed in the indictment, 21 were discovered by FBI agents who searched Mar-a-Lago. Ten others were turned over to federal authorities last June in response to a grand jury subpoena. Others involved intelligence briefings, foreign military activity, communication with foreign leaders, foreign military impacts on US interests, and communications with a foreign leader. According to prosecutors, Mr Trump conspired to conceal documents from a grand jury and federal officials, by suggesting that his attorneys make false statements to authorities, by moving boxes of documents to hide from attorneys, by suggesting that documents be hidden or destroyed, and by falsely certifying that classified documents were produced to authorities when, in fact, they had not. Prosecutors are expected to present compelling evidence that the former president knowingly and deliberately misled his attorneys about his retention of sensitive documents He also appears, on a tape, six months after leaving office, saying that a document in his possession was classified, highly confidential and secret information while admitting that he was not able to declassify it, because he was no longer president undercutting a critical part of his public defence over the last several months. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Insurrections, election deniers, a man dressed as Uncle Sam and an individual with a pig head impaled on a stick all appeared outside the Miami courthouse to either protest, celebrate, or just experience former President Donald Trump becoming the first former commander-in-chief to be placed under arrest on federal charges. One protester was tackled to the ground and arrested after running out in front of Mr Trumps motorcade as he left the court. Miami Police briefly blocked off a plaza in front of the courthouse on Tuesday morning. The authorities moved members of the public and the media across the street from the court as a suspicious package was investigated. The all-clear was given shortly after 11.30am on Tuesday. According to Nicole Ninsalata of WSVN, a bomb squad responded to the sidewalk outside the courthouse, where a flatscreen TV with yellow wires coming out of the back was spotted. Two men were spotted hanging the TV, which said, f*** the communist controlled news media. The TV was later investigated because nobody claimed it, according to the Miami New Times. Protesters and supporters of Mr Trump began clashing ahead of the arraignment with video emerging of arguments where police stepped in. As Mr Trump arrived in Florida on Monday night, footage shared on Twitter appeared to show Trump supporters confronting a man holding anti-Trump signs. Chaos erupted on Tuesday after a protester jumped in front of Mr Trumps motorcade as he left the federal courthouse after pleading not guilty to the 37 counts against him. In an interview with The Independent before the incident took place, the protester identified himself as Domenic Santana. Protester Dominic Santana is detained by Miami Police officers after attempting to rush former President Donald Trump's motorcade (Getty Images) Dominic Santana of Miami is detained by Miami police after trying to block former President Donald Trump's motorcade (Getty Images) Miami Police officers control a crowd after detaining protester Dominic Santana, who attempted to rush former President Donald Trump's motorcade (Getty Images) Speaking about why he was at the court, he said: Hopefully, someday he has to be locked up. He should have been locked up a long, long time ago. Hes gotten away with it. Hes the master of spin, either graduate from New York School of Rats and he has a masters degree and he knows how to spin it. Hes going to spin it on this one. Its political. Its because Im running for president that theyre accusing me. He has his case made up. He doesnt need lawyers to defend him. He already knows the spin. Before the election, Oh, if I lose its because of fraud. That day he lost Oh, fraud, fraud fraud. His Attorney General There was no fraud. Youre fired, the next day. Come on. Enough is enough, Mr Santana added. Footage from the scene appeared to show Mr Santana being tackled to the ground and arrested. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Santana told the Sun Sentinel that supporters of Mr Trump came for me. They were calling me a communist. Trump is a rat who graduated from the school of rats. He should have been locked up a long, long time ago. Mr Santana is a Cuban-American retiree, according to the Palm Beach Post. He said he came to the court to confront Mr Trumps cult-like following. These charges are just the beginning of his lies. On Monday evening, police separated Mr Santana from the crowd following a confrontation with supporters of the former president. Mr Santana, who lives in Miami, showed up at the courthouse the next day in the same old-school prison outfit and carrying his Lock him up sign. He should have been locked up a long time ago, he reiterated, according to the Miami New Times. Ahead of the arraignment, former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon appeared to be worried about anti-Trump protesters during his programme on Real Americas Voice, a rightwing broadcaster. If youre asking for trouble, you let these two groups get together because the Never Trump, the anti-Trump and Antifa, BLM, are violent people, he claimed. And theyre always there to get in peoples faces. Theyre always there to try to pick fights. And Im just an observer here anchoring in Washington DC, but I gotta tell you, Im not enthusiastic about what Im seeing down there on the crowd control. I think that were just asking for problems and what we dont want today are problems. Miami Police investigate a suspicious item near the media area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Getty Images) Miami Police investigate a suspicious item near the media area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Getty Images) This thing we want to get in and out of, and I hope the Miami authorities and others do the job that the NYPD does, he added in reference to Mr Trumps arraignment earlier this year in a separate case. On Tuesday, supporters of Mr Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis were seen outside the courthouse in a shouting match over Covid-19 vaccines and Mr Trumps response to the pandemic. Osmany Estrada garnered plenty of attention as his pig head baked in the 100-degree Florida sun. Im here to have fun, he told reporters, footage tweeted by Freedom News showed. When questioned about the pig head, he said: Whats wrong with the pig head hes happy, look at that! He pointed at the head with an American flag sticking out of its mouth, impaled at the end of a wooden pole, noting that the head was a reference to Lord of the Flies. When asked if he supported Mr Trump, he said, Im here to have fun, Im here to celebrate American democracy. Osmany Estrada (L) holds a pigs head as he and Gregg Donovan gather outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse (Getty Images) Election denier and 2022 Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake also appeared outside the Miami courthouse. Speaking to Real Americas Voice, she regurgitated many of Mr Trumps talking points. We need to show President Trump that we've got his back, he has had our back since he came down that escalator almost eight years to the date, she said. They have thrown everything at him ... impeachment hoax number one impeachment hoax number two, Russiagate. It's really just an effort to continue to disparage the one man who was standing up for we the people, she added. We need a president who's gonna stand up for the people he's not owned by the donor class. He's not owned by the lobbyists. He's not owned by the establishment. He is working for us. And we're here to support him and tell him we know what this is it's another witch hunt. We know he's an innocent man. Trump lawyer Alina Habba chose instead to focus on President Joe Biden being found to have had classified documents at his home and office, a case legal experts have said is vastly different from that of Mr Trump and is unlikely to lead to legal action. Joe Biden himself retained possession of classified documents but has not been prosecuted. And none of them came into possession of those documents while they were president. None of them were president, who, as the head and sole member of the executive branch, has the power to summarily declassify documents, she said. The decision to pursue charges against President Trump, while turning a blind eye to others, is emblematic of the corruption that we have here. We are at a turning point in our nation's history. The targeted prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships, like Cuba, and Venezuela. It is commonplace there for rival candidates to be prosecuted, persecuted, and put into jail. What is being done to President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country. These are not the ideals that our democracy is founded upon. This is not our America. Comedian Jason Scoop showed up to do his impression of the former president. Election denier and Trump supporter Laura Loomer, a far-right commentator, claimed the legal action against Mr Trump came at this time because hes stronger than ever, according to the Miami New Times. Trump supporters and protesters clashed, and the chant Trump is a d***, could subsequently be heard. One man baselessly called President Joe Biden a paedophile, possibly in reference to the Qanon conspiracy theory. GOP presidential Vivek Ramaswamy spoke outside the court, slamming the indictment and saying that he would pardon Mr Trump if he becomes president. Proud Boy associate and MAGA rapper Forgiato Blow called the legal proceedings against Mr Trump a witch hunt. A man named Xavier, who appeared to have clashed with Trump supporters the previous evening, prompting police to step in, showed up with a sign on Tuesday saying Trump f***** half of America, and a hat stating f*** Ron DeSantis. Far-right agitator Anthime Gionet, who goes under the name Baked Alaska, was also spotted outside the court. He was charged after he livestreamed his presence at the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. One Trump supporter appeared on Fox Business saying that Hunter Biden, started the war on Ukraine five years ago. The largely peaceful protests came after Miami officials assured the public that they would have everything under control ahead of Mr Trumps court appearance. Speaking at a press conference at Miami police headquarters on Tuesday morning, Mayor Francis Suarez said the city was enacting plans to make sure that everyone has a right to peacefully express themselves and exercise their constitutional rights in an obviously peaceful manner. Miami Police on bicycles cordon off an area due to a suspicious device near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse (Getty Images) In our city, we obviously believe in the Constitution and believe that people should have the right to express themselves. But we also believe in law and order. And we know that and we hope that tomorrow will be peaceful. We encourage people to be peaceful in demonstrating how they feel. And were going to have the adequate forces necessary to ensure that, he said at the time. Mr Suarez, who is rumoured to be planning to enter the 2024 Republican presidential primary himself, declined to criticise the ex-presidents rhetoric and said he has not spoken to Mr Trump to ask him to retract his calls for protest, despite the former presidents history of inciting violence. I have not spoken to him. I dont have his phone number, he said. Mr Suarez appeared to compare the events of January 6 and the potential violence that could ensue on Tuesday to the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in the summer of 2020. He said city and state law enforcement officials handled those protests without incident and called the response to those events a model for how to deal with those protests in the country. We did things not to create unnecessary confrontations. We gave people a space to express themselves without unnecessarily creating confrontations. In that moment, in that particular case, we had a curfew that we implemented. We had a variety of different resources that we used, that I thought were different than other cities in America, and they allowed us to deescalate without creating incidents, he said. Vocal Trump opponent Nabine Seiler holds a sign that reads "Trump Indicted Again" outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse (Getty Images) I have full faith and confidence that our department will have the right action plan and will have the right resources in place. In the right place to make sure that there are no incidents, he said. But Mr Suarez repeatedly declined to address concerns about the possibility that the same violent extremist groups that responded to Mr Trumps call for protests in 2021 would again come to support him on Tuesday. He also told reporters there would be no effort to separate protesters and counterprotesters and said law enforcement would not be erecting any hardened barrier around the courthouse because thats what freedom of speech is. Because the courthouse is a federal facility, Department of Homeland Security personnel there began to take some precautions for potential protests on Monday. A Trump supporter shows his support in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, Florida on June 13, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images) Trump supporters show their support in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, Florida on June 13, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images) Outside the building where Mr Trump was later arraigned, marked police vehicles belonging to the Federal Protective could be seen parked strategically in areas not already rendered inaccessible to cars with concrete bollards and other preexisting vehicle barriers, blocking a path from the street onto courthouse property. Groups of FPS officers, some leading explosive detection dogs, could be seen congregating in areas where shade from trees could shield them from the hot Florida sun. Around 10.30am, other officers began positioning moveable barriers and stretching police tape to cordon off a wide swath of the courthouse lawn from public access in preparation for possible demonstrations by Mr Trumps supporters, should any heed the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-presidents call for protests on the day of his arraignment. One FPS officer who asked not to be identified told The Independent that he and his colleagues were hopeful that the crowd would remain peaceful, but said they were aware that things could go south quickly. Were prepared for anything but were hoping there wont be any trouble, he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Law enforcement agencies and extremism researchers are closely monitoring online threats and escalating rhetoric surrounding Donald Trumps arraignment as the former president formally faces federal criminal charges in a sweeping indictment connected to his possession of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property. Mr Trump continues to deny wrongdoing, casting the multiple investigations and lawsuits involving him, his campaign or business empire as a hoax, a fraud or a politically motivated hit job against him or his agenda, while using apocalyptic rhetoric and furious social media posts to draw support to his 2024 campaign fund and legal efforts. On Truth Social, the former president sent a barrage of posts and videos declaring his innocence and urging his followers to face his political enemies. On 9 June, he wrote: SEE YOU IN MIAMI ON TUESDAY!!! Our country has to protest, he said on The Roger Stone Show on 11 June. He also shared a meme with a caption reading THIS IS NOT A GAME, THIS IS WAR. On pro-Trump message board Patriots.win, formerly The Donald, a site that was central to organising riots on January 6, supporters have declared war, said protests could make Waco look like a tea party, and said that this is what the Second Amendment was made for. I used to laugh when my mom said that she was afraid if she registered Republican she may be arrested one day. Im not laughing any more, one user wrote. Just buying more ammo. Speaking at a Republican event in Georgia on 9 June, failed Republican candidate for Arizona governor Kari Lake suggested that armed Americans would stop Mr Trumps prosecution. If you want to get to President Trump, youre going to have to go through me and 75 million Americans just like me, she said. And Im going to tell you, most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA Thats not a threat, thats a public service announcement. Department of Homeland Security police place tape off an area in front of the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr federal courthouse in Miami on 12 June (Getty Images) Republican US Rep Andy Biggs of Arizona said on his congressional Twitter account that we have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye, he said. His office later said that his comment was a call for congressional Republicans to use their procedural tools to counter the Lefts weaponization of our federal law enforcement apparatus. Republican US Rep Clay Higgins of Louisiana also posted a cryptic message on Twitter, suggesting that people should prepare for civil disturbance. This is a perimeter probe from the oppressors. Hold. rPOTUS has this, Mr Biggs said on 9 June following news of Mr Trumps indictment. rPOTUS if online shorthand for real president of the United States. Buckle up. 1/50K know your bridges, added Mr Higgins,making an apparent reference to military-scale maps and Rock steady calm. That is all, he wrote. The following day, his account appeared to admit to exploiting press outlets by using incendiary rhetoric to help amplify his message, then called for peace and told his followers to let Trump handle this. Patriots, weve manipulated the MSM to establish deep commo, now copy this do NOT trip the wire theyve laid for you. Maintain your family. Live your life. Know your bridges. Hold, he wrote on 10 June. Let Trump handle Trump, hes got this. We use the Constitution as our only weapon. Peace. Hold, he added. The involvement of members of Congress, prominent political figures, and Trump himself in promoting, inciting, and even hinting at violence is a risk factor for acts of political violence, according to extremism researcher Caroline Orr. Far-right activist and failed congressional candidate Laura Loomer also announced plans on social media for a peaceful rally at the federal courthouse and asked demonstrators to bring pro-Trump apparel, bullhorns and love for the former president. She also shared an image of Mr Trumps SEE YOU IN MIAMI post and added an image of the court, the courts address and the caption ALL HANDS ON DECK and Trump Document Hoax Rally. Ms Loomer and other supporters also promoted a flag waving demonstration outside Trump National Doral on 12 June. Authorities will be closely monitoring both events; a Miami-Dade Homeland Security Bureau issued an advisory including Ms Loomers promotion of the flag waving event. On Telegram, a Florida chapter of the neo-fascist gang the Proud Boys called on supporters to rally outside the federal courthouse and to bring a banner supporting Trump. After the former president told his Truth Social followers SEE YOU IN MIAMI on 13 June, the Proud Boys group shared the post, adding YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS. The group reacted similarly to Mr Trumps stand back and stand by message to the Proud Boys during a 2020 presidential debate. Law enforcement are aware of the messages, according to an advisory viewed by The Washington Post. At least one person convicted for their roles in connection with the attack on the Capitol will join the protests. Baked Alaska a white nationalist livestreamer who was convicted on a count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building after he filmed himself for more than 30 minutes inside the halls of Congress on January 6 suggested on a recent stream that he plans to join protests in Miami. Homeland Securitys current nationwide advisory as of 24 May notes that lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent and lethal threat to the US, echoing similar language in the National Terrorism Advisory System that have been in place for several years as federal agencies monitor a rise in far-right violence. Those threats could include violent extremist messaging and online calls for violence, motivated by perceptions of the 2024 general election cycle and legislative or judicial decisions pertaining to sociopolitical issues, according to the advisory. Potential target could include critical infrastructure, faith-based institutions, individuals or events associated with the LGBTQIA+ community, schools, racial and ethnic minorities, and government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement. Before Mr Trumps arraignment in a criminal court in New York City in April, news of the charges and his demands for his followers to protest outside the courthouse were met with an immediate increase in violent online rhetoric and expressed threats toward government and law enforcement targets perceived as participating in a political persecution of the former president, as well as more general calls for civil war, according to coalition of federal law enforcement agencies monitoring such threats. And across far-right social media accounts and message boards, his messages and his ongoing, bogus narrative of his political persecution appeared to be the evidence his followers needed to support long-running conspiracy theories that Democratic officials and President Joe Bidens administration have weaponised the federal government against him. Only a few dozen of his supporters ultimately showed up in Manhattan, outnumbered by reporters and news crews there to capture the historic arraignment. Unlike the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, which was organised openly across social media platforms, discussion of protesting Mr Trumps first indictment largely revolved around denouncing the investigations and Democratic officials. In the New York case, prominent QAnon influencers and Trump loyalists including figures who were once central to the Stop the Steal effort that fuelled the crowds before the riot in the halls of Congress two years ago expressed some sceptism over the former presidents demands, or refused to participate in his defence at all. Others claimed that the whole thing was a deep state or false flag setup intended to lure his supporters to their own arrest. At a rally in Georgia on 10 June, Mr Trump once again sought to portray himself as well as his supporters as the victims of a Democratic regime while rejecting the seriousness of the crimes he now faces. Theyve launched one witch hunt after another to try and stop our movement, to thwart the will of the American people, he said. Theyre coming after you. Outside the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr federal courthouse in downtown Miami on 12 June, marked police vehicles belonging to the Federal Protective Service could be seen parked strategically in areas not already rendered inaccessible to cars with concrete bollards and other preexisting vehicle barriers, blocking a path from the street onto courthouse property. Groups of FPS officers, some leading explosive detection dogs, could be seen congregating in areas where shade from trees could shield them from the hot Florida sun. Around 10.30am, other officers began positioning moveable barriers and stretching police tape to cordon off a wide swath of the courthouse lawn from public access in preparation for possible demonstrations by Mr Trumps supporters, should any heed the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-presidents call for protests on the day of his arraignment. Were prepared for anything but were hoping there wont be any trouble, one FPS officer who asked not to be identified told The Independent. Additional reporting by Andrew Feinberg Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The rebellion in the House Republican conference may have taken a pause for now, but its clear that there is no love lost between the two factions. That was the conclusion one could draw from a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday, where Rep Derrick Van Ordern of Wisconsin is reported to have gone on a tirade against a small faction of far-right members who successfully held up the GOPs legislative agenda last week over their dissatisfaction with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Republican House speaker, not yet even a year into holding the gavel, faces growing resentment from members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Matt Gaetz, over his apparent refusal to seek more extreme concessions from Joe Biden and the Democrats during negotiations to raise the debt ceiling. The compromise legislation that passed both the House and Senate only a short time before the US was due to default on its outstanding obligations was opposed by some on the wings of both parties, though it sailed through with the support of Republicans and Democrats. Resentment boiled over into full-scale opposition last week as a handful of GOP members, including Mr Gaetz and his fellows Republicans like Chip Roy, blocked legislation from making it to the floor, including a messaging bill that would block the Biden administration from using any federal funds to prohibit or curtail the sale of gas stoves (though no such efforts are underway). On Monday, Mr McCarthy was reported by Politicos Playbook newsletter to have reached a deal to end the impasse with those lawmakers while promising to include them in the decision-making process. But that didnt sit well with Mr Van Ordern, who reportedly went off on his rebellious colleagues Tuesday morning. Noting, according to CNN, that he shows up to work every f***ing day despite his daughter undergoing late-stage cancer treatment, Mr Van Ordern reportedly drew applause from Republicans in the room who shared his frustration. He was just frustrated about being up here last week and not legislating any bills on the floor, another GOP lawmaker told The Hill. Mr Van Orderns office did not immediately return a request for further comment from The Independent. Mr McCarthy became speaker of the House in January after surviving a process to elect him that took more than a dozen votes and lasted late into the night. His speakership has ever since been characterised as tenuous thanks to concessions he is reported to have made to conservatives in his own party, including lowering the threshold required to begin the process of his replacement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When he announced his campaign for president in February, it may have been easy to dismiss Vivek Ramaswamys unlikely candidacy as a vanity bid put on by a rich man looking to raise his profile, position himself for a Cabinet slot or build a mailing list for a future run for a less-prestigious office. Many of the GOP insiders The Independent spoke to before heading to New Hampshire to cover Ramaswamy had kind things to say about his anti-woke, anti-Environmental, Social and Governance crusading, but were reluctant to say he was more than another rich guy cosplaying as a political candidate. While he does fit that mould, upon a cursory examination, its much harder to dismiss Ramaswamy once you see him campaign. One of his first major appearances as a political candidate a speech at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference at a Prince Georges County, Maryland convention centre demonstrated his undeniable political oratory skills. He had announced his presidential campaign only a week or so earlier, and was given a mid-afternoon speaking slot commensurate with his status as a newcomer whod never before held office. The first-time candidate used his 15 minutes on the CPAC stage to work the relatively paltry crowd into a frenzy, garnering rounds of applause as loud and enthusiastic those observed for far more popular figures in the conservative political-media universe. Vivek Ramaswamy at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland in March (Getty Images) He threw out red meat zingers about dismantling the FBI and ending affirmative action on day one of his administration, but he also talked about the national unity Republicans could achieve by winning such an overwhelming landslide in next years election that they could run roughshod over whatever Democratic rump remained in Congress. The crowd at CPAC lapped it up, and while he hasnt reached a level of support that would enable him to make a serious challenge to Mr Trump, in recent opinion polls his support has equaled or bettered that of more well-known figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie. He trails behind Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, but is hoping to make inroads as the campaign progresses. At least two GOP campaign operatives suggested at different times that his campaign is a manifestation of pro-Trump intraparty sabotage an operation meant to further split the Republican field to the ex-presidents benefit. He was even asked about this possibility at one of his events. He denied it, of course, and its hard to see why hed go through the trouble of putting together a full campaign team, dumping a seven-figure sum from his own pockets into his campaigns coffers, and put himself out there just to benefit another candidate especially one who is known not to return favours or have much loyalty to anyone but himself. There was a time, not long ago, when the idea of a 37-year-old without a day of experience in elected office making a run for the highest office in the land would have been written off as the stuff of delusion or at best, a pitch for a Saturday Night Live skit. For better or worse, Donald Trumps ascent from reality television host to the summit of American power seems to have permanently upended the notion that experience and traditional qualifications for office are what voters crave in their chief executive, leading to an influx of wealthy gadflies and other long-shots making their entries into presidential politics in hopes of replicating his unlikely journey. I dont think that we all say lets show up at the 50 yard line, hold hands, compromise, sing Kumbaya, and thats how we get on with it Vivek Ramaswamy With an estimated net worth of roughly $630m gained largely from a string of investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology startups Ramaswamy certainly qualifies as uber-wealthy. He has been a fixture on Fox News and other right-wing networks during the Biden era, and hes made a name for himself as a crusader against all things woke through a string of books lambasting efforts to tackle racism and increase diversity in the corporate ranks, as well as stakeholder capitalism and the use of ESG criteria by investors and asset managers. His campaign has been prolific in online fundraising, and when the Republican National Committee announced debate participation criteria that requires candidates to garner donations from more than 40,000 individuals, he easily met that threshold. And while he may be caught in Mr Trumps shadow this time, he clearly possesses some raw political abilities that could serve him well should he choose to remain in electoral politics after this election cycle. At a New Hampshire diner, it was clear that Ramaswamy, whose middle-class upbringing in Ohio gave way to elite education at Harvard University and Yale Law School, knew how to work the room. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to Granite State Republicans at a Concord, New Hampshire diner on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) Both on the stump and in one-on-one conversations, he projects preternatural confidence, rattling off complex answers about his view of how hed govern as president. He laced his remarks with a far more positive air than the GOP frontrunner, who constantly claims that America without him at the helm is a nation in decline. Though he hardly ever mentioned Mr Trumps name, Ramaswamy took direct aim at the ex-presidents pessimistic outlook on the United States, telling the diner crowd that he doesnt believe that description has to fit America. Instead, he describes the country he wants to lead as going through adolescence with the accompanying crises of self-confidence. I really think were just a little young, actually, as a country, going through our own version of adolescence, figuring out who were really going to be when we grow up You go through adolescence, you go through an identity crisis, you go through self doubt, you lose your confidence. You lose your sense of who you are. But we get to adulthood stronger on the other I think where we are as a country, I dont think we have to be in decline. I think we might be in our ascent, he said. Yet for all his optimism and self-confidence, the first-time candidate also showed signs that he may be in over his head. Ukraine peace plan Ramaswamys predilection for right-wing rhetorical tropes over a solid command of the facts became further evident when the topic of discussion turned to the reason Ramaswamys campaign had invited The Independent to ride along with him in New Hampshire: His plan to end Russias war against Ukraine. That conflict, the worst land war on the European continent since the defeat of Nazi Germany, is, according to most experts, one born out of Russian President Vladimir Putins arrogance and epic miscalculations of how the West would respond to an all-out effort to topple the pro-western government in Kyiv. While those on the more traditional side of the Republican Party field such as Pence and former South Carolina governor turned UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, have been steadfast supporters of US efforts to bolster Ukraines defence forces, Ramaswamys more populist instincts have him hewing closer to the side of Trump, who, as the invasion kicked off last year, praised Mr Putins aggression as genius. The basic premise of his peace plan is that the US should somehow force Ukraine to accept massive territorial concessions from Russia, and at the same time induce Russia to exit its longstanding relationship China and make some other concessions in exchange for control of a big chunk of Ukraine and sanctions relief. Ramaswamy claims this plan would cleave in two what he describes as a mutual defence pact between Moscow and Beijing based on a two-decade-old Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries and the no limits partnership Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced early last year. Yet neither the decades-old Sino-Russian agreement nor the five-year extension of it announced by Putin and Xi last year amount to a Nato-style defence agreement in the mould of the North Atlantic Treaty, despite Ramaswamys claims to the contrary. He also suggests that in exchange for the sanctions relief and formalised control over Crimea and the Donesks region of Ukraine, Russia would be induced to cease its use of Kaliningrad, a small exclave on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania, for basing nuclear-capable weapons systems. One Russia expert who spoke to The Independent actually laughed out loud when asked about the topic of Kaliningrad. The expert noted that the city is the home base for Russias Baltic Fleet, the countrys only ice-free seaport, and part of the hard-won spoils awarded to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The longtime foreign policy scholar, who asked not to be identified because they dont want to get pulled into GOP primary politics, said the mere suggestion that Russia would ever give up Kaliningrad calls into question whether Ramaswamy has thought through his plan or ran it by any actual experts before going public with it. I dont know the answer to that question Vivek Ramaswamy The Independent followed Ramaswamy over the course of his three morning events. He embodies a particularly Trumpian archetype a charismatic, telegenic personality with an Ivy League pedigree and raw political talent who, upon closer examination, appears to have bitten off more than he can chew. During a brief interview with a correspondent from CBS News who had come to Concord, New Hampshire, for his second event of the day a roundtable with New Hampshire legislators Ramaswamy drew attention to another part of his plan. He told CBS that part of the Western end of the deal would be for the US to announce an end to any military aid to Ukraine or even former Soviet Union bloc states. Ending aid to Ukraine puts him firmly in the Trumpian part of the GOP field, but the second part of his statement raised eyebrows for a different reason. In the three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union, the vast majority of former Warsaw Pact countries have elected to become full members of Nato. Ramaswamys off-the-cuff remark to CBS went even further than what hed suggested in prepared remarks, which indicated that he planned to call for Nato to pull back from bases in Eastern Europe that had been built up in the years following Russias illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. As we left the Concord hotel where his campaign had reserved the room for the legislator roundtable, The Independent asked who had advised him when he was formulating his Ukraine policy. He said the thesis of the proposal came from him, but he also suggested that there were others involved, but he declined to name any of his foreign policy advisers, citing concerns for their privacy. Back in the SUV and en route to his third morning event, this reporter pointed out to him that he had essentially called for the United States to abandon mutual defence commitments to nations that were members in good standing of Nato. At first, he appeared not to understand the question. When The Independent explained that most of the former Soviet Bloc nations are now part of the 31-member defensive alliance, he attempted to walk back his call for the US to abandon those countries and said he had been just speaking fast during his interview. He said that what he meant to say was that the US should stop aid to former Warsaw Pact countries that are not part of Nato, even though the only signatory to that defunct treat that has not joined Nato is Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stands in a makeshift television studio for an appearance on right-wing television network Real Americas Voice on 2 June 2023 (Andrew Feinberg / The Independent) The vision he was articulating a wholesale abandonment of Ukraine as a way to appease Russia and induce Moscow to break from its partnership with China may not have made complete sense in terms of the details, but it became clear as The Independent followed Ramaswamy throughout the day that his intended audience isnt foreign policy gurus or detail-obsessed journalists. At every stop, each time he mentioned the idea of giving up support for Ukraine as a wedge against China, he was greeted with applause. War against the administrative state Over the course of the day, the Yale Law School graduate repeatedly offered his take on how to address the most Trumpian of boogeymen, a freedom-sucking villain he calls the administrative state. For years, Republicans have railed against the very idea of a nonpartisan civil service, staffed by career professionals who, like all federal officials, swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. In the last days of the Trump administration, the outgoing president even proposed to create a new category of federal employee who could be fired at will and move tens of thousands of career experts, scientists, and anyone with a role that so much as touches policy formulation, into that category so they could be fired and replaced with loyalists. More than one GOP candidate in the 2024 primary has suggested reviving that proposal, known as Schedule F. But Ramaswamy wants to go even further. In almost every public appearance, he says he will eliminate the Department of Education and other federal agencies that are viewed as enemies of the conservative movement, including the FBI and much of the rest of the federal intelligence and law enforcement apparatus. One aspect of his plan would be somehow ditching the century-old civil service laws in favour of establishing an eight-year term limit for federal employees, a category that could encompass anyone from the National Park Service groundskeeper who cuts the grass at the White House, to the people who process Social Security applications and cut the checks, to the IRS employees who make sure Americans get their tax refunds on time. But to Ramaswamy, theyre bureaucrats who need to be reined in from acting as a fourth branch of government, even though most federal agencies operate under the supervision of one or more Senate-confirmed appointees who are named by the President himself. In Ramaswamys view, only when the US president has unilaterally eliminated the nations top law enforcement agency and the agency responsible for writing safety regulations for nuclear power plants can America stand up with a spine to actual threats on the world stage. Also ripe for a root-and-branch uprooting, he says, is the managerial class at the Pentagon, who he blamed for wokeness in a military he described as failing. When this reporter finally had a chance to ask him about the legal underpinnings of his plans to gut the majority of the federal government, his reply opened up even more chilling possibilities. He first opined that the Supreme Courts landmark 1984 opinion in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc which states that courts should defer to federal agencies interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes was wrong, a not uncommon belief among Trump-era conservatives whod like agencies to have less power to enact regulations they dislike. But he quickly went even further, telling The Independent that the Chevron decision has become an excuse for sidestepping the nondelegation doctrine and opining further that Congress legislate lawmaking authority to an administrative agency. In essence, what Ramaswamy was saying is that most if not all federal programmes and laws enacted since the Supreme Court stopped using nondelegation in 1935, are unconstitutional. Taken at face value, this would mean much of the federal infrastructure we take for granted, including the Federal Reserve, New Deal creations such as Social Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, would simply vanish if he had his way. When asked if his aim was to party like its 1934 a reference to the last time the high court struck down a statute using the non-delegation doctrine, he replied: I do, but maybe even earlier, like 1922. The Independent pressed him to elaborate further by asking if he was saying that he wants to roll back the entire New Deal the architecture on which the modern United States was built. He said rolling it back was his domestic policy priority. And more than that, the legacy of it the Great Society thereafter set into motion its own metastasis of the administrative state, he added, referring to the suite of Lyndon Johnson-era programmes including Medicare, Medicaid, and host of other federal initiatives that were enacted as part of Johnsons War on Poverty. What Ramaswamy was proposing would be the fulfillment of a dream held by Republicans going back nearly a full century, to when the Supreme Courts switch in time that saved nine stopped getting in the way of Franklin Delano Roosevelts economic programmes. Trump, who spent much of his presidency railing against the deep state and trying to expand the limits of executive power far beyond what had ever been considered, had made an attempt to downsize the government through consolidating a few executive departments and eliminating the Office of Personnel Management the independent agency charged with overseeing the civil service. But even Trump knew he had to do these things lawfully. His GOP allies in Congress introduced legislation to carry out the executive branch reorganisation he desired. It went nowhere, thanks to resistance from members of both parties in the House and Senate. Perhaps with that failure in mind, Ramaswamy wants to go further. In his view, the problem starts when Congress writes the federal budget each year. At multiple points during the day, he told Granite State residents how the administrative state somehow brought about a fiction that when Congress appropriates funds, these funds have to be spent. He also said hed force departments to run their annual budget requests through the White House perhaps not knowing that the budget request process has for decades been run through the White House, by way of the Office of Management and Budget, which is part of the Executive Office of the President. In his hypothetical administration, all this could be solved by changing the word shall in budget bills to may, leaving the choice of whether to spend any money to run entire departments up to him, and him alone. Barring that, he claimed that long-expired reorganisation powers last granted to Ronald Reagan could be revived somehow through executive fiat, and he said firing the entirety of the Department of Education could be done without running afoul of civil service laws if he only were able to eliminate agencies by decree with the support of a 6-3 GOP-appointed Supreme Court. The Independent asked him if he was explicitly stating that the court would give him the power to nullify entire swaths of the United States Code laying out the structure of the Executive Departments whole swaths of the government with histories dating back to the Washington Administration. After a long pause, for the first time that day, this reporter saw something previously unseen creep into view on Ramaswamys face: Doubt. I dont know the answer to that question, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A bride and groom were filmed cutting cake at their fairytale wedding hours before the night descended into catastrophe. A bus carrying dozens of Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffneys wedding guests overturned on Sunday night as it left the venue in Sydney, Australia, leaving 10 of their loved ones dead with 25 more injured. Emergency services were called to the Wine Country Drive in the Hunter Valley near the town of Greta at 11.30pm on Sunday after reports that a bus had rolled over at a roundabout. Police inspect a bus in its side near the town of Greta following a crash in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney (AP) The guests were pulled from the front windscreen by emergency services as they scrambled to save the passengers. Local MC Alex Tigani had posted a photo of the newlyweds cutting the cake on his Instagram story, hours before the fatal crash. Mr Tigani is understood to be among the injured receiving treatment at a local hospital, as reported by The Sun. A distressed guest told local media: It was a nice day, a pretty good wedding... fairytale stuff really... and we got the news that there had been a crash, and we all started panicking. The 58-year-old driver, Brett Button, has been in custody since the accident Sunday night and will appear in court on Tuesday on multiple charges of dangerous and negligent driving, a police statement said. Image shows the overturned bus which killed 10 people as it crashed (ABC/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images) NSW Police acting assistant commissioner Tracy Chapman said earlier: Were investigating all avenues of driver behaviour. She said there was sufficient information to charge the driver and added: Hes under arrest. Hes been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending. People place flowers next to a road some 500 meters from the site of a bus crash (AFP via Getty Images) NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb added that the driver was currently in the charging process and added she cannot imagine what [the family] must be feeling. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese offered his deepest sympathies to those that lost loved ones and thanked emergency services for their efforts at the scene. In a tweet from his account, he said: All Australians waking up to tragic news from the Hunter send our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those killed in this horrific bus tragedy. For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed. Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured. Thank you to all the first responders who rushed to the scene, and those continuing to assist and care for those affected by this tragedy. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. Now, police are searching a remote reservoir in Portugals the Algarve that he used to visit in a renewed effort to shed further light on the case. Follow all the latest updates on the Independents live blog German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. Christian Brueckner is serving seven years behind bars in Germany (Reuters) Three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the bed of her holiday apartment while her parents and family friends dined 180 feet away. Her two-year-old twin siblings were also in the apartment she went missing from. Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been searching for answers ever since. The Metropolitan Police took over the investigation, Operation Grange, in 2011 but they hit dead ends. There has not been another significant suspect in the case since 2007 until Brueckner. Who is Christian Brueckner? German prisoner Christian Brueckner is a prolific burglar and has been previously convicted for sex crimes against young girls. He was born in Germany in 1976 and moved to Portugal in his late teens. It is believed he lived there between 1995 and 2007 working in the food industry. Brueckner is described as being about 6ft tall, slim and white with short blond hair. Brueckner had reportedly been using a yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan in and around Praia da Luz (PA Archive) What are the accusations against him? Brueckner was declared a prime suspect in the case of the disappearance of Madeleine by Portuguese police in April 2022. Already in prison in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman, he has now also been charged with multiple sex offences which are alleged to have taken place between 2000 and 2007. Police in Germany claim to have concrete evidence that the British girl is dead though this has not been proven. A spokesperson from the Braunschweig prosecutors office previously said: The accused is the same person against whom charges were brought in connection with the disappearance of the then three-year-old British girl Madeleine Beth McCann. Specifically, the accused is charged with three offences of aggravated rape and two offences of sexual abuse of children. The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann continues. The charges mentioned do not relate to the McCann case. But in May German police claim to have found new evidence linked to Madeleine inside a van belonging to Brueckner. Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been searching for answers ever since her disappearance (PA Wire) How was he identified as a suspect? Brueckner had reportedly been using a yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan in and around Praia da Luz the Algarve resort where the McCanns were holidaying at the time Madeleine vanished. German prosecutors say telecomms data shows Brueckner received a phone call on 3 May 2007 near the Praia da Luz holiday apartment from which the three-year-old went missing, but he reportedly claims to have been miles from the scene with a young German woman. Brueckner, who has always denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance, insists he drove the woman, who was on holiday with her parents, to the airport in Faro for her return flight home the following day. They were stopped and photographed at a police roadblock, according to Sky News. When Portuguese police named Brueckner an arguido a formal suspect on 21 April last year, it was the first time they had identified an official suspect since 2007. Back then, they named Madeleines parents, Kate and Gerry McCann as suspects but both were later cleared. Brueckner is the first significant suspect in the case since 2007 (PA Media) Why is he in prison in Germany? In April 2022, Brueckner was jailed in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same resort - Praia da Luz - as where Madeleine went missing. Police in Germany, who are treating the case as a murder enquiry, believe Brueckner planned to rob the holiday apartment but moved on to a sexual motive. It is believed he has a total of 17 convictions including burglary as he steals from hotels and holiday let apartments. Other cases Brueckner has been linked to Brueckner has also been linked to other disappearances of children, including a boy, six, in Portugal in 2000, a five-year-old girl in Germany in 2015 and a number of others. In 2020, he was being investigated over the rape and murder of Tristan Brubach, a 15-year-old boy from Germany. Belgian authorities have also linked him to the murder of teenager Carola Titze, 16. She went missing while on holiday in De Haan, Belgium on July 5, 1996 and her body was discovered among sand dunes severely mutilated on July 11. Other cases believed to be linked to Brueckner include that of Inga Gehrike who went missing from Saxony-Anhalt in Germany on May 2, 2015, Rene Hasee, six, who vanished while on a family holiday in Aljezur, Portugal on June 21, 1996 and Jair Soares who disappeared in August 1995. Peggy Knoblochs case has also been linked to Brueckner after she went missing in May 2001. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Italian people pay their respects at the villa of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday (13 June) following his death at the age of 86. Italy's longest-serving premier, who led four governments across three spells as prime minister, died on Monday. Local Italian media reported that Mr Berlusconi passed away after being admitted to hospital last Friday. A Downing Street spokesperson paid tribute to the former Italian leader, praising how Mr Berlusconi "made a huge impact on Italian politics over several decades. "Our thoughts are with the Italian people and his family," they added. Mr Berlusconi's last few years in office were tarnished by allegations of corruption and sex scandals. Tales of "bunga bunga" sex parties at his lavish villa outside Milan surrounded the former prime minister, and he was accused of having unlawful sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer known as Ruby the Heartstealer but was acquitted on appeal. Several women testified that the "bunga bunga" parties were elegant dinners. Close Holes up to 2ft deep were dug up in the reservoir search, in the hope of unearthing clothing fibres, local media reported For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police officers who scoured a reservoir in Portugal in the search for Madeleine McCann have warned against hope as they hit a fresh roadblock in their investigation. A large section of the Barragem do Arade reservoir was cordoned off in May, about 30 miles from where three-year-old Madeleine went missing in Praia da Luz 16 years ago. It is believed that the main suspect in the case, convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, regularly visited the reservoirs peninsula and had described it as a little slice of paradise. But detectives searching the reservoir have now said there is no compelling evidence Madeleine is there. Holes up to 2ft deep were dug up in the reservoir search, in the hope of unearthing clothing fibres, local media reported. But despite initial hope, German public prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told newspaper Bild: Please dont expect too much. This comes after a former friend of Brueckner, Helge Busching, claimed that the jailed paedophile had told him she didnt scream during a conversation about the missing three-year-old. He told Bild he revealed the crucial information to Scotland Yard in 2008 but was ignored. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Romania has recalled its ambassador to Kenya over his racist comments at a meeting in Nairobi where he compared monkeys to African diplomats, according to reports. Dragos Viorel Tigau was at a UN building in Kenyas capital on 26 April when he allegedly commented the African group has joined us after he sighted a monkey outside the window of the conference room. It was reported on Saturday that Romanias foreign ministry recalled Mr Tigau after receiving complaints of the racist comment following the meeting. Mr Tigau allegedly made the racist remark before the African diplomats arrived for the meeting but several people in attendance found his comment insensitive and disrespectful, the Kenyan Foreign Policy reported. The Romanian foreign ministry said they were informed of the incident only recently and recalled Mr Tigau as soon as they found out and issued an apology. We deeply regret this situation and offer our apologies to all those who have been affected and strongly reject and condemn any behaviour and any attitude incompatible with mutual respect. It added that racist behaviour or comments were absolutely unacceptable. Several others found the incident disgraceful and said that they were appalled by the Romanian envoys remark. Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau tweeted that he was appalled and disgusted at the remarks by the Romanian ambassador in Nairobi during the Eastern European group meeting. He added: Utter shame attempts to cover up this disgrace. This [is] intolerable and unacceptable in any age, let alone [the] 21 century in Nairobi! It was also reported that the African diplomats sought clarification from Mr Tigau and the Kenyan foreign ministry. The Guardian reported that the South Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Chol Ajongo, wrote to the director general of the United Nations Office on 31 May and expressed his shock and disgust at Mr Tagaus disparaging and unacceptable remarks. Mr Ajongo was the acting dean of the Africa group for the meeting on 26 April. He was later thanked by many for standing firm as the chair of the group of African diplomats. He also demanded a clear public personal apology from the ambassador. The letter to the director general also reportedly said that the African group was not prepared to participate in the same spaces as Mr Tigau. One Twitter user wrote: I hope #Romania and other European countries learn from such utterances. We cant tolerate ignorance anymore. Its time we stand as African nations. Reports also said that Mr Tigau has since presented his apology, including in writing, according to the Romanian foreign ministry. The ministry also hoped that the incident will not affect the relationship with the countries of the African continent. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A shark that attacked a Russian tourist is set to be mummified and displayed in an Egyptian museum. Vladimir Popov, 23, was eaten alive by a shark off a beach at an Egyptian resort in Hurghada in June. The attack was filmed from the shore by horrified onlookers as the 23-year-old screamed: Papa, save me! Some of Mr Popovs body parts were recovered inside the sharks stomach, while the rest were recovered by fishermen from the sea. Specialists at the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves have now begun the embalming process in preparation for the shark being placed in the institutes museum, according to local media reports. (ShuttleTV/TrendNews24) Egyptian authorities said the shark was handed over to researchers to find out the causes of its behaviour and identify whether the animal is related to one that caused several previous accidents. Following the attack on Mr Popov, who had been living in Egypt with his father for several months amid the war in Ukraine, the shark was caught and dragged to land by boat, before being clubbed to death on the beach in revenge. Mr Popovs father, Yury, told the 112 media outlet of his horror at his son being mauled to death by a shark. We went to the beach to relax, he said. Mr Popov, who is originally from Russia, said the attack happened in seconds. This meat grinder happened in 20 seconds, he was just dragged under the water. A shark fin is seen above the water during a shark attack in Hurghada (Grigory Kataev via REUTERS) This is an absolutely ridiculous coincidence, because it is a safe beach. There are ships and yachts around. Its never happened there. They usually attack on wild beaches. Its just some kind of evil fate. Mr Popov said he would cremate his son and return his ashes to Russia. Describing the attack, a witness said: At one point, the shark appeared, and immediately bit this man. Rescuers saw this and began to start the boat. He tried to swim away from the shark, but he couldnt. And the shark dragged the body for two hours. It constantly dragged him under the water. Another woman is believed to have been pulled out of the water after being close to where Mr Popov was killed. It is not known if she was a relative of the 23-year-old. Witnesses said the victims girlfriend had been in the water at the time of the attack. Russian reports say she is safe and has returned to Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of a citizen from a shark attack, the Daily Mail reported. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraine has reported regaining further ground from invading Russian forces along the eastern and southern fronts in early July as its counteroffensive continues, following on from the liberation of a number of frontline villages in June. Offering an update from the frontlines on Monday 10 July, the Ukrainian military said its troops have so far retaken more than 65 square miles on the southern front and 9.26 square miles around the eastern city of Bakhmut since the counteroffensive effort commenced. Ukraines deputy defence minister, Hanna Maliar, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that heavy fighting raged in two areas of the southeast. We are consolidating our gains in those areas, she wrote. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking to US network ABC News ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania, said: All of us, we want to do it faster because every day means new losses of Ukrainians. We are advancing. We are not stuck. We would all love to see the counteroffensive accomplished in a shorter period of time. But there is reality. Today, the initiative is on our side. Ukrainian military analyst Denys Popovych meanwhile reported that Ukrainian forces had taken important positions near Klishchiivka, a village lying on heights to the south of Bakhmut. This will allow for artillery control of Klishchiivka itself and of parts of Bakhmut and supply routes, he told Ukraine's NV Radio. Just as [Russian mercenary group] Wagner surrounded the city, so will we. For its part, Russias Defence Ministry said brutal fighting had persisted in that area, with combat made difficult not only by the daily intensity of fire and battle, but also by topography. The line of contact runs between two hills. Pro-Moscow Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also took to Telegram to claim that his Akhmat unit had been deployed to the region. A week earlier, Ukraine had said its soldiers had made steady advances in the Lyman, Avdiivka and Mariinka directions of Donetsk in the Donbas as Russias under-pressure defence minister Sergei Shoigu moved to deny that the short-lived rebellion by the aforementioned Wagner Group, which saw them occupy Rostov-on-Don and march on Moscow in protest on 24 June, had had any impact on its operations in Ukraine. Following months of speculation about when the Ukrainian counteroffensive might begin, unverified photographs and video began to appear on social media on Sunday 11 June showing its soldiers holding aloft their countrys blue and yellow flag in triumph above the eastern villages of Storozheve, Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka in Donetsk, suggesting they had been recaptured from occupying enemy troops. The Ukrainian national flag is seen flying in the newly-liberated village Neskuchne in Donetsk (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters) Ms Maliar posted one such photo from Storozheve and thanked the 35th Separate Brigade of Marines for liberating it and subsequently reported that Ukraine had won back three more villages in Zaporizhzhia Lobkove, Levadne and Novodarivk and made fresh advances near Bakhmut, on the Toretsk front in the east and towards the port city of Berdyansk. The enemy is doing everything to hold on to the positions it has seized, Ms Maliar wrote on Telegram two days later. She added that Russian forces had air support and were showering Ukrainian troops with intense artillery fire and that the latter were encountering continuous minefields which are combined with anti-tank ditches. All this is combined with constant counterattacks by enemy units on armoured vehicles and the massive use of ATGMs [anti-tank guided missiles] and kamikaze drones, Ms Mailer reported. A team of Reuters journalists subsequently visited Neskuchne, observing that no building had been left unscarred by the fighting, noting three Russian corpses lying in the road and writing: The hamlet was silent except for birdsong and the crump of artillery fire in the distance. Since then, two more villages have been added to the list, bringing the reported total to nine. Kyiv has imposed a strict silence on its armed forces to avoid compromising an operation it hopes will retake swathes of land and eventually threaten the land bridge Russia has established for use in supplying the occupied Crimea. In practical terms, the advance represented by the retaking of the villages amounts to only modest gains: Makarivka, for instance, is around three miles short of the frontline and 56 miles from the southern rim of the aforementioned bridge over the Sea of Azov. But the symbolic value of Ukraines most rapid progression forward for seven months, after an arduous winter, is obvious, a timely boost to national morale for a beleaguered nation still reeling from the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka Dam, allegedly brought down after being mined by Russian soldiers, flooding neighbouring towns for miles around and leaving the regions farmland swamped, its crops ruined and livestock drowned. As the pushback continues, Ukraine is banking on the huge amount of weaponry, training and intelligence it has received from the West, combined with its own battlefield resolve, tactical nous and the motivation of driving an invader from its own land, to give it the edge in the conflict. The country also knows it may have to show significant progress over the summer to ensure its international allies demonstrate the same level of commitment in future. But so far the response has been positive, with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg telling US president Joe Biden recently: The Ukrainians are making progress, making advances. Its still early days, but what we do know is that the more land that Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table. The US has responded by announcing that it will begin supplying Ukraine with cluster bombs for very careful use on its own territory against Russian forces, despite previously criticising Russias use of such munitions and the opposition of other nations, 100 of whom signed a 2008 treaty in Oslo, Norway, objecting to their deployment in warzones. Moscow has largely refrained from officially acknowledging any Ukrainian advances, insisting that it has consistently repelled attacks and inflicted heavy casualties on opposition forces. A map showing several of the villages liberated from Russian occupation by the Ukrainian military (The Independent/Datawrapper) Unverified footage circulated on social media by pro-Russia accounts has meanwhile shown destroyed American and German armoured vehicles, clearly intended to undermine allied faith in the Ukrainian cause. It is unquestionably too early to draw conclusions about the fate of the counteroffensive from these early skirmishes, which may be more about testing Russian defences than staking out major land gains. The US-based Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine was attempting an extraordinarily difficult tactical operation, a frontal assault against prepared defensive positions, further complicated by a lack of air superiority and these initial assaults should not be extrapolated to predict all Ukrainian operations. Ben Hodges, a former commander of US forces in Europe, told the Center for European Policy Analysis that the main attack, when it came, would be expected to feature several hundred tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The offensive has clearly started, but not I think the main attack, he said. When we see large, armoured formations join the assault, then I think well know the main attack has really begun. That tallies with Ms Mailars recent comments on domestic television, when she told the nation the main events of the attack remain ahead of us, adding: The main blow is still to come. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, similarly told The Guardian: I want to say that our main force has not been engaged in fighting yet, and we are now searching, probing for weak places in the enemy defences. Everything is still ahead. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as EU lawmakers debate the humanitarian consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine on Tuesday, 13 June. EU representatives discussed the country's reconstruction after the war and the integration of the country into the Euro-Atlantic community. The Nova Kakhova dam, which was under Russian control, was breached on the morning of 6 June, with water surging through it and causing extensive flooding in Kherson - prompting the evacuation of thousands of people. Damage to the area can be seen from space, with huge areas of land submerged in water. Ukraines Agriculture Ministry has estimated that 24,000 acres of farmland under Ukrainian control have been plunged underwater in the aftermath and many times more than that in Russian-occupied territory. It is not clear how the dam was breached. Ukrainian forces have accused Russia of deliberately destroying the dam; Russia says the destruction was an act of "sabotage" by Ukraine to deprive the annexed Crimean peninsula of water. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia is losing a staggering 900 soldiers a day, Ukrainian officials have claimed, urging the West to greenlight delivery of fighter jets for its counteroffensive at a Nato meeting this week. On Tuesday, Ukraines deputy defence minister, Hanna Maliar, indicated the long-awaited counteroffensive was making headway, reporting that Ukrainian forces had taken back seven villages opening 90sqkm of land in the last week alone. However, she said the advance was hard as Russian forces had superior air support and were showering their troops with intense artillery fire. Yuriy Sak, a key advisor to the defence ministry, told The Independent that while Kyiv was inflicting heavy losses on Moscows forces, they urgently needed the delivery of fighter jets to keep up the momentum. Mr Sak said that they hoped the decision would be pushed through at a meeting of Nato defence ministers due to take place Thursday in Brussels. During the last week, the losses against the Russians have been staggering: on average 900 soldiers have been killed a day by the Ukrainian army, he said. But this is not an easy battle, he added. The Russians continue to have command of the air, they have air superiority along the frontline lines. He said Ukraine was in urgent need of 4th generation aircraft like F16s, a subject expected to be top of the agenda at the ministerial meeting in the Belgium capital. Had we had F16s by now the situation would have been different, Mr Sak added. We hope that watching how the counteroffensive develops is another important argument in favour of speeding up the process of creating this fighter jet coalition. Russia has not acknowledged any Ukrainian gains and instead reported that it had successfully repelled attempts to liberate territory in the eastern region of Donetsk. On Tuesday, president Vladimir Putin claimed during a televised meeting with military bloggers that Ukrainian losses were 10 times those of Russian troops. He also suggested that the goals of Moscow's invasion might evolve with the situation, but that their fundamental character would not change Ukraine has kept quiet about the details of its long-anticipated counteroffensive but has heavily promoted it, even releasing a cinematic trailer featuring footage from the frontline. (Serhii Lysak/Telegram) This week, the Ministry of Defence posted a cryptic 30-second video of the countrys spy chief Kyrylo Budanov sitting in silence behind his desk as the camera zoomed in and a caption read Plans love silence. The offensive is in its early days: tens of thousands of fresh Ukrainian troops and hundreds of Western armoured vehicles are yet to be committed to the fight. But Kyiv has already claimed some movement forward. Russia has, meanwhile, ramped up its missile attacks on cities. On Tuesday, it pounded Volodymyr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih, killing at least 11 people inside an apartment building and warehouse. More than two dozen others were said to be wounded. More terrorist missiles, Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. Air raid sirens also blared across the whole of Ukraine, with Kyivs military officials saying air defence forces destroyed all Russian missiles targeting the capital. They have air superiority along the frontline lines Yuriy Sak, advisor to the defence ministry Russia has also accused Ukraine of cross-border shelling on its territory, as Kyiv carries out counteroffensive operations. It also released video footage of what it said were German-made Leopard tanks and US-made Bradley Fighting Vehicles captured in battle. Ukraine accused Russia of blowing up a key dam in the southern region of Kherson this month, unleashing one of Europes biggest reservoirs over the area. Russia has denied the accusations and instead claimed Kyiv blew up its own dam. Calling it a terrorist attack and a war crime Mr Sak said the explosion of the dam was aimed to slow down or thwart counteroffensive activities. We had made contingency plans ... It has not had a considerable impact on our military plans, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has accused the Indian government of putting pressure on the social media company to block accounts critical of the government amid the long-running farmers protest in 2021. Mr Dorsey, who was still the platforms chief at the time before its takeover by Elon Musk, said India placed many requests during the months-long farmers protests. India for example, India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government, the former Twitter chief, who stepped down from the companys board last year, said in a new interview with the YouTube channel Breaking Points. It manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India we would raid the homes of your employees, which they did; we will shut down your offices if you dont follow suit. And this is India, a democratic country, Mr Dorsey said. The protests in 2021 forced the Indian government to repeal laws that would have seen the biggest reforms to Indian agriculture in decades. Farmers drove tractors from agrarian states surrounding Delhi to block traffic on major roads into the capital city. Amid the protests, the Indian government allegedly threatened to punish Twitter employees with fines and jail terms of up to seven years for failing to suspend accounts deemed critical of the Modi administration. It demanded that Twitter block over a thousand accounts, including those tweeting under the hashtag ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide, arguing that the phrase was inflammatory. Following this, the social media company made over 250 accounts inaccessible to its India-based users, including that of the investigative news magazine The Caravan. The move was later reversed after a major public outcry. Twitter told the Indian government at the time that it would not comply with the directive to ban some accounts and tweets as they either constituted free speech or were newsworthy. Mr Dorsey compared Indias behaviour to that of Turkey. We had so many requests from Turkey. We fought Turkey in their in their courts and often won but they threatened to shut us down constantly, he said. Indian IT minister Rajeev Chandrashekar rejected the former Twitter chiefs claims that the Modi government put pressure on the social media company, calling it an outright lie, and an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitters history. Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated [and] continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied, Mr Chandrashekar said. The minister alleged that Twitter had a problem accepting the sovereignty of India law, and behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it. No one went to jail nor was Twitter shut down ... India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India, Mr Chandhrashekar said. During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake, the minister said, adding that the Indian government was obligated to remove them from the platform as it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. Mr Dorsey also commented on Twitters regime under Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, calling some of his moves fairly reckless. After taking over Twitter in October, Mr Musk proceeded to cut costs at the company and slash over three quarters of the firms workforce. I think it set up a dynamic where he had to be very hasty, he had to be impatient, and he had to move as quickly as possible with features even if they werent fully thought out... It all looked fairly reckless, Mr Dorsey said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies could worsen inequality and leave some communities poorer than before if not used for the public good, Sir Keir Starmer is set to warn. The Labour leader, who will offer his own vision for how to address fast-paced technological changes at a tech conference on Tuesday, is also expected to question whether the Prime Minister is actually doing enough to make the UK a world leader in AI. Sir Keir, whose appearance at the London Tech Week conference follows Rishi Sunaks own speech on Monday, will raise the legacy of the de-industrialisation of recent decades to warn that the same mistakes cannot be made again as technology advances. The Labour leader is expected to argue that while the UK has a unique opportunity to lead the world in this area, it will require partnerships with business for the public good. This moment calls for Labour values, of working in partnership with business, driving technology to the public good, and ensuring people and places aren't left behind Sir Keir Starmer's expected speech He will say: Our country is facing a choice about who benefits from the huge disruption that tech will bring. Will it be those who already hold wealth and power, or will it be the starter firms trying to break in and disrupt the industry, the patients trying to book an appointment with their GP, the worker using technology to enhance and improve their role. Sir Keir will argue that despite the UKs success in science and research, a lack of certainty from the Conservatives and a missing industrial strategy are ensuring that the countrys advantages are being wasted. Discussing AI, he is also expected to say: The question facing our country is who will benefit from this disruption? Will it leave some behind, as happened with de-industrialisation across vast swathes of our country? Or can it help build a society where everyone is included, and inequalities are narrowed not widened? This moment calls for Labour values, of working in partnership with business, driving technology to the public good, and ensuring people and places arent left behind. Labour would take a whole-economy approach, recognising that tech is not just a sector, but every job and every business must become digital if we are to address the UKs productivity problem. Diffusing the latest technology across our economy and public services will be as important as supporting the latest unicorns. Sir Keir will tell the tech industry audience that Labour would make the harnessing of new technologies central to government. I will harness technology as the great accelerator of our five missions for Government, working in partnership with business to face the future and deliver growth, prosperity and opportunity across the UK, he will say. We will form a new agenda on digital skills, through our growth and skills levy to ensure people are equipped for the jobs of the future. Labours industrial strategy, combined with good regulation, will secure and create good jobs, and responsible and ethical development of new technology. Mr Sunak has long been enthusiastic about the opportunities of AI and wants the UK to be home to a global AI regulator. Promoting his planned major summit on the issue in the autumn, Mr Sunak on Monday also warned measures are needed to protect against the extreme risks AI could pose. But Labour has accused the Government of already being behind and its white paper on AI already out of date. I do say to him, its all very well having these ambitions, but if theyre not matched with actions at home, we wont have credibility on the world stage, Mr Starmer will say. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Twitters new chief Linda Yaccarino has sent her first memo to employees which echoes Elon Musks goal for the company to be a global town square. From space exploration to electric vehicles, Elon knew these industries needed transformation, so he did it, Ms Yaccarino, who led global ad sales for NBCUniversal in her previous stint, wrote. More recently it has become increasingly clear that the global town square needs transformation to drive civilization forward through the unfiltered exchange of information and open dialogue about the things that matter most to us, she added in the memo. The longtime advertising executive is expected to oversee Twitters ads business that has crumbled since Mr Musk took over the company in October last year. Meanwhile, the Tesla titan said he would be overseeing Twitters product and engineering teams. Reiterating Mr Musks goal of a Twitter 2.0, Ms Yaccarino said the company is on a mission to become the worlds most accurate real-time information source and a global town square for communication. Thats not an empty promise .... Thats our reality, she said in the memo, which was also shared with some tweaks on her official Twitter account. Have you ever been talking with someone particularly insightful and thought, you should have the freedom to speak your mind?.... We all should, the new Twitter chief wrote. Ms Yaccarino told Twitter employees that they now had the opportunity to reach across aisles, create new partnerships, celebrate new voices, and build something together that can change the world. Since the Tesla and SpaceX chiefs takeover of Twitter, the platforms ad revenue in the US plunged by over half. The New York Times reported last week that the social media company made $88m worth of ad sales between April and May this year marking a 59 per cent drop from the same period last year. Within weeks of the free speech absolutist taking over Twitter, several key executives at the social media giant were fired, and controversial people like Donald Trump and Andrew Tate were allowed to return to the platform. Following many of his moves reflecting a change in content moderation policy on the platform, several high profile brands said they would stop advertising via Twitter. Following Mr Musks $44b takeover deal, Twitters value plunged, with the Tesla titan saying in March that the company was worth $20bn. In April, the multibillionaire said Twitter was roughly breaking even, adding that almost all advertisers have come back or said they are going to come back. Then last month, the Tesla titan said he would be stepping down as Twitters chief to focus on overseeing product, software and sysops as companys chief technology officer. Ms Yaccarino, who seems to be selected based on her connections with the advertising world, would be the companys new chief. Its rare to have the chance to put a new future into the hands of every person, partner, and creator on the planet. Thats exactly why Im here with all of you, she wrote in the memo. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman has been arrested for making a bomb threat in the hope that it would prevent her ex-boyfriend from flying to Miami with his new partner. Daniela Carbone, a flight attendant working for Aerolineas Argentinas, made the threat just before the flight took off from Buenos Aires on 21 May, reports Insider. The 47-year-old said in a message to the pilot and two other employees: Tell the captain that we planted three bombs on him in Miami. Stop messing with politics and check the plane because they are going to fly into a thousand pieces, according to a report from Argentinian paper La Nacion. She also reportedly directly threatened the pilot, saying that she knows where [his] kids go to school. Judge Federico Villena said that Ms Carbone used her daughters mobile phone and a pre-paid sim to make the threat, and also used voice distortion software to hide her identity. WhatsApp exchanges between Ms Carbone and her daughter, Candelaria, were also shared by La Nacion. The pair are clearly agitated with each other, with Candelaria calling her mother selfish and saying: You could have ruined my life for such a stupid thing, referring to the use of her phone for sending the threats. All 270 passengers on board the flight had to be evacuated as a result of the hoax. The disruption reportedly cost the airline $1m in revenue due to the rescheduling of flights, and Ms Carbone has reportedly since been fired from the airline, according to tweets from Argentinian journalists. Carbone was later arrested at Ezeiza International Airport for aggravated coercion, public intimidation, and hindering public service the same day she made the bomb threat. She could face up to six years in prison if found guilty. The Independent has contacted Aerelineas Argentina for comment. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Outside the windows, theres nothing but stars in the blackness of space. The occasional starship flies by; there might be a planet in the distance. This is no longer unusual though its our second night onboard the Halcyon. Two stormtroopers stand to one side of the gleaming atrium. Guests are milling about, some with a drink in hand. A couple of travelling musicians are playing instruments unlike anything found in an orchestra on Earth, while the intergalactic singing sensation Gaya meets her adoring fans. But Im not here to get an autograph. Instead, my eyes are roving around the room, alert for the signal that its time for the heist to go down. Im standing in position with my partner it has been impressed on us that our part in the operation is essential while our fellow undercover guests move into their positions around the room. Lookouts make sure no one comes up the turbolifts, a decoy distracts the captain and a crowd blocks the view from the Sublight Lounge. Guests get to interact with androids and staff in character (Disney Hollywood Studios) Moving over to the concierge, I ask, Could you take some photos for me please? I have a special announcement. She obliges and steps away from her desk. I take my partner by the hand and into the centre of the room, ad libbing the most epic, attention-grabbing, Star Wars marriage proposal I can muster (from the icy plains of Hoth to the burning fires of Mustafar). With everyones eyes on us, the mastermind behind the heist is able to pilfer the precious stone that belongs to the people of Ryloth. Were delighted to have played our part, even if the rest of the evening has fellow travellers who werent in on the plan congratulating us on our fake engagement. Although the opportunities to learn lightsaber moves, take the helm on the starships bridge and learn the intricacies of the engine room were the more eye-catching features of Disney Worlds Galactic Starcuiser, what made the Star-Wars hotel-meets-live-action-roleplaying-experience special was the opportunity to be right in the middle of the action to feel part of a Star Wars story. Read more on Orlando travel: There are many opportunities for Star Wars fans to do something special, with the most obvious being the regular Star Wars Celebration event, where youre surrounded by other devotees and can pack a decades worth of talks, screenings and exhibits into four days. Then theres also Steve Sansweets incredible memorabilia museum near San Francisco, Madame Tussauds accurate recreations of the movie characters in London and, of course, Galaxys Edge at Disneys US theme parks. What none of these attractions offer, though, is the sense of total immersion that I found on the Galactic Starcruiser at Disneys Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. This is the first Star Wars experience that allows you to actually be a participant in the story and thats why, despite the many people who seem to be crowing over the pricey attractions premature demise, in my opinion its a real shame that it will be closing its doors for good this September. Participants sleep in cabins aboard the starcruiser (Graham E Hancock) Arriving at the building filled me with anticipation, but the bunker-looking exterior is very much going for the functional starport vibe. Once we stepped on to a transport though, and felt the ground rumbling as we were taken up to the Starcruiser (known as the Halcyon), I knew we were in for something unique. Stepping out of the transport and into the Halcyons atrium gave me a literal jaw-drop moment as it really did feel like being aboard a starship in a galaxy far, far away. The building was dreamed up by the same creative artists who work on the movies, and it showed. While the broad brushstrokes are great, the smallest details are there too, right down to the hyperspace compass on display that houses the objective of the heist. While the first impressions were great, what continued to impress me during our two days of adventuring were the interactive elements. The wristbands we received on arrival interacted with the computer terminals, so we were able to scramble an astromech droids memory and delete the cruisers flight log when the mission called for it. Down in the engine room, everything you touch can impact the functioning of the cruiser, so we decoded the puzzles and got things operational. Stepping out of the transport and into the Halcyons atrium gave me a literal jaw-drop moment One of the most innovative interactive elements is the droid thats on call in each bedroom (or cabin) through a monitor we had fully-fledged conversations with an animated droid, who even had me negotiate with a pirate who controlled the hyperspace lane the ship was flying through. Although these technical innovations are impressive and add to the sense of immersion, it wouldnt have worked without the talented and well-trained cast who play the characters that lead the story, from the ships blue-skinned Captain Keevan to the Basil Fawlty-esque antagonist Lieutenant Croy. Beyond the cast, the crew staffing the hotel were also fully in character, each with their own backstory when our server ended her shift at the Sublight Lounge, she explained that she had to get back to feed her Puffer Pig. While it wasnt on my mind in the moment, it was very clear why the Galactic Starcruiser was so expensive to book. When Disney World announced that prices would start at $4,800 for the two-night experience, the online reaction was decidedly negative. Theres a strong argument that Disney World shouldnt even be offering experiences that are so exclusive and elitist. Interiors were designed by the same people who work on the films, and it shows (Graham E. Hancock) But if this sort of thing is going to be done and done to this standard then theres no way to get around the fact that it will be expensive to run. At a Secret Cinema event, you have to suspend some disbelief because the edges are visible; you can see where the set has been constructed in a warehouse. On board the Galactic Starcruiser, though, that was entirely unnecessary; you can see the vastness of space through the windows, you can have an interaction with a Rodian musician and you can touch the walls without them wobbling. Ever since the original Disney studio was founded, the company has pushed to tell stories in new and innovative ways. When the theme parks were first built, they seemed like an incredibly risky proposition but pushing in an innovative direction led to holiday destinations that families travel around the world for, to experience a truly bucket-list trip. Is any trip that lasts just two days and never sees you interact with the real world worth the money? Its hard to know how to even start measuring that. But, for a fan, getting to experience the seemingly impossible and live through a Star Wars adventure felt very special indeed. Now that the attraction-crossed-with-a-hotel is closing down permanently, to become a strange quirk of Disney World and Star Wars history, those memories will be even more treasured. Read more of our best USA hotel reviews Water cascaded from the ceiling of a Costco store in Manchester as torrential rain hit the city on Monday, 12 June. It came as the Met Office placed parts of the Greater Manchester area under an amber weather warning, and other locations in the area under a yellow warning. The weekends scorching temperatures were dampened by the downpour, which flooded platforms at the citys Piccadilly Station and prompted significant delays for travellers. Manchester Citys victory parade following their Champions League win was delayed by the weather. CCTV footage shows the moment a would-be thief was denied by a locked door at a liquor store near Perth, Australia. The man can be seen jogging to make an escape with a crate of alcohol before reaching the exit, only to find hes been locked inside the shop. He then returns the ten-pack of bourbon and cola to the attendant at the front counter, before pulling the door open and leaving. Does anyone know this guy? Bottle-O Beechboro Cellars wrote, sharing footage of the incident on social media. Watch the moment Donald Trump arrived at a federal courthouse in Miami as he was indicted for a second time. The former US president pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on 37 charges over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. Mr Trumps plea was entered by his lawyer Todd Blanche. It was the second time in three months that the 45th President stood before a judge as a defendant in a criminal case. He is the first current or former president to ever face federal criminal charges. Four men were arrested after allegedly attempting an ambush-style home invasion in Florida on Saturday 10 June, authorities said. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said the aviation unit was on routine patrol over the weekend when they spotted suspicious activity in the Cypress Creek neighbourhood, south of Tampa. Aerial footage video from the chopper shows four suspects surrounding a home, before throwing a brick at the door and waiting for someone to exit. When no one came out, the suspects fled and were pursued by patrol units. Their vehicle struck a curb during the chase - which saw the suspects discharge three firearms - and they fled on foot before they were caught and charged. Footage shows the moment armed police surrounded a house in Nottingham on Tuesday, 13 June, as authorities declared a major incident. Three people have died in what police described as a horrific and tragic incident. Two were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am, and a third man was found dead in Magdala Road. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Nottingham police believe that the three incidents are all linked, Chief Constable Kate Meynell said. At least three people have died and 25 have been injured after missiles hit civilian buildings in Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown, a regional Ukrainian governor has said. Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovskm, said the overnight strike on the central city of Kryvyi Rih involved cruise missiles hit a five-storey residential building early on Tuesday, 13 June. Footage shows a residential building engulfed in flames, surrounded by rubble. The Ukrainian president reposted a clip of the damage, offering his condolences to residents who lost loved ones. "[Russia] will be held accountable for every missile they launch," he added. A Ukrainian border guard who was at the besieged Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol has been reunited with his dog after being held prisoner for nearly a year. Footage shows the animal, named Ramus, being led to its owner before running up to him and wagging its tail as they reunite. Ihor, the Border guard, can be seen petting his dog and stroking it as it jumps up and down with excitement. On 17 May, during the forced exit from Azovstal, the border guard was captured along with other military personnel, the Western Regional Department of the State Border Service of Ukraine said in a statement. First, the serviceman was transferred to Olenivka, and later to a colony in the Luhansk region. On 7 March of this year, after the exchange of prisoners, Ihor was able to return to his family. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Running for president is as much about timing as anything else. When Barack Obama ran, Ted Kennedy, the patriarch of the Kennedy clan who had a failed White House run under his belt, notably told the would-be president: You dont choose the time. The time chooses you. The 2012 presidential race was likely Chris Christies time. In 2009, he won the governorship in staunchly Democratic New Jersey and had become a favorite of conservatives for his willingness to combat teachers unions and other Democratic groups in moments that went viral in the right-wing media ecosystem. It was owning the libs before owning the libs was a thing. But he notably passed on running for the nomination to challenge Mr Obama, saying in 2011, Now is not my time. At the time, the move seemed prudent. In the weeks before the 2012 election, he led the state during Hurricane Sandy and while images of him hugging Mr Obama angered conservatives in the weeks before voters cast their ballots, it led to him winning re-election in 2013 by overwhelming margins. Of course, we know what happened next. Revelations that members of Mr Christies team ordered two of the three lanes on the George Washington Bridge to be closed, which caused a massive traffic jam, cratered the governors numbers. He entered the 2016 Republican primary badly bruised from the scandal. He left the contest after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary, but not before infamously performing a kamikaze mission on Sen Marco Rubio (R-FL) in one of the debates that made the one-time conservative phenom seem rehearsed and someone who could not deviate from his prepared lines. In the following days, Mr Christie endorsed Donald Trump, rarely leaving his side at one point was considered to be a potential running-mate or attorney general in a Trump administration, an idea vetoed by Jared Kushner. Nonetheless, Mr Christies endorsement of the future president lent him credibility and gave Republicans something they needed to cast their ballot for the reality television star who had never held public office before permission. Now, Mr Christie has announced another quixotic White House run. As an elected official who left his office in disgrace and who has not held a position for years in a radically changed GOP, Mr Christie is unlikely to win. But most observers see his run as an attempt to stop Mr Trump from winning again. Republicans are about as likely to receive his message warning about the perils of another Trump presidency as they would be likely to receive the message from Liz Cheney. Indeed, many other Republican presidential candidates face the very same problem. As McKay Coppins at The Atlantic has noted, former vice president Mike Pence spent years convincing evangelical Christian voters that they could support Mr Trump despite his character shortcomings. Mr Trumps conduct would be immaterial as long as he enacted an agenda they wanted and he would nominate the right judges, which he did when he picked the Supreme Court jurists who helped overturn Roe v Wade. But now Mr Pence finds himself in a bind because personal decency isnt seen as a reason hed be a better option than Mr Trump. The same goes for Sen Tim Scott (R-SC). On Monday, he went on The View and said that voters found his optimistic, positive message refreshing as opposed to having a message around populism, having a message on principles. But Mr Scott served in the Senate throughout Mr Trumps tenure in the White House and did little to temper Mr Trumps scorched earth rhetoric about America Carnage. By doing so, he made Republican primary voters see aggressive nationalistic, anti-immigrant and oftentimes racist rhetoric to be acceptable as a form of conservatism. Mr Trumps most credible challenger, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, also finds himself in the same predicament. Hes sold himself as someone who can not only enact a conservative agenda without all of the personal baggage, but someone who also can win when he does so, going from barely winning his first gubernatorial contest to winning re-election by almost 20 points. But Mr DeSantis sold himself as an acolyte of Mr Trump in his 2018 primary campaign and did little to push back on Mr Trumps lie that the 2020 election was stolen. If voters dont believe Mr Trump lost, then it renders the idea Mr Trump is a loser and Mr DeSantis is a winner moot. All of these Republican candidates now find themselves in a prison of their own making; ever since Mr Trump became the GOP nominee for president seven years ago, they served as the spoonful of conservative sugar to help the Trump medicine go down. But now, GOP voters see Mr Trump as the standard bearer and will reject anyone who tells them otherwise, including the people who fed him to them in the first place and as they have gone past their expiration date. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The fact that the government is still dragging its heels over a decision on whether to grant asylum to an Afghan pilot who flew combat missions in support of UK and coalition forces, and who is now being threatened with deportation to Rwanda, is compounding the cruelty of an already callous act. That the White House has now intervened to say that officials will be investigating whether the air force lieutenant would be eligible for asylum in the US should be a source of shame for our government. The Independent has been clear that there is a moral responsibility to welcome this pilot and those like him, who have given so much for this country. Our campaign has cross-party support, including from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, as well as the backing of dozens of military chiefs and celebrities. All of them recognise the importance of this fight. The British government is dancing on the head of a pin over the definition of the work this pilot was involved in. He worked for the allied cause, risking his life, and it would be deplorable if such small print should get in the way of the only truly honourable course of action. The number of such pilots will run into the tens is this really how we want to treat those who supported us in our time of need? The words of George Robertson, former defence secretary and former Nato secretary general, sum the matter up perfectly: It is truly sad and demeaning for our country to see the US picking up our obligations to people who bravely served us. There has been plenty of talk in recent days about the net immigration figures for the UK, which have become something of a Conservative Party obsession in recent years. Part of the mitigation for the increase from just under 500,000 to a touch above 600,000 is the number of people taken in from Ukraine in the wake of Russias invasion, along with former residents of Hong Kong. Each of these cases reflects the humanitarian spirit that the British public are happy to support. The case of the Afghan pilot, highlighted by The Independent, should be seen in the same vein. But though he risked his life again when he was compelled to flee his home and make the last leg of his journey to the UK in a small boat across the Channel, his case has now stalled. The issue of those arriving on small boats, who make up a fraction of the overall immigration figure, has been at the forefront of the Conservative debate around migration, with the language used often dehumanising. The vast majority of those who reach the UK in this way claim asylum, and the backlog for dealing with these claims has hit a record high. As we have previously said, The Independent agrees that it is right to debate whether Britains wider immigration system is fit for purpose, but what is also clear is the need for the processes in place to function effectively. There is evidently work that needs to be done. The gap that has been created for the White House to step in regarding the case of the Afghan pilot is at least in part due to the delays caused by the processes available. It should be deeply embarrassing to Rishi Sunak and his government that we have reached this point. Action should have been taken over this case, and those like it, before it came to this, but the news from the US should certainly spur the government on. To fail to take action now would be contemptible. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump was arraigned on Tuesday for the second time. The first time occurred in April, when Trump returned to New York to face state hush money charges in Manhattan. This second and most recent arraignment follows his indictment on in the words of special counsel Jack Smith felony violations of our national security laws as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice. In laymans terms, this means that the former president is accused of improperly storing documents of national importance, trying to hide them when investigators asked to see them, and showing them off cavalierly, as The Associated Press put it. Those documents, still according to The AP, allegedly included sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities and a Pentagon plan of attack and classified map. The first indictment made Trump the first former US president to face criminal charges at all, and the second one makes him the first former US president to face federal charges, specifically. That timeline means that Trumps first arraignment was experienced as the historic event it was. I was in New York that day, and it was impossible not to feel that that was a momentous, literally unprecedented day in US politics. People gathered around the courtroom in lower Manhattan to witness it. There was wall-to-wall coverage on TV. My email inbox chirped with news alerts throughout the day. This second arraignment is unprecedented, too the New York case is a state case, whereas this time, Trump is facing charges in federal court. Trump wasnt just being arraigned, he was being arraigned again. This should make these new proceedings more damning, not less, than the first, and yet, I worry that some might experience today with a sense of deja vu. And with that sense of deja vu might come a slight dulling of our experience as witnesses to that event. We might, already, be getting used to it seeing the former president turn up in court, speculating as to whether he will pose for a booking photo, waiting to hear his plea. (In both New York and Miami, Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and didnt have his mugshot taken.) But doing so would, of course, play in Trumps favor. This is a man whose playbook has long consisted of being so chaotically destructive that it becomes too hard to keep up. I mean, just look at this roundup by The Atlantic of 50 moments of Trumps presidency that would previously have been deemed unthinkable. It includes entries such as Children are taken from their parents and incarcerated, Putin and Trump talk without chaperones, and Trump throws paper towels at Puerto Ricans. These are just three entries out of a thorough, but I think not quite exhaustive list of 50 items. Remember trying to hold all of these in your mind at once? It was exhausting. It was profoundly demoralizing. And so, I think, for many of us, Trumps misdeeds and alleged misdeeds became categorized in our minds as one big, messy, exhausting category of Trump being Trump. I am reminded, of all things, of something Caroline Calloway (yes, that Caroline Calloway) said in a recent Vanity Fair profile: Listen, if youve never had any scandals, my advice would be to continue to have none. But if youve had one, have as many more as you can. Its the Kardashian, Trumpian information overload fatigue. Theres a point where people cant retain enough information to remember every little scandal. Calloways history, of course, exists in an entirely different dimension from the former US presidents, but her analysis of Trump here is spot-on. When someone is constantly embroiled in new controversies, a strange lowering of the stakes takes place. They become somehow less accountable, not more, than someone with one big, easily identifiable controversy on their resume. The magnitude of Trumps arraignments must not be dulled. The seriousness of the federal charges against him cannot be overstated: those charges include 37 felony counts, including 31 relating to alleged violations of the Espionage Act, which prohibits the willful retention of national defense information. He has also been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements. This isnt Trump being Trump. This is a former president facing espionage charges. We must pay attention, and we must not get used to this. About 80pc of the world's population has never flown. Photo: Reuters AN estimated $4trn (3.7trn) of capital will be needed by the aviation sector over the next two decades to fund what will be a major expansion of the global aircraft fleet, according to a forecast published by Dublin-based leasing giant Avolon. With global air passenger traffic likely to return to pre-pandemic levels between this year and next, the expected surge in demand over the next two decades will come against a backdrop of climate change and increased global prosperity. Most of the worlds population has never flown. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted last week that 4.35 billion trips will be made by people on commercial aircraft this year, compared with 4.54 billion in 2019. Avolon, one of the worlds biggest aircraft lessors, pointed out in its World Fleet Forecast that air travel demand has doubled every 15 years since airline deregulation gathered momentum in the late 1970s. As airlines have grown, capacity has surged, its report notes. The relationship between GDP and air traffic has remained consistent, with revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) growing 1.7 times the rate of GDP between 2000 and 2019. RPKs are an airline industry standard measurement of the number of kilometres travelled by paying passengers. But Avolon also acknowledged that passenger demand will rise by about 3.5pc per annum over the next 20 years slower than the 5pc to 6pc growth seen in the previous two decades. The slowdown, it says, is due to the reduced potential for further deregulation to drive growth and higher airfares because of aircraft supply shortages, as well as increasing sustainability levies. Avolon, whose chief executive is Andy Cronin, has predicted that the number of large commercial passenger jets in service around the world will double to 46,880 by 2042, marking an annual growth rate of 3.4pc. The number of narrowbody aircraft will more than double to 34,320, Avolon believes. That represents an annual growth rate of 3.4pc. Avolon has forecast that there will be 7,480 widebody jets in service by 2042 a 3.4pc annual increase. Avolon forecasts that there will be 44,300 new passenger aircraft deliveries in the next 20 years. Of those, 22,700, or 51pc, are expected to accommodate fleet growth while 21,600 will enable fleet replacement. Whilst new challenges need to be tackled, the underlying fundamentals that will drive aviations growth are apparent and backed by historical precedent: population growth, an increasing proportion of middle-to-high income countries, increasing propensity to travel with growing disposable income, operational and technological improvements that have continuously reduced the real cost of air travel, according to Avolons long-term outlook. It said that the trillions of dollars needed over the next two decades will fund the transition to new-technology, lower emissions aircraft, and help to drive the supply of sustainable aviation fuel and explore new designs that pioneer alternative energy sources. Aircraft lessors will play a key role in accelerating fleet renewal, and a growing industry will attract the capital required to hit aviations net zero target by 2050, Avolon believes. AIB says it was the victim of fraud. Photo: Conor O Mearain / Collins Photos AIB has described as baseless and absurd accusations that it made misrepresentations to sell assets amassed using 740m (863m) that the bank was conned into advancing during the boom. Michalis Kallakis, the son of Greek businessman and fraudster Achilleas Kallakis, who secured the loans under false pretences, has been pursuing the claim against AIB in London since 2018. Achilleas Kallakis well-known on the international poker circuit was initially jailed in 2013 for seven years for the AIB loan fraud. He used the money to buy high-end London properties, and pay for yachts, art and luxury cars. His sentence was later increased to 11 years. His business partner, Alex Williams, was sentenced to eight years. Achilleas Kallakis, as a professional fraudster, is particularly vulnerable to being deceived himself, lawyers for Michalis Kallakis said in a filing in the case. As anyone who has seen Michael Caine and Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will appreciate. But AIB has dismissed the allegations against it. It is beyond understanding that the bank finds itself in the position of a defendant, the banks lawyers said in a defence filing. They added: The idea that the victim of the fraud could somehow find itself in the dock criticised by the fraudster for the manner in which it sought to mitigate the losses to which it was exposed by reason of fraud is beyond fiction. Achilleas Kallakis and Alex Williams used fake documentation to secure the bank loans from AIB between 2003 and 2007. The money was loaned to a number of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) registered in the British Virgin Islands. But in 2008, AIB discovered that the documentation used to procure the loans was fake. In November that year, it served notice of default and sold the properties the same day to 14 entities that were part of Dublin-based Green Property, the group founded by Stephen Vernon. The Irish Independent reported in 2020 that Michalis Kallakis claimed he was a beneficiary of the Hermitage Syndicated Trust, which was the sole shareholder in each of the SPVs that his father used to buy the properties with AIB loans. The trustee of that trust was Michael Becker. Michalis Kallakis has claimed that the bank caused loss by repossessing the properties, or seizing control of the SPVs, or by making false and/or negligent misrepresentations to gain control of the SPVs and the properties. He also alleges that AIB sold the properties without legal authority, and that it breached a duty to obtain the best possible price for them. Lawyers for Michalis Kallakis and AIB have declined to comment. In March this year, the UKs Serious Fraud Office succeeded in efforts to seize 92,000 originally donated by Achilleas Kallakis to a leading private London school in 2005 to help it built a theatre. During court proceedings this month, he insisted that he was not a career criminal and that he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice when he was convicted in 2013 of the fraud against AIB. Additional reporting, Bloomberg Bord Gais Energry (BGE) owner Centrica has warned that Britain's energy security is at risk without more capacity to store natural gas for covering peak demand. While a partial reopening in October of the UK's largest gas storage, Rough, boosted the country's capacity to stockpile fuel, it is not enough, Centrica CEO Chris O'Shea said on Tuesday. Centrica owns the storage facility. More than 70pc of Irish gas needs are met from the UK via pipelines under the Irish Sea with the rest coming from the Corrib Field off the west coast. "We increased the UK's gas storage capacity by 50pc this is no small achievement," Chris OShea said at the company's annual shareholder meeting. "But this increase means that the UK now has nine days of peak winter demand in storage capacity, which is by far the lowest in Europe and is nowhere near enough to make our energy system resilient." Centrica, which reopened Rough at about a fifth of its former capacity late last year, sought consumer-funded minimum revenue guarantees to assist its longer-term investments in the facility. The company says that curbed storage capacities, just a fraction of Germany's approximate 89 days of peak demand, highlight Britain's vulnerability to prolonged cold snaps or supply disruptions. But negotiations with the UK government have not progressed. Centrica ultimately plans to transform Rough into a major hydrogen storage facility, but gas will remain important for the market for years to come as a "transition fuel," Mr O'Shea said. Centrica's teams are looking at ways to add more storage capacity for the forthcoming heating season, but the company needs the right regulation from the government for longer-term solutions. No agreement has been reached with the government since Rough's reopening, but the door remains open for future discussions, Centrica Chairman Scott Wheway said at the meeting. Centricas Irish unit, BGE, unveiled plans earlier this year to construct two new power plants in an investment worth over 250m. The two plants, in Athlone and Dublin, are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The two new plants are set to provide a combined 200 megawatts of gas fired power generation, which will provide enough power for 100,000 Irish homes all year round. The company currently has one power station in operation here which is located in Whitegate, Cork. Additional reporting, Bloomberg Troubled French firm operates 24 nursing homes in Ireland Orpeas French offices were raided last year as part of a probe into alleged malpractice. Stock image A group of major investors in embattled French nursing home operator Orpea which is also one of Irelands largest nursing home providers have claimed efforts are being made at stealth nationalisation of the group amid efforts to restructure the business. Orpea has 24 nursing homes in Ireland, with more than 2,100 beds, making it one of the largest nursing home operators in the country. The Irish unit posted a 22.6m loss in 2021 as it amortised the value of recent acquisitions. In 2021, Orpea acquired Mervyn Smiths Firstcare nursing home business for around 100m. In France, Orpea offices were raided last year as part of a probe into alleged malpractice at its care homes there. The group was forced to enter talks with lenders to restructure its debt as it faced breaching covenants. The group used cheap money to embark on a debt-fuelled expansion. Orpea has inked a deal on a 3.8bn debt-for-equity swap that will effectively wipe out many shareholders. It will also raise 1.55bn of equity. The companys shares tumbled at the start of 2022 after a book published in France revealed alleged mistreatment of patients and dubious accounting practices. But 49pc of Orpeas unsecured creditors, holding about 1.9bn of Orpeas debt, have not supported the companys planned restructuring and have urged other investors to reject the restructuring proposal at a meeting this Friday. Support Club, a creditor group holding 497m of unsecured claims, has this week called for investors to vote against the proposed restructuring of the care home group. The Support Club is a group of funds managed by Fortress Investment Group, Kite Lake Capital, Kyma Capital, LMR Partners and Whitebox Advisors. They argue the proposal tramples on 1.9bn of unsecured creditors who are not supporting the plan, arbitrarily favours and enriches the French states investment vehicle Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC) and certain, primarily French, creditors over most others and threatens Frances sustainability for foreign investments, according to a statement from Support Group yesterday. In the event the creditor classes dont vote in favour of the restructuring plan, the Support Club claims the French state is likely to pursue a cross-class cram down via the board of Orpea, a group of French banks, and the CDC. In February, Orpea unveiled a restructuring deal that would cede most of the group to bondholders after an agreement was reached with CDC and other investors. Last week, Orpea drew down 200m from new financing made available by its main banks. The Orpea restructuring plan sets a terrible precedent for unsecured creditor treatment as the first major case under the new law, claimed The Support Club. We do not want to see France go in the same direction as other nation states which have egregiously ignored creditor rights. The aggrieved investors say they are currently taking legal steps in France and Germany to challenge Orpeas alleged move to give preferred status to French banks and then to unfairly sweeten the deal for some but not all unsecured creditors. The bulk of the firms revenues were generated from bloodstock sales Croom House was bought by former Kerry Group chief executive Denis Brosnan and Joan Brosnan in 1986 Pre-tax profits at the Co Limerick-based bloodstock business co-owned by well-known businessman Denis Brosnan increased by 5pc to 381,656 last year. New accounts filed by Mr Brosnans Epona Bloodstock Ltd show that its pre-tax profit increased after revenues went up by 29pc from 3.06m to 3.94m in the 12 months to the end of June 2022. The pre-tax profit of 381,656 last year followed pre-tax profits of 363,857 in the prior year. Epona Bloodstock is the family firm that operates the 270-acre Croom House Stud farm in west Limerick. Croom House is the property of former Kerry Group chief executive Denis Brosnan who along with Joan Brosnan purchased the house and lands in 1986, restored the stables and yards and brought their own thoroughbred horses onto the property. The bulk of the firms revenues were generated from bloodstock sales at 3.19m compared with 2.5m under that heading in 2021. Last year Croom House stud put forward top quality yearlings for sale at Deauville, Doncaster, Goffs, Tattersalls Ireland and Tattersalls UK. The rest of the firms revenues last year were made up of 228,307 in livestock; 451,488 in administration services and 62,753 in the keeping of mares. The figures show that 3.28m of revenues were generated in the UK with 658,424 in Ireland. The profits last year take account of non-cash depreciation costs of 126,100. Numbers employed by the firm last year increased by one to 13 and staff costs last year increased from 551,829 to 620,539. The firm received 50,050 in Government wage supports and this followed 146,310 received under the same heading in 2021. A note states that during the financial year, the company received government assistance to mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19. At the end of June last year, the company had shareholder funds of 3.48m which included 3.47m in accumulated profits. The companys cash funds decreased sharply from 611,231 to 155,463 The accounts disclose that the book value of the firm's livestock and bloodstock increased from 4.6m to 4.9m last year. The firm also has financial assets of 140,001 and tangible assets of 146,108. The accounts signed off on June 8 - show that Mr Brosnan has provided a personal guarantee to the company not exceeding 5m. According to the Croom House Stud website, 30 broodmares are kept, owned by Denis and Joan Brosnan or by Epona Bloodstock at the stud. The website states that the the rich limestone land makes it possible to keep mares, yearlings and other followers outside in sheltered paddocks for most of the year with minimal time spent in stables. It adds: This has enabled Croom House to produce strong tough horses with great bone who have made their mark on racetracks throughout the world over the past 20 years. Directors on the board of Epona Bloodstock are listed as Denis Brosnan, Joan Brosnan, Paul Brosnan and Mary Brosnan. A complaint made against Ryanairs promise of free reserved seats for children under 12 has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASAI). Ryanair was among one of seven companies found to have breached the ASAIs code on grounds related to misleading consumers, as well as environmental claims, price and safety. The complaint lodged against the airline related to a pop-up at the booking stage within the Ryanair app which stated that there would be free reserved seating for children under 12. It added: At least one adult on this booking must buy a reserved seat and 4 children under 12 will get free reserved seats. Upon investigation, the complainant said less than half of the seats on the flight being booked were available free of charge to passengers under the age of 12. If these seats were already booked, an additional charge was required by Ryanair to secure seats together. In response to the complaint, Ryanair said that 63pc of seats on-board its flights were typically available to be assigned for free to children under 12. It added that the booking process indicated that seating selection was subject to availability. The ASAI upheld this complaint against the airline on the basis that it was likely to mislead due to the lack of conditionality on the offer. The absence of any accessible link to terms and conditions was also cited as a further issue. The ASAI received a number of complaints related to an advertisement for the Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF), which was sponsored by Flogas. This advertisement said the festival was powered by green energy. Complainants noted that some venues relied on mains power, which may not be renewable. Others pointed to the use of a diesel generator during the festival. GIAF said its reference to green energy related to how the festival had been powered to some extent by sustainable energy. The ASAI stated that consumers would believe that all power used was renewable following the advertisement, misleading visitors. A complaint against Insurer 123.ie was also upheld following a TV advert that featured a dog sticking its head out of a moving vehicle. This was in breach of the ASAI code related to unsafe practices as it was not apparent to viewers that the dog was appropriately restrained in the car Tech giants are losing popularity among young job seekers, according to new research. The Most Attractive Employers Index, published by Universum, revealed that interest in positions at banking, manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies has risen in recent months. The survey of over 8,000 third-level students in Ireland also revealed the knock-on effects of mass layoffs by tech companies in recent months as big tech companies were no longer viewed as the most desirable places to work. For those studying business and economics, Google and Apple did retain their positions at the top of the index. However, Amazon dropped four places to 11th in the ranking, while Meta plummeted 11 places, placing 19th. KPMG was third, while PwC took fourth position. Banking proved popular among this cohort, with JP Morgan in sixth and Goldman Sachs rounding out the top 10 . In 2023, it looks like headlines around job losses at major tech companies, many of whom have their European headquarters here in Ireland, have begun to impact on student preferences, Universum UK and Ireland business director Steve Ward said. Were seeing business and economics students return in greater numbers to their traditional homes in auditing and accounting. Banking institutions have also enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. For engineering students, Intel ranked first, closely followed by Pfizer. Google dropped into third position for aspiring engineers. Microsoft, which had placed third in 2022s index, dropped to seventh place. Tech multinationals have also lost some ground among engineering students this year, while manufacturing, construction and pharmaceutical companies have all moved up the ranks, Mr Ward added, pointing to Boston Scientific and Jacobs Engineering. Natural science students were most interested in working at Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, according to the research. IT students stayed loyal to the big tech companies, with Google, Apple and Microsoft the most desirable work places. However, Microsoft and Amazon both dropped one position each in the preferences of this cohort. Chinese firm TikTok joined this years list. We are seeing some interesting movement towards SMEs, which suggests that smaller, local companies are playing a role in helping to pick up surplus [IT] talent, Mr Ward said. New entrants to the index this year included popular video sharing platform TikTok, as well as Bus Eireann and software company Workday. The comprehensiveness of pre-trial discovery being made by technology events company Web Summit in a series of High Court suits and counter suits is being questioned by the opposing sides. Mr Justice Denis McDonald of the Commercial Court was told yesterday that a motion may soon be brought concerning the adequacy of document sharing by Web Summits holding company Manders Terrace Ltd. Lawyers for Web Summit said further discovery will be made if that is required. Graiguearidda, a corporate entity of Web Summit co-founder David Kelly, who owns 12pc of the business, alleges shareholder oppression against Manders Terrace, its chief executive Patrick Cosgrave, and his entity, Proto Roto Ltd. Daire Hickey, a 7pc shareholder in Web Summit, and his commercial vehicle Lazvisax Ltd, is also suing Mr Cosgrave and Proto Roto over alleged oppression of his rights as a minority shareholder. Manders Terrace and Mr Cosgrave are suing Mr Kelly claiming he was involved in secret efforts to set up an investment fund for his own personal gain by using the resources of the business. At the High Court, senior counsel for Lazvisax and Mr Hickey, Kelley Smith, said her instructing solicitor, Dentons, have concerns in relation to the adequacy of discovery being made by Web Summit. They are considering issuing a court motion about this but have only reached a preliminary view on the matter, she said. Ms Smith noted there is no longer a dispute between the parties about redactions of a contract covering a deal to host the technology conference in Qatar. She said Web Summit has now agreed to share the document in unredacted form. Barrister Frank Kennedy, for Graiguearidda and Mr Kelly, said his clients take a similar view to Web Summits discovery. Counsel said Mr Kelly accepts Web Summits explanation in relation to his earlier claim that it had remotely deleted some of his emails. Web Summits counsel, Oliver Butler, told the court there was never any evidence that Web Summit had remotely deleted any emails belonging to Mr Kelly. There is a dispiriting shifting to the explanations provided by Mr Kelly about email deletions, Mr Butler added. His clients were told by Mr Kellys legal team that some of his emails had been deleted not long before he was supposed to share them with the other side. That issue does not need to concern the court at present, but it will arise at the trial, Mr Butler added. Referencing concerns raised about the adequacy of his clients document sharing, Mr Butler said: If we need to make further discovery then that is what we will do. Mr Justice McDonald directed that any motion concerning document discovery should be brought by July 24. He adjourned the cases to be mentioned again on July 17. He said he supported a ban on Huawei equipment in European networks Ireland should invest in more cybersecurity to develop a closer relationship with the US, according to the American ambassador for cyberspace and digital policy. Speaking to the Irish Independent today, Nathaniel Fick said that mutual confidence requires more focus on systems to tackle cyber risks. If Ireland and the United States are going to have a close relationship with full information-sharing on intelligence, mutual co-investment and technology partnerships on cutting edge aspects of our digital economy, then we have to have some mutual confidence in our cybersecurity environments, he said. So broadly speaking, I think that for national security reasons, or trade reasons and for human rights reasons, when you think about cybersecurity, like-minded partners and allies ought to be investing more and collaborating more. Ireland has one of the lowest cybersecurity investment budgets in the European Union, despite a recent increase in the budget of the National Cybersecurity Centre. Ireland was left almost defenceless against a major cybersecurity attack in 2021, which cost over 100m and affected over 100,000 people. Asked whether the presence of so many major US tech multinationals based in Ireland represented an additional acute risk to cybersecurity, Mr Fick said that risk federates across relationships. We, globally, are connecting more than a billion devices to the Internet every quarter. That trend is accelerating. The answer is always that more security is better than less. Mr Fick also said that he was sympathetic to a mandatory ban on Huawei equipment in Irish and European telecoms networks, as is reportedly being considered by the European Commission. Last week, the Financial Times reported that officials in the European Commission are growing frustrated by the slow pace of restriction on Huawei equipment across Europe, despite recommendations against using the kit from European authorities. Ireland is currently considering recommendations against using some Chinese-made equipment and services, including Huawei and TikTok, in Irish state networks. As a government official in a democratic society, I treat the words mandatory ban with an enormous degree of seriousness, he said. In the case of Huawei and the Peoples Republic of China, however, I do believe that we have seen ample evidence all over the world of the reality that the PRC government's relationship with Huawei is such that Huawei commits to sharing information flowing across Huawei networks with the government when asked. That is not true of the Swedish government and Ericsson, nor is it true of the Finnish government and Nokia. And it's not true of the South Korean government and Samsung. So for national security reasons, for the innovation economy and for human rights reasons, I think there is accumulating evidence that suggests we should be very sceptical of Huawei or ZTE and any other Chinese telecommunications provider. And I believe that we're going to see governments across Europe, the United States and other like-minded partners around the world increasingly enact policies that recognise that. Mr Fick said that the US and Europe had already ceded their advantage in telecoms, a key infrastructural technology. We in the US, Europe, Japan and South Korea had what felt like an unassailable advantage in telecommunications technology, not just through companies like Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung, but Alcatel Lucent and Motorola and Bell Labs. We basically lost a big piece of this incredibly vibrant global ecosystem. And the companies that remain are now fighting against Huawei to deploy trusted infrastructure as opposed to infrastructure that is beholden to a government [China]. Mr Fick said that there were other key technologies such as artificial intelligence that should not be allowed to be ceded away from western countries. He said that he was concerned that Europe could regulate away innovation in AI. The global competitive landscape in AI has not yet been developed, he said. I think we will have a richer, healthier ecosystem for the long haul if we have world leading artificial intelligence companies that are based not only in the United States, but also in places like most of Europe, where there is strong rule of law, strong shared values and a commitment to rights-respecting technology development. But that requires not regulating away the innovation. It requires a very deft touch in striking the right degree of governance engagement without too much of it. I have a concern that the impulses of some European political leaders will create a scenario where all of the global leading AI companies will now be American. Mr Fick, a former US marine officer, was the CEO of cybersecurity software company Endgame before becoming a venture capitalist with Bessemer Venture Partners. In 2022, he was appointed as head of the US State Department's Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. New short film is set in 1849 and is about two sisters who flee the Irish famine The Golden West is the Oscar winning duo's third and final short film as they set their sights on feature films (Photo: Floodlight Pictures) The film is set to debut at multiple international film festivals this summer (Photo: Floodlight Pictures) Ross and Tom's new short film follows two warring sisters set against the backdrop of the Irish Famine (Photo: Floodlight Pictures) Belfast-born film director Ross White has said he is excited to unveil his and co-director Tom Berkeleys follow-up to their Oscar-winning short An Irish Goodbye, as the first trailer for the next and final short project, The Golden West is released. Ross, alongside co-director Tom Berkeley, took home the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in March at the ceremony in Los Angeles for the hit An Irish Goodbye. The pair also won the Bafta for Best British Short Film. During Oscars season, the directing duo dominated coverage of the awards after the films star James Martin was serenaded with Happy Birthday by hundreds of A-listers, including Harrison Ford, Mindy Kaling and Colin Farrell during their Oscars acceptance speech. Now the coming months sees their long-awaited follow-up to An Irish Goodbye, with their new film The Golden West set to hit the festival circuit. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The short films plot, which was previously kept under wraps until now will follow two warring Irish sisters in 1849 having fled the Irish Famine, searching for gold in the mountains of north Wales. But with winter approaching and nothing to show for their efforts, their age-old feud soon threatens to become deadly, the plot description reads. The Golden West also marks the final short film from the Oscar and Bafta-winning duo having decided to hang up their directing duties in the short film space, to focus on feature length productions in the future. Its a project weve been working on for the last year and a half, so were incredibly excited to get it out into the world in front of audiences, Ross said. We were both fascinated by the famine and the gold rush as isolated events, but when the penny dropped that there was an overlap between the time periods, it seemed a fitting backdrop for a quite literal feast or famine style Celtic Western. An Irish Goodbye actor James Martin and Ross White, writer and director of the Oscar-winning short Ross co-director Tom Berkeley who was born in England, said the pair were drawn towards all different kinds of stories as writers, and it was great to explore something that lives in a different wheelhouse tonally to An Irish Goodbye. But while there are a lot of differences, we think theres a strand of the same black comedy DNA in there that lives through all of our projects, added Tom. The Golden West features stars including Irish Film and Television Academy Award-winner Eileen Walsh who previously had roles in films The Magdalene Sisters as well as the recent Channel 4 comedy series Catastrophe. She is joined by Aoife Duffin who has previously appeared in Skys Moone Boy and BBCs one-off comedy Bump. As with An Irish Goodbye, Ross and Tom have reunited with Northern Ireland Screen for the western short, alongside support from Panavision and Kodak. Despite the pair giving him his breakout role, James Martin will not be returning to be directed by Ross and Tom and instead will next be seen in horror short film Fairview Park. The new short will begin its roll out to international film festivals within the next few months marking the end of their involvement in directing short films. Were excited to get our heads down and begin writing our debut feature film, added Ross. Immediate action needed or suckler sector will wither away, government is warned Teagasc has forecast that suckler cows are likely to decline to just over 600k head by 2030. Stock Image Irelands suckler cow herd is in freefall, with calf registrations running 7pc down on last year while it has been estimated that a surge in farmers switching to organics could reduce cow numbers by a further 44,000 by 2030. Poor profitability, high costs and an aging farmer population have already seen suckler cow numbers decline substantially in recent years. Teagasc yesterday revealed the average suckler farm income was just over 9,400 in 2022, down over 13pc, on the back of big production cost increases. Department of Agriculture officials believe the suckler herd has already met its forecasted decline under the Climate Action Plan, and now stands at approximately 850,000 cows, a 10pc reduction since June 2021. Now, the latest figures from the ICBF suggest suckler numbers will contract even further this year. In the week ending June 9, suckler calf registrations since January were down 7pc on the same period in 2022 to stand at just over 516,000, a fall of almost 39,000. The decline is now running at double the rate forecasted by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, who estimate that suckler cows are likely to decline to just over 600,000 head by 2030. The pick-up in suckler cow culling comes after a period of historically high cull cow prices in both marts and factories over the past 18 months and a huge increase in the cost of keeping suckler cows. Many in the industry had hoped that the new CAP Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) would put a floor under the decline of the herd. Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced last week that 20,000 farmers submitted applications, but this is down sharply on the schemes predecessor the BDGP, which received over 29,000 initial applications in 2015. ICSA suckler chair Jimmy Cosgrave said the Government lacks a coherent plan for the suckler sector and they are risking letting it wither away unless action is taken immediately. We still dont know how the 28m allocated in last autumns budget is to be allocated, he said. We have had only one meeting of the suckler premium brand committee in the last 12 months and the meat industry is not showing any great interest in the future of the suckler herd. So its not surprising that people are leaving the sector. A price premium for quality suckler beef is essential but there is too much foot-dragging around this, even though prelim Bord Bia research suggests a premium price is very achievable in the German market. The genotyping programme is unfair to suckler farmers who have already done this work in the BDGP and the SCEP, but there is a chance to now sell premium Irish suckler beef, verified by DNA as a result of the genotyping programme. This opportunity must be grasped with both hands or else we will see the decline in sucklers escalate. Organics push set to cut suckler numbers by 44,000 Meanwhile, the Department has estimated 44,000 suckler cows will be displaced if the Governments ambitious organic farming targets are met. Thats according to internal Department correspondence seen by the Farming Independent. In its Climate Action plan, the Government has set out to achieve an almost five-fold increase in the area of land being farmed organically to reach 450,000ha by 2030. The shift to organics is among a host of measures the Government hopes will reduce emissions from the agriculture sector, with two-thirds of the abatement being achieved through the reduced stocking rate and one-third through the reduction in emissions achieved through the removal of the chemical nitrogen from these farms. Internal Department correspondence obtained through a Freedom of Information request show that Department officials estimate the move would see a reduction of 44,000 suckler cows (88,000 animals in total including followers). Department officials also estimate a reduction of approximately 16,300t in fertiliser use in total. Funding of the Organic Farming Scheme was increased 80pc in 2022 in a bid to meet the Governments target to boost the organic area to 350,000ha and the latest opening of the scheme saw 3,423 eligible applications received. The new enhanced organic payment rates are a significant increase on what was in place previously. Drystock, tillage, dairy and horticulture producers will receive a payment of 300, 320, 350 and 800/ha/annum respectively for years one and two to cover conversion and maintenance, with slightly lower rates applying in years three to five. Canvassing in the election for the presidency of the IFA has officially commenced with the first of the hustings taking place stateside in the United Stated this week. County chairs of the IFA accompanied by other senior officers arrived in the USA last night (Monday) for an intensive three day study tour of American agricultural developments, which incorporates the 2023 IFA Chairpersons Forum within the hectic schedule. Ballinakill, Co Laois, suckler-to-beef and tillage farmer, Francie Gorman was nominated by the Laois Executive on Tuesday night, and 25 hours later, Oola, Co Limerick dairy farmer, Martin Stapleton advised a meeting of Limerick IFA that he will seek a nomination from the executive at their September meeting. Francie Gorman is currently South Leinster Chairman, while Martin Stapleton is the reigning National Treasurer and Returning Officer. Under the rules, each candidate requires the formal support of five county chairs, in addition to the home county, for a valid nomination, restricting the election to a maximum of four candidates. The collective gathering of the county chairs on tour in the USA will develop into a hive of soliciting their support to set the spring board for each of the candidates and both Laois and Limerick county chairs will each be fore fronting for their respective candidate. Both candidates are heading off their campaigns on a similar platform of strengthening the unity of farmers and rebuilding IFA as a voice for the sector. Francie Gorman wants to see a healing of division among farmers, big versus small, east versus west, dairy versus beef versus or other enterprises. Martin Stapleton points to a rocky, chilly and challenging road ahead and the unity and strength of the farmer voice in IFA will be crucial to ensuring the right for farmers to farm in whatever enterprise they choose. Early predictions are for a nail biting contest which is likely to go down to the wire for the 17th IFA president, who will oversee the 70th Anniversary of the founding during his term of office. It is one man, one vote, and the two candidate contest will be first past the post, with the initially odds suggesting that are the successful candidate could be decided by a margin of no more than a few votes. A high proportion of farmers (75pc) said they were more worried about having items stolen from around the farm than from their residence. Photo: Stock image Meet the Offaly tillage farmer shining a light on gender inequality and climate change in rural Vietnam Organic advisor Eveline Gill joined the remote Lao Chi tribe as part of RTEs Faraway Fields, immersing herself in a minimalist society where women do all the farmwork with little help from men, animals or machinery Eveline Gill harvesting rice in Vietnam. Niall Hurson Tue 13 Jun 2023 at 03:30 From left, Joanne Hynes 'Muse Lady sequin wedding dress (200), available from June 16, as part of the 'Fall Hard for Love' collection from Dunnes Stores; Hynes embellished wedding dress (400); the designer's winter white lace wedding coat (250) and velvet headband (100). Its a first for Dunnes Stores this week as they launch a bridal range and customers get the chance to say Yes to a Joanne Hynes wedding dress. The limited edition Fall Hard for Love 13-piece collection was designed by Hynes for a wedding, a party and a runaway bride. Prices start at 50 for a logo cotton tee shirt with faux pearls, sea shells, crystals and a lace frill on the short sleeves. The most expensive piece is a knee-length, V- neck embellished dress with sequins and crystals costing 400. The new collection is bound to have devoted Hynes fans and future brides and guests up early on Friday as it will only be on sale in three stores around the country, starting at 8am at the store on Bandon Road, Cork; 8.30am in St Stephen's Green Centre; and 9am at Eyre Square in Galway. A breakfast-time preview of the collection at Dunnes HQ today revealed a classic fit and flare lace coat dress with trapped lace flowers. It has a collar, narrow studded belt, deep cuffs and white hemline, and costs 250. Designed in 3D floral lace trapped between two layers of sheer mesh, it can be worn as a dress, with a slip underneath, or as a coat. Headband (100), top (250), sequin top (180), clutch bag 275 The Muse Lady has been a signature motif in Hynes collections for Dunnes Stores since 2016 and she pops up in the campaign hero Muse Lady sequin dress in this new wedding collection. The shimmering sequinned dress (200), with black panels on the side, slit on the front and black bows on the shoulders, ticks lots of boxes from a wedding day I do look to rehearsal dinner, dancing glam, hen-party gem or indeed stylish bridesmaids at a black-tie wedding. The Muse Lady graphic also turns up in narrow-legged trousers (150) and a short-cropped blazer (200) which look strong worn together or as separates. There are winter white and cream separates and accessories, including an A-line shirt jacket with rich lace foliage on the draped panel swing back (120), while an embroidered patch at the hem echoes the positive sentiment Make Your Hope Jump. Joanne Hynes' rose sequin top with foliage on back (180) There are many pieces that will appeal beyond the wedding market such as the white shirt, the Muse Lady cropped blazer trouser suit, a versatile pearl belt (120) and the Rose-sequinned jacket in ice cream tones with 3D lace back (180). The crystal-embellished clutch bag costing 275 was a real favourite at the press preview. Hynes explained how the embellished dress in the Fall Hard For Love collection was inspired by a dress she designed in 2006. The designer said that the Muse Lady dress is easy to wear, and it is meant for an occasion whether to get married in, to go to an event in, to be great in. The coat dress has storm flaps and an everyday silhouette cut in lace. Hynes described the cotton shirt with lace back and three dimensional flowers as high octane, but not too much. The Tuam-born designer will be in the Galway store on Friday for the launch and in the Dublin store on Saturday to meet customers. Rattigan arrived in Ireland on a flight from Spain last week. Photo: Patrick Cummins Gangland killer Brian Rattigan has been ruled out as a suspect in the gun murder of criminal Gary Carey (41), who died last August, six weeks after being shot multiple times in a hotel car park. Irish pub owner threatened to call police on Liam Byrne and friends day before arrest The group didnt want to pay and I said Id call the police. I didnt know who he was, here in Spain he is just another tourist Group dining here included Liam Byrne Alan Sherry Tue 13 Jun 2023 at 17:36 EasyJet has secured take-off and landing slots to use at Dublin Airport next winter. Photo: David Parry/PA No-frills airline EasyJet is contemplating muscling in on Ryanairs home turf in Dublin, heralding what could be another major dogfight between the two companies. EasyJet has secured take-off and landing slots to use at Dublin Airport next winter, according to Airport Co-ordination Limited (ACL), which co-ordinates slot usage for 72 airports around the world. It would mark the first time the airline, founded by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, would have tried to launch services from the capital. However, it is possible that while EasyJet may have secured the slots, it might not end up using them. Like all airlines, we are continually reviewing our network for future opportunities, said a spokesperson for the airline. EasyJet launched routes to Gatwick from Shannon, Cork and Knock in 2004, but only hung on in the Irish market for about 18 months. DAA CEO introduces new C3 Technology - A game changer in airport security and passenger experience At the time, Ryanair group CEO Michael OLeary predicted that EasyJet would join a long line of carriers that began flying to Ireland but subsequently pulled out. UK low-cost carrier Go was among the casualties from a previous battle with Ryanair. Go was an independent subsidiary of British Airways and was launched in 1998. In 1999, the carrier was forced to pull its only Irish service, a Dublin-Edinburgh route, after just four months. Ryanair had reacted with aggressive pricing tactics on the route. Barbara Cassani, the co-founder of Go, later admitted the airline had completely misjudged the likely reaction of Ryanair to Gos new route. The latest ACL report shows that EasyJets Austria-based subsidiary, EasyJet Europe, has secured a total of 88 take-off and landing slots for use at Dublin Airport between the end of October and the end of March next year. The report shows EasyJet, whose chief executive is Johan Lundgren, intending to use four slots every week during that period. That equates to a total of almost 16,400 seats in those months. The report also confirms Chinese carrier Hainan intends to continue operating a service to Beijing from Dublin during the winter season. It is relaunching the service this month. The ACL figures also show that Dublin Airport could have almost 18.4 million seats available over the winter. Aer Lingus, part of the IAG group that also owns British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, will have about five million seats available next winter out of the capital. The number of slots it will have is about 7.2pc lower than last winter. Ryanair will have just over 8.7 million seats available next winter out of Dublin Airport, according to ACL. It will have 12.7pc more slots. The next biggest carrier out of Dublin next winter will be Conor McCarthys Emerald Airlines, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service. It serves routes between Ireland and Britain, while it has also been operating a summer service to France. Dublin Airport, which is controlled by the semi-state DAA that also controls Cork Airport, is expected to handle 31.1 million passengers this year. The Junior Cycle French paper had something for everyone, said teacher Richard Britton, an Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) subject representative. This was the second exam of the new Junior Cycle specification and it was in line with last years paper, he said There was an appropriate level of difficulty with familiar topics appearing which would have been covered in class throughout the year, said Mr Britton, of Castlerea Community School in Co Roscommon. He described the reading section as fine, while he said writing section was fair with recognisable topics in Q17 such as family, food, pastimes. Mr Britton said Q18, a blog, was in line with sample papers and mock papers which would have pleased students but added that a 200-word word count was a new addition which might have concerned students. He described the listening section as being of an appropriate level of difficulty, although two questions asked in French might have challenged some students The odd word such as rayon homme and buanderie might have confused some students but overall it was fine. Overall, he felt the paper was manageable and there should be no major complaints. Compared with about 29,000 Junior Cycle candidates sitting French, 520 students were entered for Italian, the exam in which was held yesterday morning. The whole Leaving Cert Biology syllabus was covered, with plenty of choice in the exam. Stock Photo: Getty Even teachers might have been stumped by the term innominate bones on the Leaving Cert Biology higher level paper, but otherwise it received plenty of praise. Margaret McGagh, an Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) subject representative, felt 99pc of students would not have known the term. In the question, students were asked what innominate bones were more commonly known as. The answer is pelvis. But despite a lack of familiarity with that term, Ms McGagh, of Dunmore Community School, Dunmore, Co Galway, said, overall, the paper was very nice. The whole syllabus was covered, with plenty of choice . She said students really appreciated that human biology and plant biology werent mixed together in the same question as has happened other years. They did feature as options within a question, but there was choice. Liam Hennelly of the Studylix website, and a teacher at Belvedere College SJ, Co Dublin, described it as a very student-centred, fair and current paper that would have been well received. Leaving Cert Analysis 2023 - Biology (Higher) He said that students had plenty of choice across all three units of the course but the questions were challenging in places and required an in-depth knowledge of subject material. Mr Hennelly agreed that students may have been thrown when asked to give the common name for the innominate bones while in Q8 b, he said students may have struggled to name theTullgren Funnel piece of apparatus. But he noted that the paper featured a very topical and accessible passage on ash dieback disease. Wesley Hammond, a teacher at The Institute of Education, Dublin, described it as a wide-ranging paper that allowed students to navigate by their strengths and one that would have delighted those familiar with past papers. While in places it was a little tougher than last year, a prepared student will have met a paper that posed no shocks or upsets. He noted the heavy emphasis on human biology and reproduction, both plant and human. Overall, he said, thanks to the ample choice afforded, students would have been able to answer a full paper while avoiding less popular topics completely. There was great clarity within many questions, both in terms of phrasing and focus, as there was minimal mixing of topics. Mr Hammond said while there were trickier questions, those who took the time to read through the paper will have been able to navigate them. He said some questions had a sting in their tail, particularly in Section C , which had many moments that tested the finer details of topics in a way that would really distinguish the H1/H2 students. As an example, he cited the ecology question on the nitrogen and carbon cycles, while he said other questions were rather verbose or wordy in a way that would likely be off putting for a weaker student. However, on careful reading, these sections were very manageable if you gave yourself the moment of composure. He said while much of this paper was anticipated, there were a few surprises both positive and negative. The debut appearance of a question on the function of apparatus for surveying animals in Section B might have given students pause; they wouldnt have recognised it from their revision. While on the other hand, those who studied reproduction (both human and plant), which makes up only two chapters of course, will find that they could answer 30pc of the paper. The ordinary level paper was equally well-received. Ms McGagh said, like higher level, Section C had plenty of choice, including a nice genetic question on blue eyes and brown eyes . But she said students might have been put off by the part of the same question about tissue culture. She said the ecology question, while it had nothing really difficult, it was a bit technical. She commented that the ecology questions can be a a bit wordy, which can challenge ordinary level students. Mr Hennelly agreed about the wide selection of questions and his overall verdict was that it was a very fair and accessible paper. Teachers thought that Leaving Cert Irish higher level Paper 1 would have posed challenges for students. Claire Markey, a Teachers; Union of Ireland (TUI) exams spokesperson thought it more difficult than other years and may have caused problems for some. Clare Grealy, of the Institute of Education, Dublin described it as much tougher than previous years, not just in terms of its topics but also in how questions were phrased. She said while it featured a wide range of topics awkward phrasing and niche issues meant that the practical selection was very narrow. Leaving Cert video Analysis - Irish (Higher) Paper 1 Meanwhile, Linda Dolan of the Studyclix website, agreed it may have presented a few difficulties. Maire Ni Cheallaigh, also of the Institute of Education, said the exam started with a broadly accessible listening test, although it did contain a few tricky moments for the students. But, according to Ms Grealy, the accessibility offering by the listening comprehension was not to be found in Section 2, Composition. Overall, there were nine choices of essay/article/debate and students had to pick one, but Ms Grealy thought it was narrowed down to only two options: Drugs, and Famous People. One of the topics was on things that affect the health of the person and both Ms Markey and Ms Grealy felt that having seen the word health students may have embarked on an essay on the health service. Ms Grealy said in other cases, the vocabulary chosen in the question was potentially likely to drive students away from a question for which they were well prepared. She gave an example of the title Eagoir (injustice). She said while many students would have prepared material on homelessness or racism, only if you knew the term eagoir meant injustice would you understand. Ms Dolan, a teacher at Mercy College, Sligo, agreed that students might have struggled with the term "eagoir" on "injustice" in the fourth option. Ms Markey, who teaches at Firhouse Community College, Dublin, was also concerned that the word eagoir may not have been familiar to students. It is a word they wouldnt have heard used very often, she said Ms Dolan thought The Problem with Drugs option would have been the hot favourite. She said students would have needed to be well prepared for the debate question was based on the Irish language and charities, while Ms Markey said both debate topics - the other was Irish in the Digital Age - were very specific. According to Ms Grealy while some prompts were obscured by language choices, others are simply too niche for students to feel confident in the intense setting of the exam hall. She commented: How one goes about approaching Irish in the Digital Age is something that would perturb teachers, never mind students. Ms Markey said there was choice and she hoped students found something they could write about. Meanwhile, Leaving Cert Irish ordinary level Paper 1 was well received and very doable, said teacher Linda Dolan. Ms Dolan of the Studyclix website and Mercy College, Sligo, said students would have been content with the topics as they allowed them the opportunity to showcase the vocabulary they learned in junior cycle and senor cycle. Ms Dolan said the titles for the sceal in the of the Composition section were also very doable and left open for interpretation. Without a doubt, there was something for everyone today on the Ordinary Level paper, she said. Claire Markey a Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) exam spokesperson, and a teacher at Firhouse Community College Dublin, said while there were some difficulties, in general there was sufficient choice. Musician does version of Irish leaving cert poem 'Spailpin Fanach' with a twist They now account for 18pc of all electricity use on ESB meters. Opposition TDs are calling on the Government to pause the obscene amount of data centres putting pressure on the countrys energy supply. New figures by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) yesterday revealed that data centres now account for 18pc of all electricity use recorded by ESB meters. The sector has seen a 400pc increase in energy usage in the last seven years. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith today called the figures shocking but predictable. Her party plans to reintroduce a bill to the Dail that will argue for a ban on new planning permissions for data centres. Ms Smith said the proliferation of centres in Ireland is obscene. "The only thing that can stop this and curtail it is a real discussion about what use our data centres are. The Dublin South-Central TD said: No other country is doing this; Ireland is a complete outlier and were going to suffer the concrete results of that in the future. She added that there is no rhyme or reason for the proliferation of data centres in the country when Ireland is already struggling to meet emissions targets. Unless we do something about it, or call out the Government for being a spin doctors for the industry rather than thinking in a sensible way about the needs of this State, then we're not going to reach our targets. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said the issue of data centres is really concerning due to their unsustainable energy usage. It puts a number of pressures on us and puts pressure on out gird, she said. "Yesterday, we had an Amber Alert and were coming into a winter where we will probably have issues when it comes to energy security, said. It puts pressure on our ability to meet our emissions targets. "It also puts pressure on electricity prices, because the main driver of actually of our electricity prices is demand. "So, there are a number of areas that this unsustainable growth within the data centre sector is concerning. "What we need to see is government actually managing the issue of data centres and ensuring that they are putting conditions on them. The Wicklow TD added that there is a problem with the strategic oversight of data centres and called on the Government to manage and properly regulate the sector. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns meanwhile said the centres were on course to gobble up 30pc of national electricity output by 2030, while in other European countries it would be 2pc. Labour leader and climate spokesperson Ivana Bacik called on Government to introduce a temporary surcharge on data centres. to counteract the drain these centres cause on the environment. She said there should be a pause on new data centres until an analysis is carried out into the impact of these centres on infrastructure. But the Taoiseach said the future solution for data centres is to make sure that they are powered by sustainable energy, and that they have their own back-up generators. Leo Varadkar said it might be a surprise to some to learn that Eirgrid had not approved a new connection to the grid by a data centre since 2020. He added: Climate change is real, and its happening. It's a clear and present danger, is man-made, and we need to act. We have to be the generation that turns the tide when it comes to climate change. In relation to data centres, there are over 100,000 people in Ireland who work in technology firms. They might not work in the data centres themselves, but their jobs would not exist without the existence of data centres. So they are important to our economy, and they are important in terms of jobs and job creation. While there may not be a moratorium on new data centres, it might be useful for me to advise that Eirgrid has not approved a new connection since July 2020. That's nearly two years since a new data centre has been given a grid connection. Applications for new data centres are assessed on a case-by-case basis taking, into account the impact on things like job creation, for example, Mr Varadkar said. Manufacturing companies say they want to use giant electric heat pumps instead of fossil fuels to make their products but crippling costs are holding them back. They have told politicians they could shave several million tonnes of carbon emissions off the national total quickly if given greater cash support to install the technology. Samuel Geraghty of industry group, eHeat Ireland (EHI), said there was massive interest in the food, drink, dairy and pharmaceutical industries for replacing oil and gas boilers with heat pumps. They all require large amounts of heat to boil water, blend ingredients, dry out products and sterilise equipment. But Irelands uptake of renewable heat is very low in both the residential and industrial sectors. Irelands current renewable share in the heat sector was 6.8pc in 2021, in comparison to the European Union average of 22pc, Mr Geraghty told the Oireachtas Environment and Climate Action Committee. Industry used 40pc of all the heat produced in Ireland, generating five million tonnes of carbon emissions in the process, he said. He said there was scope to eliminate two to three million tonnes of this by 2030 with the right policies. Electrification of industrial heat is a vital underexploited tool in our decarbonisation efforts, he said. He said the main barrier was cost, with electricity prices too high compared to gas prices. Investing in switching to a heat system powered by renewable electricity would pay back the cost in a year in Norway but take five years in Ireland. Ronan Coffey, global energy manager with medical devices company, Boston Scientific, said the costs of electrifying heat was a major concern for his employers. The company recently electrified an unused 40,000 square foot building after taking a decision not to add any more gas operated systems to its facilities. They were 100pc happy with the technology but the operating costs were a challenge. With our plants in other parts of the world, the gap between electricity and gas prices is much narrower, he said. The meeting heard that heat pump installation grants were available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), covering up to 40pc of the cost to a maximum of 1 million. James Browne, environmental and energy manager with Irish Distillers, said, however, it cost that company tens of millions of euro to make the switch. All the effort is having to be put in by industry, he said. We're doing it as part of our own internal goals but also part of the national effort. Asked how much was needed to achieve high levels of switching by companies, Mr Browne said the return on the investment should dictate.. SEAI will say that there is probably a five to eight times factor in terms of bang for investment in grants so industrial heat really comes on top of everything else. A 1bn support in this area would deliver twice as much carbon reduction as 8bn in the domestic area, and it will deliver within this framework of 2030, he said. The meeting also heard that getting ESB Networks to upgrade electricity connections to handle higher power loads was too complicated, took too long and further added to costs. Irish Paper 2 was straightforward enough, with no surprises, according to teachers. Stock photo: Getty After what was regarded as a challenging Leaving Cert Irish higher level Paper 1, todays student friendly Paper 2 got a great welcome from teachers. Claire Markey, a Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) exams spokesperson, said it was straightforward enough, with no surprises. Ms Markey, a teacher at Firhouse Community College, Dublin said while there were some challenges with the reading comprehension, they were doable. Linda Dolan of the Studyclix website and Mercy College, Sligo, said students would have been relieved with today's paper after possibly being left disheartened after yesterday's exam. She said candidates would have welcomed the highly anticipated literature questions. Oisin i dTir na nOg and Dis appeared in the prose section, with both containing straightforward questions. However, in poetry, she said An Spailpin Fanach contained some tricky vocabulary and would have put students through their paces. She thought Mo Ghra-sa would have been the most popular option here as the language was much more student friendly. Ms Dolan said while the topics for the reading comprehension appeared difficult, the questions presented nothing out of the ordinary. Leaving Cert Analysis 2023 - Irish Paper 2 (Higher) Clare Grealy of The Institute of Education, Dublin, described the higher level paper as fair and accessible and very student friendly. She said it did what a good exam should do reward those who had put in the time and effort to learn the material. Students will have breathed a sigh of relief rather than frustration as they opened it. It was what students would have anticipated and prepared for. The questions were clear, accessible, and fair; a clear contrast to yesterday's Paper 1. Ms Grealy described the reading comprehension texts, one on explorer Tom Crean and the other on European Year of Youth, as clear and concise, with grammar questions that followed the format of previous years. She said the prose would have been a huge relief to students. While she described the Oisin i dTir na nOg question as rather specific and narrow in its focus, wanting two traits of the character rather than of the genre, this was clearly indicated in a well-expressed question. The poetry was also as expected, she said and continued the trend in recent papers of asking students for personal responses to the material. In relation to Question 4, Ms Grealy said most schools study An Triail and this was simply a great question on the negative impact of characters. Meanwhile, she said A Chlann was another widely anticipated text and again, its questions were brilliantly straightforward. The one moment for pause for some students would have been in part (iii) which asked about poetic technique, but after a moment to gather your thoughts, it was really quite manageable. Teachers were also happy with Leaving Cert ordinary level Paper 2. Ms Garvey said the two reading comprehensions, one of which was a text about Johnny Sexton and the other about major stories in 2022 including the war in Ukraine and the success of Irish movies such as An Cailin Ciuin, were very doable . While a couple of poetry questions may have posed a little challenge, in general both prose and poetry were ok, she said. Ms Dolan said the paper was straightforward, student-centred and was well received, adding that the much preferred poem Geibheann came up in the poetry section with An t-Earrach Thiar being the other option. LEO Varadkar and Cabinet colleagues agreed today not to oppose a Bill that would create an honours situation for the first time. If passed by the Oireachtas, some citizens of the Republic would be deemed a cut above others and entitled to add the letters G.U. after their name. The suffix stands for Gradam an Uachtarain, and would indicate a person has been honoured, nominally by the President although names could be submitted by Government. The move comes when the honours system in the neighbouring United Kingdom has never been at a lower ebb, which huge controversy over Boris Johnsons honouring of political cronies in his resignation list. A spokesman for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today that Enda Kenny had previously written to all parties in 2015 to see if they would be interested in such a scheme. Only Sinn Fein responded on that occasion, to warn that any such system would also have to apply to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. The idea soon died off, such was the lack of enthusiasm. The Constitution already provides that no citizen may accept foreign honours or titles of nobility without the express approval of Government. The Cabinets decision not to oppose the Bill to facilitate the conferral by the State of honours came as a surprise. The scheme, which envisages a Gradam an Uachtarain title, has been tabled by Independent senators Sharon Keogan, Victor Boyhan, Ronan Mullen, Tom Clonan and Gerard Craughwell. It would recognise exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions. A spokesman for the Independent Senators Group confirmed that one of the members of the technical group, Senator Michael McDowell, had denounced the idea of an honours system in the Republic. But he said the current proposal was based on a Bill originally drafted by Superquinn founder and Independent Senator Feargal Quinn in 2014. The spokesman said: The rationale behind the Bill is that we would create an awards system comparable to other countries. In the United Kingdom, people can be knighted, made Sir, or given an OBE for example. We dont have anything comparable here. In the United States there is provision for the award of a Congressional or Presidential Medal of Freedom. We dont have anything like that in Ireland. Irish honours could be awarded under such headings as social and community service, education, health, the arts, or science and technology, he suggested. The Bill will be tabled in the Seanad on Wednesday. Senator McDowell, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, disagreed fundamentally with his colleagues. He told Independent.ie: We have got along fine without an honours system for a hundred years. I think the citizenship of our Republic is enough. The honours list in the UK has certainly given rise to controversy. If you give them, you create division why not him and why not her? And then you may have to withdraw the honour if something comes out about a person. One problem is that the President is obliged to follow the advice of Government, he said. There is an issue there, if there is this additional power given to the President, who must act in accordance with Government advice. It is the issue of insider-ism and cronyism and its always arbitrary in any case. We have managed very well without any of it. A Government spokesman said: The Bill provides a mechanism to facilitate the conferral by the State of an honour to be known as Gradam an Uachtarain to recognise the exceptional achievements of its citizens and the outstanding contributions of others. But he added: The Government position is that there are Constitutional issues with the Bill as drafted. There are also concerns as to the limited nature of the composition of the Awarding Council as proposed. He pointed out that there already exist a number of award schemes whereby the State recognises and awards merit, distinction or bravery. These are Honorary University Degrees and other prizes and scholarships in third level institutions, and a number of high-profile awards in various sectors. In addition there is Honorary Citizenship; Gaisce - The Presidents Award; membership of Aosdana in the arts sector, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad; and National Bravery Awards bestowed by the Ceann Comhairle. The position of many recent Governments has been that all party support is required before considering any such awards scheme, he said. The Government will therefore not oppose the 2023 Bill but that does not mean acceptance of the Senators proposal. Cheap long-haul flights would delight many, but the airlines CEO Eddie Wilson explains why they havent taken the leap Aer Lingus does it on wide-body A330s and single-aisle, A321 neo LR aircraft . Norwegian did it with a no-frills service from Irish airports until it axed the flights in 2019. And Icelandic budget carrier Play is doing it from Dublin Airport, albeit with short stopovers in Reykjavik. With travel to the US getting easier, Covid restrictions gone and US Preclearance in Dublin and Shannon, surely the low-cost airline to end them all would crush it if it went transatlantic. So, will Ryanair finally fly to the US? No, says its CEO Eddie Wilson. The airline has just ordered 300 new Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft for its European network, but North America is not so much as a blip on its radar, he says. There are a couple of reasons. One is that Ryanair does 25-minute turnarounds and goes to a lot of uncongested airports in Europe. So were able to get extra turns on the aircraft. But if youre on the transatlantic route, even the major carriers cant get an extra turn. An extra turn means an additional flight, increasing the money an aircraft can make. But thats tricky on US flight rotations due to many factors, including distance, changeover times and the chance of picking up weather delays. You might say you could drop down to the Canaries, but your schedule, given weather and things like that, means its very hard to become any more efficient... so youre not able to replicate that part of the model. The next challenge is the shortage of slots at major airports. It would be very difficult to get on one of those routes with any sort of presence. And if you had to go to secondary airports [Norwegian flew to Stewart in New York State], youre ruling out Business Class. What really pays for transatlantic are the 24 people up front and the cargo, Wilson says. Down the back, there just arent enough seats for you to lower fares. Were not set up for that. We have no experience in running a Business Class cabin, and we dont have cargo. Norwegian launched in 2017 with lead-in transatlantic fares of 69 each way. But bigger carriers soon turned the screw on its economy prices while keeping their revenue ticking over up front (it was also impacted by the global grounding of Boeings 737 Max). Theres no obvious part of our business model that is transferable from short-haul, Wilson says. Nobody has ever really cracked that yet. [With the] Ryanair model, you do the same thing every day, every seat, every flight. Thats what has kept us on the straight and narrow for the last 30-plus years. We dont change things very often. But when we do, its got to be every seat, every flight. A strong balance sheet, hedging on fuel prices, buying aircraft at the right time and getting growth deals out of secondary airports all give Ryanair a larger cost advantage on its competitors, he says. And we just keep rolling that out all the time... you know, its boring! As for being cautious in terms of transatlantic flights, it looks like Ryanair will continue to keep us waiting. For the princely sum of 225,000 each, these neighbours would agree not to object to a housing development in the area. But all didnt exactly go to plan, and now gardai are involved after the developer reported a potential fraud. The saga has resulted in the departure of a senior solicitor from Matheson, one of Irelands biggest legal firms, after the resident sent the list of demands using their official email address. Presenter Kevin Doyle is joined by the Irish Independent's Ireland editor Fionnan Sheahan to tell us the story and to explain why the Irish Independent has been circumspect in some of its reporting. Deputy Sherlock said the landbanks at Newberry would be perfectly suited to green energy production, through initiatives such as the development of solar farms. A NORTH Cork TD has said he believed lands at the former sugar factory in Mallow should return to State ownership and be converted into a multi-use industrial and residential hub. Mallow-based Cork East Labour TD Sean Sherlock has called on the Government to fund a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the two tranches of land at the former Newberry plant, which were put up for sale this week by owners Greencore with a guide price of 2.2 million, so that they could revert back to State ownership. For decades the Irish Sugar site was owned by the State. Now that it has gone up for sale, I would like to see it revert back to State ownership and an industrial policy created and put in around the site that could potentially create hundreds of new local jobs, said Deputy Sherlock. He said the two parcels of land, which combined equate to more than 145 acres, would be ideally suited to green energy production such as a solar farm. Read more Lands at former Mallow sugar factory go on the market for 2.2 million Data has shown that Ireland is among the highest producers of greenhouse gases in the EU per capita, with the EPA revealing that total emissions increased by 4.7% in 2021. This in spite of the Governments pledge to cut emissions by 4.8% between 2021 and 2025, part of achieving a larger target of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030. The EPA has said it does not believe Ireland will be anywhere near that target by the 2030 deadline. Deputy Sherlock said that if Greencore are serious about selling the land, they have a moral obligation to ensure that corporate social responsibility is adhered to and that whoever buys the land does so for environmental and social good. The jobs of the future are going to be around green energy production and this site would be perfectly suited to feed into that. The proper and sustainable development of the site through State agencies would be of great assistance in helping to reach Irelands emission targets, said Deputy Sherlock. He said that given the prime location of the site the very real benefits its development by the State could reap for Mallow, the wider North Cork area and the country in terms of job creation and addressing climate change were immense. In real terms the guide price of 2.2 million being asked for the landbanks would be a small price to pay terms of the long-term benefits of bringing them back into State ownership, said Deputy Sherlock. The creation of sustainable jobs on this site by State agencies, and if possible some residential developments, must be something that is given very serious consideration, he added. Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbite was joined at the Crann Centre in Ovens for the funding announcement on Monday by Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Aindrias Moynihan. A CORK TD has welcomed the allocation of 170,000 for the establishment of a specialist community continence clinic at the Crann Centre in Ovens. Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Aindrias Moynihan joined party colleague and Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte at the centre on Monday for the formal announcement of the funding package. In 2014 Kanturk-based Kate Jarvey, along with the late Timmy Buckley, founded the Crann Centre, which provides services including health & continence, psychological well-being, mobility, education & career pathways, community networks and independent living for adults, children and families living with neuro-physical disabilities. These include spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and childhood stroke. It supports more than 270 families and has established numerous ground-breaking first in Ireland initiatives such as their Model of Care, co-working spaces that support people with disabilities to remote work in collaborative environments and a fully accessible playground and leisure space. Last year Kate Jarvey opened a 25-acre accessible space at her farm near Kanturk that offers people with disabilities the opportunity to access nature within an inclusive working conservation area. Ms Jarvey, whose aunt Ruth Lilley was great-granddaughter of Eli Lilley the founder of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co, helps oversee the Ruth Lilly Philanthropy Foundations grant-making. Throughout her life she has followed in the philanthropic tradition of her family, working in various philanthropy projects across the world. Speaking after being named last Septembers joint Cork Person of the Month with Crann volunteer Terry ONeill, she said the experiences have help her in learning again and again that it is only in giving that we receive. I came to live in Ireland in 1997 and have enjoyed supporting various charitable endeavours here. In 2014 I realised a long-held ambition of finding a special philanthropy project in Ireland, said Kate. She said the Crann Centre Ltd (CCL) was founded with the mission of breaking the pattern of fragmented care services for people with disability and their families. This pattern has marginalised people with disability and their families, increased stigma, and social isolation. I hope that Crann will be the change maker now, and for many years to come, said Ms Jarvey. Deputy Moynihan said the new community continence clinic will be accessible to Childrens Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in the Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare area. Having spoken to families who use the Crann Centre services I know how vitally important they are for local people, said Deputy Moynihan. It is a fantastic voluntary service, which makes a huge difference to the lives of people with disabilities. This funding will allow the centre to provide further supports for families who are caring for loved ones with neuro-physical disabilities, said Deputy Moynihan. A man who carried out a shocking, brutal and cowardly sexual assault on a woman walking her dog in a Cork park has been jailed for six years. Vadim Veste (28), of Clancy Street, Fermoy, Co Cork, a dual Moldovan-Romanian national, pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court to aggravated sexual assault of the woman, who is aged in her 50s, at St Colman's Park in Fermoy, Co Cork, on November 7, 2021. At a previous sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, the court heard Veste travelled to Ireland just 18 days after being released from prison where he had served a sentence for the rape of a minor. He served a three-year prison sentence for the rape of the 14-year-old girl who was known to him in Eastern Europe in July 2016. He was released from custody on December 11, 2020, and travelled to Ireland to stay with his mother on December 29. Sentencing Veste today, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said it was a shocking, brutal and cowardly sexual assault which was violent, degrading and humiliating and left the woman with nasty injuries. He said the attack had been on an unsuspecting woman and noted Vestes history of serious sexual offending. He said the woman had been out walking her dog on a dark evening around 6pm when she was pulled forcibly to the ground. He said Veste used a hat as a gag to prevent the woman crying out and used his knees to hold her down by her shoulders. He touched her vagina outside of her underwear. It was a terrifying experience, the judge said before he added that the woman was walking alone in a dark and unlit park but it was a park she was familiar with and she felt entirely safe. He said the woman believed she was going to be raped and murdered. The judge commented on the womans bravery in fighting back against Veste, scratching his face and neck, biting and kicking him. She also screamed, which drew the attention of two young Polish men who had been jogging nearby and who came to her assistance. Mr Justice McDermott noted that Vestes DNA was later found under the womans fingernails. He said he saw photos of what he described as the shocking injuries sustained by the woman and he added the impact of such an attack should never be underestimated. It had a terrible effect on her at the time and subsequently, the judge said, adding that it generated fear not only that evening but also led to a fear that persists. He said it impacted her safety and contentment in doing the most simplest of things like going for a walk with her dog and said it had seeped into her sense of security. The judge said the consideration of CCTV footage from the local area led to the arrest of Veste. He said Veste initially suggested that he had a row with the woman about her dog. Mr Justice McDermott said he had to consider the fact that Veste had a previous conviction for the rape of a 14-year-old. He said the evidence from that conviction was that the relationship had been consensual and that Veste had been six years older than the girl. The rape occurred when he forced the girl to have sex without her consent. Mr Justice McDermott said the aggravating features in the current case included the random and predatory nature of the attack and the fact that the woman was attacked from behind when she was alone in the dark. He set a headline sentence of nine years before he took into account the mitigating features in the case including an expression of remorse from the man. However, the judge said a report from the Probation Service raised a serious concern as he believed it showed a lack of insight and acceptance of what he has done in relation to the sexual element of the offence. The judge said Veste clearly needs to have his offending addressed and said he also seems to have a particular attitude towards women. He sentenced Veste to six years and six months in prison before he suspended the final six months for two years on strict conditions including that he attend for any treatment as deemed appropriate by the Probation Service. Mr Justice McDermott also ordered that the man not approach the victim or her family and ordered that he have no unsupervised access to children. He placed him under a six-year post release supervision order for the protection of society and to prevent future offending. Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information. An online petition has been launched to remove a bike rack installed in a loading bay, also used for outdoor dining, outside a Dublin LGBTQ+ pub. With Dublin Pride set to kick off this month, Siobhan Comny, owner of Street 66 bar on Parliament Street, said she was devastated to learn that Dublin City Council had installed the bike rack directly outside her premises. The loading bay, one of only two on a street with 19 restaurants, is used for deliveries and outdoor dining. The bar had reapplied in October for its annual outdoor street furniture licence for tables and chairs but it was refused on Friday. Im devastated, coming up to Pride the streets are going to be very busy so I dont think its really safe to have a bike rack directly outside your front door of a busy premises, the pub owner told Independent.ie. There is no other place where there are bike racks outside your front door and it's in a loading bay where there are massive deliveries coming in in the next few weeks. Dublin LGBTQ bar angered as council put bike rack in former outdoor seating area during Pride month When the streets get really really packed for Pride, you wont be able to see the racks. Usually during Pride we get a letter from the garda station and we are told to take anything that is a hazard off the streets for it to be completely clear. Now these bike racks are stuck outside an LGBTQ bar. Its a trip hazard and it doesnt make sense. Im very upset about the whole thing, said Ms Comny. The online petition, set up on Monday, has reached more than 3,000 signatures calling for Dublin City Council to remove the racks. The pub had been told on Friday evening that its licence for outdoor furniture had been refused, after supplying additional architectural drawings to the council in January. We had an outdoor furniture licence for the last couple of years and I reapplied as normal in October, said Ms Comny. On Monday morning a bike rack was installed and I have no opportunity to appeal, Ive no explanation. There are about 26 other bike racks on the street and they are mostly not used because the street doesnt have much traffic. To have them on a loading bay where we have extremely busy deliveries for the next two weeks the trucks have to park on the footpath. It seems a bit vindictive to have a bike rack on a loading bay and delivery trucks have to go up on the footpaths, she said. Dublin City council previously removed the bars outdoor tables and chairs in January while their reapplication was being processed and placed planters in the loading bay. My furniture was removed by Dublin City Council at 7 oclock in the morning in January. I had already applied for the renewal of the license and I didnt hear anything, she said. To put a bike rack there instead of even keeping the loading bay there for the delivery drivers, it seems suspicious and a bit weird. Its absolutely ridiculous in the middle of a loading bay, she said. The pub owner said the popular bar has received so much support from other businesses and local residents to have the racks removed. Meanwhile, councillor Claire Byrne said: Each business has been reapplying for their street furniture licence, as everybody has, and have subsequently been refused. Today one of those premises arrived in to see bike parking racks being placed outside their premises where previously they would have had outdoor seating, she told councillors on Monday. Im obviously very pro-bike parking, said the Green Party councillor but she said there didnt seem to be any coherent plan around the granting of street furniture licences in the city. Dublin City Council was contacted for comment. Councillor Nial Ring said the Freedom of the city nomination is coming from the Green Party hierarchy rather than the Lord Mayor in a heated row. A war of words erupted between Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy and Councillor Nial Ring over the awarding of the Freedom of Dublin City to Greta Thunberg. Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy has said she is not a little woman in a chair that has to revere to her leader and king Eamon Ryan in a heated row between councillors over the awarding of the Freedom of Dublin City to Greta Thunberg. Dublin City Councillors have approved awarding the Freedom of the Dublin City to Swedish Environmentalist Greta Thunberg, along with Irish Environmentalist Duncan Stewart. However, several councillors accused the Green Party Lord Mayor of using the award for headline fodder, greenwashing and said that the nomination was cronyism on Monday night. I take insult on his remark that somehow the little woman here at the chair wouldnt have a thought in her mind, and would have to revere to her leader and the king Eamon Ryan, the Lord Mayor told Independent councillor Nial Ring for his remarks on her nomination. That is untrue and very insulting actually, she said. Councillor Ring told the chamber that the Lord Mayors decision is coming from the Green Party hierarchy rather than the Lord Mayor. I believe Greta will reflect on this nomination and the fact that she is being used as headline fodder, he said. As a principle person I have no doubt she will ask herself how she could accept an award from the capital city of a country which the Taoiseach himself has described as laggard when it comes to climate change. Cllr Ring said there is no coincidence that the nomination comes days after the EPA said the State would not meet its climate action targets. Not one target will be met according to the EPA, he said. While Cllr Mannix Flynn, also an Independent, said the nomination is outrageous. Its Green Partyism, its cronyism at the highest order. With the city in the disgraceful state that it is in at the moment, filthy, dirty and manky up to its knees in filth and dirt and the city council you are sitting in refusing point blank to clean the streets. Its greenwashing of the highest order. If it wasn't the fact that you are leaving very soon I would ask for your resignation, he said. Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy rejected the criticism that she was using the award to boost the Green Party agenda. The lord Mayor said Ms Thunberg has had a significant presence on the international stage, particularly in rallying young people to the climate change challenge. World's most prominent global campaigner of our time. She is also a young person who sacrificed so much in the last number of years, including her schooling, to bring a new energy and spirit to the climate cause, she said. Cllr Pat Dunne of Independents4Change said Greta Thunberg is anti-capitalist, adding, unlike the Green Party which I believe to be the most right wing Green party in Europe. You are attempting to use her activism and reputation to boost your own party, he said. Cllr Dermot Lacey, Labour Party, said the argument was one of saddest debates I have seen on this city council, adding that the granting of the Freedom of the City was always a moment of celebration. The nominations for the Freedom of the City of Dublin were made last week at a meeting of Dublin City Councils Protocol Committee. Kellie Harrington, Ailbhe Smyth and Professor Mary Aiken were the last people to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2022. The conferring ceremony for the Freedom of the City of Dublin will be presented on Wednesday, June 21 at the Mansion House." Residents say the use of the car parks for multiple night stays is inappropriate and causing unsightly levels of litter Residents of Sandymount in South Dublin are calling for a stop to an endless stream of camper vans using the beach car parks for overnight stays. The Sandymount and Merrion Road Residents Association (Samra) have said the use of the car parks for multiple night stays is inappropriate and causing unsightly levels of litter along the busy promenade. The promenade along Sandymount Beach is a popular walking spot for locals and has three car parks for short stay parking. David Turner, chairman of Samra said as the holiday season approaches, there is an endless stream of motor homes and camper vans which are using the beach car parks for overnight stays. In many cases multiple nights". Quite apart from the inappropriate use of the car bays, intended primarily for short term visitors to the promenade area, waste material is usually just dumped either in the car park itself or deposited in the bushes, Mr Turner said. He added that apart from the unsightly labels of litter, the main consequence is to attract rodents which migrate from the beach rock-armour area. It was never intended that the car parks would be used in this way and there are no waste facilities provided, he said. Locals are calling for the height barriers to be restored at the entrance to the car parks to prevent access to camper vans and motor homes using the busy parking spots. The barriers have been left open since the Covid pandemic and have suffered damage and require maintenance, according to the residents group. Mr Turner said the issue requires urgent action and could be quickly remedied, if this is acted upon. Although a popular walking spot, swimming is not recommended in Sandymount Beach due to strong incoming tides. A bathing water restriction is currently on the beach from June 12 and is expected to last for four days due to a risk of deterioration in water quality from heavy rainfall. The promenade itself runs along the coast road from Sandymount Strand to Merrion Gates with views of the Poolbeg towers and the red Poolbeg Lighthouse. Shane Murphy (33) was waiting to go to rehab when he appeared in court. A thief has asked a judge to jail him, saying he needed a break to deal with his drink problem. Shane Murphy (33) was waiting to go to rehab when he appeared in court on a shoplifting charge and said he would take a few days in prison in the meantime. Judge Bryan Smyth said he had not intended jailing Murphy but fined him 200, payable immediately, with five days in prison in default. Murphy, a labourer and father-of-one with an address at a Dublin city centre hostel, was taken into custody on failing to pay the fine. Dublin District Court heard he went to Penneys on Mary Street last April 12. He took 104 worth of clothing and attempted to leave the shop without paying. Murphy was stopped by security and the goods were recovered in a saleable condition. Murphy, an alcoholic seems insistent that he needs to get a break to deal with the alcohol and wants to go into custody, his solicitor Yvonne Bambury said. Murphy said he was waiting to get into a treatment centre and said: Ill take a few days because I need to be somewhere. The judge said he doubted the accused will be in there very long. Leaving Cert student Hugh Murray pictured at CBS The Green in Tralee on Wednesday after finishing English Paper One. Mairead Guerin and Akrem Ghomaid at Presentation Secondary School in Tralee pictured after finishing English Paper One on Wednesday. CBS The Green Leaving Cert students Kieran Slattery and Paul Burke pictured after finishing English Paper One on Wednesday. All smiles from Broda Kelliher, Kayleigh Collins and Ria Harmon at Presentation Secondary School in Tralee after they finished English Paper One on Wednesday. Damieti Miri and Erica Mazlan pictured after finishing English Paper One at Presentation Secondary School in Tralee. All photos by Mark OSullivan. As the end of the 2023 Leaving Cert draws ever nearer for the majority of students, its safe to say that this years cohort of students have not had it easy, most notably thanks to the Higher Level Maths Paper One which caused nothing short of a national backlash this week, such was the difficulty of the exam. Its been a baptism of fire for this years students, the vast majority of whom have never sat a State Exam up to now but thankfully up until last Friday, the exams had gone relatively smoothly. I cant complain, everything went well and Im just hoping the rest continue to be the same, Dami Etimiri said last Wednesday afternoon after finishing English Paper One. I thought the exam would be way worse, remarked Mairead Guerin, another Presentation Leaving Cert student speaking after English Paper One on Wednesday. [But] it actually went really well and Im really happy, I just hope all the rest of the exams go the same way. Those pre-exam nerves also hit Erica Mazlan but, thankfully, she got through the test without any issues. It actually went really good. I was nervous at the start, but once I got in and sat down and started, it was actually grand, she said on Wednesday. The first Maths Paper though last Friday was a huge spanner in the works, with students vocal in their criticism. Daisy Nowak, a student in Mercy Mounthawk said that she had been looking forward to the exam but was left reeling by how vastly different it was to what they had studied and prepared for. It was like nothing Id ever seen before, I flicked through the paper to see if there was anything I could answer [and] thats when I really started to panic she told The Kerryman. Most students need a high grade in either Maths, Irish, English or all three and for Daisy, it meant everything to her to get the grade she has worked towards. I had been aiming for H1 or H2 in Maths Paper One and I felt well prepared, she said, but in the exam all hopes of a high grade dissipated for the student. Honestly, I just started writing down anything I could, I was thinking how am I going to get a H1 or a H2 now? I need this grade for my course. It made no sense, how are you going to give us exam papers, learn those exam papers, then throw in questions and topics that have never been examined before? I am so angry, I was so prepared for the paper and it was just a pain for beginning to end, Daisy continued. Another Mounthawk student, who did not want to be named was equally scathing of Maths Paper One. It wasnt like any other paper I have done, it was horrible, they said. Thankfully for students, Maths Paper Two, traditionally the harder of the two papers, seems to have gone much better for them but they now face an anxious wait for results at the end of August to see if their CAO chances have been dented by the first paper. Members of the local council pictured with Louth Co. Co. Chief Executive Joan Martin at the Mayoral elections on Monday. History has been made on the double as for the first time in its 738 year history, Droghedas Mayoral chains have been handed from one woman to another. Outgoing Mayor of Drogheda Michelle Hall said she was honoured to pass the baton to Cllr Eileen Tully, who was voted in by a majority of seven councillors to two, with one abstaining. Her late husband Cllr Oliver Tully also held the title, making it twice as historical for the mother of four. Cllr Tully is only the third woman to become Mayor of Drogheda since its inception, and her opponent in this election was Cllr Joanna Byrne, whom has lost out for the second time due to a voting pact within the chambers. I would like to thank you all for your kindness and support. Since my co opting onto the council following Olivers untimely death and following in its footsteps being elected mayor of Drogheda, which I think is the most beautiful town in Ireland, said the new Mayor. It's a fantastic honour for me and my family. I will work with each and every one of you in a fair and balanced way, hopefully over the next 12 months. Drogheda, Baltray, Termonfeckin and Clogherhead meant so much to Oliver and they mean so much to me". Following in the footsteps of a very busy and high-profile Mayor, Cllr Tully says she will promote Drogheda and the surrounding area at any given opportunity. The lack of affordable housing is at a critical level all over this country, forcing many families into homelessness and I will try to assist in ending this terrible situation, and focus on the importance of tourism and the development of good public transport and the improvement of the infrastructure allowing access to the town. Cllr Tully was welcomed by all her colleagues, including defeated Cllr Joanna Byrne, who whilst offering congratulations, did say the election process is undemocratic. "iI's a big day for you and your family, so congratulations, but this is a very prestigious day, not just for an elected representatives but for the people of the town, and I really believe the way it's done has turned it into the biggest circus. Louth County Council CEO Joan Martin was in attendance and unanimous tributes were paid to outgoing Mayor Michelle Hall for outstanding service during her time as Mayor. Deputy Mayor Kevin Callan is retaining the chains for another year. Customers can enjoy 10% off June 15th 18th The opening of the Screwfix stiore in Drogheda has created 13 new jobs. A national company has created 13 new jobs for the town after opening a flagship store in the M1 Retail Park. Screwfix is celebrating the successful launch of its first store opening in Drogheda with a celebration period running from Thursday 15th June until Sunday 18th June, offering all customers 10% off. The store officially opened its doors on 27th May and has created 13 new jobs for the area, the home improvement retailer is on track to open even more stores by January 2024. We chose to open a new store in Drogheda to better meet the needs of the local tradespeople, said Screwfixs Drogheda Store Manager, Ben Martin. Our celebration period runs from Thursday 15th June and throughout the weekend until Sunday 18th June and customers can benefit from 10% off everything. We are looking forward to welcoming and helping more tradespeople and serious DIYers over the coming months. Located in Unit F, M1 Retail Park, Drogheda, A92 A039, Co. Louth, the Drogheda Screwfix store is part of the companys growing network of over 35 stores across the Republic of Ireland. Busy customers can now rely on the new store in Drogheda to get their job done quickly, affordably, and right first time, shopping over 10,000 products. Screwfix opened its first store in Ireland in 2019 and the latest opening confirms the business intention to bring its convenience and its extensive product range to hard-working tradespeople across Ireland. Open seven days early until late, the store also provides the convenient Click & Collect service that allows customers to order their goods online or over the phone and pick them up from a store in as little as one minute. To be even closer to its local communities, all Screwfix stores in the Republic of Ireland are now provided with a life-saving defibrillator. To know more about Screwfix stores locations and exclusive deals, please visit Screwfix.ie. Gardai are investigating three burglaries in Cooley at the weekend. Photo: Getty Images A defiant pensioner has pledged not to let the thugs who ransacked her north Louth home while she was at evening Mass on Saturday drive her from her home. Kay McKevitt, who celebrates her 85th birthday on Wednesday, has said that she will not be driven by her home by the callous thugs who caused thousands of Euros of damage as they pulled her house apart looking for cash. "She was obviously shaken but shes determined that she wont be driven out of her home, her daughter Clodagh told The Argus. The close-knit Cooley community has been rallying around Kay and the residents of three other houses that were all broken into on Saturday evening. Gardai have confirmed that they are investigating a number of burglaries which occurred in Riverstown and Greenore on the evening of June 10. No arrests have been made so far and investigations are continuing. "It was absolute devastation, Clodagh said, describing the scene in the house to which her mother returned after Mass on Saturday evening. The raiders, who got in by smashing a patio window, pulled the house apart as they searched for money. "Every single drawer was open, her clothes were scattered on the floor, and they broke the door of the cooker as they even searched in the vent above. They even pulled the fridge apart. They looked in every single nook and cranny but left without taking the television or other electrical equipment as they were looking for money. Damage was also caused to the house as the intruders attempted to cover their fingerprints by spraying bleach around the place. "Weve had to wash all her clothes as they were covered with bleach, said Clodagh. Its a total violation of people's personal property. She praised the Gardai for their response and said that the reaction of the local community has been incredible. "Weve had hundreds of people calling to see what they could do. The support from everyone has been amazing." "As long as we have a community like this, well win in the long run. There has been widespread condemnation of the break-ins in north Louth. Local Sinn Fein councillor Antoin Watters described it as a very brazen escapade that took place within a short period of time on Saturday evenings. "It happened between 6.45pm and 7.40pm and the people came back to find their homes broken into and their houses wrecked. He said it was perhaps lucky that there was no-one at home as they could have been injured by the intruders. He urged people to keep an eye out on their neighbours and to contact the gardai or the Cooley Community Alert group if they see anything suspicious. "As a community we are outraged at the burglaries that occurred on Saturday, which apparently targeted mass goers and the elderly in our community, said Michael Muckian, chairperson of the Cooley Community Alert. We thank the Gardai for their rapid action and reassurance for victims and ask anyone with any information to please supply to the Gardai in confidence. It's important we all remain vigilant and if anyone is ever concerned about a cold caller or suspicious vehicle please call the gardai as they are happy to respond to all calls. St. Colman's NS Ballindaggin first Green Flag raising (Global Citizenship Litter & Waste). In pictured: Jodie Brennan, Nellie Fortune, Beth Hipwell, Leah Brennan, Noah Nolan and Brian Cahill and principal Conor McDonald. Nellie Fortune, Lily Doyle, Katie Ann Murphy and Niomie King of St. Colman's NS Ballindaggin, winners of the ECO-UNESCO's Young Enviromentalist Award 2023 (junior section) with principal Conor McDonald and Ms. Aislinn Whitty. THE students and staff in St Colmans NS, in Ballindaggin, Co Wexford, gathered in the sunshine recently to celebrate their many achievements in environmental care. The school raised two green flags for its work within the Green Schools programme. A fifth flag for bioversity was earned two years ago and this year the school achieved a remarkable sixth green flag for global citizenship litter and waste Principal, Conor McDonald, said the raising of the two flags marked a long standing and on-going commitment to the environment. He also said it reflected a lot of hard work by the entire school community and in particular the green school committee led by the coordinating teacher, Mrs. Whitty. It was a particularly joyous event for the school as the day also marked its extraordinary success in the ECO UNESCO young environmentalist project. ECO-UNESCOs Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is an all-Ireland environmental awards programme that recognises and rewards young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment. Sixth class engaged with the programme this year with four members advancing to represent their class and school in the semi finals and final: Lily Doyle, Nellie Fortune, Niomie King and Katie Ann Murphy. They displayed their environmental project at the finals at the convention centre in Dublin accompanied by their project mentor, Mrs Whitty. Their project, Butterfly Mosaic was an artwork piece that raised awareness of the need to protect butterflies. The mosaic was created from rubbish the pupils collected during a community litter pick that they themselves organised. The group worked hard to raise awareness of environmental issues and their artwork was on display in Bunclody library for one month, said Mr McDonald. The group were delighted to win one of the three major awards of the ECO UNESCO competition," he added. The students came away from the event with the All-Ireland title in their age group, winning the Overall Super Junior category. The girls were elated by their success and their classmates and the school community were delighted to gather to celebrate their outstanding achievement," said Mr McDonald. Tesco Stronger Starts programme provides one million meals to schoolchildren and their families nationwide THREE schools in County Wexford are among those that benefited from the Stronger Starts programme which is a Tesco Ireland initiative aimed at providing free, healthy and nutritious meals to primary school children. The programme marked a milestone moment recently when it provided its one millionth free meal through the nationwide initiative. The scheme is aimed at children and families at risk of food insecurity and it began in late 2021. Three Deis schools in County Wexford that benefit from the initiative include Ramsgrange Community School, Scoil Mhuire, in Coolcotts, Wexford, and Star of the Sea National School. They are all currently benefiting from the programme, receiving packs containing fresh apples, onions, potatoes, and carrots every week. A spokesperson for Tesco said the Stronger Starts programme is an innovative community support initiative that helps to build thriving communities nationwide by providing children in 117 DEIS schools across Ireland with these nutritious food packs. The one million meals provided to-date included over 4.5 million pieces of fruit and vegetables. The Tesco spokesperson said the amount of food provided would fill each seat in the Aviva Stadium 19 times over and amounts to 25 times the amount of columns that make up the Giants Causeway. To emphasise the point even further the spokesperson said the amount of fruit and vegetables handed out to-date equated to almost twice the number of blocks used to build the The Great Pyramid. Stronger Starts began as a pilot programme in partnership with The Good Grub Initiative in November,, 2021, and Tesco Ireland had set an ambitious goal of delivering one million meals by May, this year. The programme is supported by long-standing local suppliers Country Crest, Keelings and Dole, and complements existing Government programmes that also provide food supports to schoolchildren and their families nationwide. Speaking about the initiative, Rosemary Garth, Tesco Ireland Communications Director, said: We are honoured to have delivered one million meals to children and families in need across Ireland, with the help of our fantastic suppliers, partners and colleagues. Children need to be fed to enable concentration at school, and from speaking to school principals and home school liaison officers, we know the difference Stronger Starts is making in support of that, and for childrens health, more broadly. Tesco has been appointed one of Irelands Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champions for 2023-2024 by Minister Eamon Ryan. There have been calls for urgent government action to avoid an all-out strike next week, as Bray and Greystones Fire Stations alternate rolling stoppages to services in the second phase of the dispute by retained firefighters. Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady has said that retained firefighters deserve urgent action on income and conditions to protect the crucial services they provide. He asked that the Government stop paying lip service to the services recruitment and retention crisis, to increase the fixed incomes of firefighters, and to increase staffing levels in order to build and maintain a fit-for-purpose service." Speaking ahead of a Sinn Fein motion on the issue, Mr Brady said: Urgent government action is needed to save the crucial services provided by retained firefighters. Without action on incomes and conditions, the future of these services is in doubt, putting lives at risk. This is a dangerous job, which is made more dangerous when fire stations are being forced to operate with low crew numbers. This has resulted in some fire authorities taking decisions to temporarily close stations. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the deaths of Wicklow firefighters Brian Murray, and Mark OShaughnessy, who were killed in the line of duty as they fought a fire in Bray. They died as a result of failures within the service, many firefighters say that things are worse now than 15 years ago. Retained fire fighters are first responders; they are oft times first on the scene at the site of carnage we can only imagine. There is an emotional tally extracted for retained fire fighters who arrive at the scene of tragedies. Referring to the demands placed on the service, Mr Brady said there has been a shocking lack of action and political leadership from the Government to resolve these issues, which has led to the retention and recruitment crisis, and TDs here in Wicklow need to speak up for the communities they represent. Meanwhile, Bray Labour Councillor Anne Ferris said her party has urged the Government to step up for Brays firefighters. The Labour Party is joining other opposition parties to call on the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide the necessary funding to sustain the Bray Retained Fire Services now and into the future, Cllr Ferris said. Right now, retained firefighters in Bray must be on call 24 hours a day for a minimum of 48 hours for 48 weeks of the year. These workers are the backbone of the community in Bray yet their pay, terms and conditions do not reflect the crucial work they carry out. There are just over 2,000 retained firefighters in Ireland and they form a core pillar of our fire service. They are asked to live within two-and-a-half kilometres of the fire station, a commitment that is hugely limiting. "They cannot take up employment outside that zone, which limits their earnings and career potential. We know from listening to members of the Retained Fire Service that they are unable to get mortgage approval because of the conditions of their employment. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis which is hammering all workers, it is disgraceful that the Government have not come to the table to resolve the dispute, forcing firefighters to strike. The Labour Party fully supports these workers and their union SIPTU. SIPTU has been quite clear that the industrial dispute that has now commenced is a result of the failure of management to adequately address a worsening recruitment and retention crisis. Until the Government steps up and provides adequate funding, this crisis will continue. The Minister will have to deal with this issue sooner or later. We in the Labour Party are in full support of retained firefighters in Bray and nationwide. It is time that the Government actually values the crucial work that fire fighters carry out in Bray and beyond. A Ukrainian serviceman looks out of an armoured recovery military vehicle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine June 12, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak A regional governor says at least three people were killed and 25 wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. Image Credit: wikipedia.org India is on the verge of commencing a large-scale hydropower project that has been under development for two decades, marking a major milestone in the nation's journey towards energy transition, media reports said. NHPC Ltd., a government-owned hydropower company, is set to begin trial runs in July for the Subansiri Lower project located in the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Chinese border, Bloomberg reported. The project, which has faced huge delays due to protests and litigation over environmental concerns, is finally nearing completion. The first unit is expected to be commissioned by December, and the remaining seven units will be operational by the end of 2024, as stated by Rajendra Prasad Goyal, the finance director of NHPC Ltd, the report said. Hydropower plays a crucial role in balancing the grid, especially with the increasing generation of intermittent solar and wind power. The cost of the Subansiri Lower project has surged to 212.5 billion rupees ($2.6 billion), exceeding the initial estimate by more than three times. The project faced a significant setback when it was suspended for eight years due to opposition and concerns regarding dams. However, in 2019, the National Green Tribunal granted permission to resume the work. The opposition to hydropower projects has restricted India's utilization of its vast hydropower potential, which is estimated to be around 145 gigawatts, with only a fraction of it being tapped so far. We need to get nearly 40 approvals from different departments before we start building a hydropower project. All the scrutiny should be done at this stage, Goyal was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. Any stoppages after the construction has begun are problematic. Large dams not only serve as a means of enhancing local economies in regions along India's tense borders with China and Pakistan but also contribute to the country's overall hydropower development. With the Subansiri project nearing completion, NHPC is currently in the process of finalizing construction contracts for the ambitious Dibang project, which is set to be India's largest planned hydropower plant with a capacity of 2.9 gigawatts. In order to promote hydropower generation, the government has designated large dams as clean energy sources. As a result, provincial power distributors are required to prioritize the purchase of hydropower over electricity generated from fossil fuels. Further, the government has agreed to provide budgetary support for civil construction and flood moderation projects in certain cases. Pixabay Dallas: Chronic exposure to low levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic through commonly used household items, air, water, soil and food is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. This scientific statement reviews evidence linking chronic exposure to low or moderate levels of three contaminant metals lead, cadmium and arsenic to cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. It highlights clinical and public health implications. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease do not currently include environmental toxicants. The field of environmental cardiology identifies exposure to pollutants including contaminant metals as modifiable risks for cardiovascular disease. Large population studies indicate that even low-level exposure to contaminant metals is near-universal and contributes to the burden of cardiovascular disease, especially heart attacks, stroke, disease of the arteries to the legs and premature death from cardiac causes, said Gervasio A. Lamas, M.D., FAHA, chair of the statement writing group and chairman of medicine and chief of the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. These metals interfere with essential biological functions and affect most populations on a global scale, said vice chair of the statement writing group Ana Navas-Acien, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health and the director of the Columbia University Northern Plains Superfund Research Program in New York City. After exposure, lead and cadmium accumulate in the body and remain in bones and organs for decades. In the U.S. alone, one large study suggested that more than 450,000 deaths annually could be attributed to lead exposure. Where are people exposed to contaminant metals? Exposure to contaminant metals most often occurs involuntarily, through activities of daily living. Lead may be found in a variety of items such as paint in old homes (lead paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978), tobacco products, second-hand smoke, contaminated foods (ground water and some pottery, ceramics and kitchenware are sources of lead contamination in food), water pipes, spices, cosmetics, electronics and industrial emissions. Cigarette smoking is a source of both lead and cadmium. Cadmium is found in nickel-cadmium batteries, pigments, plastic, ceramics and glassware, and construction products. Industrially produced fertilizers use phosphate rock that is naturally rich in cadmium, which then contaminates root vegetables and leafy green plants (including tobacco). Arsenic exposure is primarily through groundwater, which affects drinking water, soil and food grown in contaminated soil. Notably, arsenic builds up in rice more than other food crops. While exposure and risk occur across diverse populations regardless of socioeconomic level, some people experience greater exposure to toxic metals, according to the statement. Risk of exposure is higher for people who live closer to major roadways, industrial sources and hazardous waste sites; reside in older houses; or in areas where environmental regulations are poorly enforced and responses to community complaints are inadequate. This is a global issue in which lower-income communities are disproportionately exposed to toxic metals through contaminated air, water and soil, said Navas-Acien. Addressing metal exposure in these populations may provide a strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease disparities and advance environmental justice. What are the cardiovascular risks of contaminant metals? The scientific statement outlines global epidemiologic research confirming that lead, cadmium and arsenic are associated with premature death, due in large part to increased cardiovascular disease risk. The global research includes: A 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement recognized exposure to toxic metals as a non-conventional risk factor for peripheral artery disease. A 2018 review published in the British Medical Journal assessed 37 studies representing nearly 350,000 people from more than a dozen countries. The review reported that higher urine levels of arsenic and blood levels of lead and cadmium were associated with 15%-85% higher risk for stroke and heart disease. One study in China found that higher levels of lead in the blood were associated with carotid plaque in people with Type 2 diabetes. Another found that cadmium and arsenic were associated with a higher rate of heart disease and ischemic stroke. In Spain, a general population study found that cadmium in urine was associated with increased rates of newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease. What can be done about metals in the environment? Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing for metal in individuals are key steps to implement appropriate public health initiatives, the writing group suggests. Lead levels in children with symptoms of exposure are monitored by health professionals using blood tests. However, there are no monitoring guidelines or exposure limits established for contaminant metals in adults other than those required for specific types of work. Future research is needed to establish if such testing may be an effective strategy to identify and protect people at risk of cardiovascular disease. The statement authors note that decreasing metal exposure in tobacco, protecting community water systems and wells, and minimizing metal contamination in air, food and soil are all examples of public health measures that may reduce exposure to metals. Cardiovascular health may be improved with a multi-pronged approach that recognizes environmental cardiology and includes environmental monitoring and biomonitoring of contaminant metals; controlling for sources of exposure; and developing clinical interventions that remove metals or weaken their effects on the body, said Lamas, who is also a professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. While there is currently no standard medical therapy to counteract the vascular impact of contaminant metals, there is research in progress to address the potential for treating individuals for exposure. Some research is assessing the effect of chelating agents, which are medications that can remove contaminant metals, especially lead and cadmium, from the body. The chelating agent binds to metals so they can be excreted. In addition, the statement suggests research is needed to investigate nutritional supplements that may reduce the effects of contaminant metals and accelerate excretion. Supplements that have shown potential based on small trials include folate and N-acetyl cysteine. This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Associations Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and the Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Associations official clinical practice recommendations. Representational image by Janko Ferlic on Unsplash Srinagar/IBNS: The two-day concluded on Sunday at Delhi Public School (DPS), filling the city with the vibrant spirit of books and captivating storytelling. Organized by the DP Dhar Memorial Trust, this sixth edition of the festival brought together renowned authors, storytellers, illustrators, and creativity experts from across the country. Bookaroo, a festival dedicated to bringing stories to life through various creative mediums, has earned well-deserved recognition in the literary world. In 2017, it received the prestigious London Book Fair International Excellence Award for Literary Festival, adding to its impressive list of achievements. Since its inception in 2008, Bookaroo has visited 10 cities and held 29 editions, spreading the love for literature far and wide. Vijay Dhar, Chairman of the DP Dhar Memorial Trust, expressed his pride in hosting this prestigious festival, originally started in London. Following a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival's return was eagerly awaited. Participants, such as visual researcher and storyteller Nishvan Rasool, praised the festival as a celebration of the magic of storytelling and the profound influence books have on young minds. Rasool emphasized his aim to enhance the storytelling experience for children by delving into visual elements that bring stories to life. Bookaroo provides an exceptional platform for Rasool and other talented individuals to share their passion for visual storytelling with a diverse audience of young readers, educators, and artists. The festival aims to foster empathy, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for reading among children, playing a vital role in shaping future generations' minds. Rasool expressed his excitement about inspiring young minds and witnessing the transformative power of stories at Bookaroo. Together, he hopes to embark on an enchanting journey through the pages of imagination, where dreams take flight, and adventures come alive. The Bookaroo Childrens Literature Festival continues to leave its mark as a beacon of literary delight, nurturing the love for books in young hearts and minds. Through its immersive activities, it inspires children to unleash their creativity, embrace the world of literature, and embark on a lifelong journey of exploration and wonder. (ANI Inputs) Image: Wallpapercave New Delhi/IBNS: The Congress Tuesday slammed the BJP-led government over former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's remarks saying Opposition voices are regularly "suppressed" under the ruling dispensation. "Yesterday, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed when the farmers' agitation was happening in India against the three farmer laws, the (Narendra) Modi government 'pressurised' Twitter to block accounts that were showing farmers' protest, otherwise they would be raided and Twitter would be shut down in India. The idea was to 'suppress' the farmers' agitation and send out a message anybody standing with them, will be suppressed," said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate at a press conference at the party headquarters. During an interview late Monday night to YouTube channel Breaking Points, when asked about the pressures he had received from foreign governments during his time as CEO of Twitter, Dorsey said, India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmers protest, around particular journalists that were critical of the government, and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us; we will raid the homes of your employees, which they did; we will shut down your offices, if you dont follow suit, and this is India, a democratic country. On BJP refuting Dorsey's allegation, she said, "I was not expecting the government to say anything else. There is no other defence other than saying Dorse is lying. The government has a lot to gain through lying." "What is the PM so scared about? Anybody exposing the government and asking uncomfortable questions will be raided, pressurised, and humiliated. It is evidently clear that Opposition voices are regularly 'suppressed' at the behest of the Modi government," Shrinate said. Responding to these claims, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that under Dorsey, Twitter was in repeated and continuous violations of India law and at times weaponised misinformation. The Opposition parties including Congress have been accusing the ruling of 'misusing' the central probe agencies. "In August 2021, the Twitter account of Rahul Gandhi ji was blocked. From August 2021 to February 2022, for six months, there was no subscriber growth in his account. It was only when a media outlet highlighted it, suddenly his subscribers saw multiple growths. This happened at the behest of the Modi government, Shrinate said." "They also hatched a conspiracy to oust him from the Parliament," she said in an apparent reference to Rahul's disqualification from Lok Sabha as a member. Image: UNI New Delhi/IBNS: Protesting farmers of Haryana decided to end their agitation after the state government agreed to pay the minimum support price (MSP) for the sunflower crop. The impasse was on since the beginning of this month and got resolved at a meeting this evening with the government representatives. The government will increase the relief and give a fair price to the farmers, the Divisional Commissioner said after the meeting. It is not yet known whether the government will purchase the crop and pay the Rs. 6,400 per quintal support price, or pay the difference when farmers sell at the open market. But it has committed to adequate compensation, farmers said. The farmers were earlier selling in the open market at Rs. 4000 per quintal. They were also receiving Rs. 1000 per quintal from the government as relief. The fixed amount relief is paid when products are sold below the minimum support price. The government has also agreed to release all the farmers arrested during the protest and scrap the police cases against them. The farmers had started the protest earlier this month, upset over the government's decision not to buy sunflower seeds at the minimum support price On June 6, farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) blocked National Highway-44 near Shahabad in Kurukshetra district. The police used batons and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Later, nine leaders of the farmers' group, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. Image credit: UNI Srinagar/IBNS/UNI: Two militants suspected to be foreigners were killed on Tuesday, as the security forces foiled an infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir s Kupwara district, police said. The bid was foiled by joint forces of the Army's 57 RR, Kupwara Police, and TA 160 Battalion in the Doganar Machil sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara district. This operation marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to counter terrorism and ensure the safety of the region, police said. They said that based on actionable intelligence, the Army along with Kupwara police swiftly launched a meticulously planned operation in the Machil sector. "The joint team displayed exceptional valor, professionalism, and tactical expertise in conducting this operation, which resulted in the elimination of two unknown terrorists, who as per the intelligence reports are believed to be foreigners and linked with proscribed terror outfit HM ( Hizbul Mujahideen) who were trying to infiltrate to our side," a police spokesperson said. The identification of the killed militants is being ascertained. Police said arms and ammunition including two AK 47 rifles, four AK Magazines, 48 AK rounds, four grenades, and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of the encounter. ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint team for carrying out the successful operation without any collateral damage. "The successful neutralization of the terrorists in the Machil sector sends a strong message to those who attempt to infiltrate and disrupt peace along the LoC," ADGP said. He said police and security forces are fully capable and resolute in defending the sovereignty of the nation and protecting its citizens. Earlier in the last month, two militants were also killed who were trying to infiltrate. Pat Ho/Unsplash Wellington: New Zealand is embracing a tourism rebound as more than 600,000 visitors will arrive for a Kiwi winter experience. The tourism sector is continuing to strengthen to close to pre-pandemic levels, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said on Tuesday, citing the latest data and estimates. There were about 221,300 overseas visitor arrivals in April 2023, and airline booking and capacity data estimate more than 600,000 visitors are expected to arrive this winter from June to August, more than 83 percent of pre-COVID-19 arrivals in winter 2019, statistics show. Visitors from Australia are expected to approach around 90 percent this winter compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, Henare said. "This is great news for the hundred thousand Kiwis directly employed in tourism and their communities around New Zealand who rely on the industry for local jobs and economic growth," he said. He said that this tourism rebound complements the government's investment in regional infrastructure while the borders were closed, enabling a strong post-pandemic recovery. International visitors spent 3.2 billion NZ dollars (1.96 billion U.S. dollars) in New Zealand in the first quarter of 2023, up from 1.8 billion NZ dollars (1.1 billion dollars) in the December quarter, which makes international tourism the country's second-highest export this quarter behind dairy exports such as milk powder, butter, and cheese, said the minister. The increase in spending by international visitors reflects the larger flow of international visitors for the peak summer holiday season and an increase in holidaymakers who spend more per day than the average visitor, he said. Visitor numbers are also buoyed by the increase in flight capacity. Australian visitors remain the largest single market, followed by visitors from the United States and Britain, he added. In addition, electronic card spending data shows international visitors spent 328 million NZ dollars (201.48 million dollars) in April 2023, up 25 percent compared with April 2019, statistics show. The government support will help implement initiatives like a hospitality and tourism accreditation scheme, investments in better education and training, and improved opportunities for those who choose tourism as a career, Henare said. (With UNI inputs) UNI "We have increased the supply of weapons and ammunition, armored vehicles, and also increased logistical support. According to the calendar that I announced [to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy], we will continue to do this in the coming weeks," Macron said at a joint press conference with the leaders of Germany and Poland in Paris, broadcast on the official Elysee Palace Twitter account. He said Ukraine had launched a counter-offensive that would last for several weeks or months. We did everything to help Ukraine within the framework that we set at the beginning of the conflict imposing sanctions on Russia and helping Ukraine regain its territories but never attacking Russia and avoiding any form of escalation, Macron said. A Weimar Triangle meeting took place in Paris on Monday, during which Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed coordination of military assistance to Kiev and possible security guarantees for Ukraine. 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 Donbas. Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. (With UNI inputs) Pixabay Colombo: Over 700 people were killed in road accidents in Sri Lanka during the first four months of this year, the police said on Tuesday. Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told the media that a total of 8,202 accidents occurred during the given period; out of these incidents, 2,799 involved motorbikes, while another 1,399 involved three-wheelers. Thalduwa said that 220 motorcyclists, 102 passengers and 179 pedestrians were among the fatalities, advising drivers to be careful to avoid accidents. Some 19,740 road accidents were reported in Sri Lanka in 2022, killing 2,485 people, according to the police. (With UNI inputs) Image: Pixabay Dhaka: In a suspected gunfight between two criminal gangs a Rohingya man was killed in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar area on Tuesday, media reports said. The incident reportedly happened in Ukhiya camp. The deceased was identified as Bashir Ullah, 35, son of Fozu Miah, resident of Block H-32 of Rohingya camp, reports Dhaka Tribune. The gunfight took place at the camp around 4:30am, said Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya police station, confirmed the matter to the newspaper. Bashir Ullah later died on his way to hospital. Image: Twitter @erinotoole Ottawa/IBNS: Erin OToole, the former Conservative leader and Ontario MP reportedly warned members of Parliament in his last address to the House of Commons on Monday to avoid the dangers of performance politics and chasing likes on social media. Performance politics is fuelling polarization. Virtue-signalling is replacing discussion and far too often were just using this Chamber to generate clips, not to start national debates, OToole was reported to say. OToole is retiring from federal politics at the end of the month after first being elected in a byelection in 2012. Reflecting on the last federal elections divisiveness and how social media is shaping the countrys politics for the worse, OToole cautioned MPs that if Parliament is not careful there will be a future generation of voters who have not heard a viewpoint different than their own, and added, Today, too often, were allowing conspiracy theories about the UN or the World Economic Forum to go unchallenged, OToole said. Were becoming followers of our followers when we should be leaders. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Image: Twitter/@melaniejoly Ottawa/IBNS: As part of the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations, and in direct response to Russias attempts to destroy Ukraines cultural sites, institutions and identity, Canada is imposing additional sanctions against 24 individuals and 17 entities in Ukraine, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly has announced. Besides extensive damage and complete destruction of a number of Ukraines cultural sites, thousands of missing Ukrainian cultural artifacts have been reportedly stolen by Russian forces their effort to erase Ukraines identity, in the temporarily occupied territories since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and prior to that during the attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014. Canada will not let Russia strip Ukraine of its cultural heritage and will do everything in its power to end the Kremlins war on Ukrainian identity. These intentional and targeted attacks on Ukraines cultural property cannot remain unpunished, said Joly. Canada is sanctioning people connected to Russias theft of Ukrainian cultural objects to counter the Kremlins efforts to "Russify" Ukraines culture. The list of individuals being sanctioned includes Ukrainians who work at museums and other cultural centres who collaborate with Russia. This sanction list contains newly created entities in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including ministries of education and culture, and individuals and entities related to private military companies that originated in Ukraine and are fighting for Russia. In order to protect Ukrainian culture and identity, Russia's attempts to forcefully impose its culture and education on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine would result in these sanctions imposing further costs on so-called authorities in areas of Ukraine illegally occupied by Russian forces. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Satellites | Satellite Operators Satellite operators maintains positive outlook on the future of the industry On 6 June, the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) annual satellite conference, the Satellite Industry Forum, has welcomed over 140 delegates and speakers including some of the satellite industry's largest operators for a day of discussion on the challenges and growth. Read More... iWorld | OTT One Take Media brings Korean dramas in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada Korean content has captured the imagination of Indians across all age groups. One Take Media, one of the first content distribution houses to bring thousands of hours of Korean content in Hindi to India will now provide these K-dramas in south Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. Read More... Television | TV Channels Sony SAB presents 'Vanshaj' Sony SAB, a channel that continues to make a mark as the destination for meaningful, good quality content and known for bringing stories that resonate with viewers partners with Siddharth Kumar Tewary's - Swastik Productions one of India's premier media house. Read More... iWorld | OTT From stage to screen: Zee Theatre and ZEE5 redefine the theatre viewing experience on OTT Indian theatre is embarking on an exciting new trajectory with some of the most celebrated Zee Theatre teleplays all set to stream via a world digital premiere on ZEE5 from 9 June onwards. Read More... The action film "Kandahar," starring Ali Fazal and Hollywood star Gerard Butler, will have its Indian premiere soon. The film, which was directed by Ric Roman Waugh, best known for "Greenland" and "Angel Has Fallen," hit theaters in the US in May. "Kandahar," a novel by Mitchell LaFortune, is based on real events in the life of a former military intelligence officer. Fazal plays the character of Kahil in the film, a perilous cat-and-mouse game against Tom Harris (Butler). an undercover CIA operative in a race against time in the heart of Afghanistan!#KandaharOnPrime, June 16 pic.twitter.com/YT5NF6dHRb prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) June 13, 2023 Kandahar releasing on Prime Video in India is a homecoming of sorts for me. Shooting with Gerard Butler and the entire team in a different landscape was a truly gratifying experience for me as an actor. With power-packed action and an adrenaline-filled ride, I cannot wait for viewers to watch this thrilling entertainer on Prime Video, Fazal said in a statement. ali fazal/Instagram When an intelligence leak exposes his identity and mission, he must navigate through the perilous obstacles alongside his Afghan translator Mo (Navid Negahban), to an extraction point in Kandahar, all whilst avoiding the elite special forces unit tasked with hunting them down, read the official synopsis. Tom Harris (Butler), an undercover CIA agent, leads viewers on an adrenaline-fueled adventure deep into a hazardous region of Afghanistan in the movie. "Kandahar" will be produced by Thunder Road Films, known for supporting the "John Wick" series, G-BASE, Capstone Group, and MBC Studios. It will also include dubs in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu in addition to English. ali fazal/Instagram Christian Mercuri of Capstone Studios expressed his company's excitement about working with Prime Video to introduce "Kandahar" to Indian viewers. Actors Navid Negahban, Bahador Foladi, Nina Toussaint-White, Vassilis Koukalani, Mark Arnold, Corey Johnson, and Abdullah Alnaji round out the cast. Heres what the book is about Now, more than ever before, the details of one of the Afghan War's pivotal battles are exposed. Lions of Kandahar is an insider story from the distinct viewpoint of a commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces who is still on active duty and has just recently returned from action in the region. This commander is an unmatched warrior with many deployments there. ali fazal/instagram Afghanistan's southern region was vanishing. Then-Captain Rusty Bradley understood that as he started his third tour of duty there in 2006. Infiltrating everywhere, the Taliban and their allies were ready to retake Kandahar Province, their former capital and most important strategic location. The NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, its biggest onslaught ever, to halt them. Kandahar will stream on Prime Video on June 16. (To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading Indiatimes BINGE) The only way to get acceptance and respect in the family and society as trans is to be financially independent, says Bruna. When I first started out as a tattoo artist, I would seek validation from my colleagues, family and clients but eventually, my work spoke for me and today, everyone in this area knows me very well. I am the only trans woman tattoo artist in this city, at least, she says as she gets down from her car in the parking lot of Hauz Khas village in Indias capital. Indiatimes 30-year-old Bruna lived the life of Akshay till the age of 25. I've been living two identities all this while. I couldn't ever gather the courage to come out because I knew that my father, who wouldn't let me pursue any career but engineering, would never accept me as a tattoo artist firstly and then a transwoman, wearing a black, net dress and black heels, Bruna tells Indiatimes as we walk past busy lanes of Hauz Khas towards her tattoo studio. When he passed, we were all shattered, for sure. But deep down I felt lighter. Lighter to be able to live the life I'd always wanted to but couldn't dare to. I had hopes of acceptance from my mother and that's how it actually went, she adds further. Indiatimes The first to enter her tattoo studio at ten in the morning, Bruna keeps her laptop and handbag aside, and orders us two ice cappuccinos. Let me get us some coffee before we begin the work, she says. The studio has a couple of full-size mirrors, a ring-light, a huge glass window opening to the lane of Hauz-Khas village and most uniquely, an entire wall dedicated to Bruna, the star of the tattoo-studio and the queer community. Indiatimes Bruna originally hails from Punjab but has lived in Delhi all her life. She tells Indiatimes that its just been five years since she came out as a woman, prior to which she would struggle to hide her feelings even from herself. "I was in complete denial [about the feelings]. I would kill my thoughts and feelings which emerged as a girl's. See, thats the impact of your society, your family who all you are surrounded by. I would wait for my mom to go out so I could use her clothes and make-up to be the best feminine version of myself but only when I would be alone. Even the thought of getting caught would bring me goosebumps, Bruna shares as she takes out the iPad to work on some designs for a client she is expecting today. Indiatimes "[Earlier] I'd focus on being an alpha male, thinking thats how my father is and so should I be [like that to, and [I] was doing it well until I lost my father," she shares. That was the turning point in Brunas life, she says. "Yes, we all were heartbroken but I also was happy for the fact that now I didn't have to fear anyone to come out to as a woman, my original self. My father was strict as the usual Indian fathers who'd even decide the careers for their children. So only after his demise could I also begin my journey to be a tattoo artist as well," Bruna tells Indiatimes. Bruna says, "I know that my family, friends would've not accepted me the way they do if I weren't doing good for myself," she then shows me her first ever tattoo which she made on herself, back in 2008. Indiatimes Since then, Bruna's tattoo artist journey has only improved. She has inked over 1500 people and hasnt looked back. You know, I have come a really long way. Everybody looks at me and says I am so privileged but they never have the time to flip the previous pages. I remember being harassed, molested and eve-teased by men in this same area, till a few years back when we didnt have the support of Article 377. Even the police officials would torture me and ask for money to not report me and disclose my identity to my family and neighbours. Till 2018, Bruna used to dress like a man, and carry her wig, make-up and dress to the tattoo studio and change upon arrival. She would change back into mens clothes again before leaving for home. I really am thankful that in this world full of bullies, my guru, Chetan, who is the owner of this studio. He not only taught me inking, but also understood me, my identity and provided a safe space. Indiatimes Not too long ago, when Bruna was waiting for her cab, a car stopped by and a few men asked her what rates she would charge to please them. Thats when, Bruna shares ahead, I had decided to work even harder to buy a luxury car and drive past these people who just presume that every trans-person is a sex worker. I understand the importance of financial independence for every individual but for us, the trans community, it is even more crucial. I want to train many young people of my community in the art of inking so that they can come out of the closet and live, breathe and be free, Bruna concludes. She doesnt use her family last name, rather prefers to use Free Spirit as hers. Indiatimes For more stories on the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in India, keep reading Spectrum on Indiatimes. According to local media reports, the tiger shark responsible for devouring a man at a tourist resort in Egypt is undergoing the process of mummification in preparation for its display at a museum. screenshot Following the fatal attack, locals quickly caught the shark using a fishing net to trap it. Authorities have officially confirmed that the captured shark was apprehended and euthanized. After the brutal attack, the body parts of the Russian tourist who fell victim to a shark were discovered inside the predator's stomach. According to the New York Post, local beachgoers beat the tiger shark to death before retrieving the remains. Specialized experts examined the dissected shark and confirmed that it was indeed the same animal that devoured Vladimir Popov, as his remains were found in its intestines. Local outlet Al Arabiya reported that Mr. Popov's head and hand were among the body parts recovered from the slain shark. As per a report by news channel Al Arabiya, on Monday (June 12), experts from the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserve initiated the embalming procedure in Hurghada to prepare the shark's remains for exhibition at the museum affiliated with the institute. screenshot The Egyptian authorities have handed over the shark for research endeavors to comprehend the factors influencing its behavior. Additionally, they aim to determine if the shark is linked to previous incidents involving similar species that have caused multiple accidents. Specialists can be seen in a video operating on the shark's body. Twitter Yury Popov, the father of Vladimir Popov, has spoken up about the tragic incident, expressing that it unfolded within seconds. He said: "We went to the beach to relax.[...] A shark attacked my son. [...] What kind of help can you give? This meat grinder happened in 20 seconds; he was dragged under the water. This is an absolutely ridiculous coincidence because it is a safe beach. There are ships and yachts around. It's never happened there. They usually attack wild beaches. It's just some evil fate." Egypt's Environment Ministry promptly banned anyone from entering the water following the incident. Local authorities enforced restrictions on snorkeling, swimming, and other water sports, which remained in effect until June 11. In a Facebook statement, Egypt's Environment Ministry explained, "In light of abnormal shark behavior causing the incident and previous fact that there have been incidents of attacks on humans by this species in the past, the fishing team examined the fish that caused the incident to examine it to find out possible causes for the attack and whether it was [the] same fish that caused previous accidents." In a different incident, a shark attacked Elisabeth Sauer, a 68-year-old Austrian woman, in Sahl Hasheesh the previous July, near the area where Vladimir tragically lost his life. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Kouri Richins, a woman from the US, is facing serious allegations after the death of her husband. It is reported that she wrote a children's book about grief, but her Google search history raised concerns. According to KTVX, the 33-year-old mother of three extensively searched for topics like "luxury prisons for the rich" and the time it takes for life insurance companies to make payouts. These disturbing searches are now being linked to the accusation that she poisoned her husband, Eric Richins, with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. During a detention hearing, details emerged regarding Kouri Richins' internet searches, which raised concerns. According to the news outlet, she searched for information on Utah's jails, "luxury prisons for the rich in America," and various other topics. The judge deemed her a "substantial danger" to society and ordered her to remain in custody. Additional reports indicated that she viewed articles such as "Signs of Being Under Federal Investigation" and"Delay in Claim Payment for Death Certificate with Pending Cause of Death." Her searches also included inquiries about naloxone, non-natural manners of death, and her net worth. However, her defense attorney argued that she was merely researching her case to understand evidence processing and that there was no evidence of guilt. During the hearing, Amy Richins, the deceased's sister, gave a victim impact statement, expressing her anguish over the circumstances of Eric Richins' death and the defendant's actions afterward. Before finding him in that state, she claimed to have given him a mixed vodka drink. The medical examiner later determined that Eric Richins had died from a fentanyl overdose, with a dosage five times the lethal amount in his system. Kouri Richins obtained hydrocodone pills and later ordered something more substantial. After a few days, she acquired fentanyl, which coincided with Eric falling ill after their Valentine's Day dinner. Unsplash The investigation continues, shedding light on the events leading up to Eric Richins' tragic death. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Rs 340,570 crore. That's the mammoth amount involved in the 15,778 willful default accounts that India's banks had at the end of 2022. It's been clear that willful defaults have been among the most worrisome areas for the RBI and banks to resolve in recent years. But finally, it seems that India's central bank, i.e., the RBI, is planning to put thoughts into action and introduce new rules that are expected to make banks in India more accountable for willful defaults and fraud. What RBI's New Rules Say shutterstock In order to ensure maximum recovery from distressed assets, the Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to go for compromise settlement of fraud accounts and willful defaults. All regulated entities (REs) will be required to put in place board-approved policies for undertaking compromise settlements, with the borrowers as well as for technical write-offs, laying down the process to be followed for all compromise settlements and technical write-offs, with specific guidance on the necessary conditions precedent, the RBI has said in a notification. Conditions would include minimum ageing, deterioration in collateral value, etc., it said, as per the PTI report. The policies would also put in place a graded framework for the examination of staff accountability in such cases, with reasonable thresholds and timelines as may be decided by the board. Regulated entities may undertake compromise settlements or technical write-offs in respect of accounts categorised as willful defaulters or fraud without prejudice to the criminal proceeding underway against such debtors. "In respect of compromise settlements, the policy shall inter alia contain provisions relating to permissible sacrifice for various categories of exposures while arriving at the settlement amount, after prudently reckoning the current realisable value of security/collateral, where available," as per the notification. Also Read: 'Problem Avoided, Not Solved,' US Averts Its First Ever Debt Default, But Only Till January 1st 2025 RBI Aims To Maximise Recovery istock The methodology for arriving at the realisable value of the security shall also form part of the policy. The objective would be to maximise the possible recovery from a distressed borrower at minimum expense, in the best interest of the regulated entity (RE), as mentioned in the report. "The compromise settlements and technical write-offs would be without prejudice to any mutually agreed contractual provisions between the RE and the borrower relating to future contingent realisations or recovery by the RE, subject to such claims not being recognised in any manner on the balance sheet of REs at the time of the settlement or subsequently till actual realisation of such receivables," it said. Any such claims recognised on the balance sheet of the RE would render the arrangement to be treated as restructured as per the extant guidelines, it added. In respect of borrowers subject to compromise settlements, the notification said there would be a cooling period as determined by the respective board-approved policies before the REs could assume fresh exposures to such borrowers. The cooling period with respect to exposures other than farm credit exposures would be subject to a floor of 12 months. However, it said, REs are reportedly free to stipulate higher cooling periods in terms of their board-approved policies. The cooling period for farm credit exposures would be determined by the REs as per their respective board-approved policies. The Flip Side To This Decision To understand why the RBI circular could be counterproductive, attention must be paid to four sets of critical data the RBI provides. bqprime One is the rise in write-offs. According to the RBI data, the NPA write-offs in SCBs (including those of willful defaulters) during FY05FY14 were 63,000 crore, which skyrocketed to 12.3 lakh crore during FY15FY22 (FY23 data is missing from the RBIs annual report of 202223 released recently). This is 19.4 times higher, as per the Fortune India report. The spike during FY15FY22 has a lot to do with exuberance in loan sanctions and evergreening during the previous UPA years, but it also has a lot to do with deteriorating economic growth (which nosedived from 8.3% in FY17 to 3.9% in the pre-pandemic FY20 and -5.8% in FY21 before recovering to 9.1% in FY22). The "recovery" of NPAs written off (not under compromise settlement which is foregone) has been a mere 16.6% during FY18FY22, according to a Rajya Sabha reply of March 28, 2023. Two, sudden spikes in banking frauds, especially in FY18. It went up from Rs 34,993 crore during FY05-FY14 to Rs 5.89 lakh crore during FY15FY2316.8 times more. The number of fraud cases also went up by 1.4 times in comparison. Three: a dramatic rise in willful defaults. According to the credit information bureau Transunion Cibil registered with the RBI, there was a 38.5%, or 94,000 crore, rise in willful defaults, from 12,911 accounts for 245,888 crore in December 2020 to 14,206 accounts for 285,583 crore in December 2021 to 15,778 accounts for 340,570 crore in December 2022. This reflects the big "governance gap"the gap between loan appraisals and risk management, the report mentioned. Four, high haircuts and low recovery through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) of 2016. According to the regulator IBBIs data up to March 2023, the recovery is a mere 17.6% (combined for resolution and liquidation processes)that is a haircut of 82.4%. Such low recovery points to the IBCs many failures, but the ones relevant in the present context are "asset stripping", gaming of the system," and diminishing political will (allowing the dilution of the IBC and RBIs regulatory powers), which have worked to the disadvantage of lenders (banks and other financial institutions), as Fortune India explained in "Poor run for the IBC continues. What ails it?" All four sets of data point to huge gaps in stressed asset management and call for more stringent norms rather than more concessions and compromises. Also Read: 'Ticking Time Bomb', US Banks Sitting On $620 Billion Losses The Blame Game Shifting the blame for banking failures onto something or someone is not new. indiatimes The blame for the NPA and banking crises of the recent past has been shifted to former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who initiated the bank clean-up with his Asset Quality Review (AQR) in 2015. The Economic Survey of 202021 held him responsible for worsening the NPAs by stating that his AQR "led to a second round of lending distortions" causing further NPAs and that the said AQR "could not bring out all the hidden bad assets in the bank books and led to an under-estimation of the capital requirements". More recently, on June 9, 2023, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Rajan "wrecked the entire banking system and the financial sector" as the Fortune India report mentioned. What such blame games and statements reflect is the unwillingness to take responsibility for bad governance in the banking system which led to multiple failures of banks and NBFCs in 2018. Essentially, these banks and NBFCs were hobbled by banking frauds: PMC Bank, Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, IL&FS, HDIL, DHFL, etc. Besides, many corporate tycoons involved with these banking frauds and others have fled the country, and some loan defaulters have been found to have stashed their assets in tax havens while claiming bankruptcy. True, bank balance sheets are a lot healthier and more robust now, but this has been achieved through (i) massive write-offs of NPAs (12.3 lakh crore), (ii) re-capitalization (3.12 lakh crore), and (iii) bailouts (Yes Bank and IL&FS, for example), all with public money. It would be a mistake to consider the healthier and more robust bank balance sheets a result of improved banking norms or regulatory oversight. Add this loss of public money in write-offs, re-capitalization, and bailouts to the gains that could have resulted from alternate and prudent deployment of it (economists call it the "cost of opportunity lost"), and the magnitude of loss due to banking failures would be much clearer. Also Read: 5 Rights You Must Know As A Loan Defaulter For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here The cast of the upcoming Netflix film The Archies left for Brazil on Monday to attend a fan event on June 17. The cast which includes Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Aditi Saigal, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja and Yuvraj Menda, was photographed at the Mumbai airport and they all were seen donning matching black jackets with Netflix and The Archies printed on the back. Also read: TUDUM 2023: Alia Bhatt And The Archies to attend Netflix-hosted global fan event in Brazil Khushi opted for a black crop top and beige trousers, while Suhana was dressed in a black top, black trousers and the jacket. In some of the pictures posted on fan pages and paparazzi accounts, the cast was seen smiling as they posed for the cameras and revealed the backs of their matching coats. A new poster for the film was released yesterday. The film's director Zoya Akhtar took to her Instagram handle to share it, hinting that the release date of the film is drawing closer in the captions. In the poster, the cast members were seen sitting on and around a pink sofa placed dressed in retro outfits. Zoya captioned the post, Take a trip to Riverdale. We have saved you a seat Meet the Archies gang. Coming soon only on Netflix." Suhana Khan also shared the poster on Instagram with the caption, Meet The Archies gang! Coming soon, only on Netflix . The film marks the debut of Shah Rukh Khans daughter, Suhana, Boney Kapoors daughter, Khushi and Amitabh Bachchans grandson, Agatya. Reports stated that the release date of the film may be announced at the Brazil event. Also read: Netflix releases the new poster of The Archies starring Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor and others In the film which is the adaptation of the American comic book, The Archies, Agastya will be playing the role of Archie Andrews while Suhana and Khushi will play Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper respectively. The allegation is a particularly grave one given the present context of Russias invasion of Ukraine On Sunday, Greek authorities rescued 90 migrants from a yacht that was sailing from Turkey to Italy The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned Vice President Kashim Shettima against imposing who becomes the 10th Senate president on the National Assembly (NASS). Shettima who has been canvassing support for the candidates nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 10th national assembly leadership positions, had repeatedly asked other hopefuls in the race to step down for Godswill Akpabio, the APCs anointed candidate for the senate presidency Also, Shettima had announced on Sunday that Muktar Betara and Yusuf Gagdi, speakership hopefuls of the House of Representatives, had agreed to drop their bids for Tajudeen Abbas, the preferred candidate of the party. The Vice President was quoted as saying that the most incompetent southern Christian is better than the most puritanical northern Muslim for the senate presidency. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF spokesperson, in a statement issued on Monday, said Shettimas remarks were most unbecoming and irresponsible. The Northern Elders Forum has cautioned the President Tinubu administration on many occasions to respect the rights and privileges of elected members of the legislature to choose their leaders and to conduct its campaign for its preferences with sensitivity and decorum, the statement read. READ ALSO: 10th Speaker: Betara, Gagdi, Others Step Down For APCs Abbas According to NEF, Shetimmas comments deepens the worrying position of religious faith as a fault line in our politics today and denigrates the place of an important value such as faith in the conduct of elected leaders whether they are Muslims or Christians. The suggestion that poor faith and incompetence can be preferred to piety and competence when it suits political interests sends damaging signals to a nation desperate for good leadership. A statement of this nature coming from a northern Muslim who has earned his respect in the course of his political career is most unfortunate. The suggestion that the piety of leaders could be sacrificed for political exigences offends a nation of Christians and Muslims who watch as leaders swear by the Quran and the Bible to protect the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed furthered that the Vice President has done himself, his faith and his standing a great injury with his comments and that he should find appropriate opportunities to assure Nigerians that the Tinubu administration will respect sensitive values that define us as Nigerians. It is instructive that leaders who rode on the back of faith now turn around to advise that it is of no significance where their interests are at stake, the forum said. The elders forum however urged Tinubus administration to respect the rights of the legislature to operate independently and allow legislators a free hand to choose their leaders. It is the desperation to determine leaders of the legislature that is responsible for damaging gaffes such as the nation just heard from our vice president and it may not be the last damage that can be caused to our democracy and national cohesion, the forum added. Director of Information, for the office of the Vice President (VP), Olusola Abiola, says mischief-makers are twisting his principals plea for a Christian to be Senate president. Information Nigeria reports that the VP, Kashim Shettima while canvassing votes for the 10th National Assembly, on Sunday announced that Muktar Betara and Yusuf Gadji, lawmakers aspiring for the position of speaker of the house of representatives, had agreed to drop their bids for Tajudeen Abbas, who the All Progressives Congress (APC) chose. Shettima was quoted to have said the most incompetent southern Christian is better than the most puritanical northern Muslim for the senate presidency. But, in a statement on Monday, Abiola however stated that it would be illogical for Shettima who is a Muslim to second-guess the competence of a fellow Muslim. READ ALSO: Islamisation: I Picked An Igbo Catholic As My Chief Security Officer Shettima What Vice President Shettima advocated during the meeting was that considering Nigerias president and vice president are Muslims, it would not be ill-advised for the lawmakers to choose a non-Muslim contestant, even if against a more qualified Muslim option, in order to achieve balance, he said. Abiola added that Vice President Shettimas position reflects the stance of the APC, which has not only assigned the leadership of the house of representatives to the north-west but has also designated the position of the deputy senate president to be held by the same region. At the time of the vice president-elects remarks, approximately three contenders for the speakership race had withdrawn their candidacy to support the candidate from the north-west. This well-considered balancing strategy aimed to mitigate the potential for crisis within the country, particularly by those anticipating the domination of leadership from the same religious faith in all branches of government as a signal. The chairperson of the Federal University of Technology, Minna chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Gbolahan Bolarin has criticized the students loan bill signed into law on Monday by President Bola Tinubu. Prof Gbolahan said that the law is not feasible as the peculiarities of Nigeria were not considered before signing the bill into law. He added that the problem with Nigeria and such initiatives is that the leadership wants to copy what they see in some other countries without giving any consideration to what is obtainable in Nigeria. He decried that it may be difficult for students who obtain the loan to pay back due to the high unemployment rate among graduates as well as the abysmal minimum wage. READ MORE: President Tinubu Signs Student Loan Bill Into Law Prof. Bolarin revealed that ASUU stood against the bill from the beginning because the scheme is not feasible nor sustainable and is therefore dead on arrival. H said: The problem in Nigeria is that we copy policies from other countries and want to replicate them in our country without considering the situation here. Where are the jobs in Nigeria? There are graduates from over 20 years ago who are still jobless. Now the thing about this scheme is that as you repay, another person gets access to the loan. Tukur Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff, has called on the United Nations (UN) to declare June 12 as Worlds Democracy Day. The retired Nigerian army lieutenant general made the call in an official statement while congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of the 2023 Democracy Day celebrations in the country. He said: Let me also pay tribute to Chief MKO Abiola GCFR for his democratic sacrifice which we are celebrating. This is a clear confirmation that his sacrifice is not in vain. His spirits of selflessness, patriotism, and unity are worthy of emulation by all democratic leaders nationally and globally. Abiola was an international figure who fought for reparation as restitution for the injustices done to the black race worldwide. I, therefore, call on the United Nations (UN) to declare 12 June every year as World Democracy Day. The Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, also commended Tinubu and all Nigerians for the historic feat of enshrining democracy in the country saying the presidents emergence, the country is on a sure way to greatness. READ ALSO: Democracy Day: INEC, APC Rigging Dishonored Abiolas Memory PDP I congratulate H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the occasion of 2023 Nigerias Democracy Day Celebrations. H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubus emergence as the 16th democratically elected President of Nigeria is another milestone in Nigerias march to an enduring democracy. Mr. President has seen it all in his struggle to ensure democracy takes root in Nigeria. His years in the trenches in the early 1990s brought him out as a true Democrat. Congratulations Your Excellency. I also congratulate Nigerians for their resilience since 1999 to ensure democracy is sustained through their votes. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Nigerias Democratic saddle, his Renewed Hope Agenda is a sure way to Nigerias greatness in all ramifications of national development. Mr. President has started in the right direction. Therefore, it is incumbent on us as Nigerians to support him to achieve his vision. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been accused by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of dishonouring the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, for whom Nigerians celebrate June 12 as Democracy Day. The PDP expressed that it found it distasteful and unacceptable to observe Democracy Day under a regime that, in its view, violated democracy through alleged rigging in the 2023 general elections. Recall that the party came second in the last presidential election with total vote of 6,984,520 through the partys candidate, Atiku Abubakar. PDP, in their quest of challenging the victory of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, filled up series of petitions to recover the alleged stolen mandate. According to the party in a statement issued on Democracy Day, signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba. Ologunagba said, The barefaced manipulations of the 2023 general elections by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amounts to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the will of the people; the very ills which Chief MKO Abiola fought and died for. READ MORE: Were Yet To Enjoy Dividends Of Democracy In Lagos PDP June 12 epitomizes the struggle by Nigerians against the corrupt, manipulative and anti-democratic system; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud which INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, now represents. It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections. Our Party however urges Nigerians not to despair but remain optimistic and law-abiding in their hope for a better nation which they earnestly yearn for. The PDP charges all the leaders at all levels across the country to be guided by the essence of June 12 by always adhering to the principles of democracy in the overall interest of the Nigerians people. The Chairman of the George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (GUWN), George Uboh has revealed that he was arrested and subsequently detained for 101 days in 2019. According to Uboh, this took place after he exposed a forex scam allegedly involving Godwin Emefiele, the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Uboh made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He praised President Bola Tinubu for suspending Emefiele and initiating an investigation. Uboh stated, While the media is replete with reports of Emefieles corruption post-arrest, pre-arrest, however, no Nigerian dared criticise the Almighty Emefiele. George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (hereinafter GUWN) exposed Emefieles corruption regarding forex fraud of over US$3 billion via letters written to Emefiele on or about April 1, 2019. READ MORE: DSS Seizes Emefieles Passport As Investigation Continues On May 15, 2019, the day Emefiele appeared before the Senate for screening and clearance for his second tenure, I was arrested in my Maitama office. I was detained for 101 days for defamation of Emefieles rotten character. The then Chief Judge, FCT, Ishaq Bello refused to hear my bail application. DIG Mike Ogbizi verbally denied me bail after I fulfilled the administrative bail granted to me by his men at Force CID. We humbly request that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR direct law enforcement agencies to work with whistleblowers to solve crimes swifter, trace and recover mind-boggling funds stolen or trapped. Implement and strengthen the whistleblower policy initiated by his predecessor, with an office (not domiciled in any ministry for sake of conflict of interest), to be headed by someone who has the capacity and passion to imbibe all the tenets of whistleblowing. Police in Old Goa, India have busted a job racket involving a Nigerian man and arrested his wife, Laura Fernandes. Old Goa PI, Satish Padwalkar, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, June 12, 2023, said the accused and her husband ran advertisements in local newspapers, using overseas jobs as lures. The lady along with her Nigerian accomplice then collected money and passports from the gullible goans on the pretext of providing jobs abroad. After receiving the money, the accused started stonewalling the victims, Padwalkar said. READ ALSO: Nigerian National Arrested With Drugs Worth Over N1.7m In India Padwalkar said a complainant came to the police station and told the cops that he paid Rs 40,000 for a job. He said he was forced to approach the police when the so-called recruiters began dodging his calls. Upon information of the same, the Old Goa police reached Panaji and laid a trap and reached early at the spot where the lady was supposed to collect money from another victim on Sunday, June 11. However, the accused lady sensed the presence of the police and tried to flee but was caught in a chase. But her Nigerian husband managed to escape. Padwalkar said police are suspecting that many Goans have been duped by the accused and it could be a larger game of Nigerian fake job racket. Further investigations are underway. The matter is being investigated. We have arrested Fernandes and she has been remanded in four-day police custody, the officer added. President Bola Tinubu has signed the Student Loan Bill into law. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. David Adejo Andrew disclosed this to State House correspondents, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The bill will enable Nigerian students to access loans at interest-free rates. READ ALSO: Reps To Ensure Passage Of Students Loan Bill Gbajabiamila The bill, which was sponsored by Gbajabiamila, was titled A Bill for an Act to provide for easy access to higher education for Nigerians through an interest-free loan from the Nigerian Education Bank established in this Act to provide education for Nigerians and other purposes connected thereto. The piece of legislation passed second reading at the House of Representatives on May 25, 2023. The Students Loan Bill recommended two years imprisonment or N500,000 or both for students who default in repayment or anyone found aiding defaulters. Media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not intimidate the judicial arm of government. Information Nigeria reports that the President had in his Democracy Day speech, said illegal court orders used to truncate the countrys democracy would not be allowed. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated, the president had said. Reacting via a statement on Monday, Shaibu wondered if Tinubu was aiming at imposing a dictatorship rule on the country. He queried: What is an illegal court order? READ ALSO: June 12: Nigerians Will Enjoy Democracy Dividends Under Tinubu Gbajabiamila Assures Is it an order that Bola Tinubu finds unfavourable? Is it within his powers to determine what order to obey and which one to disregard? This is a man who just last week obtained a court order to stop the Nigeria Labour Congress from going on strike. However, now he suddenly realises that unnecessary so-called illegal orders used in truncating democracy would no longer be tolerated. His predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, lost the presidential election thrice and went to court thrice. Yet Tinubu is painting a narrative that it is only sore losers that challenge the outcome of elections. If he is sure of electoral victory in the last election, then he should be confident and stop trying to intimidate the judiciary and compromise opposition politicians with appointments. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi on Tuesday, tendered forms belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was gathered that Obi brought forward the EC40G forms from 10 Local Government Areas in Niger State during the resumption of sitting by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, the nations capital. READ MORE: Tribunal: We Were Not Bribed To Rig Election INEC Officials Forms EC40G is where INEC inputs the number of all Polling Units that were cancelled or voters couldnt vote. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the tribunal commenced the days proceeding with a case of Mister Peter Obi Vs INEC, Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Recall that the court sat on Saturday, the petitioner, Peter Obi, rendered additional evidence in form of INEC documents and also called up a subpoenaed witness, who tendered a video evidence, which was played in the open court. The Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has clapped down on the proposed new property, and business ownership laws by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, might lead to chaos in Nigeria. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that the speaker, during his inaugural speech at the 10th Lagos Assembly, had announced that certain laws in regards to economy, commerce, property and titles would be put in place to protect the interest of Lagos indigenes. He said: There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and we will reverse all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes. Reacting to Obasas statement on Monday, the President of Ohanaeze in the state, Chief Ogbonna Aguene, told The Whistler that such laws can cause problem for the country as well as the government. READ MORE: Only A Bastard Would Come Up With Such Stupid Law Lagos LP Slams Obasa On Proposed Property Law For Indigenes He said, For now, we dont know what is going to happen, because that can bring chaos; that can bring a big problem to the country, and also to the government of Nigeria. Because when you talk of Lagos, every family in Nigeria has a single lineage in Lagos. Even though we know that the target are Igbo people in terms of when you talk of investments. Were the tribe that invest without even minding the differences between us and the host community, anywhere we reside. Igbos own lots of properties in Lagos and also have investments across the state. Speaking further, the Ohaneze president said that the group has no problem with any laws the state House of Assembly wants to make, so far it does not affect Igbos alone. He called on Ndigbo resident in the state not to panic, saying Ndigbo shouldve nothing to worry about Multi-award-winning Nigerian artsites Ayodeji Balogun popularly known as Wizkid and Temilade Openiyi better known as Tems, have been honoured as the first African recipients of the iHeartRadio Titanium Award. The award is coming barely three days after the duos nominations at this years BET Awards. The iHeartRadio Titanium Award is given to artistes with records that have amassed over a billion spins across all of its stations in the United States. READ ALSO: Address Me As Sir Or Daddy Wizkid Tells Colleagues Wikzids Essence, off of his 4th studio album, Made In Lagos, featuring Tems became the first African song to win this award. Tems manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, shared a video clip of the award via his Instastory recently See post below: FreeBSDs 30th birthday presents an opportunity to look back and examine why this open source operating system has not only endured, but thrived across many organizations and use cases for so long. While open source projects are born out of different circumstances, FreeBSD grew from a mold of its own. The path the project took has everything to do with its longevity and why, 30 years after FreeBSD launched, youll find FreeBSD code helping to power everything from your content on Netflix to your games on PlayStation. BSD (before the Free) Initially released in 1993, FreeBSD is rooted in the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) code base that had been under development since the 1970s. The pioneering BSD project introduced the socket networking interface, the first implementation of TCP/IP, file systems including VFS, FFS, and NFS, the mmap memory model, and more. While BSD was not open source, its licensed code still received many contributions from academic and industry users. Most of BSD was made available as open source software with the 4.4BSD-Lite distribution, providing the basis for FreeBSD. The foundational nature of its technology has been a significant factor in its success ever since. A shared approach to leadership To manage leadership succession and avoid risks associated with the singular-leader structure common to many other open source projects, the founders of the FreeBSD project set up the FreeBSD Core Team, a group of leaders responsible for the projects direction and controlling committer privileges. While the founders initially assigned themselves as these leaders, in 2000 the nine seats on the Core Team became elected positions. Enabling committers to vote for FreeBSDs leadership and rise to leadership roles themselves has kept the project particularly robust and capable of evolution. Modern remote development FreeBSD has leveraged source code control, bug reporting, and other tools that could enable remote development from its beginning. In an era when open source project distributions were most often maintained by a single individual who personally added all code contributions, the novel advantages of FreeBSDs strategy have since come to define modern practices. This freedom to accelerate development beyond standard limitations meant rapidly incorporating codeincluding valuable capabilities drawn from NetBSD and OpenBSD. A discerning approach to hardware The FreeBSD project decided from the start to select recommended hardware and offer diligent, targeted support. As a result, FreeBSD has consistently found itself ahead of the curve when it comes to reliability and performance metrics. That distinction is why its been such an enduringly popular choice for companies from the dial-up age through to modern web server providers. Stellar communication, documentation, support, and culture With FreeBSD enabling remote development and global contributions, the project was particularly strategic about the mailing lists it developed to keep work and design discussions organized and efficient. Because of that, FreeBSD quickly achieved thoughtful communications management with monitoring and moderation to keep discussions civil (yes, civility!) and on topic, without limiting freedom of expression and while serving developers from diverse cultures. FreeBSD has also excelled at maintaining valuable software documentation from its beginning, starting by recruiting contributors with a focus on documentation, and asking developers to participate in making sure that documentation is accurate and complete. Toward this goal, FreeBSD specifically introduced a documentation committer group with the same privileges as code committers. The project also supports a multi-language documentation framework, making FreeBSD knowledge more approachable to more developers worldwide. Culture is as important as technology in open source, and FreeBSD has a welcoming and inclusive one that extends the same voting rights (and an equal voice in the community) to all committers. The thriving FreeBSD Foundationwhich was one of the industrys firstoffers a deep set of project support services as well. Valuable ports FreeBSDs initial release included numerous contributed utilities and libraries, and these have only expanded into the vast FreeBSD ports collection available today. This collection offers powerful and well-supported access to advanced open source technologies on top of FreeBSD. Once again, FreeBSD was an early leader. FreeBSDs package management tool, pkg, has had regular improvements over the years. Poudriere, a FreeBSD package creation and testing utility, is a great tool that leverages jails, a major strength of FreeBSD, to allow developers to reproducibly test port changes and reliably build our 30,000+ ports. And, finally, all of the ports are available in binary form to make it easier for the user to install applications by using the pkg command. Last but never least in open source the licensing Perhaps the most significant contributor to FreeBSDs 30 years of success is its open source Berkeley license. The Berkeley license doesnt require organizations to share source code changes with others, whereas Linux does. Companies that must place code representing proprietary intellectual property into their products need that licensing freedomsuch as those in the appliance and embedded OS market. That open source freedom, paired with strong leadership, a strong culture, and robust code that continues to evolve, is why FreeBSD is now celebrating a happy 30th birthday. Looking ahead to the next 30 years FreeBSDs 30th anniversary provides a reminder that durable success doesnt happen by accident. Reviewing how our community tackled the massive technical changes and challenges that occurred during this period also gives insights into what we must do to ensure we can celebrate similar milestones in the decades to come. By providing the best platform for rapid experimentation and development of new technologies, coupled with a reliable foundation for commercialization and wide adoption, we expect to see FreeBSD continue to thrive. We invite and encourage you to be a part of the next 30 years. Deb Goodkin is executive director at the FreeBSD Foundation, which supports the open source FreeBSD operating system. Deb has been with the foundation since August 2005. She has spent 20-plus years working in marketing, sales, and development of data storage devices. She earned an MSEE from the University of Santa Clara and a BSCE from the University of California, San Diego. New Tech Forum provides a venue to explore and discuss emerging enterprise technology in unprecedented depth and breadth. The selection is subjective, based on our pick of the technologies we believe to be important and of greatest interest to InfoWorld readers. InfoWorld does not accept marketing collateral for publication and reserves the right to edit all contributed content. Send all inquiries to newtechforum@infoworld.com. A home for rent in Stone Harbor, photographed earlier this month. While rentals can be expensive in season, there are ways to save. Read more As school lets out and summer vacation season officially begins, the price of a Jersey Shore getaway will only go up. Hotels can cost hundreds of dollars a night. Rentals can cost thousands a week. Then factor in gas for the car, beach tags, food, drinks, and any other activities. These costs have led some Philadelphians to abandon decades-long Shore traditions in favor of less expensive spots. READ MORE: Priced out of the Jersey Shore: Some travelers opt for all-inclusive resorts instead as rental costs soar Advertisement But some Shore lovers have not given it up entirely. Instead, theyve changed the way they vacation in South Jersey. Among them is Melissa Zimmerman, 40, of West Chester, and her family, who now take their travel trailer to campgrounds down the Shore. With older kids, we would almost have to look for two hotel rooms instead of one, said Zimmerman, a teacher. Unless we pay for a house, which would be insane. Ive seen those prices. I thought it was a better alternative. Here are some ways you can save and still get your Shore fix. Look just outside the beach towns Hotels just outside of the Shore points are often less expensive. For a midweek getaway this week, for example, the Sonesta Suites in Somers Point was offering a rate of about $100 a night. Less than 10 minutes away in Ocean City, most hotels were going for $200 to $500 a night midweek. From Somers Point, your group could drive to the beach, or call an Uber for under $20 each way (if prices werent surging). Try camping If camping is your style, do as Zimmerman did and start a new tradition at one of the many campgrounds down the Shore. Zimmerman, who bought a travel trailer during COVID, said she typically pays $75 to $90 a night. And many campgrounds have a pool or lake and other activities. You dont need to have a camper to stay there: Many offer cabin rentals for $150 or less. Get a group together Coordinate a trip with friends and split the cost of a hotel room among several people to make the total cost per person more palatable. Travel midweek If you have vacation days to burn, or the ability to work remotely, plan a midweek getaway. The slowest day for Shore hotels is usually Sunday, according to Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Levinson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism at Stockton University. Which means rates are likely to be least expensive that day, typically increasing as the weekend approaches. Go in the offseason Visiting the Shore in the so-called shoulder season has several benefits, if you dont have to work around kids school schedules. For one, hotel and rental rates tend to be less expensive in Avalon and Stone Harbor, weeklong rentals in September can go for about half of what they cost in July and August, said Diller Fisher Realtor Kim Ritchie-Leo. Plus the beaches are free, and the towns are less crowded. Take day trips The cost of food, drink, and beach tags likely wont sting so much if you arent paying the high costs of a rental or hotel room. Youll have to deal with driving there and back in the same day, as well as traffic, depending on the times youre traveling. But for many, the benefits of a day trip outweigh any inconvenience. My husband and I are both a lot more relaxed when were out of Delco, said Kassandra Benson, 28, of Broomall, and the beach helps me with my asthma and my sinus issues. Benson, a medical assistant and paramedic, said she and her husband, an EMT, are sticking with day trips to the Shore, unless they get a reduced rate on a rental from a friend. And unless the economy improves significantly, she said. Because right now it seems like a lot of people are taking advantage of the high housing costs and jacking up rental rates. The bar at Separatist South Philly, at the corner of 12th and Morris. West Philly's Carbon Copy is doing a summer-long pop-up there while Separatist sorts out a licensing issue. Read more What do you do if you own a brewery off one of the citys busiest drags and its closed indefinitely due to licensing issues? In a making-lemonade-out-of-lemons move, Separatist Beer Project is hosting West Phillys Carbon Copy for a summer-long pop-up. Separatist, which is based in Easton and has had a satellite East Passyunk tasting room since 2019, shuttered both of its locations in early April. Owner Joe Fay told The Inquirer a clerical error had snowballed into a licensing snafu, forcing them to shut their doors until it was resolved thereby taking a prime Avenue watering hole offline during one of the busiest times of the year. Separatist announced a creative solution last week: Carbon Copy, the brewery/winery that opened late last year in the former Dock Street space, will take over its tasting room from June through August at least. Separatists draft system is now stocked with 10 beers and three wines from Carbon Copy, plus one Ploughman cider. Bring your own food, or nosh on Carbon Copys tomato pie ($5 a slice) or fish and chips (tinned fish, homemade potato chips). Draft cocktails are in the works. Fay said that the idea came about when Carbon Copy founder Kyle Wolak called him to check in sometime after Separatist had announced the temporary closure. The pair has been friendly since 2017, when they collaborated on a beer during Wolaks tenure at WarPigs brewpub in Copenhagen. It was sort of an organic Eureka! moment for both of us, said Fay, who had hoped to find employment for his staff, cover operating expenses, and serve the Passyunk community. Fay, Wolak, and Carbon Copy co-founder Brendon Boudwin developed a plan to meet all three goals. For Carbon Copy, the second space helps build awareness. Were still new, so we want to get our name out there and let people know that were here in Philadelphia making beer and wine for the people, Wolak said. What better way than having a summer pop-up bar in South Philadelphia? The pop-up debuted on June 9, after about a month of planning. Carbon Copy is essentially subletting the space and using exposition permits to operate there. (This is yet another feature of a Pennsylvania brewery license, different than the one that allowed Human Robot to open a surprise Center City taproom last month, or that allowed a Wyndmoor BYOB to become a full bar for just $20,000.) Fay said a longer-term collaboration is possible if all goes well, hinting that Carbon Copy may have a South Philly presence past this summer. Wolak characterized it as a win-win-win. The neighborhood was happy that the space was alive again and that the bartenders that they had gotten to know were all still there, so it seems to be a mutually beneficial situation for everyone involved. Carbon Copys hours at 1646 S. 12th St. are 4 to 10 p.m. Monday, 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 4 to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. instagram.com/carboncopyphilly The three finalists chip flavors in Herrs are Johns Roast Pork sandwich, Mikes Korean BBQ wings, and Corropoleses Tomato Pie. Read more Ever craved a potato chip that tasted exactly like a roast pork sandwich? Well, you can stop dreaming. On Tuesday, Herrs announced the finalists for its second annual Flavored by Philly Contest. This years competition features three limited-time chip flavors inspired by local small food businesses. The finalists include a Johns Roast Pork Sandwich flavor inspired by the South Philly shops signature sandwich. The Korean BBQ Wings flavor made to taste like the eats at the East Passyunk smokehouse is also a contender, as is the Tomato Pie flavor inspired by Corropolese Bakery in Norristown. The flavors will be sold wherever Herrs products are sold until Aug. 8. Chip connoisseurs or merely the chip curious can vote for their favorite at campaign.rtm.com/flavoredbyphilly. Herrs will cut a $10,000 check to the small business behind the winning chip. (The person who nominated the chip gets $5,000.) We wanted to pick flavors in Philadelphia that resonate with the heart of the city, said Ed Herr, the chairman and CEO of the Chester County-based snack company. Advertisement It was important for the contest to highlight small businesses, Herr said. After all, his father, Jim, started the company in 1946, selling chips door-to-door in Lancaster. The company, which now makes over 300 different products at its Nottingham factory, grew up in Philly, he said. Philly is kind of our hometown, he said. Over 11,000 voters cast ballots in last years Flavored by Philly Contest. For that competition, Herrs created three Philly-centric flavors. Long Hots with Sharp Provolone beat out flavors called Special Sauce and Wiz Wit. This year, the company received nearly 1,500 submissions inspired by local Philly eats, including everything from cannoli and doughnut to pierogis and tacos. Herrs would not say what other Philly businesses were nominated. For his part, Michael Strauss, owner of Mikes BBQ, said he received a call out of the blue from Herrs in December. An anonymous customer had nominated his smoky, sweet wings. Its our local chip and to be able to do a collaboration with them is amazing, he said, at a sneak preview tasting of the chips at his shop. Its an honor. He was happy to hear his friend John Bucci, owner of Johns Roast Pork, had also made the cut. Still, Strauss said, hes in it to win it. I want the chip title, he said, with a laugh. Doylestown Health is selling Pine Run Retirement Community, shown here in an aerial view, to Presbyterian Senior Living as part of a bid to recover financially from losses during the pandemic. The price was not disclosed. Read more Doylestown Health announced Tuesday that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell Pine Run, its nearby continuing-care retirement community, to Presbyterian Senior Living, a not-for-profit that owns Cathedral Village in the Andorra section of Philadelphia. The price was not disclosed, but will likely be shared in reports to Doylestowns municipal bondholders after the sale is completed. Doylestown decided this year to sell the retirement community it has owned since 1992 as part of a plan to recover from deep losses during the coronavirus pandemic. Doylestowns latest results, for the nine months ended March 31, showed some improvement. Its nine-month operating loss was $18 million, down slightly from $20 million the year before. Doylestown improved to a $1.9 million operating gain in the first three months of the calendar year, compared to a $12.7 million loss a year ago. Still, Doylestowns cash reserves remained significantly below the level required by its bank agreements. The organization reported that it had 74 days worth of cash on hand. Its supposed to have enough cash to keep operating for at least 100 days without any new revenue. Advertisement Doylestowns profitability also remained below the level required by its loan agreements, according to its latest financial report to bondholders. Moodys Investors Service and Standard & Poors Global Ratings have put extremely low credit ratings on Doylestown. Given severity of current circumstances, an upgrade is not likely in the near term, Moodys said in March, even as it acknowledged improvements in operations. Both ratings agencies said the Pine Run sale, expected to be completed by September, could aid the turnaround effort at Doylestown by adding to cash reserves and potentially trimming some of the systems more than $200 million in debt. The buyer, Presbyterian Senior Living, based in Dillsburg, Pa., already has 10 continuing-care retirement communities in Pennsylvania, and one each in Delaware and Maryland. It sold Westminster Village in Allentown two years ago. The organization also owns personal-care homes and apartments for seniors, including some that are classified as affordable housing. Pine Run has 272 independent living cottages and 24 apartments on a 43-acre campus. It also includes a 90-bed nursing home and a 106-bed personal-care home nearby. Presbyterian said it will honor the contracts of current residents. Were really excited about this acquisition. It fits beautifully within our operational footprint, Presbyterian Senior Livings president and CEO said during a presentation for investors last week. A boil water advisory for 18,000 customers in West Philadelphia may be lifted Tuesday, pending more testing. Read more West Philadelphia residents no longer have to boil their water before using it, after testing of the water found no evidence of harmful bacteria, officials said Tuesday. On Sunday afternoon, a pumping station serving a section of upper West Philadelphia failed, causing a loss of pressure in the system that left some customers without water. Water pressure was restored, but the hour of low pressure could have created a vacuum, raising concern about whether bacteria and other disease-causing organisms were pulled into the water pipes. The city told residents in several West Philadelphia zip codes to boil water before drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or preparing food. Residents can now return to using their water normally, the department said. Customers can feel confident their water is safe to use, Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Randy E. Hayman said in a statement. Advertisement About 18,000 people were affected by the water-boil advisory. This includes customers who lost water or had low pressure in: Wynnefield Heights, Wynnefield, Overbrook Farms, Green Hill Farms, Overbrook, Overbrook Park, and Morris Park. Parts of Carroll Park, Haddington, West Parkside, and West Fairmount Park. The following zip codes: 19151 and parts of 19131 and 19139. After two rounds of testing in the area found no water contamination, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection allowed the city to lift the boil advisory, the city Water Department said in a news release. Water officials in Philadelphia are still investigating the cause of the pump failure that led to the advisory. In a news release, the department said that a major goal of its Water Revitalization Plan, intended to improve the citys water infrastructure over the next 25 years, will create more backup water supplies around the city. In 2025, the department said, it will install a second pumping station in the West Philadelphia neighborhoods affected by the boil advisory, which will act as a backup water supply and reduce the risk of future advisories. Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect the end of the water-boil advisory. Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article. Salus University President Michael Mittelman and Drexel University President John Fry shake hands after signing documents for a merger at the Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Read more The presidents of Drexel and Salus Universities announced Tuesday that they will proceed with a merger of the two institutions and will aim to have it take effect next summer. The boards of both institutions have given approval, pending the necessary regulatory approvals, including consideration by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body. The two colleges said in April that they were exploring an affiliation that would link the schools graduate health sciences education and clinical practice programs. READ MORE: Drexel and Salus universities are exploring an affiliation what could be the latest pairing of local schools Advertisement This is going to be a really nice fit, said John A. Fry, president of Drexel, one of the largest private universities in the Philadelphia region, with 23,200 students. We are so complementary in our programs. The physician assistants program is really the only overlap, and theyre so much in demand. We cant produce enough. Michael Mittelman, president of Salus, a small, private health sciences university based in Elkins Park that enrolls more than 1,100 students, said for that reason, he didnt anticipate layoffs in the teaching force. Fry said there may be some consolidation of administrations over time, hopefully through retirements or attrition. Salus clinics are expected to remain intact, too. The university has three clinical facilities in Montgomery County and Philadelphia, including in East Oak Lane and Chestnut Hill, that provide vision, hearing, and balance, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services. Our programs require certain labs and clinics, Mittelman said. It would be very expensive to move that right off the bat. READ MORE: Drexel consolidates its health-related schools to a new University City building so students feel more connected What will happen with Salus main campus in Elkins Park will be a topic addressed by a newly formed integration council composed of faculty and professional staff from both universities. That council will develop a plan on how and when academic programs and operational units at Salus will become part of Drexel. Salus was founded in 1919 as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and both Fry and Mittelman said that legacy and name will be preserved. What will happen with the Salus name, which is more recent, is uncertain. Drexel has been extremely respectful of our legacy and our heritage, Mittelman said. Fry in April said the new affiliation would would further solidify Drexels place as a leader in preparing future interprofessional health sciences practitioners by adding renowned Salus graduate degree programs such as optometry, audiology, blindness and low-vision studies, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics. Meanwhile, Drexel already has medical, biomedical, public health, nursing, and health professions programs. Salus president also touted the benefits in April, including an expansion in research collaboration and grant funding. Students would gain access to Drexels facilities, including its recently opened health sciences building, as well as its signature co-op program that places students in paid, six-month work experiences as part of their education. The Salus announcement came just days after Standard & Poors knocked Drexels credit rating out of the A-range, to BBB+ from A-. S&P cited Drexels weakened financials after it took on a $478 million operating lease for its new health sciences building in University City. The lease is effectively a form of debt. The new merger would be the latest pairing of local universities looking to solidify their positions in an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace, with the number of available high school graduates on the decline and a further dip expected in a couple of years. This is an industry, higher education and health care, that continues to look for consolidation and partnership-based opportunities, Fry said. Earlier this year, St. Josephs University announced it had a definitive agreement to merge with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, the school founded by Lancaster General Hospital, which is the largest hospital in Lancaster County and now owned by the University of Pennsylvania. That announcement came less than a year after the Catholic institution merged with the former University of the Sciences. Also last July, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education merged six of its universities into two new entities. In 2017, Thomas Jefferson University merged with the former Philadelphia University. Drexel isnt new to affiliations, either. In 2011, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural history museum in the nation, became a part of Drexel. And at least one other local college, Cabrini University, has been in the hunt for a local partner. With a mounting deficit last year, the university announced it was eliminating academic leadership positions, including that of the provost. It also laid off some faculty in December, and its president, Helen Drinan, said the school was exploring a merger. Unlike the situation at Cabrini, Salus has not been losing money, at least not in the last two years. It had operating income of $2.35 million on revenue of $55 million in fiscal year 2022, and operating income of $2.9 million on operating revenue of $54 million the year before, according to its most recent financial statements. Staff writer Harold Brubaker contributed to this article. Tymire Alston-Haywood, 15, holds a cellphone picture of his great grandfather, James Watson, 69, who was killed in a ATM robbery in March 2022. Read more A Philadelphia man whod been on the run for more than a year after he was accused of killing a 69-year-old man who was withdrawing money from an ATM in Germantown last year has been arrested, authorities said Tuesday. Kyree Dennis, 24, one of two men accused of killing James Watson during an attempted robbery last March, was taken into custody on the 3400 block of Marshall Street on Sunday night after a short foot chase, District Attorney Larry Krasner said. Dennis was charged with murder, conspiracy, and related crimes. The other man charged in the crime, Corey X. Thompson of Chichester Township, was arrested last March and charged with murder, firearms violations, and related offenses. Shortly after 8 p.m. March 3, 2022, Watson stopped into the ATM vestibule of the Citizens Bank branch on Germantown Avenue to withdraw $400 for his granddaughter, who had broken her foot and was unable to run the errand, his family said. While Watson was inside, authorities said, Dennis and Thompson confronted him, wearing hoodies, face masks, and skull caps. After a brief struggle, Dennis fired a handgun at Watson, grazing his chest and penetrating his abdomen, police said. When officers arrived, they found Watson on the vestibule floor, and he was pronounced dead minutes later. While the two men fled without taking the cash Watson had withdrawn, police believe the motive for the shooting was robbery. Watsons great-grandson Tymir Alston-Haywood has said Watsons last act, helping his injured granddaughter, spoke to his kind and caring nature. He was a very positive, very charming guy, Alston-Haywood said. Very lovable. Everybody liked him. Recent photograph of Victor Rodriguez, an 18-year-old senior at Pitman High School, who disappeared while swimming across Alcyon Lake shortly before 8:45 p.m. Sunday. Read more The body of a Pitman High School student who disappeared Sunday night while swimming across a Gloucester County lake has been recovered, Pitman Borough Mayor Michael Razze said in a statement late Monday afternoon. Victor Rodriguez, an 18-year-old senior and member of the high schools wrestling team, reportedly disappeared while swimming across Alcyon Lake shortly before 8:45 p.m. Sunday. It is with great sadness that after just over 17 hours of tedious and demanding work by many first responders, Victor has been recovered, Razze said in a statement posted on Facebook. Several dive teams, including from the New Jersey State Police, were involved in the search since Sunday night. On Monday morning, Pitman borough reported that the search was ongoing. Razze posted his announcement at 3:25 p.m. A GoFundMe created for the Rodriguez family said the teens death was the result of a challenge that went astray. NBC10 reported that Rodriguez was trying to swim across the lake for points as part of a scavenger hunt that was considered a tradition for students at the high school. Pitman High School announced that final exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday had been canceled and students were not required to come to school either day, though the building remained open with teachers and staff to provide emotional support throughout the day. Seniors were encouraged to attend an informational session at the school. The drowning comes just days before graduation, scheduled for Wednesday. Advertisement According to the GoFundMe, Rodriguez was enrolled at Pitman High School for his senior year and previously attended Deptford High School. The mutual love and support of our community will help to carry us through this difficult time, Razze said in his statement. On behalf of the entire borough, our deepest condolences to his family, friends, fellow students, and the PHS Class of 2023, Razze said. Alcyon Lake formerly was a contaminated Superfund site and was closed to the public for many years. The lake was polluted by runoff from the nearby Lipari Landfill in Mantua, once ranked by the Environmental Protection Agency as one of the worst toxic dumps in the country. Staff writer Melanie Burney contributed to this article. In one of the workrooms at Neidig Elementary in the Quakertown Community School District, a board displays how to make various phonics sounds. Read more Many of the nations colleges are missing the mark when it comes to training prospective educators on how to teach children to read, according to a new report by a national teacher quality group. Only one-quarter of the teacher prep programs cover all five core areas for reading instruction, which the National Council on Teacher Quality says in its report are based on more than 50 years of scientific research. Another quarter dont cover even one of those areas, the council said. The five competencies associated with what is called structured literacy include phonemic awareness the ability to identify sounds within spoken words, which allows children to link those sounds to the written word phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The council said it looked at how elementary teachers were prepared in these areas based on their course work, including instructional hours, assigned readings, assignments and assessments and practice opportunities. READ MORE: Pa. waived the basic skills requirement for educators. Will it work to attract more teachers? Advertisement New Jersey programs performed the worst in the nation on average in their coverage of the core competencies, the council said, though it was only able to obtain course materials necessary to evaluate 10 of the states 23 programs. Nine of them, including Rutgers New Brunswick and Rowan, got Fs. Montclair received a C. Pennsylvanias programs werent particularly strong, either. Twelve of 33 programs rated received Fs, including those at the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education, Cabrini University, and Eastern Universitys undergraduate program. Alvernia University in Reading and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvanias Bloomsburg Campus got the only As. Prospective teachers and certainly their students deserve far better, said Heather Peske, NCTQ president. The report comes as reading instruction has been facing a reckoning amid the rise of the science of reading movement, which is grounded in cognitive science and calls for a more systematic approach to reading instruction. But experts say many of the findings havent made their way into classrooms with some schools still favoring balanced literacy, which places more emphasis on exposure to literature and independent learning. It can also involve disproven strategies, including encouraging children to guess words rather than sounding them out. What has been in place for many children has not worked, or not worked well enough, said Wiley Blevins, a reading specialist who has been working with New York City schools as they adopt new curricula. Pennsylvania has directed teacher preparation programs to incorporate competencies in structured literacy with an increased focus on the five core areas of reading by August 2024. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is committed to putting well-trained, highly qualified teachers in every classroom, spokesperson Taj Magruder said, adding that the report does not appear to reflect these recent regulations. The New Jersey Department of Education did not respond to request for comment. READ MORE: The declining pipeline of educators-to-be has experts worried the teacher shortage will only get worse. Like the dispute over reading instruction itself, the reactions to the report give a window into the lack of consensus around how to put the science into practice. Many local colleges said the problem isnt with how they teach reading, but the councils assessment methodology, which doesnt consider student teacher outcomes or include site visits for evaluation. The councils analysis relies on the review of course syllabi, including items such as lecture slides or assignment descriptions, and background materials such as textbooks, articles, and videos. It is not possible to produce valid, accurate, and usable assessments of the quality of teacher preparation programs (or courses) based on syllabi and documents alone without also gathering other data through participant and faculty surveys, site visits, and other means that get at what programs actually do and how participants actually experience them, Rowan University said in a statement. And while some preparation program leaders say there is always room for improvement, they note their programs comply with state and federal regulations and are accredited. They said they dont place much credence in the councils findings. I question the ethics of publishing reviews about my program based on syllabi from five or more years ago, said Patrick Sexton, executive director of teacher education programs for Penns graduate school of education. The methodology that would allow you to do that is seriously questionable. (The council responded that it used Penn materials from 2019, the last time it was able to obtain them Penn refused to participate this year and contended that was valid because most programs dont update their curriculum that often.) The five core components cited by the council, Sexton said, are infused in Penns program. READ MORE: This Philly-area elementary school saw test scores plummet. Now its putting all its resources toward catching up. We need to do better, he acknowledged. But I dont need NCTQ to tell me the ways in which I need to get better. Penn, he said, is adding a literacy course because there isnt enough time in the academic calendar to focus on the fundamentals of teaching reading and writing, a move in part that will address Pennsylvanias new standards. In response to the criticism, Peske acknowledged that syllabus and other paper materials dont capture everything that is going on in a course, but experts and practitioners agree that a review of these written materials does provide insight into the topics covered and the degree of that coverage. Many local colleges, including Temple University, Pennsylvania State University, and Rutgers-Camden, declined the councils requests for information, and the council was not able to obtain information through other means, such as public records requests. The council said it was able to get materials to grade nearly 700 of the more than 1,000 teacher preparation programs in the country. Some colleges said the councils assessment takes too narrow of a view on what constitutes good reading instruction and that their programs rightly are broader and more textured. Brooke K. Langan, dean of education at East Stroudsburg University, which got a D, said the school uses a balanced literacy approach that includes phonics and phonemic awareness but also nurtures students love of reading. If we continue to just push phonics and phonemic awareness, we are going to drive students away from the joy of reading, Langan said. The school, however, is looking at adding another reading course, in part to respond to the new Pennsylvania regulations, but also because more school districts are adopting a science-based reading approach. Peske asserted that the councils study was guided by a panel of literacy experts, researchers, teacher preparation leaders, policymakers, and others who weighed in after the last review in 2020. And it has gotten endorsement from some high-profile educators, including Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. This report confirms what educators have been saying for years, Weingarten said in the councils news release. To help our students become joyful and confident readers, we must understand that teaching reading is not just an art, but also a science. Founded in 2000, the council issued a report on teacher preparation programs in 2013, finding that many of them were inadequate. The councils evaluation drew criticism for its methodology, including from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), which represents more than 800 post secondary institutions with educator preparation programs. Since then, the council has come out with other reports targeting specific areas of teacher preparation, again yielding pushback. Mark Seidenberg, a cognitive scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and leading expert in the science of reading, said the councils latest report was based on dated literature. It doesnt cover the relevant aspects of what you need to know, Seidenberg said, adding that a teacher preparation program built around the councils criteria would be missing the boat. He said teachers should be taught how reading works and how children learn, with courses in linguistics, developmental psychology, and cognitive science. But one thing both Seidenberg and the council agree on is that teacher preparation programs have much room for improvement. The ed schools are not moving forward very rapidly on this at all, Seidenberg said of the science of reading movement. Peske, of the council, said improvement is critical, given recent national fourth grade reading test scores, only worsened by the pandemic. More than one-third of fourth grade students, about 1.3 million, cant read at a basic level, according to recent national data. For students from underrepresented groups, those living in poverty and those with learning differences, the results are worse. That has nothing to do with the students themselves and everything to do with the fact that we are not giving students access to effective reading instruction, Peske said. Some states, such as Colorado and Mississippi, have put in place policies to promote the core reading components and have held teacher preparation programs responsible for meeting them, she said. Peske said Pennsylvanias recently adopted standards for teacher preparation programs were a good step in the right direction, as long as Pennsylvania holds the programs accountable. West Chester University, one of Pennsylvanias state schools, which received a B, one of the higher grades in the state, said it is proud when its programs are recognized as best practices. While we cant speak fully to the methodology used, we welcome external review of our programs, said Desha Williams, dean of the college of education and social work. The councils analysis also looked at whether the programs included instruction no longer considered to be scientifically based. Nationally, about 40% of programs do, the council said. Many programs, the council said, also fail to employ proper strategies to help struggling readers. More than half of the programs devote less than two instructional hours on how to support students with dyslexia, while 71% offer the same for English language learners, the report said. Bailey Falter may be the best option the Phillies have in reserve at this point. Read more PHOENIX The Phillies dont have many options as far as starting pitching depth goes. Among the prospects, Andrew Painter is still working his way back from a sprained elbow ligament. Griff McGarry is still building up his pitch count at double-A Reading. The Phillies would also like to see him pitch at triple-A Lehigh Valley before calling him up. Mick Abel is still working on his command at Reading. None of those pitchers is on the 40-man roster yet. Cristopher Sanchez has pitched well of late at Lehigh Valley, and has seen his velocity tick up, but he has walked a few batters, too. Michael Plassmeyer has a 6.95 ERA through 44 innings at triple A. So, with Lehigh Valley shrouded in smoke from the Canadian wildfires, and with Mondays bullpen game in Arizona coming up, the Phillies decided to send Bailey Falter to low-A Clearwater. They wanted to make sure he would be available if they needed him. Right now, it seems that he is their first choice as a pitcher in reserve. Falter pitched three scoreless innings Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk. Manager Rob Thomson said that the Phillies sent a scout to watch Falters start, and got some positive feedback. Advertisement [Hes] a lot better now, a lot better, Thomson said. We had a scout see him in a game he pitched in Clearwater and he said he was really good. His velocity ticked up. He was back up above the barrel, in the zone. Secondary pitches were really good. He was just basing it off of his stuff not the hitters he was facing. Falter, who was sent from the big league club to triple A after going 0-7 with a 5.15 ERA, will return to Lehigh Valley soon. Hell pitch a short bullpen session on Tuesday in case the Phillies need him on Saturday at Oakland. READ MORE: The $244 million Phillies finally earning their money just in time for a road trip to Arizona Painter update Andrew Painter, who is recovering from his right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain in Clearwater, will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and another on Friday. After gradually increasing the volume in his bullpen sessions, he will throw to hitters. Thomson said he doesnt have a timetable for when Painter could see hitters yet. Extra bases Nick Nelson (left hamstring strain) will throw three innings (about 55 pitches) on Wednesday with Lehigh Valley. Outfielder Cristian Pache (right knee meniscus tear) and first baseman Darick Hall (right thumb sprain) are off today, but are progressing well in Lehigh Valley. This week they will play every day. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launches his bid for the Republican nomination for president at a town hall at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on June 6, 2023. Read more Chris Christie promised hed be coming for former President Donald Trump, and the federal indictment unsealed last week gave him the fuel to hit the ground running. As many Republicans offered muted defenses or avoided the topic of Trumps legal woes, Christie made frequent appearances on cable news shows in the last few days and spent a good portion of a 90-minute CNN town hall attacking Trump on the eve of his arraignment. Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, called Trump a loser, a child, angry, vengeful, and sad at the Monday night town hall. He told moderator Anderson Cooper hes convinced that if Trump returns to the White House, the next four years will be all about him settling scores. (Christie argued he would be a fighter for Americans if he was elected president). The expected offensive comes after Christie, who launched a second presidential bid last week, tries to stand apart from a crowded GOP field. In the last few days, though, some GOP contenders have inched closer to criticizing the former president, though none at the volume of or as acerbically as Christie. Advertisement Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday called Donald Trump reckless. Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.) described the federal charges as serious allegations. Both were a shift in tone from their previous reactions to the indictment. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has defended Trump in the context of the indictment but amped up criticisms on other topics, including whether Trump is conservative enough for the party and how much the 76-year-old could accomplish in the one term hed be limited to if he were elected. A former federal prosecutor, Christie called the evidence in the indictment damning and the situation evidence of what he called Trumps inability to face that he lost the 2020 election. He cannot live with the fact that he lost to Joe Biden, Christie said. ... He wants to continue to pretend hes president, he wants the trappings around him, and I think one of those trappings is these documents. He flew the boxes up to New Jersey for summer vacation. What is this, like theyre a family member? This is vanity run amok. Christie criticized fellow Republicans who say the charges are politically motivated. Everyones blaming the prosecutors, he said. He did it. Its his conduct. Polling at 1%, Christie will have a steep climb to get out of the minor-league bracket of GOP contenders. But his early attacks on Trump could gain him some momentum or persuade other candidates to be more aggressive toward the front-runner. Christie reiterated on Monday that he believes the only path to the White House was through Trump, and some of his comments like repeatedly calling Trump a loser seemed to echo Trumps own speeches. Ive known him for 22 years. The only thing he understands is force, Christie said. Throughout the town hall, Christie told a lot of personal stories about Trump, a close friend for years. A key ally to Trumps previous campaigns, hes now using some of those personal interactions as fodder for his run against Trump. He talked about a 2017 Valentines Day lunch in the East Wing with his wife and Trump, where he told Trump, You didnt win, she lost, referencing Hillary Clinton. Christie told Cooper that Trump shrugged off his political advice to focus less on himself and more on the country then. Christie also recounted getting COVID-19 in 2020 after helping Trump with debate prep. In a story hes told before, Christie said Trump called him in intensive care and asked, Are you going to say you got it from me? Christie did cover some policy in the town hall. He wouldnt say if hed support a federal abortion ban, saying he preferred abortion rights be left up to the states. He also wouldnt commit to any support for changes to gun laws. Asked whether President Joe Biden or Trump represented a bigger hazard to the country, Christie said, Its a coin flip. If he was elected president, he said, hed retain FBI Director Christopher Wray, whom DeSantis has said hed fire. Several times he hearkened back to his eight years as governor of New Jersey, at one point touting his dismantling and remaking of the Camden police department and a subsequent improvement in homicide rates there. He said he had no involvement in the Bridgegate scandal that mired his political rise but said hed learned to be more cautious about whom he appoints to positions of power. Asked what differentiates him, he said it was his ability to govern as a Republican in a blue state to get things done. We can all fight to get headlines, he said. Im pretty good at that but at the end, that does nothing for you. The food court at the Exton Square Mall in 2022. Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has been trying to sell the low-performing property. Read more The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trusts (PREIT) board of directors has decided against firing themselves. A report to the federal Securities and Exchange Commission posted on Monday showed that the board has rejected the resignations offers of seven of its nine members who failed to win a majority of votes at the annual shareholder meeting June 1. PREITs corporate governance guidelines require that those who did not win a majority of votes must offer to resign. Seven directors, including CEO Joseph F. Coradino, tendered their resignations. The other directors who offered to resign were George J. Alburger Jr., Michael J. DeMarco, JoAnne A. Epps, Mark E. Pasquerilla, Charles P. Pizzi, and John J. Roberts. Advertisement The board had 90 days to decide their fates after the board meetings results were ratified. It did not need that long. On June 8, a day after the resignation offers were made public, they were rejected. After consideration and deliberation of all these factors, the board determined that the resignation would be detrimental to, and not in the best interests of, the trust and its shareholders, the document submitted to the SEC reads. In each case, the individual whose resignation was being considered was not allowed to vote but all the others who offered resignations at the same time were. Two directors, Kenneth B. Hart and Christopher Swann, joined the board after the others and were elected separately by preferred-share holders. Swann has pushed for a reorganization of the company and more rapid sale of its properties. Im not surprised. They only had two remaining members, and its not enough [to function], said Charles Elson, a corporate governance consultant, former University of Delaware finance professor, and founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. Elson said its rare for such a large number of directors to fail to win a majority of votes all at once. But even when its a smaller number, its more common for the board to keep the rejected director on until a replacement is appointed or even a whole new board. Directors failing to receive majority support is rare. But for that to happen to an entire board, is extremely unusual. It sends a strong message of no-confidence to the board, said Jun Frank, managing director of compensation and governance advisory at ISS Corporate Solutions, a Rockville, Md., group which advises investors on governance issuers. PREIT declined to comment beyond what was laid out in the filing. The shareholder revolt on June 1 is the latest sign of trouble for PREIT, long known as the largest mall owner in Pennsylvania. Over the past five years, its stock price plummeted from almost $170 a share to under a dollar. In 2020 the company declared bankruptcy, and in December it was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The company owes creditors almost $1 billion, and debt service costs have strained its financial performance. With a few major exceptions such as the Exton Square Mall and the Fashion District in Philadelphia (which PREIT no longer controls) the company has strong occupancy rates and sales across its properties. It owns a variety of well-known malls across the Philadelphia region and in Washington, D.C., notably including the Cherry Hill Mall, which takes in sales at almost twice the national average for malls. PREITs fate is also important to the 25,000 workers who are employed throughout its properties. The companys fortunes have flagged during a period when many mall owners have struggled. The market is bifurcated, with superstar performers such as Cherry Hill and King of Prussia continuing to succeed, while many other malls seeking redevelopment and diversified offerings such as housing. PREITs debt load is partly due to its efforts to face this new reality, as its malls require large capital commitments as do the efforts to diversify its real estate. Market observers have speculated that the shareholder revolt could be a prelude to a sale. There are few takers for mall properties in the present environment, however, so any sale would probably occur on a property-by-property basis. Theres really no buyer of malls [right now], Alexander Goldfarb, a commercial real estate analyst with Piper Sandler Investment, told The Inquirer last week. (This story has been updated from an earlier versions. It adds comments from ISS Corporate Solutions, which advises investors in public companies; and it clarifies the director status of Kenneth B. Hart and Christopher Swann, who were not part of the recent board election at which other directors received minorities of shareholder votes.) This announcement is a good start but more needs to be done to help solve the unmet financial advice need for working Australians, not just those people approaching retirement, said CALI CEO Christine Cupitt. We must address the growing problem of underinsurance that is leaving people unprotected when times get tough, she said. TAL supports the announcements the government has made today to make it easier for financial advisers and superannuation funds to provide access to affordable, quality financial advice to their clients and members," said TAL Group CEO and Managing Director Brett Clark. "All Australians stand to benefit from improved access to quality and affordable advice, and TAL will continue to constructively engage with government and all stakeholders on important reform that would also permit life insurers to better meet their customers simple advice needs. "We are thrilled to have such a diverse and talented group of panellists for this year's event, Willsford said. Their insights and experiences will be invaluable in helping us promote diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry." There have been a lot of benefits from that, he said. It gave us big advantages in the early days, including in terms of security - all your data was in the data centre, which was hugely comforting but it was more a traditional sort of architecture around perimeter controls with endpoint security on the actual virtual machines, as well. We know that insurance is one aspect of a business risk strategy. By providing access to risk mitigation/evaluation partners to our insureds, we hope to help round out their overall risk strategy, said Feudo. We make sure to work with the best partners to provide a great experience to our insureds. From the outset, we have cooperated fully with the Maryland Insurance Administration and looked forward to presenting our case to the MIA, Matthew Cummings, a spokesperson for Erie, told the Baltimore Sun. That expected opportunity did not happen, and we believe the MIA reached its conclusions based on inaccurate and incomplete information. PWSC has been a trusted name in homebuilder warranties since the mid-1990s, and I'm proud of the work we've done in the past few years to continue that tradition, Gordy said. We've maintained our core values and expertise while modernizing our approach and minimizing risk for our customers. Paul has been instrumental in everything we've done, so I have full confidence that the company is in excellent hands. Families who have been evacuated from a wildfire zone may be unaware that their home is still intact. If the insurance company is aware, they can advise their client that it is possible for them to return to their property. Conversely, suppose the insurer knows a particular property has been completely destroyed. In that case, they have early warning of a large property claim, they know they will need to support an insured who has lost their home, and they are aware that they will incur the cost of alternative accommodation for a lengthy period. Alabama is ranked fourth in the US for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind reports. Furthermore, the state's position near the coast leaves residents susceptible to record-breaking natural disasters such as hurricanes. These factors have contributed to average home insurance rates in Alabama being around 15% higher than the national average, making it challenging for many residents to find adequate coverage, according to Kin. For workers who are injured, the data can be useful to see how they can most safely transition back to full-time work. An injured shoulder may preclude some jobs, but other jobs on-site may not require any shoulder work, for example. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Maine lawmakers have signed off on a proposal to expand the states equal pay law to prevent discrimination on the basis of race. The proposal from House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross received affirmative votes in both chambers of the Maine Legislature this week. The change would expand the current equal pay law, which prevents employers from discriminating between employees on the basis of sex by paying lower wages for comparable work on jobs that require comparable skill, effort and responsibility. Rosss proposal adds language that an employer may also not discriminate between employees on the basis of race. Ross said in a statement on Wednesday that the law change will help close the racial wealth gap. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills must also sign off on the law change. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Maine New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! New York lawmakers have again overwhelmingly passed legislation to overhaul the states 1847 law that governs damages that can be awarded in wrongful death cases. But its unclear whether the latest version of the Grieving Families Act will pass muster with Gov. Kathy Hochul, who in January vetoed a similar 2022 measure after lawmakers rejected her amendments. She has called for a thorough study of the economic impact of the proposed changes to the law. The 2023 version of the bill addresses a few but not all of the concerns Hochul had with the 2022 version. But it is not accompanied by a fiscal impact study. New Yorks current wrongful death law does not allow recovery for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of companionship for surviving family members. It restricts damages to pecuniary or tangible monetary damages only. It further limits recovery in wrongful death cases to a decedents immediate family members a child, parent, spouse, or the estates representative. Critics have been attempting for years to expand the law to allow emotional damages including for grief or anguish and loss of affection and companionship in wrongful death cases and add others such as siblings or cousins to the list of family members eligible for damages. They also want to extend the two-year statute of limitations in wrongful deaths and apply the changes retroactively. Advocates for victims claim the changes would bring the state in line with other states and is long overdue. A New York Public Interest Research Group report said that 47 other states already allow their courts to consider the value of lost relationships and 20 states already recognize claims for the grief and mental anguish experienced resulting from a wrongful death. Alabama and New York are the only states that allow neither, NYPIRG said. Governors Veto After years of trying to pass reform legislation, lawmakers succeeded last June by overwhelming margins in the Senate and Assembly, only to have Hochul, a Democrat, veto the bill seven months later in January. Hochul had tried to negotiate what she saw as a compromise that would limit claims for grief and emotional damages to parents who suffered the loss of a child under age 18 and set a cap on damages. She also suggested changes not be applied retroactively and that the statute of limitations not be extended. Finally, she asked that claims for medical malpractice be excluded from any revision. But sponsors decided her amendments went too far. In her veto message, Hochul said she felt the issue needed more study. In the end, she sided with businesses, including insurers and health care firms, and with mayors, who warned the changes would impose a major burden on the states economy and result in higher liability insurance costs for businesses, municipalities, drivers and the medical community. The Democratic sponsors of the bill said they were extremely disappointed in the veto at the time. They dismissed Hochuls claim that the measure needed more study. The truth is this legislation has been considered more carefully than almost any other bill passed during our time in Albany, they maintained. In May, the same sponsors, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D/WFP-Manhattan) and Assembly Member Helene Weinstein (D-Queens), reintroduced their Grieving Families Act with amendments. Lawmakers quickly passed the revised version again overwhelmingly by a vote of 54-8 in the Senate and 147-2 in the Assembly. The new bill has been sent to Hochul for her signature. Sponsors say the new bill responds to the governors concerns by clarifying the bills retroactive effect, limiting the types of damages that can be recovered, reducing the extension of the statute of limitations, and clearly defining who is a close family member eligible to recover. The damages allowed are similar to those sought in the prior legislation. They include loss of love, society, protection, comfort, companionship, and consortium resulting from the decedents death. The 2023 version expands the group of people who might bring a case for wrongful death to include spouses or domestic partners, children, foster children, step-children, step-grandchildren, parents, grandparents, step-parents, step-grandparents, siblings or anyone acting in loco parentis to the deceased person. But cousins or other relatives would not be eligible. While not completely retroactive, the 2023 version applies to any cause of action accruing on or after July 1, 2018, regardless of when the claim was filed. The new bill does not exclude medical malpractice cases nor does it set a cap on damages as Hochul has proposed. Both Sides Now The same interests that supported and opposed the measure last time around have stuck to their positions regarding the 2023 bill. The sponsors stated justification for the new law is that under the current one New York families who suffer the loss of a loved one must endure a second blow, when they discover the states civil justice system is unable to compensate them for their emotional loss. Senator Hoylman-Sigal said New York is out of step with other 47 states wrongful death laws. Weve denied countless family members the proper consideration for their loved ones since the current statute considers only economic loss, he said. Courts are forced to discount the value of lives in wrongful death actions for those who arent breadwinners for their families, resulting in a disproportionate negative impact on people of color, women, children, seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities. Supporters contend that the current law, which awards compensation for pecuniary loss only, impacts most harshly on children, seniors, women and people of color; people who often have no income or significantly less income. Supporters count families affected by gun violence and families of workers killed on the job as among the beneficiaries of the law changes. The families who are left behind, emotionally traumatized by horrific gun violence like the Tops shooting in Buffalo, deserve to have their pain matter, said Rebecca Fischer, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. Our current wrongful death statute puts low-income workers in danger by shielding employers from consequences when they fail to make worksites safe. The Grieving Families Act will ensure justice for families of workers regardless of their income, race, gender or age, said Charlene Obernauer, executive director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. Opponents say they dont object to helping families affected by wrongful deaths but they do worry that the costs of expanding the law as proposed would burden the states economy, raising costs for businesses, municipalities and the medical industry. We remain concerned that the legislature has done no fiscal impact analysis of this bill, said Tom Stebbins, executive director of the business group, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York. Actuarial analysis shows that even with the proposed amendments our heroes in healthcare can expect a dramatic increase in their liability insurance. Our auto, homeowners, and insurance for small business owners will all balloon under this bill. He maintained that if the state wants to get money to victims families, it should reduce attorneys fees. This is essential to ensuring the legislation doesnt amount to a big payout for trial lawyers at the expense of taxpayers and families in mourning, Stebbins said. While we wholeheartedly support the intentions behind the push to update the law, the approach taken will be devastating for municipal budgets and the services they support, wrote Peter Baynes, executive director at the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials. The New York Medical Society also opposes the bill, citing a study of the 2022 bill that concluded that the new damage awards would significantly raise medical liability costsby as much as 40%. These cost increases are completely untenable to an already distressed healthcare system where our patients are already facing challenges in accessing needed care, commented Paul A. Pipia, MD, president of the doctors group. The bills fate is now up to the governor again. Its time once again to gather our forcesas we successfully did earlier this yearto urge Governor Hochul to veto the bill, commented the medical groups Pipia. Since 1994, when I first introduced this bill, I have been fighting for justice for families who have had loved ones wrongfully taken from them. And, with the introduction of this new version of the Grieving Families Act, I will not give up in trying to persuade the Governor that enacting this bill is the right thing to do for families, seniors, children, homemakers, and indeed all New Yorkers, declared Assembly Member and sponsor Weinstein. Topics Legislation New York New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Drivers began longer commutes Monday after an elevated section of Interstate 95 collapsed in Philadelphia a day earlier following damage caused by a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo catching fire. Sundays fire closed a heavily traveled segment of the East Coasts main north- south highway indefinitely. Newscasts warned of traffic nightmares and gave advice on detours, urging drivers to take more time to travel. This is really going to have a ripple effect throughout the region, AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said Monday. She advised people to avoid peak travel times. Tidwell also anticipated that drivers will incur additional costs more gasoline, more wear and tear on their cars, additional tolls, in terms of leaving Pennsylvania into New Jersey and then back into Pennsylvania. Shapiro Administration Update on I-95 Response The Shapiro Administration, the city of Philadelphia, and federal agencies continue to respond to the partial collapse of Interstate 95 between Exits 30 and 32 in Philadelphia. The interstate is still closed in both directions in the area. Demolition Has Already Begun According to Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll, demolition of the collapsed roadway has begun and is expected to be completed in four to five days. A timeline for next steps in the reconstruction process will be made available once the engineers complete their review. Crews will work around the clock. One Body Recovered from Wreckage The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) confirmed that a body was recovered from the wreckage has been turned over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner and Coroner. Authorities are in the process of identifying the remains. Proclamation of Disaster Emergency To expedite the rebuilding of I-95 and to cut through the red tape, Governor Shapiro issued a The Shapiro Administration, the city of Philadelphia, and federal agencies continue to respond to the partial collapse of Interstate 95 between Exits 30 and 32 in Philadelphia. The interstate is still closed in both directions in the area.According to Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll, demolition of the collapsed roadway has begun and is expected to be completed in four to five days. A timeline for next steps in the reconstruction process will be made available once the engineers complete their review. Crews will work around the clock.The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) confirmed that a body was recovered from the wreckage has been turned over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner and Coroner. Authorities are in the process of identifying the remains.To expedite the rebuilding of I-95 and to cut through the red tape, Governor Shapiro issued a proclamation of disaster emergency , allowing the Commonwealth to immediately draw down federal funds and move quickly to begin the repair and reconstruction process. Governor Shapiro said he also spoke with President Biden, who told him the federal government is ready to provide whatever resources are needed to repair I-95 safely and efficiently. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said it was operating three extra morning and late afternoon trains on its Trenton, New Jersey, line, and adding capacity to regularly scheduled lines during peak hours to help support the city and regions travel needs following the collapse. Transportation officials warned of extensive delays and street closures and urged drivers to avoid the area in the citys northeast corner. Officials said the tanker contained a petroleum product that may have been hundreds of gallons (hundreds of liters) of gasoline. The fire took about an hour to get under control. The northbound lanes of I-95 were gone and the southbound lanes were compromised by heat from the fire, said Derek Bowmer, battalion chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Runoff from the fire or perhaps broken gas lines caused explosions underground, he added. Some kind of crash happened on a ramp underneath northbound I-95 around 6:15 a.m. , said state Transportation Department spokesman Brad Rudolph, and the northbound section above the fire collapsed quickly. A massive concrete slab fell from I-95 onto the road below. Gov. Josh Shapiro said his flight over the area showed just remarkable devastation. I found myself thanking the Lord that no motorists who were on I-95 were injured or died, he said. The collapsed section of I-95 was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said. Motorists were sent on a 43-mile (69-kilometer) detour Sunday, which was going better than it would do on a weekday, Rudolph said. The fact that the collapse happened on a Sunday helped ease congestion. Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll said the I-95 segment carries roughly 160,000 vehicles per day and was likely the busiest interstate in Pennsylvania. Shapiro said he had been spoken directly to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and had been assured that there would be absolutely no delay in getting federal funds quickly to rebuild what he called a critical roadway as safely and efficiently as possible. But Shapiro said the complete rebuild of I-95 would take some number of months, and in the meantime officials were looking at interim solutions to connect both sides of I-95 to get traffic through the area. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to investigate the fire and collapse. Officials were also concerned about the environmental effects of runoff into the nearby Delaware River. After a sheen was seen in the Delaware River near the collapse site, the Coast Guard deployed a boom to contain the material. Ensign Josh Ledoux said the tanker had a capacity of 8,500 gallons (32,176 liters), but the contents did not appear to be spreading into the environment. The fire was strikingly similar to another blaze in Philadelphia in March 1996, when an illegal tire dump under I-95 caught fire, melting guard rails and buckling the pavement. Associated Press writers Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Jake Offenhartz in New York, and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. Photo: Shown is the aftermath of an elevated section of Interstate 95 that collapsed, in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Pennsylvania Major oil and container ports have shut in India as a severe cyclone tracks toward the nations west coast near Pakistan. Adani Groups flagship Mundra operation, Indias busiest container harbor, the oil ports of Vadinar and Sikka, as well as Kandla, Okha, Bedi and Navlakhi have suspended operations, according to the Gujarat Maritime Board. Sikka is a key facility for Reliance Industries Ltd.s giant Jamnagar refinery. Very severe cyclone Biparjoy a name which means disaster is expected to make landfall between Gujarat and Pakistans Karachi on Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department. Wind gusts could reach as high as 150 kilometers (93 miles) an hour, the weather bureau said. Indias weather bureau advised authorities to evacuate people from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat including in Jamnagar. The region is also home to Nayara Energy Ltd.s Vadinar oil refinery. Over the border in Pakistan, the DHA neighborhood also advised hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate, according to a post on Twitter. 1/2 Important Announcement: Evacuation Notice for DHA Residents: In light of the impending cyclone and the safety and well-being of our community members being our top priority, we would like to inform you that a voluntary evacuation is recommended for pic.twitter.com/K2D09dZmHz DHA Karachi Official (@DHAKarachiOfc) June 12, 2023 Cyclones typically form off Indias coast during April and May, prior to the monsoon, and in October and November, following the rainy season, according to the India Meteorological Department. The Gujarat government has so far evacuated about 20,000 people from coastal areas and the operation is still continuing, said Alok Kumar Pandey, the states relief commissioner. Pakistan has started mandatory evacuations in some areas on the coastline, including Keti Bunder, according to Sherry Rehman, Pakistans minister of climate change. With assistance from Pratik Parija, Jasmine Ng, Faseeh Mangi and Atul Prakash. Photograph: A police vehicle petrols at a beach before the due onset of cyclone in Karachi, Pakistan on June 12, 2023. Photo credit: Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Images Related: Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Windstorm Energy Oil Gas A majority of judges on Brazils Supreme Court voted on Monday to back tax authorities in a judgment on how to calculate levies on banks and other financial institutions that could add as much as 115 billion reais ($23.6 billion) to state coffers. The court ruling means that a federal tax collected from banks, brokers and insurance companies between 2000 and 2014 should be levied on the total revenue generated by the firms, rather than solely on their operating revenue. The judges backed Brazils finance ministry, which had argued the tax should apply to gross revenue, including financial revenue. Financial institutions had argued the tax should only be levied on revenues from the sale of goods and services. Banking federation Febraban estimated that the courts ruling would cost the institutions an extra 12 billion reais in tax obligations, based on data from nine banks, but well below the 115 billion reais estimated by the finance ministry. ($1 = 4.8706 reais) (Reporting by Ricardo Brito; writing by Peter Frontini; editing by David Alire Garcia and Sonali Paul) Topics Carriers Agencies Pretium Packaging, LLC, a manufacturer of plastic bottles and containers, will pay $252,768 and furnish other relief to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. The EEOC charged that Pretiums Leipsic, Ohio, facility maintained a discriminatory practice of not hiring or promoting females to fill machine operator positions. Female employees who expressed interest in the position were told women were not eligible for the position. In one instance, two females employed as packers submitted applications for the machine operator position but were not selected for interviews; instead, male employees and external applicants with inferior qualifications were hired. Pretium also failed to maintain personnel records in violation of federal law. Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The EEOC filed suit against Pretium in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Case No: 3:22-cv-01729), after first attempting to reach voluntary pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The three-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit requires Pretium to pay over $125,000 to the two female employees who applied for machine operator positions but were not selected for interviews. An additional group of former female employees who may have been interested in the position will each be paid $2,500. A scholarship in the amount of $75,000 will be established with the Ohio Chapter of Women in Manufacturing, and Pretium will interview graduates from the program who apply for positions as machine operator, supervisor or manager. In addition, Pretium must provide annual training on sex discrimination to all employees at the Leipsic facility and submit annual reports regarding its hiring practices. Topics Lawsuits Ohio Manufacturing A Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a $1.1 million insurance fraud conspiracy that involved false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents, as well as to his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief benefits. Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 35, of Kansas City, Mo,, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps to the charges contained in two separate federal indictments. In the first indictment, Lawhorn pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. In the second indictment, Lawhorn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lawhorn is among 17 defendants who have pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme that defrauded six insurance companies from June 2017 to July 2020. Conspirators submitted false claims that they had suffered bodily injuries and that they would be personally liable for any medical bills related to insurance claims. Conspirators, some of whom were involved in multiple incidents, received thousands of dollars, and in some cases tens of thousands of dollars, based on these false claims. However, none of the conspirators made any payments to medical providers and instead used the funds for their personal expenses. Lawhorn was directly involved in two incidents in which he received separate payments of $1,500 and $17,350 from insurance companies. In several other incidents, Lawhorn sent emails to insurance companies, made telephone calls to insurance companies, directed others what to tell insurance companies, reviewed insurance policies prior to incidents, witnessed release agreements, and assumed the identity of parties to the incidents or people related to parties to these incidents in communication with insurance companies. Lawhorn admitted to his involvement in nine automobile accidents in June and December 2017, in May and August 2018, and in January, February, August, October and December 2019 as part of the insurance fraud scheme that resulted in a total loss to his victims of $1,148,198. Most of the accidents were in Columbia and Kansas City, Mo., with one accident in St. Louis, Mo. FBI agents seized Lawhorns iPhone and Apple Mac laptop when he was arrested in the insurance fraud case. A detective with the Boone County Cyber Crimes Task Force found evidence of additional fraud after searching those devices, which led to Lawhorn being indicted in the second case. By pleading guilty in the second federal indictment today, Lawhorn admitted that he fraudulently obtained three $10,000 COVID-19 economic relief loans for non-existent businesses in his name and in the names of two other individuals as part of a fraud conspiracy. He also applied online for loans in the names of five more individuals, but those applications were rejected. Under the CARES Act, the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provided loan assistance, including $10,000 in advances for small businesses. EIDL proceeds could be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills associated with small businesses that could have been paid had the pandemic not occurred. A business applying for EIDL relief was eligible for an advance of $1,000 per employee up to 10 employees that did not have to be repaid. Under federal statutes, Lawhorn is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole on each of the three conspiracy charges, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Source: Western District of Missouri Topics Fraud Missouri New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Lawmakers in two states passed bills this year to require disclosure of litigation funding contracts. Business groups are pushing for similar rules in federal courts nationwide. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on May 2 signed into law Senate Bill 269, which requires parties who file lawsuits to disclose any litigation financing agreement, limits fees to 25% of the judgment or settlement and makes financers liable for any costs and fees assessed if they end up on the losing side. The Louisiana Legislature approved a similar bill, which cleared the state Senate on Tuesday and now awaits a signature by Gov. John Bel Edwards. In the meantime, the US Chamber of Commerces and other business and insurance groups are trying to persuade the US Judicial Conferences Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure to adopt a disclosure requirement for US District Courts. Some districts already require disclosure of litigation funding contracts under certain conditions. The Chamber is hoping to replace a hodgepodge of rules with a blanket disclosure requirement. Judges have a right to know whether these non-merits-related interests are driving the litigation in their courtrooms, the groups said in a May 8 letter to the judicial rules committee. And the proposed mandatory disclosure rule would effectuate that right by requiring all funding agreements to be disclosed as a matter of course. The American Property and Casualty Insurers Association is among the organizations that signed on to the Chambers letter. The organization says litigation funding leads to higher damage awards and increased settlement costs. The US Chambers Institute for Legal Reform first asked for a federal litigation funding disclosure rules in 2017, but a report by the Government Accountability Office report released in January generated renewed interest in the issue. The GAO reported that the amount of money invested in litigation funding is increasing, but there is lack of data about the number of funders, their rate of return and the amount of money available. The GAO report cited an analysis by Westfleet Advisors that said 47 active litigation funders had a total of $12.4 billion in assets and committed $2.8 billion to new litigation finance agreements in 2021. Nathan Morris, senior vice president for legal reform advocacy at the Chamber, said disclosure about Burford Capitals involvement in antitrust litigation filed by Sysco Corp. provides a cautionary tale. Burford, a publicly traded company that bills itself as the worlds largest litigation funder, in 2019 provided $140 million to fund a Sysco lawsuit that accused poultry and pork providers colluding to support high prices. Although Burford has long said that it does not intervene in the legislation it funds, the company intervened in arbitration proceedings to prevent Sysco from sharing the proceeds of its settlement agreement with its customers, the Chamber alleges. Morris said before Buford filed a motion to block the Sysco settlement, Burford Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bogart told CBS News Lesley Stahl on the 60 Minutes program that its clients are free to run their litigations as they see fit. Morris said disclosure of litigation funding agreements would give the courts and the parties involved a better understanding about where interests lie. The Chamber has been backing litigation funding bills in statehouses across the nation. The bills introduced in Montana and Louisiana this year passed both chambers of the state legislatures by wide margins. Louisianas Senate Bill 196 would require parties to disclose litigation funding agreements within 60 days of a lawsuit being filed, but would allow redaction of the specific amount of money provided. The Louisiana bill, unlike Montanas measure, would not cap the amount that funders can charge for their service and would not make funders liable if they lose and the court awards fees and costs to the winner. Although Gov. Edwards was a trial attorney before he was elected to office, Morris said he is optimistic the governor will sign the bill. He said Edwards has approved other tort reform measures that are typically opposed by trial lawyers. Montana joins Wisconsin and West Virginia among the states that require disclosure of litigation funding agreements. The chamber also supported measures introduced in the Florida and Nevada legislatures this year that failed to pass. Topics Lawsuits Mergers & Acquisitions Louisiana Numbers New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! As tranquil instrumental music plays over gauzy images of nature, a womans voice-over begins. Isnt it a paradox, she wonders aloud, that the love for this world that gets us out in it, sometimes leaves behind the things that can harm it? Flight by flight, we broaden our views. We gain new perspectives. And now, flight by flight, we can make a difference. The commercial, released by Delta Air Lines Inc. in 2021, goes on to tout the companys commitment to becoming the worlds first carbon-neutral airline on a global basis. Its a pledge Delta debuted in February 2020, alongside a plan to spend $1 billion over the next decade mitigating its greenhouse-gas emissions. Now that pledge is the focal point of a class-action lawsuit arguing that Deltas carbon-neutrality claims amount to little more than greenwashing. Deltas representations of carbon neutrality are provably false and misleading, reads the lawsuit filed on May 30 on behalf of any California resident who has flown on Delta since March 2020. Plaintiff Mayanna Berrin, a writer at Nickelodeon, told The Associated Press last week that she had felt comfortable paying more for a Delta flight because I was neutralizing [the CO2 emissions] I needed to travel for work or to see my family. In a statement, Delta described the lawsuit as lacking legal merit. At the center of the suit is the airlines claim to carbon neutrality, which rests in part on its use of carbon offsets. The goal of an offset is to essentially cancel out carbon emissions by funding projects that either absorb CO2 or prevent carbon emissions in the first place. Several investigations have exposed issues with the market for carbon offsets, and the suit against Delta claims the airline overstated or miscalculated the benefits of the projects it supports. Delta is an apt defendant because theyre suggesting that its okay to take this airplane flight in light of the global challenge of climate change, because were buying these offsets, said Shelley Welton, a professor of law and energy policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Its potentially creating a sense in its customers that it has dealt with its share of the problem, when in fact, I dont think that is a claim thats very well aligned with science. Whelton described the lawsuit as one of the first of its kind that weve seen in the US. Delta said in a statement that it is working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and since March 2022 has fully transitioned its focus away from carbon offsets toward decarbonization of our operations, focusing our efforts on investing in sustainable aviation fuel, renewing our fleet for more fuel-efficient aircraft and implementing operational efficiencies. According to Deltas 2021 ESG report, the company spent $137 million that year on offsets to balance roughly 30 million tons of emissions from operations, including flights. The report says that its carbon offset portfolio included investments in projects such as renewable energy, landfill gas and preventing deforestation. Globally, aviation is responsible for around 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, and Deltas own analysis finds that 98% of its emissions come from the use of its aircraft. Under pressure to address that footprint, many airlines are exploring decarbonization strategies, but most of those approaches including sustainable aviation fuel and battery-powered planes are not yet ready for primetime. Delta is also far from the only company to rely on offsets. When you look at the statistics on this, 40% of company [climate] pledges are explicitly using these offsets, said Welton. Only 2% explicitly rule out their use. So that means you have basically 98% of companies that are using exactly the kind of offsets that are at issue in the Delta lawsuit. Last year, a Bloomberg Green analysis of more than 215,000 offset transactions over the past decade found that many companies, including some airlines, relied heavily on offsets tied to renewable energy projects. The shifting economics on renewable energy mean that many such projects would have happened regardless of an offset purchase thus failing to meet a crucial requirement known as additionality. A carbon project is considered additional only if it would not have happened absent the offset. The suit against Delta, which cites the Bloomberg Green investigation, claims the airline took credit for projects that lack additionality. It really is meaningless to state that you offset emissions if youre gaining credit for things that would have happened anyway, said Jonathan Haderlein, a lawyer for the plaintiff. Investigations into offsets geared at preventing deforestation have also found issues. In some cases, protected forests were deforested anyway, while some projects overestimated the amount of protected land and others achieved no actual CO2 reductions. Offsets tied to deforestation also rest on the assumption that the trees absorbing the carbon will be around forever. While those trees are standing, they will hold CO2 out of the atmosphere, said Freya Chay, who leads the carbon removal program at the data nonprofit CarbonPlan. But as soon as those forests disappear fire, droughts, harvest that carbon will re-enter the atmosphere. The suit against Delta comes amid a broader backlash against greenwashing, including from regulators focused on consumer protection. In the UK, for example, the Advertising Standards Authority has banned ads from Lufthansa, HSBC and Shell, among other companies, for touting their sustainability initiatives without mentioning the polluting parts of their business. The idea that presenting consumers with false marketing statements about climate is a consumer problem, I think is absolutely correct, said Danny Cullenward, a research fellow with the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy at American University. In the US, Cullenward pointed to efforts by the Federal Trade Commission to update its Green Guides to specifically address marketing claims related to carbon offsets and climate change. The Green Guides are designed to help marketers avoid making claims that are considered unfair or deceptive acts. Greenwashing is often painted as a hippies in the public interest thing, Cullenward said. The practical reality is that lots of people in the US and around the world care about these issues and want to do something about it. And if somebody sells them a false bill of goods, thats consumer deception. Companies targeted by regulators over greenwashing often counter that theyre being punished for actually trying to do something about climate change. On the one hand, [lawsuits like these] only target companies that have made net-zero pledges, and there are companies out there that havent, Welton conceded. On the other hand, it could be quite problematic for the climate movement to have a bunch of companies putatively saying, weve got climate covered, dont worry, we made net-zero pledges, if theyre not actually doing anything. Photo: A Delta Air Lines Inc. plane at a gate at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Bloomberg) Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The head of the U.S. governments office that investigates automobile safety problems has resigned from his post just days after the release of a harsh audit criticizing how the office was managed. Stephen Ridella stepped down as director of the Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 3, Veronica Morales, a NHTSA spokeswoman, confirmed. Ridella, who started at the agency in 2006 after a long career in the auto industry, wrote in a LinkedIn posting that he has taken a new job as director of safety planning and regulatory reporting at Zoox, an autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon.com Inc. He declined further comment when reached Thursday by The Associated Press. On June 1, the inspector general for the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, released an audit saying the defects investigation office is slow to investigate safety problems, limiting its ability to respond quickly to severe risks to automobile safety. Auditors found that the defects office often missed its own goals for speedier investigations, it doesnt have clear requirements for documenting probes, and it failed to adequately supervise investigators. NHTSA said last week that it already has finished most of the improvements recommended by the inspector general. Ridella was in charge of the defects office as it began trying to force ARC Automotive Inc. of Tennessee recall 67 million air bag inflators that can explode with too much force and hurl shrapnel. NHTSA says the inflators have caused two deaths in the U.S. and Canada and injured seven others. The agency sent a recall request letter to ARC in April after an investigation that was started eight years ago. The Office of Defects Investigation began investigating ARCs inflators in 2015, but it took nearly eight years for the agency to seek the recall. In 2021, a 40- year-old mother of 10 was killed in Michigans Upper Peninsula after an ARC inflator exploded in a relatively minor crash. NHTSA made a tentative determination that ARCs inflators are defective, and it has ordered the company to say whether it expects more inflators to rupture. ARC has until June 14 to respond. The next step in the process would be for NHTSA to hold a public hearing, and then possibly take the company to court to get a recall order. ARC maintains that no safety defect exists and that NHTSAs demand is based on a hypothesis rather than technical conclusions. In his LinkedIn posting, Ridella wrote that hes thrilled to join Zoox as it develops a robotaxi. Safety has been the focus of my entire career, and I am excited to continue this journey with my new team at Zoox, he wrote. Zoox is under investigation by NHTSA. In March the defects office began looking into the companys 2022 certification that its vehicle met federal safety standards for motor vehicles. The agency said at the time that it would look into whether Zoox used its own test procedures to determine that certain federal standards werent applicable because of the robotaxis unique configuration. Ridellas departure creates another vacancy in top leadership at the agency, which has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator, its top position, since Steven Cliff left last September to run the California Air Resources Board, which regulates pollution. Last month President Joe Biden withdrew his nomination of Ann Carlson, NHTSAs chief counsel, to be NHTSA administrator. Morales, the NHTSA spokeswoman, said Cem Hatipoglu, associate administrator for vehicle safety research, will run the Office of Defects Investigation while the agency searches for Ridellas replacement. In the audit of the Office of Defects Investigation, the inspector general found that it may miss critical information for launching investigations because it didnt follow procedures needed to evaluate risk from potential auto safety defects. The agency also doesnt have an integrated computer system for its probes, and doesnt consistently follow its own procedures for making safety problems a high priority, the audit found. It also found that the office doesnt always record key documentation in its investigative files. In 22 of 24 investigations in 2018 and 2019, files were missing documentation, the audit found. The agency sets timeliness targets for investigations, but the audit found that the targets were missed in 33 of 35 probes sampled over three years. The defects office sets a goal of finishing preliminary investigations in 120 days. When it upgrades those to an engineering analysis, the goal is to finish in a year. But auditors found that preliminary probes in a 2018 and 2019 sample took an average of 617 days to finish. The engineering analyses were open for another 1,001 days on average, almost three times the goal. NHTSAs statement said it finished the first phase of a multiyear information technology update by 2020, improving data storage and analysis. Since then, its continually introduced technology updates. NHTSA believes it is well positioned to build upon its successful implementation of standardized operating procedures, including rigorous documentation and risk-based escalation processes, the statement said. The agency said improvements have positioned it to oversee a growing number of recalls that are addressing safety risks faster than in the past. It said there were a record 896 vehicle and equipment recalls in 2021, and 850 in 2022. NHTSA is continuing its efforts to further enhance its ability to identify safety issues more quickly while engaging manufacturers earlier in the process to conduct more timely recalls, the statement said. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Lawmakers in two states passed bills this year to require disclosure of litigation funding contracts. Business groups are pushing for similar rules in federal courts nationwide. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on May 2 signed into law Senate Bill 269, which requires parties who file lawsuits to disclose any litigation financing agreement, limits fees to 25% of the judgment or settlement and makes financers liable for any costs and fees assessed if they end up on the losing side. The Louisiana Legislature approved a similar bill, which cleared the state Senate on Tuesday and now awaits a signature by Gov. John Bel Edwards. In the meantime, the US Chamber of Commerces and other business and insurance groups are trying to persuade the US Judicial Conferences Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure to adopt a disclosure requirement for US District Courts. Some districts already require disclosure of litigation funding contracts under certain conditions. The Chamber is hoping to replace a hodgepodge of rules with a blanket disclosure requirement. Judges have a right to know whether these non-merits-related interests are driving the litigation in their courtrooms, the groups said in a May 8 letter to the judicial rules committee. And the proposed mandatory disclosure rule would effectuate that right by requiring all funding agreements to be disclosed as a matter of course. The American Property and Casualty Insurers Association is among the organizations that signed on to the Chambers letter. The organization says litigation funding leads to higher damage awards and increased settlement costs. The US Chambers Institute for Legal Reform first asked for a federal litigation funding disclosure rules in 2017, but a report by the Government Accountability Office report released in January generated renewed interest in the issue. The GAO reported that the amount of money invested in litigation funding is increasing, but there is lack of data about the number of funders, their rate of return and the amount of money available. The GAO report cited an analysis by Westfleet Advisors that said 47 active litigation funders had a total of $12.4 billion in assets and committed $2.8 billion to new litigation finance agreements in 2021. Nathan Morris, senior vice president for legal reform advocacy at the Chamber, said disclosure about Burford Capitals involvement in antitrust litigation filed by Sysco Corp. provides a cautionary tale. Burford, a publicly traded company that bills itself as the worlds largest litigation funder, in 2019 provided $140 million to fund a Sysco lawsuit that accused poultry and pork providers colluding to support high prices. Although Burford has long said that it does not intervene in the legislation it funds, the company intervened in arbitration proceedings to prevent Sysco from sharing the proceeds of its settlement agreement with its customers, the Chamber alleges. Morris said before Buford filed a motion to block the Sysco settlement, Burford Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bogart told CBS News Lesley Stahl on the 60 Minutes program that its clients are free to run their litigations as they see fit. Bogart said in an email Wednesday that his company intervened in the lawsuit only because Sysco breached its contract. The Chamber exists to create an unlevel playing field skewed in its favor, even while its members happily take hundreds of millions of dollars of litigation funding capital from Burford, Bogart said. Its hypocrisy is truly a marvel to behold, and it has lost any credibility it might have had in the past with its internal corruption and its rejection by both political parties. Morris said disclosure of litigation funding agreements would give the courts and the parties involved a better understanding about where interests lie. The Chamber has been backing litigation funding bills in statehouses across the nation. The bills introduced in Montana and Louisiana this year passed both chambers of the state legislatures by wide margins. Louisianas Senate Bill 196 would require parties to disclose litigation funding agreements within 60 days of a lawsuit being filed, but would allow redaction of the specific amount of money provided. The Louisiana bill, unlike Montanas measure, would not cap the amount that funders can charge for their service and would not make funders liable if they lose and the court awards fees and costs to the winner. Although Gov. Edwards was a trial attorney before he was elected to office, Morris said he is optimistic the governor will sign the bill. He said Edwards has approved other tort reform measures that are typically opposed by trial lawyers. Montana joins Wisconsin and West Virginia among the states that require disclosure of litigation funding agreements. The chamber also supported measures introduced in the Florida and Nevada legislatures this year that failed to pass. Topics Lawsuits Mergers & Acquisitions Legislation Louisiana New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A December fire at a fireworks company warehouse, which killed four workers and gravely injured a fifth, was preventable, but the company will face just $109,375 in fines, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced. Magic in the Sky, a fireworks display firm with offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, and in Texas, committed 10 serious violations, including failure to properly store explosives used in fireworks displays; failure to develop and implement safety procedures and an emergency plan; and failure to ensure that electrical equipment was designed for hazardous areas, OSHA said in a bulletin posted Monday. All of the deceased employees were age 24 or younger. The deaths of four young workers and a fifth workers life-changing injuries exposed Magic in the Skys systemic failures that likely led to a fire and explosion the company could have prevented, which only adds to the tragedy, said OSHA Acting Area Office Director Audrey Windham. Companies that use pyrotechnics must ensure safety protocols are strictly followed to protect workers from catastrophic consequences. The tragedy unfolded Dec. 1, 2022, after an unnamed source of ignition sparked a fire and explosions at the warehouse, trapping the five employees, according to OSHA and local news reports. Emergency crews tried to rescue the workers but were unable. The victims were identified as Landon Bourland, 24; David Gonzalez, 22; Lindsey Phillips, 23; and Elizabeth Tiralongo, 22, according to news reports. The fifth worker, Lindsey Tallafuss, was hospitalized for months with severe burns. Magic in the Sky faces multiple lawsuits from the injured victim and families of the killed workers, and from nearby business that were damaged in the blaze. The victims also have sued Sea World, which was a client of the fireworks company, along with a fireworks manufacturer that sold products to Magic, as well as the owner of the building, and others. The building owner has also filed suit against the fireworks company. With so many competing claims, Magics insurer, Certain Underwriters of Lloyds of London, has asked the circuit court in Orlando to allow it to pay almost $11 million, the remaining limits of the liability insurance policies, to the court, to be disbursed by the court later. Its unclear if the victims or their families received workers compensation benefits. Only one contested workers compensation claim against the company shows up on the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims search page, and that was from 2017. The firm has 15 business days to comply with the OSHA citation, request a conference with the agency, or contest the findings. The deadly explosion came a few days after a fire at a large fireworks store in Melbourne, Florida, about 45 miles away, news outlets have reported. A vehicle slammed into the store, killing the driver and igniting a fire that burned the store down. Topics Florida Workers' Compensation New Mexico has settled with Walgreens for $500 million over the pharmacy chains role in distributing highly addictive prescription painkillers. The agreement was signed in March, and state officials confirmed that a confidentiality provision on the agreement was lifted last week. The settlement is in addition to $274 million in settlements obtained in the case last fall from Albertsons, CVS, Kroger and Walmart. Attorneys representing the state say that, in all, New Mexicos opioid litigation has brought in more than $1 billion. They argued at trial last year that Walgreens failed to recognize suspicious prescriptions and refuse to fill them. Im optimistic this will help in the fight against the opioid crisis and provide the treatment New Mexicans so desperately need, Luis Robles, one of the attorneys who worked on the case, told the Santa Fe New Mexican. Over the past few years, drug manufacturers, distribution companies, pharmacies and other companies with roles in the opioid business have reached settlements totaling more than $50 billion with local, state and tribal governments. In May, West Virginia announced its settlement with Kroger, bringing that states total opioid litigation dollars to more than $1 billion. West Virginia state has lost more lives to opioid overdoses per capita than any other. Most of the settlement money from the opioid litigation is required to be used to fight the crisis, which has been linked to more than 560,000 deaths in the U. S. over the past two decades, including more than 70,000 a year recently. In recent years, most of the deaths have been connected to fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids, not prescription painkillers, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Mexico New Mexico Source: Streetwise Reports June 13, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Friday, Awakn Life Sciences Corp. announced it would be taking focus away from healthcare services and instead concentrate its efforts exclusively on research and development for therapeutics for addiction treatment. Read more to learn what the global addiction treatment market looks like and where the company is headed in the future. Friday, biotech company Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKN:NEO; AWKNF:OTCQB) announced it had made the decision to shift its strategic focus by divesting from its healthcare services and instead concentrating its efforts exclusively on research and development (R&D) activities pertaining to therapeutics for addiction treatment. Additionally, the company plans to emphasize the licensing of its valuable intellectual property in this field. By redirecting its resources and expertise toward R&D and IP licensing, Awakn aims to enhance its position as a leader in developing innovative solutions for addiction treatment. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. is a prominent company at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for the treatment of addiction. With a strong focus on research and development (R&D) of therapeutics, Awakn aims to address the growing global concern surrounding substance abuse and addiction-related disorders. The company's mission is to improve the lives of individuals grappling with addiction by providing effective and evidence-based treatment options. As part of its strategic shift, Awakn Life Sciences has entered into a non-binding term sheet. According to the agreement, the company will grant an exclusive license for specific components of their healthcare services intellectual property solely within the United Kingdom. Additionally, it will provide a non-exclusive license for Awakn Kare, its proprietary offering, also within the U.K. The licensing deal involves a consortium comprising a private U.K. investment company and a prominent third-sector organization specializing in addiction and mental health treatment. As per the terms, the consortium will pay an upfront fee and agree to share revenue with Awakn. In addition, Awakn has commenced a strategic evaluation of its healthcare clinics business unit in Norway, known as Awakn Oslo AS. This business unit comprises two clinics located in Oslo and Trondheim. Notably, Awakn Oslo AS achieved its record-breaking monthly revenue in May 2023, primarily attributed to the recent opening of its Trondheim clinic in March 2023, followed by the launch of its new Oslo clinic in May 2023. As part of the strategic review process, Awakn aims to identify potential buyers who may be interested in acquiring Awakn Oslo AS. Finally, Awakn Life Sciences Corp. has made the decision to restructure its health care clinics business unit in the United Kingdom. As part of this restructuring process, it is anticipated that Awakn's entities in the U.K. will undergo either administration or liquidation. The company noted that "Awakn is undertaking these steps to focus capital currently available and to be received from the closing of future tranches of its private placement financing announced on April 26, 2023, solely on its R&D programs and its IP licensing activities." On March 12, Technical Analyst Clive Maund rated Awakn Life Sciences a Strong Buy, saying at the time that it was at a good entry point. Why Research and Development? Awakn will continue its R&D strategy. The company noted it is dedicated to making significant advancements in its clinical and preclinical-stage pipelines as its primary focus. One notable program within these pipelines is AWKN-P001, the lead clinical development initiative at Phase 3. AWKN-P001 specifically targets severe alcohol use disorder and has received substantial funding support from the U.K. Department of Health. The program is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2023. The government funding for the trial covers 66% of its cost, and the U.K. National Health Service will oversee the trial across ten different locations. As a result, Awakn's financial contribution toward the study is estimated to be around 800,000. In light of this pivot, CEO Anthony Tennyson noted, "Streamlining our operations and increasing our focus on the advancement of our pipeline, both from a resource and financial perspective, is something that is necessary, and we believe will have a positive impact for Awakn and our shareholders, to try to maximize the long-term value of each business. At the same time, the actions taken in the U.K. are deeply regrettable and not the route we had hoped for; however, critically, they provide the best outcome for continuity of care for existing clients and continuity of employment for a majority of the Awakn Clinics U.K. team." Catalyst: Immense Need for Addiction Treatment In terms of the sector, medical use of psychedelics has been making waves over the past few years, with Awakn even being featured in popular streaming platform Netflix's docu-series How to Change Your Mind. While the practical use of these drugs has taken off, so has the need for them in the first place. The global rate of alcohol use disorder has been steadily growing. Colombia University's Department of Psychiatry reported that "after increasing approximately 2.2% per year over the previous two decades, alcohol-related deaths spiked a whopping 25.5% between 2019 to 2020, totaling nearly 100,000 deaths. Meanwhile, alcohol-associated liver disease deaths increased by 22.4%, with alcohol-related traffic deaths increasing by 14%." Addiction Treatment Market also reported that "the global addiction treatment market is expected to attain a market value of US$12 billion by the end of 2030." "The global substance abuse treatment market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.05% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 20.51 billion by 2030," according to Grand View Research. Ownership and Share Structure According to the company, 10.73% of Awakn's stock is held by management and strategic investors. CEO Anthony Tennyson has 4.72%, with 1.54 million shares. Co-founder and chair George Scorsis owns 3.23%, with 1.13 million, and Non-Executive Director Steve Page has 0.19%, with 0.07 million. 7.4% is with institutional investors, according to Reuters. The rest is in retail. Market Watch notes that Awakn has a market cap of CA$6.17 million and trades in the 52-week range between CA$0.1680 and CA$0.7900. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Source: Streetwise Reports June 13, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A magnetotelluric survey has been completed at this company's flagship project in South America's Lithium Triangle. See what the results show. A magnetotelluric survey at Spey Resources Corp.'s (SPEY:CSE; SPEYF:OTC; 2JS:FRA) flagship Candela II project in South America's Lithium Triangle shows a thick low-resistivity area containing lithium brines near the surface, the company announced. Areas of low resistivity indicate the potential of brine that might host deposits of the battery metal, a key element in the energy transition. Southern Rock Geophysics completed magnetotelluric (MT) surveys on three lines at the site in Argentina. "The results show a low resistivity zone that extends to the eastern border of Candela II and extends from Line L7312200 to Line L7309700 a distance of approximately 2.5 (kilometers)," Spey Resources said in a release Friday. "The survey penetrated to 4,000 meters depth. The conductive lithology units show a unit approximately 300 meters in thickness about 50 meters below the surface which is the aquifer intercepted." Five holes were drilled at the Incahuasi Salar project in 2021. Lithium brine values of 153 parts per million (ppm) and 174 ppm were assayed from two holes, DDH4 and DDH5. The company has hired WSP Australia to produce a resource estimate for the property, which counts Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. (002460:CH), Allkem Ltd. (OROCF;OTCMKTS), and Livent Corp. The Lithium Triangle is also home to some other major lithium miners, including Albemarle Corp. (ALB:NYSE) and SQM (SQM:NYSE), which both have market caps over US$20 billion. Because of this, Golden Opportunities Newsletter has called Spey "a smart money play." "Spey is at home among these giants because it has a project in Candela II that's on its way to having a resource - and access to an extraction process (Ekosolve) that could give it a huge competitive advantage," it wrote. The Catalyst: Market Deficits To Widen A soft, silvery metal with highly reactive and flammable properties, lithium is a major component of EV batteries. It's also used to strengthen alloys, as a high-temperature lubricant, and as a drug to treat bipolar disorder. The lithium market is expected to grow globally from US$3.83 in 2021 to US$6.62 billion in 2028, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights. "The growing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), high-drain portable electronics, and energy storage systems has had a huge impact on the growth of the overall market," the report said. Analysts from Eight Capital also predicted that lithium market deficits will widen into the late 2020s and that those shortfalls will be driven by demand in North America. The United States' EV penetration of 6% lags China's 26% and Europe's 20%, analysts Anoop Prihar and Alex Riazanov of Eight Capital wrote in a recent research note. But President Joe Biden's administration has committed to a target of 50% of new vehicle sales being EVs by 2030. "We estimate North American lithium nameplate production capacity will be 262,900 LCE (million tonnes lithium carbonate) in 2026 based on projects that currently have completed a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS)," Prihar and Riazanov wrote. "Although this is a significant increase from the current North American production capacity of 6,000 tonnes LCE, it's still more than 128,000 tonnes short of what we anticipate will be required by the battery plants. As such, we anticipate the fundamentals underlying lithium demand to remain robust." A Name to 'Put on Your Short List' Magnetotellurics measure and map the sub-surface of a project using natural time variations of the Earth's magnetic and electric fields. The data will be used to define the next exploration well and production well locations, as well as contribute to the resource estimate data, the company said. The company sees a path to production at the project in the next 18 to 24 months. "With the lithium market providing strong tailwinds, Spey Resources is a lithium play you'll want to put on your short list of lithium names to leverage the trend," wrote Brien Lundin of The Gold Newsletter. Spey said it expected to have a detailed report from Southern Rock Geophysics on the MT survey in the next few weeks. The company filed a National Instrument 43-101 report last summer, which noted that the project was open for exploration. "Based on the recent results from exploration drilling and geophysical surveys, the aquifer underlying the Candela II concession is saturated with a concentrated lithium brine," wrote the report's author, geologist Michael J. Rosko. Before completing the inferred, indicated, and measured resource work, one or two exploration wells might be sunk, as well as an 8-to-12-inch pumping well. The company may also complete a Borehole Magnetic Resonance (BMR) geophysics study to measure porosity. Ownership and Share Structure Spey trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol SPEY and on the U.S. OTC market as SPEYF. Over the last year, it has traded in the range of CA$0.40 to CA$0.035, with a current market cap of CA$4.27 million. Approximately 111 million shares are outstanding, with about 109 million free-floating. The company is covered by newsletter writer Clive Maund and Brien Lundin of Gold Newsletter. Click "See More Live Data" in the data box above to view more of what they are saying. About 4.7% of the company is owned by insiders, including Director Lawrence Hay, who owns 2.11 million shares, and CEO Thomas, who owns more than 2 million shares. The rest is retail. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More June 9, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Semiconductors, or chips, should be included in your investment portfolio if you're serious about growing your wealth over the next decade, says the CEO and founder of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations. The observation from Nigel Green of deVere Group comes against an escalating, trillion-dollar chip battle between geopolitical superpower rivals, the US and China. It also follows this week the Japanese government overhauling its chip strategy to triple sales of domestically produced semiconductors to over $108 billion by 2030; as France confirms it is to plough $3.1 billion of public money into a factory to make microchips; and as Europe and the United States have both passed so-called Chips Acts. In addition, chipmaker Nvidia this week briefly broke into the club of companies with a $1 trillion market cap. The deVere CEO says: "Semiconductors are tiny, but these mighty chips power our world. They are fuelling this current industrial revolution. "Semiconductors are at the forefront of technological progress. As our reliance on electronic devices continues to grow, the demand for semiconductors is skyrocketing - and will continue to do. "From smartphones and computers to automobiles and advanced infrastructure, semiconductors are indispensable in powering our daily lives. This ever-increasing demand has created a fiercely competitive market, with companies vying to capture larger market shares and gain technological superiority." He continues: "Beyond their technological significance, semiconductors have also become critical strategic assets. They are vital for national security, defense applications, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT). "The ability to control semiconductor manufacturing and develop cutting-edge chip designs has become a matter of top level strategic importance for countries and companies alike." Against this backdrop, Nigel Green says that investors looking to create and build wealth for the long-term should include exposure to chips in their portfolios. "Their far-reaching - and growing - impact on our lives makes it a no-brainer for almost everyone to have semiconductors within a well-diversified portfolio." However, his bullish approach does come with a warning. "But, with every boom, there will be winners and losers. A good fund manager will be critical in helping you make informed decisions." Seeking advice, it could be reasonably argued, is perhaps particularly important considering that semiconductors have become entangled in geopolitical tensions and economic considerations. Major powers such as the US and China are engaged in a race for technological supremacy, with semiconductors at the forefront. Concerns about intellectual property theft, national security risks, and economic dominance through control over semiconductor technology have prompted trade restrictions, export controls, and investment scrutiny, further fuelling the battleground. "Semiconductors will remain a fiercely contested battleground for market dominance and technological advancements. "Their strategic importance is what makes them such an attractive, a potentially hugely rewarding, proposition. Savvy investors keen to build wealth over the next decade will pile in," concludes the deVere Group CEO. t: +44 207 1220 925 Twitter: @PriorConsults deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of more than 70 offices across the world, over 80,000 clients and $12bn under advisement. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More A limerick brokerage is the newest to be acquired by a rapidly expanding London-based insurance group, marking the global firm's 15th acquisition of an Irish company since 2021. Tim Duggan Insurances based on O'Curry Street in Limerick city will join the intermediary PIB Group through the company's Irish division, Campion Insurance, having been acquired by the giant for an undisclosed amount. Following its latest purchase, PIB's Irish headcount has grown to more than 400 employees, with Tim Duggan Insurance joining a running list of indigenous Irish brokers to join the global group, many of which are family-run and based across Munster. Speaking on the deal, PIB added that the acquisition aligned with its strategy, with the group undertaking an extensive expansion to enhance the footprint of its Irish division, Campion, which it purchased in late 2021. Since then, 15 indigenous brokers have been acquired, with Ennis-based Gleeson Insurance purchased just last month by PIB Group following 35 years of operating across home, motor and commercial markets. Similarly, Sullivan Insurances, based on Upper Hartstonge Street in Limerick city was acquired in June last year, along with Waterford firm, Oliver Murphy Insurance brokers just a few months prior. Backed by private equity firms Apax Partners and the Carlyle Group, PIB Group was founded in 2015 and has since embarked on numerous acquisitions across Poland, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as Ireland. In its latest annual report, the multinational stated a total income of more than 230m (267.6m) in 2021, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) exceeding 44m (51.2m). In the same report, the company noted that it employed a "buy and build strategy" at its core, with a total of 59m being invested in merger and acquisition activities in 2021. Speaking on its latest acquisition of Tim Duggan Insurance, Jim Campion, CEO of PIB Group's Irish division, said the company looked forward to working with the team, adding that they "will continue to invest in talent to drive organic revenue growth and will also look to further acquire businesses that will enhance the Group more broadly. Tim Duggan, managing director of the Limerick firm, called the purchase, "great news" for clients, adding that it "provides our customers with greater scale and a wider range of services which is very exciting. "We are delighted to now be part of the Group and look forward to working with Jim and Campion Insurance to drive further growth of the Campion business. UK restaurant chain Black Rooster Peri Peri has indicated that is has wound up its franchise based in Cork which opened last June. Cluck Cluck, the Carrigaline-based holding company of the Cork-based franchise, proposed Gerard Murphy of Gerard Murphy & Co. be appointed as liquidator of the business during a meeting of creditors that took place last week. Black Rooster Peri Peri, which is not to be confused the Roosters Piri Piri eatery which is also based in Cork but is a separate company, had ambitious plans to expand the chain across Munster when it opened in Cork, with others planned for Ballincollig, Midleton, Waterford, and Limerick. We are thrilled to bring Black Rooster Peri Peri to Cork and be the first to open in Ireland. We have been a fan of Black Rooster Peri Peri for years. We knew we had to bring it Leeside," Reggie Sweetnam said at the time. However, the future of these expansion plans is now unclear as the restaurant in Cork is now permanently closed, according to Google. The Cork subsidiary restaurant is run by Mr Sweetnam but the Black Rooster Peri Peri chain was founded by Kevin Bell in in Scotland. "Were looking forward to seeing more stores opening throughout the country and cant wait to see what the locals think, said Mr Bell when the Cork restaurant opened. Mr Bell founded the business in 2017 and oversees more than several of these restaurants in the UK, which are mainly located in Scotland. Black Rooster Peri Peri invested 320,000 in the Carrigaline location and created around 20 jobs. It is unclear how these jobs will be impacted by the companys decision to appoint a liquidator. Black Rooster Peri Peri and Mr Sweetnam were contacted for comment about why the Cork restaurant is seemingly no longer operating, but did not respond before publication. Hospitality has been hit with several economic headwinds in the last 18 months from surging energy bills to stubborn inflation and the recent staffing shortage before an anticipated tourism boom this summer. Meanwhile, Scottish bar BrewDog, which opened in Cork city in July, confirmed it ceased operations last month. The bar was run as a franchise by Cork owners, Westside Leisure, which also operate several pubs and nightclubs across the city including An Brog, Alibi, Voodoo Rooms, BarBarella, and BarBarossa. Westside Leisure said the closure was due to "continuing deterioration of economic conditions in the hospitality industry and ever-increasing operational costs". Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who in prose both dense and brittle took readers from the southern Appalachians to the desert Southwest in such novels as The Road, Blood Meridian and All the Pretty Horses, died Tuesday. He was 89. McCarthy died of natural causes in Santa Fe, New Mexico, publisher Alfred A. Knopf said. McCarthy, raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, was compared to William Faulkner for his Old Testament style and rural settings. McCarthys themes, like Faulkners, often were bleak and violent and dramatized how the past overwhelmed the present. Across stark and forbidding landscapes and rundown border communities, he placed drifters, thieves, prostitutes and old, broken men, all unable to escape fates determined for them well before they were born. As the doomed John Grady Cole of McCarthys celebrated Border trilogy would learn, dreams of a better life were only dreams, and falling in love an act of folly. McCarthys own story was one of belated, and continuing, achievement and popularity. Little known to the public at age 60, he would become one of the countrys most honored and successful writers despite rarely talking to the press. He broke through commercially in 1992 with All the Pretty Horses and over the next 15 years won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer, was a guest on Oprah Winfreys show and saw his novel No Country for Old Men adapted by the Coen brothers into an Oscar-winning movie. Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men Fans of the Coens would discover that the films terse, absurdist dialogue, so characteristic of the brothers work, was lifted straight from the novel. The Road, his stark tale of a father and son who roam a ravaged landscape, brought him his widest audience and highest acclaim. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and was selected by Winfrey for her book club. In his Winfrey interview, McCarthy said that while typically he didnt know what generates the ideas for his books, he could trace The Road to a trip he took with his young son to El Paso, Texas, early in the decade. Standing at the window of a hotel in the middle of the night as his son slept nearby, he started to imagine what El Paso might look like 50 or 100 years in the future. I just had this image of these fires up on the hill ... and I thought a lot about my little boy, he said. He told Winfrey he didnt care how many people read The Road. You would like for the people that would appreciate the book to read it. But, as far as many, many people reading it, so what? he said. McCarthy dedicated the book to his son, John Francis, and said having a child as an older man forces the world on you, and I think its a good thing. The Pulitzer committee called his book the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, each the others world entire, are sustained by love, the citation read in part. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation. In 2022, Knopf made the startling announcement that it would release McCarthys first work in more than 15 years, a pair of connected novels he had referred to in the past: The Passenger and Stella Maris, narratives on a pair of mutually obsessed siblings and the legacy of their father, a physicist who had worked on atomic technology. Stella Maris was notable, in part, because it centered on a female character, an acknowledged weakness of McCarthys. I dont pretend to understand women, he told Winfrey. His first novel, The Orchard Keeper written in Chicago while he was working as an auto mechanic was published by Random House in 1965. His editor was Albert Erskine, Faulkners longtime editor. Other novels include Outer Dark, published in 1968; Child of God in 1973; and Suttree in 1979. The violent Blood Meridian, about a group of bounty hunters along the Texas-Mexico border murdering Indians for their scalps, was published in 1985. Cormac McCarthy lived around the Great Smoky Mountains before moving West in the late 1970s, eventually settling in Santa Fe. His Border Trilogy books were set in the Southwest along the border with Mexico: All the Pretty Horses (1992) a National Book Award winner that was turned into a feature film; The Crossing (1994), and Cities of the Plain (1998). McCarthy said he was always lucky. He recalled living in a shack in Tennessee and running out of toothpaste, then going out and finding a toothpaste sample in the mailbox. Thats the way my life has been. Just when things were really, really bleak, something would happen, said McCarthy, who won a MacArthur Fellowship one of the so-called genius grants in 1981. In 2009, Christies auction house sold the Olivetti typewriter he used while writing such novels as The Road and No Country for Old Men for $254,500. McCarthy, who bought the Olivetti for $50 in 1958 and used it until 2009, donated it so the proceeds could be used to benefit the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit interdisciplinary scientific research community. He once said he didnt know any writers and preferred to hang out with scientists. The Southwestern Writers Collection at Texas State University-San Marcos purchased his archives in 2008, including correspondence, notes, drafts, proofs of 11 novels, a draft of an unfinished novel and materials related to a play and four screenplays. McCarthy attended the University of Tennessee for a year before joining the Air Force in 1953. He returned to the school from 1957 to 1959, but left before graduating. As an adult, he lived around the Great Smoky Mountains before moving West in the late 1970s, eventually settling in Santa Fe. His Knoxville boyhood home, long abandoned and overgrown, was destroyed by fire in 2009. The number of Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Ireland since the Russian invasion in February 2022 has risen to just under 85,000, new figures show. The Central Statistics Offices latest bulletin on Ukrainian arrivals suggests that 84% had activity in administrative data since March 31, 2023, suggesting around 70,000 of these, at least, remain in Ireland at this time. The figure of 84,613 PPS numbers given to Ukrainian arrivals under the temporary protection directive by June 6 is an almost 14% increase since the CSOs last update in February. It comes as the Government continues to try to source accommodation for the Ukrainian people arriving into the country as well as those seeking International Protection. The Irish Examiner reported last week that the Government believes theres a risk that the number of refugees arriving in Ireland will increase again over the summer months. Hotel capacity remains limited, with the State attempting to finalise contracts to secure an extra 1,500 beds after some 6,418 beds have been procured already this year to shelter refugees. Also last week, it emerged that the 64 modular homes in Mahon, Cork, had been completed with the first families set to move in. These homes can accommodate up to 256 people. This is part of a programme of 700 planned units to provide short-term accommodation at sites across the country. The latest CSO data, meanwhile, shows the number of Ukrainians in employment, in employment support services, and in all forms of education. It has, however, pointed out that its data may not give a full representation of the number of Ukrainians who came to Ireland seeking temporary protection who have remained. The CSO said: While PPSN allocations give the total number of arrivals from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive, it is not necessarily indicative of how many persons are currently residing in Ireland as some arrivals may have subsequently left. The rate of administrative activity after March 31, 2023, could be underestimated as it is based on the administrative data currently available to the CSO. By local electoral area, it said that Killarney in Kerry had the highest number of associated arrivals from Ukraine at 2,302. However, going by the rate per population, the area with the highest proportion was Ennistymon in Clare at 10.58% of the population. The number of Ukrainians in employment is increasing, rising from 9,968 in October to 13,070 at the end of April. A further 32,756 people are attending Intreo events. For the 2022/23 academic year, there were 10,089 enrolments in primary schools from Ukrainian arrivals and 5,484 in secondary schools. There are also 21,335 arrivals enrolled on a further education or training course. Of these 14,630 are enrolled on English courses. Furthermore, 6,223 hosts are receiving the accommodation recognition payment at some 800 per month. A young woman who had a stroke at 32 has told how her "life really did change in an instant as she called for more patient supports. Heidi Kingston described her stroke in December 2021 during the launch of a new patient advocacy group Heart and Stroke Voice Ireland, an initiative of Croi. I was an active and adventurous 32 year-old, she said. I convinced myself that I was having a headache, a hormonal headache or maybe a side-effect of medication I took for the headache. Along with the headache I had numbness and tingling from my right side, from my neck all the way to my foot, and I had darkened peripheral vision. She was visiting family in New Jersey with her husband from their home in Galway, and only went to hospital following a phone call with her GP. It was there that he and I learned I had had a stroke. I was in complete shock, she said. I never knew someone my age could have a stroke. Told she had an undiagnosed heart condition, she said: In that moment I didnt know how lucky I was to be speaking, walking and to be alive. She said she felt "completely exhausted, confused and alone" when she returned home to Galway. My biggest fear was that I would not be able to become pregnant and start a family with my husband for fear of being too high-risk. That was something I couldnt find any information on. She struggled to access public healthcare having been ill abroad and relied on private care initially. Pictured at the launch of Heart Stroke Voice Ireland is (left to right) Heidi Kingston, Neil Johnson, Chief Executive of Croi & Executive Director of Global Heart Hub. David Kelly, Chairperson of HSVI, Magda Daccord, CEO of FH Europe, and Mary Harney, former Minister for Health and Children. Picture: Julien Behal It took about seven months to see an occupational therapist and begin talking about my goals for the first year of recovery, she said. Heidi struggled with cognitive fatigue and relied heavily on family, eventually coming to Croi who directed her to rehabilitation. Today, I stand in front of you having received my PhD and Im five months pregnant, she said to applause. Im proud of myself for putting those supports in place, however, it shouldnt up to me alone. Patron and former health minister, Mary Harney, urged the group to focus on strategy and evidence-based policy. She discussed a new Australian stroke plan in view of its potential for Ireland. Over five years they expect to reduce by 76,500 the number of people that have heart attacks or strokes, she said. If you translate that to Ireland, our population is one-fifth of the Australian, so that would be 1,500 lives saved over the next five years, or over 3,000 a year which is a third of all the people (in Ireland) who have a stroke or heart attack. Ms Harney said: Im a strong fan of the patient voice. She recalled discussions around Irelands cancer strategy, saying money was the monkey in the room but patients were powerfully represented by the Irish Cancer Society. Very often in Ireland we have a very good strategy but we fall down on its implementation, she said. Visit Croi for more information. The Shannon Foynes Port Company said it had grave concerns and was quite frankly shocked that property belonging to it had been included in a report on State lands earmarked for affordable housing. It said inclusion of its lands had caused serious concern and uncertainty among customers and a potentially damaging effect for 800 jobs supported by its operations. In correspondence with the Land Development Agency (LDA), the port company said it was disappointed such a report could be published without any meaningful consultation. The LDA report, published earlier this year, had identified 83 sites with the potential to deliver 67,000 new affordable homes over the medium to long term. However, its publication was not met with universal welcome with multiple public bodies querying how their land had ended up being included. The HSE questioned why 10 of its sites at locations including Dublin, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford were listed as having development potential. In a letter to the LDA, it said it had not been afforded an opportunity for engagement and discussion on multiple properties prior to the reports publication. The correspondence said: As a result, the reports proposals for these sites do not appropriately reflect their utilisation by the HSE and its funded agencies or our future plans to develop these sites. The HSE said in future there should be a stronger process of engagement and also urged the LDA to look at the potential for developing residential accommodation for key workers, especially in healthcare. An Post also wrote to the Land Development Agency about the inclusion of its lands at Swords Business Park in Dublin. It said the land was an operating delivery service unit and was considered an integral part of the operational model for the region. ESB said it had been engaging with the LDA about multiple sites but was not aware of any interest in other lands. It said certain property listed in the report was an integral and critical part of its operations and its goals of becoming net-zero by 2040. Shannon Foynes Port Company However, the most vigorous objection came from the Shannon Foynes Port Company. A letter from it, released under FOI, said: I am instructed by our Board to write to you to outline our grave concerns regarding the LDA report and to convey our disapproval regarding the reports objective concerning our entire property at Limerick Docks. Furthermore, we are also disappointed, and, quite frankly, shocked that such a report would be published without any meaningful consultation with us, the property owner. In response, LDA CEO John Coleman said not all sites in the report would be developed for housing and that preparing the report had been a statutory obligation for his agency. Mr Coleman said the report had said the port lands were categorised as a Class 3 site meaning there were significant issues around infrastructure, flooding, existing operational uses and leases. Asked about the records, a spokesman for the LDA said it welcomed and had received feedback on the report, including updated or clarified information on a small number of sites. Cara Darmody, the 12-year-old autism activist, has sat her Leaving Cert maths exam six years ahead of her time to raise awareness and draw attention to the 20,000 people awaiting autism assessments in Ireland. Cara, who sat the Junior Cert aged 11, admitted that she, along with many other students across the country, found the exam "tough". "It was fair tough. Paper 1 was definitely the hardest paper in years, and paper 2 was also quite tough, although it was a little bit easier than paper 1. "But I suppose I can't really complain because I'm only a 12-year-old little squirt and they were asking me about mortgages and stuff like that but I don't even own a house yet," she laughed. Speaking with Ciara Kelly on Newstalk Breakfast, Cara said she sat the exams in order to "raise awareness about the disgraceful autism and disability discrimination going on in Ireland, and to get change in the world of autism and disability". She is also aiming to "raise awareness about the 18,000 special needs children who are left to rot on a HSE waiting list". The Tipperary schoolgirl said she spent "a couple of hundred hours" studying for the maths exam, alongside her dad. "Obviously my dad's not a teacher, so we learn it together. We had a lot of fun doing it, we spent every day learning maths but it was a lot of hard work. But the big question now is, can the little squirt pass the exam?" Cara has also set up a Go Fund Me page called Cara's Mount Everest Maths Challenge and the Ardfinnan native said: "Every single cent and euro that goes in my fundraiser will go towards helping people who can't fight for themselves, and people who can't fight back." So far, she has raised almost 14,000 for four charities that support her "in every way possible". Her chosen charities are her local school, Ardfinnan NS in Co Tipperary; Scoil Chormaic Special School, where her two brothers attend; AsIAm, and Family Carers Ireland. Cara has been invited to meet President Michael D Higgins in Aras an Uachtarain on Saturday, June 24. "What a day that will be," she said. And as if she wasn't busy enough, she said that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar "has apparently agreed to a meeting in principle" but confirmed that no date has been set. "Leo the Lion was missing there in action for a while, but I'm glad they've finally found him once again, so if he's listening to this I am calling for a meeting urgently," she said. Cara scored 97%, an A1, in her Junior Cert maths exam last year and her results were read out live on last November's Late Late Show when she was a guest in the audience. A damning report brought out by autism action group AsIAm in June 2021 found 80% of parents and guardians have had to wait a year or more to receive an autism diagnosis for their child. Cara also has two brothers with autism Neil, aged 10, and John, aged five. The schoolgirl has seen her campaigning take her all the way to Leinster House, where she has met the Taoiseach and addressed an Oireachtas committee. Last year, she addressed the Joint Committee on Autism, becoming the youngest person ever to address TDs in the House. In an impassioned speech to the committee, Cara told TDs: Im sick of adults who just talk. Why cant you all do something about this and stop the damage being done to children with disabilities? This week, some of the most distinguished commentators in some of the poshest newspapers and on some of the poshest news bulletins have started using what Ill have to call lavatorial comparisons to describe the object of their ire. Im sure the editor of this newspaper would be horrified if I sought to introduce one of the words Ive read in The Guardian and The Times and heard on the BBC. My problem is this. I can find a string of more vulgar words to replace the one Im embarrassed to use, but I cant find a more refined and polite one that has the same resonance or makes the point that needs to be made. So apologies, dear editor, and apologies to my refined readers. Please take a deep breath while I tell you that again and again this week I have read and heard that Boris Johnson is a turd who is at last being flushed away. Anti-EU campaigner Nigel Farage will merit a footnote in history but he exploited the same type of populism as Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. File picture: Yui Mok/PA I wont name all the columnists, but I heard it first from Alastair Campbell, one of the most experienced and astute commentators there is. The reason I need to mention it is because I think hes wrong. The turds are in the U-bend, for sure. But they havent been flushed away. Not by a long shot. Im using the plural, because I dont think its an overstatement to say that we (the whole world) are at a point in history where the very concept of democracy is under threat. From at least two turds. As I was writing this, I glanced at my Twitter feed. There have been 7,375 tweets about Boris in the previous hour or so. By the same token, there had been 17,900 tweets about Nigel Farage in about the same time. And 1,850,000 tweets about Donald Trump. These are three people who have carried extraordinary influence in the world around them and their influence (at least by that measure) remains huge. Theres a lot of flushing to be done still. These three men are among the architects of what has come to be known as post-truth populism. Facts never mattered to them, only the emotions they could generate. And they have always known that the easiest emotion to generate is hate. Nobody ever voted for Donald Trump because they believed he had economic answers he convinced them that he really hated the people they hated. Nobody followed Nigel Farage because they thought he was trustworthy he convinced them they were surrounded by enemies. Nobody ever voted for Boris Johnson because of his integrity he convinced them that he was a master of soundbites who could get things done. Images contained in last week's indictment against Donald Trump provide an apt metaphor for the former US president's outlook on the country he purported to serve: Official classified documents stacked in a bathroom at his Florida estate. Picture: US Justice Department/AP When the history of this period is written, Nigel Farage will be seen (in the footnote he will merit) as someone who helped to manipulate public opinion into a terrible and long-lasting act of self-harm. Johnson and Trump will hold special positions in the pantheon of people who built political careers on the entirely false premise that they were on the side of underdogs against some powerful and mysterious elite. Both utterly corrupt, both utterly self-serving, both pathologically dishonest. Johnson and Trump will also hold a special place in history because of the number of people they allowed to die through their neglect and dishonesty. They both presided over the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, and neither of them gave a damn about how it needed to be responded to. Both feared loss of popularity because of the hard decisions that needed to be taken so both avoided taking them. And lied about it, repeatedly. As a consequence of their negligence and dishonesty, hundreds of thousands of people died who didnt need to die. Johnsons and Trumps apologists point to the success of vaccine programmes both men have barely stopped short of claiming credit for the invention of vaccines but when the inquiry into the management of the pandemic in Britain is complete, I think it is fair to assume that the verdict on Johnsons first year will be devastating. More of the necessary flushing, with any luck. When Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020, I celebrated. I wrote here that: There has never been a politician in any of our lifetimes whose only purposes were greed, self-aggrandisement and self-indulgence. "He stood for nothing, and anyone who tries to build a movement around his character, philosophy, or ideas will find they have built a hollow shell. The good news, I believe, is that well shortly never have to think about him again. Good heavens how wrong I was. Were still obsessed with him. He has now been accused of hiding secret documents including in a bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago estate that reveal aspects of Americas military vulnerability. Imagine. A former president of the United States, carrying around paperwork that can do immense damage to his country and refusing to give it back. If hes found guilty of that, how can they avoid sending him to jail? There was an Irish politician once of whom it used to be said he needed to be in high office because it was the only way the banks wouldnt come after him. There have been European leaders who have clung on and on because their countries have a tradition of criminal immunity for senior office holders. More and more it looks as if Trump needs to be re-elected so he can become the boss of the prosecutors. The arrival of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump into leadership positions in two of the worlds most important democracies brought with it a new level of corruption and dishonesty. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA But the real issue is the poison they have spread. The arrival of Johnson and Trump into leadership positions in two of the worlds most important democracies brought with it a new level of corruption and dishonesty. No matter how many adoring acolytes and followers they attracted, their behaviour led to a gross erosion of trust. Sometimes in situations of domestic violence, a child who has witnessed his mother being beaten by his father will blame his mother, because if he blames the perpetrator theres no going back. It often seems like that with the supporters of these two men they can never admit that they were politically abused by a charlatan. But the deeper poisons of Maga and Brexit have led to what seems like a permanent rise of intolerance and hate in the UK, and worse in the US. Right now it seems inevitable that the next presidential election in the US will be accompanied by a crescendo of violence and threats of violence. Even if physical attacks are avoided, the tone that will be set will be the most brutal in our lifetimes. Supporters of former US president Donald Trump outside his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida on Sunday. They will probably never admit they were politically abused by a charlatan. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP At the heart of all this, a deep right-wing agenda has taken hold. Misogyny, inequality, intolerance, class distinction, a tax system skewed in favour of wealth, a set of public provisions defined by privilege, the gradual erosion of rights those hallmarks of old politics are now the hallmarks of the new. Johnson and Trump have no ideology except greed and selfishness. But for their own ends they have led and facilitated the emergence of a politics that borders on fascism and a brand of economics that is inherently cruel. For that reason above all, these two turds need to be fully flushed down the toilet of politics into the septic tank of history. Tuesday marks another milestone for our Government as legislation is brought to the House that explicitly bans the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to anyone under 18 years. This new law also limits the type of retailers that can sell nicotine-inhaling products or vapes as they are commonly known. The legislation will also ban advertisements for vaping products near school areas and on public transport. Smoking kills and causes a myriad of health problems we all know that. But whats most worrying is that these vaping products appear to be targeting impressionable minors. These vapes come in a range of super-sweet flavours including bubble-gum, chocolate, honey, vanilla and even cheesecake tiramisu all for as little as 5. Recent studies from the Health Research Board are stark. Children and young people who vaped were five times more likely to start smoking in later life, having been exposed to nicotine at such an early age. Another study, from the Irish Tobacco Free Research Institute, reveals that 9% of 12-to-17-year-old schoolchildren and 15.5% of 15- and 16-year-olds use or have used electronic cigarettes. Harmful chemicals According to the Lancet, e-cigarettes contain chemicals harmful to young lungs, resulting in adverse cardiopulmonary effects, chronic bronchitis, asthma exacerbations, and lung damage. Internationally, leading health experts have warned that if the growth of the marketing and targeting of children continues at its current rate, then most children will have tried vaping within five years. Banning the sale of these products to children is a start but it will not solve the problem. Whats most worrying is that these vaping products appear to be targeting impressionable minors. These vapes come in a range of super-sweet flavours including bubble-gum, chocolate, honey, vanilla and even cheesecake tiramisu all for as little as 5. Picture: Nick Ansell/PA Wire So just like the landmark banning of smoking in all workplaces including bars and restaurants in March 2004, we must accompany this legislation with a strong social pact. While this legislation is crucial in the fight against underage vaping, it is not enough. We must start a national conversation, shining a light on the detrimental impact of vaping on young people. Nicotine products may have changed hugely but the social norms have remained the same. Peer pressure and marketing from both traditional and social media have made vaping the new trend. This is not a new phenomenon and schools are already dealing with the issue of vaping on a day-to-day basis. Of course, we are still speaking about a minority of our school population and in some instances, our students are already leading the way in the fight against vaping. One has only to walk around the BT Young Scientist exhibition at the RDS and marvel at some of the innovative social research into the impacts of vaping from so many students. On a recent visit to St Marys Secondary School in Mallow, students presented me with the findings of their Young Social Innovators project which examined the issue of vaping among young people. Vaping normalised The students discovered that vaping has become normalised and that a quarter of those who responded to their survey could purchase a vaping product without identification. The study suggested students dont believe vaping is harmful due to clever branding and packaging and also because electronic cigarettes do not burn tobacco and produce tar. Study suggested students dont believe vaping is harmful due to clever branding and packaging and also because electronic cigarettes do not burn tobacco and produce tar. Picture: Diego Fedele/AAP Image via AP Over the course of the past year alone, Ive spoken to students, teachers and principals and the resounding consensus is that the entire school community is ready to lead the charge.. The Department of Education will not be found wanting. The inspectorate already supports the school community in leading healthy lifestyles. This work includes strategies to prevent substance use, as well as the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating. In the current phase of school self-evaluation, the inspectorate is providing advisory sessions to guide all schools in initiating a wellbeing promotion review and development cycle. This September, an updated Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum will be introduced for Junior Cycle. It recognises that all young people need knowledge and skills to help manage life and its challenges, including making informed and healthy decisions. One of the strands of this curriculum is focused on Making Healthy Choices and it includes, for example, for students to investigate how unhealthy products including vapes are marketed and advertised, the consequences of using addictive substances whether now or in the long-term, and indeed skills and strategies to help them make informed choices to support their health and wellbeing. In the consultation undertaken by the NCCA [National Council for Curriculum and Assessment], both teachers and students identified vaping as a growing and serious problem among teenagers and including this topic was very important. Today, we take an important step by introducing legislation to the Dail to ban these products for minors but it is just the first step. It will not be enough to simply sit back and wait for this bill to be passed. We must as a society agree that our children and young people deserve better. Ireland has led the way before, each one of us playing our part to protect the health and wellbeing of Irish society. I believe we can do so again. At least three people have been killed and 25 wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, a regional governor said. Serhiy Lysak, of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said the strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-storey residential building early on Tuesday and the area was engulfed in fire. The United Nations has secured insurance coverage for a ship-to-ship transfer of 1.1 million barrels of crude oil from a rusting tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described the insurance as a pivotal milestone in a years-long effort to evacuate the cargo of the FSO Safer, which is at risk of rupture or exploding and causing an environmental catastrophe. The UNDP has been trying to start a salvage operation to avert what it says could amount to one of the worlds largest, man-made disasters in history. It secured tens of millions of dollars in pledges for the operation, which started late in May with experts pumping inert gas to remove atmospheric oxygen from the oil chambers of the vessel. The Safer tanker has not been maintained since 2015 (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Insurance became a critical element of enabling this salvage operation to proceed. Without it, the mission could not go forward, said Achim Steiner, a UNDP administrator. Transferring the stored oil is expected to start later this month, according to David Gressly, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. After completing the transfer of oil, Safer would eventually be towed away and scrapped, he said. Work is progressing well, Mr Gressly told the Yemen International Forum at The Hague. The tanker was built in Japan in 1980 and the Yemeni government purchased it in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of oil pumped from fields in Marib, a province in the east of the Arabian Peninsula country. Yemen, the Arab worlds most impoverished country, has been engulfed in civil war since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The following year, a Saudi-led coalition entered the war to fight the Houthis and try to restore the internationally recognised government to power. The Safer is 360 metres long with 34 storage tanks. It has not been maintained since 2015, and in recent years, seawater entered its engine compartment, causing damage to pipes and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases has leaked out. Witnesses have described hearing screams as two people were stabbed amid a string of attacks in Nottingham that left three dead and another three victims in hospital. Nottinghamshire Police said two people were found dead in Ilkeston Road at around 4am on Tuesday. The body of another victim was discovered in Magdala Road, and another three people were hurt when someone tried to run them over in a van in Milton Street. A witness told the BBC he saw a young man and young woman being stabbed on Ilkeston Road, close to the junction with Bright Street. The man, who did not give his name, said he heard awful, blood-curdling screams and looked out his window to see a black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people. Police forensics officers in Ilkeston Road, Nottingham (Zac Goodwin/PA) He told the broadcaster: She was screaming: Help! I just wish Id shouted something out of the window to unnerve the assailant. I saw him stab the lad first and then the woman. It was repeated stabbing four or five times. The lad collapsed in the middle of the road. The girl stumbled towards a house and didnt move. The next minute she had disappeared down the side of a house, and thats where they found her. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham this morning. I am being kept updated on developments. The police must be given the time to undertake their work. My thoughts are with those injured, and the Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 13, 2023 Id say it all happened within five or six minutes. The attacker then just walked off up Ilkeston Road towards town, as calm as anything. The man said he called the police who arrived within five minutes, before paramedics tried to revive the pair for 40 minutes. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Unverified footage showed a suspect being detained outside a convenience store in Bentinck Road. Medical equipment lies within a police cordon in Ilkeston Road, Nottingham (Zac Goodwin/PA) Kane Brady, a student at the University of Nottingham, told GB News he saw a knife being taken from a white van after a man was arrested outside his house nearby. Mr Brady said: We woke up to shouts of armed police and what sounded like some very loud noises, what sounded like gunshots it was that loud. I looked out the bedroom window and saw Tasers. I saw a man being dragged out (of the van) and pinned to the floor. Damage could be seen to the bonnet and windscreen of the van which was left at the scene. (PA Graphics) Road closures have been put in place covering a wide area of Nottingham city centre, including Ilkeston Road, Milton Street, Maples Street and Woodborough Road, from the junction with Magdala Road into the city, Magdala Road and Maid Marian Way at the junction of Parliament Street. The tram network was also disrupted with all services suspended on the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) as the police investigation continued. Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: This is a horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people. We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody. The scene in Magdala Road, Nottingham (Jacob King/PA) This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened. We ask the public to be patient while inquiries continue. At this time, a number of roads in the city will remain closed as this investigation progresses. The force has not yet commented on whether the attacks are being treated as terrorism. British prime minister Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their response to the shocking incident, adding: My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Home Secretary Suella Braverman also expressed her shock at the deaths, and said she is receiving regular updates from Nottinghamshire Police. An armed police officer in Nottingham city centre on Tuesday (Jacob King/PA) Another witness, Lynn Haggitt, told Channel 4 News she saw a van hitting two people at around 5.30am near the Theatre Royal. I saw a van pull up at the side of me, she said. It was white, all white. There was a police car behind it, coming up slowly, no flashing lights. The man in the drivers seat looked in his mirror and saw the police car behind him. She said the white van then drove up to the corner of the street and went into two people. The lady ended up on the kerb, and then he backed up the white van and he went speeded up Parliament Street with the police cars following him, Ms Haggitt added. The man who was hit suffered a head injury but got to his feet, while the woman was sitting on the kerb, she told the broadcaster. Both Nottingham Fire and Rescue and East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they were also dealing with the aftermath of the attacks. Donald Trump will make his first court appearance on Tuesday after being charged with 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the presidency. He is set to appear at 3pm at the federal courthouse in Miami. It will be Trumps second arraignment this year. In April, he was arraigned in Manhattan on separate criminal charges related to his hush money payments to the adult film star Stormy Daniels. Whats going to happen when Trump shows up in court? Trumps initial appearance is likely to be brief. He will be formally presented with the 37 criminal charges against him and informed of the penalties, and then he can enter a plea. Trump will almost certainly plead not guilty. Defendants can choose to have the indictment read to them in open court, but many choose to waive that in order to get the hearing over quickly, said Barbara McQuade, who served as the US attorney for the eastern district of Michigan from 2010 to 2017. The judge can also set bail and decide to detain a defendant in custody while trial is pending. The judge will consider the bail issue, but I would be stunned if Trump were held pending trial. A more likely scenario is that Trump will be ordered to surrender his passport and promise to pay some sum of money if he fails to appear, McQuade said in an email. The court may consider as a condition of bond some sort of gag order prohibiting Trump from discussing the case, the prosecutor or the judge, but that can be tricky in light of first amendment concerns because Trump is running for president, she added. Defendants in federal cases are often fingerprinted and have their mugshot taken, McQuade said. But when Trump was arraigned on state charges in New York earlier this year, authorities did not take a mugshot. McQuade said she expected Trump to be fingerprinted. But neither a mugshot nor handcuffs were likely, she said, because people already know what Trump looks like and the former president already has Secret Service protection. Who is the judge overseeing the hearing? Mounted police ride around the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Picture: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara Magistrate judge Jonathan Goodman is scheduled to be the judge on duty at the federal courthouse in Miami when Trump appears. He will reportedly oversee the initial appearance, the Miami Herald and NBC News reported on Monday. Magistrate judges handle initial appearances and assist federal judges with other matters. Goodman is a former newspaper reporter and civil litigator who has been a magistrate judge since 2010, according to the Miami Herald. He is well-respected and known for his dry humor, the paper reported. While Goodman will handle Trumps initial appearance, the overall case will be overseen by US district judge Aileen Cannon, whom Trump appointed to the federal bench in 2020. At an earlier stage in the case, Cannon issued a series of rulings in favor of Trump and was later rebuked by an appeals court. Those rulings have prompted concerns that Cannon will favor Trump as she oversees the case. Will the appearance be televised? No. Federal courts do not allow cameras or recordings in the courtroom. Goodman denied a request Monday evening from a a coalition of news organizations that filed a request on Monday to allow for limited recording in the courtroom or the hallways leading to the courtroom. They also requested that the court release same-day audio of the proceedings. Allowing photographs would undermine the massive security arrangements put in place, Goodman wrote in an order Monday evening. He said that he expected an expedited transcript of the proceedings to be available Tuesday. Cecilia Altonga, the chief district judge for the southern district of Florida, also entered an order Monday barring reporters from bringing any electronics into the courthouse building. Will Trump be placed in jail before or after the hearing? No. Trump does not pose the kind of flight risk that would require detaining him. Why is the case being heard in Miami? Gregg Donovan shows his support outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Because Trump kept the classified documents at issue at his home in Mar-a-Lago, the special counsel, Jack Smith, chose to file charges in the southern district of Florida, the federal jurisdiction where Mar-a-Lago is located. That decision was deliberate and is somewhat of a risk. Smith could have tried to file the charges in Washington DC, where a federal grand jury had been investigating the matter, but it would have probably prompted a legal battle over the proper venue for the case. By filing in Florida, Smith took that issue off the table. But filing the case in Florida also brings its own risks. Most notably, the case will be overseen by Cannon, who has issued rulings favorable to Trump in the past. A jury in Miami may also be more conservative and Trump-friendly than a jury in Washington. Who are Trumps lawyers? Its not entirely clear who will make up Trumps legal team. Two of his attorneys abruptly resigned last week after he was indicted. Trump will appear on Tuesday with Todd Blanche, a defense lawyer also representing him in the Manhattan case, and Boris Epshteyn, another lawyer and controversial top aide who has drawn attention from federal prosecutors himself. He may also appear with Chris Kise, a former solicitor general of Florida who has represented Trump in the documents case. Trump was still interviewing local lawyers on Monday to help represent him. What is Trump charged with again? Supporters rally outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Picture: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell Trump is charged with 31 counts of unauthorized retention of national defense information, a violation of the Espionage Act. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Trump and Waltine Nauta, his valet, face additional charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, tampering with grand jury evidence and concealing evidence in a federal investigation. Each of those charges is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Trump and Nauta also face additional charges of making a false statement. Those carry a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. What happens next? After the appearance, Cannon is likely to set a scheduling order laying out deadlines and a timeline for discovery, motions and a trial. Smith, the special counsel, requested that Trump get a speedy trial last week. But there are likely to be extensive disputes over discovery and classified materials that will drag the case out. I think an initial trial date of next spring or summer is most likely, but with more adjournments before the trial actually starts if the motions get messy, which seems likely in light of Trumps combative nature, McQuade said. Im sure [the Department of Justice] will want to try the case before election day and Trump will want to stall. Judge Cannon gets to decide. - The Guardian Two 19-year-olds and man in his 50s were killed in the Nottingham attacks, police said. The students were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at about 4am on Tuesday while the mans body was found in Magdala Road. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said it was believed the older mans van had been stolen and was driven at three people in Milton Street. One man remains in hospital in a critical condition while two others suffered minor injuries following that incident. A 31-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder. The University of Nottingham said two of the victims were students at the university. Police forensics officers on Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, where two university students were killed (Zac Goodwin/PA) A statement read: It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight. We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends. We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Ms Meynell, speaking outside a police station in the city, said: Police were called to Ilkeston Road just after 4am after a member of the public reported that two people aged 19 had been stabbed and were unresponsive. Police forensics officers search a white van on the corner of Maples Street and Bentinck Road in Nottingham (Zac Goodwin/PA) We had a further call to another incident in Milton Street, where the driver of a stolen van had attempted to run over three people. As a result, one man is in hospital in a critical condition while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries. The van was then stopped on Maple Street, where a man was tasered and detained by police officers on suspicion of murder. A man in his 50s was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road by a member of the public. At the moment, we believe that the suspect has stolen this mans vehicle and driven it to Milton Street, where he is then driven at members of the public. We are still in the early stages of the investigation. I need to determine exactly what the motives were behind this attack. Ms Meynell added: We are keeping an open mind and are working closely with counter-terrorism policing to establish the facts as we would normally do in this type of circumstance. The families of all the victims have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Officers have also carried out a number of searches of addresses across the city to gather evidence, but no further arrests have been made. Suella Braverman said were in a very early stage of the investigation when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related. The British Home Secretary told broadcasters in Westminster: We need to allow the police the time and the space to carry out all of their operational activity to determine the motive. Its right that Nottinghamshire Police are working with Counter Terrorism Policing. But its also fair to say that everybody and all professionals on the front line are keeping an open mind as to what the precise motive might have been. Here is a look at the charges former US president Donald Trump faces and his possible defenses over what prosecutors say was his illegal retention of classified documents at his Florida estate after leaving the White House in 2021. WHAT IS TRUMP ACCUSED OF DOING? Trump was charged in an indictment with 37 criminal counts for charges including violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements to investigators. In January 2022, Trump agreed to return 15 boxes of records to the US National Archives and Records Administration, and officials discovered in them more than 700 pages of records marked as classified. The Justice Department issued a grand jury subpoena in May 2022 asking Trump to return any other classified records. This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Picture: Justice Department via AP Trump's attorneys later turned over 38 pages marked as classified and attested that all records with classified markings had been returned to the government - a claim that later proved to be false. In August, the FBI conducted a search of Trump's Palm Beach home and seized approximately 13,000 more records, about 100 of which were marked as classified. Of those, some were marked as "top secret" - the classification level reserved for the country's most closely held secrets. WHAT CHARGES DOES TRUMP FACE? The most serious charges are 31 counts brought under the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the unauthorized possession of national defense information. It is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The World War One era law predates classification of documents but makes it a crime to willfully retain national defense information that could be useful to foreign adversaries. Courts have ruled that the information must be "closely held." Pages from a Department of Justice court filing on August 30, 2022, in response to a request from the legal team of Donald Trump for a special master to review the documents seized during the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago, are photographed early Aug. 31, 2022. Picture: AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File Trump is also charged with several counts of obstruction of justice, which criminalizes any "intent to impede, obstruct, or influence" an investigation. To prove those allegations, prosecutors will need to show that Trump's actions were intentional and that his goal was to hinder the probe, regardless of whether those efforts were successful. Trump is also charged with making false statements to investigators. WHAT ARE TRUMPS POSSIBLE LEGAL DEFENSES? Trump has claimed that the investigation is a politically motivated "witch hunt." He will likely argue that he is being selectively prosecuted, citing the fact that President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence have not been charged after it was discovered that both men retained classified records after leaving office. The Biden documents stem from his time as a vice president and senator. Trump's lawyers say the selective prosecution is part of a larger pattern of prosecutorial misconduct, though they have provided few details beyond claiming that investigators violated a legal doctrine that permits people to keep communications with their lawyers private. The legal hurdles to proving selective prosecution are high. Legal experts say such claims are usually doomed because defendants must prove that they were intentionally singled out for arbitrary reasons and that prosecutors declined to bring charges against others in similar circumstances. Newspapers front pages displayed in a newsstand in Bedminister on Friday, June 9. Picture: AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez Unlike Trump, Biden and Pence immediately returned the records and cooperated with efforts to search for additional documents. The Justice Department is investigating the Biden matter and dropped a separate probe of Pence on June 1. Trump has claimed that he declassified the documents before removing them. Presidents have the ultimate authority to classify and declassify documents, though this is typically put in writing and done through established channels. Trump has yet to provide evidence that he declassified the documents. Trump and his allies have said he had a standing order to declassify documents he took from the Oval Office to the White House residence, but Trump has failed to provide any evidence of this as well. On obstruction, Trump could argue he was simply acting on what he thought was sound legal advice from his lawyers and therefore lacked criminal intent. He could also seek to shift blame to subordinates or accuse them of going rogue. - Reuters The resistance stronghold of Kayah has become the first ethnic state to form an interim governing body following the 2021 coup. The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) was formed on June 6, said the body during an online press conference on Monday. The IEC will manage the state and oversee cooperation among its different anti-regime forces for the duration of the revolution, it announced. The IEC was established with political leadership and guidance from the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC), which was formed on April 9, 2021, two months after the coup. The new administration is tasked with building peace and stability in Karenni State while guarding checks and balances between the executive, legislative and judicial branches under collective leadership, the statement said. Khu Oo Reh, chairman of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), will head the local government, which will consist of 12 departments. The IEC was formed to protect the lives and property of Kayah people and deliver public services such as education, healthcare, food and necessities, said the statement. The body will continue to recruit revolutionary forces to defend the people, it added. It will also seek to establish rule of law in Kayah State by overseeing the departments of law enforcement and corrections. The IEC will work with the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, a body of lawmakers elected in the 2020 general election; the National Unity Consultative Council, a broad-based, inclusive platform working towards a federal democracy objective; and the civilian National Unity Government (NUG). All three bodies are working to establish a federal Union in cooperation with pro-democracy forces at home and abroad. The IEC will be abolished after the Spring Revolution succeeds and a new Kayah government is formed to ensure self-determination for the state. NUG acting president Dua Lashi La said he believes the IEC will be a great support in establishing a federal, democratic Union. Karenni State has a crucial part to play in the future federal country. I hope the interim executive council of Karenni State will become an example for other states. And I hope it will also cooperate closely and in unity with would-be interim executive councils. IEC vice chair Khun Be Du, who is also chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), said the council will use the acting presidents statement as a guide. He added that he was grateful for the support of Karenni people who are enduring the revolution. Though Khun Be Du referred to the IEC as the Karenni State government at Mondays press conference, no ministers were appointed. The KNPP led by Khu Oo Reh had already formed a Karenni State government before the coup and it is not known whether this administration has been dissolved. Ethnic armed organizations and resistance groups who sent congratulatory messages to the IEC on its founding included the Arakan Army, Taang National Liberation Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Chin National Front, All Burma Students Democratic Front, Mandalay Peoples Defense Force, Myanmar Royal Dragon Army and Bamar Peoples Liberation Army. Political prisoners in Mandalays notorious Myingyan Prison say that torture and other abuses committed by jailers have been increasing since the third week of May. They report being denied medical treatment for injuries sustained in interrogation beatings that began on May 21. Political prisoners are taken to the prison governors office and beaten for minor infringements. Over 70 political prisoners have suffered this treatment since May 21, said Ko Shin Thant, a member of the anti-coup protest committee for Monywa in Sagaing Region. Ko Shin Thant also chairs the Monywa University of Economics Students Union and spent time as a political detainee for his opposition to the February 2021 military coup. I was informed that every political prisoner who protests inside the prison, stands up for their rights, or makes even a minor transgression is beaten in the governors office, blindfolded with their hands handcuffed, he said. Some are doused with water and shocked with stun guns. Thirteen political detainees at Mingyan Prison were reportedly taken to be tortured at the Light Infantry Battalion 15 base in Myingyan between May 21 and 24. They returned with extensive injuries including teeth knocked out and cuts across their bodies, a local source with knowledge of the matter said. But jailers refused to give them medical treatment and also barred their families from sending food, medicine and other necessities. The political prisoners were brought back to Myingyan Prison on May 29, but have been placed in solitary confinement. One of them, Myingyan resident Ko Soe Yazar Tun Lwin, is at risk of death from a beating that left deep cuts on his body and knocked his teeth out. Fellow political detainees in Myingyan Prison who staged a hunger strike in protest at the torture were also subjected to beatings. Anti-junta coordination committees in Mandalay and Monywa called the beatings crimes against humanity, citing Article 7 of the Rome Statute. They said they were documenting the crimes and will urge the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international agencies to intervene. Prisoners of conscience have reported increasing abuse by jailers after 10 political detainees escaped from Taungoo Prison in Bago Region on May 18. Abuse including torture has spiked in prisons by order of the junta-controlled Correctional Department, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Ko Shin Thant said: We doubt the ICRC can do anything to stop torture and grave human rights violations in prisons. But the ICRC should do more to make the world aware that the regime has denied its request for prison visits, and also publicize whats happening inside Myanmar prisons. ICRC must increase the pressure [to halt the torture]. Myingyan Prison holds around 200 political prisoners, including ousted National League for Democracy Sagaing chief minister Dr. Myint Naing and others from Mandalay, Monywa and Taungtha. Political prisoners from Mandalays Obo Prison and Monywa Prison were moved to Myingyan in July last year. Myingyan Prison is notorious as a torture site for political prisoners detained by the previous junta regime in the 1990s. According to AAPP, 23,299 people have been detained since the coup and 18,968 remain in detention, 6,330 of whom are in jail as of June 9. Junta courts have handed death sentences to 158 people for opposing military rule, 116 of whom are being held in prison while 42 are still free. The juntas military has been using civilians as human shields again, this time for raids on villages in southern Tanintharyi Regions Thayet Chaung Township, local sources say. About 150 junta troops started raiding villages in the township last Thursday, initially detaining at least 53 residents of Kanet Thiri village. Some were released three days later, local residents said. They used them as human shields as they marched from one village to another, said Ko Kyaw Min Htike, the spokesman of Peoples Defense Force Operating Daung Min. Most of those detained were in their 30s and 40s, and at least 20 are still being held by junta forces, he said. Junta troops torched three homes in Kanet Thiri village on Saturday, and three in Ya-nge village on Sunday. Villagers had fled before the raids. However, a 23-year-old man was shot dead by junta forces when he returned to Ya-nge village to retrieve medicine for his mother, local residents said. We fled to villages nearby. Those who could not flee to other villages are staying on farms outside the village. [Junta troops] used a large number of forces and shelled the villages [first], a resident of Kanet Thiri village said, adding that they face additional hardship because monsoon season has begun. In April, junta troops detained about 50 civilians in Ya-nge village for no apparent reason. Some were later released. More than 34,000 people were displaced by fighting and junta artillery strikes in Tanintharyi Region in May, according to Daw Na, a local organization aiding internally displaced people. Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, warned on Saturday that the regime is using civilians as cover to send reinforcements to Mawlamyine, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Ye, Dawei, Myeik and No. 8 Highway in Mon State and Tanintharyi Region. It told local residents not to transport junta troops or anything linked to the regime in their vehicles. The Brotherhood Alliancethe tripartite military alliance made up of the Arakan Army (AA), Taang National Liberation Amy (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)has again come under the spotlight for its recent talks with the regime. Indisputably, the military alliancewhich first made its name known in 2016has become one of the key players in Myanmars civil war and politics. Established in 1989, the MNDAA, also known as the Kokang Group, was reconstituted after many of its fighters were forced to flee Kokang in the wake of the Myanmar militarys large-scale assault in 2009. It took three to four years for the Kokang Group to rebuild itself. The AA and the TNLA have inherited the revolutions of the Rakhine and Taang peoples from their predecessor organizations. The AA was established in 2009, and the TNLA was reconstituted in 2011. Both groups started from humble beginnings with a few dozen soldiers. All three groups are based near the Chinese border in northeastern Myanmar, and emerged around 2010. They are led by men in their 30s and 40s. Over the next decade, they established systematically organized and well-armed forces with combat capabilities. Once the underdog While their fellow ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), backed up the three groups, the Myanmar military underestimated them. They joined the nationwide ceasefire and peace process as members of the United Nationalities Federal Council, but the Myanmar military did not allow them to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in September 2015. In early 2016, the Myanmar military demanded that the three groups surrender. Peace brokers paid by the Myanmar military threatened them with the four cuts strategythe Myanmar militarys doctrine designed to sever rebels from the keys inputs of funding, food, intelligence and recruits. The governments Peace Commission demanded that the three EAOs lay down their arms if they were to attend the first session of the Union Peace Conference. A Myanmar military peace negotiator even said: Even if they wish to join the Union Peace Conference, it is not the Taung Pyone festival, referring to an annual Nat spirit festival held at Mount Popa that all are free to join. The three EAOs responded by launching a joint offensive in Mongkoe in northern Shan State around the end of 2016, halting Myanmars border trade with China through Muse. Once considered minor groups, their military capabilities raised many eyebrows. Between 2015 and 2017, the three groups joined the summits of EAOs held in Panghsang, which is under the de facto control of the United Wa State Army (UWSA). They also became members of the Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a political alliance of EAOs based in northeastern Myanmar and led by the UWSA. The FPNCC seeks alternatives to peace building outside the NCA path. The three groups also formed an alliance between themselves known as the Brotherhood Alliance. The MNDAA started fighting the Myanmar military in 2015. The TNLA fought 200 to 300 clashes with the Myanmar military yearly between 2014 and 2020. The AA also fought the Myanmar military from late 2018 to 2020 in western Myanmars Rakhine State. The battles enabled them to assert their existence. Fighting between the AA and the military flared up again in Rakhine State between August and November 2022. In a decade, the AA has grown into a powerful army with around 100 battalions totaling some 30,000 troops, the TNLA has grown to seven brigades with around 8,000 troops, and the MNDAA has grown to four brigades with around 6,000 troops. Combined, their strength stands at around 45,000 to 50,000. In terms of their size and combat capability, they inevitably play an important part in Myanmars civil war. EAOs with a long history in Myanmars civil war including the Karen National Union (KNU), KIA, Karenni National Progressive Party and Chin National Front are publicly cooperating with the shadow National Unity Government in Myanmars Spring Revolution. And the Brotherhood Alliance is also backing the resistance forces engaged in the revolution. Led by young leaders in early middle age, the Brotherhood Alliance is different from traditional EAOs in the way they think and act. They are also close to other powerful EAOs like the UWSA, Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), and thus deserve close attention when analyzing the Spring Revolution. Brotherhood Alliance and China China moved to establish close ties with the Brotherhood Alliance following the latters attack in Mongkoe in 2016. Beijing did so purely out of its own interests, as the three groups are fighting along the border and are active in areas that house Chinese investment projects including oil and gas pipelines. China managed to pressure the Myanmar military into allowing the Brotherhood Alliance to attend the second and third sessions of the Union Peace Conference. Myanmar military leaders, however, refused to meet the representatives of the three EAOs attending the second session of the peace conference. Since 2016, China has pushed for talks between the Myanmar military and the Brotherhood Alliance. China brokered talks between the Myanmar military and six EAOs based on the border including the UWSA, SSPP, NDAA and the Brotherhood Alliance in November 2021, following the military coup in February that year. In late 2022, China made a further move and pressured the Brotherhood Alliance to stop fighting the regime. Myanmar military changes its tone The Myanmar military previously believed it would be able to annihilate the Brotherhood Alliance, each of whose members started with a few dozen troops. But in reality, far from crushing the three groups, the military has suffered heavy losses in fighting them. After two years of intense fighting from 2018, the Myanmar military made a truce with the AA ahead of the election in November 2020. Faced with strong armed resistance across the country after the coup in February 2021, the Myanmar military attempted to coax EAOs into ceasefires with the aim of concentrating its energy on crushing the Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs). As such, the Myanmar military has attempted to make peace with the Brotherhood Alliance. Previously, it was forced to make peace with them under pressure from China. So, China and the Myanmar military are each pushing for a ceasefire with the Brotherhood Alliance to serve their own interests. Talks in Mongla Against such a backdrop, the juntas National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Brotherhood Alliance held talks in Mongla, an area controlled by the NDAA, on June 1, 2023. Attending the talks were NSPNC chairman Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, other military officers, and deputy chiefs of the AA, TNLA and MNDAA. Chinese special envoy of the Yunnan Province foreign affairs department Guo Bao was also present at the meeting. At the meeting, Yar Pyae echoed junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and said the Myanmar military did not stage a coup, but took over the states responsibilities in line with the law. He urged the three EAOs to support its proposed election. He said the regime would uphold the NCA path and military-drafted 2008 Constitution in discussing self-determination for ethnicities. The Brotherhood Alliance demanded that their troops detained by the regime be released and that they be removed from the list of unlawful associations. The AA called for lifting restrictions on delivery of humanitarian supplies to people affected by Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State. The meeting came to an end after the Brotherhood Alliance replied that they only came to listen to the juntas viewpoints, and would report the regimes discussions to their respective central executive committees. Three-sided problem China wants stability at the border, and domestic peace in Myanmar so that it can promote trade with, and increase investment in, Myanmar. Obviously, China is pushing for dialogue neither for the sake of the Myanmar military nor the EAOs, but purely to serve its own interests. From Chinas point of view, it can promote its interests in Myanmar only when the country is stable. It is also a strategic objective for the Myanmar military to secure a ceasefire with the powerful Brotherhood Alliance. Only when it separates the military alliance from democratic forces based in central Myanmar will it be able to concentrate its energy on crushing the PDFs. And the regime would use the NCA and the 2008 Constitution to put off the issues of federalism and self-determination. From its experience, the Brotherhood Alliance is well aware that it can have no rights if it doesnt have an army. They have no trust in the Myanmar military, which has perpetrated various war crimes in their ethnic states and has always tried to crush them when the opportunity arises. They are also well aware that the Myanmar military will come for them the day it gains the upper hand over pro-democracy forces in the country. More importantly, the Myanmar military is unwilling to grant them the degree of self-determination and self-administration they want. To put it more simply, it does not want to see a second Wa State, an autonomous enclave controlled by the UWSA in Shan State. The Brotherhood Alliance is aware that it could not reach an agreement with the Myanmar military on that even if it negotiated for centuries. But then, they all are under the influence of China, as they are all based on the Chinese border. So, China will keep pushing the Brotherhood Alliance to go to the negotiation table. The Myanmar military will also try to coax them by making some concessions. The Brotherhood Alliance will keep attending the talks because of pressure from China, but those meetings will never deliver any results. So, it did not come as a surprise when the Myanmar regime and the MNDAA fought in Kokang on June 2 and 3 after they held talks on June 1 in Mongla. Moe Sett Nyein Chan is a military observer. Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries, an aviation company under the Diamond Group, provided the Myanmar military with components to assemble DART-450 surveillance aircraft and then trained key military personnel to produce and use the machines, in what appears to be a flagrant contravention of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union. Under the EU arms embargo on Myanmar, in force during the project period, it is illegal to provide arms, dual use goods, and equipment used for internal repression to Myanmar, in addition to restrictions on military training and military cooperation. Based on open-source research and leaked classified documents, Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a rights watchdog, has discovered that Diamond Aircraft Industries also trained Myanmar military personnel, including engineers and pilots from the air force and Tatmadaw Heavy Industry No. 10, to use the planes, JFM said in a statement released on June 12. Tatmadaw is a commonly used name for the Myanmar military. The Myanmar military began assembling the aircraft at the Shante air force base in Meiktila in Mandalay Region, central Myanmar in 2019 and the deal for local assembly of the aircraft was likely to have been cemented when Myanmar military and junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visited Austria in 2017. While the DART-450 can be considered a dual-use good, in the case of the DART-450 project in Myanmar, the use is clearly not civilian and would therefore be illegal under the EU measures. The aircraft is primarily intended for pilot training and aerial reconnaissance missions. Diamond Aircraft Industries was acquired by the Chinese company Wanfeng Aviation Industry in December 2017 via its UK subsidiary, Wanfeng (UK) Aviation Co. Ltd. Wanfeng Aviation Industry is owned by a Shenzhen-listed company, Zhejiang Wanfeng Auto Wheel Company Limited, which is linked to Wanfeng Auto Holding Group. Since the militarys illegal coup attempt, the junta has increasingly used the air force for reconnaissance and to launch indiscriminate air strikes as a key part of its campaign of terror. JFM pointed out that the DART-450 project has so far provided capabilities in aircraft production to the Myanmar military and if the project continues, the watchdog said, it would support the Myanmar militarys pilot training, aerial intelligence gathering and could be used in aerial attacks. Based on a leaked internal memo from the Commander-in-Chief (Air) dated Nov. 8, 2017, JFM exposed that Miya Win International Company Limited, a Myanmar-based arms broker, is a key player between Diamond Aircraft Industries and the Myanmar military. The memo was addressed to the Myanmar Armys Office of the Directorate of Procurement, and it confirms that a delegation from Miya Win and a senior military officer were set to hold a meeting regarding Diamond Aircraft Industries. The most recent financial statements of Diamond Aircraft Industries, for the year ending Dec. 31, 2021, include a provision for Miya Win of 168,973 euros (about US$182,400), according to an investigative report by Profil, a German-language news magazine based in Vienna. Miya Win International has also been procuring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the Austrian company Schiebel Corporation and received parts following the Myanmar militarys attempted coup in February 2021, according to JFM. Miya Win International has been sanctioned by the UK and US, as it is responsible for brokering deals for the supply and upkeep of aircraft for the Myanmar air force. In addition, it contributed to the Myanmar military in 2017 at two fundraising events held by Min Aung Hlaing to support the militarys genocide against the Rohingya. On April 21, 2022, over a year after the Myanmar militarys illegal attempted coup, the Council of the EU decided to renew its restrictions on supplying the Myanmar military. Since its attempted coup in February 2021, the juntas military has been waging a campaign of terror against the people of Myanmar, committing deliberate killings, arbitrary arrests, indiscriminate air strikes and shelling, sexual violence and torture. To date, the juntas military has killed more than 3,600 people, arbitrarily arrested over 23,000 and displaced more than 1.5 million, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. JFM called for immediate action by Austrian authorities to suspend exports and license production agreements with Miya Win International and the Myanmar military and to investigate and take action against Diamond Aircraft Industries and other Austrian businesses dealing with these entities. We further urge the German, Dutch, Swedish, Swiss and US governments to investigate any possible arms embargo breaches by companies in their territory that have been involved in the Myanmar militarys DART-450 project and to take action, said JFM. The rights group has also called for the UK authorities to investigate Wanfeng (UK) Aviation, which may be in breach of UK sanctions in relation to its subsidiary, Diamond Aircraft Industries. It has also urged the EU and its allies to impose sanctions on Miya Win International. Recently, Dr. Omar Alvarez-Pousa and his wife, Cecilia, traveled to Portofino, but they took some time out from their Italian sightseeing to read the Islander News to catch up on news from their hometown. While on their travels, Alvarez-Pousa, a member of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne, and his better half joined members of the Rotary Clubs of Rapallo and Portofino, and local students, for a beach cleanup in Camogli. Thanks for sharing, Cecilia and Omar, plus the good international ecological deed. To see "Where in the World" the Islander traveled to last, click here. Tuesday, Jun 13th, 2023 (3:11 pm) - Score 1,104 Broadband ISP Home Telecom has signed a new partnership that will enable them to harness F&W Networks new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, which already covers 335,000 premises across the UK (not all are Ready for Service) and aims to reach 1 million premises by 2025. FWN is currently busy building their full fibre network across parts of several counties in England, including West Sussex (Horsham and Southwater), Oxfordshire, Greater London, Buckinghamshire (Gerrards Cross, Chalfont Saint Peter, High Wycombe and Beaconsfield), Hertfordshire (Hemel Hempstead), Hampshire, West Berkshire and Surrey (Godalming) etc. NOTE: F&W Networks (Fibre and Wireless) has received tens of millions in investment from Maestro Capital and Foresight Group LLP. Several UK ISPs already offer services to homes and business over the new network, such as Hey! Broadband, Octaplus and more. But theyve today been joined by Home Telecom, which is part of the wider Telecom Acquisitions Ltd group (TalkTalk took a controlling stake in this company last year). Home Telecoms CEO, Nigel Barnett, said: We are delighted to be working on this exciting opportunity with F&W Networks, bringing the Home Telecom brand with its exceptional customer services to yet more homes. We did test a couple of known F&W postcodes out on Home Telecoms website, but at the time of writing they were still only returning Openreach based FTTC or FTTP packages. Sadly, the announcement doesnt state how much theyll be charging for related packages on the F&W platform. UPDATE 14th June 2023 @ 5:12pm Weve been informed that, at present, only the 1Gbps package for FWN is showing on the Home Telecom website. But we understand that additional products and price points will be launched in the next few weeks. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo Middle East Monitor ) The Israeli government is at it again, actively discussing the construction of thousands of illegal settlement units as part of a massive settlement expansion scheme known as E1. Though Israeli construction in the East Jerusalem area has supposedly been halted under international pressure, the Israeli government has found ways to keep the plan alive. It did so through constant expansion of the various settlements in the name of natural expansion, confiscation of Palestinian land and the ruthless yet routine demolition of Palestinian homes. But why does Washington, Israels main defender and benefactor, oppose, at least verbally, the construction in E1, while turning a blind eye to illegal construction throughout the West Bank? The answer lies in the fact that E1 will further expand the Jerusalem municipal boundaries, minimise any Palestinian demographic presence in the city (from the current 42 per cent to about 20 per cent), and prejudice any political solution that includes East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is a Palestinian city, occupied by Israel during the June 1967 war. It is recognized by the United Nations and international law as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israel should have neither legal rights nor jurisdiction there. Washington, which rarely cares about the rights of Palestinians, is concerned that, without East Jerusalem as part of the political equation, any discussion of a two-state solution will become forever obsolete. In other words, the US is more worried about the political, not territorial consequences of the Israeli decision. Indeed, the USs entire political program in Palestine and Israel is situated within the two-state solution template. Without it, Washingtons role would cease to serve any purpose. This is precisely why US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, criticized Israeli settlements during his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on 5 June. Though he covered the habitual US commitment to Israels security, describing it as non-negotiable and ironclad, he also warned against any move toward annexation of the West Bank disruption of the historic status quo at holy sites (and) the continuing demolitions of homes. Article continues after bonus IC video Al Jazeera English: Israelis resettle in evacuated settlements in occupied West Bank These steps, and more, will damage prospects for two states, the cornerstone of US foreign policy in the Middle East. Israel, on the other hand, is neither interested in a two-state, one-state nor any solution to its military occupation and apartheid in Palestine. Instead, Tel Aviv is working towards a specific end, a formula of permanent domination, one that would satisfy its quest for security, demographic superiority and defensible borders. It matters little that Israels vision for its own border lines is largely inconsistent with international law. All that matters to the current, in fact, all Israeli governments, are the national interests of the countrys Jewish population, whose future has been linked to the crushing of political aspirations and civil rights of the countrys native Arab, Palestinian inhabitants. Jerusalems particular significance stems from two factors: one, its historical, spiritual, economic and administrative centrality to all Palestinians and, two, the fact that it has been the Holy Grail of Israels settler colonialism in Palestine for the last 75 years. A quick look at the map of Occupied East Jerusalem is enough to explain Israels ultimate motive in the Palestinian city: Maximum land with an absolute Jewish majority. For this to take place, much work has to be done, namely ensuring the territorial continuity between the massive illegal Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim and Jerusalem. Israels motives are not a secret. A long report by the Zionist Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs champions and illustrates Tel Avivs objectives in detail. The report warns against allowing security and urban discontinuity between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, or the reversion of Jerusalem to a border-town status that would preclude the citys eastward development. The reference to eastward development is particularly dangerous, as many illegal Jewish settlements have purposely been planted in various parts of the West Bank, all the way to the Jordan Valley for the sole purpose of linking them all up, thus dividing the West Bank into two main regions, south and north. Considering the current administration and security divisions of the Occupied West Bank, a major territorial division will deny Palestinians any sense of physical continuity, let alone statehood. In other words, apartheid will become permanent and, from Israels perspective, also sustainable. As for the westward expansion, connecting Maale Adumim to the so-called metropolitan Jerusalem through construction in E1 will help Israel resolve a fundamental component of its expansionist strategy. According to the Zionist Jerusalem Centre, such a merger will incorporate both settlement and security as two vital, complementary components of Israels national interest. And, wherever there is Israeli construction in Occupied Palestine, there is always the destruction of Palestinian properties and confiscation of land. According to the European Union Office in Palestine, in 2022, 28,208 illegal settlement units were advanced in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, compared to 22,030 in 2021. A higher number is expected in 2023. As for Palestinian home demolition, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) paints a grim picture: in the first quarter of 2023 alone, 290 Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem and the West Bank were demolished or seized. This represents an increase of 46 per cent, compared to the same period of the previous year. East Jerusalem has had a major share of this destruction, specifically 95 homes and other structures between 1 January and 28 March, according to the World Council of Churches. The outcome has been the displacement of 149 Palestinians. Among them, 88 children have been rendered homeless. The price of Israels major plans in East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank is not just humanitarian. It is essentially political, aimed at cutting off Palestinian communities from one another, isolating Jerusalem completely, and ensuring a Jewish demographic majority for generations to come. Though Secretary Blinken tries to emphasise the danger of such actions to the two-state solution, the real danger lies in the fact that such measures threaten the very fabric of Palestinian society and the political future of the Palestinian people. Israels quest to reactivate its E1 plan requires not just mere condemnation, but tangible and decisive action, especially as Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government is more unhinged than ever before. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Reddit Email 70 Shares By Habib Badawi Beirut (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) Lebanon may be a small country of some four million citizens with a land area a little less than that of Connecticut, but it plays an outsized role in the geopolitics of the Middle East. Its upcoming presidential election on June 14th therefore has wide domestic and regional implications. The presidency carries significant implications for Lebanons delicate electoral landscape and the distribution of power among its religious and political factions. It will be the twelfth attempt by the Parliament to elect a president. Previous attempts have failed to secure two-thirds of the total 128 parliamentary votes in the first round or a simple majority in subsequent rounds. Host to as many as 1.5 million Syrian refugees, Lebanons government and its policies have implications for the future of its larger neighbor. The country is an economic basket case, with charges of peculation at its national bank, and it suffers from long-term infrastructural damage to its main port because of a massive ammonium nitrate fertilizer explosion in 2020. the third biggest explosion in modern history after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A middle income country only a few years ago, Lebanon has fallen so low that now some 80 percent of its population lives below the poverty line. The government is often deadlocked by sectarian struggles. Many in Lebanons powerful Christian minority are tied to the west, though some factions are allied with the Shiite Hezbollah Party. About a third of its population is composed of Shiites, many tilting toward Iran or Iraq. It also has a big block of Sunnis, who identify with the wider Sunni Arab world and are open to influences from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Social and political conventions dictate that the president always be Christian. But some presidents have been closer to Damascus and some closer to Paris and WashingtonLebanese Christians are diverse. Former Finance Minister Jihad Azour, who served as director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, has emerged as the favorite of most Christian parties. He is, however, disliked by Hezbollah and Amal, the two parties representing Lebanons Shiites. It is possible that Azour will nevertheless gain a swell of support. Suleiman Frangieh, 57, head of the Marada Movement and a favorite of Hezbollah, has also traditionally enjoyed strong support from the Syrian regime. However, signs of waning political relevance suggest the influence of Damascus may be diminishing. This change points to the shifting dynamics of power within Lebanon, emphasizing the challenges faced by long-standing factions. On the other hand, Azours front has garnered substantial domestic support and relies on international backing. However, critics have charged that the media is being manipulated in his favor and have suggested that it is because of external interference. This critique adds an extra layer of complexity to the electoral landscape. It remains to be seen how these external influences will impact the outcome and shape Lebanons political future. One cannot ignore the role of established influential figures and factions in Lebanons presidential race. The long-serving Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, a leader of the moderate Shiite Amal Party, displays a knack for political maneuvering and safeguarding personal interests. He would try to put his thumb on the scale for Frangieh. However, his influence on shaping the election outcome must be weighed against other factions aspirations for a more inclusive governance model. Article continues after bonus IC video Al Jazeera English: Lebanese lira hits all-time low as economic crisis deepens Considering the complexity and fluidity of Lebanons electoral landscape, it is always possible for a third surprise nominee to emerge and have an impact the presidential election. Lebanese politics often witness unexpected developments and the rise of new candidates who capture domestic and international attention and support. Therefore, while the analysis focuses on key players and established factions, it is critical to remain open to the possibility of a third candidate entering the race. Lebanons delicate balance of power requires that the next president unite diverse communities and navigate intricate sectarian divisions. This task calls for a leader who can foster inclusive governance while addressing religious and political factions concerns and aspirations. Striking a balance between competing interests is essential to preventing further divisions and promoting national unity. Lebanon has long been influenced by external actors, which adds another layer of complexity to its electoral landscape. The successful candidate must possess the diplomatic acumen to protect Lebanons national interests while fostering productive relationships with international partners. Balancing national sovereignty and international support will be crucial for the next president. The presidential election outcome extends beyond politics. It has the potential to have an impact Lebanons economic recovery and structural reforms. A capable and determined president can play a pivotal role in advancing much-needed reforms and steering the country toward stability. Additionally, establishing an independent presidency can provide an opportunity to overcome political paralysis and create a more effective government that addresses Lebanons economic challenges. Lebanons upcoming presidential election holds tremendous significance for the countrys political future. Balancing sectarian interests, navigating external influences, and preserving national unity are critical factors that will shape the election outcome. The chosen president will need strong leadership, diplomatic finesse, and a commitment to inclusive governance to guide Lebanon through its challenges. As Lebanon strives for stability and prosperity, transparent and a fair electoral process that reflects the peoples will is paramount. Sadly, the possibility has to be admitted that the deadlocked Lebanese political system will yet again fail to produce a president, leaving the hapless country rudderless yet again. VANCOUVER, BC, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd (TSXV: CMIL) (OTCQB: CMILF) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") announces that it has initiated a non-brokered private placement of up to 33M units at a price of C$0.03 per unit for gross proceeds up to C$1,000,000 ("Private Placement"). The Company has secured an initial commitment of C$400,000 from an existing European-based shareholder with a focus on the metals required for the green energy transition. Each unit of the Private Placement shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of C$0.06 per share at any time within two years from the date of issuance. The warrants shall also be subject to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds C$0.15 for 10 consecutive trading days. Proceeds from the Private Placement are anticipated to be used on advancing the Company's high-grade copper assets in Norway (including drilling at the advanced exploration-stage Hessjgruva project) and copper-gold assets in northern Finland, as well as for general working capital. The Company may pay finders fee's in either cash, shares, share purchase warrants or a combination thereof, as permitted by regulators, on a portion of the Private Placement. Closing of the Private Placement is expected to occur on or before June 25, 2023. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months from the date of issuance. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. Expiry of Options The Company also advises of the expiry of 1,815,000 employee options on June 5, 2023. On Behalf of the Board of Capella Minerals Ltd. "Eric Roth" ___________________________ Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM President & CEO About Capella Minerals Ltd Capella is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of quality mineral resource properties in favourable jurisdictions with a focus on European base and battery metals projects. In Norway, the Company's focus is on: i) the advanced exploration-stage Hessjgruva copper-cobalt project and the adjacent Kongensgruve and Kjli projects in the northern Rros mining district, Trndelag province, ii) the discovery of satellite high-grade copper-cobalt deposits around the past-producing Lkken copper mine, Trndelag province, and iii) the discovery of new copper-cobalt deposits in the former Vaddas-Birtavarre mining district of northern Norway. The Company is also exploring the Northern Finland Gold-Copper project in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, together with JV partner Cullen Resources Ltd (ASX: CUL). A total of five exploration permit have now been approved, including the priority Killero Cu-Au target. In central Finland, the Companys focus is on the discovery of lithium and rare-earth element deposits at both its Perho reservation, in addition to an extensive package of properties in the broader Keliber district through a JV with European Energy Metals Corp (formerly Hilo Mining)(TSXV: FIN). Capella also retains exposure to exploration success in precious metals projects through its active Canadian Joint Ventures with Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) at Savant (Ontario) and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd (formerly Yamana Gold Inc.)(TSX/NYSE: AEM) at Domain (Manitoba). The Company also holds a 49% interest in the Sierra Blanca low sulfidation gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently being explored by Austral Gold Ltd (TSXV: AGLD; ASX: AGD). Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, BC, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aben Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V: ABM) (OTCQB: ABNAF) (Frankfurt: R26) (Aben or the Company) is pleased to announce that Mr. Riley Trimble has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company and has agreed to serve as President and CEO. Mr. Trimble brings over a decade of experience in corporate development and communications, having worked with companies such as Skyharbour Resources, Surge Copper Corp, Bayfield Ventures, Cypress Development, and Rockridge Resources. His extensive expertise in the US and Canadian capital markets, along with his understanding of managing all aspects of a public company's operations, from capital raising to project acquisition, exploration, and development, will be invaluable as we strive to enhance shareholder value through advancing current projects and assessing future opportunities. Mr. Trimble commented: "I am thrilled to take on the role of President & CEO at Aben Minerals, dedicated to serving our valued shareholders. Our priority is to unlock the tremendous potential of our existing assets, leveraging their notable historical results. We are also committed to creating shareholder value by expanding our asset base through strategic acquisitions. Aben Minerals is uniquely positioned as a Canadian gold exploration company over the next several years with the Justin Project and Forrest Kerr already showcasing impressive drill results and discovery potential on our extensive landholding. I'm grateful to James for his invaluable mentorship and look forward to working closely with him as we forge the path towards establishing Aben Minerals as a leading Canadian gold company." James Pettit is continuing in his role as Executive Chairman and Director of Aben Minerals. The Company also announces that it has issued 1,500,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. The Options are exercisable at $0.13 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options have been granted under and are governed by the terms of the Company's incentive stock option plan. About Aben Minerals: Aben Minerals is a diversified Canadian gold and critical metals exploration company with exploration projects in the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, and Ontario. The Companys goal is to increase shareholder value through new discoveries and developing exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. The Company has 18.7 million shares outstanding. Twitter LinkedIn For further information on Aben Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V: ABM), visit our Companys web site at www.abenminerals.com. ABEN MINERALS LTD. Jim Pettit ______________________ James G. Pettit Chairman For further information contact: Aben Minerals Ltd. Riley Trimble, President & CEO Telephone: 604-416-2978 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. June 13th, 2023 TheNewswire - Rockport, Ontario - New Age Metals Inc. (TSXV:NAM); (OTC:NMTLF); (FSE:P7J2) (NAM or the Company) in conjunction with its partners Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) is pleased to report the results for its second phase drilling at Lithium Two Project that is part of its Manitoba Lithium Division. The program was completed in March and consisted of 16 diamond drill holes, totalling 3,086 metres. Drilling tested the down dip extension of Eagle Pegmatites high grade zone intersected in the phase one drill program, as well as exploratory drilling testing nearby pegmatites and magnetic low anomalies/structures identified in the 2021 detailed UAV magnetics survey. Highlights: The drill program successfully intersected spodumene bearing pegmatite in all drill holes targeting the Eagle Pegmatite with a consistent steeply dipping orientation. Drilling extended the known high grade Li mineralization zone below 150 m vertically and remains open at depth. 2023 assays include 1.08 % LiO over 8.7 m (LT-23-21), 1.06% LiO over 6.85 m (LT-23-16), 1.06 % LiO over 5.9 m (LT-23-24). Newly encountered spodumene bearing lenses proximal to FD No. 5 Pegmatite warrant further exploration. The Company is in the process of applying for 2024 winter drilling permits to test additional targets on the property. The Project is located 38 km from Tanco Mine, and lies along trend of the Donner Lake Lithium Project and the Irgon Pegmatite. Figure 1: LT-23-21 Spodumene mineralization, 221.0 m - 221.4 m Table 1: 2023 Lithium Two Drill Hole Assay Highlights Table Hole ID to (m) from (m) Interval* (m) % Li2O LT-23-16 119.8 121 1.2 0.91 150.15 157 6.85 1.06 including 150.15 152.8 2.65 1.80 LT-23-17 114.95 119.55 4.6 1.01 including 115.45 117.23 1.78 1.97 143.38 145.85 2.47 2.19 including 144.13 144.63 0.5 4.20 LT-23-18 187.15 188.6 1.45 1.14 206 206.4 0.4 2.22 LT-23-20 65.15 70.9 5.75 0.92 including 66.9 68.35 1.45 2.08 91.5 97 5.5 1.01 LT-23-21 217.3 226 8.7 1.08 including 220.7 221.4 0.7 3.20 LT-23-23 179.4 180.6 1.2 0.85 191.5 193.25 1.75 1.19 LT-23-24 195 200.9 5.9 1.06 LT-23-26 44.8 45.6 0.8 1.26 100.25 100.75 0.5 2.14 The Company is encouraged by the overall results of the second phase of drilling on the Lithium Two Property. High grade lithium intercepts were encountered in six drill holes testing the extension of the Eagle Pegmatite including samples that graded up to 4.20% Li2O (over 0.5 m core length). The program was successful in extending the Eagle Pegmatite mineralized zone to a depth of 150 m below surface (Figure 6). Figure 2: LT-23-21 Spodumene bearing pegmatite, 213.9 m 228.75 m Exploration drilling along trend to the east encountered new spodumene bearing pegmatites proximal to the FD No. 5 Pegmatite (Figure 3, 4). LT-23-26 was targeting an offset in the magnetic trend south of the FD No. 5 Pegmatite surface showing. The drilling encountered two spodumene bearing pegmatites (at 44.8 m grading 1.26 % Li2O over 0.8 m, and at 100.25 m grading 2.14 % Li2O over 0.5 m). These intersects occurred below barren surface mapped pegmatites indicating that mineralization may occur at depth and reinforces that this area of the property has high potential for hosting more Li mineralization warranting further exploration. Figure 1: LT-23-26 Spodumene bearing pegmatite intercept, 39.9 m - 49.0 m Figure 2: LT-23-26 Spodumene bearing pegmatite intercept, 99.6 m - 101.2 m Figure 3: 2021 - 2023 Lithium Two Drill Program Overview Figure 4: DDH LT-21-09 Cross-Section Sample Quality Assurance / Quality Control A thorough chain-of-custody and QA/QC program was carried out during the 2023 drill program. Samples were taken across all spodumene-bearing pegmatite with shoulder samples into the barren host rock on either side of the dykes. Sample lengths were 0.3 m to 1.5 m, dependent on internal zoning of the dykes and lithology contacts. Core to be sampled was cut in half with one half being sent for analysis and the other half remaining in the box for reference. The companys implemented QA/QC procedures included the insertion of certified standard control samples, cut duplicates, and blanks. This was used to test for natural variability/sampling bias / testing the lab for homogeneity during sample preparation processes within the lab as well as testing the precision and any possible contamination from the lab and ensure proper calibration of lab equipment. Sample analyses was conducted by SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The drill core samples were subject to three separate analyses including: ICP-MS on partial digestion, ICP-OES for major and minor elements on the total digestion, and ICP-MS for trace elements on total digestion. SRC inserts one blank, two certified reference materials, and one replicate (pulp) digested with each set of 40 samples to ensure analytical quality control. The quality management system at SRC operates in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories; and is also compliant to ASB, Requirements and Guidance for Mineral Analysis Testing Laboratories. The management system and selected methods are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. About Lithium Two Project The Lithium Two Project covers 137 hectares and is located approximately 20 kilometres north of the Tanco Mine, a currently producing hardrock lithium mine. The project is geologically situated in the Cat Lake portion of the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field and is road accessible. The Eagle Pegmatite is exposed at surface along roughly 530 meters as a series of lenticular spodumene-bearing dykes which occur in (Precambrian) granite and meta-volcanic rock. The 10 largest of these pegmatite bodies are en-echelon lenses that range up to 75 m in length and 9 m in width as exposed (Rowe, 1956). The Eagle Pegmatite has a general strike of 77 and an 80 to near vertical dip. The FD No. 5 Pegmatite is surface exposed over an area of 27 and 15 metres and is poorly exposed away from the main showing. The unit strikes at 80 with a near vertical dip to the north. Figure 5: Mineralized (spodumene) Eagle Pegmatite intercept from drill hole LT-21-09 An archaeological assessment was completed by White Spruce Archaeology on the Lithium Two Project that has identified three areas of archaeological potential. Drilling activity will occur outside of a 25-metre buffer around the identified areas. All drill trails will stay outside of the identified areas. The recommendations for the Lithium Two Project have been reviewed and agreed to by the Archaeological Assessment Services Unit, Historic Resources Branch, Ministry of Sport, Culture and Heritage. About NAM New Age Metals is a junior mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery, exploration, and development of green metal projects in North America. The Company has two divisions: a Platinum Group Metals division and a Lithium/Rare Element division. The PGM Division includes the 100% owned, multi-million-ounce, district-scale River Valley Project, one of North Americas largest undeveloped Platinum Group Metals Projects, situated 100 km by road east of Sudbury, Ontario. In addition to River Valley, NAM owns 100% of the road accessible Genesis PGM-Cu-Ni Project in Alaska and plans to complete a Option-Joint Venture arrangement with a third party mining company to develop the project. The Companys Lithium Division is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, where the Company is exploring for hard rock lithium and various rare elements such as tantalum, rubidium, and caesium. Further Exploration plans for 2023 include continued mapping/sampling field programs following up on prospective trends outlined in the magnetic data and 2022 surface sampling. The company has a partnership with Mineral Resource Limited (MRL, ASX: MIN), a top global lithium producer to explore and develop the Companys lithium project portfolio. The company is awaiting 2023 exploration plan and budget approval from Mineral Resources Limited. Our philosophy is to be a project generator with the objective of optioning our projects with major and junior mining companies through to production. The Company is actively seeking an option/ joint venture partner for its road-accessible Genesis PGM-Cu-Ni project in Alaska. Investors are invited to visit the New Age Metals website at www.newagemetals.com where they can review the company and its corporate activities. Any questions or comments can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Harry Barr at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Farid Mammadov at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613 659 2773. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lynde Guillaume, P.Geo. (Senior Geologist, Axiom), who is a Qualified Person for the Company as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Lynde is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) who is a registered member of the Engineer and Geosciences of Manitoba (no. 47952). Opt-in List If you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on our website (www.newagemetals.com) to receive our updated news. On behalf of the Board of Directors Harry Barr Harry G. Barr Chairman and CEO 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 release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as continue, efforts, expect, believe, anticipate, confident, intend, strategy, plan, will, estimate, project, goal, target, prospects, optimistic or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Companys ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Vancouver, BC - TheNewswire - June 13, 2023 - Westward Gold Inc. (CSE:WG) (OTC:WGLIF) (FSE:IM50) (Westward or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Allan (Al) Fabbro to the Companys board of directors as an Independent Director. Mr. Fabbro is a 40-year veteran of the finance and mining industries, and currently serves as President, CEO and Lead Director of Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSX-V: MMA). From 1984 to 1990, he led the retail trading department of Yorkton Securities, followed by six years with their Natural Resources Group. Mr. Fabbro subsequently joined Canaccord Capital as an Investment Advisor, a role he held for a decade. More recently, Al was also Co-Founder and Lead Director of Roxgold Inc., which was named the top company on the TSX Venture 50 and raised in excess of $60 million in equity financing during his tenure. Roxgold was acquired by Fortuna Silver Mines in 2021 in a deal valued at ~C$1 billion. Following his tenure at Canaccord Capital, Mr. Fabbro became President of American Consolidated Minerals Corp. (ACM) in 2009. At that time, ACM owned and was actively exploring the Toiyabe Gold Project in Lander County, Nevada (Toiyabe), now Westwards flagship property. Under Mr. Fabbros leadership, prior to ACMs acquisition by Starcore International Mines Ltd. in 2014, some of the most significant drilling campaigns were conducted at Toiyabe. Mr. Al Fabbro, incoming Director, commented: Ive been intrigued by what the Westward team has been able to accomplish at Toiyabe, the fresh approach theyve taken to its exploration, and the regional consolidation. Im pleased that the property is getting the attention it deserves, and grateful for the opportunity to be involved in its development once again. Ive always felt like I had some unfinished business here. Westward also announces the resignation of Mr. Johnathan Dewdney from the board of directors. The Company would like to extend its gratitude to Mr. Dewdney for his long-tenured work and wishes him the best in future endeavours. Colin Moore, Westward President and CEO, commented: On behalf of management and the board of directors I would like to thank John for his tireless efforts supporting the Company over the last many years. He was a key contributor to the transactions that led to our current asset portfolio in Nevada, fundraising efforts, and overall corporate strategy. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Al Fabbro, whose personal knowledge of Toiyabe and experienced industry leadership will serve us immensely moving forward. Option Grant In addition, the Company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 600,000 stock options (the Options) to Mr. Al Fabbro and Mr. Terry Salman. Mr. Salman was recently appointed as Strategic Advisor to the Company (see press release dated March 27, 2023). The Options, which vest immediately, are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant. About Westward Gold Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developing the Toiyabe, Turquoise Canyon, and East Saddle Projects located in the Cortez Hills area of Lander County, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Company may also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assets and opportunities. For further information contact: Colin Moore President, CEO & Director Westward Gold Inc. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.westwardgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - June 13, 2023 - Leocor Gold Inc. (the Company or Leocor) (CSE:LECR), (OTC:LECRF) is pleased to announce that RAB drilling has begun on the Dorset Project within the Companys Baie Verte District landholdings, Newfoundland, Canada. The Baie Verte District is home to the Point Rousse gold mine now owned by Signal Gold and the Ming copper and gold mine belonging to Rambler Metals and Mining (Figure 1). We are excited to announce the beginning of our RAB drilling at Dorset as part of Leocors planned $1.2 million 2023 exploration program, said CEO, Alex Klenman. RAB drilling is a very mobile and cost-effective tool we are utilizing to target the sub-surface with instant XRF analysis and downhole optical viewing. The Dorset Project remains a top priority for Leocor based on our impressive inaugural RAB results from 2022, and were looking forward to continuing the projects development, continued Mr. Klenman. Figure 1. Regional location of Leocors Baie Vert District landholdings Dorset (Baie Verte District) A total of 16 RAB drill holes are planned for the Dorset Project. RAB drilling will continue to test and expand on the Sharpie Ridge gold occurrence with seven RAB holes where in late 2022 drilling returned 2.32 g/t Au over 10.67 m and 10.2 g/t Au over 1.52m. An additional two RAB holes will be completed at Copper Creek target where in 2022 drilling returned 0.58% % Cu over 9.12m, which includes 1.095% Cu over 1.52m. Two RAB holes will be completed at the Dorset Gunshot/Braz occurrence where in 2022 drilling returned 3.18 g/t Au over 4.57 m. An additional seven RAB holes will target the Dorset Trend where a large 1 x 2 km gold-in-soil anomaly was outlined by 2022 soil sampling efforts (Figure 2). The extensive gold-in-soil anomaly is one of the most clustered and anomalous he has seen, says Leocors Technical Advisor, Shawn Ryan. Figure 2. Planned 2023 RAB drill holes at the Dorset Project RAB Drilling The RAB drilling will be completed by GroundTruth Exploration Inc. using their GT RAB Drill, a Heli-Portable, wireless remote-controlled, rubber tracked platform with a hydraulic tilting mast assembly and rotary drill head. The GT RAB Drill is environmentally friendly with low-ground pressure and minimal surface disturbance. Individual drill holes can be up to 100m in depth and are paired with onsite XRF analysis and optical televiewer surveys, allowing rapid evaluation of the target areas. Qualified Person Mike Kilbourne, P. Geo, an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. About Leocor Gold Inc. Leocor Gold Inc. is a British Columbia-based resource company involved in the acquisition and exploration of precious metal projects, with a current focus in Atlantic Canada. Leocor, through outright ownership and earn-in agreements, currently controls several gold-copper projects in prime exploration ground located within the prolific Baie Verte Mining District. Leocors Bae Verte portfolio includes the Dorset, Dorset Extension, Copper Creek and Five Mile Brook projects, creating a contiguous nearly 2,000-hectare exploration corridor. The Company also controls the 6,847-ha grassroots Startrek project near Gander, as well as three district scale land packages in North Central Newfoundland, known as Roberts Arm, Hodges Hill, and Leamington, (collectively Western Exploits) representing over 144,000 hectares (1,440 square kilometers) of prospective exploration ground. Contact Information Leocor Gold Inc. Alex Klenman, Chief Executive Officer Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone : (604) 970-4330 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. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms and conditions of the Option. Although Leocor believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Leocor cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Leocor is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the agreement of the parties to proceed with the proposed transaction on the terms set out in the Option Agreements or at all; Leocor's ability to exercise the Options; the state of the financial markets for Leocor's securities; the state of the natural resources sector in the event the Option, or any of them, are completed; recent market volatility; circumstances related to COVID-19; Leocor's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that Leocor is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to Leocor's initial public offering prospectus for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through Leocors issuer page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Leocor disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQX: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from four recent diamond drill holes at the newly discovered "Horseshoe" Gold Zone on its 100% owned Bullseye property along the Appleton Fault Zone ("AFZ"). Of note, 55 grains of visible gold were observed within a network of quartz veins in drill hole BE-23-019, located approximately 450 metres north of New Found Gold's recently reported high-grade intercepts at Everest in central Newfoundland. Horseshoe Gold Zone Highlights: BE-23-019 intersected 38.21 g/t Au over 2.80 m core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 145 m below surface, where 55 grains of visible gold were noted within a network of quartz veins. Including 118.92 g/t Au contribution from a 0.85 m sample . intersected core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 145 m below surface, where were noted within a network of quartz veins. BE-23-015 intersected 4.65 g/t Au over 2.00 m core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 166 m below surface. Including 8.90 g/t Au contribution from a 0.80 m sample . intersected core-length, located at a vertical depth of approximately 166 m below surface. Horseshoe Gold Zone remains open in all directions. Diamond drilling totaling 11,292 m has been safely and cost-effectively completed over the 30-hole first phase evaluation at Bullseye. Assay results from 18 of the 30 drill holes have been received and publicly reported to date. The results from the 12 remaining drill holes are pending. Jeff Swinoga, President and CEO, comments, "We are thrilled to announce our first gold discovery called Horseshoe on our Bullseye property. Our first phase of drilling so far has intercepted visible gold in a half-dozen drill holes and generated several high-grade intercepts up to 118.92 g/t Au. Consistent with the high-grade intercepts that our peers are reporting just south of Bullseye, our geologists are seeing mineralization within a complex network of multi-stage quartz veins. I am very proud of our local team's accomplishments during the first phase of our drilling campaign." Figure 1: Plan map displays Exploits' Bullseye property with locations of drill holes including BE-23-015 to BE-23-017 and BE-23-019 shown within yellow dashed box. Figure 2: Plan map showing Exploits' assay results from the 2023 diamond drilling program at Bullseye. Figure 3: Cross-section of the Horseshoe gold mineralized zone. Horseshoe Interpretation: Mineralization at the Bullseye property is hosted within a fold-thrust sequence of northeast-striking, steeply dipping, turbidite sequence. These rocks were deposited and deformed during the closure of the Iapetus Ocean and subsequent continent-continent collision. The Appleton Fault Zone is a regional scale deformation zone that developed during this period. The AFZ likely serves as a primary conduit for gold-bearing fluids. Brittle faults within the envelope surrounding the AFZ form a vast network of gold rich quartz veins. Visible gold has been noted within 8 drill holes contributing to the locally high-grade intercepts. Several wide intervals of gold mineralization, in the 1.00 - 3.00 g/t range, are linked to quartz veining with elevated sulphide content. Notable sulphide minerals, such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, and boulangerite have been observed within the veins and in the surrounding host rocks. Within the Horseshoe zone, visible gold is found in brecciated and locally annealed vuggy quartz veins, features characteristic of epizonal gold deposits. Photo 1: NQ core from drill hole BE-23-019 showing example of distribution of the 55 flecks of visible gold noted within the quartz veining. Photo 2: Example of free-gold observed in drill hole BE-23-019; Yellow marks on scale = 1 mm. Bullseye Drilling - Tables of Selected Assays Table 1: Selected drill assays Bullseye Drilling 2023 - Selected Assays (Exceeding 1.00 g/t Au Value) from Sawn NQ Drill Core Hole ID From (m) To (m) Sample Length (m) Vertical Depth (m) Below Surface Analysis Method Au Assay (ppb)* Au Assay (g/t) Comments Au - Weighted Average Grade (g/t)** BE-23-015 200.50 201.05 0.55 ~166m FA-AA 1,334.00 1.33 4.65 g/t Au over 2.00m 201.05 201.85 0.80 8,897.00 8.90 201.85 202.50 0.65 2,236.00 2.24 AND 206.20 207.20 1.00 ~170m FA-AA 1,582.00 1.58 AND 224.30 224.90 0.60 ~184m FA-AA 1,068.00 1.07 AND 373.30 373.70 0.40 ~309m Screen-Met 1,444.51 1.44 BE-23-016 134.30 135.15 0.85 ~100m FA-AA 2,634.00 2.63 BE-23-017 NSV BE-23-018 Assays Pending BE-23-019 46.00 46.45 0.45 ~45m FA-AA 1,608.00 1.61 2.21 g/t Au over 0.90m 46.45 46.90 0.45 2,803.00 2.80 AND 51.00 51.35 0.35 ~50m FA-AA 1,470.00 1.47 AND 56.60 57.00 0.40 ~53m FA-AA 1,067.00 1.07 1.94 g/t Au over 0.90m 57.00 57.50 0.50 2,643.00 2.64 AND 60.00 60.55 0.55 ~55m FA-AA 9,116.00 9.12 AND 106.00 107.00 1.00 ~82m FA-AA 2,024.00 2.02 AND 108.50 109.00 0.50 ~85m FA-AA 1,529.00 1.53 2.16 g/t Au over 0.95m 109.00 109.45 0.45 2,865.00 2.87 AND 190.60 191.05 0.45 ~140m Screen-Met 4,042.51 4.04 AND 195.20 195.55 0.35 ~145m Screen-Met 3,469.63 3.47 38.21 g/t Au over 2.80m 195.55 196.40 0.85 118,916.36 118.92 VG Noted 196.40 197.10 0.70 2,377.60 2.38 197.10 198.00 0.90 3,356.25 3.36 AND 199.00 199.80 0.80 ~147m Screen-Met 1,089.72 1.09 1.07 g/t Au over 1.15m 199.80 200.15 0.35 1,033.26 1.03 AND 205.45 206.70 1.25 ~153m Screen-Met 2,395.52 2.40 AND 220.00 221.00 1.00 ~162m FA-AA 1,355.00 1.36 AND 226.25 227.05 0.80 ~166m Screen-Met 1,755.33 1.76 AND 228.60 229.55 0.95 ~169m Screen-Met 1,848.86 1.85 AND 232.00 232.75 0.75 ~175m Screen-Met 1,607.62 1.61 2.41 g/t Au over 5.50m 232.75 233.20 0.45 2,084.22 2.08 233.20 233.65 0.45 4,234.04 4.23 233.65 234.05 0.40 3,944.97 3.94 234.05 234.50 0.45 1,913.15 1.91 234.50 235.00 0.50 1,579.64 1.58 235.00 235.55 0.55 978.98 0.98 235.55 235.90 0.35 2,068.13 2.07 235.90 236.75 0.85 3,054.97 3.05 236.75 237.50 0.75 2,816.64 2.82 AND 238.60 239.40 0.80 ~177m Screen-Met 1,116.69 1.12 5.64 g/t Au over 1.40m 239.40 240.00 0.60 11,662.32 11.66 AND 240.00 241.00 1.00 ~178m FA-AA 1,845.00 1.85 AND 381.80 382.20 0.40 ~281m FA-AA 1,459.00 1.46 *Assays reported direct from lab certificate. Screen-Met samples are 'Weighted Averaged ppb' as calculated from lab **All intersections are core intervals and do not represent true thickness Table 2: Drill Collar Data Bullseye - Collar Information for Reported Drill Holes Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) BE-23-015 659589 5431022 38 195 -55 502 BE-23-016 659597 5431023 38 235 -45 409 BE-23-017 659595 5431021 38 70 -45 430 BE-23-019 659589 5430993 38 195 -45 400 Coordinates Reported in NAD-83 Bullseye Gold Property The Bullseye claims were staked by Exploits in September 2022, and are contiguous to the very active targets currently being drilled by both New Found Gold and Labrador Gold. The claims are considered by the Company's geologists to be highly prospective because they directly overlay a 1,200 by 400 metre segment of the Appleton Fault and its related splay structures. Over a dozen exploration drill rigs have been employed by the three companies operating within this structural-stratigraphic setting over the past two years. Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC") All prospective NQ core is logged and delineated for sampling by an Exploits' professional geologist. The core is subsequently halved by a diamond-bladed core saw by the Company's technicians with one half being placed in a bag with a unique sample identification. The remaining half core is retained within the Company's secure storage facility in Gander, NL. Sample bags are sealed and then shipped directly to Eastern Analytical Ltd. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at defined intervals following the Company's QA/QC documented procedures, representing approximately 5% of all samples sent for assaying. All core samples are currently analyzed at Eastern Analytical Ltd. of 403 Little Bay Road, Springdale, NL, a commercial laboratory that is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and completely independent of Exploits. Samples are analyzed using fire assay (30g) with AA finish (Au-FAA 30 ppb process) and/or a four-acid digestion followed by multi-element ICP-OES analysis. All samples with visible gold or assaying above 10.0 g/t Au are further assayed using metallic screen to mitigate the presence of the nugget effect of coarse gold. Metallic screen assays are reported as 'Weighted Averaged ppb' directly calculated from the lab. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure Ken Tylee, P.Geo., VP of Exploration with Exploits, is a qualified person within the Provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Tylee has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein. About Exploits Discovery Corp. Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company is focused on discovering high-grade structurally hosted epizonal gold similar to New Found Gold's success along the Appleton Fault zone and parallel structures within the Exploits Subzone. Exploits is utilizing its experienced, talented local team and geologic understanding with the vision to become one of the most successful explorers in Canada. On Behalf of the Board /s/ "Jeff Swinoga" President and CEO For more information, please contact: Shanda Kilborn VP, Investor Relations +1 (778) 819-2708 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://exploitsdiscovery.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by 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, labor 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. Acknowledgments Exploits Discovery would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. History sadly seems to be repeating itself, said victims legal representative Natalie von Wistinghausen in her opening statement, evoking the renewed armed conflict that broke out in Sudan on April 15. It is distressing, she added, that that almost two decades after the events sparked the Hague trial potential international crimes are occurring in Darfur right now, and mentioned the death of civilians, looting and destruction of homes and livelihood and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. On June 5, legal representatives for the victims made their opening statements in the first trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning crimes committed in Darfur (Sudan). Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between 2003 and 2004 in West Darfur. This is the first ICC case for war crimes in Sudan, which is not a state party to the court, after the UN Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC in March 2005. The total number of participating victims rose to 600 earlier in May, after the latest group of 112 were admitted by the ICC. One witness and two victims appeared in court during this phase of the trial, which closed on Wednesday, June 7. One of them is a member of the wider diaspora and the other two live in refugee camps in neighbouring Chad. Two other victims living in internally displaced persons camps in Darfur were also scheduled, but were unable to move because in the current conflicts the borders are too unsafe and the Janjaweed are controlling the areas. Abd-Al-Rahman allegedly led the government-backed Janjaweed militia in western Darfur between 2003 and 2004. According to prosecution, he helped with the recruitment and organization of the militia that engaged in an ethnic cleansing programme, and he directed attacks against four villages - Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar and Deleig. The defendant pleaded not-guilty to all charges and his defence argued that he is not Ali Kushayb. His trial began in April 2022, two years after he surrendered himself. Victims wish to return to their land Victims seek justice, accountability, and of course recognition on behalf of themselves, their families and the wider Fur community, which was targeted by the government, said von Wistinghausen. She added that as a demonstration of the international community's commitment to stand against ongoing serious criminal and human rights violations and as a measure guarding against repetition, many victims expressed the strong belief that the process of justice is an essential component in seeking a resolution to the still ongoing instability and violence that plagues Darfur and ultimately a possibility for them to return to their ancestral land. Victims repeatedly expressed their wish to return to their land, she stressed. But on April 26, former President Omar Al Bashir, former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun and Defence Minister Abdulraheem Mohammed Hussein got out of prison. This has sparked fear among the victims but also a renewed call that this trial be just a first step, said von Wistinghausen. And two decades after the crimes, victims are still mostly displaced. According her trial brief, the vast majority resides in internally displaced persons camps in Darfur. One of these is the Kalma camp, established in 2004 and home to more than 100,000 people. Another large number of victims live in refugee camps in Chad, while a smaller number is located in cities across Sudan. The remainder are parts of the wider diaspora. Emotionally, I am dead Born in Bindisi, Central Darfur, Hassan Hassan has lived in the Kalma camp, in Uganda, and is now in Ottawa, Canada, from where he addressed the court. Asked about his childhood in West Darfur, he described it as a beautiful place and talked about the great sense of community there. He was nine years old when the Janjaweed and the Sudanese militia arrived in Bindisi - they killed his father among many people and set fire to their houses. It was horrible. He pointed at his body, where he said scars are still visible from the time he was tortured by Janjaweeds. He fled and lived with his mother in Mukjar, West Darfur, where he said he witnessed murders and torturing of Fur people with burning charcoal and other means. Hassan talked about the visible and invisible wounds that remain 20 years after he survived a genocide and was forced into displacement. I'm happy that I am still alive, but psychologically emotionally and mentally I am dead, he said. Like Hassan, 20 percent of the participating victims were children under 18 at the time of the events. Sexual and gender based crimes were carried out in a brutal manner and often out in the open, stressed von Wistinghausen in the opening statement. People were attacked, their property looted and they were displaced from their ancestral land, she said on Monday. One victim told her that nothing was left. Still today, many people suffer the physical and psychological consequences of being attacked and displaced, or of witnessing other members of the community or their loved ones murdered or captured. We are not representing a group of victims, we are representing individuals, said von Wistinghausen in an interview for Justice Info, stressing the importance of listening to the victims different perspectives. To her, the people we are representing are just a drop in the ocean of the number of victims that exist in Darfur, but the wider population especially in the capital city Khartoum seemed very interested in this trial, before new violence broke out. Contact with the victims in Sudan mainly happens via intermediaries on the ground, WhatsApp messages and regular video calls, when the poor Internet connection allows it. We've been told very clearly that for a victim to be associated with the ICC is a source of danger, said von Wistinghausen. Victims safety is an issue, as well as the safety of the legal representatives prevented from visiting their clients in Sudan. Thrown back to former times But violence in Darfur has never really ceased since 2003. Back then, hostilities first began as local non-Arab rebel groups, including members of the Fur community, attacked government targets, accusing the Sudanese leadership of oppressing Black African groups. Al-Bashir sent the Sudanese military forces and the Janjaweed, an Arab militia group, to counter the insurgency, and the civilian population was not spared in the attacks. The United Nations estimates that some 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have been displaced. The common legal representative of victims in this ICC case had a chance to speak to a limited number of them but they said that they felt the same feelings of fear and insecurity. I think that many of the victims feel like they are thrown back to former times says von Wistinghausen, adding that they are losing hope, for justice and to return home. Almost two decades after, what happened to them is being recognized on this forum, noted Shah Anand, associate counsel in the case. It is certainly significant for them and for the larger community that this case is moving forward. But they are having to deal with the consequences of what happened to them two decades ago, which are continuing today. John Helms, a Dallas criminal defense lawyer for Digital Privacy Defense John Helm unravels the complexities of digital privacy in the context of criminal investigations. He provides a legal perspective on whether law enforcement can compel individuals to disclose their phone passcodes. Dallas, TX June 12, 2023 The world of digital privacy can be a confusing one, especially when it intersects with criminal law. As smartphones become an increasingly integral part of our lives, the question of whether law enforcement can compel individuals to unlock their devices is a topic of intense debate. Dallas criminal defense lawyer John Helms is addressing this issue head-on, providing a comprehensive and accessible legal perspective on his blog. John Helms has been a criminal justice trial attorney for over 20 years, including tenure as a federal criminal prosecutor for the Northern District of Texas. His experience on both sides of the courtroom allows him to bring a balanced and informed perspective to digital privacy defense cases. In his recent blog post, Can Police Demand Your Phone Passcodes? A Legal Perspective, Helms discusses various aspects of the issue, including search warrants for cell phone contents, the Fifth Amendment and testimony, biometric data, passcodes, and the foregone-conclusion doctrine. If law enforcement wants to examine your cell phone for evidence against you, they may need either biometric identification, a passcode, or both, in order to access what is on your phone. But can they force you to open the phone or disclose your passcode? The answer is extremely complicated, says Helms. John Helms dedication to his clients and his deep understanding of the law are reflected in his work. He is committed to helping those who need help the most, providing his clients with the time, effort, and creativity needed for their defense. For more information and to read the full blog post, visit "Business Proposal" stars Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Sejeong are embroiled in a dating issue because of these. Curious about what happened? Then read on! Ahn Hyo Seop & Kim Sejeong Dating? Instagram Posts Ignite Relationship Rumors Between 'Business Proposal' Stars With their overwhelming chemistry, it's not surprising that people wonder if the two "Business Proposal" lead stars are in a relationship. Thanks to this, fans are gushing over Ahn Hyo Seop's now-deleted Instagram posts as they sparked another dating controversy with his former leading lady, Kim Sejeong. To recall, at the beginning of 2023, Kim Sejeong deleted her cute SNS post with Ahn Hyo Seop, and this immediately made people think that the duo could be dating. This June, it looks like Ahn Hyo Seop's now-deleted Instagram post has revived the gossip again. In particular, on June 10, the "Dr. Romantic 3" star posted snippets on SNS, which people speculated to be taken in Japan. lmao ok so youre telling Hyoseop and Sejeongs most recent Instagram updates are both from Japan? pic.twitter.com/4D08tFMy1x elle (@imnothyoseop) June 10, 2023 Eagle-eyed fans screamed with excitement, as it has been said that Kim Sejeong had just also visited Japan. When the snippets were posted online, people quickly began talking about how they thought the co-stars went to the said country together. After observing some of the photos, a lot of fans thought they could see the actress' hand in one of the pictures the actor shared. Since the dating rumor sparked again, the former on-screen couple has been dominating various online portals. Even though the duo coincidentally visited the same country, the buzz online is just a guess. Im not saying the fingers in the shoe shop photo he didnt include this time around are Sejeongs and thats why he deleted yesterday but thats exactly what Im saying pic.twitter.com/igyniGF592 elle (@imnothyoseop) June 11, 2023 Though both parties are yet to release statements about the dating issue, it is not surprising anymore that their fans are hopeful of their possible romance behind the camera. What's Next for Ahn Hyo Seop & Kim Sejeong Meanwhile, these "Business Proposal" stars are busy with their solo activities. Ahn Hyo Seop is currently starring in "Dr. Romantic 3." He is also preparing for his first-ever fan meeting in Asia, which is to kick off this June. Following "Business Proposal," the leading man is joining Jeon Yeo Bin and is about to return to Netflix with another romance series "A Time Called You." Kim Sejeong, on the other hand, is preparing for her long-awaited acting comeback through tvN's "Uncanny Counter Season 2." What can you say about the dating issue surrounding Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Sejeong? For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. Netflix's "Hellbound" is in the middle of casting problems after one of its actors dropped out of the series. With the success of season 1, not to mention the cliffhanger ending, viewers are looking forward to the sequel to the webcomic-based series. However, as "Hellbound 2" gears for its release, Netflix revealed that one of its original cast members will not be participating in the sequel. 'Hellbound' 2 Cast: Yang Dong Geun To Be Replaced by Hong Eui Joon In a report, the streaming giant announced on June 12 that Yang Dong Geun dropped out of "Hellbound 2" due to personal circumstances. Back in March 2023, Netflix introduced a mix of returning and new cast members joining the upcoming season, which includes Yang Dong Geun, who will appear as Sodo leader. However, following his decision not to continue his appearance in "Hellbound 2," rumors sparked that he would be replaced by Hong Eui Joon. He played bit roles in "Hospital Playlist Season 2," "The Forbidden Marriage," and "Voice Season 4: Judgment Hour," and a supporting role in "Bad Prosecutor." Apart from Yang Dong Geun, season 1 lead star Yoo Ah In stepped down from his role as The New Truth leader Jung In Soo. The decision came after the award-winning star got wrapped up in a controversy involving him in illegal substance use. As Yoo Ah In's investigation is ongoing, the scandal-ridden actor is on acting hiatus. In addition, his upcoming projects like Netflix's "Goodbye Earth" and current endorsements have been affected by the negative publicity. With this, Yoo Ah In was replaced by Kim Sung Chul, who will play the new Jung Jin Soo. IN CASE YOU MISSED: Yoo Ah In K-dramas and Movies You Can Binge-Watch on Netflix The 31-year-old actor headlined the rom-com series "Our Beloved Summer," along with Kim Da Mi and Choi Woo Shik, as well as "Do You Like Brahms?" in 2020. 'Hellbound' Season 2 Cast Amid the changes to the "Hellbound 2" cast, notable stars will continue to join the upcoming sequel. Kim Hyun Joo is set to return as attorney Min Hye Jin, who will go against The New Truth and the Arrowhead. Kim Shin Rok reprises her role as Park Jung Ja, who appeared in the last episode of season 1. Adding to the list of returning cast members are Lee Dong Hee, Yang Ik Jun, and Lee Re as Kim Jung Chil, Jin Kyung Hun, and Jin Hee Jung, respectively. Meanwhile, Moon Geun Young will have a special role and is set to take on the role of Sunshine Class Teacher and one of The Arrowheads. As for the story of "Hellbound" season 2, it will focus on the resurrection of Park Jung Ja and the return of Jung Jin Soo. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Lametti says an accusation from Tory MP Frank Caputo that the minister tried to intimidate him with an email is "ridiculous." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Conservative MP and former Conservative leader Erin OToole is given a standing ovation as he delivers his final speech in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Meta's logo can be seen on a sign at the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Nov. 9, 2022. Meta has started blocking news for some Canadians on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a Liberal government bill that is currently being studied in the Senate.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Godofredo A. Vasquez By Jackson Onyango Kampala Capital City Authority executive director, Dorothy Kisaka has denied receiving information of any intervention by the elite presidential guards into the city roads. Kisaka told members of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) that We were surprised by the visit of General Muhoozi who requested to be escorted through the city roads, As to whether SFC is coming in, I am not aware, she added. Members of the committee were gun blazing about the involvement of the Special Forces Command after it was raised by the KCCA Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago who led the political wing before the committee to respond to queries that emerged outside the audit queries raised by the Auditor General. The second shocker is that SFC will now take over the construction of works, said Mr. Lukwago. We have not received the details of the work plan SFC will follow, the budget, and whether it will be through KCCA, he added. Several concerns on the matter were raised by the MPs, leaving Ssenyonyi to cut short concerns on the matter as he asked the Authority to ensure the due processes provided for under the law are followed. Ssenyonyis ruling came in shortly after the Bwamba County MP, Richard Gafabusa questioned fellow legislators on how they had ended up associating General Muhoozi Kainerugaba with the elite presidential guards, SFC. Gafabusa argued that Muhoozi is the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and not the commander of SFC. Both the political and the technical team from KCCA reappeared before Cosase to respond to issues that emerged outside the audit queries raised in the Auditor Generals report. Core concern was in relation to the status of the city roads for which the committee was in a previous meeting told that 70 percent of the potholes had been patched up, raising an uproar. I have not seen any of those roads that constitute 70% of the roads being done, wondered Mpindi Bumaali MP for PWDs. Lukwago also said that We were treated to a surprise that 70% of the potholes had been covered. We would indeed throw a party and celebrate the achievement but we dont have any records of that as the council, added Lukwago. Previously, the technical team highlighted that the road works in Kampala fall under three categories; patching of potholes, sectional repairs, and overhaul. Kisaka indicated that more pothole patching has been done while the sectional repairs and overhaul of the roads such as those in industrial are yet to be undertaken. Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud from Tanzania has been re-elected president of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights for the second and final term of two years. This was during the opening of the Pan-African Judicial Organs 69th Ordinary Session on Monday. At the same session, Honourable Justice Sacko Modibo from Mali was elected Vice President of the Court. Expressing her gratitude, Justice Aboud thanked her colleagues for the unanimous re-election and the confidence they have shown in her leadership, promising to continue serving diligently Meanwhile, the African Court is today set to deliver nine decisions. During the Session, the Judges will convene a three-day retreat on 14th-16th June in Dodoma, Tanzanias new capital, to enhance the courts effectiveness and improve the protection of human rights across the continent. Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud is a national of Tanzania. She was elected as Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights in July 2018. She holds a Master of Laws (Malta) and a Bachelor of Laws (University of Dar es Salaam). She was re-elected for a second and final term of six years at the 34th African Union Heads of State and Government ordinary summit in February 2021. On the other hand, Hon. Justice Sacko Modibo is a citizen of the Republic of Mali. He was elected judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights in February 2021, for a six-year term. He holds a masters degree in law from the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences (Mali) and four other university degrees in law obtained at the Ahmed Baba University (Mali), the Jean Moulin 3 University (France), and the Nice Sophia Antipolis University (France). Two weeks ago, Justice Modibo was two weeks ago appointed Judge of Supreme Court of Mali. The Leader of Opposition has asked that parliament carries out thorough investigations into alleged human rights violations committed by soldiers deployed on Ugandas lakes. Mathias Mpuuga was addressing fishermen at Kigungu landing site in Entebbe while on his nationwide consultative tour about the challenges faced by the citizens. The fishermen cried to him about the continuous brutality allegedly meted on them by soldiers camped at Nfo islands which is adjacent to the Kigungu landing site. Meanwhile, the shadow minister for fisheries, Helen Nakimuli, wants the Defence and Veteran Affairs minister, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, investigated for his alleged involvement in illegal fishing. Reports suggest that the minister, through a one Kaweesi, owns hundreds of fishing boats with inscriptions wacha waseme that are used in illegal fishing activities. The minister has however often denied the allegations as totally baseless. By U R N More than 100 Congolese nationals have entered Mpondwe-Lubiriha Town Council in Kasese District following suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacks on local communities. The group includes mainly women and children from a township in Lubiriha neighbouring Uganda. Eight people are reported to have been killed during the attack, according to local residents and leaders who spoke to this reporter. They are currently camped at St. Michael Catholic Shrine-Kabuyiri in Mpondwe town. Mr Sylvester Mapozi, the Mpondwe-Lubiriha Town Council chairman said Monday that the group entered the country through Kabururu Cell at around 11PM on Sunday under the guard of UPDF. He added that local leaders are working with security personnel and other partners to organize for the refugees anticipating them to go back as soon as there are reports of normalcy. Read more The United States (US) has issued a new travel advisory to its citizens who plan to travel to Uganda. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the US Mission in Uganda, the US government has asked its citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda due to anti-homosexuality legislation, crime, and terrorism. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, home invasion, and sexual assault, presents a serious threat to those visiting and residing in Uganda and can occur at any time, especially in larger cities, including Kampala and Entebbe, in the Karamoja region, and along Ugandas western and northern borders, the statement reads in part. According to the Joe Biden administration, some areas in Uganda have increased risk, further stating that there remains a threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country asking its citizens to remain alert and avoid large gatherings. The mission adds that the recently enacted Anti-gay law raises the danger to homosexuals with a risk of being prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or death based on provisions in the law. Supporters of the dignity and human rights of LGBTQI+ persons (including those of youth under the age of 18) could be prosecuted and imprisoned for multi-year sentences. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Uganda, the statement reads further. US citizens who decide to travel to Uganda are asked to be extra vigilant and cautious by among others keeping a low profile and be mindful that any public identification with the gay community can land them into trouble since such activities are illegal. The Uganda Young Democrats, the youth wing of the Democratic Party (DP) is questioning the agenda behind what they termed as publicizing the presidents sickness. Recently, the Ministry of Health confirmed that President Museveni contracted the deadly Covid-19 and that he decided to go into self-isolation. Since then, Museveni and other government officials have been sharing updates about his health status. Addressing the media at the DP headquarters in Kampala, the president of Uganda Young Democrats, Ismael Kirya, alleged that there could be a hidden motive for Musevenis illness, saying that he has been careful with his mask on. Kirya wonders how Museveni contracted Covid-19 since all the people he meets are subjected to mandatory Covid-19 tests before meeting him. News has been circulating about the presidents illness and as the Democratic Party, we would like to join the entire nation to wish the president of the Republic of Uganda a quick recovery, However, its quite disturbing this time when we see state house starting to publicise his sickness, Mr. Kirya said. Publicisiing the presidents sickness has never happened, you mean this is the first time president is suffering from a chronic disease? He suffered from a hand illness recently how come this was not publicized? Kirya wondered. Kirya claims that Museveni could be hiding away from foreign officials who want to discuss the recently signed Anti-Homosexuality Act or is busy doing some other things quietly. 1 of 4 PM ' 70 ... khaskhabar.com : , 13 2023 11:16 AM Well-known local artist Davy Holohan (Daithi O hUallachain) is putting the final touches together ahead of a new solo art exhibition planned for August. In many ways, Davys art is an extension of the man himself - reflective, often vulnerable, but always real. When you stand in front of Daithi, you know youre standing in front of a man with stories to tell. Hes a walking tapestry of tales. As real as it gets. Born into a Catholic and Republican working class family in Kilkenny City in the 1950s, Davy grew up with an eye for creativity. In his early teenage years he was taken on as an apprentice goldsmith by Rudolf Heltzel. After a year, he packed his bags and headed to the Aran Islands to learn Irish. Davy switched schools from the CBS to Kilkenny Vocational School when he arrived back in Kilkenny and immediately took to subjects such as technical drawing and metalwork. It turned out to be a great decision, he recalls. I was able to put together a really diverse portfolio of art from the subjects I did in school and the drawing I did at home. His portfolio was so impressive that it bagged him a scholarship and he went on to study Fine Art in the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). As part of his degree, Davy went on an exchange to Minneapolis, and dug his heels into bohemian youth culture. A mental health crisis later totally changed Davys life and work, with ensuing admissions, voluntary and involuntary to psychiatric hospitals. These experiences in institutions would shape a great core of Davys work throughout life. Thankfully, his stints getting treatment did not stop him from exhibiting his work when he was back on the outside. The birth of his daughter Shauna in 1994 further helped to ground him and gave him a renewed sense of purpose. Davy is now seeking to exhibit all the eras of his work as part of a grand retrospective on himself, whilst showcasing some of his new work too. Davy will be exhibiting at St Canices Neighbourhood Hall, Butts Green, from August 10 - 20. The launch will be on August 10 at 7.30pm. All are welcome! Irelands biggest annual pet competition is back celebrating its 10th year, now accepting entries from all types of pets until midnight on June 26. Last year 1,600 pets entered the Nose of Tralee - and it wasn't just cats and dogs that entered. There was even a chicken in the finals. To enter the Nose of Tralee, all pet owners need to do is upload a picture of their pet and tell us why they would make a great Nose of Tralee. Then, after a public vote and a judging panel, 32 finalists will be picked to represent each county in Ireland. The overall winner of the Nose Of Tralee will be announced on August 22 after an online public vote. Kate McQuillan, Owner of Pet Sitters Ireland, said: We are excited to celebrate 10 years of the competition and I know people have been waiting for entries to open so they could enter their pets. We are looking forward to seeing more amazing pets enter this year Last years winner was Tyrone Nose, Sadie and runner up Monaghan Nose, Betty. Pet owners can enter their pets in the Nose of Tralee at https://www.petsittersireland.com/nose-2023/ The winner and runner-up will receive prizes from Sponsors Pet Sitters Ireland, Tesco Ireland and David MaCauley Photography. HSE data obtained by FODO Ireland (community optometrists) show that in April, a total of 130 patients in Kilkenny and Carlow were waiting for over a year for eye treatments. In total there were 596 patients in Kilkenny and Carlow, on the eye treatment waiting list. Research shows 60% of existing outpatient activity - including AMD care - could be moved to primary care, thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments. There is a State plan to move care into the community but so far there has been little progress. I fully accept that we need to do more to address unacceptably high waiting lists including in our eye services, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly recently told a conference in Dublin. Community optometrists are delivering core eye care services to the eligible population in this country, through the States Community Optometry Services Scheme. I believe they have the potential to play an even greater role. My officials are working with the HSE, with a view to contracting more services, from acute and community settings, out to community optometrists. The latest figures, supplied to FODO Ireland, strongly support a case that the Government should roll out the Sligo cataract (pilot) scheme nationwide. This initiative reduced waiting lists in the NorthWest by collaboration between community optometrists and ophthalmologists to manage cataracts. In addition, lazy eye (amblyopia) is major issue that must be tackled early in life. Optometrists have the capacity and expertise to contribute significantly to delivering a new programme for school children. Pressure on surgeons can thus be reduced. Optometrists can and must be involved in providing eye care for school children. There is a postcode lottery created due to disparate local eye-care schemes. In addition, there is now not an effective national screening system for national school children. The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology has developed a model of care which details how the re-alignment of eye services from the acute hospitals to the community will be undertaken. The recommendations from the Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report also complement the Model of Care. Safety measures are underway at the steps at Lacken Drive, and more work will be carried out by Irish Rail according to Councillor Andrew McGuinness. Speaking at the Kilkenny City Municipal meeting, Cllr Andrew McGuinness said that he met with senior representatives of Irish Rail, including their Infrastructure Manager on Thursday and walked them through the issues. Im delighted to confirm, that following our representations on behalf of the residents, Irish Rail have finally installed a steel barricade on top of the wall at the steps to help prevent debris from falling onto the steps, he said. They have also committed to continuing clearing the excess vegetation and clearing away any debris that is still on the bank that is left over from previous works. They agreed to reviewing this work in four months time and if there is still an issue with falling debris, they will take further measures. Along with this work we have requested that a wooden fence be erected around the green area at Lacken Drive where Irish Rail have removed trees. This will help with blocking noise from the railway line, and it will take away the unsightly view of the steel fence that is there at present. Irish Rail have agreed to do this. They have also agreed to repair the green area following damage caused by machinery during recent works. It was a very positive meeting and Im happy now that work will be done at last. It has taken considerable time and it has been frustrating, particularly for the residents who do great work maintaining Lacken Drive. I have been given this commitment by Irish Rail and now it is up to them to get the work done as soon as possible. Along with the residents, I will be monitoring this to ensure its done quickly. I also met Minister Jack Chambers at Lacken Drive recently and brought all of the issues to his attention. Along with the issues around Lacken Drive, we did discuss a number of other issues in the area and with MacDonagh Station and I hope that some positive results will come from that in due course, he added. Councillor Eugene McGuinness also welcomed the improvement works that have been carried out at Lacken Drive and added that a small rail needs to be placed on top of the steel plate which would prevent further debris from gathering. Cllr Eugene McGuinness also called for the removal of the wall entering the bridge from the Dublin Road to OLoughlin Road and described the wall as dangerous. 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. Kilkenny Street has lost its most senior and respected man with the death of Dansy Walsh at St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny. Like father like son, Dansy took after his late father John serving his apprenticeship to the man we all referred to as The Barber. He emigrated to England and with the late George Williams joined the RAF. His next port of call was New York, where he joined the US Air Force serving as a barber. He soon acquired his own premises in the Bronx and became synonymous and famous for sourcing toupees worldwide. He was very happy to return home when he retired to Kilkenny Street to live with his late sister Kathleen. Next began a new chapter in his life of just over 95 years - working from his home he specialised in picture framing. There are many examples of his fine work in particular in the day room of Castlecomer District Hospital. He was charitable and generous to so many, always carried out with the utmost discretion. A lifelong member of the PTAA, his wit and sense of humour were legendary. A US citizen, the playing of the America the Beautiful was a fitting finale to a life well lived. Burial was in the Parish Cemetery after Requiem Mass celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception by Monsignor Michael Ryan, PP Castlecomer assisted by Fr Ian Doyle, Kiltown. Dansy will be sadly missed by his sisters Molly (Scotland), Lalo (New York), Bea (UK); brother Sean (London); nieces and nephews Kevin, Moira, Keiran, Imelda, Joe, Deidre, John, Anne, Mike Jim, Mary, Tracey, Kathrine, Michael, John and Rachel; extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - The Bank of Thailand has announced the launch of its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project as part of its efforts to improve the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions and lower overall costs. According to a report from the Bangkok Post, the Thailand central bank has partnered with the Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and Singapore-based payments service provider 2C2P to run the trial in a regulatory sandbox. Sam Tanskul, managing director of Krungsri Innovate, a corporate venture capital arm under Krungsri, said that the project will run from June to August and involve up to 10,000 users. Krungsri, one of the first financial institutions to start operating a pilot test for a retail CBDC, has invited its staff and roughly 100 merchants located near Krungsri's headquarters to test the digital baht. The bank is expecting that its pilot test, dubbed CBDC Krungsri, will see a large number of participants join in the coming months and has set a target of 2,000 staff joining the project. According to Sam, staff members participating in CBDC Krungsri will be required to install a mobile banking app and add money to it as an e-wallet. From there, the money will be converted into digital baht at the rate of one CBDC worth one bhat. The new digital currency can then be used to pay for goods and services at participating stores by scanning a QR code. The bank educated both merchants and staff about retail CBDC before launching the pilot project, and the testing has run smoothly, Sam said. He added that Krungsri has not set a limit on transaction value and is instead focused on stabilizing the payment system and monitoring how it operates during peak periods of activity. The new payment service is expected to help ease the intensity of transactions made under the countrys PromptPay service during peak periods once it has been successfully trialed. Sam said that aside from retail payments, the digital baht can be used for welfare payments, similar to the Pao Tang app, and the bank will need to determine a strategy to differentiate the CBDC from the PromptPay service. The adoption of digital baht should benefit the country's digital economy in the long term, he said. SCB has also launched its CBDC SCB Wallet pilot project, which is open to the banks' staff and merchants near its head office. In addition to helping modernize Thailand's payment infrastructure, another major benefit offered by a digital baht is that it would help reduce the costs associated with supplying physical money to the economy. The retail CBDC project was originally announced in August and was intended to launch in 2022, but unforeseen delays pushed its launch into Q2 2023. The Bank of Thailand first announced that it was developing a wholesale CBDC in 2018, and the central bank participated in the Bank for International Settlements mBridge cross-border payment project in Sept. 2022. The mBridge platform is a subset of the larger Project Inthanon-LionRock, a distributed ledger technology (DLT) CBDC cross-border payment endeavor involving the Thai and Hong Kong central banks that launched in Sept. 2019. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - One week after a Washington, DC district court granted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) their request for an emergency restraining order to freeze the assets of Binance.US, lawyers for the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange struck back. On June 5, the SEC filed a 13-charge lawsuit against Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao accusing them of operating an illegal platform in the U.S. and misusing customer funds. The following day, the United States District of Columbia court granted the SECs request for an emergency restraining order to freeze the assets of Binance.US. In a 42-page filing submitted on Monday, lawyers for Binance characterized the order freezing their assets as unnecessary, and accused the SEC of manufacturing an emergency. The SECs request for a temporary restraining order should be denied for several reasons, but the most important is this: there is no risk to BAMs customer assets, they wrote. Indeed, there is no emergency here at all, other than the one manufactured by the SEC for its own purposes, when the alleged securities law violations, according to the SEC, have been going on publicly and openly for years. Binances lawyers said that the SECs allegations that both Binance.com and Binance.US have been operating illegally since they launched make no sense. Why did the SEC let these platforms grow to their current size if it was always illegal? they asked. And how is it that the sudden emergency happens to coincide with the SECs assault on the crypto industry as a whole, with Binance and Coinbase being sued on back-to-back days? They wrote that while the SECs investigation into Binance has been going on for years, until May 30, 2023, the SEC never suggested to Defendants Binance Holdings Limited (BHL) or Changpeng Zhao that there was even a theoretical risk to BAMs customer assets. They also claimed that none of the Commissions filings from last week provide any answer to the fundamental question: why now? The filing goes on to list three basic arguments as to why the restraining order should be denied. First, the relief the SEC requests is unwarranted and improper, they wrote, because the SEC must carry the burden of establishing a right to the relief it requests, but all they have shared are the unfounded and subjective worries of its staff. They also claim that the SECs request for verified accounting of all of BHLs and Mr. Zhaos assets above and beyond those of Binance.US is overbroad and unduly burdensome. The second argument they offer is that the SECs conditions are untethered to the actual violations they accuse BHL and Zhao of committing. The case alleges only registration violations against BHL and only control person liability for registration violations against Mr. Zhao, they write. The SECs brief does not identify a single instance in which BAM customer assets were mishandled or misused and they claim that contrary to the SECs own standard for action, the requested relief does not preserve the status quo ante and harms the interest of investors. The third argument is built on the now-familiar claim that the SEC cannot demand that Binances U.S. operations register with them if they cannot provide a clear definition of which crypto assets are securities and under their jurisdiction. [T]he SEC has failed to show the requisite likelihood of success as to the registration claims against BHL and the control person claims against Mr. Zhao, they wrote. The SEC does not have authority to require registration when it has not answered the threshold question of what cryptocurrency assets, if any, constitute securities under federal securities laws. This complex question is the subject of intense debate and extensive legal proceedings across the nation. It deserves to be considered on a full record, not on a purportedly emergency basis over a matter of just a few days. After providing an alternative background history of the development of the Binance platforms and the businesses belonging to Zhao from the one contained in last weeks SEC filings, the lawyers devote the remainder of their filing to a detailed argument for why the emergency order should be denied. The TRO should be denied for several reasons, they wrote. First, the SEC provides no evidence that BAM customer assets are currently at risk or will be in the future, and, in any event, a number of the remedies sought by the SEC are moot or otherwise improper. Second, the SEC lacks standing to seek the remedies sought in the TRO against BHL and Mr. Zhao. Third, they argue that the SEC failed to meet its burden showing a substantial likelihood of success on its claims that BHL violated the Exchange Act or Securities Act, or that Mr. Zhao acted as a control person for those alleged violations. And finally, the lawyers claim that the emergency order is plainly not in the public interest. On the contrary, a TRO risks panic and destabilizing of the cryptocurrency markets. The SEC filed the emergency motion with the United States District Court for the District Of Columbia on June 6, asking that the court grant them (1) an order to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be granted as to the defendants; (2) an order freezing the assets of BAM Management; (3) an order directing the defendants to repatriate assets held for the benefit of BAM Trading's or BAM Managements (together BAM) customers; (4) an order for other relief concerning the custody and control of BAM customers assets; (5) an order prohibiting the destruction of records by the defendants; (6) an order requiring sworn accountings of certain assets from the defendants; (7) an order authorizing expedited discovery from the defendants; and (8) an order granting alternate means of service. Later that day, the court filed a response explaining why they had agreed to grant the SECs request. The Commission has made a sufficient and proper showing in support of the relief granted herein, the court wrote, by setting forth evidence from which an inference of a violation can be drawn and showing a likelihood that the Commission will prevail at trial on the merits and that the Defendants have engaged in and, unless temporarily restrained and enjoined by order of this Court, will continue to engage in acts, practices, and courses of business constituting violations of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. By granting the order, the court effectively froze the assets of Binance entities BAM Management and BAM Trading and prevented them from transferring the assets except to recognized third-party custodians. It also requires Binance to repatriate any assets held outside of the United States on behalf of Binance.US customers. Even if Binance were to prevail in their argument to the court, the emergency order has already had a profound and far-reaching impact on both their U.S. and global business operations. On June 9, Binance.US said that as a result of the freeze, the exchange would no longer be able to continue processing U.S. dollar deposits and withdrawals, announcing that they would become a crypto-only exchange. [I]n light of the Commission's increasingly aggressive tactics, our payment and banking partners have signaled their intent to pause USD fiat channels as early as June 13, 2023, meaning our ability to accept USD fiat deposits and process USD fiat withdrawals will be impacted, they wrote, adding that they are notifying users promptly so they can take necessary actions as we transition to a crypto-only exchange. The exchange also immediately suspended USD deposits and recurring buy orders, though they said any deposits already initiated will be processed. Any USD balances remaining on the platform after June 15th, 2023 may be converted to stablecoin that can be withdrawn on-chain, they said. Beginning June 12, the exchange started delisting U.S. dollar-denominated trading pairs such as BTC-USD, but will continue to support stablecoin pairs such as BTC-USDT. Cryptocurrency services remain fully operational, including: crypto trading, staking, deposits and withdrawals, they wrote. Until we secure more stable banking partners, Binance.US will remain a crypto-only exchange - at least for a time, they said. Thank you for your continued support as we fight for a path forward for those who want a thriving digital asset marketplace in America. The SEC lawsuit and restraining order also caused liquidity and activity on the Binance.US and Binance.com exchanges to fall, according to a report by Kaiko published June 12. Liquidity on Binance.US, which is measured by aggregated market depth for 17 tokens, dropped 76% in the week following the SEC's lawsuit, falling from $34 million to $7 million. As a result of the exodus of market makers, the exchange has seen its U.S. market share drop to 4.8% in June from 20% in April. Binances global exchange experienced a drop in market depth since the lawsuit as well. Binance [liquidity] is down ~7% since the start of June, Kaikos data shows. Binances market depth initially held steady, even increasing in the immediate aftermath of the lawsuit, but over the weekend fell as altcoin markets sold off. The sharp drop in liquidity suggests market makers are nervous and want to avoid volatility-induced losses and the non-negligible possibility that their assets could get stuck on an exchange a la FTX collapse, Kaiko wrote. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - In its recent report, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources of the Government of Australia (DISER) said that the global energy transition to low emissions technologies is expected to positively impact copper consumption in the coming years. DISER noted that coppers conductivity, malleability and durability make it vital to electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, batteries, and renewable energy generation, adding that by 2030, 10% of refined copper consumption will be accounted for by use in EVs, batteries and charging equipment. Importantly, according to the report, global copper consumption is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 2.7% in the coming years to reach over 30 million tonnes in 2028. On the other hand, global mined copper production growth is expected to average 2.0% in 2023-2028, with production projected at 24 million tonnes by 2028. Mined copper production growth is weighted to the first half of the outlook period driven by increases in production from Chile and Peru. However, growth in mined copper production is expected to slow towards the second half of the outlook period. Challenges facing mine operators include declining ore grades, higher production costs, aging facilities and increased environmental and social scrutiny. Declines in the quality of deposits will also mean that most new projects in the development pipeline lack the scale and cost advantages of existing mega projects, the authors of the report found. With significant copper demand growth expected over the outlook period, and with mined production growth likely to slow, it is projected that a market deficit will emerge. DISER said that copper prices are expected to remain relatively stable towards the middle of the outlook period, as new supply from Chile and Peru matches rising demand. However, it is forecast that demand will outpace supply from 2026, resulting in market deficits and upward pressure on prices. Higher production costs (partly due to declining ore grades), higher capex and higher financing costs will add to upward pressure on prices. Boliden said a fire broke out at its Ronnskar operation, a copper smelter on the coast of Sweden. "No personal injuries have been registered. It is currently not possible to assess the extent of the damage that has occurred, but the cell house has burned down. All production at Ronnskar is stopped until further notice, an initial assessment is that this can be resumed within a few weeks," said the company in a news release. Boliden has around 6,000 employees and annual sales of approximately SEK 85 billion. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Taiwan Mobile Co., the second-largest telecommunications company in Taiwan, is reportedly in talks with local crypto platforms to explore the possibility of collaborating to offer crypto trading to its users, which includes a potential investment in one of the businesses. According to a report from Bloomberg, several sources familiar with the matter who asked to remain anonymous have indicated that the government-licensed wireless service provider is in early-stage talks with several crypto firms, including Taipei-based XREX Inc., about forming strategic partnerships in the digital asset space. At this point, the discussions are still in the early stages, and a deal may not materialize, the sources said. When asked for a comment on the matter, Taiwan Mobile said that its open to any potential opportunities, but didnt elaborate further. Wayne Huang, co-founder of XREX a platform that describes itself as a blockchain-enabled financial institution declined to comment on whether his firm is in discussion with Taiwan Mobile, but said that he expects larger institutions to enter the Web3 sector as it matures and regulatory clarity emerges. While Huan shied away from speaking about Taiwan Mobile directly, he did say that XREX is looking forward to forming synergistic partnerships with telecom operators to help drive blockchain technology adoption in the future once the regulatory landscape becomes clearer. Synergies are high because such institutions own a sizable, already-KYCed user base, while XREX offers domain expertise in blockchain and cybersecurity, he said. According to Marvin Lo, a senior industry analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, Taiwan Mobile may be exploring the possibility of entering the fintech business, like what the Japanese telcos have been doing. Taiwan has been deepening its exploration of blockchain technology and Web3 over the past year, with Taiwanese officials announcing the launch of its new Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) office in August amid escalating tensions between China and the island country located at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. The new ministry is in charge of policies related to information, telecommunications, communications, information security and the internet when it launches, with information security coming in as the most pressing concern currently. In March, Huang Tian-mu, the chair of Taiwans Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), announced that the FSC had been selected as the primary regulator of cryptocurrencies for the island nation and would focus on ensuring that all crypto trading platforms keep the crypto assets they own separate from those owned by their clients. The FSC will also supervise all exchange product listings along with other customer protection measures. While it has been tasked with payments and transactions, other industry-related assets, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), will be handled by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. Taiwanese lawmakers are also currently working on developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and are attempting to have them developed and approved by the end of September. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 82F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MYN Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 24,000 shares, a decline of 54.7% from the May 15th total of 53,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 75,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Price Performance Shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.91. The companys stock had a trading volume of 30,294 shares, compared to its average volume of 70,804. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund has a 52-week low of $8.89 and a 52-week high of $11.27. The firms 50-day moving average is $9.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.05. Get BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0315 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.38 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.81%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund About BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 125.3% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 8,450 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund in the 4th quarter worth $110,000. Melfa Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund in the 4th quarter worth $113,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 142.8% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 13,113 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 7,712 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 24.9% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 14,039 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $138,000 after purchasing an additional 2,800 shares in the last quarter. 15.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Rating) BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund. The companys investment objective is to provide shareholders with a high level of current income exempt from federal taxes and New York state and New York city personal income taxes. The company was founded on March 16, 1992 and is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CIK Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, June 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th will be paid a dividend of 0.0225 per share on Friday, June 23rd. This represents a $0.27 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Trading Up 3.9 % Shares of CIK opened at $2.96 on Tuesday. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund has a 52-week low of $2.39 and a 52-week high of $3.01. Get Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CIK. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund by 118.7% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 35,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 19,076 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund by 3.3% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 210,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $641,000 after acquiring an additional 6,700 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $73,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund by 27.9% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 37,587 shares of the companys stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 8,195 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund by 0.9% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,338,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,654,000 after acquiring an additional 11,966 shares in the last quarter. 7.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Company Profile Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in high yield corporate debt such as bonds and debentures that are rated Baa or lower by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lombard Odier Asset Management Europe Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Get Rating) by 3.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 19,403 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 621 shares during the period. Lombard Odier Asset Management Europe Ltds holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $10,685,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TMO. Bornite Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Bornite Capital Management LP now owns 30,000 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,719,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 2,928 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,729,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 563.5% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 19,844 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $11,721,000 after purchasing an additional 16,853 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 60.5% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 321 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $190,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 669 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.92% of the companys stock. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently weighed in on TMO shares. Barclays decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $675.00 to $660.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. KeyCorp decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $610.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $631.31. Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance Shares of NYSE:TMO traded up $5.51 during trading on Monday, reaching $523.69. 1,245,621 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,471,444. The companys 50 day moving average is $544.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $554.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $202.00 billion, a PE ratio of 34.14, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $475.77 and a 52 week high of $611.06. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $5.03. The firm had revenue of $10.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.67 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. The companys revenue was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $7.25 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 earnings per share for the current year. Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.27%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is 9.13%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total transaction of $855,712.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total value of $5,452,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Thermo Fisher Scientific (Get Rating) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. South Korea and Cuba have recently held high-level consultations to discuss the strengthening of exchanges despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties, according to informed sources Tuesday. The meeting between Foreign Minister Park Jin and Josefina Vidal, Cuba's deputy foreign minister, was held last month on the occasion of Park's visit to the 28th ministerial council meeting of the Association of Caribbean States held in Antigua, Guatemala, on May 11, the sources said. The unannounced meeting marked the two countries' first high-level consultations since the previous one held in May 2018 between then Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez. The two sides reportedly exchanged views on ways to strengthen the countries' ties. Cuba is the only Latin American nation with which South Korea has no diplomatic relations. Despite the lack of formal ties, South Korea is continuing behind-the-scenes efforts to engage with the Latin American country and establish relations. Seoul provided $200,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to Cuba when the nation suffered massive damage from a fuel tank explosion last August. Despite the government's efforts, Cuba reportedly remains passive in seeking formal ties with South Korea due to the Latin America country's connections with North Korea. North Korea and Cuba have maintained close relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1960. (Yonhap) The Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River in Caddo and Bossier parishes will be closed nightly for one week beginning Monday. The closures are scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night, and are necessary to allow for preliminary design work related to the Jimmie Davis Bridge replacement project. The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have agreed to make available an EU guarantee enabling the EIB to provide 100 million of new loans to Ukraine for fast recovery, such as for municipal or energy infrastructure repairs. This EU guarantee is one of the elements of the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative that the EIB approved in March 2023 and which also includes the EU4Ukraine Fund and a 100 million technical assistance and advisory package from the EIB's own funds. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: The EU is stepping up support to address Ukraine's fast recovery needs. In addition to our 1 billion for fast recovery to support critical sectors, the agreed EU guarantee allows EIB to lend to Ukraine an additional 100 million on very favourable terms. We are determined to bring back life to all the communities in Ukraine that suffer from Russia's aggression. The Commission will use the European Fund for Sustainable Investment Plus (EFSD+), the financing arm of the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation (NDICI) -Global Europe to guarantee up to 100 million of new EIB loans to Ukraine. The loan agreements, made possible under the 26.7 billion guarantee agreement signed between the European Commission and the EIB in May 2022, are expected to be signed later in 2023 and then disbursed as soon as requested by Ukraine. These loans will contribute to help closing Ukraine's financial needs for fast recovery priorities in 2023 in light of the updated Ukraine recovery and reconstruction needs assessment. Background Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues to cause terrible human suffering, massive destruction of infrastructure, towns and communities and major disruption of the economy. Russia's strikes against civilian targets, energy infrastructure and other utilities have resulted in widespread damage. Destruction of housing and productive capacity has been substantial, and access to electricity, water, and heating is at risk. The EU and the EIB have provided substantial financing for the modernisation of Ukraine and relief support since the start of Russia's war. Overall, the EU has made available 70 billion in support for Ukraine and its people, including - with this latest agreement - 2.4 billion of EIB financing to Ukraine, backed by an EU guarantee. In the conclusions of its meeting of 15 December 2022, the European Council invited the EIB to step up its support for Ukraine's most urgent infrastructure needs, in close cooperation with the Commission and International Financial Institutions (IFIs). The EIB Board of Directors approved on 29 March 2023 a new support package for Ukraine (the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative), envisaging inter alia the set-up of a trust fund (EU4Ukraine Fund) that would provide a risk-sharing mechanism between the EIB Group and donors. This will enable the EIB Group to provide new loans to Ukraine and other relevant products, notably partial portfolio guarantees for Ukrainian banks. The EU guarantee to enable the EIB to lend an additional 100 million to Ukraine will be complementary to the EU4Ukraine Fund. For More Information European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) European Council conclusions, 15 December 2022 EU for Ukraine initiative Ghaziabad (UP), Jun 13 (PTI) Shahnawaz Khan, a key accused in an alleged conversion racket, was sent to 14-day judicial custody Tuesday by a Ghaziabad court where he was produced after being brought from Maharashtra's Thane on a transit remand. A court in Maharashtra's Thane had granted the Uttar Pradesh police transit remand of Shahnawaz Khan alias Baddo on Monday. Also Read | Mumbai Rains 2023 Photos, Videos and #MumbaiRains Tweets Go Viral: Share Quotes, Greetings, Messages and Images To Celebrate the Rainy Season. Khan, who hails from Thane's Mumbra township, was arrested from a relative's place in Alibag in Raigad district on Sunday, the official said. A Ghaziabad Police team that had gone to Thane brought Baddo here on the intervening night of June 12-13. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Weather Forecast: IMD Predicts Rain in Few Places in the State Over Next Five Days. After a brief interrogation, he was produced before a Ghaziabad court which sent him in 14-day judicial remand, ACP Kavi Nagar Abhishek Tripathi said Now, police will seek his police custody remand for detailed interrogation, he said. A case of conversion was lodged by a resident of Kavi Nagar on May 30 in which he alleged his son was lured through an online gaming app to adopt Islam. Khan hails from the Mumbra township in Thane district. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Sanjay Prakash Rai 'Sherpuriya' for further three days in a money laundering case. He was produced after the expiry of four days of remand granted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Also Read | Online Shopping Scam: Curb Malpractices Like 'Dark Pattern', Government Asks E-Commerce Entities Like Amazon and Flipkart. Vacation judge Aparna Swami extended the remand of Sherpuriya after hearing the submission of counsel for ED. "Taking into consideration the reasons/ grounds cited in the application for extension of police custody remand for the purpose of custodial interrogation of accused Sanjay Prakash Rai. Three days (03) police custody remand is given to El) with the directions that he is medically examined in the Government hospital today and as well as on the date of production, the court directed. Also Read | Shakthi Scheme in Karnataka: 41.34 Lakh Women Passengers Travelled in KSRTC Buses on Day One After Siddaramaiah-Led Congress Government Launched Free Bus Travel in State. Further, the accused will be allowed to meet his lawyer every day for 15 minutes, it added. The accused will be produced before the court on June 16, the court directed. ED sought an extension of remand for three more days on the ground that on 12.06.2023 during the accused's remand 17 premises were searched including the office premises of the companies wherein the accused has a financial interest or where the accused is the ultimate beneficial owner and recovered certain incriminating documents and digital records which are crucial for the purpose of investigation. Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) appeared through video conferencing and Advocate Mohd. Faizan Khan appeared and represented ED. It was submitted that custodial interrogation of the accused is required with respect to the huge digital/ physical records, which have been seized during the searches conducted on 12.06.2023 by the Directorate under Section 17 of PMLA Act 2002. On the last date, the agency sought an extension of remand for further investigation relating to money received from a Dalmia Family Office Trust as donation and money generated from the sale of property in Gujarat, and to record statements of other persons. SPP had submitted that the custody of the accused is required to examine and record the statement of five more persons, to verify details of property sold in Gujarat, a jeweller of Chandni Chowk who has assisted in the layering of the cash transactions. SPP had also submitted that it is revealed in interrogation that cash of Rs 10 crore is involved in the matter. Earlier it was Rs Six crores. He deposited the cash in a bank account through some people. The court had granted seven days remand of the accused to the ED on June 2. He was produced through video conferencing (VC) in the last hearing. He was arrested by the ED after interrogation in Lucknow jail. Earlier he was arrested by the UP police. In the order of June 2, the court had noted that it revealed in the FIR of UP police that the accused portrayed himself to be close to top politicians, and ministers in India and allegedly took Rs.6 crores in the account of YREF as a donation from Dalmia Family Office Trust. It was also submitted that the entry of the bank account has already been examined by the Local Police station and it is a matter of record that in the relevant account of that organization how much amount is lying deposited. The Counsel for the accused submits that there is no real necessity for ED for taking the accused into police remand. The SPP for ED had submitted that since the investigation is open-ended and required to be conducted for the purpose of confronting even the Dalmia family trust is already involved in other two matters of ED, therefore, the investigation is not confined only to the documents asserted in the examination in the investigation. He further submitted that there is also evidence as mentioned in the application that Rs 7 crores in cash was recovered which were from unknown sources which were deposited in different accounts by the said accused to launder the money. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Jun 13 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it would be difficult to provide separate reservation for transgender persons in education and government jobs. Also Read | NEET UG Result 2023 at neet.nta.nic.in, ntaresults.nic.in: NTA Likely To Declare NEET Undergraduate Examination Results Soon, Know How To Check Scorecard. Advocate General Birendra Saraf told a division bench of acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep Marne with the existing percentage of reservation in the state, providing additional reservations for transgenders looks difficult. Also Read | West Bengal Shocker: Bank Robbed at Gunpoint After Locking Staff Inside Toilet in Birbhum. "Considering the extent of vertical and horizontal reservations, which are already provided, providing additional reservations for transgender persons seems difficult," Saraf said. The court was hearing a petition filed by one Vinayak Kashid, a transgender who is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and post graduate in Technology (Electrical Power System Engineering), seeking modification to the advertisement issued by MahaTransco in May this year for mass recruitment to include transgenders. Kashid's lawyer Kranti LC had earlier informed the court that 1 per cent reservation was provided for transgenders in all caste categories in Karnataka, and prayed that such reservation policy be adopted in Maharashtra as well. Saraf told the court that the Central government has not yet come up with any guidelines or regulations to implement the Supreme Court judgment recognising transgenders as third gender and are entitled to the same Constitutional and legal rights as any other citizen. He suggested that Kashid make a representation before the expert committee, set up by the state government on the matter of reservation for transgender persons. The bench adjourned hearing in the plea so that the state government's expert committee considers the aspect of reservation first. The state government had in March this year issued a government resolution (GR) for recruitment of transgenders in employment and education. The GR stated that an expert committee would be set up under the social justice department comprising 14 members. The 14 members were mostly secretaries of various state departments and psychologists. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): Crisis-hit airline Go First on Tuesday announced that its scheduled flight operations will remain cancelled till June 16, adding that a full refund will be issued to the passengers. Earlier, it was supposed to be till June 12. "We regret to inform you that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled till June 16, 2023, have been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations," Go First said in a tweet. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Weather Forecast: IMD Predicts Rain in Few Places in the State Over Next Five Days. "We acknowledge the flight cancellations might have disrupted your travel plans and we are committed to providing all the assistance we can," they said in a letter. They further said, "A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly." Also Read | Telangana CM KCR Says State Top Across Country in Various Development Parameters Including Paddy Production on China socially. Earlier on June 8, Go First announced that its scheduled flight operations will remain cancelled till June 12. The airline operator had in early May filed for voluntary insolvency and since then its operations were kept stalled. Civil aviation regulator DGCA had advised the airline to submit a comprehensive restructuring or revival plan, within a period of 30 days. The revival plan once submitted by Go First shall be reviewed by the regulator for further appropriate action in the matter. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], June 13 (ANI): Farmer leader Karam Singh Mathana on Tuesday said that the Haryana government has agreed to their demand for implementation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 6,400 for sunflower seeds. Notably, traffic on Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway 44 continued to be affected on Tuesday with farmers blocking the road at Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra over the demand to increase the minimum price for sunflower crops. Also Read | Tamil Nadu: Two Persons Found Dead After Consuming Liquor in Mayiladuthurai District; Probe Underway. "The major issue of MSP is still not solved but our meeting with the Government was successful. Today, the government has agreed to fulfil our demand," Karam Singh Mathana said. Meanwhile, the farmers have announced to end their protest. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Liquor Bottles Thrown Inside Mosque in Indore; Case Registered (Watch Video). "The blocked roads will be opened today. We were protesting so that our crops are purchased at MSP. We will keep fighting for MSP across the country. Our leaders will also be released soon. Cases filed against our leaders will be taken back," Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said. The crops had been damaged due to unseasonal rains in the state in March-April this year. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. The farmers are demanding that the state government procure sunflowers at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government is giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crops sold below MSP. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Concerned departments where the production-linked incentive scheme is not picking up may consider some course correction in the plan, a top government official said on Tuesday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh said the concerned ministries have to see if PLI disbursement is low or if firms are not able to meet their performance thresholds, in such cases, sometime relaxations may be required like the way it has been done for the IT sector. Also Read | India Launches ONDC Initiative To Empower Small and Medium Businesses. Last month, the government announced the PLI 2.0 for IT Hardware with a budgetary outlay of Rs 17,000 crore. "We are hopeful of utilising Rs 1.97 lakh crore for the scheme...but in an individual scheme, there may be some course correction," Singh told reporters here. Also Read | Reliance Jio Ahead of Peers in Fixed Wireless Access Deployment Due to Wider 5G Coverage, Says Report. The government has announced the PLI (production-linked incentive) scheme for as many as 14 sectors, such as telecommunication, white goods, textiles and pharma with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore. The government has disbursed only Rs 2,900 crore till March 2023, out of Rs 3,400 crore claims received. When asked about the reason for low disbursals, Additional Secretary in the DPIIT Rajeev Singh Thakur said that the next two years would be crucial. "In eight sectors, we are disbursing the incentives and in the remaining six, we are hopeful (to start the disbursements). This year and next year, we will be on track," Thakur said. On this, the secretary added that they are "not too" concerned about the lag in the incentives as investments are happening. "We expect the disbursement to pick up...Projects are on the ground, and investments and employment are happening. The disbursement will follow...But yes, there is a lag," the secretary said. The eight sectors where PLI performance is healthy include large-scale electronics manufacturing, pharma, food processing, telecom, white goods, auto and auto components. Sectors which are not picking up well include high-efficiency solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries, textile products and speciality steel. Further, the secretary said that proposals for extending fiscal benefits under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for toys, leather and footwear and components for new-age bicycles are in advanced stages. Singh said they all are at different stages of consideration. "Few of them are in the advanced stages like toy, leather and footwear, components for new age bicycles," he told reporters here. In these 14 sectors, the government has received 733 applications as of March this year. In these sectors, 3.25 lakh jobs have been generated and goods worth Rs 2.6 lakh crore have been exported till 2022-23. He also pointed out that Apple and its vendors are coming to India and "we want to follow" the success of this sector in other segments also. Thakur said that in electronics and mobile manufacturing, value addition has been increased to 23 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. It was negligible in 2014-15. In China, the value addition is about 49 per cent and 18 per cent in Vietnam. According to the department, mobile phones export from India has increased to Rs 90,000 crore during April-December 2022-23 against Rs 45,000 crore in 2021-22. Out of the total mobile phone exports during 2022-23, 82 per cent were by the PLI companies. iPhone 14 exports from India would touch USD 10 billion in 2024-25, according to a presentation by the department. The additional secretary also informed that the government is getting a good amount as tax due to these investments. "Our guess is that", the government would have collected about Rs 5 lakh crore as taxes and duties, Thakur said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, June 13: The Indian labour market is indicating positive sentiments for the July-September quarter of this year and businesses in the IT industry continue to report the brightest hiring outlook, a survey said on Tuesday. According to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey of nearly 3,020 employers, the labour market is indicating positive sentiments in the third quarter of 2023 despite news of layoffs and anticipated global economic slowdown. Job Hiring Activities Slows Down by 7% in May 2023 As Companies Become Cautious, Cut Expenses Due to Economic Slowdown: Report. As many as 49 per cent of employers report higher intentions for hiring, while 13 per cent do not expect to hire, leading to a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 36 per cent. When compared to the same period last year, hiring sentiments have declined by 15 per cent, while there is a 6 percentage points growth when compared to the last quarter. Globally, employers in all 41 countries anticipate a net positive hiring outlook, with Costa Rica topping the chart with a net employment outlook of 43 per cent, followed by the Netherlands (39 per cent) and Peru (38 per cent) in the second and third positions, respectively. India was ranked at the fifth place (36 per cent) after Australia in the global list. Most cautious outlooks were reported in Japan (14 per cent) and Taiwan (15 per cent), the survey said. As per the survey, 84 per cent of Indian employers are recruiting for 'green jobs' or roles requiring 'green skills'. Sector wise, companies in the IT, technology, telecom, communications and media reported hiring outlook of 47 per cent and 89 per cent of them are currently hiring for green jobs, followed by financials and real estate sector with 41 per cent outlook and 85 per cent focussed on green job hiring, the survey said. "India is one of the significant IT talent hubs for tech companies across the globe. Coupled with that, is the government's continuous reinforcement in the semiconductor industry, both of which is fortifying the IT sector as the dominant player for growth in the Indian job market," Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup India and Middle East, said. Gulati further noted that "demand during the festival season is expected to fuel the overall economy which will largely impact the temp staffing industry as well as the gig economy positively." As per the survey, employers in all four regions expect to grow payrolls during the third quarter of 2023. Reddit Layoffs: Social Discussion Platform Lays Off Nearly 90 Employees, Slashes Fresh Hiring. The hiring pace is the most promising in the West with a 42 per cent net employment outlook followed by North and South where it stood at 39 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively. In the East, the net employment outlook stood at 29 per cent, it added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, June 13: President Joe Biden believes that there can be no better partner than India which plays an increasingly important role in every element of global politics, a senior official has said, giving an insight into the decision-making process of the administration to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a State Visit. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Modi for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22. "The President believes that there is perhaps more upside in the US-India relationship than any other bilateral relationship for the United States on the planet. I also think he fully recognises as we look forward in the 21st century, ...if you have to build a partnership for this incredibly challenging period ..., there's no better partner than India, a senior administration familiar with the planning of the high-profile visit told PTI on Monday. Modi, 72, is only the third Indian Prime Minister to be invited by the US for an Official State visit. PM Modi Dinner With Joe Biden and Jill Biden During US Visit: Biden Family to Host Intimate Dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21, Hot Ticket State Dinner on June 22. He is also only the third foreign leader invited by President Biden, 80, reflecting on the significance given by him to the India-US relationship and his friendship with Modi. A lot of discussions went on inside the administration before it decided to extend an invitation to the prime minister. As you can imagine, there are a number of criteria that go into these decisions. There's quite a bit of competition, I think it'd be fair to say who should come on this visit. I think the reality is India plays an increasingly important role in every element of global politics, commented the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, giving an insight into the decision-making process of the administration. Further, the president enjoys his relationship with the prime minister. I think it would be fair to say that the President has gotten to know Prime Minister Modi through close association with him at the QUAD and a number of meetings in global engagements. And obviously... in Washington as well, said the official. The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia was set up in 2017 to counter China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region. Visuals that emerged from the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, reflected the close friendship between Biden and Modi. Both the leaders shared a tight hug as they greeted each other. In May, the annual summit of the G7 grouping and the third in-person Quad leaders' meeting was held in Hiroshima. The G-7 bloc comprises Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Italy, as well as the European Union. The US, India, Japan and Australia are the members of the Quad grouping. I think what we're finding on so many issues, whether it's technology, it's climate change, and also defence, the United States and India share ever closer perspectives, said the official. Modi's visit to the US comes ahead of the G20 Summit being hosted by India in September. Modi Ji Thali in US Video: New Jersey Restaurant To Introduce Special Thali Ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modis State Visit to United States; Plans To Dedicate One to S Jaishankar. After becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Modi has made more than half a dozen trips to the United States for bilateral and multilateral meetings with all three American presidents, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and now Biden, but this is for the first time he has been invited for an official state visit, a privilege accorded to America's close friends and allies. His last visit to Washington was in September 2021 at the invitation of President Biden for a bilateral meeting. He had also attended the first in-person Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by Biden. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Toronto, Jun 13 (PTI) The Canadian government is developing a process to ensure that a large number of Indian students facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters will get an opportunity to prove that they were taken advantage of, immigration minister Sean Fraser has said. The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, face deportation from Canada after the authorities here found their admission offer letters to educational institutions fake. The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada. Also Read | Sri Lanka: Road Accidents Claim Over 700 Lives in First Four Months of 2023. Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser asserted that the "innocent students, who are the victims of fraud", would be allowed to "prove that they were taken advantage of." The government will provide an "appropriate remedy" for them, he said while noting that many students were "dealing with serious mental health concerns with the uncertainty they are struggling with." Also Read | Migrant Workers in London Face 'Shocking' Levels of Exploitation: Report. "We'll put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them," Fraser said in response to a question by Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. The minister, however, reiterated that the fraudsters or those complicit in fraudulent schemes would bear the consequences of not following Canada's laws. India has repeatedly been urging Canadian authorities to be fair and take a humanitarian approach since the students were allegedly victims of some agents. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has taken up the issue with Canadian authorities. "If there were people, who misled them (the students), the culpable parties should be acted upon. It is unfair to punish a student who undertook education in good faith," he said in New Delhi. "We are in touch with Canada on the issue," he said. Some Indian students in Canada facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters have received "stay orders" from Canadian authorities, government sources said in New Delhi on Sunday. The sources also said that the actual number of Indian students facing deportation from Canada is much less than 700. Last week, a Canadian parliamentary committee voted unanimously to urge the border services agency to stop the deportation of Indian students who were duped by unscrupulous education consultants in India to enter the country with fraudulent college admission letters. Kwan, who tabled the motion, said on Monday that "international students who have been defrauded by crooked consultants should not be punished with deportation and inadmissibility based on misrepresentation". Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to a question by Indian-origin MP Jagmeet Singh on the fate of the Indian students, said, "We are deeply aware of cases of international students facing removal orders over fraudulent college acceptance letters." "To be clear, our focus is on identifying the culprits, not penalising the victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situations and present evidence to support their cases," he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Jun 13 (PTI) Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the trajectory of the Indo-US partnership is "unmistakable and filled with promise", and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit to the US will further solidify the defining relationship of the 21st century. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official state visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. Also Read | Well Shut You Down, Raid Homes of Employees: Jack Dorsey Alleges Indian Government Threatened Twitter During Farmers' Protest (Watch Video). Addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) here on Monday, Blinken said: "We know that India and the United States are big, complicated countries. We certainly have work to do to advance transparency, to promote market access, to strengthen our democracies, to unleash the full potential of our people." "But the trajectory of this partnership is unmistakable, and it is filled with promise. It is being written in places like North Carolina, where our growing engagement is benefiting both our countries," he said, as he highlighted several projects in the state benefiting both nations. Also Read | Earthquake in Myanmar: Quake of Magnitude 3.7 on Richter Scale Hits Burma. According to the top US diplomat, one North Carolina entrepreneur from Gujarat -- commenting on this explosion of US-India commercial activity -- observed, "'This couldn't have happened 15 years ago'." Blinken has said economic ties are at the heart of the Indo-US strategic partnership, and under the leadership of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi "and private sector leaders like you -- it is growing stronger by the day." Blinken added that last year, trade between the two countries reached a record USD 191 billion, making the US the largest trading partner for India. American companies have invested at least USD 54 billion in India -- from manufacturing to telecommunications. In the US, he said, Indian companies have invested over USD 40 billion -- in IT, pharmaceuticals and more -- supporting 4,25,000 jobs from California to Georgia. This February, Air India announced the historic purchase of more than 200 Boeing aircraft that will support an estimated one million-plus jobs across 44 states, Blinken said. "We're here ahead of a historic state visit by Prime Minister Modi -- one that will further solidify what President Biden has called a 'defining relationship' of the 21st century," Blinken said. "We see this defining relationship in our unique connection as the world's oldest and largest democracies, with a special obligation to demonstrate that our governments can deliver for and empower all our citizens." Blinken said both the US and India are making transformative investments in their own countries -- through Biden's USD 1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Modi's Rs 100-trillion infrastructure plan -- to make their respective economies more productive and attractive for investors. "India has joined three pillars of our new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework -- committing to build more resilient supply chains, seize clean energy opportunities and combat corruption," he said. "Together, we are helping shape the innovations of the future and the norms governing them -- from artificial intelligence to quantum computing," Blinken said and added that in January, USIBC co-hosted a roundtable where the two governments inaugurated a new Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. "We're elevating and expanding the strategic technology partnership between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in the US and India because we believe how technology is designed and used should be informed by democratic values and respect for human rights," he said. Central to that cooperation is diversifying and deepening the supply chains with trusted countries while also reducing strategic dependencies, he said. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and her counterpart Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal recently established a partnership to make the semiconductor supply chain more resilient. In Tamil Nadu, the US International Development Finance Corporation provided USD 500 million to help a leading US company build a solar manufacturing facility. This project will power roughly 30 million light bulbs in homes, schools, and businesses across India, create over a thousand jobs for Indians and Americans, and shift a key component of the US' clean energy supply chain to a close partner, the top diplomat noted. On the strength of bilateral ties, Blinken said: "The road that we've travelled over the last 25 years has been quite extraordinary, and I think it's a testament to the importance that we attach to the relationship that it's a road that has gone through multiple administrations, Democrat and Republican. "We continue to move further down the road of strengthening the partnership between our countries," he added. He said the people of the two nations share deep bonds, "but maybe most important here in the United States is an Indian American diaspora over 4 million strong and growing stronger every day. The US and India's education systems have produced the leaders of some of our most iconic companies from Google to Infosys to not to mention former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, who is now the new president of the World Bank and onetime president of the USIBC, he said. Indian Americans have created a third of all immigrant-founded startups in the United States. "Think about that for a minute. That is extraordinarily powerful," Blinken said. "We see the importance of the partnership in a shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges promoting health security, working with our Quad partners to build a free, open, secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific where people, where goods, where ideas can travel freely and rules are applied fairly," he said. Whether it's investing and inventing new technologies, combating the climate crisis and helping to build more inclusive economies, Blinken said he has tremendous confidence that the rising generation of Indians and the rising generation of Americans will take the bilateral relationship to new heights. "And in doing that, they will not only benefit our countries, they will benefit the entire world," he added. He again expressed the deepest condolences of the United States to the victims of the terrible train crash in Odisha's Balasore which killed more than 280 people. "I had an opportunity to speak to my friend Foreign Minister Jaishankar when we just shortly after the accident, and just to convey to him how much it had resonated here in the United States as we saw the images and to let him know that we stand with the people of India as they recover from this human tragedy." He praised India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, for his remarkable work in advancing the relationship between the two nations and their people. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London [UK], June 13 (ANI): The annual visit of senior military, and civilian students of the National Defence College to the UK demonstrates the longstanding deep relationship between Indian and UK forces. "The @DefenceHQ was pleased to host the annual visit of senior military and civilian students of the National Defence College. The visit was a further demonstration of the longstanding deep relationship between India and UK forces," tweeted the official account of UK in India's Defence Adviser, Brigadier Nick Sawyer. Also Read | Sri Lanka: Road Accidents Claim Over 700 Lives in First Four Months of 2023. Meanwhile, as UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell attended the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Varanasi on Monday, new climate and tech partnerships were announced to benefit all by tackling global challenges, informed the British High Commission in India. Mitchell joined India and G20 partners in calling for reinvigorated efforts to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Also Read | Migrant Workers in London Face 'Shocking' Levels of Exploitation: Report. The new UK support includes funding for a tech start-up focusing on sustainable agriculture, including through growing vegetables in an environmentally-friendly way, as per an official release by British High Commission. UK's International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for the G20 starting Monday - and to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships. He reinforced at the gathering in Varanasi how the UK's partnerships and investments are having a multiplier effect in tackling the biggest shared challenges of today - including climate change, poverty and food insecurity. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, June 13: The Mumbai Police have recovered the bodies of two minor boys and a search was resumed for two others still missing in the tragedy, the BMC Disaster Control said here on Tuesday. The boys were sucked into the Arabian Sea off Juhu Koliwada on Monday evening. The police recovered the bodies of Dharmesh Valji Faujiya and Shubham Yogesh Bhogania, both 16, and were sent to the R.N. Cooper Hospital. 6 People Drown in Sea at Mumbai's Juhu Beach: BMC Reports 2 Were Rescued by Public, 4 Still Missing. Two others, Manish Yogesh Bhogania, 12, and Jay Roshan Tajbariya, 15, are still missing in the rough Arabian Sea waters, stirred by the cyclonic conditions of 'Biparjoy'. Of the total five victims who drowned Monday evening, one boy was rescued by the locals and fisherfolk, while the Mumbai Police, BMC fire brigade with speedboats, along with an Indian Navy chopper searched the sea till almost midnight for them. The five were part of eight school friends who had gone on an impromptu half-day picnic to Juhu late on Monday afternoon, on the eve of the school reopening for the new academic year from Tuesday. Drowning at Juhu Beach: Six People Drown at Mumbai Beach, BMC Says Two Rescued; Search Operation Launched for Four Missing. From the eight, five reportedly ignored warnings and went to a small fishing jetty from where they were swept off by the powerful waves in the water, and the power current quickly sucked them over half-km into the sea. The eight minors, all non-swimmers, lived in a slum area of Vakola and had quietly slipped off for the evening sojourn that resulted in a watery grave for half the group, and the first major monsoon tragedy in Mumbai. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2023 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). In an unfortunate incident, an accident took place at the BFPP2 power plant of Tata Steel in Odisha today. The news was confirmed by Tata Steel who in an official statement said that the incident took place at Tata Steel Meramandali Works in Dhenkanal, Odisha due to an escape of steam. "The accident occurred at 1:00 pm (IST) today during the course of the inspection work and has affected a few people working at the site, who were immediately shifted to a hospital for further treatment," the statement read. The company also said that after the incident, all emergency protocol services were activated and the area was cordoned off. Tata Steel Share Rallies, Subsidiaries Slump on Merger Plan. Read Tata Steel's Statement Here: In a statement, Tata Steel says, "We are saddened to report an accident at the BFPP2 power plant due to escape of steam at Tata Steel Meramandali Works in Dhenkanal, Odisha. The accident occurred at 1:00 pm (IST) today during the course of the inspection work and has affected a pic.twitter.com/rycvypRkrR ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Chandigarh/Ottawa, June 13: Believing that immigrant students, largely from Punjab, who have been facing deportation from Canada over a case of fake documents, are the victims of fraud, the country's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said they would put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them. During Question Hour at the House of Commons on Monday, Fraser reiterated that they were working on helping innocent students. "I'm glad to share that we have been working hard as we discussed a week ago. We're working to develop a process to ensure that the innocent students, who are the victims of fraud, have an opportunity to remain in Canada," he said in response to a question from Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. Fraser added people who knowingly committed fraud or were complicit in fraudulent scheme will bear the consequences of not following Canadian laws. Canada: Turban Ripped, Sikh Student From India Dragged by Hair in British Columbia. Acknowledging the mental health concerns of the affected students with the uncertainty they are facing, he said they will put a process in place to allow them to prove they were taken advantage of and provide a remedy for them. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued deportation notices to students whose admission offer letters to educational institutions were found to be fake. They filed visa applications 2018 onwards till 2022 through Jalandhar-based Education Migration Services headed by one Brijesh Mishra, who is on the run and has shut all his operations operating from Jalandhar. He is s also accused of cheating students of tens of thousands of dollars. The students had gone to Canada on a study visa but the fraud came to light after they applied for permanent residency (PR) recently. Standing behind the students facing deportation, Kwan, an MP for Vancouver East, had earlier moved two motions at the immigration committee in support of the international students subjected to exploitation scheme. She questioned how this situation was allowed to happen and why fraudulent documents were not detected until years later when the students began to apply for permanent status. Favouring a pathway on humanitarian grounds, Kwan said: "The significant harm experienced by students, including financial loss and distress, and measures necessary to help the students to have their deportation stayed, inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived and provide a pathway to permanent status." She asked the immigration committee to examine how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Saying the data of 700 Indian students who fear deportation is factually incorrect and highly exaggerated, Punjab-origin MP Sukh Dhaliwal said their number could be around 200. "As per our (MPs) briefing (by the government), their number could be around 200, 50 cases are under consideration and some of them have already been deported," Dhaliwal told IANS on Tuesday over phone. He said only one student from Punjab who is facing deportation has contacted him. "As per our information gathered by my office, the student, who passed out of a two-year programme from Langara College with high grades, is the genuine victim of fraud. "We are in regular touch with the CBSA and immigration minister Sean Fraser and asked them to evaluate individually of those who were actually cheated and each one will be given the opportunity to present his/her case... The victim should not be punished but the culprit be brought to justice," he added. Canada Wildfires: This Old Video of Reforestation Shows How Tree Planting Is Done at Quick Pace After Forest Fire. Dhaliwal said it is a network of immigration cheats, mainly based in Punjab and Delhi, who have colluded to cheat the Canadian system by getting the students admitted in a college on misrepresentation of facts and fraudulent details. Later, they told the students that their admission to the college has been cancelled due to a consultant's disagreement with the college. They further advised the student to take admission in any other college since they have study permit. "I have also asked the Punjab government to rein in ghost consultants so that not only the students but also others who are coming as immigrants to Canada should be prevented from fraud," he said, adding "they are a victim to fraud, due to which many of them went into a lot of stress". Lovepreet Singh, the first among the students to be deported on June 13, from Punjab's Mohali is accused by Canadian authorities of obtaining a visa on fraudulent admission letter for a Canadian university. His deportation has now been stayed. Social media has score of stories about victims from India losing thousands of dollars to ghost or unauthorised consultants. Many innocent people later realise that their consultants were unauthorised and not only cheated them but also ruined the application for permanent residency too. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2023 03:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On 12 June Irans Presidentmet Venezuelas Presidentin Caracas, where they agreed to deepen their cooperation in a range of fields. End of preview - This article contains approximately 398 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 12 June Hondurass Presidentmet her Chinese counterpartin Beijing. End of preview - This article contains approximately 590 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Montserrat Caballero, the mayor of Tijuana in Mexicos northern state of Baja California, revealed on 12 June that she is temporarily living in a military base, home to the 28th Infantry Battalion, as a result of security threats. Analysis: Tijuana, on the Mexico-US border, has a reputation for high levels of violence linked to drug-trafficking routes operated by criminal cartels. According to the Mexican navy it is currently the number three city by volume of fentanyl seizures, the synthetic opioid that is being smuggled into the US in large quantities. Caballero, a member of the ruling left-wing Movimiento Regeneracion Nacional (Morena) party, who has been mayor since 2019, claims that she is the target of threats because of her success in fighting crime. At a press conference the mayor asked rhetorically why am I being threatened? going on to supply her own answer because we are getting results [in the fight against crime]. She claimed Tijuana police have seized more weaponry than any other force, and that thousands of local criminals are now in prison. On 17 May gunmen opened fire on one of the mayors bodyguards who at the time was driving a vehicle unaccompanied. He survived with light injuries from colliding with the windscreen. The case continues to be investigated. While giving little detail, Caballero said that because of other threats received, the national guard (GN) had suggested she should move to live inside the military base until further notice. Caballero has nevertheless attracted criticism for off-the-cuff remarks. In 2021 in what appeared to be an ill-judged attempt to promote tourism, she said Tijuana was a place where visitors could if they wanted get lost in drugs. Looking Ahead: With the campaign for nominations in next years presidential elections gathering pace, the government led by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will be looking for narratives that cast a favourable light on its efforts to combat crime and improve security. But for many analysts the Tijuana story fails to fit the bill. Despite the ebb and flow in crime statistics the cartel presence remains strong: for voters, moving the mayor to an army base could be seen as a sign of weakness rather than strength. On 12 June Chiles far-right opposition Partido Republicano (PR) announced that it will present a motion of censure against the health minister, End of preview - This article contains approximately 357 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 12 June Brazils Presidenthosted, the president of the European Commission, the European Union (EU)s executive branch, and discussed the obstacles to a trade deal between the EU and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). End of preview - This article contains approximately 396 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Flan has proven to be one of the most popular Latin desserts, from Western Europe to the Americas to the Philippines and beyond. This custard dish is beloved and has been absorbed into the national cuisines of many countries. However, where did this creamy and eggy dish originate? Well, the safe answer would be Europe, though flan traces its roots from a truly ancient origin, and that is ancient Rome itself. In other words, it really is a truly Latin dish. According to We Are Cocina, Romans were the first to domesticate chickens for egg-harvesting purposes, and this meant that they also began developing new ways of preparing them. This included mixing eggs with cream to make a flat Latin cake known as "flado," which would evolve into the modern custard flan we have today. Initially, "flado" was not sweet. It evolved into dessert when the Spaniards had a go at it. As for the modern name, it was taken from Old French, which called the dish "flaon." The word was taken from its Late Latin name, "fladon," which took from the Old High German word "flado." The original word essentially means flat cake. The Journey of 'Flado' to Becoming Flan Back when "flado" was invented, it was more of a savory dish rather than a dessert as it originated from an egg surplus during the Roman Empire. The egg and milk or cream mixture has always been there, but in the ancient Roman world, it had a lot of other flavors, including peppered eel. According to cheesecake.com, there were some sweet ones though, using honey as the sweetener, but flado was essentially a savory dish otherwise. As the Romans conquered Europe, they spread flado, with the sweeter variant becoming popular in the lands conquered by Rome's vast legions, including the Iberian Peninsula, where Spain and Portugal are. When the Roman Empire finally fell to the Barbarian invasions by Germanic tribes, flan's sweet variant survived. READ NEXT: Mexico's Day of the Dead: A Colorful Way to Mourn the Dead and Celebrate Life Flan survived the Frankish conquest of Spain, the Moorish invasion, and the Reconquista. Soon, Spain started its own expansion, finally taking flan to the New World in 1518 when he landed in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Spaniards then slowly conquered the Americas, taking the dessert to its conquered territories where it also became popular with the locals. They even took it to its Southeast Asian colony, the Philippines, where it remains popular to this day. Modern Day Flan These days, flan is no longer flavored with eels as it is truly a global dessert. Invented by Romans, refined and spread by the Spaniards, and adopted by Latin Americans, it has proven very popular in the modern day, especially in Mexico where it is considered the most popular. These days, flan is mostly a mixture of egg, cream, and sugar, topped with caramel, with the now-iconic caramel topping being added by the Spaniards, according to Soccarat. However, some variants use citrus fruits and almonds as flavorings, and this was thanks to some Moorish influence. In Mexico, there are various flavors, which range from the classic vanilla flan to chocolate flan and coffee flan. In the Philippines, more exotic variants also exist, including ube or purple yam, as well as pandan leaf. READ MORE: Mexico: 5 Underrated Mexican Food That Are Not Tacos This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: How to Make Easy Baked Flan | Flan Recipe | Allrecipes.com Governor Ron DeSantis' policies have attracted Nazis to support him, as a Florida protest outside of Disney World featured protesters waving swastika flags. These protesters appeared to be supporting the controversial Florida governor in his ongoing feud with Disney. The Nazi protesters were spotted outside the Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando last Saturday, many of whome were waving red and black flags emblazoned with swastikas, Nazi, and white supremacist imagery, according to USA Today. Some of them were also holding posters of DeSantis and voicing their support for him. DeSantis representatives, as well as Disney's, were reached for comments but have yet to respond to the requests. However, the pro-DeSantis Florida protesters got many pushbacks from plenty of rights groups. This includes the Combat Antisemitism Movement which pointed out that a similar incident happened last month. The protest came as DeSantis continued his Disney World feud over LGBTQ rights. Disney, which is noted for giving its support to Florida politicians, opposed the controversial DeSantis-backed "Don't Say Gay law" and its expansions which banned the discussion of LGBTQ matters in schools. DeSantis pushed back at the Disney criticism and the feud continued to escalate even further. Florida Protesters Shout Racist and Homophobic Slurs Around a dozen Neo-Nazis took part in the protest in front of Disney World, with several concerned citizens sharing videos and images on social media. One of the first ones to share was Democratic Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani, who called the Nazi support of DeSantis disgusting. Nazis outside of Walt Disney World right now absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/WeXtRi3OSL Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (@AnnaForFlorida) June 10, 2023 Another DeSantis critic, lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder, called out DeSantis's Florida while activist Shannon Watts showed an image of the protesters proudly showing their Nazi symbols along with a DeSantis 2024 flag. The Florida governor is currently running for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential elections. READ NEXT: Texas Sheriff Files Criminal Charges Over Ron DeSantis's Martha's Vineyard Migrant Stunt DeSantiss Florida. Where Nazis come to Disney pic.twitter.com/gAQuXlTbUJ Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) June 10, 2023 Two dozen white supremacists are outside the main Disney World entrance in Orlando right now, marching with signs featuring Gov DeSantiss face, swastikas, the n-word and homophobic slurs. This is the 2023 Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/ISh5dkDGYe Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 10, 2023 Watts also revealed that the Nazi protesters were shouting racial and homophobic slurs, including the n-word. In one of the videos, one of the men was heard shouting "Go back to Mexico!" which is a common insult to people of Hispanic descent, even if they were not originally from Mexico in the first place. Ron DeSantis's Press Secretary Deletes Tweet Questioning If Pro-DeSantis Protesters Were Nazis The incident of Neo-Nazis showing their support for a Florida politician is nothing new, as back in 2022, a group of neo-Nazis lined a bridge in eastern Orange County while brandishing swastikas and pro-Trump banners while yelling profanities and antisemitic slurs at passing cars. Now it seems the Neo-Nazis in Florida are being pro-DeSantis, though it seems that the governor's press secretary questioned if the pro-DeSantis protesters outside Disney World were actually Nazis despite the flags they were carrying. According to Florida Politics, press secretary Christina Pushaw tweeted, "Do we even know they're Nazis?" This elicited a lot of criticism, with Pushaw deleting the tweet soon after. READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Nazi flags, DeSantis flags seen flying outside Disney during protests | USA TODAY Indigenous children from the Huitoto tribe in Colombia have defied the odds by surviving for over six weeks following an Amazon jungle plane crash that claimed the lives of the adults they were traveling with, the NY Post reported. The remarkable story of their survival captivated the nation, with President Gustavo Petro expressing admiration and declaring that it will go down in history. The children, aged 13, 9, 4, and 11 months, received medical care at a hospital in Bogota, where grateful family members, military personnel, and President Petro visited them. Fidencio Valencia, the children's uncle, revealed that they managed to sustain themselves in the jungle by consuming cassava flour, a staple in the region. When the plane crashed, they salvaged a bag of flour from the wreckage, which became their lifeline. As the cassava flour eventually ran out, the resourceful children resorted to eating seeds from familiar plants in the area. Lesly Mucutuy, the eldest child, demonstrated exceptional survival skills her grandmother taught her. She built a camp in the forest using hair ribbons and was responsible for finding safe meals for her younger siblings. According to the children's aunt, Damaris Mucutuy, Lesly's knowledge of the jungle's dangerous fruits has prevented them from consuming anything harmful. She also exhibited caregiving skills, looking after the newborn sibling throughout their ordeal. Despite being dehydrated and covered in insect bites, the children are in relatively good health and have received visits from social workers and tribal musicians. READ NEXT: Colombia: 4 Children Lost in Amazon Found Alive Children's Mother Survives Four Days After the Amazon Jungle Plane Crash In a heart-wrenching turn of events, new details have emerged surrounding the tragic plane crash in Colombia and the incredible survival of four young siblings in the Amazon jungle. As the story unfolds, it has come to light that their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, bravely clung to life for four days following the Amazon jungle plane crash before making the heartbreaking decision to urge her children to leave her behind, hoping it would increase their chances of being rescued, as per The Guardian. Manuel Ranoque, the father of two children, revealed the harrowing account of his wife's final days. While Magdalena initially survived the collision, her condition deteriorated, and tragically passed away four days later. Ranoque shared the account relayed by his daughter, shedding light on the mother's selfless act. According to Ranoque, in her final moments, Magdalena expressed her deep love for their children and encouraged them to go on without her. She believed that by embarking on their journey, they would witness the kind of man their father was and experience the same unwavering love she had shown them throughout their lives. Four Indigenous Children Were 'Cared for by the Jungle,' Says Colombia President The four Huitoto children, Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy (13), Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy (9), Tien Ranoque Mucutuy (4), and infant Cristin Ranoque Mucutuy, emerged as the sole survivors of a devastating Amazon jungle plane crash, CNN noted. Left alone in the dense wilderness on May 1, their disappearance sparked a large-scale search operation involving over 100 colombian special forces personnel and more than 70 native scouts. Despite weeks of extensive efforts, the search yielded only tantalizing clues, such as footprints, a soiled diaper, and a bottle. The children's oldest sibling had some experience navigating the forest, but as time passed, hope began to wane. President Gustavo Petro revealed that the young survivors even encountered a dog during their arduous journey, demonstrating their resilience and resourcefulness. The children's discovery came when scouts finally located them in a tree-free area, a mere three hours away from the crash site, but the journey took much longer due to the challenging terrain of the jungle. According to reports, the children's grandfather expressed his belief to Colombia's President that their survival was in the hands of the jungle, which ultimately decided to return them. President Petro hailed the children's survival as a "gift to life," indicating they were "cared for by the jungle." READ MORE: Body of Missing Mother Found After Ex-Boyfriend's Arrest This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Four children found alive, rescued from Amazon jungle 40 days after surviving plane crash - From KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source Ron DeSantis's latest stunt where he sent a group of migrants from Texas to New Mexico and then flew them across state lines to Californioa might cause him legal trouble. Now, the migrants are saying that Florida contractors pushed to get them to board the chartered flights to Sacramento. Most of the migrants DeSantis dumped in Sacramento were from Venezuela, seeking asylum in the United States. One of them is Maria, who traveled over 2,800 miles to the US-Mexico border before gaining entry and seeking shelter at Sacred Heart Church in downtown El Paso, Texas. Much like other asylum seekers, she was released on parole by Customs and Border Protection. However, she had no money to even pay for a plane or bus ticket and even slept in an alley outside the shelter on some nights. This was until a woman approached her and offered to fly her to California for free. "She said I should go, that there were people there to receive us who would give us lodging, that they would help us ... get our [immigration] papers in order," Maria told the Los Angeles Times. She reportedly had no idea that the woman was a contractor hired by the administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The woman, along with three other people--another woman and two men--were seen walking along the El Paso migrant shelter trying to recruit migrants. They were reportedly telling the migrants that they were trying to help. They managed to get 16 migrants to agree, driving them to a small airport in New Mexico before flying them to California. US Migrants Wary of Ron DeSantis Contractor Recruiting People Three of the US migrants who were approached, including Maria, admitted they did not go because the offers were "vague and suspicious" and that they were pushing aggressively. They also insisted on looking at the documents that border agents had given them. READ MORE: Florida Republican Seen Begging Latinos Not To Leave After Ron DeSantis Immigration Law Passes The fraud case against DeSantis's contractors may also get stronger because of this, as they reportedly made plenty of false promises. One of the contractors allegedly told one of the migrants, who wanted to go to New York, that one of the people in California would help them go to their desired state. When the migrants arrived, none of the help promised was there. They were dumped in a Catholic church and left to fend for themselves. According to Yahoo! News, those that did board the plane were offered help finding housing and jobs. One of them included a family that the contractors tried to separate as they were unsure if the children could go. Ultimately, the family was allowed to board the plane together but soon found out that they were lied to as they reached California. There were no jobs or housing were waiting for them. El Paso Bishop Blasts Catholic Ron DeSantis's Migrant Stunts Ron DeSantis's recruiters targeted a Catholic church in El Paso as they looked for migrants to send to California as part of the governor's stunts to "own the libs." Now, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso is blasting the Florida governor, who is a devout Catholic himself, because of his reprehensible actions. "Without going into the details of the politics of it, it does seem clear that they were being used not out of concern for the migrants but in an effort to make a political point," said the bishop, who pointed out that the migrants coming in the US have no idea how far cities and states are from one another. The bishop also called the stunt itself reprehensible, saying, "It is taking person who already has lost everything - everything. They have nothing, not even a nation they can really call their own because they have had to flee that nation. And then using them for your own purposes: That is not morally acceptable." DeSantis, who is possibly facing charges in Bexar County, Texas for his Martha's Vineyard migrant stunt, could face additional charges from California for this latest one, His office has already admitted to sending the plane full of migrants to California. READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Attorney Mirian Albert discusses federal lawsuit against Ron DeSantis over migrant flights - WPLG Local 10 The class action lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Epstein victims against JPMorgan Chase has finally wrapped up as the bank has agreed to pay them around $290 million. The bank had a close relationship with the former financier and infamous child sex predator, as it was revealed that JPMorgan Chase ignored internal warnings and overlooked red flags regarding Jeffrey Epstein as he was a valuable client with all the money he was bringing in. According to Reuters, Epstein was the bank's client from 1998 to 2013, with the bank continuing its relationship with him even after his 2006 arrest, which was related to prostitution. Epstein pleaded guilty a couple of years later. Over 100 Jeffrey Epstein victims filed the class action lawsuit against JPMorgan, and they were led by an individual known as Jane Doe 1. She and the other victims claimed that the disgraced financier abused them when they were still young. Many of them were still teens when they were abused. The settlement came less than a month after Deutsche Bank settled a similar lawsuit by Epstein's victims. The German bank, which had Epstein as their client from 2013 to 2018, agreed to pay $75 million to the Jeffrey Epstein victims. "The settlements signal that financial institutions have an important role to play in spotting and shutting down sex trafficking," said one of the victims' lawyers, Sigrid McCawley. The lawsuit alleged that the bank knowingly benefitted from Epstein's trafficking activities. JPMorgan Chase Admits Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein Was a Mistake Following the lawsuit's settlement, JPMorgan Chase admitted to CBS MoneyWatch that the behavior of their infamous sexual predator of a client was "monstrous." "Any association with him was a mistake and we regret it," the bank said in an email. "We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes." READ MORE: Polygamous Cult Leader Samuel Bateman Had Child Brides The bank also stated that the settlement was "in the best interest of all parties, especially the survivors, who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of this man." While the bank, considered the largest bank in the United States, has now settled with the Jeffrey Epstein victims, JPMorgan still faces a lawsuit by the US Virgin Islands government, which was where he took some of the victims to be abused. The infamous pedophile owned two neighboring islands in the US Caribbean territory. Jeffrey Epstein's Belarusian Girlfriend Visited Him Just Days Before He Committed Suicide Before Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide inside his jail cell, he was in a relationship with a woman named Karyna Shuliak, who is from Belarus. Epstein reportedly had a serious relationship with her, and she was seen visiting him during the days leading to his death. The Daily Mail received Epstein's prison logs, and it revealed that Shuliak visited Epstein just 11 days before his demise. Sources also claimed they had been dating for seven years before the Epstein suicide. READ MORE: Mexican Megachurch Leader Jailed in California for Sexually Abusing Minors This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: JPMorgan reaches settlement with victims of Jeffrey Epstein - WPBF 25 News In Argentina, there is a dispute between lithium mines and Indigenous people. Now, legendary Hollywood director, explorer, and environmentalist James Cameron has been caught in the middle. The "Avatar" and "Titanic" director was in Argentina this week to speak at a sustainability conference in Buenos Aires. Part of his trip included visiting northern Jujuy province and checking out its large solar plant with Governor Geraldo Morales. However, he did not know that he would also be invertedly speaking on behalf of Lithium miners. The governor posted about the director's visit and thanked him for dropping by. However, he added "Lithium Extraction" to Cameron's tour of the province's energy facilities. This brought a positive spin on the controversial lithium mining activities there, which have caused conflicts with Indigenous people, according to the Associated Press. James Cameron Pushes Back Against the Lithium Industry Cameron was not happy with his image being used. The "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" director now says he feels he "walked into an ambush" with the visit but threw a curveball at the pro-mining politicians as he stated that he would now devote attention and money from his Avatar Alliance Foundation to the plight of these Indigenous communities opposing lithium mining all over South America. "Ironically, the outcome of this is that I am now aware of the problem and we will now assist through my foundation with the issue of Indigenous rights with respect to lithium extraction," the "Aliens" director told a group of journalists who gathered in his Buenos Aires hotel room on Friday evening. READ NEXT: Pope Francis Teases Returning Home to Argentina Before Announcing New Archbishop of Buenos Aires Cameron was informed of the matter when he received a letter from Indigenous people during a meeting with local environmentalists. He admitted he had no idea of the controversy regarding lithium mining in Argentina ad stated. "I feel like I was put into an optic that had meaning that I wasn't aware of," the director said. According to CTV News, Cameron pointed out that the Lithium mining industry purposely used him as good optics to spin the industry as environmentally friendly. This is mainly because of the message of Avatar, which pushes back against the mining industry. "If you could generate an optic where I appear to be approving of lithium mining, then you have a mandate of some sort or an approval of some sort," said the director, who met with a representative of one of the Indigenous communities from Jujuy, Veronica Chavez, before leaving Argentina. Letter From Indigenous Community to James Cameron Contained Avatar References It was clear that James Cameron was not happy about Argentina's Lithium mining industry, considered the fourth biggest in the world, using his image for their propaganda. However, the letter sent by the Indigenous community might have also been a big help. "Jujuy is Pandora, and it is under the threat of the greed of the mining industry, and we are the Na'vi," the Indigenous people wrote in the letter, clearly referencing the events in the world of "Avatar" where local inhabitants fought against mining colonists, according to The Hill. READ NEXT: Lionel Messi Contract with Inter Miami This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: El director de cine James Cameron destaco la conciencia ambiental que tiene la Argentina - Telam Donald Trump arrived in Miami Tuesday afternoon for his scheduled court appearance on his federal indictment as part of the investigations of his mishandling of classified documents, which included US military and nuclear secrets. The former president is currently facing 34 felony charges relating to his illegally hiding these classified documents and refusing to give them back to the government. Trump has insisted he did not do anything wrong, though the Justice Department has uncovered evidence that he knowingly hid these classified documents from being returned. Legal analysts have pointed out that the Trump classified documents case has some big national implications, as Justice Department prosecutors say that the ex-POTUS's actions jeopardized national security, as he kept these documents in areas that were not really secure. The Associated Press reported that Donald Trump arrived in Miami via his private jet at around 3:00 pm on Monday. He is expected to meet with advisers and lawyers ahead of his court appearance. So far, he has been firing up his supporters, stoking fears that he may cause violence as he did on January 6. He has so far encouraged his supporters to protest his indictment at the courthouse in Miami. "We need strength in our country now," said the ex-POTUS during an interview with longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, who had also previously been convicted of federal crimes. "And they have to go out and they have to protest peacefully. They have to go out." Trump added, "Look, our country has to protest. We have plenty to protest. We've lost everything," before insisting that he would never drop out of the 2024 race. He is currently the frontrunner in the Republican primaries, ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. READ MORE: Donald Trump Supporters Threaten Violence Amid Classified Documents Indictment Donald Trump Aide Also Charged in Classified Documents Case Another man has also been charged in connection to the Donald Trump classified documents case, and that is US Navy veteran and Trump aide Walt Nauta, who helped Trump move the classified documents from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, Florida. According to the BBC, he faces up to 90 years in prison as he faces six criminal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding records, concealing documents, scheming to conceal facts from investigators, and making false or misleading statements. Nauta was seen on surveillance footage removing boxes from the storage room before an imminent search of the Trump-owned resort. After the search, he was seen moving these documents back to where they were previously. It was also alleged that he lied to the FBI in 2022 when he told investigators he did not know where the boxes of classified documents were. Donald Trump Allies Try Defending Ex-POTUS Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans are appearing on news shows in an attempt to either defend the president or shift the blame. This includes Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who Rolling Stone reports contradicted Trump as he tried to defend him. He stated that he did not believe that Trump admitted on tape that he did not declassify the documents despite the evidence saying otherwise. Jordan then claimed that the Constitution stated that Trump can declassify documents so he can put them wherever he wants. However, when CNN host Dana Bash pointed out that Trump admitted to not declassifying them, Jordan chose to contradict the president's own words and claimed that "he has said time and time again he's declassified all this material." Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham also tried his hand at defending his ally, saying that Trump did not commit espionage and claimed that he is now stronger politically because of the charges. However, during that interview, it was pointed out that the senator refused to acknowledge evidence that showed Trump willfully broke the law by hiding the documents. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Leaked Tape This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: How strong is the classified documents case against Trump? - TODAY A California man's Hawaii honeymoon took a devastating turn when he lost his life while snorkeling. The unfortunate events continued to unfold as the couple's rental car was stolen during the ongoing rescue efforts, according to Insider. Steven Phan, a 49-year-old Apple shop employee from Silicon Valley, drowned on June 1 while snorkeling off the coast of Oahu's Electric Beach. Phan was on his honeymoon with his wife, Brittany Myers Phan, and was reported missing during the snorkeling excursion. Fortunately, a spear diver located him and initiated a rescue. Bystanders performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived, and Phan was transported to a local hospital. Tragically, he passed away later. As if the loss wasn't devastating enough, the couple faced another blow when their belongings, including their rental car, were stolen during the same time frame. The thieves took their cell phones, wallets, money, and clothing, leaving the widow without access to her husband's items. A GoFundMe page set up for Phan confirmed the drowning and highlighted the additional hardship the couple faced due to the theft of their belongings. The fundraiser's descriptions expressed the deepening sense of tragedy and loss caused by the theft. READ NEXT: Missing Woman in Hawaii Possibly 'Eaten by Shark' California Man's Wife Remains in Hawaii, Trying to Get an ID The Honolulu Police Department is actively investigating the theft and auto theft during the unfortunate incident involving a California couple on their Hawaii honeymoon. Amid the already heartbreaking situation, Brittany Myers Phan, the widow of Steven Phan, faced additional challenges. She needed a new ID to return to the Bay Area for her husband's burial, per KFOR. Witnesses expressed their sympathy for Myers Phan, highlighting the proximity of tragedy and the logistical burdens she now faces. The image of a newlywed couple on their honeymoon, filled with joy and happiness, sharply contrasted with the current reality. "I'm still kind of shaky inside just thinking, oh my God, they're honeymooners. It's supposed to be happy," said a local Waipahu resident Rhonda Aquino. "I feel so sad inside, like, [I] cannot believe still." The loss of Steven Phan profoundly affects family and friends, describing it as devastating for Brittany and her loved ones. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support the family during this challenging time, with donations exceeding $26,000 as of Monday, PEOPLE noted. The heartfelt messages shared on the fundraising page reflect Steven's profound impact on the lives of those around him, highlighting his qualities as a true friend and a fantastic husband. His absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew him. Phan's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Campbell, California. Electric Beach Where California Man Dies Can Be Dangerous Sometimes Electric Beach in O'ahu, Hawaii, is renowned for its snorkeling opportunities on the island's western coast. However, as the beach's popularity grows, locals like Aquino are urging caution due to strong currents in the area. Aquino, who holds cherished childhood memories of Electric Beach, points out that the beach lacks a lifeguard despite the influx of tourists. She believes the beach's rising popularity, fueled partly by social media, has increased visitor numbers. To address safety concerns, Andrea Tupola, a city council member, has announced plans to establish a lifeguard station and station attendants at Electric Beach. The installation is expected to be completed by early September. READ MORE: Amazon Plane Crash This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Man drowns on honeymoon; thieves steal couple's belongings in Hawaii, friends say - From ABC 7 Chicago A well-known Lehigh Valley chef has parted ways with Fiamma Italian Grill just four months after the popular eatery outside Bethlehem announced the duo partnership. Chef Paolo Nota, whose lengthy culinary background has spanned ownership of the former Paolos Italian Restaurant in Northampton Borough and former A Ca Mia outside Walnutport, in May gave notice at Fiamma, owner Joseph Jurkivo told lehighvalleylive.com. Notas last day at Fiamma, 2118 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County, was on Mothers Day, Jurkivo said. Nota joined the restaurant when it reopened this past January following extensive fire damage. The devastating blaze torched the building in February 2022. Business, however, exploded upon the reopening. Jurkivo estimated current patronage being up 20% than before the fire. Fiamma was too much for him, we are too busy, Jurkivo said of Nota. He added Nota also wanted to spend more time with family. Now, Nota plans to lead the culinary team at Aromi by Chef Paolo, which will be a new Italian dining concept at Woodstone Country Club and Lodge, along Dogwood Drive in Lehigh Township. Aromi is slated to open Thursday, replacing Ciros Italian Kitchen, according to owners and a posting on the businesss Facebook page. We are so excited to have Chef Paolo as a part of our Woodstone team, a posting states. His passion for food and his dedication to delivering exceptional dining experiences are unmatched and we cant wait to share it with you all at Aromi. Jurkivo said he wishes Nota the best in this next chapter. Paolo Nota is and always will be someone very special to me and near and dear to my heart, he said. I wish him well in his new venture and hope he and his family are forever happy and healthy. Jurkivo additionally expects no changes to the menu because the recipes he learned were taught to him by Nota himself. He worked with me, he did not take over my kitchen, Jurkivo said jokingly. No menu items were specifically his ... The menu was mostly my creation and will stay. Jurkivo and Nota initially met in the 1990s at Pane E. Vino Restaurant now Fiamma when Nota was chef and a young Jurkivo wanted to learn more about the culinary industry. This past summer, a now 60-year-old Nota approached Jurkivo about his future plans. Nota then told Jurkivo he was planning retirement within the next handful of years. The pair eventually decided to team up with Nota then leaving A Ca Mia, where he continued to cook for the eatery after selling it to a sous chef. A Ca Mia closed for good shortly after Nota departed. Baker Bens Bakery is now planned to soon open in the former A Ca Mia space. When reached for comment, Nota echoed wanting to spend more time with family and needed a place close to home to work as reasons for the Fiamma departure. He said the chance to join Woodstone Country Club was too good to pass up. I was going to retire and this opportunity came along and I could not refuse it, Nota said. Woodstone Country Club additionally mentions in its social media postings Nota is a good fit for their establishment based on his extensive European culinary background. Notas career started in his home country of Italy, where he graduated in 1979 from the Culinary Institute of Torino. He then worked in the French Riviera as an apprentice and as a sous chef before coming to the United States in 1984. He then went on to work at and open various restaurants in the region. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. An eatery specializing in Chinese and Japanese cuisine has finally opened its doors after satisfying multiple code violations in Bethlehem Township. Kung Fu II, 4402 Birkland Place, last month experienced delays in grand opening after Township Planning Director Amanda Raudenbush said the eatery had to address various building and fire safety issues. None of the issues pertained to food safety and food-related violations, Raudenbush said. Hoshi Zheng, who owns the eatery with his wife, Joey Xu, was then able to secure a certificate of occupancy. It allowed the couple to flip over the open sign on June 1, Raudenbush said. Xu told lehighvalleylive.com hes planning a grand opening Tuesday following the June 1 soft opening. Kung Fu II replaces CJT, an Asian fusion eatery known for serving up Chinese, Japanese and Thai entrees. That longtime restaurant recently closed at the shopping center. Kung Fu II is the second location for the couple. Zheng and Xu about four years ago opened the original Kung Fu in Doylestown, Bucks County. Kung Fu II has both Chinese and Japanese specialties, including a full sushi bar with nearly two dozen different rolls. The BYOB restaurant also has dining for about 80 people and offers takeout, Zheng has said. Hours of Kung Fu II are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is closed Mondays. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether. Banks issued roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. Thats up from 350,000 reports in 2021. Meanwhile the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints of mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior years total. Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. The problem has only gotten worse and postal authorities and bank officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office. Meanwhile, as the cases of fraud increase, victims are waiting longer to recover their stolen money. Check usage has been in decline for decades as Americans have largely switched to paying for their services with credit and debit cards. Americans wrote roughly 3.4 billion checks in 2022, down from nearly 19 billion checks in 1990, according to the Federal Reserve. However, the average size of the checks Americans write rose from $673 in 1990 or $1,602 in todays dollars to $2,652 last year. Despite the declining use of checks in the United States, criminals have been increasingly targeting the U.S. Mail since the COVID-19 pandemic to commit check fraud, FinCEN wrote in an alert sent out in February. Lehigh Valley authorities, most recently in the Bethlehem area, have reported thefts from local mailboxes and warned residents not to deposit mail with checks or cash into outdoor mailboxes. Checks are still frequently used by small businesses. Eric Fischgrund, who runs FischTank PR, a 30-person public relations firm in New York, had about 15 checks that were being mailed to him from clients stolen after they all went through the same Postal Service distribution center. Ten of them were successfully cashed by criminals. The checks were stolen in March and Fischgrund became aware of the problem in April, when several of his clients who were never late missed payments. The Postal Service investigated and Fischgrund has recovered about 70% of the revenue, but some of the cases havent yet been resolved. According to the investigator on the case, the perpetrators used technology that melted ink in the to field of the checks so they could write in fake names. FischTank instructed all its clients to change their paper format because it was dealing with a check fraud issue. Fischgrund said hed never previously had an issue with check fraud in the nearly 10 years he has run his own business. Now he has a clause in invoices and new client contracts that asks for electronic payments only. I dont think well ever go back to asking for checks as an option, he said. Todays check fraud criminals are not small operations, or lone individuals like the Leonardo DiCaprio character in the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can, counterfeiting checks from his hotel room and apartment. They are sophisticated criminal operations, with participants infiltrating post office distribution centers, setting up fake businesses or creating fake IDs to deposit the checks. Walkers, or people who actually walk in to cash these checks, receive training in how to appear even more legitimate. In one case in Southern California last year, nearly sixty people were arrested on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people. Criminals are getting the checks or identification information by fishing mail out of U.S. postal boxes, looking for envelopes that appear to be either bill payments or checks being mailed. The most common type of check fraud is whats known as check washing, where a criminal steals the check from the mail and proceeds to change the payees name on the check and, additionally, the amount of money. Some criminals are going further and using the information found on a check to gather sensitive personal data on a potential victim. There have been reports of criminals creating fake entities out of personal data obtained from a check, or even opening new lines of credit or businesses with that data as well. This allows fraudsters to create new checks using old account data. Thats why check fraud experts are saying Americans should avoid sending checks in the mail or at least take additional safety steps to avoid becoming a victim. If you need to mail a check, do not put a check in your residential mailbox and raise the flag to notify the postman. Drop off checks inside a post office if you have to, said Todd Robertson with Argo Data, a financial data provider. Banks, keenly aware of the problem, are increasingly watching for signs of fraud at branches and through mobile check deposit services, including large check deposits. Theyre training branch employees to take steps such as looking at check numbers, because checks are typically written in order, or noticing when a check is being written for a much larger amount than the customers previous history would indicate. Banks also now deploy software at their branches that can tell how risky a check might be. But those systems become moot if criminals are able to persuade tellers often at the front lines for check acceptance to look past any red flags. These fraudsters are much more aggressive than they were in the past, and they are pressuring tellers to override internal systems that might flag a potentially suspicious transaction, Paul Brenda, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association. Banks generally reimburse customers if they are victims of check fraud within days. However, due to the growing number of fraud cases, refunds have slowed down in recent months. In March, a trio of Democratic Senators asked the banking industry to be more prompt in reimbursing victims of check fraud whenever possible. Another safety tip for businesses is to opt in to a banks positive pay services with a business checking account. Positive pay means you pre-authorize checks for a certain amount as well as the check number, cutting down criminals ability to wash the check and withdraw money for an amount that isnt pre-authorized. Salisbury Township police are investigating a home invasion that happened this past week. The incident occurred shortly after 8:45 p.m. Thursday in the 3000 block of Fairfield Drive. Police said two men broke into a home and rummaged through the belongings of the homeowners. The homeowners spotted the intruders and screamed before they fled the residence, according to police. There were no reported injuries in the incident. Police say the public is not in danger. Its unknown what was taken, if anything, from the home, police said. Flag Day 2023 is Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The annual holiday celebrates the symbolism and history behind the American flag each year on the anniversary of the American flags official creation on June 14. Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs every year on June 14 to remember when the Continental Congress introduced our countrys first flag as the official American flag on June 14, 1777. The Continental Congress introduced the American flag in the middle of the Revolutionary War at a time when each colony or special interest had its own flag. The Declaration of Independence made the introduction of a universal American flag necessary. Congress made a resolution on June 14, 1777, outlining the purpose for a united American flag for the 13 colonies: The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field In 1885, a school teacher named Bernard J. Cigrand encouraged his students to reflect on the symbolism behind the American flag. Eventually, he came up with a proposal to establish an annual observance for the nations flag and penned an article called the Fourteenth of June in the Chicago Argus newspaper. To this day, he is regarded as the Father of Flag Day. Since then, there have been 27 different versions of the American flag, and stars have been added as states joined the Union. The flag in its current state dates back to July 4, 1960 when Hawaii was officially recognized as the 50th state on the American flag. On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established a national Flag Day on June 14. President Harry Truman signed legislation in 1949 proclaiming Flag Day as a national holiday, although it was never considered an official federal holiday. Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the red, white, and blue flags with 50 stars and 13 stripes in front of homes and businesses. Some towns and cities hold parades and other events to celebrate the flag, and the American flag is flown at all government buildings. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, but its observance is proclaimed every year by the president of the United States. Two states also celebrate it as a state holiday. Pennsylvania established June 14 as a state holiday recognizing Flag Day, and New York recognizes the second Sunday every June as a state holiday in honor of Flag Day. Businesses and government offices will remain open in New Jersey and across the country. Schools and the U.S. Postal Service will also remain open, and mail service will run as usual. Flag Day was not included in the 1968 Uniform Holiday Act. This legislation that laid out the framework for the 11 official federal holidays and three-day weekend holidays we currently celebrate. Are there any online sales during Flag Day? Yes, there are plenty of online sales during Flag Day. Noteworthy online shopping deals worth checking out right now include: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. By Donna Kohut The Lehigh River was the heart of the industrial revolution, but paid for it. Over time, the water quality degraded from the logging, coal, and steel industry use. Thankfully, it did not succumb and recovered to an extent. But today it faces new threats. The warehouse and distribution center industry is the new robber baron. Land development increases area flooding and stormwater pollution runoff, made more extreme by drought and intense storms. These threats to water quality put our communities, our health, and our quality of life at risk. Its time for our lawmakers to get to work addressing the quality and quantity of water in the region. More than one-third of Pennsylvanias creeks, streams, and rivers are so polluted that theyre designated as impaired, according to the Department of Environmental Protections 2022 Integrated Water Quality Report. For the Delaware River Basin, the assessment results concluded that 44% of its waterways are polluted. This report should concern Lehigh Valley residents. The Lehigh River is the second largest tributary of the Delaware River, and roughly 20% of the stream miles in its watershed are polluted. The primary source of degradation is stormwater runoff. Poorly managed and overwhelming stormwater runoff from developed land increases the amount of soil and sediment found in our creeks, streams, and rivers. This sediment drives up the risk of flooding by filling storm drains, destroying habitat for important aquatic species like trout, and increasing the cost of treating drinking water. Dirty water impacts the many ways we interact with water every day. And right now, Pennsylvania lawmakers are drafting our state budget, which determines how much our government invests in ensuring that all residents have access to clean water. Over several decades, state agencies had their funding drastically cut, making it challenging to keep up with demands and responsibilities. Specifically, the DEP is understaffed, which leads to delays in the permitting process and compromises its ability to maintain state authority over its compliance and enforcement programs. Similarly, lack of funding reduces the amount of technical assistance and funding for best management practices that the Department of Agriculture can provide farmers. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also has a $1.4 billion infrastructure backlog of hundreds of repair and improvement projects, including roads, trails, stormwater management, and water resources. Additionally, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is woefully underfunded in part because Pennsylvania is not honoring the compact it signed in 1988. It has not paid its full, fair share of funding for the DRBC for nearly a decade. This agency is responsible for managing the quality and flow of water throughout the Delaware River Basin, including tributaries like the Lehigh River. Underfunding the DRBC is a disservice to all that reside in the Basin, including those that live in the Lehigh Valley. Last year, clean water advocates across the state won a significant victory in Pennsylvanias initial investment in the Clean Water Fund. Unfortunately, a permanent funding source was not established, and the scale of water pollution in Pennsylvania means that a one-time injection of funds will not be sufficient to address the major sources of pollution across the state and in the Lehigh Valley. We must recognize that poor water quality, limited access to water-based recreation, and flooding disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. Here in the Lehigh Valley, we see that manifested as Allentown residents worry about their car floating away during a severe rain event, anglers on the Monocacy Creek see degradation of precious trout habitat, and residents left with vital infrastructure damage from floods. We need our legislators to put the Office of Environmental Justice into law. The communities that are so often ignored must receive meaningful opportunities to participate in the decision-making process. They deserve to enjoy the benefits of improved water quality not suffer the harms of dirty water. PennFuture calls on the legislature to place the protection of water quality front and center through increased investments in clean water within the budget. Pennsylvania needs increased funding for the state agencies that work directly on protecting and improving water quality, a fully funded Delaware River Basin Commission, which manages water flow and water quality, create a sustainable source of funding for the Clean Streams Fund, and codify the Office of Environmental Justice so that all communities share in the benefits of protected, healthy waterways. These waterways are the central feature of many of our Lehigh Valley communities and are a primary source of a higher quality of life for residents. Now is the time to invest in clean water. With more than 50 new legislators, a new governor, and a reasonable surplus of funds, there is no time to waste. Donna Kohut is PennFutures campaign manager for the Delaware River Basin. PennFuture is a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization. Rathdowney local and Bord Gais Energy Digital Marketing Executive, John Aherne, will travel to Cannes later this week to represent Ireland at the worlds most prestigious marketing competition, the Cannes Young Lions. John, who is 25, will compete in the Young Marketers category, which will see the worlds top young marketing talent go head-to-head on a global stage, in what is known as the Oscars of Advertising. John joined Bord Gais Energy two years ago, and has proven to be a valuable addition to the marketing team. In his spare time, he runs the Best of Ireland Instagram page, which has amassed over 470k followers. John was selected alongside Cathy Lambert from Mountain Productions to represent Ireland following a very competitive Irish heat. Teams of two were given just 48 hours to respond to a brief for one of three charities selected this year, and John and Cathy were chosen to develop a creative campaign for GOAL. Their entry wowed the judges, who singled it out for being super-smart, clear, simple with the potential to be emotional and motivating. In Cannes, John and Cathy will be set a new brief and task and will have 48 hours to devise a creative response before presenting their work to some of the worlds most successful marketers. In a statement Bord Gais Energy said that, "John is an integral part of the companys award-winning marketing team and helped develop a major brand repositioning strategy for the business in 2021. "Johns work producing brave and innovative digital content for Bord Gais Energy, has helped transform the brand to one of Brilliant Possibilities successfully on its own digital communications channels since then. "Johns content has helped people better understand the importance of transitioning to more sustainable home energy management services and starting their journey to net zero." Passionate about all things digital, in his spare time, John created the hugely popular Best of Ireland social media account with a friend which is now the largest independent travel page in Ireland, with over 470k followers. Commenting ahead of his trip to Cannes, John said: Its a privilege to have been chosen to represent Ireland in the Young Marketers category at the Cannes Young Lions Competition. "Im really excited to take part and meet the other competitors from around the world. Cathy and I have received huge support from our teams at Bord Gais Energy and Mountain Productions and were really looking forward to the next stage of the journey. Cistercian College Roscrea has announced the appointment of Mr Colm Maloney to be President of the College with effect from August 1st 2023. Mr Maloney is currently Head of Boarding at Kilkenny College, a post he has held since 2019. (Kilkenny College is a mixed school with a roll of 970 pupils of whom 470 are boarders). He is chair of the Association of Boarding Schools Ireland (ABSI) and was previously a teacher and housemaster at Clongowes Wood College. Previously he had a successful career in industry. He has served on the finance committees both at Clongowes and Kilkenny. He is a member of the Leinster Schools Rugby Committee. Originally from Kilcullen, Co Kildare, Mr Maloney was educated at Clongowes Wood College and at St Marys College, Strawberry Hill, London whence he graduated in history and management (hons.) Announcing Mr Maloneys appointment, the chairperson of the CCR Board of Management, Mr Kevin Keegan, said: We are delighted that Colm Maloney is coming to lead the college. He brings with him an excellent reputation and a breadth and depth of experience in education leadership, particularly in relation to boarding schools, where the highest standards of teaching, care and safeguarding have to apply at all times. Mr Maloneys appointment followed an exhaustive search and competitive interview process. He succeeds Gavin Clark who has been appointed as Principal of Westbourne College, Singapore. Kevin Keegan added: Colm Maloney joins CCR at an exciting juncture in our history. Enrolments are strong, from day boarding to 5- and 7-day boarding. The colleges range of academic options, sporting facilities and extra-curricular activities continues to expand and develop. Colm Maloney said: Along with my wife, Helen, my son Colm and my daughters Moya, Bridget and Aoife, I am really delighted to be joining Cistercian College Roscrea, a place with a rich tradition. I am honoured to be appointed as its president. I know that I will be joining and leading a great team that continues to grow the college, cementing its place as one of Irelands premier schools. I am looking forward to bringing to CCR my many wide experiences in education, boarding and the commercial world. "I will be a custodian of the deep Cistercian tradition which has served so many past-pupils, families and friends for almost 120 years. "I look forward to building relationships and working closely with the Principal Gerry Grealish, teachers, housemasters and all staff, current students, parents, past-pupils, the community and the Board of Management over the coming months and years as we embark on a new chapter of Cistercian Colleges history, growing the College for generations to come. Cistercian College Roscrea was founded by the Cistercian monks of the Strict Observance (OCSO) at Mount Saint Joseph Abbey in 1905 and is located on the Abbeys 600-acre campus on the Tipperary-Offaly border. It is now administered by a Board of Management under the patronage of the Abbot and Community of Mount Saint Joseph. It has a current enrolment of 250 boys. Eason is delighted to announce Kristen Meehan as this years winner of the All-Ireland Eason Spelling Bee Final which took place recently in The Helix, Dublin. Kristen Meehan, who is a sixth-class pupil at Scoil Bhride Milltown, Kildare, took home the prize following an intense spelling battle against Connacht/Ulster champion, Rita Regiec from St. Louis GNS in Monaghan, and Munster champion, Colin OBrien from St. John the Baptist BNS in Tipperary. Along with the coveted crown, the top Bee took home a collection of books for their school library, worth 7,500 as well as a personal collection of books worth 500. Celebrating its tenth year, the Eason Spelling Bee provides a fun, educational outlet for school kids, encouraging them to read more and expand their vocabulary. Group Head of Marketing at Eason, Brendan Corbett, said; At Eason, we cant quite believe that we are celebrating the 10th year of the Eason Spelling Bee. Its a tremendous achievement and a testament to the bright-sparks of the nation. Were incredibly proud to have created something that allows children to engage in an educational activity that develops their literacy, spelling, confidence and gives them so much enjoyment. This year, over 500 schools nationwide competed against each other in a bid to win the sought-after prize. The Eason Spelling Bee team have travelled around the country to host County and Provincial Final Bees. The champions from these went head-to-head in the All-Ireland Final Bee, which took place recently, with Kristen Meehan crowned Queen Bee. Students from nine schools in Kildare participated in the Junior Jurors Programme to choose the winners of this years KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards, which were announced at a ceremony in Merrion Square as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. Through the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries Programme young people in schools, libraries and book clubs shadowed adult judges on the judging panel in reading, discussing and assessing the shortlisted books. The students from Rathmore National School, Ardscoil na Trionoide, St. Brigids Primary School, Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, North Kildare Educate Together, St. Laurence's National School, Scoil an Linbh Iosa, Prosperous National School, St Catherine of Siena National School and Scoil Naomh Treasa selected their favourites alongside an independent panel of expert judges, including a Young Judge. Speaking at the ceremony, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Childrens Books Ireland, said: Our congratulations to every one of the authors, illustrators and publishers celebrating their wins. Through our KPMG Junior Juries programme, we have seen the wonder and delight that these six books have inspired in young readers across Ireland, and it is a joy to recognise and reward the artists that created them at this level. Ireland has always been a nation of storytellers, and every one of these winners exemplifies the sheer excellence visible in contemporary Irish childrens books. As we celebrate another year of the KPMG Childrens Book Awards, we hope that the celebrations encourage them to keep creating stories that speak as powerfully to their readers as these. Award-Winning Titles The KPMG Book of the Year Award Girls Who Slay Monsters by debut author Ellen Ryan, illustrated by Shona Shirley Macdonald (HarperCollins Ireland). The Honour Award for Fiction The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie OFarrell, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (Walker Books). The Honour Award for Illustration The Wilderness written and illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Walker Books). The Eilis Dillon Award for best debut The Book of Secrets by Alex Dunne (The OBrien Press). The Judges Special Award An Slipear Gloine, written by debut childrens author Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Futa Fata). The KPMG Junior Juries Award Girls Who Slay Monsters by debut author Ellen Ryan, illustrated by Shona Shirley Macdonald (HarperCollins Ireland). A total prize-fund of 16,000 has been awarded to this years winners. Damian Smyth, Joint Head of Literature and Drama for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: These awards are recognised as the most prestigious for childrens books in Ireland, and we are thrilled once again to see two artists from Northern Ireland taking home prizes. The stories we encounter in childhood are the ones that shape us for life, and the young readers of Ireland are fortunate to have such excellent homegrown titles at their fingertips. Our congratulations to everyone celebrating! Through the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries Programme young people in schools, libraries and book clubs shadowed adult judges on the judging panel in reading, discussing and assessing the shortlisted books. Seamus Hand, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland, said: Well done to all our winners, and a special congratulations to our Reading Hero Shi Lei Chen who was nominated by her teacher, Caroline Fox. Shi Lei came to Ireland from China aged 11 and is a voracious reader in both English and Chinese. We were delighted to hear about the incredible kindness and empathy for the characters bought to life through reading in class. This along with her dedication to improving her reading and writing in English has been truly admirable. The KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards and Junior Juries programme are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding. Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) adult learners from the Further Education and Training Centre in Drumshanbo, under the auspices of Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Educational and Training Board (MSLETB), availed of the opportunity to Barcelona for 2 weeks work placement as part of the European Union funded, Erasmus+ programme. Accompanied by their tutors, on 24 April 2022 and 16 April 2023, 30 students had flights and accommodation paid for, in addition to a weekly living allowance. This was a fantastic opportunity for the learners of QQI Level 5 Business Administration, Health Nutrition and Food Science, Tourism with Business and Traditional Irish Music courses to gain hands-on experience of working in a cosmopolitan European city, in an organisation related to their vocational area. With their welcoming staff members, the hosting organisations provided excellent work experiences for the learners. The Business Administration learners worked in the offices of different companies, the Health Nutrition and Food Science learners worked in a food processing plant and a health food shop, the Tourism students worked in research and marketing, and the reception area of different hostels and our Traditional Irish Music learners provided and participated in various workshops in Traditional Irish Music, Spanish music and music from various other countries and cultures. In addition to gaining professional experience, the VTOS adult learners also increased their self-confidence and social skills, with the challenges faced during the programme - working in a new company, with new work colleagues from different nationalities; understanding the Metro system; constantly interacting with new people, were overcome with the help and comradeship of other members of the group. Created more than 35 years ago, the EUs programme to support education, training, youth and sport. Erasmus+ 2021-2027 strongly focuses on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting young people's participation in democratic life. It is estimated that over 13 million people have participated in the programme. If you are interested in the FET Centre Drumshanbo courses and would like to join on such trips, please call Sean Bailey on 086-0624200, email seanbailey@msletb.ie, contact FET through Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VTOSLeitrim or website www.vtosleitrim.ie (currently under reconstruction). LIMERICK'S senior hurlers have a couple of weeks wait to find out who they will play in the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday, July 8. John Kiely's side and Kilkenny are the only two teams confirmed for the last four following their respective provincial wins but the picture will become a lot clearer after this weekend. The All-Ireland series begins with the preliminary quarter-finals on Saturday with the third placed teams in Munster and Leinster facing the winners and losers of the Joe McDonagh Cup final. Tipperary make the trip to Tullamore on Saturday to take on an Offaly side that are sure to be smarting from the loss to a Carlow outfit that host Dublin in their preliminary quarter-final. Liam Cahill's side are expected to overcome the challenge of Offaly and if they do, they will come up against Galway in their last eight clash on Saturday, June 24. The prize for the winner of that fixture is a shot at the All-Ireland champions in the semi-final on July 8 at Croke Park. It will be an interesting few weeks wait for Limerick but as manager John Kiely highlighted in the wake of the Munster final win, it's a road that they know well and have shown in the past that they are quite adept at handling. A LIMERICK based children's charity has launched a new appeal for donations. The campaign from CARI, Irelands child sexual abuse helpline, hopes to cover their annual costs by asking 85 people, groups or businesses to raise 1,000 each to help cover their yearly spend of 85,000. CARI, who has their headquarters based in Limerick, is an Irish charity that provides child-centred therapy and support services those affected by child sexual abuse. The CARI Helpline is the first point of contact and support for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse or sexualised behaviour, said Emer ONeill from CARI, Limerick. We take calls from parents, professionals and young people who desperately need to talk to someone - parents struggle to cope when faced with the unimaginable horror that their child is being sexually abused. Our Helpline gives them essential support but needs your help to survive and expand. Describing some features that will appear in the campaign, Ms ONeill says that it will be illustrated with anonymised quotes from helpline calls, and continued by saying they are heartened by the support thus far. Before we even launched officially today, we already had about 10 people lined up - we have lots of advice, tips and resources for them, when they sign up. We also have a toolkit for each participant and we will be supporting them on our social media channels, too, she concluded. CARI also have the support of leading entrepreneur and child sexual abuse survivor, Tony Delaney, who has spoken openly about his experiences on the RTE Late Late Show. As a child sexual abuse victim, I understand first-hand the impacts that it can have on a childs life and into your adult life, says Mr Delaney. We know that children and their loved ones struggle to navigate the effects of the abuse and it often seems like there is nowhere to turn to for guidance or support - I believe CARIs child sexual abuse helpline will assist the victim and their families voyage this trauma. The CARI Helpline number is 0818 924567 and its open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. SIGNAGE has gone up on a unit at the Crescent Shopping Centre which is expected to be turned into a branch of a popular restaurant. International chicken chain Nando's is set to open its long-awaited first store in Limerick, at the Dooradoyle Shopping Centre. It's moving into unit 24XB in the centre, near to Kentucky Fried Chicken at the entrance to the facility which faces the Omniplex cinema. Founded in South Africa, the popular chain specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. Representatives of the firm have formally sought planning permission from Limerick City and County Council to make internal alterations to facilitate its fit-out. According to documents lodged with local planners, dining in the restaurant will be over two floors. An entrance for deliveries to be made to the restaurant is also sought. Nando's first opened in Ireland in 2008, and by September 2011 employed over 200 people across six restaurants in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. It now has 21 outlets across the island, with Newbridge in Co Kildare the only branch currently outside Dublin and Cork. Globally, it has a presence in five continents. Earlier this summer, the firm revealed it was recruiting for an assistant manager and assistant general manager for its new Limerick store. The Limerick Leader first revealed plans for the new Nando's restaurant in 2019. At the time, it was anticipated it would open in the summer of 2020. But the onset of Covid-19 and the near two-year disruption to the economy put paid to these plans. Limerick City and County Council planners are expected to make a decision on whether the plans for Nando's can go ahead by July 31 next. A FIRE, which blazed for over seven hours in the 12 OClock Hills, in east Clare, has resulted in garda launching an investigation with indications of malicious intent. Investigations into what is believed to be criminal damage have been launched. There is a suspicion of arson as copper wiring and insulation were discovered. Shannon fire services were first on the scene, with one unit and one fire jeep arriving at at around 5:35pm last Thursday. One unit from Limerick city and one from Killaloe arrived later. They did not depart until approximately 12:30am - seven hours after the alarm was raised. Emergency services and gardai also attended. No injuries have been reported, albeit two residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution, after 8pm. The popular walking trail of the 12 OClock Hills has now been closed to the public until further notice, due to damage caused by the blaze. The scene was subsequently handed over to Coillte, the State owned forestry business that manages around 7% of Irelands land. Coillte hired a helicopter, which took over fire prevention duties by dispensing large amounts of water over the smouldering forest from 6am on Friday, June 9. It has since been extinguished. The hill Knockanuarha, also known as the 12 O'Clock Hills, is located 5km southeast of Kilkishen village. Concerns over the destruction of wildlife have since been raised, as the woodland is thought to be home to many different species and biodiversity. 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.. Digital marketing is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic fields of the current era. Even though digital marketing is vital in developing a successful brand or business, the lions share of business owners still struggles with creating the right digital marketing strategy. According to the latest statistics, 45% of businesses still lack a robust digital marketing strategy. Mr. Anil Agarwal, hailing from Haryana, India, with his 15+ years of expertise in digital marketing, addresses and solves this inherent gap between digital marketing and struggling business owners. He founded BloggersPassion.com, a successful blogging platform that trains and aids people with the latest digital marketing trends and marketing via blogging. He has identified much earlier in his career that blogging can be a change maker in the digital marketing industry, and money-blogging can be a trustable source of income. He uses his blog, BloggersPassion, to provide SEO services, blogging services, etc., to the needful. Followers get free access to almost all of his content on the platform. He divides his services and assistance into three categories: SEO services, Blogging services, and Money-blogging services. Under each category, he posts valuable content in newsletters, articles, videos, interviews, etc., detailing the basics of the latest trends. The highlight of his content is that anyone who has or has no prior exposure to digital marketing and blogging finds it extremely easy to understand. The step-by-step approach by Anil Agarwal enables the reader to follow the concepts effectively and essentially benefit from the content. While most content creators focus on providing help for money and profit, Anil Agarwal sets a noble model by delivering 99% of his content for free. Anyone with an internet connection can access BloggersPassion and avail of necessary information and guidance for free. He has also penned several books on SEO-based digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and blogging that preach what he practiced in his own life. His The SEO Playbook is a bestseller that simplifies the complicated world of SEO strategies. Anil Agarwal has ample work experience in digital marketing, and it is indeed becoming an asset for his content and followers. He began as an SEO executive in 2004 and served many established organizations as an SEO manager by 2014. Although he began blogging in 2005, he put enough effort into blogging over the next many years to develop it into a dependable income source. He launched BloggersPassion as a professional aid post for struggling businesses and blogging enthusiasts in 2010. Despite the platform fetching rave user reviews, he waited till 2018 to quit his job and engage in full-time blogging. Ever since 2020, he has been gaining solid income from Bloggers Pasion, and his successful venture solidifies the concept and scope of money-blogging. Mr. Agarwal identifies digital marketing blogs as a trustable source of income and a vital tool in the future of marketing. So, by aiding and assisting in creating successful bloggers, he is indeed empowering the entire digital marketing industry. 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. Much of adult life can seem like walking on a tightrope, balancing precariously between financial success and failure. Your CIBIL Score acts as the safety net beneath you, so its important to keep it in good shape. Some common mistakes can cause this safety net to unravel and send your financial stability into freefall. So, lets learn more about these blunders and how to avoid them. Lack of payment discipline Just as arriving late for an important meeting or interview fails to make a good impression, late payments can really put a dent in your financial reputation. Defaulting on loans or credit card payments hurts your CIBIL Score even further. These late payments and defaults are delinquencies that remain on your credit report for up to seven years. Theyre like giant red flags as far as lenders are concerned because they see it as a warning that youre a risky borrower who isnt responsible with their money. So, always make it a priority to pay your bills on time and in full. An easy way to ensure you never miss a due date for your payments is to set up reminders or automate the process. Just be mindful that your balance is adequate for the automatic deductions each month, and youll be good to go! High credit utilisation ratio Your credit utilisation ratio refers to the percentage of your available credit limit that you use. Ideally, you should limit yourself to using 30% or less of your available credit limit to avoid appearing credit-hungry and overly reliant on borrowed money. Think of it as not overeating at a buffet just because there are plenty of options available. Doing so can make you appear greedy, and isnt the best course for your physical health. Similarly, maxing out your credit cards or using a majority percentage of your available credit is detrimental to your financial health. Instead of overloading a single credit card, try to split your payments across various cards, if you have more than one. If not, you can try reaching out to your provider and negotiating a higher credit limit. Frequent credit applications Imagine having a needy acquaintance whos always asking for favours. Such behaviour not only conveys that they dont have their act together, but also causes people to avoid them. The same principle applies when it comes to credit applications. Every time you apply for credit, lenders peek into your credit report. This triggers a hard enquiry, which temporarily brings down your CIBIL Score. Now, its easy to recover from one-off hard enquiries, but when there are multiple such enquiries within a short period, it sets off the lenders alarm bells. They are convinced youre facing financial troubles and are desperate for credit. This makes them more likely to avoid approving your application. So, be selective and strategic. Apply for credit only when needed, and remember to space out your credit applications. Ignoring errors on your credit report Your credit report is like a mirror that reflects your financial history. Its important to make sure that the mirror has no smudges or cracks so that the reflection is accurate and complete. Mistakes and discrepancies on your credit report are like smudges and cracks that give a distorted impression of your financial reputation. Needless to say, that can cost you. What kind of errors can creep into your credit report? The most common are: Wrong personal information Accounts that dont belong to you Applications you never made A missed update All of these can negatively impact your CIBIL Score. Thus, its important to be proactive in reviewing your credit report regularly and disputing anything that seems amiss so that its immediately rectified. Closing old credit accounts If youre tempted to close old credit accounts that have fallen into disuse, dont! Old credit accounts add to the length of your credit history and contribute to your total available credit. Closing old accounts can actually damage your CIBIL Score. It reduces the average age of your credit history and increases your credit utilisation ratio. Both these factors are considered by lenders when evaluating your creditworthiness. Maintain older credit accounts and use them occasionally to add to your track record of reliable credit management. Not diversifying your credit mix Picture preparing meals for your family using only a single ingredient repeatedly. Sounds boring, right? Well, its unhealthy too! Relying on a single credit type is quite similar. Lenders appreciate a well-balanced credit mix, including credit cards, secured auto/ home loans and collateral-free personal loans. It proves that youre capable of handling various types of credit responsibly and is healthier for your financial portfolio. Co-signing for high-risk borrowers Youd think twice before lending your car to a friend with a history of reckless driving, wouldnt you? Co-signing for someone with a questionable credit record involves putting your financial well-being on the line. You become equally responsible for their debt. If they fail to make good on their dues, your CIBIL Score crashes too, leaving you with a financial wreckage. So, be cautious about the risks involved before acting as a guarantor for someone with a shaky credit history. If youre still worried about navigating these dos and donts to maintain a healthy CIBIL Score, Bajaj Finance Credit Pass is just the right tool for you! Why? Access all your credit accounts in one place Never miss a single deadline on credit payments Easily monitor all the factors that influence your CIBIL Score Benefit from regular credit health reports Stay on course with monthly CIBIL Score checks Make informed decisions with interactive tools like the Credit Score Simulator and EMI Calculator Get handy tips and tricks to improve and maintain your credit score Still thinking? You can enjoy unlimited access to all these features for free for the first 12 months! 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. This information does not constitute a financial advice. Google's parent company Alphabet Inc is set to face a formal complaint from European Union antitrust regulators that could pave the way for massive fines and may force the tech giant to even sell part of its advertising-technology business. The European Commission, EU's top antitrust watchdog could issue a formal complaint against Google on 14 June, Wednesday to diminish the tech giant's dominance in digital ads. About the case against Google by European Commission: Google's dominance in online advertising has been increasingly questioned over the past few years. Complaints from rivals about its allegedly anti-competitive practices have led to antitrust investigations in multiple continents concerning its practices. In 2022, the Commission launched an investigation into Google's sweeping presence at almost all levels of the supply chain for online display advertising, expressing concern about its dominant position. So far Google has failed to address competition concerns. Googles advertising business is by far its most successful, accounting for about 80% of its annual revenue. In 2022, its ad sales amounted to about $225 billion. Earlier this year, the US launched an ad tech lawsuit against Google demanding the sale of its ad manager suite and had argued that the search giant illegally abused its dominance of online advertising. Google has denied any wrongdoing. New Delhi: India is discussing with the EU a law that aims to tighten the rules governing the imports of a wide range of consumer goods that are most commonly associated with deforestation, two government officials aware of the development said. Under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), items such as coffee, wood articles, chocolates and soy will be allowed into the 27 member-states only if an exporter is able to prove that the shipments are not causing deforestation or forest degradationa major cause of global warming. In addition, the companies may also have to verify that these products comply with relevant legislation of the producing country, including on human rights and that the rights of the affected indigenous people have been respected," according to the website of the European Parliament. As a leading consumer of such articles, the EU has taken the stand that its huge consumer economy must not contribute to climate change. But developing nations say that unilateral moves to resolve global environmental concerns are unfair. The law, which is set to come into force as early as December 2024 for large firms and June 2025 for smaller firms, could hit Indian exports worth $1.3 billion every year. View Full Image Mint Deforestation issue is still under debate and discussion. It has not been implemented yet. We are in touch with the EU in this regard, and we will try to safeguard our interest. We are not yet negotiating but discussions to safeguard exporters interests have begun," an official said. The products covered by the law are: cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya and wood, including products that contain, have been fed with or been made using these commodities (such as leather, chocolate and furniture). During the negotiations, lawmakers added rubber, charcoal, printed paper products and a number of palm oil derivatives to the list. As per a research report by GTRI, the significant products from the EU list, along with their export value to the EU in calendar year 2022 are: coffee at $435.4 million, leather hides, skin preparations ($83.5 mn), oil cake ($174.5 mn), paper, paperboard ($250.2 mn), and wood furniture ($334.6 mn). New Delhis bigger worry is that products covered under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanismthe so-called carbon taxand the deforestation law may expand going forward, piling on the compliance burden on Indian firms. Ajay Srivastava, founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said India may bring up the law at the World Trade Organization as it violates its Most-Favoured-Nation treatment and national treatment principles. Within 18 months, the EU will classify countries as low-, standard-, or high-risk. High-risk countries must meet more obligations and subject themselves to more checks. For instance, EU Customs will check 9% of firms or consignments from high-risk countries, 3% from standard-risk countries, and 1% from low-risk countries, Srivastava added. Indian firms must use this time to prepare for compliance. They must ensure that their products have been grown on land which has not been deforested after December 31, 2020," Srivastava added. Fortunately, India has a functioning trace-and-track system being implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority for grape exports to the EU and other regions. It needs to be adopted for coffee, oil cake and similar other products covered under EUDR. Overall EUDR will increase compliance cost and make it difficult for small exporters to export to the EU," Srivastava added. Queries sent to the commerce ministry and EU remained unanswered till press time. As per EUDR, exporters must also conduct due diligence on the product and this will include collecting the information on the produce and land, using this information to analyze risks in the supply chain, carry out risk mitigation and submit a due diligence statement to EU based importers before exporting to the EU. The information to be collected must include details of commodity, quantity, supplier, country of production, and address of plots of land where commodities were produced. Notably, the regulation prescribes four penalties for violations: fines up to 4% of a firms annual turnover in the EU, confiscation of product, confiscation of revenues gained from a transaction and exclusion from public procurement processes. Experts said that countries which would be most adversely affected-Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Colombia, Cote dIvoire, India, and Vietnam. As the global economy shows signs of recovery, the attention has turned to India, which grew by 7.2% in 2022-23, beating estimates. Morgan Stanley India chief Ridham Desai recently called India a growth outlier", while releasing a report that argued that the country had undergone a transformation in the last 10 years. By many key metrics, India has grown in the past decade. However, its also key to compare growth across countries to see how India has performed relative to other large economies and its competitors in Asia. Growth Engines Of the nine Asian countries in our set, three stand out on GDP growth: Vietnam, China, and India. China has been steadily growing in the past few decades, thanks to past capital investments, which boosted its productivity. In the past decade, China was helped by its push towards newer technologies using, as Oxford Universitys Fu Xiaolan described it, a combination of state and the market". That momentum helped it despite the friction caused by its Zero Covid" policy during the pandemic. Among this set, Vietnam grew the fastest. It attracted investments from a clutch of global players, including Nike and Adidas, in the initial years, seeking low-cost labour. They were followed by high-tech companies seeking an alternative to China, such as Apple (through Foxconn), Dell and HP. Among the rest, there are those that turned in middling growth (The Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia) to low growth (Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand). People Factor Similarly, India comes third after China and Vietnam on growth in per capita income in the past 10 years. Indias per capita income rose 65% between 2013 and 2022, on a low base. Its per capita income was the lowest in the set in 2013, and remains the lowest in 2022. On growth in absolute dollars, India is ranked eighth. Taiwan showed the biggest jump in absolute gains, followed by China and South Korea. The absolute gain is a better indicator of purchasing power, be it machinery, oil or consumer goods. India, which is now the worlds most populous country, still has advantages. Its median age, at 28.2 years, is below Chinas (39 years) and even Vietnams (31 years), indicating it could benefit longer from a productive population. However, productivity gains are also a function of investments. While Chinas total investments were in the range of 42-45% of GDP in the past decade, Indias ranged between 29 and 34%. Export Thrust In the first half of the past decade, combined goods exports from these nine Asian countries grew at an average pace of 4.6% per year. In the second half, this dropped to 4.08%, mainly due to the global slowdown during the pandemic. The metric is key for Asian economies because they have traditionally been dependent on export-led growth, a key development pathway for India, too. In the second half of the decade, India was among the four countries for which average growth fell. In contrast, Taiwans export growth picked up during the second half. In the past few decades, Taiwan has established itself as the world leader in some categories of hardware, especially semiconductors. As the demand for electronic goods picked up across the world, during the pandemic and after, investments made by Taiwan helped. Production Shift Of the nine countries, only twoVietnam and Malaysiasaw the contribution of manufacturing to GDP increase in the past decade. In Vietnams case, its investment and trade policies, free trade agreements and export push helped raise the contribution of manufacturing to GDP from 20.7% in 2012 to 24.6% in 2021. Many Asian countries have been trying to move people from agriculture to manufacturing. Agricultural productivity tends to be low, and high-paying services, such as software development, are harder to tap for a majority of the population compared with manufacturing. For India, the share of manufacturing fell from 15.8% in 2012 to 14.0% in 2021. It is trying to boost this through initiatives such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, but these are early days and more needs to be done to increase manufacturing jobs. China saw a decline, too, but its manufacturing sector contributes almost double to its GDP compared with Indias. Labour Pangs India's unemployment rate came down marginally in the second half of the past decade to an average of 7.88%, from 7.90% in the first half. Yet, among the nine countries, it has had the highest joblessness rate. Of these countries, Thailand has the best record, but it was hit by the pandemic as tourism either stopped or slowed. However, as the pandemic receded and its main industry picked up, its jobless rate has gone down, too. Indias unemployment rate has since fallen as well. In May, it was 7.7%, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. However, the drop was due to a decline in the labour force participation rate (people who are working or are actively seeking a job). CMIE has also been highlighting the decline in womens participation. India might have to fight on multiple fronts to address the unemployment problem. www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data. Retail participation in the derivatives market exploded during the covid-19 pandemic. According to a report by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the number of individual traders in futures & options (F&O) soared by about 540% from FY19 to FY22. More than 4.5 million people traded in equity F&Os in FY22, and they need to mandatorily file their income tax return (ITR) in the current assessment year, irrespective of whether they are individuals with total taxable income below the 2.5 lakh exemption limit or are salaried individuals. Theres a misconception that F&O trades have to be reported only when profits are made and not otherwise. But, these trades are not captured in the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and so some taxpayers believe it need not be reported in the ITR. They think theres no income to show so it doesnt have to be reported. Some even avoid filing it as they dont want to spend on a CA (chartered accountant) after having lost money already. Not reporting F&O trade will definitely get you a notice from the IT department. The government doesnt know whether you have made gains or losses, it just knows that you have made several high-value transactions and not disclosed them in your ITR," said Karan Batra, founder, Charteredclub.com. It may be noted that 89% F&O traders made losses in FY22, as per the Sebi report. Trading in F&O is treated as business, which means even salaried individuals who dabbled in the derivatives market have to file tax returns in the more complicated ITR-3 or ITR-4, in place of ITR-1 and 2 applicable to them. Audit or not? Taxpayers who have F&O trades to report are mandated to get a tax audit done by a CA under any of the following two conditions: turnover is over 10 crore or they opted out of presumptive taxation within five years of opting in. The 10 crore limit is applicable only when at least 95% of the total payments towards trades is made through digital payment methods. If the cash payments exceed 5%, an audit has to be done for turnovers above 2 crore," said Prakash Hedge, a Bangalore-based CA. Turnover in the case of F&O is not absolute profit made on all trades done in a year. It is calculated by adding both the profit and loss. Until last year, for options contracts, sale amount (premium received on sale) was also included along with profits and losses to calculate the turnover. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) removed this saying that sale amount is not to be added if it has already been considered to calculate net profit. Essentially, for options trades that are squared off, sale amount is not included in turnover calculation, but where the trades are settled physically, the sale amount will be included in the turnover calculation. This will provide major relief to most individual retail traders as including sales amount in turnover calculation would easily push it over the 10 crore threshold of mandatory audit. For many, this may also lift the mandatory condition to maintain books of account which kicks in after the turnover exceeds 25 lakh (in any three preceding years). However, it is not binding to get the books made by a CA, unlike audit. The P&L statements that brokers give would suffice," said Batra. ITR form has been tweaked this year that requires taxpayers to separately report intra-day trading and delivery-based trading. Nitesh Buddhadev, founder, Nimit Consultancy said this year, turnover and profit/loss from trading have to be separately reported. The IT department wants to identify how much of the total business income is from trading, hence these have been added as two separate line items," he said. Earthquake tremors felt in Delhi and parts of north India on June 13 afternoon, ANI reported. An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 on the Richter scale occurred 30km southeast of Kishtwar in Jammu & Kashmir, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. The earthquake occurred at 1:33 pm today. "Earthquake of Magnitude:5.4, Occurred on 13-06-2023, 13:33:42 IST, Lat: 33.15 & Long: 75.82, Depth: 6 Km ,Location: Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, India," tweeted NCS. The quake was at a depth of 60 km and the epicentre of the quake was at a distance of 99 km north of Pathankot in northern India, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. "The earthquake scared school children. People in shops rushed out. It was scary. This was more intense than the tremors last week," A local from Srinagar told ANI. On June 9, the Union Territory of Ladakh experienced a 3.9 magnitude earthquake, as reported by the NCS. The seismic event took place at 10:23:57 IST, with the epicenter located at Lat: 35.64 and Long: 76.62. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers in the region of Laddakh, India. Similarly, on the same day, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 struck Tezpur in Assam. The NCS provided details that the epicenter was situated 39 kilometers west of Tezpur, with a depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake occurred at 10:05 am local time. The NCS shared the information via a tweet, stating, "Earthquake of Magnitude:3.7, Occurred on 09-06-2023, 10:05:59 IST, Lat: 26.60 & Long: 92.40, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 39km W of Tezpur, Assam, India." The NCS functions as the designated authority under the Government of India to monitor earthquake activity throughout the country. It operates and maintains the National Seismological Network, which comprises more than 150 stations equipped with advanced technology spread across various regions of India. (With ANI inputs) Average flat sizes in Mumbai Metro Region have witnessed a decline of 20% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. According to a report by property consultants Anarock, the sizes of flats in the Mumbai region have continued to decline since 2018. Anarock Group chairman Anuj Puri said, "MMR is the only city where average flat sizes reduced in the last five years - from 932 sq ft in 2018 to 743 sq ft in Q1 2023". Chairman Puri said, "Only 2020 saw average flat sizes in MMR an annual rise of 21% against 2019. Since 2020, homes in the region are shrinking". On the contrary, flat sizes have increased in Delhi-NCR and other metropolitan cities. Average flat sizes in top-7 cities increased from 1,150 sq ft (approx) in 2018 to 1,225 square feet in Q1 2023. Delhi and its adjoining cities saw maximum growth in average flat sizes among seven cities. The average flat sizes in Delhi-NCR increased from 1,250 square feet in 2018 to 1,700 sq ft in the first quarter of 2023. The Anarock report mentioned that Hyderabad has the highest average flat size at approximately 2,200 sq ft, followed by NCR with 1,700 square feet (approx) in Q1 2023. At present, the average flat sizes in Chennai and Bengaluru stand at 1,175 sq ft and 1,300 sq ft. And, in Kolkata and Pune, the demand for average flat sizes is 1,150 sq ft and 1,013 sq ft, respectively. The key reason behind the demand for bigger flat sizes is Work from Home culture. "The central concerns were affordability and millennials preference for low-maintenance homes. 2020 saw an abrupt reversal of buyer preferences. With a sudden emphasis on the WFH and study-from-home culture, flat sizes began increasing for the first time in four years," Puri said. Despite the surge in property prices, the demand for bigger homes continues. Anarock report said, " Q1 2023 saw average apartment sizes in the top 7 cities increase by approx. 7% since 2018, with MMR the only outlier with average home sizes reducing around 20% in the period". Mumbai region saw average flat sizes decline by 5% from 783 sq ft (approx) in Q1 2022 to 743 sq ft (approx) in Q1 2023. In Chennai too, the demand for smaller houses increased this year. Average flat sizes in Chennai decreased by 6% from 1,250 sq ft in Q1 2022 to 1,175 sq ft in Q1 2023. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mansi Jaswal I write about gender-related issues, women's rights, women empowerment, gender equality, women's health topics, and their wealth management. Also, profiling women who have fought all odds to make their own identities in their own rights. Before Mint, I worked at Business Today and Business Standard. I studied journalism at IIMC, Delhi. Got a story idea? Email me at mansi.jaswal@htdigital.in Read more from this author The Central government has charted a plan for Chinese mobile companies in order to do business in India. The Centre has asked Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, and Vivo to induct Indian equity partners in their local operations, according to a report by the Economic Times. Besides, the government has asked Chinese mobile handset companies to appoint Indian executives in top roles such as chief executive officers (CEO), chief financial officers (CFO), chief technical officers (CTO), etc. The English daily said that government has also directed the Chinese mobile firms to appoint Indian contract manufacturers, escalate local manufacturing down to the component level through joint ventures with Indian businesses, expand exports from India, and hire local distributors only. They have also been warned against tax evasion and instructed to follow legal compliance. The new rules for Chinese firms were directed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in which the government communicated with Chinese mobile firms and India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). The meeting happened as several Chinese smartphone manufacturers are under scrutiny for tax evasion and alleged illegal remittances worth rupees thousands of crores. The Centre wants these companies to take advantage of local talents and make India their export and production base. Last month the Centre approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for IT Hardware with the aim to attract investments and promote the capacity and capability of Indian companies. The budgetary outlay of the PLI scheme is 17,000 crores for a period of six years. According to the Centre, investments attracted in the telecom sector have increased. " 1600 crore of investment took place in the field when the target was only 900 crores," the Central government said last month. In the next two days, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will witness severe heatwave with mercury rising as high as 40-45 degree celsius, IMD forecasted on Tuesday. Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in Telangana for two days and for one day in Andhra Pradesh. Other than these two states, severe heatwave like condition will prevail in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam for next two days and heat wave conditions thereafter during subsequent three days. Heatwave like conditions will prevail in Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand during next five days. As per the latest IMD bulletin, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are predicted in isolated pockets of Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha on June 13. Temperature to remain above 40 degree celsius in Hyderabad "Thundershowers are going on in entire Telangana. Seeing that there is a trough present in South Chhattisgarh. For the last 24 hours, the southwesterly and northwesterly winds are prevailing in the entire state. It is going to prevail for the next 24 hours, especially in the northern part of the state. In the Southern part, the westerlies are prevailing,"said Sravani, the scientist of Hyderabad Meteorological Centre. "The heat wave conditions are also expected in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Medak, Adilabad, Nirmal, Hanumakonda, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam because the temperatures are rising continuously," she added. According to the IMD scientist, the normal temperature at this time generally stays between 36-38 degrees, but now it is touching 40-41 degrees in the two states. Hyderabad's temperature is expected to stay between 38-40 degree temperature and heatwave conditions will remain for the next two days. The temperature is expected to decline afterwards. A respite to the scorching summer will be small episodes of shower expected in sourthern parts of some districts in Andhra Pradesh. Light rainfall is expected to be accompanied with thunderstorm and gutsy winds. "Moderate rainfall is expected in the southern parts of Nellore and Chittoor districts in Andhra Pradesh. The coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are expecting monsoonal rain in the next 2-3 days. Temperature is expected to subside leading to normal weather conditions," the scientist said. Heavy Rainfall warning in Gujarat The weather forecasting agency has issued warning for Gujarat (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts). -Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra & Kutch on 14thJune. Twitter received numerous requests from India to block accounts related to Farmers' Protests and those expressing criticism towards the government, according to Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Dorsey mentioned that India had put pressure on Twitter, including threats of shutting down the platform in the country, conducting raids on employees' homes, and closing down Twitter offices, all because of their refusal to comply. Dorsey emphasised that these actions were taking place in a democratic country like India. We would raid the homes of your employees', which they did; we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit. And this is India, a democratic country," said Dorsey on pressure from India. Dorseys comments came as he was asked to give some examples of pressure from foreign governments so that the audience had an idea how it felt when some of the most powerful people" on the planet approached him and demanded things from the company. Turkey, according to Dorsey, behaved in a similar way like India. The Turkish government, too, threatened to shut down Twitter, which often got engaged in court battles with the government and won, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant announcement in November 2021 by repealing three contentious farm laws. This decision came after a year-long protest by thousands of farmers who had been camping at Delhi border points since November 2020. Acknowledging the failure to convince the farmers, Modi appealed to them to end their protest. Subsequently, during the winter session of Parliament, the three laws were withdrawn. Dorsey's claim, made during an interview with YouTube channel Breaking Points, has attracted attention. Although the government has not yet responded to Dorsey's allegation, a number of Twitter accounts belonging to the Opposition took to Twitter to share a clip of his statement and criticised the Modi government. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author Mumbai Police's Traffic Control Branch has taken a significant step to address the issue of noise pollution and its detrimental effects on public health . They have announced the observance of a 'No Honking Day' on Wednesday that is today, June 14, aimed at curbing the unnecessary use of vehicle horns. With noise pollution causing harm to both the environment and human health, the police are urging motorists to positively respond to this initiative by refraining from honking their horns. Controlling noise pollution To ensure compliance with noise pollution regulations, the Mumbai Traffic Police has advised all motorists to ensure that their vehicle horns meet the guidelines specified in Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. Violators who engage in needless blaring of their vehicle horns will face action under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Environment Protection Act. The Traffic Control Branch said, We urge all the drivers and riders in Mumbai city, except ambulances, fire brigades and other vehicles on emergency duties, not to honk the horns of their vehicle on 14 June 2023 and other days as well." Support from anti-noise pollution crusaders Sumaira Abdulali, a prominent advocate for reducing noise pollution and the founder of the 'Awaz Foundation,' has wholeheartedly welcomed the police's initiative. Abdulali emphasized that the last time such an exercise was carried out in Mumbai was 17 years ago in 2006, highlighting the pressing need for renewed efforts. The 'Awaz Foundation' has collaborated with the police, conducting studies on the adverse effects of unnecessary honking. Abdulali urged the police to extend this initiative to all days, emphasizing the severity of the issue and the importance of consistent action. The impact of honking on noise pollution Research conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) indicates that honking is a major component of traffic noise. A comprehensive study conducted by Dr. Ritesh Vijay, a senior principal scientist at NEERI, revealed that honking contributes significantly to noise pollution levels. The 2018 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also quantified noise levels in major Indian cities, including Mumbai, as exceeding 80 decibels, indicating a pressing need for intervention. Silence zones and health implications Recognizing the adverse effects of noise pollution on vulnerable individuals, the Noise Pollution Rules and orders from the Supreme Court and High Courts have established restrictions on decibel levels and horn usage in residential and silence zones. Silence zones, encompassing areas near hospitals, courts, religious places, and educational institutions, require sound levels to stay below 40 decibels at night. This stringent requirement is essential to safeguard public health, ensure the delivery of justice, facilitate prayer and meditation, and improve learning outcomes in educational settings. Link between hearing loss and alzheimer's disease In addition to the immediate effects on well-being, recent studies have highlighted a correlation between hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease. A study tracking 639 adults for nearly 12 years found that mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia, while moderate loss tripled the risk, as reported by Forbes India. Those with severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia. A Shanghai restaurateur was fined 5,000 yuan ($702) this month for serving shredded cucumber without a licence, prompting outrage on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo. In a post viewed 9.5 million times, one user wrote: If they wanna fine you, even adding vinegar could be wrong." Truckers in central Henan province last month made headlines when they questioned the accuracy of government vehicle weighing machines, after being repeatedly fined for exceeding limits: one driver had received tickets totaling $38,000 in the past two years. In Guangxi, one of Chinas most indebted provinces, a state-backed company sparked anger in May for hiking parking fees, leading some commuters to rack up thousands of yuan in charges. After Weibo users questioned their legitimacy, the Nanning city mayor bowed and apologized at a press conference. These high-profile scandals represent a broader trend of local governments using fines to bolster their coffers. A State Council inspection last year found that in the wake of the pandemic and other economic difficulties, local government penalties had become stricter and more severe, according to an article in state media. Guangxi alone made 13 billion yuan from fines last year, according to an analysis of government data by Caijing Industry Research Center equivalent to about 14% of its tax income, rising from 9% in 2021. It is a sign of desperation," said Victor Shih, an associate professor at the University of California, San Diego, who specializes in Chinas banking policies. Arbitrary fines and predatory behavior will drive businesses away, especially small and medium businesses without the political protection of large state-owned enterprises," he added. Chinas local governments have suffered the dual blows of the pandemic and a property crackdown from Beijing in recent years, leaving them with too little income to spend on salaries and building roads, while at the same time paying their debt bills. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimates Chinas total government debt is about $23 trillion, a figure that includes the hidden borrowing of thousands of financing companies set up by provinces and cities. The central government reiterated this month that provinces have to fix hidden debt problems on their own, leaving local officials to get more creative to raise revenue for their day-to-day spending. Last year, a grocer in Shaanxi province was fined 66,000 yuan for selling 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) of substandard celery, while in August, officials in Guangdong were found to have falsified evidence to fine trucks for suspected illegal dumping. Fees and fines are going to become more visible with economic growth slowing, as these are things local bureaucrats have control over on a day-to-day basis," said Liqian Ren, director of Modern Alpha at WisdomTree Asset Management, adding that such measures are just a band aid that only help at the margins. As such cases spark outrage on social media, government scrutiny of levies has ramped up. Following the Guangxi street-parking uproar last month, city authorities in Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang, and Shandong also started cracking down on expensive parking fees. In February, then-Premier Li Keqiang called on provinces to resolutely put an end to arbitrary fees" and fines at a cabinet meeting. The levies are unlikely to make a meaningful difference to the shortfall in local finances. Still, excessive fines will probably remain a feature as provinces are left to shoulder their own problems, said Zerlina Zeng, senior credit analyst at CreditSights Singapore LLC. As fines and other regulatory burdens kill off the SMEs, local governments would further lose tax income, become even more reliant on fines, and dependent on transfers from central and other upper-tier governments," Zeng said. She added: This could be detrimental to the local business environment and result in a vicious cycle in weak regions." Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 37 criminal charges related to willfully mishandling of classified documents when he left the office and lied to the officials who sought to recover them, the Reuters reported. "We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty," Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, told the judge. Trump's former aide Walt Nauta, charged with six criminal counts, did not enter a plea on Tuesday, the AP reported. The former president was allowed to leave the federal court without restrictions, reported CNN, after prosecutors told Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman that the defendant was not considered a flight risk. Trump was not allowed to communicate with potential witnesses in the case, the CNN said. It was his second court visit in recent months. In April, he had pleaded not guilty to state charges in a payment to a porn star in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. The former president has repeatedly claimed that he is innocent and has accused Biden administration of targeting him. He has also accused Joe Biden of weaponising law enforcement agencies against him. Trump, on his ways to federal court in Miami (Florida), posted several messages in his account on the social media platform Truth Social. He called Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the prosecution, a "Trump hater" and termed the day as: "One of the saddest days in the history of our country. We are a nation in decline!!!" Alina Habba, a lawyer attorney for the former president, repeated the former president's claims that the charges were politically motivated as she addressed media outside court. "We are at a turning point in our nation's history, the targeting prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships like Cuba and Venezuela," Reuters reported quoting Habba. "What is being done to the President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country," Habba added. The former president is facing 37 felony counts, alleging that he illegally retained national defense information and concealed the documents in violation of witness-tampering laws in the Justice Departments probe into the materials. (With agency inputs) After the Centre denied Jack Dorsey's claims of Twitter had faced pressure from the Indian government during farmers' protest, opposition parties came in support of the Twitter co-founder stating that this incident shows how democracy in India is threatened. On Monday, Dorsey said, Twitter was threatened with shut down in India, Nigeria and Turkey unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts, with India wanting to curb journalists' and protesters' use of the social media platform "India for example, India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmers protest, around particular journalists that were critical of the government," Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, said in an interview to YouTube news show Breaking Points. Indian farmers ended a year of protests in late 2021 after winning concessions from the government regarding certain farm laws. The demonstrations were among the biggest faced by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India,' which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees,' which they did; 'we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit.' And this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey added. What BJP said about Jack Dorsey's claim? Rubbishing the claims, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for IT, tweeted that Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter `shutdown'," Chandrasekhar said. Between 2020-2022, Twitter was violating Indian law multiple times. It started complying with the law only in 2022. During that entire period, nobody went to jail, and nobody was raided. Jack Dorsey knowing very well that Twitter did not comply with any law and didnt face any consequence, is today lying and making stories about raids and arrests", Chandrasekhar said. Jill Biden, in her remarks to Democratic donors on June 12, cautioned about the choices in the upcoming 2024 election, emphasising a contrast between what she characterised as President Joe Biden's "strong, steady leadership" and the perceived "chaos and corruption, hatred and division" associated with "MAGA Republicans". During her first independent engagement of the 2024 campaign, the first lady addressed the recent federal indictment of former President Donald Trump, a topic that her husband has generally avoided discussing. Expressing surprise, she noted the continued support Trump seemed to maintain within his party despite the indictment. Speaking in New York City, Jill Biden mentioned seeing a headline indicating that a majority of Republicans, according to a poll, still intended to vote for Trump. Thats a little shocking, I think," she remarked, referring to the fact that the indictment seemed to have little impact on the support Trump receives from Republicans, according to Associated Press. The first lady, making a campaign swing on the East and West coasts after a grueling six-day trip abroad, was at times grim as she referred to Trump's time in office and the stakes for next year's election, saying We cannot go back to those dark days". Though the 2024 election in which Biden is seeking reelection is more than a year away, helping him win a second term is a top priority for the first lady, who is also a community college English professor, now that school's out for the summer. She started a three-day fundraising swing Monday in New York City before flying later that night to California. She is scheduled to hold events in San Francisco and Los Angeles, with most of her time to be spent raking in money at four political events, including two in Californias Bay Area, to benefit the presidents campaign, the Democratic National Committee and Democratic state party committees. She did not name Trump but referred to his habits of blasting off posts on Twitter that announced policies, insulted foreign leaders and nations and even fired staffers. The first lady was at times blunt about how she saw the 2024 election but was informal and conversational, pressing her palms together, referencing her career as a teacher and referring to her husband as Joe". (With AP inputs) The world's nine nuclear-armed nations, in a continuing global trend, have made significant strides in modernising their nuclear arsenals, with some deploying new nuclear-capable weapon systems. The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel are all actively involved in this race for nuclear supremacy. The total global inventory of warheads reached an estimated 12,512 in January 2023, with approximately 9,576 warheads stockpiled for potential use, according to the latest data by The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Among these, around 3,844 warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft. Notably, Russia and the United States possess nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons, with their respective nuclear arsenals appearing to remain relatively stable in 2022. India and Pakistan have been actively pursuing the development of new nuclear weapons. While Pakistan remains the primary focus of India's nuclear deterrent, there is evidence of India's growing emphasis on longer-range weapons that can potentially reach targets in China, the SIPRI report added. This escalation in nuclear capabilities between the two South Asian powers demands close scrutiny. China's nuclear arsenal, however, witnessed an increase from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. Experts anticipate this number will continue to grow, potentially allowing China to match the intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities of either the United States or Russia by the end of the decade. Also Read: Indian companies suffer as Chinese steel floods market SIPRI's Hans M. Kristensen has highlighted China's significant expansion, raising questions about its declared goal of maintaining minimum nuclear forces for national security. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has not reportedly increased its nuclear weapon arsenal in 2022, but future projections suggest a growth in its warhead stockpile due to the government's decision to raise the limit from 225 to 260 warheads. France, on the other hand, has been actively involved in programs to develop a third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), a new air-launched cruise missile, and the refurbishment and upgrade of existing systems. While these developments showcase the advancements made by nuclear-armed nations, concerns persist regarding transparency and the overall impact on global security. As these powers strive for technological superiority, the world watches closely, emphasising the need for continued discussions and efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The race for nuclear supremacy remains a critical issue on the global stage, and experts emphasise the importance of open dialogue and cooperation to ensure the safety and stability of our world. Meanwhile, North Korea, known for its pursuit of military nuclear programs, has made its intentions clear by prioritising its nuclear capabilities as a central element of its national security strategy. Although the country refrained from conducting nuclear test explosions in 2022, it carried out more than 90 missile tests. Some of these missiles, including newly developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), are suspected to have the capability of carrying nuclear warheads. Experts estimate that North Korea now possesses around 30 warheads, a significant increase from previous estimates. Israel, a nation that officially neither confirms nor denies its possession of nuclear weapons, is believed to be engaged in modernising its nuclear arsenal, as per the report. While details surrounding Israel's activities remain shrouded in secrecy, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, recognising the potential impact it could have on the delicate regional dynamics. Manipur's ethnic violence may have died down, from the extremities the state incurred in May 2023, however, dissention between the Meitei and Kuki in Manipur still burns among the communities. The state and Centre's bolstered effort for peace talks have fallen through as unhappy community members of Meitei, and Kuki have refrained from joining. The Kuki community were the first to register their dissatisfaction with the functioning of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Several Kuki organisations raised objections to the inclusion of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the 51-member panel headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey. The apex body of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) in a statement said its president has been included in the list of members "without prior and proper consultation and information". Soon after major Meitei civil society groups, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), has vehemently rejected the appointment of its convenor, Jeetendra Ningomba, as a member. The Meitei group has denied being part of the peace committee, saying peace cannot be achieved without withdrawing Suspension of Operations (SOO) with insurgents, and issues of "narco-terrorism" and illegal immigration are effectively addressed. The State Level Peace Committee, formed on 10 June, is headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey and consists of 51 key stakeholders such as Chief Minister N Biren Singh, MPs, ministers, MLAs, and others. At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state. Curfew remains in force in 11 of the 16 districts of Manipur, while internet services are suspended in the entire northeastern state. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar says the Cowin app did not face a direct data breach. But the incident could still put sensitive personal health data of users at stake. Mint explains why such breaches could be severe and why they are so frequent: Whats a data breach, how do they occur? A data breach happens when a platform with user-data is compromised, leading to the data being stolen. There could be many reasons behind breaches, including wrongly configured cloud platforms where data was stored and unknown bugs (called zero-days) that are exploited by cyber criminals. Data breaches can be direct or indirect. An example of the latter would be hackers exploiting a flaw in the code in a third party app to gain access to a larger database. With an increasingly connected global industrial supply chain, more data is shared across firms, causing a rise in third-party data breaches. What happened to the Cowin platform? In a tweet on 12 June, Chandrasekhar said it does not appear" that the Cowin app or database was directly breached". Rather, user-data from the database, which was being published on messaging app Telegram through a chatbot, was being accessed from a threat actor database populated with previously stolen data". The ministers claim points to a third party data breach, where platforms that used Cowin to verify userscommon during post-pandemic travelmay have faced a breach. The union health ministry denied reports of a data breach affecting the Cowin platform. View Full Image Graphic: Mint Why do cyber attacks keep happening in India? India has a huge number of internet usersone of the biggest markets for any digitized business. This makes India a hotbed of user-data. Cowin dashboard on Tuesday showed it had over 1.1 billion users data. A breach of data on any public platform could expose millions of users to a wide range of further cyber attacks such as targeted phishing and scams. Do any firms or govt bodies face penalties? India so far does not have a direct law for cyber security. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)s regulations from last year penalises failure to report a data breach. NS Nappinai, Supreme Court lawyer, said, For a data breach itself, you have Section 43A of Information Technology Act, 2000, which only holds a body corporate liable. As of now, our minimal data protection laws under the IT Act do not cover the government. Since personal data impacts the fundamental right of privacy, it is open to victims to seek remedies through court." What do users have at stake? Sensitive data, once leaked, is unrecoverableit can be accessed by any cyber criminal with intent to purchase a database. This makes users highly susceptible to scams and cyber attacks, which have also grown increasingly sophisticated in nature. In case of a data breach, user-data is prejudicially affected for a lifetime. The lack of a dedicated legal framework means we cant provide effective remedies to those whose data has been compromised," said Pawan Duggal, Supreme Court lawyer. The new boss of the social media company has shared her first email to all the employees in which she asked for support in building Twitter 2.0- the world's most accurate real-time information source". She wrote to employees, "The success of Twitter 2.0 is all of our responsibility...We can do it by starting from first principles--questioning our assumptions and building something new from the ground up". Last year, the world's richest person Elon Musk bought Twitter after founder Jack Dorsey ceded the CEO position. Since then, the micro-blogging site has been embroiled in innumerable controversies. Musk received a barrage of criticism for its approach in tacking fake information on the platform. Besides, Musk's controversial takeover resulted in massive layoffs. He welcomed back far-right and controversial figures on the platform, scaring off its highest-paying advertisers. Last month, Musk chose top ad executive Linda Yaccarino to take the day-to-day reins of Twitter. Yaccarino, former head of advertising at NBCUniversal, echoed Musk's goal in the mail. She said, "From space exploration to electric vehicles, Elon knew these industries needed transformation. so he did it. More recently it has become increasingly clear that the global town square needs transformation- to drive civilization forward through the unfiltered exchange of information". Born into a family with Italian roots, Yaccarino has spent her career in television. At NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of cable operator Comcast, she redesigned her advertising strategy to support a shift from traditional television to streaming shows online. According to NBCUniversal's website, Yaccarino led a team of 2,000 people. She brought the group's channels into a single platform to streamline ad campaigns. In mid-April this year, she interviewed Musk at the "Possible" marketing conference in which she suggested that "Advertisers need to feel that there is an opportunity for them to influence what you're building". She argued that the goal is to make Twitter a place where advertisers are excited to spend marketing money, saying that involves content moderation, user safety, and product development. Yaccarino's direct style and sharp insights visibly intrigued Musk. And a month later, Musk teased Yaccarino's hiring, saying in a tweet that he had hired a woman to replace him as boss of Twitter and its newly named X Corporation parent, but without revealing the name. In another tweet, Musk then wrote he would remain in charge of design and technology at Twitter, with Yaccarino focusing primarily on business operations and turning Twitter into an "everything app" called X. Yaccarino will face an uphill battle trying to lure back major advertisers that are afraid of unwanted associations with conspiracy theorists and far-right content makers who Musk encouraged back to Twitter. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Transition Year (TY) Students from Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford were honoured at a recent Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) North East & Midlands Youth Day. They were awarded certificates for their participation in the Young SVP Programme 2022/2023 In conjunction with TY students from Castlepollard Community School, the Mean Scoil Mhuire students organised a fashion Show with clothes from Vincents charity shops. The TY students broke up into groups and had to raise 15 each to spent in their local SVP shop. The students priced each outfit before it was donated to SVP. In addition to raising money for the charity and supporting the community the students learned the benefit of shopping in the Vincents shops and became more aware of how the Society of St Vincent de Paul helps people in need. The Young SVP programme is a social justice programme designed for students and 3rd Level Institutions. The programme encourages young people and Young SVP groups to get involved in their local communities, improve the lives of others and gain a better understanding of SVP and social justice. There are four types of project types in Young SVP: Befriending Project. Befriending is one of the central works of SVP. At its heart is the person to person contact with people. In befriending another person, you are giving of your time, your talents and yourself Work with elderly, young people, people with additional needs, fellow student support, local SVP, random acts of kindness, help a local community cause Education Project SVP acknowledges the importance of education and the fact that it can be a way out of poverty for many people. A little help at the right time can make all the difference Teach a skill to another person, peer learning, paired reading, homework club, tech classes, information booklets, music classes, language aid Awareness Project Through this type of project, you will learn how to research and create awareness on a social justice issue you are interested in Research a topic of interest and create an awareness campaign in your school, local community, on social media Direct Aid Project SVP is funded almost entirely by donations by the public. Direct Aid projects, where money or items are raised for a cause, should be done with a clear focus in mind and in conjunction with the charity or cause you are collecting for - Fundraise, clothes drive, collections for homeless charities, annual appeal collection, help local SVP. This Saturday, June 17 will see local pianists of all levels and abilities come together to perform their pieces in Longford's inaugural Camlin Keys Piano Festival competition classes and then the winners will perform in the evening concert, together with other popular local performers. The range of music will not just be classical, but sing-a-long, Irish, traditional and modern pieces. The Camlin Keys Piano Festival Workshops still have a few spaces in, of particular interest might be the Performance & Exam Anxiety Workshop at 10am with Tamara Niekludow. Tamara will be offering advice, techniques and insight into the pressures of performance and exam situations. Maybe a start to the day for the Community Games entrants or even for last minute LC exams! Music with Dee Dee, also starting at 10am. An hour of early years music, fun and laughter with Dee-Dee Hickey, this is a popular class so dont miss out, be sure to book your spot through the website. Space is limited and once people have booked we can possibly run a second workshop if numbers are high. Never too old: If you are a beginner or returning to the piano, chat with Joanna about playing the piano at any age. Please note all workshops must be booked and paid for in advance through our website, www.camlinkeys.ie. The Camlin Keys Piano Festival Competition/Classes kick off at 11am in St Johns NS. Our outlook is very much that the festival be an opportunity to perform and show off you pieces, rather than be a competitive activity. The focus is very much on playing the pieces for each other. Evening Grand Concert for the Camlin Keys Piano Festival we are installing a grand piano in St Johns Church. Join us for the evening concert where we will be having winners of the piano classes and the Community Games winning Ballad Group will be opening the evening for us. We will also experience performances by the various ensembles who have participated in the workshops. There will also be performances by professional pianist who have a wide-ranging repertoire something for everyone! Tickets available on Eventbrite. The Camlin Keys Piano Festival promises a day filled with inspiration, learning, and musical camaraderie. Whether you are a young beginner, an aspiring performer, a curious enthusiast, or an adult embarking on a new musical journey, this festival offers a diverse range of workshops to cater to your interests. Immerse yourself in the magic of piano music and let the Camlin Keys Piano Festival be your gateway to a world of melodies and possibilities. We encourage all budding pianists to have a go and make the most of the opportunity to show-off how much work has gone into your pieces. Everyone is welcome, there are classes for all levels and abilities, if you dont see something for you, let us know so we can accommodate you. Visit www.camlinkeys.ie for entry information or call 085 265 4240. Writer, historian and adopted Longford man Aidan OHara passed away, peacefully surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 84, on Sunday, June 11. Aidan led an eventful life that brought him from his native Donegal to the Farrell county via Canada. He worked as a presenter and producer with RTE and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He lived in Longford for over 20 years, and in that time published a number of books. His many publications include the books Ill Live Till I Die: The Story of Delia Murphy and Atlantic Gaels: Links between Donegal and the Hebrides. Aidan has also written numerous articles, including in Teathbha, the Journal of County Longford Historical Society. He was a graduate of St Mary's College (now Marino Institute of Education), and pursued his postgraduate studies at University of Ottawa and Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. Aidan taught Communications and Media Studies in Dublin, Ireland: Communications Centre, Booterstown, the Tallaght Institute of Technology, and Dublin City University. Through his company, Ashton Media Services, he taught Communication skills to school leavers, business executives, politicians, medical professionals and church leaders. He presented three acclaimed Radharc documentaries on the Irish of Newfoundland on RTE 1 in the 1980s one of them the award-winning, The Forgotten Irish and he has been a contributor and consultant in several TV series. Aidans story of the Irish in Newfoundland, Na Gaeil i dTalamh an Eisc, was published in 1998. It won the Oireachtas '97 literary award for a work in prose, and was nominated for The Irish Times Literature Prize in 1999 for a work in the Irish language. Aidan was a keen historian with a special interest in the Irish emigration experience and was an active member of the Longford Historical Society. He wrote regularly for Irish Music Magazine and contributed articles on historic matters to journals and newspapers around the country, including the Longford Leader. He was also a member of the Knocklyon History Society (Dublin), Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha (The Armagh Diocesan Historical Society), and the County Donegal Historical Society. Aidan served as Chairman of the Emmet and Devlin Committee, and was a founding member of the Association of Canadian Studies in Ireland. In February of this year, Aidans book A Damn Yankee, Am I? Thanks! Portraits of the Irish in the Era of the American Civil War, was launched in Longford library by Dr Fergus OFerrall. On the evening, Dr OFerrall described Aidan as a very distinguished member of the County Longford Historical Society, a leading local historian amongst a very remarkable generation of Longfords historians. Dr OFerrall added, Aidans breadth of interests as an historian is reflected in the well over twenty significant essays he has contributed to Teathbha, the very impressive journal of the County Longford Historical Society. Aidan has written about critical episodes in the land struggle, about personalities, such as Francis Hutcheson, the philosopher, Bishop Magauran in the 1820s, and Henry Inglis, who toured the county in the 1830s. Aidans particular interest and expertise in emigration is the subject of six essays; in addition we have his key essay on this central aspect of the Irish experience- emigration- in Longford History and Society, edited by Martin Morris and myself in 2010. Other essays cover music and tradition and the struggle of self- government and independence. This major contribution, casting such new light on our countys past, is all the more remarkable when we know that Aidan only came to live in County Longford in 2004 but, of course, Longford was his late fathers county. It is to be hoped that these essays in Teathbha will be collected and published in book form as they merit a prominent place on the shelf and desks of everyone interested in both Longfords and indeed Irelands past. An award-winning broadcaster, I first met Aidan when I was a student on a Radio Communication course back in the early 1980s and have greatly admired his career ever since. Aidan has a special interest in the Irish of Newfoundland and he has presented three acclaimed Radharc documentaries on the Irish of Newfoundland and won a literary award for Na Gaeil i dTalamh an Eisc telling their story. Predeceased by his parents Marjorie (nee Curran) and James O'Hara (Drumlish , Co.Longford) , sister Mona Doherty and brothers Brendan, Eamon and Colm, the late Aidan will be remembered in the hearts and minds of all that knew his passion and love for Ireland's cultural arts and heritage. Always remembered with love by his family, his devoted wife Joyce, daughter Kathleen, sons Sean, Brian and Conor, daughter-in-law Fionnag, son-in-law Brendan, grandchildren Eoghan, Laoise, Sorcha, Orla, Ro and Chloe, sisters Kathleen and Carol, his twin brother Mel, sisters-in-law , brothers-in-law , cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and his many friends and colleagues around the world. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Reposing at his residence in Clonbalt Woods (N39 H9P0), Longford town on Friday, June 16 from 5pm until 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection in celebration of Aidans life will take place in St. Mels Cathedral on Saturday, June 17 at 10.45am, followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan, at 1.30pm. IFA President Tim Cullinan said that a Department of Agriculture report which appeared in the media recently will further erode farmer trust in the Government. Reports like this only serve to further fuel the view that the Government is working behind the scenes to undermine our dairy and livestock sectors, he said. Farmers should not be finding out about this through the media. It is totally unacceptable and shows contempt for farmers, he said. While there may well be some farmers who wish to exit the sector, we should all be focussing on providing a pathway for the next generation to get into farming, he said. Only 6% of farmers in Ireland are under 35. All this talking down of the sector is driving young people away. It needs to stop. We need proper engagement on how we get young people into farming rather than the Government running down the sector, he said. Reducing dairy or beef production in Ireland will also lead to carbon leakage with production moving to other countries with a higher carbon footprint. This is likely to increase global warming, rather than reducing it, he said. Man Arrested for Throwing Brick through Church in Manorhaven Crime By Long Island Published: June 13 2023 A male subject threw a brick through the glass door of the Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, located at 6 Cottonwood Road The Sixth Squad reports an Arrest for a Criminal Mischief that occurred at 11:45 pm on Sunday, June 11, 2023 in Manorhaven. According to Detectives, a male subject threw a brick through the glass door of the Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, located at 6 Cottonwood Road; before fleeing the scene prior to Police arrival. Subsequent to the investigation, Defendant Kevin Guzman, 21, of 27B Cambridge Avenue Manorhaven was located at his residence and at 10:10am was placed under arrest without incident. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: June 13 2023 70-year-old William Cahoon was found dead in his Levittown home in January 2019 with approximately 16 stab wounds; Defendant David Cahoon faces 25 years to life in prison at sentencing. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Dix Hills man was convicted of murder for stabbing his elderly uncle to death in Levittown in 2019. David Cahoon, 44, was convicted by a jury yesterday after a trial before Judge Robert Bogle of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a D felony); and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (an E felony). The jury deliberated for approximately one day before delivering their verdict. The defendant is due back in court for sentencing on July 7, 2023, when he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. William Cahoon was a regular at the Milleridge Inn, and when he stopped coming into the restaurant for several weeks, staff knew something was wrong, said DA Donnelly. A wellness check revealed that William had been viciously stabbed repeatedly by his nephew, the defendant, who had also stolen $1800 from the man. David Cahoons greed gave way to extreme violence and now he will spend decades in prison paying for the life he took. DA Donnelly said that on January 4, 2019, the body of 70-year-old William Cahoon was found by members of the Nassau County Police Department in a back bedroom of his home in Levittown with approximately 16 stab wounds to his head, neck, and chest. The officers responded to the home following a request for a wellness check by staff at the Milleridge Inn on the victim. Mr. Cahoon was a regular at the establishment and had dinner there every Friday and Saturday for 25 years. Restaurant staff became concerned about his wellbeing after he didnt show up for approximately four weeks. Following an investigation, it was determined the victim was killed on December 3, 2018, by his nephew, David Cahoon. Cahoon was arrested by NCPD Detectives on June 19, 2019. The investigation also revealed the defendant stole $1,800 from the victim by fraudulently cashing a check from the victims bank account. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: June 13 2023 Tayquan Mayodunmore, 29, is charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. Suffolk County Police on Saturday, June 10 arrested a man for driving while intoxicated, among other charges, after a woman was critically injured when the ATV he was operating crashed in Brookhaven. Tayquan Mayodunmore was operating an ATV with Jessilyn Johnson as a passenger on Bellport Avenue, between Louise Avenue and Hampton Avenue, when the vehicle overturned causing Johnson to strike her head on the pavement at approximately 8 p.m. Johnson, 26, of Medford, was airlifted by police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. Mayodunmore was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Neither rider was wearing a helmet. Mayodunmore, 29, of Bellport, was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. He was held overnight and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip. The ATV was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Fifth Squad 631-854-8552. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 13 2023 The Chapter will offer a selection of Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia for sale to benefit the Chapter. The American Airpower Museum (AAM) is proud to host an informative forum about The Tuskegee Airmen on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Museum , Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Sponsored by the Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. , the forum features a lively discussion about the Airmen by actual family members of those legendary fighter pilots. The Airmen were a group of brave and skilled African American pilots, whose successful battles in their Mustang fighters defending the B-17s against Nazi Luftwaffe Messerschmitts, persuaded President Harry S. Truman to desegregate the military after World War II. Reynard Burns, Chapter Public Relations Officer, will recount the origins of the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments and importance then and now. Of special interest for military aviation enthusiasts is the exhibits full-scale fiberglass replica of a P-51D Mustang fighter, suspended from the ceiling of Hangar 3. This replica was based on a Mustang flown by Jeff Clyman, AAM President, during air shows in the 1990s. Pilot Jeff Clyman will talk about the Mustangs unique flying characteristics and armaments. The Museum currently owns an original P-51D Mustang, Jacqueline, which flies at the Jones Beach Air Show and other venues across the Northeast. The Chapter will offer a selection of Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia for sale to benefit the Chapter. They will also raffle off a flight by a New York Metro Black Pilots Association member, whose personal aircraft will be parked outside of AAMs Hangar 3. For more information about the Tuskegee Airmen Forum at AAM, please contact Reynard Burns at (631) 827-9383, reyburns@verizon.net. Claude B. Govan chapter website: NYCTAI.ORG. The public is cordially invited to attend this informative program. Tickets or pre-registration are not required. Admission to the Museum is $20 for Adults, $15 for Seniors & Veterans and $12 for Children 5-12. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all day Saturday, June 24, 2023, at AAM, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735. The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory's history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan following the U.S withdrawal in Aug. 2021, Al Qaeda has established training camps in five Afghan provinces, as well as safe houses and other infrastructure across the country. Al Qaedas resurgence since the Taliban takeover should put to rest the notion that U.S. so-called over the horizon counterterrorism operations have restrained the group, that its ties with the Taliban have diminished, and more importantly, once and for all that the terror group has been decimated, defeated, degraded, diminished, and declined, destroyed, or dead. The presence of Al Qaeda training camps inside Afghanistan was disclosed by the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which issued its latest report on Afghanistan on June 9. Several former officials of the now-defunct Government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have previously told FDDs Long War Journal that Al Qaeda was running training camps in Afghanistan, but were unable to provide the locations of the camps. According to the UN, the Al Qaeda camps are located in five provinces in five different regions of Afghanistan: Helmand in the south, Zabul in the southeast, Nangarhar in the east, Nuristan in the northeast, as well as Badghis in the west. Additionally, the UN reported Al Qaeda has established safe houses in Farah, Helmand, Herat and Kabul, the Afghan capital, and opened a media operations center in Herat. The presence of Al Qaeda camps in Helmand, Zabul, Nuristan, and Nangarhar should come as no surprise. Helmand province has long been fertile ground for Al Qaeda. In 2015, FDDs Long War Journal reported that Al Qaeda was operating a training camp in Baramcha in Helmand (the camp in Baramcha was known to be in operation as recently as 2020). Zabul and Nuristan were identified by Osama bin Laden as critical, friendly terrain for Al Qaeda back in 2010. Seven months before his death in May 2011 in a U.S. special operations raid at his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, bin Laden instructed some of Al Qaedas leaders to relocate to Zabul, Nuristan, Kunar, and Ghazni provinces in eastern Afghanistan to avoid the U.S. drone campaign in North and South Waziristan. The training camp in Nuristan is specifically for the training of suicide bombers, the Sanctions and Monitoring Team reported. The Talibans current governor of Nuristan, Hafiz Muhammad Agha Hakeem, has been identified by the Sanctions and Monitoring Team as an Al Qaeda leader [See LWJ report, Al Qaeda leaders are prominently serving in Taliban government.] Nangarhar has also been key terrain for Al Qaeda given it close proximity to both the Afghan capital and Pakistan. At the end of 2001, Al Qaeda held out in mountain fortifications against U.S. forces during the battle of Tora Bora in late 2001. Although not stated in the UN report, it is also likely that Al Qaeda is operating a training camp in Kunar province. A previous Sanctions and Monitoring Team report noted that Abu Ikhlas al-Masri, a veteran Al Qaeda leader, has reestablished his unit in Kunar province. Prior to his capture in 2010, al-Masri ran training camps in Kunar, where he served as Al Qaedas chief of operations. One member state claimed that Al Qaeda is also training the Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban-supported Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan at its camps. At least one Al Qaeda safe house in Kabul was exposed in July 2022, when the U.S. killed Ayman al Zawahiri, the co-founder and previous emir of Al Qaeda. Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike as he sheltered in a safe house that was run by a lieutenant of Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is one of the Talibans two deputy emirs as well as the current interior minister. Sirajuddins powerful Haqqani Network is listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for its close ties to Al Qaeda. Sirajuddin and many of his top lieutenants are also labeled as Specially Designated Global Terrorists by the U.S. Al Qaeda is known to have operated a safe house in Farah as recently as late 2020. In Nov. 2020, the now-disbanded National Directorate of Security killed Mohammad Hanif, a veteran Pakistani jihadist who rose to the highest levels of leadership within Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, Al Qaedas regional branch. Al Qaedas numbers in Afghanistan Al Qaedas strength in Afghanistan has routinely been underestimated by U.S. officials, and resoundingly disputed by FDDs Long War Journal in the past. Between 2010 to 2015, the U.S estimate of Al Qaeda personnel in Afghanistan was static at between 50 to 100. This estimate was blown away when the U.S. killed 150 Al Qaeda operatives during raids on two camps alone in Helmand province in late 2015. [See LWJ report, Analysis: Dont trust estimates of Al Qaedas strength in Afghanistan.] Today, the Sanctions and Monitoring Team estimates that 30 to 60 mainly senior figures are located in Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand and Kunar, while an additional 400 Al Qaeda fighters and perhaps 1,600 family members and supporters are operating in the south (Helmand, Zabul and Kandahar Provinces), centre (Ghazni, Kabul and Parwan) and east (Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan). While the current estimate is likely to be on the low end given Al Qaedas historical operations in the past and the opportunity that safe haven in Afghanistan has presented to the terror group, the UNs count is at least far more robust than previous stale estimates by U.S. officials. Despited Al Qaedas extensive network in Afghanistan, which includes training camps, safe houses, a media operations center, and Al Qaeda leaders serving in the Talibans government, the U.S. has conducted only one strike in the country since its withdrawal. That strike, which killed Zawahiri, was conducted by the CIA. The Biden administration touted the ability to hit at Al Qaeda and other terror groups if their presence is discovered using over the horizon counterterrorism capabilities of the U.S. military. However, the U.S. military has conducted zero counterterrorism strikes since the withdrawal. Al Qaeda most certainly could not shelter top leaders in Afghanistan, run training camps and safe houses, and embed leaders within the Talibans government without the express support and approval of the Talibans leadership. Al Qaeda has most certainly not declined, nor has it been decimated or defeated. Instead, Al Qaedas ties to the Taliban, as the Sanctions and Monitoring Team puts it, remain close and symbiotic, and Al Qaeda is thriving with the benefit of safe haven in Afghanistan. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. 13th June 2023 Runtime 15:56 Beacon Energy (BCE) have just announced the arrival of the E202 drilling rig on site for the planned Erdefelden development well, "a highly important well". We caught up with CEO Larry Bottomley and he explained that the first Erfelden development well is due to spud shortly, and that the drill rig is now on site on a field owned by Rhine Petroleum in West Germany which is currently producing. The aim is to increase production and to use that cash flow to reinvest back into the portfolio. Larry believes that the case for E&P production onshore in Germany is stronger post the Ukraine war given the security of supply issues which have occurred. Beacon Energy have recently been readmitted to AIM after the reverse takeover of Rhine Petroleum in Germany. Rhine has a considerable portfolio of onshore German assets (that's some production, albeit small, material development opportunities and exploration opportunities), including 4 development wells at Erfelden with the potential to to be drilled in the next couple of years. As Larry explained, the goal is to create a self-funding business model with a broad portfolio and a world-class operating team. "We 100% own and manage all our assets so our future is in our own hands and we can speed up or decrease expansion as we see fit. "The drill will take 25 days or so, with a further 12 days or so to clean up. We expect production by July/early August if things go to plan. The risks here are as low as they can possibly get. What we have from the CPR is a range of potential production rates: as low as 200 bopd and as high as 15,000. For our modelling we have taken a mean case of 600 bopd which allows us to complete the development in a couple of years." The company will host an analyst site visit on Wednesday 21 June 2023. (Alliance News) - Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC shares soared after forming a consortium aimed at developing and building a zero emissions harbour and coastal tug. The Belfast, Northern Ireland-based multisite fabrication company operating in the maritime and offshore industry, has joined forces with Macduff Shipyards Ltd, Kongsberg Maritime Ltd and Echandia AB as part of the project. Shares jumped 9.2% to 14.68 pence in London on Tuesday. The envisaged tug will be 25.5 metres long, have a breadth of 12m, and a draught of 4.85m along with an "impressive" bollard pull for its size at 50 tonnes. The tug is expected to have Azimuth stern drives and a series of modular battery banks. Harland & Wolff will act as project lead and builders, Macduff Ship Design as designers, Kongsberg for propulsion and vessel control systems and Echandia as battery and electrical control systems specialists. "This consortium has been put together to bring the very best technologies and skills required to deliver this pioneering green design," Harland & Wolff said in a statement. The aim is to deliver a zero-emissions vessel that will utilise electric propulsion from stored battery power for day-to-day operations, backed up by generators driven by biofuel for exceptional operations or when shore charging support is unavailable. The consortium believes a significant number of such vessels of smaller and larger designs and capabilities will be required in the coming decade. Additionally, the technologies deployed are scalable to enter into the crew transfer vessels and service operation vessel markets. While this development is not altering current forecasts, Harland & Wolff believes "that being part of this consortium demonstrates the standing that the company has in the market and represents a significant opportunity for the future." By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. New website will also show what blood type is needed the most across Luxembourg People who would like to donate blood can make an appointment online now, Luxembourg's Red Cross said on Tuesday. This applies to people who regularly donate blood and those who are first time donors. A new website, which went live on Tuesday, also shows what blood type is needed the most, the Red Cross said in a press release. "A blood donour saves lives. We are conscious that we have to facilitate this altruistic gesture as much as possible," said Anne Schuhmacher, the director of the blood transfusion centre in Luxembourg City. Roughly 14,000 people gave blood in 2021, and the average age of donors was 43 years. Blood is usable for 42 days after donation, and platelets for up to a week, but plasma can be stored and used for up to three years, making all types of donation vital to Luxembourgs hospitals for blood transfusion during surgery. Every 500ml of blood donated can help up to three patients in need of a transfusion. The Red Cross operates eight facilities across the country where people can donate blood this week. The largest of them is located near the Glacis in Luxembourg City, which is open between 8am and 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and until 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The new website also offers information on how the procedure unfolds and what donors need to be aware of before donating blood. More information can be found in this guide. Walk-ins are also still possible, the Red Cross said. Cahen had previously faced calls to step down over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in care homes Family Minister Corinne Cahen will resign from government to take up the position of alderwoman on Luxembourg City Council, she confirmed on Tuesday. Government ministers are barred from holding another political position. Cahen had said last year she intended to step down as a minister if elected to Luxembourg City Council in Sunday's election. Cahen, who served as president of the liberal DP party until last year, finished in third place on the party's list in Sunday's local elections to Luxembourg City Council, behind current Mayor Lydie Polfer and alderman Patrick Goldschmidt, a result which means she is on course to be appointed as an alderwoman on the council. "I have said that if voters want me to play a role in the capital's mayoral office, then I will respect that choice and keep my word by giving up the Family Ministry", Cahen told RTL in an interview on Tuesday, adding that she may leave her government post as early as this week. However, she added that she would stand as a DP candidate in October's national parliamentary elections if she is asked to do so by the party. Cahen had previously ruled out serving another term in her ministerial post after she came under fire during the pandemic for her role in managing care homes. Lawmakers in 2021 had called for the resignation of the family affairs minister following revelations that Luxembourg knew retirement home residents ran a high risk of dying from Covid-19, but mostly left decisions about proper safeguards in the hands of staff running the homes. The vast majority of Luxembourg's 60 deputies combine parliamentary work with council roles, despite previous pledges by parties to put an end to the practice of double jobbing. 44 out of the 60 members of parliament won a local mandate on Sunday. Lawmakers from all parties in parliament have dual mandates, including all DP MPs. A promise by the coalition government to review dual mandates in both 2013 and again in 2018 never materialised, despite the support of all parties to put an end to the practice. Luxembourg and Malta are the only EU countries to still allow dual mandates. Its only been a week since Apple Vision Pro was revealed to the world, and the mixed-reality headset already has an identity crisis brewing. According to a report by MyDrivers, the moniker Vision Pro has been trademarked in China by Huawei, a maker of electronic devices. The trademark states that Huawei has exclusive rights from November 28, 2021, to November 27, 2031. Huawei has a Vision line of televisions, which is likely what the Vision Pro trademark is for, but the company also has a line of eyewear with built-in speakers and microphones for listening to music and taking calls. Before the WWDC23 keynote, speculation was that Apples headset would be called Reality Pro and the operating system, which is called visionOS, would be xrOS. Its unclear if Apple changed the names at the last minute, or if the rumored names were used to suss out people leaking info to the media. Its also not clear whether China trademark law would allow the Vision Pro name since there is an Apple logo appended to it. Apple isnt new to trademark issues. The most infamous one involved the iPhone, a trademark that was owned by Cisco at the time of its unveiling in 2007. The two companies eventually came to a deal that lets both of them use the iPhone branding. Details of the deal were not released, and Cisco eventually stopped using the iPhone brand for its IP phones. Apple has also had several trademark disputes with Apple Records over the years. If the companies dont reach an agreement and courts rule in favor of Huawei, Apple wouldnt be able to sell the Vision Pro in China. Apple could release the Vision Pro under a different name, though thats very unlikely. It could also call the headset something different in Chinaits not known if Reality Pro is trademarked by another company in that countrybut Apple likes to have consistent branding, so its more likely that Apple and Huawei will end up in court before eventually agreeing to a deal. The bottom line is, we're constructing a habitat that we hope to be second-to-none for kiwis, for Paora. It's easy for me to tell you what we're gonna do, I can't wait for the day when I can show you when it's done." Air Defender 23 is the largest deployment exercise of air forces in NATO's history. It started on Monday and will end on June 23. Under the command of the German Air Force, 250 aircraft from 25 countries are taking part. Up to Friday next week, some 13,000 flights are scheduled for Palma Son Sant Joan Airport. Of these, Eurocontrol says that around 5,000 will be affected. The exercise is in three airspaces over Germany - the Baltic Sea and part of eastern Germany; between Bavaria in the south and Rhineland-Palatinate, which borders France, Belgium and Luxembourg; Lower Saxony and the North Sea. As well as flights to and from German airports, some Scandinavian, Dutch, Austrian and Swiss flights will be affected. Spain's ministry of transport said on Monday that everything will be coordinated with Eurocontrol. Enaire, Spain's air navigation company, does not anticipate any cancellations of or delays to flights operating in Spanish airspace. However, Palma, because of the high number of German flights, will be affected. Hoteliers in Mallorca stress that any disruption of air traffic will have negative consequences. They say that there have been some cancellations. Spain could be the next European country to halt short-haul flights, as part of efforts to combat climate change. Madrid could follow the example of France whose ban on domestic flights on short routes that can be covered by train in less than two-and-half hours became effective last month, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Authorities in Spain already unfolded plans to take similar steps, after the Spanish Prime Ministers 2050 Agenda, introduced about two years ago, consisted of similar measures. Research by travel experts Mabrian and Phocuswright revealed that there have been a total of 5,744 flights between Barcelona and Madrid over the past 12 months or a journey of just 630 kilometres that the train can make in about 2.5 hours. In addition, the study provided by Mabrian noted that the total CO2 emissions generated by the air service in 2022 amounts to about 54,000 tonnes, which accounts for a total 132 per cent increase in emissions in comparison to 27,000 tonnes that would be emitted by trains consisting on the same number of travellers. In May this year, the Transport Minister of France, Clement Beaune, while considering it an important step, confirmed that the country banned domestic flights on short routes that can be covered by trains for a period of less than two-and-half hours. As we fight relentlessly to decarbonise our lifestyles, how can we justify the use of the plane between the big cities which benefit from regular, fast and efficient connections by train, Beaune emphasized, according to a CNN report. In addition, Belgian politician, Georges Gilkinet, last month said that authorities in EU countries should halt short-haul flights and also replace the routes with improved train services. He said that EU countries should follow the lead of France, thus switching to a greener mode of transportation, and also minimise gas emissions. However, the decision to ban short-haul flights was not unanimously supported. In addition, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General, Willie Walsh, considered such a decision as completely absurd. Walsh said that it serves no purpose, based on a report of the EEF News Agency. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday sealed an agreement with the Borongan City government for the maintenance and development of Borongan Airport in Eastern Samar. CAAP director general Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo and Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the project at the agencys central office in Pasay City. Recognizing the increasing demand for air travel in the region, the local government of Borongan initiated the partnership with CAAP and air carriers as the airport launched commercial flights last year. The city government proposed a comprehensive plan to undertake and finance various development and maintenance projects at the Airport, including the construction of a new passenger terminal building (PTB) and other essential infrastructure. Tamayo said the partnership is a significant milestone in the partnership between CAAP and the Borongan City government, adding that it is a testament to our dedication and joint efforts to improve and develop the airport and would hopefully serve as a blueprint for our continuous cooperation going forward. Mayor Agda, for his part, said the MOA gives hope for the people of Borongan as it will pave the way for future economic development not just in the city but for the entire Samar region. He also manifested his full support for the projects of CAAP in years to come. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. It was loud and clear. We are referring to the statement by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. that the Department of National Defense remains committed to ensuring the Philippines remains safe, peaceful, united and progressive for Filipinos. Coinciding with the celebration of the 125th Independence Day on Monday, the 58-year-old Teodoro, whose appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., enabled him to return to his old post, acknowledged challenges faced by the Philippines. But he stressed: Amid current and emerging challenges, we will continue to strive for the protection and betterment of our Motherland. While he is not new to the DND portfolio he was defense chief from August 2007 to November 2009 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Teodoro said manning the post is more challenging now as we are all living in a different world. It was not merely the relationship with China which was different then, during that time there was no Middle Eastern implosion yet, there was no Arab Spring, there was no tension between Russia and Ukraine and the relationship between China and the United States was different, even in the semiconductor and technology sector there was cooperation so now we live in a vastly different world, he added. Teodoro said there is a lesson here: the need to build up the countrys capabilities to make sure we are safe from any world happening or event. Many gave their hand when Teodoro said in a television interview the Philippines has the right to build up its credible deterrence without any question from other nations. The job of the Secretary of the National Defense is first and foremost building up our credible deterrence, and that will, and the way that we build up our credible deterrence is our business and nobody elses business and whether we partner with country X or Y in order to build up our own core strength is a question for the Philippines, he said. We agree with him that other countries should not question this right as the Philippines does not call out other nations engaged in the buildup of defensive and even offensive capabilities. He was explicit, if distinct, when he said Just like we do not question the buildup of not even defensive capabilities but offensive capabilities of other countries, they should not question ours and they should not tie up our buildup of our capabilities to any question of whether its Taiwan or whatnot. The Philippines is for the Philippines and we leverage that and I think other countries want to help us because they view it as an integral (part of) standing strong with democratic values. The DND chief was deafening when he said the Philippines is not a pawn of anyone in the ongoing geopolitical battle in the region. And so the Philippines is a value (proposition) as we call it by its own self and not a pawn of anybody else in the geopolitical battle thats raging within our area now, he stressed. Right on. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The trial for the leader of a Massachusetts neo-Nazi group accused of assaulting a person outside a Boston drag queen event last summer is set to begin Tuesday morning, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. Christopher Hood, the leader of a Massachusetts chapter of neo-Nazi group NSC-131, appeared in West Roxbury court Tuesday morning for his trial. The 24-year-old neo-Nazi leader is facing an affray charge after prosecutors said Hood assaulted a person outside a drag queen story hour in Bostons Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Police records say Hood was with about 15-20 members of his neo-Nazi group outside a drag queen story hour in Jamaica Plain on July 23, 2022. Around 10:15 a.m., the NSC-131 members arrived on foot, unfurled a large banner, and chanted anti-pedophile slogans at passersby, a police report says. The group was largely made up of white males between the ages of 20-30 years old, police added. A separate group of counterprotesters, numbering 30-35 people, gathered on the other side of the street, the police report read. Law enforcement said as the NSC-131 members started to leave, they were followed by 10-15 counterprotesters, most of whom were riding bicycles. As NSC-131 started to walk down Greenough Avenue, Hood and counterprotester Seth Rosenau began assaulting each other, with both combatants eventually falling to the pavement, the police report stated. Numerous uniformed Boston police officers had to step in and break up the fight, which had involved several other members of both groups, the report read. Prosecutors dropped charges against Rosenau and another counterprotester Tobias Walker. Hood has a history of promoting hateful and disparaging rhetoric. He was photographed participating in a free speech protest in Harvard Square as a member of the Patriot Front in December of 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL has also linked Hood with other white nationalist groups including the Proud Boys and the Base. In Feb. 2019, Hood and two other men were arrested after police said they spotted them wearing masks and posting racist fliers in East Boston. Police found about 50 fliers reading Keep America American. Report any and all illegal aliens. They are not immigrants. They are criminals. Call: 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Springfield - The Brethren Community Foundation of Springfield will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration, on Saturday, June 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at The Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center at Blunt Park. The theme for this years celebration, Strengthening Community. The celebration will highlight individuals who have made major contributions to the City of Springfield. The celebration will highlight all genres of music, particularly, gospel, R&B, and Jazz because of the significance music played in the history of African Americans. The Raymond A. Jordan Scholarship award will be presented to high school graduating seniors who have made tremendous strides both academically and socially. Juneteenth will feature local community talent, businesses, food, merchandising and nutritional vendors. Vaccinations and boosters will be provided by Cataldo Ambulance Services. Information regarding Medicaid/Medicare enrollment will be highlilghted. Free Southern prepared food, cooked by Henryne Lockett will be available and a fish fry compliments of Ronald Showell. The purpose of the Brethren Community Foundation is to provide educational and socialization opportunities to senior citizens and the youth of greater Springfield. For more information, contact Andrew Cade at andrewcade10@gmail.com. A 22-year-old Taunton man was arrested Monday on murder and assault charges in connection with the stabbing death of a Falmouth resident on Saturday, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois office announced. Adrian Black was charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Galibois office said in a statement. An investigation led by Massachusetts State Police detectives and Falmouth police resulted in an arrest warrant issued Monday. At around 4:44 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, Falmouth police received a 911 call reporting of a possible stabbing at Gosnold Grove Apartments, Galibois office said. Police arrived to find 19-year-old Milteer Hendricks bleeding from a stab wound. Read more: Blogger sues Northwestern DA for withholding names of cops accused of misbehavior Hendricks was taken to Falmouth Hospital before he was flown to Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, Galibois office said. He died Sunday morning. Black is due to appear at Falmouth District Court for his arraignment on Tuesday, Galibois office said. The Taunton Police Department and the state police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section were also involved in Blacks arrest. An independent journalist from Framingham has sued the Northwestern District Attorneys Office for withholding the names of police officers linked to questionable actions, according to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk District Court. Andrew Quemere, author of The Mass Dump newsletter, has been tangling with Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivans office for years over publishing the names of officers accused of crimes and other misconduct. The lawsuit filed Monday alleges Sullivans office begrudgingly produced a list of names of officers in Hampshire and Franklin counties but with the officers names redacted. Despite the clear language of the Public Records Law, and in defiance of multiple decisions from the Massachusetts Supervisor of Records, the NWDAO has refused to provide unredacted versions of the records at issue, according to the lawsuit filed by Mason Kortz, a clinical instructor at Harvard Law Schools Cyberlaw Clinic. The clinic is part of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and provides free legal services regarding issues like technology, free speech and intellectual property. Police departments have historically been cagey about what are referred as Brady lists which target officers vulnerable to testifying in court because of varying levels of misbehavior, ranging from criminal allegations or convictions to exposure in lawsuits, for example. The lists are named for a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Brady v. Maryland, which found that police and prosecutors cannot withhold exculpatory evidence that may aid criminal defendants at trial. Reached for comment, First Assistant Steve Gagne said the office may comment on the issue in the near future. All I am able to say at this point is that we are in receipt of Mr. Quemeres complaint, but have not yet had the chance to review or respond to it. We may be able to provide a more substantive response in the coming days, Gagne said. Quemere calls himself a police abolitionist who uses public records to investigate police violence and misconduct in Massachusetts. He has filed more than 460 public records appeals since 2014, according to data on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealths website. During an interview Monday, Quermere said filing public records requests is empowering because any average citizen can do it and become more engaged in government. He said Sullivans office has refused to provide records five times. This has been litigated and litigated and litigated. This has created a big problem the legislature needs to step in and fix, he said. A lot of people in law enforcement agencies simply do not want people to know about police misconduct. At the same time, district attorneys offices and police departments have no problem publishing criminal defendants charges, photos and home addresses, he says. Hampden County case In Hampden County, the Springfield Police Department has faced brutality allegations, particularly focused on the former narcotics unit. The district attorneys office two years ago released a list of 71 local officers and state troopers. They ranged from officers convicted of criminal charges, to those acquitted of charges, to those merely called to a federal grand jury. A spokesman for the office called the inventory not a Brady List but a law enforcement disclosure database. The Hampden District Attorneys Office maintains a database of material deemed exculpatory. The names of officers in the database are provided to defense lawyers. The internal database is a reference for prosecutors to be able to easily access and, if need be, provide the material. The Hampden District Attorneys Office diligently and scrupulously upholds its constitutional, statutory, and ethical obligations concerning the disclosure of potentially exculpatory information to defense lawyers, said spokesman James Leydon. The offices database, he said, contains the names of officers implicated in criminal or dishonest behavior, along with information about those allegations. That practice, he said, is consistent with what the Brady case requires. School officials in Ludlow are expected to decide the fate of a controversial proposal about library books. At a meeting on Tuesday, June 13, the Ludlow School Committee is considering a proposal, called Library Materials IJL, which would provide the criteria for the selection, removal, and replacement of library materials in the school district. The policy outlines guidelines on the types of sexualized content that could be considered inappropriate for students and gives School Committee members the final say on what books appear on shelves. Opinions in Ludlow are sharply divided over the policy and parents and teachers are split about the intentions behind the proposal. At the most recent Ludlow School Committee meeting, a parent used a novel as an example of sexual content middle schoolers should not have access to. She warned young children to block their ears. Bella Soares read from Looking for Alaska, a 2005 coming-of-age book by John Green, which is among the most challenged books in school systems nationwide. She read from pages that described a sexual act between two characters in the book as an example of inappropriate literature for students in Grades 6 - 8 at Ludlows middle school. Advocates of the policy argue that parents should be given more input on what books are available for students at schools from kindergarten to high school. Opponents of the measure contend that the terms defining sexualized content are overly broad and vague and could be used to target LGBTQ content in schools. Why are parents calling books pornographic? Greens novel was named the most challenged book of 2015 by the American Library Association (ALA). In other words, the book got the most requests to be removed from a school or library, and most complaints were for offensive language and sexually explicit descriptions, according to the ALA. But Green has been vocal in opposing his critics. He posted a video to YouTube in which he defends his novel. Text is meaningless without context, Green said. What usually happens with Looking for Alaska is that a parent chooses one page of the novel to send to an administrator and then the book gets banned without anyone who objects to it having read more than one particular page. He added, In context, the novel is arguing really that in a rather pointed way that emotionally intimate kissing can be a whole lot more fulfilling than emotionally empty oral sex. Even as parents in Ludlow described books in the school district as pornographic, the librarian at Paul R. Middle School pushed back on that claim at the May 23 School Committee meeting. Laura OKeefe, who also teaches civics and government to Grade 8 students, said, There is no pornography in our libraries ... As a district, we already have library policies in place that allow for parents to make decisions for their own children. I believe that this proposed change in our library policy is a direct result of people continuing to believe things that are just not happening, OKeefe said. School Committee member Ron Saloio supports the policy proposed by Dias and wrote in a statement that the books in contention are not part of the sexual education curriculum. Its amazing the lengths people will go to keep pornographic and sexually explicit content in childrens hands, Saloio said. Would you allow your 10-year-old daughter read the blow job scene that Mrs. Soares read? Are librarians at risk of being sued? At the May 23 School Committee meeting, Joao Dias the member who introduced the policy said librarians in the district are currently at risk of potential lawsuits if parents find books objectionable. The current policy leaves a lot of the decision-making to a librarian. If that librarian makes the wrong policy decision on a book, and its the decision that you dont like, youll probably sue her or him, Dias said. Theyre actually exposed to legal liability today. Its just a matter of time before it actually happens. In comments to MassLive, Dias said he did not have an attorney vet the policy he is proposing and said he copied it from an internet search into a similar policy in Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Although the policies are similar, the one introduced by Dias includes more terms defining sexualized content and a paragraph that could mean teachers who fail to follow the policy could risk termination. The executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Glenn Koocher told MassLive that many school districts across the state have adopted model policies regarding library materials. The ones on Ludlows books closely resemble the model ones issued by MASC. We live in a very litigious society, Koocher said. You can get sued for anything, anytime, anywhere. It would be hard-pressed to have a credible suit against a school librarian for stocking a library book consistent with a schools policy. Sex is a Funny Word, a book by sex educator Cory Silverberg, previously caused controversy at Ludlow middle school in February 2020, as reported by The Republican. The comic-style illustrated book explores changing bodies, gender and sexuality and is designed as an educational guide for children ages 8 to 10 and their parents and caregivers. There are illustrations, for instance of a penis and a vagina, which are anatomically correct ... but there are also discussions about negative, private touching, which is a very important lesson these kids should learn, then-Superintendent Todd Gazda told The Republican. Other books in the 2019-2020 academic year to raise the ire of parents included A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas and a graphic novel called Sacred Heart. Why are people saying the policy could affect LGBTQ books? The American Civil Liberties Union in a letter to the School Committee highlighted how vague terms in the policys language could have a chilling effect on speech in the school district particularly on LGBTQ subjects and cause educators to lose their jobs due to loose definitions about what sexualized content means. A history with a group called MassResistance in Ludlow has also made people uncomfortable with the tone and direction of the debate in town. The group, a self-described pro-family activist organization based in Waltham, wrote a 13-part series of articles in June 2021 that accused teachers at Ludlows middle school of pushing radical LGBT and sexual agenda on students. Saloio told MassLive that Arthur Schraper of MassResistance, a group that opposes LGBTQ materials in school libraries, joined meetings with concerned parents in Ludlow. He was in a couple of Zoom meetings to listen to parents so he could put his article together, Saloio said. Other books outlined in the articles include books about queer and transgender topics such as One Man Guy, by Michael Barakiva and Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, two books with gay characters. Brian Camenker, the director of MassResistance, argued that LGBTQ topics should not be taught to students in public schools. There is this very aggressive stuff to go after kids, Camenker told MassLive. A law professor at Boston University told MassLive that she finds the proposed policy concerning and that it goes against the idea of the country being a democracy with a diverse population. We live in a multi-cultural society where we have all sorts of folks trans, LGBTQ folks and obviously cisgender folks, Karen J. Pita Loor of Boston University said. The Supreme Court has talked about how schools are supposed to be a place where kids learn about democracy and how to live in a multi-cultural democracy ... To have such a small group making such large decisions when talking about determining what goes into libraries and what can be used is incredibly troubling. SPRINGFIELD Those who spoke of the legacy of Dora D. Robinson, who died Sunday, described the longtime leader in community-focused nonprofits around the city as an integral to the missions of the organizations, intentional and a trailblazer for women. She was 71. Robinson spent eight years as CEO of the United Way of Pioneer Valley and 18 years at Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services as its executive director. Robinson never encountered a stranger said Frank P. Robinson, her husband of 53 years, who met her when they both attended high school in Elmira, New York. She was everybodys best friend, he said. Her authentic and genuine spirit was something everyone could relate to. Frank Robinson said his wife had many mentees. There are a lot of young emerging Black women leaders who have been touched by her and who have also left an imprint on her, he said. In June 2017, Dora Robinson retired from her position as United Way of Pioneer Valleys president and chief executive officer. Megan Moynihan, interim CEO, described Robinson as a leader on whose shoulders she and many other women in the community stand. Dora was a force at the United Way. She was our first female president and I thank her for her encouragement and guidance in last year as I stepped into the president and CEO role, Moynihan said. Moynihan said, as a mentor, Robinson gave her an opportunity that no one else did. I am beyond honored to follow in her footsteps, Moynihan said. She is a part of the fabric and growth for women as a whole in the city of Springfield. She will be greatly missed by the community, but her legacy will live on. Robinson served as the corporate director of child and family services at the Center for Human Development. At the Urban League of Springfield, she worked as vice-president of education, director of the program for foster grandparents and associate director at Camp Atwater. She was also a founding member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence. Robinson earned a bachelors degree from Cornell University in 1976. She then received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Henry Thomas, president emeritus at the Urban League of Springfield, said Robinson was driven by mission. Thomas said he met Robinson after an interview at a church in Northampton. Impressed with Robinsons eloquence and her work in community service, Thomas asked her if she would like to interview for a position with the Urban League. After that interview, I was certain that she would be the right person to work at the Urban League, Thomas said. Hiring her was one of the best things we did. One word to best describe Robinson is intentional, Thomas said. Robinsons legacy was her love of people, service and commitment to the community, Thomas said. She was integral. She did not hesitate to let people know that she loved them, Thomas said. She will be missed but she will not be forgotten. Robinson also was an adjunct professor at Springfield College School for Social Work, the School for Professional Studies, and was a founding member of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley. In a statement, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno expressed his sympathies for Robinsons family and reminisced on the work he and Robinson did to benefit youth and families in need when he was executive director at the South End Community Center. Dora was a strong, caring woman and leader who led with style and grace. ... Dora, you will be missed, but your footprint and legacy will live on, Sarno said. Shannon M. Rudder, the president and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services Center tearfully said that she has a deep admiration and respect for Robinson and her commitment to community service. Rudder, a 2013 transplant from Buffalo, New York, said Robinson welcomed her to the area and ushered her into the community with open arms. My first day in the role I received a card from her filled with so much pride and excitement that I was stepping into her legacy at MLK. Rudder said. She was called to lead as executive director, and I am beyond excited to make her proud by leading the organization in that way, doing what is right for the community and everyday living out her legacy. A public memorial service will be scheduled in Springfield. Mary Cronin spoke in court on Monday during the third day of a murder trial where her ex-boyfriend is accused of killing Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Weymouth resident Vera Adams in 2018, NBC 10 Boston reported. Cronin talked about her tumultuous three-year relationship with Emanuel Lopes, 25, which she said was haunted by concerns about his infidelity and instability, the news outlet said. She would sometimes buy him clothes, food and a cell phone, drove him to interviews and work and even allowed Lopes to sleep in her car, NBC reported. He became angry as he struggled with being homeless, Cronin said when answering defense attorney Larry Tiptons questions in court Monday. Tipton asked Cronin about previous testimony that said Lopes talked about conspiracy theories about Martians in the government and history needed to be rewritten, according to NBC. Starting about the beginning of July of 2018, you saw Lopes having more and more symptoms? Tipton asked. Cronin said she saw Lopes getting worse. They reunited that same summer, NBC reported. Cronin admitted to Lopes to sleeping with a former friend and he became upset. This man called Lopes on July 15, hours before Chesna and Adams were killed. He was repeating what the other guy was saying, Marcus you are going to kill me? You are going to shoot me? Im going to get you first when you least expect it, Cronin said in court. The morning of the shooting, the couple chose to go to her home out of fear the other man would show up at the home of another friend, who they originally planned to see that day, the news outlet said. Lopes was agitated, Cronin said, pacing the room before falling asleep at 5 a.m. Two hours later, he was gone and called Cronin saying they werent safe and needed to leave. Lopes took her white BMW, which crashed into another car outside South Shore Hospital before he fled to Burton Terrace, NBC reported. Read more: Adrian Black of Taunton charged in connection with Falmouth stabbing death After Cronin finished her testimony, witness William McGuinness provided testimony. On Friday when he testified, McGuinness, who lived near the scene of the killing, spoke of seeing Lopes lifting a rock above his head and striking the side of Chesnas head after Chesna told him to stop. McGuinness said on Monday he saw Lopes shoot Chesna five times in the face, three times in the chest, NBC reported. McGuinness ran to his wife calling for help. His wife, Amy, a respiratory therapist, began chest compressions but said Chesnas airway was obstructed. There was blood all over his face and the right part of his skull, or his head, everything was exposed, Amy said on the stand. When officers arrived, Amy said some tried to assist her by attempting to administer an automated external defibrillator, the news outlet said. Officers told them to go inside when they heard more gunfire when Vera Adams was killed but Amy said she wasnt going to stop. They continued giving Chesna chest compressions until EMTs arrived. A friend of Adams also briefly testified, NBC reported. Cynthia MacDonald said Adams lived alone after her husband died years ago. MacDonald said she and Adams spoke every day. Lopes faces two counts of murder, possession of a firearm without a license, destruction of property, and negligent driving of a motor vehicle, according to officials. The trial was scheduled to resume Tuesday. As we approach the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, MassLive asked readers and staff to identify people who are emerging Black leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Springfield-based fashion designer Justin Haynes. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) Justin Haynes Age: 41 Community: Springfield His Story: Justin Haynes took a leap of faith in 2009. With little to no financial backing and 19 years of retail clothing store experience, from the GAP to luxury clothing brand chains, Haynes quit his secure job to pursue a career in fashion design. Fast forward 14 years later, Haynes JUS10H clothing line and ONYX luxury fashion label have become globally recognized, featuring in multiple Milan, Dubai, Paris, Los Angeles, New York and Miami fashion week showcase events. JUS10H garments made their way to Times Square in a featured CoverGirl advertisement and have earned him a slew of fashion, lifestyle awards and magazine cover pages. His work and iconic denim-based fabrics influenced the international fashion scene and would land him a spot on TedTalks 1000 Influential People of 2022 list. Although JUS10H has been donned by celebrities and other high-profile individuals, Haynes ensures his brand has a presence in the city he came up in. He tailors and designs prom suits and dresses for local Springfield high school students as well as other garments for people in his community. In his words: Custom tailoring is not something available in a city and state like Springfield, Massachusetts. I feel I give this community and entire state a touch of New York, London, and Paris. Being Internationally known and still here I believe speaks volumes [about] where I want to see my area go. What Juneteenth means to him: Juneteenth means freedom. It means expression of who you are. Each day, we will introduce more leaders, and were always open to hear about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. A man was hit and killed by a construction vehicle at a construction site in Brockton on Tuesday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police. Police said the fatal incident happened on Quincy Avenue in the city, at the backside of a hospital construction site on June 13. The construction vehicle was a Bobcat, police said. It is unknown at this time whether the man killed was a construction worker, police said, but added that OSHA was on the scene. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing, police said. Cities and towns will likely need to wait weeks longer to find out how much state aid theyll receive in the next year, and the answers they get will have spillover effects on municipal budgets and possibly even local property taxes. With the contours of a fiscal 2024 budget bill now in the hands of a House-Senate conference committee, members of the Local Government Advisory Commission on Tuesday pitched the Healey administration on what they want to see in the final spending plan, typically backing the most generous funding levels under consideration. Waltham City Councilor John McLaughlin called revenue-sharing between the state and its municipalities critical, and he endorsed the $1.27 billion in unrestricted general government aid (UGGA) in the Senate-approved budget as the best option for cities and towns. The Senates plan would increase UGGA about 3.2 percent over fiscal 2023 levels. Gov. Maura Healey proposed about $1.255 billion in UGGA, about 2 percent more than the current budget, and the House budget would allocate $1.25 billion. Many cities and towns rely on UGGA to help craft their own budgets, McLaughlin said, warning that local sources of revenue like hotel taxes have not returned to pre-COVID levels despite substantial spending needs. Although Waltham has experienced a gradual return to pre-pandemic amounts from local revenue sources, we are still not fully recovered, hence the need for the state to continue to bridge that gap, he said. In Waltham, McLaughlin said, councilors approved a city budget for next year that anticipates the Senates proposed amount of local aid winning final approval, not the lower offerings from Healey which the Massachusetts Municipal Association previously described as insufficient or the House. Any decrease in the Senate version of UGGA would require us to find another revenue source, which, you know, we dont want to say it, but it very well could be property taxes, McLaughlin said. Ive said this in this room before: every dollar we can receive from state aid or collect from local receipts is one less dollar we need to levy in property taxes. Another LGAC member, Christine Hoyt of the Adams Select Board, told Healey administration officials that cities and towns hope conference committee negotiators will settle on the Houses proposal for $107 million in regional school district transportation funding, which would reimburse 100 percent of those costs incurred. The Senate and Healey budgets instead sought $97 million, a reimbursement rate of about 90 percent. Our regional school district, Hoosac Valley Regional School District, has seen an increase in Chapter 70 [education aid] over the last five years, Hoyt said. Decreasing steadily over the last five years has been the state reimbursement for transportation, and increasing steadily over the last five years has been the assessment that Adams has paid. North Andover Deputy Town Manager Denise Casey voiced another priority for the LGAC: making permanent a pandemic-era program offering free meals to all students in schools. State government took over funding the universal meals option on an interim basis after federal funding expired, and the House in its budget proposed making it permanent using $161 million in surtax revenue. As this was started during the pandemic, we see this as a natural step to take to address this permanent issue and need in our public schools, Casey said. The Senate and Healey did not include any permanent free school meals measure in their annual budgets, and officials in both cases said they believe a standalone supplemental budget extending the program for another year is a better approach. The prospects for big new funding commitments being included in supplemental budgets could be affected by state tax collections running behind benchmarks. Where the spending measures land as far as final numbers will not become clear until legislative negotiators produce an accord on the divergent, roughly $56 billion budget bills. Lawmakers in recent years have shown little urgency to complete the annual budget before the fiscal year starts on July 1. Once upon a time, the Legislature each spring would adopt a non-binding local aid resolution laying out minimum amounts cities and towns could expect to receive in the upcoming budget to give them some degree of certainty before deliberations began. That practice has fallen by the wayside, and attempts to revive it -- typically led by Republicans -- have been unsuccessful. In 2015, the Senate voted 7-29 to reject a joint rules amendment codifying the need for the Legislature to adopt a local aid resolution ahead of each budget debate. Senate President Karen Spilka, who at the time chaired the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said such a requirement would really tie our hands. Most recently, during the Houses February deliberations on a joint rules package that has yet to be finalized, House Minority Leader Brad Jones proposed an amendment calling for a local aid resolution by March 31 each year. The Democrat-controlled House rejected the measure 23-130. City and town officials are also still waiting for final approval of an annual road and bridge maintenance funding bill. The House and Senate in March each approved packages combining $200 million in Chapter 90 funds with $150 million in infrastructure-related grants, and the only point of disagreement appears to be whether $25 million of those grants should go toward non-federally aided state-numbered routes and municipal roads or toward communities with low population density. Democrats failed to reach agreement informally for more than two months, and last week took the step of sending the bills into a conference committee for negotiations. Williamstown Select Board member Andy Hogeland on Tuesday thanked Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and other administration officials for trying to jumpstart the Chapter 90 funding by getting it filed early and for proposing a two-year, $400 million authorization after municipalities for years requested approval for more than a single year of funding. Im sorry the Legislature did not agree with you, Hogeland said. AGAWAM The foreclosure and sale of the former Chez Josef banquet hall to Southwick Baptist Church for $1.4 million is official, according to documents filed early this month with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. The filing of the deed June 5 brought to a close not only a yearlong auction process but the 55-year history of Chez Josef, which hosted countless weddings, proms, Christmas parties and chamber of commerce luncheons. The buyer is a 350-member church founded by Ukrainian, Moldovan and Russian immigrants. There remains on the property an unpaid debt of nearly $400,000 to the city of Agawam for unpaired taxes and water and sewer fees, said Agawam solicitor Stephen Buoniconti. Since the June 5 date, interest on the debt has been accruing to the new owners, he said, and the city will seek payment, up to an including taking the new owners to land court and seizing the property. The church did not return an emailed request for comment. At the time of the May 4 auction, church leaders said they planned to renovate the 1,500-seat banquet house into a new church and move from their current building at 261 College Highway in Southwick. The Chez Josef property sits on 10 acres. Conversion to a house of worship would take the building off the tax rolls. Also on May 4, auctioneers Aaron Posnik & Co. sold all the equipment and furniture furniture from Chez Josef: 718 lots consisting of plates, sheet pans, coffee urns, seats, waffle-irons, high-chairs and leftover bottles of wine and a three-tiered dessert display tower. One online bidder snatched up a baby grand piano for $100. Chef Joseph Illouz founded Chez Josef in 1968 and also La Renaissance in East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1979. Closed 2013, La Renaissance is now also a church, Crossroads Community Cathedral East Windsor. Allan G. Skole, and his wife, Anita, owned and ran Chez Josef starting in 1969. Linda Skole and her brother, Ronald L. Skole, took over when their father retired in 1997. Ronald Skole died in 1999 at the age of 42. It was Linda Skole who sold to longtime manager Marc W. Sparks in 2012. Companies founded by Sparks that were in foreclosure with lender Berkshire Bank starting in 2022. Sparks delayed the foreclosure by filing bankruptcy. For a time, investors, looking to use the property for a marijuana grow operation, negotiated to buy Chez Josef, but they lost financing in March as the industry cooled. The 2020 Westfield Sons of Erin 39th Colleen Ball at the Chez Josef in Agawam, Feb. 7. The building will be a church(Frederick Gore Photo) Another group proposed a brewery with a performance space similar to Treehouse Brewing in Deerfield but the would-be brewers did not bid. Developer Frank Colaccino of the Colvest Group was the only other serious bidder at the auction, but but he didnt advance after $1.35 million. The facility itself closed in October 2021, according to documents filed this month in the bankruptcy case. Those documents also detail a March 2022 theft of HAVAC equipment and copper pipe from the buildings exterior and a settlement of the insurance claim. Even after the auction, mortgage holder Berkshire Bank is still short and will likely not recover $175,000 of the money it was owed on the mortgage, according to court documents. SPRINGFIELD The leader of Springfields public schools has won recognition from his peers for making substantial improvements in graduation and dropout rates. The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents awarded Superintendent Daniel Warwick its 2023 Presidents Award last week. Dianne Kelly, the groups president, said the award stems from Warwicks leadership style and strategic use of state and local resources. According to association data, the districts graduation rate was 56.6% in 2012, compared to 84.6% now. The dropout rate fell from 10% to 3.9%. Dan has demonstrated himself as a supportive colleague, champion of children and respected education leader in the Commonwealth, Kelly said in a news release. Warwick has been with the district for more than 40 years. He began as a special education teacher, has taught in the districts alternative schools and earned a national distinction as principal of Glenwood School. Warwick has served as assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent, before taking the district leadership role. Under Warwicks tenure, student achievement improved, more than $750 million was invested in new schools and upgrades, and the district became the first in the state to offer free universal pre-kindergarten classes to 3- and 4-year-olds. There could never be a more noble profession than teaching, Warwick said in the associations release. For Tim Murray, the evening of July 3, 2019 was just supposed to be a night out with his wife. The president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and former Lt. Governor of Massachusetts was having a beer with dinner at OConnors Restaurant in Worcester. Shortly after we were seated, I heard a horrific scream, Murray said, testifying in Worcester Superior Court Monday at the trial for Carlos Asencio, accused of murder in the death of Amanda Dabrowski at the restaurant. Murray spoke to the jury for about 5 minutes, recalling the attempts to restrain and disarm Asencio while others tended to Dabrowski. I could tell it was coming from behind me in the hallway area, Murray said of the commotion. And ... I came down the ramp and saw somebody on top of somebody, and some other people kind of around the leg area, he said. After someone noted the man had a knife, Murray said, he approached and helped hold the man down. He identified the assailant as a man with curly black hair, wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, with a backpack on. Several other witnesses on Monday testified about their attempts to restrain Asencio, including Allen Corson, who said he was injured in the struggle. Murray recounted helping to disarm the attacker, describing the knife as 6 or 7 inches, saying he believed the blade was fixed. He added that a woman who had identified herself as a nurse was tending to Dabrowski, who another witness testified was awake and alert at the time. After someone said the police were on the scene, Thats when the individual began stating Shoot me, kill me, something to that effect, Murray said. Asencio faces one count of murder for Dabrowskis death, and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for the injury to Corson. His attorney is pursuing a defense based on lack of criminal responsibility. An investigation is underway after Massachusetts State Police said a body was found on the southbound side of Interstate 93 in Medford Tuesday morning. Read more: Bourne Police searching for driver who they said offered ride to student at bus stop The body was found south of Exit 21 by state troopers at around 4:30 a.m., state police said. Both right travel lanes on the southbound side approaching Exit 21 are closed to investigators. Information regarding the death, including the cause and the identity of the victim, remain under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Middlesex County, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and Troop A personnel. Read more: Motorcyclist dead in Hyannis after pursuit with Barnstable police The Massachusetts Department of Transportation previously said the two lanes were closed due to a fatal crash. MassDOT also told commuters to expect heavy delays. Assistant secretary of media relations for MassDOT Jacquelyn Goddard said that traffic was backed up for 10 miles due to the closures approaching the Medford and Somerville line. Regional roadside message boards have been installed as far north as the border with New Hampshire to alert drivers about the I-93 lane closures. Drivers traveling southbound into Boston should anticipate major impacts and delays during the morning commute, consider traveling at another time or on another route, or consider using public transportation options, including the MBTA Orange Line or MBTA Commuter Rail for trips into Boston, she said in a statement. Read more: No one hurt after Boston Green Line train derails with around 30 on board The slowdown caused by the crash resulted in delays of up to an hour and a half, according to Google Maps. Medford resident Andrew Martinez and his wife said they were taking surface streets to leave their home not far from Roosevelt Circle. Martinez, a Los Angeles native, said it resembled that citys traffic. Theres definitely a lot of frustration this morning, he said as car horns blasted around him. Its really gross. Past Assembly Row, traffic cleared up, Martinez later said on his commute. Traffic from surface streets in Medford after a crash on Interstate 93 snarled traffic on Tuesday. Courtesy of Rachel Valerio. State police said no further information was available. In his fourth year of sobriety from drugs and alcohol, Chip McHugh decided to break the law and grow mushrooms in his own home, in his bid to avoid a relapse as he experienced a lot of irritability and discontent. Online research led him to learning about the use of psychedelics, which McHugh -- who is now 14 years sober -- credited with changing his life and mending a relationship with his father. McHugh said it wasnt an easy decision to take the substances at first, but he also chose to keep an open mind in order to improve his life. I was under the influence of mushrooms, and I had these profound moments where the trauma was being released as I cried and came to an understanding over many hours that my dad was absolutely my hero, McHugh testified during a Joint Committee on the Judiciary hearing Tuesday afternoon. Several bills before the committee would legalize some natural plants and fungi containing psychedelic compounds, ensuring people arent penalized for possessing, cultivating, transporting or using the substances. Compounds like psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, mescaline and ibogaine would be decriminalized under the bills. The proposal from Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (H 3589) would legalize plant medicines for people ages 21 and older, according to the Southwick Republicans office, and help tackle the countrys mental health epidemic. Meanwhile, proposals from Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and Sen. Pat Jehlen (H 1754 / S 1009) would expand use of the plant medicine to individuals ages 18 and older. Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, emphasized the bill is not intended to spur a profitable industry -- unlike the legalization of recreational cannabis. Boldyga, a former law enforcement officer, framed the psychedelic substances as a tool for treating post-traumatic stress disorder in a profound and transformative way. The compounds had been at the cutting-edge of mental health therapy until the Nixon administration, Boldyga said, as he lamented government bureaucrats deemed them as having no medical use yet a high potential for abuse. But now, states including Colorado, Oregon and Washington have legalized some compounds, Boldyga said in his testimony. Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead the way in the mental health revolution, Boldyga said. Its been said an idea whose time has arrived cannot be stopped ... I believe that time is now for these life-saving plant medicines as a new paradigm in how we view, and understand, and treat mental health is upon us. Boldyga invoked Massachusetts General Hospitals Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics, which opened in February 2021, as a prime example of recognizing the value of plant medicines. Psychedelics arent slated to be widely accessible due to steep costs, but they can provide immense potential benefit for certain conditions, said Dr. Franklin King, whos the director of training and education at the center. Its almost impossible to overdose on any psychedelics, and its biologically impossible to become addicted to them, King, who spoke independently of his employer, testified. The psychedelic substances at issue are effective at treating anxiety and depression, among other psychological conditions, Jehlen testified. Multiple cities and towns -- including Cambridge, Somerville, Salem and Northampton -- have passed local ordinances aimed at decriminalizing psychedelics, she said. There are almost no documented health risks, especially compared to other substances that people use commonly, including legal ones such as alcohol, Jehlen testifed. Theyre not dangerous to the person or to the persons around them. So given the potential benefits and low risks, I think that decriminalizing these substances is reasonable. Psychedelic substances have been used for thousands of years by some cultures, though Sabadosa noted they only became criminalized in recent decades. That status is hindering potential research, particularly by limiting which substances doctors and researchers are allowed to access, the Northampton Democrat said. The Schedule I drug classification by the federal government is an unscientific, biased and unjust labeling scheme that has done tremendous harm -- that has stopped for decades and severely slowed down research into psychedelic compouds, said Lt. Sarko Gergerian of the Winthrop Police Department. Police officers are more likely to die by suicide by placing the barrel of the weapon in their own mouths and pulling the trigger than by attack on the street by civilians, Gergerian, whos also a psychotherapist, testified. Yet officers lack access to natural compounds for therapeutic or psycho-spiritual practices, Gregerian said, as he pleaded for help on behalf of law enforcement professionals, first responders and everyday residents. Communities of color in Massachusetts experience nearly $6 billion in avoidable annual healthcare spending and lost labor productivity due to poor health and the cost of premature death, according to a new study, which estimates the growing burden will eclipse $11 billion per year by 2050. Describing the 19-page report as the first of its kind, researchers commissioned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and the Health Equity Compact quantified the economic impact wrought by health disparities facing people of color in the Bay State. Each year, among the states Asian, Black and Hispanic or Latino population, premature deaths cost Massachusetts $3 billion, avoidable health care spending tallies $1.5 billion, and another $1.4 billion goes to lost labor productivity across a variety of industries, the report estimated. The staggering economic toll of health disparities documented in this report, on top of the tragic human toll, makes clear that now is the time to shift from awareness of the problem to action on solutions, said foundation president Audrey Shelto. Our Commonwealth led the way in expanding health insurance coverage and improving access, and we have a shared responsibility to act similarly to achieve health equity and eliminate health disparities. The research team led by Darrell Gaskin and Thomas LaVeist said although poorer health impacts are disproportionately concentrated among people of color who suffer higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, infant deaths, diabetes and asthma, and other issues the economic drag reaches across the state. Costs of avoidable health care spending are borne by both publicly funded entities such as MassHealth and private, employer-funded health insurance plans, while businesses suffer from lost productivity, the report said. Moreover, in addition to the tragic human toll of premature death, the families not built, and milestones not celebrated, Massachusetts also misses out on the contribution those individuals would have made to the Commonwealths society and economy, authors wrote in an executive summary. Without action, authors warned that inequity costs will nearly double in a single generation, reaching $11.2 billion annually in todays dollars by 2050. White residents in Massachusetts also do not enjoy optimal health, the report said. Using the same metrics as they did to estimate costs for people of color, authors estimated about $3.6 billion in annual avoidable healthcare spending on white Bay Staters, $1.9 billion in lost labor productivity and a $12 billion cost per year due to premature deaths. Since the Massachusetts population is nearly 70% white, it is not surprising that the total costs within the white population were significantly larger than those for other groups across all types of economic burden, authors wrote. At the same time, these numbers obscure underlying racial and ethnic health disparities. The report also broke down the total economic burden on a per capita basis and found sharp differences. The average cost in avoidable healthcare spending per Black resident was estimated at $2,057 per year, compared to $891 per year per white resident. Meanwhile, the average amount of lost labor productivity per Hispanic or Latino resident was $2,112, nearly three times the $740 figure per white resident. Altogether, the costs for those health burdens among all major race and ethnic groups swells to more than $23 billion per year. Foundation and compact officials unveiled the report Tuesday during a health disparities summit at UMass Boston. Attorney General Andrea Campbell told attendees that a lack of affordability and access to care are the first and foremost factors behind inequitable health outcomes. There is no meaningful access to health care and certainly no equitable access to health care when patients cannot afford to visit their doctor, fill their prescriptions, or call an ambulance if they need one, Campbell said, according to a copy of her prepared remark. Even for our insured residents, insurmountable deductibles and other forms of patient cost sharing can make a health insurance card unusable or lead to crippling medical debt. And these burdens, sadly, fall disproportionately on low-income patients and their families. Compact co-founder Michael Curry, the CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, also said he hopes that the findings will spur action. The Health Equity Compact is using the reports findings to underscore this notion that Massachusetts will pay now or pay greater later and to out the unacceptable cost being paid by communities of color, and inevitably by businesses, Curry said. Now, our charge is to take this data and act. If not now, then when? Elected Democrats who hold power on Beacon Hill have made some specific health disparities like maternal mortality a focus in recent years, but they have not signaled any plans to pursue major reforms in an omnibus package. As renters and would-be homebuyers face an affordability crisis, a leading trade group for the people who facilitate home sales is eyeing new building projects as the solution. Rent control tries to attack a symptom of our lack of building. And thats not the way to fix the issue. We need to build more housing, Justin Davidson told Mass. Association of Realtors members as they prepared to visit House and Senate offices Monday. Elected officials in Boston are among those trying to tackle the affordability issue by capping rent increases, which Davidson, the associations government affairs director, called a harmful policy. If we build enough housing, if people have the options of where to live and what type of home to live in, we dont need rent control, Davidson said. The group also pointed to increased state funding for rental voucher programs as a way to address the problem without invoking rent control, and supports a tax-deductible savings program (H 2727 / S 1787) to help people bank away up to $5,000 per year to put toward their first property. A Rep. Angelo Puppolo bill pertaining to zoning reforms was touted by the realtors as a top priority, featuring increased by-right zoning for multifamily housing and so-called inlaw apartments, and a lower local threshold to win approval for variances and special permits. So much housing in Massachusetts is reliant on a special permit or a variance, and a supermajority threshold is so incredibly difficult to meet, Davidson said of the proposed move to a simple majority for those votes. Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll, a former Salem mayor, recalled that realtors were with us on housing goals in the Witch City, and were standing up in zoning meetings, supporting the conversations in the local watering holes to promote projects. Theres 351 cities and towns in this state. The state doesnt build housing, it happens in the ground, in the places you live, where you work, where we need it, where its also hard to get done, the lieutenant governor said. Read more: Getting a Northampton rental could be cheaper if this state bill passes The Realtors Association opposes transfer tax and rent control bills that many housing advocates are promoting as possible solutions, and Davidson also lumped the transfer tax into a category of harmful policies. Youve worked with buyers that know that they cant just come up with a few thousand extra dollars to close the deal, Davidson said, adding that transfer fees are exclusionary. Legislation to create a local-option transfer fee has been pushed by proponents who hope to apply the fee to transactions greater than $1 million, although an enabling bill has provisions in it to allow it to apply in any community. Other association priorities include a real estate licensure bill dealing with required coursework on diversity and fair housing law (H 265 / S 166), and proposed tax-exempt grants for owners of houses with flawed pyrrhotite concrete foundations (S 495 / S 2242). A Worcester contractor was fined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for violating state asbestos regulations, the department announced Tuesday. In fall 2021, Jose Nilton dos Santos Filho, aka Nilton Santos, failed to have a licensed asbestos inspector conduct a survey to identify potential asbestos-containing materials before beginning renovation work at a residential property in Worcester, the agency said in a statement. State regulations also require notifying the agency within 10 business days before beginning any asbestos removal work so the agency is aware of the work and can conduct compliance inspections. The agency said Santos failed to notify them of asbestos removal work. Santos also did not follow proper removal and handling procedures for asbestos-containing materials, including siding and construction material called mastic, the agency added. He was fined $114,969. Contractors doing renovation work need to be aware of the requirements to identify asbestos-containing materials and to ensure that those materials are safely removed before beginning any work. Contractors must follow all inspection requirements and work practices to protect workers and the public because asbestos is a known carcinogen, Mary Jude Pigsley, director of MassDEPs Central Regional Office in Worcester, said in the statement. In this case, violation of the asbestos regulations has resulted in significant penalties, as well as escalated cleanup and decontamination costs, she concluded. As the weather gets warmer, Worcester residents will likely be tempted to open their windows at night, but the city is advising them to keep them closed on certain nights in June when mosquito pesticides are being sprayed. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will spray areas of the city with pesticides meant to tamp down the size of the mosquito population on June 13, 21 and 27. The purpose of the spraying is to reduce the potential for mosquito-carried illnesses such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). In 2022, Massachusetts had eight cases of West Nile virus in humans, according to data available on Mass.gov. The first human case in the state in 2022 was identified on Aug. 7 and the eighth case was identified on Oct. 29. One person in the state died from the virus, according to Centers for Disease Control data. None of the human cases were in Worcester County. Symptoms for the virus include fever and flu-like illness and severe illness in rare cases. Read more: Former Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda picked as interim leader of Easthampton schools State data does not show any cases of EEE in 2022. EEE outbreaks in the state typically occur in three-year periods, WBUR reported, and 2019 and 2020 were both active for the virus. In 2019, EEE was more prevalent in Massachusetts than it had been in decades, the radio station reported, with six people dying from it in the state. EEE, which can cause severe brain damage after infecting a persons central nervous system, results in death in about one out of three severe cases, according to Yale Medicine. The mosquito spraying schedule can change based on the weather, mosquito population, mosquito virus activity or special event spraying. Up-to-date schedules will be posted on the CMMCPs website. The site will list which areas are being sprayed on a given night after 3:30 p.m. Read more: Taste of Shrewsbury Street 2023 returns to Worcester June 20 On nights when the city is scheduled for spraying, the CMMCP recommends residents close street-facing windows and turn off outside air settings on air conditioners, remain inside during the spraying and 15-20 minutes after, keep pets inside from sunset to midnight, dont allow children to play behind truck-mounted applicators and wash off any homegrown vegetables after the spraying before eating them. Accidental exposure to people or pets is not expected to cause any health concerns, according to the CMMCP, but anyone who thinks the spraying might upset a preexisting condition is encouraged to avoid exposure and consult a physician. The CMMCP advises following the 5 Ds to avoid mosquito bites: dress in long sleeves and pants use DEET as an insect repellant know mosquitoes most active periods are dawn and dusk drain standing water from containers on your property. Residents can submit requests with the CMMCP for service or to opt out of having their property sprayed. The city will let residents in the areas that are being sprayed know when its taking place via email, social media and text. Residents can register for the updates by signing up for ALERTWorcester. The city of Worcester is re-directing some of its ARPA funding to address what City Manager Eric Batista called critical needs and social determinants of health food insecurity and housing. In a letter to Worcester City Council providing an update on the citys American Rescue Plan Act budget, Batista wrote that the city would be making a few adjustments to the budget to address urgent, acute needs in the community. Those adjustments include re-allocating $2 million from the water/sewer category of the ARPA budget to support Worcester-based food pantries and programs. United Way of Central Mass will oversee the use of the funds, according to Batistas letter. Batista explained the citys reasoning behind the decision in the letter, stating that food insecurity has been on the rise since federal benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expired in March. As a result, many families in the city are struggling, Batista said. In addition to addressing food insecurity, Batista wrote the city is re-allocating $1 million from Emergency Public Health Initiatives to provide rental assistance to address unmet needs in the community based on evidence of how other Rental Assistance programs are currently being administered. District 1 Councilor Sean Rose called on the administration to put those funds toward rental assistance, an order which the council unanimously approved. The administration is also directing $1 million toward a new Affordable Housing Preservation Program. The program would use the $1 million to help preserve units in the city that have affordable rents now but are not deed-restricted and are therefore vulnerable to rent hikes. The details of the program are still being determined, but the administration had previously recommended that the program offers landlords $15,000 per unit in exchange for a 15-year deed restriction which cannot be paid off by a new owner/buyer. The funding for the program is being shifted from Down Payment Assistance and Lead Paint Abatement in the budget. Those two programs were selected because we currently have dozens of pre-approved first-time homebuyers who have not been able to locate a home to purchase inventory remains at staggeringly low levels, Batista wrote of the decision to re-allocate funding from those two programs. The city received $146 million from the federal government when Congress passed ARPA in 2021. As of March 31, the city has spent close to $30 million and committed a little over $51 million. While $66 million is listed as uncommitted, the funds are earmarked for a specific purpose. Batista gave the example that funds that are listed as uncommitted could still be in the process of being awarded to applicants. So while the funds are earmarked for something like the Mental Health and Job Training Programs, they will be listed as uncommitted until awardees are selected. A cancer registry is an information system that collects, preserves, and keeps data on cancer patients. In order to assess the success of the current cancer therapies as well as the efforts of medical professionals and researchers, registries are essential for cancer monitoring. Surveillance data may be used to create and evaluate cancer prevention and control strategies in addition to serving as a starting point for cancer research. Identification of cancer patients who have received a diagnosis or treatment at a hospital, outpatient clinic, radiology department, doctors office, diagnostic laboratory, surgical center, or by another provider (such as a pharmacist) is the first step in the collecting of cancer data. Cancer registries compile data on a variety of topics, including patient demographics, tumor or cancer features, and illness stages, treatments, and results. The North American Association for Central Cancer Registries vigorously upholds pertinent laws, policies, and regulations to support the processing of data in cancer registries (NAACCR). When the data is reported, for instance, patient identification information is deleted. This protects the anonymity and privacy of both healthcare professionals and cancer patients. Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/4487 Dynamics of the Global Cancer Registry Software Market The expansion of the global cancer registry software market is anticipated to be aided by the rising development of free cancer registry software. For instance, the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)-funded cancer registries utilized at least one Registry Plus product by September 2020, and more than half of those used two or more products, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC published Registry Plus in March 2020 as a free software package for gathering and analyzing cancer registry data. Now that many cancer registries are utilizing Registry Plus products as a shared platform, they may streamline and automate registry operations while meeting NPCR guidelines for electronic data interchange. During the course of the forecast period, these elements are anticipated to promote market expansion for cancer registry software globally. Global Cancer Registry Software Market Regional Insights Due to the increased cancer prevalence in the U.S., North America may have the greatest market share for cancer registry software globally throughout the projection period. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the United States in 2018, there were 1,708,921 new cases of cancer and 599,265 cancer-related deaths. The same source also states that 436 new cancer cases were recorded, and 149 individuals died from cancer in the U.S. for every 100,000 people. After heart disease, cancer ranks as the second most prevalent cause of mortality in the United States. Also, one out of every four fatalities in the U.S. is related to cancer, according to the same source. Also, the worldwide market for cancer registry software may have a profitable expansion in Europe throughout the course of the projected period as a result of the growing releases of new versions of cancer registry software. For instance, on June 17, 2019, the European Commissions Joint Research Center (JRC) and the European Network of Cancer Registries (ENCR) released the JRC-ENCR Cancer Registries Data Quality Check Software, Version 1.8.1, which includes features for examining file formats for cancer incidence, mortality, and patient populations as well as examining primary multiple malignant tumors. During the course of the forecast period, these elements are anticipated to promote market expansion for cancer registry software globally. Global Cancer Registry Software Market Taxonomy By Product Type: Integrated Standalone By Deployment Model: On-premise Cloud-based By Database Type: Public Commercial By Functionality: Cancer Reporting Medical Research Patient Care By End User Hospitals Government Organizations Research Institutes Pharmaceutical Companies Biotechnology Companies Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East Africa Global Cancer Registry Software Market Competitive landscape Key players operating in the global cancer registry software market include Elekta (Sweden), Onco Inc., CNET Global Solutions, Rocky Mountain Cancer Data Systems (RMCDS), McKesson Corporation, Ordinal data Inc., and Conduent Inc. Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/4487 Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Market Overview Definition of Cancer Registry Software Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Cancer Registry Software Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/4487 Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Explore More Related Insights: Electronic health record ehr systems market Virtual icu market Big data in healthcare market Infection surveillance solutions market by Fern Siegel , June 13, 2023 Olivia-Jene Fagon, who formerly led creative for VICE Media Groups, joins integrated agency Giant Spoon as creative director. She reports to Monica Herman, Giant Spoon vice president-group creative director. The Vice Media brands include VICE, Refinery29, i-D and Noisey. During her tenure at VMG, Fagon also launched a series of creator-led events: The Glow Up, the inaugural festival for Refinery29s Unbothered franchise; Not A Test, a 72-hour takeover of Art Basel to celebrate hip hops 50th anniversary and a six-part event series in partnership with the Jean-Michel Basquiat estates King Pleasure exhibition. Fagon began her career at The Smithsonian, The Phillips Collection, before moving to Artsy. She also handled brand strategy at Imprint Projects. Her association with brands and nonprofits has been extensive, including work for Netflix, the ACLU, GLAAD, Bombay Sapphire, Target and Marc Jacobs. "So much of what moves me creatively is here big ambitious thinking, a mastery of how culture moves and just a true appetite to take risks," Fagon said. Ian Grody, Chief Creative Officer of Giant Spoon, added Fagon "knows how to program brands into peoples lives by wrapping them in culture and making work that feels more like the things you seek out than the things you pay to skip." Giant Spoon has created work for General Electric, HBO, HP, MassMutual, Netflix, NBC and Petco. It has offices in New York and Los Angeles. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 13, 2023 Kohler, best known for its design and manufacture of kitchen and bath products, has tapped Milwaukee-based Hanson Dodge (HD) to handle media duties for the launch of its new wellness brand, Sprig. HDs appointment followed a formal review. It's HDs first work for the client who is handling creative duties for the new brand in house. The Sprig product line includes shower infusion systems, bath bombs and mists, designed to transform everyday bathroom moments into spa-like experiences. Sprig will be marketed exclusively online and direct-to-consumer starting this month. Hanson Dodge is handling all media, as well as producing a digital video that will accompany the launch. In addition to an array of online platforms influencer marketing and other activities are being planned. With our rich history of creating award-winning spa destinations, Sprig represents an evolutionary opportunity for Kohler to extend this experience further into the home, said Stephanie Krickeberg, associate marketing director at Kohler. The shower is a place where consumers go to relax, reset and recharge, and Sprig helps people make the most of that pocket of personal time. The selection of HD, she added, was based on their experience in developing full-funnel marketing strategies that bring new products and brands to the market. The launch campaign will drive awareness for the Sprig brand and product line, including what the company calls a first-of-its-kind" shower infusion device. In addition to planning and implementing the media HD will evaluate the campaigns effectiveness. Asked why the firm is taking a D2C approach, Krickelberg replied, We wanted to make sure that Sprig was easily accessible to our consumers. Additionally, we knew with a new-to-world product like Sprig, the storytelling was important. We felt that would be best achieved direct-to-consumer. HD launched its media practice in 2019. The main idea was to create greater synergy and control over all the elements in a marketing campaign, said Stacie Boney, president of Hanson Dodge. Were excited to bring our media expertise to Sprig as we work together to show how these self-care experiences are anything but ordinary they are taking their next great leap, added Boney. HD has been doing D2C work in some form for over a decade, said Boney. However, requests for D2C work have accelerated over time, with true full funnel programs being implemented beginning in 2018/19. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 13, 2023 Wavemaker has appointed Sindhuja Rai as CEO in Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore and reporting to Global CEO Toby Jenner, Rai joins the media agency from client Mondelez International, effective in September. Rai will join the Wavemaker Global Executive team, as well as the GroupM APAC Leadership Team ExCo, and collaborate closely with GroupM and WPP leaders across the region. Rai currently leads global media investment & AMEA Consumer Experience at Mondelez International. Shes credited with boosting the food, snack and beverage giants media ROI, driven by creative excellence, engaging brand activation and a constant consumer centric approach, according to the company. With 20+ years in marketing, her experience also spans media agencies, among others Mindshare and Publicis Media. Rameshbhai Oza, popularly known as Bhaishri Maharaj, is not just a spiritual guru but also the man behind all of Mukesh Ambani's business and family decisions. Despite his low-profile nature, Rameshbhai Oza has played a significant role in guiding and advising the Ambani family, including Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, and other family members. Born in 1957 in the small village of Devka in Gujarat, Rameshbhai Oza developed a deep interest in scriptures from a young age. After completing his education in Mumbai, he dedicated himself to the study and dissemination of spiritual knowledge. Rameshbhai Oza delivered his first discourse on the Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita at the tender age of 13, showcasing his profound understanding of the scriptures. Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza It is believed that Rameshbhai Oza's association with the Ambani family began when he visited their residence to conduct a Ram katha, a narrative on the life and teachings of Lord Rama. Since then, he has become an integral part of their lives, offering spiritual guidance and support. Kokilaben is believed to have sought his guidance at the time there were reports of the Ambani brothers splitting up. He prevented the family from breaking through his reconciliation efforts with Mukesh and Anil Ambani. Hence, today, both brothers look up to him. Despite his influential role in the Ambani family, Rameshbhai Oza prefers to maintain a low public profile. However, he has been seen attending various important events of the family, such as Radhika Merchants star-studded Arangetram performance, the fiancee of Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani. His presence at such occasions highlights his deep connection with the Ambani family and the level of trust they place in his wisdom and guidance. Rameshbhai Oza's spiritual insights and teachings have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the decisions and actions of Mukesh Ambani and his family. While Mukesh Ambani is widely recognized for his remarkable success in business, it is essential to acknowledge the influence of spiritual guidance in his life, facilitated by the presence of Rameshbhai Oza. The bond between Rameshbhai Oza and the Ambani family exemplifies the significance of spiritual values and beliefs in guiding individuals towards success and fulfillment. ?? Ahora | Ministro de Economia y Finanzas, @AlexContreras_M, brinda declaraciones a la prensa tras reunion con la presidenta de la Republica, Dina Boluarte, y presidentes del @WorldBank y el @el_BID. pic.twitter.com/59LiX7z3LH The buyback and exchange of existing bonds issued in Peruvian new soles and U.S. dollars has been fully financed with resources in local currency, which contributes, among other things, to de-dollarizing the country's public debt portfolio, thus reducing exchange risk. An exchange is a transaction in which a holder of these papers delivers the bonds to the issuing entity (in this case, the Peruvian Government) in exchange for other bonds with different characteristics, such as a different maturity term or a different type of interest. On the other hand, a buyback implies that the holder of the bonds sells the bonds to the issuing entity in exchange for cash. The buyback and exchange of Peru's sol-denominated bonds (for sovereign bonds maturing in 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2028) totaled S/14.012 billion (about US$3.83 billion), equivalent to approximately 38% of the bonds' amount in circulation. Exchange and buyback orders accounted for 51% and 49% of the total withdrawn amount, respectively. Likewise, the buyback of global bonds worth US$1.62 million, equivalent to 20.22% of the balance due on said bonds, made it possible to significantly reduce debt maturities in the coming years (with maturities in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2030 and 2031). The government agency stated that the percentage of buybacks of global bonds due 2025, 2026, and 2027 stood out at 42%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. (END) NDP/CNA/RMB Peru has successfully concluded its exchange and buyback offer for sovereign and global bonds announced on May 31. This operation has been the largest debt administration operation in Peruvian history, for an approximate total amount of S/20 billion (about US$5.47 billion), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) said on Tuesday.Published: 6/13/2023 Press Release June 12, 2023 STATEMENT OF SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR BIAZON I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Rodolfo "Pong" Biazon, a true patriot and a remarkable public servant whom I look up to and admire. Senator Biazon and I both served side by side during the 16th Congress and it was during that time that I had the opportunity to work closely with him on various bills including the restoration of the Basic Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Alongside each other, we both advocated for issues that advanced education, energy, consumer protection, and disaster response and management. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Senator Biazon during this difficult time. May they find solace in the knowledge that his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations of leaders in our nation. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia plans to carry out 35 billion drams in subsidy in the agricultural sector this year, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said Tuesday. If we look at 2006-2010, the total support to agriculture was just 1 billion drams in four years, Kerobyan told lawmakers in parliament. We are now talking about 30 billion drams annually. I categorically disagree with the opinion claiming that the farmers are left on their own. Tens of thousands of farming businesses are using our programs. The agriculture in Armenia is now undergoing structural changes, the traditional agriculture is being replaced by high output agriculture, Kerobyan said, adding that the changes will be seen in statistical figures some time later. The sea services have rolled out new policies for barracks and unaccompanied officer housing that allow incoming residents to refuse rooms considered uninhabitable based on standards set by the Navy and Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. Edward Banta, deputy commandant for Marine Corps installations and logistics, issued a service-wide message June 6 guaranteeing safe, functional, environmentally healthy barracks in good working order and giving Marines the right not only to refuse the housing but encouraging them to report issues without fear of retaliation or retribution. The announcement is similar to one last month from the Navy that said residents had the right to live in housing that is "safe, secure and meets applicable health and environmental standards." Read Next: Biggest Troop Pay Raise in 2 Decades on Track in House Defense Bill Much like the tenant "bill of rights" established for military families residing in base housing managed by private companies, the guarantees are designed to safeguard Marines and sailors, improve quality of life, and bolster morale. "The Marine Corps unaccompanied housing program supports operational readiness by ensuring eligible service members aboard our installations are provided high-quality [unaccompanied housing] and associated amenities," Banta wrote in the message. "A commitment to providing a quality of life commensurate with our single and unaccompanied service members' service and sacrifice is integral to recruitment and retention." The Navy and Marine Corps announcements follow numerous news reports of service members living in moldy, dilapidated housing or barracks that lacked hot water or functional heating and air conditioning. In 2020, a person familiar with conditions in the barracks at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, told Military.com that junior Marines needed to clean their quarters constantly with bleach as a result of moldy conditions. In 2021, Marines sent videos and photos to the publication Task & Purpose with photos and videos of their substandard living conditions. Last year, a Navy Times investigation found that the service knew about infrastructure problems at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for years but did not address them. Service members were moved out of the affected buildings within days of the news report. Since last year, Army soldiers assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Liberty, North Carolina, have dealt with extensive mold contamination they say caused a host of illnesses, including nose bleeds and respiratory issues that included coughing up blood. Roughly 1,2000 soldiers were relocated at Fort Liberty, previously known as Fort Bragg, as a result of the living conditions. The guarantees, known in the Navy as the Bill of Rights & Responsibilities, promises unaccompanied service members the right to live in safe, secure housing that meets health, environmental and safety standards; has functional fixtures, furnishings, appliances and utilities; has access to common areas and amenities; and gets fast maintenance and repair when something breaks. Residents in return must maintain the cleanliness and functionality of the room, report maintenance and repair issues in a timely manner, and allow access to rooms for repairs. They must notify housing before vacating and report any vandalism or abuse. "Quality housing for our sailors is a fundamental right," Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson, deputy chief of naval operations for fleet readiness and logistics, wrote in the Navy's announcement in May. The definition of what counts as "habitable" will be issued by the services in the coming months. Navy installation commanders were instructed to prominently post the bill of rights in facilities and incorporate it into all "welcome aboard" packets by May 26. The Marine Corps gave no timeline for implementation. The Army and Air Force did not respond to queries from Military.com regarding any efforts to provide similar guarantees for soldiers, airmen and Guardians. During congressional hearings on the fiscal 2024 Defense Department budget, the top enlisted leaders of the DoD's five services said housing is a main priority "Many of our barracks are more than 30 years old and in dire need of renovations. About one-sixth of which the Marine Corps has, they're poor or they are failing," Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Black told members of the House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee on March 9. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Related: 98 Military Families Silenced by Nondisclosure Agreements with Private Base Housing Companies Lawmakers are dialing up pressure on the Air Force to make a final decision about the permanent home for U.S. Space Command as service officials drag on deliberations that have existed since the Trump administration. In a pair of must-pass bills released this week, House lawmakers would freeze funding for building out the Space Command headquarters, which is temporarily being housed at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The language was pushed by powerful Alabama lawmakers who want the Air Force to stick with its preliminary decision to move the headquarters to their home state. The House Armed Services Committee's draft of the sweeping annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, released Monday, would pause construction spending on the temporary headquarters until a final location is announced and justified. Additionally, half of Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's travel budget would be cut until the location of the permanent headquarters is reported to Congress. Read Next: Biggest Troop Pay Raise in 2 Decades on Track in House Defense Bill On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee also added language into its separate 2024 military construction funding bill that would similarly bar funding from being used on Space Command's headquarters until a final decision is made. The accompanying, nonbinding bill report also calls on Kendall to "announce a decision expeditiously." Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee who wrote the NDAA draft, was concerned that Space Command has been building infrastructure and signing new leases in Colorado while the final decision is pending, a congressional aide told reporters Monday evening. "The chairman wants the Air Force to make a decision. They keep telling us, 'We're close, we're soon,'" the aide said on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Armed Services Committee. "The chairman's view is why should you be using taxpayer dollars to build up all this infrastructure when the Air Force made a decision. It has been reviewed by two different reviewers and found that Huntsville, Alabama, won and won fairly," the aide added. Meanwhile, the amendment to the separate military construction appropriations bill was championed by a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. The language is intended to "incentivize" Kendall to make a decision "as quickly as possible," he said during the committee's consideration of the bill Tuesday. Kendall said in response to a Military.com question at the Air and Space Forces Association's conference in Colorado in March that the final decision will come "fairly soon" but further analysis is needed. "I hoped to make a decision and make an announcement earlier," Kendall said during a roundtable discussion at the Air and Space Forces Association's Air Warfare Symposium. "We're doing some additional analysis. We want to make very sure we got this right and have a well-defended decision." In January 2021, during the last days of the Trump administration, the Department of the Air Force selected the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the preferred location for Space Command's permanent headquarters. Since that announcement, members of Colorado's congressional delegation in Washington have been fighting to have the decision reviewed in hopes of keeping the base, as well as 1,400 jobs and millions of dollars of economic impact, in their home state. As that decision has languished for two and a half years, the fight over whether the HQ should move to Huntsville or remain in Colorado Springs has become increasingly political. Notably, the Supreme Court's ruling last year to overturn Roe v. Wade -- known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization -- has also been viewed as a potential factor impacting the decision, according to Colorado and Alabama lawmakers. Moving Space Command from Colorado, where abortion access is unrestricted, to Alabama, where it is illegal with limited exceptions, has raised concerns. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., told Military.com in an August interview that a potential move of U.S. Space Command to Alabama concerns him for a variety of reasons, but among them is the impact the Supreme Court's ruling has on service members who have to relocate. "I'm deeply concerned about how the Dobbs decision and state abortion bans will affect Space Command's workforce and readiness if the command leaves Colorado," Bennet said in an emailed statement. Most recently, in March, Bennet alongside 36 Senate colleagues issued a statement "to consider abortion access in major personnel and basing decisions." But the Department of the Air Force told Military.com in an emailed statement last week that state laws regarding abortion or LGBTQ+ communities are not a factor considered by the service when deciding where to place bases. "Reproductive health care and state laws regarding the LGBTQ+ community are not currently part of the criteria considered in the Department of the Air Force strategic basing process," a department spokesperson told Military.com. "However, the Department of the Air Force recognizes that various laws and legislation are being proposed and passed in states across America that may affect reproductive health care and LGBTQ+ airmen, Guardians, and/or their dependents in different ways." The spokesperson added that the department has worked to "inform and educate our members on the assignment [and] medical, legal and other resources available to support airmen, Guardians and their families." Pentagon policies that allowed service members to more easily travel to other states to obtain abortions have come into the crosshairs of Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. Tuberville has single-handedly delayed hundreds military promotions over the issue, though he has been careful not to connect his blockade to the Space Command basing fight. The Space Command decision has been under intense scrutiny since shortly after President Donald Trump's announcement. In August 2021, while speaking on an Alabama radio show, Trump said the move was his decision, which sparked speculation that the former president may have intervened in the process for choosing the base, something that could give ammunition to legal challenges. "Space Force -- I sent to Alabama," Trump told the "Rick & Bubba" radio show at the time. "I hope you know that. [They] said they were looking for a home, and I single-handedly said, 'Let's go to Alabama.' They wanted it. I said, 'Let's go to Alabama. I love Alabama.'" Two watchdog reports, requested by members of Colorado's delegation in Washington, followed. The reports did not point to any major issues with Huntsville as a location for the base, but did scrutinize the process for choosing the location. In May, the findings of a Defense Department inspector general report said that, while the selection process was marred by shoddy recordkeeping, the ultimate decision to choose Huntsville was "reasonable." And in June, the Government Accountability Office released a report saying that Space Command's move from Colorado to Alabama was driven by an unorganized and unclear process. While that report did not comment on or analyze whether the choice of Huntsville as the home of Space Command was acceptable, the congressional watchdog organization did express concerns about "significant shortfalls in its transparency and credibility," as well as the "appearance of bias" in the decision. The GAO report did not address whether Trump, or any senior military official, was responsible for the ultimate selection of Redstone Arsenal. Meetings that Space Command chief Gen. James Dickinson held last week with the Alabama and Colorado congressional delegations did little to quell the fight. Alabama lawmakers contend Dickinson confirmed the command "belongs on Redstone Arsenal," while the Colorado delegation said he "emphasized that he has no preference in the headquarters location nor is it his responsibility to make a final basing decision." -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: Space Command HQ Decision Delayed Due to 'Additional Analysis,' Air Force Secretary Says One Russian-designed tank was noticed in April during the two-day stint it spent at a Louisiana truck stop that doubles as a casino. The other was spotted at a Utah gas station in May. Both behemoths were headed to the same place: Aberdeen, Maryland. As the United States and other NATO countries support Ukraine in its war against Russia, a military post in the Northeast Maryland city of 17,000 could prove to be a valuable resource. A T-72 and a T-90 both Soviet-era tanks weighing at least 90,000 pounds each were recently trucked from faraway states and along interstate highways to Aberdeen Proving Ground, a U.S. Army testing and research site. Tanks have been critical in the Russia- Ukraine conflict, which started last year, and Ukraines allies have sent the country 230 tanks. Among the $76 billion in total aid (military and otherwise) that the U.S. has given are 31 M1 Abrams tanks. Now, the U.S. is lending the services of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, a 72,000-acre post on the Chesapeake Bay that is the countrys top weapons testing site and the states sixth-largest employer. Established in 1917 as the U.S. entered World War I, the proving ground is the oldest of its kind. Over the last century, it has studied a range of weapons, from small arms to bombs and tanks to chemical and biological warfare. The Department of Defense described the T-90s arrival at Aberdeen as part of our ongoing commitment to provide Ukraine the capabilities it needs to counter Russian aggression. The U.S. already had access to Russian tanks built during the Soviet-era and studied such weaponry as recently as last year. But the two tanks now on U.S. soil could provide essential, updated knowledge of Russias fleet, as well as supply ideas for how Ukraine can improve its tanks, many of which are T-72s. Igor Novikov, a former adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, tweeted in April that a trophy Russian T-90 was on its way to Maryland as a small thank-you gift to the U.S., but its unclear precisely how the U.S. obtained the T-72. Ukraine or an allied country likely shipped it to the U.S., where there are advanced resources, like those at Aberdeen, for researching tanks. While it is not unusual, experts say, that the U.S. would study the weapons systems of rival nations, the advent of the tanks underscores the importance of gathering intelligence during warfare and Aberdeens key role in doing so. There are myriad reasons to study enemy technology, and an understanding of a foes abilities is invaluable on the battlefield. Analyzing how far and accurately a tanks gun can fire is important, of course, but so are scores of other details: Knowing a tanks fuel economy, for example, is helpful in figuring out how far a tank can travel before refueling. Michael E. OHanlon, a senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, said if Russia had modernized a tank by adding improved armor or a stronger engine or sensors that ward off missiles, to name a few possible modifications, the souped-up tanks would provide insights beyond what the U.S. learned from aging tanks that havent seen combat in decades. All of that information would be very tactically useful if you were figuring out what to send the Ukrainians and also how to train the Ukrainians on the use of proper anti-armor weapons, he told The Baltimore Sun. Doug Wise, who spent 20 years in the military and 30 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, likened studying a modernized tank versus an old one to examining an iPhone 14 instead of an iPhone 6. In a way, theyre the same phone or tank, in this case but they have a radically different design, said Wise, who also served as deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Updated information could help the U.S. better understand the abilities of Russias weaponry. That benefits Ukraine, but is also a boon for the U.S., which collects intelligence about potential adversaries. Nobody likes to have their technology fall into the other guys hands, OHanlon said. The T-90 first was spotted in the U.S. in April when the truck hauling it broke down in Louisiana. The truck dropped the 30-foot tank off without any tarp or canvas concealing it and, with its load lightened, drove away to be repaired. Two days later, it returned, picked up the tank, and continued to Aberdeen. The tanks sighting popped up on social media, then was reported by The War Zone, a military news website. I walked out there and, lo and behold, theres a tank on a big ol trailer in my back parking lot, said Cody Sellers, the store manager at Petos Travel Center and Casino on Interstate 10 in Roanoke, Louisiana. The phone at Petos rang for days as word spread and curious visitors hoped to get a look at the mammoth machine parked among the gas pumps. One person left a Google review with photos of the tank saying: Food is so good that even Russian came over with their T90. Sue Gough, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, confirmed a T-90 tank was en route to Aberdeen when the truck transporting it suffered a mechanical issue. The tanks explosive reactive armor was inert, it was not armed or carrying any dangerous material, and at no point posed a risk to the public. This is part of our ongoing commitment to provide Ukraine the capabilities it needs to counter Russian aggression, she said. For security reasons, we will not comment further on this matter. A month later, in May, a different Russian-designed tank popped up at a U.S. gas station. Dave Trojan is a 21-year Navy veteran who now spends time as an aviation archaeologist and he had been digging through old airplane crash sites when he stopped for gas at a Pilot station near the Nevada- Utah line. He was aware of the recent T-90 sighting and he promptly recognized this tank sitting atop a truck trailer, under a tarp but with its gun protruding as being a T-72, a predecessor to the T-90. I knew right away that it was a Russian tank, he said. Trojan quickly snapped photographs of the tank and shared the images with Tankers, a social media group. I worked in the government for 25 years, so I just know that the government does a lot of things that they dont talk about and so when you find stuff out I just think it needs to get out there so people can know about it, Trojan said. The Nevada Automotive Test Center a private evaluation facility for commercial and military vehicles confirmed in a statement that the T-72 was headed from its site to Aberdeen. The tank was not armed nor carrying any dangerous material and at no point posed a risk to the public, the test center said, adding that it was sent to Aberdeen to meet the Department of Defenses test and training requirements. The center declined to comment further for security reasons. How exactly the tanks will be examined and studied remains unknown and federal intelligence agencies have, unsurprisingly, not been eager to share information. The CIA declined to comment and the DIA did not respond to a request for comment. Its likely the U.S. is seeking to identify the capabilities of the tanks (particularly the T-90, the more modern of the two) to impart that intelligence to Ukraine, experts say. The U.S. could also be searching for ways to improve the T-72 to provide intelligence that would boost Ukraines own fleet. Its distinctly possible that were trying to figure out how to make that T-72 better because it may still be one of the most important kinds of tanks for the Ukrainians to operate, OHanlon said. Wise said at Aberdeen, experts can pull apart a tank, reconstruct it, see how it functions, test its armor and study any number of minute details. There are near infinite ways to glean important intelligence and there isnt a better place to do so than Aberdeen. They know weapon systems, Wise said. That is one place that is unparalleled in expertise in both U.S.-developed weapons, as well as foreign weapons. 2023 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KYIV, Ukraine Russian missiles rained down in a central Ukrainian city overnight, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than two dozen in a warehouse and an apartment building, regional officials said Tuesday. The attack in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown, comes as Ukrainian forces are in the early stages of a counteroffensive, more than 15 months after Russia invaded. Russian forces have unleashed overnight missile strikes repeatedly against targets across Ukraine in recent weeks, and Tuesdays toll was among the highest from a single attack. In late April, missile strikes hit an apartment building in the central city of Uman, killing 23 people, including six children. Images from the latest missile attack relayed by Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling a blaze as flames poked through broken windows in the damaged apartment building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the nearby ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, wrote on Telegram that the bodies of seven people were recovered from a private company's warehouse, and another four destinies were cut short" at the apartment building. He said search operations had been called off. Kryvyi Rih Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said on the social media app that 28 people were wounded. Russias Defense Ministry said its military fired missiles at Ukrainian operational reserves and a depot with Western weapons and ammunition. It said all targeted facilities were hit. Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, meanwhile, was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and the surrounding region was shelled, local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. The shelling wounded two civilians in the town of Shevchenkove, southeast of Kharkiv. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, separately reported early Tuesday that the drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the citys northeast. Neither Terekhov nor Syniehubov referenced any casualties within Kharkiv. The Kyiv military administration reported that the capital came under fire as well on Tuesday, but the incoming missiles were destroyed by air defenses and there were no immediate reports of any casualties there. Air defenses overnight shot down 10 out of 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces, Ukraines General Staff said on its Facebook page. Meanwhile, Ukraines deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, told Ukrainian TV that its offensive operations were ongoing in four areas in the south and east: Near the town of Orikhiv in the southern Zaporizhzhia region; in the eastern Donetsk region near the city of Bakhmut; around the town of Marinka; and near Lyman in the Luhansk region. The head of Ukraines ground troops said the countrys forces were moving forward outside Bakhmut. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which was largely devastated in the wars longest and bloodiest battle before Moscow's forces took control last month. Over the last day, nearly a dozen front-line towns and villages in Ukrainian-held areas of Donetsk came under increased shelling as Ukrainian troops pushed forward, Zelenskyys office said. Also Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry published a video showing what it said was a German-made Leopard 2 tank and U.S.-made Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, the video was shot by Russian soldiers after fierce fighting in Zaporizhzhia, and a soldier is seen pointing at the immobilized vehicles. It wasn't immediately possible to verify the videos authenticity. Like the Bakhmut area, battle zones in Zaporizhzhia are one of several places along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line where Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their counteroffensive operations. Vladimir Rogov, an official with the Moscow-appointed administration for parts of Zaporizhzhia that Russia controls, alleged that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, and told state news agency RIA-Novosti that Ukrainian forces continue to suffer colossal losses when they make new attempts to advance. He did not elaborate, and his claims could not be immediately verified. On Monday, Maliar, the Ukrainian deputy defense minister, said the countrys troops recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) of eastern Ukraine over the past week, small successes in the early phases of a counteroffensive. Russian officials didnt confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. The advance amounted to only small bits of territory and underscored the difficulty of the battle ahead for Ukrainian forces, who will have to fight meter by meter to regain the roughly one-fifth of their country under Russian occupation. The Defense Department has awarded San Diego's General Atomics a modified $1.2 billion contract to develop and test an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for a future Ford-class aircraft carrier. The system, nicknamed EMALS, is meant to expand the ability of such carriers to launch all current and future aircraft, whether they're unmanned aerial vehicles or heavy strike fighters, the Defense Department said. The new EMALS contract will provide the launch system for the Doris Miller, a carrier that the Navy is scheduled to start building in 2026. The Navy says it is shifting away from traditional steam catapults to the new electromagnetic system because it can launch a wider range of aircraft, will require less maintenance, and will reduce the fatigue that aircraft experience when launched. The system was introduced on the Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class carrier that was commissioned in 2017 and went on its first deployment last year. EMALS also will be used on the carrier John F. Kennedy, which will be delivered to the Navy in 2025. It's expected that Ford-class carriers will be stationed in San Diego in the future. The city is currently home to three older, Nimitz-class flattops. This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune. 2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia must retain authority to exercise customs and border control in case of unblocking of regional connections, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday. Asked to comment on Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryans statement that Armenia will exercise full border control on its side in case of unblocking, Civil Contract Member of Parliament Arman Yeghoyan said that Armenia must have the authority to determine which vehicle, which cargo and how much of any given cargo can enter its territory. Regarding clause 9 of the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement, which says that Russian border guards shall exercise control over transport connections, Yeghoyan said: There are Russian border guard posts along the Armenian-Iranian border as well, and in the customs checkpoint, as well as in other parts. And now we must differentiate two issues from one another a road functioning under or outside Armenian jurisdiction? The Republic of Armenia has said that there wont be any roads functioning outside of its jurisdiction in its territory. The trilateral statement does not question Armenias jurisdiction over its own territory. Even the National Assembly cant pass a law that would limit Armenias jurisdiction over any of its territory, Yeghoyan said. Armenias unchanged position is that roads functioning in the territory of Armenia must be under Armenias jurisdiction. Technical nuances are topics for separate discussions, according to Yeghoyan. When a vehicle enters Armenia, Armenia must know for 100 percent what that vehicle is carrying, how much goods it is carrying, when it entered Armenia and when it exited. The Republic of Armenia must know this for 100 percent, secondly, Armenia must have the jurisdiction to determine which vehicle, which cargo, and what quantity of any given cargo can enter the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia controls its borders, the type and quantity of the goods crossing these borders and the roads in its territory, Yeghoyan said. Discussions on how the roads will be unblocked are now underway, the legislator added, noting that the remaining issues such as who specifically will observe the surveillance cameras or who is going to sit in the office are all technical issues. Azerbaijan wants minimal Armenian control, the lawmaker said. But this isnt a matter of their desire. Its up to us, because international law and order exists. It is up to any state to decide what rules and procedures to apply and manage any road on its territory. And Armenia has said that jurisdiction will not be given up, Yeghoyan said. When asked who the most outstanding soldier of World War I was, commander of the American Expeditionary Force John J. Pershing surprised everyone. There were many names to choose from, many of which had achieved widespread fame by the end of the war. Pershing's answer was Samuel Woodfill, the soldier to whom Pershing had presented the Medal of Honor. Woodfill was also a Chevalier of the French Legion d'honneur, a knight of Montenegro's Order of Prince Danilo I and had received the French Croix de guerre with bronze palm and the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra during his wartime service. The Association of the United States Army's latest edition of its "Medal of Honor" graphic novel series comes from the comic book industry's best designers, illustrators and writers. The minds and hands that bring us "Batman," "The Punisher," "X-Men" and "Iron Man" (among others) bring us the story of Woodfill's life and the action that led to his Medal of Honor. Woodfill was born into a military family in Indiana in 1883. His father was a veteran of the Mexican War and was a Union veteran in the Civil War. By the time he was of enlistment age, he was a pretty good shot and joined the Army in 1901. At that time, the U.S. was fighting an insurrection in the occupied Philippine Islands, which it had taken from Spain in the recent Spanish-American War. Woodfill was sent there to fight Filipino guerrillas until 1904. After stints in Alaska and Kentucky, he was sent to the Mexican border to keep Mexico's civil war from spilling into the United States. By 1917, he was back in Kentucky but didn't stay for long. The United States entered World War I in April 1917, and within a year, Woodfill would earn a commission and promotion before finding himself in the trenches of France with his unit. He had arrived just in time for the final Allied offensive against the Germans on the Western Front: the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Woodfill and his company were pushing forward in a dense fog on Oct. 12, 1918, near the village of Cunel. As they moved, entrenched German machine guns began firing at them. His men took cover, but Woodfill went right for a machine gun nest. He killed the Germans manning the gun, along with their officer. Thinking the threat was neutralized, he signaled his men to move forward. As they approached, another machine gun opened up on them. This time, his men didn't run. Woodfill ordered them to assault the gun, which they did, taking three prisoners. When they began to move once more, another machine gun started firing at them. He led the charge against the third machine gun, wounding five enemy soldiers. Woodfill, the first to jump into the machine gun bunker, fired all the rounds in his sidearm and hit no one, so he picked up a pickax to finish off the last two enemy soldiers. (Association of the United States Army) Woodfill and his men had come so far, only to be forced into a retreat due to mustard gas. None of his men were killed by the three surprise machine guns but were hospitalized because of the chemicals in the air. He received the Medal of Honor for his courage and leadership during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, but sat out the rest of the war. That wasn't the end of his service to the country, however. Learn more about the life of Samuel Woodfill with AUSA's free graphic novel at the AUSA Samuel Woodfill website. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. George Washington once wrote that fellow Founding Father William Blount should be "held in detestation by all good men." Abigail Adams hoped Blount would find himself on the wrong end of a guillotine. The only reason Blount ever joined the patriot cause at all was so he could deal in land speculation. He would end up being the first American official to face impeachment after conspiring to cede Spanish lands to the British. When we think of America's Founding Fathers, we usually think of the men who worked diligently, without hesitation or mental reservation, not only to secure America's independence, but also create this new experimentally democratic form of government. It was imperfect, but they acknowledged its imperfections in its central document, the Constitution. Most of the Founding Fathers risked their lives fighting the British, worked tirelessly to unite the colonies or made surprising sacrifices for their beliefs. Those like Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton are saints of America's genesis, but if there are to be saints, there must be sinners. A new book, "A Republic of Scoundrels: The Schemers, Intriguers, and Adventurers Who Created a New American Nation," investigates the more unscrupulous Founding Fathers, those who wound up trying to serve themselves more than a new nation. William Blount was a scoundrel long before conspiring with Great Britain. During the Revolutionary War, he "lost" the $300,000 in pay intended for North Carolina's troops. He used his later appointment as governor of the Southwest Territory to become one of the largest landowners in the new country. He was hardly alone in his treachery. James Wilkinson, who twice served in the Army, was also an agent of the Spanish government for years. He even tried to convince Kentucky to join Spain instead of the nascent United States. Aaron Burr, one-time vice president, not only shot Hamilton in their famous duel, he allegedly conspired with Spain, Britain and Mexico to seize a large swathe of territory and create a new country for himself; Burr was arrested for treason. James Wilkinson, a double-agent across four presidencies. Each chapter of "A Republic of Scoundrels" is about a different schemer, written by an expert historian and accomplished authors, often professors of American history at prestigious universities like the University of Texas and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. They are compiled and edited by David Head, author of "A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newbury Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution," and Timothy Hemmis, professor of history at Texas A&M University and editor at Presidential Studies Quarterly. Tales of historical wrongdoing don't stop at conspiracies with foreign powers, land grabs or self-enrichment schemes. It also includes a meticulously researched version of the murder of Elizabeth Fales in 1801. Her supposed lover, Jason Fairbanks, claimed it was a botched suicide pact, but he fled Massachusetts and was captured trying to escape to Canada. Fairbanks' case was so sensational that the story has been retold for centuries. At the time, it gained him a level of fame so great that statues of Fairbanks were put up next to George Washington's at traveling exhibitions. It was one of young America's first sensational murder cases. "The hanging of Jason Fairbanks." In the days before Netflix murder mysteries, this was all the rage. (New England Historical Society) Readers have likely seen most of the names in "A Republic of Scoundrels" in high school-level American history books. American history buffs might know a few more of the stories included, but there are names most have never read about before. No matter the reader's background or familiarity, the authors and editors offer new perspectives from their expertise and new scholarship, meaning there's something in this new book for everyone to enjoy. "A Republic of Scoundrels: The Schemers, Intriguers, and Adventurers Who Created a New American Nation" will be released Dec. 5, 2023, but is available for preorder now at bookstores and online retailers. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. "Well, the time has come," Vietnam veteran and "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak wrote on Twitter. "I've decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It's been a wonderful ride, and I'll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it'll keep the clickbait sites busy!)" After more than 40 years, Sajak will say goodbye to being the face of the syndicated evening game show. He'll stay on as a consultant for the show for three years while presumably helping "Wheel of Fortune" find its next host. There are currently no names in the hat for his replacement, and no timeline to replace him, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He began his broadcasting career as a graveyard shift news reader at Chicago's WEDC radio station. As Spc. 5th Class Pat Sajak, he joined the Army as a clerk and typist. In October 1968, he was transferred to the studios of the American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) in Saigon, finally using his skills as a disc jockey. Sajak hosted the "Dawn Buster" radio show made famous by Adrian Cronauer, later immortalized in the movie, "Good Morning Vietnam." He left Vietnam in 1969. Famed "Wheel of Fortune" game show host Pat Sajak served in the Army in Vietnam as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. (U.S. Army) In the early 1970s, Sajak's military service was over and he became a DJ in Kentucky. He soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a DJ but also began hosting short newscasts on WSM television, an NBC affiliate. By 1977, he was in Los Angeles, reporting the weather for KNBC. In 1981, television producer Merv Griffin asked him to take over hosting "Wheel of Fortune" from Chuck Woolery. Griffin was at odds with another television legend, Fred Silverman, over Sajak. Griffin put the filming of the show on hold until Silverman accepted Sajak, which Silverman never did. Instead, he was fired from NBC. Silverman's replacement, Brandon Tartikoff, accepted Sajak as the host of "Wheel of Fortune." Letter-turner and co-host Vanna White joined the show in 1982. Sajak, now 76 years old, has hosted the show since 1983 and even hosted a daytime television version of the show between 1981 and 1989. Over the course of his career, he hosted a late night talk show for one season on CBS, stood in for Larry King on "Larry King Live" and served as a substitute host for Regis Philbin on "Live with Regis and Kelly." During his 36th season of "Wheel of Fortune" in 2019, Sajak dethroned "The Price Is Right" host Bob Barker to become the longest-running television game show host ever. He and White currently co-host "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" on ABC. "Wheel of Fortune" fans have already begun a campaign to elevate White, 66, to Sajak's spot. Some are already speculating who might become the letter turner if White steps up to the wheel. Despite the fact that technology has advanced far enough that the show no longer actually needs a letter turner, fans believe Sajak's daughter, Maggie, might solve the puzzle. On top of being the show's social correspondent, Maggie Sajak stands in for White as letter-turner, when need be. "When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we'd still be at it 41 seasons later? I couldn't be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!" White tweeted in response to Sajak's retirement announcement. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has serious concerns that Azerbaijan could be preparing the ground for new aggressive actions and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia said in a statement on June 13. Below is the full statement released by the foreign ministry. For a long time, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has been spreading daily fake news about ceasefire violations by the Defense Army of Nagorno-Karabakh in the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is noteworthy that in the information materials published by the Russian peacekeepers, ceasefire violations only by Azerbaijan were recorded. Taking into account the already well established experience of Azerbaijan to provide "informational support" before carrying out the next acts of use of force and to artificially ascribe responsibility for future actions to the other party from the outset, the Republic of Armenia has serious concerns that the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, despite all its own obligations, is preparing the ground for another aggressive actions and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. We call on the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation to strictly follow the observance of the ceasefire regime and investigate all the incidents voiced by Azerbaijan, publicly presenting the entire situation on the ground. At the same time, the Republic of Armenia reiterates its position on the necessity to send an international fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, which can also provide reliable and unbiased information both about the situation in the line of contact between the sides and about the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, the latter resulting from Azerbaijans disruption of the functioning of the Lachin corridor through setting up an illegal checkpoint in violation of the regime established under November 9, 2020 Statement, blocking natural gas and electricity supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh as well as targeting by the Azerbaijani servicemen of citizens carrying out agricultural works and their machinery. The Republic of Armenia is convinced that addressing the issues of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of an international mechanism through the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue is urgent and should not be delayed, and calls on the international community to support this process. The Red Sox have been without Trevor Story all season. The middle infielder underwent internal brace surgery to repair the UCL in his throwing elbow in January. Hes been on the 60-day injured list since Spring Training. Fortunately, it seems Story is progressing well in his rehab. The two-time All-Star met with the Boston beat today and reiterated he expects to be back in the second half (audio transcript via WEEI). He expressed confidence he could return to the MLB infield by August and suggested its possible he could be back as a designated hitter by next month. Breaking back in at DH isnt uncommon for hitters in this situation since swinging can put less stress on the elbow ligaments than throwing does. The Phillies, for instance, have used Bryce Harper as a DH since early May as he works back from last Novembers Tommy John surgery. Its possible Harper eventually gets back to playing defense either at first base or in the corner outfield but Philadelphia expedited his return by putting him in a bat-only role. Story, of course, isnt the same caliber of hitter as Harper. Hes a solid but not elite offensive player whos coming off a .238/.303/.434 showing during his first season in Boston. That puts more pressure on him to provide the club some defensive value when hes able, though the Sox would presumably be happy to welcome him back a few weeks earlier as a DH option. The 30-year-old worked exclusively at second base last season. That was in deference to Xander Bogaerts, so the longtime Rockies shortstop is likely to move back to the left side of the infield once healthy. Story said today hed been expressive about his desire to reclaim shortstop after Bogaerts signed with the Padres and that the organization is on board with him returning to his initial position. Boston has given the majority of the shortstop reps to Enrique Hernandez in Storys absence. Hernandez has struggled offensively for a second consecutive season, hitting .228/.296/.356 in 243 trips to the plate. Public metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average have also panned his defensive work, which isnt too surprising given his lack of consistent experience at the position before this season. The Sox have given sporadic playing time to Yu Chang and Pablo Reyes too. Neither player is hitting well and Chang has been out since late April when he fractured the hamate bone in his left hand. Second base hasnt been any more settled. Enmanuel Valdez tailed off dramatically after a hot start and was optioned a few days ago. Christian Arroyo is the starter for now but carries a .258/.289/.409 slash in 98 plate appearances. The organizations hope that offseason trade acquisition Adalberto Mondesi could pick up the slack in Storys absence appears to have been dashed. Hes still working back from an April 2022 ACL tear and seems without a clear return timetable. All that makes Storys health a pivotal question for the club. Adding to the group via trade could also be under consideration for the front office if the team can hang close enough to the playoff picture to make it worthwhile. After tonights extra-inning loss to Colorado, Boston dropped back below .500 at 33-34. Theres virtually no chance of winning the AL East at this point and theyre 4 1/2 games back of the Astros (with the Blue Jays and Angels also above them) for the final Wild Card spot. TROY, MI Police are investigating after a homeowner was shot while confronting two suspects who were attempting to steal a catalytic converter from his pickup truck. According to the Troy Police Department, the shooting occurred at a home near Fredmoor Street and South Boulevard at 3:42 a.m. on June 13. The homeowner was shot in the leg after catching two suspects in his driveway, police said. The victim called out at the suspects as they fled toward a dark-colored SUV. One subject turned towards the homeowner and fired a handgun before the SUV fled on South Boulevard, police said. The homeowner was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Troy police officers were near Cypress and Bristol investigating an additional catalytic converter theft from a vehicle parked in the driveway prior to the shooting. Neighbors described a similar dark-colored SUV fleeing the area, according to police. No suspects have been identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Troy Police Department Tip Line at 248-524-0777. DETROIT Michigan State has made a big move to increase the universitys presence in Detroit. Officials announced Tuesday that MSU will invest in Detroits historic Fisher Building to add another splash of green to the Motor City skyline. The move makes MSU the majority owner of the building, one of the most recognizable on Detroits skyline. The Golden Tower of the Fisher Building will be illuminated green for a week to commemorate the occasion. Designed by legendary architect Albert Kahn in 1928, the 635,000-square-foot building is a National Historic Landmark and considered Detroits largest art object for its marble exterior, three-story arcade with hand-painted barrel-vaulted ceiling, spectacular mosaics and extensive brass detailing. For decades, MSU has been working with partners in Detroit to support economic development, advance the arts, transform schools, improve health and sustain the environment, said Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. Our collective presence in the Motor City yields $317 million of economic impact for the region and, more importantly, our partnerships and collaborations throughout the region improve the lives of Detroiters and Michiganders alike. This new investment signals our continued intent to be part of Detroits storied history and vibrancy. The Fisher Building was acquired through MSUs endowment fund, but the price of the sale was not disclosed. MSU Federal Credit Union is the lender. The university plans to use the building for a variety of educational, administrative, and community-facing functions. Additionally, the MSU Research Foundation plans to open a start-up incubator inside the building later in 2023. Two adjacent surface parking lots and the nearby Baltimore Garage parking structure are also part of the investment, according to the Detroit-based land developer The Platform, the buildings former owner. The Platform will remain the managing partner responsible for building operations and leasing, according to a news release. Since 2015, The Platform has invested more than $30 million in capital improvements, maintenance and upgrades to the 95-year-old building. For years The Platform has been a driver of historic renovations and new construction projects in New Center Detroits second city center where neighborhoods meet the urban core, said Peter Cummings, executive chairman and CEO of The Platform in a statement. MSUs recent investments show the depth of their commitment to the City of Detroit and the New Center neighborhood in particular. We welcome them as stewards of the Fisher Building, a national treasure. The purchase marks the continuation of MSUs move into the Motor City. The university is spearheading The Platforms Piquette Flats affordable housing/adaptive reuse project as well as nearby developments in conjunction with Henry Ford Health and the Detroit Pistons. MSU also sponsors hundreds of programs and projects in Detroit including food security resources through MSU Extension, K-12 music and career-path outreach programming and a 3.5-acre urban agricultural center. MSU has long had a significant presence in Grand Rapids where much of its College of Human Medicine is located. HARBOR SPRINGS, MI - There are few things more relaxing than spending long hours on a summer night with some delicious food and good company in a beautiful place. The Highlands at Harbor Springs has a new summer dining experience designed to take this combination up a notch - right up to the top of a skill hill. The resorts new Aonach Mor Twilight Dinner Series will whisk participants up to the North Peak, a hilltop perch with a truly fantastic view. Not only does a forested expanse of Northern Michigan stretch out beneath you, but North Peaks location atop the Highlands northernmost slopes means that on a clear night, youll get spectacular views that include the twinkling night lights on the Mackinac Bridge. Surround yourself with the beauty of Northern Michigans pristine natural surroundings during the summers longest nights atop North Peak, resort staff said of this new dining option. Once at North Peak, diners will be seated outdoors for a rustic, four-course dinner event. The evening features a chef-crafted menu that celebrates the finest local ingredients, ensuring a unique culinary experience. Breathtaking views, warm summer breezes, and Northern Michigan summer vibes are sure to make this experience a night to remember. The Highlands at Harbor Springs is a four-season resort. Summer offerings include chairlifts to mountain-biking trails, zip line adventures, swimming and horseback riding. Photo provided by The Highlands at Harbor Springs. The Aonach Mor Twilight Dinners draws its name from the resorts popular moonlight dinner series it hosts each winter. Its named after a mountain in the Scottish Highlands. The Highlands resort just outside Harbor Springs is known for its Scottish flair, even down to the shaggy Scottish Highland cattle grazing near the main entrance. Reservations for the summer Twilight Dinners are being accepted for select dates in June, July and August: June 20 and 21 July 1, 2 and 3 July 28 and 29 August 11 and 12 Transportation from the resorts Main Lodge up to North Peak is included in the reservation. For more details including cost and specific times, check the resorts reservation page here. The view from North Peak for the Aonach Mor Twilight Dinners at The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Photo provided by The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Headed to the Boyne City, Petoskey or Harbor Springs areas? Check out more fun things to do here: Northern Michigans Inn at Bay Harbor is waterfront oasis with spa, private cottages How Gypsy Distillery transformed Northern Michigans new tasting room, events center Inland lake, beachfront villas are hidden gems at this Northern Michigan ski resort This Northern Michigan climb has 462 steps and a gorgeous Lake Charlevoix view For places to stay and activities around the area, check the Petoskey Visitors Bureau website here. HOWELL, MI -- Police are investigating the death of a toddler who was killed after gaining access to an unsecured gun. Officers from the Howell Police Department and Livingston County Sheriffs Office were called to the 1900 block of Oak Squire Lane in Howell shortly before 6 p.m. June 11, for a report of the shooting. The 2-year-old had gained access to an unsecured gun in the home, resulting in the accidental shooting, police said, adding the child was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation. Howell police declined to release any further information or officially identify the child. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Read more from The Ann Arbor News: Fire at U.P. airport damages over 3 acres, caused by mower that was cutting grass Woman knocks on her coffin during service, after being declared dead at hospital Police send warning after Saginaw boy jumps onto moving train FLINT, MI A former Flint-area Catholic priest convicted of the attempted sexual abuse of a 5-year-old boy in the late 1980s, was sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail and probation. Vincent DeLorenzo, 84, was sentenced June 13 by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Brian S. Pickell after previously pleading guilty to a single count of attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a five-year felony. The sentence followed the framework of the plea, which called for five years probation and one year incarceration at the Genesee County Jail. As terribly damaging, harmful and traumatic as all sexual abuse is, (abuse) involving child victims is even more devastating, Pickell said. DeLorenzo chose not to speak prior to being sentence. Justice did come for the victims in this case, his attorney, Michael Manley, said. Related: Former Flint-area priest facing multiple sex assault charges DeLorenzo was arrested in May 2019 while living in Marion County, Florida. He was originally charged with seven felonies across two criminal cases including two victims following an investigation by the Michigan State Police as well as the Michigan Office of Attorney General. The case for which the former priest is convicted stems from 1987. He previously admitted to sexually assaulting a 5-year-old boy following a funeral service he officiated for a deceased family member of the victim. In exchange for DeLorenzos guilty plea in that case, the remaining charges filed against him were dismissed. Those charges were related to the alleged sexual assault of a child between 1995-2000, while the victim was a student at Holy Redeemer School and Church in Burton. Read more: Flint-area Catholic priest sexually abused boy for 5 years, affidavit says The plea was reached after consulting with victims in the case, a spokesperson with the state AGs office previously said. Stipulations of the plea included allowing each of DeLorenzos victims, including those involved in the cases that were dismissed as part of the plea, to provide victim impact statements at Tuesdays sentencing. Several spoke through victim advocates and family members. When released from jail, DeLorenzo will be required to register as a sex offender, as required by under the sex offender registry act, and must undergo sex offender counseling. Read also: Former Flint-area priest pleads guilty to attempted criminal sexual conduct A Flint native, DeLorenzo was ordained in 1965 and served as pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Flint Township from 1976 to 1983 and of St. Robert Parish in Flushing until 1988. He also spent time as an associate pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, St. Joseph and St. Augustine Catholic churches in Kalamazoo and St. Casimir in Lansing, according to Flint Journal records. In June 1988, he moved onto Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Burton. DeLorenzo abruptly resigned from Holy Redeemer in January 2002 after a complaint was made to the Diocese of Lansing regarding abuse. While the crime occurred more than 10 years ago, Michigans statute of limitations is tolled when a defendant leaves the state for any reason within the statute of limitations and resumes when they return to the state, the Michigan AGs office previously explained. Read more at The Flint Journal: Former Flint-area priest faces new rape charge for second victim Man testifies he was raped 10 times by Catholic priest as a first-grader Former Flint-area priest bound over on rape charges Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. FLINT, MI A man and his sister appeared side-by-side on a lone television monitor in the third-floor courtroom belonging to Genesee County Circuit Judge Brian S. Pickell. The man recounted in a letter read by his sister of sleeping with a light on, his head facing the door and the blankets pulled over the top of his head. He slept that way for 34 years, he wrote. But the monster that kept him awake at night, caused him nightmares when he was able to fall asleep and fueled the mans bouts with alcohol and social anxieties wasnt a demon hiding in the mans closet. It was someone who was supposed to be a representative of God, a beacon of light in society. But instead, the man wrote in his letter, he helped take that away. I support the sentence agreement because I dont want the others to have to testify, the man wrote. I wanted to testify but cant because I dont have specific enough memories. And that really frustrates me, because I wanted to be a bigger part of putting him away. Related: Disgraced Michigan priest sentenced to jail, probation in sex abuse case The man, who MLive-The Flint Journal is not identifying because he is a survivor of sexual abuse, was one of five people who either individually or through family or victim advocates addressed Pickell on Tuesday, June 13, at the sentence hearing for Vincent DeLorenzo, a former Flint-area priest convicted of attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Pickell sentenced the former priest to five years probation, the first of which will be served behind bars at the Genesee County Jail. The sentence was an agreement reached by way of a plea-based conviction in April, when DeLorenzo admitted to assaulting a 5-year-old boy following a funeral service he officiated for a deceased family member of the victim. Other charges were dismissed through the plea, which was reached after consultation with the victims in the case, according to the Michigan Office of Attorney General. The plea mandated that DeLorenzo upon being released from jail be required to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender counseling. Stipulations included in the plea also allowed for each of his victims even in cases that werent criminally charged to give victim impact statements. Read more: Former Flint-area priest facing multiple sex assault charges The man on the screen, one of DeLorenzos victims, was the first to provide a statement to the court. I think he chose me because I was a good target, the man wrote. The man said he was already in a vulnerable state. A year prior he had seen his dog be hit by a vehicle and die. Six months before the abuse, a friend of his died by suicide. I remember being at home alone, in my bed crying, thinking my life would end in suicide because there was no escaping what had happened, he said. There was nothing I could do to stop the thoughts. There was no one who could help me. Whatever he said, he made sure that I couldnt even turn to God as he was the representative of God. Also: Flint-area Catholic priest sexually abused boy for 5 years, affidavit says Another person, who was 8 years old when he was abused by DeLorenzo, had a victim advocate read a prepared statement to the court. The man, who was a student at St. Pius Church and School, said he wouldnt say DeLorenzos name, because even his name is evil. He said DeLorenzo began by being nice and complimenting the boy. I was only 8 years old, but I just thought maybe that was because he was a priest, the man wrote. The man recounted abuse he underwent, explaining he had no idea how wrong it was at the time because he lived a sheltered life. Due to being young and innocent, I had no reason to believe someone would or could even do something like this, he wrote. I was completely innocent. Everything related to sex abuse or pedophilia, I didnt even know what any of those words meant. The survivor recalled hiding in bathrooms even the girls bathroom while at school in an attempt to avoid DeLorenzo. But when his attempts were unsuccessful, the abuse continued. After one assault, he wrote, DeLorenzo stole his underwear. More: Former Flint-area priest pleads guilty to attempted criminal sexual conduct One survivor who addressed the court on Tuesday said they encountered DeLorenzo while he was with Holy Redeemer school in Burton. He described in a letter read to the court by a victim advocate that he was placed in foster care at a young age and spent time in a dysfunctional household. The man described being abused multiple times by DeLorenzo from 1995-2000. Today, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of us do not and cannot understand the trauma of reliving sexual abuse over and over through events such as these criminal proceedings, the survivor wrote. The mother and father of one of DeLorenzos victims held a poster board with an attached photo showing their son around the age he was abused. The photo of the smiling child doesnt reflect the man they described their son as becoming, one who has had run-ins with drugs, alcohol and has struggled with health issues in the wake of DeLorenzos abuse. They said DeLorenzo abused their son after a funeral he officiated for a family member. The priest, they said, asked to spend time with the 5-year-old boy to help him through the loss. We thought he was looking out for (our sons) best interest in dealing with his great grandmother, they said. Instead, he took the opportunity to get (him) alone and sexually abused him. Their son, now 41 years old, asked DeLorenzo to stop many times, the parents said. When he did, the former priest would tell him to not be a baby and to not cry. He also threatened that family members would lose their roles with the church if he told anyone. I think about how different and more carefree his life could have been, they said. The final survivor to address the court did so on his own account. He said he originally didnt view the abuse he was experiencing as something wrong, but rather a relationship between he and his priest. DeLorenzo would give the man money and allow him to drive his car. But he didnt realize at what cost the relationship came with. Youre so confused, because for years I felt like I was special. I felt like what I was dealing with was between him and other people couldnt understand, the man said, wiping tears from his eyes. And its so sick that somebody can use a collar to manipulate people into thinking that it was nice, that it was normal for a 40-year-old or 39-year-old man hanging out with an 8-year-old like theyre best buddies always together, hanging out spending the night together. When the victims who wanted to address the court and their abuser were finished speaking, attorneys in the case shared their own sentiments. Danielle Hagaman-Clark, the assistant attorney general who prosecuted the case on behalf of Dana Nessels office, described it as an honor to handle the case for the victims. We literally showed up in their lives unexpected and peeled back the scab that for some had been healing for many, many years, she said. They didnt throw us out. They spoke to us, and they shared their agonizing stories of grief and trauma from their years of having been abused by this defendant. Michael Manley, the attorney who represented DeLorenzo throughout the course of his case, spoke of the personal affect the case had on him, someone who was raised Catholic. I also feel let down, and he knows that. He knows hes let everybody down, he said. DeLorenzo opted not to speak when asked if he wanted to address the court, deferring instead to his attorney. This court is very, very, very sorry, and hopes that the victims and respective families that are dealing with the passage of time and continue to do so can somehow, some way, someday, find joy in their lives again, Pickell said. Read more at The Flint Journal: Former Flint-area priest faces new rape charge for second victim Man testifies he was raped 10 times by Catholic priest as a first-grader Former Flint-area priest bound over on rape charges Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI While most residents dont think much about the water that comes from the tap when they turn it on, a lot of work happens behind the scenes with municipal water workers to bring drinking water to Grand Rapids. Now, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is offering a learning experience to work hands-on in the field of municipal water management through the Water to Work internship program through the city of Grand Rapids in partnership with GRCC and Bay College. The internship program is scheduled to begin on Aug. 14 on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., for a yearlong program that will hopefully end with students receiving jobs in local water programs. Bay College, a leader in water education, partnered with Grand Rapids Community Colleges program in business development. The city of Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Filtration Plant is the second largest water plant in the state. Hillary Caron, water education and programs coordinator for the city of Grand Rapids, said the need for Water to Work is crucial, with many of city water employees retiring or nearing the age of retirement. Caron wants to diversify water workplaces by bringing in young people that are passionate about providing drinking water to the community. Clean water is something that you cant ignore or just brush to the side, Caron said. This is something that we need for life and we cant neglect it. The interns will earn $17.71 an hour for their work while simultaneously taking online courses through Bay College and GRCC. Completing the paid internship also could lead to Michigan Drinking Water and Municipal Wastewater certifications for free. The internships are funded by a $3.8 million Environmental Protection Agency grant. Caron and the other partners have been talking about receiving the grant since 2021 to create the internship program. The partners were able to roll the pilot program out last September when they first received the grant. Whats nice and unique is that its a small class size, and we know that this is a pilot, Caron said. We recognize that, so we are constantly revamping things as we go and the process is still in play even though the program is rolling out. Five students are currently in the pilot program, trialing the curriculum. Only seven months into the program, one of the interns accepted a position with the city of Wyoming, two others began working with the city of Grand Rapids, and another is starting to work for the state of Michigan. The program currently has an 80% placement rate in the middle of its first program, which will end officially in September. I do feel like were making a difference with the students that have entered this program that really never, I dont think, thought about going into a career in water, Caron said. But now they really have found their niche. The EPA grant only provides enough funding to start this next year-long program this August, but Caron is hopeful they will be able to offer this internship program for years to come with its current success rate. The minute interns start the program, they have autonomy of their experience. Interns decide through exploring facilities whether they want to pursue wastewater or drinking water jobs. Theyre turning wrenches, theyre making changes to the treatment process and making adjustments, Caron said. Its not theoretical, theyre actually applying what theyre learning in classes. While the first iteration of the program is still underway, Caron is ready to usher in a new cohort of students. Shes hopeful students will become part of a business that is crucial to the wellbeing of the city. They really want to create that network where they rely on each other, talk to each other and have something beyond the typical program or like the structured program, Caron said. Im trying to give them a chance to build their network and their skills. For those interested in applying to the internship, applicants can submit their application here. The application deadline is July 7 and applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Applicants also need to pass a background check as well as a GRCC math placement test. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Higher wages, longer-lasting discipline records proposed in new Grand Rapids police union contract Parking, sound generate conversation at Grand Rapids amphitheater open house West Michigan students become consumers and producers in new Junior Achievement program YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. The contradictions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over unblocking are technical, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has said. There is a common understanding over this issue, but there are technical disagreements. The main red line in Azerbaijans position is that they argue that their citizens, while traveling from Baku to Nakhijevan, are not moving from Azerbaijan to a third country and in their perception this implies a facilitated option. Our stance is that we are in favor of unblocking of all roads, and if we talk about peace we shouldnt put forward strong preconditions and cause tension, or create a war situation, because in such situation that road would be meaningless. It would be good if the Azerbaijani side understood this all, Simonyan told reporters. Simonyan also commented on clause 9 of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement which says that Russian border guards shall exercise control over transport connection from Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan. He said that Armenia has its sovereign territory where laws of Armenia are enforced. If at some point Armenia were to consider outsourcing any of its functions to the bodies of another country, then that would be its own internal issue, but at this moment there is no decision or discussion on that issue, Simonyan said. He added that Armenia displayed its will and emphasized that it will not grant any extraterritorial corridor through its territory. It seems that this has been understood, that no such thing was planned or talked about. Although some tried to manipulate and claim that Prime Minister Pashinyan had promised something. It is obvious that there is no such thing, because even the President of Russia spoke about this, and its clear that this wording is no longer present in the Azerbaijani rhetoric, the Speaker said. The Speaker of Parliament also denied the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayevs claim that Russia will control the roads to Nakhijevan in Armenian territory. Simonyan said there is no such decision and that the negotiations are ongoing as the parties try to bring their positions closer. If Azerbaijan wants the Russian side to control the entry, then Armenia could also want some representation of a third country to control the entry to Azerbaijan, because border unblocking is a mutual process. If the Azerbaijanis should travel to Nakhijevan through Armenian territory, it means that the citizens of Armenia shall also be able to travel to Russia or any other country through Azerbaijani territory. The conditions must be the same, and our position over this issue is unequivocal, Simonyan said. Speaker Simonyan ruled out anything being imposed upon Armenia because Armenias authorities are legitimately elected. If the authorities of Armenia were not elected authorities, then perhaps there could be coercion. Armenia is having big successes in its democracy levels, and from now on the world is viewing this all as an attack on democracy. Yes, we have our mistakes, and not everything is perfect, but the progress is obvious, the governments will to resolve and correct the existing problems is obvious. This all cant go without a response, he said. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the changes in the projected enrollment at Grand Rapid Public Schools, which is projected to be 13, 707 students. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Parents, students and community members urged the school board Monday to address a handful of concerns in the proposed Grand Rapids Public Schools budget for the 2023-24 academic year. Prior to hearing a budget presentation, the Grand Rapids Board of Education heard public comment from around 30 people about areas what should their spending priorities, including more mental health support for students, improving air quality, ensuring schools with predominately Black students are fully staffed, support for bus drivers, including behavioral issues and better lunches. Many of those in attendance Monday, June 12 at the district, 1331 Martin Luther King Jr. St. SE, were with the Urban Core Collective of Grand Rapids, a nonprofit with an education justice team. The group held an event across from the district before the meeting and work session, encouraging people to give public comment and sign a budget demand petition. The Urban Core Collective held a community budget action event across from the Grand Rapids Public Schools district office Monday, June 12 prior to the school board's special meeting that included a presentation on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year. People were asked to give public comment at the meeting and sign a budget demands petition. (Liz Nass | MLive.com) Betsaida Valdivia, education organizer for the Urban Core Collaborative, and group members spoke about their concerns about the operations of the school system. They have a list of items, including many shared during public comment that they want to see addressed such as more mental health counselors and training for educators to recognize students in crisis and clean, healthy indoor air in buildings, especially for students with health problems. Its really seeing a plan of action, Valdivia said. I think that also our hope is a timeline of action and also accountability, but really creating spaces where our base can be part of these decisions that are being made. Parent Marta Johnson was among many worried about air quality and calling for air quality reports and inspections every quarter throughout buildings districtwide to keep students healthy and safe. Air quality is a huge issue for our students not only to be able to be engaged in learning to feel good, but also for parents and caregivers to make sure that they have fewer missed days of school, Johnson said. Parents have also been pushing for predominately Black schools to be fully staffed with teachers, not substitutes, including Ottawa Hills High School and its feeders schools Alger Middle School and Campus Elementary School. The district has had a teacher shortage. Kimberly Saunders was there to speak for the bus drivers of GRPS, regarding the behavioral issues that occur on the buses, and the need for more support and hands-on deck in the transportation department. We do know that we are short staffed, and of course we are working on it like everybody else, Saunders said. But we also need support coming from the staff. We need support coming from the principals. Saunders also said the district needs to offer more appetizing food that students want to eat to get them through the day. She joined students who complained about the quality food and the lack of choices. All the things that people have said, the food and nutrition, the mental health, they all go together, and we cant expect these kids to have a good ride home or good ride into school, and then not give them adequate things that they need to get through their day, Saunders said. GRPS spokesperson Leon Hendrix said the district wants to work with the community and some of the concerns that have been raised are already being targeted in the strategic plan. For example, GRPS is looking at increasing mental health funding for behavioral specialists and therapists. This will tie into our strategic plan to meet holistic scholar needs and recognize the initiative related to a framework of social, emotional behavior and health support, GRPS Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Kribs said. We have heard that in our notes, and we are trying to use our budget to adjust to these needs. The proposed budget, presented by Kribs, anticipates a $458 per pupil increase in state aide, from $9,150 to $9,608. This will provide an anticipated funding increase of $6.3 million, according to a news release. The vast majority of our funding is used to pay salaries. In this proposed budget, salaries and benefits make up 72% of our spending, the release said, noting that percentage is typically higher but the large influx of one-time COVID -19 funding brought the figure down. Kribs presented a general fund budget that has revenue totaling $287.5 million for 2023-24, up from $284.8 million this year, and total expenditures coming in at $286.1 million, down from $289.3 million. The board will vote on next school years budget Monday, June 19 during a 6:30 p.m. meeting at the district. In the budget, you have to have some level of projection, but then also, we adjust in real time because we are projecting and we want to have some flexibility that the need has changed or something else has come down the road, GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby said. People understand that this is the presentation of the budget, but it does change and adjust throughout the year. Officials say the proposed budged includes no major cuts to programs and services. However, with enrollment continuing to decline in the school system, there will be continued financial challenges. This year, the district enrolled 13,787 students, according to state data. GRPS reports enrollment has dropped nearly 30% over the last 14 years. To prepare next years budget, the district used a projected enrollment of 13,707 students, 80 fewer than this year, the release said. School board member Jordoun Eatman said declining enrollment in public schools is an issue nationwide, not unique to GRPS. The financial impact is significant for state districts since Michigan funds education based on per-pupil funding. The school board is considering the closure of some school buildings in the coming years to rightsize due to declining enrollment. Related: Grand Rapids schools delays decision on what buildings could close due to declining enrollment GRPS is preparing to place a 20-year school improvement bond on the Nov. 7 election ballot for about $305 million to improve facilities, providing a better learning environment. The school board is expected to approve ballot language in July. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More on MLive: Parking, sound generate conversation at Grand Rapids amphitheater open house 9-year-old allegedly planned to shoot a classmate with loaded gun at Grand Rapids school 2023 Miss Michigan contestants visit Lake Michigan beach, popular Muskegon restaurant Guide to Miss Michigan 2023, featuring the 24 candidates JACKSON COUNTY, MI Westbound I-94 east of Jackson was closed four hours Tuesday morning when a rollover crash left a semitruck and a large amount of empty beer kegs scattered along the freeway. Rescue crews were called at 5:10 a.m. June 13, to westbound I-94 east of Sergeant Road in Leoni Township for a reported rollover crash involving a semitruck, according to the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety. Related: Westbound I-94 east of Jackson closed due to crash Officers arrived and found the semitruck blocking both lanes of the highway and a large number of empty beer kegs scattered along the freeway, police said. The driver, a 62-year-old man, was the sole occupant of the semi, owned by Raves Associate Inc. of Ann Arbor, and was not injured in the crash, police said. Traffic was diverted from the freeway at Race Road while the semi-trailer was removed, and cleanup took place, police said. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office, Phelps Towing, Lester Brothers and Michigan Department of Transportation assisted at the scene. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot: Doll n Burgers lawsuit settled, Old Irish Mill opens and more Jackson County business news Woman suffers serious injuries after boyfriend beats her with baseball bat Jackson Friend of the Court looking to reorganize KALAMAZOO, MI -- When seeking a success story about The Kalamazoo Promise, look no further than Maurice Washington, Kalamazoo Central Class of 2011. He grew up in a poverty-stricken family destabilized by addiction, incarceration and stints of homelessness. But thanks to The Promise, he enrolled at Western Michigan University, where he graduated with a 3.8 grade point average from the honors college. He went on to earn a masters in public policy administration from University of Chicago. Today, he works for the city of Chicago as the citys liaison with nonprofits that work with homeless people. So its come full circle, Washington said. I went from being homeless to serving an entire city and their homeless population. Without The Promise, he said, I definitely think Id be dead or in prison. But Washington is the exception among minority students who qualify for The Promise -- which offers free tuition at Michigan colleges to Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates. The only qualifications: Students have to attend KPS through at least high school (or from kindergarten to get 100% of tuition covered) and they must live in the district. Recipients have 10 years after high school to use the scholarship. Since the first class in 2006, more than 9,500 students have qualified for The Promise. About 43% are white, 40% are Black, 9% are Hispanic and the remaining 9% are mixed race, Asian or American Indian. The vast majority of Promise-eligible students have enrolled in college -- almost 90%, Promise data shows. But there is a big racial gap in postsecondary completion rates. Among Promise-eligible students in the KPS Classes of 2006-12 (the group past the 10-year deadline for using the scholarship) white students are much more likely to get some sort of degree. As shown, below, about 70% of white women and 63% of white men get some kind of postsecondary credential within 10 years. Meanwhile, only 42% of black women and 26% of black men finish a program. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) We want to be honest about what our challenges are, but we also want to recognize the impact that weve had, said Bob Jorth, executive director of the The Kalamazoo Promise. Even though our completion rate for minority and low-income students is half that of the other students, its significantly higher than the national numbers -- and thats because of how bad the national numbers are. Compared to other urban districts, Kalamazoo students get bachelors degrees at a much higher rate -- among white students, black students, middle-income students and low-income students. (Cant see the chart showing academic outcomes based on race? Click here.) (Cant see the chart showing academic outcomes based on income levels? Click here.) The numbers above, however, still show a large gap along both racial and economic lines. Closing that gap has long been a priority for The Promise, he said. The organization is drafting a proposal to address the issue. Leaders with The Promise are looking for ways to structure The Promise in a more equitable fashion, he said. If you just look at tuition expenses, were investing a lot more in our white students, because theyre more likely to complete a bachelors degree, Jorth said. By comparison, many minority students go to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where full-time tuition is about $3,600 a year compared to almost $17,000 for freshman tuition at University of Michigan. If we can pay $70,000 for a kid at U-M for a bachelors degree, we can certainly pay for $5,000 or $10,000 for additional supports for a student to get them through a certificate program or an associate degree, Jorth said. 27 1 / 27 The Kalamazoo Promise after 17 years A bitter taste The Promises track record makes it clear that free college is not a silver bullet for improving educational outcomes. Overall, 51% of Promise-eligible students in the Classes of 2006-12 completed a postsecondary credential by 2022, Promise data shows. Only 4% never enrolled in college. The other 45% started but didnt finish. Its usually a multitude of things that causes a student to drop out, Jorth said -- theyre struggling with the academic and/or social transition to college; they cant decide on a career path; theres an unexpected pregnancy or health issues or family demands; theres the struggle to pay for things The Promise doesnt cover, such as books, housing and/or transportation. There are also issues around race and class. It can be hard for someone who grew up poor to fit in on a college campus. While a white student from a low-income household might be able to disguise that, classmates may assume a Black or Hispanic student grew up poor even if they did not. Washington said hes seen how feeling like one doesnt belong is a huge reason many minority students flounder in higher education. I dont care how smart you are -- if you cant tolerate discomfort, youre not going to make it, he said. That discomfort can be heightened by lack of confidence and not feeling worthy, Washington said. Its the disbelief that college is actually possible. ... Theres a lot of internalized oppression, where people think theyre not good enough for those opportunities. I dont know how to fix that. Stacy Salters Jackson knows the challenges first hand, as the Black mother of two Promise students who dropped out of college. Her son struggled academically in high school and didnt last long at KVCC, she said. He has since become a certified massage therapist through a program not covered by The Promise. Her daughter was a stronger student and initially enrolled at Ferris State University. But she struggled to fit in as a Black woman on an overwhelmingly white campus. The daughter transferred to WMU, but still struggled socially with the transition to college and deciding on a career path. Shes gotten over 60 credits, a bunch of credits, but they dont connect to a specific degree, Jackson said. Shes working in real estate now, getting her feet wet in that and making money, and she is talking about going back to school. The Promise was a really good idea for people who had (college) as a path, Jackson said. I think that some young people are born on that trajectory, right? And some people, like our family, we were born on a trajectory to get a job out of high school. So we have this pressure of The Promise, which is that its a great opportunity and all this kind of stuff. But really, if youre not ready, if you havent been prepared on that trajectory, then how successful are you going to be? Jackson said she remembers when The Promise was announced, feeling very distinctly it was designed to bring in enrollment to the district and benefit the same people who generally benefit from big initiatives like this. To that extent, Jackson said, when people talk about The Promise, sometimes you just get a bitter taste in your mouth. Adding supports From the start, Jorth and The Promise board recognized that low-income and minority students would likely need additional supports to succeed in college. To that end, the program has implemented a number of changes over the years, including expansion of its staff. For the first several years, Jorth was the only full-time Promise employee. The program now has a staff of 22, which includes re-enrollment specialists, career counselors and people lining up internships for Promise students. One new program works with small cohorts of students to help them balance school with other life demands. The Promise also pays a premium on their tuition payments to KVCC and WMU to pay for counselors who work strictly with Promise students, Jorth said. About two-thirds of Promise recipients attend those two schools. At KVCC, the counselors work with Promise students on a variety of issues beyond academics, such as transportation issues and food insecurity, said Nkenge Bergan, KVCC associate vice president. Theres also a Promise Plus fund that helps students pay for things like child care, a new computer or new tires. Such supports help students navigate the barriers, Bergan said. In another reform, The Promise now pays for up to 145 credits toward completion of a bachelors degree, an aid for students who switch majors and need to take more classes to finish their degree. Crews work on the final stages of the new water tower with the logo of The Kalamazoo Promise in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. The water tower should be completely raised by Monday afternoon.Joel Bissell | MLive.com The 10-year plan Perhaps the biggest boon for Promise recipients is its flexibility. Students can go part time, since they have 10 years to use the scholarship. The 10 years makes a big difference, Jorth said. About 10% of Promise students who earn a degree or certificate need more than six years after graduating high school. One of the success stories of The Promise is that 45% of students who drop out after their first year of college eventually re-enroll, compared to a national average of 12%. Want more Kalamazoo news? Our 3@3 newsletter rounds up Kalamazoos top stories every weekday at 3 p.m. Enter your email to get our free newsletter: Perla Ascencio is an example of a Promise student who took more than a decade to get her bachelors degree. Ascencio emigrated to the United States from Mexico as an undocumented minor, she said. Because she lacked legal status, she said she wasnt motivated to go to college after graduating from high school in 2010, because there seemed to be little point. But in 2012, the Obama administration created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which shielded people such as Ascencio from deportation. In 2014, Ascencio enrolled in KVCC. Because she was working full time, she was only taking two classes a semester and it took until 2018 to get her associate degree in business. She transferred to WMU and continued part time, even after her Promise tuition benefits expired. She graduated last summer with a bachelors in accounting. In 2021, Ascencio got a job working for The Promise, helping to administer tuition payments. Shes also a Kalamazoo homeowner. Married to a U.S. citizen for more than 10 years, Ascencio now qualifies for citizenship herself. There is no way I would have been able to afford school without The Promise, absolutely no way, Ascensio said. And even though I was on and off, the 10-year limit kind of pushed me because I knew I have this deadline. I did not meet it, unfortunately. But it kept me going. It was always in the back of my head. Overcoming obstacles Washington, the Promise scholar who now works for the city of Chicago, says his journey was filled with obstacles, both internal and external. But he also identifies several key turning points. One came in his junior year of high school when he signed up for barber school through a half-day vocational education program. His classmates were older men, and he benefited from their maturity and commitment to learning, Washington said. And passing the exam to get his barber license was an excellent crash course in study skills, he added. Another turning point occurred when he applied to WMU in the fall of his senior year. His grades werent great, but they were improving, he said. A WMU admissions officer granted him acceptance, saying she saw his potential. It was a vote of confidence that inspired Washington to finish his senior year strong, he said. The transition to WMU was difficult. Not because of the academics, he said, but rather the social adjustment and the contrast between the WMU campus and the Kalamazoo neighborhood where he lived with his family. Its two different worlds, and youre forced to choose between the two, he said. Washington is convinced a big reason for his college success was living on campus and getting totally immersed in the college experience, even though that meant pulling away from his family and childhood friends. I knew that based on the instability of my household, I could not stay at home, Washington said. Because if I did, I would never finish college. Thats something I think about even to this day. His WMU years were exciting, but also scary, he said. A lot of people have someone they look up to, so they know what they can be and what moves they need to make, he said. But I had to make everything up on my own, every single day. There was no road map because I hadnt seen anyone in my life who had done what I was doing. So there was excitement, but also fear, Washington said. What I learned in college was to lean into the excitement more than the fear. Thats allowed me to get to where I am now, he said. College was a complete discomfort for me, and I had to teach myself to be comfortable in college. After learning that, I felt I was able to do so many different things -- doing different jobs and going to graduate school and learning other languages. It really became the foundation for everything Ive been able to do after that. Thats his message to students like him, Washington said. My story was supposed to hurt me and bring me down, he said. But its done nothing but make me greater. Thats what I want other students to do. I want them to use their stories as a means to a better life. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. MORE FROM THIS SERIES 17 years later, The Kalamazoo Promise has changed lives. But it hasnt been a cure-all. Biggest success of The Kalamazoo Promise? Its a magnet. MUSKEGON, MI Across Muskegon County, Juneteenth is set to be a day of celebration among Muskegon residents, with celebrations and festivals across the area. Juneteenth is on Monday, June 19, which marks the day that Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for slaves in Galveston, Texas, the slaves finally learning of their freedom. This was two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making June 19 a federal holiday. Last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist issued a statement that June 19 would be Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Below are some events to attend to celebrate the day across the Muskegon area. West Michigan Juneteenth Celebration Across the weekend of June 16-18, hosted by the Rotary Club of Muskegon, Mona Lake Park will be hosting an all-weekend Juneteenth celebration with live music, fireworks and food. On Friday, June 16, the park will host kids activities and games as well as food vendors from 5-9 p.m. The night will end with live music from Big Daddy Fox, a blues and soul performer. Saturday, June 17 from 8-11 p.m., comedian Deuce Deuce is hosting a comedy show in the park with performances from Victor Varnado, Joseph Big Baby Miles, Chad Kool Harris, Dave C and Ricarlo Winston. The big event is on Sunday, June 18 with the Juneteenth Community Choir performing at 3:30 p.m. and live music performances at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Sarena Rae and Uneek Soul. To conclude the weekend, a fireworks show will be held at dusk. For more information, check out the events Facebook page. Muskegon Juneteenth 5K Fun Run/Walk Celebrate Juneteenth by getting active with others in Muskegons downtown, either enjoying a run or a leisurely walk while enjoying the sights of Muskegon. The walk begins at Heritage Landing at 1050 Seventh St. at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. Early registration for the Fun Run is $25. Before the run, there will be a community warm-up session before the event. After the Fun Run, there will also be a cake walk at 10:30 a.m. for those wanting something sweet after the race or play musical chairs for a treat. Each round is $5. Following the event, there will be food vendors and kids activities in the downtown area until noon. To register for the event, sign up here. Black Business Expo in Muskegon The Black Business Expo in downtown Muskegon on Saturday, June 17, at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center is a free event for Juneteenth weekend to explore black entrepreneurial spirit in the Muskegon area. Hosted by Black Wall Street Muskegon, the vendor showcases both days will be from 1-6:30 p.m., and will offer the community the ability to ask questions of local, black-owned businesses and try free samples of products. Before the vendor showcase each day, there will be a symposium at the center from 9 a.m.-noon from speakers Ed Garner, Regional Director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center, Te Smith, attorney at SAG Law and Jay Kilgo, a real estate broker at Pinnacle Realty. Over 70 vendors will be at the event, showing off the pride of Black-owned businesses in Muskegon. Juneteenth The Play, presented by Two Chicks With a Plan The Frauenthal Centers Beardsley Theater is bringing Juneteenth The Play to the stage on Thursday, June 15, to honor the holiday with the story of a slave. Presented by Two Chicks With a Plan, an independent theater group, the original story of the play follows Bennie, a freed slave from New York who travels to Galveston, Texas to find his little brother Eli. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25. While these are the first performances of this brand new play, the directors hope the performance becomes an annual event for the holiday, using historical facts of slavery and Juneteenth to make a heartfelt piece of art. Juneteenth Discussion with Ken James in Whitehall Chief Diversity Officer at Muskegon Community College Ken James is hosting a conversation on Tuesday, June 20, on the historical significance and impact of the holiday today. The conversation and follow-up Q&A will be held at the Fetch Brewing Company located at 100 W Colby St. from 6-7 p.m. With a wide knowledge on cross-cultural dialogue and advancing diversity, James will be offering insight into why Juneteenth is important to the community. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. More from MLive: Higher wages, longer-lasting discipline records proposed in new Grand Rapids police union contract Parking, sound generate conversation at Grand Rapids amphitheater open house West Michigan students become consumers and producers in new Junior Achievement program BEAVERTON, MI A week after a Beaverton man was fatally shot inside his home, police have yet to divulge hardly any details. While an alleged suspect was arrested in a nearby jurisdiction, he has not been charged with the killing. Without a definitive statement from police, neighbors of the slain man remain on edge. About 4:30 a.m. on June 6, police responded to a shooting at the home of Scott W. Eckert, 56, on Lot 50 within Lakefront Estates, a mobile home park at 385 W. Brown Road. A woman was also assaulted during the incident but survived. A lot of neighbors are scared to come out of their houses, said one resident of Lakefront Estates the afternoon of Monday, June 12. The resident and his adult son spoke on condition of anonymity. Theres more to it than police want to tell everybody, the father said. The adult son said he heard a single gunshot from within Eckerts home. Police from numerous agencies responded to the scene and cordoned off the park, they said. The Beaverton Police Department in Gladwin County. They described Eckert as a selfless person. He would give you the food off his table or the shirt off his back, they said. He was the best neighbor around. He was the last person youd think would get shot around here. Fellow Lakefront Estates resident Holly Ski agreed. He was a wonderful man with a really good heart, she said. Any time I needed something, he was always there. It breaks my heart for his loved ones to be going through this. Life sucks without him in it, Ski continued. I just cant believe it happened. As of 3 p.m. on June 12, the Beaverton Police Departments sole statement on the shooting was a post on its Facebook page at 11 a.m. on June 6. Citizens have been voicing their displeasure in response to the lack of transparency or updates on their communitys safety. Yet another morning BPD, reads one comment, posted the morning of June 12. The community is still waiting for a statement from your department. Is a suspect in custody? According to court documents from Isabella County District Court, a possible suspect was arrested hours after Eckerts shooting. About 9:19 a.m. on June 6, a man was fueling up his white Chevrolet Silverado at a Shell gas station at 3968 N. Mission Road in Rosebush. The man left his truck unlocked and running and saw a stranger get into it and drive away. Michigan State Police troopers advised the truck thiefs description matched that of their homicide suspect, who fled on a motorcycle, documents state. Police found the motorcycle abandoned at another Rosebush gas station. An Isabella County Sheriffs deputy spotted the stolen truck and pulled it over. The deputy arrested the 45-year-old Flint man who was behind the wheel, who was also determined to be the owner of the abandoned motorcycle, court records show. Deputies searched the mans pockets and found two pills of Norco (a painkiller containing opioid hydrocodone and non-opioid acetaminophen), a glass vial containing 1 gram of cocaine, and 5.6 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, records show. Deputies also found a double-edged dagger with a 4-inch blade on the man. On being read his Miranda rights, the suspect declined to speak with deputies. The man appeared in Isabella County District Court on June 8 for arraignment on single counts of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, second-offense possession of less than 25 grams of a narcotic, cocaine, or methamphetamine, possession of psychedelics, and possession of controlled substance analogues. The arraigning judge set the mans bond at $200,000. As of June 12 afternoon, the suspect remains in the Isabella County Jail and is not charged with any offenses out of Gladwin County. While the Michigan State Police assisted at the crime scene, they have deferred all calls regarding the case to the Beaverton Police Department. MLive has left several voicemails and emails with Beaverton Police Chief Brad Davis, none of which have been returned. A reporter also visited the department, but was told by another officer that Davis was not present. MLive likewise has been unable to reach Gladwin County Prosecutor Norm Gage or Assistant Prosecutor Mark Toaz for comment. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more from MLive: Police share few details as they investigate homicide at Gladwin County mobile home park Little Caesars shootout in Buena Vista leaves teen with gunshot to chest Juvenile lifer Shawn Commire, who murdered Bay City great-grandmother, seeks new sentence SAGINAW, MI Over the next two weeks, Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity officials will organize volunteers to paint and perform landscaping work at a dozen owner-occupied homes in the neighborhood surrounding Covenant HealthCares Cooper and Harrison facilities. The revitalization effort will span Wednesday to Saturday, June 14-17; and Wednesday to Friday, June 21-23. Organizers with the nonprofit said a second project will task volunteers with building a new home, at 1611 N. Charles, in a neighborhood directly west of the hospital campus. Ann Szymanowski, the development director at Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity, said she anticipated hundreds of volunteers were expected to chip in over the next two weeks. Among the contributors expected to show up are staff from Covenant HealthCare, Frankenmuth Credit Union, and Consumers Energy, to name a few, she said. Szymanowski said Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity would welcome more volunteers. Individuals interested in contributing to the revitalization project should sign up on the day of the work at 1107 N. Oakley, which is located in the impacted neighborhood. Volunteers hoping to help build the new home should register at the site at 1611 N. Charles. No experience is necessary, Szymanowski said. Shifts for both projects span from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free lunch served at noon. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more from MLive: Saginaw Countys agricultural beginnings explored in museum exhibit Senior citizens-aiding agency faces post-pandemic test in Saginaw County Drag show set for downtown Bay City restaurant in July With Michigan Democrats in full control of state government for the first time in 40 years, theyve begun to tackle several issues on their pent-up policy list. Among those issues would be prison reform, with lawmakers having reintroduced legislation that would make changes to things like sentencing procedures and could affect the more than 30,000 prisoners in Michigans correctional facilities. The bills have yet to make their way through the legislature, but these are a few that could become state law this term: Legislative reform called the Second Chance Sentencing Act would allow courts to reevaluate sentencing after incarcerated people serve a certain amount of time in prison and no longer pose a community risk. In Michigan, prisoners are eligible for parole only after they serve their full minimum sentences. Under the legislation, however, if a prisoner has served at least 10 years of their sentence, they, their lawyer or a prosecutor could petition a judge for a reduction, regardless of the minimum sentence. In Michigan, 30% of those currently in prison have already served 10 or more years of their sentences, and nearly one in five have already served 15 years, according to a report by The Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.-based organization advocating for criminal justice reform across the nation. The court and the prosecutor would notify victims of the crime after any hearing date is determined. Anyone convicted of a mass shooting, domestic violence, criminal sexual conduct against a child younger than 13, child pornography or human trafficking is not eligible for a second look. A five-bill package would look to codify state and federal court rulings into Michigan law while providing parole opportunities for people younger than 19 at the time of their convictions. The court rulings found mandatory sentencing of juveniles to life without the possibility of parole constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. In lieu of life, the bills recommend sentences of at least 10 years and no more than 60 years in prison. Supporters of banning lifetime sentences for juvenile offenders say their age and brain development cannot be overlooked when determining their punishment. Opponents of the proposed law worry someone could be released without being genuinely rehabilitated. Bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, testified before the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee in April that, if passed, the bills would not result in the automatic release of such offenders before theyve served their minimum sentences. Instead, it would provide an opportunity for review, by the parole board, after a reasonable period of incarceration while considering each defendants unique circumstances. Legislation that would allow inmates at Michigan correctional facilities to earn a reduced sentence with productivity credits has sparked debate over the bills impact on a decades-old, voter-approved ballot amendment. Under the bill, incarcerated people could earn from 20 to 100 days in productivity credits for each month they maintain enrollment in a program decided by the corrections department, without having committed any major misconduct. The inmate could also earn 90 days in productivity credits upon completion of the program and 120 days in productivity credits if the prisoner earns a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. There are additional stipulations for the maximum amount of productivity credits a prisoner could receive, and which prisoners are ineligible for productivity credits based on their conviction. Those in opposition to the bill noted it conflicts with a 1978 ballot proposal to end the awarding of good time credits for inmates displaying good behavior, as well as the 1998 Truth in Sentencing law, which requires prisoners serve their entire minimum sentence before being considered for parole. The legislation is similar to a proposed ballot initiative approved by the Board of State Canvassers in March that would knock off 30 days from prisoners sentences for every month they dont commit Class I Misconduct. Think actions like assaulting another prisoner, getting caught with dangerous contraband or inciting a riot. Advocates for both the legislation and the ballot initiative say the credits would incentivize prisoners who understand their mistakes and are dedicated to rehabilitation. The legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration are negotiating to use the states record $9 billion surplus for the upcoming fiscal year. The Senate, House and Whitmer have already outlined their vision for the way corrections dollars are spent, which includes funds earmarked for corrections officer bonuses, a prison college program and employment and housing opportunities for parolees. One line item from the Houses correction budget would cut phone call rates to state prisons to help keep inmates connected with their families. An ongoing $3.3 million would be set aside to create an intelligence unit within the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), subsequently allowing MDOC to negotiate lower rates with the prisons telephone contractor, ViaPath Technologies. Talks with MDOC about the appropriations process, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, Rep. Amos ONeal, D-Saginaw, said, revealed the intelligence component makes its difficult to negotiate a feasible contract. It costs 8.7 cents per minute for a 15-minute phone call to or from an MDOC facility that doesnt include certain costs to set up a pre-paid calling account, taxes or service fees. ONeal expects there to be a significant reduction in the amount Michigan families could expect to spend with the proposed House corrections budget. Read more from MLive: Race-based hair discrimination ban heads to Michigan governor 1.7M Michigan households can get a $30 discount on internet bills Thousands in Michigan could lose SNAP benefits under new rules, research shows Schools are short staffed. Michigans retiree waiting period isnt helping. Michigan is unlikely to become the 28th state with constitutional carry laws on its books, but thats not stopping a small cohort of House Republicans from trying. Introduced in the House Committee on Government Operation last week were House bills 4710 through 4715, which would allow those legally able to own a firearm the ability to conceal carry a move that now requires an additional license under Michigan law. RELATED: With red flag laws signed, whats next for Michigan Dems and gun policy? Right now, you can open carry without getting a concealed carry permit. You can put a gun on your hip and not have a jacket over it, said Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Cannon Township and a sponsor of a bill within the package. But, if you want to put your jacket on and cover your gun and conceal it, you have to get permission from the government. This does away with that second step. Given Democrats control both the House and Senate and the partys current stance on gun control measures, the package has no hope of passing. Even if it did, the likelihood of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoing such legislation would be great. The vast majority of residents support commonsense gun reforms the same reforms passed by the Democratic majority and signed into law by the governor, said Amber McCann, spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit. It seems the representative is pandering to a vocal minority. Posthumus said he was aware the bill had virtually no chance of survival, adding that he typically did not make a habit of introducing bills he knew were doomed to die. However, in the case of constitutional carry, Posthumus said he hoped the introduction of the package, and lack of movement, sent a message: Our constitutional rights are not to be infringed. We need to stand up and stand firm in saying that people here, in Michigan, deserve to be able to practice their constitutional rights and nobody can take those rights away, he said. Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia Township, echoed the sentiment. She sponsors another portion of the package, and in a statement, she painted the the legislation as a step toward Michigan becoming a free state. Today were starting a fight we know we are likely doomed to lose against our present Democrat dictatorship, Rigas said. But that doesnt mean its not worth fighting. We will remind this government that its job is to serves its people all its people. And we wont let freedoms die in secret and in silence. Even if all we can do is protest, we will do so at the top of our lungs. Senate Republicans also introduced constitutional carry legislation. It would repeal sections of state law that make it a felony to carry a concealed firearm without a license. So far this year, Democrats have moved on a number of firearms-related topics, biggest among them being the passage of extreme risk protection orders, otherwise known as red flag laws. RELATED: Why sheriff pushback on Michigans red flag gun laws may not matter Whitmer signed that measure into law late last month, not long after signing off on universal background checks for the sale of all firearms in Michigan, as well as mandating the safe storage of those guns around children. As for whats next in this policy realm, Democrats have been fairly tight-lipped, though the potential for closing whats known as the domestic violence loophole or the fact abusive ex-partners may still own and purchase firearms so long as their victims were not their spouse or someone with whom they had a child has been floated as a possible topic of interest. Other potential topics include weighing whether firearm dealers and manufacturers would keep immunity from gun-related lawsuits as they do by current statute or possibly limiting the capacity of a guns magazine. More from MLive Michigan GOP plans internal caucuses to pick most presidential primary delegates Texting and driving law changes, Trump indicted: Your guide to Michigan politics Gov. Whitmer creates commission to address issues facing LGBTQ Michiganders Amid wildfire smoke, Michigan leaders signal support for new clean energy standard Lab-tested animals should be offered for adoption, not euthanized, proposed law says Michigan Republican Party chair Kristina Karamo and eight others have been sanctioned by a Wayne County judge, ordered to pay more than $58,000 over their lawsuit that alleged, without evidence, there was widespread voter fraud in Detroit days before the November 2022 election. Plaintiffs complaint was rife with speculation, an absence of facts and a lack of understanding of Michigan election statutes and Detroit absentee ballot procedures, Third Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny wrote in the Monday order. He ruled their lawsuit had been devoid of legal merit and frivolous, ordering the plaintiffs in the suit and their attorneys to together pay $58,459 in attorney fees and costs to the office of Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, who was named as the defendant in the lawsuit. Attorney David Fink, who represented the city of Detroit in the suit, said in a statement, we appreciate Judge Kennys hard work addressing this frivolous lawsuit, and we are grateful that he returned from retirement to consider our motion for sanctions. When a baseless lawsuit is filed to interfere with the good work done by Detroits city clerk, there should be consequences. The case was first heard just eight days before Election Day and asked the court to discard all the absentee ballots cast in Detroit up until that point, and to require all voters in that city to either vote in person or get ballots from the clerks office themselves dramatically changing the availability of absentee ballots in the city. Kenny reiterated Monday the suit contradicted the absentee voting protections included in Michigans Constitution. Plaintiffs merely threw out the allegation of corruption in Detroit as the reason for disregarding the Michigan Constitution in this states largest city, he wrote At a press conference with reporters after the first hearing, Karamo and her attorneys refused to say whether they had any evidence ballots were being cast illegally despite overtly claiming it had been happening in the lawsuit. By the day before Election Day, Kenny had thrown out the suit, ruling the plaintiffs failed to produce any shred of evidence and what they were asking would egregiously harm eligible voters. Read more: Judge ends Karamos intolerable lawsuit to stop Detroit absentee ballots At the time Karamo had been the Republican nominee vying to oversee Michigans elections as secretary of state, but later lost to incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson by more than 14 percentage points. Karamo never conceded her defeat, claiming to have no faith in the veracity of the result. Three months later, Karamo was elected to lead the Michigan Republican Party by 58% of its delegates with a pledge to reshape the party from ground up. Related: Conspiracies and a Holocaust meme mark the dawn of Karamos Michigan Republican Party That includes attorneys Daniel Hartman, who has since been referred to as the partys in-house lawyer, and Alexandria Taylor, who recently launched a campaign for U.S. Senate. Hartman has frequently represented election conspiracy theorists in Michigan, but none of the numerous suits hes filed have succeeded. In a filing trying to prevent sanctions, the attorneys said their lawsuit had been seeking truth and attempted to rehash their arguments, arguing procedural restrictions had prevented them from fully making their case. Kenny had particular derision for their motion to disqualify every judge in the third circuit in one fell swoop, which he also ruled was frivolous Monday. A spokesperson for the Michigan Republican Party contacted Tuesday was unaware of the sanctions and did not return a request for comment. The party, which had different leadership last year, had distanced itself from the lawsuit at the time. Read more on MLive: GOP leader blasts House Republicans for fundraising with Rick Snyder Michigan GOP plans internal caucuses to pick most presidential primary delegates Total gun ban on Michigan Capitol grounds could come as early as September 3 ways lawmakers are taking action after Nassar, Anderson sexual abuse LANSING, MI Legal experts and state officials say its business as usual for wetlands protection in Michigan following a U.S. Supreme Court decision which significantly narrows federal authority to regulate wetlands. State law remains unchanged despite the May 25 ruling in Sackett v. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in which the Supreme Courts conservative majority curtailed the EPAs authority over certain wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Michigan is also among just three states authorized by the EPA to run its own wetlands development permitting program under longtime delegated federal authority. Were in a lot better shape than the vast majority of states, said Nick Schroeck, an environmental law professor at the University of Detroit Mercy. The state has its own definition of wetlands and its own jurisdiction for wetlands, he said. Even post-Sackett, with changes in federal jurisdiction over what constitutes wetlands from a federal perspective, in Michigan we still have a lot of wetlands that are protected by state law. Under Parts 303 and 301 of the state Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, permits are needed to alter wetlands connected to an inland waterbody or one of the Great Lakes, or which are within 500 feet of an inland waterbody. That protects a vast amount of Michigan wetlands and undergirds litigation which state Attorney General Dana Nessel routinely files on behalf of state regulators against developers and property owners who alter wetlands without a permit. Nessel has already filed three separate wetlands cases this spring. In March, Nessel sued a developer who drained Macomb Township wetlands without a permit. In April, Nessel sued a Bay County couple who filled wetlands near Pinconning with processing waste from Michigan Sugar Co. The latest case was filed in May against Schlicht Excavating of Montrose, in which the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) claims a pond construction business filled-in or excavated wetlands in several counties over several years without or in violation of a permit. Our regulation of those water bodies in state law remains consistent regardless of this (Supreme Court) decision, said Anne Garwood, who supervises the wetlands, lakes and streams unit in EGLEs water resources division. Nonetheless, rulings like this do make people confused, Garwood said. Weve gotten a flurry of questions, but nothing has really changed in Michigan statutes. What was regulated before this decision is still regulated under state law, she said. Outside of Michigan, however, much changed. In an opinion authored by Justice Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court found that the EPAs interpretation of regulated wetlands was not consistent with Clean Water Act. The majority justices said federal protections extend only to wetlands with a continuous surface connection to bodies of water that are waters of the United States in their own right. What, exactly, defines waters of the United States (WOTUS) has long been a matter of debate. For decades, the definition of federally protected waters has been a flashpoint between environmental groups that want to broaden limits on pollution, and farmers, builders and industry groups that say extending regulations too far is burdensome. The Obama administration EPA sought to expand federal protections and the Trump administration rolled them back as part of its wholesale unwinding of environmental and public health regulations. A federal judge rejected that effort. Last year, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a reworked definition based on what was in place before 2015. This spring, the Supreme Court tossed out an opinion by former Justice Anthony Kennedy which covered wetlands with a significant nexus to larger bodies of water. The court unanimously found that Idaho couple Michael and Chantell Sackett did not need a permit to develop a soggy part of their property as EPA claimed they did before litigation began in 2008. However, Alito went further by rejecting Kennedys nexus test in an opinion joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Barrett which broadly changes how federally protected wetlands are defined. Breaking with the other five conservatives, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a dissenting opinion joined by liberal justices that sharply limiting the EPAs authority to regulate wetlands could threaten water quality and flood control efforts. The courts new and overly narrow test of a continuous surface connection to regulated waters departs from the statutory text, from 45 years of consistent agency practice, and from this courts precedents, Kavanaugh wrote. Environmental groups like EarthJustice estimated the ruling will prevent EPA from protecting as much as 118 million wetland acres across the country. The decision has broad implications for western states, where certain waterways and adjacent wetlands dry up parts of the year. Theres often questions about wetlands near those areas, whether theyre relatively permanent or not, said Schroeck. Thats something that will have to be litigated. Schroeck said that, while Michigan wetlands remains largely shielded from changes under the Sackett decision, many other states are likely to simply adopt the minimum federal protections. Water can cross state boundaries and pollution sources in one state could affect people in another. The changes could have ripple effects in adjacent areas of environmental law, such as how some habitat protections are enforced under the Endangered Species Act, Schroeck said. Changes at the federal level mean an oversight layer above Michigans wetland permitting program is significantly reduced, he said. Even with Michigans wetland law, were still seeing a loss of wetlands in the state, he said. Were still gobbling them up. Weve lost historically, I believe, 70 to 80 percent of our Great Lakes wetlands since European settlement. Certainly, in Southeast Michigan, weve lost the vast majority of our wetlands. Even with these programs in place, its not like were stopping the slow progression of destroying naturally-occurring wetlands in Michigan, Schroeck said. Related stories: Changes in Trump-era water rule wont be felt here Michigan AG sues developer who drained wetlands Couple filled wetlands with sugar beet waste, AG says Developers fined $350k, must restore wetlands UP man ordered to restore St. Marys River wetlands Michigan AG sues village that tried to rebuild its dam YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday congratulated President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Belarus. Accept my wholehearted congratulations on this significant day, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Belarus, Pashinyan said in a letter to Lukashenko. During the last three decades, the Armenian-Belarusian interstate relations based on mutual respect and trust, were marked with progressive development of mutually beneficial and efficient cooperation in various sectors. I am sure that mutual willingness to further deepen the Armenian-Belarusian cooperation and the active high and highest-level dialogue will further contribute to strengthening and expanding the bilateral agenda, as well as productive cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, for the benefit of the peoples of Armenia and Belarus. On this meaningful day for our nations, I wish you robust health, success and all the best, and best wishes and prosperity to the friendly people of Belarus, the Armenian PM said. Two migrant workers are accusing a West Michigan blueberry farm of human trafficking and forced labor. Plaintiffs Luis Guzman Rojas and Feliciano Velasco Rojas filed the lawsuit against First Pick Farms and its associated businesses Friday, June 9, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. They claim workers were illegally transported to Michigan and forced to pick blueberries for long hours and they had to live in substandard workforce housing. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center is representing the Mexican farmworkers. Given how serious human trafficking is, we need to make use of all tools available to us in order to vindicate the rights of victims of human trafficking, said Gonzalo Peralta, staff attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. First Pick Farms in West Olive located near the Lake Michigan shoreline did not respond to a request for comment. Related: Nosebleeds, headaches, rashes: Michigan farmworkers sue greenhouse over alleged pesticide exposure Guzman and Velasco arrived with H-2A temporary agriculture visas to work at a North Carolina farm in 2017. The lawsuit alleges Guzman, Velasco and 30 other workers were woken up in the middle of the night to have their photos taken. They were then told by First Pick Farms employee Antonio Sanchez they were being taken to another farm in Michigan. This violated their immigration status because seasonal agriculture work visas are tied to specific employers. First Pick Farms did not have H-2A work orders in 2017, according to Peralta. Sanchez allegedly rounded up the workers, put them in a van and gave them fake IDs with their photos. Guzman was given documents with the name Saul Chabez and Velasco the name Juan Guzman. Defendants through Sanchez repeatedly threatened plaintiffs and other H-2A workers with calls to immigration authorities if they complained to anyone regarding being transported to Michigan to work, the complaint says. First Pick Farms also unlawfully deducted workers wages for the travel from North Carolina to Michigan, the lawsuit alleges. Sanchez charged each worker $25 per refueling stop plus $110 for the fake IDs. All the migrant workers entered the United States legally with H-2A visas to farm in North Carolina. But the lawsuit claims they were coerced into using their fake identification documents when filling out paperwork at First Pick Farms. After arriving in Michigan, workers faced grueling conditions picking blueberries for twelve hours a day without breaks seven days a week, according to the complaint. No employee should be made to work under threat from their employer particularly those individuals who are not from the United States and may be threatened for immigration consequences that are not their fault. Theyre the victims in all this, Peralta said. Related: Migrant workers say company took their passports, charged illegal fees, threatened retaliation All 30 workers were also charged $20 a week to live in an unfurnished, dilapidated and overcrowded house in Wyoming, about 25 miles east of West Olive, according to the lawsuit. Two women workers shared a bedroom while everyone else slept on the floor throughout the house. Michigan law requires workforce housing to provide bed, bunks, cots or clean mattresses. Guzman was also tasked with transporting the workers to and from the farm even though he didnt have a United States drivers license. The nature of migrant agricultural work lends itself to some of these abuses and exploitation, Peralta said. Velasco said he and Guzman took the job to pay for their families medications but they werent earning enough at First Pick Farms. He described working in Michigan as being physically and mentally exhausting. Additionally, the conditions, being unable to rest because we had to sleep on the floor, nearly broke me, Velasco said in a statement. After the 2017 blueberry season, Velasco and Guzman were brought back to North Carolina. The lawsuit says plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages after unsuccessfully trying to resolve these issues with First Pick Farms. More on MLive: Migrant child labor in Michigan reveals injustices in immigration, employment, lawyer says Who is the Grand Rapids company in spotlight for migrant children working in dangerous conditions? Migrant children were found working in dangerous conditions. This Grand Rapids school hopes to stop that Although Sunday provided some much-needed rain to southern Michigan, Monday stayed relatively cloudy and dry. Tuesdays weather looks to be slightly different, with much-needed showers making their way west along the Upper Peninsula as an area of low pressure spins overhead. Let us start with our temperatures for Tuesday. The Lower Peninsula will see highs in the 60s, with intermittent cloud cover and wind of 5-10 mph. High temperatures 6/13 The Upper Peninsula, on the other hand, will struggle to reach the 50s by the afternoon hours, once again blanketed by cloud cover. The culprit for this difference in temperature is widespread rain that will work its way south through the U.P. today. Radar loop of 6/13 As you can see, rain will rotate counterclockwise around the low, which has set up over Central and Northern Michigan. This will keep those areas dry, while the U.P. and the Michigan border will see rain. Coverage of rain showers today will vary across the area, according to the National Weather Service offic in Grand Rapids. Showers will be most numerous across southwest Lower MI, and relatively isolated across central Lower. In southeast Michigan and the Thumb, the rain chances crop up at a different time: Showers move in early across the south before spreading northward through the day. There is a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon during peak heating, NWS said. After today, the possibility of burn bans in Michigan appears to be low. You can check to see burn bans in your county here, although burning precautions are always encouraged. It appears that we have deviated from our hot, dry pattern, and embraced a cool/wet pattern over the coming days. Changes will be slow in nature, but they will be very noticeable. The requested page could not be found. George and Eliza Taylor. In 2020, George Getschman, a board member of the Friends of the Birmingham Museum and a Greenwood Cemetery tour guide, was doing research on a Civil War Veteran when he came across an unusual obituary for George Basil Taylor.Upon further research, he discovered that not only was Taylor buried in the historic cemetery, but the obituary stated that he was formerly enslaved. His wife, Eliza, died six months after him; they both had escaped from the South using the Underground Railroad network.While they appeared in the cemetery records, there is no [personal] information in the cemetery records, so it was just by luck that I happened to read the obituary, says Getschman about his discovery.This started an extensive research project for the museum with most of the research being performed by Donna Casaceli, museum specialist, and archivist, and Leslie Pielack, the museum director.Everything we know about the Taylors and subsequently the Underground Railroad activities in the area comes from their research, Getschman says, adding that it took about three years of dedicated research to uncover the details.Since this discovery and subsequent research, Greenwood Cemetery is now counted as one of the National Parks Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom sites. Casaceli, who just received her graduate certificate in Archival Administration, was thankful for the chance to piece the story together.This was a major challenge and opportunity, Casaceli reflects. They were born into slavery, so birth certificates did not exist.Moreover, most of the enslaved did not have last names or they took the last names of their owners. In many cases, Casaceli had to research the property of slave owners in the South to find correlations to either Eliza's or Georges story to match records.George Taylor mentioned in an interview that he was held by Elizabeth Greathouse. We were able to track down her original estate and going then through probate records and slave registry we found out that she inherited a young boy named George.Casaceli also mentions that in the same interview, Taylor explains his fathers name was Basil Taylor, and in the same town was a freed Black man named Basil Taylor."It took a lot of phone calls, a lot of emails; it was three years of research, she says. But its like a treasure hunt, and when you can bring these stories to the community it makes all the hard work worthwhile.George Basil Taylor was formerly enslaved in Northern Kentucky and escaped in 1855 through routes in Southfield. His wife Eliza escaped to Royal Oak where she was seeking to reunite with her mother who lived there. While enslaved in Alabama, Eliza Taylor experienced the auction block three times. When she finally escaped to seek refuge with her mother, she had not seen her in 22 years.Though we dont know many details about Elizas escape, we have a first-hand account of George Taylors escape as published in The Detroit Journal in 1889, and republished in the Birmingham Eccentric George [Taylor] had a very scary escape, reports Getschman. After one close encounter of recapture, he was eventually caught by bounty hunters, people who roamed through the northern free states trying to catch escaped slaves. The magistrate in George Taylors case, however, was an abolitionist and argued that there wasnt enough evidence that George Taylor had escaped, so he was set free.For a while, George Taylor went to Canada, but he eventually came back to the area and worked as a farmhand. In the 1870s he married Eliza Dosier and they had a farm together. After moving around some, they eventually returned to retire in Michigan. They joined the Presbyterian church and lived in Birmingham for the rest of their lives.In addition to farming, they helped orphaned children reunite with their parents or find people willing to adopt them after emancipation. They were always fostering children, mentioned Getschman.When the Civil War ended, emancipated children of the South had nowhere to go. According to Casacelis research, the Taylors had a revolving door of foster children for years after the Civil War.In some of the census records we saw children listed in one year then the next census theyre not in the house; another group is in the house. The children are coming in and out with a single name so we cant track them. There were a lot of children who were pulled away from their mothers and fathers. Many children at the end of the Civil War were often left [without care].Detroit and its surrounding towns were a place of refuge for the formerly enslaved and an area sought after because of its sympathies with the abolitionist movement. Often people would escape to Michigan and decide to stay.However, the danger of re-enslavement didnt always end at the Mason-Dixon line an bounty hunters were prevalent, especially in states like New York. They were common in Michigan because, Getschman explains, it was the endpoint of the Underground Railroad before Canada.In some cases, freedom seekers were hidden in wagons with hay or hidden bottoms while they were transported from place to place. There were also stockholders, someone who funded the Railroad system.A conductor, explains Casaceli, was a person who transported people through stations. A station master owned the barn or house where the people would stay.It was a network, not a secret trail, and according to Casaceli, most "station masters" or "conductors" didnt know what happened to the freedom seekers at the next station, they would rarely know where the people were going next.Because the graves of Eliza and George Taylor were unmarked, the Friends of the Birmingham Museum got together with the Daughters of the American Revolutions Piety Hill Chapter to help raise funds to build a monument in the cemetery dedicated to the Taylors and their courageous escape to freedom.The cost of the monument was going to come to almost $9,000 but in just six months the community raised $57,000 dollars for the initiative. The group is hoping to host a debut of the monument sometime this month. 13.06.2023 LISTEN Lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team has described the administration of Akufo-Addo as one that lacks vision. He stated that all the President is concerned about is his personal comfort and as such lacks the vision to implement developmental projects which will benefit ordinary Ghanaians. The renowned lawyer made this submission on the TV3 New Day Morning show with host Roland Walker on June 12. They cant think beyond the private jet, Cathedral, and others, the life-changing matters, they cant think, do you think that Akufo-Addo has the presence of mind, the vision, to say I will construct a railway line from Tema to Akosombo or in Park Ada, he cannot, the vision is not there, he is looking at his greater comfort, Edudzi Tamakloe stated. He added that the visionary former President John Dramani Mahama constructed a railway to the East. But for the visionary leadership of John Dramani Mahama, for the first time we are having to extend, our railway infrastructure to the East. I am just letting you know that but for the vision of John Dramani Mahama, how will the people of Eastern part of Ghana going to have the benefit of railway infrastructure, Lawyer Tamakloe stated. However, he stated President Akufo-Addo is the most fortunate leader who inherited alot of resources but cannot account for it. From the time Akufo-Addo became President with more resources than any President ever, what has been his scorecard? terrible! he stated. 13.06.2023 LISTEN The former Member of Parliament for Okai Kwei North has stated the people of Assin North are discerning enough to elect the right candidate to represent them in parliament. He said that the people of Assin North have tried and tested both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates and are expected to make the best choice on June 27, 2023. The Former MP said this in a panel discussion hosted by Roland Walker of TV3 Morning Show on June 12. They have tasted water and they have tasted alcohol, and they are going to make a choice come 27th June I think and its going to be clearly NPP because they believe that we have kept faith with them, we have kept faith in over the years and done projects that met their needs at the very existence, and that is what we are riding on going to the by-elections, it is not a case of us sitting and being dissuaded or we are focused on what we have to do in the constituencies to win elections and that is what we are going to do, Fuseini Issah stated. He added, We have tasted alcohol, we have tasted water, it depends on who is tasting, there is alcohol and there is water, and you have the opportunity to have tasted it too and you make a choice that is what is more important, asked to who is alcohol who is water is not important. The Election Commission (EC) has set June 27 for the by-election. The NDC is re-presenting James Gyakye Quayson, while the NPPs candidate is Charles Opoku. The by-election follows a Supreme Court ruling that described the election of James Gyakye Quayson as Member of Parliament for Assin North as null and void and directed Parliament to expunge his name from the records of Parliament. Following this, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has asked the Supreme Court to clarify its directive. 13.06.2023 LISTEN A man has been stabbed to death by his 32-year-old girlfriend following a misunderstanding between them. The incident occurred at Ayigya Zongo, a suburb of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, according to a report by Starr FM online. The suspect Jennifer Appiah, also known as Maa Akua, reportedly stabbed her boyfriend, Joseph Bawa, multiple times on Sunday, June 11, leading to his untimely demise. Bawa is said to have been pronounced dead upon arrival at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital, also known as "Tech Hospital." The mother of the deceased, Madam Hawa Alhasan, revealed that her son and the suspect have had disagreements, but she could not explain the cause of the latest spat that led to the fatal incident. She also stated that Jennifer Appiah often threatened her son with a knife or scissors during their altercations. "I urged my son to stop dating the woman on countless occasions, but he refused to do so until his premature demise," said the grieving mother, who is now calling on the police to bring Jennifer Appiah to justice. "The lady, after killing my son, has escaped, and so we are pleading with the police to arrest and bring her to book," she added. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the KNUST Hospital morgue, and the police have launched an investigation into the matter. Lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe has described Vice President Bawumia as a "flip-flopper." He said the Vice President must stop treating important matters as a joke. This reaction comes after the Vice President made an announcement at the International Womens Conference in the United Kingdom on Saturday, June 10, that newborn babies will be issued Ghana Cards in July. Reacting to this in a discussion on TV3s New Day Morning show, lawyer Tamakloe said alot of Ghanaians are still struggling for their Ghana card to enable them re-register their SIMs. According to him, instead of finding lasting solution to the problem, the Vice President is more making of something it failed to deliver. During his submission, he said, As we speak, look at the backlogthose who have legitimately gone through the process, the queue and everything, look at the backlog and the financial challenges. It had to take Parliament to get Ken Ofori Atta to say he was releasing money, even to clear the backlog. We are not done with that yet, then this flip-flopper decided that, okay let me start another joke. He urges Dr. Bawumia to see the importance of his office and stop the jokes. Mr. Vice President, you see, the office you occupy is a very serious office and the time has come that you must take Ghanaians seriously. This joke that you have reduced the office to is becoming nauseating and it is not helpful, Mr. Vice President, he emphasised. 13.06.2023 LISTEN Member of Parliament for Ketu North, James Klutse Avedzi has said it is too early for Ghanaians to experience economic relief following International Monetary Fund's (IMF) $3billion loan for Ghana. He indicated that government must follow IMF's guidelines in attaining its overall objective. Hon James Klutse Avedzi believes the role of the IMF is to discipline Ghana to ensure fiscal prudence. The IMF plays a role of a whip, a whip is someone who puts you in line, okay, its like you are leading a number of cattle, so you put them to line so if you want to pass this way, you say hey this is the way to go, the IMF behaves like a whip. There are certain things that if we are left by ourselves as Ghanaians like go and do it like excessive borrowing. But with the IMF if you want to borrow they will tell you, dont do this, and because you are under this program, do not do it. So the effect will not come immediately. it is when we begin to behave well by the work of the whip, the effect will start showing after a year or two. So immediately you will not see anything, that is what happened, James Klutse Avedzi stated. He continued that the system will start showing positive signs of restoration and growth in the 8 months or 9 months of the programme. So we are not seeing anything yet because it will not happen now. After 8 months or 9 months we will be able to see the good behavior, and fiscal discipline, there are certain expenditures we are not supposed to incur so we will not do it but without care, we are free to do anything, James Klutse Avedzi emphasised. Former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has officially submitted his nomination forms to contest the flagbearer election of the ruling New Patriotic Party. On May 31, some market queens from Accra and Kumasi picked the nomination forms for the leading figure of the NPP, insisting that its his time to become the next president of Ghana. After providing the required information to fill the forms, Alan Kyerematen has today submitted the forms at the headquarters of the party in Accra. Speaking to the media after the submission, the former Minister of Trade and Industry appealed to delegates to vote for him during the flagbearer election, arguing that he is the man to help the NPP to break the 8. I want to use this opportunity to make a passionate appeal to the delegates. As delegates, you are representing not only your own interest but also the interest of the rank and file of our party. What the rank and file want is a new leader who will satisfy five basic conditions. A leader who will help our party to break the 8 and help the NPP to succeed itself in power, Alan Kyerematen said. The presidential aspirant continued, Not only a flagbearer but a flagbearer who will become president in 2025. They are looking for a candidate who has the knowledge and competency to solve the problems facing our country. That candidate who fits this bill is your own brother, father, Uncle Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. Please make Alan the leader and we will break the 8. The NPPs presidential primaries will be held on November 4. Already, 11 people have picked nominations to contest the flagbearer elections. Out of the lot, only Alan has filed the nomination. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Minister of High Tech Industry of Armenia Robert Khachatryan held a meeting on June 13 with the Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri. The meeting focused on prospects of development of the Armenia-Iran relations in the high tech sector, particularly the opportunities for developing ties between Armenian and Iranian tech companies, the ministry said in a readout. Minister Khachatryan thanked the ambassador for his efforts in the direction of strengthening the Armenian-Iranian cooperation and reiterated readiness to support the development and deepening of bilateral ties. Speaking about opportunities for cooperation with Iranian companies, the minister pointed out the participation of Iranian companies in the DigiTec Expo 2022 in Yerevan in March. Khachatryan said he was very impressed by the solutions offered by the Iranian companies for the Armenian market, as well as their readiness to cooperate with Armenian companies. The High Tech Industry Minister said that there are multiple opportunities for development of partnership between companies, while the ministrys role is to connect the right addressees with each other. Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri called on the two countries to increase the level of awareness on each others potential and opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation. The Iranian Ambassador especially mentioned the deep historical ties between Armenia and Iran, and said that there are serious prerequisites for development of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including in the high tech sector. Two departments in France's east have been placed under high-risk wildfire warnings. Authorities are concerned as parts of the country haven't had any rainfall for over six weeks. The Meurthe-et-Moselle and Meuse departments were placed on an orange level warning on Monday, due to a "high" risk of forest fires. According to France's weather bureau Meteo-France, eleven other departments in the Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte and Ile-de-France regions have also been placed on yellow alert. On Sunday, a fire broke out again in the Vosges commune of Saint-Baslemont, following a previous fire last which had ravaged six hectares. This time, the fire brigade's rapid intervention limited the damage to less than one hectare. No significant rain on the horizon Pascal Boye, the mayor of Saint-Baslemont, explained: The forest is dry, there is dead wood and stumps, all of which is conducive to a relapse into fire." "There is heightened vigilance and every forest owner is worried. It hasn't rained for a month or a month and a half, there's a lot of wind... We salute the work of the fire brigade they were very efficient [but] it could have been dramatic", he added. Meteo France is still forecasting rain-free weather in the region for the next seven days. By this Tuesday, five of the country's departments will still be under the orange fire alert. In Lorraine and Ile-de-France, 23 departments will remain under yellow alert. Sentinels volunteer to patrol high risk areas In the Lower Rhine department, the prefecture has set up a "Sentinelle" fire watch system, which was launched at 2pm on Monday. The sentinels, who are volunteers, are alerted by e-mail and go out to patrol areas considered potentially dangerous according to a number of criteria weather, hydrological conditions, heat, wind etc. If they detect a fire, they call the emergency services and give their approximate coordinates, the colour of the smoke and other information so that the fire brigade can get there as quickly as possible. During the summer of 2022, there were between "six and 12 fires a day" in the Bas-Rhin department, but 95 percent of them were extinguished before reaching an area of five hectares. President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo has sworn into office Ghanas new Chief Justice Gertrude Essaba Sackey Torkornoo. The President described Gertrude Torkonoos appointment as an easy choice and one with unlevelled qualifications. Nana Akufo-Addo in a statement dated June 12 described her as an experienced and hardworking personality in the Judiciary who merits her role as the Chief Justice of Ghana. Justice Torkornoo is the 15th chief justice was not particularly a difficult one to make, in view of her unlevelled qualification, the number of year served in distinction, the better the record of Judicature, initially the high court, the court of appeal and finally the Supreme Court and the considerable experience garnered as a result, indeed the council of state conveyed to me by hand as a sign of respected chairperson Nana Otuo Siriboe the second being the successful completion of this consultative process noted in his advisory letter of 25th April 2023, members of Council both to know the nominee both in her private and public life, vouch for her discipline, integrity, efficiency and above all her God-fearing nature, this are the attributes essential for the position of the high court, Nana Akufo-Addo announced. He indicated that Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has been appointed under the past administrations to various high offices in the judiciary - making her ideal for the job. After graduating from the law school Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, worker and legal practitioner of the well-known Accra-based law firm, after seven years as an associate, she became director of the firm. In 2004 was appointed by the second President of the fourth republic his excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, my own boss to the high court where she served eight years and was given the responsibility for negotiating pre-trial settlement conferences, in October 2012 she was appointed by the fourth president of the fourth republic his excellency John Dramani Mahama as the justice of the court of appeal, a position she held for seven years, I have had the honor in 2019 to appoint her to the supreme court, all three presidents living president in the republic had a hand in her judicial advancement. She takes over from Justice Anin Yeboah who went on mandatory retirement a few weeks ago. Justice Torkornoo becomes the third female chief Justice in the history of the country. The expectations are that she will lead the charge in reforming justice delivery. Dr. Sherry Ayittey, the Deputy Vice Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a stern warning that corrupt officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). She said they are candidates for jail when the NDC assumes power in 2025. Addressing fans and the media, Dr. Sherry Ayittey expressed her strong conviction that corruption allegations within the NPP administration would be probed. They [NPP] want to use our money for evil deeds. As we speak, cocoa farmers are not being paid, she said. Drawing attention to the nation's financial status, she claimed that Ghana was burdened with a debt of approximately $104 billion and yet nothing tangible can be pointed to. She stated Were in debt of about 104 billion dollars. Ask Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori Atta where our money is. Dr. Ayittey raised concerns about the NPP's intentions to reduce NDC's numerical strength in parliament just so they can always have their way in the House. She mentioned the purported harassment of James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament whose name was expunged from the parliament by the Supreme Court judgment that was passed weeks ago. They want to take our money again and looking at our numbers in parliament, they intend to reduce it, she alleged. Theyve disturbed Gyakye Quayson for about two years but what God says will not happen, will not happen." Emphasizing her party's commitment to combating corruption, Dr. Ayittey assured that James Gyakye Quayson will not go to jail. Well take our money. It is not Quayson who will go to prison but all those who have stolen our money. John Mahama is coming and we will line them up and send them to jail at Nsawam, she emphasised. In an effort to promote healthy habits, Ghanaian peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) organized an aerobics session for the students of Al Boustan Public Elementary School. The activity saw 30 students - 18 boys and 12 girls - participate in the hour-long exercise. During the session, the students learned about the numerous benefits of aerobic exercise, including increased stamina, fitness, agility, and enhanced mental well-being and self-esteem. The session also aimed to promote teamwork and cohesion among the students, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition. At the end of the activity, Ms Nidad Ataya, the school principal, commended the Ghanaian peacekeepers and urged them to factor such programs into their outreach plans. She expressed her belief that these sessions would provide an opportunity to unearth special talents among the students and offer them the necessary guidance. The event concluded with both staff and students expressing their happiness and anticipation for more such activities. The peacekeepers were pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the pupils and look forward to continuing their efforts to promote health and well-being in the local community. 875 Ghanaian peacekeepers, including 168 women, are now serving with UNIFIL. 12.06.2023 LISTEN In a virtual address at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021, Chinese presidentXi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to support the timely achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Focused on eightpriority areas, namely poverty alleviation, financing for development, food security, climate change and green development, pandemic response and vaccines, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, the GDI seeks to replenish and accelerate decades of hard-earned progress (for all 17 UN SDGs) wiped-out by the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this daunting goal, China, through the GDI is strengthening global development partnerships, and promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development, a timely action, especially for developing countries, as they struggle to recover from the brutal impact of COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which have disrupted global supply chains. So far, more than 100countries and international organizations support the GDI, and over 50 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI at the United Nations. Considering the devastating twin impact of the Russia-Ukraineconflict and COVID-19on Africas socioeconomic landscape, slowing the regions growth and reversing years of progress made towards achieving the UN SDGs of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, in fact, the introduction of the GDI by president Xi Jinping is undoubtedly, timely, presenting a window of opportunity for African countries to recover strongly, especiallyfor Ghana, which used to be one of the continents fastest-growing economies between 2012 and 2021 Ghanas real GDP averaged 5.2 percent and GDP per capita grew at an average of 2.3 percent unfortunately, the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has constrained economic growth, posing significant setbacks to all the 17 UN SDGs. With growth expected to further decline to 1.6percent in 2023 and remain muted in 2024, accelerating unemployment, derailing poverty reduction goals and stalling progress of other UN SDGs it is imperative for the government to adopt varied potent approaches to address the economic downturn, which has impeded development and eschew putting all the eggs in one basket. At present, an IMF programme for Ghana, has gained traction, seems to be the panacea to the countrys economic woes but this arrangement has been tried severally. In fact, Ghana has spent22 of the past 35 years under the IMFs supervision a worrying trend, which could end if Ghana varies its approach in addressing deep-rooted challenges pertaining to socioeconomic development. For example, active participation in the GDI programmes, positions Ghana on a new and high-quality socioeconomic development trajectory, characterized by six core principles; staying committed to development, staying committed to a people-centered approach, staying committed to innovation-driven development, staying committed to harmony between human and nature, staying committed to benefits for all to leave no country and no one behind and staying committed to results-oriented actions. With these unique guiding principles, Ghanas active participation in the GDI programmes has the tendency to restore social, economic and environmental gains lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict and accelerate progress for the UN SDGs. With experience sharing, capacity building and practical cooperation, and focus on the central task of implementing the 2030 Agenda being some of the hallmarks of the GDI, Ghana could benefit enormously from invaluable contributions from member countries, particularly China. For example, to restore Ghanas lost progress and accelerate efforts to achieve SDG 1 (end poverty in all its forms everywhere), which sadly, is on an upwardtrend over the last 4 years, Ghana could draw vital and recent lessons from China, which achieved this goal at the end of 2020, exactly 10 years ahead of the UN SDGs time frame. A recent (2022) report from the World Bank shows that over the past four decades China has successfullylifted nearly 800 million people from poverty, the largest in human history a remarkable achievement which undoubtedly offers key lessons to unlock Ghanas full socioeconomic potential to eradicate poverty in all its forms across the length and breadth of the country. Again, through the GDI, which prioritizes development financing and innovation-driven development, Ghana could scale up value-addition, clean energy production, agriculture modernization, enhance environmental protection, increase digital connectivity and drive sustainable industrialization, all of which are central to improving food and water security, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, improving access to quality healthcare and education and mitigating inequality. Over the past three years, Ghanas ranking on the GlobalInnovation Index (GII), has seen little progress placing 108th, 112th and 95th in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, out of 132 countries. Considering the positive impact of innovation on development, Ghana will have to accelerate its innovation capacity to drive social, environmental and economic gains to achieve the UN SDGs. Fortunately, through practical cooperation with GDI member countries and international organizations, Ghana could tap into vast experiences and capacity build strategies to drive innovation for development. For example, Ghana could enhance its innovation capacity via essential lessons, technical and financial support from China, which moved from 43rdin 2010 to 11thposition on the GII 2022 rankings pursuing innovation-driven development. In conclusion, through the GDI, Ghana will be equipped with the needed tool set to effectively accelerate social, economic and environmental progress to achieve the UN SDGs. About the Author Alexander Ayertey Odonkoris a global economist with keen interest in the social, environmental and economic landscape of both developing and developed countries, particularly in Asia, Africa and Europe. He is also a columnist for the China Global Television Network (CGTN) and China Daily. He holds a masters degree in Finance and a bachelors degree in Economics and Finance, together with a comprehensive postgraduate education, spanning entrepreneurship, environmental and social management, mining, risk management, electronic trading, and business management pursued at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Curtin University, University of Adelaide, New York Institute of Finance and Delft University of Technology, respectively. Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and its strategic partners commend Government of Ghanas commitment to a presidential compact to make universal access to WASH for all Ghanaians a reality. The compact seeks to enhance political prioritisation and commitment; link policies to plans, programmes and projects; improve investments to meet priority challenges; strengthen ownership and leadership; and achieve good governance and accountability. The compact was one of five announced by African Heads of State at the UN Water Conference in New York on 22 March 2023 and further discussed at the All Systems Connect International Symposium in The Hague in May 2023. The compacts will accelerate access to water and sanitation services, including increasing budget allocations, reducing open defecation, and delivering climate resilient services. The commendation was made at the CSOs policy dialogue with Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources following the Ministers appearance at the two international conferences in March and May 2023, along with other ministerial delegations from Africa and beyond. The Hon. Minister said: We had the opportunity to announce and discuss the Ghana Presidential Compact for WASH in New York and in The Hague. The compact will be anchored at the Presidential Level to bolster governments leadership and commitment. It will include pushing through two pieces of legislation which will establish a National Sanitation Fund and convert the Community Water and Sanitation Agency from a facilitator to a rural water utility to bring in the needed efficiency; along with other actions including enhancing private sector participation in water supply services and establishing a fund for households to install their own toilets. A team is working on the compact and the CSOs will be represented. The reviewed water policy is also ready, but we are connecting with other related ministries for inputs to enable us bring finality to the document. The Executive Secretary of CONIWAS, Basilia Nanbigne said: We commend Hon. Minister and the government for committing to the Presidential Compact to make universal access to WASH for all Ghanaians a reality. We are glad that the national sanitation authority and the rural sub-sector reforms are some of the issues to be highlighted. These are significant steps and we are happy to work with your team in developing the compact. We also applaud the Ministry for the leadership in reviewing the water policy, and developing the sustainable WASH development Framework: Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme. We wish to call for the launch and roll-out of the water policy and the start of the process of reviewing the Environmental Sanitation Policy. The CSOs Policy Dialogue with the Hon. Minister was to formally welcome her back from the international WASH conferences, to discuss the commitments and intentions expressed at the events and to find out the expected role of CSOs and other strategic partners in supporting the laudable plan. The policy dialogue was co-convened by CONIWAS, IRC Ghana and partners. 13.06.2023 LISTEN The Chief of Mempeasem near Legon in Accra, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI, has issued a public apology to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana. This was after he was seen seated while the national anthem was being played during the Green Ghana Day Celebration on Friday, June 9. At the commencement of the programme, the National Anthem was observed, and the president was seen directing the Regional Minister for Greater Accra, Henry Quartey, to get the attention of the chief to observe the anthem, because he was seated whilst it was being observed. In his statement released on Monday, June 13, 2023, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw explained that he did not willfully refuse to stand during the national anthem but was feeling weak due to his ill-health and medication. He emphasized that he is a law-abiding citizen and as a chief, it is incumbent on him to uphold the sovereignty of the nation as enshrined in the National Anthem. He also clarified that he stood for the opening prayer and the second observation of the national anthem at the end of the programme. I respectfully wish to extend my sincerest apologies to the President and the good people of Ghana about this rather unfortunate incident. I would like to state for the records that I did not elect to willfully refuse to stand to observe the National Anthem. No patriotic son of the land would do so let alone a chief, moreso in the presence of the President and other distinguished guests. I did not stand to observe the National Anthem because I felt weak. Even though I was not well and was on medication, I had endeavored to attend the programme because I share in the vision of the President for the Green Ghana Day initiative. I was hoping everything would go as planned so I could retire home in time to continue with my recuperation. Unfortunately for me, the programme commenced rather late. I had been sitting for a considerable period of time and thus felt weak from the effects of the medication and my ill-health by the time the National Anthem was being observed which was why I was unable to stand on my feet to observe it. I immediately apologized through the Regional Minister to the President, he stated. Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI encouraged all Ghanaians to exercise restraint with their reactions, especially towards the President, who he emphasized, is the custodian of Ghanas sovereignty and must be zealously defended at all times. Find copy of the apology attached; An Indian nun and her mother have been arrested in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, following allegations of religious conversion, a violation of local anti-conversion laws. Sister Bibha Kerketta of the Daughters of St. Anne congregation, her mother, and three other individuals were taken into custody on June 6 after a home-based Mass ceremony. The ceremony, organised by her family to celebrate Sister Kerketta's recent religious profession, was disrupted by Hindu extremists who accused the gathering of conducting a healing session and disrespecting other religions. Christian groups, however, refute these accusations, stating that the mass was only attended by Catholic friends, relatives, and neighbours of the nun. Sister Kerketta had taken her vows six months earlier in Ranchi, the capital of the neighbouring state of Jharkhand. She had returned home in Balachhapar village, Jashpur district, after completing a language course in English and Hindi. Local law enforcement is reportedly seeking other attendees of the mass. The detainees, including Sister Kerkettas mother and three others, were subsequently taken to a prison in Jashpur. Their bail applications are scheduled to be heard on June 13. The Dainik Jagran, a popular Hindi newspaper, reported that the alleged healing session and conversion caused turmoil in Jashpur, located approximately 425 km northeast of the state capital, Raipur. The report states that local political and Hindu group leaders claimed that Sister Kerketta and her family insulted Hindu deities and incited local villagers. Following these allegations, a police team was dispatched to the location, leading to the arrest and subsequent charges under the state's anti-conversion law. Local Christian leaders have expressed concern over the incident, stating it has left the Christian community feeling threatened. Reports indicate that a crowd of around 20 people had confronted the nun's mother, subjected her to physical assault, and even destroyed a Bible and other religious artifacts found in their home. The nuns visually impaired uncle, who was also detained, has since been released on bail, while the others remain in custody. The United Nations has raised concerns over the increase in 'arbitrary' migrant and asylum seeker arrests in Libya. The UN mission in Libya issued a statement on Monday highlighting the worrisome trend of arrests, accompanied by a notable rise in hate speech and racist discourse. The mission reports state that Libyan authorities have detained thousands of individuals, including men, women, and children, on the streets, in their homes, and following raids on camps and warehouses associated with traffickers. Detention conditions have been described as overcrowded and unsanitary, with many detainees, including children and pregnant women, held in inhumane conditions. Moreover, the mission noted that thousands of others, including those who legally entered Libya, have been collectively expelled from the country. Last week, authorities in eastern Libya deported thousands of migrants into Egypt, forcing them to cross the border by foot. Meanwhile, in the capital, Tripoli, migration police have been deployed to areas where migrants regularly gather seeking work. Despite the ongoing political instability and armed conflicts in Libya, approximately half a million migrants have made it their home. While some migrants aim to continue their journey to Europe, others seek employment in Libya's oil-rich economy. The issue has reached the Italian shores with Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah from Tripoli and military commander Khalifa Haftar from eastern Libya both recently visiting Rome. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed an interest in reducing the influx of migrants crossing to Italy. This issue was brought into sharper focus on Monday when authorities in eastern Libya reported the detention of 20 Bangladeshi citizens on a boat bound for Italy. They were held for allegedly attempting to cross illegally, with officials stating that all legal measures have been taken against them. Migrants in Libya shared their experiences and fears in light of the increased deportations. A Sudanese metalworker expressed his concerns about the harsh treatment from human traffickers, despite having regularised his status with authorities. An Egyptian plumber, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal, voiced his fears over detention, kidnapping, ransom demands, and forced deportation. Responses from the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and local authorities in eastern Libya regarding the UN mission's statement have not been forthcoming. Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, is due to travel to Switzerland on Tuesday, to attend the World of Work Summit in Geneva. The conference, scheduled for June 14-15, centres on the theme 'Social Justice for All', a topic to be addressed by international representatives according to the International Labour Organisation. Prime Minister Hasina will depart Dhaka from Shahjalal International Airport at 10am, on a flight with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, as confirmed by her Assistant Press Secretary, MM Imrul Kayes. It is anticipated that she will arrive in Geneva at 5pm local time. In addition to participating in the Summit, the Prime Minister is due to meet with various international figures. These include the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, Malta's President George W Vella, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Other key individuals she is set to meet include Prince Rahim Aga Khan from the Aga Khan Development Network, Gilbert F Houngbo, the Director-General of the ILO, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation. She will also have discussions with Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. During the summit, Prime Minister Hasina is scheduled to participate in the plenary session on Wednesday. On the following day, she will join a World Economic Forum event titled 'New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh'. She will also interact with Bangladeshi expatriates in Switzerland at a reception. She is set to return to Dhaka on Friday, departing Geneva at 11am local time. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Baku's installation of a checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor runs counter to efforts to build trust between the two sides, ARMENPRESS reports High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said during the discussion on "Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor" in the European Parliament. During the question-and-answer session, MEP Francois Xavier Bellamy strongly criticized Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which led to a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. "The Court of Justice has condemned the blockade by Azerbaijan, but this state terrorism has not led to any sanctions by the Council, and the Commission seems unable to properly condemn this very serious violation of the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," the MEP said. Referring to the MEPs observations, EU High Representative for for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell emphasized. "Azerbaijan's unilateral decision to install this checkpoint completely contradicts efforts to build trust between the parties." Borrell emphasized that the Lachin Corridor is outside the geographical area of responsibility of the EU monitoring mission. "There are territories, border areas with Armenia, from where it can be seen what is happening in the Lachin Corridor, but the corridor itself is outside the jurisdiction of the mission and their area of responsibility. Now we are trying to find a solution for this specific problem," Borrell said. As for the inactivity mentioned by the MEPs, Borrell emphasized that a very important meeting between the French President, the German Chancellor, the President of the European Council and leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan took place in Moldova recently. In addition, according to Borrell, another meeting with Charles Michel is planned in Brussels in July. According to Josep Borrell, efforts are being made to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the parties have also expressed readiness to continue negotiations. The Bangladeshi Cabinet has given final approval to a law that will see responsibility for the registration of national identity numbers transition from the Election Commission to the Ministry of Home Affairs. This move is part of the newly ratified 'National Identity Registration Act 2023', which was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday. Under the new legislation, each Bangladeshi citizen will be assigned a unique national ID number, which will serve as their primary identification. Registration for this unique ID can be completed shortly after birth, as per the Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain's statement during a post-meeting press briefing. The government plans to provide all the required machinery and software for this new process, with registrars setting up offices as they deem necessary. The Security Services branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee the entire registration process once the law is fully enacted. The Cabinet secretary further clarified that the new national ID numbers will be given to citizens along with their birth certificates and will remain unalterable. For those who already have ID numbers under the existing system, their numbers will not be affected by this change. In the wake of this responsibility shift, the Election Commission will concentrate on compiling the voter list. For citizens who currently lack a National ID number, they will be allocated new ones under the revised system. Once assigned, no other form of number identification will be required. Torgbui Agbodzalu Amuzu, the Fiator of Nogokpo, has appealed to the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) to take necessary action to prevent what he described as a looming religious conflict in the country. Fiator Agbodzalu highlighted the verbal attacks on Nogokpo by certain self-proclaimed men and women of God, including Rev. Patricia Asiedu also known as Nana Agraada and others. His call came after a video of archbishop Charles Agyin-Asare, founder, and general overseer of the Perez Chapel International went viral on social media some two weeks ago in which he referred to the town as the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region. The archbishop later clarified his comment and said he had no intention to cast a slur on the town and its people adding, any misrepresentation or misinformation that has characterised the subsequent commentary and reportage was unfortunate. But the Chiefs and people of Nogokpo insist that failure on the part of the man of God to appear before them in two weeks would compel them to take another action. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Fiator Agbodzalu said, the entire situation was being misconstrued by Christians, and many individuals on social media are making uninformed comments without grasping the actual facts on the ground. He pointed out that the Bible did not mention Nogokpo or anything regarding the shrine in Nogokpo. Nogokpo is a town where the deity of justice and thunder is revered The bible never mentioned maami water or the marine spirit, Nogokpo, juju or any deity in its pages and so Christians must stop talking anyhow on the issue, especially on social media platforms and television channels because those comments can result in religious conflicts in the country, he said. The Fiator, urged Christians to exercise caution in their discussions about the matter. He further requested the Christian Council to advise the Christian community to refrain from making references to Nogokpo, to promote peace and understanding among religious groups. Fiator Agbodzalu emphasized that Nogokpo is a peaceful town that upholds its principles. He further clarified that the shrine Zakadza known as the god of justice and thunder, is located in Nogokpo and urged Christians to ensure they possess accurate information before engaging in discussions regarding these matters. According to Fiator Agbodzalu, it is imperative for the Christian Council to promptly address the issue and call for an end to all negative commentary and insults directed at the deity and the town of Nogokpo. He emphasized the importance of Christians focusing on their own spiritual journeys and responsibilities, to avoid any potential religious conflicts within the country. If Christians claim to have God, they should rather show good examples as followers of Christ instead of trying to bring conflicts in the country Those pastors and Christians saying all sorts of things against Nogokpo do not own Ghana and Ghana does not belong to any of them but for everyone, so they must be careful, Fiator Agbodzalu warned. The Fiator noted that chiefs must fight for their titles and forget about whatever any other Chief said regarding distancing themselves from Nogokpo. He again called for unity among the traditional leaders in the Volta Region. The National Peace Council in a statement last week, called for calm to protect Ghana's religious peace following the development. It said the Council was taking the necessary steps to bring peace between the feuding factions and called on all persons making comments on the issue to exercise caution in their commentary in the interest of peace and religious tolerance. GNA A new chief has been enstooled at Atronie in the Sunyani Municipality, after decades of a protracted chieftaincy dispute which has denied the town the required development. The 34-year-old dispute erupted after the death of the late Nana Kusi Boadu in 1989, and since then the matter had been pending before the judicial committee of the Asanteman Council. Consequently, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II finally gave a verdict on the dispute which paved way for the enstoolment of Odiawisie Boamponsem Darko II. Known in private life as Nana Gyamfi, aged 78, and a businessman, Odiawisie Darko II succeeded his late uncle who died after a short illness. The Atronie town was greeted with joy and ecstasy on Sunday, when the chiefs and people carried Odiawisie Darko II in a palanquin and paraded him through the main street of the town amidst sporadic firing of musketries by traditional warriors. It was, however, hectic for the few Police personnel to control human and vehicular traffic as virtually all the residents filled the streets of the town, thereby making it extremely difficult for commercial vehicles to move. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Nana John Foster Forkuo, the Abusuapanyin (family head) of the Deduakorase Royal Gate, expressed appreciation to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for amicably resolving the Atronie chieftaincy dispute. He regretted the town had been neglected in development because of the protracted dispute and expressed the hope that with the successful installation of the new chief, the people would bury their differences, forge ahead in unity and push the development of the area forward. Odiawisie Darko II later told the GNA he was highly elated and promised to ensure all the people were brought on board to identify and tackle the development needs of the town. The chief also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the entire Asanteman Council and pledged to serve the council and the people of Atronie in humility and diligence. Nana Werekoaa Afari II, the queen mother of Atronie advised the people to come together and rally behind the new chief for the purpose of development, saying our town is lagging behind in development and we must all contribute our quota to meet our development needs. GNA The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed claims that it has issues with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC's Director of Electoral Services, said in an interview with JoyNews that the EC invites the NDC to all Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings and shares minutes with them despite their non-attendance at times. He said, "We also conduct their elections for them so we don't have any issue with them." Mr. Quaicoe insisted that opposition parties in Ghana tend to criticize the EC "even when they have no grounds to." According to him, the commission maintains that it treats all political parties fairly and invites them to participate in its activities. Dr. Serebour Quaicoe dismissed claims of his outfit working to rig the next election in favour of the NPP. He said "Most often than not, when a party is in opposition, the EC becomes the whipping point. They attack us even when they have no grounds to." His comments come amid frequent accusations by the NDC that the EC is doing everything possible to rig the 2024 elections in favour of the governing NPP. Calm has returned to the Nkrankwanta community in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region following the destruction of properties belonging to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) after an officer allegedly knocked down and killed a woman with a motorbike. Various items worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed by some angry youth in the Nkrankwanta community following the incident. The District Chief Executive for the Dormaa West District, Francis Oppong, confirmed this on Monday. I had a call from the Immigration commander that one of his officers has used the official motorbike of the GIS to knock down a lady and killed her. After that, the youth in the town mobilised themselves chasing the officers, beating them and destroying their properties. But I was told this morning that the place was calm. I just spoke with the police commander, he stated. Meanwhile, efforts to get the leadership of the GIS in the region to speak on the issue have been unsuccessful. citinewsroom The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has clarified that President Akufo-Addo was not furious at Regional Minister Henry Quartey during last Friday's Green Ghana event, contrary to perceptions created by a viral video. In a press release, the RCC said the President was simply instructing Mr. Quartey to promptly deal with some invited guests who failed to stand for the National Anthem during the event. "The President was instructing the Regional Minister to take prompt action regarding some invited guests who chose to remain seated in disregard to the National Anthem that was played before the start of the program," the press release said. The RCC said the President and others stood in reverence as the national anthem was played. The Regional Minister then approached the individuals concerned and "gave them the necessary information and guidance, the release noted. "It is important to emphasize that the Regional Minister sat alongside H.E the President throughout the entire event, exemplifying their harmonious collaboration," the press release added. When the event ended, the RCC said the President exchanged pleasantries with all invited guests. Mrs. Jemima Lomotey, Acting Chief Director of GARCC who signed the release, urged the public "to disregard the contemptuous spin to the video which appears crafted to create unwarranted public disaffection." She also called on Ghanaians to support the work of the Regional Minister "to improve the lot of our region." Find a full copy of the press release below; Associate Professor of Economics, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Prof. Charles Ackah has admonished government to focus on investing in agriculture. Speaking to Joy News in an engagement on Tuesday, June 13, the Senior Research Fellow bemoaned how Ghana continues to be dependent on foreign aid since independence. He insists that until the country makes the shift to investing in agriculture, there is no way the country will develop. Ghana has been dependent on foreign aid since independence. We have not been able to build a very competitive economy since independence. There is no way Ghana will develop if we don't invest in agriculture, Prof. Charles Ackah argued. Ghana only last month secured its 17th programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after admitting that it is no longer able to manage an economic crisis that had made things difficult for the citizenry. After sealing a deal with the Fund, Ghana is expected to receive a $3 billion External Credit Facility in a three-year period. Already, the first tranche of $600 million has been received by the Bank of Ghana. No content published yet at this URL The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has reiterated his support to pass the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill currently before Parliament. The Bill sponsored by eight Members of Parliament from both the Majority and Minority sides seek to make LGBTQ+ and its practices illegal in the country. The Bill is currently at its consideration stage in Parliament and could be passed into law before the end of 2023. Interacting with journalists in Tamale over the weekend, Speaker Alban Bagbin said he still supports the passage of the Bill. According to him, he would prefer to die than see the legalisation of LGBTQ+ in the country. I will prefer to join my Maker than to live. That is me. I am a Catholic and pro-life. I will not do anything that will end the world because God says the world is eternal. Until He comes back we cannot do that to end the world, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Alban Bagbin shared. He argued that already LGBTQ+ is having a negative effect in Europe. He indicated that Ghana must take a stand that will avoid similar repercussions for the country. They have the repercussions in their country and I can tell you that in the next 50 years, there will be no indigenous European in the world, Alban Bagbin bemoaned. The District Chief Executive for Amansie West District, (DCE) Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu On Friday, June 9, 2023 was ushered by a team in the District to plant over 4,000 trees to mark the Green Ghana Day. The initiative is being endorsed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Commission and Ghana Education Service. Hon Nii Ollenu Lartey together with the Nananom, Senior High Schools planted over 4,000 trees at the forecourt of the District Assembly and its environment. Hon. Ollenu asserted that Green Ghana Day is an extremely important day for Ghana as a nation. He underscores the need to reduce global warming through afforestation and the involvement of the youth. He advises that it was very crucial to plant trees because human lives depend on oxygen from trees to survive citing an adage that When the last trees die the last man dies. "This year's trees were grouped into two types such as fruit seedlings coconut, mango, and timber like Mahogany, framoo, and others. We have a team that would water the plant every time to make it flourish," he said. Mr. George Andoh Baidoe Assistant District Manager, Bekwai Forest District also urged the team to partake in this year's tree planting. The Vice President of Manso Nkwanta Traditional Council, who doubles as Kontihene of Manso Nkwanta who doubles as Chief of Manso Abrense, Nana Darko Gyau II, said the allegation that chiefs give concession to the miners are untrue. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor has described the initiative as an enormous investment in the country's forestry sector. "The motive for this intervention is to plant trees. We are also investing in the future. As part of the program, we are seeking to work out a formula where the trees to be planted will be economic trees. We are talking about the Timber, Wawa, Nim, Rosewood, Shea trees, and Framoo," he stated. YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. The EU mission is part of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but it cannot completely replace the process. the only solution is in the diplomatic sphere. The conflicting parties have expressed their desire to continue the negotiations, and the next meeting will be held in Brussels, from which the EU has high expectations, ARMENPRESS reports, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said during the discussion on "Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor" in the European Parliament. According to Borrell, the current situation in the Lachin Corridor certainly raises the concern of the international community, but the EU does not have access to the checkpoint located in the corridor, therefore it is deprived of the opportunity to carry out a full observation. "The EU is interested in the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus, and for this purpose it implements initiatives of a humanitarian nature, as well as contributes directly to the negotiations aimed at peace. We are also involved in finding missing persons during the conflict and keeping the conflicting parties away from new clashes," said the head of EU diplomacy. 13.06.2023 LISTEN Thailand's political landscape has been characterised by a history of military coups, political turmoil, and disputed electoral procedures. Over the years, it has developed its own style of political system to run the nation. The 2023 national elections were considered a crucial turning point in the political course of the country, eliciting considerable expectation. The election has yielded several noteworthy observations, including the emergence of young voters who are advocating for democratic principles and questioning the monarchy's authority, the substantial influence exerted by the media in shaping the populace's viewpoints, and the regional ramifications of Thailand's political metamorphosis. The ongoing 2023 election in Thailand bears significant significance, not only for the nation's internal affairs but also in the context of the geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. The significance of Thailand's cooperation with its neighbouring countries has escalated, bringing forth potential advantages and obstacles. The ramifications of the election results and the subsequent policy decisions made by the newly formed government will have a significant impact on Thailand's regional affiliations and its capacity to effectively navigate intricate geopolitical circumstances. Moreover, the Thai youth's call for democracy has attracted the interest of diverse regional and global stakeholders. The heightened geopolitical manoeuvres in the Indo-Pacific region have amplified the importance of Thailand and its role therein. Consequently, certain stakeholders, such as Western nations, have assumed a compelling role in endorsing the aspirations of the youth and their democratic pursuits throughout the electoral process. To encapsulate, the 2023 electoral event in Thailand bears significant significance owing to its potential impact on the nation's regional affiliations, its capacity to manage intricate geopolitical dynamics, and the participation of regional and global stakeholders who espouse the aspirations of Thai young people for democratic governance. Road to Election: The Mass Protest for Establishing Democracy After the military coup in 2014, Thailand experienced a period of military rule led by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) under the leadership of Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army commander. The 2019 national election faced delays and resulted in the formation of a coalition government led by the Palang Pracharath party, which was supportive of the military junta. Prime Minister Prayut assumed office, despite the party not securing a majority of seats. This autocratic government faced extensive protests demanding democratic reforms and limitations on the monarchy's power. In the midst of the COVID-19 era, the Thai people initiated a protest movement against the military junta, advocating for a fair and participatory election. The protests also brought attention to Article 112 of the Thai constitution, which grants the monarchy an immense amount of power. Essentially, the protests aimed to challenge the monarchy's rule, the military's authority, and emphasized the importance of democratic principles. After years of demonstrations, Thailand's regime published the election calendar in 2023 and conducted a significant vote on May 14th, 2023. However, before the election results are known, it is essential to comprehend the complexity of Thailand's election process and legislative system as they are the key factors contributing to the uncertain future of the country. The complex electoral system of Thailand: why the uncertainty? The electoral system in Thailand is composed of a bicameral legislature, which is made up of 500 elected members in the lower house and 250 senators who are appointed to the upper house. The appointment of the prime minister entails a collaborative voting mechanism between the two legislative chambers, mandating a minimum of 376 votes in aggregate to secure the candidature. The presence of senators appointed by the military in this particular political framework confers an advantage to political parties aligned with the established order. The trend of electoral outcomes deviating from parliamentary seat distribution was evident in the 2019 election, as evidenced by the re-election of Prayut as prime minister despite his party's diminished representation in parliament. Major stakeholders of the election 2023: establishing a new wave in Thai politics? The 2023 Thai elections marked an important moment in the country's political landscape. Incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ran for re-election under the United Thai Nation Party, a relatively new party formed in 2021 with the aim of securing his continued leadership. Despite facing numerous challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, pro-democracy protests in 2020, and internal conflicts within his government, Prayuth's administration managed to stay in power. On the other hand, the Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, emerged as another significant player in the electoral race. Paetongtarn is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra and the niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, both former prime ministers of Thailand. Until the 2023 elections, the Pheu Thai Party, or its previous incarnation Thai Rak Thai, had won every popular election since 2001. The party was seen as a frontrunner in most pre-election polls. However, as the race progressed, the Move Forward Party gained momentum and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, emerged as a popular choice for the prime ministerial position, particularly among students and younger voters, especially in Bangkok. The Move Forward Party, established in 2020 as the successor to the dissolved Future Forward Party, garnered significant support and played a prominent role in the protests that took place in 2020 and 2021. Their platform resonated with many Thai citizens, particularly those seeking progressive change and greater youth representation in politics. Another noteworthy party in the elections was the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Health Minister Anutin Charnvirarkul. Considered a conservative party, Bhumjaithai has positioned itself as a potential political kingmaker, capable of working with both pro-military and pro-democracy coalitions. The results of the 2023 election: a ground-breaking result? The Move Forward Party, under the leadership of Pita Limjaroenrat, emerged victorious in the 2023 general elections by obtaining the highest number of seats (151), thereby becoming the largest political party in the parliament, contrary to initial expectations. Paetongtarn Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party secured the second position by winning 141 seats. The Bhumjaithai Party secured the third position in the election with a total of 71 seats. Political parties that received backing from the military, such as Palang Pracharat and the United Thai Nation, exhibited suboptimal performance in the elections, securing 40 and 36 seats, correspondingly. The aforementioned election outcomes denote a noteworthy alteration in the political terrain and imply a potential transformation in Prayut's political prospects. Key takeout from the election In contemporary times, a significant occurrence that has been observed is the rise of youth activism and opposition towards conventional modes of governance. The 2023 election in Thailand saw a notable increase in youth activism, specifically in relation to their dissent towards the monarchy. A significant number of young people hold the perception that the monarchy is an antiquated and non-democratic institution, which has resulted in demonstrations and the emergence of alternative political ideologies such as republicanism and anarchism. The recent surge of youth activism in Thailand has brought about a significant transformation in the political discourse, emphasising the necessity for enhanced democratic values and all-encompassing governance. On the other hand, the media's impact on election campaigns is of great importance, as it exerts a substantial influence on the formation of public attitudes and the shaping of voter conduct. The emergence of social media and digital platforms has fundamentally transformed the conduct of political campaigns. Social media platforms, such as TikTok, have emerged as popular channels for political parties to engage with voters directly, circumventing conventional media channels. Despite the emergence of new media platforms, such as social media and online news outlets, conventional forms of media, such as print, television, and radio, continue to exert significant influence over public perception. The media's coverage during election campaigns has the potential to exert both favourable and unfavourable impacts on candidates. Favourable media portrayal has the potential to enhance a candidate's public appeal and garner increased backing, whereas unfavourable media portrayal can have detrimental effects on their standing and likelihood of triumph. The issue of biases in media coverage is a matter of concern, as certain candidates are favoured over others by some news outlets. In this particular context, it is imperative for voters to take into account various sources of information in order to arrive at well-informed decisions. The employment of social media platforms has facilitated an increased scope and interaction with the youth electorate. However, the impact of conventional media sources continues to be a crucial element in moulding the storyline and consequence of electoral endeavours. Nevertheless, the 2023 election in Thailand has garnered attention from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, particularly Myanmar, in light of ongoing regional concerns, such as the Rohingya crisis. The pivotal position of Thailand within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has led the organisation to closely monitor the outcome of the election. The transition towards democratic governance in Thailand bears noteworthy ramifications for the stability of the region and the prospect of political metamorphosis in adjacent nations. To summarise, the 2023 election in Thailand represents a noteworthy juncture in the nation's political chronicles. Thailand has developed its own political process over the years and the election is just one the components of the process. Such uniqueness shows the Asian character of democracy that needs to be understood. The electoral process plays a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of Thailand's future and exerting an impact on the broader regional dynamics over an extended period. The regional implications of the election are of great interest to neighbouring countries, who are closely observing Thailand's democratic transition and its potential impact on regional stability and political transformations. Thailand's adept of unwavering dedication to democratic tenets can potentially serve as a model for other countries in the vicinity, prompting them to re-evaluate their own political frameworks and endeavour towards enhanced inclusiveness. 13.06.2023 LISTEN Cambodia, a Southeast Asian nation has placed itself in a tough position as a result of the disagreement between China and Vietnam about problems pertaining to the South China Sea and the obstacles involving the Mekong River. Cambodia is in a difficult situation from a strategic perspective as it has maintained robust economic ties with two competing nations China and Vietnam. In recent years, this has led Cambodia to be caught in the middle of the conflict. Because of the continuous geopolitical competition between Beijing and Hanoi, Cambodia has to carefully manage its connections with both of these nations, even if it considers them both to be close allies. China's participation and involvement in Cambodia have greatly grown since the two countries upgraded their ties to a full strategic alliance of cooperation in the year 2010. According to a famous quote from the British diplomat Sir Harold Nicholson, States do not have friends or enemies but have interests in long-term. Cambodia and China have worked to strengthen their connections and have established a mutually beneficial cooperation in order to further their respective countries' interests. As a result of China's introduction of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as other projects such as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the Sino-Cambodian ties had begun a new chapter. In recent times, the expanding military ties between Cambodia and China have had an impact on Vietnam's strategic calculation. China has stepped in to fill the hole left by the deterioration of Cambodia's military ties with the United States, which occurred in 2010. Over the last several years, China has provided Cambodia with assistance in the development of its naval capabilities. Among these projects is the improvement of the infrastructure at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, which overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and is located just 30 kilometers from the island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam. As a result of the deepening ties in the water near Ream Naval Base, bigger vessels from China would be able to dock and conduct operations in the region. Also, Vietnam and China see the South China Sea as a potential source of territorial expansion for themselves. So, territorial disagreements have often resulted in violent conflicts with the Chinese navy in the past. The presence of Chinese military installations in the South China Sea makes it more difficult for Vietnam to exploit the resources that are located inside its EEZ. Because of these facilities, Chinese naval assets are now able to maintain a constant presence across the South China Sea, which interferes with the operations of regional governments like Vietnam. Since the beginning of April 2023, there has apparently been a dramatic rise in the number of Chinese troops, equipment, and supplies in Cambodia. In addition, China and Cambodia carried out their very first joint naval exercises in Cambodian waters between 23rd March 23 to 5th April. During "The China-Cambodia Golden Dragon 2023" exercise, 3,000 troops and 300 vehicles participated from both countries. The establishment of Chinese radar and surveillance equipment in close proximity to the Ream Naval Base has become a source of even greater worry for Vietnam. The majority of the land has been earmarked for use by an air defense unit of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, while the remaining area would be used for a naval radar system. Previously, Cambodia had been able to improve its naval and air defense and surveillance capabilities surrounding the Ream Naval Base. For Cambodia, there would be a need for Chinese participation or money in the construction of the new military facilities in Ream National Park. Previous statements made by Cambodian officials had highlighted the lack of communication and monitoring capabilities possessed by the navy, as well as the need to improve the country's air defense. So, Vietnam is concerned about the lack of openness about Cambodia's ongoing building operations at the Ream Naval Base. Vietnam is further worried about China's developing military relations with Cambodia because of the situation in the South China Sea. Concerns have been raised in Vietnam over the possibility that China is using Cambodia as a means of exerting pressure on Vietnam along its southern border. These recent occurrences in the area of the naval station have raised concerns for Vietnam's national security. Despite the fact that Cambodia and Vietnam have good ties, one Vietnamese official claimed that Cambodia has not provided Vietnam with any information on the current development at the Ream Naval Base. Despite this reassurance from Cambodia, the Vietnamese government still viewed the construction of air defense installations in Ream National Park as a potential threat to national security, particularly as China is in charge of the project. Any kind of air surveillance radar would make it possible for Chinese military personnel to monitor the location and movement of Vietnamese aircraft in southern Vietnam. Beijing might eventually fall into clashes with Vietnam from both the north and the south, since there is a potential that China could operate its naval warships from the Ream Naval Base and target Vietnam's interests. The speculation that surrounds China's usage of the Ream Naval Base and the neighboring air defense installations continues to be unabated. Up until that point, Vietnam is going to continue to keep a wary eye on the burgeoning defense ties between Cambodia and China. Cambodia views engagement with China presents significant prospects in the context of Chinese development aspirations. On the other hand, Vietnam views the steps taken by China as posing a risk to both its water supply and its national security. Cambodia's strategic lean toward China has been placed on show, to the detriment of its ties with Vietnam and the other members of ASEAN, despite the fact that its relations with Vietnam have remained positive. In 2018, Cambodia and Vietnam had signed a military cooperation agreement that would last for the next five years, from 2020 to 2025. The purpose of the agreement was to strengthen the military relations and help each country provides to the other. But there are at least four factors to consider while attempting to understand Cambodia's stance with regard to China. Firstly, China has been Cambodia's most important bilateral contributor and biggest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). China is the source of 43 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia, which accounts for 70 percent of the employment possibilities available to Cambodians working on a variety of infrastructure development projects. Secondly, in terms of carrying out respective foreign policies, Cambodia and Vietnam seem to take quite different approaches. Vietnam has allied itself with the United States in the goal of protecting its maritime sovereignty from China's expansionist policies. On the other hand, Cambodia has moved closer to China because China is the trustworthy ally for economic growth and political support that the CPP needs to maintain power and domination. Thirdly, it would seem that developing good connections with China might create security assurance for Cambodia, which would be a necessary counterbalance to the danger posed by the neighboring country. Also, political elites of Cambodia believe that maintaining close connections with China is a workable approach for Cambodia to increase its military might. Lastly, Cambodia is building relations with China as an effective instrument to "hedge" against Vietnam's influence. In concluding remarks, it can be added that, in a world ruled by international anarchy, the relations that nations have with one another regularly shift due to changes in the national interests of each state. Cambodia's ability to manage its international affairs has been severely constrained as a result of the geopolitical restrictions it faces. While Cambodia is looking to China for financial and military aid, it is also helping China promote its objectives across Asia, particularly regarding its claims to sovereignty in the South China Sea. This is a kind of reciprocity for the assistance that China is providing Cambodia. The influence of the strengthening of the connections between China and Cambodia is felt in the relations between Cambodia and Vietnam. Therefore, since China and Vietnam play such a crucial role in Cambodia's economy and strategic interests, Cambodia has to be more cautious in balancing its relations with Beijing and Hanoi. Author's Bio: Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy Proma is a research intern at the KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs. Previously, she worked at the East Asia Study Center. She is a research analyst in security studies. She obtained her Master's and Bachelor's degrees in International Relations from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She can be reached at [email protected]. The Wa West District Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged pupils and teachers of the Wechiau Islamic Junior High and Primary Schools during the launching of the 2023 Annual Citizenship Week Celebration in Wechiau. The annual Citizenship Week Celebration is meant to instill the culture and spirit of volunteerism in pupils and to reinforce adherence to national values such as tolerance, patriotism, peaceful coexistence, discipline and hardwork as building blocks for national cohesion. Taking the pupils through the theme for this year's celebration which was "30years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion, the Role of the Ghanaian Child", the Wa West District Director for NCCE, Mr. Jacob Dorzie, urged the pupils to uphold Ghanaian values as they strive to defend the 1992 constitution of Ghana against all forms of abuse. He advised the pupils to be disciplined, patriotic, hardworking trustworthy and charitable toward their colleagues since these values would help them become the responsible future leaders society desires. The Resource Person and mentor for the program, Hon. Issah Nasumba Ilyasu, the assembly member for Wechiau Electoral Area admonished the pupils to imbibe the spirit of volunteerism in themselves. He said, volunteerism has helped him as an assembly member and urged them to always make themselves available anytime there is voluntary work. This he said, would help foster unity and help them live in harmony with others. He explained that as it is a right for pupils to have access to education, it is equally the responsibility of them to study hard in order to enjoy that right. He advised pupils to be disciplined and take their studies seriously in order to excel in their performance. Metema, 12 June 2023 Rahama was confronted with two options: to give birth to her third child amid a raging armed conflict in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum or to pack her bags and head towards Ethiopia. I was due to deliver my baby at any moment, but I looked through the window and all I could see was smoke everywhere and guns firing from different directions. That's when I thought that my unborn child and the rest of my family might have a better chance at survival if we left, says Rahama. Aboard a crowded bus, the family embarked on the long and perilous journey to Ethiopia carrying with them the little they managed to pack. Six years ago, Rahama and her husband migrated from their home country of Ethiopia hoping to have a better life in Khartoum. She found work as a cleaner while her husband worked as a cook in a small cafeteria. Ive always wanted to come back because I left my eldest child in Ethiopia, but this was not the reunion I had planned for, she says. Two days later, the family arrived exhausted, both physically and mentally, in Metema, a remote and dusty town in northwestern Ethiopia on the border with Sudan. Rahama, an Ethiopian returnee, gave birth a day after crossing to Ethiopia from Sudan. Photo: IOM 2023/Kaye Viray Just when Rahama felt like she could breathe a small sigh of relief after making it out of Sudan alive, shortly after arriving, she went into labour. She was assisted by staff from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partners who referred her to the nearest medical centre where she had a successful delivery. The next day, Rahama and her family were brought to IOMs temporary Migration Response Centre (MRC) in Metema. There, she received further medical and psychosocial support, shelter, food, water and other forms of humanitarian assistance. Over 40,000 people have fled the conflict which broke out in April between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces, and made their way to Ethiopia. The majority of those who have crossed the border are Ethiopians, followed by Sudanese nationals and people from 70 other countries, according to IOMs Displacement Tracking Matrix. Over 40,000 people have arrived in Ethiopia from Sudan a month after the conflict erupted. Photo: IOM 2023/Kaye Viray IOM has scaled up its presence and response at border crossing points and the Migration Response Centre in Metema and Kurmuk, another point of entry in the Benishangul Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, and is, together with the government and partners, providing a variety of assistance to those who are arriving. Support includes primary health screening at the Point of Entry; provision of water and sanitation facilities which entails access to water, latrines, and bathrooms; shelter facilities; onward transportation, and tailored protection assistance. The large number of new arrivals is a major challenge and inadequate access to life-saving services is extremely alarming, says Abibatou Wane-Fall, IOMs Chief of Mission in Ethiopia. Protection services are a major concern, with child protection and gender-based violence case management requiring urgent attention. IOM is doing what we can but as it stands, more funds are needed urgently, adds IOMs Wane-Fall. IOM has recently released an appeal of USD 25 million in order to continue providing life-saving assistance to those who are arriving from Sudan to Ethiopia. Rahama and her husband decided to name their newborn child Said. We chose this name because, in Arabic, it means 'supporter'. Throughout the chaos of fleeing, he gave me the motivation to continue. I wish him a good life ahead here in Ethiopia, she explains. Rahama hopes to start a new life with her family in Jimma, Ethiopia where she is originally from. Photo: IOM 2023/Kaye Viray IOM Ethiopias Response to the Sudan crisis is supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), the Government of Norway, the Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa and Yemen and the EU-IOM Joint Initiative Programme. This story was written by Kaye Viray, Media and Communications Officer for IOM Ethiopia. At least 46 people, half of them children, were killed in a militia attack on a camp for displaced people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A militia group involved in numerous brutal ethnic killings in the area attacked the camp in northeastern Ituri province overnight Sunday to Monday. Richard Dheda, an official of the local administration for Bahema Badjere in Djugu territory, confirmed that the Kivu Security Tracker (KST), a network of observers based in DRC's restive east, counted "at least 46" dead in the Lala camp. A community leader, Desire Malodra warned that the toll was still provisional as the search for other victims continues. Ituri province is one of eastern DRC's most violent areas, where attacks claiming dozens of lives are common. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring province of North-Kivu, an attack by suspected Islamic State group-affiliated ADF rebels left eight dead on Sunday, according to sources cited by news agencies in the area. Violence and lack of democracy Much of eastern DRC is overrun by armed groups, a legacy of regional wars that flared up in the 1990s and 2000s. As general elections are scheduled for the end of the year, most of the opposition is criticising the government for its inability to bring back peace. Opposition leader Martin Fayulu has already warned about the insecurity and the lack of preparation for the coming elections, scheduled for December 2023. This as Martin Fayulu of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development party, told RFI English that the government and the president, Felix Tshisekedi, are incapable of any kind of action. He says the humanitarian situation is catastrophic and blames what he claims is Tshisekedi's weakness in the face of Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, for the violence spreading in the east of the country. He now worries about the possibility of organsiing a free, fair and credible election later this year, which, he says, could help restore order in the country. "Mr Tshisekedi has set up an independent electoral commission (CENI) that he has control over," he added, "and failed to reform unfair electoral laws. These are all are favourable only to him." Rethink the after MONUSCO The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, also condemned the "vile attack" in Ituri in a statement, and reported "more than 45 dead and a dozen injured." Criticised for its lack of effectiveness, theMONUSCO is suposed to withdraw progressively, as annouced last week by the UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who toured the country for five days. For Martin Fayulu, the mission should not withdraw, however, without being replaced. "As long as we don't have a responsible and legitimate government, MONUSCO should stay," he told RFI English, "but its mandate and its name should change. We need a UN mission that resembles the one we had in 1960, after the independence, a mission that is able to fight and support the army's effort to bring peace." The force has a current strength of about 16,000 uniformed personnel. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Bissue a wanted man. This has been announced by the OSP in a post on its Twitter page on Tuesday, June 13. According to the post, Charles Bissue is wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor on Corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the activities and expenditure of the dissolved IMCIM. Charles Cromwell Nanabayin Onuawonto Bissue is wanted by the #OSP on Corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), the post by the OSP said. Mr. Bissue has been declared wanted after his refusal to honour an invite from the Special Prosecutor to answer questions. Mr. Bissue after receiving the invite from the Special Prosecutor also filed a writ at the High Court in Accra in an attempt to prevent the Office of the Special Prosecutor from prosecuting him. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng over the weekend told Joy News that he is going after any official of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining. He was responding to questions on why Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, the Chairman of the IMCIM had been arrested in May. One of the rooms for the inmates. INSET: Samuel Kwakye Boaten, Director, Clubhouse Ghana CLUBHOUSE Ghana Rehabilitation Centre, has officially began operations in the country with the admission of some 22 patients with mentally health condition from the Pantang and Accra Psychiatric Hospitals. As part of its efforts to help address mental health challenges in the country, the facility seeks to provide patients with critical intellectual and hands-on training in a safe, supportive, and serene environment. The facility's model of healthcare provision is designed to equip patients with important skills and apprenticeship training through various programmes designed for practical living and development. At a ceremony to receive the patients at the facility in Accra, Director for Clubhouse Ghana, Samuel Kwakye Boaten, said the facility embodies the values of friendship, kindness and love. This facility is a family oriented one. This place is not a hospitable where there are rigid systems or protocols. This place is a home away from home. Here, we call everyone 'members' and we see ourselves as brothers and sisters, he stated. Mr. Boaten also noted that the facility would further assist the inmates to secure jobs after full recovery in order for them to be self-sufficient. Christopher Komla, Psychiatrist Social Worker at Clubhouse indicated that the concept used at the facility does not focus only on the condition of the patient but also the social factors that contributed to their predicament. The concept used here is skills acquisition, housing and employment, he disclosed, adding that the facility aims at bridging the gap between the hospital and the community where the patient would receive training which would aid their integration back into the society. Dr. Naa Adoley Botchway, Specialist Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatrist Hospital, also in charge of assessment at the facility on her part touched on the prerequisites for admission into the house. According to her, brief assessment of the patients is carried out when they are brought in where important aspects of their lives are checked. Later, they manage their physical, biological and social aspects and when we deem they're a suitable, we bring them in here. Ideally, we look for relatively suitable patients who can work and cope independently in Clubhouse, she intimated. She further disclosed that two mentally challenged individuals had been brought into the house prior and through careful treatment given them in the house, they have both developed critical skills with one venturing into hairdressing and the other into business. BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio The latest vote of no-confidence against the French government, tabled by the left-wing opposition, was rejected by the parliament on Monday evening. It's the latest development in the pension reform battle which has shaken the country since January. Put forward by the Nupes, a coalition of left-wing parties, it was the 17th motion in a year, to protest against the government's pension reform. They are angry that the bill, raising the age of retirement from 62 to 64, was pushed through without a parliamentary vote, despite massive street protests. However, Monday's motion only received 239 votes out of 577 deputies, far from the 289 majority needed to see it adopted. The government has already survived multiple no-confidence votes over the pensions overhaul, even though President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party lost its overall majority in the lower-house National Assembly shortly after his re-election last year. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, appointed in May 2022, defended the "transparency" and the "coherence" of her actions over the course of what has been a rocky year. "True political courage is to get out of posturing" and "to build majorities, even with those who do not think exactly like us", she said. Expression of anger Back in March, Borne used the controversial constitutional mechanism known as 49.3 to pass the law without a vote. The opposition reacted by tabling a vote of no-confidence which the government survived by just nine votes. Clementine Autain, of the far-left France Unbowed party said on Monday despite the defeat, these motions were above all a way to "to express our anger with regard to a government and a President of the Republic who used the worst of the Fifth Republic (...) to impose a law that the French do not want". "What is at stake today (...) is the possibility of putting an end to the discredit that the government is throwing on the National Assembly", declared the leader of the Socialist deputies Valerie Rabault on Monday evening. Last week, the Liot opposition group tried to repeal the retirement age at 64 but their demand was declared unconstitutional, by House speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, even before having been examined in public session. "Fortunately [in this country] we respect the separation of powers and as the President of the National Assembly I am not under any pressure from the executive," Braun-Pivet told RTL radio on Tuesday. "Everyone can say and think what they want. I believe that, for the past year, I have proven that I am an independent woman", she insisted, responding to accusations of not being impartial. The presidential party is hoping to turn the page on the very unpopular reform which has weighed on the government's popularity and prompted rumours of another cabinet reshuffle. France is one of the European countries with the lowest retirement age, but the systems are very different. Macron has justified the project saying it responds to financial constraints and the aging of the population. The bill has been signed into law and is set to be introduced in September. The Upper East Regional Public Health Emergency Committee has called for more vaccines to combat the rapid spread of the Anthrax disease. According to the committee, the availability of the vaccine has become a challenge. The committee indicated that the region over the week requested for 30,000 vaccines from Pong-Tamale, but as of Monday 12, June 2023, only received 8,000 vaccines. The figure, the committee said, was woefully inadequate and undermined the fight against the disease in the region. At a technocrat meeting held at the Regional Coordinating Council on Monday, June 12, 2023, the committee further indicated that the disease was spreading at an alarming rate leading to large numbers of ruminants dying over the weekend as compared to the previous days. Last week we reported about 11 cattle dying but today, the figure is now 23 cattle. It tells you that we need to increase our efforts," one of the committee members indicated. The committee said it has no intention of lifting the ban that was placed on the movement and slaughtering of ruminants and other related animals. How can we be talking about lifting the ban when the figures are going up? Let's rather focus on how to curtail this disease rather than when we are lifting the ban," another member said. The committee is, thus, appealing to the public, especially Muslims, to be cautious ahead of the Eid Al-Adha celebration. Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Binduri, Abdulai Abanga, where the disease was initially recorded, has also procured 5,000 doses of vaccines for the veterinary health facility as well as supported the Binduri Health Directorate with a sum of Ghc27,400 to help in the fight against the Anthrax outbreak in the area. He said, I also purchased 5,000 doses of vaccines and provided logistics for the veterinary staff. Also, reports were that the government through the Agricultural Ministry will on Monday, June 19, 2023, procure more vaccines for the region to aid the fight against the disease -Classfmonline.com A gang of heavily armed robbers have snatched a pickup vehicle at gunpoint from a driver, took away an amount of GH39,000 and later dumped the car and fled. The vehicle, with registration number GT 9163-21, belongs to Zonda Tech Ghana Company Ltd, and it was reportedly snatched from the driver at the entrance of the company at Sabin Akrofrom at 11pm on June 4, 2023. The driver and another person onboard the vehicle were said to have driven the car all the way from Tema to the Ashanti Region and they were entering the company's premises when the hoodlums struck. Four men, who were wielding sophisticated weapons, suddenly ordered the occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, to alight from it or be shot. Out of panic, the occupants of the vehicle, reportedly alighted from the car and left behind a staggering amount of GH39,000 and one iPhone. On 04/06/23 at 2315 hrs Bright Acheampong of Adjamasu and Yan Xing the branch manager of Zonda Tech Ghana Company Ltd at Sabin Akrofrom and the former reported to Trede Police that, on the 04/06/23, he drove the company car Danfin Zonda Pickup No GT 9163-21 from Tema and when they reached the entrance of the company at 2300 hrs and while waiting for the security guard to open the gate, four men appeared from the darkness of which three of them were holding pump action guns each. They dragged them from the vehicle and sped off with GH39,000.00 and one iPhone which was in the vehicle, the Asokwa Divisional Police document indicated. The police were informed about the incident and a lookout message was quickly sent out by Ashanti Regional Control Room. Later on, a combined team of patrol men were able to find the vehicle abandoned at a spot at Patase in Kumasi, but the GH39,000 was stolen from the vehicle. The phone was, however, found in the vehicle. No arrest has been made yet as police investigations were still ongoing when this report was being filed. -DGN online YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. At 6:40 p.m. on June 13, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Armenian positions located in the Yeraskh sector. As ARMENPRESS was informed from MoD Armenia, the Armenian side has suffered no casualties. "The message of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that the units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions in the above-mentioned direction at 5:40 p.m. does not correspond to reality," the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia informs, adding that the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan with that message first created an information base, then opened fire in the direction of Armenian positions. Thales has signed an agreement to acquire Australian cybersecurity firm Tesserent, the French defence contractor announced Tuesday. The transaction is expected to be finalised during the second half of 2023. "This acquisition would enable Thales to accelerate its cybersecurity development roadmap and expand its footprint in Australia and New Zealand," Thales said in a statement. With 500 employees and turnover last year of Aus$185 million (US$125 million), Tesserent is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest cybersecurity companies, it said. "Together we will address the growing cyber needs in our country, including those of the Australian government and defence sectors," Tesserent CEO Kurt Hansen said in the statement. Tesserent, which will continue to operate under its own name, "will become the lead cybersecurity offering of Thales Australia and New Zealand", according to the French group. For Thales, which generated 1.5 billion euros (US$1.6 billion) in cybersecurity sales in 2022, the acquisition will strengthen its presence in Australia where it is already one of the country's main defence manufacturers. The move furthers Thales' expansion in the cybersecurity sector, following its purchase last year of Spain's S21sec, Luxembourg's Excellium and the Dutch company OneWelcome. The proposed acquisition, recommended by Tesserrent's board of directors, is subject to approval by shareholders, the Australian federal court and the usual regulatory approvals. (with AFP) 13.06.2023 LISTEN Bangladesh is currently hosting approximately 21,000 foreign workers, with the majority hailing from China and India, according to Asaduzzaman Khan, the country's Home Minister. The figures were released in response to a parliamentary inquiry. In a recent session of parliament, Mr Khan stated that the South Asian nation has issued work permits to individuals from 115 different countries. These foreign professionals are employed across various sectors in Bangladesh, including development projects, industrial fields, NGOs and others. The data reveals that Chinese workers form the largest foreign workforce in Bangladesh, numbering 6,075. They are closely followed by Indian professionals, of which there are 5,876 in the country. In addition, Bangladesh hosts workers from a variety of other nations. 2,468 come from Russia, followed by 1,246 from Sri Lanka. There are also 924 South Korean employees, 557 Japanese, 416 Pakistanis, 460 from the Philippines, and 399 Thai workers. Other countries with a smaller workforce representation in Bangladesh include Belarus (378), Kazakhstan (269), the United States (168), Malaysia (123), and Indonesia (108). These statistics highlight the significant role that international professionals play in the country's diverse economic sectors, contributing to its development and industry. The Tema High Court has fixed June 19, 2023, to hear a bail application of two of the accused in the alleged murder case of Mrs Josephine Asante, an official of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). At the time of the murder on January 13, 2019, Mrs Asante was GPHA Marketing and Public Affairs Manager at the Tema Port. Richard Kwabena Kwakye, alias Kwabena Boateng and Frederick Owusu Oppong, alias Kojo Owusu, who are cousins, were recently arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime contrary to sections 23 (1) and 40 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29), and murder contrary to section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29). They are among four accused persons who are currently on trial for the alleged murder; the others are Christian Adjei, the houseboy of the deceased, and Dominic Adjei. A copy of an affidavit in support of the bail application available to the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office indicates that the prosecution had withdrawn the initial charges and preferred new charges against the accused persons since their first appearance on April 12, 2023. The affidavit sworn by Madam Mercy Oppong, the mother of Oppong and aunt of Kwakye on their behalf, stated that Kwakye, upon his arrest, denied the charge of murder against him and informed the investigators about an alibi, who was his former boss at the GPHA at the time of the incident. At the time material to this case, when the death of the deceased is said to have occurred, the 1st accused was driving his boss, Edward Osei, to visit another colleague of the GPHA at the Emefs Estate, it stated, adding that the 1st accused at the time of the incident did not even know the residence of the deceased, and he only heard of the unfortunate incident on the following day. The applicants added that the State, had not yet established any reasonable nexus between Kwakye and the crime. The affidavit also indicated that Oppong was the driver of the wife of Mr Edward Osei in the said alibi, adding that he was not an employee of the GPHA, neither did he have any relationship with the deceased, nor was he anywhere near the Emefs Estate at the time of the murder. According to them, while Kwakye was arrested and charged with the offence because he was the driver of Mr Osei, who at the time of the incident was in the vicinity of Emefs Estate, Oppong, on the other hand, had also been arrested because he was a close family relative of Kwakye. The applicants stated that to maintain the scales of justice, they prayed to the court to admit them to bail as they did not commit the offence and that there was nothing that linked them to the committing of the offence. The affidavit added that the 1992 Constitution made it imperative for an accused person to be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence; therefore, applicants' continuous detention would be detrimental and amounted to a breach of their constitutional rights as they would be hindered from having access to their lawyer and procuring the evidence necessary to put up a defence. GNA Salahuddin Ahmed, a prominent leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been authorised to return to his home country after being stranded in India for eight years without legal documents. The Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Guwahati issued the travel pass on 8th June, as confirmed by Mr Ahmed to bdnews24.com. The BNP leader has faced significant health challenges, with ongoing treatment for kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. He has stated that he plans to finalise his medical treatment in New Delhi before scheduling his return to Bangladesh. "My goal is to return home. However, I need to complete my treatment first, or I'm unsure of my health situation upon arrival," Ahmed commented. Ahmed's travel approval by the home ministry was confirmed by the foreign ministry last week. Yet, he had been unable to seek adequate medical attention for the past five years due to a court restriction preventing him from leaving Shillong, India. Previous surgeries, including kidney and neck operations in 2016 and 2017, and an angioplasty with stenting in Bangladesh, highlight his ongoing health battle. Once a junior civil servant, Ahmed served as the assistant private secretary to BNP leader Khaleda Zia during her 1991-96 term as Prime Minister. He later left his government post and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Cox's Bazar, going on to serve as the state minister for telecommunications in the 2001-06 BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government. His wife, Hasina Ahmed, is also a former MP. Ahmed found himself in the public eye during the 2015 anti-government protests in Bangladesh. During this period of unrest, he alleged he was abducted in Dhaka, later surfacing in Shillong with no memory of how he arrived there. Accused of trespassing by Indian police, he was acquitted in a Shillong court in February 2023. Back in Bangladesh, Ahmed was implicated in multiple cases related to the violence during the 2015 BNP-led protest against the government. His impending return to Bangladesh comes amidst lingering questions about his mysterious disappearance and reappearance, and the unresolved allegations against him. Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known affectionately as Napo has expressed optimism that Ghana's current challenges will soon be over, paving way for a more prosperous future. He rallied the support of Ghanaians for governments effort to secure socioeconomic revitalization of the country. "At the Ministry of Energy, we are focused on our important duty to keep the lights on and the nation moving, and that it is a responsibility we take seriously, the Minister said. The minister was speaking after commissioning the $40 million Accra Central Bulk Supply Point at Adabraka in the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday, June 13. The project, funded by Japan government, aims to boost electricity distribution and reduce power outages in the capital. "These projects have brought immeasurable relief...by addressing low voltage and power outage challenges caused by increasing domestic and industrial demand," Dr. Opoku Prempeh noted. He stressed that with the support of Ghanaians, government will "be able to help put this country on the right pedestal to ensure her growth." The Accra Central Bulk Supply Point is the third of its kind to be commissioned by this government, following the establishment of the Pokuase and Kasoa BSP in October 2021 and June 2022 respectively. These projects have brought much-needed relief to their catchment areas by addressing low voltage and power outage challenges caused by increasing domestic and industrial demand. The commissioning ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, His Excellency President Akufo-Addo, as well as other Ministers of State and Members of Parliament, the Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, officials from GRIDCo, VRA and ECG, traditional leaders and several others. Green Afro-Palms (GAP), a Ghanaian agribusiness focused on sustainable palm oil production, has been awarded the prestigious Sankalp West Africa Entrepreneurship Award at the 2023 Sankalp West Africa Summit. The event, held at the UPSA Auditorium in Accra, brought together over 300 change-makers, entrepreneurs, and investors from across West Africa to discuss sustainable development and entrepreneurship in the region. The summit, themed "Catalysing Collaborations for Entrepreneur-led Development in West Africa," sought to promote partnerships in support of entrepreneurs and drive critical discussions on areas such as climate and energy, agriculture, health and nutrition, circular economy, financial inclusion, and gender and livelihoods. The event also featured the Sankalp West Africa Awards, which aimed to recognize and reward high-impact enterprises. GAP, co-owned by Ing. Kwame Ababio, emerged as the overall winner of the Sankalp Enterprise Award. Mr Ababio expressed his motivation to help West Africa reclaim its leading position in palm oil production, stating, "My intention is to empower society." Other notable awardees included Shaq Express, a Ghana-based logistics company owned by Anthony Owusu-Ansah, which was named 2nd Runner-up, and Kitovu Technology, a Nigerian agtech startup co-owned by Nwachinemere Emeka, which secured the 1st Runner-up position. The Ecosystem Award was presented to Pad-Up Creations, a Nigerian social enterprise founded by Olivia Onyemaobi. The Sankalp West Africa Summit is an initiative of Intellecap, a part of the Aavishkaar Group, and is aimed at building an entrepreneurial ecosystem to catalyze collaborations and contribute towards driving a sustainable economic and inclusive agenda for West Africa. Over the past 14 years, Sankalp has helped entrepreneurs raise over USD 800 million in funding and disbursed over USD 1.2 million in cash grants. The summit featured insightful panel discussions, including one moderated by Ghanaian media personality Anita Erskine, which focused on promoting entrepreneurship in Africa. Panelists emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between formal and informal enterprises, engaging in healthy activism to influence government policies, and ensuring "leave no one behind" is at the heart of policy-making and innovation. According to a report shared on the organizer's website, the awards serve as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs in the region and highlight the essence of the Sankalp Summit in fostering the development of West African entrepreneurship. Guzakuza, a Ghanaian social enterprise focused on agribusiness has launched the third edition of its Women in Agribusiness Awards (WiAA). The awards aim to recognize, reward and celebrate the significant impact of African women in the agribusiness sector. The awards were launched on Tuesday, June 13, at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra. Speaking at the event, Guzakuza Project Lead Fortune Kyei said, "This is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of remarkable women who have overcome challenges and made a real impact in African agribusiness." She noted that despite playing an integral role in agriculture and food production, women face disproportionate barriers and their contributions are often overlooked. "For the past three years, we have aimed to change that and put smiles on the faces of women trailblazers in African agribusiness," Ms. Kyei noted. Ms. Kyei emphasized that the awards "stand as a testament to our commitment to equity and inclusivity in agribusiness." "This is an opportunity to honor women who have not only achieved success in their fields but also paved the way for others, she added. Also at the event, past award recipients and finalists highlighted the impact of the recognition. Priscilla Asare, representing the winners group President, said, "It has been a source of inspiration and shows that gender is no barrier to excellence." She added, "This milestone marks significant progress in our journey to gender equality in agribusiness." Categories The awards feature 21 categories, including She-Innovate in Agribusiness Awards, Agritech of the year, Perseverance award, Emerging Star in Agribusiness, Role Model Excellence, Best Agri Advocacy, Best Packaging Agribusiness of the Year, Best farmer award, African Agribusiness Woman of the Year Awards. Others would be Environmental Impact, New Business of the Year, Business Diversification, Green Business of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion, Export Agribusiness of the Year, The rest include Young Agri Entrepreneur of the Year, Agritech of the Year, Marketing Innovation, International Agribusiness Woman of the Year, Agrimedia of the Year, Agri Journalist of the Year, Agri Finance of the Year and Best Agribusiness/ Agricultural Student of the year. Nomination Nominations opens on June 14 and closes on August 14, which will be followed by a review and selection process by the Awarding Board from August 15 to October 2. Nominees will be announced on October 5. It can be filed on the awards official website, (www.womeninagribusinessawards.com) either by the person or any other person on her behalf. Winners will be announced in a grand ceremony on November 18, at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra. Prizes: The winners will receive several benefits such as media mirages around the globe, plaques, and certificates. The African Agribusiness Woman of the Year will win a trip to the UK. More insights: The Women in Agribusiness Awards aim to encourage more women to enter large-scale agribusiness and farming to address gender inequality in the sector. The event has been held annually since 2021 and has since recognised several women on the continent. In addition to the awards ceremony, Guzakuza's Africa Women in Agribusiness Week (WAW), from which the awards come, creates opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration. "By building an ecosystem of support for women in agribusiness, we can nurture talent, spur innovation, and drive positive change," Ms. Kyei said on the WAW. ASA Savings and Loans Limited is close to reaching its target of planting 2,000 trees across Ghana this year. On Tuesday, June 13, the Savings and Loans company stormed Kuntanase and successfully planted 250 seedlings. The seedlings including cassia, moringa, rain tree, need tree, cashew, ofram, and royal palm were planted at Kuntanase DA School, Police Station and General Hospital. Speaking during the tree planting exercise, the Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans for Santasi, Mr. Francis Gyabeng emphasised that it is part of the companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. He said the company is keen on protecting the environment. Mr. Francis Gyabeng further noted that ASA Savings and Loans believe the gesture will go a long way to vegetate and prolong the existence of mankind and all living organisms on Earth. He was joined by the Branch Manager of ASA Savings and Loans from Jachie, Julius Laryea, Kuntanase Assemblyman, as well as Forestry Commission Representative Madam Suzzy Ankomah to embark on the tree planting. Sharing some remarks, Madam Suzzy Ankomah underscored the importance of tree planting, insisting that tree planting is basically sustaining life. Tree planting is life in the sense that we get air, water, and food. Plants take in carbon dioxide from our environment and give us oxygen (the air we breathe). Most of our water sources which flow through our pipes to our various homes are found in the bush. So trees purify and prevent it from drying up by providing shade for themSome sources of food are from trees, Madam Suzzy Ankomah explained. In the last couple of months, ASA Savings and Loans have embarked on several tree-planting exercises to plant trees in various parts of the country. EdgeRock Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Progressive Co. (NYSE:PGR Get Rating) by 46.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,763 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,198 shares during the period. EdgeRock Capital LLCs holdings in Progressive were worth $488,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PGR. Markel Corp grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Markel Corp now owns 750,750 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $85,578,000 after buying an additional 29,750 shares in the last quarter. Roundview Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 49,086 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,595,000 after buying an additional 381 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 6,693 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $763,000 after buying an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 3,081 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $351,000 after buying an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 103.5% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,022 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $800,000 after buying an additional 3,571 shares in the last quarter. 83.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Progressive alerts: Progressive Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:PGR traded down $0.18 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $130.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,833,111 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,677,228. The Progressive Co. has a 52 week low of $108.64 and a 52 week high of $149.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $76.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 92.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.50. The firms fifty day moving average price is $135.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $135.29. Progressive Dividend Announcement Progressive ( NYSE:PGR Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 13th. The insurance provider reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.79). Progressive had a net margin of 1.64% and a return on equity of 13.95%. The business had revenue of $14.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.12 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that The Progressive Co. will post 5.34 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Progressives payout ratio is currently 28.37%. Insider Transactions at Progressive In other Progressive news, CAO Mariann Wojtkun Marshall sold 472 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.67, for a total transaction of $65,452.24. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $552,045.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Progressive news, insider Steven Broz sold 930 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total transaction of $128,144.70. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,251 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,754,915.29. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Mariann Wojtkun Marshall sold 472 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.67, for a total transaction of $65,452.24. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at $552,045.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 18,708 shares of company stock valued at $2,458,317 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes PGR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of Progressive from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $165.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Roth Mkm raised their target price on shares of Progressive from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Progressive from $159.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Progressive from $188.00 to $197.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Progressive from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $133.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Progressive presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.13. Progressive Company Profile (Get Rating) Progressive Corp. is an insurance holding company, which engages in the provision of personal and commercial auto insurance, residential property insurance, and other specialty property-casualty insurance and related services. It operates through the following segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PGR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Progressive Co. (NYSE:PGR Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Progressive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Progressive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guardian Capital Advisors LP increased its stake in Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Get Rating) by 4.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 208,165 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 9,139 shares during the quarter. Guardian Capital Advisors LPs holdings in Fortis were worth $8,563,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FTS. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC purchased a new position in Fortis in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Power Corp of Canada bought a new position in Fortis during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new position in Fortis during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new position in Fortis during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Fortis during the 4th quarter worth about $75,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.59% of the companys stock. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Stock Performance Shares of Fortis stock traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $43.05. The company had a trading volume of 302,335 shares, compared to its average volume of 584,639. Fortis Inc. has a 12-month low of $34.76 and a 12-month high of $48.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The stock has a market cap of $20.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.40, a PEG ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $41.82. Analyst Ratings Changes Fortis ( NYSE:FTS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.06. Fortis had a net margin of 12.42% and a return on equity of 6.63%. The company had revenue of $2.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.25 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Fortis Inc. will post 2.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts have issued reports on FTS shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $65.00 target price on shares of Fortis in a report on Friday, March 24th. National Bank Financial increased their target price on shares of Fortis from C$55.00 to C$56.00 in a report on Monday, February 13th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Fortis in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $58.75. Fortis Company Profile (Get Rating) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This aerial photo shows machines working during an activity organized by the local goverment to demonstrate agricultural machines in Caigongzhuang Township of Jinghai District, north China's Tianjin, June 11, 2023. Summer harvest in north China's Tianjin has begun. Modern agricultural technology and machinery have been applied in the region to help local farmers increase yield and attain a bumper harvest. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China is making multi-pronged efforts to reap a bumper harvest this summer, thereby safeguarding the country's grain security, despite adverse meteorological conditions. Traditionally, the summer harvest spans from May to late June in China every year, with most of the work focused on reaping winter wheat, a staple grain crop. The grain output for the period makes up about a quarter of the annual total. As of Sunday, the harvested area of winter wheat had exceeded 239 million mu (about 15.93 million hectares), completing over 75 percent of the annual workload for the summer harvest. Central China's Henan Province, one of the country's main breadbasket provinces, has basically completed all of its tasks for the winter wheat harvest. To reduce the impact of continuous rainy weather, the province has conducted the summer harvest at full throttle. At a farmers' cooperative in Minquan County, 16 combine harvesters operated round the clock to enhance efficiency. The county also put 18 grain dryers into use and sent technicians to provide guidance, as part of efforts to improve the quality of the grain crop. To minimize grain losses due to rainfall, the agricultural bureau of east China's Anhui Province has introduced additional agricultural machinery from neighboring provinces, including Shandong, Jiangsu and Henan, thereby speeding up the harvest. Wu Tianchang, an operator of agricultural machinery, said the trucks were allowed to drive toll-free on expressways during the summer harvest period, while service stations were provided at each of the locations he had been to. Since late-May, China CO-OP Group has coordinated over 1,300 personnel and about 400 agricultural machines to ensure the smooth running of the harvesting, sowing and field management in various regions. Meteorological bureaus have also participated in supporting the summer harvest. The climate center of east China's Shandong Province has released a special report to guide farmers in ensuring work is completed on time. To ensure the income of rural residents amid prolonged rainy days, China has stepped up financial aid to assist with the summer harvest. On June 3, the country earmarked 200 million yuan (about 28 million U.S. dollars) of disaster relief funds to support Henan Province in harvesting in rain-hit wheat fields and drying wet grain. The Agricultural Development Bank of China has issued 110 billion yuan of credit to support the purchase of summer grain. Agricultural production needs to surmount various difficulties, said an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, calling for preparations to deal with risks and make improvements in disaster prevention and reduction. The Jetstar sale includes flights, accommodation and more. Jetstar has announced a massive holiday packages sale, including to the Melia resort in Bali. (Source: Jetstar/Getty) Dreaming of escaping the colder weather? Well, you could be in luck, with Jetstar announcing a massive sale on trips to Bali, Phuket and Fiji. The budget airline is currently offering discounted, all-inclusive holiday packages. These include return starter fares and accommodation, plus a range of inclusions such as daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, drinks and late checkout. Headline deals include Sydney to Fiji for five nights from $1,433 per person, Melbourne to Phuket for seven nights from $1,143 per person, and Darwin to Bali for five nights from $1,217 per person. Travel dates vary depending on the route and accommodation, but include dates between August 2023 and March 2024. Jetstars sale is running now until midnight on Sunday, June 18, unless sold out prior. The fares do not include checked baggage, and cancellation fees can apply. Deals on offer Heres a look at some of the headline deals: Bali Melia Bali Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,464 per person (departing Sydney) Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,217 per person (departing Darwin) Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,555 per person (departing Adelaide) Candi Beach Resort & Spa Bali Flights + 3 nights + more, from $1,271 per person (departing Perth) Phuket Beyond Resort Khao Lak Adults Only, Phuket - Flights + 7 nights + more, from $1,143 per person (departing Melbourne) Graceland Khao Lak Beach Resort, Phuket Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,263 per person (departing Sydney) Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket Flights + 7 nights + more, from $1,899 per person (departing Melbourne) Burasari Phuket Resort & Spa Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,318 per person (departing Sydney) The Pavillions, Phuket Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,416 per person (departing Melbourne) Fiji Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji Flights + 5 nights + more, from $2,121 per person (departing Sydney) The Naviti Resort, Fiji Flights + 5 nights + more, from $1,433 per person (departing Sydney) Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our free daily newsletter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. lessened its position in Altice USA, Inc. (NYSE:ATUS Get Rating) by 87.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,513 shares of the companys stock after selling 74,532 shares during the quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Altice USA were worth $48,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in Altice USA by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 20,815 shares of the companys stock worth $193,000 after buying an additional 1,830 shares during the period. First Republic Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Altice USA by 10.2% in the 1st quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,131 shares of the companys stock worth $264,000 after buying an additional 1,953 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Altice USA by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 61,023 shares of the companys stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 2,255 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Altice USA by 798.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,353 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 2,980 shares during the period. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in Altice USA by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 36,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $452,000 after purchasing an additional 3,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altice USA alerts: Altice USA Stock Performance ATUS stock traded up $0.16 during trading on Monday, reaching $2.92. The company had a trading volume of 5,332,890 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,113,646. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.77. The company has a market cap of $1.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.41 and a beta of 1.37. Altice USA, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2.31 and a twelve month high of $13.17. Analyst Ratings Changes Altice USA ( NYSE:ATUS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.32 billion. Altice USA had a net margin of 0.25% and a negative return on equity of 16.96%. Altice USAs revenue for the quarter was down 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.43 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Altice USA, Inc. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current year. ATUS has been the topic of a number of research reports. TheStreet downgraded shares of Altice USA from a c- rating to a d rating in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Loop Capital cut their target price on shares of Altice USA from $12.00 to $3.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Altice USA from $4.00 to $3.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Altice USA from $4.00 to $2.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Pivotal Research cut their target price on shares of Altice USA from $4.50 to $3.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $8.42. Altice USA Profile (Get Rating) Altice USA, Inc engages in the provision of broadband, pay television, telephony services, proprietary content, and advertising services. Its brands include Optimum, Suddenlink, Optimum Mobile, Altice Business, News 12 Networks, Cheddar News, a4 Advertising, and i24 News. The company was founded by Patrick Drahi in 2001 and is headquartered in Long Island City, NY. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ATUS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altice USA, Inc. (NYSE:ATUS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Altice USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altice USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rodgers Brothers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 32,700 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $1,556,000. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in Northwest Natural by 83.7% during the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 652 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in Northwest Natural by 36.6% during the third quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 930 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Northwest Natural by 45.5% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,781 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $78,000 after buying an additional 557 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in Northwest Natural by 133.2% during the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,129 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $110,000 after buying an additional 1,216 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Northwest Natural by 46.9% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 4,264 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 1,362 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.80% of the companys stock. Get Northwest Natural alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP David A. Weber sold 920 shares of Northwest Natural stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.38, for a total value of $40,829.60. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 186 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,254.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.84% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Northwest Natural Trading Down 0.3 % A number of research analysts have issued reports on NWN shares. TheStreet upgraded Northwest Natural from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Maxim Group cut Northwest Natural from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 5th. StockNews.com began coverage on Northwest Natural in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $52.00 price target on shares of Northwest Natural in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Northwest Natural from $57.00 to $59.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Northwest Natural currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.75. NWN opened at $43.33 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.56 billion, a PE ratio of 15.15, a PEG ratio of 4.36 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.86 and a 200-day moving average of $47.37. Northwest Natural Holding has a 52 week low of $41.83 and a 52 week high of $54.72. Northwest Natural (NYSE:NWN Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.93 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $462.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $365.46 million. Northwest Natural had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 8.85%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 32.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.80 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Northwest Natural Holding will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Northwest Natural Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th were issued a $0.485 dividend. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.48%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 27th. Northwest Naturals payout ratio is currently 67.83%. Northwest Natural Company Profile (Get Rating) Northwest Natural Holding Co engages in the local distribution of gas and water through its subsidiaries. It supplies natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Oregon and southwest Washington. The company founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Portland, OR. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NWN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Northwest Natural Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northwest Natural and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avante Logixx Inc. (CVE:XX Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$1.05 and last traded at C$1.05, with a volume of 500 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.99. Avante Logixx Stock Up 6.1 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.19, a current ratio of 2.80 and a quick ratio of 2.77. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.90. The company has a market capitalization of C$27.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.25 and a beta of 1.52. Get Avante Logixx alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Daniel Argiros purchased 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$1.00 per share, for a total transaction of C$99,870.00. 72.33% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Avante Logixx Avante Logixx Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides security services to residential clients in Canada. The company offers protective services, which includes guarding, patrol and rapid response, intelligent perimeter protection, secure transport, and international security travel advisory and transport; and electronic security services comprise home security services including system design, access control, and video and systems installation and service. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Avante Logixx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avante Logixx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BFZ Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, June 1st, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of 0.039 per share on Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $0.47 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust Price Performance NYSE BFZ traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $11.84. The stock had a trading volume of 2,373 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,459. BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust has a 52-week low of $10.03 and a 52-week high of $12.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.75. Get BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust alerts: Insider Activity at BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust In other news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 27,924 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $11.21 per share, with a total value of $313,028.04. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 3,263,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,578,801.71. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders bought 549,567 shares of company stock valued at $6,495,570 in the last ninety days. Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust Company Profile Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 186.8% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 23,660 shares of the companys stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 15,410 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 31.4% during the first quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 26,659 shares of the companys stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 6,374 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 5.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 38,317 shares of the companys stock worth $448,000 after buying an additional 2,081 shares in the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust during the first quarter worth $585,000. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust during the first quarter worth $1,423,000. (Get Rating) BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to provide current income exempt from Federal and California income taxes. The company seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and California income taxes. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA Get Rating) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $12.45. MFA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of MFA Financial in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $11.00 target price on shares of MFA Financial in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $12.50 target price on shares of MFA Financial in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Get MFA Financial alerts: MFA Financial Trading Up 1.6 % Shares of NYSE:MFA opened at $11.43 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.60. The firm has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of -10.58 and a beta of 1.95. MFA Financial has a 12-month low of $7.15 and a 12-month high of $13.20. Hedge Funds Weigh In On MFA Financial About MFA Financial Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MFA Financial by 85.3% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 38,540 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 17,745 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MFA Financial by 180.6% during the first quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 37,654 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $374,000 after acquiring an additional 24,236 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in MFA Financial by 541.2% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 277,611 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,754,000 after purchasing an additional 234,318 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in MFA Financial by 8.3% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,994,904 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $19,789,000 after purchasing an additional 152,969 shares during the period. Finally, Graham Capital Management L.P. acquired a new stake in MFA Financial in the first quarter worth about $2,352,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.40% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) MFA Financial, Inc is a real estate investment trust. engages in the business of investment, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets including agency mortgage-backed securities, Non-Agency mortgage backed securities and residential whole loans. The company was founded by Stewart Zimmerman on July 24, 1997 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for MFA Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MFA Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec acquired a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 1,415,900 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $132,755,000. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in WEC. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group during the 1st quarter valued at $64,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 19.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 6,272 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $626,000 after purchasing an additional 1,040 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 848,405 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $84,682,000 after purchasing an additional 65,287 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 34,679 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,461,000 after purchasing an additional 3,224 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,765 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $875,000 after purchasing an additional 923 shares during the period. 74.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at WEC Energy Group In other WEC Energy Group news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.36, for a total transaction of $141,540.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 21,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,029,023.08. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes WEC Energy Group Stock Down 0.6 % A number of analysts recently weighed in on WEC shares. Mizuho raised shares of WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $98.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $99.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price on WEC Energy Group from $98.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Friday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $99.27. Shares of WEC Energy Group stock opened at $89.30 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $93.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.46. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $80.82 and a fifty-two week high of $108.20. The firm has a market cap of $28.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 0.41. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.90 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 11.60% and a net margin of 14.10%. The businesss revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.79 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. WEC Energy Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 72.90%. WEC Energy Group Company Profile (Get Rating) WEC Energy Group, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the generation and distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through the following segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure and Corporate & Other. The Wisconsin segment refers to the electric and gas utility operations. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CMHHY Get Rating) shares fell 1.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $14.41 and last traded at $14.41. 105 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 48% from the average session volume of 200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.69. China Merchants Port Trading Down 1.9 % The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.82. China Merchants Port Company Profile (Get Rating) China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, an investment holding company, operates as a port operator in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and internationally. The company operates through Ports Operations, Bonded Logistics Operations, and Other Operations segments. It engages in the container, and bulk and general cargo terminals; logistic park operation, ports transportation, and airport cargo handling activities; and property development and investment. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Port Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Port and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Youzan Limited (OTCMKTS:CHNVF Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 14,573,600 shares, an increase of 233.6% from the May 15th total of 4,368,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 9,715.7 days. China Youzan Stock Performance CHNVF stock remained flat at C$0.01 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.02 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.03. China Youzan has a 1 year low of C$0.01 and a 1 year high of C$0.04. Get China Youzan alerts: China Youzan Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Articles China Youzan Limited, an investment holding company, provides online and offline e-commerce solutions in the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Canada. The company operates through five segments: General Trading, Third Party Payment Services, Onecomm, Merchant Services, and Others. It trades in watches and other good; sells integrated smart point of sales devices; and offers third party payment and related consultancy services, as well as third party payment management services. Receive News & Ratings for China Youzan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Youzan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG Get Rating) had its price target dropped by stock analysts at Citigroup from $37.00 to $36.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroups price target would suggest a potential upside of 3.87% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on HOG. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Harley-Davidson from $56.00 to $50.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of Harley-Davidson from $42.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Harley-Davidson from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $50.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Harley-Davidson from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Harley-Davidson from an underperform rating to a hold rating and set a $39.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.67. Get Harley-Davidson alerts: Harley-Davidson Price Performance NYSE HOG traded up $1.37 on Tuesday, hitting $34.66. The stock had a trading volume of 1,426,034 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,795,539. Harley-Davidson has a 52-week low of $29.80 and a 52-week high of $51.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.72. The company has a market capitalization of $4.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.36. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $35.01 and a 200-day moving average of $40.87. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson ( NYSE:HOG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.62. The firm had revenue of $1.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.38 billion. Harley-Davidson had a net margin of 14.08% and a return on equity of 28.68%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 19.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.45 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Harley-Davidson will post 4.8 EPS for the current year. A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of Harley-Davidson by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,978 shares of the companys stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of Harley-Davidson by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 39,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,630,000 after purchasing an additional 410 shares in the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP purchased a new position in Harley-Davidson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $342,000. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC purchased a new position in Harley-Davidson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $362,000. Finally, Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in Harley-Davidson during the 4th quarter valued at about $446,000. Institutional investors own 83.96% of the companys stock. About Harley-Davidson (Get Rating) Harley-Davidson, Inc manufactures and sells motorcycles in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, LiveWire, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company segment designs, manufactures, and sells motorcycles, including cruiser, trike, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, and apparel, as well as licenses its trademarks and related services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Harley-Davidson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harley-Davidson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp lessened its holdings in shares of BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR Get Rating) by 15.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,525 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,615 shares during the quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corps holdings in BellRing Brands were worth $219,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BRBR. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 328.4% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,967,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $299,293,000 after purchasing an additional 9,940,436 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 183.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,814,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $249,598,000 after purchasing an additional 6,997,877 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 332.1% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,676,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $84,862,000 after purchasing an additional 2,826,014 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 1,640.7% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,725,639 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,909,000 after purchasing an additional 2,569,055 shares during the period. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 11,443.3% in the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 2,384,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,031,000 after purchasing an additional 2,363,724 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.40% of the companys stock. Get BellRing Brands alerts: BellRing Brands Price Performance BRBR opened at $35.91 on Tuesday. BellRing Brands, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.20 and a fifty-two week high of $37.91. The firms fifty day moving average price is $35.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.94. The company has a market capitalization of $4.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.87. Insider Activity BellRing Brands ( NYSE:BRBR Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.04. BellRing Brands had a net margin of 9.87% and a negative return on equity of 42.81%. The firm had revenue of $385.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $371.26 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.23 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 22.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that BellRing Brands, Inc. will post 1.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, Chairman Robert V. Vitale sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.82, for a total value of $537,300.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 230,054 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,240,534.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on BRBR shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of BellRing Brands from $38.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of BellRing Brands from $38.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of BellRing Brands from $39.00 to $43.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of BellRing Brands from $34.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of BellRing Brands from $32.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, BellRing Brands currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $40.15. About BellRing Brands (Get Rating) BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States and internationally. It offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. The company sells its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BellRing Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BellRing Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ALBANY On Friday evening in Albany, an explosive rumor began circulating about a secretive gaming compact struck between the Seneca Nation and Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration. Two days earlier, the Nation and Hochuls office had struck a deal on the broad outlines of a new, 20-year agreement. The details of the deal were kept secret. Yet the legislative session in Albany was also ending and the Legislature was facing pressure to pass an eleventh-hour bill preauthorizing the Hochul administration to finalize the agreement, despite the details being unknown. On Friday, the State Senate had passed the authorizing bill by a 62-1 vote. But around 7 p.m., the powerful state Hotel and Gaming Trades Council heard that the agreement would allow a new, Seneca-owned casino to be built in downtown Rochester. Word quickly spread to the Rochester delegation in the Assembly, which had not been informed of the plan. Neither had Rochester local elected officials. In tense conversations into the night, Rochester elected officials, as well as the hotel and gaming union which represents nearly 1,000 workers at the del Lago casino Resort and Casino about 47 miles east of downtown Rochester sought to confirm the rumor with the Hochul administration. Albany's final session day: Election overhaul, campaign reform rollback, reparations In the waning hours of the 2023 state legislative session, Albany lawmakers are passing bills upending local elections, rolling back a campaign finance reform, sealing criminal convictions and much more. Here's the latest. They were stunned by the answer. The Hochul administration had signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Seneca Nation and could not share the details. But top Hochul officials also did not deny that a Rochester casino was part of the deal, and on Saturday, the Assembly refused to pass the bill authorizing Hochul to enter a new compact, throwing the deal negotiated by Hochuls office into serious question. Deals details On Monday, The Buffalo News confirmed several of the major aspects of the agreement struck between the Hochul administration and Seneca Nation. The deal does authorize a Seneca-owned casino to be built in the Rochester market, according to people with knowledge of the matter. During the first year of the pact, the Nation would pay 9.75% of revenue on slot machines and other gaming devices to New York State, according to people with knowledge of the matter. During the 19 subsequent years, the Nation would pay 19.5%, according to two sources. The deal also includes terms related to the prospect of New York legalizing online casino games, or iGaming. The exact details of the arrangement were not clear on Monday. The Seneca Nation declined to comment on the terms. If a casino were built in Rochester, a significant slice of the state payment made by the Senecas would likely be shared with Rochester. That is one potential lure for the city, where so far, local officials have expressed opposition. Under the original compact struck between the Nation and state in 2002, the Nation has in recent years been paying 25% of revenues on slot machines and other gaming devices in exchange for the exclusive right to offer these devices west of State Route 14. The Nation has opened three casinos, but under the new compact, would be allowed the fourth in Monroe County. The way that the Hochul administration pursued the Seneca agreement was different from its ongoing process for awarding three, new downstate casino licenses. In that instance, applicants must gain substantial support from local elected officials and communities where a casino might be sited, and go through a rigorous, competitive bid process. In the Seneca negotiation, the Hochul administration sought to gain the Legislatures approval to strike a deal without notifying Rochester officials of the casino proposed for the area. That was because of the non-disclosure agreement, which according to a person with knowledge of the matter, was the result of the icy relationship between the Seneca Nation and Hochul administration, and meant to ensure details of the negotiations were not leaked. But it also meant that on Friday, Hochul officials felt unable to inform Rochester lawmakers of the new planned casino. The deal has generated alarm from members of the Rochester delegation in the Legislature, as first reported on Saturday by Politico. Also, the deal has spurred outrage from the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. Since their creation a decade ago, the four upstate casinos in New York have performed worse financially than expected, and a chunk of del Lagos customer base comes from the Rochester area. Another casino in the Rochester area would almost certainly devastate existing operations and cost almost 1,000 union workers the irreplaceable good jobs they rely on, said Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council. Thats simply too high a price to pay for those workers and their families, who count on their wages and benefits for basic necessities like housing and healthcare. Del Lago, in Waterloo, is also at a competitive disadvantage in terms of tax payment. Last year, the casino paid the state 30% on slots and 10% on table games substantially more than the Seneca Nation would pay under the new deal. I certainly have grave concerns about a casino in any part of the City of Rochester, said Rochester Democratic Assemblyman Harry Bronson, In addition, Im also concerned about a casino being sustainable simply because were pretty close to reaching saturation. Legislators who represent the area at the state level, as well as at the local level should have been consulted directly. Seneca gaming bill raises concern for racinos in Hamburg, Batavia Leadership at Batavia Downs believes the wording in a bill sponsored by Democratic State Sen. Tim Kennedy would effectively lead to the shuttering of three racinos in the state. As for the Nation, it must not only deal with Albany politics, but its own internal politics. The terms of deal struck with New York will have to be approved in a referendum of the Nations citizens. When the Nation entered its initial compact in 2002, there were relatively few gaming options in the northeast United States. Now, the region is saturated. And within the Nation, some believe the diminished value of its exclusivity agreement with New York should mean the Nation pays none of its gaming revenue to the state. If the Nation were not allowed the fourth casino in Rochester, its leadership would likely be unwilling to pay a roughly 20% revenue share to the state, as currently negotiated. Instead, it would likely seek a much lower rate. A well-timed vote Late Thursday, State Sen. Tim Kennedy of Buffalo introduced the Senate bill authorizing Hochul to enter the casino compact. During remarks on the Senate floor on Friday, Kennedy, framed it as enshrining strong labor protections for unions to organize in Nation facilities, while ensuring the Nation would maintain an adequate civil recovery system that guarantees fundamental due process to visitors and guests. The lone vote against Kennedys bill was Democratic State Sen. Jeremy Cooney who happens to represent Rochester. On Monday, Cooney explained that hed recently seen an article in the Rochester Business Journal stating that the Seneca Nation was interested in a casino in the Rochester area. I did not feel comfortable voting for a piece of legislation that really didnt have a lot of details behind it, Cooney said. So my general attitude was well, lets see. Lets see the agreement and then make a decision to support it through a vote or not. Because there could be an implication for Rochester, maybe, maybe not, but were not getting any information from our partners in state government about what the details were. For Seneca gaming compact allies, a key disconnect over timing Earlier this year, the Seneca Nation approached State Sen. Tim Kennedy with an idea for legislation benefiting the Nation during high-stakes gaming compact negotiations. But since the bill's introduction, a disconnect has emerged between the Nation and Kennedy, its most valuable ally in the State Legislature. The Rochester City Council sent a letter to Hochul on Monday asking her to halt any conversation about a downtown Rochester casino. And Rochester Mayor Malik Evans released a statement on Monday stating that that there are already numerous casinos in the Rochester area. My focus remains on meaningful opportunities that create a vibrant Rochester economy focused on the jobs of the 21st century. The deal negotiated by Hochuls top aides and the Seneca Nation is now in peril. (Hochul has recused herself from the negotiations because of a potential conflict of interest.) The Senate ended its work for the 2023 legislative session early Saturday morning. The Assembly adjourned Saturday afternoon without passing the bill authorizing a new compact, but may well return in the coming weeks. Amid the opposition from Rochester, the Hochul administration may now have to redo its deal with the Seneca Nation, this time with the Legislature involved. If the news of the Rochester casino had not leaked Friday night, the entire dynamic might be different. Im glad someone leaked it, Bronson said, because otherwise, it would be just left to us to push back locally against a potential casino. FFT Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $221,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Luken Investment Analytics LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 39.9% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 249 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kepos Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. 62.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Price Performance PG stock traded down $1.15 on Monday, reaching $145.41. The company had a trading volume of 5,354,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,453,130. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $122.18 and a 1 year high of $158.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.59. The companys fifty day moving average is $151.24 and its 200 day moving average is $147.40. The company has a market cap of $342.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.33, a PEG ratio of 4.07 and a beta of 0.41. Procter & Gamble Increases Dividend Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.05. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.18% and a net margin of 17.69%. The firm had revenue of $20.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.33 EPS. Procter & Gambles revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 5.86 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st were paid a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 20th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.59%. This is a positive change from Procter & Gambles previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 65.51%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently weighed in on PG. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Procter & Gamble from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $150.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com started coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Truist Financial cut Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $165.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $161.50. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total transaction of $4,836,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 10,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,562,484.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Procter & Gamble news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 13,697 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.76, for a total transaction of $2,133,444.72. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 883 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $137,536.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total value of $4,836,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,562,484.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 95,093 shares of company stock valued at $14,821,930. 0.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Procter & Gamble Profile (Get Rating) Procter & Gamble Co engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through the following segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers hair, skin, and personal care. The Grooming segment consists of shave care like female and male blades and razors, pre and post shave products, and appliances. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,158 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 299 shares during the quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $543,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sage Rhino Capital LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC now owns 20,673 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $854,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Lincoln National Corp increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 41,097 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,697,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA now owns 6,395 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $264,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,387 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clean Yield Group increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Clean Yield Group now owns 3,091 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.24% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Wells Fargo & Company stock traded down $0.30 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $41.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 19,433,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,148,953. The firms fifty day moving average price is $39.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12-month low of $35.25 and a 12-month high of $48.84. The company has a market capitalization of $156.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.99, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.12. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.93% and a return on equity of 10.07%. The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.06 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.88 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 5th were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 34.38%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have commented on WFC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $49.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Odeon Capital Group lowered shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $44.60 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.97. Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Get Rating) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fund 1 Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 15,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $580,000. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of JOE. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in St. Joe by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 9,142 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $353,000 after buying an additional 337 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of St. Joe by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 5,548 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $329,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. Lumbard & Kellner LLC grew its position in shares of St. Joe by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Lumbard & Kellner LLC now owns 10,591 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $339,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of St. Joe by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 14,831 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $573,000 after purchasing an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank grew its position in shares of St. Joe by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 16,639 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $533,000 after purchasing an additional 527 shares in the last quarter. 86.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get St. Joe alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of St. Joe in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. St. Joe Stock Down 1.8 % Shares of NYSE:JOE opened at $44.64 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $43.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.86. The St. Joe Company has a 12-month low of $31.11 and a 12-month high of $48.03. The firm has a market cap of $2.61 billion, a PE ratio of 38.48 and a beta of 1.27. St. Joe (NYSE:JOE Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter. St. Joe had a net margin of 26.08% and a return on equity of 10.50%. The company had revenue of $73.00 million during the quarter. St. Joe Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 16th. St. Joes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.48%. Insider Transactions at St. Joe In other news, Director Bruce R. Berkowitz sold 16,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.01, for a total transaction of $763,766.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 20,928,891 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $962,938,274.91. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Bruce R. Berkowitz sold 67,800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.52, for a total value of $3,154,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,828,091 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $968,922,793.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Bruce R. Berkowitz sold 16,600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.01, for a total transaction of $763,766.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,928,891 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $962,938,274.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 88,700 shares of company stock valued at $4,118,460. Company insiders own 41.60% of the companys stock. St. Joe Profile (Get Rating) The St. Joe Co engages in real estate development and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Residential, Hospitality, and Commercial. The Residential segment is involved in planning and developing residential communities of various sizes across a wide range of price points and selling home sites to builders and retail consumers. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JOE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for St. Joe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for St. Joe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Get Rating)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $27.32 and last traded at $27.27, with a volume of 196578 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $26.96. Analysts Set New Price Targets GPK has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Raymond James increased their price target on Graphic Packaging from $29.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Seaport Res Ptn reiterated a buy rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $30.00 to $31.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Graphic Packaging from $28.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Graphic Packaging in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $29.25. Get Graphic Packaging alerts: Graphic Packaging Stock Up 2.1 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.62. The company has a market cap of $8.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.97. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $25.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.88. Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement Graphic Packaging ( NYSE:GPK Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.15. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 6.46%. The firm had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Graphic Packaging Holding will post 3.03 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.45%. Graphic Packagings dividend payout ratio is currently 20.00%. Insider Buying and Selling at Graphic Packaging In other news, CFO Stephen R. Scherger sold 160,492 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total transaction of $4,142,298.52. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 427,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,035,013.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Graphic Packaging Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 177.3% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,109 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 709 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Graphic Packaging by 369.6% during the 1st quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,174 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 924 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. bought a new stake in Graphic Packaging in the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging during the first quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors own 94.47% of the companys stock. About Graphic Packaging (Get Rating) Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. It operates through three segments: Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging. The company offers coated unbleached kraft (CUK), coated recycled paperboard (CRB), and solid bleached sulfate paperboard (SBS) to various paperboard packaging converters and brokers; and paperboard packaging products, such as folding cartons, cups, lids, and food containers primarily to consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and foodservice companies; and barrier packaging products that protect against moisture, hot and cold temperature, grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects, and other potential product-damaging factors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Graphic Packaging Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graphic Packaging and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Rating) fell 2.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $6.35 and last traded at $6.35. 38,868 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 54% from the average session volume of 84,474 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.52. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, StockNews.com upgraded IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Stock Down 1.8 % The stocks fifty day moving average is $5.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $518.98 million, a P/E ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.01. Institutional Investors Weigh In On IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima ( NYSE:IRS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $119.94 million during the quarter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima had a net margin of 86.42% and a return on equity of 23.85%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Banco BTG Pactual S.A. raised its position in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 139.7% in the 4th quarter. Banco BTG Pactual S.A. now owns 287,096 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,372,000 after buying an additional 167,330 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 10.7% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 140,897 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $507,000 after acquiring an additional 13,584 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. bought a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at $336,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 286.0% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 72,208 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 53,501 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 1st quarter valued at $228,000. 17.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (Get Rating) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones SA engages in the real estate business. It operates through the Operations Center in Argentina and Operations Center in Israel segments. The Operations Center in Argentina segment operates in the following segments: shopping malls, offices and others, sales and developments, hotels, international, and financial operations, corporate and others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manx Financial Group PLC (LON:MFX Get Rating) announced a dividend on Tuesday, May 30th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of GBX 0.38 ($0.00) per share on Wednesday, July 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. This is an increase from Manx Financial Groups previous dividend of $0.24. The official announcement can be viewed at this link. Manx Financial Group Price Performance Shares of MFX stock opened at GBX 22.78 ($0.29) on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 25.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 22.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.67. Manx Financial Group has a 12 month low of GBX 7.50 ($0.09) and a 12 month high of GBX 29.75 ($0.37). The company has a market capitalization of 26.21 million, a P/E ratio of 783.33 and a beta of 0.75. Get Manx Financial Group alerts: Manx Financial Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Articles Manx Financial Group PLC, through its subsidiaries, provides asset and personal finance, and wealth management services in the Isle of Man, the United Kingdom, and the Channel Island. The company provides various financial products and services, such as savings accounts, asset financing, personal loans, block discounting, and other specialist secured credit facilities to consumers and business sectors; and loans to small and medium sized entities, as well as foreign exchange, and hire purchase and leasing brokerage services. Receive News & Ratings for Manx Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manx Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Medifast (NYSE:MED Get Rating) is one of 58 publicly-traded companies in the Personal Services industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Medifast to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, dividends and earnings. Risk and Volatility Medifast has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Medifasts peers have a beta of 1.00, meaning that their average stock price is 0% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Medifast alerts: Profitability This table compares Medifast and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Medifast 9.27% 106.70% 49.55% Medifast Competitors -19.35% -32.44% -1.09% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Medifast $1.60 billion $143.57 million 6.30 Medifast Competitors $565.73 million $16.87 million 277.11 This table compares Medifast and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Medifast has higher revenue and earnings than its peers. Medifast is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Institutional and Insider Ownership 86.0% of Medifast shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 41.6% of shares of all Personal Services companies are owned by institutional investors. 2.1% of Medifast shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 24.2% of shares of all Personal Services companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Dividends Medifast pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.2%. Medifast pays out 51.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Personal Services companies pay a dividend yield of 1.1% and pay out 94.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Medifast has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Medifast is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Medifast and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Medifast 0 2 0 0 2.00 Medifast Competitors 110 657 1132 46 2.57 Medifast currently has a consensus target price of $110.50, indicating a potential upside of 37.45%. As a group, Personal Services companies have a potential upside of 13.02%. Given Medifasts higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Medifast is more favorable than its peers. Summary Medifast beats its peers on 10 of the 15 factors compared. Medifast Company Profile (Get Rating) Medifast, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes weight loss, weight management, healthy living products, and other consumable health and nutritional products in the United States and the Asia-Pacific. The company offers bars, bites, pretzels, puffs, cereal crunch, drinks, hearty choices, oatmeal, pancakes, pudding, soft serves, shakes, smoothies, soft bakes, and soups under the OPTAVIA, Optimal Health by Take Shape for Life, and Flavors of Home brands. It markets its products through point-of-sale transactions over ecommerce platform. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Receive News & Ratings for Medifast Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medifast and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, April 19th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.55 per share by the bank on Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.68%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Prosperity Bancshares has raised its dividend by an average of 7.7% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 25 consecutive years. Prosperity Bancshares has a dividend payout ratio of 38.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Prosperity Bancshares to earn $5.74 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 38.3%. Get Prosperity Bancshares alerts: Prosperity Bancshares Stock Performance Shares of PB opened at $59.77 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $5.64 billion, a PE ratio of 10.36, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.96. The firms 50 day moving average price is $60.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.43. Prosperity Bancshares has a twelve month low of $55.95 and a twelve month high of $78.76. Insider Activity Prosperity Bancshares ( NYSE:PB Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The bank reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.04. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 39.87% and a return on equity of 7.93%. The company had revenue of $365.58 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $285.02 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.33 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Prosperity Bancshares will post 5.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Prosperity Bancshares news, Director L. Jack Lord purchased 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $62.04 per share, with a total value of $310,200.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 33,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,055,075. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 4.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 325.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,390,076 shares of the banks stock valued at $173,711,000 after purchasing an additional 1,828,204 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 13.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,714,622 shares of the banks stock valued at $539,069,000 after purchasing an additional 890,236 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Prosperity Bancshares during the 4th quarter valued at about $63,078,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 421.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 774,756 shares of the banks stock valued at $47,663,000 after purchasing an additional 626,060 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 110.0% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 716,382 shares of the banks stock valued at $52,067,000 after purchasing an additional 375,209 shares during the period. 81.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently commented on PB. DA Davidson raised shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $79.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Janney Montgomery Scott raised shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $76.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $85.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $83.00 to $71.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an underperform rating to an outperform rating and set a $68.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.73. Prosperity Bancshares Company Profile (Get Rating) Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prosperity Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prosperity Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Rio Novo Gold Inc. (TSE:RN Get Rating) rose 4% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. Approximately 34,500 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 63% from the average daily volume of 92,675 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.13. Rio Novo Gold Trading Up 4.0 % The businesss 50 day moving average is C$0.13. About Rio Novo Gold (Get Rating) Rio Novo Gold Inc acquires, explores, and develops gold mineral resource properties in Brazil and Colombia. It holds interests in the Almas Gold Project located in the Tocantins State, Brazil; the Matupa Gold Project located in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil; and the Tolda Fria Gold Project located in the Caldas State, Colombia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rio Novo Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Novo Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Salter Brothers Emerging Companies Limited (ASX:SB2 Get Rating) insider Robert Salter bought 122,609 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.66 ($0.45) per share, for a total transaction of A$80,921.94 ($54,676.99). Robert Salter also recently made the following trade(s): Get Salter Brothers Emerging Companies alerts: On Tuesday, May 30th, Robert Salter 10,000 shares of Salter Brothers Emerging Companies stock. Salter Brothers Emerging Companies Stock Performance About Salter Brothers Emerging Companies (Get Rating) Featured Articles Salter Brothers Emerging Companies Limited, an investment company, focuses on a portfolio of investment opportunities, primarily in Australian listed and unlisted securities. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Melbourne, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Salter Brothers Emerging Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salter Brothers Emerging Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. As was shared previously in this space, one of the priorities of the American Red Cross is our year long home fire safety campaign, which to date has been credited with saving 47 lives in our western New York region since its launch in 2014. A critical component of the program is the annual Sound the Alarm initiative, in which Red Cross volunteers install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety education to area residents who request that assistance. During a home fire, working smoke alarms can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Thats why were grateful to the hundreds of volunteers across our 27-county region, including Cayuga County, who supported the 2023 Sound the Alarm event held from mid-April to mid-May. What these community-minded, dedicated individuals and organizations accomplished during those four weeks was nothing short of amazing and included: Installing 1,086 smoke alarms, exceeding our goal Providing home fire safety education to 988 individuals Making 428 homes/families safer. This was through our four day of action events, as well as partner efforts with area fire and health departments. On behalf of those we serve, thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success as well as to our incredible volunteers, donors and community partners who support the campaign year-round. To learn more about how you can get involved and protect your family from home fires, visit redcross.org/local/new-york/western-new-york.html. China Life Insurance Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CILJF Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 491,300 shares, a decline of 83.5% from the May 15th total of 2,974,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 52,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 9.4 days. China Life Insurance Stock Up 8.5 % OTCMKTS CILJF traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $1.79. The stock had a trading volume of 8,888 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,175. China Life Insurance has a 1 year low of $1.06 and a 1 year high of $1.99. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $1.78. Get China Life Insurance alerts: China Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:CILJF Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 29th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $13.38 billion during the quarter. China Life Insurance Company Profile China Life Insurance Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a life insurance company in the People's Republic of China. The company operates in four segments: Life Insurance Business, Health Insurance Business, Accident Insurance Business, and Other Businesses. It offers critical illness protection, annuity, children/women/pension, security, life, medical, and accident protection insurance products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China Life Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Life Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Lithium Corp. (OTCMKTS:ULTHF Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,000 shares, a drop of 83.6% from the May 15th total of 6,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 46,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. United Lithium Price Performance Shares of ULTHF stock remained flat at $0.16 on Monday. The company had a trading volume of 23,262 shares, compared to its average volume of 41,722. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $0.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.17. United Lithium has a 12-month low of $0.00 and a 12-month high of $0.35. Get United Lithium alerts: About United Lithium (Get Rating) Featured Articles United Lithium Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of natural resource properties. It explores for lithium deposits. The company holds 100% interest in the Bergby Lithium Project, located in Sweden. It also holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Barbara Lake property comprising 56 mining cell claims that covers an area of approximately 2,147 hectares land in the Barbara Lake Area of the Thunder Bay Mining District, Ontario, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for United Lithium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Lithium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Voestalpine AG (OTCMKTS:VLPNY Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a drop of 75.0% from the May 15th total of 400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Voestalpine Stock Performance Voestalpine stock remained flat at $6.96 during trading hours on Tuesday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3 shares, compared to its average volume of 652. Voestalpine has a 1 year low of $3.22 and a 1 year high of $7.60. The business has a 50 day moving average of $6.68 and a 200 day moving average of $6.41. Get Voestalpine alerts: About Voestalpine (Get Rating) See Also Voestalpine AG processes, develops, manufactures, and sells steel products in Austria, European Union, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Steel, High Performance Metals, Metal Engineering, Metal Forming, and Other. The Steel division produces hot and cold-rolled steel strips, as well as electrogalvanized, hot-dip galvanized, and organically coated steel strips; and heavy plates for the energy sector, as well as turbine casings for automotive, white goods/consumer goods, building/construction, energy, mechanical engineering, and others. Receive News & Ratings for Voestalpine Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Voestalpine and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investment analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Flexible Solutions International (NYSE:FSI Get Rating) in a report issued on Tuesday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the stock. Flexible Solutions International Stock Performance About Flexible Solutions International (Get Rating) Flexible Solutions International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals that slow the evaporation of water in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Energy and Water Conservation Products, and Biodegradable Polymers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Flexible Solutions International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Flexible Solutions International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Arconic (NYSE:ARNC Get Rating) in a research note published on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the basic materials companys stock. Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ARNC. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Arconic from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their price target for the company from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Wolfe Research downgraded Arconic from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Benchmark downgraded Arconic from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Arconic from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $22.67. Get Arconic alerts: Arconic Stock Performance Shares of Arconic stock opened at $29.10 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.92 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.26 and a beta of 1.90. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.00. Arconic has a 12 month low of $16.33 and a 12 month high of $30.68. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arconic Arconic ( NYSE:ARNC Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.30 by ($0.06). Arconic had a negative net margin of 2.29% and a positive return on equity of 8.21%. The company had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.39 earnings per share. Arconics revenue was down 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Arconic will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ARNC. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Arconic by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 2,586,837 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $67,853,000 after purchasing an additional 8,892 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC bought a new position in Arconic in the 1st quarter worth approximately $430,000. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Arconic by 12,047.4% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 66,568 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,746,000 after acquiring an additional 66,020 shares during the last quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Arconic during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $4,695,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its position in shares of Arconic by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 65,564 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,720,000 after acquiring an additional 3,541 shares during the last quarter. 93.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Arconic Company Profile (Get Rating) Arconic Corporation manufactures and sells aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and architectural products in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Rolled Products, Building and Construction Systems, and Extrusions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Arconic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arconic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The renewable energy project to generate 500 MW in Sri Lanka's north and eastern regions undertaken by India's Adani Group will be completed by December next year, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has said. Sharing the progress of the project, Wijesekara on Monday wrote on Twitter, "Progress of the 500 MW Renewable Energy Project in Mannar & Pooneryn was discussed with Anil Sardana, MD & CEO of Adani Transmission Ltd & project management team". We discussed the challenges, road map and timeline for the project completion and the commitment by Adani Green Energy to complete the project by December 2024, Wijesekara said after his meeting with the Adani Group officials here. This was the first review since the one carried out in February, officials said. In August last year, the Adani Group was issued approval to start wind power projects in Pooneryn, in the country's northeast. Adani Green Energy was issued provisional approval for two wind projects of 286 MW in Mannar and 234 MW in Pooneryn for an investment of over USD 500 million. The Adani Group's investments in Lanka's energy sector are in addition to their investment in the port of Colombo's Western container terminal. Gautam Adani, the group's chief, met the then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in October 2021 to push ahead with the group's investments in the country after they signed the deal to develop the Colombo port's western container terminal under the Rajapaksa presidency. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Silicon Valley investor and CEO of Social Capital Chamath Palihapitiya has voiced disbelief at venture capital (VC) firm Sequoia Capitals decision to exit the India market by hiving off its Asia business into separate units. On his podcast All-In with co-hosts Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, and David Friedberg, Palihapitiya questioned the venture capital firms decision to leave one of the worlds fastest-growing economies. Palihapitiya said that while he could understand Sequoia's decision to exit from China since the country is largely uninvestable for the next 30-40 years, he was surprised about why they would allow India to leave. On June 6, Sequoia announced a split which created three units Sequoia Capital US and Europe under Roelof Botha; the India and Southeast Asia firm, which has been rebranded as Peak XV Partners, under Shailendra Singh; and the China firm, now called HongShan, under Neil Shen. Peak XV partners did not comment on Palihapityas views. However, in an interview with Moneycontrol on June 7, Shailendra Singh, the Managing Director of Peak XV Partners, had rebutted speculation that the firm was retreating from India. He had said then the investment firm will double down on India and Southeast Asia and other core markets because we have lots of freedom to make unique and specific choices for our market. Palihapitiya emphasised that India's economy is growing at 6 percent per year, and it would have been advantageous for Sequoia to keep its Indian counterpart attached to the global brand, as a differentiator from competitors. He also added that the India unit has no elite like China has in Shen, the report added. Palihapitiya further speculated on the podcast that Botha may have deemed the India team as underperforming and decided to cut ties with it, potentially allowing the firm to re-enter the market after a few years with a rejuvenated team. He suggested that the given rationale for the split was an attempt to mask the organisation's recent missteps and financial losses, adding that his decision would have been to do nothing and let the dust settle. Palihapitiya is facing multiple lawsuits in the US, filed by investors in special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). The investors in these entities that were formed to provide companies a backdoor entry to public markets alleged that mismanagement by SPAC executives such as Chamath caused them losses. Palihapitiya also disagreed with Sequoia's claim that conflicting portfolios among its investments were a factor in the split, stating that funding competing companies is not uncommon in the US. That happens in the United States. Sequoia has always been known to fund everybody that they think will make money no matter how much they compete, no matter where they are. Sequoia as an organisation is elite. They're there to make money for their LPs (limited partners), he said. Prior to the split, Sequoia Capital globally managed approximately $56 billion in assets. Peak XV, which will continue deploying its latest $2.85 billion fund, currently manages $9 billion worth of assets in the India and Southeast Asia region. More than 50 companies in its portfolio are valued at $1 billion or more. The firm has seen 19 IPOs and M&A deals, resulting in $4.5 billion in realized exits. On Monday, June 12, Moneycontrol reported that Peak XV Partners earned a massive return of 16X on its total investments in Go Fashion, the womens wear company. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted permission to IndiGo to operate its flight services to Nairobi in Kenya from July 24, a DGCA official said on June 13. This would be the Gurugram-based airline's foray into the vast African region. IndiGo had in February this year announced its plans to launch air services to Nairobi, Jakarta and some Central Asian countries as part of its international expansion plans amid increasing competition due to a rejuvenated Air India under Tata Group. Also Read | IndiGo to launch flights to Nairobi, Jakarta soon, looking at China as well: Pieter Elbers "Indigo operations to Nairobi with effect from July 24 has been approved today (Tuesday)," the official said. Early this month, the airline said it will connect Nairobi in Kenya and Jakarta in Indonesia, with direct flights from Mumbai in late July or early August. "Delhi will get connected in August to Tbilisi, Georgia and Baku, Azerbaijan and in September to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan," it said on June 2. It has also said at that time that once these routes are operational, the airline will be connecting a total of 32 international destinations compared to 26 currently. Also Read | IndiGo to fly direct to 6 new destinations in Africa, Asia USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which is likely to discuss the Group of Ministers (GoM) report on online gaming at the formers next meeting, is likely to suggest defining online gaming, casinos and horse racing as a clarification in law for their transparent taxation, a senior government official said. The GST Council next meeting is likely to be held in last week of June or early July. A clarification in the tax law will be enough. Definition is important for taxability. A distinction will have to be made for online gaming, games of chance and games of skill. Its a very nuanced distinction. We need to lay down definitions properly for online gaming, the official told Moneycontrol. Its up to the GST Council. The stalemate has to break, he added. The GoM, led by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, could not arrive at a consensus when it submitted its report in December and held to its earlier position of 28 percent tax rate on the full value, including winnings. Actionable claim vs delivery of supply of services The tax rate of 28 percent is not an issue. The question will be whether online gaming is defined as an actionable claim or supply of service. Defining it as an actionable claim will make it goods, which means the entire value, including winnings, will come under GST. If it is defined as supply of service, it will be on face value, excluding winnings, he said. Also Read: GST council must distinguish between betting-related, skill-based online games: Former CBIC chair According to the GST Act, an actionable claim is a claim to any debt. Its a fairly complex legal problem. The law needs to define online gaming as a supply of service to exempt winnings from GST. The Supreme Court has determined it as an actionable claim. The legal position, which is also a part of the GoM report, will be placed before the GST Council, he said. We have to take a call on how online gaming will be defined. If it is termed as part of actionable goods, it will be very challenging for the industry because winnings come from the entry fee. So we have to define it properly, he added. In many online games, players pay small amounts to participate, which collectively forms a prize pool from which the gaming platform takes commission. Currently, 18 percent GST is paid on the commission, whereas the GoM report has proposed to treat the prize pool as an actionable claim and levy GST on it. Also Read: Next GST Council meet to approve the number of appellate tribunal benches in each state Differing positions Globally, each country has a different position on gambling and the gaming industry. Countries like Qatar have banned gambling. In India, different states have different legal positions. Sikkim, Nagaland and Meghalaya have gaming laws and licensing regimes. Goa and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu regulate casino games. Very few states have declared gambling as legitimate. In states where gambling is not legal, they suggest taxing the winnings as well. Currently, online gaming platforms pay 18 percent GST on entry fees and not on the full value, including prize money. All casino earnings and horse racing are levied a flat 28 percent GST. The Kerala model of development yielded exemplary results for the state in terms of literacy, access to healthcare, sanitation, and more. Among Indian states, Kerala has the highest literacy rate of 93.91 percent, a high life expectancy of 74.9 years, is open defecation free, and more. But the state is also currently struggling with a higher unemployment rate than the national average, a high suicide rate, poor industrial growth, and is battling a mental health crisis. Kerala has done splendidly in the last 70 years, but its infrastructure growth is not keeping up with the rest of the country, Shamika Ravi, Member, Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), and Secretary to Government of India told Moneycontrol in an exclusive interview. An analysis by Ravi and Mudit Kapoor of the Indian Statistical Institute shows that the states debt-to-GDP ratio has risen from 25 percent in 2011-12 to 30 percent in 2020-21. Thus, with lesser funds available for social development, it means poorer healthcare, poorer infra, etc., with the state falling behind by the day, added Ravi. You can watch the full conversation with Shamika Ravi here. The state has been infamous for having one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. According to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Keralas unemployment rate is down from 12 to 5 percent. The state has increased the pension for people below the poverty line from Rs 600 to Rs 1,600 and disbursed Rs 18,997 crore in social pensions. Social pension is a non-contributory pension that is payable from age 60 (in Kerala) until death. With an ageing population and increased life expectancy, the pension of government employees has become a major political issue. Keralas pension outgo is on the higher side compared to other states and union territories. In 2020, it was close to 30 percent of all development expenditure, according to an analysis by Ravi and Kapoor in a paper titled, State budgets in India observational time trend analysis from 1990 to 2020. States like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are among the highest spenders in India on this front, spending a whopping 37 and 31 percent, respectively, of their development expenditure on pensions. In the 90s, in the first 10 years of liberalisation, we saw a rapid escalation in pension payments in every state in the country. But after pension reforms were brought in, every state that implemented it stabilised financially. "Now we are going back where we were. Punjab has gone back, Himachal has gone back. Pension is a large chunk of their development spend. Where is the money going to come from? Its going to come from other development projects, added Ravi. You can watch the full conversation with Shamika Ravi here. State and local law enforcement agencies have taken down a drug ring that operated in Cayuga and several other upstate New York counties. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday that more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, over 10 kilograms of cocaine, 19 guns and more than $440,000 in cash were seized by police. The drugs are valued at over $9 million. Forty-eight people were arrested for their alleged roles in the drug trafficking ring. The seizures were the product of a two-year investigation led by the state attorney general's office that originated in Wayne County. At the outset, three groups were identified as selling drugs in Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties. The alleged sources of the drugs were two brothers, Michael Danzey and Terrance Raggs. James said Danzey and Raggs provided the cocaine that was sold in Wayne County. Two other individuals, Ryan Faniel and Aaron Sweeney, allegedly provided cocaine and oxycodone that were sold in Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties. Danzey, who is among the 48 people facing drug-related charges, is also accused of attempted murder for a shooting that occurred in 2021. The victim was seriously wounded, but survived. James said Danzey targeted the individual because he believed they were stealing from him. The investigation expanded from Wayne County to Rochester after it was discovered that Sweeney allegedly received cocaine from Raquel Torres. Authorities say more drug distributors and resellers were found on the same block of Avenue D in Rochester. The block is described as a "major trafficking hub." Buyers could pick up their drugs at different houses on Avenue D. The houses were run by Raymond Vega, who has also been charged. According to James, Avenue D sellers had the same source for their cocaine Luis Rivera. This phase of the investigation uncovered a cocaine and fentanyl distribution network allegedly involving Rivera and his sons, Jacob, Luis Emmanuel and Natan. The Riveras' drug distribution operation was in a residential building in Rochester. Investigators found that fentanyl was shipped from California to Rochester. Some of the shipments were intercepted by police. Jacob Rivera, who was in a federal prison in Louisiana, had cellphones smuggled into the facility and he managed the drug shipments and operations, according to authorities. Luis and Jacob Rivera have been charged with operating as a major trafficker, a serious offense with a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The pair, along with Luis Emmanuel, were charged with second-degree money laundering. In a statement, James said the drug ring was "fueling the fire" of the crisis affecting the Finger Lakes region. "The dozens of individuals arrested and charged as a result of this investigation were flooding local communities with drugs, and were armed with deadly weapons to support their illegal activities," James said. "This major takedown was only possible because of my office's strong connection with local law enforcement, and I thank my colleagues for their partnership." The investigation was led by the attorney general's Organized Crime Task Force and involved several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including sheriff's offices in Ontario, Seneca and Wayne counties. The other defendants in the case have been charged with various crimes, according to the attorney general's office. The charges include criminal sale and criminal possession of controlled substances and conspiracy to commit the crimes. The IPOs in SME segment seem to be unstoppable as three public issues to hit Dalal Street in three days this week, though there is no IPO flood in the main board segment. A total of seven IPOs hit the stock exchanges in the main board segment, while the SME segment saw 65 public issues in the calendar year so far. The fund raising in main board is always bigger than SMEs. In the remaining days of current week, Cosmic CRF, the cold-rolled stainless section supplier, will be the first SME IPO to open for subscription on June 14, with a price band at Rs 314-330 per share. The offer will close on June 16, 2023. The company is planning to raise little more than Rs 60 crore via public issue of 18.22 lakh equity shares. The IPO money will be utilised for expansion of existing manufacturing unit, working capital requirement, and repaying debts, besides general corporate purposes. Titagarh Wagons Limited, Hindusthan Engineering & Industries, Melbrow Engineering Works, Jindal Rail Infrastructure, Allied Construction Engineers are some of its clients. Cell Point (India) is the second IPO getting launched for bidding on June 15, with a price of Rs 100 per share. It is a fixed price issue and will close on June 20. Also read: IKIO Lighting IPO share allotment likely today, here's how to check status online The amount of money to be raised via initial public offering would be over Rs 50 crore, which will be used for repaying debts, and working capital requirements. With the IPO money, the company will also do repairs and renovation of existing retail outlets and setting of new retail outlets, besides general corporate expenses and issue expenses. Cell Point (India) with 75 retail stores chain in Andhra Pradesh is engaged in multi-brand retail selling of smart phones, tablets, mobile accessories and mobile related products and allied accessories of various brands such as Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Realme, Nokia, Vivo, Xiaomi, Nokia, Redmi, Techno, One Plus, GIONEE, VIVO etc. Also read: ASK Automotive files draft papers with SEBI to raise funds via IPO It is also engaged in retail selling of some of the consumer durable electronics goods, specifically, smart televisions of various brands such as Xiaomi, Realme and One Plus. Pharmaceutical products manufacturer Vilin Bio Med will also be coming out with IPO this week on June 16. It is also a fixed price issue closing on June 21. The company plans to mobilise Rs 12 crore via public issue of 40 lakh shares at a price of Rs 30 per share. Majority of funds will be utilised for additional working capital requirements, besides general corporate purposes. Click Here To Read All IPO Related News Cosmic CRF will list its equity shares in BSE SME segment on June 26, while Cell Point (India) and Vilin Bio Med will debut on the NSE SME Emerge on June 29 and June 30 respectively. In addition, three IPOs already opened for subscription this week. Public issues by Urban Enviro Waste Management and Bizotic Commercial opened on June 12. The subscription for both will close on June 14 and June 15 respectively. Spectrum Talent Management, the human resource and staffing services provider, launched its IPO on June 9, with a price band of Rs 169-173 per share. The Rs 105-crore offer will close on June 14. Waste management solutions provider Urban Enviro Waste Management intends to raise Rs 11.42 crore at a issue price of Rs 100 per share. The repaying debts and working capital requirements are the main objectives of the public issue. Readymade garments manufacturer Bizotic Commercial is also a fixed price issue, aiming to garner Rs 42.2 crore via IPO of 24.12 lakh shares at a price of Rs 175 per share. Spectrum Talent Management, and Urban Enviro Waste Management will made a debut on the NSE SME Emerge, while Bizotic Commercial will be listing on BSE SME. Mankind Pharma is the latest pharmaceutical company to make a name for itself within just a month of listing. The stock debuted with a bang at an over 20 percent premium to its issue price on May 9. As of closing price on June 12, the scrip was still trading 36.5 percent above the upper band of its issue price of Rs 1,026-1,080. The company's Rs 4,326-crore public offer was the biggest initial public offering (IPO) in 2023 so far and also the largest by a pharma company after Gland Pharma's Rs 6,480-crore IPO in 2020. The company's share sale also coincided with improving sentiments for the pharma sector, riding high on expectations of a strong turnaround for a space that has remained a mere defensive play in recent years. A month after its listing, the Street seems to be still enamoured of Mankind Pharma as several domestic and foreign institutional players are rushing to grab a pie of the drugmaker. As per Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research's Insurance Portfolio Analyser, the stock was among the top additions by five prominent insurance houses in May, with investments to the tune of Rs 103 crore. The five insurance houses analysed in the report make up over 75 percent of life insurance AUMs (assets under management) in India. Even mutual funds (MFs) are attracted to Mankind Pharma as reflected by Emkay Alternative and Quantitative Research's Monthly Institutional Flow Tracker. The report reveals that Mankind Pharma was among the top two large-cap stocks to see maximum inflows of Rs 1,590 crore from MFs in May. It is also worth noting that healthcare was the sector that saw the maximum increase in exposure by MFs in the month, to the tune of Rs 1,900 crore. Also Read: Mankind Pharma hits 52-week high, JP Morgan starts coverage with 'overweight' rating Seeing the solid traction received by Mankind Pharma, one has to wonder what the company offers. Here are some of the factors: Strong domestic presence Mankind Pharma is the second largest domestic pharma company in terms of volume, and global research and broking firm Macquarie believes it is well positioned to double its bottom line by FY26. At a time when export markets, especially the US, are struggling to punch in solid growth numbers, Mankind Pharma's heavy reliance on the domestic market only strengthens its growth potential. The Indian pharma market is expected to deliver double-digit growth in coming years and that puts Mankind Pharma on a strong upward trajectory. Nirmal Bang highlighted that Mankind derived nearly 98 percent of its revenue from domestic formulations in FY22. Hence, analysts are all the more bullish on the stock due to its pure play on the domestic market, with strong financials and better visibility. Also Read: Riches to rags: How the pharma growth story faltered over the decade? As per IQVIA data, the company's revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 12 percent, outpacing industry growth of around 10 percent. The stellar growth is aided by robust demand in its chronic medications segment, strong positioning in the acute segment, and new product launches. Most analysts believe the company is all set to benefit from the strong growth expected in the Indian pharma market, thanks to its strong positioning in the home market. "Mankind is one of the fastest growing domestic pharma names as it has consistently outperformed peers, primarily led by strong volume growth," JPMorgan stated in its report. The firm also expects the company to continue to gain market share, with a forecast for revenue/earnings CAGR of 15-22 percent over FY23-26. Extensive distribution network The company also boasts one of the largest and most extensive distribution networks in the domestic market, which consists of over 11,500 medical representatives (MRs) and 3,500 field managers as of December 2022. The vast expanse of its distribution network has helped the company penetrate the domestic market across metro and tier I-IV towns.x Also Read: Top life insurers turn bullish on healthcare stocks; investments higher than sector weightage in Nifty 100 Mankind has leveraged its MR network and currently ranks first in terms of prescriptions generated in the Indian pharmaceuticals market, as highlighted by Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities. A booming chronic segment The company's trend of outperforming industry growth has been driven by its thriving chronic medication segment, which accounted for 35 percent of domestic revenue. The company has even bigger plans for its chronic segment as it aims to take its revenue contribution higher. The company is focused on increasing its revenue share from the chronic segment through field force expansion, growth in the recently acquired Panacea Biotecs portfolio and the licensing deal with Novartis. Also Read: Have been adding Pharma and IT stocks over recent months: ICICI Prudential AMCs head investment strategist Baking that in, BNP Paribas forecasts steady double-digit growth momentum for the company over FY23-26 on the back of its continued growth outperformance. The upbeat sentiment for Mankind Pharma can be felt across the Street as data from Bloomberg reveals that the company enjoys seven buy calls and just one hold rating out of the total eight brokerages that cover the stock. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Due to the unavailability of staff and aircraft being grounded due to maintenance-related issues leading to a depleted fleet strength, the Tata group-owned Air India is facing difficulty in operating flights, especially on its international routes, according to insiders. "Air India has been forced to cancel six international flights in the last six weeks due to shortage of manpower and aircraft, while on 14 other occasions, flights have been delayed by more than 4 hours," a senior official with the airline said. The airline's flights to the US, Canada and Europe have been the most affected by cancellations and delays with nine flights to different cities in Europe being delayed by more than 4 hours in the last six weeks and three being cancelled. Similarly, two flights from the US and one flight to Canada have been cancelled in the last six weeks, while four flights to the US and one to Canada were delayed by more than 4 hours. Last week, on June 6 an Air India flight with 216 passengers to San Francisco was forced to divert to Magadan in Russia after a problem was reported with one of its engines. The airline had to send a rescue flight to evacuate the passengers, who faced a delay of about 40 hours. "Since Air India has an ageing fleet, we have been forced to cancel some of our international flights due to technical snags which have then been addressed in a day or two," the official added. Another Air India official said that the airline has been seeing high demand for all its flights to the US, Canada and Europe in 2023 and is doing its best to meet the demand. He added that the shortage of spare parts has been the prime reason behind flight cancellations of late. "Air India was earlier forced to cancel some flights to the US due to capacity constraints, we are very confident that we will be able to provide a memorable experience for our customers with our current fleet," the official said. A third official said that the airline informs its customers beforehand about any delays and cancellations. If a flight is cancelled, the airline accommodates passengers on later flights, he added. Emails sent to Air India remained unanswered at the time of publishing. Air India is the only domestic air operator flying ultra-long-haul routes. An ultra-long-haul flight is one that operates for more than 16 hours. The airline has been facing a manpower shortage leading to delays and cancellations since February. It has also cancelled flights to the US due to the same reason. In March, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said that the airline will cut six flights per week to the US due to a shortage of crew. Air India in total uses seven Boeing 777-200, 12 Boeing 777-300ER and 24 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on its international routes. It operates 13 flights to multiple locations in the US from Mumbai, 27 from Delhi and three from Bengaluru to San Francisco every week. Air India also operates seven flights a week between Delhi and France, 17 flights a week between Delhi and Heathrow (UK), 14 flights a week between Mumbai and Heathrow, three flights a week between Amritsar and Birmingham (UK) and three flights a week between Delhi and Birmingham. This is apart from four weekly flights to Amsterdams Airport Schiphol, three flights a week between Delhi and Vienna International Airport, four flights a week between Delhi and Milans Malpensa Airport, and three flights a week between Delhi and Copenhagen. The airline also operates three weekly flights between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to Londons Gatwick Airport, three flights a week between Amritsar and Gatwick and four flights a week each from Goa and Cochin International Airport to Gatwick. Passengers affected On May 22, Air Indias direct flight between Vancouver and Delhi was delayed by 12 hours and then cancelled. Kevin George, a student in Vancouver, said that as a result, he missed his connecting flight to Kolkata and was forced to book a new ticket to that city to attend a wedding. Several passengers have taken to Twitter in the past couple of months to point out the delays in Air Indias international operations as well. There was an endless wait with no support and updates from the airline. The flight got delayed four times and then cancelled. The flight was full of senior citizens and kids," tweeted Rohit Maheshwari, a passenger of Air India's San Francisco-Mumbai flight on June 8 that was cancelled due to a technical snag. Similarly, Jasmeen Kaur Gill took to Twitter on May 25 to complain about her flight between Delhi and Bangkok was delayed for nearly five hours and passengers were forced to wait in the plane. "Yes, they (Air India's inflight cabin crew) do not seem to care much and in fact entered into a verbal altercation with travellers. Please get us deboarded. People are feeling sick," Gill tweeted in response to Air India asking her to get in touch with the inflight crew. Domestic passenger vehicle wholesales grew by 13.54 per cent in May to 3,34,247 units, as compared to the same month last year, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said on Tuesday. As per the latest data issued by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), dispatches of passenger vehicles (PVs) from manufacturers to dealers were at 2,94,392 units in May 2022. Two-wheeler domestic wholesales were at 14,71,550 units, as against 12,53,187 units in May last year, a growth of 17.42 per cent. Similarly, three-wheeler wholesales were higher at 48,732 units, as compared to 28,595 units in May 2022. Total vehicle dispatches across categories were at 18,08,686 units, as compared to 15,32,861 units in May 2022, SIAM said. "All the segments viz. passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers have posted growth in double digits in May 2023, compared to May 2022. We anticipate this trend to continue supported by the prevalent economic environment," SIAM President Vinod Aggarwal SIAM said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Aggressive selling of insurance policies by banks has come into focus once again after a video of an HDFC Bank officer in Kolkata pulling up his juniors for not selling enough insurance products went viral. Given the pressure that many bank employees face when it comes to meeting third-party product sale targets, it is hardly surprising that they try to sell insurance polices even to those who do not need such plans. Take, for instance, the case of Paromita Sinha (name changed). Nearly two years ago, Sinha, then 63, entered her bank branch to open a fixed deposit of Rs 1 lakh, her relationship manager was more than happy to assist her. He helped her with the complex documentation and other formalities. To her shock, the next year, she received a renewal notice from a private sector life insurer pertaining to a life insurance policy she had never purchased. It is only then she realised that the bank official had sold her a traditional endowment policy instead of opening a simple fixed deposit. She had no idea that the product involved recurring annual payments. The bank official never explained the terms and conditions to her and presented the endowment policy as a regular fixed deposit with a one-time investment, says financial planner Preeti Zende, Founder of ApnaDhan Financial Services. By that time, the bank official no longer worked at the branch. Over the years, insurance policies have been mis-sold to countless of individuals for a variety of reasons. Now, mis-selling complaints have seen a dip according to Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) annual report 2021-22. From 35,189 in 2019-20, the number of mis-selling complaints dropped to 25,482 in 2020-21 and further to 23,110 in 2021-22. Yet, many fall prey to certain dubious pitches, especially during the tax-saving season. Moneycontrol takes you through some of the most commonly-used sales pitches that you should steer clear of. Also read: How highest NAV guaranteed ULIPs (mis)-sold years ago are coming to haunt policyholders now A traditional policy is like an FD The promise of a guaranteed income is a spectacular trap that ensnares many an unsuspecting buyer. Insurance is no different. Th returns under guaranteed traditional policies range between 4-6 percent, and you have a better chance of earning higher returns if you were to invest in other debt instruments. In fact, insurance is not at all about income or return, but protection. Instead, what they should look to buy is a simple term insurance policy. Anything apart from term is a combination of investment and insurance. A regular term policy is a great instrument to protect your family financially. You can buy a large cover at low premiums, says Zende. Insurance Samadhan Chief Operating Officer Shilpa Arora has handled similar cases of mis-selling. They are sold typically to unsuspecting senior citizens as bank fixed deposits. Also some agents and banks present unit-linked insurance policies (Ulips) as mutual funds. Those who are less financially savvy end up investing in Ulips without realising that these are not one-time investments. Most realise it only when they receive premium renewal reminders in the following year, she adds. Purchase a life insurance policy for triple benefit of life cover, tax benefits and investments The oldest and most common sales pitch, particularly during the tax-saving months of January, February and March, this continues to appeal to a large section of Indians. In a hurry to save on taxes under section 80C, which offers tax deductions of up to Rs 1.5 lakh on certain instruments, including life insurance premiums, many end up buying policies they do not necessarily need. They do not even ascertain whether they really need to invest to save on taxes. For many, the Employees Provident Fund contribution, which is mandatory, largely takes care of the 80C limit. They make these mistakes as they wait until the last minute and invest in a hurry to meet their HRs (Human Resource Departments) investment declaration deadlines, says financial planner Melvin Joseph, Founder, Finvin Financial Planners. The solution? Do not treat tax planning as a separate exercise. Evaluate your existing investments and expenses in April chances are that your EPF contribution and childrens tuition fees, both eligible for deduction under section 80C, will consume a large chunk or can even exhaust the entire Rs 1.5 lakh limit. Tax planning should be embedded into your overall financial planning. If your EPF contribution cannot help you maximise the tax benefits, consider Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF), which is an extension of EPF, and Public Provident Fund (PPF). Start in April, so that you can invest monthly instead of looking to gather Rs 1.5 lakh at one go in January or March, adds Joseph. Also read: ULIP woes: How a senior citizen lost 90% of his premiums after staying invested for 14 years Buy a guaranteed policy to create a long-term corpus sans volatility stress Perhaps the most favoured traditional life insurance products through the last one year, many individuals find non-linked, non-participating, guaranteed endowment policies attractive due to the assured maturity proceeds they are promised. This is in contrast with Ulips where returns are market-linked as also participating policies. Although the latter, too, offer secure returns, they do not offer a fixed maturity amount as the final corpus depends on annual and terminal bonuses declared during the tenure. However, guaranteed policies offer lower returns of around 5 percent. Neither do such policyholders get adequate insurance nor does this qualify as a proper investment. Most traditional policies invest in debt instruments. The returns never exceed 4-6 percent, says Zende. High networth individuals (HNI) who are looking for assured-return instruments that offer tax benefits, though, could find value in these products. Maturity proceeds under life insurance policies are tax-free. 'Revive your lapsed policies' According to Insurance Samadhan, a firm engaged in helping policyholders resolve grievances against insurance companies, nearly 40 percent of complaints it receives are related to lapsed policies. Put simply, these are the policies that have turned dormant as policyholders had stopped paying premiums. Typically, tele-callers 'inform' policyholders that their lapsed policy has accumulated bonuses but needs to be revived to be able to claim the bonus. They could be asked to pay a fee and also buy a fresh policy. These primarily unlicenced tele-callers who have gained access to lapsed policy data and are able to build trust by introducing themselves as company representatives or even trusted government bodies like the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) or ombudsman officials, says Arora. While mis-selling victims have a window of 15-30 days to return and cancel the policy, the callers often tutor them on responding to calls from insurers. Insurance brokers are required to maintain call recordings for three years as per the distance marketing guidelines. The client can ask for this at the time of dispute. If mis-selling is proven, then they have to refund the money. However, policyholders who revive their policies are trapped as they are told that the bonus would be processed only 60 days post-policy activation, says Arora. As an individual, you can avoid falling into these traps by reading the documents you are signing carefully. This will help you ascertain whether you are indeed investing in a fixed deposit, mutual fund or are being surreptitiously sold a life insurance policy with a multi-year premium payment commitment instead. More importantly, never ignore verification calls from insurance companies post policy issuance. Irrespective of what your bank official or agent might have told you, answer the questions to the best of your knowledge to nip the mis-selling nuisance in the bud. A ubiquitous component of most salary slips, house rent allowance (HRA) is a benefit that even financially not-so-savvy individuals are well aware of. Consequently, the exemptions linked to HRA are also commonly known. Despite this, however, certain lesser-known aspects of HRA-related tax exemptions can come as unpleasant surprises at the time of filing returns. Your chartered accountants could enquire about documentary proofs or worse, the income tax department could send notices seeking further details. Also read: Simply Save | ITR filing - Know all the tax benefits linked to home loans and HRA Claim HRA benefits while filing returns Salaried individuals rarely miss out on claiming HRA exemptions while filing their investment declarations to their employers. If you have failed to submit the required proofs in time, however, chances are that your employer would have withheld TDS (tax deducted at source) on the HRA component of your salary. In such cases, you can claim the HRA exemption while filing returns. The tax-exempt HRA will be the lower of 50 percent (40 percent if you live in a non-metro city) of your basic salary plus dearness allowance, if any, or the actual HRA or the actual rent paid minus 10 percent of your basic salary and dearness allowance. You do not have to submit any documents at the time of filing your income tax return. However, you must preserve your rent receipts and rent agreements in any case. If your rent exceeds Rs 50,000 per month, you will have to deduct tax before handing out the amount to your landlord. However, instead of deducting this amount every month while making the payment, you can do so in one go in March, says Bhavesh Shah, Senior Partner, Hasmukh Shah & Co, a Mumbai-based chartered accountancy firm. Also read: Do not miss: Moneycontrol's income tax return filing guide No HRA? You are still entitled to tax breaks If you are self-employed or HRA does not form part of your salary structure, you will not be eligible for the HRA exemption under section 10 (13A). However, you will be entitled to relief under section 80GG. You can claim a deduction of up to Rs 5,000 a month, 25 percent of your total income or actual rent paid minus 10 percent of total income, whichever is lower. However, you will not qualify for this concession if your spouse, minor child or your Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) - in case you are part of one - owns a house in the place where you usually stay. Ascertain parents tax bracket first There is no bar on paying rent to parents if you are living in their house and availing of HRA tax exemption. However, the rent you pay will be treated as your parents income. In many cases, parents are likely to be retired individuals who fall in lower tax brackets and hence tax payable will be lower. However, there could be exceptions, so ensure that you compute the tax impact for your parents before you take the call. Many people make the mistake of claiming tax benefit on HRA by paying rent to parents, without realising that their parents could be in taxable brackets. Some would get away with this earlier. However, the fact is that since landlords PAN is to be provided, the rent paid will reflect in parents Annual Information Statement (AIS). So, effectively, you might only end up shifting the income tax burden to your parents, says Chetan Chandak, chartered accountant and Director, TaxBirbal.in, a Pune-based tax consultancy firm. Do not take rent payments to parents lightly From the income tax departments perspective, your familial ties will not entitle you to any leeway in terms of documentation. You need to have proper proofs in place even though these papers are not required to be submitted while filing returns. For one, you should have a legal agreement on a stamp paper in place. However, this might not be sufficient. If required, you should be in a position to prove that actual rent payments were made to your parents. You cannot argue that you paid them in cash, says Chandak. You have to preserve these records to respond to any queries from the income tax department that may arise. Do note that if parents stay in a rented accommodation and you live with them, it will be difficult to claim HRA exemptions. This is because every rent agreement has restrictions on sub-letting the property. Your parents cannot technically let out part of the property to you and receive rent. In such cases, you should sign up to be the tenant and execute the agreement with the landlord, says Chandak. Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) will get a 20 percent stake in Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL), a subsidiary of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), in about two to three months from now, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD NLCIL told Moneycontrol on June 13. The issue had been pending since last year, with the Uttar Pradesh government initially being reluctant to give away a part of its stake from NUPPL to the Assam government's APDCL. However, now all decks are cleared and the necessary clearances have come from even the ministry of power. NUPPL is a joint venture between NLCIL, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Coal, and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) of the Uttar Pradesh government with 51:49 equity participation. NUPPL is setting up a coal-based supercritical thermal power plant with a capacity of 1980 MW (3 X 660 MW) at Ghatampur in Uttar Pradesh. On June 13, NUPPL signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with APDCL to supply the latter 492.72 MW from the Ghatampur plant. The PPA has been signed for 25 years. "As per the Ministry of Power's directions, 75 percent of the electricity generated from the Ghatampur supercritical thermal power plant will go to UPRUVNL and the remaining 25 percent will now go to the Assam government's discom, for which the PPA was signed today," Motupalli said. He added that in addition, the Assam government will also buy a 20 percent stake in NUPPL. This process is likely to be completed in two months or so. The 20 percent stake is to be given from the share of UPRUVNL. Once completed, NLCIL will have 51 percent stake, UPRUVNL will have 29 percent and APDCL will have 20 percent stake. The Ghatampur supercritical coal-fired power plant is going to be commissioned by March 2024. The plant is being built at a cost of Rs 19,200 crore, of which around Rs 15,800 crore has been utilised. Following the structural safety audit report of Tower G of Chintels Paradiso Society in Sector 109, Gurugram, where a portion of Tower D collapsed all the way to the first floor last year, declaring it unsafe to live, the district administration issued an order directing the residents to vacate the tower within 15 days. According to a statement issued by the district administration, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Chairman Nishant Kumar Yadav issued the evacuation orders for Tower G of Chintels Paradiso. The structural audit report released by IIT Delhi declared Tower G unsafe for human habitation. "Using the powers vested in Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, as well as Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has asked the residents of Tower G to vacate their flats in the next 15 days. The District Town Planner (Enforcement) has been appointed as the nodal officer and duty magistrate for this work. Legal action will be taken against those who violate these orders," the administration said. Also Read: Chintels Paradiso case: One more tower of the housing complex declared unsafe for living by safety audit report On June 2, 2023, the structural safety audit report of towers A and G of Chintels Paradiso Society, which was vetted by IIT Delhi, declared that Tower G was "unsafe for habitation", while Tower A was at the moment found safe to live. This is the fourth tower in the society that has been declared "unsafe to live" after a structural safety audit. Prior to this towers D, E and F were declared "unsafe to live". Manoj Singh, a resident of Chintels Paradiso, said, We are really sad to learn that the administration has invoked DMA to vacate Tower G without arranging any alternate flats for the residents to shift in the interim, till the time the builder reconstructs and hands back safe flats to us. (This is) in clear violation of DMA (Disaster Management Act) which mandates that alternate rehabilitation arrangements (be made). We appeal to the district administration to kindly order the builder to immediately arrange equivalent alternate accommodation for us where we can shift and stay till the time the builder reconstructs and hands back safe flats to the affected residents." All you need to know about the Chintels Paradiso Case Singh said that if the district administration is unable to ask the builder to arrange alternative accommodation, then the district administration itself should arrange equivalent accommodation where residents can shift till the builder reconstructs and hands back safe flats to the residents. He also alleged that the matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court and by issuing such orders, the admin has not just violated the DMA Act but is also in contempt of the SC. "We will bring this to the notice of the Supreme Court and pray for passing the right order, he said. A Chintels India spokesperson said, We have given two options one is for buyback @6500 per square foot plus actual stamp duty paid plus the cost of interiors as determined by the govt appointed evaluators. We have also given a second option of rebuilding in which case we will charge Rs 1000 per square foot built up for material cost increases but will not pay rent. We have not issued any eviction notice. Residents welfare associations (RWA) across Delhi NCR have said that the government should provide incentives or subsidies to help get their DG sets retrofitted with Emission Control Devices (ECD), as demanded by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The CAQM has mandated that all diesel generators (DG) above 19 KW that do not run on LPG, propane, or butane will have to be retrofitted with ECDs and adopt a dual-fuel mode by September 30, 2023, across Delhi-NCR. RWAs said that complying with the directives may result in additional expenditure to the tune of Rs 6-12 lakh (depending on the capacity of the DG set), as no subsidy has been announced. Also Read: Centres air quality panel puts curb on use of DG sets in Delhi NCR Rajiva Singh, President, Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Association (NOFAA), said the recent order means RWAs will have to plan, raise funds, create infrastructure, revise maintenance charges, and find vendors, among others. Residents' pain points For retrofitting and conversion of DG sets, proper government subsidies should be introduced to support such policies. Also, sufficient time is needed for the execution of such orders. Noida citizens have already been incurring heavy losses due to builder-buyer issues, hence any further financial burden on residents may not be acceptable, Singh told Moneycontrol. Converting a DG set to dual-fuel mode (70 percent gas, 30 percent diesel) costs around Rs 5-6 lakh, besides maintenance charges and other costs. Retrofitting DGs with EDCs costs much the same. Gas-operated gensets are expensive, as the estimated cost of a 125 KW PNG (piped natural gas) genset is around Rs 10 lakh-15 lakh. Moreover, these are also not easily available, they pointed out. Atul Goyal, President, United Residents Joint Action (URJA), an umbrella body of RWAs in Delhi, echoed similar concerns and said that CAQM's directions for retrofitting and adopting the dual-fuel module for gensets would put additional financial burden on RWAs. Hence, the government should either incentivise or subsidise RWAs. This additional financial burden will have to be borne by the RWAs, so it will ultimately fall on the residents. Since it is to be done before the start of the pollution season (between October to February), the government should subsidise or incentivise the process on the lines of the solar policy, Goyal said. Kartik Kumar, a resident of sector 109 in Gurugram, said that certain operations of condominiums cannot be compromised at any cost, such as running of lifts, water supply to overhead water tanks, fire-fighting alarms, sewage treatment plant, operations, security cameras, etc., so uninterrupted power supply is a must, which is ensured with DG sets. He said that rather than RWAs investing in creating a new power backup infrastructure, the government should be investing in ensuring no break in power supplies to the condominiums. Clean air important DG sets with a capacity of 82-100 KW, which are generally used for residential purposes, should be exempted from these norms. This new regime to curb pollution will mean additional expenses for RWAs, which are already short of funds, he said. Akash Vashishtha, an environment expert and a National Green Tribunal (NGT) lawyer, said, Breathing clean and purified air is more important than anything else. Hence, the RWAs can curtail their expenditure on other heads and invest in this environment-friendly move. It will ultimately benefit the residents of Delhi-NCR the most. London-listed flex office space provider International Workplace Group (IWG) plans to expand to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India, given the increased demand for flex workplaces in these locations. We are looking at Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mysuru for immediate expansion, Harsh Lambah, Country Manager, India, IWG told Moneycontrol. The company currently has close to 90 workspaces in India and by the end of the financial year, the number is expected to touch more than 100. In total, the company plans to add about 10-12 workspaces in India by the end of FY23-24 taking the total number of workspaces to 100, he said. "We are expecting to have around 4,000 locations by the end of the calendar year, and we will add around 1,000 locations over the next year," he said. The company is also looking at launching a new brand, HQ Global Workspaces, in India by the end of the current financial year. The new brand will be a co-working space catering to sales teams or project teams in Tier II and Tier III cities. Currently, IWG has two brands operational in India: Regus, the serviced Grade A office spaces; and Spaces, its co-working vertical for Tier I cities. "Post-pandemic, we saw demand coming from new segments and new markets in India. We have started a growth engine through partnerships (previously known as a franchise model), where we are bringing landowners, developers or investors with an asset-like strategy to expand at a good pace," Lambah added. "In cities like Bengaluru, gaming companies, hospitality, and consulting firms have started exploring the market. However, the major taker continues to be tech companies," Lambah said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept June 13, 1993 When six champion Belgians splashed their huge hooves in the Atlantic off the coast of Maine on April 13 and headed west, bent on splashing in the Pacific off the coast of California nearly a year later, they weren't doing it just for the exercise nor to soak up more adulation. These beautiful Belgians are "pulling for seniors." Since 1993 marks the 50th anniversary of senior centers in America, and since more than one third of the U.S. population is now older than 50, the mission of these mammoth steeds is "to elevate concern, respect and service for seniors." And likely to "bring them a little more fun," too, as this champion six-horse hitch stops at senior centers along its cross-country route to give a few rides in the custom-designed red wagon they're towing. "We'll be in no hurry whatsoever," said driver David Helmuth. "We have no schedule, we'll only go 10 miles or so a day, and we'll rest the horses and the crew every Sunday." The trek is labeled "Country's Reminisce Hitch" after the two national magazines, Country and Reminisce, which originated the idea. "If these horses give thousands of people a lift for just a day or two along the way, this trip is worth doing," said Roy Reiman, head of the Wisconsin-based publishing firm. Look to the east for a sign of the Belgians' approach along Route 20. The travelers are expected to arrive in Auburn before the end of the week. Watch The Citizen for updates. "We're not going to Syracuse, we're not going to Ithaca, we're going to Auburn. Auburn is unbelievably beautiful. It's the kind of city we like to take a spin through." The Uttar Pradesh RERA has warned of legal action as it issued a "public notice" to real estate agent Investors Clinic for alleged violation of rules in the promotion of a Noida-based project of M3M Group. The public notice comes after Investors Clinic skipped a hearing on June 12, scheduled by the UP Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). "Investors Clinic, which is registered as an agent, was issued a show cause notice by the UP RERA on June 3 in connection with the promotion and publicity of 'M3M The Cullinan' project in Noida Sector 94 "The agent was asked through the show cause notice to appear via video conferencing and present its side on June 12 at 3 pm. However, neither did the real estate agent Investors Clinic present any clarification over the violations nor appeared at the designated time for the hearing," the notice said. The UP RERA has now asked the agent to present its clarification at its headquarters in Lucknow, either in person or over email by 5 pm on June 17. "The final hearing in the case has been fixed for June 19 via video conferencing and if Investors Clinic does not present its clarification, then it would be considered that it does not have anything to say and UP RERA, on the basis of the available evidence, will take action against it as per law," the notice stated. According to a RERA official, violations, in this case, pertain to the promotion of the project before its registration with the state's real estate regulator. According to the provisions of the RERA Act, the promotion of any real estate project by a registered agent before registration in RERA and promotion in any way without mentioning a valid RERA registration number is completely contrary to the law, the official said. UP RERA has found Investor Clinic guilty of violating the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act in promotion of the project of M3M Group which is against the interests of stakeholders of the real estate sector, the official noted. Based on facts, UP RERA has taken a suo moto action regarding publicity of the real estate project before its registration in RERA and without mentioning the valid RERA registration number and issued notices to all the real estate agents involved in the promotion and marketing, other than the promoter, the official said. Investors Clinic and M3M Group did not respond to PTI's request for a response. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will auction 61 properties of the Saradha Group, which ran Ponzi schemes in east India, in an e-auction on July 17 to recover the money raised by the company from depositors through unlawful schemes. The properties up for sale include land parcels in West Bengal. The market regulator has set the total reserve price at Rs 26.22 crore, news agency PTI reported. "The purchaser shall participate in the e-auction on his own behalf and no third party intervention, like authorised agent/ representative, would be permitted, the June 12 notice said. "The successful bidder shall bear the charges/ fee payable for the transfer of the property in his/ her name. All taxes shall be borne by the purchaser," PTI cited the notice as saying. The e-auction will be conducted by C1 India between 11 am and 1 pm and Quikr Realty will assist Sebi with the sale. The move follows a Calcutta High Court of June 2022 that directed Sebi to auction Saradha Groups properties within three months. The Group, which comprised 239 private companies, raised Rs 4,000 crore from 1.7 million depositors by allegedly running chit-funds in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha before collapsing in April 2013. In March, Sebi said it would auction 66 properties of the Saradha Group on April 11 for a reserve price of around Rs 32 crore. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Byju's, the world's highest-valued edtech company, is gearing up for an important week of discussions with its lenders as it seeks to ease growing tensions, people aware of the matter told Moneycontrol. The company intends to arrange individual discussions with its lenders to explore mutually beneficial resolutions as the matter currently remains under legal review in the US, the people said, requesting anonymity. The scheduled calls, originally slated for June 12, will be taking place over the course of the next two to three days, and will involve a majority of Byju's lenders, the people added. Byjus declined to comment. Queries sent to Houlihan Lokey Inc, a law firm hired by Byjus lenders to advise them on negotiations, did not elicit a response. The dispute appears to be around the timeline of acceleration of the TLB. Acceleration is not very uncommon, it is there typically in the terms of the contract. But what is not common is the dispute regarding acceleration and considering the scale of it, I think both parties might look to negotiate, said a securities lawyer, requesting anonymity. The upcoming discussions hold immense significance for Byju's, as the company, one of the world's largest startups, has been in a prolonged dispute with its lenders for over six months. The loan in question, amounting to $1.2 billion, stands as one of the largest unrated term loan B (TLB) offerings that Byju's secured in November 2021. Last week, Byjus skipped paying $40 million in interest on the TLB and instead filed a case in the New York Supreme Court against one of its lenders, Redwood Management LLC. The company termed Redwood as predatory and issued a notice to disqualify it, following which the investment company would be restrained from exercising critical rights under the TLB. Just a couple of days after Byjus moved the court in New York, a group of lenders, collectively owning more than 85 percent of the TLB, issued a statement calling the case meritless and characterised it as an effort by the company to avoid fulfilling its obligations. Byju's move to sue its lenders followed a lawsuit by them in May in a Delaware court, when they accused Byjus Alpha Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Byjus that raised the TLB, of hiding $500 million from them. Byjus had then denied these allegations. Now, the lenders will file for a response. If Byjus wins the case, they will get more breathing space and that will be critical for the company considering that they need that time to accumulate funds, the lawyer quoted above said. If the court finds Byjus case without merit, they will just throw it out and Byjus will then have to pay the amount immediately, he added. To be sure, Byjus has been engaging in discussions with its lenders since December last year when the company sought for easier terms on the loan as the company was looking to save costs with an aim to achieve profitability. But the companys lenders asked for quicker part payment of the $1.2 billion loan after Byjus failed to meet certain conditions, including a September 2022 deadline for filing its results for the year ended March 31, 2022, Bloomberg News reported. Earlier this month, the lenders scrapped these negotiation talks after filing a case against the company in the Delaware court. Byju's soared to new highs in March last year, when it raised a massive $800 million round at a $22-billion valuation. But since then, the company has come under fire for a number of reasons including accounting irregularities, tussle with lenders, mass layoffs and mounting losses. Byju's has raised $250 million at a flat $22-billion valuation since then, and is in talks to raise $700 million more at the same valuation. Byju's offices in Bengaluru were also searched by India's financial probe agency Enforcement Directorate in April under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The company is yet to file audited results for FY22 (2021-22). For FY21 (2020-21), Byju's reported a huge jump in losses to more than Rs 4,500 crore, while its revenue dropped marginally, surprisingly, as FY21 was the first year of Covid that gave online learning companies a shot in the arm. Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, Byjus has raised over $5 billion, most of which was in the past five years. Sequoia Capital's Managing Partner Roelof Botha said that Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia flourished under the leadership of Shailendra Singh, instilling confidence in the management of the arm, a week after hiving off it as a separate entity. Sequoia India and SEA have flourished under Shailendras (Singh) leadership and we are proud of the portfolios scale, quality and strength. Operating as an independent firm will provide more flexibility to further strengthen the market leadership position, said Botha. Botha also said that India, the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, is currently among the most vibrant markets in the world and he is excited for Peak XV, the new avatar of Sequoia Capital India, as they double-down on the region. "17 years ago Sequoia saw an opportunity in India as a promising market for startups and entrepreneurship. Since then Sequoia India has been instrumental in cultivating the startup ecosystem in the country, which has become one of the most vibrant in the world. I am very excited for Shailendra and the Peak XV team as they continue to double down on the region," he added. Botha's comments follow Silicon Valley investor and CEO of Social Capital Chamath Palihapitiya's remarks, where he voiced disbelief at Sequoia's decision to exit the Indian market. Palihapitiya said that while he could understand Sequoia's decision to exit from China since the country is largely uninvestable for the next 30-40 years, he was surprised about why they would allow India to leave. On June 6, Sequoia announced a split which created three units Sequoia Capital US and Europe under Roelof Botha; the India and Southeast Asia firm, which has been rebranded as Peak XV Partners, under Shailendra Singh; and the China firm, now called HongShan, under Neil Shen. In an interview to Moneycontrol, Singh had said the domestic team was now large enough to venture out on its own and invest in India, where the ecosystem will be parallel to that of the US in the next 5-10 years. "My team and I believe that we will have parallel ecosystems of software companies, development tools companies, infrastructure, and cloud computing, all built by Indian brands. And that's our biggest common brand conflict. If it was one or two deals a year, we could deal with the conflict. But if this conflict is a weekly issue for us. It's a big issue," Singh had said while explaining the split. Things are already looking good for Peak XV, which marked its first cash exit by selling its remaining stake in Go Fashion, the parent company of Go Colors. In November 2014, Peak XV (formerly called Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia) had invested around $10 million in the womens legwear maker and has now exited the company with a whopping return of $150 million, translating to a 15-16X multiple on the original investment, at an internal rate of return (IRR) of 43 percent, Moneycontrol had reported earlier. Singh had also said that the profit-sharing agreement between the VC firms will be dissolved which meant the entire sum would now go to the revamped Peak XV team. The government is aiming to almost double the share of the technology sector in the countrys economy from just over 10 percent to about 20 percent by 2025. Its goal of the current decade being a "techade" is being supported by two broad types of policy interventions creating laws to ensure a safe, trusted and transparent internet for citizens and deploying incentive schemes to encourage domestic manufacturing of high-end electronics. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is leading the charge on these fronts. In the last few months, it has brought out a Rs 17,000-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced computer makers, kick-started a national programme to boost artificial intelligence development and begun consultations on a new law to govern the internet, among other things. Moneycontrol sat down with Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar to take stock of these developments. Edited excerpts of the conversation: How has the industry reacted to the new version of IT hardware PLI? In the IT space worldwide, there is a problem that the market is flat if not negative. India is the only hotspot in terms of IT hardware demand. Now, both Dell and HP, which are two potential players, already have capex on the ground. So, they will continue to grow and apply to this PLI for subsequent years. Where we are also seeing a lot of interest is Indian IT hardware players who are new and smaller companies. In the Bengaluru event that I had to postpone recently, there were at least 11 Indian IT hardware companies that had registered to show up. It is not just the Dells and HPs, but also Indian champions we are focusing on. The new IT hardware PLI scheme has introduced a provision saying that beneficiaries have to use firmware from Indian companies or trusted foreign sources. Whats behind this? A machine consists of firmware, at the heart of it, the operating system and the hardware. For those who understand technology, firmware is the heart and soul of the system. There is no point if the hardware i.e., the boards and the microprocessor is trusted and the firmware is coming from some other source. We are basically saying that the entire system should be trusted. There is no point making the system in India and calling it a trusted system while the firmware is coming from China, or wherever. Is the penalty for a shortfall in production going to be a dampener? We will keep it back, but it will be payable over the life of the PLI. You can plan for six out of any eight years. If there's a shortfall in one year, you can make it up in the next year. And you will get the balance in the next year. It is not a penalty as in penalty forgone, but it is a penalty withheld that can be paid later. Is there a realisation on the part of the government that despite the capex-linked incentive scheme, semiconductor fabs or fabrications are going to be hard and so we are now prioritising semiconductor design and packaging? It was always clear that there will be many more design firms, there will be fewer packaging firms and there will be least number of fabs. It's a pyramid because the capital intensity is highest in fabs, next is packaging and the least is design. There is no change in perspective at all. All that has happened is because the 28 nanometre fab technologies have not happened yet and they are continuing to negotiate we have said we will not wait. We will open the window for anybody who wants to submit proposals for 40 nanometres and any other mature technology. Nobody is saying that we will only do packaging and we will not do fab. Is the idea that lets get packaging off the ground first and then think about fab? It is correct that we may end up approving packaging first. But that is not to say that packaging is first priority and fab a second. If you say design is first because we have approved, packaging is second as we may approve it next and then fab, certainly that sequence is correct because the capital intensity and complexity of each one of them is in that order. Are we looking to go up the value chain in the same way as mobile phone manufacturing? What Foxconn and Pegatron are doing here today is what they're doing in China. There's no going up the value chain. Assembly and testing is the manufacturing of mobile phones. But do you also make the components that you assemble in India? That's a different question. The guys who are doing packaging are going to be different from the guys who are going into the fab. Nobody's going vertically anywhere. We are not going up the value chain. We are creating the entire value chain at the same time. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi ji wants to do in 10 years what China has taken 30 years to do. That's what we are doing. A controversy erupted after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during his recent visit to India commented that it would be hard to build foundational large language models. What is your take and is the government thinking of building foundational models in artificial intelligence? Sam Altman is a bright man who certainly has done a lot of work in OpenAI. And he has to be respected for his work. But we should not consider him anything other than an important man in AI. He's certainly not going to be the last word on what India's aspirations for AI are going to be. He certainly doesn't have an understanding of India's capabilities in AI. We will take Sam Altman's comments with the respect that it deserves. But to assume that everything he says or does is exactly what Indian startups are going to do is to miss the point. I think there are many areas that Sam Altman and I are never going to agree on. There are certain things where we have to create Indian capability. AI is an area where we will create Indian capability not government of India capability, but Indian startups and ecosystem capability Maybe we'll end up doing it in partnership with him. Was there any discussion of such a partnership during his visit? Obviously, Sam Altman did not come to India to see Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal He understands India's potential and he has said it publicly. Therefore, there will be hundreds of opportunities for us to work together between Indian startups, Indian government, Open AI and other companies. Those are a partnership that will organically evolve. Tech companies are scraping the internet to train their large language models. Lawsuits are being filed by creative professionals who are saying their consent was not taken by these companies. Are we going to see any provision related to this in the Digital India Bill? With the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, the National Data Governance Policy and the Digital India Bill, there will be a lot many more rules about how you scrape the internet, what type of stuff you get out of the internet, whether it's violative of individual privacy, whether it's violative of somebody else's rights. These are all issues that are now coming up front and centre. Scraping amounts to privacy protection, personal data protection. It has to do with the whole data protection and privacy regime that evolved after the DPDP Bill. The ability of companies to use personal data, whether they are LLMs, search engines or e-commerce companies will change substantially after the law is enacted. The problem with LLMs is that you cant trace back to the source it scraped. That is anonymised personal data which is derived from personal data, but that is not identifiable. It is an issue that I have raised repeatedly during my Digital India Bill consultation who owns that data, what should be the dos and don'ts about monetising that data Those things have to be talked about. New Delhi city authorities will start impounding the bike taxis of companies such as Uber and local rival Ola if they do not cease operations in line with a court order backing a ban on them, a senior government official told Reuters on Tuesday. Indias top court on Monday backed the city governments ban on bike taxis in a setback for U.S. ride-hailing company Uber which had legally challenged authorities to continue offering the services. The government has argued that bike taxis violate local city laws that require them to have a licence to offer such services, while Uber argued in the Supreme Court that the ban hurts the livelihoods of its riders. Ashish Kundra, principal secretary and commissioner for transport in the Delhi government, said the companies should not chase profits and instead focus on passenger safety. We will issue an advisory to companies asking them to respect the court order. If they fail to do that, we will start impounding vehicles, Kundra said. They have gone beyond the regulatory framework and are clearly on the wrong side of the law, he added. Neither Uber nor Softbank-backed Ola, the biggest providers of bike taxis in the capital, responded to a request for comment. The two companies were still offering bike taxi services on their app on Tuesday. Uber says that in 2022, more than 1.9 million trips took place to and from metro rail stations in Delhi, a key market for ride-hailing firms, on bike taxi service Uber Moto. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on June 13 was all praises for the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, calling him an "international treasure." Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Garcetti said, "Ajit Doval, a village boy from Uttarakhand, who now has become not only a national treasure but an international treasure. He had the same vision to come together and say what can we do to change the course of this century." The US envoy also expressed admiration for the strong foundation between the United States and India. "When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians," Garcetti said at the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) meet in Delhi. Further, lauding India's advancements in digital payments and financial technology, the US Ambassador said, "When I look at digital payments and financial technology that India has, we have rocked the world. A 'tea wala' in a village makes sure that she gets direct payment from the government on her phone, 100 per cent of each one of those rupees." He said he recently had dinner with a group of multi-faith leaders in India, one of them said "We hear all these talks about 4G, 5G and 6G, but here in India we have something more powerful than that-'Guruji'. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor of the US Jake Sullivan, who is on a two-day India visit on June 13 met Doval and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. They also unveiled an ambitious roadmap for Indo-US collaboration in seven specific high-technology areas, including semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence and defence. In a major move, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May last year to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. The iCET is expected to forge closer linkages between the government, academia and industry of the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space and semiconductors. Earlier, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met each other in New Delhi and discussed Indo-Pacific, and cooperation in specific niche technologies in maritime, military and aerospace domains. According to government officials, the two leaders also spoke on the greater transfer of technology, co-production and building indigenous capacities in line with India's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. (With agency inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his journey to the US, his first historic state visit. His visit comes following an invitation from US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. PM Modi's visit is highly anticipated, being accorded the honour of a 21-gun salute welcome, as per an ANI report. Modi is expected to land at the Andrews Air Force Base in his Air India One on June 21, where he will be welcomed by several Indian Americans, the report said. He will be accommodated at the Willard Intercontinental near the White House - during his stay. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his visit to the US will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of the Indo-US partnership and asserted that together the two countries stand stronger in meeting shared global challenges. In his departure statement ahead of his visit to the US and Egypt, Modi said he is travelling to the US on a State Visit at the invitation of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and this "special invitation" is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies. The prime minister is expected to head to Freedom Plaza upon arrival. Around 600 Indian Americans are set to greet him with a cultural performance showcasing diverse tapestry from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Adapa Prasad, President of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA (OFBJP-USA) told ANI. Modi is also set to attend an event at the UN Headquarters in New York to mark International Yoga Day, as per the report. Further, the visit will include a state dinner on June 22, as per a White House press statement. As part of his itinerary, Modi is scheduled to address a gathering of 7,000 Indian Americans on the South Lawns of the White House on the same day; and address the chairpersons and CEOs of leading US companies at the John F. Kennedy Centre in Washington, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. The Prime Minister has also accepted invitations from both the House of Representatives and the Senate to address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22. Expressing his gratitude for the invitation, PM Modi took to Twitter, stating, "I am honoured to accept and look forward to addressing a Joint Meeting of the Congress once again. We are proud of our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US, built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity." Also Read | 'Joe Biden believes there is no better partner than India in this challenging 21st century': Senior administration official The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the US and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together. The visit will strengthen our two countries shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space, Jean-Pierre said. Biden and Modi are expected to plan ways to expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties; and lay out strategies to confront challenges ranging from climate change, to workforce development and health security. This US visit holds great significance for both nations, as it aims to strengthen their partnership across various domains and reinforce their shared commitment to regional and global stability. Describing technology as the force multiplier for the Indo-US partnership, India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said tech is the "master key" to unlocking the real potential of the relationship. Sandhu's comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US next week. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official State Visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. "If you ask me, what I would bet on the most, what is that one force multiplier for this relationship, and for global wellbeing indeed, it is tech. It is that master key to unlock the real potential in the relationship," Sandhu said on Monday. "There is a lot of synergy and complementarity between us in the tech space. Tech, to me, is powered by trust. It is as much strategic as (it is) commercial," he added. Sandhu was addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council. "It was just four-and-a-half months ago that we had launched the iCET Industry Roundtable at this very location in the presence of both the NSAs (National Security Advisor) and (Commerce) Secretary (Gina) Raimondo. "And we have (US) NSA (Jake) Sullivan in Delhi today, including for the follow-up to the first round of iCET discussions," he said. Biden and Modi announced the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. The two sides are finalising the joint statement, which is being described as a robust outcome document and as something that would shape the nature and contour of the Indo-US relationship for decades, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Sandhu further said, "Under each iCET vertical, our teams have been in regular touch. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Delhi last week when India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra was in (Washington) DC. "We launched the inaugural India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue, another game-changer dialogue, to discuss export controls. Delhi-DC depth has never been better." Referring to Modi's visit, the Indian envoy said there is great excitement on both sides. "My prime minister is only the third Indian leader in our independent history to be accorded the honour of a State Visit by the US President. He also becomes the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice," he said. According to the White House Historical Association, this will be the 11th State Dinner that a US President is hosting for an Indian leader. However, in the last 75 years, only two other Indian leaders have been given the honour of an official State Visit. The previous two State Visits included the one for President S Radhakrishnan in June 1963 and then for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009. When Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 23, it will make him only the third world leader, outside of Israel, to make such an address twice. The other two are Winston Churchill in 1941, 1943 and 1952 and Nelson Mandela in 1990 and 1994. Modi earlier addressed the US Congress in 2016. Sandu said, "While I will not spill the beans, I can tell you with confidence that the ceremonial and substantive parts of the visit will fully complement each other and will be unparalleled. "This is not just because the governments have been working hard, this is because all of you have been working hard." Asserting that the speed and the scale in the transformation of the relationship between the two countries have been phenomenal, Sandhu said India today has a mobile subscriber base of over 1.2 billion and 825 million Internet users. This means, in the last seven years, India has added one mobile subscriber and three Internet users every second. The cost of data has been cut by 98 per cent -- one of the lowest globally. It is about inclusion, innovation and empowerment, the Indian envoy said. "While we are keen to attract US companies to invest in India and step-up R&D (research and development), given our own strengths and talents, we are delighted that Indian companies are investing and creating new jobs in the US. "Our companies are actively involved in skilling initiatives here and are contributing to local neighbourhoods, just as US companies are doing in India," Sandhu added. The Wrestling Federation of India's much awaited elections will take place on July 6, the returning officer announced in a notification issued on Tuesday. The announcement comes a day after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed retired high court judge Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer to set the poll process in motion. It was also notified that the results of the elections will also be announced on same day. The last date for receiving two nominations from each state and union territory for constituting the electoral college has been fixed as June 19 and the scrutiny will be completed by June 22. Each state unit can send two representatives and each representative shall have one vote. So, the electoral college for the WFI elections will consist of 50 votes. But it is learnt that a few state bodies, dissolved by the WFI in the past, have also staked their claim to participate in the elections. The returning office after going through the credentials of the representatives of the factions will decide who can vote and who cannot. The submission of nominations for elections will commence on June 23 and conclude on June 25, which will be followed by preparation and display of the nominations, while the scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on June 28. The candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations between June 28 and July 1, following which the final list of contesting candidates will be put up on July 2. In his notification issued on Tuesday, the returning office wrote, "Whereas, the last date of receiving two nominations from each State/UT for constituting the electoral college has been fixed as 5.00 p.m of 19th June,2023, all the recognised Wrestling Federations of the states/UTs under the ratified constitution of the W.F.I and the guidelines of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Govt. of India are hereby called upon to nominate two (2) persons each of the respective associations who are the members of executive body of such State/UT Units, for the purpose of constituting the electoral college for the ensuing general election to elect members of the Executing Committee. "The nominations must be sent under the signature and seal of the respective Federations by the President and the General Secretary, but not later than 5.00 p.m. of the 19.6.2023." The WFI elections will be held for the post of president, senor vice-president, four vice-president, secretary-general, treasurer, two joint secretaries, and five executive member. It was widely speculated that the elections would take place on July 4 after the IOA appointed Mittal, the former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice, as the returning officer on Monday. The main task before the retired judge would be to decide which rival faction within the state bodies will participate in the polls, as two different state bodies in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka have reportedly sent names for inclusion in the voters list for the elections. WFI had dissolved Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra at its Executive Committee meeting in June 2022 for various reasons, including "corruption and mismanagement". Another big issue in the elections is whether family member or associates of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be allowed to contest elections. Sports Minister Thakur had assured the wresters that the government will not allow any of the Brij Bhushan's relative to contest the polls. It remains to be seen what happens if the eligible candidates associated with Singh file their nomination for the elections. Singh's son Karan was vice president in the previous WFI setup and is also associated with the UP wrestling association. His son-in-law Vishal Singh is the president of the Bihar Wrestling Association. They are both eligible to contest as state body representatives. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Recently, Beijing West Smart Mobility Zhangjiakou Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd. (referred to as Beijing West Smart Mobility), a Chinese supplier of automobile chassis suspension and braking systems, announced the completion of a Series A funding round that raised 20 billion yuan. The round was led by Zhangjiakou Financial Holdings Group, with significant participation from notable institutions like the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Investment Holdings, Hopu Investment, and more. Established on July 20, 2022, Beijing West Smart Mobility successfully acquired 55.45% stake in BWI Group by September 16 of the same year. The latter is a global leader in the R&D and production of chassis systems. Suspension system from BWI Group; photo credit: BWI Group BWI Group's product line includes key components such as brakes and shock absorbers. The company prides itself on its ability to develop and manufacture world-class auto stabilizer bars, drive control height control systems, air suspension supply modules, OneBox and TwoBox smart integrated braking systems, among other key product components. BWI Group's client base covers over 50 global automotive brands, including internationally recognized car companies such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford Motor, Volvo, and Stellantis. It also includes Chinese domestic brands like Geely, Changan, Great Wall Motor, Chery, and new Chinese car manufacturers like NIO, XPeng, and Leapmotor. Additionally, BWI Group has deployed nine production plants, seven technological R&D centers, and three testing grounds worldwide. It employs nearly 5,000 people, with R&D personnel accounting for over 20% of the workforce. On a day India was hosting a G20 meeting on creating digital public infrastructure, the revelation of a major data breach sparked off hours of furious speculation. A channel on the messaging service Telegram allegedly offered access to a database of Indians who had taken the COVID-19 vaccines, along with details of their phone numbers, date of birth, Aadhaar and passport details. Government issued a statement that the data was safe, the reports were mischievous and no such breach had taken place. The Union Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar offered a more nuanced take on Twitter. The data being accessed by bot from a threat actor database seems to have been populated with previously stolen data in the past. He went on to clarify that CERT-In had pointed out that the breached or stolen data came from databases other than Cowin. What surprised security researchers was the accuracy of the data that the Telegram Bot was delivering. As soon as they entered a known mobile number, it threw up vaccination details associated with it. Their names, date of birth, Aadhaar or Passport details and place of vaccination. If other members of a family were mapped to the same mobile number for vaccination, those would show up as well. When five data points name, phone number, identity number, date of birth and place of vaccination began to match, many security researchers were convinced that the breached database was genuine. So where was this data stolen or accessed from? Identify Perpetrators, Fix Accountability Earlier major data breaches in India have led to similar debates. When ransomware locked out the sensitive database of patients from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), there was denial, followed by days of suspended operations. When the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant was breached, government issued a denial, only to reverse it within hours, claiming that while some IT functions had been disrupted, the operational technology systems that run the plant were safe. Before the Kudankulam nuclear plant breach, a hack into a service provider that manned ATMs for several banks led to an admission in Parliament that 2.9 million debit and credit cards had to be recalled since they were compromised or infected. While there are indicators behind the data breaches or ransomware attacks, Indian agencies have consistently failed to find the perpetrators behind them. This reveals a worrying gap in Indias ability to prevent attacks and secure its cyberspace. The denial allows the real perpetrators to get away. It also removes any accountability of those tasked with protecting Indias cyberspace. Worse, it exposes ordinary citizens and makes them vulnerable to further attacks and data breaches. Unlike physical thefts, where stolen goods can be recovered and returned to its rightful owner, stolen data cant be returned. Once a database is breached, the data is compromised forever. Unless the data is changed, these details remain at the disposal of hackers to target hapless victims. But it is impossible to change some data, like the date of birth, or an allotted Aadhaar number. Data, once lost, is never recovered. What Needs To Be Done One of the foundational principles in risk management is Courtneys Third law, which states that there are no technical solutions to management problems but there are management solutions to technical problems. In Indias case, the problems are both technical and managerial. There are two dedicated organisations for Cyber Security (CERT-In and NCIIPC), but their budget allocations are nowhere near what is required to safeguard the various systems that they are supposed to protect. The lack of resources thus creates both a management and technical problem, as they can neither build capacity nor have a seat at the table, during system design of various digital governance initiatives, to advise and inform on cyber risk. While passing a privacy bill would be a great signal that the government cares about citizen data, law is no substitute for money. Perhaps the time has come for mandating allocation of at least one percent of any e-governance project towards cyber security, in the upcoming Digital India Bill, apart from giving a dedicated budget upwards of Rs 1,000 crore to both CERT-In (Indian Computer Energy Response Team) and NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre) separately. The AIIMS ransomware attack revealed what was known for years that health is a critical sector as well. Soon after the attack, this sector was added to NCIIPCs list of critical information infrastructure sectors. However, since the notification is pending, CERT-In was the first responder. It is a globally recognised fact that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organisation will be able to stop future attacks. India has one of the most talented groups of information security professionals in the world. However, they have never been tapped in a meaningful manner, be it for research or for operational deployments. Amid agencies and individuals working in silos with low budgets, India is just one attack away from catastrophic failure. Saikat Datta and Anand V are co-founders of DeepStrat, a think tank and a firm that specialises in risk management. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of the publication. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans vision is to convert the state into a hub for higher education. Aligning with this, the Communist Party of Indian (Marxist) had, in its 2021 election manifesto, put forth a 40-point plan for the enhancement of the higher education sector. However, instead of witnessing progress, the states higher education sector has been overshadowed by a series of controversies over the past two years. Accusations of favouritism and nepotism have emerged regarding the selection of vice chancellors and associate professors in state universities. In a big embarrassment for the ruling party, Maharajas College, a government autonomous institution, has been accused of passing the state leader of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the CPI(M), who had not turned up for semester exams. Another incident involved a former SFI leader who was caught allegedly fabricating an experience certificate to secure a teaching position, after previous successful attempts at such deception. Not Education This The state governments responses to controversies raise concerns. Earlier, the Chief Minister and other ministers had escalated a dispute with the state governor over the appointment of vice chancellors and associate professors, in whose selection the cabinet had no role to play. In the present case, the police were quick to file a first information report (FIR) against the principal for conspiracy and forgery in the Maharajas College incident, amidst the colleges admission that the wrong result was caused by a technical error. When merit goes out the window, an atmosphere of high-handedness takes hold. Even if erroneous, a result sheet published by a government autonomous college cannot be a forged document. While the police lodged an FIR against a journalist for reporting the news live, their attempts to nab the former student leader whose experience certificate was actually forged have reached nowhere. If that was not enough, the CPI(M) state secretary stood exposed when he issued a warning of legal action if the media engaged in reporting that is perceived as anti-CPI(M) or anti-SFI. Politicisation of Keralas higher education sector has had detrimental effects, impacting everything from admission and evaluation of students to appointments at the top rungs. Aside from harming the reputation of the state as a centre of excellence, these unethical practices have also jeopardised the prospects of native students. Saving Academia From Politicians A degree certificate from even the most reputed university in Kerala is rapidly devaluing outside the state. The state is aware of the fact that those seeking quality education are already opting to leave, further exacerbating the situation. For political parties, institutions of higher education are breeding grounds for political continuity rather than centres of academic excellence. They seek to maintain their political influence by relying on those designing courses, teachers, and student leaders as conduits. Consequently, faculty and students they favour will get unfair advantages, their merit notwithstanding. The irony is, to realise Vijayans stated vision, universities must be freed from the clutches of politicisation. Vice chancellor and faculty appointments should follow University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. The constitution of academic councils, boards of studies, syndicates, and senates should be devoid of political considerations. Granting autonomy to colleges should come with stricter conditions to ensure accountability and integrity. A systemic process should be established, for the realignment of seat allocation for courses and research. Transparency can be ensured only if information is readily accessible to the public. To prevent closed-door deals in appointments, universities should publish the results of qualifying rounds, rather than requiring other candidates to resort to the Right to Information (RTI) route. Participation of academicians and experts in core university programmes is essential to empower students to become guardians of their own future. Flight Of Talent Rather than becoming a hub for higher education, the state has unfortunately transpired into a hub for flights to quality education abroad. Further politicisation will only intensify the outflow, leaving behind a residue of mediocrity to precipitate. That, by no means, is the true purpose of education. A resolute government must first order a thorough investigation into all allegations regarding appointments and results, which might end up as a distant dream as no government would be magnanimous enough to do that, and even if they do, the protests from professional unions would undermine that effort. If the state does not show intent to fulfil its vision, theres no reason why higher education should remain under its control. Privatisation is far better than meritless people further clogging up a system that is already entrenched in favouritism and nepotism. Sreejith Panickar is a Kerala-based political commentator. Twitter: @PanickarS. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Mumbais slum redevelopment caught my attention recently for three reasons. The Rs 4,000 crore Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project in South Mumbai chose to celebrate the unique historicity of the locality that evolved as trade and commerce in Mumbai grew over a hundred years ago. The 16.5-acre plot in South Mumbai could well have housed the residents in a couple of towers and left the rest of the land for monetisation. But the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) chose to evolve it as a social development project for the 3,200 families and the 1,250 shops there. The project was even certified Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Gold standard. The second news was that the Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) had purchased a plot in Dahisar for Rs 349 crore while it had already been assigned a value of just Rs 54 crore by the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) because of its encroachments. The fair value of plots under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2015 (LAAR) was clearly just about seven times the SRA value it had when encroached. Slum dwellers were considered encroachers of land that was to be used for other facilities. Once the facilities were provided by the authorities, the land's intrinsic value jumped. But the original encroachers are often tucked away in tiny apartments in tall multi-storey apartments to lead lives in one-room-kitchen units of a maximum of 300 sq ft, mandated by the government. True, the move from 60 sq ft tenements to the 300 sq ft apartments is considered an upgrade. But the quality of life takes a beating till all social services are provided. Better Valuation However, the social upliftment and access to public space that formed part of the vision of the Bohra community leader, Syedna Mohammed Burhauddin, translated into wide roads, open podiums with fountains and play areas for the rehabilitated residents and well thought out architecture. The value of the space grew manifold. The original settlers included bachelors or single workers who lived in dorms while working in a newly evolving city, to the businessmen who set up business here in the late 18th century. As business grew, they paid pagri (lump-sum advances) to landlords, who ceased to take interest in the properties after the Bombay Rent Control Act came in 1946. But a rich cultural and social bonding had evolved within the community and translated into small imperceptible architectural features brought in by the Dawoodi Bohra, Memoni, Gujarati, Parsi and Kutchi families that came here and made it their home. These became the basis of the new architecture of the redeveloped community. Umesh Jandial of Omkar Developers relied on robust redevelopment as a route to growth. He told me that the South Mumbai slum-dwellers, who were rehabilitated in the Mahalaxmi area had one-room-kitchen apartments which were now worth over Rs 70-80 lakh and those with sea views were worth over Rs 1 crore each. The people who were considered a nuisance to society had turned into tax-payers. A land that was often considered a den of vice had turned into a money spinner for the exchequer. Monetising Land In land-starved Mumbai, the obvious reason for redevelopment is to free land from low-intensity use by squatters from long ago. In the process, the area gets new service networks, and in some cases, just simply connecting roads that were interrupted by slum settlements. However, what makes some projects succeed, while others remain also-rans? In most cluster redevelopment projects, Sadhav Mishra, Partner, SNG & Partners, Advocates & Solicitors, notices delays in providing infrastructure such as internal roads. Developers focus on quickly constructing buildings where they earn revenue as compared to providing infrastructure and amenities for better habitation. Then disputes, reneging by slum dwellers post-signing Letters of Intent (LoI) stalls projects. In many cases, city authorities take time to give clearances and slum developers hive off the slum portion to another developer while they concentrate on the free sale component. A dispute between the two developers generally leads to stalling of the slum projects. In the Bhendi Bazaar project, the conversation began in 2008-09 and by 2010 the LoIs were signed with 70 percent of landlords. To house the residents, the trust bought MHADA houses on a two-acre plot about 2 km away and upgraded the units to house at least 1,000 residential tenants. Once they saw the quality of housing in the temporary settlements, says Murtaza Sadriwala, there was no question of reneging on the LoIs. Also, since it was an upliftment project, they were all on the same side. The settlers who stayed in one-room-kitchen units of 250 sq ft were now getting 350 sq ft carpet area with two western toilets and an attached shower. Even commercial tenants were being given ownership rights as per their properties. Designed to attract customers, they resolved fears of loss of footfalls through dialogue. Now 610 families and 128 business owners have already moved in. Using mivan technology, a slab could be cast every 10 days. Green podiums with native trees made sure that lifestyles were upgraded. The buildings were planned using the best architects who focussed on orientation for the best flow of light and air. Better Quality Of Life Development Control and Promotion Regulations-2034 (erstwhile Development Control Regulations, 1991) require the provision of social facilities such as anganwadi, health centres, community halls, fitness and skill development centres, etc. Execution of these and basic infrastructure work to upgrade the lives of the resettled dwellers is required. Jandial has a selfish motive within the altruistic completion of internal roads, quality housing and robust retail eco-systems that are created. If the developer has a track record of good rehabilitation, the next lot of slum dwellers would prefer them. In a land-starved city, this goodwill hunting is just plain good business sense. And for the ones seeking resettlement, it is good that they would not have to battle reluctant developers to get good living conditions. The biggest winner is the city and its authorities who convert non-paying informal settlements to robust paying enclaves. E Jayashree Kurup is a writer-researcher in real estate and Director Real Estate & Cities, Wordmeister Editorial Services. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. CEOs frustrated that workers arent coming into the office more often are trying a new tactic: tying in-person attendance directly to higher pay. At least one big law firm has explicitly linked office presence to employee bonuses. At other companies, the connection is more tacit. Google recently said it would use face time as a factor in performance reviews; executives didnt have to spell out that these ratings influence compensation. Nor did IBM Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna need to explain what he meant when he said your career does suffer if you work remotely; if its harder to get a promotion, its naturally going to be harder to get a raise. Leaders who want to experiment with this approach should proceed carefully. A compensation disparity hits differently when framed as a penalty for remote workers than as a bonus for commuters. And a clear policy is likely to work better than vague insinuations. Some bonus for regular in-person attendance actually seems reasonable. Commuting is time-consuming, and something most people find unpleasant. Its expensive, and not only because of the price of parking or train tickets if you cant be home in time to pick up your kid from day care, youll have to hire someone to do it. If you dont have time to cook, youll have to get takeout. The costs add up. And a study last year by Jose Maria Barrero, an economist, and several collaborators suggested that remote work lessened wage-growth pressures because workers value it so highly. As my colleague Jonathan Levin wrote at the time, remote work has an amenity value, much like a company car or an office gym. Clawing back that amenity could be expensive: A survey of London workers conducted by Bloomberg Intelligence earlier this year found that employers would need to give hefty raises to lure people back to offices five days a week. But the recent crop of CEO comments tying pay to office presence arent framing remote work as an amenity. Theyre calling it a performance problem for which remote workers should be financially penalised. And that suddenly makes it less palatable. Some of this is basic loss aversion, the psychological principle that bad is stronger than good. If you find $20, youll be mildly pleased. But if you lose $20, youll be seriously annoyed. But theres more going on here. There are questions of fairness. Several studies have shown remote workers are more productive. Shouldnt workers be paid for their output? Not to mention that polls have consistently shown a preference for remote work among groups at greater risk of discrimination, such as women, older workers, people of color and the disabled. Yet paying for face time, rather than output, is a practice companies have long used. Its part of the reason that men earn more than women do on average, men tend to report spending longer hours working. Women especially mothers generally report less, because they do more unpaid labor at home. To be clear, people who log more hours dont necessarily get more done. But many managers have overlooked that detail. A pre-pandemic study of consultants showed that people who pretended to work long hours were rated highly by their bosses, regardless of their output. Employees who were honest about working only full time were penalised even though they churned out just as much work. This is why, for years, workers have used tricks to give the appearance of putting in more time than they are leaving a jacket on the back of their desk chair, for example, or scheduling emails to send at odd hours. (Dont pretend youve never been tempted.) Many attempts to cut through the politicking and reward employees for their actual output such as Best Buys long-gone results only work environment have sputtered. This isnt to say that all remote workers are more productive or that theres no reason beyond company politics to show up in person. As pro-office executives are often quick to argue, even if remote employees write more lines of code or create more PowerPoints, thats not the only way to create value. Mentoring, collaborating, contributing to a positive company culture these create value, too. And most are more readily done in person than remotely. But Barrero points out that although remote and in-person workers might be contributing in different ways, it would be hard to say which type of worker contributes more value overall. Moreover, he warns, in-office workers arent necessarily working all the time theyre present, even if thats what managers assume: Recent data has found that, during working hours, in-office workers were more likely than remote workers to play computer games. The key is to think about why you want the employees to be in the office, Barrero told me. An extra day in the office where they would be doing the exact same thing at home just seems like capriciousness. Indeed. But whoever said companies were entirely rational? If companies want to financially reward employees who take the trouble to come into the office more frequently, they should be explicit about it: Come in X many times, get Y amount of extra money. Then workers can decide if juice is worth the squeeze. And executives will have to be honest about the bottom-line value of an occupied seat. Sarah Green Carmichael is a Bloomberg Opinion editor. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg A week after the Ukrainian counteroffensive began in earnest, the Russian defenses are largely holding, and its clear that the Ukrainian military cannot count on another rapid, sweeping success akin to last falls Kharkiv region offensive, which saw up to 12,000 square kilometers of territory liberated. This doesnt mean the counteroffensive is failing or even faltering: Ukrainians have made clear tactical gains on at least one of the attack axes, and they may be helped in the future by the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric plants dam as the Dnipro becomes shallower and easier to cross upstream from the flood zone. The lack of unity among Russian commanders is another potential success factor. But now is still a good time to recall the assertion of some military theorists that modern technology has shifted the offense-defense balance in favor of defense. This school of thought provides a ready explanation for Ukraines surprising success at repelling the Russian invasion, but also suggests that the much-ridiculed Russian troops may have a natural advantage as they face the current Ukrainian onslaught. As Seth Jones, Alexander Palmer and Joseph Bermudez point out in a recent brief for the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, technological developments that increased mobility historically favored the attacker, and those that boosted firepower helped the defender. If the introduction of the stirrup in the 8th century didnt quite bring about feudalism in Europe, as US historian Lynn Townsend White suggested in the 1960s, it did enable crushing cavalry charges that subsequently won many a battle. The tank enabled the most spectacular offensives of World War II. By contrast, the machine gun, the anti-aircraft gun and infantry anti-tank weapons all made it easier to repel attacks. Most recently, defensive technology has arguably made the greater advances. US military theorist Amos Fox has argued convincingly that maneuver is dead as a military strategy because modern war is increasingly fought in cities and the modern battlefield is saturated with surveillance technology that reduces mobility and the element of surprise. With drones hovering everywhere, its hard to move in open terrain without quickly attracting artillery fire. These factors have contributed to Ukraines successful defensive campaign. So did the abundance of infantry antitank devices such as the US-made Javelin and the UK-produced NLAW, as well as the use of long-range artillery (especially US-made HIMARS with guided missiles) and relatively strong air defenses. Some of these components of success have been relatively cheap: A tank, even a Soviet-made one, costs much more than a Javelin or an entire swarm of commercially available drones. The relative Russian helplessness in the face of modern defensive technology robbed the invading army of its expected freedom of maneuver, made it appear ponderous where speed was of the essence, and thus enabled the Kharkiv breakthrough. Confused and demoralised by the formidable resistance it met, the Russian military had failed to pay proper attention to its own defenses. Frank Hoffman of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University has called on the US and NATO to adapt their strategies to these changing technological conditions: "The massive employment of guided weapons, including rocket and missile artillery, in Ukraine is instructive. The combination of pervasive surveillance and deeper strike systems afford a defensive but operationally relevant advantage that NATO should base its defensive strategy around." As a direct consequence of the Ukrainian success at defense, however, Russia itself has been put on the defensive as it tries to hold on to captured territory. Now, the advantages afforded by surveillance technology and long-range artillery play into its hands. Russian troops in the field often have been as inventive as their Ukrainian adversaries in putting to use makeshift drone technology, and the Russian artillery is at least no weaker than the opposing sides. General Sergei Surovikin, who, in his brief time as the Russian military operations supreme commander, surrendered the city of Kherson because he correctly assessed it as indefensible, proceeded to spend months planning and constructing several lines of defense, sometimes scaring Russian soldiers by how far into the rear the fortifications were being erected. A defending Russian army also brings to bear air defenses that have adapted to Ukraines use of Western-made guided missiles and a formidable electronic warfare capability. According to a recent report from the UK Royal United Services Institute, "Russian electronic warfare (EW) remains potent, with an approximate distribution of at least one major system covering each 10 km of front. These systems are heavily weighted towards the defeat of UAVs and tend not to try and deconflict their effects. Ukrainian UAV losses remain at approximately 10,000 per month. Russian EW is also apparently achieving real time interception and decryption of Ukrainian Motorola 256-bit encrypted tactical communications systems, which are widely employed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine." In a way, both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries are more in their element when defending rather than attacking. The first week of the long-delayed Ukrainian assault has shown that the Ukrainian military failed to exploit an element of surprise anywhere it tried to apply pressure. Along the 1,000-kilometer front line, they were expected, and while Russian soldiers were apprehensive about the new Western tanks and other armored vehicles newly supplied to Ukraine, the first losses of German-made Leopards and US-made Bradleys have shown these are hardly indestructible. Demoralised or not, the regular Russian military didnt run at the sight of the advancing Ukrainians, who had trouble breaking though even the first defensive line. The one significant exception so far is the erstwhile Vremivka Salient that jutted out into Ukrainian-held territory in the southwest of the Donetsk region. According to official Ukrainians reports backed up by Russian Telegram feeds, it has been all but erased as Ukrainians retook several villages, pushing the invaders to their second line of defense. Ukrainian forces also have advanced slightly in the vicinity of the town of Bakhmut, only recently claimed by the Russian forces. The Ukrainian militarys only hope of acquiring an element of surprise lies in the rapid terrain changes following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. The Russian defensive plans do not appear to have incorporated such a scenario. The Russians job is to insure themselves against any such surprises and to plug any emerging holes in their defenses by bringing in reserves. The Russian command appears to be relatively comfortable with this mode of operation otherwise Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu wouldnt have made a major move against the many irregular and semi-regular units that have fought alongside the Russian military since the invasion began. He has ordered all members of these units to sign contracts with the ministry, decreeing the kind of transformation that Ukraine itself has undergone since the first battles against Russia in 2014: Its volunteer battalions have been fully integrated into the regular military. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary army, responded defiantly, saying his troops would not sign any contracts with Shoigu. But then Wagner, exhausted and decimated by a 220-day battle for Bakhmut, doesnt have a role in the defensive campaign, at least not yet. That gives Shoigu, who has long sought a way to neutralise Prigozhin, confidence to try to sideline him in a mini-counteroffensive of his own. But to be able to consolidate control, the minister needs to thwart the Ukrainian onslaught while relying almost exclusively on regular and obedient forces. In a way, though, these Byzantine intrigues within the Russian command represent Ukraines best hope: When the enemy force is not united by a common purpose, it cannot be uniformly strong no matter how it tries. In their brief, Jones, Palmer and Bermudez hold up the example of Heinz Guderians XIX Panzer Corps, which broke through at a single point of Frances supposedly formidable Maginot Line in May 1940, and thus rendered the entire line useless. The Ukrainians appear to be looking for a weak spot to exploit in a similar way a fortification badly built by a corrupt contractor, a poorly trained or poorly led Russian unit, a breach of discipline caused by commanders bickering to prove that maneuver isnt, in fact, dead. Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg The Congress on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Centre over the alleged data breach on CoWIN platform and accused it of not being able to protect the personal details of crores of people. Asserting that the CoWIN portal was completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy, the government has dismissed as "mischievous" the claims of data breach on the platform and said the matter has been reviewed by the country's nodal cyber security agency CERT-In. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said neither does the Narendra Modi government care about the right to privacy of citizens nor about national security. "Overall, the situation is clear. The Modi government neither cares about the fundamental right to privacy of 140 crore people nor about national security. Data privacy law has not been made and no national security policy has been implemented on cyber attacks," he said in a tweet in Hindi. "No matter how much an irresponsible Modi government covers up the CoWIN data leak, three things are clear - The public's personal data is not secure. All Indians know how in 2017 the Modi government strongly opposed the Supreme Court declaring Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. "Cyber attacks and Data leaks have continuously increased in the country...whether it is the 'world's biggest' AADHAAR data breach of 2018 or the November 2022 cyber attack on AIIMS," the Congress chief said. Significantly, he said, the Modi government had told the Supreme Court in September 2018 that Aadhaar data is protected in 13 feet high and five feet thick walls. Kharge claimed that cyber attacks have increased many folds during the tenure of the Modi government, which is "beating the drum of Digital India". Citing figures given by the government in a written answer in the Rajya Sabha in February this year, he said, in 2018, here have been 2.08 lakh cyber attacks, in 2019 - 3.94 lakh, in 2020 - 11.58 lakh, in 2021 - 14.02 lakh and in 2022 -13.91 lakh cyber attacks. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the government is not able to handle its own data, but is trying to muzzle other organisations like during the farmers' protest. "It is quite clear that CoWIN data was breached, whether previously or now. The reality is that you cannot keep the data of Indians safe," she told reporters. "What is being done to secure the data of Indians?" As far as data breach is concerned, she said the government will have to tell the truth. "How has the data been breached and to what extent? How was the government silent, as according to them a previous data was breached. It is quite clear that CoWIN data did breach, whether now or previously. Who is using this data? The government must tell the truth," she said at a press conference. The Congress on Monday demanded a high-level judicial probe into the entire data management apparatus of the government to identify the extent of the danger posed to the privacy of all Indians following claims of the data breach on the CoWIN platform. Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh asked the government what immediate steps it is taking to secure the personal data of crores of Indians. Senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said no discussions have taken place at the state level regarding poll understanding with the JD(S) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and maintained that it is difficult to predict the future in politics. The former Karnataka Chief Minister said his party is keeping watch on the discussions in the media about uniting other parties against the ruling Congress in Karnataka. No discussions have happened at the state level, lets see in the days to come, it is difficult to predict the future in politics, Bommai told reporters here in response to a question on an understanding with JD(S). To a question about uniting other parties to tie up Congress, he said, such talks are taking place strongly in the press, and discussions are taking place in all channels in this regard, we are keeping a watch. Following the Assembly poll results, there were reports in a section of the media that JD(S) would enter into an alliance with the BJP to fight the Lok Sabha polls. It was also said that JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy during his recent visit to New Delhi had met some senior BJP leaders. Interestingly, Kumaraswamy on Monday said a decision on an electoral understanding for the Lok Sabha polls will be taken when the situation arises, and there is no proposal before him as of now to contest the Parliamentary elections. Kumaraswamy was responding to a question regarding speculation of a possible alliance between the BJP and JD(S) for the Lok Sabha polls and about him contesting that election. The BJP swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka by winning 25 of the total 28 seats in the State, while an independent backed by it won in one seat. The Congress and JD(S) secured one seat each. The Union government has asked Chinese mobile phone manufacturers to induct Indian equity partners in their local operations, according to three executives who attended meetings at which the matter was conveyed, as per a report by the Economic Times. Indian executives should be appointed as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, chief financial officers, and chief technical officers, according to the three sources. Additionally, the government has directed them to appoint Indian contract manufacturers, expand local manufacturing down to the component level through joint ventures with Indian businesses, and hire local distributors. There are Chinese distributors for some of the companies, the report added. According to the executives, Chinese companies have also been directed not to evade taxes in India and to comply with the law. In recent meetings held by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), top government officials discussed these issues with Chinese companies including Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, and Vivo. Manufacturers' lobby group ICEA represents manufacturers. Moneycontrol could not independently verify this news development. The ministry didn't respond to queries. Under Scanner for Tax Evasion The MeitY meetings came at a time when several Chinese smartphone manufacturers were under investigation for tax evasion and alleged illegal remittances worth thousands of crores. In addition to lobbying with the government, offline retailers have also sought to ensure that predatory online discounting does not occur. In addition to manufacturing operations, the government is seeking Indian equity partners for sales and marketing. There are currently wholly owned operations of Chinese smartphone companies in India. Local Talent and Ecosystem Realme's global business president, Madhav Seth, said the government wants companies to take advantage of the local talent and ecosystem. "Such changes will enable higher value addition in the country and make businesses self-reliant," as quoted in the report. He declined to share further details or confirm the meeting. Pankaj Mohindroo, chairman of ICEA, said the government wants to develop Indian skills and companies, and enlist local companies where possible. "For instance, it wants Indian distribution in place of foreign distributors," said Mohindroo. "The minister (of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar) is personally leading these and players in the industry are taking affirmative steps," as quoted by ET. According to one of the executives cited, the government does not want the Chinese to have complete end-to-end control. "The Chinese companies should start sending India-made devices (for export), so that they become net foreign exchange positive." He said the government also wants these companies to have a proper offline retail presence in place of their online-only strategy, the report added. Oppo and Vivo didn't respond to queries. Xiaomi India has grown its business by investing in local talent, developing a core of Indian managers and leaders, partners, and distributors. According to him, all local senior roles are held by Indians, and the company was one of the first to adopt the 'Make in India' initiative, locally producing an entire line of smartphones and televisions, including components, the report added. An industry executive said the government has asked Chinese firms to employ Indians for replaceable skills since electronics manufacturing creates a lot of jobs and enhances skillsets. Speaking at the London Tech Week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced measures that the government will be taking to regulate AI. Sunak said his government has budgeted 100 million for an expert taskforce with the sole purpose of ensuring AI regulation and safety. Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic have pledged their support by offering early or priority access to upcoming AI models. Sunak said this would help, "build better evaluations and help us better understand the opportunities and risks of these systems". Also Read | Radio jockey sues OpenAI after ChatGPT creates fake complaint accusing him of fraud The UK Prime Minister also stressed the importance of, "global cooperation between nations and labs," and said that the UK was all set to host the first ever summit on global AI safety later this year. Sunak said he wanted to make the UK, "not just the intellectual home but the geographical home, of global AI safety regulation". The UK Government has also pledged 900 million in compute technology and, "2.5 billion in quantum". Also Read | Was Adam Smiths invisible hand a precursor to Artificial Intelligence? "Were harnessing AI to transform our public services from saving teachers hundreds of hours of time spent lesson planning to helping NHS patients get quicker diagnoses and more accurate tests," said Sunak. He believed that AI will help them achieve the holy grail of public service reform, "better, efficient services". USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Awakening in the midst of her own wake, a 76-year-old Ecuadorian woman, Bella Montoya, shocked mourners and medical professionals alike as she began banging on the inside of her coffin. The astonishing incident took place during a vigil held in the city of Babahoyo on Friday, leaving those in attendance in a state of disbelief. Video footage captured the extraordinary moment when medics rushed to tend to Montoya, who was still alive despite being declared dead. Montoya's son, Gilbert Balberan, recounted the bewildering turn of events to local media. He stated, "Her left hand was hitting the side of the coffin, and it was shaking." Balberan revealed that the wake had been arranged merely four hours after his mother had been pronounced dead, and a medical examiner had even provided him with a death certificate. The cause of death cited on the certificate was cardiorespiratory arrest. According to Balberan, the cardiorespiratory arrest led to Montoya experiencing catalepsy, a condition characterized by body rigidity, reduced sensitivity to pain, and slower bodily functions like breathing. Consequently, the hospital staff mistakenly believed that she had passed away. Montoya is currently receiving care at the same hospital that had declared her dead, and her son has reported that she is in stable condition. Describing the incident as a "miracle from God," Balberan is still trying to come to terms with what transpired. He shared his hopes for his mother's recovery, stating, "My mother is on oxygen. Her heart is stable... They tell me this is a good sign because it means she is reacting little by little. Now, I only ask that my mother's health improves. I want her alive and by my side." The erroneous issuance of a death certificate has prompted Ecuador's Ministry of Health to assign a technical team to investigate the matter. This unsettling occurrence, however, is not an isolated incident. In a similar episode just last year, relatives of a 3-year-old Mexican girl were astonished to find the glass window of her coffin fogging up during a funeral viewing. Upon checking for a pulse, attendees discovered that the child was still alive, although she later passed away in the hospital. Beijing (Gasgoo)- VOYAH, the premium new energy vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, announced today it has secured a 15-billion-yuan credit line from six banks and formed a strategic partnership with the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone Investment Group. Zhuiguang sedan; photo credit: VOYAH Shen Jun, CFO of VOYAH, stated in an interview that following the Series A financing last year, the company has plans for the next round of financing, Series B, as well as an IPO in the future. Additionally, VOYAH has implemented an employee stock ownership plan to incentivize and retain key employees. In November 2022, VOYAH successfully completed the signing and delivery of its Series A funding agreement, raising nearly 5 billion yuan. Following the financing, VOYAH's market valuation reached approximately 30 billion yuan. Regarding the timeline for reaching the break-even point, Shen Jun emphasized that the market is constantly evolving, and the achievement of the break-even point depends on factors such as the effectiveness of promotional efforts and cost reduction initiatives. VOYAH aims to achieve the break-even point as soon as possible. Kairan Quazi, a 14-year-old boy, became the youngest employee at Elon Musk's SpaceX after he passed a "technically challenging" interview, prior to his graduation from Santa Clara University. Quazi, who is of Bangladeshi-American origin, took to LinkedIn to confirm the news and added that he would be joining "the coolest company on the planet" and would be working in the Starlink engineering team. "I guess this will be my LinkedIn "I'm excited to announce..." post! I am graduating from Santa Clara University's School of Engineering where I learned that "engineering with a mission" is not a gimmicky tagline. Where a culture of rigor, collaboration, accountability, and impact deeply resonated with the needs of a radically accelerated learner. Next stop: SpaceX! I will be joining the coolest company on the planet as a Software Engineer on the Starlink engineering team. One of the rare companies that did not use my age as an arbitrary and outdated proxy for maturity and ability," Quazi wrote. The news of Quazi joining SpaceX was also confirmed by the university on LinkedIn which wrote that the teenager was a highly sought-after tutor on campus. "At just 14, Kairan Quazi will be the youngest graduate in Santa Clara's 172-year history. What's next for him? Heading to Washington state with his mom, Julia, to become SpaceX's youngest software engineer," the university wrote. "During his time at SCU, Kairan actively participated in the Association for Computer Machinery and was a senior senator in the Associated Student Government. The talented 14-year-old also found himself in high demand as a tutor, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after members of the tutoring staff." The child prodigy graduated from Las Positas College when he was nine years old and later, graduated in Mathematics with the highest distinction. He joined Santa Clara University at the age of 11 for a BS degree in Computer Science & Engineering. Post his graduation, Quazi was awarded an internship at Intel Labs as an AI research co-op fellow. He later worked at Blackbird AI, where played a role in designing a detection tool to help discover social media content manipulation. Some of Quazi's other interests include reading books and playing computer games. A group of beautician partners staged a protest at the Gurugram office of Urban Company, raising concerns over the purported permanent blocking of their IDs by the company, according to reports. The protesting workers claimed that their IDs were being blocked, both temporarily and permanently, due to issues such as booking cancellations and a decline in user ratings, Inc42 reported. This issue of blocked IDs is not limited to salon services providers but is being faced by many Urban Company partners across various segments. The protesting beauticians also highlighted another problem they are encountering regarding service bookings. They reportedly explained that even if they have open slots available for appointments, Urban Company's app sometimes fails to display the availability of its partner beauticians, affecting their income. The protesting partners also alleged that the company is promoting new beauticians on the platform, resulting in existing partners struggling to secure repeat bookings. This alleged favouritism toward new entrants has raised concerns about fairness and equal opportunities for long-standing partners. The aggrieved beauticians finally came together to voice their concerns and seek resolution from Urban Company, one of the leading home service providers in India. This recent protest is not the first time Urban Company has faced backlash from its partners. In 2021, salon partners staged demonstrations against the company in response to policy changes. During that time, Urban Company took legal action against four protesters, deeming the protest illegal. The current agitation comes at a challenging time for Urban Company, as the company grapples with mounting losses amid a funding drought. In the financial year 2021-22 (FY22), Urban Company's consolidated net loss more than doubled to INR 514 Cr from INR 249.2 Cr in FY21 due to escalating expenses. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel was on Tuesday admitted to a hospital here after he complained of chest pain. Paudel, 78, was admitted to the Bansbari-based Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre at 11am, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported, citing the president's office. "Nothing serious has happened to the President. He has gone to the hospital for regular tests," Niraj Bam, Paudels personal physician, was quoted as saying by the paper. He is currently receiving treatment in the VIP section of the hospital. In early April, Paudel had been admitted to Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital twice after experiencing abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Paudel was airlifted to India on April 19 for treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. He returned to Nepal after his health improved following his successful treatment for a chest-related ailment at the AIIMS. Doctors involved in Paudel's treatment had advised him to rest for a few more weeks. Paudel of the Nepali Congress was elected as the president of Nepal in March. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Toyota Motor Corp. executives are sounding more confident in their ability to build and sell millions of electric vehicles. Consumers making the transition to fully electric cars from hybrids are giving the worlds largest automaker a good indication of where the market will be in three years, Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima said during a day-long set of technology briefings last week at Toyotas research facility near Mount Fuji. Development and production will be ready when theres demand for 1.5 million units, he said, offering assurance that Toyota will achieve its goal to sell that many battery-electric vehicles by 2026. The comments and hours of presentations contrasted from years of Toyota executives speaking cautiously about how quickly car buyers will be ready to go all-electric. The manufacturers management team also opened up about innovations in the pipeline for next-generation EVs, ranging from longer-range batteries to slicker aerodynamics and more efficient production processes. While Toyota pioneered electrifying vehicles with the hybrid Prius, its now playing catchup to Tesla Inc. and Chinas BYD Co. in selling cars powered entirely by batteries. Toyota is still espousing a multipronged approach to reducing vehicle emissions it remains a believer in the potential of hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels but new Chief Executive Officer Koji Sato has championed an EV-first approach. This was on full display near Fuji, a few hours from Tokyo, where Toyota engineers and product managers showcased their research and product plans. There were test drives of new vehicles and prototypes, including an EV that simulated a manual-transmission car with an clutch, and a Lexus SUV equipped with a hydrogen-burning combustion engine. The manufacturer detailed its battery roadmap including the potential commercialization of solid-state batteries within a few years and showed off more advanced vehicle software, more compact e-axles and more affordable fuel cells. Soon after taking over as CEO in April, Sato laid out plans to introduce 10 new EV models by 2026 and sell 1.5 million battery electric vehicles annually, as an interim step toward reaching 3.5 million by 2030 a goal set by his predecessor Akio Toyoda, whos now chairman. Those are ambitious objectives, considering that Toyota sold around 38,000 battery EVs in the fiscal year that ended in March. To put Toyotas targets in perspective, it took the carmaker two decades from the introduction of the Prius in 1997 until its first year selling 1.5 million electrified vehicles, the vast majority of which were hybrids. By combining a battery, electric motor and smaller combustion engine in an integrated powertrain, the carmaker was able to achieve efficiencies never seen before, giving hybrids significantly greater range and gas mileage that competitors. Celebrities and environmental groups embraced the Prius, burnishing Toyotas green credentials and helping propel it to overtake Volkswagen AG as the worlds largest carmaker. While Prius sales have tapered off, hybrid technology is now spread across Toyotas lineup, including the Lexus brand. Reduced emissions from gas-electric vehicles remain a key element of Toyotas multipathway approach to reducing emissions. Nakajima was less declarative about Toyotas sales goal for the end of the decade, given the differences in readiness for EVs and regulatory requirements across major markets, among other factors. Theres a reasonable basis for the target of 3.5 million units in 2030, but it is also quite far in the future, Nakajima said. It is true that we are still trying to assess whether thats going to happen, for sure. Takero Kato, who leads Toyotas battery EV efforts, said car buyers should expect a quicker tempo of product releases in the coming months and years. Two of the test vehicles at the event were battery-electric models that are close to production: a Hilux pickup truck unveiled in Thailand in December, and a mini EV from Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu Motor Co. that will hit the Japanese market by March. I dont think these numbers are unachievable, Kato said of the EV targets. Toyota plans to roll out at least two new types of batteries within the next few years. One will debut in 2026 with a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), along with improvements in weight reduction and airflow design, while cutting costs by 20% compared with the battery in the bZ4X sport utility vehicle. The other, a lithium iron phosphate battery slated for 2026 or 2027, will aim to reduce costs by 40% compared to whats in the bZ4X while increasing range by 20%. A bit further out, in 2027 or 2028, Toyota aims to start producing vehicles with high-nickel cathodes that will offer even greater range and cost improvements. Toyota also spent time showing some of its new ideas for vehicle manufacturing, aimed at halving development costs and plant investment. Just as Tesla has worked with suppliers on simplifying the body structures that underpin its vehicles, using much fewer pieces of metal, Toyota will embrace what it referred to as a giga casting system. Moving to three-part body architectures will allow for greater interchangeability between front and rear structures and the batteries wedged in between. One of the more radical ideas that the company vaunted for its production system is pursuing is to do away with assembly line conveyors by building EV powertrains on wheels that can drive autonomously from one workstation to the next. Toyotas executive team was convincing, according to Koji Endo, a managing director of SBI Securities Co. who attended last weeks briefings. Many doubted whether they can boost output by 500,000 units a year, Endo said. But after going to the research center, most analysts now think they can. The United States is set to remove obstacles that prevent smoother trade with India in critical areas such as defence and high technology, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday. Washington sees New Delhi as a vital partner in its efforts to push back against China's expanding influence worldwide, even though the two democracies differ on how to deal with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sullivan is in India to make final preparations for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June 22 state visit to Washington, a trip that is being billed as a milestone in relations between the two democracies. "As we look ahead to the state visit Prime Minister Modi will be embarking upon in Washington next week a number of the deliverables at the visit are not just bullet points on a page," Sullivan told a meeting of business and industry in New Delhi. "They are fundamentally designed to remove those obstacles in defence trade, in high-tech trade, in investment in each of our countries, in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of our scientists and researchers." This includes areas such as research and development, 5G and 6G telecommunication technology, semiconductor supply chains, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and biotechnology, and "specifically on removing barriers to strategic trade", he added. The collaboration between the two countries, who were once on opposite sides of the Cold War, follows a partnership launched in January to help the two countries compete against China on military equipment, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Last month, Reuters reported that 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. Sullivan met Modi and held talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet Doval again on Wednesday. He will also meet Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the two-day visit. A statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry said that Sullivan and Doval "encouraged stakeholders on both sides to strive for technology value-chain partnerships that would lead to co-development and co-production of high technology products and services in both countries". During his state visit, Modi has been invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be Modi's second such address, a rare honour for a leader once denied a visa to enter the United States over human rights concerns. Is Return on Equity (ROE) the best metric for making investment decisions? Does return on equity have shortcomings? Can we use the metric without reservations? Theyre the questions I address today. Is Return on Equity (ROE) the best metric for making investment decisions? Thats the question I want to address here. And in the spirit of maximising your Return on Time (ROT), Ill get to the point without delay. Why ROE is a great investment metric Our editorial director Greg Canavan has a great book all about valuation called You, Your Brain & the Stock Market. In it, Greg emphasised the importance of ROE. Heres a choice snippet, but I encourage you to read the whole book if you can, its a great read: And as an all-round indicator of a companys competitive position and management capability, ROE is one of the best indicators there is. To get a better idea of how the companies are really performing, you need to look at their return on equity. The importance of ROE is undisputed. One of the best-selling investment books centred its thesis on buying cheap stocks generating high returns on capital. You may even have that book on your shelf somewhere, Joel Greenblatts The Little Book That Still Beats the Stock Market. In it, Greenblatt banged on about the counterintuitive ease of his low P/E, high ROE formula: If you just stick to buying good companies (ones that have a high return on capital) and to buying those companies only at bargain prices (at prices that give you a high earnings yield), you can end up systematically buying many of the good companies that crazy Mr. Market has decided to literally give away. You can achieve investment returns that beat the pants off even the best investment professionals (including the smartest professional I know). You can beat the returns of top-notch professors and outperform every academic study ever done. In fact, you can more than double the annual returns of the stock market averages! Returns that beat the pants off the best investment pros? Quite the claim, Mr Greenblatt! He did cite back-tested data corroborating his magic formula: Over a 17-year period from 1988 to 2004, owning a portfolio of approximately 30 stocks that had the best combination of a high return on capital and a high earnings yield would have returned approximately 30.8 percent per year. Investing at that rate for 17 years, $11,000 would have turned into well over $1 million. During those same 17 years, the overall market averaged a return of about 12.3 percent per year. At that rate, $11,000 would still have turned into an impressive $79,000. While thats certainly a lot, $1 million is more! The logic of prioritising businesses that can reinvest capital at high rates is ironclad. But is there more to ROE as a financial metric? Economic value added and total returns Does return on equity have shortcomings? Can we use the metric without reservations? You can probably guess my answer. No. ROE has its limits as a final arbiter of stock success. Investing is not that easy. To understand why ROE is sometimes not enough as a comprehensive measure, we need to discuss the nature of business itself. What does an enterprise seek to do? Add value. Stephen Penman put it vividly by noting business is all about arbitrage (emphasis added): Businesses are actually in the business of arbitrage. A business is a matter of trading in input markets (for assets, materials, labour, and so on) and in output markets (with customers). Business models are conceived to sell high (to customers in output markets) and buy low (from suppliers in input markets), adding value (profits) from the spread. In short, entrepreneurs arbitrage input and output markets. Economists, prone to adding a patina of complexity on common concepts, call this economic value added. British economist John Kay explained this in Foundations of Corporate Success (emphasis added): What is corporate success, and how is it measured? Sometimes performance is assessed by reference to rate of return. This can be measured as return on equity, on investment, or on sales. And sometimes success is measured by growth All of these are aspects of successful performance. But I arguethe key measure of corporate success is added value. Added value is the difference between the value of a firms output and the cost of the firms inputs. In this specific sense, adding value is both the proper motivation of corporate activity and the measure of its achievement. What underpins the success of firmsis their ability to add value to the inputs they use. It is the difference between the market value of its output and the cost of its inputs. Does a company with a ROE of 50% add more value than a company with a ROE of 15%? Not necessarily. Thats the issue with metrics they are relative. In absolute terms, the picture may change. Kay used British supermarkets to illustrate. In the 1990s, Sainsburys and Tesco had lower returns on equity than Kwik Save or Argyll. Did this make them less attractive investments? No. According to Kay, the pairs lower ROE is more a warning that these are unreliable indicators than a comment on the performance of the companies: The return on capital is simply a ratio of two numbers, not a guide to what you will earn by investing more in the business, and Tesco and Sainsburys have been using their capital as effectively as they can. It is worth their while to invest in stores so long as they can earn more from building stores than the 10% or so return on capital they would have got from the bank. The last point is crucial and is the basis for much of valuation theory, from McKinsey to Damodaran. The key to adding value corporate and shareholder is growing only when you can invest at returns above your cost of capital or opportunity cost. Greg made the same point in his book, too, by referring to an investors required rate of return: A good rule of thumb you can use is that if a company has a ROE above the required rate of return, it is creating value. If ROE is below the required return, it is destroying value. Continuing Kays example, it was worth it for Sainsburys and Tesco to invest in more stores because they still came out ahead after accounting for their cost of capital. This reinvestment has the effect of driving down their return on capital but it makes them, taken as a whole, more profitable businesses not less. But heres the final puzzle piece to adding value, one that recognises the importance of considering absolute returns. Economic profit or value added is the spread between return on equity and cost of capital, multiplied by the amount of invested capital. As my edition of McKinseys Valuation puts it: The objective is to maximise economic profit over the long term, not ROIC [or ROE]. Consider an extreme example: most investors would prefer to earn a 20% return on $1 million of capital, rather than a 50% return on $1,000 of capital, even though the rate of return on the smaller capital is higher. ROE is a valuable metric. When used in conjunction with everything else weve discussed here, it is more valuable still. Regards, Kiryll Prakapenka, Editor, Money Morning Beijing (Gasgoo)- Saudi Arabia and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Human Horizons have entered into a significant partnership, with the Saudi Arabian government agreeing to invest $5.6 billion in the collaboration. HiPhi vehicles; photo credit: Human Horizons This agreement, announced during the Arab-China business conference in Riyadh, is part of Saudi Arabia's diversification strategy, aiming to boost investments in non-oil sectors. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Human Horizons will focus on the design, production, and marketing of automobiles. It is one of several agreements signed during the conference, totaling over $10 billion in investments across various industries, including technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, metals, tourism, and healthcare. Human Horizons, known for its luxury EV brand, HiPhi, currently manufactures electric cars in China. The Saudi government aims to develop the domestic electric vehicle manufacturing sector, making this partnership a strategic move. In 2021, Chinese direct investments in Arab markets amounted to $23 billion, of which $3.5 billion was invested in Saudi Arabia alone. Additionally, as part of its international expansion plans, Human Horizons announced in March its intention to introduce the premium HiPhi brand to select European regions this year. June 13, 2023 Did Russia Destroy The Nova Kakhova Dam? Propaganda will tell you that Russia detonated the Nova Kakhova Dam which was and is under its control. It thereby allegedly cut of Crimea from its major water supply and endangered the cooling of the six reactors of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The island as well as the power plant are under firm Russian control. Well, so you can believe that. Or you can look for some facts hidden behind such 'news'. Battles Rage as Ukraine Tries to Retake Russian-Occupied Territory - New York Times - June 9, 2023 Experts say the dam, which was held by Russian forces, was probably destroyed by an intentional explosion within the massive structure. They say an explosion from the outside, like a missile strike, or a structural failure caused by earlier war damage and high water spilling over the top, were conceivable causes but far less likely. --- Ukraine Claims More Small Advances in Counteroffensive, but No Breakthroughs - New York Times - June 12, 2023 Engineering and munitions experts have said that the dam was probably breached by an explosion from the inside, not by shelling or other external attacks, and not by a structural failure. --- Britain has delivered long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine ahead of expected counteroffensive, sources say - CNN - May 12, 2023 The United Kingdom has delivered multiple Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, giving the nation a new long-range strike capability in advance of a highly anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces, multiple senior Western officials told CNN. --- Storm Shadow - Wikipedia The Storm Shadow's BROACH warhead features an initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuze to control detonation of the main warhead. Intended targets are command, control and communications centres; airfields; ports and power stations; ammunition management and storage facilities; surface ships and submarines in port; bridges and other high value strategic targets. --- "Two stage warhead punctures external shell, then detonates inside target" --- Storm Shadown - Federation of American Scientists When engaging hard targets, such as Hardened Aircraft Shelters or bunkers, the missile will strike the target at the estimated optimum dive angle, selected during mission planning. On impact the detonation sequence commences. The precursor charge will perforate the target structure, and any soil covering, and the follow through penetrator warhead will continue to penetrate inside the target to be detonated after a preselectable fuse delay. Posted by b on June 13, 2023 at 5:30 UTC | Permalink Comments next page "We have a Hairy Maclary Facebook page, and we often have people posting photos of their similar-looking dogs there, so we knew that people would love to do this," Innes said. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. Official images of Lynk & Co 09s five-seat variant unveiled Lynk & Co unveiled the official images of the Lynk & Co 09 five-seat variant, which maintains the exterior and interior design of the six-seat and seven-seat versions. The new variant features a dual-row seating configuration and is set to hit the market on June 15. Lynk & Co 09; photo credit: Lynk & Co AVATR E12 spied on streets Changan Automobile plans to launch 27 new energy vehicle models by 2025, including four models under the AVATR brand, such as the E12 (internal codename). Recently a group of spy photos of the E12 was released online. The model is set to debut in the third quarter of this year and could be on the market by the end of the year. Positioned as a pure electric mid- to large-size sedan, the E12 boasts noticeable dimensions, as evident from the images. BYD Song PLUS Champion Edition to go on sale on June 19 The BYD Song PLUS Champion Edition is scheduled to hit the market on June 19. Pre-sale of the model has already kicked off, with the Song PLUS DM-i Champion Edition range from 169,800 yuan to 199,800 yuan, while the Song PLUS EV Champion Edition is priced between 179,800 yuan and 219,800 yuan. JAC Yiwei EV3 to hit market on June 16 JAC Group's new energy vehicle-dedicated brand, Yiwei, is set to launch its first production model, the EV3 (Yiwei 3 in Chinese pinyin), on June 16. Saudi Arabia, Human Horizons sign $5.6 billion worth of agreement to build automotive joint venture Saudi Arabia and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Human Horizons have entered into a significant partnership, with the Saudi Arabian government agreeing to invest $5.6 billion in the collaboration. Chinese C-V2X solution developer HIKAILINK closes Series A financing round Zhejiang HIKAILINK Technology Co., Ltd. (HIKAILINK), a Chinese C-V2X solution developer, recently announced the completion of its Series A financing round, which raised for the company several hundreds of millions of yuan. Chinese auto supplier Beijing West Smart Mobility raises 2 billion yuan in Series A financing Recently, Beijing West Smart Mobility Zhangjiakou Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd. (referred to as Beijing West Smart Mobility), a Chinese supplier of automobile chassis suspension and braking systems, announced the completion of a Series A funding round that raised 20 billion yuan. VOYAH nabs 15-billion-yuan credit line from six banks VOYAH, the premium new energy vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, announced today it has secured a 15-billion-yuan credit line from six banks and formed a strategic partnership with the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone Investment Group. IM Motors launches two Urban Fit variants for LS7 SUV, carrying new AI-enabled cockpit IM Motors, the premium electric vehicle brand co-backed by SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, on June 12 launched its first truly full-vehicle intelligent software product, the "Full-course AI Cabin" (Quancheng AI Cang in Chinese pinyin). Geely-backed ECARX sees 16% YoY jump in Q1 2023 revenue ECARX, the Chinese automotive intelligent solution developer backed by Geely, on June 12 released its financial report for the first quarter of 2023, revealing impressive growth. For his service as president of the University Senate, Michael Mullins has been selected to receive Michigan Technological Universitys 2023 Faculty Distinguished Service Award. On July 2, 2018, Rick Koubek met Michael Mullins for lunch, an event made noteworthy both by its timing and the rapport it initiated. It was Koubeks second day on campus as the new president of Michigan Tech. It was Mullins second week as president of the University Senate. We had no office, no furniture, no staff people, and all of our stuff was packed up in boxes and stacked in a storage room, Mullins recalled. Rick said, Michael, just let me know what you need and well make it happen, because Im going to enthusiastically support shared governance. Koubek kept his word on that pledge, and with the support, Mullins thrived in his new role. For three of the past five years, he led the senate through some of the most significant challenges in the Universitys history, along the way making Tech an even better place to learn, teach and work. Mullins leadership during that time has earned him the Universitys 2023 Faculty Distinguished Service Award. In his role as University Senate president, Michael had to navigate the onboarding of a new University president and several new deans and address major curricular changes on campus, while assuring the quality-of-working-life issues were at the forefront, said Koubek. He also helped shepherd Michigan Tech through the early stages of the pandemic. Such productivity is indeed a testament to Michaels commitment to the University. "Michael always goes above and beyond the call of service for Michigan Tech. We are thankful for his leadership on campus, and I am truly delighted to congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved award." Rick Koubek, president of Michigan Tech Andrew Storer, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, echoed Koubeks sentiments about Mullins work as a leader and shared governance advocate. He specifically noted Mullins reminders to colleagues of their responsibilities as senators and alternate senators, and his confidence while leading the senate through many robust debates. Under Michaels leadership as senate president in recent years, the senate has navigated many challenging issues, Storer said. These include the changes that were needed in order for the University to continue to meet the needs of students during the onset and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. As senate president, he was called to serve on many committees and other groups that worked to ensure the University continued operations during extremely challenging times. Advocating for Shared Governance Mullins joined Michigan Tech in 1988 as an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His first encounter with shared governance on campus came a couple of years later, when he co-authored the proposal for launching the departments Ph.D. program. He presented the proposal to the Faculty Senate the precursor to todays University Senate. As its name implies, the Faculty Senate provided no representation for Michigan Tech staff members. Mullins was intrigued by the governance process and soon got more involved. He has since served on the senate in various capacities as a senator, alternate senator or president from 1991-95, 2009-15 and 2017-23. Distinguished Faculty Service Award The Michigan Tech Faculty Distinguished Service Award recognizes faculty whose service to the University community has significantly improved the quality of some aspect of campus or community life. The award is intended to recognize exceptional rather than integrated service. The work could have resulted, in part, from compensated efforts, but it must have been of a level that distinguishes itself above and beyond the normal execution of those tasks. Nominations are solicited from University members and reviewed by the award committee. Winners receive $2,500 and a plaque at an awards dinner sponsored by the Office of the President in the fall. During and between his stints with the University Senate, Mullins also served Michigan Tech in a variety of other roles. He chaired the Department of Chemical Engineering from 2001-07, during which the departments research expenditures grew from $1.3 million to $3.7 million. A strong component of this growth was [Mullins] efforts to encourage interdisciplinary and multi-institution collaborations, said Pradeep Agrawal, the current chair. This was a period during which the department grew, both in faculty and student body size, in spite of the growth being punctuated by major state budget cuts and elimination of several academic programs. Mullins has been the principal advisor or co-advisor to 30 graduate students and has brought in over $10 million in research funding as a principal investigator (PI) or co-Pl, including $5 million in individual research funding. He was named as the first Fulbright Distinguished Chair from Michigan Tech in 2015 and spent that academic year in Sweden working with Swedish government agencies, industry and academia. Mullins work with the University Senate distinguishes him as an exemplary leader and highlights his dedication to Michigan Tech and the campus community, according to letters nominating Mullins for the Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Dr. Michael E. Mullins is a professor of chemical engineering at Michigan Tech. His research interests are in kinetics and catalysis, thermodynamics, ceramics, particle technology and environmental engineering. He served as president of the University Senate during the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2022-23 academic years. I first got to know Michael during my early years on the University Senate, and it was obvious right away that he has a strong commitment to service to the University, wrote Storer. Michael is always willing to share his views, and is forceful in expressing these. However, he retains the ability to be good humored, and to consider the views of others. Having served on the Senate Executive Committee for the past five years straight, I can tell you personally that Michaels leadership was welcomed and much needed, wrote Robert Hutchinson, University Senate president-elect and professor of accounting in Michigan Techs College of Business. He provided a steady hand on the helm as we navigated through a stormy and unprecedented change in the senate. I have heard this sentiment repeated by many of my colleagues on the executive committee, by our senate support staff and by senior administration. Above and Beyond The unprecedented change Hutchinson referenced was an abrupt leadership vacancy in the University Senate in August 2022. Mullins decided to run for the elected position, and his prior experience as senate president made him a leading candidate. He won the election, stepping up to serve despite many responsibilities elsewhere on campus. "Ive been here 35 years. Ive devoted half my life to Michigan Tech. I want it to be successful. I want to see it thrive." Michael Mullins, 2023 Faculty Distinguished Service Award recipient Mullins advocacy of shared governance formed the cornerstone of his service to the University. At Tech, shared governance means that the University Senate and the Universitys administration, Board of Trustees, student government organizations and other campus groups function as active partners in decisions affecting academic and administrative affairs. Mullins said the University Senate plays an important role in campus business. Basically, its the foundation of our shared governance system here. Theres a lot of bureaucracy and the University Senate is part of that bureaucracy, but we are the only collective voice that speaks for and carries authority for the faculty and professional staff, he said. Some of the work of shared governance can be frustrating, of course, but also rewarding. Thats one reason I came back as president, because I believe in the process. "Shared governance means that in a very real sense, the faculty and professional staff on campus make decisions that affect their day-to-day working lives." Michael Mullins, 2023 Faculty Distinguished Service Award recipient "Michael is well known on campus as a defender of shared governance and the collective interests of faculty and staff, which he has demonstrated consistently over the better part of four decades at Michigan Tech, said Hutchinson. However, this past year was exceptional, even by the high standard of faculty service set by Michael, as he postponed his personal and professional plans of sabbatical to step up one last time to serve as University Senate president. Agrawal further highlighted just how significant Mullins recent effort has been. Normally a role like University Senate president would involve reducing ones teaching workload, said Agrawal. However, due to the department being short on faculty, it was not possible to find a substitute instructor for the new course Professor Mullins had agreed to teach. As if he didnt have enough service on his plate, he was also on three separate search committees. "I am proud of him being able to juggle between his various service activities, all the while developing and teaching a new course. Professor Mullins has risen to the challenge again, continuing his service to the University and community at large." Pradeep Agrawal, chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering Collaborative Leadership Mullins democratic approach to governance extends to his personal leadership style in senate matters. My model for running the senate was to empower the committees and the committee chairs to do their jobs without any micromanagement or interference, Mullins said. Youve got to let them operate. He made special note to acknowledge the current Board of Trustees as foundational to the success of the University Senate in shared governance especially in the recent approval of Michigan Techs new nursing program, a normally yearslong process of consideration and approval, which in this case needed to happen in about two months. This current Board of Trustees has been a champion of shared governance, which is remarkable, to my mind, Mullins said. That is seldom the case. A lot of the people come from business and industry and are used to a very top-down approach. But their support, and the support of President Koubek and the administration, have made efforts like the nursing program possible. Of his work with the University Senate over the years, Mullins said he is most proud of the tangible gains made on behalf of the faculty and staff at Michigan Tech. We have been able to improve the lives of people on campus, students included, Mullins said. Weve had some successes negotiating for benefits, like bumping the matching retirement benefits from 7.75% to 8.5%, and increasing the tuition reduction program from 50% to 75%. We were able to get sabbatical funding increased to two-thirds, to get sabbaticals approved for instructional-track faculty and to get the new nursing program approved in record time. Those are all good wins. "The senates decisions can make peoples lives better. And when we have success in that when we improve the lives of the people who work here that is whats gratifying." Michael Mullins, 2023 Faculty Distinguished Service Award recipient Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Zhejiang HIKAILINK Technology Co., Ltd. (HIKAILINK), a Chinese C-V2X solution developer, recently announced the completion of its Series A financing round, which raised for the company several hundreds of millions of yuan. Signing ceremony; photo credit: HIKAILINK The funding was led by Dongfeng Asset Management, a Chinese state-owned fund, CRRCs capital, Guangzhou SFund, and Hangzhou Yuhang Transportation Investment Group. This strategic financing comes after HIKAILINK received significant investments of nearly 100 million yuan from China Merchants Capital and CCCC Fund in March 2021. The proceeds from this financing round will be utilized to further develop and iterate HIKAILINK's multi-sensing fusion technology, C-V2X technology, and trusted data technology. By leveraging technological innovation and commercialization practices, HIKAILINK aims to continue leading the commercial deployment of collaborative digital transportation solutions. Established in October 2019, HIKAILINK is a provider of intelligent road products and solutions, focusing on next-generation transportation information infrastructure for autonomous driving and smart transportation. With a core focus on IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence technologies, HIKAILINK offers comprehensive smart transportation products, technologies, integrated solutions, and information services to governments and operational entities. HIKAILINK currently holds 32 patents and 83 software copyrights, and actively participates in the development of industry standards. Its business footprint spans over 20 provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Heilongjiang, Chongqing, Hainan, Fujian, and Jiangxi. HIKAILINK provides services such as intelligent connected vehicle testing and demonstration, traffic management, holographic intersections, C-V2X, and autonomous driving, catering to the needs of its clients. DUBAI/PARIS (Reuters) The United States is holding talks with Iran to sketch out steps that could limit the Iranian nuclear program, release Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. PEOPLES UNION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES 332, Patpar Ganj, Opposite Anand Lok Apartments (Gate No. 2), Mayur Vihar-I, Delhi 110 091 Founder: Jayaprakash Narayan; Founding President: V M Tarkunde President: Ms. Kavita Srivastava (Rajasthan); General Secretary: V Suresh (Tamilnadu); E.mails: , Please visit our website: www.pucl.org LETTER PETITION TO CHIEF JUSTICE, UTTARAKHAND HIGH COURT 13 June 2023 To, The Honble Chief Justice, Uttarakhand High Court, Nainital, Uttarakhand. 1. We are writing this letter as Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) to bring to your attention the alarming rise of hate speech, vigilantism, and targeted communal violence against the minority Muslim community in Uttarakhand in the last few days. 2. We are a civil liberties and human rights organisation formed in 1976 by Sh. Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Kriplani, Krishna Kant and others. Justice V.M. Tarkunde, Justice Rajindar Sachar, Rajni Kothari, K.G. Kannabiran and other legal luminaries. PUCL has been at the forefront of the defence of the freedom of speech and expression in its work ever since its inception. However, as per human rights standards both internationally as well as in the Indian Constitution, the freedom of speech and expression does not extend to the advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence as per Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 19 (2) envisages a restriction of the freedom of speech and expression on the ground of incitement of an offence. It is precisely this dangerous transgression of the limits of free speech which threatens the life, liberty and property of an entire constitutionally protected grouping, in Uttarakhand that we wish to bring to your kind attention. 3. We submit this petition to draw your immediate attention to the alarming rise of hate speech, vigilantism, and targeted communal violence against the minority Muslim community in Uttarakhand and to request you to kindly direct the state government of Uttarakhand and the concerned authorities to take immediate measures to redress violent hate campaign, incitement to violence, increased insecurity in the minority community which is resulting in many being coerced into leaving their homes. 4. A multi-layered discriminatory public campaign led by certain groups such as Bajrang Dal, VHP for the last few months and continuing till date have been systematically targeting the Muslim community. During the course of these campaign, they has used terms like "Vyapar Jihad" (Business Jihad), "Love Jihad," and "Land Jihad" to instigate fear and hatred among the majority community which has created an atmosphere of violence and insecurity against the Muslims living in the region, causing an exodus 5. The situation threatens to escalate by June 15, 2023 in Purola in the district Uttarkashi, where a Mahapanchayat (a mega assembly) is being planned by several groups who have come under the leadership of Swami Darshan Bharti of Debhoomi Raksha Abhiyan. The Hindustan Times has reported that posters have been put up in Purola threatening owners of Muslim-owned shops to vacate before the Mahapanchayat. The link to the report can be found here - https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/posters-asking-muslim-traders-to-leave-surface-in-uttarakhand-101685991761377.html 6. Papers like Amar Ujala and Hindustan have reported that a letter has been sent by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to the Tehri District Magistrate giving an ultimatum to members of the Muslims Community to leave the Jaunpur valley and in particular the towns of Nainbagh, Jakhar, Nagtibba, Thatyur, Saklana, Damta, Purola, Barkot and Uttarkashi. The threat specifies that if Muslims dont respond to their ultimatum of leaving the areas themselves, these organizations will organise a chakka jam in Tehri on 20.06.2023. The report of Hindustan, a Hindi newspaper detailing the contents of this letter can be found here - repor https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/story-communal-tension-tehri-district-after-uttarkashi-particular-community-people-warned-leave-city-within-10-days-8282992.html 7. The campaigning has already led to the exodus of numerous Muslim families. It will also provoke an already volatile situation into systemic communal violence on a large scale, unless the state takes immediate and urgent proactive measures to stop both the hate campaigns as also to prevent violent attacks to take place. 8. The campaign was based on an incident of alleged abduction of a Hindu minor girl in Purola by two accused (belonging to both Hindu and Muslim communities) and has been escalated as proof of love jihad. It should be noted that no governmental organisation or data has ever substantiated the existence of love jihad, or forcible conversions in the guise of fraudulent romantic relationships, but that the concept has been used to buttress hate-speech against Muslims across the country in recent times. The current situation in Uttarakhand is playing out similarly. 9. The Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan is an organisation operating in the area, which issued posters demanding that Muslims in the area flee their residences on threat of violence. They were joined by local community leaders like Swami Darshan Bharti and Rakesh Uttarakhandi, who also called for the forced eviction of Muslims while making hate-speech against the community. Evidence of these speeches are available in videos currently seeing wide circulation, and are contributing to the deterioration of communal harmony in the area. 10. Local press has also reported that homes and shops belonging to Muslims have been marked with an X, and long standing residents including a BJP Minority Cell Leader (Mohammed Zaid), have been forced to flee their homes due to the threat of violence. 11. The threats were consolidated and escalated on May 29, when a rally organised by groups of the majority Hindu communities of the ruling BJP parties with the support of trade unions, turned violent, with mob violence against home and shops in the area. Reports suggest senior leaders of the ruling party have been involved with these rallies, with the District General Secretary of ruling party, Prakash Kumar Dabral, saying, We will not let them do business here, will not let them open shops. Then they will leave on their own. 12. These demands go against the spirit of the Preamble which rests on the spirit of the fraternity. These consistent hate speeches attack the dignity of the individuals, threatens not only their livelihood but also their life based on their religious identity i.e. Muslims. It reduces the Muslim citizens to second class citizenship and creates both institutional and popular sentiment to view them as lesser than. As ground situation shows, it does not stop with seeing Muslims as lesser than but goes on to instigate targeted violence against them, their property and a series of their fundamental rights. The violent targeting of a religious group with the intent of removing them from a geography, holds alarming similarities to genocidal tactics. This is not an exaggeration, as the primary leaders of this campaign have also previously been involved in explicit calls for the mass-murder of Muslims, at speeches given at the Haridwar Dharma Sansad of 2022. The common leader between the Dharam Sansad of 2022 and the hate campaigns now is Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar who is a repeat offender. This court has critically intervened when it came to the hate speeches made in Dharam Sansad and directed the state to register FIRs against the accused. A brief profile of the antecedents of Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar can be found here https://www.thequint.com/news/india/haridwar-dharam-sansad-yati-narsinghanand-jitendra-tyagi-bjp#read-more 13. This also follows from the incitement to genocide on April 20 2023, at a Dharma Sabha in Uttarakhand organised by the fundamentalist group, the Rudra Sena, where calls for an economic boycott of minorities & and a ban on the settlement of non-Sanatanis in the state were made. 14. They declared that peace cannot prevail in the world unless every jihadi is eliminated. The leader of the Rudra Sena, one Rakesh Tomar Uttarakhandi, has previously made speeches calling for the Van Gujjar community (a primarily Muslim tribal group) to evict the area on threat of violence. 15. Swami Darshan Bharti, mentioned above in paragraph 4 is leading the call for mass evictions. He was among those making hate speeches at the Dharma Sansad. His group, Uttarakhand Raksha Abhiyan, has previously circulated 1.5 lakh pamphlets inciting Hindus to stand up against alleged changes in the demography of Uttarakhand because of Muslims in 2019. He has been previously jailed after his hate-speech inspired physical attacks on Muslims. 16. Following are a few links corroborating the above facts: a) Post 1 by Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1176625616336285&id=100002420099047&mibextid=CDWPTG b) Post 2 by Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2491178251042485&id=100002420099047&mibextid=Nif5oz c) Post 3 by Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02CaosTehfX9bNd2dfDZHc5ajiCrC7AprGugCVDEJGi8iRz1BFnCgiwsLvgy6emEVLl&id=100002420099047&mibextid=CDWPTG d) Post 4 by Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02CaosTehfX9bNd2dfDZHc5ajiCrC7AprGugCVDEJGi8iRz1BFnCgiwsLvgy6emEVLl&id=100002420099047&mibextid=CDWPTG e) Post 5 by Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02mvGJdgXfNpWPQ3H3Qha76miGtrWvpF71FkXLRXXG56Lse3BmBooJjkcJz1vUT5V7l&id=100002420099047&mibextid=CDWPTG 17. All these speeches, posts, fall squarely within the understanding of hate speech that this very court has provided in Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan v Union of India. As the Supreme Court observed: 7. Hate speech is an effort to marginalise individuals based on their membership in a group. Using expression that exposes the group to hatred, hate speech seeks to delegitimise group members in the eyes of the majority, reducing their social standing and acceptance within society. Hate speech, therefore, rises beyond causing distress to individual group members. It can have a societal impact. Hate speech lays the groundwork for later, broad attacks on vulnerable that can range from discrimination, to ostracism, segregation, deportation, violence and, in the most extreme cases, to genocide. A copy of this judgement is annexed as Annexure A. The situation in Uttarakhand of fear amongst the Muslims, the exodus and threat of violence are the visible harms of hate speech in action as noted by this Supreme Court. More so, the reality presents alarming similarities to the groundwork before a genocide. 18. In such a situation the states failure to take adequate action is notable given that this was brought to their attention in an open letter dated May 30, written by the Lawyers of the Supreme Court of India to the Governor of Uttarakhand. The letter also noted specifically the actions of the previously mentioned entities in relation to hate-speech and past communal violence. 19. This is despite this honourable Supreme Court in W.P. No.940 of 2022 directing the state of Uttarakhand vide its order dated 21.10.22 to ensure that immediately as and when any speech or any action takes place which attracts offences such as section 153A, 153B and 295A and 505 of the IPC etc., suo motto action will be taken to register cases even if no complaint is forthcoming and proceed against the offenders in accordance with law. A copy of this order is annexed as Annexure B. 20. It is important to note that the Honble Supreme Court has been deeply concerned at the rise of hate speech and mob violence in the country and in Uttarakhand in particular. On 17.07.2018, in its judgement in Tehseen Poonawalla vs. Union of India and Ors., the Court directed all State governments to proactively act against hate speech and mob violence. A copy of this judgement is annexed as Annexure C. 21. Further, as per the Courts 21.10.2022 order in Shaheen Abdullah vs. Union of India (WP(C) 940/2022), the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi were specifically directed to "ensure that immediately as and when any speech or any action takes place which attracts offences such as Sections 153A, 153B and 295A and 505 of the IPC etc., suo moto action will be taken to register cases even if no complaint is forthcoming and proceed against the offenders in accordance with law,. Despite this till date no FIRs have been registered by the police. Given the grave threat to the lives and property of minorities and the dereliction of constitutional duty of the State, in Uttarakhand we urge the Honble Supreme Court: 1. Urgently intervene by directing the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand and the Director General of Police to personally ensure that the Mahapanchayat scheduled to take place at Purola on 15.06.2023 and the rally and chakka jam programme on Tehri on 20.06.2023 are denied permissions based on the harm caused by the continuing hate campaigns to the constitutional fabric of the State. 2. The Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttarakhand should be held accountable for the dereliction of their constitutional duty to protect all citizens and ensure law and order in the State. 3. To direct the concerned authorities to immediately register FIRs under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 against Swami Prabodhanand Giri Mahamandaleshwar, Swami Darshan Bharti, Rakesh Uttarakhandi and Prakash Kumar Dabral, amongst others who threatening the right to life, livelihood and residence of Muslim population in the State of Uttarakhand. 4. To ensure initiation of a thorough investigation regarding the role of organisations such as Rudra Sena, Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal among others, into the incidents of hate speech, vigilantism, and violence targeting the minority community in Uttarakhand taking place in an unabated manner with the full and tacit support of the state administration and police. 5. Ensure the implementation of Supreme Court orders regarding hate speech and mob violence, including the appointment of nodal officers to eradicate hostile environments against targeted communities as spelt out by this court in Tehseen Poonawala case and Shaheen Abdulla cases. 6. Provision of adequate protection to the minority community and individuals, both in their residence as also in their shops and business areas, who are at risk due to the ongoing campaign of hatred. 7. Issuance of clear directives to the state government and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order, protect minority rights, and prevent any further incidents of violence. We firmly believe that the judiciary, as the guardian of justice and protector of citizens rights, has the power and responsibility to uphold the constitutional values of equality, secularism, and social harmony. By addressing this petition, your Lordship would not only ensure justice for the affected communities but also uphold the principles of our democratic society. We earnestly request your urgent attention to this matter. Sincerely, Kavita Srivastava, President V. Suresh, General Secretary Beijing (Gasgoo)- JAC Group's new energy vehicle-dedicated brand, Yiwei, is set to launch its first production model, the EV3 (Yiwei 3 in Chinese pinyin), on June 16. EV3; photo credit: JAC Group The vehicle has already kicked off pre-sale with prices ranging from 97,900 yuan to 129,900 yuan. The EV3 is a compact sedan, showcasing a fresh and captivating design inspired by the concept of a "Bubble Universe" aesthetic, characterized by rounded, full, and flowing lines that exude an inviting appeal. The EV 3 is built on the DI platform, and is equipped with the world's first 9-in-1 electric drive system and a zero-heat-diffusion honeycomb battery, forming an exceptionally powerful powertrain. Currently, the EV 3 offers two versions with a respective range of 405 km and 505 km, and comes in six different configurations. The interior of the EV3 draws inspiration from a spaceship cockpit, with a two-spoke steering wheel and a 15.6-inch central control screen equipped with Yiwei OS. The brand-new Yiwei OS intelligent cabin system, featuring a user-friendly UI design, offers powerful computing capabilities, an open connected ecosystem, and over 100 freely combinable services. NEW YORKPleasure products manufacturer and wellness company Bonner Trading announced Monday that it has acquired Seoul, Korea-based pleasure products brand Zini. We are thrilled to have Zini, Boner Trading Global Sales & Marketing Director Ian Kulp said. This acquisition strategically (and mission-based) aligns with our long-term vision and commitment to providing customers with best-in market solutions and options. A new Zini is within reachand were making this transition as smooth as silk, to ensure you feel (and see) the love. With Zini, were confident in strengthening our market position and better servicing our customers' evolving needs and desires. Zini was founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Jun Zini. Bonner Trading's announcement pledged that the acquisition "not only preserves the essence and legacy of the Zini brand but also empowers it with the resources and expertise of Bonner Trading, propelling it to new heights of awareness and success." Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Zimbabweans welcome improved electricity supply across the country Electricity supply has significantly improved in Zimbabwe over the past week, bringing relief to people and businesses. Hwange Thermal Power Station started generating more power, producing 740 megawatts as of yesterday compared to just 74 megawatts at the end of February. The increased generation has reduced load shedding and power cuts that Zimbabweans had been experiencing for months. More stable electricity supply helps industries increase production, which supports the national economy. Reliable power is vital for the countrys development goals. The government has assured farmers that they will have steady electricity during winter wheat planting season to maintain wheat self-sufficiency in the country. Power cuts are common in Southern Africa due to rising demand that has outstripped expansion of generation capacity. However, electricity shortfalls in Zimbabwe are set to reduce as 300 megawatt Unit 7 at Hwange Thermal Power Station, set to come online this year, will add much needed power. The improved supply situation has brought relief to both households and industries that were struggling with lengthy power cuts. ZESA Holdings spokesperson Dr. George Manyaya said a cabinet statement on the issue would be released the following day. He added that Kariba Power Station was currently generating 761 megawatts while Hwange Power Station was producing 740 megawatts. Residents and businesses welcomed the more reliable supply, hoping the situation would continue to improve. The imminent completion of Unit 8 at Hwange, adding another 300 megawatts, will further help address Zimbabwes power challenges. Breaking News via Email Yves here. When I lived in Sydney, there were several moderately bad bush fires to the west, turning the sky a sickly yellow thats now becoming familiar first in California and now Canada and the northeast. Thanks to measures like the Clean Air Act and controls on auto emission levels, air quality has remained not too bad in advanced economies. The sort of dirty air that regularly afflicts major cities in China, India, and Southeast Asia is becoming part of the new normal for the US. And yet theres a flat footedness about taking even modest remedial actions, like forcing PG&E to tackle its demonstrated fire-generation l in the form of deferred maintenance. By Shannon Kelleher. Originally published at the New Lede On Tuesday morning, Austin Channell was starting his day at home in Hudson, New York when he discovered the rays of sunlight on his wall were an odd orangey pink. As the day progressed, the sky grew stranger. By the afternoon we couldnt see the sun at all, said Channell, who works as the events director for an aviation museum. The rest of the week, Channell described feeling a sense of helplessness as smoke from Canadian wildfires enveloped the northeastern US, bringing hazardously high air pollution levels to millions of people. On Wednesday, New York Citys air quality index (AQI) reached a staggering 460 the highest level of air pollution recorded in the city since measurements began in 1999 and more than an order of magnitude higher than the safe daily average of 35 set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dangerous air pollution levels were also detected in Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Channell mostly stayed indoors, making coffee and sending emails under an Armageddon orange sky, his air purifier running nonstop. When he tried to go for a walk, he quickly found it hard to breathe. As the smoke blotted out the sun in Brooklyn, Jes Lyons, a publicist who suffers from asthma, decided to wear a mask even while in her apartment. She feared her drafty apartment windows would not provide sufficient protection from the toxins wafting through the air. Lyons made it through the worst of the week without an asthma incident, but some New York City residents were less lucky emergency room visits for asthma nearly doubled from Tuesday to Wednesday. After a few hazardous days, the regions air quality has improved. But meteorologists warn that smoke may return to northeastern skies this summer as Canadian wildfires rage on. While frequent and more intense wildfires bolstered by the warming climate have become a frightening new normal for the American West, scientists say smoke from burning forests will continue to have far-reaching air quality impacts. Indeed, pollution from wildfires constitutes a growing source of poor air quality globally, a study published last July stated. The fire season is going to last longer and start earlier, and thats going to impact everyone, not just the western US, said Olivia Sablan, a graduate student at Colorado State University who researches pollution from smoke. A Worsening Crisis Eastern Canada is in the midst of a record-setting fire season, with 150 fires in Quebec alone. The western US has also been overcome by blazes in recent years, with extreme wildfire seasons between 2020 and 2022 shocking many wildfire managers, as several huge blazes burned for months, others incinerated entire communities, and still others erupted during nighttime wind events according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)s website. Human-caused climate change is the main driver behind the increase in US wildfires in recent decades, a 2021 study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded. Smoke from these fires has erased decades of progress towards cleaner US air quality, exposing millions of Americans each year to dangerous pollutant levels, according to a 2022 study in Environmental Science & Technology. More Toxic Than Tailpipes? Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter that measures 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller a size at which the particles can embed themselves in the lungs and enter other parts of the body, affecting the heart, brain, and developing fetuses, said Kristie Ebi, a professor in the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the University of Washington. While plenty of research exists on the health effects of urban air pollution, wildfire smoke particles are made of different chemicals. And unlike other air pollutants, people tend to encounter wildfire smoke in short bursts at high concentrations rather than through chronic exposure. Almost all of that research is about the kinds of air pollution one experiences in cities from pollution that comes out of tailpipes, said Ebi. There are some indications that wildfire smoke could be more toxic than what comes out of tailpipes. George Thurston, a researcher who studies the human health effect of air pollution at the New York University School of Medicine, is working to understand what the wildfire smoke particles that filled the city last week are made of and how their toxicity compares to the pollutants New Yorkers are normally exposed to. Im a little bit of an air pollution detective, he said. Weve been busy trying to get some samples so we can look at these particles and see what theyre like[and how they] compare with particles we collect on a routine basis from diesel trucks, traffic, oil burning, and power plants. From what I know about these wood particles, theyre probably very different. So far, Thurston and his team are finding that the particles likely dont contain a lot of black carbon soot, a chemical associated with fossil fuels. Its plant matter, so along with the fine particles its probably biological matter, he said, noting that particulate matter from plants can trigger allergic reactions. Preparing for Future Wildfire Smoke With dangerous air quality fluctuations from wildfires expected to continue, experts say individuals and communities should be prepared. Hopefully youre indoors when these kind of smoke events happen, said Mark Hernandez, an environmental engineer and professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. If youre outside, you should have a mask on a well-fitting N-95 mask. Medical grade mask wont help. When sheltering inside with doors and windows closed, Hernandez recommends using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, although he notes this may not be an option for members of low-income communities. Some people cant afford that, he said. They have to choose between groceries and a HEPA filter, and thats when things get tough. Hernandez suggests communities invest in higher performing buildings with better ventilation and filtration systems, noting that better equipped buildings work on both viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and wildfire smoke. Communities should also work to incorporate wildfire smoke warnings in the warning systems they already have for heat waves and other types of natural disasters, said Ebi. As these systems are being developed, representatives from particularly vulnerable groups should be included, she added, such as the unhoused, racial minorities, and people who provide services to elderly care facilities and schools. (Featured image: New York Citys hazy orange sky on June 7, the peak day of the air quality alert. Photo by Carey Gillam.) Seeing an artist play in a venue they could sell out many times over is nearly always a recipe for a great show. Jason Isbell and the 400 Units surprise album release party at Eastside Bowl Friday night was certainly no exception. The rooms capacity tops out at 750, a fraction of the audience Isbell & Co. usually play to for comparisons sake, they perform for a sold-out crowd of 2,362 on each night of their annual Ryman residency, which ran for eight nights each in 2021 and 2022. But the buzzing excitement in the jam-packed room Friday wouldve convinced you the audience was a whole lot bigger. After half an hour, Isbell and his band hit the stage running with Save the World, kicking off the celebration of their new LP Weathervanes with an early contender for fan favorite. The 400 Unit looks a little different than it did during Octobers Ryman run. Many longtime members were there, including guitarist Sadler Vaden, keyboardist Derry DeBorja and drummer Chad Gamble. Bassist Anna Butterss (who youve heard on boygenius the record) sat in for Jimbo Hart, while Will Johnson (who the heads will know from the late, great Centro-Matic) made his debut as a touring multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, a second drum kit and a gong. Stellar songsmith Amanda Shires, Isbells wife and frequent collaborator, isnt part of the official lineup at present, but she did play with the group Friday. Her fiddling sang above the band, with white-hot spirals of melody enrapturing every careful listener. Isbells previous record Reunions was released as COVID-19 lockdown got in full swing, leading to a record cycle that played out much differently than normal. Isbell clearly relished being able to celebrate Weathervanes in person, as he told the crowd with a dose of his signature humor, I dont think a records really out until you go to Grimeys and sign a bunch of records, and then you play a show at the bowling alley. Fridays show appeared to run without a locked-in set list, with the group shuffling through Weathervanes in seemingly random order. The magic of playing such an intimate show for a small group of dedicated fans is that you can do almost anything and the crowd will eat it up. Sometimes that means a drawn-out jam on King of Oklahoma. Other times, it means playing the guitar solo in If You Insist three times till you finally get it just right. Many artists write their songs long before an album sees the light of day, so by the time they expose what hurts to the world, the wounds are closer to scars. Not so with Weathervanes: The stories in all the songs are timeless, but some seemed to hit especially close to home, like When We Were Close. The lyrics brim with grief and guilt; references within them suggest that the inspiration for the song is Justin Townes Earle, who was only 38 when he died in 2020. Isbell sang I am the last of the two of us in a way that made it clear that the loss still sears nearly three years later. Afterward, Isbell reflected on the tune and his craft in general: I say that song was about an old friend as if they all arent. Relationships lost to time are woven throughout the album, and played a key role in the show as well. Isbell followed When We Were Close with White Beretta, in which he looks back on times when he didnt show up for people the way hed like to, centered on the story of a teenager driving his girlfriend to get an abortion. Later, he brought up more memories in Cast Iron Skillet, in which a childhood friend dies while serving a life sentence for murder and a neighbor gets disowned for dating outside her race. Weathervanes and its predecessors share a lot of thematic ground, built around stories from Isbells life and from the lives of others who havent had the same good fortune. Sonically, the new record represents Isbell and the 400 Unit at their most transparent and most rocking. The live debut of the songs matched it, with rollicking riffs, anthemic choruses and guitar solos at every turn. If youve longed for a studio record that captures The 400 Units live sound, Weathervanes is most certainly it. As for the inaugural live performance, the updated lineup worked seamlessly. In the audience, toddlers watched from their parents shoulders, grown men giddily followed the contours of the set, and grandmothers shakily filmed their favorite songs. It was a gathering of old friends from many generations, united by a common admiration. Isbell closed out the show with two classics, 24 Frames and Cover Me Up, and the crowd hung onto and sang along with every word. With one last ring of the gong, Isbell beamed like a little kid, waving to the audience like they were long-lost friends. As he and Shires walked off the stage arm in arm, Weathervanes became the worlds story to share. ITS A FARCE: Air Force now saluting LGBT communitys rainbow flag in celebration of Pride month The U.S. Air Force is now pledging allegiance to the woke agenda by saluting the expanded rainbow flag of the LGBT community in celebration of Pride month. A June 8 tweet by the official Air Force Twitter account featured a silhouette of a saluting Air Force member in front of the 11-striped LGBT flag. The caption reads: "June is Pride month! The Department of the Air Force proudly recognizes and celebrates generations of LGBT service members and their contributions to the Air Force and Space Force." According to WND, the tweet formed "part of an unprecedented official U.S. military campaign to celebrate LGBT pride" in line with President Joe Biden's "overall leftist 'diversity' formula." But this wasn't the first instance of the commander-in-chief mandating support for LGBT. In 2021, he gave blanket approval for U.S. embassies abroad to fly the LGBT flag to celebrate Pride months overturning a ban imposed by his predecessor, former President Donald Trump. Several people expressed their disdain in replies to the Air Force tweet, with many of them saying they will discourage their children from enlisting in the military. The remarks only confirmed that the Biden administration's woke policies are linked to dwindling recruitment numbers in all military branches. "As an [Air Force] veteran, this is pathetic and embarrassing," said Mike Garcia. "You should focus on winning wars, not social or political issues. Disgusting." Tim Young of the "Tim Runs His Mouth" podcast, meanwhile, pointed out: "I'm so old, I remember when our military only saluted the American flag. Not a flag celebrating all the things people have sex with." John Burk of "The All-American Savage Show" podcast lamented that the Air Force's post celebrating Pride reflects a "sad state of affairs for the military." He continued that the tweet served as "proof that the military has put [its] main focus on corporate agendas to appease the progressive crowd." "Their recruitment numbers are plummeting and this is the main reason. So rather than simply focus on war fighting and the like, they continue down this path that is destroying them." Military under Biden prioritizing WOKEISM over military readiness The Air Force's tweet celebrating Pride month also highlighted the fact that the military under the Biden administration is prioritizing wokeism over military readiness. Brannon Howse of the "Worldview Report" on Brighteon.TV pointed that out a long time ago. In an episode of his program in April last year, he cited the "Airmen's Time" initiative in the Air Force as an example of this skewed priority. The initiative was set up to "create a safe space, be present and ensure that Air Force culture invites healthy conversation for every airman anytime, anywhere." Airmen's Time, which reportedly seeks to promote "the well-being and development of airmen," had already been incorporated into the Air Force's schedule and training programs. Howse remarked: "If these airmen don't know their purpose yet which is to defend the nation against enemies, foreign and domestic do they really need to be in the Air Force?" He ultimately warned that pivoting toward wokeism will compromise Americas readiness against attacks by its enemies. (Related: Brannon Howse: US military under Biden is prioritizing WOKENESS over READINESS Brighteon.TV.) The "Worldview Report" host was not alone in his criticism of Airmen's Time. Army veteran James Carafano of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation also denounced the initiative. "We are taking service members away from their regular duties," Carafano told the Free Beacon. "This appears to be an initiative that is compromising on readiness for no commensurate benefit and indeed may risk hurting morale, unit cohesion and individual performance." Citing the Free Beacon, Howse also disclosed that Army members are being required to undergo training on gender identity and pronouns. Those who spoke out against the training found themselves "disciplined and even relieved of their duties." The host of "Worldview Report" said: "Republicans in Congress and some in the military have criticized these initiatives for pushing woke propaganda within the service." Watch Brannon Howse pointing out how the military under the Biden administration is making wokeism its No. 1 priority on "Worldview Report." This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Taxpayers are footing the bill for Air, Space Force service members to travel to 'Pride' events. REPORT: The U.S. Navy can no longer defend America because its too focused on being "woke." "Woke" ad for U.S. Army focuses on LGBTQ issues, lesbian mothers, while Russia focuses on recruiting manly men. "Woke" U.S. Navy now naming ships after homosexual rapists as China builds bigger, modern fleet to challenge America and assert global dominance. Joe Biden's 'woke' military prepares for war upon America as 'paper's please' becomes official policy in Washington DC We've seen this madness before and the road leads to destruction. Sources include: WND.com Brighteon.com FreeBeacon.com Poll: Americans dont want a central bank digital currency poll from the Cato Institute indicates that, while about half of Americans do not have an opinion regarding whether the Federal Reserve should begin offering a government-issued digital currency, called a central bank digital currency (CBDC), among those with an opinion on the matter over twice as many 34 percent of poll participants oppose the prospect as support it 16 percent. (Article by Adam Dick republished from RonPaulInstitute.org) This result of the poll conducted from February 27 through March 8 in collaboration with YouGov is promising for Americans concerned about the threat a CBDC, which the Federal Reserve and big financial companies have been testing in preparation for its potential introduction, poses to freedom and privacy in America. The poll results further indicate that, if Americans can be educated about the abusive government powers a CBDC can advance, many Americans currently undecided regarding the introduction of a CBDC will see good reason to oppose it. Emily Ekins and Jordan Gygi wrote in their May 31 in-depth Cato Institute article concerning the poll results: Overwhelming majorities would oppose the adoption of a CBDC if it meant that the government could control what people spend their money on (74%), that the government could monitor their spending (68%), that a CBDC would abolish all U.S. cash (68%), that a CBDC would attract cyberattacks (65%), that the government could charge a tax on those who dont spend money during recessions (64%), or that the government could freeze the digital bank accounts of political protesters (59%). Americans were marginally opposed (52%) if a CBDC could cause some people to stop using private banks, resulting in some banks going out of business. The candidates now in second place in the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries Ron DeSantis and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. appear to be in the anti-CBDC camp. Hopefully, we will see more and more politicians joining them over the coming months in standing up against this threat posed by the Federal Reserve and US government. Meanwhile, it is also important that Americans across the country educate the people they come into contact with about why a CBDC in America is unacceptable. The new poll from the Cato Institute suggests that many people will be receptive to this message. Read more at: RonPaulInstitute.org Biden administration censors disclosure of 2020 election censorship documents Censoring proof of censorship that would be a new low for the current US administration, but that is what newly released documents emails are now revealing as the inner workings of the Biden White House related to online speech, and what they say they consider to be misinformation. (Article by Didi Rankovic republished from ReclaimTheNet.org) The new documents refer to the time last September when some journalists and civil rights advocates wanted to probe the role of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in censorship on social sites a part of what is now widely considered collusion between various government agencies, and privately-owned tech giants. But, it would appear that instead of being forthcoming about this information in the spirit of democracy, and also, since the cat was already out of the bag anyway the government, via the Department of Justice (DoJ) got busy trying to effectively sabotage these efforts, Lee Fang reported. The method was to at least slow down the rate at which public records having to do with the authorities behavior were released to the public. These latest revelations have to do with DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), University of Washington (UW) professor and a CISA advisory panel member Kate Starbird, who also heads a disinformation outfit at the university (funded by the government), and requests from the Daily Caller News Foundation, Tech Inquiry, journalist Lee Fang, and the Government Accountability Project, all separately asking for records from the UW. Requests varied, but all had to do with Starbird her job was to assist CISA in moderating -i.e., censoring some types of Twitter and Facebook content. Instead of providing this information, Western District of Washington Assistant US Attorney Annalisa Cravens emailed Starbird saying that CISA informed them about the requests and, () We would ask to have an extension of time before the records are produced so that we can have time to review them and assess whether well have to file suit to protect them from disclosure, the email reads. This is an example not only of how the power the government has given itself to be the arbiter of what content, particularly political, or construed as political, people have access to online but also of how it goes about trying to minimize the perception of its involvement. It is not clear which documents may have ultimately been delayed, withheld, or redacted because of the Biden administrations interference in the public records request, Lee Fang writes. Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org FDAs Rumor Control Hub wants people to SNITCH on misinformation spreaders its all about taking CONTROL of the narrative The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through its Rumor Control Hub (RCH), is encouraging Americans to snitch on individuals purportedly spreading "misinformation" online Children's Health Defense (CHD) reported in a June 6 post on its Defender newsletter that the FDA updated its RCH, which was first launched in August 2022. The updated hub included a new video that defines misinformation as information that is "false, inaccurate, or misleading spreading intentionally and unintentionally." "Some individuals and organizations promote opinions online disguised as fact," the regulator claimed, adding that misinformation spreads "six times faster than facts." It also expressed concern that "'health misinformation' is negatively impacting the public's health." Given this, the FDA said the new RCH provides the public with tools to identify and report misinformation they see. The video on the RCH warned that people may be misled by headlines or out-of-context statements, particularly when a trusted person statement. It noted three types of "authoritative" sources medical journals, a non-profit "fact checker" or a government website that the public can turn to to verify if a statement is true or not. CHD also mentioned that the RCH includes links for reporting misinformation on all major social media platforms. Users who follow the links can find instructions on how to mark posts as "false news," "false information" or "inappropriate content" depending on the website. (Related: FDA commissioners demand new tools to fight online "misinformation.") However, some users denounced the hub as a platform for snitching among them British anti-lockdown activist Bernie Spofforth. She tweeted: "Those following the narrative can snitch to the [U.S.] government about all those who question or disagree with them." Board-certified internist Dr. Meryl Nass also denounced the RCH. "Misinformation is whatever the government does not want you to know," she wrote on her Substack. "The federal government continues to try and fool the public into thinking misinformation is a dire problem and a crime. Clearly, the feds are getting nervous that their cons on the people are being recognized." FDA head claims misinformation is a leading cause of preventable death in America According to CHD, the anti-misinformation hub is part of a bigger effort spearheaded by incumbent FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. He served as the regulator's head during the Obama administration from 2016 to 2017. President Joe Biden reappointed him for a second time in February 2022. Califf has made combating "misinformation" one of his top priorities, arguing that it is "a leading cause of preventable death in America now." But the FDA commissioner later said this claim "cannot be proved." In an August 2022 article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Califf lamented the impact of misinformation on public health at large. He wrote: "One immediate result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is greatly expanded access to digital information. However, the global information environment has been contaminated by mis- and disinformation." The commissioner ultimately urged the FDA to "be more proactive in preempting and countering misinformation." CHD noted that in line with this, Califf remarked that he believes "in the power of social media being used for good." The health freedom group cited social media efforts by the regulator. According to CHD, the FDA "uses Twitter to tweet about misinformation, and Instagram to post memes encouraging vaccination." The regulator also created a series of fact-checking YouTube videos titled "Just a Minute." The clips featured Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, addressing several "myths" about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Visit FDA.news for more stories about the American regulatory agency. Watch Dr. Peterson Pierre of America's Frontline Doctors discussing how the FDA redefined the word "vaccine" below. This video is from The Willow channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Without evidence, FDA claims "misinformation" is LEADING cause of death in the USA, but won't acknowledge deaths caused by vaccines or pharmaceuticals. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf dishonestly blames "health misinformation" for falling life expectancy rates no mention of deadly medications or vaccines. FDA claims it will "save lives" by silencing speech online, making sure no one is allowed to talk about natural medicine, prevention or cures. Federal government wants more CONTROL: FDA's Robert Califf calls for more censorship of so-called health "misinformation." FDA anoints itself the arbiter of truth, despite misleading millions of Americans into injury and death. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org JAMANetwork.com Brighteon.com Kakhovka Dams destruction dislodged unexploded landmines and ordnance from the battlefield to residential areas putting civilians, including children, in harms way The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine has dislodged unexploded landmines and ordnance The Red Cross issued a warning against these lethal explosives following the dam's destruction on June 6. According to the group, floodwaters from the reservoir are transporting them from the battlefield to residential areas posing a risk to non-combatants, including children. The landmines were reportedly deployed by the Russian military both to defend their positions and slow the movement of Ukrainian troops in Kherson. Erik Tollefsen, who heads the International Committee of the Red Cross' Weapon Contamination Unit, told Agence France-Presse of this predicament. He said: "Until now, we have roughly guessed where the mines might be and where we shouldn't go. Now we have no idea; they can be anywhere in the floodplain." While more than 40,000 people have already been evacuated from the dam's surrounding area, locals have attested to the presence of "floating landmines." These landmines filled with seven kilograms of explosives not only pose a danger to Ukrainian soldiers, but also to civilians and aid workers behind humanitarian efforts in the beleaguered country. "Many anti-infantry mines have been dislodged, becoming floating mines. They pose a great danger," remarked Nataliya Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the South Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The HALO Trust, the world's largest humanitarian charity dedicated to clearing landmines, has been attempting to mark areas where landmines have been located. However, dramatically fluctuating water levels are causing the explosives to move further inland frustrating the group's efforts. "Our de-mining teams regularly cross the river to access minefields, but three of these minefields are now underwater. We've had to suspend work on others nearby," the HALO trust said in a statement. It ultimately warned that landmines now pose "a fatal risk to civilians who live in the area or use the fertile banks to graze their animals, cultivate crops and [catch] fish." Moscow, Kyiv pointing fingers over dam destruction The dam located in the city of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast was destroyed by an explosion on June 6. State-owned hydropower operator Ukrhydroenergo said the affected section of the dam was "fully destroyed" and could not be restored. Aside from flooding, the incident caused thousands of residents to lose their homes, clean drinking water and electricity. Both warring parties pointed their fingers at each other over who was responsible for blowing up the dam. (Related: Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of plotting false flag events that will cause mass casualties.) On one hand, Kyiv accused Russia of being responsible for destroying the dam. According to the Ukrainian government, Moscow may have feared that Ukrainian forces would use the road over the dam to get troops across the Dneiper River into Russian-held territory as part of its counter-offensive. On the other hand, Moscow blamed Ukraine for the dam's destruction. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov called the incident an act of "sabotage" masterminded by Kyiv that would deprive the Crimean peninsula of water. Mykola Kalinin, chief engineer at the Ukrainian hydropower and water management engineering firm Ukrhydroproject, put in his two cents on the Kakhovka Dam's destruction. Speaking in the Ukrainian data journalism site Texty, he disclosed that the dam was "built to withstand a super-powerful impact from the outside." Kalinin concluded that explosives that destroyed the dam were planted from the inside. Visit UkraineWitness.com for more stories about the Kakhovka Dam's destruction, part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Watch Tucker Carlson bringing up the possibility of Ukraine blowing up the Kakhovka Dam as a false flag on the debut episode of his new show "Tucker on Twitter." This video is from the Heaven Reigns channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Did Ukraine just blow up its own Kakhovka Dam? CONFIRMED: Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines SABOTAGED as third world war looms. Thousands of people forced to evacuate following destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. Sources include: RMX.news BBC.com Brighteon.com Putin: Russia will deploy tactical NUCLEAR WEAPONS in Belarus by early July Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will start deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by early July. This comes several months after Putin announced that he had received Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's permission to station nuclear weapons in the nation, which borders three North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members Poland to the west and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. (Related: Putin to deploy tactical nuclear missiles in neighboring Belarus following increased Western provocations.) "Everything is going according to plan," Putin told Lukashenko during a meeting in Putin's summer retreat estate in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi as they discuss the plans for nuclear deployment to Belarus. Putin added in his conversation with Lukashenko that the construction of the special storage facilities needed to house the tactical nuclear weapons will be completed by July 7 to 8, after which Russia "will immediately begin activities related to the deployment of appropriate types of weapons on Belarus." The move to send nuclear warheads to Belarus marks the first time Russia has deployed nuclear weapons outside its own borders. Both Ukraine and the White House have condemned the agreement to send nuclear weapons to Belarus. "It's the latest example of irresponsible behavior that we have seen from Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over a year ago," said United States Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller, who added that the White House still does not believe "Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon." In his own response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his demand for his nation to be admitted into NATO as soon as possible. He also said that Ukraine will not rest until every last Russian soldier currently in the territory the nation claims is "ejected." The move to send nuclear weapons to Belarus is being watched closely not just by the U.S. and its NATO allies in Europe, but also by China, all of whom have repeatedly cautioned against the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict. Tactical nukes could be launched against Ukrainian troops Tactical nuclear weapons are intended to be launched at relatively shorter ranges to target enemy troops, weapons and other equipment on the battlefield. This distinguishes them from strategic nuclear weapons, which are intended to target enemy nations and other targets outside of ongoing battlefields. Putin's announcement in March that he wanted to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus was seen at the time as a warning to the whole host of Western nations that support Ukraine and provide it with military aid. Putin previously said Russia will retain control of the tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. It is not clear, however, how many nuclear warheads would be sent to Belarus. The White House believes Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, including warheads that can be carried by aircraft, launched by short-range missiles and even launched by long-range artillery pieces. Putin has noted that his country's Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile systems can be adapted to deliver nuclear warheads. Some of these systems have already been handed over to Belarus, and Russian sources noted that the Iskander has a range of about 500 kilometers (310 miles). Belarus further noted that the Su-25 aircraft in its air force can also be adapted to carry nuclear warheads. The Su-25 has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). What this means is that if a Su-25 carrying a tactical nuclear warhead is launched from Belarus' main air base just outside of the capital of Minsk, those jets could go anywhere in Ukraine and could also reach almost all of Eastern Europe. These planes might even be able to fly far enough to reach Berlin in Germany and Stockholm in Sweden. Learn more about the possibility of nuclear conflict at NuclearWar.news. Watch this clip of Lukashenko hinting that Russia may have already begun moving nuclear weapons into Belarus a month before the stated beginning of the move. This video is from the Galactic Storm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Former Russian President Medvedev: Russia will hit Ukraine with preemptive NUCLEAR STRIKE if West tries to send nukes. Russian authorities threaten NUCLEAR REVENGE after drones explode over Putin's residence. Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that the world is on the verge of a NUCLEAR WORLD WAR III. Putin orders Russian fleet to conduct exercises for NUCLEAR launch test. FEMA map shows areas most at risk of being targeted by nuclear warheads in a war. Sources include: DailyStar.co.uk Reuters.com APNews.com Brighteon.com San Franciscos biggest hotels are shutting down due to unpaid debts as fewer tourists visit the crime-riddled, crap-smothered city Park Hotels and Resorts, the owner of the two largest hotels in San Francisco, has announced that it has stopped making payments on a $725 million loan meant to keep its two hotels in the city running. The two hotels in question Hilton San Francisco Union Square and JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square have nearly 3,000 rooms combined. Together, the two hotels make up roughly nine percent of San Francisco's hotel room inventory. The $725 million loan that has kept them running throughout the pandemic will default and will be the largest hotel default in the United States since 2020. Once the loan keeping the two hotels afloat goes into delinquency in July, 80 basis points (0.8 percent) will be added to San Francisco's hotel delinquency rate, pushing it above five percent. Other notable hotels like the Huntington Hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood and the YOTEL on Market Street also recently shut down after they were both sold at foreclosure auctions. The 208-room The Marker Hotel and the 236-room Hotel Spero were also recently sold for $77 million and $71 million, respectively. While these six hotels are the most recent victims of the economic downturn plaguing the city, they might not be the last. More than 30 other hotels in San Francisco are facing loans due in the next two years After Park Hotels, the next-biggest mortgage deadline comes in January 2024, when the 543-room Hilton San Francisco Financial District's $97 million loan faces maturation. As of March, just $9.3 million of this loan has been paid off. "We are confident that we can achieve the refinancing of this loan," said David Gonzalez, president of Portsmouth Square, the hotel lender that currently owns the hotel's debt. High cost of living, rampant crime among many problems hampering San Francisco's economy In a statement, Park Hotels and Resorts CEO Thomas Baltimore Jr. noted that San Francisco is facing multiple major challenges preventing its proper economic recovery. "After much thought and consideration, we believe it is in the best interest for Park's stockholders to materially reduce our current exposure to the San Francisco market," Park Hotels CEO Thomas Baltimore Jr. said in a statement. "Now more than ever, we believe San Francisco's path to recovery remains clouded and elongated by major challenges both old and new." According to Baltimore, the concerns hampering San Francisco's economic recovery include record high rental property vacancies, street crimes and a lower rate of companies based in San Francisco telling their employees to return to the office compared to other cities. (Related: Rise of remote work and decline of commuters contributing to San Francisco's "urban doom loop.") Baltimore also cited "a weaker than expected citywide convention calendar through 2027 that will negatively impact business and leisure demand and will likely significantly reduce compression in the city for the foreseeable future." "Unfortunately, the continued burden on our operating results and balance sheet is too significant to warrant continuing to subsidize and own these assets," Baltimore concluded. Park Hotels confirmed that the two hotels will remain open, but refused to comment further on any potential ownership changes. "People are looking at San Francisco and thinking it's very difficult to build here, and if we can hold onto our assets we might be okay," noted Alan Reay, president of consultancy at the hotel conglomerate Atlas Hospitality. He speculated that Park Hotels might end up investing in other leisure markets like Hawaii, and the borrowers that keep luxury hotels afloat might end up going back to other markets like Chicago and New York City. Learn more about the ticking time bomb that is America's economy at DebtCollapse.com. Watch this video comparing what San Francisco used to be like in 1950 to how it is like today. This video is from the Halo Rock channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DRAG MONEY: Crime-riddled San Francisco appoints nation's first "drag laureate," pays him $55,000 for celebrating drag culture. T-Mobile CLOSES DOWN flagship San Francisco store amid city's chaos. California's homeless construct two-mile-long vehicle encampment in San Francisco's North Bay region. Nordstrom to leave downtown San Francisco after 35 years due to city's deteriorating conditions of high violence and crime. Whole Foods leaves downtown San Francisco one year after opening due to rampant crime. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com SFChronicle.com TheRealDeal.com Brighteon.com Huge success: National pride flag walk-out day As you know, Canadas education system has become a cesspool of sexual propaganda and soul-and-body-destroying ideology. (Article by Jack Fonseca republished from CampaignLifeCoalition.com) Worse still, a majority of elected school board trustees in most districts support the programming of sexual perversion into the next generation. But just when it has never looked darker, God casts a ray of light and hope. Let me tell you a story... In late May, a Catholic mom in southwestern Ontario phoned Campaign Life Coalition and asked if wed be able to recruit some parents in her local area to participate with her family in what she described as a Walk-Out on June 1st, to protest the raising of the LGBT Pride flag. You see, this momma bear was sick and tired of LGBT propaganda targeting her young children at school. She wanted to protect her cubs from the sexualized "Pride" flag, the symbol of LGBT political power which would soon hang once again over her childrens heads at their Catholic elementary school. We liked her idea so much so, that we told her, Forget about just your city. CLC will take your idea on ourselves, and spread it Canada-wide! Lets try to protect all the children! And so, the first ever National Pride Flag Walk-Out Day was born. We whipped up a simple poster and a web page to promote the protest action, and began spreading the word to families in public and Catholic schools. It was held on Thursday, June 1st, when most schools raise the Gay "Pride" flag to kick off a full month of LGBT classroom indoctrination that aims to separate children from the religious beliefs of their families and to make them enthusiastic adherents of the latest sexual revolution: gender fluidity. Stunning Results We would have been happy if schools had a 10% absence rate, but when the numbers started coming in, we were blown away because the participation rate far surpassed anything we could have dreamed of. Depending on the area, absence rates were a staggering 30% to 75%! Northwood Public School in Windsor, Ontario, saw 600 out of its 800 students stay home on June 1st. That's an incredible 75% walk-out. The really great part is that it wasn't isolated to just one school. The local President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario?admitted?to the CBC that multiple Windsor area schools had greater than 50% absence rates. In Ottawa, two schools experienced a greater than 60% absence rate, and more than 40% of the desks were empty in nine other schools on the first day of so-called, LGBT Pride Month. In Oakville, up to 30% of students in some schools stayed home in protest of the transgender and homosexual "Pride" flag. In London, school officials kept numbers of absences close to their chests, but admitted to the London Free Press that there were significant "absences in pockets of schools". In Toronto, school officials were also tight-lipped about numbers, but admitted to media that absences in some schools were "higher than normal". We haven't yet received reports from other provinces or cities, but we expect that the parental rights message was sent to school board officials loud and clear there too. And that message is: "Schools must stop indoctrinating our children with LGBT propaganda! Start respecting parental rights." Keeping the flame of rebellion alive We mustnt give up this momentum. While the flame still burns, we must fan it even higher, to grow parental rebellion against transgender ideology and the sexual messaging of the LGBT "Pride" flag. How can we do that? Some parents who participated in the June 1st National Pride Flag Walk-Out Day have told us they're going to continue sending the message to school officials this June by keeping their children home for another week, or even, for the remainder of the month. We think that's a great idea, and CLC wants to encourage parents across Canada to do the same! Let the woke educrats and school trustees know that you reject the LGBT lobby's flag of conquest hanging over your children's heads, just like that Catholic momma bear who first approached us. Please - keep your kids and grandkids home from school for another week, or, if you can manage it, for the rest of the month. By that empty desk, show them you refuse to accept the LGBT lobby's claim of ownership on the heart, mind and soul of your son, daughter or grandchild! June 9th in Ottawa Education Over Indoctrination Rally For those who live in the greater Ottawa area, we would like to promote an event organized by Josh Alexander and Billboard Chris (Christ Elston). Josh, a teenager who was suspended at his Catholic high school after stating his belief that God made only male and female, and then arrested for trespassing when he tried return to class, has been touring Canada to rally young people against transgender ideology. Billboard Chris has also been touring the country, showing up on busy streets wearing a billboard warning against the harm to children of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex-change mutilation surgery. These two powerhouse activists have teamed up for this Ottawa rally on June 9th, and are encouraging parents to keep their kids out of school that day and for families to come to the rally instead. This is a great way for those who live within driving distance of Ottawa to send a powerful message. Please consider joining in. Heres another suggestion If youre unable to keep your kids home for another week or the rest of June, why not at least do it one more day, on June 9th, in solidarity with Chris and Joshs Education over Indoctrination Rally? The event will be held at Broadview Ave & Carling Ave in Ottawa, starting at 11:00 am, and they will be marching. (See map) Petition against LGBT "Pride" flag in schools takes off CLC started a petition some time ago, to be delivered to school board trustees across Canada, which demands that they stop flying the controversial transgender and homosexual "Pride" flag, and institute a new policy which permits only the Canadian flag to be flown on school board property. Since June 1st, the start of gay "Pride" Month, that petition has really taken off, gathering over 6,000 new signatures to reach a total, as of this writing, of almost 17,000 signatures. This sudden interest in our NO PRIDE FLAG IN SCHOOLS petition is another sign that Canadians are fed up with homosexual and transgender propaganda being shoved in their faces all day long. In closing, I would like to thank all the thousands of parents and grandparents who mobilized to keep their children home on our inaugural National Pride Flag Walk-Out Day! A special thanks goes out to the Muslim families who took part in tremendous numbers, because their participation really made an amazing impact. You parents are the superstars who made history on June 1st, 2023. I believe this day will be talked about by future historians as a turning point in the culture wars. Lets keep it going! In the coming days, my colleague Josie Luetke, CLCs Director of Education and Advocacy, will write you about the resultant media coverage and successful Pray-In events that CLC also organized at the offices of Catholic Bishops and some school boards. Stay tuned Read more at: CampaignLifeCoalition.com Texas to place FLOATING BARRIERS along Rio Grande River to block border crossers State authorities in Texas are set to place a line of inflatable buoy barriers measuring 1,000 feet to block illegal immigrants from crossing through the southern U.S. border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed the move during a June 8 press conference. According to him, the deployment of the new floating line of buoys will begin "pretty much immediately" in Eagle Pass, Texas. Abbott made the announcement while signing a series of border security bills passed by the Texas Legislature, which approved $5.1 billion in funding to the state. "What we're doing right now [is that] we're securing the border at the border. What these buoys will allow us to do is to prevent people from even getting to the border," said the governor of the Lone Star State. He continued that Texas will continue to employ strategies that are effective in preventing illegals from entering the country unlawfully including "mile after mile after mile" of inflatable buoys. Col. Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the latest deployment of buoys will cost less than $1 million. He added that the first 1,000 feet of buoys will be strung together in the Rio Grande in Maverick County on July 7. The area is often used by human smugglers, McCraw noted. According to the DPS drector, the buoys sit about four feet above water and can be anchored to the riverbed below with webbing to prevent someone from swimming underneath. Testing done by DPS special operators confirmed the difficulty of going over or through the barriers. "Because of the water and the buoyancy of these, it's very difficult to be able to go through [or] to come. [There are] ways to overcome [the barriers] but it takes great effort, specialized skills and equipment to do it," McCraw explained. "We don't want anyone to get hurt. In fact, we want to prevent people from getting hurt. We want to prevent people from drowning, and this is a proactive way. We don't want people to come across and continue to put themselves at risk." Inflatable buoys are extra additions to the Texas border security arsenal According to Abbott, the barrier will be deployed strategically as needed. However, he did not reveal any other locations where the floating buoys will be set up. "One of the goals is to slow down and deter as many [illegal immigrants] as possible," he said. "Some may eventually get to the border, where they are going to face that multi-layer razor wire and the full force of the [Texas] National Guard (TNG) and DPS officers. They will not be allowed to pass." "They both know they have one instruction: Do not allow anybody to enter into the state of Texas." The inflatable barriers announced by Abbott are an addition to the Lone Star State's arsenal against border crossers. Previously, TNG members have laid out razor wire on certain land areas of the border. Eleven other Republican states have sent guardsmen from their respective areas to back up their Texas counterparts. (Related: DeSantis: Florida National Guard "proud to help" Texas counterparts in addressing Biden-inflicted BORDER CRISIS.) However, Abbott's proposal was not without criticism. Rodolfo Rosales, state director of the Texas chapter of the League of United Latin Americans Citizens, blasted the measure as inhumane, barbaric and ill-conceived. "We view it as a chilling reminder of the extreme measures used throughout history by elected leaders against those they do not regard as human beings, seeking only to exterminate them, regardless of the means employed," he told CBS News. "It is with profound horror and shame that we bear witness to the consideration of these measures, which are evidently intended as political theater, but will undoubtedly result in the loss of innocent lives among the refugees seeking asylum in the United States." Visit BorderSecurity.news for more stories about Texas implementing measures to secure the southern border. Watch Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) disclosing that the Biden administration is "encouraging the chaos" and "more flow" of illegals across the southern border. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BORDER DEFENSE: America protects US-Mexico border with barbed wire and verbal warnings. Sheriff Benny Martinez calls for US-Mexico border to be SHUT DOWN and SECURED Brighteon.TV. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deploys special border force in preparation for influx of illegal aliens as Title 42 expires. TX Sheriff: Border patrol told me to be ready for ports of entry being overrun, 'we're talking about deputies in 'riot gear.' Texas developing plan to protect, defend its own border from migrant invasion, drug-smuggling after Biden refuses to act. Sources include: YourNews.com NBCNewYork.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Trump could face 100 YEARS in prison if convicted of federal charges, including espionage Former President Donald Trump could face 100 years behind bars if found guilty of seven charges related to mishandling classified information and other federal charges. Trump confirmed on June 8 that he is being charged with espionage. He is also facing four separate charges that each carry a possible prison time of up to 20 years. These are conspiracy to obstruct justice; withholding a document or record; corruptly concealing a document or record; and concealing a document in a federal investigation. The indictment has not been made public that time, but he decided to publicize it so that the feds could unseal it as early as Friday, June 9. Also, Trump's lawyer Jim Trusty told CNN that there were seven charges that "break out from an Espionage Act charge." Trump was in Bedminster, New Jersey when the news broke. The 45th U.S. president condemned the indictment, saying it was political persecution and insisting that he is innocent. During Trump's first public appearance after the "historic indictment," he blasted the feds calling it "ridiculous" and "baseless." He also signified his position to not leave the presidential race in an interview with Politico aboard his plane and predicted he would not be convicted. When asked if he'd pardon himself if he gets re-elected, he answered: "I don't think I'll ever have to. I didn't do anything wrong." The indictment unsealed on Friday charged Trump with willfully defying the Department of Justice's (DOJ) demand that he return classified documents. Trump was previously indicted in Manhattan in April on separate state charges for making hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He is due to make his first federal court appearance in Miami on Tuesday, June 13, a day before his 77th birthday. Interestingly, the indictment was made public the same day the Federal Bureau of Investigation released new evidence proving that the Biden crime family received $5 million from a Ukrainian gas company. Critics believe the government is trying to divert the public's attention away from the latter. Trump slams DOJ, Biden for orchestrating charges to keep him from the White House "They've launched one witch hunt after another to try and stop our movement, to thwart the will of the American people," Trump said during the Republican state convention in Georgia. He later told the crowd: "In the end, they're not coming after me. They're coming after you." During the said state convention, Trump also criticized the DOJ and President Joe Biden for their "politically motivated campaign to keep him from the White House." Trump said that the incumbent president has "orchestrated the criminal charges in order to undermine his main political rival's presidential campaign, as well as to distract from federal and congressional investigations into Biden's son" However, DOJ stood firm that all its investigative decisions are made without regard to partisan politics. The prosecutors claimed the former president held on to materials that he should not have retained, including documents about the U.S. nuclear program and domestic vulnerabilities to a potential attack. "The 49-page indictment also detailed two instances in which Trump allegedly shared classified information with people not authorized to receive it, as well as efforts to obstruct government investigators seeking to retrieve the materials," Reuters reported. Trump supporters accused the DOJ of political bias, saying that his indictment is just another example of weaponized government bureaucracy. (Related: Former Arizona AG: Trump indictment an example of weaponized government bureaucracy.) Visit Trump.news for more updates on Trump's federal charges and court hearings. Watch the video below about the Trump indictment. This video is from the Willow channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: As America descends into banana republic, Trumps spokesperson Liz Harrington talks with Mike Adams about indictments, vaccines, election interference and more Polling indicates Trump's nomination by the Republican National Convention is ALL BUT GUARANTEED. Is Donald Trump FINALLY going to tell the truth about Big Pharma? Evidence mounts that DA Bragg's indictment of Trump is pure political persecution. Alex Jones: Trump INDICTMENT a historic milestone for America but not in a good way. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk APNews.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com Woke Disney hasnt learned anything from costly boycotts of Target and Bud Light, moves ahead with Pride gear offerings The Walt Disney Company is no longer run by executives who seek to promote and protect the traditional American values of two-parent families, sexual mores and presenting appropriate materials for children, who make up the a large percentage of their target audience. Nowadays, Disney is run by woke America-hating leftists who promote aberrant behaviors and lifestyles practiced by a small minority of people but whom the company's execs are using to help destroy our country as founded. "As part of its 'pride' collection, Disney is selling LGBT-themed onesies for infants 0 to 3 months old. They feature Mickey Mouse with the word 'love' written in rainbow colors above him," The Western Journal reported. Disney is pushing LGBTQ+ clothes and toys for babies at their parks pic.twitter.com/QNUABtlAeB End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 2, 2023 Disney execs arrogantly have dismissed any concerns about profit-stealing boycotts like those launched against retailer Target and beer brand Bud Light after their woke marketing fiascos. The Journal's report added: In addition, Disney is offering LGBT-themed Star Wars T-shirts for children and plush toys of Mickey Mouse holding a rainbow flag. The message is clear: Just like Target, Disney wants to indoctrinate your children in far-left ideology. To anyone who has been following Disney the past few years, this should hardly come as a surprise, as the company never seems to miss an opportunity to promote the LGBT agenda. Last year, per Disney Connect, a statement says that Disney Pride Collection will include rainbow backpacks, cups, shirts and merchandise from several brands, like Star Wars and Marvel attire in Pride colors. Disney even has gay pet attire. The Disney Pride Collection was created by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies at The Walt Disney Company and is a reflection of their incredible contributions and place at the heart of the company. We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community everywhere, the statement says. The Walt Disney Company will be donating all of our profits from the Disney Pride Collection sales now through June 30, 2022 to organizations that support LGBTQIA+ youth and families. This includes sales of Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars Pride Collection merchandise, it continues. The Daily Wire added: In the same announcement, Disney promised to donate all of its domestic profits from the pride collection to organizations that support LGBTQ causes until the end of June, also known as Pride Month. Groups designated to benefit from Disneys sales include the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which says it exists to create safe and affirming schools and learning environments for all K-12 students, and The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention resource for LGBTQ young people. While Disneys pride collection clothing, for both kids and adults, comes in preparation for Pride Month, the move also comes as the company has been targeted by Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans. The company opposed the states Parental Rights in Education bill, legislation prohibiting discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms with young children. The groups that Disney began donating to include the Ali Forney Center, whose description reads: The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is the largest organization working to care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youths who have been rejected by their families and thrown out into the streets because of their identity. AFC provides housing, mental healthcare and a host of other supports to help LGBTQ youth heal from the trauma of family rejection and the harms of street homelessness. Several LGBTQ centers will also be funded, including those of Los Angeles, San Francisco, as well as Australian and European gays. At The Walt Disney Company, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to create authentic, unforgettable stories, experiences and products that capture the imagination of generations of people around the world. We are committed to doing that in a way that counts everybody in, the site says. Sources include: DailyWire.com WesternJournal.com Matrixxx Grooove: Americans doing everything to ensure Trumps 2024 White House return Brighteon.TV Jeffrey "InTheMatrixxx" Pedersen and Shannon "ShadyGrooove" Townsend discussed how Americans are doing everything in their power to ensure former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after the 2024 elections "Trump was railroaded for his second term in office," Townsend remarked during the June 5 episode of "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" on Brighteon.TV. "There's going to be no stopping the American people from doing everything in their power to put Donald Trump back in the White House in 2024. It's going to be us to do that, and they can't stop it." According to Townsend, all the people backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will become irrelevant. He added that they have no clue how ingrained Trump, and the Make America Great Again movement by extension, is among the population. Pedersen agreed with his co-host, adding that the Russiagate government gangsters that snooped on Trump during his campaign and presidential term are still around. He continued that more people could be added to the list of people these gangsters are spying on. (Related: Here's how the Obama regime was in on the plot to destroy Trump's presidency with the phony 'Russiagate' probe.) According to "ShadyGrooove," there are two tiers of justice in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under it. He continued that both agencies are not protecting Americans, but covering each other's tracks. Both agencies have been busy labeling Americans who pay taxes and go to work daily as white supremacists and racists. Townsend said Americans are under direct attack from the same establishment that claims there wasn't any election fraud, President Joe Biden won fair and square, the border is all fine and America isn't on the brink of World War III. This establishment, he continued, engineered the ouster of Trump in 2020. DOJ under Bill Barr killed probe on election fraud Pedersen then recounted the story of Jesse Morgan, a driver contracted by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to transport ballots from New York to Pennsylvania back in October 2020. According to a June 5 article by the Gateway Pundit, a report by the USPS vindicated Morgan. The driver testified about the scheme in a press conference, saying that he saw 24 large cardboard containers of ballots loaded into his trailer. The cardboard containers contained plastic trays of ballots stacked on top of each other. "All the envelopes were the same size," Morgan said. "I saw the envelopes had return addresses. They were complete ballots." After reaching his destination at the city of Harrisburg, capital of the Keystone State, he sat at the USPS hub there for hours. When he was told to leave, the supervisor would not give him a slip for overtime pay. Morgan described the manager at the hub as "[kind of] rude." The Gateway Pundit pointed out that the driver's testimony "revealed that [USPS] employees were in on the conspiracy to steal the votes." Townsend stressed that everybody who wants to push the election fraud issue under the rug is complicit in it and wanted the same outcome. For his part, Pedersen cited the Gateway Pundit about how then-Attorney General Bill Barr did not order an investigation into this enormous act of election fraud. "Barr called up investigator Tony Shaffer and killed the investigation. He never lifted a finger to investigate this enormous act of election fraud," the article said. Townsend emphasized that this was election meddling, noting that Trump was leading in the Keystone State. However, his huge lead evaporated with all the new ballots that came in. Follow Trump.news for more news about former President Donald Trump. Watch the June 5 episode of "Matrixxx Grooove" below. Tune in to "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" with Jeff Pedersen and Shannon Townsend every weekday at 12-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: BOMBSHELL: The 2020 election took place under a Trump-declared National Emergency that set an Election Day trap for the unauthorized accessing of election and campaign infrastructure. Matrixxx Grooove: Documentary about how 2020 election was stolen from Trump now showing in theaters nationwide Brighteon.TV. Former Trump national security adviser warns that DEEP STATE operatives within the FBI, CIA and DOJ are planning to rig the 2024 elections. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheGatewayPundit.com According to Biden Regime, Americans who do NOT salute the gay flag and celebrate Juneteenth are MAGA-extremist, Russia-loving, gay-bashing, white supremacists Saluting the American flag, wearing a t-shirt bearing it, or carrying it around during a peaceful protest now associates that person or group with "white supremacy" and "straight" people who hate blacks, gays, and immigrants, according to the extremely hypocritical Left. Peace, love, and God are now "dirty" words, as the Biden Regime pushes for war, hate, and atheism in order to accomplish their main goal installing communism from sea to not-so-shining sea. To cap it all off, the US Air Force is literally celebrating gender confusion June ("pride month") with a serviceman saluting the queer rainbow flag, as this takes priority over protecting the country and recognizing the Republic as the greatest nation on earth. It's all about being politically correct now and not offending anyone who can't figure out what gender they want to be today. Washington DC wants everyone thinking about sex, multiple sex partners, and grooming kids for the same, instead of building family values, respect for the military, and faith in God almighty. Mass media hoaxes: Juneteenth and the Rainbow flag keep Americans believing that the country is divided and full of people who don't tolerate each other Sure, it's important to recognize minorities and people who are discriminated against, but unfortunately, that is not the "master plan" of the fake president and his cabal of hatred. The goal of the communists running Washington DC is to have everyone believe that all straight white people are racists, bigots, gay-bashers, MAGA extremists, and domestic terrorists who want to reinstall slavery and banish all the gays. It's all one huge distraction, while the real "domestic terrorists" try to force-vaccinate the masses, start WWIII with Russia, and wipe out the middle class by crippling the economy. The LGBTQ+ movement, if it were ever a positive thing, has been warped, adulterated, and sick-twisted by the politicians suffering from Trump-derangement syndrome and CRT-inflicted "hate whitey" syndrome. It's all about convincing children and teens to try to "switch" genders by getting their genitalia cut off or mutilated while taking cancer-tumor-inducing hormones to warp their biological physical traits. It's called grooming and these adults who push it on the youth should be thrown in prison for it. The corporate agenda is to recruit children and teens into the perverted world of tranny everything, where all they think about all day is sex and sex partners The Left truly wants everyone to be disgusted with America and believe that most Americans are intolerant of differences, but it's just not true. Most Americans are not racist, not bigots, not haters, not bitter, not resentful, and appreciate cultures from around the world. The mass media is on a tear as of late to convince us all that everyone is fighting and hating each other all the time, everywhere. President Trump doesn't hate gays, or blacks, or immigrants. That was all a political con and the people who believe it are brainwashed by the mass-propaganda campaign that started when he first declared he was running for president. Think about it. The majority of riots in this country began and ended with BLM and Antifa (pro-fascist groups) who destroyed entire metropolitan cities, burned down businesses, beat innocent people to death, and then pretend they are fighting for equal rights and to end discrimination. Wait, what? What ever happened to lead by example? Now, while everyone is supposed to salute the 55 queer flags, including the US military, there are drag queens going around to daycare centers and elementary schools and dancing in their thongs and high heels, trying to convince children to switch genders (another fake science movement, like climate change). Let's celebrate freedom in America and diversity by appreciating each other as we interact in the neighborhood, at stores, at work, on vacations, etc. We don't need holidays and strip tease shows to convince everyone we are all unique and should be appreciated 24/7/365 for our differences. This country was founded on immigration, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, so let's not forget that. Tune your internet dial to Gender.news for updates on extreme liberals with hidden agendas trying to turn normal kids into gender-confused freaks. Sources for this article include: WND.comDailyCaller.com USA.visa.com NaturalNews.com Canadian wildfire smoke blocking sun, causing solar panels to produce 50% less energy The eastern United States is having a lot of trouble producing enough "renewable" energy for itself ever since the Canadian wildfires first sparked. It turns out that all the smoke now blanketing the skies is preventing natural sunlight from reaching solar panels, which are said to be producing about 50 percent less energy as a result. According to reports, the solar farms that power New England are producing about 56 percent less energy at times of peak demand during the wildfires compared to before they began. PJM Interconnection LLC, a regional grid operator covering the territory spanning from Illinois to North Carolina, says its solar generation capacity has dropped by about 25 percent since the wildfires started. While wildfires such as this are more typical to the western United States, these eastern fires are giving the other side of the country a taste of what happens when weather events interfere with "renewable" energy. The corporate-controlled media is blaming "climate change," but the fact of the matter is that wildfires happen. And when they do, the skies can turn a hazy brown or orange, preventing natural sunlight from reaching power-generating solar panels. Sure, they might be "green" and produce no "emissions." But when a wildfire occurs, they end up producing no electricity, either. This is the situation across New England and parts of the Midwest. "With a situation like this, it's really unprecedented," said Matt Kakley, a spokesperson for ISO-New England. "We don't have a lot of historical data to look back on. There is some learning in real time." (Related: In California, one couple's electric company refused to activate their solar panels because they supposedly produced too much energy.) "Renewable" energy is UNRELIABLE energy Fortunately for New England, solar amounts to only about 3 percent of overall power generation across the region, so the losses are minimal. However, if the left gets its wishes, all energy generation will become some combination of solar and wind, both of which fail to work when weather conditions are less than optimal. Keep in mind that coal, oil, and gas all run no matter what the weather is like. It is only "renewable" energy that has trouble keeping up when the air is stale or when there is so much smoke in the sky that you can barely see the sun anymore. Weather conditions must be perfect, in other words, for "renewable" sources to be reliable. Since the weather is always changing, "renewable" energy output will also always be highly variable. One of the hardest-hit states right now is New York, which lost 1,466 megawatts (MW) in solar production between June 6 and June 7. "For a sense of scale, a single megawatt is roughly enough electricity to power 800 to 1,000 homes," reported The Verge. On the flip side, all that smoke has reportedly lessened temperatures throughout the region, which means fewer people are having to run their air conditioning units just to stay cool. Not that you can open windows with all that smoke. The Biden regime is scheming ways to convert all of the nation's electricity to "pollution-free" sources like solar by the year 2035 even though it requires a whole lot of "dirty" energy to make all those solar panels in the first place. Back in September 2020, historic wildfires in California cut solar power generation in the Golden State by about 30 percent. Unlike New England, California relies much more on solar energy, which amounts to about 14 percent of the state's energy production. During that same year, a record number of blackouts occurred from all the extreme weather and associated fires. So-called "green" energy is not all it is cracked up to be. Learn more at SolarPanels.news. Sources for this article include: Bloomberg.com NaturalNews.com TheVerge.com Ana Toledo: Government TARGETED INDIVIDUALS list now includes INNOCENT Americans on Terrorist Screening Database According to Ana Toledo of Targeted Justice, innocent Americans included in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) are now on the U.S. government's targeted individuals list She revealed this worrying fact during an appearance on the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams, alongside updates on her lawsuit against the federal government over this matter. Toledo, a board member of and attorney for Targeted Justice, was herself a targeted individual while doing environmental justice work in Puerto Rico. Adams began by disclosing that his organization, the Brighteon.com free speech network, has been targeted for defamation, de-platforming and blacklisting. He pointed to a government that has abused its power and turned it into a weapon against We The People as the main culprit. Toledo explained that the TSDB was supposed to list down known and suspected terrorists, with reasonable grounds being the legal criteria. But Timothy Groh, former deputy director of the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center that maintains the TSDB, admitted that some people who do not constitute a terrorist threat or do not pose a risk to national security are on the list. She then mentioned that the lawsuit she filed early this year against the government was on behalf of targeted individuals on the TSDB and categorized as domestic terrorists by the FBI. Adams chimed in, noting that the federal government can place a person on the database without any due process or rule of law. Having viewpoints that do not align with the lies spewed by the government also makes one a highly likely candidate for inclusion, he added. Anyone on the TSDB can be denied basic public services and even financial services. But aside from this denial, Toledo revealed the ghastly and horrible consequences for targeted individuals which include their forced participation in a human experimentation program without their consent or awareness. Targeted individuals suffer microwave attacks from directed energy weapons According to the attorney-at-law, one of the founding members of Targeted Justice discovered he was a targeted individual after suffering from microwave attacks. These attacks were concentrated on his leg, which eventually caused a blood clot to form there. Toledo continued: "He almost lost his life because that's when he found out the relationship between being a targeted individual and being on the [TSDB]." She told Adams that targeted individuals are placed in a category where they suffer a microwave attack via directed energy weapons (DEW), or experience what is known as organized stalking. Most of the targeted individuals don't even know that they are targeted. (Related: Targeted Justice's Ana Toledo: Targeted Individual Program the most EXTREME example of gov't weaponization.) "Some of them might feel like when you wake up in the morning and you're like, 'Oh, God, I'm getting old, too fast.'" Toledo said. "It's not that you're getting old. It's that you're getting microwaved through the use of cell towers, and 90 percent of the microwave attacks come through cell towers." Moreover, the attorney for Targeted Justice disclosed that there are certain targeted individuals being slowly poisoned, especially when they go out to eat with others outside their homes. According to her, rogue government people are carrying out this human experimentation program against targeted individuals. Toledo told the Natural News founder: "So, we have to be very careful because there is slow poisoning going on." "The key to this program is plausible deniability so that anybody denouncing this kind of thing sounds like crazy or conspiracy theorist. However, you have a sworn statement from a person saying that people that are not terrorists are included in this list are placed in there." Follow BigGovernment.news for more news about the federal government's program for targeted individuals. Watch the full conversation between the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Targeted Justice's Ana Toledo below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: America Unhinged: Human rights activist Mariana Maritato says civilians are being assaulted with directed-energy weapons Brighteon.TV. Biden, AG Merrick Garland weaponizing Justice Dept., FBI against "domestic terrorist" parents whose only "crime" is complaining to school boards. Diplomat accuses State Department of cover-up over "directed energy weapons" attacks.- The Sheriff Mack Show: Americas greatest threat and enemy is its own federal government Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com TargetedJustice.com Scott Schara: Medical system didnt value peoples lives during COVID-19 pandemic Brighteon.TV Scott Schara, whose daughter Grace fell victim to hospital homicide, remarked that the American medical system didn't value people's lives at the height of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He expressed these remarks to Dr. Lee Merritt on the June 7 episode of her Brighteon.TV program "Merritt Medical Hour." In turn, the former Navy physician and surgeon shared how Scott and his late daughter suffered under this scheme at the Ascension hospital system. According to her, 19-year-old Grace died due to COVID-19 protocols in place in hospitals. "We went to the emergency room and [the hospital] ultimately admitted Grace. She died seven days later," the grieving father told Merritt. "It's hard to grasp because they did everything in their power to take her out." (Related: Grieving father reveals how hospital COVID protocols led to maltreatment and death of his disabled daughter.) The hospital was insistent on putting Grace on a ventilator, which the family adamantly declined. They would later find out that the doctor in charge of her had illegally put a Do Not Resuscitate order on her. Moreover, the hospital had increased the dose of medications to sedate Grace with the lethal combination of Precedex, lorazepam and morphine eventually killing her. It was only after going through Grace's records after her death that Scott realized that she was murdered. This, he told the Medical Rebel, opened his mind to what was really going on. Merritt noted that Scott has a strong legal case because the COVID-19 protocols that killed his daughter were unethical in the medical system. She also expressed surprise that those who are in the corrupt medical system think they can get away with it after changes in the legal system. PREP Act shielded hospitals, doctors from liability "The fear of COVID-19 being spread by the media has the population convinced to be afraid of [the SARS-CoV-2] virus. This fear causes people to not challenge the hospital policies preventing advocates, family members and caregivers in the room with COVID-19 patients," the family's tribute website to Grace pointed out. "As [the Schara] family studied what happened with Grace, they have become aware of thousands of similar cases where advocates attempted to push back. But the hospitals proceeded with their agendas instead. It is hard to believe this is really happening here, in America." Scott remarked that the legal system has indeed been changed, with the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act being put in place to give hospitals and doctors immunity from liability from fake COVID diagnoses. Alongside state laws that have been in place for decades, provisions in the PREP Act signed into law by former President George W. Bush favor the doctors. He compared their case against the Ascension hospital system the second-largest nonprofit system and the largest Catholic system in the U.S. as a "David versus Goliath" scenario. The system has $30 billion in cash reserves and has received $10 billion in government and bonus payments in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic alone. In contrast, the Scharas are using their own money to fund the suit as no law firm would take the kind of case they have. "That's who we're up against. So just think through that David versus Goliath story, just as a starting point," he told Merritt. "In the best-case scenario, the most that we can receive in Grace's case is $750,000 Follow HospitalHomicide.com for more news about hospital deaths due to COVID protocols. Watch the June 7 episode of the "Merritt Medical Hour" below. The "Merritt Medical Hour" airs every Wednesday at 7-8 p.m. and Saturday at 2-3 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: The Dr. Ardis Show: DNR orders in hospitals conceal government's mass genocide agenda, says Scott Schara Brighteon.TV. Scott Schara: Hospital homicide via COVID treatments part of a GENOCIDAL agenda. Hospitals became DEATH and MURDER facilities during covid, facts show. SGT Report: Hospitals are being used to implement a holocaust, says Scott Schara. Sources include: Brighteon.com DrLeeMerritt.com OurAmazingGrace.net U.S. announces a further $2.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, bringing overall total to $40 billion The Pentagon has announced that it will be sending a further $2.1 billion in aid to help Ukraine defend itself as fighting rages on. The new package is largely aimed at helping Ukraine bolster its air defenses and ammunition stockpiles as it ramps up a counteroffensive against Russia. Ukraine is expected to face a significant challenge, with a recent report indicating that Russia has built up the most extensive defenses in Europe since World War II in an attempt to thwart a Ukrainian counteroffensive. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia has been busy setting up mine fields, digging trenches and setting up dragon's teeth. These concrete pyramid barriers are designed to keep tanks from passing. The report noted: Russias goals in building these defenses are to solidify its territorial gains in Ukraine and to prevent Ukrainian forces from liberating additional territory. Missiles for the Patriot air defense system will form a large part of the military aid. This is one of the most sophisticated air defense systems the Pentagon can offer and has already been credited with shooting down barrages of Russian missiles over Ukrainian cities. The package will also include laser-guided rockets and rounds of artillery, along with shorter-range HAWK missiles. The U.S. will also be sending Ukraine small AeroVironment drones that are launchable by hand. In a Pentagon briefing, Department of Defense Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated: "It's very clear that on a daily basis, there are Russian forces attempting to kill innocent Ukrainians. And we the United States government are going to work with the international community to do everything we can to help them defend their country and take back sovereign territory." Ukraine has spent the last few months planning its counteroffensive and rounding out its arsenal with more armored personnel carriers and Western tanks. Some Ukrainian soldiers have been undergoing training in Germany as part of their preparation for the counteroffensive. The U.S. has already supplied Ukraine with almost $40 billion worth of military assistance since the country was invaded by Russia in February of 2022. Much of this aid was made available through presidential drawdown authority taken from existing Pentagon stocks. The current package will be funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which the Biden administration can use to purchase weapons from industry instead of taking it from American stocks. The Department of Defense said in a statement that the new aid "illustrates the continued commitment to both Ukraines critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraines Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term." Ukraine's counterattack is widely believed to be underway Ukraine's heavily anticipated counterattack now appears to be underway, with heavy fighting in southern Ukraine and reports of German and U.S. tank and armored vehicle sightings. They have long been expected to carry out a strong effort to take back the territory that Russia has already seized. However, they have yet to make a formal announcement and are not expected to publicly reveal details about their plans. The Institute for the Study of War believes that the counteroffensive will not be one specific major operation. Instead, their assessment predicted: "It will likely consist of many undertakings at numerous locations of varying size and intensity over many weeks." Russia has condemned providing Ukraine with foreign military aid, insisting that it will only prolong fighting and will not stop them from pressing forward with their objectives. Nevertheless, the U.S. is currently leading an alliance of 54 nations, including NATO member states, in rallying behind Ukraine via the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, who are expected to meet this week in Brussels. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com USAToday.com Reuters.com Defense.gov Talk of revolution reverberates across America after Bidens politicized DOJ indicts President Trump, the candidate most likely to beat Biden in 2024 A faction of Americans -- and likely a growing faction -- is becoming increasingly fed up with being abused by the left-wing deep state, especially after Joe Biden's politicized 'Justice' Department indicted former President Donald Trump some two-and-a-half years after his reelection was stolen from him. A piece published by The American Mind is reflective of this growing attitude and anger. Written by Glenn Ellmers, the piece begins by referencing an excerpt from the new book by Kevin Slack titled, "War on the American Republic." The excerpt says: The only force that can oppose this servitude is an armed citizenry with a stake in society, angry about its managed decline, and insistent upon its rights. Thus the kleptocrats fear is an armed citizenry above all, and they seek to register, then confiscate, AR-15s to render the people defenseless against state coercion. Such tyranny could trigger open conflictAmericans own some 500 million firearms. And while the Left celebrates revolution, its marchers have never seen the systematic ordering force of conservatism when prodded to destruction. The Left can claim control of the bureaucracy and military command, but of actual fighting forces it holds fewit has alienated local police and the 3.3 million veterans who have returned from recent imperial wars. The Right, after such a long train of abuses, must confront whether it would be willing to leap into the revolutionary abyss. This willingness and preparedness for war may be the way to prevent open conflict, to force a common recognition of some table of values, of inalienable rights not subject to negotiation. "I agree with Michael Anton that the regime would like nothing better than to instigate a violent incident by 'ultra-MAGA insurrectionists' in order to justify a harsh crackdown; therefore, dont give them any excuse," Ellmer writes. "Slack himself makes this point eloquently when he observes, 'while I sympathize with any defense of natural right, I also fear it,'" Ellmer continued. "A civil war today would pit 'city against country, neighbor against neighbor, in the aisles of grocery stores, restaurants, and churches. I still hope that we can appeal to genuine nationalism, celebrating Americas principles and its remarkable achievements, rejecting a false patriotism and tribalism.'" Ellmer said he found Slack's exploration of historical and philosophical inquiries intriguing. One such question, he noted, is what Thomas Jefferson would say if he were alive in the present era. By examining the Declaration of Independence, it's possible to deduce the essential prerequisites that Jefferson would deem necessary to invoke the natural right for the people to defend themselves against tyranny. While Slack's book delves into this topic extensively, providing a condensed version that emphasizes the crucial points could be helpful, he added. "The Declaration names four conditions that the signers believed had been met and therefore justified the American Revolution," notes Ellmer. They were: -- Major infringements on natural rights. -- An extended and persistent pattern of abuses against natural rights. -- Refusing to negotiate or compromise with political opponents. -- The need for a better governing alternative. "In each case," notes Ellmer, "Jefferson is referring not to some kind of deterministic, historical inevitability (and obviously not to the necessities imposed by the laws of physics). He means a moral-political compulsion that arises from having no other reasonable and honorable choice." Our revolutionary leaders had spent years studying, history, law, finance, economics, and philosophy. They knew they had the ability to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. "One should embark on a revolution only when there is a reasonable expectation, and a plan, for a better arrangement," Ellmer wrote. "This alternative must be not only more just but also more stable and secure, which includes security from foreign enemies. Thats a high bar and another useful reminder that revolutions are not to be undertaken for 'light or transient causes.'" Stealing elections and jailing your political opponents is the stuff of Marxist, communist, authoritarian regimes -- like the one our founders rebelled against. Sources include: AmericanMind.org AmGreatness.com Calm before the storm: Treasury bills to flood market following sealed debt-ceiling deal Following the signed debt ceiling deal, investors are preparing for a massive flood of more than $1 trillion Treasury bills that could ignite a new round of volatility and threaten the current calm in the market. As per JPMorgan analysts, Wall Street traders fear that the roughly $850 billion in bond issuance was shelved until a debt ceiling deal was passed. Now that a deal has been reached, these hundreds of billions of dollars worth of bonds could return to the market in force, overwhelming buyers, jolting markets and raising short-term borrowing costs. They say the U.S. government could face borrowing at rates nearly six percent, up from 0.1 percent less than two years ago. Some critics also brace for potential unforeseen problems in the financial plumbing a common metaphor for institutional elements of the financial system that are fixed in the short run and enable flows of credit, capital and financial risk where trillions of dollars worth of transactions happen daily. "When you dump a tremendous amount of debt into the market, it causes dislocation," said Jon Maier, chief investment officer of exchange-traded fund provider Global X. "Investors are underestimating that." "Everyone knows the flood is coming," said Gennadiy Goldberg, a strategist at TD Securities. "Yields will move higher because of this flood. Treasury bills will cheapen further. And that will put pressure on banks." He added that he is expecting the biggest increase in Treasury bill issuance in history, comparable to the issuane rate during the 2008 Great Recession and in early 2020 during the lockdowns. Now, flooding of the Treasury bills in the market threatens the "just-recovering" and relatively calm markets that had the S&P 500 gaining 11 percent this year as the labor market has been resilient among other causes. The Cboe Volatility Index, known as Wall Street's fear gauge because it measures the price of options that investors often use to protect against stock declines, is now hovering at multiyear lows. The placid market remained even as short-term bond yields already jumped in recent weeks and people had expectations for the Federal reserve to hold rates higher for longer. The two-year yield ended on June 7 at 4.548 percent, which is up more than 0.8 points from its year-to-date lows seen a month ago. The 10-year yield ended at 3.782 percent. Debt ceiling deal's extraordinary measures award the Fed with complete rein in the rates Now, the Department of the Treasury is attempting to replenish its coffers amid a weaker-than-expected tax season with the enactment of extraordinary measures during the debt ceiling debates to cover the payments of the federal government's obligations. These payments drained the government's checking account held at the Fed to below $50 billion remaining at the end of May. Officials last said it was targeting a balance of $600 billion for whats known as the Treasury General Account (TGA). "That could weigh on the large banks that are required to bid for Treasurys at auction through an agreement with the government as the so-called primary dealers could be effectively forced to finance the replenishment of the TGA," wrote Eric Wallerstein for the Wall Street Journal. "At the same time, regulators are seeking to boost banks cash buffers to avoid another banking crisis. Further draining liquidity from the markets, the Fed is allowing its balance sheet to shrink." Wallerstein further pointed out that even if banks pulled back from short-term funding markets, history can prove that Fed officials would immediately "extinguish any fires." He cited that back in September 2019, the central bank unveiled a facility to provide banks with cash even though the rate spike's cause was unclear. That facility, which brought down rates almost immediately, now exists as a permanent safeguard to help maintain the Fed's rein in rates. The debt ceiling deal brokered by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy lifts the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling while imposing spending caps and cuts on Biden's plan to boost funding for the IRS to audit wealthy Americans. The deal would suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling until Jan. 1, 2025, allowing the U.S. government to pay its bills. The debt limit extension lasts after 2024, which only means that Congress has more time to address the deeply polarizing issue until after the November 2024 presidential election. (Related: Newt Gingrich says a debt default on Bidens watch will end his 2024 reelection bid.) Head over to NationalDebt.news to read more about the recent debt ceiling deal. Watch this video from "The Stew Peters Show" as host Stew Peters slams McCarthy for failing to extract stronger concessions from Biden in the debt ceiling deal. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NO DEAL! Biden, McCarthy fail to reach an agreement on DEBT CEILING just days from potential default. US could default on its debt by July if deal on raising the debt ceiling is not reached. NY Rep. Tenney: Biden should slash federal spending amid debt ceiling battle. To increase or not to increase: Republicans and Democrats clash over $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. Sources include: WSJ.com FT.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com BAD MEDICINE: UK govt confirms 92% of COVID-19 deaths in 2022 were among the VAXXED The British Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that 92 percent of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths were among those injected with at least one dose of the COVID-19 injection. The ONS report released on Feb. 21, 2023 disclosed that fully vaccinated Britons accounted for about nine in every 10 COVID-19 deaths in England over the past two years. Of the 28,041 COVID-19 deaths in the country between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, those injected with at least one dose totaled 25,758. The remaining 2,283 individuals who died in that period did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, 38,884 deaths out of the 45,191 total COVID-19 fatalities between April 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022 were among the fully vaccinated. In contrast, only 6,307 were unvaccinated. A detailed analysis of the ONS report found that most COVID-19 deaths happened among those who had been boosted injected with three or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Daily Expose pointed out in a June 5 article about the ONS report: "The data indicate a concerning trend where COVID-19 deaths among the unvaccinated population have become almost negligible, while deaths among the vaccinated have increased over time." "These numbers raise alarming questions about the effectiveness of the booster campaign conducted in the winter of 2021. Despite the mass administration of booster shots, the data suggests that the campaign did not alleviate the significant number of deaths among the vaccinated population. In fact, the booster campaign may have exacerbated the situation." (Related: ONS confirms 92% of 2022 COVID deaths are among fully vaccinated population.) To illustrate the point, the Expose said that in May 2021, COVID-19 deaths among the vaccinated numbered 205 while those among the unvaccinated numbered only 84. But a year later in May 2022, there was a 450 percent increase in COVID-19 deaths. The vaccinated accounted for 1,494 deaths while the unvaccinated only had 96 deaths in that month. ONS figures CLEARLY DISPROVE claim that "vaccines are effective" According to the U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS), the country has approved four COVID-19 vaccines for use. It currently uses the mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, the Novavax shot and the new vaccine candidate jointly developed by Sanofi and GSK. "A first dose should give some protection from three to four weeks after having it, [but] a second dose gives stronger and longer-lasting protection," the NHS said. It added that a booster dose "helps boost antibodies and give good protection" from serious illness or hospitalization. The Expose nevertheless continued: "This raises an important question: Are the COVID-19 injections really up to 95 percent effective at preventing death? The figures suggest otherwise. It's clear from these figures that something is not working, and it should have been addressed over a year ago." Despite this, the independent news outlet remarked that it was "concerning to see that news like this is being swept under the rug by the mainstream media. What else are we not being told?" "It's time for us to take responsibility for our own health and make informed decisions about our bodies," the Expose concluded. "We must not blindly follow the recommendations of authorities without looking at the data and questioning what we're being told." Visit VaccineHolocaust.org for more stories about how the COVID-19 vaccines contributed to increased deaths. Listen to Ben Armstrong of the New American magazine as he explains how Report 71 of the Pfizer documents shows more horrific effects of the vaccines. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Excess deaths in the UK increased 5 months after mass COVID booster campaign. MASS MURDER: Latest data suggests COVID jabs KILLED at least 416,000 Americans. One in every 73 people "vaccinated" for covid wound up DEAD by June 2022, government data show. Excess deaths in Germany only started appearing after COVID "vaccines" were unleashed, study finds. HOLOCAUST: UK government confirms 1 in 310 boosted individuals died within 48 days of vaccination. Sources include: ExposeNews.com NHS.uk Brighteon.com WAYMO PROBLEMS: Reported accidents involving Waymo driverless cars in San Francisco MULTIPLIED SIXFOLD this year The number of reported incidents involving driverless vehicles, especially those owned by autonomous driving company Waymo and its robotaxis, has increased sixfold this year This is according to a recent report by the San Francisco Standard, which reveals that incidents involving autonomous vehicles owned by both Waymo and rival company Cruise have more than tripled from 24 to 87 incidents between January and April 2023. Waymo and Cruise are on the verge of receiving approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to operate their driverless taxis or "robotaxis" around the clock in San Francisco. City officials are attempting to resist this deployment. "Waymo driverless AVs [automatic vehicles] have committed numerous violations that would preclude any teenager from getting a California driver's license," wrote city officials. As part of their protest, San Francisco officials submitted a report addressing the numerous concerns city officials and residents have raised regarding the driverless taxis, including unplanned stops that cause traffic disruptions and interference with public transit and emergency services. (Related: Self-driving cars are causing traffic incidents all over San Francisco.) Based on this data, San Francisco officials believe that automated driving is not currently safer than human driving. They argue that granting approval for robotaxis "abrogates the Commission's responsibility to protect human safety." The Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on June 29 on whether to grant Waymo and Cruise's permits for round-the-clock robotaxi services in the city. This is the last hurdle for both companies' autonomous vehicles to ply the city's streets, as they have already obtained approval from the Department of Motor Vehicles for their operations and the regulation of robotaxis primarily falls under state-level jurisdiction. Driverless car accidents dangerous for pedestrians and pets alike In one of the most recent incidents, a self-driving Waymo car struck and fatally injured a small dog in San Francisco. The incident occurred in broad daylight on May 21 at Toland Street in eastern San Francisco. According to reports, the incident occurred when Waymo's autonomous Jaguar I-Pace SUV, accompanied by a human safety operator, was cruising near Waymo's depot. The dog unexpectedly ran into the street, catching the attention of the autonomous vehicle's systems, but not that of the human safety driver. Waymo claimed in a statement that the accident was unavoidable due to the dog's speed and path trajectory. The company confirmed that its systems correctly identified the dog based on an initial review. "The investigation is ongoing We send our sincere condolences to the dog's owner," said the company in a statement. "The trust and safety of the communities we are in is the most important thing to us, and we're continuing to look into this on our end." A month previously, a separate incident involving a Waymo SUV blocked a fire truck belonging to the San Francisco Fire Department, further raising concerns about the safety and reliability of self-driving vehicles. Waymo claims the driverless car was unable to properly move for the fire truck due to parked cars to its left and right. Unfortunately for the city, this kind of incident is very common with driverless cars. It occurred just two weeks after several Waymo vehicles pulled over in the Balboa Park neighborhood due to intense fog, causing traffic in the area to halt. And then, back in January, one self-driving Waymo car stopped at a construction site and required the assistance of Waymo employees for it to resume its journey. Learn more about autonomous vehicles at RoboCars.news. Watch this clip from InfoWars discussing how Google's Waymo is cozying up to China for aid in establishing an empire of control and tracking movement using driverless cars. This video is from The David Knight Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Study finds lasers can blind self-driving cars and make them crash into objects or pedestrians. Autonomous vehicles to stop, roll down windows and unlock doors for law enforcement. Driverless trucks set to take over Texas roads and highways. Waymo self-driving taxi goes rogue in Arizona, blocking traffic and escaping rescue crew. It's a "no" for driverless cars: Americans prefer driving themselves to work than relying on autonomous vehicles. Sources include: The-Sun.com SFStandard.com 1 SFStandard.com 2 KRON4.com Brighteon.com The priority candidate to become the 21st chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln detailed his experiences in higher education and outlined his aspirations for the state's flagship campus this week. Across more than 20 public forums, Rodney D. Bennett spoke with students, faculty, staff and the general public about issues ranging from the financial pressures faced by colleges and universities to how he navigates the challenges presented by a polarized political environment. The forums are part of a 30-day vetting process required by law for top candidates for university leadership jobs. NU President Ted Carter named Bennett the priority candidate to replace UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green on May 22. Bennett, 56, who led the University of Southern Mississippi for 10 years, said he withdrew from searches at several other universities to focus exclusively on the opportunity before him at UNL, which he called one of the nation's most important universities. UNL, he said, is a vehicle for lifting the quality of life for all Nebraskans for decades to come. "There is an opportunity to do something really special," Bennett told a forum for the College of Business earlier this week. "And there is a group of people who want to be involved in creating what that something is." Leadership style If Bennett gets the nod from the NU Board of Regents on June 22, the new chancellor said he'll start the work of reestablishing connections in the state and building new relationships right away. "The way forward is to be collaborative and develop relationships," he told a forum for the College of Law on Thursday. Tall and gregarious, with a noticeable southern accent, Bennett alternated between explaining his experiences in higher education and sharing anecdotes from his personal life, including self-deprecating bits to connect with the audiences. A fraternity member and proponent of Greek life, Bennett said he thrives on the energy of those he's speaking with, and plans to meet as many people as he can during the transition to become chancellor. That will include reconnecting with Gov. Jim Pillen and meeting state lawmakers to hear their expectations of UNL. Bennett said he would also seek out leaders in business, agriculture and communities across the state to solicit their input. On campus, Bennett said he wants to foster a culture of transparency between administrators and faculty something he said he attempted to do during his decade at Southern Miss while also using the established processes to "not get outside my lane." Bennett also told faculty at several forums that while they may not always agree on an issue or the best way to proceed, he would hear them out and hope they could "share a turkey sandwich" afterward. A former leader of student affairs, Bennett told faculty and students he plans to be a "genuine, ongoing and inspirational" presence on campus. In his past positions, Bennett said he has served as a mentor for students "whether I've been asked to be one or not," and said multiple students have asked him to be a groomsman in their weddings something he said he declined in favor of reading the scripture. "It's an honor that they are thinking about you and remembering you in such a way that they want you to be a part of that particular time in their life," he said. Budget challenges One of the first takes Bennett will have to confront as UNL's top leader will be the same his predecessor faced: Slashing millions from UNL's budget. Green recently finalized $10.8 million in cuts left over from the 2021-22 fiscal year by closing open positions and moving others to non-state aided funding sources. As much as $13 million will still need to be trimmed from UNL's budget in the coming year, however, and Carter told regents in late May that the system faces a structural budget deficit of nearly $50 million in 2023-24 and $80 million in 2024-25. While regents anticipate some additional revenue from a modest tuition increase, UNL would account for roughly half of the amount that needs to be cut. Bennett said he's no stranger to budget cuts he went through a series of reductions at Southern Miss and has spoken to Green about the situation, but said without diving into the numbers he could not offer a specific recommendation for how to move forward. At several forums this week, the 30-year veteran of higher education said the budget cuts at UNL, like other universities across the country, will likely mean the campus moves away from being "all things for all people." Academic programs where only a few students are enrolled or which have produced no graduates over multiple years could be put on the chopping block, as well as other campus services that are under-utilized or not realizing a return on investment, he said. On Thursday, Bennett told faculty at the College of Law that cuts to programs or positions would not mean more work for UNL's employees: "I don't subscribe to doing more with less." Rather, UNL would identify priorities moving forward and develop strategies to move toward those goals, and if there are things that fall by the wayside, so be it, he said. "You have to say no if the answer is no." Breaking down silos Some of those priorities may focus on fostering greater collaboration between departments across UNL, Bennett said in response to several questions put to him this week. The need to remove faculty and students from their silos and get them to work together has long been talked about, but Bennett said he has a strategy for making it work. "You can talk about it until you're blue in the face," he said, "but if the university is not rewarding or denying through the allocation process the resources that break down those silos, it's not going to happen." Tying budgets to creating an interdisciplinary approach to education and research is one part of the strategy. Bennett said the other part is psychology. "You have to convince people that you're not going to lose something by working together," he said. "You have to create a climate that eliminates the fear of loss." Regain AAU membership UNL was booted from the Association of American Universities in 2011 after two-thirds of the groups members, including peers from the Big Ten Conference, which UNL had recently joined, voted to end its membership after 102 years. The AAU based the decision on several criteria research expenditures, the number of faculty belonging to several national academies, faculty awards and citations where UNL ranked among the bottom of the organization. While previous chancellors and other university leaders have signaled their intention to move on from being AAU members, Bennett said he would work to put the flagship back in the organizations good graces with an eye of eventually rejoining. Its such an internationally recognized designation of excellence, Bennett said. It demonstrates what an institution is about and what they are able to accomplish. Bennett said a combination of enrollment growth, improving graduation rates, and boosting support for graduate students who will expand UNLs research portfolio and funding would put the university on track for accomplishing that goal. If UNL were able to regain admission Arizona State University, George Washington University, the University of California-Riverside, the University of Miami, Notre Dame, and the University of Southern Florida recently joined Bennett said the benefits would be plentiful. AAU membership would help with student and faculty recruitment and retention, boost research funding, and will generate excitement among donors and the business community, he said. Why wouldnt we? he said. Theres so many resources here, theres so much talent here, its sort of the thing thats missing in many ways. Navigating politics Bennett is no stranger to traversing difficult political environments. When former NU President Hank Bounds, then leader of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, appointed Bennett to lead Southern Miss in 2013, he became the first Black leader of a predominantly white campus in the Magnolia state. There was hate mail warning Bennett not to bring his family to Mississippi. Anonymous internet accounts told him to not even bother unpacking his boxes. "The politics sort of hit me right upside the head right out of the gate and it really did not stop throughout the 10 years of my service there," Bennett said. It got even rockier two years later when Bennett made the decision to remove Mississippi's state flag, which included the Confederate battle emblem, from campus. Putting a symbol that for many represented slavery was antithetical to the kind of welcoming campus community Bennett said Southern Miss was trying to create. But it generated backlash in the former Confederate state, with some calling for Bennett's removal and others suggesting the state defund the university. Bennett credited the relationships he had built at the state Capitol and elsewhere with allowing him to continue in the position. Mississippi later changed its state flag in 2021. "When you're handling those types of political issues, the ability to move the needle requires a certain type of relationship and calmness and resolve and courage," he said. "We were able to do that, and I'm very proud of that work." Nebraska, like Mississippi, is a conservative-led state, and Bennett said he plans to regularly interface with state leaders and the federal delegation to build those same kinds of relationships in order to help be a positive influence on potential changes made to higher education at the state house. That can help build understanding and head off issues on campus around areas like free speech or academic freedom that stir up political disputes, he said. Diversity and inclusion Among the biggest concerns Bennett said he has about the changing face of higher education is attacks on programs to create more diverse and inclusive campuses. In Florida, where Bennett currently resides, lawmakers have banned public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Bennett said he found those efforts baffling. "Each of us are made better when there are people who are around us that think different, that believe different, look different, and challenge us to sincerely and genuinely embrace our differences," he said. As chancellor, Bennett said UNL which opened its diversity office in 2019 should lean into the effort, and help drive the conversation about what diversity means on a university campus. "Most people want us to prepare young people to take their rightful place all around the world," he said. "We all know as they do, they are going to encounter a lot of differences. If we are doing our job as educators, I think we have an obligation to put them in front of as many scenarios as we can." Bennett said he and other university leaders also need to be vocal in addressing the importance of those issues and defending them, which he said will help show UNL is a welcoming place for all. What comes next With the conclusion of public forums, UNL community members as well as others are encouraged to provide feedback to Carter as the 30-day vetting period wraps up. Comments can be submitted at https://nebraska.edu/unl-chancellor-search/feedback. Regents will take a vote to approve Bennett on June 22. 16 famous University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni Johnny Carson Tyronn Lue Jeff Zeleny Willa Cather Ndamukong Suh Ev Williams Ted Kooser Joel Sartore Mary Pipher Tommy Lee Warren Buffett Aaron Douglas John J. Pershing Alex Gordon Ted Sorensen Louise Pound Attorney Jared Woodfill blasts Texas House for impeaching AG Ken Paxton WITHOUT DUE PROCESS Brighteon.TV Attorney Jared Woodfill blasted the Texas House of Representatives for its impeachment of incumbent state Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton without due process. Woodfill voiced out his condemnation during his June 5 appearance on "The Dr. Hotze Report" on Brighteon.TV. He told program host Dr. Steven Hotze: "This is an impeachment proceeding in the [Texas] House, where there are no rules and standards. It's basically doing what you want to do, effectively a free-for-all." Woodfill, who chaired the Harris County Republican Party from 2002 through 2014, empathized with Paxton. An AG who championed conservative causes, Paxton defeated his Democratic opponent by 10 percentage points during the 2022 midterm elections for another term. However, Paxton now faces 20 impeachment counts after the Texas House voted 121-23 to impeach him. The AG was suspended from office on May 27. "I think every American can appreciate the fact that if you're going to try to remove someone from office or you're going to try to undo the will of 4.4 million Texans and take out a statewide elected office holder who's been elected three times," said Woodfill. "You should have at least some pretense or semblance of due process." The former Harris County GOP chair denounced the Left for staging the "bogus and illegal" impeachment process after they failed to "achieve the ballot box" against Paxton during last year's elections. He warned that if this can happen to the AG, it can also happen to anyone. "Like a kangaroo committee; you think of kangaroo courts," Hotze chimed in. "It wasn't a court even if they had already. It's a hatchet job. They wanted to get rid of Paxton and smear his name with the idea that he's been impeached." RINOs in Texas House to blame for Paxton impeachment Woodfill's criticism zeroed in on the GOP-led Texas House because it allowed the impeachment against a fellow GOP to proceed. He noted that the state House even formed a secret committee composed of Republicans in name only (RINOs) and Democrats toward this endeavor. The members of this committee had been handpicked by the state House Speaker Dade Phelan who had been at odds with Paxton for many years. (Related: RINOs in Texas legislature move to impeach 'America first' attorney general, Ken Paxton, who has battled against Big Pharma, Big Tech and the LGBT cult.) This led Hotze to question the fact that only 23 GOP state lawmakers voted against the impeachment. Meanwhile, all the Democrats and RINOs voted to impeach Paxton. "Follow the money," Woodfill answered, saying that Phelan has a lot of power in deciding what committees state representatives lead and serve in. "If you look at the folks that voted against Paxton, that voted for his impeachment they received a lot of money from Phelan. Lots and lots of money," the lawyer said. According to Woodfill, it was not surprising at all that money dictated the vote against the AG. Reports confirmed that former President Donald Trump quickly sided with Paxton, calling the decision to impeach the latter "very unfair." Trump even vowed to fight any legislator who allowed the process to move forward. While Woodfill echoed the former president's thoughts, he pointed out that Paxton may not get a fair trial in the Texas Senate. "This is a political trial. This isn't a court of law. This is a political process," he told Hotze. "I think a lot of these senators have either made up their minds one way or another." Visit CancelDemocrats.news for more stories about the Democrats' attacks on Texas AG Ken Paxton and other conservatives. Watch the full June 5 episode of "The Dr. Hotze Report" featuring attorney Jared Woodfill below. Catch new episodes of the program every Monday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: RINOs going after Texas AG Ken Paxton because he was about to take on their Big Pharma donors. JUST IN: Texas RINOs vote to recommend impeaching AG Ken Paxton the lone GOP politician fighting against Democrat election fraud in the lone star state OUTRAGEOUS AND TERRIFYING MOVE. RINOs in Texas House impeach Trump ally AG Ken Paxton as former president vows to 'fight' them. Sources include: Brighteon.com WoodfillLaw.com Mount Mayon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, has erupted again, spewing ash and rocks into the air and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. The volcano, located in the central province of Albay, has been rumbling since Thursday, when the alert level was raised from two to three, indicating a high level of unrest and a possible hazardous eruption. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the volcano has been emitting sulfur dioxide gas and ash plumes that reached up to three kilometers high. It has also been producing volcanic earthquakes and rockfalls from a disintegrating lava dome at the crater. The authorities have declared a state of calamity in Albay and ordered the evacuation of more than 12,800 people from villages within an eight-kilometer radius of the volcano. The evacuees have been sheltered in schools and other facilities, where they receive food, water and medical assistance. "We're away from our home, but it's still better here because it's too dangerous," said Rachel Ramirez, a mother-of-two who is staying at a school near the town of Daraga. The dangers of volcanic ash and gas The officials have also warned of the health risks of inhaling the ash and gas emitted by the volcano. The ash can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and skin diseases, especially for people with existing conditions such as asthma and allergies, as per Phys.org. The gas, mainly sulfur dioxide, can also cause breathing difficulties and acid rain. The residents have been advised to wear masks or cloth over their noses and mouths, avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible. They have also been urged to protect their animals and crops from the ashfall and to clean their roofs and gutters to prevent damage from accumulated ash. The authorities have also warned of possible lahar flows or mudflows that could be triggered by heavy rains. Lahar flows are mixtures of volcanic debris and water that can sweep away anything in their path. The residents have been told to avoid river channels and low-lying areas near the volcano. Also Read: Philippines' Most Active Volcano on the Verge of Eruption, Alert Level 2 Raised Amid Volcanic Unrest The history and beauty of Mount Mayon Mount Mayon is considered one of the most volatile of the country's 24 active volcanoes. It has erupted more than 50 times in the past 400 years, with the most destructive one in 1814 that killed more than 1,200 people and buried an entire town under volcanic mud, as per The Straits Times. The volcano is also known for its perfect cone shape that attracts tourists and photographers from around the world. It is part of the Mayon Volcano Natural Park, a protected area that covers more than 5,700 hectares of land. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the Philippine eagle and the Philippine cockatoo. The volcano is also a source of cultural and spiritual significance for the local people. It is revered as a sacred mountain that symbolizes strength, beauty, and resilience. It is also associated with various legends and myths, such as the story of Daragang Magayon (Beautiful Lady), a princess who died for love and whose grave became a volcano. Mount Mayon is a natural wonder that needs to be respected and protected. It is also a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature that can pose challenges and risks to human lives. Related article: NASA Warns 'Flood Basalt Eruptions' Could Significantly Warm Earth's Climate and Destroy Ozone Layer The latest weather forecast reported that tropical development could likely unfold in Southern Mexico and Central America during the third week of June. The Atlantic Hurricane Season 2023 began on June 1, meaning tropical developments and hurricanes could potentially emerge. In the United States, CNN reported that many parts of the Northeast suffered from an unhealthy quality due to the raging wildfires in Canada. This week's beneficial rain could improve the declining air quality and dry condition concerns. Chance of tropical development in the coming weeks In the latest forecast, AccuWeather reported that a possible tropical development could unfold due to the warm waters. The forecast noted a potential development in June's third week due to the weather disturbances from Africa. Although the chances of tropical activity are low, weather agencies were monitoring the potential development in Southern Mexico and Central America. For this week, the forecast added that no tropical development could form this week. In 2023, the NOAA- National Hurricane Center reported the following Atlantic Storm Names: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Idalia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margo, Nigel, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince and Whitney. Furthermore, the weather forecast added that a possible tropical disturbance could develop over the waters in the Western Caribbean in late June. Meanwhile, the forecast reported that the warm conditions helped boost the tropical wave for this month, especially in Central America, Gulf, Eastern Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean waters. Weather in other parts of the U.S On the other hand, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that severe storms and heavy rain could unload in the Gulf Coast, High Plains and Mid-Atlantic. The forecast said that large hail and storms could also be possible. Meanwhile, Southwest could face the threat of fire. Furthermore, the severe storms could likely reach parts of the Northeast coast. In the Pacific Northwest, the NWS forecast showed that a cold front could occur, reaching a windy outlook in Columbia Deschutes Plateau and Lower Columbia Basin. In the Southern United States, AccuWeather's outlook explained severe thunderstorms could become a concern on Tuesday, causing possible hail and local flash flooding. Also Read: Father Drowns After Trying to Save Daughter in Rough Surf on Jersey Shore The risk of severe thunderstorms could unfold in Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Shreveport, Atlanta and Jacksonville. Preparing for possible tropical activity As hurricane season is in the air, Americans should keep prepared for the severe weather conditions in the country. The challenging weather outlook could unload heavy rain and damaging wind gusts. The situation could lead to slower commutes and travel disruptions. Here are important reminders for homeowners as hurricane season has begun. Homeowners should check if their areas are prone to flooding and severe thunderstorms. It would help them anticipate the bad weather. Furthermore, it is best to keep emergency kits inside the home. Related Article: New York Weather Forecast: Smoky Hazy Skies to Improve For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News. Masai giraffes are the largest and most distinctive subspecies of giraffes, with dark brown patches on their coats and long horns on their heads. They are found only in Tanzania and southern Kenya, where they roam the savannas and woodlands in search of food and water. They are also one of the most endangered subspecies of giraffes, with a population decline of about 50% in the last 30 years due to poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. A new study led by researchers at Penn State University has revealed that Masai giraffes are even more threatened than previously thought because they are genetically isolated from each other by a natural barrier: the Great Rift Valley. The Great Rift Valley is a massive geological feature that runs through eastern Africa, creating steep escarpments and deep valleys that separate different regions and ecosystems. The researchers analyzed the genomes of 100 Masai giraffes from both sides of the rift, using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. They found that the two populations have not interbred or exchanged genetic material for more than a thousand years and in some cases hundreds of thousands of years. This means that they are effectively separate evolutionary units that should be considered separately for conservation purposes. The Implications for conservation and Management The genetic isolation of Masai giraffes has important implications for their conservation and management, as per Phys.org. It means that each population has a unique genetic diversity and history that needs to be preserved and protected. It also means that each population faces different threats and challenges that require specific interventions and solutions. For example, the population on the western side of the rift is smaller and more fragmented than the one on the eastern side, making it more vulnerable to inbreeding, disease, and local extinction. The population on the eastern side is larger and more connected, but also more exposed to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development. Both populations are affected by illegal hunting for their meat, skins, and tails, which are used for cultural and medicinal purposes. The researchers recommend that the two populations of Masai giraffes be managed separately but coordinately, with different strategies and actions tailored to their specific needs and contexts. They also suggest that more research be done to monitor the genetic health and status of each population, as well as to identify potential corridors or bridges that could facilitate gene flow and migration across the rift. Also Read: Playful Young Giraffe in New York City Dies After Neck Stuck in Enclosure Gates The beauty and importance of Masai giraffes Masai giraffes are not only magnificent animals but also vital components of their ecosystems, as per Eurekalert. They play important roles in pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, controlling vegetation, and providing food and shelter for other wildlife. They are also indicators of environmental health and change, as they depend on the availability and quality of water and vegetation. Masai giraffes are also part of the cultural heritage and identity of the people who live alongside them. They have inspired legends, myths, art, and literature for centuries. They are also a source of income and livelihood for many communities that benefit from tourism and conservation activities. Masai giraffes are a hidden treasure that we need to appreciate and protect. They are not only endangered but also unique and irreplaceable. Related article: Scientists Discover Four Different Species of Giraffe, and How They Differ From One Another In early 2020, a locust swarm of biblical proportions swept across parts of Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, damaging hundreds of thousands of hectares of cropland. The swarm was triggered by a series of cyclones that brought heavy rains to the arid regions of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, creating ideal conditions for the breeding and multiplication of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria), one of the most destructive migratory pests in the world. The swarm grew rapidly, reaching unprecedented sizes and numbers. At its peak, it covered an area of about 240,000 square kilometers (93,000 square miles), equivalent to the size of the United Kingdom. It contained an estimated 200 billion locusts, each capable of eating its own weight in vegetation every day. The swarm consumed about 1.8 million tonnes of crops per day, which was enough to feed 80 million people. The swarm posed a serious threat to food security and livelihoods in the affected countries, many of which were already facing poverty, conflict, and climate change. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared a state of emergency and launched a massive campaign to control the outbreak, using aerial and ground spraying of pesticides, biopesticides, and natural enemies. The shocking footage of the locust swarm Now, mind-blowing footage of the locust surge will be shared for the first time in an upcoming docuseries on Netflix. The footage was captured by a team of filmmakers from Our Planet II, a nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough that explores the movements and migrations of animals across the globe. "The sound is just incredible," Toby Nowlan, producer of Our Planet II, told Newsweek. When the swarm passes over you, it's as if there's a raging river above your head. The team had planned to film the swarms in early 2020, but their plans were abruptly halted as the world was plunged into pandemic lockdown. The team members, however, were undeterred and were able to remotely direct and capture drone footage of the powerful superswarms with the help of camera crews in Kenya. They're really explosive seasonal migrants, and their survival is dependent on moving with food availability, according to Nowlan. Nowlan and his team flew to Ethiopia to track the swarms after travel restrictions were lifted. Nowlan described it as "utterly spectacular and horrific for anyone standing in their way." The team worked in close collaboration with the FAO, running just ahead of the insecticides that were being sprayed to control the infestation. The impact and implications of the locust swarm The locust swarm had a devastating impact on the crops and livelihoods of millions of people in the affected countries. According to the FAO, more than 35 million people faced acute food insecurity due to the locust invasion in 2020. The economic losses caused by crop damage and control operations were estimated at $8.5 billion. The locust swarm also had environmental consequences, such as pesticide pollution, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The locusts consumed large amounts of vegetation that would otherwise sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also emitted methane gas through their digestion and excretion processes. The FAO estimated that the locust swarm emitted about 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per day in 2020. The locust swarm was a wake-up call for the world to address the root causes and drivers of such outbreaks, such as climate change, land degradation, and conflict. It also highlighted the need for more investment in early warning systems, prevention measures, and sustainable management practices. The locust swarm was a natural disaster that challenged the resilience and adaptation of humans and nature. It was also a spectacular phenomenon that showcased the power and beauty of life on Earth. One died and others were brought to hospitals after a tour boat capsized in an underground cave in Erie Canal in Upstate New York. It was supposedly a happy tour for 28 visitors who were aboard the boat when it suddenly flipped over. According to AccuWeather and CNN reports, the boat was under the operation of the Lockport Cave and the Underground Boat Ride. When the boat flipped, the report explained that people aboard were thrown into the water. According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, rescuers found the boat upside down, with the visitors found safely on the top of a capsized boat. The authorities said they would investigate the incident. The casualty was identified 60-year-old man who was stuck under when the boat capsized. The report noted that they rescued 16 people, as the others found their way to safety. Meanwhile, 11 people were brought to the nearby hospitals as they suffered from injuries. Furthermore, the report noted that the tour is considered a familiarization tour for the employees. Rough Surf in Jersey Store Meanwhile, Daily Mail reported that a New York City Firefighter drowned after he tried to save his daughter, who was swept away by rough waters on the Jersey shore. The rough water became challenging for the teenage daughter, and so, the father came to the rescue. Immediately, rescuers went to the area and quickly rescued the woman. However, they could not find the father. Based on the recent report, the father was Mark Batista. Tourist Boat in Northern Italy On May 30, Nature World News (NWN) also reported that a tourist boat suddenly capsized in Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy. The report explained that the boat carried 22 tourists. In the BBC and CNN reports, four people were reported casualties after it sank. Also Read: Father Drowns After Trying to Save Daughter in Rough Surf on Jersey Shore The tourist boat would celebrate a birthday party when severe weather emerged, causing difficulty navigating the area. The victims of the capsized boat were one Russian, one Israeli and two Italians. Search and rescue operations were deployed near the boat. However, the situation became more challenging due to the storm. Staying safe from rough sea The rough sea could become challenging for swimmers and boats. The situation could be dangerous. As a result, Americans with swimming or boat plans should check the weather conditions or announcements for rough seas. When the boat capsizes, staying calm and looking for a life jacket is best. When you are finally safe, it is best to look for your family members and inform them your safety. Furthermore, beachgoers should consider beaches with lifeguards because it is safer when something could happen. Related Article: Tourist Boat Capsizes in Northern Italy: Four Deaths Reported From Lake Maggiore For more news, don't forget to follow Nature World News. The year is 1998 in southern Sudan. Maryam Phio and her 9-year-old son Motwakil and 11-year-old daughter Awadia are traveling north to Khartoum to board a train that will take them across the border. They are fleeing to Egypt to escape the civil war that has been plaguing Sudan for more than 15 years. But they are being followed. A man threatens Maryam and her children, trying to prevent them from leaving the country. They dont know who he is or the reason for his threats. He would always come by and try to take us away, and my mom would hide us, Motwakil said. Maryam was on her own, forced to leave her husband behind because his health issues made him unable to travel. For a while, Maryam was able to keep her children safe amid the stalking, war and chaos. But one day she turned around and Awadia was gone. The man returned, saying he knew where the little girl was but he would not tell them if they were going to flee Sudan. She brought the situation to a local lawyer who only gave the same admonition to stay in the country. For three months Maryam and her son searched, hoping to find Awadia. I looked everywhere, Maryam said. They delayed their departure three times, but they were out of time. We had until midnight to make it to the border or the travel documents would expire and we would have to start all over again, Motwakil said. So they fled with Awadias passport still in hand. From Khartoum they took a train across the border to Aswan, then a three-day boat ride up the Nile and another train to get to Cairo. They met up with Maryams oldest daughter, Najat, who came to Egypt the year prior to apply for refugee status so she could come to the United States. She was able to qualify, and in 2001 she left for Arizona at 21 years old. For eight years Maryam and her son stayed in Egypt, waiting and hoping Awadia was safe and that she would come to Cairo and be reunited with her family. With no access to phones, Maryam told people who were traveling down to Sudan to look for Awadia. Eventually one was able to locate her and returned with the news that she was alive and had one child, but no boyfriend or husband. However, they could not get her and her baby out. Maryam worried constantly about her daughter and grandson. Life in Sudan was dangerous and unregulated. If you have problem with people in your neighborhood, they come to your house, hit you, blood everywhere, no police, Maryam said. Maryam was torn between joining her oldest daughter in Arizona, or staying in Egypt with the faint hope that Awadia would make it out of Sudan. Wanting a better future for her son, Maryam decided to apply for refugee status and she and Motwakil were able to come to Arizona in May of 2006. They came to Lincoln in 2013 while Najat stayed back in Arizona for work. Shortly after their arrival to the new city, they were able to get into contact with Maryams husband back in Sudan. He was able to reunite with Awadia sometime after Maryam and Motwakil had fled Sudan. My father said your sister has passed, Motwakil said. They found her hanging on a rope from her neck. We dont know if somebody did this or if she did that to herself. She was 26 years old when she was found dead. At this time, Maryam was also told Awadia now had four young children with no one to take care of them, the youngest one being just 2 months old when his mother died. Maryams husband was too ill to care for them, and South Sudan was too dangerous for them to stay. In 2011, Sudan had split into two countries, Sudan and South Sudan. Although this action was supposed to establish peace, violence soon broke out in the south between the two ethnic groups in South Sudan, the Dinka and Neur people. At the time of Awadias death, she and her four children were staying in a village in Juba, South Sudan along with her ailing father. Maryams oldest daughter Najat decided to travel to Juba and found the children and took them to Naroibi, the capital of Kenya. The children were then taken to the Kakuma camp in Kenya, one of the worlds largest refugee camps. They then filed as orphans to be able to come to the United States, but progress in the case has stalled. They need an immigration lawyer, which costs a lot of money. They need a lawyer for the case to be processed, but unless somebody is there to represent your case, your case is just a file, Motwakil said. Just because there is no war in Kenya doesnt mean the children are safe. Two years ago, Lina, the oldest grandchild was raped in the camp. At 15 years old, she now has a son just over a year old. The situation is just getting worse, Motwakil said. As of July 2020, the Kakuma camp had a population of 196,666 registered refugees and asylum seekers. Located at the edge of a desert, the average daily temperature in the camp is 104 degrees Fahrenheit and consists of an arid city crowded with tents and huts. The children have been there six years now. Maryam is able to talk to her grandchildren on the phone, but she longs for the day when she can hold them, love them and give them a life away from the pain and loss theyve grown up in. Now 58, Maryam lives with Motwakil in government housing in Lincoln along with Najats daughter, who is also named Maryam after her grandmother. The 6-year-old girl is currently staying with them and going to school while her mother continues working in Arizona. Young Maryam speaks English and Dinka, the language of her grandmother and her people in South Sudan. However, she only knows the life of safety and innocence her mother and grandmother have tried to give her, not yet able to fully understand the situation of her cousins living more than 8,400 miles away. Maryam and her son routinely travel to Omaha to the immigration office to inquire about the case and work to make progress, but as the days have turned into months and months into years, she often feels discouraged and worries about the fate of these four orphans who make up part of the 1.45 million South Sudanese child refugees. All under the age of 18, her granchildren have already been the victims of loss, sexual assault and violent attacks. Its just too much, Maryam said. But talking to you, I am happy. She hopes through awareness and by telling her story, others in the Lincoln community and beyond can understand her desperate situation and help her bring these children to safety. As a family across continents, she eagerly awaits the day when she can meet her grandchildren and tell them yin ta baye you are home. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 A New Town woman who is part of the movement to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women has received a 2023 Bush Fellowship. Agnes Yellow Bear is among 24 people in the Upper Midwest and among five North Dakotans named Bush Fellows. They'll each received a $100,000 grant to further their visions and leadership skills. Yellow Bear is a member of the Kawacatoose First Nation in Canada. She is an advocate for initiatives focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, girls and two-spirit people. "Two-spirit" is an adjective used by some Indigenous people as an umbrella term to describe those who are not straight and/or cisgender. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is a grassroots movement to draw attention to disproportionate violence against Indigenous people, particularly women and children, and the lack of data in law enforcement agencies. The Minnesota-based Bush Foundation awards millions of dollars each year in grants and other investments in Minnesota, the Dakotas and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. A Bush Fellowship provides recipients with funding over one to two years to pursue learning experiences that help develop leadership skills and relationships to help them foster change. This year nearly 600 people applied. Yellow Bear encourages families to be at the center of the movement to prevent violence against Indigenous people. She'll use her fellowship to learn from mentors around the world who are engaged in violence prevention, according to the Bush Foundation. She also will pursue training in organizing techniques to inspire connection, collaboration and problem-solving in her community. Other 2023 Fellows from North Dakota are: Katie Dachtler, Grand Forks, a Korean adoptee who is working to build a more inclusive community. Hillary Kempenich, Grand Forks, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa who facilitates healing through the arts. Shanda Poitra, Belcourt, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa who helps Native women and girls develop self-defense tools. Joseph Williams, Fargo, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate working to create a national hub for Native American arts and culture. Each of this years Fellows has already made vital contributions to their communities, said Anita Patel, vice president of grantmaking for the Bush Foundation. The Bush Fellowship is an investment in their potential to lead even greater change in the future so that our region works better for everyone. The program has provided support to more than 2,000 people in the past six decades. The application period for the 2024 Bush Fellowship is Aug. 22 to Sept. 21. For more information, go to www.bushfoundation.org. By AFP SEOUL: South Korea has charged a former Samsung executive accused of stealing company secrets worth hundreds of millions of dollars to set up a copycat chip factory in China, prosecutors told AFP on Tuesday. Semiconductors have become a flashpoint issue between the United States and China, which are locked in a fierce battle over access to chip-making technology and supplies. South Korean prosecutors said the 65-year-old former Samsung employee allegedly stole the company's factory blueprints and clean-room designs from 2018 and 2019. The Suwon district prosecutor's office said the suspect unsuccessfully tried to set up a copycat production facility in the Chinese city of Xian -- where Samsung already has a chip factory. The man, who has not been identified and is in detention pending trial, stole material that is classified by South Korea as a "national core technology" -- a category of tech that could potentially harm national security and the economy if disclosed overseas. Prosecutors said he had been in custody for some time and was formally charged on Monday. They described him as a "top expert in semiconductor manufacturing", who had worked in the industry for decades. South Korean authorities said the information allegedly targeted in the theft would have been worth at least 300 billion won ($236 million) to Samsung. "It is a serious crime that can have a tremendous negative impact on our economic security by shaking the foundation of the domestic semiconductor industry at a time when competition for chip production is intensifying every day," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday. "The semiconductor industry accounted for 16.5 percent of South Korea's total exports in 2022... and is a national security asset." ALSO READ | Samsung expects first-quarter profit to plunge to 14-year low Six other people who worked with the executive have been charged over suspected involvement in the theft. Samsung declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Tuesday. Chip war Samsung Electronics is one of the world's largest producers of chips and smartphones, and its parent group's turnover is equivalent to about one-fifth of South Korea's GDP. Like many of the world's biggest chip makers, a large portion of its production is based in China. Chips are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, and China -- the world's second-largest economy -- relies on a steady supply of chips made by foreign firms for its huge electronics manufacturing industry. The United States imposed a series of export controls last year to prevent China from acquiring the most advanced chips that could be used in cutting-edge weapons and frontier tech such as artificial intelligence. ALSO READ | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A brilliant camera phone, but too expensive The Netherlands and Japan followed this year with restrictions of their own, without naming China. But the curbs have infuriated Beijing, which has accused Washington of "technological terrorism". China last month said US chip giant Micron had failed a national security review, and told operators of "critical information infrastructure" to stop buying its products. Analysts have described that move as retaliation for the US semiconductor curbs. "Amid intensifying semiconductor competition between the US and China, South Korea is in a difficult situation as it has to side with its security ally US while it obviously cannot ignore Beijing and its influence," Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University, told AFP. "Samsung Electronics should pay more attention to technology and information security. China is trying to catch up." SEOUL: South Korea has charged a former Samsung executive accused of stealing company secrets worth hundreds of millions of dollars to set up a copycat chip factory in China, prosecutors told AFP on Tuesday. Semiconductors have become a flashpoint issue between the United States and China, which are locked in a fierce battle over access to chip-making technology and supplies. South Korean prosecutors said the 65-year-old former Samsung employee allegedly stole the company's factory blueprints and clean-room designs from 2018 and 2019.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Suwon district prosecutor's office said the suspect unsuccessfully tried to set up a copycat production facility in the Chinese city of Xian -- where Samsung already has a chip factory. The man, who has not been identified and is in detention pending trial, stole material that is classified by South Korea as a "national core technology" -- a category of tech that could potentially harm national security and the economy if disclosed overseas. Prosecutors said he had been in custody for some time and was formally charged on Monday. They described him as a "top expert in semiconductor manufacturing", who had worked in the industry for decades. South Korean authorities said the information allegedly targeted in the theft would have been worth at least 300 billion won ($236 million) to Samsung. "It is a serious crime that can have a tremendous negative impact on our economic security by shaking the foundation of the domestic semiconductor industry at a time when competition for chip production is intensifying every day," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday. "The semiconductor industry accounted for 16.5 percent of South Korea's total exports in 2022... and is a national security asset." ALSO READ | Samsung expects first-quarter profit to plunge to 14-year low Six other people who worked with the executive have been charged over suspected involvement in the theft. Samsung declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Tuesday. Chip war Samsung Electronics is one of the world's largest producers of chips and smartphones, and its parent group's turnover is equivalent to about one-fifth of South Korea's GDP. Like many of the world's biggest chip makers, a large portion of its production is based in China. Chips are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, and China -- the world's second-largest economy -- relies on a steady supply of chips made by foreign firms for its huge electronics manufacturing industry. The United States imposed a series of export controls last year to prevent China from acquiring the most advanced chips that could be used in cutting-edge weapons and frontier tech such as artificial intelligence. ALSO READ | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A brilliant camera phone, but too expensive The Netherlands and Japan followed this year with restrictions of their own, without naming China. But the curbs have infuriated Beijing, which has accused Washington of "technological terrorism". China last month said US chip giant Micron had failed a national security review, and told operators of "critical information infrastructure" to stop buying its products. Analysts have described that move as retaliation for the US semiconductor curbs. "Amid intensifying semiconductor competition between the US and China, South Korea is in a difficult situation as it has to side with its security ally US while it obviously cannot ignore Beijing and its influence," Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University, told AFP. "Samsung Electronics should pay more attention to technology and information security. China is trying to catch up." By PTI WASHINGTON: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said economic ties are at the heart of the Indo-US strategic partnership and added that the two countries are helping shape innovations of the future and the norms governing them. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official State Visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. Addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) here on Monday, Blinken said, "At the heart of our strategic partnership is our economic ties. And under the leadership of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi -- and private sector leaders like you -- it is growing stronger by the day." Blinken added that last year, trade between the two countries reached a record USD 191 billion, making the US the largest trading partner for India. American companies have invested at least USD 54 billion in India -- from manufacturing to telecommunications. In the US, he said, Indian companies have invested over USD 40 billion -- in IT, pharmaceuticals and more -- supporting 4,25,000 jobs from California to Georgia. This February, Air India announced the historic purchase of more than 200 Boeing aircraft that will support an estimated one million-plus jobs across 44 states, the diplomat said during his address. "We're here ahead of a historic State Visit by Prime Minister Modi -- one that will further solidify what President Biden has called a 'defining relationship' of the 21st century," Blinken said. "We see this defining relationship in our unique connection as the world's oldest and largest democracies, with a special obligation to demonstrate that our governments can deliver for and empower all our citizens." Blinken said both the US and India are making transformative investments in their own countries -- through Biden's USD 1. 2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Modi's Rs 100-trillion infrastructure plan -- to make their respective economies more productive and attractive for investors. "India has joined three pillars of our new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework -- committing to build more resilient supply chains, seize clean energy opportunities and combat corruption," he said. "Together, we are helping shape the innovations of the future and the norms governing them -- from artificial intelligence to quantum computing," Blinken said and added that in January, USIBC co-hosted a roundtable where the two governments inaugurated a new Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. "We're elevating and expanding the strategic technology partnership between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in the US and India because we believe how technology is designed and used should be informed by democratic values and respect for human rights," he said. Central to that cooperation is diversifying and deepening the supply chains with trusted countries while also reducing strategic dependencies, he said. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and her counterpart Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal recently established a partnership to make the semiconductor supply chain more resilient. In Tamil Nadu, the US International Development Finance Corporation provided USD 500 million to help a leading US company build a solar manufacturing facility. This project will power roughly 30 million light bulbs in homes, schools, and businesses across India, create over a thousand jobs for Indians and Americans, and shift a key component of the US's clean energy supply chain to a close partner, the diplomat noted. According to Blinken, the trajectory of the Indo-US partnership is unmistakable and filled with promise. "It is being written in places like North Carolina, where our growing engagement is benefiting both our countries," he said. The Tar Heel State has become a hub for Indian investment with tech companies such as HCL creating 2,400 jobs and training American high-schoolers for careers in the IT industry. On the other hand, Charlotte-based Honeywell is employing 13,000 people from Kolkata to Mumbai, making safer airplanes and energy-efficient buildings. Duke University has established a presence in Bangalore, strengthening academic and research exchanges between the people of the two countries, he said. According to the top diplomat, one North Carolina entrepreneur from Gujarat -- commenting on this explosion of US-India commercial activity -- observed, "This couldn't have happened 15 years ago." WASHINGTON: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said economic ties are at the heart of the Indo-US strategic partnership and added that the two countries are helping shape innovations of the future and the norms governing them. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official State Visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. Addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) here on Monday, Blinken said, "At the heart of our strategic partnership is our economic ties. And under the leadership of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi -- and private sector leaders like you -- it is growing stronger by the day."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Blinken added that last year, trade between the two countries reached a record USD 191 billion, making the US the largest trading partner for India. American companies have invested at least USD 54 billion in India -- from manufacturing to telecommunications. In the US, he said, Indian companies have invested over USD 40 billion -- in IT, pharmaceuticals and more -- supporting 4,25,000 jobs from California to Georgia. This February, Air India announced the historic purchase of more than 200 Boeing aircraft that will support an estimated one million-plus jobs across 44 states, the diplomat said during his address. "We're here ahead of a historic State Visit by Prime Minister Modi -- one that will further solidify what President Biden has called a 'defining relationship' of the 21st century," Blinken said. "We see this defining relationship in our unique connection as the world's oldest and largest democracies, with a special obligation to demonstrate that our governments can deliver for and empower all our citizens." Blinken said both the US and India are making transformative investments in their own countries -- through Biden's USD 1. 2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Modi's Rs 100-trillion infrastructure plan -- to make their respective economies more productive and attractive for investors. "India has joined three pillars of our new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework -- committing to build more resilient supply chains, seize clean energy opportunities and combat corruption," he said. "Together, we are helping shape the innovations of the future and the norms governing them -- from artificial intelligence to quantum computing," Blinken said and added that in January, USIBC co-hosted a roundtable where the two governments inaugurated a new Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. "We're elevating and expanding the strategic technology partnership between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in the US and India because we believe how technology is designed and used should be informed by democratic values and respect for human rights," he said. Central to that cooperation is diversifying and deepening the supply chains with trusted countries while also reducing strategic dependencies, he said. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and her counterpart Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal recently established a partnership to make the semiconductor supply chain more resilient. In Tamil Nadu, the US International Development Finance Corporation provided USD 500 million to help a leading US company build a solar manufacturing facility. This project will power roughly 30 million light bulbs in homes, schools, and businesses across India, create over a thousand jobs for Indians and Americans, and shift a key component of the US's clean energy supply chain to a close partner, the diplomat noted. According to Blinken, the trajectory of the Indo-US partnership is unmistakable and filled with promise. "It is being written in places like North Carolina, where our growing engagement is benefiting both our countries," he said. The Tar Heel State has become a hub for Indian investment with tech companies such as HCL creating 2,400 jobs and training American high-schoolers for careers in the IT industry. On the other hand, Charlotte-based Honeywell is employing 13,000 people from Kolkata to Mumbai, making safer airplanes and energy-efficient buildings. Duke University has established a presence in Bangalore, strengthening academic and research exchanges between the people of the two countries, he said. According to the top diplomat, one North Carolina entrepreneur from Gujarat -- commenting on this explosion of US-India commercial activity -- observed, "This couldn't have happened 15 years ago." By IANS NEW DELHI: Following a recent breach of cockpit norms, Air India has taken disciplinary action against two pilots who permitted an unauthorised woman to enter the cockpit of flight AI-445, operating from Delhi to Leh. The decision comes after the airline received a complaint from the cabin crew, who raised concerns about the violation of cockpit regulations. In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that they are aware of the issue, and appropriate measures are being implemented in accordance with established procedures. To conduct a thorough investigation, Air India has formed a committee to delve into the matter, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the events surrounding the violation. "Air India has a just culture approach to all safety-related events and has zero tolerance for deliberate breaches of regulations. Such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations," an Air India spokesperson said. This incident comes merely a month after Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh by the DGCA for a previous breach of cockpit norms, highlighting the airline's need for stricter adherence to established regulations. NEW DELHI: Following a recent breach of cockpit norms, Air India has taken disciplinary action against two pilots who permitted an unauthorised woman to enter the cockpit of flight AI-445, operating from Delhi to Leh. The decision comes after the airline received a complaint from the cabin crew, who raised concerns about the violation of cockpit regulations. In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that they are aware of the issue, and appropriate measures are being implemented in accordance with established procedures.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); To conduct a thorough investigation, Air India has formed a committee to delve into the matter, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the events surrounding the violation. "Air India has a just culture approach to all safety-related events and has zero tolerance for deliberate breaches of regulations. Such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations," an Air India spokesperson said. This incident comes merely a month after Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh by the DGCA for a previous breach of cockpit norms, highlighting the airline's need for stricter adherence to established regulations. Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: With the Union Cabinets recent hike on the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) on Kharif crops for 2023-24, the paddy politics has returned to the poll-bound Chhattisgarh. The BJP has asked the Congress government to pay back every rupee under the MSP amount raised by the Centre on paddy. The Modi government had increased the MSP by Rs 143 last week, taking it to Rs 2,183 per quintal of paddy. The Centre has raised the MSP for various crops including paddy. The rice obtained from the paddy is purchased by the Centre and the state government merely works as an agent in the procurement process. During the ongoing Kharif season, the Centre has purchased 61 lakh tonnes of rice for the Central pool and used over 90 lakh tonnes of paddy, said state BJP president Arun Sao, sharing the data on Chhattisgarh. The Congress countered this. It appears that Arun Sao is not familiar with the system of paddy procurement and is giving baseless assertions. Every year, the state government takes loans worth Rs 20-25 crore from various banks only for paddy procurement. The Centre doesnt give any support to the Chhattisgarh government on it, said Mohammed Akbar, the state cabinet minister. He added that Chhattisgarh is the only state procuring paddy at the highest MSP of Rs 2,500 per quintal and with the amount released under the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana, the farmers get Rs 2,650 per quintal. Paddy procurement remains a major political issue in Chhattisgarh, cited as the rice bowl of Central India. Akbar said that the current government has raised the number of cooperative societies for paddy growers from 1,333 to 2,058 and all farmers selling their paddy are registered in the Chhattisgarh Integrated Kisan Portal and not any website of the Centre. RAIPUR: With the Union Cabinets recent hike on the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) on Kharif crops for 2023-24, the paddy politics has returned to the poll-bound Chhattisgarh. The BJP has asked the Congress government to pay back every rupee under the MSP amount raised by the Centre on paddy. The Modi government had increased the MSP by Rs 143 last week, taking it to Rs 2,183 per quintal of paddy. The Centre has raised the MSP for various crops including paddy. The rice obtained from the paddy is purchased by the Centre and the state government merely works as an agent in the procurement process. During the ongoing Kharif season, the Centre has purchased 61 lakh tonnes of rice for the Central pool and used over 90 lakh tonnes of paddy, said state BJP president Arun Sao, sharing the data on Chhattisgarh. The Congress countered this. It appears that Arun Sao is not familiar with the system of paddy procurement and is giving baseless assertions. Every year, the state government takes loans worth Rs 20-25 crore from various banks only for paddy procurement. The Centre doesnt give any support to the Chhattisgarh government on it, said Mohammed Akbar, the state cabinet minister. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He added that Chhattisgarh is the only state procuring paddy at the highest MSP of Rs 2,500 per quintal and with the amount released under the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana, the farmers get Rs 2,650 per quintal. Paddy procurement remains a major political issue in Chhattisgarh, cited as the rice bowl of Central India. Akbar said that the current government has raised the number of cooperative societies for paddy growers from 1,333 to 2,058 and all farmers selling their paddy are registered in the Chhattisgarh Integrated Kisan Portal and not any website of the Centre. Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2023 released on Monday says Chinas nuclear arsenal increased in the last year and it could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as either the US or Russia by the turn of the decade. It notes that the nuclear-armed states are increasing the number of operational nuclear weapons. The SIPRIs estimate of the size of Chinas nuclear arsenal is that it "increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023, and it is expected to keep growing" and might increase subsequently. "Depending on how it decides to structure its forces, China could potentially have at least as many ICBMs as either the USA or Russia has by the turn of the decade. China has started a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal," says Hans M. Kristensen, an associate senior fellow with SIPRIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). It is increasingly difficult to square this trend with Chinas declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces needed to maintain its national security. India and Pakistan appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals, and both countries introduced and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems in 2022. While Pakistan remains the main focus of Indias nuclear deterrent, India appears to be placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets across China., said the report. As per SIPRI, there are nine nuclear-armed states -- the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel -- continue to modernise their arsenal and several deployed new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022. Israel, which does not publicly acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons, is also believed to be modernizing its nuclear arsenal, says SIPRI. NEW DELHI: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2023 released on Monday says Chinas nuclear arsenal increased in the last year and it could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as either the US or Russia by the turn of the decade. It notes that the nuclear-armed states are increasing the number of operational nuclear weapons. The SIPRIs estimate of the size of Chinas nuclear arsenal is that it "increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023, and it is expected to keep growing" and might increase subsequently.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Depending on how it decides to structure its forces, China could potentially have at least as many ICBMs as either the USA or Russia has by the turn of the decade. China has started a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal," says Hans M. Kristensen, an associate senior fellow with SIPRIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). It is increasingly difficult to square this trend with Chinas declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces needed to maintain its national security. India and Pakistan appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals, and both countries introduced and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems in 2022. While Pakistan remains the main focus of Indias nuclear deterrent, India appears to be placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets across China., said the report. As per SIPRI, there are nine nuclear-armed states -- the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel -- continue to modernise their arsenal and several deployed new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022. Israel, which does not publicly acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons, is also believed to be modernizing its nuclear arsenal, says SIPRI. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress Tuesday demanded answers from the Modi government after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened it would be shut down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government during the farmers' protest. The Centre has, however, rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. The Congress also demanded answers from the Modi government over the issue and alleged that there cannot be bigger proof of the "weakening of democracy" in the country by targeting institutions. "We demand that the government stops suppressing social media, stops suppressing, coaxing large sections of media into submission," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said at a press conference here, and further added, "Opposition voices are regularly being suppressed by the government." #WATCH | On former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey's claim on pressure from India, Congress party's Chairperson of Social Media & Digital Platforms Supriya Shrinate says, "The topic of this press conference is to reveal how murder of democracy is being done in the mother of pic.twitter.com/gLMK9C9PKb ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 Shrinate said Twitter had banned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's account after "pressure" from the government, and alleged that the "truth" has come out after Dorsey's claim. "The prime minister is afraid because crores have been spent to build his image and that gets demolished when such truth comes out," she said, and added that Dorsey would not benefit anyway by speaking out now. "There cannot be bigger proof of the weakening of democracy in the country by targeting institutions. This is the truth of this government," Shrinate claimed. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "The Modi Government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers and Farmer's movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Government, or Twitter and its employees would be raided." "This is what Twitter Co-Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Government answer," he asked. Modi Govt. forced twitter to Shut down accounts of Farmers & Farmers movement, Shut down accounts of journalists critical of Govt, OR Twitter and its employees would be raided. This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV pic.twitter.com/OmpSHl8RlI Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 13, 2023 He also shared clips from a TV interview in which Dorsey levelled the allegations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too took to Twitter, saying, "During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees." During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees. Watch our press conference on revelations by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey by my colleague @SupriyaShrinate at 11am. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 13, 2023 Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied." NEW DELHI: The Congress Tuesday demanded answers from the Modi government after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened it would be shut down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government during the farmers' protest. The Centre has, however, rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. The Congress also demanded answers from the Modi government over the issue and alleged that there cannot be bigger proof of the "weakening of democracy" in the country by targeting institutions.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We demand that the government stops suppressing social media, stops suppressing, coaxing large sections of media into submission," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said at a press conference here, and further added, "Opposition voices are regularly being suppressed by the government." #WATCH | On former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey's claim on pressure from India, Congress party's Chairperson of Social Media & Digital Platforms Supriya Shrinate says, "The topic of this press conference is to reveal how murder of democracy is being done in the mother of pic.twitter.com/gLMK9C9PKb ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 Shrinate said Twitter had banned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's account after "pressure" from the government, and alleged that the "truth" has come out after Dorsey's claim. "The prime minister is afraid because crores have been spent to build his image and that gets demolished when such truth comes out," she said, and added that Dorsey would not benefit anyway by speaking out now. "There cannot be bigger proof of the weakening of democracy in the country by targeting institutions. This is the truth of this government," Shrinate claimed. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "The Modi Government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers and Farmer's movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Government, or Twitter and its employees would be raided." "This is what Twitter Co-Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Government answer," he asked. Modi Govt. forced twitter to Shut down accounts of Farmers & Farmers movement, Shut down accounts of journalists critical of Govt, OR Twitter and its employees would be raided. This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV pic.twitter.com/OmpSHl8RlI Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 13, 2023 He also shared clips from a TV interview in which Dorsey levelled the allegations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too took to Twitter, saying, "During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees." During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees. Watch our press conference on revelations by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey by my colleague @SupriyaShrinate at 11am. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 13, 2023 Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied." By PTI AHMEDABAD: As cyclone 'Biparjoy' with an extensive damaging potential is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening, the administration has so far shifted 21,000 people from different coastal districts to temporary shelters, an official said on Tuesday. The government is aiming to evacuate people within 10 km of the coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is predicted to make landfall near Jakhau port as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour (kmph). The cyclone is likely to impact the Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most. "We have already started evacuating people residing near the coast who are likely to be affected the most during the landfall. So far, various district administrations have shifted nearly 21,000 people to temporary shelters. The evacuation process is still on and all the targeted population will be shifted by today evening to safer places," said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. ALSO READ | IMD warns of 'extensive damage' from cyclone Biparjoy; may make landfall near Jakhau Among the 21,000 people, nearly 6,500 were evacuated in the Kutch district alone, followed by 5,000 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,000 in Rajkot, 2,000 in Morbi, more than 1,500 in Jamnagar, 550 in Porbandar and 500 in Junagadh district, he told reporters in Gandhinagar. He said one person has died in an incident linked to the cyclone. On Monday, one woman was killed and her husband was injured after a tree fell on their motorcycle on a state highway in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district due to strong winds, he added. "VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centred at 0230 IST of the 13th June 2023 over Northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by the evening of 15th June as a VSCS," IMD has said. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the cyclone, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. ALSO READ | Cyclone Biparjoy: IMD issues Orange alert for Saurashtra, Kutch coasts in Gujarat "India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," the ICG said in a release. It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy. Pandey said the government is constantly working to ensure that there is no loss of life due to the weather phenomenon. He said the rescue operation is being carried out in two phases, with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly. A total of 12 teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements have been made for the accommodation, food and medicine of the evacuated people. At a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the state government, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. As evacuation started on Monday, Jakhau port wore a deserted look. Fishing boats were lined up on the shore to ensure that they do not suffer much damage, said officials. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port in Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, have been shifted to safer places, district administration officials said. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on June 15, when Biparjoy - which means disaster or calamity in the Bengali language - is expected to make the landfall. It also said that a strong surface wind is likely to prevail under the influence of the cyclone during June 12-16. The Met Department has warned of wind speeds of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said. AHMEDABAD: As cyclone 'Biparjoy' with an extensive damaging potential is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening, the administration has so far shifted 21,000 people from different coastal districts to temporary shelters, an official said on Tuesday. The government is aiming to evacuate people within 10 km of the coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is predicted to make landfall near Jakhau port as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour (kmph).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cyclone is likely to impact the Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most. "We have already started evacuating people residing near the coast who are likely to be affected the most during the landfall. So far, various district administrations have shifted nearly 21,000 people to temporary shelters. The evacuation process is still on and all the targeted population will be shifted by today evening to safer places," said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. ALSO READ | IMD warns of 'extensive damage' from cyclone Biparjoy; may make landfall near Jakhau Among the 21,000 people, nearly 6,500 were evacuated in the Kutch district alone, followed by 5,000 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,000 in Rajkot, 2,000 in Morbi, more than 1,500 in Jamnagar, 550 in Porbandar and 500 in Junagadh district, he told reporters in Gandhinagar. He said one person has died in an incident linked to the cyclone. On Monday, one woman was killed and her husband was injured after a tree fell on their motorcycle on a state highway in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district due to strong winds, he added. "VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centred at 0230 IST of the 13th June 2023 over Northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by the evening of 15th June as a VSCS," IMD has said. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the cyclone, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. ALSO READ | Cyclone Biparjoy: IMD issues Orange alert for Saurashtra, Kutch coasts in Gujarat "India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," the ICG said in a release. It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy. Pandey said the government is constantly working to ensure that there is no loss of life due to the weather phenomenon. He said the rescue operation is being carried out in two phases, with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly. A total of 12 teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements have been made for the accommodation, food and medicine of the evacuated people. At a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the state government, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. As evacuation started on Monday, Jakhau port wore a deserted look. Fishing boats were lined up on the shore to ensure that they do not suffer much damage, said officials. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port in Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, have been shifted to safer places, district administration officials said. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on June 15, when Biparjoy - which means disaster or calamity in the Bengali language - is expected to make the landfall. It also said that a strong surface wind is likely to prevail under the influence of the cyclone during June 12-16. The Met Department has warned of wind speeds of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said. Yonhap News Agency: ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol said during a cabinet meeting on June 13 that looking at the attitude of Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Xing Haiming, its doubtful whether he has an attitude of mutual respect or promotion of friendship as a diplomat. The office of the ROK President said that they are waiting for China to think over this issue and take appropriate measures. What is Chinas position on this? Wang Wenbin: I noted the ROK sides remarks and also noted that some ROK media outlets have made reports that are inconsistent with facts or even amount to personal attacks on Ambassador Xing Haiming. I deeply regret this. I would like to stress once again that it is part of Ambassador Xing Haimings job to engage extensively with people from various walks of life in the ROK with an aim of increasing understanding, promoting cooperation and advancing China-ROK relations. There is no point in making an issue of this. A sound and steady China-ROK relationship serves the common interests of both sides. We hope the ROK will work actively with China towards this end. CCTV: According to reports, the US State Department spokesperson recently said that the US had delivered a letter to UNESCO informing it that the US has decided to rejoin the organization. Yesterday, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced the USs request to representatives of member states. Whats Chinas comment on the US seeking re-admission to UNESCO? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant US statement. We hope this time the US decision is made out of a sense of responsibility and aimed at supporting multilateralism and contributing to international cooperation. The US withdrew twice from UNESCO, which had a negative impact on the organizations work. The membership of an international organization is something that should be taken seriously. If the US is serious about what it means to rejoin the organization, it needs to show the sincerity of observing international rules and respecting international rule of law, and earnestly fulfill its due international obligation as a responsible nation, including paying off its dues in arrears owed to UNESCO for years. International organizations are not parks. Countries cant just come and go as they please. More importantly, the US must not view international organizations as places for geopolitical wrestling and pursue global leadership in the name of the interests of the international community. China News Service: It is learned that the ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials Meeting will be held soon. Is there anything you can share with us about Chinas participation in and expectation for the meeting? Wang Wenbin: The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials Meeting will be held via video link on June 14. Participants of the meeting will review the implementation of the outcomes of last years ARF Ministerial Meeting, discuss mechanism building and future development of the ARF, and exchange views on regional and international issues. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong will attend the meeting. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ARF. China hopes that participating parties will build up consensus and enhance cooperation on the agenda of the ARF and this years theme of ASEAN, accumulate outcomes for this years ARF Ministerial Meeting, and make positive contribution to peace, development and prosperity of the region. Bloomberg: Can you confirm that the Chinese embassy in Poland has been talking to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage there about an art show in Warsaw by an Australian artist? And if so, what is the desired outcome of such talks? Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of what you said. What I want to say is that cultural exchanges should be conducive to cultivating objective perception and growing friendship. TBS: Human rights NGOs have pointed out that overseas outposts of Chinese police are monitoring democratic activists and others in Japan, and there are some testimonies to this. Is this true? Do you have any comments on this? Wang Wenbin: We have made our position clear multiple times on this sort of rhetoric. I need to stress again that there is no so-called overseas police stations. China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries internal affairs. China strictly abides by international law and respects all countries judicial sovereignty. We hope parties concerned will look at this factually and rationally and not dramatize it or make unwarranted accusations against China. TASS: According to Shanghai Securities News, a senior executive of a Chinese photovoltaic enterprise was taken away from the Munich Airport by several men in uniform yesterday. The executive was expected to attend Intersolar Europe 2023 in Munich, Germany. What is Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: I have seen relevant reports. The Chinese embassy in Germany and the Chinese consulate-general in Munich immediately contacted the German side to learn about the situation and ask the German side to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals. We also noted that relevant industrial association has already issued a clarification. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the interests of overseas Chinese nationals and will continue to provide consular assistance in accordance with law. Bloomberg: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to testify on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and is set to praise institutions like the IMF and the World Bank as reflecting American values. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this characterization or this sort of praise of the IMF and World Bank as reflecting American values? Wang Wenbin: The IMF and the World Bank are multilateral financial institutions and platforms that reflect democracy in international relations and advance international cooperation on the basis of fully taking into account the interests of all member states. The IMF is not the IMF of the United States, nor is the World Bank for that matter. Global Times: According to US media reports, German investigators obtained evidence suggesting explosions of the Nord Stream pipelines were carried out by a sabotage group. Other reports said that the US had received information on an attack plan against the pipelines three months before the sabotage. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. China has expressed on multiple occasions that safeguarding the security of vital infrastructure is a common concern of the international community. It is critically important to launch an objective, impartial and professional investigation into the explosions and hold those responsible to account. Eight months have passed since the explosion, yet the investigation process has been going slow. It is surprising that the US has remained silent this time, especially considering that it would usually use hotspot issues to portray itself as a so-called beacon. Take what the US has done to Syria for example. The turbulence in Syria began on April 22, 2011. On April 27, the US motioned to the UN, demanding that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) send an investigation mission to Syria for possible violation of International Human Rights Law. On April 29, the US announced that Syria had seriously violated human rights, and imposed sanctions on some individuals and entities in Syria. Within just a week, the US completed the entire process from investigation to sanctions. Since then, the US has further meddled in Syria through various means, including funding the White Helmets which fabricated so-called evidence, carrying out airstrikes against Syria, expanding its sanctions, and exerting pressure with its allies. Clearly, nothing could stop the US until it got what it wanted. Compared with its aggressive response on Syria, the USs inaction on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions seems quite intriguing. Why has the US been silent? What cannot the US say about this? When exactly will the US respond to international doubts and concerns? The US owes the international community an explanation. Bloomberg: A question on the US Commerce Departments restriction of exports to entities that it says recruited Western pilots to train Chinese military personnel as well as some that developed hypersonic weapons. So this is in relation to the addition of new companies to the entity list as a result of them recruiting Western pilots to train Chinese military personnel. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this? Wang Wenbin: To maintain its military and tech hegemony, the US has time and again overstretched the concept of national security and abused state power to go after Chinese companies, trampled on international trade order and global trade rules and destabilized global industrial and supply chains hysterically by all kinds of means. We firmly oppose these acts taken by the US and demand that it immediately stop using military and human rights-related issues as pretexts to politicize, instrumentalize and weaponize trade and tech issues, and stop abusing export control tools such as entity lists to keep Chinese companies down. China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. Beijing Daily: According to reports, multiple sources have told the US news website The Messenger that driven by concerns over escalation of cross-Strait tensions, the US government is drafting plans to evacuate Americans from Taiwan, which include routes and destinations. Considering that Taiwan is quite sensitive to this, the US hasnt made it public. Whats your comment on this? Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of what you mentioned. But I do know that though the US says it supports Taiwan, it has been using Taiwan as a pawn and the Taiwan people as cannon fodder to serve the US strategy of using Taiwan to contain China. The US even has a plan for the destruction of Taiwan. I believe the Taiwan people are able to see clearly how the US is actually seeking to harm Taiwans interest and even destroy Taiwan. Bloomberg: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said former President Donald Trumps administration didnt do enough to counter Chinese efforts to boost intelligence gathering overseas. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on Secretary Blinkens remarks? And relatedly, do you have any information or details to share about the planned visit by Secretary Blinken to China? Wang Wenbin: On your first question, Ive stated Chinas position on similar questions several times. The US has been taking the same page from its playbook and people are already quite familiar with it. We hope the US will take a hard look at itself, stop propagating rumors and smears, and stop being a champion of hacking with its indiscriminate surveillance on other countries. As to the visit you mentioned, I have answered similar questions and have nothing to add. Dragon TV: It was reported yesterday that TEPCO started trial operation of the nuclear-contaminated water discharge facility at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which will take two weeks. Japanese media assessed that the Japanese government will complete all preparation work for the discharge by the end of June and launch the discharge after the IAEA Task Force releases the final review report. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: The Japanese government has begun the trial operation of the nuclear-contaminated water discharge facility. This means that Japan has taken another step towards pushing through the discharge despite international opposition. The discharge of nuclear-contaminated water bears on the global marine environment and public health and is by no means a domestic matter of Japan. What Japan has done in disregard of strong domestic and international opposition is both irresponsible and unlikely to get support. No matter how Japan tries to justify its discharge plan, it will not hide its attempt to shift risks. The discharge violates Japans obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment as outlined in UNCLOS and other international instruments. Discharge into the ocean is not the only optionand certainly not the safest and most optimized wayfor treating the nuclear-contaminated water. By choosing this option out of consideration for economic cost, Japan is in fact spilling the risks of nuclear pollution to humanity all over the world. No lip service can change the reality. Japan has yet to prove that the discharge is safe and harmless. Data released by Japan shows that close to 70 percent of the treated water is not up to standard. However, Japan has created the pseudo-scientific term treated water in an attempt to cover up the unidentified risks of the plan. What consequences will it bring to the ecological environment, food safety and public health in Pacific rim countries if millions of tonnes of nuclear-contaminated water is dumped into the ocean? Japan has not fully provided scientific evidence and data in this regard. No blueprint can guarantee a projects viability. The effectiveness and maturity of Japans treatment facility has received no third-party assessment or certification, and has repeatedly malfunctioned. The discharge will last 30 years or even longer. In the future, a huge amount of new nuclear contaminated water is expected to be created. Japan has been unable to prove the long-term reliability of the treatment facility, neither has it provided a systematic and comprehensive environment monitoring plan. Its current monitoring plan covers a very small area with few locations and low frequency of monitoring, which makes it difficult to promptly identify abnormal situation such as when the discharged water is not up to standard. I also want to stress that Japan cannot use the final review report of the IAEA Task Force as a shield from critics or greenlight for the discharge. As early as July 22 last year, the Japanese government officially approved the discharge plan and has since declared multiple times that it would not postpone the implementation of the plan. In fact, the Task Force has a very limited mandate as agreed between Japan and the IAEA, and is not authorized to evaluate other options than the discharge into the ocean. Therefore, no final report shall be used as an excuse for Japan to dump the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. China strongly urges Japan to faithfully fulfill its international obligations, stop pushing through the discharge plan, fully explore and evaluate the alternatives to ocean discharge to ensure that the nuclear-contaminated water is handled in a scientific, safe and transparent manner, and agree to rigorous international oversight. We hope Japan will stop taking the wrong steps in time. Spilt water cannot be gathered up again. Inside this e-guide, you'll uncover the importance of economic supply and demand and an overview of the pros and cons of 6 customer service channels to improve customer experience. Nothing instills customer loyalty as much as being treated like a person. There's an innate note of respect and authenticity that emerges in a process when customers need help and it is offered with a personal touch. Keep reading to learn more about the role of customer service analytics. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Two days after the arrest of three persons, including the schools principal in the case pertaining to allegedly forcing non-Muslim girl students to wear hijab in Ganga Jamna Higher Secondary School, a major portion of the concerned school in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district was bulldozed as part of the removal of unauthorized constructions in the school on Tuesday. Teams of local municipalities reportedly were engaged in the demolition of the first floor of the school (which was constructed by the school without permission of the competent authorities) at the time of filing this news report on Tuesday. According to a senior Damoh district police official, the local municipality had recently served a notice to the school (a central government-aided minority school) in connection with unauthorized construction in the schools premises. A time of three days had been given to the school in the notice issued by the local municipality, which expired at 3 pm on Tuesday, thus paving the passage for the anti-encroachment drive inside the schools premises. Just a few hours before the demolition action by the local municipality in Damoh district, the states home minister Narottam Mishra, back in Bhopal, had indicated the anti-encroachment drive inside the schools premises. He had also assured that the future of the 1200-odd students of the school wont be allowed to be affected by a series of actions against the school. Well ensure that alternative arrangements are made for the education of students of the school elsewhere, Mishra said. The encroachment removal action against the school happened two days after three persons (who are among the 11 members of the schools management committee) named in the June 7 FIR lodged against the school were arrested. The FIR was lodged on June 7 for allegedly forcing non-Muslim girl students to wear a scarf like a hijab in school and also compelling non-Muslim students to sing prayers of the other religion, besides forcing Hindu students to allegedly remove religious objects worn by them. The FIR had been lodged by Damoh Kotwali police based on statements of three Class VI and VIII students on June 7. Earlier, on June 2, the MP government had suspended the concerned schools recognition for allegedly violating state government rules pertaining to recognition of secondary and higher secondary schools. The school had landed in controversy a fortnight back over its poster, congratulating its MP Board Exam topper boy and girl students. The right-wing Hindu outfits had started protests in Damoh town, accusing the school management of forcing non-Muslim girls shown in the poster to wear hijab, even though their allegations werent proved correct in the initial probe by the Damoh district education officer. A subsequent probe against the school following directions from the states CM and home minister, led to a high-powered committee start probe against the school, besides a probe against the same school by the state commission for protection of child rights. BHOPAL: Two days after the arrest of three persons, including the schools principal in the case pertaining to allegedly forcing non-Muslim girl students to wear hijab in Ganga Jamna Higher Secondary School, a major portion of the concerned school in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district was bulldozed as part of the removal of unauthorized constructions in the school on Tuesday. Teams of local municipalities reportedly were engaged in the demolition of the first floor of the school (which was constructed by the school without permission of the competent authorities) at the time of filing this news report on Tuesday. According to a senior Damoh district police official, the local municipality had recently served a notice to the school (a central government-aided minority school) in connection with unauthorized construction in the schools premises.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A time of three days had been given to the school in the notice issued by the local municipality, which expired at 3 pm on Tuesday, thus paving the passage for the anti-encroachment drive inside the schools premises. Just a few hours before the demolition action by the local municipality in Damoh district, the states home minister Narottam Mishra, back in Bhopal, had indicated the anti-encroachment drive inside the schools premises. He had also assured that the future of the 1200-odd students of the school wont be allowed to be affected by a series of actions against the school. Well ensure that alternative arrangements are made for the education of students of the school elsewhere, Mishra said. The encroachment removal action against the school happened two days after three persons (who are among the 11 members of the schools management committee) named in the June 7 FIR lodged against the school were arrested. The FIR was lodged on June 7 for allegedly forcing non-Muslim girl students to wear a scarf like a hijab in school and also compelling non-Muslim students to sing prayers of the other religion, besides forcing Hindu students to allegedly remove religious objects worn by them. The FIR had been lodged by Damoh Kotwali police based on statements of three Class VI and VIII students on June 7. Earlier, on June 2, the MP government had suspended the concerned schools recognition for allegedly violating state government rules pertaining to recognition of secondary and higher secondary schools. The school had landed in controversy a fortnight back over its poster, congratulating its MP Board Exam topper boy and girl students. The right-wing Hindu outfits had started protests in Damoh town, accusing the school management of forcing non-Muslim girls shown in the poster to wear hijab, even though their allegations werent proved correct in the initial probe by the Damoh district education officer. A subsequent probe against the school following directions from the states CM and home minister, led to a high-powered committee start probe against the school, besides a probe against the same school by the state commission for protection of child rights. By PTI MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it would be difficult to provide separate reservations for transgender persons in education and government jobs. Advocate General Birendra Saraf told a division bench of acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep Marne that creating additional reservations for transgender persons would breach the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations set by the Supreme Court. "Considering the extent of vertical and horizontal reservations, which are already provided, providing additional reservations for transgender persons seems difficult," Saraf said. The court was hearing a petition filed by one Vinayak Kashid, a trans person who is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and postgraduate in Technology (Electrical Power System Engineering), seeking a modification to the advertisement issued by MahaTransco in May this year for mass recruitment to include the transgender community. Kashid's lawyer Kranti LC had earlier informed the court that a 1 per cent reservation was provided for the transgender community in all caste categories in Karnataka and prayed that such reservation policy be adopted in Maharashtra as well. The bench adjourned the hearing in the plea so that the state government's expert committee (set up on the issue) consider the aspect of reservation first. The state government had in March this year issued a government resolution (GR) for the recruitment of transgenders in employment and education. The GR stated that an expert committee would be set up under the social justice department comprising 14 members. The 14 members were mostly secretaries of various state departments and psychologists. MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it would be difficult to provide separate reservations for transgender persons in education and government jobs. Advocate General Birendra Saraf told a division bench of acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep Marne that creating additional reservations for transgender persons would breach the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations set by the Supreme Court. "Considering the extent of vertical and horizontal reservations, which are already provided, providing additional reservations for transgender persons seems difficult," Saraf said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The court was hearing a petition filed by one Vinayak Kashid, a trans person who is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and postgraduate in Technology (Electrical Power System Engineering), seeking a modification to the advertisement issued by MahaTransco in May this year for mass recruitment to include the transgender community. Kashid's lawyer Kranti LC had earlier informed the court that a 1 per cent reservation was provided for the transgender community in all caste categories in Karnataka and prayed that such reservation policy be adopted in Maharashtra as well. The bench adjourned the hearing in the plea so that the state government's expert committee (set up on the issue) consider the aspect of reservation first. The state government had in March this year issued a government resolution (GR) for the recruitment of transgenders in employment and education. The GR stated that an expert committee would be set up under the social justice department comprising 14 members. The 14 members were mostly secretaries of various state departments and psychologists. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday voiced concern over the alleged intimidation and harassment of journalists by Union minister Smriti Irani and the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala. In a statement here, the Guild claimed that Irani intimidated a journalist during her visit to her Lok Sabha constituency Amethi on June 9 and threatened to call the owners of the Hindi daily he worked for. In a separate incident, on June 10, a senior woman journalist in Kerala was named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the state police in response to a complaint filed by the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student arm of the ruling CPI(M) party. "This trigger-happy approach to browbeat and harass reporters and news camera persons undermine the freedom of the press," the Guild said in a statement. "The minister's threat to call newspaper owners and couch journalistic questioning as an affront to the people was a clear intimidatory tactic," the Guild said. It also urged the newspapers to reinstate the journalist sacked in connection with the case. The Guild urged the CPI(M) government in Kerala to withdraw the case against the female journalist with immediate effect. "It is a matter of deep concern that mere reportage on political leaders can invite an FIR and questioning by the police," it said referring to the Kerala incident. NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday voiced concern over the alleged intimidation and harassment of journalists by Union minister Smriti Irani and the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala. In a statement here, the Guild claimed that Irani intimidated a journalist during her visit to her Lok Sabha constituency Amethi on June 9 and threatened to call the owners of the Hindi daily he worked for. In a separate incident, on June 10, a senior woman journalist in Kerala was named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the state police in response to a complaint filed by the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student arm of the ruling CPI(M) party.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "This trigger-happy approach to browbeat and harass reporters and news camera persons undermine the freedom of the press," the Guild said in a statement. "The minister's threat to call newspaper owners and couch journalistic questioning as an affront to the people was a clear intimidatory tactic," the Guild said. It also urged the newspapers to reinstate the journalist sacked in connection with the case. The Guild urged the CPI(M) government in Kerala to withdraw the case against the female journalist with immediate effect. "It is a matter of deep concern that mere reportage on political leaders can invite an FIR and questioning by the police," it said referring to the Kerala incident. By PTI KURUKSHETRA: Many Twitter accounts which highlighted the farmers' stir against the now repealed farm laws were blocked, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait alleged on Tuesday after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened with shutdown unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during the farmers' protest. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Tikait, one of the key farmers leaders who led the agitation against the farm laws, alleged there was government pressure on Twitter and they used to request that those accounts which highlight the farmers stir should be closed, their reach should be less and they should be shown less. The Centre has rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. Replying to questions on the issue, Tikait, also a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, told reporters here, there was "pressure" from government to minimise the reach of farmers. That is how they break an agitation," he said. When asked if the Modi government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of farmers and farmer's movement, Tikait claimed many accounts which highlighted the agitation were blocked. Even small children knew that if the farmers' stir is highlighted then accounts will be blocked, he alleged and added that many of these accounts still continue to remain "closed". He alleged that BJP government does not tolerate any opposition to its commands. ALSO READ | Congress demands answers on ex-Twitter CEO's 'pressure from Centre' remark during farmers stir Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. However, Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar rubbished the claims and said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". Tikait is in Kurukshetra's Pipli, where farmers have blocked the national highway since Monday over the demand for MSP for sunflower seeds. KURUKSHETRA: Many Twitter accounts which highlighted the farmers' stir against the now repealed farm laws were blocked, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait alleged on Tuesday after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened with shutdown unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during the farmers' protest. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Tikait, one of the key farmers leaders who led the agitation against the farm laws, alleged there was government pressure on Twitter and they used to request that those accounts which highlight the farmers stir should be closed, their reach should be less and they should be shown less. The Centre has rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Replying to questions on the issue, Tikait, also a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, told reporters here, there was "pressure" from government to minimise the reach of farmers. That is how they break an agitation," he said. When asked if the Modi government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of farmers and farmer's movement, Tikait claimed many accounts which highlighted the agitation were blocked. Even small children knew that if the farmers' stir is highlighted then accounts will be blocked, he alleged and added that many of these accounts still continue to remain "closed". He alleged that BJP government does not tolerate any opposition to its commands. ALSO READ | Congress demands answers on ex-Twitter CEO's 'pressure from Centre' remark during farmers stir Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. However, Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar rubbished the claims and said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". Tikait is in Kurukshetra's Pipli, where farmers have blocked the national highway since Monday over the demand for MSP for sunflower seeds. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Differences appeared to have cropped up in the G20 meeting of development ministers in Varanasi on Monday over the Ukraine war as the conclave failed to agree on a consensus following opposition by Russia and China, despite Indias efforts to find common ground. An outcome document and chairs summary containing 14 paragraphs mentioned that there was no consensus on two paragraphs with the footnotes making it clear that Russia and China were the two member nations expressing opposition to the references to the Ukraine war. The first footnote said Russia disassociated itself from the status of the document as a common outcome because of references to para 10 and 11. The second one noted that China stated the meeting outcome should not include any reference to the Ukraine crisis. LUCKNOW: Differences appeared to have cropped up in the G20 meeting of development ministers in Varanasi on Monday over the Ukraine war as the conclave failed to agree on a consensus following opposition by Russia and China, despite Indias efforts to find common ground. An outcome document and chairs summary containing 14 paragraphs mentioned that there was no consensus on two paragraphs with the footnotes making it clear that Russia and China were the two member nations expressing opposition to the references to the Ukraine war. The first footnote said Russia disassociated itself from the status of the document as a common outcome because of references to para 10 and 11. The second one noted that China stated the meeting outcome should not include any reference to the Ukraine crisis.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Parts of Manipur continued to remain tense amid gunfire. For the second straight day on Tuesday, an exchange of gunshots was reported from the border of the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district in the hills and the Meitei-majority Imphal East district in the Imphal Valley. Sources said two groups of unidentified gunmen were engaged in a fierce gunfight at Khamenlok, a foothill area. A similar gunbattle at the same place on Monday had left some people injured. When reports last came in, the gunfight was continuing. Casualties, if any, were not known. Chief Minister N Biren Singh reiterated his appeal to people to maintain peace. Lets give peace a chance and keep your faith and confidence in the state government and the Centre. People are suffering, Singh had said on Monday. He also said that the state and central governments were doing their best to tackle the situation and bring normalcy. He assured that the government would protect the lives of people from militant attacks. Singh announced that the government would build prefabricated homes for those displaced by the ethnic violence. On June 11, government spokesperson and minister Dr Sapam Ranjan said altogether 50,648 affected people were lodged in 349 relief camps set up in the Imphal Valley and some hill districts. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is likely to visit Manipur for the second time in four days on Wednesday and meet leaders from the Kuki community. He had met the CM, ministers, BJP leaders, and representatives of some Meitei organisations the last time. Nearly 100 people have lost their lives in the violence which broke out on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March organised by a tribal students union to oppose the move for the inclusion of Meiteis the states largest community in the Scheduled Tribes list. GUWAHATI: Parts of Manipur continued to remain tense amid gunfire. For the second straight day on Tuesday, an exchange of gunshots was reported from the border of the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district in the hills and the Meitei-majority Imphal East district in the Imphal Valley. Sources said two groups of unidentified gunmen were engaged in a fierce gunfight at Khamenlok, a foothill area. A similar gunbattle at the same place on Monday had left some people injured.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); When reports last came in, the gunfight was continuing. Casualties, if any, were not known. Chief Minister N Biren Singh reiterated his appeal to people to maintain peace. Lets give peace a chance and keep your faith and confidence in the state government and the Centre. People are suffering, Singh had said on Monday. He also said that the state and central governments were doing their best to tackle the situation and bring normalcy. He assured that the government would protect the lives of people from militant attacks. Singh announced that the government would build prefabricated homes for those displaced by the ethnic violence. On June 11, government spokesperson and minister Dr Sapam Ranjan said altogether 50,648 affected people were lodged in 349 relief camps set up in the Imphal Valley and some hill districts. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is likely to visit Manipur for the second time in four days on Wednesday and meet leaders from the Kuki community. He had met the CM, ministers, BJP leaders, and representatives of some Meitei organisations the last time. Nearly 100 people have lost their lives in the violence which broke out on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March organised by a tribal students union to oppose the move for the inclusion of Meiteis the states largest community in the Scheduled Tribes list. By PTI NEW DELHI: Cyclone 'Biparjoy' has an extensive damaging potential and it is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. Cyclone Biparjoy is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch coasts near Jakhau Port on the evening of June 15 as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. "Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference. The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts on June 15. "Usually these areas do not receive such massive rainfall. Therefore, it can lead to flooding in low-lying areas," he said. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Winds gusting up to 145 kilometers are predicted to batter these districts. "Tidal waves reaching heights of up to six metres could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. Evacuation measures have been recommended, and authorities are taking prompt action," Mohapatra said. Jakhau turns lifeless Jakhau port, one of the busiest docks in Gujarat, is serenely inactive except for the rough sea, gushing wind and heavy rains as it awaits the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'. The port is devoid of any living souls except for a few on-duty personnel as the entire human population there has been evacuated in anticipation of the landfall of the "very severe cyclonic storm" on June 15. Hundreds of fishing boats have been brought ashore and parked in lines in the hope to save them from the imminent fury of nature. Except for the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning the port, no one is allowed to enter the facility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the cyclone will make landfall near Jakhau. "The entire population including staff and fishermen have been evaluated from the port. Nobody is allowed to enter the port," Jakhau port officer Vinod Joshi told PTI. "We have made elaborate arrangements for post-cyclone relief. Earthmovers, JCBs, water tanks, fuel and every other required thing have been kept on standby and stored here for post-cyclone work," he said. Officials said 522 fishing boats are registered with authorities here at Jakhau Port. Abdulshah Pirjada, president of Jakahu Port Fishermen and Boat Association, said that they have brought around 70 fishing boats on the land using cranes and the remaining have been anchored on the shore. "Our greatest fear is what the cyclone will do to our boats. I hope that the cyclone will weaken in the sea itself," Pirjada told PTI. Ex-sarpanch of Jakhau village Ali Mohammad Khureja said that all the people from the port were evacuated for their safety and shifted to Jakhau school. Jakhau village is located 12 km from the port. NEW DELHI: Cyclone 'Biparjoy' has an extensive damaging potential and it is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. Cyclone Biparjoy is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch coasts near Jakhau Port on the evening of June 15 as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. "Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts on June 15. "Usually these areas do not receive such massive rainfall. Therefore, it can lead to flooding in low-lying areas," he said. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Winds gusting up to 145 kilometers are predicted to batter these districts. "Tidal waves reaching heights of up to six metres could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. Evacuation measures have been recommended, and authorities are taking prompt action," Mohapatra said. Jakhau turns lifeless Jakhau port, one of the busiest docks in Gujarat, is serenely inactive except for the rough sea, gushing wind and heavy rains as it awaits the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'. The port is devoid of any living souls except for a few on-duty personnel as the entire human population there has been evacuated in anticipation of the landfall of the "very severe cyclonic storm" on June 15. Hundreds of fishing boats have been brought ashore and parked in lines in the hope to save them from the imminent fury of nature. Except for the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning the port, no one is allowed to enter the facility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the cyclone will make landfall near Jakhau. "The entire population including staff and fishermen have been evaluated from the port. Nobody is allowed to enter the port," Jakhau port officer Vinod Joshi told PTI. "We have made elaborate arrangements for post-cyclone relief. Earthmovers, JCBs, water tanks, fuel and every other required thing have been kept on standby and stored here for post-cyclone work," he said. Officials said 522 fishing boats are registered with authorities here at Jakhau Port. Abdulshah Pirjada, president of Jakahu Port Fishermen and Boat Association, said that they have brought around 70 fishing boats on the land using cranes and the remaining have been anchored on the shore. "Our greatest fear is what the cyclone will do to our boats. I hope that the cyclone will weaken in the sea itself," Pirjada told PTI. Ex-sarpanch of Jakhau village Ali Mohammad Khureja said that all the people from the port were evacuated for their safety and shifted to Jakhau school. Jakhau village is located 12 km from the port. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made a host of women-centric announcements over the last two days. Out of the total 5.41 crore electorate in the poll-bound state, over 48% or 2.61 crore voters are women. Chouhan, the BJPs longest-serving CM in the country, started with the transfer of the first monthly instalment of Rs 1,000 into the accounts of 1.25 crore married women under the Mukyamantri Laadli Behana Yojana, which is being seen as a game-changer for the ruling BJP, faced with anti-incumbency following 18 years in power in the state. The CM started on June 10. The CM transferred the first instalment with a single click at a state-level event in Jabalpur. Its just the beginning, Ill keep on arranging funds for increasing the monthly instalment gradually and take it to Rs 3,000 monthly in the future, the CM announced to the loud cheers of a large gathering of women. The CMs move is being seen as a counter to Congress much-publicized promise of starting a Rs 1,500 monthly support Naari Samman Yojana, if voted to power. The CM then came out with another promise: Laadli Behana Senas. Each small village will have an 11-member sena while each bigger village will have a 21-member sena. These senas will work with the government in the proper implementation of women-oriented schemes and fighting injustice against women in villages, said the CM. But the Jabalpur event on June 10 was just the beginning, as the CM followed it up with another series of announcements at the large gathering of Anganwadi workers at the BHEL Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal the next day. At the Sunday event in Bhopal, the CM announced increasing the honorarium of Anganwadi workers from Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000. The honorarium will go up by `1,000 annually as an incentive. Also, the Anganwadi workers will get Rs 1000 per month separately under Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Yojana. The honorarium of mini Anganwadi workers has been fixed at Rs 6,500 monthly. On retirement, Rs 1.25 lakh will be provided to the Anganwadi workers and Rs one Lakh to the sahayikas. Health and accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to Anganwadi workers and sahayikas. 50% of posts of Anganwadi workers will be reserved for the promotion of sahayikas to the post of Anganwadi workers. The Anganwadi workers will also be given facilities at par with government employees, the CM promised. BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made a host of women-centric announcements over the last two days. Out of the total 5.41 crore electorate in the poll-bound state, over 48% or 2.61 crore voters are women. Chouhan, the BJPs longest-serving CM in the country, started with the transfer of the first monthly instalment of Rs 1,000 into the accounts of 1.25 crore married women under the Mukyamantri Laadli Behana Yojana, which is being seen as a game-changer for the ruling BJP, faced with anti-incumbency following 18 years in power in the state. The CM started on June 10. The CM transferred the first instalment with a single click at a state-level event in Jabalpur. Its just the beginning, Ill keep on arranging funds for increasing the monthly instalment gradually and take it to Rs 3,000 monthly in the future, the CM announced to the loud cheers of a large gathering of women.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The CMs move is being seen as a counter to Congress much-publicized promise of starting a Rs 1,500 monthly support Naari Samman Yojana, if voted to power. The CM then came out with another promise: Laadli Behana Senas. Each small village will have an 11-member sena while each bigger village will have a 21-member sena. These senas will work with the government in the proper implementation of women-oriented schemes and fighting injustice against women in villages, said the CM. But the Jabalpur event on June 10 was just the beginning, as the CM followed it up with another series of announcements at the large gathering of Anganwadi workers at the BHEL Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal the next day. At the Sunday event in Bhopal, the CM announced increasing the honorarium of Anganwadi workers from Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000. The honorarium will go up by `1,000 annually as an incentive. Also, the Anganwadi workers will get Rs 1000 per month separately under Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Yojana. The honorarium of mini Anganwadi workers has been fixed at Rs 6,500 monthly. On retirement, Rs 1.25 lakh will be provided to the Anganwadi workers and Rs one Lakh to the sahayikas. Health and accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to Anganwadi workers and sahayikas. 50% of posts of Anganwadi workers will be reserved for the promotion of sahayikas to the post of Anganwadi workers. The Anganwadi workers will also be given facilities at par with government employees, the CM promised. By PTI NEW DELHI: India hosts remarkably well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary rocks as old as 3.5 billion years, and has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa and Australia, a study has found. Researchers from the Wits University, University of Johannesburg (UJ), both in South Africa, and Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Daitari greenstone belt in the Singhbhum Craton in east India that were formed approximately 3.5 billion years ago. Cratons are pieces of ancient continents that formed several billions of years ago. Their study provides a window as to how processes within and on the surface of Earth operated in the past. The team conducted detailed field-based studies and precise Uranium-Lead (U-Pb) radiometric-age dating to evaluate the geology of the ancient greenstone rocks. The study, published in the journal Precambrian Research, established key geological timelines that illustrate the tectonic evolution of the Daitari greenstones. "The Daitari greenstone belt shares a similar geologic make-up when compared to the greenstones exposed in the Barberton and Nondweni areas of South Africa and those from the Pilbara Craton of north-western Australia," said Jaganmoy Jodder of the Wits University. Sub-marine volcanic eruptions were common between 3.5 and 3.3 billion-years-ago, which are largely preserved as pillowed lava within the greenstones of the Singhbhum, Kaapvaal, and Pilbara cratons. More importantly, the style of volcanism decoded from the silicic rocks, which are rich in silica, provide evidence for explosive sub-marine to sub-aerial settings. "Following silicic volcanism, sedimentary rocks that comprise sub-marine turbidity current deposits formed upon drowning of the volcanic vent," said Jodder, who led the study. "This provided us with an age estimate for the sub-marine sedimentary rocks that got deposited approximately 3.5 billion years ago, which was based on precise detrital U-Pb zircon data," he added. Detrital zircon geochronology analyses the age of zircons deposited within a specific sedimentary unit. Studies of ancient greenstones are important not only to understand the diverse volcanic processes but well-preserved greenstones preserve minor sedimentary rocks that formed under sub-marine settings. "These volcano-sedimentary rocks provide clues related to habitable environments on the young Earth and can be regarded as time capsules to help us better understand the evolutionary tale of the planet in its early stages," said Jodder. The team proposes that these ancient continents may have been subjected to geologically similar processes 3.5 billion years ago. "However, we are not certain about their palaeo-geographic positioning. And thus, cannot validate that they once formed part of a supercontinent," Jodder added. NEW DELHI: India hosts remarkably well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary rocks as old as 3.5 billion years, and has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa and Australia, a study has found. Researchers from the Wits University, University of Johannesburg (UJ), both in South Africa, and Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Daitari greenstone belt in the Singhbhum Craton in east India that were formed approximately 3.5 billion years ago. Cratons are pieces of ancient continents that formed several billions of years ago.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Their study provides a window as to how processes within and on the surface of Earth operated in the past. The team conducted detailed field-based studies and precise Uranium-Lead (U-Pb) radiometric-age dating to evaluate the geology of the ancient greenstone rocks. The study, published in the journal Precambrian Research, established key geological timelines that illustrate the tectonic evolution of the Daitari greenstones. "The Daitari greenstone belt shares a similar geologic make-up when compared to the greenstones exposed in the Barberton and Nondweni areas of South Africa and those from the Pilbara Craton of north-western Australia," said Jaganmoy Jodder of the Wits University. Sub-marine volcanic eruptions were common between 3.5 and 3.3 billion-years-ago, which are largely preserved as pillowed lava within the greenstones of the Singhbhum, Kaapvaal, and Pilbara cratons. More importantly, the style of volcanism decoded from the silicic rocks, which are rich in silica, provide evidence for explosive sub-marine to sub-aerial settings. "Following silicic volcanism, sedimentary rocks that comprise sub-marine turbidity current deposits formed upon drowning of the volcanic vent," said Jodder, who led the study. "This provided us with an age estimate for the sub-marine sedimentary rocks that got deposited approximately 3.5 billion years ago, which was based on precise detrital U-Pb zircon data," he added. Detrital zircon geochronology analyses the age of zircons deposited within a specific sedimentary unit. Studies of ancient greenstones are important not only to understand the diverse volcanic processes but well-preserved greenstones preserve minor sedimentary rocks that formed under sub-marine settings. "These volcano-sedimentary rocks provide clues related to habitable environments on the young Earth and can be regarded as time capsules to help us better understand the evolutionary tale of the planet in its early stages," said Jodder. The team proposes that these ancient continents may have been subjected to geologically similar processes 3.5 billion years ago. "However, we are not certain about their palaeo-geographic positioning. And thus, cannot validate that they once formed part of a supercontinent," Jodder added. By Express News Service KOLKATA: The Kolkata High Court on Tuesday asked the state election commission for the deployment of central forces in sensitive districts in the upcoming panchayat elections. The court made it also clear that the state poll panel will not have to bear the expenses for the deployment of the central force during the electoral exercise. Responding to petitions by opposition parties demanding the deployment of central force personnel, the division bench of Chief Justice T. S. Shivagnanam AND Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya said, The state election commission shall requisition central forces for all districts that have been declared as sensitive. On requisition, the central government shall forthwith deploy forces and the central government shall bear the costs. The state poll panel identified seven districts, including East Midnapore, Murshidabad, South 24 Paraganas and North 24 Parganas as sensitive. The development came following petitions filed by state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, BJP MLA, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The petitioners had raised several points of contention such as the lack of reasonable notice period for filing nominations and the deployment of central forces to maintain law and order. The court, however, upheld the state poll panels decision to conduct the rural polls on July 8 and the deadline for filing nominations on June 15. The division bench refused the plea for filing nominations online as demanded by opposition parties citing the ruling partys highhandedness. Five years ago, the panchayat elections in Bengal were marked by large-scale violence, with one-third of candidates unable to file their nominations and several court interventions, this year's electoral exercise in rural Bengal took an ugly shape on Tuesday, the fourth day of filing nominations, with bombs being hurled indiscriminately in front of the office of the block development officer in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, where section 144 of the CrPC was clamped as part of the prohibitory measure. The men in uniform had to retreat facing the attack allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress and subsequent retaliation by the supporters of the Indian Secular Force (ISF), a political outfit formed before the 2021 Assembly elections which sent its lone MLA from Bhangar, the minority-dominated pocket. ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui said the Trinamool Congress supporters attacked when the candidates of his party reached the BDOs office. They hurled bombs and pelted stones at us. The policemen, who were deployed in the restricted zone, fled away facing the attack by the ruling party, he alleged. TMCs MLA from Canning East constituency Saukat Mollah said it was the ISF who attacked the TMC supporters. KOLKATA: The Kolkata High Court on Tuesday asked the state election commission for the deployment of central forces in sensitive districts in the upcoming panchayat elections. The court made it also clear that the state poll panel will not have to bear the expenses for the deployment of the central force during the electoral exercise. Responding to petitions by opposition parties demanding the deployment of central force personnel, the division bench of Chief Justice T. S. Shivagnanam AND Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya said, The state election commission shall requisition central forces for all districts that have been declared as sensitive. On requisition, the central government shall forthwith deploy forces and the central government shall bear the costs. The state poll panel identified seven districts, including East Midnapore, Murshidabad, South 24 Paraganas and North 24 Parganas as sensitive.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The development came following petitions filed by state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, BJP MLA, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The petitioners had raised several points of contention such as the lack of reasonable notice period for filing nominations and the deployment of central forces to maintain law and order. The court, however, upheld the state poll panels decision to conduct the rural polls on July 8 and the deadline for filing nominations on June 15. The division bench refused the plea for filing nominations online as demanded by opposition parties citing the ruling partys highhandedness. Five years ago, the panchayat elections in Bengal were marked by large-scale violence, with one-third of candidates unable to file their nominations and several court interventions, this year's electoral exercise in rural Bengal took an ugly shape on Tuesday, the fourth day of filing nominations, with bombs being hurled indiscriminately in front of the office of the block development officer in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, where section 144 of the CrPC was clamped as part of the prohibitory measure. The men in uniform had to retreat facing the attack allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress and subsequent retaliation by the supporters of the Indian Secular Force (ISF), a political outfit formed before the 2021 Assembly elections which sent its lone MLA from Bhangar, the minority-dominated pocket. ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui said the Trinamool Congress supporters attacked when the candidates of his party reached the BDOs office. They hurled bombs and pelted stones at us. The policemen, who were deployed in the restricted zone, fled away facing the attack by the ruling party, he alleged. TMCs MLA from Canning East constituency Saukat Mollah said it was the ISF who attacked the TMC supporters. DUBAI: The regional politics of the Middle East are in a state of constant flux something made evident by Chinas negotiation of a peace deal between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran in March this year. With this deal giving China peacemaker status, and China and India topping the list of countries importing Saudi oil, is the US still an important partner for the Gulf nation? Fahad Nazer, chief spokesman of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, says that despite skepticism, the ties between the two countries are stronger than ever. This is a relationship that has not only endured, but has really continued to broaden and to deepen over the years, Nazer told Katie Jensen, host of Frankly Speaking, the Arab News talk show that features interviews with leading policymakers. Nazer added that US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Saudi Arabia really reinforced the pillars of the relationship if it has changed, it has changed for the better in the sense that its gotten broader and deeper and stronger. Frankly Speaking host Katie Jensen interviewing Fahad Nazer, spokesman for the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. (Supplied) Much like President Bidens visit back in July these visits have reinforced that the pillars which include political cooperation, security cooperation, military cooperation and trade; at the same time in many ways, they have also outlined the new contours of a more expanded relationship that does include cooperation on a number of new fronts, including cybersecurity, mitigating the impact of climate change, food security and even space exploration, he said. While some analysts have described the past two years of Saudi-US ties as some of the worst in recent history, primarily due to actions taken in the early days of the Biden administration, Nazer disagrees with the popular animosity to reconciliation narrative. I think the relationship has been on solid ground for many years, even if youre referring to the past two years, our relationship and cooperation and coordination on multiple fronts has continued, Nazer said, referencing the US and the Kingdoms regularly joint military exercises, the thousands of Saudis pursuing higher education in the US, and thousands of Americans living in the Kingdom. I think its important to note that in any relationship, you are bound to have a difference of opinion over certain policies. However, that does not detract from the fact that when it comes to Saudi Arabia and the US, in particular, our policies align much more broadly than we have differences, he said. Far more than just military and educational exchange, though, Saudi-US business ties are at the forefront of the relationship between the two countries, says Nazer, who said that the estimated $40 billion in bilateral annual trade value supports 165,000 American jobs. In March, two of Saudi Arabias major carriers, the new Riyadh Air and flagship Saudia, signed $37 billion in deals to purchase 121 Boeing Dreamliner aircraft for their fleets. Saudia alone is one of the world's biggest customer of Boeing aircraft, providing tens of thousands of jobs for Americans. (AFP file photo) This deal was important. I do believe it was important for both countries. So, one of the many goals that Saudi Arabia has as part of Vision 2030 is to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub, but also a global tourism destination. We believe that we have a lot to offer to tourists and certainly businesses around the world, Nazer said. He added that in addition to making the Kingdom more accessible to foreign tourists, the deal will also create an estimated 110,000 jobs in the US. According to Nazer, the Kingdoms rapid transformation in recent years has convinced even the harshest of critics to reevaluate the Saudi-US relationship. US Senator Lindsey Graham has pivoted away significantly from many of his previous criticisms of the Kingdom, visiting Saudi Arabia in April to congratulate the government on the Boeing deal. People who visit Saudi Arabia even seven years ago or five years ago, and come back and visit now, cannot help but notice the dramatic changes that have taken place in the Kingdom. You see it as soon as you land at the airport in Riyadh or Jeddah, Nazer said, adding that both Republican and Democratic administrations in the US have maintained strong ties with the Kingdom. Whether its Senator Graham or others, Ive had the pleasure of actually accompanying a number of American delegations over the past couple of years. And again, I hear the same feedback from business leaders, from civil society leaders, (and) think tank leaders. People are literally amazed at how much the country has changed, how it looks different. It feels different. Its certainly opened up. And Im not surprised to hear people come back with a very positive impression, you know, following these visits. US Senator Lindsey Graham, left, meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on April 13, 2023. (SPA) While Nazer stressed that bilateral relations have been robust and are only continuing to strengthen, the recent Chinese-brokered peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran has some critics calling the deal a slap in the face to the US. Later, the White House did state that they were briefed on the deal, and Nazer added that Saudi Arabia has ongoing conversations with our American partners on a number of fronts. When it comes to Iran specifically, we have said all along and going back several years at this point, that Iran is obviously our neighbor. They have great potential. They have a predominantly young population. They have a great history and culture. And so, over the past two years, weve had a number of talks in different places. And that culminated in this agreement as was announced in Beijing back in March, where we did announce the restoration of diplomatic relations and opening our embassies, he said. This does not signify, Nazer said, the end of all problems between Iran and Saudi Arabia, particularly when it comes to concerns that the Kingdom has over Irans nuclear program. He added, however, that the potential stability brought about by the Saudi-Iran peace deal will have positive effects both within Saudi Arabia and regionally. US needs partners to face challenges, it has no better friend than MBS: Washington Times columnist Things like transforming the Kingdom into a tourism destination, into a logistics hub, combating climate change, these are challenges that are in many ways global in nature and require the region to enjoy some peace and stability. And so, this is what were doing, and through our engagements, whether with Iran or some of our other, you know, regional partners, but also partners in other regions of the world, we believe that we need peace and prosperity, he said. The increasingly stronger ties between the US and Saudi Arabia, despite their differences in opinion on regional issues, is a testament to their stability and endurance. Normalization of ties with Syria, which recently re-entered the Arab League and has been restoring relations with a number of Arab countries, was a point of disagreement for the US and the Kingdom. Our leadership has concluded correctly that the status quo was simply not sustainable. So, the efforts to isolate Syria and the Syrian government, indefinitely, were not helping stabilize Syria. They were certainly not helping in terms of allowing the provision and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. And they certainly were not helping return the millions of people, who have been displaced and who are now refugees in other countries, return to Syria, Nazer said. In May, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Syrian President Bashar Assad on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Jeddah, the first such meeting which included Syria since the start of the Syrian Civil War. The US State Department has pushed back against such normalization, opposing the restoration of diplomacy between Assad and Arab countries. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) meeting with Syria's President Bashar Assad on the sidelines of the Arab Summit meeting in Jeddah on May 19, 2023. (Bandar Al-Jaloud / Saudi Royal Palace) What we are seeking to promote is a political resolution to the conflict there that preserves Syrias independence, that preserves its territorial integrity and unity, and allows people who have been displaced to return to their homes safely. And also, to allow the delivery of badly needed humanitarian assistance to reach the people who need it most, Nazer said. Though China has certainly presented itself as a peacemaker, the Saudi-US relationship has shown that the Kingdom and the US are prepared to act as harbingers of peace together. Before his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Secretary Blinken expressed his countrys desire to play a role in Saudi-Israeli normalization. Saudi Arabias position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been clear and has been consistent for many years. In fact, it was the late King Abdullah, who, way back in 2002, introduced what is now known as the Arab Peace Initiative at the Arab League Summit in Beirut in that year. And the proposal, the initiative, does offer Israel normalization with all members of the Arab states in return for a just and comprehensive peace with the Palestinians based on a two-state solution, Nazer said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, attends a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh on June 8, 2023. (REUTERS/Pool) While Nazer added that that offer really still remains on the table, the core issue of Palestinian rights is still a must before normalization can truly continue. The most recent successful collaborative effort between the US and the Kingdom was carried out at the end of May, when the two countries brokered a ceasefire in war-torn Sudan. Though the temporary ceasefire expired and was subject to violations, the two mediators have worked to negotiate more ceasefire deals between the warring Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. Nazer said: Saudi Arabia and the US have been working very closely on trying to advance or help restore peace and stability in Sudan. We are both facilitators of some of the talks that have been taking place that have allowed some of the humanitarian aid to be delivered to Sudan and have decreased tensions a little bit. So, we believe that these are steps in the right direction. Far, far beyond regional politics or even international politics the final frontier awaits what Saudi-US cooperation can bring. Late last month, the two nations made history when American companies SpaceX and Axiom Space launched the first-ever female Arab astronaut into space. Rayyanah Barnawi and fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al-Qarni were the first Saudis to ever visit the International Space Station, where Barnawi carried out multiple scientific experiments. In some ways, this was a different experience. It was almost an immersive experience for the rest of the Kingdom because the astronauts were able to share much of their experience with people back in the Kingdom, Nazer said. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service Speculation rife after PM writes to Rajbhar A customary congratulatory letter sent by PM Narendra Modi to Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar on his sons wedding has got tongues wagging. Political analysts take this as a sign of Rajbhars return to the NDA fold for the Lok Sabha polls next year. Rajbhar is basking in the attention. Lok Saha elections are still a year away. It is too hasty to reach any conclusion. Discussions and guessing should continue, he told reporters chasing him in the bustle of the wedding. SBSP allied with the BJP during the 2017 elections but it contested the 2022 polls with the Samajwadi Party. Lucknow University ties up with Google, Meta Lucknow University has planned The Bharat Lab to be set up in collaboration with IT giants Google and Meta. The plan is to create a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry to develop more effective products and strategies, said a university spokesperson. The lab will gather data on consumption patterns and aspirations of consumers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, using Googles online advertising, search engine technology and cloud computing, and Metas platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Shaligram stones for Ram Lalla statue faulty The two Shaligram stones, brought to Ayodhya from Nepal with great fanfare to be used for carving out the statue of Ram Lalla for the grand temple that is likely to be inaugurated in January next year, have been cast aside as faulty as they developed cracks. Though the temple trust has shortlisted new stones from Karnataka and Rajasthan now, the Nepal stones have not been totally discarded. According to a temple trust member, these rocks would be kept at the Ram Mandir complex itself so that devotees could worship them. They are devshilas and will be given full respect, he said. Namita bajpai Our correspondent in Uttar Pradesh namita.bajpai@ newindianexpress.com Speculation rife after PM writes to Rajbhar A customary congratulatory letter sent by PM Narendra Modi to Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar on his sons wedding has got tongues wagging. Political analysts take this as a sign of Rajbhars return to the NDA fold for the Lok Sabha polls next year. Rajbhar is basking in the attention. Lok Saha elections are still a year away. It is too hasty to reach any conclusion. Discussions and guessing should continue, he told reporters chasing him in the bustle of the wedding. SBSP allied with the BJP during the 2017 elections but it contested the 2022 polls with the Samajwadi Party. Lucknow University ties up with Google, Meta Lucknow University has planned The Bharat Lab to be set up in collaboration with IT giants Google and Meta. The plan is to create a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry to develop more effective products and strategies, said a university spokesperson. The lab will gather data on consumption patterns and aspirations of consumers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, using Googles online advertising, search engine technology and cloud computing, and Metas platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Shaligram stones for Ram Lalla statue faulty The two Shaligram stones, brought to Ayodhya from Nepal with great fanfare to be used for carving out the statue of Ram Lalla for the grand temple that is likely to be inaugurated in January next year, have been cast aside as faulty as they developed cracks. Though the temple trust has shortlisted new stones from Karnataka and Rajasthan now, the Nepal stones have not been totally discarded. According to a temple trust member, these rocks would be kept at the Ram Mandir complex itself so that devotees could worship them. They are devshilas and will be given full respect, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Namita bajpai Our correspondent in Uttar Pradesh namita.bajpai@ newindianexpress.com Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service MUMBAI: An advertisement quoting a survey that found CM Eknath Shinde to be a more popular Chief Ministerial choice than his deputy Devendra Fadnavis has seemingly soured the equations between the two leaders. According to the advertisement published in the newspapers on Tuesday, 26.1 per cent of respondents wanted Eknath Shinde to continue as CM while only 23.2% preferred Fadnavis at the head of the government. This has apparently miffed Fadnavis. The published advertisements by Shiv Sena also targets BJP's earlier campaign that centred around Varati Narendra Khali Devendra (Narendra Modi in Centre, Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra). The ad did doff its hat to the BJP highlighting the fact that it was Narendra (Modi) at the Centre and Eknath (Shinde) in the state who were in the saddle and carried a photo of the two leaders sharing smiles. ALSO READ | Maharashtra Cabinet expansion: Under pressure from BJP, Shinde likely to drop six ministers It also went on to highlight the survey's claim that 30.2% chose BJP as their preferred party while 16.2% chose the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. This combined 49.3% vote share made BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena the choice of the people of Maharashtra, it went on to state. Interestingly, there was no photograph of the late Balasaheb Thackeray in the ad. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena issued advertisement based on survey, Eknath Shinde is main choice of people as CM wid 26.1% preference while DCM Devendra Fadnavis got 23.2%. So, Fadnavis is no more in race of CM ? Adv also says in Centre-Narendra while Shinde in state pic.twitter.com/Stk0tdnpl1 Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) June 13, 2023 Sources close to Fadnavis said the Maharashtra BJP was upset at the fact that the deputy CM was targeted in this manner through an ad built around the survey. "Shinde is trying to claim that he should be the CM face in the 2024 Maharashtra state assembly elections as well. So, is Fadnavis out of the CM race? Besides, we are also curious to know whether our top leadership has approved such kind of advertisements where our leader Fadnavis has been insulted," said a source requesting anonymity. Fadnavis refused to meet mediapersons after the cabinet meeting that was held later in the day. He left the meeting hall offering just a namaste. Later, Fadnavis also went on to skip his meeting with Chief Minister Shinde scheduled in Kolhapur citing poor health. His office told mediapersons that Fadnavis was down with sinusitis and could not attend the meeting with the CM. Eknath Shinde said the survey findings had increased the responsibilities on both him and his government. He said it underlined that the people of Maharashtra are happy with the work put in by his government, which was effectively working under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. ALSO READ | Maharashtra: Trouble brewing in BJP-Sena ties, CM's son offers to quit LS seat When asked why Balasaheb Thackeray's photograph was missing from the advertisement, he said that Balasaheb remained in all their hearts. NCP working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule had a different take to share. "The Maha Vikas Aghadi needs to work hard now. Shinde-Fadnavis both failed to get the majority approval rating in the survey. The people of Maharashtra are with the MVA," Sule said. MUMBAI: An advertisement quoting a survey that found CM Eknath Shinde to be a more popular Chief Ministerial choice than his deputy Devendra Fadnavis has seemingly soured the equations between the two leaders. According to the advertisement published in the newspapers on Tuesday, 26.1 per cent of respondents wanted Eknath Shinde to continue as CM while only 23.2% preferred Fadnavis at the head of the government. This has apparently miffed Fadnavis. The published advertisements by Shiv Sena also targets BJP's earlier campaign that centred around Varati Narendra Khali Devendra (Narendra Modi in Centre, Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ad did doff its hat to the BJP highlighting the fact that it was Narendra (Modi) at the Centre and Eknath (Shinde) in the state who were in the saddle and carried a photo of the two leaders sharing smiles. ALSO READ | Maharashtra Cabinet expansion: Under pressure from BJP, Shinde likely to drop six ministers It also went on to highlight the survey's claim that 30.2% chose BJP as their preferred party while 16.2% chose the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. This combined 49.3% vote share made BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena the choice of the people of Maharashtra, it went on to state. Interestingly, there was no photograph of the late Balasaheb Thackeray in the ad. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena issued advertisement based on survey, Eknath Shinde is main choice of people as CM wid 26.1% preference while DCM Devendra Fadnavis got 23.2%. So, Fadnavis is no more in race of CM ? Adv also says in Centre-Narendra while Shinde in state pic.twitter.com/Stk0tdnpl1 Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) June 13, 2023 Sources close to Fadnavis said the Maharashtra BJP was upset at the fact that the deputy CM was targeted in this manner through an ad built around the survey. "Shinde is trying to claim that he should be the CM face in the 2024 Maharashtra state assembly elections as well. So, is Fadnavis out of the CM race? Besides, we are also curious to know whether our top leadership has approved such kind of advertisements where our leader Fadnavis has been insulted," said a source requesting anonymity. Fadnavis refused to meet mediapersons after the cabinet meeting that was held later in the day. He left the meeting hall offering just a namaste. Later, Fadnavis also went on to skip his meeting with Chief Minister Shinde scheduled in Kolhapur citing poor health. His office told mediapersons that Fadnavis was down with sinusitis and could not attend the meeting with the CM. Eknath Shinde said the survey findings had increased the responsibilities on both him and his government. He said it underlined that the people of Maharashtra are happy with the work put in by his government, which was effectively working under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. ALSO READ | Maharashtra: Trouble brewing in BJP-Sena ties, CM's son offers to quit LS seat When asked why Balasaheb Thackeray's photograph was missing from the advertisement, he said that Balasaheb remained in all their hearts. NCP working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule had a different take to share. "The Maha Vikas Aghadi needs to work hard now. Shinde-Fadnavis both failed to get the majority approval rating in the survey. The people of Maharashtra are with the MVA," Sule said. By Express News Service BHOPAL: An advanced fire-fighting hydraulic ladder worth Rs 5.5 crore bought nine months ago lay unused 40 metres away from the seven-storey Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal, which caught fire on Monday. According to the NDTV, bought with much fanfare about nine months ago to help fight fires in buildings up to 18 storeys high, the lack of clearance from the Regional Transport Office and of qualified personnel ensured that it could play no role in fighting one of the biggest fires in Bhopal in recent years, said senior fire department officials. The Army and Indian Air force had to get involved to douse the fire. The massive fire on the top four floors of Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal, which was doused in around 17 hours, has generated enough political heat in the assembly polls-bound state. The opposition Congress, while terming the blaze a state-sponsored, planned, abnormal and man-made fire, alleged that important files pertaining to scams in health and other departments were destroyed in the fire in a planned manner. Senior party leaders, including state party chief Kamal Nath, leader of opposition Dr Govind Singh and media wing head KK Mishra, while questioning why the fire happened at the government building months before assembly polls, demanded a probe into the entire fire by an independent agency or a sitting judge. Congress leader KK Mishra also questioned why a committee of bureaucrats had been formed by the CM to probe the fire, instead of forming an inter-ministerial committee, which should have had the leader of the opposition also on board. It was only after the Indian Army arrived late at night that the fire was controlled. But why did it take so long for the CM to call the Army, he actually preferred first forming a probe panel to know the causes of fire instead of first calling the Army for rescue and fire-fighting operations. The states home minister says that no important file has been burnt, while a senior health department woman official claims that thousands of important files of the health department have been gutted. Why is there a difference between what the minister says and what is stated by a woman bureaucrat, Mishra questioned at a press conference in Bhopal. Just 15 days back, I had apprehended fire at government offices to destroy files pertaining to corruption, but never knew its going to happen so soon. The blaze at the government building indicates that the BJP government is going and a Congress government is coming in MP, Mishra said. He further questioned what was the use of buying a hydraulic aerial platform machine for crores of rupees, when it couldnt be used to douse the fire up to a height 52 meters, for reasons best known to the government. Not just Congress, but other opposition parties also raised the issue of the fire. Aam Aadmi Partys Delhi MLA and MP state co-in charge Pravin Deshmukh, while accusing the BJP government of covering up scams through fire, demanded a judicial probe. BSP MP and MP states in-charge Ramji Gautam said, Satpura was burning, while those in power were smiling, because files related to nursing colleges, COVID spending and other scams were burning. Rubbishing Congress and other opposition parties allegations, the state governments official spokesperson and home minister Narottam Mishra said, It seems the Congress is yet to realize that were living in the digital era. The files damaged by the fire can be recreated from the data in the hard disc and pen drives. Also, most schemes are central government-aided schemes, hence getting back-up of the lost data will be easier. The minister added that none of the destroyed files were related to tenders or purchases, so where does the question of files related to irregularities getting burnt arise. He also said that the hydraulic aerial platform machine couldnt be used for fire-fighting as the passage inside the Satpura Bhawan premises wasnt enough for it. Ive seen at least 34 fire tenders engaged in dousing the fire till Monday night. Even IAF aircrafts in Gwalior were ready to fly to Bhopal to douse the fire. A high-level committee of top bureaucrats and a police officer has been formed by the CM to probe all aspects of the blaze and asked to submit its report in 3 days. Also, the CM has directed all concerned to engage experts from major cities, including Mumbai to devise systems in all major cities of MP, to prevent recurrence of such fires. Importantly, thousands of government files have been reportedly gutted in the fire on the four top floors of Satpura Bhawan building (located close to the state secretariat-Vallabh Bhawan). The fire, which was possibly triggered due to an electric short circuit in one of the air-conditioners on the third floor (which houses the regional office of tribal welfare department) at around 4 pm, spread fast to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the six-storied building. More than 50 fire tenders from various parts of Bhopal and adjoining Raisen district, helped us control the fire by midnight, but the fire was completely doused in around 17 hours by 9 am on Tuesday. Had it not been high-velocity winds on Monday afternoon, we wouldve controlled the fire by Monday evening only, the Bhopal Municipal Corporations fire officer Rameshwar Meel told this newspaper. The government departments whose offices were located on the four floors, included the regional office of tribal welfare department and offices of health and family welfare department. Fortunately, around 4000 employees were rescued in time from the fire-hit building. Holiday was declared for all employees working at the Satpura Bhawan. By Tuesday evening, the offices will be shifted for time being to alternative places to ensure that work on those offices resumes by Wednesday, the home minister said. BHOPAL: An advanced fire-fighting hydraulic ladder worth Rs 5.5 crore bought nine months ago lay unused 40 metres away from the seven-storey Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal, which caught fire on Monday. According to the NDTV, bought with much fanfare about nine months ago to help fight fires in buildings up to 18 storeys high, the lack of clearance from the Regional Transport Office and of qualified personnel ensured that it could play no role in fighting one of the biggest fires in Bhopal in recent years, said senior fire department officials. The Army and Indian Air force had to get involved to douse the fire. The massive fire on the top four floors of Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal, which was doused in around 17 hours, has generated enough political heat in the assembly polls-bound state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The opposition Congress, while terming the blaze a state-sponsored, planned, abnormal and man-made fire, alleged that important files pertaining to scams in health and other departments were destroyed in the fire in a planned manner. Senior party leaders, including state party chief Kamal Nath, leader of opposition Dr Govind Singh and media wing head KK Mishra, while questioning why the fire happened at the government building months before assembly polls, demanded a probe into the entire fire by an independent agency or a sitting judge. Congress leader KK Mishra also questioned why a committee of bureaucrats had been formed by the CM to probe the fire, instead of forming an inter-ministerial committee, which should have had the leader of the opposition also on board. It was only after the Indian Army arrived late at night that the fire was controlled. But why did it take so long for the CM to call the Army, he actually preferred first forming a probe panel to know the causes of fire instead of first calling the Army for rescue and fire-fighting operations. The states home minister says that no important file has been burnt, while a senior health department woman official claims that thousands of important files of the health department have been gutted. Why is there a difference between what the minister says and what is stated by a woman bureaucrat, Mishra questioned at a press conference in Bhopal. Just 15 days back, I had apprehended fire at government offices to destroy files pertaining to corruption, but never knew its going to happen so soon. The blaze at the government building indicates that the BJP government is going and a Congress government is coming in MP, Mishra said. He further questioned what was the use of buying a hydraulic aerial platform machine for crores of rupees, when it couldnt be used to douse the fire up to a height 52 meters, for reasons best known to the government. Not just Congress, but other opposition parties also raised the issue of the fire. Aam Aadmi Partys Delhi MLA and MP state co-in charge Pravin Deshmukh, while accusing the BJP government of covering up scams through fire, demanded a judicial probe. BSP MP and MP states in-charge Ramji Gautam said, Satpura was burning, while those in power were smiling, because files related to nursing colleges, COVID spending and other scams were burning. Rubbishing Congress and other opposition parties allegations, the state governments official spokesperson and home minister Narottam Mishra said, It seems the Congress is yet to realize that were living in the digital era. The files damaged by the fire can be recreated from the data in the hard disc and pen drives. Also, most schemes are central government-aided schemes, hence getting back-up of the lost data will be easier. The minister added that none of the destroyed files were related to tenders or purchases, so where does the question of files related to irregularities getting burnt arise. He also said that the hydraulic aerial platform machine couldnt be used for fire-fighting as the passage inside the Satpura Bhawan premises wasnt enough for it. Ive seen at least 34 fire tenders engaged in dousing the fire till Monday night. Even IAF aircrafts in Gwalior were ready to fly to Bhopal to douse the fire. A high-level committee of top bureaucrats and a police officer has been formed by the CM to probe all aspects of the blaze and asked to submit its report in 3 days. Also, the CM has directed all concerned to engage experts from major cities, including Mumbai to devise systems in all major cities of MP, to prevent recurrence of such fires. Importantly, thousands of government files have been reportedly gutted in the fire on the four top floors of Satpura Bhawan building (located close to the state secretariat-Vallabh Bhawan). The fire, which was possibly triggered due to an electric short circuit in one of the air-conditioners on the third floor (which houses the regional office of tribal welfare department) at around 4 pm, spread fast to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the six-storied building. More than 50 fire tenders from various parts of Bhopal and adjoining Raisen district, helped us control the fire by midnight, but the fire was completely doused in around 17 hours by 9 am on Tuesday. Had it not been high-velocity winds on Monday afternoon, we wouldve controlled the fire by Monday evening only, the Bhopal Municipal Corporations fire officer Rameshwar Meel told this newspaper. The government departments whose offices were located on the four floors, included the regional office of tribal welfare department and offices of health and family welfare department. Fortunately, around 4000 employees were rescued in time from the fire-hit building. Holiday was declared for all employees working at the Satpura Bhawan. By Tuesday evening, the offices will be shifted for time being to alternative places to ensure that work on those offices resumes by Wednesday, the home minister said. By PTI KURUKSHETRA: Farmers protesting over the MSP for sunflower seeds at Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra called off their agitation on Tuesday night after an assurance from the state government of an "appropriate price" for the crop. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said after fresh talks with the district administration in the evening, the farmers have ended the protest and the national highway blockade in Pipli has been lifted. Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shantanu Sharma told PTI that farmers have been assured of "appropriate price" for sunflower crops. Sharma said the Haryana government always stands by farmers. "Either by increasing (crop) rate or 'bhavantar' rate, it is the Haryana government's decision to ensure the right price of the crop and we will do this," he said. The DC also said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had promised to set up a unit for processing 20,000 metric tonnes of sunflowers in Shahabad and it will soon be fulfilled. Talking to reporters here, Tikait said that the local committee of farmers which was holding talks with the government reached an agreement in the evening as per which the government has agreed on their MSP demand and also agreed to release the farmers arrested recently during the Shahabad protest by following the process of law. "Our agitation here was that procurement should be at the MSP. We had sought the rate which was fixed by the Centre," he said. "In every state, the MSP rate will have to be given. A bigger agitation will be needed in the country on the legal guarantee of MSP. A beginning has been made here," Tikait said. The protest here has ended and the road has been cleared, he said. The protesting farmers had blocked the National Highway-44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh, and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. The district administration had since Monday held several rounds of talks with the protesting farmers, but the breakthrough came only in the evening after the state government gave an assurance on the demand. Soon after the agreement was reached, the farmers celebrated their victory and also burst crackers. On Monday, the farmers had held 'MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao Mahapanchayat', called by the BKU (Charuni), at a grain market in Pipli close to NH-44. Subsequently, the farmers blocked the highway in support of their demand. The blockade of the highway had caused inconvenience to commuters as they were stuck in traffic jams and forced to cover longer distances to reach their destinations due to traffic diversions. Many truck drivers said that the consignments being carried by them for their delivery at various points have got delayed due to the blockade. Tikait had earlier asked the state government to accept the demand or send farmers to jail. The farmers had been demanding that the state government procure sunflower seeds at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government was giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP. On June 6, farmers led by BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni blocked the highway near Shahabad here demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP. Police used water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. On Tuesday, when asked if farmers have been assured of Rs 6,400 MSP for sunflowers, Tikait said "The farmers will get the rate fixed by the Centre". He said that it is not the question of "forcing the government to bow before their demand, but we had been seeking what is our right". When asked if the Haryana government will increase the 'Bhavantar' or give Rs 6,400 per quintal for sunflowers, Tikait said "In whichever way they give, the farmers will get the MSP". Chief Minister Khattar on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. KURUKSHETRA: Farmers protesting over the MSP for sunflower seeds at Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra called off their agitation on Tuesday night after an assurance from the state government of an "appropriate price" for the crop. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said after fresh talks with the district administration in the evening, the farmers have ended the protest and the national highway blockade in Pipli has been lifted. Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shantanu Sharma told PTI that farmers have been assured of "appropriate price" for sunflower crops.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sharma said the Haryana government always stands by farmers. "Either by increasing (crop) rate or 'bhavantar' rate, it is the Haryana government's decision to ensure the right price of the crop and we will do this," he said. The DC also said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had promised to set up a unit for processing 20,000 metric tonnes of sunflowers in Shahabad and it will soon be fulfilled. Talking to reporters here, Tikait said that the local committee of farmers which was holding talks with the government reached an agreement in the evening as per which the government has agreed on their MSP demand and also agreed to release the farmers arrested recently during the Shahabad protest by following the process of law. "Our agitation here was that procurement should be at the MSP. We had sought the rate which was fixed by the Centre," he said. "In every state, the MSP rate will have to be given. A bigger agitation will be needed in the country on the legal guarantee of MSP. A beginning has been made here," Tikait said. The protest here has ended and the road has been cleared, he said. The protesting farmers had blocked the National Highway-44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh, and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. The district administration had since Monday held several rounds of talks with the protesting farmers, but the breakthrough came only in the evening after the state government gave an assurance on the demand. Soon after the agreement was reached, the farmers celebrated their victory and also burst crackers. On Monday, the farmers had held 'MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao Mahapanchayat', called by the BKU (Charuni), at a grain market in Pipli close to NH-44. Subsequently, the farmers blocked the highway in support of their demand. The blockade of the highway had caused inconvenience to commuters as they were stuck in traffic jams and forced to cover longer distances to reach their destinations due to traffic diversions. Many truck drivers said that the consignments being carried by them for their delivery at various points have got delayed due to the blockade. Tikait had earlier asked the state government to accept the demand or send farmers to jail. The farmers had been demanding that the state government procure sunflower seeds at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government was giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP. On June 6, farmers led by BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni blocked the highway near Shahabad here demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP. Police used water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. On Tuesday, when asked if farmers have been assured of Rs 6,400 MSP for sunflowers, Tikait said "The farmers will get the rate fixed by the Centre". He said that it is not the question of "forcing the government to bow before their demand, but we had been seeking what is our right". When asked if the Haryana government will increase the 'Bhavantar' or give Rs 6,400 per quintal for sunflowers, Tikait said "In whichever way they give, the farmers will get the MSP". Chief Minister Khattar on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. Narendra Sethi By Express News Service DEHRADUN: Amid controversy over an attempt to abduct a minor in Purola, Uttarkashi, the Purola Pradhan Sangathan has announced a 'mahapanchayat' on June 15. In response to the controversy over the announcement of the 'mahapanchayat', All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi reacted sharply to it and demanded the state government to immediately ban the 'mahapanchayat'. The BJP, on the other hand, hit back, saying, Owaisi's advocacy of 'love jihad' and 'land jihad' was unacceptable in Devbhoomi. The Party strongly objected to Owaisi's statement on the exodus of a particular community. "Owaisi is neither an acceptable leader of the Muslim community nor a supporter, he does vote bank politics everywhere by spreading hatred," party's state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said. Efforts to change the demography in the state will not be allowed to succeed in any way. "His venomous vocabulary cannot spoil the peaceful atmosphere of Devbhoomi", added Spokesperson Chauhan. Tensions between the two communities in the state over the issue of 'love jihad' have been steadily rising following a tweet by AIMIM national president Asaduddin Owaisi. In a strong reaction to Purola's announcement, the Muslim community has also called for a Mahapanchayat in Dehradun on June 18, while the Purola Pradhan Sangathan is sticking to the June 15 Mahapanchayat. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has clarified the government's intention on this, saying, "I have instructed the police and administration to work strictly on population change in Uttarakhand and curb the deteriorating law and order situation here at the earliest". Zahid Malik, district president of the BJP's minority cell, who has left Purola town, has alleged that "during a protest in Purola on May 27, locals used abusive language against women of a particular community". This has been denied by the people of a particular community living in Purola itself. In a memorandum to SDM Purola on Monday, Bale Khan, Mohammad Ashraf and Javed, belonging to the Muslim community of Purola, said Zahid Malik's allegations, circulated through a video message on social media, were "completely false, alleging that women from their community were mistreated during the protest. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) V Murugesan, in a virtual meeting, directed all superintendents of police to keep a close watch on law and order. The agitation is unlikely to end soon as some houses and shops belonging to the minority community have been marked with 'X' signs. Talks with the administration also failed. "For many decades we people of different communities have been living as a family with mutual brotherhood and complete harmony in Uttarakhand, this is the first time, such an unfortunate atmosphere has been seen," Abdul Wahab, a resident of ISBT Azad Nagar, told this newspaper. On the other hand, 52 former bureaucrats who are part of the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) have written to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and Director General of Police expressing their "deep concern" about the recent communal, anti-Muslim programmes in the state. In letters addressed to the chief secretary and director general of police, the former bureaucrats said, "We note that these incidents come in the wake of a communal campaign in the area, including the call for market closures and rallies in more than 12 cities and hate speeches against Muslims, due to which 42 Muslim families have already fled Purola town on May 28 and Muslim shopkeepers have migrated from Purola. DEHRADUN: Amid controversy over an attempt to abduct a minor in Purola, Uttarkashi, the Purola Pradhan Sangathan has announced a 'mahapanchayat' on June 15. In response to the controversy over the announcement of the 'mahapanchayat', All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi reacted sharply to it and demanded the state government to immediately ban the 'mahapanchayat'. The BJP, on the other hand, hit back, saying, Owaisi's advocacy of 'love jihad' and 'land jihad' was unacceptable in Devbhoomi. The Party strongly objected to Owaisi's statement on the exodus of a particular community. "Owaisi is neither an acceptable leader of the Muslim community nor a supporter, he does vote bank politics everywhere by spreading hatred," party's state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said. Efforts to change the demography in the state will not be allowed to succeed in any way. "His venomous vocabulary cannot spoil the peaceful atmosphere of Devbhoomi", added Spokesperson Chauhan.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Tensions between the two communities in the state over the issue of 'love jihad' have been steadily rising following a tweet by AIMIM national president Asaduddin Owaisi. In a strong reaction to Purola's announcement, the Muslim community has also called for a Mahapanchayat in Dehradun on June 18, while the Purola Pradhan Sangathan is sticking to the June 15 Mahapanchayat. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has clarified the government's intention on this, saying, "I have instructed the police and administration to work strictly on population change in Uttarakhand and curb the deteriorating law and order situation here at the earliest". Zahid Malik, district president of the BJP's minority cell, who has left Purola town, has alleged that "during a protest in Purola on May 27, locals used abusive language against women of a particular community". This has been denied by the people of a particular community living in Purola itself. In a memorandum to SDM Purola on Monday, Bale Khan, Mohammad Ashraf and Javed, belonging to the Muslim community of Purola, said Zahid Malik's allegations, circulated through a video message on social media, were "completely false, alleging that women from their community were mistreated during the protest. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) V Murugesan, in a virtual meeting, directed all superintendents of police to keep a close watch on law and order. The agitation is unlikely to end soon as some houses and shops belonging to the minority community have been marked with 'X' signs. Talks with the administration also failed. "For many decades we people of different communities have been living as a family with mutual brotherhood and complete harmony in Uttarakhand, this is the first time, such an unfortunate atmosphere has been seen," Abdul Wahab, a resident of ISBT Azad Nagar, told this newspaper. On the other hand, 52 former bureaucrats who are part of the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) have written to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and Director General of Police expressing their "deep concern" about the recent communal, anti-Muslim programmes in the state. In letters addressed to the chief secretary and director general of police, the former bureaucrats said, "We note that these incidents come in the wake of a communal campaign in the area, including the call for market closures and rallies in more than 12 cities and hate speeches against Muslims, due to which 42 Muslim families have already fled Purola town on May 28 and Muslim shopkeepers have migrated from Purola. Praveen Kumar By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 39-year-old physiotherapist from Bengaluru reportedly killed her mother and brought her body, stuffing it in a trolley bag to the MICO Layout Police Station. The accused identified as Senali Sen, a native of West Bengal, was working as a physiotherapist in the city. The deceased has been identified as Biva Pal. The family were staying at Bilekahalli in MICO Layout for the past six years. The incident happened on Monday afternoon. According to the police, Sen was staying at an apartment at Bilekahalli in Mico Layout in the city for the past five years along with her husband, son, mother Biva Pal and mother-in-law. On Monday, during a fight, the accused forced fed her mother with 20 sleeping pills. She then subsequently killed her by strangulating her with a veil as her mother started screaming in stomach pain. After stuffing the body, she shifted the trolley suitcase by keeping her father's photograph in the suitcase to the police station in the afternoon. She shifted the body reportedly in an auto. The police were shocked after the woman opened the trolley and asked her to look at the body. The accused was immediately arrested. The police have shifted the body for the postmortem. The police have also found that Sen tried to dispose of the body. After she failed, she brought it to the police station. The MICO Layout police have registered a case of murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and are further investigating, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Division, C K Baba told reporters. Regarding the murder motive, he said the matter is under investigation. "I don't know why the murder was committed. We have to take her into custody. She has studied physiotherapy. It appears there were some domestic issues," Baba said. (with inputs from PTI) BENGALURU: A 39-year-old physiotherapist from Bengaluru reportedly killed her mother and brought her body, stuffing it in a trolley bag to the MICO Layout Police Station. The accused identified as Senali Sen, a native of West Bengal, was working as a physiotherapist in the city. The deceased has been identified as Biva Pal. The family were staying at Bilekahalli in MICO Layout for the past six years. The incident happened on Monday afternoon. According to the police, Sen was staying at an apartment at Bilekahalli in Mico Layout in the city for the past five years along with her husband, son, mother Biva Pal and mother-in-law. On Monday, during a fight, the accused forced fed her mother with 20 sleeping pills. She then subsequently killed her by strangulating her with a veil as her mother started screaming in stomach pain. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After stuffing the body, she shifted the trolley suitcase by keeping her father's photograph in the suitcase to the police station in the afternoon. She shifted the body reportedly in an auto. The police were shocked after the woman opened the trolley and asked her to look at the body. The accused was immediately arrested. The police have shifted the body for the postmortem. The police have also found that Sen tried to dispose of the body. After she failed, she brought it to the police station. The MICO Layout police have registered a case of murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and are further investigating, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Division, C K Baba told reporters. Regarding the murder motive, he said the matter is under investigation. "I don't know why the murder was committed. We have to take her into custody. She has studied physiotherapy. It appears there were some domestic issues," Baba said. (with inputs from PTI) Preetha Nair By Express News Service NEW DELHI: On May 24, 2023, the Law Commission of India released its 279th Report on 'Usage of the Law of Sedition'. The report not only recommends the retention of the Sedition Law, which is of the colonial era but also seeks to enhance the prescribed punishment -- from three to seven years in jail. Former Law Commission member and senior Supreme Court advocate Kirti Singh, spoke to Preetha Nair about the 279th report of the 22nd Law Commission on the 'Usage of the Law of Sedition'. What is your assessment of the recommendations put forth by the 22nd Law Commission proposing the retention of Section 124A of the IPC encompassing the sedition law, along with an escalated minimum punishment? I am deeply concerned that the law is being retained and strengthened with only a few safeguards, which hardly qualify as a safeguard. The report has no place in democratic countries where freedom of speech holds great importance. The provision of Section 124A of the IPC seeks to punish a speech or writing that incites or attempts to incite hatred, contempt, or disaffection towards the government established by law. First, the expression disaffection towards the government is a vague definition and constitutionally weak. In the past few years, this law has frequently been used to silence any form of dissent or questioning of the government. In my view, the Sedition Law should be abolished. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised that fundamental rights are organic. The commission cites various threats faced by the country, including secessionist movements, militancy, and ethnic conflicts in the northeastern states, as one of the reasons for advocating the retention of the law This is very problematic. Even the British did away with sedition laws because they recognized that they could not use such a law against their citizens. The British introduced the sedition law to suppress the Indian press of that time from criticizing the British government and to silence Indians who raised their voice against colonial rule. The Law Commission seems to think that a similar situation exists on social media, where radicalization against India is propagated and the government is targeted with hatred. The sedition laws are cited as a reason for the government to combat anti-national interests and secessionist elements. It is incorrect to say that the laws we currently have are inadequate, as we already have the draconian anti-terror law, UAPA. Some elements of the UAPA should also be abolished. The law must align with both substantive and procedural due process under Article 21. The government, however, has stated that the Law Commissions proposals are not binding. During your tenure as a member of the Law Commission, your proposals on acid attacks were successfully enacted into law If the government accepts the proposed law on sedition, it will deeply affect the democratic fabric of our country. In such a scenario, rather than upholding the rule of law, it will establish the rule of the government in power. The enactment of proposals into law is contingent upon the governments discretion. If the government is inclined to do so and if a specific agenda is at play, it will pursue it. There is a concern that such a process could be exploited. The criticism is that the Law Commission report lacks depth and was prepared without public consultation. What is your take? The Law Commission failed to acknowledge the widespread misuse of the law. In the proposal, there was not a single mention of how extensively the law is being misapplied. Although a chapter on police misconduct was included, it fell short of addressing the issue adequately. There should have been extensive consultations. It appears that the Law Commission was determined to retain Section 124(A). Instead of providing relief to citizens, the report is likely to have the opposite effect. In May last year, the SC kept the Sedition Laws in abeyance, saying it would hear arguments in favour of striking down the colonial-era law. Do you think the law panel proposals did not take into consideration various SC judgments? The provisions have been extensively utilized, leading to a staggering increase in charges under this section by 160% between 2016 and 2019, as per the NCRB statistics. Surprisingly, the conviction rate remained only at 3%. Mahatma Gandhi famously remarked that sedition was intended to suppress the freedom of citizens. It is evident that the Supreme Court recognized the misuse of the law, which prompted it to impose a ban on all trials, appeals, and proceedings related to charges framed under Section 124(A), keeping them in abeyance. The Law panel now has recommended the inclusion of the word tendency in sedition law. Many fear that it is problematic The panel asserts that the phrase tendency to incite violence or cause public disorder is defined as a mere inclination to incite violence or cause public disorder, rather than requiring proof of actual violence or an imminent threat of violence. If this interpretation implies that a mere inclination to incite violence and support public disorder is sufficient to invoke this draconian provision, even when it is not desired, it renders the provision vague. NEW DELHI: On May 24, 2023, the Law Commission of India released its 279th Report on 'Usage of the Law of Sedition'. The report not only recommends the retention of the Sedition Law, which is of the colonial era but also seeks to enhance the prescribed punishment -- from three to seven years in jail. Former Law Commission member and senior Supreme Court advocate Kirti Singh, spoke to Preetha Nair about the 279th report of the 22nd Law Commission on the 'Usage of the Law of Sedition'. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); What is your assessment of the recommendations put forth by the 22nd Law Commission proposing the retention of Section 124A of the IPC encompassing the sedition law, along with an escalated minimum punishment? I am deeply concerned that the law is being retained and strengthened with only a few safeguards, which hardly qualify as a safeguard. The report has no place in democratic countries where freedom of speech holds great importance. The provision of Section 124A of the IPC seeks to punish a speech or writing that incites or attempts to incite hatred, contempt, or disaffection towards the government established by law. First, the expression disaffection towards the government is a vague definition and constitutionally weak. In the past few years, this law has frequently been used to silence any form of dissent or questioning of the government. In my view, the Sedition Law should be abolished. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised that fundamental rights are organic. The commission cites various threats faced by the country, including secessionist movements, militancy, and ethnic conflicts in the northeastern states, as one of the reasons for advocating the retention of the law This is very problematic. Even the British did away with sedition laws because they recognized that they could not use such a law against their citizens. The British introduced the sedition law to suppress the Indian press of that time from criticizing the British government and to silence Indians who raised their voice against colonial rule. The Law Commission seems to think that a similar situation exists on social media, where radicalization against India is propagated and the government is targeted with hatred. The sedition laws are cited as a reason for the government to combat anti-national interests and secessionist elements. It is incorrect to say that the laws we currently have are inadequate, as we already have the draconian anti-terror law, UAPA. Some elements of the UAPA should also be abolished. The law must align with both substantive and procedural due process under Article 21. The government, however, has stated that the Law Commissions proposals are not binding. During your tenure as a member of the Law Commission, your proposals on acid attacks were successfully enacted into law If the government accepts the proposed law on sedition, it will deeply affect the democratic fabric of our country. In such a scenario, rather than upholding the rule of law, it will establish the rule of the government in power. The enactment of proposals into law is contingent upon the governments discretion. If the government is inclined to do so and if a specific agenda is at play, it will pursue it. There is a concern that such a process could be exploited. The criticism is that the Law Commission report lacks depth and was prepared without public consultation. What is your take? The Law Commission failed to acknowledge the widespread misuse of the law. In the proposal, there was not a single mention of how extensively the law is being misapplied. Although a chapter on police misconduct was included, it fell short of addressing the issue adequately. There should have been extensive consultations. It appears that the Law Commission was determined to retain Section 124(A). Instead of providing relief to citizens, the report is likely to have the opposite effect. In May last year, the SC kept the Sedition Laws in abeyance, saying it would hear arguments in favour of striking down the colonial-era law. Do you think the law panel proposals did not take into consideration various SC judgments? The provisions have been extensively utilized, leading to a staggering increase in charges under this section by 160% between 2016 and 2019, as per the NCRB statistics. Surprisingly, the conviction rate remained only at 3%. Mahatma Gandhi famously remarked that sedition was intended to suppress the freedom of citizens. It is evident that the Supreme Court recognized the misuse of the law, which prompted it to impose a ban on all trials, appeals, and proceedings related to charges framed under Section 124(A), keeping them in abeyance. The Law panel now has recommended the inclusion of the word tendency in sedition law. Many fear that it is problematic The panel asserts that the phrase tendency to incite violence or cause public disorder is defined as a mere inclination to incite violence or cause public disorder, rather than requiring proof of actual violence or an imminent threat of violence. If this interpretation implies that a mere inclination to incite violence and support public disorder is sufficient to invoke this draconian provision, even when it is not desired, it renders the provision vague. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service Mirzapur police arrested a taxi driver, Amjad Khan, 30, on charges of murder and breach of peace for allegedly mowing down his passenger Rajesh Dhar Dubey (50) following a dispute over praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath near Mahokhar village of the district on Monday. Victim Rajesh Dhar Dubeys brother Rakesh submitted the complaint on Monday saying that while travelling in Amjads taxi, victim Rajesh Dhar Dubey, Rakesh, and some other persons were having a discussion on the country's political scenario. Suddenly, the driver started abusing the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. When objected, Amjad pushed Rajesh out of the SUV and crushed him under its wheels, killing him on the spot. According to SP Mirzapur Santosh Kumar Mishra, an FIR has been lodged against the driver on the basis of the complaint of the victims brother Rakesh Dhar Dubey. Driver Amjad Khan has been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) on Monday. After six hours of the incident, Vindhyachal police arrested Amjad. The SP said that during initial interrogation, Amjad claimed that while each passenger was asking to drop them at their doorstep, he suggested they de-board at one place as he had to meet the person who had booked his vehicle. "Amjad claimed that after alighting the SUV, Rajesh turned back all of a sudden, fell on the road, and came under the wheels of the SUV, Mishra said adding that the police were yet to come across evidence to suggest that it was a murder and resulted in an altercation over praising the PM and CM. The SP said that the probe was on over all the aspects of the incident. Rakesh, a native of Kolahi village under Vindhyachal police station, in his police complaint added that after attending the marriage of his son, he along with Rajesh, Dhirendra Pandey, and Lalji Mishra were returning home in Amjads taxi. During the journey, we were discussing the countrys political scenario, which somehow upset Amjad and he started hurling abusive words at the PM and CM. When we opposed it, Amjad pushed Rajesh out of the SUV vehicle and crushed him under its wheels, Rakesh mentioned in the complaint. Before we could understand anything, Amjad abandoned the vehicle and ran away shouting that he wanted to kill Rajesh in Mirzapur itself, but got the opportunity near Mahokhar village, Rakesh added in the complaint. Mirzapur police arrested a taxi driver, Amjad Khan, 30, on charges of murder and breach of peace for allegedly mowing down his passenger Rajesh Dhar Dubey (50) following a dispute over praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath near Mahokhar village of the district on Monday. Victim Rajesh Dhar Dubeys brother Rakesh submitted the complaint on Monday saying that while travelling in Amjads taxi, victim Rajesh Dhar Dubey, Rakesh, and some other persons were having a discussion on the country's political scenario. Suddenly, the driver started abusing the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. When objected, Amjad pushed Rajesh out of the SUV and crushed him under its wheels, killing him on the spot.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to SP Mirzapur Santosh Kumar Mishra, an FIR has been lodged against the driver on the basis of the complaint of the victims brother Rakesh Dhar Dubey. Driver Amjad Khan has been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) on Monday. After six hours of the incident, Vindhyachal police arrested Amjad. The SP said that during initial interrogation, Amjad claimed that while each passenger was asking to drop them at their doorstep, he suggested they de-board at one place as he had to meet the person who had booked his vehicle. "Amjad claimed that after alighting the SUV, Rajesh turned back all of a sudden, fell on the road, and came under the wheels of the SUV, Mishra said adding that the police were yet to come across evidence to suggest that it was a murder and resulted in an altercation over praising the PM and CM. The SP said that the probe was on over all the aspects of the incident. Rakesh, a native of Kolahi village under Vindhyachal police station, in his police complaint added that after attending the marriage of his son, he along with Rajesh, Dhirendra Pandey, and Lalji Mishra were returning home in Amjads taxi. During the journey, we were discussing the countrys political scenario, which somehow upset Amjad and he started hurling abusive words at the PM and CM. When we opposed it, Amjad pushed Rajesh out of the SUV vehicle and crushed him under its wheels, Rakesh mentioned in the complaint. Before we could understand anything, Amjad abandoned the vehicle and ran away shouting that he wanted to kill Rajesh in Mirzapur itself, but got the opportunity near Mahokhar village, Rakesh added in the complaint. Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris informed the Supreme Court on Monday that their grievance regarding the lack of proper facilities including the availability of washrooms in the Nilgiris court complex, Tamil Nadu, has been addressed as they were exclusively allotted two rooms and a toilet for use. A vacation bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal, apart from taking note of the associations submission, also took note of the detailed report submitted by the Registrar General of Madras HC and thus posted the plea for July. As of now the petitioners do not have any grievance, let the matter be listed before the appropriate bench in the first week of July, the court said in its order. On Friday, SC had noted that the June 6 report which was filed by the HC after an order passed by the CJI-led bench was not comprehensive. SC, in its order, had said, The report of the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, however, does not explain in detail in what manner the facilities for women lawyers were being provided for in the new court complex and as to whether there was any shrinkage of any basic facility or amenity in the new court complex. Let a more detailed report be filed by the Registrar General of the Madras High Court. The order was passed in a plea that was taken by the court on its own motion after taking note of the June 6 report and a column in a news portal carrying the headline, These women lawyers of Nilgiris have been demanding toilets in court complex for 25 years. Notably, a bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud on April 28, 2023, while considering a plea raising grievances of women lawyers practising in the combined Nilgiris court complex, had disposed of the plea after taking note of the fact that necessary steps were taken by the HC. If the petitioner has any subsisting grievance, it would be at liberty to either move the District Judge or, as the case may be, the Registrar General of the HC, the order had said. NEW DELHI: Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris informed the Supreme Court on Monday that their grievance regarding the lack of proper facilities including the availability of washrooms in the Nilgiris court complex, Tamil Nadu, has been addressed as they were exclusively allotted two rooms and a toilet for use. A vacation bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal, apart from taking note of the associations submission, also took note of the detailed report submitted by the Registrar General of Madras HC and thus posted the plea for July. As of now the petitioners do not have any grievance, let the matter be listed before the appropriate bench in the first week of July, the court said in its order. On Friday, SC had noted that the June 6 report which was filed by the HC after an order passed by the CJI-led bench was not comprehensive.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); SC, in its order, had said, The report of the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, however, does not explain in detail in what manner the facilities for women lawyers were being provided for in the new court complex and as to whether there was any shrinkage of any basic facility or amenity in the new court complex. Let a more detailed report be filed by the Registrar General of the Madras High Court. The order was passed in a plea that was taken by the court on its own motion after taking note of the June 6 report and a column in a news portal carrying the headline, These women lawyers of Nilgiris have been demanding toilets in court complex for 25 years. Notably, a bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud on April 28, 2023, while considering a plea raising grievances of women lawyers practising in the combined Nilgiris court complex, had disposed of the plea after taking note of the fact that necessary steps were taken by the HC. If the petitioner has any subsisting grievance, it would be at liberty to either move the District Judge or, as the case may be, the Registrar General of the HC, the order had said. By PTI DEHRADUN: Members of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board and the Haj Committee called on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and asked him to take stern action against those "harassing" Muslims in Purola town, which has been gripped by communal tension. Communal tension has been brewing in Purola and some other towns of Uttarkashi district after two men, one of them Muslim, allegedly tried to abduct a Hindu girl on May 26. Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams, Laksar MLA Mohammad Shahzad and Haj Committee president Khatib Ahmad, among others, met Dhami at his official residence here on Monday and claimed Muslims living in Purola for generations are being "harassed" by anti-social elements and forced to migrate from the town. The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister in which it said that Muslims living in the hill town are a "hurt, harassed, and scared" a lot. The memorandum urged Dhami to protect the interests of all sections of society in keeping with India's spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motto of 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas aur Sab ka Vishwas' and act tough against those fomenting trouble in Purola. At least 42 shops belonging to Muslims have reportedly been closed in Purola since May 26. Posters were pasted by unidentified people on shops owned by Muslims, asking them to leave the town before a 'maha panchayat' called by Hindu organisations in Purola on June 15 or prepare to face consequences. DEHRADUN: Members of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board and the Haj Committee called on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and asked him to take stern action against those "harassing" Muslims in Purola town, which has been gripped by communal tension. Communal tension has been brewing in Purola and some other towns of Uttarkashi district after two men, one of them Muslim, allegedly tried to abduct a Hindu girl on May 26. Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams, Laksar MLA Mohammad Shahzad and Haj Committee president Khatib Ahmad, among others, met Dhami at his official residence here on Monday and claimed Muslims living in Purola for generations are being "harassed" by anti-social elements and forced to migrate from the town.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister in which it said that Muslims living in the hill town are a "hurt, harassed, and scared" a lot. The memorandum urged Dhami to protect the interests of all sections of society in keeping with India's spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motto of 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas aur Sab ka Vishwas' and act tough against those fomenting trouble in Purola. At least 42 shops belonging to Muslims have reportedly been closed in Purola since May 26. Posters were pasted by unidentified people on shops owned by Muslims, asking them to leave the town before a 'maha panchayat' called by Hindu organisations in Purola on June 15 or prepare to face consequences. Around 20 relatives gathered at the wake of a 76-year-old dead woman in Ecuador on Friday, but after five hours of mourning their loved one, they heard a knock from within the coffin. The coffin then began to make other noises as well, according to ABC. "It gave us all a fright," the dead woman's son recalled. But fright turned to shock when the group walked up to the coffin and noticed the woman was no longer dead. "My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily." Although the hospital had issued a death certificate, it turns out the patient who had been admitted to the hospital earlier that day following a suspected stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest hadn't actually died. Oops. From ABC News: Relatives left the coffin behind and rushed retired nurse Bella Montoya back to the hospital after the wake Friday in the central city of Babahoyo, son Gilberto Barbera told The Associated Press. Barbera said his mother was unconscious when she was brought to the emergency room and that a few hours later a doctor informed him she was dead and handed over identity documents and a death certificate. The family then brought her to a funeral home and were holding a wake later Friday when they started to hear strange sounds. Though he and relatives rushed her back to the hospital Friday, she was still in serious condition Monday. No details have been released about the doctor who had prematurely declared the woman dead. Top image: Ground Picture / shutterstock.com Pranab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Even as the state election commission (SEC) had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC in a 1km-radius of all nomination centres of panchayat elections, violence continued unabated on Monday during the filing of nomination papers, a senior official said. The panchayat polls are slated to be held on July 8 and the last date for filing nominations is June 15. BJP MLA from Sanamukhi in Bankura Dibakar Gharami was allegedly manhandled when he was accompanying the party candidate to submit his nomination papers. Trinamool Congress supporters allegedly waylaid him and his accomplices and assaulted them with the intention to stop them from filing the nomination papers CPI claims that their members were attacked by the ruling TMC supporters while on their way to file nomination papers in East Burdwans Barsul, Minakhan, North 24 Parganas and Raninagar in Murshidabad. However, in Shaktigarh, East Burdwan, several policemen were injured in a clash between the supporters of CPI and the TMC. The clashes also left several injured. Responding to petitions filed by opposition parties, the Calcutta High Court proposed the SEC extend the deadline for filing nominations and postpone the panchayat polls. A bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya observed that a six-day nomination period was too short and it should be extended. The state poll panel proposed to extend the nomination deadline till June 16. It also proposed the extension of the nomination period each day by two hours. The court, however, reserved its judgment. Oppn left stumped A sudden spike in the sale of cricket stumps in rural Bengal in the last two days has become a cause of concern for the political parties. With no cricket matches scheduled during summer, the state Opposition parties fear that they might be used in the Panchayat elections to intimidate the Opposition. Political observers said the sudden disappearance of cricket stumps indicates violence. KOLKATA: Even as the state election commission (SEC) had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC in a 1km-radius of all nomination centres of panchayat elections, violence continued unabated on Monday during the filing of nomination papers, a senior official said. The panchayat polls are slated to be held on July 8 and the last date for filing nominations is June 15. BJP MLA from Sanamukhi in Bankura Dibakar Gharami was allegedly manhandled when he was accompanying the party candidate to submit his nomination papers. Trinamool Congress supporters allegedly waylaid him and his accomplices and assaulted them with the intention to stop them from filing the nomination papers CPI claims that their members were attacked by the ruling TMC supporters while on their way to file nomination papers in East Burdwans Barsul, Minakhan, North 24 Parganas and Raninagar in Murshidabad. However, in Shaktigarh, East Burdwan, several policemen were injured in a clash between the supporters of CPI and the TMC. The clashes also left several injured. Responding to petitions filed by opposition parties, the Calcutta High Court proposed the SEC extend the deadline for filing nominations and postpone the panchayat polls.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya observed that a six-day nomination period was too short and it should be extended. The state poll panel proposed to extend the nomination deadline till June 16. It also proposed the extension of the nomination period each day by two hours. The court, however, reserved its judgment. Oppn left stumped A sudden spike in the sale of cricket stumps in rural Bengal in the last two days has become a cause of concern for the political parties. With no cricket matches scheduled during summer, the state Opposition parties fear that they might be used in the Panchayat elections to intimidate the Opposition. Political observers said the sudden disappearance of cricket stumps indicates violence. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: Promising respectable and lucrative job offers, many Punjab women were taken to Dubai on a tourist visa, not a work visa. From Dubai, however, they were sent to other Gulf countries and pushed into menial and other jobs. These facts have emerged in an investigation carried out by the state polices Special Investigation Team (SIT) following 18 cases of trafficking of women to West Asian countries. The police have so far arrested eight suspects. The SIT is headed by Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur, Randhir Kumar and started working a few days back after the state government ordered an investigation last month. In some cases, women duped by travel agents were able to return home to share their woes with SIT members. These women mainly came from lower middle class or poor families and travel agents promised good jobs in Dubai in beauty parlours and as help in taking care of the elderly. They were supposed to go on work visas. They were taken to Dubai but on a tourist visa, and from there to Muscat by road. After a few days as their visa expired, they were told that they were illegal in the country and were pushed into doing menial jobs where they were poorly paid, said a police officer. He said the women were treated inhumanly; they were not given proper accommodation and meals. When they asked the travel agents to send them back, they were told that they will have to pay another `2 lakh for their return. Since they were not financially sound, they had no option but to stick to their jobs. The SIT is trying to unravel a network of agents spread across Punjab, Delhi, Kerala and Telangana. These travel agents use sub-agents and are given some amount of commission. These sub-agents check the family histories of the girls before recommending their names to their bosses. The passports of these women are taken away so it is difficult for them to return. We have a few cases where some of these women approached the Indian embassies, said a senior officer. Sometime back 15 women had returned from Oman and narrated their ordeal. They told cops about being trapped by travel agents. So far, 23 women from Oman have been rescued, while another 14 are still trapped. Inhuman treatment Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur, Randhir Kumar said the women were treated inhumanly; they were not given proper accommodation and meals. When they asked to be sent back, they were told to pay another Rs 2 lakh for their return. CHANDIGARH: Promising respectable and lucrative job offers, many Punjab women were taken to Dubai on a tourist visa, not a work visa. From Dubai, however, they were sent to other Gulf countries and pushed into menial and other jobs. These facts have emerged in an investigation carried out by the state polices Special Investigation Team (SIT) following 18 cases of trafficking of women to West Asian countries. The police have so far arrested eight suspects. The SIT is headed by Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur, Randhir Kumar and started working a few days back after the state government ordered an investigation last month. In some cases, women duped by travel agents were able to return home to share their woes with SIT members.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); These women mainly came from lower middle class or poor families and travel agents promised good jobs in Dubai in beauty parlours and as help in taking care of the elderly. They were supposed to go on work visas. They were taken to Dubai but on a tourist visa, and from there to Muscat by road. After a few days as their visa expired, they were told that they were illegal in the country and were pushed into doing menial jobs where they were poorly paid, said a police officer. He said the women were treated inhumanly; they were not given proper accommodation and meals. When they asked the travel agents to send them back, they were told that they will have to pay another `2 lakh for their return. Since they were not financially sound, they had no option but to stick to their jobs. The SIT is trying to unravel a network of agents spread across Punjab, Delhi, Kerala and Telangana. These travel agents use sub-agents and are given some amount of commission. These sub-agents check the family histories of the girls before recommending their names to their bosses. The passports of these women are taken away so it is difficult for them to return. We have a few cases where some of these women approached the Indian embassies, said a senior officer. Sometime back 15 women had returned from Oman and narrated their ordeal. They told cops about being trapped by travel agents. So far, 23 women from Oman have been rescued, while another 14 are still trapped. Inhuman treatment Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur, Randhir Kumar said the women were treated inhumanly; they were not given proper accommodation and meals. When they asked to be sent back, they were told to pay another Rs 2 lakh for their return. By AFP BUDAPEST: More than a year after fleeing from Ukraine to Hungary with her autistic son Roman, Iryna Bryk has still not found suitable therapy for her nine-year-old. "They only speak Hungarian in public institutions and there are few places," the 31-year-old teacher from Cherkasy in central Ukraine told AFP. The Bryks are not alone in their struggle. An estimated 12 percent of families fleeing Ukraine include a member with a disability, according to a recent survey by the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR. Many Ukrainian children with disabilities were also evacuated from institutions at the beginning of the war, according to the European Disability Forum. Health workers warn that forced displacement can worsen existing disabilities, in addition to the struggles of adjusting to new surroundings. 'Time is crucial' Roman was diagnosed with autism at the age of four and communicates only through facial expressions and hand gestures. "With the right therapies I know he will talk one day. But for kids with autism and other disorders time is crucial," said Bryk, looking on as Roman played silently with toys on the kitchen table in a Budapest apartment. In Ukraine, Roman attended a centre that focused on interaction with others. Now it is up to Bryk to practise developmental activities with him at home. During the day, he accompanies his mother to her work at a charity, where she teaches preschoolers -- all Ukrainian refugees. Bryk said she fled Ukraine to avoid her son being traumatised. "My biggest fear when the invasion happened was to imagine his reaction if he saw Russian tanks shooting," she told AFP. Hundreds of Ukrainian children with developmental difficulties have moved to Hungary since the invasion, according to speech therapist Olena Andriichuk. Herself a refugee, Andriichuk ran a secondary school in Kyiv that integrated 87 children with special needs. Now the 42-year-old plans to launch a self-help therapy programme for refugee children to ensure they receive timely and qualified care. "They cannot adapt to local schools due to their disorders and lack of language knowledge," Andriichuk told AFP in Budapest during a project meeting. So far, some 40 Ukrainian refugee families in Hungary have expressed interest in joining her programme, which is seeking charity donations to fund the recruitment of specialists. One of those keen on the programme -- called AKSEN (Assistance for Kids with Special Educational Needs) -- is refugee Yuliia Stavytska. Her daughter Daryna, 6, has sensory-motor alalia, a speech disorder. "The war meant development time with the specialists was lost," the 26-year-old hair stylist told AFP at a private speech and language therapy session with Andriichuk. Later, the project hopes to send updates about refugee children's development to the Ukrainian health authorities in Kyiv. "When they left Ukraine they disappeared from the radar. Ultimately our goal is to help refugee parents be calmer about their kids' life chances," said Andriichuk. 'Same opportunities' In Poland, which hosts a much larger number of Ukrainian refugees than Hungary, the language barrier and access to therapy are also challenges for those with disabilities. Krakow-based Patchwork Association, run by Ukrainian mothers of children with disabilities, works in partnership with Polish organisations to help more than 180 Ukrainian refugee families in Poland access care and help with integration. In 2014 the group's co-founder, Khrystyna Rudenko, 50, left Ukraine for Germany before settling in Poland. With the help of Polish specialists, her daughter Sonia, 20, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, learned to eat unaided in a few months. "I want Ukrainian refugee families to have the same opportunities," she told AFP. But high demand for places on programmes at state- and municipality-run facilities causes bottlenecks, Rudenko said. Though most families stay in Poland, many choose to return. For these families, despite the "daily shelling in Kyiv...there is simply not enough help available and they are missing home, friends and family," she said. BUDAPEST: More than a year after fleeing from Ukraine to Hungary with her autistic son Roman, Iryna Bryk has still not found suitable therapy for her nine-year-old. "They only speak Hungarian in public institutions and there are few places," the 31-year-old teacher from Cherkasy in central Ukraine told AFP. The Bryks are not alone in their struggle.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); An estimated 12 percent of families fleeing Ukraine include a member with a disability, according to a recent survey by the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR. Many Ukrainian children with disabilities were also evacuated from institutions at the beginning of the war, according to the European Disability Forum. Health workers warn that forced displacement can worsen existing disabilities, in addition to the struggles of adjusting to new surroundings. 'Time is crucial' Roman was diagnosed with autism at the age of four and communicates only through facial expressions and hand gestures. "With the right therapies I know he will talk one day. But for kids with autism and other disorders time is crucial," said Bryk, looking on as Roman played silently with toys on the kitchen table in a Budapest apartment. In Ukraine, Roman attended a centre that focused on interaction with others. Now it is up to Bryk to practise developmental activities with him at home. During the day, he accompanies his mother to her work at a charity, where she teaches preschoolers -- all Ukrainian refugees. Bryk said she fled Ukraine to avoid her son being traumatised. "My biggest fear when the invasion happened was to imagine his reaction if he saw Russian tanks shooting," she told AFP. Hundreds of Ukrainian children with developmental difficulties have moved to Hungary since the invasion, according to speech therapist Olena Andriichuk. Herself a refugee, Andriichuk ran a secondary school in Kyiv that integrated 87 children with special needs. Now the 42-year-old plans to launch a self-help therapy programme for refugee children to ensure they receive timely and qualified care. "They cannot adapt to local schools due to their disorders and lack of language knowledge," Andriichuk told AFP in Budapest during a project meeting. So far, some 40 Ukrainian refugee families in Hungary have expressed interest in joining her programme, which is seeking charity donations to fund the recruitment of specialists. One of those keen on the programme -- called AKSEN (Assistance for Kids with Special Educational Needs) -- is refugee Yuliia Stavytska. Her daughter Daryna, 6, has sensory-motor alalia, a speech disorder. "The war meant development time with the specialists was lost," the 26-year-old hair stylist told AFP at a private speech and language therapy session with Andriichuk. Later, the project hopes to send updates about refugee children's development to the Ukrainian health authorities in Kyiv. "When they left Ukraine they disappeared from the radar. Ultimately our goal is to help refugee parents be calmer about their kids' life chances," said Andriichuk. 'Same opportunities' In Poland, which hosts a much larger number of Ukrainian refugees than Hungary, the language barrier and access to therapy are also challenges for those with disabilities. Krakow-based Patchwork Association, run by Ukrainian mothers of children with disabilities, works in partnership with Polish organisations to help more than 180 Ukrainian refugee families in Poland access care and help with integration. In 2014 the group's co-founder, Khrystyna Rudenko, 50, left Ukraine for Germany before settling in Poland. With the help of Polish specialists, her daughter Sonia, 20, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, learned to eat unaided in a few months. "I want Ukrainian refugee families to have the same opportunities," she told AFP. But high demand for places on programmes at state- and municipality-run facilities causes bottlenecks, Rudenko said. Though most families stay in Poland, many choose to return. For these families, despite the "daily shelling in Kyiv...there is simply not enough help available and they are missing home, friends and family," she said. Israel moves to open new international communications corridor Tel Aviv, June 12: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said they are using the benefits of the Abraham Accords to turn Israel into a global communications power. Israel moves to open new international communications corridor To that end, the relevant government ministries on Sunday approved an agreed outline that will allow the laying of optical fibers and the creation of an international communication corridor along the oil pipeline line between Eilat and Ashkelon. Eilat is expected to soon take in oil from the Gulf.Israeli officials said this will create an international communication corridor for the passage of digital data between Asian countries, with an emphasis on the countries of the Abrahamic Agreements, to Europe and the West - through Israel.Israel's government believes this will lead to investments by international companies, to the establishment of server farms, to economic growth, to the creation of jobs and more, and "catapult Israel's economy to new heights."Netanyahu commented, "Today we are reaping more fruits for the historic Abraham agreements that we (his previous government) brought. We will transfer optical fibers from Asia, the Arab countries, from Eilat to Ashkelon and the rest of the world. This will attract investors and make Israel a global communications center. This will boost Israel's economy." (ANI/TPS)ANI12 June 2023 Shared Recently! AI may help predict cybersickness in VR users Sydney, June 12: Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be used to help combat nausea, headaches and dizziness among virtual reality (VR) users and make the technology more accessible, according to a new study. AI may help predict cybersickness in VR users With the growing use and need of VR technology, being able to effectively predict and prevent cybersickness was crucial, said researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Torrens University in Australia.They explored using AI techniques and machine learning algorithms to predict cybersickness for potential users of VR technology with headsets.Questionnaire data was split into two groups people who will experience cybersickness symptoms within minutes of using VR devices, and people who wouldn't have issues with using VR devices.The results, published in the journal Virtual Reality, revealed that AI could predict discomfort among VR users with 93 per cent accuracy."Most of the people feel discomfort after having a VR experience and having the ability to predict the occurrence of cybersickness for an individual, helps the VR developers and manufacturers to come up with solutions and take preemptive actions to create a better experience for the VR users and address the issues causing it," said Niusha Shafiabady, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology at CDU."In the era of technology and especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for remote access and virtual education has grown significantly. Cybersickness is one of the factors that hinders the users from using VR devices because of the great discomfort due to the VR experience," she added.Professor Shafiabady said the next step could be to use explainable AI algorithms to explore why the AI algorithms made its predictions, giving developers and manufacturers reason why users will have discomfort."We are moving towards the times where we use VR devices for essential activities such as servicing manufacturers remotely and teaching, to less essential but more fun activities like looking into outer space through VR lens," she said."In the era of technology, VR users should be able to get the benefits of technology without suffering."IANS12 June 2023 Shared Recently! Mixed reality searches on Google surge 1,130% after Apple unveils Vision Pro New Delhi, June 12: The online searches for Mixed Reality (MR) skyrocketed 1,130 per cent globally on Google after Apple unveiled its MR headset Vision Pro last week, a report showed on Monday. Mixed reality searches on Google surge 1,130% after Apple unveils Vision Pro Analysis of Google search data revealed that online interest for 'VR' rocketed 300 per cent on June 5 as Apple unveiled its new $3,499 MR headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference in California, the US, according to Digital-adoption.com.Searches for 'VR,' 'mixed reality,' and 'augmented reality' soared 300 per cent, 1,130 per cent, and 545 per cent after Apple announced its Vision Pro headset."There has been a massive surge in AI interest this year. Apple's announcement of Vision Pro has captured audiences at the right time, when new AI technologies, like ChatGPT, have become accessible to almost anyone," a spokesperson from Digital-adoption.com commented.Apple's announcement comes when online interest in AI, or artificial intelligence, is at its highest point in history.Google Trends data revealed a 619 per cent increase in 'AI' searches since 2004.This year has been a breakout year for AI, as search volume has more than doubled from 17 million in January to 42 million in May.This is partly due to the rapid growth and adoption of accessible technologies like ChatGPT and Google Bard, the report said.The new technology is described as a step in the "era of spatial computing," where "digital content blends seamlessly with your physical space."Apple's announcement has also caused spikes in users searching to 'Buy Apple stock,' which increased 1,482 per cent worldwide in the last seven days, the report said.With two ultra-high-resolution displays, Apple Vision Pro can transform any space into a personal movie theater with a screen that feels 100 feet wide and an advanced Spatial Audio system, according to the company.Apple Vision Pro also features EyeSight, that helps users stay connected with those around them.When a person approaches someone wearing Vision Pro, the device feels transparent -- letting the user see them while also displaying the user's eyes.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Kigali Global Dialogue to discuss critical sustainable development challenges to be hosted from June 12 to 14 Kigali [Rwanda], June 12: The third edition of the Kigali Global Dialogue, an annual platform that brings together policymakers, academics, civil society, and the private sector from around the world to deliberate and devise solutions to critical sustainable development challenges facing the global community will take place from June 12-14, 2023. Kigali Global Dialogue to discuss critical sustainable development challenges to be hosted from June 12 to 14 The three-day conference is co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), ORF-America, The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and The Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB).This year the Dialogue serves as an official outreach event of India's G20 Presidency and the BRICS Presidency of South Africa. Kigali Global Dialogue 2023 will bring together over 200 delegates from more than 60 countries.In the midst of compounding global crises, cooperation is the most potent tool. The world is on the brink of irreversible climatic and environmental change. The economic model, predicated on continuous expansion, is struggling to deliver for most of the world.Emerging technologies offer potential solutions but also create new challenges and risk further entrenchment of global inequities which calls for action and collaboration.The Presidency of G20 is being passed on from one emerging country to another, from Indonesia to India, Brazil, and South Africa. This opportunity provides momentum and energy to reimagine development narratives, objectives, and pathways.The global community's issues demand urgent solutions, a rethinking of entrenched orthodoxies, and greater responsiveness to the fragility of our ecological systems.The objectives of the Kigali Dialogue are Challenge orthodoxies and define new development narratives; Create an inclusive platform for debate and dialogue and build the partnerships required to take new ideas forward.The Dialogue is jointly Chaired by Usta Kaitesi, CEO, of the Rwanda Governance Board, and Samir Saran, President, of ORF.The Dialogue Curator is Terri B Chapman, Visiting Fellow, ORF-America. The Dialogue consists of Ministerial Addresses, Plenary Sessions, Roundtable Discussions, and over fifteen Live at Kigali Digital Studio Conversations.The Kigali Global Dialogue will also be hosting the second edition of the TechBridge Initiative, which will bring together over 20 start-ups from more than 10 countries. The KGD Start-up Bootcamp will support entrepreneurs in leveraging digital technologies for sustainable and equitable development.Conversations at this year's Dialogue are organized around five thematic pillars Resource Equity Panoramas Beyond Preclusion; Traverse, Transform, Transcend Reimagining Tech and Society; Unleash Gender-First Development; Remonetize Development A New Global Governance Framework and Dispersed Globalization Propositions for A New World OrderSelected high-level speakers at the Dialogue include Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India; Ambassador Anil Sooklal, BRICS Sherpa, South Africa; Jorge Quiroga, Former President of Bolivia; Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady, Zimbabwe; Moussa Mara, Former Prime Minister, Mali; Susan Malcorra, President, GWL Voices and Former Foreign Minister, Argentina; and Rep Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" R. Luistro, Congresswoman, Philippines.One of the Hosts, Usta Kaitesi, CEO, RGB saod, "We are pleased to welcome you to the third edition of the Kigali Global Dialogue. The KGD provides an opportunity to convene, interact and deliberate on complex contemporary and dynamic matters of development and growth. Rwanda's journey affirms the importance of dialogue, citizen-centric growth and the role of transformational leadership in confronting existential issues. The Rwanda Governance Board is delighted to co-chair the third edition of the Kigali Dialogue and it is our hope that the Rwandan spirit of the pursuit of togetherness in our diversity inspires us to enhance collaboration, cooperation and innovative engagements imperative to respond to emerging threats".Another host, Samir Saran, President, ORF "We are delighted to be welcomed in Kigali again this year to host this important event. We are most grateful to our partners for all of their kind support in making this possible."Samir Saran continued, "It is of utmost importance to foster dialogue and create the spaces for diverse perspectives and experiences to be shared. This year we are bringing together delegates from more than 70 countries."His comment was followed by inputs from Terri Chapman, Curator, Kigali Global Dialogue and Visiting Fellow, ORF America, "One of the things that are most important about the conversations we will be having here is that they challenge entrenched orthodoxies. What we are doing isn't working."ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Tripura has third-highest high-speed internet connectivity in country: CM Manik Saha Agartala (Tripura), June 12: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the state has the third-highest high-speed internet connectivity in the country. Tripura has third-highest high-speed internet connectivity in country: CM Manik Saha Addressing a ceremony, after the Indian Dental Association (IDA) felicitated him on Sunday, the CM said, "The state has the third-highest high-speed internet connection in the entire country."The Tripura CM also discussed the growth of national highways in the state."Earlier there was only one national highway in the state, now there are six national highways in the state," he said.The train services in the state have improved. Around 12 express trains are now connected with Tripura, the CM further said.Earlier on June 8, Tripura Chief Minister also visited the Central Sanskrit University in the state capital.The visit was scheduled under the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Vikas Tirth Yatra', a month-long Mega Jan Sampark Campaign on the completion of nine years of the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Elaborating on Vikas Tirth Yatra, CM Saha said, "I am on Vikas Tirth Yatra to check the good work done by the BJP government during the past nine years. I am at Sanskrit University in Lebucherra which was beyond imagination, incredible work has been carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".Lauding the BJP government, he added, "The Central Sanskrit University is like any other standard national university of the country. I have visited all the departments which are now well-fixed and decorated. Here, students can study for intermediate, graduate, master's degree, and PhD. Students from different parts of Northeaster come over here and take admission as hostel facilities and other requirements are there in the infrastructure. I am proud of my state and proud of my country for giving such a wonderful National level University in a state like Tripura. I have talked with the faculties I have seen the library and this is wonderful. Library facilities are also included in the faculty".Saha also appealed to the Tripura students to get admitted to the National Sanskrit University.He said, "I appeal to all the students of Tripura to come here and get admitted to the National Sanskrit University. I am confident that having studied at this university, students will go higher and get well-settled. I will especially request the guardians to come and visit this amazing university".The Bharatiya Janata Party, on the completion of nine years in power, is holding talks with the people under Mega Jan Sampark Campaign. The leaders are showing the report card of what they have done in the last nine years to the public.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Count yourself lucky to have missed Turning Point USA's Young Women's Leadership Summit, which took place this past weekend, June 9-11, 2023, in Dallas Texas. Billed on its website as the "largest event in the country for female conservatives," it featured keynote speeches by far-right darlings Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kari Lake, Charlie Kirk, Lara Trump, Candace Owens, Laura Ingraham, and more. TPUSA describes the event: Turning Point USA's Young Women's Leadership Summit will be held June 9-11th, 2023, in Dallas, TX. Thousands of female student activists between the ages of 15 and 26 will be invited to attend. Students attending this retreat will hear from guest speakers, receive first-class activism and leadership training, and participate in networking events with political leaders and top-tier activist organizations. Following a TPUSA conference, these activists return to their campuses more energized than ever and with the proper tools and training on how to defend conservatism on their campuses. Be part of the largest gathering of young, conservative students! Below are some highlights, which I compiled from the TPUSA Twitter feed and the Patriot Takes Twitter feed. Here's Lauren Boebert's transphobic rant against Target. Patriot Takes explains: "Lauren Boebert falsely claimed Target sold 'tuck-friendly swimsuits for tots' during her transphobic stage routine at TPUSA's #YWLS2023. Boebert: 'Ladies, I have one question for Target. What the tuck?'" Lauren Boebert falsely claimed Target sold "tuck-friendly swimsuits for tots" during her transphobic stage routine at TPUSA's #YWLS2023. Boebert: "Ladies, I have one question for Target. What the tuck?" pic.twitter.com/iu6otP8BKI PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) June 11, 2023 Here's Charlie Kirk with some more transphobia, as he encourages the audience to harass trans folks at their schools: Charlie Kirk wants young women to yell at and name call trans people at their schools: "One truth teller can speak for the others that are afraid that says, 'You know what? Get out of my locker room creep! Get out of my locker room. I'm not going to put up with this.'" #YWLS2023 pic.twitter.com/QXfAWFALI2 PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) June 11, 2023 Here's former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines going on a transphobic rant (with audience cheers) about NCAA swimmer Lia Thomas. At least Riley uses Lia's real name, unlike TPUSA, whose tweet uses Lia's deadname. Riley Gaines explains the confusion behind the scenes when William Thomas made his debut as a swimmer in women's NCAA #YWLS2023 pic.twitter.com/YzjaqvdU2V Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) June 11, 2023 Here's Kari Lake praising women, saying young women can have both a career and a family, and exclaiming "we're not gender confused!": When deciding between a career and having a family, @KariLake says young women "can do both" #YWLS2023 pic.twitter.com/hOEJXtLMsr Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) June 11, 2023 Here's Candace Owens discussing the "globalist agenda to enslave humanity": And here's Candace Owens ranting against "liberal college professors": Liberal college professors are failing students for simply acknowledging reality.@RealCandaceO #YWLS2023 pic.twitter.com/AAFMcpLAWy Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) June 10, 2023 Here's Marjorie Taylor Greene saying that Satan hates women because he's jealoushe wanted to be the most beautiful one and wanted to be able to create life, so he's all mad now: Marjorie Taylor Greene says Satan hates women because they are beautiful and can have babies. #YWLS2023 pic.twitter.com/9yKYwk0v4h PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) June 11, 2023 Here's Alex Clark, host of TPUSA's pop culture show, POPlitics (could they have come up with a more awkward name?), claiming that every single person who has had an abortion eventually feels guilt and shame: This year's summit website also included a link to their official 120-song Spotify playlist, which includes many artists who would, undoubtedly, be horrified to be associated with TPUSA, including ABBA, Cyndi Lauper, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, and Beyonce. In case you need a primer, here's a quick overview of Turning Point USA. According to the American Association of University Professors: Turning Point USA is a right-wing nonprofit with the stated mission "to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government." Turning Point maintains the Professor Watchlist. It claims that the purpose of the watchlist is to identify professors who "discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the class- room," but most entries are not about instances of discrimination or propagandizing in the classroom. Many entries on the Professor Watchlist concern faculty members' social media posts or scholarly publications. In a number of instances, listings have led to campaigns of online harassment against faculty members. Turning Point's budget of over eight million dollars is funded by donors, many of whom prefer to remain anonymous. However, founder Charlie Kirk admits that donors include those "in the fossil-fuel space" perhaps why Turning Point has organized campus opposition to calls for schools to divest from fossil-fuel companies. Turning Point actively recruits and provides financial support to conservative candidates running for stu- dent government positions. At several institutions, Turning Point candidates have dropped out of races after it was discovered that they had violated university spending rules. Turning Point claims to have "over 300 chapters on college campuses across the country." Turning Point may have violated federal rules prohibiting 501(c)(3) charities from engaging in political ac- tivity by aiding Republican political campaigns, according to reports in the Chronicle of Higher Education and the New Yorker. DeSmog also has a great overview of TPUSA. Athrout: Touching lives, creating opportunities in Jammu-Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir, June 12: In today's fast-paced and often challenging world, there are countless individuals and families who struggle to meet their basic needs and access essential services. Athrout: Touching lives, creating opportunities in Jammu-Kashmir However, amidst these hardships, organizations like 'Athrout' have emerged as beacons of hope, dedicated to addressing the medical, educational, and social needs of the less fortunate. With an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and transforming lives, Athrout has made a significant impact, touching the lives of thousands in profound ways.Athrout, a dedicated organization based in J-K's summer capital Srinagar, is committed to addressing the medical, educational, and social needs of the less fortunate, and has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands.With a focus on healthcare, education, monthly household support, empowerment, and wedding assistance, Athrout has successfully transformed the lives of 75,000 individuals, completed 1,200 projects, organized 100 camps, and engaged 200 volunteers.Athrout is an organization that believes in making a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Their commitment to healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, empowerment, and wedding assistance has transformed the lives of numerous individuals and families. Through their dedicated efforts, Athrout has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for those in need.One of Athrout's notable achievements is the establishment of a state-of-the-art Dialysis Centre in Nawakadal, Srinagar, in 2018.Recognizing the growing need for affordable and advanced healthcare solutions, Athrout has provided over 6,336 life-saving dialysis sessions to date. By combining technology with compassionate care, Athrout has ensured that individuals with limited means have access to critical medical treatments, giving them a chance at a healthier and better life.However, Athrout's efforts extend far beyond healthcare. The organization believes in the power of education to uplift individuals and communities, and thus, they have implemented an extensive educational sponsorship program.Through its Educational Sponsorship Program, Athrout has sponsored the education of 119 children. This comprehensive program covers tuition fees, uniforms, stationery, and even college funding for exceptional students. By nurturing the educational aspirations of these children, Athrout is empowering them to build a brighter future and break the cycle of poverty.In the wake of the devastating COVID-19 surge, Athrout, Kashmir's leading philanthropic organization, demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the community by swiftly establishing a 100-bed COVID facility.With an impressive turnaround time of just three days, Athrout collaborated with the Srinagar administration to convert the Haj house building into a spacious facility, aligning with the emerging trend of utilizing religious places such as mosques, temples, and gurudwaras to serve the population affected by the coronavirus.Poverty often imposes severe burdens on families, leaving them trapped in a cycle of despair. Athrout recognizes this struggle and has implemented a Monthly Household Assistance program to alleviate the hardships faced by these families.Through this program, Athrout provides monetary relief, essential food supplies, cleaning and hygiene utilities, and other basic necessities. Additionally, the organization offers Winter Kits to help families cope with harsh conditions during the colder months.By addressing immediate needs and offering ongoing support, Athrout is providing a lifeline for families in need, enabling them to break free from the clutches of poverty.Athrout understands that poverty often forces families to resort to desperate measures. To alleviate the burdens of poverty, Athrout implemented a Monthly Household Assistance Program. Through this program, Athrout provides monetary relief, essential food supplies, cleaning/hygiene utilities, and other basic necessities to families in need. By offering support, Athrout helps these families break free from the cycle of poverty and provides them with a glimmer of hope for a better future.Empowerment is at the core of Athrout's mission. The organization aims to empower families by helping them establish small businesses for sustainable livelihoods.Through their initiatives, Athrout has empowered over 400 families, enabling them to become self-reliant and financially independent.Additionally, Athrout's Al-Nisa Women's Empowerment Centre has provided vocational training and tools to underprivileged girls, opening up opportunities for them in the field of sewing and design. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and resources, Athrout is enabling them to lead a life of dignity and purpose.Athrout also recognizes the financial burden that weddings often place on families, particularly the bride's side. To redefine marriage norms with dignity and simplicity, Athrout provides essential items through Wedding Kits and offers monetary relief for a modest Nikkah ceremony.Through this program, Athrout has helped conduct 209 Nikkah ceremonies, allowing families to celebrate the union with grace and simplicity, without the burden of excessive expenses.Athrout's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Through their various initiatives, they have touched the lives of thousands of people addressing the medical, educational, and social needs of the less fortunate has created opportunities and transformed the lives of countless individuals.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Prateik Babbar joins cast of Indian-Uk production Lioness Mumbai, June 12: Actor Prateik Patil Babbar has joined the cast of the Indian-Uk production 'Lioness' in which he will essay the role of a Sikh. Prateik Babbar joins cast of Indian-Uk production 'Lioness' The film also stars Indian actress Aditi Rao Hydari and British actress Paige Sandhu, and is based on the life of Princess of Punjab, Sophia Duleep Singh, who was one of the key leaders of UK's suffragette movement, a tireless advocate for the rights of women and children.The actor visited the Golden Temple on Monday to seek blessings to play a British-Sikh character on screen for the first time. Interestingly, he was spotted sporting long hair and a beard in the video while taking the holy dip.Sharing his excitement, Prateik said, "It is an honour for me to be part of a film that celebrates the legacy of the grand-daughter of our Sher-e-Punjab - Maharaja Ranjit Singh. I will be playing the role of Rajdeep Singh, a British Sikh living in the 1990s in Southall. The character has given me a chance to understand and get closer to my Punjabi heritage. It is a huge responsibility."The film is inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who discovered the story of Sophia Duleep Singh, who was the grand-daughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria.'Lioness', certified by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the British Film Institute (BFI), is being made under the bi-lateral treaty signed by both countries in 2008. The film was launched at the recently concluded Cannes film festival and is written and will be directed by award-winning filmmaker Kajri Babbar.The film is currently in pre-production and is slated to start shooting by the end of this year in London.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Varanasi: EAM Jaishankar hold closed-door meeting with G20 delegates of France, Bangladesh, UK Varanasi, June 12: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met delegates from France, Bangladesh and from the United Kingdom in a closed-door meeting on Monday. Varanasi: EAM Jaishankar hold closed-door meeting with G20 delegates of France, Bangladesh, UK The closed-door meeting was held on the sidelines G20 Development Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi.Jaishankar met Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Minister of State Development UK Andrew Mitchell and France Minister of State Development Chrysoula Zacharopoulou.Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar extended greetings to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the people of Russia on the occasion of the country's National Day.Jaishankar also said that India looks forward to continued cooperation under the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries."Warm Greetings to FM Sergey Lavrov and the Government and people of the Russian Federation on their National Day. Look forward to our continued cooperation under our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said in a tweet.Jaishankar had met Lavrov during the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting in South Africa's Cape Town earlier this month and discussed topical issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as international and regional problems.The two ministers had also praised the dynamism of collaboration in the most significant sectors of the strategic partnership between India and Russia.On Monday, Jaishankar also welcomed delegates at the venue for the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. The event began on Sunday and will continue till June 13.Jaishankar will chair the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting scheduled between June 11-13 and a total of 200 delegates are expected to attend the meeting.The Development Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi takes place in the midst of mounting developmental challenges that have been made worse by the slowdown in the global economy, debt distress, the effects of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, rising poverty and inequality, the cost of living crisis, supply chain disruptions around the world, and geopolitical tensions and conflicts.The Varanasi gathering follows the Voice of the Global South Summit, which was hosted by India in January 2023.The decisions made at the Varanasi meeting will also have an impact on the United Nations SDG Summit, which will be held in New York in September.Further, according to the official release, the meeting will consist of two main sessions -- one on 'Multilateralism Collective Actions for Accelerating Progress towards SDGs' and another on 'Green Development A LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Approach'.Delegates from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Indonesia and China on Sunday arrived at the Varanasi Airport. Delegates experienced the culture of Varanasi and attended Ganga Aarti at the city's Dashashwamedh Ghat yesterday.Delegates to the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting along with the EAM Jaishankar took part in the Ganga Arti ritual at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi on Sunday evening. Jaishankar led the delegates on a cruise ride and sightseeing of the ghats.Earlier, they were welcomed in a traditional way at Namo Ghat. Seeing the cultural artists dance, the delegates also shook a leg. Following this, they boarded the cruise vessel and reached Dashashmaved Ghat. During the Aarti, there was a special Shankhnaad for the guests.At the G20 Development Ministers' meeting in Varanasi a new roadmap for the development of global agriculture in 20 developing countries of the world including India will be prepared.Agricultural scientists from all nations will brainstorm on the issues of agriculture, agricultural education, research etc. in the G20 meeting.The Varanasi Development Ministers' Meeting takes place in the midst of mounting developmental challenges that have been made worse by the slowdown in the global economy, debt distress, the effects of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, rising poverty and inequality, the cost of living crisis, supply chain disruptions around the world, and geopolitical tensions and conflicts.The G20 Development Ministerial meeting will be an opportunity to collectively agree on actions for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering synergies between the development, environment and climate agendas while avoiding costly trade-offs that hold back progress for the developing countries, the statement added.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! G20 delegates say diplomacy, dialogue vital for peaceful resolution of war in Ukraine Varanasi, June 12: The G20 ministers who met in Varanasi on Monday under India's G20 presidency's theme One Earth, One Family, One Future reiterated that the use or threat of nuclear weapons in Ukraine conflict is inadmissible and that diplomacy and dialogue were vital for peaceful resolution of conflicts. G20 delegates say diplomacy, dialogue vital for peaceful resolution of war in Ukraine The war in Ukraine has adversely impacted the global economy. There was a discussion on this issue during the Development Ministers' Meeting.The G20 delegates reiterated their national positions as expressed in other fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which, in Resolution No. ES- 11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote (141 votes for, 5 against, 35 abstentions, 12 absent) deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine, Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy - constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks.There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. Recognizing that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, the G20 leaders acknowledged that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy.The G20 ministers agreed that it is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. This includes defending all the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and adhering to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and infrastructure in armed conflicts.Notably, the G20 ministers met at a time of unparalleled multidimensional crises and challenges, that are impacting people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership and have reversed years of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The G20 ministers strongly reaffirmed their commitment to the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of its SDGs, while leaving no one behind. They committed to putting sustainable development at the centre of the international cooperation agenda, as per an official release.Reiterating the universality, indivisibility, and integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda and its comprehensive, far-reaching, and transformative set of SDGs and targets, they committed to advance existing and new G20 collective actions that will contribute to bringing on track and accelerate progress towards timely, full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of its SDGs and enable the provision of global public goods.Recognising that social and economic development depends on the sustainable management of the earth's limited natural resources, the G20 leaders committed to strengthening G20's efforts in building an integrated approach for achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions--economic, social and environmental--in a balanced and integrated manner, the MEA release said.Acknowledging the SDGs' financing gap while taking note of the ongoing discussions on the UN Secretary General's proposal for SDG stimulus at the UN as well as the upcoming Paris Summit for New Global Financing Pact and reaffirming that addressing the growing debt vulnerabilities, removing bottlenecks faced by developing countries in availing financing and resource mobilization from all sources--public and private, domestic and international, including innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, de-risking instruments and other sustainability-related financial instruments--are crucial for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of its SDGs.In this regard, the G20 delegates also reaffirmed and reiterated the call for enhancing international cooperation, and strengthening and evolving multilateral development banks.They also underlined the importance of enhancing debt transparency and sustainability and implementing coordinated debt treatments under the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment beyond the DSSI in a predictable, timely, orderly and coordinated manner and in this context call for strengthening G20 efforts, including through collaboration with relevant G20 work streams.The G20 leaders also reiterated their unwavering commitment to international cooperation, multilateralism and global solidarity as the best way for the world to effectively address, overcome and recover from the current and other pressing global crises and challenges. They emphasised the need for greater collaboration, partnerships and contributions of all partners and stakeholders, including that of civil society, the private sector and academia, among others, and in this regard underline the importance of international partnerships with partner countries, the United Nations system and other relevant international organizations, while emphasizing the need for enhancing North-South, South-South and Triangular cooperation.The outcome documents adopted shall be submitted for consideration by the Leaders to be annexed to the G20 Summit Declaration to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023.The G20 ministers also welcomed Brazil's G20 Presidency in 2024 and South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025 to take forward the collective agenda of the G20 DWG, the official release added.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Harry Styles pauses concert to help fallen fan Los Angeles, June 12: The 'As it Was' hitmaker Harry Styles paused his performance to assist a fan in the crowd at his Irish concert who had seemingly fallen over. Harry Styles pauses concert to help fallen fan The 'Falling' singer was performing at Slane Castle in County Meath when he made sure the gig-goer was brought to safety after taking a tumble, reports 'Female First UK'.Pointing in her direction, the former 'One Direction' star said in a clip circulated on social media "Give her a bit of space and water. Is everybody else good? You good? Did you fall, is it slippy?"After making sure she was safe, the 29-year-old pop star made a joke about his own accident in Ireland. He quipped about "the time I got head-butted in Tallaght".As per 'Female First UK', so far this tour, Harry has helped fans come out, done gender reveals, and even drank out of his own shoe on the first night of the Australian leg.The 'Kiwi' singer gave in after chants from the crowd at HBF Park in Perth in February and completed the Aussie tradition of doing a 'Shoey', drinking alcohol, usually beer, from one's own shoe.He then proceeded to take off his sneaker before pouring an unknown drink into the shoe and shaking his head in disgust.Harry told the crowd "This is one of the most disgusting traditions I've ever witnessed."The 'As It Was' hitmaker then did the deed and put his soggy shoe back on.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Ukraine claims recapture of seven villages from Russian forces in past week Kyiv [Ukraine], June 13: Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukrainian forces have recaptured seven villages from Russian forces in the past week, CNN reported while quoting Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar. Ukraine claims recapture of seven villages from Russian forces in past week Hanna Maliar in a post on Telegram said the "advance of the offensive troops amounted to 6.5 kilometres" in Donetsk and Tavria. She further said, "The area taken under control amounted to 90 square kilometres," CNN reported.Maliar said that the villages that have been recaptured including Lobkove, Levadne, Novodarivka, Neskuchne, Storozheve, Makarivka, and Blahodatne were liberated.Earlier, Ukraine's Tavria Defence Forces shared a video on Facebook that showed soldiers holding up the Ukrainian flag in Storozheve, claiming to have recaptured the village in Donetsk. However, it is not clear when the video was shot.The Tavria Defense Forces said, "The national flag is flying again over Storozheve, and it will be the same with every settlement until we liberate all Ukrainian land." It further said, "Thanks to the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradsky," CNN reported.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his nightly address on Monday said that fighting is fierce. However, he noted that Ukrainian forces are "moving forward" and recapturing territory. He said that the weather is unfavourable these days, as per the CNN report."The battles are fierce, but we are moving forward, and this is very important. The enemy's losses are exactly what we need," Zelensky said in his nightly address.He further said, "Although the weather is unfavourable these days -- the rains make our task more difficult - the strength of our warriors still yields results, and I thank everyone who is in combat now, everyone who supports our combat brigades in the relevant areas."Ukrainian President noted that the "most important and hottest" operations regions are in Tavria and the Khortytsia directions. Zelenskyy said that he has received the reports from the commanders in those areas on Monday.He said that the General of the Ukrainian Land Forces and the General of the Tavria operational-strategic group reported about "the success we have achieved, on the front areas where we need to reinforce and on the actions we can take to break more Russian positions," according to the CNN report.Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is maintaining and strengthening its operational dominance. He further said, "I am particularly grateful for Bakhmut as we are increasing our control in this area." The spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that Ukrainian forces made incremental gains in the eastern city of Bakhmut.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! G20 Development ministers meet resolved to focus on issues of Global South: Jaishankar New Delhi, June 12: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said that India's G20 presidency was successful in bringing back the platform's focus on issues pertinent to the Global South, though at the same time ensuring that seriousness of Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact are not diminished. G20 Development ministers' meet resolved to focus on issues of Global South: Jaishankar Briefing media persons after the G20 Development Ministers' meeting in Varanasi, Jaishankar said that the 'G20 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)' and 'G20 High Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development' were unanimously approved during the meeting."Right now, our focus is how do you address the pressing needs of the developing countries, the small island developing states, the least developed countries, those who are really teetering on the edge of an abyss," he said."The G20 recognised today that the Global South is facing great problems that need to be responded with an action plan. This action plan was proposed by India," he added.Everybody supported this action plan and there was absolutely no politics over it, he added further."The seven-year action plan focusses on devising bold, decisive actions on fostering data for development and digital public infrastructure, women-led development, and human-centric economic growth and sustainable finance for development," Jaishankar told reporters.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Ezra Miller issues first public comments since misconduct allegations at The Flash premiere Los Angeles, June 13: Actor Ezra Miller made a public showing for the first time in nearly two years, attending the Los Angeles premiere of DC Studios' 'The Flash'. Ezra Miller issues first public comments since misconduct allegations at 'The Flash' premiere The embattled actor spoke openly about misconduct allegations levied against them and various legal woes, addressing fans and many industry players at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, reports 'Variety'.Miller, who is non-binary and uses they and them pronouns, made a big show of acknowledging Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Film Group heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy and DC Studios stewards James Gunn and Peter Safran for "your grace and discernment and care in the context of my life. And in bringing this moment to fruition".Following a series of escalating incidents, Miller was charged with felony burglary in Vermont in 2022 after police investigated their involvement with a robbery at a private residence. Their troubles began in 2020 after a video emerged depicting Miller as they appear to be choking a woman outside of a bar in Iceland. No charges were filed.As per 'Variety', the actor was also arrested twice in Hawaii, once for disorderly conduct and harassment. Miller pled no contest to a single count of misdemeanour disorderly conduct in the Hawaii case, and paid a $500 fine. The harassment charge was dismissed.Miller received a rockstar welcome at 'The Flash' premiere, introduced by their director Andy Muschietti."I love you, maestro," Miller told the filmmaker. "I think you're amazing, and I think your work is monumental."The studio announced ahead of time that the Los Angeles premiere would be Miller's lone publicity commitment for the film. They walked the red carpet and did not stand for traditional on-camera and print interviews. Miller's 'The Flash' co-star Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez turned up at the event, as did Muschietti's 'It Chapter Two' collaborator Jessica Chastain.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Israel leveraging Abraham Accords to become Global Communications Power Jerusalem, June 12: Israeli government ministers on Sunday approved a plan to lay fibre-optic cables along the oil pipeline between Eilat and Ashkelon. Israel leveraging Abraham Accords to become 'Global Communications Power' The creation of an international communications corridor along the Europe Asia Pipeline Co. (EAPC) would allow for the transmission of digital data between Asian countries, with an emphasis on Abraham Accords nations, to Europe and the West, said Israeli officials.Israel believes this will lead to investment by international companies, the establishment of server farms, economic growth, the creation of jobs and more, and "catapult Israel's economy to new heights.""Today we are reaping more fruit of the historic Abraham Accords that we brought. We will connect fiber optic cables from Asia, Arab nations, from Eilat to Ashkelon and the rest of the world. This will attract investors and turn Israel into a global communications center. This will jump-start the Israeli economy," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The Trump administration-brokered Abraham Accords normalized relations between Israel and four Arab countries--the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan."This is certainly major news, mainly for the south and the cities of the periphery," said Karhi, adding "In [Saturday's] Torah portion, we read [Numbers 1317]' 'Go up here into the Negev, and go up into the mountains.' Together, we have already conquered the summit of this mountain and, with God's help, we will yet conquer more mountains."In its statement, the Prime Minister's Office referenced the Spice Route, one of the most well-known and important trade routes of antiquity, extending from the southern Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean Sea coast. It was part of a network of trade routes between Europe and the East, along which goods such as spices, silk, precious stones, dyes and exotic animals were transported."Today, in the modern digital world, the products are information, knowledge and technology. We are again turning the State of Israel into the vital route of the world through which will pass knowledge and bits along fiber optic cables that will link Asia and Europe," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. (ANI/TPS)ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! IndiGo flight suffers tail strike while landing at Delhi Airport New Delhi, June 13: An IndiGo aircraft has been grounded after it suffered a tail strike during its landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. IndiGo flight suffers tail strike while landing at Delhi Airport The incident took place on Sunday when the plane was on course to Delhi from Kolkata. No injuries were reported in the incident.According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), IndiGo A321-252NX (Neo) aircraft VT-IMG while operating flight 6E-6183, sector Kolkata - Delhi was involved in a tail strike while landing at Delhi.The flight was uneventful till the approach to land at Delhi. During the approach on runway 27, the crew felt that they floated longer than normal and initiated a go-around. During the go-around maneuver, probably the bottom of the tail portion of the aircraft touched the runway surface and sustained damages, said DGCA.The operating crew has been off-rostered pending investigation, it further said.A senior DGCA official said that a probe has been ordered into the matter and that the aircraft has been grounded.A tail strike occurs when the tail or empennage of an aircraft hits the ground or any other stationary object during take-off or landing.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! A cyberattack on an Illinois hospital is one of the reasons St. Margaret's Health in Spring Valley, Illinois will be be closing. Link to the NBC News article here. Ransomware attacks in which criminal hackers remotely cripple an organization's computers and demand an extortion payment have plagued U.S. health care since 2016, said Allan Liska, a ransomware analyst at the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Data collected by Liska and his team showed at least 300 documented attacks a year on American health care facilities since 2020. This year is on pace to match that. Spring Valley's mayor, Melanie Malooley-Thompson, said the hospital's closing means some residents will have to travel around half an hour for emergency room services and obstetrics services. An Illinois hospital will shutter its doors this week in part because of a devastating cyberattack, becoming the first hospital to publicly link criminal hackers to its closure. https://t.co/Qu07MSM6AC NBC News (@NBCNews) June 12, 2023 A Wall Street Journal article this week described an increase in the frequency and sophistication of North Korea's cyberattack program, which includes ransomware attacks on hospitals. Link here. Starting two years ago, hackers linked to North Korea began infecting U.S. hospitals with ransomwarea kind of cyberattack where hackers lock up a victim company's files and demand payment for their releaseto raise money, U.S. officials say. "It seems like a modern-day pirate state," said Nick Carlsen, a former FBI analyst who works for the blockchain tracing firm TRM Labs. "They're just out there raiding." In order to fund its nuclear and geopolitical ambitions, North Korea has trained sophisticated cyber criminals who often gain access to systems by posing as employers interested in hiring people working at target companies, or even by posing as potential employees who actually gain jobs at target companies. Aamar Srivastava launches AimTalk - Poised to transform the landscape of Public Speaking VMPL, New Delhi, June 13: AimTalk is a Public speaking platform designed to foster emerging talent and cultivate the free exchange of ideas among tomorrow's leaders. Aamar Srivastava launches AimTalk - Poised to transform the landscape of Public Speaking With its mission to make public speaking and knowledge sharing accessible to all, AimTalk is a testament to the power of vision, inspiration, and inclusivity. The grand unveiling of AimTalk is scheduled to occur during an exciting three-day event starting on July 28th, ushering in a new dawn in the realm of inspirational communication.AimTalk is more than just a platform; it is a transformative learning experience that empowers its users. It offers mentorship to refine communication skills, thus eliminating barriers that might prevent voices from being heard. In essence, AimTalk is a space where voices are not only heard but also nurtured and amplified. It fosters growth, encourages personal development, and paves the way for lasting societal impact.AimTalk is not just the stage for the speakers who will grace the platform; it is also about the individuals who will be inspired by these speakers. It's about the stories that will be carried forward, the conversations that will be sparked, and the change that will be led. AimTalk seeks to empower individuals to take their stories forward, foster meaningful conversations, and lead change in their respective communities.The visionary behind AimTalk is Aamar Srivastava, who, during a trip to Chennai, recognized the common struggle people faced in communicating their brilliant ideas and unique life experiences. Motivated by his understanding that effective communication skills are essential in sharing knowledge and experiences, Aamar was inspired to create AimTalk, a platform that bridges the gap and allows everyone to inspire and be inspired.AimTalk is the embodiment of a world where communication is a pivotal pathway to the realization of dreams. It is a beacon of opportunity and a hub for young individuals to unlock their potential to inspire. With AimTalk, every voice has a chance to aim higher and inspire the world. It is a space where the power of speech is celebrated, where knowledge fuels growth, and where stories touch hearts.Get ready to join this extraordinary movement, where your voice has the power to inspire change, fuel growth, and touch hearts. This is - a platform created to aim, inspire, and transform the world.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! PLA deploys support equipment in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau for combat training Beijing, June 13: New support equipment has been unveiled at the training ground in Xining, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 4,700 metres, including support modules for oil, medical service, camping, and supplies to provide emergency support for mobile troops along the way, according to Global Times. PLA deploys support equipment in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau for combat training The support module travelled nearly a thousand kilometres to the plateau configuration area and immediately created an effective joint logistics base capable of providing complete field and multi-level logistics assistance in a timely way.The devices deployed in the base not only have advanced performance and comprehensive functions, but they can also meet soldiers' daily training and living needs, such as eating, shelter, and medical treatment, significantly reducing the inconvenience of plateau combat training, according to Global Times.Global Times is an English-language Chinese Daily reporting on issues related to politics, defence and social matters of China. It is the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party.The battle camping cabins are not only portable, but also equipped with air conditioners, folding beds, and other amenities that may keep soldiers warm in winter and cool in summer due to the plateau's changeable climate.The shower shelter can produce hot water in three minutes, allowing a large number of soldiers to wash and shower in a short period of time. According to Global Times, the food processing bunker is outfitted with fully automatic cooking robots, reducing the time spent preparing meals for the soldiers.The camp is also equipped with oxygen tanks that can help soldiers quickly relieve the discomfort caused by altitude hypoxia, which can be continuously filled with oxygen. A facial recognition system and infrared surveillance cameras can grasp the dynamics of the camp and its surrounding environment around the clock.In addition to the living support of the camp, the logistics unit also operates a variety of refuelling vehicles to meet the needs of combat troops and carry out rapid emergency refuelling, Global Times reported.At the same time, fuel consumption data of various types of equipment is to be accurately collected, so as to further accumulate the experience of fuel support at fixed points."Pushing the support force to the front line aims to solve the problem requirements under actual combat circumstances so that the support force and the combat effectiveness of the army can be improved together," said Wang Ansheng, a deputy commander of a brigade at the Xining Joint Logistics Support Center.ANI13 June 2023 Shared Recently! Al Pacino spends time with ex-girlfriend amid arrival of new baby Los Angeles, June 13: Hollywood legend Al Pacino, best known for his roles in noir crime films such as 'The Godfather' series, 'Serpico', 'Scarface' and 'The Irishman', is spending time with his ex-girlfriend Beverly D'Angelo (71) as he readies himself to welcome another baby into his family with his current girlfriend Noor Alfallah. Al Pacino spends time with ex-girlfriend amid arrival of new baby As per 'Page Six', the 83-year-old actor "joined D'Angelo and their two children, 22-year-old twins Anton and Olivia, for a Sunday family outing at an escape room in Los Angeles." Despite their split in 2004, Pacino and D'Angelo have remained close friends.At the family outing, Al Pacino dressed up in an all-black, donning black pants, a V-neck shirt, and a black sports jacket, further complementing it with a scarf around his neck.According to 'Daily Mail', the pair could not be "happier" about the pregnancy, while conceding that the news had come as a "surprise".An inside source at 'Daily Mail' which reported the news also shot down any speculation that "Noor had kept Al in the dark about the pregnancy - and slammed suggestion that the Sony executive is dating her older beau for money."'Daily Mail' also added that she's wanted to have a baby for years and Al could not be happier. "He loves Noor and the feeling is mutual," the friend of the couple explained.Not only does Noor come from an extremely wealthy family, but she has also worked to obtain her own wealth.However, reports have since emerged that 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'.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! New Zealand to welcome over 600,000 tourists this winter Wellington, June 13: New Zealand is embracing a tourism rebound as more than 600,000 visitors will arrive during the upcoming winter season. New Zealand to welcome over 600,000 tourists this winter The tourism sector is continuing to strengthen to close to pre-pandemic levels, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said on Tuesday, citing the latest data and estimates.There were about 221,300 overseas visitor arrivals in April 2023, and airline booking and capacity data estimate more than 600,000 visitors are expected to arrive this winter from June to August, more than 83 per cent of pre-Covid arrivals in winter 2019, Xinhua news agency reported citing statistics.Visitors from Australia are expected to approach around 90 per cent this winter compared to pre-pandemic levels, Henare said."This is great news for the hundred thousand Kiwis directly employed in tourism and their communities around New Zealand who rely on the industry for local jobs and economic growth," he said.He said that this tourism rebound complements the government's investment in regional infrastructure while the borders were closed, enabling a strong post-pandemic recovery.International visitors spent NZ$3.2 billion ($1.96 billion) in New Zealand in the first quarter of 2023, up from NZ$1.8 billion in the December quarter, which makes international tourism the country's second-highest export this quarter behind dairy exports such as milk powder, butter, and cheese, said the minister.The increase in spending by international visitors reflects the larger flow of international visitors for the peak summer holiday season and an increase in holidaymakers who spend more per day than the average visitor, he said.Visitor numbers are also buoyed by the increase in flight capacity. Australian visitors remain the largest single market, followed by visitors from the United States and Britain, he added.In addition, electronic card spending data shows international visitors spent NZ$328 million in April 2023, up 25 per cent compared with April 2019, statistics show.The government support will help implement initiatives like a hospitality and tourism accreditation scheme, investments in better education and training, and improved opportunities for those who choose tourism as a career, Henare said.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! India will be among fastest growing economies in 2023: RBI Governor New Delhi, June 13: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Tuesday expressed confidence that India will be among fastest growing economies in the world in 2023 which would grow at the rate of 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal. India will be among fastest growing economies in 2023: RBI Governor "We expect real GDP to grow by 6.5 per cent during 2023-24. In all likelihood, India will remain among the fastest growing large economies in 2023," the RBI Governor said while delivering the opening plenary address at the Summer Meetings organised by Central Banking in London.He said that the Indian economy displayed "exemplary resilience" post-pandemic and rebounded strongly from a contraction of 5.8 per cent in 2020-21 to a growth of 9.1 per cent in 2021-22 and 7.2 per cent in 2022-23, as proactive and coordinated response of fiscal and monetary policies nurtured a quick recovery.He said that various structural reforms related to banking, digitalisation, taxation, manufacturing and labour, implemented in the last few years, laid the foundation for strong and sustainable growth over the medium and long term."The government's continued thrust on capital expenditure is creating additional capacity and nurturing the much-awaited revival in the corporate investment," he said.The Indian economy has also made rapid gains in openness and has gradually integrated with the global economy over the years, Das asserted."Consequently, it is getting increasingly exposed to the vagaries of global headwinds. It is, however, pertinent to note that India's growth in the last few years is mainly driven by robust domestic demand, especially private consumption and investment, amidst the global slowdown," he noted.The RBI Governor further said that being proactive and nimble footed during a crisis gives one the agility to respond speedily to evolving developments that are overwhelming."In this regard, our decisions at the height of the coronavirus crisis in 2020 and our liquidity rebalancing measures in 2021 served us well. Second, our measures have been prudent, targeted and calibrated to the need of the hour."We have not been tied down by any existing dogma or orthodoxy. While lowering the floor of the interest rate corridor and increasing its width, we did not inject excessive liquidity or dilute our collateral standards. We kept in mind that what is being rolled out needs to be rolled back in time and in a non-disruptive manner," he said."Third, we backed up our monetary policy actions by appropriate regulatory and supervisory measures, including macro-prudential instruments, that reinforced the policy impact and its credibility.""Fourth, we provided guidance and confidence to the market and the wider public through effective communication as part of our endeavour to anchor expectations and sentiments appropriately. Thus, communication became an additional pillar of our overall policy response during the pandemic," Das elaborated.IANS13 June 2023 Shared Recently! King Tutankhamun may have died following a drunk driving accident with a chariot. Previously, Egyptologists had proposed that he was killed in a chariot race. Now, biomedical Egyptologist Sofia Aziz has synthesized other pieces of evidenceincluding the boy king's passion for winesuggesting he was possibly hammered at the time. From BBC Science Focus: How sceptical should you be? Well, it is true that a major 2010 study concluded the pharaoh likely died from an open wound (combined with a weakened immune response due to malaria). However, the same research also suggested Tutankhamun had a clubbed foot that left him struggling to walk, let alone ride a chariot. However, Aziz suggests that scientists have been wrong to profile the king as an invalid. [Aziz argues that during a chariot race] the 19-year-old's leg would have hit the 'dashboard' of the chariot during the crash, causing the fracture described in autopsy reports and an open wound[] Tutankhamun's internal organs have also never been examined. "Because of the way that the autopsy was conducted in 1925, sadly, a lot of vital information has been lost," Aziz said. "So even though we have conducted CT and we know some new things, there's a lot of things that we can't answer." Champaign firefighter Tad Worley finishes picking up debris from a two-vehicle accident Tuesday at the intersection of Green and McKinley in Champaign. Champaign and Illinois State Police were on the scene, which had Green Street closed in both directions just west of Prospect Avenue. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. The real reason that we wanted to do this, the real reason why (wife) Diana and I wanted to come and be with you is to say thank you. To say thank you to each and every one of you here today, to say thank you to every citizen, every voter, every child, every newcomer, every immigrant to the state of Illinois. "I feel like we're headed to a good place. We're roughly break-even, [and] I think we're trending toward being cash-flow positive very soon, literally in a matter of months" Elon Musk Weeks ago, in March and April, Elon "Pedo Guy" Musk told the world he'd restored Twitter to "roughly break-even" after chasing out most of the advertisers and employees. Unable to cut costs as quickly as advertisers want to leave, Twitter appears to be in a death spiral. We've long heard tales of unpaid rent and equipment firesales, and now we're told that Twitter's cloud service vendors, Google and Amazon, are being stiffed. It sounds like Twitter's trust and safety team relies on the Google contract, so sinking it will help Musk achieve his visible goal of burning the whole thing down. It must be very lonely on the Twitter trust and safety team. Platformer: Twitter has refused to pay its Google Cloud bills as its contract comes up for renewal this month, Platformer has learned, leading to a high-stakes conflict between the companies that could result in Twitter's trust and safety teams being crippled. While Twitter hosts some services on its own servers, the company has long contracted with Google and Amazon to complement its infrastructure. Prior to Musk buying Twitter last year, the company signed a multi-year contract with Google to host services related to fighting spam, removing child sexual abuse material, and protecting accounts, among other things. Twitter has been trying to renegotiate its contract with Google since at least March, the Information reported that month. It had also delayed payments to Amazon Web Services, leading the company to threaten withholding advertising payments. via Tech Dirt Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Presenting the history of Juneteenth remains necessary. A 2022 Gallup poll reveals that 59 percent of U.S. adults claim to know a lot (17 percent) and 42 percent some about the holiday. This means 40 percent of the U.S. public know a little bit (29 percent) or nothing at all (11 percent) about the new federal holiday. A recent study published in Scientific Reports investigates how smartphones impact cognitive performance among students. Study: The mere presence of a smartphone reduces basal attentional performance. Image Credit: Zoomik / Shutterstock.com Are smartphones distracting? As of 2021, all Americans between 18 and 29 years of age owned a cellphone, 96% of whom owned a smartphone. The recent transition towards increased use of smartphones can potentially lead to negative consequences. For example, smartphone notifications trigger sound and vibrations that can be distracting to humans. In fact, several studies have demonstrated the significant impact of these notifications on attention, even when study participants do not respond to their phones. Likewise, the adverse effects of smartphones on academic performance, stress, and sleep have been reported. Some studies suggest that the presence of a smartphone could distract individuals, thereby affecting fluid intelligence, working memory capacity and ultimately leading to poor attention. About the study In the present study, researchers investigate whether a smartphone influences attention in college students. Forty-two students between 20 and 34 years of age participated in the current study, with 21 equally divided into two groups. The experiment involved an attention task to be performed by students during an online video conference in the presence or absence of a smartphone. In one group, students were asked to switch off their smartphones and place them on the desk, with the phones covered so that the screens were not visible. In the other group, students switched off their phones and put them outside their rooms. The d2-R concentration and attention test was used to assess students attention. Participants had to search for and mark correct targets between characters and objects. The test contained a physical sheet with 789 characters in 14 lines, with 20 seconds to process each line. The test had to be completed within four minutes and 40 seconds. The accuracy, speed, and attention performance in the task were recorded. Prior to the experiment, a video of instructions for the attention test was provided to all students. After watching the video, students placed their smartphones on the desk or outside and commenced the test. The experiment was conducted in a session of about 20 minutes. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed to examine whether students had lower attention in the presence of smartphones. Additionally, a modified short version of the German smartphone addiction scale was used to analyze smartphone dependence on a six-point Likert scale. Attention performance, speed, and accuracy in the task were the dependent variables, whereas smartphone condition was the independent variable. In addition, covariance analysis was performed to study the potential moderating effect of smartphone addiction. Study findings Significantly higher attention performance was observed among students not in the presence of a smartphone as compared to those with a smartphone on the desk. Moreover, students in the presence of a smartphone had a lower working speed during the task than those without a smartphone; however, no differences in the accuracy of the task were observed between the two groups. The mean score on the smartphone addiction scale was 29.47 for all participants, with no significant differences between the two groups. The average scores were 29.8 and 29.14 for students in the smartphone and no-smartphone groups, respectively. Overall, there was no strong tendency toward smartphone dependence, as the covariance analysis did not identify any interaction between the variables. Thus, the moderating effect of smartphone dependence was not observed. Conclusions The current study reports that the presence of a smartphone resulted in lower attention among students. These findings indicate that the presence of a smartphone was sufficient to consume cognitive resources without any voluntary usage or shift in attention toward a smartphone. Although the operating speed of the students slowed when a smartphone was present, the students ability to accurately complete the task was not impacted. The study sample size was relatively small, and most participants were White, young, and highly educated; therefore, it is unclear if the findings are broadly generalizable. Nevertheless, the study findings indicate that keeping the smartphone in a different place outside their space was sufficient to counteract the cognitive resource-consuming effect. Thus, this type of approach can be implemented by students while studying to improve their cognitive performance. In a recent study published in the Npj Digital Medicine, researchers investigated the factors that hinder or promote healthcare professionals' acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitals. Background AI is linked to the automation of intelligent human behavior, specifically in terms of exhibiting human-like reasoning and thinking. AI technologies are increasingly used in medical practice, including complex healthcare work environments. With respect to technology, acceptance refers to the internal motivation, willingness, and intention to use technology due to positive attitudes toward the system or technology. AI systems acceptance is comparable to the acceptance of other novel tools. About the study A review was conducted on AcceiAI acceptance by healthcare professionals in hospital settings. The literature is examined methodically based on specific eligibility criteria. The next step involved extracting pertinent information from the studies and evaluating their quality. The review concluded by presenting study outcomes and providing recommendations for future studies. The reviewed articles' findings are presented using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a framework. This theory aimed to elucidate a user's motivation to utilize information technology (IT) systems. The approach relies on different IT acceptance models, including the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The UTAUT model comprises four primary components, namely effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influences, and facilitating conditions. Additionally, there are four regulating factors, including sex, age, experience, and voluntariness of use, which impact the four primary components. The team conducted a search for relevant studies that aligned with the review's aim and research queries. This study analyzed and examined original research papers published between 2010 and June 2022 that focused on healthcare professionals whose clinical fields of work were impacted by AI. The research included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. This review focused on studies published in English or German that examined factors related to AI acceptance. The eligible studies included those conducted in hospital settings and those that involved healthcare professionals in the development of AI systems. Results The review analyzed a total of 42 articles. Most studies were conducted in Europe, followed by North America and Asia. Additional research was carried out in Africa and Australia. One of the eligible studies was conducted in 25 countries worldwide. The studies conducted included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches and involved hospital-based healthcare professionals as participants. The eligible studies also utilized interviews and surveys as means of data collection. According to three studies on clinical decision support systems (CDSS), participants reported that CDSS implementation in acute hospital settings resulted in a decrease in medical errors using recommendations and warnings. However, in another study on barriers to CDSS adoption, participants noted that emergency care settings experienced errors due to CDSS. The accuracy estimation of AI-based technologies by healthcare professionals was inconsistent. According to a recent study, 22.5% of radiology department staff believe that AI-based diagnostic tools will surpass radiologists in the near future. Yet, almost 12% of the participants stated that they would use AI for medical decisions in the near future. In another study, 82% of doctors, physiotherapists, and nurses found AI support systems helpful in diagnosing rare or unusual disorders. Nearly 15% of doctors and nurses who participated in a study expressed their disbelief in the ability of a machine-learning system to detect early-stage delirium. Furthermore, about half of the physicians involved in a study on using AI in ophthalmology expressed concerns about the reliability of the system, citing difficulties in ensuring its quality. Three studies examined healthcare professionals' attitudes toward CDSS. They found that they had doubts about the accuracy of diagnostic systems and CDSS since they believed the resulting information was insufficient for decision-making. However, in another study, physicians opined that CDSSs are helpful, but their capabilities are restricted. Physicians believe that AI adoption in healthcare could be hindered by a lack of adaptability and transparency in machine learning systems or CDSS used for diagnostics. Furthermore, study participants noted that a predictive machine learning system's acceptance emphasized the need for evidence-based and comprehensive protocols for such systems. Notably, participants who reported unfamiliarity with a system tended to reject it. Conclusion The studies found both positive and negative factors affecting the acceptance of AI in hospitals. Most studies included CDSS as a form of AI. Different perceptions regarding the impact of AI on error incidence, timely resources, and alert sensitivity were found. However, the participants agreed unanimously on the hindering factors of AI integration in clinical workflows, including difficulties in integration and fear of loss of autonomy. Notably, AI training helped improve its acceptance. The team believes that increasing AI adoption in healthcare, involving end-users in the initial stages of AI development, and providing tailored training and infrastructure are recommended for facilitating AI acceptance. In a recent article published in the journal Nature, researchers used unstructured clinical notes from the electronic health record (EHRs) to train NYUTron, a large language model for medical language and subsequently evaluated its ability to perform five clinical and operational predictive tasks. Study: Health system-scale language models are all-purpose prediction engines. Image Credit: Elnur / Shutterstock Background Initially, all the information needed to make medical decisions is highly scattered, e.g., in a patient's medical records, including their prescriptions, laboratory, and imaging reports. Physicians aggregate all the relevant information from this pool of information into handwritten notes, which document and summarize patient care. Existing clinical predictive models rely on structured inputs retrieved from the patient EHRs or clinician inputs, complicating data processing, model development, and deployment. As a result, most medical predictive models are trained, validated, and published, yet never used in real-world clinical settings, often considered the 'last-mile problem'. On the other hand, artificial intelligence (AI)-based large language models (LLMs) rely on reading and interpreting human language. Thus, the researchers theorized that LLMs could read handwritten physician notes to solve the last-mile problem. In this way, these LLMs could facilitate medical decision-making at the point of care for a broad range of clinical and operational tasks. About the study In the present study, researchers leveraged recent advances in LLM-based systems to develop NYUTron and prospectively assessed its efficacy in performing five clinical and operational predictive tasks, as follows: 30-day all-cause readmission in-hospital mortality comorbidity index prediction length of stay (LOS) insurance denial prediction Further, the researchers performed a detailed analysis on readmission prediction, i.e., the likelihood of a patient seeking readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge due to any reason. Specifically, they performed five additional evaluations in retrospective and prospective settings; for instance, the team evaluated NYUTron's scaling properties and compared them with other models using several fine-tuned data points. In retrospective evaluations, they head-to-head compared six physicians at different levels of seniority against NYUTron. In prospective evaluations running between January and April 2022, the team tested NYUTron in an accelerated format. They loaded it into an inference engine which interfaced with the EHR and read discharge notes duly signed by treating physicians. a, We queried the NYU Langone EHR for two types of datasets. The pretraining dataset, NYU Notes, contains 10 years of inpatient clinical notes (387,144 patients, 4.1 billion words). There are five fine-tuning datasets. Each contains 110 years of inpatient clinical notes (55,791413,845 patients, 5187 million words) with task-specific labels (24 classes). b, We pre-trained a 109 million-parameter BERT-like LLM, termed NYUTron, on the entire EHR using an MLM task to create a pretrained model for medical language contained within the EHR. c, We subsequently fine-tuned the pre-trained model on specific tasks (for example, 30-day all-cause readmission prediction) and validated it on held-out retrospective data. d, Lastly, the fine-tuned model was compressed into an accelerated format and loaded into an inference engine, which interfaces with the NYU Langone EHR to read discharge notes when they are signed by treating physicians. Results Compared to prior conventional models, NYUTron had an overall area under the curve (AUC) ranging between 78.7 and 94.9%, i.e., an improvement of up to 14.7% concerning AUC. Additionally, the authors demonstrated the benefits of pretraining NYUTron with clinical text, which increased its generalizability through fine-tuning and eventually enabled its full deployment in a single-arm, prospective trial. Readmission prediction is a well-studied task in the published literature on medical informatics. In its retrospective evaluation, NYUTron performed better than a physician, with a median false positive rate (FPR) of 11.11% for both NYUTron and the physician. However, the median true positive rate (TPR) was higher for NYUTron than physicians, 81.72% vs. 50%. In its prospective evaluation, NYUTron predicted 2,692 of the 3,271 readmissions (82.30% recall) with 20.58% precision, with an AUC of 78.7%. Next, a panel of six physicians randomly evaluated 100 readmitted cases captured by NYUTron and found that some predictions by NYUTron were clinically relevant and could have prevented readmissions. Intriguingly, 27 NYUTron predicted readmissions were preventable, and patients predicted to be readmitted were six times more likely to die in the hospital. Also, three of the 27 preventable readmissions had enterocolitis, a bacterial infection frequently occurring in hospitals by Clostridioides difficile. Notably, it results in the death of one in 11 infected people aged >65. The researchers used 24 NVIDIA A100 GPUs with 40 GB of VRAM for three weeks for pretraining NYUTron, and eight A100 GPUs for six hours per run for fine-tuning. Generally, this amount of computation is inaccessible to researchers. However, the study data demonstrated that high-quality datasets for fine-tuning were more valuable than pretraining. Based on their experimental results, the authors recommended that users use local fine-tuning when their computational ability is limited. Furthermore, in this study, the researchers used decoder-based architecture, e.g., bidirectional encoder representation with transformer (BERT), demonstrating the benefits of fine-tuning medical data, emphasizing the need for domain shift from general to medical text for LLM research. Conclusions To summarize, the current study results suggested the feasibility of using LLMs as prediction engines for a suite of medical (clinical and operational) predictive tasks. The authors also raised that physicians could over-rely on NYUTron predictions, which, in some cases, could lead to lethal consequences, a genuine ethical concern. Thus, the study results highlight the need to optimize humanAI interactions and assess sources of bias or unanticipated failures. In this regard, researchers recommended different interventions depending on the NYUTron-predicted risk for patients. For example, follow-up calls are adequate for a patient at low risk of 30-day readmission; however, premature discharge is a strict 'NO' for patients at high risk. More importantly, while operational predictions could be automated entirely, all patient-related interventions should be implemented strictly under a physician's supervision. Nonetheless, LLMs present a unique opportunity for seamless integration into medical workflows, even in large healthcare systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers were frequently called upon to make decisions about whether to accept patient transfers from other hospitals, often due to a lack of beds, staff or the need for more specialized care. These decisions would potentially prove to be the difference between life and death. While existing guidelines for health care workers provide recommendations for how to allocate scarce resources in the hospital such as ventilators, recommendations for making decisions about transferring patients between hospitals were lacking. A study from the University of Michigan Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine examined the factors that went into this decision-making-;and the moral distress that often resulted from it. Via interviews with 21 physicians, nurses, and staff at hospitals across Michigan, the researchers, led by Emily Harlan, M.D., of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Andrew Shuman, M.D., of the Department of Otolaryngology in Head and Neck Surgery, identified three categories of factors that affected decisions to accept transfer patients: decision-maker, environmental and patient. Decision-maker factors included the professional background of the person responsible for transfer choices. For example, physicians involved in transfer decisions were administrators who considered overall hospital capacity before deciding. Additionally, nurses were involved in triaging patients, information gathering and often responsible for discouraging family-initiated transfer requests. Environmental factors included whether the receiving hospital was experiencing resource strain, for example, lacking space, staffing for beds, or equipment. Those interviewed revealed that many hospitals had to change their transfer processes, creating centralized transfer centers, or initiating remote support via telephone to create virtual intensive care units. Finally, patient factors, such as severity of illness, the need for specialty care, and the likelihood of survival with escalated care played a significant role in decisions around who was transferred. Close to 86% of those surveyed expressed moral distress, mostly related to denying patient transfers when there was no hospital capacity or to choosing which patient to accept from a long list of transfer requests. Moral distress is an important problem to address given the health care workforce is already facing high rates of burnout and staff shortages. Given the impact on patients and clinicians, the authors suggest that guidelines be created to support decision-making about transfers and resource allocation, and that collaborative transfer teams be set up to potentially reduce the burden of decision-making and improve the patient transfer process. Additional authors include Eman Mubarak, Janice Firn, and Susan D Goold. Professor Kalyanam Shivkumar of David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in collaboration with Professor David Paterson, of Oxford University has been awarded a prestigious Leducq International Network of Excellence Program Award of $8 million to set up a major new transatlantic network linking world leading researchers from the United States and Europe to develop bioelectronics and therapies that target the nervous system to treat heart diseases. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a major controller of the cardiovascular system and a key player in the pathogenesis of heart disease. ANS dysfunction can lead to pathologically increased heart rate through increased sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone, contributing to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) which claims up to 12 million lives/year globally. An international team of researchers headed up by Oxford University's Professor David Paterson and UCLA's Professor Kalyanam Shivkumar have put forward a landmark proposal to diagnose and treat heart disease with cutting-edge neuromodulation technologies that directly tackle ANS alterations. They propose that directly altering adverse ANS activity will effectively treat arrhythmias and prevent the progression of heart failure. The core UCLA-Oxford hub will work in partnership with John Hopkins University, Northwestern University, and the University of Bordeaux as a part of this network. The new USA-Europe network will develop innovative new organ-conformal bioelectronic technologies for high-resolution, real-time measurements of cardiac autonomic, metabolic, and simultaneous electrophysiological and mechanical parameters. This data will be leveraged to guide ANS modulating therapy via real-time 'closed-loop' feedback control. Advanced analytics of data derived from a wide range of sensors, alongside deployment of organ-conformal high-resolution biointerfaces on the heart, will carefully characterise the diseased areas of the heart. ANS dysfunction will be assessed by measuring regional cardiac neurotransmitter release in real-time. North American lead, Professor Kalyanam Shivkumar, Director of the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center & EP Programs and the Chief of Cardiovascular & Interventional Programs of UCLA, says: "Neurocardiology and therapies that target the nervous system is now poised to tackle life-threatening problems affecting patients. The Leducq network provides an exceptional mechanism for international collaboration and specifically develop the careers of future scientific leaders." Combining real-time readouts of intramyocardial neurotransmitters, with advances in electrophysiological mapping of the heart using our human cardiac-neural stem cells ('disease in a dish'), provides our team the unparalleled ability to identify subjects at high risk for SCD. This will allow us to define the specific contribution of abnormal electrophysiological activity in the ANS, and finally tailor closed-loop neuromodulation therapeutic interventions to prevent the progression of heart disease." David Paterson, European Lead, Professor, Head of the University of Oxford's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics "With this prestigious grant, our investigators stand at the forefront of a new era to help unravel the nervous system's relationship with heart diseases," said Dr. Steven Dubinett, Dean of the David School of Medicine at UCLA. "This international team brings together some of the brightest minds with the goal of uncovering the mechanisms controlling arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death with the hope of finding new lifesaving treatments." The objective of the Leducq Foundation International Network of Excellence program is to improve diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke through fostering long-term international collaborative relationships. Since the introduction of the Transatlantic Networks of Excellence in 2003, the Foundation has supported 78 international networks. Dr. David Milan, Chief Scientific Officer of the Leducq Foundation said: "The endorsement of this application by the Scientific Advisory Committee is a statement of the committee's belief that the proposed network will make an important impact in the area of cardiovascular research through innovation in science, meaningful collaboration at the international level, and the active involvement of early career investigators in the research program." "I saw a demon on my shoulder, it's lookin' like patriarchy." Song 32. Hip Hop artist Noname announced from her Instagram account nonamehiding that a new album will drop in July. Titled Sundial, I anticipate Noname will help orient us, the listeners, through the Karen-infested rainforest-wilderness of post-lockdown America. Since her first album, Room 25 was released in 2018, Noname (Fatimah Nyeema Warner) has made quite a name for herself. As reported at Consequence Sound, "In the time since releasing Room 25, her musical output has been limited to a single called 'Rainforest' (which was originally destined for Factory Baby), a remix of Anderson .Paak's "Lockdown," and the Madlib-produced 'Song 33,' which served as a response track to J Cole's 'Snow On Tha Bluff.' In J Cole's joint, the megastar seemed to be directing his words to Noname. "I scrolled through her timeline in these wild times and I started to read She mad at these crackers, she mad at these capitalists, mad at these murder police, She mad at my niggas, she mad at our ignorance, she wear her heart on her sleeve She mad at the celebrities, low key I be thinkin she talking bout me Now I ain't no dummy to think I'm above criticism so when I see something that's valid I listen But Shit, its something about the queen tone that's bothering me just cuz you woke and I'm not, that shit ain't no reason to talk like you better than me How you gon lead, when you attacking the very same niggas that really do need The shit that you saying? instead of conveying you holier come help get us up to speed." In "Song 32," Noname replies. "One girl missin', another one go missin' One girl missin', another But niggas in the back, quiet as a church mouse Basement studio when duty calls to get the verse out I guess the ego hurt now It's time to go to work, wow, look at him go He really 'bout to write about me when the world is in smokes? When it's people in trees? When George was beggin' for his mother, saying he couldn't breathe You thought to write about me? What I most appreciate and admire about Noname is the intentionality of her humility and her propensity to engage contradictions her own and the larger consumer culture, political milieu, and social relationships within the music industry. Noname's early pandemic-era Twitter account was a real-time chronicle of her process of learning and unlearning ideas, revisiting previous assumptions and analysis, and offering an honest take on why she changes her views and perspectives about politics and life. Joseph Earp from Junkee explains, "The musician doesn't treat her Twitter account like a PR exercise, or even a diary. She uses it as an opportunity to hone and explore the things that she finds interesting in her art. Not that you should operate under the misapprehension that Noname's account is some weighty, serious tome. It's not, and she is, first and foremost, extremely funny." Noname is adamantly vocal about the anti-Black politics of US civil society and white supremacist culture, as well as the impact of capitalism on the lives of working-class people. In this 2021 Rolling Stone profile, Mankaparr Conteh shares that Noname has purchased a house in the historically Black and rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, Leimert Park. "It's hard to name another young musician so critically adored and civically engaged: not stumping-for-Bernie civically engaged, but dedicating-their-lives-and-sacrificing-their-wealth-to-move-the-needle-to-the-left civically engaged. Fatimah's social media has been an unending trail of revolutionary learning materials and her synthesis of them, from the teachings of Karl Marx to takes on the Cuban embargo to condemnations of LGBTQ persecution in Ghana." In 2019, along with a crew of supporters, she founded the Noname Book Club, "reading material for the homies." In addition to a monthly meeting virtual and irl, the pandemic birthed a new project. "In addition to building community with folks across the country we also send our monthly book picks to incarcerated comrades through our Prison Program." In early 2023, Noname shared her perspective on appropriation and social media. "One of the biggest mistakes i believe we've made in our struggle towards liberation in this country is allowing white america unfiltered access to our entire culture," she wrote. "White america has created an institution of violent policing and medical neglect that is killing us EVERY F***ING DAY. and every day we get on their platforms (tik tok, twitter etc) and we create trends, music, art and language that they turn into billions." Click here to find a Noname book club to join or create your own. In a pioneering study involving serial entrepreneurs and managers, a multidisciplinary research team led by HEC - School of Management at the University of Liege and Liege University Hospital (CHU Liege), combining entrepreneurship researchers and brain specialists, found evidence of increased neuronal connectivity in the brains of entrepreneurs, which may contribute to distinct cognitive attributes. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), the study showed that serial entrepreneurs have higher connectivity between the right insula (associated with cognitive flexibility) and the anterior prefrontal cortex (a key region for exploratory choices), compared to their fellow managers. These results, published in the journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, suggest that serial entrepreneurs possess greater cognitive flexibility, enabling them to alternate effectively between exploration and exploitation, a balance that is crucial to their success. Unlike the traditional fMRI approach based on tasks submitted to the subject, the rs-fMRI on which this study is based observes the brain at rest, in the absence of cognitive tasks or presentation of stimuli, which constitutes an innovative approach to improving understanding of the entrepreneurial mind. Forty people, entrepreneurs and managers, took part in the study. "This study represents an important advance in our understanding of the entrepreneurial mind. It highlights the potential of neuroscience and how this approach complements the traditional tools used to study entrepreneurial cognition. By highlighting the difference in cognitive flexibility, it also offers a new perspective to inform the design of training or professional development programs aimed at improving the cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit of individuals within various organizations", explains Frederic Ooms, researcher and Assistant Professor in management and entrepreneurship (HEC - ULiege School of Management), first author of the publication, based on the results of his PhD thesis on entrepreneurial cognitive flexibility presented in April 2023. In a world of rapid and unpredictable change, organizations need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and foster cognitive flexibility within their teams, qualities recognized by the OECD as a 21st-century challenge." Professor Bernard Surlemont, Professor of Entrepreneurship at ULiege (HEC Liege) "This collaborative, multidisciplinary study illustrates 'neuro-entrepreneurship', the integration of knowledge in neuroscience (at the ULiege GIGA and the CHU of Liege) and the world of entrepreneurship (HEC Liege), and shows how neuroimaging techniques help to better visualize the neural networks involved in 'cognitive flexibility', in order to be able to adapt to a constantly changing reality, which is the source of entrepreneurial success", notes Dr Steven Laureys, neurologist and Clinical Professor at the Centre du Cerveau of the University Hospital (CHU) of Liege, Research Director at the Fund for Scientific Research FNRS and Visiting Professor at the CERVO Research Centre (Laval, Quebec). The first image of the structures that power human cilia the tiny, hairlike projections that line our airways has been produced by a team involving UCL researchers and could lead to much-needed treatments for people with rare cilial diseases. The study, published in Nature, combined advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence techniques to create a detailed snapshot of the structure of human cilia. These are the microscopic projections on the cells that line our lungs, ears and sinuses and beat rhythmically to keep the lungs clear from mucus and bacteria. People who inherit the rare condition primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have defective cilia that can't effectively remove debris from the airways, and so suffer from breathing difficulties and chronic lung infections. For the first time, the scientists visualised the molecular 'nano-machinery' that causes cilia to beat, visible as identical structures dotted every 96 nanometres along the cilia length. These structures come together to form the axoneme. In healthy airways, this complex structure is tightly controlled, with molecules precisely arranged to make cilia beat in a rhythmic, wave-like motion, around a million times a day. In people with PCD, the team found that cilia don't beat correctly because key elements of the axoneme structure are missing, caused by genetic mutations. This new information could lead to new medicines that target these defects, making cilia beat properly. Study co-author, Professor Hannah Mitchison (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), said: "Treatments for PCD currently work to clear people's airways and prevent infection. Our findings offer the possibility of molecular medicines to precisely target tiny defects in the axoneme and make cilia beat as they should. Molecular medicines are showing promise for other rare diseases, and COVID-19 research has unlocked new ways to deliver these drugs directly to the lung. If we can combine these advances with our new findings, my hope is that we'll bring molecular medicines to people with PCD within the next 5 to 10 years." Hannah Mitchison, Study Co-Author, Professor, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health The team's research could also prove useful for infertility, as sperm cells rely on a similar axoneme structure in their tails to propel themselves forward. The research team was a global collaboration, with scientists based across the UK, US, Netherlands, China and Egypt. "It can be difficult to study rare diseases like PCD, because patients are spread thinly across the world. In the UK, we think around 9,000 families may be affected by PCD," said Professor Mitchison. "Our study was made possible by a fantastic international collaboration between clinical scientists, biologists and members of the rare disease community willing to take part in our research." In addition to human cilia, the team examined the axoneme structure of a single-celled alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which uses two tail-like projections on its surface to swim. Despite being separated by more than 1 billion years of evolution, the alga's tails shared structural similarities with the human airway cilia, highlighting the importance of the axoneme throughout evolution. This study involved collaborators at Harvard Medical School, Alexandria University, University of Leicester, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College London. At UCL, the study was supported by NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, the Ministry of Higher Education in Egypt and a MRC UCL Confidence in Concept grant. Passengers on an Air India (AI) flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai experienced immense inconvenience and distress due to a nine-hour delay at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Sunday. To make matters worse, airline staff allegedly refused to provide food and even drinking water to the passengers. Another AI flight to Mumbai was abruptly cancelled later that day after the passengers had already boarded the plane. Flights operated by other carriers on the same route were able to depart without any problems, despite AI blaming the main runway closure and bad weather in Mumbai for the lengthy delay. According to sources at KIA, AI initially declared a one-hour delay for Flight AI 610, due to leave Bengaluru on Sunday at 7:20 p.m. But for the passengers, this one-hour delay turned into a stressful nine-hour experience. In another distressing incident, passengers of AI 642, another flight operated by the same airline, experienced an unpleasant situation when they were asked to deplane after a two-hour delay following the boarding process. Passengers were later informed that the initial flight had been canceled, and an alternative flight was scheduled to depart at 9:30 pm. The constantly increasing delay left the Mumbai-bound passengers, like Kalpana Sharma, frustrated and waiting for updates. She stated, We were waiting to board, but the delay kept getting longer and longer." Also Read: Air India New Delhi-San Francisco Flight Diverted to Russia, Engine Glitch Reported Over 100 passengers of AI 610 were left in a state of confusion as there were no boarding announcements for the Mumbai-bound flight until 11 pm on Sunday. Arjun V, a chartered accountant from the city, shared the ordeal on social media, mentioning the furious passengers and the airline ground staffs lack of information even past midnight. The ground crew at Bengaluru airport didnt respond to queries from passengers. They did not even offer water bottles or food packs to children or the elderly, stating that they hadnt been instructed to do so," complained Sharma. Chinmay Pattanayak, a passenger on AI 642, criticized the airline, labeling the sudden flight cancellation as an extremely irresponsible act that severely impacted passengers, especially those with connecting flights from Mumbai. After nine long hours of uncertainty and chaos, all passengers of flight AI 610 were finally allowed to board at 4:30 am on Monday. Similarly, passengers from AI 642 were accommodated on an alternative flight to Mumbai, bringing some respite to the affected individuals. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has recently submitted a tentative plan to extend the Delhi Metro line to Ghaziabad city. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the proposed plan spans a distance of 5.83 km and aims to connect Noidas Sector-62 Metro station to Vaishali Metro station in Ghaziabad. This marks the third plan submitted by the DMRC to establish a connection between the two stations. As per Manvendra Singh, officiating chief engineer of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), the new plan suggests a route passing through Indirapuram before reaching Vaishali station. Singh further mentioned, The two previous plans have not been dropped as such. We will now study the new plan to find out whether it is feasible. Land is required for construction and, later, the funding pattern will be decided." Once the detailed project report is completed, the officials estimate that the budget for the proposed 5.83 km metro line would range from Rs 1,300 crore to Rs 1,400 crore. Also Read: High-Speed Metro Line Connecting Noida International Airport and IGI Airport to Have Only 6 Stations The planned metro line is expected to traverse areas near CISF, DPS Indirapuram, Ramlila Ground, Niti Khand, Gyan Khand, and Ramprastha before reaching Vaishali Metro station. Additionally, the new plan proposes the development of four stations near Vaibhav Khand, DPS, Niti Khand, and Gyan Khand. Earlier in January 2020, the DMRC presented a proposal to connect Noidas Sector-62 and Sahibabad at an estimated cost of Rs 1,517 crore. Furthermore, a second line connecting Vaishali with Mohan Nagar at a cost of Rs 1,808.22 crore was also submitted. However, the GDAs request for state funding was denied by the state government in January this year. In May, the state once again refused to provide 50 percent funding for the two extensions. The new plan has gained prominence due to the ongoing construction of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which aims to link New Bus Adda to Sahibabad and further extend to Anand Vihar in Delhi. A GDA official stated, The earlier two plans were proposed when the option of RRTS was not available. Therefore, a new route has been proposed since the RRTS is about to commence operations." We believe that city commuters who wish to travel to Sahibabad and Anand Vihar can utilize the RapidX trains on the RRTS line. The recently submitted tentative plan would involve acquiring private land in certain areas. Hence, the authority is evaluating the new plan and may give it the green light once other formalities are cleared," added the official. Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to introduce a brand-new MPV on July 5, which has been officially named Invicto. This upcoming model will be based on the popular Toyota Innova Hycross. Furthermore, it will be manufactured and supplied by Toyota. With its launch, the Invicto will take the coveted position of Marutis flagship model, standing proudly at the top of the carmakers line-up in our market. To distinguish it from its Toyota counterpart, Maruti has made significant brand-specific styling enhancements to the Invicto. Spy images of the Invicto have already surfaced online, providing us with a glimpse of this remarkable vehicle ahead of its much-anticipated launch. The Invicto differs from the Innova Hycross in a number of distinctive ways. These changes include a brand-new front bumper and grille, fresh headlamp and taillight accents and unique alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, we can expect subtle modifications to the upholstery and features list. Maruti has previously indicated that the Invicto will be a limited production model, primarily aimed at showcasing its carbon-friendly hybrid tech." It will be interesting to observe how Toyota will distribute the Innova Hycross units to Maruti given the lengthy waiting period. The same production line will be used to make both the Innova Hycross and the Maruti Invicto. Toyota has implemented a third shift at its facilities in response to the increased demand in order to effectively handle the order backlog. Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Engage MPV Spotted Undisguised Ahead of Official Launch, Pics Inside When it comes to powertrain options, Maruti Suzuki will provide the Invicto with the same choices as the Hycross. Higher variants will be equipped with the impressive 183hp, 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain, delivering fuel efficiency levels comparable to those of the Innova Hycross, averaging around 13-16 kilometers per liter in real-world conditions. Additionally, Maruti is expected to offer the 173hp, 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox. In terms of seating capacity, the Invicto is anticipated to offer both seven- and eight-seater configurations, mirroring the Innova Hycross. With its launch scheduled for next month, the Invicto will position itself in the premium MPV segment, directly competing with the Hycross. However, the esteemed Kia Carnival will occupy a slightly higher segment within this category. The forthcoming unveiling of the Maruti Suzuki Invicto has created a buzz among automobile enthusiasts, who eagerly await the opportunity to witness this impressive vehicle firsthand. With its cutting-edge features, exceptional performance, and captivating design, the Invicto is set to redefine the standards of the MPV market. Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced a Stay Now Pay Later (SNPL) option with an aim to provide Indian travellers greater flexibility while planning their summer travels. As per OYOs Summer Vacation Index 2023, 82% Indians have plans to travel this summer, with 92% travelling domestically. Introduction of the SNPL feature allows travellers to plan their summer trips without the immediate financial burden, making travel more accessible and flexible. OYO has partnered with Simpl, a credit-based payments service, for this feature, the company said in a statement. OYO rooms price SNPL provides customers with a credit limit of up to Rs 5,000 which can be settled after 15 days of the stay. The feature can be accessed on the home screen of the OYO app. Customers can then opt for the SNPL plan that best suits their requirements. During a pilot conducted with 10% of its user base, OYO said it saw payment completion rates increase by 8%. Over 40% of the users utilised SNPL for transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, indicating its appeal to cash-flow conscious travellers seeking a flexible payment solution. The feature is currently available for Android users and will soon be rolled out for iOS users as well. Abhinav Sinha, global COO and chief technology and product officer, OYO said, As a customer-centric organisation, we are constantly striving to make travel more convenient for our consumers. Travelling should only be about enjoying the experience with loved ones and we are constantly looking for solutions that help overcome any financial constraints that hinder our customers from pursuing their dream vacations." SNPL offers a convenient payment solution that caters to the needs of cash flow-conscious travellers. Through this, we aim to make travel more accessible and enjoyable, ensuring that our customers can focus on creating memorable experiences," Sinha added. The fourth and final G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting scheduled from June 19 to 21 in Pune will be held under the theme Ensuring Foundation Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning, officials said on Monday. The EdWG event, which will be hosted by the Ministry of Education, will be followed by the meeting of education ministers from G20 countries on June 22, they said. Outcome documents such as a compendium of best practices amongst nations in the priority areas, a report and the ministerial declaration will be presented at the ministerial meeting. As of date, 14 ministers have confirmed participation in the ministerial meeting from the following nations: UK, Italy, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Singapore, Oman, Mauritius, Japan, Bangladesh, Egypt, UAE and Netherlands, Higher Education Secretary Sanjay Murthy told reporters here. Murthy said that like the previous meetings, a seminar will be preceding the EdWG and it will be based on the priority area of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. At the moment, countries such as Spain, Australia, Indonesia, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China and the UK have all expressed their interest in the topic of the seminar and will be participating as panellists. As a precursor to the G20 EdWG meeting, the Department of Higher Education is organising a seminar at IISER, Pune on June 16. The seminar will be held on the theme Accessible Science: Fostering collaboration. This event will convene stakeholders across the scientific community to discuss best practices for accessible science, how accessible science can be applied across individual nations with differing local capacities, and ways to utilise science practices to support global progress, he added. In the run-up to the main event, a two-day National Conference on Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), Creating the Base for Lifelong Learning, will be organised from June 17-18 at Savitribai Phule University, Pune. The conference will help identify and discuss the best practices states are adopting in creating an environment that facilitates foundational literacy and numeracy in young learners. The objective of the conference is to reflect on two important themes teaching learning approaches and pedagogy for FLN in the context of multilingualism and capacity building and training of teachers in blended mode, said School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar. The experts from various fields have been invited to share their experiences and learning with the audience to identify the areas of joint initiatives, cross learning and the challenges in the implementation. Representatives from the Education Departments of all states and UTs in India, Knowledge partners of Government of India (UNESCO & UNICEF) and civil society agencies will be participating in this event, he added. On the sidelines of the meeting, an exhibition will be inaugurated on June 17 which will showcase innovative practices being adopted in education and FLN, digital initiatives, research and skill development, in particular by the states and UTs, besides other agencies in the field of education. The first meeting of the G20 Education Working Group was held in Chennai in January followed by second meet in Amritsar in March and third in Bhubaneshwar in April. With a 99.99 percentile score, two students Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu and Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh topped the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2023 for undergraduate admissions, the results of which were declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday evening. Pranjal Aggarwal with a fourth all-India rank was announced as the topper among female candidates. Four of the top 10 candidates belong to Tamil Nadu, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, and West Bengal. The exam, which was conducted across the country and in 14 cities abroad on May 7, has been cleared by 56.2% candidates. A total of 11.45 lakh candidates out of 20.38 lakh have cleared the exam with the highest number of those qualifying being from Uttar Pradesh (1.39 lakh), followed by Maharashtra (1.31 lakh), and Rajasthan (over 1 lakh). According to the NTA, which is the nodal agency to conduct various entrance exams in the country, the NEET-UG exam saw the highest registration of 20,87,462 candidates this year. Of them, 20,38,596, or 97.6% appeared, and a total of 11,45,976, or 56.2% candidates have cleared. The passing percentage is the same as last year. Of those qualifying for the countrys largest entrance exam for admission to undergraduate MBBS and BDS courses, 6,55,599 are females while 4,90,374 are males, apart from three transgender persons, the NTA said. Prabanjan and Bora, who share the same rank, have scored perfect 720 marks or 99.9 percentile, and have been declared joint all-India toppers. Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu was too busy giving interviews to the media late on Tuesday evening when his uncle, with whom he stays in Chennai, told News18 that they knew he would be among the toppers, but didnt expect the first all-India rank. He has always been a topper in other exams including class XII. Its just that we didnt expect him to get the topmost rank. Its a dream come true. He always wanted to be a doctor and will be the first generation of doctors in his family. Both his parents are government school teachers, said Nanda Kumar, Prabanjans uncle. He plans to be a surgeon and has All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as his top choice of medical school, Kumar added. Tamil Nadus Kaustav Bauri, Punjabs Pranjal Aggrawal, and Karnatakas Dhruv Advani stood third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. While they too scored 99.99 percentile, the rank has been given using NTAs tiebreaker formula under which, in case of equal marks, the scores in Biology are considered first to decide their rank, followed by Chemistry and Physics. Of the 11,45,976 qualified candidates, 3,12,405 were from the unreserved category, 5,25,194 from the OBC category, 1,53,674 from SC, 56381 from ST, and 98,322 from the EWS category. Besides, 3,508 candidates from the persons with disabilities category also cleared the exam. According to NTA, the exam this year saw an increase in qualifying marks. For example, the range of qualifying marks for general category last year was 715-117 marks and it has increased to 720-137 this year. Similarly, for reserved categories OBC SC, and ST it has increased from 116-93 to 136-107 this year. The result of NEET-UG, 2023, has been declared on the basis of the qualifying criteria prescribed by the National Medical Commission and Dental Council of India and also based on the information submitted by the candidates in their online application forms, the NTA said in a statement. The NEET-UG was conducted across 4,097 centres in 499 cities throughout the country. The examination was also conducted outside India in Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Colombo, Doha, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, and Singapore, along with Dubai and Kuwait City. The exam was conducted in 13 languages: Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Also, the NTA announced that details and schedule of counselling would be available on the websites of the union ministry of health and family welfare and medical education directorates of states as applicable. The wait for the Jharkhand Board Class 11 final exam results 2023 could soon come to an end. When an official confirmation is awaited, the JAC class 11 results are likely to be out by the second week of June. The official websites jacresults.com and jac.jharkhand.gov.in will host the result. Once the results are out, students from the science, commerce, and arts streams will be able to access their JAC Board Class 11 results online. Students who participated in the examinations conducted between April 17 and April 19 April are advised to have their roll numbers and roll codes prepared for convenient access to the results. JAC Class 11 Result 2023: How to Check You can access the JAC 11th Result 2023 online by following the steps provided below: STEP 1: Go to the official websites of the Jharkhand Board, which are www.jacresults.com and www.jac.jharkhand.gov.in. STEP 2: Locate and click on the Results for Intermediate Exam 2023" link on the homepage. STEP 3: Enter your roll number and roll code on the login page that will be displayed. STEP 4: Click on the Submit" button, and the JAC 11th Result 2023 will be shown on the screen. STEP 5: Verify your marks and consider printing a copy for future reference. The JAC Board Class 11 Result 2023 will feature the students marks, corresponding grades, percentages, and their qualification status in the respective examination. Students are advised to carefully review the details information on the mark sheet. If you notice any discrepancies in the mark sheet, it is important to contact the appropriate board officials. The information to verify includes the name of the student, roll number, date of birth, subject-wise marks, and total marks. To be eligible for the exams, students need to achieve at least the minimum passing marks set by the JAC Board. The candidate needs to score a minimum of 33 per cent marks in each subject and overall to clear the exam. The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday strongly opposed the National Exit Test (NExT), with Chief Minister M K Stalin telling the Centre it was an additional burden on medical students and also saw it as another attempt to dilute the role of State Governments and universities in the health sector. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, NExT will serve as a common qualifying final year MBBS exam, a licentiate exam to practice modern medicine and for merit-based admission to postgraduate courses and a screening exam for foreign medical graduates who want to practice in India. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin said the Government of Tamil Nadu has been consistent in its opposition to the introduction of NEET (National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test) and NExT in any form for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical admissions. The NEET based medical admission system under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act has already adversely impacted the equitable, school education based selection process and its contribution to the strengthening of the public health system. At this juncture, the proposed introduction of NExT will surely exacerbate this trend and cause an irreparable damage to the interest of rural and socially disadvantaged students and the public institutions under State Governments, the CM told Modi. In all the states of the country, the curriculum for medical education is already being devised under the norms fixed by the NMC. The curricula, training and examination system are monitored vigilantly by the respective State Medical Universities, Stalin said. The students are awarded MBBS degree in recognised colleges, only after such rigorous training and examinations. In this situation, the introduction of such a common exit test will definitely be an additional burden on the students. Given the high academic burden and stress faced by our medical students this needs to be strictly avoided. In addition, the introduction of such a course as a mandatory exit test will also hamper the clinical learning, which is vital for MBBS graduates, Stalin told the PM. He said young graduates focus both on the theoretical and clinical aspects of medical science and only after graduation, the students who opt for PG admissions focus on theoretical PG exams. But the introduction of mandatory exit exam will force them to focus more on the theoretical part of medicine during their course and internships. This is bound to hamper development of adequate clinical skills. In light of the above, I again wish to re-emphasise that the introduction of NExT is neither in the interest of the students nor in the interest of state governments who fund most of the medical institutions. This step seems to be just another attempt to dilute the role of State governments and universities in the health sector and to centralise the powers with the Union government. Therefore, I once again request that NExT should not be introduced and the existing system be continued, he said. NExT will be held next year and is likely to be conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. The government had in September last year invoked the provisions of the NMC Act by which the time limit for conducting NExT for the final year MBBS was extended till September 2024. Under the NMC Act, the Commission has to conduct a common final year undergraduate medical examination, NExT, as specified by regulations within three years of it coming into force. The Act came into force in September 2020. Catholic Health System late Monday announced a reconfiguration plan that will shift maternity and surgical services away from Mount St. Marys Hospital in Lewiston as health care continues to change and the health system seeks to right-size services amid recent financial losses. The plan, which will occur over the next few weeks, calls for creating a neighborhood hospital model at Mount St. Marys, similar to what Catholic Health is building at the new $62 million Lockport Memorial Hospital in the eastern portion of Niagara County. As part of that, Catholic Health said it will reduce the Lewiston hospitals inpatient medical beds and transition surgery, maternity, dialysis and gastrointestinal services to other Catholic Health hospitals. Once the reconfiguration is done, Mount St. Marys will have 20 to 30 beds between inpatient medical and the intensive care unit, compared with about 40 of those beds today,spokesperson JoAnn Cavanaugh said. On top of that, the hospitals 69-bed Clearview Substance Use Treatment Center will also remain. The Buffalo health system also will discontinue imaging services at its Porter Road site in Niagara Falls. The health system said maternity and surgical patients will receive information in the coming days to transition their care to other Catholic Health facilities after June 30. Cavanaugh said just over 100 employees will be affected by the changes but will be offered other positions at Mount St. Marys, Lockport Memorial or within Catholic Health. There will be seniority bumping as part of the union contract but we have plenty of job openings and anticipate there will be jobs available for displaced associates, she said. Catholic Health, the regions second-largest health system behind Kaleida Health, said the reconfiguration fits into its strategy to create Centers of Excellence within its hospital network. The strength of our system, in terms of quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, is helping us respond to the seismic changes happening in healthcare as a result of the pandemic and other industry pressures, Catholic Health President and CEO Mark Sullivan said in a statement. By proactively responding to these changes and adapting our footprint in Erie and Niagara Counties, we can maintain the specialized services our community needs in a more responsible way and ensure access to care for the long term. Catholic Health alluded to an upcoming reconfiguration at Mount St. Marys during an update to bond investors last week. In addition to changes at Mount St. Marys, Catholic Health is focusing on growth in services via its Centers of Excellence strategy, with a focus on orthopedics, general surgery, cardiology, obstetrics and neurosurgery, according to the investor presentation. Further, the system is shifting St. Josephs Campus in Cheektowaga to ambulatory services, as well as working to expand and increase the usage of Catholic Healths ambulatory surgery centers. Catholic Health, like other Western New York health systems, is seeking to recover from the financial blow of the Covid-19 pandemic, which also accelerated trends such as the shift of care away from hospital settings. For 2022, Catholic Health reported an operating loss of about $175 million on revenues of $1.22 billion. Despite the reconfiguration at Mount St. Marys, which Sullivan called necessary, he said Catholic Health remains committed to Niagara County and its residents. Much discernment and planning has gone into this process to ensure patients will have needed medical and emergency services in their own community with improved access to higher levels of quality care at Centers of Excellence throughout Catholic Health, he said. In addition to inpatient services, Mount St. Marys will maintain its emergency department, the Wound Care Center and Clearview Substance Use Treatment Center, the latter of which was expanded two years ago by 24 beds to meet the growing need for addiction services. Catholic Health said Mount St. Marys also will maintain its network of community-based health centers, which includes primary and specialty care clinics, including OB-GYN, cardiology and neurology services, along with outpatient diagnostic and rehabilitation care. As those changes occur in Lewiston, Catholic Health will add ambulatory surgery services, inpatient medical beds, emergency care, imaging and laboratory services and primary and specialty care physician practices in eastern Niagara County through this falls opening of Lockport Memorial and the upcoming acquisition of Eastern Niagara Hospitals ambulatory surgery center on South Transit Road in Lockport. Our goal is to ensure residents throughout Niagara County continue to have access to primary care physicians and medical specialists right in their own community on both sides of the county, said C.J. Urlaub, president of Mount St. Marys and Catholic Healths senior vice president for strategic partnerships, integration and care delivery in Niagara County. For higher levels of care, patients will have improved access to Catholic Healths comprehensive network of services at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Sisters of Charity Hospital, and Kenmore Mercy Hospital, along with our expanded ambulatory surgery network. Reality show Bigg Boss OTT season 2 has been creating a lot of buzz among the fans. However, confirmed contestants names are yet to be out but there is a report coming in that television actress Akanksha Puri is all set to participate in the show. Well, ahead of the premiere the makers have promised to reveal contestants today. India Today report has mentioned that Akanksha is one of the confirmed contestants of the show. This season has already been abuzz as Salman Khan took the reigns as host for this season. JioCinema is truly taking the OTT version of the reality phenomenon to the next level. This season is truly going to be bigger, bolder, and twice the fun from 17th June. Nawazuddin Siddiquis wife Aaliya Siddiqui is all going to join as claimed by India Today. However, official confirmation is still awaited. Reportedly, there are also reports that celebrities such as Awez Darbar, Anjali Arora, Munawar Faruqui, Maheep Kapoor, Faizal Shaikh and Paras Arora are most likely to join Bigg Boss OTT. The buzz is that Archana Gautams brother Gulshan and Jiya Shankar are also likely to participate in the show. Raj Kundra, Kunal Kamra, Kailash Kher, Daler Mehndi has also been approached. Fahmaan Khan, who was also approached by the show makers, clarified that he will not be participating in the show. He revealed that he wishes to stick to acting as of now. Thats not my space and I dont understand reality shows. I believe I am not the person for reality shows. I am more of a performer and more on the creative side, and I would like to show the little bit of ability that I have in the characters that I play and the stories that I can create. I am very focussed and interested in that," the actor told Pinkvilla. Charu Asopa and Rajeev Sen grabbed headlines because of their divorce. However, finally, the couple got divorced on June 8 and are now co-parenting their daughter Ziana. Well, recently the television actress opened up about her feeling before going to court for the final hearing of divorce proceedings. Charu made a video while travelling to the court on June 8 in which she said, Thodi anxiety hai (I am a little anxious). I know I am doing the right thing but I think every one must be feeling the same anxiety. Soon after her divorce, she left a message on her vlog that read, And the divorce throughRajeev will always be Zianas father. He can meet Ziana whenever he wants to. The day after her divorce, Charu took Ziana to meet Rajeevs parents at their house in Mumbai. Rajeev Sen also took to his Instagram handle after his divorce from Charu and wrote, There are no goodbyes! Just two people who just couldnt hold on to each other. Love will stay. We will always remain mom and dad to our daughter. Charu Asopa tied the knot with Rajeev Sen in June 2019. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl in 2021. However, in June 2022, Charu sent a notice to Rajeev seeking to part ways mutually. Following this, Rajeev also replied to the notice with another notice which accused hiding her first marriage. The two levelled several allegations against each other before they decided to reunite in September 2022 for their daughter. However, in just a few months, the two parted ways again and headed for divorce. Earlier, in an interview, Charu mentioned that she and Rajeev want to maintain a cordial relationship so that things do not get difficult for their daughter Ziana when she grows up. When Ziana grows up, she shouldnt feel like shes in a tight spot because her parents dont talk to each other. I dont want to make things difficult for her. Sometimes, things get difficult for me, but main apni beti ke liye itna toh kar hi sakti hun, she told Hindustan Times. A 39-year-old woman, Senali Sen, has been booked for allegedly killing her mother and stuffing her body in a trolley bag. The incident occurred at a residential apartment in Bengaluru. According to MICO layout police, the body was brought to the police station on Monday and a case was lodged against the daughter under Section 302 of IPC along with other sections." #WATCH | Karnataka | Case registered against a 39-year-old woman, Senali Sen for allegedly killing her mother and stuffing her body in a trolley bag. The incident occurred at a residential apartment in Bengaluru. MICO layout Police say, "Body was brought to the Police Station pic.twitter.com/pzlry6WB0M ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 The accused, originally a resident of West Bengal, was arrested after she arrived at the police station in the Mico Layout area with a suitcase containing a body. The woman confessed to the murder of her mother, citing regular arguments between them as the motive, said cops. According to the authorities, the accused is married, and her husband was not present when the incident took place. The womans mother-in-law, however, was present in the house but was unaware of the murder since it took place inside a room, added the cops. The massive fire that broke out at Satpura Bhawan, which houses offices of various departments of the Madhya Pradesh government in Bhopal, has been brought under control after an overnight operation that involved CISF and Army among other agencies, an official said. The massive fire erupted on the third floor of Satpura Bhawan in MPs Bhopal at around 4 pm on Monday, prompting authorities to call in fire tenders from Army, AAI and facilities of oil companies, officials and the CMO said. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah about the fire and sought assistance for dousing it, an official said. The fire has been brought under control. All agencies including CISF, Army came together to douse the fire and it has been controlled," Bhopal District Collector Ashish Singh said on Tuesday morning. #WATCH | The fire has been brought under control. All agencies including CISF, Army came together to douse the fire and it has been controlled: Ashish Singh, District Collector, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh#SatpuraBhawanFire pic.twitter.com/WwgUeTQS8J ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) June 13, 2023 The fire, which affected the third, fourth, fifth and the top sixth floor of the building and the terrace, could be seen from multiple areas of the Bhopal. The affected building is located on a hill in front of the state government secretariat Vallabh Bhawan. According to Chief Ministers Office (CMO), Indian Air Force plane (IAF) AN-52 and MI-15 chopper were to join the dousing operation in the night and pour water using bucket, however, as the dousing operation went on, Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra in the wee hours on Tuesday said there was no need for IAF helicopters. The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need [for IAF helicopters]. Primarily, it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it," Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra said. #WATCH: Satpura Bhawan building fire | The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need (for IAF helicopters). Primarily it has pic.twitter.com/Xe73Gtg85K ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) June 12, 2023 Officials said on Monday evening that the fire destroyed furniture and documents of several departments. Fire tenders and firefighters from the Army, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Airports Authority of India, BHEL, and from Mandideep and Raisen were called in, the Chief Ministers Office had said. #WATCH: Satpura Bhawan building fire | The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need (for IAF helicopters). Primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it: Harinarayan Chari Mishra, Bhopal Police Commissioner Cash-strapped Go First on Tuesday announced the cancellation of its flights till June 16. The Wadia Group-owned airline stopped flying from May 3 and since then it is extending flight cancellations. Due to operational reasons, Go First flights until 16th June 2023 are cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and request customers to visit https://t.co/FdMt1cRjeD for more information. For any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact us. pic.twitter.com/YyOU6NamU9 GO FIRST (@GoFirstairways) June 13, 2023 Meanwhile, lenders of Go First, which is undergoing voluntary insolvency resolution process, have set up the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and a new resolution professional is likely to be appointed early next week, a source said on Friday, PTI reported. Go Firsts plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. With the CoC in place, the process for revival of the grounded airline is likely to gain speed. The source said the deadline for constituting the CoC was June 9. The representatives from all four banks Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, IDBI and Deutsche Bank visited Go First office on Friday and after a meeting, they set up the CoC. They discussed various aspects with Go First executives and the ways to proceed further," the source privy to the development told PTI. According to the source, the new resolution professional is expected to be appointed on June 12, and the lenders have suggested one name each from KPMG and EY. The CoC is now expected to take up the revival plan for Go First and once it is cleared, the same will be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)," the source said. Earlier this month, the airline submitted a revival plan to the DGCA under which it has proposed to resume operations with a fleet of 26 aircraft 22 for active operations and 4 in reserve and 152 daily flights. We are hopeful of getting the DGCA approval as well after the CoC gives its go ahead for the revival plan," the source said. The CoC is a key part of the insolvency resolution process. Further, the source said the airline will require around Rs 400 crore of capital infusion. (With PTI inputs) Hundreds of people are being evacuated from coastal villages in Kutch district in view of cyclone Biparjoy but authorities are facing a challenge as many villagers are reluctant to leave their livestock and belongings behind. The powerful cyclone is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Kutch district on Thursday evening. Districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar are likely to be affected the most, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In Ashirwada village, located 5 km away from the coast in Kutch district, people agreed to move out only after police and revenue officers held meetings to convince them. Government Labour Officer C T Bhatt said the administration wants to avoid casualties in the cyclone. The administration is working to evacuate residents of a 10 km area of the sea," he told PTI on Tuesday. We are shifting people to shelters which can withstand the impact of the cyclone. We are taking care of them by providing them food and other basic things," he said. Village head Adam Ibrahim said they have agreed to move to shelters but nearly half of the residents will stay back in the village with a population of 400. We rear cattle for survival. We cannot leave them behind. Those who have kaccha houses will leave. Women and children will be sent to shelters," he said. Another villager, Kasam Baksh, said they were aware that the administration is helping them. People are being evacuated in buses and private vehicles. At least 78 people have been shifted to Jakhau primary school, which is converted into a shelter, from various villages so far. We were shifted here from Jakhau Port. Our belongings worth lakhs are lying in our shanties. What will happen to them in the cyclone? Will the government give compensation for the damages?" asked Havabai, an evacuee. She claimed the administration is not providing proper food to our children. Residents of Mohadi village, located on the coastline, are also evacuated. We have provided them shelter in a cement company," officer AN Asarwa said. As Cyclone Biparjoy is approaching coast of Gujarat, nearly 37,794 people from coastal areas in the state have been shifted to safe places. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah held a meeting through videoconference on Tuesday to review the preparedness for Cyclone Biparjoy. The meeting was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, two Union ministers, several Gujarat ministers and MPs, MLAs and officials from eight districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. Cyclone Biparjoy, a very severe cyclonic storm", is expected to cross the Gujarat coast on June 15. Shah asked the Gujarat government to make arrangements for moving people living in sensitive places to safer areas and ensure all necessary services, such as electricity, telecommunication, health and drinking water. CM Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday night held a high-level meeting to review the preparation by the administration. Top officials including Senior Secretaries, and Chief Secretary briefed the CM at State Emergency Operation Centre. 115 teams of the Roads and Buildings Department, 597 teams of the Power Department are prepared for possible disaster roadblocks, repairs and restoration against adverse effects of the power supply. In Kutch, more than 40,000 food packets, 2,000 kilograms of milk powder, 45,000 tetra packs of milk have been prepared to be distributed to needy people. An official said several NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby. Simultaneously, Army authorities have jointly planned relief operations with civil administration and National Disaster Response Force. The Army has kept flood relief columns ready at strategic locations. Here are the latest updates on Cyclone Biparjoy: A decision of parents to donate organs of their 3-year-old child who was declared dead gave a new life to four people in Mumbai. The boy from Maharashtras Dombivli was rushed to hospital after a bike fell on him. However, he was declared brain dead on Saturday at Parels Wadia Hospital, Times of India reported. After the parents consent to donate the boys heart, liver and kidneys, organ donations were carried out on Sunday and sent to different hospitals. Kidneys were sent to patients at Global Hospital in Parel and Jaslok Hospital at Pedder Road, the heart to Chennai while the liver was donated to a patient registered at Powers L H Hiranandani Hospital. Officials of the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC), which distributes organs of brain stem deaths between hospitals, said the three-year-old boy was among the youngest donors in Mumbai. Kerala Tops in Organ Donation, Delhi & Maharashtra Next Kerala is the number one state with the maximum number of people pledging to donate organs when they die. According to government data, around 1.30 lakh people have pledged to donate organs in Kerala, whereas, in Delhi, around 58,000 pledges have been registered. Maharashtra stands third with a little over 49,000 pledges. India has one of the lowest organ donation rates per million population. It stands around 0.4 per million population whereas the rate exceeds 40-45 per million population in several countries across the globe, including Spain, US and Croatia, Sunayana Singh, chief executive officer at NGO ORGAN India, told News18.com. Singh said India has not registered donations made by more than 1,000 people every year, but 2023 looks promising. Post-Covid donation has been picked up. This year, we may breach 1,000 donors per year benchmark. The government and the private sector both are working along with NGOs to make it happen. Bihar stands at 5,629 pledges, whereas Chandigarh registered 6,186 pledges and Haryana registered 18,522. The Haryana government on Tuesday agreed to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for sunflower seeds amid protests by farmers in Kurukshetra. This comes after the farmers met state government officials to raise their demands. Haryana government has always stood in support of the farmers. The CM has agreed to increase MSP for sunflower crops, Kurukshetra Divisional Commissioner Shantanu Sharma told reporters. He added the protesting farmers have been assured of an appropriate price for sunflower crops. #WATCH | Haryana government has always stood in support of the farmers. CM has agreed to increase MSP for sunflower crop: Kurukshetra DC Shantanu Sharma pic.twitter.com/LrhulYUyR5 ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 Following the meeting, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters that they were ending their protest. The blocked roads will be opened today. We were protesting so that our crops are purchased at MSP. We will keep fighting for MSP across the country. Our leaders will also be released soon. Cases filed against our leaders will be taken back, Tikait said. #WATCH | We are ending our protest. The blocked roads will be opened today. We were protesting so that our crops are purchased at MSP. We will keep fighting for MSP across the country. Our leaders will also be released soon. Cases filed against our leaders will be taken back: pic.twitter.com/TXfYZGGMwn ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 On June 6, farmers led by BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni blocked the national highway-44, connecting Delhi with Chandigarh, near Shahabad in Kurukshetra demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP. Police used water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Tikait had earlier said they held meetings with the district administration twice on Monday night but the talks did not yield any result. Tikait had said the issue of minimum support price for sunflower crops is not only affecting farmers in Haryana but the entire farmer community as we are demanding an MSP law for all crops, as promised by the Union government when we withdrew the farmers agitation against the now repealed farm laws". Apart from the MSP for sunflower seeds, the protesting farmers are demanding the release of nine farmer union leaders who were arrested during a protest at Shahabad recently. (With PTI inputs) Twitter co-founder Jack Dorseys sensational allegations on threat from the Indian government" led to a massive war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government and the Opposition parties. While Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed the accusations as an outright lie", Congress MP Manish Tewari said that Dorseys claims are not surprising at all" as after 2014, there has been a systematic erosion of the freedom of speech and expression and civil liberties in the country". Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not confined to the central government alone. Certain state governments also have been equally draconian and authoritarian in the manner in which they seek to stifle dissent and try and proscribe alternative voices," he added. In an interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that the Indian government pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new agricultural laws in 2020 and 2021. Rubbishing the claims, the Minister of State for IT tweeted that Dorseys Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law". No one went to jail nor was Twitter shutdown," Chandrasekhar said. Talking to News18, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, Facts are very simple. Twitter, as a company, thought that it was beyond the sovereignty of Indian laws. They were repeatedly in non-compliance and violation of Indian laws from 2020 to 2022. Only in June last year, they started complying to the Indian rule." He further said that during the entire duration that they were in violation of the Indian law, nobody was raided or jailed. Twitter, under Jack Dorseys leadership, misused the platform to silence some people and to amplify some people; to platform and de-platform some people. They were every day violating Articles 14 and 19 of our Indian Constitution, and the rights of Indian citizens. I find it astonishing that a man who presided over such violation of fundamental rights has now suddenly surfaced and is spreading falsehood," the minister said. Union minister Anurag Thakur and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad too said that Dorsey is lying and is trying to politicise the matter. #WATCH | "What was said, is a blatant lie. Jack Dorsey woke up after years of sleep & wants to cover up his misdeeds. When Twitter was bought by another person, it was revealed in 'Twitter Files' how was the platform being misused. Jack Dorsey has not been able to answer this to pic.twitter.com/8EUSrgCNjR ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 VIDEO | "The charges levelled by Jack Dorsey are completely baseless. All social media (platforms) are respected in India but the Constitution and the law of land will have to be followed," says BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on former Twitter CEO's claim of facing government pic.twitter.com/K4xWg2sW1P Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2023 Opposition Reaction on Jack Dorseys Claims Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale, meanwhile, said that BJP government has turned social media in India into their personal propaganda tool". Anything that criticized the government or the BJP is clamped down upon. The central government, as is now revealed, has brazenly violated laws to intimidate social media companies into crushing criticism," he added. In an interview yesterday, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey alleged that the Modi Govt sent unprecedented number of requests to take down accounts of journalists & others who criticized the govt during the farmer protests. He also said that Twitter was threatened that its pic.twitter.com/J0cNgXwC7u Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 13, 2023 Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said, We were informed that the kind of reach on Facebook and Twitter that was expected on farmers protest, was not coming. They used to try to stop it at their level. The head (former CEO of Twitter ) has said this clearly now. But such companies dont come under anyones pressure. The government of India must have made such attemptsWhat he said is correct" TMC quoted Ugandan dictator Idi Amin: There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech". Requests or, in this case, Veiled Threats!Jack Dorsey, in one of his recent interviews, spoke about how Twitter had received requests from the @BJP4India Govt. to block accounts covering farmers' protests and those critical of the government. Non-compliance? How about we shut pic.twitter.com/5MiIFsjIQd All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 13, 2023 Congress leader Srinivas BV uploaded Jacks statement and said Mother of Democracy - Unfiltered". Life Storage plans to cut 116 local jobs, as the Amherst-based company prepares to be acquired by Extra Space Storage. The job cuts would represent about 47% of the self-storage companys local workforce of 248, according to a filing with the state Labor Department on Tuesday. Life Storage said the employee separations will occur from July 20 to Aug. 3. The companys local operations are headquartered at 6467 Main St. Utah-based Extra Storage is in the midst of completing a deal for Life Storage presently valued at $11.5 billion. Shareholders of the two companies are scheduled to vote on the acquisition on July 18. The deal is expected to be completed soon after that, Life Storage said in a regulatory filing. Extra Space Storage indicates some local jobs will remain after Life Storage merger is done While the fate of Life Storage's local administrative operations remains unclear with a merger on the horizon, the company acquiring Life Storage is showing interest in retaining at least some local jobs. Extra Space plans to keep nearly 88% of Life Storages workforce company-wide, and to maintain the Amherst offices, said McKall Morris, an Extra Space spokeswoman. We anticipate having enough employees in Buffalo to keep that office open and functional there. The plan is to keep that as a regional office and have that open. In its annual report, Life Storage said, as of the end of 2022, it had more than 400 employees at its headquarters in support functions including accounting, human resources, customer care and management information systems. The impact on the local workforce has been a lingering question ever since Life Storage announced it was being acquired by Extra Space, due to potential overlap in jobs between the two publicly traded companies. Some of Extra Spaces positions are required to be based at the companys Salt Lake City headquarters, Morris said. And the company is also eliminating some senior-level roles due to duplication. In April, Life Storage shared with employees details of its change in control severance and retention plan in the event there is not a go-forward position for them with Extra Space. And in May, Life Storage employees were notified that Extra Space would reach out to schedule interviews with employees they are interested in for short- or long-term employment opportunities. Life Storage deal is a win for its shareholders Scale is important because the self storage industry is so highly fragmented, dominated by mom-and-pop operators. Life Storage traces its roots to 1982, and was formerly known as Sovran Self Storage. The company went public in 1995 and changed its name to Life Storage in 2016. The deal will create the nations largest self-storage company. Extra Space currently is the second-biggest firm, with an 8.8% market share, while Life Storage is tied for third-biggest, with a 4.4% market share. Rebutting Twitter co-founder Jack Dorseys allegations that the Centre threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during farmers protest, the Indian government has questioned those, from the opposition and otherwise, believing them, given the platforms partisan past. Dorsey made the sensational allegations in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. It manifested in ways such as: We will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us; we will raid the homes of your employees, which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said, talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. Ex-Twitter CEO alleges 'pressure' from Modi govt. However, Modi govt dismisses Jack Dorsey's bombshell claims'Everybody knows his claims are an outright lie, Twitter didn't want to comply with Indian laws,' says MoS @Rajeev_GoI. Listen in#Twitter #JackDorsey | @Neethureghu pic.twitter.com/WA0LgKWFfP News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2023 In a detailed rebuttal, MoS for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Tuesday that Twitter violated Indian laws multiple times between 2020 and 2022 and it was only in June 2022 when they finally complied". This is an outright lie perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitters history. Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of the India law," Chandrasekhar wrote. To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring the compliance of Indian laws. Dorseys Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it, he wrote. This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history Facts and truth@twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law https://t.co/SlzmTcS3Fa Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@Rajeev_GoI) June 13, 2023 QUESTIONS RAISED ON TWITTER Part one of Twitter Files was released on December 2, 2022 in which journalist Matt Taibii, who first gained access to the document, revealed that Democrats would send emails to the microblogging site with links of tweets that were against the interest of the party in the run-up to the 2020 US presidential elections, and Twitter would reply by saying well handle them. The expose also revealed Twitters decision to censor the story around President Joe Bidens son Hunters laptop. The Twitter Files, Part One: How and Why Twitter Blocked the Hunter Biden Laptop Story claimed, in a series of tweets, that the microblogging site took extraordinary steps to suppress the story on Joe Bidens secret emails from Hunters laptop published by the New York Post in October 2020. ALSO READ | Jack Dorseys Claims on India | What Dark Secrets & Blacklists Have Twitter Files Revealed in Past? Twitter removed the links of the story from its platform and warned the users that the content may be unsafe. It even blocked sharing of links via direct messages using a tool hitherto reserved for extreme cases such as child pornography. Taibii revealed that the decision was made at the higher levels of the company, and Dorsey was not involved. He alleged that Twitters former head of legal, policy and trust Vijaya Gadda had a key role in decision making. The second tranche of docuseries, which was unveiled by another independent journalist, Bari Weiss, claimed that Twitter had a secret blacklist, before Elon Musk took over the company, which it uses to censor voice of right-wing commentators. VIDEO | "The charges levelled by Jack Dorsey are completely baseless. All social media (platforms) are respected in India but the Constitution and the law of land will have to be followed," says BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on former Twitter CEO's claim of facing government pic.twitter.com/K4xWg2sW1P Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2023 OPPN ATTACK: PRAISE IGNORED, FLAK MAGNIFIED? The Opposition was quick to attack the government. Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale said that BJP government has turned social media in India into their personal propaganda tool". Anything that criticized the government or the BJP is clamped down. The central government, as is now revealed, has brazenly violated laws to intimidate social media companies into crushing criticism," he added. Congress leader Srinivas BV uploaded Jacks statement and said Mother of Democracy - Unfiltered". Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena-UBT Priyanka Chaturvedi replying to Chandrasekhars tweet, said the law Twitter broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda". Twitter under Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of Indian law. Say MoS IT. Lol! Yeah the law they broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda. But there was no crackdown or compliance issues since it supported their agenda. The minute people and opposition started to fight back using the platform, the government started to crackdown! So please, spare this little sermon," Chaturvedi tweeted. Twitter under Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law.Say MoS IT. Lol! Yeah the law they broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda. But there was no crackdown or compliance issues since it supported their agenda. The minute people and Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 13, 2023 Many, however, feel it is a case of selective highlighting. Their rationale there have been several instances of foreign institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), etc. praising various efforts of the government. But the opposition parties never took note of these. However, when any foreign individual, or a random rating agency attacks the country, the opposition uses it in its arsenal to hype up the charges. WHY ONE YEAR LATER? Those in support of the government also find the timing of the revelation questionable. The claims come just after the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhis visit to USA, raising doubts if the deep state connections" have been activated. It is also aimed to impact the prospects of the PMs upcoming historic tour to USA, even though the issues are over a year old. The partially boiled or roasted body parts of Mira Road resident Saraswati Vaidya has made it difficult for the forensic experts to ascertain if she was killed or died by suicide. Vadiyas live-in partner, 56-year-old Manoj Sane is suspected to have murdered her on June 4 in their rented apartment in Geeta Akashdeep building. He then chopped the body using a chainsaw into several pieces before pressure cooking and roasting some of them in their kitchen to easily dispose of the body without any stench. However, Sane has claimed that Vaidya had committed suicide and he decided to cut the body and discard it to avoid being framed for murder". According to a report in Times of India, more than ascertaining it the case if or murder or suicide, it is even difficult to find out of Vaidya took the poison of her own accord or was forced to do so. The report stated that there is a slim" chance that the Forensic Science Laboratory, Kalina, would be able to trace poison in some fat tissues or bones that JJ Hospitals forensic doctors gathered during the autopsy completed on Monday. TOI further stated that the worry for the police is that Vaidyas live-in partner may get away with only two to five years of imprisonment for destroying evidence. They quoted former IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y P Singh: If the investigation agency fails to prove murder, the accused can be booked under the IPC section 201 (disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 306 (abetment to suicide)." ALSO READ | Mira Road Murder Accused Roamed in Mask But Didnt Hunt for Dead Rat. Then He Was Trapped Sane was on Monday taken to his rented Mira Road flat number 704, where he had allegedly murdered Vaidya. Her body parts were, meanwhile, handed over to her family members by the state-run JJ hospital. Soon after, the sisters performed the last rites at the Reay Road crematorium. The DNA samples of the deceased and her three elder sisters have also been sent to the forensic laboratories in Kalina. Whats the Next Options? The TOI report quoted forensic physiologist Dr Deepti Puranik as saying, Psychological evaluation is critical in criminal investigations as it evaluates the behavioural characteristics of the accused. There are various techniques such as psychological profiling, polygraph, brain electrical oscillation signature profiling, and narcoanalysis, that can help." Puranik has examined famous cases such as Aarushi murder, Telgi, Malegaon blast, among others. The report also quoted Rukamani Krishnamurthy, former Forensic Science Laboratory Division (FSL) director and chairperson and CEO of Helik Advisory as saying: Scientific reconstruction in the Mira Road murder case will help police get a lead and know the motive behind the murder. Forensic tests will help police corroborate evidence." Was Saraswati Vaidya Manoj Sanes Wife or Sworn Sister? Initially, Sane was reported to have told police that he had never had physical relationship with Vaidya as he treated her like his daughter and taught her math. However, it was later revealed that they had indeed got married, and the 32-year-old victim referred to Sane as her uncle due to their age difference". Vaidyas sisters had also approached the police on Friday and said Sane had married the deceased in a temple. The two met at a ration shop in Borivali where Sane worked. ALSO READ | Mira Road Murder: Accused Taught Math to Daughter-like Victim But She Was Possessive The sisters alleged that Sane had forced Vaidya into a relationship by promising her a good life". The TOI report stated that he, however, did not allow her to work after they got married. The police have not revealed the motive behind the murder, but they are yet to rule out domestic violence as portions of the victims hand had injury marks. Sane too accepted that they had violent arguments over domestic issues. Vaidyas Body Parts Dumped in Nullah According to TOI, Sane is suspected to have carried some of the body parts in a black plastic bag and dumped it in the nullah. A plastic bag smelling of flesh was seized from the flat when the murder came to light. On Sunday, a police team visited a nearby nullah running parallel to the railway tracks to ascertain if any body parts were dumped there, the report stated. Police said that most of the body parts were recovered from the flat. The report stated that the CCTV footage obtained from the building on Friday revealed Sanes suspicious movement, especially during the night hours. Vaidyas Sister Sees Her Long Hair Cut & Kept on Kitchen Slab A police officer said that the Vaidya sisters are enraged" and want strictest punishment for the accused. An officer said that one of the sisters got emotional when she saw the photo of the deceaseds long hair that were cut and kept on kitchen slab by Sane". She said that Saraswati used to love her long hair. At least 12 cases related to communal tensions have been registered across six districts of Maharashtra including Kolhapur and Ahmednagar over the last three days, a police official said on Tuesday. A 29-year-old man from Kolhapur, who allegedly used Tipu Sultan's image with the caption 'Bharat Ka Raja' on social media, has been arrested on the charge of causing enmity between two communities, he said. Kolhapur and Ahmednagar districts witnessed violence last week over social media posts about 18th century Mysuru state ruler Tipu Sultan and 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. "We have registered offences against six persons over the last two days in Kolhapur, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts and arrested one of them from Kolhapur," the official said. One of the six men included a 22-year-old from Parner in Ahmednagar district. A case was registered against him over a social media post. Cases were registered against four others hailing from Uttar Pradesh for causing enmity between two groups at Malegaon in Nashik district. The four had come for a career guidance programme for college students at Malegaon, and allegedly started comparing religions during the program, the police official said. They were booked under section 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, he said, adding that no arrests were made in this case. In Kolhapur, where Internet services remained suspended for 31 hours last week, police has registered four cases and arrested 41 persons. In Ahmednagar, cases were registered against four persons after they were found carrying Aurangzeb's poster during a procession in Fakirwada area of Sangamner. Two days later, an incident of stone pelting was reported during the rally organised by a Hindu outfit. A 17-year-old boy, resident of Kasbe Digras village in Sangli district, allegedly used an image of Afzal Khan, an adversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as his display picture on WhatsApp with the caption 'Baap to baap hota hain' which led to tensions in the area on Monday. A case was registered against him under IPC section 298 (uttering words to deliberately wound religious feelings), the official said, adding that no arrest was made. Subsequently, a group of unidentified persons pelted stones at a mosque in the village. An FIR was registered against more than ten persons under relevant sections of the IPC including rioting, he said. A group of unidentified persons allegedly threw red colour on a religious place of the Muslim community at Pusegaon in Satara district on Monday morning. A case under IPC section 295 (A) (hurting religious sentiments) was registered against them, the official said. A group of more than 40 persons attacked the residence of a Muslim man who had allegedly circulated Tipu Sultan's photo on social media on Monday morning in Wathar police station limits in Satara district on Monday. During the attack, the mob thrashed up Akhil Maqsood Patel, his father and mother, the official said. A case of assault and rioting was registered in this regard, he said. A pirsthan' (shrine) of the Muslim community was vandalised by unidentified persons near Sajjangad in Satara tehsil. The incident came to light on Monday and a case was registered, the official said. A case was also registered on Monday for an objectionable post on Facebook at Tumsar in Bhandara district, he said. After almost 20 years, Harshad Solanki and Mafat Gohil, who were accused in the Vadodara Best bakery case, were acquitted by sessions court in Mumbai on Tuesday. In the aftermath of Godhra riots of 2002, violence had erupted at various locations across Gujarat. One such instance was of Best Bakery in Vadodara, where 14 people were killed, of which 12 belonged to a Muslim family running the bakery. On March 3, 2022, around 1,000 people attacked Best Bakery at Hanuman Tekri, looted bakery items, pelted crude petrol bombs and set the shop on fire. The attackers drew the family of the bakery owner, Habibulla Shaikh, and employees out on the promise of letting them off with minor beatings, but killed them, including women and children. In this case, 21 people were charged with murder. All were acquitted by the local court at Gujarat in this case. This was after most of the witnesses, including the main witness and complainant Zahira Shaikh, turned hostile. It was Zahiras family which was killed in the incident. Zahira and several others said they had been pressured. In order to ensure fair trail, Supreme Court transferred this case to Maharashtra, on Zahiras plea. It was the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that filed a petition before the Supreme Court, wherein order for retrial in several riot cases, including the Best Bakery was pronounced. When the trial began in Mumbai court, nine people were held guilty on several charges including murder and were sent to life imprisonment. In 2012, the Bombay High Court acquitted five of the nine accused, while confirming punishment given to four of them. However, when other accused were facing trial in communal riots case, two accused Harshad Solanki and Mafat Gohil were absconding. A separate trial was started for them. They were brought before the sessions court in 2013, and the trial against them began in 2019. Both of them have been behind bars since 2010 and 2013, respectively, in Ajmer blast case as well. However, on Tuesday, special judge M Deshpande said that in the previous trial, eyewitnesses specified the roles played by some of the accused based on which they were convicted. In this case, no specific roles were attributed to the two of them. What is the development on Godhra case and other cases related to it Supreme Court in April this year granted bail to eight accused in the train burning case while hearing the bail plea of 31 Godhra riot convicts. A trial court had earlier sentenced 11 convicts to death penalty while 20 of them were sentenced to life imprisonment. The Gujarat High Court had upheld their conviction but reduced the death sentence in the case. Ahmedabad court had earlier acquitted 68 accused in this case, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Maya Kodnani, former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Vishwa Hindu Parishads (VHP) Jaydeep Patel in the Naroda Gam case, wherein 11 people were killed. Naroda Gam was among nine post-Godhra cases for which the Supreme Court constituted an SIT and ordered the setting up of special courts for speedy prosecution. The Mumbai traffic police on Tuesday said it will observe No Honking Day on Wednesday (June 14) and urged Mumbaikars to participate in the drive against unnecessary honking that causes noise pollution and has an adverse impact on ones health. It also said those found honking unnecessarily will face action under the Motor Vehicle Act and Environment Protection Act. Issuing a notice on Twitter, Mumbai traffic police said, Motorists are advised to ensure that horns of their vehicles are as per guidelines in Rule No. 119 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989Traffic Control Branch, Mumbai urges all the drivers and riders in Mumbai city, except ambulances, fire brigades and other vehicles on emergency duties, not to honk the horns of their vehicle on 14 June 2023 and other days as well." This bustling city does not need another reason for noise! 14 June 2023 will be observed as #NoHonkingDay throughout the city. Motorists are advised to ensure that horns of their vehicles are as per guidelines in Rule No. 119 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989. pic.twitter.com/yf2F4eYobL Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) June 13, 2023 WELCOME TO THE HONKING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD In 2020, Mumbai Police had shared a nearly two-minute video on Twitter asking people not to horn unnecesarily. The video begins with, Mumbai. Welcome to the honking capital of the world. Here people honk even when the signal is red. May be they think by honking, they can make the signal turn green faster?" It went on to say, We, the Mumbai Police were itching to do something about this." The short clip shows the police installing the decibel meters in few locations including CSMT, Bandra, Peddar Road, Hindmata and the following day the signals automatically restored at 90 seconds as the meter reached 85 dB. Commuters looked shocked when a message was displayed on a post, Honk more, Wait More." The clip ends with two police personnel sharing a Hi-5 giving out a short message, Feel free to honk, if you dont mind waiting." In another Tweet, the police had urged not to honk so often or you will become deaf one day. The message further advises to take care of the old, young and the sick as the noise is definitely not well for their health. (with inputs from PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading a yoga session at the United Nations' Secretariat on June 21 to mark the International Yoga Day, UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp said on Tuesday. Interacting with PTI on the sidelines of a seminar held here to mark 75 years of the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping, he also said since 2015, "the world has truly embraced International Yoga Day". Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by a resolution. The day aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. "Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi will be leading a yoga session at the United Nations, at the Secretariat, on June 21," Sharp said. The Secretariat carries out the substantive and administrative work of the United Nations as directed by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the other organs. "Everyone understood and 175 member states signed it very quickly. It is one of those popular international days, and really embodies so many things. It is about mindfulness, mental health," he said. He said yoga helped people in difficult times like the Covid-19 pandemic. Yoga is about staying fit and staying comfy, and International Yoga Day has "struck a resonance with the international community", Sharp said. And, having PM Modi at the UN will be "special", he added. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states, says the UN website. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said, "Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and actionA holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature". Earlier, Sharp read out a message from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the seminar. After reading out the message, he thanked India for its contribution to UN Peacekeeping over the decades. "Bharat ka dil se bahut dhanyawad (many thanks to India from the bottom of the heart)," Sharp said. India is one of the largest contributors of troops in UN Peacekeeping. It has contributed approximately 2.75 lakh troops to peacekeeping missions so far, with around 5,900 troops currently deployed in 12 UN missions, according to the defence ministry statement. Later, Sharp also interacted with media and also took a few questions. In his address, during the seminar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pitched for expanding the United Nations Security Council with India as a permanent member, and said the time has come for making UN bodies "more democratic and representative of the current realities of our age". When asked for his response to these remarks, the UN diplomat said, "The UN, when it comes to the Secretary-General, the staff of the UN, recognise that all multi-level organisations need to adapt and change to be relevant, and certainly the UN is no exception". Everybody recognises that there "needs to be reform and change to be relevant to today's world", Sharp said, adding "it is up to the member states, however, to determine the pace and nature of these reforms and change". "Anybody, even disinterested bystanders could not argue that India does not have an incredibly strong resume to be a member of the Security Council," he said. As the yearly Amarnath Yatra is all set to begin, the Jammu and Kashmir government is bracing to host tourists and devotees and is working on increasing the accommodation facilities as a huge footfall of pilgrims is expected. The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said that around 75,000 pilgrims can be accommodated at different locations this year with better facilities as compared to previous years. Camps have been increased and around 7 thousand additional Yatris can stay in them," Divisional Commissioner said. We are moving ahead with better facilities. Feedback which was taken last year was very good and 95 to 97 per cent were happy," he added. However, the security of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims remains a big concern every year for the government as they become prime targets for terrorists. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed security arrangements while directing officials to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra. In 2017, eight Hindu pilgrims were killed in a terror attack. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri also said that security will be further reviewed and the plan is in place for convoy movement and placing ROP (road opening party). He said that around 8 to 9 lakh pilgrims are expected in the 62 days long Yatra this year. We are doing arrangements according to these numbers but we are prepared for a much higher number too," Vijay said. To limit the environmental impact in the Himalayan mountains from where the Yatra takes passes, waste management will be ensured. Sanitation arrangement will be better. There will be zero waste management, so the impact on the environment will be limited. In major camps we have built a waste disposal system through which recyclable waste will be recycled and wet waste will be processed," Bidhuri said. There will also be more CCTV cameras to cover the entire track. The government through these CCTV cameras monitors the movement of pilgrims for safety. There were some issues reported with the RFID cards which the government now says have been rectified. These RFID cards were introduced a few years back and will continue to ensure the tracking of pilgrims and their access. News18 had earlier reported that the government had approved the utilization of 400 satellite phones while the work on a 100-bedded DRDO hospital at Baltal is also underway. For the first time, the yatras track to the cave shrine has been handed over to the BRO. The organization has set a June 15 deadline to complete the restoration work, well before the yatra starts on July 1. It took less than 48 hours for a low pressure system in the Arabian Sea to intensify into a large swirling storm. Within 12 hours, Biparjoy rapidly turned into a severe cyclone that continues to intensify six days after its genesis. With powerful winds gusting up to 190kmph raging in the Arabian Sea, the cyclone is now charging towards the Indian coast to hit Saurashtra-Kutch on Thursday. The winds would drop to 150kmph by the time it hits the coast, but that wont deter the gusty storm from damaging most vulnerable structures that lie in its path. It would bring along very heavy rains for Gujarats coastal districts as it barrels its way into the mainland, preceding with storm surges of about 2-3 metres high. The low-lying areas would get inundated, crops damaged, houses destroyed and communication and power services impacted. The very severe Cyclone Biparjoy is not the fiercest storm that the Arabian Sea has churned in recent years. In fact, the sea has produced two super cyclones in the last two decades Gonu in 2007 and Kyarr in 2019. But Biparjoy has caught everyones attention with how quietly it has maintained its severe intensity for almost a week now. The cyclone has been moving slowly and drawing its energy from the warm sea. The conditions are quite favourable. It was time for the monsoon onset, and there was high humidity, and it continued to get stronger, says Dr M Mohapatra, chief of IMD, whose team has been tracking the cyclone round the clock. UNUSUALLY WARM ARABIAN SEA Scientists monitoring the north Indian Ocean highlight how the Arabian Sea is unusually warm. The sea-surface temperatures have consistently risen since January, and hovered between 30-31 over central and south Arabian Sea. The sea has warmed by more than a degree over the last three months. The high heat potential is fuelling these storms, and it is definitely not as normal as one would expect. We are living in a warmer world, and we cannot rule out its impact, says Professor Raghu Murtugudde from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay. Scientists agree that it is not very common for cyclones forming in the Arabian Sea to maintain such intensity for so long. It remained a severe cyclone for so many days now. Even though its intensity will reduce slightly by the time it makes landfall, it will still have the potential to carry widespread damage, says senior scientist Dr M Rajeevan, who formerly helmed the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Normally, Arabian Sea sees 1.7 cyclonic disturbances (depressions/deep depressions) every year, out of which, usually one develops into a cyclonic storm. But over the last few years, we have seen multiple storms forming along the west coast, with some of them intensifying into severe ones. In 2019, the Arabian Sea recorded its most intense cyclone season ever, with maximum cyclonic disturbances, and even twin cyclones forming at one point in time. Some recent studies led by scientists also show how the rising temperatures associated with global warming is also impacting the systems like Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), which are linked to formation of tropical cyclones. Warm temperatures not only increase their intensity, but their lifespan. Each cyclone is different from the other, and they are presenting newer forecasting challenges before the meteorologists every year. With a vast coastline of over 7,500 km, it is dire for the country to be prepared for such intense cyclonic storms. The intensity of cyclones has undoubtedly gone up over the years. The west coast has seen intense cyclones in the past, but now it has become a yearly affair. Their severity is increasing, and some of them are rapidly intensifying, says SC Shenoi, director of Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services. WIDESPREAD DAMAGE EXPECTED Just 290 km from Porbandar in Gujarat on Tuesday morning, the storm has continued to move nearly northwards. After Wednesday morning, it is expected to veer towards the Indian coast and cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. The dominance of two active anti-cyclonic circulations have led Biparjoy to change its path. But by the time it reaches near the coast, its intensity will reduce from extremely severe to very severe due to slightly lower temperature of the north Arabian Sea, and less humidity. High waves have already begun to lash the coast of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, and they may go up to 5-9 metres for Porbandar. The weather department has already sounded an orange alert for Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coast and advised evacuation from coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts. In the second such case in less than six months, two other Air India pilots were grounded by the airline after they invited a female friend inside the cockpit of the flight. The incident took place in a Delhi-Leh flight-bound flight last week and came to light only after a complaint was filed by the cabin crew regarding the entry of an unauthorised female passenger in the cockpit of the AI-445 aircraft. A female friend of AI-445 pilot entered the cockpit without following rules, both pilots have been grounded/off-roster by Air India," a top Air India official told news agency ANI. Air India, which has been getting into trouble for repeated cases of flying rules violations in the past few months, has not yet commented on the incident. The airlines management has reportedly acted against the pilot and the co-pilot and already formed a committee to probe the incident. Responding to the incident, the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told ANI, DGCA is aware of the issue and necessary action is being taken in the matter by the procedures." Notably, the Leh route is one of the most sensitive air routes in India and thus, the entry of an unauthorised person inside the cockpit is a major lapse in terms of safety and security. It also amounts to a violation of the law However, this is not the first such case where a friend of the pilot was given entry inside the cockpit. Earlier in May, the DGCA suspended the license of an Air India Pilot for allowing a female friend into the cockpit during a Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27 for three months. The airline was also fined Rs 30 lakh for lapses in effectively addressing the safety-sensitive issue" related to the incident. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were clamped in Uttarakhands Roorkee after a clash between locals and police at Belra village on Monday evening that resulted in nearly half a dozen cops being injured, reports said. The clash reportedly broke out over investigation into an alleged murder of a person there. District administration authorities issued prohibitory orders under CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) Section 144 and deployed security forces in the entire village area to bring the situation under control. Some people allegedly pelted stones at the police teams, leaving nearly half a dozen personnel injured. A few vehicles were also allegedly set on fire, forcing police to use force and use tear gas to disperse the mob. More than 24 people have been arrested so far," police said. #WATCH | Uttarakhand: Section 144 imposed after a clash broke out between police and villagers in Belra village of RoorkeeOne person had died and they (villagers) are alleging that the person was murdered but nothing was found in the investigation. Some miscreants pelted stones pic.twitter.com/yGoQdbrfm0 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 12, 2023 According to officials, the villagers were not satisfied with the investigation done in the death of a person and alleged that the person was murdered but nothing as such has been found in the probe. SSP Haridwar Ajay Singh told news agency ANI, One person had died and they [villagers] are alleging that the person was murdered but nothing was found in the investigation." Some miscreants pelted stones at the police today. More than 24 people have been arrested. It seems (attack on police) was done under a conspiracy," Singh said, adding that an investigation is being done. Singh said the situation was under control, and added that police are further looking into the matter. Azerbaijan oil-condensate production amounted to 12.7 million tons, Azernews reports, citing a tweet by the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry Parviz Shahbazov. Besides, the minister noted that Azerbaijan exported 10.6 million tons of oil-condensate. During this period, 10.3 bcm out of the 20.2 bcm gas produced with an increase of 3 % was exported. In addition, the minister tweeted that gas export increased by 9.6% in January-May. Some, 4.8 bcm of gas was exported to Europe, 4.3 bcm to Turkiye, and 1.2 bcm to Georgia. During this period, TANAP supplied Turkiye with 2.4 bcm of gas. A new era for the Buffalo AKG Art Museum was launched Monday, as politicians, museum leaders and invited guests celebrated the formal opening of a museum that last welcomed visitors 1,316 days ago. Under a tent to keep about 350 people dry from persistent rain, speakers spent more than two hours lauding the new three-story glass-and-marble edifice, named for Jeffrey E. Gundlach and designed by OMAs Shohei Shigematsu, as well as the gloriously restored 1905 building and the reimagined 1962 building. They also praised past and present board members, including Chair Alice Jacobs, Buffalo AKG Director Janne Siren and museum staff, as well as financial contributors and those who handled construction. I am speechless at the breadth of beauty that surrounds this place, far beyond my expectations when I was first shown plans by a very enthusiastic leader of this institution, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said, referring to Siren. Gundlach, who lives in Southern California, was front and center for the opening ceremony. The Amherst native provided matching grants that triggered the fundraising effort for the ambitious $195 million expansion, restoration and renovation project, and an additional $35 million raised for an operational endowment. He ultimately donated $65 million, fully one-third of the construction cost in what became the largest philanthropic gift in the history of Western New York. The state, first under Gov. Andrew Cuomo and more recently under Hochul, provided $46.6 million, combining with Gundlach to shoulder 57% of that cost. This is personal, this is my home, so thank you, Hochul, who also is from the region, told Gundlach. It was one of many times that he was praised for making the Buffalo AKG possible. People ask me, Why did you do this? Gundlach said, leading into a story about how he was able to buy a valuable piece of art he long coveted. So what was I supposed to do next? I could go out and buy another high-value piece of burlap with grease on it, which is essentially what oil paintings are, which no one will see in my lifetime, or do something like this and change the outcome for Buffalo and the world. It all just makes things a little better. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes spoke of the hardships the project endured, including the pandemic and supply chain and labor shortages. This is an absolutely impressive end to a long journey, Peoples-Stokes said. Shigematsu said the design for the Gundlach Building, with its transparency and diversity of space, represented the time we are in now. Gathering and exchanging ideas is the museums mission, not just looking at art, Shigematsu said. I think you are the first city and this is the first building to directly address that. The museum can now show about three times more art from its vaunted collection of modern and contemporary art than ever, roughly 430 works. That compares with about 140 before, according to Siren. Its 50,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space now rivals that of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The Buffalo AKG has also made the Seymour H. Knox Building, the 1962 addition designed by Gordon Bunshaft, free to everyone in an effort to reach a more diverse audience. Visitors can sit under the kaleidoscopic Common Sky canopy in the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Town Square with friends, or alone with a laptop, with something to eat or drink from the Cornelia cafe. They can look at the M&T Gallery Room, a 2,000-square-foot exhibition space, or watch their children play in the LEGO Foundation-sponsored Creative Commons. I woke up this morning and thought that Ralph Wilson is going to be connected to the AKG art gallery forever, said Mary Wilson, widow of the late Buffalo Bills owner, who died in March 2014. He would love the community coming together. Museums across the country are trying to get the community more involved, and this certainly does that. Relatives of the Knox and Albright families also were on hand for the landmark occasion. This has been a really, really great day, said Seymour Knox IV, who attended with his mother, Jean Knox. Im thrilled, excited and proud, said Heather Sweeney, the great-granddaughter of John J. Albright. She traveled from Ottawa with her daughter Devon. Amy Houston, one of the first people to enter the new Gundlach Building after the ceremony was over, was enthralled by what she saw. Its spectacular, its intimate and its inviting, said Houston, of Buffalo. It really is beautiful. Painter LeRoi Johnson of Buffalo was also ecstatic about the new building. This really puts a stamp on Buffalo as being an important place in the world today, Johnson said. This is a statement for today that we can be proud of. This is comparable to what the Bills represent to Buffalo. After the speeches ended, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wandered alone through the extensive Clyfford Still exhibition, where all 33 of the Abstract Expressionists work is on view. He said it was a great day for Buffalo and Western New York. The Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum is truly the most valuable asset we have, Poloncarz said. This is a world-class museum that is now able to be shown to the public in its glory. The gallery will open free to the general public Thursday to Sunday, after an appreciation day for museum members and educators on Tuesday. To get digital tickets, go to the museum website, buffaloakg.org. Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma are the new IT couple in town. Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma have officially confirmed their romantic relationship, which started during the filming of Lust Stories 2. Addressing the dating rumors surrounding them, Tamannaah emphasized that being attracted to a co-star solely because of their profession is unlikely. She mentioned having worked with numerous co-stars and believes that developing feelings for someone is a personal matter unrelated to their profession. Essentially, she stated that ones reasons for developing feelings for someone cannot be solely attributed to their career. Heres how their relationship blossomed: Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma created a buzz when a video of them celebrating the New Year at a private party in Goa went viral. In the video, the couple was captured engaging in intimate moments, including what appeared to be kissing and cuddling, which garnered significant attention and made headlines. Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma first crossed paths on the sets of Lust Stories 2, a follow-up to the Netflix anthology film Lust Stories released in 2018. In this sequel, their segment will be directed by Sujoy Ghosh. According to reports, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma quickly developed a strong connection while filming their segment for Lust Stories 2 at Mehboob Studios in Bandra. After celebrating the New Year in Goa, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma were seen returning to Mumbai late Tuesday night. Although they arrived in the city together, they chose to leave the airport separately. Following the viral video of Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma celebrating the New Year, internet users took to digging out photos of Varma from Bhatias birthday party in December. In a previous instance during December, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma were sighted attending Dilijit Dosanjhs concert together. The emerging couple in the Bollywood industry has garnered immense support from their fans, who are actively cheering for them. Many fans expressed their delight for the couple, with one remarking, Theyre quite open about it. Looks like they dont intend to keep their relationship a secret." Another fan shared, Im currently invested in this love story. Wishing you all the best, Tamannaah!" Some fans even referred to Vijay Varma as lucky" to be in a relationship with Tamannaah. A new airport is being built near Navi Mumbai to relieve some of the burden on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The good news is that Navi Mumbai International Airport will be operational in 2024. According to reports, the Navi Mumbai airport will be able to handle 90 million people by 2032. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis inspected the site last week. Fadnavis tweeted that they did an aerial inspection of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and reviewed the work at the terminal and runway. In 2017, we started the work of Navi Mumbai Airport. It is expected to become operational in 2024. On this occasion we performed online Bhumi Puja of Bhoomi Putra Bhavan. We are focusing on investments, reforms, technology and infrastructure to accelerate Maharashtras economy. We have adopted the mantra of Infra Led Development to achieve rapid development. I have no doubt that Navi Mumbai International Airport will be a milestone in that regard and this airport will usher in the development of a new Third Mumbai after Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis wrote in a post. What We Know About Navi Mumbai International Airport: WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2023: World Blood Donor Day is an annual event celebrated on June 14 to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The day was first officially designated by the World Health Assembly in 2005, and it has been celebrated annually ever since. The theme for this years celebration is Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often. WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2023: HISTORY The date of June 14 was chosen in recognition of the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian-American physician and immunologist who is credited with discovering the ABO blood group system in 1900. Landsteiners discovery was a major breakthrough in blood transfusion medicine, and it made it possible to safely transfuse blood between people with different blood types. WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2023: SIGNIFICANCE World Blood Donor Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products. Every year, millions of people around the world need blood transfusions to save their lives or to improve their health. However, there is a global shortage of blood, and many people do not have access to the blood they need. World Blood Donor Day also provides an opportunity to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. Voluntary blood donors are the backbone of the blood supply, and their donations make it possible to save millions of lives every year. WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2023: KEY FACTS Nawazuddin Siddiquis estranged wife Aaliya Siddiqui has given love another chance. She recently introduced her new-found beau and made her relationship official on social media. While she has not revealed the mystery mans name yet, Aaliya shared that he is someone who has given her immense emotional support. She also revealed that he didnt really know that Nawaz is an actor. In an interview with ETimes, she shared, I would still like to hold back his name. I uploaded a picture with him. He is someone whom I said earlier, has given me immense emotional support. Aaliya revealed that she met him at a friends party. He was frequently looking at me. I could sense that he was liking me. But even I quite liked him there itself. He was sitting very quietly in a corner and speaking very gracefully with every guest. And, I quite liked his face; he has good features." When asked, did they speak at the party, she shared, No, not at the party. It happened much after that. She further added, Well, he asked for my number from my friend. She gave it to him and then called me to ask if it was okay. I said No problem. After some time, I got a call from him. Aaliya also added, he said he loves my eyes and he was attracted to me. So far, after my issues with Nawaz, many men had proposed a relationship and/or marriage. But I could never feel with them what I felt with this person. I dont know how but I could make out that he is not trying to take advantage of me. She also shared that his call came a year ago. And that they kept talking on the phone. And then, I was in Mumbai for a few months. The phone conversations continued and we decided that we should meet when I reach Dubai back. She added, that it was he who asked her out and they have been dating since then. We go to cafes and chat, we sit at restaurants and eat together. He stays alone in Dubai and he is very focused on his work. Thats another quality that I admire in him. He is settled in Dubai, and has his visa for 3 year. When asked if theres marriage on the cards. She shared, No. We have decided that this relationship is not with a tag. But we are clear that we want to stay with each other for the longest time possible. Bahut sukoon mil raha hai. Bahut acha lag raha hai. I have someone in my life who is very concerned about me and cares for me a lot. On a closing note, Aaliya revealed that her boyfriend is planning a trip to Mumbai for a few days. It may happen soon. In 2022, rumour mills were abuzz about the breakup between actors Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff, who were dating for quite some time. While both actors remained silent about the speculations, reports suggested that Tiger had moved on with Akanksha Sharma, with whom he has collaborated on two music videos. These include Casanova and I am a Disco Dancer 2.0. In fact, when Jackie Shroff was asked about Tiger and Dishas breakup rumours, he called them thick buddies and said, They (Tiger and Disha) have always been friends and are still friends. I have seen them go out together. Not that I keep track of my sons love life. Thats the last thing I want to do, like infringe on their privacy. But I feel that they are thick buddies. They spend time with each other besides work. Looks like its true, after all. On Dishas birthday today, Tiger took to his Instagram stories to share a picture of them against the background of a crowd cheering for them. He wrote, Only the best times ahead. Keep spreading your wings and love and laughter always. Happy birthday." He also tagged her and dropped a red heart emoji, while the song O Saathi played in the backdrop. Meanwhile, Disha dropped a series of pictures on her Instagram and wrote a note on her birthday. One of the pictures features Tiger Shroffs sister, Krishna Shroff, who is a close friend of Dishas. In the caption, Disha wrote, So grateful for this year thank you so much for all your wishes. i really hope this year fills everyones heart with love. i am blessed to have the most beautiful souls in my life looking forward to more sunsets, happy memories with my loved ones and finding myself." Disha will be next seen opposite Suriya in Kanguva, directed by Siruthai Siva. The film is rumoured to be a big-budget period warrior epic, with Disha in a power-packed role as the female lead. A graduate from an affluent Gujarati family was in love with an illiterate young man from a different religion, who spent his time living off his parents money and abusing them. The girl was very depressed and wanted to die. She loved the man in spite of all the trashing she received from him. As a psychologist explored her in detail and looked beyond the obvious, the stories of child sexual abuse emerged. The wounds were deep and she believed that her body was ugly, dirty and cheap. She fell for this guy who simply exploited her and also took her to religious places of his faith. The demons inside her brain played games and she was a victim of a false judgement. The man moved the court to meet her in the hospital where she was admitted for treatment but was denied permission. The woman, today, is married and settled with a child. If she could have shared her story of abuse with her parents and gotten help, her definition of love would have been so different. A deeper understanding of such individuals helps unravel the mysteries of minds that are slain with wounds, hidden in the deepest crevices of the brain and the being. The Kerala Story explores the confessions of the victims who were groomed for an agenda, in a linear fashion alone, without delving into the fathomless trauma pits of the characters in childhood, if any. It is a film made on terrorism, and that rekindled my memories of true stories that echo the narratives in the movie, not completely, but to a small extent. To me, the movie is not about religion but the indoctrination of people from both the Muslim and the Hindu communities, with a religious tool that was twisted to suit the clandestine operators. Remember, both Hindus and Muslims died in the well-oiled and hugely financed endeavour of war. Since time immemorial, ideology, religion and other narratives have been used to perpetuate violence, control and hegemony. The British and the Mughal invaders practised that in India, Mao in China and Stalin in USSR. The Aboriginals faced torture in Australia and the Red Indians in the USA. Both the latter groups were converted to a new faith. An evangelical preacher from the West was killed by the tribals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where he went to preach a different doctrine. History is replete with a million similar examples. I can never forget the tears in the eyes of a 55-year-old lady who had to throw the idols of all her Gods into the sea as an evangelical group her husband believed, told her to do so. Such associations are mushrooming across the country and they steal the flock from many other faiths through the tools of supposed group healing practices. A rich Punjabi man had made heavy losses in his business and found solace accidentally in this congregation. His daughter, who wanted to go abroad and was finding it difficult, suddenly got admission to a prestigious college in the US, thanks to the efforts of the group members. Why do you pray to many gods, focus on one and My God is more powerful than yours are the USP propaganda statements of such groups, who preach hate against other religions and the susceptible succumb. God is the finest imagination of man and manufactured religions are its bullock carts, taxis, aeroplanes and trains. The desire to understand the cosmic truths, the finite journey of the human body and the million different mysteries in the universe, gives religion its credence, legitimacy and respectability. The revered individuals around whom faith thrives are the manifestations of the perceived truth but the organisations created across them mimic transnational corporations with all their attributes of innovation, politics, power and an ideology that needs to be sold at any cost. One of the tallest institutions in the country had asked me to examine a young engineer, the daughter of a high-ranking professional years ago, who ran away with an unemployed driver from a different religion living in a slum, bereft of any civic amenities. In fact, his mother begged for her daily living. The girl did extremely well in her engineering course and towards the 8th semester, she experienced severe sadness, crying spells, and felt hopeless, useless and a burden to the family. In this state of mind, the girl started talking to a man who used to hang around the college gate. Her friends warned her but she did not listen. Her parents vigorously were looking for a cause for her illness and did not seek treatment. Here one forgets that fracture of the mind or depression may not always have a trigger or a tangible reason but families wrongly believe in the root cause theory for any disease. In this state of mind, she ran away without a thought and got married to the man. She did not come to see her parents till the father complained to senior government officials. He got her custody for some time. The girl was treated for depression with medications and counselling. She realised her folly and applied for a divorce but then the parents made a very big mistake. Finding her better and amenable to reason, they stopped the treatment. In the meanwhile, the mans sister kept calling the girl repeatedly and one day, she again ran away to her husband. Her mental illness relapsed and her mind fell into the farthest dungeons of depression. She never came back. There are a million girls and boys who elope with the wrong guy or girl because of mental health reasons such as low self-esteem, severe unhealed trauma, depression, emotional distress and major family conflicts and I have examined many of them. This may not be visible to the non-discerning minds but the event is then analysed by the world through the lens of religion, crime, cheating, black magic, value crisis, gadgets, bad influence of friends and others. This may happen between people of the same faith, caste or between different castes but when it is inter-religious, the socio-political dynamics are different. A 47-year-old girl from a South Indian background was slowly befriended by a younger man from a different religion. She was extremely down after she lost her husband following a prolonged illness. Slowly, she began wearing the attire related to the doctrine that he practised. Her eyes opened when the man asked her to stop talking to everyone in the locality and only to those of his faith. She was alerted to this red flag and came back to her senses. The sense of loneliness she experienced was the reason for her irrational attraction. In a world afflicted by globalisation, large numbers find it difficult to build a network of safe spaces where they can share their woes while being simply emotionally nude. Such groups when present act like a buffer and a fact-checking collective. In a research study named Religious Conversions in 40 Countries quoted in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (2010), findings state that Religious-conversion rates are positively related to religious pluralism (secular countries where many religions are practised are more vulnerable), negatively related to government restrictions on religious conversion; positively related to levels of education; and negatively related to a history of Communism. Conversion rates are not related to per capita GDP, the presence of state religion, and the extent of religiosity. I have visited several small prayer groups in the country to understand the sudden religious shifts among the people involved. I see the priests there are very dynamic and animated. They know each member thoroughly and offer to resolve their issues of life and health. Close contact with the priest and the dependence on him for problem-solving are the magnets for many. Charismatic prayers give them a high and the glue to stick to each other. The members are largely distressed and vulnerable and being in the small group provides them safety, security and a sense of belonging. The epidemic of angst and alienation across the country has led to large-scale conversions. Angst makes one cling to any felt structures that provide solace, empathy, security and comfort. The stress perceived on a day-to-day basis is generally addressed by these sects. The anxiety of globalisation and life stressors leads to emotional blinding and hence, irrational false claims of such priests are believed. Programs held by them, where they show false miracles on the stage such as a disabled man suddenly walking etc, are believed by the distressed and the vulnerable. Social media speeches also have been found to lead to religious conversion. Intense desire to change their religion (interest generated after watching YouTube videos and listening to speeches on the smartphone), consequently led to interpersonal problems and psychopathology as per the article, The Complex Interaction between Religion Conversion, Technology, and Psychopathology. Religious Conversion Groups are very active in disaster-affected areas where they scout for fresh fodder as the affected population is emotionally defenceless. I have seen that happening after the 1993 Latur Earthquake and in many other disaster populations. Having said that, I would like to acknowledge that conversion to a new faith can be due to the genuine arousal of the soul. Annie Besant, A R Rehman and hundreds of others are great examples. The Kerala Story highlights the socio-political aspects of religious conversion in Kerala, a volatile state. Mental health professionals and sociologists need to understand that behind such behaviours can be a story and behind this story, there can be many more. It is time to unravel them and view such conversions holistically. Trauma, emotional distress, depression, social alienation and mental illness can also be relevant reasons for migrating to different religious denominators. The author is a social psychiatrist and has a postgraduate diploma in Comparative Mythology from Mumbai University. He has been part of inter-faith dialogues and studies the changing dynamics of religious behaviours in India. Views expressed are personal. In the current global landscape, Ukraine finds itself embroiled in a protracted conflict with Russia, leading to destruction within its borders. Simultaneously, Chinas rapid economic rise poses a threat to the Wests economic dominance. Amidst these geopolitical shifts, there is an ongoing effort to promote de-dollarisation and establish the BRICS currency as a viable alternative. However, this move potentially undermines the economic interests of the Western deep state, some of whom are taking action. Notably, George Soros, the founder of the Open Society Foundation, has announced a billion-dollar fund to replace Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. This article delves into the motivations behind such actions and the potential risks India faces. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has caused immense devastation within Ukraine. The roots of this conflict lie in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) eastward expansion and its counterpart, the Western deep state regime change operations in Ukraine (also funded through Soros NGOs), Ukraines aspirations to join NATO, all of which posed a direct threat to Russias strategic interests. While we may acknowledge the illegitimacy of Russias invasion, it is crucial to recognise the underlying geopolitical dynamics at play. The situation in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the perils nations face when caught between major power rivalries. Chinas economic ascent has instilled a sense of unease in Western nations as it has the potential to surpass the West, economically, in the near future. This, along with the efforts to float the BRICS currency and pursue de-dollarisation, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar has unnerved many nations. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and 25 others, have expressed interest in this initiative. However, such a shift could result in significant economic losses for Western billionaires, prompting some of them, like George Soros, to take action. George Soros, known for his philanthropic endeavours and political meddling, has announced a billion-dollar fund to replace Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The motivations behind this move lie in Modis steadfast pursuit of what is in the best interest of India, such as buying Russian gas in spite of the Wests bullying tactics and its refusal to become a vassal state of Western deep state interests to accomplish its objectives in Asia. Moreover, a rising India will become another challenge to Western domination after China. Just as Ukraine is being used as a sacrificial pawn to contain Russia, it is the Western deep states desire to use India as a sacrificial pawn to contain China. If India is destroyed in a process similar to Ukraine, it serves even better to the Western deep state strategy of halting the rise of India. But these plans are put to the ground while the Modi government is in power. Here is where the convergence of interests of Rahul Gandhi and Soros raises concerns about potential collaboration against Modis government can be seen. It is a well-known fact that Salil Shetty, Global Vice President of the Open Society Foundation, walked with Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. This convergence is more apparent during Rahul Gandhis visit to the US where the same players - Sunita Viswanathan, Indian Americans Muslim Council, Muslim Brotherhood and known ISI-supported organisations - who are active against the Modi governments policies such as CAA in the US have been constantly engaging in anti-India agenda. In fact, some outlets are alleging that Rahul Gandhis US trip is completely funded by Soros and his operatives. Whats more ominous are some of the statements made by Rahul Gandhi in the US such as Modi is not ready to take on China and quoting External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, that China is economically too powerful. For whom is he making this public stand? Is it Soros? Are they suggesting that India should go for an all-out war against China to serve Western interests? PM Modi has displayed a balanced approach in dealing with China. India has firmly defended its borders and stationed troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), resulting in tense standoffs and the death of many Chinese soldiers. India has taken steps to present itself as a dependable partner in the global supply chain and actively counter Chinas influence, has collaborated with Western defence companies in joint defence production and refused to buy 5G equipment from China, and has refrained from engaging in a full-blown war that could harm its national interests and development. If Rahul Gandhi and Soros join hands, their collective efforts could involve leveraging their resources, intelligence and influence to exploit Indias fault lines and challenge the narratives of development and peace fostered by Modi over the past nine years. As we see what is happening in Manipur, or accidents in Odisha with the labelling of infrastructure failure by the Opposition, and chaos in Maharashtras Kolhapur district, we perhaps need to start connecting the dots as more such narrative-breaking incidents will unfold in the run-up to 2024 elections. With Soross proven credentials in regime changes and the use of top talent with strong ground force (NGOs, dubious service organisations), along with some Indian politicians willing to compromise national interests for power, India can potentially be irreparably harmed and even face a crisis of existence as a nation. The complex geopolitical landscape encompasses Ukraines struggle with Russia, Chinas economic threat to the West, and their desire to use India as a sacrificial pawn. What the voters decide in 2024 will matter to Indians for the next 100 years. Satya Dosapati is a US-based activist who has played a critical role in the introduction of paper trail for Indias Electronic Voting Machines called VVPAT; Souptik Mukherjee has a doctorate in Computer technology. Views expressed are personal. Nepal remains headed for a surplus power of around 5000 MW by 2025. This meets only a small requirement of either India or Bangladesh and it can get easily absorbed in India. Furthermore, policies, pricing, administration, and other arrangements for cross-border power flow with India have remained established and functional for decades now. In this context, a natural question that runs across is what is the real market of Nepali power? Nepal does not share any border with Bangladesh. It relies on India not only for its territory but also for its transmission infrastructures for the flow of its power. And this remains severely constrained for Indias own usage too. Of late, there is new momentum now, as during the recent visit of Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, India came forward in ushering a new dimension of cooperation in the power sector by giving the transmission passage (trilateral power transaction) from Nepal to Bangladesh through India. This is path-breaking if Nepal ensures scale, efficiency and speed in generating and exporting power to both the Indian and Bangladesh markets. A long-drawn plan, this will add up significantly to the prosperity of Nepal. Both sides made their commitment clear towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. In continuation of the Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation of April 2022, the power sector cooperation was discussed at length for good, covering the development of generation projects, power transmission, infrastructure and power trade. Both prime ministers appreciated the growth in export of up to 452 MW of power from Nepal to India and the progress made in the construction of the 900 MW Arun-3 hydroelectric project in Nepal. A notable development made through the visit is the finalisation of an agreement for Long-Term Power Trade wherein it was agreed to strive to increase the quantum of export of power from Nepal to India to 10,000 MW within a timeframe of ten years and towards this end, take all necessary measures to encourage mutually-beneficial investments in Nepals hydropower generation sector and transmission infrastructure. The groundbreaking of the 400 KV Gorakhpur-Butwal transmission line, signing of the MoU for the development of 480 MW Phukot-Karnali project by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Ltd (VUCL) Ltd, Nepal and the Project Development Agreement for the development of 669 MW Lower Arun between Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) and to fund Bheri Corridor, Nijgadh-Inaruwa and Gandak Nepalgunj Transmission lines and associated substations under Indian Line of Credit at an estimated cost of $679.8 million are other key highlights of Nepal PM Prachandas recent India visit. Both India and Bangladesh continue to witness rapid economic growth, with India emerging as the jewel in the crown of the global economy. Its economic growth is not only noticeable but driving global growth. A strong domestic demand, services export, and policy emphasis on Made in India remain key drivers. Morgan Stanley believes India is expected to contribute 16 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth over 2023-24. Likewise, Bangladesh also remains in a high growth trajectory. It is expected to grow at 8 percent annually till 2041. The growth is good for the region. It is helping millions to come out of poverty and improving the quality of life of many more. It is therefore important to sustain the growth. With a strong integration on the people, social and economic front, a strong and rising India benefits Nepal the most. Energy remains the most important element for both India and Bangladesh to sustain their growth. And there is a huge requirement for energy moving forward. As per the World Economic Forum (WEF), Indias overall energy requirements double every 20 years. The last time it doubled was in 2020. Though India remains the third-largest producer and consumer of electricity, and the fourth-largest in renewable energy in the world, this is not sufficient to drive its economic growth. Likewise, Bangladesh requires scaling up to 60 GW by 2041 from its present 25 GW capacity to sustain its growth. What is there for India in Nepal-Bangladesh Power Trade? In a time that is ever requiring lowering the dependence on fossil fuels, and with war and changing geopolitics wreaking havoc in the global supply chain and price stability, how can the two countries meet their ever-growing energy needs? Fortunately, the region is also home to abundant sources of renewable energy. Besides, their own rich capabilities in renewable energy, Nepal and Bhutan augment the clean energy generation strength from their abundant hydropower, solar and wind potential. Furthermore, given their respective commitments to the clean energy transition to achieve Net Zero by 2050, the countries remain in a pivotal position to make good decisions to promote clean energy. From a market perspective, what better definition of a perfect market can exist? Both India and Bangladesh remain in an energy deficit and are looking for a reliable source of supply and Nepal remains in an energy surplus willing to supply thousands of megawatts of clean renewable energy. It is the energy that the region and the world needs. Furthermore, there already exists enabling transmission infrastructures between Nepal and India and India and Bangladesh through which Nepali power can flow in the two countries. One can easily conclude there cannot be a better example of a natural energy market. Yet, the region has not seen cross-border power trade that is truly reflective of the potential, desires, and talks. Why have things not happened the way they should have happened then? What are the stumbling blocks? What is to be read between the lines? In a nutshell, it has been a distorted notion of the market that has hampered the prospects thus far. An increased thrust on clean energy in India is a big opportunity for Nepal. Importing 10000 MW in the next few years is going to give an impetus for growth in Nepals economy. Moreover, a framework of cross-border energy export from Nepal to Bangladesh and through the Indian power grid will have a transformational impact on Nepals economy. As far as Nepals permanent interest in the energy sector is concerned, this was the most wishful reform that is now a reality. Building trust and credibility Should Bangladesh be a market for Nepals power? And should India be forthcoming for that power flow? What benefit-sharing arrangement can suitably compensate and in what currency, how the security concerns and risks to its power system are addressed, remain important questions. Finding a common understanding and ground between the three parties on these issues can lay fertile ground for the Nepal-Bangladesh power trade. Dealing with the new arrangement has made possible a deeper sub-regional integration in the energy sector, bringing India and Nepal closer and making Bangladesh an important party of trilateral energy cooperation. Two parties (Nepal and Bangladesh) were desperate for trade. However, there was also a third party (India) whose land was involved, and the matter remained grounded for long as it took time to making a conducive environment for making such a trilateral energy transaction happen. It has been in the theory of experts that such a logjam compromised the growth of Nepals energy sector. This is a narrative that prevails at large. Backdoor shifting of blames has not helped in the past and it will not in the future. The need of the hour is to better recognise and accommodate each others views, needs, and concerns and undertake steps to promote mutual trust and confidence in each other. New efforts made in this direction are refreshing and should help in realising the true potential of energy cooperation among India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Atul K Thakur is policy professional, columnist and writer with a special focus on South Asia; Deepak Rauniar is an energy expert from Nepal. The views expressed are personal. As Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey made some sensational allegations against the Indian government, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday refuted the claims and said that foreign forces get active to vitiate the democratic process and build tension" in the country as elections approach. The BJP leaders reaction came after Dorsey claimed that the Narendra Modi-led Indian government threatened to shut down the micro-blogging platform unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during farmers protest. Thakur said the false" claims made by Dorsey were an attempt to cover up past misdeeds and Twitters internal communications had exposed that the platform was misused and there was bias and tinkering". pic.twitter.com/LDsorlcFnC Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 13, 2023 Speaking to news agency ANI, Thakur said, What was said, is a blatant lie. Jack Dorsey woke up after years of sleep and wants to cover up his misdeeds. When Twitter was bought by another person, it was revealed in Twitter Files how was the platform being misused. Jack Dorsey has not been able to answer this to date because he was exposed. Several foreign forces wake up when elections approach India." Stepping up attack on foreign powers", the BJP leader told reporters, Such elements within the country and abroad will never be able to destabilise the nation which is being led by a strong leader." What Jack Dorsey Has Claimed? Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed in an interview Indian government pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts, a charge rubbished by the government. He made the allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. It manifested in ways such as: We will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us; we will raid the homes of your employees, which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressures Twitter faced from the Indian government when he was the CEO. How Opposition Reacted? A political row triggered after Dorseys claim as the Opposition accused the Centre of suppressing" social media. However, Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar has dismissed Dorseys claims and called it an outright lie". Citing Dorseys remarks, the Congress said the government should stop suppressing" social media and journalists and demanded answers from the Modi government over the issue. The Opposition party alleged that there cannot be a bigger proof of the weakening of democracy" in the country by targeting institutions. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the political progeny of the BJP-RSS who stood against Indians and fought in favour of the British in the freedom movement, should not pretend to be nationalists over former Twitter CEOs remarks. BJP leads in embarrassing the country. We will continue to foil BJPs conspiracy to end democracy in the country," Kharge said in a tweet in Hindi. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged that the BJP and the government tried to crush" the farmers protest. They tried to defame the movement. They called farmers terrorists. They called farmers anti-national. They lathi-charged the farmers. They let farmers die. They tried to silence the opposition in Parliament. They tried to arm twist social media platforms to mute the voices of those supporting the farmersbut despite their might, despite their power, the farmers humbled their arrogance and forced the government to withdraw the farmers act. Indian democracy or rule of Modiocracy?" she said. What is Twitter files? After taking over Twitter, billionaire Elon Musk had in December last year released Twitter files, controversial internal communications under the previous leadership on how it handled matters related to suspension and banning of accounts. Thakur said the government will ensure that provisions of Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution are not violated, stressing that the law treats everyone as equal. (with inputs from PTI) Minister of SC and ST welfare, Santosh Suman, has resigned from Nitish Kumars cabinet. While addressing a press conference after resigning from his post, Suman said: The existence of my party was under threat, I did this to protect it." He added: When we were not even invited, when we were not even recognised as a party, how would we have been invited?" he says when asked if his party will attend the Opposition party meeting in Patna on June 23. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) last year had extended unconditional support to Nitish Kumar and the RJD-led mahagathbandhan minutes after Nitish Kumar had tendered his resignation as the state chief minister. Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Nitish Kumar ended ties with BJP and submitted his resignation to governor Phagu Chauhan last year in August. After resigning, Nitish Kumar took oath as CM of Bihar for the eighth time with RJDs Tejashwi Yadav as his deputy. Manjhis HAM has four MLAs in the 243-member state assembly. Jiram Ram Manjhi Met Nitish Kumar on June 8 Sumans father Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, along with his party legislators, met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last Wednesday (June 8) evening and discussed various issues including the seat-sharing formula for next years Lok Sabha polls. Manjhi had earlier demanded five seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election 2024. The leaders of HAM stayed at CMs residence at 1 Anne Marg for an hour. A joint photograph of the meeting also surfaced. We have met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for various issues including our demand for 5 seats. The details of the discussion would not be revealed at this point. It will be shared when time comes," Manjhis son and state SC/ST Minister Santosh Kumar Suman said. The meeting happened with a positive direction. We had not gone there to talk about seats but discussion has happened on this point apart from other political and general issues of our constituencies," he added. Sources have said that Manjhi is not pleased with his partys position in Mahagathbandhan. Hence, he had also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the past as well. Though, he has time and again shown loyalty in public for Nitish Kumar. A flat-bottomed wooden boat carrying 29 people on a tour of the Lockport caves abruptly overturned late Monday morning, pitching the passengers into the waters of the dimly lit tunnel. Emergency crews carved a hole into a wall to gain better access to the cavern as they carried out a tense, hourlong rescue. But one man pinned in the water died before he could be brought to safety. Eleven other people were injured, none more seriously than a broken arm. We did have one fatality in the incident. It is believed for a time that he was initially stuck underneath the capsized boat, and it did take some time to get him recovered and back to a safe location, Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano said at a news conference at City Hall. Unfortunately, he had succumbed to his injuries. Officials would not identify the victim but said he is about 60 years old and lives in the area. His wife was also on the boat and was injured when it flipped. City officials said this was the first serious incident of its kind since the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride began operations in the mid-1970s. The tourist attraction will remain closed for the foreseeable future as police and other agencies try to figure out what happened in an incident that garnered international news attention Monday afternoon. Situations like this happen all over the world. Tragic accidents happen. Being an internationally recognized destination, this does sometimes pick up and spread farther and wider across the media than it would maybe somewhere else, said Andrea Czopp, chief operating officer of Destination Niagara USA. The 29 people on the boat at the time it capsized, all adults, included 28 hospitality workers from across Niagara County and one tour staffer. They were part of a tour set up by Destination Niagara USA to show off Lockport attractions to people in the local hospitality industry, Czopp said. Emergency crews from a host of agencies responded to the incident reported at 11:25 a.m. within the cave complex, located at Gooding Street and the Erie Canal. Its not clear how long the passengers were on the boat before it collapsed. The incident occurred near the end of the 300- or 350-foot-long waterway traveled by the boat as part of the underground tour. The boat became unbalanced and capsized. All 28 or 29 people were thrown into the water, Quagliano said. Some people were able to get themselves out of the water, which has a depth of 5 or 6 feet, on their own. About 16 people needed assistance from rescuers, the fire chief said. The department has a boat that can be inflated at the scene of an incident and firefighters used this craft to help bring passengers out three or four at a time, Quagliano said. Officials obtained a list of the names of the passengers on the boat tour and began checking it against everyone they had rescued. Eventually, they figured out one man on the tour still was unaccounted for, Quagliano said. Rescuers determined he was trapped underneath the boat and he died before he could be pulled from the water. Lockport Police Chief Steve Abbott said one officer required treatment for hypothermia after spending so much time in the water. He said investigators will be studying the boat, which has a maximum capacity of 40 passengers, as part of the probe into why it flipped over. I know that the boat is actually specially built for that attraction, Abbott said. It was built inside that cave. Abbott said he didnt know when the boat was last inspected. None of the passengers was wearing a life jacket but its not clear whether they are required to do so, Quagliano said. The boat ride is part of a 75-minute tourist experience that begins with a walking tour of the historic locks along the Erie Canal near downtown Lockport. The boat tour runs through a dimly lit hydraulic raceway that was built in the 1800s to carry water away from the canal. Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman said the boat tour started up five decades ago. Its been an attraction since the 70s without incident. They are going to do a full and thorough investigation. If it is unsafe, then it will not be running, Roman said. Abbott said authorities are treating the area where the fatal incident occurred as a crime scene while the investigation into its cause continues. Representatives from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident, along with Lockport Police, State Police, the Niagara County Sheriffs Office and the Niagara County District Attorneys Office. Abbott said as of Monday afternoon that police hadnt yet been able to interview the passengers. He said the owner of the ride has cooperated with police so far. Thomas Callahan, identified in previous news reports as a co-owner of the attraction, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Is all not well between the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in Maharashtra? Theres one more reason why the speculation is buzzing the states political circles. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday placed a full-page advertisement in several leading newspapers in Maharashtra titled Modi for India, Shinde for Maharashtra. The ad quotes a survey where Shinde is shown as preferred for the top post over BJPs Devendra Fadnavis, who was the former Chief Minister and is the current deputy Chief Minister. ALSO READ | Sena-BJP Tension Clouds Maha CMs Son Belt: Dombivli BJP Wont Work with MP Shrikant Shinde, He Slams Selfish Politics The advertisement carries Senas bow and arrow symbol and images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Shinde. It has no image or photo of Shiv Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray. One portion of the ad reads: According to the survey done for the Chief Ministers position, 26.1% of the people in Maharashtra desire Eknath Shinde and 23.2% of the people wish to see Devendra Fadnavis as the next Chief Minister. The ad further states: It is undeniable proof that 49.3% of the people in Maharashtra wish to see a strong alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena for their states leadership. The figures and claims in the advertisement have been attributed to a Zee TV-Matrize survey. FOLLOWING PAWARs ADVICE TO WOO VOTERS? It is an indication that the BJP will be following the advice given to the Congress by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar a few months ago that in the state, regional parties should be backed and given strength by national parties. According to sources within the BJP, while aiming to win the maximum seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the party is looking at reviving the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), by giving regional parties the strength and confidence that they will lead the state and the BJP will support them. ALSO READ | Low 5: Is BJP Unhappy with These Shiv Sena Ministers? Sources also indicated that in case of Maharashtra, the BJPs top leadership has drawn a clear line that the next state elections will be contested under the leadership of Shinde and Shiv Sena. It is also an indication for the state BJP leadership to fall in line and work with Shinde. According to sources in the Shiv Sena, the survey will help them get back old voters who were under the impression that they are not independent and are just another party working under the BJP. This survey has made it clear that Shinde is preferred over other BJP leader. The fence-sitting voters will now come back to us and will support us in the driving seat," said sources. POLL RESULT WILL DECIDE Regarding Maharashtra, the ad says, According to the election surveys, 30.2% citizens of Maharashtra prefer Bharatiya Janata Party, while 16.2% citizens prefer the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde). These numbers show that a total of 46.4% people of Maharashtra trust the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance for the development of the state. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule tried to downplay the findings of this survey. It is always the election results that decide which party or leader is more acceptable to the voters. Shinde was popular earlier as a cabinet minister and now his acceptance has increased as the chief minister. People of the state have a lot of expectations from Fadnavis, Shinde and Modi. As a state-level leader, the people of Maharashtra have given preference to Fadnavis twice. There is no comparison between the Shiv Sena and BJP about which is the bigger or smaller party, he said. Devendra Fadnavis & Eknath Shinde meet Amit Shah in Delhi. Cabinet expansion talks were held. pic.twitter.com/0amB3qE5TH News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) June 5, 2023 BAL THACKERAYs PIC MISSING: MODI-SHAHS SHIV SENA The missing photo of Bal Thackeray in the advertisement, however, has put Shinde and his Shiv Sena in the dock. From day one of his defection from Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde has maintained that they are carrying the baton of Balasahebs thoughts and teachings, unlike Uddhav and his supporters. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut reacted sharply to this ad. It was Balasahebs Shiv Sena earlier, but the advertisement has cleared the air. It has now become Modi-Shahs Shiv Sena, he said. The ad clearly indicates the BJP doesnt want to pitch their leader for the post of Chief Minister in the upcoming state elections. Where does that leave Devendra Fadnavis? Is the BJP planning a bigger role for him in the future at the national level? Several Opposition leaders condemned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji, slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) misusing central agencies. Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief MK Stalin said the BJP leadership is enacting politics of intimidation". BJPs bid to intimidate through backdoor tactics like ED raids wont work, he said. It doesnt matter on whom the raid was conducted, but it matters where the raid was carried out. Union Home Minister has severely criticised DMK in a public meeting in Vellore, and we gave proper counter-argument to all the allegations. Conducting a raid in the Secretariat is against the federal structure," Stalin said. ED Searches Premises Linked to Tamil Nadu Minister: Who Is Senthil Balaji And Whats The Case? | EXPLAINED Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said such gross misuse of investigation agencies against political opponents has been the hallmark of the BJP-led government. Condemning the ED searches, Kharge said these tactics will not succeed in silencing the Opposition. Statement issued by Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge @kharge condemning the blatant misuse of the ED in searching the office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Thiru V. Senthil Balaji. pic.twitter.com/h6o2MzinqN Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 13, 2023 With the raids on Senthil Balajis office, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said the ED has now ventured to the southern states with its sinister motive to crush the voice against an undemocratic" Central Government. I strongly condemn EDs incessant actions against the Ministers of Govts ruled by Opposition Parties. With the raids on Senthil Balajis office, ED has now ventured to the southern states with its sinister motive to crush the voice against undemocratic Central Government. Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) June 13, 2023 Reacting to searches, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said the BJPs misuse of central agencies to harass and intimidate the opposition continues unabated. BJPs misuse of central agencies to harass and intimidate the opposition continues unabated. Strongly condemn the ED raids against Thiru V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadus Electricity Minister.Blinded by political vendetta, the BJP is causing irreversible damage to our democracy. Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 13, 2023 West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said ED raids at the ministers office inside the state secretariat are unacceptable. I condemn the political vendetta by BJP against DMK @arivalayam today. Misuse of central agencies continues. ED raids in Tamil Nadu at office of Minister for Prohibition and Excise at the state secretariat and his official residence are unacceptable. Desperate acts by BJP. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 13, 2023 CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury condemned the ED raids at the office of Tamil Nadu Minister. Strongly condemn the ED raids at the office of Tamilnadu Minister for Prohibition & Excise Thiru Senthilbalaji in the State Secretariat at Chennai.Modi govt has weaponised the ED targeting opposition leaders. Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 13, 2023 The Minister, a DMK strongman from Karur district, said he was not aware of what the officials had come searching for at his premises and assured to extend total cooperation in the probe. The ruling DMK hit out at the ED raids and termed it as an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing war of words between NDA constituents BJP and the AIADMK. Senior DMK leader and its Organisation Secretary R S Bharathi said the party has seen many such raids but no charges have been proved against its leaders in the past. They were an attempt to defame the party, he alleged. The raids were being carried out at Balajis premises in state capital Chennai and his native Karur. Besides these, ED officials also searched the house of a Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) lorry contractor in Erode district. State-run TASMAC is the retailer of liquor in Tamil Nadu. Balaji also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio. The Supreme Court had earlier allowed police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who was earlier with the AIADMK. He was Transport Minister in the late Jayalalithaa-led Cabinet. The ED conducted the searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. Last month, the Income Tax department too had searched people close to Balaji in the state. Responding to the ED searches today, Balaji said he was ready to extend full cooperation" to the investigating agency. With what intention have they come, what are they looking for, we will see. Let it get over," he told reporters soon after the sleuths started the searches. Whether it be the IT or ED, Balaji assured full cooperation for the authorities concerned, adding whatever explanation sought by officials based on documents, will be provided. The Minister, who went for a morning walk, said he took a taxi back home after receiving a message about the raids on his premises. The ED officials were accompanied by central paramilitary personnel during the raids. Last month, Income Tax officials were allegedly attacked in Karur when they went to conduct searches at some places linked to Balaji. (With PTI inputs) A day after News18 reported that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top leadership has expressed its displeasure to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding five cabinet ministers from his Shiv Sena, Thane and Kalyan Lok Sabha seats have become another bone of contention. ALSO READ | Low 5: Is BJP Unhappy with These Shiv Sena Ministers? The BJP leadership is not happy with the performance and working style of the five cabinet ministers and have asked Shinde to look into this issue before cabinet expansion. THE DOMBIVLI INCIDENT An incident in Dombivli, a small town in Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, has led to tension between these two parties. In Dombivli, the wife of a policeman levelled allegations of molestation against local BJP leader Nandu Joshi. After the police registered a case against Joshi, the local BJP unit passed a resolution against Shindes son and MP Shrikant that they would not cooperate with him for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The local Shiv Sena is of the opinion that the BJP did this deliberately to settle scores. Shrikant Shinde, who is on Kashmir tour with CM Eknath Shinde, immediately sent a video message, in which he criticised the BJP leaders for engaging in selfish politics. Some leaders in Dombivli are resorting to selfish politics by creating trouble in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance over trivial issues. I am not eyeing any post. The candidate for Lok Sabha will be decided by senior leaders from the two parties. Even if I am not given candidature, I will campaign for whoever has got the ticket, Shrikant said, in a video statement. He further added: Our aim is to get the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government re-elected at the Centre. If anybody is opposed to what we are doing and hence disrupting the alliance, I am willing to resign as an MP. THE REACTIONS Sanjay Kelkar, BJP MLA from Thane, added fuel to the fire by taking a dig at CM Shinde and his son in the official programmes of the BJPs Thane unit. The entire Thane and Palghar districts are a stronghold of the BJP. Many from our district, including our allies, have won since 2014 because of the BJP wave. There is no party other than the BJP which can get elected here due to the groundwork done by our workers. Not just Thane and Kalyan, the entire Thane and Palghar districts belong to us. When people start making claim over seats in Thane, they are under the misconception that they are the ones working to get PM Modi re-elected, but they have failed to understand that BJP workers have been taking the initiatives of Modi government to the people, he said. ALSO READ | What Eknath Shindes Maiden Kashmir Sojourn Means for Shiv Senas Pan-India Plans According to a senior leader of the Shiv Sena, top leaders of the Shiv Sena and BJP are working in tandem and thats the most important thing. We should concentrate on the constituencies and how we can do good work there, instead of making political statements, said Kelkar. If the top leadership of both parties dont handle the tension between the Shiv Sena and BJP in Shindes home turf, things may worsen for both the parties ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. And the BJP top leadership doesnt want to lose a single seat from Maharashtra because of local politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party has set the ball rolling on the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign messaging with union home minister Amit Shah ruing the fact that there hasnt been a Prime Minister from Tamil Nadu yet. Behind the clearly apparent emotional appeal to Tamil sentiment, there was a subtle blame in his statement. For decades under Congress rule at the Centre, there was a constant battle for state rights and autonomy from Tamil Nadu. From the continuing stalemate over Cauvery water sharing to the thorny language imposition, Tamil Nadu has always felt short-changed over the Centres intent to resolve issues once and for all. And, of course, there are battle scars from various protests including those against the Emergency that leaders from Tamil Nadu, particularly from Congress ally DMK, continue to wear with pride. It is this discontent that Amit Shah is trying to tap through his claim that Tamil Nadu deserves a PM from its land. The southern state has produced great leaders like Kamaraj, Rajaji, and Moopanar during the freedom struggle, but its unfortunate that there hasnt been a PM from Tamil Nadu yet, he said at a meeting in Vellore. At an internal meeting, Shah delivered a pep talk to karyakartas (workers) and urged them to work unitedly under state chief K Annamalai. Home minister Amit Shah recalled his entry into politics and told us how he started off as a booth president and went on to become the partys national president to now the home minister of India. In this context, Amit Shah asked the party karyakartas to work hard so they could climb the ranks and become the Prime Minister in the future, a senior leader told News 18 on condition of anonymity. In Tamil Nadu, the narratives over the chaotic rule under the DMK are being driven by BJP state president Annamalai. With Shah bringing in the national angle, it appears that the BJP is approaching the state with a thought-out strategy. A source privy to the meeting said: Amit Shah is clear that the BJPs alliance with the AIADMK will continue in the 2024 polls as the minister kept saying that the NDA should aim to win at least 25 seats from the state. The home minister is of the view that its alliance with the AIADMK will help the party perform better." In his public meeting in Vellore district, Shah sounded the poll bugle and said he is confident that under the leadership of state president K Annamalai, the NDA will get more than 25 seats. I have complete faith in the way Annamalai has organised the BJP in Tamil Nadu and I can say with conviction that more than 25 NDA MPs will be elected from Tamil Nadu. There will be a number of ministers in the cabinet from the state, he said at the public meeting on Sunday. Amit Shah lashed out at the DMK and called it a corrupt party. This is in line with Annamalais corruption pitch to face the upcoming polls. Annamalai released the DMK Files on April 14 this year and said that the BJP is the only party that is clean and, going forward, he would expose parties that are corrupt. The home minister also reminded the people of the state of the installation of the sengol in the new Parliament building and urged the voters of Tami Nadu to elect more than 25 BJP MPs in the state to thank the Prime Minister who had installed the sceptre. Chief justice (CJ) T S Sivagnanam of the Calcutta High Court (HC), during the hearing on the petitions of Opposition leaders for extension of date for filing nominations and deployment of central forces for the West Bengal panchayat elections on July 8, on Monday said that prevention is better than cure. West Bengals State Election Commission (SEC) told the Calcutta High Court that it can extend the last date for nominations filing for the panchayat polls by one day, which would, however, lead to the rescheduling of the polls. Heres a comparison between the 2018 and 2023 panchayat polls: In 2018: The polls were held on one day on May 14. The SEC had first announced the polling would be held in three phases on May 1, 2 and 5. However, the decision was challenged as more than 20,000 seats remained uncontested. Seven days , from April 2-9, were given for filing nominations. The polls saw violence, amid low-intensity bomb attack, booth capturing, ballot boxes set on fire, vandalism and attacks on journalists. The polls were held on one day on May 14. The SEC had first announced the polling would be held in three phases on May 1, 2 and 5. However, the decision was challenged as more than 20,000 seats remained uncontested. , from April 2-9, were given for filing nominations. The polls saw violence, amid low-intensity bomb attack, booth capturing, ballot boxes set on fire, vandalism and attacks on journalists. In 2023: So far, the decided date for polls is July 8. The filing of nominations will be held between June 9 and June 15. Six days have been given for filing nominations. THE ARGUMENTS ON MONDAY Questioning the states objection to granting an extension for filing nominations, the CJ said: In 2018, the commission gave seven clear days. The commission is empowered to push back by one day. The state, however, argued that the nomination papers were available since the notifications were issued. What happened in 2018? The last date of filing nominations was seven days after the notification was issued, the court said. The state responded that in 2018, there were public holidays between April 2 and 9 and so seven days were given. If you can maintain the same schedule as 2018 Pushback at starting pointThat was 2nd April and 9th April nominations beganthere were seven days then and here it is six days, the court said. The court has reserved its order for Tuesday. Barring the days for nomination, nothing has changed between 2018 and 2023. The war of words and the violence on ground, from Minakhan to Chopra, and Sandeshkhali to Bankura, are on. Will the court reschedule the polls as they have suggested to have the nominations from June 15 to 21 and polling on July 14? Or will the court will accept the SEC proposal of extending filing of nominations by one more day? 14-year-old Kairan Quazi, a student at Santa Clara University in the US, recently became the youngest employee at Elon Musks SpaceX after successfully passing a technically challenging interview. Quazi, who has Bangladeshi-American roots, shared the news on LinkedIn. He expressed his excitement about joining the coolest company on the planet" and mentioned that he will be working with the Starlink engineering team. I guess this will be my LinkedIn Im excited to announce; post! I am graduating from Santa Clara Universitys School of Engineering where I learned that engineering with a mission is not a gimmicky tagline. Where a culture of rigor, collaboration, accountability, and impact deeply resonated with the needs of a radically accelerated learner. Next stop: SpaceX! I will be joining the coolest company on the planet as a Software Engineer on the Starlink engineering team. One of the rare companies that did not use my age as an arbitrary and outdated proxy for maturity and ability," Quazi wrote on his LinkedIn profile. The university also confirmed on LinkedIn that has joined SpaceX. At just 14, Kairan Quazi will be the youngest graduate in Santa Claras 172-year history. Whats next for him? Heading to Washington state with his mom, Julia, to become SpaceXs youngest software engineer," Santa Clara University wrote. During his time at SCU, Kairan actively participated in the Association for Computer Machinery and was a senior senator in the Associated Student Government. The talented 14-year-old also found himself in high demand as a tutor, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after members of the tutoring staff. Quazi also said: My early access to transformational leadership began as a 9-year-old. First, when the administrators of a local community college Las Positas College enrolled a third-grade graduate with no prior acceleration into a full-time mathematics A.S. degree program. And again, a few months later, when I walked into a meeting with Lama Nachman at Intel Labs and walked out with a generative AI opportunity that would change my career trajectory." He also thanked his mentors and friends. Lama Nachman (Intel Labs), Naushad UzZaman (BLACKBIRD.AI), and Nam Ling and Ahmed Amer (Santa Clara University) - I am forever grateful that you recognized my value, trusted my abilities, and invested in my growth. I am excited to carry these cultural lessons into my career," said Quazi. The online searches for Mixed Reality (MR) skyrocketed 1,130 per cent globally on Google after Apple unveiled its MR headset Vision Pro last week, a report showed on Monday. Analysis of Google search data revealed that online interest for VR rocketed 300 per cent on June 5 as Apple unveiled its new $3,499 MR headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference in California, the US, according to Digital-adoption.com. Searches for VR, mixed reality, and augmented reality soared 300 per cent, 1,130 per cent, and 545 per cent after Apple announced its Vision Pro headset. There has been a massive surge in AI interest this year. Apples announcement of Vision Pro has captured audiences at the right time, when new AI technologies, like ChatGPT, have become accessible to almost anyone," a spokesperson from Digital-adoption.com commented. Apples announcement comes when online interest in AI, or artificial intelligence, is at its highest point in history. Google Trends data revealed a 619 per cent increase in AI searches since 2004. This year has been a breakout year for AI, as search volume has more than doubled from 17 million in January to 42 million in May. This is partly due to the rapid growth and adoption of accessible technologies like ChatGPT and Google Bard, the report said. The new technology is described as a step in the era of spatial computing," where digital content blends seamlessly with your physical space." Apples announcement has also caused spikes in users searching to Buy Apple stock, which increased 1,482 per cent worldwide in the last seven days, the report said. With two ultra-high-resolution displays, Apple Vision Pro can transform any space into a personal movie theater with a screen that feels 100 feet wide and an advanced Spatial Audio system, according to the company. Apple Vision Pro also features EyeSight, that helps users stay connected with those around them. When a person approaches someone wearing Vision Pro, the device feels transparent letting the user see them while also displaying the users eyes. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar has strongly denied former Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys claim that the social media platform faced pressure from the Indian government during the farmers protest in 2021 Chandrasekhar took to the micro-blogging platform Twitter to label Dorseys statement as an outright lie and an attempt to whitewash Twitters controversial past. Reacting to Dorsey, who alleged in an interview with the YouTube channel Breaking Points that the threats came as Twitter refused to comply with the governments demands to block accounts during the farmers protests in early 2021, the IT minister said that no one went to jail nor was Twitter shut down in the country. This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters historyFacts and truth@twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law https://t.co/SlzmTcS3Fa Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@Rajeev_GoI) June 13, 2023 This is an outright lie by @jack - perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of twitters history, Facts and truth @twitter undr Dorsey n his team were in repeated n continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied," he wrote on Twitter. No one went to jail nor was twitter shutdown, he added. Chandrasekhar said that Dorseys Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it. India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India. During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. GoI was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news. Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India, when they did it themselves when similar events took place in the USA," the Minister wrote. According to the Minister, there is ample evidence now in public domain about Jacks Twitters arbitrary, blatantly partisan and discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period". Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian law, but was partisan in how it was using de-amplify and deplatforming of some arbitrarily in violation of Articles 14,19 of our constitution and also assisting in weaponising of misinformation," he further said. All social media intermediaries operating in India have to comply with laws to ensure that the internet is safe, trusted and accountable," said the Minister. During the interview, Dorsey mentioned that India exerted pressure on the platform. India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmers protest, around particular journalists that were critical of the government, and it manifested in ways such as we will shut Twitter down in India, which is a very large market for us," he added. Ever stumbled upon those animal videos on social media where you are having a hard time believing the reality? If not, brace yourself for this one imagine that you are relaxing on a beach in Florida on a sunny day and suddenly, you see a black bear swimming out of the water. You will be surprised, right? Thats exactly what happened to people chilling on a Dustin beach on Sunday when they suddenly spotted a black bear paddling its way towards them. Naturally, everyone whipped out their phones and started recording this mind-boggling encounter. One of the videos made its way to Instagram through Jennifer Majors Smith, a musician. She couldnt contain her amazement and captioned her post with, Never have I everseen a black bear swim up out of the Gulf Coast and onto the beach. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Majors Smith (@jennsing80) The footage begins with the bear gracefully swimming towards the shore, with a growing crowd of curious onlookers nearby. Once the bear reached the safety of land, it quickly made its escape towards the open wilderness. Can you imagine the shock and confusion that engulfed everyone witnessing this unexpected rendezvous? And it didnt stop therepeople flooded the comments section on social media, expressing their astonishment. One person, clearly flabbergasted, commented, Whaaat?! Another tried to make a clever wordplay, saying, This is wild, referring to both the situation and the bear. Then there was someone who attempted to make sense of it all, suggesting, That is crazy!! I bet he has a story to tell for sure. After making a grand appearance on a Destin beach, the black bear took a stroll in the residential area. Cases like this arent new in Florida. For instance, a viral video featuring a man from the state holding a crocodile between his legs and feeding it fearlessly with his bare hands. You know, like how you would casually feed a bird, a cat or a dog. But a crocodile? The video was shared on Twitter by a user named BornAKang, who captioned it with a simple, Only in Florida. In no time, the 15-second clip, which is now unavailable on Twitter, racked up an astounding 3.9 million views and over 54k likes, proving once again that Florida is full of surprises. President Joe Biden underwent a dental root canal Monday with little public warning, forcing postponement of all scheduled events, including a meeting with the NATO secretary general. The planned meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as an evening diplomatic reception, will be rescheduled for tomorrow," the White House said. Biden underwent the root canal on a premolar tooth in his lower right jaw, presidential physician Kevin C. OConnor said in a statement. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the procedure was successfully completed. The president is doing just fine and hell certainly be working in the residence this afternoon." Although the White House played down the episode, Biden is 80, the oldest person ever to be president. Scrutiny of his health is intense as he bids to win a second term in 2024, taking him to 86 by the time he would leave office. The Stoltenberg meeting was set to follow White House talks last week with the prime ministers of allies Britain and Denmark, as Biden prepares for the NATO summit in Lithuania in July. The Western alliance is heavily involved in assisting Ukraine to defend itself against Russian invasion, with all eyes now on the fate of a much-heralded Ukrainian offensive to liberate territory. Another big issue for NATO to resolve is choosing a successor for Stoltenberg, whose mandate ends in October. - Just a regular thing - OConnor said Bidens tooth issue began with pain on Sunday. He was immediately examined by a team from the Walter Reed presidential hospital sent to the White House. The team was able to perform an examination, to include X-rays, in the White House Dental Operatory. They determined that endodontic treatment (root canal) was most appropriate. Initial root canal procedure was performed at the time, with a plan for specialized endodontal follow up in the near future," OConnor wrote. The doctor said Biden tolerated the procedure well. There were no complications." On Monday, the president said he was experiencing further discomfort," leading to the decision to complete the root canal, OConnor said. Because no public announcement was made of Sundays dental work, questions were raised Monday about whether something more serious had happened. Jean-Pierre dismissed this, saying the operation was nothing unusual" and that millions of Americans go through this." She stressed that only a local anesthetic was used, meaning no need for invoking the 25th Amendment and temporarily passing presidential powers to Vice President Kamala Harris. However, the dental intervention was a reminder of how medical issues can suddenly interrupt the administrations rhythm. Despite assurances that there had been no emergency, the root canal appeared clearly to be unplanned because of the need to postpone the two high-level meetings in the White House. Bidens appearance at a third event a celebration with university athletes was canceled less than an hour before it started, with Harris presiding instead. Jean-Pierre said Harris herself found out Monday morning that she would take Bidens place at the event for athletes. However, theres nothing mysterious about it," Jean-Pierre said. It is a regular thing that many people go through." The call for help came in to 911 at 11:28 a.m. Monday. A boat loaded with more than two dozen people deep inside the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride had capsized. There were people in the water and needed help to get to safety. A day after the tragic incident at the popular Niagara County tourist attraction that claimed one life and left 11 people injured, Lockport fire officials released new details of the frantic rescue effort. Crews from five fire units arrived at the scene in under a minute. Commanding the operation was Assistant Fire Chief Jon Fredrickson who officials said was met by the owner of the Lockport Cave attraction who told them about the capsized boat. Working with the Lockport Police Department, emergency responders established two routes to get to the stranded passengers. One group of rescuers went to the "normal docking area inside the cave" where they inflated a rescue boat and launched. Firefighters paddled their way 300 feet to the capsized craft. A second group used sledgehammers and crowbars to create a hole closer to where the boat was, fire officials said. The first responders rescued 16 people using the two routes. "Twelve people were tall enough to be able to walk through the waterway back to the dock area on their own," according to the release from the fire department. Eleven people were taken to a local hospital to be treated for what were described as mild injuries and mild hypothermia. In addition, a Lockport police officer who raced into the water to assist victims was taken to a local emergency room for evaluation of hypothermia. A firefighter suffered a minor injury but remained on duty. Officials said one person was "immediately trapped underneath the boat" and was dead when he was extricated. Authorities have not released the victim's name. He was described Monday as a man in his 60s. The rescue effort included 10 Niagara County agencies, including members of the county's technical rescue team and the sheriff's dive team. State and federal agencies were investigating what happened. The 28 of the 29 people aboard the boat at the time were hospitality workers from across Niagara County and one tour staffer. They were part of a tour set up by Destination Niagara USA to show off Lockport attractions. On Tuesday, John Percy, the President and CEO of Destination Niagara USA expressed his sorrow about Monday's events. "We are devastated and heartbroken by the tragic accident that took place in Lockport, NY yesterday involving our frontline familiarization tour. There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the loss of one of our hospitality partners. On behalf of everyone at Destination Niagara USA, we offer our deepest sympathies to their family and loved ones," he said in an emailed statement. "We are also incredibly thankful for the quick response and diligent work of multiple local and regional agencies of first responders, whose swift action assisted in the rescue mission." Cyclone Biparjoy will make landfall in Pakistan on June 15, the countrys weatherman said on Monday pointing out that port city Karachi and parts of Balochistan will escape the eye of the storm, news agency the Dawn reported. Based on the information shared by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Sindh government and civic bodies are gearing up to tackle the devastation that Biparjoy may bring to southern Pakistan. Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE: Catch The Latest Updates Here The weatherman said the intensity and severity of Biparjoy remained intact. Sindhs government has said that over 32,000 people remain vulnerable to Cyclone Biparjoy in the districts of Sujawal, Badin and Thatta. Residents living in 70 buildings prone to damage in Karachi were also warned. Biparjoy is expected to make landfall in the Kutch region with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 150 km/h, weather officials from both countries said. READ | On Cam | Nerve-racking Rescue of Rig Worker by Indian Coast Guard in Guj as Cyclone Biparjoy Nears As of Monday night, Biparjoy lies 550 km south of Karachi, 530 km south of Thatta and 650 km southeast of Ormara. Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar and Umerkot areas of lower Sindh will experience high winds, dust storms and thunderstorms and heavy to extreme rainfall starting Tuesday. Cyclone Biparjoy has a huge cloud mass spanning almost 200-300 km over the sea. Hence it is likely to produce rainfall as far as up to central Sindh, though it may not be of the same intensity and severity as expected to be seen in lower Sindh, the PMD chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz was quoted as saying by the Dawn. The PMD said that heavy spells of rain, accompanied by squally winds of 60-80 kmph likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar between Wednesday and Friday. The Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority and the meteorological department urged shipping corporations, fishermen, farmers and people living around dams as well as rivers not to venture into open sea until June 17. Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah asked all major hospital administrations to ensure that their doctors and paramedical staff must be available during the storms. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council Jack Kirby on Monday (local time) said that the US is eagerly awaiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit and said it will solidify the defining relationship of the 21st century. We are here almost literally, on the eve of what we believe will be a historic state visit by Prime Minister Modi, one that will further solidify what President Biden has called the defining relationship of the 21st century, Blinken said. Blinken also pointed out that he witnessed Indias constructive leadership towards building a free, open, secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific where people, goods, and ideas can travel freely and rules are applied fairly and its commitment to promoting health security, working with other members of the Quad. We see the importance of the partnership in a shared commitment to address regional and global challenges promoting health security, working with our Quad partners to build a free, open, secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific where people, goods, and ideas can travel freely and rules are applied fairly. I have witnessed Indias constructive leadership on these issues up close these last two and a half years, and I see it in their ambitious agenda at this years G20, Blinken further added. Meanwhile, Kirby said that the White House is looking forward to hosting the Prime Minister. We are very much looking forward to having Prime Minister Modi here. As you know, the United States has a significant defence partnership with India and terrific cooperation inside the Quad, across the Indo-Pacific with India. Theres a lot to talk about. Were looking forward to the visit, Kirby said. Blinken also took a moment to remember the victims of the Balasore train accident which took the lives of over 280 people and injured countless others. I again express our deepest condolences on behalf of the United States of America to the victims of the terrible train crash in Odisha. I had the opportunity to speak with my friend Dr. S Jaishankar shortly after the accident, and just to convey to him how much it had resonated here in the United States as we saw the images, and to let him know that we stand with the people of India as they recover from this human tragedy, Blinken said. Indian envoy to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, also said there is great excitement regarding PM Modis visit on both sides and remarked that it is a matter of great pride that PM Modi will become the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice. We are a week away from the historic state visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United States at the invitation of President Biden. There is great excitement on both sides. My PM is only the third Indian leader in our independent history to be accorded the honour of a State visit by the US President. He also will become the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice, Sandhu said. Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to mishandling government secrets in the classified documents case in a historic first appearance Tuesday in federal court in Maimi. We are certainly entering a plea of not guilty," Todd Blanche, Trumps attorney was quoted as saying by AFP. Trump was released less than an hour after the court proceedings. However, as a condition of his release, he is prohibited from discussing the case with his co-defendant and aide Walt Nauta, who faces six counts in the indictment. Trump was also allowed to leave the court on Tuesday with no travel conditions set for his bail. Prosecutors told the US Magistrate that they did not believe the former president was a flight risk". Read More: Who is Walt Nauta? How Trumps White House Valet Became Co-conspirator in Secret Docs Case After Trump pleaded not guilty to charges in the classified documents case, he went straight to a Cuban restaurant and told a group of his supporters: Its a rigged deal here. We have a rigged country." WATCH: Former President Donald Trump torches rigged" system after pleading not guilty in classified documents case. https://t.co/G2jfILMiPW pic.twitter.com/MBCDvIcVOa Fox News (@FoxNews) June 13, 2023 Shortly after the court appearance, the former US Presidents motorcade halted at Cafe Versailles, a renowned Cuban restaurant in the heart of Little Havana. During a stop at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant, Trump told supporters that the United States was rigged," corrupt" and in decline." Trumps motorcade arrived Tuesday afternoon at the courthouse shortly before hes scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge, a stunning moment in American history days after he became the first former president charged with federal crimes. Its the second criminal case Trump is facing as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024. Hes also accused in New York state court of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 campaign. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, saying hes being unfairly targeted by political opponents who want to hurt his campaign. After his court appearance, Trump will return to New Jersey, where hes expected to hold a press event to publicly respond to the charges. The runaway frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primary has vowed to stay in the race regardless of the outcome of the documents case. The 49-page indictment, dismissed by Trump as ridiculous," includes photographs showing boxes of documents stacked at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach residence, in a ballroom and in a bathroom and shower. Read More: Trump Classified Documents Case: A Timeline of Events Leading to Former US Prezs Indictment Trump, who leads the Republican race for president by more than 30 points has been impeached twice over allegations of misconduct in office and was recently found liable for sexual abuse. He faces indictment or ongoing scrutiny in four criminal probes in Washington, Florida, Georgia and New York and could find himself on trial in multiple cases as he campaigns to return to the White House. Trump who has repeatedly complained that the investigations against him amount to a baseless witch hunt" vowed Monday to appoint a special prosecutor on his return to office to investigate President Joe Biden and his family. (With agency inputs) US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement on Monday with an insurgent group of Republican conservative hardliners that will allow legislation to move forward this week, following a standoff that had paralyzed the chamber for days. But the lawmakers, including members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, warned that they could block other measures in the House of Representatives, unless they see progress toward a power-sharing" deal with McCarthy that would bolster their influence, particularly over spending. Were concerned about the economic security of this country, and to that end we will work. If we dont have that, there are going to be fights," Representative Ralph Norman told reporters after he and several other members of the House of Representatives met with McCarthy. The same lawmakers blocked legislation last week in protest over a bipartisan debt ceiling bill that passed the House on May 31 without spending cuts they had demanded. We had a very productive meeting tonight," McCarthy told reporters after the meeting. Everybodys attitude in the room was how do we move forward to where we were." The House is scheduled to begin voting on delayed Republican bills on Tuesday, starting with a floor rule governing debate and votes on passage. The delayed bills would shield gas stoves from new federal regulations and give Congress the ability to block other new federal rules. Under an agreement with McCarthy, the rule will also allow a floor vote on a firearms measure to repeal a federal ban on pistol braces that conservatives strongly support. Norman and other hardliners told reporters they would press for additional spending cuts in 12 appropriations bills that Congress will try to enact by Oct. 1 to keep federal agencies operating during the 2024 fiscal year. The lawmakers also want to eliminate an estimated 1,100 programs that have not been reauthorized by Congress, saying the programs represent $100 billion in spending. McCarthys debt ceiling compromise with Democratic President Joe Biden set limits that would keep discretionary spending roughly flat for the next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. But the hardliners are also looking to expand their influence over the House Republican agenda. We want to work on an accountability regime and a power sharing agreement," said Representative Matt Gaetz, one of the hardliners. We want to see House conservatives in a position to be able to enforce the agreements that we all make." Continued Republican in-fighting could complicate passage of key legislation later this year on defense and agriculture as well as spending. With a narrow majority of 222-213, McCarthy can afford to lose no more than four Republican votes on any measure that faces uniform opposition from Democrats. Asked how he would be able to keep the House on an even keel with hardliners ready to block measures, McCarthy replied: I just wake up every morning, pray for the patience of Job and find a solution." A couple from Los Angeles, United States who found one million pennies while cleaning out their parents home in Pico-Union are now facing problems in figuring out how to exchange them. John Reyes, a realtor from the Inland Empire, told Los Angeles-based news outlet KTLA that he and his wife found at least one million coins while cleaning out his father-in-law, Fritzs, basement. The coins were neatly packed crates, boxes and old bank bags in a tight corner of a basement crawl space. The coins, made of hard copper, are $10,000 worth. John Reyes, his wife, Elizabeth, her sister, her cousin and their spouses told KTLA that they have been planning to renovate the house where her father and her brother, both German immigrants, once lived. They were so heavy, and there were so many of them, that it took hours to move them, Reyes told KTLA, highlighting that getting these coins out of the basement was hard as the bags were very heavy. However, now Reyes and his family are in a fix because these coins have no takers and banks have already denied exchange requests, including a Wells Fargo branch. Another bank manager told Reyes that they do not have enough space in their vault to store these coins. Both of them have listed the coin collection on the website OfferUp for $25,000, which is more than twice their value, the news outlet said and are hoping that someone will show interest in buying the entire collection. If sold at $25,000, it would become the most expensive copper US coin collection. A report by Insider said that the most expensive US coin collection currently is a $20,000 collection of assorted coins. Pennies have been known to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions. A rare 1972 penny was auctioned at $1.1 million, according to Barrons. The Insider in its report also pointed out that in 2022, a California auction house sold 10 pennies, which were over 100 years old for $1.1 million. The last major coin discovery was made in 2019, by a couple in North Yorkshire, England, who found $800,000 worth of coins hidden under their kitchen floor. Kouri Richins, the Utah resident, accused of killing her husband and then writing a childrens book about grief, researched extensively about luxury prisons for the rich and the timeline of insurance companies to pay claimants, KTVX and the New York Post said in a report. Richins, the 33-year-old mother of three, was charged with murder after she mixed a lethal dose of fentanyl into a cocktail which she prepared for her husband Eric Richin in March 2022. The New York Post and KTVX revealed that her Google search history revealed disturbing search queries. Along with searching information about status and conditions of Utahs penitentiaries, she also extensively conducted research on luxury prisons for the rich in America. She also surfed the web to find out if investigators can see deleted messages and whether police can force you to take a lie detector test and also if the death certificate can be edited to change the cause of death. The KTVX report revealed that Richins viewed articles titled Signs of Being Under Federal Investigation and Delay in Claim Payment for Death Certificate with Pending Cause of Death. Some other search queries were: Is naloxone similar to heroin, What is considered a non-natural manner of death and Kouri Richins Kamas net worth. She also researched how to hire someone to write a book. Richins also wanted to know on several occasions whether her family had donated to the Summit County Police Department, KTVX said. Richins search history also included queries like How to undo microblading, What kind of doctor was dr. pepper and Lil Nas X married, the outlet revealed. The outlet citing an expert said that the suspect could be trying to understand the process and how long the investigation could take. I think her state of mind, what shes looking at, what shes researching, could be important, but certainly, I think theres nothing there that indicates guilt. I dont think its insignificant, criminal defence attorney Clayton Simms was quoted as saying by KTVX. In his tailoring shop, not bigger than an average SUV, 67-year-old Jagtar Chand earns Rs 500-700 (USD 6 to 8) daily in Jalandhar city of Punjab. Chand has a loan to repay, which he borrowed in 2017 to send his daughter to Toronto in Canada for higher studies. The loan of Rs 25 lakh (more than 30,000 USD), which if he goes on to pay at his current pace, will take him 20 more years to get rid of, says Chand. I got the amount from 3-4 different sources. Since I was already 61 when I borrowed the sum, I could not apply to a government-owned bank, given my little income. I am only paying the interest right now. I had thought once my daughter got a job in Canada after completing her higher studies, she would repay the remaining amount, Chand told CNN-News18. As hundreds of students face threats of deportation from countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, Chand says if his daughter meets the same fate, his familys hopes will be ruined. We will be devastated. I spent my life savings of 47 years to send my daughter to Canada. Back here in India, my wife, two other daughters, and a son work day and night to support her expenses in the hope that she will settle there in a well-paying job to end our misery. Now, when her future hangs in uncertainty, it gives us sleepless nights, the tailor said. Around 50 kilometres from Jalandhar lives Navjot Kaur Sindhu in Shahkot, whose niece Oshin Arora also stares at an uncertain future. Arora left India in 2017 to reach Canada. My niece went to Canada following all the due procedures to pursue an MBA course. To our surprise, we realised that the agent had obtained the documents from the university fraudulently. We are paying the price for our innocence, Kaur said. The woman, who works as a lawyer, said they can only appeal to both the state (Punjab) as well as the central government to look into the matter and resolve the issue with the Canadian government. If it happens, this will not just be a deportation but will also bring our hopes and lives to an end," she said. Relief from Canada The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) this month issued deportation notices to students whose admission offer letters to educational institutions were allegedly found to be fake. This led to widespread protests by students in Canada. One such protesting student, Lovepreet Singh, told CNN-News18 that many others like him have been charged by the immigration department. Theres a misrepresentation case on many students here. It is being said that they had forged their letters while they were applying for visas but how come these letters were only identified after five years or when they started applying to become permanent residents? he asked. Amid continued demonstrations, the Canadian government said it had put the deportation on hold. In another development seen as a major relief, it was reported on Tuesday that the Canadian immigration minister has stated that the government will put a process in place so that innocent students can stay on. Were working to develop a process to ensure that the innocent students, who are the victims of fraud, have an opportunity to remain in Canada, Sean Fraser, the minister, said, adding that people who knowingly committed fraud or were complicit in a fraudulent scheme will bear the consequences of not following Canadian laws. Paper trail In the thick of the controversy around some Indian students allegedly obtaining fake documents to reach foreign lands for higher studies, CNN-News18 went undercover to lay bare the workings of syndicates operating from New Delhi and Punjab that claim to provide any document required to fly abroad, fraudulently. #BreakingNews: Fake certificate racket looting youth's futureCNNNews18 expose: How agents help people obtain fake graduation degrees? Operation details of such syndicates active in Delhi & Punjab Take a look at this report by @AnvitSrivastava & @GoyalYashco | @anjalipandey06 pic.twitter.com/hFRlLYwCyt News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2023 The team found that starting from a graduation degree for college dropouts to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) an English language proficiency test and even TOEFL, which is more commonly accepted by American institutions, everything can be arranged. The formula is simple a hefty payment. The CNN-News18 team met an education consultant who claimed that a graduation degree of a private college from states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, or Punjab can be obtained for Rs 1.3 lakh to 2 lakh. Further, the consultant said that for IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE (Pearson Test of English) a computer-based test to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers one will have to pay Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 8-10 lakh. Explaining the modus operandi on how such tests are forged, another agent said that a picture of the candidate is circulated within their group. Then begins the real task of finding a lookalike of the candidate who will sit in the exam on his behalf. The person, whoever is found, is groomed in a way to make him look more like the candidate and he appears in the exam to clear it, the agent said. The money obtained is divided such that the man appearing for the test earns the most while the invigilator, the middlemen, and others are paid the rest, he said. The draining of one of Europes largest reservoirs as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has revealed submerged military objects that offer a reminder of wars past and present on Ukrainian soil. On a drizzly morning near the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, a team of divers and underwater demining experts from Ukraines State Emergency service grappled on Monday with the steering element of a S-300 missile. It had fallen in the water since Russias full-scale invasion and was caked in algae and soil. The missile fragment had been spotted in shallow water on Saturday by a local resident taking a stroll on the newly formed beach. The demining teams leader, Oleksandr Chechko, said the water level at the location had fallen by around four metres. He said the amount of explosive or dangerous items the unit had been called out to deal with had grown several times since the Kakhovka dam was destroyed last Monday. Ukraines environment minister said the Kakhovka reservoir, which was the body of water contained by the dam, had lost nearly three-quarters of its volume. Before the disaster, the reservoir contained 18 cubic kilometres (4.3 cubic miles) of water. Each side blames the other for the dams destruction last week, but evidence is growing that there was an explosion at the dam around the time it collapsed, according to Ukrainian and US intelligence reports and seismic data from Norway. Russia was in control of the dam when it was destroyed. The S-300, used by both Russia and Ukraine, is a Soviet-era missile built to intercept aerial targets, such as larger missiles. Russia also uses modified S-300s to hit ground targets in Ukraine. It was not clear which side had launched the recovered missile. REMNANTS OF A PAST WAR Chechko said the explosive detritus from the war with Russia was not the only thing exposed by the lower water level, as the dams destruction had exposed reminders of earlier wars. We often recover remnants of S-300 rockets, remnants of Smerch rockets, and after the water (level) fell we found munitions from World War Two," he said. Ukrainian news agency UNIAN posted a video on Sunday showing human remains on the dried-up reservoir bed which it said were from World War Two. One of the decomposing skulls was wearing a helmet similar to those worn by Nazi Germanys soldiers. Much of southern Ukraine, including the area around the drained reservoir, saw vicious battles in World War Two between the Soviet and German armies. Ukraine says 8 million of its people were killed in that war, a significant part of the Soviet Unions total losses. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam has provided other historical echoes: In 1941, retreating Soviet forces blew up Zaporizhzhias huge Dnipro Dam to slow a German assault. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked a federal court on Monday to block Microsoft from completing its $69 billion buyout of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, a court filing showed. A preliminary injunction is necessary to prevent interim harm" while the FTC determines whether the proposed acquisition violates US antitrust law," the regulator said in the filing. In requesting the preliminary injunction at the Northern California District Court, the US government sought to prevent the companies from finalizing the deal before a July 18 deadline. An FTC hearing is set for August to argue the merits of the deal, but the appeal to a federal court will potentially see Microsoft subject to a restraining order blocking the accord before that process has run its course. The California judge would need to agree to stop the deal after hearing arguments by the FTC on why the buyout is illegal and from Microsoft on why it should go ahead. We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court," said Microsoft President Brad Smith. We believe accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market," he added. Xbox-owner Microsoft launched a bid for Activision Blizzard early last year, seeking to establish the worlds third biggest gaming firm by revenue after Chinas Tencent and Japans PlayStation maker Sony. While the European Union has greenlit the deal, Britains Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked it in April, arguing it would harm competition in cloud gaming. The FTC in December sued to block the transaction with Activision Blizzard, maker of the blockbuster Call of Duty" title, over concerns that it would stifle competition. The regulator is led by Lina Khan, an antitrust academic who had been an advocate of breaking up the biggest tech firms before she was nominated by President Joe Biden to the job in 2021. Khan has accused Meta, Facebooks parent company, of stifling competition by buying up startups and the FTC has carried out investigations of Amazon. The US Department of Justice, meanwhile, has filed lawsuits arguing that Google has committed antitrust violations in online search as well as in advertising. The contest for the Masten District seat on the Buffalo Common Council features two of the citys most high-profile women Zeneta B. Everhart and India B. Walton. Both have been community leaders, advocates and organizers in the city for years. Everhart, the endorsed candidate of the Erie County Democratic Party, has been one of the most visible faces of the tragic May 14, 2022, mass shooting at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue. Her son, Zaire Goodman, a part-time employee at the grocery store, was shot in the neck in the parking lot as he tried to help an older customer with her groceries. Goodman was 20 at the time. Since then, Everhart has testified before Congress. She was Sen. Chuck Schumers guest for President Bidens State of the Union Address in February. She started a childrens book drive with her son to collect books about race and diversity. She has given numerous interviews to local and national media. For the past six years, Everhart has been the director of diversity and inclusion for State Sen. Tim Kennedy. Its been an amazing ride. Doing work in a community that youre raised in is a huge responsibility, but its been very fulfilling, Everhart recently told The Buffalo News. Walton was barely known to many Buffalo voters before her progressive campaign upset Mayor Byron W. Brown in the 2021 Democratic primary for mayor. Her victory gained her national attention and brought a new brand of progressive Democratic politics to Buffalo. Walton lost to Browns write-in campaign in the general election, but she carried the Masten District Browns home turf with 53% of the vote. Walton described herself as an independent thinker, a constant advocate, a person with experience in affordable housing development, with experience in improving the social determinants of health as a registered nurse during a recent campaign event where she was endorsed by former State Sen. Antoine Thompson and former Erie County Legislature Chair Betty Jean Grant. Walton and Everhart are two of three Democratic candidates running for the seat vacated by Ulysees O. Wingo Sr., who announced in February he would not seek re-election. The third is Murray Holman, a longtime youth advocate who has been on the front lines of anti-violence initiatives for decades, often working with police to deter young people from a life of crime. Holman, executive director of Stop the Violence Coalition and co-leader of Buffalo Peacemakers violence prevention program, will not be on the ballot for the Democratic primary election, but will appear on the Conservative line in Novembers general election. If elected in November, Everhart or Walton could be among the first women in several years to hold a seat on the Common Council. The last female member on the Council was Bonnie Russell, who represented the University District from 2004 to 2014. A poor neighborhood The Masten District extends from Main Street to as far east as Bailey Avenue, an area that runs south from University Heights to MLK Park, encompassing all or parts of the Hamlin Park, Delavan Grider, Fillmore-Leroy, Kensington Bailey, Genesee-Moselle and MLK Park neighborhoods. Most households in the Masten District have an income less than the citywide median income (58.3%), according to the Partnership for the Public Good. According to campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections, Everhart raised $63,858 through May 26, nearly three times as much as Walton, who raised $22,280. Everhart spent much of her campaign money during the most recent reporting period and has $20,000 left in her account, while Walton has between $10,000 and $13,000 in her account, records show. Forty percent of the donors who gave to Everhart were from outside Buffalos boundaries, according to a Buffalo News review. Of the $22,280 Walton raised, $4,270 was not itemized. If a campaign contribution or an aggregation of contributions is $99 or less, it does not need to be itemized with the name and address of the donor, according to the State Board of Elections. Careers for both focused on local issues Walton went to work for the state Working Families Party a left-leaning minor party in January 2022 as a senior adviser for special projects to advance priorities in the State Legislature, specifically local issues in Buffalo and Rochester. She resigned from the position to seek the partys endorsement, which she was granted last March. Walton also does consulting work and is the strategic director for Roots Action Education Fund, involved in civic engagement on the local level and education on issue-based campaigns, she said. Part of Everharts job with Kennedy involves looking at legislation through a racial equity lens, she said. We want to make sure that any legislation that the senator is putting forward or that he is supporting does not hurt Black and brown people and that it actually helps them, Everhart said. So thats a huge part of my job, obviously, writing laws and looking for new ones to help. Another big part of my job is actually on the ground in the community. India Walton enters Common Council campaign for 'everyday people looking for help' Since her run for Buffalo mayor a couple of years ago, India Walton says she has been "thrus Focus on housing Walton, a first-time homeowner, purchased a $245,000 two-family house on Eastwood Place in the Masten District in November. Her three adult sons live below her, and her teenage son lives with her. Her campaign has singled out the lack of affordable housing as a main issue facing Masten District residents. Her focus is improving housing in Masten through community-driven planning and development that will include housing for residents throughout their lives, despite physical ability and income. Walton says she will work with public and private partnerships to increase homeownership and address the racial wealth gap. Holding landlords accountable for providing safe and healthy properties is also on Waltons agenda. She would enforce the citys rental registry and work with the citys Department of Permits and Inspection Services to implement proactive rental inspection and provide eviction and foreclosure prevention resources to district residents. Walton also pledges to implement more programs to fund home maintenance and ownership, including support for residents in purchasing city-owned vacant lots. She referenced her time as executive director of the Fruit Belt Community Trust as a way to pay for that. Back when I was working with the trust in 2018, 2019, there was money available through the state Attorney Generals Office for anti-displacement work, for trust work, and we really couldnt get the cooperation of the city to be able to maximize the amount of funding that we could bring in, she said. Under her leadership, the trust built two houses in the Fruit Belt, something elected officials and other community members have found fault with. However, she looks forward to being able to bring forward some of the ideas and experience she gained in that role. I built those houses in the Fruit Belt. The criticism is that it was only two houses, but guess what? Its still two houses, two more than we had before, Walton said. First-Time Home Buyers Faced Borrowing Headwinds in Q1 Conditions for first-time home buyers looked different in the first quarter of 2023 compared with one year before, but they hadnt necessarily improved. Across the country, while active listings in the first quarter fell from the previous quarter, they remained significantly higher than a year ago, and asking prices held relatively steady. However, homes were... Housing is a No. 1 priority, said Everhart, who lives on Florida Street and is trying to buy a house. She will draw on her personal experience as a renter looking to buy a home, to help renters navigate the system, she said. Everhart has been developing a program for about a year and a half that involves creating a fund that renters, specifically on the East Side of Buffalo, can get access to purchasing empty lots and dilapidated houses in their neighborhoods, she said. Renters would have first priority on buying the properties. The funding will come from a combination of state and federal dollars, banks and foundation support, and the city will play a part, too, she said. Probably about a year and a half now Ive been working on this. Ive been talking to banks. Ive been talking to foundations in the community. Ive been talking to other senators and legislators about this program, and they all agree with me that this program could definitely work, Everhart said. The aim is to make sure our renters own a piece of their community. It's almost the midway point in Pride Month, the celebration and commemoration of LGBTQ+ pride, with events taking place nationwideincluding at the White House. LawnStarter decided to scout out what parts of the country are most pride-friendly, looking at 20 metrics for 200 of the America's largest cities in five main categories: affordability; LGBTQ+ health care access; community support (ie, same-sex households, support and social groups); pride readiness, which looks at such factors as the number of gay bars and clubs, pride events, and venues with gender-neutral restrooms; and equality (state equality scores, number of "Don't Say Gay"-style bills passed, and the like). San Francisco is the friendliest in LawnStarter's rankings, while the bottom 10 cities predominantly land in Texas and Florida. Read on for the top and bottom 10: The body of the driver of a tanker truck that burned under an I-95 overpass in Philadelphia, apparently causing its collapse , was found Monday in the wreckage. Family members identified the remains of Nathaniel Moody, 53, WTXF reports. State police said the driver lost control of the truck on the curve of an off-ramp early Sunday morning. The truck, which was hauling 8,500 gallons of fuel, overturned, hit a wall, and burst into flames, officials said. Moody's family said he was delivering the gas to a station in the area for a New Jersey company and had more than 10 years' experience as a trucker. No other deaths or injuries were reported, per the Washington Post . Repairs to the interstate could take months, said Pennsylvania's governor, who issued a disaster declaration, after looking over the site. That would snarl a heavily traveled East Coast commercial and commuter route through the summer. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and other officials advised drivers to expect detours and consider taking public transit while the section is rebuilt. Detoured traffic moved slowly Monday morning. The National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies are investigating. State police said a criminal investigation is not planned. Secretary Pete Buttigieg offered the help of the Transportation Department. State officials said they'd release a timeline for repairs in the next few days, per CNN. Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle, whose district includes the site of the collapse, said the effects will be major. "You are literally going to have millions of people in what is one of the largest population centers in the country impacted in a significant way," he said. The manager of Currans Irish Inn, which is along I-95, saw smoke from the burning truck from his workplace. "There's nothing you can do," Mike Ditro said. "It's going to be gridlock, Im sure. (Read more Philadelphia stories.) The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher at a Virginia elementary school has pleaded guilty to federal charges and could be facing prison time. Deja Nicole Taylor pleaded guilty in Newport News federal court to felony charges of having a firearm while possessing marijuana and lying on a federal background check form about her marijuana use, the Virginian-Pilot reports. Under a plea deal, prosecutors are expected to ask for a sentence between 18 and 24 months when the 25-year-old is sentenced in October. Marijuana is legal in Virginia while remaining a controlled substance under federal law, though the charges against Taylor are relatively rare, the AP reports. Prosecutors said Monday that investigators found the drug at Taylor's home and her mother's home in the days after her son shot teacher Abby Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News in January. Prosecutors said they found text messages on her phone "illustrating the pervasive scope of Taylor's marijuana use." They said that in a 2021 traffic stop, police found "several marijuana edibles that looked like rice treats" next to her son, who was then 4 years old. A statement of facts from prosecutors contradicted what lawyers for Taylor have said about the firearm being secured, the Washington Post reports. Lawyers have said she believed the 9mm handgun her son took to school was secured on a high closet shelf, but prosecutors said no trigger lock or key to a trigger lock was found at her residence or her mother's home. Taylor still faces state charges including felony child neglect. Zwerner, who was shot in the hand and chest, is suing the school district for $40 million. (Read more school shooting stories.) Ahead of his appearance in court on Tuesday, Donald Trump on Monday threatened the current president with using the federal government "to go after" him and his family. Trump announced his plans, if again elected president, in an all-caps post on Truth Social, the Hill reports, writing: "I will appoint a real special 'prosecutor' to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the USA, Joe Biden, the entire Biden crime family, & all others involved with the destruction of our elections, borders, & country itself!" Using the Justice Department as a weapon is one of the accusations Trump and his allies have made against President Biden. Trump prefaced the threat with "Now that the seal is broken." He attacked one of his attorneys general on a radio show, after William Barr said that if even half of the indictment is true, Trump is "toast." In response, the former president said that the man he once picked to run the Justice Department is "a gutless pig," per the Independent. Trump traveled from New Jersey to Miami on Monday, arriving about 3pm. He's due in federal court in Miami at 3pm ET Tuesday. (Read more Mar-a-Lago indictment stories.) Two men who were active-duty members of the Marines Corps when they stormed the US Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday to riot-related criminal charges. Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen are scheduled to be sentenced in September by US District Judge Ana Reyes. Both pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, said a spokesperson for the US Attorney's office for the District of Columbia. Many Capitol rioters are military veterans, but only a few were actively serving in the armed forces when they joined a mob's attack on Jan. 6, 2021, the AP reports. A third active-duty Marine, Micah Coomer, was charged with Abate and Hellonen. Coomer pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor charge in May and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30. All three face a maximum sentence of six months of imprisonment. As of May 19, the Marines were still in the service. David Dischley, an attorney for Abate, declined to comment on his client's guilty plea. An assistant public defender who represents Hellonen didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Authorities arrested the three men in January: Abate at Fort Meade, Maryland; Coomer in Oceanside, California; and Hellonen in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Witnesses stationed with Coomer at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and with Hellonen at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina identified them in videos of the Jan. 6 riot, according to the FBI. A third witness, also a Marine, identified Abate from footage taken inside the Capitol, the FBI said. During a June 2022 interview for his security clearance, Abate said he and two "buddies" had walked through the Capitol on Jan. 6 "and tried not to get hit with tear gas," according to an FBI special agent. "Abate also admitted he heard how the event was being portrayed negatively and decided that he should not tell anybody about going into the U.S. Capitol Building," the agent wrote in an affidavit. Coomer drove to Washington on Jan. 6 from his military post in Virginia. He attended then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally with Abate and Hellonen before they entered the Capitol. Inside the Rotunda, they placed a red "Make America Great Again" hat on a statute before taking photos of it, prosecutors said. The three men spent nearly an hour inside the Capitol. (Read more Capitol attack stories.) An Ecuadorean woman was declared dead last week after suffering a stroke, only to be discovered hours later gasping for air in her coffin. Bella Montoya, 76, is now hospitalized in intensive care and the country's health ministry has opened an investigation into the matter, the BBC reports. Her son says her health situation remains dire and he is praying for her to survive, CBS News reports. The woman had reportedly gone into cardiorespiratory arrest, no longer breathing and having lost heart function, and could not be resuscitated when a doctor declared her dead. Then, five hours into her wake, her son says, "The coffin started to make sounds. My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily." (Read more Ecuador stories.) Family caregivers and those who provide medical, emotional or spiritual care to others are welcome to upcoming workshops to help improve their own wellness. How three caregivers battled burnout: 'Overload in every sense of the word' You're coping with all of these in-the-moment things but you also know you're losing your person. That never leaves your mind, says Darcy Thiel, a Buffalo mental health counselor. Healing the Whole Person will be offered in person from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at Unity of Buffalo, 1243 Delaware Ave., and repeated online in an interactive online conference at the same time June 24. Participants will develop a plan to improve their physical, emotional and/or spiritual well-being before using the same strategies to help others. The Rev. Dr. Melody Rutherford, director of Spiritual Care at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will help lead the event. Register for either event for a donation of $10 by visiting livingwellnow.info, or pay at the door for the in-person event. Registration includes unlimited downloads of Less Stress, Better Health and More Love, a body-mind workbook designed to improve communication between professionals, caregivers and patients. The workbook will be used in each workshop. For more information, call 716-909-9612 or email unity.livingwell@gmail.com. Scott Scanlon Within days of Elizabeth Gilbert announcing her new novel, The Snow Forest, the book's release has been put on pause. The Eat, Pray, Love author said last week that the novel, set in Siberia in the 1900s, would be released in February. But after outcry followed, with many worried the book would "romanticize" Russia as the country is accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine, Gilbert quickly did a 180, Politico reports. She said her Ukrainian readers had expressed "anger, sorrow, disappointment, and pain about the fact that I would choose to release a book into the world right now ... that is set in Russia." She says she "respects" those opinions and understands that Ukrainians are currently experiencing "grievous and extreme harm," and so that she does not add to that harm, she is "removing the book from its publication schedule. It is not the time for this book to be published." Though the Hollywood Reporter points out she left the door open for a future release, it's not clear when, or if, that might happen. But Gilbert says she will turn her attention to her other book projects and that anyone who had already pre-ordered The Snow Forest will be refunded. The book had already garnered hundreds of one-star ratings on Goodreads. Gilbert said the book's plotline involves "a group of individuals who made a decision to remove themselves from society, to resist the Soviet government, and to try to defend nature against industrialization." Some commenters disagreed with her decision to pull it from publication: "I was born in Ukraine, I fully support Ukraine and condemn Russia's actions. But this is an author who has written a book of fiction set in Siberia of the pastthis has nothing to do with glorifying the barbaric actions of the Russian army and government today, nor those who support such actions," reads one such sample response. (Read more Elizabeth Gilbert stories.) A helicopter accident in northeastern Syria over the weekend left 22 American service members injured, the US military said Tuesday, adding that the cause of the accident was under investigation and that no enemy fire was involved. The military statement said the service members were receiving treatment and 10 were moved to higher care facilities outside the region, the AP reports. "A helicopter mishap in northeastern Syria resulted in the injuries of various degrees of 22 US service members, it said. No enemy fire was reported. A spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment. There are at least 900 US forces in Syria on average, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. US special operations forces also move in and out of the country, but are usually in small teams and not included in the official count. US forces have been in Syria since 2015 to advise and assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the militant Islamic State group. Since the extremist group was defeated in Syria in March 2019, US troops have been trying to prevent any comeback by ISIS, which swept through Iraq and Syria in 2014, taking control of large swaths of territory. However, ISIS sleeper cells remain a threat. There are also about 10,000 ISIS fighters held in detention facilities in Syria and tens of thousands of their family members living in two refugee camps in the country's northeast. Over the past years, US troops have been subjected to attacks carried out by ISIS members and Iran-backed fighters there. In late March, a drone attack on a US base killed a contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor. In retaliation, US fighter jets struck several locations around the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, which borders Iraq. (Read more Syria stories.) Massachusetts police are searching for suspects who stole muriatic acid from a park building, then poured it on playground slides. Two children suffered "burnlike injuries" after using slides at Longmeadow's Bliss Park on Sunday morning. The Longmeadow Fire Department, which responded around 9:40am, said the acid is believed to have been stolen from the basement pump room of the park's pool building, where pool-related chemicals were "stored properly in a secured area." It added "a great deal of effort was employed to enter this space." According to officials, the perpetrators entered the room through a ventilation shaft, whose cover had been "torn off." Muriatic acid, a diluted form of hydrochloric acid, is used "to balance pH levels in a pool" and "for certain cleaning applications," per WCVB. New England Disposal Technologies describes it as a "dangerous" and "extremely corrosive" cleaning agent that "should be the last you reach for," per the Hill. The fire department noted "the perpetrators may have suffered acid burns to their hands or arms and their clothing may have indications of being degraded from contact with the acid." Investigators reportedly collected forensic evidence and fingerprints, though they're seeking additional information, including possible surveillance video, from the public. The playground has been closed as a specialty cleanup ensues. (Read more Massachusetts stories.) Initial forensic work was to begin Monday to try to exhume the bodies of 128 victims of late dictator Francisco Francos forces who are among tens of thousands of people buried anonymously in wooden boxes underground in a mausoleum. The team of some 15 forensic experts, archeologists, scientific police, and odontologists will work on extracting samples of the remains at the Valle de Cuelgamuros mausoleum, formerly known as the Valle de los Caidos, or Valley of the Fallen, and try to match them with DNA of surviving relatives. A special lab has been set up within the mausoleum, reports the AP , where more than 30,000 Franco victims are buried without identification. The 128 the experts are looking for are the ones whose families have so far asked for their bodies to be identified and returned. The experts do have some indications of where the boxes are that they are looking for. The exhumations, if successful, will be the first for victims under Spain's historical memory laws that are aimed at making reparations to Franco's victims and changing the way the dictatorship is viewed in Spain. "Finally, and perhaps too long overdue, Spanish democracy is providing an answer to these victims," government rep Isabel Rodriguez said on Spanish National Television TVE. The exhumation work is expected to take weeks, if not months. It will almost certainly not be finished before the July 23 elections that could see the right-wing Popular Party, or PP, ousting the Socialist-led leftist coalition government. The PP has long opposed the historical memory law and has said it will scrap it if elected. The grandiose mausoleumwith a towering cross visible from miles awaywas Francos burial place and has always been a revered shrine for his far-right followers. It was built with forced prison labor to commemorate the fascist victory in the civil war. In 2019, the Socialist government ordered the removal of Francos remains under an amended historical memory law that banned exaltation of the dictator at the site. (Read more Francisco Franco stories.) UPDATE Jun 14, 2023 6:09 AM CDT The Australian woman who failed to return from a hike in Canada has been found dead. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed Wednesday that the body of Julia-Mary Lane had been located, adding her death is "not considered suspicious." "It looks accidental, due to steep terrain," RCMP corporal James Grandy told the Guardian. "All evidence of the scene shows she accidentally maybe lost her footing." Grandy added Lane was alone, per 9 News. Lane's family described the loss of "our beautiful baby girl" in an "unfortunate hiking accident" in a statement that asked for "space to process this incredibly sad news," per CTV News Vancouver. Jun 13, 2023 12:46 PM CDT An Australian woman living in Canada has gone silent during a weeklong hiking trip in what the Guardian describes as "bear country," prompting fears for her safety. Julia-Mary Lane, a 24-year-old Brisbane native also known as "JM," has been living in Alberta since January. According to ABC Australia, she traveled to neighboring British Columbia with plans to house-sit and hike before starting a job in finance. Information from her smartwatch indicates she was hiking Friday south of the town of Kimberley. We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy / Trump Hearing Was Over in Less Than an Hour Judge orders former president not to discuss case with witnesses, co-defendant Sorry! This content is not available in your region June 13, 2023 State Legislature rushes through election changes Much of the political world was buzzing this weekend about last-minute changes to New York State elections especially the change that would put most local offices on the even-year gubernatorial and presidential election cycles. The change in true Albany fashion, it was approved in the early morning hours, when most New Yorkers were sleeping is being lauded by Democrats as a way to increase voter turnout and criticized by Republicans as a power grab that would further diminish the partys influence in state politics. News Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg covered the end-of-the session rush extensively, with stories on the weakening of a proposed campaign finance reform law, Clean Slate Act legislation to seal criminal records of New Yorkers after they serve their time and, oh yes, the huge issue of the governor negotiating a new casino compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians. But most of the people I spoke with this weekend were increasingly coming to realize what an impact the election-year change would have on local politics going forward. Bragg describes the debate in his Sunday story below. Charlie Specht Albanys final session day includes election overhaul Both houses of the Legislature passed a bill that would move many local elections in New York to even-numbered years. The bill would mean many important local elections in Erie County including for Erie County Legislature and Erie County executive would be in even years, beginning in 2026. According to reporting by Newsday, elections for town and village boards and county legislature and executive would run in even election years. The bill would not apply to positions where the terms are set under the state constitution, including judges, district attorneys and county clerks. Some local officials believed on Friday that the bill applied to City of Buffalo elections. But in debate on the State Senate floor early Saturday morning, the Senate sponsor, Democrat James Skoufis, said the bill did not apply to cities, including Buffalo. The bill passed the Senate on Saturday at nearly 2 a.m. by a vote of 40-23. If signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the bill could well advantage Democrats in local elections, since turnout is typically higher in even years, when races for governor, Congress and U.S. president are at the top of the ballot. Higher turnout usually benefits Democratic candidates. Democrats in the Legislature also framed the move as a cost-saving measure for local boards of elections, since it could conceivably require fewer elections to be held. Ralph Mohr, the Republican commissioner on the Erie County Board of Elections, argued that would not be the case, since elections will still have to be held on odd-numbered years for certain offices. This is another example of Democrats in the Legislature trying to engineer rigged elections for their partys benefit, Mohr said. Its not going to end in saving the taxpayers money and its going to cause more confusion on the part of the taxpayers. Mohr said that the races of U.S. president and governor would drown out attention for local elections. Mohr said the Erie County Legislature would be forced to run for election in 2025 then again in 2026, when the even-year schedule would take effect. Under the bill, local officials elected to two-year terms in 2025 would only serve one year before running again; officials elected to four-year terms in 2025 would serve three-year terms. Jeremy Zellner who is both the chair of the Erie County Democrats and the Democratic co-chair of the Board of Elections said he also believed the county would have to still hold elections annually. He did not know if the measure would save any money for the Erie County board, but said, Anytime you can increase turnout and remove barriers to people from voting, I think its a good thing. Bragg News & Notes Even and odd election years werent the only changes to voting passed by the State Legislature. The Legislature passed a last-minute bill to bring a new form of universal mail-in voting to New York, relying on a novel interpretation of the state constitution that has so far required an excuse for absentee voting, the Gotham Gazette reported. Early voting for the June 27 primary election begins Saturday. Polling places, times and more information can be found at the Erie County Board of Elections website. The State Senate declined to hold a vote on whether to confirm Justin Driscoll, the acting president and CEO of the New York Power Authority. The move, a setback for Hochuls administration, came days after Bragg reported on alleged racial discrimination at NYPA. The late Shirley Hamilton, the former president of the Niagara Falls NAACP, took on the issue as a final cause before she died in March. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com LIC (International) BSC (c), a prominent insurance company, convened its 134th Board of Directors meeting in Bahrain yesterday. The meeting, conducted via video-conferencing, was attended by Siddhartha Mohanty, Chairperson of LIC of India and Deputy Chairman of the Board of LIC (International) BSC (c), along with other Directors. During the meeting, a detailed review of the companys new business performance, financials, investment income, and operating performance for the first quarter of 2023 was conducted. The unaudited financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2023, were also approved. The companys premium income for the quarter was $16.71 million, compared to $23.8m for the same period in the previous year. The company paid out $45.79m in claims to policyholders during the quarter, compared to $36.15m during the same period in the previous year. The companys total investment income for the quarter was $19.29m, compared to $22.32m for the same period in the previous year. The company showed a net profit of $8m during the quarter. The companys total comprehensive income for the quarter was $5.62m, compared to a comprehensive loss of $17.5m for the same period in the previous year. During the year 2023, the company launched three new products: two products (ULIP & Child Plan) were designed for the UAE market and one product (ULIP Plan) for the Bahrain market. The board members expressed hope that with more new products in the pipeline, the company will revert back to normal growth in new business during the year 2023. He has pledged to set aside Y3.5 trillion over three years for child support. The big-spending policy has fanned speculation that he could call a snap poll as early as this week. Japan recorded a historic low of fewer than 800,000 new births in 2022. Experts have blamed Japan's high cost of living and lack of child care support for the fertility crisis. Kishida says a key factor behind the declining birthrate is the incomes of young people. He says his government will continue to promote economic growth while doing all it can to raise incomes of younger generations. The government aims to spend about 25 billion dollars annually over the next three years to focus on the issue. The measures will remove the limit on household income for receiving child-rearing allowances from the government. Coverage will be expanded to children in senior high school. Families will be able to get a monthly allowance of 30,000 yen, or about 215 dollars, for their third child and onwards, regardless of age. The government plans to start the changes in October next year. To reduce the cost burden for post-secondary education, more students will be eligible for scholarships or reduced tuition fees. Japan also plans to increase financial support for childbirth such as having childbirth expenses covered by public health insurance... read more There may be progress. Reports that even a few Canadian officials might be open to the changing regulations thus helping Americans who own summer homes in Canada avert an onerous new tax are encouraging.Last year, Canadas Parliament approved an additional 1% tax on vacant or underused housing held by nonresident, foreign owners. The imposition of the new tax had been delayed until Oct. 31, but anxiety and confusion over whether they will owe it has burdened many Western New York families who own cottages not McMansions within a short distance of their Western New York homes. These summer residents have already made significant financial contributions to Ontario beach communities through existing taxes and trade. Now, they may have to consider giving up their Canadian summer homes. One such resident, Robert Ketteman, doesnt understand why hes grouped with overseas speculators buying up properties that will remain vacant for long periods. That problem does exist and has pushed Canadian housing prices steeply higher, especially in major metro areas like Toronto and Vancouver. But Fort Erie, where Kettemans home is located, and other vacation communities near the border are far from the cities the Canadian government is trying to protect. Tony Baldinelli, the Conservative member of Parliament from Niagara Falls, Ont., has called for hearings based on this key distinction. While some rural vacation properties are exempt from the tax, its very difficult for property owners to tell the difference, especially when homes on one side of a street are deemed rural and not subject to the tax while home on the the other side are not considered rural and therefore subject to the tax. Then there are equally confusing qualifications involving heat systems.. Reprieve could be on the way. At last weeks hearings, Canadian officials indicated that besides delaying the date the new tax is due, more change could come in the form of regulatory fixes, which are easier than changing the law. If Parliament is willing, that is. Americans who own property in Canada should submit input to the International Trade Committee at CIIT@parl.gc.ca before a Thursday deadline. ... Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. The Festival theme this year is "Here, There, Everywhere" TORONTO, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Hugel Aesthetics today announced its official sponsorship of Pride Toronto 2023 and participation in Pride Toronto's Festival Weekend, including the official Pride Parade on Sunday June 25, to help inspire people in their own beauty journey. Hugel Aesthetics is a growth joint venture between two leaders in the medical aesthetics industry, Hugel, Inc., manufacturer of PRLetybo(LetibotulinumtoxinA for Injection) and Croma-Pharma GmBH, manufacturer of saypha Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers. "Hugel Aesthetics is honoured to be involved with Pride this year" says Hugel Aesthetics Canadian GM, Bob Bennett. "We are also thrilled to partner with Eve 6000 for Pride Toronto's festival weekend, including the official Pride Parade on Sunday June 25. Our focus is on making medical aesthetics more accessible and celebrating the amazing Pride community." Eve 6000 is a transgender activist and drag queen from Toronto, Canada known for her beautiful drag aesthetic and comedic talents. "I'm very excited to begin this new partnership with Hugel Aesthetics!" says Eve 6000 "For many of us in the LGBTQ community, aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers can be gender affirming care. I'm proud to represent Hugel Aesthetics for Pride 2023!" For more information about Hugel Aesthetics in Canada Please visit www.hugel-aesthetics.ca and follow @hugelcanada on Instagram for updates About Eve 6000 For more information on Eve 6000, visit @allabouteve6000 on Instagram About Pride Toronto Pride Toronto is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to bring people together to celebrate the history, courage, and diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, the annual Pride Toronto Festival has become a major Canadian Arts and Cultural Event and one of the largest Pride celebrations in North America. Pride showcases Toronto on the world stage with diversity, inclusion and vibrant creativity. Please visit pridetoronto.com and follow @PrideToronto on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and more information. SOURCE Hugel Aesthetics For further information: Jennifer Orlando, [email protected], 905-805-0788 Available in Zesty Lime, Sweet Chili and Chicken & Bacon a flavour for any tastebud TORONTO, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - McDonald's Canada is excited to announce the refreshed McWrap and Chicken Snack Wrap lineup, featuring craveable flavours and made with quality fresh ingredients. Available today at participating restaurants, guests can choose between various flavours for lunch, dinner, or a convenient on-the-go snack to satisfy any craving. And, just in time for summer, McDonald's Canada is reintroducing grilled chicken on the menu at participating restaurants, so guests can choose from crispy or grilled chicken in their McWrap or Chicken Snack Wrap for even more variety. McDonalds Canada introduces refreshed McWrap lineup, available in Zesty Lime, Sweet Chili and Chicken & Bacon (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) "Our refreshed lineup of wraps are made with juicy, tender seasoned chicken that's available crispy or grilled, and are prepared in our restaurant kitchens with ingredients like fresh veggies and flavourful sauces all wrapped in a soft white flour tortilla," says Chef Jeff Anderson, Culinary Innovation lead, McDonald's Canada. "Whether you're a true chicken lover hoping to satisfy your chicken craving or looking for a delicious and convenient snack on-the-go, our wraps lineup offer something for everyone." The fresh flavours include: Zesty Lime McWrap : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, tortilla strips, sliced tomato, cucumbers and cilantro lime sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, tortilla strips, sliced tomato, cucumbers and cilantro lime sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. Sweet Chili McWrap : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumbers, mayo-style sauce and sweet chili sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumbers, mayo-style sauce and sweet chili sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. Chicken & Bacon McWrap : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumbers, hickory-smoked bacon and mayo-style sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumbers, hickory-smoked bacon and mayo-style sauce. All wrapped up in a soft white flour tortilla. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Snack Wrap : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and spicy buffalo sauce wrapped in a soft white flour tortilla. : Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and spicy buffalo sauce wrapped in a soft white flour tortilla. Ranch Chicken Snack Wrap: Made with 100% Canadian-raised seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and ranch sauce wrapped in a soft white flour tortilla. McDonald's is committed to prioritizing quality and taste in everything we offer. The McDonald's way is all about giving our guests something they know and love us for, which is why the refreshed McWrap lineup was designed to maximize craveability, ingredient harmony and enjoyment. Don't forget to take advantage of MyMcDonald's Rewards on the McDonald's app, where guests can earn points on every order to enjoy free McDonald's! About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving more than one million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast to coast to coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca. SOURCE McDonald's Canada For further information: Canada Impact, McDonald's Canada, [email protected] MONTREAL, June 12, 2023 /CNW/ - For its fiscal year ended March 25, 2023, the Societe quebecoise du cannabis (SQDC) posted total sales of $601.9 million, compared with $600.5 million for the preceding fiscal year. The company reported net income of $94.9 million versus $75.7 million in fiscal 2021-2022. To this can be added the government revenues generated by its operation in the form of consumer and excise taxes, estimated at $193.8 million, with $137.8 million going to Quebec and $56.0 million to the federal government. The SQDC's total contribution to the Quebec treasury is therefore $232.7 million. The $94.9 million in net income and the Quebec portion of the excise tax are remitted in full to the Ministere des Finances du Quebec and reinvested primarily in cannabis-related prevention efforts and research and the fight against the adverse effects of psychoactive substances. First plateau in its growth After four years of sustained expansion of its sales network, the SQDC has now reached a plateau in its growth. From both a volume and a dollar standpoint, the company's sales remained stable in comparison to the preceding fiscal year, this despite the addition of 10 new stores, bringing the number of points of sale in operation to 97 at March 25, 2023, and 98 today. In fiscal 2022-2023, the SQDC's overall sales totalled $601.9 million, corresponding to 106,526 kg1 of cannabis, compared with $600.5 million and 106,448 kg1 in fiscal 2021-2022. This situation is largely due to the labour dispute that has been ongoing in the organization since the beginning of the 2022-2023 fiscal year and that affects a quarter of the company's stores. Specifically, 24 stores whose employees are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are currently on strike, 22 of these stores since late May 2022. Currently run by their two managers, the affected stores have remained open albeit on a reduced schedule. All other SQDC stores are operating normally. During the fiscal year, the company prepared its second strategic plan, which will be implemented over the next three years. It will enable the company to continue actively carrying out its mission of migrating consumers age 21 and older from the illicit market to the legal market while maintaining a focus on health protection. Sales by network The SQDC's 97-store network, three of whose stores opened their doors in the last weeks of the fiscal year, generated sales of $567.8 million ($564.4 million in 2022, with an 87-store network). Volume sales in the store network totalled 100,254 kg of cannabis (100,026 kg in fiscal 20221). For their part, online sales on the SQDC.ca website reached $34.1 million ($36.2 million in 2022) with a total volume of 6,272 kg (6,462 kg in 20221). The SQDC completed 13.9 million transactions in its stores and online in fiscal 2022-2023, with an average transaction price of $49.70, taxes included. The average sales price of one gram of cannabis sold was $6.48, taxes included, exactly the same price as for the preceding fiscal year. The SQDC sells dried cannabis products at prices ranging from $3.43 to $18.80 per gram. New customer services Last fiscal year, the company launched several new initiatives arising from its omnichannel retails strategy. The Pick Up in Store service was implemented across the network. A 90-minute delivery service was introduced in several of the province's municipalities; by fiscal year-end, the regions of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Levis, Shawinigan, Trois-Rivieres, Gatineau and Sherbrooke all had access to this new delivery method. The service will be extended to other regions next year. In April 2022, the company also added an online chat service and improved it later in the year. Now available during the regular opening hours of SQDC stores and on every page of the SQDC website, this service allows customers to chat in real time with sales network advisors and to receive guidance that, even remotely, helps them make informed choices. A responsible approach The SQDC continued its efforts to capture the illicit market by relying on responsible sales, an adapted advisory service, the commitment of its teams and a competitive offer. With volume sales of 106,526 kg1 of cannabis out of an estimated total annual market of 190,000 kg2 in Quebec (187,000 kg2 in fiscal 2021-2022), the SQDC is currently thought to have captured around 56% of the market. This figure is comparable to last year's. The company continued to build relationships of trust with local producers and suppliers to be able to carry products sought by customers. At present, 41% of the kilograms sold at the SQDC bear the Quebec Grown identifier, meaning they are mostly grown in Quebec. In addition, 54% of the licensed producers whose products are distributed by the company have their head office in Quebec. The SQDC maintained its in-store packaging recovery program. The recycled materials are used to create new goods that are also recyclable. This initiative is complementary to selective collection. The company also continued consulting and collaborating with the main players in the value chain to mobilize efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the containers and packaging for the cannabis products sold at the SQDC. Labour relations The SQDC and the union organizations concerned have held negotiations aimed at renewing the collective agreements of unionized store employees. An agreement with the Confederation des syndicats nationaux (CSN), representing the employees of 17 stores, was signed on July 27, 2022. Talks with the 26 stores represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are ongoing. It should be noted that the employees of 24 of these latter stores are on strike, 22 of the stores since May 2022. The strike-affected stores remain open but on a reduced schedule. The SQDC continues to hope for an agreement satisfactory to both parties. The French-language version of the SQDC Annual Report 2023 and the French- and English-language versions of the SQDC Strategic Plan 2024-2026 are now available on SQDC.CA. The English-language version of the annual report will be available soon. (1) Calculation based on the equivalency table for cannabis-infused beverages published by Health Canada in December 2022. (2) This figure is based on a study carried out by the Ministere des Finances du Quebec. About the Societe quebecoise du cannabis (SQDC) The SQDC is a government corporation mandated to distribute and sell cannabis in Quebec with a focus on protecting customers' health and safety. The company is committed to offering quality products and informing and advising consumers on how to minimize the health impacts of cannabis. The long-term objective is to shrink the illegal cannabis market in Quebec. All the SQDC's profits are remitted to the Fonds de lutte contre les dependances, a fund managed by the Ministere des Finances du Quebec, and reinvested primarily in cannabis-related education, prevention efforts and research. For more information, visit SQDC.ca. SOURCE Societe quebecoise du cannabis For further information: Fabrice Giguere, Media Relations, 514 262-2437, [email protected] Looking at John Rockefeller and Standard Oil. There are a lot of similarities with what Elon And Tesla are doing. Rockefeller was laser focused on reducing costs and waste. Rockefeller used a lot of vertical and horizontal integration to reduce costs. Deep Technology like nuclear fusion, molecular nanotechnology and reusable rockets will create entire new industries. This is an opportunity and many challenges. It is important to look at the historical creation of foundational giant industries and supply chains. There are also more recent examples of the creation of the internet, electric cars and nuclear fission power. There are puzzle pieces and steps to create an industry: 1. From Science into Engineering 2. Engineering into Products 3. Products into Business 4. Business into scaled industry 5. Making the scaled industry involves scaling markets and supply chain Here is how John D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil) created parts of the oil industry and dominated the oil industry broken into the Industry creation steps. The Standard Oil model is being replicated in how Tesla is creating a new electric economy with Master Plan 3. It is also useful in analyzing how potential new technology like nuclear fusion, AI and reusable rockets could become successful to create new industries. 1. From Science into Engineering. Chemistry was used to develop oil cracking, creating oil byproducts and various aspects of refining. A refinery is a production facility composed of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and unit operations refining certain materials or converting raw material into products of value. Copper Oxides were used to remove sulfur from Ohio oil. Standard Oil pioneered the process of treating the wood in a kiln to prevent leaking. Standard Oil developed a kerosene that could be produced with 20% of the sulfuric acid used by competitors, thus greatly reducing costs of production. 2. Engineering into Products Engineering is used to turn proven science into products. Refineries are built, made more efficient and made larger. Oil is refined into kerosene and then into lubricating oil, gasoline, tar and paraffin. 3. Products into Business Eventually, hundreds of products are made from each barrel of oil and new markets are developed for the products. The markets are developed and grown for new products. Sales and delivery methods are made to supply global markets (Asia, europe and elsewhere). 4. Business into scaled industry He bought out other refiners and other oil producers. He employed his own plumbers and almost halved the cost of labor, pipes, and plumbing materials. Coopers charged $2.50 per barrel but Rockefeller cut this to $0.96 when he bought his own tracts of white oak timber. He had his own kilns to dry the wood, and his own wagons and horses to haul it to Cleveland. He negotiated huge discounts with rail companies to lower the cost of transporting oil and oil products. His company perfected large steamship tankers to ship oil cheaply overseas. 5. Making the scaled industry involves scaling markets and supply chains. The Oil Industry enabled to growth of tar for surfaced roads. It also scaled the use of kerosene for lighting. Gasoline and other oil products enabled the growth of rail and then the auto industry. Raw materials procurement: Standard Oil employed its own crude buying agents rather than using independent contractors like its competitors. Standard Oil built an extensive network of warehouses to hold extra oil in case prices unexpectedly spiked. Standard Oil developed its own sources of crude to ensure constant, cheap supply. Raw materials transportation: Crude was traditionally transported in wooden barrels. Given the high cost of barrels, Standard Oil purchased forest land and harvested the wood. Standard Oil pioneered the process of treating the wood in a kiln to prevent leaking. Standard Oil later lowered costs even further by investing in tanker rail cars, which at the time were a fairly new invention. Standard Oil built pipelines to transport crude directly from production sites to the refining facilities. In 1870, when Standard Oil was formed, the price of kerosene was $0.26 / gallon. By 1880, Standard Oil had driven the price down to $0.09 / gallon; the price was further reduced to ~$0.07 per gallon by 1890. History of Rockefeller and Standard Oil John D. Rockefeller became the richest person in the world through oil and refinery innovation. His discovery of oil was an important factor but was leveraging scientific and engineering success to develop oil refineries that was the main driver for his wealth. In 20 years in the oil industry, Standard Oil Company captured 90 percent of Americas oil refining and had pushed the price down from 58 cents to eight cents a gallon. In 1855, Benjamin Silliman, Jr., chemistry professor at Yale, analyzed crude oil. He distilled and purified it. It yielded kerosene which was better than the widely used whale oil. Other by-products of distilling included lubricating oil, gasoline, and paraffin, which made excellent candles. In 1863, Rockefeller talked oil with Samuel Andrews and two years later they built a refinery together. Rockefeller shunned the drills and derricks and chose the refining end instead. Refining eventually became very costly, but in the 1860s, the main supplies were only barrels, a trough, a tank, and a still in which to boil the oil. The yield would usually be about 60 percent kerosene, 10 percent gasoline, 5 to 10 percent benzol or naphtha, with the rest being tar and wastes. Rockefellers early growth through horizontal combination. He bought out other refiners and other oil producers. He adopted a strategy of vertical integration later. Rockefeller was constantly looking for ways to save. He built his refineries well and bought no insurance. He employed his own plumbers and almost halved the cost of labor, pipes, and plumbing materials. Coopers charged $2.50 per barrel but Rockefeller cut this to $0.96 when he bought his own tracts of white oak timber, his own kilns to dry the wood, and his own wagons and horses to haul it to Cleveland. This is echoed today with Elon Musk and Tesla vertically integrating all aspects of the electric car and vehicle charging business. Rockefeller then struck a supply chain deal with Vanderbilt for lower cost rail transportation of his oil and refined oil products. Rockefeller and Sam Andrews worked on getting more kerosene per barrel of crude. They searched for uses of the byproducts. They used the gasoline for fuel, some of the tars for paving, and shipped the naphtha to gas plants. They also sold lubricating oil, vaseline, and paraffin for making candles. Other Cleveland refiners, by contrast, were wasteful: they dumped their gasoline into the Cuyahoga River, they threw out other byproducts. During the early 1880s, the entire oil industry was in jeopardy. The Pennsylvania oil fields were running dry and electricity was beginning to compete with lamps for lighting homes. Rockefeller bet on new oil discoveries near Lima, Ohio. However, this new oil had a lot of smelly sulfur. He had accumulated more than 40 million barrels of that sulfurous oil in tanks. He held onto the oil for two years. Rockefeller hired two chemists, Herman Frasch and William Burton, to figure out how to purify the oil. The threat of cheap Russian oil from Baku oil fields emerged. The Russian oil was better (more liquid), more abundant and cheaper oil. 1. Rockefeller use more science and engineering. William Burton, who helped clarify the Lima oil, invented cracking, a method of heating oil to higher temperatures to get more use of the product out of each barrel. 2. Engineers at Standard Oil helped by perfecting large steamship tankers, which cut down on the costs of shipping oil overseas. 3. Rockefeller made Standard Oil even more efficient. He used less iron in making barrel hoops and less solder in sealing oil cans. In a classic move, he used the waste (culm) from coal heaps to fuel his refineries; even the sweepings from his factory he sorted through for tin shavings and solder drops. 4. Rockefeller studied the foreign markets. He used spies, often foreign diplomats, to help him sell oil and tell him what the Russians were doing. He used different strategies in different areas. The Russian-American oil war was hotly contested for almost 30 years after 1885. In most markets, Standards known reliability would win. Standard would just get its price close to that of the Russians. In some years, Rockefeller had to sell oil for 5.2 cents a gallonleaving almost no profit margin. Efficiency and innovation beat naturally cheaper oilfields. It seems evident to me that if you arent woke, then you must be asleep. This makes sense because Ron DeSantis is dreaming if he thinks he has what it takes to be President of the United States. News / Local by Staff reporter ZIMBABWE is losing precious minerals through porous borders, with security forces and border officials manning the entry points seriously incapacitated to plug illicit flows, a report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services has revealed.The country has been losing minerals, ranging from diamonds and gold through wellknit syndicates that involve security officials, foreigners and local smugglers who have been taking advantage of lack of knowledge by the officials manning borders.According to the report presented this week by Umzingwane legislator Levi Mayihlome after visits to Beitbridge Border Post, the committee was informed by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials that there was a stretch of 230 kilometres of the borderline encompassing Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, which was poorly manned by law enforcement agencies in Zimbabwe.Along that borderline there were over 15 well-known unregistered exit and entry points between the three countries.Smuggling has also been rife at the points, while they have also been a source of gold leakages, among other commodities. Law enforcement agencies, which include the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), as well as the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), have also been unable to control the illegal crossing points because they do not have vehicles, while the roads are impassible, according to the report."In addition, there was no cellphone network coverage in these border lying areas, which made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to coordinate their efforts effectively along the border. The security forces requested for vehicles, tents, drones, testing and communication devices and the establishment of a reaction team to arrest would-be smugglers," read part of the report.The ports of entry have also been hit by a shortage of personnel and equipment. The committe's findings have revealed that border officials have been operating without modern scanners to detect gold, diamonds and other minerals that may be smuggled out of the country."Officials at ports of entry have limited knowledge of the characteristics of minerals such as gold and diamonds. Zimra outlined that it was in the process of recruiting a metallurgist and a geologist, so that they could be stationed at the land borders to assist in the identification and verification of minerals being exported or those confiscated for attempted smuggling."At RGM International Airport, two attempts were made to smuggle gold out of the country. In the first case, the gold was intercepted before leaving the country and in the second case the gold was recovered at O.R. Tambo International Airport in South Africa. The major cause of the leakage was due to collusion by airport officials," it read.As previously reported by The NewsHawks, Zimbabwe has been losing gemstones through illicit trade and undervaluation necessitated by a close-knit ecosystem of panners, security services and runners of merchants from Pakistan, Lebanon, China and India.While the country boasts more than 30 semi-precious stones, only four are covered by the Diamond Policy. Most of them are mined by informal foreign prospectors from India, Mozambique and other countries. Cartels implicated in the illicit flows have also been using well-traversed channels opened up by couriers of second-hand clothing bales on farms within the Penhalonga area, according to a report titled "Scope and Nature of Illicit Flows in Zimbabwe's Gemstone Sector" by Lyman Mlambo, a mining economist.The smuggled minerals are then traded in Chimoio, Mozambique, an area that is dominated by Asian nationals who operate grocery shops, before they are transported to Dubai and other destinations. In 2011, the United Arab Emirates imported US$408 million worth of (rough) diamonds from Zimbabwe, making it the largest diamond market.An investigation by The NewsHawks published in April also exposed lithium smuggling from the Mudzi and Mutoko areas via Nyamapanda Border Post.The location of lithium reserves close to the border has also made the mineral, also known as the "white gold", prone to smuggling. This is despite Zimbabwe imposing a ban on the exportation of unprocessed lithium.While cabinet also approved the beneficiation policy, the country has not yet fully operationalised value addition and beneficiation programmes. Local participation and capacity in beneficiation have not been developed.Another investigation by Zela in February revealed that foreign buyers are smuggling lithium ore, which is bought in bulk from artisanal miners.For instance, during one of Zela's visits to mining sites in Mberengwa, there were various buyers of lithium who were operating haulage trucks at night. In one incident, the investigative team observed a fleet of seven haulage trucks headed for Mberengwa around 7pm.However, the following day, it was noted that only two trucks had been fully loaded overnight and left. It also emerged that the lithium miners sell their lithium to buyers, mostly Chinese nationals who also drive at night to these remote areas for collection, according to the report.The Chinese nationals are said to be the best buyers, forking out between US$120 and US$150 on average for a tonne of lithium.However, local buyers have been short-changing miners as they buy ore based on the percentage value of the ore after estimating the tonnage. The buyers are reportedly bribing police officers to be allowed to leave with truckloads of lithium. Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) visited Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, Azernews reports, citing Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA). The visit was organized by EZDA and the purpose of the visit was to familiarize the chairman with the Industrial Park. Within the sideline of the visit, the Industrial Park held a meeting with the participation of the representatives of the residents of the Industrial Parks. Elshad Nuriyev, the Chairman of EZDA, informed about the opportunities created for investors in the industrial zones, and the prospects of cooperation between EZDA and AFEZ at the meeting. Elshad Nuriyev, the Chairman of the Board of the Economic Zones Development Agency, gave detailed information about the opportunities created for investors in the industrial zones, and the prospects of cooperation between IZIA and AFEZ. Valeh Alasgarov, the Chairman of the Alat Free Economic Zone, spoke about the registration procedures of residents in the AFEZ economic zone, fiscal and non-fiscal privileges applied to investors, and invited the residents of the industrial zones to establish cooperative relations with the residents of the AFEZ. The meeting discussed the exchange of experience between EZDA and AFEZ, the placement of the information board of the industrial zones under the management of EZDA in AFEZ, etc. In the end, the Chairman of AFEZ got acquainted with the works done in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, the resident of the Industrial Park with the production process in the Electrical equipment and Cable factories of STP LLC. News / Local by Staff reporter PARLIAMENT has raised questions over the safety of Zimbabweans ahead of the 23 August general election, with legislators challenging Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe to issue a ministerial statement on measures being put in place to ensure a peaceful poll.Concerns have been raised with Zimbabweans living under the jackboot of authoritarian repression and fear in what has been termed a police state a country in which people's peaceful civic activities are strictly controlled by government with the help of a brutal police force.While people are free to speak and demonstrate in Zimbabwe, their freedom is not guaranteed after the action.For instance, this week police quashed a oneman protest in Harare at the corner of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Sam Nujoma Street, savagely and violently assaulting the man, which is unconstitutional.In terms of the law, police are only allowed to use minimum force to effect arrest. Zimbabweans have always met with teargas and brutal attacks even if they try to peacefully demonstrate against worsening economic, social and political conditions.More human rights abuses have been reported in the pre-election period. This week in Parliament, Warren Park legislator Shakespear Hamauswa asked the Acting Speaker, William Mutomba, to ensure that Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe present a ministerial statement over police preparedness to guarantee a peaceful election."I want to raise an issue with regards to the harmonised elections which are going to be held this year. This was raised before by honourable [Costa] Machingauta who said that the honourable minister of Home Affairs should come to this august House and explain the preparedness of his ministry regarding peaceful elections," Hamauswa said."However, our term is coming to an end and we are left with a few days before we go for elections. The honourable minister has not come to the House to fulfil the request that was raised in this august House that he should explain the state of preparedness of the ministry of Home Affairs and, indeed, the nation for holding peaceful elections."I believe that if that is raised, this would allow the people of Zimbabwe to have confidence that elections will be held in a peaceful environment. However, this request has been made three times and it is a request that we ask, Mr Speaker, that before the end of the week, the minister of Home Affairs should give us a ministerial statement on what measures the ministry is putting in place to ensure peaceful elections. We look forward to peaceful elections," he said.In response, Mutomba said he would engage Kazembe over an update on preparedness."I have two responses: the first one being that if the minister of Home Affairs was to come tomorrow, then I will request that you ask your question during the question-and-answer session because days are moving and we want peace like what His Excellency the President has proclaimed that there should be peace in the nation. "Secondly, if the minister is not coming, we are still going to engage him so that he brings a state of preparedness ministerial speech to the august House so that elections are held in peace," he said.Fear has been brewing over safety during the general election, with think-tanks predicting an increase in organised violence and torture.Murders and arbitrary arrests have also been recorded in the pre-election period, with main opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) activists being maimed and killed during and in the aftermath of by-elections held in March.In May, Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala was convicted, almost a year after his arrest, and slapped with a suspended six-month custodial sentence and a US$600 fine.Sikhala was however not released from custody, despite spending over 300 days in prison, with the state arguing he has outstanding cases.Last month, opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume was arrested for leading and organising the 31 July 2020 protests.He was convicted by Harare magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka and sentenced to 48 months imprisonment, with 12 months suspended. Intimidation by shadowy government and ruling party-linked proxies has also been recorded.Last week, CCC senior official main Tendai Biti demanded that Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri present a ministerial statement on the role of the shadowy Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz) outfit in electoral processes.Controversy has risen over the establishment of Faz which, as previously reported by The NewsHawks, has taken over electoral processes. The organisation is led by Central Intelligence Organisation co-deputy director-general retired Brigadier-General Walter Tapfumaneyi.The outfit is not a constitutional or official arrangement, but an underground operational unit campaigning for Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF in the 23 August general elections.While Faz has taken over the running of elections, an investigation by The NewsHawks has shown that it has also been running an intimidation campaign, with three members assigned to each of the country's wards.According to an operational Faz document titled Faz Campaign Scope, critical information being collected by the outfit's agents and informers includes names, addresses, identity numbers and voter registration details at polling station level.Faz is also counting people at household level before recording the information on their tablets and smartphones.The information is computed, condensed into data and processed and is seen as crucial in influencing and manipulating the electoral process in favour of Zanu-PF through a combination of tactics, including persuasion and intimidation, in some cases. Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, says the era of the legislature standing against the tyranny of the executive is long gone. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu had endorsed Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, to be senate president. However, there was opposition to the APCs nominations from other interested lawmakers. Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, and Orji Uzor Kalu, chief whip of the senate, had insisted on contesting the position but Akpabio eventually emerged senate president. The former speaker said members of the executive should desist from interfering in the election of presiding officers of the national assembly. Taking the position we are advocating requires resistance. Now, resistance is not by comfort, it entails suffering and sacrifice and when you resist, you tend to lose a lot, he said. Any democracy that cuts itself off from checks and balances severs its lifeline and then bleeds to death. Why should someone who has been elected into an executive position seek to control the emergence of the leadership of the parliament that is supposed to be independent? Without sounding a bit pessimistic, I believe that the days of standing up to tyranny in the legislature have long faded. These days, no road to Damascus moment here. I think redemption or salvation is very far. In most cases, as legislators, some of us who have stayed there for long know those who have the onions and trust and capacity to exercise leadership on our behalf. When it comes to determining this, whether from the point of view of the executive or political parties, in most cases, what they [executive] do is just sit down there without proper consultation with the membership and say this person must be the presiding officer, based on their own completely extrinsic consideration, without regard to the feeling of members. There were cheers in the House of Representatives as a former aspirant for Speaker, Aliyu Betara, voted for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Tajudeen Abbas. As Betara was called to declare his choice among the three contenders for the position, members-elect cheered and clapped for him. The lawmaker declared his vote for Abbas. Betara was a top contender for the position until he recently stepped down for the APC candidate after interventions by President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, as well as the national leadership of the ruling party. Betara, from Borno State, was seated beside another former front-runner for Speaker, Yusuf Gagdi, from Plateau State. Both Betara and Gagdi were part of the G-7, a group of aspirants aggrieved with the endorsement of Abbas by the APC. However, two members of the G-7, the outgoing Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, and Sani Jaji are contesting against Abbas. News / Local by Staff reporter PERMANENT secretary in the ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Pfungwa Kunaka, is under fire for allegedly assaulting his mistress and stepdaughter at his government offices, amid allegations he has over the years used his position as a senior official to get away with similar abuses.Information gathered by The NewsHawks shows that Rumbidzai Matinyenya has reported the physical abuse numerous times over the years at Harare Central Police Station before being cajoled to drop charges.She has however refused to drop charges for an attack which occurred at the ministry's offices in the central business district on 20 February.Kunaka also allegedly attacked his 14-year-old stepdaughter while guards watched.The matter was reported at Harare Central Police Station and a docket was opened under CR 951/02/23 in relation to his mistress while the stepdaughter's case is under CR950/2/23.Kunaka also allegedly assaulted Matinyenya and her friend at a house in Harare's Greendale suburb on Christmas Day, resulting in the matter being reported under case number RRB5377773 at Rhodesville Police Station.Another assault case was reported at Harare Central in July last year under number IR071059. Matinyenya confirmed the cases but said she dropped charges on all previous matters except the February attack, where "he also attacked my daughter".Kunaka did not respond to questions sent a fortnight ago. Messages sent on WhatsApp were blue-ticked to show he had read them. He was also not answering calls.Matinyenya alleged she has been abused by Kunaka since 2015 after she gave birth to his child. The attacks occurred at several places, including at the ministry of Finance offices, where he was employed as a senior official before his promotion to Mines permanent secretary last year.She revealed the two have had a relationship since 2008 when she was only 17. She was married at the time but was cheating with Kunaka, whom she said pampered her with cash and gifts.Kunaka is also married."I was young, vulnerable and impressionable. I guess I lost my bearing because of the gifts and the promise to marry me. I was pregnant at the time we were dating, but my husband found out about our affair in 2009, when my child was small, resulting in us separating," she said."Kunaka then rented a house for me. Things were okay between us until 2015 when I gave birth to his child. He suddenly stopped sending my first child to school and stopped paying rent. My child had to drop from a private school and enrol at a government school as a result. He also started physically abusing me; the first time being in March 2016 when he hit me with a whip in the ministry of Finance offices."I almost fell through the window on the 6th floor as he was assaulting me," she said.Matinyenya said she reported the assault at Harare Central Police Station, but withdrew charges after he convinced her to do so."From that day, I have not known peace," she said.She said one of the most brutal attacks occurred last Christmas, when she went to his house to ask for money to treat their child, who has a heart ailment.Matinyenya said Kunaka has refused to put his child on medical aid despite her condition."Our child fell ill. I called him for help because the child was not on medical aid, but he was not answering. I then went to his house. I was answered by his son who was very courteous. He asked me to come inside but I said I just wanted to see Kunaka and asked him to call him for me. While I was parked at the gate, someone drove out and asked why I was blocking the gate, before hurling insults at me," she said."There were many people at the house and I saw a group of people advancing towards me, among them his daughter. I tried to reverse the car but his daughter hit me with a bottle after I crashed the car on a pillar."Kunaka came and took the keys away, and ordered people to beat me. I was accompanied by a friend, and we were both beaten. I was beaten until I soiled myself. They beat me from around 1830hrs to 2000hrs and I passed out. My sick daughter witnessed the attack and was crying throughout while holding onto her father. When I was released from his home, I met a guy who offered me his shirt. He phoned a taxi which took me to Rhodesville Police Station," she said.Matinyenya said Kunaka ignored police officers who attended the scene, and was only interviewed the following day, when she also "rescued" her daughter "who was cold and shivering after sleeping on the floor".She alleged Kunaka was in the habit of bribing police officers each time he attacked her, and believe he did so at Rhodesville as well. Matinyenya said the attitude of the police officers changed after they had a long meeting with Kunaka and even took him to court, when the magistrates' court were on a break."I later withdrew the case after Kunaka pressured me to drop charges. He also promised to fix the car I was driving which was extensively damaged during the attack. I took the Mercedes Benz C180 to Zimoco for repairs and gave them his number, but when they called him, he said he did not know me. He failed to honour his promise, so I visited him at his offices on 20 February so that we could solve this matter," she said."I went with both my children and we met him in the basement as he was also going out. He was about to go into his car and the small girl in excitement touched his car, a brand new Prado. He was offended and insulted her. I asked him if we could get into his car to talk, but when I held the door he started assaulting me while calling the guards. He was pushing me against the wall while pulling my breasts."He saw my daughter holding a phone, and turned on her. He chased her and hit her with a broom. He called her a street kid'."Her daughter took a taxi and reported the as sault at Harare Central Police Station, but she was told to come with an adult. Matinyenya then reported the assault alongside her daughter. Since the case involved a minor, the Social Welfare Department was also roped in.She said Kunaka has asked her to drop the charges, saying she can never win the case, but she has refused. Matinyenya said the social welfare officer who initially handled the matter has recused himself, but told her to be strong for her daughter.She suspects he was put under pressure, but refused to be compromised. She said a new officer is handling the matter.She was interviewed on 13 March while Kunaka was later called to explain his side of the story.Matinyenya said the matter was yet to be heard in court. Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyati did not respond to questions although he said he would personally look into the matter.The revelations on Kunaka come at a time the Supreme Court has ruled that President Emmerson Mnangagwa should craft a code of conduct for the vice-president, ministers and their deputies.This week, the court heard an appeal by Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi against a 2022 High Court ruling giving the minister 45 days to prepare a code of conduct for the vice-president, ministers and their deputies.This was after a law student at the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Nyasha Chiramba, represented by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum lawyers, had approached the court, seeking to compel the minister and the Attorney-General to initiate the drafting of the Bill envisaged under section 106 (3) of the constitution.He argued that the vice-presidents, ministers and deputy ministers have been involved in serious cases of misconduct, including sexual harassment and abuse of state resources, to no avail. For instance, former vice-president Kembo Mohadi was forced to resign after being implicated in a sexual abuse scandal which went viral on social media.Ziyambi and the AG argued that it was the responsibility of the President and cabinet to craft the code, a position upheld by the Supreme Court bench comprising Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza with Justices of Appeal Nicholas Mathonsi and Samuel Kudya, which the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of. The speakership election has taken a curious twist. Another member-elect of the House of Representatives, Sani Jaji, has been nominated to run for Speaker in the 10th National Assembly. Ahmed Yusuf Ibrahim from Katsina State nominated Jaji from Zamfara State. Normally, two candidates are usually nominated for the position. Jaji accepted the nomination, saying he was out to defend democracy. The outgoing Deputy Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, had earlier been nominated to run for Speaker, which he accepted. The choice candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Tajudeen Abbas, will contest against two other aspirants, Wase and Jaji. More details later The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, Benjamin Kalu, has been adopted by members-elect. While the newly elected Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, contested against two aspirants, Kalu emerged as Deputy Speaker of the House unopposed. Confirming that there were no other nominations for the position, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambuwal, swore in Kalu as Deputy Speaker immediately. More details later A National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, for disobeying the court order, which was regarded as contempt. The court had earlier ordered the IG to reinstate some police officers, who are graduates of Courses 33, 34 and 35 of the police academy, who were said to have been forcefully retired by the force, but the court order was allegedly not obeyed by the IG. The aggrieved officers approached the court and sought an order to nullify their compulsory retirement from the service by the IG. The court, presided over by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, then ordered that the IG, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary of the Police reinstate the forcefully retired officers. However, since April 19, 2022, when the judgement was delivered, the IGP and other defendants have yet to obey the court order. In a recent order given by the court on June 8, 2023, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, Justice Oyewumi berated the IG for the latters refusal to obey the court despite advice from the relevant stakeholders in the police force. The court order read, It is on record of this court that the court delivered a judgement in this case on 19/4/2022 and ordered that the judgement creditors/applicants should be reinstated forthwith. It is on record of this court also that the Police Service Commission, the statutory body that is vested with the power to appoint, promote and discipline the judgement creditors/applicants had ordered the Inspector General of Police to comply with the judgement of this court. It is equally noteworthy that the CP, Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force had also issued a legal advice urging the Inspector General of Police to comply with the order of this court vide a letter dated and the Inspector General of Police received it on 27/7/2022 yet he has refused to obey or comply with the judgement of this court. This is an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who swore on oath to uphold the rule of law and same law he has now failed or refused to obey. It is also of importance to state that this court has given ample opportunities to him and the Force Secretary to appear before this court and show cause why they are not to be held to be in contempt of this court, the record of the court evinces that they have both been served the enrolment of order of this court severally yet they both deem it fit to flout the order of this court and desecrated this hallowed chamber and temple of justice. Justice is not only for the affluent, it is indeed for the poor and vulnerable also. I pause to say that I wonder what type of head of an enforcement agency like the police, the Inspector General of Police is, if he finds it so difficult or so difficult it seems for him to obey a simple order of court. I also wonder the type of example he is laying for his officers if he as the head of the Nigerian Police Force has chosen/ elected to flagrantly take the law into his advised by the Police Service Commission and his own officer, the CP, Legal to comply. This I must say is preposterous and appalling. It is in the light of all stated which are in sync with the record of this court that I hold the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa for being in contempt of this court, they are to be arrested and be produced before this Court for necessary action. The court adjourned the case until October 9, 2023. Femi Gbajabiamila, outgoing speaker of the house of representatives, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for signing the student loan bill into law. Tinubu signed the bill on Monday to support Nigerian students in tertiary institutions with access to financial assistance while acquiring education In a statement on Monday by Lanre Lasisi, special adviser on media and publicity to the outgoing speaker, Gbajabiamila said the new law has secured the future of Nigerians. He said Nigerian students in higher institutions will not be denied education due to financial difficulties. Gbajabiamila who was recently appointed as Tinubus chief of staff, said the presidents actions have shown that Nigerians will enjoy good governance. He said unemployed and low-income earners in Nigeria have been experiencing hardship triggered by the high cost of living, adding that the countrys economic situation has made access to quality education difficult. He said a well-educated population is essential to national development, adding that education should be regarded as a public good that benefits the entire nation. When the actions of the president are viewed critically and without prejudice, it is reassuring that Nigerians are bound to enjoy good governance if the legislature and the executive will continue this symbiotic relationship that has brought massive change into governance within such a short period in the life of this administration, the statement reads. While I congratulate Nigerians on this new feat, I will equally implore our indigent youths to maximize the advantage of the new law that will enable them to chart the future they crave for themselves. He urged Nigerians to support Tinubus decisions to enable him to deliver good governance to the citizens. Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio on his election as President of the Senate. It was reported that Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress, had contested against the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator-elect Abdulazeez Yari. After a quick recess, Sani Tambuwal, the Clerk of the National Assembly, declared Akpabio the Senate President, having garnered 63 votes, leaving his rival with 46 votes. In a statement released Tuesday and made available to newsmen, Obaseki congratulated Akpabio on his emergence as the new Senate President, expressing optimism that he would not fail. He noted that with Akpabios wealth of experience, the 10th Senate is in good hands. After weeks of speculation surrounding the health of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State, and his prolonged absence from the state, he officially transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday. Akeredolu wrote a letter to Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Ondo State House Assembly, informing the Assembly that Aiyedatiwa would act as Governor while he is on medical leave abroad. The Governors whereabouts had caused concern in the state, with opposition parties calling on him to delegate power to the deputy governor to avoid a constitutional crisis. The Speaker confirmed that Akeredolu would be on a 21-day medical leave abroad, starting from June 7 to July 6, 2023. The letter stated that the leave, which started on June 7, has been extended to July 6, 2023, due to the public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir (June 28th and 29th, 2023). The Speaker described the Governor as a lover of peace and an advocate for the rule of law. He wished him a speedy recovery and an enjoyable vacation, while assuring the people of Ondo State that the Deputy Governor would efficiently handle the affairs of the state in the Governors absence. A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has emerged as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly. Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of the party, was paired with the senator representing Kano South, Jibrin Barau. Akpabio was sworn in as the Senate President after garnering 63 votes, leaving his rival, Yari Abdulaziz, to 46 votes. BACKGROUND Nigerias new Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is one of the few lucky Nigerians born with a silver spoon, noting that he has family members who have been in governance and at the helm of affairs for a long time. Akpabio is perceived to be from a strong political dynasty; his grandfather, Okuku Udo Akpabio, was the Warrant Chief in Ikot Ekpene province in the old Nigeria, while his uncle, Dr. Ibanga Akpabio, was the Minister of Education/Internal Affairs in the then Eastern Nigeria. His cousin, Justice Nsima Akpabio, was also a senator in the Second Nigerian Republic. Political journey from the classroom If you called Akpabio an ajebutter (elite), you would not be far from the truth. Akpabio has, from a young age, started his leadership journey as he has occupied one significant office or another. Akpabio began his educational journey at the Methodist Primary School, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State; the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was a senior prefect; and completed his secondary school education. His leadership journey continued even after secondary school, as he was elected Speaker of a Parliamentary Year during his sojourn as a student at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where he obtained his law degree. Professional background: Teacher to Managing Director Having obtained his Bachelors degree in Law, Akpabio had a short stint as a teacher before he moved on to work as an associate with Paul Usoro and Co., a law firm in Nigeria. From there, he served in the telecommunications industry with EMIS Telecoms Limited, a wireless telecommunications company in Lagos, Nigeria, and in 2002, he rose to the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company. Akpabio also served at the national level as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria. An ambitious politician While serving as the MD of EMIS Telecoms, Akpabio, in 2002, he was appointed as the Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by the then Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State. Between 2002 and 2006, he served as a commissioner in three key ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Lands and Housing. Following his stint as commissioner, Akpabio threw his hat into the ring for the Akwa Ibom governorship election, where he battled with 57 others to clinch the ticket of his then party, the Peoples Democratic Party. Launched with the slogan, Thy will be done, Akpabio won the governorship election in 2006 and got re-elected as the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom for the second time in 2011. In 2013, Akpabio was elected chairman of the newly formed PDP Governors Forum. Akpabios voyage into the Parliament In 2015, he contested and won the Senate seat of the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District to represent the district in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Running under the platform of the PDP, he polled 422,009 of the 439,449 votes to defeat Chief Inibehe Okorie of the APC, who recorded 15,152 votes to be declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Akpabio, in 2015, as a first timer against Senate rule, was made a principal officer as the Senate Minority Leader. In August 2018, he resigned as the Senate Minority Leader after announcing his defection to the All Progressives Congress. From legislature back to the Executive In July 2019, he was nominated by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, and screened by the Nigerian Senate for a ministerial appointment. On August 21, 2019, he was sworn in as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs. In June 2022, Akpabios ambition went even higher when he resigned his appointment as the minister for Niger Delta Affairs to contest in the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress but stepped down on the night of the primaries for the president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Cross-carpeting back to legislature Having stepped down for the President, Akpabio, against all odds, clinched his senatorial ticket through a court order from a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom. Having secured the ticket, Akpabio began the tussle for the Senate Presidency and eventually got anointed as the partys choice. The name Akpabio would ring a bell among Nigerians with notable scandals. Godswill Akpabio was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on accusations that he diverted over N100 billion from Akwa Ibom State during his time as governor (2007-2015) with American diplomats calling the level of corruption exceptional during his tenure. However, no charges have been filed. A lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong, who also accused Akpabio of corruption, was later arraigned by the police in court for defamation. Also in April 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, through a letter, asked the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs to report to its headquarters in Abuja for interrogation over a corruption investigation against him. Akpabio, however, through his lawyer, Umeh Kalu, SAN, said in a letter to the commission dated March 27 that his client would not be able to honour the invitation due to a scheduled medical appointment overseas. Akpabio then vanished into thin air, only to return to the country some days after the president came into the country to continue his race for the Senate Presidency. Other corruption cases in NDDC The notable corruption cases in NDDC during Akpabios first year as minister include the admission by the acting managing director of the commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei, that the commission spent N1.5 billion for its staff as COVID-19 relief funds. Also, the Senate said top management of the NDDC paid themselves N85.6 million to attend a graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom at a time when Nigeria was on lockdown and airports were shut because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate also said NDDC officials paid themselves scholarship grants at a time when hundreds of deserving scholarship beneficiaries had not been paid for years and were stranded in different countries. Two directors in the NDDC were arrested and detained in August by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over corruption allegations, while a former managing director of the NDDC forfeited N250 million to the Federal Government a few days ago. Akpabio was also accused of inserting N500 million worth of projects into the 2017 budget of the NDDC when he was the Senate minority leader. Sexual Harassment scandal Also, a former acting managing director of NDDC, Joy Nunieh, said Mr. Akpabio had wanted her to take an oath, which would have restrained her from exposing fraud at the commission. She once said, For instance, he told me to raise a memo to fraudulently award emergency contracts for flood victims in the Niger Delta. Nunieh also said she once slapped the minister at his guest house in Abuja for sexually assaulting her. Akpabio in turn denied her allegations and sued her for defamation Off your Mic scuttle with NAssembly In May 2020, Akpabio was summoned by members of the House of Representatives over the misappropriation of N40 billion. During his time as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he was involved in a scuffle with lawmakers during a National Assembly investigative hearing. When questioned, the former Akwa-Ibom governor told the panel that National Assembly members were involved in contract-awards in the tainted Niger Delta Development Commission, and the chairman of the panel, Thomas Ereyitomi, immediately told the minister to put off his microphone. Ereyitomi, Honourable minister, its okay, its okay. Off your mic! Akpabio, who was upset after the public hearing, went ahead to name lawmakers who got contracts from NDDC. His testimony against the lawmakers have continued to haunt him amongst his colleagues who havent forgiven him for exposing their dirty deals. Subsequently, Akpabio rejected summons by the National Assembly, which made the lawmakers conclude that he had no regard for the parliament and was arrogant. Akpabios personae One of the things that endears people to Akpabio is his constant smile. Youd hardly catch him frowning, no matter what was going wrong. The former governor is also known for his oratory prowess, intelligence and poise. He is always displaying confidence and great self esteem. He is married to Ekaette Akpabio, the founder of the Family Life Enhancement Initiative, a non-governmental organisation providing a platform for redirecting the focus of development efforts on the family as a strategy for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. They both have four daughters Actor Ezra Miller made a rare public address at the Los Angeles premiere of The Flash Monday. The 30-year-old star of the film, who grew up in Wyckoff and uses they/them pronouns, has been the subject of much criticism as a result of a string of incidents involving allegations of misconduct. Ezra Miller thanks #TheFlash director Andy and Barbaras Muschietti, the Warner Bros. brass and DC co-chairs Peter Safran and James Gunn for their grace and discernment and care and the cast pic.twitter.com/82vNFjioQ4 Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) June 13, 2023 Melissa Alfieri-Collins never received a COVID-19 vaccine. The registered nurse declined to be vaccinated after the pandemic hit, granted a religious exemption from Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she worked in the oncology unit. But in October 2021, when the Neptune hospital said unvaccinated workers had to be regularly tested, she quit, believing the policy was unfair. Alfieri-Collins wants to be a nurse again especially as the state grapples with a severe nursing shortage but not if shes forced to be immunized against the coronavirus. I have thousands of nurses that would be ready and willing to enter back into the workforce, but are simply just not willing to be vaccinated against COVID at this point, said Alfieri-Collins, who advocates on behalf of about 5,000 nurses as part of the New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice. Now the 46-year-old Holmdel resident and her colleagues can get back to work. On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order lifting the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health care workers in New Jersey, effective immediately. Todays order aligns our state with recent updates to federal requirements and reflects our different circumstances now, as compared to the past few years, Murphy said in a statement. My Administration will continue to take responsible steps to adjust New Jerseys COVID-19 policies and guidance accordingly. The health care settings include hospitals, long-term care facilities, psychiatric and specialty hospitals, long-term residential substance abuse disorder treatment facilities, family planning sites, and community-based pediatric and adult medical day care programs. The states pivot comes after the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week that it will rescind its rule requiring most employees of certified health care providers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated nurses and other health care workers have long argued the pandemic is over, and it was time to bring them back to work especially as the nursing shortage in New Jersey has reached crisis levels. On Friday, the New Jersey Hospital Association the trade group representing the states hospitals told NJ Advance Media it too is open to revising the policy. Last month the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a final rule that officially withdrew the COVID-19 healthcare worker vaccination requirement in settings regulated by CMS, NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett said in a statement. As a general practice, aligning state and federal guidance is a best practice that provides clarity and consistency for healthcare providers. At this stage in the pandemic, NJHA believes it would be appropriate to consider aligning New Jerseys requirement with the CMS final rule. The shift comes as other states reevaluate their own policies amid critical demand for health workers. New York State announced in May that it was seeking to end vaccine requirements for its health care employees. In a statement, the New York Department of Health cited the changing landscape of the pandemic and evolving vaccine recommendations as reasons for its decision. New Jersey ranks among the 10 states with the most unfilled registered nurse positions with more than 13,400 openings, according to Adzuna, a job listing site. Nearly a third of its nurses have left bedside care in the past three years, according to a survey by Health Professionals and Allied Employees the states largest nurses union. And the crisis is only expected to intensify, experts say. Nurses say the shortage has impacted the quality of care, although hospitals deny it. But health systems have spent millions of dollars on travel nurses and overtime to fill shifts. Holy Name CEO Michael Maron recently said the Teaneck medical center is spending $2.5 million per month on travel nurses. Before the pandemic, it would spend $200,000 to $400,000 in a bad year. RWJBarnabas Health alone fired 118 employees in October 2021 for failing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine deadline. Other health systems also terminated employees, while countless workers like Alfieri-Collins quit on their own. In fact, about 30% of U.S. health care workers were unvaccinated as of September 2021, according to an analysis of more than 2,000 hospitals by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. But an overwhelming portion of the population around 96% have at least some antibodies for the coronavirus whether from infection or the vaccine, according to infectious disease experts. Its one of the reasons the guidelines across the nation have begun to change, experts say. Natural immunity was a contentious point until some studies found it does offer lasting protection, though the CDC says vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity. Alfieri-Collins, for one, had COVID-19 in March 2020 and again in March 2021 and tests herself regularly for antibodies. She doesnt consider herself an anti-vaxxer, although she does advocate for complete autonomy when it comes to immunizations in health care and not just for the coronavirus. I think that there always needs to be a choice, regardless (of) where you work said the nurse. I think that when it comes to a medical intervention of any kind, we must have choice. Alfieri-Collins, for one, doesnt think nurses should be forced to get any immunizations including against measles. But she said she is not against all vaccines. She took a stand against the COVID-19 shots because she doesnt believe they were sufficiently studied, she said. I have been fully vaccinated for all other vaccine-preventable diseases, the nurse said. Alfieri-Collins says rescinding the policy is merely the first step hospital systems and the state need to take. After all, these nurses kept going to work, facing a potentially lethal virus long before there were treatments or even a basic understanding of how it spread. I think that the hospital system should offer sincere apologies and compensation to the nurses and other health care employees, she said. They were wrongly made to suffer loss of income and their careers after giving their all during the height of this pandemic. I mean, we went running into the fire. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. News / Local by Staff reporter ALPHA Media Holdings (AMH) chairperson Trevor Ncube has admitted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa owns a stake in the company, and has said his involvement in the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) was national service.This comes amid a cocktail of operational challenges within the company. AMH, one of the biggest media groups in Zimbabwe, publishes the NewsDay, The Standard and the Zimbabwe Independent, as well as operating an online broadcasting platform, Heart & Soul Radio/ TV.Mlotshwa, a prominent corporate and commercial lawyer, now owns 39% of AMH after the New York-based Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) exited the group as a loan client where it had remained when Ncube was pushed out of South Africa's leading investigative newspaper, Mail & Guardian, due to a failure of his ambitious digital expansion programme and a concomitant financial disaster.Mlotshwa's involvement as a shareholder has been viewed as a stumbling block in criticising Mnangagwa or exposing his shortcomings, by AMH, making it hard to break the chains of media capture.Responding to students at a Press Club gathering held at Harare Polytechnic last week, Ncube, a former member of the PAC, said Mlotshwa's shareholding does not affect the quality of AMH's output."He is a shareholder not because of that, but because he is a businessman. He is entitled to being a shareholder. When we were looking for a shareholder, I asked Dumisani Muleya (former Zimbabwe Independent editor) to find shareholders with US$2 million. If they were there, they could come and buy shares because we were under pressure."There was no one with US$2 million. Gerald was the one with the money to buy the shareholding. It was a business transaction, not because he was a son-in-law. We have a board of directors [with] people like Sternford Moyo. You cannot play around a guy like that. So for me, institutions are very important, but much more important is that we protect the journalists who operate under our banner."Yes, there is truth to that. It is official. Gerald Mlotshwa is now a shareholder at AMH. I am a shareholder at the AMH and the CEO of AMH, Kenias Mafukidze, is a shareholder as well. "We have always been clear that shareholders should not meddle in the papers. My passion is for professional journalism and to protect journalists from external influence. Advertisers are one of the biggest bullies inasmuch as interference is concerned."My role as the chairman is to create an environment that would enable our journalists to practice without interference. It is not a secret that Mlotshwa is now a shareholder and that he is sonin-law to President Mnangagwa," he said.Ncube said: "Another thing is that I have said, we will not allow our papers to be used to promote Nelson Chamisa, or anybody else. We will not allow that to happen. You can support Nelson Chamisa from your home, but when you get to our office, leave your political bias at the gate."Same as when you are supporting Zanu-PF, you have to leave your impartiality at the gate," he said.Before Ncube quit Mnangagwa's PAC last year in exasperation after jumping onto the 2017 military coup gravy train with intolerant exuberance, he could not criticise Mnangagwa as he was one of the members of his advisory, which has now all but collapsed.Ncube only attacked Mnangagwa and the coup-plotters he initially cheered in March when he made public his resignation during his sour grapes address at the BizNews Conference in the Drakensberg, South Africa, last year.Asked whether he had left PAC after failing to get a licence for his online TV platform Heart & Soul, Ncube said he had joined as a form of national service."Why did I join the PAC? For me, it was a way of serving my country. I joined the PAC not to support Zanu-PF or to support Mnangagwa, but to help him run this country in a better way. When I discovered that he was not the person I thought he was, I walked away. "But there are people who would like to associate my joining of the PAC as if it tarnished our brand. They have no evidence to prove that it actually happened," he said. Twenty years ago this August, the northeast section of the U.S. experienced what came to be known as The Great Blackout. When the power grid crashed, our part of the country was plunged into darkness and silence for 29 hours. Do you remember what your family did to learn what was going on? Mine trooped out to the car in the driveway, turned on its radio, and listened to WINS to find out what was happening. That option could be lost forever if some car makers get their way. Or it could be preserved forever if Democratic Congressmen Josh Gottheimer and Rob Menendez, along with Republican Congressman Tom Kean, get their way. As soon as the issue of AM radios in cars came up, conspiracy theories also popped up. Heres what happened. Tesla engineers announced that electromagnetic interference produced so much static on AM radios they would not include them in future Teslas. Then Fox News commentator Sean Hannity speculated that elimination of AM radios was designed to silence conservative talk shows. Since the idea originated with Elon Musks guys, Hannitys comments were given little credence. What did get folks all riled up was the potential loss of emergency communications. AM radio can still work when the internet goes down, power goes out, and cellphone batteries cant be recharged. Every former administrator of FEMA, the federal emergency management agency, signed a recent letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing concerns about losing AM radio access in cars. Their letter said in part: Because of the great distances that its signals carry, and due to its resiliency during even the worst natural disasters, the success of the national public warning system the only method the government has to reach every point of the country at once hinges on its use of AM radio. However, should EV makers continue removing AM radios from their vehicles, this vital public safety system will no longer function as intended. The congressmen introduced federal legislation, called the AM for Every Vehicle Act, in May. It is expected that many members of Congress from both parties who represent rural areas will sign on, as well. There are about 4,500 AM radio stations in the U.S., many in agricultural areas where farmers depend on them for weather alerts. They are relatively cheap to operate and free to all listeners. Former VP Mike Pence favors retaining AM radios in cars. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wants to get rid of them. The National Association of Broadcasters estimates 82 million Americans listen to AM radio monthly for about two hours a day. Thats a 20 percent share of listeners. Other estimates show the largest number of AM listeners are Baby Boomers, about one third older than 65. Thats also the group least likely to want electric vehicles. Any significant loss of listeners means less income for AM stations, which generated about $1.95 billion in ad revenue last year. In New Jersey there are 13 AM stations broadcasting in languages other than English. They are popular with both seniors, who are more comfortable listening in another language, and newcomers to this country. Most of Europe and parts of Russia no longer use AM technology. Some electric vehicles from BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen and Tesla no longer have AM access. Ford announced its plans to drop AM in March but was persuaded to keep it at least for 2024. Hyundai has said it has no plans to phase out AM radios. If you want continued access to AM radio, even if you havent actively listened to it in years, nows the time to take action. A former assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley is the president and CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corp. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com. On June 4, 2017, Miguel Feliz-Rodriguezs drive home to West New York ended with Jersey City police kicking him on the ground after he escaped his car engulfed in flames. It is an event that will soon represent the third largest police brutality-related settlement in New Jersey since 2019, with Jersey City prepared to settle Feliz-Rodriguezs 2018 case for $6.95 million. And while the settlement dwarfs many statewide, it is far from the only active or recently settled misconduct-related litigation the city has devoted hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to resolving. Two more appear on the same City Council agenda this week, including a federal lawsuit involving the man police had been chasing when Feliz-Rodriguezs car was struck. The resolution pending before the Jersey City City Council will bring this long and arduous litigation to a just conclusion, said Feliz-Rodriguezs attorney John Nulty. While Miguel will forever bear the physical and emotional scars resulting from this tragic incident, we are pleased that the financial terms reached with the City will enable him to move forward with the dignity he deserves. New Jersey police municipalities pay out millions of dollars a year to settle misconduct claims, totaling at least $87.8 million since 2019, according to a recent NJ Advance Media investigation. Just 16 settlements in that period totaled at least $1 million, and only two are greater than the amount Jersey City intends to pay Feliz-Rodriguez, an incident that Mayor Steve Fulop at the time called outrageous. The administration has made it very clear that Jersey City has zero tolerance for any type of mistreatment, and the officers involved (in the Feliz-Rodriguez case) were immediately suspended and subsequently terminated, said Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione Monday. Feliz-Rodriguezs lawsuit alleged that he was the victim of a car chase that never should have happened. While he was driving on Tonnelle Avenue, police were chasing driver Leo Pinkston behind him. Pinkston then crashed into Feliz-Rodriguez and both cars burst into flames. But when Feliz-Rodriguez managed to escape, he was met with demands to lift his arms while police pointed guns at him, according to the lawsuit. His body was still in flames, the lawsuit says. Police then kicked him and dragged him, video from the incident shows. Notwithstanding the fact that plaintiff had committed no crime or wrongdoing and, literally, had the skin burned off his arms, plaintiff was handcuffed, dragged from the scene and placed in custody, the lawsuit says. Feliz-Rodriguez tort claim, which preceded his lawsuit, said he would be seeking up to $25 million. Jersey City is still fighting the lawsuit that Pinkston filed in the aftermath of the event and is asking the city council to approve an additional $75,000 for legal representation in that case at its meeting Wednesday, the same meeting where it will also vote on the $6.95 million settlement. The contract with law firm Lite DePalma Greenberg for the Pinkston case will then total $375,000, according to the council resolution. Pinkston alleges that during the car chase he was shot at and wounded in the thigh and faced excessive force while being taken into custody. Another case for which the city is preparing to renew its legal contract involves allegations of age and gender-related discrimination against an employee. Sabrina Harrold sued the city claiming that it retaliated against her for being a whistleblower after she alleged to the press that the city was overpaying certain employees. Her lawsuit also said that part of the reason she was retaliated against was due to her age and gender. When Harrold filed the lawsuit in 2020, she had been a city employee for 30 years. Jersey City has also settled multiple police misconduct cases in the past year. In January, the city agreed to settle a 2018 lawsuit for $300,000 in which a man said he was seriously injured while officers took him into custody using gratuitous and unnecessary force. In October, Jersey City agreed to pay a man $925,000 in a federal lawsuit filed after an officer punched him in May 2017, causing him to suffer facial fractures and require surgery. And a month prior, it had settled a case for $292,000 with Shiron Cooper, who was chased and struck by an unmarked cop car while he was on foot in 2017. When asked what steps the city is taking to avoid future police misconduct incidents, Wallace-Scalcione noted that the police department has new policies including additional training, changing response protocols, requiring body worn cameras, and the like. A woman was shot dead in a home on Avenue E in Bayonne overnight, a law enforcement source told The Jersey Journal. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office said on social media Tuesday morning that its Homicide Unit and the Bayonne Police Department are investigating the death of the woman that occurred on Avenue E between 25th and 26th streets. Officials with the prosecutors office declined to comment on the death or confirm the gunfire, but said that more information would be released later today. EDITORS NOTE: Interested in the business and networking side of cannabis? NJ Cannabis Insider is hosting a cannabis business networking event on July 20 . Tickets are limited. After compelling testimony from a Washington Township father whose underage son got intoxicated and fell ill from eating candies containing Delta-8, state lawmakers want New Jersey to ban unregulated products that sell concentrates of the cannabis chemical. I was shocked these products were in our local stores, said Michael Gillespie, father of the 14-year-old who purchased a packet of candy containing 600 milligrams of the chemical an amount considered high dosage even for adults. Gillespie, a volunteer firefighter, went on to describe how he and first responders searched for his son for nearly 11 hours before finding him suffering from hyperthermia in the woods. As construction equipment hammered away on the fire damaged southbound lanes of I-95 in north Philadelphia, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pledged financial and technical support to replace an overpass that severed a vital highway. While officials have not identified the driver of the tank truck involved in the Sunday crash that led to the collapse, several Philadelphia media outlets said family members identified the driver as Nathaniel Nate Moody, 53, of Philadelphia. Police could not be reached Tuesday to confirm the drivers identity. Several family members told NBC Philadelphia that Moodys regular route driving a gasoline tanker for Wawa, which took him in and around the I-95 ramp all the time where the crash happened. The father of three and Army veteran had a spotless driving record family members told the TV station. Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said the driver was northbound trying to navigate the curve, lost control of the vehicle, landed on its side and ruptured the tank, the Associated Press reported. Buttigieg made a brief statement after meeting with city and state officials and taking a tour of the crash site, which has now become a construction zone as machines pounded away at the fire damaged southbound lanes of I-95. This has had an outsized impact on commuters and on goods movement up and down the I-95 corridor, its a key artery, Buttigieg said. Thats why its so important to make sure its restored quickly. Were going to continue be here every step of the way as long as it takes with financial backing and any technical support needed. He praised coordination between first responders, many who are now directing traffic on the numerous detours around the site, and state and federal officials. Buttigieg met with PennDot, SEPTA, city and state officials and said Federal Highway Administration administrator Shailen Bhatt has been on the scene since Monday. Gov. Josh Schapiro signed a disaster declaration Monday that allocated $7 million in emergency funding and clears the way for asking for federal assistance. President Joe Biden spoke to Schapiro Tuesday about the federal governments commitment to provide whatever resources are needed to repair I-95 safely and efficiently, state officials said. Carroll said demolition of the collapsed roadway has begun and is expected to be completed in four to five days. Photos showed about a quarter of the damaged roadway has been removed from I-95 south. The overpass had been rebuilt in 2016 and that section of I-95 carries 160,000 vehicles daily, officials said. Carroll told the Associated Press said he expects to release a replacement plan on Wednesday for the roughly 100-foot-long section of I-95. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. For only the third time ever, New Jersey will celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday on Friday. But the federal holiday for Juneteenth which celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. will be Monday. That means state courts and offices, including MVC office sites, will be closed Friday. And while it will be normal business for state government Monday, the federal holiday means federal courts, mail delivery, and other federal services will pause. The reason? New Jersey passed the state holiday before the federal government did. And state leaders decided it should have a fixed day every year: the third Friday of June. The federal holiday is celebrated on June 19 itself, unless its a weekend. (Last year the June 19 fell on a Sunday so it was recognized on a Monday.) Get politics news like this right to your inbox with the N.J. Politics newsletter. Add your email below and hit "subscribe" Former state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, the main sponsor of New Jersey law, told NJ Advance Media last year that top lawmakers never expected the federal government to make Juneteenth a U.S. holiday as well. Gov. Phil Murphy signed it into law in September 2020, and the first state holiday was in 2021. Sweeney said at the time leaders wanted to make it a real holiday, with it always being a three-day weekend, rather than a rolling date. At the time, there was a huge amount of unrest in the country, and doing this made all the sense in the world to me, Sweeney said of the holiday. It was out of respect to people. President Joe Biden signed the law making Juneteenth a federal holiday in June 2021. Juneteenth remembers June 19, 1865, when Gen. Gordon Granger and Union soldiers brought news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, and declared that all people held in slavery in Confederate states must be freed. They were the last slaves to learn of their freedom because Texas was a remote state. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am friends with a couple whose bickering has steadily gotten worse, with the wife most often laying into the husband. She does this in front of me and also in public. She seems to have no boundaries -- making fun of her husbands speech disability, repeatedly giving him the middle finger in restaurants, etc. I told them both that the bickering makes me uncomfortable, but I doubt it will stop when I am present. What they do privately is their business, and they assure me they are happy together and that neither party feels verbally abused. However, I am embarrassed by their behavior in public and uncomfortable hearing these hurtful verbal attacks. How should I handle this? Should I see them only individually? Should I leave when the bickering begins? GENTLE READER: The expression commonly used for the opposite type of behavior is Get a room. In this case, it sounds as if they should get a courtroom. Not that you should involve yourself, even to the extent of commenting. Yes, you could depart, saying, Ill leave you to settle this in private. Or you could see them separately. What Miss Manners fails to understand is why you would want to. *** MORE FROM MISS MANNERS: Miss Manners: Could you please help me with grocery store aisle etiquette? Miss Manners: Is it necessary to say please and thank you with everything you do? Miss Manners: Couple is curious why theyre frequently asked if theyre brothers Miss Manners: At a family gathering, should guests help with cleanup? *** (Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.) *** COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500 The state Attorney General on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping new Criminal Justice Data Dashboard that provides information about people arrested in New Jersey for serious crimes dating back to 2017. The dashboard gives a statewide snapshot of those arrested, the crimes they allegedly committed, the demographics of victims and the outcomes of cases in court, state officials said during a Zoom press conference. The database, compiled by the states Office of Justice Data and available on the Office of the Attorney General website, is New Jerseys first comprehensive data warehouse on arrests, officials said in a news release. Lacey Township High School Senior Class President Jimmy Tomredle, 18, spent several months in search of a washer and dryer for his classmates. I learned that some kids werent coming to school because they didnt have clean clothes, and I was inspired by Principal Akbar Cook from Westside High School in Newark, Tomredle said. He basically started a laundry room at his school because kids were getting bullied because theyre dirty clothes. Tomredles quest to create a free laundry room at his high school started in October. The goal of this project is to bring free laundry services to all students and staff for the high school, he said. After contacting a number of businesses, Anchor Appliance in West Creek answered the call. Jimmy Tomredle cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Lacey Township High School's new laundry room on May 25.Jimmy Tomredle The washing machine and dryer were installed in May with help from the schools maintenance team and Anchor Appliance staff, Tomredle said. We placed the washer and dryer in a room called the Community Closet, Tomredle said. At the Community Closet, theres clothes, food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, its basically a room where you can take stuff for free. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on May 25 to introduce the Tomredles Terrifically Tidy Laundry Services to students and staff. Several washing detergents were also provided for the students to use. Im just very proud of myself that I did something very big for the community, Tomredle said, who graduated on June 16 and will be attending Seton Hall University, where he will enter the 3+3 business and law program. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Vashti Harris may be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com. A 59-year-old New Jersey man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend in their Lakewood home before stealing her car last month has been returned to Ocean County following his arrest in Maryland. John Filistovich was extradited on Monday and is now being held in the Ocean County jail, a spokesman for the prosecutors office said. Filistovich beat and strangled Betty Perry, 60, to death in their residence on Thornbury Court, officials said. She was found on the floor of a bedroom at about 12:15 p.m. on May 30 after police were called there for a welfare check, officials said. A post-mortem examination revealed Perry had blunt force injuries her the head, neck, and chest and had been suffocated. Filistovich was taken into custody in Salisbury, Maryland, later that day after Maryland State Police found him in his girlfriends car parked on the side of a road, authorities said previously. He was charged with theft that day and with murder the next day. He was being held at Wicomico County Corrections Center in Salisbury prior to being extradited to New Jersey. The couple resided in Leisure Village, a 55 and older community in the Ocean County town. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. News / Local by Staff reporter If there is one critical thing that Zimbabweans don't want to openly and frankly discuss, it is ethnicity and how it shapes and influences social, political and economic relations in the country.While people live in peace with each other, there is underlying ethnic polarisation and rivalries just below the surface which always explode at the slightest trigger, sometimes into tragedy as Gukurahundi showed.In this video, Bulawayo political activist Gogo MaTshabalala, who says she embodies multiculturalism in Zimbabwe, confronts the question of ethnic relations between the Shona and the Ndebele, Zimbabwe's biggest tribal groupings.Zimbabwe has 16 languages, including sign language, which implies that it has at least 15 ethnic groups.The reality though is that there are more than that, with some being sub-ethnic identities.Others are simply not counted as they have been assimilated into bigger groups.MaTshabalala says Ndebeles are marginalised by Shonas and this must be addressed in the interest of nation-building and harmony, as well as progress.She emphasises that she has some Shona sons-in-law, yet she is discontented about the way Zimbabwe is run by Zanu PF and how some minorities are treated. Unwittingly, she critiques what some call the dictatorship of the majority, while implying Oliver Wendell Holmes' rationale that "the true measure of a democracy is the way it treats its minorities".President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accused of spearheading the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres against Ndebeles as the late former presidentRobert Mugabe's enforcer, says noone will be left behind in development terms under his administration.This is a tacit acknowledgement of problems which MaTshabalala raises fiercely with gravitas laced with humour or sprinkled with light moments.MaTshabalala says this emotive issue of ethnic domination, polarisation and marginalisation should be addressed properly for Zimbabwe to be peaceful and progressive.The issue of ethnicity is always hard for Zimbabweans, who are an ethnic melting pot despite the superficial colonial Shona-Ndebele divide, to discuss progressively without people getting emotional, angry and irrational.A research paper by Dr James Muzondidya and Professor Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni titled 'Echoing Silences: Ethnicity in post-colonial Zimbabwe, 1980-2007' tackles the subject matter."Until recently, Zimbabweans have been conspicuously silent about questions of ethnicity. As in the colonial period, especially during the days of the nationalist liberation struggle, all attempts to discuss ethnic identities, especially their manifestation in the political and economic spheres, were brushed aside," the two academics write."Yet, ethnicity has continued to shape and influence the economic, social, and political life of Zimbabwe since the achievement of independence in 1980. This seeks to discuss the influence of ethnicity in post-independence Zimbabwe. More specifically, it tries to understand why ethnic identities have continued to be important in the everyday lives of Zimbabwe. It does so by discussing the processes that have continued to enact, reproduce and reconstruct ethnic identities as well as ethnicity in Zimbabwe's post-colonial period."MaTshabalala was speaking in the context of ethnic relations within the main opposition CCC, which she accuses of mimicking Zanu PF's identity and tribal politics.She goes on to say political parties seeking to change the situation in Zimbabwe should address that among other urgent national issues.Some analysts say the challenge to democracy in Africa is not the prevalence of ethnic diversity, but the use of toxic identity politics to promote narrow tribal interests.It is tribalism, they say.There are those who argue that tribalism is a result of arbitrary post-colonial boundaries that force different communities to live within artificial borders, while some say the problem is largely political elites who use tribalism to capture state power to access public resources for self-interest and self-aggrandisement.This problem, which has resulted in ethnic tensions, conflict and destruction, is prevalent across Africa with varying degrees of intensity and toxicity. By Celeste A. Bateman Death is inevitable. Its the price we pay for this blessing we call life. In recent years, Ive been exploring death and produced a documentary about the life and legacy of 11 Newark friends, colleagues and associates titled Gone Too Soon who died within a short period of time. They left our cultural landscape bereft but still promising because of a wellspring of artists, historians and other creatives now following in their footsteps. I know all the lingo about the peace and tranquility that our loved ones are enjoying on the other side. The health and happiness that heaven holds for them, and for us, in that great gettin up morning. Its how I reconcile the loss of my own family members, knowing or at least believing, that they are finally at rest and that I will see them again. Still, the one-two punch of losing good friends Edna Bailey Woody, who died on May 23, 2023, and Stanley Terrell on June 8, 2023, within a month of each other is a bit much. Both of them were former reporters for The Star-Ledger. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." Stanley was most likely the first Black reporter hired at The Ledger. As I recall, he was brought on board to cover the social unrest in Newark that resulted in the 1967 Rebellion. Stanley paved the way for others including Edna and Ken Woody who she would eventually marry and many others. Star-Ledger readers like myself at the time, depended on the stories that these gifted reporters brought us because we knew they had their finger on the pulse of the city. They did not cow-tail to the political slings and arrows of the time but did their jobs. Barbara J. Kukla, a former Ledger staffer who served as editor of Newark This Week said Stanley and Edna were forerunners in the New Jersey media landscape. Stanley and Edna broke the many unwieldy barriers that, until their arrival, excluded African-American reporters from American newsrooms, Kukla said. At that time, female journalists were far and few between, Blacks even fewer. Along the way, they inspired countless other minorities to follow suit, not an easy task at a time when white men in the field reigned supreme. Edna and I met when we were 18 years old and freshmen at Rutgers University-Newark. There were five of us friends who graduated together on a very hot May morning Bailey, Bateman, Bey and Bostic who sat together and Rahmaan who sat in the back in the R section. After graduation, we went in different directions but would get together occasionally for cocktails or special occasions. I stayed the closest with Ronnell Bey who we funeralized last December. She was the talented niece of Newarks music royalty, Andy and the Bey Sisters. Then Ednas untimely demise on May 23. Stanley wrote me in a message about Ednas passing, I cant keep my mind and thoughts intact. To make matters worse, my cancer is flaring up, and this emotional upheaval compounds the situation. Now Stanleys gone. And yes, we partied, too. The Bridge Club and Mr. Wes Cocktail Lounge were favorite haunts back in those days. But those places are long gone. Later, especially after he retired, Stanley hung out at the Chateau of Spain on Franklin. I often bumped into him there holding court or watching a ballgame. Its a different day and time. The old guard is dying. So, what are the rest of us supposed to do? Carry on, as my mother would say. Weve got to make our own contributions, make our mark and leave our own legacy. Raise healthy, informed, responsible and respectful children and grandchildren and hope that they will carry on our good deeds and accomplishments. When I lost my brother so many years ago, I thought the grief was going to kill me. The Bible says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning not just about death, but about all kinds of traumatic situations. Well, it may not come tomorrow morning, but it is coming. In the meantime, carry on. Celeste A. Bateman is a longtime arts advocate and former arts administrator and booking agent. She is the producer/director of the documentary Gone Too Soon: The Life, Legacy and Loss of Newarks Cultural Icons. She is currently working on a documentary on the late NJ Senator Wynona Lipman. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Donald Trump is heading to federal court, where he is facing 37 felony charges including stashing classified documents beside a toilet, sharing war plans with strangers, and other violations of the Espionage Act so his supporters are doing what always comes naturally in times like these: They talk about Hillary Clinton. The reliance on diversion is common in politics, so the Republican attempt to make comparisons with the former Secretary of States email escapade from 2016 is predictable, even though the two cases have little in common, including the part that only one of them might result in somebody getting locked up. But the fulminations about Clinton are a misfire, and they are a reminder that whataboutism is the only rhetorical cul-de-sac in which Trump apologists can park these days -- even though it reaffirms their loyalty to a mendacious cult leader and their disdain for the rule of law. People like Speaker Kevin McCarthy argues that the Justice Department is treating the former president differently than it had treated Clinton and others who mishandled classified info. But now that Trump has been caught with a cache of sensitive documents that he was required to return to the National Archives, McCarthys chorus has pivoted from Lock her up to He can hide classified stuff in a bathroom if he wants to. The difference between these cases, however, is largely about cooperation after the FBI came knocking. Most of the felony counts against Trump are for willful retention of classified documents, with evidence from a remarkable source: Memos from his attorney, M. Evan Corcoran, show that Trump asked him to stonewall the probe and suggested that they lie to investigators, and that he misled the attorney about what he had in his possession. When Clinton was running for president in 2016, the FBI launched a probe into whether classified information was transferred or improperly stored on her private email server as she conducted business as Secretary of State. Clintons lawyers deleted 30,000 emails that were deemed personal and turned 30,000 others over to the FBI. Trump has seized on the erasures ever since. But Clinton complied with the investigation and was never charged. FBI Director James Comey concluded that while she was extremely careless, we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information. The Trump indictment, however, alleges that he used bathrooms and ballrooms and storerooms of a social club to hoard boxes filled with information such as defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; US nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the US and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation to a military attack. Jim Jordan repeatedly insists to Dana Bash that Trump declassified everything, *even though Trump himself is on tape saying he didn't do that.* Astounding stuff. Jordan then pivots to Hillary's emails. pic.twitter.com/Vci6ChWN9m Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 11, 2023 This is not the stuff you want spilling out of boxes at a private club with more than 125 staff and tens of thousands of annual visitors which actually happened -- because that puts national security, military safety, foreign relations, and intelligence sources at risk. The indictment does not charge Trump with the illegal retention of any documents that he returned to the archives earlier this year 197 in all. He probably would not have been charged at all, if he had returned all classified documents in January, as Mike Pence did. As former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz explained in the Washington Post, willful-retention charges often hinge on whether a person deliberately hid material from investigators or refused to return it. Its about what Trump did after the government sought to retrieve those documents, he said. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." Historian Tim Naftali, the former director of the Nixon Library, says the National Archives -- the repository for presidential materials allows for mistakes. When archivists recognize something is amiss, Our system requires good faith on the part of former members of the government, Naftali told CNN. Basically, they have to say, Well, I made a mistake; let me help you rectify the mistake, and normally our government recognizes that and there will be no charges. Thats not how Trump rolls. Ask One Who Knows: The government acted responsibly. They talked to him for a year to get those documents, and he jerked them around, said Bill Barr, Trumps former Attorney General, who predicts that his former boss is toast even if only half of the allegations are true. Barr added, Battle plans for an attack on another country -- or defense department documents about our capabilities -- are in no universe Donald J. Trumps personal documents. They are the governments documents. It is more than just defiant recklessness; this indictment is a study in hubris, and now we have the first president in US history facing federal criminal charges. On that score, Hillary Clinton will never be a match for Donald Trump, but she can be confident that she wont live out her final years in jail. WATCH: Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr joins us to give his analysis of the federal indictment against former President Trump. Tune In! #FoxNewsSunday pic.twitter.com/SnsbYht5G0 Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) June 11, 2023 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bringing this back in light of recent news: Get a limited-edition But Her Emails hat and support @onwardtogether groups working to strengthen our democracy.https://t.co/4TiUxjmRNY pic.twitter.com/uSofeNjBxy Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2023 Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. An 18-year-old man was been charged with stabbing another man to death during a dispute between two groups over the weekend in Wildwood, authorities said. DaJohn L. Taylor, 18, of Hightstown in Mercer County, turned himself in to police on Monday, one day after a murder charge and multiple weapons related offenses were filed against him, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said in a statement. Police responded to a 911 call at 2:23 a.m. Sunday reporting a disturbance near Magnolia Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood, two blocks from the boardwalk, officials said. Officers found Kaiden Braithwaite, 20, of Cliffwood, with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said. Detectives later learned that a group of people was walking by a residence on Magnolia Avenue when a verbal dispute ensued between another group of people who were standing on the porch of the home, officials said. The argument escalated to violence. Taylor stabbed Braithwaite and two other people before fleeing the area, authorities said. After Taylor turned himself into police, he was additionally charged with attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated assault, prosecutors said. He is being held in Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings. An investigation into the attack is ongoing. The Cape May County Prosecutors Office is asking anyone with information to contact its Major Crime Unit at 609-465-1135 or submit a tip anonymously at cmcpros.net/tips. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. News / Local by Staff reporter SIXTY kilogrammes of isitshwala, 60 kgs of rice and 750 bananas per month for just one man.For breakfast, he consumes two loaves of bread, 30 eggs (15 boiled and 15 fried), one litre of juice, bacon, beans, polony and 2 litres of water.That is the regular menu for Arnold Zikhali (36), who claims he is the strongest man in this country."I also take 10 oranges, five apples and 25 bananas."For lunch, I eat 2kgs of isitshwala, 2kgs of umbhida, six pints of lacto, one litre of juice and 2 litres of water."In the evening, I take 2kgs rice, 2kgs chicken, beans, one litre juice, six pints lacto, 2 litres of water, and a variety of fruits which will be a variety but same quantity. Akumelanga ngiswele indumba khonapho."He also wakes up in the middle of the night for another massive meal."I get hungry around midnight and wake up to eat 1 kg of isitshwala, 5kg umbhida, and drink 2 litres of coffee."He believes he has what it takes to face off against some of the world's strongest men like Bill Kazmaier, Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eddie Hall.Zikhali has already pulled a 56-tonne train wagon for too metres and plans to pull four buses, weighing 40 tonnes, in three weeks' time.He says he only visits the gym once a month.Zikhali said he had dropped his weight from 1135kgs to 147kgs because his food conversion rate was down but he was now in the process of bulking up further."My next target is to pull four buses which weigh 40 tonnes in three weeks' time."I have been doing this since last year after I pulled two trucks weighing 30 tonnes each."My manager, Knowledge Mutambara, is the one who encouraged me to pursue this career."He told me I could do more and we did a test using a kombi, which I pulled from the back, while it was full of passengers."That's when I realised that I had strength. I later pulled two buses and two trucks."Last year, I went to the railway station where I pulled two wagons weighing 12 tonnes each."The next thing is pulling an aeroplane," he said.Zikhali is a soldier and says his commanders have granted him permission to explore his talent."I was granted permission by my employers to do what I can with my talent."I am a strong man, not a body-builder. I am like the abnormal load trucks. "I get fat from many foods. I only use the gym once a month because I can't afford it. "If I could afford it, I would want to go to the gym every day. "I want to go far with this sport. "Most strongman competitions are held in Botswana around July/August and I am praying that I get to enter this year's event to compete against the best." A man who allegedly opened fire at Mandina's Restaurant in Mid-City, killing a waiter and wounding a bystander, will remain jailed in New Orleans without bond, a magistrate judge ruled Monday. Kyron Fazande, 22, was booked into the Orleans Justice Center in connection with the April 28 ambush at the storied Canal Street restaurant that killed waiter Hilbert Walker III, 23, and wounded a 54-year-old woman visiting from Chicago. He was arrested for second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery. Surveillance video from the scene showed Fazande allegedly gunning down Walker at close range while Walker served a diner at a sidewalk table. I oppose clemency for all of these offenders who were given valid death sentences by juries of their peers," Landry said in a statement. "My office will formally oppose their applications. Landry's opposition highlights the political pressure surrounding the applications. Edwards, a Democrat, is set to leave office early next year, leaving what's seen as a limited window for the prisoners' attorneys to argue their cases before his term closes. If Edwards grants the requests, it would mark a major shift in the way Louisiana regards the death penalty. The avowedly Catholic governor, who descends from a long line of parish sheriffs, had long held his tongue about the practice. But in the final months of his governorship, Edwards recently came out in full-throated support of abolishing capital punishment. Attorney General Jeff Landry, an ardent death penalty supporter who is running for governor, said he would oppose the clemency applications as they move through the process. His office could do so by submitting arguments against the requests to the pardon board. I oppose clemency for all of these offenders who were given valid death sentences by juries of their peers," Landry said in a statement. "My office will formally oppose their applications." Governors have granted only two clemency requests from death row inmates since Louisiana instated the death penalty in the 1970s. The first was for Ronald Monroe in 1989, whose guilt was doubted by then-Gov. Buddy Roemer. The second was for Herbert Welcome in 2003; Gov. Mike Foster concurred then with the Pardon and Parole Board's recommendation of clemency after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Atkins v. Virginia, which found that executing people with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. News / Local by Staff reporter CHAOS erupted at Mega Pak company in Ruwa when some managers fainted after receiving retrenchment letters on short notice.The packaging firm's subsidiary was said to be struggling with financial leakages due to alleged reckless spending. Sources said 53 employees, including three managers, three supervisors and two auditors, were laid off on June 2.The managers and supervisors were ordered to surrender their company vehicles and laptops.Sources at the company told H-Metro that Mega Pak general manager, Walter Muzunde, and financial executive, Wallace Mutemuza, processed the employees' severance packages without following procedure."Our general manager received word from South Africa advising them to cut costs.Walter Muzunde Mega Pak General Manager"The management panicked and retrenched 53 employees fearing that the axe might fall on them since they are the ones earning hefty perks."Among the 53 retrenched employees were three managers, three supervisors and two auditors."The source said some of the managers fainted in their offices."It was a sad scene to witness some of the bosses sweating after receiving the bad news on short notice."Some of the bosses, who used company vehicles, fainted in their offices after they were ordered to return car keys."Some of the bosses had no private transport to use to go home and some of the support staff were yet to pay rent when they received the retrenchment letters."The source added:"The general manager has been bombarding us with messages demanding that we accept what he has proposed when we are yet to meet our legal representatives."We don't even know how he reached some of the figures he wants to give us."I have been here for more than 20 years and I can't just be dismissed with nothing."Contacted for comment, Muzunde expressed ignorance about the retrenchment."I am not aware of any retrenchment of employees," said Muzunde."None of our workers were retrenched," he said.However, H-Metro is in possession of some of the retrenchment letters signed by Muzunde. Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he hoarded classified documents detailing sensitive military secrets and schemed to thwart government efforts to get them back. Trump appeared before a judge in Miamis federal courthouse on Tuesday in a stunning moment in American history days after he became the first former president charged with federal crimes. Authorities say Trump schemed and lied to block the government from recovering the documents concerning nuclear programs and other sensitive military secrets stored at his Mar-a-Lago estate. News / Local by Staff reporter Frontrunner for the CCC legislative slot, Richard Tsvangirai has allegedly been told to first contest in council elections before aiming for Parliament.Tsvangirai is contesting in the party's primaries with Samuel Matemera and Raymond Mhlanga.The latter two are both veterans of the opposition movement.However, it has been Tsvangirai who appeared destined for the slot until the veterans threatened bhora musango.According to a source both have threatened to "sell" votes to opposing parties if Tsvangirai stands for the party."Tsvangirai was away for a long time in China at school."He has no track record in opposition politics and is looking to use his father's name."However, the likes of Mhlanga are veterans of opposition politics and haven't taken lightly to the move," said the source.Mhlanga is alleged to have said if CCC national leaders are so keen on Tsvangirai they should give him a slot at national level not in Norton."The idea is, if they so desperately want to use his name for traction they should take him to Harare and not disenfranchise someone who has been resolute in Norton."The hardcore opposition elements in Norton don't want Tsvangirai as he is an upstart."To be fair Richard only has his fathers name to his politics, he offers nothing beyond that."It is mainly outsiders who appear dazzled by Richard, otherwise local people in Norton link him with drug issues."Politically he is attractive solely because of age, name and nothing else. What is that against someone like Mliswa?Norton Council has lately been a rich hunting ground for the opposition as Zanu-PF only has a single councilor. News / National by Staff reporter The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has issued a warning to the public regarding a fake recruitment message circulating on social media.The message claims to offer employment at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), but the Ministry has clarified that no such recruitment is taking place.According to the Ministry, the Public Service Commission is solely responsible for recruiting human capital on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe."No individuals or organizations have been authorized to conduct recruitment exercises for any government department, including the VID."The Ministry of TID has urged the public to be cautious and to ignore any recruitment messages that are not officially communicated through government channels," posted the Ministry on its Twitter page.The Minister has also advised individuals to verify any recruitment offers by calling their toll-free numbers, 08013121-3, before taking any further action."The circulation of fake recruitment messages is not a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe, and the Ministry of TID has warned that those who fall victim to such scams will not be compensated by the government. It is therefore important for job seekers to exercise caution and to verify any recruitment offers before taking any further steps," the Ministry said. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwean-born University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe has unexpectedly resigned - six months before the end of his tenure.Kupe, who has worked at Rhodes,Witwatersrand and UP, leaves the university on 31 July, six months before his term was due to end in January 2024.UP council chair Kuseni Dlamini said in a communication to staff Kupe is going and a search for a replacement starts immediately, starting with an interim measure."While the process to find his successor will begin immediately, appropriate interim arrangements that will help facilitate the smooth functioning of the institution will be put in place," he said."We all remain committed to upholding the university's mission, values, and long-term objectives and will work tirelessly to maintain our momentum."Kupe was appointed UP boss on 14 January 2019.At the time, he said: "It is an honour and privilege to take over the reins at this proud institution at such a key moment in South African and global history".That followed the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Cheryl de la Rey, who took over as head of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.Kupe holds BA Honours and Master's degrees in English from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a DPhil in Media Studies from the University of Oslo in Norway.He lectured at Rhodes University and served as Executive Dean of the University of the Witwatersrands Faculty of Humanities for six years after serving as the Head of the then Wits School of Literature and Language Studies.He was also the founding Head of the Media Studies Department.Kupe is an expert and strong voice on media studies and society, as well as journalism practice.On 1 June, UP announced that it had improved its position in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, rising to position 69 (up from the 101-200 band in 2022) out of 1 705 universities in 115 countries.UP is also ranked in the Top 20 universities in the world for two SDGs."Once again, UP has proved to be one of the leading universities not only in Africa but also in the world for impact towards the SDGs," said Kupe who leaves behind a great administration track record at one of Africa's top universities. Every summertime, cars roll into the 49er Drive-In Theater in Valparaiso to enjoy the magic of the silver screen in the open air under the twinkling stars of the firmament above. The Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band will perform at the 49er Drive-In Theater at 675 N. Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso at 7:15 p.m. on June 21. It will play a 45-minute show before the first movie in a double feature is screened that night. "The bands repertoire will include a variety of music to entertain audiences of all ages," said conductor and founder Jeffrey Scott Doebler, a professor of music at Valparaiso University. "The tentative program includes The Invincible Eagle March by John Philip Sousa; On Wings of Flight by the late Chesterton composer Michael Boo; The Beach Boys classic Barbara Ann; Best Day of My Life, which was made popular by the group American Authors; The Haunted Carousel by Erika Svanoe; New York Hippodrome March by John Philip Sousa; Chuck Berrys big hit, Johnny B. Goode and several other selections." Doebler, also the director of music education and bands at Valparaiso University, founded the band that is open to musicians of all ages and does not require auditions. "Since its founding in 1993, the band has performed hundreds of concerts in Northwest Indiana," he said. "This summer, in addition to their 49er Drive-In concert and their annual appearance at the Porter County Fair on July 26, the band has already played for the eighth annual Salute the Recruits Dinner at the Porter County Expo Center, the 17th annual Valparaiso Memorial Day Concert at the Memorial Opera House and at Hawthorne Park in Porter for the Westchester Public Library Summer Tunes festival. During the academic year, the band performs the Family Weekend concert, Veterans Day Dinner at the Porter County Expo Center, Julefest Christmas pops concert, Community Band Festival & Sensory Friendly Concert and Sousa Concert." Tickets are $10 for people over 12 and $5 for kids between 5 and 11. For more information, visit https://49erdrivein.com/. News / National by Staff reporter Tendy Three Investments (TTI) should be able to negotiate parking costs with motorists, because the company, which claims local origins, has to comprehend the economic circumstances of locals.This call by traditional leader royal Prince Peter Zwide Khumalo follows reports of a planned week-long protest over excessive parking fees.Motorists are currently paying US$1 per hour, which they regard as excessive, particularly for those who work in the Central Business District (CBD), who end up paying US$8 per day.TTI subsequently introduced packages that they said offered significant savings over the current pay-as-you-go method, with the Silver plan costing US$30 per week, the Gold package costing US$60 per fortnight, and the Platinum package costing US$90 per month.However, motorists complained that it was still too expensive, causing the Bulawayo Business Development Association (BBDA) to declare a parking boycott in the CBD.Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Bulawayo stakeholders stated that parking rates are a negotiable issue that TTI may discuss with concerned motorists."One thing the new system has done is to reduce congestion and it has reduced thefts from parked vehicles. Other issues relating to the cost burden to car owners who use the system and the impact it has on business are negotiable elements," said Khumalo.Khumalo noted they were aware of a flier circulating encouraging a boycott of the parking system and payment for the specified period."Specifying boycott of parking and payment for parking seems to be one of the actions but the stakeholders are here to be aware part of the existence of the problem and I'm sure they have a way of looking at the problem," he said.The traditional leader said since TTI is owned by a Zimbabwean, someone born in Matabeleland and of Ndebele descent, it should be easier to negotiate conditions rather than call for a general boycott because this was a contract struck by municipal officials."The second thing is there are companies that had also gone to tender for that parking system, who did not succeed because only one can win. Then when we talk of flyers that are encouraging boycotts, we need first and foremost to know who is actually driving that," Khumalo stated."Fine the parking system has elements that are not negotiable. It also has elements that are negotiable, which are the prices, timing and so on that can be negotiated. But the point is, if someone is standing up to say boycott a system that has gone through council, which is our official organ they have made people win a tender and others not win, then we need first of all before we can act in response to that particular flier to say who is behind that. We might find and I'm not saying, it's just a bad potato."Meanwhile, TTI embarked on a cooperative social responsibility mission on Saturday, adopting Entembeni Geriatric Old People's Home by providing diapers, cleaning detergents, and food worth over US$4 000 (ZWL$5 million) to meet their requirements.TTI chairperson, Lizwe Mabuza stated the move will encourage other Bulawayo stakeholders to help those in need."We acknowledge the path that our elders have walked and we realise that a hand that gives is blessed. Through this donation, we ask for your prayers so that we as young people may continue prospering in our endeavours. As TTI we are not doing this for the first time but understand the importance of giving back to our communities," he said. EAST CHICAGO A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago. The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment. "Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community." East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city. "They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city." When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care. "This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago." St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities. "St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease." The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project. It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries. "Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services. St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said. "During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources. "We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology. "Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us." MERRILLVILLE During their day-to-day operations, police officers are often forced to go from one extreme to another. "You're going from something normal, run of the mill, something not very anxiety-inducing," the officer says, "to rushing to something where someone's life could be in danger." Merrillville Officer Amanda Earley sits in her vehicle near the Turkey Creek neighborhood, logging information from brief traffic stop on a Thursday afternoon near 73rd Avenue and Broadway. Her brow furrows as she types the details on her computer. She, along with a fellow officer working a patrol shift, ticketed the driver for a stop-arm violation. She is approaching her last hour on the job, having worked since 4:30 in the morning. A voice roars over her police radio: "High-priority alert." Seconds later, a dispatcher's voice calmly emits from her radio: There was a car crash in the area she had just come from. A second call comes in immediately after, for a person having a seizure in the same place. Mentally connecting the dots, Earley mobilizes swiftly, flipping on her sirens. Her vehicle begins to accelerate rapidly. The sirens grow louder, and she prepares for whatever might be coming next. When she arrives, she sees a vehicle smashed into a guardrail. A person in the front seat tells police he doesn't need help after he'd suffered a seizure. Listening intently, the officers try to encourage the man to get checked out by medics. Ultimately, the man stubbornly refuses. Earley says the variety in her job is something that has kept her in law enforcement over the past 10 years. She joined the Merrillville force in August, coming from another Region department. Earley also serves as physical tactics instructor. She teaches certain fighting maneuvers, how to put suspects in handcuffs and more at Merrillville police's headquarters and at the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. She says she is training to be part of the Northwest Regional SWAT Team. Of 60 or so officers in the department, she is one of five women. She doesn't feel that she is treated any differently because of her gender if anything, it might give her an advantage. "In certain situations, I might be a little more compassionate than the guys are," Earley says. "I really believe it is a calling. Someone who is patient can be empathetic, can listen to people when they need it, but be strong and tough. You have to be strong and do things people wouldn't normally do." A call to the 5500 block of Tyler Street leads her to mediate an argument between two neighbors. She listens carefully to the caller, who explains his frustration directed at a neighbor who was letting their dog use his lawn as a bathroom. After appeasing both parties, she returns to her vehicle and classifies the call as a "civil matter." There is no such thing as a routine call in law enforcement, Earley says as she logs the call. Every situation is different and every person is different. There are opportunities to make a difference in the community, and sometimes there are exhausting days where officers may border on disillusionment with their choice of work. "I do get that 'You must see some really cool things'," Earley says, referring to comments from nonmembers of law enforcement. "Well, there are some things you wish you never saw." But she can't imagine doing anything else. At 4:04 p.m. in the 6300 block of Taft Street, Earley notices that the white pickup she's driving behind has a break light out. She pulls the vehicle over, exits her car and walks toward the driver. The two chat for a minute or two, and she strolls back to her patrol car. He didn't have a driver's license with him, she says, but he gave her his name. She found him right away. "He's got a warrant. It's for some kind of assault." Another squad car arrives as backup. The unlicensed driver, 20, is transported to the Lake County Jail for booking. Earley searches his vehicle, not finding much but a bag of marijuana. Photos: Riding Shotgun in Merrillville with Officer Amanda Earley A new Indiana law barring public school teachers from providing "instruction" on "human sexuality" to students in prekindergarten through third grade is too vague to be enforced, according to a federal lawsuit seeking to strike down the statute. The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is challenging House Enrolled Act 1608 on behalf of Kayla Smiley, an Indianapolis Public Schools teacher, who said it's not at all clear what the law prohibits or permits. In particular, Smiley says, the law does not define "human sexuality" or "instruction" putting Indiana educators at risk of losing their teaching licenses, and perhaps their entire career, if they unwittingly violate an unknowable restriction after it takes effect July 1. Smiley said young students often ask "where they came from," and she's concerned that answering the question, even in a simplistic way understandable to a child, could be construed as unlawful "instruction" on "human sexuality." The statute does specifically permit teachers to answer a student question relating to a human sexuality topic. But Smiley said the language of the law is unclear whether she only can answer one question or if she can lead a classroom discussion when relevant. Smiley also said she routinely advises students who use the term "gay" as a pejorative that it should not be used that way, and she takes similar steps to promote tolerance and equality of all people, including LGBTQ individuals, in her classroom and in her life. "It is impossible to engage in this conversation without explaining what it means to be gay. She does not know whether this type of important instructional interaction with her students will be deemed to be 'instruction on human sexuality'," the lawsuit says. In addition, the restriction on human sexuality instruction is not limited to school hours, potentially infringing on Smiley's First Amendment rights, in addition to violating the due-process clause of the 14th Amendment. "The vague and uncertain meanings of 'instruction' and 'human sexuality' impose a chill on her ability to exercise her right to express herself as a private citizen on matters of interest to the public," the suit says. Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita has not yet responded to the lawsuit on behalf of Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, the defendant. However, after it was filed, Rokita tweeted: "My office is ready and determined to defend HB 1608 in court. Parents need to know whats going on in the classroom and should be the ones to approach sensitive topics with their kids." Indiana's Republican-controlled Legislature approved the measure in April on a nearly party-line vote, inspired in part by lawmakers in other GOP-led states, namely Florida, and despite the protests of Hoosier teachers who said young children are not receiving instruction in human sexuality. Gallery: Get to know the state symbols of Indiana State Aircraft: Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt State Bird: Cardinal State Flag State Flower: Peony State Fossil: Mastodon State Gun: Grouseland Rifle State Insect: Say's Firefly State Language: English State Motto: "Crossroads of America" State Nickname: The Hoosier State State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie (unofficial) State Poem: "Indiana" State River: Wabash State Seal State Snack: Indiana-Grown Popcorn State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" State Stone: Limestone State Tree: Tulip tree CROWN POINT The Lake County Council applauded Tuesday the quick response by jail staff last week when a man poured gasoline on the floor of the facility's lobby and set it on fire. No one was injured in the fire that jail staff successfully extinguished before firefighters arrived. Records show the damage to the jail lobby totaled between $6,500 and $8,500. The county council observed the fire could have been much worse without quick action by jail staff to put it out. It unanimously adopted a resolution praising those who had a hand in protecting lives and property at the jail. Specifically, the resolution recognizes Assistant Warden Kimberly OConnor; Sergeant Paul Schorle; Officers Zachary Collins, Ryan Leoni, Rodrick Shannon, Richard Sterk; and Clerks Laura Lunkes-Wilson and Kailyn Wasmer "for their quick response and suppression of the fire." Jail Warden Todd Wasmer accepted on behalf of his team a plaque presented by Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, containing a copy of the resolution. Wasmer said corrections often is a difficult, thankless job, so it's an honor for jail staff to receive public acknowledgement of their training and sacrifices. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Matthew Roggenkamp Ruben Vega III Jordan Picotte Rakeem Pippins Victor Odgen Matthew Moses Thomas Murray Kurt Gonzalez II Anthony Green Robert Hollis Johnny Jones Kenny Flagg Jr. Howard Geib Jr. Keith Cales Daniel Dillman Robert Allison Lavonya Banks Jacob Pritt Joshua Pritt Danny Serrano Jr. Michael Valdez Mary Powers Bryan Oparka Vishad Patel Latrice McNeil Edwin Negron Oscar Martinez Ocampo Devonte Gipson Bryne Manns Edgar Martinez Martin Cruz Jr. Bianca Dominguez Anthony Combs Jr. Cachun Combs Jr. Dameka Ali William Alms Jesse Argandona Ryan Vaughn Allan Triplett David Roper Louwon Scott Lamont Murdaugh Delvin Perkins Timothy Pettis Matthew Midkiff Christopher Lanman Christopher Hedges Misti Harbison Kenneth Babiarz Shawntina Beatty Timothy Brown Marcos Gutierrez Shannon Alelunas Gabriel Washington Keorra Wilson Jesus Salas Jr. Clarence Sistrunk Richard Vinet Jr. Sadat Wade Lavell Nylon David Pitts Robert Moore Asia Munford-Winters George Lowe Jr. Michael Malkowski Raul Mendoza Carlos Larrea Jessica Hegwood Jerome Kusbel Llewain Hardin Keith Gardenhire Yancey Gray Lorenzo Crooks Marko Duric Carlos Castillo Brandon Cramer Brayan Benavides Acevedo Erica Brooks Daniel Castaneda Jr. Cordaryl Bell William Barnes MERRILLVILLE Im not in a closet anymore, Principal Lisa Gutierrez told visitors Monday. Her new office at Aquinas Catholic Community School is among several additions. In what may be reflective of a national trend in Catholic education, Aquinas is celebrating expansion in enrollment and its physical plant. Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Catholic Diocese of Gary joined with other officials Monday for the dedication of the $3 million expansion at the elementary school on the grounds of Holy Martyrs parish. Aquinas, which has seen a 37% increase in enrollment since 2017, has undergone a renovation project that includes: Upgrades to the schools front entrance and front office. Two new classrooms. A new space to accommodate students with additional learning needs. This is great. Were getting more room, said seventh-grader Maria Gonzalez, 12. Theyre making more room for teachers," said fifth-grader Angel Gonzalez, 11, Marias brother. The expansion received funding from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, Bruce and Beth White, parishioners of Holy Martyrs, and Big Shoulders Fund of Northwest Indiana. McClory called the project an awesome and wonderful accomplishment, praising the school community for maintaining classes during construction. To families, the bishop said the expanded school represents a commitment to you and positive Catholic education. We see the growth of the school as a sign of hope for the community. Construction began a year ago. But Dan Kozlowski, executive manager of Big Shoulders, said the project began three years ago, when Big Shoulders officials met with Gutierrez and learned of her vision for the schools future. Gutierrrez recalled that the school, which opened in 1966, once featured portable classrooms: For the first time, were able to serve 10 grades in a beautiful building. Now, students and staff will not have to go through the wind tunnel that separated the parish hall and former school building. Im so overwhelmed by the blessing of all this, the principal said. This is beyond anyones expectations. Aquinas isn't alone in its growth. The National Catholic Educational Association reports that enrollment has increased for the second year in a row. The trend began with a 3.8% increase in 2021-22, coming out of the pandemic, and rose by 0.3% the next year to nearly 1.7 million children attending Catholic schools. The NCEA also reports an increase is diversity in Catholic school enrollment, with 23.1% of students coming from a racial minority. That includes 19.3% Hispanic, 22% of other faiths, and 6.9% with special needs. Aquinas finished the school year with 210 students in preschool through eighth grades. Gutierrez said the number of enrollees for the fall is at 220, and that could swell to 240. According to Private School Review, 88% of Aquinas enrollment reflects students of color. Gutierrez, who has been at Aquinas for seven years, noted that nearly every student is receiving an Indiana Choice Scholarship, or voucher. But growth is not about vouchers. We offer a positive Catholic school culture. This is a joyous, beautiful place that is in line with Catholic teaching. In a diocese with 20 schools, the Aquinas expansion may be the first major school project since the opening of St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso in 2006. Beth White cited several positive changes at Aquinas in addition to the expansion: a school lunch program, food deliveries to school families during the pandemic, and the implementing of social and emotional issues to the curriculum. Working with Big Shoulders Fund, the Whites Bruce died of cancer in January have given $16 million to Diocese of Gary schools over 10 years. White cited a strong sense of community: A community doesnt just happen. A building is just a building. Its whats inside that really makes the difference. Joshua Hale, president and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund, said the ceremonial ribbon-cutting is the start of something not the end. He pointed to hard work, a community voice, visionary leadership and generosity paving the way for this project. Title 1 teacher Megan Anderson is in her third year at Aquinas. Her new room means everything. We can do more in small groups and work with children who need extra support in math and reading. Tana Harris, whose daughter Heaven, 6, will enter first grade, cited increased security. More kids can come in and out, and its more welcoming, she said. For Tereika Butler, whose daughter Lexi, 9, is a fourth-grader, this is exciting. Its all in one building. Kids dont have to go outside anymore. During a rare appearance in Santa Fe, N.M., in 2015, Cormac McCarthy offered a tantalizing glimpse of his work in progress: The Passenger, a novel that explored esoteric ideas about math, physics and the nature of consciousness. Readers have been eager for the novel ever since. Widely revered as one of the greatest living American writers, McCarthy has not published a novel since 2006, when he released The Road, a post-apocalyptic survival story that won the Pulitzer Prize and became a best seller. This fall, McCarthy, 88, is publishing not only The Passenger, but also a second, related novel, titled Stella Maris. McCarthys longtime publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, will release them one month apart. The intertwined novels which represent a major stylistic and thematic departure for McCarthy tell the doomed love story of a brother and sister. The siblings, Bobby and Alicia Western, are tormented by the legacy of their father, a physicist who helped develop the atom bomb, and by their love for and obsession with one another. Cormac McCarthy doesnt do interviews. During his long career, McCarthy, 89, has sat for vanishingly few of them. In those conversations including with The New York Times in 1992 and Oprah in 2007 he often answered questions by telling stories about other people. Scholars of his work say he has long been resistant to publicly analyzing his writing process. But in his early career, before the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, before his books were adapted into films and his name became known even by those who never read his books, he revealed something of himself and his craft. Between 1968 and 1980, he gave at least 10 interviews to small local papers in Lexington, Kentucky, and east Tennessee, a region where he lived and had friends. He described his literary influences, his approach to writing, his reading habits and even the house he and his then-wife rebuilt by hand out of an old dairy barn. Writing, he said, was a compulsion and not a conscious process. Asked to give practical advice to starting writers, he said, Read. Cormac McCarthy has long presented himself as a man of simple appetites. When Richard B. Woodward caught up with him in 1992, for a rare profile that ran in The New York Times Magazine, McCarthy was living an austere life in a cottage behind a shopping center in El Paso and eating his meals off a hot plate or in diners. That sounded about right. Diners which he sometimes calls cafeterias or lunchcounters or drugstores are all over the place in McCarthys fiction. Theyre homes away from home for his drifting men and women. In a typical scene in Suttree (1979), the eponymous protagonist, mourning the death of his son, enters a bus station cafe alone on Thanksgiving and orders two scrambled with ham and coffee. These are served on an oblong platter of gray crockery as the cook turns rashers of brains at the grill. Now theres a phrase brains at the grill that gourmands dont hear often enough anymore. The existential cowboys in McCarthys Border Trilogy novels, set out on the frontier, consume many of their meals fireside. Here too, though, hash houses are timeless way stations. The meals are, in this writers hands, private acts in public spaces. Rena Murshud The Russian airline Utair has increased the frequency of flights to Baku from the cities of Surgut and Tyumen, Azernews reports. Since June, the airline has launched additional flights from Surgut and Tyumen to Baku. Now flights from Surgut are operated on Wednesdays at 07:10, Fridays - at 21:00 and Sundays - at 07:30, from Tyumen - on Wednesdays at 18:00 and Fridays - at 19:10, the company said. It should be noted that flights from Baku to Surgut will be operated on Wednesdays at 21:40, Saturdays - at 01:55 and Sundays - at 21:45, from Baku to Tyumen - on Wednesday at 11:35 and Friday - at 22:45. "Baku is a popular tourist destination among the residents of our country, so our planes connect seven Russian cities with it. This season, we began to operate more flights from Siberia to the capital of Azerbaijan and, if necessary, we will consider expanding the program of flights to Baku from other regions," - said the president of "Utair - passenger airlines" Oleg Semenov. To recall, passenger traffic in Azerbaijan exceeded 1.6 billion people, which was 33.5 percent more than in the previous year. Most of the passengers (86.7 percent) were transferred by road, 12.9 percent by metro, and 0.4 percent by other types of transport. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA: GYD) is the largest airport in Azerbaijan and the region in terms of passenger and freight traffic, takeoff and landing operations, the airport terminal area, and the capacity of the cargo complex. In June 2022, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport was designated as the best airport in the CIS countries for the fifth time in a row according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards. This award is the benchmark of quality for the airport industry. Skytrax also awarded Baku Airport the highest 5-star rating, as well as the highest epidemiological safety rating during the COVID-19 pandemic. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwean political parties and their candidates must disclose the source of their campaign funds in order to promote transparency and accountability in the political arena.With the country set to hold its polls on August 23, political parties have started canvassing for votes.Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube who is vying for the Member of Parliament for the newly constituted Cowdray Park constituency, has set tongues wagging after he embarked on several projects including drilling boreholes and rehabilitating roads.The source of funds has been questioned with some speculating that he could be using state funds to roll out his campaign."Absolutely, candidates need to disclose their funds, we are talking about the issue of transparency and accountability and because of that it is necessary for them to do so, we have a situation where we have a situation where corruption strive, so if we want to eradicate issues to do with corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, this is where we start, we have to start with the political candidates and it has to cascade down to the citizens," said a participant on This Morning on Asakhe, a CITE Twitter Spaces programme.The participant with the Twitter username, Boss Salani, said the disclosure of sources of funds will give supporters confidence to vote for certain candidates."We saw what happened with the gold mafia documentary and as a result of that what we know for certain is that people like Brother Paul who were in that documentary were obviously mentioning issues of how they finance governments regimes from different African states and thus not to say Zimbabwe is not the same, we need to know where Zanu-PF gets its money from, their campaign monies, yes they will say it is our membership subscriptions but how do we know that for certain without us being able to see those accounts to see who funds them."Another participant, James from Gwanda said the disclosure of campaign funds will enable citizens to know who supported the candidate and what interests they harbour."They should disclose who is funding them because, at the end of the day, the country will be sold, you can be held at ransom because we have been financed by a certain individual or an organisation that says when you come into power you need to influence certain policies that might as well support our companies, get us tenders along the way and these are the things we need to avoid."Fainos Kamunda said the challenge will be getting Zanu-PF to account for their funding."The issue is on their subscription, I don't think they made US$2 million through subscription in the past year, so where are they getting the money to buy all these vehicles for campaigning and it's a lot, I don't think we will get enough from Zanu-PF but as for other political parties I agree they will need to come out and say this is how we get the money," said Kamunda.Another participant, Bekithemba also said in terms of transparency in a normal democracy, political parties should reveal their source of funding."We need to know who is funding who and what influence are those funders going to give to the guys coming into power." A Complete Bridal Wardrobe Brides are no longer focused on selecting just one beautiful dress. As more pre-wedding parties are being added to the calendar of activities and weddings are increasingly spread across multiple days and venues, the modern bridal wardrobe now consists of a collection of outfits. Brides are really wanting to have an Instagrammable fashion moment for their bachelorette, their shower, their rehearsal and their after-party, said Ms. Chapman. It is about a wedding wardrobe for them right now. That was the case for Ms. Moore, the Dallas bride. Although she found her wedding dress only a few months before the main celebration, she had bought multiple bridal outfits since getting engaged in September 2021. First, there was the engagement party dress, then another dress for the bridal shower, then two more for a separate elopement in Las Vegas. And all of that was before the wedding weekend in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In total, Ms. Moore had eight different outfits in her bridal wardrobe, she said. One was secondhand, another had feathers, and everything she wore was bought online. Although her bridal wardrobe ended up costing more than what the average American bride spends on one wedding dress, she pulled it off, she said, because she budgeted for it. I went into it knowing I wanted to set aside a part of my budget that wasnt for my wedding dress, but for other looks, she said. I feel like for me, its just that time in your life when youre the center of attention, and wedding dress shopping felt so high-pressure, she added. So buying these different looks was taking some pressure away from that, with the thinking that I have all these different moments where I can shine, and use my creative expression, and wear something I am super proud of. The desire for a multi-outfit bridal wardrobe is something that Amy Trinh, a co-founder of the brand WED, based in London, said she had noticed in particular because brides frequently want multiple outfits for multiple events that are connected in aesthetic in some way, she said. Lawyers reached a deal on Monday to keep the Affordable Care Acts mandate requiring health plans to cover preventive care at no cost to patients. A district court in Texas ruled in March that part of the requirement was unconstitutional. The decision took effect immediately, meaning insurers no longer had to cover certain types of preventive care, including a pill to prevent the spread of H.I.V. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stayed the ruling last month, bringing the health laws provision back into effect. The appeals court also asked the two parties a group of Texas residents and businesses challenging the law, and the Biden administration, which is defending it to come to a compromise on how much of the mandate should be put on hold while it weighed its decision. The deal they reached leaves the provision almost fully in tact, requiring a vast majority of health plans to continue providing preventive care at no charge. The agreement includes an exemption for the small businesses and individuals challenging the provision; these entities will be allowed to use a plan that does not cover all preventive services if they can find a health insurer who offers it. The mother of a 6-year-old who shot his first-grade teacher in a Virginia classroom pleaded guilty on Monday to federal criminal charges for using marijuana while owning a firearm, and making false statements about drug use when she bought the gun. The mother, Deja Taylor, was previously indicted by a grand jury in Virginia on state criminal charges of neglect and endangerment, in connection with her sons access to the handgun that he used in the shooting. This time, the federal authorities focused on her purchase and ownership of the gun, which, she acknowledged in her plea on Monday, was illegal given the extent of her marijuana use. Although recreational marijuana is allowed in Virginia, federal laws prohibit addicted or unlawful drug users from owning a gun. The charges, which came last week, are the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention amid charged debates over guns and school safety. The January shooting in a first-grade classroom in Newport News, Va., stunned the community because of the childs age and raised questions about the schools response and the boys access to the weapon. A Florida fireworks display company violated several workplace safety regulations that could have prevented a warehouse fire and explosion last year that left four employees dead and one severely burned, federal regulators said on Monday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered the company, Magic in the Sky, to pay $109,375 in fines after an investigation into the fire, on Dec. 1 in Orlando, found that it had failed to protect its employees by following established safety protocols, the agency said in a statement. OSHA cited 10 serious violations, including a failure to safely store explosive materials, a lack of an emergency action plan and a failure to develop and put in place workplace safety procedures. The deaths of four young workers and a fifth workers life-changing injuries exposed Magic in the Skys systemic failures that likely led to a fire and explosion the company could have prevented, which only adds to the tragedy, Audrey Windham, the acting director of OSHAs area office in Orlando, said in the news release. Jack Smith, the special counsel handling the documents investigation into former President Donald J. Trump, vowed to seek a speedy trial. But that will be up to Judge Aileen M. Cannon, who will wield considerable power over its calendar, evidence and jury. Last year, Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, briefly disrupted the documents investigation by issuing rulings favorable to him when he challenged the F.B.I.s search of his Florida club and estate, Mar-a-Lago, before a conservative appeals court ruled that she never had legal authority to intervene. It remains to be seen how she will handle her second turn in the spotlight. The scope of her role before the trial also is unclear: She is not presiding over Mr. Trumps initial hearing on Tuesday, and could refer some pretrial motions to a magistrate judge who works under her. But here is a closer look at how her decisions as the judge presiding over the trial like on what can be included and excluded could affect the case. Slowing the Calendar Mr. Trump has long pursued a strategy of trying to delay legal proceedings against him to run out the clock. If the trial can be put off until after the 2024 presidential election, he or another Republican nominee could enter office and shut down the case. Hes saying, Im more important than the country, Mr. Christie said at another point, as he questioned why Mr. Trump had, according to prosecutors, refused to turn over critical government documents. He suggested the former president missed the trappings of the presidency. Were in a situation where there are people in my own party who are blaming D.O.J., he said, referring to the Justice Department. How about, blame him? He did it. He kept he took documents he wasnt supposed to take. When he was not tearing into the current Republican front-runner, Mr. Christie could sound like a pre-Trump-era politician. He emphasized the importance of finding common ground and played up his credentials as a blue-state executive, even when some in the audience were plainly skeptical of the idea of compromise. With all due respect to these governors from red states who have Republican legislatures man, Im telling you, I would have given my own right arm to have a Republican legislature for a week, Mr. Christie said at one point, seeming to draw an implicit contrast with Gov. Ron DeSantis, the powerful and pugnacious Florida Republican and another 2024 candidate who enjoys a supportive legislature in Tallahassee. But what I learned was that, sometimes, getting 60 percent of what you want isnt bad. In Washington, he continued, youre going to want somebody tough, whos a fighter, but who fights to get to an end, to accomplish something for you. We can all fight to get headlines. Mr. Kaczynski was arrested in 1996 after a nearly 20-year terror campaign in which he mailed bombs to academics, corporate executives and others in technology, killing three people and injuring 23 others. The news over the weekend that Mr. Kaczynski had died by suicide at a federal prison medical center in North Carolina renewed terrifying memories for some victims and their families. It also prompted reflections on the degree to which the antipathy to technology that inspired Mr. Kaczynskis deadly crusade continues to resonate more than a quarter century after his arrest. A year before the arrest, Mr. Kaczynski tried to justify his actions by writing an anonymous 35,000-word manifesto, published jointly by The New York Times and The Washington Post. In the document, Mr. Kaczynski condemned industrialization and argued that technology was alienating people, damaging the environment and luring people into depending on it. It still has lessons for us today, said Ms. Fischer. She includes a lesson on the Unabombers campaign in an ethics class she teaches each semester at the University of New Haven to her computer science students, many of whom, she said, are hoping to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency. She said she regarded it as very important history for her students and a cautionary tale. A bipartisan group of American lawmakers has asked the Biden administration to punish South Africa for what it sees as the countrys support of Russias war in Ukraine by moving a major trade conference scheduled to be held in South Africa this year to another country. The request, made in a letter sent last week, is the first concrete effort at retaliation by members of the U.S. government over the growing view in Washington that South Africas relationship with Russia is moving in a direction that threatens Americas national interests. The letter, obtained by The New York Times, centers on an annual forum for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. The act provides duty-free access to the U.S. trade market for about three dozen African nations. South Africa, one of the continents most developed economies, is its biggest beneficiary, exporting about $3 billion worth of goods to the United States through AGOA last year. The Cuban government was responsible for the death in 2012 of a prominent political activist who had organized a movement that had sought to compel the government to allow more freedom, according to a report released on Monday by an international human rights agency. The activist, Oswaldo Paya, was killed in a suspicious car crash in eastern Cuba that his family and supporters always believed had been caused by the government. At the time of his death, Mr. Paya, 60, was one of the most prominent members of the Cuban opposition, having gained international attention for leading a grass-roots campaign behind a referendum that would have given Cubans the right to choose the countrys political system. Many considered Mr. Paya to be the only person who had a chance of becoming a democratic challenger of the regime and paving the way to a more representative government. HIGHLIGHTS Drayden is a large scale independent insurance broker in Alberta with a proven track record Acquisition will complement Definity's existing portfolio of broker assets with the establishment of a strong presence in Western Canada Transaction is expected to increase Definity's earnings from distribution1 by over 25% and be immediately accretive to Definity's operating ROE and operating EPS2 WATERLOO, ON, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited ("McDougall"), a subsidiary of Definity Financial Corporation (TSX: DFY), has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Drayden Insurance Ltd. ("Drayden") for $208 million, subject to closing and post-closing adjustments. The transaction will be funded by Definity, through McDougall, using a combination of excess capital and debt. After accounting for all related transactions, Definity's ownership interest in McDougall will increase to approximately 78%. Definity Logo (CNW Group/Definity Financial Corporation) Founded in 1965, Drayden is a leading Alberta insurance broker with approximately $125 million in annual premiums and strong operating margins. Through its insurance broker and government registry service operations, Drayden employs over 170 people across eight locations in the Edmonton area. After closing of the Drayden transaction, McDougall will have over $860 million in annual premiums with 860 employees in 65 office locations. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Definity's operating ROE and operating earnings per share. Definity continues to hold significant financial capacity for future opportunities. "The addition of Drayden will provide immediate scale and market leading presence outside of Ontario," said Rowan Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Definity. "This acquisition reinforces Definity's commitment to build our insurance broker platform into another billion dollar business for Definity." "Drayden has an experienced management team, highly valued brands, a great culture and strong operational alignment with our existing broker operations," stated Ross McDougall, Chief Executive Officer, McDougall. "This transaction will give McDougall a unique opportunity to expand nationally and immediately establish a leadership position in Alberta's insurance broker market." "We are excited about the opportunity to join the McDougall family given our common focus and shared values," said Brian Nielsen, President, Drayden. "For our employees and customers this combination underpins our commitment to provide unrivalled service and supports continued investment in growing our business in Edmonton and the broader Alberta region." The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, subject to the fulfillment of customary closing conditions including provincial regulatory approval related to the change of control of Drayden's registries business. About Definity Financial Corporation Definity Financial Corporation ("Definity", which includes its subsidiaries where the context so requires) is one of the leading property and casualty insurers in Canada, with over $3.7 billion in gross written premiums for the 12 months ended March 31, 2023 and over $2.6 billion in equity attributable to common shareholders as at March 31, 2023. Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflects Definity's current expectations regarding future events, including statements relating to the Acquisition, the accretive impact of the Acquisition on operating ROE and operating EPS, diversification benefits on income, the timing and receipt of all requisite approvals related to the Acquisition, Definity's level of ownership in McDougall, future expected operating income from broker investments, future transactions and acquisitions, impact on Definity's operating income and book value, timing and amount of post-closing adjustments, impact on McDougall's operating margins, and impact on Definity's and McDougall's growth plans and McDougall's annual premium base objective, among others. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely", "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other similar or comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Definity's control. Such risks and uncertainties are included in the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information" section of the Company's Q1-2023 Management's Discussion and Analysis dated May 11, 2023 and the "Risk Management and Corporate Governance" section of Definity's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise indicated, all forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of June 13, 2023 and are subject to change after that date. Definity does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Supplementary Financial Measures and Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Ratios We measure and evaluate performance of our business using a number of financial measures. Among these measures are the "supplementary financial measures", "non-GAAP financial measures", and "non-GAAP ratios" (as such terms are defined under Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure), and in each case are not standardized financial measures under GAAP. The supplementary financial measures, non-GAAP financial measures, and non-GAAP ratios in this news release may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under GAAP. These measures are used by financial analysts and others in the P&C insurance industry and facilitate management's comparisons to our historical operating results in assessing our results and strategic and operational decision-making. For more information about these supplementary financial measures, non-GAAP financial measures, and non-GAAP ratios, including (where applicable) definitions and explanations of how these measures provide useful information, refer to Section 12 Supplementary financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures and ratios in the Q1-2023 Management's Discussion and Analysis dated May 11, 2023, which is available on our website at www.definityfinancial.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These measures have been updated to reflect the estimated impact arising from the adoption of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9. 1Operating income from broker investments before finance costs, taxes and minority interests. 2This is a supplementary financial measure, non-GAAP financial measure, or a non-GAAP ratio. Please refer to Supplementary financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures and ratios in this news release, and Section 12 Supplementary financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures and ratios in Definity's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 for further details, which is available on the Company's website at www.definity.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SOURCE Definity Financial Corporation Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2023/13/c9869.html Organizing exhibitions is storytelling, and we are telling a story from the 1940s and all the social and economic changes, and the founding of the republic and how that affected the artists, said Oyku Ozsoy Sagnak, chief curator of the Istanbul Modern, during a recent tour. Each gallery is like a section of about 10 years, so when you go through all of the permanent collection, you can see how Turkey changed in time through the works of the artists. That journey is exactly what was behind the concept of the museum when it opened in 2004. It is funded by two corporations, the Eczacibasi Group and Dogus Group-Bilgili Holding. Construction of the new building began in 2018 (its cost is undisclosed). It was always the museum founders plan to return the institution to its waterfront home. The main idea for this building has always been transparency from the ground floor, and the idea is to connect the sea and the park behind the museum with the parks buildings from the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries, said Umit Mesci, a curator at the Istanbul Modern. In this transparent ground floor, it was about making everything free and open to the public: the library, cafe and educational areas. For Mr. Piano, the Istanbul Modern was all about its location, and he wanted to celebrate the buildings scrappy origins as a warehouse in his new design, with its facade of aluminum panels, along a waterfront area that has been transformed in the last several years with restaurants and luxury hotels. But the inspiration came more from the natural setting. I love a building by the water because water makes things beautiful, Mr. Piano said in a recent phone interview from his home in Paris. And the Istanbul Modern is about a dialogue between the building and the water. There were also some very practical considerations, including safety in an earthquake zone a design element made even more urgent since the devastation in southern Turkey and northern Syria from Februarys earthquake. A model of the buildings construction, on display in a room on the first floor, depicts the complicated way it was anchored with bendable giant pillars at the core of the building to absorb the impact of a major earthquake. Twenty men and women in military fatigues huddled around a 19th-century painting of a fiery sunset at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a recent Saturday afternoon. They leaned toward the vivid picture of the Ukrainian wilderness as their tour guide spoke. The weaponization of art history, Alison Hokanson, associate curator of European paintings, told them, is the weaponization of objects but also the weaponization of the stories that are told through these objects. The visit of a reserve unit, the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, based on Staten Island, was part of the Armys revived program to deploy officers with arts training in a military capacity to save works in conflict zones a new generation of the Monuments Men who recovered millions of European treasures looted by the Nazis during World War II. The program was announced three years ago but interrupted by Covid and bureaucratic hurdles. Now Capt. Blake Ruehrwein, an Air Force veteran who also runs education and outreach at the Naval War College Museum in Newport, R.I., was instructing a new unit learning the ropes from some of the worlds top art experts. Take what you learn from here and apply it, he told the officers attending the museum workshop in early June. Protecting culture is everyones job. Similarly, the exhibitions do not fall under common art world definitions. Technically, Algo is a commercial gallery all of the work is for sale, Mr. Riestra reminds visitors but it has the feel of a nonprofit museum, with group shows by international names. The current exhibition, Desert Flood, co-curated by Jerome Sans and Mr. Riestra and running through July 31, is a good example. The show has just three artists, but each contributes monumental works, starting with An Impending Disaster (collaborations) by the Swiss artist Claudia Comte, a forest of towering marble sculptures, each carved into the shape of a saguaro cactus, and planted on a floor covered in 30 tons of sand imported from a beach in Veracruz. Visitors get sand in their sneakers as they wander through what feels like an indoor desert, admiring art that carries a cautionary message about the state of the environment. Another gallery space features We Are All in the Same Boat, from the Danish art cooperative Superflex. The text-based work is simply the words in its title rendered in blue neon letters, about six feet tall, that are standing on the floor of a dark room. Viewers walk all around the illuminated words, with many of them seizing the opportunity to bask in its moody lighting and snap selfies. Installed in a nearby foyer is Wild Quantities by Gabriel Rico, an artist based in Guadalajara. It consists of a series of 35 neon sculptures, hung from the ceiling, and casting purplish-red hues on the walls, floor and ceiling. The lit-up pieces include numbers and letters, horses and hashtags, and invite viewers to play with reason and intuition, according to the exhibition text, as they consider how seemingly unrelated objects can be connected. The three artists also have other works in the exhibition, and they float throughout the Algo space, which encompasses multiple floors and a variety of rooms large and small. The shows fluidity mirrors the personality of LagoAlgo overall. Spaces meld together as artworks flow up and down staircases, blend into the cafe area and push outward through the main lobby. The German governments advisory panel on Nazi-looted art has recommended a vibrant tempera painting by Wassily Kandinsky be returned to the heirs of a Jewish family who suffered persecution under the Nazis in the Netherlands during World War II. The painting, Colorful Life, from 1907, was part of an extensive art collection belonging to Emanuel Albert Lewenstein, the director of a sewing machine factory, and his wife, Hedwig Lewenstein Weyermann. It is thought to have been on loan from the family to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam when the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940 and was auctioned off in October of that year. Since 1972 it has been hanging in a museum in Munich, the Stadtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, on loan from a state-owned bank, BayernLB. By the time of auction in Amsterdam, the Lewensteins had died and their two surviving children had fled Europe. Despite years of research, it has not been possible to ascertain the circumstances of the sale, nor even to identify who put the painting up for auction. Today, Ill be writing about what Democrats might do about the problem, focusing on a new YouGov poll, conducted as part of the Center for Working-Class Politics study. In an upcoming newsletter, Ill examine the issue from a conservative perspective and specifically how Republicans might alter their economic agenda to better serve their new working-class base. A key point is that even modest shifts in the working-class vote can decide elections. If President Biden wins 50 percent of the non-college vote next year, he will almost certainly be re-elected. If he wins only 45 percent, he will probably lose. Fight for us all Elections can be tricky for social scientists to study. The sample sizes are small and idiosyncratic. Researchers cant conduct hundreds of elections in a laboratory, changing one variable at a time and analyzing how the results change. But researchers can conduct polls that pit hypothetical candidates against each other and see how the results change when the candidates biographies, messages and policy proposals change. This approach, which has become more common among pollsters, is the one that YouGov used. It focused on swing voters those who dont identify strongly with either party, many of whom are working class. The poll described a pair of Democratic candidates, each with a biography and a campaign platform, and asked respondents which one they preferred. Among the findings: Voters preferred a candidate who was a teacher, construction worker, warehouse worker, doctor or nurse. The least popular candidate professions were lawyer and corporate executive. Many effective messages involved jobs, including both moderate policies (like tax credits for training at small businesses) and progressive ones (like a federal jobs guarantee). People are obviously interested in good-paying jobs, said Bhaskar Sunkara, the founder of Jacobin, a leftist magazine that helped sponsor the project. They have an identity thats rooted in their work. Black and Latino candidates were slightly more popular than other candidates, mostly because some voters of color preferred candidates of color. (Related: Black candidates of different ideologies have beaten non-Black candidates in recent mayoral primaries and elections in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia, Matthew Yglesias of Substack pointed out to me.) But candidate messages that explicitly mentioned race were unpopular. Voters liked Democrats who criticized both political parties as out of touch. There is real-world evidence to support this finding, too: Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio won close races last year while highlighting their differences with Democratic leaders, as Data for Progress, another research group, has noted. Moderate social policies fared better than more liberal ones. The single most effective message in the poll was a vow to protect the border; decriminalization of the border was very unpopular. Swing voters liked tough, populist messages such as Americans who work for a living are being betrayed by superrich elites and Americans need to come together and elect leaders who will fight for us all. As Jared Abbott, the director of the Center for Working-Class Politics, argued, Democrats need to be less concerned with rhetorical niceties. Doing so would hardly be new: Harry Truman and Franklin Roosevelt used such red-blooded language. The bottom line I find the studys conclusions fascinating because they are both original and consistent with other evidence. Democrats who have won difficult recent elections, including both progressives and moderates, have often presented a blue-collar image. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said on Tuesday that it would be a mistake for the United States to try to decouple from China and called for deepening economic ties between the worlds two largest economies. The comments came as the Biden administration has been seeking to improve relations with China, which faced a setback this year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was found flying across the United States. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is planning to travel to Beijing next week, and Ms. Yellen hopes to make a trip there soon. Speaking at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Ms. Yellen made clear that she believes the economic relationship with China is critical. I think we gain and China gains from trade and investment that is as open as possible, and it would be disastrous for us to attempt to decouple from China, Ms. Yellen said. In 2019, when the board was controlled by appointees of President Donald J. Trump, it elevated one consideration workers chances to make more money based on their business savvy, often described as entrepreneurial opportunity above the others. It concluded that such opportunities should be a key tiebreaker when some factors pointed to contractor status and others indicated employment. In its decision in 2019, the board said that a ruling during the Obama administration had improperly subordinated the question of moneymaking opportunities. That 2019 ruling appeared to be a victory for gig companies like Uber and Lyft, whose supporters have argued that ride-share drivers should be considered contractors in part because of the opportunities they have for potential profit say, by determining which neighborhoods to work in. The latest decision returned the board to the standard laid out in the Obama era, explicitly rejecting the elevation of entrepreneurial opportunity above other factors. The turnabout was criticized on Tuesday by businesses that rely heavily on contractors. In a statement, Evan Armstrong, chair of the Coalition for Workforce Innovation, which represents companies like Uber and Lyft as well as industry trade groups, said that the ruling decreases clarity and threatens the flexible independent model that benefits workers, consumers, entrepreneurs, businesses and the overall economy. Summertime is road trip time for many of us in the United States. That makes it a good time to look at what our relationship with the road has meant for global warming. The data crunchers at the Frontier Group, a research organization focused on sustainability, sought to answer that question by looking at gasoline consumption since 1949, the year the United States started tracking transportation data. They estimated that if American cars, S.U.V.s and pickup trucks were their own country, they would be the sixth-largest emitter of heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions since 1949, putting them behind the total national carbon dioxide emissions produced by the United States, China, Russia, Germany and Japan. Add other forms of transportation, including heavy trucks, trains and planes, and U.S. transportation would be the fourth-largest carbon emitter, producing around 6.5 percent of the carbon dioxide thats accumulated in the atmosphere over the last seven decades. Headliner Sartianos The owners of the Mercer Hotel, which survived the evolution of SoHo from manufacturing lofts to mainstream retail and dining, have pushed the refresh button. Its Mercer Kitchen is now this spot, in the hands of Scott Sartiano, a hospitality entrepreneur best known for top-shelf places like Zero Bond. This brick-walled basement space became proof that a windowless underground location could be a destination when run by a notable chef like Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Here, Mr. Sartiano has dipped into his familys legacy from Naples and elsewhere in Italy, alongside Alfred Portale, the culinary director. Mr. Portale will now divide his time between this location and Portale, nearby in Chelsea, and he describes his food as elevated Italian American classics. He adds fennel to the fritto misto, makes a broccoli rabe pesto to coat sausage and orecchiette, inserts shavings of black truffle into the mushroom lasagna, enhances savory cannoli with caviar and prepares Dover sole piccata-style. The menu lists several steaks, including a 36-ounce porterhouse of olive-fed Wagyu. (And you thought Wagyu cattle only like beer.) The open kitchen faces part of the dining room, with one communal table and exposed brick walls. The room is richly upholstered, punctuated with mirrored columns. This space has great legacy, Mr. Sartiano said. It will be interesting to see how many people continue to refer to it as Mercer Kitchen. (Opens Thursday) Mercer Hotel, 99 Prince Street (Mercer Street), 212-658-1155, sartianos.com Opening Samwoojung Hand Hospitality is spreading rapidly. The companys latest, this import from South Korea features bulgogi done in the Seoul tradition, in broth, as the original location in Seoul has been doing since 1963. Hand Hospitality bought the rights to open in New York. The meat is first marinated in a soy sauce made with Korean bamboo salt before it is cooked in a tabletop domed copper pot. The Hand Hospitality team did its homework in Seoul. The menu includes other Korean dishes. (Friday) 138 West 32nd Street, 212-517-1963, samwoojung1963.com. Ichibantei This spot for teishoku (Japanese home cooking) previously tucked into a shoebox in the East Village, has moved into a much grander space formerly VNYL, a restaurant and nightclub. Theres dining on two floors, and the menu includes a hamburger served with rice, fried chicken karaage, rice bowl topped with chicken or tamago and Japanese eggplant in broth. The former space is to become a noodle spot later this summer from the same owners. 100 Third Avenue (13th Street), 917-965-2327, ichibantei.nyc. Caffe Corretto The restaurateur Colin Vickery and his wife, Leah Blewett, who works in marketing with hospitality clients, are bringing a piece of Rome nearer to the East River than the Tiber. A morning coffee bar menu (no seating) with appropriate pastries segues into lunch, when rectangular Roman-style pizza al taglio is the specialty. Aperitivi follows, and then dinner featuring the four classic Roman pastas: cacio e pepe, gricia, carbonara and amatriciana. The executive chef is Alessandro Urbisci. Nicole Dakwar, the pastry chef responsible for the cornetti in the morning and the pizzas, has a dessert repertoire that includes baba au rhum. Wines hail from Italy and New York. Seating is mostly on banquettes indoors; French doors open to sidewalk tables. (Wednesday.) 511 East 12th Street (Avenue A), 646-838-5030, caffecorrettonyc.com. In that context, watching Sheilas meeting spiral out of control feels almost as subversive and revelatory as Terkels book. The problem arises when the show attempts to explain what, specifically, has gone wrong to make that eruption possible. Try as it might to stay close to the workers, the series cant resist its periodic voice-overs, in which Obama delivers industrial-grade doses of information over spiffy archival footage of domestic workers or the movie Wall Street or the economist Milton Friedman. The scripts touch on all sorts of systemic forces, from the workers left out of the New Deal to the macroeconomics of the decline of the middle class. The fact that the show needs to reach all the way back to the New Deal era underlines a key problem: Americas perception of its own workplaces may be astonishingly out of date, steeped in denial about just how profoundly things have changed. The series wants to hang around working people, as Terkel did, to understand their hopes and dreams and contradictions. But it also wants to put forward an argument about whats happened to American workers that involves catching the viewer up on several decades of complex changes all presented by a politician who, you cant help noting, happened to be in charge of the country for a key stretch of the time being explored. Did politicians participate in all that denial? This issue goes unaddressed, but the series does touch on the idea that popular media has long neglected the workplace. Television, Obama argues at one point, used to be full of representations of working and middle-class people and their jobs say, in Norman Lear shows like Good Times or All in the Family. After the Reagan era, though, popular shows tended to follow upscale professionals, or to look more like Friends or Seinfeld, portraying people who lived comfortably despite being vaguely or fancifully employed. The nations jobs have shifted from industrial to service work, but even that seismic change a work force now epitomized by nurses, waiters, retail clerks, delivery drivers is rarely reflected in the stories we consume. Neither are developments like the erosion of job security, the rise of erratic scheduling, the invasive workplace surveillance changes that marked Obamas very own era in the White House. Marilu Henner Says She and Treat Williams 'Never Lost Touch' Up Until His Sudden Death at 71 (Exclusive) "We supported each other and we always checked in," she tells PEOPLE of the 'Everwood' star, who died in a motorcycle accident in Vermont on Monday. "He was an extraordinary person... This is so painful to all of us who loved him" Daniel Zuchnik/FilmMagic; Bruce Glikas/Getty Marilu Henner had a lifelong friend in her late costar Treat Williams, who died Monday in a motorcycle accident at age 71. Henner, also 71, worked alongside Williams in her first Broadway show, Over Here, and exclusively tells PEOPLE about the bond they shared from the very beginning. "We played two characters who were madly in love. We never stopped kissing the whole show, she recalls. Related: Treat Williams' Life in Photos Williams actually helped Henner in the early days of her career in New York City. He let me stay at his place in New York when we were starting out, the Taxi star shares. We had done Broadway and the show got canceled before I had another job, and he let me stay in his apartment when he was off doing another gig." Rachel Luna/Getty Treat Williams Henner and Williams also appeared together in Grease on Broadway and both went on to star in Hallmark Channel programs. We never lost touch, Henner says. We supported each other and we always checked in. He was an extraordinary person. He was so talented. We were a staple in each others lives and we were in the Hallmark family. He had great energy and he loved being an actor and he loved his family most of all. And loved his life. This is so painful to all of us who loved him. Related: Treat Williams, Star of 'Everwood' and 'Hair,' Dead at 71 Following Motorcycle Accident Treat Williams/Instagram Treat Williams with John Travolta, Marilu Henner and Ann Reinking outside their 'first big Broadway show,' Over Here! The actress says Williams had a great passion for everything he did. He was so vibrant and funny and a character and so supportive, she continues. He loved Vermont. And he was so proud of his kids and his wife. We never lost contact. Never. Williams agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson, confirmed the actors death to PEOPLE on Monday. "I'm just devastated, he said. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented." Williams had been driving his motorcycle near his Vermont home when he was hit by a car on Monday around 5 p.m. on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto near Dorset, Vermont, fire chief Jacob Gribble told PEOPLE. Related: Gregory Smith, Melissa Gilbert, Kim Cattrall React to Treat Williams' Death: His 'Spirit Was Infectious' Per Gribble, investigators believe the driver of a car was turning and didnt see Williams' motorcycle. WIlliams was the only person hurt and a LifeNet helicopter was summoned to airlift him to a hospital in New York. The Vermont State Police also put out a press release later on Monday, confirming Williams' identity and the details surrounding the crash. Police confirmed the investigation is in its early stages and team members will return to the location of the collision on Tuesday to continue processing the scene. 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. Williams is survived by his wife, actress Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gill and Ellie. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Jacques Rozier, who directed critically acclaimed films like Adieu Philippine and Du Cote dOrouet and who was considered the last surviving member of the French New Wave, if an underrated one, died on June 2 in the village of Theoule-sur-Mer in southern France. He was 96. His death was announced on social media by his friend and former collaborator Michele Berson. Mr. Rozier was in his 30s when he emerged as part of the French film vanguard of the late 1950s and 1960s, channeling the same insurrectionary spirit as New Wave contemporaries like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut, whose last names became one-word signifiers of swashbuckling directorial brilliance. Such luminaries acknowledged him as a member in good standing in what amounted to one of cinema historys most exclusive clubs, collectively committed to reinventing the art form by upending conventional notions of what a movie could be. And he outlasted them all. After the death in 2019 of Agnes Varda, another director associated with the movement, Mr. Godard said in an interview with the Swiss public broadcasting network RTS that there were now only two of the original New Wave directors left, himself and Mr. Rozier. Mr. Godard, a longtime friend of Mr. Rozier, died last year. A federal judge on Tuesday said that recent reports of violence and negligence on Rikers Island raised profound questions about New York Citys ability to protect detainees and jail staff and for the first time signaled that she might be willing to consider a federal takeover of the notorious jail complex. Although lawyers for incarcerated people have called for months for New York City to be stripped of its authority over the jails, the judge, Laura T. Swain, said at a hearing on Tuesday she was not yet ready to hear arguments for that option. She added though that her faith in the citys leadership had been shaken by a series of alarming reports issued in recent weeks by a monitor who oversees the jails. In those reports, the monitor, Steve J. Martin, detailed episodes of violence and negligence including a confrontation between correction officers and a detainee that left the detainee paralyzed from the neck down and accused the citys jail chief, Louis A. Molina, and his Department of Correction staff, of hiding information and shirking responsibility. As recently as October, Mr. Martin had praised Mr. Molina, saying that the city was poised to turn things around at Rikers Island, in part because of his courage to make unpopular changes, and creativity in his approach to solving decades-old problems. But the reports, and Mr. Martins comments at the hearing, represented a stark about-face, with the monitor pointedly expressing a lack of trust in the agency. Although we just experienced a pandemic in which over one million Americans died, health care reform doesnt seem to be a top political issue in the United States right now. Thats a mistake. The American health care system is broken. We are one of the few developed countries that does not have universal coverage. We spend an extraordinary amount on health care, far more than anyone else. And our broad outcomes are middling at best. When we do pay attention to this issue, our debates are profoundly unproductive. Discussions of reform here in the United States seem to focus on two options: Either we maintain the status quo of what we consider a private system or we move toward a single-payer system like Canadas. Thats always been an odd choice to me because true single-payer systems like that one are relatively rare in the world, and Canada performs almost as poorly as we do in many international rankings. Moreover, no one has a system quite as complicated as ours. A more productive debate might benefit from looking around the world at other options. Many people resist such arguments, however. They think that our system is somehow part of Americas DNA, something that grew from the Constitution or the founding fathers. Others believe that the health care systems in different countries couldnt work here because of our systems size. I think those are bad excuses. Our employer-based insurance system is the way it is because of World War II wage freezes and I.R.S. tax policy, not the will of the founders. And much of health care is regulated at the state level, so our size isnt really an outlier. We could change things if we wanted to. In the summer of 1993, I almost joined a cult. For love. It was the same cult featured in the current most-watched show on Amazon Prime, a documentary series called Shiny Happy People. Its centered on the Duggar family and the teachings of a man named Bill Gothard. The Duggars, as many readers know, were the focus of a popular 2008 reality television show called 19 Kids and Counting and its 2015 spinoff, Counting On. Gothard the Duggars spiritual mentor is less famous in secular America but far more consequential across evangelical America, where the influence of his movement continues today. Most of the attention paid to Shiny Happy People will focus on the accusations of sexual abuse some of them proven in court surrounding the Duggars and Gothard. (The Institute in Basic Life Principles, which Gothard founded, has issued a statement in response to the documentary, calling it misleading and untruthful and claiming that it mocks that which is good and moral in the most sensationalized way possible.) Im going to address the issue of abuse below, but I also want to focus on a different question: Why are otherwise good, solid people attracted to movements like Gothards? How can they not see its controlling darkness? My own story isnt uncommon. If you lived in evangelical America in the 1980s and 1990s, youd often encounter men and women who were deeply influenced by Gothard. When I was 24 years old, I was engaged to a woman Id been dating for two years. She and her family followed Gothards teachings and attended events sponsored by the Institute in Basic Life Principles. She told me that she couldnt marry a man who hadnt attended its introductory course, the Basic Seminar. Just as important, as it happened, her father said he would not allow his daughter to marry anyone who refused to attend the seminar. The only notable congressional Republican to really condemn Trump was Senator Mitt Romney of Utah. By all appearances, the Justice Department and special counsel have exercised due care, affording Mr. Trump the time and opportunity to avoid charges that would not generally have been afforded to others, he said in a statement. Mr. Trump brought these charges upon himself by not only taking classified documents, but by refusing to simply return them when given numerous opportunities to do so. All of this is typical. With vanishingly few exceptions, Republicans are unwilling to discipline Trump or withdraw their support for his political leadership or even just criticize him for his actions. The most weve seen, Romney aside, is a nod to the fact that these are serious charges. This is a serious case with serious allegations, said Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who nonetheless added that this prosecution represented a double standard and that You cant protect Democrats while targeting and hunting Republicans. There are several ways to think about most Republicans reluctance to break with Trump in the face of his egregious lawbreaking and contempt for constitutional government, but I want to focus on two in particular. The first concerns something that exists wherever there is a relationship between an individual and an institution: the loyalty of the individual to the institution. Political parties in particular are designed to inculcate a sense of loyalty and shared commitment among their members. This is especially true for officeholders, who exist in a web of relationships and obligations that rest on a set of common interests and beliefs. Loyalty makes it less likely that a dissenter just walks away, especially when there isnt a plausible alternative. Few Trump-critical Republicans, for instance, are willing to become Democrats. Whats more, as the economist A.O. Hirschman observed in his classic text, Exit, Voice and Loyalty: Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations and States, strong loyalty to an institution like a political party might lead a dissenting or disapproving individual to hold on to his or her membership even more tightly, for fear that exit might open the door to even worse outcomes. Doctors are generally held in high regard today, but Romans of the first century were skeptical, even scornful, of medical practitioners, many of whom ministered to ailments they did not understand. Poets especially ridiculed surgeons for being greedy, for taking sexual advantage of patients and, above all, for incompetence. In his Natural History, Pliny the Elder, the admiral and scholar who died in 79 A.D. while trying to rescue desperate villagers fleeing the debris of Mt. Vesuvius, endeavored to speak out against the medical profession on behalf of the senate and Roman people and 600 years of Rome. Their fees were excessive, their remedies dubious, their squabbling insufferable. Physicians gain experience at our peril and conduct their experiments by means of our deaths, he wrote. The epitaph on more than one Roman tombstone read: A gang of doctors killed me. Medical remedies have improved since those times no more smashed snails, salt-cured weasel flesh or ashes of cremated dogs heads but surgical instruments have changed surprisingly little. Scalpels, needles, tweezers, probes, hooks, chisels and drills are as much part of todays standard medical tool kit as they were during Romes imperial era. Archaeologists in Hungary recently unearthed a rare and perplexing set of such appliances. The items were found in a necropolis near Jaszbereny, some 35 miles from Budapest, in two wooden chests and included a forceps, for pulling teeth; a curet, for mixing, measuring and applying medicaments, and three copper-alloy scalpels fitted with detachable steel blades and inlaid with silver in a Roman style. Alongside were the remains of a man presumed to have been a Roman citizen. A federal judge on Tuesday urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to strike a compromise with Binance that would allow the global cryptocurrency exchange to continue operating in the United States as it fights a civil fraud lawsuit filed by the regulator. Last week, the S.E.C. charged Binance and its U.S. affiliate with mishandling customers deposits and lying to regulators. It also sought to freeze the companys U.S. assets, a move that Binance claimed would force it to shut down in the United States. At a hearing in Washington on Tuesday, Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asked the two sides to confer on a possible agreement over the asset freeze, arguing that they were closer to a deal than the rhetoric in their court filings suggested. Judge Jackson ordered them to continue negotiating and to submit a status update by Thursday. She also expressed skepticism about the S.E.C.s use of its enforcement powers to regulate the crypto world, calling it inefficient and cumbersome. When it was established in 1947, the Holland Festival signaled the Dutch desire to build bridges after World War II. Its mandate was simple: to bring international artists from a range of disciplines to the Netherlands, every summer. You had three cultural exports at the time: tulips, cheese and the Holland Festival, Emily Ansenk, who has been the events artistic director since 2019, said in an interview. Its core mission hasnt changed much and the breadth of work on offer in Amsterdam, spanning performance and visual arts, can feel somewhat disorienting. While the 2022 edition tackled climate change and issues of representation, there is no overt theme this year. Still, as the theater portion of the Holland Festival kicked into high gear over this past weekend, common threads started to emerge. Not all of them were inviting: Elli Papakonstantinou and Susanne Kennedy, two experimental European directors, created stage worlds so bizarre that following the action proved a tall order. At the start of Robert Ickes The Doctor, the actress Juliet Stevenson stands alone in a spotlight onstage. Am I sure? Yes. Yes! she says crisply as if to an invisible interlocutor. Im crystal clear. Im a doctor. As the plays title character, a grammatically exacting neurosurgeon named Ruth Wolff, Stevenson will repeat those last two phrases many times as events unfold and Ruths clarity and intellectual certainties erode. Eventually they will transmute into something far more inchoate as her life unravels, and self-doubt begins to permeate her conviction that being a doctor is all that matters. The Doctor, which opens Wednesday at the Park Avenue Armory in New York, is a reworking of Arthur Schnitzlers 1912 drama, Professor Bernhardi, about a Jewish physician who refuses entry to a Roman Catholic priest trying to administer last rites to a patient dying from sepsis after an abortion. In Ickes version, the issues go beyond questions of medical ethics and religious affiliations to include identity politics and cancel culture. The play, and Stevenson, received rave reviews when The Doctor was first presented in 2019 at Londons Almeida Theater, where Icke was then the artistic director, and later after it transferred to the West End. One of the peaks of the theatrical year, Michael Billington wrote in The Guardian, adding that while Stevenson shows how integrity can turn into obduracy, she also beautifully portrays the human cost of making medicine ones god. WASHINGTON Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, praised the counteroffensive being mounted by Ukraine as he met with President Biden at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the long-term strategy in Ukraine and future leadership for the 31-member military alliance. The support that we are now providing together to Ukraine is now making a difference on the battlefield as we speak, Mr. Stoltenberg said. The offensive is launched, and Ukrainians are making progress, making advances. Its still early days, but what we do know is the more land Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table. The visit comes during a critical time for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as Ukraine tries to regain territory claimed by Russia and as members of the Western alliance prepare for a summit meeting next month in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ahead of that meeting, Mr. Biden and Mr. Stoltenberg said they were focused on ensuring that each NATO ally met the alliances threshold of spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. Weve strengthened NATOs eastern flank, made it clear well defend every inch of NATO territory, Mr. Biden said. At our summit in Lithuania next month, were going to be building on that momentum. Im working to ensure that allies spend enough on their defense, the 2 percent. It has long been an axiom of the House majority: Vote against a piece of legislation put forth by your party if you absolutely must, but never, ever vote against the rule to bring that legislation to the floor. Until the last few weeks, that standard had held for more than two decades. But now, about a dozen rebellious House Republicans have decided to leverage their badly needed votes on the routine procedural measures to win policy concessions, breaking the longstanding code of party discipline and threatening the traditional operation of the House. Who cares? asked Representative Eli Crane of Arizona, one of the members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus who broke with their party on the rule last week, resulting in a very rare defeat that ground the chamber to a halt for a week. I could care less, and neither could my voters, he said about violating a House norm. Tradition be damned; we have to change the way this town works. Both Ms. Haley and Mr. Scott had initially reacted to news of the indictment by focusing almost exclusively on criticizing the special counsel and the Justice Department for bringing the charges. This is not how justice should be pursued in our country, Ms. Haley wrote on Twitter on Friday. Mr. Scott had said on Fox News, Today what we see is a justice system where the scales are weighted. The statements represented merely an inching away from the former president rather than a full-throated departure from a broader set of the Republican Party, whose leadership has for the most part publicly stood behind Mr. Trump. In an illustration of that delicate balancing act, Ms. Haley said on Tuesday on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show that the charges against Mr. Trump, while serious, did not warrant his imprisonment when asked if she would pardon him. I think it would be terrible for the country to have a former president in prison for years because of a documents case, she said, adding, So I would be inclined in favor of a pardon, but I think its really premature at this point when hes not even been convicted of anything. The Central Intelligence Agency told Ukrainian officials last summer that it had learned of what it thought was an aborted plot by the Ukrainians to attack the Nord Stream pipelines, and the agency reinforced its objection to any such operation, U.S. officials said. In June 2022, Dutch intelligence officials shared information with the C.I.A. that they had learned the Ukrainian military had been planning an operation using divers to blow up one of the pipelines, according to U.S. and European officials. But the original tip by the Dutch, according to U.S. officials, was that Ukraine had already reconsidered and canceled the operation. In reality, American officials now believe, the operation was not aborted but delayed, potentially with a different Ukraine-aligned group carrying out the attack. Explosions destroyed parts of the pipelines, which carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, in September. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack. In the days leading up to his arraignment in Miami, former President Donald J. Trump and several of his allies called on supporters to rally to his side. Roger J. Stone Jr., Mr. Trumps longtime political adviser, called for protests, insisting that they should be peaceful. A Miami chapter of the Proud Boys long associated with Mr. Stone echoed the invitation, posting a flier on its Telegram page last week advertising an event at the federal courthouse on Tuesday morning. All of this raised the level of concern among civic leaders in the city, who issued calls for protesters to remain peaceful. In the end, their fears did not materialize. It did not appear that any Proud Boys showed up and about 500 people, including one with a pigs head on a spear, answered Mr. Trumps call to action. The atmosphere outside the building was circuslike. There was the Uncle Sam who sped around the courthouse grounds on a two-wheeled hoverboard singing pro-Trump songs, the woman with a unicorn horn affixed to her forehead who wore an Aunt-ifa shirt and chanted derisively about the former president, and the man in a black-and-white jail jumpsuit carrying a sign that read, Lock Him Up. Former President Donald J. Trump and his personal aide, Walt Nauta, were ordered by a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday to not discuss their criminal case, even though the two work closely and see each other practically every day. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who oversaw the hearing, said that any discussions related to the case must go through their lawyers. Mr. Trump and Mr. Nauta have been charged with conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation into Mr. Trumps handling of dozens of classified documents after he left office. Mr. Nauta did not enter a plea. A lawyer for Mr. Nauta, who is charged with lying to investigators and scheming with Mr. Trump to conceal boxes containing classified documents from the F.B.I. and federal prosecutors, asked for a two-week extension because he needed a local lawyer to sponsor him. The restrictions which do not apply to other topics of conversation are common for co-defendants in a criminal matter, but they could be particularly challenging to uphold given that Mr. Nautas job is to follow the former president through his days, attending to various needs. To underscore Mr. Nautas proximity to Mr. Trump, Mr. Nauta was riding with him from Mr. Trumps club, Doral, to the courthouse for Tuesdays hearing. The crackdown comes at a moment when the country is broadly re-examining womens rights, a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. For the Southern Baptists, it also comes as victims advocates continue to press the denomination to take action after devastating reports of sexual abuse of women and children, and are met with resistance from some men in the organization. As the convention got underway on Monday in New Orleans, Mike Law, a Virginia pastor, pushed for his proposed amendment to the S.B.C. constitution that would further restrict the role of women in leadership, by stating that a church could be Southern Baptist only if it does not affirm, appoint or employ a woman as a pastor of any kind. More than 2,000 male pastors and professors signed a letter in support of the proposed amendment before the convention began. Church officials decided on Monday to advance the proposal to a full floor vote this week, even as they cautioned that they opposed it, arguing that it was unnecessary given the denominations existing theological positions. The amendment would need to be passed twice, in consecutive years, to go into effect. Some Southern Baptists view female leaders as as an early harbinger of a raft of other changes, said Joshua Abbotoy, whose church left the denomination last year because of concerns about a liberal drift. Mr. Abbotoy is the managing director of New Founding, a conservative organization affiliated with American Reformer, a journal that published an analysis over the weekend estimating that there were more than 1,800 female pastors serving in S.B.C. churches. More than 100 people died, including many who were returning from a wedding ceremony, after a river boat transporting them capsized in the early hours of Monday in Nigeria, according to residents and the local police. The boat was sailing on the Niger River in the western state of Kwara, according to a police spokesman, Okasanmi Ajayi, who said that more than 100 people had been rescued and that the search was ongoing. The boat capsized in complete darkness and it wasnt until hours later that we were alerted, Mr. Ajayi said. The death toll stood at 103 as of Tuesday evening and was likely to rise, he added. River boat accidents are a recurring issue in Nigeria, a West African nation where overloading, lax safety regulations, the absence of life jackets and poor maintenance often lead to deadly incidents. Nighttime sailing is outlawed across the country, but the ban remains poorly enforced. Then the children's escape plane crashed, killing their mother and two other adults and sending the quartet on a traumatic weekslong survival journey in the Amazon jungle. The oldest of the children, Lesly, 13, played the role of guide and mother to her siblings, helping them navigate the forest. I was very scared the children would be recruited, said Mr. Ranoque, who like others spoke by phone. He added that the countrys armed groups have no respect they are capable of recruiting a child as young as 2. The rescue of the children last week has provided a rare moment of unified celebration in a deeply divided nation, with broad swaths of society, from left to right, praising the work of the search team. Gustavo Petro, the countrys leftist president, called the rescue magical, and Ivan Duque, his conservative predecessor, called it a miracle. But the story of the children Lesly, Soleiny, 9, Tien, 5, and Cristin, 1 all from the Huitoto Indigenous group, is also a stark reminder of the dangers faced by thousands of rural Colombian children every day. For decades the country has been terrorized by armed groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. In 2016, the FARC agreed to lay down its arms. But the state never took control of many places where the rebels once flourished. Like many other women in the state of Punjab, long a hub of emigration from India, Sharndeep Kaur aspired to marry an Indian working abroad and follow him to a more prosperous life overseas. On Jan. 13, 2014, she thought her dream had come true. That day in a Sikh temple, she married Harjinder Singh, who had just returned from Italy, and moved in with his family. After a few days, though, her in-laws began demanding about $10,000 so her husband could resettle in Canada. When she failed to secure the money, they starved and beat her, according to a police complaint that did not result in any charges. Eight weeks after the wedding, her husband went back to his dairy job in Italy. Ms. Kaur never saw him again. The days turned into weeks and then months, she said recently at her home in the village of Fateh Nangal. And my eyes kept searching for him. Mr. Grossi said that the loss of the water supply in itself is not a cause of immediate danger, but that any problem with the containment system for the pond on site could prove incredibly challenging. The pond provides water to cool the nuclear fuel inside the plants six reactors as well as spent nuclear fuel. If there was a break in the gates that contained this water or anything like this, you would really lose all your cooling capacity, he said. The pond is currently full and has a surface area of more than three square miles and a depth of more than 50 feet, according to Ukrainian officials. The water level is closely monitored and five of the nuclear plants six reactors are in cold shutdown mode, which greatly reduces the amount of water they require to ensure safety. A sixth still produces some steam, which is used for the plants internal operation, Mr. Grossi said. Mr. Grossi has said in recent days that there is enough water in the pond to last for several months, but on Tuesday he painted a more pessimistic picture, telling journalists that there could be water for a few weeks or maybe a month or two. He said he was going to the plant to make a better assessment. The dam breach is another step into the weakening of the safety net that one has in any nuclear power plant, he added. Mr. Zelensky said in a statement later that he supported an I.A.E.A. proposal to send its experts to assess the risk. UK may not have been well prepared at all for pandemic, Covid Inquiry told Bereaved relatives held pictures of loved ones lost during the pandemic outside the inquiry (Belinda Jiao/PA) (PA Wire) The UK may not have been very well prepared at all to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the lead lawyer to the official Covid-19 Inquiry said as public hearings began. Hugo Keith KC said on Tuesday that the nation was taken by surprise by significant aspects of the disease that has been recorded on 226,977 death certificates. He argued that preparations for Brexit had distracted the Government from making the improvements required to the strategy on how to tackle a deadly pandemic. He told chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett: "The pandemic struck the United Kingdom just as it was leaving the European Union. "That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. "It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. "Did the attention therefore paid to the risks of a no-deal exit - Operation Yellowhammer as it was known - drain the resources and capacity that should have been continuing the fight against the next pandemic, that should have been utilised in preparing the United Kingdom for civil emergency? "Or did all that generic and operational planning in fact lead to people being better trained and well marshalled and, in fact, better prepared to deal with Covid and also to the existence of improved trade, medicine and supply links? "My lady on the evidence so far, but it will be a matter for you, we very much fear that it was the former." The Operation Yellowhammer document, which was published by the Government in 2019, set out a series of "reasonable worst-case assumptions" about what would happen if the UK did not reach a deal with the EU. It suggested there would be real risks of a rise in public disorder, higher food prices and reduced medical supplies. Mr Keith has spent Tuesday morning detailing the events that led up to the first Covid lockdown in March 2020. A lawyer for the Northern Ireland Department of Health acknowledged Brexit preparations "did divert some of our focus away from pandemic preparedness planning, as was no doubt the case for all four nations of the United Kingdom". But Neasa Murnaghan KC told the inquiry there were also some advantages associated with the EU exit preparations, including recently trained staff for emergencies and increased buffer stocks of medicines. The inquiry also heard from bereaved families in a series of moving video interviews, which included harrowing stories of people dying alone from Covid. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett vowed that those who suffered in the pandemic will always be at the heart of the inquiry as she launched the first public hearing. The retired Court of Appeal judge welcomed the dignified vigil held by bereaved relatives outside the building in west London as she vowed to undertake the thorough investigation they deserve. She said she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? Mr Keith said that, near the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the three devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published a Covid-19 action plan setting out how they planned to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The plan stated that the United Kingdom was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. Whether that was actually the case will be examined in module one, he said in his opening statement. Even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all. Mr Keith said the significant risks of pandemics had been long assessed and officials had planned for them. But fundamentally, in relation to significant aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were taken by surprise, he added. The lawyer said there is a need to question whether the health services were sufficiently funded or suffered from under-investment ahead of the pandemic that left in its wake death, misery and incalculable loss. Today we begin public hearings for Module 1 investigating pre-pandemic preparedness and resilience in the UK, at 10:00am. Watch it on our YouTube channel, subject to a three minute delay: https://t.co/n03rrwuLGm pic.twitter.com/4AR1ruAuls UK Covid-19 Inquiry (@covidinquiryuk) June 13, 2023 Mr Keith said that key to the first phase of the inquiry is whether the terrible outcomes for people with existing health conditions and disabilities, as well as for people from deprived or ethnic minority backgrounds, were foreseen or could have been mitigated. Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions were necessary in areas including shielding, employment support, schools, borders and lockdown restrictions, he added. Few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail. Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling excluded from sharing key evidence. Lady Hallett said she had set out an ambitious timetable for the inquiry, adding: To conduct the kind of thorough investigation the people of the United Kingdom deserve takes time and a great deal of preparation. I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised. Pete Weatherby KC, representing the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said they expect evidence to show chaos in Government led to a slow reaction. Claire Mitchell KC, for the group representing relatives in Scotland, said leaders were accused of presiding over a carousel of chaos. Kirsten Heaven, on behalf of Welsh families, said they were very disappointed that the government in Cardiff was not launching its own inquiry over its inadequate response. For relatives in Northern Ireland, Ronan Lavery KC said decades of political dysfunction had led to a lack of preparedness and that the region was 18 months behind the rest of the UK in resilience. A 17-minute video was played at the inquiry, showing people describing the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on themselves and their loved ones, including those who had died alone. One woman cried as she said her father had died, followed, just a few days later, by her sister, and that she suffered guilt over the way they had died. Another woman said she had lost everything, while others described suffering anxiety. People also told how they had not hugged each other at family funerals because they were sticking to Covid social distancing rules laid down by the Government. The hearing was also told that people could not be buried in outfits chosen by families because body bags had to remain sealed. The inquiry will be split into six areas, with the first looking at whether the UK was adequately prepared for the pandemic. Interim reports are scheduled to be published before public hearings conclude by summer 2026. A separate Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry chaired by Lord Brailsford is looking at the pandemic response in devolved areas in Scotland. A man was arrested early Tuesday on the suspicion of murder after three people, including two students, were found dead in the city of Nottingham, in central England. The arrest followed a series of attacks Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain called a shocking incident. The police said they were first alerted just after 4 a.m. about two people who had been stabbed in the street and were unresponsive. These two people would later be identified as 19-year-old students at the University of Nottingham. Police officers were then called to a nearby street in the city center, where three other people were found wounded after a driver attempted to run them over with a van, according to a statement by the Nottinghamshire Police. Soon after, the body of a man in his 50s who had been killed with a knife was found in a third street. The police said Tuesday that they believe that the van belonged to that man and that it had been stolen from him. A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the deaths. The three other injured people, including one man who was in critical condition, were receiving treatment in a hospital, the police said. Police described them only as members of the public. A womans sentencing to prison this week for illegally using abortion pills to end a 32- to 34-week pregnancy is prompting a debate in England over the state of its abortion laws and whether a woman should ever be prosecuted for the procedure. Adding to the debate is the fact that she was prosecuted under a law more than 160 years old. Some say that the law is too draconian, while others say the case illustrates the dangers of allowing abortion pills to be sent by mail. What happened in the case? On Monday, a court in Stoke-on-Trent, a city in central England, sentenced Carla Foster, 44, to 28 months for having caused her own miscarriage by taking abortion pills when she was in her eighth month of pregnancy. The sentence includes up to 14 months in prison, after which she could serve the rest of her term on release if she meets certain conditions. It wasnt even 8 a.m. and Captain Fritz, a Ukrainian infantry officer, had already smoked a half-dozen cigarettes. Hes 24, but his pale blue eyes seemed older than his years, reflecting the weariness of war but also maybe something else, perhaps a flicker of mischief. He crouched in a trench, head cocked. If he stood up, he could be easily shot by Russian snipers concealed in a thick tree line a few hundred yards away. The trench walls and mud floor shook from explosions, the steady pounding of Russian artillery that erupts each day at dawn with an almost absurd regularity. See those bushes? said Captain Fritz, who identified himself by his call sign, as many Ukrainian soldiers do. Thats where some Russians are hiding. I want to wish them good morning. Twenty-two U.S. soldiers were injured in a helicopter accident in northeastern Syria, the military said on Monday. It said it was investigating the cause of the incident, which it called a mishap, adding that no enemy fire had been reported. The troops sustained injuries of various degrees, the militarys Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, said in a brief statement that was posted on Twitter. Ten of them were evacuated to hospitals outside the region for treatment, according to the statement, which said the accident had happened on Sunday. Central Command officials did not immediately provide additional information. Hundreds of American troops and contractors are based in Syria. The troops work with Kurdish fighters to prevent a resurgence of the militant group Islamic State, which was ostensibly defeated as a self-declared caliphate in 2019, after five years of wreaking havoc across Iraq and Syria. In March, a U.S. contractor was killed and six other Americans were injured when Iranian-backed militias launched a volley of rocket and drone attacks against coalition bases. Eric Schmitt contributed reporting. A section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia collapsed on Sunday after a fiery crash involving a tanker loaded with gasoline. Officials warned that it could take months to replace the elevated stretch of road, further complicating traffic problems in one of the nations largest cities this summer. The crash on I-95, which runs the length of the East Coast from Maine to South Florida, left a section of the northbound side of the highway in a heap of ruins and the southbound section so badly damaged that it will be demolished this week. The authorities have cautioned that the investigations into the crash and the collapse of the overpass are only just beginning, but here is what we know so far. The authorities believe the driver lost control of the tanker. Pennsylvania officials said the driver was heading northbound on I-95 early Sunday and lost control while negotiating the left-hand curve of an off-ramp in northeast Philadelphia. Four siblings, aged 13, 9, 5, and 1, miraculously survived a plane crash in one of the most remote areas of Colombia, and then 40 days alone in the Amazon jungle. On May 1st, 2023, a small Cessna 206 airplane en route to San Jose de Guaviare suffered an engine failure and crashed deep in one of Colombias most remote and dangerous regions. Three adults, including the pilot, died in the crash, but the four children on board miraculously survived. However, they were stranded with little to no supplies, in a jungle filled with dangerous snakes, spiders, and mosquitoes, where members of the ex-Farc military group are still active. For 40 days, thousands of volunteers searched for the siblings, and the hope of them being found alive kept millions of Colombians on the tip of their feet. Last week, the miracle everyone was waiting for materialized the children were found alive and well in a jungle clearing. Photo: MChe Lee/Unsplash When a search team found the crashed plane on 16 May in a thick patch of the rainforest along with the three bodies, including the siblings mother, there was hope of the kids survival, but with each passing day, their chances of being found and rescued dwindled. Adults would have a tough time surviving in such a hostile environment, but these were kids, the youngest of which hadnt even turned one when the plane crashed. Still, hundreds of volunteers joined the search for them, scouring the jungle and launching supplies kits in an area of 323 sq km. The military was particularly involved in the rescue efforts, using helicopters to scan the jungle and hundreds of soldiers on the ground. They distributed over 10,000 flyers and hundreds of food kits, even in areas that the four siblings couldnt possibly have reached on foot. In the end, 40 days, after the plane crash, a search party heard the cries of baby Cristin, who turned one during this ordeal and found the four siblings in a clearing about 3 miles from the plane crash. Although the four children were obviously shocked and didnt speak much about their experience in the jungle, authorities are convinced that it was the bravery and survival knowledge of the eldest sister, thirteen-year-old Lesly Mukutuy, that kept them alive. Having learned a lot about the plants and the dangers of the jungle from their grandmother, she was able to identify edible fruits, find water sources and avoid dangerous animals during their 40-day ordeal. We have to recognize not only her bravery but also her leadership, the minister of defense, Ivan Velasquez, told journalists. We can say that it was because of her that her three younger siblings could survive by her side, thanks to her care and her knowledge of the jungle. After being treated at a hospital in Bogota, the four siblings will be reunited with their relatives, including their grandparents. The tale of their survival will most likely become the subject of a Hollywood blockbuster in the near future. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber The United Nations climate conference is searching for a PR firm to support its COP28 summit slated for Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, according to a report in the Financial Times. The COP28 organizers are under pressure for the appointment of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as president-designate of the summit. He will be the first corporate CEO to head the UNs climate conference. More than 100 US and European politicians signed a May 23 letter to president Joe Biden, European Commission head Ursula von de Leyen and UN secretary Antonio Guterres urging the replacement of Al Jaber. The decision to name as president of COP28 the chief executive of one of the worlds largest oil and gas companiesa company that has recently announced plans to add 7.6 billion barrels of oil to its production in the coming years, representing the fifth-largest increase in the worldrisks undermining the negotiations, stated the letter. US Senators Peter Welch, Richard Blumenthal, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren signed the letter. Edelman handled the announcement of the COP28 presidency but no longer handles it. COP28 plays up Al Jabers role in shaping the UAEs clean energy path as chairman of its Masdar renewable power unit. It credits Al Jaber for spearheading a $15B decarbonization strategy and low-carbon solutions push. Al Jabers opponents believes his role at COP28 will jeopardize public faith in the process. They believe different leadership is necessary to help ensure that COP28 is a serious and productive climate summit. THE students from Rang 6 in Gaelscoil na Laochra in Birr had a very special day recently when they were invited to Microsoft Headquarters in Dublin to receive a Platinum Award for their coding skills and their self-made video documenting their class work in this area. Earlier in the school year, the students had been chosen as Microsoft Dreamspace Ambassadors which involved them teaching coding and technology to their peers and producing a video to document their work throughout the year. The students gave an excellent presentation to the team at Microsoft on their video documenting their coding development throughout the year and were delighted to receive the highest accolade possible for their work. The students were also delighted to hear that the team at Microsoft were so impressed with their work and its bilingual presentation that they asked the school if their video could be used by Microsoft in the future. Gaelscoil na Laochra are very proud of their achievements and the support of their class teacher, Colm o hAnluain, who himself is no stranger to innovation as presenter of Na hInnealtoiri on TG4. With their recent success, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these young innovative students! The third round of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby in Towcester with the Irish dogs to the fore once again, the semifinals of the Irish Oaks in Shelbourne and a night of finals in Cork dominated this weeks racing. Some quality Offaly winners in the mix too in another super week of Greyhound racing. Early week racing One stake was finishing up in Enniscorthy on Thursday with another getting underway. In the final of the Lough Kennels A1 600 yard stake, Foxmount Lough (Droopys Sydney - Lough Saoirse) was first across the line for Lester Power in 32.96 (20 slow) by seven lengths at 5/4 with a cheque of 1.5k to the winner. The rest of that card was dominated by the first round of an A2 sweepstake, eight heats with Hard To Figure going fastest for local trainer Joe Devlin in 29.01 (20 slow) by six lengths at 5/4. First Offaly winner of the week was in Shelbourne, also on Thursday. in the first race on the card, an ON2 unraced, Blundel Trixy was an impressive five length winner for Edenderry owner Timmy Ennis with Paul Cronin training in 29.17 at 1/1 fav. Friday racing Clonmel, in the final of the GRI Spring A5 Guys and Dolls Stake, Buttons Bolger (Ballymac Bolger - Diggers Rest) won the 3k first prize for Waterford trainer Declan Byrne in 29.40 (10 slow) by just a neck. Some top class action in Kilkenny, in the final of the Mary Ramsbottom Memorial ON2 unraced stake, class won out as Barefoot Amber (Pestana - Ballygur Pearl) made it three wins from three starts for Paul Hennessy in 29.22 (30 slow) by one length at 4/7 with 1.4K going his way. In the semifinals of the Coolavanny Hoffa @ Stud A1 competition, Laois trainer Karol Ramsbottom won both heats, Kapuka Warrior in 29.07 (30 slow) by one length at 2/1 and Deadly Crusader in 29.14 (30 slow) by one length at 5/4. Shelbourne, in the final of the Barking Buzz App A3 575 stake, Ratchies Kodi (Good News - Swift Dessert) won the 1.75 first prize for P.J. Peacock in 31.63 by three lengths at 6/1. In the first round of the RCETS A3 525 sweepstake, four heats, Highview Sab was fastest of the four for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 28.73 by three lengths at 3/1. Tralee hosted the semi-finals of the Callaway Rambler Race Of Champions, three heats with two qualifying from each for final. This stake was won last year by Bockos Budsit for Graham Holland. Three cracking contests with the first going to Magical Kuba for Pat Guilfoyle in 29.51 by a head at 6/4 fav. The second went to the ever consistent Ballinabola Ed, recent winner of the Open 600 stake in Shelbourne in May for Pat Buckley in 29.73 by eight lengths at 4/6 fav. The final heat went to current Oaks champion Rafa Mofo for Murt Leahy in 29.65 by a short head at 11/4. Its a super line up for Friday final and forecasting the winner an impossible task. Saturday Racing Super crowd in Curraheen Park in Cork to witness a fine card with two finals and the first round of one of the most sought after open unraced stakes. In the final of the Deadly Kennels Open 750, all six had credentials to take the crown from last years winner Ballybough Champ and Murt Leahy. It turned out to be a messy affair as dogs seemed to collide at every corner with Kinturk Road (Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac Arminta) winning the 5k first prize in a slow 42.04 by one length at 5/4. Laughil King was second for Kilcormac owners Mary and Paul Jennings and received a purse of 1.8k. In the final of the Dan and Sheila Buckley Memorial A3 stake, the 1.8k pot went to local trainer Kieran Lynch as Bartlemy Sham (Ballymac Bolger - Bartlemy Eve) proved to strong for his rivals in 28.80 by one length at 4/1. In the first round of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open unraced stake, won last year by Droopys Rocker for John Linehan, six heats of the highest standard all won in fast times. Jetara set the fastest time of the six for Owen Mckenna in 28.33 by eight lengths at 5/4. Dundalk hosted the first round of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll Memorial A3 stake, won in 2022 by Mrs Chatter for Barney Curley. Seven heats with Offaly dog Carrick Aldo going fastest for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn, in 28.56 by eight lengths, with Mullingar trainer David Murray at the helm. Two more Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an S6 350 yard sprint, Nearly No Risk won for Ballycommon owner Peter Raine in 19.94 (20 slow) by a short head at 2/1. In the final race on the card, an A3 grade, Thousand Island was on way home first for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in 29.77 (50 slow) by two lengths at 2/1. The best race in Thurles was the final of the Gri A4 Spring Stakes, the 1.6k prize went to Ballysloe Lola (Boyhero - Road Queen) for Paraic Campion in 29.04 (20 slow) by four lengths at 6/4 fav. In Kilcohan Park in Waterford, in the final of the GRI Spring A5 stake, Barntown Sand (Pestana - Minnies Kursk) received a cheque for 2.4K for trainer George Roche in 28.92 by two lengths at 2/1. Another bumper crowd in Shelbourne Park to see some brilliant racing and another super Offaly winner. In the semifinals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks the first heat went to last weeks Offaly dog of the week as Droopys Timing who showed super early pace to lead a star studded field, and was never threatened to win in 28.43 by one length at 4/1, for Edenderry owner Paul Cronin. Brilliant victory. The second semi went to the ever consistent Bobsleigh Dream who was winning her twenty second race for Pat Buckley in 28.47 by one length at 1/1 fav. If the Cronin bitch can break as sharply again in the final she will take a lot of catching. Heres hoping. In the final of the RCETS A1 575 stake, Music Glideaway (Newinn Taylor - Glideaway Magic) won for Pat Guilfoyle in 31.00 by one length at 4/5 fav with the 4K pot going to his owners The Pension Plan Syndicate. In the semif-inals of the GRI Summer AO stake, Hawkfield Blue won the first for Newbridge owner Jerry Connors in 28.62 by five lengths at 4/6 fav with Keeley McGee training. The second semi went to Cork trainer Denis Fitzgerald as Churchtown Syd ran out a five length winner in 28.39 at 2/1. English derby Forty eight dogs went to traps for the third round of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby, eight heats with four of them being won by Irish dogs. Swords Rex remains the only unbeaten dog in the stake for Graham Holland when winning his heat in 28.93, Holland also had another winner with Romeo Hanzo in 29.19. Ballymac Marino won for Liam Dowling in 29.24 at 5/1 while Burj Khalifa won his heat for Brendan Mathews in 29.14. Of the twenty four dogs remaining ten are from this side of the Irish Sea.Unfortunately last years winner Romeo Magico was unluckily eliminated when his race certainly didnt go his way. Leading Irish bookmaker has now installed Swords Rex as 11/4 fav to lift the English blue ribbon event with Ballymac Marino on 5/1, Clona Duke and Romeo Command on 6/1, 10/1 bar. All still to play for. Quarterfinals should be interesting. Sunday racing Two Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, in an A6 race, Killeshill Lilac was first across the whitewash in 30.34 (50 slow) by a head at 2/1 for Daingean owner Vincent Lynch. In an A3 contest, Lingrawn Focus won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.56 (50 slow) by two lengths at a decent 6/1. Three evening meetings on Sunday. In Lifford, in the final of the Ballymac Stud A1 Trophy Stake, the 2k first prize went to Old Fort Major (Pestana - Allen Comet) for Austin Maxwell in 28.74 by two lengths at 4/1. Clonmel staged the second round of the National Produce Stakes, six heats with Sober Glory setting the bar highest in 28.34 (10 slow) by seven lengths with Ramsbottom training. The entire card of eight races in Enniscorthy on Sunday was given to the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Open unraced stake, Boderan Bernie went fastest for Jason OGrady in 29.11 (20 slow) by five lengths at 3/1. Long way to go in this valuable stake yet. Upcoming Events Thursday, quarter-finals of A2 stake in Enniscorthy. Friday, final of the Coolavanny Hoffa @ Stud A1 in Kilkenny, Semi-finals of an A1 stake in Shelbourne and final of the Callaway Rambler Race Of Champions in Tralee. Saturday, quarter-finals of the Denis Linehan Open unraced in Cork, quarterfinals of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll Memorial in Dundalk, quarterfinals of the English Derby in Towcester, final of the Summer AO and final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks in Shelbourne Park. Sunday, quarter-finals of the National Produce Stakes in Clonmel and quarterfinals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Open unraced in Enniscorthy. Tribune Offaly dog of the week Easy decision this week, for the second week in a row Droopys Timing gets the nod. She won the semifinal of the countrys biggest event of the year for the female greyhounds, the Sporting Press Irish Oaks for Paul Cronin in Shelbourne on Saturday night. Super win. Offaly Winners There were eight Offaly winners this week in total. Great to see the Faithful County dogs to the fore in such abundance. Congrats to all involved in any small way. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has used a press conference following a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg to say it is possible the current coalition Government could be re-elected. Luxembourgs Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has led a coalition of his Democratic Party, along with the Socialist Workers Party and the Greens since 2013, with the grouping continuing in power through a 2018 election. Mr Varadkars Fine Gael party is in a coalition with Fianna Fail and the Green Party. Speaking to reporters following the meeting in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said: I think we are quite similar in many ways. Your coalition is three parties including the Greens two large parties and the Greens being the third. The evidence from Luxembourg shows that if a coalition government of three parties of that nature governs well, it can be re-elected. He also told Mr Bettel that said when they first got to know each other people did not expect your government to be re-elected. He added: And it was. Mr Bettel, who learned English in the Malahide area of Dublin as a student, was in the city as part of a visit to mark Luxembourgs upcoming national day of celebration. Mr Varadkar said Ireland and Luxembourg share excellent bilateral relations, including the opening of an embassy in Dublin. The leaders discussed the changing European defence landscape following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Mr Varadkar informing the Luxembourgian prime minister about Irelands consultative forum on issues of foreign policy and neutrality. Mr Bettel and Mr Varadkar also discussed issues around housing in both states. The Taoiseach also thanked Luxembourg for solidarity during Brexit. Thank you for your visit, solidarity and friendship. You are most welcome to Ireland. Mr Bettel thanked Mr Varadkar for the warm welcome. He said learning English in Ireland enabled him to develop a deep relationship with the country. The prime minister said relations between the two countries has deepened through shared goals and values. Thank you for your friendship and your trust. Mr Bettel also met Tanaiste Micheal Martin and President Michael D Higgins. We have elections in October, so I dont know if next year I would be able to come to Dublin. But as a prime minister visiting capitals for our national day and not coming to the capital where I learned English would not have been acceptable, so I wanted to be sure I did it this year. Cloud Computing Snowflake Launches Government & Education Data Cloud Data cloud company Snowflake has launched the Government & Education Data Cloud, a platform with specific, pre-built capabilities that give the public sector and education partners a single integrated cross-cloud data platform for multiple uses. This platform will meet international, federal, state, and local agency security and compliance standards, according to a release. These standards include FedRAMP Moderate and StateRAMP High, support for regulated workloads subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1075, and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS). Snowflake is also in process for FedRAMP High in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud (US West) Region. It also supports Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA) workloads. These standards address risks related to agencies having to share data by physically moving it. Educational institutions are also challenged by limited IT resources in unifying all their data related to research, student services and human resource records, and finance. These challenges come at a time when the White House is encouraging digital transformation efforts and more data sharing between the public and private sectors, the release notes. The Snowflake Government & Education Data Cloud is designed to: Enable intra- and cross agency data, sharing, and collaboration; Allow government and education institutions to combine data sources to create 360 views to improve services for recipients and students; Prevent fraud and abuse by addressing technology and data restrictions; Use partner industry-specific pre-built templates to provide needed solutions more quickly. This new resource is expected to give government customers the same benefits the private sector enjoys of sharing data within government agencies, getting listings from Snowflake marketplace providers, and privately sharing data elsewhere. Snowflake is currently taking signups from government customers, and data sharing for them will be available later in summer 2023, according to the release. The Snowflake Government & Education Data Cloud will help government agencies and educational institutions accelerate their modernization efforts by making data more readily available on a cross-cloud data platform that meets the highest levels of data security and governance, said Jeff Frazier, global head of Public Sector at Snowflake. "Snowflakes Government & Education Data Cloud has enabled New York University to centralize our data across various Learning Management Systems into a predominantly self-service data platform," said Satya Kunta, chief data architect and senior director at New York University. "With Snowflake, we have seamlessly transitioned to utilizing real-time data, enabling simplified access to student engagement metrics for efficient identification of necessary student interventions." Visit Snowflakes Public Sector blog page to learn more about the Government & Education Data Cloud. A 66 year old man who had just come out of hospital following a serious medical procedure had no option but to sit on the floor of a train travelling from Dublin to Tullamore as there were no seats available. The man was travelling with his Carer for the day and had attended a Dublin hospital. Councillor Declan Harvey said it is a ''terrible indictment''on Irish rail and on those fit people who took up priority seating on the train in question. The man had travelled to a Dublin hospital to have surgery which required a local anaesthetic. His Carer booked the train ticket but was unable to book a specific seat. There was no warning that the train was full and so the man and his Carer had no alternative but to stand in the narrow passageway between carriages on their way to Dublin from Tullamore. When they boarded the train at Heuston station the same evening the train was once again full. This time the man's face was covered in bandages and he was clearly unwell, still no one on the train offered him a seat. In the end he sat on the ground in between carriages but he had to get up several times to allow other passengers to pass. Cllr Harvey said there didn't seem to be any CSO (Customer Services Officer) around to help him. ''Irish Rail shouldn't be selling tickets if the train is booked out, or they should at least inform people the train is booked and they may have to stand. Other than that they should put on extra carriages. My biggest concern is, it is a health and safety matter, nowhere else are you allowed to have overcrowding. That man had to stand the whole way down and his face all bandaged up. Some of the staff should have seen this man and put him into priority seating or someone could have at least offered him a seat,'' fumed Cllr Harvey. ''Irish Rail need extra carriages at busier times of the day. They should advertise that all the seats are sold and there is standing room only. I have been on to Irish Rail to express our concerns. I have also been in touch with the Minister's office and I will inform Deputy Barry Cowen of the situation,''he added. Irish Rail has since apologised to the man ''for any distress caused.'' A spokesperson said ''there was an onboard customer service officer on the service from Tullamore to Dublin & they would have been very happy to help this person to find his seat. On the return journey the service did not have an onboard customer service officer, but this service did not have many bookings & there would have been ample seats available.'' Irish Rail policy states: ''We will be better able to assist you if you contact us a number of days in advance, but please give at least 24-hours notice of your journey. However, we will provide assistance at shorter notice if possible.'' Irish Rail Policy also says that once you have contacted them, ''one of our Customer Contact Centre Agents will note details of your proposed journey and arrange assistance at your departure and arrival stations (and at intermediate stations if you need to change trains), and any other relevant information. Assistance arrangements may also be made.'' However, Cllr Harvey says that many people are not aware of this arrangement. OPINION: Reaching Out To Tibetans In Nepal Feature lekhaka-Jagdish N Singh It would be highly detrimental to the cause of Tibetan freedom and democracy if Kathmandu signed an extradition treaty with Beijing during any trip of Nepalese Prime Minister to China. The US, India and allies must reach out to the Nepalese leadership and prevent it from inking the treaty. In the wake of reports in a section of the media that Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be visiting China in the near future, speculation is rife his trip might lead to an extradition treaty between Beijing and Kathmandu. Observers say the speculation is not devoid of substance. The whole world knows what communist China has been up to in Tibet since it occupied the plateau. It is separating families in Tibet, banning their language and engaging in non-consensual DNA collection. It is annihilating Tibetan language, religion and culture. Following the Tibetan uprising in 1959, thousands of Tibetans fled their homeland to different locations in the world. Currently, around 20,000 Tibetan refugees are living in 12 designated camps in Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal. China wants the dissidents amongst them to be taken back to the mainland for punishment. OPINION: Nepal-China Ties: Need For Caution With this objective in mind, in October 2019, during Chinese Communist Party general secretary and President Xi Jinping's visit to Kathmandu, China signed with Nepal the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. This enables the signatories to serve subpoenas and collect evidence that can be used by China to target and punish Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Now, China wants to sign an extradition treaty with Nepal in order to nab the dissidents in more effective ways. Given Prime Minister Dahal's ideological and personal bond with the communist leadership in Beijing, he could be inclined to signing this treaty. For long now, the successive dispensations in Kathmandu have already been under China's influence to harass the Tibetans living in Nepal. Since 1990, Nepal has refused to recognize Tibetans crossing the border illegally into Nepal as refugees. It does not issue them identity cards. Since 2008, Nepal has signed several intelligence-sharing agreements with China. It has operationalized border security cooperation, partially enforced a ban on Tibetan public demonstrations, and deployed armed police in Tibetan neighbourhoods on politically sensitive dates. Today, Nepal is observing strict surveillance over Tibetan refugees. It has imposed restrictions on their assembly and free expression of speech. The Tibetans in Nepal suffer from a lack of access to basic rights such as education and employment. The observers say it would be highly detrimental to the cause of Tibetan freedom and democracy if Kathmandu signed an extradition treaty with Beijing during Prime Minister Dahal's possible upcoming trip to China. The United States, the leader of the free world, India, the planet's most populous democracy, and allies must reach out to the Nepalese leadership and prevent it from green-signalling any extradition treaty with China. The United States can play a crucial role here. Washington has its own influence in Kathmandu. Ever since diplomatic relationship was established between them in April 1947, US-Nepal cooperation has expanded in various sectors. The two nations entered into the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in April 2011. The total bilateral trade amount to about $300 million. In 2021, when Nepal was confronted with the pandemic, the US made crucial exports, such as vaccines and face masks, in significant amounts. The US has been one of the highest donors in Nepal. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports a wide area in infrastructure development and reconstruction. Opinion: Enfranchising The Neglected In Nepal The United States has promoted people-to-people relations with Nepal. Many US organizations have been working in Nepal for this. Today the Peace crops has over 3800 volunteers in Nepal. Lincoln school has been teaching (foreign and) Nepali students. In the process, there has been a significant rise in the Nepali population in the US. The US universities and colleges have become one of the major destinations for Nepali students for higher studies. Nepali civil society leaders have been able to conduct study tours of democratic institutions in the United States. The US is one of the largest sources of visitors in Nepal. Washington could use all such resources to make Kathmandu see that history is on the side of the democratic, progressive forces the world over today. It could convince Kathmandu that the latter must not do anything that would be detrimental to the cause of democracy the Tibetans have been advocating in Nepal. To make Washington move forward in this direction, New Delhi might suggest to it to send to Kathmandu some top-most level dignitary for an appropriate dialogue with Prime Minister Dahal and other top leaders there. (Jagdish N. Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He is also Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, New York) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. Bhopal: Why Rs 5.5 Crore Hydraulic Ladder Was Not Used To Douse Fire At Satpura Bhawan? India oi-Prakash KL The massive fire that broke out at Bhopal's Satpura Bhawan, which houses offices of various departments of the Madhya Pradesh government, on Monday gutted furniture worth Rs 25 crore and more than 12,000 important files, India Today reported. As the building houses offices of various departments of the Madhya Pradesh government, it prompted authorities to call in fire tenders from the Army, Airport Authority of India (AAI) and facilities of oil companies, officials and the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. However, what has surprised many is the government's inability to use an advanced fire-fighting hydraulic ladder, worth Rs 5.5 crore which was bought nine months ago amid much fanfare. The ladder could be used to firefight up to 18 storeys high, but it remained unused when the state witnessed one of the biggest fire accidents in recent years, NDTV reported. The reason why it cannot be deployed was that the fire-fighting ladder had not received clearance from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and due to a lack of qualified personnel to use the ladder. Although four to five individuals had received training to operate the new hydraulic ladder, sources indicated that none of them were present at the time of the fire outbreak. The fire started on the third floor around 4 pm spread to the fourth, fifth and the top sixth floor of the building and 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers were involved in the dousing operation, officials said. The affected building is located on a hill in front of the state government secretariat, Vallabh Bhawan. "As per prima facie information and people present at the spot informed that the blaze erupted on the third floor of the building due to a short circuit in an air conditioner and raged to other floors due to wind," said Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra. Why Hydraulic Ladder Was Unused? Here's What Govt Says Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra said, "There was no space for the hydraulic machine to pass. A parking area has been built there, blocking the way. Just this morning, Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan has ordered that arrangements must be made to ensure enough space in big buildings (for fire-fighting vehicles to enter)." Prior to the acquisition of the hydraulic ladder, the fire brigade relied on step ladders and machines with a limited reach of three to four storeys. The same ladders were used in Monday's operation. Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has formed a committee of senior bureaucrats to probe the possible reasons behind the fire. BJP Calls Dorsey Invertebrate Liar, Says Twitter Went Rogue, Feted Anti-India Forces India oi-Deepika S Jack Dorsey in a stunning allegation claimed that Twitter had faced government pressure and threats of shutdown during farmer's protest, a statement that evoked a strong response from Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar who termed it an outright lie. Now, BJP leader Amit Malviya has not only called out Dorsey but also hit out at Congress and other members of the opposition for latching on to Dorsey's claim. "Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO, speaks about the challenges he faced from Govts across the world, including India and the United States... It is not surprising, because, under Dorsey, Twitter had turned rouge, disregarding laws of the sovereigns they operated in, muzzling freedom of speech (shadow banning ideologically differing voices), and in many cases promoting secessionist voices and those who were working to exacerbate social fault lines, including several Twitter employees, Dorsey himself is guilty of it," claimed Malviya. Will Modi Govt Answer? Opposition On Jack Dorseys Pressure From India Claim "The several TwitterFiles, released after Elon Musk got rid of the toxic people in Twitter, is a testimony. It can't be the case that Twitter was always in the right and every other Govt, including their own, in the US, was wrong," he said. "The truth of the matter is that Twitter was in violation of Indian laws for an extended period (between 2020-2022). But neither was Twitter ever shut down nor were its employees raided or sent to jail, despite Dorsey and his colleagues actively pursuing a policy, which was at loggerheads with Indian regulations. They were also allowing their platform to be used by foreign forces inimical to India's interest, on several occasions, which posed a grave threat to India's national security and well-being. Twitter was obliged to follow India's laws, if they wanted to operate here, one of their largest markets," Malviya Tweeted. "But why is the Congress and assorted Opposition excited by an invertebrate liar's misplaced assertions? What is their compulsion to latch on to anyone who speaks against India? Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and seeks the help of foreign powers and his minions in India amplify stray disposed voices to demonise India... Is leaning on foreign money and media the only way Congress hopes to undermine the will of the people and unseat a democratically elected Govt?" he asked. Recommended Video Know about Jack Dorsey's claims and the controversy that has erupted | Oneindia News Outright Lie: Centre Rubbishes Jack Dorseys Govt Pressurised Twitter During Farmer Protest Charge What did Jack Dorsey say? In a YouTube Show 'Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar', Jack Dorsey claimed that Twitter had received many requests from India to block accounts covering farmers' protests and those critical of the government. During the interview, Dorsey said, "India for example, India is one of the countries which had many requests around farmers protests, around particular journalists which were critical of the government, and it manifested in ways such as 'we will shut Twitter down in India'... 'we would raid the homes of your employees', which they did; 'we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit'. And this is India, a democratic country." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 12:45 [IST] Coding AWS Introduces the Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance A consortium of companies, government agencies, and educational institutions have joined forces with Amazon Web Services in the new Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance. The effort aims to align university and college curricula with entry-level career skills in software engineering, cloud support, and data integration. AWS plans to give 380,000 students access to these training programs. Five regions have been initially selected to focus the Tech Alliance's efforts: the states of Illinois, New York, and Washington; and two countries, Spain and Egypt. But the Alliance expects to expand to other areas soon, according to Amazon. The Tech Alliance is basing its training development and implementation on the needs of employers, who will be "talent shapers" that collaborate with educators and learners to build tech skills. Collaborators designed and approved skills maps and participated in creating curricula, including "capstone projects," internships, apprenticeships, and hiring events for participating colleges and universities, according to the company. Learners will have hands-on training and support in real-world experiences. A recent Gallup study noted that 72% of U.S. businesses are having trouble finding job applicants with qualified digital skills. Eighty-seven percent of U.S. employers use the cloud, and another 8% are planning to, the study found. "As technology continues to advance, employers have a role to play in supporting education, as leaders ensure learners are developing the latest skills," said Kim Majerus, vice president of global education, U.S. state and local government at AWS. "I'm excited about the positive impact the Tech Alliance will bring, allowing learners to connect directly to future employers, enabling more skill-based learning environments, and increasing access to expert resources for educators." Visit this page to learn more about this initiative. Calcutta HC Refuses To Extend Last Date Of Filing Nominations For Bengal Panchayat Polls India oi-Prakash KL The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused to extend the last date of filing nominations for the July 8 panchayat polls in West Bengal. "In areas where Central forces are not deployed, it should be the responsibility of the State Police. SEC should ensure the safety of the polling agents. SEC should and shall consider to requisition of deployment of Central Paramilitary forces for sensitive areas," the High Court said. Advocate and Lok Sabha TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said that the Calcutta High Court rejected Suvendu Adhikari's petition. "The first petition was setting aside the election process from the issuance of the notification under sections 42 and 43 and the second was regarding the change of the date of filing nomination for panchayat polls," he said. Submitting a report on Monday before the bench, SEC counsel Jayanta Mitra stated that it can extend by a day from June 15 to June 16 the last date of nomination filing for the panchayat polls without disturbing the other announced dates, including the election on July 8. The High Court had directed the SEC to file the report in the form of an affidavit on the petitions by state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP. Adhikari's counsel S Guru Krishnakumar submitted that the poll notification was made within a day of the new commissioner taking charge, questioning what kind of consultation could have taken place within such period with the state government for fixing the election date. Cyclone Biparjoy Has Extensive Damaging Potential: IMD India oi-Deepika S As expected, Cyclone Biparjoy has weakened to a 'very severe cyclonic storm' but has extensive damaging potential when it makes landfall on Thursday, India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. According to the weather department, the cyclone is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat and the adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan near the Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-150 kmph. "Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was quoted saying by PTI. The cyclone may bring extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Porbandar districts from June 13 to June 15. Mansukh Mandaviya Reviews Steps Taken To Deal With Cyclone Biparjoy "We won't be surprised if these areas record more than 25 cm of rainfall. Usually, they do not receive such intense precipitation at this time of the year. Therefore, there is a risk of flooding in the low-lying areas," he cautioned. "Though its CDO (cloud dense overcast) has become a little asymmetric, it continues to be supported by the spiral banding. The storm is bravely battling the moderate vertical wind shear and is able to retain broad features. The storm had developed a microwave eye, indicative of its massive wind field and striking potential," said private weather agency Skymet. Recommended Video Cyclone Biparjoy weakens into very severe storm, continues towards Gujarat | Oneindia News "The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over Northeast and adjoining East-central Arabian Sea moved nearly north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 0830 hours IST of today, the 13th June, 2023 over the same region near latitude 20.9N and longitude 66.9E, about 280 km southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 300 km west-southwest of Porbandar, 310 km southwest of Jakhau Port, 330 km southwest of Naliya, and 450 km south of Karachi (Pakistan)," the IMD said. "It is very likely to move nearly northwards till 13th midnight, then move north-northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around evening of 15th June as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph," it added. Heavy Rainfall warning: According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra & Kutch on 14thJune. The intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka & Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi & Junagarh districts of Gujarat and Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15th June. Cyclone Biparjoy Weakens Into 'Very Severe Storm but Continues March towards Gujarat Coast "Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on 16th June," the IMD added. Damages expected Potential threat from flying objects. Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles. Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes. Disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems. Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango. Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings. Visibility severely affected due to salt spray Action needed Total suspension of fishing operations over East-central and adjoining Westcentral Arabian Sea till 15th June.Those out at sea are advised to return to coast. Judicious regulation of offshore and onshore activities. Ports along the west coast of India may take necessary precautions. Naval base operations may maintain necessary precautions. Movement in motor boats and small ships all & off these coasts to be avoided. Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts). Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic. People in affected areas to remain indoors. Tourism activities may be restricted over these areas. Preparatory actions before the cyclones. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 17:07 [IST] Cyclone Biparjoy Live Tracking: Here's How You Can Stay Updated In Real-Time India oi-Madhuri Adnal Cyclone 'Biparjoy' is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday afternoon as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. Officials said authorities in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh and Morbi began evacuating people residing near the sea and had suspended fishing activities as well as hoisted warning signals at ports. Where is Cyclone Biparjoy Now? VSCS (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm) Biparjoy was centered at 02:30 IST over the Northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea, approximately 290 km southwest of Porbandar and 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. It is expected to cross Saurashtra and Kutch near Jakhau Port by the evening of 15th June, according to the IMD. Cyclone 'Biparjoy: Take Every Possible Measure For Safe Evacuation: PM Tells Authorities As the cyclone is approaching, one must be alert to its progress and updates. Recommended Video Cyclone Biparjoy weakens into very severe storm, continues towards Gujarat | Oneindia News Here are some ways Cyclone Biparjoy can be tracked on your devices: Zoom Earth is a comprehensive cyclone tracker that offers real-time updates on the progress of storms through satellite image animations. The website provides valuable information on affected areas and can be conveniently accessed via mobile phones or computers. Additionally, it offers data on wind, pressure, temperature, humidity fluctuations, and barometric pressure charts, ensuring users have a complete overview of the cyclone's dynamics. For another reliable source of cyclone tracking, Rainviewer.com is an excellent choice. This website tracks the progress of cyclones and provides views of affected areas. For those seeking quick and real-time updates, the Rainviewer Mobile App is available for download, allowing users to conveniently track the storm's developments on their mobile devices. Cyclocane.com is another useful website for tracking cyclones. Specifically, for Cyclone Mocha, the website redirects users to the 'Mocha Storm Tracker' page. While this platform does not display affected areas, it provides valuable information on the storm's progress. Cyclone Biparjoy: List Of Trains Cancelled SkyMet Weather is a comprehensive weather website that keeps users informed about weather conditions in all regions. In addition to regular updates, SkyMet Weather also provides relevant warnings to ensure individuals stay prepared for any adverse weather events. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a trusted source for quick and timely updates on cyclones. They provide essential information on warnings, high alerts, temperatures, and overall weather conditions. With IMD's updates, users can stay informed and make informed decisions regarding their safety and well-being during cyclonic events. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 9:41 [IST] Chandrayaan-3 Launch LIVE Streaming: When And Where To Watch ISRO's LIVE Telecast Is PAN-Aadhaar Linking Mandatory To Claim CRCS Sahara Refund? All Your FAQs Answered Earthquake of 5.4 Magnitude Hits J&K, Strong Tremors Felt In Delhi and Parts Of North India India oi-Madhuri Adnal An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 on the Richter scale hit Doda in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, creating panic among several residents. The tremors were also felt in Delhi-NCR and parts of north India including Chandigarh and Mohali. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 on the Richter scale occurred 30 km southeast of Kishtwar in Jammu & Kashmir. A local from Srinagar said,"The earthquake scared school children. People in shops rushed out. It was scary. This was more intense than the tremors last week..." Strong Earthquake Rocks Tokyo, Eastern Japan; No Tsunami Warning Issued #WATCH | An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 on the Richter scale hit Doda, J&K at 1:33 pm this afternoon. A local from Srinagar says, "The earthquake scared school children. People in shops rushed out. It was scary. This was more intense than the tremors last week..." pic.twitter.com/c08L07mz6i ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 Speakaing to ANI, Dr OP Mishra, Director, National Center for Seismology said,''An earthquake of 5.4 magnitude was recorded in J&K's Doda today. Tremors might have been felt in HP, Chandigarh, Punjab and all adjoining areas. Maybe the aftershock will be of lesser magnitude than the main shock.'' Recommended Video Earthquake news: Delhi-NCR feels tremors | Epicentre in Kashmirs Doda | Oneindia News #WATCH | J&K | Basheer, a local from Srinagar speaks about the 5.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Doda, J&K at 1:33 pm this afternoon; says, "The tremors were quite strong. We too rushed out..." pic.twitter.com/rJr6wiq334 ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023 Meanwhile, Tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, prompting people to rush out of their offices and homes. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. In Punjab, the tremors were felt in Shakar Garh, Chichawatni, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Hafizabad, and Zafarwal. The quake hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Abbottabad, Swabi, and Swat areas. Meanwhile, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the tremors were felt in Bagh, DhirKot, and Muzaffarabad areas. Earlier on April 30, 2023, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck Jammu and Kashmir at 5:15 AM IST. The epicenter of the earthquake was located near the town of Katra, which is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus. The earthquake was felt in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The Kashmir region is located in a seismically active zone. In the past, the region has been hit by several large earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in 2005 that killed more than 80,000 people. Bhopal: Why Rs 5.5 Crore Hydraulic Ladder Was Not Used To Douse Fire At Satpura Bhawan? Huge Fire At MP Govt Building Put Off After Indian Air Force's Swift Intervention India oi-Madhuri Adnal In a dramatic rescue operation spanning nearly 14 hours, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and local authorities successfully doused a massive fire that engulfed Satpura Bhawan, a government office complex in Bhopal. The timely intervention of the IAF, deploying an AN-52 plane and an MI-15 chopper, proved instrumental in combating the flames. "The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working," Bhopal Commissioner of Police Harinarayanachari Mishra told ANI. The fire broke out on the third floor of the building, which housed the regional office of the Tribal Welfare Department, at approximately 4 pm. The blaze rapidly spread to the upper floors, fueled by air conditioners and gas cylinders, resulting in multiple explosions. No casualties have been reported in the blaze as people were safely evacuated before the fire spread, the official said. Given the significance of the building, which accommodates various Madhya Pradesh government departments, authorities mobilized resources from the Army, AAI, and oil companies. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan promptly informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah about the dire situation, seeking their assistance. Massive Fire In 6-Storey Building Housing Govt Offices In Bhopal, IAF Choppers Called In Reassuring support from the central government, Prime Minister Modi assured all possible assistance to control the fire. As night fell, the IAF aircraft and chopper continued their operation, employing water-filled buckets to extinguish the flames from above, as per the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Chief Minister Chouhan took charge of the situation, dispatching the state's Home Minister and the medical education minister to assess the ongoing efforts at the site. The fire's impact extended to the third, fourth, fifth, and top sixth floors of the building, with the billowing smoke visible from various parts of the city. The inferno caused significant damage, reducing furniture and important documents from multiple departments to ashes. Firefighters from the Army, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Airports Authority of India, BHEL, Mandideep, and Raisen joined forces, bringing in a total of 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers to combat the blaze. District Collector Ashish Singh highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters, including the heavy smoke hindering their entry into the building. The fire's density posed further complications, exacerbating the difficulty of the operation. However, despite these hurdles, no casualties were reported. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from a short circuit in an air conditioner on the third floor, later spreading due to strong winds. The Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayanchari Mishra, confirmed these initial findings. Ramesh Neel, Fire Officer of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, estimated significant losses to furniture and documents as a result of the fire. In response to the incident, the state government has formed a committee comprising senior bureaucrats to ascertain the cause of the fire. This investigative panel, including officials from the Additional Chief Secretary's Office (Home), Principal Secretary (Urban Administration), Principal Secretary (PWD), and Additional Director General (Fire), will delve into the matter, according to the CMO. RK Singh, the officer in charge of Arera Hills police station, disclosed that the departments of tribal welfare and health suffered substantial losses, with furniture and documents ravaged by the fire. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 8:37 [IST] India Would Not Have Been Partitioned If Netaji Was There: NSA Ajit Doval iCET To Give Orbital Jump To Strategic Relations Between India, US: NSA Doval India pti-PTI National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his visiting American counterpart Jake Sullivan on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for Indo-US collaboration in seven specific high-technology areas, including semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence and defence. After the roadmap was unveiled at an event, Sullivan said both sides are looking at a number of "deliverables" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Washington, which are fundamentally designed to "remove obstacles" for a deeper cooperation in the areas of defence, high technology, trade and a greater exchange of students. The roadmap for collaboration was announced at the second Track-1.5 dialogue on the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) that was organised by industry chamber CII. "As we look ahead to the State visit that Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi will be embarking upon to Washington next week, a number of the deliverables at that visit are not just bullet points on a page. They are fundamentally designed to remove obstacles in defence and high-tech trades and in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of better collaboration among our scientists and researchers," Sullivan said. In a major move, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May last year to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. The formal movement on the framework took place in January. In his remarks, Doval said the iCET will give an orbital jump to the strategic relations between India and the United States. The iCET is expected to forge closer linkages between the government, academia and industry of the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space and semiconductors. In his remarks at the Track-1.5 dialogue, Doval said significant progress has been achieved after the launch of the iCET around six months ago and that it will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers and related issues. "To kick-start the Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism, we have signed an MoU on semiconductors," he said. Doval said he sees a bright future for Indo-US cooperation under the iCET framework and that it is time to go for "big ideas". Besides semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence (AI) and defence, the other areas identified for cooperation under the iCET are space, biotechnology and advanced materials. The separate groups on each area of proposed collaboration made specific recommendations for boosting the cooperation. Earlier, Doval and Sullivan also held restricted talks covering a number of bilateral and regional issues. Sullivan arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit for talks with Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior Indian officials, ahead of Modi's visit to Washington. "Earlier today, the two National Security Advisers met for restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Later in the evening, they attended the second Track 1.5 dialogue on iCET organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The first edition of the dialogue was organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington on January 30. "We have been able to kick-start the Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism, we have signed an MoU on semiconductors, the public-private dialogue on telecom engaging stakeholders from the government, industry and academia to further open collaboration in open RAN, 5G and 6G," Doval said. The NSA said he is optimistic that more specific and tangible results will be achieved in the near future. Most importantly, a strategic trade dialogue has been established, he said, noting that it will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers and issues relating to exports control. Doval said the interest shown by the industry, businesses, scientists, research scholars and institutions in the iCET is encouraging and confidence-building. "The iCET is not a government-to-government arrangement alone, but a collaborative initiative of the industry, academia, research bodies and think-tanks, all making a common endeavour to see India and US in a higher orbit, an orbital jump to our strategic relations, where we are able to build technology capabilities and exploit opportunities," he noted. Sullivan said the iCET is more than just technology and that it is about people-to-people relationships, building skills as well as trust and confidence between the societies and governments of the two countries. He said it is also a way to deepen defence cooperation that will help both the countries strategically and economically. He noted that the industry is providing the power and propulsion for this initiative. Sullivan highlighted that one of the key focuses of the initiative is to remove barriers to collaboration on both sides to maximise the full potential of the bilateral cooperation. "The US and India are poised to lead in clean energy transformation, shore up and diversify global semiconductor supply chains and supply chains in other critical goods, and lead the revolution in AI, advanced computing, biotech and quantum," he added. The NSAs addressed the participants at the dialogue, which included leading representatives of the academia and industry from both countries. Sullivan will also meet with Jaishankar and other dignitaries of the government, the MEA said. Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador to India, said at the Track-1.5 dialogue that the foundation of the Indo-US ties is strong. For translating the iCET's vision into human terms, he said there is a need to have the technology that connects, protects and heals people, which is what technology is all about. In A First In US, Hindu-Americans To Hold Summit Tomorrow India oi-Sanjeev Nayak Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's crucial visit to the United States, a group of eminent Indian-Americans from across the host country have come together to hold the first-ever "Hindu-American Summit for Political Engagement" at the US Capitol tomorrow, June 14, 2023. The event will be addressed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and attended by about 130 distinguished Indian-American leaders representing 20 Hindu and other diaspora organisations. Being organised by the recently formed Americans4Hindus Political Action Committee (PAC), the summit is going to raise the concerns of the Hindu community before the lawmakers. "Politically, we think, we've never been discriminated against, we are doing well. But unfortunately, tides are changing. I'm from California, where unfortunately, they want to add caste to the discriminating factors," said Dr Romesh Japra, a noted cardiologist. He is obviously pointing towards the development wherein the Seattle City Council in February this year passed Council member Kshama Sawant's sponsored motion to designate 'caste' as a protected category under the city's non-discrimination policy. With this, Seattle became the first city in the US to recognise 'caste' as a factor in discrimination. Hindu organisations and leaders warned that it would subject the community to further legal scrutiny. Dr Japra pointed out that organisations like Equality Labs and CARE are trying to dismantle Hinduism. "They are behind many of these things (anti-Hindu activities). So, we thought we should get together, unite all the Hindu-Americans, all the leaders, all the executive heads of the organisations, and get here on the Capitol Hill, come to the powerhouses, the Congress and put our case forward," he explained. Dr Japra is an eminent Indian-American personality in the community of California. The other Indian-American leaders participating in the event hail from Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago and California. Apart from McCarthy, several other Congressional leaders -- both from the Democratic and the Republican side -- are expected to address the summit. Hindu-Americans are doing well across the country, but are lagging behind in politics, admitted Speaker McCarthy, who is going to be the keynote speaker at the event. According to Dr Japra, the community is moving towards formation of the first ever "Hindu Caucus", a group of lawmakers with the idea to protect the interests of Hindu-Americans in the House of Representatives. "We are trying to put together the Hindu Caucus, where we will ask all these congressional leaders, Senators and Representatives to become part of our caucus," he added. He implied that the community will gather funds for the Congressional leaders who support Hindu values and principles, want to help the community and raise voice against Hindu phobia, Hindu hate and concerns regarding immigration. The organisations participating in the summit are American Hindu Coalition, American Hindu Federation, Americans for Equality PAC, Ekal Vidyalaya, Federation of Indian Americans, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, Hindu Action, Hindu Action PAC of Florida, Hindu PACR, Hindu Swyamsevak Sangha, Hindu University of America, Kashmir Hindu Foundation, Patriot America, Sewa International, US-India Relationship Council and World Hindu Council of America. American4Hindus PAC has endorsed and funded candidates who won in the 2020 and 2022 elections, including Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Devin Nunes, Darryll Issa, Troy Nehl, Pat Fallon, Dr Rich McCormick, Kim Young, Gregory Meeks, Michelle Steele and Linda Sanchez. The organisation intends to increase awareness about Hinduism and advocate for it while also recognising the Hindu community's contributions to America. It also aims to tackle the concerns of the Hindu community, such as Hindu hatred, Hinduphobia, immigration, education, the genocide of Bangladeshi Hindus and Kashmiri Pandits, as well as Indo-US relations. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 14:54 [IST] Mumbai Court Acquits Two accused in 2002 Best Bakery case India oi-Madhuri Adnal A Mumbai court acquitted two of the accused- Harshad Raoji Bhai Solanki and Mafat Manilal Gohil- in the Best Bakery case. Harshad Ravjibhai Solanki and Mafat Manilal Gohil have been in prison for the last 10 years. The accused were sent to judicial custody on December 13, 2013. According to the accused, they, along with 19 others, were earlier prosecuted by a fast track court in Gujarat's Baroda and then discharged in 2003. The Best Bakery case pertains to a bakery in Vadodara that was burnt down by a mob during the 2002 Gujarat riots and 14 people were killed. The bakery owner's daughter, Zaheera Sheikh, had lodged a police complaint against 21 people. In June 2003, the fast track court acquitted all the accused in the Best Bakery case due to lack of evidence and key witnesses turning hostile. With the assistance of activist Teesta Setalvad, one of the witnesses, Sheikh, approached the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court upheld the trial court's decision. The Supreme Court ordered a reinvestigation and retrial, transferring the case to Mumbai. During the period between their acquittal and retrial, two of the accused, Solanki and Gohil, along with two others, were arrested in the Ajmer blast case and were considered absconding accused in the Best Bakery retrial. The retrial in Mumbai resulted in the conviction of nine people out of the 21 accused. Mumbai Murder Accused Brought Nilgiri Oil, Took Pics After Chopping Live-In Partner In the retrial, the defense lawyers representing Gohil and Solanki did not contest the deaths that occurred in the Best Bakery case. The prosecution presented witnesses to establish the role of the accused and did not need to prove the entire case. Among the 10 witnesses brought by the prosecution, four were eyewitnesses, but only three appeared in court. The three eyewitnesses failed to identify Solanki, although one of them recognized Gohil without recalling his name or specific role in the riot. The defense argued that the eyewitness and Gohil lived in the same neighborhood, making it likely that they would recognize each other even after 21 years. However, they claimed that the witness's testimony was not incriminating evidence against their client. The special court will announce its verdict on Solanki and Gohil in two weeks' time. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 14:50 [IST] President Murmu Asks PVTGs To Take Up Education On Priority India oi-Sanjeev Nayak For the first time after taking over as the first-ever tribal President of the country, Droupadi Murmu interacted with the members of all the 75 'particularly vulnerable tribal groups' (PVTGs), the most backward people among her own community, together at theRashtrapati Bhavan yesterday. Addressing the gathering, the President noted that many of the delegates have come out from their villages for the first time. Stating that each one of them is a representative of their community, she urged them to share their experiences with their community members back home and inform them about the welfare schemes of the government. The President urged the members of PVTGs to give utmost importance to education. She said that for the students of PVTG community, special provision of seats has been made in Eklavya Model Residential Schools. Apart from this, seats are also reserved for them in the National Fellowship and Overseas Scholarship Schemes. She also urged women of PVTG to take advantage of various schemes, including Tribal Women Empowerment Scheme. President Murmu said that under the Tribal Sub-Plan, 41 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India share part of their budget for the welfare of tribal communities, including PVTGs. She was happy to note that 'Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission' has been launched by the Government for the development of PVTGs. She pointed out that the campaign announced in the current budget to eradicate sickle cell anemia by the year 2047, is a very important step. The President said that for the past few years, talented people from the tribal community are being honoured with Padma Awards for their remarkable contributions in various fields. She wished that more than 10 crore people of tribal society, including about 28 lakh people of PVTG society, should develop their talents and contribute their best for the society and country. President Murmu said that the people of the tribal society have made a lot of sacrifices to protect the motherland and its natural and cultural wealth. "To achieve the goals of sustainable development, all of us can learn from the tribal society. It is the duty as well as aspiration of all citizens, especially the tribal people including PVTG, to ensure their development while maintaining their identity and safeguarding their existence," she said, expressing confidence that the members of PVTG would continue to move forward in the journey of inclusive development of our country. She also witnessed cultural performances which included Mal Pahariya of Bihar, Siddi of Gujarat, Irula of Kerala, Sahariya of Rajasthan, Baiga Pardhauni of Madhya Pradesh and Budigali of Odisha, on the occasion. Earlier in the day, the members of PVTGs had a guided tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Amrit Udyan. After the tour, the President met and interacted with them at the Amrit Udyan. Here Is Why Railways Won't Make Public Its Report On Odisha Train Accident Rath Yatra In Puri In Odisha: CM Patnaik For Smooth Conduct Of Rituals India oi-Prakash KL The Odisha government is geared up to conduct Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in Puri in a smooth, orderly and disciplined manner, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Tuesday. "It is our responsibility to complete the Rath Yatra rituals smoothly," the Chief Minister, who attended the coordination meeting to review the preparations, said. He took part in the meeting via video conference. Patnaik said, "Safe journey of devotees with a good Rath Yatra experience should be ensured. The blessings of Lord Jagannath are always with us. Everyone's service and dedication will make grand festival successful." "Mahaprabhu Jagannath is the greatest identity of every Odia. The entire world is waiting for Lord's Rath Yatra. It is the responsibility of all of us to finish the festival smoothly," he said. In the meeting, the Chief Minister stressed on the smooth conduct of rituals, and arrangements for devotees in view of heat wave. "The most important thing is to ensure smooth conduct of rituals. Similarly, Special attention needs to be given to the safety devotees coming to Puri. Special arrangements need to be made in view of the summer season this year," he added. The coordination meeting was attended by Chief Secretary P K Jena, Director General of Police SK Bansal, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), several servitors of the temple, and senior officials of different departments attended the meeting in Puri. The Rath Yatra is celebrated on the second day of the two-week-long Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar and this year, it takes place on June 20. All the departments are working together in a coordinated manner to organise the mega festival as per schedule, Chief Administrator of SJTA Ranjan Kumar Das said. The Rath Yatra is one of the famous Hindu festivals celebrated across the world. The Yatra is associated with Lord Jagannath at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham. Its history is also depicted in Hindu scriptures like Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita. Chippewa Falls High Schools Green Team has been selected by the National Energy Education Development Project as the Wisconsin School of the Year and the National Senior Rookie of the Year. Students receive these awards due to their outstanding energy outreach and leadership efforts. The Green Team was formed in fall 2022 by three high school juniors looking to make a difference at their school and with the local community. When they petitioned to create the team as an independent study class, they were looking to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions at Chippewa Falls High School. Since then, the team has quickly achieved much more by: Applying for million-dollar grants for energy efficiency upgrades and improved learning spaces. Becoming commercial drone pilots to map buildings for heat loss using a thermal imaging drone. Implementing air quality monitors at the high school. This resulted after receiving $2,000 from the Ann-Marie Grant, a local community-based foundation in Wisconsin. Creating partnerships with local, state and national leaders. Collaborating with Wisconsins energy efficiency and renewable energy program and the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program to develop long-term energy plans. Revitalizing the schools Environmental Club. Educating students and community members on energy conservation. Kamryn, Bella and Maddie are three of the most motivated, hardworking students Ive had in my 20 years of teaching. In one school year, theyve accomplished so much, said Nick Gagnon, Academic Chair of the Science Department at Chippewa Falls High School. They are entering their senior year this fall, and Im excited to see everything they plan to accomplish. In addition to the recognition, the Green Team will receive a $2,000 scholarship to cover the registration cost at the NEED Youth Energy Conference and Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., at the end of June. There, students will compete in a STEM Challenge, connect with other passionate students, and meet with Senator Baldwins Energy Policy Advisor, Melanie Ezrin. Why 'Bhaipo' Was Denied Entry Into Matua Shrine In West Bengal India oi-Sanjeev Nayak A war of words has broken out between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders after Abhishek Banerjee aka 'Bhaipo', which means nephew (of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee), was denied entry to the main temple of the Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. Pandemonium prevailed at the entrance of the Harichand Thakur temple or Shree Dham as the TMC leader's visit was spoiled by the leaders of the Matua Mahasangh. Banerjee, however, claimed that 200-250 BJP workers, all supporters of Union Minister of State of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, were involved in blocking his entry. A battle of supremacy has broken out between the two main parties of West Bengal because the Matua votes hold importance in the upcoming Panchayat polls in the State as the community has a massive population. The community has been the traditional supporters of BJP and the party would obviously not let its confirmed vote bank let go just like it. The North 24 Parganas district is sensitive particularly on the security front as it is located right on the boarder of Bangladesh and the Matua community has traditionally held fort for the country as well as the BJP as against the massive influx of illegal immigrants of Bangladeshi Muslims. The community, belonging to Scheduled Caste category, has an upper hand in over 70 Assembly constituencies in that region. The temple is the main one among the three spiritual abodes of the Matua community. According to reports, the demonstrators in order to oppose Banerjee's visit waved black flags and hurled slogans asking him to 'go back'. The Matua Mahasangh leaders reportedly closed the entrance of the temple ahead of his arrival. The Union Minister's brother and Gaighata MLA Subrata Thakur is said have led the protestors on Sunday. Centre Trying To Prevent Truth Behind Odisha Train Crash From Coming Out: Mamata BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused Banerjee of trying to enter the temple premises 'without permission'. Alleging that TMC workers attacked the Matua Mahasangh members, he said, "He (Banerjee) attempted to go enter the temple with force. This is not right. He should have sought permission. Hats off to the community that they opposed it." However, in a statement, Banerjee later said: "The holy land is not anyone's property but a temple, open to all irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Shantanu Thakur and the other BJP workers desecrated the Thakurbari temple through their activities today." Attacking the saffron party over the incident, TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, "BJP people closed the temple and tried to stop Abhishek Banerjee from entering the temple. BJP is scared of Abhishek Banerjee's Nabojowar (mass outreach campaign) and that is why they are doing it. We will worship in that temple after winning the election." Meanwhile, police have detained a dozen BJP supporters when they went for primary treatment at the Chandpara block primary health centre. It led to a scuffle with the police in the presence of Union Minister Thakur. According to reports, at least six TMC supporters were also injured and treated at the hospital. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 12:51 [IST] Classified Documents Case: Trump Arrives In Florida Ahead Of Court Appearance International pti-PTI Donald Trump arrived in Florida on Monday ahead of a history-making federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get them back. Trump's Tuesday afternoon appearance in Miami will mark his second time since April facing a judge on criminal charges. But unlike a New York case, the Justice Department's first prosecution of a former president concerns conduct that prosecutors say jeopardised national security, with Espionage Act charges carrying the prospect of a significant prison sentence. Ahead of his court date, he and his allies have been escalating efforts to undermine the criminal case against him and drum up protests. He has ratcheted up the rhetoric against the Justice Department special counsel who filed the case, calling Jack Smith "deranged" as he repeated without any evidence his claims that he was the target of a political persecution. He vowed Monday to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate President Joe Biden and his family if Trump is elected to a second term. Trump landed in Miami around 3 pm and got into a waiting SUV. He was expected to huddle with advisors before his court appearance, as he looks to line up additional lawyers following the departure before his indictment last week of two attorneys who had handled the defence for months. He's encouraged supporters to join a planned protest at the Miami courthouse Tuesday, where he will face the charges and surrender to authorities. "We need strength in our country now," Trump said Sunday, speaking to longtime friend and advisor Roger Stone in an interview on WABC Radio. "Look, our country has to protest. We have plenty to protest. We've lost everything," he went on. He also said there were no circumstances "whatsoever" under which he would leave the 2024 race. Other Trump supporters have rallied to his defence with similar language, including Kari Lake, the unsuccessful Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arizona who pointedly said over the weekend that if prosecutors "want to get to President Trump," they're "going to have to go through me, and 75 million Americans just like me. And most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA". Trump's calls for protest echoed exhortations he made ahead of a New York court appearance in April, where he faces charges arising from hush money payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign. And just like in that case, he plans to address supporters in a Tuesday evening speech. After his appearance, he will return to New Jersey, where he's scheduled a press event to publicly respond to the charges. He'll also hold a private fundraiser. Trump supporters were also planning to head to Miami from other parts of Florida, raising concerns for law enforcement officials. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said the city would be ready, and police chief Manuel A Morales said downtown could see anywhere from a few thousand up to 50,000 protesters. Morales said, "We are taking this event extremely serious. We know there is a potential of things taking a turn for the worse but that's not the Miami way." The Justice Department unsealed Friday an indictment charging Trump with 37 felony counts, 31 relating to the willful retention of national defence information. Other charges include conspiracy to commit obstruction and false statements. The indictment alleges Trump intentionally retained hundreds of classified documents that he took from the White House to Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House in January 2021. The material he stored included material on nuclear programmes, defence and weapons capabilities of the US and foreign governments and a Pentagon "attack plan", the indictment says. Beyond that, prosecutors say, he sought to obstruct government efforts to recover the documents. Some fellow Republicans have sought to press the case that Trump is being treated unfairly, citing the Justice Department's decision in 2016 to not charge Democrat Hillary Clinton for her handling of classified information through a private email server she relied on as secretary of state. But those arguments overlook that FBI investigators did not find any evidence that Clinton or her aides had willfully broken laws regarding classified information or had obstructed the investigation. New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu, speaking Sunday on CBS News, said there was a "huge difference" between the two investigations but that it "has to be explained to the American people". The Justice Department earlier this month informed former Vice President Mike Pence that it would not bring charges over the presence of classified documents in his Indiana home. A separate Justice Department special counsel investigation into the discovery of classified records at a home and office of President Joe Biden continues, though no evidence of obstruction or intentional law-breaking has surfaced. Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, offered a grim assessment of Trump's predicament, saying on Fox News, "If even half of it is true," Barr said of the allegations, "then he's toast. I mean, it's a pretty -- it's a very detailed indictment, and it's very, very damning. And this idea of presenting Trump as a victim here -- a victim of a witch hunt is ridiculous." Is the wife a chattel: Cannot force woman to live with husband says SC Did Covid Curbs Push New Marriages To 37-Year Low In China? International oi-Sanjeev Nayak New marriages dropped last year to their lowest since records began in China, continuing a steady decline over the past decade although the matrimonial total may have been affected by the long-drawn and stringent COVID lockdowns in the country. Just 6.83 million couples completed their marriage registrations in 2022, down about 8,00,000 or 10.5% from the previous year when 7.63 million marriage registrations were made, according to the data published on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, reported Reuters quoting a local news outlet Yicai. This is the lowest number since 1986 when available government data begins. The drop in couples tying the knot, which follows pandemic restrictions keeping tens of millions locked in their homes or compounds for months last year, comes as authorities deal with a declining birth rate and a falling population. In 2022, China's population fell for the first time in six decades (to 6.77 births per 1,000 people, the lowest on record, from 7.52 in 2021), a decline that was expected to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizen numbers with profound implications for its economy and the world. Rising living costs -- especially in big, sprawling cities like Beijing, weak economic growth and changing attitudes towards raising a family are said to be the reasons behind it. Demographers have warned China will get old before it gets rich, as its workforce shrinks and indebted local governments spend more on their elderly population. China Asks Lone Indian Reporter In Beijing To Leave The decline in the number of younger people is partially a result of China's one-child policy, which lasted from the 1980s to 2016. The rigid one-child policy is touted to be the root of many of the demographic challenges. The limit has since been raised to three children. To encourage marriage and boost the country's flagging birth rate, China said last month it would launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a "new-era" marriage and childbearing culture. Some provinces are also giving young newly weds an extension of paid marriage leave. Concerned over decline in population and rapid aging, the government's political advisers have also been trying to find ways to boost the nation's birth rate and have even urged authorities to ramp up the introduction of policies to promote fertility. They have proposed that single and unmarried women should have access to egg freezing and IVF treatment to boost the country's fertility rate. A few months back, it was also reported that Chinese sperm banks are appealing to college students and healthy men to donate sperm after the country registered a negative population growth. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 17:31 [IST] Chennai-Based Child Rights Advocate Lalitha Natarajan Wins Prestigious US award Press Release oi-Oneindia English Desk City-based lawyer-activist Lalitha Natarajan has been awarded the 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour, the US Consulate in Chennai said on Tuesday. US Consul General Judith Ravin presented the award to Natarajan at a recent ceremony held at the Consulate General in Chennai. A release from the US Consulate said the Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated, non-monetary award established by the Secretary of Labour in 2008 that honours extraordinary contributions to combat child labour. Lalitha Natarajan has worked throughout her career as a lawyer and activist to apply rights-based approaches to child labor. As a leader in the fight to end exploitative child labor in southern India, she identifies child victims of trafficking, specifically bonded labor, assisting in their re-integration into society. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee (North Zone), under the Department of Social Defense, Government of Tamil Nadu, she ensures victims receive compensation under the Child Labor Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). Besides working on child labor issues, Lalitha also provides legal and counseling support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The Iqbal Masih Award is a U.S. Congress-mandated, non-monetary award established by the Secretary of Labor in 2008 that honors extraordinary contributions to combat child labor. The Iqbal Masih Award honors its namesake - a Pakistani child sold into slavery as a carpet weaver at age 4 who escaped his captors at 10. Iqbal Masih became an outspoken public advocate against child exploitation for which he received numerous human rights awards until he was tragically killed in 1995 at the age of 12. The award commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor that is observed on June 12 every year to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labor. Judith Ravin was quoted as saying that the battle against bonded labour is a high priority for the US government and the American people. She said,''The battle against bonded labor is a high priority for the U.S. government and the American people. Today we have the special privilege of presenting the United States Department of Labor's 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor to Lalitha Natarajan, who is a true champion. Her courageous efforts have contributed to obtaining social justice for India's young people and most vulnerable populations. For over two decades, she has rescued children from forced labor in various industrial sectors across the state of Tamil Nadu, ranging from stone quarries to food processing factories to handloom mills.'' "This award recognizes the life work of Lalitha Natarajan that has brought real change to the lives of hundreds of Indian children," CG Ravin added. Lalitha Natarajan said,"I feel honored to receive the prestigious Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor from the U.S. Department of Labor. This award will further motivate me to work for the cause of children. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee, I work closely with various State and Central government departments, judiciary, and police to ensure child rights offenders are convicted. For this reason, I engage with human rights institutions to ensure that the First Information Report (FIR) is registered by the police, ensuring that the crime is indeed recognized. I especially want to recognize the child survivors of trafficking and bonded labor that I have fought for over many years and wish them peace." For several years, Polands government was veering further to the right with its anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant and anti-European policies. Then Russia invaded Ukraine and it became home to refugees and a route for Western weapons, which CBCs Terence McKenna found out put the country at a political crossroads. By Celia Belin, Majda Ruge and Jeremy Shapiro* America is changing and US foreign policy is changing with it. For most.. Eurasia Review 05 Jun 2023 A Russian missile attack has killed several in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, officials say, while the death toll in the Kakhovka dam disaster has also risen. DW has the latest on Russia's war in Ukraine. Deutsche Welle 10 Jun 2023 Godwin Emefiele, who was suspended from his post as governor of Nigeria's Central Bank on Friday, has been detained by the.. Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty, as he faces dozens of felony counts of misappropriation of US government secret documents. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told US President Joe Biden that Ukraine was "making progress" in the battlefield even though the Kyiv counterattack was still in its "early days." Lawmakers once again are considering significant regulatory changes for Wisconsin's alcohol industry, with a proposal supported by a long list of producers, retailers and wholesalers that brew, supply and sell beer, wine and spirits. Assembly Bill 304 would, among other measures, transfer all alcohol beverage regulations to a newly-created Division of Alcohol Beverages within the state Department of Revenue. The new division would enforce state laws that pertain to breweries, wineries and distilleries, as well as retailers and distributors of alcoholic beverages. The bill authors said consumers would notice few changes if the proposal were signed into law. The fast-tracked legislation has been supported by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and will have its first committee hearing Tuesday. Lawmakers could vote on the bill in the coming weeks. "This bill takes care of lots of issues out there that wont affect you directly because its not smacking you in the forehead, but it will help all of us do what we want to do to sell products so you can pull the cold one out of the refrigerator when you want it," said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. Currently, alcohol in Wisconsin is distributed and sold through a roughly 90-year-old, three-tier system in which producers of beer, wine and spirits sell to wholesalers, who then sell the products to retailers to sell to consumers. Barring exceptions, individuals cannot sell alcohol unless they possess a license or permit issued by the state DOR. The three-tiered system was created in the 1930s to prevent monopolies by barring any one company from producing and selling alcohol at the wholesale level. The framework has been a point of criticism over the years for failing to keep up with the changing industry and growing businesses in craft beers or wedding barns. "I don't think (consumers will) notice much of anything that's different," Scholz said. "A lot of whats in this bill is process, it's operations, it's retail, its how to work within the three-tier system as weve seen some changes over the year in the industry." Under the bill, the new division would be able to appoint special agents and other employees to carry out permitting, as well as audits, enforcement, education and legal functions. The bill stipulates that any agents employed by the division cannot have any financial interest in the alcoholic beverage industry. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said the governors office has had discussions with stakeholders regarding the bill and there are ongoing conversations with DOR on some of the technical changes in the legislation, including funding needed to implement the new measures. Scott Stenger, a lobbyist for the Tavern League of Wisconsin, said one of the biggest criticisms of the three-tier structure is that, due to a lack of resources and staffing, many of the state's rules for those in the alcohol industry are not being properly enforced or differ from business to business. "We need a consistent, smart regulatory agency so that we all know the rules and the rules arent changing from one person to the next," Stenger said. Stenger said the amount of support the bill has garnered speaks volumes to the level of agreement among those within the alcohol industry. The measure has been supported by Molson Coors, New Glarus Brewing Company, Wisconsin Craft Beverage Coalition, Wisconsin Grocers Association, Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association and Kwik Trip. The bill would allow brewers to operate retail locations without tap rooms to sell beer and expand hours of operations for wineries, allowing those establishments to stay open as late as bars. Another component in the bill would require wedding barns, or venues that sell or provide alcohol for special events, to secure a permit or alcohol license to operate. Twenty states are suing the EPA for backing a California law that will phase out medium- and heavy-duty, gas-powered vehicles while phasing in electric vehicles. Newsy 13 Jun 2023 ViewFormer President Donald Trump arrived at a federal courthouse in Miami to answer to an investigation into his handling of.. ViewAs we get closer to the 2024 presidential election, the pool of prospective candidates, especially within the GOP, is expanding.. Newsy 15 Jun 2023 Nearly 30 Republican lawmakers called on President Biden in a letter to withdraw his pick for director of the CDC, Dr. Mandy Cohen. Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into his alleged improper retention of classified records at Mar-a-Lago in federal court in Miami Tuesday. Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (AFP) June 12, 2023 Zaporizhzhia residents braved grey skies and driving rain to visit the banks of the Dnipro, not to relax in riverside bars and resorts, but to contemplate a sea of mud. When the Kakhovka dam was breached last week - in what Kyiv and its allies believe was an act of Russian sabotage - the river level upstream dropped dramatically. In the city of Zaporizhzhia, a sandy beach now gives wa Manchester City's Treble-winning side have celebrated their most successful season with an open-top bus parade through the city centre in front of thousands of fans as rain poured down. Succession plans at the military alliance is expected to be on their agenda as Jens Stoltenberg says he is stepping down in September. A bus driver was driving too fast when his 57-seat vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog, killing 10 wedding guests and ViewHouse Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared Monday to have resolved, for now, an impasse with some of the more conservative members of his caucus who had brought the chamber to a standstill last week. McCarthy met with nearly a dozen lawmakers in his office in an effort to quell a revolt and jump start various priorities that... An ex-gay Christian is on trial in Malta after sharing his testimony about leaving behind a homosexual lifestyle. Matthew Grech's trial commenced on Friday in what is belived to be the first case of its kind anywhere in the world. He stands accused of discussing and advertising 'conversion practices' after talking about how he overcame unwanted same-sex attraction and embraced Christianity in an interview with PMnews Malta. The presenters of PMnews Malta who interviewed him are also standing trial. If convicted, Mr Grech faces five months in prison and a possible fine of 5,000 euros. Speaking ahead of his trial, Mr Grech said that Malta's laws on conversion practices are "draconian". "This week I am in a criminal court for the first time for essentially sharing the hope of my Christian faith and what Christians believe," he said. "My Christian journey of transformation, from being a practising homosexual interested in the occult and wanting to be a reiki master, to becoming a committed evangelical Christian, is one that should be told without fear of being criminalised." He is accused of breaking Article 3 of Malta's Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act, which makes it illegal to "perform conversion practices on a vulnerable person" and advertise or offer to perform conversion practices. He is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which said that the outcome of the case will have ramifications for the ex-gay community worldwide as well as freedom of the press and freedom of speech to publicly question and debate 'conversion practices' involving LGBT lifestyles. CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said, "We should all be concerned at this flagrant attempt by the Maltese authorities to criminalise Matthew simply for telling his story of freedom from unwanted and unfulfilling homosexual activity. "To deny that Matthew and others can change is discriminatory and violates their Christian freedoms and fundamental human right to free speech." She continued, "The domino effect of 'conversion therapy' bans began in Malta. If a precedent is set by this case in Malta, we will see similar cases in the UK unless, unless robust action is taken. "It is vital to win this case, not just for people in Malta, but for Christian freedoms and the freedom to leave homosexuality and unwanted same-sex attraction across the world." Dr Mike Davidson, head of Core Issues Trust, which offers therapeutic support for people struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction, said the trial of Mr Grech was an attack on human rights and free speech. "In what is probably a test case, the freedoms of speech, conscience and religion are being attacked. The fact is that therapeutic and counselling choice is a fundamental right," he said. "Governments promoting monocultural viewpoints - this idea that sexual orientation is inborn and unchangeable, and that gender is unrelated to biological sex are denying those unwilling to identify as LGBT the right to leave identities and practices no longer relevant to them. This is a human rights issue. "Without ideological diversity in any life issue, democracy is denied checks and balances and descends to totalitarianism." Republished from Christian Today At least six people were killed when Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack Tuesday in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, regional officials said. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Yes, a crucial Ukrainian dam is destroyed, the downriver communities flood, and the danger to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant only grows. It could prove Ukraine's worst ecological disaster since the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown of 1986. And yes, it's that war again, the latest European conflict in a horrific history that extends to hell and back. And what's on the mind of the top figures in the Biden administration and the U.S. military right now? How to end it as quickly as possible before further disaster strikes? Not a chance! After all, as I wrote so many years ago, the U.S. lives in a" well, in 2023, you would have to say the dregs of a "victory culture" and, in a Washington still filled with relics from the Cold War era (including our president), peace is not exactly at the top of anyone's agenda. In fact, in a recent speech, Secretary of State Antony Blinken essentially chucked the very idea of peace, no less halting the war in Ukraine, however briefly, out the window. "Some countries," he said, "will call for a ceasefire. And on the surface, that sounds sensible "" attractive, even. After all, who doesn't want warring parties to lay down their arms? Who doesn't want the killing to stop? But a ceasefire that simply freezes current lines in place and enables Putin to consolidate control over the territory he's seized" It would legitimize Russia's land grab. It would reward the aggressor and punish the victim." And yes, amid the chaos and rising destruction, the Ukrainian "spring" counteroffensive (which only really started last week) is on its way, but whatever gains it may make, one thing is distinctly unlikely: that the Ukrainians will be capable of triumphing in a war with a Russia that, whatever its (many) problems, is simply the larger and more powerful of the two countries. The question then becomes: How "" short of escalating to the nuclear level "" could this disastrous war near the heart of Europe possibly end? With that question in mind, let TomDispatch regular Alfred McCoy, author of the aptly titled history of the rise and fall of empires To Govern the Globe: World Orders and Catastrophic Change, suggest how it might finally conclude. While he's at it, let him also explain how that very ending might mark a new stage in the rise "" and fall "" of imperial powers on this beleaguered planet of ours. Tom Peace for Ukraine Courtesy of China? Another Step in Beijing's Rise to Global Power By Alfred McCoy All wars do end, usually thanks to a negotiated peace agreement. Consider that a fundamental historical fact, even if it seems to have been forgotten in Brussels, Moscow, and above all, Washington, D.C. In recent months, among Russian President Vladimir Putin's followers, there has been much talk of a "forever war" in Ukraine dragging on for years, if not decades. "For us," Putin told a group of factory workers recently, "this is not a geopolitical task, but a task of the survival of Russian statehood, creating conditions for the future development of the country and our children." Visiting Kyiv last February, President Joseph Biden assured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, "You remind us that freedom is priceless; it's worth fighting for, for as long as it takes. And that's how long we're going to be with you, Mr. President: for as long as it takes." A few weeks later, the European Council affirmed "its resolute condemnation of Russia's actions and unwavering support for Ukraine and its people." With all the major players already committed to fighting a forever war, how could peace possibly come about? With the U.N. compromised by Russia's seat on the Security Council and the G-7 powers united in condemning "Russia's illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine," the most likely dealmaker when it comes to ending this forever war may prove to be President Xi Jinping of China. In the West, Xi's self-styled role as a peacemaker in Ukraine has been widely mocked. In February, on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, China's call for negotiations as the "only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis" sparked a barbed reply from U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan who claimed the war "could end tomorrow if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine." When Xi visited Moscow in March, the statement Chinese officials released claiming that he hoped to "play a constructive role in promoting talks" prompted considerable Western criticism. "I don't think China can serve as a fulcrum on which any Ukraine peace process could move," insisted Ryan Hass, a former American diplomat assigned to China. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, pointed out that "China has taken sides" in the conflict by backing Russia and so could hardly become a peacemaker. Even when Xi made a personal call to Zelensky promising to dispatch an envoy to promote negotiations "with all parties," critics dismissed that overture as so much damage control for China's increasingly troubled trade relations with Europe. The Symbolism of Peace Conferences Still, think about it for a moment. Who else could bring the key parties to the table and potentially make them honor their signatures on a peace treaty? Putin has, of course, already violated U.N. accords by invading a sovereign state, while rupturing his economic entente with Europe and trashing past agreements with Washington to respect Ukraine's sovereignty. And yet the Russian president relies on China's support, economically and otherwise, which makes Xi the only leader who might be able to bring him to the bargaining table and ensure that he honors any agreement he signs. That sobering reality should raise serious questions about how any future Beijing-inspired peace conference might happen and what it would mean for the current world order. For more than 200 years, peace conferences have not only resolved conflicts but regularly signaled the arrival at stage center of a new world power. In 1815, amid the whirling waltzes in Vienna's palaces that accompanied negotiations ending the Napoleonic wars, Britain emerged for its century-long reign as the globe's greatest power. Similarly, the 1885 Berlin Conference that carved up the continent of Africa for colonial rule heralded Germany's rise as Britain's first serious rival. The somber deliberations in Versailles's grand Hall of Mirrors that officially ended World War I in 1919 marked America's debut on the world stage. Similarly, the 1945 peace conference at San Francisco that established the U.N. (just as World War II was about to end) affirmed the ascent of U.S. global hegemony. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The history of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings and claims in the United States is a captivating journey marked by intriguing incidents, government investigations, and an enduring enigma. While many UFO sightings can be attributed to natural or man-made phenomena, a small percentage of cases remain unexplained, leaving room for speculation about extraterrestrial life. As advancements in technology and scientific inquiry continue, the quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding UFOs persists, keeping the world captivated by the possibility of otherworldly encounters. The United States military is currently under pressure to reveal whether or not it has UFO spacecraft in its possession after whistleblower and former intelligence official David Grusch, who led analysis of unexplained anomalous phenomena (UAP) within a US Department of Defense agency, has alleged that the US has craft of non-human origin. Claims of the US government secretly recovering crashed alien spacecraft and encountering non-human occupants have long been a part of American UFO lore and conspiracy theories, with the infamous "Roswell incident" serving as a focal point. However, journalists Leslie Kean and Ralph Blumenthal have recently reignited these claims, apparently with the support of the Pentagon. In an article published on The Debrief, Kean and Blumenthal detail their findings, suggesting that the US government, along with its allies and defense contractors, has retrieved multiple non-human craft and the bodies of the beings inside them. They further allege that this information has been unlawfully concealed from the US Congress, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (established by the US Department of Defense in 2022 to investigate UFOs), and the general public. The fascination with UFOs has captured the imaginations of people worldwide for decades. The United States, in particular, has been a hotbed of UFO sightings, generating countless reports, investigations, and claims. Numerous articles and scientific papers have delved into the captivating history of UFO sightings in the US, exploring notable incidents, government involvement, and the enduring mystery surrounding these unidentified aerial phenomena. Early Encounters UFO sightings in the US can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Accounts of strange aerial phenomena, often referred to as "airship sightings", were prevalent during the late 1800s. These encounters, described as cigar-shaped or dirigible-like objects, sparked widespread curiosity and speculation. Roswell Incident and the Birth of Modern UFOlogy One of the most famous episodes in UFO lore occurred in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. The alleged crash of an unidentified object near Roswell Army Air Field sparked controversy and conspiracy theories. The incident, initially described as a "flying disc" in the media, has fueled debates about government cover-ups and extraterrestrial visitations ever since. The Roswell incident marked a turning point in the study of UFOs and the birth of modern UFOlogy. Project Blue Book and Government Investigations In response to public interest and concern, the US Air Force launched Project Blue Book in 1952. This extensive study aimed to scientifically analyze UFO reports and determine if they posed any threat to national security. Over the course of its existence, Project Blue Book investigated thousands of sightings, concluding that most could be explained as natural phenomena or misidentifications. However, a small percentage of cases remained unresolved, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial origins. Close Encounters and Cultural Impact The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a surge in UFO sightings, which coincided with a broader cultural fascination with space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. Numerous reports of close encounters, including alleged abductions and interactions with otherworldly beings, captivated the public's attention. Movies like Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" further fueled public interest in UFOs, solidifying their place in popular culture. Disclosure and Contemporary Developments Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Dear Annie: Eight years ago, it felt like I had a mental breakdown trying to deal with all the clutter coming in our house. I told this to my wife, but her reply was to justify why she needed everything. Meanwhile, my frustration turned from anger to rage, and I started throwing things and shouting at her and not understanding how attached she was to her stuff. I threw boxes and boxes into the trash. Fast forward eight years to the present, and the situation hasnt gotten any better. Her relationship with me has been put in a box and stored somewhere in the garage. These last eight years, Ive been trying to cater to her and make her feel happy again. Me throwing her stuff away was like I was killing the kids or something. I was wondering if its possible for me to file a lawsuit against her. I feel like Ive been living in a prison for the last 25 years. It has pushed me to a point where I feel like I am losing control of myself. I am suicidal and depressed. I totally realize my actions were uncalled for. But it just felt like I was backed into a corner, and I kept getting prodded and poked and finally I unloaded. This was totally out of character for me, but when you ask your wife, day after day, to please pick up her paperwork from the dining room table and nothing happens except more piles of paperwork start accumulating -- its too much. Anyway, I was just wondering if theres some way we could get the justice system involved to get her help. Im just so frustrated that I put 25 years of my life into this woman, and she just took advantage of everything I have done for her. So now shes put a restraining order on me. It was delivered to me as I was checking out of the Veterans Affairs mental hospital. On the day I arrived for the restraining order court date, she served me with divorce papers. And then, true to her hoarding nature, she is attempting to cut me out of everything and keep it all for herself. I feel so helpless. Im not seeking revenge or trying to make her life difficult. But I would love to see her get some help. -- Left Out Dear Left Out: At this point, the best revenge for all the turmoil and depression that you say she imposed on you, through her cluttering and giving up on the marriage, would be to live well. The best way to live well is to focus on what you can control. You cant control her actions, but you can seek help for anger management, depression and grief counseling for the marriage that did not work. The best lawyer to get would be a divorce lawyer. And keep seeking help from the VA mental hospital. Good luck to you. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM A Meridian, Idaho, man is facing three felony charges in two counties after officials say he shot a rifle at two electrical substations, fled from police and possessed potential explosive devices, according to a probable cause affidavit. Randy Vail, 58, is charged in Idahos Washington County with attempting to flee law enforcement and possession of a bomb or destructive device. He also faces a charge of malicious injury to property in Adams County. A man who immigrated to Oregon from Iraq in 2014 on Tuesday pleaded guilty to advocating for violent jihad through an online Arabic newspaper in support of the Islamic State terrorist group. Hawazen Sameer Mothafar, 33, who lives in Troutdale, was arrested in November 2020 on a five-count federal indictment. On Tuesday, Mothafar appeared in U.S. District Court in Portland and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization. Mothafar, who uses a wheelchair, was seated beside his lawyer and wore headphones to listen to an Arabic interpretation of the proceeding. Through the interpreter, he told U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez, I plead guilty, to the single charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight described Mothafar as the co-founder of the Sunni Shield Foundation, a pro-Islamic State online media organization that produced propaganda through social media videos and graphics and encouraged attacks on behalf of the group. Mothafar created the foundations first online video that included footage from an Islamic State battle, and in subsequent videos, he encouraged viewers to travel to Iraq and Syria to fight for the militants, according to Knight. Mothafar and other members of the Sunni Shield Foundation obtained the Islamic State groups permission to start publishing the online newspaper. He edited, produced and distributed propaganda and recruiting material and also served as a graphic designer from February 2015 through Nov. 5, 2020, in coordination with Islamic State media operatives overseas, according to prosecutors. In one graphic he designed, he attempted to incite readers to attack and kill Westerners, and in another, he encouraged readers to engage in knife attacks against the enemies of ISIS, Knight said, using the initials commonly used to refer to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Among the articles prosecutors say he produced and distributed was one titled Effective Stabbing Techniques in a Nov. 29, 2017, issue of Al-Anfal newspaper, which described how to best kill and maim in a knife attack, according to the indictment. Another tutorial he published in Al-Anfal on Dec. 20, 2017, was called How Does a Detonator Work and explained the use of explosive ignition devices, according to the indictment. That same issue contained an infographic depicting the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty on fire with a caption that read, partially in Arabic and in English, Soon in the Heart of Your Lands, the indictment said. Other propaganda encouraged readers to carry out attacks in their home countries if they couldnt travel overseas where Islamic State extremists were fighting, the indictment said. On Nov. 2, 2018, Mothafar is alleged to have shared 70 images of explosives and western cities with Sunni Shield members, telling them, The images of destroyed infidel cities will be useful, the indictment said. He also provided technical support to Islamic State officials overseas, including help with opening social media and email accounts for official use and moderating private chat rooms and channels dedicated to supporting extremists through the Sunni Shield Foundation. He communicated online with what Knight termed, ISIS central media officials, who regularly gave him instructions about media production, and fed him quotes from its leaders. He also assisted with production of the pro-Islamic States Youth of the Caliphate magazine and published news on Nashr News Agency channels, according to the prosecutor. He also connected a terrorist imprisoned in West Africa, Abu Qaswara al-Shanqiti, to two Islamic State officials in hopes of aiding his release, according to Knight. Mothafar is not a U.S. citizen but falsely claimed he had no ties to foreign terrorist groups when he sought to become a naturalized U.S. citizen in October 2018, Knight said. Mothafar is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Mark Ahlemeyer, who made no statement during the hearing and declined comment after it. The conviction carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or twice the amount of any proceeds resulting from the crime if it exceeded $250,000, the judge said. Mothafar remains out of custody. Hell be sentenced on Jan. 11. -- Maxine Bernstein Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The 42-year-old man accused of driving a pickup truck through the Rose Festivals Grand Floral Parade pleaded not guilty Monday to seven charges tied to the chaotic incident. Sidney Mecham allegedly drove his Chevy Avalanche past a blockade and down part of the parades route in Northeast Portland on Saturday morning. He faces 10 counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment, one felony count of attempting to elude police and one felony unlawful use of a weapon charge, among others. Police arrested a suspect Tuesday morning in connection with a series of armed robberies earlier in a section of a North Portland neighborhood. The wild morning began in the Overlook neighborhood at the intersection of North Interstate Avenue and North Going Street just before 5:30 a.m. Police converged on the area to search for a man suspected of at least four armed robberies in one instance firing a handgun, the Portland Police Bureau reported. The events took place along Interstate Avenue in what police described as quick succession. The suspect also assaulted several people, police said. While none were life-threatening injuries, one victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. A police perimeter was set up from North Colonial to North Concord, and from North Going Court to North Blandena Street, and extended to other surrounding streets. The suspect was arrested about 8:40 a.m. Nearby Beach School delayed the start of classes until 10:37 a.m. Tom Hallman Jr 503-221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com; @thallmanjr Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Growing up, Adan Fausto remembers being asked an important question whenever he visited Asadero Acatlan de Juarez, a restaurant near his fathers hometown of Mexicali, Mexico: Corn or flour tortillas? Everyone there knows that you want flour, says Fausto, a chef we first met at 2022s Paradise Mariscos pop-up, one of our favorite Portland food finds of the past few years. In the United States, corn tortillas can be a mark of authenticity, with high-end restaurants milling their own heirloom hominy for tortillas as fussed-over as fancy French bread. But in the roadside stands, bustling taquerias and mesquite-fueled asaderos of Mexicos northern states Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California, where Mexicali is the inland capital flour tortillas are often as prized as corn, and provide the proper cradle for another regional specialty, carne asada. North Mexico is so close to the United States, Fausto points out. But as borders moved, the food stayed and adapted to the American palate. Flour tortillas, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and fajitas got this reputation as being Tex-Mex, but all those things originated in Mexico. Next week, Fausto will unveil his long-awaited Paradise Mariscos follow-up, a roving carne asada party with mesquite-grilled steak, scratch flour tortillas and more, all made with respect. Im here to reclaim the flour tortilla from Taco Bell and Taco Time, Fausto says. Fausto, who worked in fine-dining kitchens on both coasts, then did a two and a half year stint cooking for Apple CEO Tim Cook, moved to Portland in 2021, where he teamed up with Guero owners Megan Sanchez and Alec Morrison on Paradise Mariscos. At that summer pop-up, Fausto put his years of training to work on a small menu of Mexican seafood, including ceviches, tuna tostadas and the black cod flautas that ended up on my list of 10 favorite dishes from 2022. But the Paradise Mariscos kitchen was a true pop-up and, after a surprise visit from the county, Fausto and his team were forced to move cooking operations indoors. He decided to call it quits a few weeks later. Over the past year, Fausto has helped friends open restaurants in Mexico City and Northeast Alberta Street, and was part of the reopening team at Southeast Division Streets Ava Genes. All the while, he was searching for ways to recreate his childhood carne asada memories in Portland. For research, Fausto traveled to Mexico, paying $50 to work at a flour tortilla factory in Mexico City, chatting with grandmas at flea markets in Sonora, then sitting down with the owners of Tacos DArmando, the carne asada-slinging star of Netflixs Taco Chronicles. From there it was on to Mexicali, where he met his dad, learned a few more flour tortilla secrets and ate tons of carne asada. At Tacos Con Onda, slabs of chuck tail flap will be cooked traditionally over mesquite coals, while the tortillas will use Sonora soft white wheat flour, one of the oldest wheat varietals in the United States, mixed with a little leaf lard and back fat (a version without lard will be available for those eating vegan or kosher). Pinto beans from Sun Gold Farms in Forest Grove will be cooked simply in a pot with onion, garlic, cumin and other spices for bean tacos or sides of meaty charro beans. Frustrated with the quality and price of avocados in Portland, Fausto has been experimenting with a trompe loeil version of a Baja-style green sauce, with pureed zucchini and avocado oil replicating the texture and flavor. It will be joined at the pop-up by a classic salsa roja made from ingredients cooked in the coals the day before. On day one, the menu probably wont go much beyond carne asada and bean tacos. But longer term, Fausto hopes to add a few cheffy specials, including seafood, tostada and perhaps a hard shell beef tartare taco. Once he locks down a Sunday location, he plans to serve baby burritos inspired by the La Palma restaurant chain in Los Angeles, with a larger version of his flour tortillas stuffed with beans and cheese, chorizo and egg, kale and mushroom tinga or other guisados. Tacos Con Onda plans to pop up from 4 p.m. until sold out Thursdays and Fridays starting June 22 at Hungry Heart bakery, 7940 S.E. Stark St., and from 2 p.m. until sold out Saturdays starting July 8 at The Woodsman Tavern, 4537 S.E. Division St., starting on July 8. Drinks provided by host locations. Watch Instagram for updates, including a future Sunday baby burrito pop-up. Read more: Paradise Mariscos brings Mexican seafood, escapism to Portland parking lot Summer is almost here, and so are Portland restaurants pop-ups Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Indigenous people living a small Wixarika village in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico make small, beaded earrings and other handcrafted items. Their creations are more than craft projects. They are a means to survive life-threatening poverty. Villagers send what they make to Faustino and Maria Carrillo of Portland who sell the items and give the money back to the village. This is the only support they have, Faustino Carillo said. The Carrillos sold the villagers crafts June 10 at El Tianguis de Oregon, a sort of Latino farmers market, at Riverview Park in Independence. The market travels about the state, marking its first Independence event Saturday afternoon. When Nancy and Wendi Ayala developed the Tianguis concept (now in its second year), the sisters wanted to build a bridge between Latino businesses in Oregon. That bridge now spans more than 2,000 miles from the Cascades to the Sierra Madre mountains. By supporting struggling Indigenous people, Faustino Carillo said his booth did more than boost Oregons Latino businesses. Were doing good, he said. Still, said Nancy Ayala, its important to provide space for Latino businesses and their customers. A lot of towns have farmers markets, said Ayala, who publishes the online Latino business magazine Oregon Pero en Espanol (Oregon But in Spanish) with her sister. I felt that many Hispanic people dont show up and get involved with the markets, Ayala said. We came to the realization that they needed to have events in Spanish. She described the traveling event as a Latino business expo. We bring in local entrepreneurs, whether they create their own things or have services or their own business, she said. We collect them throughout the state. We go from town to town, getting vendors and setting things up with live music and events. HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok The event traveled to Bend, Redmond, Coos Bay, North Bend and Madras before coming to Independence. With the help of Indy Idea Hub, a local nonprofit that boosts local business, Saturdays event brought in more than 20 vendors. Tianguis de Oregon (taking its name from a Spanish word for an open-air market or bazaar) has its roots in the Ayalas four-year-old online magazine. We saw a lot of things where there wasnt content in Spanish, Ayala said. Being bilingual made it easy to put things in English into Spanish. We started building content. People started asking about the places we were covering. One thing led to another. Among Saturdays vendors were Tomas and Lupita Galvan of Tigard. We have a big store, said Tomas Galvan. Sometimes we come to events like this one to sell sombreros, Mexican hand-made dresses and all kinds of things. Paz Mendez of Eugene came to sell his original prints stamped from carved linoleum. Everything about his work is gentle on the environment, Mendez said, from his recycled paper to his nontoxic ink and even the wrappings for his prints. The plastic wrapping isnt even real plastic, he said. Its a compostable plant oil. One of his pieces depicts a snail. I felt like I was rushing around a lot and I just needed to slow down in general, he said. The inspiration for my work all depends on what Im feeling and what I like and what I need in my life. Vendors sold more than physical items. Jackie Ruiz of West Salem worked a booth for People Helping People, an insurance agency founded in 2009 by Iranian immigrant Patrick Bet-David. Ruiz said Bet-David wanted to create a business specifically to help other immigrants. I personally came here to educate the Latino community, she said. Were taught at a young age to not put our money in a bank. We save our money in our homes. Our goal is to educate people that its OK to save money and to grow into retirements and save money for your children. Saturdays event also included live bands, dancers, food booths, wine tastings and other attractions. At the core of it all, Nancy Ayala said, is people with a shared cultural experience coming together. This is important for the Hispanic community, she said. How can we collaborate and help each other instead of being so divided and incommunicative? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has completed his state visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. A guard of honor was lined up for the Turkish President at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport decorated with the national flags of the two countries. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was seen off by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The morning of June 11, hundreds gathered at the 26th Avenue railroad crossing at approximately 9:45 a.m. Normally, the areas around the track would be empty, but for an upcoming special visitor, the "Big Boy" 4014 steam engine, the community came out in full. Big Boy steam locomotives were built in the 1940s to haul cargo during World War II. Clocking in at a little over a million pounds and 132 feet long, they were titans of the rails, with an articulated midsection so the long engine could handle curves on the mountain roads they were meant to navigate. 4014 was technically retired in 1961 but Union Pacific, in the interest of keeping a piece of history intact, resurrected the device in 2013 for the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion, according to Union Pacific's website. "You don't see this very often. I usually go whenever it comes around," said Stan Andringa, a spectator. "I'm just impressed with it." Stan and his wife, Deb, came from Northwest Iowa to follow the Big Boy on its tour of Nebraska. In this particular instance, they continued behind it all the way to Omaha, where it will remain into late June before returning to Wyoming. It will stop in Columbus again on June 29. "There's not that many left. It's from a time frame we know nothing about really. It's a work of art. You have generations who don't know about it," Deb Andringa said. A little over 60 years ago, the 26th Avenue crossing would have been abuzz with people for a different reason as the train stopped approximately where Columbus' train station stood until its demolition in May 2015. That building was an early 1900s remodel of the station built in 1860, according to a Columbus Telegram article from 2015. Dennis Hirschbrunner, a local history enthusiast who has seen the Big Boy locomotive a couple of times, said that the engine evokes a sense of nostalgia for those who come to see it because of its historic nature. "It's nostalgia, it's from a long time ago and people love steam engines. They just love steam engines," Hirschbrunner said. The mechanical nature of the machine, Hirschbrunner added, is interesting for many as well because they are so uncommon, this may be the only one they have seen operate. "The fact that the steam engine operates is fascinating because most people have never seen that," Hirschbrunner said. "Just the size of it and how it gets started, slows down, the entire operation of it is very intriguing to people." For him, it's also a testament to Union Pacific and their dedication to history and preserving history. "That's what they're doing with the Big Boy. They rebuilt it to running condition and use it for publicity but also to showcase the history of Union Pacific Railroad and steam engines," Hirschbrunner said. In 1972, Clara Peoples and Ora Lee Green organized Portlands first Juneteenth parade and public celebration. This year, Juneteenth Oregon celebrates with a parade Saturday and festival that lasts all weekend. Throughout Oregon and southwest Washington events will be held to celebrate and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Below, find a guide to where you can participate across the state. PORTLAND Lillis-Albina City Park: Portlands largest Juneteenth event is now a signature event of the Rose Festival Expect live music each day and the annual Juneteenth Parade. Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of King School and heads south on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, ending at North Graham and Williams streets. Festival events are held at Lillis-Albina Park and include live music, vendors, kids area, and food for purchase. Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, June 17-18, Lillis-Albina Park, North Flint and Russell streets; free; juneteenthor.com. Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo: Rodeo will return to Portlands Expo Center this summer with a competition that emphasizes supporting Black western athletes and the cultural heritage of Black cowboys and cowgirls. Read more here: oregonlive.com/events. 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive; tickets $42; ticketswestpdx.evenue.net. BNO Entertainment Community Event: Support local businesses during this family event offering live music by seven local artists, DJs, food and drinks, games, photo booths, dancing, inflatable play structures, and booths from more than 20 local businesses. 5-11 p.m. Friday, June 16, The Redd, 831 S.E. Salmon St., free admission; facebook.com/photo/ Faith and Majesty will sing to kick off the summer season of SoundTruck NW. SoundTruck NW Juneteenth concert: SoundTruck NW kicks off its first summer season with Celebrating Nostalgia a concert focused on the Black female voice featuring Lo Steele and duo Faith and Majesty. The concert is held in partnership with World Arts Foundation and MusicPortland. 4 p.m. Sunday, June 18, Cathedral Park, 8706 N. Bradford St., in the St. Johns neighborhood; free; soundstrucknw.org/summer-series. Freadom Festival: Did you know that during abolition, Anti-Literacy laws were written forbidding enslaved people to learn to read and making it illegal for any person to teach any Black person either free or not to read or write? The Portland Black book festival returns this year celebrating reading and Black authors. Enjoy a community book swap, book drive, childrens story hour, author talks, and book signings. Noon-6 p.m. Monday, June 19, Peninsula Park, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way; free; freadomfestival.com. VANCOUVER Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Odyssey World International Education Services hosts a free event highlighting the richness of Black culture and the ideals of liberty and justice for all. Enjoy live music, art displays, traditional games and more. 1-7 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Esther Short Park, 6015 Esther St., Vancouver; free; jfcvancouver.org. METRO AREA Tigard Juneteenth Celebration: Expect professional and student performances, a DJ, library reading area and food for the community at this second annual event. 3-6 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Cook Park, picnic shelter 2, 17005 S.W. 92nd Ave., Tigard; free; tigard-or.gov/explore-tigard. Wilsonvilles Juneteenth Celebration: Wilsonvilles Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee hosts the annual event in the Town Center Park. Pamela Slaughter, the executive director of PDX People of Color Outdoors, will deliver the keynote address. DJ Bryson Wallace provides music. The event includes food, drink, activities, and giveaways. Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in the park, 20600 S.W. Park Place, Wilsonville; free; ci.wilsonville.or.us. Milwaukie Water Tower: A Juneteenth celebration will be held at Milwaukies Water Tower Park. Community members are invited to celebrate, reflect, and amplify Black voices in the city. Parking is limited. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the park, 9890 S.E. 40th Ave., Milwaukie; free; milwaukieoregon.gov/events/juneteenth. Washington County Chamber Juneteenth: The event will feature an array of activities and attractions including a variety of food options, vendors, and live entertainment that celebrates the richness of Black culture. Noon-6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Orenco Stations Jerry Willey Plaza, 943 N.E. Orenco Plaza Loop, Hillsboro; free; washingtoncountychamberor.com/juneteenthcelebration. Oregon-based contemporary artist Jeremy Okai Davis will show his work at a new gallery opening in the Bush House Museum in Salem.Image courtesy of Jeremy Okai Davis SALEM Bush House Museum and Salem Art Association: Celebrate Juneteenth with the announcement of a new gallery at the museum and the acquisition of two new paintings by Oregon based contemporary artist, Jeremy Okai Davis. The new gallery will be named after early Oregon pioneer, America Waldo Bogle, an enslaved Black woman who was brought to Salem in the mid 1840s. 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 19, Bush House Museum, 600 Mission St., S.E. Salem; the event is free, but space is limited, RSVP required at eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-celebration. In Freedoms Footsteps Community Walk: Oregon Black Pioneers and Just Walk Salem/Keizer have joined Willamette Heritage Center to host a history walk through downtown Salem for the Juneteenth holiday. The event focuses on the lives of Albert and Mary Ann Bayless, born into slavery, who made their way along the Oregon Trail to Salem in 1907. The routes are 1.23 miles or 3 miles depending on which you choose. 10 a.m.-noon, Monday, June 19, beginning at the Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St., S.E. Salem; free; willametteheritage.org/freedomsfootsteps/. EUGENE Juneteenth Committee: The Eugene celebration of Juneteenth will be noon-7 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at Alton Baker Park, near Autzen Stadium, 100 Day Island Road, Eugene; free; eugenejuneteenth.com. Bend's Drake Park will host the third annual Juneteenth celebration, "Discovering Our Roots." Oregonian file photo. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian BEND Discovering Our Roots: Bends third annual Juneteenth Celebration offers a two-day festival for families that includes live entertainment, educational and historical exhibits located in the Deshaun Adderly Educational Plaza, games for kids, living history actors throughout the park, food trucks, panel discussions, and more than 40 vendors. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 18, Drake Park, 777 N.W. Riverside Blvd., Bend; free; juneteenthcentralor.com. LINCOLN CITY Freedom Celebration: Lincoln City is celebrating Juneteenth this summer with a special event featuring live music from area performers, guest speakers, kids activities, and a free barbecue lunch. The celebration is a collaboration between Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, the Rotary Club, and Explore Lincoln City. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Lincoln Citys Regatta Park on Devils Lake; facebook.com/events/. MEDFORD Pear Blossom Park: BASE will host the Third Annual Southern Oregon Juneteenth Celebration at Pear Blossom Park. The family-friendly event features food, education booths, live music and other entertainment. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in the park, 204 N. Bartlett St., Medford; free. - If you have events youd like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful. Rosemarie Stein 503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe An 86-year-old library patron returned a first edition copy of George Orwells novel 1984 to the Multnomah County Library this week, 65 years after its due date. The library announced the return on their social media channels Tuesday morning with a photo of the book accompanied by a typed note from the patron, identified only by the initials WP. The book was checked out in 1958 while the patron was a student at Portland State University, according to the note. I meant to return this book in 1958 when I (was) about to graduate from PSU, but somehow never got around to doing it, the patron wrote. The patron said they felt 1984 should be returned to circulation after all this time because parts of Orwells dystopian sci-fi novel are as relevant today as they were 65 years ago. Originally published in 1949 as the Soviet Unions authoritarian reach swept across Eastern Europe, the book returned to international bestseller lists in 2017 shortly after former President Donald Trump took office. Simply add the words internet and social media, and youre reading about 2023, the patron wrote. The returned copy is older than what is today the Multnomah County Library system, as evidenced by a Library Association of Portland stamp on the books pages, the library said. Founded in 1864, the library association was a private institution until 1902, when it became Oregons first public library system. Governance of the library was transferred to Multnomah County in 1990. It was quite a fun surprise to see this book returned, said Ellie Avis, collection manager at the library. As a first edition copy that dates back to the Library Association of Portland, its a unique piece of history. The Multnomah County Library became a fine-free system in 2020, so the patron will not have to pay any late fees. The daily fine listed on the card inside the book was 2 cents, which would have resulted in a total fine of nearly $475. Sorry to be so tardy, the patron wrote. At age 86, I wanted to finally clear my conscience. Library officials said the book was kept in wonderful condition and will be set aside for possible future display. Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe New details emerged Monday in the brutal slaying of a 13-year-old Beaverton girl who was left for dead in a shallow stream last May. Her suspected killer, Daniel Ryan Gore, appeared in Washington County Circuit Court Monday for a weeklong hearing to decide whether he will be tried as an adult. Gore is accused of raping and murdering Milana Li and moving her body after killing her when he was 16. Lis body was found May 10, 2022 in a secluded, wooded area by the Westside Regional Trail to Barrows Park two days after she went missing from her familys home in Southwest Beaverton. She had been strangled to death and submerged underwater, her body covered in scrapes and bruises and hidden under a blanket that was weighed down with narrow logs, according to multiple officials who testified Monday in Washington County Circuit Court about the slaying. Gores semen was detected on a swab of the sixth graders genitals, investigators said. Beaverton police and a Washington County forensic analyst provided details in court about Lis death and about Gore, including that he allegedly had been with Li the evening she disappeared, and that he had been living in a tent near where Lis body was found. Gore, now 17, pleaded not guilty in July to two counts of first-degree murder, first- and second-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree abuse of a corpse. If Gore is tried as a juvenile and found guilty, he would be released from Oregon Youth Authority custody no later than age 25. A first-degree murder conviction in adult court carries a minimum 30-year prison sentence, but juveniles waived to adult court and convicted can seek parole after 15 years. The waiver hearing is expected to continue daily until Friday, Washington County prosecutors said. Gore appeared in court in a gray collared shirt, his formerly shaggy hair cut short. He did not speak during the hearing. An autopsy revealed Li had a hemorrhage on her head, large bruises by her eyes, lips, ears, and neck, scratches all over her body and bruising and a laceration in and around her genitals, said Beaverton Detective Cynthia Herring. Gores girlfriend at the time told Herring that Gore had a blood kink, and got sexual pleasure from violent imagery. He had scratches on his face after Li disappeared and called his girlfriend and told her he had gotten them from falling down, Herring said. According to Herring, the girlfriend said Gore was hanging out alone with Li the evening she went missing. He told his girlfriend that Li had tried to kiss him and that he handled it, and later told her that he had done something bad, Herring said. Evidence markers could be seen on Wed., May 11, 2022, near the location where Milana Li, 13, was found dead in a stream the day before. The stream is located off the Westside Regional Trail, near the intersection of Southwest Barrows Road and Horizon Boulevard in Beaverton.Dave Killen / The Oregonian Derek Vuylsteke, a Beaverton police officer, testified about responding to the trail after two passersby reported seeing clothing in the wooded area that they suspected belonged to Li. As he walked into the brush, Vuylsteke can be heard in his body camera footage telling a fellow officer that the secluded spot is a hot spot where teenagers often come to smoke and hang out. The footage shows Vuylsteke stopping by the ravine to take photos, including of what appears to be a blue blanket on the surface of the water with several narrow logs on top of it. Thats hair, he can be heard saying in the video. A forensic analyst, Megan Anderson, described responding to the scene later that day to identify evidence, including a backpack, sneakers, an acrylic nail, a bra, pants and a pair of blood-stained underwear that all belonged to Li, she said. After Anderson finished cataloging the evidence, another analyst carefully removed the blanket and found Li underneath, naked and curled on her side, Anderson said. Investigators identified Gore as a possible suspect after his teenage friend told police that she, Gore and Li sometimes hung out, said Beaverton police officer Michel Wilson. The girl told Wilson that Gore had run away from home and was living in a tent, using a knife for protection and selling cigarettes and shoplifting to support himself. He often bragged about his ability to run from police, Wilson said the girl told her. At a May detention review, Deputy District Attorney Dustin Staten said Gore and another juvenile tried to set a movie theater on fire in 2020. Wilson described going to Lis home with a detective and a chaplain hours after her body was found to notify Lis family of her death. She called the experience one of the most terrible moments of my life. An ambulance was called for Lis grandmother, who fainted after receiving the news, Wilson said. I have never witnessed suffering like that before, said Wilson, who has worked in law enforcement for 13 years. It was complete hysteria and absolute suffering. -- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_ Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. The Oregon Legislature has an unprecedented opportunity to help high school students build brighter financial futures. Lawmakers should pass Senate Bill 3 before the 2023 session ends. The credit unions of Oregon, representing more than 2 million Oregonians, have partnered with the GoWest Credit Union Association to introduce groundbreaking legislation that could serve students well for the rest of their lives. As not-for-profit, cooperative financial services providers, credit unions are built on a mission of financial wellness for all. The cornerstone is financial education. We take this responsibility seriously; last year credit unions provided free financial education to thousands of adults and students across the state. Requiring financial education in high schools will be a game changer. This legislation will provide students with robust training on two tracks. One class will help them gain access to higher education, teach them how to apply for scholarships and financial aid and build their job-seeking skills. The other class provides personal budgeting how to earn higher credit scores, pay their bills, prepare tax returns and avoid becoming victims of fraud. The need for this education is strong according to Oregon State University research, 62% of Oregonians spend more than they earn. We can do better. SB 3 was co-sponsored with bipartisan support by Senate President Rob Wagner and Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp. It was widely supported throughout the committee process and is now ready for votes in the House and Senate. We call on the Legislature to pass SB 3 this session. Jason Werts, Beaverton Werts is president and CEO of Advantis Credit Union and is co-chair of the GoWest Credit Union Associations Oregon Government Affairs Committee To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Lawmakers are scrambling to negotiate an agreement that will end the Republican-led Senate walkout with less than two weeks to go before the session ends on June 25. On Monday, it was unclear whether or when Democrats and Republicans might reach a deal to persuade GOP senators to return to floor sessions. Since May 3, the Senate has been unable to conduct business or vote on bills that would address homeless, affordable housing, mental health and education, among others. >>> 2023-06-12 radio on the tv Like many people in my generation, my memories of youth are heavily defined by cable television. I was fortunate enough to have a premium cable package in my childhood home, Comcast's early digital service based on Motorola equipment. It included a perk that fascinated me but never made that much sense: Music Choice. Music Choice was around 20 channels, somewhere in the high numbers, of still images with music. It was really ad-free, premium radio, but in the era before widespread adoption of SiriusXM that wasn't an easy product to explain. And SiriusXM, of course, has found its success selling services to moving customers. Music Choice was stuck in your home. The vast majority of Music Choice customers must have had it only as part of a cable package, and part of it that they probably barely even noticed. This kind of thing seems to happen a lot with consumer products: a little-noticed value-add that starts a rabbit hole into the history of consumer music technology. Music Choice is an odd and, it seems, little-loved aspect of premium cable packages, but with a history stretching back to 1987, it also claims to be the first consumer digital music streaming technology... and I think they're even right about that claim. The '80s was an exciting time in consumer audio. The Compact Disc was becoming the dominant form of music distribution, and CDs offered a huge improvement in sound quality. Unlike all of the successful consumer audio formats before it, CDs were digital. This meant no signal noise in the playback process and an outstanding frequency response. Now, some have expressed surprise at the fact that CDs were a digital audio format and yet weren't recognized as a practical way to store computer data for years after. There are a few reasons for this, but one detail worth remembering is that audio playback is a fairly fault-tolerant application. Despite error correction, CD players will sometimes fail to decode a specific audio sample. They just skip it and move along, and the problem isn't all that noticeable to listeners. Of course this kind of failure is much more severe with computer data and so more robust error tolerance was needed. That's a bit besides the point except that it illustrates a very convenient property of music as an application for digital storage and transmission: it's inherently fault tolerant, and digital decoding errors in audio can come off much the same way that noise and other playback faults did with analog formats. Music is a fairly comfortable way to try the waters of digital distribution, and the CD was a hugely successful experiment. Digital audio became an everyday experience for many consumers, and suddenly analog distribution formats like radio were noticeably inferior. It was quite natural that various parts of the consumer electronics industry started to investigate digital radio. Digital radio has a troublesome history in the United States and has only really seen daylight in the form of the in-band on-channel HD Radio protocol, which I have discussed previously. HD Radio launched in 2002, so it was a latecomer to the radio scene (probably a big part of its lackluster adoption). Satellite radio, also digital, didn't launch until 2001. So there was a wide gap, basically all of the '90s, where consumers were used to digital audio from CDs but had no way of receiving digital broadcasts. This was just the opportunity for Jerrold Communications. Jerrold Communications is not likely to be a name you've heard before, despite the company's huge role in cable TV industry. Jerrold was a very early cable television operator and developed a lot of their own equipment. Eventually, equipment (head end transmitters and set-top boxes) became Jerrold's main business, and most of the modern technological landscape of cable TV has heritage in Jerrold designs. The reason you've never heard of them is because of acquisitions: in 1967, Jerrold became part of General Instrument. In 1997, General Instrument fractured into several companies, and the cable equipment business was purchased by Motorola in 2000. In 2012, the Motorola business unit that produced cable equipment became part of ARRIS. In 2019, ARRIS was acquired by CommScope, ironically one of the other fragments that spun off of General Instrument in '97. What matters to us is that, for whatever reason, General Instrument continued to use the Jerrold brand name on some of their cable TV products into the '90s [1]. In 1987 Jerrold announced their new "Digital Cable Radio," which apparently had pilot installations in Deland FL, Sacramento CA, and Willow Grove PA. They expected expanded service in 1989. In fact, Jerrold was not alone in this venture. At the same time, International Cablecasting Technologies announced its similar service "CD-8" (it's like having eight CD players, seems to have been the explanation for this name, which was later changed to CD-18 to reflect additional channels before they dropped the scheme). CD-8 launched in Las Vegas, and we will discuss it more later, as it survived into the 21st century under a different name. Finally, a company called Digital Radio launched "The Digital Radio Channel" in Los Angeles. All three of these operations were discussed together in a number of syndicated newspaper pieces that ran in 1987 to present the future of radio. They reflect, it seems, just about the entire digital radio industry of the '80s. Digital Radio, the company, is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps mostly due to their extremely generic name, it's hard to find much information about the company or its fate. Los Angeles had a relatively strong tradition of conventional cable radio (meaning analog radio delivered over cable TV lines), so it may have helped The Digital Radio Channel gain adoption even without the multi-channel variety of the competition. My best guess is that Digital Radio of California did not survive long and failed to expand out of the LA market. I have so far failed to find any advertisements or press mentions after 1987, and the press coverage in '87 was extremely slim. This left us with two late-'80s competitors for the new digital cable radio market: Jerrold's "Digital Cable Radio" and ICT's "CD-8." Both of these services worked on a very similar basis. A dedicated set-top box would be connected to a consumer's cable line, either with a passive splitter or daisy-chained with the television STB. The STB functioned like a radio tuner for a component stereo system, allowing the listener to select a channel which was then sent to their stereo amplifier (or hi-fi receiver, etc) as analog audio. CD-8 went an impressive step beyond Digital Cable Radio, offering a remote with a small LCD matrix display that showed the artist and track title (this was apparently an added-cost upgrade). I have seen mention that the STBs for these services cost around $100. That's $270 in today's so-called money, not necessarily unreasonable for a hi-fi component but still no doubt a barrier to adoption. On top of that, neither service seems to have been bundled with cable plans. Instead, they were separate subscriptions. Monthly subscriptions seem to have been in the range of $6-8, reasonably comparable to SiriusXM subscriptions today. But once again we have to ponder the customer persona. SiriusXM is a relatively obscure service but still runs a reasonable profit on the back of new cars with bundled plans, long-haul truckers, and business jet pilots (SiriusXM has a live weather data service that is popular with the business aviation crowd, besides the ability to offer SiriusXM music to passengers). In other words, satellite radio is attractive to people who are in motion, especially since the same channels are available across different radio markets and even in the middle of nowhere (except underpasses). I'm not sure I'll renew my SiriusXM service once I get onto normal post-promotion rates, but still, there is undeniably something magical about SiriusXM working fine in a canyon in the Mojave desert when I have no phone service and Spotify has mysteriously lost all of my downloaded tracks again. I'm unconvinced that digital audio quality is really that much of a selling point to most SiriusXM customers. Instead, the benefit is coverage: even "in town" here in Albuquerque, SiriusXM offers more consistent coverage than many of the commercial radio stations that have seen some serious cost-cutting in their transmitter operations. But digital radio over cable television doesn't move... it's only available in the home. I don't think a lot of people ever signed up for it as a dedicated subscription. Still, the industry marched on. By 1990, The Digital Radio Channel seems to have disappeared. But there is some good news: Jerrold's Digital Cable Radio is still a contender and now offers 17 channels. CD-8 has been rebranded as CD-18 and then rebranded again as Digital Music Express, or DMX. And there is a new contender, Digital Planet. It is actually possible, although I don't find it especially likely due to the lack of mentions of this history, that Digital Planet is the same company as Digital Radio. It also operated exclusively in Los Angeles, but had an impressive 26 channels. Let's dwell a little more on DMX, because there is something interesting here that represents a broader fact about this digital cable radio industry. CD-8, later CD-18 (or CD/18 depending on where you look), was launched by International Cablecasting Technologies or ICT. Based on newspaper coverage in the 1990s, it quickly became apparent that DMX's best customers were businesses, not consumers. In 1993, DMX cost consumers $4.95 a month (plus $5 a month in equipment rental if the customer did not buy the set-top box outright for $100). Businesses, though, paid $50-75 a month for a DMX appliance that would provide background music from specially programmed channels. DMX was a direct competitor to Muzak, and by the late '90s one of the biggest companies in the background music market. Background music makes a whole lot more sense for this technology. There's a long history of "alternative" broadcast audio formats, like leased telephone lines and FM radio subcarriers, being used to deliver background music to businesses. Muzak had a huge reputation in this industry, dating back to dedicated distribution wiring in the 1930s, but by the 1980s was increasingly perceived as stuffy and old-fashioned. Much of this related to Muzak's programming choices: Muzak was still made up mostly of easy-listening covers of popular tracks, hastily recorded by various contracted bands. DMX, though, offered something fresh and new: the popular tracks, in their original form. Even better, DMX focused on the start on offering multiple channels, so that businesses could choose a genre that would appeal to their clients. There was smooth jazz for dentists, and rock and roll for hip retailers. The end of "elevator music" as a genre was directly brought about by DMX and its contemporary background music competitor, AEI. Several late-'90s newspaper pieces describe the overall competitive landscape of background music as consisting of Muzak, DMX, and Audio Environments Inc (AEI). Unsurprisingly, given the overall trajectory of American business, these three erstwhile competitors would all unify into one wonderful monopoly. The path there was indirect, though. Various cable carriers took stakes in DMX, and by the late '90s it was being described as a subsidiary of Turner Cable and AT&T. Somehow, the details are stubbornly unclear, DMX and AEI would join forces in the late '90s. By 2000 they were no longer discussed as competitors. I have really tried to figure out what exactly happened, but an afternoon with newspaper archives has not revealed to me the truth. Here is speculation: AEI appears to have used satellite distribution for their background music from the start, while DMX, born of the cable industry, relied on cable television. In the late '90s, though, advertorials for DMX start to say that it is available via cable or satellite. I believe that at some point in '98 or '99, DMX and AEI merged. They unified their programming, but continued to operate both the cable and satellite background music services under the DMX brand. For about the next decade, the combined DMX/AEI Music would compete with Muzak. In 2011-2012, Canadian background music (now usually called "multisensory marketing") firm Mood Media bought both Muzak and DMX/AEI, combining them all into the Mood Media brand. This behemoth would enjoy nearly complete control of the background music industry, were it not for the cycle of technology bringing in IP-based competitors like Pandora for Business. Haha, no, I am kidding, Pandora for Business is also a Mood Media product. This is the result of essentially a licensing agreement on the brand name; Pandora itself is a SiriusXM subsidiary. Pandora for Business is a wholly different product sold by Mood Media "in partnership with" Pandora, and seems to be little more than a rebranding of the DMX service to match its transition to IP. Actually SiriusXM and DMX used to have shared ownership as well (DMX/AEI, by merger with Liberty Media, had half ownership of SiriusXM, as well as Live Nation concert promoting, Formula One racing, etc), although they don't seem to currently. The American media industry is like this, it's all just one big company with an aggressive market-segment brand strategy. So what about those set-top boxes, though? Digital Cable Radio and DMX both relied on special hardware, while the service of my youth did not. Well, the problem doesn't seem to have so much been the special hardware as the whole concept of a separate subscription for digital cable radio. By the end of the '90s, Jerrold and DMX were both transitioning to the more traditional structure of the cable TV industry. They sold their product not to consumers but to cable carriers, who then bundled it into cable subscriptions. This meant that shipping users dedicated hardware was decidedly impractical, but the ATSC digital cable standard offered a promising new approach. This might be surprising in terms of timeline. ATSC wasn't all that common over-the-air until the hard cutover event in 2009. This slow implementation was a result of the TV tuners built into OTA consumers televisions, though. Cable companies, since the genesis of cable TV, had been in the habit of distributing their own set-top boxes (STB) even though many TVs had NTSC (and later ATSC) tuners built-in. Carrier-provided STBs were a functional necessity due to "scrambling" or encryption of cable channels, done first to prevent "cable theft" (consumers reconnecting their cable drop to the distribution amplifier even though they weren't paying a bill) and later to enable multiple cable rate tiers. The pattern of renting STBs meant that cable carriers had a much greater degree of control over the equipment their customers would use to receive cable, and that allowed the cable industry to "go digital" much earlier. The first ATSC standard received regulatory approval in 1996 and spread relatively quickly into the cable market after that. By the end of the '90s, major carriers like Comcast had begun switching their customers over to digital ATSC STBs, mostly manufactured by Motorola Mobility Home Solutions---the direct descendent of Jerrold Communications. Digital cable meant that everything was digital, including the audio. Suddenly a "digital cable radio" station could just be a normal digital cable station. And that's what they did: Jerrold and DMX both dropped their direct-to-consumer services and instead signed deals to distribute their channels to entire cable companies. Along with this came rebranding: Jerrold's Digital Cable Radio adopted the name "Music Choice," while DMX kept the DMX name for some carriers and adopted the brand "Sonic Tap" for at least DirecTV and possibly others. As an aside, Sonic Tap's twitter account is one of those internet history gems that really makes me smile. Three tweets ever, all in one day in 2013. Follows DirecTV and no one else. 33 followers, a few of which even appear to be real. These are the artifacts of our contemporary industrialists: profoundly sad Twitter profiles. Music Choice had always enjoyed a close relationship with the cable industry. It was born at General Instrument, the company that manufactured much of the equipment in a typical cable network, and that ownership transitioned to Motorola. As Music Choice expanded in the late '90s and '00s, it began to give equity out to cable carriers and other partners in exchange for expanded distribution. Today, Music Choice is owned by Comcast, Charter, Cox, EMI, Microsoft, ARRIS (from Motorola), and Sony. Far from its '80s independent identity, it's a consortium of the cable industry, maintained to provide a service to the carriers that own it. Music Choice is carried today by Comcast (Xfinity), Spectrum, Cox, Verizon, and DirecTV, among others. It is the dominant cable music service, but not the only! A few cable companies have apparently opted to side with Stingray instead. Stingray has so far not featured in this history at all. It's a Canadian company, and originated as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's attempt at digital cable radio, called Galaxie. I will spare a full corporate history of Stingray, in part because the details are sort of fuzzy, but it seems to be a parallel story to what happened in the US. Galaxie eventually merged with competing service Max Trax, and then the CBC seems to have divested Stingray (which had operated Galaxie as a subsidiary of the CBC). In the late 2010s, Stingray started an expansion into the US. Amusingly, Comcast apparently delivered Stingray instead of Music Choice for several years (despite being part owner of Music Choice!). Stingray does seem to still exist on a handful of smaller US cable carriers, although the company seems invested in a switch to internet streaming. Cable is dying. Not just because of the increasing number of "cord cutters" abandoning their $80 cable bill in favor of $90 worth of streaming subscription services, but because the cable industry itself is slowly abandoning ATSC. In the not too far future, conventional cable broadcasting will disappear, replaced by "over the top" (OTT) IPTV services like Xfinity Flex. This transition will allow the cable carriers full freedom in bandwidth planning, enabling DOCSIS cable internet to achieve the symmetric multi-Gbps speeds the protocol is capable of [2]. Consumers today get virtually all of their music over IP. The biggest competitor to Music Choice is Spotify, and the two are not especially comparable businesses. The "linear broadcast" format seems mostly dead, and while Music Choice does offer on-demand services, it will probably never get ahead of the companies that started out with an on-demand model. That's sort of funny, in a way. The cable industry and advanced ATSC features especially introduced the on-demand content library concept, but the cable industry is far behind the companies that launched with the same idea a decade later... but with the benefit of the internet and agility. It's sad, in a way. I love coaxial cable networks, it's a fascinating way to distribute data. I am a tireless defender of DOCSIS, constantly explaining to people that we don't need to eliminate cable internet---there's no reason to, DOCSIS offers better real-world performance than common PON (optical) internet distributive systems. What we need to get rid of is the cable industry. While giants like Comcast do show some signs of catching up to the 21st century, they remain legacy companies with a deeply embedded rent-seeking attitude. Major improvements to cable networks across the country are underway, but they started many years too late and proceed too slowly now, a result of severe under-investment in outside plant. I support community internet, I'm just saying that maybe, just maybe, municipal governments would achieve far more by ending cable franchises and purchasing the existing cable plant than by installing new fiber. "Fiber" internet isn't really about "fiber" at all. "Fiber" is used as a political euphemism for "not a legacy utility" (somewhat ironic since one of the largest fiber internet providers, Verizon FiOS, is now very much a legacy utility). In fact, good old cable TV is a remarkably capable medium. It brought us the first digital music broadcasting. It brought us the first on-demand media streaming. Cable is now posed to deliver 5Gbps+ internet service over mostly existing infrastructure. The problem with cable internet is not technical; it's political. Send me your best picket signs for the cable revolution. [1] The history here is a little confusing. It seems like GI mostly retired the Jerrold name as GI-branded set-top boxes are far more common than Jerrold ones. But for whatever reason, when GI launched their cable digital radio product in 1987, it was the Jerrold name that they put on the press releases. [2] Existing speed limitations on DOCSIS internet service, such as the 35Mbps upload limit on Xfinity internet service in most markets, are a result of spectrum planning problems in the cable network rather than limitations in DOCSIS. DOCSIS 3.1, the version currently in common use, is easily cable of symmetric 1Gbps. DOCSIS 4.0, currently being introduced, is easily capable of symmetric 5Gbps. The problem is that upstream capacity in particular is currently limited by the amount of "free space" available outside of delivering television channels, a problem that is made particularly acute by legacy STBs (mostly Motorola branded, of Jerrold heritage) that have fixed channel requirements for service data like the program guide. These conflict with DOCSIS 3.0+ upstream channels, such that DOCSIS cannot achieve Gbps upstream speed until these legacy Motorola STBs are replaced. Comcast has decided to skip the ATSC STB upgrade entirely by switching customers over to the all-IP Flex platform. I believe they will need to apply for regulatory approval to end their ATSC service and go all-IP, so this is probably still at least a few years out. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Scores of Libyan figures, including academics, human rights activists, civil society organisations and politicians, have voiced their rejection of the conclusions of the 6+6 Joint Commission on the country's electoral laws Photo: (Photo : PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty Images) The clinic that was North Dakota's sole abortion provider is challenging the state's newest abortion laws as part of an ongoing lawsuit that calls the restrictions unconstitutional. The lawsuit, initially filed last year by the state's only abortion provider, aims to block a recently approved law that outlaws all abortions except in cases where women could face death or a "serious health risk" or pregnancies caused by rape and incest, but only within the first six weeks. According to FOX News, the Center for Reproductive Rights attorney, Meetra Mehdizadeh, argued that it is highly unlikely for a patient who has been impregnated through rape or incest to obtain an abortion "within such a narrow time frame" as six weeks. The lawsuit comes as conservative states have been enacting restrictive abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. However, neighboring states like Minnesota have taken steps to protect abortion access. North Dakota's Only Abortion Provider Takes Stand Against New Abortion Laws North Dakota has had a "trigger ban" in place since 2007, which aimed to outlaw nearly all abortions if the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned. The Red River Women's Clinic, the state's sole abortion provider, challenged the trigger ban as unconstitutional last year. After the Supreme Court's ruling, the clinic moved from Fargo to Moorhead, Minnesota. The recent lawsuit filed by the clinic and several physicians targets the new law that replaced the trigger ban, aiming to clarify the language in the state's abortion laws. The new law imposes a felony penalty for performing an abortion but excludes patients who undergo the procedure. It also allows for the treatment of ectopic and molar pregnancies, which are nonviable complications. The amended complaint argues that the new law restricts access to necessary healthcare, endangers lives, health, and fertility, and blatantly violates the right to obtain an abortion to preserve a patient's life or health. Mehdizadeh claims that the new law's provisions on death and health risks are limited and do not cover mental health issues, which are frequently the cause of pregnancy-related deaths and can cause or exacerbate them. The lawsuit raises concerns about the ambiguity of the law's exceptions and their potential consequences for providers and patients. Read Also: Florida Court Rules Parentless Girl Not Mature Enough To Get Abortion, Denies Parental Consent Waiver Ongoing Lawsuit Puts North Dakota's Reproductive Rights in the Spotlight North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley stated that his office is reviewing the amended complaint. Meanwhile, Republican state Sen. Janne Myrdal, the sponsor of the bill, expressed hope that the case would be dismissed, urging the plaintiffs to sue based on the merits of the new law instead of amending an old case. Myrdal attributed the criticism of the six-week timeframe to the liberal elements in the state and suggested that victims of rape should immediately seek medical attention for evidence collection. According to ABC, the lawsuit comes after a temporary block on the trigger ban from last year, which the court upheld prior to the law's repeal. The Legislature responded to the court ruling by adding provisions related to serious health risks and molar pregnancies to the new bill, placing them in a new chapter of state law. However, Mehdizadeh argued that this move attempts to replace and repackage the trigger ban without regard for the health and lives of individuals seeking abortion care. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, has expressed support for the new law, claiming that it clarifies and refines existing state law and reaffirms North Dakota as a pro-life state. According to AP News, the amended complaint includes additional plaintiffs, including physicians specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine, who argue that the law's ambiguous and non-medical language leaves providers without clarity on when they can provide abortion care and subjects them to severe punishment if they do. As the legal battle continues, the outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for abortion access and reproductive rights in North Dakota. Related Article: Wyoming's Governor Mark Gordon Signs Two Anti-abortion Bills Into Law Cumberland County will be responsible for paying about a quarter of the maximum $5.5 million in costs involved in a regional effort to replace phone systems used for answering 911 calls. County commissioners last week passed a motion in support of the four-county 911 SCIC-Net phone system with a total cost not to exceed $5,503,920. In October, the commissioners approved a resolution to enter Cumberland County into an inter-governmental agreement with South-Central Inter-County Communications Network or SCIC-Net a partnership that also includes Dauphin, Adams and Franklin counties. That agreement established the governance between the counties in the lead-up to the project phase where requests-for-proposals were solicited from vendors interested in supplying the equipment to upgrade the phone systems. Partnership officials have narrowed the number of requests from the initial eight to four and are using the highest bid as the maximum, not-to-exceed cost estimate for the equipment portion of the project, said Bob Shively, director of public safety for Cumberland County. They have pending demos with the four proposals. We would be responsible for about a quarter of that cost, which would be prorated based on equipment needs, Shively told the commissioners last week. Cumberland County has already received an $815,922 grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to help pay for its share in the project, he said. The worst-case scenario is Cumberland County could be looking at another $400,000 in costs, Shively said. But an exact figure on the balance depends on which request for proposal is accepted by the partnership. The four counties routinely process calls from locations along their common borders or from cellphone calls that have been misrouted into a neighboring county, Shively said in October. Aside from proximity, they use similar equipment with the same life cycle coming due for replacement. SCIC-Net is timing the replacement of the phone systems with a broader initiative by PEMA to move county and regional networks toward Next Generation 911. The current infrastructure is decades-old and based on technology that was designed in the 1970s, said Jeff Boyle, deputy director of 911 at PEMA. He said iPhones and other forms of social media are incompatible with the outdated infrastructure, driving the need for a switchover to a digital system. The goal in October was to have all 61 of Pennsylvanias 911 centers connect with a statewide fiber network within 18 months. The network would enable better use of geographic information system mapping to pinpoint callers to first-responders dispatched to a scene. The statewide fiber network will also have the ability to transmit photographs and video direct from an incident. This would enable first-responders to better size-up and prepare ahead of their arrival, Shively said in October. Last week, the Cumberland County commissioners also gave staff the go-ahead to apply for a $14,000 grant to cover the salary costs of correctional officers involved with the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens with criminal charges housed at the county prison. The grant is available through the Bureau of Justice Assistance State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, Warden Travis Shenk said. He told the commissioners that, in recent years, the grant ranged from $20,000 to $22,000. Its a decrease, Shenk said. The reason for that is we had less undocumented aliens coming through the prison. In other action, the commissioners also approved a request from the department of facilities management to have an elevator in the Dennis Marion Building replaced at a cost of about $100,000. Photo: (Photo : EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images) In a tale of resilience and determination, four children have been rescued after enduring 40 days in the hostile Amazon jungle following a plane crash. Tragically, their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, urged her children to leave her behind and find help before succumbing to her injuries. According to BBC, the children, aged 13, nine, five, and one, were airlifted out of the jungle and are currently receiving medical care in a military hospital in Bogota. Their father, Manuel Ranoque, shared the heartbreaking account of his eldest daughter, Lesly, who revealed that their mother was alive for four days after the crash. Despite her pain, Magdalena selflessly encouraged her children to save themselves, assuring them of their father's love. The children's survival instincts and Lesly's leadership played a crucial role in their ability to stay alive during their time in the wilderness. Rescuers on a Mission: Search Teams Mobilize to Locate the Missing Children Rescue worker Nicolas Ordonez Gomes recounted the emotional moment of discovering the children. Lesly, carrying her youngest sibling, rushed towards the rescue team, expressing her hunger. One of the boys informed the rescuers about their mother's passing. Responding with compassion and reassurance, the rescuers provided positive words, comforting the children in their time of need. The children, belonging to the Huitoto indigenous group, relied on their knowledge of edible fruits and seeds to sustain themselves. Lesly, at 13 years old, demonstrated incredible strength and resourcefulness, constructing a small shelter and ensuring access to water from a nearby river. Their resilience and unwavering determination to find sustenance were evident as they expressed their cravings for rice pudding and bread upon being found. According to Al Jazeera, the ill-fated journey began when Ms. Mucutuy and her children embarked on a flight from Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare to reunite with their father, who had fled their home due to threats from a rebel group. Tragically, the plane experienced engine failure and crashed nose first into the dense jungle. While the adults on board did not survive, the children ventured into the rainforest, hoping to find help. Read Also: Four Children Rescued in Amazon After Plane Crash: Here's What They Ate to Live 40 Days in the Forest A Nation's Support: Colombian Military Continues Search for Missing Rescue Dog A massive rescue operation involving soldiers, indigenous communities, and search dogs commenced in search of the missing children. According to The Sun, clues such as footprints and partially eaten fruit led the search teams to believe the children had survived. Helicopters flew over the area, broadcasting messages in the Huitoto language, urging the children to remain in one place for an easier rescue. After enduring weeks of uncertainty, the children were discovered in a small clearing. The joy and relief felt by the rescuers were immeasurable. The children, although weakened and suffering from malnutrition and dehydration, are now receiving medical treatment in Bogota. Their grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, expressed gratitude for their rescue and confirmed that they are in good hands. As the children recover, their resilience shines through in their artwork, including a drawing of Wilson, a sniffer dog who played a crucial role in their survival. The military continues the search for Wilson, pledging to leave no one behind. This harrowing tale of survival serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the bonds of family. The bravery of Magdalena Mucutuy, who sacrificed herself to save her children, will forever be remembered. The resilience and resourcefulness displayed by Lesly and her siblings in the face of adversity offer inspiration to all who hear their remarkable story. Related Article: Colombian President Reveals Miraculous Survival of Missing Children in Amazon Rainforest for 40 Days Protestants are trained from their mothers milk to be wary of Catholic displays. Its because the Protestant has been taught that only God should be worshiped and adored (we totally agree) and because of that, no one else should be honored or venerated at all (we completely disagree, and so does the Bible, I would contend). There are ignorant Catholics (lots of em!), just as there are ignorant practitioners in any Christian group. One cant go by them. That said, I think Protestant contra-Catholic criticism (especially of the anti-Catholic variety) grossly exaggerates the excesses of Catholic Mariology. The main problem is the false belief that any honor to any human being is automatically idolatry. But the latter means that a person has replaced allegiance to God in their hearts with something or someone else. Catholics arent doing that with Mary. We simply think she is the highest of Gods creatures, because she is Jesus mother. So that status of highest creature looks in many Protestant eyes like raising her above God or making her equal to Him. Thats the furthest thing from any educated, properly catechized Catholics mind. There are people who are more righteous than others. The Bible teaches this. So, for example, James 5:16 states The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects (RSV). This presupposes that some people are more righteous than others. James was using the example of the prophet Elijah, and goes on in 5:17-18: Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. This is NT teaching, too. Were not all exactly the same, as Protestants tend to think. There are degrees of righteousness, and sin, and grace (merit). If that is the case, then certain people can be and should be honored (venerated) more than others. This is where it comes from. So when we get to Mary, were talking about the highest creature God ever made: the Mother of God the Son, whom God gave a special grace of being freed from original sin from her conception: not because it was strictly necessary, but because it was fitting. And the latter notion is biblical, too, as I recently wrote about. Therefore we greatly venerate and honor her. Protestants look at that and too often assume in a knee-jerk fashion that its idolatry and blasphemously replacing God with a creature. But it is non-worship honor of one whom God has exalted. It was the angel Gabriel who said to Mary, Hail full of grace at the Annunciation (yes, thats what the Greek kecharitomene means). This means she was without sin, as I argue from Scripture (grace being the antithesis of sin). But if a Protestant rejects the possibility of a human being being without sin, and being blessed above all others, then he or she will obviously collapse Marian veneration into idolatry and blasphemy, because their categories forbid such a notion from the outset. Im saying that the premise is wrong. I agree that something like the crowning of Mary shouldnt be done in a mixed Christian group, but why is this gesture thought to be so terrible in the first place? I watched the coronation of King Charles III. He was crowned. So was his wife. But we mustnt crown Mary the mother of Jesus: the holiest creature who ever lived? Why one and not the other? I think thats where the inconsistency lies. We dont say that earthy kings and queens shouldnt be crowned because its idolatry. Why not Mary, then? The Bible teaches honor of holy people. An entire chapter (Hebrews 11) is about the heroes of the faith. Were told in the Bible (1 Pet 2:17) to honor all men and honor the emperor (who was the wicked Nero at the time). But we cant honor Mary? This makes no sense. I dont think Protestants think it through deeply enough. I was informed that a Catholic had a prayer in their bathroom that starts with Dear Jesus, we come to you through your blessed mother Mary. This gets back to the idea of asking a holy person to pray for us. The Bible is filled with that sort of thing. I compiled an article about it. Protestants will say we cant ask someone who has died to pray for us, let alone asking them to answer the prayer themselves. Yet Abraham did both, in Jesus story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16. The rich man asked him to do something twice, and Abraham refused, but he didnt say, why are you praying to me? Therefore, we can ask a dead person to pray for us, according to Jesus Himself. The Catholic Church doesnt command any Catholic to pray to Mary, or forbid them to pray directly to God. A prayer that states: Dear Jesus, we come to you through your blessed mother Mary means in the Catholic (and biblical) outlook, Dear Jesus, we know that we can always choose to come to you through your blessed mother Mary or other holy persons. Its not the only way, but it is a good, effective way to reach God and to receive an answer to prayer, according to the Bible. There are also many biblical passages whereby men are the mediators of Gods grace and even salvation. So why cant Mary conceivably be one of those mini-mediators too? There is indeed some Marian excess among Catholics, but its grossly exaggerated because of erroneous premises. Vatican II addressed the problem and made recommendations. Some Catholic individuals are mistaken and have fallen into idolatry. Why should that surprise anyone? Are there not a million different excesses in various Protestant teachings and practices, in various denominations (including idolatry and blasphemy)? Believe me, I know. I was in that world, too, and corrected some of these as a Protestant apologist (see an example from 1982). They can always be found. This is why good teaching, catechesis, and apologetics are of the utmost importance. There are 1.3 billion Catholics in the world. Some of them will obviously be ignorant of various doctrines and practices and get them wrong. If some practices of Catholics regarding Mary are truly excessive, yes, of course we must point them out, condemn them, and correct those who are doing them. But many (most?) Protestants think that there should be no Marian veneration or intercession, period, which goes too far and is unbiblical. Its throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Vatican II corrected Marian excesses without ditching the doctrines. For many more articles on all aspects of Catholic Mariology, see my Mary: The Blessed Virgin web page. *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: Sistine Madonna (1513-1514), by Raphael (1483-1520) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: I address the charge that Catholic Mariology is rife with unbiblical and idolatrous error and even blasphemy. Is it completely unacceptable and erroneous? Sin & Gods Providence; Does God Cause Infirmities & Send Evil Spirits?; Examples of Gods Immediate Judgment, Including Absalom; A Lying Spirit The late Steve Hays (1959-2020) was a Calvinist (and anti-Catholic) apologist, who was very active on his blog, called Triablogue . His 819-page self-published book, Biblical Calvinism has graciously been made available for free. On 9 September 2006, Hays was extraordinarily charitable towards me (seeing that almost all anti-Catholics have treated me like Vlad the Impaler). He wrote then: ***** [pp. 21-53 consists of Bible passages thought to be in favor of Calvinism, and quotes from commentators, with no input from Hays. I wont interact with the commentators, because Im answering Steve Hays, not them, but Ill deal with a number of the Bible passages if I feel that I have a solid response. He never states what Bible version he cites from. I will cite the Bible passages as he presents them, in blue font. I have removed his bolding, but retained it for the Bible verse listing, and removed the abbreviated book names] Genesis 45:5-8; 50:20 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. [pp. 21-22] Yes, of course God uses instances of human sin and brings good from them (even in the crucifixion), according to Romans 8:28 (my favorite verse): We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. In doing so, He doesnt wipe out human free will choices, but rather incorporates them into a larger divine plan. In other words (as Hays seems to be arguing [?]), He doesnt foreordain or predestine sinful acts in terms of making it so that the people didnt truly choose and simply acted like programmed robots doing Gods supposed will for sin. God doesnt will sin. If the point is simply noting Gods providence, no one disagrees with Calvinists as far as that goes. Calvinists so often wrongly think that non-Calvinist [serious, non-liberal) Christians disagree, but we dont. Josephs brothers sold him into slavery of their own free will. God used that sin to bring good (even to the very people who committed the serious sin), and so Joseph expresses Gods providence and His working around human sin with the usual Hebrew directness and deep awareness of Gods overriding supervision: it was not you who sent me here, but God (Gen 45:8), even though he said three verses earlier, you sold me here (45:5; cf. 45:4). That might seem contradictory (who sent Joseph to Egypt?). But its typical Hebrew paradox, where the same thing can be said to be done by both man and God. The brothers sold Joseph into slavery, and at the same time God sent him to Egypt. Its the same sort of paradox that we see in Paul: I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me (1 Cor 15:10). Calvinists dont resonate very well with biblical / Hebraic paradox. They are very either/or / false dichotomy sorts of folks. I will, no doubt, repeatedly point this out in the course of this series, because its a serious weakness of the Calvinist position. Exodus 4:11 Then the Lord said to him, Who has made mans mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? [p. 22] An article on a site called Re/Knew (probably Protestant), entitled, How do you respond to Exodus 4:11? has an excellent explanation for this verse: [A]s a matter of hermeneutical principle, Christians should always interpret the Old Testament in the light of the New Testament, not vice versa. . . . Throughout his ministry Jesus came against all infirmities and diseases as things that God does not will. Never once did he ascribe these things to his Fathers will. Never once did he encourage people to find comfort in the notion that these things were part of Gods plan. Rather, infirmities and diseases were consistently understood to be the result of Satans activity, which is why he and his disciples delivered people from them. However we interpret this Exodus passage, it must not contradict Jesus teaching or his example. . . . Its also important to note that God speaks of the human condition in general terms in this verse. As Terrence Fretheim observes, the passage does not imply that God picks and chooses which individuals will be deaf, mute or blind, as if God entered into the womb of every pregnant woman and determined whether and how a child would have disabilities. It only implies that God created the kind of world where mortals may become disabled. God created a risky world in which natural processes can be corrupted by free agents with the result that mortals are sometimes flogged . . . with infirmities like deafness and muteness. God wanted Moses to know that as the Creator he is able to work around such obstacles in achieving his objectives. In the warfare ministry of Jesus, God went further and demonstrated that the presence of his Kingdom is evidenced by overcoming such obstacles altogether. I would add that in the book of Job it specifically states that Satan afflicted Job, with Gods permission: And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power . . . (1:12; cf. 2:6); So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and afflicted Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head (2:7). Job 42:11 refers to all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him but it is referring to Gods allowing of the evil in His providence and for His higher purpose: as seen in Job 1:12 and 2:6. All of these relevant passages have to be harmonized, rather than one perspective being ignored, with the result being that a half-truth is promulgated. God allowed the affliction of Job. brought about by the devil himself, in order to provide this story in the Bible, that has comforted many millions of people. He brought good out of it, just as He did in Josephs case. Likewise, when Jesus met the woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself (Lk 13:11), He didnt say that God had caused this, let alone ordained it from all eternity. Rather, He stated, ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond . . .? (13:16). Not only did He deny that God caused the infirmity, but directly attributed it to Satans wicked opposition. Peter stated the same sort of thing: Jesus of Nazareth . . . went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Moreover, Paul notes that a thorn was given me in the flesh. This appears to be another bodily infirmity (many scholars think it may have been a disease of the eyes). How does he characterize it?: as a messenger of Satan (2 Cor 12:7). So thats at least four times that the Bible attributes physical ailments to the devil as the cause and continued persecutor, and not to God. What more is needed to disprove the contrary? God will use the illnesses and ailments and bring good from them, but He didnt cause or ordain them. Judges 9:23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech [p. 24] This is the same dynamic as in the book of Job: Satan caused the evil spirit and God allowed it in His permissive will. Many Protestant commentaries concur: Similarly, 1 Samuel 16:14 states that an evil spirit from the LORD tormented King Saul, and many commentaries (e.g., Benson, Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Wesley) explain it as another instance of the same dynamic of God permitting Satan to torment Saul. 1 Samuel 2:25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him? But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. [pp. 24-25] There comes a time for judgment and divine wrath as well, and these three boys had apparently reached that point, as habitual fornicators and guilty of evil dealings spoken of by all the people (1 Sam 2:22-23). God as our Creator has power and the prerogative over life and death. Human beings can rebel against Him to such an extent that He at length (knowing this this from all eternity) decides that their time for judgment and damnation has arrived, after having given them up (Rom 1:24, 26, 28). In the New Testament the same thing occurred with Ananias and Sapphira, who lie[d] to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3) and tempt[ed] the Spirit of the Lord (5:9). Both were immediately judged by God and killed (5:5, 10). Interestingly, this passage ties in with 1 Samuel 2:25 insofar as both have to do with sinning against the Lord as opposed to against men. Another example of instant judgment from God had to do with Korahs rebellion, in the wilderness with Moses: Numbers 16:28-35 And Moses said, Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they are visited by the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. [30] But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up, with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD. [31] And as he finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split asunder; [32] and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men that belonged to Korah and all their goods. [33] So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at their cry; for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up! [35] And fire came forth from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men offering the incense. God alone knows mens hearts. He knows when they are beyond all redemption; when they have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:31-32; Lk 12:10), and so are ripe for just judgement. In this case, they despised the LORD (Ex 16:30). Thats very serious sin, as in the other cases above. In every reprobate persons life there comes a time when God says to them, Fool! This night your soul is required of you (Lk 12:20). 2 Samuel 17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom. [p. 25] This is another case of Gods judgment of a person beyond redemption. Absalom, Davids son, had resolved to rebel against his father and become king (2 Sam 15:4, 6, 10, 12-13). It got so bad that David advised his servants to flee Jerusalem with him, fearing that Absalom would bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword (15:14). Ahithophel became one Absaloms conspirators and David prayed, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness (15:31). Absalom was trying to murder his father David (16:11; 17:2, 4). After all that, the text states that the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom (17:14). Absalom met his end by getting his head stuck in the branches of an oak tree while riding a mule (18:9), and then being finished off by Davids allies (19:14-15). God can strike someone dead if He so chooses, or know that a natural calamity will bring about the same end, as in this case. Absalom sealed his fate by opposing David, the man after [Gods] own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22) and the prototype of the Messiah and God the Son, Jesus. 2 Chronicles 18:19-22 And the Lord said, Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, I will entice him. And the Lord said to him, By what means? 21 And he said, I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so. 22 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you. [p. 25] Most people think this spirit is an instance of the personification of the spirit of prophecy. Its definitely not an evil spirit. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament states concerning the parallel passage in 1 Kings 22: The spirit () which inspired these prophets as a lying spirit is neither Satan, nor any evil spirit whatever, but, as the definite article and the whole of the context show, the personified spirit of prophecy, which is only so far a (Zechariah 13:2; 1 John 4:6) and under the influence of Satan as it works as in accordance with the will of God. . . . Jehovah sends this spirit, inasmuch as the deception of Ahab has been inflicted upon him as a judgment of God for his unbelief. But there is no statement here to the effect that this lying spirit proceeded from Satan, because the object of the prophet was simply to bring out the working of God in the deception practised upon Ahab by his prophets. . . . Jehovah has ordained that Ahab, being led astray by a prediction of his prophets inspired by the spirit of lies, shall enter upon the war, that he may find therein the punishment of his ungodliness. As he would not listen to the word of the Lord in the mouth of His true servants, God had given him up (, Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28) in his unbelief to the working of the spirits of lying. But that this did not destroy the freedom of the human will is evident from the expression , thou canst persuade him, and still more clearly from , thou wilt also be able, since they both presuppose the possibility of resistance to temptation on the part of man. *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: Portrait of John Calvin by Titian (1490-1576) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: This is one of my many (often point-by-point) replies to the Exegetical Considerations section (pp. 20-186) of Steve Hays Biblical Calvinism book. Despite making concessions to any state-level agency that will listen, Microsofts would-be purchase of mega-game publisher Activision Blizzard continues to run into regulatory hurdles. The latest obstacle for the deal is the United States Federal Trade Commission, which has filed an injunction and restraining order to block the nearly $70 billion purchase from going through. The following proceedings will determine whether the US government allows the largest deal in video game history to proceed. The various steps in the regulatory process are complicated, but competently explained by the Associated Press. Essentially, the FTC had already signaled its opposition to the Microsoft-Activision deal on anti-trust grounds late last year but had not completed the process of formally blocking the merger. This injunction, if approved by a federal judge, will stop the merger dead in its tracks until a trial to determine its legality proceeds. Microsoft and Activision had reportedly been planning to finalize the purchase in July, dealing with the legal fallout afterwardand potentially making it much harder for regulators to undo. Many analysts had expected Microsofts purchase to sail through a merger-friendly US federal system, as has been the case in the video game industry for years. Microsofts recent publisher and developer purchases include Obsidian, Double Fine, and Zenimax, bolstering an impressive first-party stable for the PC and Xbox platforms. Adding Activision and Blizzard would give Microsoft control of such enormous gaming franchises as Call of Duty, Diablo, and World of Warcraft. This seems to be one step too far in consolidation for the FTC, much like when AT&T attempted to purchase T-Mobile and essentially turn the US mobile phone service landscape into a duopoly. Microsofts troubles dont end at American borders. The deal has also been blocked by regulators in the United Kingdom, on fears that Microsofts dominant position in the emerging streaming/cloud gaming category could create an unstoppable giant thats impossible for smaller companies to compete with. Microsoft is appealing the UK ruling (which has the potential to scupper the deal altogether) and welcomes the opportunity to present our case in federal court in response to the FTC motion. Ecobank Group, the leading Pan-African banking Group, has unveiled its Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub today as part of its commitment to promoting intra-African trade. The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub is a cutting-edge digital platform, which serves as an exchange and information repository, designed to respond to the evolving trading needs of SMEs and corporates within Africa's single market. The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub (the Trade Hub) is live, with over 300 businesses from 22 countries signed onto the digital platform so far. The Trade Hub connects traders across Africa, within the 1.4 billion people single market framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Trade Hub reduces the asymmetry in trade information and in this connection, leverages Ecobanks wide client base and network advantage, through its presence in 35 African markets. Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, said: AfCFTA has created an immense opportunity for African businesses. As the pan-African bank with the most extensive coverage of Africa, Ecobank is perfectly placed to provide trade, information and payment solutions to support SMEs and corporates seeking to capitalize on the single market. The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub is a new and remarkable addition to our portfolio of omni-channels, empowering businesses to thrive within Africa's single market. The Trade Hub offers the following essential features and services: MyTradeHub: An online match-making platform, that enables importers and exporters to create their company profiles, exhibit their goods and services, and connect with buyers and suppliers across Africa. AfCFTA expertise: A valuable repository of knowledge and information on the African Continental Free Trade Area, to help SMEs and corporates to familiarize themselves with the single market and ways to expand their trade into new African markets. Trade and Payment Solutions: A gateway into Ecobank's full range of products and digital solutions, including trade finance and services, cash management solutions (including RapidCollect), domestic and cross-border payments, investment banking, Capex financing, and more. Souleymane Diagne, Group Head Trade, Ecobank Group, added: The AfCFTA has revolutionised the African business landscape and the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, within this context, is an enabler of intra-African trade through catalysing partnerships and facilitating African businesses access to new markets. Using the MyTradeHub feature, importers and exporters can upload their profiles and showcase their goods and services online to find buyers or source them from suppliers within the continent. Combining the matchmaking capabilities of MyTradeHub, extensive AfCFTA information resources, and seamless access to Ecobank's comprehensive suite of financial solutions and digital channels, the Trade Hub will help businesses thrive within the AfCFTA and maximise their value-addition across regional corridors. The World Bank estimates that the AfCFTA will increase Africas exports by $560 billion and boost the continents GDP by 7% by 2035. The single market, which became operational at the beginning of 2021, aims to remove most tariffs on goods and services in Africa among member countries and enables the free movement of businesspersons and investments. To visit Ecobanks Single Market Trade Hub, go to: tradehub.ecobank.com 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 Ato Dear Dsane, a private businessman has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare to investigate former Ghana Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Said Sinare and his brother Gamel Sinare. In a petition sighted by Peacefmonline, Mr Ato Dsane is also praying the office of the IGP to launch investigations in to activities of Linco Construction And Engineering Limited and the CID officer at the East Legon District Police. Ato Dsane in the said petition alleged that he was once coerced by the former first vice president of the National Democratic Congress to peddle falsehood before the Economic and Organized Crime Office. Ato Dsane indicated in the petition that his failure to heed to the alleged demands of Alhaji Sinare and his brother did not only cost him his job but has left him traumatized with constant threats from the brothers. He thus wants the IGP to order an investigation into the incident and also protect him from what he perceives to be nefarious plans by the brothers. PETITION TO INVESTIGATE ALHAJI SAID SINARE, MR. GAMEL SINARE, GLINCO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING LIMITED, DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR DAVID AMENGOR OF EAST LEGON DISTRICT POLICE, C.I.D. We are Solicitors retained by Mr. Ato Dear Dsane of Sakaman, Accra. Our client has briefed us as follows; He was an employee of AGVAD GHANA LIMITED, a Company that deals with Medical imaging equipment, as the Head of Engineering and Sales from the year 2012 to 7th July 2016, where after, the Sinare brothers entered into an Agreement with our client, making him a junior partner agreeing that Assets of the Company as well as profits from the business via its medical imaging equipment and installations would be shared amongst the three individuals, with our client receiving Twenty percent (20%) share. On the 19th of April, 2023, Mr. Gamel Sinare personally went to the office of our client and informed him that, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) was investigating his brother, Alhaji Said Sinare, in respect to some contract his brother awarded when he was Ghanas Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Mr. Gamel Sinare further stated that, the EOCO would invite our client sometime in the course of the year and that, if EOCO does invite our client, he should lie that he is the owner of GLINCO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING LIMITED. Our client however informed Mr. Gamel Sinare that, indeed EOCO had invited him a week prior to he coming to his office to ask him to lie and he had already given a written statement to the EOCO investigators as well as specimens of his signature, and would never lie about owning a Company he knows he does not own and has no affiliation with. Our client further informed us that, Mr. Gamel Sinare told him it does not matter if he already gave a statement to EOCO and that Statements are changed all the time, and that he should return to EOCO and modify his statement; Mr. Gamel Sinare then invited our client to come by his residence for further discussions on the matter as he will be leaving to France on the 22nd of April, 2023, to which our client says he responded that NOTHING could compel him to change the initial statement he gave to EOCO. Mr. Gamel Sinares countenance changed and said, Alright Ato, you will see where power lies. On Monday the 8th of May, 2023, at about 7:10am whilst our client was on his way to the office at East Legon, his colleague Mr. Parker Amissah-Arthur called to inform him that, there were about six (6) heavily well-built men, who were at the frontage of the office gate and in the course of the phone-call could hear the men screaming where is Ato, where is Ato amidst banging on the body of the pickup Mr. Amissah-Arthur was sitting in. A few minutes after the banging and noise stopped, our client heard Mr. Amissah-Arthur talking to Alhaji Said Sinare on another phone, who subsequently briefed our client that, Alhaji Sinare asked him to surrender his car keys and the office keys to Alhaji Said Sinares son, Mr. Said Sinare who was also present. Our client reported the incident to Madam Souad El Ruby the mother of Alhaji Said and Gamel Sinare, who is like a mother to him based on his good and profitable work to the benefit of the family and the cordial relationship with the family, who asked our client to be calm and that she would talk with her children and revert, but that did not happen; still traumatized by the incident and fearful for their lives, as well uncertain about the business relation with the Sinares and AGVAD, our client and Mr. Amissah-Arthur lodged a Complaint of assault, threat of death, inter alia, with the Divisional C.I.D of the Ghana Police Service at East Legon and gave their statements on the 12th of May, 2023; however, nothing has been done by the Police investigator, one D/Insp. Charles Duwemopkpor. Our client subsequent to the Police complaint, received an undated letter from Mr. Gamel Sinare, captioned DISMISSAL LETTER to which our client responded that, Mr. Gamel Sinare could not dismiss him as he was not a employee but a junior partner per their Agreement of 7th July, 2016, and went further to demand his twenty percent (20%) equity in the AGVAD Company. On Saturday, the 3rd of June, 2023 before 6:00a.m., Police officers from the East Legon District Police together with non-Police men stormed our clients residence at Sakaman, Accra, cut his Electrical security fencing which caused a massive explosion, waking up his wife, sisters and children who were still in bed, causing them to rush out to investigate as they thought Armed Robbers were entering the premises, only to see the men had jumped into the house, cutting the padlocks to his house gates, the leader of the group, who identified himself as D/Chief Inspector David Amengor from the East Legon District C.I.D of the Ghana Police Service, informed our clients wife that they had been asked to come for some vehicles. Our clients wife asked if they had a warrant, and D/Chief Insp. David Amengor refused, and threatened to spray her with paper if she does not allow his operations. Upon her insistence, he called in another man after a few minutes who showed her a purported warrant from the Madina District Court, which our clients wife took photos of. Our clients wife asked why they did not just ring the bell or bang the gates instead of causing damage to their padlocks and electrical security fencing and gate, to which D/Chief Inspector David Amengor arrogantly responded you think youre safe in this double gated house, I would send a Technician to repair all the damage and that he has money, and showed her wads of two-hundred Ghana cedis bills in a small bag he was carrying. Our client was not present during the unlawful invasion of his residence but his wife called him and he offered no objection to the retrieving of the vehicles as the vehicles were operations vehicles lawfully in his possession for work; keys to one of the vehicles which were in his custody were sent to the East Legon District Police, as the detectives had that one towed. Subsequent to the destruction of our clients property, D/Chief Inspector David Amengor sent series of wassup chats to our clients wife about the repairs of the damage caused as well as the contact of a Technician who did not show up to repair the damage, exposing our client and his family to danger, amidst further unsavory messages and threats, the conduct of which is unbecoming of a Chief inspector of Police and he should be compelled to answer to his unprofessional and rather DEPRAVED conduct. It is evident that, all the hostility being meted out on and termination in breach of the business agreement by the Sinares in relation with AGVAD GHANA LIMITED are as a result of our clients REFUSAL TO BE AN ACCESSORY TO CRIMES COMMITTED BY ALHAJI SAID SINARE, WHICH ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE ECONOMIC AND ORGANIZED CRIME OFFICE. We humbly submit this Petition, calling for a FULL SCALE investigation to all the issues herein raised namely; THE UNLAWFUL USE OF OUR CLIENTS NAME AS A DIRECTOR OF GLINCO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING LIMITED AND FALSIFIED SIGNATURE OF OUR CLIENT BY GLINCO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING AND ALHAJI SAID SINARE. THE REFUSAL BY THE EAST LEGON DIVISIONAL C.I.D OF THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINTS BY OUR CLIENT AND MR. PARKER AMMISAH-ARTHUR THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR CLIENTS PROPERTY BY THE EAST LEGON DISTRICT POLICE C.I.D. We attach copies of photos of the destruction to our clients property as well as copies of wassup messages between our clients wife and Detective Chief Inspector David Amengor. Source: Peacefmonline 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 Patricia Obo-Nai, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, has been recognised for her exceptional leadership at the Ghana CEO Summit 2023. The summit is a prestigious event that celebrates the achievements of CEOs and businesses across various sectors. Patricia was presented with the Leadership Excellence Award in the Telecommunication Sector, a testament to her significant contributions to investment, job creation, and the remarkable growth and innovation of Vodafone Ghana. The award also acknowledges her commitment to maintaining high standards of ethical practice and professionalism. In response to her award, Patricia said, It is a great honour. I am motivated to continue dedicating myself to the technological sector and inspiring others to strive for even greater achievements. The CEO Summit, under the theme Economic Sovereignty, Sustainable Corporate Governance, Digital Industrial Transformation: New Paths for Growth and Prosperity. A Private-Public Sector CEO Dialogue & Learning, brought together stakeholders to discuss strategies for restoring Ghanas economy and achieving sustainable economic sovereignty. Patricia, who joined Vodafone Ghana as Chief Technology Officer in 2011, has held several leadership roles within the company. She was appointed CEO in April 2019, becoming the first Ghanaian to hold this position. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving Vodafone Ghana's growth and innovation. In addition to the Leadership Excellence Award, Patricia has recently been recognised with two other prestigious awards: the Outstanding Woman in Telecommunications at the African Women Awards 2023 and the CEO of the Year at the Telecommunications Innovations and Excellence Awards in 2022. These awards further highlight Patricia's significant impact on the telecommunications industry in Ghana and beyond. 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 Five people have been killed in crossfire between police and suspected criminals in Bortianor and nearby communities in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. A statement signed by Police Director of Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said the police were conducting anti-robbery and anti-landguard operations in the area when the shootout happened on June 8, 2023. The statement noted that the five were among those terrorising people and landowners in Bortianor and surrounding communities. Upon spotting the approaching police team, the suspects opened fire from their hideout, prompting the police to return fire, the statement added. As a result, five of the suspects were injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The remaining suspects fled the scene and are still on the run, the police indicated. One AK47 assault rifle, 10 rounds of AK47 ammunition, one pump action gun with nine rounds of BB cartridges, two pistols with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one unregistered Toyota Tacoma pickup, four motorbikes, three of which are unregistered, a knife, and pepper spray were recovered from the crime scene, according to the statement. The police are actively pursuing the remaining suspects, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the operation, the statement pointed out. The police urged the public, especially residents of the Bortianor community, to promptly report any individuals with gunshot wounds who may be seeking medical treatment. Your cooperation will assist the Police in taking immediate action, the statement appealed. Source: Daily Guide 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 Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has called on the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in the Water and Sanitation sector(CONIWAS) and the private sector to complement government's efforts to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. Mrs Dapaah said this at a meeting with members of CONIWAS in Accra last Thursday. The meeting was to engage the minister on the implementation plan and the expected roles of civil society organisations towards ensuring universal access to water and sanitation by 2030. The meeting also followed the announcement of presidential compacts by the leaders of five African countries on the sidelines of the United Nations Water Conference in New York held in March this year. Innovation The countries are Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Uganda. The compacts were aimed at accelerating access to water and sanitation services, including increasing budget allocations, reducing open defecation and delivering climate-resilient services. Mrs Dapaah was of the view that the gaps of ensuring universal access to potable water and sanitation must be bridged because figures show that currently Ghana had recorded 87.7 per cent in clean water coverage with improved access to toilet, constituting 80.8 per cent. She, however, said African countries and, for that matter, Ghana must find its own innovative ways in bridging the gap in water and sanitation to achieve the SDGs. A member of the Council of Elders of CONIWAS, Oduro Donkor, commended government for taking steps to make water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues a top priority. He, however, called for urgent steps to establish a National Sanitation Authority and approve, without any further delay, the establishment of a National Sanitation Fund. Mr Donkor further stressed the need for comprehensive sector reforms that addressed institutional, regulatory, human resource, governance, funding and technological aspects of WASH. He said a Water Services Act should be the basis for a harmonised sector. This should address the regulation of service providers and sanitise the rural water sector interface with the urban water sector. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Among the consumer product recalls in the last week is one from TopGlore, which is recalling its Narskido infant bath seats, which fail to meet federal standards and could result in drowning. No incidents have been reported. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the product could tip over while in use, which poses the drowning hazard. The bath seats were sold online at Amazon from May 2022 to September 2022. Consumers should stop using the bath seats and contact the company via email at glore03@outlook.com or through the Amazon platform for a full refund of the purchase price. Uniek is recalling its Kate and Laurel Astora and Valenti mirrors because the mirror can detach from the frame, posing a laceration hazard. The company has received seven reports of the mirror detaching and breaking, though no injuries have been reported. The mirrors were sold online at Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Lowes, Houzz, Target, Overstock, Walmart and Wayfair from June 2021 to February 2023. Consumers should stop using the mirrors and contact the company at 800-248-6435, ext. 251, for instructions on how to remove and dispose of the mirror for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to email or text a photo of the properly disposed mirror. Ashley Furniture Industries LLC is recalling its Party Time furniture collection loveseats, sofas and recliners because their cupholder with LED lighting can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The company has received six reports of the lighting overheating, resulting in fire and smoke damage, as well as damage to the furniture. No injuries have been reported. For affected model numbers for each type of furniture piece, visit the commissions website at www.cpsc.gov. The furniture was sold at Ashley Homestores and other furniture stores nationwide and online at Ashley Furniture from November 2018 to March 2023. Consumers should stop using the furniture and contact the company at 866-482-2893 for a free repair. TJX is recalling its Haining Degao benches because the legs can break or detach when someone is seated, posing a fall hazard. The company has received 21 reports of legs breaking or detaching, including 17 reports of injuries involving bruises, scratches and back strains. The benches were sold at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx stores nationwide from December 2021 to March 2023. Consumers should stop using the benches and contact TJX at 833-408-0502 for instructions on how to participate in the recall and dispose of the benches from home to receive a full refund. Consumers can also return the benches to any Marshalls or T.J. Maxx store for a full refund. Allied Air Enterprises is recalling its Armstrong Air and Air Ease single-stage gas furnaces because a component inside the furnace was improperly assembled, causing it to produce high levels of carbon monoxide during certain conditions. No incidents have been reported. The recall involves the 96% efficiency gas furnaces that were sold between September 2022 and March 2023 at authorized HVAC dealers nationwide. For model numbers, check out the commissions website. Consumers should contact the company at 800-448-5872 to schedule a free in-home repair by an authorized technician who will replace the incorrect component. While consumers wait, they should have a working carbon monoxide alarm on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Former PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed has criticized the National Communications Officer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi for accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of conspiring with the ruling government. According to Sammy Gyamfi, the government and the EC are plotting to include Charles Opokus name in the voters register despite him not being a registered voter in the Assin North constituency. We are closely monitoring this situation and shall take every legitimate step to ensure that this illegal plot is not carried out by the Electoral Commission and their collaborators in the NPP, Sammy Gyamfi stressed. EC Replies NDC But the EC has described the allegations as unfounded and baseless saying "Ghanas democracy has come of age and we call on Sammy Gyamfi to exercise maturity, decorum and truth in his discussions on the EC. We urge him to go out and campaign and leave the EC alone". It also stated; "Over the years Sammy Gyamfi and his party have put out false claims aimed at maligning the integrity of the EC. This was evident in their petition to the Supreme Court after the 2020 Elections alleging that they had won the Elections. "It is well known that they could not provide evidence in Court to support their allegations. This current allegation is no different. It is baseless and unfounded and a figment of the imagination of the National Communication Officer." Speaking to this on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', Atik Mohammed said: "It was in terrible taste for Sammy Gyamfi to allege that the Electoral Commission is working with another political party but it's the habit of politicians...and that is unacceptable". Listen to his full submission in the video 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 Audio Attachment: Listen to Kwabena Agyapong On Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' programme A Flagbearer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong appears concerned about the unfair advantage that some NPP Presidential hopefuls appear to have over others in the lead up to the party's primaries. He has therefore asked the leadership of the party to allow Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to campaign on his own for the presidential slot of the party. According to him, the National Executives and party machinery should provide a fair and balanced platform for all aspirants to campaign to the delegates and party supporters. Speaking in an exclusive interview interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on PeaceFM's "Kokrokoo" on Monday, the former NPP General Secretary alleged that some party members are being coerced to follow the Vice President to campaign. " . . Dr. Bawumia has been Vice President for seven (7) years, he has his own strength so they should let him conduct his own campaign . . . it's difficult, we source for our own campaign funds, but for him as Vice President, he is fortunate because of state resources (vehicle, fuel, etc . . .), they should let him run his own campaign devoid of these logistical support," he said. "The President cannot play the ostrich and pretend he is not privy to what is going on," he appealed to Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure a level playing field. Source: Peacefmonline.com/GHANA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Listen to Akwasi Acquah on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' programme NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda constituency, Alexander Akwasi Acquah has testified about the character of former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, who is eyeing the flagbearer position of the party. The ruling New Patriotic Party is gearing up for its presidential primaries to elect a flagbearer to lead the party into the 2024 elections. While the party awaits the day, ten candidates have picked their nomination forms to contest the race. Among the ten are Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP; Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister; Dr. Afriyie Akoto, former Energy Minister; Boakye Agyarko, former Railways and Development Minister; Joe Ghartey and the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong. Although all the candidates are eager to win the election, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has presented himself as no joke but rather to give all the candidates a run for their money. Kwabena Agyapong hopes to come top at the end of the primaries and become the flagbearer but there may be a problem with his chances of winning the election. According to Akwasi Acquah, though Kwabena AgyApong is fine gentleman and equally bears the qualities to become the party's Presidential candidate, he is very stingy. Hon. Akwasi Acquah noted that one cannot underestimate the role that money plays in politics and its impact on delegates or electorates, seemingly to say Mr. Agyepong's difficulty to spend money on the delegates doesn't speak good of him. "One thing that people say against him is that he is stingy. He doesn't like to pay," he said while giving his submissions on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show. The Akim Oda MP however wished Mr. Agyepong good luck in the race. "If Kwabena Agyapong becomes President today, I will become a Minister straight. I will definitely get a post" in his government, he told Kwami Sefa Kayi. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt has advised New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates to cast what he termed as a "good vote" during the party's primaries. Kwesi Pratt urged the delegates to seek the interest of Ghana first as they make a choice about who to vote for. The New Patriotic Party will hold a Special Delegates Congress in August this year to trim the number of candidates contesting the flagbearer position of the party from ten to five. The ten candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Agriculture Minister; Dr. Afriyie Akoto, MP for Assin Central; Kennedy Agyapong, former Energy Minister; Boakye Agyarko, former Railways and Development Minister cum Attorney General; Joe Ghartey among others. After the special congress, the five candidates will contest in the main congress aimed at electing a Presidential candidate for the party. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Mr. Pratt asked the delegates to elect a leader they know will improve the lives of Ghanaians. "They should cast a good vote and if NPP will have a good election, the first most important thing is for them to think about Ghana and not only their party...A good vote is the vote that will enhance the development of Ghana. A good vote is the vote that we will have, in the future, an honest President who will be truthful to us. A good vote is the vote that will bring about improvement in your life." 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 Legislation that seeks to ensure community college students can easily transfer to any of the 10 state-owned universities is moving in the state House of Representatives. The House Education Committee on Tuesday voted 15-3 in support of a bill that would guarantee admission to a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school with junior standing for most students who satisfactorily completed their associate degree for transfer. Student teachers in Pennsylvania may soon get paid to complete one graduation requirement. Legislation advanced out of the House Education Committee on Tuesday by a vote of 20-1 would pay them a stipend in exchange for helping to address the states teacher shortage. What it does: House Bill 1331 would offer a $10,000 stipend to student teachers who complete their required student teaching in the state. Those who take a student teaching assignment in a school that attracts few student teachers or has a lot of teacher openings would be eligible for an additional $5,000 as an extra incentive to work in a district that is a little bit more challenged, said Rep. Danielle Otten, D-Chester County, the bills sponsor. In exchange for receiving a grant, the bill states the student teacher would have to agree to work at a Pennsylvania public or nonpublic school for no less than three years unless there are extenuating circumstances. The bill also would give the mentoring teacher a grant of $2,500 as a reward for working with a student teacher. Why its needed: The numbers tell the story. In 2022, only 5,000 new teaching certificates were issued in Pennsylvania not even a third of the more than 17,000 certificates issued in 2011, according to the state Department of Education. Not only that, a recent analysis by Penn States Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis shows the rate of teachers leaving the profession in Pennsylvania grew faster in the 2022-23 school year and hit its highest point in a decade of tracking. Whats next: The bill is now in a position to be considered by the full House. Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County, the ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, said House members are working with the Senate on a similar bill offered in that chamber by Sens. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, and Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County. What people are saying: Its really hard to maintain a part-time job while youre student teaching so this bill would help us to get our student teachers by giving them financial support in exchange for teaching in the commonwealth, Otten said. This is something that we should have done a long time ago and Im glad to see that this year, said Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery County. I know that this is one little piece of fixing the shortage in public education for educators that were seeing across the nation. Its not only in Pennsylvania but I think this takes us to a step that helps us begin to fill that gap. Pennsylvania State Education Association spokesman Chris Lilienthal said, This proposal should be a priority in the ongoing effort to reverse crisis-level staff shortages that have plagued schools from one end of Pennsylvania to the other. He pointed out the unfairness that exists with college students who work in other fields having paid internships while student teachers are required to work 12 weeks without pay. Lilienthal added many of them have to commute an hour or more each way five days a week. The lone dissenting vote was cast by Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-Butler County, who took a different view regarding the fairness of providing stipends to aspiring teachers. I dont think its fair to everyone who doesnt have a stipend, she said. Everybody has done free work at some point in their lives, whether its lawyers, whether its teachers, whether its medical doctors. Its not up to us to pick and choose who gets funding. We shouldnt be prioritizing and elevating certain segments over others. Everybody has it hard in todays climate. Aument said the committees passage of this bill with strong bipartisan support signals the interest of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and both ends of the Capitol in addressing the severe teacher shortage in the commonwealth affecting urban, suburban, and rural school districts alike. If we do nothing to get more teachers into Pennsylvania schools, our children will suffer consequences like overcrowded classrooms, impersonal instruction, and fewer course options, Aument said. Teachers will have less time to help our most vulnerable children, resulting in more students being left behind. We need to remove this unnecessary financial barrier and make it easier for skilled college students to pursue a career in teaching. Hughes said, The economy of 2023 is different from the economy of 20, 30 years ago where it might have been economically sound to make a 12-week commitment and not be compensated. That might have worked many, many years ago. It just doesnt work now. It devalues the profession as well. He added there is buy-in by all four caucuses in advancing the student teacher stipend legislation and he is hopeful it can be part of the solution to addressing what he called a crisis in one of the most fundamental (professions) that we can have in our state and our country. * This story was updated to include Sen. Vincent Hughes comments. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Public school teachers may soon be free to wear a religious insignia, clothing, marks or emblems to work without fear of losing their job. What happened: The House Education Committee unanimously passed legislation on Tuesday that would eliminate a section of the Public School Code that barred teachers from wearing such items while performing their teaching duties. Violators faced a years suspension for the first offense or permanent disqualification after multiple offenses. That section of law also allowed school directors to be held criminally liable for not enforcing the law. Whats driving this change: A federal district court found the law violated the U.S. Constitutions freedom of speech and religious expression. Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation with such a law on the books. The law was enacted as a result anti-Catholic sentiment in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Pennsylvanias law at that time served as model for other states. Whats next: The bill sponsored by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York County, passed the Senate by a 49-0 vote. With the House committees approval, the bill now moves to the full House for consideration. If it wins House passage, it would go to Gov. Josh Shapiro for enactment. This is the third consecutive session that Phillips-Hill and Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County, have offered this legislation. What the bills sponsor, Phillips-Hill, said: It is important for us to model respectful expression of our religious believes in the same vein as William Penn did more than three centuries ago. This will uphold Penns founding principles that our commonwealth stands for religious freedom and tolerance. Further, she said she looks forward to celebrating the final passage of this commonsense legislation. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Actor Treat Williams, whose career spans decades -- from the lead role in the 1979 film version of the musical Hair to playing Dr. Andrew Andy Brown on the television show Everwood in the 2000s -- has died. He was 71. Williams died Monday as the result of a motorcycle accident in Vermont, according to reports from People and The Hollywood Reporter. Williams agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed his death and told People that he was killed making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. Im just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. People reported that the accident occurred around 5 p.m. Monday along Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont. The crash involved a single car and Williams motorcycle. In addition to playing George Berger in Hair, which netted him a Golden Globe nomination, Williams had notable roles in such films as Prince of the City, The Eagle Has Landed, The Substitute 2, The Phantom, 1941, Once Upon a Time in America, Dead Heat and Deep Rising. He was nominated for an Emmy for playing Michael Ovitz in the TV movie The Late Shift, and played Mick OBrien on Chesapeake Shores from 2016-22, and Lenny Ross on Blue Bloods, since 2016. He was an actors actor. Filmmakers loved him. Hes been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s., McPherson said to People. He was really proud of his performance this year. Hes been so happy with the work that I got him. Hes had a balanced career. Although born and raised in Connecticut, Williams went to college at Franklin and Marshall in Lancaster, where he studied theater. According to People, Williams is survived by his wife, actress Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gille and Ellie. A Pennsylvania seltzer maker and a Massachusetts pickle maker have teamed up to take a leap forward in the pickle craze that has been sweeping the nation. Yes, pickle-flavored hard seltzer is a thing and it can be purchased in Pennsylvania. Two Robbers Seltzer Company in Philadelphia and Grillos Pickles in Boston, Massachusetts joined forces to create the seltzer. Yea or nay? An Instagram post announcing the new craft seltzer has received almost 12,000 likes. Comments ranged from People pickle must be stopped to I would love to get my hands on these. Two Robbers said on social media that the seltzer launched on June 8. The seltzer is made with Grillos pickle brine and has a 5% ABV. It will be available for a limited time in the Northeast at Whole Foods, select Wegmans stores, Giant and more. According to the website, Each batch is made with over 20 gallons of Grillos original dill pickle brine, and comes in at 5% A.B.V. Crisp, clean and refreshing, it almost feels like it has that signature crunch. You will not regret it. Unless you hate pickles. Then you will definitely regret it. Two Robbers Seltzer Company in Philadelphia, Pa., and Grillo's Pickles in Boston, Mass., have created Pickle Hard Seltzer that was released in June 2023. (Photo used with permission from Two Robbers Seltzer Company) It appears the passion for pickles isnt going away. This past weekend, Pizza Hut sold a pickle pizza in New York City. In April of this year, Herrs launched condiment-flavored chips - including pickle - specifically to be eaten in a sandwich. In March, Franks RedHot launched a dill pickle-flavored hot sauce. Last summer, Sonic Drive-In launched a Pickle Juice Slush and the Big Dill Cheeseburger. In the fall of 2022, Vlasic unveiled its Vlasic Dill Pickle candle that looked and smelled like a jar of pickles. In 2021, Mt. Olive released pickle salsa and jars of pickle juice. So, apparently, pickle is a big dill. FILE - New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell stands in New York's Times Square during a news conference about New Year's Eve security, Dec. 30, 2022. Sewell, the first woman to hold the position, is stepping down after 18 months on the job. Sewell, who was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, announced the resignation in an email to department staff, Monday, June 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)AP The Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center has revealed its lineup of events and activities for the month of June, kicking off with a mystery theatre dinner Saturday night. The Jurassic Mystery Theatre Dinner, titled "Case of The Missing Skull," will begin at the Orris Theatre with dinner starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday and continuing with the mystery theatre performance at 7 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to experience a who-done-it performance while enjoying dinner and a drink among dinosaur-themed surroundings. Tickets can be purchased for $50 in-person at the museum or online at stegenmuseum.org. Abigail Kern, an event manager at the Ste. Genevieve museum, said, "It'll be a good night with dinner, a free drink, and a show about dinosaurs. Don't forget to get a good picture with the life-sized T-Rex skull too." Kern added a silent auction will follow the event. The auction will feature various items and opportunities, including an exclusive chance to visit the dig site where the Missouri dinosaur known as "Parrosaurus Missouriensis" was discovered in Bollinger County. The bones of the creature, estimated to be more than 100 million years old, are on display at the museum and are accompanied by its fascinating story spanning almost 80 years of excavation and discovery. In addition to the fundraising event, the museum has planned several other events throughout June. Workshop Wednesdays will weekly offer free activities for children in the museum's Theater Room at 10:30 a.m. An adult must accompany children; on Wednesdays, they will receive free admission to the museum. On June 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., children aged 3 to 9 are invited to a Thursday T-Rex Playdate. Regular admission fees apply for this interactive playdate, giving young participants the chance to engage with the world of dinosaurs. The museum's Missouri Humanities Lecture Series will run June 25-29, featuring daily lectures at 3 p.m. The sessions will cover various topics, updated on the museum's Facebook page. By BRIAN WITTE, The Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) A man was charged in a shooting that killed three men including a father and son and wounded three others after a neighborhood dispute over parking during a party, police said Monday. A western Pennsylvania woman has been charged after authorities said she sent heinous and graphic messages to her estranged boyfriend encouraging him to commit suicide, and he did. Mandie Reusch, 35, of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, is charged with aiding suicide and harassment, according to a statement issued by Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. Online court records show that Reusch failed to post $150,000 bail following her arraignment on Tuesday and was remanded to the Westmoreland County Prison. She has a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 27. Reusch was the girlfriend of Kevin Metzger, 37, and the two shared a child, according to a criminal complaint filed by state police. Metzger killed himself on June 18, 2021, in his apartment. Police found a letter and Facebook posts sharing the frequently profane messages from Reusch, who repeatedly urged Metzger to kill himself and threatened to keep his child away from him. Mr. Metzger may still be here today if those messages did not influence and encourage him to take his own life, Ziccarelli said. These messages from Mr. Metzgers estranged girlfriend were continuous and unrelenting for months, until it finally stopped when the victim took his own life. State police wrote in court documents that the messages started on May 5, 2021, while Metzger was away at military training and Reusch remained at their home with their daughter. Reusch began messaging Metzger via WhatsApp that she was moving in with another man, who would be their daughters new father, and that Metzger would not see his child again. I hope for (the childs) sake that you do kill yourself, Reusch wrote. She would be better off not even knowing you. From there, the messages grew more vicious, according to police, who wrote that Reusch told Metzger that she would have sex with her boyfriend on Mothers Day while your daughter calls him daddy. Reusch told Metzger how he would burn in hell and she would dance on his grave. When Metzger sent her $200, Reusch complained it wasnt enough and sent him a video of her having sex with another man and told him she had destroyed his property left at the home. Metzger complained to the Irwin police, who warned Reusch to stop sending him messages and then charged her with harassment on June 3, 2021. Those charges were dropped after Metzgers death. State police described other messages from 2020 showing Reusch telling Metzger to, Go kill yourself. You arent a real (expletive) human, and referencing an apparent $250,000 insurance policy. On June 18, 2021, two days before Fathers Day, a friend of Metzger asked police to make a welfare check after not being able to reach him. State police found Metzger dead. Police said Reusch had repeatedly told Metzger that she would not let their daughter see him on Fathers Day, and that he messaged her on June 18 telling her he was posting their exchanges online. Metzger also shared Reuschs messages with another friend on June 18 and asked her to make sure this gets known to the world, police said. A search after Metzgers death discovered that WhatsApp and Reuschs account had been deleted from her cell phone. WILLIAMSPORT -- A minor participant has admitted her role in a criminal organization that scammed banks and credit unions across the country, including Pennsylvania. Jaunea Waller-Bey, 37, of Detroit, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. She is likely to receive little or no jail time because her actions did not cause the loss of money, according to statements made in court. She remains free on personal recognizance pending sentencing. When the ringleader, James Harris-Bey, 52, pleaded guilty in February, he admitted scamming seven banks and credit unions in northern Pennsylvania. He has yet to be sentenced but his plea agreement requires him to pay restitution totaling $218,182. The scheme, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin, involved making deposits using counterfeit checks printed by Haris-Bey that contained names of fictitious businesses. Withdrawals then were made at various branches the same day before the financial institutions could reconcile the accounts. Jaunea Waller-Bey was one of the women used to open accounts or make withdrawals. Peter Douglas, 42, of also of Detroit, admitted when he pleaded guilty to the bank fraud conspiracy count he drove the women to financial institutions. He received a time-served sentence. Two other women, Tena, 57, and Bernice Kimbrough, 54, were indicted on the same charge and are awaiting trial. Harris-Bey was arrested on March 23, 2021, in Mississippi. Items found in his vehicle included check-printing software, laptops and a printer, Martin had said when he pleaded guilty. Martin alleged Harris-Bey was targeting banks in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee but he claimed he was headed to Arizona to be with his wife. We cannot allow the pandemic-driven drop in cancer screenings to continue. As we emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must face the reality that, for three years, countless people have delayed potential lifesaving cancer screenings. That is why I met with Pennsylvania state legislators as a part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks Cancer Action Day. Together with over 70 cancer patients, survivors and advocates, we urged lawmakers to make access to breast and cervical cancer screenings a top priority this session. Im grateful my legislators Senator Greg Rothman (R-34th) and Representative Sheryl M. Delozier (R-88th) sat down with me and listened as I explained how critical the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) is in the fight to end all suffering and death from cancer. As a cancer survivor, I understand the power in early detection. With cancer screenings, such as those offered by the BCCEDP, we can detect cancer early and prevent late-stage disease. Ive lost far too many friends to cancers that couldve been detected and addressed earlierif not prevented altogether. Unfortunately, many under- and uninsured Pennsylvanians face barriers to screening. I let Sen. Rothman and Rep. Delozier know that I want them to support maintaining funding for the BCCEDP at $2.563 million annually so that we can continue to address gaps in breast and cervical cancer screenings caused by the pandemic. Pat Boyle Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Camp Hill, Pa. Nearly 100 crime survivors gathered outside the state Capitol to push for policies aimed at creating stability and safety in crime survivors lives and policies to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals. The crime survivors marched up the Capitol steps on Tuesday chanting, When survivors speak, change happens, a mantra of the rally, called Survivors Speak. Survivors Speak is an annual event held at eight different state capitals and ending in Pennsylvania. The rally is hosted by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, a national network of crime survivors dedicated to supporting survivors and communities affected by crime and public policy. Our criminal justice system often prioritizes the defendant, leaving the victim as an afterthought, said Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny and Washington counties. Its a defendant-first victim last mindset, and that needs to change. Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice is advocating for legislation to create housing protections for survivors and provide funding for trauma recovery centers, which help victims rebuild their life after a crime. They offer services such as psychotherapy, assistance in filing police reports and crisis intervention. Being a survivor can be traumatic enough, and not knowing whether youll be able to keep your job or home during that time can make things worse, crime survivor and Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice member Yolanda Jennings said. Survivors of crimes such as domestic abuse often struggle to find safe housing, and often have to break leases and leave their community. Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware County, attended the rally and said she was preparing to introduce a bill that would allow victims of violent crime and sex abuse to find housing or stay in their homes. We need our victims and survivors to be safe, Borowski said. Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice also advocated for earned high school or college credit programs, under which incarcerated individuals can complete their education. The organization is also pushing to expand access to occupational licenses to permit individuals with a criminal record to obtain professional certifications. It does not make us any safer to have people who are leaving prison to be unable to give back to their communities. On the contrary it is these barriers that can lead people into a life of crime, and going back behind bars, said Pearl Wise, mother of a violent crime victim and Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice member. Jennings said that most prisoners will get out of jail eventually, and they need incentives to become community members who will make a difference upon their release. During a moment of silence, attendees at the rally offered up the names of loved ones who were victims to violent crime. If we cant prevent violence from happening, the least we could do as a society, the least we could do as legislators, the least we can do as decision makers is make sure that every survivor across the state of Pennsylvania gets access to victims compensation, gets access to victims services and gets access to safety, said Aswad Thomas, crime survivor and national director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. Last year, Mihalek and four other Republican House members proposed six pieces of legislation, called the Safer Pennsylvania Act, to empower crime victims. Mihalek said that while only three of the bills passed through the House, she hopes to introduce more legislation to help survivors. These are common sense policies for safety and most importantly they are the right thing to do, Jennings said. These policies can bring hope to our communities looking for change and can make Pennsylvania safer for all of us. The Mineral Area Community Elks Lodge #2583 awarded a $1,000 donation to Camp Hope and four $1,000 scholarships to students from West County, UniTec Career Center, North County, and Central on Wednesday. Camp Hopes Board of Directors Events Coordinator Donna Lucas and her husband Bill Lucas, a volunteer for Camp Hope, accepted the $1,000 donation on behalf of the organization. Mrs. Lucas said the donation would go into the general funds for Camp Hope and would allow the organization to further its mission. Camp Hope, a local non-profit, was founded by Gold-Star parents William Mike and Galia White whose son, Christopher Neal White, paid the ultimate price in 2006 while serving in Iraq. According to the Camp Hope website, its mission is to honor the fallen by helping the wounded. Camp Hope offers all-expenses-paid adventures and comradery for service men and women wounded in the War on Terror. Those looking for more information about Camp Hope can check out their website at camphopeusa.org. Elks also awarded $1,000 scholarships to four area students. Darcey Wright graduated from North County and plans to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia to study biochemistry. Wright said her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatric plastic surgeon. Daniel Mackey graduated from West County and plans to study physics at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. Mackey said he has always had a knack for physics and math-related subjects and he is also interested in pursuing a minor in philosophy. Alexander Jones graduated from Central and plans to attend Western Washington University in Washington State to study Journalism and English. He said his ultimate goal is to become a screenwriter and he was inspired by an Intro to Cinema class he took at Mineral Area College. Jones said the Lego "Batman" movie also inspired him. Audrey Barry graduated from UniTec Career Center in Bonne Terre. She is currently enrolled with Mineral Area College and plans to attend Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville after completing MAC. Barrys chosen field of study is mechatronics and robotics engineering. One of Barrys most recent accomplishments was a first-place state win in the Worlds Robotic Competition held in Dallas, Texas. Roland Seal is the exalted ruler of the MAC Elks, and he said the organization is honored to get back to giving out scholarships to local schools and donations to local non-profits. He said the COVID-19 pandemic was detrimental to these endeavors and funds were unavailable for donations the last few years. Seal said he is looking forward to continuing fundraising efforts for future scholarships and donations. Recently, U.S. Representative Jason Smith held a reception to recognize students from Missouris 8th Congressional District who placed in the top 15 of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Smith congratulated Clarissa Hulse, a senior from Houston, for taking first place with her piece, Old Man. Kate Northern of Farmington High School also made the top 15. Following is a complete list of the Congressional Art Competition finalists from Missouris 8th Congressional District: Courtney Goans - Alton High School Clarissa Hulse - Houston High School Brooke Mahurin Salem High School Ethan Newsom - Salem High School Haley Bartlett - Salem High School Olivia Wisdom - Salem High School Kate Northern - Farmington High School Isabel Crews - Rolla High School Richard Lin - Dexter High School Allison Arnold - Richland R-1 Elizabeth Arnold - Richland R-1 Colin Sullivan - Hartville High School Josie Wieczorek - Hartville High School Hannah Pope - Mountain Grove High School Lela Lane - Mountain Grove High School The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity to highlight the talented young artists of southern Missouri, said Smith. The students who took part in the competition are incredibly talented, and Im so proud of all the hard work they put in. Congratulations to Clarissa Hulse of Houston for winning first place with her piece, Old Man. Her artwork will hang in the Capitol and be on display for lawmakers and the hundreds of tourists who visit this historic building every day. Houston High School art teacher Jode Huffman said Hulse was a joy to have in class and is one of the most talented students she was fortunate enough to mentor during her teaching career. Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide art competition to recognize artistic talent in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 students have participated nationwide. The winners are recognized within the district, as well as at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC. This competition is a way to showcase the vast talent that exists in the 8th Congressional District while allowing students to express themselves creatively. For this years competition, students were asked to create triptych artwork. Hulse created a set of three pieces showing the lifespan of a male figure with a small child, a young man, and the piece she chose to submit, the Old Man. As the winner of the Congressional Art Competition, Hulse was given two plane tickets to Washington, D.C. so she can view her work on display in the U.S. Capitol building. Smith announced the winner at a reception he hosted in Salem for students who made it to the final round of the competition. How To Boost Your Bankroll With PartyPoker's Daily Party Gift Wheel June 13, 2023 Jon Pill Contributor Players in Ontario , will want to ensure that they are making full use of PartyPoker Ontario's Daily Party Gift Promotion. This is PartyPoker Ontario's way of rewarding players who consistently log into the poker Ontario-based poker client. Every day, players can log in and earn a Daily Party Gift like a freeroll tournament ticket or cashback points. 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Trump posted on Truth Social: NOW THAT THE SEAL IS BROKEN, IN ADDITION TO CLOSING THE BORDER & REMOVING ALL OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS THAT HAVE ILLEGALLY INVADED OUR COUNTRY, MAKING AMERICA ENERGY INDEPENDENT, & EVEN DOMINANT AGAIN, & IMMEDIATELY ENDING THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA & UKRAINE, I WILL APPOINT A REAL SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO GO AFTER THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE USA, JOE BIDEN, THE ENTIRE BIDEN CRIME FAMILY, & ALL OTHERS INVOLVED WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ELECTIONS, BORDERS, & COUNTRY ITSELF! Joe Biden just stated he never spoke to Attorney General Garland about Indicting his POLITICAL OPPONENT, who just happens to be leading him, by a lot, in the polls. Used to say the same thing about Hunters business partners, until that was revealed to be a lie! Met with them many, many times. CROOKED JOE & HIS THUGS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA! Trump isnt hiding it. The one consistent thing about Donald Trump is that he always tells the country what he is going to do before he does it. Trump is promising to throw his political enemies in prison. Trump ran as a populist in 2016, but he abandoned that snakeskin when he masterminded the Capitol attack, and now he is even more specific with his plan to trash democracy. Trump thinks that everyone is as corrupt as he is. The former president assumes that Biden would abuse his power just as Trump has. The difference is one candidate (Biden) supports democracy and freedom. A vote for Trump is a vote to end democracy in the United States. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Former Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released a memo to her Democratic colleagues that used Trumps own words on protecting classified secrets against him. Here is the memo as provided to PoliticusUSA by Rep. Pelosi: For thirty years, I served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: first as a Member, then as Ranking Member, then ex officio as Leader and Speaker. On the Committee, it was constantly impressed upon on us our responsibility to protect our Nations secrets. Revealing classified information jeopardizes not only our own national security, but the confidence of our Allies in sharing their intelligence with us. As you know, in the Congress, when we review classified information, we cannot remove any documents or even our own notes from the Capitol Complexs designated secure facilities. Members in both chambers and of both parties understand full well the dangers to Americas national security, and to sources and methods, if classified information is not protected. In fact, the former president himself acknowledged the importance and the imperative of safeguarding classified information, as indicated in public statements that he has made. As President of the United States, on July 26, 2018, he said: As the head of the executive branch and Commander in Chief, I have a unique, Constitutional responsibility to protect the Nations classified information, including by controlling access to it. More broadly, the issue of [a former executive branch officials] security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our Nations most sensitive secrets long after their time in Government has ended. Such access is particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks. Any access granted to our Nations secrets should be in furtherance of national, not personal, interests. As a candidate for President of the United States, he said: In my administration Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law. (August 18, 2016) (August 18, 2016) We also need to fight this battle by collecting intelligence and then protecting, protecting our classified secretsWe cant have someone in the Oval Office who doesnt understand the meaning of the word confidential or classified. (September 6, 2016) (September 6, 2016) [O]ne of the first things we must do is to enforce all classification rules and to enforce all laws relating to the handling of classified information. (September 7, 2016) (September 7, 2016) We also need the best protection of classified information. (September 19, 2016) (September 19, 2016) Service members here in North Carolina have risked their lives to acquire classified intelligence to protect our country. (November 3, 2016) Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law not even the former president. The indictment must go forth through the legal process, without favor or fear. Seeing Trumps own words about protecting the nations secrets lined up in order makes a more powerful case against the former president than anything else could. Trump knew better. His statements for years prior to stealing government documents, and the audio tape prove that he knew that what he was doing was wrong. Instead of protecting the nations secrets, Trump stole them and jeopardized the nation. Nancy Pelosi lays out the case using Trumps own words against him. Hopefully, the Department of Justice uses a similar tactic during Donald Trumps trial. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Cell phones, cameras, and all electronic devices are banned from the Miami courtroom where former president Donald Trump was arraigned on Tuesday, so reporters briefed after the arraignment. Trump pleaded not guilty to the 37 federal indictment charges and then departed the courthouse in a motorcade, stopping off at the Miami cafe Versailles in order to greet supporters, as one does after being accused of putting U.S. military lives at risk. One point of interest is how the defendant was referenced in court. In the charges filed in Manhattan, the judge referred to Trump as the defendant or Mr. Trump, but in the Florida federal charges, the judge referred to Trump as former President Trump. CBS News Congressional reporter Seth MacFarlane reported: Judge Jonathan Goodman referred to Trump as Former President Trump., Trump sat with arms folded and no expression on his face Trump does not have to surrender passport. Trump can still travel internationally. No limitations on Trump travel. Therell be a list of witnesses with whom Trump cant speak about the case Contrasts: Manhattan courthouse Bare bones, smallish courtroom. Judge called him Mr Trump or defendant. Alvin Bragg in front row Miami federal court Huge, ceremonial courtroom. Packed. Judge called him Former President Trump. Jack Smith in front row The judge who used former President Trump is Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who handled Trumps arraignment on the 37 federal counts. Judge Aileen Cannon will remain the lead judge in the national defense documents case, even though its widely thought that she should recuse herself based on the rule that a judge shall recuse if they cant appear to be impartial. The reason this stands out is that Judge Cannon made it clear in a previous but related classified documents case that Trump deserved special treatment because he is a former president, As a function of plaintiffs former position as president of the United States the stigma associated with the subject seizure is in a league of its own. The rule of law is supposed to apply to everyone equally, which is the opposite of Cannons understanding in the above quote. Cannon was appointed by Donald Trump after he lost the 2020 election. Three conservative judges from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rebuked Judge Cannon for her unlawful ruling in the previous case, while overruling her. The importance of how a person is addressed in the media and in the courtroom cant be overstated, as Trump himself knows, which is why he invokes the office of the president in shady ways like calling his plane Trump Force One to sound like to Air Force One, among other staging decisions made to invoke the office he no longer holds. Many in the media refer to Trump as Mr. President President Trump and the Presidential motorcade (a comment made on Monday about vehicles surrounding his plane), which is not appropriate given that we have a sitting President of the United States right now. Furthermore, Donald Trump is a criminal defendant facing serious charges of putting the United States national security and its military at risk. While in the media, he is referred to as former President Donald Trump, Emily Post says, When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is Mr. LastName, pointing out that President LastName or Mr. President are terms reserved for the current head of state. It is important not to allow Trump to misappropriate the presidential title because he denies losing an election and tried to overthrow the government in order to stay in office. As Donald Trump faces criminal charges, it is very important to accurately reflect the fact that he is not the sitting president. The Judge has done this, but the concern is that by referring to his status this way, the court might be inclined to once again treat Trump as if he were entitled to special treatment. The Southern Florida court does not appear to be managing Trump as tightly so far as the Manhattan court did. There are few things I love more than a bunch of powerful women commanding a stage for the night, so I couldnt miss the opportunity to attend FLETCHERs Pride event: FLETCHER & FRIENDS. On June 4, UPSAHL, Olivia OBrien, and FLETCHER took the stage at the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ to celebrate Pride Month 2023 with a concert. And, honestly, I wasnt disappointed. Lets kick it off with the fact that this was my first time at the Stone Pony. It definitely fells like what my dad refers to as a part of music history. This is the hallowed ground where The Boss - Bruce Springsteen - got his start. Springsteen grew up in Asbury Park, playing the stage weekly at the Stone Pony (hes played at the Pony more than any other venue). Now, its a year-round venue with an outdoor Summer Stage that hosts huge names in music like Demi Lovato and Louis Tomlinson. There is absolutely nothing better than attending a concert beachside, and Asbury Park is the king of live concerts. Festivals like Sea.Hear.Now are massively popular, where artists like Stevie Nicks and The Killers are headliners. FLETCHER - another music phenomenon that hails from Asbury Park - returned for a hometown concert of epic proportions. It was filled to the brim with fans, which even FLETCHER herself was impressed by. During the show, she noted shed played the venue twice before (once where she had to beg family and friends to attend, another to a small gathering of 500). But this show is by far her biggest with a crowd of 4,000 strong. FLETCHERs surge in popularity isnt surprising, considering she had mega-hit Undrunk, a song she herself admits she is tired of singing No matter, FLETCHER puts a rock spin on the single that could go number one on its own. In fact, I wish shed release it so I could play it on my own. In total, FLETCHER sang 21 songs. What I was most impressed with wasnt merely her giving us a full on concert, but her band and her soaring vocals. My friend and I were genuinely moved by her voice, which is super powerful. She can belt along with the best of them and croon to her hearts content accompanied by a rocking band that kept the energy high. Tove Lo (left) and FLETCHER (right) performing June 9, 2023 ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A 24-year-old man is dead and a woman was injured in two separate shootings in North Augusta. Carnell Nealous III, was found shot in the 1200 block of Weston Street in North Augusta, according to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables. Police found Nealous shot in the front doorway of the residence, according to a incident report from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. The location of the shooting is near North Augusta Middle School. Ables said Nealous died at the scene from a gunshot wound. He said police are looking for a possible light in color sedan. Nealous's body will be autopsied in Newberry, Ables said. Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office said another shooting took place earlier Tuesday, around 4:30 a.m. near the 640 Block of Hutchinson Drive. He said a 52-year-old woman was shot at least once in the shoulder in a drive-by and was taken to a hospital. He said police don't have suspects from either shooting at this time and police have not determined if the shootings are connected. The Aiken County Coroner's Office and the sheriff's office are investigating. This is a developing story. Susan See and her husband, James, own and operate two Nothing Bundt Cake franchises one in Aiken and the other in Evans, Georgia. A former attorney, See spoke to the Rotary Club of Aiken on Monday at Newberry Hall about what it takes to a successful entrepreneur. Ive tried to narrow it down to three areas that I found were very important to me, she said. First off, youve got to surround yourself with like-minded people. Theyve got to believe that you can do it, and theyll guide you to do it. The group, in Sees opinion, should include a lawyer and a good, good CPA (certified public accountant), she told the Rotarians, along with a great family and great friends, who encourage you, who love you and who remain positive, even if you have a meltdown. No. 2, according to See, is to find a business that you are passionate about, that you believe in with your whole heart and soul. For anyone who decides to go the franchise route, it is important to select a good one that works, one that really trains you and will give you the resources that you need, See said. The reason people choose a franchise is that it already should be a successful model. Theyve already figured it all out for you, and youve just got to follow it. Ive seen owners who do not follow it and, unfortunately, it hasnt worked out as well. Sees third recommendation was to pray, pray and then pray some more. She added that she and her husband have no doubt in their minds that Nothing Bundt Cakes was a career option that God sent to us. Aikens Nothing Bundt Cakes is in the Shoppes at Whiskey. There are more than 500 Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries in this country and Canada, See said. A Pacific island nation's decision to shift its airline's marketing focus helped Boeing Co. land a pair of orders in May for its North Charleston-based Dreamliner program. Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, ordered a pair of 787-8 widebodies to help the carrier expand its long-haul routes from Port Morseby International Airport. At the same time, the carrier canceled a previous order for four of Boeing's single-aisle 737 Max jets. "Signing this contract with Boeing for the purchase of two modern, widebody 787 Dreamliners will enable Air Niugini to grow its network across Asia, Australia and New Zealand and fulfill its mission as the premier airline in Papua New Guinea, providing the best air service in the region," Gary Seddon, the airline's acting CEO, said in a written statement. Boeing said the planes will help increase tourism and economic growth in the South Pacific region. All told, Boeing booked 10 orders for its Dreamliner commercial plane in May. The other eight, all 787-9 models, went to unidentified customers. Boeing also delivered eight Dreamliners in May, including a pair of "Dash 8s" to American Airlines. The other six deliveries were evenly split between 787-9 and 787-10 models. Boeing has delivered 25 Dreamliners through the first five months of this year. The company has told analysts it expects to finish the year with between 70 and 80 deliveries of the jet assembled at Boeing's campus off International Boulevard. Deliveries have been slowed, but not halted, by a production issue related to a fitting on the 787's horizontal stabilizer. A report by Reuters said the problem, which is not a flight safety issue, affects about 90 jets in Boeings inventory. Boeing handed 50 jets to customers throughout its commercial plane division last month 13 fewer than European rival Airbus but a 43 percent increase from the same month a year ago. Most of those deliveries 35 of them were for 737 Max customers. Boeing also delivered six freighters and a 737 that will be converted into a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for South Korea. Boeing also booked 59 orders for the 737 Max last month. Going into next week's Paris Air Show, one of the industry's largest gatherings, Boeing has delivered 206 commercial planes and booked orders for 127 more. The orders give Boeing a backlog of 4,634 jets. COLUMBIA A state prison inmate who used smuggled cellphones to coordinate a drug trafficking operation and a murder while behind bars was sentenced to life in federal prison. Daniel Allen Shannon, 43, used contraband cellphones to coordinate the distribution of methamphetamine throughout Lancaster and Kershaw counties, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for South Carolina. When Shannon got word that one of his drug couriers had been robbed, he sent someone to retaliate, the U.S. attorney's office said. In September 2019, a man was fatally shot and, under Shannon's orders, the home where he was shot was set on fire, according to the news release. The man's body had been discarded alongside a highway in Westville, a city in Kershaw County. Using smuggled cellphones, Shannon was also part of a "sextortion" scheme, according to the news release. During his time incarcerated in S.C. prisons for the 2001 kidnapping, robbery and murder of a Lexington restaurant manager, Shannon faced numerous disciplinary sanctions for possession and attempts to possess cellphones as well as possession of weapons, drugs and other contraband. He attempted to escape prison three times, according to prison records. Shannon pleaded guilty to the federal charges in February. He will be transferred to federal prison if he is ever released from state custody. This case illustrates the extreme danger posed by the presence of contraband cellphones in our prisons, U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs said. We will not sit by as inmates use these phones to perpetrate violence, drug trafficking, sex crimes and fraud, and will work with our federal and state partners to vigorously prosecute these offenders and protect the public. Shannon's case is just one of many connected to contraband cellphones. Many have been smuggled into prisons by drone and used to not only coordinate more drone drop-offs by flying drugs and other contraband over prison fences, they have allowed some inmates to continue criminal activities from behind bars. Politicians and community activists gathered in front of the Charleston County School District's main building June 13 demanding the board revisit its search for a new superintendent. They additionally called for the board to pause contract negations with Eric Gallien, the incoming pick, and asked the board to bring in new candidates to give the public a chance to compare potential leaders. Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now If we proceed forward in this manner, the public is not going to trust that we have made the very best selection in our candidate, said Leah Whatley, a current CCSD school board member who was part of the protest group. Also present were state Rep. Matt Leber, R-Johns Island, and community activists Elvin Speights and Johnathan Thrower. The press conference came after weeks of several community members expressing confusion and disappointment following the boards vote to pick Gallien as Charlestons new superintendent. Gallien, who currently serves as the superintendent for Racine, Wis., was the remaining finalist in the districts search. The board had originally planned for focus groups of community members to interview three finalists. Board members had not yet publicly shared all the finalists names when an anonymous post on a Facebook group outed them. The posting spurred two of the three finalists to withdraw. By that time, community members had only interviewed Gallien. More Information The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab. The groups calls come just one day before the school board is set to potentially vote on a contractual matter with Gallien on June 14. The community has not had any input into having the understanding of who it is that we're seeking to hire, Thrower said. And if the district moves forward with just this one candidate or this one individual, we would be deprived of being able to have our voices heard. Sign up for our Education Lab newsletter. Email Sign Up! The group repeatedly emphasized their critiques do not stem from partisan or racial divides. Almost all the speakers said Gallien as a person and his credentials didnt concern them but that the process that led to his selection did. Speights compared the lack of transparency around the superintendent search to the districts mishandling of the situation with Marvin Gethers, a former school employee who was accused of molesting young boys. Lawsuits have stated school district administrators disregarded signs and complaints of Gethers abuse. Identifying how the three finalists names were shared in the anonymous Facebook post also emerged as one of the groups points at the press conference. Whatley said shes asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the source of that posting, and she called on the attorney general and inspector general to get involved in the case as well. More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab. Leber said hes been in contact with Attorney General Alan Wilson, including via a June 12 letter, about related concerns hes had with the board creating multiple versions of their meeting agendas. He said the agendas may have been changed after they were posted without the publics knowledge. Maybe it's not nefarious, maybe it's just mistakes, Leber said, But I'm concerned that there were some problems with the process. If the superintendent search were to restart, Whatley said she would want the process to be more transparent. Much of the search, she said, was shrouded by executive sessions. "Candidates might have a problem with that," she said. "But as far as I'm concerned, that's a way to weed out the ones who really want to be here. Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly described which group made several decisions. The Charleston school board voted to pick Eric Gallien as the next superintendent on May 30. It was also the board that originally had planned for focus groups of community members to interview three finalists. A wave of warm spice piques the interest of diners walking south on Meeting Street. The scent is inviting but not intense, just like the upbeat music and purple-tinted LED lighting inside downtown Charlestons new Pakistani restaurant. Energy, excited chatter and bold flavors await inside 251 Meeting St., now home to Maam Saab, which opened May 26. The restaurant is crowded on a recent Friday night. Once seated, diners are handed a single-sheet menu, featuring a stylish portrait of Maam Saab chef and co-owner Maryam Ghaznavi on one side and 11 dishes, priced between $12 and $48, on the other. It's the first of many sleek design elements inside the restaurant. New and old collide at Maam Saab, with exposed brick hinting at the venues previous life as Jestines Kitchen, a Southern restaurant that permanently closed in 2020 after 24 years. Those rustic walls are balanced by ornate light fixtures and an illuminated bar, which backs up against a projector streaming Pakistani city scenes. Two-tops are sparse compared to the groups of four and six happily scooping up chopped goat and butter chicken with doughy disks of naan. The atmosphere, inspired by Ghaznavi and her husband Raheel Gaubas Pakistani heritage, is well suited for a special night out in Charleston. For a couple that opened their first restaurant, Malika Canteen, in a former Qdoba and a second with the same name in a shipping container attached to a music venue, Maam Saab is the full expression of the restaurant they have wanted to create since hosting their first pop-up in August 2019. Before formerly joining the food and beverage industry, Ghaznavi was a full-time teacher at East Cooper Montessori Charter School in Mount Pleasant. We always had a vision to create, Gauba said. Theres one thing thats in your mind, but the final result is above and beyond what we imagined. When you first land in Pakistan, the first bites of food in the airport are samosas, Gauba said. Maam Saab serves two types. Qeema samosa is stuffed with sweet ground lamb, while the vegan samosa chaat rests on a smooth, chickpea-spotted vegetable puree. Other appetizers include eggplant fritters and lollipop chicken, dry-rubbed wings that slide off the bone. Before those arrive, its wise to order a cocktail, whether you drink alcohol or not. Among the eight options, the Karachi Wala a riff on an espresso martini and Murree Breeze stand out. The latter is basically a boozy mango lassi, with bergamot, vodka and a touch of cardamom spice. Each can be ordered with or without alcohol or with Delta-9 THC naturally derived from cannabis plants and legal in South Carolina, as long as the concentration is below the 0.3 percent threshold. Wine enthusiasts will also find an assortment of options. The vibrant glass and bottle list touches the European, Australian and North American continents, with red, white, rose, orange and sparkling wines on offer. I was pleased to find a 2019 bottle of La Belle Endormie Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a fragrant, floral red that readies your senses for Ghaznavi's innovative menu. Savoring the spice Vegetarian bites are plentiful at Maam Saab, but I found myself drawn to the meatier entrees. Ill admit that I was confused by the chopped bone-in goat menu description that accompanied the Charsi Karahi, a dish thats prevalent in Northern Pakistan. "How can it be chopped and on-the-bone?" we pondered at our table. It all made sense when the dish arrived in a pristine double-handle pan, one of many Ma'am Saab serving vessels that takes diners into Ghaznavis home. The meat was shredded and clinging to the bone in a rich brown sauce, glistening from nutty ghee. Floating a forkful on a golden buttered naan raft achieves a bite that nears perfection. I personally did not realize how much this dish was going to be loved, Gauba said after the first weekend of service. When you come into Maam Saab its an adventure, and (the customers are) truly coming with that mindset. The goat indeed has been a hit, but nearly every single table orders butter chicken, swimming in a turmeric-laced bath. I spooned some onto a side of basmati rice, blowing a sweet cinnamon scent that reminds me of the first time I ate food from this part of the world. Main courses, priced between $26 and $48, are generously portioned, and the three I tried made wonderful leftovers. Maam Saab has plastic chefs containers for the saucier dishes, allowing for easy stacking in the refrigerator. One entree, still in a research and development phase in early June, is an example of Ghaznavis ability to elevate homestyle cooking. Her Sindhi Biryani, a mixed rice dish with countless variations, is made with plump lamb, fattened in juices from the bone. A whole-wheat bread topping holds in the heat, tendering the rice as the pot sits. In a 2022 episode of The Post and Couriers Understand SC podcast, Ghaznavi told me that she planned to push her culinary boundaries at Maam Saab. More than a year later, shes well on her way to doing just that. Maam Saab is open from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. For more information, visit maamsaabchs.com. CLEMSON The city of Clemson is preparing to search for a new attorney for municipal matters while it considers implementing impact fees and changing its rental ordinance. Mary McCormac, who has served as the city attorney for seven years, submitted her resignation in May. She laughed that a conversation with Police Chief Jorge Campos when he joined the city in 2020 spurred her to think about her retirement and a change of the focus of her practice. It just seemed like a good opportunity. I wanted to make sure I looked at the list I made after being prompted by the police chief of things I wanted to do with my practice and explore some other areas, McCorman said. It was a great opportunity to work at Clemson. Their staff is wonderful. Its just a super town, but now its someone elses turn to have their shot at being the city attorney. She assisting with a few pending matters to ensure a smooth transition while Clemson finds her replacement. We have no specific timeline but we are currently updating the job description and will begin looking for a new attorney immediately, Mayor Robert Halfacre said. Mary is the consummate professional and has been very helpful during this transition. In a May 17 letter addressed to Mayor Robert Halfacre, McCormac said her resignation would be effective May 31. The council discussed hiring a new attorney during executive session at its June 5 meeting. McCormac will continue to serve as the town attorney for Iva, Liberty, Salem and West Union. Carol Wiggins, Marta Rodela and Linda Flynn step and glide in rhythm as Morgan Wallen's "Whiskey Glasses" blasts out of a nearby speaker at the Waring Senior Center in West Ashley. As they have moved together in the same corner class after class, the three have bonded through the line dancing and are planning a trip together to Myrtle Beach next year. "The friends I have made are really FRIEND-friends, the kind that came and got me when I had my surgery," said Wiggins, 73, who was expecting about 50 of them at a birthday party the next day. The connection has an added bonus for people their age it can keep them from being cooped up at home alone, which raises their risk of heart disease, dementia and premature death. The state of South Carolina is determined to help more people follow, or even dance, in their footsteps. Led by the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health and the Department on Aging, a task force has been looking at the problem of social isolation in the elderly and issued a report June 13 with recommendations in a number of areas. The report comes on the heels of one from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on May 3 where he calls loneliness and social isolation "profound threats to our health and well-being" that increases the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, dementia and anxiety. Its impact on increasing the risk of dying early could be likened to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, Murthy said in a review of recent research. It is no less a threat to the vulnerable elderly in South Carolina, said May Pack, executive director of the IMPH. "The urgency of this problem cant be overstated," she said. The elderly are a growing segment in the Palmetto State: those age 65 and older were 18.7 percent of the state's population in 2020 and will account for nearly one in four residents by 2035, according to the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. "Were a hot state for retirement and our population is growing older, Pack said. About one in four seniors nationally are considered socially isolated, and South Carolina is right at the national average for those considered most at risk, such as those that live alone or are divorced or widowed. It happened to Rodela, 68, when her husband Dave died in 2019. The following year the pandemic began and she, as with so many others, was isolated at home. But then, "I thought, Ive got to get out, Ive got to do something," Rodela said, and she found the line dancing class nearly two years ago. It makes sense to her that being isolated would have such profound health effects because "youre going to sit around and wait to die," Rodela said. Those are sometimes referred to as "deaths of despair" where isolation increased the risk of suicide or overdose. It is why the institute and others want it recognized and emphasized among what are known as "social determinants of health," those non-medical factors that impact disease risk, such as poverty or lack of transportation, Pack said. Some health systems are already recognizing it. Many in Prisma Health's primary care network, stretching across 20 counties and cities from Greenville to Columbia to Sumter, already include screening about social determinants of health like social isolation when assessing patients. They also look at what support they have in the home and in the community, said Janice Dinkins director of Care Management Continuum of Care at Prisma. "We need to see the full picture of how people actually live," she said, then decide "what do we do with it, how do we help them?" Particularly with seniors "we know the elderly population is very vulnerable" to isolation, Dinkins said. The new report looks at some broader issues that could create barriers, and a big one is transportation, particularly for rural areas, Pack said. "We know there is not enough public transportation opportunities throughout the state," she said, and the report makes a number of recommendations to bolster the infrastructure. Tracey Coleman, a nurse practitioner in the heart failure clinic at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, agrees. "Our basic public transportation is really not enough," she said. As the clinic is screening its patients, they are asked how they get back and forth, what resources they have at home, who is there to help them. "It just turns into a very candid conversation," Coleman said. "You find out that way if they have family that is helping them or if they are alone." The hospital has a transportation service, or it can use Uber; its foundation can help with medications; and there is a community paramedic who can drop in on patients to see if they are having problems, she said. It's a particular concern with these patients because they are very sick, Coleman said. "They hardly have the breath to walk across the room," she said. "So it is very concerning when you learn they live at home alone." Disability is a major reason why people may become socially isolated, the new report notes, and 35 percent of those 65 and older in South Carolina have a disability, like Nancy Finlen, 65, of Charleston. As she pedaled on a stationary bike at the Waring Senior Center, her husband, John, 73, pedaled beside her. "This is my happy place," Nancy Finlen said. Even though her Parkinson's disease has begun to progress after seven years, the couple hits the gym there often, and they do chair volleyball on Saturdays. "That's a lot of fun," John Finlen said, and they enjoy other programs like book signings. But the disease is starting to take a toll on her. "He'll bring me up here because I don't drive anymore," Nancy Finlen said. And if he weren't around, "she'd be kind of isolated," John Finlen said. There are a lot of agencies in different communities across the state providing services to seniors, and a big part of the report's recommendations aims to free them up to do more, Pack said. Loosening state or federal regulations would mean "having more flexibility in the type of programming they offer, she said. Making policy decisions with social isolation in mind should matter, said Jennifer Porth, Continuum of Care Social Work manager at Prisma Health. A Columbia area Meals on Wheels program used to deliver daily but switched to once a week delivering seven frozen meals. she said. "That might be the one day a week that an individual sees another person," Porth said, instead of a daily interaction. The Waring Senior Center is seeing more patients show up "saying my doctor told me to come here" to avoid being cooped up at home, said Elizabeth Bernat, senior services program director. The center offers them a wide range of possible activities, from exercises and classes to a foreign policy discussion and writing group, a library, wine tastings and jam sessions, she said. But federal funding can restrict what activities it will pay for and may require that they be evidence-based, Bernat said. For other activities, like the line dancing class, there is a modest fee that covers the cost of paying for the instructor, to get around that. That anyone would not recognize the health benefits of dance seems absurd to Flynn, 65, and Rodela as they cooled down after a recent class. Line dancing "makes your brain work in a different way," Flynn said. "Youve got to coordinate the brain with the feet and it gets you thinking." "Youve got to learn how to learn again," Rodela joked. That the state or federal government wouldn't pay for it for seniors "is sad," Flynn said, "because dance is so uplifting. You cant be depressed and dance." "No, you cant," Rodela agreed. "You cant. Its just impossible," Flynn said. Two years ago, Rodela started line dancing as part of her journey out on her own, and she is still working on feeling comfortable eating alone at a restaurant. But she has a good feeling coming out of class with her friends. "Now, we learn a new dance, I go home, and me and my dog dance around my kitchen," Rodela said. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High around 95F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 94F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Although most people dont need a liberal arts degree, global competition and changes in the workplace mean some kind of post-secondary credential has become essential for almost everyone, and getting that requires at least a GED and in many cases a high school diploma. Read moreEditorial: Charter schools are supposed to be innovative; SC school for dropouts sure is FLORENCE Education, mental health and home rehabilitation will be the United Way of Florence County's focus, President Cameron Packett said. Packett discussed the organization's move to a collective impact model from the United Way/Community Chest model at the organization's June 13 third annual Awards and Allocation Luncheon at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Florence. The United Way of Florence County also recognized its major supporters during the 2022-23 fund-raising campaign. The United Way of Florence County announced its decision to move toward the collective impact model in June 2022. In the past 12 months, the organization has conducted a needs assessment survey and community meetings. The United Way received more than 700 survey responses and more than 100 people attended community meetings conducted during a six-month period, Packett said. "Using that input along with Florence County data, we were able to complete phase 1 of the transition and determine our focus areas," Packett said. In education, the United Way will focus on early childhood education and activities for youth. Preparing children under 4 to read was a major concern of survey participants. Activities for youth were another big concern, she said. Extensive research shows brain development is critical in the first few years of life, Packett said. Early childhood education can have lasting effects on future learning, health and success in life. Mental health will be another focus, Packett said. Drug overdose deaths in the county increased 147% between 2019 and 2021. The county also ranks fourth highest in the state for opioid hospitalizations. One in 5 adults in Florence County have been diagnosed with depression. The United Way also will promote home rehabilitation and basic needs, she said. Home rehabilitation needs have increased 13% since 2021, but there are no services available in Florence County to address this need, Packett said. Nearly 42% of renters in Florence County struggle to pay their rent. Safe, accessible housing was a major concern in the survey. United Way Board of Directors Secretary MacKenzie Webb said the focus areas reflect the the county's most pressing needs as United Way of Florence County moves toward a more strategic funding model. Webb also is chair of the collective impact task force. "The task force has taken a very hands-on approach to this work, and we believe we have set targets that can make a lasting difference in the lives of the people we are here to serve," Webb said. The three focus areas are a major milestone in the United Way's transition to a collective impact model, Packett said. "While there is still much work to be done, it's important to acknowledge that so much has been accomplished in getting to this point. We're deeply grateful to our board members for their support, task force members for their efforts and community members for their input," she said. The next step is working with experts and community leaders to create comprehensive solutions, she said. At the luncheon, County Administrator of Florence County Kevin Yokim discussed the four levels of giving and four levels of rewards. The first two levels involve reluctant givers who are motivated by guilt -- a feeling their co-workers and bosses expect them to give. The next two levels understand the joy of giving. They enjoy the good feelings giving creates, Yokim said. The four rewards of giving are what the individual recipent gets, what the giver receives, a lasting legacy and the impact on the overall community, he said. "Because of all of you who give to the United Way, how many lives have been changed," he said. United Way of Florence County Campaign Chair Jeanette Altman announced the top two givers in each level and other awards at the luncheon. PGBA/BCBS was the top giver. Honda of South Carolina was a platinum level giver more than $70,000. McLeod Health and Assurant were the two largest donors at the gold level -- $40,000 to $69,999. Pepsi of Florence and the city of Florence were the top donors in the silver level $10,000 to $39,999. Nucor/Vulcraft and Crescent Partners of Raymond James were the two largest donors at the bronze level $5,000 to $9,999. Richard Harrington and Roger Hux and Julia Krebbs were the top individual donors. The Campaign Advancement Award went to Pepsi of Florence. Field Fasteners received the Live United Award and QVC, Inc. received the Partnership Award. COLUMBIA A federal court win by hardline conservatives in the South Carolina House allows them to raise money and campaign against their Republican colleagues, likely raising GOP infighting in the Statehouse to unseen levels. The June 13 ruling by U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie puts the Freedom Caucus on par with major-party caucuses in its ability to raise and spend money, potentially resulting in more well-funded challengers to House GOP incumbents they perceive as not faithful enough. "This was an across-the-board win for us," said Rep. R.J. May, a founder of the group that formed last year as a faction of the House Republican Caucus. The ruling "was very forceful against the use of government to silence political opposition," he said. "Now with that ruling in hand, we are able to fight back." May, who runs campaigns for a living, said the group will get to work setting up bank accounts and raising money "as soon as possible." The ruling means he no longer needs to turn away potential candidates wanting to run under the Freedom Caucus banner, he said. Whether the GOP-led House Ethics Committee will appeal the ruling is not known. "We'll huddle up and discuss our options," said its chairman, Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence. The lawsuit was filed against the 10-member Ethics Committee that's evenly divided among Republicans and Democrats. But it was aimed squarely at members of the Caucus' own party. Currie's order bars the committee from enforcing 17-year-old state campaign laws that put the Freedom Caucus into the category of a restricted "special interest" caucus which hit them with certain speech limitations "as well as limitations on donations, solicitations, accepting gifts, and expenses," she wrote. She agreed those limitations violate the group's constitutional rights both free speech guaranteed in the First Amendment and equal protection in the Fourteenth Amendment. Rep. Micah Caskey, a frequent critic of the Freedom Caucus, said the ruling gives blanket permission for free-for-all elections that legally skirt state campaign laws, having an impact far broader than the Freedom Caucus. "They can spend unlimited money, and there's no restriction on what a special interest caucus is, so there's nothing to stop me from starting a caucus only I join," said Caskey, R-West Columbia, who's also a member of the Ethics Committee. "We clearly have a gaping hole in our campaign finance law," he continued. "You don't have to pretend at all. Just create a 'whatever' caucus." Caskey said he's not defending laws written years before his arrival but rather criticizing how the Freedom Caucus challenged them. "My objection to all of this is that these charlatans ran to a federal district court judge rather than legislate a right answer," he said. "They invited a judge to blast a hole in our ethics laws." May countered by saying the ruling only allows what major-party caucuses already do, nothing more. Currie discounted similar arguments in her ruling. "The court acknowledges state interests in preventing corruption, increasing transparency into the electoral process and holding candidates, elected officials and donors accountable," she wrote. "However, defendants have not come forward with any argument or evidence to support different requirements for different sets of legislators. A legitimate concern about corruption, without showing show others could not be similarly corrupted, is insufficient." There are already 15 special interest caucuses in the House, including a separate Democrat-run Freedom Caucus created by House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford earlier this year to counteract the hardline conservative caucus. The two often go at each other on Twitter. The opinion distinguishes the two as the May Freedom Caucus and the Rutherford Freedom Caucus. Other groups listed in the ruling include the Sportsman's Caucus, the S.C. Energy Caucus, and the socially conservative Family Caucus, which led the Legislature's anti-abortion efforts. It was a quick outcome for a federal lawsuit filed just a few months ago. Currie denied the Ethics Committee's request for a "discovery" process that would require the Freedom Caucus to provide information on how it currently operates, saying that's unnecessary. A non-trial judgment is warranted, she wrote, because Freedom Caucus members face "credible threat" of being punished for asserting their constitutional rights. Like much of the state ethics code, a violation of the restrictions is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or up to a $5,000 fine. Public reprimands and expulsion are also possibilities, Currie wrote. While other special interest caucuses exist, the Freedom Caucus' split from the larger House GOP Caucus marks a first. Sixteen of the caucus' 18 members are not part of the majority caucus. That's because they refused to sign rules the GOP caucus adopted during an organizational session after the November election that gave Republicans a supermajority advantage. The rule that caused the schism bans members from participating in "campaign activities of any kind" against a fellow caucus member. May said multiple GOP leaders in the Legislature he declined to name anyone have threatened to run primary opponents against Freedom Caucus members, and the ruling allows them to defend themselves. House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens, said he knows of no such threat. "It's easy to make accusations," he said. "Our goal is to protect our members." As for what the ruling could mean for 2024 GOP primaries, he added, "We don't intend for it to get nasty, but we will defend members of the caucus 100 percent." FORT MILL One of Fort Mill's oldest buildings is close to getting $25 million needed for repairs. The York County town's utilities department has used the former National Guard Armory on East Elliot Street near downtown as its operations center for more than a decade, officials said. The building itself was erected in 1938 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The $25 million earmark was requested by S.C. Rep. Raye Felder, R-Fort Mill, in the state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Legislators returned to Columbia on June 14 to approve a budget compromise worked out by members of the House and Senate, which left Felder's request intact. The $13 billion spending plan will then go to Gov. Henry McMaster, who can veto individual items. The General Assembly can put those items back into the budget with a two-thirds vote by each chamber. The budget compromise proposes spending hundreds of millions on local projects sponsored by legislators. Felder's is the largest earmark sponsored by a single legislator and third highest overall. Felder represents Fort Mill, one of the fastest growing municipalities in S.C. It added more than 5,700 residents between 2020 and 2022 and tripled the size of its student population in roughly the same span. The former Fort Mill armory is significant for its original role as a place to train the military, according to the National Register. The architecture itself is notable as the only Art Deco-styled building in Fort Mill. "While the style was used freely throughout the state in armory buildings, the style was otherwise relatively rare in South Carolina," according to the register. The 85-year-old building has also been used as a public space for dances and as a school gymnasium. Fort Mill Town Manager David Broom said the facility has housed the utilities department since 2011. National Register properties are eligible for some financial incentives, and some are given limited protection from the impact of state or federally assisted projects. A listing does not guarantee the preservation of the properties, officials said. The National Guard built another facility in Fort Mill on Munn Street, just west of Fort Mill High School. Fort Mill is assessing the facility for repairs and how to get the best use out of the property, Broom said. Felder said roof repair is one of the issues the money would address. The Town of Fort Mill is very appreciative of the efforts of S.C. Representative Felder to help the Town of Fort Mill in potentially receiving these funds," town spokesman Chris Sardelli said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing what the Legislature and governor finalize within the states approved budget. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. High 92F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 78F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Montpelier Assistant Director of Archaeology Mary Minkoff says the lessons that can be learned from Juneteenth are broader than a single day in history. This year, Montpelier and its partner organizations are bringing that idea to life through an entire month of programming. Throughout June, the Montpelier Foundation, Montpelier Descendants Committee, Orange County African-American Historical Society and the Arts Center in Orange are working together to honor the emancipation of enslaved Black men and women. Juneteenth, a federal holiday since 2021, commemorates the last community of enslaved persons receiving news of their emancipation in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. According to Minkoff, this years local events will highlight the ways in which Black community members fought for their freedom before, during and after emancipation. The theme for this year is Celebrating Stories of Freedom, said Minkoff. Its the idea that freedom wasnt just on one day where African-Americans were waiting to be told they were free. We wanted to also share the stories of local people who were doing things to secure their own freedom. Each Thursday throughout the month of June, a virtual panel discussion will focus on a different way in which African-Americans worked to obtain freedom for themselves, their loved ones and their communities, and how the stories of those efforts continue to be passed down through the generations. Panelists include experts in a wide range of fields, from Ivy League scholars to historians, artists and agriculturalists. The series kicked off its first two sessions with Stories From Our Land, a discussion about the role of the natural environment in the journey to freedom, and Stories From Our Grandmothers, an exploration of the role of family stories in passing down oral history. On Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m., the series will continue with Stories From Our Community, featuring a panel of local historians and keepers of community history including OCAAHS President Bruce Monroe, Princeton Universitys Niya Bates and Germanna Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Hurst-Wedner. The final two sessions, Stories From Our Congregation and Stories In Our Art, will shed light on the ways in which faith and creativity respectively have contributed to the freedom of Black community members. Those interested in participating can register for the live streams at www.ocaahs.org/juneteenth or watch anytime on the OCAAHS YouTube page. In addition to the virtual discussions, several in-person events will take place in honor of the holiday. On Friday, June 16, MDC, OCAAHS and the Montpelier Foundation will host a dinner at Montpelier for descendants of the enslaved community in central Virginia. MDC board member Henry Anglin shared that the dinner is a way to connect descendants with one another and get them engaged in the committees ongoing work to memorialize the lives of the enslaved community at the historic site. The memorialization were looking at is not necessarily just the burial grounds, but the contributions that were made and the effects of those contributions throughout the whole landscape of Montpelier, Anglin explained. On Saturday, June 17, an all-day celebration will take place at Montpelier, starting with a libation ceremony on the burial grounds at 10 a.m. featuring Bailes African Drum Works. The festivities will continue with live music by Adwela and the Uprising, Calvin Earl, Dena Jennings and Horace Scruggs, in addition to specialty tours, historical interpretations, food and vendors until 4 p.m. Another highlight of Saturdays event will be the Portraying Bravery art contest held in partnership with The Arts Center In Orange. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to vote on a series of paintings by community members inspired by Montpeliers historical records of Anthony, who escaped from slavery into freedom. The results of the contest will be announced at 3:45 p.m. and the winning artwork will be displayed in Montpeliers visitor center. We took those descriptions of Anthony, who was a young man at the time, and asked people to portray him not necessarily as a portrait, but using that description as a kind of starting off point to commemorate his bravery as a young person who found his own way and escaped, said Anna Pillow, executive director of The Arts Center In Orange. He found liberty, which is something I think that a lot of Americans can relate to freedom as a core value. On Monday, the Juneteenth celebration will move to downtown Orange. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Church Street Park, attendees can enjoy live music by local choirs, storytelling and food vendors, in addition to chatting with representatives of community organizations at information tables. The park, located at the corner of Church and Chapman streets, was dedicated by OCAAHS and the town of Orange on Juneteenth 2022, and sits on the former site of a prominent historic freedmens community and Black business district. Monroe explained that in Orange County, celebrating Juneteenth has served to connect community members with their history, both nationally and locally.I think Juneteenth has made people aware and even more curious, where theyre actually going out and researching to learn more about Black history and the history of Orange, he said. Both events on Saturday and Monday are free and open to the public. To learn more, visit www.montpelier.org/events/juneteenth-month. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 19:55:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1102 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / LenovoAda Lopez, Senior Manager, Global Product Diversity Office, LenovoThe past year has seen artificial intelligence (AI) become a dinner-table topic of conversation around the world, thanks to bots such as ChatGPT, which dazzles users with its ability to compose lifelike text and even computer code. But what happens when AI makes wrong decisions?It's a serious issue. Bias - and gender bias in particular - is common in AI systems, leading to a variety of harms, from discrimination and reduced transparency, to security and privacy issues. In the worst cases, wrong AI decisions could damage careers and even cost lives. Without dealing with AI's bias problem, we risk an imbalanced future - one in which AI will never reach its full potential as a tool for the greater good.AI is only as good as the data sets it is trained on. Much data is skewed towards men, as is the language used in everything from online news articles to books. Research shows that training AI on Google News data leads to associating men with roles such as captain' and financier', whereas women are associated with receptionist' and homemaker'.As a result, many AI systems, trained on such biased data and often created by largely male teams, have had significant problems with women, from credit card companies which seem to offer more generous credit to men, to tools screening for everything from COVID to liver disease. These are areas where wrong decisions can damage people's financial or physical health.This is compounded by the fact that just 22% of professionals in AI and data science are women, according to the World Economic Forum's research. Gender itself is also becoming a more complex topic, thanks to non-binary and transgender expressions, leading to more potential for bias in many different forms.AI is a powerful tool that offers us the chance to solve previously unsolvable problems from cancer to climate change - but unless the bias issue is addressed, AI risks being untrustworthy, and ultimately irrelevant. If AI professionals cannot confront the bias issue, these tools will not be useful, and the artificial intelligence industry risks another AI Winter', as seen in the 1970s, when interest in the technology dried up.Dealing with dataGoing forward, businesses will increasingly rely on AI technology to turn their data into value. According to Lenovo's Data for Humanity report, 88% of business leaders say that AI technology will be an important factor in helping their organisation unlock the value of its data over the next five years.So how will business leaders deal with the problem of bias? For the first time in history, we have this powerful technology that is entirely created from our own understanding of the world. AI is a mirror that we hold up to ourselves. We shouldn't be shocked by what we see in this mirror. Instead, we should use this knowledge to change the way we do things. That starts with ensuring that the way our organisations work is fair in terms of gender representation and inclusion - but also by paying attention to how data is collected and used.Whenever you start collecting data, processing it, or using it, you risk inserting bias. Bias can creep in anywhere: if there is more data for one gender, for example, or if questions were written by men.For business leaders, thinking about where data comes from, how it's used, and how bias can be combatted will become increasingly important.Technical solutions will also play an important part. Data scientists don't have the luxury of going through every line of text used in a training model.There are two solutions to this: one is having many more people to test the model and spot problems. But the better solution is to have more efficient tools to find bias, either in the data which the AI is fed with, or in the model itself. With ChatGPT, for example, the researchers use a mental learning model to annotate potentially problematic data. The AI community needs to focus on this. Tools to provide greater transparency in the way AI works will also be important.Understanding biasIt also helps if we consider the broader context. The tools we use today are already creating bias in the models we will apply in the future. We might think that we have solved' a bias issue now, but in 50 years, for example, new tools or pieces of evidence might change completely how we look at certain things. This was the case with the history of Rett syndrome diagnosis, where data was primarily collected from girls. The lack of data on boys with the disorder introduced bias into data modelling several years later and led to inaccurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations for boys.Similarly, in 100 years, humans might work for only three days a week. That would mean that data from now is skewed towards a five-day way of looking at things. Data scientists and business leaders must take context into account. Understanding social context is equally important for businesses operating in multiple territories today.Mastering such issues will be one of the touchstones of responsible AI. For business leaders using AI technology, being conscious of these issues will grow in importance, along with public and regulatory interest. By next year, 60% of AI providers will offer a means to deal with possible harm caused by the technology alongside the tech itself, according to Gartner.Business leaders must plan thoroughly for responsible AI and create their own definition of what this means for their organisation, by identifying the risks and assessing where bias can creep in. They need to engage with stakeholders to understand potential problems and distinguish how to move forward with best practices. Using AI responsibly will be a long journey, and one that will require constant attention from leadership.The rewards of using AI responsibly, and rooting out bias wherever it creeps in, will be considerable, allowing business leaders to improve their reputation for trust, fairness and accountability, while delivering real value to their organisation, to customers and to society as a whole.Businesses need to deal with this at board level to ensure bias is dealt with and AI is used responsibly across the whole organisation. This could include launching their own Responsible AI board to ensure that all AI applications are evaluated for bias and other problems. Leaders also need to address the broader problem of women in STEM, particularly in data science. Women - especially those in leadership roles - will be central to solving the issue of gender bias in PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 16:00:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 585 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MedBridge Healthcare and American TelePhysicians partner to provide sleep apnea screening, diagnosis, and treatment to patients via American TelePhysicians' medical services platform, CURA4U.com JACKSONVILLE, FL and GREENVILLE, SC / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / American TelePhysicians (ATP), a leading multispeciality virtual healthcare company, and MedBridge Healthcare, a renowned provider of sleep center management services, have joined forces to provide sleep diagnostic and therapeutic within ATP's comprehensive healthcare offerings. Through this partnership, patients can access a seamless sleep medicine ecosystem via ATP's one-stop healthcare CURA4U platform, incorporating screening, diagnosis, treatment, and consultations with sleep medicine specialists. This collaboration aims to address the under-diagnosis of sleep disorders, providing patients with timely care, greater access and improved health outcomes.MedBridge Healthcare and American TelePhysiciansSleep apnea, a leading cause of uncontrolled hypertension and heart failure, often goes undiagnosed or untreated, impacting individuals' overall well-being. Recognizing the need for enhanced sleep healthcare, ATP and MedBridge have combined their expertise to create an online sleep medicine ecosystem. This ecosystem, available through ATP's SleepRx and CURA4U platform, empowers patients with educational resources and allows them to easily schedule at-home sleep services. Patients can receive comprehensive care ranging from sleep screenings and diagnoses to tailored treatments and consultations with sleep specialists."MedBridge has developed many successful programs aimed at lessening the number and severity of sleep disorders. American TelePhysicians' physician team is passionate about patient care and we are excited to merge our sleep specialties to create an ecosystem that will benefit patients suffering from sleep disorders," declares Dr. Waqas Ahmed, Founder and CEO of American TelePhysicians. Dr. Ahmed adds, "And CURA4U is an easy-to-use app or web-based platform for patients to search for and schedule services, or just learn more about sleep disorders." "MedBridge Healthcare first partnered with American TelePhysicians' physician team to assist with sleep consultations to ensure the medical necessity of ordering in-center or home sleep apnea testing," states John Mathias, Chief Development Officer at MedBridge Healthcare. "They have a patient friendly and timely service that ensures appropriate diagnosis, patient engagement and follow up therapeutic care. They customized their own SaaS platform to accommodate our specific client needs. Their commitment and attention to detail made patient access and adherence more successful. We look forward to expanding their professional services with our diagnostic and treatment offerings." About American TelePhysiciansAmerican TelePhysicians is a Jacksonville-based digital healthcare company founded in 2017 by a team of physicians and IT professionals under the leadership of Waqas Ahmed, MD FACP. With operations in the US, Asia, and Australia, the organization's vision is to transform the global healthcare industry by creating customized healthcare ecosystems, and by bringing affordable medical services to all patients, including underserved communities. American TelePhysicians achieves this through various projects, including CURA4U, SmartClinix, and NeuroX. For more information, visit www.americantelephysicians.com About MedBridge HealthcareMedBridge Healthcare is the leading provider of sleep center management services and one of the top providers of home sleep apnea testing in the U.S. MedBridge provides a comprehensive fully-integrated model for screening, diagnosing, treating, and supporting patient adherence to therapy. MedBridge partners with some of the most innovative hospital systems and healthcare providers in the nation to reduce 30-day readmission rates and improve access, cost and care for inpatient, outpatient, employer-based, and episodic care populations. For more information, visit www.medbridgehealthcare.com Contact InformationLindsay MillerDirector of Marketinglmiller@ medbridgegroup.com 866-527-5970Sherri JohnsonSVP, Business DevelopmentSOURCE: MedBridge Healthcare PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 21:50:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 353 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / CIPHER-CORE, Inc., (OTC PINK:CFCI) a company that provides end-to-end protection technology for communication systems, remote authentication technology for IoT systems and Crypto Cash technology.Mr. Takatoshi Nakamura, CEO and President attended the Digital Currency Conference (DCC) May 17 through May 19, 2023 in Mexico City. Seventy-one organizations from 33 countries focused on technology and design aspects of both Central Bank and Private Digital Currencies. It was successful to join DCC and introduce our products for the future of Digital Currencies with the participants at this conference.The first day of the Conference, Digital Currency Fintech Innovation showcased the most outstanding start-up Fin-Techs, several innovation hubs within established commercial banks, and organizations with digital currency innovation.Ten innovative companies were selected to make a presentation of their projects. CIPHER-CORE, Inc., Mr. Nakamura was one of the ten selected companies who highlighted the following for the executives of the central banks and the companies.1. Why our product is different from existing solutions:Our product is the world's first application of unbreakable complete cipher technology based on "Information-theoretic security" to CBDC. This is the world's first and only technology and Product that realizes the "digital cash" ideal for CBDC in retail.2. Why we think we can make a difference in the digital currency area:First, for retail CBDC, it is the world's one and only solution to realize "digital cash". On the other hand, for wholesale CBDC, since it will always use some kind of network, we are able to provide a solution that can eliminate "man-in- the-middle" attacks, for which there is no Fundamental solution even today, by applying complete ciphers.Mr. Nakamura joined the various presentations performed by the Banks and other companies and events arranged by the DCC pursuant to the program.Mr. Nakamura spoke directly about CIPHER's unique technologies for CBDC with 11 executives of the central banks, all of whom indicated their great interest in his proposal and willingness to proceed with opportunities.Investor Relations:Claire SingletonTel: 801-580-9928Email: clairesingleton@ aol.com URL: http://www.ciher-core.com/en SOURCE: Cipher-Core, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 15:07:36 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 778 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 HONG KONG, June 13, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The HKTDC Export Index rose 8.8 points to 47.8 in the second quarter this year, showing better business sentiment among Hong Kong exporters after Mainland China's borders reopened and business activities return to normal.All major industries and export markets rallied except for clothing, with toys (55.4, up 7.5 points) and machinery (50.3, up 7.4 points) moving above 50 into expansion territory while, among markets, the European Union (51.4, up 9.4 points) and United States (51.1, up 6.7 points) turned positive for the first time in five years.Based on a quarterly Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) survey of 500 exporters from six major industries - machinery, electronics, jewellery, timepieces, toys and clothing - the index at above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook, and below 50 pessimistic.Export outlook upbeatHKTDC Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung said three new sub-indices - inventory (48.5), current new orders (45.1) and expected new orders (53.6) - provided a more comprehensive exporter sentiment picture. Respondents - especially those from toys, timepieces and machinery sectors - expected strong growth in new export orders in July-September.The profitability outlook improved as more respondents (66.3%, up 15.3 percentage points from the final quarter of last year) expected higher or stable net profit margins for this year."Against this backdrop, the city's exporters have adjusted their business strategies, shifting the focus from cash-flow management to spending more resources on marketing, promotion and business matching (41.6%, up 11.7 percentage points from previous quarter) and diversifying sales into additional overseas markets (31.1%)," Ms Yeung said.All sub-indices riseOther sub-indices grew this quarter with the Trade Value Index and Employment Index edged up 0.8 point to 48.8 and 0.5 point to 48.1 respectively, while the Procurement Index leapt 15.9 points to 44.3.The Offshore Trade Index, which tracks sentiment around shipments not passing through Hong Kong but managed by businesses within the city, soared 18.5 points to 46.5, "signalling a sustained recovery in demand for Hong Kong's trading services", Ms Yeung added.Growing economic risksThe survey results also revealed a slower-than-expected recovery of cargo routed through Hong Kong. Only 13.4% (down 23.1 percentage points from previous quarter) of related respondents expected an increase this year. As of last month, the number of cross-boundary vehicles at all crossings for goods vehicles and containers reached a plateau at about 60% of the pre-pandemic level. Some industry players said reduced capacity had raised cross-border logistics costs between 20% and 30% from pre-pandemic levels, slowing the recovery.The biggest risk was seen as an external one, with most respondents (66.1%, up 29.9 percentage points from the final quarter last year) recognising an economic slowdown or recession in overseas markets as the top challenge to export performance over the third quarter this year.Sustained recoveryAffected by weakened global demand, a slower-than-expected recovery in cross-border land transport capacity, coupled with a longer-than-expected downcycle in the electronics sector, Hong Kong's total exports fell 16.5% year-on-year in the first four months of this year. Among markets, the Middle East grew 11.5%, driven by the two economies' closer economic and trade ties. Stimulated by a post-pandemic spike in demand in Mainland China and Macao, Hong Kong's precious jewellery exports to the two markets surged 32% and 42% respectively.HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said the recovery was gathering momentum for the second half of this year which was likely to carry into next year. "However, traders remain cautious, with many concerned about the challenging external backdrop. The risk of escalating geopolitical tensions, may create uncertainties for electronics trade flows throughout the region, especially those relating to the semi-conductor industry," she said.Taking all these factors into account, HKTDC Research has revised its forecast for Hong Kong export growth this year down from earlier estimate of 5% to between 0% and 2%.References- HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/ - HKTDC Export Index 2Q23: Confidence at Two-Year High https://bit.ly/3Nk5wfP - 2023 Mid-Year Export Review: Recovery Set to Accelerate in the second half https://bit.ly/42Ay2y2 - Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Ce0P0A About HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus . Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedInMedia enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 14:00:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 954 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Magna Terra") (TSXV:MTT) is pleased to announce through its 100% owned Argentine subsidiary Atala Resources S.A. ("Atala"), that Oroplata S.A. ("Oroplata"), a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation ("Newmont"), has provided a detailed summary report of its initial exploration program undertaken to date on the Boleadora Project. In addition, Oroplata has made the third anniversary option payment of US$100,000 to Atala under the option agreement (see details below). The Boleadora Project ("Boleadora") is a large greenfields exploration land package (~55,000 hectares) encompassing 12 exploration licenses situated 17 kilometres southeast of Newmont's Cerro Negro mine area in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina (Figure 1).According to Newmont geologists, Boleadora is underlain by extensive Jurassic volcanic sequences that include welded pumice crystal-rich rhyolitic ignimbrites cut by bimodal subvolcanic domes. Main structural trends include northwest, north-northwest, and east-west corridors with chalcedonic and opaline silica veins with massive textures up to one-metre wide and silica sinter up to 50 metre by 50 metre exposures that might correspond to shallower levels of low-sulphidation epithermal system (Figure 2). This geology is favourable for hosting low-sulphidation epithermal gold mineralization similar in style to the nearby Cerro Negro and Cerro Vanguardia deposits.Since first assessing the project in 2019, Newmont subsidiary Oroplata has collected 198 rock-chip samples (surface float and outcrop) and 134 drainage sediment samples for analysis via Bulk Leach Extractable Gold ("BLEG") and completed a hyperspectral survey covering the main geological areas of interest.Based on fieldwork conducted to date and review of existing exploration data, Newmont geologists, have identified 10 exploration targets on the property. Each of these target areas demonstrate anomalous precious metal (Au, Ag) and pathfinder elements (As, Sb, Bi, Hg, Tl, and Mo) that are associated with silica alteration, host fault zones and sinter that could relate to deeper hydrothermal activity. These areas have subtle favorable hyperspectral responses; indicative of zones of gold-associated hydrothermal alteration.Project HighlightsLarge land package comprising ~55,000 hectares;17 kilometres along strike from Newmont's Cerro Negro Mine;Geological environment with potential to host low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits; andRecognition of ten target areas for follow-up exploration with two noted as high priority based on geochemical sampling and hyperspectral surveying; andSignificant ongoing financial commitment by Newmont on the nearby Cerro Negro Mine."We are very pleased with the generative exploration field programs that Newmont has completed to date on Boleadora. Their initial work supports the existence of a geological environment that is favourable for hosting low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits in north-northwest structural control along strike from Cerro Negro, including ten geochemical and geological targets that require follow-up exploration. The trend associated with the north-northwest structural control that is an important geological feature to mineralization at Cerro Negro continues well into the Boleadora project area. The US$100,000 payment will allow Magna Terra to sustain all property maintenance obligations on our Argentinian portfolio outside of Boleadora as we continue to seek strategic partners to advance these other assets." ~ Lew Lawrick, President and CEO, Magna Terra Minerals Inc.Figure 1: Location of Magna Terra exploration projects in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.Figure 2: Boleadora generalized geology with structural interpretation at district scale (courtesy Newmont).Boleadora Purchase AgreementMagna Terra entered into a Purchase Agreement with Oroplata (Newmont) (see press release dated June 9, 2020) that will pay Magna Terra (Atala) US$1 million as follows: US$25,000 on signing and six installments totalling US$975,000 payable (US$175,000 paid) within six years from the date of the Agreement. In addition, Newmont (Oroplata) has granted a 2% NSR to Magna Terra (Atala) on the Boleadora Project. The royalty can be reduced to 1% by payment of US$2.5 million by Oroplata to Atala at anytime, and the gross royalty payable is capped at US$20 million.Qualified PersonThis news release has been reviewed and approved by David A. Copeland, P. Geo., Chief Geologist with Signal Gold Inc., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 - Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects.About Magna TerraMagna Terra Minerals Inc. is a precious metals focused exploration company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Magna Terra owns two district-scale, resource stage gold exploration projects in the top-tier mining jurisdictions of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Further, the Company maintains a significant exploration portfolio in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina which includes its precious metals discovery on its Luna Roja Project, as well as an extensive portfolio of district scale drill ready projects available for option or joint venture.Forward Looking StatementsNeither 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 Statements Regarding Forward Looking InformationThis news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the ability of the Company to file a report that complies with Regulation 43-101. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to futu PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 04:45:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 424 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / June 12, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of SentinelOne and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-s/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 7, 2023.About the LawsuitSentinelOne and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 1, 2023, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracieswe made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR" and that the Company had slashed its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance from a range of $631 million to $640 million to a range of $590 million to $600 million, due to the discovery of "historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected." On this news, shares of SentinelOne fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.The case is Johansson v. SentinelOne, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-02786.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-13 13:15:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 998 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Agreement will deliver renewable natural gas to U.S. research and manufacturing sites, starting in Newark, Delaware, and accelerate progress on global emissions reduction targetsNew partnership leverages food and beverage waste from manufacturing and cow manure to power sites, contributing to the circular economyBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, AstraZeneca (AZN) is partnering with Vanguard Renewables to enable the delivery of renewable natural gas (RNG) to all of its sites in the United States by the end of 2026.From June 2023, AstraZeneca will begin purchasing RNG produced by Vanguard Renewables for its Newark Campus in Delaware, where the Company packages 26 medicines for distribution across the U.S. and makes medicine formulations for global supply. By 2026, this collaboration will enable as much as 650,000 million British thermal units (MMBtu), or 190,500 megawatt hours (MWh), per year of RNG to be used across AstraZeneca's U.S. sites, equivalent to the energy required to heat more than 17,800 U.S. homes for a year.Pam Cheng, Executive Vice President of Global Operations & IT and Chief Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca, said: "We recognize the interconnection between the health of people and the planet, and are committed to driving deep decarbonization across our operations and value chain. Our innovative partnership with Vanguard Renewables in the U.S. is an illustration of how we are collaborating at scale to deliver sustainable science and medicines, as part of the transition to net zero health systems and a circular economy." AstraZeneca is taking a science-led, patient-centric approach to deliver improved health outcomes with a lower environmental footprint. As heat and power are critical to the manufacture of medicines, the decarbonization of healthcare requires access to clean sources of heat, such as renewable natural gas. This new partnership with Vanguard Renewables is an important milestone in delivering emissions reductions in line with AstraZeneca's flagship Ambition Zero Carbon program. The Company is on track to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 98% by 2026 from a 2015 baseline, and by 2030, AstraZeneca aims to halve its entire value chain footprint on the way to becoming science-based net zero by 2045 at the latest. The use of RNG at AstraZeneca sites in the U.S. will further enable the company's transition to 100 percent renewable energy for heat and power.This agreement will utilize Vanguard Renewables Farm Powered process, allowing Vanguard Renewables to work with dairy farmers and food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to produce RNG using farm-based anaerobic digestion (AD) from food and dairy cow manure. Once the RNG is produced and captured through AD, it will be injected into existing natural gas infrastructure for use in AstraZeneca medicines research and manufacturing processes.Through the partnership with Vanguard Renewables, AstraZeneca will access high quality RNG from three on-farm anaerobic digester facilities across the U.S. for the next 15 years or more.Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Vanguard Renewables stated: "Vanguard Renewables is excited to be partnering with AstraZeneca on this transformative business-to-business clean energy solution. AstraZeneca has set a very ambitious and challenging net zero target, which is a benchmark for their sector and other global corporations. We strongly believe this partnership will provide a path for other like-minded companies to join us on the journey towards global decarbonization." This collaboration will utilize food and beverage waste from the manufacturing sector and cow manure from local and family-owned farms, supporting rural communities across the U.S. By capturing methane from dairy operations that would have otherwise ended up in the atmosphere, this partnership also reduces pollution from the farming sector.John Hanselman, Chief Strategy Officer at Vanguard Renewables shared: "We have been working with multi-generational farms and food and beverage manufacturers since 2014 to provide sustainable solutions to greenhouse gas emissions challenges by diverting food waste from landfills and sequestering on-farm emissions. Vanguard's Farm Powered process provides farmers across the U.S. with additional revenue streams, supports regenerative agriculture practices, and helps to ensure that these farms will be operating for years to come - thanks in part to change-making partnerships like this with AstraZeneca." Notes:Anaerobic DigestionInedible or unsaleable food and beverage waste from the manufacturing and retail sectors is collected, sorted, depackaged on-site, and combined with dairy farm manure in a sealed biodigester tank. Once combined in the biodigester, microorganisms that naturally occur in manure digest the waste, converting sugars, fats, and other compounds into biogas. Harnessing the waste's energy captures as much as 95 percent of the potential greenhouse gas emissions that would result if food and beverage waste was sent to a landfill or if the farm manure was field applied. The process produces biogas that is upgraded to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) that is injected into the existing pipeline infrastructure on-site displacing traditional fossil fuels. The RNG is then used for heating and cooling or can be used to make compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles. The by-products of the anaerobic digestion process include a low-carbon and nutrient dense fertilizer (digestate) that reduces the farm's dependency on chemical fertilizers and a dry by-product that is used for animal bedding. When food and beverage manufacturers send their organic waste to a Farm Powered site and purchase the RNG created by their waste to power their plants, they are creating a closed-loop solution that helps to address Scope 1 and 3 emissions in their business practices.About Vanguard RenewablesVanguard Renewables, based in Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 120+ anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered anaerobic digestion. The Company is a member of The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. Vangua President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is on a state visit to Azerbaijan, have attended the inauguration of the new Air Force Central Command Post, Azernews reports. Purging mental incompetence from Shawna Marie Nicole Murphy, the woman accused of slaying author Matthew Farrell, is taking much longer than anticipated. The judge overseeing the case has extended Murphys competency restoration process for another 90 days. We understand that restoration services are still underway, said Albemarle County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Judge Judge Areshini Pather on Monday as she declared her intention to extend the evaluation period at Western State Hospital, which began in December, into August. Its unusual that restoration would take this long, retired forensic psychologist Jeffrey Fracher told The Daily Progress. She must be really sick. Detained since Oct. 25, the morning that she called first responders to say that she killed Farrell with a gunshot in his Stony Point Road home, Murphy has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony. The 53-year-old Farrell ran a small independent publishing company called the Hypocrite Press and was remembered for serving as a sort of unpaid ambassador for the 1990s Charlottesville arts scene. I kind of dont think hes dead, Murphy told The Daily Progress in a jailhouse phone call last fall. I almost dont believe it. Police, however, have said that Murphy readily confessed to shooting Farrell. And despite Murphys claim of self-defense, the police report noted that Farrell was found lying in his bed with an entry wound to the back of his head. Murphy, 39, is a self-described street performer whose skills include clowning, juggling and fire dancing, according to her online brochures and videos. Fracher said the prosecutor and judge may feel boxed into a corner under Virginia law, which could mandate the dismissal of charges against an unrestorably incompetent defendant. Fracher said the law appears to mandate release for such a person five years after their arrest. I think theyve got a dilemma on their hands, said Fracher. Maybe thats why they keep kicking the can down the road. Murphys next hearing is set for Aug. 21. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, the new chairperson of the governing board of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has alleged that the corporation reeks of corruption and has been taken over by a cabal. The board chairman also faulted the corporations new act saying it is one of the instruments of corruption. I tell you, NDIC stinks. There is a lot of rot going on. They say, When you fight corruption, corruption fights you. This is the purported new act of the NDIC and I tell you for nothing that this is Emefieles act. Here, they have taken away the powers of Mr President in respect of the NDIC, he said in a Facebook post on Monday. Mr Abdullateef was on 17 May appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as the chairman of the board of NDIC following the confirmation of the board members by the senate. But Mr Buhari, on 26 May, signed the NDIC (repeal and reenactment) bill of 2023 into law, repealing the NDIC Act of 2006. The new act, amongst other things, provides that only the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance can chair the governing board of the NDIC. According to a PRNigeria, controversies have since trailed the appointment of the new chair as the new law repealed the appointment of a chairman outside the public service. Mr Abdullateef, a former Lagos lawmaker and commissioner, alleged that the cabal took the new act to former President Buhari 48 hours before his leaving office. They knew at that time that the man was so busy and he would not be able to read everything they have put here. Therefore, they got him to sign it, he said. Another fraud was committed. This document that was signed is materially different from the vote and proceedings of that of the National Assembly that passed it. Cabal He alleged that the said cabal introduced the new bill to truncate the original plan of the board. Mr Abdullateef noted that there are still men of integrity among the lawmakers, adding that the cabal knew at the time that if they introduced the section to them on the floor, they will vote against it. So what did they do? It was hidden somewhere, it was not part of what was passed by the National Assembly, he said. The embattled chair also said that the act gave the president the free hand to appoint competent Nigerians who are capable of becoming managing directors and executive directors. READ ALSO: Now, they have tied the hands of the President and they said only someone recommended by Emefiele alone can be the Executive or Managing Director, he said. Mr Abdullateef, who wept in the video, called on Nigerians to not allow the new act to see the light of day. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to probe the new act. I want Mr President not to act on this law until it is probed. Probe the passage of this law. Probe the inclusion of section 7, which takes away the right of the ministry of finance, which takes away the responsibility of the ministry of finance and replaced it with two directors from CBN, he said. Efforts to reach Mr Emefiele and the CBN spokesperson Monday evening were unsuccessful. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, will on Thursday testify before the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja. Mr Yakubu will testify in Atiku Abubakars petition challenging President Bola Tinubus victory at the 25 February presidential election. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused INEC and Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the polls. His lead counsel, Chris Uche, on Tuesday, informed the five-member panel of the court chaired by Haruna Tsammani that Mr Yakubu would appear before it on Thursday. At the behest of Atikus legal team, Mr Yakubu had been subpoenaed to testify on the conduct of the disputed election. Also, he is expected to tender some sensitive electoral documents in aid of the petitioners suit. Mr Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), put INEC, Mr Tinubu and APCs legal teams on notice concerning Mr Yakubus scheduled appearance on Thursday to forestall any impediment that may obstruct the hearing. Atiku calls first star witness After calling 18 witnesses to testify for the petitioner, Mr Uche, on Tuesday, called his clients first star witness. The witness, Alex Ter, a lawyer and former Attorney General of Benue State, in his testimony, alleged that the February presidential poll was fraught with widespread irregularities as it was conducted in disregard of the Electoral Act, 2022. In his witness statement on oath, Mr Ter said he was the national coordinator Situation Room for the PDP during the February 25 presidential election in Abuja. He presented three video clips featuring INEC chair Mr Yakubu and INECs Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, who both pledged that the electoral umpire would electronically transmit the election results. The third video concerned the European Union Election Observer Mission, which was admitted as an exhibit by the court. Also, the court admitted the guidelines for election officers 2022 and the manual for election guidelines 2023 as exhibits. Mr Ter also tendered screenshots of the INEC IReV portal. Despite Mr Tinubu and APCs objections to the admissibility of the documents, the court admitted the videos played in court. Last Saturday, similar video clips were tendered by Peter Obis Labour Party, also contesting Mr Tinubus victory. Atiku and Mr Obi came second and third, respectively, in the race, but the pair are urging the court to declare each of them president. They are also calling for a fresh poll. While being cross-examination by INECs lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, a SAN, Mr Ter said he was not at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, but was at the PDP situation room in Abuja. The witness told the court that he was not an ICT expert. He clarified that his report on the elections outcome was obtained from agents of the PDP at the collation centres. Mr Ter, Atikus 19th witness, told the court under cross-examination by Mr Tinubus lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, a SAN, that the presidential election was nullity owing to alleged electoral malpractices by INEC. At the end of Mr Ters testimony, the court adjourned the suit until Wednesday for further hearing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Chuma Nzeribe, a politician convicted of impersonation and other crimes, has been freed from prison barely two months after he began a seven-year jail time. Mr Nzeribe was on the run for about a year after being convicted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court until he was arrested and sentenced in March this year. But barely two months after he began the seven years of jail time, the Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Husseini Baba-Yusuf, controversially freed him from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. The Chief Judge, it was learnt, took the administrative decision, anchored on the health conditions of the convict, during his official tour of the prison facility for a decongestion exercise in May. Mr Baba-Yusufs decision pre-empted the ruling of another judge of the court, Halilu Yusuf, on the bail application which Mr Nzeribe filed but had yet to be heard. Some lawyers have argued that the Chief Judges action overstepped the limits of his administrative powers and breached the law stipulating the conditions for freeing prisoners, more so that the convicts bail application was still pending in court for judicial determination. The convict had been out of jail before the agency that prosecuted him the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) got to know of it. Mr Nzeribe, a former member of the House of Representatives, was convicted in absentia by Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court at Maitama, Abuja, in May 2022. He was found guilty of impersonation, possessing federal government documents, and using the documents to acquire land in the Maitama district of Abuja fraudulently. But Mr Nzeribe could not be sentenced immediately after the judge pronounced him guilty due to his absence from court. The EFCC could only apprehend and take him to court for sentencing on 24 March, nearly a year after his conviction. At the sentencing proceedings, the judge, Mr Yusuf, jailed the former lawmaker for seven years. But within a short while after his sentencing, Mr Nzeribe filed an appeal against the courts decision and applied for post-conviction bail. Parties were still anticipating a date to be fixed for the hearing when the EFCC team got the hint that the convict had been released from prison. PREMIUM TIMES made attempts to confirm the development from the Chief Judges office to no avail. Our reporter paid repeated visits to the offices of the Chief Judge and the courts Chief Registrar, Hadiza Dodo, at the court complex in Maitama, Abuja, but was told on each occasion that the officials were not available. Why Mr Nzeribe was released But the FCT command of the Nigerian Correction Service, which supervises the Kuje facility where Mr Nzeribe was held, confirmed the convicts release to our reporter on Wednesday. The (Chief Judges) pronouncement (releasing Mr Nzeribe) was made on 23 May 2023, Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday. Mr Duza said Mr Nzeribe was sentenced two months before the visit of the Chief Judge. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the Chief Judge released the convict on health grounds, a controversial decision senior lawyers have called to question. Confirming this to our reporter, Mr Duza said, The Chief Judge ordered his (Mr Nzeribes) release based on medical grounds. There is medical proof to that. He added that the Chief Judge used his discretion to pardon the convict (Mr Nzeribe). Moreover, he is 64 years old. However, a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, said, Chief Judges have no power to pardon convicts, a legal point another senior lawyer, Sebastine Hon, had argued years ago. Mr Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), referenced the Criminal Justice (Release From Custody) (Special Provisions) Act. The law, however, stipulates conditions upon which the Chief Justice or Chief Judge may release a prison detainee. It says, a person whose detention is manifestly unlawful; or a person who has been detained in custody, whether on remand or otherwise, for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment which the person detained could have served had he been convicted of the offence in respect of which he was detained. Agreeing with Mr Falana, another lawyer, Adebayo Akinlade, said there were criteria to be met by prison detainees before the Chief Judge can release them. Mr Akinlade explained that the law empowers the Chief Judge under the prerogative of mercy to order a prisoners release if such a person has been incarcerated for a while. In addition, Chukwuemeka Clement, the 2nd Vice President Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the Chief Judge could pardon a prison detainee on condition of old age, illegal detention, long period of incarceration and ill-health. Politically Exposed Persons above the law? Mr Nzeribes release, again, calls attention to how Nigerias criminal justice system can be easily manipulated to the advantage of politically exposed persons (PEPs). Sometimes PEPs pull their weight to derail investigations or keep their trial delayed for years in court. On rare occasions when they are convicted, they can get out of prison, deploying unusual legal tactics. Mr Nzeribes release fits into the broader picture of a criminal justice system that allows both the judiciary and the executive arms of government to give high-profile suspects or criminal convicts some special treatment. The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2022, pardoned Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former governors of Plateau and Taraba states, respectively, while they were still serving jail time imposed on them for looting public funds. Their convictions and imprisonments had been convicted when the Buhari administration granted them a pardon to have them released from prison. Erstwhile governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, wangled his way out of prison after he was convicted of N7.1 billion fraud. Mr Kalu, a serving senator representing Abia North, was already serving a 12-year jail term for the offences when the Supreme Court, on 8 May 2020, quashed the proceedings leading to his and his co-defendants conviction. The Supreme Courts judgement delivered on an appeal by Mr Kalus co-defendant, Ude Udeogu, had ordered a retrial at the Federal High Court. Mr Orji Kalu got out of prison based on the Supreme Courts judgement but quickly applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop his retrial. In 2021, the judge, Inyang Ekwo, before whom Mr Kalu filed the request, barred Nigerias anti-corruption agency, EFCC, from retrying the lawmaker. Judge not aware of convicts release PREMIUM TIMES found that Mr Nzeribe was released without the trial courts knowledge. The trial judge, Mr Yusuf, who sits in a courtroom at the Maitama Court complex, which also houses the office of the Chief Judge, is currently out of the station. A court official said he was serving on an election petition tribunal outside Abuja. The source, who asked not to be named, disclosed that the trial judge was unaware of Mr Nzeribes release. The judge (Mr Yusuf) has been under immense pressure to grant the convict bail through the backdoor, but he declined. In fact, there is a pending post-conviction motion for bail filed by Mr Nzeribe. But it has not been heard, the source said. Another source familiar with the case said the trial court had no jurisdiction to hear Mr Nzeribes bail request. It (the court) doesnt have jurisdiction to entertain any application from the applicant (Mr Nzeribe) since an appeal has been filed before the Court of Appeal, the source said. Background In 2013, Mr Nzeribe, a former governorship aspirant in Imo State, was alleged to be in possession of a document containing false pretence with reference number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302, dated June 18, 2003, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan. He was, thus, accused of committing an offence contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act. The erstwhile lawmaker was accused of using the forged document as a genuine one, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at the beginning of the case. In aid of its case, the EFCC called five witnesses while the defendant testified for himself. Delivering judgement on the suit, the judge said the prosecution discharged the onus of proof against Mr Nzeribe beyond any reasonable doubt. Mr Yusuf held that the convict indeed made false pretence and is guilty of forgery. He said Mr Nzeribe also cheated by impersonation. The judge ruled that the land in Maitama, acquired with the forged papers, should be taken over by the owner, Ishaya Madi, immediately. The judge said Mr Nzeribe had failed to attend three consecutive court sessions. Instead, the politician sent a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the EFCC, surrendering the land to the real owner, Mr Madi. Thereafter, the judge deferred sentencing until Mr Nzeribe was arrested and brought before the court on 24 March this year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ExxonMobil has appointed Adesua Dozie as the new vice chairperson for its Nigerian affiliates Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL). The appointment takes effect from 12 June, ExxonMobil said in a statement announcing the appointment on Twitter. Mrs Dozie was, until her appointment, an executive director and general manager of MPN and EEPNL. She holds a law degree from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and a Master of Law from Cornell Law School, New York. She has been a senior legal advisor with over 20 years of experience for multinational companies across Africa in a diverse range of industries. The new MPN vice chairperson hails from Edo State, South-south Nigeria. Meanwhile, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State congratulated Mrs Dozie on her appointment. It is always an honour to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our very own, Mr Obaseki said in a message posted on Twitter. Today, I heartily congratulate Adesuwa Dozie on your well-deserved appointment as the Vice-Chairman of the Boards of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited. You have been a worthy Edo ambassador as you continue to highlight the excellence that resides within our great State. READ ALSO: Nigerian Regulatory Agency accuses ExxonMobil of oil theft I am assured that your tenure will be marked by even greater achievements and continued advancements in the nations energy sector, the governor said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A passenger who travelled along a highway in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, has narrated how some police officers allegedly harassed and extorted N40,000 from him and other passengers in a commercial vehicle. The police in Rivers said they have arrested and detained an officer in connection with the alleged incident. A Twitter user with the @LifeOfNapaul shared on the microblogging platform on Sunday that the encounter with the officers, made him tired and exhausted mentally because this has been occurring. It is unclear for now if the Twitter user was the victim or if he was only sharing another persons experience. The victim said there were four male passengers inside the Sienna while the rest were female and that the car was stopped in the middle of nowhere by the officers who started searching WhatsApp and other apps in the phones belonging to the male passengers. My WhatsApp chats were opened one by one, every app was searched, and they found nothing, he said. The Nigeria police have repeatedly warned officers against random searches on citizens phones. These guys said they wont free us until we service them, the passenger said, apparently referring to an alleged request by the officers for a bribe. They said 50k each. I just kept laughing because it sounded like a joke. They told the driver to leave us & go, but I kept begging the driver to stay and that he cant leave us, bruh, I didnt even know our location at that moment. We stood for over 1hr 30mins, I tried talking back, and they handcuffed me. Im not a criminal. They said Im a suspect, I kept asking how? At that moment I was so angry. At the end we paid 10k each, 10k each for being a Nigerian youth. The funny thing is that these so-called officers were counting the money they made from extortion in front of us. Please convince me how these guys aint criminals in uniform? The passenger posted on Twitter a photo of one of the officers which he said he took with his phone during the encounter. The police in Rivers State tweeted on Monday that they have arrested and detained the officer whose photo was posted on the microblogging platform. Investigation is ongoing, the police said in the tweet while urging the victim to come forward with some more information that would help in the investigation. The police in Nigeria have sanctioned some officers lately over extortion and human rights abuses. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) from Jahun Local Government Area, on Tuesday, staged a protest at the Jigawa State House of Assembly over the nomination of Idris Garba as the new speaker for the assembly. The protesters barricaded the entrance to the complex, demanding the speakership be given to another person, not Mr Garba, who was the speaker of the last assembly. The state leadership of the APC on Sunday reportedly zoned the speakership position to Jigawa South-west senatorial district and specifically nominated Mr Garba from Jahun Local Government to continue as the speaker. Mr Garba was a speaker for seven years. The APC zoned the speakership to the South-west district after the governor, Umar Namadi, and his deputy, Aminu Usman, came from Jigawas northeast and North-west senatorial districts, respectively. The protesters, led by one Adamu Jahun, also protested at the government house, demanding the APC rescind its decision on Mr Garba as the new speaker. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like New governor, new speakership, and New speaker leads to new development. Jigawa state is greater than any individual or group of persons. Mr Jahun said their protest was also meant to intimate the members-elect on electing individuals with a passion for the state and the capacity to lead and work with the executive. We shall advise the members elect, to resist any temptation, intimidation, and coercion by external forces, to undermine the process (speakership election), Mr. Jahun said. The protesters also vowed to witness the voting process, saying that Nigerias constitution permitted them to do so. Jigawa will on Wednesday inaugurate their 8th Assembly. The governor had reportedly declined to interfere in the election of the new speaker, he said he will work with whoever the lawmaker elected as their leader, PREMIUM TIMES gathered from insiders. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to senators of the opposition parties to support bills that will assist President Bola Tinubu in fulfilling his campaign promises. Mr Akpabio also advised the opposition senators to ignore their political differences in the interest of national unity and the countrys development. The senate president gave the advice in his acceptance speech after his election on Tuesday. Mr Akpabios party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has 59 members in the new senate, while opposition parties have 50 members. The opposition parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Peoples Progressive Party (YPP). Mr Akpabio urged the opposition senators to support the legislative framework that will help the administration of Mr Tinubu achieve good governance. We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner with His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country. In doing this, I will particularly like to address our Distinguished colleagues from other parties. Yes, we may have come to the National Assembly through the instrumentalities of different political parties, so it is appropriate to recognise and respect our differing perceptions and positions on issues that will be brought before this chamber. However, in all matters of national interest, we are enjoined to remember that we are first and foremost, Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before our roles as representatives and members of our individual political parties. There is, therefore, every reason to support good policies and programmes of the federal government, and I call on you to put this national interest first at all times, the senate president. Uncommon leadership Mr Akpabio also promised to involve every senate member in his governance irrespective of political differences. Our Senate, the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be a senate for all Nigeria. Together, we shall be greater than the sum of our individual political parties. On my part, Distinguished Senators, I affirm that this leadership shall be yours. It shall be a servant leadership; it shall be an uncommon leadership, he said. Mr Akpabio called on Nigerians to be hopeful, assuring that the 10th Senate will assist the president in developing the country. To the Nigerian people, I say this: your dreams, your aspirations, and your well-being will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate. I urge you to remain hopeful, steadfast and united. Nigerians must remember that the nation is caught up in global challenges and upheavals which have far reaching consequences; the impact of armed conflicts in Europe and Africa, as well as global political and economic realignments, are but a few of these events impacting Nigeria, other countries in Africa and even beyond. Our Senate will remain watchful of, and will be responsive to, these events, the senate president said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Peter Obi and his Labour Party (LP), on Tuesday, tendered more documents in evidence at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja. Mr Obi and his Labour Party (LP) are petitioners in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 challenging the election which brought President Bola Tinubu into power Respondents to the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The documents are mainly result sheets and INEC reports on the conduct of the presidential election. Mr Obi, through Peter Afoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), tendered forms EC40GPU, EC40G1 and reports prepared by the electoral body after the election. A total of 45 EC40GPU forms were tendered in 10 Local Government Areas of Niger State and 23 in seven Local Government Areas of Osun State. Others are 17 in three Local Government Areas of Edo State, and 52 EC40GPU forms in five Local Government Areas of Sokoto were tendered. The petitioners also tendered 15 forms EC40G in eight Local Government Areas of Osun State and 12 forms EC40G1 in 12 Local Government Areas of Edo State. They tendered 15 forms EC40G in four Local Government Areas of Sokoto and nine forms EC40G1 in two Local Government Areas of Sokoto State. The petitioners also tendered five reports on the conduct of the election in Niger and eight in Edo to back up their allegations of malpractices during the conduct of the election. Tendered also were INEC Results Viewing (IRev) reports in 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, 20 in Ogun State, 16 in Ekiti State, 19 in Rivers State, and 25 in Akwa Ibom State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that forms EC40G are the documents detailing total voters in a place where voting did not occur or was cancelled, and EC40GPU when it happened in a polling unit. The court admitted all the documents in evidence and marked them as exhibits. However, all the counsel objected to the admissibility of all the documents tendered. Meanwhile, the five-person panel led by Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Wednesday for further hearing of the petition. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The new President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says the 10th Senate will work to renew the hope of Nigerians via people-oriented legislation, given the nations current state. He said the Senate would also ensure an improved revenue stream and proper oversight of MDAs to reduce the waste of resources. Mr Akpabio said this shortly after his election as president of the 10th Senate. According to him, the country is at a crossroads, grappling with many challenges. We have just Inherited an economy that requires renewal and revitalisation, I want to thank our President, Bola Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, for steps taken so far that have given a lot of hope to the entire Nigeria Federation and West African sub region. He said the Senate would try its best to make laws to ensure foreign direct investment into the country. He said the senate would pay attention to issues relating to persons with disability and the vulnerable via engagement of legislative action that would bring about empowerment to stop youths from being recruited into banditry, unknown gunmen, and Boko Haram, among other vices. We will pay attention to insecurity to ensure that our roads are free for people to travel to any parts of the country. We will expand legislation to improve the revenue stream of the country, our current president has a track record of improving the revenue of the country. We are here to do our national duties. This Senate is about Nigeria and Nigerians, so long as the policies that come to this chamber is about empowering Nigerians, we shall dwell and deliberate on them. We will work closely with the executive while maintaining the independence of the legislature. Mr Akpabio said he did not believe in politically motivated infrastructure, saying the 10th Senate would ensure serious oversight functions on MDAs. This, he said, was to discourage the waste of resources of the country. We will put members of the executive on their toes, particularly the ministers when they are appointed; we will follow project by project and will do our best in terms of appropriation. We will make efforts to assist the president to ensure that we produce what we eat for the prosperity of Nigeria. We must tackle issues that relate to lean sources of revenue; we must emphasise economic viability, social acceptability, tackling environmental issues and therefore bring about sustainable growth. We will provide the required legislative framework and legal environment that will enable President Bola Tinubu to anchor the policies of the government. For the 10th Senate, we are going to hit the ground running and make sure that our constituents are proud of us. The Senate president urged the lawmakers to support good policies and programmes of the federal government. He commended Mr Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy, saying that Nigeria must begin to produce its own fuel and encourage diesel production. He said the dreams, aspirations and well-being of Nigerians would be at the heart of legislative activities of the senate and urged Nigerians to pray for the lawmakers. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print They have been at the National Assembly making laws for the country for years. Some have been there since the restoration of democracy in the country 24 years ago. Others have been there for at least 12 years. And that is because, unlike the executive arm with a maximum of eight years tenure, the tenure of lawmakers in Nigeria is statutorily limitless. The lawmakers are not necessarily the nations best, but their constituents keep re-electing them as their representatives in Abuja, perhaps because of the confidence they have in them or the cognate experiences they have acquired over the years. They took the oath of office during the inauguration of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th sessions of either the Senate or the House of Representatives. Once again, these lawmakers take the oath today to take their seats in the two hallowed chambers, having been returned in the February elections as members of the 10th session of the federal parliament. Behold Nigerias longest-serving federal lawmakers: Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North): President of the 9th session of the Senate, the 64-year-old former lecturer at the University of Maiduguri, his alma mater, has been at the National Assembly since 1999. He was first elected into the House of Representatives to represent Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency of Yobe State on the defunct ANPP platform. In 2007, he moved to the Senate to represent Yobe North. He was re-elected in 2011 on the ANPP ticket and in 2015, 2019 and 2023 on the APC ticket. At the National Assembly, he has served variously as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committees on Public Accounts, Education, Agriculture and Senate Leader before becoming the Senate president in 2019. Last year, he ran for the APC presidential primary but lost to Bola Tinubu, who won the 25 February presidential election. Although he is returning to the upper chamber today, Mr Lawan will not be in its leadership position. Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency): Mr Mutu, like Mr Lawan, has been in the National Assembly since 1999. He was again re-elected in February for the seventh time to represent Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives. The 63 years old former chairman of Bomadi LGA, a member of the PDP, once served as the chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs/NDDC. Wole Oke (Obokun/Oriade): Mr Oke is returning to the House of Representatives for the fifth time. Mr Oke, 56, represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State. He was first elected to the lower chamber in 2003 on the platform of the PDP and got re-elected in 2007. However, he lost his reelection bid in 2011 but returned in 2015, 2019 and now 2023. Mr Oke has chaired the Committees on Defence and Public Accounts various times. Alhassan Doguwa (Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency): Todays inauguration will be his seventh at the National Assembly, specifically, the House. Mr Doguwa, 58, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, was first elected to the Third Republic House of Representatives in 1992 on an SDP ticket. After working as a political aide to former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and two former senate presidents, Mr Doguwa returned to the lower house in 2007 and has been there since then. He has chaired Committees on MDGs, served as chief whip and, most recently, the House leader. He recently shelved his ambition to be the speaker of the 10th House being inaugurated today. Ali Ndume (Borno South): This 64-year-old former lecturer will be spending his fifth term at the National Assembly from today. Mr Ndume first entered the House of Representatives in 2003 and got re-elected in 2007 on the defunct ANPP platform to represent Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza. He was elected to the Senate in 2011 on the ticket of the PDP to represent Borno South and has since remained in the upper chamber though now a member of the APC. He served as the minority leader of the House, chairman of the Senate committee on MDGs, senate leader and chairman of the committee on the army. He lost the race for senate president to Ahmad Lawan in 2019. He joined the race recently to head the 10th Senate but pulled out to coordinate the Godswill Akpabio/Barau Jibrin campaign for the number one senate seat. Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South): This former deputy governor of Abia State came to the National Assembly in 2007 to represent the southern senatorial district of the state on the ticket of the PDP. Mr Abaribe, 68, was elected five consecutive times in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 for the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th sessions. Although he won the previous election on the ticket of the PDP, the former lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, is returning to the upper legislative chamber on APGA ticket. He had served in various committees of the Senate, including chairman of the media and publicity committee as well as the minority leader. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central): This senator assumed legislative duties in the upper chamber in 2007 on the ticket of the PDP after his eight-year gubernatorial tenure in Kebbi State. He was governor of the state Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central): This senator assumed legislative duties in the upper chamber in 2007 on the ticket of the PDP after his eight-year gubernatorial tenure in Kebbi State. He was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007 on the defunct APP (later renamed ANPP) platform. He soon left the Senate in December 2007 following his appointment as the FCT Minister by President Umaru YarAdua. The 66 years old retired Customs officer joined the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) founded by former President Muhammadu Buhari and moved back to the PDP in 2012 and then APC in 2014 and has been in the senate since then. Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central): He is a former minister of state and governor of Gombe State on the PDP platform. He served as governor between 2003 and 2011 and retired to the Senate that year. Todays inauguration will make him the Gombe Central senator for the fifth consecutive time, having been re-elected in 2015, 2019 and 2023 on the APC platform. Mr Goje, who represents Gombe Central, was senate committee chairman on appropriation and aspired to be the upper house president in 2019 but stepped down for Mr Lawan after a meeting with the then president, Mr Buhari. Idris Wase (Wase Federal Constituency): Mr Wase will take the oath of office as the lawmaker representing Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State for the sixth time. He first entered the House in 2007 and has been re-elected in subsequent elections. During this period, Mr Wase, 59, served as chairman committee on federal character, deputy House leader, and most recently, deputy speaker. He is an APC member and is running for the speakership of the 10th House today. Muktar Betara (Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusa Federal Constituency): He is returning to the House for the fifth time, having been first elected in 2007 to represent Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusa Federal Constituency of Borno State on the ticket of the defunct ANPP. Now a member of the APC, Mr Betara, 57, was chairman of the House Committee on Army and Defence. He was the chairman of the appropriation committee in the Ninth House. Mr Betara was a speakership aspirant until Sunday, when he stepped down from the race. Beni Lar (Langtang North/Langtang South): She entered the House of Representatives to represent Lantang North/Langtang South Federal Constituency of Plateau State in 2007 and will begin her fifth term today. She was re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. Beni, 56, the eldest daughter of the first Governor of Plateau State, Solomon Lar, is a member of the PDP. She has chaired various committees, including those on womens affairs and human rights, at different times. Victor Nwokolo (Ika Federal Constituency): The 59-year-old lawmaker has been in the House of Representatives since 2011. He represents Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State. Today he will begin his journey for his fourth term, which will terminate in 2027. He served as vice chairman of the House Committee on Aviation and chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). Tajudeen Abbas (Zaria federal constituency): He is returning to the House for the fourth time, having been first elected in 2011. Mr Abbas, who will be 60 years in October, represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. He is a member of the APC. Mr Abbas, a former lecturer, is a leading contender for the speakership of the 10th session of the House. James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency): Although he is from Kogi State, Mr Faleke, who will be 64 in December, has been representing the Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives since 2011. He is a member of the APC, and he is returning for the fourth term. He has chaired various committees of the House, the last one being the juicy and strategic finance committee. Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East): The 65-year-old senator is taking his seat today in the upper legislative chamber for the fourth time. He was first elected in 2011. He was appointed the senate leader in July 2022 after his predecessor, Yahaya Abdullahi, from Kebbi State, dumped the APC this year. He had chaired the senate committee on Trade and Investment. Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun West): Popularly called Yayi, Mr Olamilekan is going into his fifth term as a member of the National Assembly. Though an indigene of Ogun State, the 53 years old was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 to represent Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State on the platform of the defunct ACN. That was after he represented Alimosho State Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007. However, he moved to the Senate in 2015 to represent Lagos West Senatorial District and was re-elected in 2019, all on the APC platform. In the 2023 election, Mr Olamilekan moved back to his home state and will begin to represent Ogun West today. In his legislative career, he has headed several committees, including the public accounts committee of the House and Senate Committee on Finance, among others. READ ALSO: Reps hold valedictory session ahead of final adjournment of 9th National Assembly Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Federal Constituency): Mr Gbajabiamila was a step away from the club of sixth termers in the House of Representatives before being appointed as chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu. Just a little over three months after he won again to represent Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, the lawmaker bagged the appointment. The 61-year-old Gbajabiamla first came to the House on the ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003 and got re-elected in 2007 on the AC platform and then ACN in 2011 and APC in 2015, 2019 and 2023. During his 20 years stint in the lower chamber, he served variously as minority leader, majority leader and speaker. He is reputed to be one of the most experienced and outstanding lawmakers in the country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Recently released state data confirms what many Charlottesville residents have feared for some time. Violent crime is on the rise. But Charlottesville is not alone, according to the Virginia 2022 Crime Analysis Report, which found an uptick in violent crime in cities and counties across the commonwealth. Charlottesvilles violent crime rate has increased by 30% in the past two years. According to the most recent data reported in the Virginia police database, as of April 2022, Charlottesville saw violent crime increase by 5.37% in 2022, while the statewide average rose 5.6% in the same time. Since 2020, the city has seen roughly a 21% increase in crime overall. In regards to violent crime, aggravated assaults in particular have surged, from 139 in 2020 to 179 in 2022. Violent crime under Virginia law includes murder, rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, robbery and aggravated assault. That crime statistic is likely even higher today, according to Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis, who joined the force in mid-January. Theres been a definite uptick in violent crime, Kochis told The Daily Progress on Monday. I would not be surprised if the [violent crime] statistic was higher this year than the most recent data. Theres been a surge in gun violence in the Charlottesville area in recent months. Current and former law enforcement officials say gun violence is near an all-time high in the area. Charlottesville police were investigating five homicide cases within the first three months of the year, the highest number reported since 2017. According to the Charlottesville Police Department, officers responded to at least 50 calls of reported gunfire this year as of March 14, nearly once a day. At the same time, the Charlottesville area has also had an uptick in car thefts, mirroring a statewide increase. In the past two years, car thefts in Charlottesville have more than doubled: In 2020, there were 73 reported car thefts, and in 2022, there were 168. Across the state, the report found motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts increased 21.9% last year compared to 2021. Charlottesville has seen close to the same increase in violent crime that the rest of the state has, Kochis said. We face many of the same issues that towns across Virginia face. Kochis has attributed the spikes in crime to a host of issues and said there is not a single cause for the uptick in the area. Violent crimes disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. Often a lack of mental health services, education services and more continue to fail these communities, Kochis said. It is not just one thing that causes crime; its a host of factors. Kochis also linked the spike in violent crime largely to staffing shortages plaguing his and numerous other police departments across the nation. However, Kochis said he is hopeful the tide is turning. He cited record numbers of recruits in the police training academy this summer. Staffing affects everything. We are working with community partners to recruit and retain staff, Kochis said. Fifteen officers are enrolled in the academy this summer, which is the most we have ever recorded. My goal is to cut the staffing vacancy in half by the end of the year. Kochis said he hopes to add an additional training session for more recruits this fall because of the interest he has seen. He emphasized that the new hires are not only qualified but are diverse. It is important to work with and within the community to build trust. Thats one of the reasons why we are working to create a force that accurately reflects and looks like the communities we serve every day. While violent crimes have been on the rise, the state report does note that there has been a decrease in the number of reported drug crimes, by almost 9%. Charlottesville has seen an even more precipitous decline in reported drug crimes. Drug and narcotic violations as well as drug equipment violations have dropped by more than half, from 332 in 2018 to 155 in 2022. The drop is most likely because the state legalized recreational use [of marijuana] in 2021, Kochis said. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on his colleagues to forge ahead and work together for the common good of Nigerians. The new speaker stated this in his inaugural speech on Tuesday after his election. Mr Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State on the APC ticket, was elected the speaker of the House on Tuesday after polling 353 votes to defeat the duo of former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji, who polled three votes each to emerge as joint runner-up. Some aspirants for the position had earlier stepped down for the Kaduna lawmaker While assuring all the members of the House equal treatment, he said there is a need to move forward after the long campaign. It is worthy to note that the speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good, he said. Although the campaign for the speakership was long and tough, some of the aspirants stepped down for Mr Abbas, who earlier got the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the former Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila. Mr Abbas said, as the speaker of the lower chamber, his doors will be open to everyone. He also promised that the 10th House would surpass the achievements of the last House led by Mr Gbajabiamila. Under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House. That is my prayer. We shall carry out the TASK before us JOINTLY. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives. We shall work closely and interdependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve. We stand at a crucial juncture in our nations history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development, the speaker said In his speech after the election, Mr Gbajabiamila also said he expected the new speaker to work on the foundation the Ninth Assembly laid. READ ALSO: Benjamin Kalu emerges Deputy Speaker House of Reps I wish you well. It is not an easy feat. But from what I know, youll do a good job. We are your members. On behalf of them, I hand over handover notes as the speaker of the 9th assembly. This will be a guide to you and I hope you continue from where I left off, Mr Gbajabiamila said. The former speaker is expected to resign his membership of the House on Wednesday as he picks up his appointment as the new chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian stocks soared to their pinnacle since 9 June 2008 on Tuesday as the benchmark index enlarged by 4 per cent in response to the news of the arrest over the weekend of Godwin Emefiele, the central bank governor. The new development strengthened optimism that the much-needed liquidity in the market may soon return. Transaction volume more than doubled compared to the previous session following a much-improved risk appetite that greeted the suspension. Mr Emefieles arrest impacted reactions in the market as his raft of unorthodox policies has kept many investors at bay in recent years. Foreign participation in the Nigerian equity market had dwindled from N104 billion about the time former President Muhammadu Buhari took over to just N8.5 billion in April, according to the Nigerian Exchange data. The brisk trade witnessed in the market on Tuesday echoes the general optimism visible across the markets after Mr Emefieles arrest, with Nigerias dollar bonds jumping to their peak level on Monday this year. We expect the prevailing positive sentiments to stir up further buy-interests in anticipation of the H1-2023 earning season. On the other hand, profit-taking activities will weigh on the bourses performance, as investors seek to book their gains off profitable counters, said analysts at United Capital in their outlook note for this week seen by PREMIUM TIMES. For equity-vested fund managers and investors, we recommend bargain-hunting exercises across fundamentally sound stocks with improved or relatively cheap valuations, they added. Market breadth, an indicator of investor sentiment towards trade, was positive as 61 gainers were reported compared to 14 decliners. The all-share index grew by 2,232.6 basis points to 58,163.6, while market capitalisation climbed to N31.7 trillion. Year to date, the index has returned 13.5 per cent. Top Five Gainers NASCON appreciated by 10 per cent to close at N17.05. Access Holdings enlarged by 10 per cent to end trade at N14.30. GTCO rose to N30.80, notching up 10 per cent in the process. Lasaco went up by 10 per cent to N1.98. Zenith Bank completed the top 5, climbing by 10 per cent to N30.80. Top Five Losers John Holt led the losers, declining by 10 per cent to close at N1.26. Ellah Lakes shed 10 per cent to end trade at N3.60. The Initiates fell to N0.47, losing 9.62 per cent. Caverton slid to N1.24, recording a 4.62 per cent depreciation. Veritas Kapital closed at N0.22, going down by 4.35 per cent. Top Five Trades Altogether, 1.2 billion shares, estimated at N19.2 billion, were traded in 10,369 deals. UBA was the most active stock, with 214.9 million shares worth N2.3 billion traded in 608 deals. GTCOs shares of 208.1 million units, priced at N6.2 billion, exchanged hands in 613 transactions. Zenith Bank had 85.7 million shares valued at N309.2 million, traded in 743 deals. Japaul traded 72.6 million shares, estimated at N37.4 million in 216 transactions. Access Holdings traded 72.1 million shares valued at N1 billion in 658 deals. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ogun State governorship election petition tribunal has set 19 for ruling on whether to entertain counter allegations of vote buying raised by the petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the respondents, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court said this at its sitting on Tuesday in Isabo, Abeokuta, the states capital. Taiwo Osipitan, counsel to the APC candidate, Governor Dapo Abiodun, had accused the PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu, of vote buying, while Goddy Uche, the counsel of the petitioner, also accused the APC of the same. Mr Uche said although the allegation of vote buying was not originally in the petition, he was compelled to also reply that the APC was the one that engaged in vote buying. But Mr Osipitan said the PDP cannot add a new allegation into its petitionas it will amount to an expansion of the PDP petition. Context It will be recalled that both the APC had accused Ladi Adebutu, the candidate of the PDP, of buying votes with prepaid Verve ATM cards during the 18th March governorship election. A police investigation into a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, containing the allegation indicted Mr Adebutu, and he has been charged with the alleged offence before the state high court. Also, Mr Baba reportedly directed the police commissioner in the state, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, to investigate another petition by the PDP claiming that Governor Abiodun loaded N5 billion on bank-linked vouchers to buy votes during the same election. Lawyers Speaking with journalists after the sitting, Mr Osipitan said he would wait for the tribunal to decide on the matter, saying it only behoves him to challenge. On his part, Mr Uche also said, We have argued all the motions except one for which we will be back tomorrow to argue, and after tomorrow maybe the tribunal will give us a date for trial. We have brought a motion to expunge their vote-buying allegation because they cant make such allegation, it is not expected to be in their reply. If they want to make that allegation, they should have filed a cross-petition, and that is our objection. Although they are not sounding serious about it, we asked the court to strike it out. The chairperson of the three-member panel, Hamidu Kunaza, however, adjourned to 19th June for a ruling on the motion. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Labour Partys presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, tendered reports of the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja. The INEC IReV portal warehouses photographic copies of polling unit result sheets of the 2023 general elections. It is an innovative component of the electoral umpires management of the recent polls. INEC had promised that the polling unit result sheets would be immediately uploaded to the IReV portal after the election was concluded at the various polling centres. INECs failure to keep to the promise triggered uproar from many Nigerians. The failure formed one of the grounds on which Mr Obi anchored his petition that he filed to challenge the election of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Mr Obi and his party, the Labour Party, Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, in connivance with Mr Tinubu, allegedly stole the 25 February presidential election. As a result, he urged the five-member panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani to overturn Mr Tinubus victory. At the resumption of proceedings in the case on Tuesday, Mr Obis lawyer, Peter Afoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), tendered IReV reports from five states Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Ekiti, Ogun and Adamawa. Mr Afoba informed the court that the IReV reports were certified by the INEC. Giving details of the electoral documents, Mr Afoba said the IReV reports were from 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, 20 in Ogun, 16 in Ekiti, 19 in Rivers and 25 in Akwa Ibom. Contrary to INECs declaration, an independent analysis of the IReV portal by PREMIUM TIMES found that Mr Obi, not Mr Tinubu won the presidential election in Rivers State. But the electoral commissions lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, a SAN, and other respondent lawyers for Mr Tinubu and the APC objected to the admissibility of the documents. They informed the court that their objections would be articulated at the latter part of the suit More documentary evidence Another lawyer in Mr Obis legal team, Audu Anuga, a SAN, presented more electoral documents comprising reports of complaints over places where voting either did not take place or was cancelled. Tendering the reports before the court, Mr Anuga said 45 EC40GPU forms (complaint reports) were tendered in 10 Local Government Areas of Niger and 23 in seven Local Government Areas of Osun. He enumerated others, including 17 in three Local Government Areas of Edo State and 52 forms in five Local Government Areas of Sokoto State. The Labour Party lawyer further tendered 15 forms EC40G in 8 Local Government Areas of Osun State and 12 forms EC40G1 in 12 Local Government Areas of Edo. In addition, Mr Anuga tendered 15 forms EC40G in four council areas of Sokoto and nine forms EC40G1 in two LGAs of Sokoto. To substantiate his claims of alleged electoral fraud, Mr Obi tendered five reports on the conduct of the polls in Niger and eight in Edo states, respectively. Again, the respondents lawyers opposed the admissibility of the electoral documents. After the documents were admitted and marked as exhibits, the court adjourned the suit until Wednesday. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Amnesty International (AI) has called on the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to end widespread killings in the country. This is even as the organisation claimed that more than 120 people have been killed since President Bola Tinubu was inaugurated as president on 29 May. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, AIs acting director, Isa Sanusi, said attacks by gunmen had claimed 123 people in the two weeks Mr Tinubu had been president. It is horrific that attacks by gunmen have claimed at least 123 lives mere weeks after President Bola Tinubu assumed office on 29 May. Rural communities, always bracing themselves for the next bout of violence, are facing deadly attacks by rampaging killers. Protecting lives should be the utmost priority of the new government. The Nigerian authorities must urgently take steps to stop the bloodletting, Mr Sanusi said. He said authorities in the country had failed to protect people as killings have become a norm. Mr Sanusi said the killers were being emboldened by the authorities refusal to launch independent and impartial investigations that could lead to the end of the killings. The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the norm in the country. The government said it would enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have not translated into meaningful action that protects the lives of vulnerable communities. The Nigerian authorities have also consistently failed to carry out independent, effective, impartial and thorough investigations into these killings and this is fueling impunity. The Nigerian authorities are obliged under international human rights law, regional human rights treaties and Nigerias own constitution to protect the human rights of all people without discrimination and that includes the right to life. Those suspected of criminal responsibility for these callous crimes must urgently be brought to justice in fair trials, he said. Killings, especially in the countrys north, have intensified since April. Terrorists, locally called bandits, have intensified attacks on rural and semi-urban communities, especially in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, leading to the abduction and killing of hundreds of people. In the North-central part of the country, especially in Benue, Taraba and Plateau States, ethnoreligious clashes have continued to claim lives. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu says he will work transparently with the 10th National Assembly to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy. In a congratulatory letter to members of the assembly on the successful conduct of elections into various principal positions, Mr Tinubu said that their election signals a new dawn of fulfilment of campaign promises. We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria. I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life. Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment, the president said. The president congratulated the new Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on their election by members of the two chambers as president of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories. Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians. He also felicitated Abdulaziz Yari, Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji for enriching the process with their participation in the leadership election. Mr Tinubu urged all members to sustain the same enthusiasm brought to the leadership contest in discharging their duties to their constituents and Nigeria. In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of the National Assembly or any individual member. Our people want us to eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat. He said that the desires of Nigerians would only be met with collaboration, support and unity of purpose between the executive and the legislature. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country. We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best. I will remain a partner in progress for peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print despite the fact that it is right to call public officers who abused their office to account, I believe the timing in the case of Emefiele was wrong. I am generally opposed to the idea of a new government starting with cleaning the Augean stable or going after its political enemies in the guise of doing so. I call this the Buhari sin, because the Buhari government, rather than focus on whatever agenda it had for the country on coming to power, wasted precious time and resources demonising the Jonathan government. The 29 May inauguration of a new set of power wielders highlighted once again the transient and ephemeral nature of political power, which is like a candle in the wind. It is there one moment, with all its glow and beauty, and it is gone in the next twinkle of an eye. Even if you were to hold an office for 20 years, it will come to an end one day, and the period in which the office was held will seem insignificant in the scheme of things. Perhaps the recent suspension and detention of Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor from 4 June 2014 until he was relieved of the position by President Tinubu on 9 June, dramatises the transient nature of power. Emefiele has become the first public official from the Buhari era that the Tinubu government has gone after. In a statement by Willie Bassey, Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it was explained that Emefieles suspension is a sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the economys financial sector. Emefiele was reportedly arrested in Lagos by the DSS and flown to Abuja. There is a general belief that Emefiele committed a number of infractions while in office, including taking over functions that should ordinarily be performed by the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources, in a bid to ingratiate himself to some power brokers from the North. He particularly annoyed many Nigerians when he tried to take part in the APC presidential primary while still clinging to the office of CBN governor. In the run-up to the 25 February presidential election, he introduced a naira re-design, ostensibly with the approval of President Buhari, and apparently aimed, among other things, at stemming vote buying during the election. Tinubus supporters felt the policy was targeted at him. Emefieles suspension, arrest and detention raise a number of issues: One, is the question of the constitutionality of his suspension from office, without the permission of the Senate. Although Lamido Sanusi Lamido was similarly suspended by the Jonathan government without the authorisation of the parliament, the dethroned Emir of Kano challenged his suspension in court and the case had not run its course when he was appointed the Emir of Kano. He subsequently discontinued the case. There are also questions of why Emefiele had to be arrested by the DSS (which is in charge of internal security), if the allegations against him bothered primarily on corruption. People also wonder why someone who had served the country at such a top level and had not been convicted of any of the crimes for which he was being investigated, could not have been saved the humiliation of being openly driven to an aircraft to be taken to Abuja (with one of the men who boarded the waiting aircraft holding a handcuff)? It may also be germane to pose the question of what the nation could possibly lose if the EFCC had simply invited Emefiele to their offices to explain any issues of interest. While the drama of the humiliation might have satisfied some yearning for the blood of their social class and ethnic/religious enemies, it will most likely complicate the management of the politics that is likely to flow from his suspension and arrest. For instance, critics are already accusing Tinubu of ethnic bias in bypassing Dr Kingsley Obiora, said to be the deputy governor heading the economic policy and research unit of the CBN (and the only deputy governor of the apex bank with a PhD) in favour of Adebisi Shonubi, a mechanical engineer and fellow Yoruba, as the acting governor of the CBN. Tinubu was similarly accused of bypassing the most senior deputy governors Mrs Aisha N Ahmad, and Mr Edward Adamu in favour of Mr Shonubi. No matter how one looks at it, a government that came to power with a huge legitimacy crisis as the Tinubu government did, does not need such distractions, especially when it is still grappling with the effects of the manner in which the fuel subsidy was removed and is yet to pluck any low hanging fruit to shore up its legitimacy. If I were to advise the Tinubu government, I would favour suspending publicly going after any former official, until he has spent at least one-year office and has successfully plucked some low hanging fruits that would broaden his legitimacy. Officials who have questions to answer could be invited quietly for clarifications, while the financial crime fighting agencies will be tasked with carrying out the necessary investigations outside the media glare. Two, it will be difficult for Emefieles suspension not to be linked to vendetta. During the campaigns, there was a general belief by supporters of Bola Tinubu that Emefieles naira re-design policy was targeted at the APC candidate, who was believed to have the heaviest war chest for vote buying. If this was really the main reason for his suspension and arrest, what happens to Buhari who openly said he endorsed the naira re-design policy? There is similarly the question of why Emefieles arrest should be a priority to the new government and the criteria that made his arrest more of an imperative than the arrest of other functionaries of the government suspected of having grossly abused their offices? Three, despite the fact that it is right to call public officers who abused their office to account, I believe the timing in the case of Emefiele was wrong. I am generally opposed to the idea of a new government starting with cleaning the Augean stable or going after its political enemies in the guise of doing so. I call this the Buhari sin, because the Buhari government, rather than focus on whatever agenda it had for the country on coming to power, wasted precious time and resources demonising the Jonathan government. If I were to advise the Tinubu government, I would favour suspending publicly going after any former official, until he has spent at least one-year office and has successfully plucked some low hanging fruits that would broaden his legitimacy. Officials who have questions to answer could be invited quietly for clarifications, while the financial crime fighting agencies will be tasked with carrying out the necessary investigations outside the media glare. Four, since Emefiele must have acted in many of the cases of suspected infractions and impunity on the instructions of power brokers or societys untouchables, would the president be able to also summon or arrest such people? If Tinubu is not able to arrest such people, would that not open him up to charges of picking up a soft target? And if he is able to arrest some of the names the public are likely to insist should also be arrested, will he be able to manage the politics from that and at the same time seamlessly implement whatever programme he has for the country? I am not saying that a new government cannot fight corruption and impunity but our experience has shown that this gra-gra approach has not really worked. I believe that a thoughtful and quiet approach that cannot be easily coupled with vendetta offers a new leader the opportunity of fighting crimes without distractions by the politics of doing so. Jideofor Adibe is a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Extraordinary Professor of Government Studies at North Western University, Mafikeng South Africa. He is also the founder of Adonis & Abbey Publishers and can be reached at 0705 807 8841(Text or WhatsApp only). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Twenty-one people, including a cleric, were killed on Sunday night in Riyom and Barking Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Residents said a group of gunmen invaded the communities when most inhabitants of the villages were sleeping. The attacks happened hours after two herders, who were returning from herding their cattle, were shot dead in Fas, a village in Riyom LGA, on Sunday evening. The spokesperson of the state police command, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the two incidents, adding that security personnel are on top of the situation. The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), in Riyom LGA, Bello Tafawa, identified the herders who were killed as Adam Ahmad (33) and Musa Ibrahim (23). The gunmen attacked them when they coming back home after rearing. The victims died instantly because of the gunshot wounds on their bodies. Adam Sani Ahmad left behind six children, while Musa Ibrahim left behind one child. This is an unprovoked attack on our members. We have already reported the case to the security agencies in the area, including Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in Plateau, because we dont want anybody to take the law into their hands, Mr Bello said. Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Movement, who confirmed the attacks on the communities, said, Two persons were killed in Rim village of Riyom Local Government Area, Seven killed in Jol, Eleven in Kwi while a Cleric, Reverend Nicodemus Kim was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi LGA. The attacks on Rim, Jol and Kwi were simultaneously coordinated by the terrorists between the hours of 2 p.m and 7 p.m. In Kwi, an entire Community, Hei-gwe, was completely burned down, and over a hundred farmlands destroyed. In Gana-Ropp, the Cleric, Reverend Nichodemus Kim, with the Church of Christ In Nations, was attacked at about 8 p.m. at home, and the militias opened fire on him. The BYM called on the federal and state governments to come up with new strategies to address the security situation in the country and particularly in Plateau State. Security personnel must also wake up to their statutory responsibility to safeguard lives and property. The BYM equally call on the Berom nation to remain calm and law-abiding in all these but must explore every avenue to defend our communities as we cannot sit and watch while we are killed one after another, he added. Plateau is a theatre of tit-for-tat attacks between pastoralist and farming communities. There has been a surge in the series of reprisal attacks in the state in recent months. In May, scores of people were killed in Mangu Local Government after suspected herders attacked villages in the area. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print YIBIN, China, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 9, the 2023 World Power Battery Conference, sponsored by Sichuan Province and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, with the theme of "New Green Power for the Future and New Growth-driver for the World", opened in Yibin, Sichuan Province in Western China. Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, revealed at the conference that in 2022, China's cumulative loading capacity of power batteries reached 294.6GWh, an increase of 90.7% year-on-year, accounting for 56.9% of the global total sales. At the main forum, the China National Light Industry Council and China Battery Industry Association awarded Yibin as "China's Power Battery Capital". The conference also held the power battery green low-carbon travel exhibition, with a total area of 55,000 square meters and 338 exhibitors and institutions, achieving full coverage of the power battery industry chain, supply chain, and value chain. In recent years, China has grasped the trend of change in the automobile industry and promoted positive progress in the development of the power battery industry. Not only has the scale of production and sales continued to expand, but also the ecology is gradually improving, and a complete industrial chain has been built. Yibin actively explores the road of industrial transformation and development, and the green new energy industry, such as power batteries, has developed rapidly. Since the introduction of Libode New Material and Libode Lithium Battery projects in 2017, Yibin has officially entered the field of the power battery industry, achieving the growth of the power battery industry from scratch. With the CATL power battery production project settled in Yibin in 2019, the Yibin power battery industry has thus entered the fast track of accelerated development. At present, Yibin has become one of the power battery industry cluster areas with the most complete ecosystem and the strongest support and cooperation ability in China. Data show that the planned construction capacity of Yibin's power battery industry reaches 305GWh, and the built-up capacity reaches 150GWh. In the past, Yibin was famous for producing the famous Chinese liquor brand "Wuliangye", and now "China's power battery capital" is becoming a new city business card of Yibin. SOURCE Sichuan Province and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ASHLAND, Ore., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful career of science writing and mental health advocacy, author Victoria Costello turned to fiction to explore how new scientific findings, such as those coming from the study of inherited trauma and extremely sensitive children, can return us to what was known long ago in traditional belief systems. As her characters confront the consequences of long-festering family secrets, Costello's novel shows how these ancestral ties have the capacity to illuminate and heal multi-generational wounds. Orchid Child, an intriguing intersection of 21st century neuroscience and ancient Celtic folklore, is available now. Tweet this Victoria Costello's Orchid Child. In her debut novel Orchid Child, published by Liminal Books , Costello offers a generational investigation into the intersection of 21st century neuroscience and ancient Celtic folklore. A story told in dual timelines, Orchid Child follows Kate, a budding neuroscientist and Teague, her teenage nephew, an orchid child who hears voices and talks to trees. In the wake of a work scandal, the pair travel to a small town in the Irish countryside, where Kate takes up a new position studying the unusual prevalence of schizophrenia among the townsfolk. What follows is a series of revelations. Through local gossip, Kate and Teague learn that their ancestors had been banished from the community 80 years prior. As Kate attempts to unearth her family's past, a local druid begins showing interest in Teague, believing him to have the rare gift of "second sight." Conflict escalates between Kate and the local community, and readers are sent down a trail of madness, magic, and rebellion leading to unsettling family secrets, and blurring the line between myth and medicine in the process. "A beautifully told story, with richly drawn characters, that seamlessly braids the competing preoccupations of our age, from neuroscience to the ancient myths and tacit laws from which modern culture evolved." Simon Van Booy, bestselling author of twelve novels, including The Night Held Many Stars. Victoria Costello is an award-winning writer and educator. Her non-fiction work has appeared in various publications, including Scientific American MIND, Brain World, and Huffington Post, and her title, A Lethal Inheritance, A Mother Uncovers the Science Behind Three Generations of Mental Illness was released in 2012 with Prometheus Books. Orchid Child is her debut work of fiction. If you'd like more information on Orchid Child or would like to arrange an interview with Victoria, please reach out to her publicity team at Mindbuck Media, [email protected] . Contact: Jessie Glenn [email protected] Mindbuckmedia.com 503-998-8770 SOURCE Victoria Costello To inspire and increase allyship, the program will support and protect essential safe spaces for 21+ adults in the LGBTQ+ community through educational resources, trainings and monetary support NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Absolut, a steadfast supporter of the LGBTQ+ community for more than 40 years, today announces the next evolution of its commitment to safer spaces across bars and restaurants for 21+ adults with the launch of Absolut Ally . A multi-pronged, global initiative, Absolut Ally will provide educational resources and monetary donations to champion creating safer and more inclusive spaces for the 21+ LGBTQ+ community, as part of a broader effort to help more people and more places be better allies. Absolut Ally "In the early '80s, Absolut became one the first brands to engage with and represent the LGBTQ+ community. We are incredibly proud of our history and continued track record of supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community," said Pam Forbus, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer for Pernod Ricard North America. "We know the bar for allyship has been raised, and to meet the moment, we have created the Absolut Ally platform. This is an ongoing and future commitment that is taking shape globally to inspire action and education for people and businesses alike." As part of Absolut Ally, the iconic vodka brand is encouraging and empowering consumers to further educate themselves on how to be an ally with The Absolut Ally Guide developed in partnership with GLAAD. The online resource guide is for anyone 21+, LGBTQ+ identified or otherwise, to learn best practices to create safe and inclusive spaces for the most vulnerable and at-risk members of the community. As the needs for the LGBTQ+ community is ever-evolving, so too will this guide. Absolut is dedicated to continuing to listen and learn and will be updating and adjusting this guide over time with support from community experts. According to GLAAD's Accelerating Acceptance 2023 Report , 91% of non-LGBTQ+ Americans agree that LGBTQ+ people should have the freedom to live their life and not be discriminated against, which this guide stands to support. Taking allyship education a step further, Absolut Ally will also provide training seminars and tools for local businesses. Absolut Ally Trainings are operated by Safe Bars Inc., an organization that helps bars and restaurants create safe spaces for their 21+ patrons and staff. Attendees will learn LGBTQ+ allyship fundamentals and guidance on creating safe and inclusive hospitality spaces in order to receive Absolut Ally Certification, an official seal from the brand that can be showcased on-premise and on social channels to signify to patrons that their establishment is an inclusive space for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. To punctuate this exciting program and to celebrate Pride, Absolut has partnered with VICE News on a special report, Out Loud. The documentary-style, one hour special shines a light on the role LGBTQ+ venues have played in shaping culture and providing a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community - giving way to incredible art that enriches lives. Narrated by Big Freedia, Out Loud follows three groundbreaking LGBTQ+ artists on their respective journeys to redefine their genres and voice how physical spaces, such as bars and restaurants, have helped shape them into the artists they are today. Out Loud premieres June 15th on VICE News TV and YouTube channel for a 21+ audience. In a continued effort to highlight how safe spaces have shaped the lives of many and must be protected - Honey Dijon, DJ, Producer & Designer joins as an Absolut Ally Ambassador to pen a love letter to the bars and restaurants that have played a critical role throughout her illustrious career. Anchoring Absolut Ally is the Absolut Ally Initiative, a grant program operated by CenterLink, the world's largest LGBTQ+ community-based nonprofit association, whose mission is to strengthen, support and connect LGBTQ+ community organizations. Absolut is donating $250,000 to CenterLink to support their work through the creation of the Absolut Ally Initiative, a grant program aimed to support the growth and success of CenterLink's nonprofit member organizations and foster inclusivity, empowerment, and support for the 21+ LGBTQ+ community members they serve. As a brand that's born to mix, Absolut believes in protecting safe spaces and fostering community and human connection. Visit Absolut Ally to learn more on how to become a better ally during Pride month and all year long. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. ABSOLUT VODKA. PRODUCT OF SWEDEN. 40% ALC./VOL. DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. 2023 IMPORTED BY ABSOLUT SPIRITS CO., NEW YORK, NY. ABOUT PERNOD RICARD USA Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world's second largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company's leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avion Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlua Liqueur, Malibu, Martell Cognac, Olmeca Altos Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Codigo Tequila, Monkey 47 Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin, Malfy Gin, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Lillet, Jefferson's Bourbon, TX Whiskey, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey, Pernod and Ricard; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek, Kenwood Vineyards, Campo Viejo and Brancott Estate; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouet Champagne, G.H. Mumm Champagne and Mumm Napa sparkling wines. Pernod Ricard USA is headquartered in New York, New York, and has more than 1,000 employees across the country. As "creators of conviviality," we are committed to sustainable and responsible business practices in service of our customers, consumers, employees and the planet. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active program to promote responsible drinking. For more information, visit: www.pernod-ricard-usa.com . CONTACT Weber Shandwick: [email protected] SOURCE Absolut AUSTIN, Texas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Interplay Learning, the leader in online training for skilled trades, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Air Conditioning Trade Association (ACTA) to offer a hybrid HVAC Service Tech Training Program for students pursuing HVAC careers without previous experience. By combining Interplay's virtual courses with in-person instruction at ACTA's facility, ACTA will provide students with a flexible, hybrid learning approach that helps them pursue entry-level trades careers. Interplay Learning's online training courses and hands-on simulations are the core component of ACTA's recently launched two-year HVAC Service Tech program, giving students access to a comprehensive training curriculum anytime, anywhere. The program is intended to prepare inexperienced HVAC students with the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in entry-level roles by combining expert-led video courses, interactive 3D simulation training, online classroom lessons, and technical labs. Additionally, students will graduate from the program with an important industry certification for HVAC professionals: EPA 608. Designed to attract and engage the digital-first generation, the program provides students with 24/7 access to a range of interactive online courses covering topics such as electrical systems, refrigeration systems, heating systems, and air distribution systems. Using laptops, tablets, or VR headsets, students can safely practice their skills using Interplay's "field-like" simulations, building their confidence before interacting with equipment in the lab. "We're pleased to partner with Interplay Learning to offer this hybrid training program," said Duke Diltz, ACTA's Training Director. "The HVAC industry needs more technicians, and we want to prepare young, tech-savvy students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed by offering the technology they want to engage with. This program will give them a solid foundation in the fundamentals of HVAC while providing them with innovative hands-on experience they need to get a head start on excelling in their careers." "We are excited to support ACTA in preparing their students to join the next generation of HVAC professionals," said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. "Our partnership represents a unique opportunity to provide a comprehensive training program that combines the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the hands-on experience and industry certifications necessary to succeed in the HVAC industry." About Air Conditioning Trade Association The Air Conditioning Trade Association (ACTA) is a non-profit, contractor-member association serving free enterprise non-union HVAC, Mechanical, and Service Contractors, as well as their employees and industrial suppliers. ACTA provides state- and federally-approved training programs such as the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program and Service Technician Training for contractor employees and individuals in the HVAC industry. Since 1972, ACTA has been committed to promoting free enterprise, fair and open competition, less government, increased quality training opportunities, and awarding contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. ACTA offers HVAC Sheet Metal classes, Service Technician classes, and EPA Certification testing to assist contractors in creating a competitive workforce with well-trained employees. About Interplay Learning Austin-based Interplay Learning offers scalable and effective training for the essential skilled trades that helps business leaders, educators and their teams build better companies, better careers and better lives. Interplay Learning's immersive online and VR training platform for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, hospitality, multifamily maintenance and facilities maintenance workforces includes expert-led video courses, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks and custom learning paths to upskill advanced technicians and help new technicians be job-ready in weeks, not years. Interplay Learning was named to the 2022 Inc. 5000 and Inc. Best in Business lists and earned three honorable mentions in Fast Company's 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Visit https://www.interplaylearning.com/ to learn more. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR (865) 977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Interplay Learning NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The air fryer market size is estimated to increase by USD 350.89 million from 2022 to 2026, with a CAGR of 7.19%, according to the recent market study by Technavio. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report - Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Air Fryer Market Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The Bargaining Power of Buyers & Suppliers and the Threat of New Entrants, Rivalry, and Substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability. Find Technavio's Exclusive Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage . , an analysis of which will help companies refine . Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which range between LOW and HIGH. , which range between Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered. The Air Fryer Market report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 vendors listed Below - Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Breville Group Ltd., Cuisinart, De Longhi S.p.A, Gorenje Group, Gourmia Inc., GoWISE USA, Groupe SEB, Havells India Ltd., KENT RO Systems Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Newell Brands Inc., CALIBER BRANDS GENERAL TRADING LLC, NuWave LLC, Solara, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., Stanley Black and Decker Inc., TTK Prestige Ltd., Xiaomi Inc., and SharkNinja Operating LLC Download a Sample report Air Fryer Market - Segmentation The market is segmented by Product (Digital air fryer and Manual air fryer) and Geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa ) , , APAC, , and and ) The air fryer market share growth by the digital air fryer segment will be significant during the forecast period. The digital air fryers include liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), variable thermostat settings, temperature sensors, and several cooking modes such as air fry, max crisp, and others. The manual air fryer offers grills and basic frying settings, while the digital air fryer offers fry foods such as meat, potato chips, pastries, and several others, thus increasing the demand for digital air fryers. These factors of the digital air fryer are expected to fuel the air fryer market growth during the forecast period. To procure the data - Buy report! Air Fryer Market - Market Dynamics Key Drivers The expansion of the distribution network is one of the key drivers shaping the air fryer market growth. Vendors are implementing a variety of techniques to market their brands and grow their customer base. Extending their distribution networks is one of the main strategies used by players in the global air fryer market. In addition to physical merchants, vendors consistently emphasize the distribution and promotion of their contemporary kitchen appliances through online purchasing platforms. For instance, some popular e-commerce retailers that sell air fryers include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Amazon.com Inc., and Rakuten Commerce Inc. Vendors selling a range of air fryers now have a great opportunity for expansion. As a result, the distribution channel expansion strategy is anticipated to contribute considerably to the revenue growth of the global air fryer market during the forecast period. Major Trends One of the key market trends influencing the growth of the air fryer industry is the rising adoption of modular kitchens. Nowadays, customers prefer smart and contemporary designs that take up less room and give their kitchen a nice appearance. Additionally, modular designs provide users with features and functionality that make daily tasks easier, like affordable installation, space management, and simple maintenance. Additionally, newly built homes, particularly in Western nations like the US, are created with a contemporary appearance with the possibility of integrating smart equipment. Hence, growth in household construction is expected to drive the adoption of modular kitchens. Therefore, the adoption of modular kitchens is expected to drive the growth of the air fryer market in focus during the forecast period. Significant Challenges Growing health concerns due to increased consumption of fried food products is one of the key factors restricting the air fryer market growth. The most common problem with fried dishes is a result of skipping oil filtering cycles. Oil filtering aids food service organizations in maintaining food quality and oil life. However, end users must pay additional expenditures for oil filtration. Unfiltered oil can have an impact on the flavor and quality of fried food products and increase the presence of fatty acids, which can have a negative impact on the body of the consumer. Continuous frying without oil filtration can lower the quality of fried food products and raise the chance that consumers would experience health problems as a result of consuming them. Thus, it is anticipated that during the projection period, these expanding issues with air fryer use will have a negative impact on market growth. Air Fryer Market - Regional Segmentation The market is segmented by region North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. An analysis of key leading countries has been included. North America is estimated to contribute 37% to the growth of the air fryer market during the forecast period. The rising number of working women will drive the air fryer market growth in North America over the forecast period. The demand for air fryers in North America is expected to grow, driven by an expected rise in the popularity and adoption of smart homes, particularly in the US and Canada . is expected to grow, driven by an expected rise in the popularity and adoption of smart homes, particularly in the US and . Foodservice establishments in North America are increasingly focusing on cooking solutions that help reduce energy and labor costs. For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW PDF SAMPLE ! What are the key data covered in this Air Fryer Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the air fryer market between 2022 and 2026 Precise estimation of the size of the air fryer market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the air fryer market across North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa , , APAC, , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of air fryer market vendors. Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The industrial food slicers market share is expected to increase to USD 119.04 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 8.65%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers industrial food slicers market segmentation by application (fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes), meat and poultry, potatoes, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The growing demand for processed and packaged food products is one of the key factors driving the industrial food slicer market growth. The baby food maker market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.25% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 411.17 million. Furthermore, this baby food maker market report extensively market segmentation by application (food preparation products and bottle preparation products), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Report Coverage Details Base year 2021 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.19% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 350.89 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.23 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Breville Group Ltd., Cuisinart, De Longhi S.p.A, Gorenje Group, Gourmia Inc., GoWISE USA, Groupe SEB, Havells India Ltd., KENT RO Systems Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Newell Brands Inc., CALIBER BRANDS GENERAL TRADING LLC, NuWave LLC, Solara, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., Stanley Black and Decker Inc., TTK Prestige Ltd., Xiaomi Inc., and SharkNinja Operating LLC Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 09: Parent market Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026 5 Market Segmentation by Product 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product 5.3 Digital air fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Digital air fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Digital air fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Digital air fryer - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Digital air fryer - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Manual air Fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Manual air Fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Manual air Fryer - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Manual air Fryer - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Manual air Fryer - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Product ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 87: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Breville Group Ltd. Exhibit 89: Breville Group Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 90: Breville Group Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 91: Breville Group Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 92: Breville Group Ltd. - Segment focus 10.4 Cuisinart Exhibit 93: Cuisinart - Overview Exhibit 94: Cuisinart - Product / Service Exhibit 95: Cuisinart - Key offerings 10.5 De Longhi S.p.A Exhibit 96: De Longhi S.p.A - Overview Exhibit 97: De Longhi S.p.A - Business segments Exhibit 98: De Longhi S.p.A - Key offerings Exhibit 99: De Longhi S.p.A - Segment focus 10.6 GoWISE USA Exhibit 100: GoWISE USA - Overview - Overview Exhibit 101: GoWISE USA - Product / Service - Product / Service Exhibit 102: GoWISE USA - Key offerings 10.7 Groupe SEB Exhibit 103: Groupe SEB - Overview Exhibit 104: Groupe SEB - Business segments Exhibit 105: Groupe SEB - Key news Exhibit 106: Groupe SEB - Key offerings Exhibit 107: Groupe SEB - Segment focus 10.8 Havells India Ltd. Exhibit 108: Havells India Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 109: Havells India Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 110: Havells India Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 111: Havells India Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 112: Havells India Ltd. - Segment focus 10.9 Koninklijke Philips NV Exhibit 113: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview Exhibit 114: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments Exhibit 115: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news Exhibit 116: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings Exhibit 117: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus 10.10 NuWave LLC Exhibit 118: NuWave LLC - Overview Exhibit 119: NuWave LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 120: NuWave LLC - Key offerings 10.11 Stanley Black and Decker Inc. and Decker Inc. Exhibit 121: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Overview and Decker Inc. - Overview Exhibit 122: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Business segments and Decker Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 123: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Key news and Decker Inc. - Key news Exhibit 124: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Key offerings and Decker Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 125: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Segment focus 10.12 TTK Prestige Ltd. Exhibit 126: TTK Prestige Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 127: TTK Prestige Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 128: TTK Prestige Ltd. - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 129: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 130: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for USD Exhibit 131: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 132: Research methodology Exhibit 133: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 134: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 135: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES. LYSAKER, Norway, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aker BP ASA (the "Company") announced today the pricing of its previously announced tender offer for cash (the "Any and All Tender Offer") of any and all of its 3.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The Any and All Tender Offer was made upon and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated June 7, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase"). Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase. The "Total Consideration" for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of 2025 Notes validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Any and All Tender Offer (including 2025 Notes delivered by the Any and All Guaranteed Delivery Expiration Date in respect of which a notice of guaranteed delivery is delivered at or prior to the Any and All Expiration Date) was determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the fixed spread specified in the Offer to Purchase and table below (the "Fixed Spread") over the yield based on the bid-side price of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security specified in the Offer to Purchase and table below (the "Reference Yield") at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on June 13, 2023 (the "Any and All Price Determination Date") by the Dealer Managers. In accordance with the terms of the Any and All Tender Offer, the Any and All Tender Offer will remain open until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 13, 2023 (the "Any and All Expiration Date") and the Any and All Guaranteed Delivery Expiration Date will be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 15, 2023 (the "Any and All Guaranteed Delivery Expiration Date"), in each case unless extended by the Company. 2025 Notes tendered may be validly withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 13, 2023 but not thereafter, excepted in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. The results announcement is expected as soon as practicable on the day following the Any and All Expiration Date, expected to be June 14, 2023, unless extended by the Company. Title of Security CUSIP/ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding(1) U.S. Treasury Reference Security Bloomberg Reference Page Reference Yield Fixed Spread Total Consideration(2), (3) Aker BP ASA 3.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") 00973RAE3 / US00973RAE36 R0139KAA8 / USR0139KAA80 $500,000,000 4.250% U.S. Treasury due May 31, 2025 FIT1 4.584 % 105 bps $960.67 Notes: (1) As of the commencement date of the Any and All Tender Offer. (2) As at the Any and All Price Determination Date. (3) For each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of 2025 Notes validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Any and All Tender Offer. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined below). Holders will also receive with respect to any 2025 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the Any and All Tender Offer (including 2025 Notes delivered by the Any and All Guaranteed Delivery Expiration Date in respect of which a notice of guaranteed delivery is delivered at or prior to the Any and All Expiration Date) accrued and unpaid interest on such 2025 Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date applicable to such 2025 Notes to, but not including, the Any and All Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest"). The Any and All Settlement Date is expected to be June 16, 2023, unless extended by the Company. The Company's obligation to accept for purchase and pay for validly tendered 2025 Notes is subject to, and conditioned upon, satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase. DEALER MANAGERS Citigroup Global Markets Limited Citigroup Center Canada Square, Canary Wharf London, E14 5LB United Kingdom Attention: Liability Management Group Europe: +44 20 7986 8969 U.S. Toll-Free: +1 (800) 558 3745 U.S.: +1 (212) 723 6106 Email: [email protected] Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. 1301 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Floor New York, New York 10019, United States of America Attention: Liability Management Tel (U.S. Toll Free): +1 (866) 807-6030 Email: [email protected] DNB Markets, Inc. 30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor, New York, New York, 10001 United States of America Attention: Bond Sales Desk Tel: +1 212 681 3800 [email protected] ING Financial Markets LLC 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036 United States of America Attention: Liability Management U.S.: + 1 (646) 424 8972 Email: [email protected] J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10179 Attention: Liability Management Group Collect: +1 (212) 834-4045 Toll-Free: +1 (866) 834-4666 MUFG Securities Americas Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, New York 10020 Attention: Liability Management U.S.: +1 (212) 405-7481 Toll-Free: +1 (877) 744-4532 Europe: +44 207 628 5555 / +33 1 70 91 42 55 Email: [email protected] THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 Banks and brokers call: (212) 269-5550 All others call toll free: (800) 549-6864 Email: [email protected] The Offer to Purchase and any other relevant notice and documents with respect to the Any and All Tender Offer are available at www.dfking.com/aker, operated by the Information and Tender Agent for the purpose of the Any and All Tender Offer. OFFER RESTRICTIONS General This announcement is not an offer to purchase any 2025 Notes or a solicitation of an offer to sell any 2025 Notes. The Any and All Tender Offer is being made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase. Neither the Company, the Dealer Managers nor the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender any or all of their 2025 Notes for payment pursuant to the Any and All Tender Offer. The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase is restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required to inform themselves of and to observe any such restrictions. Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes, nor may they be used in connection with, an offer to buy 2025 Notes or a solicitation to sell 2025 Notes by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or a solicitation. Neither the Company, the Dealer Managers nor the Information and Tender Agent accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction. European Economic Area The Offers are not being made in any Member State of the European Economic Area, other than to persons who are "qualified investors" as defined in Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation"), or in other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation. This EEA selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out in this Offer to Purchase. United Kingdom The communication of this announcement by the Company and the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Any and All Tender Offer is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"), as amended. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order")), persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Order, persons who are qualified investors of the kind described in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), persons who otherwise fall within an exemption set forth in the Order such that section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply or any other persons to whom the Any and All Tender Offer may otherwise lawfully be made under the Order and all other applicable securities laws. Italy None of the Any and All Tender Offer, the Offer to Purchase or any other document or materials relating to the Any and All Tender Offer have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Any and All Tender Offer is being carried out in Italy as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the 2025 Notes that are located in Italy can tender 2025 Notes for purchase in the Any and All Tender Offer through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the 2025 Notes and/or the Any and All Tender Offer. France The Any and All Tender Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France ("France"). Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Any and All Tender Offer has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), acting for their own account, with the exception of individuals, within the meaning ascribed to them in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, and applicable regulations thereunder, are eligible to participate in the Any and All Tender Offer. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or offering materials relating to the Any and All Tender Offer have not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers. Belgium Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Any and All Tender Offer have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten / Autorite des services et marches financiers) and, accordingly, the Any and All Tender Offer may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Any and All Tender Offer may not be advertised and the Any and All Tender Offer will not be extended, and neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Any and All Tender Offer (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) have been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than "qualified investors" in the sense of Article 10 of the Belgian Law of 16 June 2006 on the public offer of placement instruments and the admission to trading of placement instruments on regulated markets, acting on their own account. Insofar as Belgium is concerned, this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Any and All Tender Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium. Switzerland Neither this announcement, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the 2025 Notes constitutes an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the 2025 Notes described herein. The 2025 Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or this announcement or the 2025 Notes constitutes a prospectus or a key information document within the meaning of articles 35 and 58 of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), and neither this announcement, nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or the 2025 Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. In particular, none of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other document produced in connection with this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or the 2025 Notes have been or will be approved by a Swiss review body (Prospektprufstelle) according to article 52 FinSA, or by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act. Norway This announcement and the Offer to Purchase has not been and will not be filed with or approved by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority (Nw. Finanstilsynet), the Oslo Stock Exchange (Nw. Oslo brs) or any other regulatory authority in Norway. The Notes have not been offered or sold and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in Norway, unless in compliance with Chapter 7 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of June 29, 2007 No. 75 (Nw. verdipapirhandelloven) and secondary regulations issued pursuant thereto, as amended or replaced from time to time (the "Securities Trading Act"). Accordingly, this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be made available nor may the Notes otherwise be marketed and offered for sale in Norway other than in circumstances that are deemed not to be a marketing of an offer to the public in Norway in accordance with the Securities Trading Act. SOURCE Aker BP ASA DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- All Star Healthcare Solutions, a full-service healthcare staffing firm specializing in locum tenens and direct job opportunities for physicians and advanced practitioners, has appointed Ken Bernstein, who also retains his role of President, to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. He succeeds Keith Shattuck, who served as CEO since 2005. "Ken is an exceptional leader and the epitome of high performance and absolute dedication. His extensive knowledge of our business has been instrumental in our continued growth. Moreover, he is uniquely positioned to lead our company in its next phase of strategic development," said Shattuck, who will remain with All Star as Chairman of its Partners' Board. Additionally, Pat Kennedy, who brought over 30 years of growing healthcare staffing firms with her when she joined All Star in 2016, relinquishes her position of Chief Strategy Officer, fully moving to the Partners' Board, which she helped form. "It's humbling and an honor to have the confidence and support of our Partners' Board and All Star family," said Bernstein. "We my fellow Executive Board members and I are excited to lead our company into the next chapter as we continue to move our business forward, remaining grounded in our people-centric culture and Core Values, and committed to connecting quality providers to facilities and patients." Bernstein joined the company as Chief Financial Officer in 2012, with years of corporate finance and capital structure experience. He expertly oversaw financial planning with a strategic vision and drive for growth before becoming President in August 2022. Bernstein holds degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems (MIS) from the University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration. In 2021, he was recognized as a CFO Awards finalist by the South Florida Business Journal. About All Star Healthcare Solutions All Star Healthcare Solutions is repeatedly recognized for its outstanding workplace culture and is one of the largest healthcare staffing companies in the country. Founded in 2003 and based in Deerfield Beach, Fla., the company places physicians and advanced practitioners on locum tenens (i.e., temporary) assignments and in direct-hire positions at hospitals, health systems, medical practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities throughout the United States, delivering exceptional care to patients who might otherwise go without it. SOURCE All Star Healthcare Solutions New Line of Modular, Solar Battery Storage Systems Unveiled at Intersolar 2023 in Germany NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its heritage in battery storage and power delivery, Anker unveiled plans today to enter the home energy market. As a part of this, the company launched a new brand Anker Solix which will focus on helping consumers achieve energy independence. The new Anker Solix brand includes a line of solar balcony solutions designed for apartments and modular solar battery storage systems for the home. Additionally, Anker's popular portfolio of portable power stations (formerly known as PowerHouse) will now be part of Anker Solix. Anker Innovations Logo "More consumers than ever are turning to solar energy to power their homes because of rising energy costs, increasing concerns about power supply reliability and a growing desire for sustainable solutions," said Steven Yang, CEO, Anker. "Consumers need a way to store the energy generated through solar power to become truly energy independent. With Anker Solix, we will leverage our deep expertise in battery storage and power delivery, allowing everyone from homeowners to apartment residents and even campers to store and manage all their energy needs more effectively." Anker Solix focuses on unique power solutions to support consumers' energy needs worldwide and will include both portable and fixed energy solutions. The new product lines will include: Home Energy Solutions - Solar balcony systems, solar battery storage solutions, EV car chargers and more Flex Series - Portable power solutions for home backup, camping and recreational vehicles (RVs) with high-power needs Camping Series - Ultra-portable power options for outdoor adventures Home Energy Solutions Increase Energy Independence, Resilience and Security Earlier this year, Anker introduced the Anker Solix Balcony Solution for the European market. This plug-in-play system includes two solar panels and an inverter that can be plugged directly into any available power socket, instantly sending energy back to the grid while reducing the consumer's energy bill. Today, Anker Solix unveiled its line of home energy solutions to include several solutions for the home and apartment. This includes three new products: Anker Solix Solarbank E1600: This balcony power storage system will be available in Europe and is compatible with 99% of the balcony PV products on the market. It features a capacity of 1.6 kWh, IP65 water and dust resistance for enhanced durability, and a simple 5-minute D.I.Y installation. The Solarbank will be the world's longest-lasting solar balcony power storage solution, leveraging LFP battery technology capable of supporting 6,000 charging cycles -- double the industry average. It also includes smart app control that can connect to the device through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for personalized power control. Anker Solix F1200 Portable Power Station Bundle with RS40/RS40P: Designed for the European market, this bundle combines the Anker Solix Balcony Solution with a portable power station. The addition of the portable power station helps consumers maximize savings on their electricity by customizing peak/off-peak hour usage and relieving blackout worries. It also features cloud-based intelligence monitoring to give consumers real-time visibility into power generation and consumption, and easy plugand-play installation. Anker Solix All-in-One Energy Storage Solution: Anker also unveiled plans to launch a series of solar battery wall solutions designed to bring back-up power to existing solar installations and new installations. These modular battery solutions will be scalable from 5 kWh to 180 kWh (1) and designed to provide high levels of safety and durability, seamlessly transfer to off-grid power, and be compatible with home energy equipment such as heat pumps, oil- and gas-powered generators, Anker Solix's forthcoming EV charging solution, and more. Additional details will be available later this year, and the solution will be available globally in 2024. Anker Solix Expands Portable Power Line Anker's popular line of portable power stations will be expanded under the new Anker Solix brand - bringing a wider assortment of portable power options to consumers all around the world. This includes: Flex Series - Provides Power at Home and On-the-Road The Anker Solix Flex Series is designed to provide home backup power and can also be used in RVs and camper vans. Flex Series products provide over 1 kWh of power. For example, this series includes the Anker Solix F2000 (formerly Anker PowerHouse 767), the company's most powerful portable power station with its largest battery to date. The solutions are ideal not only for campers, but also for U.S. apartment residents and home renters who cannot install a full solar solution, but still want peace of mind when the power goes out. With a higher output, portable power stations can charge larger appliances, such as a full-sized refrigerator, lights, fans and much more. Camping Series - Keeps Essentials Powered from Anywhere Anker Camping Series is Anker's most portable line of power solutions, perfect for shorter outdoor adventures, backyard movie nights and more. The Camping Series products will focus on solutions under 1 kWh of power, enough to charge smartphones, tablets, camping lights, cameras, and drone batteries. Learn More about Anker Solix Anker Solix was unveiled tonight at the company's RE[Charge] event in New York. A replay of the event and new product introductions can be streamed at https://youtube.com/live/faQA62cddA4?feature=share Additionally, select Anker Solix solutions will be on display at Intersolar Europe, held June 14-16, 2023, at the Messe Munchen Exhibition Center in Munich, Germany. Please stop by Hall C3, Stand #256 to see Anker's solar-focused solutions for the European market. Please visit anker.com/anker-solix/power-solutions to learn more about Anker Solix; images can be downloaded here (https://bit.ly/ankersolix). (1) Hybrid model supports up to 6 units in parallel mode, with a maximum capacity of 180 kWh About Anker Solix Leveraging Anker's leadership in battery storage and power delivery, Anker Solix is committed to developing power solutions that will bring energy independence to people all around the world. This includes modular, solar battery storage systems for the home, solar balcony solutions designed for apartments and a growing portfolio of portable power stations. Additional details about Anker Solix can be found at anker.com/anker-solix/powersolutions. CONTACT: Brett White, [email protected] SOURCE Anker Innovations The Luxury Vegan Women's Ready-to-Wear Line is Black-Owned, Opulent, and Aims to Work Towards Higher Levels of Sustainability with Each Collection NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability Expert, Luxury Vegan Lifestyle Influencer and Serial Entrepreneur Dominique Side is announcing the launch of her latest venture, Nikki Green. Nikki Green is a luxury, 100% vegan ready-to-wear apparel line for individuals seeking chic yet sustainable pieces. The collection is black-owned, opulent, and aims to work towards higher levels of sustainability with each collection. Collection previews and showroom appointments can be made at shopnikkigreen.com . Nikki Green is a luxury, 100% vegan ready-to-wear apparel line for individuals seeking chic yet sustainable pieces. Tweet this Founder Dominique Side Dominique developed Nikki Green after being frustrated by the lack of variety in higher-end options that are truly 100% vegan. In collaboration with her longtime stylist Christian Allen, they've created a line that is sustainably sourced, and expertly combines compassionate living with high fashion. "I love luxury, I love designer, but I'm constantly searching for quality 100% vegan pieces. I know I'm not alone in this search. I reached out to my longtime stylist Christian Allen, and we created a line that is chic, vegan and luxurious and I'm excited to share it with the world," Dominique Side, Founder. The fully vegan line features ready-to-wear, gowns, tops, pants, denim, and accessories, bringing luxury earth-friendly materials, custom hardware, and figure-enhancing cuts to a new generation of chic, environmentally conscious shoppers. Dominique is a serial entrepreneur that operates from a compassionate mindset and has developed several successful companies that are eco-friendly with fully sustainable practices. Dominique successfully launched Houston's first vegan supermarket, VegSide Mkt, and is the Co-Founder of VgnBae Studios , a full-service vegan recording and production studio. Dominique is also the Founder of The Luxury Vegan , the world's leading concierge transition service to an eco-friendlier lifestyle. The Nikki Green collection retails between $350-$7250 and is currently showing at The Nikki Green Showroom within the Fashion District in Los Angeles, CA, located at 1250 S Los Angeles St. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.shopnikkigreen.com/ . To learn more about Nikki Green and Dominique Side, visit https://www.shopnikkigreen.com/ . For additional information and to schedule an interview with Dominique, contact [email protected]. ABOUT DOMINIQUE SIDE Dominique is a serial entrepreneur that operates from a compassionate mindset and has developed several successful companies that are eco-friendly with fully sustainable practices. Dominique successfully launched Houston's first vegan supermarket, VegSide Mkt, and is the Co-Founder of VgnBae Studios , a full-service vegan recording and production studio. Dominique is also the Founder of The Luxury Vegan , the world's leading concierge transition service to an eco-friendlier lifestyle. She documents her luxury vegan lifestyle for her 80 thousand-plus followers on her VgnBae handle. SOURCE Nikki Green Career Fair for Next Gen and Career Changers to be held June 20 WASHINGTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of African American Financial Advisors ("AAAA" or the "Association"), a non-profit membership organization for African American financial advisors and other wealth management industry professionals, today announced the AAAA 2023 Regional V.I.S.I.O.N. (Lite) Conference, to be held on June 20, 2023. The event, including a Career Fair for Next Gen and Career Changers, will take place at the Marriott Marquis Manhattan in New York City. The AAAA Career Fair is an opportunity designed for Black and African American professionals, empowering the next generation of diverse talent in financial services and wealth management. The unique event is specifically tailored for recent college graduates and individuals considering a career pivot to the wealth management sector. It offers an exceptional opportunity to connect with AAAA's corporate members, including leading financial institutions committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Members of the media are invited to attend the Career Fair taking place on June 20 at the Marriott Marquis Manhattan, but must register with AAAA's public relations agency Haven Tower Group. Christian Nwasike, MFP, Chairman of the Board of the Association, said, "AAAA's corporate members understand the value that ethnic diversity brings to the workplace and are actively seeking to recruit promising talent from underrepresented groups. The Career Fair provides a platform for these companies to connect with passionate individuals ready to shape the future of finance. We look forward to forging new connections and bringing the best talent and firms together in New York City." "We are thrilled to host the AAAA Career Fair as part of our regional conference," said Alex David, CEO of Stifel independent Advisors, and incoming Chairman Emeritus of AAAA. "This event presents a special opportunity for talented individuals to connect with industry leaders and explore exciting career prospects in wealth management. We encourage reporters to attend and witness the transformative power of diversity in shaping the future of finance." Job opportunities, career guidance The Association confirmed Wednesday that it has registered more than 250 attendees for the Conference, which will include two days of panels, networking sessions, and opportunities to explore topics around diversity in wealth management as well as advice on career success from veteran wealth managers. During the two-day conference, attendees will have the chance to build connections with industry leaders and potential employers from renowned firms. They also will be offered opportunities to discover numerous job openings across various financial sectors, ranging from entry-level positions to more advanced roles. About The Association of African American Financial Advisors (AAAA) A non-profit membership organization for African American financial advisors and affiliated professionals, the Association of African American Financial Advisors (AAAA) was created to address the needs and concerns of African American Financial Professionals. AAAA works in alliance with academic leaders at HBCUs that support financial planning degree programs, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations. AAAA fosters the value of financial planning and advances the financial planning profession. Media Contacts Joseph Kuo or Elizabeth Shim Haven Tower Group LLC 424 317 4851 or 424 318 4861 [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE African American Financial Advisors (AAAA) Automation Anywhere will launch new generative AI features in its Automation Success Platform, powered by Google's LLMs and Vertex AI LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Automation Anywhere and Google Cloud today announced an expanded partnership that combines the power of generative AI and intelligent automation to accelerate the adoption of AI and make it accessible to every enterprise. Automation Anywhere is utilizing Google Cloud's large language models (LLMs) via Vertex AI to build and launch new generative AI features on the Automation Success Platform. Businesses today utilize the Automation Success Platform to automate common front- and back-office processes in areas like human resources, finance, IT, and supply chains. The partnership with Google Cloud will now unlock new value and automation use cases for customers with generative AI, including: Empowering citizen developers: Businesses can build automation from natural language using the Automation Success Platform and Google Cloud's generative AI and go from idea to automation faster than ever. With the power of generative AI models in Vertex AI, automation builders can use natural language to simply describe what they need and action a process in Automation Anywhere. Businesses can build automation from natural language using the Automation Success Platform and Google Cloud's generative AI and go from idea to automation faster than ever. With the power of generative AI models in Vertex AI, automation builders can use natural language to simply describe what they need and action a process in Automation Anywhere. Automating data summaries: By expanding the depth and breadth of document types that can be leveraged for business process automation, users can extract data from complex and unstructured documents like contracts, resumes, waybills, and more. This enables automation to be used for even greater impact use cases in healthcare, finance and legal services, all with significantly improved accuracy. By expanding the depth and breadth of document types that can be leveraged for business process automation, users can extract data from complex and unstructured documents like contracts, resumes, waybills, and more. This enables automation to be used for even greater impact use cases in healthcare, finance and legal services, all with significantly improved accuracy. Communicating directly with customers: Virtual or human support center representatives can leverage natural language processing to respond to customer issues and automatically generate pre-populated, personalized email responses . From there, it's fast and easy to generate call summaries and other reports and integrate them into customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Virtual or human support center representatives can leverage natural language processing to respond to customer issues and automatically generate pre-populated, personalized email responses From there, it's fast and easy to generate call summaries and other reports and integrate them into customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Accelerating underwriting processes: In the highly competitive commercial loan industry, using automation to collect and summarize all loan application information can accelerate the underwriting process and optimize close cycle times. This improves accuracy, reduces risk, improves customer experiences and results in higher employee satisfaction. "Generative AI is unleashing a new wave of technology advancements set to enhance our regular ways of work by increasing employee productivity, transforming business operations model," said Raj Mistry, EVP EMEA, Automation Anywhere. "Automation Anywhere along with Google Cloud will enable companies to work with Generative AI and help transform traditional ways of customer engagement by accelerating teams' performance, letting organizations effectively scale and maintain security." "Generative AI helps streamline complex business processes and allows users to generate content at the click of a button," said Bruno Heese, Managing Director, Partners and Channels, Google Cloud EMEA. "Partnering with Automation Anywhere, will strengthen the Generative AI offering by accelerating its technology prowess through the speed of automation, transforming crucial business areas such as customer engagement, employee productivity, app development, etc." This new combination of Google Cloud's generative AI with Automation Anywhere builds on years of AI work between the two companies and hundreds of mutual customers. Google Cloud and Automation Anywhere also have a deep go-to-market partnership, focused on driving customer success, and the Automation Success Platform is available to deploy via the Google Cloud Marketplace. Automation Anywhere and Google Cloud expect to announce additional integrations of Vertex AI with the Automation Success Platform in the coming months, with a full range of integrations generally available to customers by July 2023. Interact with Automation Anywhere: Visit our website: automationanywhere.com Follow us on Twitter: @AutomationAnywh Explore with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/automation_anywhere/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automation-anywhere About Automation Anywhere Automation Anywhere is the No. 1 cloud automation platform, delivering automation and process intelligence solutions across all industries to automate end-to-end business processes for the fastest path to enterprise transformation. The company offers the world's only cloud-native platform combining RPA, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics to automate repetitive tasks and build enterprise agility, freeing up humans to pivot to the next big idea and build deeper customer relationships that drive business growth. For additional information, visit www.automationanywhere.com. Automation Anywhere is a registered trademark/service mark of Automation Anywhere, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other parties' marks are the property of their respective owners. About Google Cloud Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology all on the cleanest cloud in the industry. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/541440/Automation_Anywhere_Logo.jpg SOURCE Automation Anywhere, Inc. Immerse Yourself in the World of Indie Music with AX3.com the Independent Artist Network, Platform for independent music artists to get their music heard and monetize. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J., June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AX3, The Independent Artist Network, is thrilled to announce the AX3 Launch Fest, a celebration of the highly anticipated beta launch of AX3.com, your ultimate destination for discovering, downloading, streaming, and connecting with the best indie artists from around the globe. To commemorate this momentous occasion, AX3 is offering music enthusiasts the opportunity to win a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones valued at $500 and delve into the captivating world of indie music. AX3 is dedicated to championing indie artists and showcasing their incredible talent. As a tribute to their artistry, this exclusive contest invites participants to elevate their listening experience to unprecedented levels. With the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, every note, beat, and emotion will come to life, enveloping the listener in a mesmerizing sonic journey. The contest will run from June 12, 2023 (9:00AM EST) to July 4, 2023 (11:45PM EST). To participate, visit www.ax3.com/pages/ax3-launch-fest, provide a few details, and you're ready to enter! If you don't have an AX3 fan account, a free one will be created for you upon registration. Eligible participants must be residents of the United States and aged 18 or older. But wait, there's more! Increase your chances of winning by completing optional tasks, such as following their social media pages and more. It's that simple! The lucky winner will be randomly selected using a reliable drawing tool immediately after the contest ends. The announcement of the winner will take place on July 5, 2023 (10 AM, EST). Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to elevate your indie music journey. Join the AX3 Launch Fest today and prepare to embark on an indie music extravaganza like nothing you've experienced before! For media inquiries, please contact: AX3 Inc. [email protected] About AX3: AX3 is the ultimate platform for indie music discovery, streaming, and connection and for indie music artists looking to get their music heard and monetized. Our mission is to bring exceptional indie artists from around the world into the spotlight and provide music enthusiasts with an immersive and unparalleled experience. Our online music service allows artists to easily showcase their work to a global audience, while also selling music downloads and NFTs to fans. With AX3, fans and artists can forge meaningful connections and explore the vibrant landscape of indie music and it empowers artists to take control of their music career and build a loyal following, all while receiving the support they need to thrive in the industry. Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12968970 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE AX3.com Tourism executives will showcase the destination's offerings and host advanced celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Independence NASSAU, Bahamas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) Executives are heading to the Golden State for the "Bringing The Bahamas to You" Global Missions initiative 14 15 June, to showcase the 16-island destination's latest tourism offerings and developments, spotlight The Bahamas' longstanding film legacy and celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of Independence. The Global Missions in California will be led by the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. He will be accompanied by Latia Duncombe, BMOTIA's Director General, and other senior BMOTIA executives. The delegation will meet with key industry leaders, partners, media and travel agents. "Bringing The Bahamas to You" Global Tour returns late summer fall 2023 with stops in Atlanta, GA & the United Kingdom. Tweet this The Global Missions aim to heighten awareness of The Islands of The Bahamas brand in key markets and drive tourism business to the destination. The California Mission is aligned with the BMOTIA's June 6th announcement of the inaugural JetBlue non-stop service from Los Angeles to Nassau to begin on 4 Nov. "We are thrilled that come November, travellers from California, the most populous state in the U.S. and one of the most diverse, will be able for the very first time, board a JetBlue flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for non-stop service to Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau," said Deputy Prime Minister Cooper. "Californians are no strangers to sun, sand and sea yet are increasingly drawn to our shores for the unparalleled sites, experiences and vibrant culture," he said. "In fact, stopover arrivals from California increased by 52% from January to April 2023 compared to the same period in 2022." "Over the past nine months the Ministry has been in constant dialogue with key international aviation stakeholders to increase airlift capacity and meet the demand for travel to our destination," he said. "This JetBlue new non-stop service signals a new day and will significantly increase access to The Islands of The Bahamas." The "Bringing The Bahamas to You" Global Tour will transport a taste of The Bahamas to Costa Mesa and Los Angeles The Bahamas' leading tourism market for the West Coast. Hollywood and The Bahamas have a longstanding relationship that began more than 100 years ago with the world's first underwater film, Terrors of the Deep, being shot in Nassau, and continued with modern films like Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves as a key international hub. For travellers in the region, The Bahamas is only a connection away from major airports in cities including Chicago, Houston and Miami. Following California, the "Bringing The Bahamas to You" Global Tour will return in late summer and fall 2023 with stops in Atlanta, Georgia and the United Kingdom. Travellers who book their 2023 Bahamas vacation can expect year-long celebrations, events and festivities as the destination commemorates a golden jubilee milestone of 50 years of independence. Highlights from the upcoming 50th independence celebrations include Jubilee on the Sea at Montagu Beach; 50th on Bay concert series; 50th Independence People's Rush, and much more. For more information, visit www.bahamas.com. ABOUT THE BAHAMAS With over 700 islands and cays, and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy flyaway escape that transports travellers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It's Better in The Bahamas. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] Weber Shandwick Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Accidental overdoses in San Francisco in 2023 by day of death, January-April. Totals for fentanyl, heroin, medicinal opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine are shown. Graphic: San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner By Dani Anguiano 24 May 2023 LOS ANGELES (The Guardian) Overdoses involving fentanyl were behind one in five deaths of people ages 15-24 in California, the latest indicator of an emergency that shows no signs of slowing. Drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the state as car accidents, according to data compiled by the consulting group California Health Policy Strategies. Since 2017, deaths related to the synthetic opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, have increased 1,027%. The crisis, which has visibly unfolded on city streets from San Francisco to Los Angeles, has sent officials scrambling for solutions. This year Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, has proposed spending an additional $172m for a project distributing naloxone, an overdose medication. But experts warn more is needed and that the effects of the crisis will probably continue for years to come. Even if we do a lot of things right in policy, were going to have a fair amount of deaths in the coming years, Keith Humphreys, a drug policy expert and professor at Stanford University, told California Healthline. San Francisco has been hit particularly hard, with one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours. The city saw 200 overdoses in the first three months of the year, compared with 142 in the same months a year ago, according to reports by the citys medical examiner. The city has taken an increasingly punitive approach to handling drug users. An expert told the Guardian last month that this had only heightened their overdose risks. Overdoses in the city increased significantly in December, and rose particularly in January, just as the city government closed a key outreach center, where people were using drugs under medical supervision, and increased policing in San Franciscos Tenderloin district, which has struggled with drug use. Last month, Newsom directed the California highway patrol and national guard to help San Francisco tackle fentanyl. As the emergency has intensified in the city, San Franciscans have butted heads about solutions. A special meeting to address the crisis on Tuesday with the mayor and board of supervisors turned into a circus, SFGate reported, with protesters shouting over officials and one woman throwing a brick. What we are doing is not working. And in fact, our local resources have increased. But it has not dealt with the problem based on the magnitude of what we are experiencing, Mayor London Breed said. The fact is, its time for a change. We want to get people help, but we will not continue to allow things to just occur as they have been. [more] One in five deaths among young Californians tied to fentanyl NEW YORK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Baxter International Inc. ("Baxter" or "the Company") (NYSE: BAX) shareholders: The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that an investigation has commenced into Baxter and certain of its officers and directors regarding potential securities fraud. The investigation concerns, in part, the below: Baxter is a multi-national healthcare company, primarily focusing on products designed to treat kidney disease and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Recent announcements suggest that Baxter materially misrepresented and/or concealed the true nature and severity of supply chain problems it was encountering and the impact they were having on the Company's current and expected earnings. Baxter's failure to disclose the Company's true problems relating to its supply chain deceived investors about Baxter's true financial health and earnings. If you suffered a loss on your investment in Baxter, contact us about a possible lawsuit and potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you. https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/baxter-class-action-submission-form?wire=4 Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Vincent Wong, Esq. 39 East Broadway Suite 304 New York, NY 10002 Tel. 212.425.1140 E-Mail: [email protected]com SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong NEW YORK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that an investigation into potential securities fraud allegations has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Baxter International Inc. ("Baxter" or "the Company") (NYSE: BAX) To be contacted by a member of our team, fill out the form: https://claimyourloss.com/securities/baxter-class-action-loss-submission-form/?wire=4 Further details on the investigation: Baxter is a multi-national healthcare company, primarily focusing on products designed to treat kidney disease and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Recent announcements suggest that Baxter materially misrepresented and/or concealed the true nature and severity of supply chain problems it was encountering and the impact they were having on the Company's current and expected earnings. Baxter's failure to disclose the Company's true problems relating to its supply chain deceived investors about Baxter's true financial health and earnings. Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: JAKUBOWITZ LAW 1140 Avenue of the Americas 9th Floor New York, New York 10036 T: (628) 895-0423 F: (212) 537-5887 SOURCE Jakubowitz Law NEW YORK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that it is investigating allegations that Baxter International Inc. ("Baxter" or "the Company") (NYSE: BAX) violated federal securities laws. CURRENT INVESTIGATION DETAILS: Baxter is a multi-national healthcare company, primarily focusing on products designed to treat kidney disease and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Recent announcements suggest that Baxter materially misrepresented and/or concealed the true nature and severity of supply chain problems it was encountering and the impact they were having on the Company's current and expected earnings. Baxter's failure to disclose the Company's true problems relating to its supply chain deceived investors about Baxter's true financial health and earnings. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the potential claims on behalf of BAX investors, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/baxter-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?wire=4 ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm Customers can now purchase tickets in bulk for their live virtual tours and watch videos with snippets of live walking and presentation tours around the world. BOSTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beeyonder, the leading platform for live and interactive virtual tours, is excited to announce new updates to its platform that are designed to enhance the user experience. The updates include the implementation of a ticket system for payment of virtual tours and as well as homepage updates designed to educate travelers about virtual travel and its benefits. Learn more about virtual travel and how it works here. Virtually travel around the world from anywhere. Speak directly to the guide and ask questions throughout the tour to experience the destination as if you are actually there. Join from your phone, tablet or computer; no other equipment necessary. Easy to book, easy to go. Beeyonder's new ticketing system offers customers greater flexibility, allowing them to purchase tickets for one tour or buy in bulk for larger discounts and use the remainder towards future tours. This provides customers with greater ease of use and encourages repeat business. To provide more value, there are optional add-ons that can be purchased for each tour, such as unlimited concierge to assist with all your booking needs and moderator services for event management and communicating to guides. Beeyonder is also offering its signature sensory packages, which are customized digital booklets that include tour details and local insights to provide travelers with a more culturally immersive experience. In addition to the new ticketing system, Beeyonder has updated its website to provide a more informative experience for its customers. The homepage has been redesigned for customers to see how interactive the virtual tours are, with additional stats about the business, while continuing to highlight exciting new and trending virtual tours. The company's corporate and DEI pages have also been updated to provide more information about what virtual travel is and the benefits of virtual travel for employees, such as how it helps to increase engagement and inclusion in the workplace. "We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience," said CEO and founder, Brittany Palmer. "These updates to our website and the creation of the ticketing system are designed to make it easier for our customers to purchase tours for organizations of all sizes and enjoy our live and interactive virtual experiences, while also enhancing their overall journey through our website." Beeyonder has quickly become a leading provider of live and interactive virtual tours, offering customers the opportunity to explore new destinations and cultures from anywhere. As a customer-centric platform with over 450 tours in more than 55 countries, Beeyonder has focused on quality and customer satisfaction, earning them the reputation of being a trusted name in the travel industry. To learn more about Beeyonder's live and interactive online virtual tours and to purchase tickets, visit the company's website at www.beeyonder.com. About Beeyonder Founded in 2020, Beeyonder is revolutionizing the way people experience the world and how they think about travel. Beeyonder is a customer-centric virtual tour company that offers inclusive and inspiring travel experiences to companies and organizations by vetted, qualified local tour guides around the world. Beeyonder offers over 450 unique touring experiences across more than 55 countries to corporations of all sizes, schools, senior groups and more. Discover stories of the world with Beeyonder. Public Relations Contact: Kristina Correia VP of Marketing | Beeyonder, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Beeyonder BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), and Keytrade Bank, the first online bank in Belgium and part of Credit Mutuel Arkea, one of France's largest banking groups, today announced the bank's decision to select Infosys Finacle as the preferred partner for the modernization of its core banking system. The Infosys Finacle suite will replace Keytrade Bank's legacy platform and help the bank leapfrog its digital maturity, enabling it to innovate, operate, and engage with customers better. This collaboration will streamline the bank's core banking ecosystem to enable greater efficiency, faster time to market for products, and state-of-the-art technology architecture, and ensure best experience for its customers. The bank will subscribe to the Infosys Finacle suite in a software-as-a-service (SaaS) mode on the Microsoft Azure public cloud. Highlights With the Finacle Core Banking Solution, Keytrade Bank will benefit from a secure, scalable, and composable solution to help speed up innovation and time to market for new initiatives Keytrade Bank will be able to easily and independently compose and push a range of banking products to the market Modernization will help the bank to significantly optimize operational efficiency by enhancing digitization and automation The bank can also leverage Finacle's extensive open application programming interface (API) repository on cloud, acquiring the agility to integrate with ecosystem partners easily and seamlessly The SaaS deployment will ensure higher availability and resilience powering the bank's core business and driving growth Sanat Rao, Chief Business Officer & Global Head, Infosys Finacle, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with Keytrade Bank in their digital transformation journey and look forward to its success. With Finacle, Keytrade Bank has a core banking solution that has proven itself around the world for accelerating innovation, driving automation and operational excellence, and helping deepen customer engagements. This collaboration marks yet another milestone in our expanding presence in Europe and underlines our commitment to helping European banks stay ahead in the digital age." Thierry Ternier, CEO, Keytrade Bank, said, "As the sponsor of the project, I am a strong believer in the program because it will strengthen the foundations of our company and make us future-proof to tackle the challenges of a fast-moving environment. Our ultimate goal is to create value and satisfaction for our customers and employees. I am convinced that this program will be a major enabler in reaching those strategic goals. We have chosen Infosys Finacle as our partner for the program because of their worldwide expertise, implementation plan, and price offering." About Infosys Finacle Finacle is an industry leader in digital banking solutions. We are a unit of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned product subsidiary of Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY). We partner with emerging and established financial institutions to help inspire better banking. Our cloud-native solution suite and SaaS services help banks engage, innovate, operate, and transform better to scale digital transformation with confidence. Finacle solutions address the core banking, lending, digital engagement, payments, cash management, wealth management, treasury, analytics, AI, and blockchain requirements of financial institutions. Today, banks in over 100 countries rely on Finacle to help more than a billion people and millions of businesses to save, pay, borrow, and invest better. For more information, visit www.finacle.com. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India and the US, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg SOURCE Infosys Finacle Global Investor Eli Muraidekh Appointed to Lead Private Credit Team DENVER, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bow River Capital, a Denver-based alternative asset manager, announced today that three executives have joined the firm, forming Bow River's new Private Credit Team. The firm also established a world-class Private Credit Investment Committee, drawing on the deep investment, portfolio management and governance experience across Bow River Capital's team, as well as the in-depth expertise of a senior advisor with extensive private credit experience. The Private Credit Team The following executives have been appointed to the firm's Private Credit Team: Eli Muraidekh , a global investor who has more than 30 years of investment experience across multiple platforms with in-depth expertise investing in public and private credit and equity markets and at every stage of a company's life cycle. Mr. Muraidekh is Managing Director, Head of the Private Credit Team and Chair of Bow River's Private Credit Investment Committee. He will be responsible for the strategic direction and initiatives of the Private Credit Team, including originating, structuring, and leading private credit investments across the capital structure, portfolio management, as well as team development. , a global investor who has more than 30 years of investment experience across multiple platforms with in-depth expertise investing in public and private credit and equity markets and at every stage of a company's life cycle. Mr. Muraidekh is Managing Director, Head of the Private Credit Team and Chair of Bow River's Private Credit Investment Committee. He will be responsible for the strategic direction and initiatives of the Private Credit Team, including originating, structuring, and leading private credit investments across the capital structure, portfolio management, as well as team development. Aaron Arnett , a veteran credit investor with more than 15 years of experience in private credit and equity investing, portfolio management and credit advisory. Mr. Arnett is a Managing Director of the Private Credit Team and a member of the Private Credit Investment Committee. He is responsible for originating, structuring and leading private credit investments across the capital structure, as well as portfolio construction. , a veteran credit investor with more than 15 years of experience in private credit and equity investing, portfolio management and credit advisory. Mr. Arnett is a Managing Director of the Private Credit Team and a member of the Private Credit Investment Committee. He is responsible for originating, structuring and leading private credit investments across the capital structure, as well as portfolio construction. Joshua Apfel , who has more than 10 years of experience in financial services, including seven years as a restructuring attorney and more than three years in business development and financial services. Mr. Apfel is a Vice President of the Private Credit Team and is responsible for fund formation, fundraising, originating and managing all stages of the credit investment process from transaction through portfolio management and exit. The Private Credit Investment Committee In addition to Messrs. Muraidekh and Arnett, the Private Credit Investment Committee includes: Richard Thackray , Bow River Capital President, who has more than 30 years of private equity experience as an investor, board member, founder and advisor, and is spearheading the firm's Private Credit efforts; , Bow River Capital President, who has more than 30 years of private equity experience as an investor, board member, founder and advisor, and is spearheading the firm's Private Credit efforts; Jeremy Held , Bow River Capital Managing Director and Head of Evergreen Strategies, who has more than 20 years of asset and portfolio management experience; and, , Bow River Capital Managing Director and Head of Evergreen Strategies, who has more than 20 years of asset and portfolio management experience; and, Jonathan DeSimone , non-voting Adviser to the Private Credit Investment Committee, who brings more than 30 years of capital markets, fund strategy and investing experience. Bow River Capital President Richard Thackray said, "It's a testament to Bow River's stellar reputation that we've attracted executives of this caliber to join the firm's ranks, including veteran global investor Eli Muraidekh, who is leading the Private Credit Investment Team. This experienced team advances our ability to offer a differentiated approach to private credit investing that we believe will be beneficial to Bow River's investors, as well as businesses and sponsors in the Rodeo Region's middle market, requiring financing solutions." In commenting on the formation of the new team, Eli Muraidekh said, "We believe there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide private credit across the capital structure to middle market companies, particularly those in the Rodeo Region where Bow River has developed deep relationships over the past 20 years. I'm thrilled to be working with my Bow River colleagues to offer an attractive investment opportunity in private credit for the firm's investors." Full Team Biographies Eli Muraidekh, Managing Director and Private Credit Head A serial entrepreneur, Eli Muraidekh is the Executive Board Director and Chief Financial Officer of Golden Falcon Acquisition Corp. He was the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Telamon Capital, a credit opportunities fund focused on financing small- to medium-sized businesses. He was also an early seed investor in Wayflyer, a fintech company, that has provided $2 billion of revenue-based financing to over 1,500+ e-commerce businesses. Prior to Telamon, he managed the assets of the philanthropic foundation associated with Lord Jacob Rothschild's Family, which included an endowment valued at more than $2.5 billion. In this role, he invested across multiple asset classes globally, including Public Equities, Private Equity, Credit, Absolute Return and Real Assets. Earlier in his career, Mr. Muraidekh was an Investment Director with BlueBay Asset Management, where he led financial restructurings and operational turnarounds on behalf of BlueBay's multi-billion-dollar distressed debt fund. He also acted as an Executive Director of the Principal Investment Area of Goldman Sachs, where he evaluated and executed investment opportunities for GS Mezzanine Partners and GS Capital Partners. Mr. Muraidekh holds a BA in Economics summa cum laude from Yale University, where he graduated first in his class, and an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School. Aaron Arnett, Managing Director Aaron Arnett has extensive experience originating, underwriting, negotiating, and managing private credit investments with a focus on private equity sponsor-backed companies in the middle market. He has invested in companies across a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, business services, consumer products, food and beverage, niche manufacturing and diversified industrials. Prior to joining Bow River, Mr. Arnett was a Principal of Yukon Partners, a $1.8 billion AUM junior capital investment firm. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Pohlad Companies, a multibillion-dollar family office, where he served on the investment team. He started his career as an Investment Banking Analyst in Piper Sandler's Debt Capital Markets and Capital Advisory group. Mr. Arnett earned a BS in Accounting, a BS in Finance, and a Master of Accounting from the University of Kansas. Joshua Apfel, Vice President Joshua Apfel has more than 10 years of financial services, fundraising and legal experience in the credit space. Prior to joining Bow River, he was a Vice President at Strategic Value Partners, LLC on the Business Development and Investor Relations Team. During his time at Strategic Value Partners, he acted as the firm's portfolio expert and product specialist, oversaw key portions of fundraising efforts and marketing logistics, including running high net worth platform raises, and developed and managed relationships with institutional investors. Before Strategic Value Partners, Mr. Apfel was an associate in the Restructuring Department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Mr. Apfel received a JD from NYU School of Law and Master of Accounting from the University of Florida. Jonathan DeSimone, Advisor Jonathan DeSimone serves as a non-voting member of the Private Credit Investment Committee. He brings more than 30 years of capital markets, fund strategy and investing experience. Most recently, Mr. DeSimone served as Chief Executive Officer of Alcentra, a global asset management firm, specializing in corporate credit and private debt. While at Alcentra, he oversaw all aspects of the firm's business and investment activities, leading a team of 200 people stewarding $40 billion in investor capital across all segments of credit, including private credit, special situations, structured credit, liquid credit and CLOs. He also chaired Alcentra's Executive Management Committee, sat on various Alcentra operational and investment committees, and served as the firm's Interim CIO, Private Credit, managing $10 billion in European direct lending funds and chairing Alcentra's Private Credit Investment Committee. From 2009 to 2019, Mr. DeSimone worked at Bain Capital Credit, most recently serving as Managing Director, Head of Liquid Credit and Portfolio Manager, Liquid Credit, where he played a leading role in asset allocation and credit decisions for Bain Capital Credit's Liquid Credit Platform. Previously, Mr. DeSimone was with Bain & Company from 1992 to 2002, most recently as a Manager in the Private Equity Practice, where he supported private equity and corporate clients on mergers & acquisition and post-acquisition support. Mr. DeSimone received his MBA from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College, and his B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University. About Bow River Capital Founded in 2003, Bow River Capital is a private alternative asset management company based in Denver, Colorado focused on investing in the lower middle and middle market in four asset classes, including Private Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate and Software Growth Equity. Through its subsidiary Bow River Advisers, LLC, Bow River Capital also offers a registered, closed-end mutual fund designed to provide institutional-quality private market access to a broader set of investors. Collectively, the Bow River Capital team has deployed capital into diverse industries, asset classes and across the capital structure. Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund is distributed by Foreside Financial Services, LLC, which is not affiliated with Bow River Capital or its affiliates. For more information on Bow River Capital, please visit www.BowRiverCapital.com Media Contact: Jane Ingalls, Bow River Capital 303-861-8466 SOURCE Bow River Capital JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the Brand Finance 100 report of 2023, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Persero Tbk. (IDX: BBRI) has emerged as the highest-valued brand in Indonesia. Brand Finance, a renowned brand valuation consultant, released the report showcasing the country's 100 most valuable and strongest brands. BRI has secured the top spot with a brand valuation of USD 4.3 billion or around IDR 63.86 trillion, accompanied by an AAA rating. Brand Finance 100 Report Names BRI as the Most Valuable Brand in Indonesia BRI has also succeeded in climbing the ranks, from second place in 2022 to the top spot in 2023, growing by 15% Year-on-Year (YoY). Since 2018, BRI's brand valuation has increased by USD 1.2 billion, or 38%. Regarding this achievement, BRI's President Director, Sunarso, highlighted that "BRI has become a brand with the highest value that resonates with the community. This is evidence of the company's success in delivering the best services to the society." BRI's success in topping Indonesia's most valuable brand list is fueled by its strong financial performance. With a 27.4% growth, the company recorded a net profit of IDR 15.56 trillion in Q1 2023. The strategic acquisitions to Danareksa Investment Management and the launch of QLola, expands the company's offerings as a comprehensive financial services provider, catering to digital needs. BRI's SuperApp BRImo plays a vital role in driving the brand's valuation. With over 26.3 million users at the end of Q1 2023, it has emerged as Indonesia's preferred banking application. Facilitating transactions worth IDR 884 trillion, BRImo achieved a 99.07% YoY growth. BRImo's presence aligns with customers' evolving preferences for digital transactions. This enhances the efficiency, effectiveness, and integration of banking services, catering to the digital literacy journey in Indonesia. Furthermore, BRI remains consistent in aligning business practices with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Demonstrating this commitment, the company allocated IDR 710.9 trillion in financing to sustainable business activities in Q1 2023, setting a new benchmark as the highest in Indonesia. "We are optimistic that BRI's commitment to implementing ESG will provide added values to global investors who highly prioritize ESG practices. BRI has the potential to become the leading global bank in terms of ESG implementation, particularly in social empowerment," concluded Sunarso. Information about Bank BRI can be accessed at www.bri.co.id. SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI) MIAMI, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand Institute is proud to announce its work in developing the brand name VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) from Novaliq. VEVYE was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 30, 2023, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). VEVYE is cyclosporine, solubilized in a novel, water-free excipient and was designed to address unmet needs, providing patients with a fast acting and well tolerable dry eye drug therapy. The solution does not contain water or anti-microbial preservatives, oils, or surfactants. As a water-free product, there is no associated pH and no osmolarity. VEVYE is the first and only FDA-approved cyclosporine eye drop formulation approved for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. "The entire Brand Institute and Drug Safety Institute team congratulates Novaliq on the FDA approval of VEVYE," said Brand Institute's Chairman and C.E.O., James L. Dettore. "We are very thankful for the opportunity to work with such a motivated and engaged team not only the brand name but also on the logo and packaging design." About Brand Institute and its wholly owned subsidiary, Drug Safety Institute Brand Institute has a portfolio of over 5,000 marketed healthcare and consumer brands for more than 1,600 clients. The company partners on over 75% of pharmaceutical brand and nonproprietary name approvals globally every year. Drug Safety Institute is composed of former naming regulatory officials from global government health agencies, including the FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Health Canada, American Medical Association (AMA), and the WHO. These regulatory experts co-authored the name review guidelines with their respective agencies, with many responsible for ultimately approving (or rejecting) brand name applications. Now working for a private company, these professionals provide Brand Institute's clients with industry-leading guidance pertaining to drug name safety (i.e., preventing medication errors), packaging, and labeling. Contact: [email protected] www.brandinstitute.com SOURCE Brand Institute, Inc. Media and digital advertising pioneer Brian Lesser joins Ogury as a Board member to provide guidance as the company accelerates its next stage of growth as the leader in personified advertising NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ogury, the global leader in personified advertising, has announced the appointment of Brian Lesser to its Board of Directors. Lesser is a well-known veteran in media and advertising, having held top leadership positions at WPP, GroupM, and AT&T. Brian Lesser Joins Ogury's Board of Directors Currently, Lesser serves as Chairman and CEO of InfoSum, the world's leading data collaboration platform. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Xandr, AT&T's advanced advertising business, now part of Microsoft. In 2011, he founded the pioneering programmatic advertising business, Xaxis, part of WPP's GroupM. Lesser led GroupM, as CEO of North America, from 2015 to 2017. Brian has been an active board member for other dynamic technology businesses, such as AppNexus, acquired by AT&T in 2019. Lesser is a popular speaker at major conferences and is an advisor to several emerging advertising technology companies. He has been named Ad Age "40 Under 40," and Adweek "Executive of the Year." "Throughout my career, I have focused on innovative companies that are ahead of the curve in digital advertising, and the future of this industry now lies in cookieless advertising. In this context, only companies that have put consumer privacy at the core of their model will thrive," said Brian Lesser. "Thanks to its unique approach, fully independent of advertising identifiers and personal data, Ogury is able to demonstrate that performance and consumer protection go hand in hand. I look forward to working with Geoffroy Martin and the Board of Directors to contribute to the company's story and success." Geoffroy Martin, CEO of Ogury, commented on the appointment, saying: "Brian Lesser's unparalleled and deep experience, specifically leading successful adtech business Infosum, Xandr and at GroupM, will be invaluable as we continue our mission to become the leader of advertising in the cookieless world. As a visionary and respected leader of renowned advertising companies, Brian will bring a unique perspective to our business. Having such a respected industry leader and visionary joining our board today is a true testimonial of how efficient and attractive our strategy and technology are." "I co-founded Ogury with the strong belief that digital advertising should be rooted in consumer privacy. The unprecedented regulatory and ethical challenges the industry is facing today prove that this was the right direction to follow, and an industry veteran such as Brian joining our board confirms it too," added Thomas Pasquet, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Ogury. Ogury helps advertisers engage personas at scale without collecting personal data and enables publishers to get incremental revenue from premium demand originating from top-tier brands. Since its inception in 2014, the company has experienced strong organic growth, accelerating in 2022 with the opening of several new offices, including in Japan, Canada, and Colombia. The same year, Ogury won the Ad Tech Company of the Year Award at the 2022 UK Business Tech Awards. About Ogury Ogury , the global leader in personified advertising, has created a breakthrough advertising engine that delivers targeting based on personas rather than users' identities, and on the destinations where these personas consume content instead of the individual users themselves. Advertisers working with Ogury benefit from fully visible impactful ads, future-proof targeting and unwavering protection. Publishers enjoy the rewards of a respectful user experience, incremental revenues and premium demand. Founded in 2014, Ogury is a global organization with 500+ people, including 100 engineers across 17 countries. SOURCE Ogury LTD NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Burford Capital Limited ("Burford"), the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, today announces its unaudited financial results at and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 ("1Q23").1 Burford's report on Form 6-K for 1Q23, including unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the "1Q23 Quarterly Report"), is available on the Burford Capital website at http://investors.burfordcapital.com. Christopher Bogart, Chief Executive Officer of Burford Capital, commented: "We saw continued positive momentum in the first quarter of 2023 in the progression of our portfolio as court activity and legal processes further normalized in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The breadth of the case activity pick-up was reflected in capital provision income, excluding our YPF-related assets, more than doubling to $185 million compared to 1Q22, comprising almost a sixfold increase in realized gains and 41% growth in unrealized gains. Fair value gains arising from the favorable summary judgment ruling in our YPF-related assets contributed to an extraordinary first quarter for total revenues, driving growth in capital provision income of 238% to reach nearly $500 million. As an indicator of ongoing portfolio activity, an additional 12 case milestones have occurred since our May 16 update when we had observed 28 milestones and expected 61 more through the remainder of the year." 1 All 1Q23 figures in this announcement are unaudited and presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("US GAAP"), unless otherwise stated. Definitions, reconciliations and information additional to those set forth in this announcement are available on the Burford Capital website and in the 1Q23 Quarterly Report (as defined above). In addition, Burford applied its revised valuation methodology for capital provision assets to its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 included in this announcement. As Burford has not previously issued quarterly financial statements, its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not technically restated. 1Q23 highlights New business Group-wide new business New commitments of $165 million , up 102% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: $82 million ) , up 102% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: ) Deployments of $129 million , up 1% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: $128 million ) Burford-only capital provision-direct assets, representing assets capable of generating highest profits for our equity shareholders New commitments of $101 million , up 130% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: $44 million ) , up 130% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: ) Deployments of $67 million , up 29% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: $52 million ) Portfolio and liquidity Group-wide portfolio grew to $6.6 billion at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $6.1 billion ), due to significant fair value gains but also new deployments and undrawn commitments at ( : ), due to significant fair value gains but also new deployments and undrawn commitments Broad pick-up in portfolio activity, with capital provision income, excluding the YPF-related assets, more than doubling to $185 million compared to 1Q22 compared to 1Q22 464% increase in realized gains and 41% increase in unrealized gains compared to 1Q22 Fair value gains arising from the favorable summary judgment ruling in the YPF-related assets contributed to an extraordinary first quarter for total revenues Burford-only carrying value of the YPF-related assets (both Petersen and Eton Park ) increased to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $823 million ) ) increased to at ( : ) Cumulative ROIC since inception from Burford-only capital provision-direct assets of 89% ( December 31, 2022 : 88%) and IRR of 29% ( December 31, 2022 : 29%) : 88%) and IRR of 29% ( : 29%) Burford-only cash receipts of $97 million , up 66% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: $59 million ) , up 66% compared to 1Q22 (1Q22: ) Burford-only cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $183 million at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $210 million ) at ( : ) Due from settlement of capital provision assets decreased 14% to $99 million at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $115 million , of which 17% was collected in cash in 1Q23) Income Total revenues increased 209% to $381 million (1Q22: $123 million ), represented by a higher level of case activity and portfolio progression, including $192 million of fair value gains, net of third-party interests, in the YPF-related assets and $185 million of capital provision income excluding the YPF-related assets (1Q22: ), represented by a higher level of case activity and portfolio progression, including of fair value gains, net of third-party interests, in the YPF-related assets and of capital provision income excluding the YPF-related assets Burford-only capital provision-direct realizations of $64 million (1Q22: $21 million ) and realized gains of $36 million (1Q22: $10 million ), with a single matter generating a realized gain of $27 million (1Q22: ) and realized gains of (1Q22: ), with a single matter generating a realized gain of Burford-only annualized capital provision-direct realized loss rate of 0.9% of average portfolio at cost in 1Q23 (2022: 1.0%) Operating income increased 252% to $327 million (1Q22: $93 million ), with significant growth in capital provision income compared to 1Q22, partially offset by third-party interests in the YPF-related assets fair value adjustments and higher total operating expenses due to increases in non-cash accruals in light of the positive performance of Burford's share price, the increase in the carrying value of the YPF-related assets and the increase in the carrying value of a legacy asset recovery matter (1Q22: ), with significant growth in capital provision income compared to 1Q22, partially offset by third-party interests in the YPF-related assets fair value adjustments and higher total operating expenses due to increases in non-cash accruals in light of the positive performance of Burford's share price, the increase in the carrying value of the YPF-related assets and the increase in the carrying value of a legacy asset recovery matter Net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders increased 361% to $259 million (1Q22: $56 million ) (1Q22: ) Net income per ordinary and diluted share of $1.17 (1Q22: $0.25 ) Capital Total shareholders' equity attributable to Burford Capital Limited was $1,992 million at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $1,743 million ) at ( : ) Total shareholders' equity attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share of $9.10 at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $7.97 per ordinary share) at ( : per ordinary share) Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share (non-GAAP) of $8.49 at March 31, 2023 ( December 31, 2022 : $7.36 per ordinary share) Investor and Analyst Conference Call Burford will hold a conference call for investors and analysts at 10.00am EDT / 3.00pm BST on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The dial-in number for the conference call is +1 646 787-9445 (USA) / +44 (0)20 3936 2999 (UK) / +44 (0)20 3936 2999 (all other locations) and the access code is 716110. To minimize the risk of delayed access, participants are urged to dial into the conference call by 9.40am EDT / 2.40pm BST. A live webcast of the call will also be available at https://www.investis-live.com/burfordcapital/646f1786796b421300718cbb/ohia, and pre-registration at that link is encouraged. An accompanying 1Q23 results presentation for investors and analysts will also be made available on the Burford Capital website prior to the conference call at http://investors.burfordcapital.com. Following the conference call, a replay facility for this event will be available until Tuesday, June 27, 2023 by dialing +1 845 709-8569 (USA) / +44 (0)20 3936 3001 (UK) / +44 (0)20 3936 3001 (all other locations) and using the replay access code 694153. A replay facility will also be accessible through the webcast at https://www.investis-live.com/burfordcapital/646f1786796b421300718cbb/ohia. For further information, please contact: Burford Capital Limited For investor and analyst inquiries: Robert Bailhache, Head of Investor Relations, EMEA and Asia - email +44 (0)20 3530 2023 Jim Ballan, Head of Investor Relations, Americas - email +1 (646) 793 9176 For press inquiries: David Helfenbein, Vice President, Public Relations - email +1 (212) 235 6824 Numis Securities Limited - NOMAD and Joint Broker +44 (0)20 7260 1000 Giles Rolls Charlie Farquhar Jefferies International Limited - Joint Broker +44 (0)20 7029 8000 Graham Davidson Tony White Berenberg Joint Broker +44 (0)20 3207 7800 Toby Flaux James Thompson Arnav Kapoor About Burford Capital Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUR) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and it works with companies and law firms around the world from its offices in New York, London, Chicago, Washington, DC, Singapore, Dubai, Sydney and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com. Summary Financial Statements and Reconciliations The tables below set forth summaries of the condensed consolidated and Burford-only statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the condensed consolidated and Burford-only statements of financial position at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and corresponding reconciliations from consolidated to Burford-only financial results. Summary condensed consolidated statements of operations For the three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Capital provision income 475,933 140,739 Less: Third-party interests in capital provision assets (100,345) (16,639) Asset management income 1,997 3,114 Services and other income 3,320 (4,112) Total revenues 380,905 123,102 Total operating expenses 54,299 30,287 Operating income 326,606 92,815 Finance costs and loss on debt extinguishment 20,553 15,841 Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses (2,440) 514 Income before income taxes 308,493 76,460 (Provision for) income taxes (7,112) (3,424) Net income 301,381 73,036 Net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders 259,425 56,280 Net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share: Basic $1.19 $0.26 Diluted $1.17 $0.25 Summary Burford-only statement of operations For the three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Capital provision income 316,015 100,587 Asset management income 19,357 10,934 Services and other income 3,305 (5,244) Total revenues 338,677 106,277 Operating income 284,668 76,486 Net income 259,425 56,280 Net income per share: Basic $1.19 $0.26 Diluted $1.17 $0.25 Reconciliation of summary condensed consolidated statement of operations to summary Burford-only statement of operations For the three months ended March 31, 2023 Elimination of third-party interests Strategic Advantage ($ in thousands) Consolidated Value Fund BOF-C Colorado Fund Other Burford-only Capital provision income 475,933 (107) (48,308) (99,769) (7,022) (4,712) 316,015 Less: Third-party interests in capital provision assets (100,345) - - 99,764 - 581 - Asset management income 1,997 46 17,314 - - - 19,357 Services and other income 3,320 - (1) - - (14) 3,305 Total revenues 380,905 (61) (30,995) (5) (7,022) (4,145) 338,677 Operating income 326,606 94 (31,025) - (6,899) (4,108) 284,668 Net income/(loss) 301,381 94 (31,025) - (6,899) (4,126) 259,425 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Elimination of third-party interests Strategic Advantage ($ in thousands) Consolidated Value Fund BOF-C Colorado Fund Other Burford-only Capital provision income 140,739 (508) (18,595) (15,925) (366) (4,758) 100,587 Less: Third-party interests in capital provision assets (16,639) - - 15,925 - 714 - Asset management income 3,114 161 7,659 - - - 10,934 Services and other income (4,112) (1,132) - - - - (5,244) Total revenues 123,102 (1,479) (10,936) - (366) (4,044) 106,277 Operating income 92,815 (1,112) (10,960) - (215) (4,042) 76,486 Net income/(loss) 73,036 (1,112) (10,960) - (215) (4,469) 56,280 Summary condensed consolidated statement of financial position At ($ in thousands) March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Total assets 4,681,314 4,288,359 Total liabilities 2,027,953 1,901,289 Total Burford Capital Limited equity 1,992,278 1,742,584 Non-controlling interests 661,083 644,486 Total shareholders' equity 2,653,361 2,387,070 Basic ordinary shares outstanding 218,957,218 218,581,877 Total shareholders' equity attributable to Burford Capital Limited per basic ordinary share 9.10 7.97 Total shareholders' equity per basic ordinary share 12.12 10.92 Reconciliation of summary condensed consolidated statement of financial position to summary Burford-only statement of financial position At March 31, 2023 Elimination of third-party interests Strategic Advantage ($ in thousands) Consolidated Value Fund BOF-C Colorado Fund Other Burford-only Total assets 4,681,314 (2,747) (491,735) (509,018) (109,839) (73,919) 3,494,056 Total liabilities 2,027,953 (279) (4,234) (509,018) (142) (12,502) 1,501,778 Total shareholders' equity 2,653,361 (2,468) (487,501) - (109,697) (61,417) 1,992,278 At December 31, 2022 Elimination of third-party interests Strategic Advantage ($ in thousands) Consolidated Value Fund BOF-C Colorado Fund Other Burford-only Total assets 4,288,359 (2,779) (477,590) (409,249) (103,523) (76,792) 3,218,426 Total liabilities 1,901,289 (228) (4,234) (409,249) (120) (11,616) 1,475,842 Total shareholders' equity 2,387,070 (2,551) (473,356) - (103,403) (65,176) 1,742,584 Reconciliation of components of deployments from a consolidated basis to a Group-wide basis For the three months ended March 31, 2023 Eliminations and ($ in thousands) Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Other funds BOF-C Group-wide Capital provision-direct 84,685 (17,692) 66,993 6,913 17,452 91,358 Capital provision-indirect 34,000 (28,333) 5,667 28,333 - 34,000 Post-settlement - - - 3,867 - 3,867 Total new deployments 118,685 (46,025) 72,660 39,113 17,452 129,225 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Eliminations and ($ in thousands) Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Other funds BOF-C Group-wide Capital provision-direct 91,121 (39,163) 51,958 5,741 39,013 96,712 Capital provision-indirect 14,747 (13,258) 1,489 13,258 - 14,747 Post-settlement - - - 17,036 - 17,036 Total new deployments 105,868 (52,421) 53,447 36,035 39,013 128,495 Reconciliation of consolidated portfolio to Group-wide portfolio ($ in thousands) At March 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022 Consolidated carrying value 4,202,864 3,735,556 Consolidated undrawn commitments 1,790,550 1,720,727 Consolidated portfolio 5,993,414 5,456,283 Eliminations of third-party interests: Less: Attributable to carrying value (1,244,931) (1,100,137) Less: Attributable to undrawn commitments (426,816) (413,446) Burford-only Carrying value 2,957,933 2,635,419 Burford-only undrawn commitments 1,363,734 1,307,281 Burford-only portfolio 4,321,667 3,942,700 Other funds carrying value 1,098,414 1,076,320 Other funds undrawn commitments 267,001 239,145 Other funds portfolio 1,365,415 1,315,465 BOF-C carrying value 539,785 516,982 BOF-C undrawn commitments 384,633 371,724 BOF-C portfolio 924,418 888,706 Total group-wide portfolio 6,611,500 6,146,871 Reconciliation of capital provision income excluding YPF-related assets For the three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Capital provision income 475,933 140,739 Less: Capital provision income from YPF-related assets (291,345) (49,839) Capital provision income excluding YPF-related assets 184,588 90,900 Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only carrying value of YPF-related assets At March 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022 Elimination of Elimination of third-party third-party ($ in thousands) Consolidated interests Burford-only Consolidated interests Burford-only Deployed cost 62,071 (6,828) 55,243 61,610 (6,985) 54,625 Unrealized gain 1,462,284 (502,297) 959,987 1,170,939 (402,529) 768,,410 Carrying value of YPF-related assets 1,524,335 (509,105) 1,015,230 1,232,549 (409,514) 823,035 Reconciliation of consolidated proceeds from capital provision assets to Burford-only cash receipts For the three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Consolidated proceeds from capital provision assets 144,485 69,369 Less: Elimination of third-party interests (60,563) (14,109) Burford-only total proceeds from capital provision assets 83,922 55,260 Burford-only proceeds from capital provision-direct assets 77,742 55,613 Burford-only proceeds from capital provision-indirect assets 6,180 97 Burford-only total proceeds from capital provision assets 83,922 55,260 Consolidated asset management income 1,997 3,114 Plus: Eliminated income from funds 17,360 7,820 Burford-only asset management income 19,357 10,934 Less: Non-cash adjustments(1) (7,086) (8,725) Burford-only proceeds from asset management income 12,271 2,209 Burford-only proceeds from marketable security interest and dividends 881 614 Burford-only proceeds from asset recovery fee for services 83 418 Burford-only proceeds from asset management and other services 13,235 3,241 Cash receipts 97,157 58,501 (1) Adjustments for the change in asset management receivables accrued during the applicable period but not yet received at the end of such period. Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only due from settlement of capital provision assets At March 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022 Elimination of Elimination of third-party third-party ($ in thousands) Consolidated interests Burford-only Consolidated interests Burford-only Due from settlement of capital provision assets 100,494 (1,755) 98,739 116,582 (1,932) 114,650 Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities At March 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022 Elimination of Elimination of third-party third-party ($ in thousands) Consolidated interests Burford-only Consolidated interests Burford-only Cash and cash equivalents 65,994 (12,620) 53,374 107,658 (33,979) 73,679 Marketable securities 130,056 - 130,056 136,358 - 136,358 Total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities 196,050 (12,620) 183,430 244,016 (33,979) 210,037 Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only realizations For the three months ended March 31, 2023 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Eliminations and Eliminations and ($ in thousands) Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Capital provision-direct 115,732 (53,986) 61,746 21,211 (859) 20,352 Capital provision-indirect 12,580 (10,484) 2,096 5,352 (4,575) 777 Post-settlement - - - - - - Total realizations 128,312 (64,470) 63,842 26,563 (5,434) 21,129 Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only realized gains For the three months ended March 31, 2023 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Eliminations and Eliminations and ($ in thousands) Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Realized gains relative to cost 69,442 (33,829) 35,613 12,303 (2,291) 10,012 Reconciliation of consolidated to Burford-only realized gain on the conclusion of one matter in 2023 For the three months ended March 31, 2023 Eliminations and ($ in millions) Consolidated adjustments Burford-only Realized gain on one matter that concluded in 2023 49.4 (22.9) 26.5 Reconciliation of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share At At ($ in thousands, except share data) March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Total Burford Capital Limited equity 1,992,278 1,742,584 Less: Goodwill (133,936) (133,912) Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited 1,858,342 1,608,672 Basic ordinary shares outstanding 218,957,218 218,581,877 Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share 8.49 7.36 Definitions and Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Alternative Performance Measures Burford reports its financial results in accordance with US GAAP. US GAAP requires us to present financial statements that consolidate some of the limited partner interests in private funds we manage as well as assets held on our balance sheet where we have a partner or minority investor. We therefore refer to various presentations of our financial results as follows: Consolidated refers to assets, liabilities and activities that include those third-party interests, partially owned subsidiaries and special purpose vehicles that we are required to consolidate under US GAAP. At the date of this announcement, the major entities where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities include BCIM Strategic Value Master Fund, LP, Burford Opportunity Fund C LP, Burford Advantage Master Fund LP, Colorado Investments Limited (" Colorado ") and several other entities in which Burford holds investments where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities. refers to assets, liabilities and activities that include those third-party interests, partially owned subsidiaries and special purpose vehicles that we are required to consolidate under US GAAP. At the date of this announcement, the major entities where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities include BCIM Strategic Value Master Fund, LP, Burford Opportunity Fund C LP, Burford Advantage Master Fund LP, Colorado Investments Limited (" ") and several other entities in which Burford holds investments where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities. Burford-only refers to assets, liabilities and activities that pertain only to Burford on a proprietary basis, excluding any third-party interests and the portions of jointly owned entities owned by others. refers to assets, liabilities and activities that pertain only to Burford on a proprietary basis, excluding any third-party interests and the portions of jointly owned entities owned by others. Group-wide refers to the totality of assets managed by Burford, including those portions of the private funds owned by third parties and including private funds that are not consolidated within Burford's consolidated financial statements. Group-wide is therefore the sum of Burford-only and non-controlling interests in consolidated and non-consolidated private funds. Group-wide does not include third-party interests in capital provision assets, the economics of which have been sold to those third parties, that do not meet the criteria to be recognized as a sale under US GAAP. This includes the third-party interests in Colorado and other capital provision asset subparticipations. We subdivide our capital provision assets into two categories: Direct , which includes all of our capital provision assets that we have originated directly ( i.e. , not through participation in a private fund) from our balance sheet. We also include direct ( i.e. , not through participation in a private fund) complex strategies assets in this category. , which includes all of our capital provision assets that we have originated directly ( , not through participation in a private fund) from our balance sheet. We also include direct ( , not through participation in a private fund) complex strategies assets in this category. Indirect, which includes our balance sheet's participations in two of our private funds (i.e., BCIM Strategic Value Master Fund, LP and Burford Advantage Master Fund LP). We also use certain unaudited alternative performance measures, including: Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") is a discount rate that makes the net present value of a series of cash flows equal to zero and is expressed as a percentage figure. We compute IRR on concluded (including partially concluded) legal finance assets by treating that entire portfolio (or, when noted, a subset thereof) as one undifferentiated pool of capital and measuring actual and, if necessary, estimated inflows and outflows from that pool, allocating costs appropriately. IRRs do not include unrealized gains or losses. ("IRR") is a discount rate that makes the net present value of a series of cash flows equal to zero and is expressed as a percentage figure. We compute IRR on concluded (including partially concluded) legal finance assets by treating that entire portfolio (or, when noted, a subset thereof) as one undifferentiated pool of capital and measuring actual and, if necessary, estimated inflows and outflows from that pool, allocating costs appropriately. IRRs do not include unrealized gains or losses. Return on invested capital ("ROIC") from a concluded asset is the absolute amount of realizations from such asset in excess of the amount of expenditure incurred in funding such asset divided by the amount of expenditure incurred, expressed as a percentage figure. ROIC is a measure of our ability to generate absolute returns on our assets. Some industry participants express returns on a multiple of invested capital ("MOIC") instead of a ROIC basis. MOIC includes the return of capital and, therefore, is 1x higher than ROIC. In other words, 70% ROIC is the same as 1.70x MOIC. Other unaudited alternative performance measures and terms we use include: Commitment is the amount of financing we agree to provide for a legal finance asset. Commitments can be definitive (requiring us to provide funding on a schedule or, more often, when certain expenses are incurred) or discretionary (allowing us to provide funding after reviewing and approving a future matter). Unless otherwise indicated, commitments include deployed cost and undrawn commitments. is the amount of financing we agree to provide for a legal finance asset. Commitments can be definitive (requiring us to provide funding on a schedule or, more often, when certain expenses are incurred) or discretionary (allowing us to provide funding after reviewing and approving a future matter). Unless otherwise indicated, commitments include deployed cost and undrawn commitments. Deployment refers to the funding provided for an asset, which adds to our deployed cost in such asset. refers to the funding provided for an asset, which adds to our deployed cost in such asset. Deployed cost is the amount of funding we have provided for an asset at the applicable point in time. is the amount of funding we have provided for an asset at the applicable point in time. Fair value adjustment is the amount of unrealized gain or loss recognized in our consolidated statements of operations in the relevant period and added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the asset or liability value in our consolidated statements of financial position. is the amount of unrealized gain or loss recognized in our consolidated statements of operations in the relevant period and added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the asset or liability value in our consolidated statements of financial position. Portfolio includes deployed cost, net unrealized gains or losses and undrawn commitments. includes deployed cost, net unrealized gains or losses and undrawn commitments. Realization: A legal finance asset is realized when the asset is concluded ( i.e. , when litigation risk has been resolved). A realization will result in us receiving cash or, occasionally, non-cash assets or recognizing a due from settlement receivable, reflecting what we are owed on the asset. A legal finance asset is realized when the asset is concluded ( , when litigation risk has been resolved). A realization will result in us receiving cash or, occasionally, non-cash assets or recognizing a due from settlement receivable, reflecting what we are owed on the asset. Realized gain / loss reflects the total amount of gain or loss generated by a legal finance asset when it is realized, calculated as realized proceeds less deployed cost, without regard for any previously recognized fair value adjustment. reflects the total amount of gain or loss generated by a legal finance asset when it is realized, calculated as realized proceeds less deployed cost, without regard for any previously recognized fair value adjustment. Unrealized gain / loss represents the fair value of our legal finance assets over or under their funded cost, as determined in accordance with the requirements of the applicable US GAAP standards, for the relevant financial reporting period (consolidated statement of operations) or cumulatively (consolidated statement of financial position). represents the fair value of our legal finance assets over or under their funded cost, as determined in accordance with the requirements of the applicable US GAAP standards, for the relevant financial reporting period (consolidated statement of operations) or cumulatively (consolidated statement of financial position). YPF-related assets refers to our Petersen and Eton Park legal finance assets, which are two claims relating to Republic of Argentina's nationalization of YPF S.A., the Argentine energy company. We also use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including: Cash receipts provide a measure of the cash that our capital provision and other assets generate during a given period as well as cash from certain other fees and income. In particular, cash receipts represent the cash generated from capital provision and other assets, including cash proceeds from realized or concluded assets and any related hedging assets, and cash received from asset management income, services and/or other income, before any deployments into funding existing or new assets. Cash receipts are a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. The most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP is proceeds from capital provision assets as set forth in our consolidated statements of cash flows. We believe that cash receipts are an important measure of our operating and financial performance and are useful to management and investors when assessing the performance of our Burford-only capital provision assets. provide a measure of the cash that our capital provision and other assets generate during a given period as well as cash from certain other fees and income. In particular, cash receipts represent the cash generated from capital provision and other assets, including cash proceeds from realized or concluded assets and any related hedging assets, and cash received from asset management income, services and/or other income, before any deployments into funding existing or new assets. Cash receipts are a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. The most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP is proceeds from capital provision assets as set forth in our consolidated statements of cash flows. We believe that cash receipts are an important measure of our operating and financial performance and are useful to management and investors when assessing the performance of our Burford-only capital provision assets. Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited is calculated by subtracting intangible assets (such as goodwill) from total Burford Capital Limited equity. Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share is calculated by dividing tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited by the total number of outstanding ordinary shares. Each of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. The most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP is total Burford Capital Limited equity as set forth in our consolidated statements of financial position. We believe that tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share is an important measure of our financial condition and is useful to management and investors when assessing capital adequacy and our ability to generate earnings on tangible equity invested by our shareholders. For additional information, including reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable US GAAP measures and reconciliations of our alternative performance measures additional to those set forth in this announcement, see the 1Q23 Quarterly Report furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2023 and made available on our website at http://investors.burfordcapital.com. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any ordinary shares or other securities of Burford. This announcement does not constitute an offer of any Burford private fund. Burford Capital Investment Management LLC, which acts as the fund manager of all Burford private funds, is registered as an investment adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The information provided in this announcement is for informational purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The information contained in this announcement is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities (including, without limitation, interests or shares in any of Burford private funds). Any such offer or solicitation may be made only by means of a final confidential private placement memorandum and other offering documents. Forward-looking statements This announcement contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as "forward-looking statements". In some cases, predictive, future-tense or forward-looking words such as "aim", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "guidance", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "predict", "projected", "should" or "will" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, Burford and its representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are forward-looking statements, including in its periodic reports that Burford files with, or furnishes to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, other information made available to Burford's security holders and other written materials. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Burford cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on numerous assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs and that Burford's actual results of operations, including its financial position and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which it operates, may differ materially from (and be more negative than) those made in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Significant factors that may cause actual results to differ from those Burford expects include, among others, those discussed under "Risk Factors" in Burford's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2023 and other reports or documents that Burford files with, or furnishes to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. In addition, even if Burford's results of operations, including its financial position and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which it operates are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results of operations or developments may not be indicative of results of operations or developments in subsequent periods. Except as required by law, Burford undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Burford Capital Plaintiffs Mica, 14; Badge 15, Lander 18, and Taleah, 19, listen to arguments during a status hearing on 12 May 2023, in Helena, Montana, for a case that they and other Montana youth filed against the state arguing Montana officials are not meeting their constitutional obligations to protect residents from climate change. The first-of-its-kind trial began Monday, 12 June 2023, before District Court Judge Kathy Seeley in Helena. Photo: Thom Bridge /Independent Record / AP By Matthew Brown and Amy Beth Hanson 10 June 2023 HELENA, Montana (AP News) Whether a constitutional right to a healthy, livable climate is protected by state law is at the center of a lawsuit going to trial Monday in Montana, where 16 young plaintiffs and their attorneys hope to set an important legal precedent. Its the first trial of its kind in the U.S., and legal scholars around the world are following its potential addition to the small number of rulings that have established a government duty to protect citizens from climate change. The trial comes shortly after the states Republican-dominated Legislature passed measures favoring the fossil fuel industry by stifling local government efforts to encourage renewable energy while increasing the cost to challenge oil, gas, and coal projects in court. By enlisting plaintiffs ranging in age from 5 to 22, the environmental firm bringing the lawsuit is trying to highlight how young people are harmed by climate change now and will be further affected in the future. Their testimony will detail how wildfire smoke, heat and drought have harmed residents physical and mental health. A tree goes up in flames as a wildfire burns on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 11 August 2021, near Lame Deer, Mont. The Richard Spring fire threatened hundreds of homes as it burned across the reservation. Photo: Matthew Brown / AP Photo The plaintiffs youth has little direct bearing on the legal issues, and experts say the case likely wont lead to immediate policy changes in fossil fuel-friendly Montana. But over two weeks of testimony, attorneys for the plaintiffs plan to call out state officials for pursuing oil, gas, and coal development in hopes of sending a powerful message to other states. Plaintiff Grace Gibson-Snyder, 19, said shes felt the impacts of the heating planet acutely as wildfires regularly shroud her hometown of Missoula in dangerous smoke and as water levels drop in area rivers. Weve seen repeatedly over the last few years what the Montana state Legislature is choosing, Gibson-Snyder said. They are choosing fossil fuel development. They are choosing corporations over the needs of their citizens. [] A house sits in Rock Creek after floodwaters washed away a road and a bridge in Red Lodge, Montana, 15 June 2022. Photo: David Goldman / AP Photo Lawyers for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, a Republican, tried repeatedly to get the case thrown out over procedural issues. In a June 6 ruling, the state Supreme Court rejected the latest attempt to dismiss it, saying justices were not inclined to intervene just days before the start of a trial that has been literally years in the making. One reason the case may have made it so far in Montana, when dozens of similar cases elsewhere have been rejected, is the states unusually protective 1972 Constitution, which requires officials to maintain a clean and healthful environment. Only a few other states, including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York, have similar environmental protections in their constitutions. [] To Gibson-Snyder, now a student at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, the court system became the only avenue to make change as a 16-year-old. Since then, Ive become maybe a bit disillusioned, she said. The question is not only can we create sustainable policy, its how can we dismantle the policy thats actively harming Montana? [more] Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedent Everybody Advocate to Offer Free Second Opinions This Summer PLEASANTON, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Everybody Advocate, a nonprofit for the support and advancement of special education, today announced they will be offering free second opinions to California families denied reading intervention due to an alleged systemic failure by the California Department of Education (CDE) to find students eligible for specially designed instruction. The decision comes in response to a refusal by the CDE's special education Complaint Resolution Unit (CRU) to correct the absence of a checkbox for reading fluency on a statewide eligibility form for special education. "I estimate more than 40,000 students per year are inappropriately denied or delayed special education services due to this one issue," said Christina Maehr, special education advocate and founder. "We have started a petition on Change.org which we encourage all to sign. This short video explains." When determining if a student is eligible for special education services, the most common category of eligibility is called Specific Learning Disability (SLD), which includes disabilities like dyslexia. To be SLD eligible, students need to show a processing disorder and an impairment in at least one of eight academic areas defined by federal law (34 CFR 300.309). The problem uncovered by Maehr is that California's most common SLD eligibility form lists only seven academic areas. The missing area? Reading fluency skills. The form is provided through a special education information system (SEIS) used by more than 90% of California districts. Compared to a national average of 15%, less than 13% of California's nearly 6 million public school students received special education services in 2018-19, the last year the CDE published disability data. Data from the CDE's Dataquest system shows CA identification of students with Specific Learning Disabilities peaks around sixth/seventh grade. Reading science recommends that intervention start no later than age 8. "Last year I advocated for students in 50 school districts statewide," said Maehr. "A shocking number of schools insist that they do not consider below-grade-level reading fluency a problem until it also impacts reading comprehension, which has a checkbox on the form. Teachers are being told it is hard to qualify students for early intervention and have lost confidence in getting additional help for struggling readers." "In dyslexia, the key impairments are in decoding and reading fluency, which is the ability to read with speed, accuracy and expression," said James Bylund, Psy.D., licensed clinical and educational psychologist. "Reading comprehension deficits are a secondary, delayed effect from neglected reading skills. Schools waiting to intervene in dyslexia until reading comprehension is impaired have waited years too long. Intervention after fourth grade requires four times as much effort as it would in first grade. In high school, slow reading results in an overwhelming homework load. Unaddressed reading problems can lead to anxiety, depression, behavioral problems and dropping out. Unidentified students can be denied even simple accommodations like audiobooks. When schools delay, everyone loses." On behalf of three families, Maehr filed a complaint against Pleasanton Unified School District, the Tri-Valley Special Education Local Plan Area, and the CDE. PUSD claimed no wrongdoing because they were following the state form. Maehr requested correction of the form and a statewide alert; the CRU declined. "Even in schools implementing K-2 screening for dyslexia, students could still be denied special education services because of the refusal to see reading fluency as an area of need," said Kristin Springer, special education attorney. "State standards address reading fluency. Federal and state regulations include reading fluency as a qualifying academic area; it is clearly intended to be an area of eligibility. We encourage all school districts to update their forms for compliance with federal law, train staff to identify fluency problems, and to hold IEP meetings to proactively reconsider student eligibility. Fixing this helps everyone." Beginning June 19, Everybody Advocate will be offering free (donor supported) review of student psychoeducational evaluations as a second opinion to families who have been denied reading services. "While families may have the right to request Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) or to file due process, this can be expensive for schools, intimidating for parents, taxing for children, and further delay services," said Maehr. "Everybody Advocate aims to work collaboratively with parents and schools to provide a no-cost approach to help students in need get help more quickly." Visit www.everybodyadvocate.org for more information, to sign the petition, request or volunteer to help with Second Opinion Services, or support with a donation to help keep services free for families. About Everybody Advocate Everybody Advocate, www.everybodyadvocate.org, is a nonprofit alliance of special education professionals, parents, teachers, students, administrators, advocates and more. Its mission is to increase respect, awareness, and funding for special education services and to address systemic barriers whether bureaucratic, financial or cultural to improve outcomes for both students with disabilities and their educational service providers. SOURCE Everybody Advocate Early Childhood Education Franchise Claims No. 1 Spot in its Category as 2023 Proves to be a Momentous Year BALTIMORE, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs, was recognized as one of the 2023 Top New and Emerging Franchises of Entrepreneur magazine. The breakout brand claimed the No. 1 spot in the early childhood education category showing strong validation of its impressive franchise growth and performance. 2023 is proving to be a momentous year for Celebree School, having already welcomed eight new franchisees comprising of 21 franchise and future development agreements. The breakout early childhood education brand now boasts 42 schools open, 51 schools awarded, a presence across 13 states, and an enrollment of more than 4,570 children who are being protected, educated, and nurtured within the Celebree family. The breakout brand claimed the No. 1 spot in the early childhood education category. Tweet this As franchise development continues to surge, Celebree School is looking for qualified and engaged individuals seeking single and multi-unit opportunities who are involved in their community, have a passion for childhood education, and are eager to explore the world of franchising. Key to the brand's growth strategy is a winning formula of expanding with the right franchisees, breaking into new markets with the footing of its corporate hub strategy, and leaning heavily on its 28-year proven infrastructure of support while prioritizing systemwide enhancements. These development priorities contribute to Celebree School's long-term expansion goal of having 150 schools opened by the end of 2025. Alongside this impressive growth is strong performance. According to Celebree School's April 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document, the average Gross Revenues for the three franchised Celebree Schools that were open for the entire 2022 year were $2,074,263*. "2023 has been off to an incredible start as we continue to expand our franchise presence and achieve remarkable growth," said Richard Huffman, Founder and CEO of Celebree School. "Being named a Top New and Emerging Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine is a testament to the dedication and passion of our franchisees. We are proud to provide exceptional early childhood education and nurture the development of thousands of children within the Celebree family. With our winning formula and proven infrastructure, we are confident in our growth strategy and look forward to welcoming new franchisees to our brand." The Top New and Emerging Franchises ranking is based on information submitted to Entrepreneur for its annual Franchise 500 and is part of the publication's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. Companies featured on the 2023 list have been offering a franchise opportunity for five years or fewer and were assessed across multiple data points, including unit growth, startup costs and fees, training and support, the parent company's financial stability, and brand strength. "The franchise industry is full of big new ideas, which is why Entrepreneur's Top New and Emerging list is always so exciting," said Entrepreneur Editor in Chief, Jason Feifer. "If anyone's looking to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, they should start with the brands we've identified that are all full of creativity, innovation, and accessibility for aspiring entrepreneurs." To view Celebree School in the full ranking, visit https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topnew. Results can also be seen in the May/June issue of Entrepreneur. When franchisees invest with Celebree School, they're investing in an organization with a strong culture, solid systems, and a proven business model backed with 28-plus years of experience in providing exceptional early childhood education. For more information of franchising opportunities visit https://www.celebree.com/franchising/. About Celebree School Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. * This information reflects the average annual Gross Revenues of three franchised Celebree Schools that were in operation for the entire 2022 year. Two schools (50%) attained or surpassed the average Gross Revenues results. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well. Please see Item 19 of our April 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information. SOURCE Celebree School The trial is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the pro disc C Vivo and pro disc C SK system by comparing it with an approved total disc replacement (TDR) product as a control for 2-level indications. pro pro The trial gives surgeons the unique opportunity to choose the disc that best fits the patient's anatomy. The 2-level prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK trial enrolled 431 Subjects at 29 sites across the United States . WEST CHESTER, Pa., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Centinel Spine, LLC, ("the Company") a leading global medical device company addressing cervical and lumbar spinal disease by providing the most robust and clinically-proven total disc replacement technology platform in the world (prodisc), today announced the completion of enrollment in a first-of-its-kind Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study evaluating the Company's prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK cervical Total Disc Replacement (TDR) system. This is the first IDE trial allowing surgeons to select from two different TDR control devices to treat each surgical level individually. prodisc C Vivo_prodisc C SK The prospective, randomized clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK system by comparing it with an approved TDR product as a control for 2-level indications, making it the first and only of its kind with two investigational devices and a TDR control. The study includes 431 Subjects at 29 sites throughout the U.S. and with oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study permits surgeons to select the investigational devicethe prodisc C Vivo and/or prodisc C SKbased on the patient's anatomy, as well as other surgical factors. The ability to treat each level of two-level disease individually provides surgeons with both increased options and opportunities to match the disc to each patient's anatomical needs. Orthopedic spine surgeon Jason Tinley, MD, founder of the DFW Center for Spinal Disorders in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, commented, "Each of my patients is unique in their cervical spine operative symptoms and anatomy. This IDE study was the first ever to evaluate the safety and efficacy of multiple total disc replacement devices that empower surgeons to tailor their surgical solution to the patient's needs. I've found that prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK provide a powerful means to customize my surgical treatment to each patient." The prodisc C Vivo system has been in clinical use internationally since 2009 and is currently one of the most frequently implanted TDR devices in the world. The device has keel-less fixation and combines a unique anatomically-designed superior endplate with lateral spikes to optimize fit and provide immediate fixation. The prodisc C SK device features a flat endplate designed for optimized implant positioning that allows surgeons to address individual patient anatomywith a low-profile central keel that provides immediate fixation and enables a streamlined keel preparation technique. According to Pierce Nunley, orthopedic spine surgeon at Specialists Hospital of Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, "In 25 years of research this was the only FDA study I have ever been in where I got to choose intraoperatively between two different study devices. This is a unique aspect of this study and we are learning that 'one size doesn't fit all' and where it is more appropriate to use different designs of a device. This study will help advance and improve cervical disc replacement surgery for the benefit of our patients." "This is the first study ever to compare two different spinal devices to an approved TDR product, making it a unique opportunity to extend Centinel Spine's Match-the-Disc cervical total disc replacement system to the treatment of two-level disease," said Centinel Spine CEO Steve Murray. "The continued adoption of this cervical total disc replacement technology at one-level propelled Centinel Spine to record revenues and a top market position in the first quarter of 2023. We look forward to further expanding the body of clinical evidence supporting this system and to enabling more surgeons to treat each patient's unique needs." More information about the clinical trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov using the identifier NCT04012996. About Centinel Spine, LLC Centinel Spine, LLC is a leading global medical device company addressing cervical and lumbar spinal disease through anterior surgical access. The Company offers a continuum of trusted, brand-name solutions backed by over 30 years of clinical successproviding the most robust and clinically-proven technology platforms in the world. Centinel Spine continues to advance its pioneering culture and corporate mission to become a catalyst of change in the spine industry and alter the way spine surgery is perceived. Centinel Spine's prodisc platform remains the only technology with multiple motion-preserving solutions for both cervical and lumbar anterior column reconstruction. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.CentinelSpine.com or contact: Centinel Spine Varun Gandhi Chief Financial Officer 900 Airport Road, Suite 3B West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: 484-887-8871 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Centinel Spine, LLC National online homebuying leader extends Louisiana roots with strong local team LAFAYETTE, La., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)a top 10 national homebuilder since 2019, industry leader in online home sales, and the highest-ranked homebuilder on Newsweek's list of America's Most Trustworthy Companies 2023announced that the company has opened a new Sales Studio in Broussard to assist homebuyers interested in purchasing a new home with Century Complete. Century Complete Sales Studio Grand Opening in Broussard, LA Cabot Plan at Mills Terrace | New Homes in Scott, LA by Century Complete Roanoke Plan at Timberstone Estates | New Homes in New Iberia by Century Complete A national pioneer with a convenient and streamlined online homebuying experience, Century Complete has steadily grown in the Louisiana market since its introduction to the state in 2022expanding to multiple locations in the Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles areas on the strength of its partnerships with local trades, sales associates, and real estate agents. Sales Studio: 481 Albertson Parkway, Suite 2 Broussard, LA 70518 337.210.2050 Explore available homes at www.CenturyCommunities.com/Louisiana. "Century Complete's quality construction combined with the company's easier-than-ever online homebuying process makes us a perfect fit here in Louisiana," said Cory Morgan, Century Complete's Division Manager. "As someone who grew up in Lafayette and has a passion for new home construction, I couldn't be more excited to see our continuing expansion across Louisiana with beautiful new homes for the underserved affordable buyer." Delivering exceptional new homes and best-in-class service in partnership with local trades and real estate agents, Century Complete currently has four communities in Louisianaprojected to offer over 800 homesites combinedwith more communities on the way. NOW SELLING: Timberstone Estates | New Iberia, LA Single-family homes in the low $200s 3- and 4-bedrooms home plans offering covered patios, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances standard throughout. Timberstone is conveniently located 20 miles southeast of Lafayette along U.S. 90, with quick access to New Iberia's historic Main Street, restaurants, and shops See available homes at www.CenturyCommunities.com/TimberstoneEstates. Mills Terrace | Scott, LA Single-family homes in the low $200s Modern 4-bedroom home plans that provide the flexibility of either a needed 4 th bedroom or a peaceful, separate space for your thriving home office. bedroom or a peaceful, separate space for your thriving home office. Located just five miles west of Lafayette , with close proximity to local attractions like Scott's arboretum and a new tourist welcome center called La Maison de Begnaud, featuring a heritage interpretive center See available homes at www.CenturyCommunities.com/MillsTerrace. COMING SOON: Maggy's Ridge & Maggy's Ridge Estates | Sulphur, LA Single-family homes in the mid $230s Generous homesites for the buyer that's looking for more space within a community setting. Truly unique 3- and 4-bedroom plans that take advantage of the wider yards to make your Lake Charles home a real showplace. home a real showplace. Convenient location near I-10 and U.S. 90, offering a short drive to Lake Charles Learn more at www.CenturyCommunities.com/MaggysRidge. Copper Oaks Reserve | Baton Rouge, LA Single-family homes in the mid $200s Less than 10 minutes from Airline Highway and the I-110, this community is a commuter's dream. While others are making their way from Denham Springs , you'll already be at your destination. Quick, convenient access to Baton Rouge and Louisiana State University . , you'll already be at your destination. Quick, convenient access to and . Affordably priced 3- and 4-bedroom homes will give you and your family choices to find the right place to call home. Learn more at www.CenturyCommunities.com/CopperOaksReserve. THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING Century Complete is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in Louisiana, allowing homebuyers to easily find their best fit and purchase when they're readyall while continuing to work with their local real estate agent of choice. Homebuyers can further streamline the homebuying process by financing online with Century Complete's affiliate lender, Inspire Home Loans. How it works: Shop homes at CenturyCommunities.com Click "Buy Now" on any available home Fill out a quick Buy Online form Electronically submit an initial earnest money deposit Electronically sign a purchase contract via DocuSign Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying. About Century Communities Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is a top 10 national homebuilder, offering new homes under the Century Communities and Century Complete brands. Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuilding including the acquisition, entitlement, and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Colorado-based company operates in 18 states and over 45 markets across the U.S., and also offers title, insurance and lending services in select markets through its Parkway Title, IHL Home Insurance Agency, and Inspire Home Loans subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com. SOURCE Century Communities, Inc. BEIJING, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China and Honduras have delivered a speedy and robust start to their diplomatic relations since they were officially established just more than two months ago. Following the inauguration of their embassies in each other's capital over the past week, Beijing and Tegucigalpa welcomed a historic moment on Monday, as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with the visiting Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento. Noting that Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi hailed her visit as one of special significance as it opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship. "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development," he pledged. Xi also expressed his readiness to work with the Honduran president from a strategic and long-term perspective to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development and turn the vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. The one-China principle Hours after Honduras announced that it had severed the so-called "diplomatic relations" with China's Taiwan region, the Central American country signed a joint communique with China on March 26, becoming the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle. By doing so, Castro, the first female president of Honduras, who was elected in November 2021 and inaugurated in January 2022, has fulfilled one of her campaign promises. During Monday's talks, Xi commended the "historic" decision she has made and the "unwavering" political will she has shown in establishing diplomatic relations with China, saying the contribution will "go down in history." The one-China principle is the primary premise and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, he said. Castro said the Honduran side firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, and supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve national reunification. According to a joint statement released on Monday, China and Honduras agree to boost cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the Honduran side express support for the Global Development Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Security Initiative the three initiatives China has proposed to address the challenges facing the world and the era. 'Great promise' in cooperation After their talks, Xi and Castro jointly witnessed the signing of 17 bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as BRI construction, economy, trade, quality inspection, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education. Both sides also agreed to start negotiations on a free trade agreement at an early date. Since March, China has greenlighted the imports of some signature Honduran products such as coffee, shrimps, melons and bananas. In the first four months of 2023, China's imports from and exports to Honduras reached about 3.89 billion yuan ($540 million), a year-on-year increase of 22.9 percent, and in particular, the imports grew by 229.5 percent, data from China's customs showed. "The bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise," Xi told Castro during their meeting. Castro said Honduras is confident about the future, given the rapid progress of cooperation between the two countries over the past two months. At the inauguration ceremony of Honduras' embassy in Beijing on Sunday, Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said the establishment of diplomatic relations with China opens a new era in Honduras' relations with the world and offers a chance for Honduras to become a "great and prosperous" country. "With China, we open new windows of opportunity for Honduran trade and commerce, and with these, for the Honduran economic growth," Reina told CGTN in a recent interview. Castro is on a six-day state visit to China that will run till Wednesday. She arrived in Shanghai on Friday. Honduras will participate in the China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai later this year and send young students to the city for study, she said in Shanghai. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-06-12/Xi-holds-talks-with-Honduran-president-1kzOFov1ej6/index.html SOURCE CGTN VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chorus Intelligence (Chorus), a trusted supplier of data cleansing, analysis, search and entity enrichment software to law enforcement agencies, is delighted to announce its new partnerships with the following State Associations of Chief of Police (SACOP) members - New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Each of these Associations has a core desire to help their respective law enforcement agencies gain access to the best software tools available. These strategic partnerships were cultivated after Chorus proved its digital intelligence platform was a pivotal tool that will streamline investigations and empower users across multiple roles to help solve more crime. These strategic partnerships were cultivated after Chorus proved its digital intelligence platform was a pivotal tool Tweet this The Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS), hosted in AWS Government, supports agencies in reengineering their digital investigations, providing them with the tools to confidently collect, combine, and connect data to turn it into intelligence and evidence while remaining CJIS compliant. Clients can be on-boarded to the software in a matter of days to release immediate benefits. For the first time, analysts, investigators, and front-line officers are empowered to conduct end-to-end digital investigations and easily collaborate with other departments and agencies from the platform. The intuitive, self-serve tools can be used by all to combine analytical data with open-source intelligence and internal data, to easily identify patterns, spot connections, and answer key investigative questions. Neil Chivers, CEO of Chorus Intelligence, said "I am delighted that my team have established key strategic partnerships with a number of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) members. Chivers continued, "Our mission is to create the best digital investigation and intelligence platform in the world and we are fully committed to put our capabilities in the hands of as many law enforcement investigators as possible. These partnerships ensure that our message, software and best practices are communicated effectively." Pete Peters, Retired Police Chief and, current, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association (WCPA), said "The WCPA is pleased to lead our state in the area of law enforcement technology and innovation. We assist our member chiefs and their agencies across our state in the protection of their communities and the combating and solution of crime, for that reason we are pleased to be a new partner of Chorus Intelligence, who's incredible tools and resources help us meet that important mission." Mitchell Sklar, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), said "The NJSACOP has worked with Neil Chivers for over 6 years. When he moved to Chorus Intelligence it was without hesitation that our strategic partnership was established. Sklar continued, "Chorus Intelligence and their software, the Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS) is a game changer for making digital investigations more efficient and effective. Their staff are passionate about helping our members lead the charge against the crimes that blight our communities. The CIS is a true force multiplier that delivers rapid benefits out of the gate." About Chorus Intelligence Chorus Intelligence, founded in 2011, Chorus is used by most agencies in the UK and many North American agencies. Be empowered at every stage of an investigation to confidently turn data into intelligence and evidence. chorusintel.com SOURCE Chorus Intelligence - North America BLOOMFIELD, Conn., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by Cigna Healthcare found that site-of-care redirection is associated with favorable clinical outcomes and increased access and affordability for pegfilgrastim, an injection used to prevent infection in cancer patients. The results showed that patients experienced better outcomes when the injection was administered in a home setting rather than a nonhome setting. The study was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Pathways . "This study shows that we can help improve health outcomes by providing cancer patients with treatment such as infusions in a setting where many are most comfortable home," said Dr. Scott Josephs, chief medical officer, Cigna Healthcare. "These findings confirm that home infusion of complex and expensive specialty medications presents new opportunities to maximize access, improve effectiveness, increase affordability, and enhance convenience for patients." The study, Pegfilgrastim Home Redirection Outcomes: Effectiveness and Timing of Administration in Primary Prophylaxis of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia (Lavanya Raj, MBBS, MS; Pam McManus), examined the impact of Cigna's site-of-care home redirection program on pegfilgrastim effectiveness and timing of administration in preventing complications from chemotherapy among Cigna's commercial patients. Pegfilgrastim injections stimulate healthy white blood cell growth, which is critical for cancer patients who face an increased risk of infection due to cancer treatment. The study found that the incidence of neutropenia (abnormally low count of white blood cells), fever, pneumonia, and sepsis was 32% lower in patients who underwent home redirection compared with those who did not. Similarly, the odds of same-day pegfilgrastim administration were 43% lower in patients who underwent home redirection. This retrospective, real-world claims study presents significant evidence supporting favorable clinical outcomes associated with Cigna's site-of-care home-redirection program for pegfilgrastim. Cigna's site-of-care redirection program provides access to pegfilgrastim and other injected or infused treatments in a home setting when clinically appropriate, rather than a hospital, and where patients can have a home health nurse instruct them on self-administration. This program offers additional benefits, such as minimizing hospital visits for patients with cancer, who are at an increased risk of infection, the convenience of in-home administration, and avoidance of costs and logistics associated with traveling to another location 24 hours after chemotherapy administration. This program, which also often offers patients the option of infusions in their physician's office, emphasizes high-value care, optimizing patient outcomes, and enhancing the patient experience. About the study The study's sample consisted of 13,493 patients receiving chemotherapy between September 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022. Each of these patients had received pegfilgrastim or its biosimiliars for febrile neutropenia prophylaxis. These drugs were eligible for redirection under the Cigna Healthcare program and were redirected from a high-cost setting to a quality, cost-effective clinically appropriate site of care, such as a contracted provider's office, customer's home with infusion nurses, or nonhospital-based ambulatory infusion center. Breast, colorectal, lung/ bronchus, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pancreatic, ovarian, and uterine cancers comprised approximately 80% of patient cancer types. About Cigna Healthcare Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI), including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth Health companies or their affiliates and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and others. Learn more at cignahealthcare.com . Media Contact Meaghan MacDonald (860) 840-1212 [email protected] SOURCE Cigna Healthcare Deep Limited Partnership Investment Details Will Help Compre Maintain AUM Growth, Now at 3X in Three Years BOISE, Idaho and LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN), a leading provider of SaaS-based investment management, accounting, reporting, and analytics solutions, today announced that Compre Group Holdings Limited ("Compre"), a Bermuda headquartered international legacy group with operations globally, is expanding its partnership with Clearwater to include additional transparency into alternative assets. Compre has grown rapidly and tripled its assets under management (AUM) in the last three years. To manage its alternative assets and achieve greater investment returns, Compre has decided to use Clearwater LPx for transparency, exposure, and timely analytics. Relying on Clearwater's single instance, multi-tenant architecture, Compre will be able to expand its connections to alternative asset managers, resulting in more efficient operations. "Over the last three years as we grew our investment portfolio, we leveraged Clearwater to streamline our investment accounting, reporting and analytics work," said Harsh Mittal, Deputy Group CFO at Compre. "Now, we're extending Clearwater's capabilities to include additional details of our alternative asset portfolio, thereby allowing us to monitor and manage all our investments in a holistic, comprehensive manner." Compre's business model involves new acquisitions of portfolios and companies that require the ability to effectively manage a total investment portfolio. Clearwater has been able to act as a growth enabler by consolidating all of Compre's asset classes within a single platform, providing a single view and ensuring investment accounting and reporting processes run without delays. "We're excited that Compre is building on Clearwater's powerful foundation," said Scott Erickson, Chief Revenue Officer at Clearwater Analytics. "Our clients, like Compre, are driving asset growth and streamlined investment operations because of Clearwater's investment solutions. Clearwater LPx enables organizations to automate a manual and cumbersome data aggregation process. This automation provides institutional investors unparalleled visibility and transparency into their limited partnership investments." To learn how leading organizations are using Clearwater for their alternative investment accounting and reporting, speak to an expert in alternatives today. About Compre Group Compre is a leading legacy specialist with more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and management of discontinued and legacy non-life insurance and reinsurance business. Compre has experience in acquiring most classes of direct and reinsurance business, including general liability, marine and motor liability, US worker's compensation and APH. Compre has operations in Bermuda, Finland, Germany, Malta, Switzerland, the UK, US and at Lloyd's of London. www.compre-group.com About Clearwater Analytics Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN), a global, industry-leading SaaS solution, automates the entire investment lifecycle. With a single instance, multi-tenant architecture, Clearwater offers award-winning investment portfolio planning, performance reporting, data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, compliance, risk, and order management. Each day, leading insurers, asset managers, corporations, and governments use Clearwater's trusted data to drive efficient, scalable investing on more than $6.4 trillion in assets spanning traditional and alternative asset types. Additional information about Clearwater can be found at clearwateranalytics.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1502063/Clearwater_Analytics_Logo.jpg SOURCE Clearwater Analytics LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CompWest Insurance Company is proud to recognize Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions, a Baldwin Risk Partner, as its Agency of the Year. "We're proud to recognize Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions as CompWest's Agency of the Year," said Steve Cooper, president of AF Group Commercial Markets. "Our partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when there is a shared commitment to excellence with servicing the customer. We're thankful for the entire agency team and look forward to many more years of success together." CompWest "On behalf of all our Colleagues at Burnham WGB we are thrilled to be recognized by CompWest as their Agency of the Year," said Kevin Bogart, president and managing partner of Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions. "We wish to thank all of the dedicated, caring and talented insurance pros at CompWest for their tremendous partnership. We would not have enjoyed this success without your commitments to excellence. Ultimately, it is our mutual clients and insureds who are the winners in the end, and that is the most satisfying result of our work together." "At CompWest we are grateful to have agency relationships that embrace every attribute of what partnership means: candid and transparent communication, genuine desire to win together, sincere appreciation of each other's respective role in the value chain and transcending beyond trusted business relationships to become friends," said Gene Simpson, vice president of Underwriting and Marketing for CompWest. "Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions is an incredible example of true partnership, and we are excited to recognize them as Agency of the Year." About Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions Burnham WGB is based in Tustin, CA, and was founded in 1985. We are passionate advocates who vigorously defend our clients from the risks that would put their lifestyles, livelihoods, and legacies in jeopardy. Our focus is advocating on your behalf to deliver customized insurance solutions and proactive risk management programs, and we pride ourselves in providing you with professional, objective guidance while offering personal attention. About CompWest CompWest is a dynamic provider of workers' compensation, offering leading strategies and innovative insurance solutions to employers in California and select Western states. CompWest is a division of AF Group. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary. For more information, visit afgroup.com. AF Group. Contact: Marissa Sura (517) 896-3707 [email protected] AFGroup.com SOURCE AF Group VANCOUVER, BC , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") would like to make a correction to the news release issued earlier this morning regarding the Columba High-Grade Silver Project. The final payment made on the Columba property was US$215,000, not US$125,000 as previously stated. Please see the initial release for more details. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Qualified Persons The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed and approved on behalf of Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person. About Kootenay Silver Inc. Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Supported by one of the largest junior portfolios of silver assets in Mexico, Kootenay continues to provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic development of its priority silver projects located in prolific mining districts in Sonora, State and Chihuahua, State, Mexico, respectively. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The information in this news release has been prepared as at June 12, 2023. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc. Attempts to finalise SIM registration in Ghana are continuing, even though the latest deadline seems to have past and many unregistered SIMs have been blocked. It seems, however, that this may not include merchant SIM cards, all of which have to be registered by the end of June or they will permanently blocked, according to a statement by Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. The Ghana Web news service says that the Minister was appearing before Parliament last Thursday, providing an update on the SIM re-registration exercise. Almost 280,000 merchant SIMs have not been registered and the Minister suggested that some criminal networks may have acquired merchant SIMs and used them for fraudulent activities. Addressing issues with the registration process, she has also said that subscribers who were unable to complete the second stage of the registration process should contact the National Communications Authority (NCA) to have their SIMs registered. The NCA has blocked over 9 million unregistered SIM card, but the Minister has said that there are a number of subscribers have been exempted from "punitive measures for non-registration". These include exemptions for individuals without Ghana Cards who notify the NCA with proof of application for the Ghana Card, subscribers outside the country and subscribers facing genuine challenges during the registration process. We reported in May that the NCA had set a hard deadline for the 11 million remaining unregistered SIM cards to be signed up, warning that those SIMs would be cut off from services at the end of the month. The SIM registration process began on October 1, 2021. BMNT Inc.'s training classes bring modern entrepreneurship skills, tools to the military community PALO ALTO, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BMNT Inc.'s commitment to creating a new generation of public sector innovators continues to grow with the addition of two courses to teach military service members how to solve critical challenges at startup speed. The Innovation LaunchPoint Certificate Program and Innovation Project Leaders - Self Paced Course provide members of the military community access to the same proven innovation tools and techniques taught at leading universities. "With these courses, we are democratizing innovation training for service members, civilians and military spouses, giving them access to the same experimentation techniques perfected by successful startups so they can address the daily defense challenges they face," says Dr. Bull Holland, BMNT Director of Education and Training. The new courses are: The Innovation LaunchPoint program , consisting of four offerings that foster cultural change by establishing a common understanding about innovation concepts across the workforce. These for-credit academic courses are rooted in the battle-tested Hacking for X curriculum , taught at 60+ universities worldwide, that changed how real-world problems are solved. Registration begins July 1 , here . The class qualifies for Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration funding like the GI Bill or Veteran Readiness and Employment. , consisting of four offerings that foster cultural change by establishing a common understanding about innovation concepts across the workforce. These for-credit academic courses are rooted in the battle-tested , taught at 60+ universities worldwide, that changed how real-world problems are solved. Registration begins , . The class qualifies for Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration funding like the GI Bill or Veteran Readiness and Employment. A new, self-paced version of the Innovation Project Leaders Course. Launched earlier this year in partnership with North Carolina State , IPL teaches participants how to clearly define customer problems, create hypotheses to conduct product-market fit experiments and analyze the results of these experiments to create evidence-based solutions. IPL has been taught at the U.S. Army's XVIIITH Corps Divisions and USSOCOM units, among others, and qualifies for the Air Force's "Complex Problem Solving" Special Experience Identifier (SEI) designation. The self-paced version of IPL offers the same content as the instructor-led class in an asynchronous format. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.h4xtraining.bmnt.com/ About BMNT, Inc.: BMNT is an innovation company for governments and their partners that uses startup methods to create new capabilities. Media contact: Terri S. Vanech, BMNT Communications Manager, [email protected], 203-918-1270 SOURCE BMNT Inc. NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cynerio, a leading provider of connected healthcare cybersecurity solutions, has announced its collaboration with Microsoft to integrate with their cloud-native SIEM and SOAR offering Microsoft Sentinel. This collaboration aims to provide the healthcare industry with a comprehensive solution to address the growing security challenges posed by medical and IoT devices. As Leon Lerman, CEO of Cynerio, explains, "Medical and IoT devices are a black hole in the network that traditional IT security and inventory systems simply do not cover. As a result, customers are often left to balance complex regulatory requirements with the risks of everything from outdated operating systems to externally connected devices unknown to IT teams. Additionally, medical device operators are not typically security experts, making it even more challenging to maintain a secure environment." Cynerio's integration with Microsoft Sentinel aims to address these challenges by providing IoT/IoMT/OT Device Discovery, Prioritized Risk Guidance, Behavioral Attack Detection and Response, and IT Device Support. With this integration, Sentinel will also be used for incident management, based on Cynerio playbooks. "We are pleased to work with Cynerio to provide our healthcare customers with an integrated solution to secure their medical and IoT devices, as well as gain full visibility across their medical and IT systems" said Eric Burkholder, senior program manager, Microsoft Sentinel at Microsoft. "Through this collaboration, customers can benefit from a comprehensive and automated security platform, enabling them to identify and mitigate risks quickly and effectively." The collaboration between Cynerio and Microsoft Sentinel will provide the healthcare industry with the necessary tools to help ensure the safety and security of medical and IoT devices. Further, this integration will enable healthcare providers to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, while safeguarding their patients' sensitive information. About Cynerio Cynerio has one simple goal - to secure every IoT, IoMT, OT and IT device in healthcare environments. Our dedicated focus on the healthcare industry has led to the creation of technologies that help in preventing and responding to attacks. With capabilities ranging from microsegmentation and improved device insight to identifying exposed ePHI and stopping ransomware, Cynerio provides the technology and expertise needed to protect hospitals from a variety of cyberattacks. Learn more about Cynerio at cynerio.com or follow us on Twitter @cynerio and LinkedIn . Contact: Name: Vicki Michaeli Email: [email protected] This press release drafted by ChatGPT, perfected by humans SOURCE Cynerio HINGHAM, Mass., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 PR Club's John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the most esteemed accolades in New England communications industry, was presented to Darlene Hollywood in recognition of her remarkable contributions. This award celebrates the significant achievements of New England's communications veterans, honoring their extensive track records and distinguished credentials. Darlene Hollywood, Principal of Hollywood Agency, Honored with John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award at 55th Bell Ringer Awards Ceremony. The award was presented at the Annual Bell Ringer Awards Ceremony on June 8, hosted by the PR Club, which brought area public relations, marketing, and communications professionals together to celebrate and recognize outstanding achievements in the industry. For more than 25 years, Darlene has helped consumer goods, business services, technology, and not-for-profits gain visibility with thoughtful public relations and marketing campaigns. As principal of Hingham-based Hollywood Agency, which she founded in 2011, Darlene sets the strategic direction for how clients' stories are told and measured. "I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award," said Darlene Hollywood. "This recognition is not only a reflection of my personal journey but also a testament to the incredible team at Hollywood Agency, whose talent and dedication have been the driving force behind our success." Darlene is a prior president of the Boston Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), one of the nation's largest chapters. In 2017, the chapter bestowed her with the Diane Davis Beacon Award, its most prestigious honor for extraordinary achievement. That same year, Darlene was nationally recognized as a Champion of PR by PRWeek, the industry's leading trade publication. Currently, Darlene is on the executive committee of the South Shore Economic Development Corp, is the president of the British American Business Council of New England, and sits on NVNA & Hospice's fundraising board. Darlene is a member of the PR Club, Toastmasters International and holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Emerson College. "Darlene's exceptional career, spanning over several decades, has left a permanent mark on the communications landscape of New England and beyond. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence continues to inspire both colleagues and clients alike," said Stacy Clougherty, Senior Vice President, Hollywood Agency. "The entire Hollywood Agency team extends their heartfelt congratulations to Darlene for this well-deserved honor." With her husband Dan, their daughters Ella and Charlotte, and two dogs and three cats, Darlene calls Marshfield, Massachusetts home. For more information about Hollywood Agency and its services, please visit www.hollywoodgency.com. About Hollywood Agency At Hollywood Agency, a nationally recognized integrated communications firm, We Make Brands Famous. With a focus on partnering with compelling brands whose culture and values mirror its own, Hollywood Agency works with innovators in the consumer goods and services, B2B and non-profit industries. Named one of the fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts twice, Hollywood Agency has earned more than 50 industry awards. To learn more, visit hollywoodagency.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Media Contact Steve Saleeba Hollywood Agency [email protected] SOURCE Hollywood Agency Delta Welcomes Froese and Extends Reach into Canada WOODBRIDGE, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Consulting Group (Delta), a leading firm focused on dispute resolution, advisory, investigations, and risk management, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Froese Forensic Partners (Froese), a prominent independent financial investigative firm with offices in Toronto and Calgary. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Delta as it expands its service offerings and establishes a strong presence in the Canadian market. Froese brings a wealth of expertise in areas such as forensic accounting, fraud investigations, financial damages, corporate investigations, business valuation, professional misconduct, auditor negligence and class action litigation. Their team of experts has built a solid reputation for delivering exceptional services to clients across a wide range of industries. "The acquisition of Froese represents an exciting opportunity for Delta," said Jeff Fuchs, Chief Executive Officer of Delta. "The synergy between our firms has been a driving force behind this acquisition. The highly skilled forensic experts and business valuators at Froese share our commitment to providing high-quality services to our clients and empowering our employees to excel. We are excited about the expansion of our global reach, the broadening of our service offerings, and the opportunity to provide even greater value to our clients worldwide." By combining the capabilities and resources of Delta and Froese, clients will benefit from a broader range of innovative solutions and industry-leading expertise. The acquisition reinforces Delta's commitment to delivering comprehensive and effective solutions, while extending its reach into the Canadian market. "We are extremely pleased to join forces with Delta," stated Ken Froese, Senior Managing Director of Froese. "Our shared values and complementary areas of expertise make this partnership a natural fit. We look forward to combining our teams and resources to provide exceptional services and deliver outstanding results for our clients." With the acquisition of Froese, Delta gains increased service offerings in forensic accounting, fraud investigations and business valuation. Delta's experts will be able to better serve their current Canadian clients, as well as build new relationships across North America. About Froese Forensic Partners Froese Forensic Partners (Froese) is a Canadian expert services firm that provides expert consulting and expert reports and testimony in forensic accounting and fraud investigations, financial damages, corporate investigations, digital forensics, business valuation, securities and other class actions, professional misconduct and auditor negligence. Clients include private and public corporations, all three levels of government, non-profit organizations, partnerships, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies and individuals. Froese combines a rigorous professional approach with a personal and engaging level of service. Froese takes pride in getting to know our clients and understanding the matter, regardless of its size, complexity or location. All resources and energies are expended to find the optimum resolution to business problems or investigative concerns. About Delta Consulting Group For over 20 years, Delta Consulting Group (Delta) has provided project advisory, investigations, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution services to our clients around the world. We have worked with the most prominent global law firms and numerous Fortune 500 companies in over 90 countries. Our multi-disciplined professionals with expertise in engineering, accounting, finance, economics, fraud, construction, project management and litigation support deliver independent strategic advice to resolve clients' most difficult situations. A defining feature of Delta is that it is 100% employee owned. This means the work product of Delta reflects those who make it possible! Delta's professionals are motivated by passion, participation, inclusion, value, trust, equity and fairness. At Delta, the employees care deeply about providing each client with quality work. Delta's employees continue to stay committed to transparency and dedicated to "Making the Difference" every day for their clients and colleagues. To learn more about Delta please visit www.delta-cgi.com. CONTACT: Stephen W. White 571.477.1805 [email protected] SOURCE Delta Consulting Group NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines workers and labor unions will hold a media event outside the carrier's shareholder meeting in New York City on Thursday, June 15 at 7 a.m. ET. Delta workers and the unions they are seeking to join are supporting the shareholder adoption of a non-interference policy at the carrier. Shareholder proxies will attend the shareholder meeting to push for Delta to commit to International Labour Organization (ILO) standards on freedom of association, as other airlines have , and to neutrality in union organizing campaigns. Forty-five thousand Delta employees are actively organizing to join three unions: Delta ramp, cargo and tower workers are seeking to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ( IAM ). Delta flight attendants are organizing for representation with the Association of Flight Attendants ( AFA-CWA ). Delta mechanics and related workers are organizing to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ( IBT ). In the past, Delta Air Lines management has threatened employees with termination for union activities and continues to host an anti-union website and distribute literature that can be viewed as threatening to employees seeking to unionize. It is believed that Delta spent approximately $38 million to oppose a flight attendant union campaign in 2010. Its anti-union activities have caused brand damage, including broad media coverage of a 2019 anti-union flyer that told employees to spend money on video games instead of union dues. WHAT: Media event outside Delta Air Lines' annual shareholder meeting. WHEN: Thursday, June 15 at 7 a.m. ET. WHERE: Outside of 450 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. The event will also be livestreamed on the IAM's Facebook page . WHO: Delta workers and leadership from the IAM, AFA-CWA and IBT. RSVP: Members of the media should RSVP to Jonathan Battaglia (IAM) at [email protected] by Tuesday, June 13. Media Contacts: Jonathan Battaglia, IAM 202-579-3212 [email protected] Matt McQuaid, IBT (202) 624-6877 [email protected] Taylor Garland, AFA [email protected] 202-550-5520 SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Association of Flight Attendants; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers SHANGHAI, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DFRobot, a leading provider of open-source hardware, announces the launch of UNIHIKER - an innovative single-board computer designed to bring users brand new experience with its impressive features and capabilities. Featuring a 2.8-inch touch screen, fast and effortless startup, rich interfaces and high expandability, UNIHIKER is a preferred choice for users from the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, STEM and beyond. With UNIHIKER, users are empowered to unleash their imagination and innovation like never before. UNIHIKER: A Single-Board Computer Brings Brand New Experience UNIHIKER is a fully-featured and user-friendly single-board computer with a 2.8-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It is equipped with a light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and microphone, and has a built-in co-processor that can communicate with a variety of analog/digital/I2C/UART/SPI sensors and actuators. UNIHIKER brings new experience for users with its pre-installed software, allowing for an incredibly fast and easy start. With the built-in Jupyter Notebook, a browser-based programming environment,users can even program UNIHIKER using a smartphone or tablet. UNIHIKER also supports VS Code, VIM, and Thonny. The integrated PinPong control library allows users to directly control UNIHIKER's built-in sensors and hundreds of connected sensors and actuators using Python. The built-in IoT service on UNIHIKER allows users to store data on-device using the MQTT protocol and provides real-time web data access. UNIHIKER is also a compact, feature-rich, and easy-to-use development tool that provides innovative experience for learning, coding, and creating for users. UNIHIKER can connect to a router, and be accessed from a computer, iPad, or even a smartphone. It also supports Hotspot, user can play it from anywhere. With UNIHIKER, users' imagination can be ignited and taken on a different journey of innovation. Key Features: 2.8-inch touchscreen Easy setup via Type-C cable and programming through a browser Rich interfaces for controlling open-source hardware Direct control of hundreds of sensors and actuators using Python Integrated local IoT services that can stores data on-device Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity Supports popular coding software like Jupyter notebook, VS Code, VIM, Mind+ Specifications: CPU: Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A35, up to 1.2GHz RAM: 512MB Flash: 16GB OS: Debian Wi-Fi: 2.4G BT: Bluetooth 4.0 Screen: 2.8inch, 240 x 320, Touch Screen MCU: GD32VF103 Sensor: Button, Microphone, Light Sensor, Accelerometer Sensor, Gyroscope Sensor Actuator: Led, Buzzer Port: USB Type-C, USB-A, Gravity 3pin/4pin port, Edge connector Power: 5V 2A for USB Type-C Size: 51.6mm x 83mm x 13mm With a wide range of interfaces that can control a vast array of open-source hardware, UNIHIKER offers remarkable versatility, making it an ideal solution for multiple applications. From building smart home systems to integrating with robots for AI capabilities, and even transforming into a portable instrument for data exploration and observation, UNIHIKER's flexibility makes it an ideal choice for a variety of fields. "DFRobot is thrilled to announce the launch of our latest single-board computer, UNIHIKER, which is a new category of single-board computer. It is equipped with a 2.8-inch touch screen and features incredibly ease of setup and programming, supported by multiple programming software. With its feature-rich and user-friendly design, UNIHIKER is the perfect development tool for learning, coding, and creating. Its wide range of interfaces and excellent flexibility make it the preferred choice for users across a variety of application fields, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and STEM. We are excited to see UNIHIKER inspire innovation and progress in these fields and beyond. Join us in unlocking the limitless potential of UNIHIKER today!" said Liang Li, Product Manager of UNIHIKER. UNIHIKER is now available for purchase on the UNIHIKER website. For more information, please visit: Unihiker Title. SOURCE DFRobot Technology partnership enables mutual customers to reduce cloud risk and protect sensitive data from exfiltration TEL AVIV, Israel, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dig , the cloud data security leader today announces its partnership with leading cloud security provider, Wiz, as the company unveils Wiz Integrations (WIN). Dig Security, hand selected as a launch partner, will bring the power of the Dig Data Security Platform and its cloud Data security Posture Management (DSPM), DLP and real-time data detection and response (DDR) capabilities to WIN, with the intent that customers can seamlessly integrate Wiz into their existing cloud data security workflows. Once the integrated solution is launched, WIN enables Wiz and Dig Security to share prioritized security findings with context including inventory, vulnerabilities, issues, and configuration findings. Mutual customers will receive the following benefits: Combine best of breed cloud and data security solutions seamlessly Ability to prioritize vulnerabilities based on data impact Visualize data at risk as part of the Wiz attack map to get a contextualized view of cloud security The combined value of these two offerings will streamline security for organizations that are on a cloud journey, regardless of where they may be on that journey. "The dynamics of the cloud make data security an ongoing and growing challenge. As an organization's data footprint expands, so does the complexity of its cloud environments and the data privacy, sovereignty, and governance regulations it must comply with," said Dan Benjamin, CEO and Co-Founder of Dig Security. "Dig Security's integration with Wiz empowers customers with robust cloud and data security solutions to help them achieve compliance and streamline security without giving up cloud agility and speed." WIN is designed to enable a cloud security operating model where security and cloud teams work collaboratively to understand and control risks across their CI/CD pipeline. Wiz is setting the industry standard in integrated solution strategy to maximize operational capabilities of organizations with partners like Dig Security in WIN. About Dig Security Dig Security is a leading global provider of data security solutions. The company's powerful platform ensures real-time data risk visibility to help technology, healthcare, and financial service organizations locate, classify, and prioritize their data in all public cloud environments. Consolidating multiple data security solutions in a single, comprehensive solution, Dig enables customers to reduce the data attack surface, extend asset coverage, and respond rapidly to threats to improve profitability and ensure peace of mind. Visit us at https://www.dig.security/. SOURCE Dig Security WIMBERLEY, Texas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Lane Sebring, a distinguished physician and founder of Sebring Clinic in Wimberley, Texas, is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Dr. Lane Sebring Scholarship for Future Doctors. This prestigious scholarship aims to provide financial assistance and recognize outstanding talent in aspiring medical students across the United States. With a one-time award of $1,000, this scholarship will contribute to the educational journey of deserving students who are passionate about pursuing a career in medicine. To be eligible for the Dr. Lane Sebring Scholarship, applicants must be current medical students at a university in the United States or high school students with plans to attend university for a medical degree. This scholarship fund has been specifically designed to support those with a deep commitment to the field of medicine, offering them an opportunity to excel and make a significant impact on healthcare. The scholarship will be awarded based on an essay competition, with the essay question challenging participants to identify a healthcare issue in need of significant improvement and propose a new medical innovation or approach that could effectively address the issue. Essays must be under 1000 words and will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts. The judges will be looking for creativity, originality, and persuasiveness in the essays submitted. Dr. Lane Sebring, a highly experienced physician, nutrition expert, and renowned speaker, has been at the forefront of the medical field for over 25 years. Born and raised in a small town in Texas, Dr. Sebring obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1992. Following his residency in family medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Sebring dedicated his career to family medicine, integrative medicine, and nutritional medicine. His clinical expertise and passion for health and wellness have made him a sought-after authority in the medical community. The deadline to apply for the Dr. Lane Sebring Scholarship for Future Doctors is October 15, 2023. Applicants are encouraged to visit the scholarship website at http://drlanesebringscholarship.com/ to learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process. All submissions will be carefully reviewed, and the winner will be announced on November 15, 2023. SOURCE Dr. Lane Sebring Scholarship SMYRNA, Ga., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Founders of "Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospitals," Dr. Vernard Hodges, DVM and Dr. Terrence Ferguson, DVM, are proud to announce the opening of a new veterinarian hospital inside the local Smyrna PetSmart store located at 2540 Cumberland Blvd., SE. The PetSmart Veterinary Services (PVS) hospital is now accepting new pet patients, offering knowledgeable, compassionate veterinary care from a convenient PetSmart location that has all their pet care needs. Courtesy of Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospitals Dr. Paul Norwood, DVM will serve as the location's primary practicing veterinarian and part owner of the hospital. He graduated from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine alongside Drs. Hodges and Ferguson and has more than 25 years of veterinary experience. The Smyrna location will serve cats, dogs, and specialty pets, including reptiles, birds, and small animals, and offer services including preventative and critical care, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, dental cleanings, and more. There will be a grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern. The community is invited to stop by to meet the local team of veterinarians and staff and learn more about the PVS offerings. The first 50 attendees will receive a free $10 PetSmart gift card and the first 25 pets will get a free dental evaluation. "As a veterinarian for 25 years, this isn't something I ever imagined," says PVS location co-owner and co-founder of "Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospitals," Dr. Hodges. "I'm especially passionate about working with PVS because investment is a huge barrier to owning a practice. PVS' supportive financial model is a known and trusted brand that drives natural traffic to the clinic, which makes all the difference for veterinarians of color and new graduates starting out." With five seasons of pet care stardom under their belts, Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson continue to use their platform to inspire the next generation of future veterinarians. Through PVS, they aim to deepen their impact and provide additional opportunities for veterinarians of color to take on leadership and ownership roles within the profession and their community. "Our partnership with Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson provides more opportunities for veterinarians to excel in their career and focus on what they love caring for animals," said John Bork, senior vice president of vet health services at PVS. "PVS puts the power back into the hands of veterinarians, allowing them to own their practice inside a PetSmart location. We are excited for our continued work with Dr. Hodges, Dr. Ferguson and their teams to expand PVS locations as well as encourage the industry to create an inclusive environment that is supportive of doctors and the pets they care for." Additionally, Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson will be opening a second PVS location this summer at the PetSmart location in Warner Robins, with additional locations to be announced. For more information and to book a visit at the new Smyrna PVS hospital, visit www.petsmart.com/petsmart-veterinary-services. About PetSmart Veterinary Services PetSmart Veterinary Services (PVS) is an independent business ownership model that provides a complete solution for veterinarians to open their own franchised practice. Launched in 2022, PVS makes it possible for veterinarians to operate an independent business at a substantially reduced cost compared to starting a new practice on their own. PVS hospitals and urgent care centers connect pet parents with local, trusted veterinarians with convenient veterinarian hospital locations within PetSmart stores. Locations offer quality care with the latest veterinary equipment and support from PVS' experienced team of dedicated industry experts. Franchise opportunities are available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Veterinarians interested in learning about PVS or to find more information on PVS locations, visit www.pvsownership.com. About PetSmart PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. SOURCE PetSmart OAKLAND, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), the local energy provider for Alameda County and the City of Tracy, today announced a new financing program to support the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. The EBCE Board has approved providing $4.5 million in financing to Forum Mobility, a zero-emission truck solutions provider, to support the development of an innovative electric truck charging depot in Livermore, California. This site is part of a new network of electric charging depots that Forum Mobility is building for drayage trucking carriers moving freight in and out of the Port of Oakland. "East Bay Community Energy provides clean electricity from Oakland to Tracy and now Forum Mobility will provide clean trucking on the same route. We're excited to help Forum Mobility charge electric trucks with 100% renewable energy, and further reduce harmful emissions in our community," said Nick Chaset, CEO of East Bay Community Energy. "The City of Livermore, as a longtime leader in climate action, is proud to help lead the transition to zero-emission goods movement. As the host of key, cutting-edge clean charging infrastructure, cleaning up the I-580 freight corridor starts with us," said Livermore Councilmember Ben Barrientos, who also serves on EBCE's Board of Directors. The EBCE loan will support the development of Forum's Greenville Community Charging Depot on a 4.4-acre site just off I-580 in Livermore. The depot will be capable of charging up to 96 trucks simultaneously. According to the US EPA, heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for 23% of the carbon emissions from the transportation sector, as well as 45% of NOx and 57% of PM 2.5 pollution in the US with disproportionate impacts on communities of color. A transition to zero-emission vehicles will mean cleaner air for our communities, a safer climate and, if done well, lower costs per mile for truckers. "Forum is building a network of charging depots for heavy-duty trucks to make the transition to electric. This partnership with EBCE will help Forum deliver fast-charging to trucking owners, operators, carriers and fleets," said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility. "With new rules from the California Air Resources Board requiring zero-emission trucks, Forum and EBCE are working to provide broad access to charging infrastructure and zero-emission trucks." The California Air Resources Board recently approved rules requiring all of California's in-state drayage fleet approximately 33,000 trucks to be zero-emission by 2035. Charging infrastructure is a key ingredient for success the California Energy Commission estimates that to comply with these and other proposed vehicle regulations, California will need 157,000 medium- and heavy-duty chargers by 2030. About EBCE East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is a not-for-profit public agency that operates a Community Choice Energy program in the California Bay Area for Alameda County and fourteen incorporated cities, serving more than 1.7 million residential and commercial customers. EBCE initiated service in June 2018 and expanded to Tracy in neighboring San Joaquin County in 2021 and will expand service to Stockton in 2025. As one of 24 community choice aggregation (CCA) programs operating in California, EBCE is part of the movement to expedite the climate action goals of their communities and those of California. EBCE is committed to providing clean power at competitive rates while reinvesting in its local communities and offering innovative energy programs. For more information about East Bay Community Energy, visit ebce.org . About Forum Mobility Forum Mobility provides accessible zero-emission trucking solutions for drayage in California, from building and operating the charging infrastructure to offering class 8 zero-emission electric trucks. Forum is currently developing a network of charging depots around the ports of Oakland, Los Angeles and Long Beach, and along common trucking routes to warehouse destinations, offering a one-stop solution that makes it easy for small independent operators and large fleets alike. For more information, visit forummobility.com . Media Contacts Mission Control Communications for EBCE [email protected] Forum Mobility [email protected] SOURCE East Bay Community Energy Vodafone Fiji has extended its partnership with Paymentology to enable the issue of Mastercard digital first cards to its customers via the M-PAiSA app. The operator introduced its inaugural closed loop mobile wallet solution in 2010, and since then it has evolved into an open-loop payment service platform offering a full suite of features such as utility payments, in-store QR payment, remote payments, cross border remittance and internet payment gateway services. Paymentology is providing Vodafone Fiji the crucial connectivity to establish a gateway to the Mastercard global network for the issuing of M-PAiSA Mastercard debit cards. The partnership utilises smart APIs and a pre-established technology stack to authorise and process Mastercard payments. With the assistance of Paymentology, Vodafone Fiji can now provide its customers with a secure and seamless payment experience, while managing sophisticated operations by exempting Vodafone from the complexities of global payment connectivity and compliance for faster deployment. Credit and debit card usage in Fiji lags behind that of developed markets, presenting a significant disparity. Recent surveys have revealed that a considerable proportion of Fijians face difficulties obtaining scheme cards for cross-border payments and participating in a digital economy. With the onboarding of M-PAiSA Mastercard, customers will have the ability to apply through the M-PAiSA App without needing to visit an outlet. Emre Durusut, Regional Director APAC at Paymentology, said: This move has not only diversified [Vodafone Fijis] revenue streams but has also reduced their reliance on conventional communication services, which are now considered mature products. Vodafone continues to explore new boundaries in the mobile world, and with our support has not only unlocked new markets but has also made significant strides in promoting financial inclusion. Vodafone Fiji is a 100% locally owned entity, of which 51% is owned by Amalgamated Telecommunications Holdings and 49% by Fiji National Provident Fund. EQT Private Equity, together with its co-shareholders, to sell BBS Automation to MDAX-listed Durr Group Under EQT's ownership, BBS has transformed from a founder-led organization to a global leader in end-to-end factory automation solutions with full digital capabilities Since EQT entered in 2018, the Company has more than doubled its revenues, significantly expanded its global site footprint, and complemented organic growth with four add-on acquisitions STOCKHOLM, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe and EQT Mid Market Asia III funds (together "EQT Private Equity" or "EQT"), together with its co-shareholders, have agreed to sell BBS Automation ("BBS" or the "Company") to MDAX-listed Durr Group. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, BBS Automation helps companies automate their production processes and reduce energy consumption, waste and downtime, allowing customers to meet rapidly growing cost and sustainability demands. It plays a pivotal role in the Industry 4.0 revolution by developing and manufacturing automated, smart factory solutions. The Company's tailor-made assembly and testing applications are used by customers in a wide range of industries, including (e)Mobility, Life Sciences, and Consumer Electronics, amongst others. EQT Private Equity partnered with Josef Wildgruber in May 2018 and acquired a majority stake in BBS with a joint vision to build a leading global platform for factory automation. During EQT's ownership, BBS has more than doubled its sales to over EUR 300 million today (2023 estimate). At the same time, BBS has made substantial investments in its global footprint, doubling its network of sites from 7 to 14 and growing its number of employees from around 550 to around 1,200. Organic growth was complemented by four strategic add-on acquisitions including ANT Solutions, a Polish provider of digital factory solutions, TEAM, an Italian specialist for winding technology, and ReaLead, a Chinese automation solutions provider. Last year, BBS significantly strengthened its MedTech and Life Sciences capabilities with the acquisition of Italy-based Kahle Automation. As part of Durr Group, BBS will continue its growth journey under the leadership of Josef Wildgruber. The combined Group will be one of the leading assembly and automation players globally with a highly complementary solution portfolio and substantial synergies with Durr's automation business, in particular Teamtechnik, which Durr acquired in 2021. Andreas Aschenbrenner, Partner within EQT Private Equity's Advisory Team, said, "We could not have imagined a better home for BBS than Durr Group and a more compelling industrial logic. By combining the Durr automation business with BBS' global automation platform, we are creating a global leader in the field. BBS is a showcase of EQT's philosophy of investing at the nexus of digitization and sustainability, creating value for our investors, the company and its employees and society at large." Robert Latz, Managing Director within EQT Private Equity's Advisory Team, adds, "We are very proud of what we have achieved together with the BBS team over the past years. EQT has a long-standing track record of partnering with founders to help them scale and professionalize their businesses. BBS is a showcase of how we can help companies reach their full potential. We have transformed BBS to a global leader in industrial automation by expanding its solutions portfolio, end markets, and geographic footprint." Josef Wildgruber, CEO and Founder of BBS Automation, said "This is a momentous day in the history of BBS. We are very excited to become part of the Durr family and continue our growth journey together, leveraging our combined German heritage, reputation and expertise. We are very grateful for EQT's strong support over the years, which enabled us to turn BBS into the global platform it is today with a market-leading footprint across all continents. I very much look forward to working with Jochen Weyrauch and his team in building the future of automation." The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Closing of the transaction is expected in the fall of 2023. Contact EQT Press Office, [email protected], +46 8 506 55 334 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3785347/2122671.pdf PR_EQT sells BBS Automation_230613 https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/bbs-automation,c3189263 BBS Automation SOURCE EQT In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, ERIE employees will plant trees across 12 states and the District of Columbia ERIE, Pa., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance (ERIE) last month kicked off a new environmental stewardship program. This program provides trees for employees to plant throughout 12 states and the District of Columbia, deepening ERIE's commitment to the environment and creating long-lasting impact on the people and communities it serves. In a growing partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, ERIE employees participate in the "Community Canopy" program by planting a tree in their yard to help reduce their carbon footprint and expand the tree canopy across many locations and neighborhoods. The program aligns with Erie Insurance Giving Network's focus on environmental responsibility. Erie Insurance employees plant trees across 12 states and the District of Columbia. Tweet this "ERIE has had a long commitment to being a good corporate citizen and environmental responsibility has become a critical piece of that," said Erie Insurance President and CEO Tim NeCastro. "This project is a great opportunity for our employees to be a part of this commitment in a way that will make a measurable impact on our environment." The Arbor Day Foundation projects a significant energy and community benefit from the ERIE "Community Canopy" program. The trees planted by employees will contribute to the following long-term estimated impacts over a 20-year period: Energy Savings: 2.35 million kWh Carbon Sequestration: 7 million lbs. Stormwater Runoff: 22 million gallons This employee tree-planting initiative builds upon ERIE's 100 Trees Project, which seeks to plant 100 shade trees on its 40-acre downtown Erie campus, leading up to the company's 100th anniversary in 2025. Planning is underway to also expand the corporate tree-planting program in community areas surrounding ERIE's 25 branch offices next year. In recent years, ERIE has also made multiple investments to promote sustainability and increased its philanthropic support of environmental responsibility initiatives. The Thomas B. Hagen Building, dedicated in September 2021, was built to meet Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification standards from the U.S. Green Building Council and features vegetated roofs as well as energy optimization, light pollution reduction and water use reduction systems. Additionally, 10 environmental nonprofit organizations in northwest Pennsylvania received Erie Insurance Giving Network grants to support their ongoing work. "Trees clean our air and water, provide for wildlife, connect communities and support health and well-beingthe impact is great, and I'm excited that the 'ERIE Family' continues to jump in and make a difference," said Brian Wilking, senior community outreach specialist. "ERIE plans to continue investing in and partnering with organizations that, like ERIE, are committed to greener, healthier communities." About Erie Insurance According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com. SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company Weissman donates $50,000 on behalf of all Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida finalists DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Richard Weissman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of The Learning Experience (TLE) was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Weissman was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. "I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award winner," said Weissman. "This recognition is for the entire TLE family, and it reflects the commitment and dedication of our people, the power of our brand, and our unique approach to early childhood educationall of which positively impact the children in our care, the families we serve, and the communities in which we operate." The Learning Experience is one of the most trusted brands in the childcare industry with more than 350 centers across the U.S. and U.K. providing the highest quality of care and early education to more than 44,000 children from six weeks to six years old. Founded by Weissman and his family, The Learning Experience's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, their families, and the communities it serves. The Learning Experience's continuous dedication to providing best-in-class childcare and early education has garnered many accolades over the years, including its recent recognition as the No. 1 childcare franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 education franchise by Franchise Business Review. In addition to his work, Weissman is also a longtime board member of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and has led many fundraising events, both personally and through The Learning Experience, that have collectively raised more than $5 million for Make-A-Wish. As Weissman accepted his Entrepreneur Of The Year award, he also pledged to donate $50,000 on behalf of the 22 Florida finalists to Make-A-Wish. "I firmly believe that in order to receive we must give back to our communities, and I feel an immense amount of gratitude that I am fortunate enough to do so through philanthropic efforts both personally and professionally. This foundational belief has not only positively impacted my success but also the success of The Learning Experience," said Weissman. For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a Florida award winner, Weissman is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, regional platinum sponsors include Cresa and DLA Piper. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. SOURCE The Learning Experience Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world CANTON, Mass., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) names Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock as Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 New England Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Price was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. "Being named the EY New England Entrepreneur of the Year award winner is an incredibly humbling experience. From the initial nomination to the surprising selection as a finalist, and ultimately being chosen as one of the winners at the prestigious award ceremony, my journey has been nothing short of astonishing," said Price. "This recognition is not just about me; it symbolizes the collective effort of an exceptional organization and the supportive community that surrounds it. Together, as a School of Rock tribe, we are transforming lives, and I am grateful to be a humble roadie in this incredible journey." School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging music education experience, which includes bass lessons , guitar lessons , singing lessons , drum lessons , and piano lessons . Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz and Led Zeppelin. Thanks to the school's patented performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior musical proficiency, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway. For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a New England award winner, Price is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum , one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks James Park of Fitbit Daymond John of FUBU Jodi Berg of Vitamix Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In New England, sponsors also include Cresa Global, Inc., Woodruff Sawyer & Company, and DLA Piper, LLP. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com . About School of Rock School of Rock helps aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity, and develop tools they need to thrive in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1998, School of Rock has become a rapidly growing international franchise with over 500 schools open and in development across 15 global markets. Since 2009, School of Rock has grown its student count from 4,000 to over 62,000. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons , including guitar lessons , singing lessons and piano lessons . The company also sells musical instruments and music gear through its GearSelect program. School of Rock is proud to support Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), and the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS). School of Rock was awarded US Patent 10,891,872 in 2021 for its innovative music education method. School of Rock also has garnered the following industry awards: 2023 Global Franchise Grand Champion; 2023, 2022 and 2021 Global Franchise's Awards Best Children's Service and Education Franchise; 2023 Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Top Children's Music Enrichment Brand; 2021 Franchise Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools; Franchise Business Review's 2023 Top 200 Franchises and Culture 200 list; 2020 Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 200 Franchise and the #1 Child Enrichment Franchise; and 2018 Forbes # 2 Best Franchise Medium-Level Investment Award and the #1 Music Franchise in America. Follow School of Rock on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SchoolofRockUSA . SOURCE School of Rock GALWAY, Ireland, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FEELTECT, a connected-health, wound care company, was recently awarded first place in the annual innovation competition as part of the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) Innovation Forum. The EWMA Innovation Forum was held as part of the annual EWMA conference, which this year took place in Milan, Italy. The innovation competition recognises pioneering innovations that address critical unmet needs in wound care. The rigorous selection process involved written applications that were assessed by an esteemed panel of judges, including investors, senior executives from multinational wound care companies, and industry experts. Based on the judges' preliminary evaluations, a shortlist of 16 start-up companies from across Europe were invited to present at the Innovation Forum event. Competition sponsors included ProDevLabs, Smith + Nephew, and CAP Partner. Amongst a highly competitive field, FeelTect emerged as the overall winner of the 10,000 prize for their pioneering innovation, Tight Alright the first connected-health technology for measuring and remotely monitoring sub-bandage pressure during compression therapy, primarily for the millions of people world-wide with venous leg ulcers. The Tight Alright technology is comprised of a wearable device with multiple pressure sensors that wirelessly connects with a digital platform, unburdening care providers by enabling significant advancements in the application, self-management, and remote monitoring of compression therapy. Furthermore, by facilitating optimal and consistent provision of gold-standard compression therapy, Tight Alright will significantly reduce healing times and treatment costs, whilst enhancing quality of life for patients. Speaking about the award, FeelTect CEO, Andrew Cameron, PhD, said, "This award provides valuable recognition of the work we're doing to optimize the standard of care for venous leg ulcer patients. We are grateful to the sponsors, judges, and organisers of the EWMA Innovation Forum for such an honour, the event is a testament to EWMA's dedication to supporting innovations that address critical unmet needs in wound care." Edwin den Braber, MD PhD, of the EWMA Innovation Team, added, "One of the prime objectives of EWMA is to enhance the development and availability of innovative wound care solutions for physicians and their patients in Europe. With this in mind, EMWA wants to foster the development of innovative wound healing products from 'bench to bed side' by enhancing contacts between innovative companies, established companies who already collaborate with EWMA, and investors. Therefore, we are more than happy to award Feeltect as the winner of EWMA Innovation Competition 2023 since their solution was evaluated by our established panel of judges, existing out of academics, wound healing executives, and investors, to have a great potential to support that objective." FeelTect are currently closing an investment to support R&D, additional clinical validation, and market entry of their technology, as well as partnering with providers, payers, and value-based care organisations to realise the clinical and health economic benefits of Tight Alright. In relation to the support the EWMA Innovation Forum provides for the company, Andrew Cameron noted, "The financial support will be a much-welcomed contribution to our upcoming clinical studies in the US and Europe, while the exposure and recognition we have received is an invaluable contribution to our ambitions for establishing strategic partnerships with forward-thinking medtech and digital health companies in the wound care industry." About FeelTect FeelTect is a connected-health, wound care company based in Galway, Ireland. The company's primary mission is to address the critical unmet need for a way to significantly reduce healing times and healthcare personnel workload in the treatment of VLUs, for improved quality of life for patients and reduced treatment costs. Since spinning out of the University of Galway in 2020, FeelTect have achieved numerous milestones, including FDA registration in USA, EUDMED registration in Europe, ISO 13485 accreditation, preliminary clinical validation, international patents on hardware and software technologies, and completion of design for manufacturing. The company is about to commence a 4.6 million Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund collaborative project to expand their pipeline of products that will ultimately lead to the development of the first data-driven clinical decision support system in wound care. About EWMA The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) is an academic, not-for-profit umbrella organisation under which European wound management organisations and individuals collaborate. EWMA was founded in 1991, is registered with the British Charity Commission (Charity No. 1042404), and aims to enhance the advancement of education and research into native epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of wounds of all aetiologies. Through its collaboration with 53 national wound management associations across Europe, EWMA today cooperates with more than 25,000 health care professionals and their patients suffering from acute and non-healing wounds. EWMA works to reach its objectives through a broad palette of activities, ranging from increasing awareness of wounds as a major challenge for patients' Quality of Life, fostering the development of new innovative wound healing solutions, to highlighting wounds as a major economic burden for European health care systems. As such, EWMA communicates continuously that wounds are preventable by the implementation of adequate prevention measures and cost effective, evidence-based therapies through for example its annual EWMA conference, advocacy activities with the European Commission and other European and national institutions, the production of scientific and guidance publications, and up-to-date education for wound care professionals. In addition to its European activities, EWMA holds close ties, and cooperates with other international wound healing organisations and a global network of wound healing Key Opinion Leaders. More information about EWMA can be found at ewma.org. Media Contact: Andrew Cameron CEO, FeelTect +353871840912 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099998/FeelTect_Logo.jpg SOURCE FeelTect NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws. Class Period: February 28, 2022 to May 3, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 21, 2023 No obligation or cost to you. Learn more about your recoverable losses in FHN: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/first-horizon-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=40696&from=4 First Horizon Corporation NEWS - FHN NEWS CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, defendants made false statements and/or concealed that TD Bank failed to disclose material information to the market that it had deficient internal controls that posed a significant risk to the closing of the First Horizon transaction. Specifically, TD Bank suffered from grossly ineffective internal controls regarding anti-money laundering practices and failed to appropriately report unusual transactions or suspicious activity to U.S. regulators. According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal, in "recent years," TD Bank only "flagged 28 customer transactions" as suspicious. As a result, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the U.S. Federal Reserve refused to approve the transaction within the necessary time frames. WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in First Horizon you have until July 21, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased First Horizon securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the FHN lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/first-horizon-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=40696&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm KANSAS CITY, Miss., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Elms Capital, a leading software growth equity firm, is pleased to announce the recent additions of Lauren Janek as Vice President of Operations and Brooke Longtin as a Vice President on its Investment Team. These strategic hires reflect the firm's commitment to expanding its expertise to support its portfolio companies as well as new investments. Five Elms Capital Strengthens Its Investment & Value Creation Teams with Two Valuable Hires Tweet this Lauren Janek, Five Elms Capital, Vice President of Operations Brooke Longtin, Five Elms Capital, Vice President on the Investment Team Lauren Janek, who joined this spring as Vice President of Operations, brings an invaluable combination of strategic acumen and proven operational prowess to Five Elms Capital. Previously, Janek served as the Director of Strategy at LogicGate, a GRC SaaS company, where she played a pivotal role in driving the company's growth and various strategic initiatives. Janek also brings years of investment banking experience at William Blair, where she focused exclusively on technology investments. In her new role at Five Elms, Janek works closely with portfolio companies to drive high-priority growth initiatives with her guidance and implements operational best practices across the entire portfolio. Janek is a native of Chicago and holds a degree from the University of Notre Dame. Brooke Longtin, who joined this month as a Vice President on the Investment Team, brings a strong background in investing and a passion for identifying and nurturing high-growth companies. Longtin joins Five Elms from Aquiline Technology Growth (ATG), a technology-focused investment firm, where she focused on investing in growth-stage companies within the insurance and financial services sectors. Longtin has spent the last six years in New York, between her time at ATG and in investment banking at Houlihan Lokey. Longtin will play a crucial role in sourcing and evaluating potential investments for Five Elms Capital's portfolio and working with portfolio companies post-investment. Originally from Iowa, Longtin holds a degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. "We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Janek and Brooke Longtin to the Five Elms Capital team," said Fred Coulson, Founder, and Managing Partner at Five Elms Capital. "Their extensive operating & investing experience, coupled with their skills and insights, will undoubtedly enhance our ability to support and grow our portfolio companies. We are confident that their contributions will play a significant role in shaping the future success of Five Elms Capital." With the addition of Janek and Longtin, Five Elms Capital reinforces its commitment to providing exceptional support and expertise to its portfolio companies. The firm's investment strategy focuses on partnering with high-growth businesses in the software and technology sectors, empowering them to achieve their full potential. For more information about Five Elms Capital, please visit https://www.fiveelms.com/ . About Five Elms Capital Five Elms Capital is a global growth investor in fast-growing B2B software businesses that users love. Five Elms provides capital and resources to help companies accelerate growth and further cement their role as industry leaders. Founded in 2007, Five Elms has a team of more than 60 investment professionals and $1.6 billion in assets under management. For more information, visit fiveelms.com. SOURCE Five Elms Capital Rick Bryant will be responsible for expanding UVeye's auto-industry partnerships in North America and elsewhere around the world Current UVeye partners and investors include General Motors, Volvo, W.R. Berkley Corporation and CarMax DETROIT and TEANECK, N.J., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rick Bryant, formerly executive vice president of sales for Volvo Cars US, has joined UVeye as the company's executive vice president for strategic partnerships. A pioneer in the development of automated vehicle-inspection systems, UVeye recently secured $100 million in Series D funding to support major new partnership, sales and manufacturing initiatives in North America. Amir Hever, UVeye's CEO and co-founder, said Bryant will be responsible for expanding UVeye's existing partnerships while developing new relationships with major automotive dealership groups, fleet customers and used-car auctions in North America and elsewhere around the world. The company's recently completed Series D investment round was led by Hanaco VC, a venture-capital firm based in New York and Tel Aviv with $1.5 billion in assets under management. Existing investors that also participated in UVeye's latest round included GM Ventures, CarMax, W.R. Berkley Corporation and F.I.T. Ventures L.P. as well as various Israeli institutional investors. Bryant served as executive vice president of sales operations for Volvo Cars US from 2013 through December of 2022. He joined the company as an aftermarket sales manager in 1993 and went on to hold a series of senior management positions in commercial sales, regional operations and customer service. He previously had worked in sales with various other automotive brands, including Subaru, BMW, Buick and Honda. "Our goal is to revolutionize and standardize how the auto industry detects vehicle damage and mechanical issues," Hever said. "Rick Bryant will play a key role in achieving that goal as we expand our operations in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region." UVeye currently has facilities in Israel, Japan, Germany and the United States. Since its founding in 2016, the company has raised $200 million in investment capital and formed strategic partnerships with numerous automakers, dealership groups and used-car auctions. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey and in Tel Aviv, Israel, UVeye offers industry-first vehicle-inspection systems based on advanced artificial intelligence, computer-vision and machine-learning technologies for both the automotive and homeland security industries. Bryant attended the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. A Boston native, he currently resides in the New York metropolitan area and will work out of UVeye's offices in Teaneck. UVeye produces a unique suite of vehicle-inspection systems suited for use at new- and used-car dealerships, used-car auctions and major fleets, including: Helios An underbody scanner that detects a wide variety of problems including frame damage, missing parts and fluid leaks, as well as brake- and exhaust-system issues. An underbody scanner that detects a wide variety of problems including frame damage, missing parts and fluid leaks, as well as brake- and exhaust-system issues. Artemis A system that checks tire quality. Within seconds it identifies tire brand, technical specifications, air pressure, tread depth, sidewall damage, whether or not a vehicle's tires are mismatched and alignment issues. A system that checks tire quality. Within seconds it identifies tire brand, technical specifications, air pressure, tread depth, sidewall damage, whether or not a vehicle's tires are mismatched and alignment issues. Atlas A 360-degree vehicle-exterior detection system that checks sheet metal and other external body components such as bumpers, door locks, grilles and windows. A 360-degree vehicle-exterior detection system that checks sheet metal and other external body components such as bumpers, door locks, grilles and windows. Apollo An interior inspection product that provides dealers, used-car auctions and fleet managers with a complete view of a vehicle's interior to check for its overall condition. About UVeye UVeye has created the auto industry's only fully-automated suite of vehicle-inspection systems for automotive tires, exteriors and underbody components, as well as a new system for checking vehicle interiors. Utilizing a unique combination of proprietary algorithms, cloud architecture, artificial intelligence, machine learning and sensor-fusion technologies, the company's groundbreaking drive-thru systems can detect external or mechanical flaws and identify anomalies, modifications or foreign objects under and around any side of a vehicle within seconds. UVeye technology can identify a virtually limitless list of vehicle problems, including oil leaks, exterior damage such as scratches and dents, tire sidewall and tread issues and numerous forms of underbody damage. Apollo, a new system for checking automotive interiors, was added during the second quarter of 2023. Originally developed for use in the homeland security industry, UVeye technology applications later were expanded for use in the auto industry, revolutionizing multipoint inspection processes and improving the customer experience by scanning for and identifying a wide variety of quality and repair concerns. Additional information is available at www.uveye.com . SOURCE UVeye DALLAS, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have honored New Western as one of this year's Best Workplaces in Texas. This is New Western's second time being named to this prestigious list, coming in at No. 50. To be selected, New Western surpassed rigorous benchmarks and has established itself as one of the best companies to work for headquartered in Texas. To determine the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List, Great Place To Work surveyed more than 100,000 employees at eligible companies. Via the Trust Index Survey, employees shared honest feedback about their experience by responding to 60 statements about the employee experience and answering two open-ended questions. "Being named to Fortune's Best Workplaces in Texas List for a second year is a testament to the remarkable team that keeps our culture thriving every day," said Amy Rosellini, Chief People Officer at New Western. "Our team dictates our culture, not the other way around. As real estate is facing many challenges today, it is the unwavering efforts of our people that make and keep New Western a rewarding workplace, even in times of change." The Best Workplaces in Texas list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier. "Congratulations to the Best Workplaces in Texas," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "These are companies that understand how putting people first drives performance, productivity and innovation essentials in this economy." "Fortune congratulates the Best Workplaces in Texas," says Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell. "They are leading their industries in employee satisfaction, a critical metric for success in a period of economic uncertainty." In 2022, New Western also ranked #41 on the list of Best Workplaces in Texas (Small and Medium), as well as #29 on the list for Best Workplaces in Real Estate. About New Western New Western makes real estate investing more accessible for more people. Operating in most major cities, our marketplace connects more than 150,000 local investors looking to rehab houses with sellers. As the largest private source of investment properties in the nation, we buy a home every 13 minutes. New Western delivers new opportunity for alla fresh start for sellers, exclusive inventory for investors, and affordable housing for buyers. For more information, visit https://www.newwestern.com. About the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas Great Place To Work selected the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List by surveying companies employing 7.5 million people in the U.S. with 1.3 million survey responses received. Of those, more than 100,000 responses were received from employees at companies who were eligible for the 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List, and this list is based on their feedback. To be eligible, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified, have at least 10 U.S. employees, and be headquartered in Texas. Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place to Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more. About Fortune The Fortune mission is to change the world by making business better. We achieve that by providing trusted information, telling great stories, and building world-class communities. We measure performance by rigorous benchmarks. And we hold companies accountable. Our goal is to make Fortune a force for good through its second century and beyond. For more information, visit www.fortune.com. SOURCE New Western Enabled by best-in-class technology, shoppers will be enabled to purchase food prescribed by healthcare provider at more than 10,000 stores across the country BOSTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, About Fresh , a Boston based nonprofit committed to expanding access to high-quality, fresh food vital to people's health, wellbeing, and culture, announced a new agreement with FIS, the global leader in financial services technology, to strengthen their proprietary Fresh Connect food prescription platform. About Fresh has leveraged the FIS Filtered Spend platform to expand their Fresh Connect program across a national network of over 10,000 grocery retail locations, including Albertsons, Kroger and Walmart. Fresh Connect shoppers can now easily shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at their preferred local store, swipe the prepaid debit card at check out, and the cost of eligible healthy foods are automatically deducted from the total purchase price. More than 35 million Americans lack reliable and affordable food access due to low wages, inflated food costs and limited grocery retail options. Fresh Connect makes it possible for healthcare to cover the cost of healthy food for those experiencing food insecurity. About Fresh's Fresh Connect Expands Network Nationwide; Now Includes Albertsons, Kroger and Walmart Tweet this "Enabling access to healthy and affordable foods to a wider group of people is a critically important mission," said Chris Como, Senior Vice President, Division Executive, Cards & Money Movement FIS. "We're proud to leverage FIS payment technology to make the payment experience easier and more seamless for families who want to bring fresh food options into their homes." Fresh Connect is a tech-enabled food prescription program that empowers people with the money and flexibility to buy the foods they need to be and stay healthy. The cloud-based platform integrates seamlessly with healthcare IT infrastructure and workflow and streamlines program administration and measurement. In addition, shoppers receive ongoing, personalized cardholder support from the point of enrollment. Fresh Connect is positioned to generate compelling evidence for the healthcare value of food prescriptions and thereby catalyze increased healthcare financing for food as medicine. Fresh Connect has amassed an impressive data set about its Cardholders' best-in-class program engagement. For example, in the last six months of 2022, 74% of Medicaid funded Cardholders in Massachusetts used their card at least once each month to purchase fresh produce; and those active Cardholders spent, on average, 83% of their available benefit. "As a retailer that operates popular supermarkets such as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw's in communities across the country, our partnership with About Fresh and FIS gives Fresh Connect program recipients more options when shopping for nutritious food," said Irina Pelphrey, VP of Health and Managed Care at Albertsons Companies. "For many of those shoppers who already shop our stores and pharmacies for needs outside of their monthly benefit, the ability to now use their Fresh Connect card will be a tremendous convenience." "At About Fresh, we are building a first-of-its-kind infrastructure, making it possible for health plans, providers, community-based organizations, and others, to leverage the scale and efficiency of grocery retail and ecommerce to maximize the value of their investment into food as medicine," said Josh Trautwein, Co-founder and CEO of About Fresh. "Joining the FIS Filtered Spend network is a significant milestone as it will allow shoppers across the country to use their Fresh Connect card at more than 10,000 stores to purchase the foods foundational to good health and do so in a manner that is convenient, joyful, and reverent of food culture." To learn more about the About Fresh "Fresh Connect" program, please visit: www.aboutfresh.org/fresh-connect or ShopFreshConnect.com. About FIS FIS is a leading provider of technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses of all sizes and across any industry globally. We enable the movement of commerce by unlocking the financial technology that powers the world's economy. Our employees are dedicated to advancing the way the world pays, banks and invests through our trusted innovation, system performance and flexible architecture. We help our clients use technology in innovative ways to solve business-critical challenges and deliver superior experiences for their customers. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, FIS is a member of the Fortune 500 and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. To learn more, visit www.fisglobal.com. Follow FIS on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@FISGlobal). About Fresh Connect and About Fresh: Fresh Connect enables healthcare organizations to cover the cost of fresh food for patients where they already shop, helping improve health outcomes and support overall wellbeing. Composed of a prepaid debit card funded by healthcare institutions and a HIPAA-compliant program management platform, Fresh Connect empowers patients who are experiencing food insecurity with the convenience and agency to purchase culturally connected, fresh food that supports their health. About Fresh is a Boston-based nonprofit committed to expanding access to the high-quality, fresh food that is vital to people's health, wellbeing, and culture. About Fresh combines technology, food retail, and community-driven advocacy to expand access to fresh, culturally-relevant food for people who need it most. The Company's latest measurement of Net Promoter Score (NPS), achieved a rating over 80 from users, achieving the "world class" classification. To learn more about the About Fresh "Fresh Connect" program, please visit: www.aboutfresh.org/fresh-connect or ShopFreshConnect.com. Media Contact: Michele Fox, [email protected] SOURCE About Fresh Two news stories about Cuba intertwined this week. The first was the propaganda campaign on the Castro-Diaz-Canel's economic team and its meeting with "businesspeople" of the community of Cuban exiles eager to boost business with the "new private sector" emerging in the form of MSMEs, all to demonstrate Cuba's "current opening up." Then there was the publication of the 2023 Economic Freedom Index, issued annually by the Heritage Foundation, in which Cuba has dropped again, now occupying second-to-last place (175) among the 176 countries analyzed. That is, only North Korea, in last place (176), was ranked lower than Cuba. Even Venezuela, Iran and Haiti rank above it. The United States is right when it says that it is necessary to analyze root causes of migratory exoduses. One of the reasons for the exodus is the absence of economic freedom on Cuba to seek prosperity within the country's national borders, but this is not the only freedom necessary for a country's internal stability. Cuba is a perfect example of this. In January of 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt laid out his concept of the "four essential freedoms" that America should protect and promote: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, the demand for more and more rights and freedoms has been expanding, but this should not lead to forget that some are basic to the prosperity and stability of a society, and resemble those enunciated by Roosevelt. In 1988, Amartya Sen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the indissoluble relationship between development and freedom. Sen showed that freedom in general not just economic freedom is the most efficient means of achieving prosperity. Countries witnessing mass exoduses are those not only with mediocre governments, but where the system of governance (institutions, laws, regulations) does not protect basic freedoms. In an economically free society, people can work, produce, consume and invest any way they want. In economically free societies, governments allow labor, capital, and goods to move freely and refrain from coercing or restricting freedom beyond what is necessary to protect and maintain freedom itself. Even an economically free society, however, can suffer other evils, such as criminality and corruption, citizen insecurity, oligarchical concentrations of power, and an inability to control the activities of public officials, affecting citizens' desire to invest and reside within their country. Cuba is lacking not only economic freedoms, but all others as well. The idea that a private sector has emerged in Cuba capable of creating the prosperity necessary to dissuade its citizens from migrating is unfounded. When Barack Obama sought detente with Cuba, at least there was a "non-state" sector (not the same as a "private" one) whose growth and competitiveness expanded significantly, despite all the restrictions on it (including the fact that people did not own their businesses, but were only self-employed in them). The Cuban government then crushed this sector self-employed workers through bans, taxes and police harassment before (not after) Trump moved into the White House. MSMEs are now the facade of a state sector that needs to be dressed up as a private one to evade embargo sanctions. To be allowed to run their businesses (which is not the same as legally "owning" them) Cubans need to be politically connected, or at least have "good records" ever since elementary school; that is, ones never tainted by ideological transgressions. The Hope for Cuba Foundation, which is lobbying officials in Washington to lift sanctions on Havana, should know. If they want to give the people hope, they should lobby the elite in favor of basic civil liberties. I urge Hope for Cuba to lobby for the Cuban people, not their oppressors. To lobby for freedom. Because freedom will spawn progress, development and opportunities to establish and foster real businesses. With freedom there will be prosperity for all. With MSMEs and GAESA, there will be wealth for the few, and penury for most Cubans. HELSINKI, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genomill and iCAN, the Finnish national cancer research flagship project, signed a partnership aiming to improve the detection of trace tumour DNA from thousands of biobank samples. Genomill, a pioneering precision diagnostics company, brings its cutting-edge Geno1 platform to the collaboration. Genomill's proprietary and patented platform enables fast, cost-effective, and accurate analysis of cell-free tumour DNA extracted from blood plasma samples. The partnership leverages the extensive repository of patient samples and deep molecular profiling data available in the iCAN Flagship Project. iCAN is at the forefront of advancing precision cancer medicine by linking tumour profiling data with broad health data from more than 10,000 patients. "We are excited to collaborate with iCAN to validate and further develop our proprietary and patented Geno1 platform," noted Kalle Koskinen, CEO of Genomill. "We expect this partnership will push the envelope in leveraging accessible and actionable liquid biopsies on a global scale, especially with a focus on Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) and Treatment (Tx) Selection. Genomill's mission is to lower the barriers to global adoption of liquid biopsies in precision diagnostics." The iCAN Flagship Project provides an excellent setting to test the efficiency of the platform to detect cancer at different stages of disease, as well as in different cancer types. "We are thrilled to investigate the sensitivity of this novel technology to detect circulating cell-free tumour DNA initially in colorectal and lung cancer," said Tomi Makela, iCAN Executive Officer. "The partnership with Genomill aligns with iCAN's mission to leverage the iCAN Discovery Platform for contributions to diagnostic development and for meeting the evolving needs of cancer patients." About Genomill Genomill (Genomill Health Ltd) is a pioneering precision molecular diagnostics company with a mission to democratise the use of liquid biopsies for oncology and beyond. Genomill envisions a global impact on healthcare and diagnostics through its unique combination of technological innovations. Geno1, is a NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) Technology Platform intended for liquid biopsy players focused on distributed kits. It enables unprecedented improvements in costs, Turn-Around-Time (TAT) and performance. Genomill has a broad patent portfolio around Geno1 technology and was recently granted 1st US patent for the main workflow (USPTO No. 20220298569). About iCAN The iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine program is a public-private partnership and an Academy of Finland Flagship. The goal of iCAN is to combine deep molecular and genetic profiling with extensive longitudinal health data to accelerate discoveries and improve patient outcomes. iCAN aims to leverage novel breakthroughs to facilitate the implementation of precision cancer medicine and personalised cancer treatment. For further information: Kalle Koskinen Co-founder and CEO Genomill Tel: +358 (0)400 107 400 e-mail: [email protected] www.genomill.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/genomill-health/ Alexandra Gylfe Business Development Director iCAN email: [email protected] https://ican.fi https://www.linkedin.com/company/ican-digital-precision-cancer-medicine SOURCE Genomill DUBLIN, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Functional Genomics Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Product, Technology, Application, End User and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In 2022, the global functional genomics market was valued at $10.57 billion, and it is expected to reach $46.24 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 14.04% during the forecast period 2023-2033. The growth in the global functional genomics market is expected to be driven by its increased applications especially in targeted therapy and precision medicine. Market Lifecycle Stage Functional genomics is the study of genes and their interactions in different biological processes. The field aims to narrow down the candidate genes or regions from the entire genome that can be analyzed in detail to understand the working of various biological processes. The workings of individual components of a biological system including various interactions at the DNA, RNA, and proteins level is analyzed at the genotypic as well as the phenotypic level. The field is focused on the dynamics of gene products which can be at a specific developmental stage during a disease. Functional genomics is used to link phenotypes to genotypes using the study findings. According to BIS Research functional genomics products are used in DNA level (epigenomics), RNA level (transcriptomics), protein level (proteomics) or metabolite level (metabolomics). This includes all the products used in these fields' workflow before bioinformatics and data analysis. Together all these fields describe the transcripts, metabolites, and proteins of any biological system. The integration of all these pieces makes up the entire biological system that is being studied which makes up the field of functional genomics. Impact For instance, in May 2022 , Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. partnered with Qatar Foundation to develop a pan-Arab genotyping array. The intent behind this product launch was to be a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing and to provide greater diversity in genome-wide research studies under Qatar Genome Program. , Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. partnered with Qatar Foundation to develop a pan-Arab genotyping array. The intent behind this product launch was to be a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing and to provide greater diversity in genome-wide research studies under Qatar Genome Program. In September 2022 , Illumina Inc. introduced the NovaSeqX Series (NovaSeq X and NovaSeq X Plus), which are next-generation sequencers designed for large-scale production. With the capability to sequence over 20,000 genomes per year, this new technology offers unparalleled accuracy and scalability. Impact of COVID-19 In March 2019, the world was hit by a storm with the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which led to the entire world being shut down and everybody getting tested for the virus. As the amount of testing increased, it became important to increase the pace of testing as well. To do this, next-generation sequencers were set up at many clinical and diagnostic centers to sequence the genomes and transcriptomes of the virus as well as the infected patients to understand and procure treatments. Recently, NGS technologies are increasingly being used for clinical diagnosis. The overall popularity of NGS sequencing for genome and transcriptome sequencing was increased during COVID-19 because of its use in the detection of coronavirus by the methods such as SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, detection, and the detection of new viruses. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) both extended grant application deadlines, laid back reporting requirements, and offered flexibility on how the grant money is spent. The national government supported research work and offered medical researchers the flexibility to implement their skill set and knowledge in studying SARS-CoV-2. Due to this, the use of NGS during COVID-19 ended up increasing due to its use in COVID-19 testing. In fact, even now, after the pandemic has subsided the effect lingers and the use of sequencing instruments is not expected to go down but to keep increasing over the next decade enhancing the fields for epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics as well. Recent Developments in Global Functional Genomics Market In September 2022 , Thermo Fisher Scientific partnerered with the joint effort of Acdemia Sinica and multiple hospitals across the country, i.e., Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI) to advance the next phase of the large-scale predictive genomics study. The intent behind this partnership was to support its goal of genotyping 1 million people in Taiwan . TPMI reached the milestone of enrolling more than 500,000 participants in July, making it the largest study of its kind outside of the United States and Europe . , Thermo Fisher Scientific partnerered with the joint effort of Acdemia Sinica and multiple hospitals across the country, i.e., Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI) to advance the next phase of the large-scale predictive genomics study. The intent behind this partnership was to support its goal of genotyping 1 million people in . TPMI reached the milestone of enrolling more than 500,000 participants in July, making it the largest study of its kind outside of and . In March 2022 , Thermo Fisher Scientific collaborated with Symphogen and Servier to provide biopharmaceutical discovery and development laboratories with advanced tools and simplified processes for effective analysis of intricate therapeutic proteins, thereby supporting their research efforts. , Thermo Fisher Scientific collaborated with Symphogen and Servier to provide biopharmaceutical discovery and development laboratories with advanced tools and simplified processes for effective analysis of intricate therapeutic proteins, thereby supporting their research efforts. In July 2021 , Pacific Biosciences of California , Inc. has sighned a agreement to acquire Omniome. This acquitision is likley to expand the portfolio in epigenetics segments , Pacific Biosciences of , Inc. has sighned a agreement to acquire Omniome. This acquitision is likley to expand the portfolio in epigenetics segments In October 2022 , Oxford Nanopore Technologies introduced the new PromethION 2 (""P2"") Solo sequencer in the market. It is a high-yield sequencer that provides real-time whole genome sequencing, enabling more than just basic DNA analysis. With the capacity for comprehensive analysis of genetic variants, transcriptomic and epigenetic data on a single platform, this technology is aimed at driving scientific discovery to improve lives. , Oxford Nanopore Technologies introduced the new PromethION 2 (""P2"") Solo sequencer in the market. It is a high-yield sequencer that provides real-time whole genome sequencing, enabling more than just basic DNA analysis. With the capacity for comprehensive analysis of genetic variants, transcriptomic and epigenetic data on a single platform, this technology is aimed at driving scientific discovery to improve lives. In September 2022 , Illumina Inc. introduced the NovaSeqX Series (NovaSeq X and NovaSeq X Plus), which are next-generation sequencers designed for large-scale production. With the capability to sequence over 20,000 genomes per year, this new technology offers unparalleled accuracy and scalability. Demand - Drivers and Limitations The following are the demand drivers for the global functional genomics market: Integration of Multi-omics Approaches for Patient Stratification Increasing Popularity of Epigenetics Leading to Vast Usage Increased Technological Advancements and Government Initiatives in the Functional Genomics Ecosystem The market is expected to face some limitations too due to the following challenges: Limitation in Implementation of Data in Proteomics and Metabolomics Regulatory Compliance issues related to Functional Genomics Technology Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts, analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration. Key Companies Profiled Agilent Technologies, Inc. Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Danaher. (Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.) Exact Sciences Corporation F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Illumina, Inc. Merck KGaA MRM Proteomics Pacific Biosciences of California , Inc. , Inc. Promega Corporation QIAGEN Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Key Topics Covered: 1 Markets 2 Market Overview 3 Industry Insight 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Overview 4.2 Market Drivers 4.2.1 Integration of Multi-omics Approaches for Patient Stratification 4.2.2 Increasing Popularity of Epigenetics Leading to Vast Usage 4.2.3 Increased Technological Advancements and Government Initiatives in the Functional Genomics Ecosystem 4.3 Market Challenges 4.3.1 Limitations in Implementation of Data in Proteomics and Metabolomics 4.3.2 Regulatory Compliance Issues Related to Functional Genomics Technology 4.4 Market Opportunities 4.4.1 Upsurge in Proteomic Approaches in Biomarker Discovery 4.4.2 Rising Opportunities for Translational and Clinical Studies 5 Competitive Insight 5.1 Overview 5.2 Key Strategies and Developments 5.2.1 Synergistic Activities 5.2.2 Product Launches and Product Approvals 5.2.3 Expansions 5.2.4 Mergers and Acquisitions 5.2.5 Investments and Other Activities 5.3 Market Share Analysis (2022) 6 Global Functional Genomics Market (By Product), 2022-2033 6.1 Overview 6.1.1 Kits and Assays 6.1.2 Instruments 7 Global Functional Genomics Market (By Technology), 2022-2033 7.1 Overview 7.1.1 Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) 7.1.2 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 7.1.3 Microarray 7.1.4 Other Technologies 8 Global Functional Genomics Market (by Application), 2022-2033 8.1 Overview 8.2 Epigenomics 8.3 Transcriptomics 8.4 Proteomics 8.5 Metabolomics 9 Global Functional Genomics Market (by End User), 2022-2033 9.1 Overview 9.2 Academic and Research Institutions 9.3 Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical Companies 9.4 Other End Users (Hospitals, Clinics, and Diagnostic Labs) 10 Global Functional Genomics Market (By Region), 2022-2033 11 Company Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k716jb About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Texture Paint Market by Resin Type (Acrylic and Epoxy), Technology (Water Based, Solvent Based), Product Type (Interior and Exterior), Application (Residential and Non - Residential), & Region (Asia Pacific, Europe, North America - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The texture paint market size is projected to reach USD 16.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.4% from USD 12.5 billion in 2022. The water-based, by technology type segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the texture paint market in 2022. Water-based technology is estimated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Stringent environmental regulations and increased awareness of the harmful effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have driven the demand for water-based texture paint. Water-based formulations have lower VOC content compared to solvent-based alternatives, making them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. Water-based texture paint offers ease of application and cleanup compared to solvent-based alternatives. It can be applied using standard painting tools and techniques, and it can be cleaned with water, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals or solvents. This convenience attracts both professionals and DIY enthusiasts, contributing to the market growth. The North American texture paint market is expected to account for the second largest share in 2022. North America has seen a steady demand for texture paint, driven by residential and commercial construction, as well as the renovation and remodeling sectors. The market has been influenced by factors such as the growing preference for textured finishes, the need for surface protection, and the desire to hide imperfections. Additionally, the increasing focus on sustainable and eco-friendly products has also played a role in shaping the texture paint market in North America. China's texture paint market is projected to account for the largest share in 2022. China's growing construction sector, urbanization, and rising disposable income have all contributed to the country's texture paint market's expansion. The need for aesthetically pleasing and unique finishes in both residential and commercial environments drives the market for texture paint. Furthermore, the Chinese government's efforts to improve environmental regulations and encourage sustainable building practises have had an impact on the industry, with a greater emphasis on eco-friendly texture paint compositions. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Value Chain Analysis 5.3 Market Dynamics 5.3.1 Drivers 5.3.2 Restraints 5.3.3 Opportunities 5.3.4 Challenges 5.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.4.1 Threat of New Entrants 5.4.2 Threat of Substitutes 5.4.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.4.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.4.5 Degree of Competitive Rivalry 5.5 Key Stakeholders & Buying Criteria 5.6 Macroeconomic Indicators 5.6.1 Introduction 5.6.2 Gdp Trends and Forecast 5.7 Industry Trends 5.7.1 Trends and Forecast in End-Use Industry 5.8 Technology Analysis 5.9 Case Study Analysis 5.10 Pricing Analysis 5.10.1 Average Selling Price Trend by Region 5.10.2 Average Selling Price Trend by Segments 5.10.3 Average Selling Price of Key Players, by Application 5.11 Trade Data Statistics 5.12 Ecosystem and Interconnected Market 5.13 Trends/Disruption Impacting Buyers/Customers 5.14 Tariffs & Regulations Landscape and Standards 5.15 Regulatory Bodies, Government Agencies, and Other Organizations 5.16 Patent Analysis 5.16.1 Methodology 5.16.2 Publication Trends 5.16.3 Top Juridiction 5.16.4 Top Applicants 5.17 Key Conferences & Events in 2023-2024 6 Texture Paint Market, by Resin Type - Forecast Till 2028 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Acrylic 6.3 Others 7 Texture Paint Market, by Technology Type - Forecast Till 2028 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Water-Based 7.3 Solvent Based 8 Texture Paint Market, by Product Type - Forecast Till 2028 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Interior 8.3 Exterior 9 Texture Paint Market, by Application - Forecast Till 2028 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Residential 9.3 Non-Residential 10 Texture Paint Market, by Region - Forecast Till 2028 11 Competitive Landscape 12 Company Profile 12.1 Key Player 12.1.1 PPG Industries, Inc 12.1.2 Akzonobel N.V. 12.1.3 The Sherwin-Williams Company 12.1.4 Hempel Group 12.1.5 Asian Paints Limited 12.1.6 Nippon Paints Holdings Co., Ltd. 12.1.7 Kansai Paint Company Limited 12.1.8 Jotun A/S 12.1.9 Axalta Coating Systems 12.1.10 Sk Kaken Co., Ltd. 12.2 Other Companies 12.2.1 Tikkurila Oyj 12.2.2 Berger Paints 12.2.3 Kelly Moore Paints 12.2.4 Dunn-Edwards 12.2.5 Haymes Paints 12.2.6 Anvil Paints & Coatings 12.2.7 Spectrum Paints Limited 12.2.8 Crown Paints Limited. 12.2.9 Andura Coatings 12.2.10 Tnemec Co. Inc. 12.2.11 Saekyung Jolypate Co Ltd 12.2.12 Jiangmen City Crystone Paint Co., Ltd. 12.2.13 Retina Paints Pvt. Ltd. 12.2.14 Ultratech Texture Paints Pvt. Ltd. 12.2.15 Sirca Paints India Limited 13 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eybaow About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Hitachi Vantara joins Cisco's Solution Technology Integrator and Service Provider Partner programs to offer customers complete data solutions and best-in-class managed services SANTA CLARA, Calif. , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced two new global partnership agreements with Cisco. The agreements bring Hitachi Vantara into Cisco's Service Provider and Solution Technology Integrator (STI) partner programs, respectively, enabling Hitachi Vantara to seamlessly integrate Cisco technologies with its storage products and position the company as a leading data center infrastructure and hybrid cloud managed services provider. Click here to learn more about Hitachi Vantara's relationship with Cisco: Win in the data-driven world | Hitachi Vantara Many businesses are grappling with the complexities of data management and intelligence as they manage their expanding hybrid cloud footprints. According to IDC, 40% of companies will depend on multi-partner technology agreements by 2024 to address these concerns. Coinciding with the STI agreement, Hitachi Vantara now includes the Cisco UCS X-Series servers in its offerings to deliver a complete converged infrastructure (CI) solution. The server line becomes part of the "Cisco and Hitachi Adaptive Solutions" portfolio which pairs Cisco compute and networking with Hitachi Vantara's Energy Star-certified Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) to offer customers one of the most reliable, resilient and environmentally friendly IT infrastructure solutions on the market. The solution is now available for Hitachi Vantara customers, helping address a growing market need for converged data center infrastructure. As a member of Cisco's Service Provider program, Hitachi Vantara offers consumption-based managed services to Cisco customers looking for data center and hybrid cloud services. The services can help address a critical shortage of skilled workers in the IT industry, enabling enterprises to adopt new and emerging technologies more effectively and rely on a trusted organization in Hitachi Vantara to streamline their hybrid cloud operations. "Hitachi Vantara and Cisco have been trusted partners for more than two decades, and these agreements are important additions to the innovative relationship these global technology leaders have built," said Kimberly King, senior vice president of strategic partners and alliances at Hitachi Vantara. "Successful partners adjust to meet customers' needs, both for today and for the future, and these developments do just that by offering the data-driven solutions and services they need the most." "As customers seek to simplify their data center operations, providing converged infrastructure solutions with managed services capabilities from two trusted global vendors can help them reduce risk and optimize their business outcomes," said Nick Holden, vice president of global strategic partners and co-sell at Cisco. "Together, Hitachi Vantara and Cisco make it easier for customers to navigate complex hybrid data center and storage solutions." "We're seeing a clear shift in market dynamics and consumer preferences that calls for integrated solutions, particularly from industry leaders like Hitachi Vantara and Cisco," said Steve White, vice president of channels & alliances, IDC. "These types of alliances are crucial to address a growing list of enterprise challenges that include sustainable practices, solution complexities, governance and supply chain issues, among others." For more information about Hitachi Vantara's partner program, visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/partners/become-partner.html. Additional Resources Connect With Hitachi Vantara About Hitachi Vantara Hitachi Vantara, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., delivers the intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems, and digital expertise that supports more than 80% of the Fortune 100. To learn how Hitachi Vantara turns businesses from data-rich to data-driven through agile digital processes, products, and experiences, visit www.hitachivantara.com. About Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners. SOURCE Hitachi Vantara Corporation WESTCHESTER, Ill., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, June 19 from 2pm-6pm, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch will welcome the community and local officials to Memorial Park [639 N. Wolf Road in Hillside] for his second Annual Juneteenth and Father's Day Celebration. On Monday, June 19 from 2pm-6pm, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch will welcome the community and local officials to Memorial Park [639 N. Wolf Road in Hillside] for his second Annual Juneteenth and Fathers Day Celebration. "I am always excited to bring the community together," said Speaker Welch, who serves as the first African-American Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. "We plan to fellowship, celebrate, and honor our path to progress, freedom, and equality. Juneteenth is a reminder for me of how much each of us are still working to build the American Dream. It's an opportunity to celebrate our history and all that African-Americans have fought for and achieved. We are inviting community leaders, local businesses, families and friends, to join us for what is sure to be a fun and action-packed day of celebration." This Juneteenth event will feature over 30 local vendors and community service organizations, live performances by Chicago rising star, Nyla XO, the infamous Jesse White Tumblers, the soul stirring Ayodele Dance and Drum group, the Proviso West High School drumline, and more. In addition to the 7th District Senator and local Mayors, many statewide officials have also RSVP'd their attendance including: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. The Speaker's Juneteenth and Father's Day Celebration is free and open to the public. For questions or to find ways to support and join the celebration, email admin @HDemsIL.com or call 708.838.7010. About Democrats for the Illinois House: We are a political organization supporting Democrats for the Illinois House in fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity for all. Under the leadership of House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Democrats for Illinois House (DIH) is dedicated to promoting the excellent work of the caucus, protecting incumbents, winning competitive races, and serving Illinoisans with integrity. The Illinois House Democratic Caucus is one of the most diverse in the nation representing African-American (22), Latinx (11), Asian American (8), Women (42) and LGBTQ+ (2) members. DIH is committed to creating an environment across the state that is inclusive and welcoming to all people. SOURCE Democrats for the Illinois House TORONTO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") (TSX: HBM), (NYSE: HBM) and Copper Mountain Mining Corporation ("Copper Mountain") (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) are pleased to announce that the shareholders of both Hudbay and Copper Mountain have approved the resolutions required to consummate the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). At their respective special meetings of shareholders on June 13, 2023 (each, a "Meeting"), the resolutions were passed with the following results: Hudbay At the Meeting, the share issuance resolution required to consummate the Transaction was passed with the following voting results: Number of Votes FOR Number of Votes AGAINST Percentage of Votes FOR 173,883,694 277,212 99.84 % Copper Mountain At the Meeting, Copper Mountain shareholders supported the Transaction with the following voting resultsi: Number of Votes FOR Number of Votes AGAINST Percentage of Votes FOR 96,399,411 6,780,783 93.43 % i In addition, approximately 93.00% of Copper Mountain shareholders voted in favour of the Transaction, excluding the votes required to be excluded by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. "The overwhelming shareholder support solidifies the alignment of the Copper Mountain mine with Hudbay's strategic and financial objectives and the combined company is well-positioned to create meaningful value for all shareholders," said Peter Kukielski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudbay. Gil Clausen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Copper Mountain echoed this sentiment saying, "We are pleased with the strong endorsement by the company's shareholders indicating widespread support for the future of the combined company". Transaction Highlights The combination of Hudbay and Copper Mountain is on-strategy with strong industrial logic that will offer both sets of shareholders compelling benefits, as highlighted below: Scale A larger-scale platform with three long-life operating mines with exploration and expansion upside, three large-scale development projects and one of the largest mineral resource bases among intermediate copper producers; A larger-scale platform with three long-life operating mines with exploration and expansion upside, three large-scale development projects and one of the largest mineral resource bases among intermediate copper producers; Diversification A geographically balanced portfolio in tier-one mining jurisdictions with approximately 55% of net asset value i ("NAV") estimated to be from North American assets and 45% of NAV estimated to be from South American assets; A geographically balanced portfolio in tier-one mining jurisdictions with approximately 55% of net asset value ("NAV") estimated to be from North American assets and 45% of NAV estimated to be from South American assets; Copper-Focused A copper-focused portfolio with expected 2023 copper production of more than 150,000 tonnes in the second quartile position on the copper cost curve ii , complemented by meaningful gold production; A copper-focused portfolio with expected 2023 copper production of more than 150,000 tonnes in the second quartile position on the copper cost curve , complemented by meaningful gold production; Efficiencies An estimated US$30 million iii per year of operating efficiencies and corporate synergies, including approximately US$20 million per year from operating cost reductions through the application of Hudbay's operating efficiency practices to the Copper Mountain mine; An estimated per year of operating efficiencies and corporate synergies, including approximately per year from operating cost reductions through the application of Hudbay's operating efficiency practices to the Copper Mountain mine; Deleveraging Well-positioned for accelerated deleveraging in the near-term from increased diversification of cash flows and enhanced exposure to rising copper prices; Well-positioned for accelerated deleveraging in the near-term from increased diversification of cash flows and enhanced exposure to rising copper prices; Capital Allocation An ability to maximize value from a larger organic growth pipeline by more efficiently allocating capital to projects that yield the highest risk-adjusted returns; the combined company's greater cash flow generation and strong balance sheet will enhance the ability to advance brownfield expansion opportunities and prudently develop Hudbay's Copper World project in Arizona , which will deliver meaningful growth to the combined company; and An ability to maximize value from a larger organic growth pipeline by more efficiently allocating capital to projects that yield the highest risk-adjusted returns; the combined company's greater cash flow generation and strong balance sheet will enhance the ability to advance brownfield expansion opportunities and prudently develop Hudbay's Copper World project in , which will deliver meaningful growth to the combined company; and Valuation Re-rating Potential The strategic and financial benefits from the Transaction ultimately position the combined company for a valuation re-rating. Transaction Effective Date In addition to shareholder approvals received, the Transaction is subject to final court approval and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. The Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the listing of the Hudbay common shares to be issued in connection with the Transaction, and the requisite regulatory approval for the Transaction under the Competition Act (Canada) has been obtained. It is currently anticipated that the effective date of the Transaction will occur on or about June 20, 2023. As of the effective date, each Copper Mountain shareholder (other than any dissenting Copper Mountain shareholders) will receive 0.381 of a Hudbay share for each Copper Mountain share or Copper Mountain CDI held. As a result of the Transaction, Copper Mountain will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hudbay. Further Information For further information regarding the Transaction, please refer to the joint management information circular (the "Circular") filed by Hudbay and Copper Mountain. The Circular is available on SEDAR under each company's profile at www.sedar.com, under Hudbay's profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, under Copper Mountain's profile on the ASX at www.asx.com.au, on Hudbay's website at https://www.hudbayminerals.com and on Copper Mountain's website at http://www.cumtn.com. About Hudbay Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a diversified mining company with long-life assets in North and South America. The company's Constancia operations in Cusco (Peru) produce copper with gold, silver and molybdenum by-products. Its Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) produce gold with copper, zinc and silver by-products. Hudbay has an organic pipeline that includes the Copper World project in Arizona and the Mason project in Nevada (United States), and its growth strategy is focused on the exploration, development, operation, and optimization of properties it already controls, as well as other mineral assets it may acquire that fit its strategic criteria. The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has are embodied in its purpose statement: "We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities." Hudbay's mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging our core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations. Further information about Hudbay can be found on www.hudbay.com. About Copper Mountain Copper Mountain owns 75% of the Copper Mountain Mine, which is located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain Mine produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent on average per year. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol "C6C". Additional information is available on Copper Mountain's web page at www.CuMtn.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Hudbay's and Copper Mountain's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements with respect to the consummation and timing of the Transaction; timing of the consummation of the Transaction; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction; the strengths, characteristics and potential of the Transaction; growth potential and expectations regarding the timing, receipt and anticipated effects of court and other consents and approvals; non-withdrawal of regulatory approvals; the impact of the Transaction on shareholders of Hudbay and Copper Mountain and other stakeholders and other anticipated benefits of the Transaction. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongst others, risks related to failure to receive the required court approval and other consents and approvals to effect the Transaction, the potential of a third party making a superior proposal to the Transaction, the possibility that the definitive arrangement agreement could be terminated under certain circumstances. Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among other things, include: business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of copper or certain other commodities; change in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Hudbay and Copper Mountain undertake no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on the information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. ____________________________________ i NAV is based on analyst consensus estimates. ii Based on Wood Mackenzie's 2023 by-product C1 copper cost curve (Q4 2022 dataset). iii Pre-tax annual synergies achieved over the course of 3 years. SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation MINNEAPOLIS, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Venture Group LLC , a venture capital firm formed to fund Black, Latino and Indigenous technology entrepreneurs, announced today that The Huntington National Bank (Huntington) made a $3 million commitment to its inaugural fund. Brown Venture Group, which is a majority Black-led organization, was founded in 2018 with the goal of raising $50 million to invest in entrepreneurs of color who in the past have not had access to venture capital and have experienced economic barriers to contribution. Huntington's commitment to Brown Venture Group was led by its Corporate Ventures team, which is focused on developing and executing partnerships, investments and new ventures that accelerate the momentum of Huntington's business segments. Huntington has a long history of supporting small businesses and is the nation's largest originator by volume of Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans for the fifth consecutive year. "We are excited to partner with Huntington as they support underfunded and undervalued minority entrepreneurs," said Brown Venture Group Co-Founder and Managing Partner Dr. Paul Campbell. "We look forward to unlocking the upside opportunity for a group of under-resourced innovators and founders who are still getting less than 1% of venture capital dollars three years after the racial reckoning that started right here in Minneapolis." "A key part of our purpose at Huntington is helping businesses thrive, so we are honored to partner with Brown Venture Group and support its mission to help minority tech entrepreneurs bring their vision to life," added Darrel German, Minnesota regional president for Huntington. "All of our collective efforts are about building more vibrant, diverse and successful communities for all." Brown Venture Group has invested in 26 technology startups in various industries including clean energy, fintech, health tech and software across the country. In addition, the venture capital fund has forged important inclusive collaborations with NASA, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (a partnership driven by the Pro Bono Advisory Council ) and tribal governments nationwide. About Brown Venture Group Launched in 2018, Brown Venture Group, LLC, is a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latino and Indigenous technology startups. Brown Venture Group is writing a new playbook for both those interested in launching a minority-owned technology startup and those interested in investing in new technologies. For more information go to brownventuregroup.com. About Huntington Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $189 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middlemarket businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates more than 1,000 branches in 11 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit Huntington.com for more information. SOURCE Brown Venture Group Hyundai Hope, Patrick Hyundai, and [email protected] Employee Resource Group Donate to the Infant Supply Drive Families Received a Child Safety Seat Check at Busse Woods Forest Preserve ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago hosted a child safety seat check at this year's Move for Kids walk and rally for patients, families, and neighbors at Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The event is part of the partnership previously announced in February as Hyundai continues its support of the hospital's Buckle Up Child Passenger Safety Program. Hyundai Hosts Child Safety Seat Event with Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 46 percent of car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly or improperly used. Research shows that properly buckling up children in safety seats is lifesaving, reducing the risk of serious and fatal injuries by 80 percent. At the Move for Kids event, families received free child safety seat checks, where certified technicians inspected for expiration dates, manufacturer recalls, and proper fit for the children. Some families even received replacement seats if needed. Additionally, Hyundai Hope, the corporate social responsibility initiative for Hyundai Motor America, Patrick Hyundai, and the [email protected] employee resource group donated $10,000 and supplies to the infant supply drive for the hospital, supporting families in need. "Hyundai values its relationships with numerous children's hospitals across the country to help educate families on the importance of child seat safety," said Brian Latouf, global chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor Company. "At Hyundai, we are committed to offering technologies and systems that help keep drivers, passengers, and other road users safe. Programs with leading partners like Lurie Children's play a vital role in educating the community on the correct installation of car seats and important safety practices when driving with children." Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. www.luriechildrens.org The Buckle Up Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Program strives to reduce the number of motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities among children in Chicago through community education and behavior change. Through monthly car seat workshops and car seat inspection stations as well as a network of over 15 community partners, the Buckle Up Program provides car seat education, car seat installation assistance, and low-cost car seats to at-risk families. Buckle Up Program | Lurie Children's (luriechildrens.org) Hyundai Hope Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principal of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Idemitsu Renewables, a leading renewable energy developer, announced today the signing of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sonoma Clean Power Authority, the not-for-profit, community-based electricity provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing clean energy generation and sustainability in the region. Solar and storage image Under the terms of the PPA, Idemitsu Renewables will supply Sonoma Clean Power with renewable energy, storage capacity and related attributes from its 84 MWp solar and 38 MW / 152 MWh battery energy storage project ("Azalea"). The Azalea project is located in Kern County and is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2025. The agreement solidifies a commitment to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition towards a cleaner energy future. "We are delighted to partner with Sonoma Clean Power to deliver clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity to the community," said Cary Vandenberg, CEO of Idemitsu Renewables. "This agreement represents a significant step forward in our shared vision of decarbonizing the energy serving Sonoma Clean Power's service territory." Sonoma Clean Power, as a pioneer in the Community Choice Aggregation model, has been at the forefront of championing renewable energy solutions in California. Through this partnership, Sonoma Clean Power will further enhance its renewable energy portfolio, ensuring a diverse and resilient energy supply for its customers. "This project will allow us to continue offering our customers electricity that is more than 50% renewable and competitively priced, while also adding a substantial amount of reliability through battery storage. We are excited to partner with Idemitsu Renewables to utilize more in-state renewable power with fewer greenhouse gas emissions," said Deb Emerson, Managing Director of Power Procurement at Sonoma Clean Power. The new PPA represents a significant addition to Idemitsu Renewables' renewable energy portfolio and further solidifies its position as a leader in sustainable energy solutions. The collaboration between Idemitsu Renewables and Sonoma Clean Power sets an example for other communities and organizations seeking to accelerate their transition to renewable energy sources. About Idemitsu Renewables: Idemitsu Renewables, the U.S. based renewable energy subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd., is a leading solar and energy storage developer and independent power producer. The company acquires, develops, owns, and operates utilityscale solar power generation plants throughout North America and has offices in California and Nevada. Idemitsu Renewables operates utility-scale solar facilities and has an extensive solar and storage pipeline across the nation. Learn more at www.idemitsurenewables.com. About Sonoma Clean Power: Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is the public power provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties, serving about half a million people. In downtown Santa Rosa, SCP operates the only Advanced Energy Center in the United States dedicated to helping customers transition to 100% renewable energy for their homes, businesses, and vehicles. SCP is also the only power provider in California offering 100% renewable electricity twenty-four hours per day, every day of the year. To learn more, visit sonomacleanpower.org or call 1 (855) 202-2139. SOURCE Idemitsu Renewables CHICAGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With technological developments, integration with IoT and upcoming technologies like AR/VR, and industry-specific applications, the Indoor Location Market has a bright future. The market will be shaped by data analytics, privacy concerns, the introduction of 5G, and edge computing, which will enable better consumer engagement, navigation, and operational efficiency across a variety of industries. The Indoor Location Market is projected to grow from USD 10.9 billion in 2023 to USD 29.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 22.3% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The demand for indoor location solutions is anticipated to rise as a result of the growing number of applications powered by BLE tags and beacons. Browse in-depth TOC on "Indoor Location Market" 250 - Tables 55 - Figures 300 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=989 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2017-2028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD) Million/Billion Segments covered By Offering, application, technology, vertical, and regions Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America Companies covered Zebra Technologies Corporation (US), Cisco (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), HPE (US), Apple (US), Esri (US), Acuity Brands(US), Inpixon(US), HERE Technologies (US), HID Global (US), CenTrak (US), Sonitor (Norway), Ubisense (UK), infsoft (Germany), Polaris Wireless (US), Quuppa (Finland), Securitas Healthcare (US), Navigine (US), Blueiot (China), Kontakt.io (US), AiRISTA (US), InnerSpace (Canada), Syook (India), Oriient (Israel), Navenio (England), Situm (Spain), Pozyx (Belgium), Azitek (Portugal), and Mapxus (China). Based on offerings, the hardware segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. The hardware segment includes beacons, sensors, tags, gateways, fixed readers, and Wi-Fi access points. A rise in the demand for BLE, sensors, and Wi-Fi technologies among users to determine the location within the building has influenced vendors to develop indoor location hardware. The satellite navigation system GPS has limitations for locating people or objects inside buildings due to signal loss. Emerging technologies like beacons and BLE could generate research data to create personalized, relevant, real-time experiences that lead to enhanced targeting and conversion. Companies such as Zebra Technologies, Inpixon, Cisco, Apple, infsoft, Ubisense, and Sonitor offer various indoor location hardware for customers with advanced technologies to track and locate people and objects and increase customer experience. Based on technology, ultra-wideband is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. UWB is an impulse, baseband, and carrier-free technology that transmits very low-duration pulses with a small power spectral density. It has an access range between 3.1 GHz and 10.6 GHz. This excessive bandwidth gives information rates for the conversion of data for decision-making. Infsoft offers an indoor tracking solution that helps manufacturers track goods with high accuracy so that it is possible to identify the exact shelf on a high rack on which the searched item can be found. The goods' locations can be viewed on a digital map anytime. This, in turn, results in reduced search times, ideal warehousing, and efficient process management. Based on application, the sales and marketing segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. Practitioners and businesses looking to enhance the shopping experience for customers to increase sales and profitability have given indoor positioning systems a lot of attention. Geofencing is used for marketing at trade exhibitions, airports, train stations, and retail malls for sales and marketing optimization. Based on their interests and behaviors, users can give anonymous tags. For instance, Walkbase, a Finnish startup, offers a retail solution that evaluates the effectiveness of marketing campaigns indoors and the ensuing sales conversion. It investigates consumer behavior when they enter a store. As a result, it is easier for shops to create different campaigns that consider a customer's inside trip. Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=989 Based on region, Asia Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific has witnessed advanced and dynamic adoption of new technologies and is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The large population and developing infrastructure are the major factors contributing to the growth of the Indoor Location Market in Asia Pacific. The rapid rise in technology adoption across verticals for enhancing customers' and visitors' experience is driving the growth of indoor locations solutions in the region. Asia Pacific constitutes major countries, including China, India, Japan, and the Rest of Asia Pacific, which are increasingly contributing toward developing indoor tracking, people and asset tracking, location analytics, and indoor navigation solutions in the Indoor Location Market. Verticals such as transportation and logistics, media, manufacturing, government & public offices, and retail are leading the race in terms of indoor location solutions adoption in Asia Pacific. Top Key Companies in Indoor Location Market: The major vendors covered in the Indoor Location Market include Zebra Technologies (US), Cisco (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), HPE (US), Apple (US), Esri (US), Acuity Brands(US), Inpixon(US), HERE Technologies (US), HID Global (US), CenTrak (US), Sonitor (Norway), Ubisense (UK), infsoft (Germany), Polaris Wireless (US), Quuppa (Finland), Securitas Healthcare (US), Navigine (US), Blueiot (China), Kontakt.io (US), AiRISTA (US), InnerSpace (Canada), Syook (India), Oriient (Israel), Navenio (England), Situm (Spain), Pozyx (Belgium), Azitek (Portugal), and Mapxus (China). Recent Developments: In January 2023 , Apple launched Apple Business Connect. Apple Maps gained a new tool Apple Business Connect: It will now allow business owners to update and manage their own information on the platform, including key details like business hours and location, photos, logos, special offers and promotions, and more. , Apple launched Apple Business Connect. Apple Maps gained a new tool Apple Business Connect: It will now allow business owners to update and manage their own information on the platform, including key details like business hours and location, photos, logos, special offers and promotions, and more. In April 2022 , Google partnered with Oriient, to create a joint offering for in-store navigation and proximity marketing. , Google partnered with Oriient, to create a joint offering for in-store navigation and proximity marketing. In January 2022 , Cisco acquired Opsani. The acquisition will further enable Cisco AppDynamics to grow its product and engineering team and expand its platform's capabilities. , Cisco acquired Opsani. The acquisition will further enable Cisco AppDynamics to grow its product and engineering team and expand its platform's capabilities. In January 2022 , HERE launched Indoor Map as a service: a one-stop shop for indoor mapping solutions that includes indoor map data, routing, and positioning, all available through the HERE SDK and seamlessly connected with its base map. Indoor Location Market Advantages: In interior settings like airports, retail centres, and hospitals, indoor location technology offer precise real-time positioning information. This makes it easier for people to move around intricate indoor surroundings, locate particular points of interest, and get where they're going. It improves the user experience, lessens annoyance, and saves time. Solutions for indoor locations are essential for improving safety and security in indoor areas. They make it possible to track and monitor resources, employees, and visitors in real-time. Indoor location technologies assist in promptly locating persons in need of assistance, guiding emergency responders to the exact area, and ensuring a prompt and coordinated reaction in emergency circumstances such as fires or other accidents. Businesses can get useful information about client behaviour, preferences, and movement patterns inside their facilities thanks to indoor location solutions. Delivering personalised marketing messages, focused promotions, and specialised recommendations are all possible with the use of this data. Businesses may increase customer engagement, boost revenue, and boost general customer happiness by knowing the requirements and interests of their customers. The use of indoor location solutions can increase operational effectiveness and optimise resource use. For instance, indoor location systems may manage and monitor inventory, assets, and equipment in sizable warehouses or industrial facilities, resulting in streamlined operations and less downtime. These technologies can improve store layout planning, inventory management, and personnel deployment in retail settings. It is possible to analyse the data produced by indoor location technology to learn important things about customer behaviour, business operations, and facility management. Businesses may make wise decisions, spot areas for development, and streamline processes by analysing patterns and trends. These suggestions can be useful for improving workflow, utilising space more effectively, and managing crowds. Report Objectives To determine and forecast the global Indoor Location Market by offering (hardware, solutions, and services), application, technology, vertical and region from 2023 to 2028, and analyze the various macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that affect the market growth. To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America , and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). , , (APAC), , and the and (MEA). To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of the Indoor Location Market. To analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall Indoor Location Market. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the Indoor Location Market. To profile the key market players; provide a comparative analysis on the basis of business overviews, regional presence, product offerings, business strategies, and key financials; and illustrate the competitive landscape of the market. In the market, track and analyze competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, product developments, partnerships and collaborations, and Research and Development (R&D) activities. Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: AIoT Platforms Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Smart City Platforms Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Natural Disaster Detection IoT Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Smart Railways Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Perimeter Security Market - Global Forecast to 2027 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. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/indoor-positioning-navigation-ipin-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/indoor-location.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Ready-to-drink, compact and shelf-stable Frazy Bottles follow the success of Frazy Cups, expanding Frazy's delicious options for consumers who want cafe and bar-quality drinks delivered to their door SAN JOSE, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frazy , a cafe and bar-quality custom beverage startup, today announced the launch of Frazy Bottles , 2.75 oz. concentrated versions of ready-to-drink, highly-customized specialty coffees delivered in compact, shelf-stable bottles straight to your door, complete with a complimentary frother. Available as a six-pack or twelve-pack, the directions are simple: pour, add hot or cold water, mix and enjoy. View a short video about Frazy Bottles here . Frazy Bottles are a compact, shelf-stable version of our delicious drinks so consumers can enjoy them on-the-go anytime. Tweet this Frazy Bottles are 2.75 oz. concentrated versions of ready-to-drink, highly-customized specialty coffees delivered in compact, shelf-stable bottles straight to your door. Available as a six-pack or twelve-pack, the directions are simple: pour, add hot or cold water, mix and enjoy. Available in 12 different flavors, Frazy Bottles are portable, specialty coffees with customized ingredients drink straight or add water and/or the provided milk powder (if applicable), and froth for a full-bodied, 8 oz. drink. Customers select and order the kind of coffee they want, the caffeine level, the type of milk (whole, almond, oat, coconut, etc.), the sweetness level, and anything else that makes it uniquely theirs including their name on the Frazy Bottles. Frazy Bottles are portable, specialty coffees with customized ingredients drink straight or add water and/or the provided milk powder (if applicable), and froth for a full-bodied, 8 oz. drink. Top-selling flavors include Vanilla Latte, Caramel Macchiato and Vietnamese Coffee. Customers select and order the kind of coffee they want, the caffeine level, the type of milk (whole, almond, oat, coconut, etc.), the sweetness level, and anything else that makes it uniquely theirs including their name on the Frazy Bottles to personalize them further. Additional flavors include Chai Tea Latte, White Chocolate Mocha, Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Mocha, Hazelnut Latte, Almond Latte, Lavender Vanilla Latte, English Toffee Latte and Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte. Easy to take on the go, prices start at $24.99 per six-pack or approximately $4 per bottle. Frazy has already seen early success with their Frazy Cups 8 oz. frozen coffees, bobas, teas or mocktails shipped directly to consumers and ready to be thawed or heated up and savored. Frazy Cups offer more than 150 flavors to choose from, along with tapioca jellies in the boba, the type of milk and caffeine level in the coffee, and the garnishes for the mocktails. Customers can also choose to personalize their Frazy Cups with their name. Frazy Cups are created by local cafes, boba shops and bartenders, then flash frozen to capture their freshness, neatly packed with dry ice and shipped directly to consumers. Prices start at $4.99 per cup, with discounts available when ordering six and twelve-packs. Consumers can order customized Frazy Bottles and Frazy Cups, either for themself or as a gift, at GetFrazy.com . "Frazy Bottles are the perfect companion to our Frazy Cups," said founder and CEO Balaji Krishnan, who also founded Displace , the world's first truly wireless TV. "Getting the exact drink that you enjoy most usually requires a trip to your favorite coffee shop, boba shop, tea house or bar. With Frazy Cups, we bring the baristas and bartenders to your door. Our customers asked us to create a compact, shelf-stable version of our delicious drinks so they can enjoy them on the go and we listened. We believe Frazy Bottles give consumers the most convenient and flavorful option whether they're looking for a quick jolt or something to enjoy at the end of a long day." Order customized Frazy Bottles today at https://bottles.getfrazy.com or Frazy Cups at https://getfrazy.com . About Frazy Frazy produces highly-customized, cafe and bar-quality beverages Frazy Cups and Frazy Bottles delivered straight to customers' doors. Frazy Cups are highly-customizable, 8 oz. frozen coffees, bobas, teas and mocktails shipped to your door. With over 150 flavors to choose from, customers can choose everything the tapioca jellies in the boba, milk type, caffeine level, sweetness level, and the garnishes for the mocktails. The drinks are flash-frozen in the Frazy Cups to capture their freshness and shipped directly to your door. Simply thaw or heat up, and Frazy Cups are ready to sip and savor. Frazy Bottles are highly customizable, specialty coffee concentrates available in compact 2.75 oz., shelf-stable bottles delivered as a six or twelve-pack straight to your doorstep. Available in several flavors, customers select the coffee they want, the milk type, caffeine level, sweetness level, and anything else that makes it uniquely theirs. Frazy Bottles can either be drunk straight or mixed with a cup of hot or cold water to create a rich, delicious beverage. Founded in 2022 by six-time serial entrepreneur Balaji Krishnan, Frazy is a privately-held company based in San Jose, California. Follow Frazy on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . SOURCE Frazy LAS VEGAS, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InventHelp's V.I.B.E., the Virtual Invention Browsing Experience, will be exhibiting at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Licensing Expo makes its annual return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The show floor is open to attendees from June 13-15th, 2023. InventHelp's V.I.B.E. will exhibit among brands including Mattel, Crayola, Hasbro, NASCAR, Pokemon, and more. InventHelp's V.I.B.E. will exhibit at Licensing Expo among brands including Mattel, Crayola, Hasbro, Pokemon, and more. Tweet this Qualifying companies who enter V.I.B.E. can review InventHelp client invention ideas in confidence. V.I.B.E utilizes large touchscreens to present inventions as 3D models or images along with invention descriptions. These state-of-the-art viewing stations allow business representatives to enjoy privacy and comfort as they review InventHelp client inventions that are available for licensing or sale. iHeart Radio and InventHelp have teamed up to provide this year's qualifying companies who enter V.I.B.E. the chance to win 2 free tickets including airfare to the iHeart Radio Musical Festival happening in September 2023. Attendees can hear from InventHelp President, Robert Susa and Intromark Managing Director, Ronny Smith discuss the benefits of bridging invention with brand licensing on Tuesday June 14th at 12:20 PM at booth #J182. The session will be followed by Speed Painting with Rick Alonso. On Tuesday, June 13th from 1:30 pm-2:30 pm, visitors can "meet the experts" at the Round-Table Sessions on the Licensing Expo Main Stage. Attendees will once again have the chance to hear from Susa and Smith as they discuss the Invention Service Industry. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see content from the show. CONTACT: Maria Jones, [email protected] SOURCE InventHelp Novel study is investigating dysregulation of the complement system during standard hemodialysis therapy in relation to patient health outcomes. GLASGOW, Scotland, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Invizius Limited ("Invizius"), a biotechnology company developing second generation therapies for a range of complement-driven autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, is pleased to announce that it has recruited its 300th patient to the 'Angry Blood' study. This is a significant milestone in its novel kinetic study to identify patients with elevated complement responses during haemodialysis (HD), so-called 'angry blood,' who may have a high risk of serious cardiovascular complications, the major cause of mortality in HD patients. Angry blood occurs in 20% of patients undergoing HD, making them more susceptible to heart disease, risk of stroke, damage to blood vessels and a very poor patient prognosis. During HD, blood interacts with the biomaterials of the HD circuit. This interaction activates the complement system, which plays a key role in the innate immune response but, when dysregulated, contributes to the development of numerous diseases. The 525-patient study aims to assess 'complement activation' during HD in patients with end stage renal failure, and its link to the patient's risk of serious complications during dialysis. Dialysis patients from collaborating centres across the Northwest, in the UK at the Royal Preston Hospital, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Royal Infirmary, will be participating in the ongoing evaluation study. This will enable Invizius to stratify the patient population in preparation for the upcoming First-in-Human clinical study of H-Guard Priming Solution. Subject to approvals by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Ethics, the First-in-Human study of H-Guard will commence mid-year, 2023. The study will be led by Professor Sandip Mitra and Co-investigators Dr Duha Ilyas and Dr Leonard Ebah from the Manchester Royal Infirmary and is taking place at the Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). H-Guard Priming Solution is a highly potent second generation complement regulator which coats the dialysis filter and tubing during the priming process. This is designed to suppress complement activation on the extracorporeal circuit's surfaces by recruiting and enhancing the patient's own, natural complement modulator, Factor H, whilst still allowing effective infection control. Richard Boyd, Chief Executive Officer of Invizius, said: "We are delighted with the progress of this unique, smart clinical study which will allow us to identify patients for our First-in-Human clinical study of H-Guard. H-Guard has the potential to address the serious complement-driven complications of haemodialysis. By stratifying patients and treating those most at risk, we can ensure H-Guard's efficacy while reducing cost- and time-to-market." Dr Andy Herbert, Chief Technology Officer, commented: "We are only halfway through our 'Angry Blood' study but the kinetic data on complement and immune activation we are obtaining is providing valuable insights into the problems faced by a number of dialysis patients. Complement activation is one of the fastest and most powerful biological responses known and collecting kinetic samples at this scale has never been attempted before. Therefore, we are getting a unique insight into what is happening to patients with 'Angry Blood' and how H-Guard may operate in the clinic." The 'Angry Blood" study name is CompAct-HD: "Investigating biomarkers of Complement Activation in patients during HaemoDialysis." About Invizius Invizius is developing a portfolio of second generation complement therapies to address a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Invizius' proprietary approach was born out of over ten years of research by Dr Andy Herbert into how pathogenic microbes evade the human complement system. The novel mechanism of action enhances the activity of the body's own complement regulators to effectively downregulate autoimmune responses while maintaining antimicrobial protection. The approach of regulating, rather than inhibiting, complement should confer higher patient safety and effectiveness compared to first generation complement therapies. The lead product, H-Guard, addresses serious complement-driven complications of haemodialysis, and enables additional indications in other extra-corporeal treatments (ECMO, cardiopulmonary bypass). A second development targets fibrotic complications of peritoneal dialysis, and the company intends to expand development to treat other complement-driven diseases and disorders. The company is working with Key Opinion Leaders from University of Manchester NHS Trust, Karolinska Institutet, University of Heidelberg, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Oxford, and University of Strathclyde. It is backed by Mercia, Downing, Calculus, and Solvay, a corporate VC. Other investors include Edinburgh University's Old College Capital fund, Scottish Enterprise, and well-known life science investor, Dr Jonathan Milner. For more information on Invizius, please visit: www.invizius.com SOURCE Invizius Company Hosts Its Seventh Consecutive All-Employee Day of Safety OMAHA, Neb., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet Linx, the only locally-focused private jet management and Jet Card company in the world, today completes its seventh consecutive Safety Summit, with more than 550 team members learning and leading together nationwide as part of the Company's unwavering dedication to improving its industry-leading Safety Management System (SMS). Since hosting its first Safety Summit in 2017, Jet Linx remains the only air carrier in the United States to voluntarily ground its fleet of over 100 aircraft and cease retail flight operations for a full business day, enabling all team members in all roles and positions to assemble for the examination and improvement of safety practices and standards at the Company and for the aviation industry at large. The Safety Summit was conducted by Jet Linx's executive leadership team, as well as key authorities in the industry, to assess and advance all safety protocols, standards and practices. Presented under the theme of "5 to Fly: Shining a Light on Safety," the seventh annual Safety Summit included an annual safety performance review, keynote addresses on stress management and high-performance execution strategy, as well as cyber security and other case studies relating to aviation safety. "Our 5 to Fly initiative, a checklist system developed as a result of discussions at a previous Safety Summit event, focuses on critical details for each Jet Linx department to further ensure the safest of operations. This year's theme, '5 to Fly: Shining a Light on Safety,' serves as a powerful reminder of that program and of our unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of safety in every aspect of our operations," said Jamie Walker, President and CEO at Jet Linx. "The Safety Summit provides a platform for our team to come together, exchange knowledge, and reinforce our shared responsibility to safeguard our clients, team members, and aircraft." Keynote speakers included Anthony "AB" Bourke, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and CEO and Founder of Mach 2 Consulting; Susan Sawatzky, President of In-Scope Solutions, an industrial psychologist who specializes in fatigue management and psychological health and safety in the workplace; and Mike Folkerts, Regional Air Safety Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. Bourke accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours in high-performance aircraft, flying tactical missions across the globe and was one of the first pilots to fly in homeland defense efforts in the aftermath of September 11th. In a keynote presentation, Bourke used his tactical knowledge and vast business management experience to explain how teams can reach peak performance and solve complex problems quickly by developing a feedback system to ensure continuous improvement. "I have watched the growth and success of Jet Linx since 1999," Bourke stated. "They are true professionals who are committed to their clients' needs and safety. I look forward to continuing to help them build on their culture of continuous improvement." Sawatzky is well known for her engaging seminars and systematic approach to supporting clients in "the people part of safety." Her international speaking and consulting work includes notable clients such as NASA. Folkert's experience as a senior air safety investigator for the last 11 years included a case study on the infamous helicopter crash involving Kobe Bryant. "From what I have seen, Jet Linx is ahead of many in the industry in terms of addressing safety concerns and looking at risks not often addressed, such as mental health and wellness," noted Sawatsky. Folkert also noted the progressive and thoughtful approach of the Safety Summit, commenting, "I am honored to have the opportunity to address the Jet Linx group of aviation professionals. The Company's willingness to devote significant resources toward this forum highlights a strong commitment to safety, as gatherings like this are a fantastic way to share perspectives and best practices that will extend its already impressive safety culture. I'm very excited to contribute to the dialogue and eager to absorb the valuable insights." The Company's ongoing efforts to bolster safety in all aspects of operations earned Jet Linx selection as the first operator worldwide to receive ARGUS's (Aviation Research Group United States) new Platinum Elite safety ranking in 2021, the aviation industry's first continuous monitoring evaluation system. The Company recently celebrated its WYVERN Wingman PRO certification, adding to existing IS-BAO Stage 3 and ARGUS Platinum Elite top safety ratings, making Jet Linx the first and only operator in the aviation industry to receive elite ratings from all three major third-party auditors. "Safety is not just a checkbox at Jet Linx; our Safety Management System remains at the forefront of our every decision and our communications, which allows us to continue to offer the best private jet travel experience in the industry. The Safety Summit also serves as an opportunity to recommit to always doing the right thing, which is engrained in our organization's cultural identity," said RD Johnson, Jet Linx Vice President of Safety. For more information on Jet Linx safety culture, visit http://www.jetlinx.com or download the Safety as a Principle: the Jet Linx Safety Culture Whitepaper. About Jet Linx Aviation Jet Linx Aviation is a locally-focused private jet company founded in Omaha, NE in 1999 as a more personalized approach to national private jet companies. Jet Linx offers three different ways to experience private aviation a guaranteed Jet Card, Joint Ownership, and Aircraft Management program providing its clients with an all-encompassing, local solution to all of their private jet travel needs. Jet Linx is an IS-BAO Stage 3, ARGUS Platinum Elite and Wyvern Wingman PRO safety rated operator, an accomplishment earned by less than one percent of all aircraft operators in the world. In 2019, Jet Linx became the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star trained and accredited private aviation company in the world. In addition to establishing the independent global rating system's preeminent and unparalleled service standards for the in-flight experience, Jet Linx also collaborated with Forbes Travel Guide to develop their own customized, proprietary Jet Linx standards of service excellence. Jet Linx is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and has Base locations in Atlanta, Austin, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Omaha, San Antonio, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Tulsa and Washington D.C. For additional information, please visit the Jet Linx website (www.jetlinx.com). SOURCE Jet Linx Aviation, LLC Since its inaugural year in 2021, Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has been on track to donate up to $15 million by the end of 2026 to expand access to educational programs in the HVAC, fire, security and digital disciplines. The program engages students from historically underrepresented groups and supports them in preparing for and embarking on career paths in sustainable building practices. Each college in the program's third-year cohort received a grant for equipment and/or funding valued at $100,000 ; the grant is potentially renewable for up to three years. MILWAUKEE, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced the participants selected for its 2023 Community College Partnership Program. Launched in 2021 to help enroll and graduate students from historically underrepresented groups, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program will, for the third consecutive year, provide $1 million total in funding and Johnson Controls equipment to 10 community colleges in North America. "As a leader in green building and sustainable infrastructure, we believe the future of innovation starts with giving students from all backgrounds equal opportunities so they can help build better tomorrows for every community," said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. "Following the hugely successful first two years of the Community College Partnership Program, we couldn't be more thrilled to add the third cohort of schools, and to continue to support and train the next generation of technicians in sustainable building industries." Through this program, Johnson Controls plans to provide $15 million in funding and equipment donations to nonprofit community colleges in support of their HVAC, fire, security and digital academic programs. In addition to the initial grant of up to $100,000, each college is eligible to apply for three years of grant renewals for a potential total grant value of up to $400,000 to serve the needs of future students. Community College Partnership Program Fosters Hand-On Learning Experiences Each school selected for the 2023-2024 academic year will receive funding or in-kind donations valued at $100,000. Funding will go toward scholarships, curriculum development, hiring of staff, marketing and recruitment. Johnson Controls equipment donations will be used in the development of training labs for program participants. The recipient community colleges were all nominated by Johnson Controls employees and are in communities where Johnson Controls has a presence. Employees of Johnson Controls serve as volunteer educators and student mentors, providing advice and real-world experience. Program participants are also eligible for internship and full-time employment opportunities with Johnson Controls. "At Johnson Controls, we strive to provide students with valuable insights, mentorship and knowledge to empower them to move forward with a successful career in building technology," said Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability and external relations officer, Johnson Controls. "We will continue steering our efforts and initiatives toward preparing the next generation for a rewarding and family-sustaining career path that will have a lasting impact on the future of green buildings and our planet." 2023-2024 Academic Year Community College Partnership Program Recipients Durham College, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Gateway Community College, Phoenix, Arizona Harrisburg Area Community College , Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Houston Community College - Central College , Houston, Texas Salt Lake Community College , Salt Lake City, Utah Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, South Carolina Trident Community College, North Charleston, South Carolina University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton, Morrilton, Arkansas University of Hawaii -Maui Campus, Kahului, Hawaii Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania All 20 schools from the first two cohorts of the program will also receive a renewal grant this year to continue to support the scholarships and academic programs that are helping to empower student success. Through the Community College Partnership Program and other initiatives, including our Lincoln Tech Johnson Controls Academy partnership, STEM 101, HVAC learning labs, and more, Johnson Controls grants schools the funding needed to create a pipeline of future buildings experts, ultimately spurring economic development on a local and national level. Johnson Controls is investing in the future of smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, one student at a time. To learn more about Johnson Controls strategic approach to philanthropy and volunteerism, please visit https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/community. About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms. Media Contact: Kari Pfisterer Director, Public Relations and Media Johnson Controls Direct +1 414 217 1488 [email protected] SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc Company reports that since 2016, its tech-enabled platform for Drug Discount Management has identified nearly $1 billion in inaccurate drug discount claims CHICAGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data infrastructure and analytics company Kalderos, creator of the world's first Drug Discount Management platform, released its 2023 annual report today. The report, titled " Mission Critical: Bringing drug discount stakeholders together so patients win ," outlines Kalderos' vision for a new paradigm of cooperation among drug discount program stakeholders in which everyone benefits particularly patients. The 2023 annual report, titled Mission Critical: Bringing drug discount stakeholders together so patients win, outlines Kalderos vision for a new paradigm of cooperation among drug discount program stakeholders in which everyone benefits particularly patients. As the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP), 340B Drug Pricing Program and other similar programs expand, so do the volume and cost of duplicate discounts and other inaccurate drug discount claims. Across the healthcare industry, outdated technology, inadequate infrastructure and intractable data silos make it difficult to prevent these misapplied discounts, resulting in drug manufacturer overpayment. In response to this systemwide challenge, Kalderos' MDRP Discount Monitoring solution analyzes and validates claims data while flagging potential duplicate discounts and other inaccurate claims. Between 2016 and Q1 2023, Kalderos' MDRP Discount Monitoring solution identified nearly $1 billion in inaccurate discount requests. As Kalderos partners with an increasing number of drug manufacturers to process even bigger data sets, that number continues to grow. "The findings in our third annual report are significant," said Kalderos CEO Brent Dover. "We urge all stakeholders in drug discount programs to work together on building cooperation and trust. Full transparency and information are mission critical to attaining these goals and enabling our healthcare system to better serve patients." Costs of inaccurate discount payments Across dozens of assessments produced for prospective customers of Kalderos' MDRP Discount Monitoring solution, Kalderos identified an average of 5% potentially inaccurate discounts, mainly duplicate discounts between Medicaid and 340B. Manufacturers contend with widely varying rates of inaccurate drug discount claims and resulting overpayment; some assessments identify more than 10% potentially inaccurate claims and some as low as 2%. Outside of their financial impact, inaccurate discount payments also lead to mounting administrative responsibilities for manufacturers and 340B covered entities that can redirect valuable resources away from patients. But the free-flowing system of data enabled by Kalderos relieves all stakeholders of the arduous process of tracking down misapplied discounts. Engaging Covered Entities Drug discount programs are critical for the support they provide safety-net healthcare providers and their patients, many of whom live in vulnerable communities. To date, thousands of 340B covered entities have used Kalderos' Discount Hub solution to participate in the good faith inquiry process and resolve concerns related to duplicate discounts. In recent years, covered entities have been increasingly engaged in reviewing MDRP claims on the platform, which has nearly halved the average response time from 135 days in 2022 to 69 days in 2023. This reduced response time accelerates duplicate discount verification and resolution of inaccurate claims. From 2016 through the first quarter of this year, CEs using the Kalderos platform responded to 842,637 discount verification requests. By the end of Q1 2023, the total dollar value of CE-verified duplicate discounts on the Kalderos platform was about $110 million. Back-to-back years of strong growth For Kalderos, 2022 was a year of impressive progress across several metrics: Annual revenue more than doubled for the second consecutive year. Total customers also doubled for the second straight year. The number of employees at Kalderos grew by more than 50%. Kalderos' third annual report, " Mission Critical: Bringing drug discount stakeholders together so patients win ," is available now. About Kalderos Kalderos is a data infrastructure and analytics company that created the world's first Drug Discount Management platform, simplifying drug discount program compliance for all stakeholders. The platform applies sophisticated data models and machine learning to identify and resolve noncompliance, with collaboration-oriented solutions built for both drug manufacturers and covered entities. Based in Chicago, Kalderos was founded in 2016 by a team dedicated to reducing inefficiencies in the U.S. healthcare system, empowering everyone to focus on the health of people. More information can be found at www.kalderos.com . Media contact: Philip Anast Amendola (for Kalderos) [email protected] 312-576-6990 SOURCE Kalderos Public Defenders, Client Advocates, Social Workers Secure Union Representation LAWRENCE, Kan., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 696 is proud to announce that Kansas Holistic Defenders has voluntarily recognized Local 696 as the exclusive bargaining agent for their public defenders, client advocates, and social workers. Kansas Holistic Defenders work to prevent unnecessary and wrongful incarceration, while addressing the root causes of involvement in the legal system. These workers ensure that Kansans have the support they need inside the courtroom and out in the community. "Kansas Holistic Defenders provide much-needed legal support to Kansans who need it most," said Matt Hall, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 696 in Topeka. "The life-changing work these professionals provide is critical and deserves a strong union contract. I look forward to working with them on securing their first Teamster contract." "Joining a union is one of the best ways to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace," said Kansas Holistic Defenders' John Baker. "That's why my coworkers and I wanted to join the Teamsters. We couldn't be more excited to have a union on our side and we look forward to getting started on our first contract." Teamsters Local 696 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Northern Kansas, including UPS workers, public employees, school bus drivers, sanitation workers, and more. For more information, go to teamsters696.com. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 696 Kore Konversations plays host to captivating discussions on how Conversational AI and Generative AI together will transform enterprise customer and employee experiences ORLANDO, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kore.ai, the world's leading enterprise conversational AI platform and solutions company, unveiled a framework for rapid and large-scale adoption of conversational AI and generic AI use cases within global businesses through the use of generative AI and large language models (LLMs). The new framework, GALE (Generative AI LLM Platform for Enterprise), was announced as part of its new product stack at the conclusion of its two-day customer event, Kore Konversations, during May 25-26, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Kore.ai's first-ever customer-centric event, Kore.ai Konversations - The Real Conversations, was focused around the theme "The Future of Experiences," and saw more than 300 delegates from large global enterprise customers, prospects, partners and analysts from diverse industries across 18 countries. In his keynote address, Kore.ai CEO and Founder Raj Koneru emphasized the need for technologies that enrich end-user experiences as a means to build value and improve business outcomes. As human experiences are centered around languages, technologies that excel in natural language usage will enable enterprises to foster great experiences for their customers, employees, agents and partners alike, he explained. "Spoken words, visual signs and gestures are at the core of how we express our needs, feelings and emotions. That's how we are born, connect with others and grow up. Every application and enterprise function of the future will be conversationally enabled and transform the way businesses interact with their customers and employees. The emergence of generative AI and LLMs has added a new dimension by opening unlimited possibilities to create enriched experiences. Businesses need to foster a robust language strategy to ride this wave of innovation," Koneru said. Kore.ai, a frontrunner in leveraging GenAI technology, is creating best practices around conversational as well as non-conversational user experiences through its formalized GALE framework. These practices, which were shared with the delegates at the event, focus on simplifying, expediting, and enhancing the process of building virtual assistants for better end-user experiences. It also involves building domain-specific customized LLMs that are pre-trained and can orchestrate conversations in accordance with enterprise data, business rules, and user context. In his special address to the gathering, Gartner Vice President and Distinguished Analyst Bern Elliot predicted that generative AI and ChatGPT will profoundly impact the conversational AI landscape by improving productivity and changing the way customer service experiences are delivered. The conference featured two customer panels with delegates from American Water, Florida Blue, Millennium Bank, San Ysidro Health, MAZAMA, Express Scripts, eBay, Morgan Stanley, PNC Bank, and Kore.ai. The speakers shared their conversational AI implementation stories, challenges and best practices, while also discussing the opportunities associated with generative AI and LLMs. Panelists also shared cautions around key aspects such as enterprise security, hallucination, response controls, and calibration. The panelists recounted their experiences of working with Kore.ai as a trusted partner that's leading some of the most innovative and consequential implementations in the market today. "Kore Konversations presented a wonderful platform to meet and interact with visionary and hands-on leaders from different industries," said a senior executive at a large banking enterprise. "It was a great opportunity to share with and learn from others about conversational AI experiences as well as the vision and opportunities presented by Generative AI. Overall the content presented and the interactions at the event were educational and enriching. I am certain that we are marching in the right direction." The breakout sessions set the stage for delegates to network and strike conversations on a diverse range of topics that included: Pre-built IVA Solutions: Delivering Value Out-of-the-Box Best Practices for Conversational Design Voice vs Digital: Key Considerations and Best Practices Use Case Prioritization: Where to Start Bring Enterprise Systems and IVAs Together to Tailor and Personalize Experiences How Generative AI Elevates the IVA Experience Business Case Development for Conversational AI Conversational AI Trends and Its Impact on CX, AX and EX The pre-event workshop on "The power of LLMs and Generative AI with Conversational AI" organized by the Kore.ai team was attended by over 150 delegates. The event also featured demos and presentations on Kore.ai's product offerings such as SmartAssist, IT Assist, HR Assist, BankAssist, RetailAssist, HealthAssist, where the delegates had the chance to review and understand how these solutions are leveraging the benefits of LLMs and generative AI to create better customer and employee experiences. "Kore.ai Konversations was an epic and eclectic mix of perspectives, insights and future-facing visioning that did a great job of showcasing Kore.ai's experience, thought leadership and commitment to customer success," said London-based renowned conversational AI thought leader, influencer and VUX World Founder Kane Simms, who hosted the event. "It's clear that there is not only a huge buzz surrounding this enterprise AI space in general, but there's also excitement and enthusiasm on behalf of Kore.ai's customers and partners surrounding the work that Kore.ai is doing and its ability to fuel and amplify enterprise automation activity. Sign me up for next year!" said Simms, who also delivered a keynote on how the unique confluence of conversational AI and generative AI technologies is redefining the customer experience trends across industries. The company, which has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Conversational AI Platforms for the second year in a row, has recently launched key innovative features like Smart Co-pilot, AI-Assisted Dialog Node, zero-shot and few-shot models into its platform technology. At the conference, Kore.ai announced a strategic partnership with Mphasis, leading global IT services provider for a joint go-to-market approach that involves solution implementations, research and engineering support to their extensive enterprise customer base. With over 400 customers, Kore.ai automates at least a billion interactions every year through its conversational AI platform and solutions, and has delivered more than $1 Billion in cost savings to global enterprise customers to date. Around 200 million consumers and close to 2 million enterprise users currently leverage Kore.ai solutions to improve customer, employee and contact center agent experiences that drive business outcomes. About Kore.ai Kore.ai is a global leader in the conversational AI-first platform and solutions, helping enterprises automate business interactions to deliver extraordinary experiences for their customers, employees, and contact center agents. More than 400 Fortune 2000 companies trust Kore.ai's experience optimization (XO) platform and technology to automate their business interactions for over 200 million users worldwide to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Kore.ai has been recognized as a leader and an innovator by top analysts and ensures the success of its customers through a growing team headquartered in Orlando with offices in India, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. Visit Kore.ai to learn more. Contact: Kierra Webster, [email protected]com SOURCE Kore.ai New resources offer expert insight into the diagnostics used for staging and ongoing management of rare blood cancers PRINCETON, N.J., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyowa Kirin, Inc., an affiliate of Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE: 4151), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced an initiative, Proactively Recognizing Occurrence in Blood through Education (PROBE) housed on PROBEinCTCL.com which was developed to educate HCPs on the importance of assessing blood involvement in Sezary Syndrome and Mycosis Fungoidestwo subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). CTCL is a rare form of lymphoma that presents in a patient's skin, but may spread to other compartments, including the blood. Understanding CTCL with Dr. Mara Haseltine Blood involvement is a hallmark sign of Sezary Syndrome, but it can also occur at most stages of Mycosis Fungoides. In fact, as many as 1 in 3 patients with mycosis fungoides may experience disease progression within skin or to other compartments, including blood.1 As blood involvement is associated with shorter survival rates, blood should be assessed for accurate diagnosis, staging, and optimal patient management.2 Watch this video to learn more: https://www.probeinctcl.com?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=probe_pr_june23&utm_content=cta_video "Given the rarity of Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome, until now, there was a dearth of clinically relevant information available for those physicians that may not treat these conditions on a regular basis. PROBE in CTCL is an important resource for physicians who treat these conditions in the community setting and who are seeking information on why, when, and how to assess blood involvement in CTCL," said Alejandro A. Gru, MD, Leonard C. Harber Professor of Dermatology and Director of Dermatopathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Serving patients through healthcare provider education The new initiative is part of a continuing effort to provide healthcare providers with information to consider about when and how to assess blood involvement using flow cytometrythe preferred method for measuring blood involvement in Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome, as recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and International Guidelines for Cutaneous Lymphoma (ISCL) Guidelines.3,4 Flow cytometry provides qualitative and quantitative measures of abnormal T-cells in blood, which can inform on staging, disease progression, and ultimately treatment.5,6 Physicians can visit PROBEinCTCL.com for information about the importance of blood involvement in Sezary Syndrome and Mycosis Fungoides, consensus guidance on when to consider flow cytometry, review example clinical cases, and read guidance on how to order a flow cytometry test. "Kyowa Kirin, Inc. is committed to advancing the understanding and education of the healthcare community around the value of improving diagnosis and monitoring of patients with CTCL," says Greg Palko, Vice President, North American Region Franchise Head for Oncology at Kyowa Kirin, Inc. "PROBE In CTCL is an important step in this ongoing mission, and we are confident that educating healthcare providers about the importance of monitoring for blood involvement will help us best support the patient communities we serve." About Kyowa Kirin Kyowa Kirin strives to create and deliver novel medicines with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company with a more than 70-year heritage, we apply cutting-edge science including expertise in antibody research and engineering, to address the needs of patients and society across multiple therapeutic areas including Nephrology, Oncology, Immunology/Allergy and Neurology. Across our four regions Japan, Asia Pacific, North America, and EMEA/International we focus on our purpose to make people smile, and are united by our shared values of commitment to life, teamwork/Wa, innovation, and integrity. You can learn more about Kyowa Kirin North America at: https://kkna.kyowakirin.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyowa-kirin-inc.-u.s./ 1 Agar NS, Wedgeworth E, Crichton S, et al. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors in mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome: validation of the revised International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer staging proposal. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(31):4730-4739. 2 Talpur R, Singh L, Daulat S, et al. Long-term outcomes of 1,263 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome from 1982 to 2009. Clin Cancer Res. 2012;18(18):5051-5060. 3 Olsen EA, Whittaker S, Willemze R, et al. Primary cutaneous lymphoma: recommendations for clinical trial design and staging update from the ISCL, USCLC, and EORTC. Blood. 2022;140:419-437. 4 Illingworth A, Johansson U, Huang S, et al. International guidelines for the flow cytometric evaluation of peripheral blood for suspected Sezary syndrome or mycosis fungoides: assay development/optimization, validation, and ongoing quality monitors. Cytometry B Clin Cytom. 2021;100(2):156-182. 5 Craig F. It is time to adopt a multicolor immunophenotyping approach to evaluate blood for Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides. Cytometry B Clin Cytom. 2021;100(2):125-128. SOURCE Kyowa Kirin FULFILLING HOUSING NEEDS IN SOUTH TEXAS EDINBURG, Texas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 15th, 2023, the newly constructed La Sienna Apartments will have an official ribbon cutting, in conjunction with the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, at 11:00 a.m. at 3800 La Sienna Parkway in Edinburg Texas. Chamber members, community members, and members of the media are invited to the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. The brand new La Sienna Apartments in Edinburg, Texas. At the celebration, guests will tour the new apartment homes and resident community areas. La Sienna is a green built community and features one, two and three bedroom apartment homes across seventeen (17) residential buildings, with designer touches in each living space. Four floorplans are offered and range from 746 1187 square feet. Residents will appreciate the in-home features such as the included washers and dryers, private patios, walk-in closets, granite countertops, ceiling fans, energy star appliances throughout, and state of the art internet service. La Sienna offers exceptional indoor and outdoor resident-friendly amenities that include a full fitness center, Starbucks coffee bar, free community area wi-fi, gorgeous pool and lounge areas, pet park, BBQ grills, covered parking, limited access gates and game areas. The construction of La Sienna Apartments is a step forward in fulfilling the housing needs of South Texas. The fifteen (15) acre multifamily site officially opened last year and with 288 units, La Sienna is the first multifamily community within the La Sienna Master Planned Community developed by the Burns Development Company . The forty million dollar investment is the vision of David Salazar and Felipe Martinez of World Development, LLC and offers residents of Hidalgo county new and modern living options. The construction of the development has infused the local economy with an estimated 500 jobs and over 230,000 man hours, contributing to the overall health of the Edinburg economy. La Sienna was designed by Gonzalez, Newell, Bender Inc. architects and is being constructed by Broaddus Construction. LLC . The Project Financing was provided by Davis-Penn Mortgage Company and the community is professionally managed by HomeSpring Residential Services . FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: David Salazar Phone: (210) 415-0675 [email protected] SOURCE World Development, LLC First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and First Lady of the Republic of Turkiye Emine Erdogan have visited the Icherisheher, Inner City, one of the worlds cultural heritage monuments. The first ladies started their tour by getting acquainted with the Maiden Tower, a globally important historical-architectural monument. First Lady of the Republic of Turkiye Emine Erdogan was informed of the history of the ancient monument. They were also informed about the State Historical-Architectural Reserve Icherisheher, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the landscaping and restoration works carried out here. Familiarization with Haji Bani bathhouse, one of the ancient historical and cultural monuments, as well as the Icherisheher Center for Traditional Arts Center made a great impression on them. The first ladies were presented with keepsakes. MEDFORD, Ore., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) announced the purchase of 13 locations from the Priority Automotive Group in Virginia, expanding its footprint in the strong performing Mid-Atlantic Region. These exceptional stores are projected to generate more than $1.2 billion in annualized revenue. "We're thrilled to partner with Dennis Ellmer and his high performing Priority teams to expand our domestic operations and consumer options wherever, whenever, and however they desire," said Bryan DeBoer, Lithia & Driveway President and CEO. "These stores not only expand our ability to cultivate long-term customer relationships in this region, but we also benefit from their impressive track-record of customer retention and commitment to community involvement." Lithia & Driveway expands its footprint in Mid-Atlantic and is projected to generate more than $1.2 billion. Tweet this The business is comprised of three Honda stores, two Toyota stores, two Chevrolet stores, a Ford store, a Hyundai and a few smaller stores, all servicing customers in the Greater Chesapeake Bay area. "All of us at Priority are pleased and excited to join forces with Lithia & Driveway. We knew we had found the perfect partner to continue to grow Priority in an ever-changing retail automotive environment," said Dennis Ellmer, Priority President and CEO. "Our cultures aligned well with a focus on customer service, growth opportunities for our associates and commitment to the communities. We look forward to continued growth with Lithia for years to come." These additions bring Lithia & Driveway's total year-to-date expected annualized revenue acquired to over $3.2 billion. The acquisition was financed using existing on-balance sheet capacity. About Lithia & Driveway (LAD): LAD is a growth company focused on profitably consolidating the largest retail sector globally by providing personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever, and however consumers desire. Sites www.lithia.com www.investors.lithiadriveway.com www.lithiacareers.com www.driveway.com www.greencars.com www.drivewayfinancecorp.com Lithia & Driveway on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LithiaMotors https://www.facebook.com/DrivewayHQ Lithia & Driveway on Twitter https://twitter.com/lithiamotors https://twitter.com/DrivewayHQ https://twitter.com/GreenCarsHQ SOURCE Lithia Motors, Inc. PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Loc Performance ("Loc"), a leading provider of military vehicle systems, and Milrem Robotics ("Milrem"), the leading European developer of robotics and autonomous systems, have joined together to create a world class offering for the United States Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-L) Prototype program. The collaboration between Loc and Milrem brings together the specialized strength and expertise of each company to create a ground-breaking modular-base Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), which the team has called the WarLoc. Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and the MIFIK autonomy kit. The WarLoc, a groundbreaking unmanned Robotic Combat Vehicle, is a production-ready collaboration between Loc and Milrem. The WarLoc's design is based on Milrem Robotics' Type-X, the most advanced RCV of its kind. The Type-X is the first RCV conceived for unmanned operations, instead of a manned vehicle converted for remote operations. It was developed to navigate the battlefield autonomously, with a human-in-the-loop control system and artificial intelligence (AI) as an integral part of the operating algorithm. "WarLoc benefits from the experience gained from thorough tests of the Type-X that have demonstrated its superior capabilities and the continuous development of the subsystems and components in the Type-X family," said Guy C. Enderle, Director of US Operation at Milrem Robotics. "This helps to ensure reduced life cycle costs on the fleet level, high commonality, and optimal performance." Building off lessons learned from the Type-X platform, WarLoc is safe, reliable and easy to learn, utilizing intuitive and logical controls. The WarLoc was designed and built with amphibious capabilities for high mobility in any terrain: soft soil, snow, or desert. Various payloads have been integrated with the Modular Base Platform (MBP) to provide a variety of overmatching firepower options and tactical advantages to mechanized units. The payoff is fast penetration of enemy defensive positions with minimal risk to ground troops. Milrem Robotics has ten years of experience with robotics and autonomous systems, and its intelligent unmanned systems are operating in 16 countries, including 8 members of NATO: USA, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and United Kingdom. Milrem Robotics is the only RCV developer with vehicles currently operating in combat. WarLoc's sister vehicles are supporting Ukraine today. "After 50 years of providing successful vehicle upgrade solutions as a military supplier, Loc is ready and excited to enter the vehicle market," said Jason Atkinson, Loc's President & CEO. "Witnessing the challenges the military has faced introducing new technology for the War Fighter, the Loc team is positioned to ensure the military receives a best-cost solution that meets the needs of our brave men and women of the armed forces." Loc's unique business model has enabled significant year-over-year market growth. For the past two decades, Loc has focused on expanding and maturing its design and manufacturing presence, while maintaining an efficient and cost effective corporate structure, making insourcing of offshore technology feasible. Currently, Loc operates four facilities covering 1,779,000 square feet of floor space, with three facilities located in Michigan and one in Ohio. Loc's portfolio includes the design and manufacturing of complex critical items that are necessary to produce the RCV-L platform. Specifically, Loc's core products include mechanical systems, track systems, large fabricated structures (armor steel and/or aluminum), armor kits and hardware vehicle integration for the U.S. Army's portfolio of ground combat vehicle systems. A video of the capabilities of the Type-X can be found here: https://youtu.be/WwTlp998RaE About Loc Performance Loc Performance, headquartered in Plymouth, MI, provides track systems, mechanical systems, armor products, fabricated structures, and rubberized products for military, agricultural, and construction applications. With proven capabilities in product design and development through production, Loc offers comprehensive solutions and exceptional customer service to produce the highest quality products at competitive pricing. Loc has over 1,750,000 square feet of manufacturing space with facilities in Plymouth, Lansing, and Lapeer, Michigan, and St. Marys, Ohio with more than 980 total employees. Learn more at www.locperformance.com. About Milrem Robotics Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US. The company is known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and the MIFIK autonomy kit. Milrem Robotics is the leader of the iMUGS consortium in charge of developing a European standardized unmanned ground system funded by the European Commission's European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). SOURCE Loc Performance Products VANCOUVER, BC, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MANTARO PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its acquisition of two highly prospective licenses, being the East Trend and Media Sur properties, in the San Ramon Greenstone belt in Bolivia. Figure 1: Geological map of the San Ramon Greenstone Belt highlighting the East Trend and Medio Sur Property locations in relation to Golden Hill (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Under the share purchase agreement with Jacob Garland (the "Vendor"), the Company acquired all of the shares of Minera Meranti Ltda ("Merenti"), a Bolivian company that holds title to the East Trend and Media Sur licenses. In consideration of Merenti, the Company issued 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share for a deemed value of $100,000. The Vendor will be entitled to a payment equal to USD $3 for every one (1) ounce of gold and/or gold equivalent of measured resource, indicated resource or inferred resource, or any combination thereof, on the mineral rights above 500,000 ounces of gold and/or gold equivalent. The total amount of cash that the Vendor may receive is USD $1,500,000 ("Maximum Amount"). For greater certainty, the Maximum Amount applies to both properties and the Vendor is not entitled to the Maximum Amount for each mineral property. The East Trend property is comprised of a total of 2,650 hectares and is located within the San Ramon gold producing district. The property covers faulted greenstone terrain which forms the eastern extension of the La Cruz Gold trend, a NW-SE striking gold mineralized zone that has been mined via a large number of small open pits by small-scale gold miners over 8 strike kilometres. Recent activity by small scale miners indicates the gold mineralized trend continues to the southeast the East Trend property. The property is located 20 kilometers east from the Puqio Norte historical gold mine and the Company's Golden Hill Property. East Trend is significantly underexplored, despite its highly prospective geological setting, which is analogous to known proximal gold mines and deposits. The Media Sur property is comprised of a total of 4,750 hectares and is centered on the underexplored southern arm of a highly gold prospective metasedimentary - metavolcanic faulted greenstone belt. The project is situated along the same broad structure as two large orogenic gold systems, Medio Monte and La Lupa. The latter is currently in production and is operated by a local Bolivian company that producing a significant amount of gold using basic gravity circuits. Recent artisanal mining activity suggests that gold mineralization continues to Media Sur. Qualified Person Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph. D., FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill orogenic gold property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored Precambrian Shield, Bolivia. In Peru, the Company has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria silver property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay properties. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. 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 limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. Benjamin Howard's Arrival Enhances the Firm's Private Equity Offering LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Massumi + Consoli, a boutique private equity-focused transactional law firm, is pleased to announce that Benjamin Howard has joined the firm's Private Equity M&A practice as a Partner in its expanding New York office. Benjamin's addition follows closely on the heels of Jared Bryant's arrival in New York as the firm continues its strategic effort to bolster its transactional offering for private equity sponsors nationwide. "Massumi + Consoli has been gaining significant momentum in recent years, and the expansion of our Manhattan office is a testament to the firm's continued growth and success," said Anthony Consoli, Co-Founder of Massumi + Consoli. "Benjamin is a rising star, and his extensive private equity experience will further enhance the Firm's reputation as the premier law firm for middle market PE transactions in New York City and beyond." Benjamin will represent private equity funds and their portfolio companies, public and private companies and other strategic clients in all types of M&A transactions. "New York remains a key market for our clients, and we are committed to expanding our footprint to foster deeper relationships and provide a more locally tailored experience," added Peter Massumi, the Firm's other Co-Founder. "By adding talented professionals like Benjamin to our team, we continue to bolster our capabilities to provide comprehensive full-service support for middle market transactions that is not rivaled anywhere else in the marketplace." "Massumi + Consoli has burst onto the scene and quickly established itself as one of the go-to law firms for middle-market private equity transactions," said Benjamin. "There is a lot of great energy and excitement coming from the firm right now, and you can tell there is serious passion behind their work. I'm looking forward to working closely with the firm's exceptional lawyers, who seem truly energized by the work that they're doing." Benjamin was previously at Latham & Watkins. About Massumi + Consoli LLP: Founded in 2015 as a spin-out from the Private Equity and M&A group of Kirkland & Ellis, MCLLP delivers market-leading counsel to private funds and other financial institutions, along with their portfolio companies, and other acquisitive private and public companies, on complex private equity, M&A and debt financing transactions and on ongoing corporate matters outside of the transactional context. MCLLP's mission is to serve as a superior alternative to large firm transactional practices through a platform that is more attuned to clients' needs and that provides unparalleled expertise, responsiveness and value. SOURCE MASSUMI + CONSOLI LLP The report details McKinsey's measurable progress toward accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth in line with its aspirationscatalyzing decarbonization, building inclusive economies, institutions, and workforces, and setting the standard for accountability and compliance NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McKinsey & Company today released its 2022 ESG Report, "Creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and growing future for all." The report outlines how McKinsey has partnered with its clients and communities to drive positive, enduring change and measure its impact around the world. Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, shares key highlights from the firms 2022 ESG Report: Creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and growing future for all. "As a proudly global firm, we feel a deep responsibility to the societies where we work and live," said Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company. "While the events of 2022 challenged governments, businesses, and citizens alike, we remain resolute in our long-term aspiration to accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We hope the stories in this report will inspire even bolder aspirations and innovations in the years ahead." The impact of the firm's work is significant and measurable. McKinsey clients contribute 20 percent of global GDP growth, create one million jobs per year, and make up 80 percent of reported CO 2 emissions reductions. Report highlights include McKinsey's progress in 2022 toward: Catalyzing Decarbonization McKinsey aspires to become the largest private sector catalyst for decarbonization, and partners with a range of companies to help them innovate, cut emissions, and transition to sustainable growth models. More than 3,500 McKinsey colleagues worked on over 1,600 sustainability engagements with more than 600 clients across nearly 60 countries and in every industry. McKinsey continued to progress toward its net-zero goal, introducing an internal carbon fee on all air travel. McKinsey launched fresh solutions like Frontier, an advance market commitment for carbon removal, and Catalyst Zero, an innovative tool to help clients decarbonize at unprecedented speed and scale. Accelerating Inclusive Growth McKinsey is partnering with clients to help build inclusive economies, institutions, and workforces that reflect its communities. Leap by McKinsey colleagues helped McKinsey clients build nearly 200 new businessescreating more than 20,000 jobs and $140 billion in value. in value. McKinsey committed $2 billion to social responsibility efforts by 2030 and has so far contributed nearly $620 million in cash and in-kind support toward that commitment (including more than $275 million in 2022). to social responsibility efforts by 2030 and has so far contributed nearly in cash and in-kind support toward that commitment (including more than in 2022). McKinsey's global workforce was 48 percent women, and 52 percent of client-serving colleagues in the US were from racial or ethnic minority groups. Setting the Standard for Accountability and Compliance McKinsey is leading with integrity and setting the standard for accountability and compliance in its profession. Since 2018, McKinsey has spent nearly $700 million on strengthening risk management teams, capabilities, and processes. on strengthening risk management teams, capabilities, and processes. 100 percent of new clients were vetted against McKinsey's industry-leading CITIO (Country, Institution, Topic, Individual, and Operational) client service framework, which also guides the firm's approach to engagements. 100 percent of McKinsey colleagues completed comprehensive training on firm policies and professional standards. The Report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. It also includes McKinsey's disclosure against the World Economic Forum International Business Council's (WEF IBC) Stakeholder Capitalism metrics and serves as McKinsey's fifth Communication on Progress (CoP) to the UN Global Compact alongside the CoP questionnaire. McKinsey is also reporting in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). To read McKinsey's 2022 ESG Report, visit: McKinsey.com/esg-report For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] About McKinsey & Company McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next. SOURCE McKinsey & Company Nonprofit also co-hosting VIP Dinner with OAAA and The Weather Company-an IBM Business on June 22 NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaVillage Education Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing a culture of learning and diversity in the advertising-supported media community, will host a panel with four advertising and marketing experts and co-host cocktails and dinner during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity taking place in France June 19-23. On Monday, June 19, MediaVillage Education Foundation will host The FQ opening panel in Cannes. The brand and agency side experts discussing "The Power of Creativity as AI, NFTs and the Metaverse Transform Advertising" panel are Avery Akkineni, President of Vayner3; Sophie Kelly, SVP Whiskies, N.A., Diageo; Solange Claudio, President, Formerly Known As (FKA); and Shirli Zelcer, Global Head of Analytics and Technology, Merkle. Jack Myers, media ecologist and founder of MediaVillage, will moderate. Location: The Martinez FQ Equality Lounge, Suite 731. #EqualityLounge #CannesLions2023. The conversation will be available on demand at the MediaVillage Knowledge Exchange and www.TheFQInSites.com. To learn more about the MediaVillage Education Foundation, visit www.AboutMediaVillage.com Tweet this "This panel on the future of creativity is a relevant and important focus for launching the Cannes Lions. We are proud to partner with The FQ on bringing together these media industry thought leaders," said Myers. "Their insights on how technology is transforming creativity will inform the week ahead for attendees as they are immersed in a future perspective on advertising and media business." The panel will emphasize the importance of human leadership, uncover actionable strategies to navigate the evolving industry, explore AI ethics, and harness the power of creativity as the Metaverse expands. MediaVillage is planning a post-Cannes webinar to take a deeper dive into these important topics next month at MediaVillage.org. On Thursday, June 22, MediaVillage.org will co-host an invite-only Cannes VIP Cocktails and Dinner with The Weather Company - an IBM Business, and OAAA (Out of Home Advertising Association of America). Throughout the week, Myers and MediaVillage columnist Raquelle Zuzarte will be interviewing industry leaders on their Cannes Lions experience. Planned interviews include James Rooke, President, Comcast Advertising; Nicolle Pangis, Chief Executive Officer, Ampersand; Kim Granito, Head of Marketing, AMC Networks; Aneessa Steilen, VP of Media & Distribution Marketing, Vevo; Rob Christensen, SVP, US Sales & Global Distribution, Vevo; and Soo Jin Oh, Chief Strategy Officer, FreeWheel. All MediaVillage content is available free at www.MediaVillage.org.To follow MediaVillage Education Foundation on social, visit LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook; hashtag #MediaVillageCannes. For more information visit www.aboutmediavillage.com; for press inquiries contact Diane Stefani at [email protected]. About MediaVillage Education Foundation: MediaVillage Education Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing free, accessible on-demand learning for individuals, companies, and trade organizations in the advertising-supported media industry. Its Knowledge Exchange and MeetingPrep.ai educational hubs are on-demand tools supporting a future-forward workforce. MediaVillage.org also provides The Myers Report market intelligence and professional development resources from AdvancingDiversity.org including funding for college loan relief, continuing education scholarships, and the annual Advancing Diversity Hall of Honors. The Foundation's outreach and professional development programs include WomenAdvancing.org, LGBTQAdvancing.com, Ask-GenZ.com, Legends & Leadership, and TheAgeofAging.com. Since 2016, MediaVillage has supported the Advancing Diversity Hall of Honors to recognize companies, organizations, and individuals who have proven the business value of diversity, inclusion, and education. MediaVillage also hosts a free Thought Leaders self-publishing platform and a free resume submission and review portal at AdvancingDiversity.org. Visit MediaVillage.org and www.aboutmediavillage.com for more information. To follow MediaVillage Education Foundation on social, visit LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook. SOURCE MediaVillage Leading Pest Control Company's Annual Charity Campaign Promotes Mosquito Safety and Community Impact VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, is taking a proactive stance against mosquitoes as it kicks off National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, June 18-24. The leading pest control company aims to educate the public about protecting people and their homes from these blood-sucking pests while raising awareness about the diseases they potentially carry. The week also marks the launch of Mosquito Joe's Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign, a charitable initiative that aims to make a global impact by supporting those at the highest risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes are not just irritating pests disrupting outdoor summer activities; they pose a significant threat to public health as carriers of diseases. In the U.S., the most common mosquito-borne disease is West Nile virus, followed by rising cases of dengue fever and the Zika virus. To help homeowners combat these persistent bugs, Mosquito Joe offers essential tips for mosquito safety during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week: Eliminate Standing Water: Remove or empty containers that can hold water, such as flower pots, watering cans, and buckets, as standing water can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Store any outdoor items that can collect rainwater in covered areas or place them upside-down. Use Outdoor Fans: Mosquitoes do not like excessive air movement, so setting up an outdoor fan can create a breeze that makes it difficult for them to fly and infest an area. Maintain Your Yard and Pools: Regularly mow and maintain your lawn to prevent tall grass that serves as a resting area for mosquitoes. Dispose of any debris and leaf piles that can retain water or moisture. Keep swimming pools clean, properly circulated and filtered. When not in use, use a pool cover to help keep your water mosquito-free. Install Screens for Your Windows and Doors: Ensure all windows and doors that are kept open during the summer weather have fitted screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. Use Effective Repellents: Apply mosquito repellents, containing DEET, picaridin or other EPA-approved ingredients. Consider using mosquito netting or screens to protect infants and young children in strollers. Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors during the evenings. Choose light-colored and loose-fitting clothing for comfort and better visibility. Seek Professional Assistance: If you're dealing with a severe mosquito problem, consider hiring a professional pest control company like Mosquito Joe. The brand was awarded the Silver Tier by the EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) for its commitment to providing environmentally low-risk pest management control that's both safe and effective in eliminating mosquitoes from homes. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week also marks the commencement of Mosquito Joe's 11th annual Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign, which aims to raise awareness about mosquito-borne illnesses and make a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. Participating franchise locations nationwide are involved in one of two impactful ways: Franchise owners partnering with the United Nations Foundation's United to Beat Malaria campaign will donate $10 for every new customer serviced during the campaign week. This contribution will provide two life-saving mosquito nets to vulnerable families in Africa , Latin America and the Caribbean , where malaria remains a leading cause of death among children under five years old, according to the World Health Organization. for every new customer serviced during the campaign week. This contribution will provide two life-saving mosquito nets to vulnerable families in , and the , where malaria remains a leading cause of death among children under five years old, according to the World Health Organization. Franchise owners collaborating with local blood banks will donate 10 percent of new customer sales during the campaign week to their chosen organization, supporting the crucial mission of blood banks and highlighting the importance of blood donation. "Our Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign has been an integral part of Mosquito Joe's legacy for over a decade, embodying our commitment to giving back and supporting communities both near and far," said Lou Schager, president of Mosquito Joe. "As global temperatures continue to rise, the surge in mosquito populations amplifies the risk of disease transmission. By actively participating in National Mosquito Control Awareness Week and launching this campaign, our aim is to foster greater awareness regarding the crucial need to safeguard ourselves, our families, and our homes from mosquitoes and the illnesses they carry." To learn more about getting involved with Mosquito Joe's Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign or making a charitable donation, visit https://mosquitojoe.com/about-us/giving-back/. About Mosquito Joe Dedicated to making outside fun again by eliminating mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas from customer's yards, Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, is a leader in the outdoor pest control industry. The brand was founded in 2010 and has since expanded to more than 350 locations throughout the U.S. Acquired in 2018, Mosquito Joe is part of Neighborly, the world's largest home services company with more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchises collectively serving 12 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses. Through Neighborly.com and the Neighborly mobile app, Neighborly connects consumers to local service providers that meet rigorous franchisor standards across 19 service categories. For more information about Mosquito Joe, visit www.mosquitojoe.com. To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly, click here. Media Contact: Camille Douglas, Fishman Public Relations, 248-841-0937 or [email protected] SOURCE Mosquito Joe CHICAGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the US remote patient monitoring market will grow at a CAGR of 11.167% during 2022-2028. To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3870 U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market Report by Arizton Browse In-Depth TOC of the U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market 70 - Tables 86 - Charts 248 Pages Market Overview The healthcare landscape in the United States has undergone significant transformations, from focusing on avoiding re-admissions to preventing admissions and providing remote patient treatment. This shift has resulted in increased efficiency and effectiveness within healthcare settings, ultimately enhancing the value of patient care. Healthcare settings invest in remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and advanced patient monitoring systems to support this model. Technical and software companies are crucial in facilitating this market shift. Home patient monitoring has become a standard for adult patients requiring long-term alternatives to hospital-based treatment. Wireless patient monitoring systems to track vital signs are a growing trend in healthcare, offering numerous benefits, such as enabling enhanced home care for chronic and acute conditions. Factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic have further highlighted the potential for integrating care at home, while technological advancements have made remote patient monitoring feasible. Healthcare systems are actively partnering with market vendors and stakeholders to raise awareness about the advantages of remote patient monitoring devices, thereby driving the market growth. Key players in the industry focus on product approval and launch initiatives to expand their product portfolios, foster technological advancements, and meet consumers' demands seeking these monitoring devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the healthcare landscape's shift, compelling healthcare settings to reduce costs and provide value-based treatments. This presents significant opportunities for vendors operating in the vital sign monitoring and remote patient monitoring markets to address the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. As chronic diseases account for a substantial portion of patient treatment and healthcare expenditure in the US, vital signs monitoring and remote patient monitoring devices are poised to play a crucial role in the future of the country's healthcare market. The U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 25.28 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 13.40 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 11.16 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Component, Application, End-User, and Geography Geographic Analysis United States (South, West, Midwest, and Northeast) Market Dynamics Increasing Focus on Developing Software & Apps for RPM by Manufacturers Demographics of the Aging Population & Chronic Disorders Augmenting Continuous Monitoring Demand Increasing Innovations in Wearable Technology Growing Use of RPM to Monitor & Improve Patient Engagement Growing Use of Mobile Technologies & Smart Devices in RPM Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3870 Market Opportunities Impact of AI & IoT Drives RPM Adoption: One of the fastest-growing segments of the IoT market is healthcare devices. While remote patient monitoring, which involves IoT sensors that collect patient data such as heart rate and body temperature, is the most well-known example of IoT in healthcare, there are numerous other applications. When an IoT device captures patient data, it sends it to a software application where healthcare professionals and patients may see it. Algorithms can analyze data to make treatment recommendations or send out alarms. For instance, an IoT sensor that detects a patient's exceptionally low heart rate may send an alarm so medical personnel can intervene. Health parameters can be self-assessed at home with the help of the remote health monitoring framework, and the information can be shared with a certified doctor who is far away. If a patient suffers from a serious medical condition, the specialist cannot help. These parameters can be communicated remotely to a doctor who can assist them from anywhere. In the worst-case scenario, even if the treatment is unavailable in their country, they can communicate with a specialist in a more technologically sophisticated country and continue the treatment. As a result, by combining remote patient monitoring with IoMT, death rates can be reduced, and improved service quality. Rising Adoption of Telemedicine Ushering New Opportunities for Remote Monitoring: Telehealth, or healthcare enabled by technology, has begun to revolutionize the home care environment and is expected to increase significantly in the future years. Simple technology (for instance, e-mail, the Internet, and cell phones) can now monitor people's health remotely. Telephone lines or internet connections can send high-resolution visual pictures and audio. Remote monitoring will become much more common in the next years, involving more types of home equipment. Technology such as wireless electronics and digital processing will enable the connection between various devices and remote health care practitioners. Some wireless equipment, particularly meters, and monitors, will be wearable, allowing continuous monitoring or more convenient testing. Key Highlights Cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest share of the application segment and are expected to retain the leading position during the forecast period, with musculoskeletal diseases expected to grow at the highest CAGR. Hospitals and healthcare providers increasingly invest in remote patient monitoring technologies such as telehealth and connected devices. The increasing demand for healthcare services, especially from the aging population, and the rising number of home healthcare patients are contributing to the growth of the US remote patient monitoring market. The high adoption of telehealth and telemedicine solutions significantly contributed to the growth of AI software solutions, which will likely continue for the foreseeable future. The end-user segments, such as ambulatory and home healthcare settings, will likely grow at healthy rates as patient care monitoring shifts from hospital-centric to patient-centric. The increasing usage and application of advanced remote patient monitoring devices by healthcare professionals in ambulatory care settings and patients in home care settings are projected to drive both segments' growth. Buy the Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-remote-patient-monitoring-market Post-Purchase Benefit 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% of customization Hospitals Drive US Remote Patient Monitoring Market, Accounting for 34.04% of Market Share in 2022 The hospitals segment emerged as a prominent player in the US remote patient monitoring (RPM) market, capturing a market share of 34.04% in 2022. Healthcare systems and hospitals in the United States are strategically adopting remote patient monitoring technology to enhance patient outcomes and reduce costs. Hospitals particularly dominate the domain of cardiac monitoring equipment, leveraging their position as the primary point of contact for patients facing health challenges. With specialized machines and advanced monitoring technology, hospitals play a vital role in managing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and treating patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmia. Teladoc Health, a notable player in the market, offers a comprehensive range of RPM devices and software tailored for hospitals and clinics. Their product portfolio includes Lite & Lite with Boom Camera, enabling a clear view of local care teams while monitoring precise patient vitals in crowded settings like the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Additionally, their compact virtual care device, the Mini, is specifically designed for behavioral health, providing improved audio and video capabilities for exam rooms and clinics. Teladoc Health's Solo Virtual Care Platform is a clinical and administrative healthcare solution, facilitating a scalable digital intake process and self-service check-in to support care coordination across healthcare networks. As health systems face an ongoing shortage of clinicians, more hospitals are expected to embrace remote patient monitoring technology in the future. The increasing adoption of telehealth and remote patient monitoring is seen as a viable solution to address this challenge, enabling hospitals to monitor and care for patients remotely efficiently. Key Company Profiles AMD Global Telemedicine GE Healthcare Koninklijke Philips Medtronic ResMed Teledoc Health Vivify Health 100-Plus Abbott ACL Digital Altumview Baxter Biobeat Biofourmis BIOTRONIK Boston Scientific Cardiologs Cardiomo CAREMINDr CareValidate Datos Health Dexcom Dragerwerk AG F.Hoffmann-La Roche GrandCare Systems Health Recovery Solutions Hinge Health Honeywell International iHealth Unified Care Intel iRhythm Technologies Limber Health Masimo MedM Medopad ModivCare NIHON KOHDEN OMRON OSI Systems OSPLabs Qardio Resideo Technologies Senseonics TeleMedCare Ventricle Health VitalConnect Vitls VivaLNK Market Segmentation Component Services Devices & Software Application Cardiovascular Diseases Respiratory Diseases Diabetes Musculoskeletal Diseases Others End-User Hospitals Home Healthcare Settings Ambulatory Care Settings Long-term Care Centers Region South Texas Florida Virginia Oklahoma New Mexico West California Colorado Nevada Montana Midwest Michigan Illinois Ohio Northeast New York Pennsylvania Massachusetts Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Reports: Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028: The global multiparameter patient monitoring market to reach USD 15.20 billion by 2028. U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Market - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027: The U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit market to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2027. Interactive Patient Engagement Solutions Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027: The interactive patient engagement solutions market to reach USD 393.79 million by 2027. Home Healthcare Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026: The global home healthcare market to reach USD 390 Bn by 2026. Table of Content 1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 3 RESEARCH PROCESS 4 SCOPE & COVERAGE 4.1 MARKET DEFINITION 4.1.1 INCLUSIONS 4.1.2 EXCLUSIONS 4.1.3 MARKET ESTIMATION CAVEATS 4.2 BASE YEAR 4.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 4.3.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY COMPONENT 4.3.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION 4.3.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USER 4.3.4 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GEOGRAPHY 5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS 5.1 KEY CAVEATS 5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION 5.3 MARKET DERIVATION 6 MARKET AT A GLANCE 7 PREMIUM INSIGHTS 7.1 OVERVIEW 7.1.1 COMPONENT INSIGHTS 7.1.2 APPLICATION INSIGHTS 7.1.3 END-USER INSIGHTS 8 INTRODUCTION 8.1 BACKGROUND 8.2 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: OVERVIEW 8.3 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: GLOBAL OUTLOOK 8.3.1 GLOBAL REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING BY GEOGRAPHY 8.4 REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING: GLOBAL VS US OUTLOOK 9 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS 9.1 ADVANCES IN REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING TECHNOLOGY 9.2 INCREASING DEMAND FOR WIRELESS PATIENT MONITORING AT HOME 9.3 RISE OF VIRTUAL CLINICAL TRIALS 9.4 AI & IOT DRIVES RPM ADOPTION 9.5 TELEMEDICINE USHERING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR REMOTE MONITORING 10 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS 10.1 INCREASING FOCUS ON DEVELOPING SOFTWARE & APPS FOR RPM BY MANUFACTURERS 10.2 AGING POPULATION & CHRONIC DISORDERS AUGMENTING CONTINUOUS MONITORING DEMAND 10.3 INCREASING INNOVATIONS IN WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY 10.4 GROWING USE OF RPM TO MONITOR & IMPROVE PATIENT ENGAGEMENT 10.5 GROWING USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES & SMART DEVICES IN RPM 11 MARKET RESTRAINTS 11.1 REGULATORY VARIATIONS ACROSS US 11.2 LACK OF DATA ACCURACY 11.3 THREAT FROM HEALTHCARE FRAUDS 11.4 ACCESSIBILITY OR CONNECTIVITY OBSTACLES WITH PATIENTS 12 MARKET LANDSCAPE 12.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 12.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 12.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES 12.3.1 MARKET BY COMPONENT 12.3.2 MARKET BY APPLICATION 12.3.3 MARKET BY END-USER 12.4 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS 12.4.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS 12.4.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS 12.4.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS 12.4.4 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES 12.4.5 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY 13 COMPONENT 13.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 13.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.3 SERVICES 13.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 13.4 DEVICES & SOFTWARE 13.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 13.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14 APPLICATION 14.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 14.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.3 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES 14.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.4 RESPIRATORY DISEASES 14.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.5 DIABETES 14.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.6 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES 14.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 14.7 OTHERS 14.7.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 14.7.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15 END-USER 15.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE 15.2 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.3 HOSPITALS 15.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.4 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS 15.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.5 AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS 15.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 15.6 LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS 15.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW 15.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST 16 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 16.1 COMPETITION OVERVIEW 16.1.1 VENDORS ACTIVITIES 16.2 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS 16.2.1 AMD GLOBAL TELEMEDICINE 16.2.2 GE HEALTHCARE 16.2.3 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS 16.2.4 MEDTRONIC 16.2.5 RESMED 16.2.6 TELADOC HEALTH 16.2.7 VIVIFY HEALTH 17 KEY COMPANY PROFILES 17.1 AMD GLOBAL TELEMEDICINE 17.2 GE HEALTHCARE 17.3 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS 17.4 MEDTRONIC 17.5 RESMED 17.6 TELADOC HEALTH 17.7 VIVIFY HEALTH 18 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS 18.1 100-PLUS 18.2 ABBOTT 18.3 ACL DIGITAL 18.4 ALTUMVIEW 18.5 BAXTER 18.6 BIOBEAT 18.7 BIOFOURMIS 18.8 BIOTRONIK 18.9 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC 18.10 CARDIOLOGS 18.11 CARDIOMO 18.12 CAREMINDR 18.13 CAREVALIDATE 18.14 CLEARARCH 18.15 DATOS HEALTH 18.16 DEXCOM 18.17 DRAGERWERK AG 18.18 F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE 18.19 GRANDCARE SYSTEMS 18.20 HEALTH RECOVERY SOLUTIONS 18.21 HINGE HEALTH 18.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL 18.23 IHEALTH UNIFIED CARE 18.24 INTEL 18.25 IRHYTHM TECHNOLOGIES 18.26 LIMBER HEALTH 18.27 MASIMO 18.28 MEDM 18.29 MEDOPAD 18.30 MODIVCARE 18.31 NIHON KOHDEN 18.32 OMRON 18.33 OSI SYSTEMS 18.34 OSPLABS 18.35 QARDIO 18.36 SENSEONICS 18.37 TELEMEDCARE 18.38 VENTRICLE HEALTH 18.39 VITALCONNECT 18.40 VITLS 18.41 VIVALNK 19 REPORT SUMMARY 19.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS 19.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS 20 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY 20.1 MARKET BY COMPONENT 20.2 MARKET BY APPLICATION 20.3 MARKET BY END-USER 20.4 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY REGION 20.5 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY COMPONENT 20.6 HOME HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY APPLICATION 21 APPENDIX 21.1 ABBREVIATIONS About Us: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services. We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts. Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports. Contact Us Call: +1-312-235-2040 +1 302 469 0707 Mail: [email protected] Contact Us: https://www.arizton.com/contact-us Blog: https://www.arizton.com/blog Website: https://www.arizton.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099997/US_Remote_Patient_Monitoring_Market.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818553/Arizton_Logo.jpg SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence In recognition of Global Loneliness Awareness Week (June 12th-18th), the event brings together national leaders to raise awareness about the crisis of social isolation and loneliness and to share solutions for fostering social connection. WASHINGTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murphy, released an advisory outlining a multi-sector approach for fostering individual and institutional actions to address the healing effects of social connection. Today, the Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (CESIL), as part of Global Loneliness Awareness Week, will hold its annual Connections at the Capitol: Discussions on Loneliness, Isolation, and the Path Forward. This signature event convenes notable policymakers, thought leaders, and innovators at the U.S. Capitol and across the country to raise awareness of the country's social isolation and loneliness crisis. The program features: "Unmet social needs including loneliness and social isolation can severely and negatively influence health outcomes." Tweet this Remarks from Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), longtime champions of pro-social policies, highlighting initiatives to build a path to a more socially connected nation. (D-CT) and Senator (D-MN), longtime champions of pro-social policies, highlighting initiatives to build a path to a more socially connected nation. A keynote from Kier Gaines, licensed therapist and advisor, and counselor for White House mental health initiatives, offering remarks on the importance of mental and social health and disrupting the stigma against mental healthcare through his unique, transparent, and authentic approach to the conversation. A panel discussion moderated by Author and Poet, Brian Turner including Joy Burkhard, Founder and Director of the Policy Center for Maternal Health, Prince Taylor , National Director for the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement, and Izzy Boring , Collegiate Student Athlete & Young Adult Advocate, that explores the effects of social isolation and loneliness on some of the most important and vulnerable members of our society: mothers, veterans, and young adults. "Evidence shows that mothers and caregivers for young children, veterans, and young adults, are all high-risk populations for social isolation and/or loneliness. It is vital to shed light on the needs of these key populations during our annual Global Loneliness Awareness Week event where we will hear from leading experts and persons with lived experiences on approaches for strengthening social connectedness," said Jillian Racoosin, Executive Director of the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. The event is sponsored by Humana Inc. as part of the Far from Alone campaign, whose mission in partnership with CESIL is to increase the public's awareness of the power of human connections to help address loneliness by partnering with a diverse group of stakeholders who advocate for policy change that creates greater opportunities for social connectedness. "Unmet social needs including loneliness and social isolation can severely and negatively influence health outcomes. Addressing rising levels of disconnection will require multi-stakeholder leadership and action to ensure that people from all communities have the opportunity to thrive and maintain social connectivity," said Tamara Smith, MPH, CHES, Associate VP of Health Equity Strategy at Humana. "Far from Alone in partnership with CESIL brings together thought leaders to engage in this critical discussion." Connections at the Capitol: Discussions on Loneliness, Isolation, and the Path Forward will be held today both in-person and virtually from 4:30 PM 6:30 PM ET. For more information about today's programming, please visit the event page, or register here to join. The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (CESIL) brings together a diverse set of national organizations including consumer groups, health plans, health care providers, technology innovators, patient advocates and more to develop and advocate for federal policy solutions to address the crisis of social isolation and loneliness. For more information, please visit: endsocialisolation.org "Far From Alone" is a campaign led by Humana Inc. that brings together partners committed to improving the mental health and wellness of others by increasing social connectedness. In collaboration with a collective of partners, "Far From Alone" promotes resources that increase social connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness. For more information about the campaign, please visit: FarfromAlone.com SOURCE Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness Top Managed Services Provider to the GovCon Market Taps Itkin to Position Company for Next Stage of Growth RESTON, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoSystems, a full-service strategic outsourcer, IT systems integrator and managed services provider to the government contracting market, today announced the addition of Stuart Itkin as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "As government contractors face new regulatory requirements, especially in cybersecurity and financial reporting, our growth opportunities to deliver outsourced essential managed services, including those to achieve and maintain CMMC compliance, are significantly increasing," said Brad Mitchell, President and CEO of NeoSystems. "Adding Stuart to the C-suite deepens our marketing leadership and strengthens our ability to address these opportunities as we embrace our next phase of growth." NeoSystems has grown from a two-person shop in 2000 to a $42 million business with more than 160 employees and 600 plus customers across the United States. Itkin will drive the company's market strategy for its managed and professional services suite along with its solutions for CMMC. He previously served as Vice President of CMMC and FedRAMP Assurance at Coalfire Federal and prior to that as Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Exostar. Itkin also was Chief Marketing Officer at Kronos, now UKG, and at the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), and was lead mentor at the Virginia State Government funded MACH37 cybersecurity product accelerator. "I am excited to be a part of the leadership team at NeoSystems," said Itkin, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "NeoSystems brings together an experienced and talented team of people, a proven products and services portfolio, amazing partners, and a strong company culture. I look forward to working with the team to position the company for future growth." Itkin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, mathematics and computer science, a Master of Arts degree and an ABD (all but dissertation) in research psychology and applied statistics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. About NeoSystems NeoSystems, based in the Washington, D.C area, is a full-service strategic outsourcer, IT systems integrator and managed service provider for the government contracting market. NeoSystems provides core solutions to more than 600 client companies and their 100,000+ client employees with its outsourced services by implementing hundreds of fully integrated financial, business and cyber management systems through best-of-breed technology and in-depth domain expertise in Accounting & Finance, IT, HR, Security and Hosting (SSAE SOC1 & SOC2, ITAR). For more information, visit https://www.neosystemscorp.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE NeoSystems LLC Film will be released online and on DVD in July 2023 by Panacol Productions dba PKS, Inc. and Deplorable Films LLC LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- How are today's youth being impacted by transitioning genders into their teens and young adult years? The new original documentary "NO WAY BACK," produced by lifelong California Democrats and LGBT activists, takes a non-religious, non-political, and non-ideological look on the subject of gender-affirmative medical practices, the risks and side effects of cross-sex hormones, surgeries, and the long-term health implications of gender medicalization. This "nuanced, compassionate, deeply researched and mild-mannered" documentary features five young people discussing the medical care they received for gender dysphoria, and how they subsequently realized they were given the wrong treatment. Twelve experts in pediatrics, mental health, sociology and endocrinology with decades of clinical practice (including an Oxford professor) examine the pros and cons of the current practices. The goal of "NO WAY BACK," which cites 45 academic medical studies and journalist articles, is to make a substantial contribution to the debate around medical transitioning for adolescents and young adults. No Way Back official poster There is no consensus among all medical providers on how to treat identity disorders in the exploding new cohort of youth with no previous history of dysphoria. These patients have multiple mental co-morbidities (Autism, ADHD, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, adverse childhood experiences, sexual trauma). Instead of giving a differential diagnosis, or a holistic treatment plan, the doctors quickly prescribe wrong-sex hormones on the 1st appointment. The common theme was the slow realization that gender transition did not alleviate the depression, anxiety and mental illnesses the patients were struggling with all along. "NO WAY BACK" is a Winner or the Official Selection of 10 international film festivals (including Docs Without Borders, Berlin Indie Festival, and Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival). It will be released online and on DVD (July 2023) by Panacol Productions and Deplorable Films LLC, an international distribution company based in Los Angeles. "I turned to professionals, doctors. I was not helped. Instead, I was ushered along, rather mindlessly, and I have permanent damage because of it." Laura Becker, ex-patient. Tickets: AMC Theatres: https://www.amctheatres.com Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxO01wrQ5yc Website: nowaybackfilm.com Duration of the documentary: 90 minutes Format: DCP For Media Inquiries: contact Vera Lindner, producer phone 802-538-0424 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Panacol Production dba PKS, Inc. Experienced Financial Technology Executive Joins Payment Processing Services Provider TULSA, Okla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Holdings, LLC ("Global Holdings" or "the Company"), a provider of payment processing and account management services to the consumer debt settlement industry, announced today that it has named Steven Petrevski as Chief Executive Officer. He replaces Kurt Grossheim, who departed the Company to pursue a new opportunity. Global Holdings is a portfolio company of New State Capital Partners ("New State"). Prior to joining Global Holdings, Mr. Petrevski advanced digital distribution, established global analytics capabilities, and launched new risk solutions as General Manager of Data and Analytic Solutions at Aon. Previously, he was General Manager of Security and Fraud Solutions at First Data, securing payments across one million merchants and one thousand banks. While at JPMorgan Chase and UBS, he focused on driving technology strategy and business development across the cyber security, fraud, and analytics sectors. Mr. Petrevski began his career as a technology consultant at IBM. He holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Georgia. "Steve is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience driving innovation in technology and financial services, and we're pleased to welcome him to Global Holdings in his new role," said John Beauclair, Senior Principal at New State. "We believe Steve's extensive leadership experience in fintech will help the Company continue to innovate as it evolves to meet the needs of its customers." Beauclair added, "We thank Kurt for his excellent leadership and contributions to Global Holdings and wish him success in his new role." "Over the past 20 years, Global Holdings has handled millions of debt settlement payments simply and safely, becoming a trusted third-party processor for consumers," said Mr. Petrevski. "I'm honored to lead the Company's outstanding management team, and I look forward to working together to develop the innovative solutions our customers require, provide secure services consumers can depend on, and identify strategic opportunities for growth." About New State Capital Partners New State Capital Partners is an entrepreneurial-minded private equity firm that strives to be nimble, decisive, and cooperative. New State prides itself on a long-term outlook, approaching each potential investment as an opportunity to create lasting and valuable relationships with company founders and especially independent sponsors. The firm has the ability to invest up to $100 million in equity per transaction and seeks to invest in market-leading companies with services-based business models and $8 million to $40 million of EBITDA. New State and its affiliates have invested in almost 40 companies to date. For more information visit www.newstatecp.com About Global Holdings Global Holdings LLC was founded in 2003 by a team of payment-processing industry veterans and is now the leading payment processor for the consumer debt-relief market. Leveraging a robust technology platform and artificial intelligence, Global Holdings specializes in making debt settlement payments simple and safe for consumers. For more information visit https://ghllc.com/. Media contact: Lambert Joanne Lessner [email protected] 212-222-7436 Or Beth Wiegard [email protected] 616-258-5777 SOURCE Global Holdings, LLC WASHINGTON, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and Boeing said Monday the aircraft produced through the agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project has been designated by the U.S. Air Force as the X-66A. The new X-plane seeks to inform a potential new generation of more sustainable single-aisle aircraft the workhorse of passenger airlines around the world. Working with NASA, Boeing will build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept. The X-66A is the X-plane specifically aimed at helping the United States achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To build the X-66A, Boeing will work with NASA to modify an MD-90 aircraft, shortening the fuselage and replacing its wings and engines. The resulting demonstrator aircraft will have long, thin wings with engines mounted underneath and a set of aerodynamic trusses for support. The design, which Boeing submitted for NASAs Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, is known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. Image Credit: NASA "At NASA, our eyes are not just focused on stars but also fixated on the sky. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator builds on NASA's world-leading efforts in aeronautics as well climate," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "The X-66A will help shape the future of aviation, a new era where aircraft are greener, cleaner, and quieter, and create new possibilities for the flying public and American industry alike." The X-66A is the first X-plane specifically focused on helping the United States achieve the goal of net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions, which was articulated in the White House's U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan. "To reach our goal of net zero aviation emissions by 2050, we need transformative aircraft concepts like the ones we're flying on the X-66A," said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, who announced the designation at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aviation Forum in San Diego. "With this experimental aircraft, we're aiming high to demonstrate the kinds of energy-saving, emissions-reducing technologies the aviation industry needs." NASA and Boeing sought the X-plane designation shortly after the agency announced the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project award earlier this year. The Air Force confers X-plane status for development programs that set out to create revolutionary experimental aircraft configurations. The designation is for research aircraft. With few exceptions, X-planes are intended to test designs and technologies that can be adopted into other aircraft designs, not serve as prototypes for full production. "We're incredibly proud of this designation, because it means that the X-66A will be the next in a long line of experimental aircraft used to validate breakthrough designs that have transformed aviation," said Todd Citron, Boeing chief technology officer. "With the learnings gained from design, construction, and flight-testing, we'll have an opportunity to shape the future of flight and contribute to the decarbonization of aerospace." For the X-66A, the Air Force provided the designation for an aircraft that validates technologies for a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration that, when combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions when compared with today's best-in-class aircraft. Due to their heavy usage, single-aisle aircraft today account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. Creating designs and technologies for a more sustainable version of this type of aircraft has the potential for profound impact on emissions. NASA's history with the X-plane designation dates to the 1940s, when its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) jointly created an experimental aircraft program with the Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The X-66A is the latest in a long line of NASA X-planes. Additionally, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, has provided technical expertise and support for several additional X-planes. For the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, NASA has a Funded Space Act Agreement with Boeing through which the agency will invest $425 million over seven years, while the company and its partners will contribute the remainder of the funding, estimated at about $725 million. NASA also will contribute technical expertise and facilities. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project is an activity under NASA's Integrated Aviation Systems Program and a key element of the agency's Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which focuses on developing new sustainable aviation technologies. Learn more about the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator at: https://go.nasa.gov/3X4t9MD SOURCE NASA NEXTDC stands out for its world-class operational efficiency, environmentally friendly philosophy, and network-rich partner ecosystem in Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia. SAN ANTONIO, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the data center services industry and, based on its findings, recognizes NEXTDC with the 2023 Australian Company of the Year Award. NEXTDC empowers customers to seamlessly connect with service providers, cloud platforms, and vendors to build integrated hybrid cloud deployments and quickly expand their information technology (IT) infrastructure. 2023 Australian Data Center Services Company of the Year Award NEXTDC leverages leading-edge technological innovations to ensure the highest levels of operational reliability, sustainability, and endurance. NEXTDC's data center offering is driven by exceptional research and development, strategic investments, highly differentiated asset management solutions, sophisticated machine learning, and artificial intelligence capabilities that fuel the company's innovation and market-leading portfolio. One of the company's key differentiators is its commitment to sustainability. NEXTDC is strongly aligned with the growing environmental concerns of the Australian data center services ecosystem and its ever-evolving consumer demands. For this reason, NEXTDC maintains a zero-waste program to achieve 100% carbon-neutral operations. The company expects to achieve 100% renewable energy operations by 2030. "NEXTDC is committed to sustainability and renewable economics, which align well with the growing environmental concerns and changing consumer mindsets across the Australian data center services ecosystem. The company holds sustainability as one of its core values across all operations, from zero-waste programs to 100% carbon-neutral operations," said Sama Suwal, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. NEXTDC continually enhances its leadership in the Australian domestic market by capitalizing on the industry's growing data center infrastructure demands through its outstanding service and customer-centric approach. NEXTDC has a broad ecosystem to fulfill its customers' demands and help them grow their businesses as smoothly as possible. For example, the company offers convenient consulting services such as customized IT support, intelligent network solutions, integration of multiple technology components, and data center infrastructure protection. Additionally, NEXTDC searches for new ideas that address unmet customer needs in the rapidly evolving digital landscape by focusing on delivering continuous improvements to its existing solutions and building new offerings to optimize the current data center operating environments. "NEXTDC demonstrates a continued focus on strategic investments in the Australian market and alignment with shifting industry dynamics. The service provider's initiatives to strengthen customer value and create strategic differentiation enables it to drive sustained growth," noted Nishchal Khorama, vice president and global program leader for ICT at Frost & Sullivan. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion . Contact: Tarini Singh P: +91- 9953764546 E: [email protected] SOURCE Frost & Sullivan The Now+Next initiative is a partnership between Mixpanel, Candyspace, Airship, Braze and AB Tasty In partnership with Founders4Schools, Now+Next has worked with 17 schools to encourage young women to explore careers in technology and STEM The association has held events and hosted students for work experience in the UK LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While gender diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) is increasing, women remain a minority in the science and technology industries, making up only 24% of the overall STEM workforce in the UK. The computer science industry has one of the largest gender imbalances, with only 19% of the workforce consisting of women. In order to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology, leading technology companies have teamed up to launch the Now+Next association. Since its inception in 2022, Now+Next has reached over 4,000 young women across 17 schools in the UK to encourage them to explore careers in technology and STEM fields. Through these student-employer encounters, they seek to improve the employment chances of young people and support businesses in developing their talent pipeline. Connecting girls with female tech leaders The association launched in 2022 as a collaboration between leading product analytics company Mixpanel , digital product design and build experts Candyspace and mobile experience company Airship , with the objective to inspire the next generation of female technology leaders. They partnered with Founders4Schools , an award-winning charity that bridges the gap between education and the world of work. The charity connects young people with inspirational volunteer role models to share their career journeys and what led them into their industry. The Now+Next scheme was designed to challenge the gender biases and stereotypes that girls and young women are exposed to from a young age. It aims to help tackle the gender gap in the technology industry by providing girls with exposure to female technology leaders early on, inspiring them to make informed decisions about their future during critical early periods of their education. Celebrating International Women's Day To mark International Women's Day 2023, Now+Next hosted an event in London that saw over 30 students from three schools attend. The main objective of the event was to encourage girls to pursue careers in data, design, and technology and to choose STEM subjects for A-Levels. The day started with an introductory presentation which framed the landscape of gender inequalities in science and technology and provided an overview of how the partners work together. This was followed by breakout sessions hosted by each technology partner in which the girls were able to pitch to clients about how they would solve problems, and learn about the different journeys women have taken to end up in the technology industry. They then had the chance to network before the day wrapped up with a leadership panel featuring female leaders from the technology partners. Beyond hosting events for students, the partners have also invited female students to complete work experience placements to gain a hands-on understanding of the technology industry. Since launching Now+Next, Mixpanel has hosted six students for work experience. During the placement, the girls learnt about the different career paths at Mixpanel and in product analytics and were given a case study assignment to complete. Candyspace also runs a work experience programme which gives each participant the chance to design and build their own iPhone app under the guidance of their digital experts. Tasks throughout the programme include conducting user research, generating concepts, creating visual designs, coding, testing and presenting the finished product. Bridging the gender divide Despite the progress made in recent years, there are still many barriers to girls entering the technology industry. Girls are often discouraged from pursuing STEM subjects due to societal expectations and gender biases that suggest STEM is a 'male' domain. This gender imbalance limits innovation and creativity in the tech industry, as diverse perspectives are needed to solve complex problems, meaning increasing the representation of women in tech is not only important for gender equality, but also for the industry's growth and development. By offering opportunities to experience the industry and providing female role models to look up to, Now+Next hopes to enable girls and young women to see technology as a viable career path. By breaking down these barriers and encouraging more girls to pursue careers in tech, we can create a more inclusive and innovative tech industry for the future. Natalie Kouzeleas, GM & RVP of Mixpanel EMEA, commented, "Now+Next has developed into a key pillar of Mixpanel's diversity and inclusion strategy in EMEA. Seeing the initiative grow both in terms of membership and impact is hugely satisfying on both a personal and professional level. It's a demonstration of how even small companies can make a real impact if they work together with a shared vision." As a founding member of the Now+Next association, Airship's mission is to inspire young women by helping them understand possibilities, providing connections, and supporting experiences in data, design, and technology. The Now+Next program is one example of Airship's DEI focus on talent, workforce, and community impact by reinforcing our commitments and year-round efforts to uplift the industries and communities we serve across the globe. Collaborating with other leaders on this important work shows how much strength there is in numbers. Airship aims to reduce gender bias in its people experience practices to have an inclusive workforce representation and create an environment that better supports and encourages young women interested in pursuing a career in technology. Marjorie Armitage, EMEA General Manager at Braze, commented, "Braze is thrilled to have joined the Now+Next initiative this year. We feel very passionate about supporting women's representation in our company and in the tech industry at all levels. We are motivated to educate girls in the UK about careers in tech, through sharing our own employees' journey into the industry and experiences along the way. Through our partnership with Now&Next, we aim to educate young women about the wealth of opportunities available to them within the Technology industry. Empowering them to explore these opportunities and become the female leaders of tomorrow." For more information on the association, please visit: Now+Next . To get involved please reach out to [email protected]. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/722004/Mixpanel_Inc_Logo.jpg SOURCE Mixpanel, Inc. Celebrate National Hydration Day and Drink this Up BOULDER, Colo., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hosted by NULASTIN Founder & CEO, Leah Garcia, take part in 'Real Talk. Real Tips to Elevate Your Glow. Quenched by HidrateSpark & NULASTIN' on June 23, 2023 at 12pm MDT to toast to the drink of summer. The powerhouse panel includes Coleman Iverson, CEO and Co-Founder of HidrateSpark, Katie Wafer Gillberg, Founder of Hydrate IV Bar, and Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan, the world's leading endurance obstacle race brand. Celebrate National Hydration Day with NULASTIN and HidrateSpark The panel will level up with its experts addressing such topics as how hydration impacts the body, productivity, and mood. Listeners can expect to glean practical statistics and game changing insights from each panelist's industry knowledge and personal anecdotes. Pro athlete turned beauty founder Leah Garcia brings first-hand knowledge of hydration and top physical performance, in addition to how it helps improve elasticity, which transforms hair & skin. brings first-hand knowledge of hydration and top physical performance, in addition to how it helps improve elasticity, which transforms hair & skin. Innovative designer by trade, adventure seeker by nature, CEO and Co-Founder of HidrateSpark, Coleman Iverson will explain a technology that turns a plain water bottle into a smart one that is clinically-proven to beat dehydration will explain a technology that turns a plain water bottle into a smart one that is clinically-proven to beat dehydration Katie Wafer Gillberg, the visionary of Hydrate IV Bar offers insights and benefits of health and wellness spas specializing in IV therapy, and vitamin injections. Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan will fire you up with his quest to build unbreakable humans. "In my household, we blame every ailment on dehydration," says Garcia. "Water is always top of mind, and I'm thrilled to be joined by like-minded founders for an educational, 360-conversation on National Hydration Day." Coleman adds, "We are going to make drinking water cool." About NULASTIN NULASTIN, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado is the original, undisputed leader in helping people look and feel their best through novel elastin replenishment. The women-owned business is redefining what it means to be a beauty brand by focusing on performance-driven, scientifically backed, ethically derived results. About HidrateSpark Founded in 2015, HidrateSpark was created with the mission to be your partner in shaping healthy habits. The company was born during a weekend startup event and has since grown into the leading global brand in the smart water bottle category, powering research studies at the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and more. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE NULASTIN Transaction Expands OCP's National Platform, Adding a Specialty in Complex Adult and Pediatric Spine Pathology FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Orthopedic Care Partners ( OCP ), a leading orthopedic practice management platform, today announced a strategic affiliation with the American Spine & Orthopaedic Institute ( ASOI ), a renowned practice specializing in complex adult and pediatric spine pathology, based in Orlando, FL. Founded by James Manzanares, MD, ASOI has garnered a strong reputation for addressing a broad spectrum of spine-related issues, from traumatic to nontraumatic conditions, using both conventional and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Manzanares and his team are recognized for their three primary areas of expertise: minimally invasive spinal surgery, advanced spine reconstruction, and sports-related injury. Dr. Manzanares completed his medical school and residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, before undergoing advanced training in pediatric orthopedics at the Nemours Children's Clinic. He then completed an advanced spine reconstruction fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Manzanares served in the US Armed Forces. He completed two combat tours in Iraq and later served in Egypt and Germany. ASOI's founding philosophy is that the patient always comes first a commitment upheld by Dr. Manzanares and all ASOI staff, aligning perfectly with OCP's own patient-centric approach. Rich Gilbert, MD, CEO of OCP, stated, "We are excited to welcome Dr. Manzanares and his exceptional team at ASOI to our national platform. Their unique specialty in complex adult and pediatric spine pathology extends our current offerings, ensuring we can provide the highest standard of care to a wider range of orthopedic conditions. This affiliation fits perfectly with our strategy of partnering with market-leading practices that offer exceptional and comprehensive care." Dr. Manzanares added, "Our affiliation with OCP will enhance our mission of providing world-class spinal and orthopaedic care to our patients in central Florida. We look forward to leveraging the resources and network of OCP to further optimize patient outcomes, maintain our focus on minimally invasive techniques, and continue to place patients at the heart of all we do." About Orthopedic Care Partners: Orthopedic Care Partners (OCP) is the leading partner for high-performing, quality, and patient-focused orthopedic surgery practices. OCP provides a full spectrum of services and enhanced resources to help its family of practices thrive and grow while fostering the unique identities that have made them so successful. To learn more, visit www.ocpmgmt.com . About American Spine & Orthopaedic Institute: The American Spine & Orthopaedic Institute, based in Orlando, Florida, is a leading practice specializing in complex adult and pediatric spine pathology. Founded by James Manzanares, MD, the practice prioritizes patient-centric care, using both conventional and minimally invasive techniques to address a broad spectrum of spine-related issues. To learn more, visit www.flspinalsurgeon.com. Contact: Grady Wilson Chief Development Officer, Orthopedic Care Partners [email protected] SOURCE Orthopedic Care Partners Alumni from programs like AmeriCorps, Genesys Works, Merit America, and Thinkful by Chegg are guaranteed transfer credit toward an associate degree with Golden Gate University SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Golden Gate University (GGU) and Outlier.org are launching the Degrees+ Workforce Transfer Network. This network of leading organizations offers or connects learners with workforce training programs with millions of successful alumni who are now eligible to receive guaranteed transfer credit towards Degrees+. Degrees+ is an innovative, online associate degree program offered by GGU and powered by Outlier.org. It reimagines the traditional two-year degree to meet the needs of a new generation of students who are seeking degree pathways that are high-quality, affordable, and flexible. Learners that have completed training programs with the support of the following organizations will receive up to a semester of guaranteed transfer credit if enrolling in Degrees+ starting this fall: AmeriCorps Genesys Works Merit America SkillUp Coalition Thinkful by Chegg "Workforce training programs play a critical role providing people with real-world experience and job skills," said Aaron Rasmussen, CEO and Founder of Outlier.org. "This network creates an accessible pathway for millions of individuals to leverage their significant learning in these programs to get a head start on earning an affordable degree." "There is a need for higher education to adapt and acknowledge the educational value of career-related training and experience," added Dr. David J. Fike, President of Golden Gate University. "The Degrees+ Workforce Transfer Network allows us to bridge that gap and provide students with an inclusive and flexible pathway towards earning a degree." Degrees+ allows students to choose between three associate degree programs: an AS in Applied Computing, AA in Business Administration, or AA in Liberal Studies. Faculty members from Golden Gate University lead each course, providing interactive support through class discussions and office hours. Students also have the option to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree either at GGU or by transferring to another four-year institution. "By guaranteeing transfer credit, Degrees+ creates a new pathway to opportunity, empowering Merit America alumni with an affordable and flexible way to earn a college degreewithout hitting pause on their careers," said Rebecca Taber Staehelin, co-CEO of Merit America. Through the Degrees+ Workforce Transfer Network, Outlier.org and Golden Gate University are empowering millions of people to earn an affordable degree designed to fit into the schedules of adult learners without compromising on quality. This network breaks down barriers and provides opportunities for learners to achieve their academic goals in the way that works best for them. About Outlier.org Outlier.org empowers students to earn their degree with the best instructors without the debt. Students choose from for-credit courses and degree programs taught by leading instructors at Yale, MIT, and Harvard and enjoy a rigorous online learning experience with cinematic video, access to 1-on-1 tutoring, AI-proctored assessments, and active learning material. All Outlier.org courses and degree programs are transcripted by either the University of Pittsburgh or Golden Gate University. About Golden Gate University Golden Gate University , a private nonprofit university in the heart of San Francisco's financial and high-tech district, empowers working adults to achieve their professional goals with nationally renowned undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Founded in 1901, GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, and its programs offer maximum flexibility for modern students. GGU graduates join nearly 70,000 alumni. Media Contact Charlotte Ward [email protected] SOURCE Outlier.org Majority of Votes Withheld from All Incumbent Nickel 28 Directors Board Has Lost Mandate of Shareholders to Lead the Company Reconstitution of the Board with Truly Independent Directors Representative of Shareholders is the Only Honorable and Appropriate Course of Action NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pelham Investment Partners LP ("Pelham", "we", "our" and similar pronouns), a New York-based investment fund and the single largest shareholder of Nickel 28 Capital Corp. (formerly Conic Metals Corp.) (TSXV: NKL) (FSE: 3JC0) ("Nickel 28" or the "Company") comments on the recent announcement by the Company regarding the voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders of Nickel 28, held yesterday, June 12, 2023 (the "AGM" or the "Meeting"). As disclosed by the Company, every management-nominated board candidate received substantially more withhold votes than votes in favour of their election, losing by an average margin of 41.6% votes in favour, to 58.4% votes withheld. Notably, the average margin of 41.6% of votes cast in favor of the management nominees includes the roughly 19.2 million shares (30.1% of the total voted) owned by insiders. Excluding these shares from the vote totals, a staggering 83.6% of all votes cast called for the replacement of the Company's board of directors (the "Board"). Ned Collery, as Pelham's representative, attended the AGM in person, together with his advisors. While management and the Chair of the Meeting refused to disclose how much the Company spent resisting shareholders' demands for change, the facts remain that it was a large amount; that it represented a waste of corporate resources; and that it had little effect. The result of the vote was overwhelming, and the conclusion is clear shareholders have lost confidence in the Board and no longer want them managing the Company's affairs. Certainly, by the time Pelham submitted its director nominees to the Company, it should have been clear to the Board that the Company's shareholders wanted substantial change. Rather than implement this change, the Board resorted to technical arguments and the expenditure of Company funds to entrench itself; it bears noting that some of the Board's defensive actions had the effect of rendering the Meeting uncontested. Directors have a legal and moral obligation to act in the best interests of a company and its owners. That Nickel 28's directors have failed to meet this obligation is manifestly clear. The Board's stubborn refusal to implement the change so clearly demanded by the Company's owners can, in Pelham's view, only be explained by an unwillingness to forego the ludicrously excessive compensation and other benefits that Board members have lavished on themselves. In its latest news release, the Company states that the Board "is considering the application of the Company's majority voting policy with respect to the [Meeting]". By this, the Company means that it is considering whether or not to honor shareholders' clearly expressed will and the principle that a company's owners are entitled to have its affairs managed as they see fit. At the Company's most recent Meeting, Nickel 28's Board could have exercised their discretion as fiduciaries and afforded shareholders a free and fair opportunity to express their wishes. Instead, the Board relied upon a technicality to deny shareholders their voice and force an uncontested election of directors. Given the circumstances, that the Board even needs to "consider" the appropriateness of resigning is yet another sign that it cannot be trusted to lead Nickel 28. Shareholder democracy is a cornerstone of effective and productive capital markets and, as such, we call on the Board of Nickel 28 to heed the clear wishes of its owners. This farce has gone on long enough it is time to accept reality. As the Board no longer has any mandate to lead the Company, it is incumbent on each individual member to resign and begin the process of reconstituting the board with input from, representation among, and the approval of the Company's shareholders. About Pelham Pelham Investment Partners LP is private investment firm located in New York, managed and founded by Edward (Ned) Collery in 2021. We are long-term and value-oriented investors. Pelham, the single largest shareholder of the Company, has held an investment in Nickel 28 since the firm's founding in 2021. Contact Information Pelham Investment Partners LP 709 Main Street, 3rd Floor New Rochelle, New York 10801, USA. Ned Collery: +1-212-813-3414 Questions may be directed to Laurel Hill Advisory Group at 1-877-452-7184 (416-304-0211 outside North America) or by email at [email protected]. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Information disclosed in this news release may contain forward-looking information. All statements and information, other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe" or "continue" or similar words and expressions or negative variations thereof. Statements containing forward looking information in this news release include statements regarding activities, events or developments that Pelham expects or anticipates may occur in the future. Although Pelham believes that the expectations reflected in statements containing forward-looking information made by Pelham in this news release to be reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include the assumption that the business and economic conditions affecting the Company's operations will continue substantially in the current state, including without limitation with respect to industry conditions, general levels of economic activity, continuity and availability of personnel, local and international laws and regulations, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, inflation, taxes that there will be no unplanned material changes to the Company's operations, and that the Company's public disclosure record is accurate in all material respects and is not misleading (including by omission). Pelham cautions that the foregoing list of material facts and assumptions is not exhaustive. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Pelham and there is no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which statements containing forward-looking information are based will occur or, even if they do occur, will result in the plans, results or performance expected. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this news release, which are not a guarantee of performance, events or results and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These factors include, among other things, actions taken by the Company following the conclusion of the Meeting, the content of subsequent public disclosures by the Company, general economic conditions, legislative or regulatory changes, changes in capital or securities markets, and those risks and uncertainties detailed in the continuous disclosure and other filings of Nickel 28 with applicable Canadian securities regulators. These are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of Pelham's forward-looking information. Other unknown and unpredictable factors could also impact outcomes. Statements containing forward-looking information in this news release are based on Pelham's beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made, and there should be no expectation that such forward-looking information will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and Pelham disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE Pelham Investment Partners LP Breakthrough ProciseDx diagnostic technology enables quantitative 5-minute tests for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProciseDx Inc. announces that it is being acquired by Biosynex S.A., a French diagnostics company that specializes in point of care testing. With the support of the Biosynex Group, ProciseDx expects to commercialize the first FDA approved infliximab and adalimumab drug monitoring tests later this year. Easy. Immediate. Accurate. ProciseDx instrument produces results from finger prick blood sample in 5 minutes. ProciseDx technology enables Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) tests at point-of-care. Biosynex Group's strong commitment to TDM was demonstrated earlier this year, when Biosynex took control of Theradiag S.A., the leading European provider of biologic TDM testing kits for centralized laboratories. Together, ProciseDx and Theradiag can transform biologic drug monitoring for US patients. Currently, testing in the US for biologic drug levels is slow and expensive. ProciseDx and Theradiag plan to bring fast, reliable and economic testing to US patients. ProciseDx has submitted De Novo applications to the FDA for two TDM tests. Procise IFX measures infliximab (Remicade and biosimilars) and Procise ADL measures adalimumab (Humira and biosimilars).1 "Currently, results for drug concentrations for infliximab and adalimumab take days and require expensive shipment to third party laboratories," said Larry Mimms, Chief Scientific Officer of ProciseDx. "The ProciseDx platform can change that, with a simple workflow producing a reliable quantitative measurement in 5 minutes or less. Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab) are hugely important drugs for patients with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and ProciseDx blood tests for concentrations of infliximab and adalimumab will improve US patient care."1 "I want to thank the ProciseDx team that is fighting hard to bring this innovation to US IBD patients," said ProciseDx CEO Peter Westlake. "This new technology can improve quality, lower cost and give faster results. ProciseDx expects to launch infliximab and adalimumab point of care tests in the US later this year. The Biosynex acquisition of ProciseDx will enable us to reach more patients, faster." Thierry Paper, Directeur General Delegue (deputy CEO, Biosynex S.A., Strasbourg, France) commented: "Biosynex has made Point of Care and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring a strategic focus. Biosynex have demonstrated our expertise in rapid testing through the Covid pandemic. We see many potential areas of expansion for the ProciseDx technology and we are excited to welcome ProciseDx to the Biosynex Group." About ProciseDx Inc. ProciseDx is an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) company with a proprietary instrument platform and portfolio of Point of Care diagnostic tests. For more information about ProciseDx, please visit us at www.procisedx.com . 1. Procise IFX and Procise ADL are not currently available in the United States. MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Westlake, CEO [email protected], +1 619-821-0660 SOURCE ProciseDx Inc. Due to stopped production at Ronnskar and lower grades than previously communicated at Kevitsa and Tara, EBIT during the second quarter will be affected by an estimated SEK -700 m. STOCKHOLM, June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The fire that occurred in Ronnskar on the night of June 13 has been limited to the cell house and adjacent infrastructure. The cell house is completely destroyed, while other production at Ronnskar has been stopped for safety reasons. Production except electrolysis is expected to resume within a few weeks. The impact on EBIT is estimated at SEK -85 m per week during the time that all production is stopped. In addition, write-downs of asset values of e.g. destroyed buildings and equipment are still too early to assess. As a result of an adjusted mining plan in Kevitsa, more mine production has taken place in areas with lower grades. This has meant that production during the second quarter was characterized by lower copper and nickel grades than previously indicated. The adjusted mining plan will also affect grades in the second half of 2023. During the second quarter, the copper grade is estimated at 0.21% and the nickel grade at 0.16%, which is significantly below the reserve grades in Kevitsa of 0.34% and 0.23%, respectively. For the whole year, the grades are estimated to 0.25% for copper and 0.18% for nickel. At the same time, the production of metal in concentrate in Tara has also been affected by lower grades. The zinc grade during the second quarter is now estimated at 4.7%. As a result of this, the impact on EBIT during the quarter for Business Area Mines is estimated to SEK -500 m compared to previous guidance for the grades for the full year. This also includes the impact of the previously communicated problems with the mill in Garpenberg in the first quarter, which also affected the start of the second quarter. As previously announced, Boliden will communicate the report for the second quarter on July 20, 2023. Due to this information, a conference call will be held on Wednesday, June 14 at 08.30 CET with Mikael Staffas, CEO, and Hakan Gabrielsson, CFO. You can access the teleconference by register on the link below. After the registration you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference. https://events.inderes.se/teleconference/?id=100372 This information is information that Boliden AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of Director Investor Relations, at 21:00 CET on June 13, 2023. CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Klas Nilsson, Director Group Communications, phone: +46 70-453 65 88, [email protected] The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/997/3786438/2126127.pdf Press release SOURCE Boliden PHOENIX, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Students who take Cheetah Learning's Accelerated Exam Prep course pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) test at a 99% rate, which is unprecedented in the field. "Cheetah's accelerated learning techniques help students quickly assimilate and recall a large amount of content leading to nine out of ten classes having a 100% PMP exam pass rate the day after the class for every student who registers and follows the process," said Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, CVL, CAC, PMI-ACP, RYT, founder and CEO of the company. "Most training approaches place a strong emphasis on memorization of terminology; as a result, eight out of ten students still fail the PMP exam on their first attempt even after studying for six months to two years. Students who prepare using Cheetah's proven accelerated adult learning techniques learn systems thinking, enabling them to arrive at the right solution logically without having to memorize." Earning PMP certification by passing the Project Management Institute exam allows project managers to acquire new skills and accelerate their careers and earnings. The test is difficult, however, and taking Cheetah's intensive prep course is an investment in future success. "Preparing for the PMP exam with the Cheetah Learning approach has been a game changer for me," said Camilo Garavito-Castillo, PMP. "Not only did I pass the PMP, I added the Cheetah Accelerated Learning method to my toolbox. Being a lifelong learner, I appreciate this tool for life." Cheetah Learning teaches not only the content covered by the test, but how to excel at taking exams. "The test-taking techniques I learned were just as important, if not more so, than course content on the day of the exam," said Kathryn Leuenberger, PMP. "I passed my PMP exam the morning after the four-day course: pay attention to the recommendation to book your exam that next day. I was worried I wasn't going to be ready, but it was the best advice for me!" The Accelerated Exam Prep, which is available in a virtual classroom four-day or four-week online formats, is one of several courses offered by Cheetah Learning that are guaranteed to improve outcomes and accelerate career success for managers and leaders. "Our pass rate for students who follow our process is actually 100%," explained LaBrosse. "There is always the 1% who do not follow our process and therefore do not pass the PMP exam. Our approach is not for everybody." To subscribe to the Cheetah Learning blog, click here: https://www.cheetahlearning.com/wp/blog/ About Cheetah Learning Cheetah Learning is the two decades-long industry leader in Accelerated Exam Prep for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. Cheetah students culminate their four-day intensive accelerated learning program by taking and passing the Project Management Institute's PMP exam. Cheetah students are guaranteed to pass the PMP exam by following Cheetah's program. Worldwide, there are nearly 80,000 Cheetah Alumni. PMP is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute. Media contact: Marcia Rhodes, Amendola Communications; [email protected] SOURCE Cheetah Learning ProLogium will attend ees Europe in Munich from June 1416. in from June 1416. The new design can nearly double the energy density of an EV pack while significantly reducing its weight and the number of cells in pack with increased cell energy. LLCB samples are targeted to be delivered to European car OEMs for testing as early as the end of 2023. MUNICH, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 1416, energy innovation company ProLogium will be attending ees Europe in Munich, Germany. While at Europe's largest battery and energy storage technology event, ProLogium will share its next-generation solid-state battery and manufacturing technologies with industry experts. The show will also mark the occasion for the world premiere of ProLogium's latest breakthrough innovation, a brand new next-generation solid-state battery product called large-footprint lithium ceramic battery, or LLCB. ProLogium is set to showcase LLCB's advantages in safety, performance, and sustainability on the show floor. ProLogium announced its plan to set up its first overseas solid-state battery gigafactory in Dunkirk, France in mid-May. With a total 5.2 billion in investment and a total planned capacity of 48 GWh to be deployed in phases, the Dunkirk gigafactory will serve as a manufacturing base to supply the European EV market, enabling ProLogium to mass produce its next-generation solid-state batteries and localize its R&D and supply chain ahead of its competitors. "With a clear roadmap for capacity ramp-up and technology development, we are making an all-out effort to accelerate the electrification revolution by providing improved energy solutions to our partners." said Vincent Yang, CEO and founder of ProLogium Technology. "Last year, we announced the first solid-state battery with 100% silicon oxide anode designed to enable higher energy density at the cell level. Now, we are pleased to present the LLCB, another pioneering battery concept that will take EV battery design to the next level in terms of long range, light weight and design flexibility." Brand New Cell Design for Optimized Range, Performance, and Sustainability Increasing the battery size to reduce the number of cells in a pack is an effective way to optimize the configuration of battery pack. A case in point is the current trend of cylindrical battery dimension transitioning from 21 x 70 mm to 46 x 80 mm. The same concept can be applied to solid-state battery. Taking advantage of the solid-state battery's unique structure and manufacturing process, ProLogium has surpassed the limits of liquid type batteries in terms of surface area and capacity, and has succeeded in developing a large-footprint, high-capacity battery product LLCB, which allows for a reduced number of cells and the omission of parallel connections inside the battery pack. The simplified pack structure can in turn facilitate ease of maintenance and reduction of ownership cost. Moreover, the LLCB's flat shape and the excellent thermal conductivity of the solid-state ceramic electrolyte combined can make the design of pack cooling system much less complex, thereby optimizing space utilization. "In other words, the LLCB will enable greater design flexibility for EVs," remarked Simon Wu, Assistant Vice President of ProLogium Technology Product Center. "For the same space as the mainstream 2170 EV battery pack, the LLCB pack's volumetric energy density can be nearly doubled, and for the same total energy, the LLCB pack's weight can be cut by up to 115 kg. More importantly, the LLCB production processes will produce less waste in terms of substrate materials, and the reduced number of cells will require less raw materials, which means increased sustainability and affordability." Polun Cheng, Global Project Management AVP of ProLogium Technology, said "ProLogium is currently cooperating with FEV, a globally leading engineering provider in the automotive industry and internationally recognized leader of innovation across different sectors and industries, to carry out verification tests of the LLCB and design applicable solutions. Samples are targeted to be delivered to European car OEMs for testing as early as the end of 2023." SOURCE ProLogium MIAMI, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairlead Realty , a leading real estate agency in Florida, is excited to announce its exclusive partnership with PropertyPulse AI , a pioneer in AI technology for the real estate industry. This strategic collaboration is set to revolutionize the way real estate professionals operate in Florida, empowering them with proprietary AI tools and insights to gain the competitive edge in generating off market leads for their real estate business. The goal is to predict which houses will likely come to market in the next 120 days. Pairing PropertyPulse's AI with Fairlead's expertise will revolutionize real estate lead gen, redefining industry norms. Tweet this hero image Gregory Ardbelava, founder of PropertyPulse.AI, added, "Our collaboration with Fairlead Realty will truly push the boundaries of what's possible in the real estate industry. The power of our AI tools coupled with the industry expertise of Fairlead Realty will enable a new level of personalized assistance for potential property leads, revolutionizing the way agents generate off-market leads." Fairlead Realty's commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with PropertyPulse AI's data-centric technology. With this exclusive partnership, members at Fairlead Realty gain access to PropertyPulse AI's comprehensive suite of solutions, designed to enhance the ability to generate targeted, off market leads using a variety of customizable factors based on the type of clientele and neighborhoods the agent would like to target. By leveraging AI-powered data analysis, predictive modeling, and intelligent lead generation, Fairlead Realty agents will have the tools they need to make data-driven decisions and optimize their strategies. "We are thrilled to embark on this exclusive partnership with PropertyPulse AI," said Thomas Ladd, Head of Business Development at Fairlead Realty. "By joining forces and sharing data, we're at the forefront of real estate innovation. Having the opportunity to implement direct agent feedback into our platform in real time is what excites me the most." The exclusive partnership between Fairlead Realty and PropertyPulse AI represents a significant milestone in the Florida real estate industry. By combining Fairlead Realty's industry expertise and personalized service with PropertyPulse AI's advanced technology, both companies are positioned to lead the way in innovation, setting a new standard for real estate transactions in the region. About FairLead Realty Fairlead is a leading provider of innovative real estate business and marketing solutions in Florida. Dedicated to driving success in the property market, Fairlead equips its real estate agents with the means to excel in lead generation and nurturing through advanced technology, harvesting, and presentation tools, all available exclusively to FairleadRealty members. "It's more than just the ChatGPT for your lead generation," says Thomas Ladd, head of Business Development for FairLead Realty. "It's the engine that powers it." Differentiated from other zero commission brokerage models with its no hidden fees approach, FairLead Realty's exclusive partnership with Listing3D , division company of 3DAPARTMENT.com , covers marketing costs up front for FairLead members, allowing real estate agents to go the extra mile while maintaining their cash flow in these critical times. For more information about FairLeadRealty, visit FairLeadRealty.com or contact your local FairleadRealty representative. SOURCE 3DApartment NEW YORK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Prudential plc (NYSE: PUK) (OTC: PUKPF) resulting from allegations that Prudential may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Prudential securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16906 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On May 31, 2023, Prudential disclosed that its Chief Financial Officer James Turner had resigned amid a probe into a "code of conduct issue" relating to a recent recruitment. On this news, Prudential's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $1.71 per ADR, or 6.08%, to close at $26.43 per ADR on May 31, 2023. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. MONTREAL, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - QuoteMachine, a Montreal-based software company specializing in the optimization of complex sales processes for retailers and other businesses, announced today that it has launched its app in the Intuit Developer Platform, where millions of QuickBooks Online users go to find, try, and buy apps that meet their needs. The integration will allow QuickBooks users to not only seamlessly generate professional quotes and invoices, but also reserve inventory for specific customers. With the added ability to easily convert any quotes and orders into invoices, QuoteMachine can help reduce the time and effort required to create accurate and professional documents, while providing a superior experience for the business owners and their customers. QuoteMachine has recently won the Customer Obsession Award in the Intuit Prosperity Accelerator designed by Intuit, the global technology platform that makes TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks and Mailchimp. This accolade demonstrates QuoteMachine's commitment to providing outstanding customer service and highlights its unique approach to scaling selling processes requiring a human touch and the need to increase the sales and operations performance. "We are thrilled to be part of the Intuit Developer Platform, a platform that is trusted by millions of small business owners," said JD Rocheteau, CEO of QuoteMachine. "With QuoteMachine, we aim to empower business owners to elevate their customer experience, streamline their sales process, save time, and win more business. Our system is designed for seamless collaboration, so teams can start using it right after integration. This integration will make our solution even more accessible to those who need it the most." The Intuit Developer Platform enables developers to integrate with QuickBooks, the trusted partner of small businesses dedicated to helping customers simplify the financial complexities of their business and succeed. This offers an unparalleled reach to small businesses through the Apps platform, helping QuoteMachine gain exposure to a large audience of potential customers. QuoteMachine is available for QuickBooks Online and can be downloaded from the Intuit Developer Platform at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/app/apps/appdetails/quotemachine/en-us/ About QuoteMachine QuoteMachine is a leading provider of sales software solutions. Its sales software enables retailers worldwide to deliver customized sales experiences to their customers through efficient quoting, ordering and invoicing services. Regardless of the complexity of a merchant's products, services or workflow, QuoteMachine ensures a seamless and delightful customer experience resulting in proven growth in both B2B and B2C settings. You can find QuoteMachine on: Quotemachine.com Linkedin Facebook YouTube SOURCE QuoteMachine RFA will provide strategic expertise and counsel on the North American real estate portion of DBJ's extensive investment portfolio LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RCLCO Fund Advisors ("RFA") (www.rclco.com/rfa) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Development Bank of Japan Inc. ("DBJ") to serve as an advisor on its U.S. real estate investments. Under an arrangement facilitated by Otake Global Capital, RFA will source, carry out due diligence, and monitor DBJ's U.S. senior real estate loan portfolio, and provide research, market intelligence, and analytics. "We're truly honored to have been selected to work with a company with the history and financial expertise of DBJ," said Taylor Mammen, Chief Executive Officer of RFA. "DBJ has an extensive and successful investment history in the global real estate sector, and we are proud to contribute our decades of hands-on experience and research insights as we aim to enhance the work of their existing team in the U.S." Building on RCLCO's almost six-decade legacy of expertise, analytics and thought-leadership in the real estate industry, RFA has a lengthy track record advising institutional investors' real estate strategies and portfolios. RFA serves institutional investors through a rigorous analytical approach to portfolio management and investment selection, deep knowledge of real estate, and team experience in research, consulting, investment management, property operations, and lending. "We believe that despite some degree of market uncertainty, the North American real estate sector continues to offer superior possibilities and investment opportunities," said Mammen. "Investment in North American real estate is a vital part of a comprehensive portfolio strategy, and more than ever requires devoted expertise to maximize long-term success and returns. We look forward to a long relationship with DBJ and are committed to meeting and exceeding their expectations of RFA." About Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) Development Bank of Japan is a Japanese investment and development bank based in Tokyo. It was formed in 1951 after World War II. As of March 2022, its assets total to US$150 billion. DBJ contributes to the development of the real estate finance market, growing alongside cities by offering appropriate support with the maintenance, upgrading, and expansion of urban functions. About RCLCO Fund Advisors (RFA) Established in 2011 and an SEC Registered Investment Advisor since 2014, RCLCO Fund Advisors advises institutional investors on real estate investments through its analytical rigor, highly customized client-centric service, and impassioned search for alignment. With nearly $100 billion in real estate assets under advisement, RFA's diverse and experienced team offers a differentiated approach to real estate investing to address the unique challenges faced by institutional investors through its focus on demand-driven investing, real estate operations, and partnership alignment. Learn more at www.rclco.com/rfa About RCLCO RFA is an affiliate of RCLCO, a national real estate consulting firm. Since 1967, RCLCO has been the "first call" for real estate developers, investors, public institutions and non-real estate companies seeking strategic and tactical advice regarding property investment, planning, and development. RCLCO leverages quantitative analytics platforms and a strategic planning framework to provide end-to-end business planning and implementation solutions at an entity, portfolio, or project level. RCLCO is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, and has offices in Los Angeles, CA, Orlando, FL, and Austin, TX. Learn more at www.rclco.com Media Contact: April Roberts [email protected] SOURCE RCLCO Fund Advisors A Critical Step in the Wellness Company's Scientific Roadmap BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ResBiotic Nutrition Inc (ResBiotic) announced today that its latest peer-reviewed clinical trial featuring resB Lung Support has been published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The study, titled "Clinical Trial of a Probiotic and Herbal Supplement for Lung Health," yielded significant results, including improvements in lung functions and in quality of life scores in participants. Overall, most participants were highly likely to recommend resB. resB Lung Support, as a product target anyone concerned about their respiratory or lung health. In addition, users of resB see significant gut health and immune benefits similar to other high potency probiotics. According to physician founder Dr. Vivek Lal, MD, FAAP, "This is a critical step in our scientific roadmap where ResBiotic is trying to disrupt the wellness industry with truly science-backed and efficacious solutions." Adding, "Each ingredient in resB Lung Support has been validated and tested for efficacy in several studies, and we are launching similar science backed products to our portfolio this year". The company, which closed on a recent pre-Series round of funding in April 2023, has expanded its leadership team to propel continued growth. Josh Meah, founder of New York based media and growth firm JM&Co has joined ResBiotic as Chief Marketing Officer. Sam Presicci, MCN, RD, LD will oversee marketing operations. Noah Voreades, Managing Director of GenBiome Consulting, will leverage his microbiome and commercialization expertise in a business strategy advisory role. Sean Moloney, CEO, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and former Marketing Innovations Director for Pfizer will help in organization's tactical strategy. With extensive experience in pediatrics and pulmonology, Dr. Federico Isaac Hernandez Rocha, a renowned pulmonary physician will join the team as the company's first Latin American advisor. Media Contact: [email protected] About ResBiotic ResBiotic Nutrition, Inc. is a science backed wellness company pioneering clinically validated supplements for lung, gut and immune health. Founded by physician scientists, the company is the culmination of decades of research at the intersection of health and microbiome science. ResBiotic's first product, resB Lung Support, targets the gut-lung axis with a combination of clinically studied probiotic strains and bioactive botanicals. Dr. Lal, the founder of ResBiotic is the Director of Clinical Innovation at Marnix Heersink Institute of Biomedical Innovation at University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. To learn more visit www.resbiotic.com . SOURCE ResBiotic Nutrition, Inc. NINGBO, China, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The PV power plant in Mezocsat, Hungary, the largest power plant in Eastern Europe, has officially commenced operation. The Hungarian Oil and Gas Public Limited Company (commonly known as MOL Group) held the opening ceremony to commemorate the achievement. Risen Energy vice president Zeng Jianping, sales director for Europe Wu Jing, and senior manager of the Product Center Ye Jiajun were invited to the event. Mezocsat PV power plant, the largest power plant in Eastern Europe "Hungary imports 76% of its energy, and reducing the reliance on natural gas and increasing the share of electricity from alternative sources are key goals," tweeted Energy Minister Csaba Lantos. "The inauguration of the Mezocsat power plant, the country's largest solar farm, is a step toward achieving these objectives." Risen Energy has established the marketing network in Hungary since long, and in 2022, Risen Energy's module shipments accounted for over 70% of the total volume in Hungary. Risen Energy supplied the high-efficiency Titan Series PERC PV modules to the Mezocsat power plant. The module delivers high energy yield and significant carbon reduction. The use of advanced technologies such as non-destructive cutting, high-density encapsulation, MBB and low-voltage design ensures the module's ultra-high efficiency, while mechanical performance, safety and stability of the modules are greatly enhanced, enabling customers to meet their requirements for environmentally sustainable energy. At the ceremony, Risen Energy's brand strength, technical excellence, and service quality were highly acknowledged by MOL Group. The company's commitment to providing high-efficiency modules with guaranteed quality and quantity, coupled with their advanced high-power module technology, impressed MOL Group with its significant return on investment. Both parties expressed their shared aspiration for deeper collaboration, aiming to strengthen their partnership and undertake more high-quality and benchmark PV projects in the future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2097499/image_2.jpg SOURCE Risen Energy Co., Ltd New Appointment Marks Latest in RLS's Commitment to Best-in-Class Regulation as Radiopharmacy Network Continues to Scale for Long-Term Growth LAKE ZURICH, Ill., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, RLS (USA), Inc. (Radioisotope Life Sciences), the third-largest nuclear pharmacy network in the US, announced the appointment of Glenn Sullivan as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Sullivan, a 25-year veteran of the radiopharmacy and healthcare industry, will help ensure RLS continues to meet the highest bar for regulatory compliance on the local, state and federal levels as the radiopharmacy network continues to expand. "Glenn's appointment as Director of Regulatory Affairs marks an exciting new chapter for RLS as we continue to scale for long-term, sustainable growth," said Stephen Belcher, CEO of RLS. "With over two decades of experience at the intersection of nuclear medicine and regulatory affairs, Glenn will play a crucial role in ensuring RLS maintains our best-in-class regulatory status as we advance our pipeline of radiopharmaceuticals and work to make a positive impact on patient care." As Director of Regulatory Affairs, Sullivan will drive local, state and federal regulatory strategy for the company, ensuring RLS continues to meet the highest standards in regulatory compliance as the only Joint Commission accredited radiopharmacy network in the country. In addition to leading the licensing and permitting process across the RLS network, which includes 31 radiopharmacies nationwide, Sullivan will also play a critical role in research and PET initiatives as RLS continues to expand into new areas. Sullivan brings over 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs, quality and compliance with a strong focus in the nuclear sector. Prior to joining RLS, he held key regulatory roles at several prominent organizations, including Cardinal Health, Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center and Amersham/Medi-Physics. Sullivan holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Wittenberg University, an MBA from National Louis University and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from California Intercontinental University. About RLS RLS (Radioisotope Life Sciences), the third-largest nuclear medicine pharmacy network in the United States, owns and operates 31 radiopharmacies across 18 states, offering an extensive portfolio of molecular imaging products. We endeavor to supply the highest quality radiopharmaceuticals in the industry by dispensing 100 percent of injectable unit dose products in clean rooms built to ISO 1644-1 specifications. In support of our commitment to quality, we provide tailored solutions and exceptional service to our more than 1500 customers. For more information, please visit www.rls.bio. For more information, please contact : RLS (USA), Inc. Trey Bankson Chief Operating Officer [email protected] SOURCE RLS (USA) Inc. ROLLER's commitment to innovation and customer success has propelled its rapid expansion and solidified its position as a market leader. MELBOURNE, Australia, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ROLLER, an all-in-one venue management software company for the leisure and attractions industry, is proud to announce its rank of #15 out of 50 finalists on the prestigious 2023 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast Global list, recognizing its remarkable international growth. The AFR Fast Global list identifies and celebrates the fastest-growing Australian companies making a significant impact on the global stage. ROLLER's recognition on this esteemed list underscores its growth trajectory and demonstrates its continued success in expanding its footprint internationally. "We are humbled to be named on the AFR Fast Global list, which is a testament to our team's dedication and the value we deliver to our customers," said Luke Finn, CEO & Founder of ROLLER. "This recognition reinforces our position as a leading force in the leisure and attractions industry, and we are proud of our achievements in expanding our international presence." Finn added that in addition to continuing ROLLER's strong organic growth, he expects the company will also pursue M&A opportunities in the years ahead. "We now have a truly global team and footprint, which is a great foundation to further expand the products and services we can bring to our customers." To support ROLLER's growth and expansion, it recently welcomed Ash Fagura to the company as Chief Operating Officer, based in San Francisco, CA, expanding its leadership team in the US. Joining ROLLER from Databricks (one of the fastest-growing SaaS businesses of all time), where he was Vice President of Customer Success Strategy, Ash previously spent six years at Campaign Monitor, where he helped the company scale from $50M in revenue to over $250M through organic growth and acquisitions. Ash is a seasoned professional and experienced operational leader in the software space, and ROLLER is thrilled to have his experience onboard to further accelerate its growth trajectory. ROLLER's innovative software solutions have transformed how leisure and attractions venues operate, enabling them to streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive revenue growth. With a comprehensive suite of products that includes ticketing, point-of-sale, integrated payments, and more, ROLLER partners with over 1,300 venues in the attractions industry to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. With over 120 team members in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, ROLLER has established a solid global presence, serving clients in over 25 countries. ROLLER's inclusion on this prestigious list demonstrates its consistent growth and commitment to developing innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the industry. About ROLLER ROLLER is the cloud-based venue management platform for the modern attraction, purpose-built to remove friction from the guest experience at every touchpoint. Their all-in-one platform simplifies its customers' business processes, improving efficiency and maximizing revenue. ROLLER's comprehensive solution includes: Online Checkout & Ticketing, Point-of-Sale, Integrated Payments, Memberships, Gift Cards, Waivers, Self-Serve Kiosks, Cashless Wallets, the Guest Experience Score, and more. To learn more, visit roller.software. SOURCE ROLLER Salem Academy Has an Emphasis on STEAM, Salem College Has a Health Leadership Focus WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Salem Academy and College, located in Winston-Salem, N.C., has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to receive a grant of almost $750,000 directed to attracting and retaining women in STEM degree programs and careers. Salem's project "Soar with Salem: A Comprehensive Program to Inspire Women and Girls to Become the Next Generation of STEM Professionals" will offer a three-year program to high school and college students providing support and resources to increase their likelihood of pursuing studies and a career in STEM. Research and experience affirm that the women who pursue and obtain college degrees in a STEM field demonstrate three key assets: resilience; engagement with science; and academic preparation in math, writing, and the sciences. Salem's program will focus on cultivating all of these aspects of STEM preparation. Salem Academy is the nation's only all-girls, boarding and day high school located on a college campus with a STEAM focus. Salem College provides a liberal arts education with a distinctive focus on health across its curriculum and co-curriculum, preparing students for a range of career paths and graduate programs. NASA affirmed Salem Academy and College's expertise in STEAM education and health leadership, and in developing these assets in their students. This is Salem Academy and College's first grant ever from NASA. "Salem Academy and College is proud to receive a grant from NASA to focus on reducing the gender gap in STEM," Salem Academy and College President Summer J. McGee, Ph.D., CPH said. "As the nation's oldest educational institution for girls and women, Salem has been for over 250 years and continues to be today a leader at the forefront of women's education. It is fitting that Salem was chosen to be one of the pioneers to create opportunities for women to lead and blaze new trails all the way into space." "We are honored to be chosen among our elite sister institutions to continue the vital mission of promoting women's leadership in the sciences," McGee added. "We will do our part to help propel women into the future, including NASA's plans for an all-female crew to the moon." The award from NASA is a three-year grant for Soar with Salem to strengthen interest in health and STEAM by using Salem Academy and College students as mentors, bringing high school students to campus during the summer to focus on science, arts, math, and academic support. Under the initiative, a key outcome of Soar with Salem will be to encourage prospective students to study STEM disciplines in college with Salem College as their possible school of choice. The Soar with Salem initiative will result in continued collaboration between Salem Academy and Salem College to identify, support, educate, and graduate a strong cohort of young women well prepared to succeed in STEM careers. In addition, Salem will expand an existing affiliation with nearby North Forsyth High School, which has a focus on health and STEMsimilar to that of Salem. Soar with Salem also will foster a partnership with the United Way of Forsyth County. The co-principal investigators are Dr. Rebecca Dunn, Salem College Professor of Biology and Director of the Women in Science and Mathematics Program, and Kris Porazzi Sorrells, Salem Academy Head of School and instructor of Mathematics and Robotics. As an initiative of the Biden/Harris administration, NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) created this funding opportunity for Women's Colleges and Universities to help women overcome obstacles and barriers to working in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Through the award review and awarding process, NASA recognized that the STEM pipeline for women is weak on a national basis and reached out to women's schools to build that pipeline. MUREP is administered by NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), which creates opportunities for students to contribute to the agency's work and grow their confidence in STEM. For more information about OSTEM, please visit: stem.nasa.gov About Salem Academy and College Salem Academy and College is the nation's oldest educational institution for girls and women in the United States. Salem Academy is intentionally focused on STEAM to transform students' education through the holistic integration of rigorous academic and co-curricular experiences that build character and leadership. Salem College provides a liberal arts education with a distinctive focus on health across the curriculum and co-curriculum, preparing students to make the world a better, healthier, and more equitable place. Salem College is the only national liberal arts college exclusively focused on developing the health leaders of tomorrow. For more than 250 years, Salem Academy and College has empowered and prepared girls and women from all around the world to effect change, shatter expectations and lead. Salem Academy and College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant educational community known for arts and innovation. For more information about Salem Academy, please visit SalemAcademy.com. For more information about Salem College, please visit Salem.edu. Salem College news media contact Steve Bumgarner Capture Public Relations & Marketing (336) 722-9660 office, (336) 403-0955 - cell [email protected] SOURCE Salem Academy and College Did you lose money on investments in SentinelOne? If so, please visit SentinelOne, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected] to discuss your rights. NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of SentinelOne, Inc. ("SentinelOne" or the "Company") (NYSE: S) between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint"). According to the Complaint, SentinelOne is a cybersecurity company that claims to have pioneered the world's first AI-powered Extended Detection and Response ("XDR") platform to make cybersecurity defense truly autonomous. The Company claims its Singularity Platform instantly defends against cyberattacks, performing at a faster speed, greater scale, and higher accuracy than otherwise possible from humans. The Company's fiscal year 2023 ended January 31, 2023. SentinelOne claims that its "Annualized Recurring Revenue" or "ARR" is a key business metric. The Company defines ARR as "the annualized revenue run rate of our subscription and capacity contracts at the end of a reporting period, assuming contracts are renewed on their existing terms for customers that are under contracts with us." Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants failed to disclose that: (1) the Company lacked effective internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; (2) as a result, the Company's ARR was overstated; and (3) as a result, the Company's guidance was overstated. On June 1, 2023, after the market closed, SentinelOne published a press release titled "SentinelOne Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results." Therein, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracies, which we further describe in our letter to shareholders, we made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR." The Company also revised its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance downward to a range of $590 million to $600 million from a range of $631 million to $640 million. In a shareholder letter published the same day, SentinelOne further explained that "we . . . discovered historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected" and that "[w]e are applying a comparable estimated adjustment to the remaining quarters in fiscal year 23, which we believe is a reasonable approximation of the impact in those periods." On this news, SentinelOne's stock price fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 7, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. If you purchased or acquired SentinelOne securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit SentinelOne, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 [email protected] SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP ANN ARBOR, Mich. , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ShortPoint Inc. (https://www.shortpoint.com/), a leading intranet design software company, is excited to announce its launch of Live Mode UX, a frontend development experience for Microsoft SharePoint, which features a new level of usability for designers of all levels of experience. Join us on August 16th, 2023 and learn about ShortPoint's Live Mode UX! WEBINAR: https://www.shortpoint.com/webinar-2 Tweet this Designing with ShortPoint Live Mode UX is simplistic. Built-in templates, click and drag margin adjustments, easy additions for integrations and customizations. Designing in SharePoint has never been so easy! Live Mode UX is a remarkable step forward for intranet design, allowing users of ShortPoint the ability to add integrated templates, select custom design elements, and build & brand entire intranet pages in moments. If you have ever had a question about how to improve a design in Microsoft SharePoint, Live Mode UX is the answer. Chief Marketing Officer, Scott Daniel Lysz explains, "Although ShortPoint works with many Fortune 500 companies, our software is geared towards ease of use. Whether you're a tenured SharePoint developer or a standalone IT department with no SharePoint experience, our new Live Mode UX saves so much time for designers, that it pays for itself, many times over." A project, over 3 years in the making, ShortPoint has been working directly with its customers to bring the world a unified platform for complete SharePoint intranet design and customization. They have been gathering frequently requested features and listening to customer feedback to put together the best iteration of their design software yet. This collaboration has resulted in Live Mode UX, which allows designers to visually build and edit in real-time with an intuitive, easy to navigate interface, unlike anything else on the market. Anas Nakawa, CTO and Co-Founder of ShortPoint notes, "It started with a few innovative ideas that turned out to be what our customers wanted in our product and the team has worked tirelessly since then to bring it to life. We faced several challenges and this just brought the best out of every team member. We are also grateful to our customers who do not tire of providing feedback, so that we can improve Live Mode UX to its fullest potential." Live Mode UX has a full-scheduled public roll-out in Q3 of 2023, but is offering new customers the ability to start designing with this innovative design software, now! Try ShortPoint now (no credit card required): https://www.shortpoint.com/trial In celebration of Live Mode UX's public release, ShortPoint will host a webinar on August 16th, 2023 at 12PM ET. All participants will receive a complimentary Link to download ShortPoint with Live Mode UX during the webinar! Register here: https://www.shortpoint.com/webinar-2 About ShortPoint ShortPoint (ShortPoint.com) is a global company that is aimed at developing and constantly improving the best intranet design technology that enables users to build intranet sites from scratch with no coding, at minimum cost, and in record time. Founded in 2013, ShortPoint has grown and evolved into a thriving, globally distributed company with over 1500 customers and more than 6 million intranet users. With international offices located in Ann Arbor, MI, Ukraine, Dubai and the United Kingdom, ShortPoint has won the hearts of some of the biggest names across numerous including: BP, General Electric, Epson, PWC, Toyota, Mitsubishi, NASA and many more in UAE such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Aramex, Mohammaded Bin Rashid Space Center, Dubai Duty Free, and Air Arabia. SOURCE ShortPoint Leading Fast Casual Burger Brand Franchise Partners with Franchisee to Debut Five New Stores Across Salt Lake City DENVER, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smashburger, the leading fast-casual restaurant chain renowned for its hand-smashed to order burgers, announced today the signing of a multi-unit development agreement to further expand its footprint in Utah, bringing five new locations to Salt Lake City. Leading the brand's expansion in the market is multi-unit franchisee Michael Walker of Zuvachs, LLC., who acquired two existing Smashburger locations in Salt Lake City through the deal. The announcement builds on the growth momentum that Smashburger has achieved since the beginning of the year, adding 26 locations to its pipeline. "We are extremely proud of the growth that has been accomplished since reigniting our franchise development program towards the end of last year. Franchisees across the country have seen first-hand how strongly our elevated better-burger experience resonates in each of the markets we operate in, and see the promise in our brand's vision," said Toni Bianco, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Smashburger. "We're looking to partner with experienced operators that are eager to grow, and Michael has proven to fit that classification." Starting his career as a General Manager for SONIC Drive-In and holding managerial titles for other large brands like Burger King, Walker has over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. In November of 2019, Walker and his business partners, Ralph Bohn, Joe Carpenter and Melanie Castillo, formulated Zuvachs, LLC and began their franchising journey. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic they acquired their first Smashburger location in Lehi, Utah and have been seeking growth opportunities with the brand ever since. In addition to the group's portfolio of Smashburger restaurants, Walker and Zuvachs are set to build five Fazoli's locations in Greater Salt Lake City. "From the moment I took my first bite into Smashburger's signature smashed patty, I knew we had found a brand that shared our passion for quality, flavor and innovation. The brand's commitment to using fresh, premium ingredients and their dedication to handcrafting each burger with precision sets them apart in the fast casual industry, said Walker. "Along with craveable menu items, Smashburger continues to show immense growth potential due to the increased consumer demand for a modern customer experience. We are thrilled to be leading the brand's expansion in Salt Lake City!" Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger is a better-burger brand known for its innovative approach to crafting delicious and high-quality burgers. From the way the burgers are cooked, to the unique flavors they offer, Smashburger is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a burger can be. With over 240 locations, across 34 states and seven countries, Smashburger is the quickest fast casual concept to hit the 200-restaurant milestone and has sustained consistent growth due to its ongoing brand innovation which helps drive store profitability and build guest loyalty. This past year, the brand also redefined its portfolio with the launch of a new restaurant design with some locations offering a full-service bar. Additionally, this March, Smashburger unveiled its new Virtual Drive-Thru design and began testing the prototype at its latest location in Houston. An extension of the traditional drive-thru experience, the Virtual Drive-Thru allows customers to seamlessly place an order online or through the Smashburger app, then pull through the designated parking lane where their food will be delivered to the driver by a Smashburger team member. The Virtual Drive-Thru prototype, coupled with the brand's refreshed kitchen design, reinforces the brand's commitment to innovation and staying in lockstep with the increased consumer demand for convenience and accessibility. Smashburger is looking to expand within Southern California, Georgia and the Carolina's, as well as Florida. Smashburger provides franchise operators site selection criteria, construction, decor, as well as opening support. Once open, the Smashburger team provides regular feedback on ways to increase sales, improve operations and monitor guest feedback. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Smashburger, visit https://smashburger.com/franchising/. About Smashburger Smashburger is a leading fast-casual better burger restaurant known for its Certified Angus Beef burgers that are smashed on the grill to sear in the juices and seal in the flavor. In addition to burgers, Smashburger offers grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, turkey and black bean burgers, fresh salads, signature side items such as Brussels sprouts and SmashFries, and hand-spun shakes. Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger is a recognized Stevie American Business Award winner and was ranked as one of Fast Casual's top 25 brands in its 2023 Top 100 Movers & Shakers Award. The brand has more than 240 corporate and franchise restaurants operating in 34 states and seven countries. To learn more, visit smashburgerfranchising.com. Contact: Anna Lake Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Smashburger ARLINGTON, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) welcomed eight new members last week, following approval by its Board of Governors: Cymer, Blue Grass Chemical, Exim-Indis, Black Bay Energy Capital, International Process Plants (IPP), Coffman Collaborative, Reaction35, and Roscoe Moss Company. Cymer is a synthetic, organic chemical manufacturer with technological expertise and capacity to meet demanding requirements with two plants in Tennessee. "Cymer recognizes that the pivotal role SOCMA plays is affecting positive legislative and regulatory outcomes that support our U.S. manufacturing industry's business landscape," said Frank LaMonica, President, Cymer. "The challenging environment and supply chain disruptions over the past several years have motivated us to join SOCMA to contribute to important issues facing our sector." Blue Grass Chemical, New Albany, IN, specializes in toll manufacturing and aqueous inorganic metal salt solutions. Their capabilities range from simple blending to complex multi-stage precipitation. Blue Grass joins the association seeking to leverage SOCMA's manufacturing and operations tools and training to surpass industry standards. Houston, TX-based Exim-Indis , a supplier of high-performance chemicals, was "drawn to SOCMA because of their dedication to advancing the industry and promoting the growth of small- medium-sized specialty chemical manufacturers," said Mari Kottaka, CEO, Exim-Indis. "Membership provides us unique access to resources to address regulatory issues, boost operations and facilitate commercial and networking opportunities." An investor of equity capital in North American energy and chemical industries, Black Bay Energy Capital Partner Tom Ambrose said, "We can find the right connections through SOCMA's network, as the association provides unique opportunity to interact with and explore key partnerships for our existing businesses and meet new teams seeking a financial partner." International Process Plants (IPP), a returning member and active SOCMA Show sponsor, is based in Princeton Junction, NJ. For 40+ years, IPP has specialized in buying and selling complete process plants, process units and systems, and process equipment. Located in Charleston, WV, Coffman Collaborative is a public relations and strategic communications firm specializing in governmental affairs, stakeholder engagement, and other key areas for U.S. chemical manufacturers. Founder Rachel Coffman joined SOCMA to collaborate with stakeholders on key government affairs and regulatory issues at the federal level. West coast-based Reaction35 is the owner and developer of Reaction35 Technology, a three-step process for on-purpose production of petrochemicals and fuels from light hydrocarbons. Roscoe Moss designs and manufactures water well casing and screen, producing high quality, cost-effective hydraulic products for the global water industry. "I am excited to welcome these new eight members," said Jennifer Abril, President & CEO, SOCMA. "Each company adds unique expertise and capabilities that enrich SOCMA's membership and furthers our mission of delivering essential resources and commercial opportunities to the specialty chemical sector." About SOCMA Solely dedicated to the specialty chemical industry, SOCMA builds commercial connections, supports manufacturing and operations, and advocates for regulatory and legislative policies. www.socma.org SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates BEIJING, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRIOnline: A clean and beautiful world is essential for building a community of all life on Earth. This shared aspiration spans nations and cultures. The Global Development Initiative is actively driving the push towards global green and sustainable development, injecting fresh momentum into the cause. Shaanxi Province is a significant energy hub and a crucial base for China's comprehensive energy security. The province plays a vital role in the transportation of coal, the transmission of power, and the shipping of gas from western China to eastern China, serving as a gateway for the national dual carbon strategy. On June 7, 2023, over 20 diplomats from 15 countries visited State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Company to witness Shaanxi's efforts in implementing the dual-carbon strategy. Solomon Tesfaye Telila, the Minister of the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China, was invited to deliver a speech on behalf of the diplomats at the meeting. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment and cooperation between China, Ethiopia, and the broader African community, stressing the crucial role it plays in unlocking the full potential of mutually beneficial partnerships. He believed that by collaborating, both countries can lay a strong groundwork for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and improving the lives of people worldwide. The original speech text is as follows: I am honored to stand in front of you and speaks not as an observer but as a witness to the solid cooperation between China and Ethiopia in the energy sector. China and Ethiopia have been engaged in cooperation in the area of energy for several years. Here are some key aspects of their collaboration: Infrastructure Development: China has been involved in the construction of major energy infrastructure projects in Ethiopia, particularly in the hydroelectric sector. Chinese companies have played a significant role in the development of hydroelectric dams, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) transmission line and the Gibe III Dam. These projects aim to increase Ethiopia's power generation capacity and promote renewable energy sources. China has provided financial support and investment for energy projects in Ethiopia. Chinese institutions, such as the Export-Import Bank of China and China Development Bank, have extended loans and credit facilities to Ethiopia for the development of energy infrastructure.. China has facilitated technology transfer and knowledge sharing in the energy sector. This includes providing expertise in hydropower generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Chinese companies have introduced advanced technologies and equipment, helping Ethiopia in enhancing its energy capabilities and improving the efficiency of its power infrastructure. China has supported Ethiopia's efforts to develop renewable energy sources. This includes collaboration in the development of wind farms, such as the Adama Wind Power Project, and the exploration of solar energy projects. China has also provided training and capacity building programs for Ethiopian professionals in the energy sector. This includes technical training on power plant operation, maintenance, and management. These initiatives aim to enhance the skills of Ethiopian personnel and foster self-sufficiency in energy infrastructure development and operation. China has been involved in various electric generation projects in Ethiopia. Here are a few examples of Chinese companies that have been involved in this sector are China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC):CGGC has been involved in several hydroelectric projects in Ethiopia. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC): CSCEC has been involved in the construction of both hydroelectric and wind power projects, such as the Adama II Wind Power Project. China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd (CET) has been worked on projects to improve the country's power infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of electricity transmission. China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC): CMEC has been involved in the construction of several power plants in Ethiopia, including the Gibe III hydroelectric project. They have also been involved in the development of solar power projects in the country. The work done by the State Grid China so far include but not limited to: 1. The 8 cities 9000 km distribution line and rehabilitation work such as Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Jimma, Bahir Dar, Mekele, Dere Dawa, Adama, Harare totally 19664 km transmission line. 2. Ethio-Kenya, Ethio-Djibouti GERD-Holeta-Addis Ababa Transmission line. A key project for regional integration. 3. Solar projects Infrastructure investment and cooperation between China and Ethiopia and Africa at large is crucial for unlocking the full potential of our win win partnership. By working together, we can build a solid foundation for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and improved livelihoods for our peoples. Let us seize this opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions, forge new partnerships in the post pandemic era that will pave the way for a brighter future. Together, we can create a robust and interconnected Africa that is resilient, prosperous, and fully integrated into the global economy. Thank you. SOURCE CRIOnline ATLANTA, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spelman College announced today the appointment of Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., C'82, as the College's new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Scott-Johnson, who currently serves as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, will join Spelman on August 1, 2023. Spelman College Announces Alumna Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., as Provost "We are pleased to welcome alumna and former faculty member Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., back to Spelman College. She will play a central role in advancing the College's teaching, research, learning and overall mission," said Helene Gayle, president of Spelman College. "Dr. Scott-Johnson's familiarity with the College and passion for its mission, along with her stellar administrative experience at a range of complex higher education institutions, scholarly record in the sciences, coupled with a strong appreciation for the liberal arts, and fundraising skills make her the right choice for this role. As the chief academic officer, the provost has responsibility for ensuring the highest integrity and standards for academic excellence, in support of academic affairs, faculty life, and student learning. As the chief adviser to the president and the faculty on academic affairs, Dr. Scott-Johnson will collaborate with faculty on the formulation and implementation of educational policies, oversee and enhance academic programs and the scholarly work of the College. "I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater as a member of the leadership team to help shape and enhance the academic landscape through which women of Spelman develop as change agents," said Dr. Scott-Johnson. "Spelman has been and will continue to be a special place for women of African descent and how they impact the world. I look forward to guiding additional pathways for advancing faculty, at all levels, and delivering innovation in student success from retention to graduation. I am excited by the opportunity to work with President Gayle on her strategic vision for the College." Before joining Monmouth, Dr. Scott-Johnson served as the dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles, the largest college in the university. She spent nearly 15 years at Morgan State University, Baltimore, serving in many roles including interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, chair of the department of psychology, professor of psychology, and founding director of the psychometrics graduate program. Before joining Morgan State, she spent 10 years as a faculty member at Spelman College, where she earned tenure. Dr. Scott-Johnson worked for nearly nine years in the corporate sector as a senior research scientist for Kraft General Foods. She has published widely in professional journals and has been principal investigator for a large number of research and program development grants. Her professional affiliations include serving on the board of directors of the American Psychological Association, and as a member of the Council of College of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities. She is an alumna of Higher Education Resource Services (HERS), and the American Psychological Association Leadership Institute for Women. Dr. Scott-Johnson earned master's and doctoral degrees in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, and a bachelor's degree (magna cum laude) in psychology from Spelman College, where she was inducted into Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Read Dr. Scott-Johnson's full bio. Since September 2021, Dolores Bradley Brennan, Ph.D., has served as the interim provost. "Dr. Bradley Brennan has provided outstanding leadership to the Provost Office and to the College," said Dr. Gayle. "We look forward to her remaining in the leadership of the Provost Office and continuing to contribute to advancing our academic mission." About Spelman College Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a leading liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, the College's picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Spelman is the country's leading producer of Black women who complete PhDs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The College's status is confirmed by the U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Spelman No. 51 among all liberal arts colleges, No. 19 for undergraduate teaching, No. 5 for social mobility among liberal arts colleges, and No. 1 for the 16th year among historically Black colleges and universities. The Wall Street Journal has ranked the College No. 3, nationally, in terms of student satisfaction. Recent initiatives include a designation by the Department of Defense as a Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM, a Gender and Sexuality Studies Institute, the first endowed queer studies chair at an HBCU, and a program to increase the number of Black women PhDs in economics. New majors have been added, including documentary filmmaking and photography, and collaborations have been established with MIT's Media Lab, the Broad Institute and the Army Research Lab for artificial intelligence and machine learning. SOURCE Spelman College NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws. Class Period: April 8, 2020 to April 13, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 5, 2023 No obligation or cost to you. Learn more about your recoverable losses in SPR: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/spirit-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=40689&from=4 Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. NEWS - SPR NEWS CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Spirit lacked effective production quality controls; (2) as a result, Spirit incorrectly installed fittings designed to join the aft fuselage to the vertical tail for some Boeing 737 Max airplanes that Spirit sent to Boeing; (3) as a result, Spirit would have to develop an inspection and repair procedure for the affected fuselages; (4) the foregoing would negatively impact Spirit's financial results; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Spirit you have until July 5, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Spirit securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the SPR lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/spirit-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=40689&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm WASHINGTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the jury trial starting Monday of North Carolina journalists Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit. Bliss and Coit were charged with trespassing in connection with their coverage of the eviction of a homeless encampment on December 25, 2021, and were found guilty at a bench trial in April. They appealed the ruling to a jury trial that is taking place this week. "We were deeply dismayed in April by the conviction of Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit of the citizen journalism news outlet The Asheville Blade on misdemeanor trespassing charges, and are confident that this injustice will be reversed at this week's jury trial. Bliss and Coit were engaged in routine newsgathering on a matter of public importance on December 25, 2021, when they were reporting on the clearing by police of a local homeless encampment. Police body camera footage shows Bliss and Coit did not endanger anyone or obstruct any police activity. "Routine newsgathering should never be treated as a crime. Local prosecutors never should have brought this case. We are glad that Bliss and Coit appealed their conviction to a jury trial and look forward to a favorable resolution of this case once a jury of their peers reviews the evidence." Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for The National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club The Australian government has recently implemented temporary modifications to the Work Bonus program, aiming to provide older Australians with enhanced flexibility to work and earn additional income without adversely affecting their pension benefits. This initiative benefits retirees and presents an opportunity for the visitor economy to address labour shortages effectively. Through the implementation of the Work Bonus program, the government not only supports pensioners in their pursuit of financial security but also enables the visitor economy to alleviate labour shortages. The Minister for Social Services officially announced these changes on November 22, 2022, recognising the importance of supporting older individuals who wish to continue working beyond the Age Pension age. The Work Bonus program serves as an incentive for pensioners in this age group, allowing them to retain a greater portion of their pension while earning income from employment. The temporary adjustments to the program will be applicable for eligible pensioners from December 1, 2022, until December 31, 2023. Individuals seeking more detailed information about the Work Bonus program, including eligibility criteria and the application process for the temporary changes, are encouraged to visit the Services Australia website. This online resource offers comprehensive information designed to assist pensioners in gaining a thorough understanding of the program and making the most of the temporary modifications. Furthermore, the changes implemented in the Work Bonus program have the potential to benefit the visitor economy, particularly the tourism sector, greatly. Austrades THRIVE 2030 Strategy recognises that effectively addressing labour shortages can be accomplished by actively recruiting individuals from underrepresented demographics, such as older people. Embracing mature-aged workers brings numerous advantages for employers. These individuals are renowned for their reliability and flexibility, having amassed a wealth of experience that businesses can leverage throughout their lives. Additionally, their presence in the workforce contributes to age diversity, creating a more inclusive and harmonious working environment. Sam Palmer is the General Manager, Visitor Economy & Client Programs at Austrade. She says, The government has provided a tangible mechanism to help with labour shortfalls in our visitor economy, especially during peak periods, with the temporary change to the Work Bonus. THRIVE 2030 identified 20222024 as the Recovery phase and a time to address workforce shortages and power into the future. The temporary change to the Work Bonus has come along at an opportune time to help rebuild our visitor economy. We encourage tourism businesses to consider employing older workers, and to benefit from their wealth of experience. THRIVE 2030 is Australias national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy. Download the information kit here. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. TAMPA, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- STELLA Automotive AI, the leading provider of high-end conversational AI technology in the automotive industry, is delighted to announce the appointment of Rich Sands as the new Chief Executive Officer of STELLA Automotive AI. With over 25 years of product and business leadership within the global automotive industry, Rich brings a wealth of experience from executive roles at Ford, J.D. Power, and Microsoft. Rich Sands - CEO STELLA Automotive AI "STELLA delivers breakthrough AI technology to the automotive retail industry, driving quantifiable improvements to dealership operations and customer satisfaction," says Rich Sands, the newly appointed CEO. "I'm honored and excited to lead this talented team as we define the AI space and deliver game-changing technology specifically engineered for our industry." Josselyn Boudett, Founder and Chairman of STELLA, expresses confidence in Rich's capabilities, stating "STELLA is in a hyper growth cycle, and Rich is the ideal person to lead our team. His big data expertise and experience with dealership operations are perfectly aligned to drive the STELLA roadmap. We are confident Rich will drive the AI narrative for STELLA and bring even more world-class conversational AI products to the market." With a strong background in the automotive sector, Rich Sands founded True North Enterprises and served on the boards of Urban Science, Pursuit Alert, and Autometrics. He is also a Strategic Advisor to The Presidio Group, a prominent independent merchant banking firm in the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors. Rich holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Mike Maroone, CEO of Maroone USA and investor in STELLA Automotive AI applauds this leadership decision, recognizing Rich's deep automotive and technology skills. Mike says, "Rich is the right leader for STELLA. His knowledge and proven experience will drive innovative AI solutions that strengthen customer satisfaction and deliver measurable operating results for automotive retailers." Geoffrey Pohanka, Chairman of the Pohanka Automotive Group and investor in STELLA Automotive AI notes, "STELLA offers an automotive AI engine that is transforming the automotive retail marketplace. Rich Sands brings the necessary expertise to guide the STELLA team and ensure that the technology continues to enhance the interaction between consumers and dealerships." About STELLA Automotive AI: STELLA Automotive AI is a leading provider of high-end conversational AI technology in the automotive industry. With its breakthrough AI solutions, STELLA enhances the automotive retail experience, improving dealer operations, customer satisfaction, and overall efficiency. The company's commitment to delivering game-changing technology tailored to the automotive sector sets it apart in the industry. For more information, visit our website , like us on Facebook , LinkedI n, Twitte r, YouTub e or Instagra m. For media inquiries, please contact: Name: Jennifer Sanford Email: [email protected] Phone: (757) 537-7004 (cell) SOURCE STELLA Automotive AI GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Students around the nation delight in the latest social media trends, whether it's dancing, lip-synching, or sharing thematic memes throughout the day. But one teacher at a National Heritage Academies (NHA) school in North Carolina decided to develop a class to increase students' critical thinking skills when it comes to posting and scrolling through their favorite social apps. Beth Miller, a language arts teacher at Rolesville Charter Academy in Rolesville, N.C., developed the lesson plan with an interest in covering three major areas: How does social media affect mental health and society, and how is it used by advertisers? What she learned in posing some tough questions to her students regarding social media content and usage was startling. "They didn't really care about how social media changed their brains or affected their mental health," Miller said, adding that they see social media as just one more part of their everyday existence. Students really dug into the effects of social media content through a project that challenged them to create a company, invent a product, and then market it via social media. Miller wanted them to learn about the different audiences they could expect to find on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and others. Then, they needed to explain how they planned to use social media to promote the fictional product. "I asked them about their target audience, because if you're selling to middle-aged moms, TikTok's probably not your jam, you're going to need to go to Facebook. Then they had to explain to me how they would place products with influencers. We also discussed how companies learn what buyers want." Students then learned about ways advertisers gather information about them, which was an eye-opener for the students. "They were like 'wait, every time I Google something, Google just sells that to people and that's how all these ads show up?' They were surprised about it. We looked at the terms of service for TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and I said, 'alright, let's go through these with a highlighter. Every time you think this company is getting access to something you didn't know about, mark it.' That was the part they cared about. Not the mental and emotional effects but their privacy." It wasn't Miller's goal for students to delete their social media accounts. What she wanted them to do was think. Think about what they're swiping through and why. She also learned things about her students that were beneficial to her teaching style. "If I can just get my students to have that second thought about something they see, hear, or read, we're making progress. They so easily want to stop at their first thought, believe that's the way things are, and move forward. But if I can just get them to that second thought, then I have succeeded." National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. SOURCE National Heritage Academies NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Share Along with Major Challenges and Upcoming Trends Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Crab Market 2023-2027 A key driver for the crab market is the rising awareness about the nutritional benefits of crabs. Good amounts of proteins, minerals, and vitamins can be found in crab. It contains significant amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and is low in saturated fats. Additionally, the crab has anti-inflammatory qualities that may be helpful for arthritis sufferers. The crab market is set to progress at an impressive CAGR of 3.15% during 2022 and 2027. In addition to knowing about the market's growth potential, it's important to address the challenges faced in the Crab market that may impact its growth and hinder profitability in the long run. However, healthy growth is envisaged to continue as the market size is expected to grow by USD 2,880.54 million Learn more about the Crab market. Stay informed and seize opportunities Get our Industry report at your fingertips. Here are some of the challenges faced in the Crab market: Overfishing and decline in certain species of crabs: According to The Maryland Department of Natural Resources , the decline in blue crab populations is a result of the migration of predators from warmer to colder waters as a result of climate change. For instance, the population of adult female blue crabs (age 1+ year) decreased by 25%27% between 2020 and 2021. Due to strict regulations to preserve the crab population, the harvest has also decreased. According to , the decline in blue crab populations is a result of the migration of predators from warmer to colder waters as a result of climate change. For instance, the population of adult female blue crabs (age 1+ year) decreased by 25%27% between 2020 and 2021. Due to strict regulations to preserve the crab population, the harvest has also decreased. Environmental concerns: Aquatic ecosystems are altered by aquaculture. To farmed species, vaccines and antibiotics are frequently given. These vaccines and antibiotics become a threat to various species (including crabs) when farm waste is dumped directly into the ocean because they occasionally produce deadly pollutants and spread diseases. Additionally, this causes widespread marine habitat pollution, which is bad for both the environment and people. The Ichiboshi crab processing facility in Caraquet, which exported frozen snow crabs to Japan , had its federal license revoked by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in 2015 due to insufficient controls over food safety. Aquatic ecosystems are altered by aquaculture. To farmed species, vaccines and antibiotics are frequently given. These vaccines and antibiotics become a threat to various species (including crabs) when farm waste is dumped directly into the ocean because they occasionally produce deadly pollutants and spread diseases. Additionally, this causes widespread marine habitat pollution, which is bad for both the environment and people. The processing facility in Caraquet, which exported frozen snow crabs to , had its federal license revoked by the in 2015 due to insufficient controls over food safety. Stringent regulations: Vendors must abide by strict rules and regulations that have been imposed by various authorities. Permits, rules for new players entering the field, residual management concerns, and expiration dates for specific seafood products, including crab, are all covered by these regulations. These regulations on the type and classification of seafood, such as fresh, chilled, frozen, or canned, are heavily influenced by the US FDA. In accordance with their shelf life, products must be preserved and labeled according to FDA regulations. Strict adherence to the law can be difficult, especially for newcomers. For longevity and success in the Crab market, Information about trends is essential. Here are the highlights on the Trends to overcome challenges. Clean labeling: The consumer's choice of product is significantly influenced by the country of origin. In terms of freshness, flavor, and food safety, for example, US consumers believe that foods packaged in the US and Canada are safer to eat than those from other regions. To inform consumers and help them make wiser purchasing decisions, the US implemented COOL on products. The consumer's choice of product is significantly influenced by the country of origin. In terms of freshness, flavor, and food safety, for example, US consumers believe that foods packaged in the US and are safer to eat than those from other regions. To inform consumers and help them make wiser purchasing decisions, the US implemented COOL on products. Emergence of sustainable fishing practices: Fish or aquatic plants can be raised for food through aquaculture. Global demand for seafood, including crab, is rising due to growing awareness of the health benefits of seafood consumption. Crab production has increased due to a rise in consumer demand, which has led to an expansion of aquaculture. Major retailers are launching bycatch seafood lines under private labels in important nations like Norway and the UK as part of the sustainability push. Fish or aquatic plants can be raised for food through aquaculture. Global demand for seafood, including crab, is rising due to growing awareness of the health benefits of seafood consumption. Crab production has increased due to a rise in consumer demand, which has led to an expansion of aquaculture. Major retailers are launching bycatch seafood lines under private labels in important nations like and the UK as part of the sustainability push. Growth in online retailing: E-commerce businesses have expanded globally as a result of the increasing use of the internet. For instance, US retail e-commerce sales increased in 2022 over 2021. Additionally, consumers around the world are becoming more and more interested in online shopping due to convenience, ease of product search, attractive deals, and customized offers. Vendors in the seafood sector now have new opportunities to boost sales, broaden their geographic reach, enhance customer relations, and boost profitability thanks to online retailing. The report also provides the major insights on consumer base and new product launches that help vendors establish long-term relationships with end-users and consumers. Unveil the untapped potential of such emerging challenges and trends Click & get Latest Sample Report! Every Information on Vendor Analysis of Crab Market 2023-2027: The full report consists detailed analysis of around Top 25 vendors operating in the Crab Market, including : Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc. Bumble Bee Foods LLC Cooke Aquaculture Inc. Global Seafood Chile SA KEYPORT LLC Maine Lobster Now LLC Mazzetta Co. LLC P and D Seafood Co. Pacific Seafood Group SEA DELIGHT LLC Seaview Crab Co. Sogelco International Inc. Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc. Thai Union Group PCL The Crab Co. Ltd. The report is backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, and are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. To know about all 25 major vendor offerings and insights Download a FREE sample Now! Learn more about how we can help you achieve your mission-critical priorities. Gain access 17,000+ market research reports using Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports Frozen Fish and Seafood Market : Between 2022 and 2027, the market for frozen fish and seafood is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7.26%. The market is expected to grow by USD 28.58 billion in size. Crayfish Market : Between 2022 and 2027, the crayfish market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.48%. The market is expected to grow by USD 2,272.09 million in size. Crab Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 155 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.15% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,880.54 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.05 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 79% Key countries China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc., Bumble Bee Foods LLC, Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Global Seafood Chile SA, KEYPORT LLC, Maine Lobster Now LLC, Mazzetta Co. LLC, P and D Seafood Co., Pacific Cove Property Management Ltd., Pacific Seafood Group, SEA DELIGHT LLC, Seaview Crab Co., Sogelco International Inc., Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc., Thai Union Group PCL, The Crab Co. Ltd., The Crab Place, The J.M. Clayton Co., and Trident Seafoods Corp. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Take the first step towards improving your business strategy purchase our report now 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Environment Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global Crab Market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global Crab Market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Environment Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Environment Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 6.3 Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Foodservice - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Foodservice - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Environment 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 43: Chart on Environment - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Environment - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Environment Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Environment Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Environment 7.3 Aquaculture - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 47: Chart on Aquaculture - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Aquaculture - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Chart on Aquaculture - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Aquaculture - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Capture fisheries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 51: Chart on Capture fisheries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Capture fisheries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Chart on Capture fisheries - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 54: Data Table on Capture fisheries - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Environment Exhibit 55: Market opportunity by Environment ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 56: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 57: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 59: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 60: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 61: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 74: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 76: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 82: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 84: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 86: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 87: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 88: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Indonesia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Indonesia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Indonesia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 91: Chart on Indonesia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Indonesia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Vietnam - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Vietnam - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Vietnam - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 95: Chart on Vietnam - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Vietnam - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Thailand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Thailand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Thailand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 99: Chart on Thailand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Thailand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 101: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 102: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 103: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 104: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 105: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 106: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 107: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc. Exhibit 108: Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc. - Overview Exhibit 109: Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 110: Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc. - Key offerings 12.4 Bumble Bee Foods LLC Exhibit 111: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Overview Exhibit 112: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Key offerings 12.5 Cooke Aquaculture Inc. Exhibit 114: Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Overview Exhibit 115: Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 116: Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Key offerings 12.6 Global Seafood Chile SA Exhibit 117: Global Seafood Chile SA - Overview Exhibit 118: Global Seafood Chile SA - Product / Service Exhibit 119: Global Seafood Chile SA - Key offerings 12.7 KEYPORT LLC Exhibit 120: KEYPORT LLC - Overview Exhibit 121: KEYPORT LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 122: KEYPORT LLC - Key offerings 12.8 Maine Lobster Now LLC Exhibit 123: Maine Lobster Now LLC - Overview Exhibit 124: Maine Lobster Now LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Maine Lobster Now LLC - Key offerings 12.9 Mazzetta Co. LLC Exhibit 126: Mazzetta Co. LLC - Overview Exhibit 127: Mazzetta Co. LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 128: Mazzetta Co. LLC - Key offerings 12.10 P and D Seafood Co. Exhibit 129: P and D Seafood Co. - Overview Exhibit 130: P and D Seafood Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 131: P and D Seafood Co. - Key offerings 12.11 Pacific Cove Property Management Ltd. Exhibit 132: Pacific Cove Property Management Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 133: Pacific Cove Property Management Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 134: Pacific Cove Property Management Ltd. - Key offerings 12.12 Pacific Seafood Group Exhibit 135: Pacific Seafood Group - Overview Exhibit 136: Pacific Seafood Group - Product / Service Exhibit 137: Pacific Seafood Group - Key offerings 12.13 SEA DELIGHT LLC Exhibit 138: SEA DELIGHT LLC - Overview Exhibit 139: SEA DELIGHT LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 140: SEA DELIGHT LLC - Key offerings 12.14 Seaview Crab Co. Exhibit 141: Seaview Crab Co. - Overview Exhibit 142: Seaview Crab Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 143: Seaview Crab Co. - Key offerings 12.15 Sogelco International Inc. Exhibit 144: Sogelco International Inc. - Overview Exhibit 145: Sogelco International Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 146: Sogelco International Inc. - Key offerings 12.16 Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc. Exhibit 147: Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc. - Overview Exhibit 148: Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 149: Supreme Crab and Seafood Inc. - Key offerings 12.17 Thai Union Group PCL Exhibit 150: Thai Union Group PCL - Overview Exhibit 151: Thai Union Group PCL - Business segments Exhibit 152: Thai Union Group PCL - Key news Exhibit 153: Thai Union Group PCL - Key offerings Exhibit 154: Thai Union Group PCL - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 155: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 156: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 157: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 158: Research methodology Exhibit 159: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 160: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 161: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports, covering 800 technologies spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Share Along with Major Challenges and Upcoming Trends Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Instant Soup Market 2023-2027 A key driver for the Instant soup market is the growing preference for convenience food products in working population. The option that is thought to be most similar to regular food is, food that is ready to prepare and consume. Because more people are working, the market demand for convenience food is growing due to its advantages in terms of health. The working class has a stronger preference for prepared foods that are healthy. It is simple to prepare by simply adding hot water. The Instant Soupmarket is set to progress at an impressive CAGR of 3.74% during 2022 and 2027. In addition to knowing about the market's growth potential, it's important to address the challenges faced in the Instant Soup market that may impact its growth and hinder profitability in the long run. However, healthy growth is envisaged to continue as the market size is expected to grow by USD 3,880.38 million. Learn more about the Instant Soup market. Stay informed and seize opportunities Get our Industry report at your fingertips. Here are some of the challenges faced in the Instant Soup market: Product recalls: In the food and beverage industry, product recalls are common because of improper handling of raw materials or supplies, which can compromise the final products' quality and safety. Any country's food regulatory and compliance authorities have the authority to close a business and remove its products from the market if those products endanger consumer safety. Recalls of products have a negative effect on a company's operations and sales as well as its reputation as a brand. Because any negligence will have an impact on their health and wellbeing, consumers are extremely concerned about the brand image of the products they buy. In the food and beverage industry, product recalls are common because of improper handling of raw materials or supplies, which can compromise the final products' quality and safety. Any country's food regulatory and compliance authorities have the authority to close a business and remove its products from the market if those products endanger consumer safety. Recalls of products have a negative effect on a company's operations and sales as well as its reputation as a brand. Because any negligence will have an impact on their health and wellbeing, consumers are extremely concerned about the brand image of the products they buy. Stringent regulations in food and beverage industry: Global demand for instant soup may be hampered by strict rules and regulations issued by various governmental bodies in various nations. To ensure the safety of the products on the market, numerous regulations exist. All domestic and foreign manufacturers of canned foods in the US are required to register their processing facilities with the FDA. The FDA makes sure that consumers are protected from unwholesome, dangerous, and falsely labeled products. Similar to this, the EU has strict rules and regulations for exporters of packaged foods. The manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of food products are governed by laws under the control of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA examines and validates each health parameter that a company claims to represent. Global demand for instant soup may be hampered by strict rules and regulations issued by various governmental bodies in various nations. To ensure the safety of the products on the market, numerous regulations exist. All domestic and foreign manufacturers of canned foods in the US are required to register their processing facilities with the FDA. The FDA makes sure that consumers are protected from unwholesome, dangerous, and falsely labeled products. Similar to this, the EU has strict rules and regulations for exporters of packaged foods. The manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of food products are governed by laws under the control of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA examines and validates each health parameter that a company claims to represent. Fluctuations in raw material prices: The primary issue for the food manufacturing and processing sectors continues to be the cost of raw materials. Costs of production may change as a result of rising prices for raw materials like tomatoes, garlic, sugar, and onions. These variations could increase the cost of the finished good and have an impact on how profitable manufacturers are. It gets harder for food businesses to stay profitable and competitive. The production of instant soups is impacted both monthly and annually by such variations in the cost of raw materials. Likewise, changes in the cost of other raw materials have an impact on production. Here are the highlights on the Trends to overcome challenges. Rising number of promotional and marketing activities: In order to make their products more visible, businesses have increased their marketing and advertising budgets as well as their promotional and marketing efforts. During the forecast period, promotional and marketing initiatives are anticipated to fuel the growth of the global instant soup market. In order to make their products more visible, businesses have increased their marketing and advertising budgets as well as their promotional and marketing efforts. During the forecast period, promotional and marketing initiatives are anticipated to fuel the growth of the global instant soup market. Packaging-related innovations: A key development in the global market for instant soup is the use of inventive packaging by many vendors. Packaging is important for instant soup products because it protects the contents from tampering and acts as a marketing tool for suppliers. Instant soup products are packaged with information about the product, such as ingredients and manufacturing information, as well as design and marketing elements that make the product appealing to consumers. As a result, many vendors are concentrating on developing fresh and creative packaging in order to extend the shelf life of their goods and increase customer appeal. A key development in the global market for instant soup is the use of inventive packaging by many vendors. Packaging is important for instant soup products because it protects the contents from tampering and acts as a marketing tool for suppliers. Instant soup products are packaged with information about the product, such as ingredients and manufacturing information, as well as design and marketing elements that make the product appealing to consumers. As a result, many vendors are concentrating on developing fresh and creative packaging in order to extend the shelf life of their goods and increase customer appeal. Growing demand for organic and gluten-free food products: The wealthy and young population is more health conscious and prefers organic foods that are produced using practices that adhere to the standards of organic farming and are free of preservatives. Dried food preservative content has some negative effects. As a result, consumers choose products that haven't been altered in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a result, they favor organic, plant-based, and gluten-free goods. The report also provides the major insights on consumer base under the premium product category and new product launches that help vendors establish long-term relationships with end-users and consumers. Unveil the untapped potential of such emerging challenges and trends Click & get Latest Sample Report! Every Information on Vendor Analysis of Instant Soup Market 2023-2027: The full report consists detailed analysis of around Top 25 vendors operating in the Instant Soup Market, including : Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd. Chotiwat Manufacturing Public Co. Ltd. Conagra Brands Inc. Frontier Soups General Mills Inc . . House Foods Group Inc. La Herbal India Nestle SA Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. Ottogi Co. Ltd. Premier Foods Plc Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd. The Hain Celestial Group Inc. The Kraft Heinz Co. Unilever PLC The report is backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, and are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. To know about all 25 major vendor offerings and insights Download a FREE sample Now! Learn more about how we can help you achieve your mission-critical priorities. Gain access 17,000+ market research reports using Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Report: India Ready to Cook Market: India's market for prepared meals is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7.12% between 2022 and 2027. Market size is anticipated to grow by USD 488.97 million. Noodles Market: It is anticipated that the market for noodles will grow by USD 17,411.73 million between 2022 and 2027, with a CAGR of 5.6 percent. The market's size was estimated at USD 50,981.08 million in 2017. Instant Soup Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 163 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.74% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,880.38 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.47 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 39% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled B and G Foods Inc., Bambino Agro Industries Ltd., Baxters Food Group Ltd., Campbell Soup Co., Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., Chotiwat Manufacturing Public Co. Ltd., Conagra Brands Inc., Frontier Soups, General Mills Inc., House Foods Group Inc., La Herbal India, Nagatanien Co. Ltd., Nestle SA, Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd., Ottogi Co. Ltd., Premier Foods Plc, Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., The Kraft Heinz Co., and Unilever PLC Market dynamics Parent Market Analysis; Market growth inducers and obstacles; Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Take the first step towards improving your business strategy purchase our report now 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global instant soup market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global instant soup market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 6.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 43: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 Dry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 47: Chart on Dry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Dry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Chart on Dry - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Dry - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 51: Chart on Liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Chart on Liquid - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 54: Data Table on Liquid - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 55: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 56: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 57: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 59: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 60: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 61: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 68: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 70: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 74: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 76: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 82: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 87: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 94: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 99: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 101: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 102: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 103: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 104: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 105: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 106: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 107: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 B and G Foods Inc. and G Foods Inc. Exhibit 108: B and G Foods Inc. - Overview Exhibit 109: B and G Foods Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 110: B and G Foods Inc. - Key offerings 12.4 Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. Exhibit 111: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 112: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Key offerings 12.5 Baxters Food Group Ltd. Exhibit 114: Baxters Food Group Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 115: Baxters Food Group Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 116: Baxters Food Group Ltd. - Key offerings 12.6 Campbell Soup Co. Exhibit 117: Campbell Soup Co. - Overview Exhibit 118: Campbell Soup Co. - Business segments Exhibit 119: Campbell Soup Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 120: Campbell Soup Co. - Segment focus 12.7 Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 121: Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 122: Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 123: Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.8 Conagra Brands Inc. Exhibit 124: Conagra Brands Inc. - Overview Exhibit 125: Conagra Brands Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 126: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key news Exhibit 127: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 128: Conagra Brands Inc. - Segment focus 12.9 Frontier Soups Exhibit 129: Frontier Soups - Overview Exhibit 130: Frontier Soups - Product / Service Exhibit 131: Frontier Soups - Key offerings 12.10 General Mills Inc. Exhibit 132: General Mills Inc . - Overview . - Overview Exhibit 133: General Mills Inc . - Business segments . - Business segments Exhibit 134: General Mills Inc . - Key news . - Key news Exhibit 135: General Mills Inc . - Key offerings . - Key offerings Exhibit 136: General Mills Inc . - Segment focus 12.11 House Foods Group Inc. Exhibit 137: House Foods Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 138: House Foods Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 139: House Foods Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 140: House Foods Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.12 Nagatanien Co. Ltd. Exhibit 141: Nagatanien Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 142: Nagatanien Co. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 143: Nagatanien Co. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.13 Nestle SA Exhibit 144: Nestle SA - Overview Exhibit 145: Nestle SA - Business segments Exhibit 146: Nestle SA - Key news Exhibit 147: Nestle SA - Key offerings Exhibit 148: Nestle SA - Segment focus 12.14 Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. Exhibit 149: Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 150: Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 151: Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 152: Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.15 The Hain Celestial Group Inc. Exhibit 153: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 154: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 155: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Key news Exhibit 156: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 157: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.16 The Kraft Heinz Co. Exhibit 158: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Overview Exhibit 159: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Business segments Exhibit 160: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 161: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Segment focus 12.17 Unilever PLC Exhibit 162: Unilever PLC - Overview Exhibit 163: Unilever PLC - Business segments Exhibit 164: Unilever PLC - Key news Exhibit 165: Unilever PLC - Key offerings Exhibit 166: Unilever PLC - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 167: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 168: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 169: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 170: Research methodology Exhibit 171: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 172: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 173: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports, covering 800 technologies spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio The company also announced partnerships with a team of professional design and construction contractors Ghafari, Evans General Contractors, Koch Project Solutions for plant construction. PITTSBURGH, Pa., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 6K Energy, a leader in the sustainable production of engineered materials for lithium-ion batteries, today officially broke ground on the construction of the world's first sustainable multi-chemistry cathode manufacturing plant scheduled to open in Q3, 2024. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, 6K CEO Dr. Aaron Bent, and 6K Energy President Sam Trinch were joined by local business and community leaders, construction and supply partners as well as lithium-ion battery industry executives for the event. Governor Bill Lee said, "6K Energy's decision to invest more than $200 million in Jackson is a testament to Tennessee's unmatched business climate, highly skilled workforce and position as a leader in the automotive industry. I thank 6K Energy for creating 230 new jobs to provide greater opportunity to Tennesseans across Madison county." 6K Energy President Sam Trinch added, "Our PlusCAM facility is the world's most sustainable process that fulfills the need for domestically, sourced low-cost battery material for our nation's critical infrastructure, grid storage, and electric vehicles. Having representatives here at the groundbreaking such as our perspective customers, materials suppliers, design and construction partners as well as Governor Lee and his team of Tennessee state and county officials underscores the importance of delivering low-cost battery materials." The company also announced strategic relationships with global design and construction partners for the construction of their PlusCAM facility: Koch Project Solutions will be responsible for program management of the construction project; Ghafari, a global architect and process design firm with battery material and automotive architectural experience will lead the design efforts; and Evans General Contractors will head up the construction efforts. Earlier this year 6K Energy announced the PlusCAM factory, a full-scale battery material manufacturing plant, scheduled to open in late 2024 with 13K metric tons per annum (tpa) production capacity. The PlusCAM factory will be the world's first UniMelt plasma cathode plant providing low-cost, ultra-sustainable production of battery material for localized supply chains in the US. In addition, the company announced a $50M Department of Energy grant opportunity that will partially fund the $200+ million PlusCAM factory. Notes for Editors 6K press releases are available here: https://www.6kinc.com/about/news/ About 6K With sustainability at its core, 6K has developed UniMelt, a proprietary advanced microwave plasma production system, to transform engineered materials into revolutionary products that advance industries across additive manufacturing, renewable energy, aerospace, consumer electronics, and more. 6K represents 6000 degrees, both the temperature of the operation of UniMelt, the world's only microwave production scale plasma system, and the temperature of the sun's surface. 6K was founded in North Andover, Massachusetts. The 6K Energy division is focused on the production of low-cost, sustainable, and domestically produced battery material accelerating the pace of battery production and adoption of electric vehicles. The 6K Additive division specializes in sustainably sourced, AM metal powders production and reclamation, using a proprietary milling and cleaning process that ensures contamination-free, high-quality powders. For more information, visit www.6Kinc.com and follow @6KInc on Twitter. SOURCE 6K GOLETA, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teva , a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), announces the launch of its collaboration with fashion architect, Misa Hylton. The Teva x Misa Hylton capsule collection celebrates Hylton's signature style, delivering one-of-a-kind takes on two fashion-forward Teva sandal silhouettes: the Flatform Universal and Hurricane XLT2 Gladiator. Teva Unveils Misa Hylton Capsule Collection with Macys Misa Hylton, a renowned fashion icon, delivers a collection that features luxe details to add a fun pop to your summer attire, including vibrant graphics and unique metal hardware on Teva's signature strapping system. Known for creating legendary moments in music and fashion for iconic hip hop and R&B artists, Hylton has been shaping style for decades. The Teva x Misa Hylton capsule collection highlights the designer's bold and colorful aesthetic. The limited-edition Flatform Universal ($80) features straps based on graphic sketches, mixed with rich colored abstract paints, and premium gold metal hardware, while the new evolution of the Hurricane XLT2 Gladiator ($135) is accented in peach blossom tones, soft suede details, and pops of luxe gold metal. Unique to this collaboration, Hylton draws upon her Japanese heritage as inspiration for both iconic designs. The combination of color and gold hardware take on the classic Teva silhouettes, inspired by Misa's passion for jewelry while adding a touch of luxury. "I have a deep appreciation for bold and vibrant prints, as well as Japanese graffiti, which not only celebrate my heritage but also reflect my passion for Hip Hop style and culture," says Misa Hylton. "When designing for the Teva x Misa Hylton collaboration, I wanted to infuse these elements to create a timeless collector's item - a small piece of my world - that can be dressed up or down, offering versatility and flexibility, while remaining unique and original." "We are excited to partner with Teva for this limited-edition collaboration with Misa Hylton. Misa's style is one-of-a-kind and she has created a versatile collection, providing our Macy's customers with even more ways to own their style," remarks Christopher Steinmann, VP, Center Core at Macy's. In addition to her revolutionary fashion contributions, Hylton founded the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of fashion creatives. She is also a recipient of the Gucci Changemakers Grant and a global creative partner for MCM. Hylton's impact on the fashion industry has been celebrated in the 2019 documentary The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion. "What we choose to wear and the combination of how we wear these items together weaves a subtle story about who we are as an individual," says Anders Bergstrom, Vice President, Global GM of Teva Footwear at Deckers Brands. "Through our collaboration with Misa Hylton, we want our consumers to own and celebrate their individual style without having to sacrifice comfort for fashion, while still creating a collection that empowers you to take on all your everyday adventures." The Teva x Misa Hylton collaboration is available exclusively at Macy's, Macys.com and Teva.com starting June 13, 2023. #TevaxMisaHylton About Teva In 1984, Teva created the world's first sport sandal on the banks of the Grand Canyon. The brand outfits free-spirited adventure-seekers all over the world with versatile, modern outdoor footwear. In 2020, Teva committed to reducing the brand's environmental impact by ensuring 100% of its iconic straps are made with recycled plastic, so future generations can continue exploring the wild world around them. Learn more about Teva, a division of Deckers Brands, at teva.com or follow @Teva. About Deckers Brands Deckers Brands is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. The Company's portfolio of brands includes UGG, Koolaburra, HOKA, Teva and Sanuk. Deckers Brands products are sold in more than 50 countries and territories through select department and specialty stores, Company-owned and operated retail stores, and select online stores, including Company-owned websites. Deckers Brands has 50 years of history building niche footwear brands into lifestyle market leaders attracting millions of loyal consumers globally. For more information, please visit www.deckers.com. About Misa Hylton With over 30 years of experience, Misa Hylton has been a "renaissance" woman at the forefront of seismic shifts in fashion, music, and culture. She is acclaimed for creating iconic looks that simultaneously capture an unforgettable moment while setting the stage for what everyone will want to wear next. Iconic moments in the culture such as the purple pastie-and-pantsuit ensemble worn by Lil' Kim at MTV's 1999 Video Music Award, Beyonce's leather MCM bustier and trench coat worn in the 2018 "Apesh*t" music video. In addition to designing custom pieces for shows such as "Insecure" and the "Power Book III: Raising Kanan". Hylton's impact has been felt worldwide over the last three decades. She continues to inspire generations via her work as MCM Global Creative Partner, and her Macy's "Icons of Style" collection. She is the founder of the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, a non- profit which offers education for creatives looking to build a successful career in the fashion world. About Macy's Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M), serves as the style source for generations of customers. With one of the nation's largest e-commerce platforms powered by macys.com and mobile app, paired with a nationwide network of stores, Macy's delivers the most convenient and seamless shopping experience, offering great values in apparel, home, beauty, accessories and more. Macy's gives customers even more ways to shop and own their style through an off-price assortment at Macy's Backstage and at our highly curated and smaller store format, Market by Macy's. Each year, Macy's provides millions with unforgettable experiences through Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and helps our customers celebrate special moments, big and small. We're guided by our purposeto create a brighter future with bold representationthat empowers more voice, choice and ownership for our colleagues, customers and communities. Contact: [email protected]com SOURCE Teva NEW YORK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The aerospace insurance market is estimated to grow by USD 763.67 million from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 4.36% during the forecast period. Europe is estimated to contribute 64% to the growth by 2027. Europe was one of the regions where the average aircraft value declined. Many European airline insurance programs enjoyed a reduction in their lead hull and liability premiums. However, a few carriers in the region increased their lead hull and liability premium, among which Europe had one of the largest programs wherein the policy was responding to a catastrophic loss. Such factors will increase the market growth during the forecast period. For Comprehensive details on the market size, historic period (2017 to 2021), and forecast period (2023-2027) - View Sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Aerospace Insurance Market 2023-2027 Aerospace insurance market - Vendor Landscape The aerospace insurance market is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy the Report Aerospace insurance market - Market Dynamics Major Drivers & Challenges- The expansion and construction of new airports are driving market growth. Several countries are expanding and modernizing their existing airports by increasing the number of terminals to meet the growing demand for air travel. Several new airports are being constructed or planned to cater to the rising air passenger traffic. The increasing number of airports, advances in technology, and the growing demand for modern services are driving the global aerospace insurance market. Aerospace insurers may get opportunities for growth, with the market expecting to get much-needed support from the establishment of new airports. Such factors will increase the market growth during the forecast period. The growing risk of accidents in the aviation industry is challenging market growth. Aviation accidents can lead to significant property damage and a large number of fatalities. This increases insurance costs and premiums. High-value hull losses have increased the number of claims in the past few years and reduced the value of premiums. However, as underwriting profitability is a factor of participation and risk-taking, the increasing competition in reinsurance is expected to push vendors toward subsidizing the high premium values by increasing the share of aerospace risks. Furthermore, underwriters have varying identification of general aviation risk constituents. In addition, insurance companies evaluate the capacity of risk, especially when the aircraft is old, a high liability limit is proposed, the operating infrastructure is considered immature, and the airline exhibits a poor loss record. Thus, the growing risk of accidents can challenge market growth during the forecast period. Key Trends- The evolution of non-airline aviation services is a key trend in the market. Many corporate travelers prefer non-airline aviation services, which has boosted the growth of this market. Business travelers that avail of charter flights are often insured, and the price is included in the ticket price. High-net-worth individuals buy flight cards provided by charter aircraft companies such as NetJets. This drives the growth of the global aerospace insurance market. The aerospace insurance sector has abundant underwriting capacity due to the fall in prices of insurance policies and the number of insurance claims. Thus, the evolution of non-airline aviation services will support market growth during the forecast period. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View Sample Report Company Profiles The aerospace insurance market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Ace Aviation, Allianz SE, American Financial Group Inc., American International Group Inc., Aon plc, Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., Avion Insurance Agency Inc., AXA Group, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., BWI Aviation Insurance Agency Inc., Chubb Ltd., Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd., Hallmark Financial Services Inc., London Aviation Underwriters Inc., Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc., Munich Reinsurance Co., Starr International Co. Inc., Tokio Marine Holdings Inc., Wells Fargo and Co., and Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co.. Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Market Segmentation This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (service providers, airport operators, and others), type (in-flight insurance, public liability insurance, passenger liability insurance, and others), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The service providers segment will account for a significant share of market growth. This segment comprises insurance availed by airlines, helicopters, and business jet operators. Airline risk is attractive to underwriters due to the large premium levels generated. This helps underwriters in achieving their income targets. Large losses are rare and impact relatively few underwriters. Therefore, the potential profitability represented by this category of risk is extremely attractive to insurers. Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The Global Homeowners Insurance Market size is estimated to grow by USD 57.01 billion between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 4.18%. This homeowners insurance market report extensively covers market segmentation by type (fire and theft, house damage, floods and earthquake, and others), source (captive, independent agent, and direct response), and geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa ). size is estimated to grow by USD 57.01 billion between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 4.18%. This homeowners insurance market report extensively covers market segmentation by type (fire and theft, house damage, floods and earthquake, and others), source (captive, independent agent, and direct response), and geography ( , , APAC, , and and ). The insurance market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2022 and 2027. The insurance market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,429.64 billion. This insurance market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (sales personnel and insurance agencies), type (life and non-life), and geography ( North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa ). Aerospace Insurance Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.36% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 763.67 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.1 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 64% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Ace Aviation, Allianz SE, American Financial Group Inc., American International Group Inc., Aon plc, Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., Avion Insurance Agency Inc., AXA Group, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., BWI Aviation Insurance Agency Inc., Chubb Ltd., Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd., Hallmark Financial Services Inc., London Aviation Underwriters Inc., Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc., Munich Reinsurance Co., Starr International Co. Inc., Tokio Marine Holdings Inc., Wells Fargo and Co., and Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Content 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global aerospace insurance market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on global aerospace insurance market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 6.3 Service providers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Service providers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Service providers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Service providers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Service providers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Airport operators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Airport operators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Airport operators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Airport operators - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Airport operators - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 48: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 50: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 51: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 In-flight insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on In-flight insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on In-flight insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on In-flight insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on In-flight insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Public liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Public liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Public liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Public liability insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Public liability insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Passenger liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Passenger liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Passenger liability insurance - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on Passenger liability insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Passenger liability insurance - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 109: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 111: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 112: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 113: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 114: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 115: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 116: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 121: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Allianz SE Exhibit 123: Allianz SE - Overview Exhibit 124: Allianz SE - Business segments Exhibit 125: Allianz SE - Key news Exhibit 126: Allianz SE - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Allianz SE - Segment focus 12.4 American Financial Group Inc. Exhibit 128: American Financial Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 129: American Financial Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 130: American Financial Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 131: American Financial Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 American International Group Inc. Exhibit 132: American International Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 133: American International Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 134: American International Group Inc. - Key news Exhibit 135: American International Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 136: American International Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.6 Aon plc Exhibit 137: Aon plc - Overview Exhibit 138: Aon plc - Business segments Exhibit 139: Aon plc - Key offerings Exhibit 140: Aon plc - Segment focus 12.7 Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. and Co. Exhibit 141: Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. - Overview and Co. - Overview Exhibit 142: Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. - Business segments and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 143: Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. - Key offerings and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 144: Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. - Segment focus 12.8 Avion Insurance Agency Inc. Exhibit 145: Avion Insurance Agency Inc. - Overview Exhibit 146: Avion Insurance Agency Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 147: Avion Insurance Agency Inc. - Key offerings 12.9 AXA Group Exhibit 148: AXA Group - Overview Exhibit 149: AXA Group - Business segments Exhibit 150: AXA Group - Key offerings Exhibit 151: AXA Group - Segment focus 12.10 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Exhibit 152: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Overview Exhibit 153: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 154: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key news Exhibit 155: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 156: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Segment focus 12.11 Chubb Ltd. Exhibit 157: Chubb Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 158: Chubb Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 159: Chubb Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 160: Chubb Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 161: Chubb Ltd. - Segment focus 12.12 Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd. Exhibit 162: Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 163: Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 164: Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd. - Key offerings 12.13 Hallmark Financial Services Inc. Exhibit 165: Hallmark Financial Services Inc. - Overview Exhibit 166: Hallmark Financial Services Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 167: Hallmark Financial Services Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 168: Hallmark Financial Services Inc. - Segment focus 12.14 Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc. Exhibit 169: Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 170: Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 171: Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 172: Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc. - Segment focus 12.15 Starr International Co. Inc. Exhibit 173: Starr International Co. Inc. - Overview Exhibit 174: Starr International Co. Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 175: Starr International Co. Inc. - Key offerings 12.16 Wells Fargo and Co. Exhibit 176: Wells Fargo and Co. - Overview Exhibit 177: Wells Fargo and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 178: Wells Fargo and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 179: Wells Fargo and Co. - Segment focus 12.17 Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. Exhibit 180: Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. - Overview Exhibit 181: Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. - Business segments Exhibit 182: Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 183: Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 184: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 185: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 186: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 187: Research methodology Exhibit 188: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 189: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 190: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base comprises enterprises of all sizes, including over 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio Creating economic growth across the globe while providing meaningful customer service and support for customers MIRAMAR, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arise Platform, an innovative marketplace that connects independent contractors with major customer brands, is now available in Jamaica and India. This expansion marks growth and opportunity both for the Service Partners providing customer service in countries and for brands utilizing flexible, scalable CX services now available to better serve their customers. As the leader in work-from-home GigCX for decades, Arise's unique model opens remote work to smaller communities outside of traditional, high-population business hubs and cities. Arise goes global! The Arise Platform Expands Customer Support Reach in Jamaica and India This expansion brings Arise's global footprint across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Jamaica, and India. "We are incredibly proud and excited to be able to bring remote CX and business services opportunities to both India and Jamaica," Robert Padron, Arise's Chief Growth Officer shares. "Not only does this greatly impact local economies and provide greater economic prosperity through work-from-home opportunities in these two countries, but it also quite literally opens up a world of possibilities for our current and future clients." Both geographies allow Arise's clients to take advantage of traditional customer service offerings, back-office work, and gaming community work. Arise's offerings in Jamaica include contact center outsourcing with capabilities including voice, email, chat, and social media. While India is already a source of talented Service Partners engaging with Arise Gaming, this expansion capitalizes on India's well-known ability in key areas like workforce management, quality assurance, business services, and data analytics. By adding both nearshore and offshore capabilities, Arise broadens its reach as a global player in the CX and business services space. "For years, the Arise Platform has created an adaptable model for Service Partners to deliver world-class customer experiences all while working from home. As Arise expands to Jamaica and India, we are looking forward to fostering economic growth and impact in these regions, while providing our clients with the flexibility to meet each of their unique needs," said Mohit Thukral, CEO of Arise. Thousands of individual Service Partners are already registered on the Arise Platform in both locations. For more information about the expansion into India, please email [email protected] and for more info on the expansion into Jamaica, please email [email protected]. For all other business solutions available at Arise, please email [email protected]. About Arise Arise is a services marketplace for innovative customer care and other services. Among various industry-leading solutions, the proprietary Arise Platform provides infrastructure and support to enable a network of small businesses to provide passionate customer support to enterprise clients requiring scalable, flexible, real-time solutions. The small businesses providing services on the Arise Platform leverage a breadth of industry experience to provide best-in-class brand ambassador support services. For more information on Arise and how we can help your brand, please visit arise.com. Media Contact: Robert Padron (855) 274-7301 [email protected]com SOURCE Arise Virtual Solutions Inc. GCC travellers now have access to special summer rates across bedrooms and suites, along with daily breakfast and dinner, room decorations, and spa treatments. DOHA, Qatar, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ned Doha, inspired by the 1970s era, announced new summer experiences for guests from across the region available from June 1 to August 31st, 2023. The Ned Doha Welcomes Guests from across the Region with Summer Offers (PRNewsfoto/The Ned Doha) Founded in London in 2017, The Ned is a hotel and members' club. It expanded in 2022 with The Ned NoMad in New York and recently welcomed The Ned Doha, marking the hotel's third location and its first outpost in the Middle East. The Ned Doha embraces its own architectural significance and history while upholding the core ethos of the brand. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Doha's skyline, the hotel offers seven public restaurants, 90 bedrooms and suites, a pool, Ned's Club Spa and Gym, salon, as well as event venues. The Ned Doha presents two packages for bedrooms and suites available to guests visiting Doha from across the region this summer. Starting from 1200 QAR per room per night, the Room Package includes daily breakfast and dinner for two. Guests can also extend their stay with a late check-out until 3pm. The Suite Package starts from 1800 QAR per room per night, with a minimum stay of two nights. It also features in-room flowers, daily breakfast for two, and a dinner for two in the suite. Furthermore, the package offers a couples' massage at Ned's Club Spa, as well as a late check out until 3pm, allowing guests to make the most out of their stay. In addition, The Ned Doha offers family room packages designed to accommodate the needs of both small and large families. Starting at 1800 QAR per night, the Ned Family package provides two connected rooms with complimentary breakfast for four adults/children. For those desiring sea views, the Ned Family Sea View offer presents two connected sea view rooms at a special inclusive rate of 2200 QAR per night, with breakfast for four adults/children. Additionally, the Two Bedroom Suite offer extends a connecting suite and room and starts at 3200 QAR per night, including breakfast for four adults/children. Experience the Two Bedroom Sea View Suite, starting at 4200 QAR per night, which includes a suite connected to a room and breakfast for four adults/children. Catering to larger groups, The Ned Doha presents the Three Bedroom Suite Offer, featuring a suite connected to two rooms at 4700 QAR per night, inclusive of breakfast for six adults/children. These offers are valid for stays between 1 June and 31 August 2023. Commenting on the special offers, Niels Kristensen, General Manager of The Ned Doha, said: "Being the first Ned hotel in the Middle East, we take great pride in building strong relationships with our guests from neighbouring countries. We aim to provide an experience exclusively designed for them, and we look forward to welcoming them and establishing a relationship that extends beyond their stay." Situated in the heart of Doha, The Ned Doha's location offers easy access to major attractions and a 15-minute ride away from Hamad International Airport. Guests have the opportunity to explore the city of Doha and tour its numerous attractions, whether exploring cultural landmarks and museums, enjoying the culinary scene, water sports, or beaches. Originally designed by the esteemed Lebanese architect William Sednaoui in the 1970s, the hotel offers vistas of the Arabian Gulf and city parklands. To make a reservation for the stay or for further enquiries, please visit thened.com, call +974 4406 1111 or WhatsApp +974 5117 6558. For media enquiries, please contact: Ghina Chaaban Senior PR Manager Muse: [email protected] Rawan Yousif PR Executive +974 33475991 About The Ned: Created in 2017 by Soho House Founder, Nick Jones, The Ned originated in London in the former Midland Bank headquarters, designed by Sir Edwin 'Ned' Lutyens in 1924. The space includes private members' club Ned's Club and a private events floor, alongside ten restaurants and 250 bedrooms which are available to the public. The Ned expanded in 2022 to include The Ned NoMad in New York and in 2023 to include The Ned Doha in Qatar, with each building having their own architectural significance and history. Every property is slightly different depending on its location, but the ethos of The Ned remains the same; to create a space for like-minded professionals to meet, work and have a good time. Ned's Club membership gives access to dedicated spaces such as members-only bars and restaurants, health clubs and rooftop spaces. The membership team also curates a program of monthly events, ranging from talks with thought leaders to seasonal parties and members' spaces at festivals. Learn more about The Ned: https://www.thened.com About Soho House & Co Inc.: Soho House & Co Inc. is a global membership platform of physical and digital spaces that connects a vibrant, diverse, and global group of members. These members use the Soho House & Co platform to work, socialise, connect, create, and flourish all over the world. We began with the opening of the first Soho House in 1995 and remain the only company to have scaled a private membership network with a global presence. Members around the world engage with Soho House & Co through our global collection of 41 Soho Houses, 9 Soho Works, The Ned in London, New York and Doha, Scorpios Beach Club in Mykonos, Soho Home our interiors and lifestyle retail brand and our digital channels. The LINE and Saguaro hotels in North America also form part of Soho House & Co's wider portfolio. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099956/The_Ned_Doha.jpg SOURCE The Ned Doha A highly complementary proposition; bringing together Zensho's extensive Japanese food heritage with Snowfox's multi-channel international presence and expertise Mayfair exits having overseen successful diversification, international growth, and establishment of Snowfox Group LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Snowfox Group ("Snowfox" or "the Company"), a multi-channel and international Japanese food business, today announces that it has been acquired by Zensho Holdings co., ltd ("Zensho" or "the Group"), the premier food service company in Japan by sales, in a transaction valued at $621 million. Mayfair Equity Partners ("Mayfair"), a dedicated consumer and technology investor with over 2 billion in assets under management, will fully exit Snowfox. The terms of transaction are to be confirmed and completion remains subject to customary closing conditions. Mayfair Equity Partners Logo (PRNewsfoto/The Snowfox Group) A combination of Zensho and Snowfox's capabilities represent a highly complementary proposition. Snowfox's diversified international offering will support Zensho's ambitions outside of its home market of Japan. Zensho will be able to bring its Japanese heritage and expertise to Snowfox's business, to the benefit of employees, franchisees, retailers, and end-customers alike. Snowfox's leadership team, including CEO Richard Hodgson, will remain with the business to work closely with Zensho's Senior Management. Founded in 1982, Zensho is a leading Japanese food group and is the number one food service company in Japan by sales. The Group is developing a wide range of food businesses and expanding globally with the mission of providing safe and delicious food at affordable prices to people around the world. Zensho operates its business under the corporate philosophy of 'To take responsibility for the stability and development of human society and to eradicate hunger and poverty from the world' to sustainably deliver safe and high-quality food to their customers as a 'food infrastructure'. The company operates a diverse portfolio of businesses in Japan, including the beef bowl restaurant Sukiya, the 100 yen sushi restaurant Hama-sushi, and the family restaurant Coco's, as well as retail and nursing care businesses. Outside of Japan, the company also operates Sukiya, Hama-sushi mainly in East Asia, Advanced Fresh Concepts (AFC) mainly in the US, and The Chicken Rice Shop (TCRS), which operates halal-certified chicken rice shops in Malaysia. The Snowfox Group has established itself as a highly reputable global sushi platform, fulfilling increased consumer demand for Japanese food across its four distinct brands Snowfox, Bento, Taiko and YO! in North America and the United Kingdom. The Group provides consumers with high quality, convenient and affordable Japanese food and operates approximately 3,000 chef-operated sushi kiosks and other restaurants in North America and the UK, as well as being a sushi manufacturer and wholesaler. Mayfair first invested in YO! in 2015, the UK's leading Japanese fast casual restaurant group and iconic brand. After a period of successful growth and diversification in the UK, Mayfair identified, funded, and helped complete YO!'s first international transaction in 2017, where it acquired Bento. Following the Bento acquisition, YO! acquired Taiko, a leading supplier of sushi products to the supermarket sector, in 2018. At this point, the natural expansion of the business was into the United States through which it gained access through a merger with Snowfox in 2019. Following these transactions and under the leadership of Richard Hodgson, the Snowfox Group was created in 2021. Richard Hodgson, CEO at Snowfox, said: "This is an exciting moment for the Snowfox Group, and, having had seven successful years owned by Mayfair Equity Partners, this proposed transaction represents the next natural step for us as a business. "I have been hugely impressed by Zensho during my recent meetings with them, and they share our own ambition of providing the highest quality, most authentic Japanese food at the best possible value. "I believe this is absolutely the right move. Zensho recognises the value of the Snowfox Group's highly attractive brands, our customer relationships, and our diversified international presence. Above all it is testament to the quality, authenticity, and breadth of our Japanese food offer that a Japanese food business of Zensho's calibre wants us to join them. "I am grateful to all of my colleagues for their hard work and support in building the Snowfox Group into what it is today, and I look forward to our continued journey together. I would also like to thank the team at Mayfair, who have been hugely supportive owners. "I am looking forward to being part of the next stage of the Snowfox growth story, and as part of Zensho, I am confident that we will be ideally placed within the large, attractive, and highly competitive Japanese food category". Waqqas Ahmad Partner at Mayfair Equity Partners, commented: "The fact that Zensho, a leading Japanese food conglomerate, is welcoming Snowfox to their group reflects the quality of the Japanese food business Snowfox has built. Richard and the whole Snowfox team have served customers exceptionally well over the last seven years, driven by a clear vision of continuous innovation and ensuring the highest quality products. It has been a pleasure to be their partner, providing specialist support to diversify their business and grow internationally. As part of Zensho, Snowfox will be primed to reach more customers than ever before." Media enquiries For further information, please contact: The Snowfox Group: Headland Will Smith [email protected] Mayfair Equity Partners: The One Nine Three Group Charlie Harrison + 44 (0)788 4136 143 [email protected] About The Snowfox Group The Snowfox Group specialises in the preparation of Japanese cuisines with a focus on sushi, a traditional Japanese food featuring specially prepared rice combined with fish, meat, or vegetables in easy bite-size portions. It also offers a variety of food-to-go products including bento and poke. The Snowfox Group's mission is to create better food for everyone, the Japanese way. The Snowfox Group is well positioned to meet growing consumer demand for high quality healthy food offerings through its versatile business model across three key channels: its Kiosk business, its Sushi Commissaries business, and its Restaurant business. The Group has chef-operated sushi kiosks globally, with customers including blue chip grocery retailers. Overall, the Snowfox Group is a trusted operator in North America and the UK, via its four leading brands Snowfox, Bento, Taiko, and YO! the Group provides sushi to a large and growing international customer base across three main channels. About Mayfair Equity Partners Mayfair Equity Partners is a dedicated technology and consumer investor, with assets under management of over 2 billion. Mayfair's investment philosophy centres on backing people and their ideas, working with founders and management teams to help them realise their ambitions. Mayfair's model of Active Partnership includes a senior team of dedicated functional Specialists who support portfolio companies with business process improvement initiatives that help unlock their full potential. Mayfair has an established track record of supporting fast-growing, sector-defining companies, including Ovo, a digital challenger which has scaled to become the third largest provider in the UK retail energy sector; LoopMe, a leading brand-focused mobile advertising platform; and Tangle Teezer, the category defining British haircare brand. For more information, please visit www.mayfairequity.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099474/Snowfox_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099481/mayfair_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Snowfox Group British University Vietnam (BUV) has kicked off Greenathon 2023, an entrepreneurial competition for sustainable business ideas, with a prize pool exceeding VND400 million. Marking its inaugural edition at BUV, this hackathon-style event presents a golden opportunity for aspiring young minds nationwide to convene, network, and forge practical business solutions that contribute to Vietnam's sustainable advancement. At Greenathon 2023, BUV welcomes young participants between the ages of 22 and 32 who have graduated from university and possess a passion for pursuing sustainable values, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Individuals or teams of three to five members can register for the competition; individual registrants will be assisted in team formation by the organizing committee before the event starts. The competition will take place on July 1-2 within the premises of the British University Vietnam campus in Ecopark urban area. BUV's campus is located in the Ecopark township. Photo by BUV Registered participants will have the opportunity to attend complimentary specialized workshops on several topics, such as business ideation, professional pitching, and green innovation impacts. These training sessions will be hosted by distinguished speakers, including senior executives, entrepreneurs, and reputable experts, allowing participants to be fully prepared with necessary skills and knowledge to deliver their best entrepreneurial initiatives and solutions for the competition. The Greenathon 2023 competition at BUV stands as a noteworthy event that amplifies the spirit of innovation, creativity, and fosters green entrepreneurship. The competition not only creates opportunities for young individuals to cultivate sustainable business ideas but also contributes to the overall development of Vietnam. Promoting sustainable development and community responsibility has been one of the core values of BUV since its inception, serving as a guiding principle in its operational and educational endeavors. During the recent "Stronger investment partnerships for a thriving Vietnam" seminar organized by Vietnam Investment Review on May 15, Professor Raymond Gordon, the vice-chancellor and president of British University Vietnam, emphasized Vietnam's potential as a promising ground for educational investment to greatly enhance the countrys competitive edge. BUV has achieved a 5-star QS certification in various categories, including social responsibility. Learn more about Greenathon 2023 and register at the link. PHOENIX, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Trust, a premier network for women entrepreneurs who generate $1M+ annually, has announced the Special Guest Advisor for its Official Spring Member Meeting will be Suneera Madhani, founder of Stax, one of America's top 10 fastest-growing fintech companies doing integrated payments and payment processing. Twice per year, The Trust hosts exclusive member meetings featuring advisors who are female founders of ultra-successful ventures and iconic brands. Madhani will be sharing her business growth insights with the members of The Trust all entrepreneurs generating revenues within the 7-8 figure range. Under Madhani's leadership, Stax catapulted from startup to Orlando's first fintech 'unicorn' with a valuation of over $1 billion, with over 350 employees and $100 million+ in recurring software revenue. Born to Pakistani immigrants, Madhani has become a notable minority female founder, breaking countless statistics and raising over $500 million in venture capital. "What Suneera has created is a huge inspiration to women founders, and I'm looking forward to her sharing her behind-the-scenes strategies and insights with our members," said Ali Brown, founder and CEO of The Trust. Madhani shared, "Taking small, marked changes that end up driving a huge impact is what I am passionate about and what I do in hopes of inspiring and empowering others. That's why I'm excited to speak for members of The Trust. I've learned so much since I started Stax, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to share my story with such a strong community of women." The Official Fall Member Meeting of The Trust will be held in Scottsdale, AZ on September 12+13, 2023. About The Trust: Founded by award-winning entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown, The Trust is the modern, premier network for women generating revenues in the 7-8+ figures. Via both online and in-person programming, members are connected with a community of vetted peers as well as high-level guest advisors. Visit www.JoinTheTrust.org . CONTACT: [email protected]; SOURCE The Trust New Weekly One-Hour Series Hosted by YouTube Sensation Brandon Jordan Premieres Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 9:00 pm ET ATLANTA, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weather Channel television network is proud to announce the premiere of its new exploration series SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN, airing Sunday, June 18 at 9:00 pm ET. The new one-hour series is hosted by YouTube sensation and urban treasure hunter Brandon Jordan also known as the host of web series JIGGIN' WITH JORDAN. Brandon is a captivating influencer touting a massive social media following of more than 3 million YouTube subscribers, nearly 250 thousand Instagram followers, and nearly 140 thousand TikTok followers. Now, Brandon is bringing his alluring and exciting storytelling to The Weather Channel audience with the premiere of SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN. THE WEATHER CHANNEL TELEVISION NETWORK PREMIERES NEW EXPLORATION SERIES 'SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN' Tweet this SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN is a one-hour adventure series that unravels rich stories of treasure, while highlighting fascinating underwater creatures, scenic locations, state-of-the-art gadgets, and unique search methods. With every deep dive exploration, there is the inevitable unearthing of unexpected treasures leading back to some surprising owners. SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN follows Brandon Jordan across the country searching for items lost underwater in hopes to return them to their owners. Each one-hour episode of the series starts with Brandon and his crew polling their social media followers to crowdsource leads for locating lost items believed to be hiding below the surface. Brandon dives into oceans, lakes, rivers, and canals where he is challenged by weather, wildlife, and water conditions in his expedition to find items that were once someone's prized possession. New episodes of SEARCH PARTY WITH BRANDON JORDAN air every Sunday at 9:00 pm ET on The Weather Channel television network -- as well as on the network's CTV streaming app -- available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Samsung, Vizio, and Xfinity Flex. ABOUT THE WEATHER CHANNEL TELEVISION NETWORK Since its launch 41 years ago, The Weather Channel television network has become the top-rated and most widely distributed weather network in America. The Weather Channel television network has been the leader in severe weather coverage, providing the most comprehensive analysis of any media outlet and serving as the nation's only 24-hour source of national storm coverage. With trusted meteorologists who analyze, forecast, and report the weather, its expertise is unrivaled. In 2021 and 2019, The Weather Channel won Emmy Awards for its innovative Immersive Mixed Reality technology which is changing the standard in weather presentation. The Weather Channel CTV App is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Samsung, Vizio, and Xfinity Flex. For more information visit: www.weathergroup.com . SOURCE The Weather Channel BENSALEM, Pa., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Teleperformance SE ("Teleperformance" or the "Company") (OTC: TLPFY). Class Period: July 29, 2020 November 9, 2022 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 20, 2023 Investors suffering losses on their Teleperformance investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected]. On August 4, 2022, Forbes published an article alleging that Teleperformance had subjected its workers to poor working conditions, using real, graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse to train its TikTok content moderators, while "conversations with former employees reveal[ed] the extent to which moderators were both under-trained and overworked." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $7.75, or 4.6%, to close at $160.94 per ADR on August 5, 2022, thereby injuring investors. Then, on November 9, 2022, Time reported that "Colombia's Ministry of Labor has launched an investigation into TikTok subcontractor Teleperformance, relating to alleged union-busting, traumatic working conditions and low pay." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $24.55, or 18.6%, to close at $107.77 per ADR on November 10, 2022. Then, on March 22, 2023, four months after the Company "unanimously" decided to exit the "highly egregious" content moderation business, Teleperformance announced that it would be reentering the field. Market analysts observed that the move was an indication of the Company's overall business and growth prospects. One HSBC Global Research analyst report stated that the "U-turn on content moderation raises concerns about communication, governance and broad fundamentals." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $6.87, or 5.7%, over three days to close at $112.82 per ADR on March 24, 2023, thereby injuring investors further. The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Teleperformance's growth in Core Services had been achieved, in part, by requiring its content moderators to engage in inappropriate, traumatic, abusive, and potentially criminal activities; (2) that certain Teleperformance social content moderators had been trained with materials which included illicit images of child sexual exploitation; (3) that contraband images had been included in Teleperformance Daily Required Reading reports for its content moderation staff; (4) that Teleperformance had failed to safeguard child sexual abuse material and had potentially violated strict rules governing the handling of such materials, including rules relating to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; (5) that Teleperformance had failed to provide adequate training or emotional and psychological support to content moderators exposed to egregious materials, including those exposed to extreme graphic violence and sexual images; (6) that Teleperformance had imposed unreasonable time and performance targets that compounded the occupational trauma suffered by its content moderators; (7) that Teleperformance had failed to implement or maintain the working conditions represented to investors, including by subjecting the Company's content moderation workers to widespread occupational trauma without psychological support, and with paltry pay, punitive salary deductions, extensive surveillance, and aggressive union-busting tactics; (8) that, as a result, Teleperformance was subject to a material, undisclosed risk of legal, regulatory, business, and reputational harm if the truth regarding the Company's content moderation services, treatment of its content moderation workers, and handling of contraband materials was ever publicly revealed; and (9) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Howard G. Smith, Esquire 215-638-4847 888-638-4847 [email protected] www.howardsmithlaw.com SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith 650 applicants from 80 countries submitted solutions for driving resiliency and sustainability in cities, fostering innovation in the commercial property insurance sector and helping America's farmers. NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QBE North America is pleased to announce that of the more than 650 entries to the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge submitted this year, the top 100 resilience solutions, 50 from the Western Hemisphere division and 50 from the Eastern Hemisphere, have been selected to advance to the next stage of the competition. QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge Now in its fifth year with partner Leading Cities, the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is open to entrepreneurs whose ventures utilize smart-city solutions to address risk, equity and sustainability in urban environments. Primary challenge winners will receive up to $150,000 in prize money to fund a city pilot project, as well as publicity, mentoring and access to unique web-based courses. In addition to the Primary Smart City challenge, two Smart Challenge tracks that complement QBE's focus on commercial property protection and crop insurance are available. For these tracks, QBE looks to identify entrepreneurs whose solutions speak to our business focus, as well as our commitment to sustainability. More than 650 companies from 80 countries submitted entries for this year's Challenge, up 20% from last year. The globally sourced and expert-vetted solutions proposed ideas to address a range of challenges, including clean water, renewable energy, urban agriculture, property protection and using technology to enhance agricultural processes. "With the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, we are searching for innovative companies that have developed real, practical solutions to the real challenges our communities face," said Mike Lake, founder and CEO of Leading Cities. "Our goal is to identify innovative solutions from around the world that can be deployed directly in a community to create tangible, positive impact." The QBE AcceliCITY program and its partners help these companies succeed by connecting them with mentors from Leading Cities' global network of smart city experts and city leaders. With the application process behind them, these companies will now participate in a three-month, web-based curriculum featuring smart city leaders from around the world. Companies selected as finalists will participate in the QBE AcceliCITY Boot Camp, where they will compete for the opportunity to win up to $150,000 in prize money to fund a pilot of their solution directly within a community. Learn more about the Top 100 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Solutions here. About QBE North America QBE North America is a global insurance leader helping customers solve unique risks, so they can stay focused on their future. Part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, QBE North America reported Gross Written Premiums in 2022 of $7.27 billion. QBE Insurance Group's results can be found at qbe.com . Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 27 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The North America division, headquartered in New York, conducts business primarily through its insurance company subsidiaries. The actual terms and conditions of any insurance coverage are subject to the language of the policies as issued. QBE insurance companies are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best and "A+" by Standard & Poor's. Additional information can be found at qbe.com/us or follow QBE North America on LinkedIn and Facebook . About Leading Cities Leading Cities is a non-profit organization that drives action and solutions for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future through innovation and education for entrepreneurs, governments, and corporations. Leading Cities connects cities across the globe with innovations and insights by delivering advanced research, emerging trends, and new technologies that improve the quality of life in urban centers. About the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, a signature program, leverages the Leading Cities network of forward-thinkers in the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors to advance innovation in local governments. The program lowers the cost and risk of innovation for startups as well as cities and corporations by streamlining the innovation and sales cycles for Smart City solutions. SOURCE QBE North America Highlights plan sponsors' strategies to address changing environment DALLAS, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG), an EPIC company, is pleased to announce the launch of its Trends in Drug Benefit Design Report. The report delivers innovative research on the latest trends in the traditional (non-specialty) drug benefit. Sponsored by Rx Savings Solutions, it outlines the complexities of designing and managing the drug benefit and the cost challenges faced by consumers and plan sponsors alike. Key highlights of the findings include: Plan sponsors are grappling with the potential cost of weight loss drugs. With respondents divided on weight loss as a lifestyle or chronic condition, 43% cover FDA-approved weight loss medications, and 28% may do so in the next 1-2 years. "Employers are concerned about affordability, as well as the long-term side effects resulting from chronic use," commented Michael Medel, PharmD, Senior Vice President and Practice Lead Plan Sponsors. "While there is recognition of the positive health benefits of weight loss, the data is lacking today to support any significant cost-offset of those benefits." Most plans use more than one type of trend and utilization management program, such as prior authorization and refill too soon limits, but these programs can present challenges. Growing percentages of respondents cited cost and cumbersomeness as barriers to utilization management programs. Two-thirds of respondents wanted more transparency and accountability in these programs, and over half expressed interest in new offerings for tracking and controlling utilization. Major advancements have been made in gene and cell therapies over the past 5 years, and as the pace of change increases, interest in financial protection products is growing. Nearly all (91%) respondents have heard of gene therapy financial protection products. While just 7% currently use these products, nearly half are considering it. "With a robust cell and gene therapy pipeline, plan sponsors are seeking ways to mitigate the financial risk these expensive therapies present while also ensuring access for their members. Although few are currently using cell and gene therapy financial protection products, many are considering it. This will be an interesting trend to watch in the coming years," noted Morgan Lee, PhD, MPH, CPH, Senior Director, Research & Strategy, PSG. Plan sponsors recognize the need to reduce wasteful drug spend. A little over half of plans (53%) take steps to identify and reduce wasteful spend in the formulary; that percent rising to 75% when isolating the data to health plans. Blocks, exclusions, and use of programs and reporting from their PBM are among the most common steps they take to address this problem. The monetary impact of cost-sharing strategies on consumers has spurred a focus on transparency. The promotion of cost-sharing transparency tools to help members manage expenses continues to rise, from 28% in 2018 to 63% in 2023. "We are honored to once again sponsor this insightful report, which highlights the importance for plan sponsors to evolve the pharmacy benefit," said Michael Rea, PharmD, Founder and CEO of Rx Savings Solutions (RxSS). "This year, there is a noticeable undercurrent of change in the market. Consumers and patients whose share of prescription drug costs continue to grow are searching for relief and turning to sources both within and outside of the traditional drug benefit. It's a goal all of us in the pharmacy benefit ecosystem to help advance the benefit in ways that produce greater access and affordability, all while controlling spend." Since the inception of this report, the drug benefit has become more intricate to design and manage. With many new drugs coming to market, decisions around program structure, formulary design, cost sharing, and trend management become increasingly challenging and important. This report helps benefit leaders identify trends and future possibilities so they can adjust as appropriate around these factors and more. Download the Trends in Drug Benefit Design Report: Trends in Rx Benefit Design | Rx Savings Solutions (rxss.com) About the 2023 Trends in Drug Benefit Design Report The Trends in Drug Benefit Design Report provides in-depth insights into traditional (non-specialty) drug benefit trends and strategies and focuses on drug benefit design for the 2023 benefit year among employers, union/Taft-Hartley, and health plan respondents. The survey sample informing this report included 180 benefits leaders. Issues specific to specialty drugs are included in a separate report Trends in Specialty Drug Benefits. This report as well as prior annual reports conducted by PSG can be found at https://www.psgconsults.com/research. About Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG) Pharmaceutical Strategies Group, an EPIC company, relentlessly advocates for clients as they navigate complex and ever-changing drug cost management challenges. PSG functions as a strategic partner through industry-leading intelligence and technologies to realize billions of dollars in drug cost savings for clients every year. https://www.psgconsults.com/ About Rx Savings Solutions Report Sponsor Rx Savings Solutions ("RxSS"), part of McKesson Corporation, works on behalf of everyone who takes prescription drugs and the health plans and employers who cover them. Founded by a former retail pharmacist, RxSS helps members reduce out-of-pocket prescription costs and a health plan's pharmacy spend. The solution layers on top of an existing pharmacy benefit and analyzes individual claims to identify and present cost-saving alternatives to each member. Our member engagement platform notifies members proactively anytime they have prescription savings available. Visit https://rxss.com for more information. Media Contact Betsy Van Alstyne [email protected] LOGO: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/23-0501-s2p-psg-logo-300dpi.jpg This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE Pharmaceutical Strategies Group Opening of Trulieve dispensary on Tatum Blvd. continues brand promise of offering the right products at the right price in the right place in growing Phoenix market TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL ) (OTCQX: TCNNF ) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the opening of a new dispensary in Phoenix, AZ. Located at 16635 N. Tatum Boulevard, the doors will open at 8 AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, with ongoing hours of 8 AM to 10 PM seven days a week. "Trulieve is a proud member of the Arizona community and this new location on Tatum Boulevard is a continuation of our brand promise to deliver exceptional customer experiences, as well as provide the right products at the right price in the right place," said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. "This new location will offer a wide variety of popular products including Trulieve brands such as Alchemy, Avenue, Co2lors, loveli, Modern Flower, Muse, and Roll One." Trulieve invites the Arizona community to join in celebrating this new recreational marijuana dispensary on Saturday, June 17 with partner giveaways, DJs, a coffee truck, special discounts and more, starting at 8 AM. Trulieve entered the Arizona market in October 2021 as part of its acquisition of Harvest Health & Recreation, Arizona's largest cannabis retailer. Harvest and Trulieve-affiliated dispensaries in Arizona are in Apache Junction, Avondale, Casa Grande, Chandler, Cottonwood, Glendale, Guadalupe, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Tempe, and Tucson. For more information on store activations and locations in Arizona, please visit www.trulieve.com/dispensaries/arizona. About Trulieve Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com. Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ Twitter: @Trulieve Investor Contact Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations +1 (424) 202-0210 [email protected] Media Contact Nicole Yelland, Executive Director of Corporate Communications +1 (248) 219-9234 [email protected] SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TrustRadius' 7th annual 2023 B2B Buying Disconnect report proves "The Self-Serve Economy is Prove It or Lose It." Tweet this Data for the TrustRadius 2023 B2B Buying Disconnect report was sourced from an online survey that included go-to-market teams of technology providers and professionals who were involved in a new technology purchase for their organization in the past year. 1,604 responses from technology buyers and 248 members of go-to-market teams were analyzed for this report. This year's report titled, 2023 B2B Buying Disconnect: The Self-Serve Economy is Prove It or Lose It , offers a deep dive into how the current economy is changing the buyer mind-set, including why buyers are more risk-averse than in the past seven years and how go-to-market teams can rewrite their strategies to attract their target buyers. Top 5 takeaways in 2023: Buyers are more risk averse than ever before. 87% of technology buyers adjusted their decision-making to ensure they only purchase products that provide ROIand fast. 87% of technology buyers adjusted their decision-making to ensure they only purchase products that provide ROIand fast. More than 80% of buyers stated that economic uncertainty increased their interest in products that help with time savings and reduced headcount. increased their interest in products that help with time savings and reduced headcount. There are more C-suite decision-makers in the buying process. Due to the current economic climate, buyers reported a 27% increase in the number of decision-makers and an additional 14% increase in C-level decision-makers in the buying process . Due to the current economic climate, buyers reported a 27% increase in the number of decision-makers and an additional 14% increase in C-level decision-makers in the buying process 51% of respondents (a 20% increase from last year) reported that the most important factor in choosing a product is prior experience . . 54% of technology buyers consult user reviews during the buying journey, but only 35% of marketers believe they are "very effective." Buyers want to try before they buy, and they want vendors to enable them. "We are still very much in a self-serve market," says Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius. "In this economic climate, B2B tech buyers have become more risk averse. They spend more time doing research and they involve more stakeholders in buying committees. They are seeking solutions that bring efficiency to their business. Demos, reviews, and free trials remain their most-used sources of information. This report provides actionable recommendations for how vendors should adapt." TrustRadius will discuss this year's data and GTM strategies to address the findings in a LinkedIn Live this Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 12:00 pm ET. Leading the conversation will be TrustRadius' very own Vice President of Research, Megan Headley, and joining her for the discussion will be LinkedIn's Vice President of Marketing, Jim Habig. [ Register Now ] About TrustRadius TrustRadius delivers the most credible technology decisioning platform, helping buyers confidently make decisions with comprehensive, vetted product information and customer-generated content. Technology providers are empowered to tell their unique stories, engage high-intent buyers, and gain customer insights. Founded by successful entrepreneurs and headquartered in the technology hub of Austin, Texas, TrustRadius is backed by Mayfield Fund, LiveOak Venture Partners, and Next Coast Ventures. We've made it easy to share these buying trends. Take a look at our media kit or contact us at [email protected] . SOURCE TrustRadius, Inc. LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK is expected to see a net outflow of 3,200 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023 higher than the projected 3,000 net loss for Russia, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2023.This will make the UK the third-biggest loser of millionaires globally after China (net loss of 13,500) and India (net loss of 6,500). Perhaps most notably, the UK's anticipated HNWI flight is double that of last year, when it saw a net exodus of 1,600 millionaires. The report by investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners features the latest net inflows and outflows of dollar millionaires (namely, the difference between the number of HNWIs with investable wealth of USD 1 million or more who relocate to, and emigrate from, a country) as projected by global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth. The figures focus only on HNWIs who have moved namely, who stay in their new country more than six months a year. Note: All HNWI figures are rounded to the nearest 100. "Down Under" back on top Australia is expected to attract the highest net inflow of HNWIs in 2023 at 5,200, and although the UAE drops into 2nd place following its record-breaking influx in 2022, it is still expected to enjoy an impressive net arrival of 4,500 new millionaires this year. Singapore ranks 3rd with a net inflow of 3,200 HNWIs, its highest on record, followed the US with an expected net influx of 2,100 millionaires. Switzerland (net inflow of 1,800) and Canada (1,600) are in 5th and 6th place, respectively, with Greece (1,200), France (1,000 double last year's net intake of 500 millionaires), Portugal (800), and New Zealand (700) all making it onto this year's Top 10 list for net HNWI inflows. Israel is predicted to tumble out of the Top 10 with its net inflow of millionaires set to almost halve to just 600 compared to 1,100 in 2022. Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says there's been a steady growth in millionaire migration over the past decade, with global figures for 2023 and 2024 expected to be 122,000 and 128,000, respectively. "In general, wealth migration trends look set to revert to pre-pandemic patterns this year, with the notable exceptions of former top wealth magnets, the UK and the US." Brexit a bad bet for Britain The UK's peak net outflow year was 2017, following the Brexit referendum in 2016. Prior to this, the country enjoyed net positive inflows of HNWIs. While net losses dropped slightly between 2017 and 2019, the 2023 forecast indicates a far more significant millionaire exit is currently underway. Prof. Trevor Williams, former Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial, says "whatever one may think about the merits of Brexit, this cohort is voting with its feet. Coupled with the policy change to remove permanent non-domiciled taxpayer status, Brexit has made the UK less hospitable and welcoming to HNWIs." Sunita Singh-Dalal of Hourani & Partners agrees that "the recent unsettling British 'Non-Dom debate' triggered by unprecedented political volatility, coupled with rising debt, a dysfunctional healthcare system, high crime rates, and a general sense of lingering malaise, has clearly tarnished the lustre of London." The appeal of another financial giant, the US, is also dwindling fast. America is notably less popular among migrating millionaires than pre-Covid, owing in part to the threat of higher taxes. The country still attracts more HNWIs than it loses to emigration, with a net inflow of 2,100 projected for 2023, although this is a staggering drop from 2019 levels, which saw a net inflow of 10,800 millionaires. The other big losers in 2023 As it has for the past decade, China continues to lose the largest numbers of dollar millionaires each year to migration. Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth, explains that "general wealth growth in China has been slowing over the past few years, which means that the recent outflows could be more damaging than usual." Although the second-biggest loser globally, India's net exit numbers are predicted to drop to 6,500 in 2023 compared to last year (7,500) and as Amoils points out, "these outflows are not particularly concerning as India produces far more new millionaires than it loses to migration." The UK (3,200) and Russia (3000 vs 8,500 in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine) sit in 3rd and 4th place respectively, with Brazil (1,200), Hong Kong (SAR China) (1,000 less than half the actual net outflow in 2022), South Korea (800 double the net outflow in 2022), Mexico (700), South Africa (500), and Japan (300 compared to last year's net loss of 100) making up the rest of the Top 10 biggest millionaire losers forecast for 2023. Award-winning journalist Misha Glenny says the lessons for those who hope to attract HNWIs are clear. "Political stability is the key metric, together with low taxation regimes and personal freedom. Until the RussoUkrainian war comes to end, both countries will continue to export HNWIs, and this will remain the single largest driver of relocation. But with elections due in many key Western countries in the next 18 months, other HNWIs may wait until their outcome, notably in the US and the UK, before making their choice." Download the Full Press Release SOURCE Henley & Partners ~2023 Gallup survey reveals 90% of UK workforce is disengaged~ ~Confidence in UK job market plummets, bucking upward trend across Europe~ LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly all UK workers (90%) are not enthused by their work and workplace, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report. The UK rate of engagement at work (10%) remains one of the lowest in Europe, ranking near the bottom among peer countries (33 out of 38) with countries like the US reporting triple the number of engaged employees (31%). The poor state of disengaged workforces is not unique to the UK, with just 13% of employees across Europe feeling engaged at work, and the lowest rates of engagement reported in France (7%) and Italy (5%). Over the last year, there has been an abundance of negative news in the UK around the cost-of-living crisis, climate change, and the mounting pressure on the NHS. These are all possible triggers for people in the UK reporting growing levels of worry, stress, and anger at work. The survey results reflect this bleak picture for the current mood of the UK workforce, with nearly a fifth (19%) of UK professionals reporting feeling angry at work, a significant 4-point increase year-on-year, putting the UK well above the European average (14%). Despite this, most UK workers may not be leaving their unfulfilling jobs for greener pastures. As the report also reveals confidence in the UK's current job market has declined by four points since last year's report, with just 36% of people believing that now is a good time to find a job. Falling UK confidence bucked the trend of growing job-market confidence in the rest of Europe, where over half of the population (56%, up 12 points year-on-year) believe now is a good time to look for a job. There has been speculation about an impending recession and against this backdrop, this could explain why job confidence in the UK is considerably lower than much of the rest of Europe. People may be opting to stay in their current role as this is the 'safer' option, rather than risk being last in-first out if a recession hits. With employee engagement at an all-time low and rising levels of anger, companies must act fast to turn the tide on this trend. Amid economic instability employers may not be able to incentivise their employees with renumerations and benefits. "The UK continues to perform poorly on employee engagement. To tackle widespread disengagement, businesses need to be championing employees and giving them the right tools and resources to be productive and purposeful. Additionally, it's important for employees spend time together," said Anna Sawyer, Gallup Partner. The value of real human interactions cannot be overlooked it's crucial for career development, productivity and wellbeing, amongst other outcomes. Companies that fail to make employee engagement a priority risk losing talent and ultimately jeopardise their overall success." For more information please contact: Red Lorry Yellow Lorry - [email protected] Methodology Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report summarises data from the Gallup World Poll obtained from April 2022 to March 2023 showing how people around the world feel and how effectively employers and countries are using human capital. Gallup surveyed a sample of one thousand people per country in 160 countries, the survey was conducted via telephone and face-to-face interviews. Employee engagement is calculated using a range of questions linked to performance outcomes, including leadership, line-manager interactions, employee development and day-to-day workplace activities. The total number of global employed respondents included in the full trend of data (2009 through 2022): 2,208,292. For the 2022 data, the total number of global employed respondents is 122,416, and the total number of employed respondents in Europe is 18,262. About Gallup Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organisations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviours of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organisation in the world. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1213938/Gallup_Logo.jpg SOURCE Gallup Owners of small farms in the regions affected by Russian aggression can count on donations of seed supply INDIANAPOLIS, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In May 2023, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation launched a program to provide winter oilseed rape to small Ukrainian farms in the regions most affected by Russia's full-scale invasion. The program's partner in Ukraine is the international R&D agricultural company Corteva Agriscience, that provides access to advanced genetics of Pioneer seeds. According to the eleventh annual Global Food Security Index (GFSI) report that assesses the state of the food systems in 113 countries and is developed by Economist Impact and was supported by Corteva Agriscience, the war has significantly affected global food security. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Corteva Agriscience focus their efforts on addressing this global problem, including supporting Ukrainian farmers with seeds in extremely resource-constrained field conditions. Farmers located in the certain regions affected by Russia's invasion and whose cultivated area is less than 200 hectares under winter oilseeds rape can participate in the program. Farmers who order at least 5 units of Pioneer seed will be eligible to receive an equal number of additional Pioneer seed units for a symbolic price of 1 UAH without VAT. To apply for participation, farmers should contact the Corteva Agriscience sales representative in their region. Howard G. Buffett, the Foundation's Chairman and CEO, said: "Ukraine plays a critical role in the world's food supply, but Russia's invasion has left many Ukrainian farmers, and particularly those with smaller farms, unable to access the inputs they need to plant their crops. We are pleased to partner with Corteva Agriscience to help farmers access this much needed seed supply and in return, help mitigate the current global food security crisis exacerbated by Russia's war on Ukraine." "Corteva Agriscience has been working side by side with Ukrainian farmers for many years, knows the challenges they face, and works to assist them in overcoming those challenges. The company remains in support of Ukraine and provides comprehensive assistance to communities so they can fully restore their farming operations. That is why we welcome the initiative of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and consider it an honor to participate in this program to provide farmers with our advanced seed of Pioneer brand," says Sergii Kharin, Business Leader at Corteva Agriscience in Eastern Europe. About Corteva Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry - including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com. Follow Corteva Agriscience on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. About the Howard G. Buffett Foundation Founded in 1999, the Howard H. Buffett Foundation is a private US family foundation working to improve food security, mitigate conflict, improve public safety and combat human trafficking. The Foundation's work in Ukraine began in 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion of Russia, and is focused on addressing Europe's largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. The Foundation's work in Ukraine is extensive and includes supporting farmers to address growing food insecurity caused by conflict, both locally and globally. More information can be found at https://www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org/ SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. SOURCE Corteva, Inc. A train of HCMC's metro line No.1 is vandalized, April 30, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Ha Giang Ho Chi Minh City police have identified a Belarus man and another foreigner as suspects who vandalized a metro line No. 1 train last month. Police came to the conclusion after inspecting the area where the train was parked at Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City, and reviewing security footage. They said Ilyevsky Sergey, 30, is the main suspect, and he was joined by another foreigner whose identity is yet to be determined. Sergey is a graffiti artist and has entered Vietnam three times. He had left Vietnam for Singapore on May 3. The investigation is ongoing as Thu Duc police look for the other suspect. The vandalism was discovered by a worker on April 30 at the Long Binh Depot, where the 17 trains to be deployed on line No.1 are parked, marking the second time the citys metro train has been sprayed with graffiti. No culprit has been found for the first instance last June. The 20-hectare depot will serve as the control center and train maintenance yard. The metro line, after several delays, is now 95% complete and expected to be operational this year. It will run 19.7 km from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Long Binh. XI'AN, China, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A release from the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism: Hold onto your passports, because a team of diplomats are setting their sights on Shaanxi for an epic adventure. This dream team of over 20 diplomats, representing countries like Zimbabwe, Albania, Morocco, Ethiopia, Peru, Iran, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kenya, and the Bahamas, is about to embark on a mesmerizing six-day tour of Shaanxi province. And guess what? We've got the scoop on the summer wonders that await them. Prepare to have your mind blown by Guiguling National Forest Park in Ankang, Shaanxi. With its ethereal, cloud-kissed cliffs and pristine forests that radiates air of mystery, the park resembles a mesmerizing tidal wave of clouds, a natural spectacle that will leave you breathless. Next up is Mei County, Baoji, Shaanxi a hidden gem that'll take your breath away. Imagine strolling through a summer wonderland, where the gentle evening breeze dances with the lotus leaves. Get ready for a jaw-dropping spectacle of vibrant pink lotus flowers and delicate green foliage that'll make you feel like you're living in a dream. But let's not forget the real star of the show the food. Shaanxi's culinary scene is buzzing, and you're in for a treat. We're talking about Liangpi, also known as Cold Skin Noodles. Straight from Hanzhong, Shaanxi's gastronomic treasure trove, these soft and chewy noodles accompanied by a tangy and spicy sauce are the ultimate summer refreshment. It's the perfect dish to beat the summer heat and satisfy your cravings. Last but certainly not least, prepare for the soul-stirring rhymes of Yulin Ditty. This unique and melodious musical art form from Yulin, Shaanxi will sweep you off your feet. Let the subtle and intricate melodies flow in the air, lingering with the enchanting symphony of musical instruments. It's an experience that will leave an everlasting imprint on your soul. Shaanxi province is a treasure trove of summer wonders just waiting to be explored. Get ready to unlock the magic and embark on an extraordinary journey through its mystical landscapes this summer. It's time to make memories that will last a lifetime. SOURCE Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism Company Wins Best Overall Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer in its Sales Category MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith) today announced that it has been honored with a Distribution Industry Award for Notable Achievement in Healthcare (DIANA Award) for "Best Overall Manufacturer, Branded Pharmaceuticals, Sales Less Than $300M" by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA). Awards were presented to outstanding pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers during HDA's 2023 Business and Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs on June 12, 2023. DIANA Award Presentation to Upsher-Smith. Left to right: Perry Fri (HDA), Mike Muzetras (Upsher-Smith), Dave Zitnak (Upsher-Smith), Brad Leonard (Upsher-Smith), Mike McBride (Upsher-Smith), Chip Davis (HDA) "While this is not the first time we have been honored with a prestigious DIANA Award, this year's win holds special significance against a backdrop of global supply and regulatory compliance challenges leading to drug shortages across the industry," said Rich Fisher, President and COO, Upsher-Smith. "This award is validation that a US-based drug manufacturer with a tenured team of account executives can make a positive impact on drug distribution, the pharmacies they supply, and the patients that rely on these channels for their medication." Added Fisher, "Quality, consistency of supply and long-term customer relationships are in our DNA and we are proud to carry this same commitment across both our brand and generic businesses." Upsher-Smith recently expanded upon its long-standing, award-winning relationships with distributors with the opening of its new, 270,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, manufacturing facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The new site will offer fully up-to-date packaging and serialization capabilities and will support contract manufacturing for third parties. To learn more, visit http://www.upsher-smith.com/plant-c . Since 1959, the DIANA Awards have been presented to pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers that set the standard for excellence in developing innovative new product introductions and promotions, fostering exceptional trading partner relationships, advancing trade relations and creating business practices that benefit the entire healthcare supply chain. DIANA finalists and winners for Best Overall Company are chosen by HDA distributor members who judge companies based on several criteria including: knowledgeable salespeople, high-level customer service, demonstrated flexibility and creativity in marketing, and incorporation of new technologies to ensure product safety and security. Upsher-Smith is included among a distinguished group of present and past recipients who serve as models for leadership and innovation in the healthcare marketplace. About Upsher-Smith Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted U.S. pharmaceutical company that strives to improve the health and lives of patients through an unwavering commitment to high-quality products and sustainable growth. The company brings brands and generics to a wide array of customers, always backed by its attentive level of service, strong industry relationships, and dedication to uninterrupted product supply. For more information, visit www.upsher-smith.com . About the Healthcare Distribution Alliance The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) represents primary pharmaceutical distributors the vital link between the nation's pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. Since 1876, HDA has helped members navigate regulations and innovations to get the right medicines to the right patients at the right time, safely and efficiently. The HDA Research Foundation, HDA's nonprofit charitable foundation, serves the healthcare industry by providing research and education focused on priority healthcare supply chain issues. SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC Named One of Colorado's Titan 100 Leaders DENVER, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shay Kerman, President of Urgent Care Solutions dba as AFC Urgent Care, has been recognized as one of Colorado's top business leaders. The Titan 100 program is a national program that recognizes CEOs and C-level executives in the private and public sectors for their exemplary leadership. The Titan 100 award recognizes Shay Kerman for her vision and passion. "You can measure success in two important ways," said Shay Kerman. "First, the business metrics, such as customer assessment and overall company growth. Secondly, it's about providing opportunities for employee growth both professionally and personally. "People want to grow, and nothing is more rewarding for a successful leader than helping team members grow into leaders in our company," she said. "The Titan 100 are changing the way that business is done in Colorado," said Jaime Zawmon, President of Titan CEO. "These preeminent leaders have built a distinguished reputation that is unrivaled and preeminent in their field. Their achievements create a profound impact that makes an extraordinary difference for their clients and employees." Shay Kerman was previously honored as: C-Suite 2021 Winner (Denver Business Journal 2021) Outstanding Women in Business (Denver Business Journal 2021) Titan 100 (Titan CEO 2021) Enterprising Women of the Year (Enterprising Women 2020) Under Shay Kerman's leadership, Urgent Care Solutions was also recognized as one of the area's Top Workplaces by the Denver Post in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Urgent Care Solutions has grown from one location in 2014 to ten AFC Urgent Care locations in Denver and surrounding areas, employing more than 250 healthcare professionals and serving more than 200,000 patients annually. Shay Kerman also launched Denver's first COVID testing lab, StatLab Diagnostics, where she serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Shay Kerman has served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Women's Chamber and Commerce, the Colorado Chapter of Gifts of Adoption, and the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. She also served as Medical Team Supervisor for Project CURE and Team Lead Manager for Marantha to provide aid and healthcare services in Ghana and Zambia. About Urgent Care Solutions Urgent Care Solutions dba AFC Urgent Care has 10 locations serving more than 200,000 patients each year in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. AFC Urgent Care provides fast and comprehensive medical care with short wait times and reasonable rates. About Titan 100 The Titan 100 program recognizes Colorado's Top 100 CEOs and C-suite executives for demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Award recipients were honored at a ceremony on June 1st, 2023, at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver. Contact: Helen Manuel, [email protected]com SOURCE Urgent Care Solutions TEL AVIV, Israel, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uruguay President Luis Lacalle Pou today said both his country and Israel have the "greatness of democracy and freedom" in common and called the ties between the two nations "historic and unbreakable." Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9113551-american-jewish-committee-global-forum-uruguay-president/ Lacalle Pou told the Global Forum about the 75 years of friendship between his nation and Israel Uruguay President Luis Lacalle Pou addressed the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Tel AViv on June 12 in a prerecorded message In taped remarks delivered at American Jewish Committee's Global Forum in Tel Aviv, Lacalle Pou also hailed the "shared history" between the two nations. "I am more convinced than ever that what counts the most is the greatness of democracy and freedom. And the most important thing is the friendship among nations that uphold and cherish these values," Lacalle Pou said. "Along with 75 years of independence for Israel, today we celebrate 75 years of friendship between Uruguay and Israel." Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. Four days later, Uruguay became the first South American nation to recognize Israel and the fourth nation overall. Uruguay was also home to the first Israeli embassy in South America. "The ties between Israel and Uruguay are historical and unbreakable and predated 1948," Lacalle Pou said. Uruguay's representative to the UN, Enrique Fabregat, was a member of the UN commission that visited Palestine in 1947 and recommended the establishment of a Jewish state. A street in Israelin the city of Ramat Gan--is named after him, one of three Uruguayans with that honor, as Lacalle Pou proudly noted. Lacalle Pou, an alumnus of Project Interchange, an AJC institute that brings global leaders to Israel, said Uruguay sees the yearly observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day in April as a time to pay respect to the victims of the Shoah as well as honor the refugees taken in by Uruguay after World War II. "Our country received and protected them, and they had the opportunity to restart their lives and contribute to the greatness of our nation," Lacalle Pou said An estimated 16,000 Jews are living in Uruguay, according to the Jewish Agency, while about 15,000 Uruguayans live in Israel. In 2020, Uruguay adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, becoming the first Latin American country to do so. "Both the Jewish community in Uruguay, so deeply rooted in the life of our country, and the many Uruguayans who live in Israel, serve as an invaluable bridge connecting the two countries," said Lacalle Pou, who remembered fondly his trip to Israel with AJC's Project Interchange institute in 2018. AJC fosters trilateral ties among the US, Ibero-America, and Israel through its Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs (BILLA). Last year, AJC signed an association agreement with Comite Central Israelita de Uruguay, the main Jewish communal organization in Uruguay. It is AJC's 38th association agreement with Jewish communities around the world and the 15th with communities in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. "Uruguay has been an island of stability and democracy in the region and has warm historical ties to Israel," BILLA Director Dina Siegel Vann said then. "We look forward to enhancing our ties with this great country and its admirable Jewish community." AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York City, 25 offices across the United States, and 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. SOURCE American Jewish Committee RALEIGH, N.C., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- US Radiology Specialists, Inc , one of the country's premier physician-owned radiology practices, announced that it is expanding its Technologist Advancement Academy modality advancement program across the company's network of more than 180 imaging centers and practice locations in 14 states. This expansion is part of US Radiology's most recent investment in providing career development for current employees and recruiting the next generation of radiology technologists to help keep pace with patient demand. US Radiology continues to experience significant growth nationwide, particularly in its outpatient imaging locations, and the ability to hire high-quality, licensed radiology technologists is critical to maintaining access to care for patients. US Radiology Technologist Advancement Academy The US Radiology Technologist Advancement Academy is a company-sponsored training program that allows technologists to gain certification in additional imaging modalities, such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, and mammography. The program leverages US Radiology's cadre of seasoned trainers and incorporates innovative tools like ScanLabMR, a state-of-the-art imaging simulator, into its modern, inclusive training methods. Open positions in the Academy are filled by current USRS technologists interested in advancing their careers and compensation, as well as through hiring external candidates who currently hold certification as x-ray technologists into designated trainee positions where they can advance to other modalities. "Cross-training within the company has been beneficial for my overall clinical learning experiences, and doing the work in an environment I was already familiar with made the transition easier than I anticipated. The opportunity has been great for my family and for furthering my career from an X-ray technologist to an MRI technologist," said Jordan Fernandez, a radiology technologist at US Radiology's Touchstone outpatient imaging center in Southlake, Texas. "I'm excited to be able to help even more patients in my new role." Industry-wide vacancy rates for technologists have risen sharply in the last several years, with near double-digit increases in vacancy rates across most specialties. Demand continues to outpace training program graduations, and employers are seeing more attrition due to professional burnout. With technologists playing a critical role in the patient care journey, addressing staffing shortages is a high priority for radiology practices and outpatient imaging centers. "As we continue to expand our network and patient volume increases, the need to recruit talented technologists who share our commitment to exceptional care also grows," said Jennifer Bibles, Group President of Operations for US Radiology. "Technologists are at the heart of our patient experience and in high demand in almost every region, so we are committed to providing competitive compensation, an appealing working environment, and career advancement to attract the best and brightest team members across our network." In addition to offering radiology technologists the opportunity to advance their careers through its Technologist Advancement Academy, US Radiology provides exceptional benefits, including: Predictable scheduling without overnight or on-call requirements; Sign-on bonuses; Enhanced shift differential pay; Performance bonuses paid monthly; Generous relocation assistance; A caring and welcoming work environment; And the opportunity to work with the very latest in imaging technology. Interested radiology technologist candidates can learn more about benefits and nationwide opportunities at US Radiology, contact recruiters, and apply directly for currently open positions at www.myradtechcareer.com About US Radiology Specialists US Radiology is one of the country's largest and most progressive radiology groups. With over 4,500 team members and more than 180 outpatient imaging centers across 14 states, our team conducts nearly 8 million studies annually. Our partnership of leading subspecialized radiology groups, high-quality imaging centers, and health systems is built around a commitment to best-in-class clinical excellence, operations, infrastructure, and state-of-the-art technology. Media Contact Chris Core [email protected] SOURCE US Radiology Specialists DALLAS, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. (the "Company") announced today that the Company's 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") was convened on June 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time and adjourned because a quorum of the holders of the Company's common stock was not present in person or by proxy. The Annual Meeting has been adjourned to July 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time and will continue to be held virtually. Only shareholders of record, as of the record date, April 3, 2023 (the "Record Date"), are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy. Proxies previously submitted in respect of the Annual Meeting will be voted at the adjourned Annual Meeting unless properly revoked, and stockholders who have previously submitted a proxy or otherwise voted need not take any further action. About VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. ("VineBrook Homes") is an externally advised real estate investment trust. VineBrook Homes is focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and operating single-family rental properties primarily located in the midwestern, heartland and southern United States markets. For more information, please visit www.investors.VineBrookHomes.com. CONTACTS Investor Relations Kristen Thomas [email protected] Media Relations Prosek Partners for NexPoint [email protected] SOURCE VineBrook Homes Susan will officially join the Board effective Jan. 1, 2024 BASTROP, Texas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Visit Bastrop President and CEO, Susan Smith, has been elected to Destinations International 's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) Board of Directors, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Being elected to the DMAP Board puts Visit Bastrop on the governing board for the destination organization industry's highest organizational achievement. In 2022, Visit Bastrop was awarded with the DMAP seal of "Accreditation with Distinction," which is the highest possible recognition for a destination organization. The DMAP seal recognized the organizations' commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world. "After receiving the DMAP designation last year, it is of the highest honor for myself and Visit Bastrop to be appointed to the DMAP Board," said Susan Smith, President and CEO of Visit Bastrop. "This accomplishment showcases Visit Bastrop's success in demonstrating excellence in the industry, puts us on the map amongst many other industry leaders and allows us to have a prominent voice in the future of destination accreditation." While Susan's terms on the Board don't begin until Jan. 1, 2024, onboarding will begin in the coming weeks to allow Susan time to get up to speed on the Boards work and processes, as well as what to expect when her term officially begins. "We are thrilled to welcome Susan into our elite Board of Directors," said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. "Visit Bastrop has demonstrated superiority in the industry in terms of the management and marketing of a destination organization and we feel confident that Susan will be an important asset to our Board as we enter 2024." ABOUT VISIT BASTROP Visit Bastrop is the official tourism marketing destination for the City of Bastrop, an original Texas town with a fresh approach to life. Visit Bastrop strives to promote its special brand of Texas hospitality, diverse lodging properties and provide tourists and business travelers with helpful resources. Bastrop is home to a bustling art scene, vibrant nightlife, quaint restaurants offering homecooked meals and breathtaking nature with abundant outdoor activities. From the moment visitors step foot on its charming downtown streets, they feel welcomed - Welcome To It All. To learn more about accommodations, dining and things to do in Bastrop, go to visitbastrop.com . ABOUT DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL Destinations International is the world's largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org . Media Contact: Augustine Agency [email protected] SOURCE Visit Bastrop HONG KONG, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VOX Solutions is excited to announce that it has been appointed as the exclusive gateway for international Application-to-Person (A2P) Short Message Service (SMS) traffic delivery into Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC's network, which is Malawi's the leading pioneer mobile operator. This appointment is the result of an interworking agreement between the two companies, allowing for direct termination of international A2P SMS traffic to TNM's network. The partnership between VOX Solutions and TNM establishes an exclusive direct collaboration, ensuring the secure and reliable delivery of A2P messages to TNM's clients and international businesses. This strategic alliance empowers TNM to gain control over the delivery of all International A2P SMS traffic into its network, including critical communications such as one-time passwords and customer notifications. By adopting this comprehensive approach, TNM achieves the highest level of network protection against fraudulent activities, courtesy of VOX's expertise, as well as the advanced A2P Voice & SMS traffic monetization capabilities of the VOX-360 platform. The VOX-360 platform is a comprehensive and unique solution in the market, encompassing anti-fraud features, flash call authentication, A2P SMS monetization, and mobile identity capabilities. It empowers mobile operators to identify and block spam and fraudulent traffic, proactively safeguarding end users and enhancing the overall customer experience. Furthermore, it enables operators to optimize their network monetization efforts. "Fraud is becoming a rapidly growing challenge for mobile operators, wanting to expand their solutions to enterprises, for which security and quality of delivery is a priority," says Michel Hebert, TNM Chief Executive Officer. "This exclusive partnership signifies VOX Solutions' expertise in delivering international A2P messaging at a large scale, while upholding the highest standards of quality and security," says Hebert. "We are truly honored to be entrusted with this opportunity and remain committed to providing unparalleled support to our partners in achieving their business objectives. Together, we will pave the way for enhanced communication experiences and foster lasting success. The VOX-360 platform stands out in the industry as the only solution capable of mitigating Flash Calls, in addition to offering a comprehensive suite of anti-fraud measures for A2P Voice and SMS traffic. This unique feature ensures that TNM is not only protected against messaging bypass but also safeguarded from potential voice and Flash Calls fraudulent activities in the future," says Ehsan Ahmadi, CEO and Founder of VOX Solutions. Having successfully deployed VOX-360 in numerous major mobile operators' networks worldwide, VOX Solutions remains committed to supporting its partners with superior state-of-the-art technology, valuable data, educational resources, expert personnel, and leading edge advisory services. About VOX Solutions (former Vox Carrier): The VOX Group stands at the crossroads of the Technology & Telecommunication space, present in the market for over 11 years. The company aims to improve, simplify & optimize International Voice & Messaging, using the latest innovations in technology. VOX has a portfolio of powerful solutions that serve MNOs in A2P messaging, Voice & Flash call monetization and aggregation. For MNOs, VOX Solutions is focused on both monetization and aggregation, being the only company in the market offering Flash Calls (Voice A2P) end-to-end solution, called Vox 360, The company has an established customer base working with some of the largest MNOs, such as TIM, Deutsche Telekom, Telstra, MTN and Beeline. For the enterprise segment, Vox Solutions focus on A2P messaging, A2P & P2P Voice, while also providing solutions focused on Cloud Communications. Its unique A2P voice monetization solution VOX-360 also won numerous global awards for the antifraud and flash call authentication innovations. www.voxsolutions.co About Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC Established in 1995, Telekom Networks Malawi is the oldest telecommunications company in the country. It is a leading telecommunications network provider in the country. TNM's network covers over 88% of Malawi. TNM operates a 4G network enabling advanced broadband multimedia services, in addition to 2G and 3G networks. It is also currently piloting a 5G network in selected key cities. TNM has been a pioneer of many services in Malawi and became the first mobile operator in Malawi to launch 4G broadband services in Malawi. Services on offer include video calls, video and music streaming and high-speed wireless internet access services. www.tnm.co.mw SOURCE VOX Solutions 71 Feet of Net Oil Pay Discovered in Secondary Targets in the Maastrichtian and Campanian Testing of Primary Targets in the Santonian has Commenced CALGARY, AB, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Frontera Energy Corporation (TSX: FEC) ("Frontera") announced today that the joint venture (the "Joint Venture") with CGX Energy Inc. (TSXV: OYL) ("CGX") has successfully reached total depth (TD) of 20,450' on the Wei-1BP1 (Wei-1 bypass exploration and appraisal well or the "Well"). The original Wei-1 wellbore reached a depth of 19,142'. A bypass well (Wei-1BP1) was drilled from 18,757' to total depth (TD) and penetrated the primary Santonian targets of the Well in the western complex in the northern portion of the Corentyne block. Prior to the bypass, the Well encountered an aggregate of approximately 71 feet of net oil pay in the secondary target reservoirs in the Maastrichtian and Campanian. Following the bypass, data collected from LWD (Logging While Drilling) and cuttings indicate multiple hydrocarbon shows in the primary target reservoirs in the Santonian interval. Results from the well are encouraging: data acquisition is ongoing via wireline logging, MDT's and side wall core sampling. An update on Well results will be provided when the acquisition and evaluation has been finalized. Results from the Well are consistent with pre-drill expectations. The Well has confirmed the Company's geologic and geophysical assessment of the block. As operations continue, the Joint Venture has revised its total Wei-1BP1 cost estimates to approximately $190-$195 million to complete the logging runs, finish well operations, and release the rig. The additional costs are primarily due to the lost sampling tool and the drilling of the bypass well. The Well was drilled by the Joint Venture. CGX holds a 32.00% participating interest with Frontera holding the remaining 68.00% participating interest in the Corentyne block, offshore Guyana. About Frontera Frontera Energy Corporation is a Canadian public company involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 31 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, and pipeline and port facilities in Colombia. Frontera is committed to conducting business safely and in a socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner. If you would like to receive News Releases via email as soon as they are published, please subscribe here: http://fronteraenergy.mediaroom.com/subscribe. Social Media Follow Frontera Energy social media channels at the following links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/fronteraenergy?lang=en Facebook: https://es-la.facebook.com/FronteraEnergy/ LinkedIn: https://co.linkedin.com/company/frontera-energy-corp . Advisories Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that Frontera believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding hydrocarbon shows in the Santonian interval, exploration and development plans and objectives with regards to the Well and the addition of resources towards exploration and potential commercial development are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of Frontera based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the need to obtain any required regulatory approvals; the ability of the Joint Venture to successfully explore and develop offshore blocks, and to fund exploration and development and the impact thereof of unforeseen costs and expenses; changes in equity and debt markets; perceptions of the prospects and the prospects of the oil and gas industry in the countries where the Company operates or has investments; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual information form dated March 1, 2023 or the most recent management, discussion and analysis, under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Frontera disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Frontera believes that the assumptions inherent in the cautionary and forward-looking statements applicable to it are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Oil and Gas Information Advisories: This news release includes terms and phrases such as "net oil pay" and "hydrocarbon shows". Such terms and phrases should not be interpreted to mean there is any level of certainty in regards to the volume of oil, natural gas or condensates present therein, or that such volumes may be produced profitably or in commercial quantities SOURCE Frontera Energy Corporation BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Whatfix, a leader in digital adoption platforms (DAP), today announced an expansion of its collaboration with Microsoft with its listing on the Azure Marketplace , aimed at providing data-driven digital adoption solutions to joint customers. The listing will enable global enterprises on the Microsoft Azure cloud to access and deploy solutions from Whatfix that meets their business needs. Whatfix has different plans built to cater to a wide variety of DAP use cases and customers can choose the plan best suited for them, directly from the Azure Marketplace to begin their digital adoption journey. Whatfix's vision focuses on making technology more intuitive, collaborative, and self-serviceable for software users and helping organizations achieve capabilities and productivity goals through the concept of userization . The goal is to ultimately influence business value outcomes like revenue win rate, cost reduction, risk compliance, and more. "Microsoft has changed the way people work and communicate with technology. By providing digital adoption capabilities to our joint customers, we can help maximize their ROI on their technology investments," said Vispi Daver, Chief Revenue Officer at Whatfix. "Our collaboration with Microsoft will provide Azure customers with a seamless experience of using Whatfix on their enterprise applications and enable them to achieve digital adoption at scale." Since 2021, Whatfix has collaborated with Microsoft to provide fully integrated, complete digital adoption solutions for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Teams, enabling customers to use these applications more effectively and efficiently. Whatfix's listing on the Azure Marketplace extends the collaboration to help organizations deliver frictionless digital experiences that reduce complexity across their entire tech stack. "Through Microsoft Azure Marketplace, customers around the world can easily find, buy, and deploy partner solutions they can trust, all certified and optimized to run on Azure," said Jake Zborowski, General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. "We're happy to welcome Whatfix to the growing Azure Marketplace ecosystem." To learn more about how Whatfix can help your organization maximize the ROI of its technology investments and achieve its digital transformation goals, check out Whatfix on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace or reach out to us at [email protected] . About Whatfix: Whatfix empowers anyone, anywhere to have scalable success with technology they use everyday, achieving greater knowledge, expanding capability, and unlocking productivity for themselves and their organizations through the use of Whatfix's Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) which integrates seamlessly with applications to enable users, providing in-context information and guidance to immediately increase individual capability and collectively amplify productivity. The organization has six offices globally in the US, India, UK, Germany, and Australia, and works with Fortune 500 companies around the world. For more information, visit Whatfix's website. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Whatfix By virtually every measure, President Putins invasion of Ukraine has been a strategic failure, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. One of Vladimir Putins long-term goals has been to divide and weaken NATO. Convinced there was little chance of armed conflict in Europe, many NATO members lowered their spending on defense. But Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, caused NATO allies to commit to increasing defense spending and to deployed new forces to NATOs eastern flank. Indeed, over the course of a few months, a backlash to Moscows aggression against Ukraine caused a veritable cascade of failures, poor outcomes and spoiled plans with regard to Russias military, economic and international endeavors. European countries, which imported 37 percent of their natural gas from Russia, cut their imports by half. Sanctions and export controls imposed by governments around the world exposed Russias long-running failure to diversify Russias economy, to strengthen its human capital, to fully integrate the country into the global economy, said Secretary Blinken: President Putin wanted to build Russia up as a global, economic power. Today, Russias economy is a shadow of what it was, and a fraction of what it could have become had Putin invested in technology and innovation rather than weapons and war. That said, Russias military also disappointed. Today, many see Russias military as the second-strongest in Ukraine. Its equipment, technology, leadership, troops, strategy, tactics, and morale, a case study in failure. Similarly, Russias long-cultivated partners, including China, distanced themselves from Moscow. Finally, President Putins core aim to erase Ukraines identity failed. Ukraine stands sovereign, independent, firmly in control of its own destiny, said Secretary Blinken. Ukraines membership in NATO will be a matter for Allies and Ukraine not Russia to decide. The path to peace will be forged not only through Ukraines long-term military strength, but also the strength of its economy and its democracy, he said. This is at the heart of our vision for the way forward: Ukraine must not only survive, it must thrive. If and when Russia is ready to work for true peace, the United States will respond in concert with Ukraine and other allies and partners around the world, said Secretary Blinken. In the weeks and months ahead, the United States will continue to work with Ukraine, with our allies and partners and any and all parties dedicated to supporting a just and lasting peace. BEIJING, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 8 to 11, 2023, the international top medical aesthetic event IMCAS was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand. Wingderm Electro-optics Ltd. (Wingderm) is once again present as a sponsor and exhibitor of IMCAS. Carol Ren/ Vice President Wingderm is showcasing a wide range of devices, including Mesoskin, a highly efficient skincare device, Lasermach, a diode laser hair removal device, Renuva, Medical Non-ablative Fractional Laser Systems, and Cryoshot, a skin cooling device that can be used in conjunction with laser devices. Once the product was presented, it quickly attracted the attention of many doctors, beauticians and distributors in the industry. The booth of Wingderm was crowded, and the staff gave a detailed introduction to the technology, safety and effectiveness of the products. Krystian.Szuba, General Manager of Cryomed & Ebos group, exclusive distributor of Wingderm in Australia, said: "We are glad to cooperate with Wingderm because Wingderm can provide us with high quality products and professional services." Wingderm Vice President Carol Ren said: "As a member of China's medical aesthetics device industry, Wingderm is pleased to participate in this international event of the medical aesthetics industry held by IMCAS in Thailand to show the world our cutting-edge products and technologies. During the exhibition, we conducted in-depth exchanges with customers on products and services and reached a number of cooperation programs. These achievements will also lay a solid foundation for Wingderm's future development. With the continuous development of the medical aesthetic device industry, the industry value chain is also constantly upgrading. Wingderm is gradually transforming from a device manufacturer to an overall solution provider in medical aesthetic device industry to meet the all-round needs of partners. Also we provide more personalized services for partners and even end consumers with the help of our self-developed Wingcloud platform." About Wingderm Founded in 2016, with a strong technical foundation and high-end talent base, Wingderm has successively launched a number of intelligent optoelectronic medical aesthetics equipment. Our devices are adopted by thousands of medical aesthetics institutions in China, and Wingderm have established a number of sales channels around the world. At present, our company has more than 30 stable distributors in the world, and the globally sold devices has exceeded 10,000 units, and the equipment has been verified by more than 100 million people. In order to ensure that the products can legally enter the global market, Wingderm products have been certified by the US FDA, the EU CE, the UK, Brazil, Israel, Australia, Russia and other countries. We always insist on providing efficient intelligent medical equipment service solutions for global customers, combined with the self-built Wingcloud platform, aiming to guide continuous service improvement and business model innovation, and provide safer and more efficient medical equipment digital management solutions for distributors and equipment users, which has been promoted and verified in more than a dozen countries. For more information please visit:https://www.wingderm.com/ SOURCE Wingderm Electro-optics Ltd. WiLD is a new and fast-growing professional network for women in senior positions across industry and academia in Danish life science A key objective is to provide professional, tailored mentoring programs for women in the life science business from young talents to executives - in critical career transitions and WiLD has received a grant from the Lundbeck Foundation to build a mentorship programme, which will be launched in September 2023 COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD) is pleased to announce that is has been awarded a grant of EUR 63.800 from The Lundbeck Foundation to advance its mentoring program for women working in life sciences in Denmark. WiLD's Female Leadership Mentoring Program aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry at critical points in their careers and address the lack of support many women experience in the pursuit of senior leadership positions in corporate and academic institutions. To achieve this, the WiLD network will leverage the significant leadership experience of its members and external experts, who have extensive experience in the design and execution of leadership development programs using a mentoring format for both national and global organisations. The full Program will be launched in the Autumn of 2023 and is intended for female life science leaders who have either recently been promoted or are aiming for a significant career transition in the next 12 to 24 months. Lene Gerlach, Co-Founder and Chairperson of WiLD said: "We are delighted to receive this significant funding from The Lundbeck Foundation. It is a momentous achievement for WiLD and validates the importance of diversity and inclusiveness across the life science industry. The funding will help us realise our ambition of providing a Female Leadership Mentoring Program to enable more women in the industry to reach for higher leadership positions. It will contribute to removing one of the critical barriers to achieving gender equality in leadership positions across Danish life sciences, namely having support at critical career transitions." Inge Berneke, CVP Corporate Affairs at The Lundbeck Foundation added: "The Lundbeck Foundation believes in the importance of talent development and is pleased to support WiLD's mentorship program for women in the life science industry. There is a need to further leverage, grow and invest in our talents. Mentoring can be vital for female talents at critical moments in their career and we look forward to seeing the mentorship programme unfold in the months to come." Since its inception in January 2023 with support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, WiLD's member base has grown significantly. The network has already reached its primary target of 150 members a milestone it initially set to reach by 2025. WiLD was co-founded by Lene Gerlach, a Partner at life sciences venture capital firm Eir Ventures. To find out more and apply to become a member of the WiLD network, please click here for further details. Four members of WiLD's Board of Directors will be attending the upcoming Folkemdet - The Democracy Festival of Denmark , 15-17 June in Allinge, Denmark. Please get in touch if would like to set up a meeting at the festival and learn more about the WiLD network. About Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD) Women in Life Science Denmark is a non-profit organization based in Denmark, founded by Lene Gerlach and ten other experienced women from the Life Science Industry. The organisation is focused on seeking to increase diversity in professional senior leadership positions in life sciences in Denmark for the benefit of society . The network aims to unfold the full talent potential of women in life sciences by increasing visibility of female role models contributing to value creation through professional knowledge sharing and network activities. The Initiator of WiLD is Lene Gerlach, PhD who is a Partner at EIR Ventures and the Chairperson of WiLD. Lene is backed by a strong volunteer board of directors including Vice Chairperson Helle Busck Fensvig, Business Angel and Boardperson; Louise Lyhne, CEO of Lyhne Life; Ingelise Saunders, Chairperson of Boost Pharma and ISD Immunotech; Mette Rosenkilde, Professor at the University of Copenhagen and serial entrepreneur; Lone Veng, Board member of Mercy Ships; Claudia Blomgren-Hansen, Partner at LIFE SCIENCE PLUS Advokater; Pernille Winding Gojkovic, CEO of Hiberg and Hervr Lykke Olsen, Principal at the BioInnovation Institute. For more information, please visit us at www.womeninlifescience.dk SOURCE Women in Life Science Denmark Trusted Name in Drain and Sewer Services Set to Support Local Property Managers, Contractors, Plumbers and Homeowners with 24/7, 365 Drainage Solutions HOUSTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Drain a leading operator of drain and sewer services opened its newest franchise in Spring, Texas on June 6, 2023. Located at 3336 Spring Stuebner Rd., Zoom Drain of North Houston will proudly serve Kingwood, Humble, Conroe and the surrounding areas. Currently, there are three Zoom Drain franchise locations in Texas, with 46 total nationwide. The owner of the new location is local entrepreneur, Raymond Ledesma, who was born and raised in Corpus Christi and graduated from Franklin University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Raymond always wanted to go into business for himself and, with his diverse skill set and professional background of warehouse distribution, he decided to move forward with opening a Zoom Drain franchise. But it's about more than growing a business for Ledesma, it's also about assisting the residents and businesses in his community the same way the community helped him back in 2017. "We'd just moved to the Houston area when Hurricane Harvey hit, flooding our new home," Ledesma recalled. "It should have been devastating but, instead, it made us aware of how blessed we are, as more people helped us rebuild than we could have imagined," said Raymond Ledesma, owner of Zoom Drain North Houston. "We wanted to be that same support for the community, building a culture and a team that makes a difference, not just with providing trusted drain and sewer service but so much more." Zoom Drain provides around the clock residential and commercial service centering on drain and sewer cleaning, sewer pipe video inspections, grease trap maintenance and much more. From clogged sinks and bathtubs to main sewer line blockages, Zoom Drain utilizes five different drain cleaning machines and a custom hydro-jetter to tackle any sewage issue that arises. Customers include commercial property managers, contractors, plumbers, and homeowners in need of immediate solutions to drain and sewage issues. Zoom Drain prides itself on always providing swift, dependable service by expertly-trained specialists for both emergency and planned maintenance service needs everything that has to do with wastewater management. Zoom Drain is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and there's never any additional cost for "off hours" service such as nights, weekends, or even holidays. "We are thrilled to have Raymond Ledesma join the Zoom Drain team and bring their expert services to North Houston, TX," said Jim Criniti, CEO of Zoom Drain. "Drain and sewer emergencies are a nightmare for anyone, so offering skilled and reliable services to North Houston and the surrounding communities is a priority for us and we're looking forward to growing our brand in the area and beyond." To learn more about Zoom Drain, visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/ About ZOOM DRAIN: Zoom Drain is an operator and franchisor of drain and sewer services, focusing on repair, maintenance and installation everything "below the drain." If it deals with wastewater, Zoom Drain deals with it, providing expertly-trained specialists to respond to both emergency service and planned maintenance, cleaning more drains in a year than most plumbers clean in their career. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Zoom Drain currently has 46 locations across the U.S. and continues to grow! For more information about, please visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/. Media Contact: Maddie LaPorta, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Zoom Drain Speaking in Riyadh at a ministerial meeting for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the group, now expanded to 86 members, has had marked success since 2014. Together we have achieved the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Weve taken out or captured its leadership. Weve prevented large-scale attacks. And weve invested billions [of dollars] in stabilizing liberated areas and rebuilding the region, he said. But the fight is not yet finished. Urgent areas must be addressed to ensure the terror groups enduring defeat, he said. Among them is stabilization assistance in Iraq and Syria. Poor security and humanitarian conditions, lack of economic opportunity these are the fuel for the kind of desperation on which ISIS feeds and recruits, said Secretary Blinken. Secretary Blinken announced the Coalition is holding a Stabilization Pledge Drive of a little more than $601 million, and that the United States is committing $148.7 million to the fund. Another urgent issue is the need for repatriation of foreign ISIS members and their families from displaced persons camps, like al-Hol in Syria. Failure to repatriate foreign terrorist fighters risks the possibility that they could again take up arms and attempt to restore ISISs so-called caliphate, terrorize communities that were working to stabilize and rebuild, and potentially threaten our homelands, he said. Secretary Blinken noted that al-Hol now hosts 50,000 displaced persons, most of whom are women and children, half of whom are 12 years old or younger. Leaving these children in camps condemns them to lives marked by danger, the denial of basic health care, the denial of education - the denial of hope, he said. Another area of focus is the evolving terrorist threat, particularly throughout the Sahel and West Africa. The United States has pledged $130 million to enhance counterterrorism capacity in sub-Saharan Africa, including more than $22 million for partnerships with Coastal West Africa. Secretary Blinken also called for vigilance regarding the threat that ISIS-Khorasan poses in the region surrounding Afghanistan. The United States is bolstering the Coalitions collective efforts with more than $30 million in new counterterrorism programs for Central Asia. Recent years have demonstrated the progress that we can achieve with steadfast determination, declared Secretary Blinken. He expressed confidence that the Coalitions collective commitment to defeat ISIS will finally eliminate the scourge of terrorism around the world. In support of Southwire's continued commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization and industry, Cara Herzog, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has been named as the company's Chief DEI Officer and will now report directly to President and CEO Rich Stinson as part of the company's Executive Leadership Team (ELT). "This is an exciting moment for me personally, but it's also exciting for Southwire," said Herzog. "Viewing DEI as a function of the business and emphasizing our efforts at the executive level show that we are truly committed to diversifying ourselves commercially and creating a more equitable workplace experience. This is a moment for us to pause, celebrate our progress and prepare for future growth." Southwire's ever-evolving DEI strategy is currently focused on six key areas of impact: People Leaders, Inclusive Workforce, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Reputation and Community, Equity and Governance and Value and Supply Chain. These areas allow Southwire to focus on the internal engagement of team members and forge meaningful external partnerships with a wide variety of organizations, including Catalyst, Women in Manufacturing, Wounded Warrior Project, the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), CHRIS 180 and more. "Since I joined the company in 2016, we have grown and matured in our commitment to DEI," said Stinson. "Cara's promotion is the next right step in this journey, and I know that her team will continue to do an amazing job. I believe this sends a message to others in our industry that DEI is critical to our success, and it further positions us to be generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond." In 2020, Stinson was proud to represent Southwire by signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to show the company's commitment to support a more inclusive workplace for team members, communities and society at large. Over the past seven years, the company has worked to hire more females, individuals from underrepresented communities (URCs) and veterans, and for the fourth consecutive year, Southwire was recognized by DiversityJobs.com as a Top Diversity Employer. "Research has proven that companies are more engaged, innovative, productive and profitable when they lead with DEI," said Fernando Esquivel, executive vice president and Chief People & Culture Officer. "We want to be an employer of choice, to attract, retain and develop talent and help team members feel equipped to do their best work every single day. Cara's new role and her continued leadership in this space align perfectly with Southwire's core values of trust, consistency, empowerment and inclusion." Cara began her career at Southwire in 2014 as a training specialist and held many roles within the company's People & Culture team before stepping into her current position. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of West Georgia and is committed to Giving Back by serving with organizations like Women in Manufacturing, Society for Diversity, Project GIFT, Women's Resource Center, Wounded Warrior Project, Advocates for Remarkable Citizens and All Terrain Georgia. In addition to volunteering with these groups, Cara is Vice Chair of the Manufacturers Alliance Diversity & Inclusion Council and a Board Member for the Aimee Copeland Foundation, and she previously served as Chair of the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation Board. Cara and her husband, Matt, reside in Carrollton, Ga., with their two children, BG and Hayes. Outside of her professional and community commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, exploring new places and cheering on her favorite teams: the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta United. A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America's largest wire and cable producers and an emerging influence in many important electrical markets. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions, and the company provides a variety of field and support services to customers around the world. For more information about Southwire's products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com. 2023 Southwire Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Lucknow, June 13 : In a shocking incident in Lucknow, a security guard, was killed and his private parts chopped off by one Anupam Tiwari who suspected the victim of having an affair with his mother, police said. The body of the victim Siddharth Mishra, 34, of Daliganj, was recovered from an embankment near PAC 35 Battalion in Mahanagar. The accused was emotionally upset with his parents and was staying separately in Madioan. His father is suffering with black fungus and is bedridden. The victim met the miscreant's mother through their common acquaintance. When the accused came to know of the victim's affair with his mother, he got perturbed. DCP Central, Aparna Rajat Kaushik, said, "The victim had head injuries and had his private parts chopped off by some sharp object. A blood-stained slab was recovered from the scene also." A team started the investigation after a case was lodged by the deceased's brother Bindu Mishra. "An investigation revealed that Siddharth used to visit the house of a woman," the DCP added. The lead worked as the cops found the suspect who had the motive to kill the victim. "The team working on the case worked in a manual way and collected details of the miscreant who owned up the crime during questioning," said the police officer. "He disclosed that he was filled with hatred for the victim after he came to know his relations with former's mother. He said that he planned to kill Siddharth who used to jeer at him also in the past but changed his mind as he did not find a suitable place to eliminate the victim," the DCP added. On the fateful day, he offered Siddharth drinks which he purchased from a shop in Rahim Nagar and then they moved to the embankment. When Siddharth got drunk, the accused attacked him with a slab/stone and killed him on the spot. He then chopped off his private part which he threw in the Kukrail drain and fled the scene. Lakhimpur Kheri : , June 13 (IANS) After a high-level team of the Uttar Pradesh government that visited the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve last week to probe tiger deaths, ruled out any foul play, the autopsy reports of two out of four tigers have revealed head injuries. One of the tiger's head injuries suggested that it was attacked by a bigger animal, said A.M. Pawde, principal scientist and in-charge, Centre for Wildlife at ICAR-IVRI, Bareilly. "In the examination, it was found that the tiger weighed 210 kg. The right elbow joint was injured and twisted. It had injury marks on its head, and it seemed that it was crushed. There were some scratches on its body," Pawde added. "It seems that some bigger animal had attacked the tiger, and it could be an elephant or a rhinoceros. Scratch marks were found on the rear side of the waist (right side), which indicate that the animal was bigger (in size) than the tiger," he said. The tiger's liver was also damaged, he added. The post-mortem examination of another tiger revealed that its head injury was old, Pawde said, adding the big cat's body, including its intestines and head were filled with worms. "It was healthy, but succumbed to the injuries four to five days ago. It also had an acute shortage of water in its body. Blood had accumulated in its lungs and liver," he said. Pawde also added that "evidence of a pointed-horn piercing into the liver has been found. The liver was enlarged, and it was not able to run. It is also possible that, owing to intense heat, it had consumed toxic meat". The post-mortem of the third tiger was not possible as it was completely decomposed, the principal scientist said, adding that research is being conducted on it. The post-mortem examination of the fourth tiger was conducted by Daya Shankar in Lakhimpur Kheri. He had sent the tissues for test here, and they are being examined, Pawde said. Earlier on Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed serious concern over the deaths of tigers in the tiger reserve and ordered a probe. Four tigers have died since April 21 due to different reasons as stated by the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve authorities. Taking cognisance of the casualties, the Chief Minister had directed the state Forest Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, forest and other senior forest officials to visit the Dudhwa National Park and carry out a thorough probe. Adityanath also sought a detailed report of the reasons behind the big cats' recent deaths, the official said. Sanaa, June 13 : The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced that it has secured insurance for the FSO Safer, a decaying oil tanker moored off the coast of Yemen. The tanker, which carries 1.14 million barrel of oil and anchors in the Red Sea off the coast of Hodeidah, has not undergone maintenance since 2015 due to Yemen's civil war. The insurance, which was arranged by insurance broker Howden, will cover the cost of any loss or damage that might occur during the transfer of oil from the FSO Safer to another tanker, the UNDP said on Monday in a press statement on its website. "Insurance became a critical element of enabling this salvage operation to proceed," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner was quoted as saying. "Without it, the mission could not go forward." The FSO Safer is a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel that was built in 1976. It was anchored off the coast of Yemen in 1984 to store oil produced by the Marib oil field. The tanker was designed to be emptied and maintained regularly, but the war in Yemen has made it impossible to do so, Xinhua news agency reported. On May 30, a UN engineering vessel arrived at the site of the FSO Safer to make preparations for the transfer of its oil. According to media reports, the transfer is expected to start in the coming days. The UN has warned that a spill from the FSO Safer could have a devastating impact on the Red Sea and the coastline of Yemen. The spill could release four times as much oil as the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which killed thousands of seabirds and marine mammals and caused widespread environmental damage. Deputy Mayor of Osh city Zamir Yusupov met with the Honorary Consul of Japan in Kyrgyzstan Bunno Takashi. Press service of the City Hall reported, Azernews reports, citing 24.kg. The parties discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the development of economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, educational programs, and interaction in order to establish sister city relations. Bunno Takashi told about his activities as an honorary consul, noting the event organized for celebration of Nooruz in Osaka for the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, where 70 percent of the participants were from Osh. He suggested developing bilateral sister city relations with Osaka, Japans second largest city. Zamir Yusupov noted that Osh has twin-city relations with 23 cities of near and far abroad and is ready to carry out joint projects and initiatives in the economic, educational, cultural, trade and other fields on the way to establishing sister city relations with Osaka. "Our Beat the Heat centers not only give Texans a reliable safety net to cool off during the months ahead but also provide a place to support one another, and socialize with friends, while saving energy at home," said Elizabeth Killinger, president, Reliant. "Hot Texas summers are inevitable, but they provide an opportunity to lend a hand and look for ways to help our customers and the community. We encourage any customer who needs support to contact us, and together, we will find the best path forward." Reliant's statewide 2023 summer programming includes: Places for Communities to Gather Visit Beat the Heat Cooling Centers: 45 Reliant Beat the Heat centers provide a comfortable place for seniors and other vulnerable neighbors to visit with friends, cool off, and stay safe, while decreasing energy usage at home. Reliant's centers are located throughout Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and Lubbock, in partnership with city governments and local health departments. To see a full list of Beat the Heat centers, addresses and hours, visit reliant.com/beattheheat. 45 Reliant Beat the Heat centers provide a comfortable place for seniors and other vulnerable neighbors to visit with friends, cool off, and stay safe, while decreasing energy usage at home. Reliant's centers are located throughout Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and Lubbock, in partnership with city governments and local health departments. To see a full list of Beat the Heat centers, addresses and hours, visit reliant.com/beattheheat. Portable AC Unit Donations: In conjunction with City partnerships across Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and Lubbock, Reliant is funding more than 1,000 personal cooling devices, including portable AC units and Arctic Air coolers, to help keep residents cool in their homes. Smart Tools to Manage and Optimize Energy Use Next-Level Energy Insights via an Easy-to-Use App : With new features now available, the Reliant app provides customers the ability to actively manage their energy habits and improve efficiency with real-time bill projections, usage trends over time, and usage comparisons. Further, solar customers can see both their energy consumption and production simultaneously, and electric vehicle owners can check the charge of their car and schedule charging in advance. With new features now available, the Reliant app provides customers the ability to actively manage their energy habits and improve efficiency with real-time bill projections, usage trends over time, and usage comparisons. Further, solar customers can see both their energy consumption and production simultaneously, and electric vehicle owners can check the charge of their car and schedule charging in advance. Earn Rewards for Conserving Energy: When electricity demand is high, the Reliant Degrees of Difference program rewards customers with bill credits for reducing energy usage and adjusting smart thermostat temperatures by no more than four degrees. Reliant's program is compatible with Google Nest, Honeywell Home, and Emerson Sensi. Customers always remain in control and can manually adjust their thermostat if needed. Resources for Customers Who Need Assistance Get Help with Zirtue : Reliant's exclusive offering allows customers to get help from a friend or family member to pay their energy bill via Zirtue. A Zirtue account is free and is one of the many financial aid tools Reliant offers to customers to make their lives easier. : Reliant's exclusive offering allows customers to get help from a friend or family member to pay their energy bill via Zirtue. A Zirtue account is free and is one of the many financial aid tools Reliant offers to customers to make their lives easier. Access Assistance : The Community Assistance by Reliant Energy (CARE) program helps customers who are facing financial hardship pay their electricity bills through local agency assistance, made possible by both Reliant and customer contributions. This summer, Reliant has committed $1 million to CARE funding in direct support of customers across Texas. Since 2002, CARE has provided more than $15 million to help Texans who need assistance with electricity costs. : The Community Assistance by Reliant Energy (CARE) program helps customers who are facing financial hardship pay their electricity bills through local agency assistance, made possible by both Reliant and customer contributions. This summer, Reliant has committed $1 million to CARE funding in direct support of customers across Texas. Since 2002, CARE has provided more than $15 million to help Texans who need assistance with electricity costs. Level Out Costs: Average billing can be added to even out the highs and lows of seasonal changes in electricity usage and make it easier for customers to manage a monthly budget. Average billing can be added to even out the highs and lows of seasonal changes in electricity usage and make it easier for customers to manage a monthly budget. Contact 24/7 Customer Support: Reliant prioritizes giving everyone access to the electricity they need to live comfortably. Anyone shopping for a new electricity plan, concerned about summer bills, or needing payment assistance is encouraged to contact Reliant. Agents are available 24/7 via live phone support, online chat, or on the Reliant app. For more information on any of these programs, visit reliant.com/summer. About Reliant, an NRG company Reliant powers and simplifies life by bringing electricity and related services to homes and businesses across Texas. Serving customers and the community is at the core of what we do, and the company is recognized nationally for outstanding customer experience. Reliant is part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company. NRG is a leading energy and home services company operating in the United States and Canada, powered by people and our passion for a smarter, cleaner, and more connected future. For more information about Reliant, visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and Twitter or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007. Geneva, June 13 : The UN refugee agency has deplored the brutal attacks on forcibly displaced people in Congo by non-state armed groups, saying that these acts of violence have resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the mass displacement of vulnerable individuals and families. According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, in the latest attack on Monday, armed assailants carried out the assault in a displacement site in Ituri province, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 45 people, including children and women, Xinhua news agency reported. At least 12 people were burned alive as their shelters were set ablaze during the attack, the UNHCR said in a press statement. "UNHCR deplores in the strongest terms these heinous attacks against vulnerable civilian population," said Valentin Tapsoba, director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Southern Africa. The resurgence of violence in the region is deeply concerning and underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the causes of conflict and promote lasting peace and stability, UNHCR stressed. New Delhi, June 13 : It was in the year 2016 when student leader Navjot Kaur, who was then studying at Punjabi University, Patiala, started a library in her hostel room with a few books. Slowly, with contributions made entirely by the students, more books were added and their number rose to 800. Kaur says the library was started not just to encourage reading but also precipitate discussions, encourage students to talk about their political and social beliefs, and push them to understand contemporary realities better. Regular film screenings and book discussions were also held in her room which housed the library. The same model has now been replicated at Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh. This time, two libraries have been started -- one each at Girls' Hostel number 3 and Boys' Hostel number 5. The one in the girls' hostel is housed in Kaur's room, a member of the Punjab Students Union (Lalkar), who is now doing her Master's in Political Science. "The response has been excellent. It's a misconception that the young are not reading enough. There is a constant activity in my room, of girls wanting to issue books," adds Kaur, and smiles that she does not mind the consequent lack of privacy. Joban, also a post-graduate student at PU, who handles the library at the Boys' hostel, says the response from students has been phenomenal. Adding that books in hostels become a starting point of conversations with students on rational and progressive ideas, he adds that the collection across genres attracts diverse students. "While stress is on classics, poetry, history, theatre, and politics, there are enough fiction titles too. The effort is not directed towards swaying them to a particular ideology but inculcates the habit of reading." While initially, they were apprehensive if enough funds could be generated for books, but the union members were pleasantly surprised with the contributions. "While student life may be synonymous with the paucity of funds, they have been extremely generous. In fact, many people donate books too. Those wanting to just need to contact us or any member of our union." While the university library offers an excellent selection of titles, the duo insist that the many restrictions and condition of books there is a problem. In PU too, the union screens films on a weekly basis. "From the best of international classics to powerful South Indian cinema, we have a wide selection of carefully curated movies. As a union, we are not into organising fests, like many others." President of PSU (Lalkar), Aman stresses that they are set to expand the existing and add more libraries to other hostels. "As a student body, it is our responsibility to ensure that students have access to good books and cinema. We also take out a newspaper," she concludes. (Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukant.d@ians.in) Washington, June 13 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has preambled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming "historic" state visit, saying central to emerging cooperation in critical technologies between the two countries such as semiconductors and defense was "reducing strategic dependencies". Blinken has inserted a new phrase into the narrative around the India-US relationship whose limits have been defined by New Delhi's pursuit of strategic autonomy, which is a foreign policy construct deployed by India to choose friends without committing itself to anything serious. "Central to all of this cooperation is diversifying and deepening our supply chains with trusted countries, also reducing strategic dependencies," he said in remarks to business leaders of the two countries at the start of an annual conference on the relationship of the US-India Business Council, an offshoot of the US Chamber of Commerce, the most powerful of American lobbyists. Blinken was referring to a recent surge in cooperation between the two countries on emerging critical technologies, which is a dialogue that was flagged off by Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden in 2022 and fast-tracked by the two sides in a meeting of National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan earlier this year. This engagement contains the promise of the next big outcome in the relationship, which could be announced during Modi's visit later in June: joint production of US giant General Electric's (GE) jet engines in India. India currently uses GE jet engines delivered ready for use. Expanding on the theme of "reducing strategic dependencies", the top US diplomat spoke of cooperation between the two sides on semiconductors and solar power equipment, the two areas on which the US has been cutting its dependence on China, specially after disruption caused by Covid-19. "My friend and colleague Secretary of Commerce (Gina) Raimondo and her counterpart Minister (Piyush) Goyal, recently established a partnership to make our semiconductor supply chains more resilient." He went on to talk about US investment in a solar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. "It will shift a key component of our clean energy supply chains to a close partner. That's what we mean when we say we are building more resilient, more diversified supply chains," he added. Secretary Blinken did not say the US has expectations of India on "reducing strategic dependencies", but it could be an acknowledgement and acceptance of India's dependence on Russian oil, which it has been getting at heavily discounted rates for its own use and export, to circumvent US-led western sanctions. The Secretary of State was extremely bullish on the bilateral relationship and pitched his own speech as a run-up to Modi's upcoming visit. "I couldn't be more pleased to actually kick off tonight the upcoming state visit with all of you," he said, calling the visit "historic" earlier. An Indian Prime Minister is coming to the US on a state visit -- including a state dinner -- after nearly 14 years, nine of which have been Modi's. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the last Indian Prime Minister given a state dinner. It was in 2009. He was President Barack Obama's first state guest -- an event that will probably be remembered also for the couple that gate-crashed it, in flagrant breach of security arrangements. Moscow/Kiev, June 13 : Russia-appointed officials and pro-Kremlin bloggers have reported intense fighting along the border of Ukraine's Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions -- an area where Kiev's forces have made significant gains in recent days since the launch of the counter-offensive. The fighting is currently underway south of the town of Velyka Novosilka along both sides of the Mokri Yaly river, reports CNN. In a social media post on Monday night, Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed Zaporizhzhia administration, acknowledged heavy fighting in an area known as the Vremivka ridge, but also claimed that higher ground remained under Russian control. He said Russian attack helicopters were in action, and that "reciprocal shelling and heavy fighting of ultra-high intensity continues" in the vicinity of the village of Urozhaine. Rogov also conceded that Ukrainian forces were "holding their positions on the northern and eastern outskirts of the village". He further claimed that in the nearby village of Makarivka, "the enemy has already been driven out by the quick and effective counterattack of the 127th Division", CNN reported. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers also reported of intense combat in the area, with one Telegram channel ('Our Donetsk') saying "the enemy managed to deepen and advance through the wooded areas, threatening with further advance to encircle" nearby Russian units. 'Our Donetsk' acknowledged that Russian troops had been forced to abandon Neskuchne -- just south of Velyka Novosilka -- for a second time, "retreating to positions where they would not be encircled". It said the Ukrainians were "accumulating forces" in the area, and heavy fighting continued. Also late on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the fighting in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia border region, saying "the enemy's losses are exactly what we need". The start of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive was announced by Zelensky on June 10 after months of speculation. The following day, the government announced that Ukrainian forces have retaken control of Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka -- three frontline villages in Donetsk. The three villages would be the first liberated since his comments, but not the first that Ukraine has recaptured since June 5, when pockets of its forces began to advance in the country's south. Bhopal, June 13 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will, on Tuesday, chair a high-level meeting convened to review the Satpura Bhawan fire incident, the CM office said in a statement. State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary, Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang will attend the meeting, the . Among others who are scheduled to be present are -- Director General of Police (DGP) Sudhir Saxena, Chief Secretary Mohammad Suleman, and Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Rajesh Rajora. The meeting will be held at the chief minister's residence at 10 a.m., as per the statement. Soon after the fire broke out in the building here on Monday afternoon, the Chief Minister formed a five-member committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter and submit its report as soon as possible. "It is an unfortunate incident. The administration is engaged in dousing the fire. I also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all efforts are being made. A high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident," he had said. Notably, the fire at Satpura Bhawan, which houses several government offices - including CBI, EOW, tribal welfare, health department etc -- was finally doused with joint effort of multiple authorities early on Tuesday. Confirming the incident, District Collector Ashish Singh said that the blaze has been brought under control. The fire broke out on the third floor of the building, and spread to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors before it could be contained. However, with joint effort of multiple agencies, it was finally doused after 15 hours of struggle. Seoul, June 13 : North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui has sent a congratulatory message to her Russian counterpart over Moscow's key national holiday and vowed stronger cooperation between the two nations, state media reported on Tuesday. In the message sent to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday on the occasion of Russia Day, Choe said Pyongyang and Moscow have ushered in a new "heyday" in their friendly relationship, Yonhap News Agency quoted the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying. "Mutual cooperation and support in terms of bilateral and international affairs have become stronger than at any time," Choe was quoted as saying by the KCNA. She also voiced confidence that the two nations will build stronger "strategic and tactical cooperation" in the diplomacy field for the development of the bilateral ties, according to the KCNA. North Korea has expressed its support of Russia despite international condemnation over Moscow's war with Ukraine, amid allegations that Pyongyang has provided arms to Moscow for use in the full scale invasion. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kutch, June 13 : As cyclone Biparjoy advances towards the Gujarat coast with a projected landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district, efforts to evacuate thousands of people to safer places are underway on a war-footing. Officials in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi have initiated the process of shifting people residing in close proximity to the coast to safer locations. Thousands of people living within 10 km from the shore are set to be moved to designated safe-havens. The looming cyclone, Biparjoy, poses a challenging week for hundreds of thousands of people residing in the coastal regions of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat. The cyclone is accompanied by destructive winds and heavy rainfall, with landfall anticipated near the fishing port of Jakhau on June 15. The impact of the impending cyclone has already begun to manifest, as fierce winds have uprooted trees, resulting in unfortunate casualties. Tragically, two young cousins, a four-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, lost their lives when a wall collapsed on them in Bhuj town. Additionally, a woman riding pillion with her husband met with a fatal end after a massive tree fell on their scooter in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot. Efforts are underway to evacuate over 12,000 people from Kutch and Dwarka -- the districts likely to face the brunt of the storm. The Arabian Sea is witnessing extreme turbulence, with colossal waves crashing onto the shores of Amreli, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Kutch, Porbandar, Gir-Somnath, and Jamnagar districts. In Porbandar, the Indureshwar Mahadev temple's protective wall succumbed to the constant onslaught of waves, resulting in its collapse. Meanwhile, sections of Veraval town have been submerged in knee-deep waters due to the heavy rainfall. Several houses in Gir-Somnath district, along the coast suffered damage as waves breached the protective barrier in Saiyed Rajpara village near Una. Approximately 100 residents of these houses have been safely relocated. The cyclone's impact has been felt since Sunday, as five cars were charred after a high-tension wire fell on them in Botad district. Heavy rainfall has been reported in Khambha, Jafrabad, Rajula, and Savarkundla talukas of Amreli, while three boats capsized near Kodinar in Mul Dwarka. San Francisco, June 13 : Amid subreddits' protest against the company's new application programming interface (API) pricing changes, social discussion platform Reddit faced a brief outage. The company has now fixed the issue which caused problems while loading content. According to Reddit's status page, the outage started on Monday. Taking to Twitter, several users reported the issue. While one user posted, "Reddit down for anybody?? #Reddit", another said, "#reddit melting down rn." According to the outage monitor website DownDetector, 54 per cent of people had reported problems while using the website, 33 per cent while using the application, and 14 with server connection. Last week, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman had hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session to discuss the platform's controversial API changes, confirming that the company is not planning to revive its coming API pricing changes that have caused multiple developers to announce they will be shutting down their apps. User reports indicate Reddit is having problems since 8:37 PM EDT. https://t.co/NEg73KPuYn RT if you're also having problems #Redditdown Downdetector (@downdetector) June 13, 2023 Following the new API pricing changes at the social discussion platform, more than 6,000 subreddits have gone dark, including many of the platform's most-subscribed communities such as r/funny, r/aww, r/gaming, r/music, and r/science, meaning these communities are no longer publicly accessible, even to Reddit users who previously subscribed to them. Many subreddits taking part in the protest are planning to go private for 48 hours, but some plan to remain private until things change. -- Syndicated from IANS Bucharest, June 13 : Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has appointed incumbent Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu as interim Prime Minister following the resignation of premier Nicolae Ciuca as part of a ruling coalition deal for a rotating premiership. According to the Presidential Administration, Iohannis took note of Ciuca's resignation and invited the parliamentary parties to the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Tuesday for consultations on the designation of his successor, reports Xinhua news agency. "Today ... I end my activity as Prime Minister of Romania. In this way ... at the coalition level, the procedures for carrying out the rotation begin," Ciuca said in a statement on Monday. "We proposed to have the government inaugurated by Thursday, and in this way, we can continue to deal with the issues that are priorities, both through the government program and for everything that the government of a country means," he said. The rotation should have taken place on May 25 but the teachers' strike in the country delayed it. Ciuca had pledged to resolve the labour conflict before leaving office. Education unions in the country decided on Monday to suspend their general strike after the government's newest offer to hike teachers' wages. Under an agreement reached by the members of the ruling coalition that was sworn in in November 2021, the country will rotate its prime minister every 18 months before the next parliamentary elections, which are expected in December 2024. And Ciuca of the centreright National Liberal Party will now hand the post to Marcel Ciolacu, president of the Social Democratic Party, as agreed. Under Romania's Constitution, the head of state appoints a candidate for the post of Prime Minister after consulting the party or coalition of political parties that have an absolute majority in Parliament. Chandigarh/Ottawa, June 13 : Believing that immigrant students, largely from Punjab, who have been facing deportation from Canada over a case of fake documents, are the victims of fraud, the country's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said they would put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them. During Question Hour at the House of Commons on Monday, Fraser reiterated that they were working on helping innocent students. "I'm glad to share that we have been working hard as we discussed a week ago. We're working to develop a process to ensure that the innocent students, who are the victims of fraud, have an opportunity to remain in Canada," he said in response to a question from Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. Fraser added people who knowingly committed fraud or were complicit in fraudulent scheme will bear the consequences of not following Canadian laws. Acknowledging the mental health concerns of the affected students with the uncertainty they are facing, he said they will put a process in place to allow them to prove they were taken advantage of and provide a remedy for them. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued deportation notices to students whose admission offer letters to educational institutions were found to be fake. They filed visa applications 2018 onwards till 2022 through Jalandhar-based Education Migration Services headed by one Brijesh Mishra, who is on the run and has shut all his operations operating from Jalandhar. He is s also accused of cheating students of tens of thousands of dollars. The students had gone to Canada on a study visa but the fraud came to light after they applied for permanent residency (PR) recently. Standing behind the students facing deportation, Kwan, an MP for Vancouver East, had earlier moved two motions at the immigration committee in support of the international students subjected to exploitation scheme. She questioned how this situation was allowed to happen and why fraudulent documents were not detected until years later when the students began to apply for permanent status. Favouring a pathway on humanitarian grounds, Kwan said: "The significant harm experienced by students, including financial loss and distress, and measures necessary to help the students to have their deportation stayed, inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived and provide a pathway to permanent status." She asked the immigration committee to examine how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Saying the data of 700 Indian students who fear deportation is factually incorrect and highly exaggerated, Punjab-origin MP Sukh Dhaliwal said their number could be around 200. "As per our (MPs) briefing (by the government), their number could be around 200, 50 cases are under consideration and some of them have already been deported," Dhaliwal told IANS on Tuesday over phone. He said only one student from Punjab who is facing deportation has contacted him. "As per our information gathered by my office, the student, who passed out of a two-year programme from Langara College with high grades, is the genuine victim of fraud. "We are in regular touch with the CBSA and immigration minister Sean Fraser and asked them to evaluate individually of those who were actually cheated and each one will be given the opportunity to present his/her case... The victim should not be punished but the culprit be brought to justice," he added. Dhaliwal said it is a network of immigration cheats, mainly based in Punjab and Delhi, who have colluded to cheat the Canadian system by getting the students admitted in a college on misrepresentation of facts and fraudulent details. Later, they told the students that their admission to the college has been cancelled due to a consultant's disagreement with the college. They further advised the student to take admission in any other college since they have study permit. "I have also asked the Punjab government to rein in ghost consultants so that not only the students but also others who are coming as immigrants to Canada should be prevented from fraud," he said, adding "they are a victim to fraud, due to which many of them went into a lot of stress". Lovepreet Singh, the first among the students to be deported on June 13, from Punjab's Mohali is accused by Canadian authorities of obtaining a visa on fraudulent admission letter for a Canadian university. His deportation has now been stayed. Social media has score of stories about victims from India losing thousands of dollars to ghost or unauthorised consultants. Many innocent people later realise that their consultants were unauthorised and not only cheated them but also ruined the application for permanent residency too. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) The new program marks the latest investment by ComEd to increase access to job training programs that will prepare more residents for jobs in the growing energy sector in Illinois. A recently commissioned study by ComEd reveals that, by 2050, as many as 150,000 new clean energy jobs will be added in Illinois. The new CONSTRUCT Youth Academy builds on the success of the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, ComEd's premiere workforce development program to help prepare residents for craft roles in the utilities and construction fields. To date, the program has graduated more than 800 residents, with a majority of participants from diverse communities, and a more than 70 percent job placement rate. "To ensure a pipeline of diverse, skilled and local talent that will power the clean energy transformation in Illinois, ComEd is committed to expanding proven job training programs to reach more young people across our communities," said Louie Binswanger, SVP of governmental and regulatory affairs at ComEd. "In partnership with the YMCA of Metro Chicago, the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy expands on the impact of our CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, focusing on helping more young people from our communities pursue good paying careers in the trades. Through this program, local students will learn firsthand about how they can play a role in addressing climate change and creating a cleaner energy future." The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors to build knowledge and awareness about jobs and careers in the construction and energy fields. The program introduces students to entry-level craft positions, including the construction worker and overhead helper roles. Hiring is now underway by ComEd to bring aboard 500 additional entry-level craft roles to support the clean energy transition in Illinois. ComEd is teaming up with the YMCA of Metro Chicago to recruit and conduct interviews for students interested in the program. Once enrolled, students will attend classroom sessions held at the YMCA's South Side location, located at 6330 S Stony Island Avenue, three times a week, with ComEd offering field trips to expose students to career opportunities in the energy sector, including the demanding physical nature of performing work on the grid. "Equipping young people with knowledge and connections through experiences like the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy not only empowers them to discover and explore new career possibilities, it also activates a longer runway to prepare for post-graduation life," said Dorri McWhorter, President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. "The seeds that ComEd, the Y, and our partners are planting through this program will grow into lifelong opportunities for this inaugural youth cohort and, ultimately, the communities we serve." Students will also have a chance to enhance their soft skills, receiving training on interview preparation, presentation skills and professional networking held throughout the course of the summer program. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be a rising junior or senior in high school. The program is set to begin on July 10th, and students will receive a stipend upon completion of the program. YMCA will provide CTA passes for participants traveling to the South Side YMCA Center for classes. Those interested in applying for the program should fill out this form: YMCA + ComEd CONSTRUCT Interest Form (google.com) ComEd also offers a range of in-depth job training and apprenticeship style programs, including the Craft Academy, the Dawson Tech Overhead Electrical Line Workers training program - a partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago - along with college scholarship programs designed to spur an interest in STEM careers. As a result of its growing investment in career readiness and education across the region, ComEd's job training and STEM education programs last year directly benefitted nearly more than 2,000 local residents. For more on ComEd career readiness programs, please visit www.comed.com/cleanenergyjobs. ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers - the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is the leader in accessible, inclusive programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year, strengthening community by connecting people to their purpose, potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise for the region, through an association of 14 centers, 5 overnight camps, and 100 extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more about the Y's locations and our programming at ymcachicago.org. Kochi, June 13 : The Kerala High Court has said that in the modern world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) the government must stay abreast of emerging global demands and changes in order to fulfill the goal of a truly digital India. "The certificates issued by the government and statutory authorities have to be internationally accepted, especially when India is a signatory to international conventions and treaties. If our vision to have a digital India is to materialise, we must be willing to change every minute to catch up with the global world and not adopt a pedantic and rigid approach," the court said. The judgment was passed on a plea moved by a person seeking to get a proper police clearance certificate issued by the regional passport officer in his favour. The petitioner, working in Kuwait, was granted a police clearance certificate after he secured bail in a criminal case registered against him in connection with some matrimonial offences. But the Kuwait Embassy refused to accept the certificate since it did not contain a barcode, a scanned photograph, or status of his criminal case. Even after the petitioner approached the High Court previously and obtained an order directing the authorities to issue a proper certificate, the same was not done. This led to the present petition before the High Court. But the passport authorities submitted that the certificates are issued from the system based on the Ministry of External Affairs database. It was contended that the central database permits the certificates to be issued with barcodes and scanned photographs only if the applicant has no criminal antecedents; otherwise, only a manual certificate can be issued without the barcode and scanned photograph. "A certificate with a barcode and scanned photograph quickly confirms the information and identifies the person from large databases by scanning or swiping the document. It also eliminates the cumbersome process of apostille stamping/attestation of the document by foreign missions. Barcodes also have high-security features and eradicate fraud," the court said. The court directed the passport authorities to take up the matter with the competent authorities to make necessary modifications in the central system and also issue the appropriate certificate to the petitioner. Kiev, June 13 : At least three people were killed and 25 others injured on Tuesday in a Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, officials have confirmed. In a post on Telegram, Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk region military administration, said that air defences shot down three cruise missiles over the central city but there were also "incomings", reports CNN. "Civilian facilities were damaged," he said, adding that 19 of the wounded were hospitaliaed. "There was a massive missile attack on Kryvyi Rih. The Russians carried out another terrorist attack on the residential sector -- overnight. This was insidious. Cruel," Lysak said earlier on Telegram. Also confirming the attack, the city's Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said that a five-storey apartment building was hit and victims were likely trapped under the rubble. "Apartments from the first to the fifth floors are on fire. The fire has covered 700 square meters. Rescuers are extinguishing it," CNN quoted the Mayor as saying in an update. Four people were also injured at another location in the city where a building and a car had caught fire, he added. Vilkul also reported overnight Russian shelling of the nearby Nikopol district. Condemning the incident, President Volodymyr Zelensky said: "More terrorist missiles, Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities, and people... Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. The rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih continues. "My condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones! Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch." New Delhi, June 13 : Families of two doctors, who lost their lives while serving on the frontlines of the Covid pandemic in the national capital, were honoured by the AAP government with cheques amounting to Rs one crore each. The AAP informed that families of two doctors Dr Ramesh Kumar and Dr Sanjay Kumar were handed over the cheques of Rs one crore. Delhi Government minister Raj Kumar Anand met the families of both the doctors and handed over the cheques. "The family of Dr Sanjay Kumar Gupta, a COVID warrior and medical superintendent who lost his life while treating people during the coronavirus pandemic, was honored with a tribute of Rs 1 crore by the government of Arvind Kejriwal," tweeted Anand. AAP said that the Kejriwal government was committed to taking care of the families of its COVID warriors. "Dr Ramesh Kumar also laid down his life while serving on the frontline during Covid 19. We are committed to taking care of their families. Delhi Cabinet Minister Raj Kumar Anand met the family of Dr Ramesh Kumar and gave them a cheque of Rs one crore," the AAP tweeted. Mumbai, June 13 : Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who is busy with the post-production of her upcoming film 'Emergency', has returned to her fitness regime as she starts prepping up for her next film. The actress took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of her workout session. In the video, she can be seen doing functional training with forms like jumping jacks, mountain climbing, rope skipping and spot jogging. The actress captioned the picture, "After two years break from my exercise routine to play Mrs Gandhi. now I am back to my fitness routine, looking forward to a great transformation for an upcoming action film." 'Emergency' is Kangana's second film as a director and will also see her essaying the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For past two years every cell in my body was Mrs Gandhi, now is the time to move on to the next role, happy to get back to my fitness routine for next action packed comedy (Announcement coming soon) pic.twitter.com/lS3k2RKz0a Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) June 13, 2023 The actress also has a slew of releases like 'Tejas', 'Chandramukhi 2', 'Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda' and 'The Incarnation: Sita'. She also has the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer 'Tiku Weds Sheru' up for release on which she serves as the creative producer. -- Syndicated from IANS Kolkata, June 13 : As West Bengal State Election Commission has convened an all- party meeting on the forthcoming panchayat elections, BJP's special observer for the state and the party's IT- cell chief Amit Malviya has questioned the justification of convening the meeting after the polling dates are announced. On this point, Malviya has also described the state election commissioner as callous and subservient to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. "WB Election Commission should have held an all-party meet before announcing dates of the Panchayat Polls, not after. It is unprecedented that poll to over 74,000+ seats were announced without any consultation, on instructions of the Chief Minister. Rajiva Sinha, with his actions, ought to instil at least some confidence in the people of Bengal, that he intends to and has the wherewithal to hold free and fair poll in the State. At the moment he is coming across as callous and completely subservient to Mamata Banerjee," Malviya said in a Twitter message. In fact, since Sinha announced the poll dates last Thursday, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari had been vocal about the dates being announced without convening an all-party meeting. It was only after the Governor, C.V. Ananda Bose summoned Sinha on June 10 and sent a strong message as regards to violence over the nomination process; the state election commissioner announced the decision to convene the all-party meeting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress state spokesman in West Bengal Kunal Ghosh has claimed that nothing is binding on the state election commission to announce the poll dates after having discussions with all political parties. The polls for the three-tier panchayat system in West Bengal are scheduled on July 8 and the counting is scheduled on July 11. New Delhi, June 13 : US drugmaker Pfizers and British pharma major GSK are likely to face significant competition in the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine market, according to a report on Tuesday. GSK's novel vaccine, Arexvy, approved by the US FDA in May, becomes the first RSV vaccine authorised for use in America. It was recently also approved by the European Commission (EC) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by RSV in adults 60 years of age and older, making it the first RSV vaccine available across the EU. Despite these landmark approvals, GSK's dominance in the untapped RSV vaccine space is under threat by Pfizer which is in hot pursuit for market share of its own RSV vaccine Abrysvo, said the report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. "While Arexvy was first to gain US approval, which marked the first time a vaccine was authorised for use against RSV in any population, anywhere in the world, Pfizer's Abrysvo was approved by the FDA quickly after, allowing sufficient time for both vaccines to be available for US launch around the same time this fall, prior to the winter RSV season," said Nancy Jaser, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement. "Therefore, GSK is not likely to experience a significant first-mover advantage for market share in the US. However, Arexvy may still benefit from a first-mover advantage in the EU as Pfizer's Abrysvo has yet to gain approval for use by the EC. A decision is expected later this year," Jaser added. While both vaccines demonstrated high efficacy in pivotal trials, Pfizer's vaccine has one critical advantage over Arexvy. Abrysvo is currently under review in the US as a maternal vaccine to protect infants against RSV right at birth. The FDA's Vaccines Advisory Committee voted in favour of approving Abrysvo as a maternal RSV vaccine, the report said. "Abrysvo will likely be the first approved RSV vaccine to protect infants worldwide, potentially leading to a higher market share than its competitors. It is currently the only vaccine candidate in late-stage development that targets multiple patient segments," Jaser said. Further competition is expected from Moderna's RSV vaccine, mRNA-1345. Positive Phase III data in older adults were announced in January, while Moderna plans to file for US approval in the first half of 2023. "mRNA-1345 is likely to be the first mRNA-based RSV vaccine to reach the market. As an RNA virus, RSV is capable of rapid mutation to escape attack by new pharmaceuticals. Novel RSV variants could emerge as a result, requiring adjustments to vaccine targets," Jaser said. "Moderna's vaccine would likely see higher success in this situation, as the mRNA platform allows for quick modification of antigens to target potential new viral strains,a she noted. Patna, June 13 : Cyber criminals tried to extort money from families of 24 inmates lodged in the central jail in Bihar's Purnea district, an official said on Tuesday. According to the official, the criminals informed the families that the health conditions of the inmates were not good and they needed treatment, but the jail superintendent was not allowing them to go out and was demanding money. The incident came to light after members of some affected families went to the jail and met the inmates. The official said that not only the families, but lawyers of the inmates were also targeted by the cyber frauds. In a similar case, Rs 75,000 was siphoned off from the families of inmates lodged in Katihar's divisional jail. The families were threatened that if the money was not sent, then the inmates would not be sent for treatment outside the prison. Moscow, June 13 : Russia has sought to expand and deepen cooperation with Pakistan as the first shipment carrying Russian oil reached Karachi Port over the weekend, the media reported. On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Islamabad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a video statement expressing his country's desire to expand cooperation with the South Asian nation, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan and Russia have remained bitter cold-war rivals but their bilateral ties have taken a positive turn in recent years with both sides willing to bury the past and adjust to the new realities. The two countries have been making efforts to translate their years of quiet diplomacy into tangible outcomes. In April, the two countries signed a landmark deal that allowed Pakistan to receive the first Russian oil shipment at the weekend, The Express Tribune reported. The first shipment is part of the pilot project to assess if Russian oil can be beneficial for Pakistan. It is reported that the first shipment was imported at a discounted rate. "We know about the great interest and respect that the Pakistani people have towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin. We appreciate it very much," Lavrov said in a statement. He said that there had been different periods in bilateral relations over the past three-quarters of a century. However, he added, Russia had always been interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan, and under no circumstances has abandoned its commitments, The Express Tribune reported. "The participation of Soviet specialists in the construction of the largest steel mill in Karachi (now called Pakistan Steel Mills) in the 1980s, despite the conflict raging in Afghanistan at the time, is clear evidence of this. The Guddu Thermal Power Plant, then the largest in your country, was also commissioned at that time," Lavrov added. Guwahati, June 13 : The Indian Railways has decided to temporarily suspend the Mitali Express, which runs between West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri and Bangladesh's Dhaka Cantonment, due to the celebration of Eid festival in Bangladesh. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) sources said on Tuesday that the Indian Railways has decided to cancel the services of New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka-New Jalpaiguri Mitali Express between June 25 and July 3. The normal services of Mitali Express would resume soon after the Eid festival is over in Bangladesh. Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) or Eid ul-Adha (also known as Bakrid or Eid al-Adha) is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims across the world in June end and early July every year. The Mitali Express, which was flagged off on June 1 last year, was operated jointly by the railway authorities of the two countries. The NFR, one among the 17 railway zones in India, operates in the northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Los Angeles, June 13 : Actor Ezra Miller made a public showing for the first time in nearly two years, attending the Los Angeles premiere of DC Studios' 'The Flash'. The embattled actor spoke openly about misconduct allegations levied against them and various legal woes, addressing fans and many industry players at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, reports 'Variety'. Miller, who is non-binary and uses they and them pronouns, made a big show of acknowledging Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Film Group heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy and DC Studios stewards James Gunn and Peter Safran for "your grace and discernment and care in the context of my life. And in bringing this moment to fruition". Following a series of escalating incidents, Miller was charged with felony burglary in Vermont in 2022 after police investigated their involvement with a robbery at a private residence. Their troubles began in 2020 after a video emerged depicting Miller as they appear to be choking a woman outside of a bar in Iceland. No charges were filed. As per 'Variety', the actor was also arrested twice in Hawaii, once for disorderly conduct and harassment. Miller pled no contest to a single count of misdemeanour disorderly conduct in the Hawaii case, and paid a $500 fine. The harassment charge was dismissed. Miller received a rockstar welcome at 'The Flash' premiere, introduced by their director Andy Muschietti. "I love you, maestro," Miller told the filmmaker. "I think you're amazing, and I think your work is monumental." The studio announced ahead of time that the Los Angeles premiere would be Miller's lone publicity commitment for the film. They walked the red carpet and did not stand for traditional on-camera and print interviews. Miller's 'The Flash' co-star Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez turned up at the event, as did Muschietti's 'It Chapter Two' collaborator Jessica Chastain. New IEA report presented to Omani Minister shows how rich renewable resources and vast land expanses could make Oman a competitive low-emissions hydrogen supplier by 2030 Oman's high-quality renewable energy resources and vast tracts of available land make it well placed to produce large quantities of low-emissions hydrogen - a fledgling industry today (June 12) that can attract investment to diversify and expand the country's export revenues while reducing its natural gas consumption and emissions, according to a new IEA report released today. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol presented the new report, Renewable Hydrogen from Oman: A Producer Economy in Transition, to Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim Al Aufi during a roundtable meeting with senior IEA leaders and analysts at the Agency's headquarters in Paris. It is the first IEA report of its kind that analyses renewable hydrogen potential in a fossil fuel producer country. The analysis builds on the IEA's ongoing technical cooperation with Oman to support the country's clean energy transition. Oman aims to produce at least 1 million tons of renewable hydrogen a year by 2030, up to 3.75 million tonnes by 2040 - and up to 8.5 million tonnes by 2050, which would be greater than total hydrogen demand in Europe today. The 2040 hydrogen target would represent 80% of Oman's current LNG exports in energy-equivalent terms, while achieving the 2050 target would almost double them. "Oman is an oil and gas producer country that is taking an enlightened approach to its energy future, with a clear long-term vision and strong net zero ambitions," said Dr Birol. "Thanks to its huge potential for low-cost solar and wind, renewable hydrogen is set to bring multiple benefits to Oman. The IEA is very pleased to be working with Oman on policy and technical matters as the country moves ahead on its journey to a net zero economy and shows other producer countries what is possible." "From an energy perspective, Oman is better known for being an oil and gas developer, however it is also blessed with globally competitive solar and wind energy resources, and the most economically rational action for us is to embark on using this as the most viable and sustainable energy of tomorrow, including decarbonising the power generation, local industry and hydrogen production for export," said Minister Al Aufi. "We're pleased to be working with the IEA on key aspects of our transition and are very encouraged by the insights offered by this report." Oil and gas today represent around 60% of Oman's export income, and domestic natural gas accounts for over 95% of the country's electricity generation. In 2022, Oman announced a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and began reducing fossil fuel use in its domestic energy mix. Based on IEA analysis of the current global project pipeline, Oman is on track to become the sixth largest exporter of hydrogen globally, and the largest in the Middle East, by 2030. Oman's hydrogen projects will use electrolysers powered by renewable electricity to extract hydrogen from desalinated sea water. Oman benefits from high-quality solar PV and onshore wind resources, as well as vast amounts of available land for large-scale projects. It is also conveniently situated along important market routes between Europe and Asia, with existing fossil fuel infrastructure that can be used or repurposed for low-emissions fuels. Oman has extensive expertise in handling and exporting both LNG and ammonia that is directly applicable to renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels. Oman is implementing concrete measures to achieve its ambitious targets. In 2022, the government established an independent entity, Hydrogen Oman (HYDROM), to lead and manage its hydrogen strategy. So far, 1 500 square kilometres of land has been put aside for development by 2030 - and up to 40 times more land has been identified for potential production in the long term. Six projects have already been allocated land for renewable hydrogen in the country's first such auction process. Oman's renewable hydrogen exports are likely to be transported initially in the form of ammonia, the report says. While Oman already exports around 200 000 tonnes of ammonia a year, its ammonia export capacity would need to be 20 to 30 times higher by 2030 if it wants to become a significant international hydrogen supplier in that timeframe, requiring significant and timely investment, especially for storage tanks and dedicated deepwater jetties. Meeting Oman's hydrogen targets will require a massive increase of renewable power, with around 50 terawatt-hours of electricity needed to meet the 2030 target, greater than the current size of the country's entire electricity system. This is expected to further accelerate cost reductions and benefit the country's power system as well. Based on recently awarded bid prices in the region, utility solar PV and wind are likely already competitive with electricity generation from natural gas in Oman. The IEA report's analysis indicates that Oman can cost-effectively achieve its targets of renewables reaching 20% of the country's electricity mix by 2030 - and 39% by 2040. Scaling up production of renewable hydrogen in Oman to 1 million tonnes by 2030 would require cumulative investment of around USD 33 billion. An additional USD 4 billion would be required to bring renewables' share of the national electricity mix to 20%, the report says. Achieving its targets and using one-third of renewable hydrogen for domestic uses would significantly contribute to Oman's clean energy transition. The benefits would include reducing domestic use of natural gas by 3 billion cubic metres a year and avoiding 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Bengaluru, June 13 : V.K. Sasikala Natarajan, AIADMK ex-general secretary and close associate of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court to quash the case against her in connection with alleged VIP treatment to her and her aide J. Ilavarasi in the Central Prison of Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna looking into the matter, has served a notice to the Lokayukta police and adjourned the matter to June 28 on Monday. Sasikala Natarajan in her petition claimed that she has been made the victim in the case and she is innocent. The petition states that due to the prestige fight between senior IPS officers of Karnataka, Satyanarayana Rao and Roopa Moudgil, they were made accused in the case. IPS officer Roopa alleged that the petitioner was getting VIP treatment in the prison following which a probe was conducted as per the order of the government. The committee headed by IAS officer Vinay Kumar submitted a report in this regard on October 21, 2017. The state government had accepted the report in February 26, 2018. The report has not found any evidence or substantiating factor to defend the charges made under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the petitioner claimed. The High Court has already quashed the case against Krishna Kumar, B. Suresh and Gajaraja Makanur, the other accused in the case who are government servants. "This makes the legal proceedings against the petitioner against the law," stated the petitioner and requested the court to quash the case which is before the Lokayukta Special Court. Sasikala was lodged in jail in 2017 on being convicted by the Supreme Court in disproportionate assets case. It was alleged that Sasikala was allowed to wear personal clothes and was given a cook. A pressure cooker and spices were found in her cell. She was also provided separate visitor's room and the corridor in the jail was barricaded for her. Sasikala was allowed free movements. The CCTV footage showed Sasikala talking to a visitor for four hours, and footage also showed Sasikala and Ilavarasi moving out of their block holding a bag, sources said. The investigation was ordered by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In her report IPS officer Roopa mentioned that there was a talk that Rs 2 crore had exchanged hands to ensure preferential treatment to Sasikala, and she also claimed that there were allegations on her senior officer, then DGP Prisons Satyanarayana Rao also. The development had caused severe embarrassment to then Siddaramaiah government. Later, an inquiry was ordered and the government had transferred both officers. Bhopal, June 13 : More than 12,000 files related to different schemes of the Madhya Pradesh government, as well as that of the Centre, were gutted in the massive fire that erupted at the Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal. However, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra claimed that data can be restored. "Scheme-related data is often stored in hard disks and pen drives. It will take some extra efforts, but data can be restored," Mishra said after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh to review the fire incident. He said said a high-level committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Rajesh Rajora has been tasked to investigate the the fire and submit its reports within the next three days. "The exact cause of the fire will be ascertained after detailed investigation. Preliminary probe has however, revealed that the fire occured due to a short circuit in an AC in the store room on the third floor," Mishra, who is also the state government spokesman, added. He further informed that during the meeting, the Chief Minister directed to arrange alternative offices for the ones that were affected by the blaze. "At least 4,000 employees were working in the Satpura Bhawan at the time of the incident. The arrangement of alternative offices are being made untill it gets ready to resume services," Mishra added. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath said the fire incident was an issue of huge "corruption" and demanded inquiry through an independent agency. In a video message on Tuesday, the Congress leader said: "The question arises whether the fire occurred by itself or was it intentional. As of now, they (state government) claims 1,2000 files burnt, but this number could be more. The matter should be investigated through an independent agency." However, the BJP-led state government ruled out the former Chief Minister's claims, saying the opposition taking the incident an opportunity gain political mileage. "Congress' allegations are condemnable, they are doing politics," Mishra replied. Rio De Janeiro, June 13 : Internacional have reached a deal to sign Ecuador international forward Enner Valencia on a free transfer, the Brazilian Serie A club said. The 33-year-old agreed to a three-year contract after parting ways with Turkey's Fenerbahce earlier this month, a Xinhua report said. "I can promise that I will always give my all for the team, no matter who we are playing against," Valencia said in a video published on Internacional's official website. "The fans have already made me feel welcome and I'm sure I'm going to feel their support even more when I arrive. My thanks go to the fans and all of the people that made this move possible," he added. Valencia will arrive in Porto Alegre on June 26 following Ecuador's friendlies against Bolivia and Costa Rica. Jaipur, June 13 : In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, the Rajasthan Police have arrested five smugglers and recovered 182 kg of high quality ganja which was being smuggled from Odisha. A team of Rajasthan Police CID Crime Branch seized the large consignment of drugs. The value of the recovered ganja in the international market is about Rs 1,83,000, said officials on Tuesday. "Under the direction of Additional Director General of Police, Crime Dinesh MN, the team of CID Crime Branch Jaipur is continuously taking major actions against illegal drug peddlers. In the same order, on Sunday, the team recovered 182 kg of high quality marijuana smuggled from Odisha in Gangapur police station area of Bhilwara district, arrested 5 smugglers and seized two vehicles. ADG Dinesh MN said, "On the intelligence inputs of Head Constable Shankar Dayal Sharma and attached constables Gopal Lal and Vijay Singh from Bhilwara, the action was taken under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Narottam Verma and under the supervision of Police Inspector Ramsingh Nathawat, the CID CB team and Thana Gangapur police team." "Smugglers were arrested along with illegal drugs and two vehicles used in smuggling were seized. Investigation is going on in the matter by registering a case in police station Gangapur," said. Srinagar, June 13 : Post abrogation of Article 370, 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir' has written a new chapter in its history under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Himalayan region has become a part of the PM's dream which he has envisioned for India in 2047 and it is striving hard to contribute towards India's endeavour to emerge as the topmost country in the world. Pertinently, the government after August 5, 2019, when the Centre announced its decision to revoke J&K's so-called special status and bifurcate it into two Union Territories, has left no stone unturned to implement the people-friendly schemes in the region. The hard work done by the officials is paying dividends. It has led to the improvement in the ground situation in J&K as the region has witnessed holistic development during the past three years. Implementation of schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the Swachh Bharat Mission, has brought about positive changes in the ground situation. Additionally, initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme have revolutionized healthcare accessibility. Other key initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Amrit Sarovar, SVAMITVA scheme, and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav have helped in improving the infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, promote rural development, empower citizens, and commemorate the country's rich heritage. These efforts stand as a testament to the government's unwavering dedication towards building a 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir.' During the past three years helmsmen have focused on putting J&K on the path of peace, prosperity and development. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has played a vital role in providing housing for all in Jammu and Kashmir. The government's increased funding and strict timelines for completion have resulted in the construction of houses at an unprecedented pace. Thousands of people have benefitted from this initiative, which has brought them closer to the dream of owning a home. Advanced technologies, including geo-tagging, have been employed to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of houses. This has eliminated corruption and facilitated the smooth transfer of funds through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. These measures have not only accelerated the construction process but have also instilled trust among the beneficiaries, who now have a sense of security and assurance. Swachh Bharat Mission The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has brought remarkable achievements in terms of sanitation and hygiene in Jammu and Kashmir. The campaign gained momentum in the Union Territory after the scrapping of Article 370, a temporary provision in the Constitution. It led to the construction of a large number of toilets across the region. Access to clean and functional toilets has had a profound impact on the lives of the people, especially in rural areas, by improving sanitation practices and ensuring a healthier environment. Through the SBM, the government has instilled a sense of cleanliness and hygiene consciousness among the population, leading to a positive change in behavior. The construction of thousands of toilets across J&K has not only contributed to public health but has also had a significant impact on the dignity and well-being of individuals, particularly women and children. Ayushman Bharat Scheme The government's efforts in J&K have also made healthcare accessible through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This ambitious healthcare program has provided financial protection and quality medical services to the people of J&K. It has brought a significant improvement in the healthcare infrastructure and services available in the region. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, numerous hospitals and healthcare centers have been established, ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare. The provision of health insurance has provided a safety net for families, protecting them from financial burdens during medical emergencies. The strides made in healthcare accessibility have particularly benefited the economically weaker sections of the society. The scheme has brought about a positive change in people's lives by empowering them with access to medical services that were previously inaccessible or unaffordable. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been instrumental in transforming the rural road network in Jammu and Kashmir. Under this flagship scheme, the Central government has invested substantial funds to connect remote villages with all-weather roads, ensuring improved accessibility and connectivity. The PMGSY has played a crucial role in enhancing economic activities, healthcare access, and educational opportunities for the rural population in the region. Amrit Sarovar Amrit Sarovar, an ambitious project focused on the development of infrastructure and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has revitalized and transformed the region's water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and ponds. It has led to cleaning and preservation of the water bodies, development of waterfronts, promotion of eco-tourism, and providing recreational facilities. By preserving and enhancing these natural resources, Amrit Sarovar has not only given a boost to tourism but has also promoted sustainable development and preserved the ecological balance of the region. SVAMITVA Scheme The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme has proven to be a groundbreaking initiative. It has empowered rural citizens by providing them with property rights and ownership records. Under this scheme, comprehensive property surveys have been conducted using drone-based technology, and property cards have been distributed among the residents. This has brought about a paradigm shift in land governance, enabling villagers to access credit, make informed decisions, and unleash the true potential of their properties. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a year-long celebration that marked the 75th anniversary of India's independence, also left its mark in Jammu and Kashmir. The region actively participated in this celebration, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and contributions to the freedom struggle. The festivities included exhibitions, cultural programs, art displays, and various events to educate and inspire citizens, particularly the younger generation, about the nation's glorious past and the importance of patriotism. Positive transformation Steps taken by the government in J&K have had a profound impact on the ground situation, leading to positive transformations in people's lives. The comprehensive welfare measures undertaken have brought about significant improvements in various sectors, ranging from education and infrastructure to employment and governance. The implementation of the centrally sponsored schemes has brought significant positive changes to the region. These initiatives have strengthened infrastructure, improved connectivity, empowered rural citizens, preserved natural resources, and commemorated India's independence. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in creating a prosperous and inclusive future for its people. The J&K people have experienced a newfound understanding of democracy, freedom, and good governance. The past three years have provided them with tangible examples of the benefits of a well-functioning democratic system. As a result, discussions about concepts like 'azadi', autonomy, or self-rule have faded away, giving way to conversations about progress, development, and opportunities. The welfare initiatives have not only addressed the immediate needs of the people but have also created a favourable environment for long-term growth and development. The government's focus on inclusive growth has ensured that the benefits of development reach every section of society, including marginalised communities and remote areas. Tricolour flies high After August 5, 2019, the administration has worked towards full integration of J&K with the country' and ensuring peace, prosperity and development of the region. The change in the ground situation in J&K is not only visible, but the people are also feeling it and the Tricolour is flying high in every nook and corner of the Union Territory. Not long ago, J&K, especially Kashmir, was infamous for terror attacks, stone-pelting and shutdowns. Terrorists and separatists sponsored by Pakistan ran a parallel system in the erstwhile princely state. They imposed shutdowns and orchestrated street protests to ensure that the fear prevailed. As of date there are no separatist-sponsored strikes, cinema halls have reopened, J&K Road Transport Corporation is running night bus service and people can be seen enjoying Shikara ride in Dal Lake at late night hours as well. Denizens of J&K are also dreaming like the citizens in the rest of the country. The youth are moving with new ambitions. Bold and brave decision taken by the PM Modi led regime to merge J&K completely with the Union of India brought J&K at par with the other regions in the country. Hyderabad, June 13 : A 16-year-old girl student, who had taken admission in a private junior college in Hyderabad only a week ago, allegedly died by suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of the hostel building on Tuesday. According to the police, the incident occurred at Narayana College hostel in Bachupally area of Nizampet. Students found the body of the class 11 student lying in a pool of blood on the ground and alerted the college authorities. After receiving information from college authorities, police rushed and shifted the body to Gandhi Hospital for autopsy. The girl hailed from Kamareddy town and only a week ago her parents had admitted her to the college. She was staying in the college hostel. The reasons for the girl's extreme step were not known. Police are trying to find out if she left any suicide note. Police have informed the student's family. A case has been registered at KPHB Police Station under the limits of Cyberabad Police Commissionerate. Jaipur, June 13 : Amid reports of truce talks between Gehlot and Pilot camps in the national capital, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has once again brought up the matter of horse trading in one of his gatherings in Banswara, a tribal belt. Referring to the role of a tribal woman MLA who refused to take the bait thus saving the Congress government from collapsing during the 2020 rebellion, Chief Minister Gehlot said, "People came with wads of cash for Ramila Khadia, and laid the same in the car's boot but she won't touch it with a barge pole and turned them back." Chief Minister has time and again hinted at the BJP trying to sabotage the Congress during the 2020 revolt. Expressing his gratitude, he said, "How can I forget Ramila who played such a key role in saving our government. Put your hands together for this tribal woman," he told those present. The CM praised Ramila during the foundation stone laying for Rs 2500 crore upper high-level canal project in Magrada on the second day of Banswara visit. He said, "I can never refuse Ramila f she asks for anything. Because had she not been there, I would not have been standing in front of you as the Chief Minister today. She saved our government hich was on the verge of toppling like in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. But this woman did a very courageous thing by not accepting even a single rupee." The Chief Minister said that he has only unfulfilled dream. "The Ratlam-Banswara rail project could not progress further. The UPA government started this project, but then the government changed and the central government did not take this project forward. Later it was put in cold storage." Wellington, June 13 : New Zealand residents took fewer overseas trips but for longer durations in the April 2023 year compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic, with more trips visiting friends and relatives, the national statistics department said on Tuesday. According to Stats NZ, an increase in the proportion of New Zealand residents taking longer trips overseas in the April 2023 year may reflect pent-up demand after two years of Covid-19-related travel restrictions, Xinhua news agency reported. "There was a higher proportion visiting friends and relatives in 2023 and relatively fewer for business, compared with 2019," Stats NZ population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said. Longer trips, such as trips of three weeks or more dominated visits to India, Britain, the Philippines and China, he said. There were 1.99 million New Zealand resident arrivals in the April 2023 year, which is 65 per cent of the 3.06 million who arrived back in April 2019 year, Stats NZ said. New Zealand-resident travellers spent an average of 24 days abroad in the April 2023 year compared with an average of 19 days in the April 2019 year, it said. "Of New Zealand residents travelling overseas, the proportion away for three weeks or more has increased from one in four in 2019 to one in three in 2023," he said. New Zealand-resident travellers include both New Zealand and non-New Zealand citizens living in the country who are returning from a trip overseas of less than 12 months, Stats NZ said. Phnom Penh, June 13 : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Tuesday that the country will amend its election law to ban politicians who do not vote from contesting polls. In a statement, Hun Sen said that if politicians do not cast their ballots on election day, they would have no right to stand for any level of election, reports Xinhua news agency. He said it is common people's right to decide whether to go to polls, but for politicians, they must vote, or their right to stand as a candidate in any elections will be revoked. Cambodia is scheduled to hold an election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23 the National Election Committee (NEC). More than 9.7 million Cambodians have registered to cast their ballots, the poll body added. Thiruvananthapuram, June 13 : Kerala Tourism is all set come out with a mobile app to further strengthen the country's first 'Women-Friendly Tourism' initiative launched by the state government to turn the state's tourism sector gender inclusive. Aiming at participation of 1.5 lakh women from the state, the project is being implemented with the support of various organisations, including UN Women. It has set a target of creating 10,000 women ventures and 30,000 jobs in the tourism sector. State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas rolled out the initiative in tune with the UN Women's 'Gender Inclusive Tourism' concept, which sees women playing key roles in tourism sector besides rolling out a variety of women-friendly tourism products and packages. "We are living in a world where it has become a trend for women to travel to far off places in groups of their own or individually. Creating a conducive ambience for women tourists in the state is a policy priority of the government. The app on Women-Friendly tourism project will make the visit to Kerala more pleasant and hassle-free for women," said Riyas. State Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission), the nodal agency for implementing the aWomen-Friendly Tourism' project, has been asked to prepare the content of the app, which will have all location-specific information and images, including the socio-cultural features of various places of Kerala, to serve as a ready reckoner on the unique project. The mobile app marks the commencement of the second phase activities of the pioneering project. Apart from providing information about tourism centres in Kerala, the app will have all the details of women-friendly tourism products and packages, resorts, hotels, women enterprises, recognised tour operators, women tour operators, travel agencies, home stays and women tour guides. RT Mission State Coordinator K. Rupeshkumar said information in the app will include women-led handicraft and souvenir production and sales units, amenities like rest rooms, camping sites, licensed houseboats, caravan parks and ethnic cuisine units in various places, festivals and experiential and adventure packages. Globeleq, the leading independent power company in Africa and its project partner, Geothermal Development Company (GDC), hosted His Excellency Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, at a ground-breaking ceremony today (June 8) to commemorate the start of construction of the 35MW Menengai geothermal project in Nakuru County. Hon. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum and other high level Government officials were also present, while Paul Ngugi, CEO of GDC, hosted the event. Her Excellency Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Kenya also attended today's ceremony alongside Mike Scholey, Globeleq's CEO. Globeleq's $108 million Menengai project will be the company's first geothermal plant. It will deliver clean, reliable and affordable baseload power to the Kenyan national grid and enable GDC to monetise the available steam resources from the Menengai steam field. Globeleq expects the Menengai project to reach Financial Close within the next two to three weeks subject to the remaining conditions precedent being fulfilled by the Government. Globeleq will operate and maintain the power plant once it reaches commercial operations in 2025. Menengai is a greenfield geothermal project and part of the first phase of the wider Menengai complex, which is the second large-scale geothermal field being developed in Kenya after Olkaria. Steam will be supplied to the project by GDC under a 25-year project implementation and steam supply agreement. Once the plant is operational, electricity will be sold to Kenya Power, the national distribution company, under a power purchase agreement for the same timeframe. Toyota Tsusho Corporation from Japan is the EPC contractor to the project. Fuji Electric will be manufacturing and supplying the steam turbine and generator. Mike Scholey, Globeleq's CEO said: "We are honoured that His Excellency the Deputy President has taken part in today's ground-breaking ceremony at Menengai. This will be Globeleq's very first geothermal plant and our second project in Kenya alongside our Malindi Solar plant in the coastal region. Today's event symbolises Globeleq's commitment both to Kenya and to playing a leading role in delivering Kenya's energy transition." Paul Ngugi, Managing Director & CEO, GDC added: "This is an exciting moment for GDC and Kenya. Our efforts to de-risk the geothermal sector in Kenya has culminated in the ground-breaking for the construction of this 35 MW powerplant. At GDC, we hold in esteem our partnership with Globeleq as we march towards attracting investors and lowering the cost of power in Kenya." Project Enquiries: Edouard.wenseleers@globeleq.com Director, Business Development - Head of East Africa. Media Enquiries: media@globeleq.com George Cazenove, Fiona Gonyea About Globeleq Globeleq, which is owned 70% by British International Investment and 30% by Norfund, is the leading developer, owner and operator of electricity generation in Africa. Since 2002, its experienced team of professionals have built a diverse portfolio of independent power plants, generating more than 1,500MW in 14 locations across 6 countries, with a further 722 MW in construction and more than 2,000 MW of power projects in development. More details at www.globeleq.com. About GDC The Geothermal Development Company Limited (GDC) is wholly state-owned corporation that was established in 2008 to serve as a vehicle for driving accelerated development of geothermal resources in Kenya. GDC's primary role is to conduct geothermal resources exploration and production drilling with a view to mitigating risk associated with geothermal energy development. GDC's long term objective is to become the national and regional expert in geothermal resources development and exploitation. For more information about GDC, please visit www.gdc.co.ke New Delhi, June 13 : American political news and opinion series Breaking Points has made headlines in India for its controversial interview on former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who in an exploratory remark, claimed that India had put pressure on the micro-blogging platform. Launched in June 2021, Breaking Points is created and hosted by American political commentator and media host Krystal Ball and Indian-American Saagar Enjeti. Both Ball and Enjeti were former hosts of American newspaper The Hill's Rising -- a daily news and opinion web series. Breaking Points's audio-only podcast is available on Spotify, and its video programme is available on various platforms like YouTube (981,000 subscribers), and Rumble (334 followers). The hosts, one left-leaning anchor (Ball) and one right-leaning anchor (Enjeti), claims that the thrice a week programme is "fearless anti-establishment". The podcast and videos feature commentary and analysis of political news and current events, in-studio interviews with journalists, politicians, campaign staff and surrogates, political advisors and strategists, and members of the news media, and occasional live-analysis segments. In the latest interview featured on Breaking Points's Youtube channel, late on Monday, Dorsey said that the Indian government threatened that Twitter will be shut down and raids will be conducted on employees' homes. He said that the threats came as Twitter refused to comply with the government's demands to block accounts during the farmers' protests in early 2021. Meanwhile, the government has refuted the claims and called it an "outright lie" and that no one went to jail nor was Twitter shut down in the country. Kolkata, June 13 : Trinamool Congress's national general secretary and the party Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday has forwarded a letter to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) expressing his inability to report to the central agency's Salt Lake office for the purpose interrogation in relation to the multi-crore school recruitment case in West Bengal. He was supposed to appear at the ED office on Tuesday by 11 a.m. In his letter addressed to ED's assistant director Mithilesh Kumar Mishra, Banerjee expressed his inability to adhere to the summons in view of his ongoing mass outreach programme and his engagement with the preparation for the forthcoming elections for the three-tier panchayat system in the state. He said he will not be able to adhere to the summons and be present for interrogation. "It is not out of place to mention that most of the information/documents sought for are already available with appropriate government authorities/departments. Be that as it may, the information/ documents requisitioned by your office in the summon under reference date to a decade, which are voluminous in nature and I am in the process of collating such information/documents. "Having said so, I would like to seek clarification from your office pertaining to the scope and purport of your ensuing investigation pursuant to which the summon under reference has been issued upon me," said Banerjee's letter, a copy of which is available with IANS. At the same time, he concluded by saying that "he is ready and willing to extend his cooperation with the investigation process within the permissible limits of law". On June 8, Banerjee's wife Rujira Narula Banerjee was questioned by ED for four hours in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling case. On the same evening ED served a notice to Abhishek Banerjee asking him to be present at the ED office on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the school recruitment case. That evening only he announced his decision of not appearing for questioning and finally on Tuesday he officially intimated the same to the central agency. Wellington, June 13 : New Zealand witnessed a net migration gain of 72,300 in the year ending in April, marking six months of continued growth, the statistics department said on Tuesday. There was a net gain of 98,400 non-New Zealand citizens in the cited period, Xinhua news agency quoted Stats NZ as saying. The continued growth in net migration shows the government's immigration rebalance is working as it tackles labour shortages, Immigration Minister Michael Wood said. "We know many industries have been calling out for workers as the global labour shortage bites, and we want our immigration settings to be responsive to that, while still helping to deliver a more productive, high wage economy," Wood said. The government's immigration rebalance has lifted pay requirements for migrant workers to ensure they are treated fairly, and requires advertising for New Zealand workers before a migrant worker is sought, he said. "Ultimately we want to train as many New Zealanders to fill labour shortages as possible, but in the short term it has been necessary to rely more on migrant workers than we otherwise would to plug workforce gaps," said the Minister. This is a positive sign that New Zealand is getting the workers that its economy needs to thrive and grow, Wood said. Lucknow, June 13 : Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister and national president of Nishad Party, Sanjay Nishad, has said that he will ensure BJP's win in Nishad dominated seats in the state. Talking to reporters here, Sanjay Nishad said that there are 27 Lok Sabha seats in the state where Nishad voters play a crucial role. "As of now, we have not staked claim to any of the seats. We are making these seats ready for BJP. We will ensure BJP's win there. We are confident that we will win any of the 80 seats that BJP gives us. Just like us, BJP has other alliance partners too, so let BJP decide. We want BJP to win on Nishad-dominated seats. That is our sense of duty towards the BJP," he said. Denying reports of a rift after the urban local body elections in the state when the BJP did not give tickets to any Nishad Party candidate, the minister said, "They gave us five seats in the second phase and all of them won." Asked about the inordinate delay in granting SC status to Nishads in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "It is essential for us to be in power with a huge majority to make it happen. This is what I am telling my people. When we found out about that, it turned out to be a case of a missing file. The files related to this are missing from the social welfare department at the Centre since the UPA regime. "We have got an FIR registered on this already. Things will become easy once the file is found. It is because of our efforts that the matter reached the Registrar General of India. It will surely be done if we become stronger." However, he admitted that SC status for 17 sub-castes of Nishads to be an issue in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. "There is no other issue that we are fighting for," he stated. Talking about the competition from the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Bihar, Sanjay Nishad said, "They were here in the UP Assembly elections 2022 as well. They had contested 300 seats. What happened? They have done nothing for Nishads in Bihar, how will they do something in UP? "While our efforts have made the state government implement three welfare schemes for Nishads in UP. The Centre has launched one scheme, the PM Matsya Sampada Yojna. Thousands of Nishads have been made beneficiaries under these schemes and it is for the Nishads to see for themselves." New Delhi, June 13 : Congress on Tuesday once again attacked Centre over the alleged data breach of the Covid vaccine beneficiaries saying the Narendra Modi government does not care about the fundamental right to privacy of people, and national security. Hitting out at the government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "No matter how much an irresponsible Modi government covers up the CoWIN Data Leak, three things are clear - public's personal data is not secure." "Every Indian knows how in 2017 the Modi government strongly opposed the Supreme Court declaring Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right," Kharge said, adding that even cyber attacks and data leaks have continuously increased in the country. "Then whether it is the 'world's biggest' AADHAAR data breach of 2018 or the November 2022 cyber attack on AIIMS. "Significantly, the Modi government had told the Supreme Court in September 2018 that AADHAAR data is protected in 13 feet high and five feet thick walls. Cyber attacks have increased many folds during the tenure of Modi government which is beating the drum of Digital India, which are as follows: In 2018, 2.08 lakh, in 2019, 3.94 lakh, in 2020 11.58 lakh, in 2021 14.02 lakh, and in 2022 13.91 lakh as per the government reply in Rajya Sabha on February 2, 2023," he said. The Congress president said, "Overall the situation is clear. Neither the Modi government cares about the fundamental right to privacy of 140 crore people, nor does it care about national security. Data Privacy Law has not been made and no National Security Policy has been implemented on Cyber Attacks." Even Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government and said, "The 'data' of the entire country (100 crore people) has been stolen and lice are not crawling on the ears of the Modi government. The BJP government engaged in spying on the people of its own country. Between 2018 and 2022, there have been more than 45 lakh cyber attack incidents. The Modi government, which hides its responsibility by saying 'no data' every time, putting the privacy and security of crores of countrymen at risk, is it running the 'Go Data' campaign?" The remarks of the Congress leaders comes a day after it was alleged that the data of the Covid vaccine beneficiaries were leaked through Telegram bot. However, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday dubbed the alleged data breach of Covid-19 vaccine beneficiaries "mischievous in nature", saying that the CoWIN portal is completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy. The Health Ministry also said that it has requested the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to look into this issue and submit a report, besides initiating an internal exercise to review the existing security measures of CoWIN. Lucknow, June 13 : The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will launch another phase of 'Samrasta Abhiyan' (social harmony) campaign in July to cover all 27 Lok Sabha seats in west Uttar Pradesh. The campaign will be led by RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary which will primarily focus on villages in districts which were impacted by communal violence that broke out after 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. RLD National General Secretary Trilok Tyagi said that the idea of the campaign is to reach out in at least 500 villages across the 27 seats. "We will assess the response of the campaign and accordingly decide the future course of action," he said. The development marks another attempt by RLD to revive itself after getting decimated in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. A senior RLD leader said that the party has been seeking to increase its electoral base to resurrect itself and remain relevant. Sources said RLD sought to amalgamate its core vote base of Jats and Gurjars with Muslims, the community which has traditionally been showing its allegiance to Samajwadi Party (SP). The RLD leader affirmed that the exercise to reach out to Muslim was also aimed to reduce its complete dependency on SP. While the RLD leaders have been asserting about their firm alliance with the SP, sources said that the party is in no mood to let the senior ally dictate terms when it comes to seat sharing in the next year's Lok Sabha elections. Jayant had recently sent feelers to the Congress after it defeated the BJP in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls. Experts point out that RLD has been improving its performance in UP while being in alliance with the SP since the 2022 Assembly elections when it contested on more than three dozen seats and managed to win eight. The party's tally went up to nine in the Assembly when RLD won the by-poll in Khatauli. Ghaziabad, June 13 : The Ghaziabad police will investigate the bank accounts of Shahnawaz Khan, alias Baddo, the prime accused in the conversion of minor children through gaming app case, an official said on Tuesday. Khan was arrested in Maharashtra's Thane district. Senior police officers involved in the investigation have prepared a list of more than 50 questions to interrogate Khan. The police will investigate bank accounts used for the transactions of money for conversion. These bank accounts have been opened in different names. On Monday, Mumbra and Ghaziabad police produced Khan in Thane district court which granted transit remand of Khan to Ghaziabad Police till June 15. The Ghaziabad police team, along with the accused, will return on Tuesday. Khan was arrested on Sunday from a lodge where he was staying with a false identity. twenty-three-year-old Khan is a resident of Mumbra in Maharashtra's Thane district. Wellington, June 13 : New Zealand is embracing a tourism rebound as more than 600,000 visitors will arrive during the upcoming winter season. The tourism sector is continuing to strengthen to close to pre-pandemic levels, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said on Tuesday, citing the latest data and estimates. There were about 221,300 overseas visitor arrivals in April 2023, and airline booking and capacity data estimate more than 600,000 visitors are expected to arrive this winter from June to August, more than 83 per cent of pre-Covid arrivals in winter 2019, Xinhua news agency reported citing statistics. Visitors from Australia are expected to approach around 90 per cent this winter compared to pre-pandemic levels, Henare said. "This is great news for the hundred thousand Kiwis directly employed in tourism and their communities around New Zealand who rely on the industry for local jobs and economic growth," he said. He said that this tourism rebound complements the government's investment in regional infrastructure while the borders were closed, enabling a strong post-pandemic recovery. International visitors spent NZ$3.2 billion ($1.96 billion) in New Zealand in the first quarter of 2023, up from NZ$1.8 billion in the December quarter, which makes international tourism the country's second-highest export this quarter behind dairy exports such as milk powder, butter, and cheese, said the minister. The increase in spending by international visitors reflects the larger flow of international visitors for the peak summer holiday season and an increase in holidaymakers who spend more per day than the average visitor, he said. Visitor numbers are also buoyed by the increase in flight capacity. Australian visitors remain the largest single market, followed by visitors from the United States and Britain, he added. In addition, electronic card spending data shows international visitors spent NZ$328 million in April 2023, up 25 per cent compared with April 2019, statistics show. The government support will help implement initiatives like a hospitality and tourism accreditation scheme, investments in better education and training, and improved opportunities for those who choose tourism as a career, Henare said. New Delhi, June 13 : Chennai-based lawyer and activist Lalitha Natarajan has won US Department of Labor's 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour. Natarajan was presented the award by Consul General Judith Ravin at a ceremony in the US Consulate General in Chennai on May 30. As a leader in the fight to end exploitative child labor in southern India, Natarajan identifies child victims of trafficking, specifically bonded labor, assisting in their reintegration into society, the US consulate in Chennai said in a statement. In her role as a member of the Child Welfare Committee (North Zone), under the Department of Social Defence, Tamil Nadu, Natarajan ensures victims receive compensation under the Child Labor Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act . Besides working on child labour issues, Lalitha also provides legal and counseling support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. "This award will further motivate me to work for the cause of children. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee, I work closely with various State and Central government departments, judiciary, and police to ensure child rights offenders are convicted," Natarajan said at the awards ceremony in Chennai. "I especially want to recognise the child survivors of trafficking and bonded labor that I have fought for over many years and wish them peace," she added. "Her courageous efforts have contributed to obtaining social justice for India's young people and most vulnerable populations. For over two decades, she has rescued children from forced labor in various industrial sectors across the state of Tamil Nadu, ranging from stone quarries to food processing factories to handloom mills," Consul General Ravin said. She added that the award recognises the life work of Natarajan that has brought real change to the lives of hundreds of Indian children. The Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated award established by the Secretary of Labor in 2008 that honors extraordinary contributions to combat child labour. The award commemorates the World Day Against Child Labour that is observed on June 12 every year to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. Dhanbad, June 13 : A professor at IIT-ISM, Dhanbad, drowned to death while taking a bath in the swimming pool on Tuesday. Dr. Yashwant Gujala, Assistant Professor, IIT-ISM, Dhanbad, went to take a bath with his friends in the campus swimming pool in the morning, when the the incident took place. He was taken to the health centre of ISM, but the doctors referred him to Shaheed Nirmal Mahato Medical College, Dhanbad where he was declared dead. Prof. Yashwant Gujala, a resident of Odisha, was married only a year ago. There were 28 people in the pool when Dr Gujala drowned. The swimming pool has two sides. One can wade straight down into the swimming pool where the water is less. On the other hand, one can also jump directly into the swimming pool. Dr Yashwant jumped into the swimming pool from the other side. After jumping, he went straight under the water, which caused him to drown. The aides pulled him out and took him to the health centre. An official said that Dr. Yashwant Gujala used to come for swimmning regularly and he also knew swimmimg, yet how he drowned is doubtful. A postmortem report is awaited which may give clear reason for his death. A pale of gloom descended on the IIT(ISM) campus as soon as the news of the mishap broke out. Institute's director Rajeev Shekhar and deputy director Prof. Dhiraj Kumar reached the spot. They said that the relatives of Dr. Yashwant have been informed. He is originally from Odisha, but the family lives in Kharagpur, West Bengal. Meanwhile, two programmes scheduled for Tuesday at IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, were postponed after the tragedy. Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi was to inaugurate a multipurpose building at IIT ISM and the Jharkhand School Innovation Challenge. Highlights 10bn investment key to enabling connection of up to 11GW of ScotWind offshore wind projects Transmitting enough home-grown electricity through cables and wires to power over 10m homes Supporting over 20,000 jobs across the UK in its delivery Creating 400 direct jobs at SSEN Transmission last year and a further 500 this year SSEN Transmission's 10 billion programme of investment into the transmission network across the north of Scotland will play a key role in enabling the connection of up to 11GW of new offshore wind capacity through ScotWind projects, enough to power more than ten million homes in the UK and supporting 20,000 jobs across the country. Known as the Pathway to 2030 programme', the company's huge investment in the north of Scotland will deliver billions of value to the UK economy whilst enabling connection of over one fifth of the UK Government's 50GW 2030 offshore wind target. The projects include several new onshore reinforcements and subsea links and are part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain that is required to meet UK and Scottish Government climate change and energy security targets. New analysis carried out by BiGGAR Economics has revealed the significant impact that the Pathway to 2030 programme' will have in delivering substantial economic benefit to Scotland and the UK - supporting thousands of high value green jobs from early careers opportunities to technical roles, helping to accommodate those transitioning from the oil and gas sectors too. The analysis revealed that the programme is expected to contribute over 6bn in additional value to the UK economy, including around 2.5bn of direct additional benefit in Scotland. And that could support more than 20,000 jobs right across the UK. That's on top of the 400 direct jobs created at the company in the full-year 2022/23, and a further 500 direct jobs that will be created in this coming financial year. Spread across Scotland, those 900 roles will include technical jobs at all levels to help facilitate some of the major development projects in the pipeline for the business, as well as project management roles and teams to help with customer and stakeholder engagement. SSEN Transmission's projects will play a critical role in enabling the transition to a zero-carbon economy, building the transmission infrastructure necessary to transport renewable energy from the north of Scotland to demand centers across the country and beyond. This investment will help to unlock the vast potential of the north of Scotland to meet the UK and Scottish Government's 2030 targets, boosting grid capacity to enable the first phase of ScotWind projects to connect to the GB grid, and helping to achieve home grown energy security. The 10bn programme of investment reinforces the SSE Group's fully funded Net Zero Acceleration Programme (NZAP), which in Great Britain alone, could see investment reach 40bn in the next decade, tackling climate change and directly alleviating the UK's energy crisis. This significant investment in the north of Scotland's critical grid infrastructure, and it's associated and wider socio-economic benefits, will also help to support ambitions outlined in the UK Government's British Energy Security Strategy as SSEN Transmission works to deliver a robust and resilient network for net zero. Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said: "SSEN Transmission's Pathway to 2030 programme is a significant investment into the future of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. "This is a 6.2 billion economic boost for the UK which will deliver long-term and well-paid jobs whilst helping Britain achieve home grown energy security and an electricity network fit for the future." Rob McDonald, Managing Director for SSEN Transmission, said: "This is a really exciting time for SSEN Transmission. The development and delivery of our Pathway to 2030 programme is critical to enable the deployment of homegrown and affordable, low carbon power, with this 10bn investment in grid arguably the most important enabler to securing Scotland's the UK's future energy security and net zero ambitions. "These investments will unleash the economic potential of the north of Scotland, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs and delivering significant economic growth across the economy. "We are committed to maximise the opportunities these projects will provide to communities and businesses across the north of Scotland, whilst also working closely with all stakeholders to develop these projects in a way that seeks to minimise and mitigates community and environmental impacts. Head-quartered in Perth, SSEN Transmission owns, operates and develops the high-voltage transmission network across the north of Scotland, which includes overhead lines, subsea cable routes, underground cables and electricity substations. It extends over a quarter of the UK's land mass, crossing some of its most challenging terrain. The business is going through an exciting period of growth, hiring 400 new roles across the north of Scotland in the past year and looking to recruit 500 in the year ahead. To learn more about what careers are currently available with SSEN Transmission, visit SSE Careers at https://careers.sse.com/. Notes This analysis follows Ofgem's announcement in December which approved the need for the strategic electricity transmission reinforcements required to deliver the UK Government's 50GW offshore wind by 2030 target, set out as part of the regulator's Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework. The decision from Ofgem confirmed that all SSEN Transmission projects identified by the Electricity System Operator (the ESO) that are required to meet 2030 offshore wind targets will now be taken forward as part of it's ASTI framework. These projects include: Two 2GW subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links from Peterhead to England, both of which will be taken forward as joint ventures with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET); A 2GW subsea HVDC link from Spittal in Caithness, connecting to Peterhead; A 1.8GW subsea HVDC link from Arnish on the Western Isles to the Beauly area near Inverness; 400kV onshore reinforcements, between Beauly, Blackhillock, New Deer and Peterhead; between Beauly, Loch Buidhe and Spittal; and between Kintore, Tealing and Westfield; and Uprating the existing Beauly to Denny line to enable 400kV operation on both circuits. About SSEN Transmission A summary version of the Economic Impact of the SSEN Transmission Pathway 2030 Investment Programme' report, commissioned by SSEN Transmission and carried out by BiGGAR Economics is attached for your perusal. SSEN Transmission, operating as Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission plc, owns, operates and develops the high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. Following a minority stake sale which completed in November 2022, SSEN Transmission is now owned 75% by SSE plc and 25% by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. SSEN Transmission's strategic priority is to enable the transition to a low carbon economy, delivering a network for net zero through building the transmission infrastructure necessary to connect and transport renewable energy. Learn more about SSEN Transmission by visiting www.ssen-transmission.co.uk, twitter at @ssetransmission, LinkedIn or Instagram. Media Team: 0345 0760 530 www.ssen-transmission.co.uk Kutch, June 13 : Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday visited Bhuj Military Station to review preparedness for cyclone 'Biparjoy' as strong winds and turbulent seas have been witnessed in Dwarka. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an update on cyclone stating that it has intensified from an extreme to a "very severe" cyclonic storm. It is expected to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening. As a precautionary measure, the administration has relocated approximately 21,000 people from various coastal districts to temporary shelters. Despite the intensification, an 'orange' alert remains in effect for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. Wind speeds are picking up in Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka districts, and are expected to reach 65-75kmph by tomorrow. A deserted atmosphere envelops the fisherman colony in Jakhau port, indicative of the impending landfall of the cyclone. Various agencies, including the government of India, state government, Indian Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Disaster Management authorities, are working collaboratively to minimize the impact of the cyclone. Dr Mandaviya stated that 8,000 people have already been evacuated and moved to safer locations in Kachchh, along with 1.5-2 lakh small and large animals being relocated to higher ground. Recent updates indicate heavy rainfall at Jakhau port ahead of the cyclone's landfall, prompting fishermen's families to seek refuge at a primary school in Jakhau village. Additionally, the Meteorological Centre has warned that the impact of the cyclone will extend to 12 districts in Rajasthan from June 15. Consequently, railway operations have been partially or fully cancelled for several trains plying from Rajasthan to Porbandar, Bhuj, Okha, and Gandhidham in Gujarat. Relocation of 20,000 people The Gujarat government of Gujarat has been actively involved in evacuation efforts, resulting in over 20,000 people being relocated from affected districts thus far. Notable numbers include 500 individuals from Junagadh district, 6,786 from Kutch, 1,500 from Jamnagar, 543 from Porbandar, 4,820 from Dwarka, 408 from Gir-Somnath, 2,000 from Morbi, and 4,031 from Rajkot. With the cyclone's landfall imminent, police personnel have been deployed to restrict access to the sea at Juhu Beach as a safety precaution. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced three major schemes for disaster management worth over Rs 8,000 crore. These schemes aim to expand and modernize fire services in states, reduce the risk of urban flooding in seven populous metros, and implement a National Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme in 17 states and Union Territories. The IMD warns of 3 to 6-meter-high tidal waves that may inundate low-lying areas of the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, urging the evacuation of such vulnerable areas. The cyclone is expected to cause extensive damage, with Gujarat's Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts likely to be the most impacted, as per the IMD's assessment. Jaipur: Police personnel try to stop BJP workers as they protest against the state government over the paper leak inflation, in Jaipur on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Photo:Ravi shankar vyas/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Jaipur: Police personnel stand guard during the BJP's protest against the state government over the paper leak inflation in Jaipur on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Photo:Ravi shankar vyas/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, June 13 : Senior BJP leaders were detained and taken to the Vidhyadhar Nagar police station after they held a protest demonstration against the Rajasthan government and tried to gherao the secretariat, here on Tuesday. The detained leaders include state BJP President C.P. Joshi and Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, among others. The police used water cannons to disperse the BJP cadres marching towards the secretariat. After gathering at the BJP headquarters here, hundreds of leaders and party workers tried to break the barricades put up by the police and march towards the secretariat. However, the police stopped them near the Statue Circle. The protesters raised slogans against the Congress government and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Earlier, Rajendra Rathore attacked the Congress government and claimed that it will not go away, but will be deleted. He said there was a time when it was said that inform about a smallpox patient and get Rs 10,000. Now a time will come when it will be said that inform the whereabouts of a Congress MLA and get Rs 1 lakh in return. BJP MLA Ashok Lahoti said, "Earlier, the government had announced to give mobile phones to women. Now it is saying that it will put money in their accounts, and women should buy cellphones themselves. I want to tell the women that let the money come into the account first, only then they should buy phones." "This government does not have any money," he added. State BJP in-charge Arun Singh claimed that corruption has increased by 22 per cent in state in the last three years, and all postings are being done through corrupt practices. Mumbai, June 13 : Actor Darshan Dave has joined the cast of the family drama television show 'Doosri Maa'. He will be seen playing an alluring character named Randheer Sharma and will bring new arcs into the lives of Yashoda (Neha Joshi) and Ashok (Mohit Dagga), injecting a fresh dose of drama into the show and curiosity into viewer's mind. The actor shared that Randheer is a lawyer, and has a rivalry with Ashok, having lost all his cases against him. Even after Ashok's disappearance and during the difficult phase of Yashoda, Randheer offers a helping hand as he aims to impress her with his kindness while harbouring a complex and multi-layered personality. Talking about his character, Darshan said, "I am thrilled to take on this character, as it allows me to explore the depths of this unique layered character. Randheer's entry into the show promises an exciting and engaging storyline as viewers can eagerly anticipate the conflict between Randheer Sharma and the protagonists." The actor also revealed that shoot is underway in his hometown, Jaipur. He said, "My family, avid viewers of the show 'Doosri Maa', eagerly anticipate watching me perform. However, I have kept my character's details a secret from them until now. The show's unique concept has captured the audience's attention, and I am grateful for their support. As we have begun shooting, the entire team has been warm and welcoming. I cannot contain my excitement to witness the audience's reaction to my portrayal of Randheer Sharma." 'Doosri Maa' airs Monday to Friday on &TV. Chennai, June 13 : The AIADMK on Tuesday passed a resolution against Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai for his remarks about former Chief Minister late Jayalalithaa, urging the BJP's central leadership to take immediate action against him. When asked during a recent interview if the period between 1991 and 1996, when Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister, was among the worst periods in terms of corruption, Annamalai had said: "Many administrations in Tamil Nadu were corrupt. Former Chief Ministers have been convicted in courts of law. That is why Tamil Nadu has become one of the most corrupt states. I would say it is number one in corruption." At the meeting of district secretaries presided over by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, a resolution was passed against Annamalai asking the BJP's central leadership to take immediate action against the state BJP chief. The AIADMK is infuriated at Annamalai after he indirectly termed Jayalalithaa as 'corrupt'. Interestingly, AIADMK and BJP are alliance partners in Tamil Nadu. Sources in the BJP told IANS that the party's central leadership is likely to listen to AIADMK's plea and there could be some changes in the party hierarchy in Tamil Nadu. New Delhi, June 13 : The CBI has arrested an Enforcement Officer of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Delhi while accepting a bribe of Rs 12 lakh from a man, officials said on Tuesday. The CBI registered a case against Rishi Raj, the Enforcement Officer, working in the East Regional Office of Employees Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO), Delhi. Raj conducted an inspection of a Delhi-based multi-speciality hospital and informed the manager that there were a lot of irregularities in their records for which a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore would be imposed on the hospital. "Raj asked the manager to pay 20 per cent of the penalty amount as bribe for settlement of the said matter and agreed for bribe of Rs 12 lakh after negotiation," said the CBI. An official said that a trap was laid and Raj was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 12 lakh. Searches were conducted at the premises of accused. The accused was produced before a Special CBI Court later on. Bhubaneswar, June 13 : At least 19 persons were injured in an accident at the Tata Steel plant at Meramandali in Odisha's Dhenkanal district on Tuesday, officials said. According to Tata Steel officials, the accident occurred at the blast furnace power plant at around 1 p.m. during inspection. The 19 injured were immediately shifted to the occupational health centre inside the plant and then to Cuttack for further treatment. The condition of two persons is stated to be critical. Dhenkanal SP Gyanaranjan Mohapatra said a valve carrying hot water got opened and 19 persons were injured in the incident. A team from the district administration will also visit the spot for an investigation, he said. Tata Steel said: "We are working closely with relevant authorities and conducting our own internal investigation. Safety remains our top priority and we're committed to learning from this incident. More details will follow as they become available." New Delhi, June 13 : The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea filed by an unsuccessful UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirant against single-judge order dismissing his prayer seeking access to his answer sheets of all seven papers of the mains examination along with their model answers. The plea was filed by an engineering graduate, who had appeared for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination in 2020 and cleared it, but was unsuccessful in the subsequent Mains Examination. It was rejected by a division bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad. The UPSC aspirant had sought disclosure his answer sheets and the model answers under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. His application was, however, earlier denied by the authorities, including the single judge. The High Court bench while denying his request said that the answer sheets can only be disclosed if there is a public interest in doing so, which was not present in this particular case. The bench also said that the issue of providing answer sheets to unsuccessful candidates in the Civil Services Examination had already been settled by the Supreme Court and can only be disclosed if there is a demonstrated public interest in their release, which was not shown by the appellant. The court found no reason to interfere with the decision of the single judge and therefore dismissed the appeal. "This court does not find any reason to interfere with the order of the learned single judge. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed along with the pending applications, if any," the court said. Islamabad, June 13 : Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out talks with the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling it an exercise in futility, but appeared to be keen on initiating a dialogue with the military establishment - the 'real decision makers', a media report said. The PTI chairman said that he did not believe in "vengeance and will strive for the rule of law" if he came to power again. Khan said that politicians, including the incumbent rulers, were "powerless and they have no authority to conclude the dialogues". The establishment is the "real decision maker and power is concentrated" within the military, he was quoted as saying by Dawn. Khan made the remarks in response to a question whether he was ready to hold talks with politicians on the charter of economy. Khan accused former Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa of "backstabbing" and said that he (Khan) could have sacked Bajwa on at least three different occasions, but he exercised restraint. The PTI chief dispelled the impression of being under pressure and said that he was more concerned for the economy, the media outlet reported. Expressing apprehensions about his military trial in connection with the May 9 violence, he said that the authorities were turning "approvers to charge him" under the Army Act. He termed trials of civilians in military courts as the end of democracy and justice. He said that the incumbent government was responsible for the poor economy and the only solution for this problem was to explore venues of income generation, mega reforms, and taking drastic measures. Tirupati, June 13 : A police patrol vehicle was stolen from Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor town by a man, who drove it to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, police said on Tuesday. The bizarre incident occurred on Monday but police traced the vehicle and brought it back the same day. The Rakshak vehicle, which was parked in front of the One Town police station, was found missing. This sent the police into a tizzy and a frantic search began across the town to trace the vehicle. After examining the CCTV footage, the police officers found that the vehicle headed towards the Tamil Nadu border. They immediately contacted their counterparts in Tamil Nadu and the vehicle was finally intercepted at Tindivanam town in the neighbouring state. A police team from Chittoor went to Tamil Nadu and brought back the vehicle along with the thief. The suspect was roaming around the police station and since he found the police vehicle unlocked, he started it and took it away. Since it was a police vehicle, no one stopped him at the inter-state border. Police were questioning the accused. New Delhi, June 13 : Following a recent breach of cockpit norms, Air India has taken disciplinary action against two pilots who permitted an unauthorised woman to enter the cockpit of flight AI-445, operating from Delhi to Leh. The decision came after the airline received a complaint from the cabin crew, who raised concerns about the violation of cockpit regulations. In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that they are aware of the issue, and appropriate measures are being implemented in accordance with established procedures. To conduct a thorough investigation, Air India has formed a committee to delve into the matter, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the events surrounding the violation. "Air India has a just culture approach to all safety related events and has a zero tolerance for deliberate breaches of regulations. Such breaches are dealt with on a serious basis and sanctions will be imposed on those who are in breach of the regulations," an Air India spokesperson said. This incident comes merely a month after Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh by the DGCA for a previous breach of cockpit norms, highlighting the airline's need for stricter adherence to established regulations. A proposed rule by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) looking to put conservation on equal footing with other public land uses such as oil and gas leases, solar energy development, grazing and mining represents a potentially seismic shift in how millions of acres across Nevada are managed. Two-thirds of Nevadas land is overseen by the BLM, and the agency is touting its proposed Public Lands Rule as critical to restoring damaged land and waterways, conserving healthy landscapes and guiding responsible development. Established in 1946, the BLM manages 245 million acres of public land nationally, with 48 million of those acres in Nevada. Across the West, 155 million acres of BLM land are permitted for grazing and another 24 million are permitted for oil and gas, according to Nada Wolff Culver, BLMs deputy director for policy and programs. In Nevada alone, 43 million acres are permitted for grazing, the most in the nation. Were trying to balance all of those uses and demands, Wolff Culver said. Supporters of the rule argue that the BLM has historically favored extractive uses and development over conservation it wasnt until 30 years after the agencys formation that its Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) was established, directing the agency to manage its lands for multiple use and sustained yield. Though the management act defines multiple use as including watersheds, wildlife and fish, and natural scenic, scientific and historical values, those natural uses have been overlooked, according to the agency, and the rule will provide the necessary tools and regulatory framework to address those inequities. According to environmental advocates, the rule will help protect Nevadas landscape as a push to transition to renewable energy continues across the state and nation. Nevada is at the forefront of international lithium exploration needed for green energy development, and the state is also pushing to transition to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030, putting pressure on the BLM to analyze an endless stream of permits for solar, geothermal and other projects. We have the 21st century gold rush of renewable energy development in Nevada, said Russel Kuhlman, executive director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation. The million-dollar question is how are we going to balance conservation with the incredible demand on our landscape for renewable energy? But many of Nevadas ranchers and agricultural producers who lease land from the BLM for grazing have been burned by bureaucratic red tape too many times to trust the rule will be anything but another headache, said Jon Griggs, manager of Maggie Creek Ranch near Elko and president of the Nevada Cattlemens Association. Ranchers from throughout the state turned out en masse at an early June meeting in Reno hosted by the BLM; it was just one of three in-person opportunities for those concerned about the rule to share feedback. Most left the meeting feeling unheard. The closer you work with the Bureau of Land Management, the more concerned (with the proposed rule) you are, Griggs said. The public weighs in On June 1, BLM representatives stood before a crowd of roughly 200 people at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Conservationists, some adorned in tie-dyed shirts, clustered together on one side of the room; agricultural producers in denim and cowboy hats gathered on the other. The meeting was palpably tense, with very little middle ground between those who support the rule and those who question it. More than one attendee reported overhearing Wolff Culver say weve gotta get the hats on board. And for some of the hats, no number of meetings will get them on board. Take Bevan Lister, president of the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, whose 400-acre Southern Nevada farm is bordered by BLM land. Lister lives in Pioche, a tiny unincorporated town in Lincoln County. More than 98 percent of the county is federally owned, and 90 percent of that federal land is administered by the BLM. Throughout the meeting, Lister chortled, grumbled and commented under his breath on the BLMs presentation. He questioned why the BLM is finally implementing FLPMA 40-something years after it was put in place. This came out of a bubble in D.C., he said during a break in the presentation. Nevada was left out of this conversation. This will be a regulatory hammer that will severely impact local economies. The Nevada BLM office referred all questions to its national office. The national office did not reply to emails from The Nevada Independent following the meeting. The BLM cant play the hand theyve been dealt Griggs, the Elko ranch manager, has concerns about the BLMs timeline for approving projects. About five years ago, he needed to install three cattle guards on Maggie Creek Ranch. The process should have been simple for the 198,000-acre ranch, and he sought the go-ahead from his BLM rangeland management specialist. Griggs waited 16 months for approval. There are so many layers in the process that our land management agencies are hamstrung, he said. Even at full staff, theres too much to process for what should be simple decisions. And nobody is fully staffed. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an organization dedicated to upholding environmental laws and duties, recommends the BLM be staffed at about 15,000 full-time employees; as of June 2022, the agency had less than 9,000. In 2010, the agency had 11,000 full-time employees. The BLM cant play the hand theyve been dealt, Griggs said. Now, he worries what the BLMs proposed rule will do for the already bogged-down process of ranching in Nevada. Its a sentiment shared by at least some in the conservation field. They (BLM staff) dont have the budget or people on the ground to do a whole lot of anything, said Shaaron Netherton, a former BLM employee who now serves as executive director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Shes watched the BLM struggle to keep pace with the number of green energy permit applications rolling in. Im hopeful that the rule may help say Whoa, we need to weigh the conservation pieces here with the constant pressure for development. Conservation leases spark concern A key issue in the proposed rule is conservation leasing. Under the rule, conservation leases could be used for restoration and compensatory mitigation. For example, if a conservation group wanted to restore mule deer habitat, a conservation lease would provide structure and framework for the project. Or, if a proposed solar or mining project is found to impact bi-state sage grouse, the developer of the project could apply for a conservation lease to protect other sage grouse habitat for the duration of the developers project. The proposed rule would finally give conservation protection and restoration projects the same priority as other public land uses, according to the BLM and proponents. And, the BLM notes, the conservation leases would not override valid, existing rights. Griggs, the Elko ranch manager, said most agricultural producers dont have qualms with the concept of adding conservation into the BLMs mix of land use purposes. Grazing done right, he said, is a form of conservation. What he questions is how divergent land uses can have equal footing. A conservation rule will not conflict with any other use but rather will be equal to every other use. What does that mean? he asked. Theres likely to be conflict. Weve got one shot to get it right Those questioning the rule say the BLMs process of do now, ask later doesnt help. Following federal procedure, the rule was drafted and noticed in the Federal Register before any public comment was sought. Publicly announced in March with comments accepted though June 20, nearly 50,000 have been submitted thus far. But the lack of back-and-forth dialogue between those who the rule will impact and the agency erodes trust and handicaps the process of developing effective policy, Griggs said. The two virtual meetings, three in-person meetings and the chance to leave a comment online is not much time to work on something that will have long-lasting implications on the majority of Nevadas public land. Weve got one shot to get it right, Griggs said. They didnt flesh a lot out. They threw it at the wall to see what stuck. And there is no back and forth, so we only get one shot. Kolkata, June 13 : Capital markets regulator Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has said that it will auction 61 plots of Saradha Group and the proceeds of the auction will be distributed among the duped investors who lost their hard-earned money by investing in the multi-level marketing schemes of the said entity. A notification on this count was issued by the SEBI on Monday, a copy of which is available with IANS. As per the notification, the market regulator is arranging for the auction following a direction of the one- man committee of Justice SP Talukdar. "Accordingly, Quikr Realty Ltd (hereafter 'Quikr'/'the Agency') has been engaged by SEBI to assist it in sale of the properties mentioned herein on "as is where is and whatever there is" basis. M/s C1 India has been appointed as the e-auction provider and online registration & e-auction will be conducted through www.quikrrealty.com/e-auction. Intending bidders are invited to submit their bid(s) along with an amount equivalent to 10 per cent of the Reserve Price as Earnest Money for each of the properties to be paid through EFT/NEFT/RTGS for the sale of following properties," the notification has read. SEBI has also given a list of these 61 plots of land, majority of which are located in West Bengal. The estimated market price of the land is around Rs 25 crore which has been fixed as the base price of the auction. Starting from 2012, i.e. a year after the Mamata Banerjee-led and Trinamool Congress-run regime came to power in West Bengal ending the 34-year Left Front rule, the state recorded ponzi schemes, the prime of which were Saradha Group and Rose Valley Group. Several top leaders of Trinamool Congress, including MPs and MLAs like Sudip Bandopadhyay, Madan Mitra and Late Tapas Pal, were also arrested by the central agencies in this connection. New Delhi, June 13 : Australian fast bowling great Brett Lee has expressed his backing for Scott Boland to feature in the upcoming Ashes Test opener against England, starting on June 16 at Edgbaston. Boland, Boland was selected in the WTC Final playing XI over Michael Neser with Josh Hazlewood unavailable due to injury, played a key role in Australia bowling out India for 234 on Day Five of the marquee clash, including the double scalp of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the second innings to set the base for a 209-run victory. While the Australian batting lineup is firmly established, there is still uncertainty surrounding the composition of the bowling attack. It certainly will be a selection headache for Australia when they pick their bowling attack for the first Ashes Test with Hazlewood now fit and available for selection. "It's a conundrum, isn't it? I'm a massive Hazlewood fan, and also Mitchell Starc. What the team has done so well is they've put themselves into a position where you've got to leave one guy out, which is going to be heartache for whichever bowler it is. I think you go Scott Boland. You can't overlook Scott Boland in those conditions," Lee told Nine's Today. "Hazlewood was under a bit of an injury cloud with his Achilles. The way Scott Boland has bowled in Australia, but also in these (English) conditions, it suits him down to a tee, so I'd be going with Scott Boland," he added. Notably, Australia have not been able to secure an Ashes series victory on foreign soil since 2001, when Lee was part of a formidable bowling attack that included Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, and Shane Warne. Lee believes that Australia can emerge victorious in the upcoming Ashes series, but emphasizes the criticality of the first match, stating that the first match will be crucial. "Edgbaston is the key for me. There's a lot of pressure on the Poms as well, because when you think about this whole Bazball thing they have been playing, if they lose the first Test the English press will be pretty hard on England. For Australia, they've got to start well," he said. Kolkata, June 13 : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed deployment of central armed forces personnel in sensitive districts for the forthcoming West Bengal panchayat polls. A division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya also identified seven districts in the state as sensitive. It also directed the West Bengal State Election Commission to review whether deployment of central forces is required elsewhere other than the seven districts identified as sensitive. "The State Election Commission should ensure polls in a peaceful ambience. The commission should deploy central armed forces. There is a deficit in the state police forces. So deployment of central forces is necessary to ensure free and fair polls. The Union government also should provide the necessary forces as demanded by the state government," the division bench observed. It also said that the Union government will have to bear the expenses for deployment of the central forces. The hearing in the matter was completed on Monday but the bench reserved its order. Finally on late Tuesday afternoon the verdict was pronounced. The division bench, however, refused to interfere with the Commission's decision about the extension of the period of nomination for the rural civic body polls. It also turned down the plea for the polls being conducted under the supervision of a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court. It also said that the CCTVs should be installed in each and every polling booth and if necessary the entire polling process should be video-recorded. The court gave clear instructions to the state government and the State Election Commission not to use civic volunteers in poll-related security duties at any cost. However, it observed that in case of extreme necessity, contractual state government employees can be deployed in other poll-related duties. All the opposition parties had been demanding deployment of central armed forces since the day the polling and counting dates were announced by State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha. Even the joint forum of state government employees have also announced its decision not to participate in poll-related duties without central forces' security cover. New Delhi, June 13 : The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a contract killer, a conspirator and source of weapon supplier, involved in the firing at a police informer in national Capital's Kalindi Kunj area, an official said on Tuesday. The official said that they have also recovered three automatic and one country-made pistols along 19 bullets from the possession of the accused identified as Arif (contract killer), a resident of Shri Niwaspuri; Safiq Ali Sanfai alias Babu Hakla (conspirator), a resident of 24 Pargana, West Bengal; and the source of weapon Tarun, a resident of Madanpur Khadar in Delhi. On June 3, an incident of firing took place in the area of Madanpur Khadar, wherein two persons on a bike fired several rounds at another motorcycle rider named Bablu (police informer), a resident of Madanpur Khadar, New Delhi. Bablu suffered bullet injuries in his left knee. Sharing the details, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said that recently specific inputs were received that Arif, involved in the shooting, is hiding at his girlfriend's house in G-block, Sangam Vihar. "The information was further developed and a raid was conducted at the hideout of the shooter. Accordingly, Arif was apprehended and two automatic pistols along with 14 bullets concealed in the vegetable chamber of fridge in his girlfriend's house, were also recovered," said Yadav. During interrogation, Arif disclosed his involvement in the present case and also disclosed that one Shafiq and his brother Afsar Sanfai are the main conspirators of the case. "They hired him to kill Bablu for an amount of Rs 3 lakh. Shafiq and Bablu have an old enmity as the latter provided information to police regarding his involvement in illegal ganja trade," said the Special CP. Thereafter, it was further developed that the conspirator Shafiq and his brother Afsar Sanfai went to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. "A police team was sent to Vishakhapatnam and they gathered criminal intelligence about the culprits. Inputs were further received that Shafiq is coming to Delhi to meet his advocate through flight. The team collected the details of the flight and informed the team in Delhi who eventually apprehended Safiq from IGI Airport," said the official. "Safiq told police that Tarun provided the weapons. One Mohsin had provided him another shooter, Javed who was also involved in the firing incident. His brother Afsar was also part of the conspiracy," said the official. Later on, police also nabbed Tarun, from whom Arif had bought a pistol, one extra magazine and 10 rounds for Rs 50,000. Mumbai, June 13 : Additional Sessions Judge M.G. Deshpande on Tuesday acquitted two persons arrested in connection with the 2002 Best Bakery riots case in Vadodara, in which 14 people were killed, for lack of sufficient evidence against them. The persons acquitted are Mafat Gohil and Harshad Solanki, who were absconding for nearly 11 years before their arrest in 2013, and the second part of the trial against them started in 2019. The Best Bakery in Vadodara witnessed violent communal riots on March 1, 2002 that claimed 14 lives in retaliation for the clashes in Godhra town three days earlier. The Gujarat Police had booked 21 persons on charges of murder, but all the accused were acquitted in 2003. Soon afterwards, one of the victims, Zahirabi Shaikh, along with an NGO moved the Supreme Court against the verdict, urging that the orders and judgements of the trial court and Gujarat High Court should be quashed. Accepting the plea in 2004, the Supreme Court had ordered a re-investigation and retrial, and transferred the case to Mumbai to ensure a fair trial. After the Mumbai trial, retired Bombay High Court Justice Abhay Thipsay (then a Sessions Judge) acquitted eight persons and sentenced nine to life imprisonment in 2006. Subsequently, in 2012 the Bombay High Court acquitted five and confirmed the life sentence awarded to the four others, relying on the testimonies of the eyewitnesses to the incident. Though Gohil and Solanki had faced the first trial in the Vadodara court, they had gone absconding during the retrial in Mumbai. After their arrest, the duo applied for bail claiming they were not aware of the retrial, but their pleas were rejected on grounds that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute them. During the trial, their lawyer Prakash Salsingikar vehemently argued against the use of the earlier Mumbai trial's evidence against them. Two others accused in the case and facing retrial had died during the pendency of the case. Mumbai, June 13 : Actor Aseem Hattangady, who is receiving a lot of appreciation for his work in the recently released streaming series 'Scoop', shared an interesting anecdote from the shooting of the show. The actor recalled how the director of the show Hansal Mehta of 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story' fame cooked delicious meals for the cast and the crew of 'Scoop'. Recalling the memorable moment from the set, Aseem shared, "It was my first day of shooting. I had finished my scenes and packed up late in the evening to head home when I was told to wait by Hansal sir. The shoot wrapped up for the day and I was called on location. I entered the room with a balcony and there was Hansal Mehta cooking his most fragrant non-vegetarian curry. He looked at me and smiled, he had made it for the entire unit. We all had dinner together and it felt so good to be included that way. He is an excellent director, great cook, and overall a wonderful human." He lavished praise on the director for his process, saying that he gives full freedom to his actors to play their own interpretation. He would watch the actors rehearse before the take and make minute changes if necessary. In 'Scoop', Aseem plays the role of a journalist, Sandeep Narvekar who proves to be pivotal in the narrative. Talking about the challenges of playing the character, he said, "The script has been meticulously prepared, which allows for a much easier interpretive process. I believe preparation is the key to success when it comes to a role. All I did was prepare myself by reading the script thoroughly and taking notes on what each scene was about. I tried my best to understand my character's intentions and motivations and also worked very hard with my director to ensure that I stayed true to the script throughout the process." He said, "My character Sandeep has several notable differences from myself in real life, so performing as him was an out-of-the-ordinary experience for me, but one of the greatest things I've ever done while acting. He's extremely reserved in tone compared to myself, so portraying this side of myself required some time getting used to, because this is not how I generally roll in real life. It was very fun trying something very different from what I'd usually do, yet still staying true to the character Sandeep on screen." 'Scoop' is streaming on Netflix. New Delhi, June 13 : As former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey created a storm by claiming that the Indian government threatened to shut down the platform and conducted raids on its employees -- which the Centre has vehemently rejected, Elon Musk has rather understood the law of the land much better. In April, Musk said that he would comply with the law of the land in India rather than send his people to jail as the country has "strict social media laws". In a Twitter Spaces interview with the BBC, he was asked about the micro-blogging platform taking down links related to the BBC's controversial documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "India has very strict social media laws. If it's a choice between complying with the laws or going to jail, I'd rather comply with laws than have any of my people go to jail," he was quoted as saying. "We cannot go beyond the law of the country," the Twitter CEO stressed. The first part of the two-part BBC documentary series, "India: The Modi Question" raised a storm not just in India but also among the diaspora across the world. Looking at the sensitive nature of the documentary, the Indian government banned it from being shown on social media, including Twitter, and elsewhere in the country. Earlier in the day, the Centre lashed out at Dorsey for his claims, saying it is an attempt to "brush out that very dubious period of Twitter's history". Reacting to Dorsey who alleged in an interview with YouTube channel Breaking Points that the threats came as Twitter refused to comply with the government's demands to block accounts during the farmers' protests in early 2021, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said that no one went to jail nor was Twitter shut down in the country. "This is an outright lie by @jack -- perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitter's history. Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of the India law," Chandrasekhar said in a tweet. The Minister said that as a matter of fact, Twitter was in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 "and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring the compliance of Indian laws. Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it," Chandrasekhar noted. "All social media intermediaries operating in India have to comply with laws to ensure that the internet is safe, trusted and accountable," said the Minister. Mumbai, June 13 : Actor Arshad Warsi, who made his OTT debut with the streaming series 'Asur', feels that if an actor is getting good work and enjoys his work, one should not be worried about its release platform. Arshad has been garnering a lot of positive response for his work in the recently released second season of 'Asur'. As the OTT fever grips the audience owing to its accessibility, the actor spoke about the revolution it has brought. He said: "OTT is a great thing that has happened. It is giving work to a lot of good actors and the audience is getting to see the acting of some very good actors." He further mentioned: "See, films and OTT are two different things altogether and they will always be different. I enjoy cinema and I enjoy OTT as well. If you enjoy your work and you are getting good work to do, I think one should not worry about where the work is getting released." Talking about what made him to say yes to 'Asur' for his OTT debut, he said, "I loved the story. Actually, I loved many things about it. When I heard the idea of the show, I enjoyed it so much because I knew this will surely work with the Indian Audience. I found it interesting and that made me to say yes to it." 'Asur 2' is currently streaming on Jio Cinema and has 8 episodes. Chennai, June 13 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday lashed out against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the official residence and office of state Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji, terming them a ploy by the BJP-led Central government to get a backdoor entry in the state. Stalin, who also heads the state's ruling DMK, said that such actions would not yield any results and called upon the Central government to understand the folly of such moves. He said that the searches in the minister's office at the secretariat were nothing but political vendetta. Meanwhile, DMK state Organising Secretary and former MP R.S. Bharathi said that the raids conducted at the office and residence of Senthil Balaji were to create a smoke screen to cover up the spat between the AIADMK and the BJP in Tamil Nadu. He also said that no prior permission from the Chief Secretary was taken for conducting raids at the office of the minister in the Secretariat. The Enforcement Directorate had conducted raids at the official residence of Senthil Balaji on Tuesday morning, and later, conducted raids at the office of the minister in the Secretariat. The Income Tax department had conducted raids at the premises of several people linked to the minister during the last week of May. The IT officials had complained that the supporters of the minister's brother had assaulted them. San Francisco, June 13 : The Twitter account of crypto enthusiast and influencer Bitboy Crypto (Ben Armstrong) has been hacked. Armstrong, a popular figure in the crypto community who has a Twitter following of over 1 million, experienced a security breach on June 11, according to NFT Evening. Hackers are increasingly taking control of influential individuals' social media accounts. This troubling trend has affected a number of well-known figures, causing them to lose control of their own online platforms. During this incident, a hacker gained access to Armstrong's Twitter account. The hacker shared multiple banners depicting US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Gary Gansler as BitBoy. These banners used explicit language, and one of them encouraged users to obtain scam tokens in order to counter Gansler's influence in the crypto industry, according to the report. Leading cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance have recently faced SEC scrutiny, causing a stir in the crypto market. The SEC's actions have sparked debate and raised concerns within the crypto community and beyond. Bitboy Crypto took to YouTube to warn his fans about the hack. He also stated that they are working to reclaim the account and advised his followers not to click any links. Bitboy Crypto is the latest influencer whose account has been hacked in order to defraud followers. FranklinIsBored, a well-known crypto whale and NFT influencer was recently the victim of a hacking incident, the report said. Earlier this month, the Twitter account of OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer appears to have been hacked in order to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Her account started promoting a new cryptocurrency called "$OPENAI" that was allegedly "driven by artificial intelligence-based language models". Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a historic state visit to China from Friday to Wednesday, is anything but an average leader not only because she is the first female president of Honduras, but more importantly because of her firm determination to seize the historic opportunity to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China on March 26, 2023. Following Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador and Nicaragua, Honduras became the fifth Central American country to cut its "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. Thanks to the leaderships of the two countries, China-Honduras relations have developed at a fast pace over the past more than two months. On June 3, the Honduran president appointed pharmacologist and medical researcher Salvador Enrique Moncada as the first ambassador of Honduras to China. Two days later, on June 5, China opened its embassy in Honduras. And Honduras opened its embassy in China on Sunday. With the establishment of these diplomatic channels, China and Honduras have intensified cooperation in many areas including trade, science and technology, and education. On June 2, Honduran Vice-Minister of Economic Development Melvin Enrique Redondo led a business delegation to the Chinese province of Fujian and met with the provincial authorities. While the representatives of the two countries have vowed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, the process to approve Honduran exports such as shrimp, melons and coffee to China is proceeding in an orderly manner. That Castro's state visit will have a significant impact on the development of bilateral relations is evidenced for the duration of her visit six days and the number of high-level meetings she will attend. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China will use the opportunity to work with Honduras to "deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship, and promote the steady and sustained development of bilateral relations". The Honduran government has expressed similar views. After announcing her plan to visit China, Castro twitted that this signifies that the "re-foundation of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial, and cultural horizons", suggesting that she considers her visit to China and China-Honduras relations to be crucial for the development of Honduras. Economic collaboration is central to Sino-Honduran relations. The economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main pillars of the Honduran economy, accounting for about 11 percent of its GDP. And while the top exports of Honduras include coffee, crude palm oil, bananas and shrimp, its main imports include machinery, electronic equipment, chemical products and industrial manufactured products, which China can easily provide. Besides, the Sino-Honduran trade volume had been growing even before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides it grew from $892 million in 2015 to $1.59 billion in 2022. And, as Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina said in an interview with the media in May, Honduras will seek to negotiate a free trade agreement with China with the aim of boosting its exports to the Chinese market. Infrastructure investment is another promising area of bilateral economic cooperation. Like many other developing nations, Honduras too lacks the resources to modernize its infrastructure, which is obstructing its economic development. And China has the financial resources and technological capacity to help promote Honduras infrastructure development. As a matter of fact, Chinese companies have collaborated with Honduras in building the Patuca III Hydroelectric Project, whose construction was completed in 2020, and several Honduran politicians want Honduras to join the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to further develop the country's infrastructure. Politically, as stated in the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras, bilateral ties will be based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. These principles are in stark contrast to the United States' foreign policy that still upholds the Monroe Doctrine and treats Latin American countries, especially Central American nations, as its sphere of influence which has led to many tragedies in the region. In particular, equal partnership between China and Honduras will not only benefit the peoples in the two countries but also help promote democracy in international relations. Moreover, win-win Sino-Honduran relations could prompt the 13 countries that still have so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan to realize that adhering to the one-China principle is the right choice for them and in keeping with global interests and the trend of the times. New Delhi, June 13 : A 32-year-old man, who was wanted in several cases including two murders, has been arrested from the Mehrauli area, the police said on Tuesday. Jaimeet a.k.a Monu, a resident of Jhajjar district in Haryana, was also carrying a reward of Rs 60,000 announced by the Haryana Police for information leading to his arrest. The Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ravindra Singh Yadav, said that recently, information was received that Jaimeet would come to the Mehrauli area to meet his associate for plotting murder of rival gang members. Notably, he always carried firearms with him and didn't hesitate to open fire upon a police team. "Acting on the inputs, a trap was laid near Mehrauli from where he was nabbed while he was coming from Gurugram road," Yadav said. The police recovered one pistol along with two bullets from his possession. On interrogation, it was revealed that Jaimeet was arrested in an Arms Act case in 2007 and was sent to jail, where he came in touch with several members of different gangs. "After release from jail, he continued his criminal activities and was arrested by the Haryana Police in different cases several times. He was fascinated by Kapil a.k.a Kallu, who was lodged in jail and was associated with the Gogi Gang," Yadav said. According to the police, Jaimeet committed two murders in Jhajjar district earlier this year. "After committing the murders, he was hiding in Nangloi and was tasked to kill the members of rival gangs for which he was doing recce," the officer said. Chennai, June 13 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his strong opposition to the National Exit Test (NExT). The Union Health Ministry has announced that a National Exit Test would be held from 2024. NExT would be a single examination that would replace final year MBBS examination and the National Eligibility Entrance Test - Post Graduation. This will hence act as a qualifying examination for granting registration to doctors. Stalin in the letter said that NExT need not be introduced and the existing system of examination should be allowed to continue. He emphasised that the introduction of NExT is neither in the interest of the students, nor the state governments which fund most of the medical institutions. The Chief Minister said that this was another instance of diluting the role of the state governments and universities in the health sector and to centralise power with the Central government. In the letter, Stalin said that the NEET-based medical admission system under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act has adversely affected the equitable, school education-based system and its contribution to the public health system. Stalin said that the curriculum for medical education has already been devised under the norms fixed by the NMC in all the states. Mumbai, June 13 : In his fifth and final outing as the iconic archaeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford will be seen performing a daring stunt in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'. Created by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas in the 1980s, Harrison Ford debuted as the archaeologist in 'Indiana Jones: The Raiders of the Lost Ark' and has done four more films with the franchise since then. This time, the actor will be seen performing a daring stunt involving a fleet of rickshaws, as he is chased by a bunch of enemies in an Indian city. Directed by the James Mangold, best known for his work in films such as 'Walk the Line', 'The Wolverine', 'Logan' and 'Ford v Ferrari', the latest instalment of the franchise promises to deliver an exciting experience as Mangold has decided to rely more on practical effects instead of CGI. One of the scenes which will stand out is an old Indiana Jones racing through the bustling and busy streets of an Indian city, while being chased and even shot at by his pursuers. The filmmakers developed an approach to the physical action with stunt coordinator Ben Cooke ('Jurassic World: Dominion', 'Casino Royale'), to keep the stunts as grounded and real as possible and to keep the more derring-do feats from not becoming too far over the top. This approach was extended to most of the stunt work including the rickshaw scene. It involved tiny vehicles and essentially motorised rickshaws, bolting through the winding streets with motorcycles trailing behind. Roughly, over a dozen rickshaws were employed for this sequence, thereby adding an authentic touch to the whole chase. The rickshaw stunt is high on adrenaline as amid the casual banter, there is a very real sense of tension and danger, adding to the believability of the scene. The scene leads up to Indiana Jones and his companions plummeting down a set of steep stairs, with the rickshaws miraculously coming to a rest at the bottom, leaving its occupants shaken, tired and in awe that they are still alive. Mangold has said that the majority of the human action in the film is genuine, as he wanted the stunts to feel more real, showing the dedication of his team. "Almost all the human action in the movie is for real," Mangold said. Adding to it, Ford said, "I think it's very important to maintain a human scale to action. Too much of something is too much. When you're able to keep it to a physical reality with some embellishments, that feels real and more visceral for the audience." While 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' is fashioned to be a promising addition to the iconic franchise, the movie received a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. 'Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny' will release theatrically across India on June 29 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and will later be available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. New Delhi, June 13 : The Delhi police recently uncovered a major conversion racket operating within a shelter home located in the Turkam Gate area in the national capital. The main accused, Mohammad Kaleem, a B.Tech graduate, was apprehended on June 9 following a complaint filed by the shelter home's caretaker, Sandeep Sagar. Sagar alleged that Kaleem had been pressuring him to convert to Islam, offering inducements such as a government job and financial incentives. The probe has taken a new turn as police teams are now scrutinising Kaleem's phone records, attempting to ascertain whether he received any external instructions. "The investigation is currently going on, and we cannot confirm his association with any organisation at this moment. However, we are exploring all possible angles, including whether he was receiving directions from individuals from across the border," said a source in the know of things. "The modus operandi is the same as the Ghaziabad conversion racket, where the victims were shown YouTube videos and asked to recite religious verses before beginning any work," the source said. According to reliable sources, it has come to light that several terrorist organisations are engaging in radicalisation of youngsters over the past few years, employing them as sleeper cells. "These sleeper cells have handlers, who activate them when necessary. It is plausible that following numerous failed operations, these terrorist organisations may have adopted a new modus operandi to radicalise and convert individuals within the country," said a former police officer, who requested anonymity and termed the matter as sensitive. "After the Ghaziabad conversion racket and the arrest of Kaleem, it seems that someone is behind them, operating from across the border or somewhere else," he said. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Sanjay Kumar Sain, had said that suspicious items have been recovered from the cellphone of Kaleem. "We received three complaints against him from three different individuals. The accused is a B.Tech graduate. We have lodged an FIR and arrested him. However, before reaching any conclusions, we would like to further investigate the matter," Sain said. As per the FIR, Kalim had also forced two Hindu youth, Sujit Kumar and Vicky Sharma, to convert to Islam. Kalim told them that Hinduism had flaws and also made significant efforts to lure them into his trap. Sagar has also alleged that recently Kalim succeeded in converting a Hindu youth named Sanjeed Kumar to Islam. Sanjeet is now living under the name Abbas. The investigators have reportedly found videos of controversial preacher Zakir Naik in Kaleem's phone. Kaleem, who had worked as an HR manager earlier, had created WhatsApp groups in the name of welfare programmes in which videos and conversion content were regularly posted. "One of the groups was ostensibly about drug de-addiction. But there was nothing related to de-addiction but only contents related to conversion," sources said. Kiev, June 13 : Russian media reported that a Ukrainian missile strike on the southern Zaporizhzhia front killed an experienced Russian general. "As a result of an enemy missile attack, the Chief of Staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, Maj Gen Sergei Goryachev, was killed," prominent pro-war blogger Voenkor said in a Telegram post, The Guardian reported. Goryachev, a decorated commander, previously led Russian troops in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria. Voenkor added that "according to representatives of the command of the United Group of Forces (S), the army has lost today one of the brightest and most effective military leaders", The Guardian reported. Several Russian war bloggers said Goryachev was likely killed by a UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missile. The Russian defence ministry is yet to comment on the reported death of Goryachev. More than a dozen Russian generals are believed to have been killed since Moscow invaded Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia region, of which about 80 per cent is controlled by Russian forces, is believed to be one of the main focuses of Ukraine's counter-offensive, The Guardian reported. Russia's defence ministry has released video footage of what it claims were German-made Leopard tanks and US-made Bradley fighting vehicles captured by Russian forces in a battle with Ukrainian forces, The Guardian reported. The location and timing of the video footage has not been independently verified. In a message on Telegram, the ministry said, "Servicemen of the subdivisions of the Vostok group inspect enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles captured in battle. All captured western-made equipment: German Leopard tanks and US-made BMP Bradley. "Some combat vehicles with running engines, which indicates the transience of the battle and the flight of the crews of combat vehicles of the armed forces of Ukraine from combat-ready equipment," The Guardian reported. Bengaluru, June 13 : Exacerbating the internal strife in the BJP's Karnataka unit, BJP MP Pratap Simha on Tuesday raised the issue of "adjustment politics" in the state as he accused senior party leaders of having joined hands with the Congress government. "Mr Siddaramaiah, maybe prominent leaders of BJP might not speak against you. Many of them might have colluded with your government. But, BJP workers won't compromise with you and they will never do it. In elections, the leaders of BJP might have been defeated, but party workers are not," Simha, the MP from Mysuru-Kodagu, said while talking to journalists here. He questioned that why did the Congress leaders not lodge complaints against the BJP government regarding the 40 per cent commission scam? The Congress leaders created hue and cry on the letter of Kempanna (President of Contractors' Association in Karnataka who wrote a letter on commission scam to PM Modi), he added. "When Basavaraja Bommai was the CM, there were statements on probing de-notification and redo charges, Kempanna report against then opposition leader Siddaramaiah was also discussed. But, our BJP leaders were just issuing statements and did not do anything concrete in this regard," the MP said. "Even Siddaramaiah often spoke about Bitcoin scam, PSI scam against BJP. But, now he has gone completely silent over them. If there is no adjustment with BJP leaders, these allegations must be probed. It is like one criticising the other at each other's convenience. Is your agreement mutual back scratching?" Simha asked. BJP national Secretary C.T. Ravi, was was defeated against his former right-hand man H.D. Thammaiah, pitted against him as Congress candidate in Chikkamagalur constituency, had earlier stated that there is "adjustment politics" within the BJP and this had led to the party's defeat in the state Assembly polls. "We have lost power because of our mistakes. The leaders have compromised and because of these few, the party lost power. I won't name the leaders, but adjustment politics exists and it has resulted in defeat of the party," he had stated. The statements of both leaders have stirred a controversy in the state and exposed the internal strife within the BJP. Sources claim that the outbursts were targeted towards former CM and Lingayat strongman B.S. Yediyurappa, his son B.Y. Vijayendra and former CM Bommai. Statements of Bengaluru North MP and former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda had further demoralised the party cadres and showed that all is not well within the party after claiming that 13 MPs have approached him over being maligned and patty high command's silence over the matter is intriguing. Sadananda Gowda stated that there is an attempt to tar 13 MPs among the total 25 as useless. A systematic attempt has been made to bring down the morale and fortitude of senior parliamentarians. The state as well as national leaders must intervene and clear the confusion at this stage, he demanded. However, Yediyurappa has maintained silence and has not spoken against the Congress and CM Siddaramaiah. Earlier, he was known for his sharp attacks against opponents. Sources close to him say that he had done his best until he retired from electoral politics and now it is the time for others to come forward and take on the Congress. On the other hand the party high command has not been able to appoint a Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and the Council even after a month after declaration of election results in Karnataka. Sources further say that Yediyurappa is on good terms with both CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar. After being snubbed by the BJP and later approached during the election time, it is alleged that Yediyurappa is only focused on his son and MLA Vijayendra's political career for which he had joined hands with leaders of opposition Congress. Sources also say that until the party gives a concrete assurance over his son's position in the party, he will not disturb the opposition. Meanwhile, Congress ministers have condemned the statements of Pratap Simha and Ravi. Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil on Tuesday asked both BJP leaders to name the politicians who are making adjustments in politics, while Social Welfare Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa also echoed the demand. "Regarding 40 per cent commission, the Congress government is going to take serious action and there is no question of going back on that front," he added. Patna, June 13 : The recent exit of some of the top leaders from the JD-U in Bihar has triggered perceptions that the Nitish Kumar-led party is the 'achilles heel' in Mahagathbandhan. The Nitish-led state cabinet suffered the latest jolt on Tuesday when Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Santosh Kumar Suman, son of former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, tendered resignation from the cabinet. Suman was SC/ST minister in the Nitish's government. "I am resigning from the cabinet but not withdrawing support from the Mahagathbandhan government. We (HAM) are still part of the Mahagathbandhan government. JDU pressured us to merge the party, to which we have not agreed. Hence, I resigned. The opposition parties are going to hold a mega meeting in Patna but they have not invited us. They are not recognising our party. So what is the point of staying here," Suman said after his resignation. Earlier, some top leaders like R.C.P. Singh and Upendra Kushwaha left the JD-U. Bihar seat arithmetics In 2020 Assembly election, the HAM was part of the NDA. At that time, there was a seat sharing arrangement between the JD-U and the BJP. The JD-U was allotted 122 seats while the BJP got 121 seats. HAM got seven seats from JD-U's quota, while Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) got 11 seats from BJP's quota. In 2020, HAM and VIP managed to win four seats each, while the JD-U and the BJP won 43 and 74 seats respectively, and formed the government in the state. However, in August 2022, Nitish Kumar left the NDA and formed the government in alliance with the Mahagathbandhan. Currently, the JDU has 45 seats - two seats up from it 2020 tally - after induction LJP MLA Raj Kumar in the party and winning the by-poll from Tarapur constituency under Munger district. Besides the JD-U, the Mahagathbandhan comprises 79 MLAs of the RJD, 19 of Congress, CPI-ML (12), CPI (2), CPI-M (2) and an independent MLA. So, the total strength of Nitish-led government is 164 (four HAM MLAs). Opposition BJP has 78 MLAs. AIMIM has one MLA. If HAM withdraws its support from Mahagathbandhan, it would not affect the Nitish government much as it will still have 160 MLAs, which is well beyond the magical figure of 122. Jitan Ram Manjhi belongs to Mahadalit (Mushar) community which has a sizable vote bank of around five per cent in the state. If Manjhi joins hands with the NDA, it would be a big jolt to Nitish Kumar. Upendra Kushwaha has also formed the new political party Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD). He is a prominent Kushwaha community leader. Both Upendra Kushwaha and R.C.P. Singh are in touch with BJP. Guwahati, June 13 : The police said on Tuesday that Jonali Nath, a woman BJP leader from Assam's Goalpara district whose body was discovered on Sunday night next to the highway, was murdered by her partner Hasanur Islam. The police detained Hasanur on Monday evening. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said that for more than two years, the deceased woman had an affair with Hasanur. Hasanur is a ward member of the Congress in Goalpara's Matia area, while Jonali served as the district secretary of the BJP in Goalpara. Jonali was married and she got involved with Hasanur in an illicit relationship two years ago. Inspector General of CID, Debraj Upadhyay, said that Hasanur Islam has admitted during interrogation of having an affair with Jonali for more than two years, but said that he had recently married another woman which upset Jonali. Upadhyay said that Hasanur also admitted that on Sunday night, Jonali came to meet him. He picked her up in his car after which a quarrel broke out between the two inside the car. "He hit her many times on the face after she questioned him about his marriage, rendering her unconscious," the officer said. While the doctors said that a hard object was used to kill her, Hasanur told the police that he hit her on the face until she passed out. "When he realised she was dead, he abandoned her near the road and drove off. He also banged her head on the car. The car has bloodstains on it," Upadhyay added. The bloodstains on the car matched those of Jonali, according to the police, which also claimed to have verified Hasanur's ownership of the vehicle. The police said that when Jonali found out about Hasanur's wedding, she began calling him, but he initially avoided her. Hasanur later agreed to meet her on Sunday, and picked her up from a market area in Matia. According to her relatives, Jonali left the house on Sunday at around 4:30 p.m. for some personal work. Her husband tried to call her after 7 p.m. but couldn't get through. The body was discovered around midnight after the family members contacted the police. Upadhyay said that Hasanur had switched off Jonali's mobile phone at 7:13 p.m. because he didn't want any interruptions. The police located her after scanning her call logs. Meanwhile, many of Jonali's supporters claimed that she was raped before being killed. however, Rajesh Reddy, district superintendent of police, told IANS that there was no sexual assault. "The body showed no signs of sexual assault, as per the doctors. We are questioning the accused to get further details regarding the case," Reddy said. Kolkata, June 13 : Several incidents of violence and clashes over the nomination process for the forthcoming panchayat polls in West Bengal were reported from different pockets of the state on Tuesday. The most violent clashes were reported from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, where the area around the block development office turned into a virtual battlefield following clashes between Trinamool Congress and All India Secular Front (AISF) workers. Some police personnel were also injured in the street-fight which involved brick-batting and hurling of crude bombs. The State Election Commission has sought reports from the district magistrate and the district police superintendent on this matter. Similarly, the situation got tense at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district after All India Forward Bloc candidate Abdul Alam was resisted from filing his nomination at the local block development office. It was alleged that the nomination related documents of Alam were snatched and his associates were kidnapped by Trinamool workers. However, the local Trinamool leadership has denied the charges. Similarly, the situation turned tense at Canning in South 24 Parganas district on Tuesday afternoon over clashes between Trinamool and BJP workers over filing of nominations. BJP leader and counsel of the Calcutta High Court, Priyanka Tibrewal, alleged that the ruling party supporters launched unprovoked attacks on BJP candidates following which the latter had to return without filing nominations. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed deployment of central armed forces in seven sensitive districts on the polling day. The polling is scheduled for July 8 and the counting will be taken up on July 11. Patna, June 13 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday accepted the resignation of SC/ST Welfare Minister Santosh Suman of the Hindustani Awam Morcha. His office has also called JD-U Dalit MLA Ratnesh Sada to reach CM's residence for a meeting with Nitish Kumar. Suman, the son of HAM chief and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, was not happy with the stand of Nitish Kumar to merge his party into the JD-U. He said that the proposal given to his party was not acceptable and hence, he has no option other than to resign from the post. Suman also said that his party was not invited for the mega meeting of opposition parties slated to be held here on June 23 and it seems that the Mahagatbandhan leaders are not recognising that the HAM is a party. Sources have said that HAM was trying to obtain at least 3 Lok Sabha seats and Manjhi was also looking for the invitation from Nitish Kumar for the mega meeting on June 3. As both the demands were not met, Suman gave the resignation from the post to Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Chaudhary, along with JD-U national President Lalan Singh, then went to the CM's residence cum office and handed over Suman's resignation to Nitish Kumar. Following the development, Sada was summoned. Sources have said that Nitish Kumar is going to expand the cabinet soon and give him the SC/ST Welfare Ministry of him. Sada, the MLA from Sonvarsa (reserved) seat reached Patna around 6 p.m. and went inside the CM residence. "I get the call from Parliamentary Affairs cum Finance Minister Vijay Chaudhary and Vijendra Yadav, asking me to reach the CM's residence in Patna. I was in my constituency and as soon as I received the call, I reached here. I am thankful to Nitish Kumar that he called me. I am ready to accept whatever responsibility he would give to me," Sada said. Sada was elected in the 2020 assembly election by defeating Congress candidate Tarani Rishidev by a margin of 13,466 votes. If Sada would get a chance, he would be the third Dalit minister in the Nitish cabinet from the JD-U quota, after Ashok Chaudhary and Sunil Kumar. Nowadays, premium wine is often included as part of a stylish and leisurely lifestyle for those who are looking to better enjoy their life. As Chinese wine wowed the world during a just-concluded wine expo in northwest China, more and more international wine producers are looking at the huge market potential of the country. As the country's largest wine-producing area, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has emerged as a rising star on the global wine map after more than four decades' development. On June 11, this year's International Conference on Grape and Wine Industries, as well as the third China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo came to an end in the region. During its exhibition in Yinchuan, the regional capital, 75 wineries from 16 countries and regions including Germany, France, Chile, Moldova and Spain presented visitors with their new products in a special exhibition area for international wine brands. "I've no doubt that these fine German wines would delight visitors, also in comparison with other international wines. I would be delighted if it could expand our biliteral trade relations with China in the field of wine," said Cem Ozdemir, minister of Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Themed "Nature, Innovation, Culture and Ecology" this year, the event offers an unique platform for exploring new growth models for the global wine-making industry and sharing new opportunities for international cooperation. Representatives of enterprises in the industry from over 30 countries and four international organizations were invited to participate in the expo. According to Mauricio Hurtado, the Chile ambassador to China, China has been one of the biggest importers of Chilean wines. For more than two decades, numerous Chilean companies and brands have established a presence in the Chinese market. "It is very important for us because the consumption of wine here is growing every year. One of the most important Chilean wineries is here to promote their products because they see that this market is very important for us," said the Chilean official. More than 1.4 billion people in China have embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, releasing huge potential for consumption, with a total wine import worth 1.44 billion U.S. dollars by China last year alone. "Every day, nearly 1 million liters of wine are imported into the Chinese market from all over the world, and many well-known enterprises have come to invest in China," said Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, at the opening ceremony of the event. "China has grown to be one of the most dynamic markets for the global wine industry." Apart from traditional wine-making powerhouses, some African countries are also aiming high in the booming Chinese market. Wine culture, education and national brand development are the key factors to expanding the presence of South Africa's wine in China, according to Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Republic of South Africa. "We've seen encouraging growth in the Chinese market of South African wine. We all know that China has emerged as a powerhouse in the global economy, with a rapidly growing middle class and a growing appreciation for wine. This presents a tremendous opportunity for South African wine producers to expand their reach and tap into this vast market," noted Thoko Didiza. While many are boosting their high expectations for China, more have already come to invest. Ningxia's long hours of sunshine and its cool and dry climate have both greatly aided the local grape cultivation. The region boasts an unique "terroir," a term used in the wine industry to refer to natural conditions, for making top-class wine products, attracting 228 wineries from home and abroad. Its annual wine output reached 138 million bottles in 2022. Though a late comer in the wine-making sector compared with members of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), China has once again updated its record of medal wins at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023, one of the world's largest wine competitions. A total of 274 wines from 14 wine-producing areas in China were awarded medals, a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Ningxia triumphed with about 40 percent of the medals, leading other areas in terms of quality in China. "The decision was based on the careful investigation on the quality of China wine production areas, and Helan Mountain region was found to be the best," said Hua Min, general manager of Pernod Richard (Ningxia) Winemakers Co., Ltd. The French-based brand Pernod Ricard built the branch in Ningxia as early as in 2012, with vineyards of 6,000 mu (about 400 hectares) in the region. Workshops for fermentation and bottling were also set up in Ningxia. "With a good performance of grapes planted here, we mainly produce still wines in the region," Hua said, adding that a high quality will be the common target for all the wineries both in China and France, while the different terroirs of the production areas can make a difference. China has always been one of the key markets for Pernod Ricard. The company has shown its great confidence and firm determination to develop in the Chinese market by investing and building its own winery in China. The company has also built its whisky plant and reception center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to Hua. "With the gradual post-COVID-19 market recovery and the booming of 'China Chic,' Chinese wines are getting more and more attention. We will continue to improve our wine quality and contribute to fulfilling the domestic industry's goal of 'Chinese Wine, Surprise the World' together with local wineries in China," he added. New Delhi, June 13 : During the first meeting of Opposition parties scheduled in Patna on June 23, the leaders will pass a resolution to contest next year's Lok Sabha elections unitedly, besides setting the date for the next meeting, sources in the Congress said on Tuesday. The first meeting of the Opposition parties, aimed at forging an alliance ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls, is all set to take place in Patna on June 23. From the Congress, party President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will attend the meeting. A source revealed that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will reach in Patna on June 23 and will first attend a programme at the party headquarters at Sadakat Ashram. At the party headquarters, the two leaders will unveil a statue of B.R. Ambedkar and then address the party workers. After the programme, the two leaders will leave for the Opposition meeting that is scheduled to be held in the afternoon. The source said that during the Opposition meeting, which will include 15 parties, a message of unity will be sent across. It will also pass a resolution to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly. The source said that during the meeting, a decision will also be taken to form a subcommittee at state levels to look after the work of the Opposition unity. The date for the next Opposition meeting will also be discussed. The source said that the second meeting of Opposition parties is likely to take place in Shimla, where the leaders of the 15 Opposition parties will camp for at least two to three days to discuss and chalk out the seat-sharing formula, and the issues on which they need to corner the BJP in next year's elections. Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, along with his deputy and RJD leader Tehashwi Yadav, had met Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in the national capital on April 12. It was the first meeting to bring the like-minded parties together for the crucial Lok Sabha elections. Nitish Kumar has met several Opposition leaders including Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Hemant Soren, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, and CPI leader D. Raja, among others, in a bid to bring them together. New Delhi, June 13 : El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), due to which water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean become cooler than normal because of the upwelling of cold water from the bottom of the sea, led to a delay in monsoon, while cyclone Biparjoy also played a crucial role in the delay, said experts. According to private weather forecaster Skymet Weather Services Pvt Ltd, the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Pacific Ocean are generally at or above normal levels near the equator. Following the end of the 'Triple Dip La Nina' event, below-average SST anomalies have diminished across most of the equatorial Pacific Ocean since December 2022. From January 2023 onwards, above-average SST anomalies have intensified in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Since early April 2023, the tropical Pacific Ocean has consistently experienced SSTs that are higher than average. "In April 2023, an El Nino 'watch' was issued, signaling the beginning of the warm phase of the ENSO phenomenon. Since then, all the Nino indices have remained positive-neutral or above the designated threshold. The Nino indices in the western half of the equatorial Pacific Ocean are still on the borderline, while the eastern portion consistently displays sufficient warming," said a Skymet official. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet, explained that the current westerly winds, responsible for bringing the monsoon to the Indian mainland, are presently weak. "As a result, the moisture is being drawn towards the cyclone instead of reaching the mainland. This delay in the monsoon, coupled with these weather patterns, indicates that there will be reduced amount of rainfall in the near future," Palawat said, adding that the monsoon will be delayed in central and northwest part of the country. "Around June 16, we can expect Rajasthan to start witnessing rainfall activities as Biparjoy will cross the coast. The western half will be more vulnerable than the eastern parts. The combined effect of western disturbance and the weaker version of Biparjoy is expected around June 17 and 18," said the weather expert. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), southwest monsoon arrived in the Kerala region a week later than its usual onset date, occurring on June 8 instead of June 1. The delay was attributed to cyclone Biparjoy. Additionally, the presence of a cyclone in the Arabian Sea is impeding the progress of the rain-bearing system, preventing it from advancing towards the interior regions of the Indian peninsula. This monsoon delay has also impacted regions such as Maharashtra, Odisha, half of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, which typically experience the monsoon season by June 15. However, the northeast and west coasts of the country appear to be unaffected by these delays. Unfortunately, the Bay of Bengal has not shown any indications of weather systems emerging, which are crucial drivers of monsoon. Ghaziabad, June 13 : Shahnawaz Khan alias Baddo, the key accused in Ghaziabad's alleged religious conversion through gaming app racket, has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody by a court here on Tuesday. Baddo was arrested in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Sunday, June 11. Later after getting a transit remand of the accused from a Thane court, the Uttar Pradesh police brought him to Ghaziabad on Tuesday morning. The accused was brought to Delhi's IGI airport on late Monday night, from where he was taken by road to the district hospital in Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar for medical examinations. According to sources, the police interrogated Baddo for several hours before bringing him to the hospital. The accused denied most of the allegations. Also, the police have not found much evidence even from his mobile and are assuming that Baddo has erased all the evidences from the mobile before it was seized by the police, sources added. The deleted data will now be recovered through forensic lab, they explained. Baddo was arrested from a lodge on June 11. On June 12, he was produced before a sessions court in Maharastra's Thane, which granted the transit remand of the accused to the Uttar Pradesh Police till June 15. It is likely that besides the Ghaziabad police, several other investigation agencies will also interrogate Baddo, against whom an FIR was registered on May 30 at Kavi Nagar police station in Ghaziabad under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The FIR was lodged based on the complaint lodged by a man, who alleged that a cleric and Shahnawaz had unlawfully converted his 17-year-old son to Islam. During interrogation, the boy accepted that he was converted to Islam. The first arrest in this case was made on June 4 of Maulvi Abdul Rehman. Hyderabad, June 13 : A student of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge and Technologies (RGUKT) in Basara town of Telangana's Nirmal district allegedly committed suicide in the campus on Tuesday, officials said. The student allegedly hanged herself in a washroom in the administrative building of the RGUKT, popularly known as IIIT Basara. Deepika, 17, a student of Pre-University Course (PUC) first year, resorted to the extreme step after appearing for the physics exam. As the student did not come out of the washroom even after half an hour, the staff grew suspicious and went in to find her hanging to the ceiling fan with her scarf. They immediately shifted her to the government hospital at Nirmal, where doctors declared her dead. The student hailing from Sangareddy district was under mental stress. She had approached the teachers after attending the exam on Tuesday. Even as the teachers were trying to counsel her, she went to the washroom and ended her life. Police registered a case and took up investigation. Basara IIIT has seen two suicides last year. In December last year, a student had himself in boy's hostel on the campus. Bhanu Prasad, 17, was a student of PUC second year. According to thhe university officials, he wrote in a suicide note that he is committing suicide due to personal reasons However, some students alleged that Prasad, who was from Rangaeddy district, took the extreme step due to the pressure and strict rules. In August last year, Rathod Suresh, 19, who was studying first year of B. Tech integrated programme, hanged himself. Hailing from Dichpally in Nizamabad district, Suresh resorted to the drastic step by hanging himself from the ceiling in his room at his hostel. He was suspected to have taken the extreme step due to personal reasons. In May 2020, Bondla Sanjay, 16, who was studying PUC first year at the institution, committed suicide by jumping off from atop of a building following a tussle with his classmate over a girl. Washington, June 13 : US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Tuesday said the upcoming state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give the two countries an opportunity to elevate their focus on commercial and strategic technology partnership in defense, clean energy, and medical supply chain. Raimondo was in India earlier this year and has talked fondly - as she did again on Tuesday - of celebrating Holi with her Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal. Modi's upcoming visit on June 22, "will be an opportunity to elevate our focus to commercial and strategic technology partnerships, including in defense, sending medical supply chain, clean energy and space", she said in a recorded video at the annual India Ideas summit hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Modi is coming to the US on June 22 for a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden, including a state dinner. He is also scheduled to address a joint meeting of the US Congress, which will be his second time. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called the visit "historic", in his address at the inaugural event of the summit. New Delhi, June 13 : Congress and several other opposition parties on Tuesday slammed the BJP government at Centre for misusing central agencies for carrying out searches at the office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji. In a statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: "The Congress Party condemns the blatant misuse of the ED in searching the office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji." He termed it "brazen attempts of the Modi government at harassment and intimidation". "Such gross misuse of investigative agencies against political opponents has been the hallmark of the Modi government. These tactics will not succeed in silencing the Opposition. They only reinforce its determination and resolve to continue its democratic struggle against the anti-people policies of the Modi government," Kharge said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin said: "The raid conducted by ED at the Secretariat office of Minister Senthil Balaji, is a direct assault on the federal principle. The backdoor tactics of BJP against its political opponents will not yield them desired results." "BJP will learn it the hard way soon. The silence of people who are watching BJP's cheap acts of vindictive politics should not be underestimated. It is nothing but the calm before the storm of 2024 that will sweep BJP away." His views were also echoed by Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who in a tweet said, "BJP's misuse of central agencies to harass and intimidate the opposition continues unabated. Strongly condemn the ED raids against V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu's Electricity Minister. Blinded by political vendetta, the BJP is causing irreversible damage to our democracy." Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also came out in support of the Tamil Nadu Minister, saying: "I condemn the political vendetta by BJP against DMK today. Misuse of central agencies continues. ED raids in Tamil Nadu at office of Minister for Prohibition and Excise at the state secretariat and his official residence are unacceptable. Desperate acts by BJP." NCP supremo Sharad Pawar too slammed the BJP government at Centre and said, "I strongly condemn ED's incessant actions against the Ministers of governments ruled by Opposition Parties. With the raids on Senthil Balaji's office, ED has now ventured to the southern states with its sinister motive to crush the voice against undemocratic Central government." Patna, June 13 : After the resignation of HAM leader Santosh Kumar Suman as Bihar minister, Bihar's Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government is likely to induct some new ministers. Sources have said that Nitish Kumar would expand his cabinet before the June 23 mega meeting of opposition leaders in Patna. Following the resignation of Suman, a high-level meeting was held at the CM's residence on Tuesday, where, apart from the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, JD-U chief Lalan Singh and other leaders were present. After the formation of Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar last year, three ministers have resigned. Law Minister Kartikeya Singh alias Kartik Master, an MLC of the RJD, had stepped down last year after his name figured in an FIR of a kidnapping case. Agriculture Minister Sudhakar Singh, an RJD MLA, resigned after giving several statements criticising Nitish Kumar. Despite repeated warnings, Singh kept on alleging corruption in the department, saying all the employees and officers are thieves and he is a king of thieves. Suman, who was SC/ST Welfare Minister, resigned on Tuesday, alleging that Nitish Kumar was applying pressure on him to merge his party into the JD-U. There are four posts vacant, and two ministers are likely to come from the RJD quota. Congress was also demanding two ministers but it is most likely that it will get only one post. JD-U has called its Dalit MLA Ratnesh Sada to meet the Chief Minister and there is speculation that he could replace Suman. Chandigarh, June 13 : In a major win for the protesting farmers, the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana government on Tuesday announced that sunflower seeds will be procured as per minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,400 per quintal as demanded by the farmers. The government also announced to withdraw the criminal cases filed against nine arrested farmer leaders. "This is not a question of victory or defeat; this is our right," said Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on government's decision to buy sunflower seeds from the farmers at MSP. As their demands were accepted, celebrations began at the protest site with farmers breaking into a jig. The protesting farmers, who were demanding procurement of sunflower crop at MSP as announced by the Centre and release of arrested agitators, had blocked the National Highway-44 for the last two days by installing tents and temporary sheds. "The farmers are their ending protest in Pipli after talks with the district administration," Tikat announced. The Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra, Shantanu Sharma, said the farmers have been assured of appropriate price for sunflower crop. "Today the government agreed to fulfil our demand," farmer leader Karam Singh Mathana said. Official sources told IANS that various rounds of talks were held between the district administration and the farmer leaders over the past two days, which remained inconclusive. On Monday, Khattar had invited the farmers for talks, but they had refused the proposal. The farmers had said that they will not leave the highway till the government agrees to procure oilseeds at the MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal as announced for the crop by the Central government for 2022-23. The oilseed growers were not happy with the relief announced on June 10 by Chief Minister Khattar, saying "it was an attempt to prevent the 'mahapanchayat' called by farmers' associations". Addressing the 'mahapanchayat', Tikait had said the government should release the farmer leaders who were arrested for blocking the national highway and ensure procurement at MSP, or protests will be held across the country. However, Tikait denied reports that the highway has been blocked. "We are not blocking the highway. It is not right... highways should not be blocked," he told reporters at the protest site on Monday. According to a police advisory, commuters coming from the Ambala side were diverted from Sadhopur to NH152-D (Chandigarh-Hisar) and further commuters can travel via Ismailabad, Karnal and beyond via NH-44. For traffic from Delhi, the commuters could turn via Indri road from Karnal on the NH-44 and travel via Ladwa, Babain, Shahbad and take the NH-44 for their further destination or turn right from Ladwa Chowk to travel via Radaur and take the NH3-44 (Saharanpur-Panchkula) or travel till Nilokheri in Karnal and take Dhand road to reach Kaul and commute via the NH152D for Ambala. New Delhi, June 13 : The Delhi High Court has directed two police officials to plant 100 fruit-bearing trees following their altercation with a lawyer over protecting trees during civil work carried out by a government agency. Justice Najmi Waziri presided over a contempt case against several city officials for violating court orders regarding tree conservation. The court asked the two police personnel to carry out the tree plantation drive at the Delhi Armed Police Parade Ground in Kingsway Camp, specifying that each tree should have a minimum nursery life of three years and a height of at least 10 feet. The court directed the Delhi Police to circulate the current order to raise awareness among police personnel about their responsibility to safeguard trees. The court further emphasised the need to prevent such "undesirable altercations" and ensure prompt assistance to the Tree Officer under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. Senior advocate N. Hariharan, acting as the amicus curiae, said that the matter could be closed in light of the apology but proposed that the police officials should be assigned some social work, such as tree plantation, as they had caused inconvenience to a lawyer, who is an officer of the court, and substantial judicial time had been spent on the various hearings of this case. Considering the sincere regrets expressed by the two police personnel, the judge dismissed the contempt proceedings against them. "...let 100 fruit bearing trees like Pilkhan, Jamun, Amaltas, Goolar, Kathal, Badh, Banyan, Kadamb, Kala Sirus, Safed Sirus, Papri and Maulsari, etc. be planted at the Delhi Armed Police Parade Ground, Kingsway Camp, Delhi by the said police officers," the court said. To avoid similar altercations with lawyers and citizens concerned about the environment, the court directed the Delhi Police to circulate copies of the order throughout their network, including beat constables, to raise awareness among police personnel. In February 2021, the counsel had an altercation with the additional SHO and SHO concerned when he informed them about the need to protect certain trees from damage during ongoing construction work in the Lodhi Colony area. However, the concerned SHO assumed that since the work was being carried out by a government agency, it must have been authorised. Moreover, the counsel representing the Delhi government informed the court that the officials had been cautioned by the relevant Deputy Commissioner of Police and had sincerely apologised to the lawyer. He further said that the police officials had no ill-intentions and are duty-bound to maintain law and order. Guwahati, June 13 : The Gauhati High Court has upheld its September 2018 verdict absolving former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta of the charges of planning a string of arbitrary executions more than 20 years ago. It was alleged that between 1998 and 2001, the police killed at least 400 persons who were family members, relatives, and sympathisers of the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The executions became known as "gupto hoitya" (secret killings) because the perpetrators were never caught. Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, a former journalist and currently a Rajya Sabha member, and another person, Ananta Kalita, who survived a murder attempt on September 18, 1999, had filed an interlocutory application against the 2018 ruling. The two-time former Chief Minister Mahanta hailed the judgement on Tuesday. Mahanta told reporters here, "The court's decision has strengthened my confidence in the judicial system. I am grateful that the court upheld the truth and that the accusations against me were a result of a plot by some politicians and political groups to damage my reputation." Mahanta has been unwell for the past few months and has restricted all of his political activities. The Gauhati High Court order said, "Not only have the applicants failed to convincingly explain the gross delay of 531 days occasioned in filing of the appeal, but they have also made inconsistent and contradictory pleadings in the three affidavits." During Mahanta's second term as Chief Minister, between 1998 and 2001, many ULFA militants were killed. The KN Saikia Commission was established in 2005 by the Congress administration of Tarun Gogoi, who was the Chief Minister at the time. The panel charged Mahanta in its 2007 findings after discovering evidence of a connection between the police and surrendered ULFA militants, who were reportedly deployed as the executioners. However, the high court had declared the commission's formation as unlawful and had annulled it in 2018. Mahanta, the founder and current President of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), was accused by other parties, most notably the Congress, for the extrajudicial deaths. ULFA militants' friends, family members, and sympathisers were repeatedly murdered by assailants wearing masks. The AGP government was overthrown in 2001, after which the massacres ended, marking arguably the darkest period in Assam politics. The Congress had used the secret killings issue extensively to come to power. Ha My cashew nut products (Photo: binhphuoc.gov.vn) These products are of Ha My Joint Stock Company in Tan Lap commune of Dong Phu district. Binh Phuoc boasts more than 50% of the countrys total area and output. The cashew tree of Binh Phuoc has been protected by the National Office of Intellectual Property (Ministry of Science and Technology) for geographical indications throughout the territory of Vietnam. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province is growing cashew on nearly 152,000 hectares, with a total output of 170,000 tonnes. Currently, there are over 1,400 cashew processing and business facilities in Binh Phuoc. The sector earns more than 33 trillion VND (1.4 billion USD) each year. Five Vietnamese banks named in Forbes Global 2000 A total of five local banks have been included in this year's Forbes list of the worlds 2,000 largest firms, according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam. The Forbes Global 2000 list ranks companies based on their revenues, profits, assets, and market value. In its latest listing, the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) ranked 813rd with US$4.4 billion in revenue, US$1.15 billion in profits, US$69.13 billion in assets, and US$18.13 billion in market value. The Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) stood at 1,079th position with corresponding figures of US$6.04 billion, US$779.6 million, US$89.95 billion, and US$9.38 billion. Five Vietnamese banks named in Forbes Global 2000 (Photo: Forbes) Furthermore, the Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) was placed at 1,329th with US$5.45 billion in revenue, US$722.3 million in profits, US$76.71 billion in assets, and US$5.71 billion in market value. This year saw the Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) at 1,532nd with US$2.38 billion in revenue, US$860.6 million in profits, US$29.65 billion in assets, and US$4.31 billion in market value. The Vietnam Military Joint Stock Commercial Bank (MB) duly ranked 1,605th position with corresponding figures of US$3.02 billion, US$746.8 million, US$30.9 billion, and US$3.5 billion. JPMorgan Chase took the leading spot with a market value of US$399.59 billion. Companies in Global 2000 recorded a total of US$50.8 trillion in revenue, US$4.4 trillion in profits, US$231 trillion in assets, and US$74 trillion in market capitalisation. There were a total of 58 countries represented in this years list, in which the United States made up the leading nation with 611 companies, followed by China with 346 companies. Mexico represents 8th largest tuna import market of Vietnam The first 4 months of 2023 saw Vietnams tuna exports to Mexico hit nearly US$7.4 million, up 44% over the same period from last year 2022, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the figures of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). In April alone, tuna exports to the Mexican market surged by 117% to nearly US$1.9 million over the same period in 2022. With this growth rate, Mexico is currently the 8th largest tuna import market of Vietnam. Tuna processed for export (Photo: vneconomy.vn) According to statistics of the General Department of Customs, Mexico primarily imports tuna meat/loin from Vietnam, accounting for 74% of total export value, while the rest is other processed tuna products. Mexico and Vietnam are currently two markets that are quite similar to each other. Many key Vietnamese products enjoy plenty of opportunities to make inroad into the 11th most populous market in the world, especially after the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) comes into effect. Accordingly, frozen tuna loin/fillet products from Vietnam with code HS0304 exported to Mexico are currently being reduced from the base tax rate of 20% to 0%. Other processed tuna products, such as frozen steamed tuna loin, are exempt from tax when imported into the Northern American nation. Tuna processed for export (Photo: VNA) Luu Van Khan, commercial counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Mexico (concurrently Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize), people in this nation strongly consume products that have been preliminarily processed or processed at supermarkets or convenience stores, so tuna products are viewed as potential items among Vietnamese seafood products. According to VASEP, for the whole year of 2022, Vietnam reached the tuna export target of US$1 billion, up 34% on-year. This was also the first time the tuna industry had achieved an export value of billions of US$. This result contributed to the seafood industry's overall export turnover of US$11 billion last year. EU relaxes food safety regulation for Vietnamese instant noodles Vietnamese instant noodle products imported into the European Union (EU) market will not be required of certificates of food safety inspection issued by Vietnams authorised agencies from June 27, said the Vietnam News Agency. The EU on June 7 published an amendment to Regulation 2019/1973 regarding emergency measures for controlling food exports into the EU. Accordingly, the EU has officially moved Vietnams instant noodles from Annex II which requires a Health Certificate (HC) and 20% control at the border gate to Annex 1 which only requires 20% control of the products at EU border gates. EU relaxes food safety regulation for Vietnamese instant noodles Photo for illustration (Source: sggp.org.vn) This decision is a recognition of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s efforts in controlling food safety as well as supporting businesses in solving difficulties. In January 2022, the EU put Vietnamese instant noodles products under the microscope subject to Regulation 2019/1793 in order to control ethylene oxide (EO) residues. Accordingly, any Vietnamese instant noodle products imported into the EU must have a Health Certificate (HC) issued by an authorised Vietnamese agency. Only six months later, the EU removed Vietnams vermicelli and rice products from the list of food safety management. According to the Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU Tran Ngoc Quan, the EUs maintenance of the 20% control at border gates requires Vietnam to always keep food safety control for instant noodles. To improve the quality of Vietnamese products imported into the EU and create conditions for the products to make inroads into this lucrative market, the MoIT has ordered export businesses to well control production supply chains, ensuring strict compliance with the food safety regulations of the union./. New Delhi, June 13 : The much-awaited elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will be held on July 6, returning officer retired high court judge Mahesh Mittal Kumar announced in a notification issued on Tuesday. The announcement comes a day after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed retired high court judge Mahesh Mittal as the returning officer. Earlier, the IOA had suggested July 4 as the polling date. However, the RO on Tuesday announced the new date. "Whereas, the undersigned has been appointed as the Returning Officer by the Indian Olympic Association vide its letter No. IOA/I-28/2023/1350 dated 12th June 2023 for the purpose of conducting the election of the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association(IOA)," the notification read. "Whereas, name of the posts and the number thereof that is to be filled is as under:- President (01), Sr. Vice President (01), Vice President (04), Secretary General (01), Treasurer (01), Joint Secretary (02), Executive Member (05)," it said. "Issue of Notice for election and calling names of authorised representatives for constituting electoral college will be 13/06/2023 while the last date for receiving the names of the electoral college will be 19/06/2023," the notice said. "Preparation and display of the Electoral College and circulation to affiliates and publishing the same on the website of IOA/WFI will be on 22/06/2023 while nominations for elections in Form 2 to be submitted to the Returning Officer in person from 23/06/2023 to 25/06/2023 11.00 AM till 5.00 PM." "Preparation and display of the nominations received by Returning Officer in Form 3 27/06/2023 By 1.00 PM, Scrutiny of nomination papers by Returning Officer 28/06/2023 By 11.00 AM, Preparation and display of the list of validly nominated candidates after scrutiny of nominations 28/06/2023 By 2.00 PM, Submission of notice for withdrawal of candidatures in Form 5 From 28.06.2023 to 01.07.2023 Till 5.00 PM, Preparation and display of Final list of contesting candidates in Form 6 02.07.2023 By 11.00 AM, Polling (during Special General Body Meeting), if necessary 06/07/2023 From 11.00 AM to 1.20 PM, Counting of votes 06/07/2023 From 1.30 PM onwards, Declaration of results after counting of votes 06/07/2023 After counting of votes is over," the notification further read. "Whereas the last date of receiving two nominations from each State/UT for constituting the electoral college has been fixed as 5.00 p.m of 19th June 2023, all the recognised Wrestling Federations of the states/UTs under the ratified constitution of the W.F.I and the guidelines of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Govt. of India are hereby called upon to nominate two (2) persons each of the respective associations who are the members of the executive body of such State/UT Units, for the purpose of constituting the electoral college for the ensuing general election to elect members of the Executing Committee," it said. "The nominations must be sent in the prescribed format enclosed with the notification under the signature and seal of the respective Federations by the President and the General Secretary, but not later than 5.00 p.m of the 19.6.2023. Any submissions made after the expiry of the said date and timeline shall not be considered valid for the above elections." "The nominations of the representatives must be submitted by email to the undersigned on the email address rowfielections@gmail.com. Such nominations shall adhere to the stipulations of relevant provisions of the ratified constitution of the W.F.I. and the Model Guidelines, 2011 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Govt. of India," it added. WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing charges of sexual harassment by India's top wrestlers, has completed three tenures (12 years) in office in March this year. When your product helps safeguard some of the most sensitive data in the world, developing trust and familiarity with the players in this industry is key, and were grateful to the Maryland Department of Commerce for supporting us as we enter further into the European market. KoolSpan, a leading secure mobile communication solutions provider, has announced today its attendance at Infosecurity Europe, the largest gathering of information security industry professionals on the continent. This year marks KoolSpans first year attending the conference, and the company will be doing so in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce. As a global cybersecurity company, conferences like Infosecurity Europe are extremely important to us to help foster relationships with governments and organizations across the world, said Alessandro Ossoli, KoolSpans chief operating officer. When your product helps safeguard some of the most sensitive data in the world, developing trust and familiarity with the players in this industry is key, and were grateful to the Maryland Department of Commerce for supporting us as we enter further into the European market. Every year, the Maryland Department of Commerce the state's primary economic development agency participates in several regional and international trade shows in various key industries. This year, KoolSpan and seven other Maryland-based cybersecurity businesses will join the state's delegation at Infosecurity, which will help foster international business relations in one of the most important growth sectors across the globe. Home of the NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, and National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Maryland leads the U.S. in cybersecurity initiatives and policies, and this partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce positions KoolSpan as one of just a few trusted cybersecurity technology vendors at the epicenter of the industry in the U.S. "As one of the largest cybersecurity shows in the world, Infosecurity Europe provides an excellent opportunity for Maryland businesses to interact with some of the biggest stakeholders and experts in the industry," said Maryland Commerce Deputy Secretary Signe Pringle. "We believe our companies have some of the greatest technology and services to offer, and we hope joining this delegation will bring numerous leads and positive outcomes for each of our participants." Held at ExCeL London (Exhibition Centre London) June 20-22, Infosecurity Europe promises three days of learning, networking, and exploring with the brightest minds in the cybersecurity industry. With threats to cybersecurity in the limelight like never before, events like Infosecurity Europe are invaluable to information security professionals to not only showcase the latest technology, but to also bring the community together to share ideas, strengthen skills, and safeguard the collective future. At Infosecurity Europe, KoolSpan will be meeting with key partners in the security space to discuss how to meet the growing cybersecurity challenges governments and enterprises face in todays digital world. The consequences of data breaches grow more severe each year, and cybercriminals continue to evolve and find new ways of penetrating even the largest and most-resourced organizations. And with more remote and hybrid workers than ever before, governments and enterprises have to find new ways to communicate while balancing productivity and security so that employees can access the data they need to do their jobs, without exposing their organizations to risk. KoolSpan is a trusted partner with dozens of public and private agencies and organizations across the globe and is excited to bring their patented Dome solution to an even broader audience for better, safer communications for all. In attending with the Maryland Department of Commerce, the KoolSpan team will join the department in their booth on the exhibition floor where conference attendees can stop by to learn more about KoolSpans suite of military-grade secure communications solutions, along with other infosec solutions providers in the states exhibit space. To learn more about partnering with KoolSpan in Europe, please visit https://koolspan.com/become-a-partner or search for the company in the Infosecurity Europe exhibitor directory at https://www.Infosecurityeurope.com/en-gb/exhibitor-directory.html. About Infosecurity Europe Infosecurity Europe is the biggest gathering of the information security industry in Europe. Each year, it brings the community together to share innovation, learn from each other, test, and benchmark solutions, build relationships, drive new business, and connect with colleagues. The leading suppliers choose Infosecurity Europe as an opportunity to launch new technologies, products, and services. Its a vital resource for senior buyers to make key investment decisions and every stakeholder comes for the insight necessary to stay ahead in cybersecuritys rapidly evolving game. Visit https://www.Infosecurityeurope.com/en-gb.html for more information. About KoolSpan KoolSpan is a leading provider of secure mobile communication solutions that enable businesses and organizations to communicate securely and privately on mobile devices. The company's solutions are built to meet the strictest data security and compliance standards and are trusted by some of the world's largest organizations. KoolSpan is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with offices in Europe and Asia, and owns 42 patents issued in the U.S. and globally. For more information about KoolSpan, please visit http://www.koolspan.com. "The future of the Internet will revolve around who can put the best strategy in place, who can ignite the power of their own data and convert an online audience for less" - John Lincoln Digital marketing expert John Lincoln is proud to announce the launch of his latest groundbreaking book, Advolution! John has been a leader in the digital marketing space for over 15 years. Hes worked with thousands of clients to increase their sales and brand awareness through digital marketing. When asked why he wrote the book, Lincoln replied: Ask yourself this. What's the perfect way to run your digital marketing program on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis? How do you set up a timed cadence, so it self-improves at the optimized duration? Do you have a documented structure your company adheres to ensuring you follow all the best practices and perform regular legal, network and creative review of your program? Without these frameworks, you will only have short-term gains and be at risk. With these frameworks, it is nearly impossible not to progress. The reason is that the data, insights, tracking, machine learning and strategy improve through systematic analysis. This book is going to push your digital marketing program into the future and keep you there, says Lincoln. John has worked on Advolution over the past two years. In it, he addresses the critical changes in digital marketing for businesses. It covers hot-button issues like how to select the right digital network based on the content it allows and the trust of your customers, how to address evolving digital challenges, how to use AI and how to create, measure, and scale the highest-performing creative advertising content. The future of the Internet will revolve around who can put the best strategy in place, who can ignite the power of their own data and convert an online audience for less, comments Lincoln. Ultimately, Lincoln helps readers develop an executive-level knowledge of how to approach digital marketing and teaches them how to place a systematic framework in their business to avoid big mistakes and double down on wins. Lincoln says, This book is for business owners and marketers who want to have a better understanding of the current state and future of the industry. Its also for students looking to get a jump start on their career. John has previously released two books, 2016s Digital Influencer: A Guide to Achieving Influencer Status Online and 2019s The Forecaster Method: The Modern System to Accurately Evaluate, Forecast, and Scale Your Digital Marketing. In addition to being an author and industry expert, John is the CEO of Ignite Visibility, a digital marketing agency with over 100 clients the agency recently secured its spot on the Inc. 5000 for the sixth year in a row. To learn more about Advolution and order your copy, visit: go.ignitevisibility.com/advolution About Ignite Visibility: Launched in 2013, Ignite Visibility is a premier full-service digital marketing agency based in San Diego, CA. The Ignite Visibility mission is to provide the most effective digital marketing solutions in the industry, a high-touch customer experience, deliver results and use profits to reinvest in client success, employee success and the community. Ignite Visibility is one of the highest-awarded digital marketing agencies in the industry, works with some of the biggest brands in the world and is a 6x Inc. 5000 company. MAK is honored to lead this team of industry-renowned companies to deliver the Immersive Training Environment Program to the U.S. Marine Corps, said Alicia Combs, MAKs Vice President of Training Solutions. MAK Technologies (MAK), a company of ST Engineering North America, today announced that it has won a contract for the Immersive Training Environment (ITE) Project, Phase 2, by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). This project will provide training that immerses Marines into realistic scenarios that combine live, virtual, and augmented reality, allowing them to practice, refine, and reinforce decision-making skills in challenging and realistic environments. As the prime contractor, MAK has assembled a highly capable team to integrate their hardware and software solutions with the USMC Training Instrumentation Systems (MCTIS) equipment. Together, these capabilities will meet the USMCs current and future training requirements in the operational environment. MAK is honored to lead this team of industry-renowned companies to deliver the Immersive Training Environment Program to the U.S. Marine Corps, said Alicia Combs, MAKs Vice President of Training Solutions. We stand ready to define and implement the next generation of virtual and augmented reality training capability to enhance how our nations warriors prepare for battle. ***** ST Engineering North America is the U.S. headquarters of ST Engineering, a global technology, defense, and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defense, and public security segments. Based in Alexandria, VA, it has major operations across 16 cities in 12 states and employs about 5,000 people providing innovative products and solutions to commercial and government customers across diverse market segments. MAK Technologies, a subsidiary of ST Engineering North America, is a leading provider of military simulation technology and training systems. For more than 30 years, MAK has been a trusted supplier of the MAK ONE suite of Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) simulation software to governments, system integrators, and customers around the world. Using the strength and flexibility of the MAK ONE simulation platform, MAK excels as a partner and prime in developing tailored solutions to unique training challenges. MAK's end-user training systems built on MAK ONE are portable, easy to use and maintain, visually appealing, and able to meet individual and collective training requirements. Please visit http://www.mak.com for more information. Lowcountry Connections Academy Celebrates The Class of 2023 Each and every one of them has thrived in our flexible learning environment and we look forward to seeing the impacts our graduates make on the world. Lowcountry Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12 across the state, recently celebrated the schools Class of 2023 graduating high school seniors. The Class of 2023 held their in-person graduation ceremony at the Columbia Convention Center among school administrators, teachers and family members who cheered them on. Lowcountry Connections Academys Class of 2023 consists of 49 graduates from cities and towns across South Carolina, including Conway, Gaffney, Summerville and more. Among the graduating class, 38% plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities, 32% plan to enter the workforce, 21% plan to receive vocational training, 6% plan to take a gap year and 1% plan to serve in the military. College acceptances include EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, South Carolina State University, University of Alabama, and Western Michigan University. We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our second-ever class of graduating seniors, said GeRita Connor, principal at Lowcountry Connections Academy. Each and every one of them has thrived in our flexible learning environment and we look forward to seeing the impacts our graduates make on the world. Lowcountry Connections Academy currently serves more than 670 students statewide, providing them with a flexible and personalized education that can be tailored to meet their needs. With the support of highly-skilled teachers and a robust curriculum, students are able to advance their education while building fundamental life skills. Enrolled students have access to specially trained teachers who aid in helping bring their skills and personality to the forefront in the virtual classroom while emphasizing the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. The school provides a range of support services to help students in college and career planning. Additionally, students at Lowcountry Connections Academy have access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities, and adaptable scheduling, giving them the opportunity to take ownership of their unique educational journey. Students who enroll in the school join a collaborative community of their fellow students and educators that provides a welcoming, distraction-free learning environment. Enrollment for the 202324 school year is now open at Lowcountry Connections Academy for grades K-12. Interested families are encouraged to attend an upcoming online information session to find out if virtual school is the right fit for their students. For more information on Lowcountry Connections Academy, please visit http://www.LowcountryConnectionsAcademy.com. About Lowcountry Connections Academy Lowcountry Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school that will serve students in grades K-12 across South Carolina. Lowcountry Connections Academy will offer a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, visit http://www.LowcountryConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010. Tim Hankins, Senior Vice President of Growth, AaDya AaDyas development of Judy is a game changer for SMBs and Im thrilled by the opportunity to join the company on its mission to protect the businesses that need it most. AaDya Security, a software company making cybersecurity accessible and affordable for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the appointment of Tim Hankins as Senior Vice President of Growth. Tim will be responsible for driving revenue growth, managing sales, customer success and marketing. He is also tasked with driving growth around Judy, the companys all-in-one cybersecurity platform that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to deliver next-generation, 24/7 protection and support for companies who lack the time, expertise and capital to successfully implement these solutions on their own. Tims appointment follows AaDyas recent momentum, including the close of its $5 million Series A funding round led by Left Lane Capital, in April of this year. Aside from filling this key leadership position, the influx of capital will be used to accelerate the growth of AaDyas channel program for managed service providers, resellers and referral partners serving small and medium-sized business customers. Hankins joins AaDya with nearly 20 years of experience driving growth and success for both established businesses and start-up verticals. He is passionate about developing and cultivating high-performing teams. Prior to joining AaDya, Tim served as Senior Vice President of Sales at DecisionLink. Tim has built a reputation as the go-to leader within the cybersecurity industry for exceeding metrics, solving complex problems and closing new business deals, said Raffaele Mautone, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AaDya Security. His background and experience are a perfect fit as we continue to grow and scale our business. In today's digital landscape, the frequency of cyber threats is increasing and SMBs are becoming prime targets. It is crucial for SMBs to have access to affordable and effective cybersecurity solutions. With Judy and AaDya Security, SMBs can now gain resiliency and cyber protection that was previously out of reach, reducing the financial, operational and reputational risks associated with cyberattacks. "Traditional cybersecurity tools are often built for large enterprises, leaving small and medium-sized businesses struggling to implement robust protection due to financial constraints, said Tim Hankins. However, AaDyas development of Judy is a game changer for SMBs and Im thrilled by the opportunity to join the company on its mission to protect the businesses that need it most. About AaDya Security Founded by cybersecurity veteran Raffaele Mautone in March 2019, and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, AaDya Security provides smart, simple, effective and affordable cybersecurity software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Judy, our all-in-one cybersecurity platform, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to deliver next-generation, 24/7 protection and support for companies who lack the time, expertise and capital to successfully implement these solutions on their own. For more information, visit: AaDyasecurity.com. ### In the Book of Daniel, the Bible prophesizes a second empire will arise. This book offers a timeline on the return of Christ to Earth. Based on his interpretation, author W. Richard Viall presents his conclusions on the Last Days prophecy, a theological position held by believers, in The Next Medo-Persian Empire. The book identifies Believers as Christians, Muslims who believe Jesus was a prophet and Messianic Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah. Viall explains his research of the indications that will lead to the end of times and how the next Medo-Persian Empire will be one of those signs. The Medo-Persian Empire was a major ancient civilization that was based in modern day Iran at about 600 BC. In the Book of Daniel, the Bible prophesizes a second empire will arise. The book also offers a timeline on the return of Christ to Earth. Many mainstream Christians regard the fictional account of end times in the Left Behind series of books as fact, said Viall. I truly wish the end of the physical world would be as easy as the books make it out to be, but I dont see anything in the Bible to indicate that. As a military police officer, 44 years ago, the author made a traffic stop of an evangelical Christian woman. The interaction with her raised his curiosity about the end times, and throughout his career he maintained his curiosity regarding the subject. This book represents years of research Viall has put in since that fateful meeting. Recent real-world events should remind us that the geopolitical landscape can change drastically in a short period of time, said Viall. I plan to release a second book examining how the Covid pandemic, the war in the Ukraine and other world events will set us up for that glorious day. The Next Medo-Persian Empire By W. Richard Viall ISBN: 9781664220461 (softcover); 9781664220478 (electronic) Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author W. Richard Viall was baptized in a small country Baptist church in upstate Pennsylvania at the age of 13. In 2013 he came into communion with the Catholic Church. He attended Burlington County College in New Jersey and Victor Valley College in California. Richard is a retired Federal Law Enforcement Training Instructor and resides on Saint Simons Island, Ga. Promoting the importance of food education, students and renowned New York chefs came together in an exhilarating display of culinary talent at the Community Top Chef NYC competition on June 8th. The cooking competition was organized by Common Threads along with hosting sponsor Raymond James Financial, and paired four students from Frederick Douglass Academy in Brooklyn with celebrated chefs Anita Lo, Camari Mick, Edie Ugot, and Cosme Aguilar. They worked in the kitchen to create incredible dishes, with the winning culinary creation being Chana Masala. Common Threads healthy and kid-friendly recipes can be found here. The event comes on the heels of NYCs unveiling of a comprehensive nutrition roadmap that prioritizes food education in their public schools. Common Threads, a national nonprofit that supports food as medicine, inspires communities to embrace healthy cooking, healthy eating and the celebration of culture by providing children, families and educators with hands-on cooking and nutrition education classes. The programs initiatives have been implemented in 72 schools in New York City, enriching the lives of 12,464 students through comprehensive nutrition education. The four teams created top-notch dishes in lightning speed using fresh produce and quality ingredients. The event, which took place at Raymond James Financials headquarters on Park Ave, was emceed by TV host and actor Adam Richman. Judges included chefs Gail Simmons and Ayesha Nurdjaja who selected the winner based on taste, presentation, and overall creativity. "The Community Top Chef NYC competition shines a spotlight on the unifying power of food, said Linda Novick OKeefe, Common Threads Co-Founder and CEO. Every event we organize, every dish that is created, and every connection that is formed propels us towards a healthier, more inclusive world. We are profoundly grateful for the passion and commitment demonstrated by those who participated in and supported this event. The cook-off challenge resulted in Chef Camari Mick and student Sakera Mormon-Hall claiming the title of Common Threads Community Top Chef NYC. Attendees of the invite-only challenge enjoyed lite bites and refreshments. It was exciting to cook alongside world-famous chefs and to see how they work in action. The competition also teaches us about different ingredients and making healthy eating decisions, said student Kaylee Gomez-Lopez. Approximately 74% of NYC public school students come from families living at or below the poverty line, struggling for access to wholesome foods or able to use healthy cooking habits. Common Threads has partnered with NYC public schools for eight years and has taught over 65,000 students in their elementary and middle schools, teaching hands-on cooking and snack-making, the basics of nutrition, and the importance of making nutritious choices in and after-school. Notable participant chefs included: Chef Anita Lo, Culinary Host of Tour De Forks Chef Camari Mick, Executive Pastry Chef at The Musket Room Chef Edie Ugot, Co-founder and Culinary Director of Sidney's Five Chef Cosme Aguilar, Executive Chef at Casa Enrique Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, Executive Chef and Partner at Shukette NYC & Shuka NYC Chef Gail Simmons, Culinary expert, food writer, and Bravo's Top Chef Judge "The Common Threads program is a beacon of light when it comes to teaching students and the community about the power of nutrition and making healthful choices, said Chef Anita Lo. It is a privilege to be involved in such a meaningful initiative that empowers individuals to embrace healthy cooking, healthy eating, and the celebration of culture. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being of our communities." "Prioritizing food education and promoting healthful choices among our students is a key focus for us in New York City," said Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Mayors Office of Food Policy. "The inspirational collaboration between our city's students and recognized chefs, orchestrated by Common Threads, underlines the remarkable impact of this focus. These meaningful partnerships exemplify our citywide commitment to fostering healthier futures for our youth." # # # About Common Threads Common Threads has been providing children and families with cooking and nutrition education to encourage healthy eating habits that contribute to wellness. Founded in 2003, the national non-profit organization focuses on equipping under-resourced communities with information to make affordable, nutritious, and appealing food choices wherever they live, work, learn, and play. Because food is rooted in culture and tradition, Common Threads promotes diversity in all lessons and recipes, encouraging participants to celebrate their culture. Common Threads currently operates in 10 major U.S. cities (Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, Erie, Pittsburgh, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso). During the 2021-22 school year and summer, Common Threads provided hands-on cooking skills and nutrition education to 48,000 students and adults, worked with 310 schools and partners, and served 263,000 healthy meals and snacks. For more information, visit CommonThreads.org. To mark the one-year anniversary of the US Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, healthcare law firm Nelson Hardiman LLP will present the webinar series Dobbs-One Year Later: Your Repro Regulatory Questions Answered. The first webinar in this series will be presented on Tuesday, June 27 beginning at 12 noon PDT. When the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision on June 24, 2022, it denied the human right to abortion that has been precedent for decades and ended constitutional protections. Dobbs effectually gave each state the power to regulate abortion laws. As a result, in the past year, the healthcare landscape has become increasingly localized and complex to navigate. Simultaneously, the use of telehealth for medication abortion care (teleMAB) is increasingly significant and continues to grow as abortion providers think creatively about expanding access. The series, Dobbs-One Year Later: Navigating Your Repro Regulatory Questions, will commence on June 27 with the webinar entitled Understanding the Regulatory and Clinical Implications of Providing Reproductive Healthcare Services. This initial webinar will cover the updates to the legal landscape for abortion providers, particularly focusing on telehealth for medication abortion, in the year post-Dobbs. We will give a broad overview of the legal frameworks that platforms, providers and healthcare practitioners must consider in order to ensure compliance with applicable state abortion and healthcare regulatory laws, including telehealth, scope of practice, and medication regulation. The Dobbs-One Year Later series will be hosted by Founding Partner Harry Nelson and Of Counsel Natalie Birnbaum. Harry is regularly sought by many media outlets for his analysis of practical solutions to problems at the intersection of healthcare transformation, healthcare privacy, and regulatory compliance. Natalie works at the intersection of healthcare regulatory work, telehealth equity, reproductive rights, health, and justice. She frequently writes on the topic of telehealth for medication abortion for the American Health Law Association and owns a reproductive healthcare-focused policy consulting and legal advising firm, Repro Solutions PC. There is no charge for this important and informative webinar. To register, please follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C_PKqzUTTz6ueqgCGBy5Lg Please join us on June 27 as we analyze this important and timely issue that is critical to the healthcare industry and the human right to bodily autonomy which will most certainly be a defining issue in the 2024 elections. About Nelson Hardiman Nelson Hardiman regularly advises clients on new healthcare law and compliance. The firm offers legal services to businesses at every point in the commercial stream of medicine, healthcare, and the life sciences. For more information, please contact us at nelsonhardiman.com. Exhibitor response for the 3rd edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference is exceeding expectations, resulting in a full roster of participants for this year's conference. Exhibitor response for the 3rd edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference is exceeding expectations, resulting in a full roster of participants for this year's conference. Taking place from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm on June 21st at City Winery, this year's edition will showcase the wines of over 15 unique volcanic regions with a packed room of wineries. In addition, the event will include an opening session hosted by John Szabo as well as 3 masterclass seminars scheduled throughout the day, led by viticulture, enology, and volcanology experts. Kicking off the day at 10:30 am, John Szabo, Master Sommelier and expert on volcanic wines will lead the opening session focusing on the volcanic wine movement and the extraordinary geology behind these truly unique wines. At 11:45 am the next masterclass, Volcanic White Wines-from Sicily to Soave to Santorini, hosted by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos of Gaia Winery along with Graziano Nicosia, Meri Tessari & Ron Edwards MS, showcases wines ideally suited summertime drinking. Taking an even deeper dive into the volcanic wines of Santorini is the 1:15 pm masterclass, The South Aegean Volcanic Arc and the Genesis of Santorini's Singular Winelands. This seminar is presented by Geologist Dr. Christos Kanellopoulos, Winemaker/Oenology Professor Yiannis Paraskevopoulos & John Szabo MS, and sponsored by the Santorini Volcanic Terroir Program. Wrapping up the day closer to home is the masterclass, Lake County Wines Are Ready to Rumble, presented by John Szabo, MS, illustrating the proximity of one of these incredible regions here in the U.S. The day's seminars will coincide with the Grand Tasting, which will be ongoing from 11:30 am -- 4:00 pm. With the response from exhibitors and the caliber of this year's speakers, space in the seminars is at a premium, and early registration is recommended. Organizers, Colangelo & Partners, and John Szabo see this response from producers as a sign of ongoing interest in volcanic wines, leading to success for the International Volcanic Wine Conference as well as producers working in these extraordinary regions. Exhibiting wineries this year include Azores Wine Company, Cantina Colli Euganei, Tsiakkas Winery, Vinea Ardua Vineyards, Alberelli di Giodo, Cottanera, Duca di Salaparuta, Firriato, Nicosia, Neri, Passopisciaro, Pietradolce, Planeta, Terra Costantino, Tascante - Tasca d'Almerita, Massimo Lentsch, Nicosia, Donnafugata Wine Estate. Dancing Crow Vineyards, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Brassfield Estate, Wild Diamond Vineyards, Sol Rouge, Obsidian Wine, Dancing Crow, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Wild Diamond Vineyards, Tenimenti Leone, Tenuta di Castellaro, Sassotondo, Azienda Agricola San Teodoro, La Guardiense, Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Domaine Sigalas, Estate Argyros, Gaia Winery, SantoWines, Estate Argyros, Santo Wines, Suavia, Inama, Graziano Pra', Hamel Family Wines, Grand Tokaj, Bosco de Medici, Weingut Krispel, Azienda Agricola Elena Fucci, Cantine del Notaio For more information and the latest conference updates, visit http://www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, and follow the VWI Facebook (Volcanic Wines International) and Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) pages. About John Szabo Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the MS after his name in 2004. He holds the International Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honors, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. Hes principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canadas premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He contributes to many international trade and consumer publications and is currently co-writing a book on wine chemistry. He is a regular guest speaker at events worldwide and has traveled to virtually every wine-producing country on earth, (volcanic and otherwise!) in pursuit of fine wine and to keep on top of this fascinating industry. In his spare time, he tends to his new vineyard in Prince Edward County, Ontario. About Volcanic Wines International (VWI) The mission of Volcanic Wines International is to take the leading role in defining and establishing a Volcanic Wine Movement and to provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high-quality wines with a true sense of place. About Colangelo & Partners Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine, and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on closing the loop between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity, and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com/ Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) receives Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan. (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Minister Bui Thanh Son spoke highly of the strong and intensive development of the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, especially in politics, diplomacy, trade and investment. Highlighting the efficiency of the political consultation mechanism, the minister suggested upholding its role in reviewing and proposing orientations for the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries high-ranking leaders in general and their foreign ministries in particular. Minister Bui Thanh Son said the ministries should step up all-level delegation exchanges, particularly in 2023 to celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership. At the same time, they should carry forward their role as a bridge to push ahead with the materialisation of the action plan implementing the enhanced strategic partnership in the 2022-2027 period, especially the Three Connections initiative that covers supply chain; economies, businesses and localities; and sustainable growth strategies of the two countries, he said. The minister also suggested the two sides enhance cooperation in such new areas as digital economy, green economy and energy transition, while supporting each other at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong sub-region cooperation. For his part, Sarun expressed his wish to welcome Son on a visit to Thailand, and committed to coordinating with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement cooperation contents in all important spheres, including national defence and security, trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The official noted that Vietnam is an important partner of Thailand in the region, and agreed on the need for the two sides to continue their close coordination in maintaining ASEANs solidarity and centrality, and to strengthen their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms. He said apart from big groups and investment projects that are operating fruitfully in Vietnam, more and more Thai enterprises have shown their interest in the market./. Its clear with the shifting increased focus to the current economic climate, banks have put other priorities, sustainability mainly, to the side as the challenges continue. Hexaware Mobiquity, a digital consultancy that designs and delivers innovative digital products and services for the world's leading brands, released today the results of the firms annual Global Benchmark for Sustainable Banking Report. This third iteration of the report surveyed 600 C-suite banking executives across the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Australia, uncovering significant changes in attitudes toward sustainable initiatives. This year, only 26% of C-Suites surveyed declared sustainable banking as a top concern at the board level compared to 41% last year across all regions. In the U.S., almost all (97%) C-suites surveyed in 2021 and 2022 said sustainability was an important part of their business strategy. However, this year, that number has dropped to just over 70%. Following this trend, over 90% of U.S. C-suites surveyed in 2021 and 2022 said they had a representative at the board level who oversees their sustainability strategy. In 2023, that number has fallen drastically to just over 60%. U.S. banks have also scaled back their efforts and actions to foster sustainable behaviors and outcomes. This figure peaked last year, spiking from just over half in 2021 to over 80% in 2022. This year, that number has fallen to its lowest point of just over one-third. The increasing environmental concern and actions observed by U.S. banks in 2022 were extremely encouraging. Now, less than one year later, its interesting to watch this progress decline, said Peter-Jan van de Venn, VP Global Digital Banking at Hexaware Mobiquity. Still, it is important to note that U.S. banks are not an exception when it comes to the scaling back of sustainability initiatives and actions. Each region we surveyed observed a noticeable drop in most categories compared to the previous years. However, its clear with the shifting increased focus to the current economic climate, banks have put other priorities, sustainability mainly, to the side as the challenges continue. Additional key findings include: U.S. banks listed reputational risks (39%) as the most common ESG risk they face, followed by climate change risks (31%) The top concern at the board level for U.S. banks is the present economic climate, followed by talent management. U.S. banks list limited access to talent and expertise as the top barrier to adopting more sustainable practices. The U.S. region saw a significant drop in banks with a sustainability representative at the board level falling from almost 100% in 2022 to just over two-thirds in 2023. In 2022, almost all banks were using digital transformation initiatives to drive sustainable outcomes in 2023, that number has dropped to just over 80%. The full Benchmark for Sustainable Banking Report is available at https://www.mobiquity.com/insights/global-benchmark-for-sustainable-banking-2023. To read more on Hexawares ESG initiatives visit https://hexaware.com/about-us/esg/. To learn more about how Hexaware Mobiquity is transforming companies digital strategies, visit us here: https://www.mobiquity.com/our-work. ### About Hexaware Mobiquity Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 29,000 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With 54 offices in 19 countries, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Mobiquity, part of Hexaware, is a digital consultancy that partners with the world's leading brands to design and deliver compelling digital products and services for their customers. Its approach balances human needs with usefully applied technology, unbound creativity with research and analytics, and agile development with strict engineering and security standards. Hexaware Mobiquity has extensive experience in the banking domain, particularly in creating greenfield digital banks and new labels for our fintech and banking clients. Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com. Learn more about Hexaware Mobiquity at https://mobiquity.com. The Toxic War on Masculinity In The Toxic War on Masculinity, Pearcey takes readers on a fascinating romp through American history to discover how the secular script for masculinity turned toxicand what action we can take to fix it. "Why Can't We Hate Men?" asks a headline in the Washington Post. A trendy hashtag is #KillAllMen. Books are sold titled I Hate Men, No Good Men, and Are Men Necessary? How did an ideology arise that condemns masculinity as dangerous and destructive? Bestselling author Nancy Pearcey has a knack for tackling the tough issues of our day. A former agnostic, Pearcey was hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." In The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes (Baker Books, June 27, 2023), Pearcey takes readers on a fascinating romp through American history to discover how the secular script for masculinity turned toxicand what action we can take to fix it. Pearcey then digs into sociological facts to demonstrate the power of classic Christianity to reconcile the sexes. She equips thinkers and activists to challenge politically correct ideology and bring an evidence-based message of healing into the public square. Nancy Pearcey has written the definitive book on the subject of masculinity for our time. She masterfully and compellingly weaves as true and accurate a picture as imaginable on this most vital of subjects. In so doing she provides great clarity and hope, pointing the way forward. A magnificent achievement. Eric Metaxas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, Is Atheism Dead? and Letter to the American Church; host of Socrates in the City and The Eric Metaxas Show Nancy Pearcey is a bestselling author and speaker. A former agnostic, she was hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Washington Times, First Things, Human Events, American Thinker, Daily Caller, The Federalist, CNSNews, and Fox News. She has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN, and Fox & Friends. She is currently a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. Pearcey's books have been translated into 19 languages and include Total Truth, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and Love Thy Body. Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging. We publish titles for lay Christians on topics such as discipleship, apologetics, spirituality, relationships, marriage, parenting, and the intersection of Christianity and culture. We also publish books and ministry resources for pastors and church leaders, concentrating on topics such as preaching, worship, pastoral ministries, counseling, biblical reference, and leadership. Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers. We are proud to partner with the Aspen Institute to examine key issues that drive innovation and advance health, societal, and systemic changes for the global community, said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Mount Sinai Health System Mount Sinai Health System experts will lead key discussions on womens health, new paths to treat and prevent brain disease, and closing the gap on health disparities at this years Aspen Ideas: Health and Aspen Ideas Festival from Wednesday, June 21, to Friday, June 30, in Aspen, Colorado. We are proud to partner with the Aspen Institute to examine key issues that drive innovation and advance health, societal, and systemic changes for the global community, said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Mount Sinai Health System and Trustee of Aspen Institute. The exchange of bold ideas that lead to sustainable solutions to the worlds most complex problems is one of the reasons we have sponsored the Aspen Ideas Festival for over 10 years. This years Aspen Ideas Festival will feature a range of experts who will share their ideas and insight. Built around festival themes that include the mind, artificial intelligence, energy innovation, and more, Mount Sinais conversations will broaden the understanding of health, science, and innovative thinkers who are moving medicine forward for the health of people everywhere. Mount Sinai is a Presenting Sponsor of the Aspen Ideas Festival and Aspen Ideas: Health, and the only underwriter to support both events. Please note that event time and location details are subject to change; visit our website http://www.mountsinai.org/aspen for the most up-to-date details. Dr. Davis will appear on a panel on identifying diseases in the earliest stages utilizing new nanotechnologythe associated opportunities and riskson Friday, June 23, at 2:50 pm MDT in the East Lawn Tent at Aspen Meadows. The panel will be moderated by Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief, Alan Weil. Health Affairs is the nation's leading health policy journal. Dr. Davis will also lead a conversation on new prevention strategies and treatments for brain disease on Sunday, June 25, at 3 pm MDT in the Booz Allen Hamilton Room at the Koch Building. He will be joined by Paul Kenny, PhD, Ward-Coleman Professor, and Chair, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience; Fanny Elahi, MD, PhD, Director, Fluid Biomarker Research, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Ignacio Saez, PhD, Director, Human Neurophysiology Laboratory, at Icahn Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai will host a panel discussion on womens health that will be moderated by Monica Kraft, MD, Chair of the Mount Sinai Health System Department of Medicine. She will be joined by Elisa R. Port, MD, FACS, Chief, Breast Surgery, Mount Sinai Health System; Alan B. Copperman, MD, FACOG, Director, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Mount Sinai Health System; and Dolores Malaspina, MD, MS, MPH, Professor, Psychiatry, at Icahn Mount Sinai. This program will take place on Thursday, June 22, at 10:20 am MDT in the East Lawn Tent at Aspen Meadows. Thomas Oxley, MBBS, PhD, BMedSc, FRACP, Director, Innovation Strategy, Mount Sinai Health System, will participate in a discussion on brain and computer interfaces on Wednesday, June 28, at 11:50 am MDT in the McNulty Room at the Doerr-Hosier Center. Mount Sinai will host an executive luncheon talk on closing the gap on health disparities. Pamela Abner, MPA, CPXP, Vice President and Chief Diversity Operations Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, will moderate the roundtable and will be joined by Lynne Richardson, MD, FACEP, Co-Director, Institute for Health Equity Research, Icahn Mount Sinai, and Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Tisch Cancer Hospital at Mount Sinai. The roundtable will be held on Friday, June 23, at 12:15 pm MDT at Platos Restaurant in the Walter Isaacson Center at Aspen Meadows. This is a private event with limited capacity; please contact aspen@mountsinai.org for availability. Mount Sinai clinicians will be onsite to provide complimentary full-body skin screenings and body scans with health and risk assessments. All of these offerings will be held at the Mount Sinai Health Experience, located in the Grove at Aspen Meadows. Sessions can be reserved in advance starting on Thursday, June 15, at aspen@mountsinai.org. For more information about Mount Sinais speakers, events, and activities at the Aspen Ideas: Health and Aspen Ideas Festival, visit our website at http://www.mountsinai.org/aspen. About the Mount Sinai Health System Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient practices, nearly 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 7,300 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Reports Best Childrens Hospitals ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the countrys best in several pediatric specialties. For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Oova, Inc., a trailblazer in women's health and fertility solutions, is proud to announce its Series A raise of $10.3M, and introduce the new Oova Membership model, designed to provide unparalleled support and empowerment to women as they navigate fertility while trying to conceive. Unlike traditional one-time purchases or subscription-to-refill kits, the Oova Membership offers a comprehensive, ongoing solution for women's reproductive health. Oova, Inc founder and CEO, Amy Divaraniya, Ph.D., is an expert in biomedical sciences with a focus on genetics. Her personal struggles to conceive due to an irregular menstrual cycle emphasized the lack of resources women have to access instrumental information about their own bodies, leading Divaraniya to the development of Oova's revolutionary technology. Oova is the only test on the market that quantitatively measures luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone (PdG) in real time, providing women with daily insights and actionable advice to optimize their chances of conception. It is FDA registered and the only product that allows its users to sync and share results with their doctor in real time. This innovative approach sets Oova apart, empowering women and their doctors with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. The Oova Kit launched in 2021 and has already trained its model on over 10,000 cycles monitored through the platform. This round of funding brought on renowned investors across various industries and executive level expertise. It is led by Spero Ventures, a firm committed to companies with a positive mission, who are creating new markets and solutions for their customers. Oova has revolutionized the way we understand our hormonal health, said Sara Eshelman, partner at Spero Ventures. By making clinical-grade hormone monitoring convenient and cost-effective for daily use, Oova is empowering its users to understand their cycles, improve fertility outcomes, and manage their symptoms. Simultaneously, Oova offers intricate datasets that provide patients and clinicians an unprecedented objective understanding of how hormones affect our health and well-being. We are honored to be part of the teams mission to bring these capabilities to women, and to clinical care as a whole. Spero Ventures is joined by other strategic firms including US Fertility, Virgin Group, Jefferson Health, Connecticut Innovations, Special Situations Life Sciences Fund, Samsung Next, Hannah Bronfman, and Sara Blakely, the acclaimed businesswoman and founder of Spanx. The US Fertility Innovation Fund is proud to partner with and invest in companies with the potential to transform the reproductive space. Oova is poised to do so by providing a more convenient and cost-effective way to measure reproductive hormones at home, stated Dr. Eduardo Hariton, Managing Director of US Fertility Innovation Fund. Their assays have been rigorously validated and provide accurate results in minutes, allowing them to meet the unique needs of both patients and providers without some of the hurdles of venipuncture. Understanding the evolving needs of women on their fertility journeys, Oova, Inc. is proud to launch the Oova Membership to address these needs holistically. Priced at $99 per month, the membership includes The Oova Kit ($159 value) and offers an array of features for women at every step of their fertility journey, including personalized support from Oovas network of professionals. Key features of the Oova Membership include: Comprehensive Support: The membership grants access to the Oova Provider network, consisting of experienced healthcare professionals and hormone experts. Personalized Guidance: Women receive tailored recommendations from hormone experts through consultations. Community Connection: The Oova Membership fosters a vibrant and supportive community of like-minded women who are on similar journeys to parenthood. By engaging with this community, members can share their experiences, seek support, and forge valuable connections, creating a sense of camaraderie throughout their fertility journeys. "We recognize that women seeking to start or expand their families desire more than just a test or a toolthey want a comprehensive solution," said Divaraniya. "With the introduction of the Oova Membership, we are excited to provide women with a plan for the next steps in their journey to parenthood. By combining expert guidance, personalized recommendations, and a supportive community, we aim to empower women and ensure they have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health." The launch of the Oova Membership reinforces Oova, Inc.'s commitment to revolutionizing women's health and fertility solutions while being a beacon to help them navigate through each stage of their unique journey. Steadfast in their commitment to being the leading resource for women at the forefront of the femtech industry, the Oova team will continue to introduce access to new products and technology on their mission to address each phase of womanhood; from the beginning of menstruation, on the path to parenthood, and through menopause. To learn more about the Oova Membership and how it can support women on their fertility journeys, please visit oova.life. For all media inquires, please contact Sara Spiegel at sara@withsarapr.com For general inquiries, please contact info@oova.life About Oova, Inc.: Oova is the fertility translator that fully illuminates a woman's fertility, giving her and her care team the clearest steps to conception. Founded by doctors and backed by Mount Sinai Hospital, Oova has created a consumer-first, data-driven experience valuable to patients and healthcare providers. Oova's at-home urine test measures luteinizing hormone and progesterone to immediately inform a woman of her most fertile days and confirm ovulation. By delivering advanced personalized analytics and real-time action plans with every hormone reading, Oova is transforming the fertility care experience. Oova has partnered with the leading fertility and women's health practices in the United States. To learn more, visit Oova's website. Princeton focuses on partnering with highly successful and long-tenured medical spas precisely like Genesis. Princeton Medspa Partners has completed its partnership with Genesis Medspa, a Colorado Springs-based aesthetic medical practice. The business was founded in 2007 by industry expert Dr. Lisa Jenks, M.D. Dr. Jenks has long been an influencer in the medical spa industry and was named to the advisory board of Skin Inc. in 2018. She also operates DermAesthetic Consulting, a successful consulting business that helps educate and train physicians interested in entering the medical aesthetics industry. Genesis marks the fifth physician-owned medical spa acquired by Princeton Medspa Partners, and its seventh total acquisition. Princeton focuses on partnering with highly successful and long-tenured medical spas precisely like Genesis. Upon closing the deal, PMP CEO Nick Williams stated, Genesis is far and away the highest-rated medical spa in Colorado Springs, and one of the best aesthetic medical practices in the state. The addition of this partnership to our company is another major feather in our hat. I am very excited to transition my legacy to people that I can trust. The Genesis name means a lot to me, and I wanted to make sure that I partnered with a group that would continue its excellent reputation. I believe I have done just that, said Dr. Jenks after the closing. After meeting the Genesis team and seeing the passion and commitment each member has to a best-in-class client experience, I am confident that they are a perfect fit for the growing PMP family, added Gary Bufalo, Jr., PMP Senior Vice President of Operations. Princeton Medspa Partners has grown dramatically since Williams joined the organization in September of 2022, with him leading the company to more than double in size in both locations and revenue in his first nine months as CEO. I am extremely proud of the growth of the company, but I am far prouder of the incredible quality of practices that we are attracting. Genesis is a great example of the high-quality assets that make up this organization, and why we are extremely excited about its future." The company has significant experience in medspa operations and boasts winner of the Aesthetic Guides 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, Francis Acunzo, as its President. About Princeton Medspa Partners Princeton Medspa Partners is a national aggregator of medspas and aesthetic medical practices. The company focuses its efforts on acquiring and managing provider owned and driven businesses, as well as franchise developments. The company currently owns/manages 10 corporate locations, with a significant number of new acquisition opportunities signed. Inquiries regarding the company can be directed toward Princeton Medspa Partners CEO Nick Williams at nwilliams@princetonmedspapartners.com. Inquiries to the investor board can be directed to Phil Piro at ppiro@princetonequity.com. The waterfront location creates a remarkable opportunity to relax and recreate on Bainbridge Island's gorgeous shores. The marketing tools and brand awareness that Sothebys International Realty brings puts me and my clients in a league of our own, says Mark Middleton. Realogics Sotheby's International Realty (RSIR) global real estate advisor Mark Middletons sale of his clients waterfront Bainbridge Island home sold in an impressive 18 days for $6,150,000, marking this sale as the highest of Marks long career and the largest sales price ever on Country Club Road. The real estate market on Bainbridge Island is unique, and even more so on the islands sought-after waterfront, with some of the highest-valued properties in the Puget Sound region. The Country Club Road home not only set a personal record for Mark but also ranked in the top 10 highest MLS-recorded sales on the island. When Mark Middletons clients approached him about listing their home with views of Puget Sound, the Cascades, and Seattle, he knew that creating a story through professional videography, custom branding, a dynamic website, and more, was the avenue to reach the right buyer for this exceptional property. For a property of this caliber, capturing both its interior and exterior beauty through visual elements allowed buyers searching for a waterfront estate to fully appreciate the remarkable qualities, like 100 feet of low-bank beachfront, that make this home truly unique. Suzy Legier, Marks wife and collaborator, is an interior designer and master home stager. Staging the Country Club Road property was one of the first steps in painting the picture. Throughout Marks career, hes listed a varied portfolio of properties and understands how to highlight a homes best features, crafting a narrative through RSIRs marketing materials and his teams services to present buyers with the essence of the home, its distinctive details, and the lifestyle it inspires. The marketing tools and brand awareness that Sothebys International Realty brings puts me and my clients in a league of our own, says Mark. As Mark knows, its one thing to have an extraordinary listing on your hands, but its another to ensure that news of the listing, and an eye-catching, strategic presentation of it, make it to interested parties. In a result that epitomizes the power of RSIRs network and spirit of collaboration, the homes buyer was represented by Marks fellow RSIR Bainbridge Island brokers, Georg Syvertsen, Arthur Mortell, and Beckey Anderson. The international brands esteemed brokers have access to both a regional and global real estate network. RSIRs strength is in the rewarding relationships our collective of brokers build with each other, says RSIR President and CEO Dean Jones about the ethos of the brand. Were thrilled for Marks successful sale on the island he knows so well, and the fact that RSIR brokers represented clients on both sides of this transaction is emblematic of the remarkable connections within our community. Mark Middletons roots on Bainbridge Island run deephe grew up there, has lived there for over four decades, and has served the islands residents through his real estate expertise for over 18 years. For Mark, selling his clients homes is more than listing them on the marketits how you list them that makes magic happen. Knowing that I am backed by a team, like Suzy and the RSIR marketing professionals, who are just as committed to achieving success on behalf of my clients as I am, allows me to dedicate the full extent of my resources to each interaction, Mark says. About Realogics Sothebys International Realty (RSIR) (https://www.rsir.com) A leading global sales and marketing brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, RSIR is a boutique real estate firm of 300+ brokers, with service branches in downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Madison Park. RSIR is a leading project marketing specialist currently representing more than $1 billion in new construction and condominium developments recently sold, active, and planned throughout the Puget Sound region. About Mark Middleton (https://www.markmiddletonrealestate.com) Offering over 18 years of real estate expertise and a client-first approach, Mark Middleton works harder and smarter to advance his clients goals and protect their best interests every step of the way. He is a multi-year winner of the prestigious REAL Trends Best Real Estate Agents in America award, ranking in the top half of 1% of all Real Estate Agents in America. Mark is among the top agents in Washington state; he was Realogics Sothebys International Realtys top Kitsap County re-sale broker for 2022 and among the highest-producing Realtors in all of Kitsap County by sales volume. Our holistic approach addresses the costs and risks of high-cost medications that are impacting employers' pharmacy benefit budgets nationwide. These strengthened solutions help our clients fight back against the rising tide of costly specialty drugs. RxBenefits, the employee benefits industrys first technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO), and its sister company, RxPharmacy Assurance, today announced new enhancements to their product portfolio designed to improve health outcomes and reduce specialty drug costs for patients and plans. RxBenefits has expanded and strengthened its Protect suite of clinical utilization management solutions to ensure the appropriate use of high-cost medications. RxPharmacy Assurance offers new, lower deductible options and an expanded list of covered conditions for its supplemental stop-loss coverage to indemnify plans and their traditional stop-loss carriers against catastrophic specialty drug claims. Pharmacy is the most widely used healthcare benefit, with specialty medications rapidly accelerating risk and spend. Data from RxBenefits book of business shows just three drug classes -- specialty anti-inflammatory and dermatology drugs and diabetes medications -- accounted for 45% of drug spend in 2022, without necessarily improving the quality of care. The pharmacy benefits landscape is more complex than ever before, said Wendy Barnes, CEO, RxBenefits. "With drug manufacturers investing heavily in direct-to-consumer advertising and provider detailing to increase their market share and profits, employee benefits brokers, self-funded employers, and healthcare consumers need solutions that ensure they pay only for medications that offer good economic and clinical value." Barnes continued, "maintaining a competitive and affordable benefits package is a top priority for chief human resource officers and benefits managers, but without appropriate clinical management and catastrophic claim protection in place, most small-to-medium-sized employers will be unable to achieve that goal much longer. As we face an impending economic downturn, innovative, disruptive, and client-aligned pharmacy solutions are needed to change the trajectory." In 2022, the Protect suite of clinical solutions eliminated wasteful spending via independent clinical expertise, oversight, and intervention to deliver average annual plan savings in the five to seven percent range. Now enhanced to directly address the three drug classes driving disproportionate increases in pharmacy spending, RxBenefits expects its newly enhanced Protect suite of clinical solutions to deliver seven to 10 percent annual plan savings, while enhancing the health and safety of patients. The new enhancements include the expansion of the company's proven and highly differentiated pharmacist-led prior authorization process, which encompasses a review of patient chart notes to uniquely address the recent increase in the prescribing of high-cost next-generation diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro for weight loss something that may not be detected by PBMs' electronic PA processes. Protect enhancements also include a high-touch therapeutic interchange solution that identifies and promotes lower-cost, effective alternatives in the anti-inflammatory and dermatology drug classes, an enhanced digital engagement platform that offers members real-time access to current prior authorization status and personalized communications, and guaranteed program savings. RxPharmacy Assurance provides flexible, accessible pharmacy-only supplemental specialty stop-loss coverage with multi-year, laser-free protection from catastrophic specialty claims, above and beyond traditional stop-loss coverage. The new enhancements include a choice of attachment points/deductibles from $100K to $250K, a more extensive list of covered conditions that require specialty therapies, and more. The Protect and RxPharmacy Assurance solutions are important components of our comprehensive, layered approach to reducing pharmacy cost and risk and improving member outcomes," said Mark Campbell, SVP of Clinical Solutions, RxBenefits. Our holistic approach addresses the costs and risks of high-cost medications that are impacting employers' pharmacy benefit budgets nationwide. These strengthened solutions help our clients fight back against the rising tide of costly specialty drugs. Earlier this year, RxBenefits announced the launch of two new patient assistance solutions, which address key shortcomings of current patient assistance offerings while also alleviating the financial strain for plan sponsors and patients alike. Combining these solutions with Protect and supplemental stop-loss coverage from RxPharmacy Assurance creates a layered approach to help drive plan savings and mitigate risk, with particular focus on high-cost specialty drugs. To learn more about RxBenefits Protect and RxPharmacy Assurance, visit rxbenefits.com/solutions. A panel of RxBenefits' executive leaders will discuss the solution enhancements during the companys upcoming webinar titled RxBenefits Innovation 2023: Solutions for Staying Self-Funded in an Increasingly Costly Pharmacy World. Register here today: rxbenefits.com/webinars/rxbenefits-innovation-2023. About RxBenefits RxBenefits is a technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO) with more than 800 pharmacy pricing, data, and clinical experts working together to deliver prescription benefit savings to employee benefit consultants and their self-insured clients. With more than 3 million members, RxBenefits brings market-leading purchasing power, independent clinical solutions, and high-touch service to its customers ensuring that all plan sponsors, regardless of size, can provide an affordable and valuable pharmacy benefit plan to their employees. The company is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., with a second office in Towson, Md., For more details, visit rxbenefits.com or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. About RxPharmacy Assurance RxPharmacy Assurance, Inc., a sister company of RxBenefits, is a Vermont-domiciled Sponsored Captive managed by Marsh Captive Management. Upon meeting membership eligibility requirements, self-funded plans of all sizes can access affordable supplemental stop-loss insurance designed specifically to manage pharmacy risk by forming a cell within RxPharmacy Assurance. The unique solution limits the amount that a plan or its stop-loss carrier are required to pay to safeguard against unexpected and potentially catastrophic specialty claims. RxPharmacy Assurance is offered through an exclusive network of certified insurance brokers. To learn more, visit rxpharmacyassurance.com. Schenectady City School District Joins the Empire State Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information. Today, the Schenectady City School District announces it has joined the Empire State Purchasing Group, a regional purchasing community by Bidnet Direct. Local government agencies throughout New York State utilize the purchasing group for bid and vendor management. The Schenectady City School District invites all potential vendors to register online with the Empire State Purchasing Group to access its upcoming solicitations by visiting http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/schenectadyschools. The Schenectady City School District joins the Empire State Purchasing Group and the community of over 300 participating local government agencies located throughout New York. Along with a variety of bid and vendor management solutions, the Schenectady City School District gains access to a bid library to help with bid creation, a shared pool of vendors, and association with like-minded purchasing professionals in the area. Collaboration is important to us, says Darla Gullotta, Purchasing Agent. We look forward to being able to improve our efficiency by using the Empire State Purchasing Group. In addition to our time savings, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state. We invite all of our current vendors to register. Vendors interested in doing business with the Schenectady City School District and other nearby government agencies are encouraged to register at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/schenectadyschools. Benefits of joining the Empire State Purchasing Group include: Centralized location for bids from over 300 participating agencies Bid alerts customized to the vendors products or services Reliable and timely delivery of notifications, addenda and documents Advanced notice of Term Contract expiration E-Bid and E-Quote Submission The Empire State Purchasing Group is one of Bidnet Directs regional purchasing groups throughout the country. It provides the Schenectady City School District a bid and vendor management solution, document and addendum distribution, and tracking of all activity throughout the procurement process. About the Schenectady City School District: The Schenectady City School District, with a population of nearly 10,000 students is one of the largest districts in the Capital Region. The district includes eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school and an adult and continuing education center. The District employs a Superintendent of Schools to manage the day-to-day affairs of the District while advising the Board. The District has approximately 1,800 full or part time employees and an additional 65 per diem teacher substitutes. The Purchasing Department is part of the District's Business Office that also consists of the Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Business Official, District Treasurer, Human Resource Liaison, Accounts Payable Clerk, Payroll Clerks, internal claims auditor along with several other clerical positions. Our Purchasing Department issues approximately 7,700 purchase orders annually and participates in cooperative bid services with Capital Region BOCES and Educational Data Services. About Bidnet Direct: Bidnet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. Bidnet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Empire State Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers The success of the most recent bond sale is a testament to the diligent work being done by the Sierra College administration, staff, and Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, said Paul Bancroft, Sierra College Board of Trustees President. Sierra College, the District, announced that on June 8, 2023, the District sold $63 million of the $350 million Measure E General Obligation Bonds approved by registered voters in 2018. To date, the District has issued $240 million of the Measure E Bonds and has $110 million in authorization remaining for future construction projects at the Rocklin Campus. This is the third of five planned sales of Measure E General Obligation Bonds. The Bonds were sold at a true interest cost of 3.90%, which was below the pre-pricing estimate of 3.95%. The District leveraged its exclusive AAA credit rating by Moodys Investors Service to generate orders from thirty-seven bond accounts consisting of bond investors and money managers such as PIMCO, American Century, Merrill Lynch, and Blackrock. At the close of the order period, the District received a total of $277 million in orders for $63 million bonds. Strong demand for the Districts Bonds enabled the District to save approximately $620,000 in interest costs compared to the pre-sale pricing estimate. The success of the most recent bond sale is a testament to the diligent work being done by the Sierra College administration, staff, and Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, said Paul Bancroft, Sierra College Board of Trustees President. Through planning and execution, the District has achieved a credit rating on par with the United States government, creating significant cost savings. Measure E Funds have been used to improve the Rocklin campus, with completed projects including campus-wide infrastructure improvements, campus center renovations, a new parking facility, and a near-complete 77,000 square foot instructional building scheduled to open this fall. Additional upcoming Measure E-funded projects include a new 65,000 square foot science building, and modernization of the Applied Technology Center to create a vocational technology learning hub on the Rocklin campus. Registration at Sierra College is open for Fall 2023. More information on affordable, convenient, and relevant education is available at http://www.SierraCollege.edu/YouCan. Information on construction projects at Sierra College, including live construction cams, as well as the Facilities Master Plan, is available at http://www.SierraCollege.edu/Improvements. About Measure E The majority of Sierra Colleges Rocklin campus facilities and infrastructure was constructed in the 1960s. Although the college has done an excellent job of maintaining these facilities, many of our buildings and infrastructure systems are now well beyond their useful life and in need of major renovation or replacement. In 2017, the college updated its Facilities Master Plan, establishing a long-term vision for the Rocklin campus and, in June 2018, the community approved Measure E to fund the implementation of the first phase of this Master Plan. More information is at http://www.SierraCollege.edu/Bond. About Sierra College Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information is at http://www.SierraCollege.edu. ### One of the key challenges we face in aviation is that its very difficult to find a lender with an in-depth understanding of our industry ... That is what makes Signature Bank so unique I dont have to explain aviation industry nuances, best practices, or federal obligations. Signature Bank, one of the countrys fastest growing, independently owned business banks in Illinois, and RKR, Inc., a commercial real estate developer, have announced the expansion of their financial relationship. Signature Bank has approved a new financing facility capital to support RKRs future aviation developments, including at the Camarillo, Calif. airport. The two companies began working together in 2019 when Signature Bank financed RKRs CloudNine executive hangar in Camarillo, followed by CloudNines acquisition of FBO Channel Islands Aviation (CIA) in 2022. Notably, CIA has secured a 50-year lease with the County of Ventura and has committed to modernizing the existing facilities to include a luxury fixed based operators (FBO) and 64,000 square feet of hangar and office space. One of the key challenges we face in aviation is that its very difficult to find a lender with an in-depth understanding of our industry and the high cost of development that is essential to a successful partnership, stated Nick Martino, Vice President of Operations for CloudNine. That is what makes Signature Bank so unique I dont have to explain aviation industry nuances, best practices, or federal obligations. They know our space and we both value a successful relationship. CloudNine Construction Near Completion Created by visionary commercial real estate developer Ronald Rasak of RKR, Inc., CloudNine in Camarillo, Calif. is a luxury, private hangar complex at Camarillo Airport offering an impressive 255,000 square feet of ramp space and 121,621 of hangar space and office space. Construction will be completed in spring 2023 and features upscale amenities and customization opportunities for aircraft operators who desire privacy, security and luxury in their own exclusive hangar and office. CloudNine has already secured a 50-year lease with operators recognizing the long-term viability and sustainability of this project. It is the first of several planned CloudNine developments. We are thrilled that CloudNine at Camarillo already has secured leases, with the opportunity for additional leases with hangar and office space that can be customized, said Ronald Rasak, CEO of RKR, Inc. and CloudNine. We invite aircraft owners to explore how we can provide them with an unparalleled hangar experience. Channel Islands Aviation Acquisition Complete Channel Islands Aviation (CIA) was acquired by CloudNine in 2022 and is one of three FBOs at the Camarillo airfield. The company has been on site since 1976 and is the airports only full-service FBO. CIA offers a Part 141 flight school with more than one hundred active students and is a partner campus to Liberty University for students interested in becoming commercial pilots. CIA is also a Cessna, Cirrus and ICON service center and an FAA approved part 145 repair station, in addition to providing a wide range of other aviation services. CIA offers fuel and maintenance services to aircraft owners who lease at CloudNine in an ala carte format, customized to each clients needs. The company also is an authorized Garmin dealer. As a Ventura County native, I was familiar with the legacy of Channel Islands Aviation and knew it would be a huge asset to our offerings at CloudNine, said Nick Martino, Vice President of Operations for CloudNine. It is the only full-service FBO at the airport, providing a wide range of aircraft owners streamlined services. Signature Bank and RKR/CloudNine worked closely with the County of Ventura on development plans for CloudNine, which is currently the airports primary development project. This included the acquisition of long-time resident CIA in 2022. CIA provides more than forty jobs for the Ventura County community, with additional jobs created because of this modernization project which includes a 50-year lease and approximately 260,000 ramp space. Signature Banks customer-centric approach and expertise in the aviation industry allowed us to partner with RKR in California on their unique projects and acquisition opportunities, stated Dave Wymer, Senior Vice President, Signature Bank. While most of our relationships are concentrated in the Midwest, as our clients grow and expand, we grow and expand with them. We are thrilled to work with RKR as they further solidify their leadership position in the luxury aviation space, and we appreciate the ease of the dynamic in working with the County of Ventura on the CloudNine at Camarillo project. For additional information about Signature Bank and its full-service, commercial bank offerings for privately owned businesses and their owners, visit http://www.signaturebank.bank or call 773-467-5600. Aircraft owners interested in exploring leasing opportunities at CloudNine at Camarillo are invited to contact Nick Martino, Vice President of Operations for CloudNine, at 805-612-3647. About Signature Bank Signature Bank is an award-winning, relationship-based commercial bank wholly owned by Signature Bancorporation, Inc., a privately funded, locally owned bank holding company founded in 2006. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, Signature Bank provides accessible, strategic, and highly individualized commercial banking services to closely held companies, as well as full-service retail banking capabilities. Technology driven and well-capitalized, Signature Bank is currently the fastest growing, independently owned business bank in the Chicagoland area. Visit Signature Bank online at http://www.signaturebank.bank. About RKR, Inc. RKR Incorporated is a commercial real estate development firm renowned for its vision, innovation, and dedication to excellence. Founded by CEO Ronald Rasak in 1986, the companys creative, solution-oriented team approaches each project armed with a comprehensive understanding of market conditions and economic trends. Featuring state-of-the-art technology and unique, streamlined design concepts, RKR developments continue to benefit both investors and community members for years to come. For more information visit http://www.rkrinc.com About CloudNine CloudNine is a private hangar complex offering an exclusive hangar campus at select markets throughout the country. Created by visionary commercial real estate developer Ron Rasak of RKR, Inc., the CloudNine at Camarillo, CA opened in June of 2023 and offers some 121,621 square feet of private hangar and office space and ramp space of 255,000. For leasing information visit: http://www.cloudninehangars.com or call Nick Martino, Vice President of Operations for CloudNine, at 805-612-3647. About Channel Islands Aviation Channel Islands Aviation (CIA) was Camarillos first full service FBO and has been serving general aviation in Ventura County since 1976. Acquired by CloudNine in 2022, CIA offers fuel sales and hangar space, flight training, and aircraft maintenance. For more information visit https://flycia.com/ CEOs in Kuwait are looking past recent economic slowdowns and are winding up to catapult organizational growth in the three-year horizon 20222025, a report said. Keeping in mind the factors that led to and rose from such events, KPMG Kuwait has launched its latest report KPMG Kuwait CEO Outlook 202223: Turning the tide. The report draws on the perspectives of 1325 global CEOs, including 25 from Kuwait, to provide a detailed overview of their outlook on Kuwaits economic landscape and insight into their near- and long-term plans. This is the second edition of the KPMG Kuwait CEO Outlook, which was first published in 2021. Speaking at the launch event, Dr Rasheed Al-Qenae, Managing Partner, KPMG Kuwait, said: The past years were turbulent to say the least. To stay afloat after back-to-back catastrophic events and the resulting uncertainty, businesses needed to be resilient to the challenges and confident in their approach. This years report is more than numbers; it is about CEOs show of heart and strength of character to find opportunity in uncertainties, which is evident in the results. The KPMG Kuwait CEO Outlook 202223 focuses on four primary themes: (i) economic outlook; (ii) technology; (iii) talent; and (iv) ESG (environment, social and governance). The report projects a stark distinction between some of the global trends and those in Kuwait. The findings indicate that more than 70% of the surveyed CEOs think a recession is unlikely to hit Kuwait in the near future. However, they are not undermining the fact that a potential event would in fact affect their earnings and slow down post-pandemic recovery. In light of more such contrasting perspectives, KPMG Kuwait interviewed five CEOs from the country to understand how relevant some of the survey findings were to Kuwait. These CEOs were Raed Jawad Bukhamseen, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, KIB, Maziad Alharbi, Chief Executive Officer, stc, Ali H. Khalil, Chief Executive Officer, Markaz, S.N. Ramachandran, Group Chief Financial Officer, Fouad Alghanim Group, and Mazen Hawwa, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, United Real Estate Co. According to the report, 100% of the CEOs are confident in terms of Kuwaits growth prospects. Echoing this finding, Mazen Hawwa said: Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the Kuwaiti market as it actively seeks to create new business sectors within the economy. The survey results highlight that CEOs are putting more capital toward acquiring new technology to stay competent. In his interview, Eng. Maziad Alharbi justified the trend and said, A new era of transformation has begun where corporates and governments are more focused than ever on adopting sophisticated technologies and new business strategies that will maintain their competitive positions. Ali H. Khalil addressed the elephant in the room, i.e. the rise of emerging technologies as the biggest risk to growth, and said, As new disruptive technologies become more frequent, the challenge is constantly reviewing and realigning the strategy with such technologies to capture new and relevant trends. The report points out that despite economic uncertainties, CEOs are still hopeful for M&A driven growth. Talking about the role of M&A in the future, Mr. S.N. Ramachandran said, I expect 2023 will be an exciting time for M&A, with transformation and transactions at the forefront of value creation strategies. The CEOs also underlined that when it comes ESG, the biggest downside of failing to meet stakeholder expectations is higher cost of and/or difficulty in raising finance. Although sustainability is yet to pick up speed in Kuwait, the onus is on major industries to drive the change. In the report, Raed Jawad Bukhamseen spoke about the future of sustainable finance in Kuwait and said: As sustainability takes on increasing global significance, Kuwait aims to position itself as a financial and trade hub by incorporating sustainable finance principles into its banking industry. KPMG Kuwait CEO Outlook 202223: Turning the tide was initially scheduled for a 2022 launch but was pushed to Q2FY22 to gain an overarching understanding of Kuwaits economic landscape from the CEOs view. Concluding the event, Dr Rasheed said: I am sincerely thankful to the dignitaries for taking the time to participate in our publication and everyone else who helped put this report together. The launch was conducted in the format of a media roundtable at the Four Seasons Hotel, Kuwait, in the presence of members from the press. TradeArabia News Service Vietnam and Kazakhstan business meeting within the framework of the visit and working session of the Kazakh trade-economic delegation and manufacturers in Vietnam on March 15-17 (Photo: congthuong.vn) Vietnam and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations on June 29, 1992. The current friendship and good tradition between the two countries, inherited from previous generations, is always deepened and constantly put into practice. Over the years, Vietnam and Kazakhstan have maintained regular exchange of delegations at all levels, including high-level ones, on all channels of the Party, the National Assembly and the State; and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations. Despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Kazakhstan share many things in common, as well as favorable conditions for the development of bilateral relations. The two countries are gateways to ASEAN and Central Asia, receiving many cooperation opportunities from the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement, while Kazakhstan is a member of the EAEU. Kazakh Ambassador to Vietnam Yerlan Baizhanov emphasized that economy is an important pillar in Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations. In 2022, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Vietnam reached nearly USD600 million. In which, exports from Vietnam to Kazakhstan reached USD525 million, imports from Kazakhstan to Vietnam reached USD60 million. On the basis of the trustful political relationship cultivated by generations of leaders of the two countries, over the past time, bilateral cooperation has continuously developed in many fields, especially trade. In particular, the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement that took effect in 2016 has created a driving force to promote trade exchange between the two countries. The establishment of the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Committee on economic-commercial and scientific-technical cooperation is also an important basis for strengthening bilateral relations. Specifically, two-way trade turnover has increased by about 3 times compared to the level before the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement was signed. Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Kazakhstan is a member, signed a free trade agreement in 2015. Since then, bilateral trade turnover has grown positively, averaging about 28% per year. Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with an area of more than 2.7 million square kilometers and a population of more than 19 million. This is an important transshipment center for goods by road from Asia to Europe. Kazakhstan is Vietnam's second largest trading partner in the EAEU. Regarding investment, Kazakhstan has 5 FDI projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of about USD500,000. Currently, many Kazakh entrepreneurs consider Vietnam an attractive destination to seek new business opportunities and investment cooperation. In addition, the establishment of a direct flight route between the two countries in 2022 has contributed to facilitating the exchange of delegations as well as promoting bilateral cooperation in potential fields such as tourism and transportation. Vietnam has become an attractive destination for many Kazakh tourists. The Kazakhstan side wishes to cooperate and invest with Vietnam in the fields of high-tech clean agriculture and renewable energy. In general, economic cooperation between the two sides still has a lot of room for development, especially in the fields of agriculture, tourism, clean energy and high technology. Along with that, the good relations that the leaders and people of Vietnam and Kazakhstan have built in the past time are the foundation to further promote cooperation between the two countries in the coming time. Most recently, Vietnamese Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan visited Kazakhstan in October 2022 and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi also visited Vietnam in August 2022./. Stepwells most significant impact has been the uptick in the quality of monitoring activities, which decreases the need for school staff to shepherd along the process or manually processing data and creating reports, said Andrew Henry, President of Red Cedar Solutions Group. Stepwell, a collaborative web-based platform providing visibility into special education compliance and monitoring for results, is now available to school districts. The district-level solution will help education leaders plan and implement systemic changes to achieve better outcomes for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To meet the requirements of IDEA and ensure students with disabilities grow and develop their skills, school districts must collaborate with families of students to assess each students needs and develop and implement an IEP. However, according to a 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Education, more than half of the 50 states and the District of Columbia didnt meet the requirements or purposes of the IDEA for Part B, which ensures the free appropriate public education for students with disabilities, ages 321. Stepwells most significant impact has been the uptick in the quality of monitoring activities, which decreases the need for school staff to shepherd along the process or manually processing data and creating reports, said Andrew Henry, President of Red Cedar Solutions Group, the organization that created Stepwell. Crucial aspects of monitoring are automated by Stepwell, so staff time can be devoted to supporting the people and programs that produce results. Stepwell streamlines relevant information and workflows so that education leaders can focus on system-wide improvement and overcome cumbersome tasks associated with compliance management. Through providing an online, collaborative environment where educators can view top tasks, reports, updates, deadlines and more, Stepwell provides greater visibility into IDEA Parts B and C monitoring and accountability across a school district. In addition, Stepwell offers the following benefits: Insights into relevant student data, processes and timelines, making it easier for educators to collaborate with other teams spread across a school district. Improved communication between educators, ensuring important information is shared with others and together, colleagues can highlight whats working and where additional resources are needed. Embedded best practices to help inform district-level root cause analysis and provide a foundation for improvement planning. Decreased manual reporting and data collection, freeing up educators to work more with their students. Together, Stepwell provides the structure and support education leaders need to monitor their special education systems in placeand shift the focus from compliance to quality special education districtwide. To learn more about Stepwell, please visit https://www.stepwelled.com. About Red Cedar Solutions Group Red Cedar Solutions Group is a technology company founded and led by experienced educators. Designed to improve special education outcomes, Red Cedars Stepwell solution is a collaborative web-based platform for managing all aspects of Parts B and C compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Stepwell provides visibility for all aspects of special education compliance and monitoring at the district, regional and state levels. With in-depth analysis and reporting tools, state education leaders are able to see the complete picture of all special education initiatives. For more information, visit https://www.stepwelled.com. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients. We are grateful for the opportunities that have allowed us to thrive and contribute to the growth of the Asian American business community - Stirista CEO Ajay Gupta Stirista, a leading data-driven marketing company, today announced that it has been honored as a recipient of the respected U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) 2023 Fast 100 Asian American Business Award. Under the leadership of CEO and Founder Ajay Gupta, Stirista has continued to achieve exceptional revenue growth, innovation, and commitment to excellence for brand and agency marketers. The USPAACC Fast 100 Asian American Business Awards celebrate outstanding Asian American-owned businesses that have exhibited remarkable growth, resilience, and achievement in their respective industries. Through a rigorous selection process, Stirista has emerged as one of the elite companies to receive this accolade, underscoring its remarkable contributions to the Asian American business community. Standing apart from its competitors, Stirista utilizes its all-inclusive performance media solution which combines the power of data, email, and digital execution to help clients acquire and retain customers more quickly and efficiently. Aiming to enable brand marketers and agencies with actionable insights and personalized marketing solutions, Stirista facilitates audience creation, media activation coupled with reporting and attribution to power highly targeted omni channel campaigns. "We are thrilled and honored to be recognized as one of the USPAACC Fast 100 Asian American Business Award winners for 2023," said Gupta. "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients. We are grateful for the opportunities that have allowed us to thrive and contribute to the growth of the Asian American business community." Stirista's inclusion in the Fast 100 list demonstrates its accomplishments but also serves as an inspiration to other Asian American businesses seeking to make a significant impact in their industries. By demonstrating consistent growth and innovation, Stirista has become a clear example of what can be achieved through perseverance, resilience and a customer-centric approach. ### About Stirista Stirista is a leader in data-driven marketing through its all-inclusive award-winning performance media solution which combines its data, email, and digital prowess to help clients acquire and retain customers. Named one of Americas fastest growing private companies in 2022, Stirista offers clients a unique data-driven experience by utilizing precise audience data combined with access to Stirista's proprietary ESP and DSP platforms to yield the fastest time-to-market actionable insights and optimized campaigns. For more information, please visit http://www.stirista.com. About USPAACC Founded in 1984 in the nation's capital, the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) is the most established and effective national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing all Asian American and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services. USPAACC's mission is to promote and propel economic growth and job creation by opening doors to business and professional opportunities for Pan*Asian Americans and their partners in corporations, government at the federal, state, and local levels, and the small, minority, and diverse business communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, USPAACC reaches Pan Asian American businesses nationwide through regional chapters in California, Texas, New York/New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, and the Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia National Capital Area. To learn more, visit http://www.uspaacc.com. We are glad to support the extension of the relationship between TASC and BURN, and are confident the targeted households will enjoy the many benefits of these life-improving appliances. - Xavier Pierluca and Peter George, Co-Investment Directors, Spark+ The Spark+ Africa Fund (Spark+ or the Fund) has provided US $3.5 million in long-term carbon project financing to a Mauritius-based subsidiary of TASC (the Company). It is the Funds sixth transaction since it launched in March 2022. The project finance debt will enable TASC to distribute 90,000 wood cookstoves to bottom of the pyramid households in rural Zambia who are otherwise unable to afford high-quality improved cookstoves. The stove distribution will generate several million tons of Emissions Reductions (ERs) via the inclusion of a new Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) under TASCs existing Gold Standard Programme of Activities (PoA). ERs generated by the project have been pre-sold at a fixed price via an Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) with a multinational company active in the voluntary carbon market. Stoves will be supplied by BURN Manufacturing (BURN), a Kenyan manufacturing company that specializes in the design and manufacture of biomass, electric, and LPG cookstoves that save consumers time and money, improve health, reduce harmful pollution, and limit the use of wood and charcoal. In 2022, Spark+ invested in BURN via a long-term quasi-equity instrument. Xavier Pierluca and Peter George, Co-Investment Directors, Spark+: We are pleased to partner with TASC to benefit 90,000 households otherwise unable to afford high-quality efficient cookstoves. We are also glad to support the extension of the existing relationship between TASC and our portfolio company BURN, and are confident the targeted households will enjoy the many benefits of these life-improving appliances. Alick McIntosh, Chief Executive Officer, TASC: TASC prides itself on implementing high-quality carbon projects with a focus on integrity and transparency. We are very excited about our collaboration with Spark+ Africa and the significant impact this project will have on the lives of many Zambians. Kanwal Rathi, EQ Investment Officer and member, Spark+ Investment Team: We are very pleased to engage with TASC on this exciting carbon project in Zambia. It features unique co-benefits targeting the low income segment in remote areas, which are extremely relevant to the mandate of Spark+. Spark+ was advised by international law firm Morgan Lewis Bockius led by Boston-based partner Carl Valenstein, with support from London-based partner Ayesha Waheed, Philadelphia-based partner Kenneth Kulak, and Londonbased associate Opeyemi Atawo. Also supporting the transaction were Ibrahim Diallo and Alexander Johnson from the University of Michigan Law Schools International Transactions Clinic (ITC), with oversight by Clinic director David Guenther. TASC was advised by RWK Goodman led by London-based partner Paul Webb. About clean cooking solutions: 900 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack clean and modern energy for cooking. Without the electric stoves and piped natural gas prevalent in developed countries, they are forced to spend an estimated $35 billion annually on unhealthy and polluting open fires, charcoal, and kerosene. According to a 2020 World Bank report, this generates annual social, environmental, and economic costs of more than $330 billion in Africa, while the investment required by the private sector to deliver access to modern alternatives would be only $2.6 billion. Solutions that rely on LPG, ethanol, electricity, biogas, and processed biomass fuels, as well as more efficient biomass stoves, are being commercialized with technology-integrated business models and are enabling underserved consumers to adopt modern energy. About Spark+ Africa Fund: Spark+ is the first impact investment fund launched by Spark+ General Partner (GP), a joint venture between its Switzerland-based investment advisor EQ, and Netherlands-based foundation SMC. Switzerland-based Woodman Asset Management acts as the Funds Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). The Fund was developed with support from the UN Foundations Clean Cooking Alliance and its investors include leading development finance institutions, pension funds, family offices, and foundations. http://www.sparkafricafund.com About Enabling Qapital: EQ is an investment advisory company with strong ties in the impact investment sector and deep expertise in finance, with its founding partners unique skillsets and 100+ year proven track record. EQ is the exclusive advisor to the Enabling Microfinance Fund and has a global footprint of investment professionals across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America who originate, execute, and monitor investments. EQ is the exclusive investment advisor to Spark+ and a shareholder in the GP. http://www.enabling.ch About Stichting Modern Cooking: SMC is a Netherlands-based foundation governed by a management board which consists of clean cooking sector experts and impact investment professionals. SMC is the Funds TA partner and a shareholder in the GP. http://www.moderncooking.org About TASC: TASC is a leading carbon project developer with extensive experience in cookstoves and other technologies. It has a mission to finance and develop high-impact climate mitigation projects by originating and managing quality CO2 emissions reduction projects, harnessing international sources of project-based carbon finance, and generating attractive returns on investment in the carbon market. http://www.tasc.je/ For more information, please contact: Peter George: peter.george@enabling.ch Xavier Pierluca: xavier.pierluca@enabling.ch We had a high number of applications this year and are pleased to help these talented students move to the next step in their academic journey, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. Today, nonprofit VHS Learning announced the winners of its 16th annual college scholarship program. The scholarship committee selected 15 scholarship recipients and runners-up, out of more than 70 applicants, awarding a total of $5,300 in scholarships. One student won a $1,000 scholarship, five earned $500 scholarships, six won $250 scholarships, and three received $100 honorable mentions. We had a high number of applications this year and are pleased to help these talented students move to the next step in their academic journey, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. In 2022, we awarded scholarships to nine students, and this year we are happy to have expanded the program to provide 15 high school seniors with awards. All scholarship recipients created videos that answered the scholarship programs question: Why did you take your VHS Learning course and what did you learn from the experience? Grace Hu from Sharon High School in Massachusetts earned the top prize of a $1,000 scholarship. Hu had wanted to fill a gap in her schedule, but she couldnt find a class that both interested her and fit within her schedule. On her guidance counselors suggestion, Hu looked through VHS Learnings course catalog. In her video, she explained that she took her Epidemics course because it combined her interests in sociology, statistics, and science. Hu also stated that the course helped prepare her for a pre-med track at Brown University. All the skills Ive learned from VHS critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are going to come into play, she said. Delaney Ringer from The Learning Center for the Deaf in Massachusetts was one of the five $500 scholarship winners. She took VHS Learnings AP Computer Science Principles course through the Massachusetts STEM Advanced Placement Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO) program. I knew that I could deal with the course load better if I was able to focus on my work from the comfort of my home, she stated in her video. Delaney will be majoring in computer science at Rochester Institute of Technology. She cites the VHS Learning course as sparking her passion for the subject. Without this class, I might never have realized that comp. sci. was what I wanted to do, she said. The other $500 scholarship winners include: Emma Esposito from Cary Academy in North Carolina. She took Health and AP European History courses, and her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpi4PmKCOEA. Jack Finnegan from Valley Regional High School in Connecticut. He took AP Computer Science A, and his video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNaa-n2SMs. Kayla Walsh from Millis High School in Massachusetts. She took American Sign Language 1 and 2, and her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiwQm1088yM. Luke Pelizzoni from Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma. He took AP Latin, and his video is available at https://youtu.be/t1v5IwA21sY. Adanya Zunich from Portage Area High School in Pennsylvania was one of the six $250 scholarship winners. Because her high school was small, class options were limited. Being able to take VHS classes opened a world of learning, Zunich said in her video. Accordingly, she took a variety of courses Psychology of Crime, Genes and Disease, and American Sign Language 1. Genes and Disease was so challenging that Zunich considered quitting. Instead, she developed a new passion and is now pursuing a career in the healthcare field. The other $250 scholarship winners and their videos include: Amirtha Santhosh from Apponequet Regional High School in Massachusetts. She took AP Statistics, and her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k39IVs2FxeU. Emily DeNucci attended VHS Learnings online private school, Massachusetts Mayflower Academy, and took a variety of courses with the program, including: AP Music Theory, Statistics, Peacemaking, Business Math, Web Design, Music Composition, and Songwriting, Biology, and Pre-Calculus. Her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoIevEDtNCQ. Mia Disylvester from Bishop McDevitt High School in Pennsylvania. She took Mythology, Italian Language and Culture, World Religions, and Philosophy, and her video is available at https://youtu.be/Hm39It9uI-A. Mia Schenenga from Bishop McDevitt High School in Pennsylvania. She took AP Latin and AP Statistics, and her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p26GK5OVGHI. Vivian C. from International Bilingual School of Southern Taiwan (IBST) in Taiwan. She took AP Economics, and her video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUGtG06CeYc. Grace Gongoleski from Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island was one of the three $100 runner-up winners. I wanted to take an additional social studies course because some of the colleges I was looking into required four years of social studies, she explained in her video. However, she had scheduling conflicts, so her guidance counselor recommended VHS Learning courses. Gongoleski opted for Human Geography and found that she also learned online collaboration skills. I had to work with people from around the country and around the world on group assignments, she said. I learned how to divide up the work and communicate. Gongoleski plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology. The two other $100 scholarship winners are: Meray Nemr from Oliver Ames High School in Massachusetts. She took AP Economics, and her video is available at https://youtu.be/D0KYHVKrwQI. Sofiya B. from the American School of Doha in Qatar. She took AP Music Theory, and her video is available at https://youtu.be/6cTpjpkgYb4. About VHS Learning VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with 27 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 600 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learnings 300+ online high school courses including 29 AP courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning. # # # Wisconsin Historical Society History Center exterior view from Carroll St. and Mifflin St. This will be a welcoming, vibrant place for the community to gather, engage, reflect and share in our history. The Wisconsin Historical Society is excited to share a first look inside the new state-of-the-art history center that is expected to be completed in late 2026. The history center will sit squarely at the intersection of Madisons vibrant State Street and Wisconsins Capitol Square, serving as a hub of community engagement and civic activity. The five-story, 100,000-square-foot landmark will provide unprecedented access to the states venerable collection of nearly 290 million items, while sharing regional stories within the context of American history. Leading the exhibit design is Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), known worldwide for its work on cultural attractions including the American Museum of Natural Historys new Gilder Center in New York City and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. RAA, in collaboration with Continuum Architects + Planners and SmithGroup, are teaming with the Societys renowned curators and historical experts to steward the nations next great history attraction. Wisconsins new history center will be the result of bringing together some of the nations top architects, exhibit designers, curators and historians with community voices, diverse perspectives and extensive consultations with the regions Native Nations, said Christian verland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. This will be a welcoming, vibrant place for the community to gather, engage, reflect and share in our history. Visitors will be welcomed into a large, open lobby that will feature space for public programming, a retail storefront and dedicated areas to serve students and community groups. The lobby will lead to an expansive wooden staircase resembling an ancient dugout canoe, inspired by the regions long history of water travel and the recent recovery of two Native American dugout canoes from Madisons Lake Mendota. The prominent staircase will offer commanding views of the Capitol and serve as an active gathering space for free public programming with an adjoining cafe. The second floor will house a rotating community gallery that will provide a platform for local history organizations and other groups from across Wisconsin to share their unique histories, as well as a changing gallery large enough to bring the nations most sought after traveling exhibits to Wisconsin. The third floor will be home to two permanent galleries. The first gallery will be a lively celebration of Wisconsins identity in American culture, featuring beloved objects such as a vintage 1969 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile as well as items from the Societys rich film, television, music and media collections. The second gallery will be an interactive exploration of American experiences, including the history of our democracy, examples of engaged citizenship and experiences of the regions Sovereign Nations. Integrated into the gallery will be opportunities to explore genealogical records from the Societys extensive archives as well as an engaging forum for exercising productive civic engagement. The fourth floor will feature an immersive gallery that evokes the feeling of being outdoors among Wisconsins vast and varied landscapes that have sustained human life and seen thousands of years of resourcefulness, ingenuity and innovation. Through one-of-a-kind items from the Societys world-class agricultural collection, to interactive exhibits that place visitors among shipwrecks of the Great Lakes and treasured recreational pastimes like hunting, fishing and boating, guests will explore the unique reciprocal relationships Wisconsin people have forged with the natural world over thousands of years. Two adjoining terraces overlook the Capitol Square, Lake Mendota and the Driftless Area in the distance, providing a direct connection between the exhibit experience and the landscapes beyond the walls of the building. The fifth floor offers striking event spaces designed to host a variety of public and private gatherings. The space connects to a spectacular rooftop terrace that invites the community to experience incredible views of the Capitol, the Madison Isthmus, area lakes and beyond. It is rare to have such an unbelievably large collection to work with, including a substantial selection of music, oral histories, photographs and film that will allow visitors to make personal connections to shared stories, said Patrick Swindell, principal and creative director for Ralph Appelbaum Associates. We are designing Wisconsins history center exhibits to be a balance of objects, scholarship and lived experiences that will inspire moments of engagement and reflection. The buildings exterior, with top floors rotated to enhance the view of the surrounding landscape and symbolically connect to all corners of the state, is also an homage to Wisconsins history of craftsmanship, mining and industry. The center is wrapped in a layered facade that provides movement and depth to the buildings exterior that, much like history, reveals new perspectives as your vantage point changes, said Monteil Crawley, principal at SmithGroup and lead architectural designer for the center. Local materials including weathered zinc, embossed stainless steel, granite, and glass create a dynamic exterior inspired by Wisconsins ever-changing landscapes, the movement of the surrounding lakes, and the states rich history of industry and innovation. The history center replaces the Wisconsin Historical Museum, which was located in the space of a former hardware store and unable to adequately provide access to the states collections to school groups and residents. The new center will be located on the site of the former museum and two adjacent properties on Carroll Street. It will welcome more than 200,000 guests annually and double the number of students served to 60,000. The new history center will serve as an open door to one of the most significant historical collections in the country and will be a legacy project that ensures the stories of our region are properly shared for generations to come, said verland. We are grateful for nearly two decades of growing public and private support, and we are thrilled to see Wisconsins new history center visible on the horizon. For more information or to support the project, visit wisconsinhistory.org/historycenter. For more images and video, visit the history center media gallery. About the Wisconsin Historical Society The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit http://www.wisconsinhistory.org. About SmithGroup SmithGroup (http://www.smithgroup.com) is one of the worlds preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 20 offices in the U.S. and China, a team of 1,300 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design, and delivery. The scale of the firms thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces. About Continuum Architects + Planners Established in 1996, Continuum Architects + Planners is a highly technical and creative team of experienced professionals offering interactive planning and programming, inspired architectural and interior design, comprehensive project management, strategic sustainable design, detailed historic consulting and rehab, and valuable technology as part of our in-house services. A recipient of more than 60 awards, Continuum designs diverse building types in an array of markets, including higher education, commercial, residential, federal, and civic in the state of Wisconsin. They have completed 50 projects for the state of Wisconsin including: The University of Wisconsin Madison Chazen Museum of Art and currently the new Engineering Building. Most recent projects include UWMs School of Freshwater Sciences and the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center. About Ralph Appelbaum Associates Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) is the worlds largest practice dedicated to the planning and design of museums and narrative environments. Past and current projectsover 850 commissions in 52 countriesinclude many of the worlds most recognizable cultural attractions. More than 75 million people encounter their work every year. Headquartered in New York, with branch offices in London, Berlin, and Beijing, RAA's international studios are diverse and interdisciplinary: drawing together designers, architects, artists, historians, educators, media-makers, technologists, writers, and poets that are passionate about encouraging a mindful connection to the world around us. They use the tools of storytelling, design, theater, media and interactive technology, and the narrative power of architecture, to communicate big ideas that convey the history, core values, and key messages of their clients. They strive for the optimum balance between sustainability, value, design, and experiential quality and believe that connective and transformative experiences in public spaces are essential for individuals, communities, cities, and nationsnow more than ever. Donna is known for her creative and strategic thinking across multiple markets, and her ability to devise out-of-the-box solutions and delivery methods that benefit clients. Woolpert has hired Public Market Director Donna Becco Schroeder to lead strategy and client development for public sector architecture and engineering clients, nationally and globally. Schroeders national and international design and project management experience has equipped her with technical expertise, relationship management delivery skills, and business and financial acumen specific to the built environment. Over her career, Schroeder has led client account teams for on-site planning and interior projects, as well as new ground-up and facility upgrade construction. She also directed modular/prefab and adaptive reuse projects for a range of multinational corporations, including Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, Cisco, Wells Fargo, and Walgreens, where she led the companys interior office redesign within Chicagos historic Old Main Post Office. More recently, Schroeder served as principal account manager for a national commercial and industrial practice, where she led multiple national account teams supporting key Fortune 500 accounts. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in interiors and architecture from the University of Cincinnati and is a long-term, active member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the International Facilities Management Association, and CoreNet Globals Strategic Portfolio & Planning Committee for commercial and industrial efforts. Sustainability and resilience are essential to modern design, across all aspects of a project life cycle, Schroeder said. One of the main attributes that attracted me to Woolpert was the firms integrated approach to sustainable planning and design across diverse markets. Woolperts architects, interior designers, engineers, strategic consultants, geospatial specialists, etc., are not only dedicated to their individual industries but they also work across the aisle to comprehensively support a more resilient and advanced built environment. That alignment and continuity are what clients need, and I am excited to be part of this dynamic effort. Woolpert Buildings Sector Leader Suzette Stoler welcomed Schroeders unique project experience and innovative approach to client services. Donna is known for her creative and strategic thinking across multiple markets, and her ability to devise out-of-the-box solutions and delivery methods that benefit clients, Stoler said. We are thrilled that she has joined our Woolpert leadership team to strategically grow our Buildings Sector, which now includes SNHA, a Woolpert Company, while continuing to add value at all levels of client and staff engagement. About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,000 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more, visit woolpert.com. Turtle Tower is located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. (Photo: TDO) According to Travel+Leisure Luxury Awards, Hanoi is a destination for those who love light, poetic beauty and the ancient beauty of time. The capital of a thousand years of civilization carries with it an ancient and nostalgic beauty, bringing with it the breath of the times, clearly reflected in contemporary architecture and typical cultural and culinary quintessence. On June 6, in Hanoi, Michelin held a ceremony to announce the title of Michelin Vietnam in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. There were 103 restaurants across the country selected, of which Hanoi has 3 establishments with 1 star MICHELIN, 13 establishments with Bib Gourmand award (the category honors restaurants serving delicious food at reasonable prices), and 32 establishments on the MICHELIN shortlist. These awards have brought a new beginning to Vietnamese cuisine in general and Hanoi cuisine in particular, an opportunity to introduce and promote delicious dishes and good quality restaurants to international friends, and are also a stepping stone for the country's cuisine to affirm its position in the world. Hue ancient capital (Photo: TDO) Travel+Leisure Luxury Awards said that visitors should take the time to visit a few key landmarks in the complex of Hue ancient capital, which have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Vietnam is famous for its unique cuisine throughout the three regions, and so is Hue. Hue cuisine is known as the inheritance of the Royal Family, so the dishes are often prepared with special care and sophistication. Besides royal cuisine, people also love simple and idyllic dishes./. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING FRIENDLY TIES Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE AS POLITICAL FOUNDATION Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. ENHANCING COOPERATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Editor: Zhang Zhou After years of organizational transition, the 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards, or Lammys, held on June 9, served as a homecoming of sorts for Lambda Literary. The event brought many of the organization's authors, writers, editors, and supporters back together again after the live awards ceremony was put on pause in 2020. Held at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, the room was filled with LGBTQ+ media professionals who had previously won Lammy awards or had been honored by the organization in some capacity. Mostly, the mood shared among attendees was joy at being back in-person and connecting with the community. Taking to the stage to deliver an uplifting speech, executive director Samiya Bashir captured the moment best when she explained why she had been so intent on returning Lambda's programming to in-person events: "We just need ourselves and each other." "This legacy organization has been critical to me as a writer for the past 30 years. I don't take your trust in my leadership lightly," said Bashir, who has been in the executive director role for a year. "As you know it's my first year as [executive director] of Lambda Literaryand what a year it has been." Bashir went on to call out the recent LGBTQ+ book bans, drag bans, and other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has been proposed by lawmakers. She explained that LGBTQ+ storytellers are crucial in the fight against these efforts. "Lifting up queer, trans storytellers, artists, and advocates is critical to fighting these attacks to our communities," she said. "The good news, though, Lambda is building on its 35 years of queer literary history to take on that fight. The world has changed, and the way we do our work is changing to meet our community's needs." Expressing a desire to open up Lambda's literary advocacy to include TV writers, screenwriters, songwriters, and journalists, Bashir emphatically stated: "Lambda's doors are not closing. We are opening wider than ever before." Lambda Literary Awards winners are selected by a panel of over 60 literary professionals from more than 1,300 book submissions from over 300 publishers. In addition to the winners announced that night, five special honors were awarded to Eboni J. Dunbar (Kenan Prize), Jaquira Diaz (Cordova Prize), Maya Salameh & Naseem Jamnia (Markowitz Prize), Christopher Tradowski (Samuel Prize), and Aaron Hamburger and Ryka Aoki (Duggins Prize). Visit Lambda to view the complete list of winners. In a move welcomed by freedom to read advocates, Illinois governor JB Pritzker on June 12 signed a first-in-the-nation law to discourage book bans in Illinois libraries. Known as HB 2789, the new law conditions state grant funding for libraries on adopting the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights, or adopting a similar written policy that would protect books and other resources from being proscribed, removed, or restricted based on "partisan or doctrinal disapproval. According to a release, the Illinois Secretary of States office awarded 1,631 grants to Illinois libraries totaling more than $62 million in the last fiscal year, with 97% going to public and school libraries. The law will take effect January 1, 2024. The Illinois law comes in response to an ongoing surge in book bans nationwide, and days after a coalition of librarians, publishers, authors, and free speech organizations filed suit to strike down a controversial new law in Arkansas that would expose librarians and booksellers to potential criminal charges for making allegedly inappropriate books available to minors. Here in Illinois, we don't hide from the truth, we embrace it," said Pritzker, at a signing ceremony held at the Chicago Public Librarys Harold Washington Library Center. "Young people shouldn't be kept from learning about the realities of our world. I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read, the art they see, the history they learn. In Illinois, we are showing the nation what it really looks like to stand up for liberty." The law comes months after Pritzker, in his January state of the state address, took aim at the organized political effort to ban books, calling the movement a virulent strain of nationalism led by demagogues who have embraced censorship. Its an ideological battle by the right wing, hiding behind a claim that they would protect our children, but whose real intention is to marginalize people and ideas they dont like. Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies. In his remarks at the June 12 bill signing, Pritzker echoed his state of the state comments. The argument for banning books always begins with the claim that it's about protecting the children," Pritzker said. "But banning books from libraries isn't about that at all. Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies. The bill was initially drafted by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias after conferring with concerned librarians and educators around the state. I initiated this legislation to stand up and fight for libraries, librarians, and the freedom of speech, especially at this perilous time for our democracy," Giannoulias said at the bill signing ceremony. This landmark legislation is a triumph for our democracy, a win for First Amendment Rights, and a great victory for future generations." In May, lawmakers in New Jersey took up a similar bill. Officials from the American Library Association, which is based in Chicago and will host its highly anticipated national conference in Chicago from June 22-27, were also on hand at the signing ceremony and praised the law. "I could not be prouder that the American Library Association, founded in 1876, and based for much of its 147 years right here in Chicago, makes its home in a state that is first in the nation to create a law that stands up to censorship and calls it what it is: a threat to education, to libraries, to our individual freedoms, and a threat to our democracy, said ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall. "Let us take pride in this day, for history will surely assess this moment in the years to come and note that welibrarians and legislators civic leaders and community stewardsdid not stand idly by and let the right to read and to freely access libraries be taken from us." Coffee House Press is moving quickly to recover from losing approximately 30% of its staff this past month by making three key hires in editorial, operations, and publicity. Interim director Linda Ewing informed authors about the new hires in a letter sent June 6, which was followed by a June 8 video conference call among CHP board, staff, and authors. The presss most essential new hire is Jeremy Davies as executive editor. Davies, who will assume his new responsibilities on June 20, will be working remotely from his home outside of New York City. Describing Davies as a highly respected and well-known editor and author, Ewing cited his previous experience working for indie presses, most recently as executive editor at McNally Editions since January 2021; the boutique publisher is affiliated with McNally Jackson Bookstore. He also has served as a senor editor at U.K. publisher And Other Stories for the past three years. Previously, Davies worked as an editor at Farrar, Strauss & Giroux for four years. He began his publishing career in 2005 as an editorial assistant at Dalkey Archive Press, where he worked his way up to senior editor before leaving there in 2015. Davies is the author of three novels and a collection of short fiction, all published by indie presses. Coffee House Press is so important to the American literary ecosystem, Davies said Monday in a telephone interview, Its also been one of my favorite presses for a long time. This was a wonderful opportunity to work for a press I already admired. As for Coffee Houses other most recent hires, the press continues to draw on booksellers from Brazos Bookstore in Houston. Ulrika Moats, the stores general manager, events director, and sideline buyer, became CHPs operations director May 30; and Laura Graveline, Brazos marketing director, and childrens and French specialist, was named CHPs publicity director as of June 5. Earlier this spring, CHP lured away from Brazos its operations manager Mark Haber, who in March moved to Minneapolis and became CHPs marketing manager. Haber is married to Moats. In her letter, Ewing thanked Haber for being instrumental in attracting and recruiting the newest CHP staffers. Ewing stated in the letter that CHP is still searching for an associate editor. Asked whether or not that associate editor would have expertise in poetry, Ewing said that the board and staff are still talking about that piece of our work. Ewing also disclosed that the board placed the search for a permanent director of the press on hiatus earlier this year, and that the authors were informed that the board feels that other matters relating to the press' sustainability take precedence over hiring a new permanent director. I know our authors would like the board to initiate a search, Ewing said, "Timing is everything. The consensus on the board is that they need to pay attention to the operations of the organization before initiating a search for a publisher." Last Friday, 9th June, DB Cargo UK launched a major campaign to transport 100-metre lengths of railway track manufactured by British Steel to Belgium. The first consignment travelled from British Steel's site at Scunthorpe to Muizen, northeast of Brussels, and took three days to arrive at its final destination. On average, one train a month will run for the next four years, depending on the customer's requirements. British Steel is a strategic supply chain partner to many organisations across the globe, including Belgium's infrastructure manager, Infrabel, for its experience and expertise in producing high-quality rail products. Infrabel will use the 100-metre lengths of steel tracks as part of its ongoing work programme to maintain and renew Belgium's rail network. DB Cargo UK is the UK's leading transporter of steel products and was responsible for the first leg of the journey from Scunthorpe to Calais, where its French sister company DB Cargo France took over for the second part of the journey to Muizen. The 100-metre-long rails were transported on IGA wagons, each spanning four wagons. DB Cargo UK's Chief Sales Officer Roger Neary said the company had a long and proud history of supporting UK and European steel manufacturers and was looking forward to the challenge of exporting such an exceptional load for British Steel. Great care and skill is required to ensure that the rails can navigate a safe and smooth passage down to our international depot Dollands Moor, through the Channel Tunnel and on to Northern Europe. A great deal of collaboration and planning has gone into this operation and I'm sure it made an impressive site as it made its way across the continent. Gregg Smith, Logistics Director, of British Steel, said: Moving long length rails intercontinentally is a particularly complex process. We are delighted to have made such a successful start to this exciting partnership with DB Cargo and Infrabel. We look forward to future success together. People sign their names to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) SEOUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The fishermen held signs that read "Desperately oppose the Fukushima radioactive contaminated water discharge into the sea," and "SOS!! Pacific Ocean!" Kim Kwang-shik, one of the fishermen who joined the protest rally, told Xinhua that although he had no professional information on the radioactive water, he was well aware of the fact that the release would be bad. "If the Fukushima contaminated water is safe (as Japan claimed), it can be left in Japan's soil rather than be released into the ocean," Kim said. According to organizers, about 2,000 fishermen and civic activists participated in the demonstration. The association of the fishermen said in a statement that the Japanese government should come up with solutions, including a long-term storage on land, rather than dump the radioactive water that will destroy all life in the Pacific Ocean and all fishermen living on it. The association urged the South Korean government to immediately file a complaint with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea against Japan, saying that if the contaminated water is released, it will threaten the livelihood of fishermen amid a sharp drop in demand for marine products. According to a Research View survey of 1,000 South Korean adults conducted last month, 85.4 percent of the respondents opposed Japan's contaminated water discharge, and 72 percent said they would reduce the consumption of marine products if the wastewater is released into the ocean. Sea salt demand here has soared for the past months on fears that Japan would push ahead with its discharge plan. The price of 20 kg sea salt spiked 27 percent in the first week of June compared to the first week of April, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Insanga, a salt producer traded in the smaller KOSDAQ market, surged by the daily price limit of 30 percent Monday, following a Japanese media report that the test operation of the contaminated water discharge facility began earlier in the day. Both consumers and retailers rushed to stockpile salt. Major sea salt vendors stopped selling salt in early June amid a flood of delivery orders, according to local newspaper Hankyoreh. The South Korean government attributed the salt price hike to poor weather and lower production. People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) A man holds a sign against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater during a protest rally in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Thousands of South Korean fishermen gathered on Monday near the parliamentary building in Seoul to clamor against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Editor: ZAD Medical products are now being shipped from the Irish Rail Freight facility at Ballina, at the mouth of the River Moy in County Mayo. Baxter Healthcare in Castlebar, the county town of Castle Mayo, is switching distribution of its products to rail freight. Each day, more than twenty containers will travel by rail from Castlebar railway station, next to the company's Castlebar site, through the Western Rail Corridor, which connects Castlebar to the Waterford port. Transport and logistics company XPO will then ship the containers to destinations in mainland Europe, the Nordic countries and Turkey from the freight terminal. The switch to rail and sea transport will reduce carbon emissions, in line with both companies' efforts to protect the environment. XPO boasts what it calls innovative service offerings, which include technology-enabled truckload, less-than-truckload, truck brokerage, managed transport, last mile, and freight forwarding. The company tailors its services to the needs of each client. Glenn Carr, Iarnrod Eireann's (Irish Rail's) Director of Commercial Business Units, said, We warmly welcome Baxter Healthcare's decision to begin moving containers with our Ballina to Waterford service, operated in partnership with XPO Logistics. There is significant demand from industry for sustainable transport alternatives, and rail freight can deliver that alternative. We know Baxter and others are ambitious to do more, which is why our Rail Freight 2040 Strategy envisages a five-fold increase in rail freight services. We are working with industry, logistics companies, and Government agencies to develop the infrastructure and ensure the policy framework exists to meet this demand. Baxter Healthcare is already examining the possibilities that the forthcoming rail link to Shannon Foynes Port, funded by the Department of Transport, will deliver, as are many other potential customers. James Jordan, head of planning and logistics at Baxter Healthcare, said: Carbon Neutrality and reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions is a cornerstone of Baxter's Global sustainability goals and a fundamental expectation of our global Customer base. A key step in achieving these goals is reducing our supply chain's environmental impact by improving how we transport our materials and finished products. This first rail freight shipment marks a key milestone in Baxter Castlebar & Swinford's program to improve sustainability by reducing carbon emissions throughout our supply chain. It was made possible by a close partnership with Irish Rail, XPO Logistics and Brian Cunningham Transport to open the route for rail shipments from Ballina to Waterford port. Mr Jordan added: The development of an Inland Rail Freight Hub at Castlebar and the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor are key infrastructure enablers to support this drive to sustainability and will be fully supported by Baxter and other local businesses in the area. Dan Myers, managing director UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: Collaboration and cooperation are the keys to tackling the climate crisis. Challenging the status quo and ultimately doing things differently is the only way to make meaningful improvements in environmental performance. Working with the Baxter Healthcare team and our partners, we have built an integrated supply chain solution reducing emissions. Directed by Ernestas Jankauskas and starring Gabija Siurbyte, also the co-creator and producer of the series, Troll Farm tells the story of a high-flying executive out for revenge. After being wrongly fired from Melta Cosmetics, corporate diva Ana is determined to clear her name and prove to the world that she is the scapegoat. With her reputation ruined and her family broken, Anas mind screams destroy. Destroy Melta Cosmetics. Destroy her pretentious boss, Adomas Gylys. Destroy his two-faced office minions.Armed with Agriculture for Dummies and an extensive corporate career, Ana ends up running two farms. Whilst growing apples and raising chickens work as an excellent cover, Anas passion lies with her underground business, Troll Farm, designed to destroy shady corporations. To reclaim her freedom of speech, she creates a fake personality destined to become societys voice of reason.Troll Farm sucks all of Anas savings and precious time with her beloved daughter Emily. Hurt by her parents separation, Emily turns into a 9-year-old terrorist in a glamorous dress, determined to elbow her way to victory in dance competitions. Getting closer to her daughter will turn out to be just as challenging as getting her revenge - its impossible to have it all. And, blinded by her desire for revenge, Ana is slowly turning into the same manipulative beast shes fighting.The 5 x 50 series made its debut earlier this year on LRT, Lithuanias national broadcaster, and on local streaming platform Telia Play, the first time a local show has been streamed and broadcast simultaneously on television.Troll Farm's unique story stood out to us from the start. This omnipresent phenomenon of troll farms is a deadly tool that while invisible has the power to dictate our thought process and consequently our decisions, commented Rakesh Vasani, content acquisition - global at GoQuest Media . In a story told through actors that look real and could belong in our lives, attracted us to the series. It is also a highly formattable series with its universal concept that visibly exists in today's world.We are very excited to work with Rakesh and his team. Troll Farm is our first TV series and we have put love and hard work into each shot, added Gabija Siurbyte, head of Dansu Films. We believe that the series can travel well as it tells a universal story. Property details: 20 Acres For Sale Near Yermo, CAItem DescriptionREAD FIRST DO NOT BUY-IT-NOW WITH OUT MESSAGING ME FIRST THIS PROPERTY IS OWNER FINANCED DOWN PAYMENT: $99.00 DOCUMENT FEE: $195.0036 MONTHLY PAYMENTS: $400.00 w 0% Interest TOTAL SALE PRICE: $14,400.00 PLUS DOC FEE AND DOWN PAYMENT Parcel: 0540-051-22-0000 Address: Yermo, CA 92398 Great 20 acre parcel near Yermo, an unincorporated community just east of Barstow in the Mojave Desert. This parcel has wonderful mountain views. Deed Type: Grant Deed L... Price: $ 99 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Recreational, Acreage Zip/Postal Code: 92398 Zoning: vacant City: Yermo State/Province: California Location: 926**, San Clemente, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California Amazon Freevee released the trailer for Almost Paradise Season 2 on Monday. The series returns to the streaming service July 21. ADVERTISEMENT Christian Kane stars as retired DEA agent Alex Walker. Living on a Philippine island, local police officers Alamares (Art Acuia) and Mendoza (Samantha Richelle) ask Walker for help with cases. The trailer shows Walker in action, beating up bad guys in warehouses, hallways and on a speedboat. Walker also hangs onto a moving car. Walker also still sees doctors for hypertension, for which he is supposed to remain calm and inactive. Almost Paradise Season 1 aired on WGN America in 2020. Created by Librarians producers Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen, Almost Paradise films in The Philippines. Devlin is American-born with a Filipinio mother. Devlin also produces Leverage: Redemption for Freevee which also stars Kane. All 10 episodes of Almost Paradise Season 2 stream July 21. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Abundant sunshine. Hot. High around 105F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. This undated file photo shows a rock painting featuring animal figures in Jiayuguan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. Gansu Province has set up a digital image database for rare and precious rock paintings at its 72 cultural relic sites, local authorities said.(Dunhuang Academy/Handout via Xinhua) LANZHOU, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Gansu Province has set up a digital image database for rare and precious rock paintings at its 72 cultural relic sites, local authorities said. "We spent over a year collecting high-precision data and recording information such as the surrounding environment and geographical location of the rock paintings," said Ding Xiaosheng, deputy director of the cultural relics digitalization institute of the Dunhuang Academy. The rock paintings on Yumu Mountain, most of which feature well-preserved animal figures, can be traced back to the Stone Age. The provincial cultural relics bureau approved the digital project in 2021, assigning the Dunhuang Academy to carry out the work. So far, 72 rock painting sites have been discovered in Gansu, mostly distributed in deep mountains, the Gobi Desert, or valleys that are seldom visited by people. Among them, the rock paintings in Heishan Mountain depict the living scenes of the ancient Qiang ethnic group, such as hunting, horse riding and archery, in the Hexi Corridor, part of the ancient Silk Road in northwest China. "Rock paintings are vivid historical records that reflect the lifestyles of ancient people," said Qiu Jian, deputy head of the provincial cultural relics bureau. "They are an invaluable cultural heritage of humanity." The protection of rock paintings and carvings is a matter of global concern. At present, there is a lack of effective, natural scientific and technological means to prevent their disappearance. "The digital archives can provide basic data support for future research, protection and utilization of the rock paintings in Gansu," Ding said. This undated file photo shows a rock painting featuring dancers in Jiayuguan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. Gansu Province has set up a digital image database for rare and precious rock paintings at its 72 cultural relic sites, local authorities said.(Dunhuang Academy/Handout via Xinhua) This undated file photo shows a rock painting featuring animal figures in Subei Mongolian Autonomous County, northwest China's Gansu Province. Gansu Province has set up a digital image database for rare and precious rock paintings at its 72 cultural relic sites, local authorities said.(Dunhuang Academy/Handout via Xinhua) Editor: Zhang Zhou If you are in need of some inspiration as to where to spend Fathers Day this Sunday, here are 5 local spots that will satisfy any father figu Over half, or 269 NSE 500 stocks, have given over 10-fold (10x) returns in the last two decades, finds a recent report by Goldman Sachs that analysed 10 major markets across emerging and developed markets (EM/DM) that covered 6,700 stocks. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters The report examined 10-baggers stocks that have generated at least 10x total returns within a rolling 5-year period over the past two decades. Some of the prominent ones that comprise these 269 stocks in the Indian context stocks that delivered over 10x total returns over a 5-year rolling period since 2000 as per Goldman Sachs includes Westlife Foodworld, Bharti Airtel, Adani Total Gas, Patanjali Foods, Larsen & Toubro, BEML, Blue Star, Shree Cement, Lupin, Godrej Industries, Astral, Adani Enterprises, Hindustan Petroleum and Deepak Fertilisers. These Indian 10-baggers within the NSE 500 baseket are the largest proportion of multibaggers among the 10 markets (versus 30 per cent/20 per cent averages for EM/DM), wrote analysts at Goldman Sachs led by Timothy Moe, their co-head of Asia macro research and chief Asia-Pacific equity strategist in a recent note. That said, there is not one, but six common threads that ran through these 269 10-bagger stocks over these 20 years, Goldman Sachs said, which enabled them to significantly outperform peers and the overall markets. This includes high realized sales and profit growth rates of these companies; high capital return ratios; mid/small-cap bias; inexpensive starting valuations; domestic sector orientation; and high promoter holding. Over the past two decades, Nifty 50 and the broader BSE 200 index have offered 15-16 per cent annualised returns in local currency, and 12-13 per cent in USD terms, almost double the 7 per cent offered by the MSCI EM index. "The 20-year USD annualised return for India has also led major equity markets globally (US, Europe, Japan and Asian peers), although the US markets have fared better in the recent decade," the report said. Over the past two decades, Goldman Sachs suggests, around 60 per cent of the current BSE 200 stocks would have outperformed the benchmark. Nearly 40 per cent of the current BSE 200 stocks have generated over 20 per cent annualised returns over the past two decades, double the 20 per cent of stocks for broader MSCI EM. That said, out of the universe of 6700 stocks, about 1500 stocks (23 per cent) were able to generate at least 10x total returns within a 5-year rolling period since 2000. The six EM markets in our study (India, Korea, Brazil, South Africa, China and Taiwan) on average had 30 per cent of their local benchmark stocks generating 10-bagger returns. "The 4 DM markets (US, Japan, Europe and Australia) on average had only 20 per cent of the stocks delivering multi-bagger returns, Goldman Sachs said. Within the 10 markets, it took 52 months (on a median basis) for these 1,500 stocks to reach the 10x threshold, achieving a total return of 16x when they hit the peak price levels during their respective 5-year (or shorter) outperformance window. In the case of India, it took 54 months on average and the stocks delivered 24x median returns, 1.5x the median across the 10 markets and second highest after Australia, which delivered a slightly higher 25x median return. Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta's Sterlite Copper on Monday came out with an advertisement inviting expression of interest (EoI) for carrying out plant "restart activities" at its Thoothukudi unit in Tamil Nadu, that got closed more than five years ago following an order issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). IMAGE: Sterlite Industries Ltd's copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: Reuters The EoI for restart comes when the company is still awaiting the final judgement on the issue, and the court has only allowed it to do maintenance work. "We have initiated the upkeep and maintenance activities at the plant as allowed by the Supreme Court vide its order dated May 4, 2023, in coordination with the district authorities. "The final hearing of the matter is scheduled in August 2023," said a company official. According to the advertisement, interested parties should be capable of employing around 4,000 people (both skilled and unskilled) in and around Thoothukudi. The scope of the EoI includes safety assessment and audit of the structures and building, repair and rectification, engaging with OEM or experts for certification, replacement of plant and machinery and commissioning of plant and machinery to achieve the designed capacity. "We also recognise that the Sterlite Copper plant following its closure for over five years requires significant restoration efforts. "As an industry leader with global technology and standards, the procurement and deployment of materials and resources necessary for the restoration and restart of the plant can be a time-consuming process, spanning several months. In the context, while we await the final judgment, the expression of interest (EOI) is floated to ensure the best partners are identified as part of our preparatory measures for resource planning," the official added. In addition, the interested parties should also look at mechanical fabrication and electrification works, electrical and instrumentation works, material handling equipment, scaffolding and painting jobs, civil and associated works and repair works, among others. In early June, the district administration allowed the company to maintain the plant for operations like removing remaining gypsum and leachate handling operations, among others. This was based on a judgement by a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud, in May, allowing Sterlite Copper to carry out maintenance works. Production at the plant has been suspended since 2018 after protests broke out against the firm's plan to double its annual capacity to 800,000 tonnes. Subsequent police firing caused the death of 13 people and injured 102. At the peak of the pandemic last April, the Supreme Court allowed the firm to produce oxygen for medical purposes. The plant was set up in 1996 and has a capacity of around 400,000 MTPA. Before its closure, the plant was catering to around 40 per cent of the country's refined copper demand. The plant facilities include a state-of-the-art rod plant, 160 mega-watts captive power plant, oxygen plant, wastewater treatment plant, sulphuric acid plant and phosphoric acid plant. Last week, a nine-member local management committee (LMC), constituted by the district authorities, the Sterlite Copper unit as a first step to removing the hazardous material evacuation works. Under the chairmanship of sub-collector Gaurav Kumar, the committee was reportedly empowered to identify the vendor for evacuation and the procurement of the materials. In April, the ministry of home affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that it was examining complaints against certain NGOs for misusing foreign funds to organise protests around the Vedanta Sterlite copper plant. During the hearing, the upkeep of the plant was supported by a lawyer appointed by the non-governmental organisations, representing nine panchayats, 13 coastal Sangams, suppliers and downstream units. Bhima Koregaon represents what the government can do in India against well meaning people who speak up against atrocities, who stand up for the weak and the dispossessed and for this reason alone as seen as enemies of the State and kept in prison for as long as the government can manage, asserts Aakar Patel. IMAGE: Thousands of people gather at the Bhima Koregaon Victory Pillar near Pune where the British, helped by Mahar soldiers, defeated the Peshwas. Photograph: PTI Photo This month marks five years since the first arrests in the Bhima Koregaon case. A total of 16 people were arrested in the case, including one, Father Stan Swamy, who died in custody. Most of them remain in jail. None has been convicted in the case, none has been connected with violence in the place for which the matter is named. If there is a case that exemplifies the draconian nature of the law they have been arrested under, the cruelty of the State intent not on prosecuting cases but keeping people jailed indefinitely, it is this one. It is important that we not forget it or those jailed under it. Less than 10% of all cases under UAPA have ended and only a fourth of all cases adjudicated end in convictions. In this particular case, this set of activists, which includes academics, professors, lawyers, poets and activists, have been accused of waging war against the State. The man who filed the complaint on the basis of which the arrests were made says he follows a 'simple' rule for his Hindutva: 'We should keep things which are helpful for Hindus; rest should be abandoned.' After his complaint, the case would be spun to include accusations of attempting to overthrow the government and assassinate the prime minister. When the BJP was defeated in the Maharashtra elections, the case was taken away from the Pune Police. Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in on November 28, 2019. The Union government told Maharashtra that it had given the case to the NIA on January 24, 2020. One can infer from that what one wants, but all of this has been accompanied by mistreatment of the accused by the government. The media firm NewsLaundry made a list of some of these things. Stan Swamy, suffering from Parkinson's disease, was disallowed a glass with a sipper straw in jail for weeks. Shoma Sen, suffering from arthritis, found it difficult to use the Indian commode in jail. Her daughter brought her a commode chair, but was turned away. Surendra Gadling asked to access books including the UAPA and IT Acts, some paper to take notes on and four books by Swami Vivekananda. The government opposed this vehemently, with the prosecutor even saying she was unsure whether Vivekananda's books were banned or not in India. After the court allowed the books to be brought, prison authorities still did not allow them to be given to Gadling. He was disallowed a sweater despite a court order, being told that only thermal sweaters were allowed and not woollen ones. When his wife brought him a full-sleeved thermal sweater, this was disallowed saying that only half-sleeved ones were allowed. Seventy-year-old Gautam Navlakha's spectacles were stolen in prison. He was virtually blind without his glasses. But he was not permitted to make a call to ask for a replacement for three days. His partner sent a pair to the jail, but the jail authorities refused to accept it though they had been informed that the packet was coming. When Gadling's mother died, he applied to be allowed to attend the funeral. It was denied on the grounds that his application didn't have her death certificate without which the NIA would not accept that she was dead. The family could not get the certificate because of the lockdown. When the certificate was produced, the NIA said the funeral had already been conducted so they saw no reason to let him out temporarily. When Gadling applied to go to the condolence meeting, this was turned down because he hadn't submitted a 'copy of the meeting' with his application. When Sudhir Dhawale's brother died, the application was supported with documentary evidence, an announcement card for the post-funeral meeting and the death certificate. This application was rejected only on the grounds that bail could not be given because the offence was 'serious'. Mahesh Raut's sister married while he was in jail as an undertrial. When Vernon Gonsalves's mother died in May 2021, he chose not to put his family through the rigmarole of attempting to get him bail. In February 2021, The Washington Post reported that the letters 'found' by the police on Rona Wilson's laptop had been planted. Malware had been used to introduce them to the computer, an independent analysis had found. These letters, including the one allegedly on the Modi assassination, had been created using a newer version of Microsoft Word that did not exist on Wilson's computer, the report said. There was no evidence that the documents or the hidden folder were ever opened. In April 2021, a leading firm in digital forensics said it had 'irrefutable' proof that Wilson's computer was hacked. Files were planted on it on January 11, 2018, 11 days after the Bhima-Koregaon violence. Despite all this, most of the accused remain in jail. The Bhima Koregaon case is not the only instance of the government misusing the law to go after those who dissent. Umar Khalid has spent over 1,000 days in jail for being one of the most eloquent voices against what the BJP is doing to India. Of course minorities, the poor and the marginalised face the brunt of the brutal State and always have. This is not in dispute. But Bhima Koregaon is emblematic. It represents what the government can do in India against well meaning people who speak up against atrocities, who stand up for the weak and the dispossessed and for this reason alone as seen as enemies of the state and kept in prison for as long as the government can manage. So long as the rest of us do not speak up against this misbehaviour by the State, so long as we forget about those who have been made its victims, this behaviour will continue. The Bhima Koregaon 16 must not be forgotten. Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The status of the current submarine force level is alarming and we need to address the threat perceptions expeditiously. Critical decisions pertaining to national security cannot be delayed any further due to the rapidly changing maritime threat perceptions and growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, asserts Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd). IMAGE: The INS Vagsheer, the sixth Scorpene submarine under Project-75, was launched in Mumbai on April 20, 2022. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo Submarines are vital assets in the maritime domain which are capable of conducting a vast array of missions including Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, Mine Laying, Land Attacks, Special Forces/Clandestine Operations. Advanced Navies also deploy nuclear attack submarines (SSN) to provide anti-submarine protection to a formation of surface ships like the Carrier Strike Group. Further, nuclear submarines provide the most reliable leg of the nuclear triad which assures second strike capability. Basically, there are two types of submarines -- Conventional and Nuclear, classified as per their mode of propulsion. Conventional Submarines A Conventional Submarine is propelled by diesel electric engines on the surface and by electric motors powered by batteries whilst submerged. These batteries are charged by diesel generators. The air intake for the diesel generator is facilitated by the snorkel which exposes the snort mast when propelling close to the sea surface. Thus, the conventional submarines are restricted in submerged endurance due to their battery capacity. Over the years, the improved efficiency of diesel engines, better batteries and power conserving motors have attempted to limit the constraints and improved the indiscretion rate which is the total time the submarine is exposed vis-a-vis the total time it is dived in a 24h cycle. The challenge to overcome limitations on endurance, speed and concealment have constantly driven innovation in submarine propulsion technologies to design a system which would not require external air to run the diesel generator which led to the development of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). IMAGE: The fifth submarine in the Project 75 Kalvari class, the INS Vagir, was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, January 23, 2023. Photograph: Sahir Salvi AIP Systems: Development and types Air Independent Propulsion is any marine propulsion technology which allows a non-nuclear submarine to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen (by surfacing or using a snorkel). AIP is usually implemented as an auxiliary source with the traditional diesel engine handling surface propulsion. It does not provide the endurance or power to replace atmospheric dependent propulsion but allows for longer underwater endurance than a conventionally propelled submarine. AIP is a one shot affair giving conventional submarines enhanced endurance at low speeds for use in specific deployment areas. Once the AIP endurance is exhausted, the submarine reverts to the conventional mode until the boat' s AIP system is recharged in harbor. During the 1980s, the leading European Submarine builders developed different types of AIP systems viz Stirling engines, fuel cell system, MESMA (Moduled Energie Sous Marin Autonome) etc. All these systems are proven and are operational in many navies. Sweden, Japan and China have used Stirling engines. The French are moving away from the MESMA to fuel cell systems which are used by Spain, South Korea, Germany to name a few. Lithium Ion Batteries Another boost to submarine propulsion technology emerged with Japan's Taigei class boats which are fitted with Lithium ion batteries replacing the traditional Lead acid batteries. Advantages of these batteries include increased battery capacity, faster recharge times and higher energy density. This resulted in enhanced silent operations, better speeds and sprints, longer underwater endurance and significantly greater overall performance when compared with the more conventional submarines. The use of these batteries also saved weight and complexity of making an AIP system to extend the underwater endurance. Safety was a major challenge and extensive research was undertaken to obviate the inherent danger posed by hydrogen gas and intense heat that can be released by the batteries in the event of malfunction. Heat management and safety remain the major concerns of Lithium ion batteries. IMAGE: The INS Vagir, the fifth submarine in the Project 75 Kalvari class. Photograph: ANI Photo Nuclear Submarines A nuclear submarine is powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear armed. The former is classified as SSN and the latter as SSBN. They have considerable performance advantages over conventional boats. It is completely independent of air, frees the submarine from the need to surface frequently as is necessary for conventional boats. The large amount of power generated by a nuclear reactor allows nuclear submarines to operate at high speeds for longer periods without surfacing thus contributing significantly to stealth factor. Comparison of Conventional Vs Nuclear Submarines Features Conventional Nuclear Refueling Required Not Required Underwater Endurance Limited Unlimited Speed Restricted High Speeds Need for air intake Required to charge batteries No air intake required Littoral Ops Best suited Less suited Ocean deployment Less suited Best suited Clandestine ops Best suited Less suited Mine laying Best suited Less suited Coastal Ops Best suited Less suited Anti-Submarine screen for CBG Not suited Best suited Maneuverability Good Restricted due size Radiated Noise Low High Silent regime Best suited Less suited due reactor noise Weapons Torpedo / Missile Torpedo/Missile Unit Cost $394 million $2.9 billion Note: Indicative unit costs shown above are of a German Type 214 AIP fitted conventional submarine and a US Virginia class SSN. Cost of a French Barracuda class SSN is much lesser around $1.3 billion. These boats have lesser noise levels as compared to other SSNs. Having analysed the pros and cons of conventional and nuclear submarines, I would like to critically examine the future of the Indian Navy's submarine acquisition programme. As per open source information, the following projects are at the planning stages. IMAGE: Employees stand around the Indian Navy's first Scorpene submarine before being undocked from the Mazagon Docks Ltd in Mumbai, April 6, 2015. Photograph: Reuters Project 75 (India) The Project 75(I), which is a follow on of the Scorpene class, is a planned class of diesel electric submarines which are to be built for the Indian Navy. This was part of the Indian Navy's 30 year submarine building plan which is far behind schedule. Under this project, the navy intends to build six conventional diesel electric submarines in India which will feature advanced capabilities including Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). The boats would have multifarious roles: ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance), Special Operations, Anti-Ship/Anti-Submarine Warfare and land attack capability. Although the latest RFP (Request For Proposal) under the Strategic Partnership Model (SPM) was issued by the Government in 2021, there has been little progress due to the inability of the OEMs, who were initially in the fray to comply with the envisaged Qualitative requirements especially on the critical proven 'fuel cell AIP system' and liability clauses in the SPM. The deadline for response to the RFP was last revised to December 2022. A decision on the future of the project would be taken in 2023 as per reliable sources. It may also be pertinent to mention that DRDO has developed an indigenous AIP which has been proved on land, but needs to be proved at sea on a submarine. The stated plan is to retrofit the indigenous AIP if proven on the six Kalveri class (Scorpenes) during their refit. Meanwhile, an agreement has been signed by the DRDO and the Naval Group, France to cooperate on the integration of the DRDO AIP with the Scorpenes. However, it still remains unclear whether the indigenous AIP would form part of the Project 75(I) package. Another option for the Indian Navy would be to examine the conventional diesel electric variant of the Barracuda class (Shortfin Barracuda class with AIP, the Naval Group, France). It may require modifications in the SPM model and qualitative requirements. In another development and as per unconfirmed reports, HDW Germany has also proposed its Dolphin Class submarines to bid for Project 75 (I). These boats would be equipped with a proven fuel cell AIP system. Since the options have opened up which includes Nevantia Spain as well, it would make it easier for the Indian Navy to expedite the decision making on Project 75 (I) in 2023. Project 76 The Naval Design Bureau (DND) is also working on developing an indigenous diesel electric submarine with AIP as an inhouse project. As per available inputs (unverified) the design of the submarine would be ready by 2024. IMAGE: The Scorpene submarine. Photograph: ANI Photo SSN Programme The Indian Navy aims to procure/construct six nuclear powered submarines under Project 75A based on government approval in 2015. This project will be under the Directorate of Naval Design and built in India at the Ship Building Centre, Vishakhapatnam. As per the earlier plans, the construction is expected to commence in 2023-2024 and the first boat is expected to enter service in 2032. The submarines are likely to be powered by a miniature pressurised water reactor, which will be designed and built by BARC at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam. The expertise available in construction of SSBNs would be very useful in conceptualising our indigenous SSN programme. SSBN Programme The Arihant class of nuclear powered ballistic submarines are classified as strategic strike nuclear submarines to complete the nuclear triad. The first of the four planned submarines is operational, the second is expected to be commissioned in 2023, the third is being fitted out and the fourth is expected to be launched in 2024. The first two boats are of 6000T and the last two would be of 7000T. These boats are envisaged to be armed with short range K-15 SLBM which will later be upgraded to K4 missiles with an extended range of 3500 km. Since the subject is highly classified in nature, the author has covered only the basic information available in open sources. Threat Perceptions There is no denying the fact that the navy will play a key role in future wars, especially given the fact that China's focus is on maritime power. We also cannot ignore the increasing impetus given by Pakistan on their submarine acquisition programme. The Pakistan navy has completed retro fitment of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) on their three Agosta 90B submarines. They have also contracted for eight Hangor class diesel electric AIP fitted submarines with China. This class is a modified derivative of Type 039B submarines, a follow on of 039A (NATO named Yuan class) operated by the PLA Navy. Four submarines are to be built in China by the China Shipbuilding Trading Company and the remaining four are to be built in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. The first four submarines are expected to enter service in 2023 with all eight submarines scheduled to be delivered by 2028. Needless to say that an inventory of 11 AIP fitted submarines is a major concern for India and would affect the balance of power in the maritime domain. Prioritisation of Acquisition Plans It is crucial that the Indian Navy prioritise its acquisition plans based on the risk assessment of the region. Given the limited funds for modernisation, we need to focus more on sea-denial capabilities, which is cost effective. Submarines are one of the most effective tools for sea denial. They are the means to harrying and tiring the enemy. Their stealth capabilities make them hard to detect in the open seas and are the best platforms for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW). Sea Denial Role during Operations: An Indian Context India-Pakistan Stand-off Pakistan has structured their navy based on the concept of sea denial with increasing focus on submarines. They are likely to deploy their boats for surveillance, offensive mine laying, mid ocean missions for interdicting our surface ships and commercial shipping carrying vital cargo. Their AIP fitted submarines would give enhanced under water endurance of 14-21 days. This is a factor which has to be given due consideration at the planning level. India-China Stand-off: Indian Ocean Region The India-China stand-off spilling over to maritime domain cannot be ruled out in a total war. I am of the view that considering the distance, logistics, sustenance levels and the threat factor, it is unlikely that the PLA Navy would deploy their surface forces in the Indian ocean region. It will be prudent for the PLA Navy not to risk such exposure even with their Carrier Strike Group. Hence, the most effective platform for this task would be their submarines. In this scenario, conventional boats can be ruled out due to limitations in endurance. That narrows down the choice to nuclear submarines -- SSBNs or the SSNs. The former are meant for strategic deterrence and follows the bastion deployment pattern which restricts their positioning, in all probability, to South China Sea. Hence, from the PLA Navy's perspective, the ideal choice would be to deploy SSNs in the Indian Ocean, tasked for offensive roles and to protect their vital cargo and energy flow in transit. Although these boats would have an unlimited endurance at station, their transit from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean undetected would be a major challenge. A conventional submarine with AIP would be the best bet to counter the PLA Navy SSN. Advanced AIP fitted submarines have improved stealth features with negligible radiated noise as compared to a nuclear submarine with large reduction gears and noisy pumps which results in much larger radiated noise levels. Another advantage is that AIP fitted submarines with electro catalytic fuel cells or the high energy Lithium batteries can operate at an ultra quiet state for nearly three weeks (German Type 212) without surfacing or snorkeling. Indigenous Expertise in Submarine Construction The nation has made huge investments and developed two submarine building lines. The conventional submarines are being built by Mazagaon Docks at Mumbai. Initially, it built two SSK Type 209 submarines with the assistance of Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems of Germany and are now building six Scorpene class with assistance of the Naval Group of France. The nuclear submarines (SSBN) are being constructed by the Submarine Building Centre along with L&T, DRDO and the navy. I am of the view that conventional submarines should continue to be built by Mazagaon Docks and nuclear-powered boats by the Submarine Building Centre. This will ensure that the nation will retain the expertise gained in construction of conventional and nuclear submarines which have been set up with huge investments, both in development and expertise of skilled work force and infrastructure. Concurrently, we need to improve the efficiency of our shipyards, shorten the time line for construction of platforms and improve the industrial support by integration of public and private sector expertise in our shipbuilding programme. IMAGE: Eastern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta at the decommissioning of INS Sindhudhvaj in Visakhapatnam, July 17, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo Way Ahead The establishment at New Delhi cannot afford to view the critical deficiency in submarine force levels lightly. There is an urgent need to expedite and revive the long term submarine building plans under Projects 75(I) and 76 in a time bound manner with approvals and budgetary support. The status of the current submarine force level is alarming and we need to address the threat perceptions expeditiously. Inordinate delay in decision making would cause the submarine building lines to remain idle at the shipyards, thereby losing the gained expertise and wastage of huge sums invested towards setting up the specialised infrastructure. The immediate requirement is to focus on construction/acquisition of conventional submarines to make good the critical deficiency in force levels. Concurrently, the SSN programme need to be progressed based on our threat perceptions, strategic calculus and growing influence in our area of maritime interest. The future of the SSBN programme would largely depend upon the strategic objectives that the government has envisioned visa vis the rapidly changing geopolitical dimensions. Critical decisions pertaining to national security cannot be delayed any further due to the rapidly changing maritime threat perceptions and growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region. Commodore Venugopal Menon served in the Indian Navy for 29 years in operational roles, including commands at sea, and training and staff assignments at Naval HQ. In addition to the staff and war courses in the Indian Navy, he underwent the executive course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Honolulu. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Four boys, aged between 12 to 16 years, are feared drowned after they ventured into the rough sea at Juhu in Mumbai on Monday while their friend has been rescued, officials said. IMAGE: A view of Juhu beach in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo The incident occurred at Juhu Koliwada in the western suburbs, where a group of five boys, in the age group of 12 to 16 years, ventured into the sea around 5.30 pm. A civic official said a Navy chopper was launched at 8.20 pm for a search operation. A defence spokesperson said diving teams are on standby but they are not being deployed now due to adverse sea conditions. The search was carried out with night searchlights, Manila rope and other equipment but the missing boys were not found. The Fire Brigade suspended the search operation due to darkness and bad weather at around 11 pm, the official added. Authorities have already warned people and fishermen against venturing into the sea because of the rough conditions ahead of the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy' on the Gujarat coast on June 15. Civic authorities had initially received information that six people had entered the Arabian sea at Juhu, but later it was confirmed that the group comprised five boys, the official said. The boys had walked half a kilometre from the seashore when they started drowning, he said. One of the boys was rescued by a fisherman before the fire brigade arrived at the scene, while four others are still missing and a search operation is underway for them," the official said. The fire brigade, police, staff of Mumbai civic body and ambulances have been dispatched to the scene, he said. Fire Brigade personnel are facing difficulty in the search operation because of high tide, the official said, adding that divers from the Navy and Coast Guard have also been requested to join the operation. He said the boys are residents of Vakola area in suburban Santacruz. The missing boys are identified as Jay Roshan Tajbariya (15), Manish Yogesh Oganiya (12), Shubham Yogesh Oganiya (15) and Dharmesh Valji Faujiya (16), the official said. The fire brigade has appealed to people to inform them if anybody finds the missing boys. The Indian Coast Guard evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the impending cyclone Biparjoy' in the region, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," it said in a release. It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy, which is expected to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district on June 15. The Coast Guard pressed into service its MK III, an ALH, for the rescue operations even as all its units continued to be on high alert to render assistance as required, it said. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s latest bulletin, Biparjoy is very likely to move north-northeastward and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan near Jakhau port by the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. Wind speed at the time is expected to be in the range of 125-135 kmph gusting up to 150 kmph, it said. In view of the cyclone, authorities have planned for large-scale evacuation of people living near the coastline. Former US President Donald J Trump has been indicted in an investigation into his handling of classified documents after he left the White House. The former president has been indicted on seven federal criminal charges for retaining hundreds of classified government documents and even making false statements after leaving the White House. Trump had posted on Truth Social that he has been summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday, June 13, afternoon, incidentally, the day before he turns 77. It is the second indictment of Trump, who is running for president in the 2024 US presidential election. The first being on April 4, 2023 in the Manhattan criminal court, when he was indicted, arrested and arraigned on criminal charges of falsifying business records in relation to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. IMAGE: Trump arrives at Miami international airport the day before his appearance in a federal court in Miami. All Photographs: Marco Bello/Reuters IMAGE: Trump supporters gather outside his Mar-a-Lago resort, here and below. IMAGE: Raul Meneses wears a Trump mask at a gathering at Tropical Park, here and below. IMAGE: A person wearing a mask depicting US President Joe Biden and wearing prison clothes attends a rally as Trump supporters gather outside his Mar-a-Lago resort. Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji and some others as part of a money laundering investigation and held multi-city searches, official sources said. Balaji's office room at the secretariat in Chennai was among the locations raided by the ED officials. The minister, a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam strongman from Karur district, said he was not aware of what the officials had come searching for at his premises and assured to extend total cooperation in the probe. The ruling DMK hit out at the ED raids and termed it as an attempt to 'divert' attention from the ongoing war of words between National Democratic Alliance constituents Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Senior DMK leader and its organisation secretary R S Bharathi said the party has seen many such raids but no charges have been proved against its leaders in the past. They were an attempt to defame the party, he alleged. The raids were being carried out at Balaji's premises in state capital Chennai and his native Karur. Besides these, ED officials also searched the house of a Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) lorry contractor in Erode district. State-run TASMAC is the retailer of liquor in Tamil Nadu. Balaji also holds the prohibition and excise portfolio. The Supreme Court had earlier allowed police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who was earlier with the AIADMK. He was transport minister in the late Jayalalithaa-led cabinet. The ED conducted the searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. Last month, the income tax department too had searched people close to Balaji in the state. Responding to the ED searches on Tuesday, Balaji said he was "ready to extend full cooperation" to the investigating agency. "With what intention have they come, what are they looking for, we will see. Let it get over," he told reporters soon after the sleuths started the searches. Whether it be the IT or ED, Balaji assured full cooperation for the authorities concerned, adding whatever explanation sought by officials based on documents, will be provided. The minister, who went for a morning walk, said he took a taxi back home after receiving a message about the raids on his premises. The ED officials were accompanied by central paramilitary personnel during the raids. Last month, Income Tax officials were allegedly attacked in Karur when they went to conduct searches at some places linked to Balaji. As the raids continued, DMK lawyers led by Bharathi, an advocate himself, landed at Balaji's house. The senior leader alleged that the team was refused permission to meet Balaji as they wanted to seek his instructions for getting legal remedy. "The raids are in violation of human rights. Senthil Balaji may be a minister, but he is a human being first. We have a right to know his status," Bharathi told reporters. "This is a planned attempt to malign the DMK," he said and indicated that searches at the secretariat happened without the approval of the state chief secretary. The party was not bothered about such raids, as it has come across many such action against its leaders in the past, but without any result against them. He said the ED had held searches many times at Karnataka Congress leader and now Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, but he still emerged victorious with a massive margin in the just concluded polls. This showed such agency action will not impact a man's popularity, Bharathi claimed. He said the ED action came days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's TN visit and claimed it was an attempt to 'divert' attention from the ongoing spat between allies AIADMK and the BJP. He also took a swipe at the alleged low conviction rates in ED cases. Farmers protesting over the MSP for sunflower seeds at Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra called off their stir on Tuesday night after an assurance from the state government of "appropriate price" for the crop. IMAGE: Farmers celebrate after getting an assurance from the government on a fair price for sunflower seeds, Pipli, Haryana, June 13, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said after fresh talks with the district administration in the evening, the farmers have ended the protest in Kurukshetra's Pipli and the national highway blockade will be lifted. Kurukshetra deputy commissioner (DC) Shantanu Sharma said that farmers have been assured of "appropriate price" for sunflower crop. The national highway in Pipli had remained blocked for the second day Tuesday over the farmers' demand for MSP for sunflower seeds. On Monday and during the day on Tuesday, there had not been any headway in talks between the farmers and district administration, but the breakthrough finally came in the evening. Tikait had earlier asked the state government to accept the demand or send farmers to jail. The protesting farmers had blocked the national highway 44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh, and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. The farmers had been demanding that the state government procure sunflower seeds at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government was giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP. China launches a Long March 3B carrier rocket on May 17 morning to transport a satellite into space for the country's Beidou Navigation Satellite System. [Photo by Zhu Lei/For chinadaily.com.cn] Engineers at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in Beijing recently tested a parachute-controlled descent system on a rocket, which will help reduce risks and evacuation costs after a mission launch. Falling rocket debris has been a concern for those located under a rocket's trajectory, with local authorities sometimes needing to evacuate people if there is a possibility that hazardous material might fall on residential areas. To solve this problem, rocket scientists and engineers have been exploring multiple methods to control the descent of rocket debris. The latest solution is a controllable parachute system, which was tested during a Long March 3B rocket launch on May 17. Installed on one of the rocket's side boosters, the system was activated at a set altitude after the booster had been fired and had separated from the rocket's core stage. The system successfully guided the used booster's descent on a planned path. The booster landed in a designated area that was only 20 percent the size of previous zones for fallen debris, according to the academy. Zhang Yipu, a lead structural designer of the Long March 3 rocket fleet, said the parachute system features a host of advanced devices, including a large controllable parafoil and an integrated navigation and positioning system for rapid movement. Before the latest test, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology engineers conducted two tests of a controllable-descent system in two Long March 2C rocket launches. Yang Yuguang, a senior space industry observer in Beijing and vice-chair of the International Astronautical Federation's space transportation committee, said on Monday that descent control technologies are both necessary and useful. "Normally, rocket debris, like the first core stage and side boosters, go through an uncontrollable fall before crashing to the ground, forcing the authorities to evacuate a large number of people, and that costs a lot of money and energy," he said. The application of descent-control technologies will not only narrow debris crash areas, which usually cover large areas of more than 1,000 square kilometers, and provide higher safety for residents, but also greatly reduce costs, Yang said. "In the near future, when Chinese rocket boosters can make controllable descent and landing within a very small, designated place, then our engineers will be able to recover and recycle them," the researcher said. Editor: JYZ Farmers blocked the national highway in Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra district for a second day Tuesday over the MSP for sunflower seeds, with BKU leader Rakesh Tikait asking the state government to accept the demand or send farmers to jail. IMAGE: Protesting farmers block national highway 44 over their demand for minimum support price for sunflower seeds, Shahabad, Kurukshetra, Haryana, June 6, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Farmer leaders at the protest site said that several rounds of talks have been held with the district administration since Monday, but so far they have not yielded any outcome. The protesting farmers have blocked the National Highway 44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh, and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Tikait said they held meetings with the district administration twice on Monday night but the talks did not yield any result. Another round of talks between the administration and farmers would be held on Tuesday, officials said. As the stalemate continued, some farmers erected tents on the highway to save themselves from scorching heat. "Farmers won't end their protest, they won't go from here like this. The government should either meet their demand or send them to jail," Tikait told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, he had said a local committee of farmers that was constituted on Monday and the leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) would hold a meeting on Tuesday to chalk out their further course of action. Tikait said the issue of minimum support price (MSP) for sunflower crop is not only affecting farmers in Haryana but the entire farmer community "as we are demanding an MSP law for all crops, as promised by the Union government when we withdrew the farmers' agitation against the now repealed farm laws". Apart from the MSP for sunflower seeds, the protesting farmers are demanding the release of nine farmer union leaders who were arrested during a protest at Shahabad in Kurukshetra recently. Kurukshetra's Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria told PTI that the district administration is trying to persuade the farmers to lift the blockade and was hopeful that a solution would be found. He also said that a fresh case has been registered against the protesters under relevant provisions of law for blocking the national highway. Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 imposed in an area of 2 km radius of grain market Pipli, where farmers held their mahapanchayat, have been violated, Bhoria said. The 'MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao Mahapanchayat', called by the BKU (Charuni), was held at a grain market in Pipli close to NH-44. Subsequently, the farmers blocked the highway. The district administration and the police have been making efforts to persuade the protesting farmers to lift the blockade, which has caused inconvenience to commuters. Leaders of various khaps, Tikait and Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, one of the wrestlers who have been demanding action against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers, had attended the mahapanchayat in Pipli. Tikait also sat with the protesting farmers on the national highway. Farmers from Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan too attended the mahapanchayat. Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shantanu Sharma said on Monday night that the farmers were occupying both carriageways. "We have been requesting them to initiate a dialogue, but they want their demands to be met first," the DC had said. On June 6, farmers led by BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni blocked the highway near Shahabad here demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP. Police used water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. Tikait had said that the government should procure sunflower seeds on MSP and the farmer leaders arrested in Shahabad should be released. Addressing the mahapanchayat, Tikait had announced that the SKM would start a pan-India agitation if a law for MSP, "as promised by the Union government", is not brought. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. The farmers are demanding that the state government procure sunflower seeds at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government is giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP. A Mumbai sessions court on Tuesday acquitted two accused in the 2002 Best Bakery case of Gujarat where 14 people were killed in a mob attack. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo The duo -- Harshad Solanki and Mafat Gohil -- were acquitted of all the charges by Additional Sessions Judge M G Deshpande. In the first phase of the trial in the Best Bakery case, the Mumbai sessions court in February 2006 convicted nine of the 17 people accused of murder. In 2012, the Bombay high court acquitted five of those convicted for want of evidence but upheld the conviction of four others, who had been sentenced to life by the trial court. On March 1, 2002, two days after the Godhra carnage, a mob attacked Best Bakery in Vadodara, looting and burning it down and killing 14 people. The mob targeted the Muslims inside, including the Shaikh family that ran the bakery. In 2003, as many as 19 people were acquitted after the conclusion of the trial in a local court. Later, their acquittal was confirmed by the Gujarat high court. One of the victims, Zahirabibi Shaikh, along with an NGO, moved the Supreme Court against the judgement. She had urged the apex court that the judgments and orders passed by the trial as well as the Gujarat high court be set aside. Accepting the plea, the SC remanded the matter to Maharashtra and ordered a retrial and reinvestigation by the police. In a sudden move, Bihar minister Santosh Suman resigned from the state cabinet on Tuesday alleging "pressure" to merge his Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United. IMAGE: Santosh Kumar Suman, son of former Bihar CM and HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, addresses a press conference after resigning from the grand alliance government in Patna on Tuesday, June, 13, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo Suman, who held the SC and ST welfare portfolio, is the national president of HAM founded by his father Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister. "I have sent my resignation to the chief minister and personally met Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (senior JD-U leader and minister) to explain my point. I hope my resignation will be accepted. We are, though, not pulling out of the Mahagathbandhan," Suman told reporters. He pointed out that his father, who then headed the party, had decided to quit the NDA last year and join the Mahagathbandhan because of his loyalty towards the chief minister. "It is for the CM to decide whether we be kept in the Mahagathbandhan or expelled. We will decide accordingly. But in view of the JD-U's proposal, I had to take a decision to save my party from extinction. Hence I resigned," said Suman. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in the state was quick to claim that the development was a dampener for Nitish Kumar's opposition unity efforts as part of which he will be hosting a conclave next week, to be attended by bigwigs like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. "The resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi's son is proof of the chasm that exists in the Mahagathbandhan. The alliance has been rejected by the people and it will become evident in the Lok Sabha polls next year and culminate in the defeat of the Mahagathbandhan in the assembly elections a year later," said BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. However, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari, whose party helms the Mahagathbandhan, said, "Jitan Ram Manjhi has been known for his pressure tactics and prevarications. Though our government will not be affected by this decision, this is a move they will regret." While Suman is a member of the legislative council, HAM has a total of four MLAs, including Manjhi. In the 243-strong Bihar assembly, 122 members are needed for a government to survive. Minus HAM, the Mahagathbandhan, which also includes Congress and the Left, still has close to 160. Tiwari added, "At the Mahagathbandhan rally in Purnea earlier this year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had spoken of the BJP's attempts to beguile Manjhi. It seems he has fallen into the trap. Claims of pressure for merger by JD-U do not hold water." Notably, many eyebrows were raised when, about a month ago, Manjhi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. This was followed by repeated demands for "not less than five seats for HAM in Lok Sabha polls", by the father-son duo. Meanwhile, Leshi Singh, a minister and a senior leader of the JD-U, reminded Manjhi that "it was because of the blessings of Nitish Kumar that he rose to the chief minister's chair". The reference was to the development in 2014, when Nitish Kumar stepped down, owning moral responsibility for the JD-U's drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls. Manjhi, then seen as a low-key minister, was appointed as the CM with the support of his mentor. The eight-month-long tenure of the Dalit leader was marked by many controversies and factional feuds within the party and he revolted when Kumar decided to return as the chief minister. A floor test was ordered but Manjhi chose to resign as CM, realising that he did not have sufficient support, and later on quit the JD-U to form HAM. He started off as an NDA partner in the assembly polls held later that year, but has switched alliances on more than one occasion since then. Senior IAS officer Sudhansh Pant has been named as the new health secretary as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Tuesday. IMAGE: : Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the officers during the Chintan Shivir organised by the department of personnel and training, in New Delh, February 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Pant, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently secretary in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways. He has been appointed as the officer on special duty, department of health and family welfare. The officer will take over as secretary, department of health and family welfare, ministry of health and family welfare, upon retirement of Rajesh Bhushan on July 31, 2023, an order issued by the personnel ministry said. TK Ramachandran, chairman of V O Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tuticorin, will be Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in place of Pant. Chanchal Kumar, managing director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., has been named as the new civil aviation secretary. "The officer will join as officer on special duty, ministry of civil aviation in the rank and pay of secretary to the government of India on 01.08.2023 and take over as secretary, ministry of civil aviation vice Rajiv Bansal, lAS (NL:88) upon his superannuation on 31 .08.2023," the order said. A total of 15 senior bureaucrats have been appointed in different central government departments in Tuesday's rejig. Pankaj Agrawal, additional secretary and director general (acquisition), ministry of defence, will be the new power secretary. He has been appointed as OSD, Ministry of Power and the officer will take over as Secretary of the ministry upon superannuation of Alok Kumar this month end. Senior bureaucrat Atal Dulloo has been appointed as secretary, department of border management, ministry of home affairs. He will succeed Dharmendra S Gangwar, who is due to superannuate on June 30. Rameshwar Prasad Gupta, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre retired IAS officer, has been appointed as chairman & managing director, Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. on contract basis for a period of two years, the order said. Bharat Lal, who is at present Director General of National Centre for Good Governance, has been appointed as secretary general, National Human Rights Commission on contract basis for a period of one year. He will succeed Devendra Kumar Singh, who is due to retire from service on June 30. Debashree Mukherjee will be secretary, department of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation. Mukherjee, who is currently special secretary in the same department, will succeed Pankaj Kumar, upon his superannuation on September 30. Rajat Kumar Mishra, additional secretary in the department of economic affairs, has been appointed as secretary, department of fertilizers. Subhas Chandra Lal Das, director general of hydrocarbons, will now be secretary, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, the order said. Nivedita Shukla Verma, special secretary in the department of defence, will be new secretary, department of chemicals and petro-chemicals. She has been appointed as OSD, department of chemicals and petro-chemicals with effect from August 1. Verma will take over as Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals, upon superannuation of Arun Baroka on August 31. Vibhu Nayar, additional secretary & financial advisor, ministry of external affairs will be tribal affairs secretary. He has been appointed as special secretary & financial advisor in the external affairs ministry. The officer will join as OSD, ministry of tribal affairs on November 1, 2023 and take over as the secretary after retirement of Anil Kumar Jha on November 30. S Gopalakrishnan, special secretary in the department of health & family welfare, has been appointed as director general, National Productivity Council. He will replace Sundeep Kumar Nayak, who will be superannuating on July 31. Chhattisgarh-cadre IAS officer Renu Gonela Pillay will be secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, ministry of social justice and empowerment. She will succeed Upma Srivastava, who retires on July 31. Pillay's batchmate Seema Jain, presently serving in her cadre state Punjab, will be member finance, space commission. She will take over the charge from Talleen Kumar, who is due to superannuate on July 31. The officer will also hold additional charge of member finance, Earth Commission and Atomic Energy Commission (with headquarters at New Delhi), the order said. The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved in-situ upgradation of two officers to the level of special secretary by temporarily upgrading the post held by them. Pramod Kumar Tiwari, director general, Bureau of Indian Standards, ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution will now be at the rank and pay of secretary to the government of India. Vijay Kumar, additional secretary in the ministry of cooperation, will be special secretary in the same ministry. The Congress on Tuesday said the government should stop "suppressing" social media and journalists after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened with shutdown unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during the farmers' protest. The Centre has, however, rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. The Congress also demanded answers from the Modi government over the issue and alleged that there cannot be bigger proof of the "weakening of democracy" in the country by targeting institutions. "We demand that the government stops suppressing social media, stops suppressing, coaxing large sections of media into submission," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said at a press conference in New Delhi. "Opposition voices are regularly being suppressed by the government," she alleged. Shrinate said Twitter had banned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's account after "pressure" from the government, and alleged that the "truth" has come out after Dorsey's claim. "The prime minister is afraid because crores have been spent to build his image and that gets demolished when such truth comes out," she said, and added that Dorsey would not benefit anyway by speaking out now. "There cannot be bigger proof of the weakening of democracy in the country by targeting institutions. This is the truth of this government," Shrinate claimed. Taking to Twitter, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "The Modi Government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers and Farmer's movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Government, or Twitter and its employees would be raided." "This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Government answer," he asked. Surjewala also shared a clip from the interview in which Dorsey levelled the allegation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees." Shrinate also said that Twitter has become a platform for expressing public opinion, and claimed that Dorsey has made it very clear that during the farmers' agitation, the Modi government "pressurised" the company to stop such content or face raids. "Twitter was raided and the idea was to suppress the agitation and send out a message," she claimed. Shrinate claimed that recently a Union minister threatened a journalist in Amethi who then lost his job within hours. "This has to stop. Intimidation of media, journalists and social media platforms has to immediately stop," she said. In the interview, Dorsey claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, in sensational allegations, claimed the Indian government threatened to shut down Twitter unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during farmers' protests, a charge denied by the government on Tuesday as an "outright lie". In an interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new agri laws in 2020 and 2021. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar launched a no holds barred attack and said Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law... It behaved as if the laws of India did not apply to it." "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shut down'," Chandrasekhar said. "This is an outright lie by @jack --- perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitter's history." Dorsey also mentioned similar pressures from governments in Turkey and Nigeria. Others in the government too joined Chandrasekhar in rebutting the claims. Denying allegations made by Dorsey, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former IT and communication minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "No threat was issued to Twitter. We did, however, flag anti-India activities being entertained on the micro-blogging site." "We did raise objections to Twitter timelines teeming with footage of the tricolour being pulled down at Red Fort and police personnel being beaten up," said Prasad, in an oblique reference to unsavoury events that took place during the agitation against farm laws. "We pointed out that the act was no less outrageous than the siege of Capitol Hill for which Twitter had shown sensitivity," Prasad, who was IT and communication minister between July 2016 and July 2021, said. "There were also instances of unverified accounts of people not living in the country engaging in anti-India activities. We had requested that they act against such users," he added. He also lashed out at the Congress for doing politics on the "sacked" CEO of the company. Information Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur in Shimla said Dorsey was attempting a cover-up of past misdeeds and Twitter's internal communications had exposed that the platform was "misused and there was bias and tinkering. The BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said the social media company violated laws between 2020 and 2022 when Dorsey was at the helm of affairs. Opposition parties quickly latched on to Dorsey's comments to attack the government with the Congress saying when farmers were protesting, the government was trying to suppress this news. "Be aware, 733 farmers were martyred in this movement and the dictator was engaged in polishing his image on their dead bodies," it tweeted without naming anyone. Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena-UBT Priyanka Chaturvedi, replying to Chandrasekhar's tweet, said the law Twitter broke was to "allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda." The government had in 2021 asked Twitter to block certain provocative hashtags which the social media platform initially compiled but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification". This led to a standoff with government officials threatening legal consequences. Weeks later, the police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. In the longish Twitter post, Chandrasekhar cited what the government saw as non-compliance with the local laws governing social media platforms. "Facts and truth - @twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied," he said. In Thiruvananthapuram, he said Twitter was not in compliance with Indian law during 2020 and 2022 but "they were neither raided nor sent to jail and so this is a fiction that Dorsey has put out there for whatever reasons he has put out there." "But the facts are that the Government of India has consistently maintained that any platform, whether foreign or Indian, whether big or small, must comply with Indian laws if they are to operate in India and offer services and products to the Indian citizens," he said. "The most important thing that I would like to share is that certain people are now aware of what Twitter was doing during those two years as that has come out into public domain through the Twitter files," he added. Twitter, he said, was misusing its power as a platform to selectively de-amplify, selectively deplatform people both in India and abroad. In India, it was a direct violation of Article 14 and Article 19 of the Constitution and the government has always maintained that any platform, whether Twitter or any other in in the country, has to protect every Indian citizen's fundamental rights -- Articles 14, 19 and 21-- and has to be in compliance with Indian laws, the minister said. "That is exactly where the government's views are, then in 2020 and currently in 2023," he said. He said he was "deeply disappointed" by Jack Dorsey's attempt at "lying about what happened because certainly whatever he has said in yesterday's statement is untrue and is false". India as a sovereign nation has the right to ensure that its laws are followed by all companies operating in India, the minister. "During the protests in January 2021, there was a lot of misinformation and even reports of genocide which were definitely fake. "GoI (government of India) was obligated to remove misinformation from the platform because it had the potential to further inflame the situation based on fake news," he said in the Twitter post without giving details. The minister charged Twitter with not complying with requests to take down tweets spreading misinformation. "Such was the level of partisan behaviour on Twitter under the Jack regime, that they had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India..." he said, noting that they did it when similar events took place in the US. He also alleged that there was ample evidence in the public domain about Jack's "arbitrary, blatantly partisan and discriminatory conduct and misuse of its power on its platform during that period". Twitter under Dorsey was not just violating Indian laws but was partisan in how it was using "deamplify" and de-platforming arbitrarily, in violation of the Constitution and also assisting in "weaponising of misinformation", the minister alleged. "To set the record straight, no one was raided or sent to jail. Our focus was only on ensuring the compliance of Indian laws," Chandrasekhar said. "Our government's policies remain clear for all Intermediaries operating in India - compliance with laws to ensure the Internet is Safe and Trusted, Accountable". Dorsey made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressures Twitter faced from the Indian government when he was the CEO. The Indian government has repeatedly denied engaging in online censorship. "Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law. Say MoS IT. Lol! Yeah, the law they broke was to allow hate speech and rabid BJP agenda. But there was no crackdown or compliance issues since it supported their agenda. The minute people and opposition started to fight back using the platform, the government started to crackdown! So please, spare this little sermon," Chaturvedi tweeted. She went on to state that Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has "on record spoken about GoI's multiple requests to take down content/suspend accounts that goes against his own belief regarding absolute FoS (freedom of speech). They comply, since GoI." You are the owner of this article. ROME, June 10 (Xinhua) -- China's self-developed large passenger aircraft C919 holds certain advantages over established foreign rivals, a leading European expert in the sector has said. "It's very early, but we can say that the C919's path to becoming a rival to large and established companies like Boeing and Airbus is not impossible," said Andrea Giuricin, head of transportation-focused firm TRA Consulting, in an interview with Xinhua. On May 28, the C919 completed its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing operated by China Eastern Airlines, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market. The C919 project was launched in 2007. Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), the first C919 aircraft rolled off the production line in Shanghai in November 2015. In 2017, the plane accomplished its maiden flight. Giuricin said that the C919's primary advantage could lie in its home-field advantage in China. With China accounting for approximately one-fifth of global air traffic and boasting a growth rate of more than air traffic annually -- faster than both the United States and Europe -- the country could be on pace to become the world's largest air traffic market by 2050, he noted. According to L'Usine Nouvelle, a French technology publication, the C919 will be more powerful than the Boeing 737 and the Airbus 320, and it could rival those aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency. Editor: JYZ The European Commission is working to launch a pilot facility to counter-guarantee Export Credit Agencies so that they can continue on-cover for exports of the EU companies to Ukraine, as well as on solving the problem of war risk insurance, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in the European Parliament on Tuesday at the debate about Ukraine. "The lack of war insurance in most EU Member States is seen as one of the barriers to engaging private business in Ukraine's reconstruction," he said. According to Dombrovskis, the European Commission is currently in talks with several partners, including the UK and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), about a potential scheme to incentivise the insurance industry to launch war insurance policies for Ukraine. In addition, the European Commission is discussing with the World Bank the possibility of providing a loan of EUR 40 million under European guarantees for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine, Dombrovskis said, stressing the importance of restoring the private sector in Ukraine. Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall during the debate expressed confidence that the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform held on May 26 confirmed the platform's vital role as a catalyst for mobilising international commitments to respond to Ukraine's priority needs in 2023. According to her, the next Steering Committee meeting will take place in person in the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 in London on June 21-22. The Indian Coast Guard evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the impending cyclone Biparjoy in the region, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," it said in a release. It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy, which is expected to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district on June 15. The Coast Guard pressed into service its MK III, an ALH, for the rescue operations even as all its units continued to be on high alert to render assistance as required, it said. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD)s latest bulletin, Biparjoy is very likely to move north-northeastward and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan near Jakhau port by the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. Wind speed at the time is expected to be in the range of 125-135 kmph gusting up to 150 kmph, it said. In view of the cyclone, authorities have planned for large-scale evacuation of people living near the coastline. European Comission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday in a bid to get a free trade deal moving again. The 27-member EU completed negotiations in 2019 on a wide-ranging trade deal with Mercosur comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay but it has yet to be ratified by any of the individual countries. Ratification stalled during the presidency of Lulas predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, due to the EU's concern over his environmental policies as well as a European desire to protect its local farmers from cheaper imports from Mercosur. Proposed modifications of the original agreement have yet to get the process back on track. In March, the EU sent a letter to Mercosur seeking to establish stricter environmental requirements for South American countries in order to persuade European nations to ratify the deal. We are very much looking forward to your answer, because it is our opening to listen to you, to listen where we have to improve, von der Leyen said in prepared remarks after her meeting with Lula. So that we can, indeed, by the end of the year, conclude the Mercosur agreement. But Brazils president openly expressed dismay with the proposal. The premise that needs to exist among strategic partners is of mutual trust and not distrust and sanctions, he said. The March letter doesn't explicitly mention sanctions, but rather proposes to make mandatory some of the environmental goals established by the Paris Agreement. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has said that different interpretations of European law could mean failure to fulfill goals would result in sanctions. The EU-Mercosur trade agreement is meant to link two markets with a total population of around 800 million people and accounting for about a fourth of the worlds gross domestic product. It envisions leading to more than $100 billion in annual trade of goods and services by cutting customs duties and easing access for Mercosur agricultural exporters to the EU market and for European manufacturers to Mercosur countries. Since Lula became president in January, members of his administration have raised questions about the agreement, said Lucas Leite, a professor of international relations at the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, a university in Sao Paulo. He said their concerns include whether Brazil's industrialized goods will be able to compete with European competitors and the possibility the nation could be negatively affected. The environmental standards are a challenge for the Brazilian government, which talks about the need to reindustrialize the country," Leite said. "This agreement would not be good for Brazil. We are only able to compete in the agricultural sector. Two officials within the foreign relations ministry told The Associated Press that many Brazilian diplomats are arguing that the EU's March proposal provides a good excuse to not ratify the agreement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Amid the uncertainty over the deal, von der Leyen sought to show European solidarity with Brazil by announcing new spending programs. She said the EU will invest 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) for hydrogen production, a green energy project aimed at lessening dependence on fossil fuels. She said the EU also will provide 430 million euros to help fight deforestation and 20 million euros to the Amazon Fund to preserve the Amazon Forest. This is only the start, von der Leyen said, adding that individual European nations and private donors are expected to complement the total. Europe is back in Brazil, Europe is back in Latin America. Von der Leyen met with executives from Brazils industrial sector after her session with Lula. Brasilia is the first stop on her Latin America tour. She will now travel to Argentina, Chile and Mexico, and meet with each nation's president. In July, EU members and the heads of state from the Community of Latin American and Carribean States are scheduled to hold a summit. Not even revelations of a Chinese spy base in Cuba can stop the US secretary of states visit this time. UPDATED AT 01:47 am ET on 2023-06-14 Nothing can stop U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing this time. Not the Chinese militarys unsafe moves in the South China Sea. Not a war of words over Chinese fentanyl exports. And not even the revelations of a multibillion-dollar Chinese spy base in Cuba. In a dramatic about-face over the weekend, the Biden administration reversed its denials of a Wall Street Journal report about the spy base to instead say it was not even news: The spy base, it said, had in fact been known to U.S. intelligence since the Trump administration. That only raised more questions about the initial denials. John Kirby, spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council, on Monday flat-out denied that the repudiation of the story last week was intended to not derail Blinkens coming trip to China, as the spy-balloon saga did with his late trip cancellation in February. Kirby told reporters at the White House that the denials were due to the verb forms used in last weeks reports. The headlines should have used the past tense, he said, not the present. Still, he denied that the White House had been caught in hamfisted cover-up of untimely news, and queried the reason for the leak. It's shameful that somebody or somebodies somehow think it's okay to put this kind of information in the public bloodstream, Kirby said. We were as forthcoming as we should have been and could have been in the moment, and remain that way right now. We need to talk Blinkens trip is yet to be officially announced by the State Department, but media reports suggest he will arrive in Beijing on Sunday and meet top officials from Chinas government during an event on Monday. He spoke by telephone with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang Tuesday night Washington time, according to the State Department. A spokesperson said the two "discussed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the U.S.-PRC [People's Republic of China] relationship to avoid miscalculation and conflict, addressed a range of bilateral and global issues, and made clear the U.S. would continue to use diplomatic engagements to raise areas of concern as well as areas of potential cooperation." The Chinese foreign ministry said Qin Gang asked the U.S. to respect Chinas concerns on issues such as Taiwan self-rule stressing that the United States should respect them, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop undermining China's sovereignty, security and development interests in the name of competition. The visit comes after almost a year of strained relations between Washington and Beijing, which began with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis trip to Taiwan in August and has since been punctuated by an near unending list of disputes between the two major world powers, including tech export bans and the rise in near-accidents at sea. Amid those complaints, some have queried why the White House is trying so hard now for a thaw, having even held back human rights-related sanctions, export controls and other sensitive actions to try to limit damage to the U.S.-China relationship, per one report. A protester wears a shirt that reads "China is not our enemy" as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, foreground attends a Senate Appropriations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 16, 2023. (Andrew Harnik/AP) Its all part of the precarious high-wire act of managing the extensive economic ties and military tensions in what President Joe Biden has called the most important relationship that the United States has. The Biden administration is trying to walk a fine line, Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, told Radio Free Asia, noting that the White Houses main aim was to build a balancing coalition to keep China from gaining hegemony in Asia. But they also want to cooperate with Beijing in other areas and avoid a complete economic or political rupture that would damage both sides, he said. A thaw with Beijing will also reassure our Asian allies, who are sometimes spooked when the risk of war seems too high. Both of those latter aims, Walt explained, require dialogue, which China has shut off since Blinkens nixed February trip. But that also means the U.S. side stands to gain more from resumed talks. For the United States, restarting regular dialogue and clarifying some points of agreement would be enough, he said. China faces a tougher task: success probably means getting the United States to back away from some of its recent measures, and that is unlikely to happen. To thaw or not to thaw Some, including Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, dont even see Blinkens trip amid mounting tensions as the pursuit of a thaw. Rather, it is seeking to responsibly manage competition with China, which is impossible to do in the absence of dialogue, Glaser told RFA. Blinken likely hopes to restore mechanisms of dialogue that have been suspended, especially the military dialogues, and to reinvigorate cooperation on global issues. I expect he will cover the full range of issues in the relationship, including human rights, actions against Chinese companies, the war in Ukraine, as well as North Korea, Iran, and Taiwan, she said. There are also more practical reasons to re-engage in talks, especially as American defense officials continue to warn about the risks of a war. While the United States and China may be locked in a strategic competition to influence world politics in their favor, they are also economically intertwined in a way the United States and Soviet Union never were during the Cold War, said Richard Harknett, director of the University of Cincinnats School of Public and International Affairs. Competition is not inevitably conflict, and neither countrys interests are advanced through direct conflict/war, Harknett told RFA. Just talking at high levels is an advancement as it reduces the chances for misperceptions to lead to unintended incidents. He said that could only be achieved by restoring dialogue to create some basic rules of the road that benefit both sides long-term. This is establishing ground rules for the next decades, he said. Biden-Xi In the shorter term, said Kharis Templeman, the director of the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region at Stanford University, bilateral dialogue is also useful for clarifying U.S. interests and capabilities to Beijing, even if most issues wont be resolved simply by talking. Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaves the Capitol after a meeting in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) That will put the United States in a better position in its competition with China, he said, and could help avoid a conflict. Beyond that, it doesnt cost much to send Blinken to Beijing, Templeman argued. Its also useful because the U.S. side can learn more about the CCP leadership, he added, referring to the Chinese Communist Party, and there is value in seeing whos advising Xi Jinping, how Xi spends his time, what issues they want to talk about and avoid, and so forth. The primary way that hot conflicts happen is via misperception of the other sides interests, commitments and capabilities, he said. In the end, the many points of dispute between the United States and China might also be seen as more of a reason for a meeting between their top diplomats than an impediment to it, said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defense Force Academy in Canberra. It is precisely because of the growing list of issues affecting bilateral relations that there is increased urgency for dialogue to address these disputes and stabilize relations, Thayer said, and to break a cycle of both putting the blame on the other for the failure of dialogue. Besides allowing both sides to take stock of the main irritants in bilateral relations and how they can be managed, the trip could lay the groundwork for another face-to-face at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta in September or G-20 Summit in New Delhi in December, he added. It is likely both China and the United States will find it in their interest to schedule a meeting between Xi and Biden before the end of the year, when the regional diplomatic calendar of events provides a convenient opportunity for them to meet, Thayer said. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Updated to include details of phone call between Blinken and Qin Gang. President of European Parliament: Russia's attack on Kakhovka HPP cannot be left unanswered President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola urged not to leave Russia's attack on the Kakhovka HPP unanswered and to help Ukraine even more. Russia's attack to destroy the Kakhovka Dam was barbaric and horrific. Aimed against innocent Ukrainian families who are now left without homes and clean water. It cannot be left unanswered, she said on Twitter Monday evening. Metsola urged to help Ukraine even more. Those responsible of war crimes will face justice, she added. A student at Chinas Jiangxi Industry Polytechnic College recently found what appears to be a rat head in their food at the schools canteen. Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi have escalated their response to a viral video of a suspected rat's head found in a student's food at a Nanchang university canteen, vowing a provincial level inquiry amid widespread public disgust and online ridicule over the incident. The provincial government said Saturday it has put together a taskforce to probe the grisly find by a student at the Jiangxi Industry Polytechnic College in the provincial capital, including education officials, market supervisors and police, state media reported. The move comes after local market supervision officials announced that the sodden lump which appears in the video to have eyes and rodent-like teeth was in fact part of a "duck's neck" a common ingredient in soups. Food quality has long been a bone of contention for students at Chinese vocational colleges, with campus protests breaking out in the southwestern province of Sichuan in 2019 over an incident of mass food poisoning. Nanchang market supervision bureau official Jiang Xiexue told state-run Jiangxi Radio and TV that "local law enforcement officials had arrived at the scene and confirmed the strange item as a duck neck after repeated comparison," the Global Times reported. But public suspicions weren't so easily allayed. "Many netizens insisted on their speculation that it was a mouse head rather than a duck neck with some questioning that how come the duck neck has teeth and what the long 'hairs' were," it said, adding that Global Times commentator Hu Xijin had called for "more convincing evidence" to prove the lump came from a duck. Duckrat memes Jiang's claim was backed up by a written statement from the student who posted the viral video, which has spawned a number of "duckrat" memes, in which the head of a rat is edited onto a photo of a duck and spoof videos based on the phrase "calling a rat a duck." "Hi everyone in today's show we're going to learn how to write the phrase 'call a rat a duck,'" says one video, in the style of a calligraphy lesson or writing tutorial, as a hand inscribes the phrase onto a dirty car door. Another student at the same school, Chinas Jiangxi Industry Polytechnic College, found a green caterpillar in their food at the same canteen, the China Daily reported. Credit: RFA screenshot from social media "Finally, the truth emerged turns out it came from a creature engineered by researchers at the Jiangxi Industrial Polytechnic College, known as a duckrat," says a mock documentary on the topic posted to the video-sharing site Bilibili and shared on Weibo. Later reports also emerged that a student had found a green caterpillar in their food at the same canteen, the China Daily reported on June 12. "Although the canteen continued to operate normally after the incident, fewer people are using it," the paper reported, citing the Henan-based Top News service. "Instead, many students have been seen receiving takeout deliveries at the entrance of their dormitories." Seeking scapegoats Beijing-based current affairs commentator Ji Feng said he wasn't optimistic that the upscaled investigation would improve matters. "The point of the investigation ... will be to find scapegoats ... among the management or in the contractors operating the canteen," Ji said, adding that the university canteen business is highly lucrative for contractors. Former Jiangxi high school teacher Sun Yanru agreed, saying that the inquiry will likely seek to take the heat off local officials. "Firstly, this investigation won't yield any substantive results, although naturally they may come up with a few scapegoats to try to calm down [public outrage]," Sun said. "That's what they did with the woman found chained up in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, Sun said. "This kind of investigation task force lost any credibility with the general public a long time ago." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Qiao Xinxin, who launched a campaign to end internet censorship in China, known as the BanGFW Movement, holds a statement in an April 20 Twitter post in which he calls on activists to stage protests outside China's embassies around the world should he fail to post to his social media accounts for 48 hours. Concerns are growing over the fate of Laos-based Chinese free-speech activist Qiao Xinxin, whose associates say he has been incommunicado for several days amid reports of his arrest by Chinese police in the Laotian capital. Qiao, whose birth name is Yang Zewei, is missing, believed detained on or around May 31 in Vientiane, after launching an online campaign to end internet censorship in China, known as the BanGFW Movement, a reference to the Great Firewall, according to fellow activists. The case reflects Chinas growing long-arm repression of its critics outside the country. Some have been detained on foreign soil, while others have told Radio Free Asia they face regular harassment from people believed to be acting on Beijing's behalf targeting loved ones back home and via their social media accounts. According to an online petition posted by a group called the China Citizens' Action Party, activist Wang Qingpeng tweeted on June 2 that Qiao had been incommunicado for 48 hours. A State Department spokesperson on Monday condemned threats, harassment and cross-border abductions of dissidents by the Chinese authorities, saying there were concerns for Qiao's safety following media reports of his disappearance. In comments made in an email to VOA Chinese on June 12, the spokesperson called on the government of Laos to respect and fulfill its obligations under international law, including not allowing the deportation of anyone who could face torture or other serious harm in their country of origin. In an April 20 statement released via Twitter, Qiao had called on fellow activists to stage protests outside China's embassies around the world, should he fail to post to his social media accounts for 48 hours. In the statement that he termed a "Declaration of Not Suicide," Qiao said police in China were investigating his postings to social media and putting pressure on his loved ones back home. "I am now in Laos, but police in my hometown are investigating my speech online and trying to harass my family members in China," said the handwritten statement, which he held up in a selfie posted to his Twitter account. "I still love this world and [am] confident about the democracy of China," it said. "If there's no more online updates for 48 hours, please help to protest in front of [Chinese] embassies. Thanks!" Tearing down the wall According to the Citizens' Action Party, Qiao launched the #BanGFW movement online in March, after which police started putting pressure on his relatives to contact him and tell him to stop. "Qiao Xinxin didn't back down, but fought harder and harder," petition author "Prince Ye" wrote. "He invited more netizens to raise placards calling for the Great Firewall to be torn down, to contact different governments and to get in touch with the media." Qiao, who briefly worked as a contributor for Radio Free Asia, was visited on June 1 by two Laotian policemen and six Chinese police officers, who arrested him, according to Wang and fellow activist Lin Shengliang, who cited Qiao's neighbor in Vientiane. Li Nanfei was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, for protesting against Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a placard reading, His Majesty President Xi, put an end to dictatorship in China! Give the people back their freedom! Credit: Li Nanfei Twitter Lin, who lives in the Netherlands, said Qiao had likely come back from his daily swim in the Mekong River to find the police officers waiting for him. "It's very likely that the people were hiding [in his apartment] and grabbed him as soon as he walked in the door," Lin said. "They likely pressed him to the floor in an instant." "He would definitely have resisted ... but there would have been no time for him to send out any signal for help." According to Qiao's neighbors, he was taken away by eight uniformed police officers in handcuffs, six of whom were believed to be Chinese. Lin said he had called the local police station to ask who had taken Qiao. "The guy said, 'It's not our case,' and was eager to wash his hands of it," Lin said. "But it was passive confirmation that he was arrested." Transnational repression Fellow #BanGFW activist Wang Nan said cross-border law enforcement by Chinese police is common in Laos and Thailand. "China [is believed to have] arrested people in Thailand more than once," Wang Nan said. "As far as I know, most of Thailand's economy and export trade depend on China, while the same is true in Laos." Former Guangzhou police officer Deng Haiyan says he was forced to cut off all contact with his China-based family after coming to live in the United States. "They harassed all of them my father, even my wife's sister and brother-in-law," Deng told Radio Free Asia in a June 12 interview. "I have basically cut off contact with them now, for fear they will be treated as guilty by association." "They also do certain things online to target me, like posting my personal details like my ID card number and that of my wife on social media, and libeling me, saying I am part of a pornography ring," he said. "All of this is ongoing." Harassed at home A U.S.-based dissident who asked to remain anonymous said her family is being targeted for harassment back in China. "My brother is harassed by them every month, and it gets worse in June, when they freeze his bank account," she said, in a reference to the politically sensitive anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. Meanwhile, New York-based journalist Ma Ju said he cut off contact with his family in China seven years ago. "I have also had all kinds of online harassment on a daily basis," Ma said. "I think the Chinese Communist Party are behind it." "I have been hacked so many times while making online content -- my power just cut out on two occasions," he said. "I contacted the FBI about it some time ago, and it turned out there had been a hacker attack that disconnected my internet." "If I'm doing a live stream I'll use mobile data instead, so they can't cut me off." In November 2022, police in Bangkok Police detained an exiled Chinese dissident after he staged a lone street protest against Chinese leader Xi Jinping inspired by the Oct. 13 "Bridge Man" protest in Beijing. Veteran rights activist Li Nanfei, who has been stranded in Thailand for several years despite being a U.N.-registered refugee, was arrested after holding up a placard on a Bangkok street that read: "His Majesty President Xi, put an end to dictatorship in China! Give the people back their freedom!" Earlier in the same month, Adiyaa, an ethnic Mongolian Chinese national who fled the country after his involvement in 2020 protests over a ban on Mongolian-medium teaching in schools, reported being held by Chinese state security police in Bangkok. In 2019, Thai police detained two Chinese refugees Jia Huajiang and Liu Xuehong who had earlier helped jailed rights website founder Huang Qi before fleeing the country. Thailand has sent refugees from China back home in the past. In July 2018, authorities in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing jailed rights activist Dong Guangping and political cartoonist Jiang Yefei after they were sent home from Thailand as they were awaiting resettlement as political refugees, prompting an international outcry. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The incident comes amid growing concerns over a spate of overseas attacks by supporters of the Chinese state A man in a white shirt kicks at a man in a black shirt in this screenshot from a video taken in Southampton, England, Sunday, June 11, 2023. British police are investigating an attack on two Hong Kongers in the southern English city of Southampton after a video clip of two people believed to be supporters of the Chinese Communist Party was posted to social media. "We have received a report of a hate-related assault in the Southampton area," Hampshire police told Radio Free Asia in a statement on Monday, adding that the attack took place at around 4.25 p.m. local time on Sunday. "Two people received minor injuries as a result of the assault." "We are currently conducting an investigation and carrying out enquiries to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident." The investigation came after calls from an exiled democratic district councilor from Hong Kong and a London-based rights group. "A HKer was ambushed by a group of Chinese students after participating in #Southampton 6.12 Anni. Rally," former district councilor Carmen Lau said via her Twitter account after video clips of two young men assaulting a young man and a young woman clad in the black T-shirts of the protest movement were posted by the Twitter account "Mr. Li is not your teacher." "#PhysicalAssault on the British soil, @HantsPolice shd investigate, Home Sec & Foreign Sec shd also investigate for any foreign infiltration," Lau said, calling on Hampshire police to investigate and tagging British foreign minister James Cleverly and Home Secretary Suella Braverman in the same tweet. The video clip shows two men kicking a man in a black T-shirt and shouting expletives, as a young woman shoves one of them away. Social media reports said some of the people in the video clip were students at the University of Southampton. The university said it was investigating the matter, but declined to comment in detail on the incident. "Were aware of the footage circulating on social media and are investigating," the university told Radio Free Asia. "The university condemns violence of any kind and respects everyones right to free speech." As this matter has now been reported to the police, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time, it said. Infiltrating society The incident comes amid growing concerns over Chinese Communist Party infiltration of all aspects of British life, and warnings from Hong Kongers in exile over growing acts of violence by Beijing supporters and officials alike. Overseas activists frequently report being targeted by agents and supporters of the Chinese state, including secret Chinese police stations in a number of countries. Lau also posted photos of injuries sustained by the young couple in the assault, which took place near the 0086 Supermarket on Southampton's Burgess Road, according to Google Street View images that matched the surroundings of the video clip. Benedict Rogers, who heads the London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch, said the incident was a case of "appalling #CCP thuggery," in a reference to the Chinese Communist Party, and had targeted Hong Kongers marking the fourth anniversary of the start of the 2019 protest movement at peaceful rallies in the United Kingdom. "This appalling #CCP thuggery against #HongKongers in Southampton marking #612 anniversary is unacceptable and outrageous and cannot be tolerated," Rogers tweeted. "These thugs even had the audacity to post videos of their violence ... [and] must be arrested and prosecuted immediately." Resisting Chinese infiltration and political influence was a key theme of Hong Kong June 12 protest anniversary rallies in London at the weekend. Exiled Hong Kongers calling on the British government to do more to publicly support political prisoners like jailed media magnate Jimmy Lai, to shut down the Beijing-backed Confucius Institutes in British universities, and to stop rejecting political asylum applicants fleeing an ongoing political crackdown in Hong Kong. Sheep Village Day Camp Hong Kong exile groups in the United Kingdom have hit out at alleged transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party on British soil after a church in the southern British town of Guildford canceled a children's workshop on justice, civil liberties and human rights last month. Three groups representing Hong Kongers in the country Kongtinue, Hongkongers in Britain and Sheep Village 2.0 had hired a venue at the Guildford Baptist Church to run a "justice education day camp" for children on May 29, but the church canceled the booking two days before it was due to go ahead. The Hong Kong Police National Security Department shows an illustration from three children's books that revolve around a village of sheep that has to deal with wolves from a different village, before a press conference in Hong Kong in 2021. Credit: Associated Press Initially, the church's operations manager told the groups that they were new to the role and unaware that May 29 was a public holiday and that the venue wasn't available for hire that day. But when the groups offered to change the date, the person admitted that they were acting because they had found out that the event's title, Sheep Village Day Camp, was a reference to a banned series of children's books whose five authors were jailed in September 2022 for "sedition," and were concerned about the impact on its multinational congregation. "Having had a look at the nature of the event, we have now since decided that we should decline on this occasion to host your event. We were not aware from your original inquiry that the event was in relation to the Sheep Village Day Camp," the church said in an email, a screenshot of which was posted to Kongtinue's Facebook page. "Our church community is made up of people from many nationalities, and whilst we do understand some of the underlying issues tackled by the Sheep Village books, we are mindful of the wider impact on our community," the email said. Radio Free Asia has reached out to the Guildford Baptist Church for comment. Kongtinue wrote that the decision "goes against the fundamental values of freedom of speech and cultural diversity that are essential to British society." Education through games The decision to cancel came as former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying called on the British police to investigate the event. "All in the UK should be made aware of the fact that 'Sheep Village' is illegal," Leung wrote on his Facebook page in late May. "The 5 authors are serving prison terms in Hong Kong. All collaborators in the UK will be reported to the Hong Kong and UK police." The Chinese section of his post said, "Please could the U.K. police investigate!" "All in the UK should be made aware of the fact that 'Sheep Village' is illegal," says former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying, who called on British police to investigate the event. Credit: AFP file photo Isaac Cheng, founder and director of Kongtinue, said he had planned to use the Sheep Village books to illustrate the impact of an unjust society on a person's life through game-playing. He cited the British government's recent six-monthly report on Hong Kong, which raised the sentencing of five speech therapists to 19 months' imprisonment for "conspiring to produce seditious publications" as evidence of diminishing freedoms under the 2020 national security law. Cheng said the cancellation was likely directly linked to Leung's Facebook post. "He may no longer be chief executive, but he still wears an official hat as vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference," Cheng said. "He is a high-ranking official in the Chinese Communist Party, with a leadership ranking." "So for him to exert pressure in a public forum is going to create a sense of fear in some organizations, including those in the United Kingdom," he said. "We are very concerned about this incident." The three groups also hit out in a joint statement at Leung's bid "to openly [encourage] his followers to report lawful education events to the U.K. police in bad faith, so as to seek extraterritorial enforcement of ... the national security law in the U.K." "Dissidents who are suppressed in their hometowns should be able to speak out for themselves freely while they seek refuge in liberal democracies," the statement said. "We are deeply concerned that UK-based organizations may be unwittingly complicit in transnational repression," it said. "Britain is a free and democratic country, and different opinions are allowed, says Hongkongers in Britain founder Simon Cheng [right], shown at a London protest in 2020. Credit: Reuters Hongkongers in Britain founder Simon Cheng said the Sheep Village Day Camp incident wasn't the first time Hong Kongers' political views have been suppressed in the U.K., with the organizers of a handicraft fair asking stallholders to remove items bearing slogans from the 2019 protest movement. He said such censorship is often carried out by organizers wishing to preserve "political neutrality." "Britain is a free and democratic country, and different opinions are allowed," he said. "So why does that have to be avoided because it's suddenly regarded as a political position?" "This tendency to avoidance will play easily into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda machine, or its supporters," he said. "It is playing into the hands of a totalitarian dictatorship." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Experts say the oil may have been in exchange for weapons that Russia could use in the Ukraine war. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the border at Russia's far eastern Vladivostok port. Russia has resumed supplying oil to North Korea after a 27-month hiatus due to international sanctions, data from the United Nations showed. Experts told Radio Free Asia that the resumption likely coincided with Pyongyang supplying Moscow with weapons for use in its war against Ukraine. The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea on June 9 published data on Russian oil shipments to North Korea, which indicated that in December 2022, Moscow supplied 3,225 barrels of refined oil to Pyongyang. In January, the total number of barrels sharply increased to 44,655, then sharply decreased over the next few months, with only 3,612 barrels sent in April. It was the first time that Russia sent oil to North Korea since August 2020, when Pyongyang suspended international trade to counter the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Oil tankers are stationed at the Okeanskaya railway station ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns arrival for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the border at Russia's far East, April 23, 2019. Credit: Alexander Khitrov/AP In September 2022, Georgiy Zinoviev, head of the Russian foreign ministry's First Asia Department, said that Russia would be willing to resume trading oil products with North Korea if Pyongyang would lift the ban. North Koreas opening gives Russia a much needed market for oil at a time when its main markets in the European Union enacted a partial embargo on Russian oil due to the war in Ukraine. Through April, Russia has sent nearly 99,473 barrels of oil to North Korea, which is around 19% of the amount permitted by U.N. sanctions meant to deprive Pyongyang of resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs. Oil for weapons Two U.S.-based experts said that it was likely that the refined oil exports to North Korea resumed in return for supplying weapons to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine. In June, a State Department spokesperson told Reuters news service that the U.S. was able to confirm that North Korea had sent arms, including infantry rockets and missiles to a Russian-backed mercenary group in November 2022, despite denials from Pyongyang. I would guess that [the oil shipments] may be Russia fulfilling its end of the deal in exchange for North Korea providing weapons and lethal aid to the Russian troops in the ongoing war with Ukraine, Soo Kim, policy practice area lead at Virginia-based LMI Consulting and a former CIA analyst, told RFAs Korean Service. At this stage, Russia is in need of military support to offset its deficiencies in its battle against Ukraine, said Kim. North Korea is willing to provide lethal aid probably because [North Korean leader] Kim [Jong Un] can receive energy and food assistance in exchange. She also said that Pyongyang and Moscow working closely together could undermine U.S. interests. North Korean soldiers participate in a military parade to mark the 65th anniversary of the country's founding in Pyongyang, North Korea. Credit: Image grab/KRT via AP Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution also told RFA that refined oil may be a payment for weapons aided by North Korea. In addition to oil, Russia is exporting more than 1,000 tons of wheat flour to North Korea, according to a recent press release from Moscows Federal Veterinary Customs Agency. North Koreas state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported Monday that Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, affirming his willingness to increase close strategic cooperation between the two countries. Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong. An anti-junta armed militia member, injured during shelling by Myanmar military forces, is carried away on a stretcher, in Moebye township, southeastern Myanamar's Shan state, Jun. 6, 2023. Three weeks of fierce fighting between junta troops and ethnic Karenni forces in eastern Myanmar has killed at least 35 civilians, including three children, a domestic human rights group and local residents said. Karenni militias have been battling the military for decades in their campaign for greater autonomy in Kayah and Shan states, but the conflict has worsened in recent months as the Burmese army targets Peoples Defense Force fighters who have taken up arms against the military since the 2021 coup. The two sides have been engaged in armed conflict in Moebye also known as Mongpai township in southern Shan state since May 25. Among those who died were more than 20 men and 10 women, as well as three minors aged eight, 13 and 18, according to Karenni Human Rights Group. Banyar, executive director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, said that the victims were killed by heavy artillery or because they caught fire as they were trapped in the middle of the fighting. They were either killed in the town of Moebye, hit by heavy artillery or shot to death, Banyar, the groups executive director, told Radio Free Asia on Monday. Some of them were arrested before being killed. Some were shot at. Some were killed as heavy artillery shelling hit them. The organization collected 12 dead bodies and buried them during the first week of June, though some corpses still cannot be collected on account of security issues, Banyar said. The latest round of civilian deaths comes as the military steps up attacks on its adversaries in the southern Shan and Kayah state townships of Moebye, Pinlaung and Pekon. Junta forces have conducted airstrikes and heavy artillery assaults on areas where fighters from the Progressive Karenni Peoples Force, or PKPF a local offshoot of the anti-regime Peoples Defense Forces are believed to be, killing civilians in the process. Relief workers have had difficulties helping the injured and collecting dead bodies because junta troops are everywhere in Moebye, arresting and killing locals, said aid worker Nwe Oo said. Ive heard that there are injured people in Si Kar and Done Tu Htan wards in town, but because we havent had a chance to go in, we haven't been able to bring them out, she said. We have to be very vigilant as the fighting has been intense and complicated. A civilian who sustained injuries during shelling by Myanmar soldiers is treated in Moebye township, southeastern Myanmar's Kayah state, Jul. 26, 2022. Credit: Mobye PDF Rescue Team Artillery fire To make matters worse, junta forces have blocked some roads in Moebye and have kept open a main road for pedestrian use, she said. A Moebye resident, who declined to be named for safety reasons, said military troops fired heavy artillery into residential areas. We heard gunshot exchanges and artillery fire non-stop last night, he said, estimating that about 450 junta soldiers have been stationed in high-rise buildings, schools and residential homes. The resident said three members of a friends family were killed on the spot with heavy artillery as they hid in a bomb shelter. Because telephone communication has not been reliable, there is no way we will be able to leave the town, he said. The junta has not yet issued any statements about the situation in Moebye. RFA could not reach Khun Thein Maung, Shan states economic minister and junta spokesman, for comment. A PKPF official told RFA there have been casualties on both sides in the fighting, and some civilians are still caught up in it. There have been many casualties among members of the People's Defense Forces and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, an armed insurgent group formed after the 2021 military coup, and among junta troops who have been firing heavy artillery non-stop, the official said. Some civilians have been trapped in town, he said. Some people have taken refuge in the monastery because they thought they would be safe there. We heard that some of them managed to sneak out of town, but we don't know how exactly they escaped. More than 50 civilians, including 13 children under the age of 18, died in Moebye between February 2021, when the military seized power from the elected government, and this June 12, according to PKPF figures. Moebye has a population of about 30,000 people. Some residents remain in about three of the townships 10 wards, while the rest have fled the fighting. Translated by Myo Min Aung for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Roshida Begum, 22, shows where the Myanmar military slit her throat, Dec. 1, 2017 in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The military took me and 5 other women into a house and raped us. After they were done, they slit our necks with machetes. They thought I was dead and they left and set the house on fire. I was the only one who escaped." She fled from Tula Toli village in Myanmar to Bangladesh shortly after the Aug. 25, 2017, attack. Women gang raped, children stabbed and killed, men shot and burned to death. The criminal complaint of genocide by Myanmars armed forces against the Muslim Rohingya minority includes detailed accounts of stomach-churning atrocities. Argentina accepted the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction, in which crimes that are especially abhorrent can be taken by any country. Hearings at a federal court in Buenos Aires, set to end Tuesday, include in-person testimony from Rohingya witnesses a historic first. For security reasons the case is being held behind closed doors. The net is closing in around Myanmars military leaders. This trial shows that they cannot hide from justice anywhere in the world, said Tun Khin, head of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, or BROUK, the London-based advocacy group that brought the case. The case centers on abuses committed in Myanmar between 2012 and 2018. Those named include military junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, radical Bhuddist cleric Ashin Wirathu, and ousted civilian leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Tomas Ojea Qintana, who was United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar between 2008 and 2014, is representing BROUK in court. Much of the case is based on Ojea Quintanas own work in the region, the work of his successor Yanghee Lee, and reports submitted in 2018 and 2019 by a United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar. Easy Target The Rohingya live in the impoverished western state of Rakhine, which borders the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh. They shared the region with other groups, mainly the Buddhist ethnic Rakhine. According to the criminal complaint, the genocidal final plan against the Rohingya was born in 2012, when a nominally elected military government, seeking support from the countrys Buddhist majority, began to promote hatred towards Myanmars Muslims and especially the Rohingya. The Rohingya, who had faced various forms of discrimination for decades, were an easy target. A Rohingya refugee boy looks at Senuwara Begum, 16, as she walks to her family's makeshift shelter with the help of a pair of donated crutches at Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Nov. 30, 2017. Senuwara Begum lost her right leg after she got shot in the thigh, above the knee, when her village, Shahab Bazar, in Maungdaw district, Myanmar, was attacked and burned to the ground by the Myanmar military at the end of August 2017, her father, Sayedul Rahaman, says. Credit: Susana Vera/Reuters In a coordinated manner among all state entities, the use of the name Rohingya began to be forbidden, replaced by the generic term Bengalis, the complaint reads. A campaign, fueled by radical Buddhist priests, then spread the idea that the tiny Muslim minority was plotting to take over the country and convert it to Islam. Two waves of violence broke out in October 2012 in Rakhine State, affecting 12 townships. Further violence broke out in the town of Thandwe in 2013. At the time authorities dismissed the incidents as intercommunal unrest. The attacks against the Rohingya and another Muslim ethnic group, the Kaman, were really part of a months-long plan to instigate violence and amplify tensions fueled by various Rakhine organizations, radical Buddhist monk organizations, and several officials and influential figures, the complaint reads. Security forces were at least complicit, often failing to intervene to stop the violence, or actively participated. Genocidal plan Witnesses in the towns of Sittwe and Kyaukpyu said police and soldiers stopped people from extinguishing fires set by Rakhine mobs, while witnesses at Maungdaw described security forces shooting indiscriminately at Rohingya and conducting mass arrests. Some 140,000 people were displaced, mostly fleeing to Bangladesh. Following the November 2015 elections which ushered in Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, the genocidal plan was perfected, the complaint states. In a cruel twist of history this allowed for the worst atrocities to be committed under the authority of those who had fought with their lives for democratic freedoms, human rights and peace, it says. A burned Rohingya village near Maungdaw, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar, is seen Nov. 12, 2017. Picture taken November 12, 2017. Credit: Wa Lone/Reuters Violence escalated dramatically in August 2017 when the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army a small, poorly armed resistance group attacked security forces across northern Rakhine state, killing 12 people. The military response, launched within hours, was immediate, brutal and grossly disproportionate, encompassing hundreds of villages in so-called clearance operations. Within a year nearly 725,000 Rohingya had fled to Bangladesh, with an estimated 10,000 people killed. Rape and other forms of sexual violence were perpetrated on a massive scale. Large scale gang rape was perpetrated by Tatmadaw soldiers in at least 10 village tracts in Rakhine state, the complaint said. Massacres People were shot dead indiscriminately by soldiers, while others were burned to death in their homes. Rakhine men often joined the soldiers wielding long knives and machetes. Sometimes up to 40 women and girls were raped or gang-raped together, often in public and in front of their families to maximize humiliation. Men and boys were not spared genital mutilation and sexualized torture, the document reads. Of the approximately 500,000 Rohingya children currently in Bangladesh, many fled alone after their parents were killed or after being separated from their families. Rohingya refugee Nur Kamal, 17, poses for a photograph to show his head injuries, at Kutupalong refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Oct. 13, 2017. Kamal says soldiers hit me with a rifle butt on my head first and then with a knife after they found the young shopkeeper hiding in his home in Kan Hpu village in Maungdaw, Myanmar. Credit: Jorge Silva/Reuters In a particularly heinous incident on August 30, 2017, soldiers and armed ethnic Rakhine stormed the village of Min Gyi and attacked Rohingya who had taken refuge there. Soldiers opened fire on people trying to flee. Villagers who surrendered were rounded up, and women and children were separated from the men. The men were slaughtered and their bodies dumped into three pits, doused with gasoline and set ablaze. Women and girls were taken into rooms where they were robbed, raped and stabbed. Children and infants were killed or stabbed. All interviewees identified Tatmadaw soldiers as the main perpetrators, the complaint says, adding that ethnic Rakhine and members of other ethnic minorities participated. At least 750 people died in that attack. Downplayed Aung San Suu Kyi, then head of Myanmars civilian government, downplayed the violence when presented with evidence, describing it as fake news and an iceberg of misinformation. Two other international court cases are attempting to hold Myanmars authorities accountable. In 2019 the International Criminal Court began looking into abuses against Rohingya on the border with Bangladesh. Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, but Bangladesh is, so this probe is limited in scope. And in November 2020 The Gambia filed a case focusing on Myanmars responsibility as a state for the Rohingya genocide at the UNs top court, the International Court of Justice. Argentina is on the other side of the world from Myanmar but even here the Burmese military cannot escape justice, plaintiff Tun Kihn said. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Critics say move is aimed at erasing Tibetan culture and Sinicizing the region Tibetan students who took Chinas annual college entrance exam over the weekend had to do so completely in Mandarin, likely putting many at a disadvantage, residents in Tibet told Radio Free Asia. The exams, held from June 7-9 across China, will go a long way toward determining the fates of more than 13 million students. In previous years, ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, had been allowed to take the test in their native languages, but this year marks the first that the test was given only in Mandarin. Also, ethnic minorities no longer get five extra minutes to complete the test as they had in the past. The Mandarin-only policy for the test is concurrent with other controversial educational policies meant to establish Mandarin as the medium of instruction within Tibetan schoolswhich Tibetan activists say is part of Beijings plan to eliminate Tibetan culture and Sinicize the region. In 2022, the Chinese government imposed the Model 2 Education System under which Mandarin was made the primary medium of instruction in all the primary and secondary schools across Golog, Kardze and Qinghai, a Tibetan resident of Tibet told RFAs Tibetan Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Now beginning this year, the Chinese government has imposed Mandarin as the medium for college entrance exams. Opponents to the Model 2 Education system argue that the policy will destroy Tibetan language and culture, and it has no basis in law. Due to the sudden shift on the Chinese governments education reforms, Tibetan students are not as well prepared and proficient enough in Mandarin to compete with [Mandarin native speaker]students who have always been learning in Mandarin, the resident said. This is a disadvantage for Tibetan students over [native Mandarin speaking] students who score more easily and get admission in college. Hence, many Tibetan students will not get into good colleges. Removing the extra time for ethnic minority students is also problematic, another resident, who declined to be named, told RFA. [They] used to get five extra minutes, but now with the reforms, these extra minutes are revoked, the second resident said. These reforms have made it near impossible for Tibetan students to score well to get into college, and without a proper degree, it is impossible to get a decent job. The trend could be dangerous for the entire Tibetan community, the second resident said. We will see an incredible increase in the number of Tibetan students who cannot attend college and pursue a higher education. Chinas educational reforms are a contradiction of its law on Regional National Autonomy, Pema Gyal, a researcher at the London-based Tibet Watch advocacy and monitoring group. The law states that minority schools should, if possible, use textbooks printed in their own languages, and lessons should be taught in those languages, and this contradicts with what the government is doing right now, said Pema Gyal. This is an attempt to Sinicize the education system in Tibet and therefore so many Tibetan students are not able to pursue higher education. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Edited by Eugene Whong. Vietnamese authorities say more arrests have brought the number of detained suspects to 45. UPDATED AT 02:05 am ET on 2023-06-14 Religious and civil organizations representing Vietnams Montagnard people said they werent involved in armed attacks on two police stations that left nine people dead over the weekend. Sundays attack took place in Dak Lak province in the remote Central Highlands a region thats home to some 30 tribes of indigenous peoples known collectively as Montagnards. Two state newspapers, VnExpress and Cong Thuong, published detailed information about the incident, saying that at dawn on Sunday, around 40 people wearing camouflage vests split into two groups to attack the two police stations in the Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes. Police on Tuesday updated the number of people arrested in the attacks to 45. Two people surrendered to police and 10 others were arrested on Monday night, according to a Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security update. The ministry used the phrase the group causing insecurity and disorder at the Peoples Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes to refer to the attackers. A joint letter issued Monday night by a group of Dak Lak government agencies and organizations strongly condemned the attacks and called on the public not to post or share related information that has not been verified. It also urged people to stay vigilant and not listen to, believe in, or follow reactionary elements and hostile forces who take advantage of the situation to create distortion and entice people to oppose local authorities, causing political security in the area. Montagnard people are commoners The Bangkok-based Montagnard Stands for Justice group said on Facebook that the organization had no connection with the incident and wasnt affiliated with any groups or individuals assisting in the use of violence. The organization, whose founders are political refugees in Thailand and the United States, also said they were concerned that any armed uprising would hinder their efforts to advocate for religious freedom in Vietnam. Frustration in the region has grown after decades of government surveillance, land disputes, economic hardship and crackdowns on unofficial churches. Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh, the U.S.-based co-founder of the Vietnam Evangelical Church of Christ, told Radio Free Asia that he didnt think any Montagnards were involved in the attacks. Montagnard people are commoners who live with their religious faith, he said. When their religious faith or land is violated, they, of course, will have to voice up. However, I dont think Montagnard people in Dak Lak province were capable enough to organize such an armed force of 30 to 40 people. He said he was able to contact church members in the area where the attacks occurred on Sunday. They expressed confusion and said they didnt know what was happening, he said. The executive director of North Carolina-based Dega Central Highlands Organization, Y-Duen Buondap, told RFA that his organization also wasnt involved in the attacks. We dont have any members involved in these incidents, he said. However, we have the information that the Montagnard people have rioted to demand their rights and interests, as they could not bear further suffering. They are suppressed, beaten, arrested and cornered daily. State media on Tuesday suggested the motives were mercenary rather than religious or ethnic. Vietnam Television broadcast an interview with one of the alleged gunmen, Chanh Nie, who said the gang's leader ordered him to "shoot everyone he saw" and promised he would "become rich." Two other accused made the same claims. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed. Updated with comment from alleged gunman. Eight-year-old Halima was devastated to learn that after overcoming numerous obstacles to her education under Taliban rule, her path to learning had been blocked with the closure of her private school. "We all went home crying," she told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi of the day she and her fellow students learned that their classes in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province had been terminated. "Our schools were closed first by the coronavirus [pandemic], then there was fighting, and now they have been shut again," she said. "We just want to study." The rural classroom where she studied was a lifeline for learning basic mathematics, Afghan languages, science, and Islamic studies despite the ruling Taliban's efforts to restrict girls' and women's access to education. But on April 16, classes ended when the hardline Islamist authorities announced that the school, among Afghanistan's thousands of Community-Based Education (CBE) centers, would be closed following unspecified "complaints from locals." Unrest and poverty in Kandahar and neighboring Helmand Province made the two regions a focal point for the development of CBE centers over the past three decades, with funding coming primarily from Western donors via the United Nations and international nongovernmental organizations. Countrywide, more than 500,000 Afghan children currently attend CBE centers, which were established in cooperation with the communities in which they were based and are often held in private homes, mosques, or large tents. Aid groups pay teachers' salaries, provide educational materials, and offer the same curriculum taught in Afghan state schools. The centers, typically made up of a single classroom catering for up to 50 students, half of them girls, also filled an education void in remote areas where there were no state schools. But since mid-April, nearly 1,600 CBE centers in Kandahar Province have been closed, depriving 50,000 students of an education. Similar numbers have been recorded in neighboring Helmand Province in a nationwide trend. 'It's Heartbreaking' The termination of classes at Halima's school and others like it appears to show that the narrow window for learning in remote areas is being closed as the Taliban looks to impose full control over how children are educated. Munir Ahmad, who ran a literacy class inside his mudbrick home in Dand, a rural district in Kandahar Province, said he was forced to close his doors to students in April. "It is heartbreaking to lose these classes because they serve children in remote areas where there are no other education opportunities," he told Radio Azadi. The Taliban, approaching two years in power, has not commented on whether it has ordered the school closures. But aid workers, rights campaigners, and education experts suggest that the hardline group is trying to ensure that young students receive an Islamic education even though the CBE centers follow the state model. This, in turn, has led to concerns that the Taliban either intends to permanently shut down the schools or use them as venues to spread its extremist worldview and ideology. "It is alarming," said Heather Barr, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch. "The Taliban will likely change these schools in a way that is harmful to students, particularly girls." Education has been a main target of the Taliban's extremist policies since it seized power in August 2021 and took steps to root out secular education. Teenage girls were promptly banned from attending school despite the Taliban's promises to the international community, which has listed the Taliban's stance on girls' and women's education as a key obstacle to officially recognizing its government. 'Jihadi Madrasahs' Since taking power, the Taliban has consistently enforced strict gender segregation and replaced professional educators with clerics. Last year, Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada appointed key loyalists Mawlawi Habibullah Agha and Nida Mohmmad Nadim to lead the education and higher education ministries, respectively. The two have diligently worked to expand the ban on womens education and attempted to turn schools into a tool for indoctrination by tweaking the curriculum, critics say. In some cases, modern schools have been converted into madrasahs. In December, the Taliban upped the ante by prohibiting women from receiving a university education. And in the latest move, a Taliban official said this month that its government had established "jihadi madrasahs" in at least five provinces. Many Islamist militant groups, including the Taliban, emerged from such religious schools in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan in the 1980s. Wazhma Tokhi, an Afghan human rights activist with a particular focus on women's rights and education in Afghanistan, suggests that the recent school closures can be seen as another example of the groups determination to root out secular education. "They want to turn the schools into madrasahs," Tokhi said. The UN agency for children, UNICEF, which funds many CBE centers, says it is now holding discussions with the Taliban over "timelines and practicalities" for possibly handing them over to Afghan NGOs, many of which receive outside funding and have some protection from the Taliban. Tokhi sees disastrous consequences if the Taliban assumes direct control over CBE centers. "Our future is destroyed," she said. For over 20 years, the Imam Ali's Popular Student Relief Society has worked on combating poverty and helping vulnerable children in Iran. But the charity, which has over 10,000 volunteers across Iran, has come under mounting pressure from the authorities in recent years. In 2021, an Iranian court ordered the independent NGO be dissolved, a ruling that was upheld by an appeals court last year. In July 2021, the charity's founder, Sharmin Meymandinejad, was arrested and charged with insulting Iran's leaders. He was kept in detention for months, during which he alleges he was tortured. In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Meymandinejad, who recently fled Iran, said the clerical establishment saw his grassroots organization as a threat. He said his organization's interpretation of Islam clashed with what he called the intolerant and violent version promoted by the authorities. "Our path was different than the one taken by the establishment, our reading of the religion was an attempt to promote self-sacrifice, mercy, and altruism," said the 53-year-old, who now resides in the United States with his wife and three children. "But the reading promoted by the establishment is based on violence, which the authorities claim comes from above, they even say from God," he added. The crackdown on the charity, which is widely known as the Imam Ali's Society, came after years of state pressure and a smear campaign by hard-liners, who have branded the organization a cult, Meymandinejad said. One of the NGO's biggest critics has been the ultra-hard-line daily Kayhan, whose editor in chief was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "We didn't want to challenge the establishment. We were doing social work based on real [Islamic] principles," said Meymandinejad. "They saw that a [nongovernmental] group was doing the work [of the government] and that comparisons could be made," he said. The Imam Ali's Society has been credited with helping alleviate poverty and aiding marginalized Iranians. In comparison, large state charities with extensive funds are often seen as corrupt and ineffective. The Imam Ali's Society, one of the largest NGOs in the Islamic republic, was launched in 1999 by a group of students led by Meymandinejad at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology. The organization originally focused on poverty alleviation but has since expanded its activities to include providing education, medical care, and social and cultural events for vulnerable children and campaigning against the death penalty for offenders who committed crimes as minors. The group has been credited with saving around 50 minors on death row. Rights groups criticized the 2021 court order to disband the Imam's Ali Society as an assault on independent NGOs and said the ruling had been "made in apparent coordination with Iran's abusive intelligence and security apparatus." It is unclear if the charity is still active or has been dissolved. The original court order was issued following a complaint by the Interior Ministry, which said the Imam Ali's Society had "deviated" from its mission. As evidence, the court cited the group's "questioning of Islamic rulings," including the principle of qisas, or retributive justice, as well as "promoting falsehood by publishing statements against the Islamic republic of Iran." The move came amid a wider crackdown on civil society and dissent. Scores of activists, lawyers, and journalists have been arrested in recent years. The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights reported last year that two other NGOs, including the Society For the Protection of Children, have also come under pressure by the authorities. 'I Broke' In his interview with Radio Farda, Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of sending children from poor Iranian families to fight in the war in Syria, where Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) deployed military advisers and fighters to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of using minors to help crush nationwide antiestablishment protests that erupted in September. Photos appeared on social media in October that purportedly showed children and adolescent boys wearing uniforms and holding batons. They appeared to be wearing the uniforms of the Basij paramilitary forces, a branch of the IRGC. Members and supporters of the Imam Ali's Society said the authorities had recruited children from impoverished families to help "suppress" the street protests. In exchange, the minors received a "few bags of food," the charity said. The Imam Ali's Society was among several groups that warned that the use of child soldiers was against international law. Meymandinejad said he will continue to hold Iran's clerical establishment accountable for its actions even from exile. He said state pressure and the alleged torture he suffered during his time in detention forced him to leave his homeland. "I was weak, I wasn't strong like [prominent jailed rights activist] Narges Mohammadi. I was concerned that my children will pay the price for my activities," he said. "After four months of torture I broke and signed whatever they wanted. I broke because of my children," he added. Death toll in Kryvyi Rih after Russias missile attack increases to six Vilkul Head of the City Military Administration of Kryvyi Rih Oleksandr Vilkul reported on six killed as a result of a Russian missile attack on the city on Tuesday night. "Unfortunately, there are already six killed. The rescue operation continues," he wrote on the Telegram channel. The death toll from wildfires in Kazakhstan's Abai region rose to 15 after the body of a tractor driver was discovered on June 13. This comes a day after the Central Asian nation held a day of mourning for 14 firefighters who died in the blaze. Locals say poor funding due to corrupt officials has contributed to the tragedy. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti on June 13 presented a five-point plan that includes the prospect of fresh local elections in northern Kosovo and a reduction in the presence of special police to defuse tensions in the region. Kurti's announcement at a news conference came as Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla announced the arrest of a suspect in an attack on KFOR members two weeks ago. Svecla identified the man as Milun Milenkovic-Lune and said he was the main organizer of the attack on KFOR forces and the Kosovar police in Zvecan. Milenkovic-Lune is one of the leaders of criminal groups "that have been terrorizing our citizens for years, attacking members of the Kosovo Police and the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo," Svecla said. Three Kosovar police officers were injured during the operation to arrest Milenkovic-Lune, he said. Tensions flared earlier on June 13 when a group of Serbs gathered in North Mitrovica to protest the arrest. Kosovar police in riot gear were present, and soldiers with the KFOR peacekeeping force were also in the vicinity. The Serbs dispersed after the additional forces of Kosovar police began to withdraw. According to RFE/RL journalists, this was requested by a member of the U.S. KFOR contingent. Some 30 peacekeepers and 52 Serbs were injured in clashes two weeks ago after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following elections that local Serbs boycotted. The ethnic Albanian mayors were installed with the help of Kosovar police in three towns with overwhelming ethnic Serbian majorities -- Zvecan, Leposaviq, and Zubin Potok -- following by-elections in April with a turnout of under 3.5 percent amid the Serbs' boycott. Kurti, who has been under pressure from key Western supporters of Kosovo's independence, said the five-point plan would contribute to calming the tensions. He said he met with the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to convey the proposal, which he had previously conveyed to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Kosovo will "coordinate with all the actors and announce early elections in four municipalities in the north," Kurti told a press conference after meeting with the five ambassadors, whose countries form the Quint group. Holding new elections is a request of the international community, which condemned the decision of the Kosovar authorities to forcibly take over municipal buildings in the north. The United States and European Union have called on Kurti to withdraw the mayors, remove special police used to install them, and uphold a 2013 deal for an association of autonomous Serbian municipalities in the region. Kurti said that "violent (Serbian) groups have been withdrawn from Kosovo territory [and therefore] the presence of Kosovo police troops in three municipal buildings will be downsized." He said he had presented his plan to EU and U.S. envoys and called for a follow-up meeting between Serbian and Kosovo officials in Brussels. Officials in Serbia have demanded as part of EU- and U.S.-mediated talks over the past decade that Pristina fulfill the 2013 Brussels agreement to establish an association of Serbian municipalities to represent the Serb-majority communities. Kurti said nothing during his press conference about setting up the association, which would ensure greater autonomy for the Serb-majority area. He has resisted implementing the deal to create the association, citing fears that it would spur the region to seek to rejoin Serbia. With reporting by Reuters Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the Russian private Wagner mercenary group's aborted mutiny last month, has appeared in a video purportedly filmed in Belarus welcoming his fighters and saying they would be headed to Africa as the company was halting its involvement in Russia's war with Ukraine for the foreseeable future. In the dimly lit video, posted by his press people on Telegram on July 19, Prigozhin is shown in front of a large number of armed men, greeting them "on the land of Belarus." Since the Wagner leader was last seen pulling away in a vehicle in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 24, his whereabouts have been a mystery as rumors swirled about the man cast as a traitor by President Vladimir Putin, once a close friend of Prigozhin. What Wagner would do next with its thousands of soldiers was also a question mark. "You have done a lot for Russia. What is happening now on the front line [in Ukraine] is a shame we do not need to take part in. We need to wait until the moment when we are able to fully express ourselves," Prigozhin says in the video, the date of which remains unknown, adding that "the decision was made that we will stay here in Belarus for some time. "During that time, we will turn, and I am fully confident about that, the Belarusian Army into the second-best army in the world, and if need be, protect them.... We must get trained further...and then head to a new destination, to Africa, and then, probably, we will get back to the special military operation [in Ukraine] when we are sure that we will not be forced to shame ourselves and our experience," Prigozhin says. The fate of Wagner troops has been unclear since Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny on June 23-24, the biggest threat to Putins 23 years in power. The authoritarian ruler of Belarus and Putin's close ally, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, was reportedly involved in talks to end the mutiny by agreeing with Prigozhin and Putin to host the Wagner troops, and their leader, in Belarus. Days after Lukashenkas statement, a tent camp began to appear in the eastern village of Tsel, a former garrison for members of a Belarusian missile brigade. An analysis of satellite images by Schemes (Skhemy), an investigative project run by RFE/RL, estimates there are at least 485 vehicles near the tent camp in total. The images from Planet Labs show almost all the equipment is located near warehouse-like buildings, as well as the parking lot of the military camp. No heavy military equipment can be seen. The Belaruski Hayun Telegram channel that monitors the movement of military equipment on the territory of Belarus said it had registered at least six columns of military vehicles and equipment with Wagner and Russian national flags in the countrys eastern region of Mahilyou since July 11. In the Wagner video released on July 19, Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian military officer known for his ultranationalist stance, is also shown. "It is not the end; it is just a beginning. It is our new phase. It is the beginning of the biggest work in the world that will be performed very soon," Utkin, who chose the name for the Wagner Group and has been one of its commanders, says, ending his statement in English by adding, "Welcome to hell!" Wagner troops played a key role in Russias invasion of Ukraine, helping take main parts of the town of Bakhmut after nearly 10 months of intense fighting. Prigozhin said earlier that he lost 20,000 men during the Bakhmut operation. With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarusian Service Orlando Figes is a British historian who has taught at both Cambridge University and the University of London. His latest book, The Story Of Russia, describes how President Vladimir Putin has used the mythologization of past figures and events in Russia to promote his imperial ambitions. But in a recent interview with Vazha Taberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Figes says Putin is more Nicholas I than Peter the Great, and that while a Russian defeat on the battlefield is not only desirous for Ukraine but Russia as well, a humiliating outcome for Putin could spell instability inside Russia, ending possibly with civil war or even "warlordism." RFE/RL: In light of your latest book, The Story Of Russia, we'll be talking today about Russia's history and how much it informs its decisions today, as this modern chapter of Russian history is being written. And I wanted to ask you about the essay Vladimir Putin penned back in 2021, On The Historical Unity Of Russians and Ukrainians, but with perhaps a slightly unusual twist. You've taught Russian history for more than 35 years now. In an alternate reality where Putin is your student and you're his professor, and he hands in this essay as an exam paper what grade is he leaving your class with? Orlando Figes: You know, there's not that much factually wrong, according to the 19th-century imperial historiography on which it is based. But that is precisely the problem. Putin really just repeated a lot of commonplaces of 19th-century historians, like [Nikolai] Karamzin and [Sergei] Solovyov, who all argued that Ukraine was really always part of Greater Russia, that whenever it tried to break away from Russian tutelage, Ukraine became vulnerable to hostile Western powers using it against Russia. All of these are commonplace, really. So, I'd give him probably a D minus, I think, mainly on the basis of plagiarism of very old ideas that have long ceased to be relevant. And I think that's the point about the historical dimension of this war, it might have been brought about by Putin's bad reading of history, his very out-of-date imperial reading of history. But that history has nothing to do with anything in the world since 1991. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent country and must be defended as such. So, these arguments he's used or any other arguments -- the Donbas is really Russian; or the southern littoral coast of Ukraine, New Russia, as it used to be called, is really part of Russia -- I mean, it's all irrelevant. RFE/RL: In that essay, I think, one of the major takeaways at least was that he claimed Ukraine was not a nation. And that was not the first time he claimed that -- it goes back all the way to his speech at the Munich Security Conference in 2007. He claims Ukraine is not a nation, but has he, against his wishes, made them into one for good and became some sort of unwilling "founding father"? Figes: Absolutely. You've hit the nail on the head there. You could say that until 2014, Ukraine was a complicated and divided society, East-West, generationally in many ways. But yeah, boy, since 2014, Ukraine has come together as a nation. And, you know, it's proven it in the way it's fought to defend itself since February 2022. So yeah, he's sort of his own worst enemy. And in that, in that sense, he's made the very beast that he didn't want to exist and denied could exist. Well, he's gone and made it. RFE/RL: A founding father with Cronus syndrome (broadly, the fear of being replaced). He wants to devour his child. He is not only obsessed with history, many claim that he also seeks for himself a place in the history books, and he often invokes the names of Peter the Great, Empress Catherine and so on. So, what place do you think history has in store for him? Figes: Well, it looks to me like he doesn't have much longer the way things are going but who knows, things are very unpredictable. But my guess would be he's going to end up rather more like Nicholas I (Russian tsar from 1825-55) than Peter the Great (or Peter I, who ruled the Russian Empire from 1682 until his death in 1725). Peter the Great obviously took back, as Putin would say, the Baltic lands into Russian sovereignty. Nicholas I went to war against the whole of Europe in order to defend what he saw as the Greater Russia stretching to the Balkans, and indeed in a metaphysical sense to the Holy Lands where he went to war to bully the Turks into giving the Orthodox the rights over the holy shrines and that involved what we now know as the Crimean War, which went disastrously badly for him. He underestimated the ability of the Turks to defend themselves, just as Putin has underestimated the ability of the Ukrainians to fight back. And he underestimated the unity of the Western powers to support even a Muslim power such as the Ottoman Empire against a bully state, an aggressive state like the Russian Empire. And Nicholas I lost the war and died in miserable circumstances, possibly a suicide, which is one of the historical theories about Nicholas I's death, and went down in late-19th-century history as the worst tsar of all times, really. And to me, it looks increasingly like Putin might end up with that destiny rather than any great stature he wants for himself.... I doubt very much at this point, he's going to get that. RFE/RL: If your prophecy is indeed coming true, and he ends up as Nicholas I, will history repeat itself to the letter? Out of two possible scenarios, will Putin be dethroned from inside [Russia] or through external influence? Figes: Wow, that's the question everyone is asking. And who knows? I mean, certainly, it's important to keep the Ukrainians armed as much as possible, supported in every way possible to continue fighting, because the pressure of the war is the most likely to bring down this Putin regime. My hope, I mean, it is only really a hope, but it's just possible if this summer counteroffensive manages to break through and create pockets of collapse on the Russian side...and the Russian troops begin to see through the lies of what they've been told, why they're fighting the Ukrainians. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. And maybe, just maybe, we will have a repeat of 1917, when a similar expose of the lie of the World War I -- actually through the myth of Rasputin as a center of a court of treachery in the Romanov dynasty -- all of that could just turn things very quickly. In February 1917, soldiers joined the demonstrations on the street very fast. And that led to a whole nine-month period of state and military collapse, unfortunately, culminating in the October Revolution, the Bolshevik seizure of power, and four years of civil war, and that is precisely the problem here. You know, we may wish for the Putin regime to collapse under military pressure, with dissent, opposition street protests, possibly too. But if there's a military collapse, we could end up with a sort of civil-war situation or something even worse, which is the complete breakup of Russia with a sort of warlordism -- you know, [a Yevgeny] Prigozhin (head of the mercenary group Wagner) type of warlord emerging as a political, military leader. A sort of power struggle with arms, with parts of the army, parts of these mercenary armies that have been mobilized and paid for by the state and by oligarchs and all the rest. And with...a tactical-nuclear-weapons armory possibly at the disposal of these people. We want to defeat Russia, for sure. But we don't want to push it into a catastrophe of civil war and chaos. So, there's a balance to be had. And I suspect that it's a discussion being had in NATO, in Washington, and in all the Western capitals at the moment: How far one allows it to escalate because it's escalating quite fast, it seems to me, and I thought that the policy previously, which was, if I understand it correctly, just to keep the Ukrainians supplied with arms to fight and defend themselves without necessarily going on a strong offensive that would escalate the war from the Russian side. I've thought that was, on the whole, the best policy, because in this war Putin thinks time is on his side, meaning that he thinks that he will outlast the willingness of the West. RFE/RL: Does he have reason to believe that? Figes: Well, yes, he does. Because even if this summer brings about some success for Ukraine, I think it's going to take more than one counteroffensive to, you know, weaken and destabilize the military political system to the point where they start suing for peace or suffering from an internal crisis. And, you know, we've got the American [presidential] election coming up; if [former U.S. President Donald] Trump wins the election, or if other big geopolitical players like China weighed in on the Russian side, which is another big unknown as of yet, then who knows? So, it's going to be a long haul, I think, unless there's a more precipitous collapse this summer on the Russian military side than perhaps we had hoped for. So, on that basis, I think Putin has some reason to think that there are some time factors really on his side. Does the West really care about Ukraine as much as Putin and his cronies do? That's one question. And they're assuming that the West doesn't. Will the next American president support another three, four years of arming the Ukrainians? And, ultimately, I think, probably the biggest factor there is China, because I don't think China's interests are served by letting Russia lose this war. Whether it is prepared to go and support it, and even cross the Rubicon to supporting it with direct military aid in order to win it, I don't know. But it's fairly obvious that it's not in China's interest to let Russia lose. RFE/RL: We touched upon what Russia could look like post-Putin. And what I wanted to ask is: What does it look like, this "day after" for Russia? And let's take two scenarios, eventual Russian victory and eventual Russian defeat. Figes: Well, I guess it depends what you mean by victory and defeat. But if you meant by victory that in some form Putin stayed in power and declared a victory by annexing the four territories that he's declared Russian, and keeping Crimea and getting some security deal over NATO expansion or some fudge over that, that's about as good a victory as I think he's able to get, then it'll be more of the same. And Putin will be able to step down with all the laurels of victory and the status in the history books that he will have written on his agenda. And eventually, we'll get a Putin 2. And so, this is really unthinkable. And I don't think any peace is even possible with Putin in power. So, we have to really only think ahead to what Russia would look like in defeat. And then, going back to what we were discussing before, my worry is that if Russia is humiliated, brought to its knees, ruined, and the economy allowed to suffer to the point where we get the real possibility of a new revanchist movement, anti-Western nationalism, which is likely to be even worse than whatever base of support there is for this war. But whatever happens -- and I argued this at the end of my book that we started our discussion on -- whatever happens in victory or defeat, it seems to me that Russia is going to be a lot weaker, and a lot poorer for this war. And very much more isolated from Europe and the West, in general, because of this war, and effectively will become a sort of client state of China. It will be providing discounted fuel, raw materials, minerals to the Chinese economy. And that's where its future will be, which is a great tragedy. But the Russians have brought it on themselves, I'm afraid. RFE/RL: Let me ask you what this "day after" would look like for Russian society, for the Russian people, because in your books you seem to suggest that Russians have almost a supernatural penchant for god-like tsars, this penchant for authority. They want to be ruled and, if possible, ideally, they want to be ruled by a strong ruler. So where does this leave the Russian people? And what does it tell us, if history is anything to go by, about their capacity to change? Figes: Well, if I may, I'm not sure I do argue that. I mean, I've certainly handled it and discussed it as a phenomenon of Russian mythology that the people want a tsar; that people need a tsar. And for sure, if you look at Russian history, it's mainly been dominated by powerful tsars. But that is not necessarily somehow in the Russian DNA, or in the cultural mix of what it is to be a Russian, as your question suggests. Firstly, as Mikhail Bakunin, the 19th-century Russian anarchist wrote, for the Russians the tsar is like a god because he's a projection of their utopian dreams.... And there are many, many examples of Russian people following a tsar because they thought he was some sort of deliverer from tsarism, deliverer from injustice, deliver from exploitation and enslavement, and someone who would represent their old ideals of freedom and justice. And, indeed, on a more general point, one might argue that the basic institution of Russian society until collectivization in the 1930s was the Russian "obshchina," the Russian commune, which was basically village self-government. For sure, it was patriarchal. It was dominated by men, mostly old men until the 1917 revolution. But it did have, at its heart, some basic principles of the Russian people, which were quite egalitarian, even socialist. I mean, Marx's theory of the labor theory of value, that value is derived from labor, not capital. That's at the heart of the Russian peasant culture, the peasant commune. So, I would say that this idea that the Russians needed to or wanted a tsar is actually what they've been told for hundreds of years, and which they might have believed, because they've had no alternative, because they've had no tradition of parliamentary rule, of republican governance to go by. I write in the book an example in 1917, the Tsar Nicholas II has just been overthrown. And there are lots of soldiers, meetings going on. And one of the Mensheviks (a Russian political faction that was less radical than the Bolsheviks), I think, attends one of the socialists' meetings of the soldiers, and they all say, "Long live the republic! Now, let's elect a tsar!" And they want to elect him as a tsar. And he leaves that with a sense of, "Oh, my God, you know, what hope for the Russian people if as soon as they get their freedom, they want to elect a tsar?" But the point is that mythology has to be burst. The Russians have to be presented with an alternative vision of statecraft, which involves them, which is politically accountable, which is elected, rules by law, which respects human rights. I mean, if they were given that, I don't think they would object to it. It's just that they haven't had it. RFE/RL: Rather cynically, an option that will be at least more attractive than being a serf in the 21st century? Figes: Yes, absolutely. And when a democracy in the full meaning of the word is offered to people, as you know, in Georgia, people want it. I mean, it's basically a people-friendly way of government. And I don't think that the Russians are any less human in that sense of not wanting their human dignity and freedom. RFE/RL: Stalin is often brought up as somebody Putin is inspired by, or he's borrowing something from. So, let me ask you, how much has Putin borrowed from Stalin? Figes: Well, an awful lot, but not in necessarily a direct, straightforward way. I mean, the cult of Stalin is...parallel to some degree to the cult of Putin, in the sense that he's projected this image of himself as the strong man, the only man really capable of defending Russia against foreign, hostile powers. And certainly, he's not afraid to use Stalinist methods of terror and threat. For example, when he talks about fifth columnists and enemies of the people, he doesn't have to go to the lengths that Stalin went to kill people or send them to the gulag, because the memory of that is still strong and passed down through the generations in Russia. The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here. So, all he needs to do is wave a stick and arrest 20,000 people -- that's quite a lot of people to arrest, but not as much as Stalin -- as Putin did at the beginning of the war to repress the street protests against it. And that's enough for people to scurry away and be quiet in a way that leads many Western people, certainly a lot of Ukrainian people to say, "Well, they're cowards." But the thing is, people remember what Stalin was like. And that is the power that Putin indirectly takes from Stalin. But the other thing I would say about the Stalin legacy is that I don't think fundamentally [that] the Putin state [is] built effectively on the Stalinist state. Stalin built a very effective police state and probably a lot more efficient than this police state, which is inept, clumsy, brutal, and it does things that are intimidatory and barbaric to its own people, but not as efficiently as Stalin did. But the fundamental thing about the Stalinist revolution, which remains at the heart of the Putin system, is that Putin reversed the notion of accountability. Political accountability is at the heart of democracy; that politicians are leaders [that] answer for their mistakes. And Stalin managed to reverse that, in a way that actually the people who answered for the mistakes of the bosses were the people underneath them. And he did that in a very sophisticated way, through police methods of effectively collecting kompromat. Everyone was encouraged to collect kompromat on their subordinates, and they would keep incriminating evidence about their subordinates to use [against] them. So that, instead of them taking the fall, someone beneath them did. And that's so important to get that message across to the Russians, because that's what's happening now. And that's what's keeping people in line with Putin at the top of the system. They know that if they step out of line, they will very quickly end up in prison on some trumped-up charges of corruption or whatever. So that is really the core of the Stalin system, I think. I mean, it wasn't even there under Lenin. Lenin wrote in 1922, as part of his last writings, that it was important for the Bolsheviks to learn the principle of political accountability. And that has never really been there in Russia since, I'm afraid. RFE/RL: In an interview with Intelligence Squared, about half a year ago, you said you expected that Putin would end up using nuclear weapons -- how close have we come to that so far, do you think? Figes: I certainly think, still believe now, as I did six months ago, that we have to take the nuclear threat seriously. That's not to say we have to appease Putin because he's got a nuclear weapon. And that's not to say that we should necessarily change the mechanisms and the degree of our support for the Ukrainians. I think that it has to be handled very carefully. And the Russians have made it clear when they might use nuclear weapons. If it's a case of NATO-backed Ukrainian forces marching into the Crimean Peninsula, and Putin, with his back against the wall, thinking that his regime's going to collapse, then, yes, I mean, I wouldn't put it past him to use nuclear weapons. I mean, we were talking about Stalin [and] I'm researching a life of Stalin now. One thing I have learned in [the] three to five years that I've been working on it hard is that I wouldn't have put anything past Stalin. And I don't think I [would] put anything past Putin. RFE/RL: In the very same interview, you said, with regret, that you also saw almost no chance for Ukraine to get Crimea back, given the almost sacred importance of it for Putin. How does it look today? Did this "almost no chance" become something more tangible, or on the contrary, become an outright "no chance, not going to happen"? Figes: What you're asking me is a very unfair question, if I may say, because war is very unpredictable by its nature. And so, six months have passed, [and] the beginning of a summer offensive is always a time of hope, right? So, you think maybe the Ukrainians will manage to break through, and maybe they'll manage to reclaim Crimea, if not this year, then maybe in the next year or two. So, I'm not going to say it's impossible, but maybe if I said it was impossible, six months ago, maybe I think it's now possible in a way that I've moved. But I think that the most likely scenario is ultimately that Ukraine has to reach a peace with Russia in which its boundaries are different, I'm afraid. Because what matters to Ukraine, it seems to me, is to be a functioning state, to be a part of Europe. I think it should be part of the European Union as soon as possible. I also think it needs to be part of NATO, because that now is its only security guarantee. Nothing else is worth a security guarantee. So, that's the important thing. And if it's a question of you can create a Ukrainian state, which is prosperous, part of Europe, has its security, and people are safe, and it's got a status vis-a-vis Russia that every other NATO border state has. Then that's probably -- I mean, the Ukrainians may hate me for saying this -- but that's better than five, maybe 10 years of war, and the total destruction of the country. The destruction of it -- as I believe probably is the Russian destruction of this Kakhovka dam -- the willingness of the Russians to ruin Ukraine if they can't conquer it, is real. And so, any peace deal could, it seems to me, be packaged in a way that doesn't have to come across as a great treachery in terms of land for peace. If the Russians can't conquer it, they will lay waste to it. And that is not a price worth paying to anybody. So, at the moment, yes, the Ukrainians will see it as treachery, any suggestion that they should accept any change of their territorial [boundaries]. But I think everybody probably knows, even if they don't admit it on Radio Free Europe, that, in the end, that is likely, unless Russia can be defeated. Now, obviously, I hope Russia can be completely defeated; it needs to be completely defeated, not just for Ukraine's sake, but for Russia's sake. Because Russia can't become a democracy, can't become a country that is at peace with its neighbors, until it has gotten rid of its regime. And the only way to get rid of this regime is to give it a complete military defeat. And likewise, the only way to give Ukraine peace, is to give this regime a complete military defeat. So, let's see how far the war gets. Let's see how far the Ukrainians can push back the Russians and if they can push them out of the borders of 1991. This interview has been edited for clarity and length NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine is making progress in its counteroffensive against Russian invaders and predicted NATO leaders will increase military assistance to Kyiv when they meet next month. Stoltenberg made the comments as he met at the White House with President Joe Biden after Russian missile strikes on the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy killed 11 people. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Stoltenberg's visit to Washington came as Ukraine attempts to seize back territory as part of a long-awaited counteroffensive against the Russian invaders. "The support that we are providing together to Ukraine is now making a difference on the battlefield as we speak because the Ukrainians have launched the offensive," he said. "They are making advances; they are gaining ground." The more land the Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table and the more likely it is that Russian President Vladimir Putin will understand that he will never win, Stoltenberg said, adding that more aid will be pledged next month at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden reiterated that the U.S. commitment to NATO was rock solid and that NATO allies would "be building on that momentum" when they meet in Vilnius. As the meeting took place, the U.S. State Department announced a new $325 million package of ammunition and heavy weaponry to top up Ukraine's supplies. In Moscow, Putin spoke with Russian journalists and bloggers at a televised news conference from the Kremlin. He said the counteroffensive was failing and Ukraine was suffering losses 10 times higher than Moscow's. "Their losses are approaching a level that could be described as catastrophic," Putin said during the briefing. WATCH: A Russian missile struck a five-story apartment building in the early hours of June 13 in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown of Kryviy Rih, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens. He did not provide the number of killed and wounded but mentioned that Russian troops lost 54 tanks. He estimated Ukraine's losses at 160 tanks and more than 360 armored vehicles. There is no independent confirmation of Putin's claims. Putin also said he saw no need for a new mobilization but said it would depend on what Russia wanted to achieve in the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine called Putin's comments about Ukrainian losses "self-suggestion" and "self-conviction." Putin's advisers speak with him in a way that meets the need to "present victory reports, not to inform him that in fact the Ukrainians are succeeding," Andriy Kovalev, a spokesman for a Ukrainian territorial defense brigade, said on an RFE/RL Ukrainian Service program. "They are trying to explain their defeats at the front by saying the troops are fighting powerfully, destroying Ukrainian equipment and drawing some incredible numbers," he said. Zelenskiy condemned the attack on his hometown, saying on Telegram that "terrorists will never be forgiven." He also expressed condolences to people who lost loved ones. The Ukrainian capital's military administration reported that Kyiv came under fire as well, but all missiles were shot down. There were no reports of any casualties in Kyiv. Separately, Ukraine's air-defense system said it had managed to shoot down 10 out of 15 incoming Russian missiles, as well as one Iranian-made drone during the attack. The latest wave of Russian strikes came as the Ukrainian military said that seven settlements had been liberated in the southern and eastern regions of the country and further advances had been made in Bakhmut amid heavy fighting. "Both defensive and offensive fierce fighting is ongoing in the east and south of our nation. We have certain gains, implementing our plans, moving forward," said Valeriy Zaluzhniy, commander in chief of Ukrainian forces. In the area of Bakhmut, the Donetsk city that has been the theater of the war's longest and most brutal battle so far, Ukrainian forces conducted both defensive and offensive actions over the past 24 hours, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, General Oleksandr Syrskiy said early on June 13. "Our forces continue the defense operation on the Bakhmut front. Our soldiers are [also] advancing on the flanks, where the enemy is losing positions," he wrote on Telegram. "The national flag is flying over [the village of] Storozhove again, and this will be the case with every settlement until we liberate all Ukrainian land," Ukrainian forces' press center reported in a message accompanied by a video showing Ukrainian soldiers patrolling the village. The recapture of six other villages had been reported earlier by the Ukrainian military. The claims could not be independently confirmed, and Moscow has not acknowledged any Ukrainian gains. Ukraines counteroffensive has been complicated by the bursting on June 6 of the Russian-controlled Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River. Kyiv has accused Moscow of mining the dam and deliberately causing its destruction to flood Kherson region in the south and slow down its counteroffensive. Putin said during the Kremlin briefing that Russia had had no interest in blowing up the dam and was now not afraid of a possible Ukrainian offensive across the Dnieper. He noted that since the dam burst "the offensive did not take place. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa Bahrains first angel investment company Tenmou said it has achieved a remarkable exit from five local tech startups with a record-breaking track record. Tenmou earned an impressive exit multiple of 6 times its initial investment in an average of less than 4 years, which is significantly higher than the market's average exit multiple recouping 2.6 times the original investment in 3.5 years. As the first angel investment company in Bahrain to achieve this, Tenmou's exit score surpassed the industry's overall performance index in startup exits. Addressing a press conference held today (June 13) at the Collective Hub - Yateem Branch, Tenmou Chairman Suhail Ghazi Algosaibi emphasised the significance of its groundbreaking achievement. Algosaibi underlined the company's commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs through funding initiatives. He stated that this successful exit was proof of Tenmou's strategic vision and progressive philosophy in investing in promising Bahraini startups with potential for scalability. The exit was accomplished through acquisition by Gro Partners Fund, with complete exit from two startups and partial exits from three others. The complete exit included Malaeb App, as well as Faceki, a platform that specializes in providing secure application solutions with AI-powered facial recognition technology. The partial exit deal included Unipal App, which provides financial solutions for students, including offering discounts and promotions for various local and international stores, and Eat App, which offers an online restaurant reservation system. The partial exit also included "The Collective Hub", one of Tenmou's prominent projects. The Collective Hub specializes in providing a co-working space for startups, freelancers, investors, and other complementary business services such as professional meeting rooms and networking events. The partial exit from this project will facilitate collaboration with the new fund as a strategic partner to contribute to investing in opening new branches for The Hub, in addition to the current three branches. However, Tenmou will continue to play its primary role and maintain ownership of shares in the existing three branches. "Profitable exit deals are fundamental to Tenmou's business operations. This exit aligns with our expansion plans, which aim to capitalize on the evolving needs and potential of today's tech market, especially with growing AI innovations in providing solutions for human development," noted Algosaibi. Explaining the company's business plan for the next phase, CEO Nawaf Alkoheji said it will include continuing efforts to achieve optimal investment opportunities by supporting the funding of 15 new tech startups over the next three years. "This comes in line with our commitment to enhancing sustainability and growth opportunities at the local and regional levels," he stated. "Tenmou has funded more than 30 startups since its establishment in 2011 and has contributed to creating 200 job opportunities in the market to date, as well as enabling startups to raise follow up funding from local and regional investors worth $10 million," he added. Tenmou was established as the first angel investment company in Bahrain with the participation of 16 investors, including local businessmen and companies such as Alba and Bahrain Development Bank. The company's activities include several initiatives aimed at supporting the funding and growth of startups. These initiatives are not limited to funding opportunities but also extend to various development initiatives such as providing guidance and mentoring for startups, connecting them with a network of experienced entrepreneurs.-TradeArabia News Service Ukrainian troops advance 6.5 km in Donetsk, Tavriyske operational areas over week, liberate seven settlements Maliar Ukrainian units, within the framework of conducting an offensive operation in Donetsk and Tavriyske operational areas, have advanced 6.5 km over the past week, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said. "Seven settlements have been liberated: Lobkove, Levadne, Novodarivka, Neskuchne, Storozheve, Makarivka, and Blahodatne," Maliar wrote on the Telegram channel. The area of the territory taken under control by the Ukrainian military was 90 square kilometers. Ten out of 14 cruise missiles and one "shahed" were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "Previously, the enemy used 14 cruise missiles X-101/555, of which 10 were destroyed by air defense. He also inflicted an air strike by four shaheds, while one was destroyed by our defenders," the message says. In addition, over the past day, the Russian occupiers have used two Kaliber sea-based cruise missiles on residential buildings in Kharkiv region. The enemy also carried out 31 air strikes and carried out 47 multiple rocket launchers on positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. The civil infrastructure has been destroyed. As a result of the shelling of Bilopillia, Sumy region, and Shevchenkove of Kharkiv region, residential private houses were destroyed. The occupiers also dropped three guided aerial bombs on the town of Horikhiv, Zaporizhia region: one civilian was killed, private houses were destroyed. As a result of the air strike on Avdiyivka, civilians were injured, the house of culture and residential high-rise buildings were damaged. On June 10 and June 11, France sent a team of investigators and a team of forensic experts to Ukraine to support the work of Ukrainian and international criminal justice, the communique of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior of France said. According to the text of the statement, France continues its resolute action against impunity for actions committed as part of Russian aggression in Ukraine by sending two new teams to support the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and the International Criminal Court (ICC). One of the sent teams consists of investigators, and the other consists of forensic experts. The first team will help the Ukrainian authorities investigate crimes that have caused serious and long-term damage to the environment. The team consists of gendarmes from the Central Office for combating environmental and public health-related crimes (OCLAESP) and an expert from the National Gendarmerie Criminal Research Institute. "France will also deploy a technical and forensic police mission under the auspices of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC)," the communique reads. Thus, this mission will collect evidence of damage to civilian property and document it using 3D digital models, and the information collected in this way will contribute to the investigation of the ICC and cases in Ukrainian courts. "France reiterates its strong condemnation of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. True to its longstanding commitment, France will continue to support the vital work of the Ukrainian and international criminal justice systems to fight impunity for all crimes committed in Ukraine," France assured. YOUNG artists displayed the fruits of a years hard work at their annual exhibition and paid a lasting tribute to one of their colleges former students. Thomas Rotherham Colleges Year 13 showcase featured examples of fine art, graphic communication and photography. It also saw the presentation to proud student Chloe Jolley of the annual Painting Award, which has been renamed in memory of ex-student Lulu Blundell. Lulu, who died on New Years Day after a long fight against cancer, had won the same award herself two years ago and her mum Carolyn presented the prize for 2023 in what graphics and art teacher Patience Heath called an incredible moment and gesture. Patience explained the range of work being shown, saying: For fine art, it is focussed primarily on painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking outcomes. Photography is centred around photographs but our students manipulate these in a variety of ways, for example using the darkroom or creating cyanotype prints, to create exciting outcomes such as instillations and sculpture. Graphic Communication deals primarily with printmaking lino and screen print to create commercial outcomes and products, always accompanied with a societal aim, be it ethical, political or environmental. During the day of the exhibition we had a visit from the Mayor, but also Catcliffe Primary School who brought around 33 pupils to see the exhibition and chat to our volunteers. Our volunteer students presented their work to both the Mayor and Catcliffe pupils, as well as the many other individual visitors we had during the day from other local schools and staff and students within the college itself as well. The evening exhibition saw students friends and family invited to see their work. We all said it felt like the busiest year in a very long time, said Patiennce. As we are every year, we are so proud and excited to display all our students work. The college has produce a time lapse of the exhibition space being transformed into the final showcase, which you can see he transforming the rooms into the finished exhibition. STUDENTS holding a fundraiser to support an LGBTQ+ charity are appealing for raffle prizes to help boost their takings. Laurel Academys Pride Club meet weekly and ethics, philosophy and citizenship lead Adam Whenman, who oversees the group, said it had become a really bubbling community of students that are usually on the outskirts of school society. The club are marking Pride Month with by holding a raffle and baking a pride cake, as well as a Guess the number of sweets in a jar contest. They are appealing to businesses and individuals to donate prizes to their raffle, which will be run from noon to 1pm on Friday. Anyone who can help is asked to email Adam at Adam Whenman WhenmanA1@laurelacademy.org.uk. Road Accident at Australia Case have been registered against the bus driver CANBERRA: 10 People Killed and 25 others were injured when a bus overturned in the wine area of Greta, Australia. The police gave this information on Monday. Assistant Police Commissioner Tracey Chapman said that the bus driver (58) has been arrested. He was taken to Cessnock police station and a case will be registered against him. Notably, The Bus Passengers were returning after attending a wedding. He said that 25 people have been injured in this accident and they have been admitted to hospitals. 18 other people in the bus are safe. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked the rescue workers who arrived at the scene and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. He also assured all possible help from the government. Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal has also expressed grief over this incident. Advertisement Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana. Photo: Getty Images. By Dr Ian Sieborger Besieged is the word the Eskoms former board chairperson Malegapuru Makgoba used to refer to the ailing power utility when he appeared before the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) last month. It is a word that describes what many South Africans may be feeling, with the power crisis only one of the range of threats seeming to surround us, alongside the stagnant economy, a falling rand, struggles with water supply and quality, and concerns over diplomatic missteps relating to Russias war in Ukraine. But the fact that Eskoms corruption is coming to light gives hope that we can withstand this siege. My investigations into the words associated with Eskom in Mays online news coverage show the almost intractable tangle of allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the utility. Using a database of top daily news articles from IOL, News24 and TimesLive throughout the month, I have looked for insights into the language used to describe Eskoms crisis and the ways in which the utilitys management have divided into opposing camps. As a linguist and not an investigative journalist, I am grateful that it is not my job to find the truth of who is to blame for the utilitys troubles. Instead, I simply point out how the language shows the opposing alignments of those embroiled in the crisis. The word besieged was statistically associated strongly with Eskom in my database because Makgoba said that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan encouraged former chief executive Andre de Ruyter to gather intelligence on corruption in Eskom because of the way Eskom was besieged. Gordhan has since denied that he did this. De Ruyter did commission a privately-funded intelligence-gathering operation, named Project Ostrich. He spoke from the results of this investigation in his watershed February interview with eNCA just before he was relieved of his duties, in which he alleged that at least one senior ANC government official was involved in looting from the utility. One of the main funders of Project Ostrich was Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), whose chief executive, Busisiwe Mavuso, is also a former Eskom board member. The circumstances of De Ruyters axing hinge on another word that was closely associated with Eskom in Mays news: broader. Current Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana said De Ruyter was relieved of his duties a month early because it became clear during the notice period that he was no longer interested in the broader good of Eskom. Meanwhile, he warned against a broad view that sought to position De Ruyter as a victim and a whistle-blower. Clearly, broad is one of Makwanas favourite words. In linguistic terms, I would call the word broad a softener, a word that blurs the boundaries of the meaning of the word it modifies. Using this word would help Makwana out of a tight spot if he was pressed for specifics about what constitutes the good of Eskom. I am not sure about what Makwana sees as being broad about the view that De Ruyter is a victim and a whistleblower, but clearly he has an interest in trying to discredit this view. Many of the other words closely associated with Eskom draw the battle lines between De Ruyter on the one hand and Makwana on the other. Both Andre and CEO appear on the list, as do Mpho, Makwana and chair, referring to Makwanas job at Eskom. There is clearly no love lost between these two men. The Sunday Times reported on how De Ruyter, in his book Truth to Power, accuses Makwana of being a go-slow chairman, who would sit on letters and documents for months. He says that he treated chief operations officer Jan Oberholzer with galling disrespect. In another part of the book, quoted by News24, De Ruyter describes Makwanas reaction to news of his suspected poisoning in December: Sad to hear, he texted me, as though my hamster had died. The word board is also strongly associated with Eskom in Mays news, with the board depicted as swinging from aligning with De Ruyter to firing him. The IOL reports that in April last year, Mavuso, who was then a member of the board, absolved the board and De Ruyter for Eskoms failures, saying it was the ANC-government that had messed up the power utility. Makgoba, the previous board chairperson, defended De Ruyter before Scopa for commissioning Project Ostrich. When Makwana replaced Makgoba in October last year, he initially supported De Ruyter. But just four months later, the Eskom board fired De Ruyter. Makwana said the board did what any board would have done when a CEO no longer serves the best interest of that board. Meanwhile, De Ruyter criticised the board for interfering in operations and doling out instructions to employees, bypassing their line managers and Eskom executives. The word breach, also strongly associated with Eskom in Mays news, was used by Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa to criticise De Ruyter and Mavuso for Project Ostrich. He said, Its in breach of fiduciary responsibility, and The report may constitute a breach of Eskoms own security and up to now you still dont know where it starts and ends. But Scopa also had harsh words for Eskoms board, with Hlengwa saying, Heres your CEO going publicly making these allegations and the default position is to resign him. He was fired, thats what it is, but thats the boards decision. But the issue is did you test the allegations that he made? One last word with strong associations with Eskom in Mays news will strike a chord with besieged South Africans: winter. Five times in five different top news articles, Eskom or Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa warned that this winter will be an extremely difficult time, with a strong possibility of stage eight or even stage 10 load-shedding. It is common cause that the corruption at Eskom has exacerbated this load-shedding, with De Ruyter saying, If pushed, I would probably venture that around two stages of load-shedding could be ascribed to sabotage, theft and corruption. Given the awful, wasteful human cost of load-shedding to our country, it is crucial that the truth about this corruption come out and that those who have contributed to it be prosecuted, no matter how high up in government they are. For a few days I have been groping around for some glimmer of hope with which to end this article. What can encourage us is this: we have a diverse and independent media that brings corruption to light, as even President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged last month. The World Press Freedom Index ranks us as having the 25th most free media out of 180 countries. The fact that we know even as much as we do about the corruption at Eskom can give us hope that we will outlast this winter siege. Dr Ian Sieborger is a senior lecturer in the department of linguistics and applied language studies in the faculty of humanities at Rhodes University. Hyundai i20 Facelift will get a new steering wheel with paddle shifters as seen with test mules Premium hatchback space will probably heat up during the festive season as Hyundai will launch facelifted models of its i20 and i20 N Line. Spy shots of both Hyundai i20 facelift and i20 N Line facelift surfaced on the internet recently. In the spy shot, we can see that Hyundai is testing both the standard and sporty models together. This means that the company is likely to launch both of them together around the festive season. This will be a very mild update and will be associated with a slight price increment as well. There are not a lot of changes to i20 and i20 N Line facelifts as seen in the spy shots. Hyundai i20 facelift and i20 N Line facelift spotted together These spy shots cover two different instances. In one instance, both Hyundai i20 facelift and i20 N Line facelift are together. In another instance, one standard i20 facelift test mule is present which revealed some key interior updates. As seen in the first instance, a mid-spec (Magna or Sportz) i20 facelift and top-spec i20 N Line facelift feature together. Both of them get the same Titan Grey shade. Standard i20 facelift prototype misses out on alloy wheels and gets new design wheel covers that look very stylish as opposed to outgoing wheel covers. These new wheel covers are very similar to previous gen i20 Elite facelifts alloy wheels for some reason. Key changes on the outside are likely to be at the front and rear. Sadly, Hyundai has cladded both prototypes with camouflage. Hence, distinguishing key exterior design elements are under wraps. That said, new headlights, tail lights, front and rear bumpers and front and rear fog lights are highly likely. Standard i20 gets paddle shifters for the first time In the pursuit of adding more sportiness with i20 N Line models, Hyundai offers a different 3-spoke steering wheel, equipped with paddle shifters. Until now, this feature was only available with N Line models while standard i20 missed out on paddle shifters. Second instance of spy shots feature a top-spec Typhoon Silver i20 facelift. In this prototype, we can see the presence of paddle shifters. Hyundai seems to have decided to offer paddle shifters with standard i20 as well. That said, Hyundai i20 N Line facelift will still enjoy exclusivity in the form of red exterior highlights, red interior elements and stitching, throatier exhaust, stiffened suspension, exclusive colours, sportier alloy wheels with an N badge and more. Powertrains will be the same. In this sense, a 1.2L 4-cylinder NA petrol engine (82 bhp, 115 Nm, 5MT, CVT) and a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol (118 bhp, 172 Nm, 7DCT). We hope Hyundai adds a manual transmission with a turbo petrol option, a combination which is only present with N Line. Hyundai will probably rejig the features list to suit ever-growing customer needs. Maybe ventilated seats? Source BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Development of a green economy in Azerbaijans Karabakh is speeding up, Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Honored Architect, Doctor of Architecture, Professor Gulchohra Mammadova said, Trend reports. She made the remark during the international scientific "Reintegration of Liberated Territories into the country's Economy: Goals and Directions" conference. "Special attention is paid to the creation of smart rural projects and urban modernization. This rapid progress is a clear proof of Azerbaijan's strong economy, Mammadova said. The process of bringing Karabakh back to life is proceeding successfully. Thanks to energetic efforts, the future of Karabakh promises to be restored in a more favorable form, contributing to the prosperity of the region," she said. International "Reintegration of Liberated Territories into the country's Economy: Goals and Directions" scientific conference began its work at the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction on June 13. The conference, organized by the Department of Business Economics and Management of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, was attended by officials of influential state structures of Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of private and higher educational institutions, scientists from leading universities in Turkiye, Russia, Ukraine, Macedonia. Can you have your concha and eat it, too? BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Digital consciousness becomes a critical factor in the formation of human capital in reintegration processes, and in this context, Azerbaijan is attracting more and more attention from the international community, Rector of the Russian Southern University-IMBL (Institute of Management Business and Law), Doctor of Economics, Professor Imran Akperov said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the international scientific conference on "Reintegration of territories liberated from occupation into the country's economy: goals and directions". "Digitalization of society is becoming an integral part of the modern world, and Azerbaijan is actively using the advantages of digital technologies to upgrade its economy and social infrastructure. With the development of digital consciousness, regarding the ability to adapt to digital tools and use them effectively, Azerbaijan is strengthening its international positions," Akperov noted. According to him, reintegration processes face many difficulties and the effective use of digital technologies is a key factor in the successful implementation of these processes. "Azerbaijan is actively implementing digital tools and platforms that improve access to education, healthcare, information and other important resources for reintegrating groups. Digital consciousness is not only a set of skills, but also a cultural phenomenon that forms sustainable values and an understanding of the need for active participation in digital society," the rector said. Azerbaijan is taking steps to develop digital consciousness among its citizens, especially among young people, which gives hope for the future development of the country and the improvement of its human capital, Akperov noted. He added that the international community recognizes Azerbaijan's efforts in the field of digital transformation and reintegration and expresses its recognition for the desire to create favorable conditions for the formation of human capital. "Of particular interest are the innovative programs implemented in Azerbaijan to develop digital skills and raise awareness of digital security. In addition, events and trainings are being held aimed at developing digital skills in schools, universities and public organizations," the rector further said. Besides, according to him, Azerbaijan is also actively attracting investments in digital infrastructure and stimulates the development of digital start-ups, which creates favorable conditions for the development of high-tech industries, such as information technology, e-commerce and digital services. "The development of these industries contributes to economic growth and the creation of new jobs, which has a positive impact on the formation of human capital," Akperov said. He noted that amid these achievements, Azerbaijan is attracting more and more attention from international partners and investors. "The country actively participates in international forums and initiatives that promote the exchange of experience and cooperation in the field of digital transformation and reintegration," the rector said. "The human capital formed as a result of these efforts is becoming a valuable resource for Azerbaijan, contributing to its sustainable development and ensuring the welfare of citizens." Progress in the field of digital consciousness and reintegration processes make Azerbaijan an example for other countries striving for digital progress and strengthening human potential, Akperov concluded. The conference has started its work at the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction (AUAC). Representatives of government agencies, private institutions, and higher educational institutions of the country, scientists from leading universities of Turkiye, Russia, Ukraine, and Northern Macedonia have taken part in the event, organized by the AUAC Business Economics and Management Department. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The process of opening bank branches is expected to simplify in Azerbaijan, President of the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan Zakir Nuriyev told the reporters, Trend reports. According to him, work is underway in connection with amendments to the legislation. "We expect the adoption of decisions in the financial sector of Azerbaijan that will simplify and accelerate the process of opening branches of banks, the cancellation of certification and transfer of data of commercial and non-commercial organizations with an annual turnover of more than 100,000 manat ($58,823) to credit bureaus in order to determine the debt burden of the population, which will further accelerate the process of crediting the population," he said. Nuriyev believes that the expansion of the powers of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan will facilitate the work of banks. "All measures will be aimed at increasing the flexibility of banks," he said. Moreover, currency exchange processes will become more flexible as tourism develops in Azerbaijan. "The new rules will allow currency exchange offices to work more flexibly on non-working days or in areas where banks do not work. This is important for the development of tourism," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan hosted an event and an exhibition on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus on June 12, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The event was attended by the senior staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the head of the working group on inter-parliamentary relations Belarus-Azerbaijan, the head of the Belarus-Azerbaijan Friendship Society and other persons. Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov noted the successful development of the Azerbaijani-Belarusian relations of strategic partnership based on mutual trust. Noting that there is great potential for expanding economic relations, he stressed that at the last, 13th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Economic Sphere, held on May 15, 2023, important decisions were made and directions for further strengthening our economic ties were considered. He expressed confidence that relations between the two countries would continue to develop for the benefit and prosperity of the Azerbaijani and Belarusian peoples. Noting that cooperation between the two countries is developing on the basis of a strategic partnership, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus Andrey Ravkov said that the current relations are considered by his country as a solid basis for continuing mutually beneficial, equal and sustainable cooperation. At the end of the event, the participants got acquainted with the exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus. In a new study, paleontologists from the United Kingdom and Sweden reviewed the fossil evidence of locomotion of kangaroos and their relatives (wallabies, tree-kangaroos, rat-kangaroos, etc.) over the last 25 million years. Their results indicate that the higher-speed endurance-hopping typical of modern large-bodied kangaroos was probably rare or absent in all but a few large-bodied lineages, including the direct ancestors of modern large kangaroos like red and gray kangaroos. Macropodidae the crown clade encompassing kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies, pademelons, tree-kangaroos, the quokka, the banded hare-wallaby, and extinct short-faced kangaroos constitutes the quintessential eco-model for adaptive specialization towards higher speed endurance-hopping. Despite the pervasive popular image of the QANTAS flying kangaroo, the locomotory evolution of kangaroos and their more distant crown clade relatives is surprisingly diverse with documented fossil and living species evidencing a range of bipedal, quadrupedal, saltatorial, pentapedal, ambulatory, cursorial and scansorial locomotor modes, as well as burrowing behaviors developed over the last 25 million years. The earliest recognized Late Oligocene-Middle Miocene (25 to 15 million years ago) basal types of kangaroos most likely employed quadrupedal bounding, climbing and slower speed hopping as their primary modes of locomotion. Yet, all these early forms were small-bodied, below 12 kg, with larger bodied kangaroos over 20 kg not appearing until the Late Miocene (around 10 million years ago), coinciding with increasing aridity and the spread of openly vegetated habitats. Hopping is functionally problematic at larger body sizes. Consequently, some members of the later kangaroo radiation achieved a more specialized anatomy for efficient higher-speed hopping at body sizes over 35 kg. Modern large kangaroos are spectacular hoppers but none today are over 100 kg (most individuals under 70 kg) and many extinct forms were well above this size and physically too big to hop. We want people to appreciate that large kangaroos were much more diverse as recently as 50,000 years ago, which may also mean that the habitat in Australia then was rather different from today, said University of Bristols Professor Christine Janis, first author of the study. In fact, modern large hopping kangaroos are the exception in kangaroo evolution. While hopping apparently originated early in kangaroo evolution, in small-bodied forms, with the emergence of larger-sized kangaroos in the Late Miocene there were several different options: to become more specialized for large-bodied endurance hopping, as in the ancestors of modern kangaroos, or to adopt other forms of locomotion at higher speeds, as in two main extinct lineages. The protemnodons (so-called giant wallabies, closely related to modern large kangaroos) likely relied upon a more quadrupedal type of locomotion most of the time, and rarely hopped. The sthenurine short-faced kangaroos, a lineage that split from all modern kangaroos around 15 million years ago, apparently adopted bipedal striding at all speeds. The new data on the length of the tibia (shin bone) and calcaneum (ankle bone) reinforce these earlier hypotheses of locomotor differences from modern kangaroos in these two extinct groups. Especially supported by this new data is the notion of bipedal striding rather than hopping in the sthenurines, as their calcanea lack the anatomy (a long calcaneal heel) that would help resist rotational forces at the ankle experienced during hopping, and suggests a more-erect limb posture rather than the crouched posture essential for hopping, said co-author Adrian ODriscoll, a Ph.D. student at the University of York. The assumption that increasing continent-wide aridity after the end of the Miocene selectively favored hopping kangaroos is overly simplistic, Professor Janis said. Hopping is only one of many gait modes employed by kangaroos both in the past and today, and the fast endurance hopping of modern kangaroos should not be regarded as some evolutionary pinnacle. What makes modern endurance-hopping kangaroos appear so unusual is the geologically recent extinction of similar animals who moved in different ways. We are perhaps then in need of a rival Australian airline that covers shorter distances than QANTAS and boasts a novel motif of a striding sthenurine! The teams paper was published in the Alcheringa: an Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. _____ Christine M. Janis et al. Myth of the QANTAS leap: perspectives on the evolution of kangaroo locomotion. Alcheringa: an Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, published online May 25, 2023; doi: 10.1080/03115518.2023.2195895 The Campi Flegrei volcano in southern Italy has become weaker and more prone to rupturing, making an eruption more likely, according to a new study by researchers at UCL (University College London) and Italy's National Research Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The volcano, which last erupted in 1538, has been restless for more than 70 years, with two-year spikes of unrest in the 1950s, 1970s and 1980s, and a slower phase of unrest over the last decade. Tens of thousands of small earthquakes have occurred during these periods and the coastal town of Pozzuoli has been lifted by nearly 4 m (13 ft), roughly the height of a double-decker bus. The new study, published in Nature's Communications Earth & Environment journal, used a model of volcano fracturing, developed at UCL, to interpret the patterns of earthquakes and ground uplift, and concluded that parts of the volcano had been stretched nearly to breaking point. Lead author Professor Christopher Kilburn (UCL Earth Sciences) said: "Our new study confirms that Campi Flegrei is moving closer to rupture. However, this does not mean an eruption is guaranteed. The rupture may open a crack through the crust, but the magma still needs to be pushing up at the right location for an eruption to occur. "This is the first time we have applied our model, which is based on the physics of how rocks break, in real-time to any volcano. "Our first use of the model was in 2017 and since then Campi Flegrei has behaved as we predicted, with an increasing number of small earthquakes indicating pressure from below. "We will now have to adjust our procedures for estimating the chances of new routes being opened for magma or gas to reach the surface. advertisement "The study is the first of its kind to forecast rupture at an active volcano. It marks a step change in our goal to improve forecasts of eruptions worldwide." Dr Nicola Alessandro Pino from the Vesuvius Observatory, which represents the INGV in Naples, said: "Our results show that parts of the volcano are becoming weaker. This means that it might break even though the stresses pulling it apart are smaller than they were during the last crisis 40 years ago." Campi Flegrei is the closest active volcano to London. It is not an obvious volcano because, instead of growing into a traditional mountain, it has the shape of a gentle depression 12-14 km (7.5-8.5 miles) across (and thus is known as a caldera). This explains why 360,000 people now live on its roof. For the past decade, the ground below Pozzuoli has been creeping upwards at about 10 cm (4 in) a year. Persistent small earthquakes have also been registered for the first time since the mid-1980s. More than 600 were recorded in April, the largest monthly number so far. The disturbance has been caused by the movement of fluids about 3 km (2 miles) beneath the surface. Some of the fluids may be molten rock, or magma, and some may be natural volcanic gas. The latest phase of unrest appears likely to be caused by magmatic gas that is seeping into gaps in the rock, filling the 3 km-thick crust like a sponge. The earthquakes occur when faults (cracks) slip due to the stretching of the crust. The pattern of earthquakes from 2020 suggests the rock is responding in an inelastic way, by breaking rather than bending. advertisement Dr Stefania Danesi from INGV Bologna said: "We cannot see what is happening underground. Instead we have to decipher the clues the volcano gives us, such as earthquakes and uplift of the ground." In their paper, the team explained that the effect of the unrest since the 1950s is cumulative, meaning an eventual eruption could be preceded by relatively weak signals such as a smaller rate of ground uplift and fewer earthquakes. This was the case for the eruption of the Rabaul caldera in Papua New Guinea in 1994, which was preceded by small earthquakes occurring at a tenth of the rate than had occurred during a crisis a decade earlier. Campi Flegrei's current tensile strength (the maximum stress a material can bear before breaking when it is stretched) is likely to be about a third of what it was in 1984, the researchers said. The team emphasised that an eruption was not inevitable. Dr Stefano Carlino from the Vesuvius Observatory explained: "It's the same for all volcanoes that have been quiet for generations. Campi Flegrei may settle into a new routine of gently rising and subsiding, as seen at similar volcanoes around the world, or simply return to rest. We can't yet say for sure what will happen. The important point is to be prepared for all outcomes." Professor Kilburn and colleagues will now apply the UCL model of volcano fracturing to other volcanoes that have reawakened after a long period of time, seeking to establish more reliable criteria for deciding if an eruption is likely. Currently, eruptions are forecast using statistical data unique to each volcano, rather than drawing on fundamental principles that can be applied to multiple volcanoes. Like the brakes that stop cars, a molecular brake exists that can prevent semiconductor chains from slipping, enabling the creation of more groundbreaking devices. Recently, a joint research team led by Professor Kilwon Cho and PhD candidates Seung Hyun Kim and Sein Chung from the Department of Chemical Engineering at POSTECH, and Professor Boseok Kang from the Department of Nano Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) has developed a technology for high-performance organic polymer semiconductors that exhibit both stretchability and electrical functionality. This study was recently featured on the inside back cover of Advanced Functional Materials. For semiconductors to find applications in diverse flexible devices like flexible displays and skin-attachable medical devices, it is necessary to use stretchable materials instead of rigid ones. However, the force exerted during the stretching of semiconductors can be up to ten times greater than that experienced during simple bending, leading to the breakdown of the semiconductor layers and a decline in their electrical performance. Researchers have been diligently exploring methods to preserve semiconductor performance even under deformation, but a definitive solution to this challenge remains elusive. The research team successfully created a flexible molecular photocrosslinker1 featuring azide-reactive groups at both ends. When exposed to ultraviolet light, this photocrosslinker forms a network structure with the polymer semiconductor, acting as a brake that prevents slipping even under stretching conditions. In contrast to conventional semiconductor materials, where polymer chains become intertwined and irreversibly slip and fracture when stretched, the presence of this "brake" allows the polymer chains to retain their stretchability and performance without any slipping. Using this approach, the research team successfully preserved up to 96 percent of the electrical performance of the polymer semiconductor, even when it was stretched to 80 percent. Moreover, the semiconductor exhibited significantly enhanced stretchability and durability compared to conventional semiconductors, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of the developed technology. Professor Kilwon Cho explained, "By incorporating azide photocrosslinkers into the films, we have successfully preserved the excellent electrical properties of polymer semiconductors for organic thin-film transistors even under significant mechanical deformation. This simple approach significantly enhances the stretchability and UV-patternability of organic semiconducting polymers, making it highly valuable for industries requiring large-area production and photolithography for the development of next-generation flexible electronics." This study was conducted with the support of the Mid-career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Strategic Reinforcement of International Cooperation Network of the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea. According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, time and space are fused together in a quantity known as spacetime. The theory suggests that massive objects, like a galaxy or galaxy clusters, can cause spacetime to curve. Gravitational lensing is a rare yet observable example of Einstein's theory in action; the mass of a large celestial body can significantly bend light as it travels through spacetime, much like a magnifying lens. When light from a more distant light source passes by this lens, scientists can use the resulting visual distortions to view objects that would otherwise be too far away and too faint to be seen. An international team of scientists, including University of Maryland astronomer Igor Andreoni, recently discovered an exceptionally rare gravitationally lensed supernova, which the team named "SN Zwicky." Located more than 4 billion light years away, the supernova was magnified nearly 25 times by a foreground galaxy acting as a lens. The discovery presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to learn more about the inner cores of galaxies, dark matter and the mechanics behind universe expansion. The researchers published their findings -- including a comprehensive analysis, spectroscopic data and imaging of SN Zwicky -- in the journal Nature Astronomy on June 12, 2023. "The discovery of SN Zwicky not only showcases the remarkable capabilities of modern astronomical instruments but also represents a significant step forward in our quest to understand the fundamental forces shaping our universe," said the paper's lead author Ariel Goobar, who is also the director of the Oskar Klein Center at Stockholm University. Initially detected at the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), SN Zwicky was quickly flagged as an object of interest due to its unusual brightness. Then, using adaptive optics instruments on the W.M. Keck Observatory, the Very Large Telescopes and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the team observed four images of SN Zwicky taken from different positions in the sky and confirmed that gravitational lensing was behind the supernova's extraordinary radiance. According to Andreoni, who is a postdoctoral associate in UMD's Department of Astronomy and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, supernovae like SN Zwicky play a crucial role in helping scientists measure cosmic distances. "SN Zwicky not only is magnified by the gravitational lense, but it also belongs to a class of supernovae that we call 'standard candles' because we can use their well-known luminosities to determine distance in space," Andreoni explained. "When a source of light is farther away, the light is dimmer -- just like seeing candles in a dark room. We can compare two light sources in this way and gain an independent measure of distance without having to actually study the galaxy itself." In addition to being useful as a metric for cosmic distance, SN Zwicky also opens new avenues of research for scientists exploring the properties of galaxies, including dark matter (which is matter that does not absorb, reflect or emit light but make up the majority of matter in the universe). Researchers also believe that lensed supernovae like SN Zwicky could prove to be very promising tools for examining dark energy (a mysterious force counteracting gravity and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe) and refining current models describing the universe's expansion, including the calculation of the Hubble constant -- a value that describes how fast the universe is expanding. For Andreoni, who is preparing for the opening of the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, the team's success in identifying and analyzing SN Zwicky is only the beginning. Now still in its construction phase, the new observatory is expected to begin full operations in 2024 and build upon the team's findings as it takes multiple images of the entire visible sky to search for other supernovae and asteroids. Andreoni believes that the "big picture" tactic used to find SN Zwicky will continue to help scientists gather large volumes of data about celestial events in the sky. "This discovery paves the way to find more of such rare lensed supernovae in future big surveys that will help us study transient astronomical events like supernovae and gamma ray bursts," Andreoni said. "We look forward to more unexpected discoveries using broad, untargeted optical surveys of the sky like the one that helped us identify SN Zwicky. With this approach, we'll be able to probe the transient sky with an unprecedented depth." The earliest reptiles, birds and mammals may have borne live young, researchers from Nanjing University and University of Bristol have revealed. Until now, the hard-shelled egg was thought to be the key to the success of the amniotes -- a group of vertebrates that undergo embryonic or fetal development within an amnion, a protective membrane inside the egg. However, a fresh study of 51 fossil species and 29 living species which could be categorised as oviparous (laying hard or soft-shelled eggs) or viviparous (giving birth to live young) suggests otherwise. The findings, published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution, show that all the great evolutionary branches of Amniota, namely Mammalia, Lepidosauria (lizards and relatives), and Archosauria (dinosaurs, crocodilians, birds) reveal viviparity and extended embryo retention in their ancestors. Extended embryo retention (EER) is when the young are retained by the mother for a varying amount of time, likely depending on when conditions are best for survival. While the hard-shelled egg has often been seen as one of the greatest innovations in evolution, this research implies it was EER that gave this particular group of animals the ultimate protection. Professor Michael Benton from the Bristol's School of Earth Sciences explained: "Before the amniotes, the first tetrapods to evolve limbs from fishy fins were broadly amphibious in habits. They had to live in or near water to feed and breed, as in modern amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. advertisement "When the amniotes came on the scene 320 million years ago, they were able to break away from the water by evolving waterproof skin and other ways to control water loss. But the amniotic egg was the key. It was said to be a 'private pond' in which the developing reptile was protected from drying out in the warm climates and enabled the Amniota to move away from the waterside and dominate terrestrial ecosystems." Project Leader Professor Baoyu Jiang added: "This standard view has been challenged. Biologists had noticed many lizards and snakes display flexible reproductive strategy across oviparity and viviparity. "Sometimes, closely related species show both behaviours, and it turns out that live-bearing lizards can flip back to laying eggs much more easily than had been assumed." "Also, when we look at fossils, we find that many of them were live-bearers, including the Mesozoic marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs," said Dr Armin Elsler. "Other fossils, including a choristodere from the Cretaceous of China, described here, show the to-and-fro between oviparity and viviparity happened in other groups, not just in lizards." Dr Joseph Keating explained: "EER is widespread among vertebrates today, where the developing young are retained by the mother for a lesser or greater span of time. "EER is common and variable in lizards and snakes today. Their young can be released, either inside an egg or as little wrigglers, at different developmental stages, and there appears to be ecological advantages of EER, perhaps allowing the mothers to release their young when temperatures are warm enough and food supplies are rich." Professor Benton concluded: "Our work, and that of many others in recent years, has consigned the classic 'reptile egg' model of the textbooks to the wastebasket. "The first amniotes had evolved extended embryo retention rather than a hard-shelled egg to protect the developing embryo for a lesser or greater amount of time inside the mother, so birth could be delayed until environments become favourable. "Whether the first amniote babies were born in parchment eggs or as live, snapping little insect-eaters is unknown, but this adaptive parental protection gave them the advantage over spawning earlier tetrapods." Chronic exposure to low levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic through commonly used household items, air, water, soil and food is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. This scientific statement reviews evidence linking chronic exposure to low or moderate levels of three contaminant metals -- lead, cadmium and arsenic -- to cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. It highlights clinical and public health implications. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease do not currently include environmental toxicants. The field of environmental cardiology identifies exposure to pollutants including contaminant metals as modifiable risks for cardiovascular disease. "Large population studies indicate that even low-level exposure to contaminant metals is near-universal and contributes to the burden of cardiovascular disease, especially heart attacks, stroke, disease of the arteries to the legs and premature death from cardiac causes," said Gervasio A. Lamas, M.D., FAHA, chair of the statement writing group and chairman of medicine and chief of the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. "These metals interfere with essential biological functions and affect most populations on a global scale," said vice chair of the statement writing group Ana Navas-Acien, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the director of the Columbia University Northern Plains Superfund Research Program in New York City. "After exposure, lead and cadmium accumulate in the body and remain in bones and organs for decades. In the U.S. alone, one large study suggested that more than 450,000 deaths annually could be attributed to lead exposure." Where are people exposed to contaminant metals? Exposure to contaminant metals most often occurs involuntarily, through activities of daily living. Lead may be found in a variety of items such as paint in old homes (lead paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978), tobacco products, second-hand smoke, contaminated foods (ground water and some pottery, ceramics and kitchenware are sources of lead contamination in food), water pipes, spices, cosmetics, electronics and industrial emissions. Cigarette smoking is a source of both lead and cadmium. Cadmium is found in nickel-cadmium batteries, pigments, plastic, ceramics and glassware, and construction products. Industrially produced fertilizers use phosphate rock that is naturally rich in cadmium, which then contaminates root vegetables and leafy green plants (including tobacco). advertisement Arsenic exposure is primarily through groundwater, which affects drinking water, soil and food grown in contaminated soil. Notably, arsenic builds up in rice more than other food crops. While exposure and risk occur across diverse populations regardless of socioeconomic level, some people experience greater exposure to toxic metals, according to the statement. Risk of exposure is higher for people who live closer to major roadways, industrial sources and hazardous waste sites; reside in older houses; or in areas where environmental regulations are poorly enforced and responses to community complaints are inadequate. "This is a global issue in which lower-income communities are disproportionately exposed to toxic metals through contaminated air, water and soil," said Navas-Acien. "Addressing metal exposure in these populations may provide a strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease disparities and advance environmental justice." What are the cardiovascular risks of contaminant metals? The scientific statement outlines global epidemiologic research confirming that lead, cadmium and arsenic are associated with premature death, due in large part to increased cardiovascular disease risk. The global research includes: A 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement recognized exposure to toxic metals as a non-conventional risk factor for peripheral artery disease. A 2018 review published in the British Medical Journal assessed 37 studies representing nearly 350,000 people from more than a dozen countries. The review reported that higher urine levels of arsenic and blood levels of lead and cadmium were associated with 15%-85% higher risk for stroke and heart disease. One study in China found that higher levels of lead in the blood were associated with carotid plaque in people with Type 2 diabetes. Another found that cadmium and arsenic were associated with a higher rate of heart disease and ischemic stroke. In Spain, a general population study found that cadmium in urine was associated with increased rates of newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease. What can be done about metals in the environment? Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing for metal in individuals are key steps to implement appropriate public health initiatives, the writing group suggests. Lead levels in children with symptoms of exposure are monitored by health professionals using blood tests. However, there are no monitoring guidelines or exposure limits established for contaminant metals in adults other than those required for specific types of work. Future research is needed to establish if such testing may be an effective strategy to identify and protect people at risk of cardiovascular disease. advertisement The statement authors note that decreasing metal exposure in tobacco, protecting community water systems and wells, and minimizing metal contamination in air, food and soil are all examples of public health measures that may reduce exposure to metals. "Cardiovascular health may be improved with a multi-pronged approach that recognizes environmental cardiology and includes environmental monitoring and biomonitoring of contaminant metals; controlling for sources of exposure; and developing clinical interventions that remove metals or weaken their effects on the body," said Lamas, who is also a professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. While there is currently no standard medical therapy to counteract the vascular impact of contaminant metals, there is research in progress to address the potential for treating individuals for exposure. Some research is assessing the effect of chelating agents, which are medications that can remove contaminant metals, especially lead and cadmium, from the body. The chelating agent binds to metals so they can be excreted. In addition, the statement suggests research is needed to investigate nutritional supplements that may reduce the effects of contaminant metals and accelerate excretion. Supplements that have shown potential based on small trials include folate and N-acetyl cysteine. This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and the Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers, and the Association's overall financial information are available here. Gold is a precious metal that has always fascinated humans. From Priam's Treasure to the legend of El Dorado, gold -- regarded as the noblest of metals -- has been a symbol of splendour and wealth in many civilizations. Historically, gold deposits were known to form when metal was transported dissolved by hot aqueous solution flows -- hydrothermal fluids -- until it accumulated in some areas in the Earth's upper crust. The recent discovery of gold nanoparticles in such mineral deposits has brought some doubts on the validity of the classical model. Now, a paper published in the Nature group's journal Scientific Reports reopens the scientific debate on the validity of traditional models for the transport of this precious metal in nature. The new study reveals for the first time that gold nanoparticles exposed to hydrothermal fluids have the ability to melt and produce gold nanomelts at temperatures lower (<500C) than the melting temperature of macroscopic gold (1064C). According to this discovery, gold could be remobilized by gold nanomelts in aqueous fluids, allowing more gold to be transported more efficiently to form economically interesting accumulations. The study is led by experts from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB) of the University of Barcelona, the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences (IACT-CSIC) and the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology of the University of Granada. It also has the collaboration of the Scientific and Technological Centres of the UB (CCiTUB) and the Centre for Scientific Instrumentation of the University of Granada (CIC). Gold, the most precious noble metal In the 8th century, Jabir ibn Hayyan, the great alchemist of the Islamic world, described the purification of gold and the obtaining of pure mercury from cinnabar. In the 16th century, Georgii Agricolae De ortu & causis subterraneorum already established how gold was transported in the Earth's upper crust as species dissolved in hydrothermal fluids, hot aqueous solutions -- between 50 and 500C -- with features that depend on the geological context and the depth at which these aqueous solutions are found (generally of the order of kilometres below the Earth's surface). Most of the world's gold deposits have been formed by this mode of transport. However, gold can also accumulate when primary gold deposits are eroded away once they are exposed to the surface by tectonic processes on land, resulting in the famous gold nuggets that prospectors found along riverbanks in the height of the gold rush. Although John Turkevich succeeded in synthesising gold nanoparticles in the 1950s, it was not until forty years later, in the early 1990s, that they were documented in natural gold deposits. Specifically, these nanoparticles were found in a type of deposit with high concentrations of gold known as the bonanza type in Nevada (United States). The discovery of these nanoparticles supported the hypothesis that states that gold could be transported as nanoparticles suspended in the fluid rather than as a dissolved species. advertisement "There is a wide variety of hydrothermal gold deposits depending on a number of factors. Globally, the most important are orogenic, Carlin and epithermal gold deposits. However, the characterisation of these mineralizing fluids has shown that their ability to dissolve gold is very low. Regardless of their nature, these fluids are incapable of transporting the amount of gold needed to explain auriferous mineralizations, especially those very rich in gold of the bonanza type," notes Professor Joaquin A. Proenza, from the UB Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology. "Therefore, the formation of gold deposits cannot be only caused by hydrothermal fluids transporting dissolved gold," says Proenza, member of the Research Group on Mineral Resources for Energy Transition (MinResET). When gold nanoparticles melt down This study describes for the first time the melting process of gold nanoparticles. "This process has been discovered in gold-rich samples from the Cu-Co-Ni-Au deposits of the Habana-Matanzas region (Cuba), which show a large amount of gold nanoparticles. Our research reveals how gold nanoparticles exposed to hydrothermal fluids have the ability to melt and produce gold nanomelts," says Diego Dominguez-Carretero (UB), who is the first author of the article and is working on his doctoral thesis under the supervision of Joaquin A. Proenza and Antonio Garcia Casco (University of Granada). "Our study describes for the first time the whole formation process of the gold nanoparticles: specifically, the release of the nanoparticles from the mineral in which they were included, the exposure to the hydrothermal fluid and subsequent melting, and finally, the remobilisation by auriferous nanofusions immiscible with the hydrothermal fluid," say the researchers. To obtain these results, the team has applied a combination of classical techniques (optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy) together with other more innovative techniques (hydro-separation, focused ion beam, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy). These analytical techniques are available at the CCiTUB, at the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory of the University of Zaragoza and at the CIC. "To date, -- they continue -- the only example of the formation of gold nanomelts required other elements, such as bismuth (Bi), tellurium (Te) or antimony (Sb), which are not always concentrated together with gold in many mineral deposits. The study details for the first time the sequence of transformation of gold nanoparticles to gold nanocrystals without requiring other elements, such as Bi, Te or Sb." According to the authors, "this paradigm shift provides a better understanding of the origin of gold and, consequently, helps to establish more realistic genetic models." "Establishing the genesis, that is, to understand the complex geological processes involved and the factors that condition the formation of a mineral deposit, is an essential aim for a mineral deposit geologist." "Gold mining, like any other type of mining, feeds on these genetic models to establish exploration campaigns to find new deposits," concludes the research team. This is an innovative line at a national and European level, dedicated to the investigation of the influence of metallic nanoparticles in the formation of critical mineral deposits, developed in collaboration with the researcher Jose Maria Gonzalez Jimenez, from the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Turkish people managed to successfully overcome another historical test. At the recent presidential election, more than half of the Turkish people solidly demonstrated to the whole world that they want to see Recep Tayyip Erdogan as president of Turkiye for the next 5 years. May 28 has become a double celebration for the Azerbaijani people. Marking the 105th anniversary of independence, the Azerbaijani people celebrated with great enthusiasm the victory of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the election. Thus, the dreams of those who wanted to undermine the Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and brotherhood didn't come true. The Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood has once again manifested itself as a result of this election. Azerbaijani people also celebrated Erdogan's election with enthusiasm and shared the joy, once again clearly demonstrating the brotherhood of "one nation, two states" motto. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was the first to congratulate Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election as president. Moreover, President Aliyev invited his colleague to visit Azerbaijan. This event is another manifestation of unbreakable friendship and brotherhood. The development of today's relations between the two peoples and states to such a level, and the fact that they have reached their peak, is precisely the policy of sincere friendship and brotherhood of the two leaders. Both regionally and globally, the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem plays a decisive role. The friendship between Baku and Ankara is crucial in the formation of such an alliance as the Organization of Turkic States, its strengthening, becoming an important figure in many regions as a leading organization. President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan proudly noted in his address to the people in Istanbul after the announcement of the election results that the first congratulations from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was another slap in the face for the Turkic people's haters. President Erdogan shared the joy of this example of brotherhood with his constituents and also put in place those who wanted to undermine the unbreakable friendship between Baku and Ankara. As for the names of the countries that Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit for the first time, the schedule of visits confirmed that the Turkish leader will stick to his tradition. The official information was that after the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the plane with the Turkish President on board will land in Baku. The Turkish president arrived in Azerbaijan in the evening, having spent the night here and planned the process of an official meeting in the morning, also indicates that Erdogan feels at home in Azerbaijan. Turkiye is well aware that strengthening Azerbaijan means strengthening Turkiye, and vice versa. The priority political path facing both countries is the revival of the Turkic world, turning it into a leading world center of power, and not leaving the fate of the Turks and Muslims around the world, as well as weak states of the world to the hope of other global actors who think about crushing others with their double standards. Such is the reality that there are no other countries in the world today that are as close as Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The Shusha Declaration, the second anniversary of which will soon be celebrated, is a roadmap for the future development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. Along with interstate relations, the personal reputation of the leaders, friendly and fraternal relations with each other, and the cohesion of both peoples as a family play an important role in the upward development of this union. There is not the slightest doubt that no matter what support Azerbaijan received from Turkiye during the 44-day Karabakh war, no matter what gratuitous and prompt assistance Turkiye received from its brother Azerbaijan in forest fires and one of the world's largest earthquakes, this gratuitous brotherhood will move even further, from now on this unity will only contribute to strengthening the Turkish nation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Azerbaijani Parliament has approved another international document, Trend reports. At today's meeting of the parliament, a bill on the approval of a "Letter of commitment for subscription to shares related to the increase in the capital of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB)" was discussed. After discussion, the document was put to a vote and adopted. BSTDB became the first multilateral development bank to issue a local currency bond in Azerbaijan. The two-year bond for the amount of 10 million manat ($5.8 million) was placed on the Baku Stock Exchange on August 1, 2019. The BSTDB bond issuance in manat supports the program of the government of Azerbaijan for the de-dollarization of the financial sector. Amity University Dubai has signed a memorandum of understanding with Seneca Polytechnic, one of the largest higher education institutions in Canada to explore international student and faculty exchange. The signing ceremony took place at Amity University Dubai's campus in the UAE. The MoU will facilitate student and faculty exchange, develop applied research, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, create corporate and executive training opportunities, and explore possibilities for micro-credentials and pathways to new careers. This partnership explores synergies between the two institutions, with both sharing a strong focus on practical and creative programmes, emphasising employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With over 90,000 students enrolled, and ten campuses in Canada, Seneca Polytechnic provides a strong emphasis on career preparation and practical experience for students, aligning with UAEs agenda to develop the human capital requirements of the region. The MoU was signed by Dr Saif Al Seiari, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Dubai and Professor David Agnew, President of Seneca Polytechnic, in the presence of Dr Fazal Malik, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Dubai, Marianne Morando, Vice President of Academics and Student Affairs, and Renata Dinnocenzo, Vice President of Strategy, Seneca Polytechnic. Other dignitaries who attended the signing ceremony included Lindsay Margenau, Charge d`affaires at the Consulate General of Canada in Dubai and Dr Nitesh Sughnani, Director of University Ratings, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Rich learning Dr Malik said: Amity University Dubai, licensed by the Ministry of Education and accredited by the Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA), is focused on empowering students with rich learning experiences, partnering with the renowned institutions globally. Our collaboration with Seneca Polytechnic, one of the largest higher education institutions in Canada, will help us develop competent, skilled and highly agile graduates, which can make a seamless transition to the job market. With this shared passion, we will create synergies to benefit our students and faculty members, while promoting the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship offered in our programmes. Professor Agnew said: "We are delighted to be entering a partnership with Amity University Dubai and look forward to building a strong and enduring relationship that will be of mutual benefit to our students, faculty and communities. We share a global outlook, focused on high-quality teaching and learning that provides our graduates with great opportunities.-- TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Turkiye-Azerbaijan unity, brotherhood this is an international factor, a factor of stability, development and security, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he held an expanded meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. The head of state said: The Turkish people`s trust in you in the presidential election once again demonstrates the high appreciation for your services to the Turkish people for many years. You know that you are very much loved in Azerbaijan. You are our dear guest. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. I am sure that our friendship, brotherhood in the following years will be as high level as it has always been, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he held an expanded meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. The head of state cordially congratulated the new government members and said: As always, our meetings conclude the works that have been done and at the same time, create a roadmap for the works to be done in the coming years. I am sure this will be so this time around too. The people photographed for this story voluntarily agreed to have their photos taken and their words used. I'm a Chicago native. I live in the Battle Creek Shelter. Im trying to be positive and encourage others, Richard Evans, 62. I was born in upstate New York. I have lived in the Battle Creek area for 55 years. I fell on hard times and live on the street. Kevin Robert OBrien, 59. After moving from Texas, I was raised in Detroit by my grandmother. I moved to Battle Creek after meeting a girl on Facebook. I live in the Battle Creek Shelter even though its not safe. Charlie McDonald, 32. I am a Battle Creek native, kind of) homeless, but am staying with a friend. I rely on the services at the drop-in center. Debra Martin, 66. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. A tractor carrying out engineering work in the direction of the Demirchidam settlement of Kalbajar district was shelled by units of the Armenian armed forces on June 13, at 11:10 (GMT+4), Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. No casualties have been indicated. As a result of the retaliatory measures taken by the units of the Azerbaijani army, the enemy's firing points were suppressed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif will visit Azerbaijan in a few days, a diplomatic source told Trend. The main topics of negotiations during his visit will be issues of expanding cooperation in trade and transport. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan from January through April 2023 totaled $10.7 million. Azerbaijani exports to Pakistan during the reporting period amounted to $886,230, while imports totaled $9.8 million. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The brotherly relations between Turkiye and Azerbaijan are the foundation for all the achieved successes, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. Noting that the second anniversary of the signing of the Shusha Declaration will be celebrated in two days, the head of state said: The Shusha Declaration is a historic agreement. As a result of this Agreement, Turkiye and Azerbaijan officially became allies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Turkiye-Azerbaijan unity is important for our peoples, for the region and for the Turkic world, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. Expressing confidence that this unity will become stronger in the coming years, the head of state said that new success and new victories await us. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Negotiations on the establishment of the joint Turkiye-Azerbaijan university are in the final stage, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. We strongly hope that this issue will be resolved in the near future, in the coming months, and another contribution will be made to our brotherly relations, the head of state noted. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan and Turkiye contribute to the rise of the Turkic world, Turkish writer-journalist, analyst Murat Akan told reporters, Trend reports. "The fact that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the first visit to the brotherly country of Azerbaijan after the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is of great significance. The personal friendship of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Erdogan is the most important factor in making relations between the two states more strategic," Akan said. He also noted that Azerbaijan and Turkiye have made great efforts to create and expand the Organization of Turkic States. "Relations between Turkiye and Azerbaijan are not only at the level of brotherhood. Important steps have been taken between these two states in trade and the defense industry. In particular, the solidarity shown in the 2020 second Karabakh war has brought serious self-confidence among the Turkic states. Joint project of Turkiye and Azerbaijan for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has caused fear among our enemies," the journalist stressed. According to Akan, Azerbaijan a leading country in the field of energy, which, together with Turkiye, can develop serious projects in the energy and defense industries, thereby bringing an innovative contribution to the Turkic world. "The fact that Erdogan made his second official visit to Azerbaijan is a step towards the revival of the Turkic geography of Central Asia. Cooperation between the two fraternal countries will make a great contribution to the Turkic world," he concluded. A protocol of intent on joint production of UAVs in Azerbaijan was signed on April 27 this year between Deputy Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Agil Gurbanov and CEO of Turkish Baykar company Haluk Bayraktar. Brain health assessment specialist Cambridge Cognition has secured a 2m contract for a significant cancer therapy trial, it announced on Tuesday. The AIM-traded company's proprietary cognitive assessments, known as CANTAB, would be used as an exploratory endpoint in the trial, with revenue from the contract expected to be recognised over the course of the next five years. It said the contract came at a time when regulatory approvals for oncology drugs had seen a notable increase. Cambridge Cognition explained that over the last decade, there had been a near-threefold rise in regulatory approvals for oncology drugs, with the number of approvals escalating from 16 in 2013 to 43 in 2022. That surge in approvals had prompted pharmaceutical companies to invest significantly in distinguishing their new therapies, particularly by addressing adverse effects that could impact patients' cognitive functions following treatments such as chemotherapy. Studies had shown that around 30% of patients experience cognitive decline, which primarily manifests as attention deficits, memory impairment, and challenges in executive function. CANTAB, developed by Cambridge Cognition, was designed to measure the specific cognitive processes affected by cancer-related cognitive decline. Cambridge Cognition said its success in securing the contract could be attributed to its robust assessments, as well as to its delivery platform, which had demonstrated successful deployment on a global scale. Additionally, the company's experienced clinical project management team would support the implementation of CANTAB across 70 trial sites in nine countries and 11 languages, ensuring accurate cognition assessment throughout the trial. Advances in cancer treatment have led to increased consideration for limiting the side-effects that impact patients' quality of life, said chief executive officer Matthew Stork. Reducing cognitive impairment could have a major impact on patients' lives. Stork said the company was pleased to be working with a major pharmaceutical company to support their development programme. With significant investment being made in cancer trials by the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, we expect that this could become a considerable growth area for Cambridge Cognition in the future. At 1417 BST, shares in Cambridge Cognition Holdings were up 2.87% at 101.84p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Software and services company Pennant International announced several new orders on Tuesday, highlighting its continued growth and expansion. The AIM-traded firm said one of the orders involved a contract for an Australian defence programme, which would see it supply software solutions and technical services worth AUD 5.2m over a span of five years. In addition, Pennant said it had secured an upgrade on an existing Australian contract, valued at AUD 1.2m and involving the provision of specialist facilities and services over a period of five years. Pennant said it had also achieved a major milestone by securing a perpetual software licence worth 0.25m with a European defence department. Additionally, Pennant had secured a contract in the UK for technical railway mapping services, valued at 0.13m for the current year. Of particular significance to the companys board was the first sale of Pennant's new GenS software, which it said represented a major milestone. GenS is the successor product to OmegaPS,, and formed the next generation of integrated product support (IPS) software. It described it as a Windows application that could be hosted on-premises or via the cloud, which could be deployed on laptops or tablets. GenS would enables the seamless management of equipment data across complex programmes. The company said the full launch of GenS in early 2024 would further enhance Pennant's product portfolio and drive future growth. These new contract wins demonstrate that recent momentum has been maintained in building our new business model, said group chief executive officer Phil Walker. It is especially pleasing to secure the first sale of the new GenS solution. At 1320 BST, shares in Pennant International Group were up 6.25% at 37.4p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. In the year to 30 April, adjusted pre-tax profit jumped 26% to $2.27bn, while revenue rose 24% to $9.67bn. In the US, rental only revenue grew 23% on the previous year to $5.88bn. Ashtead said this represents continued market outperformance and demonstrates the benefits of its strategy of growing the specialty businesses and broadening end markets. The UK business generated rental only revenue growth of 6% to 429m. Excluding the impact of the work for the Department of Health, which ended during the first quarter of 2022/23, rental only revenue increased 22%. Chief executive Brendan Horgan said: "We enter the final year of Sunbelt 3.0 with clear momentum in strong end markets, which are enhanced by the increasing number of mega projects and recent US legislative acts. "We are in a position of strength, with the operational flexibility and financial capacity to capitalise on the opportunities arising from these strong markets and ongoing structural change. The board looks to the future with confidence." Britain has endured the worst exports record of any member of the G7 besides Japan over the last decade, according to a new analysis that will raise pressure on the government to reconsider its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. As most of the worlds other major seven economies have rebounded from the pandemic, export growth has remained sluggish in the UK at a time when businesses trading with the EU faced extra red tape and costs as a result of the country leaving the bloc. Guardian The Federal Trade Commission asked a court to temporarily block Microsofts acquisition of Activision Blizzard on Monday, seeking to halt the deal from closing before the governments case against the $69bn deal is heard. The FTC said Microsoft and Activision had signaled the deal could close as soon as Friday, and asked a federal judge to block any final agreement before 11.59pm ET on 15 June. Guardian UBS has axed a raft of senior Credit Suisse executives after the bank completed the takeover of its stricken rival. The Swiss lender said that a slew of Credit Suisses most senior bosses will leave the combined company, while others will take on lesser roles, as UBS asserts its dominance following the historic tie-up. Telegraph The Financial Conduct Authority is facing mounting scrutiny of its handling of the Crispin Odey scandal amid pressure from MPs for the City regulator to reveal what it knew about misconduct allegations against the hedge fund manager. Odey, 64, was ousted from his eponymous hedge fund group on Saturday as partners at the firm scrambled to stabilise the business in the face of a series of sexual assault and harassment allegations against its founder. The Times One of Silicon Valleys leading venture capital firms has chosen London for its first international office, in a much-needed vote of confidence in the UKs technology sector. Andreessen Horowitz will open a London arm later this year of its crypto practice, which focuses on blockchain technologies and start-ups, managing about 6 billion of committed capital. The office is set to open this year.- The Times BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The export of gas from Azerbaijan to Turkiye is on the rise, increasing year after year and, today, we came to an agreement that it will increase even more, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. The export of Azerbaijani gas to European countries through Turkiye is going up in parallel with this. There is the great need for this, he said. President Ilham Aliyev underlined that discussions had been held on cooperation in renewable energy. According to the Azerbaijani leader, Azerbaijan and Turkiye actively cooperate today in the areas of gas, oil, oil products, petrochemicals, electricity. The education landscape in Australia has experienced remarkable changes, and a significant portion of the credit goes to the strategic contributions of Indian consultants. These consultants played a crucial role in developing educational strategies that drew more worldwide students to Australia. Indian consultants have created an environment that supports academic success, cultural diversity, and global collaboration through their skills, knowledge, and unshakable commitment. This article examines the essential part that Indian consultants played in reshaping Australia's education policy, highlighting their priceless contributions to the country's educational system. Increasing Educational Options and Promoting Cultural Diversity The expansion of educational options in Australia for both domestic and international students has been made possible mainly by Indian consultants. They have made it possible for Australian educational institutions and Indian universities to work together through their broad networks and alliances, giving students access to various academic programmes. Australian universities may now offer a wide choice of courses that draw students from different academic backgrounds because of this interchange of information and resources. Indian consultants have also significantly contributed to promoting cultural diversity in the Australian educational system. Indian students have been encouraged to choose Australia as their preferred study destination by them through advertising educational prospects in India. In turn, this has increased the diversity of Australian universities, enhancing the cultural learning opportunities for both domestic and international students. The presence of Indian students has also fostered cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives among the entire student body. Enhancing Quality Assurance: Indian consultants have significantly improved quality assurance in Australian educational institutions. Beyond recruiting students, they have been essential in establishing collaborations between Australian universities and Indian regulatory organizations. Through these partnerships, Indian consultants have contributed to ensuring that Australian academic programmes match the highest standards around the world. As a result, robust quality control systems were established, which is advantageous for both domestic and international students studying in Australia. The educational experience in Australia has been improved thanks to the work of Indian consultants; giving students a guarantee of quality and helping Australian institutions build a reputation for excellence. Supporting Career Development Indian consultants have been essential in assisting students who are studying in Australia with their professional growth. These consultants have gone above and beyond their primary responsibilities to provide invaluable career guidance and support due to their in-depth knowledge of the employment market. Indian consultants have helped students and potential employers interact effectively through career fairs, networking events, and workshops. They have improved students' chances of finding employment by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the Australian labor market successfully. As a result, Australia has become a desirable location for both education and long-term professional opportunities, offering international students studying there vital assistance in establishing their future professions. Fostering Research Partnerships and Boosting Bilateral Ties The strategic contributions made by Indian consultants to the development of Australia's education policy have had a significant impact, fostering international research partnerships and enhancing bilateral ties. The exchange of research skills, resources, and funding possibilities has been made possible thanks mainly to the assistance of these consultants, who have helped Australian and Indian institutions collaborate on research. They have promoted academic creativity and helped to expand knowledge in numerous sectors by facilitating collaborative research efforts. Additionally, by actively promoting educational partnerships, they have improved relations between Australian and Indian academic institutions, encouraging a spirit of cooperation and trust. Beyond education, this partnership also fosters trade, investment, and cultural interchange. In summary, It is impossible to understate the significant influence that Indian consultants played in influencing Australia's educational approach. Their contributions have boosted quality assurance, fostered research collaborations, supported career development, increased educational possibilities, and reinforced bilateral contacts. The work of Indian consultants has benefitted the Australian educational system and created a favorable atmosphere for students, organizations, and participating nations. The strategic direction and experience of Indian consultants will continue to significantly influence Australia's future as a center for higher education. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In a modern twist for a police department steeped in tradition, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell ended her brief but distinguished role as the first female head of The Finest on Monday by sending an email to her members. The surprise resignation of the third African American commissioner occurred days after Sewell visited Stapleton, connecting with a small group of community leaders and business owners in an effort to hear their feedback on how crime is impacting the area. Sewell was appointed as the 45th New York City police commissioner by Mayor Eric Adams about 18 months ago in December 2021. She previously served as the Nassau County Police Departments chief of detectives after rising through the ranks since her appointment to the force in Long Island in 1997. The commissioner faced many challenges as crimes spiked during the COVID-19 epidemic and recovery, but her impending departure took the media by surprise since no formal announcement was made before or after she sent the following resignation letter via email: To the women and men of the NYPD: Since I joined you almost a year and a half ago we have faced tremendous tragedy, challenges and triumphs together. I have witnessed your compassion, heroics and selflessness on a daily basis. They have reaffirmed to me, what people around the globe have always known: you are an extraordinary collective of hard working public servants dedicated to the safety of this city, engaging our communities and sharing what we know with our partners for the benefit of the world. You and your predecessors are the reason that the NYPD is known as the gold standard in law enforcement. I have had the absolute honor to spend time with our line of duty families. Their loss is immeasurable; their strength is incredible. I thank them for allowing me the privilege to know them and hear the stories of our fallen heroes. I have also had the opportunity to meet many of our retired members. Their continued interest in, and pride for having served in this department exemplifies that the bonds of this family are long standing and far reaching. I have made the decision to step down from my position. While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from my advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City. I was acutely aware of the challenges you faced both before I arrived and what you experience daily. That is why I made your wellness one of my priorities. We cannot be expected to deliver the type and quality of police services that New Yorkers deserve unless we care for and protect the guardians of this city. I hope the modern chart, which will allow you less appearances and more time with your family; the overtime portal, which will significantly reduce last minute forced overtime and prevent disruptions to your personal lives; a self nomination portal for discretionary promotions, for outstanding members historically overlooked for advancement; professional development programs; and ensuring that the discipline process focuses on fairness and expediency, and appreciates the realities you face while policing this city, will be lasting hallmarks of my focus on your well being. There are people all over this city who want and appreciate you. They want safe streets, transit and housing. They are families, workers, tourists, business owners and students, and they depend on the NYPD. Please continue to do what you do well to secure this city. Thank you for stepping forward and as always, stay safe. Please. With my tremendous respect and admiration, Keechant L. Sewell 45th Police Commissioner City of New York RELATED COVERAGE: Recent Staten Island news >> NYPD seeks tips in alleged assault at carnival outside Staten Island Mall >> Staten Island woman, 45, charged in NYC fatal shooting that started as minor family dispute >> Lawsuit: Family suffered shock, horror after hand of buried mom was found in S.I. woods >> FDNY fights 2-alarm fire at popular restaurant on Staten Island; 1 firefighter taken to hospital; strip mall damaged >> Man, 42, accused of attempted murder in stabbing on South Shore of Staten Island >> Details emerge about fake-gun scare at Tottenville High School on Staten Island BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Armenia attaches no importance to its international obligations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend. This is once again demonstrated by the fact that the Armenian Foreign Ministry hypocritically shifts the responsibility for military provocations to Azerbaijan and encourages the sending of an international mission to the Karabakh region, being Azerbaijan's sovereign territory, as well as interferes with the country's internal affairs. "Everyone knows that Armenia regularly carried out military-political provocations against Azerbaijan in order to impede the negotiation process to establish peace, both during the occupation and after the resolution of the conflict. Namely as a result of these provocative steps for almost 30 years diplomatic efforts to stop occupation of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan failed," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to the ministry, at present, non-fulfillment of Armenia's obligations on the complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territories in the post-conflict period [contrary to a trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] is the main source of threat to the security of Azerbaijan. "At the same time, despite all the indisputable facts confirmed at the international level, the denial of the Armenian ownership of the forces operating on the territory of Azerbaijan, both during the period of occupation and now, is an indicator of how Armenia falsifies the facts," the ministry noted. Besides, according to the ministry, along with the provocations committed in the border region, the armed formations present on Azerbaijan's territory are an obstacle to the restoration work of Azerbaijan and the safe return of internally displaced persons to their lands. "All Armenian armed formations must be immediately withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan. Instead of hindering peacekeeping efforts, and making false statements, Armenia is obliged in practice to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, including the Karabakh region," the ministry concluded. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A South Shore man accused last year of attacking a woman known to him with a machete has rejected an offer from the district attorneys office, while the alleged victim on Monday asked the court to lift an order of protection. During a scheduled appearance Monday in state Supreme Court, St. George, 53-year-old Robert Thompson who faces charges including burglary, assault, strangulation and robbery rejected an offer of five years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea in the case. It wasnt immediately clear the charge he would have pleaded to. Justice Alexander Jeong adjourned the case to July 19 to set a trial date. The top charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment. Defense attorney Matthew Zuntag meanwhile informed Jeong on Monday that the alleged victim in the case, who was present in the courtroom, wanted a full order of protection previously issued on her behalf by a different Staten Island justice to be lifted. Jeong ordered a meeting between she and local authorities to discuss the matter, but for the time being left the order in place. IM GOING TO KILL YOU It was late at night on Sept. 3, 2022, when, according to authorities, Thompson went on a rampage in his Princes Bay neighborhood. The criminal complaint alleges he entered a house, kicked open the bedroom door and ripped the door from its hinge while the victim was home. The defendant who stands about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds was armed with a machete when he threatened the womans life, authorities allege. In the early morning hours of Sept. 4, the defendant allegedly pulled the victim inside the home, stole her keys and phone and dropped her with a punch that caused her to then hit her head, a criminal complaint filed in state Supreme Court alleges. Police said he put his hands around the victims neck and choked her into unconsciousness. At one point during the ordeal, the complaint alleges, he held the blade in his hand while yelling, This is the machete I have. Im going to kill you. The victim suffered a concussion, bruised eye, jaw pain and substantial pain and redness to her neck. She was treated at a local hospital. The ordeal prompted a large emergency response to the block. The defendant is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of $300,000 bond or $100,000 cash bond. ARREST HISTORY Thompson has multiple prior arrests, sources have told the Advance/SILive.com. He was convicted of criminal contempt in July 2022 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, the criminal complaint states. He also served time in prison and most recently was released on parole in December 2020 on a conviction for grand larceny auto after being sentenced to between 18 months and four years in jail. His post-release supervision for that conviction ended in May 2021, according to public records. RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island courts >>Staten Island NYPD officer alleges he was punished for refusing to honor courtesy cards >>Staten Island woman struck by car while walking dog awarded $1.4M in settlement >>The Staten Island cop accused of lewd acts met one minor through a youth organization, authorities say >>Historic $22.9M settlement secured for Staten Island family man who suffered brain injuries, paralysis >>Staten Island woman, 42, accused of Target shoplifting hauled into court by warrant squad STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City plans to offer an expansive voluntary virtual learning program to all public high school students and some middle school students, under a tentative contract agreement with the teachers union. The program was included as part of a tentative five-plus-year contract agreement with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday. The agreement covers approximately 120,000 municipal employees. It established New York City public schools as the first major school system in the nation to offer an expansive voluntary virtual learning program that would ultimately be available to all high school students and at least some middle school students. This is really cutting-edge stuff that the UFT and the chancellor were able to come together on of what teaching is going to look like in the future, and how you take that great teacher and have a wider pool of young people who could learn from their knowledge, said Adams. Particularly, the accelerated learners. Really giving them that opportunity is amazing ... many of our young people are living a different lifestyle, and the traditional classroom setting just does not fit in it. While not a substitute for in-person learning, it would give students access to a much broader set of course offerings across the city, and the ability to take classes at non-traditional times, like evenings and weekends. It would also give an opportunity for educators to teach virtually. The initiative will allow public schools to expand course offerings to students who dont currently have access to the full range of accelerated courses and to reach students for whom traditional in-person schedules dont work, such as students who work full-time jobs. Virtual classes will be offered through school-based programs, as well as the citywide program -- as the contract also allows the city to broaden its current centrally run pilot program of virtual and hybrid programs. An opportunity to reimagine, and its not just a reimagined experience for kids, its a reimagined experience for teachers as well, said Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. And so when you want to really focus on how to make the profession respected at an even higher level, you have to engage in new and creative ways for teachers to even be able to teach. And I think that this is 21st-century thinking. Were the first major school district in the nation that is even taking this on. UFT President Michael Mulgrew explained that the new tentative contract includes language that allows instruction to be flexible, especially when it comes to the virtual learning program. This new expansion of virtual learning will begin next school year, with 25% of high schools eligible to be elected for the program, growing to 100% of high schools in the 2027-28 school year. UFT TENTATIVE CONTRACT The city and UFT tentative agreement is retroactive beginning on Sept. 14, 2022, and expires on Nov. 28, 2027. It includes wage increases of 3% for each of the first three years of the contract, 3.25% in the fourth year, and 3.5% in the fifth year. It also includes a $3,000 lump sum ratification bonus for all UFT members and a first-of-its-kind annual retention payment to be paid in May of each year, beginning with $400 in 2024, $700 in 2025, and $1,000 in 2026 and every year thereafter. UFT members will receive the following compounded wage increases: Sept. 14, 2022: 3.00% Jan. 18, 2024: 3.00% Jan. 18, 2025: 3.00% Sept. 14, 2025: 3.25% Sept. 14, 2026: 3.50% Our citys educators work each and every day to provide a brighter future for our children and our city, and they deserve to be paid a fair wage, said Adams. Todays agreement includes major victories, including wage increases and additional programs to retain our educators, along with groundbreaking new programs, like the option of a virtual learning program, to ensure our students receive a world-class education. I thank UFT President Michael Mulgrew, OLR [Office of Labor Relations] Commissioner Renee Campion, and DOE [Department of Education] Chancellor David Banks for reaching this historic agreement. The total cost of the tentative agreement through 2027 will be $6.4 billion funded in the labor reserve in the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget. The tentative agreement must be ratified by UFTs membership and would apply to teachers, paraprofessionals, school secretaries, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, staff nurses and supervisors of school security. According to the UFT, the new top salary for the most experienced teachers would be $151,271, including the bonus, by the end of the proposed contract. The proposed contract also cuts in half from 15 to eight years the length of time it takes most teachers to reach a salary of $100,000. The starting salary for new teachers would be $72,349, including the bonus, by the end of the proposed agreement, up from $61,070. The top salary for paraprofessionals would be $56,761, including the bonus. The unions 500-member Negotiating Committee, the Executive Board and Delegate Assembly will decide whether to send the tentative agreement to the full UFT members for a ratification vote. While generally referred to as one contract, there are a dozen different contracts covering different titles, from classroom teachers and paraprofessionals to nurses and guidance counselors. Once approved, the contracts are sent to each school with a list of eligible voters and to the home of workers who have no permanent school assignment in the form of a two-envelope secret ballot. The ballots are collected by the schools UFT chapter leader, checked off against a master list of eligible voters, and then forwarded by prepaid Express Mail to the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Completed ballots are expected to be returned to AAA by the end of the school year. Since 1991, DOE contracts have been approved by the UFT membership at rates ranging from 63% to 94%. School Zone: An education newsletter with the updates you need throughout the school year and beyond. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter: FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. On Wednesday, Justin Verlander will make his first Subway Series start against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. But while hes looking forward to the exciting night, hes focused on his own performance. Specifically, the uneven start hes had as a New York Met. HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE SUBWAY SERIES Verlander spoke about the upcoming series and his recent performance with Tim Healey of Newsday: Im excited about it, he said. I know the energy will be great. Im just trying to pitch a little better. And Verlander knows that his performance thus far does not match the value of the two-year, $86.7 million deal he signed with the Mets this offseason. Im not paid the way Im paid and I dont expect to pitch like that, Verlander said. Right now its too hard. Its like having to grind for every out. Nothing is coming easy. Not that anything is ever easy, but when Im right, its a whole hell of a lot easier. Im not just OK being mediocre or subpar. Its not in my DNA. Im going to work harder than anybody on the planet to fix it. The 40-year-old is pitching to a 4.85 ERA through 39 innings of work across seven starts. The three-time Cy Young Award missed April low grade teres major strain. Hes not one of those guys who just says its one of those outings, said Mets manager Buck Showalter. He wants to know why exactly and fix it and be better each time out. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NYC Sports Betting sites Verlander is already an enemy of Yankees fans as a former Astros ace, which will make Wednesdays matchup that much more exciting as he goes up against 2022 MLB strikeout leader Cole. Baseball needs those rivalries, man. Its cool. Its good for the game, Verlander said, via Healey. Subway Series, center of the universe, two teams going at it. Im pumped to be a part of it. The first of two Subway Series games at Citi Field will take place Tuesday with Max Scherzer and Luis Severino on the mound. ORLANDO, Fla. The neo-Nazi demonstration seen over the weekend outside the entrance to Walt Disney World Resort provoking widespread disgust and outrage was the latest sign of rising antisemitism in Florida and across the nation, experts said Monday. Over a dozen far-right demonstrators, including many waving swastikas and some hoisting signs promoting Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, gathered outside the Disney entrance Saturday, a spectacle that quickly attracted viral attention on social media. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, which responded to the incident, around 15 individuals were involved in the two-hour demonstration in the area of Vineland Road and Hotel Plaza Boulevard around noon Saturday. In addition to the swastika and DeSantis banners, some had signs displaying antisemitic and white supremacist rhetoric. No arrests were made. In an unsigned statement, a Sheriffs Office spokesperson said the agency deplores hate speech in any form, but people have the First Amendment right to demonstrate. And while what these groups do is revolting and condemned in the strongest way by the Sheriff and the Sheriffs Office, they did not on Saturday, to our knowledge, commit a criminal act, the statement said. They are looking for attention, and specifically media attention. The demonstration drew condemnation from prominent figures across Central Florida as well as several notable Jewish organizations. Democratic state rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, who tweeted now widely-shared images and videos of the demonstration shared with her by others via social media, in a statement said Florida is a state built on diversity and we will always stand against bigotry and hate. Its absolutely disgusting to see what has become a common presence of Nazis in Florida, and even more disturbing when they are holding signs and flags that signal support for people like Gov. DeSantis, Eskamani said in a statement. Every person, regardless of political ideology, should condemn this. Kathy Turner, spokesperson for the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida in Maitland, in a statement said the organization strongly condemns all forms of antisemitism, hate speech and symbols, and is especially disturbed by yet another presence of Neo-Nazis in Central Florida outside of Walt Disney World. We believe education is the key to making hate history, thus why we serve as a dedicated community resource committed to teaching the history of the Holocaust and to combating prejudice and discrimination, Turner said. Ben Popp, an investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center of Extremism who specializes in far-right extremism and white supremacy, said the group behind the gathering, known as the Order of the Black Sun, is relatively new. This incident may have been its first in-person demonstration. The group, abbreviated OBS, is a small white supremacist network based in the state of Florida, he said. They formed earlier this year, from individuals who have been involved in other white supremacist groups and organizations in the state of Florida for the past couple of years, Popp said. So these individuals are well known to us. OBS and other similar groups work together in the state of Florida in order to make themselves appear bigger than they are to both intimidate communities, but also to normalize their antisemitism and normalize their other forms of hate as well, Popp said. They want these sorts of things to be a common occurrence. So that people will get used to this and become desensitized. Thats really their whole goal is to desensitize communities to their hate. Popp said that while publicizing these groups can be dangerous, spreading awareness about OBS in particular is important because they are already active in spreading white supremacist propaganda throughout the state. We believe in educating the public, and while we dont want to give these extremist groups more attention, we feel that its important that people understand what sort of hate is in their community, because thats the only way that we can we can confront it, as in when we know what we face, Popp said. He also noted the increase in far-right extremism in Florida over the past several years. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 72% increase in extremist related incidents in the state, Popp said. And then from 2021 to 2022, that rose again, another 9%. Despite the presence of pro-DeSantis signs at the gathering, the governor had not yet openly condemned or commented on the incident as of Monday. The circumstances are similar to one that occurred last January, in which far-right demonstrators waving swastikas at a UCF-area shopping plaza and on an Interstate 4 overpass on a Saturday were condemned by politicians across Florida, but went unmentioned by DeSantis until the following Monday, when DeSantis suggested Democrats were attempting to smear him and politicize the incident for political gain. After the 2022 incident, DeSantis press secretary, Christina Pushaw, who now works for his presidential campaign, criticized those asking DeSantis to weigh in on the demonstrations. The DeSantis campaign and Walt Disney World did not respond to requests for comment. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Sharks will hit television screens in early July, as National Geographics 11th annual SharkFest will take over for four weeks SharkFest will kick off on Sunday, July 2, on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+ and Hulu. With cutting-edge technology and industry-leading experts, SharkFest is sure to entertain, with fours week of shark programming to showcase the science, power and beauty of these underwater creatures. If you are cord-cutter, you can watch SharkFest on fuboTV, which is currently offering a free trial. WATCH SHARKFEST ON FUBOTV SharkFest will explore the waters across the nation in Massachusetts, Florida, Hawaii, New York, South Carolina, and around the world in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and more for a global underwater adventure. Nat Geo continues its partnership with Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), which encourages diversity and inclusion in shark sciences and inspires the next generation of shark experts. This collaboration lends MISS experts as on-screen talent and allows them to be consultants for the programming and development of the series. Disney+ and Hulu will stream every SharkFest premiere as they roll out over the course of the month-long, jaw-dropping programming event. The Nat Geo TV app and ABC app will have a SharkFest collection page that will feature episodes from previous years of SharkFest. Meanwhile, Disney Channel will make waves with kid-centric shark content from Saturday, July 8, through Sunday, July 9. Disney XD will feature 10 hours of shark-themed content from Monday, July 3, through Friday, July 7, and DisneyNOW will have shark-themed content on its homepage all month long through August. Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Nat Geo Kids YouTube channels will all have new shark-themed shorts beginning Monday, July 3. In addition to its annual television event, National Geographic funds scientists and storytellers from around the world to protect sharks and their ocean home. You can join National Geographic Society in protecting our ocean at natgeo.com/ocean. SHARK WEEK Discovery Channels Shark Week will also be airing next mont, typically running for eight days. The official dates for Shark Week this year have yet to be announced, though there is speculation it will begin on Tuesday, July 11, and wrap up on Tuesday, July 18. This year, actor Jason Momoa will host the week-long shark extravaganza, serving as the master of ceremonies. Momoa is the second person to host the beloved event, following Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who served in the same position during Shark Week 2022. He will be the prelude to new thrilling specials throughout the week, guiding millions across the world through exciting, shark-filled adventures. If you cant wait for programming to start next month, take a swim through the best of Shark Week for the most impressive breaches, biggest discoveries, and jaw-some moments from Shark Week 2022, Discovery suggested. Like last year, Shark Week will also have shows on its streaming platform discoveryplus.com, which you can find on a variety of platforms and devices, including those from Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Roku and Samsung. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nearly two dozen Susan Wagner High School seniors were recently recognized for their work in earning a Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation, which demonstrates proficiency in English and another world language. Its been a really wonderful process to see a lot of students to be able to be proud of the language they either learned in school or at home. To see students lean into that discomfort of straddling two worlds, especially with our political climate and living in a melting pot, theyre exploring what it means to be multilingual, and that makes me proud, said Efthimia Johanides, coordinator of the Academy of Language and Culture at the Sea View school. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition the state confers to students who demonstrate a high level of knowledge in both English and another world language. Many of the students earned their seal in Spanish, while some also earned it in French, Vietnamese, Polish, Mandarin, Albanian, Italian, Arabic and Russian. There is a list of criteria one must meet to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. Students have to earn three points of proficiency in both languages through academic achievements and capstone projects that require research, scholarly essay writing and presentation -- which are reviewed by each districts NYS Seal of Biliteracy Committee. Pictured here, from left to right, are: Aziz Elabida, assistant principal of Word Languages and English As A New Language; Efthimia Johanides, coordinator of the Academy of Language and Culture; Jose J. Diaz, a coordinator of Languages Other Than English, and Lianny Antigua, a coordinator of Languages Other Than English. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi) Priya Shahi Earning the seal means students can speak at an intermediate-high or an advanced low level in a world language other than English. I feel so impressed by the commitment of our students and our staff. This is really to highlight the linguistic and cultural diversity that we have in our school and how to build on the assets, said Aziz Elabida, assistant principal of Word Languages and English As A New Language at Wagner High School. We really want our students to know that the language they speak and the culture they bring are assets, they are not deficits. You might find some students who want to hide their cultural background because of implicit biases, but no, you have to be proud of and advocate for your culture. Students expressed that throughout the process of earning a seal, some felt closer to their family, while others felt closer to their community. Not only did I learn more about my culture, but I got closer to my family. I would find myself asking them a lot of questions, said Heidi Andrade, 18, a senior at Wagner High School, Sea View. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi) Priya Shahi Heidi Andrade, 18, recalled that the process of earning a seal in Spanish was not an easy one, but she found herself getting more and more excited over time to reach the end. Not only did I learn more about my culture, but I got closer to my family. I would find myself asking them a lot of questions, she said. While speaking her native tongue made Heidi feel more connected to her family, for Daniel Volodarsky, 17, who is of Ukrainian descent, said learning Italian made him feel closer to his community. Daniel Volodarsky, 17, who is of Ukrainian descent, said that learning Italian made him feel closer to his community. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi) Priya Shahi I kind of always loved the way Italian sounds, and it is one of the predominant communities on Staten Island, so it represents my upbringing in a way, said Daniel. It was an immersive experience, because Im not Italian. Its really brought me into another world. Principal David Cugini explained that celebrating the schools diversity is foundational to the school, and the Seal of Biliteracy program strengthens this asset. Its really important for students to recognize the value of being more than monolingual ... having a second language. For some of our students, maybe their home language might be a language other than English -- we want those students to recognize thats an asset and that theyre learning English, so for them its that piece, Cugini said. And we want for our English-speaking students to understand the value of learning other languages, because you not only learn the language, you learn the culture. School. Sports. Social. Staten Island. Todays story is part of the launch of our Plugged in Parent content, in which well tell the stories that Staten Island families need to know -- all in one place. Well be covering news that is valuable to students in public, Catholic and private schools -- both in and out of the classroom. From highlights in sports, to photos from prom, to critical education news -- Plugged In Parent, you wont want to miss it. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A new pilot program aims to teach Staten Island students how to protect themselves against ticks. Borough President Vito Fossella announced the launch of the Tick Bite Prevention lesson plan, created by the Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Unit, Bureau of Communicable Disease at the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The primary goal is to find out what makes ticks tick, said Ed Burke, adviser to the Staten Island borough president. The primary goal is to find out what makes ticks tick, said Ed Burke, adviser to the Staten Island borough president, seen here with students. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) The lesson plan for students in grades three to five was taught for the first time at PS 6 in Tottenville, which is near a DOHMH tick surveillance site. This is such an important topic were talking about with ticks, said Staten Island District 31 Superintendent Dr. Marion Wilson. We want to prevent diseases from happening, and we dont want you to be sick. Third-grade students were able to learn about ticks through presentations, videos and hands-on activities to show the real-life size comparison of ticks and how to remove them. During a lesson by teachers Robert Lentz and Lauren Minichello, students learned what ticks are, what they look like, where they live, how to look for ticks, how to identify Lyme disease, and how to protect themselves. Third-grade students participate with teacher Lauren Minichello during an event to launch the Tick Bite Prevention lesson plan. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) They learned pertinent information like the types of ticks to watch out for, and which tick is commonly found on Staten Island and carries disease the blacklegged, or deer, tick. The youth learned that ticks cant fly or jump, so instead, they wait for a host by resting on the tips of grasses and shrubs in a position known as questing. While questing, ticks hold onto leaves and grass by their lower legs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They hold their upper legs outstretched waiting to climb on a passing host. When a host brushes the spot where a tick is waiting, it finds a suitable place to bite. The students were able to examine replica poppyseed bagels with fake small ticks hidden on them. Using magnifying glasses, students worked together to count the number of ticks among the poppy seeds. Real ticks in hand sanitizer-filled tubes, brought by the DOHMH, were also displayed. Students work to spot fake ticks on a fake poppyseed bagel. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Students were then tasked to take tweezers and remove tick stickers from stuffed animal dogs. It made me more aware about having Lyme disease and knowing what a tick looks like, just in case you had one, said Isabella Pilzer, a third-grader at PS 6. Its important, so youll always be aware about what ticks are and what they look like. A student uses a magnifying glass during an activity. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) They even learned some tricks when it comes to preventing ticks wear long sleeves and pants when spending time in and around long grass, tuck pant legs into socks, wear white or light-colored clothing so its easier to spot ticks, and shower shortly after returning from the outdoors. The CDC recommends using an insect repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Insect repellents with one of three active ingredients DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus and picaridin were found to be effective by Consumer Reports Best Insect Repellent Buying Guide. And to make sure kids still werent scared to go outside, their teachers explained that staying safe and healthy is simple just perform a tick check after you spend the day outdoors and talk to an adult if you find a tick or are feeling ill. Students conduct a tick check on each other during Monday's event at PS 6. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Conduct a tick-check of the entire body within 12 to 24 hours of outdoor activities. The CDC recommends parents check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and especially in their hair. James McEnerney, also a PS 6 third-grader, said the most important things he learned during the lesson were the ways to prevent getting bitten by a tick and what you do if you get bitten by a tick. He said he plans to go home and tell everybody about what he learned and pass along his knowledge. Most important were ways you can prevent to get bitten by a tick and what you do if you get bitten by a tick, said McEnerney. If you get a rash, that means it might be an infected tick you have, and you might have to go see a doctor. Students react after they watched a video on how to properly remove a tick.(Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) The pilot program provides educators with an understanding of tick-borne diseases and visual aids to teach an interactive lesson on tick bite prevention. According to PS 6 Principal Elizabeth Waters, all third-grade students will be given this lesson before the end of the current school year, with plans to offer it next to the fourth- and fifth-grade students. The program will be piloted in two other schools -- PS 13 in Rosebank and PS 52 in Dongan Hills -- which are also located near a DOHMH tick surveillance site. The goal is to expand to every Staten Island elementary school in the 2023-2024 school year. New York City and the wider region have a bevy of natural beauty and outdoor attractions that should be enjoyed by New Yorkers and visitors alike, and the best way to do so safely is to follow some simple precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness, said city Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. Were excited to work with the Borough President and NYC Public Schools to go into classrooms on Staten Island to work with children on awareness and prevention. Students look at real ticks in a tube. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) A student spots fake ticks on a fake poppyseed bagel. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) A student tries to spot a fake tick with help from Ed Burke and District 31 Superintendent Dr. Marion Wilson. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Ed Burke, advisor to the Staten Island borough president, and Dr. Ginny Mantello, director of health & wellness in the borough president's office, speak to students. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Third-grade students take notes during an event to launch the Tick Bite Prevention lesson plan, first piloted in PS 6 in Tottenville. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Third-grade teacher Robert Lentz speaks during Monday's event. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) A student tries to remove a fake tick from a stuffed animal dog with tweezers. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Third-grade students raise their hands during an event to launch the Tick Bite Prevention lesson plan, first piloted in PS 6 in Tottenville. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) A student studies a prop poppyseed bagel. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Students received a workbook to bring home to look at with their parents. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Ed Burke, advisor to the Staten Island borough president, speaks during an event launching the Tick Bite Prevention lesson plan, first piloted in PS 6 in Tottenville. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) School Zone: An education newsletter with the updates you need throughout the school year and beyond. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter: FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School has recently combined its three divisions of elementary, middle and high schools to create a new K-12 charter school model. Previously, Lavelle part of the Integration Charter Schools (ICS) was split into three divisions acting as independent schools, including Lavelle Preparatory Elementary, Lavelle Preparatory Middle School and Lavelle Preparatory High School. Now, the Bloomfield charter school has rebranded to operate as one cohesive body that aims to build its presence in the Staten Island community. The development to combine the three divisions was the idea of ICS President Sean Harrell, and is expected to provide students and families with a cohesive college and career program, with a greater range of educational opportunities and resources. Harrell said it will leverage the community school approach to education, by providing a seamless education experience for students from kindergarten through high school graduation. Prior to the new development, students did not need to reapply each year. That will remain unchanged under the new model. This is truly an exciting time for our school community, said Jenna Curran, principal of Lavelle Elementary. Our students are gaining a strong foundation in core academic subjects, as well as valuable social and emotional skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. A hallmark of the new school model will be a robust wellness program, as well as an emphasis on arts and science. Students will receive visits from experts and experiential learning opportunities connected to their chosen career path or interest. Middle school Principal Alison LoSavio said this will allow students to receive personalized instruction that is customized to their career interests and life goals. This is a fantastic opportunity for our school to continue to grow and improve, said Dhurata Rexha, principal of Lavelle High School. We are excited to join forces with Lavelle Elementary and Lavelle Middle School to provide our students with an enriching educational experience. We have fostered a family environment where students, staff members, and families feel supported, valued and respected. Lavelle will continue to serve students from Staten Islands District 31 area with a commitment to provide an exceptional education that prepares students for success in college and beyond. For more information about the new K-12 charter school, visit http://www.integrationcharterschools.org. RECOGNIZING STATEN ISLAND STUDENTS Assemblyman Michael Reilly welcomes students from the Pathways to Graduation-Staten Island program to Albany to highlight career and college readiness programs. (Courtesy/Reilly's office) Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore) welcomed students from the Pathways to Graduation-Staten Island (P2G-SI) program to Albany last month. Reilly introduced them on the floor of the state Assembly to highlight some of the successful college and career readiness programs offered by New York City public schools. Pathways to Graduation-Staten Island provides students in New York City with the preparation and tools necessary for a successful future by helping them earn their high school equivalency diploma. Free, full-time program locations are citywide and open to students ages 17-21 including those on Staten Island. It helps students who typically do not find success within a traditional learning environment. The group was led by P2G-SI principal Donny Swanson. I grew up in a union household, and I married into one, so I know firsthand that college isnt for everyone, said Reilly, a former lieutenant with the New York City Police Department. Pathways to Graduation is helping young people across our city complete their basic education, while gaining the skills and confidence needed to find a good-paying, high-quality job and its a reminder of the support network offered by our public school system so that every student has the potential to succeed. I invited Mr. Swanson and his students to Albany just as the state budget was wrapping up, so that I could show my colleagues why providing funding and resources to public schools across the state was of paramount importance. This experience provided our students with the opportunity to extend their learning on the topic of government in their Social Studies classes and celebrate the accomplishments of our students this school year, said Principal Donny Swanson. (Courtesy/Reilly's office) Swanson added that it was a great honor to bring students to visit the New York State Capitol in Albany and to be recognized by Reilly during the assembly. This experience provided our students with the opportunity to extend their learning on the topic of government in their Social Studies classes and celebrate the accomplishments of our students this school year, said Swanson. SEND US YOUR STORIES Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. ADDITIONAL IN CLASS COLUMNS Staten Island students win first place in NYC stock market game | In Class column Staten Island Academy receives $25K grant to support those with learning differences | In Class column Staten Island school dedicates Bennys Bench in memory of longtime custodian | In Class column Cycle of love: Staten Island Academy students donate blankets to those in need | In Class column Sensory hallway brings underwater adventure to Staten Island students | In Class column Staten Island students perform at Radio City Music Hall | In Class column Staten Island students earn various awards during citywide debate tournament | In Class column Staten Island student earns prestigious $55K annual college scholarship | In Class column Recycling carnival features games made by Staten Island students | In Class column Staten Island special ed students celebrate women in history | In Class column New modern business classroom unveiled at Port Richmond High School | In Class column School Zone: An education newsletter with the updates you need throughout the school year and beyond. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter: FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! The world is changing and we should take on the responsibility for finding answers to the most pressing ESG challenges of our time to foster a better future for generations to come, stated the Chairman of Aluminium Bahrain, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, at key forum in Germany. Delivering a speech at the Gala dinner of the 26th Arab German Business Forum, on June 6 in Berlin, Shaikh Daij added: A sustainable and decarbonised world is one of intersections between the environment and societies, technology and innovation, collaboration and action. As we are facing similar challenges all around the world, I take the opportunity to call for action so we advance together to meet our national targets in order to achieve the right balance between our economic gains and social returns. The forum was held from June 5 to 7 at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, Several ongoing initiatives which Alba has embarked on to reduce its carbon footprint and support the kingdoms Net Zero Emissions by 2060 objectives under the leadership of HRH Prince Salman Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, were highlighted by Albas Chairman in his speech including Power Station 5 Block 4 Project and Solar Farm Projects which will further lower Albas GHG intensity levels in addition to the companys commitment to planting 6,000 trees per year and support towards restoration of mangrove forests in Bahrain. Albas delegation in the forum comprised Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali, who was featured in the panel discussion on Sustainability as a Success Factor & Global Challenge: How to maintain Sustainable Growth in Economies? alongside other business leaders and experts, which was held on June 7. Organised by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ghorfa), the Arab-German Business Forum is one of the leading platforms that promote business cooperation between German and Arab companies, gathering business leaders, experts, and decision-makers under one roof. TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan from on June 14, which will last until June 15, Trend reports. The PM will be accompanied by ministers representing priority areas of cooperation with Azerbaijan during the visit. The Pakistani PM will hold extensive talks on key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment and energy. Regional and global issues of mutual interest and cooperation in multilateral forums will also be discussed. Elizabeth Gilbert, the best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love and other books, has said she will pull her upcoming novel, The Snow Forest, from publication following outcries online about its Russian setting. She announced her decision in a video posted to her Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Gilbert cited an enormous, massive outpouring of reactions and responses from my Ukrainian readers, expressing anger, sorrow, disappointment and pain about the fact that I would choose to release a book into the world right now, any book, no matter what the subject of it is, that is set in Russia. As a result, she said, I am making a course correction and I am removing the book from its publication schedule. The Snow Forest, which was scheduled to be published on February 13 next year, was inspired by the true story of a religious Russian family who, in the 1930s, left Russia for a life of extreme solitude in Siberia, only to be discovered decades later by Soviet geologists, according to Gilberts publisher, Riverhead Books. Not only was he pushing back the dates for the Aboriginal occupation of Australia, he was discovering a living culture outside the museum, and establishing a keeping place in that museum accessible to its elders. Insights that he briefly took to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies before becoming the inaugural Director of the Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council in 1975. Edwards was working with an all-Indigenous board, chaired by great artists, first Dick Roughsey and then Wandjuk Marika, often meeting on Country. Marika was once asked how he knew he could work with Bob: Oh, we know, we look into the eyes. We can tell. He is the chosen one to do what we want him to do. Bob Edwards at a meeting of the Aboriginal Arts Board, circa late 70s. For this was the time when First Nations first discovered their voice, as Gough Whitlam had proclaimed in 1973: The decision to place control for the arts in the hands of Aboriginals is intended to stimulate indigenous Australian arts and lead to the preservation of many art forms almost lost since the settlement of Australia by Europeans. But it took their non-Indigenous director to work out what to do with the piles of boards and canvases flowing out of Papunya. As no domestic gallery would accept them as art, the only answer seemed to be international exhibitions. By the early 1980s the board had initiated twenty exhibitions in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and the Pacific Islands. In retrospect, Edwards claimed that the breadth and application of the program was perhaps one of the most subtle and brilliant marketing exercises in the history of Australian art. For the works werent seen as ethnography. Paintings by Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri in New Mexico were described by the New York Times as complex pointillist abstractions that would look right at home in New Yorks Museum of Modern Art. Edwards had chosen them for their aesthetic appeal. And it was estimated that more than 10 million people visited those exhibitions staged around the world. Significantly, a 1972 board by Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula sold recently for $1.146 million in New York. But history can also be cruel. At this years 50th anniversary celebrations for the Aboriginal Arts Board, the Australia Councils list of Board Directors began only in 1984. Critics thought some Aboriginal artwork championed by Edwards could be displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Credit: Alamy By that time Edwards had moved on to become the Founding Director of Museum Victoria at which he announced the following transformation: The dry and dusty institutions of the past to which reluctant school children were dutifully marched have given away to dynamic centres of learning and experience which offer fresh insight into the nature of human society, the delicate balance of ecology, the lives and habitats of insects, birds, mammals and fishes, the wonders of scientific and technological achievement, etc. Job done. Edwards then turned to Art Exhibitions Australia (formerly the International Cultural Corporation of Australia) where he overcame a natural reluctance to send precious artworks all the way to Australia. As Neil MacGregor recalled, It was the fact that none of us knew the Australian institutions and Bob decided that the only way to bring the pictures was to bring the directors. So one by one we were transported and brought to Australia and beguiled and overwhelmed. The result of the loans and the exhibitions has been remarkable. Victorias ban on Nazi symbols could be expanded to include other fascist symbols as the state government condemned displays of hateful ideology revealed in Australias large Croatian community. The comments were in response to an investigation by this masthead that uncovered how major sporting and cultural clubs in the nations Croatian community openly celebrate fascist anniversaries and display emblems of the murderous Ustasha regime of 1941-45. At least 500,000 Serbs, Jews and Romani people were murdered by Croatias Ustasha regime. Credit: The Age That included six men at the Melbourne Knights soccer club on April 10 this year the anniversary of the creation of the Nazi-backed puppet state doing fascist salutes as they sang a song extolling the Ustasha. The president of the Knights, Pave Jusup, is pictured in front of an Ustasha flag on two of his social media accounts. The Knights and Jusup have not responded to requests for comment. State governments have in recent times introduced laws to ban the use of Nazi symbols, and the federal government will soon introduce similar legislation. One young woman said she went on two trips to Hotham with a group of friends, who were all then underage, in 2012: one in January, the other during or near the Easter school holidays. She said one night her friends were drinking alcohol and playing games in a downstairs part of the lodge when pornography was played on a television. The witness said while she didnt see who put the pornography on the television, it appeared to come from a hard drive or USB stick. Ewen was standing behind us, the woman said. It was mainly the bloopers. 1 Night in Paris the Paris Hilton pornography was put on too. The woman told the court Addison then retrieved a box of sex toys from his downstairs bedroom. Mount Hotham. I remember him emerging from the room with the box, she said. It was my first time actually drinking; having alcohol. Another young woman who attended the two trips when she was a girl said she was told Addison lived there to look after the lodge during the summer months. As far as I knew he was the only person living in the lodge, she said. She said she slept in a downstairs bedroom with her friends, and there was another area nearby containing a table, television and couches, where the friends gathered. Addison also slept in a downstairs bedroom, she said. An earlier photo of Ewen Addison. The woman recalled that one evening during the January trip, Addison entered a downstairs room, where the group were playing drinking games, and put pornography on the television. The witness said that on the trip she was told Addison had a partner named Amber, who was not there at the time. She said while she didnt see anything sexual occurring that night, the next morning Addison made suggestive comments to her. The woman said that years later, she was contacted by one of the other people on the trip and told she should contact police to make a statement about the Hotham trips. Barrister James McQuillan represented Ewen Addison at his most recent court hearing. Credit: Paul Jeffers She said that during that call, the friend told her hed been groomed and sexually abused, but was unable to discuss the allegations further. A young man who went on one of the trips told the court that his friend, one of the complainants, had previously watched shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a man they knew as Ewen. He said while at the lodge, Addison gave the group Xbox games, World of Warcraft maps and other downloads from the internet. The young man said while on the trip he also witnessed pornography being played. Ewen Addison arriving at Melbourne Magistrates Court last Friday. Credit: Paul Jeffers This masthead first publicly named Addison, in March following repeated attempts by his defence team to have details of the case suppressed from the public. Addisons latest hearing was designed to test the evidence and to determine whether he was sent to trial, and on the first day the 48-year-old again tried to have the hearing kept secret, by calling a third barrister, James McQuillan, in a last-ditch effort to limit reporting on the case. The Age opposed each of the two suppression order applications, and a further two pseudonym order applications designed to obscure his name from media reports. Loading Addison had sought the orders to protect the safety of his children but ultimately, magistrate Therese McCarthy ruled the orders were not necessary. Police initially charged Addison with crimes against four children, and a further eight charges were laid in March relating to two more children. Among the charges, Addison is accused of indecently touching a child and sexually penetrating a child under 16 in Chelsea. In Sorrento, he allegedly sexually penetrated a girl and committed indecent acts on a boy. Wesleys mother Regan Ballantine, whose campaign in the wake of the incident prompted the introduction of the states new industrial manslaughter laws, gave a powerful impact statement during the reserved decision hearing and claimed Corderoy had lied to her in the wake of her sons death. For years this process has hung over me like a dark cloud, she said. Luke Corderoy was found guilty of actions that led to the death of teenager Wesley Ballantine. Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt Ive been waiting a long time for today, for the opportunity to close the chapter on the past and move on with my life. The journey to get here has been nothing short of soul-destroying. Ballantine said she was told by Corderoy, a former friend of the family, that Wesley had climbed up to the atrium of his own accord on the day of the incident without safety gear to retrieve his phone. I have remained largely in the dark about what happened to Wesley, she said. Regan Ballantine outside Perth Magistrates Court. Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt Until the trial, other than what I have pieced together, all I knew was the narrative told me by you, Luke. What I believed for so long was a lie. You told us Wesley, without permission, went back up to retrieve his phone and without his harness fell. That was not true. It was you who was passing Wesley a cable and shortly after that he fell. But Im not going to let your lie destroy me and you need to take accountability so that this lie does not destroy you. During sentencing, Corderoy maintained his position that he was not at fault for the boys death, but Hall said there was evidence of a lax attitude toward safety and that, as manager of the construction company, he should have stepped in to make changes. In my view, mitigatory steps could have been taken, he said. Training could have been undertaken. I dont accept Mr Corderoys submission that he had no power. Mr Forsyth was more liable but Mr Corderoy was certainly in a position of authority and Mr Ballantine would have listened to him should he have been given instructions by him. He should not have been allowed to go up to atrium level let alone work on the atrium level without safety equipment. I agree there was a lax attitude by the company and that permeated through the employees. Hall said ICS became slack in their safety procedures. During sentencing, Hall took into consideration Corderoys six children and his financial position, which had been impacted by bankruptcy. He ordered Corderoy to pay $60,000 to the court and $45,000 in costs. The maximum fine for the charge is a $200,000 fine. Loading This is not an exercise on putting a price on Mr Ballantines life, Hall said. There is no price that can be put on a life. Under new work safety laws brought about thanks to a campaign instigated by Wesleys mother, Corderoy could have been looking at a term of imprisonment for the same charge. Campaigners against the Indigenous Voice referendum are copying Donald Trump by weaponising misinformation, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney has declared, as Voice backers implore Australians to keep faith in the reconciliation push. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has spent months attacking the Voice and reacted to polling in this masthead, showing the No side ahead for the first time, by urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to walk back the ambition of the referendum and cut out the Voice body to focus on the simpler proposal of recognising Indigenous people in the Constitution. Burney with Indigenous leaders in March. Credit: Rhett Wyman As the Liberal Party and former prime minister John Howard launched a fundraising drive to defeat the referendum, top Indigenous leaders expressed optimism it would succeed as debate moved out of the Canberra bubble and into backyards following next weeks passing of referendum legislation. Keep the faith. History is calling, said leading Voice architects Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, asserting support was solid among voters spoken to in dozens of Uluru Dialogues events. Labor has selected its replacement candidate for former premier Mark McGowans ultra-safe seat of Rockingham. The partys administrative committee selected right faction-backed Magenta Marshall as its candidate for the Rockingham by-election on July 29 triggered by McGowans shock retirement last month. Labors candidate for Rockingham Magenta Marshall. Credit: Linkedin Marshall is a longtime Labor strategist having worked as an electorate officer and on state and federal Labor election campaigns. She has lived in the Rockingham area her entire life and recently purchased her first home with her husband in Waikiki. Qantas will begin non-stop flights to New York from Auckland on Wednesday, the first time the airline has offered flights to the US city in three years, as the airline continues to expand its international network post-COVID. Originating in Sydney, the new route replaces a stop in Los Angeles (used before the pandemic) with New Zealands Auckland hub. The New York flights will be flown by a Dreamliner with 166 economy-class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Credit: Craig Platt Qantas will fly Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the route with 42 business-class, 28 premium-economy and 166 economy-class seats. LA had a lot of issues with connectivity, said chief executive Alan Joyce prior to the departure of the flight. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Currently, the Armenian side is failing its obligations to fully withdraw its armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan, and, in the post-conflict period, this is the main source of security threat for Azerbaijan, the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Trend reports. "At the same time, despite all the indisputable facts confirmed at the international level, the denial of Armenia's belonging to the forces operating on the territory of Azerbaijan, both during the period of occupation and now, is an indicator of how Armenia falsifies facts. Along with the provocations committed in the border region, the illegal armed formations existing in Azerbaijan are an obstacle for our country in carrying out reconstruction work and the safe return of internally displaced persons to their lands. All Armenian armed formations should be immediately withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan," the Azerbaijani MFA said in response to the statement of the Armenian side. For a man who regularly said he was an entrepreneur on loan to politics, Silvio Berlusconi stayed an awfully long time. A member of parliament until the end, Italys longest-serving prime minister since World War II died yesterday in Milan aged 86. He won his first general election in March 1994. Italys current far right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who leads a coalition including Berlusconis party, was not yet old enough to vote. That government would collapse by the end of the year, raising doubts about Berlusconis capacity to navigate the turbulent world of Italian politics. However, and not for the last time, he would prove his doubters wrong, leading right-wing coalitions to victory in 2001 and 2008, before eventually stepping down, as Italys economy melted down, in 2011. In total, he spent nine years as prime minister. During his comeback campaign in 2001, Berlusconi famously had a biography of himself delivered to every Italian household. It was called An Italian Story. And in many ways, the story of Italy over the past half-century is the story of Silvio Berlusconi. SABA/THE HAGUE:--- The Saba Island Council is experiencing its current working visit to the Netherlands as very positive. The meetings are going well and there is more understanding of Sabas issues. The five Island Council members last week had a full, mixed program with meetings of different kinds, focusing on various topics such as the slavery past, racism, discrimination and the effects thereof, diversity and inclusion, economic development, healthcare, connectivity, capacity building, strengthening the Island Council, legislation and cooperation. Meetings took place with the Second Chambers Permanent Committee of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sport and the Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations. Cardinal healthcare issues were discussed such as the medical referral system, medical transportation, and the complaints procedure. The Island Council also enlightened the Second Chamber about matters such as the importance of establishing a social minimum, investing in connectivity, and addressing the banking system and the high cost of living. Room for improvement Island Council Member Vito Charles said that while some things had gotten better, there was still room for improvement, and the need remained to address the issues in the interest of the Saba people. One of these issues is connectivity, which people complain about, especially because of the high airfare prices. The Netherlands has been looking at a Public Service Obligation (PSO) for public transport between Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. This is a very important matter for Saba which depends on St. Maarten for central services. It was good to hear that the Netherlands is far along in its research to establish a PSO. It was good to receive an update and to see that it is a priority in the agenda of The Hague, said Island Council Member Elsa Peterson. Increased comprehension The Island Council Members felt an increased comprehension of The Hague. A shift is happening. There is more consideration for Saba and its development in a positive way. They increasingly see us as equal partners. In the past when we had a meeting, they would mostly forget you after we walked out the door. We now feel that our story is more heard and that we are more accepted, said Island Council Member Hemmie van Xanten. There is definitely more consideration in the meetings overall. Being new to the Island Council, I feel well-received here. People want to hear what you have to say and to discuss how we can solve things together, said Island Council Member Saskia Matthew. It is good to see that over the years, the dynamics have shifted and that there is more attention for the islands. But we should not get complacent. We need to continue to work together and make sure that we are on their minds in The Hague. The islands are not always the first that comes to mind and we should keep working on that. Dont take it for granted, said Vito Charles. Important purpose The working visits to the Netherlands serve an important purpose, the Island Council Members said. Establish and maintain relations in a positive, respectful manner, said Hemmie van Xanten. In the Netherlands, there are 300 plus municipalities which are close by, but we are far away, so it is important to be here, said Charles. In making informal agreements and maintaining contacts, we keep working in the interest of our people and getting things done for Saba, said Matthew. The Island Council has a role to play in this as well. When we ask the Netherlands to remain consistent, we also need to keep consistent, and that is to work for Saba and its people, said Elsa Peterson. In a meeting at the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK), the Island Council was informed about the procedure to change the main legislation that regulates many governing aspects of the Caribbean Netherlands, namely the WolBES and the FinBES. It is important that Saba has sufficient input in this procedure, said Charles. These are two very important laws for Saba and we need to make sure that there is enough time and opportunity for our input, said Charles. Meeting with Statia Seeing that both the Saba and St. Eustatius Island Council were in the Netherlands, it was decided to have a meeting at the headquarters of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) in The Hague. The Bonaire Island Council was unable to attend due to other obligations. The Saba and Statia Island Council discussed creating a structure to collaborate on issues of mutual interest to benefit the people of the two islands. Saba and St. Eustatius share a number of highly relevant mutual issues such as connectivity, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and several other challenges that come with being a small island. The Saba Island Council continues its visit this week. The program includes attending the VNG Annual Conference in Groningen, visiting the Frisian Island Schiermonnikoog, as well as the Friesland Provincial House in Leeuwarden and the Gelderland Provincial House in Arnhem. The Island Council returns to Saba on June 18. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson was paid a courtesy visit by Mrs. Keesha Fleming Lake, Attorney at Law from the Fleming Lake Group Inc. firm based in Anguilla. Mrs. Fleming Lake has taken note that Minister Richardson has placed a high priority on enforcing counterfeit laws and is seeing to it that Customs Sint Maarten tightens its controls with imported products and merchandise into Sint Maarten. During the courtesy visit, the discussion delved into what Sint Maarten imports, directly catering to Anguilla, as Sint Maarten is one of the main shopping stops for many Anguillans. The concern for Attorney Fleming Lake and Minister Richardson is not just about apparel, but what is consumed by residents. The work of Minister Richardson in bringing awareness to the importation, use, and consumption of counterfeit goods deserves commendation. The negative effects of the use of counterfeit products including food, medicine, and cosmetics are not isolated to Sint Maarten and can have an impact on our Anguillan community due to the ease of transporting goods between the islands. The health and safety risks should be of concern and should be addressed by awareness efforts throughout our community. It is my hope that by engaging in discussions with persons in our region like Minister Richardson, Anguilla will likewise ensure that our community is protected through anti-counterfeit efforts," stated Mrs. Fleming Lake. Minister Richardson is gearing up to host the second annual Anti-Counterfeiting and Intellectual Property conference at the end of September of this year. "The concerns regarding the production and sale of counterfeit products are gaining traction in our region. I'm truly elated that our initiative to finally tackle this subversive crime has captured such a great reaction from neighboring islands. The health risks associated with this form of crime are far-reaching. As a Kingdom, we are investing significant resources to combat human smuggling and trafficking, as many lives are lost in these dangerous journeys. It is known that trafficking, in particular, is often financed by subversive crimes such as the sale of counterfeit products. It is in our best interest if we combine our efforts to protect those among us who may not be fully aware of the dangers at hand," stated Minister Richardson. Several territories in the region including Anguilla, are anticipating the upcoming conference to engage in this very important and serious discussion. Besides her concerns about how counterfeit products are hazardous to the health of our people, Mrs. Fleming Lake being an international attorney, is also focused on protecting the intellectual property rights of brand owners under her affiliate law practice, Complete Intellectual Property Services. Vizsla Copper Reaches Agreement with Trailbreaker Resources to Expand Woodjam Copper-Gold Project Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU, OTCQB: VCUFF, FRANKFURT: 97E0) (aVizsla Coppera or the aCompanya) is pleased to announce the signing of an option agreement (the aOption Agreementa) with Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (aTrailbreakera), pursuant to which the Company has been granted the option to acquire a 100% interest in 6,482 hectares of land contiguous with the Companya?s Woodjam Project. HIGHLIGHTS Expansion of Flagship Woodjam Project: With the addition of these claims, the Woodjam Project has grown significantly to 72,805 hectares of prospective southern Quesnel Terrane. Prospective Geology: These new claims are underlain by intrusive rocks belonging to the Takomkane batholith, which hosts the large porphyry-related copper-gold Southeast deposit on the Woodjam property. aThese claims are a terrific addition to the Woodjam Project,a commented Steve Blower, Vice President of Exploration.A aThey are proximal to porphyry-related copper-gold deposits and share similar geology.A Work on the Trailbreaker claims will be a high priority for the Company going forward.a The Claims The four claims that are subject to the Option Agreement are contiguous with the southern edge of the Woodjam Project and cover a total of 6,482 hectares.A The geology underlying the claims consists predominantly of till covered intrusive rocks belonging to the early Jurassic Takomkane batholith, host to the nearby Southeast copper-gold porphyry-related deposit at the Woodjam Project. Given the prospective geology, the new claims will be a high priority for upcoming exploration programs at the Woodjam Project. Terms of Option Agreement Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Vizsla Copper has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the four claims by issuing an aggregate of 400,000 common shares to Trailbreaker over three years, subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Vizsla Copper has the right to accelerate the option any time after the first anniversary. The optioned claims will be subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty (aNSRa). Trailbreaker and Teck Resources Limited will retain a 1% NSR each on three of the claims and Trailbreaker will retain a 2% NSR on the fourth claim. Half of the 1% NSR may be bought from Trailbreaker for $500,000. Half of the 2% NSR may be bought from Trailbreaker for $1,000,000. The Woodjam Project The 72,805-hectare Woodjam Project is located 55 kilometres east of the community of Williams Lake in an area characterized by a low elevation, flat to gently undulating landscape that is well accessed by logging roads.A Geologically, the Woodjam Project is located within the prolific Quesnel Terrane a a large regional depositional belt commonly dominated by alkalic volcanic units and related volcaniclastic lithologies. The Quesnel terrane hosts both alkaline and calc-alkaline porphyry copper+/-gold+/-molybdenum deposits, including the Copper Mountain, New Afton, Highland Valley, Gibraltar, Mount Polley, Mount Milligan and Kemess mines. To date, six zones of porphyry-related mineralization (Megabuck, Deerhorn, Takom, Three Firs, Southeast, Megaton) have been identified at the Woodjam Project by drilling (95,092 metres in 281 holes since 2009 and a further 114 holes, 30,092 metres predominantly from 1998). A These six mineralized zones form a cluster approximately 5 kilometres in diameter. About Vizsla Copper Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo focused 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, well situated amongst significant infrastructure in British Columbia. The Companya?s growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of its copper properties within its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Coppera?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 (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 Companya?s website (www.vizslacopper.com). Qualified Person The Companya?s disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Borg, P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Vizsla Copper. Mr. Borg is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact: Chris Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer and Director Tel: (604) 813-3931 | Email: chris@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 aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and aforward-looking informationa within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. aForward-looking informationa 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 aplansa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, abudgeta, ascheduleda, aestimatesa, aforecastsa, aintendsa, aanticipatesa, or abelievesa or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awill be takena, aoccura or abe achieveda or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: obtaining the required approvals; satisfying the requirements of the Option Agreement; the exploration and development of the Woodjam Project; and the Companya?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 Companya?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.A 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. On June 13, at 17:40 (GMT+4), units of the Armenian armed forces subjected the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the direction of the Heydarabad settlement in the Sadarak district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to fire from their positions located in the village of Aradeyen in the Vedi district, while using large-caliber weapons, including mortars, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend. The units of the Azerbaijani army are taking retaliatory measures. The operational situation is under the control of Azerbaijani army units. "We declare that the entire responsibility for the aggravation of the situation in the region lies with the military-political leadership of Armenia," the Defense Ministry said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alihan Smailov will make a visit to Azerbaijan on June 21, a diplomatic source told Trend. During the visit, the parties plan to discuss further cooperation within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) project. Earlier, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin, during a meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov in Astana, stated that during Prime Minister Smailov's visit, it is possible to sign an agreement between the relevant ministries on cooperation in trade and economic relations between the two countries in various fields. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The US looks forward to rescheduling the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers as soon as possible, State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing, Trend reports. He noted that the planned meeting wasn't held due to scheduling issues. "We look forward to hosting another round of talks in Washington, as the parties continue to pursue a peaceful dialogue for the South Caucasus region. As we said before, we believe that direct dialogue is a key to resolving the remaining issues. We believe an agreement is within reach. This meeting unfortunately couldn't go forward due to scheduling issues. We look forward to rescheduling it as soon as we can," he said. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held negotiations on May 1-4 in Arlington, VA. The ministers were hosted in George Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. While in Washington they met with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The two ministers shared their views on current situation, and stated their positions on existing issues related to normalization of relations. The ministers and their teams advanced mutual understanding on some articles of the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues remain divergent. A shtead, the FTSE 100 industrial rentals firm, backed London as the main trading venue for its shares today as it reported a surge in earnings of $1.1 billion (0.9 billion), mainly made in the US. The 20% rise in profit came from revenue of $2.4 billion, also up by a fifth, with 90% of Ashteads business now coming from across the Atlantic, where it trades as Sunbelt Rentals. Brendan Horgan, its CEO, told The Standard, that we remain happy where we are in terms of the main home for its shares. Our listing domicile in London has in no way, shape or form prevented us from executing our strategy in the last several years. An American himself, Horgan said the London stock market offered the company a significantly long runway for growth. The current market value of Ashteads stock is around 23 billion. London has faced renewed competition as a trading venue from New York amid talk that companies there can attract higher valuations, in part due to a deeper pool of capital. Regulators are streamlining rules after a plunge in new listings since 2008. The Citys reputation took a hit when the chip designer Arm Holdings, one of its big success stories, chose to re-list its shares in the US when returning to life as an independent company. London is losing CRH, the worlds biggest building products firm, which in March announced plans to move its shares to the US, where it too does most of its business. Ashteads high-level backing today will help assuage the worst of the fears about Londons future. T he owner of the Brasserie Blanc restaurant chain has revealed a major rebrand as part of a new strategy which will see the hospitality firm expand into pubs with rooms. Brasserie Bar Co, which was acquired by private equity firm Alchemy Partners last year, has said it is being renamed as the Heartwood Collection as part of a refreshed growth strategy. The group said it plans to almost double its number of sites over the next four years as part of the strategy, on the back of the recent investment. It currently runs 20 premium pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK and has set out plans to grow to 60 locations by June 2027. The company will create around 1,500 further jobs across the UK as a result, it added. Heartwood said the growth plan will see it snap up new pubs and pubs with rooms, as bosses at the business said it continues to see strong demand for staycations despite the recovery of the international travel market following the pandemic. Richard Ferrier, managing director of Heartwood, told the PA news agency: We have always been a pub and restaurant group but see it as a big year as we are moving into pubs with rooms for the first time. We have a great opportunity to invest in new sites and communities, so it is a really exciting time for us. As an industry, there are obviously challenges, but with these areas pubs and pubs with rooms we have seen a really positive picture from customers. Staycations are still really strong and customers are definitely veering more towards places to stay with real character, so we think now is actually a great time. The new strategy will also focus towards growing its portfolio of freehold sites further in a shift away from leasehold ownership. We will target new pubs but Brasserie Blanc is still key to the future of the business Heartwood said it has completed the acquisition of 11 freehold sites over the past 12 months, and is close to completing a further five. Bosses said that Brasserie Blanc the dining chain named after the groups chef patron Raymond Blanc will not be the focus of the growth plan but would still see significant investment. We will target new pubs but Brasserie Blanc is still key to the future of the business, Mr Ferrier said. Around 30% of the Brasserie Blanc sites will get fresh investment for refurbishment within this plan. T he business behind restaurant chain Yo! Sushi has been bought by one of Japans biggest food companies in a deal worth almost half a billion pounds. Mayfair Equity Partners said it sold its stake in Snowfox Group to Zensho Holdings for 621 million US dollars (494 million). The deal sees the Japanese giant gain a company which owns several brands in the UK, the US and Canada. In the UK, it runs Yo! Sushi, which has more than 100 outlets in the country, as well as Taiko, which produces Japanese food to go for British supermarkets. In the US, the company founded the Snowfox chain of sushi kiosks in 2005, and has grown that to more than 1,000 sites in grocery stores, wholesalers, workplaces and universities in 25 states across the country. In Canada, the business runs Bento, which it says is the second-largest sushi brand in North America and the largest in Canada. This proposed transaction represents the next natural step for us as a business Snowfox chief executive Richard Hodgson said: This is an exciting moment for the Snowfox Group, and, having had seven successful years owned by Mayfair Equity Partners, this proposed transaction represents the next natural step for us as a business. I have been hugely impressed by Zensho during my recent meetings with them, and they share our own ambition of providing the highest quality, most authentic Japanese food at the best possible value. I believe this is absolutely the right move. Zensho recognises the value of the Snowfox Groups highly attractive brands, our customer relationships, and our diversified international presence. Above all, it is testament to the quality, authenticity, and breadth of our Japanese food offer that a Japanese food business of Zenshos calibre wants us to join them. W hat does the capital mean to the Tories? One of the best barometers for this choppy relationship is the candidate the party chooses to run in Londons mayoral election. The answer for years has been someone not many Londoners have heard of. In itself, that tells us a lot about the institutional view of London as a place where untested or random have-a-go sorts try out their wings, only to fade into the footnotes. What it does not resemble is a serious comeback bid to run the city. This achievement was last brought home twice by Boris Johnson. While he has earned many of the brickbats coming his way right now, Boriss London record of two wins was proof that his party could win in a Labour city, after an overlong run of a candidate on the Left (Ken Livingstone). It also showed that a candidate with name recognition prepared to pound the streets and with a strategy for victory could win. If the Tories are not ambitious enough to run London, however, the capital has a habit of replying in kind. The roll call of hopefuls in recent years has veered between Establishment friends of those in power nationally (Zac Goldsmith) and a valiant shot by Shaun Bailey, a figure well known from his work with young offenders, but not much beyond that. Daniel Korski, as the frontrunner, continues this trend as the latest untested political yearling to be put in for the Grand National of the citys mayoral race. The former special adviser and founder of a Govtec company (thus favoured by a technocratic Rishi Sunak) will announce his run at City Hall in July, with the elections taking place in May next year. Korski has extensive backroom experience as deputy policy chief to David Cameron hes best known in London as an unswerving lobbyist in Ubers long battle against regulation. He also backed Tom Tugendhats peripheral but energetic run at the Tory leadership. His commitment to the Remain cause in 2016 would make him the ideal Svengali to a prominent Conservative candidate. Neither is he new to the media limelight as an (excellent) TV journalist reporting from Afghanistan and Iraq and well-connected, by virtue of being married to Fiona Mcilwham, an erstwhile senior diplomat who also saw service on the domestic battlefront of working for the Duchess of Sussex. It is however, telling that Conservative HQ feels it needs to take its chances on an untried candidate and that the list to beat (though Susan Hall and Mozammel Hossain remain possible but unlikely candidates), consisted essentially of the affable but junior minister Paul Scully. London Conservatives with a future ahead are busy with other things and bailing out the party next year is not one of them. Korski wants to revive a London dream, which sounds a bit like a mixture of the American dreamand the insistent China dream of the eponymous communist party. It is a phrase that is likely to tire fast. A raft of early policies range from the carefully calibrated (attack Sadiq Khan on the vulnerable flank of ULEZ) and the fanciful (giving the mayor oversight of the Crown Prosecution Service, which is probably the biggest non-starter I have covered in 20 years of mayoral races). He needs to avoid lurching between the obvious and the daft. Yet for thin scrapings of the Tory race for London, the odds are not impossible. A change to the voting system from a Supplementary Vote ranking system to all-out winner is apt to benefit centre-Right candidates against the more fragmented centre-left. Elections nerds might also recall that Bailey was, to the surprise of many, only five percentage points behind Khan in the first round and a third-term mayor is always a tricky act to pull off. Khan is a resilient figure but not an especially inspiring one outside a particular part of Labours leftish core. He can hope to ride the coat tails of Sir Keir Starmers national revival, despite their personal and policy differences. It leaves a thin but not negligible Tory-shaped opportunity in London politics. The tough old truth, however, is that it helps to have fought the skirmishes of frontline politics to move from contender to victor. The hardest ask of Korski is ensuring that Londoners outside the bubble realise that he is an alternative at all. Anne McElvoy is Executive Editor at Politico E zra Miller has appeared at their first red carpet event since being involved in a string of controversies in the US. The actor, who identifies as they/them, previously began treatment to help with a series of complex mental health issues following the incidents. Miller had previously been charged with an alleged burglary in the state of Vermont and second-degree assault and disorderly conduct at a karaoke bar in Hawaii. They were also accused of the abuse and grooming of a young girl. Miller stars in the highly-anticipated DC blockbuster The Flash in the title role, alongside Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck, who both reprise their role of Batman in the film. Appearing on the carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, Miller wore their long hair up in a bun, with a white jacket and black trousers. Ahead of the films screening, they thanked the dynamic duo DC co-chairs Peter Safran and James Gunn for their grace and discernment and care in the context of my life and in bringing this moment to fruition as well as director Andy Muschietti and the films production team. Miller previously apologised for those they had alarmed and upset with their past behaviour. In a statement released in August they said: Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment. I want to apologise to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behaviour. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life. In January 2023 Miller avoided jail over their connection with the break-in in Vermont, agreeing to a suspended sentence of 89 to 90 days in jail for the misdemeanour of unlawful trespass. They were also fined 500 US dollars (400) plus a 192 dollars (150) surcharge and placed on probation for a year. The Flash is due for release in UK cinemas on June 16. T o gauge just how far Harry Styles personal brand has travelled on the world stage in his 13 years of stardom, its worth glancing back to the pop stars first X Factor audition. Then, Styles was a fresh-faced 16-year-old, working part time at a bakery near his family home, in the nice Cheshire hamlet of Holmes Chapel. Wearing a hoodie, plunging white t-shirt and a grey neck-scarf, he resembled an Inbetweener taking baby-steps toward Indie Sleaze; the boy everyone at school thinks will one day be famous. He kissed his mum on the cheek as she smiled her support. Back then, Harrys tepid render of Trains Hey Soul Sister was interrupted by chief whip Simon Cowell, who told him to start again. He then opted for a heartfelt acapella rendition of Stevie Wonders Isnt She Lovely. In that moment, the audience fell head over heels in love with Harry, establishing everything they would want from him moving forward. They have stayed, exponentially multiplying ever since, crowning a sweet kid with curly hair who once talked about the Northern popularity of Viennese whirls on TV as one of the personal bellwethers of 21st century taste. Harry Styles in his One Direction days / Marty Melville/AFP via Getty Images Starting tonight, Styles will take his Love on Tour shows for a four-night victory lap to Wembley Stadium, entertaining 360,000 adoring fans with his casual charisma. His third solo album, Harrys House, was recipient of the 2023 Grammy for Album of the Year. The man who once needed four pals to place second below Matt Cardle in an ITV talent show is now global fame personified. Harry Styles is a pop star in the 1970s pin-up sense of the profession, making highly likeable music which could easily slot into any decade since. He emerged in One Direction, the loose-fit boyband of five suburban teens who tapped some of the Bay City Rollers old energy and turned it into a modern Beatlemania, touched by the dutiful contemporary hysteria ignited by K-Pop. One of the band once told me a story of having to be smuggled out of the back of a New York hotel as a security risk, after collectively declining an invite by Donald Trump to meet his daughter. Astonishingly, 1D stayed out of politics, mischief or major recrimination. As the country slowly imploded around them, these playful, pretty icons of hungry youth and ambition took a positive spin on wholesome Britishness to the world. Styles was 1Ds David Cassidy, their Donnie Osmond. He understood early on that because he had emerged from Saturday night, primetime TV, with a face the internet would do the hard marketing work with, he didnt have to find an audience and persuade them of his charms, only to shape and expand his plentiful base. As a performer, he is a bundle of generous, positive, slightly scrappy, even pleasingly amateurish energy. His great endearment is to appear in no way ruined or sullied by the pop machine, confidently floating above it, oblivious to what others are doing. Styles songs are neither destined nor designed to be venerated as all-time classics, bullet-proofing them from criticism. There is no search for profundity in the perfect glossy shimmer of Watermelon Sugar, As It Was or Music From A Sushi Restaurant. The restaurant in question could be Wagamama, where he came from, or Nobu, where he landed. He sings about sweetness, kindness, adoration. He loves a suggestive fruit metaphor for sex. A Harry Styles song is effervescent and lovely. It is constructed to remind you of a moment, or what it felt like to be alive in the 2020s, when he cut through the ballast of everyday turmoil to become king of the universe, simply by capturing his audiences desires in a butterfly net. One Direction | Harry Styles - In pictures 1 / 84 One Direction | Harry Styles - In pictures REUTERS 2022 Harry Styles, winner of Album Of The Year For Harrys House and Best Pop Vocal Album for Harrys House, poses in the press room at the 65th annual Grammy Award AP 2022 Dont Worry Darling Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 2010 Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zane Malik and Niall Horan of One Direction attend a photocall during the X Factor press conference at the Connaught Hotel Getty Images 2022 Venice, Italy REUTERS 2021 Grammy Awards Getty Images for The Recording A 2021 Brit Awards Getty Images 2020 Harry Styles performs on NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza AFP via Getty Images Olympic moment Harry Styles of the One Direction band performs at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012 AFP/Getty Images Front row Harry Styles, Nick Grimshaw and Kelly Osbourne attend the House Of Holland show during London Fashion Week SS14 on September 14, 2013 in London Getty Images Harry's hair-Styles Harry Styles of One Direction performs on stage at CenturyLink Field on July 15, 2015 in Seattle Getty Images Young direction Rex Features 2010 Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik arrive for an autograph signing session at the HMV store, Bradford PA 2010 Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zain Malik and Louis Tomlinson of 'One Direction' attends the Very.co.uk Christmas Catwalk Show at Victoria House on November 24, 2010 in London Getty Images 2010 Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Cher Lloyd and Niall Horan sighted getting some snacks before returning to an X Factor recording studio on October 4, 2010 in London Getty Images 2010 Harry Styles attends the Royal Film Performance and World Premiere of 'The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader' at Odeon Leicester Square on November 30, 2010 in London Getty Images 2011 Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne of 'One Direction' attend the GQ Men Of The Year Awards at The Royal Opera House on September 6, 2011 in London Getty Images 2012 Harry Styles celebrates after winning best British Single for What Makes You Beautiful during the 2012 Brit awards at The O2 Arena, London PA 2012 Harry Styles of One Direction attends "El Hormiguero" Tv show at Vertice Studio on October 31, 2012 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images 2012 One Direction attend Nickelodeon Hosts Orange Carpet Premiere For Original TV Movie "Big Time Movie" Starring Big Time Rush at 583 Park Avenue on March 8, 2012 in New York City Getty Images 2013 Harry Styles of "One Direction" attends a photo call and press conference for "One Direction This Is Us" at Big Sky Studios on August 19, 2013 in London Getty Images 2013 Harry Styles attends the Teen Choice Awards 2013 at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 11, 2013 in Universal City, California Getty Images 2013 Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of One Direction pose with their Brits Global Success Award in the press room at the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London Getty Images 2013 Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction perform on stage during the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London Getty Images 2013 Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Mailik and Naill Horan in TriStar Pictures' "One Direction: This Is Us." 2013 Harry Styles attends the British Fashion Awards 2013 at London Coliseum on December 2, 2013 in London Getty Images 2013 Niall Horan,Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik of One Direction perform at Rumsey Playfield on November 26, 2013 in New York City Getty Images 2013 Simon Cowell and Harry Styles attend the "One Direction This Is Us" world premiere after party on August 20, 2013 in London Getty Images 2013 Harry Styles with the British Style bought to you by Vodaphone Award poses in the winners room at the British Fashion Awards 2013 at London Coliseum on December 2, 2013 in London Getty Images 2014 Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan of One Direction, winner of the British Video and Global Success BRIT awards, pose in the winners room at The BRIT Awards 2014 at 02 Arena on February 19, 2014 in London Getty Images 2014 Harry Styles from One Direction poses with fans at the 28th Annual ARIA Awards 2014 at the Star on November 26, 2014 in Sydney Getty Images 2014 Harry Styles accepts the Favorite Pop/Rock Album award for 'Midnight Memories' onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles Getty Images 2014 Harry Styles of One Direction appears on NBC's Today Show to release their new album "Four" at Universal City Walk At Universal Orlando on November 17, 2014 in Orlando, Florida Getty Images 2014 Harry Styles of One Direction appears on NBC's Today Show to release their new album "Four" at Universal City Walk At Universal Orlando on November 17, 2014 in Orlando Getty Images 2014 A One Direction fan takes a selfie with a wax figure of Harry Styles at Madame Tussauds New York on November 24, 2014 in New York City Getty Images 2014 Harry Styles arrives at Burberry Prorsum Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 show during London Fashion Week at Kensington Gardens on September 16, 2013 in London 2014 Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets Harry Styles of boy band One Direction at The Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on November 13, 2014 in London Getty Images 2015 Harry Styles performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FMAs Jingle Ball 2015 Presented by Capital One at STAPLES CENTER on December 4, 2015 in Los Angeles Getty Images 2015 Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles of One Direction attend the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles Getty Images 2015 Harry Styles attends the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles Getty Images 2015 Harry Styles performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on August 4, 2015 in New York City Getty Images 2015 Harry Styles attends the Love Magazine miu miu London Fashion Week party at Loulou's on September 21, 2015 in London Getty Images 2016 Musician Joe Walsh, Marjorie Bach, singer Harry Styles, musician Ringo Starr, and Barbara Bach attend the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel Getty Images 2016 Harry Styles and sister Gemma Styles attend the Another Man A/W launch event hosted by Harry Styles, Alister Mackie and Kris Van Assche at Albert's Club Dave Benett 2017 Harry Styles in Dunkirk Warner Bros 2017 Harry Styles on BBC Radio One promoting his new Sign of the Times Album BBC Radio One 2017 Harry Styles tweets out his Sign of the Times Album cover @Harry_Styles 2017 Harry Styles arriving at BBC Broadcasting House in London ahead of an appearance on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw PA 2017 Harry Styles arrives for the 31st Annual ARIA Awards 2017 Getty Images 2017 Harry Styles host The Late Late Show following James Cordens announcement that he and his wife Julia Carey had welcomed their third child together The Late Late Show 2017 Harry Styles attends the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival Getty Images for iHeartMedia 2017 Harry Styles performs on the runway during the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show In Shanghai Getty Images for Victoria's Secret 2019 Harry Styles - Lights Up 2019 Harry Styles out in NYC for a late dinner SplashNews.com 2019 Harry Styles attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art Getty Images 2019 Guest host Harry Styles chatting with Kendall Jenner and Tracee Ellis Ross on The Late Late Show With James Corden The Late Late Show Harry Styles on cover of Rolling Stone Magazine Rolling Stone Magazine 2020 Harry Styles speaks with fans as he leaves the BBC Radio studios PA 2020 Harry Styles arriving at the Brit Awards PA 2020 Harry Styles seen leaving The Box club SplashNews.com 2020 Harry Styles Performs On NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza Getty Images 2021 Harry Styles performs during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards The Recording Academy/AFP via Getty Images 2021 Harry Styles attends the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards The Recording Academy/AFP via Getty Images A 1D affiliate once told me Harry watched Mick Jaggers turn in Performance every night on the tour bus by way of education for his solo career. He has presented like a one-man Duran Duran, singing songs both crafted outside of, and authentic enough to define, fashion. Right from the start, he also had physical echoes of John Taylor, Duran Durans heartthrob bass player, whose first solo cover of the Eighties pop title, Smash Hits became the biggest-selling issue of the magazine. His music sounds expensive, svelte, well-intentioned and always prioritises physical pleasure over interior angst. Nobody wants to hear Harry Styles heartbreak record, making him a modern pop anomaly at the top tier. While not quite religiously sticking to the Kate Moss never complain, never explain mantra, Styles trajectory has proved a modern masterclass in being simultaneously ubiquitous and unknowable. He seems to do exactly the amount of personal publicity he desires, which isnt much, giving away little personal detail when he does. At its most potent, fame is a blank, pretty canvas onto which we project our dreams. Standing together, collectively screaming at someone we love, for reasons which defy rational explanation is a primal urge. Styles feels both welcomed and humbled to become its most recognisable recipient. Nobody needed to reinvent the wheel with Harry, just to keep the engine purring, seasoning the journey with enough subtle gear changes to stealthily land him four nights at Wembley Stadium. As a fashion plate, he is flawless, arriving into the public consciousness as a serious solo proposition at exactly the moment Alessandro Michele decided he wanted to bring the theatrical drama and inventiveness back to Gucci, anointing Styles the brands favourite patron saint. This mellifluous conjunction of brand and star elevated both. Styles always looks grateful to be there, if slightly dazzled by the clothes hes wearing and the fuss that inevitably brings, without ever giving off the impression of being too grateful or unsure of himself to appear needy or desperate. He is disarmingly free of opinion and refreshingly good at being famous, quietly enjoying its spoils, rolling in its perks. His artists positioning sits somewhere between thoughtfulness and tasteful, uncontroversial euphoria, never tipping an astutely aggregated balance, always casting a spell of immaculate ease with himself. In a pop landscape full of exposed flaws and open wounds, he represents a rare subset of personal contentment. In this respect, he might be the perfect pop star. For 90,000 screaming Harry Styles acolytes in London over the coming week, Wembley Stadium will prove the perfect backcloth to scream thank you, just for being him. Harry Styles Love on Tour comes to Wembley Stadium on June 13, with the London residency ending June 17 F asten your seatbelts, grab your popcorn and find a good cushion to hide behind: Black Mirror is almost back. The hit anthology show has been a pop culture mainstay ever since it launched in 2011 on Channel 4. These days, its a Netflix juggernaut, having won several Emmys, and clocked in millions of viewers. It even coined the phrase black mirror as shorthand for the bizarre or creepy. With the sixth season set to launch on our screens this week, heres what you need to know about the kind of nightmares youll be due to have over the course of June. What storylines can we expect? Paapa Essiedu in Black Mirror / Nick Wall/Netflix Netflix has already released synopses and titles for all its upcoming five episodes (yes, there are only five this time around) and they all tease very different plots and subjects. Joan Is Awful an average woman is stunned to discover a global streaming platform has launched a prestige TV drama adaptation of her life in which she is portrayed by Hollywood A-lister Salma Hayek Pinault. Loch Henry a young couple travel to a sleepy Scottish town to start work on a genteel nature documentary, but find themselves drawn to a juicy local story involving shocking events of the past. Beyond the Sea - in an alternative 1969, two men on a perilous high-tech mission wrestle with the consequences of an unimaginable tragedy. Mazey Day - A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident. Demon 79 - Northern England, 1979. A meek sales assistant is told she must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster. Whos starring? Salma Hayek in Black Mirror season 6 / Nick Wall/Netflix Perhaps the better question to ask is, who isnt starring? The list reads like a whos who of TV stars including Breaking Bads Aaron Paul, Schitts Creeks Annie Murphy and Gangs of Londons Paapa Essiedu. Theres also Ben Barnes, Salma Hayek Pinault, Kate Mara, Michael Cera, Himesh Patel, Josh Harnett and Rory Culkin. Phew: keep your eyes peeled for them in upcoming episodes. What has Charlie Brooker said about the upcoming season? Black Mirror wouldnt be Black Mirror without some weird, wacky and horrifying sci-fi ideas: something the shows writer and creator Charlie Brooker knows all too well. Ive always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people and myself or else whats the point? It should be a series that cant be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself, Brooker told Netflixs website Tudum. As a result, Brooker says, hes changed up the format a little bit this time around. Aaron Paul in Black Mirror / Nick Wall/Netflix This time, alongside some of the more familiar Black Mirror tropes weve also got a few new elements, including some Ive previously sworn blind the show would never do, to stretch the parameters of what a Black Mirror episode even is. The stories are all still tonally Black Mirror through-and-through but with some crazy swings and more variety than ever before. Brooker also shared insights into the making of the show, telling Empire Magazine that hed toyed around with ChatGPT when the time came to write the new season honestly, who hasnt. The first thing I did was type generate Black Mirror episode, he said. It [came] up with something that, at first glance, reads plausibly, but on second glance, is shit. I was aware that I had written lots of episodes where someone goes Oh, I was inside a computer the whole time! So I thought, Im just going to chuck out any sense of what I think a Black Mirror episode is. Theres no point in having an anthology show if you cant break your own rules. When can I watch? Black Mirrors season six will start on Netflix from June 15. R ounding the corner of the woodland path wed been dropped off at to find a quaintly picturesque cabin nestled amongst breath-taking acres of tree-lined wilderness, it was an irony not lost on me that Unyoked a getaway designed to separate the chronically online from their screens and put them back in touch with nature would be an absolute smash on the Gram. The first rule of Unyoked, however, is that you do not immediately post about Unyoked, and so my phone remained smouldering unhappily in my pocket, with the idea that it would stay there for the next 48 hours. First launched in Australia in 2016 by brothers Chris and Cam Grant, the company was created so goes the websites science bit to help us all understand how nature can make us better and allow us to weave it into our lives easily, and regularly. Matthew McConaughey liked it so much he collaborated with them on his own New Zealand destination cabin and, last summer, they opened their first locations in the UK: 10 plots dotted across North Norfolk, the Black Mountains in Wales and the South Downs my escape of choice. Happy isolation at Unyoked / Intone Films Unyoked have been smart in the way theyve angled the package to make it appealing for frazzled city-dwellers who couldnt tell their kindling from their Kindle. Though the end points are remote, with no other houses or humans in easy walking distance, each location is readily accessible from a train station (ours was a mere 15-minute taxi ride from Haslemere itself less than an hour from Waterloo). The cabins, meanwhile, are styled in a manner that well call covert luxury: theres an emphasis on analogue fun, with playing cards, UNO and a cassette player provided, but youre hardly roughing it. The sleek black and gold shower was more powerful than the one in my flat. Which is all to say that these stays arent meant to be an endurance test of your ability to survive in the wilderness. Theyre designed to be cosy and relaxing and sorry to bring a thankfully dwindling buzz-word back into rotation the definition of hygge. Inside was a wood-burning fire and a pair of Nordically-patterned hot water bottles; the vast, floor-to-ceiling windows bordering two sides of the bed meant you were basically sleeping amongst the trees. I brought my pregnant friend along and half-expected a consort of nearby birds and woodland creatures to come and dress her in the morning, such was the dreamy picturesqueness of it all. Its been proven time and time again that communing with nature can do wonders for your body and brain, lowering your blood pressure, enhancing your immune system and reducing anxiety. A study cited by Unyoked found that, of the 20,000 people tested, those who spent two hours a week in nature were consistently healthier and happier than those who didnt. Preparing myself for literally 24 times that amount of sweet sweet earthy fraternising, I was ready for my serotonin levels to go through the roof. High on natures supply, I was down to embrace everything that the land had to offer me (after a stop for supplies at Waitrose). Inside one of the hygge huts / Intone Films Amongst the spectrum of the modern tech-obsessed, I would class myself as relatively low-end. I still prefer physical books; I happily deleted Instagram for three months at the end of last year; the increasing infiltration of Chat GPT gives me The Fear. And yet, settling in and manually tuning the radio whilst singing jingles to try and remember the frequency for Magic FM felt like a nostalgic blast from childhood the little fizz of excitement as the strains of Hall & Oates crackled into life hitting in a far more visceral way than just pressing a pre-set button could. I cannot overstate how happy and capable building a fire and cooking our dinner a whole stuffed sea bass, no less on it made me feel. For any Londoner whose practical skills amount to a dead tomato plant, an expired provisional licence and an abandoned Youtube tutorial titled Why is my boiler making that noise?, the act of sitting atop a tree stump, tending to your fire pit as the sun sets will make you feel like god, or Bear Grylls. We ate outside wrapped up in blankets and went to sleep knackered with that specific kind of outdoorsy tired you just dont get in the city. Admittedly, when Day Two brought with it an onslaught of pissing rain that began at lunch and didnt bother stopping, the lure of the internet was a little higher. Instead, I set myself up by the open door with a chair, a book and a mug of red wine, and enjoyed the patter of the rain. I forced myself to stop thinking what the next activity would be and just went with the flow. As my friend took a nap, I looked outside at the big old trees in the big old earth and felt a genuine sense of calm. A lot of Unyokeds rhetoric is about perspective of repositioning lifes daily stresses as tiny molehills in the big mountain of the universe. Sat at home in South London, trying to meet a deadline, the logic seemed quite irritating; sat in my little cabin, I started to understand what they meant. Immersed in nature / Intone Films Mornings are of a premium in the countryside, especially when youre in a secluded bit of woodland that could quite easily turn from Snow White to Blair Witch if you strayed too far in the dark. We went to bed early and woke up early, filled with an unnerving sense of 7am joie de vivre a world away from my usual nocturnal London lifestyle. Maybe I could be a country person, I pondered, attempting to start a final morning fire to griddle a toastie and feeling rather smug about the entire wholesome endeavour. As the clock ticked towards our 10am taxi pick-up, however, my fire-making skills truly heroic only two nights previously had entirely disappeared. As if to really hammer it home, the gas ran out before we could even grill our breakfast on the hob. And yet, despite finishing an otherwise idyllic trip with a cold shower and a sad, flaccid sandwich of half-warm bread, I still felt completely zen. Im not pretending I could live like this forever, but throwing myself into the spirit of the adventure for a couple of days had been easy; I hadnt felt the usually-omnipresent urge to check my emails at all. Since being home, naturally Ive sunk back into the usual modern life patterns Gmail and Zoom and Twitter and Google but I really do feel like the experience has stuck. When everything gets a bit much, I try to remember the stillness and calm of the woods and remember that life is, in the words of McConaughy himself, alright, alright, alright Other off-grid breaks Romney Marsh shepherds huts Share a field with the local ewes at this Kent wetlands getaway; romneymarshshepherdshuts.co.uk Canopy & Stars With an entire section dedicated to treehouses, you can soar (or at least sleep) with the birds on these glamping trips; canopyandstars.co.uk Gwalia Farm A lakeside cabin in the Welsh countryside - with an added hot tub! gwaliafarm.co.uk I magine a festival where you feel healthier, more connected, at ease and joyful than when you arrived. Doesnt sound like any festival Ive ever been to, where you typically leave feeling hungover, dirty, irritable and full of regret but thats the promise of Into the Wild, one of the many sober festivals in the UKs emerging alcohol-free party scene. It was a bit of an experiment, says the Sussex-based festivals founder Huw Williams, who set up Into The Wild (tickets from 150 for adults, available here) 10 years ago. Id run some festivals before but with bars and alcohol, so I thought Id give it a go without, because it takes away a lot of hassle really. Huws experiment worked wonderfully, from day dot, he says. People loved it, they felt more aware, more present, they were getting up in the morning doing yoga and meditation. Instead of waking up with the typical hangover a la Glastonbury, rolling over and going Oh my god, I think Im gonna die, theyd roll over and think, Oh my god, Im alive! Festival-goers at Into The Wild festival 2021 / Into The Wild Festival One Into The Wild regular is actor Tom Hardy, who Huw says likes its strict no alcohol, no drugs policy (Hardy has been sober 20 years), and he often brings his family as a result. Its very family-friendly, Williams explains, theres workshops around wild crafts, foraging, theres star walks and bat walks, archery classes, and the parents love it because at home their kids would be staring down some screen, but here theyre not. As well as these more mindful, child-friendly activities, Into The Wild does also have your regular festival programming: three days of music, two stages, food trucks, and even some adult only late night shows so parents can have a break from their kids. A little festival-goer enjoying themselves at Into The Wild festival / Into The Wild Festival Having been to both types of festivals, the differences are obvious, Williams says, describing the key contrasts as a lack of litter, the absence of people sitting around a campsite looking out of it every morning, and the overwhelming addition of feeling present in nature, during music sets and between festival guests. Into The Wild might sound very earthy and kombucha-based, but there are also younger iterations for sober curious Londoners. Millie Gooch, the 31-year-old founder of social club Sober Girls Society, recently set up her first alcohol-free day festival with best mate and fellow sober influencer Steph Elswood. Steph Elswood and Millie Gooch at Ministry of Sound, where they held the first Dry Disco event / Dry Disco Club I think between [me and Steph], weve both had our fair share of festival hangovers and felt terrible the next day, Millie says, weve both lost stuff, missed the acts we came to see and spent hours queuing for the bar. Which is why the pair set up Dry Disco, a sober day festival located inside the Ministry of Sound nightclub in Elephant & Castle. The first ever Dry Disco, which featured live DJs, a free (boozeless) bar, circus performers, a pamper room, breathwork classes and other activities, took place last month and was so successful that Gooch and Elswood are already planning a second event. I swear if you walked in during the disco you would have had no idea that no one was drinking, Gooch says. The pair would love to hold a weekend festival like Into The Wild themselves, but say theyre building up to something like that. And while Dry Disco has passed, there are still plenty of London and London-adjacent alcohol free opportunities for people who love to attend festivals but dont want to get on the piss. Lovejam, in Tunbridge Wells, is an alcohol-free weekend camping festival that originally started in Victoria Park, but has grown considerably in size since its conception nearly five years ago (tickets from 133 for adults, available here). Its next installment, on September 7-11th in Eridge Park, is a great introduction to the world of sober partying, according to founder Nathan Gallagher. Nathan Gallagher, founder of Lovejam festival / Lovejam He set up Lovejam, which also holds various different events throughout the year, when he was yearning for the free parties of his youth without the excess of rave culture. We exist to reshape the way that we celebrate, he says. F or the second year running, Ynyshir has been named the best restaurant in the UK. The nod came at the National Restaurant Awards, a list voted on by members of the hospitality industry and those associated with it, including a number of restaurant critics and influential food writers. Located near Machynlleth in mid-Wales and led by chef Gareth Ward, Ynyshir pronounced inish-eer won its second Michelin-star in 2022 and, despite its remote location, commands a lofty 375 per person for a dinner that comprises more than 30 individual dishes. Ward claims to use the most exclusive ingredients in the world. Ynyshir really is a restaurant like no other where fun and fine dining combine for a truly remarkable experience, said Stefan Chomka, editor of Restaurant by BigHospitality, the publication behind the awards. Gareth Wards singular vision for what a restaurant can be, and his willingness to break down boundaries, are to be applauded. He leads by example by never missing a service, and he and his team are very worthy winners of this title again. Announced at a glamorous event hosted at Londons Hurlingham Club, the NRAs also saw a very strong outing of London restaurants dominate the rest of the top 100, with 14 of the capitals finest making the top 20. Of these, Rafael Cagalis two Michelin-starred Da Terra came out best, placing third in the overall list, up from 18th in 2022. The Cambridge Heath restaurant opened in 2019 to immediate acclaim, with the Evening Standard saying it offered a parade of exhilarating dishes. All smiles: Rafael Cagali sees Da Terra named Londons best restaurant Whilst the overall list was a triumph for fine-dining restaurants, a special opening of the year award was given to the more casual Bouchon Racine, Henry Harris Farringdon hotspot, located above the revitalised Three Compasses pub. The bistro-style spot had previously been awarded five stars by the Standards chief restaurant critic, Jimi Famurewa. Other awards for London restaurants included the innovator of the year gong going to Chantelle Nicholsons Apricity, while the one to watch award, was scooped up by The Midland Grand at St Pancras, which is led by chef Patrick Powell. Elsewhere in London, The Ledbury placed fourth, The Ritz placed seventh and Core by Clare Smyth, Frog by Adam Handling and KOL placed eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. New opening Alex Dilling at the Cafe Royal entered the list at 16th in its debut year and the aforementioned Bouchon Racine came in fifth. Other new openings in London had a good debut, with JKSs successful Speedboat Bar coming in at 57 and Dorian entering the list at 46. The National Restaurant Awards are voted for by more than 200 of the countrys top chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics and are broadly considered to be a decent indicator of the UKs dining scene. Interestingly, results often differ dramatically year to year, which has proved true of the 2023 list. This is apparent with restaurants such as Bibi, which fell from fifth to 29th, A. Wong, which fell from seventh last year to 18th, Brat, which fell from third to 19th and Manteca, which despite success last year, fell from 11th to 69th. Outside of London, the three Michelin-starred LEnclume fell from tenth to 30th and Restaurant Sat Bains fell from 39th to 65th. There were, however, a number of notable climbers outside of the capital. Kent favourite The Sportsman improved on its 2022 placing of 47th to enter the top twenty (15th) and Newcastles Restaurant Pine, which climbed from 48th last year to sixth this year. Similarly to last years list, and despite the criticism often laid at Michelin for not recognising diversity among restaurants when awarding stars, it is interesting to note there are more than 25 Michelin stars in this years NRA top 20 alone. Fergus Henderson of St John / Lucy Young Outside of the top 20, it was a year that seemed to solidify London as the best place in Britain for dining out, with 66 of the top 100 restaurants claimed by the capital. Coming in at 74th in the list was long-standing Farringdon favourite St John, a restaurant whose founders Trevor Gulliver and Fergus Henderson also received the lifetime achievement award. Fergus and Trevor could have won this lifetime achievement award years ago, but the indefatigable pair continue to make their mark on Britains and the worlds dining scene. In 1994 when they launched St John, British food was still largely maligned by the rest of the world and serious restaurants tended to follow a very traditional dining model. St John changed all that said Chomka. The full list of special awards: National Restaurant of the Year: Ynyshir Best Restaurant in England: Moor Hall Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland: Ox Best Restaurant in Wales: Ynyshir Best Restaurant in Scotland: The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant Chef of the Year: Kenny Atkinson Restaurateur of the Year: Samyukta Nair Chef to Watch: April Lily Partridge Opening of the Year: Bouchon Racine One to Watch: The Midland Grand Dining Room The Sustainability Award: Pensons Gastropub of the Year: Parkers Arms The Service Award: The Ledbury Wine List of the Year: Maison Francois Cocktail List of the Year: Roots Innovator of the Year: Apricity Lifetime Achievement Award: Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver Top 20 restaurants is below, with London restaurants in bold. Visit nationalrestaurantawards.co.uk for the full list. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement in connection with another military provocation committed by the Armenian Armed Forces in the direction of Nakhchivan, Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, on June 13, units of the Armenian armed forces opened fire on the positions of the Azerbaijani army located in the direction of the Heydarabad settlement of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic using heavy weapons, including mortars. In order to prevent the provocation of the Armenian side, the units of Azerbaijani army took appropriate response measures. We strongly condemn this latest military provocation by Armenia and demand that Yerevan abandon its increasingly aggressive rhetoric and stop such moves that increase tension in the region. At the same time, we categorically reject the statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry that the Azerbaijani army allegedly opened fire on a metallurgical plant under construction in Armenia. As for the allegation that Azerbaijan allegedly seeks to prevent investments flow to Armenia by creating provocations, we note that Armenia pursued a policy of self-isolation, making territorial claims against neighboring countries and keeping the territories of Azerbaijan under occupation for almost 30 years. Everyone knows that Armenia, contrary to its obligations, prevents the opening of communication lines that will stimulate economic development in the region. Therefore, the claims of the Armenian side have no grounds. The military-political leadership of Armenia bears full responsibility for the provocations against the peacekeeping measures and restoration work carried out by Azerbaijan in the region, the statement said. W ith Londons rental market in increasingly dire straits, more and more tenants are seeking an escape from the horrors of flat-sharing. One increasingly popular alternative to the private rental market, according to new analysis, is co-living. The renting model first emerged in 2018 but is now expanding rapidly in the capital and elsewhere. According to Savills, the co-living sector has trebled since 2019 and in London, which accounts for 82 per cent of the market, there are currently 2,820 operational beds. A further 9,000 are in the pipeline. Its promoted as a solution to the broken housing crisis, a more flexible and professional way of renting, with all-inclusive bills and rent costs. Tenants get their own private studio but have access to shared facilities such as kitchens and living spaces. Folks Battersea site includes a cinema room / Luke Hayes While modelled on university halls, its a far cry from dingy student digs. The market is now geared towards young urban professionals, as brands compete to offer Insta-friendly interiors and luxury amenities such as swimming pools, rooftop bars and co-working spaces. Yet it has its detractors. Communal spaces such as podcasting facilities or dog washrooms come at the cost of a living set-up often described as dorms for adults. The studios on offer are usually well below minimum space standards and there have been complaints about maintenance and rules. So is co-living the future of renting, or just an attempt by developers to capitalise on the capitals extreme shortage of rentals? Rising demand While there is a large variety across the co-living market, prices for units range from around 1,200 to over 2,000 per month. One of the appeals is the all-inclusive bills, meaning tenants dont have to worry about paying council tax or gas and electricity. Many operators point out the prices are competitive when compared to the cost of renting a typical studio. Florence Dock, a new co-living development near Clapham Junction with a 2,500-strong waiting list, offers 270 studio apartments with prices starting at 1,574 per month. Operator Folk says this works out at around 20 per cent cheaper than a standard studio flat, though this assumes a renter will pay out 200 a month for a co-working space and 50 a month on a gym membership. These amenities are included at Folk, as well as events like craft beer tasting and puppy yoga. The brand was born from a frustration with the low standard of housing in the rental market, and its lack of suitable options for modern renters, says Chris Saunders, investment director at Folk Co-living. One of the biggest benefits of co-living, as opposed to renting traditionally is the flexibility making it a good option for those looking for short-term accommodation. Another plus is the social element of the schemes, with many operators offering a range of activities and events. A communal lounge at Gravitys Finsbury Park property / Gravity Co-living Riccardo Tessaro is CEO & Co-Founder of Gravity, which has co-living schemes in Finsbury Park and Hounslow. He said the company was born out of a strong desire to fix a broken and obsolete housing market, but also tackle the urban loneliness epidemic affecting young professionals. Tessaro said Gravity receives around 40 applications a week for its co-living units, which range from 1,175 to 1,300 a month. Like Folk, Tessaro points out that young professionals looking for self-contained units but most are unable to afford the typical costs of a one-bedroom flat. Tiny rooms Yet while tenants might save around 20 percent on a traditional studio, the unit sizes offered in co-living schemes are often closer to hotel rooms and well under the national space standard for a one-person studio, which is 398 sq ft. At The Collective, the company which pioneered co-living in the UK before collapsing in 2021, sizes start from 129sq ft for a cosy unit, to 322sq ft for a big unit. The units at Dandi co-living scheme in Wembley are bigger, starting at 255sq ft, but small enough to require a pull-down floating bed and fold-away tables to maximise the space. Asked about the size of Folks rooms, the smallest of which is just 182sq ft, Saunders says their homes are bigger than a lot of other co-living schemes on the market. He adds that the size of the studios is not representative of the space people have because they also have access to shared living spaces. When you compare that with the spaces people have access to when they flat share or rent a typical studio apartment, they have far more space in one of our co-living buildings, he adds. Gravity receives around 40 applications a week for its co-living units / Gravity Co-living While other residential developments have to meet rules around minimum space standards, co-living developments fall into something of a planning grey area. Approaches differ across local authorities. While some London councils have embraced the model, last year Wandsworth turned down a huge proposed co-living scheme, raising fears over its Travelodge sized rooms, the quality of the accommodation, and lack of affordability. According to Paul Wellman, associate director of research at Savills, the latest wave of co-living developments offer higher quality accommodation than the first generation of schemes built a few years back. Tenants are now demanding larger self-contained rooms and developers are responding. They are still smaller than your standard one-bed or studio. But tenants get real high-quality amenity space where they spend most of their time interacting with other residents. Wellman admits co-living remains a marmite sector but argues that ultimately it gives people on the sharp end of the housing crisis more choice where there is often very little. These are renters with incomes too high to qualify for social housing without the realistic chance to get on the housing ladder. Not everyone wants to live in a flat-share with people they barely know." But Jonny Anstead, co-founder of developer TOWN and chair of the Quality of Life Foundation, points out that planning rules on room and studio sizes exist to protect people from the downward pressure on space standards that inevitably exists in high-value, highly urban locations. Anstead warns that when moving away from these protections, policy- and decision-makers need to be satisfied that residents quality of life isnt compromised. So far, he says: the co-living sector hasnt done enough yet to demonstrate that this is the case. F or many Londoners, the sight of children playing on the street is something from a bygone era. A time when neighbours knew each other by name and roads were less clogged with cars. But in some areas of the capital playing out is making a comeback. Over the past decade a parent-led movement has started reclaiming residential roads as Play Streets and closing them off to traffic for a few hours on the weekend. Since Hackney launched its pilot Play Streets back in 2012, the initiative has spread across the capital with 23 London boroughs now taking part. Redbridge Council has approved 22 Play Streets, while Hammersmith and Fulham recently launched a callout encouraging people to set one up. Play Streets are a great way to give your children the chance to be outdoors and play safely, within a short distance of your home,"said Hammersmith and Fulhams cabinet member for Civic Renewal, Cllr Bora Kwon. We want to help people re-imagine and make the most of their local spaces get the chalk out, organise some games and let the neighbours in on the fun," she added. The past decade has seen a revival in 70s-style playing out / Hammersmith and Fulham Council To set up a Play Street, residents get a legal notice from the council permitting them to close their street to through traffic at specified days and times. Neighbours also volunteer to act as stewards to help monitor the road closure. Play streets legislation first came into action in 1938 and hit its peak in the 1960s when Street Playground Orders applied to around 750 streets in England and Wales. But according to Fiona Sutherland, deputy director of charity London Play, the practice began to fizzle out in the 1980s, and today cars have taken priority on our cities streets. We unearthed the dormant Play Streets legislation in 2012 and began working with councils and people to bring play back to the capitals streets. Over the last decade weve seen a proper revival and now residents in 23 London boroughs can apply. Were working on the remaining ten. According to Sutherland, for such a simple intervention, the benefits of Play Streets are huge for adults as well as children. Adults come out and gather on the street too which is great for tackling loneliness and strengthening relationships between neighbours. Children start to knock for each other between sessions and it really brings communities together. Asked if people ever oppose Play Streets, Sutherland said while the large majority of a street will back the idea there will usually be around one per cent of people who oppose it. The way we see it is that children are the ones who have sacrificed play space and independence for cars. This is a small tip of the balance back in their favour. Children are the ones who have sacrificed play space and independence for cars, says Fiona Sutherland / Hammersmith and Fulham Council Rachel Mansi, of community interest company Playing Out said the positive impact of Play Streets has been demonstrated through research, including regular extra hours of physical activity, the opportunity to make friends with other children, the chance to learn fun and useful skills like skipping and riding bikes. She added: Friendships between neighbours are formed or strengthened, and older residents often feel less lonely everyone on the street is invited to join in, whether they have children or not. Play Streets arent just for children, theyre for everyone on the street! How to set up a Play Street The first step for setting up a Play Street is talking to your neighbours. If they are up for it, flyer the street and hold a meeting to agree on a date and time for the trial. Then, contact the council to ask how to go about applying for your street to be closed for the trial. You need to wait for the council to give permission which takes between four and eight weeks. Once the council gives the go-ahead, meet again with your neighbours to make a plan and put up posters up on the street to promote your Play Street session. What happens on the day On the day, simply put up the road closure signs given to you by the council and open up the street for play! People living in the street can still drive in and out at 5mph, guided by the stewards. Play Streets cant be set up on bus routes. How often, and how long are Play Street sessions? It is up to you and your neighbours. You can run a one-off play session or recurring events. Usually they run for between two and five hours either weekly, fortnightly or monthly after school or during weekends. London boroughs running Play Streets: Barnet Brent Camden Croydon Ealing Enfield Greenwich Hackney Hammersmith and Fulham Haringey Hounslow Islington Kingston Lambeth Lewisham Merton Newham Redbridge Southwark Sutton Tower Hamlets Waltham Forest Westminster Anyone interested in starting a Play Street visit London Play Streets or contact London Play via info@londonplay.org.uk for more information. An infernal screech fills the air, followed by a huge splash as I spot a Russian rocket smashing into the water about 100 metres in front of where our small speedboat is cruising along. I hit the deck and curl into a ball, as I hear other rockets flying towards us. For the first time in my life, I understand the phrase sitting ducks. Floating in the water like this, we cant run for cover, we can only bury our heads and pray. Ive just decided Im going to ask my girlfriend to marry her next week, so we have to make it out of this! says the Dutch correspondent next to me in the boat as he puts his hand on my shoulder. In Kherson, death can come from the sky at any time. This time, it was a sunny afternoon as we explored the newly formed canals in the city that locals refer to as the Venice from Hell. Locals have begun calling Kherson the Venice from Hell / Tom Mutch Last Tuesday morning, the dam of the Nova Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station 60 kilometers upstream from the city was destroyed, causing extreme flooding on the banks of the Dnipro River. The water was thick with pollutants, including motor oil, industrial chemicals and mines that had been washed from defensive positions on both riverbanks. Street signs, and the roofs of residential buildings, shops and gas stations poked up through the four metres of water that had flooded the streets. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are without access to drinking water. Oliksiy, our unflappable boat driver, attempted to calm us down by reassuring us it was safer in the water than on land. On land, we were at risk of being ripped to shreds by flying shrapnel, whereas on the river, the water resistance would slow the jagged metal down. Ive covered the war from all the frontlines, and the situation in Kherson is the scariest Ive seen. We navigated the boat under the hull of a large container ship to shelter until the shelling finished, before we crept back to shore. En route, we passed a partially submerged billboard that said, Kherson is Ukraine, We Thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine! But Kherson has paid an extraordinary price for its liberation. The situation in Kherson is the scariest Ive seen The most gruesome of all are the corpses. Every Ukrainian town has a cemetery, and 80 of them have been washed up, causing bodies to float down the river, says Sergio Sergeyev, a soldier based in the city of Kherson who is assisting with evacuation efforts. In a reminder of the regions dark history, the head of a former invader, a German soldier from World War II, washed up on the shore still in its helmet. When I was last in Kherson, I reported for the Evening Standard about the liberation of the occupied city after a punishing military campaign, but a shell landing next to our bus reminded us of the danger still facing the city. I warned that Putins reign of terror is far from over for families on the ground. Since that day in November, Kherson has suffered the rage of the Russian troops, who have shelled the city from mortar and artillery positions from across the river almost every day. Scores of civilians have been killed on one horrific day in May, 23 people died when Russian forces shelled a railway station and a supermarket. For the past week, Ukrainian authorities have been engaged in frantic efforts to evacuate people from the flooded regions, even launching daring raids to towns into enemy territory across the river. While UK and US intelligence have said that they cannot conclusively blame Russian forces, President Zelensky has pointed the finger squarely at Moscow and called for a robust international response. We need an immediate and maximum global response to Russian terror. From the UN Security Council to every international institution. Every state, every leader. Russian terrorists must leave our entire territory, every metre of which they are trying to use for evil and disasters no country in the world should be left alone against such terror. Those on the ground are less diplomatic, and believe they are being abandoned by the international community. The United Nations is a shitty organisation, they just take our money... says Sergeyev. And please quote me on that. It is an ecological disaster, but the UN, what does this organisation do? When the war starts, we think, this is a great organisation, they must save people from wars... from things like this, but now we see that Russians do anything they want. They [the UN] just say 'thats awful' and that is all they do. The evacuation effort is being hampered by Russian shelling / Tom Mutch Instead, the bulk of the risky evacuations and delivery of supplies are being done by local Ukrainian organisations, many of them run by volunteers on a shoestring budget. Ksenia Tomchyk, a coordinator of the organisation Base.ua, shared a terrifying video with me of Russian shelling hitting near her evacuation car, just a few kilometres outside of the city. A few days ago we got a couple of requests from a village called Kamyshany, she says. Russians are close. We knew from the locals that the village was shelled earlier in the morning, so we checked what we had to and left. While we were driving through the field, we saw an incoming [rocket] straight on the checkpoint we were heading to. While we took a moment to think, another strike hit the same place. It was easy to see the damage, but of course, we didnt stop thinking they could strike one more time. Today we did the evacuation of seven people, including two kids. It was calm and all went fine, but the village is being shelled regularly and probably we were just lucky. The flooding comes against the backdrop of a major uptick in fighting on the countrys long-static frontlines. Ukraine is finally striking back against the Russian invaders and after months of preparations, the Armed Forces have launched a series of counterattacks in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zapporizhzhia. Residents being evacuated / Tom Mutch Sergeyev celebrated his birthday last year under Russian occupation, and this one under Russian shelling. We still have a lot of work to do before I celebrate next year on the banks of the Yalta, he says, referring to the famous river in occupied Crimea, which is the main target of Ukraines counter-offensive. Not everything is going smoothly, and the Russians have been posting gloating videos that show them destroying some of Ukraines new Western technology, including German Leopard 2 Tanks and American Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. If this Ukrainian offensive cannot force the Russians to retreat from the other side of the river, then Khersons agony looks set to continue. Despite the extraordinary suffering inflicted on Kherson, residents believe the price of freedom remains worth it. I lived the whole period of occupation in Kherson After liberation, we were constantly attacked by various types of weapons. Artillery, tanks, MLZ, mortars, Shahed [drones] says local Svitlana Horieva. But for me, there is nothing scarier and heavier than occupation. The terrible feeling of lawlessness. We were outlawed by the occupier we had no right to anything. At any moment we could be killed and robbed. Any Russian on the street could have checked your phone they were kidnapping people on the street. A man could have walked into a store and never come back. Residents have endured shelling, mines and drone attacks / Tom Mutch She will stay in the city, come what may. The shelling is unbelievably scary, but you understand that staying in the city is your choice. Whatever happens, you are equal among your people, you have rights, you are in your own countryand you are free. A man is a fighting for his life after a horror stabbing in Hackney. Police attended a north east London hospital after a patient presented with stab wounds on Sunday at 12.12am. He was then transferred to another east London hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Officers are working to establish what happened and have put in place a crime scene in Somerford Grove. Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident - one on suspicion of murder and another on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both remain in custody at this time. Anyone who witnessed any altercations in these areas, or has information or video/ images they can share with police, should call 101 ref CAD 84/11 Jun. To remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A man accused of the murder of police constable Sharon Beshenivsky 18 years ago will stand trial in Leeds. On Tuesday Mr Justice Bryan transferred the case of Piran Ditta Khan, 74, from the Old Bailey in London to Leeds Crown Court. During a hearing at the Old Bailey, the senior judge said the case would be heard by a High Court judge, with a plea hearing on July 14. On that date, a new date for a trial lasting up to six weeks would be fixed, he said. The trial is expected to remain at Leeds Crown Court but could be heard at another Crown Court within the North East Circuit. Khan attended the hearing by video link from Belmarsh top security prison in south London and was assisted by an interpreter. Pc Beshenivsky was aged 38 when she was killed on November 18 2005 after she and a colleague responded to a report of a robbery at Universal Travel in Morley Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire. The married mother-of-three was a probationer with only nine months service when she was killed. Her colleague, Pc Teresa Millburn, was seriously injured. In April this year, Khan was brought to Britain from Pakistan and charged with the murder of Pc Beshenivsky. He was also charged with robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant is accused of robbing Mohammed Yousaf of a quantity of cash of a value unknown. The firearms charges relate to alleged possession of a Mac 10 submachine gun and a 9mm pistol. All the alleged offences are said to have taken place on the same day. The defendant remains in custody. A man accused of murdering a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant has begun giving evidence in a modified way because of communication difficulties after he suffered brain damage due to a gunshot wound. Louis De Zoysa, 25, is accused of shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed. The prosecution alleges De Zoysa, who denies murder, pulled the trigger on purpose four times while he was handcuffed in a holding room at the custody centre, the first and second shots hitting Sgt Ratana, the third hitting the wall during a struggle with officers, and a fourth hitting De Zoysa himself. Mr Justice Johnson told the jury: The arrangements for the defendant to give evidence depart from what would ordinarily happen. The judge said De Zoysa will take a different oath, will be asked simple questions and the prosecution will not fully put their case to him because of his condition. De Zoysa sat in a wheelchair in the well of the court with a small whiteboard and marker on the desk in front of him to give evidence during his trial at Northampton Crown Court. He promised to tell the truth in a modified oath, confirmed his name verbally and confirmed his date of birth and age using the whiteboard. He had been arrested on London Road, Norbury, south London, during the early hours of September 25 2020, after a stop and search by officers found he had cannabis and seven rounds of ammunition. Officers did not know De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, had a gun until it was used to shoot Sgt Ratana. Jurors have been told they will have to consider whether De Zoysa deliberately fired the revolver and the question of diminished responsibility. Imran Khan KC, defending, previously told the jury that the defendant was suffering an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting. The trial continues. G rieving families who lost loved ones during the pandemic will have their voices heard at last when the Covid-19 Inquiry begins on Tuesday. Two years after former prime minister Boris Johnson announced a public inquiry into the nations handling of the pandemic would be set up chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett is set to formally open the first substantive hearing in west London. An emotive video featuring people from across the UK sharing their experiences of loss - which has been described as difficult to watch - will be played to the hearing following Lady Halletts opening statement. The inquiry team says the film features some of those who suffered most during the pandemic. The first module of the inquiry is expected to last around six weeks, during which there will be a focus on whether the pandemic was properly planned for and whether the UK was adequately ready for that eventuality. Leshie Chandrapala, whose father Ranjith - a bus driver from north-west London - died with Covid in May 2020 described Tuesday as a monumental day. She believes her father could still be alive today, had he and other bus drivers been better protected while working at the pandemics height. We want to learn the lessons so that in future pandemics were not going to have a death toll near as much as a quarter of a million people, she told Sky News. My dad was a key worker and I need to know what measures were in place and how the Department for Transport, TFL, the bus operators, were working together to keep those bus drivers safe. We know that bus driver deaths were very high, disproportionate numbers of transport workers died during the pandemic. And why is that? Was there a lack of preparedness? Elkan Abrahamson, a solicitor representing the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ) UK group, which has almost 7,000 members, said Tuesday marks the end of a two-year battle by the bereaved to get a statutory public inquiry. As a nation, we have many lessons to learn from the pandemic and we must start to learn them now and avoid needless deaths, he said. The campaign group has complained of feeling marginalised after putting forward 20 people to be considered as witnesses for the first module, none of whom it said have been called to give evidence. But a spokeswoman for the inquiry said Lady Hallett has been clear she hasnt ruled out calling testimony from bereaved people in later investigations, for example with the use of do not resuscitate orders. The spokeswoman also highlighted the Every Story Matters campaign where people can share their experiences with the inquiry. Tuesdays hearing will also feature opening statements by the counsel to the inquiry and core participants, including a lawyer for the CBFFJ group. Recent weeks have seen a row between the inquiry chairwoman and the Government over access to material. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of a cover-up after the Cabinet Office announced a High Court challenge to Lady Halletts request for Mr Johnsons unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks. The Cabinet Office said some of the information requested by the inquiry does not relate to the Governments handling of coronavirus and is unambiguously irrelevant. But the retired senior judge has refused to back down from her request for Mr Johnsons correspondence, saying it is for her to rule what is relevant to the investigation. Mr Sunak has denied attempting to block the probes access. The investigation into the UKs handling of the pandemic is set to last years and cost more than 100million. The inquiry is split into six modules, with public hearings scheduled to conclude by summer 2026, and interim reports published before then. Lady Hallett is planning to publish reports for Module 1 and 2 (core UK decision-making and political governance) next year. A woman was knifed to death and another injured during a double stabbing in Wembley. The 27-year-old victim died at the scene in Neeld Crescent while a second woman, 28, was rushed to hospital. Her injuries have been assessed as non-life threatening. Two women were found by officers suffering multiple knife injuries after being called to the street in north west London at 10am on Tuesday. A man, 24, and a woman, 23, were arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene. Another man, 23, has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Harrow at 6pm after a police appeal to locate him. He was taken into custody at a north London police station. Both men remain in custody and the woman has been released without further action. An investigation was launched after police were called to reports of a stabbing at a residential property. Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and two women were treated for stab injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from the Mets Specialist Crime Command, said: This has been a fast-moving investigation and I would like to thank the public for sharing our appeal for information about this man. He is now in custody. I recognise the significant concern this incident has caused in the community and I would like to reassure the public that a dedicated team of detectives are working to establish what happened. Local officers will remain in the area over the coming days to respond to any concerns. A swathe of the UK stretching from the North West to the South East of England has exceeded the threshold for a heatwave. The temperature has soared in recent days, hitting 32.2C in Chertsey, Surrey, on Saturday June 10, the highest recorded so far this year. Bridgefoot in Cumbria has so far seen Tuesdays highest temperature, at 30.1C. According to the Met Office, a heatwave is defined as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies in each county. Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said the rest of the week will be hotter than average for the time of year, but that the extreme heat may come down slightly, meaning that heatwave criteria may not continue to be hit. The heat is set to drop slightly in coming days. London might not meet heatwave criteria, for example, but theres a good deal of dry, fine, sunny weather to be had this week with temperatures remaining well above average, he told the PA news agency. Into the weekend there should be a fair amount of dry weather, with temperatures remaining warm for many, although also humid and warm overnight. Meanwhile, yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms have been issued for northern Scotland and the west of Northern Ireland for Tuesday afternoon and evening, with more rain and thunder possible later in the week. Mr Dixon said: On Thursday there is a chance of thunder moving into western areas of Northern Ireland and possibly moving further east into parts of Wales. The risk of showers will persist into Friday, but on Thursday and Friday there will still be a good deal of dry weather around, especially in the South East. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The Georgian parliament approved the agreement between Georgia and Azerbaijan on cooperation in the defense sphere, Trend reports. The Georgian Deputy Defense Minister, Grigol Giorgadze provided clarifications stating that cooperation between the two Defense Ministries covers military education, training and exercises, logistics, military medicine, military legislation and other directions within the NATO Partnership for Peace program. E mergency departments across south west London are facing record-breaking demand amid sizzling temperatures as a junior doctors strike threatens to cripple services even further. More visits were made to St Georges, Epsom and St Heliers accident and emergency departments (A&Es) on Monday than ever before, the NHS has said, with a total of 1,250 people across the three departments. The figures are a huge spike compared to a typical day of about 800 attendances for the departments. Kingston and Croydon University hospitals are also experiencing record-breaking demand. More than 530 people visited Kingstons emergency department on Monday and 622 at Croydon - 16 per cent higher than the Croydon A&Es previous busiest summer day on June 17, 2021. It comes as junior doctors across England launch a three-day strike from Wednesday. Dr Richard Jennings, Group Chief Medical Officer at St Georges, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: We have never been busier, and with the upcoming strikes its going to be a very challenging week. Were here, as always, for those who need us. But now more than ever, we need the publics support in those cases where it is not an emergency. NHS 111 online should be your first port of call in these instances, as it can direct you to where you need to go. Members of the British Medical Association and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association are striking for 72 hours from 7am on Wednesday in the ongoing dispute over pay. Senior doctors and nurses will be drafted in to cover urgent and emergency care work usually undertaken by junior doctors, with thousands of routine procedures already rescheduled as a result. Patients will be contacted directly if their appointments are rescheduled, and should continue to visit as normal unless they hear otherwise. A similar walkout by junior doctors in April saw 196,000 hospital appointments and pre-planned operations rescheduled. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said the NHS will face enormous disruption. The strikes coincide with hot temperatures across the country, with the UK Health Security and the Met Office extending their heat-health alert on Monday. PA A high of 27C is forecast for London on Wednesday, and temperatures are to remain in the mid-20s for the rest of the week. When temperatures rise more people, especially those in high-risk groups, can suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration, as well as sunburn. The pollen count has also been very high, and there has been a surge in people visiting EDs with shortness of breath, the NHS said. A total of 7,751 calls were made to London Ambulance Service on Monday including double the number suffering from breathing problems. More than 500 patients have been found collapsed after fainting or gasping for breath due to allergic reactions to very high pollen levels. Dr Jennings added: This weather has undoubtedly contributed to the rise in people some who are vulnerable and very sick coming to our emergency departments. Help us to prioritise care for those need it the most, and use our services wisely. The strike was announced after talks between the British Medical Association and the Government broke down in May. Last week Health Secretary Steve Barclay said there needs to be movement on both sides amid the dispute. He insisted the Governments door remains open, but accused the BMAs Junior Doctors Committee of refusing to budge from its 35 per cent pay demand, despite bringing an intermediary to negotiations. Prof Powis said: The NHS has been preparing extensively for this next set of strikes, but we know that - with the sheer number of appointments that need to be rescheduled - it will have an enormous impact on routine care for patients and on the waiting list, as procedures can take time to rearrange with multiple teams involved. As we enter the seventh month of industrial action across the NHS, and as this action becomes more frequent, we are now seeing an extraordinary cumulative impact on our services and crucially on our staff, who continue to go above and beyond to maintain safe patient services during this challenging period. The strike is due to end at 7am on Saturday. P arents at the most strike-hit group of schools in London spoke of their relief on Tuesday after more looming walkouts were called off at the eleventh hour. Children at the Prendergast group of schools in Lewisham have already lost 12 days of school to strikes in a row over the group becoming a multi academy trust, and more were planned for this week. Campaigners said this is the equivalent of more than 300,000 hours across the 3,000 plus pupils affected. This is in addition to the five days of action taken in national walkouts over pay. But the Leathersellers Federation, which the schools are part of, said an agreement has now been reached and the new MAT will be launched in January. The GMB and NEU unions have agreed to take no further industrial action. Niru Ratnam, whose son is at Prendergast Ladywell School, said: The mood of parents is overwhelmingly one of relief. I am really pleased the dispute is over. Like most other parents, the thought of continuing strikes after half-term was just unthinkably awful. He said the school recently sent parents an email warning there would be further strikes this week if talks failed, adding: There was widespread mutiny and disbelief, even amongst parents who had been previously ambivalent. There was a huge kick-back - it created the most almighty storm. He said parents were also upset last week when the school finished early on Friday so the union could meet with teachers to discuss the deal. Andy Rothery, Chair of the Governing Board of the Leathersellers Federation of Schools, said: We know that last half term was incredibly difficult for students and families and we will support students to catch up on missed learning. We are looking forward to working with parents, carers, students, staff and our wider community over the next few months to help shape our future local Multi-Academy Trust. We are very proud of the strong individual identities of our schools. We will remain the same schools, with the same leaders and the same culture. Under the deal, the new MAT will only employ unqualified teachers in the same circumstances as permitted for maintained schools and new staff will be employed in line with national terms and conditions. A committee has been set up for trade unions to discuss issues of strategic importance with the schools and a Lewisham councillor will be appointed to the board of the MAT to strengthen the Federations place within the Lewisham Family of Schools. A spokeswoman for the NEU said: Following ACAS talks NEU have voted to accept the outcome of those talks which include the federation becoming a MAT from January 2024 but also gives guarantees on working conditions for both new and existing staff - a significant issue for our members. T he Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) last year generated more than 220 million, it has been revealed. A total of 224,633,003 was raised by the Ulez in 2022, according to figures obtained by the BBC. Roughly a third of the money came from penalty charge notices (PCNs), with the rest from daily charge payments. Transport for London (TfL) has said the money is being used to cover "set-up costs" for the Ulez expansion and "running and improving" the rest of Londons transport network. The zone is set to expand on August 29 to cover the whole of Greater London. Any vehicle driven within the zone must meet Ulez emission standards, or pay a 12.50 daily charge. Failure to pay incurs a PCN of 180, although this figure is reduced to 90 if paid within a fortnight. Last year, 151.3m was generated through daily charges, with 73.3m in PCNs. A spokeswoman for MayorSadiq Khan said earlier this month: The Ulez is not designed to be a money-making scheme and within a few years, as compliance increases, it will make a net loss any net proceeds are ring-fenced and reinvested into Londons transport network. The Ulez was launched in April 2019, covering the same area as the existing central London congestion zone. In October 2021, the zone expanded to reach the North and South Circular road - significantly increasing the pool of potentially affected drivers. It was shortly after that expansion, in December 2021, when the Ulez made its highest amount of money in a single month - taking in close to 28m. Since then however, the income has steadily declined. TfL says this is due to people making the transition to low-emission vehicles. Nick Rogers AM, City Hall Conservatives transport spokesperson, said: "Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion takes money from charities, small businesses and people on low incomes, while doing next to nothing to improve air quality. The figures released today show once again that Sadiq Khan is more interested in making money than he is in tackling air pollution." Mr Khan has said that the Ulez expansion will allow five million Londoners to breathe cleaner air, and save lives in the process. A 110m scrappage scheme was put in place earlier this year, to enable small businesses, charities and Londoners on low incomes to apply for grants towards the cost of Ulez-compliant vehicles. Mr Rogers claim that the expansion will do next to nothing to improve air quality is in reference to an official assessment report on the impact of the expanded Ulez, carried out by the firm Jacobs. It said that the "Proposed Scheme is modelled to result in a minor reduction (-1.3%) in the average exposure of the population of Greater London to NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] and negligible reductions (-0.1%) in average exposure to PM2.5 [particulate matter]". City Hall has previously responded to that point by saying it is "important to understand the impact of this [the expanded Ulez] policy in absolute terms". "For example, although NO2 concentration reductions are smaller in percentage terms than for the central London Ulez, in absolute terms there is a much larger volume of NOx emissions saved equating to 362 tonnes. This is in comparison to the 240 tonnes saving we saw in central London," a City Hall spokesperson has said. Professor Frank Kelly, a global authority on the health effects of toxic air, has said that widening the Ulez as soon as possible will improve the health of Londoners. B oris Johnsons former aide Allegra Stratton has twisted the knife into her ex-boss following his fall. Stratton, who was Johnsons press secretary, was the first casualty of Partygate, resigning when a video of her laughing about parties leaked. Now she has revealed new details about her time working for the former PM, claiming that instead of tackling climate change, he was busy at the 2021 COP26 summit worrying have we got O Patz sorted? about the Owen Paterson affair. Stratton, writing in her daily Bloomberg newsletter, says this was the beginning of the end for the PM. Stratton has reasons for speaking now, as shes married to James Forsyth, Rishi Sunaks top political adviser. Johnson allies are out to get Forsyth: Nadine Dorries called him and Sunak posh boys yesterday. I dont write or talk much ... about Boris, writes Stratton, because it would be likely only to perpetuate a story... I think most of us want to end. Andrew Neil / Dave Benett Some say Johnson will now return to journalism, perhaps editing the Spectator magazine again. But Andrew Neil, its chairman, doesnt seem keen. He says a Johnson political comeback is unlikely because its too much hard work, and he and his allies are people just trying to play for position... when in fact their best years belong in the past and its over. Ouch. The mayoral way is ... insults? Gemma Collins and Susan Hall / Dave Benett / GLA A Tory hopeful who could be Londons next mayor has a history of writing unkind tweets about TV stars. Councillor Susan Hall has just made the Tory last three to face Sadiq Khan at the next election. But in 2014, she called Gemma Collins from The Only Way Is Essex a stupid fat blonde woman, adding OMG this fat woman Gemma is really ghastly however watching her squeal may be funny. Charming. Brookers Black Mirror shake up Jeff Spicer/Getty Images Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker decided to shake up the latest series of his Netflix hit so it isnt just a dystopia about modern tech. There was a danger the show was becoming, Lets look at the technology pages of the paper this week, he said at the BFI Southbank last night. Brooker, who appeared with series star Josh Hartnett and his co-creator Jessica Rhoades, also said AI and Chat GPT were moving so fast that some of his ideas became old too quickly. Instead he has explored alternate pasts, with plenty of horror. Hurley triples her birthday fun Elizabeth Hurley Instagram Elizabeth Hurley had some unusual guests to help celebrate her birthday in style: two life-sized cut-outs of herself. The actress marked her 58th birthday over the weekend, and invited her new friends to watch her cut a cake. They werent the only attendees. Also there were her son Damian, as well as plenty of real-life pals. Family, friends & doggies, Hurley wrote online. Perfect weekend. We assume her doppelgangers agree. Harry Potter play; a good idea in the end Jamie Parker, winner of the Best Actor award for "Harry Potter And The Cursed Child", poses in the winners room at The Olivier Awards 2017 at Royal Albert Hall on April 9, 2017 in London, England. Pic Credit: Dave Benett / Dave Benett It won him an Olivier award, but when Harry Potter and The Cursed Childs first star Jamie Parker heard about the show he thought it was an awful idea. The actor tells The Evening Standard Theatre Podcast he worried the play would be dreadful. He was then in it for nearly three years. Parker, right, is now in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant, after a quiet patch. You get a big job, then you dont work, he said. Odey dropped by finance set Old pals of financier Crispin Odey are dropping him sharpish. Thirteen women have made sexual misconduct accusations against Odey, which he denies. Odey helped Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lord Johnson set up a finance firm in 2007. Lord Johnson, who is now a junior trade minister, told us at London Tech Week yesterday theyd severed all ties with Odey a while ago. P arliament must consider overhauling the out-of-date law used to jail a mother-of-three who illegally obtained abortion tablets to end her pregnancy during lockdown, a senior Tory has said. Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has joined womens rights groups in calling for reform to the 1861 legislation used to prosecute Carla Foster. Foster, 44, was on Monday given a 28-month extended sentence after she admitted illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant. Campaigners outraged by her criminal conviction are now set to march on the Royal Courts of Justice in Westminster this Saturday, to call for abortion law reform. Abortions are only legal before 24 weeks, and are carried out in clinics after 10 weeks of pregnancy. They can be carried out after 24 weeks in very limited circumstances, such as if the mothers life is in danger or there are problems with the babys development. Under the Abortion Act 1967, abortions must be approved by two doctors in order to be legal. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Foster was sent the drugs by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) after she lied about how far along in her pregnancy she was during 2020s pandemic lockdown. The prosecution said Foster made a number of internet searches between February and May 2020, including how to hide a pregnancy bump, how to have an abortion without going to the doctor and how to lose a baby at six months. Foster was initially charged with child destruction and pleaded not guilty. She later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion, which was accepted by the prosecution. The sentencing has prompted widespread backlash and calls for a change in legislation. Conservative MP Ms Nokes told BBC Radio 4s World Tonight programme: This is not something that has been debated in any great detail for many years now. And cases like this, although tragic and fortunately very rare, do throw into stark relief that we are reliant on legislation that is very, very out of date. I think that makes a case for Parliament to start looking at this issue in detail. Labour MP Stella Creasy also believes change is due. I dont understand in whose interests this case was, she told BBC Twos Newsnight programme. Centre for Womens Justice director Harriet Wistrich questioned how the prosecution was in the public interest. What possible purpose is served in criminalising and imprisoning this woman, when at most she needs better access to healthcare and other support? she said. She is clearly already traumatised by the experience and now her children will be left without their mother for over a year. When most forms of violence against women and girls go unpunished this sentence confirms our very worst fears about contemporary attitudes to womens basic human rights and an utterly misdirected criminal justice system. Womens human rights programme director at Amnesty International UK Chiara Capraro said the decision to prosecute was shocking and quite frankly terrifying. This is a tremendously sad story and underscores the desperate need for legal reform in relation to reproductive health, she said. BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said no woman can ever go through this again and called for MPs to protect women in desperate circumstances so they are never threatened with prison. Vulnerable women in the most incredibly difficult of circumstances deserve more from our legal system, she said. The Crown Prosecution Service said the case was complex and traumatic, but said it has a duty to ensure laws are properly considered and applied when making difficult charging decisions. The court heard Foster, who had three sons before becoming pregnant again in 2019, did not see a doctor about her pregnancy because she was embarrassed and did not know how far along she was. She spoke to a BPAS nurse practitioner in May 2020 and was sent abortion pills in the post after it was determined she was only around seven weeks pregnant based on her answers. A post-mortem examination determined Fosters child was between 32 and 34 weeks gestation when born. Her cause of death was recorded as stillbirth and maternal use of abortion drugs. Foster will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Pepperall said: This case concerns one womans tragic and unlawful decision to obtain a very late abortion. The balance struck by the law between a womans reproductive rights and the rights of her unborn foetus is an emotive and often controversial issue. That is, however, a matter for Parliament and not for the courts. B oris Johnson was given updates about his resignation honours list before he met with the Prime Minister in June, it is understood. The former prime minister is involved in a public spat with Rishi Sunak over his House of Lords nominations, after Nadine Dorries and other allies missed out on getting peerages. Ms Dorries has claimed information about what was needed for her to pass the vetting process for nominees was not relayed to her in time and accused the Prime Minister of duplicitously and cruelly blocking her appointment. She used an interview with TalkTV to launch a fresh attack on Mr Sunak, claiming he used weasel words and sophistry in a meeting with Mr Johnson last week which left the outgoing MP believing she would be included. It is understood Mr Johnson was provided with information via the Cabinet Office about his list some time after the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac) sent a list to Mr Sunak in February of the seven approved names which were announced on Friday. The former leaders team has been contacted for comment. Obviously it is not for No 10 or the Cabinet Office to be in contact with individuals going through the Holac process again, that would not be appropriate Downing Street said it would have been inappropriate for either No 10 or the Cabinet Office to contact individuals going through the vetting process directly. In line with the longstanding custom, the Prime Minister forwards the list unaltered following vetting by Holac (the House of Lords Appointments Commission), the Prime Ministers official spokesman said. Obviously it is not for No 10 or the Cabinet Office to be in contact with individuals going through the Holac process again, that would not be appropriate. Ms Dorries, who claims she stood down as an MP after being bullied by Downing Street, said she only learned that her name was not on the list around half an hour before it was published. Mr Johnson announced a shock resignation from Parliament on Friday in advance of a report which was expected to find he deliberately lied to MPs over the partygate scandal, before launching into a war of words with the man who was once his chancellor. The rancour between the former Tory leader and his successor descended into a public slanging match as Mr Sunak said his one-time ally had asked him to do something I wasnt prepared to do. The Prime Minister suggested Mr Johnson wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. But Mr Johnsons camp accused him of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Ms Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. The Cabinet Office dismissed the attack, saying: Holac did not support the nominations of the MPs put forward by the former prime minister. It is unprecedented for a sitting prime minister to invite Holac to reconsider the vetting of individual nominees on a former prime ministers resignation list. It is, therefore, not a formality. Despite the expected findings of the Privileges Committee this week, Mr Johnson has insisted Ill be back a reference to Arnold Schwarzeneggers Terminator. The committees report has been pushed back towards the end of the week, reportedly due to printing problems in Parliament. In the Daily Express, the former prime minister said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, Ill be back. The message echoed Mr Johnsons sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Ministers Questions last year, when he told MPs: Hasta la vista, baby the catchphrase of Schwarzeneggers cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the back benches until quitting the Commons on Friday. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer warned that Tory infighting between the two erstwhile allies is damaging the UKs reputation internationally and putting off investors. The Labour leader said the three by-elections triggered by Ms Dorries, Mr Johnson and Nigel Adams were effectively political tantrums. Beyond the potential neglect of UK-wide issues like the cost of living, focus on the turmoil could also have more far-ranging implications, he suggested. Speaking to business chiefs at London Tech Week, he said: Theres a deeper price because theres a reputation hit to the UK. I think theres an economic hit as well many investors said to me, were not investing in the UK right now because we dont see the conditions of certainty and stability we need in order to invest. B oris Johnson has made last-minute representations to the Privileges Committee before it publishes a report expected to find that he deliberately misled Parliament. A spokesman for the committee said it was dealing with submissions received from the former prime minister at 11.57pm on Monday. The group of MPs was expected to publish its report over parties in Downing Street during the pandemic as early as Wednesday this week. Mr Johnson quit Parliament on Friday having received a draft copy of its findings. In a 1,000-word exit statement, the former prime minister accused the committee, chaired by Harriet Harman but with a Conservative majority, of bias and likened it to a kangaroo court. A committee spokesman: A letter enclosing further representations from Mr Johnson was received by the committee at 11.57pm last night. The committee is dealing with these and will report promptly. The Privileges Committee has rejected his defence that senior officials advised him Covid rules and guidance had been followed in No 10, according to the Times. A senior aide in fact warned him against claiming to the Commons that social distancing guidelines were observed, the paper reported. Following his shock resignation, Mr Johnson launched into a public spat with one-time ally Rishi Sunak over his resignation honours list. The Prime Minister suggested his former boss wanted him to ignore the recommendations of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. But Mr Johnson's camp accused him of having secretly blocked the peerages of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and other allies in his resignation list. The former prime minister released a statement saying: "Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish. To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac - but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality. One Downing Street source said the Cabinet Office had made it clear to Mr Johnson that there is no re-vetting process, while the Prime Minister's spokesman said it is "entirely untrue to say that anyone from No 10 attempted to remove or change" the list. Despite the expected findings of the Privileges Committee this week, Mr Johnson insisted I'll be back, quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator. In the Daily Express, Mr Johnson said We must fully deliver on Brexit and on the 2019 manifesto. We must smash Labour at the next election. Nothing less than absolute victory and total Brexit will do - and as the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, I'll be back. The message echoed Mr Johnson's sign-off during his final appearance at Prime Minister's Questions last year, when he told MPs Hasta la vista, baby - the catchphrase of Schwarzenegger's cyborg character in the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That reference similarly left the door open for a possible comeback, but the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP remained on the backbenches until quitting the Commons on Friday. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer warned that Tory infighting between the two erstwhile allies is damaging the UK's reputation internationally and putting off investors. The Labour leader told business chiefs at London Tech Week: "There's a deeper price because there's a reputation hit to the UK. I think there's an economic hit as well, many investors said to me, we're not investing in the UK right now because we don't see the conditions of certainty and stability we need in order to invest." U K businesses continuing to operate in Russia are complicit in the war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people, MPs have heard. Labour former minister Sir Chris Bryant told the Commons about the Russian government introducing a new law last year, requiring all businesses, including foreign ones, operating in the Russian Federation to assist in the war in Ukraine. Sir Chris urged the Government to make it absolutely clear that all British businesses should completely and utterly desist from business in Russia immediately. Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said there has been a positive attitude from British businesses and a willingness to take financial pain immediately in order to step away from Russian markets and activity. The Rhondda MP said: The Russian government introduced a new law last year which requires all businesses, including foreign businesses that have any footprint in the Russian Federation, to assist in the war in Ukraine. That means any British businesses who are still doing business now in Russia are complicit in the war crimes that Russia is perpetrating against the Ukrainian people. Would the minister now make it absolutely clear that all British businesses should completely and utterly desist from business in Russia immediately? Ms Trevelyan replied: One of the extraordinary things that we saw early last year when the war broke out was the positive attitude of British businesses and their willingness to take financial pain immediately in order to step away and demonstrate not only where we imposed sanctions and prohibitions but beyond that, to pull themselves away from Russian markets and activity. She said the Government will continue to work with businesses. Foreign Office questions also saw James Cleverly telling MPs how the UKs support to Kyiv will all have helped to speed up Ukraines path to join Nato. His comments came after shadow foreign secretary David Lammy called on Britain to play a leading role in securing Ukraines accession to the Alliance. He said: As the Nato secretary general said last month, Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, and over time our support will help make this possible. Does the Foreign Secretary agree with me that once with our support Ukraine has prevailed in its war against Russias invasion, there can be no Minsk 3.0 and that Britain should play a leading role in securing Ukraines path to join Nato. Mr Cleverly replied: Ive very glad that (he) agrees with the Governments position on this that Ukraines rightful place is within Nato. We have worked towards that aim and our support, the training that we provided, the equipment that we provided, the advice that we provide will all have helped to speed up the pathway from now to the point where Ukraine becomes a full member of Nato. The best thing that they can do to protect the environment, to protect civilian infrastructure and to end this loss of life is to withdraw their troops and do so immediately The Foreign Secretary was also asked by Tory former minister Vicky Ford about the blowing of the Kakhovka dam. She said: Will the Foreign Secretary confirm again that the UK will leave no stone unturned in holding the Russian regime to account for the damages that have been caused by their war? Mr Cleverly told the Commons: She is right about the huge environmental damage that is caused by the breaking of the dam. It is worth reminding the house, Im sure everyones already very conscious of this, that instances like this, the damage to other civilian infrastructure, of course, across Ukraine is only happening because of Russias war, because of their illegitimate invasion of Ukraine. The best thing that they can do to protect the environment, to protect civilian infrastructure and to end this loss of life is to withdraw their troops and do so immediately. T he UK may not have been very well prepared at all to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the lead lawyer to the official Covid-19 Inquiry said as public hearings began. Hugo Keith KC said on Tuesday that the nation was taken by surprise by significant aspects of the disease that has been recorded on 226,977 death certificates. He argued that preparations for Brexit had distracted the Government from making the improvements required to the strategy on how to tackle a deadly pandemic. He told chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett: "The pandemic struck the United Kingdom just as it was leaving the European Union. "That departure required an enormous amount of planning and preparation, particularly to address what were likely to be the severe consequences of a no-deal exit on food and medicine supplies, travel and transport, business borders and so on. "It is clear that such planning, from 2018 onwards, crowded out and prevented some or perhaps a majority of the improvements that central government itself understood were required to be made to resilience planning and preparedness. "Did the attention therefore paid to the risks of a no-deal exit - Operation Yellowhammer as it was known - drain the resources and capacity that should have been continuing the fight against the next pandemic, that should have been utilised in preparing the United Kingdom for civil emergency? "Or did all that generic and operational planning in fact lead to people being better trained and well marshalled and, in fact, better prepared to deal with Covid and also to the existence of improved trade, medicine and supply links? "My lady on the evidence so far, but it will be a matter for you, we very much fear that it was the former." The Operation Yellowhammer document, which was published by the Government in 2019, set out a series of "reasonable worst-case assumptions" about what would happen if the UK did not reach a deal with the EU. It suggested there would be real risks of a rise in public disorder, higher food prices and reduced medical supplies. Mr Keith has spent Tuesday morning detailing the events that led up to the first Covid lockdown in March 2020. A lawyer for the Northern Ireland Department of Health acknowledged Brexit preparations "did divert some of our focus away from pandemic preparedness planning, as was no doubt the case for all four nations of the United Kingdom". But Neasa Murnaghan KC told the inquiry there were also some advantages associated with the EU exit preparations, including recently trained staff for emergencies and increased buffer stocks of medicines. The inquiry also heard from bereaved families in a series of moving video interviews, which included harrowing stories of people dying alone from Covid. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett vowed that those who suffered in the pandemic will always be at the heart of the inquiry as she launched the first public hearing. The retired Court of Appeal judge welcomed the dignified vigil held by bereaved relatives outside the building in west London as she vowed to undertake the thorough investigation they deserve. She said she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? Mr Keith said that, near the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the three devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published a Covid-19 action plan setting out how they planned to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The plan stated that the United Kingdom was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. Whether that was actually the case will be examined in module one, he said in his opening statement. Even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all. Mr Keith said the significant risks of pandemics had been long assessed and officials had planned for them. But fundamentally, in relation to significant aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were taken by surprise, he added. The lawyer said there is a need to question whether the health services were sufficiently funded or suffered from under-investment ahead of the pandemic that left in its wake death, misery and incalculable loss. Mr Keith said that key to the first phase of the inquiry is whether the terrible outcomes for people with existing health conditions and disabilities, as well as for people from deprived or ethnic minority backgrounds, were foreseen or could have been mitigated. Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions were necessary in areas including shielding, employment support, schools, borders and lockdown restrictions, he added. Few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail. Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group lined up outside, holding pictures of loved ones as they expressed frustration at feeling excluded from sharing key evidence. Lady Hallett said she had set out an ambitious timetable for the inquiry, adding: To conduct the kind of thorough investigation the people of the United Kingdom deserve takes time and a great deal of preparation. I hope they will understand when they see the results of the work we are doing that I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised. Pete Weatherby KC, representing the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said they expect evidence to show chaos in Government led to a slow reaction. Claire Mitchell KC, for the group representing relatives in Scotland, said leaders were accused of presiding over a carousel of chaos. Kirsten Heaven, on behalf of Welsh families, said they were very disappointed that the government in Cardiff was not launching its own inquiry over its inadequate response. For relatives in Northern Ireland, Ronan Lavery KC said decades of political dysfunction had led to a lack of preparedness and that the region was 18 months behind the rest of the UK in resilience. A 17-minute video was played at the inquiry, showing people describing the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on themselves and their loved ones, including those who had died alone. One woman cried as she said her father had died, followed, just a few days later, by her sister, and that she suffered guilt over the way they had died. Another woman said she had lost everything, while others described suffering anxiety. People also told how they had not hugged each other at family funerals because they were sticking to Covid social distancing rules laid down by the Government. The hearing was also told that people could not be buried in outfits chosen by families because body bags had to remain sealed. The inquiry will be split into six areas, with the first looking at whether the UK was adequately prepared for the pandemic. Interim reports are scheduled to be published before public hearings conclude by summer 2026. A separate Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry chaired by Lord Brailsford is looking at the pandemic response in devolved areas in Scotland. S adiq Khan is getting ready to fight for a third term as London mayor next year after being reselected as Labours candidate. The Conservative Partys contest to select a candidate for the race was thrown into the spotlight last month, when Daniel Korski stepped down from the partys shortlist after TV producer Daisy Goodwin accused him of groping her 10 years ago. The Conservative Party shortlist now contains only two names, and now the Lib Dems have released the names of their hopefuls looking to pip Khan to the post. The Green Party has also named a candidate. Here are the candidates being put forward by all of the major parties. Labour Party Mayor of London Sadiq Khan / Jordan Pettitt / PA Wire Sadiq Khan has said he wants to send a message to the Tories in seeking to become the first politician to hold the Mayor of London office for three terms. The incumbent has pointed to his environmental and council house-building policies as achievements of his tenure. He will be looking to build on Labours strong lead in opinion metrics. [This is] an opportunity for Londoners to send a message to the Tories, not only for crashing the economy but for their anti-London approach, Mr Khan said. Conservative Party Boris Johnson, Conservative mayor from 2008 to 2016 / 10 Downing Street / AFP via Getty The Tories are looking to return their first victor since Boris Johnson won in 2012. There were originally three candidates in the running, but last month Daniel Korski, who was a special adviser to David Cameron, stepped down after TV producer Daisy Goodwin accused him of groping her. The two remaining candidates in the running are Susan Hall, a long-time Harrow councillor, and Mozammel Hossain, a barrister with no previous political experience. The winner of the Conservative candidacy will be announced on July 19. Their previous candidate, Shaun Bailey, came second to Mr Khan in 2021. Liberal Democrats The party announced its shortlist of candidates on July 13. Rob Blackie, an anti-Brexit campaigner and adviser to startup technology companies, and Chris French, a former Met Police officer and founder of the LGBTQ+ forum Lambeth Links, are the two names who have been thrown into the ring. Rob Blackie already has his slogan ready: Bolder with Blackie, and he has vowed to hold Mr Khan accountable for the Mets failures to tackle violence against women, as well as the Tories for the current cost-of-living crisis. Chris French says he is an adopted Londoner and wants to campaign for a truly Liberal capital. Green Party Hackney councillor Zoe Garbett stood in 2021 and will again lead the Green Party in this election. She tweeted in February: Im overjoyed to have been chosen to be @TheGreenParty candidate for London Mayor. Huge thank you to @LonGreenParty for your support & cant wait to start the campaign. When is the London mayoral election? The election will be held on May 2, 2024, simultaneously with elections to the London Assembly and local elections. Held traditionally every four years, voters actually went to the polls in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic postponing the mayor election from 2020. It will be the first time the poll operates a first-past-the-post model, with the former supplementary vote having been replaced. The Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS) has hosted the next graduation ceremony of the School of Project Management (SPM) of Duke University (USA), organized by BHOS with the technical support of TwentyEighty Strategy Execution, a leading international training company specializing in the field of project management. The event was attended by Advisers to the President of SOCAR Aygun Huseynova and Ziba Mustafayeva, BP Vice President for the Caspian region, Communications and External Affairs Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli, Rector of Baku Higher Oil School Elmar Gasimov, SPM graduates and their family members. Speaking at the opening of the event, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov congratulated the graduates and said that, along with training highly qualified English-speaking engineers, Baku Higher Oil School implements international training programs at a high level. We are proud that BHOS organizes such trainings. This project plays an important role in the training of international-class specialists. So far, 240 people have graduated from the School of Project Management. They all hold various high positions in different organizations and companies. Acting Rector of the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, a graduate of the School of Project Management, Zafar Gurbanov, spoke about the importance of this program. He emphasized that SPM students acquire useful knowledge and skills that they successfully apply in their professional activities. Speaking at the event, BP Vice President for the Caspian region, Communications and External Affairs Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli congratulated the graduates and wished them success. He stressed that Baku Higher Oil School is proud of the successful implementation of this project. Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli expressed confidence that the program will make a great contribution to the professional career of graduates. Speaking at the ceremony, the graduates of the School of Project Management Azer Kerimov, Director of the Supply Chain Management Department of Azercell Telecom, and Ramin Guliyev, Operations Manager of GL Tagiyev Operating Company, noted that the new knowledge they received at the School of Project Management have made a useful practical contribution to their professional development. At the end of the event, the graduates of the School of Project Management were awarded certificates. It should be noted that 22 people who have graduated from the School of Project Management this time hold various senior positions at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan , the Institute of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azercell Telekom, Xalq Bank, Azersu Open Joint Stock Company, Rabitabank OJSC, BP, Pasa Hyat Sgorta, GL Taghiyev Operating Company, DOST Agency, Innovation Center, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. During the 8-month training, program participants were trained in 7 modules. The training was conducted by professional teachers of international class. A lockdown was given very little thought ahead of the pandemic and there was a failure to consider the potentially massive impact it might have, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard. There was also a lack of forethought around some of the major areas of life affected by the outbreak of a coronavirus pandemic, the inquirys lead counsel, Hugo Keith KC, said. He told the first public hearing on Tuesday that, while it might seem extraordinary now given the experience the UK has had, there had been very little debate pre-pandemic around whether a lockdown might be necessary and how it could be avoided. He said: Extraordinary though it may seem, given that its a word thats forever seared in the nations consciousness, there was very little debate pre-pandemic of whether a lockdown might prove to be necessary in the event of a runaway virus, let alone how a lockdown could be avoided. Very little thought was given to how, if it proved to be necessary, something as complex, difficult and damaging as a national lockdown could be put in place at all. Equally, there appears to have been a failure to think through the potentially massive impact on education and on the economy in trying to control a runaway virus in this way. He said the months and years that followed (the first lockdown), we all recall, saw death and illness on an unprecedented scale as he noted that some 226,977 people died across the UK with Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate. Setting out some of the events leading to the first lockdown in March 2020, he said module one of the inquiry will look at the UKs preparedness and steps taken such as increasing hospital capacity and closing schools. Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions were required to be taken in relation to shielding, employment support... few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail He said: Was this need for surge capacity (in hospitals) something that had been adequately prepared for? How developed were those plans for school closures? He said that, by March 26 2020, the pandemic had the country in its grip with almost every area of public life across all four nations, including education, work, travel, the majority of public services and family life being adversely affected. He added: The hospitality, retail, travel and tourism, arts and culture, and the sport and leisure sectors effectively ceased, even places of worship closed. As you know, for very many, what they had to deal with went far beyond the curtailment of their normal lives and involved bereavement, serious illness, deprivation, mental illness, exposure to violence at home, terrible financial loss, loneliness and many other forms of suffering. He noted that, while countries might not be able to be perfectly prepared for pandemics, they can certainly be under-prepared, as he outlined how few of the major areas of life which were badly affected had been anticipated, let alone considered in detail, by the UK Government. No country can be perfectly prepared, but it can certainly be under-prepared Huge, urgent and complex policy decisions were required to be taken in relation to shielding, employment support, managing disruption to schools, borders, lockdowns, and non-pharmaceutical interventions, restrictions, social restrictions, and, equally importantly, the profoundly unequal impact of the pandemic on the vulnerable and the marginalised. Few of those areas were anticipated, let alone considered in detail. Addressing inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett, he said: My lady, no amount of foresight or planning can guarantee that a country will not make mistakes when a disease strikes, but that does not mean that we should not strive to be as ready as we sensibly can be. No country can be perfectly prepared, but it can certainly be under-prepared. T hree-time London mayoral candidate and former Green Party leader Sian Berry has announced she will run to replace Caroline Lucas as MP. Ms Lucas, who has served as Brighton Pavilions MP since 2010, announced last week that she would be stepping down at the next general election. In a letter to members of the Brighton and Hove Green Party, Ms Berry said that if selected, she would hope to build on Ms Lucas tremendous and inspiring record. She told members she will be based in the coastal city over the coming weeks during their selection process, and that her long experience as an elected Green, leader and candidate in the highest pressure elections would put her in good stead for the job. Ms Berry was the partys candidate for London mayor in 2008, 2016 and 2021. She has served as a councillor in Camden since 2014, and as London Assembly Member since 2016. Between 2018 and 2021, she was the partys co-leader, alongside Jonathan Bartley. She is currently top of the partys list of Assembly candidates for the 2024 City Hall election. Ms Berry previously ran for Parliament in Hampstead and Highgate in 2005, and in Holborn and St Pancras in 2017, where she attempted to unseat local MP Sir Keir Starmer. A rmed Forces Day is celebrated this month as a chance to cheer the men and women who make up the community, from serving troops to their families. Active members as well as cadets and veterans are all part of the co-ordinated events which will be observed around the country. It is an occasion marked around the world, but in the UK it was first held in 2009 and replaced the former Veterans Day, which had been held since 2006. Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families, a statement reads. They are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security and fighting terrorism. Here is all you need to know about Armed Forces Day 2023. When is Armed Forces Day 2023? Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, June 24. The date was chosen as it marked the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross military medal for heroism, held on June 26, 1857. There is also Reserves Day on Wednesday, June 21, which will see a gathering at Westminster Bridge. What events are there for Armed Forces Day? The official website has listed two other events for London beyond the Reserves Day. A gala dinner event will be held on June 22. On Armed Forces Day itself, another event will be held for LGBTQAi+ veterans at Park Theatre. Across the country, there are set to be parades and flag-raising processions. The official account tweeted: Armed Forces Day events are the perfect opportunity to learn about different roles, get firsthand experiences, and discover how our personnel make a difference. There had been an opportunity to receive a grant for an event but applications closed on March 31. For further information, visit the website. T wo of the three people killed in Tuesdays attacks in Nottingham were teenage students in the city. The two 19-year-olds who attended the University of Nottingham were stabbed to death in a street at about 4am on Tuesday before officers were called to another incident in a nearby road where a van driver had tried to run over three people in the city centre. A man in his 50s was then found dead in another city centre road as a huge police investigation began. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said it was believed the older victim's van had been stolen and was driven at three people in Milton Street. One man remains in hospital in a critical condition while two others suffered minor injuries following that incident. A 31-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder. One of the student victims has been named as talented cricketer Barnaby Webber. Barnaby Webber, 19, has been named as one of the people killed in the attack / Mr Webber, said to be a first year student and a former pupil at the private Taunton school, was a member of Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Taunton. In a short statement, the club paid tribute to Mr Webber, who was one of its members, describing him as a "dear friend". The victim was described as a "key part" of the club and the statement invited family and friends to lay flowers and pay their respects at the ground. Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also paid tribute to Mr Webber, describing him as a "young cricketer gone far too soon". His grandfather told the Sun: Its tragic. We cant say anything at the moment. Everyone knows the family locally. Wimbledon tennis legend Andy Murray, who is playing at the Nottingham Open, also spoke of his sadness at the incident. In a statement on Tuesday, the University of Nottingham said: It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight. We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends. We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it. The graduation ball set to take place on Tuesday evening at the university has been cancelled. A vigil at Nottingham's St Peter's Church, in the city centre, was attended by hundreds of people paying their respects to those who died and those injured. During the service, attended by mainly students from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, those present were invited to place flowers below the altar or light a candle. People at a vigil at St Peter's church in Nottingham, / PA Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell, on Tuesday afternoon, said: Police were called to Ilkeston Road just after 4am after a member of the public reported that two people aged 19 had been stabbed and were unresponsive. We had a further call to another incident in Milton Street, where the driver of a stolen van had attempted to run over three people. As a result, one man is in hospital in a critical condition while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries. The van was then stopped on Maple Street, where a man was tasered and detained by police officers on suspicion of murder. A man in his 50s was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road by a member of the public. REUTERS At the moment, we believe that the suspect has stolen this mans vehicle and driven it to Milton Street, where he is then driven at members of the public. We are still in the early stages of the investigation. I need to determine exactly what the motives were behind this attack. A female witness described seeing a white van near Nottinghams Theatre Royal at around 5.30am. She said the driver saw a police car before speeding up and driving at a man and a woman, hitting both. She said that a man appeared to have a head injury. They did get him to his feet, she added, but said of the woman who was hit: She was sitting up on the curb, to me she looked OK. I was there for 15 minutes and there was no ambulance. One of the policemen, I think, did first aid. He looked after a man on the floor. Detectives scour the scene in the town centre / PA A man was then found dead on Magdala Road in the suburbs near Sherwood. A large area was cordoned off and tram services were suspended over what was described in loudspeaker announcements as a major incident. The public was also told to avoid the area. On Tuesday at around 1pm a number of armed police were seen raiding a property on Ilkeston Road, a few hundred yards from where two of the victims were found dead. It has not been confirmed by police the raid was connected to the attacks. A cordon remains in place at the property. Kate Meynell, the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, described what had happened as an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people. She added: We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody. Nottingham City Centre Tram Incident | 13 June 2023 1 / 21 Nottingham City Centre Tram Incident | 13 June 2023 . PA . Nottingham city centre incident Police forensics officers erect a forensic tent on Magdala Road, Nottingham (Jacob King/PA) PA Wire Getty Images PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA LBC This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened. We ask the public to be patient while inquiries continue. At this time, a number of roads in the city will remain closed as this investigation progresses. A resident on Ilkeston Road said a policewoman was banging on my door at around 5am asking for any CCTV footage. The man, who asked to only be known as Wayne, said he was told the incident happened around 4.10am before being asked if he had witnessed anything. I didnt see or hear anything, but Im not surprised this sort of thing has happened around here, he added. Rumours spread of a possible terrorist motivation, but there was no early indication to support that idea, although security sources cautioned that investigations into the suspects background would take time to complete. Forensics arrive to Ilkeston Road / PA Counter-terrorism police were understood to be assisting although local officers remained in charge of the investigation. As news of the deaths spread, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was being updated on developments. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham this morning, he said. I am being kept updated on developments. The police must be given the time to undertake their work. My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Local MP Alex Norris tweeted: Awful news for our city to wake up to today. Our communitys thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Nottinghamshire county council leader Ben Bradley, the MP for Mansfield, tweeted that his thoughts were with everyone in the city. Police forensics officers erect a forensic tent on Magdala Road, Nottingham / PA One shopowner, just outside the cordon on Upper Parliament Street, arrived to find nearly all of the city centre cordoned off by police. She told the Standard: Its just crazy. I have never seen anything like it in Nottingham. People have been told they wont be opening today but not much else. GB News published footage of a suspect being arrested by armed officers after being pulled from a smashed up white van. A student told the broadcaster: We woke up at about 5.30am this morning to what sounded like gunshots. We ran to the window and there were armed police running out of what looked like an undercover car. Then the suspect was in a van and was tasered and dragged out and then later arrested. Armed police swarmed across the city centre / PA We saw a man pinned down on the ground and more armed police turned up. They searched the back of the van and they pulled an absolutely massive knife out the back of the van. Roads cordoned off include Ilkeston Road, Milton Street, Maples Street, and Woodborough Road, from the junction with Magdala Road into the city. Home Secretary Suella Braverman also thanked emergency services. She tweeted: I am shocked & saddened that three people have lost their lives today in Nottingham. My thoughts are with those affected by this incident. I have spoken to @nottspolice Chief Constable & am receiving regular updates. I am thankful to the emergency services for their response. Nottingham City Councils Leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: I am shocked and saddened by these horrific deaths. My thoughts and prayers are with those who knew and loved the three people who have died and those who have been injured, and to the communities where they lived. Ours is an overwhelmingly peaceful and tolerant city where people get along with one another and its incomprehensible that such dreadful violence has happened here. Im grateful to the police for swiftly making an arrest and for all the emergency services responding to this tragic situation and keeping us safe. P ulitzer Prize-winning US author Cormac McCarthy has died aged 89, his agent has confirmed. McCarthy, best known for his novels including The Road and No Country For Old Men, died at home on Tuesday of natural causes. Throughout his career, which spanned nearly six decades, he penned multiple novels, screenplays and short stories across the western and post-apocalyptic genres. His work has entered the modern canon and won several prestigious literary awards, including the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as a Pulitzer. McCarthy was known for his desire for privacy and did not like to discuss writing. In 1992 he told The New York Times: Of all the subjects Im interested in it would be extremely difficult to find one I wasnt writing is way, way down at the bottom of the list. Born in 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island, the author was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and briefly attended the University of Tennessee where he began crafting short fiction. He was known for his spare writing style and epic themes of apocalyptic danger, the nature of evil and the fragility of the human condition. Many of his novels were set amid the landscapes of the American south-west and he wrote all of them on an Olivetti Underwood Lettera 32 typewriter. His first, The Orchard Keeper, was published in 1965 and he went on to author several more books throughout the 1970s, including 1979s Suttree. Although it did not get widespread attention at the time, Blood Meridian, published in 1985, is considered by many to have been a turning point in McCarthys career. The book, set in the American frontier era, is generally regarded as McCarthys finest work followed closely by Suttree. McCarthy travelled to all of the locales detailed in the novel and reportedly learned Spanish to help with his research. But it was not until 1992 that he found true acclaim with All The Pretty Horses, the first volume of The Border Trilogy. The book became a New York Times bestseller and sold 190,000 copies in hardcover within the first six months of publication, giving McCarthy the wide readership that eluded him for years. Cormac McCarthy changed the course of literature. For 60 years he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his craft and to exploring the infinite possibilities and power of the written word No Country For Old Men, later adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Javier Bardem, was published in 2005. The Road, also adapted into a film, was published a year later and went on to win the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Literature. McCarthy gave a rare interview to Oprah Winfrey, who had chosen it for her Book Club. After McCarthys death, tributes were paid by many, including renowned US horror author Stephen King, who described him as maybe the greatest American novelist of my time. He was full of years and created a fine body of work, but I still mourn his passing, he tweeted. Nihar Malaviya, chief executive of Penguin Random House, said, Cormac McCarthy changed the course of literature. For 60 years he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his craft and to exploring the infinite possibilities and power of the written word. Millions of readers around the world embraced his characters, his mythic themes and the intimate emotional truths he laid bare on every page in brilliant novels that will remain both timely and timeless for generations to come. C elebrities including Vanessa Kirby, Stanley Tucci and Gillian Anderson have joined human rights advocates in urging the Government to repatriate British families detained in Syria. It is estimated around 25 British families - mostly mothers and children - are currently detained in overcrowded and violent camps in northeast Syria after the collapse of the Islamic State. They are thought to be among around 62,000 people held in the notorious Al-Hol and Roj camps since 2019. Children are exposed to violence, abuse and trafficking, War Child, a non-government organisation protecting rights of children in conflict, said. Most of the British detainees are children and the majority are under 10 years old, according to War Child. They are understood to have been in detention since 2019. War Child UK, Reprieve, Human Rights Watch and Child Rights International Network have teamed up with celebrities to sign an open letter calling for the families to be brought home. London-born Mission Impossible actor Vanessa Kirby said: British families are currently being held in horrible conditions where they are exposed daily to disease and violence. The majority of British people agree that the UK has a responsibility to bring back these British families and it is now time to take action. Families of the British citizens detained in northeast Syria say children are denied access to education, healthcare and basic rights other British children take for granted. Bring British Families Home, a collective of relatives, said: We have sisters, cousins and aunts who are victims of trafficking but are denied the right to come home. Our families have been torn apart by the government stripping citizenship from our relatives in blanket politicised decisions, abandoning them to face death, disappearance or re-trafficking. We are astonished that the British government is alone in refusing to bring back these families. The UK government has been criticsed for trailing behind its international partners on the issue. Since 2019 at least 38 countries have repatriated some or many of their nationals including, in the last year alone, France, Spain, Australia, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The UK is known to have repatriated 10 children - nine of whom were unaccompanied orphans. Shamima Begum, who fled east London as a teenager in 2015 to join the IS, lost her battle to retain her British citizenship in the Supreme Court earlier this year. CEO Rob Williams said: The British children detained in Northeast Syria are innocent victims of conflict. Like all children held in the region, they have lived through violence, displacement and acute deprivation, and need specialised help to recover from their experiences. The open letter to the Government has been signed by charitable organisations, celebrities and security experts. It states: Britain should take responsibility for its citizens, not seek to cast them out into a legal black hole in dire conditions. It is shameful that narrow political considerations have triumphed over common sense and respect for the rule of law for so long, but there is still time for the Government to follow the example of many of its allies and rethink this unconscionable policy. According to new research by War Child, 53 per cent of British adults surveyed said they would support the UK Government acting to bring home British families, compared to only 13 per cent who would oppose it. A son has spoken of his shock after his dead mother was found gasping for air and banging the inside of her coffin at her own funeral. Bella Montoya, 76, was rushed back to hospital in Ecuador by stunned relatives in the central city of Babahoyo on Friday. The retired nurse had been was declared dead at a hospital in Ecuador and the bizarre incident has prompted a government investigation into the hospital. Her son Gilberto Barbera said: It gave us all a fright. There were about 20 of us there. After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds. My mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily. Montoya had been admitted Friday at the hospital with a possible stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest, and when she did not respond to resuscitation a doctor on duty declared her dead, the ministry said. Barbera said his mother was unconscious when she was brought to the emergency room and that a few hours later a doctor informed him she was dead and handed over identity documents and a death certificate. Though he and relatives rushed her back to the hospital Friday, she was still in serious condition Monday. She was under intubation, and doctors werent giving relatives much hope about her prognosis, Barbera said. Ecuadors Health Ministry said that Montoya was still in intensive care Monday at the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo while the ministry investigates doctors involved in her case. A bus driver is alleged to have told his passengers if you think that was fast, watch this before the vehicle overturned, killing ten people on board and injuring 25. Brett Andrew Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of Australia, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late Sunday. Button had been in police custody but was released on bail when he appeared in the Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one count of negligent driving. The Daily Telegraph in Australia reported that some passengers told the court Button said over the microphone minutes into the trip: If you think that was fast... watch this. and warned passengers to fasten your seatbelts. Earlier, acting Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell alleged that Button "entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions." "Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries," Waddell told reporters. The aftermath of the crash / AP It was Australia's most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38. Police said Button underwent mandatory testing for drugs and alcohol Sunday night but no impairment was detected. Prosecutor Courtney Broom argued against Button being released on bail. "There are 10 witnesses who gave evidence in relation to the prolonged behavior of Mr. Button and dangerous driving," Broom told the court. "There is evidence in the fact sheet that says they (passengers) fastened their seatbelts," Broom added. Defense lawyer Chris O'Brien pointed out Button's clean criminal record and only seven traffic offenses on his 30-year driving record. Magistrate Robyn Richardson said his family ties and bail conditions could reduce his risk of fleeing the country or interfering with witnesses. She also noted a trial was unlikely to be heard before late 2024. His bail conditions include that he does not drive and that he observes an overnight curfew at his Hunter Valley home of Maitland. Button sat with his head bowed throughout the short bail hearing and wept when Richardson noted that he was clearly suffering and said she had concerns about his wellbeing. "It is clear to this court he suffers along with the rest of the community," Richardson said. Broom said Button could face further charges in relation to the seriously injured survivors. Of the 25 passengers taken to hospitals, 14 had not been discharged by Tuesday, with two remaining in an intensive care unit in critical but stable condition, Waddell said. The dead and injured were aged from their 20s to their 60s, Waddell said. He declined to comment on media reports that Button told passengers through the bus's microphone shortly before the crash, "If you think that was fast ... watch this." Waddell also declined to comment on reports that passengers were standing moments before the crash. Linq Buslines, which provides school bus and event charters, owns the bus involved in the crash. Its website says all its buses are equipped with seatbelts. New South Wales law requires bus passengers to use seatbelts if they are available. The tragedy has rekindled public debate but Australia's seatbelt laws and whether there should be national rules. Floral tributes lie next to a road near the site of a bus cras / Getty Images New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said, while not commenting on Button's case, bus drivers in that state were legally responsible for ensuring passengers wore seatbelts. "It's always the driver of the vehicle whose responsibility it is to ensure that there's enforcement with the law and to reinforce the point," Minns told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said: "This is an incident that I'm sure every state and territory will learn from." Several of the passengers were from Victoria. Andrews said he was open to a national approach on bus seatbelts, but noted complexities around school, charter and public transport types and difficulty in striking a deal. "Sometimes getting a national agreement can add a long period of time to the process of developing rules," Andrews said. Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his government would also consider any recommendations that come from the crash investigation. A top Russian general has been killed following a missile strike in Ukraine. Sergei Goryachev, 52, chief of staff for the 35th Combined Arms Army, was reportedly killed by a Ukrainian rocket attack in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region on Monday night. Goryachev is believed to be the countrys highest-ranked Russian soldier to be killed on the battlefield this year. There was no immediate confirmation from Russias defence ministry but Kremlin-aligned media also reported the death of General Goryachev, who commanded troops in Transnistria and Tajikistan as he rose through the ranks. Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in part of the southern Zaporizhzhia region, said: The army has lost one of its brightest and most effective military commanders. Ukraines military claimed responsibility by saying he was eliminated as a result of the successful actions of the Ukrainian Army. General Goryachev was stationed at a frontline location in Zaporizhzhia that has come under intense fire during Ukraines counteroffensive, Russian military bloggers reported. Ukraine claims to have captured several villages in the region but has lost several Western armoured vehicles. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Upon the initiative of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Ukrainian schoolchildren from the Irpin Linguistic Humanitarian Lyceum named after Zarifa Aliyeva are visiting Azerbaijan on June 11-17, Trend reports. The visit is organized with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, SOCAR Ukraine and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan. Accompanied by the lyceum director and teachers, eight students from the Irpin Linguistic Humanitarian Lyceum, aged 14-16, have arrived in Azerbaijan. As part of the program of stay in Baku, the Ukrainian schoolchildren paid a visit to the capital's Lyceum named after academician Zarifa Aliyeva, where they attended an extensive library, and also got acquainted with modern teaching tools and technologies at the lyceum. Then the schoolchildren gathered in the assembly hall of the lyceum to watch the national performances and listen to the director, who in his speech inspired the students to actively pursue knowledge and encouraged them to develop their talents and interests. In an interview with journalists, the Director of the Irpin Humanitarian Lyceum Valentina Antonenko expressed her gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for assisting in its overhaul. "Nearly in a month and a half, a large-scale overhaul of our lyceum was completed, and on September 2 our children were able to sit down at their desks and start the school year. Today I'm very happy because in this educational institution, I found people who are close to me in spirit, and also saw wonderful educated, cultured children," Antonenko added. Director of the Baku Lyceum Fergana Isayeva noted that the arrival of Ukrainian schoolchildren to the lyceum is a step towards cooperation between both educational institutions. "The meeting was very interesting. Both Ukrainian and our students prepared their speeches about the cultures of their countries. Ukrainian children got acquainted with the Azerbaijani lyceum and revealed some differences between our educational institutions. We decided that from now on, constant cooperation and friendship will be established between our schools," Isayeva added. Previously, the Ukrainian schoolchildren were taken on a tour of the Old City of Baku - Icherisheher. At least 10 people were killed in a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, its mayor said on Tuesday. "As of 1300 (1000 GMT) 10 people have been killed," Oleksandr Vilkul said in a Telegram post, adding that another person was under the rubble and a further 28 were injured. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the overnight attack on his home city. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people, he said on the Telegram messaging app. Rescue operations were underway in a burning five-storey apartment building and in a destroyed warehouse, said Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region where Kryvyi Rih is located. There are still people under the rubble of a building. There was a fire there, he added early on Tuesday morning, posting a photograph of the apartment block with smoke pouring out of some of the blown out windows. People hide in a shelter during air raid alert in a basement of a school damaged by a Russian missile strike / REUTERS City mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said at least seven people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. Mr Zelensky on Tuesday also said battles are fierce, but we are moving forward after his military chiefs said seven villages had been recaptured in the summer counter-offensive. Fighting has been taken place in a series of locations on the frontline in the eastern Donetsk province and more southern Zaporizhzhia province. In his overnight address after meeting defence chiefs, Mr Zelensky said: The key reports were from the commanders of the operational directions that are the most important and hottest - Khortytsia and Tavria. The battles are fierce, but we are moving forward, and this is very important. The enemys losses are exactly what we need. But he added that unfavourable weather conditions had hampered advances in the long-awaited counter-offensive. He explained further: Generals Syrskyi and Tarnavskyi reported..on the successes we have already achieved, on the points of the front where we need reinforcement, and on the actions that can break more Russian positions. Thank you to our guys for every Ukrainian flag that is now returning to its rightful place in the villages of the newly de-occupied territory! Kyiv says seven villages have been recaptured in the countrys south east, including Storozheve in the Donetsk area, as well as the settlements of Blahodatne, Neskuchne, Makarivka as Vladimir Putins troops have been pushed back. Ukrainian forces have also gained territory around the eastern town of Bakhmut, but other attacks have been less successful, with reports of losses of equipment and casualties in some places. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said the country's troops recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometres (35 square miles) over the past week - small successes in the early phases of a counter-offensive. Russian officials did not confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. The Institute for the Study of War said: Ukrainian forces continued counter-offensive operations in at least three sectors of the front and made territorial gains on June 12. But the Washington-based think tank also highlighted reports of Russian counter-attacks. Emergency workers extinguish a fire after missiles hit a multi-story apartment building in Kryvyi Rih / AP During the early hours of Tuesday, air raid sirens blared across the whole of Ukraine, with Kyivs military officials saying air defence forces destroyed all Russian missiles targeting the Ukrainian capital. Ukraines top military command said that air forces destroyed 10 out of 14 cruise missiles Russia launched on Ukraine and one of the four Iranian-made drones. It was not immediately clear how many missiles hit Kryvyi Rih and where the Russia-launched drones struck their targets. There was no immediate comment from Russia about the reported strikes. The mayor of the city of Kharkiv in Ukraines east said on his Telegram channel that Russian drones hit civilian infrastructure there, striking a warehouse and a utility firms building. There was no immediate information about casualties. F estival season is fast approaching and there is one undeniable item that must must! be packed in your overnight bag no matter what the forecast suggests: wellies. You can be prepared all you like with your hard-earned ticket, tent, and fun festival clobber, but when the British weather inevitably serves a downpour, youll be wishing you headed our advice as you squelch through knee-deep puddles and mud slides in your new white trainers. Keeping your feet dry and warm as you trudge from stage to stage is absolutely crucial to your overall enjoyment of the festivities. Call in footwear reinforcements and leave soggy socks out of your experience as you enjoy listening to your favourite artists. If youre reluctant to take these often-cumbersome boots in tow, opt for playful patterns with bright hues, floral or stripe designs that will only enhance the rest of your festive or weekend look. Of course, wellies serve more than just one purpose, particularly if youre partial to countryside breaks or have the pleasure of living in the vicinity of fields or parks. You will find yourself reaching for these sturdy waterproof shoes every time you need to walk your dog and a drizzle is on the cards, or a pub lunch leads to a leisurely stroll. With this in mind, if youre looking for a more demure style that fit that classically English country aesthetic, theres an endless array of classic muted hues of the green, navy, black or brown variety. Taking you from the festival field to rural walks, shop our edit of the best rain repelling wellington boots below. W hile there are some perks of the buzzy office life, namely tea breaks with our work wives and husbands, we cant help but miss the comfort of our work from home outfits. We will truly never tire of waking up each morning only to change into equally comfortable clothing. Proper underwear, suits and jeans should be relegated to where they belong - the back of the wardrobe. Nailing the art of WFH dressing has taken some time, but for those still struggling, its worth noting that while some pyjama sets are reserved for catching Zs, others have the elegance and sophistication to translate effortlessly into daywear. You know the type. The ones you're proud to pop to the shops in, or take out the bins, but are still comfortable enough to lounge in all day long. In this uncertain time, weekends spent out and about dressed to the nines have been replaced with lazy Sunday morning attire from day to dawn, all day, everyday. With this in mind, its worth investing in a high-quality pyjama sets that will put a smile on your face - its all about the small things after all. We have searched far and wide to bring you the cosiest and most covetable pyjama sets for all budgets and in a range of fabrics, from comfortable cotton to sumptuously soft silk. Prepare to add all to basket. The White Company Pyjamas Seasons may come and go but pyjamas from The White Company are forever. They are, simply put, the cosiest pyjamas weve ever owned. There are cotton, jersey and silk fabrications that feel sumptuously soft against the skin. The relaxed fits ensures that this is the kind of sleepwear youll want to spend an entire lazy day on the sofa in. There are designs to fit all season but even the long-sleeved iterations (which makes them ideal for the colder months) have breathable constructions, and so you wont overheat when the warmer weather hits. From 32 | The White Company Stripe & Stare Stripe & Stare craft its sumptuously soft knickers, lounge and of course, sleepwear out of a trademarked fabric that is derived from Beechwood Trees. But cast any ideas of coarse bark out of your mind because this brand offers some of the best skin feel on the market. The sustainable pieces are three times softer than cotton, more durable, breathable and comes from responsibly planted forests (as an added bonus, they plant a tree with every order). The sleepwear includes long and short sets as well as slips and teddies. All come in playful shades and patterns that are cute, feminine and fun. For our favourite set, Stripe & Stare has teamed up with New York label LoveShackFancy, setting its signature floral and bow designs on the formers staple silhouettes. They are available for women and kids. Stripe & Stare From 25 | Stripe & Stare Dora Larsen Pyjamas Independent London-based label Dora Larsen has some of the prettiest lingerie and pyjamas on the market with unique colour combinations in a range of bright, bold and pastel hues. For its slumber staples, the brand opts for organic, biodegradable cotton and linen to make them as sumptuous, soft and breathable as possible. The collection is made up of slip dresses, crop tops, cami tank, palazza trousers and shorts with ruffle or tiered detailing. Dora Larsen From 75 | Net-A-Porter Night satin pyjama and robe set With a timeless stripe design, these versatile black pyjamas will become your firm favourites. This set will help you bring a touch of luxury to your sleepwear without the hefty price tag that often goes alongside it. The two-piece is made up of a long-sleeve shirt and trousers so will see you through the winter but the lightweight satin-like fabrication ensures it is breathable enough for the summer months too. ASOS From 40 | ASOS Olivia von Halle silk pajama set For party-ready sleepwear, you can always count on Olivia von Halle. The brand specialises in cosy, intricately detailed two-pieces crafted in sumptuous silk for summer scorchers or dark, cold nights to doze off in the utmost style. The statement designs features stunning floral, leopard or bright and bold prints that will take you to warmer climes even in the height of winter. Wear from bed to the club by pairing the sophisticated shirts with jeans and boots. 172 | Net-A-Porter M&S Pyjama Set If your sleeping pattern has been all over the place recently, you can try reinvesting into your pyjamas to ensure you are as comfortable as possible to drift off for a long, deep sleep. This set will certainly do the trick with their cotton-rich fabrication that make them the ultimate lounging pair. The trousers have a comfortable elasticated waistband and both pieces feature the same star motif. 12.50 | M&S Sleeper pajama sets For hot sleepers, you may want to steer clear of long trousers, which is where this set from fashion-editor favourite label Sleeper will have you covered. Offered in mood-enhancing hues, these pjs are almost too stylish to reserve for sleeping - we even spotted one Zoom wedding guest fashioning the two-piece as documented on Instagram. This is the warm weather update your nightwear collection has been missing. The brand also offers a range of boudoir to ball feather trim sets that weve been lusting over. 180 | Net-A-Porter La Perla Silk-charmeuse pyjamas Catch Zs in the utmost comfort with the sophisticated sets from La Perla. Offering all the elegance you could ever ask for in your sleepwear, the two-pieces are crafted from a sumptuous soft silk charmeuse with a relaxed shape and drawstring waist to elevate the comfort levels. From 78 | MatchesFashion Desmond & Dempsey You may see the name Desmond & Dempsey and think immediately of the brands signature jaguar print pyjamas. This hugely-popular style, among the collection of eye-popping party-ready pieces, gave the London-born pyjamas label its cult status. The brand specialises in cotton and silk constructions adorned with exotic prints, be it the aforementioned fierce pattern, palm trees or creative designs inspired by the elements. These are fancy styles for the fashion conscious. Desmond & Dempsey From 110 | Selfridges H&M Satin pyjamas The satin pyjamas from H&M may just be the elegant ones you've been hunting for. Made up of a shirt or tank and shorts or trousers with an elasticated waistband, they somehow nail the often contrasting elements of elegance and comfort. We especially love the subtle polka dot or floral patterns. 17.99 | H&M Yolke Classic Silk Pyjama Set For an extra level of fierceness that your nightwear may have been severely lacking, allow us to introduce this leopard print pyjama set from Yolke. The pattern may be considered the new neutral, but there's nothing timid about this statement set. Theres also a range of orange, lychee, lemon, stripe and polka dot designs. The brand offers nightgowns, robes and two-pieces, the latter of which is made up of a revere collared shirt and drawstring trousers crafted from silk - an ideal material for pyjamas thanks to its cooling effect on the skin. It's also crease-free to ensure you look as stylish, elegant and sophisticated when you wake up as when you dozed off. 365 | Yolke Derek Rose Amalfi piped cotton-poplin pyjamas Inject some seriously attractive nightwear into your rotation with the classic sets from Derek Rose. The ultimate transitional pyjamas, they are made from lightweight and breathable cotton so you can move seamlessly from summer to winter and everything else in-between. From 85 | MatchesFashion Eberjey Gisele jersey pyjama set Eberjey; a label synonymous with indulgent comfort. The brand crafts its pyjamas from a lightweight and insanely soft stretch-jersey fabric that offers comfort in spade, further enhanced with relaxed silhouettes. Design elements are minimal, but subtle details like the contrast piping and turn up cuffs keep this set stylish and timeless. Available in a range of colours if you fancy something more lively than grey. 120 | Selfridges Asceno London striped silk-satin pyjama set When the fashion set hailed nightwear as the new daywear, we knew it was a trend we could get behind. And when pyjamas are as easy on the eye as Asceno's offering, it makes it easy to transition from bed to boardroom. This ultra-stylish set has an entirely silk composition with a powder blue colourway and a stripe pattern detail - so sumptuous, youll never want to take them off. Top 225 | Matches Bottoms 170 | Asceno Bluebella Claudia Shirt and Trousers Bluebella is offering this classic pyjama set in both black and white to bring an added layer of sophistication to your nightwear. The minimalist design has a contrast piping along the pocket and cuffs. 40 | Bluebella Olivia Von Halle Coco Oyster Silk Pyjama Made with 19 Momme silk, Olivia Von Halle's opulent nightwear is the last word in luxe lounging. These delicate blush pink pyjamas will make staying home feel irresistible, but if you fancy a jazzier look, its worth checking out the printed silk pyjamas too. 420 | Olivia Von Halle Uniqlo Soft Stretch Long Sleeved Pyjamas Japanese brand Uniqlo are masters in loungewear, and all at affordable prices that won't make your jaw drop. This pink striped pyjama set is less than 30 but will keep you cosy until the clocks go forward again in the spring. Also available in a navy version. 29.90 | Uniqlo Cyberjammies Laura Leopard-Print Sleep Trousers Cyberjammies is on hand to bring bold and fun pyjama designs to your wardrobe. With a relaxed silhouette, this set is made up of a cotton-modal shirt and trousers both with a wild and wonderful leopard design that will inject some fun into your nightwear collection. 150 | Harrods Piglet in Bed It doesnt get any more classic than a pair of gingham pyjamas. Feel like youre going to bed on Christmas Eve every night with this staple linen set from Piglet in Bed. Though this set comes in a range of colours, the botanical green hints at festivity without being overt, so you can wear them all year round. Made form super soft, 100 per cent stonewashed linen, youll be keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer without fuss. Piglet in Bed 125 | Piglet in Bed Verdict If you had to live in one set of pyjamas for the rest of your life, youd want it to be the Classic Jersey Pyjamas set from The White Company. In two attractive shades, the timeless set is not only chic but so, so comfortable. B ella Hadid may be one of the worlds most famous supermodels but that doesnt mean shes immune from getting nervous before attending A-list soirees, especially when its a party for Beyonce. In fact, the 26-year-old has revealed how she overcame near-crippling insecurity to attend Queen Beys birthday bash last September, as she unveiled her first official campaign with Charlotte Tilbury. The runway star was announced as Tilburys newest muse in March joining Jordan Dunn, Kate Moss, Lily James, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, and Han So-hee as one of the faces of the British makeup and skincare brand. As she launched their new Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur campaign, Hadid reflected on how the brands fellow muse and Artistry Director, Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, helped her overcome self-doubt ahead of the music icons A-list 41st birthday celebration. Described as one of the most star-studded events of the year, or perhaps ever, the fashion star joined the likes of Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly, as well as Drake, Zendaya, Lizzo and Adele at Beyonces roller-disco-themed soiree at mansion in Bel Air. Reflecting on the moment, she shared: Honestly, we fell in love the first time that we met, and she [Schwarzkopf-Tilbury] did my make-up for Beyonces birthday party, and I was having honestly having a kind of insecure day. I had just flown in, and I was feeling pretty nervous to go to a party like this after not being out for a while. What I noticed about Sofia, she made me feel beautiful not only from the outside but from within too. It's something I take very seriously, and I know she does to so I'm grateful for her and her care and her true love for the art of make-up but also for the power of how you could feel while wearing it. Aside from attending A-list parties, Hadid heaped praise on beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury as she described her official first campaign with the brand as a dream come true. She shared: Its a dream come true to be on this beauty journey with Charlotte, launching our first official campaign together. She is such a creative force in the beauty community with her magnetic energy and unparalleled innovations. I cannot wait for everyone to see the magic weve created. As a huge fan of Charlottes myself, its been a real pinch me moment to be able to work with her on this campaign for her latest innovation Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur. Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur launches exclusively on the Charlotte Tilbury App on Tuesday, June 13 G raham Norton has shared a rare insight about his marriage to husband Jonathan Jono McLeod. The presenter wed the filmmaker last July in his native West Cork among 120 guests, who were treated to a performance from Lulu as well as a DJ set from Irish drag artist and activist Panti Bliss. Norton, who had previously kept his relationship out of the spotlight, shared details from their big day and couldnt help but make light of marrying later in life, joking that till death do us part was more achievable at the age of 60. Speaking to The Guardian, he said: I had a joke in my speech: the vows are much more manageable. Till death do us part seems more achievable at our age. If you get married at 23, thats a big ask. We only have to put up with each other for a couple of decades. And then Ill be out of here. The Irish broadcaster also explained that he and his filmmaker other half decided to wed in Ireland to accommodate Nortons 91-year-old mother Rhoda Walker. Norton married Jono McLeod in July 2022, pictured at a screening for his film My Old School last August / Getty Images He told the outlet: I got married this year and we had our wedding party near to where my mother lives in Ireland just so she could come. She wouldnt have been well enough to come to London so West Cork it was. And it made me very happy. Discussing life as a married man, the Virgin Radio star added: Its good so far, it would be awful if it wasnt at this stage, just a few months in, Id like to think that even I could manage a few months. Im from that generation of gays who assumed it was never going to be on the cards. So, one, its extraordinary that it can happen, I mean, I never gave up hope of finding the one. If it was a surprise, it was a pleasant surprise. Mr McLeod is an esteemed Scottish filmmaker, who last year released My Old School starring Alan Cumming. Q ueens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has revealed he underwent surgery following a cancer diagnosis last year. The California-born artist, 50, shot to fame after forming the rock band in 1996. He also founded the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, and has collaborated with acts including Arctic Monkeys, Lady Gaga and Royal Blood. Opening up about his health to Revolver magazine, he said surgery had been successful, but that he was still healing. The writer states that Homme will not divulge details about the diagnosis, but notes that he gets the occasional twinge of pain during their interview, which took place in April. Cancer is just the cherry on top of an interesting time period, you know? he continued. Josh Homme said he will look back on cancer diagnosis as something thats f****d up but will have made me better / Getty Images for KROQ Im extremely thankful that Ill get through this, and Ill look back at this as something thats f***ed up but will have made me better. Im cool with that. Theres a lot of stuff I want to do. And a lot of people I want to do that with, he added. T reat Williams, who played Danny in the original stage version of Grease, has died in a road accident at the age of 71. Williams was, according to U.S. police, riding a motorbike in Vermont on Monday but was thrown off it after being hit by a people carrier which turned into him. He was airlifted to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. Variety Magazine published a statement from his family which expressed their shock. "Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it, it read. Who was Treat Williams? Don Dacus, Annie Golden, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, director Milos Forman, and Cheryl Barnes arrive for the presentation of Hair during the 32nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France May 10, 1979. / AP Williams starred on stage in Stephen Sondheims Follies and as Danny Zuko in the original theatre version of Grease. His big on-screen break came with the musical Hair in 1979, in which he played hippie George Berger. This led to him going on to record more than 130 screen credits. He was also well-known for starring in the U.S. TV drama Everwood. Born Richard Treat Williams, he is survived by his wife of 35 years Pam Van Sant and their two children. "He was an actors actor, his agent Barry McPherson said. He was the nicest guy. What were Treat Williamss movies and TV shows? After Hair, Williams was able to land roles in Stephen Spielbergs 1941 in 1979 before Once Upon A Time In America and Dead Heat in the 1980s. He also appeared in Things to Do in Denver When Youre Dead and Deep Rising in the late 1990s. At the turn of the century, Williams began to appear in more television roles - including Chesapeake Shores, Blue Bloods and Chicago Fire as well as Everwood. A cademy-award winning Hollywood director Oliver Stone insists that the nuclear industry is not our enemy and that there is much to be gained from further global use of the technology. In the 1970s and 1980s when the protests [against nuclear power] were going on, I was busy with my own life. I was trying to make a career out of screenwriting, he told The Standard at London Tech Week (LTW) on Tuesday afternoon. But by the 2000s when climate warming became a big issue in the world, and Al Gore's film An Incovenient Truth came out which highlighted that, I became more concerned for my children I have three of them and also potential grandchildren. Mr Stone was part of a panel discussing nuclear energy and its role as the world goes green at LTWs Climate Tech Summit, following a screening of some scenes from his latest documentary Nuclear Now. In the film, he explores the possibility of overcoming climate change and energy poverty through nuclear power, with interviews and access to senior figures in the nuclear industries of France, Russia and the US. Mr Stone told The Standard that he was motivated to film the documentary because he has seen no results in solving global warming challenges, despite trillions of dollars being spent by many countries on renewable energy sources like hydro power, solar and wind. A world held back by fear The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)s latest prediction in 2021 was that we must, must, must in capital letters must cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 to avoid another warming of the planet that would be insurmountable to come back from, he said. In his documentary, Mr Stone said he hoped to show that nuclear was not as dangerous as other types of power. A death chart in the film, he said, showed that brown coal was the most dangerous, with hydro power somewhere in the middle, while nuclear was right at the bottom with the least amount of risk. People conflate their fear of nuclear energy with the atomic bomb. Nuclear energy is clean [whereas] the bomb requires enriching Uranium. That is a complicated process and it's not easy to build a bomb, he stressed. Mr Stone added that research showed that the 2011 Fukushima accident in Japan has been mislabelled as a nuclear disaster. Hollywood director Oliver Stone speaks to Dr Shannon Bragg-Sitton of Idaho National Laboratory and the FTs Tom Wilson at the Climate Tech Summit on Tuesday 13 June 2023 / Aidan Synnott / London Tech Week Not one death in Japan has been attributed to nuclear there was a hydrogen leak, it wasnt a nuclear one. All the deaths were from the tsunami and forced evacuations from hospitals, he said. He also argued that many animals are now flourishing in Chernobyl, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, and mentioned studies by the United Nations and the World Health Organization that showed fewer than 100 deaths resulted from the nuclear fallout and that only a total of 9,000 people were affected by the disaster as a whole. Mr Stone says the world will soon need between two and four times more electricity than we have today, and that only by governments working together and putting differences aside can we prevent a climate disaster. In particular, he highlighted the fact that the US took Soviet nuclear warheads and downblended them into usable fuel in the 1980s when the US and the Soviet Union came together in peace. Have a common sense debate. We're past wars, we have to get along. I grew up in a world where co-existence was talked about all the time. That's how the Cold War ended. And we would have gone to war when the Cuban Crisis happened in 1962, if it hadnt been for patience and understanding of the other party. We need that empathy, he said. Its a global problem and that's why it requires us to stop fighting wars, it requires generosity of spirit. The Standard has approached Green Peace for comment. The promise of nuclear fusion Nicholas Hawker of First Light Fusion and Warrick Matthews of Tokamak Energy speak with Valerie Jamieson of the UK Atomic Energy Authority at the Climate Tech Summit on Tuesday 13 June 2023 / Aidan Synnott / London Tech Week Another key topic being discussed at the Climate Tech Summit was the promise of nuclear fusion energy considered to be the holy grail of energy production, where pairs of light atoms are forced together, causing a lot of energy to be released. Nuclear fusion is the process by which the Sun and other stars are powered. It produces far more energy than conventional nuclear energy also known as nuclear fission today and importantly releases no carbon emissions, although there is a small amount of waste. But so far scientists are not able to produce more energy than than the amount they put into experiments. Nuclear is safe. There is no factual basis to call nuclear dangerous, Nicholas Hawker, founder and chief executive of First Light Fusion, an Oxford-based startup developing projectile inertial fusion, told an audience on Tuesday. Inertial fusion is one method for making nuclear fusion energy, where projectiles traveling very fast slam into and compress fuel within a capsule, which then implodes at the right temperature and density to cause fusion to occur. Walk-away-safe is the standard for the new designs for nuclear power. You can just leave it all the people can just go away and nothing would happen, [the power plant] would just shut down by itself, no one could hit it, it just stops, explained Mr Hawker. Thats easy to achieve for fusion. If you interrupt the fusion process at all, it stops immediately, in less than a second. Mr Hawker stressed that nuclear fusion offers the same power benefits as regular nuclear energy, but without the exclusion zone and other costly protections, and functionally is the same as a fossil fuel power plant. He believes it is the ultimate in energy security. Mr Stone is positive about nuclear fusion, though he thinks its not going to be possible for a while: It's a great solution if we make it practical. They've come close but as of now nuclear fusion may come into being in the second part of the 21st century. He said that during the making of his documentary, he struggled to get hold of any practical timeline or costs from the experts he spoke to, despite the nuclear fusion breakthrough in December at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California. However both Mr Hawker and Warrick Matthews, managing director and chief commercial officer of Tokamak Energy, another Oxford-based startup that is developing magnetic fusion, believe that nuclear fusion will come onto the market in the mid-2030s. Tokamak Energy is currently developing a tokamak device a machine that confines plasma using magnetic fields into a donut shape. It is hoped by some that this method will be used in fusion power plants in the future. There isnt one [type of fusion technology] that will win. The market is so huge, it will be supply constraints. Were talking about thousands of these devices in the future, said Mr Matthews. However, he says that private firms trying to build power plants will struggle with the costs: One or two companies might be able to conjure up that level of funding, but we need governments to get behind it. W omen and men who experience migraines have an increased risk of having the most common type of stroke, research has suggested. Additionally, women alone may carry a further risk of heart attack and haemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in or around the brain). People diagnosed with migraine are believed to have a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60. Migraine was associated with a similarly increased risk of ischemic stroke among young men and women Previous research had suggested the increased risk of ischemic stroke when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel to the brain mostly affects young women. However, it was unclear whether women with migraine also carry a higher risk of heart attack and haemorrhagic stroke compared to men. Cecilia Hvitfeldt Fuglsang, of Aarhus University, Denmark, and her team looked at Danish medical records collected from 1996 to 2018, from people aged 18 to 60. They identified men and women with a history of migraines and compared their risk of a heart attack and ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke before the age of 60 to the risks faced by people in the general population without migraine. Ms Hvitfeldt Fuglsang said: Migraine was associated with a similarly increased risk of ischemic stroke among young men and women. However, migraine may be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and haemorrhagic stroke only among women. The findings suggest both men and women with migraine had a similarly increased risk of ischemic stroke. However, women with migraine may also carry a slightly higher risk of heart attack and haemorrhagic stroke, compared to men with migraine and the general population. Women are more greatly impacted by migraine, especially since the condition is predominantly diagnosed in women, the researchers suggest. The researchers point out that since they used prescription drug records to identify patients with migraine, they may have missed untreated people, which could have resulted in an underestimation of the contribution of migraine to these health problems. The findings are published in the Plos Medicine journal. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Uzbekistan will start using a new terminal for mineral fertilizers at the Baku International Sea Trade Port, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Abdusamat Muminov told Trend in an exclusive interview. "Uzbekistan actively uses the port of Poti in Georgia and the Baku port to export its goods. However, it is worth noting that the infrastructure of the Baku port is much more developed. As part of the second phase of modernization of the Baku port, a new terminal for mineral fertilizers will start operating, which we will also use for our needs. We also got acquainted with the capabilities of bulk carriers, Ro-Ro ports. We were shown new vessels built for double-deck wagons. They will significantly help us to reduce the delivery time. Already, in fact, we were able to reduce the transportation time by half from a month to two weeks, thanks to the improvement of operational activities on the part of our Azerbaijani colleagues. Today, thanks to these efforts, not only Uzbekistan uses the transport potential of Azerbaijan, but also the whole of Central Asia," he said. Muminov stressed that Uzbekistan is already actively using the infrastructure of the Baku port, especially for sugar imports. "This year we want to increase sugar supplies through Azerbaijan to 300,000. In addition, we have sent about 100 wagons to help Azerbaijan to ship sugar," he said. He also noted that a large delegation from Uzbekistan, which included both private companies and representatives of government agencies, has recently visited Azerbaijan. "Among these companies were our main exporters and importers, who mainly work through the Georgian port of Poti and the Baku port. We held about 10 meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan, with the State Customs Service, in the Baku port, in the Alat Free Economic Zone, as well as with representatives of the Baku Shipyard. We managed to get acquainted with Azerbaijani transport potential and capabilities," the deputy minister said. Meanwhile, earlier, Taleh Ziyadov, Director General of the Baku Port, said that the mineral fertilizers terminal of the Baku port is expected to be commissioned in June or July this year. Kia Corporations official distributor in Ghana Rana Motors has launched its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy in the African continent. Focused on Western Africa, this strategic move positions Kia as a key player in the region's automotive industry. The assembly plant stands as the largest in Ghana and the region, assembling six vehicle models and will expand to ten models in the next few months. Spread out over a substantial 65,000 sq m of land, the Amasaman facility has a building area of 16,000 sq m, with over 1,000 sq m of living area. Plans to expand In keeping with its proportions, the initial operational capacity of the plant is 35,000 vehicles, with plans for expansion to 70,000 vehicles. Due to the impressive size of the factory, approximately 6,000 tonnes of cement and 3,500 tonnes of iron and steel were used in the construction. Currently, six Kia models are being produced Kia Cerato, Kia K5, Kia Sonet, Kia Seltos, Kia Sportage, and Kia Sorento and this portfolio will expand to ten models soon including the K2700, K3000, Carens, and Picanto. The launch event was attended by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry of Ghana, Henry Quartey, Regional Minister of Ghana, and other key leaders from the country. Kia's assembly plant in Amasaman is a testament to the strong partnership between Korea and Ghana, combining Korean Engineering Technology with Ghanaian dedication, capabilities, and passion. The facility, equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a highly skilled team of engineers and technicians, meets Kia's rigorous international standards to deliver only the highest quality vehicles to African consumers. Yaser Shabsogh, Chief Operating Officer, Regional HQ, Middle East & Africa, Kia, said: This facility not only addresses the present needs of Ghanaian customers but also proactively anticipates their future requirements. Our goal is to fulfill the demands not only within Ghana but potentially also across West Africa. We are excited about the opportunities that this expansion will bring." Ghana and Korea bonding Essam Odaymat, CEO of Rana Motors, expressed the assembly plant's importance in fostering a stronger bond between Ghana and the Republic of Korea, stating, "We humbly take pride in our role of enhancing the relationship between Ghana and the Republic of Korea by promoting excellence." In line with the brands vision to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider, the assembly plant addresses critical global challenges such as water shortage and energy consumption. Kia and Rana Motors have implemented a sustainable water approach featuring a stormwater harvesting system, enabling the capture and reuse of water runoff for daily factory operations. Furthermore, the factory's sustainable energy approach includes natural light, ventilation systems, and heat insulation to reduce energy consumption. In the project's next phase, solar panels will be installed on the factory roof, enabling the facility to generate its energy sustainably, covering all its energy consumption.-- TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Deputies discussed amendments to the law "On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023" at a special session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. According to the amendments, the revenues of the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023 will amount to 33.7 billion manat ($19.8 billion), expenditures - 36.5 billion manat or $21.4 billion (including centralized revenues - 33 billion manat or $19.4 billion, local revenues - 764.7 million manat ($449.8 million), centralized expenditures - 35.7 billion manat ($20.9 billion), local expenditures - 777 million manat or $457 million). The amendments were put to the vote and approved in the second reading after discussions. State budget revenues of the Republic of Azerbaijan for last year amounted to 30.67 billion manat ($18 billion), and expenses - 32.6 billion manat ($19.18 billion). A total of 4.3 billion manat ($2.5 billion) was set aside from the state budget for 2022 for the reconstruction and restoration of Azerbaijan's liberated territories [after the Second Karabakh War]. Andy Young, middle, pastor of Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England, talks with First Presbyterian Church pastor Martin Lifer, right, and Jack Forbus, left. 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National leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) George Simion on Tuesday said that during the latest presidential consultations to select a new prime minister he wanted to present the measures that AUR considers necessary to settle the ongoing political crisis, but President Klaus Iohannis seemed to probably get ready for his birthday party, told Agerpres. "We wanted to showcase the measures we consider necessary to get out of this political crisis, because it is not normal for former enemies to govern [together], the so-called left and the so-called right. Mr Klaus Iohannis is probably preparing for his birthday," said Simion after the consultations. He added that Iohannis voiced disagreement with AUR's request to call early elections, as he said there have to be free elections, but on time. "Klaus Iohannis said that the early elections requested by us are not a good idea and that we must have free elections, but only next year. I presented him, briefly - as much as Mr. Klaus Iohannis had the patience to listen to us, not very much - our 15-point government agenda, the AUR candidate for the position of prime minister of Romania to implement these measures that the country needs. Mr Klaus Iohannis seemed rather preoccupied with his birthday and the events that will take place now," said Simion. The AUR leader added that during the discussions in Cotroceni he put forth AUR's pick for the position of prime minister in the 2024 elections - in the person of Marius Lulea. "The proposal for the position of prime minister that we made here and that we will file for the 2024 election is Mr Marius Lulea, a valedictorian of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Bucharest, father of five children, entrepreneur, a man who has designed and executed over 10,000 engineering works in Bucharest, a man in whom we put all our trust that he will succeed in implementing the AUR agenda," said Simion. The unemployment rate in Bucharest is only 1 percent, and 24.7 percent of Romania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is concentrated here, Iuliu Stocklosa, president of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB), said on Tuesday at the fifth edition of the "Focus Bucharest - Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Development" conference. According to the head of the CCIB, from a tourism point of view, Romania's capital can become an attractive place for business meetings, as well as a "City Break" destination. "According to data published by the BNR [the National Bank of Romania], the Bucharest-Ilfov region has attracted 62.7 billion euros since 1990, accounting for 62.5 percent of the total investments in Romania, due to its undisputed competitive advantages: its position at the intersection of two pan-European transport corridors and close to the Danube, the social and professional structure of Bucharest is one with a very high standard. The last statistics we received showed that the average salary in Bucharest is around 158 percent of the national salary, which means that we have very well trained people in Bucharest. We want to work with our partners today to find the most effective solutions that will contribute to improving the business climate and the social and cultural life of the capital (...) I also want to mention tourism: the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce is a founding member of the independent tourism promotion organisation Bucharest Tourist Board. Bucharest has a new chance, if we organize ourselves correctly, to be a "City Break" destination, a place for business, business meetings and, of course, concerts, special things with which we can develop the Capital from a tourist point of view, as well as to bring funding for the city halls," said the CCIB official. Thirteen house searches are taking place Tuesday morning in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca municipalities and in Ilfov county, in a case in which investigations are being carried out into the offences of setting up an organised criminal group, human trafficking and public incitement. According to the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), 31 people, who are believed to be involved in the criminal activity, are to be heard. ''On 13.06. 2023, prosecutors of the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism - Cluj Territorial Service, together with police officers with the Cluj Organized Crime Squad, executed 13 house search warrants, in the municipalities of Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca and Ilfov County, in a case in which investigations are being carried out into the offences of setting up an organised criminal group, human trafficking and public incitement," says DIICOT. It was found in the case, that three suspects formed an organized criminal group in 2021 to commit the crime of human trafficking. They created a system through which they recruited several victims, whom they induced, including through acts of violence, to produce sexually explicit material for an online platform dedicated to adults and/or to produce pornographic material through videochat, the monetary benefits thus obtained being appropriated almost entirely by the suspects, the source said. The victims were recruited by being misled about the intention to establish a marriage/cohabitation relationship and the existence of feelings of love (the loverboy method). Specialised support was provided by the Special Operations Directorate of the Romanian Police.AGERPRES Government rotation/Kelemen Hunor: We did not manage to reach consensus, there are not many chances. The president of UDMR, Kelemen Hunor, declared on Tuesday that no consensus was reached during the negotiations with PSD and PNL in order to form the future government, told Agerpres. He did not rule out the hypothesis of a solution, but he also appreciated that there are not many chances in this sense. "At this moment, here, things certainly stop, because we simply did not manage to reach a consensus. I regret it enormously. I showed, beyond seriousness, beyond professionalism, beyond responsibility and the necessary flexibility, one cannot impose things. Of course, until the lists and the governing program are sent to the Parliament, we cannot say that this stage between the three parties in the coalition is closed, but there are not many chances. Until tomorrow morning, for sure, many things can happen. We have made all possible efforts and have shown openness and flexibility throughout the discussions and negotiations. We will see what will happen further and in the days to come, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, we will make statements and inform you", Kelemen Hunor pointed out, in a press statement held at the Parliament Palace. UDMR decided to be more flexible and receive the Ministries of Energy and the Environment, but if this offer does not materialize, another one will not be accepted, the leader of the UDMR deputies, Csoma Botond, said on Tuesday. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has discussed cooperation in the field of digital financial technologies and security with the Association of Banks of Turkic-speaking States, Trend reports via the tweet of Governor of the CBA Taleh Kazimov. "We have met with the heads of associations of banks of Turkic-speaking countries located in Azerbaijan in order to participate in the fintech summit organized by the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan, Kazimov said. We have exchanged views on the development of a modern banking and financial ecosystem, innovative solutions, cooperation in the field of digital financial technologies and security, exchange of experience, study and application of international experience in this field during the meeting, he added. We also discussed the possibilities of further cooperation between the financial and banking sectors of the Turkic-speaking states," he said. Gov't rotation/Ciuca presents list of liberal ministers proposed in the Ciolacu Cabinet. The President of the PNL, Nicolae Ciuca, announced on Tuesday the list of liberal ministers proposed in the Cabinet led by Marcel Ciolacu, told Agerpres. These are: * Catalin Predoiu - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs; * Luminita Odobescu - Minister of Foreign Affairs; * Ligia Deca - Minister of Education; * Alina Gorghiu - Minister of Justice; * Adrian Vestea - Minister of Development; * Mircea Fechet - Minister of Environment; * Marcel Bolos - Minister of Finance; * Raluca Turcan - Minister of Culture; * Sebastian Burduja - Minister of Energy. The PNL proposed Mircea Abrudan for the post of Secretary General of the Government. Nicolae Ciuca voiced conviction that through experience, professionalism, readiness for effort and sustained work, each of the ministers proposed by the PNL will do their duty in the Ciolacu Government, just as they did in the Cabinet he led. He also thanked all the ministers from all three parties who were part of his Cabinet. "Following the analysis and discussions that took place today in the National Political Bureau, we pursued the same objectives, some of them strengthened in terms of continuing investments, continuing to undertake and carry out all the reforms as they are foreseen in the government program and in our responsibility implementation of the PNRR and we came with a team of ministers to continue to contribute to ensuring the coherence of our objectives and projects from the government program and to bring the necessary consistency so that together with our coalition partners, with the PSD ministers to be able to ensure a governance as good as possible. (...) From this moment in which this change in governance was achieved, it is our duty, those of the PNL, PSD, to aim at objectives and assume objectives to really develop this country in such a way as to increase the incomes of the citizens, to reduce once again these differences that exist between the citizens of Romania and the citizens of the EU", Ciuca also said. Prime Minister-designate Marcel Ciolacu said that by Thursday the new government should obtain the vote of investiture in Parliament, after which the members of the executive will be sworn in. "If Romania's government, led by Nicolae Ciuca, was about stabilising Romania, I wish that the next Romanian government, led by me, will be about economy and reforms. First of all, by Thursday, Romania must have a voted government, and then we'll come to you [at the Cotroceni Palace] for the swearing-in ceremony," said Ciolacu, in a joint press statement held at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace with President Klaus Iohannis. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader stressed Romania needs reforms and the National Recovery and Resilience Programme. "Romania's place is in the European Union and NATO. No matter how much some seek to take Romania in another direction, Romania's path is the only one, and with political stability, it becomes a certainty," Ciolacu said. He thanked for the honour of being designated Prime Minister, mentioning that this also implies "a great responsibility." Ciolacu thanked National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Nicolae Ciuca "for the gesture of honour" he made. "I would not like to thank him as Prime Minister-designate. I would like to thank him as a Romanian, because through his gesture, Romania has moved to another stage. It has moved to a stage of consolidated democracy," Ciolacu said. Marcel Ciolacu also wished President Klaus Iohannis "Happy Birthday" on his birthday. AGERPRES Gov't rotation/PNL's Bogdan: PNL cannot cede UDMR two ministries. National Liberal Party (PNL) First Deputy Chair Rares Bogdan said on Tuesday that the PNL will not cede any more ministries to the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), apart from the Ministry of Energy, saying that it is not possible for the Liberals to cede two ministries to the Union and that "it is unacceptable for conditions to change every day." "From the beginning we said: we keep the protocol and things would not end up in this situation. We are a serious party, we are a party that has supported the stability of this country, we do not give in at all, let's make things extremely clear. So a ministry such as the Ministry of Energy can be given up precisely in order to have the same coalition as before. No more ministries, no more positions. It is not possible for the PNL to give up two ministries, Energy and Environment, and the others to give up nothing," said Rares Bogdan, before the meeting of the PNL National Political Bureau, told Agerpres. He added that "PNL does not lie" and assumed from the beginning to keep the protocol. "The PNL wants one thing - Romania to be governed, European money to be attracted, the PNRR to move ahead and we draw the second tranche and the third tranche and the fourth tranche, reforms to be carried out and everything we promised to do. We can't keep going on changing conditions from one day to the next. This party is a 148-year-old party. We wanted to keep the protocol. [The Social Democratic Party] PSD wanted Transport from us, UDMR wants Environment and Energy and I don't know what from us. What does PNL want in this country? PNL has kept this country stable so far. No more ministries. Energy if they want it, energy if they don't, that's it, goodbye," added Rares Bogdan. Rares Bogdan also said that the PSD offered the UDMR the Ministry of Investment and European Projects and the Ministry of Health. MAE hails decision of the USA to return to UNESCO. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the decision of the United States of America (USA) to return, starting in July, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), told Agerpres. According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday, UNESCO's role on the international stage continues to be as relevant after almost 77 years since the establishment of the organization, continuing to contribute to addressing the new challenges to peace, by facilitating cooperation in the field of education, science and culture. The participation and contribution of the United States to the smooth running of UNESCO's work is "essential." Through this decision of the US administration, a founding member state of the organization will resume, after an interruption of 6 years, full participation in the activities of the organization and its working bodies. The decision represents a reconfirmation of the universality of this specialized institution of the UN system and will contribute to the consolidation of effective multilateralism and the global order based on norms and centered on the UN, which Romania wants to fully share. According to the same source, for the formal implementation of the decision taken by the USA, Romania supports the organization, according to the Constitutive Act of UNESCO and the rules of operation, of an extraordinary session of the General Conference, in July. Memorandum between six companies to implement modular reactors in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania. A Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the deployment of NuScale Voygr power plants in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), including Romania, has been signed between Nuclearelectrica, NuScale Power, E-INFRA, Nova Power & Gas, Fluor Enterprises and Samsung C&T Corporation, told Agerpres. According to a press release of Nuclearelectrica sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday, the document brings together world-class expertise and valuable experiences focused on the potential expansion and development of small modular reactor deployment in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as at the former coal-fired power plant in Doicesti, Romania. "The combined expertise of Nuclearelectrica, NuScale Power, E-INFRA, Nova Power & Gas, Fluor Enterprises and Samsung C&T Corporation will provide support for SMR deployment and implementation of NuScale's small modular reactor (SMR) power plant in critical areas of development such as: project planning, licensing, permitting, engineering, procurement, construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, financing and local resources capitalization, thus enabling regional SMR like-minded states to benefit from the experience and deploy SMRs safely and in line with the national energy needs," the press release said. Romania is the second country in the world after the US and the first in Europe to join the drive for energy independence with one of the most advanced nuclear energy technologies, NuScale's innovative SMR technology. In this context, Romania will gain a leading position and multiple socio-economic benefits including a hub for supporting the production and assembly of SMR components, a training and education center for future operators and specialists, and a catalyst for the implementation of SMRs in the region and a preferred operator for the following SMRs projects that come after. 'Nuclear power is a safe, affordable and clean source of energy, available 24/7, with extensive operational experience, which has been helping to decarbonize economies around the world for more than half a decade and currently supplies more than 10% of the electricity consumed worldwide and approximately 20% in Romania. We are proud to be aligned with the most notable international efforts in order to supply Romania at the end of this decade with 66% of its total clean energy through nuclear energy,' Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Officer Cosmin Ghita stated. The consultations of president Klaus Iohannis with the parliamentary parties and formations with a view to appointing the candidate for the position of prime minister began, on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Palace, with representatives of the Social Democratic party (PSD), the National Liberal party (PNL) and the group of national minorities. "We are in the situation we planned a year and a half ago at the level of the prime minister's rotation and I think it is extremely important to note that what was started and discussed as a solution for Romania's stability continues within the planned parameters and that's why we are here now to continue," the president said, at the beginning of the discussions. The PSD chairman, Marcel Ciolacu, the PNL leader, Nicolae Ciuca, the leader of the national minority deputies, Varujan Pambuccian, and advisers to the president, Klaus Iohannis, are participating in the discussions. President Iohannis will also consult with the representatives of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), the Save Romania union (USR) and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). On Monday, the president took note of the resignation of prime minister Nicolae Ciuca and signed the decree by which the minister of Justice, Catalin Predoiu, takes over, on an interim basis, the duties of prime minister. According to the protocol between the PNL and the PSD, the leadership of the Executive would be taken over by the president of the PSD, Marcel Ciolacu.AGERPRES REPER Party proposes to PM-designate Ciolacu "the true priorities of Romania". The REPER party recommends Prime Minister-designate Marcel Ciolacu to stop the "circus of the great division of offices" in the future government, which fuels people's distrust in politicians and to introduce in the public discourse "Romania's true priorities" instead of negotiating "on offices and sinecures." "Mr. Marcel Ciolacu may have a talent for 'convincing', now and again, union leaders, but he has not convinced Romania of anything so far. European money is still unused or lost, the foreign debt is 50% of the GDP, prices are increasing, school toilets are still in the back of the yard, in the PSD [the Social Democratic Party] rural Romania, which even the Coalition has not pulled out of the mud, although the economy is growing. REPER has formally requested to participate in the consultations for the formation of the new government, in order to present the country's true priorities, but they have not shown any interest," co-chairperson of the REPER Party Ramona Strugariu stated, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday. Dragos Pislaru, the co-chairman of the REPER Party, argues that the PSD and the National Liberal Party (PNL) do not know how to negotiate for Romania, told Agerpres. "Marcel Ciolacu says that Romania's place is in the EU and NATO no matter how much some people try to take Romania in another direction. What the Prime Minister-designate forgets to say is that in order to be relevant in the EU and NATO, one has to be competent. The PSD-PNL coalition does not know how to negotiate for Romania - as seen in the case of the Schengen failure - and doesn't manage to absorb European money and implement European projects through which Romania can be truly developed. Mr. Ciolacu, you lack this very component so that Romania's path be a safe one towards the EU and NATO. Otherwise, those others, i.e. AUR [the Alliance for the Union of Romanians], will take us out of the EU. You and I know that," Dragos Pislaru said. UDMR accepts energy, environment ministries, no other offer to be accepted. The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) has decided to be more flexible and to receive the Energy and Environment ministries, but if this offer does not materialise, another one will not be accepted, said Tuesday the leader of the Union's deputies, Csoma Botond, told Agerpres. He recalled, in a press statement held at Parliament, the meeting of the coalition leaders, at 14.30, where they discussed the "last offer made in the coalition," namely that the UDMR will take over the Ministry of Energy and keep the Ministry of Environment that it has led so far. "Then Mr. Kelemen Hunor told the coalition leaders that we have to take a decision, because we have to go before the party, before the statutory, competent bodies, to take a decision. This has happened. At 16.00 we had this meeting online, where we all agreed and decided to become more flexible, because there was this accusation that we are not flexible. (...) And then we said not to create this image that we want to run away from the burden of government (...) and in these conditions if we can keep at least one ministry that we have led so far, then let's become more flexible and accept this offer made at 14.30 and that is the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Energy. As far as I understand, after that there were problems especially with the PNL, they said that they are not giving in. (...) If even this last offer, which was made at 14.30, is no longer valid, we cannot say that we accept and do not accept anything else than this offer and no one can say that we have not become flexible, but it seems that in vain we have become flexible, because the situation has changed. (...) We are not leaving the government, I agree with Mr. President, we are somehow pushed out of the government," said the UDMR MP. At a time when Romania is facing a serious problem in the field of trafficking in human beings, a situation highlighted in numerous international and US State Department reports, the USR party is delaying the adoption of a law that would significantly contribute to combating this scourge. At the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday 13 June, USR MEP Claudiu Nasui requested that the legislative proposal automatically classifying sexual acts between adults and minors under the age of 16 as rape be referred back to committee for a second time. The legislative proposal received last week a favourable report from the Legal Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and was due to be voted on in plenary this week, after previously passing the Senate vote. The USR, arguing that the legislative proposal could be improved, asked for and obtained a referral back to committee for another two weeks, thus delaying the entry into force of legal provisions that would help combat the phenomenon of sexual exploitation of minors. What changes would the law bring Four PNL senators, including Iulia Scantei and Alina Gorghiu, and a PSD senator have submitted a bill to the Senate aimed at raising the age of sexual consent to 15 years and to separately criminalise the crime of rape committed against a minor, as well as that of sexual assault committed against a minor and the crime of causing or facilitating the commission of sexual acts or acts of a sexual nature between minors, with aggravating circumstances and proportionate penalties. The authors of the legislative initiative have also included a new criterion of vulnerability of the minor victim - the precariousness of his or her economic or social situation, given the numerous cases of abuse and sexual exploitation of disadvantaged children from very poor families, who beg or prostitute under the threat of the perpetrators, who have no permanent home or residence or who are in various centres or shelters. Civil society was heavily involved and most of the amendments proposed by civil society were adopted. After the last amendments approved in the Legal Affairs Committee, the legislative proposal was supposed to go to the final vote with the age of consent raised to 16. Thus, any sexual act between an adult and a minor under the age of 16 would be punishable by imprisonment of between 7 and 12 years, eliminating the possibility of invoking the minor's consent. Sexual acts committed under duress would also be punishable by imprisonment from 8 to 15 years, to which the legislative proposal adds other aggravating circumstances, according to the attached document. Pimping and trafficking in human beings would also be covered, with tougher penalties. List of amendments introduced by the legislative initiative, HERE! (.pdf) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Work is underway in Azerbaijan to optimize legal framework, contributing to development of the financial sector, President of Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) Zakir Nuriyev said during a financial technology (fintech) summit in Baku, Trend reports. According to him, the law "On payment systems and services" has already been adopted, which will accelerate the development of this sector and ensure its effective regulation. "The financial sector needs the latest technologies (including blockchain). The role of digital currencies and cryptocurrencies is constantly growing. Work is underway in Azerbaijan to develop a digital manat," he noted. "In addition, with the development of technology, it's necessary to pay attention to the cybersecurity sector. So, in 2022, as a result of hacker attacks, $4.2 billion was lost globally, which indicates the need to strengthen the technical and technological base of banking," he said. Nuriyev noted that ABA continues to provide support to the financial sector players. The two day event (fintech summit) supported by ABA, Azerbaijan Fintech Association, Central Bank, Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication is one of the two annual events organized in Baku, Azerbaijan (second one is an annual Banking Forum organized each year in November), and the most famous finance and banking events in the region gathering together CEOs and management of relevant government bodies, top management of commercial banks and fintechs, famous companies providing finance and banking products and solutions, and other stakeholders. Too many Americans are losing Medicaid coverage because of red tape, and states should do more to make sure eligible people keep their health insurance, the Biden administration said Monday. More than a million Americans have lost coverage through the program for low-income and disabled Americans in the past several weeks, following the end of pandemic protections on April 1, according to the latest Medicaid renewal data from more than 20 states. After a three-year pause, most states have now resumed checking which Medicaid recipients remain eligible and dropping those who no longer qualify or dont complete required paperwork. About 4 in 5 people dropped so far either never returned the paperwork or omitted required documents, federal and state data show. Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, decried those numbers in a letter sent to state governors on June 12. I am deeply concerned with the number of people unnecessarily losing coverage, especially those who appear to have lost coverage for avoidable reasons that State Medicaid offices have the power to prevent or mitigate, he wrote. The Biden administration outlined several optional steps states can take to ensure everyone who still qualifies for the safety-net health insurance program stays covered. For instance, states can pause the cancellations to allow more time to reach people who havent responded. Health insurance companies that manage Medicaid plans can help their enrollees fill out the paperwork. Some states were already choosing to take extra time. Though Wyoming began renewals in May, the state is being deliberately cautious and wont drop people for incomplete paperwork until July or August, state Health Department spokesperson Kim Deti said. Oregon wont start those cancellations until October. Officials in other states have demonstrated no eagerness to slow the cuts. About 10 percent of Arkansas Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program enrollees have already been dropped, nearly all because they didnt complete paperwork. Arkansas is speeding through the redeterminations in just six months, while most other states are taking about a year, as HHS recommended. Despite outcry from some federal lawmakers and advocates, Medicaid officials in the state wrote on June 8 that they would continue to swiftly disenroll people who no longer qualify. That could be disastrous, said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families. My big worry is that we could lose millions of families quickly. Its going to be very hard to get them back. Becerra also wrote that he is particularly concerned about children losing coverage, although the administration doesnt know exactly how many kids have been dropped. States dont have to report numbers by age to federal authorities, said Dan Tsai, director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. Tens of thousands of kids are losing coverage, according to data from states that shared it. In Indiana, of the 53,000 dropped in the first month, a third were kids. In South Dakota, more than half were kids. In Arkansas, nearly 55,000 kids were dropped in the first two months. Becerra also urged governors to work more directly with families at risk of losing coverage. State agencies should team up with schools, faith-based groups, pharmacies, and other community organizations to help enrollees better understand how to stay on Medicaid, he wrote. In most states, people who still qualify for Medicaid but lose coverage because of state errors or incomplete paperwork have 90 days to ask for their coverage back. Some officials view the large number of paperwork-related cancellations as no big deal because people can reapply if they still qualify. But its not that simple, Alker said. Many people dont know their appeal rights, and the grace period doesnt apply to all adults in several of the hardest-hit states. Alker said states will temporarily save money from not having to pay for enrollees care. But in the meantime, people wont be able to afford their regular medications. Some will end up in the emergency room sicker than before, she said. Theres really nothing good that comes out of these gaps in coverage. 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). MIAMI Mary Zhelyazkova was surprised when pharmacists at Floridas largest safety net hospital said they could not fill her prescription. Zhelyazkova, 40, was living at a homeless shelter and needed Suboxone, a medication to manage the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. She said she had been getting Suboxone at the Jackson Memorial Hospital pharmacy for free through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which provides medical care at little or no cost to people with HIV. But at the end of 2021, she said, a stranger approached her on the street and offered her $5 to sign up for a free health insurance plan with Florida Blue. The person instructed her to use a false address and falsify her income so she could be seen as eligible for coverage, she said. When the plan took effect the following year, Zhelyazkova learned the downsides. Signing up for private insurance disqualified her from Ryan White coverage. And Florida Blues provider network did not include the hospital pharmacy; she would need to go to Walgreens, which would require transportation. Shed also need to come up with a $20 copay, which she could not afford. I went into withdrawal. It was horrible, said Zhelyazkova, who added that she went without medication for days, until a nonprofit needle exchange program paid for the drug. Zhelyazkova is one of potentially hundreds of homeless people in Florida who have been approached by commission-seeking agents and brokers, who sign them up for zero-premium health plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, according to state insurance regulators, doctors, and enrollment counselors. The presumption is that dishonest agents and brokers are signing up homeless people to earn a sales commission and that they are engaging in fraud by lying about the enrollees income and home addresses. And though the federal government pays the monthly premium for qualified low-income consumers on an ACA plan, the policies often come with copayments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs that are unaffordable to people earning little to no income. Amid an uptick in reports, state and federal regulators are investigating cases of agents and brokers providing fraudulent information on applications for ACA coverage. The federal agency that oversees the ACA marketplace said that for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2022, the agency received more than 25,000 complaints from people who alleged they had been enrolled in policies without their consent or that incorrect information was submitted on an application by an agent or broker. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also said it performed more than 700 license verifications to identify potentially problematic brokers during that same period. Opportunistic recruitment of homeless people into ACA plans is most likely in states like Florida, one of 10 that have refused to expand eligibility for Medicaid to nearly all low-income adults. In one case from 2015, a North Carolina agent signed up hundreds of homeless people for ACA coverage. That state adopted Medicaid expansion in March, though the change has not yet been implemented. In an expansion state, most single adults in poverty would qualify for Medicaid. In non-expansion states, including Florida, consumers generally must earn at least 100% of the federal poverty level to qualify for the health laws tax credits, which reduce monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. In 2023, that would equate to $14,580 for a single person and $24,860 for a family of three. But having no income in the current year does not preclude a consumer from projecting they will earn enough next year to qualify for tax credits. Consumers are not required to document their income on a marketplace application if government data shows their income was insufficient in prior years. On the surface, it may look like uninsured homeless people are gaining coverage, said Sabrina Corlette, a health insurance policy expert at Georgetown University. Thats not such a bad thing, she said. But that doesnt make it a victimless crime. The federal government ends up paying subsidies to health insurers to cover people who are not qualified for the plans. Meanwhile, people who are homeless lose eligibility for more suitable programs, like hospital charity care and Ryan White. Thats a serious problem, Corlette said. Doctors who work with homeless people also say disruptions in care put these patients at risk of relapse into drug use, a mental health crisis, or having to stop ongoing treatment for chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes. Patients are stuck in this situation where they cant afford copays under their insurance plan, said David Serota, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Miamis Miller School of Medicine. But they also cannot get those services through our programs for the indigent uninsured. Serota sees patients at Jackson Memorial, a Miami-Dade County hospital that provides charity care. In the past three years, he said, at least 20 of his patients, and many more seen by his colleagues, have been affected. Canceling a new health insurance policy and reapplying for public benefits can take weeks or months. And the disruption can reinforce suspicions marginalized communities have about the system, said Erin Richards, a certified application counselor and ACA program coordinator for Pinellas County, near Tampa. She has helped many people reapply for a local program for homeless residents after they were deceived into signing up for an ACA plan. Were working to get them to trust systems again and get the care they need that they may have been neglecting for a long time, Richards said. Agents and brokers have signed up ineligible consumers for ACA coverage since marketplace enrollment began in fall 2013. Its just not been at the level that weve seen recently, said Katie Roders Turner, an enrollment navigator and executive director of the Family Healthcare Foundation, a Tampa nonprofit that helps low-income residents access free or low-cost care. Richards and Turner said the health insurer they see most often among homeless people is Florida Blue, the states largest health insurance company. Fifteen companies offer plans in Florida on the ACA marketplace. Only Florida Blue provides coverage in all of the states 67 counties. A Florida Blue executive said the companys compliance team investigates individuals who wrongfully sign up consumers for health care coverage, but did not respond to questions about how often such fraud occurs. The most common way agents receive commission is on a per-member, per-month basis. That means that for every consumer an agent or broker signs up, they receive a monthly commission for as long as that consumer is enrolled. Most plans pay $20 to $30 per member per month, estimates Dave Sherrill, an insurance broker and executive director of the Florida Association of Health Underwriters. Florida insurance regulators are investigating cases with police and CMS, said Devin Galetta, communications director for the states Department of Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. Since 2020, the state has received three consumer complaints about the issue, in South Florida and the Tampa and Gainesville areas, Galetta said. No arrests or administrative action have been taken, he said. But Turner worries the incidents arent being reported. This type of fraud can be difficult to investigate, she said, because victims who are homeless may be fearful of law enforcement or unwilling or unable to keep up with the reporting required to document such crimes. Thats been a big challenge, Turner said. New federal rules, finalized in April, require agents and brokers to document that the consumers they sign up for coverage are eligible and to confirm the accuracy of application information. CMS investigates agents and brokers identified as potentially problematic through data analytics or consumer complaints, Ellen Montz, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at CMS, said in an email. The agency can suspend or terminate an agent or brokers ability to sell plans on the marketplace or refer them to law enforcement, Montz said. But Corlette, the Georgetown expert, was astonished at how long it took CMS to require agents and brokers to document consumer consent for marketplace coverage. It is remarkable that here we are almost 10 years in, she said, and theyre just now getting around to it. Montz said CMS worked with marketplace health insurers to cancel more than 34,000 fraudulent policies in 2022, though its unknown how many of those cases involved homeless consumers. Richards, the ACA program coordinator near Tampa, said lately fraud on homeless people has happened so often that she drafted a consumer alert in March to warn of bad actors. In Miami, Zhelyazkova is once again enrolled in Ryan White, as well as an opioid use disorder treatment program at a homeless shelter. Among the many issues she has to navigate, she said, are the frequent pitches from strangers who offer her cash to sign up for free insurance. Zhelyazkovas roommate at the shelter, 53-year-old Kathryn Knox, echoed her complaint. Theyre getting people constantly, Knox said, adding that over the years she had been paid to sign up for an ACA plan probably, like, five times. 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). TUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The medication buprenorphine normalizes brain function in people addicted to opioids, but teens rarely receive it at U.S. treatment centers, a new study finds. Only one in four adolescent residential treatment centers in the United States uses the medication to treat opioid use disorder, according to research out of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). These residential treatment centers see some of the most vulnerable adolescents in our communities, but they don't offer the standard of care for these kids," said study lead author Dr. Caroline King, who conducted the research as a medical student at OHSU, in Portland. With rising fentanyl-related overdoses among adolescents, we really need these centers to provide the best care, King added in an OHSU news release. She is now an emergency medicine resident in the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. By not offering this medication, these treatment centers undermine efforts to deal with the countrys overdose epidemic, the researchers said. More than 109,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2022 in the United States, according to provisional U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. Buprenorphine is one of three federally approved medications to treat opioid dependence. Its the one medication thats approved for use in adolescents, and its underused in facilities taking care of kids with the most severe opioid use disorder, said study co-author Dr. Todd Korthuis, head of addiction medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. Its hard to imagine getting adolescents with opioid use disorder off fentanyl without buprenorphine. To study this, OHSU medical students catalogued U.S. treatment centers that serve adolescents, mostly using a database maintained by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They called centers last October to December, posing as the aunt or uncle of a 16-year-old seeking treatment after a non-fatal fentanyl overdose. In calls to 160 residential treatment facilities serving teens, the researchers found that only 39 offered buprenorphine, including through partnership with outside prescribing clinicians. Only 12 of those centers offered the medication to kids younger than 16. Although buprenorphine is not approved for people younger than 16, there is no evidence of safety concerns, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends it be considered for treatment of opioid use disorder in younger people. Another 121 facilities did not offer buprenorphine or werent sure. Among those, 57 said teens prescribed buprenorphine by their own clinician could stay on it at least temporarily. Some said they would discontinue use of the medication before discharge. Of the centers, 27 required young patients to be off buprenorphine at admission. The average parent would need to call nine facilities on the SAMHSA list to find one that offered buprenorphine, the investigators reported. To find one for an adolescent under 16, they would need to call 29 facilities. Korthuis noted that some treatment providers resist using buprenorphine even with adult patients. They claim its replacing one drug for another. Its a big issue, he said. But its something that we can change by supporting these treatment centers with education and technical assistance about buprenorphine, advocating for better funding to staff these centers, and by letting the public know that buprenorphine is necessary treatment in healing brains. The report was published June 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Funding was partly provided by the U.S. National Center for Research Resources, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. More information SAMHSA has more on help for addiction. SOURCE: Oregon Health & Science University, news release, June 13, 2023 Tony Messenger Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Jeffrey Sterling is no fan of Jack Smith, the special counsel for the Department of Justice who is investigating former President Donald Trump. Sterling is also not fond of the Espionage Act, one of the federal laws Trump is accused of violating in a 37-count felony indictment unveiled last week. The combination of those two things Smith and the Espionage Act led to Sterling serving 42 months in a Colorado prison. I first started writing about Sterling in 2015, shortly after he reported to prison. His wife, Holly, had called me from their OFallon, Missouri, home seeking to publicize his case. The former CIA spy was accused of leaking documents about a secret attempt to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program. They were leaked to New York Times journalist James Risen, who wrote about the scheme in his book State of War. The case was based on circumstantial evidence. The federal government was not successful in its attempts to get Risen to reveal his sources. Sterling, an attorney and Black man who had sued the CIA for discrimination and served as a whistleblower to Senate investigators, has long maintained his innocence. He was convicted in 2015 after a trial shrouded in secrecy because of national security. This is one reason why Sterling would like to see the Espionage Act repealed. The Espionage Act is an unjust law that should be abolished, Sterling told me in an email this week. Its use to target and brandish whistleblowers like Daniel Ellsberg, Reality Winner and John Kiriakou among others, essentially as spies, is overbroad and clearly beyond its original intent. Which brings us to the former president. As much as he would like to see a reform of laws on classified documents, Sterling stands as a reminder that if the previous applications are to have any meaning, then Trump must be charged and face the consequences. We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone, Smith said last week. If thats true, and based on the evidence in the indictment against Trump, there is no way the former president shouldnt be prosecuted, Sterling says. The allegations against Trump are absolutely and significantly worse than anything I was alleged to have done, Sterling says. His criminal mishandling of classified information can and should be considered a threat to national security given his former position and continued influence. The case brings up some tough memories for Sterling. He and Holly met on Match.com. They built a life together after Sterlings spy career was over and after he thought the dark clouds of the Iranian investigation had passed. But the federal government brought charges years later, arrested him at work and put him behind bars with nothing close to the mountain of evidence that has been unveiled against Trump. As Sterling watches from afar, and with more inside knowledge than most people, he suspects Trump will be treated with kid gloves compared with what he and other accused whistleblowers have faced. I have absolutely no illusions that Trump will be forced to endure the same ordeal that I or others have had to face being charged under the Espionage Act, Sterling says. Trump wont be ambushed for his arrest, subjected to time behind bars, prevented from returning to his home, branded a traitor or lose everything. He will be given every opportunity to maintain his dignity and his status. The law is unjust, and if he is treated more leniently than others who have also been charged under it, it will be doubly so. There are indeed two systems of justice, and I fear this will be another example of it in action. So it often is in the American judicial system, where those with money or power often prove that the concept of one-set-of-laws-applies-to-everyone is a quaint one and fails the test of time. If I was sent to prison for two and a half years on no evidence, Trump should be facing somewhere approaching life, Sterling says. If he does not spend time in prison, it will just be another instance of how justice is not blind in this country. BERKELEY A north St. Louis County man is accused of acting as a getaway driver after a shooting that left one man dead Saturday at a Berkeley gas station. Tyree L. Fletcher, 18, of unincorporated St. Louis County, was charged Monday with robbery, resisting arrest, weapons offenses and second-degree murder, which can apply when someone dies during the commission of a separate felony. The charges stem from a shooting at the BP gas station in the 4400 block of North Hanley Road about 2 p.m. Saturday that left Christopher Gall, 48, of Maryland Heights, dead. Police wrote in court documents that surveillance video from the gas station shows Fletcher and another person speaking to Gall before both get into Fletcher's Chevrolet Malibu which drives behind the gas station. The other man then returns, shoots Gall and takes his backpack before getting back into the Malibu's passenger seat. The Malibu then drives off, police wrote. Police spotted the Malibu about 9 p.m., a few hours after the shooting in Jennings, but the vehicle turned its lights off, fled police at more than 100 mph on Interstate 70 and got away, court documents say. The next day, police again spotted the Malibu in St. Louis with Fletcher at the wheel. Fletcher was arrested and, according to police, admitted to driving the car the night of the shooting and looking through the backpack stolen from Gall. No one else had been charged in the shooting by about noon Tuesday, according to court records. The St. Louis County Police Department has taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 636-529-8210. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477. Man killed in Berkeley robbery is identified Christopher Gall of Maryland Heights was fatally shot while fighting the robber, police said. DES PERES Des Peres will be the first city in the region to ask residents whether they want to ban recreational marijuana businesses next year, even as the first and only pot store in the city of 9,100 residents nears its grand opening. Des Peres aldermen voted 5-0 Monday to give voters the option on Nov. 5, 2024, the first date allowable by Missouri law. Alderman James Osherow was absent. The move was cheered by about 50 residents who have for months raised concerns over the dispensarys proximity to a youth math tutoring center and that it could increase crime by becoming a target for burglaries. Just say no to drugs, said Kevin Quigley, who was among eight residents who spoke during nearly two hours of public comment Monday. The potential ban could leave plans by Root 66, a dispensary under construction at 12095 Manchester Road, up in smoke. Dan Welsh, an attorney representing the dispensary, declined comment after the meeting. Root 66, also known as GF Wellness, won a Des Peres permit to sell marijuana to state-licensed medical users in August, four months before recreational marijuana was legalized in November 2022 with the support of 53% of Missouri voters. In Des Peres, only 49% of voters approved the ballot measure. While medical marijuana sales are protected by state law, state law also allows recreational marijuana sales to be banned with 60% of voter approval during presidential elections. Cities can also set regulations on both medical and recreational pot businesses locations and operations, including limiting them to locations up to 1,000 feet away from homes, churches, schools and parks. Aldermen on Monday tabled a bill that also requires recreational pot businesses be located 500 feet from parks, a condition Root 66 meets, while they consider revising the bill to add further zoning requirements. Residents opposed to Root 66 want the city to require a 120-foot buffer between homes and any recreational pot shops. That would block Root 66 from getting a conditional-use permit to sell to recreational users at its current location. Robert Barringer, a member of the Des Peres Planning Commission, said Monday a residential buffer would be similar to an existing buffer for adult businesses and would help protect the bedroom communitys character. Its not the people inside (the dispensary) were worried about, Barringer said. Its the citizens outside, most especially the children. And aldermen are considering requiring the dispensary to add more parking spaces beyond the 21 it currently has planned. Welsh said during the meeting that the parking requirement, which would be unique to recreational pot facilities, would be unreasonable and asked aldermen to drop the parking regulation altogether or decrease the number of parking spaces required. If you impose a parking standard that rules out the facility, our argument would be that would constitute an unduly burdensome use of zoning, Welch said. Des Peres as of Monday appeared to be only the second city in Missouri to hold a vote on banning recreational pot businesses after Lebanon, a city of about 15,000 residents between Rolla and Springfield. Should Des Peres voters elect to ban recreational pot shops, residents wouldnt have to drive far to buy legal weed. Recreational dispensaries can be found a few minutes from Des Peres in the cities of Manchester, Brentwood, Crestwood, and Kirkwood, the latest city to approve a new pot business. There are 65 marijuana dispensaries operating in the St. Louis area, according to the latest data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. All but four sell to recreational users in addition to medical users. The city of St. Louis and Missouri counties could enact gun restrictions tougher than those in state law under a plan that supporters hope will go before state voters next year. A new nonprofit, Sensible Missouri, hopes to launch a petition drive to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2024 ballot. It would allow county-level governments and St. Louis city to approve their own rules on the access and carrying of firearms. We believe this is an important step toward reducing firearms violence in urban areas, said Richard Rosenfeld, a criminologist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Its important to permit counties to fashion regulations to meet their needs, and county needs are not the same across the state. Rosenfeld said the proposed amendment wouldnt specify what local rules could be considered. But one likely possibility, he said, would be requiring local-level permits and training to carry a concealed gun. Among other things, it would enable police officers to confiscate guns from persons (if they) do not have a lawful permit to carry the firearm, Rosenfeld said. The Legislature in 2016 ended a similar state concealed permit requirement, although cities can still regulate the open carrying of firearms, which St. Louis aldermen are now considering. Working with Rosenfeld on the petition effort is Jimmie Edwards, a former St. Louis circuit judge and public safety director, and former state Sen. Joan Bray, D-University City. Rosenfeld and Edwards said a final decision on the petition drive will hinge on a statewide poll they plan to run this summer and whether it shows a decent chance of passage. To get on the ballot, petitioners would need valid signatures from more than 171,000 registered voters in Missouri. Earlier this month, Rosenfeld and Edwards had a kickoff meeting online with roughly a dozen people, and they hope to get more people involved in coming weeks, such as elected leaders and law enforcement officials in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas. Missouri now mostly bars cities and counties from going beyond whats in state laws on firearms regulation. In addition to requiring permits, Rosenfeld and Edwards said, localities also could consider age restrictions for the carrying of guns and expanding the list of places guns arent allowed. The two emphasized, however, that their proposal wouldnt allow local governments to do things such as ban private gun ownership or repeal state laws allowing people to use firearms to defend themselves and their homes. People have a right to self-defense, Edwards said. We believe people should have a right to defend with guns. Edwards also asserted that U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including one last year that threw out a New York state concealed-carry permit law, provide a road map for what Missouri counties could pass. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones both expressed interest in the groups effort. We need sensible gun laws, and those are not coming from the state, Page said in a statement. I look forward to hearing more about the nonprofits plans. Jones said that we await more information on this effort, but its clear something must be done at the state level to help protect families from gun violence. Jones has complained previously about the Legislatures passage of increasingly lax gun laws in Missouri and its refusal to let the city pass commonsense gun safety laws. The effort to allow local-level gun restrictions got pushback from state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester. Having gun laws in different jurisdictions is problematic, he said. We need one policy in the whole state. State Rep. Jim Murphy, R-south St. Louis County, said he also was opposed to having separate permit laws in different counties, saying it would lead to confusion. You would never know what the rules are, he said. But he said he would consider supporting efforts to allow local governments to seek voter approval on barring juveniles from carrying handguns. In 2019, then-U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-University City, tried unsuccessfully with other lawmakers to pass a federal law allowing local governments to pass stricter gun laws without state legislative approval. ST. LOUIS The Missouri Attorney Generals Office asked a St. Louis judge on Tuesday to throw out a suit from more than a dozen faith leaders who say the Missouri abortion ban violates the separation of church and state. St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser is expected to rule on whether the lawsuit can move forward after arguments Tuesday focused on whether the 14 faith leaders spanning Protestant, Unitarian and Jewish denominations have grounds to sue. The suit filed in January aims to prevent both the state and prosecutors in St. Charles, St. Louis and Jackson counties, among other jurisdictions, from enforcing the abortion ban and related regulations. The state ban on abortions, except in cases of medical emergencies, went into effect last year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. Providers who violate the measure can be charged with a felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison and lose their medical license. On Tuesday, an attorney for the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys argued that the faith leaders suit should be thrown out because only health care providers not religious leaders can be prosecuted under the ban. Maria Lanahan, of the Attorney Generals Office, added that laws that dovetail with religious beliefs such as statutes closing businesses on Sunday and laws against bigamy have long been upheld in the U.S. Lanahan argued the suit seeks to keep religious people from being legislators who can act on their values. She added the suit makes a circular argument that would also ban religious lawmakers from enacting laws that coincide with their faith. Attorneys for the National Womens Law Center and Americans United for Separation of Church and State representing the faith leaders argued Tuesday their clients status as Missouri taxpayers gives them enough right to sue because, they argue, the state will be devoting direct funds to enforce the bans. Kalli A. Joslin, of Americans United, said the problem with the ban is not that the law coincides with conservative Christianity but that legislators included overt religious statements in the text showing a preference for one religions beliefs. She highlighted that the law itself begins with: In recognition that Almighty God is the author of life ... it is the intention of the General Assembly to defend the right to life of all humans, born and unborn. The legislators, Joslin said, dont have a right to impose their religion on others by law. Sengheiser said Tuesday he will consider the arguments and is expected to issue a ruling on whether the case will go forward. Several of the plaintiffs are from the St. Louis area, including the Rev. Traci Blackmon of the United Church of Christ; the Rev. Krista Taves, a minister at Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood and First Unitarian Church in Alton; Rabbi Andrea Goldstein at the Shaare Emeth, the largest congregation for Reform Judaism in the St. Louis area; and Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis. Missouri is among 14 states that have banned access to abortion since last year, according to a tracker maintained by The New York Times. A handful of similar religious freedom lawsuits challenging abortion restrictions have been filed in states such as Indiana, Kentucky and Florida. Photos: Faith leaders file lawsuit, say Missouri legislators violated church and state separation BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Iran's frozen assets abroad are expected to be unblocked in the coming weeks, Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ehsan Khandouzi said at a press conference in Tehran on June 13, 2023, Trend reports. The minister said that as a result of the efforts of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Bank of Iran, positive progress has been made in the direction of unblocking Iran's frozen assets in abroad. Answering the correspondents question about taking a loan from Iran's reserves in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Khandouzi added that this loan will not create any obligation for Iran to repay the funds. This loan will increase Iran's investment in the International Monetary Fund. An independent technical staff is currently working on this issue. It is hoped that these steps will help the Central Bank of Iran to manage the foreign exchange market in the country. On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. Recently, Iranian media made a report about the unblocking of $24 billion of Iran's frozen assets abroad. Of that, more than $10 billion is expected to be unblocked in Iraq, while $7 billion is in South Korea. Also, an agreement was reached that the Central Bank of Iran can receive more than $6.7 billion from the reserve asset (SDR) in the IMF. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with the state Conservation Commission in a dispute over the wildlife agency's independence. The high court determined the Conservation Commission had the power to purchase 510 acres of land in St. Clair County despite lawmakers in 2020 removing wording from the state budget for land acquisitions. After the budget had been signed, the state Office of Administration refused to release funds for the land acquisition. But on Tuesday, the high court upheld a 2021 Cole County Circuit Court decision affirming the Conservation Commission's independence from the Missouri Legislature and directing the Office of Administration to certify the purchase. Representatives with the Office of Administration and the Department of Conservation said Tuesday the agencies were reviewing the decision. Circuit Judge Cotton Walker said in his 2021 decision that the commission was created through a 1936 constitutional amendment due to dissatisfaction with the politically appointed and underfunded Fish and Game Department. The voters did not intend to leave in the hands of the General Assembly the ability to dictate whether, how much, and for what the Conservation Commission could spend from the Conservation Fund," Walker said. Ruling affirms independence of Department of Conservation from Missouri lawmakers A recent court ruling out of Cole County reversed an attempt to block new land purchases approved by the Conservation Commission. JEFFERSON CITY Visitors to a state park at the headwaters of Missouris nationally protected Current River could soon have the capacity to charge their electric vehicles. Same goes for people heading to another Missouri state park also known for its scenic views and abundant trout. After two years of planning, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids from companies to install electric vehicle charging stations at Montauk State Park near Jadwin and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The two parks represent the inaugural work on a $1 million program approved by state lawmakers in 2021. The program, which could spread to other state parks, is aimed at drawing visitors to parks who may not otherwise get outdoors in rural areas because of a nationwide shortage of charging stations. DNR spokeswoman Tisha Holden said a number of factors were considered when choosing the pilot locations. First and foremost was the electrical infrastructure, which guided our decision, Holden said. We also looked at visitation numbers, distance from metro areas and locations of other charging stations. We were trying to fill a void in the grid. In the case of Montauk, the route is 145 miles from downtown St. Louis, a round-trip distance that could cause battery drainage anxiety even among owners of longer-range EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq or Tesla Model 3, which are rated to get about 350 to 360 miles on a single charge. More than 570,000 people visited Montauk in 2022, according to DNR records. From downtown St. Louis, Roaring River is a trek down Interstate 44 before the 283-mile route gives way to a handful of winding, rural roads heading toward Arkansas. There, the closest EV charging stations are across the border in Eureka Springs. In 2022, DNR said the park had more than 1.6 million visitors. At the time the program was first unveiled, parks officials said they had experienced an increase in demand for EV charging. Currently, visitors with their own charging equipment can use a campsite electric pedestal for a small fee. Prospective bidders will have an opportunity to look at the scope of the work during meetings July 6 and 7 at the parks. The build-out of charging stations comes as the federal government has dedicated $5 billion over the next five years to help states build the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles as part of an initiative to address climate change caused by the exhaust from fossil fuel-powered cars and trucks. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the goal was to build a national charging network across the U.S. where finding a charge is as easy as locating a gas station. It could result in as many as 500,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2030. Missouri is among at least eight other states to launch an EV charger installation program at state-run recreation spots. West Virginia provides electric vehicle charging stations at nine of its parks. There is no fee for charging an electric vehicle at the state parks there. Colorado has at least 16 stations at 11 of its state parks through a partnership with Rivian, which builds electric trucks at a plant in Normal, Illinois. Rivian also is paying for the installation of chargers, as well as 10 years of maintenance, at 30 of South Carolinas 47 state parks. What is it about crooked (or allegedly crooked) St. Louis politicians that they can be bought so cheaply? One thing that jumps out in the federal indictment of former Alderman Brandon Bosley is that his alleged insurance scheme netted him, the feds claim, less than $8,000. It was a similar story with the earlier convictions of three sitting aldermen who betrayed the public for profits that could, in some instances, be measured in the low four figures. No matter: If these charges and convictions create a deterrent for other city officials to cash in on their power, theyre worth more than their face value. Bosley, of the storied political family that includes former Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. and Missouri state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, was charged Monday with three counts of wire fraud. The case grew from the same bribery sting that led to earlier convictions of former Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and former Aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins-Muhammad. They were convicted of accepting bribes in their official capacities, for sometimes meager payouts including, in Boyds case, free car repairs. The charges against Bosley arent directly related to his former political career. Hes accused of ripping off an insurance company with an inflated car-repair bill. But the case stems from the same federal informant who entangled the three aldermen. Heres hoping the rest of their former aldermanic colleagues are watching carefully. Former St. Louis Alderman Brandon Bosley is charged in federal bribery sting Bosley, the son of a former alderman and brother of the city's first black mayor, is accused of inflating the repair bill in a car insurance claim If Trumps alleged crimes arent disqualifying, what would be? The growing pool of candidates for GOP leadership, which is beginning to resemble 2016, is widely thought to favor former President Donald Trump with his solid (but minority) MAGA base. Most of the candidates, still cowering in fear of the MAGA zealots, are reluctant to attack Trump head on despite his many liabilities, even though they know he would lose to President Biden. They continue to place themselves before their party and their country by fragmenting opposition to a proven loser. Will the Republican National Committee, in its lust for power, allow any convicted sexual predator, fraudster, person indicted for a felony or other crimes to run for leadership of their party? If not, will an exception be made for Trump? Their failure to take action against Rep. George Santos, R-New York, who has been charged with money laundering and wire fraud, is a harbinger that no bar is too low for the current GOP. It should be easy for everyone to agree that before any candidate is allowed on a presidential ballot he or she should be vetted as qualified for highest level security clearance. Doesnt indictment for mishandling of classified documents disqualify someone from high level security clearance? If not, what does? Dennis Ayden St. Louis Trumps fans decry banana republic, but its what they want After hearing the news of Donald Trumps indictment, many Republicans have called it the actions of a banana republic. I think we should examine just who it is that wants the U.S. to become a banana republic. When you lose a fair and legal election and your party refuses to accept the result to the point of staging a coup, you want a banana republic. When the president uses his office to enrich himself and his family, with a level of corruption never seen before in our nations history, and you defend it or stay silent, you want a banana republic. When the leader of your party declares that because he was the president, he can do anything he wants with some of the most closely guarded secrets our nation has, and you want to let him, you want a banana republic. When you do everything you can to make sure only your preferred groups can vote, you want a banana republic. When you ban books and make it illegal for teachers to say anything you dont agree with, you want a banana republic. If Trumps supporters would like to see just who it is trying to form a banana republic, they should look in the mirror. Albert Johnson Kirkwood Sewer district is a bad neighbor with waste incinerator plans Good neighbors are consistent and concerned about the neighborhood. Neighbors rely on each others demonstrated behavior and actions. This tenet is obvious and applicable to all types of neighbors residential, commercial and governmental. In reading the June 4 editorial, Bailey is bragging about a legal victory that will hurt Missouris air quality, I was pleased to see the Post-Dispatch express concern for pollutants effects on the air quality in the St. Louis region. I share this concern. On May 11, I issued a press release expressing legitimate and well-founded concern about air pollution implications associated with Metropolitan Sewer Districts proposed rebuilding of its Bissell Point and Lemay waste incinerators. Not only will the proposed project continue to pollute the air with noxious odors and forever chemicals, it commits St. Louis County and city residents to a billion-dollar boondoggle. MSDs proposal also failed to consider alternative technology and federal funding sources and programs. The concerns expressed in the June 4 editorial are certainly applicable to MSDs incinerator project, as is MSDs disregard for its neighbors. If approved, the Lemay and Bissell Point smokestacks will continue to spew forever chemicals into our neighborhoods (and those in neighboring Illinois, which has banned the very technology MSD proposes to use). Thank you for taking a visible stand against this type of bad neighbor behavior. I hope the editorial board continues to do so by performing equally good journalism and keeping a watchful eye on the billion-dollar boondoggle at Bissell and Lemay. Ernie Trakas Clayton St. Louis County councilman Bells candidacy could become a spoiler for Democrats Why is Wesley Bell running for the U.S. Senate? (Missouri prosecutor Wesley Bell vies for GOP Sen. Hawleys seat, June 7.) Maybe he has been fooled by winning in more liberal St. Louis County. While I might even agree with him on issues more than with fellow Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce. But I dont think Bell can win statewide in a conservative state like Missouri. All he can do is deprive Kunce of the nomination, much like Trudy Busch Valentine did in Missouris last Senate election. We dont have a choice between Bell and Kunce. We have a choice between Kunce And Josh Hawley. Ill take what I can get with Lucas Kunce. Jim Branson Florissant Read letters online at STLToday.com. Some years ago, my wife and I arrived from the mainland at Kona Airport, with reservations for a rental car at the airport and a hotel about 30 miles away. But when we showed up at the rental counter, the agent said, "Sorry, we're out of cars. Just sit down over there until somebody returns a car, which we can get ready for you in a few minutes." Period. The other rental companies were also out of cars, so we had to start our Hawaiian vacation sitting around an airport for a couple of hours -- not exactly as we had planned. Welcome to the wonderful world of car rentals. The week's good news is a proposal to provide travelers who rent cars some legal recourse. A new proposed bill, the Vehicle Rental Order Obligation Mandate (VROOM) Act, provides three options for any traveler who shows up with a reservation when no cars are available: Downgrade to a less expensive vehicle, with a refund of the difference Upgrade to a more expensive vehicle at the reserved rate. Cash payment of 200 percent of the reserved rate, with a cap of $500 per day. For some reason, the proposal doesn't cover a fourth option finding and paying for a car from another agency. Industry custom has frequently provided the upgrade/downgrade or different agency options, but that's been voluntary not a legal requirement. And, as with the hotel tradition of "walking" oversold travelers, it's often ignored. A reservation even with no prepayment is a binding contract, and when an agency can't honor it, the agency is in violation of the contract. That's all fine, but being legally right doesn't help much when you're there at a rental agency but the cars are not. As is the case with so many travel situations, when a car or hotel room isn't available, there's nothing anybody can do to, in tort law words, "make you whole." An agent can't rush out and buy some more cars for the fleet or add a wing to a hotel. You'll be stuck, one way or another. But at least the cash option in the new proposal would allow you to throw money at the problem. The proposal came out of nowhere last week, taking me and most of my consumer advocate colleagues by surprise. And you're still a long way from real relief: The proposal does not have the enforcement teeth that Department of Transportation (DoT) passenger protections have for air travelers. It assigns primary enforcement responsibility to the Federal Trade Commission, where available enforcement means are less robust than at DoT. It also suggests but does not require that state attorneys general take action under state laws. The bill was submitted by Rep Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, without bipartisan support, which does not bode well for the future of any bill these days. And I've seen nothing from the Senate side yet. Still, this is the first time Congress has addressed the appalling lack of consumer rights for any travelers other than those on airlines. Would that someone do the same for hotel guests and cruisers. The bad news is the House version of the FAA Reauthorization Act. Yes, it provides for no-fee family seating, but we were likely to get that, anyhow, through DoT rule-making. And it adds some benefits for travelers with disabilities. But it takes away the very valuable requirement for full-cost fare advertising and does not include any of the many suggestions that consumer groups have been requesting. Overall, it looks like the airlines had a big role in the bill's language. And there's a wild card in the mix. The administration has apparently sent out some really beneficial consumer proposals, but nobody I know has seen the specifics yet. I'll be covering this situation in more detail after I've had a chance to study it more and discuss it with my advocate colleagues. Presumably, the Senate version will be a bit better, but for now, it's a toss up. Stay tuned. MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Informa Markets Fashion, leading industry connector and organizer of premier fashion wholesale events including MAGIC, PROJECT, and COTERIE, is gearing up for destination:miami. This three-day stand-alone premium fashion event designed to spotlight a thoughtfully curated assortment of established and emerging resortwear collections from the latest designers and trends shaping elevated resortwear July 8-10, 2023, at the Eden Roc Miami Beach. destination:miami is a COTERIE diffusion brand, which takes the well-known destination community featured at COTERIE and creates an additional focused opportunity for buyers to shop resort and swimwear collections. In addition to ready to wear, this show will also feature an incredible line up of vacation inspired footwear and accessories including hats, sunglasses, handbags and jewelry. The annual showcase drives contemporary and advanced contemporary retailers to the action of Miami Swim Week, a key moment in the buying season with an intimate and luxurious show. destination:miami is intentionally focused on with retreat-like experience for designers and buyers alike with daily wellness, health and beauty-related experiences including daily morning yoga, meditation and sound healing, Face Fitness with celebrity esthetician Lana Mar, nail art by Chillhouse and personalized palm readings. destination:miami brings both domestic and international brands and retailers together for three full days of networking, inspiration and discovery. "destination:miami is expecting nearly half of exhibiting brands to be from international destinations including Brazil, Columbia and Turkey." says Courtney Bradarich, Vice President of COTERIE "This show presents a unique opportunity to break into the U.S. market in an incredible location in the middle of Miami Swim Week." Top exhibiting brands include Adriana Pappas Jewelry, Christy Lynn Collection, Dream Catcher, JUJU Mood, Kristina Ti, Luna B, Mola Mola, Palma Canaria, Van Den Abeele Paris and Ximena Castillo Jewelry & Accessories. Retailers registered to attend include BergdorfGoodman, Neiman Marcus, Revolve, FWRD, JulianGold, Four Seasons Orlando, Anthropologie, Bloomingdales and Ritz Carlton. There is limited space register to become an exhibitor, attendee or press. Register atwww.destinationfashionevents.com. Follow @coterie_show for updates on exhibiting brands and on-site activations. About COTERIE: COTERIE is the premier women's contemporary and advanced contemporary apparel, footwear, and accessories platform. The industry connector brings emerging and established brands and designers to an elite list of global retailers, influencers, and media. COTERIE's first-class events are built on sustainability, technology, and community which combined create exclusive experiences that fuel discovery and connectivity, while inspiring upmarket trends. For more information, please visit: www.coteriefashionevents.com. About Informa Markets: Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com. Contacts: Kristin Borland Informa Markets Fashion [email protected] SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - FASHION View source version on accesswire.com: BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England's most innovative architectural and interior design firms, is proud to welcome Jane Kepros, LEED GA as Director of Lab Programming. Reporting to Dan Perruzzi, AIA, LEED AP, principal and senior partner, Jane will be responsible for programming and planning laboratories, specialty suites, manufacturing facilities, and support spaces for projects, establishing strong relationships with clients and industry partners, and managing, mentoring, and training staff. After graduating from Boston University with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Jane spent eight years working as a biomedical engineer, molecular and cell biologist, and project coordinator at Synta Pharmaceuticals. After initially studying architecture at the Boston Architectural College (BAC), Jane transitioned to a new career as a lab planner. For the past twelve years she has worked for a variety of design firms in the role of Lab Planner, Director of Programming and Planning, and, most recently, Associate Director of Lab Planning. Since 2011 she has been involved with 130+ projects with 70+ clients, including Biogen, Blueprint Medicines, and Takeda. "Jane's insider knowledge of labs and how they operate gives her the ability to develop detailed and innovative lab design plans. Drawing upon her strong scientific and technical background, Jane can talk the same language as our clients and help them navigate challenging laboratory design and construction projects,' said Dan. "Like MP, she strives to stay current with new scientific equipment and lab design trends to provide fresh and innovative design plans to meet the needs of our clients." Her work was twice honored with an ISPE Facility of the Year Award (FOYA). ElevateBio's BaseCamp won for Operational Excellence in 2021, and Moderna's cGMP Manufacturing Facility won Facility of the Future in 2019. Her team won a design award for the Best Research Lab from IIDA New England for the Blueprint Medicines HQ Relocation in 2018. Jane was recognized in 2016 as one of Building Design + Construction's 40 Under 40. Jane has been invited to speak at multiple industry conferences and events. Her recent speaking engagements include "Lab Design Optimization Using LCA and Energy Modeling" with Mitra Sajjadi at the 2020 I2SL Annual Conference and as a panelist for "Learn the Lab Design and Building Essentials for New and Renovated Labs: A Case Study" for the Boston Chapter of Women in Bio in 2017. In her spare time, Jane is involved with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Softball League (MSBL), ISPE Boston's Women in Pharma, and Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. About Margulies Perruzzi As one of New England's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi (MP) designs Workplace, Health, Science, and Real Estate projects that inspire and nurture human endeavor. More information may be found at https://mparchitectsboston.com. Media Contact: Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM Rhino PR 978.985.4541 [email protected] SOURCE: Margulies Perruzzi View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Suncor Energy The SickKids hospital in Toronto is the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in Canada. And its foundation, The SickKids Foundation, recently received a funding boost from the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation" - a registered Canadian charity that receives contributions from Suncor, the proud owner of PetroCanada". "As a world-leading paediatric hospital, SickKids treats some of the sickest kids in Ontario and across the country," says Krista Keilty, Associate Chief of Interprofessional Practice with Connected Care at the SickKids Foundation. "As patients transition home, many will require complex care." Every year, the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation provides grants to Canadian charitable organizations that support family caregiving to help them fund critical resources and programs. The SickKids Foundation is one of those recipients and recently received a $200,000 grant toward funding its Connected Care program- a program that provides education and virtual support for caregivers transitioning from hospital to home with a child who is dependent on medical technology. "PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation's investment in this novel program is a key driver in our ability to deliver this service, which not only improves patient safety and health outcomes but builds confidence through a support network for parents and caregivers," adds Krista. CareMakers also awarded grants to 12 additional Canadian charitable organizations recently for a total of $1.7 million through its national grant stream to help address systemic challenges in the area of family caregiving. Grant levels vary for each organization and reflect the scale of the project or program for which funding was requested. The newest group of national grant recipients also includes: The Children's Link Society (Alberta) Family Caregivers of B.C. Inclusion New Brunswick Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland & Labrador Inc. Institute for Advancement in Mental Health (Ontario) Families for Addiction Recovery (Ontario) The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (Ontario) The Baycrest Foundation (Ontario) Young Caregivers Association (Ontario) Brain Injury Ontario Autism Society Ontario Saskatoon Council on Aging (Saskatchewan) "It's an honour to support the work of these amazing organizations who make a difference in the lives of family caregivers," says Leila Fenc, Executive Director of the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation. "Their efforts are critical to achieving our Foundation's vision, of a country where family caregivers are valued, recognized and supported." To hear more from grant recipients, follow the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Registered charitable organizations interested in a national or local grant may apply for funding based on eligibility and timing requirements. Launched in 2020, the Petro Canada CareMakers FoundationTM creates awareness about family caregiving in Canada and inspires Canadians to help by raising funds to enable charitable organizations across the country to provide critical programs and resources for family caregivers. CareMakers is a registered Canadian charity that receives contributions from Suncor, the proud owner of PetroCanada", as well as other corporate and individual donors. As its profile grows among Canadians, the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation" continues to demonstrate Suncor's purpose and complements our social investment activities. 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: [email protected] SOURCE: Suncor Energy View source version on accesswire.com: CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / Touchstone Exploration Inc. ("Touchstone", "we", "our", "us" or the "Company") (TSX:TXP)(LSE:TXP) announces that Primera Oil and Gas Limited ("POGL"), our wholly owned Trinidadian subsidiary, was notified on June 12, 2023 by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries ("MEEI") that it was awarded the Cipero onshore block in the Trinidad and Tobago 2022 Onshore and Nearshore Competitive Bid Round. The Trinidad and Tobago government has authorized the MEEI to enter into discussions with POGL for the grant of an Exploration and Production (Public Petroleum Rights) Licence for the Cipero block (the "Licence"). In addition, POGL was notified that its bid on the 72,784 gross acre Charuma block did not meet the technical requirements for the grant of an Exploration and Production (Public Petroleum Rights) Licence. However, the Trinidad and Tobago government has authorized the MEEI to enter into discussions with POGL to improve the minimum work program for the possible grant of a licence. Highlights The 29,924 gross acre Cipero block is a strategic area given its proximity to Rio Claro and our Ortoire block. Our successful bid committed to complete various geological studies, reprocess existing 2D seismic data, and drill an aggregate four exploration wells on the block during the initial six-year exploration period of the Licence. Heritage Petroleum Company Limited ("Heritage") is expected to have a 20 precent working interest in the Cipero block, with all exploration work commitments carried during the six-year exploration term of the Licence. Herrera and Cretaceous prospects have been identified on the Cipero block. POGL will commence discussions with the MEEI to possibly enhance the minimum work program bid for the Charuma block. Paul Baay, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "With this successful outcome, we have been able to secure extensive acreage in the Herrera fairway. Although the primary geological target for the Cipero acreage is the Herrera Formation, our team has also identified additional targets within the Cretaceous. In addition to the execution of the licence, we will be required to conduct geological studies, reprocess existing 2D seismic data, and apply for regulatory permits prior to drilling, which is anticipated to take a minimum of three years. We are excited to formally commence working on the block and will provide further updates and details when the licence has been executed." Summary of Cipero Block Bid Gross acreage 29,924 Heritage working interest 20 percent Minimum work commitments(1)(2) Geological studies Conduct five studies Reprocessing 2D seismic 426 kilometres Exploration drilling Four new wells Estimated financial obligations over the six-year Licence term(2) US$2.2 million Notes: POGL will be responsible for 100 percent of the exploration minimum work commitments over the initial six-year exploration term of the Licence. The minimum work commitments and the estimated financial obligations were based on the POGL bid and information provided by the MEEI. This information is subject to change prior to formalization of the Licence. Touchstone Exploration Inc. Touchstone Exploration Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta based company engaged in the business of acquiring interests in petroleum and natural gas rights and the exploration, development, production and sale of petroleum and natural gas. Touchstone is currently active in onshore properties located in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Company's common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "TXP". For further information about Touchstone, please visit our website at www.touchstoneexploration.com or contact: Mr. Paul Baay, President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Scott Budau, Chief Financial Officer Mr. James Shipka, Chief Operating Officer Telephone: 403.750.4487 Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information provided in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. 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 are events or conditions that "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date thereof and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Specifically, this news release includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements relating to the Company's development and exploration plans and strategies, the expectation of executing the Licence in accordance with the Company's bid, anticipated exploration activities on the block, and the expected terms of the Licence, including minimum work commitments based on the successful bid and minimum financial obligation data provided by the MEEI. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements 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. Certain of these risks are set out in more detail in the Company's 2022 Annual Information Form dated March 23, 2023 which will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.touchstoneexploration.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation or intent to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE: Touchstone Exploration, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Altisource Asset Management Corporation (NYSE: AAMC) announced today that the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department issued a ruling in favor of the company that it did not breach any contractual obligation to redeem preferred shares held by Luxor Capital Group. The appellate court held that AAMC, "established its entitlement to summary judgment dismissing the complaint. In opposition [Luxor] failed to raise a triable issue of fact, and also failed to establish their entitlement to summary judgment on their own motion." The court further directed the Clerk to enter judgment dismissing Luxor's complaint. For inquiries, please reach out to [email protected]. About AAMC AAMC is a private credit provider that originates alternative assets to provide liquidity and capital to under-served markets. We also continue to assess opportunities that could potentially be of long-term benefit to shareholders. Additional information is available at www.altisourceamc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613866524/en/ Investor Relations T: +1-704-275-9113 E: [email protected] Twitter: @altisourceamc Source: Altisource Asset Management Corporation Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Fifth generation of OSLON Square Hyper Red LEDs achieves market leading wall plug efficiency of 78.8 % Robust inhouse chip technology enabling exceptionally long Q90 lifetime of 102,000 hours Designed to reduce growers energy consumption and cost without sacrificing crop yields PREMSTAETTEN, Austria & MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in optical solutions, has introduced the fifth generation of its popular OSLON Square Hyper Red horticulture LED designed to offer faster plant growth and enable optimized system cost. The company continues to provide important innovation based on customer input by creating LED solutions that produce high photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) at higher efficacy than the previous generation of Hyper Red 660 nm LEDs. The new OSLON Square Hyper Red LED is intended for use in all horticultural lighting applications including greenhouse toplighting and interlighting, sole source lighting, and vertical farming applications. The new Hyper Red LED (part number GH CSSRM6.24), achieves wall plug efficiency of 78.8 % at a junction temperature of 25C, compared with 76.8 % to the previous generation. It will enable indoor growers to cut energy cost for illuminating all types of crops grown under artificial lighting, including vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants. In addition, being a ceramic based package, the OSLON Square family of LEDs has a strong and proven reputation as a robust and reliable high-power LED leading to high tolerances against humidity and other harsh conditions experienced in indoor farming. In longevity, the new GH CSSRM6.24 LED raises the standard, achieving an exceptionally long Q90 lifetime of 102,000 hours enabling stable harvesting results. The LED also withstands ESD strikes of up to 8 kV according to the ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001 standard (human body model). Thomas Grebner, Marketing Manager at ams OSRAM, said: ams OSRAMs innovation in red chip technology continues to raise the performance of horticulture LEDs, providing growers with higher efficiency in a standard LED package at the crucial Hyper Red 660 nm wavelength. Our technology provides growers a simple way to upgrade luminaire designs and to reduce their energy costs while maintaining high crop yields. Important technology specifications include: PPF is 5.96 mol/s at 700 mA, and 3.02 mol/s at 350 mA. is 5.96 mol/s at 700 mA, and 3.02 mol/s at 350 mA. PPF efficacy is 4.32 mol/J at 700 mA, and 4.62 mol/J at 350 mA. is 4.32 mol/J at 700 mA, and 4.62 mol/J at 350 mA. Peak wavelength is 660 nm, and the dominant wavelength is 640 nm. is 660 nm, and the dominant wavelength is 640 nm. Spectral bandwidth is 25 nm. 3.0 mm x 3.0 mm footprint for the ceramic package with silicone lens. ams OSRAM holds a leading position in providing proven inhouse LED technology to the Horticulture industry. Our LED technology spans the Hyper Red 660 nm, Deep Blue 450 nm, Far Red 730 nm, Red 640 nm and Horti White areas of the spectrum offering complete solution possibilities for all indoor grower use case scenarios. In addition, we offer multiple sensor technologies that offers growers a complete solution for growing and monitoring the environment. The OSLON Square GH CSSRM6.24 LED is available for standard ordering and sampling now. For sample requests or more technical information, please visit https://ams-osram.com/products/leds/color-leds/osram-oslon-square-gh-cssrm2-24. More about ams OSRAMs Horticulture solutions: https://ams-osram.com/applications/lighting/agriculture-horticulture View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613378470/en/ Media Relations Hilary McGuinness Fernholz Head of PR Tel.: +49 151 27670184 [email protected] [email protected] https://ams-osram.com Source: ams OSRAM Namodenosons robust effect reached 90% inhibition of pancreatic cancer growth in pre-clinical studies 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 that it is doing all the preparatory work for an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma with Namodenoson. Pre-clinical studies demonstrate a robust dose dependent anti-proliferative effect of Namodenoson on pancreatic carcinoma cells originating from both male and female patients, reaching 90% growth inhibition. 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 will be initiated. The study will enroll patients in Israel at the Rabin Medical Center and will be conducted by Dr. Salomon Stemmer, an oncology key opinion leader and Professor at the Institute of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center, Israel. Patients will receive Namodenoson at a dose of 25 mg orally, twice daily. Study endpoints will include safety, objective response, progression-free survival, duration of response, disease control (defined as an objective response or stable disease), and overall survival. The IND submission will cross reference all the data previously shared with the FDA related to the development of Namodenoson for the treatment of advanced liver cancer. Can-Fite is currently enrolling patients in a pivotal Phase 3 study in hepatocellular carcinoma, in agreement with both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). We are making progress towards Namodenosons first clinical trial in pancreatic carcinoma. Once this study is underway, Can-Fites pipeline will include two oncology indications with Namodenoson in clinical trials. We hope our oral anti-cancer drug, with its good safety and robust anticancer effect, will help and support patients with this devastating disease," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. The highest incidence rates for pancreatic cancer are in Asia, Europe, and North America. 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. About Namodenoson Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase 2 trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is currently in a Phase 2b trial for NASH, a pivotal Phase 3 for HCC, and is headed into a Phase 2a for pancreatic cancer. Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug. 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), a Phase 3 trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is enrolling patients, 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-Fites 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-Fites 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-Fites 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613143878/en/ Can-Fite BioPharma Motti Farbstein [email protected] +972-3-9241114 Source: Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seneca Resources (Seneca or the Company), a leading national IT, engineering, and business professional talent provider based in Reston, VA, has joined forces with QED National (QED), an IT consulting firm based in New York City. This partnership, effective as of May 26, 2023, marks a significant milestone in Senecas growth strategy and equips the Company with enhanced capabilities and a broadened suite of client solutions. QED represents the first add-on acquisition completed by Seneca since Caymus Equitys majority investment in September 2022. QED has established a strong reputation over the past 30 years as a trusted provider of IT consulting services, delivering tailored solutions to a diverse range of public and private sector clients. With a focus on customer-centricity and a deep understanding of industry-specific needs, QED has consistently delivered innovative technology solutions across various verticals, including government, utilities, healthcare, and finance. Senecas partnership with QED aligns strategically with the Companys mission to provide comprehensive workforce solutions and navigate complex challenges faced by its clients. Particularly, the addition of QED strengthens the Seneca platform by further increasing Senecas mix of true IT consulting and cybersecurity solutions, and by adding to the Companys base of revenue focused in the recession-resilient government, utilities, and healthcare verticals. The acquisition of QED also expands Senecas national presence with a new office in New York City, one of the most vibrant business and technology hubs in the world. This marks the Companys seventh location across the United States. Partnering with QED represents meaningful progress toward achieving our strategic objectives for Seneca in the first nine months of our investment, commented Blake Cummings, Principal and investment lead at Caymus Equity. We recognize the value of IT consulting expertise in todays marketplace, and are excited to leverage QEDs leading capabilities in this area as we continue to build the premier IT staffing and consulting business in the industry. "We are thrilled to welcome QED National to the Seneca Resources family," said Rob Persiano, CEO of Seneca. "Their proven track record, deep industry expertise, and commitment to exceptional quality perfectly complements our strategic objectives. This transaction positions us for even greater success as we expand our national footprint and offer enhanced cybersecurity services to our valued clients." Dustin Molter, the leader of QEDs operations, will join Senecas leadership team as Managing Director for the New York City office, bringing with him a wealth of experience and insights into the local market. Mr. Molters guidance will be instrumental in continuing to drive the growth and success of Senecas operations in the New York City area. In addition to Seneca, Caymus Equitys staffing experience includes a prior investment in Hospitality Staffing Solutions, the nations largest provider of full-time staffing services to hotels, resorts and casinos, and a current investment in PlanIT Group, a technology consulting firm providing IT consulting and staffing services to a global client base. The acquisition of QED closed on May 26, 2023. Momentum Advisory Partners represented QED in the transaction. To learn more about QED, visit https://www.qednational.com/ To learn more about Seneca, visit https://senecahq.com/ To learn more about Caymus Equity, visit https://www.caymusequity.com/ About Caymus Equity Founded in 2001 and with offices in Atlanta and New York, Caymus Equity is a leading private equity firm focused on control transactions in the lower middle market and is currently investing out of Caymus Equity Partners Fund II, L.P. We invest in profitable companies with significant upside potential where the owners and management teams are seeking a value-added partner to help fuel growth. Our partnerships center around mutual culture, business values, and goals as the foundation for driving sustainable growth and value for all stakeholders. We strive to work with management to develop and refine strategy and provide support while leaving day-to-day execution to the operators of the business. Caymus Equitys other holdings include PureRED, a provider of a unique combination of marketing services that increase sales and customer engagement for world class retail, consumer packaged goods and business-to-business enterprises; TriplePoint, a full-service mechanical contractor with operations across six states in the Midwest; Pan-Am Dental, a full-service manufacturer and distributor of high quality custom dental products; PlanIT Group, a provider of a full suite of IT consulting and staffing solutions to the government and commercial sectors; Colorado Barricade, a provider of roadway safety, pavement marking, traffic control, and sign installation solutions for commercial customers, utility contractors and roadway infrastructure maintenance providers in the Rocky Mountain region; and Overland Vehicle Systems, a leading branded supplier of outdoor and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories for Overlanding and off-roading enthusiasts. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613932755/en/ Garrison Hogan Tel: 404-995-8331 Email: [email protected] Source: Seneca Resources Modular solution designed for the financial sector leverages artificial intelligence to automate investment compliance controls Dassault Systemes reinforces its ambition to make OUTSCALE the trusted partner for financial institutions Partnership with BNP Paribas Securities Services business line aims to deepen its use of Innova to control fund compliance as part of the digitalization of its custodian bank platform VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) (Paris: DSY) today announced that it has reinforced the Business Experience for Finance offering of OUTSCALE, its leading cloud brand and sovereign and sustainable operator of Experience as a Service, by acquiring and integrating the Innova regtech solution. With this, Dassault Systemes reinforces its ambition to make OUTSCALE the trusted partner for financial institutions. Innova, a modular solution designed for the financial sector, leverages artificial intelligence to automate investment compliance controls. It offers precise semantic analysis and automatic detection of investment rules, adding a new dimension to Dassault Systemes Business Experience for Finance offering, which promotes optimized management of compliance controls and stimulates collaboration and collective intelligence within organizations. As part of this integration, Dassault Systemes has entered into a partnership with BNP Paribas' Securities Services business, a leading global custodian with 11.9 trillion in assets under custody. This partnership aims to deepen the banks use of Innova to control fund compliance as part of the digitalization of its depositary banking platform. "We have always believed in Innova. As part of our collaboration with Dassault Systemes, we can continue contributing to the development of this innovative solution with a top industrial player," said Arnaud Claudon, Head of Asset Owners and Managers Client Lines, Securities Services, BNP Paribas. "Integrating the regtech Innova solution into Dassault Systemes OUTSCALE Business Experience provides added value that positions us as a strategic partner for the financial sector," said Philippe Miltin, CEO, OUTSCALE, Dassault Systemes. "Our partnership with BNP Paribas Securities Services, a reference in the financial sector, demonstrates our commitment to providing experiences that meet the specific needs of each sensitive sector. By enriching operational processes with artificial intelligence, the Business Experience for Finance offering of our OUTSCALE brand will promote collaboration and collective intelligence within financial organizations. ### FOR MORE INFORMATION Dassault Systemes 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTEMES Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613021905/en/ Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate / France Arnaud MALHERBE [email protected] +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73 North America Natasha LEVANTI [email protected] +1 (508) 449 8097 EMEA Virginie BLINDENBERG [email protected] +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21 China Grace MU [email protected] +86 10 6536 2288 India Kriti ASHOK [email protected] +91 9741310607 Japan Misae HASHIDA [email protected] +81 3 4321 3418 Korea Jeemin JEONG [email protected] +82 2 3271 6653 AP South Minming CHEN [email protected] +65 6511 7931 Source: Dassault Systemes NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Musa Yenni and Yenni Income Opportunities Fund I, L.P. (the Fund), a Delaware private equity fund, achieved a sweeping trial victory in the Delaware Court of Chancery. On May 31, 2023, the Chancery Court issued a ruling in favor of Mr. Yenni and the Fund rejecting claims of fraudulent inducement and equitable estoppel, thereby confirming the Funds supermajority control of the Board of Managers of Steven Feller P.E., LLC (dba Feller Engineering) (www.fellerpe.com). The Chancery Court found after a two-day trial that Mr. Yenni and the Fund apprised plaintiff Braga Investment & Advisory, LLC, managed by Ricardo and Rodrigo Braga (Braga), about changes to Feller Engineerings operating agreement during diligence, and that Braga knowingly made the decision to sign for itself an amended operating agreement without reading the final version. The Chancery Court found no basis for Bragas allegations of forgery or misrepresentation. The Chancery Court further found that the Fund, with its supermajority control, properly exercised its contractual power of attorney over Braga as a silent, passive investor, to approve subsequent revisions to Feller Engineerings operating agreement. The litigation spanned over four years through trial. This is the second trial ruling vindicating the Fund against Braga, which had previously lost its claims regarding Feller Engineerings asset structure and its board governance in Braga Inv. & Advisory, LLC v. Yenni Income Opportunities Fund I, L.P., 2020 WL 3042236 (Del. Ch. June 8, 2020) (Bouchard, C.). Justin S Stern of Frigon Maher & Stern LLP and Julia B. Klein of Klein LLC represented Mr. Yenni and the Fund. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613861710/en/ Musa Yenni, [email protected] Source: Yenni Income Opportunities Fund I, L.P. WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Franklin Street Properties Corp. (FSP, our or we) (NYSE American: FSP), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today that it entered into a lease amendment with existing tenant, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., at its Greenwood Plaza property in Englewood, Colorado. The lease amendment extends the term applicable to all of Kaisers approximately 121,000 square foot premises by 5 years, from May 31, 2024 to May 31, 2029. Additionally, we entered into a new lease with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of General Services, at our Innsbrook property in Glen Allen, Virginia. The lease is for approximately 100,000 square feet, has a term of 10.5 years and is anticipated to commence during December 2023. George J. Carter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FSP, commented as follows: We look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth of Virginia to our Innsbrook property later this year. We are also pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan at our Greenwood Plaza property. Our efforts to lease vacant space and to reduce tenant expiration exposure remain key components of our on-going efforts to unlock value for our shareholders. This press release, along with other news about FSP, is available on the Internet at www.fspreit.com. We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investor Relations section of our website. We encourage investors to consult that section of our website regularly for important information about us and, if they are interested in automatically receiving news and information as soon as it is posted, to sign up for E-mail Alerts. About Franklin Street Properties Corp. Franklin Street Properties Corp., based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, is focused on infill and central business district (CBD) office properties in the U.S. Sunbelt and Mountain West, as well as select opportunistic markets. FSP seeks value-oriented investments with an eye towards long-term growth and appreciation, as well as current income. FSP is a Maryland corporation that operates in a manner intended to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. To learn more about FSP please visit our website at www.fspreit.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this press release that state FSPs or managements intentions, beliefs, expectations, or predictions for the future may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may also contain forward-looking statements based on current judgments and current knowledge of management, which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. See the Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as the same may be updated from time to time in subsequent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613114995/en/ For Franklin Street Properties Corp. Georgia Touma, 877-686-9496 Source: Franklin Street Properties Corp. LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of their shared and ongoing commitment to support and celebrate the queer community, Grindr and MISTR are teaming up this Pride season for a celebratory party series honoring the beloved community of drag artists and performers who keep Pride alive all monthand all year. In 2021, Grindr partnered with GayCities and GoFundMe to help raise funds for the Save Our Spaces initiative benefitting LGBTQ social venues around the country whose businesses were threatened by COVID lockdowns and closures. This year, God Save the Queens will continue these efforts by rallying support around a different mainstay of the community currently under threat: the beloved drag performers who rely on freedom of expression to earn their living and keep our community proud year-round. Donations up to $25k made to the ACLUs Drag Defense Fund will be matched by MISTR as part of their commitment to this vibrant community of artists and performers. On Thursday, June 15, Grindr and MISTR will host 6 Pride parties at iconic queer spaces across the U.S. This campaign is more than just a partyits a chance to support the art form of drag, fight for equality and freedom of expression, and help queer, trans, and non-binary drag performers from all walks of life continue to do what they do best: entertain, uplift, and earn a living with their prodigious talents. Tristan Schukraft, President & CEO of Mistr, said: Its more important than ever for us to step up in support of Drag Queens and everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. By joining forces with Grindr and local LGBTQ+ communities across the country, we are able to raise awareness and funds for the ACLU Drag Defense Fund, which MISTR will be matching up to $25,000. Drag is the lifeblood of our community. Drag queens have long kept the community mobilized through times of both celebration and strife, said Grindrs Alex Black. With this beloved art form under attack by anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country, we wanted to support and celebrate these artists and performers and help them shine brighter than ever before. The Pride parties will be located at beloved local gay bars in Los Angeles, Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, Dallas, and Ft. Lauderdale, and each party will include: free drink tickets, Grindr Unlimited passes, merch giveaways, and performances from fabulous local drag talent. Grindr users can find all the info for their respective citys event right in the Grindr app, and members of the community not located in one of the select cities can still support the cause by making a donation to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund heredonations up to $25k will be generously matched by MISTR. EVENTS: New York City (Hardware Bar) 7-10pm Darienne Lake - RPDR Season 6 finalist and RPDR: All Stars 8 contestant (currently airing) Dallas (The Round-up Saloon) 8-11pm RaJah Ohara - Winner of RPDR: Canada Vs.The World, RPDR All Stars 6 Runner-up and RPDR Season 11 contestant Ft. Lauderdale (Georgies Alibi Monkey Bar) 8-11pm Roxxxy Andrews - RPDR Season 5 Finalist and RPDR: All Stars 2 Top 4 Finalist West Hollywood (Hi Tops Bar) 7-10pm Mayhem Miller - RPDR Season 10 contestant and RPDR All Stars Season 5 Chicago (Charlies Bar) 9-12pm Denali Foxx - RPDR Season 13 contestant (Denali & Kahmoras 100% Pure Love Lip Sync) San Francisco (Hi Tops Bar) 7-10pm Rock M. Sakura - RPDR Season 12 contestant About Grindr With nearly 13 million monthly active users in virtually every country in the world, Grindr has grown to become a fundamental part of the queer community since its launch in 2009. The company continues to expand its ecosystem to enable gay, bi, trans and queer people to connect, express themselves, and discover the world around them. Grindr is headquartered in West Hollywood, California. The Grindr app is available on the App Store and Google Play. About Mistr MISTR is the largest telemedicine provider offering free online PrEP and STI testing in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. Gay owned and operated, MISTR has brought together a network of the best doctors, pharmacists, and problem solvers to make PrEP and HIV care available to all who need it 100% free. No doctor's office, no paperwork and free delivery. mistr.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613597470/en/ Grindr: [email protected] Mistr: [email protected] Source: Grindr Latest InGaP HBT Power Amplifiers First of the Series to be AEC-Q100 Qualified for Automotive Applications GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guerrilla RF, Inc. (OTCQX: GUER) announces the formal release of the GRF5526, GRF5526W, GRF5536 and GRF5536W, the latest in a series of W linear power amplifiers. These InGaP HBT amplifiers were designed specifically for 5G wireless infrastructure applications requiring exceptional native linearity over large 100MHz bandwidths and temperature extremes of -40C to 105C. Spanning frequency ranges of 2.32.7GHz and 3.3-4.2GHz respectively, the GRF5526 / GRF5526W and GRF5536 / GRF5536W are tuned to operate within the n7, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n88 and n90 5G new radio (NR) bands. The devices typically deliver 23dBm of linear power over the entire -40C to 105C temperature range while maintaining ACLR levels of better than -45dBc and EVM levels The ability to beat the -45dBc ACLR performance metric without DPD is critical for cellular applications like home and commercial repeaters/boosters, femtocells, and picocells, as well as cable loss compensators which are used in conjunction with automotive shark fin antennas. In each of these use cases, the sensitivity to cost, power and size constraints prohibits the use of elaborate linearization techniques like DPD. Instead, designers must rely on the power amplifiers native linearity to meet the stringent emissions mask requirements imposed by the latest 5G standards. The GRF5526 and GRF5536 are strategic additions to our previously released W PAs, says Jim Ahne, Guerrilla RFs VP of Automotive and 5G Products. With their formal introduction, we now have a complete suite of commercially available linear PAs addressing all bands targeted by our 5G and automotive customer base. The GRF5536 variants are particularly noteworthy since they capitalize on the growing popularity of the C-band what many in the industry hail as the most attractive spectrum for 5G applications due to its ideal blend of propagation coverage and available bandwidth. The new -W variants within this family are also critical additions for our automotive business, continues Ahne. Select variants of the GRF55xx family including the GRF5526W and GRF5536W are being qualified for full AEC-Q100 compliance. By the end of the summer, Guerrilla RF will have introduced multiple -W variants of its linear PAs in support of a major contract it won back in November. Packaging, Pricing and Availability The GRF5526, GRF5526W, GRF5536 and GRF5536W come in pin-compatible 3mm x 3mm, 16-pin QFN packages. Samples and evaluation boards are available for all four components. Prices start at $1.70 for the GRF5526/36 series, and $1.95 for the W (AEC-Q100 qualified) variants (10,000-up, EXW USA). About Guerrilla RF, Inc. Founded in 2013 and based in Greensboro, NC, Guerrilla RF develops and manufactures high-performance monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) to wireless OEMs in multiple market segments including 5G/4G macro and small cell base stations, cellular repeaters/DAS, automotive telematics such as SDARS/V2X/GPS/DAB, military communications, navigation, and high-fidelity wireless audio. Guerrilla RF has an extensive portfolio of over 100 high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave semiconductor devices. The existing product line includes ultra-low noise amplifiers, gain blocks, driver amplifiers, mixers, RF switches, digital step attenuators (DSAs), and linear power amplifiers (PAs) the critical building blocks for mission-critical, performance-driven wireless applications. To date, the company has shipped over 175 million devices and has repeatedly been included in Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list. Guerrilla RF recently made the top Inc. 500 list for the second year in a row, coming in at No. 421 and 489 for the 2020 and 2021 rankings, respectively. For more information, please visit https://guerrilla-rf.com or follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as expect, believe, estimate, plan, project, anticipate, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of the company and its management about future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the company's filings with the SEC available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613301992/en/ Jim Ahne, VP of Automotive & 5G Products / VP of Corporate Marketing [email protected] +1 336 265 7760 Source: Guerrilla RF, Inc. HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, to discuss its second quarter 2023 financial results. The call will begin at 8 a.m. CT (9 a.m. ET). The Company will issue a press release regarding the second quarter 2023 earnings prior to the conference call. The press release will be posted on the Halliburton website at www.halliburton.com. Please visit the Halliburton website to listen to the call via live webcast. A recorded version will be available under the same link immediately following the conclusion of the conference call. You can also pre-register for the conference call and obtain your dial in number and passcode by clicking here. About Halliburton Halliburton is one of the worlds leading providers of products and services to the energy industry. Founded in 1919, we create innovative technologies, products, and services that help our customers maximize their value throughout the life cycle of an asset and advance a sustainable energy future. Visit us at www.halliburton.com; connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613032644/en/ Investor Relations Contact David Coleman [email protected] 281-871-2688 Press Contact Brad Leone [email protected] 281-871-2601 Source: Halliburton Company LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology and market infrastructure, today announced that ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (IBA) plans to launch the ICE Commodity Traceability (ICoT) service to support the cocoa and coffee industries in meeting the requirements of the European Unions (EU) incoming regulation relating to deforestation and forest degradation. ICoT is designed to support customers across the cocoa and coffee industries in demonstrating their compliance with regulation being introduced by the EU to minimize the extent to which the consumption of certain commodities in the EU, including cocoa and coffee, result in deforestation worldwide. IBA anticipates launching ICoT in 2024, in advance of the regulation entering into application on December 30, 2024. Recognizing ICEs established position in the cocoa and coffee markets, where the benchmark prices for these commodities are formed every day, ICE has been working closely with the industry to design a solution to help customers meet the requirements of the deforestation regulation. This includes the need to receive and verify supply chain data from sellers when entering into transactions, said Toby Brandon, Senior Director, ICE Soft Commodity Operations. ICEs customers, stakeholders, and the countries where cocoa and coffee are grown, have made significant investments in supply chain sustainability processes and technology over many years. ICoT builds on this infrastructure by providing a single, standardised platform, allowing the multiple technologies which will be used by customers to provide farmer location and traceability data required by the deforestation regulation. ICoT will independently validate this data to allow cocoa and coffee to be readily traded and placed on the EU market, continued Brandon. ICEs benchmark Cocoa, London Cocoa, Coffee C and Robusta Coffee futures and options contracts are the largest markets in the world to trade cocoa and coffee. Last year the equivalent of over 500 million tons traded on ICEs cocoa and coffee markets. By collating, standardising and validating supply chain data, ICoT will assist customers in demonstrating compliance from the farm to European consumer product, said Clive de Ruig, President of IBA. ICoT is designed to facilitate customers successful implementation of the deforestation regulation and maintain the free-flowing and commoditised physical trade of cocoa and coffee, which is crucial for countries where the commodities originate and to businesses in the EU. Users of ICoT will benefit from IBAs proven and market-leading technology and data management, together with IBAs long-standing experience and reputation for establishing robust and independent governance processes and oversight functions, continued de Ruig. Combining this expertise with ICEs established position in commodity markets means that we are well-placed to help customers meet the requirements of the new regulation. For more information on the ICoT service, please contact [email protected]. IBAs launch of ICoT remains subject to satisfactory testing and feedback, and other dependencies such as system and data availability required under the deforestation regulation. About ICE Benchmark Administration ICE Benchmark Administration is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the regulated activity of administering a benchmark and is authorized as a benchmark administrator under the UK Benchmarks Regulation. Operating ICoT is not a regulated activity. About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks to connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes that offer our customers access to mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and operational efficiencies. We operate exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, and clearing houses that help people invest, raise capital and manage risk across multiple asset classes. Our comprehensive fixed income data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers capitalize on opportunities and operate more efficiently. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming and digitizing the U.S. residential mortgage process, from consumer engagement through loan registration. Together, we transform, streamline and automate industries to connect our customers to opportunity. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading Key Information Documents (KIDS). Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on February 2, 2023. Source: Intercontinental Exchange View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613531748/en/ ICE Media Contact: Rebecca Mitchell [email protected] +44 7951 057 351 ICE Investor Contact: Katia Gonzalez [email protected] (678) 981-3882 Source: Intercontinental Exchange BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce is working to attract German companies in the field of renewable energy sources to Azerbaijan, Executive Director of the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan) Tobias Baumann told Trend. "A delegation on renewable energy sources visited Azerbaijan last year. We have a program of the Ministry of Economy and Climate Action, and it supports business delegations on promising topics, such as the development of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan," he said. "We know that Azerbaijan has a high potential in the field of renewable energy. We see a lot of interest in the German business community in this sector. Moreover, our Chamber of Commerce organized a Forum on Economic Sustainability and held meetings in the B2B format. Our companies are studying the Azerbaijani market, its conditions and legal environment. We have 2-3 projects that we are currently working on," he added. Baumann said that the German side is negotiating with the Azerbaijani government to participate in auctions for renewable energy. "There are some aspects that need to be clarified, for example, the price. Azerbaijan has really low consumer prices for electricity, which is not very attractive for large German investors. I believe that cooperation initiatives can come from medium-sized companies," he added. "There are other possibilities that are being discussed today between German companies and the Azerbaijani side. If the auction takes place, I think there will be opportunities that will satisfy the interests of German bidders," Tobias Baumann said. Debuting at IMS 2023 (June 13-15, San Diego), the new 4x-781A range addresses emerging RF & microwave testing requirements CLACTON-ON-SEA, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pickering Interfaces, the leading supplier of modular signal switching & simulation solutions for use in electronic test & verification, today announced a new range of PXI/PXIe microwave relay modules capable of switching the 110 GHz signals associated with demanding RF & communications applications, including emerging technologies such as automotive radar. Launching at IMS, this extension to Pickerings family of terminated SPDT microwave switches is the first to be offered in 110 GHz, delivering the highest RF switching performance available within a Pickering switching system. As operating frequencies evolve to ever higher levels, more of Pickerings RF & microwave switching solutions will support 110 GHz to address the latest RF testing requirements. The 40-781A-92x (PXI) and 42-781A-92x (PXIe) modules consist of either a single or dual microwave changeover switch payload, capable of switching up to 110 GHz in 50 . They are available with external terminations, and connections are via front panel mounted high quality SMA 1.0 connectors. Externally terminated switches offer the advantage that the user-accessible terminations can be removed and replaced with higher-power RF loads for increased signal levels. This switch topology flexibility also allows alternative configurations to alter the switching functionality, such as terminated 4-port bypass (1 termination removed) and 5-port DP3T (both terminations removed). The 40/42-781A-92x range features latching relays, minimizing the heating effects when the switches are energized (compared to failsafe switches), as only a pulsed signal is required for operation (since latching relay contacts retain their last set state when the power is removed). LED indication is provided, allowing a clear visual confirmation of the switch status a useful feature for verifying system operation. Steve Edwards, Switching Product Manager at Pickering, commented: These new 40/42-781A-92x modules are particularly applicable to emerging microwave technologies, such as automotive radar in addition to radar and satellite or short-range land-based secure communication testing applications. Although designed for microwave applications, the modules also have many uses across the RF spectrum, where extremely low insertion loss and ultra-high isolation are critical. They can also be used at lower frequencies, where power handling to 35 W (without termination) is required. An onboard relay cycle counting feature enables proactive health monitoring of modules for test system predictive maintenance. The number of operations per contact is stored on the module and can be used to determine if a relay is approaching EOL. This information could allow system connections to be revised so that signals applied to heavily used contacts are swapped with lightly used contacts to prolong the working life of the relay(s). The 40/42-781A-92x range is supplied with drivers that allow support in all popular software programming environments. In terms of operating systems, all Microsoft-supported Windows versions and popular varieties of Linux are supported, as well as other real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) tools. Design, Deploy & Sustain Your Automated Test System About Pickering Interfaces Pickering Interfaces designs and manufactures modular signal switching & simulation for use in electronic test & verification. We offer the largest range of switching & simulation products in the industry for PXI, LXI, and PCI applications. To support these products, we also provide cable and connector solutions, diagnostic test tools, along with our application software and software drivers created by our in-house software team. Pickering's products are specified in test systems installed throughout the world and have a reputation for providing excellent reliability and value. Pickering Interfaces operates globally with direct operations in the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, and China, together with additional representation in countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. We currently serve all electronics industries, including automotive, aerospace & defense, energy, industrial, communications, medical, and semiconductor. For more information on signal switching & simulation products or sales contacts, please visit: www.pickeringtest.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613224776/en/ Press contacts: Kimberly Otte Pickering Interfaces [email protected] +1 978-455-0376 www.pickeringtest.com Or agency: Mark Gradwell, Senior Account Director BWW Communications [email protected] +44 7575 318 681 Source: Pickering Interfaces Latest powerful CRM upgrades turbocharge marketing, branding and client relationships AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keller Williams (KW), the worlds largest real estate franchise by agent count, announces powerful feature enhancements to Command, a smart CRM-plus solution, and its associated mobile app. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613475298/en/ The Tour Request Widget is viewable on the home screen of the Command mobile app and offers a snapshot on the number of client questions and requests from the KW Consumer app. With a few simple clicks within the Tour Request Widget, agents can view a propertys key information and contact the listing agent to arrange the tour. (Graphic: Business Wire) As we continue to make investments in our Command platform, we remain laser focused on what our agents want, said Chris Cox, chief technology and digital officer, KW. Our latest capabilities allow our entrepreneurial agents to thrive in the midst of a challenging market. Through Labs, the innovation hub of KW, the franchise continues to partner with real estate agents and teams to release software integrations and CRM features aimed at increasing productivity and eliminating pain points with lead generation, marketing, and real estate team workflow capabilities. The latest updates to Command include: Lead Management Automation offers real estate agents and teams the ability to easily create rules that automatically tag and apply communication SmartPlans to new leads. offers real estate agents and teams the ability to easily create rules that automatically tag and apply communication SmartPlans to new leads. Neighborhood Nurture SmartPlan , a consumer neighborhoods insights campaign, debuts a stunning new look, designed to captivate and enhance the user experience, with integrated features that elevate the home search experience on KWs websites and mobile app. , a consumer neighborhoods insights campaign, debuts a stunning new look, designed to captivate and enhance the user experience, with integrated features that elevate the home search experience on KWs websites and mobile app. Designs Automation empowers users of the Designs app with more pre-populated marketing collaterals, which automatically embed listings and agent profile information, saving time and enhancing productivity by eliminating manual data input. empowers users of the Designs app with more pre-populated marketing collaterals, which automatically embed listings and agent profile information, saving time and enhancing productivity by eliminating manual data input. Real Estate Team Designs allows real estate teams to elevate their brand presence via consistency across marketing, branding, and communication campaigns. Real estate teams can store marketing assets and collaborate in the Designs applet within Command. allows real estate teams to elevate their brand presence via consistency across marketing, branding, and communication campaigns. Real estate teams can store marketing assets and collaborate in the Designs applet within Command. Unified Task Experience combines all real estate business intercompany tasks into one intuitive dashboard with enhanced filtering to rapidly evaluate statuses and initiate next steps. combines all real estate business intercompany tasks into one intuitive dashboard with enhanced filtering to rapidly evaluate statuses and initiate next steps. Notification Customization lets agents effortlessly customize real-time notification preferences across Commands mobile and desktop platforms to quickly take action and stay focused on what matters to their business. lets agents effortlessly customize real-time notification preferences across Commands mobile and desktop platforms to quickly take action and stay focused on what matters to their business. Opportunities Applet Updates allow agents further customization of data fields to track deals across phases of a sales pipeline, eliminating the need for spreadsheets. allow agents further customization of data fields to track deals across phases of a sales pipeline, eliminating the need for spreadsheets. Profit Share Widget now allows agents to track their passive income earnings by month, year, or over their lifetime with KW. As a brand, no one is more focused on listening to the voice of the agent and delivering technology tools to empower agent businesses to grow, said Cox. Command app latest updates include: Opportunities empower agents to fully manage their deals lifecycle and track, record, and filter next steps and tasks across their sales pipeline to stay in control of their business on the go. empower agents to fully manage their deals lifecycle and track, record, and filter next steps and tasks across their sales pipeline to stay in control of their business on the go. Digital Business Card enables the seamless sharing of an agents contact information and key details with a simple scan. enables the seamless sharing of an agents contact information and key details with a simple scan. Client Inquiries Widget and Tour Request Widget are viewable on the home screen of the Command mobile app and offer snapshots on the number of client questions and requests from the KW Consumer app. With a few simple clicks within the Tour Request Widget, agents can view a propertys key information and contact the listing agent to arrange the tour. and are viewable on the home screen of the Command mobile app and offer snapshots on the number of client questions and requests from the KW Consumer app. With a few simple clicks within the Tour Request Widget, agents can view a propertys key information and contact the listing agent to arrange the tour. Phone Contacts Import allows for seamless onboarding of an agent's existing contacts directly from any smartphone into the Contacts App of Command. allows for seamless onboarding of an agent's existing contacts directly from any smartphone into the Contacts App of Command. Profit Share Widget now allows agents to track their passive income earnings by month, year, or over their lifetime with KW. We are committed to continued strategic innovation across our platform, said Cox. We believe our technology provides a hypercompetitive advantage to our teams and agents. In February 2019, KW originally released Command, which is hosted on the Keller Cloud platform, for general availability for its agents. In December 2021, KW released the first version of the Command app. Command had 139,920 quarterly active users as of March 31. Keller Williams is uniquely differentiated from other firms based on the breadth and depth of our technology, said Cox. About Keller Williams Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the worlds largest real estate franchise by agent count, has more than 1,100 offices and 189,000 agents. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States. Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven, and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit headquarters.kw.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613475298/en/ Darryl G. Frost Director of Public Relations and Media Relations [email protected] / 254-466-3627 Source: Keller Williams Most significant development in Habitat Manitobas 35 years Project will reduce 252 tonnes of CO2 emissions, compared to standard concrete CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In an unprecedented move towards sustainable housing, Lafarge Canada, a leader in sustainable and innovative building solutions, pledged its support for two momentous Habitat for Humanity Manitoba Team Build Days. Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is the most energy efficient home builder in the province and all of its projects are carbon free after construction. The first event, held on May 19, 2023, brought Lafarge volunteers together, working hand -in- hand to build secure and affordable homes for deserving low-income families in Manitoba. We share a common goal with Habitat Manitoba to support efforts to increase availability of affordable housing for those in need, said Brad Kohl, president & CEO Lafarge Canada (West). This partnership has been meaningful for our teams as they have been intimately involved in the program through donation of their time. Were also proud to have contributed our low-carbon concrete to ensure that the creation of homes prioritize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of families and the long-term sustainability of our communities." This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a greener future. According to the Canadian Housing Survey, over 1.6 million Canadian households faced core housing needs in 2018, highlighting the urgent need for action. Lafarge Canada is dedicated to addressing the housing crisis, working with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba to provide affordable housing for low-income working families. Through the construction of 55 homes across 11 blocks, we aim to offer comfortable, energy-efficient housing for approximately 275 individuals, including 175 children, while ensuring a carbon-free footprint and zero environmental impact. We are very pleased to have industry leader Lafarge join us in this sustainable development with a very generous donation of low carbon concrete, a tribute to both their environmental stewardship and community commitment, said Sandy Hopkins, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. The collaboration between Lafarge Canada and Habitat for Humanity Manitoba represents a paradigm shift in affordable housing construction, setting a precedent that emphasizes sustainability and an unwavering commitment to environmental consciousness. In addition to the Lafarge volunteers, Lafarge also provided ECOPact MAX, the highest level of low-carbon concrete, to decrease the carbon footprint of this new community. About Lafarge Canada Inc. Lafarge Canada is a subsidiary of Holcim, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevates roofing to PRBs insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5C targets validated by SBTi. www.lafarge.ca View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230609005273/en/ Media Kristen Marston Lafarge Canada Inc. [email protected] Adetutu Opeyemi Lafarge Canada Inc. [email protected] Source: Lafarge Canada Inc. PARIS & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Mauna Kea Technologies (Euronext: MKEA) inventor of Cellvizio, the multidisciplinary probe and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (p/nCLE) platform, today announced the appointment of Come de La Tour du Pin as its Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. Sacha Loiseau, Chairman and CEO of Mauna Kea Technologies commented, "I am delighted to welcome Come as our new Chief Financial Officer. Comes appointment, combined with the recent arrival of Nathalie Lecoq as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO, demonstrates the Company's attractiveness to experienced, high caliber talent profiles. I am very pleased with our strong and cohesive executive management team that is determined to drive the company's new phase of growth. Come will bring solid experience in listed companies and investor relations, which will be a key asset in demonstrating and communicating our improved financial performance, in line with our new partnership strategy. Prior to joining Mauna Kea Technologies, Come served as Chief Financial Officer of Lysogene, a development-stage, gene therapy company listed on Euronext where his responsibilities included financial management and budgeting, investor relations and capital raising. Previous experience includes investor communication roles at Ipsen and Groupe Casino, and as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Come holds a masters degree from Emlyon Business School. Sacha Loiseau and Come de La Tour du Pin will be attending the investor forum organized by Portzamparc on June 20, 2023. About Mauna Kea Technologies Mauna Kea Technologies is a global medical device company that manufactures and sells Cellvizio, the real-time in vivo cellular imaging platform. This technology uniquely delivers in vivo cellular visualization which enables physicians to monitor the progression of disease over time, assess point-in-time reactions as they happen in real time, classify indeterminate areas of concern, and guide surgical interventions. The Cellvizio platform is used globally across a wide range of medical specialties and is making a transformative change in the way physicians diagnose and treat patients. For more information, visit www.maunakeatech.com. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements about Mauna Kea Technologies and its business. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Mauna Kea Techonologies' financial condition, business, strategies, plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. Mauna Kea Technologies believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, no assurance can be given that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in Chapter 3 of Mauna Kea Technologies' 2021 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on October 18, 2022 under number D-22-0773, as well as in the management report included in the Annual Financial Report published on May 2, 2023 which are available on the Company's website (www.maunakeatech.fr), as well as the risks associated with changes in economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Mauna Kea Technologies operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks that are unknown to Mauna Kea Technologies or that Mauna Kea Technologies does not currently consider material. The occurrence of some or all of these risks could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Mauna Kea Technologies to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe for, shares of Mauna Kea Technologies in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The distribution of this press release may be restricted in certain jurisdictions by local law. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to comply with all local regulations applicable to this document. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613262885/en/ NewCap - Investor Relations Aurelie Manavarere / Thomas Grojean +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Source: Mauna Kea Technologies National nonprofit credit counseling agency Take Charge America provides tips on budgeting, saving and decision-making PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With school out, many teens are searching for their first summer job. This milestone not only marks the beginning of financial independence, but it shapes how they approach spending and saving in the future. Many parents want to guide their teens towards making wise financial decisions but arent sure how to approach the conversation, said Amy Maliga, financial educator with Take Charge America, a nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. Consider bringing it up in a way that gets them excited about saving money rather than positioning it as another set of rules. Maliga shares five conversation starters to discuss with teens as they enter the job market: Provide insight into your own decision-making process. Give examples of how you budget, create savings goals and spend your money. Share the pros and cons of those decisions and the long-term impacts to help them see the reasoning behind your current choices. These transparent conversations build their confidence in talking about their own spending habits. Give examples of how you budget, create savings goals and spend your money. Share the pros and cons of those decisions and the long-term impacts to help them see the reasoning behind your current choices. These transparent conversations build their confidence in talking about their own spending habits. Ask your teen about their savings goals. Outlining goals or items theyd like to save up for can generate excitement and make saving money more approachable. From there, you can create an action plan to achieve those goals. Outlining goals or items theyd like to save up for can generate excitement and make saving money more approachable. From there, you can create an action plan to achieve those goals. Help them structure a basic budget. In a nutshell, a budget details the money coming in and going out. It requires expense tracking and goal setting. Work with your teen to estimate their projected costs. This video on the basics of budgeting can help with the how and why. In a nutshell, a budget details the money coming in and going out. It requires expense tracking and goal setting. Work with your teen to estimate their projected costs. This video on the basics of budgeting can help with the how and why. Teach them how to use a bank account. Many banks and credit unions offer fee-free checking and savings accounts specifically for teens that include a debit card. Parents can also provide a layer of oversight by setting spending limits on debit cards. Using a bank account will teach your teen about ATMs, budgeting and effective spending habits. Many banks and credit unions offer fee-free checking and savings accounts specifically for teens that include a debit card. Parents can also provide a layer of oversight by setting spending limits on debit cards. Using a bank account will teach your teen about ATMs, budgeting and effective spending habits. Create healthy competition. Encourage your family to make a game out of saving money. You can track who reaches their savings goal the fastest, or who can save the most money (or a percentage) in a set period. Making it a competition fosters both mutual excitement and accountability. For additional resources on building savings and budgeting, visit Take Charge Americas Budget Tools. About Take Charge America, Inc. Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 2 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613646253/en/ Alayna Dalgleish Aker Ink (360) 703-8602 [email protected] Source: Take Charge America, Inc. Dr. Sandra Faeh to serve as Chief Veterinary Officer of NVAs General Practice business; Dr. Stacy Burdick named Chief Medical Officer of Ethos Veterinary Health Newly created senior leadership roles position NVA General Practice and Ethos Veterinary Health for next chapter of industry leadership as distinct veterinary businesses EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Veterinary Associates (NVA), a leading global pet care organization and community, announced the appointment of two highly accomplished veterinary practitioners to newly created senior leadership roles. Sandra Faeh, DVM, will serve as the first Chief Veterinary Officer of NVAs General Practice (NVA GP) business, while Dr. Stacy Burdick, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM), has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer of Ethos Veterinary Health (Ethos). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613275679/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) These newly created roles will provide additional medical perspectives and expertise to support the recently announced formation of two distinct veterinary businesses: NVA General Practice and Ethos Veterinary Health. Drs. Faeh and Burdick, together bring more than 40 years of experience serving as practicing clinicians and leaders within the veterinary profession. Ensuring strong veterinary leadership and increased representation at the highest levels of our organization is an important step in helping NVA General Practice and Ethos Veterinary Health achieve their full potential, said Larry Allgaier, CEO of NVA and Ethos. I am thrilled to have Dr. Faeh and Dr. Burdicks leadership as we begin this next chapter. NVA General Practice and Ethos Veterinary Healths unique combination of medical leadership and a shared commitment to elevating the veterinary profession creates tremendous opportunities to ensure broad access to high-quality care and lead the advancements of cutting-edge medicine to extend and improve the lives of pets. I am thrilled and humbled to take on the role of Chief Medical Officer of Ethos Veterinary Health, a pioneering group of hospitals and teams whom I deeply admire, added Dr. Burdick, Chief Medical Officer of Ethos Veterinary Health. We have a tremendous opportunity to build on our strong foundation as one of the industrys only dedicated specialty and emergency hospital platforms committed to medical excellence, science, innovation, and bettering the profession we love. In this new role, I am focused on empowering our teams and advancing clinical breakthroughs that will define the future of veterinary care. Its an honor to serve as the first-ever Chief Veterinary Officer of NVA General Practice, and Im looking forward to supporting our veterinary teams as we continue to deliver high-quality care across our more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals, added Dr. Faeh. I am excited to work with the incredibly talented teams across the community as we focus on creating additional career development and growth opportunities for our veterinary caregivers. About Dr. Sandra Faeh Dr. Faeh earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She became Managing Veterinarian and part-owner at Elmhurst Animal Care Center, along with three small animal hospitals in the Chicago suburbs. She also served as President of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and Vice President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). She is currently a candidate for AVMA President-elect. Dr. Faeh is a member of NVAs Medical Advisory Board (MAB) and Lead Mentor and co-creator of NVAs General Practice DVM Mentorship Program. As Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Faeh will work to expand access to high-quality care for all pet owners for NVAs more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals. About Dr. Stacy Burdick Dr. Burdick earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then went on to complete a rotating internship and residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Interventional Radiology and Endoscopy at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York. She joined the team at Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals (RBVH) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, to open one of the few Interventional Radiology and Endoscopy services in the country at that time. Dr. Burdick expanded her role at RBVH to become Chief of Staff and pursued her MBA at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hills Kenan-Flagler Business School, officially completing the program in 2022. Since 2016, Dr. Burdick has served as Clinical Advisor to Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. As Chief Medical Officer of Ethos, she will lead Ethos specialty and emergency teams in the advancement of cutting-edge medicine across its 145 world-class hospitals. About National Veterinary Associates and Ethos Veterinary Health National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization of approximately 1,400 premier locations consisting primarily of general practice veterinary hospitals in addition to equine hospitals and pet resorts, and Ethos Veterinary Health, which consists of 145 world-class specialty and emergency hospitals. NVA and Ethos innovative, compassionate approach underpins a shared commitment to delivering exceptional veterinary care to pets and the people who love them. For more information, visit www.nva.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613275679/en/ Sarah Kimbro [email protected] Source: National Veterinary Associates SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lorena Alvarezs immigrant parents who worked the night shift cleaning hospital rooms taught Lorena the value of hard work. Now, she will be the first in her family to attend college. Jesus Huertas mother taught 4-year-old Jesus the alphabet and mathematics using books from the 99 Cents Store. Watching his parents struggle to pay for necessities motivated Jesus to attend college and pursue a career in business to support his family. Sandra Hernandez learned to adapt to loud environments as her family shared one house with many other families to make ends meet. The Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC) became her quiet sanctuary to study, and she was often the last to leave. Emmanuel Jaimess mother disappeared from his life six years ago, leaving him to be raised by his single father and grandparents. This motivated Emmanuel to reach for the stars and bring original ideas to the field of aerospace engineering. The NAC helped these students overcome financial, social, and emotional hardships to achieve academic success; the four are receiving full rides to Harvard University, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles, respectively. On June 10, 2023, Broadcom Cofounder Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the NAC, elected officials, and community members held the 15th annual NAC graduation ceremony to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the 202-member Class of 2023. One hundred percent of the NAC graduates will move forward with their academic careers at prestigious universities, receiving 1,749 college acceptances. The NAC provides highly qualified staff, academic assistance and tutoring, social services, cultural enrichment programs, college access and support services, and need-based scholarship opportunities for students. A total of 2,066 NAC graduates have received over $101 million in scholarships and grants. The NAC graduates represent the American Dream you can start from nothing and achieve great things. 96 percent of NAC scholars are Hispanic/Latino, with 94 percent of them being of first in their extended family to attend college. Our NAC graduates have graduated from elite universities and returned to their communities to become leaders and contributors. The NAC scholars are changing their family trajectories, enriching their community, and making the world a better place. I am honored to play a small part to give motivated students from underserved communities the same academics, support, and funds that are normally reserved for the rich and privileged students, said Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the cofounder and principal benefactor of the NAC. The NAC is generously funded by the Henry T. Nicholas III Education Foundation and was founded by Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III and Retired Superior Court Judge Jack Mandel on Oct. 10, 2007. Since its inception, Dr. Nicholas has donated $45.7 million to support the three NAC locations in downtown Santa Ana, Valley High School, and Century High School. View: 15th Annual NAC Booklet View: Press Packet NAC Highlights: 100% high school graduation rate (national average 87%) 91% of NAC graduates who enrolled in four-year universities have graduated or remain enrolled (national average retention rate of 82%) "Dr. Nicholas has enabled a generation of under-resourced students the opportunity to achieve and build themselves into the leaders sorely needed by our communities. We are already seeing the impact of what our alumni have accomplished back home in Santa Ana. It is really amazing to witness the transformation, said Rosa Elena Diaz, director of the NAC who helped build the centers since its inception. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613130189/en/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: Susan Kang Group [email protected] (714) 299-0322 Source: Nicholas Academic Centers End of Remote Voting Period for All Classes of Affected Parties on 27 June 2023 PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: On 12 June 2023 (link), ORPEA (Paris: ORP) announced the decision of the court-appointed administrators in the context of the accelerated safeguard procedure, Maitre Helene Bourbouloux and Maitre Thibaut Martinat, to extend the remote voting period for the affected party classes concerned and to postpone the meetings initially scheduled for 16 June 2023. The court-appointed administrators having today informed the Company of their decision, ORPEA is in a position to confirm: - The extension of the remote voting period on the accelerated safeguard plan (plan de sauvegarde acceleree), for all classes of affected parties, until 27 June 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon, Paris time) and, in the case of the class of shareholders, at 3:00 p.m. (Paris time) ; - The setting of the date of the meetings to be held in person, including the class of shareholders meeting in classes of affected parties, at 28 June 2023 (instead of 16 June 2023). About ORPEA ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in providing care for all types of frailty. The Group operates in 21 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homecare and services), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year. https://www.orpea-group.com/en ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613517987/en/ Investor Relations ORPEA Benoit Lesieur Investor Relations Director [email protected] Toll-free number for shareholders: 0 805 480 480 Investor Relations NewCap Dusan Oresansky Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Press Relations ORPEA Isabelle Herrier-Naufle Press Relations Director Tel.: 07 70 29 53 74 [email protected] Image7 Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn 06 78 37 27 60 - 06 89 87 61 37 [email protected] [email protected] Source: ORPEA Collaborating with Beloved Local, Women-Owned Shop to Bring All Natural, Fruit-Forward Delights to the Massachusetts Cannabis and Consumer Communities BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PAX, a leading global cannabis brand, announced the expansion of its cannabis portfolio to include the brands first premium, cannabis-infused edible product. PAX Live Rosin Gummies are made from full spectrum, solventless live rosin for a naturally balanced, full flower experience rich in cannabinoids. Crafted with real fruit and launching in Wild Strawberry, Heirloom Peach and Summer Mango, PAX Live Rosin Gummies are made without solvents, artificial flavors or colors, and are vegan and gluten free. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005013/en/ PAX Live Rosin Gummies Bring Together Real Fruit and Solventless Live Rosin for an All Natural, Full-Spectrum Experience (Photo: Business Wire) To celebrate the launch, PAX partnered with inclusive, women-owned shop Blackbird Doughnuts beloved by locals and celebrities alike with seven locations across Boston on custom doughnuts featuring fruit glazes to compliment PAXs new gummy flavors (doughnuts do not contain cannabis). Doughnuts will be available at upcoming preview events, at selected future retail activations and at the Flower Expo, a new business-to-business cannabis trade show debuting at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, Massachusetts on June 14-15, 2023. "It brings us immense joy to celebrate this launch alongside a cherished local establishment that shares our values of using high-quality, all-natural ingredients that bring delight to consumers, said Brian Witlin, Vice President of Product Development at PAX. Blackbird is renowned for their innovative approach to creating unique and unexpected flavor combinations that pleasantly surprise the palate. We had no doubt that they would be the perfect partner not only in crafting delectable fruit-forward creations from scratch, but also in our collaborative efforts to normalize cannabis consumption by leveraging a universal love for doughnuts." "We are so excited to be partnering with PAX. A company we proudly support. What's better than a cannabis-infused gummy followed by a Blackbird Doughnut? We think nothing," said Elena De Silva, Managing Director of The Gallows Group, home of Blackbird Doughnuts. PAX Live Rosin Gummies will launch in Massachusetts in June, with each individual serving package featuring 5mg THC and each package containing 20 servings for a total of 100mg THC. PAX Live Rosin Gummies start at $28 MSRP, and consumers can find a retailer on pax.com. PAX Live Rosin Gummies will roll out to California, Colorado and New York later this year. Blackbird Doughnuts is a premier doughnut shop dedicated to handcrafted doughnuts that are as visually stunning as they are irresistibly delicious. With an array of unique flavors and artisanal creations, Blackbird Doughnuts believes in pushing the boundaries of traditional doughnuts. Our talented team of pastry artisans combines the finest ingredients with innovative techniques to create doughnuts that are works of art. From our signature classics to our ever-evolving seasonal offerings, each doughnut is made fresh daily. With multiple retail locations and a dedicated following of doughnut enthusiasts, Blackbird Doughnuts has become a beloved destination for those seeking a truly exceptional doughnut experience. PAX is a leading global cannabis brand on a mission to enhance peoples lives, delivering well-being through pure products, unique experiences, and an unparalleled passion for the plant. For more than a decade, PAX has provided products that are simple, enjoyable, and trusted by millions. PAX has been recognized for its brand, culture and products by The New York Times Wirecutter, TIME, Fast Company, GQ, Gear Patrol, mg Magazine, High Times, and many more. PAX is committed to making a positive impact through PEACE BY PAX, its purpose-driven platform supporting social reform, safe access and sustainability. pax.com 2023 PAX Labs, Inc. All Rights Reserved. PAX, X, and ERA are all trademarks of PAX Labs, Inc. Patents and Trademarks: pax.com/IP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005013/en/ [email protected] Source: PAX Labs, Inc. Pearls flagship solution becomes the first and only AI-based dental pathology detection software to be certified as a Class IIa medical device under EU-MDR LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, today announced that its Second Opinion chairside dental pathology detection aid has been granted a certification recommendation as a Class IIa medical device under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/745) (EU-MDR). The certification, issued by GMED SAS on June 6, 2023, makes Pearl the first company worldwide in the industry of AI-driven computer aided dental detection software to obtain the new European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) Certification recommendation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613635342/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) The EU-MDR is the medical device regulation applied by the European Commission. It was established to set EU-wide rules to improve the safety and quality of medical devices and provide transparency for patients to ensure public health and patient safety. GMED SAS, an independent third-party certification organization based in France, conducted the technical documentation reviews and audits required for Second Opinion MDR certification. This certification supersedes the EU Medical Devices Directive (MDD) certification, which Second Opinion received in 2021. "The EU-MDR is one of the world's most robust health tech regulations, and it plays a vital role in ensuring medical devices meet the highest standards, said Cambron Carter, co-founder and CTO of Pearl. Our certification demonstrates the quality and care we apply in the development and maintenance of our AI systems and products, and is testament to our teams dedication to delivering dental AI that exceeds the most exacting standards and best practices for healthcare technologies. Second Opinion uses computer vision and machine learning to assist dentists by automatically detecting a broad range of dental conditions in bitewing, periapical and panoramic radiographs of permanent teeth in patients 12 and older. To secure Class IIa classification, Pearl had to consistently demonstrate that its Second Opinion solution and quality management system met the EU-MDR's rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. This involved undergoing external audits, submitting technical documentation, and supplying proof of clinical benefits and studies for review by GMED SAS. This is a major regulatory milestone for Pearl on the international stage, said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. As we continue to lead the industry forward with advanced AI solutions for the global dental market, Second Opinions EU-MDR certificate will reinforce the confidence of practices and providers across Europe who want to implement the most transformative new technology for patient care in dentistry." Although EU-MDR is only applicable in Europe, Pearl's quality management system, as certified by GMED, is also compliant with several global standards to ensure medical software quality and safety, and has secured regulatory clearances for Second Opinion in over 100 countries. Dentists in Europe can begin using Pearls Second Opinion today by visiting www.hellopearl.com/demo. About Pearl Pearl is leading the global dental AI revolution with groundbreaking computer vision solutions that elevate efficiency, accuracy, and the standard of care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by Ophir Tanz, Pearl is backed by Craft Ventures and other leading venture capital firms. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/demo. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613635342/en/ Erik Arvidson Matter Health for Pearl [email protected] Source: Pearl BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan exported 4.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe from January through May 2023, Trend reports via Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazovs tweet. The minister said that gas exports as a whole increased by 9.6 percent year-on-year. "Azerbaijan exported natural gas to Europe (4.8 billion cubic meters), Turkiye (4.3 billion cubic meters) and Georgia (1.2 billion cubic meters) from January through May 2023. A total of 2.4 billion cubic meters were exported to Turkiye through TANAP gas pipeline during the reporting period," he said. Azerbaijan exported 26.3 million tons of oil in 2022. Oil production amounted to 32.6 million tons, while gas production increased by 6.5 percent during the reporting period compared to the same period in 2021. Moreover, 22.3 billion cubic meters of gas were exported, which is 47.7 percent of the total volume (46.7 billion cubic meters) of gas production. SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PETLIBRO, a leading smart pet supply brand in the US, is set to launch its innovative PETLIBRO Space Automatic Feeder (RRP $199.99), on June 13. It is a game-changer for pet owners seeking a practical, convenient, and efficient way to preserve the nutritional value and freshness of their pet's food. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613156469/en/ Lock In The Nutrients, Keep The Flavor Pure. The Ultimate Solution to Lock in Nutrition With a vacuum-sealed food tank and individual valve, this innovative feeder has a multitude of benefits to your pets meals. The automatic sealing ensures that your pets food remains protected. By eliminating exposure to air and external contaminants, it preserves the nutrients and taste of the food. This means every meal is as nutritious and delicious as the first time you opened the package. But the advantages dont stop there. The vacuum-sealing technology plays a crucial role in preventing your pets from common diseases like Salmonellosis and Aspergillosis. The vacuum seal effectively blocks pathogens and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, ensuring your pets stay healthy and free from foodborne illnesses. With this technology, you can rest easy knowing that your pets are receiving the best care possible with our top-of-the-line vacuum-sealing technology. Mealtime Will Be a Joy Mealtime will be a joy for your beloved pets thanks to this PETLIBRO Space Automatic Pet Feeder. The 34-cup food tank ensures an ample supply of food. The 187mm wide and 48mm deep food bowl provides a comfortable and spacious eating area. The feeder's 18mm kibble support allows for compatibility with various pet food options. Moreover, the bottom four feet enhance stability during mealtime. Whether your furbaby is a cat or a dog, this feeder provides a happy and fulfilling eating experience. They can enjoy their meals in a comfortable and satisfying manner. Convenient App Control With the PETLIBRO app, you have complete control at your fingertips. Set customized feeding schedules, dispense food, record personalized meal calls, and even initiate vacuum sealing with ease. Whether youre away or at work, you can conveniently feed your pet. The PETLIBRO Space Feeder is currently available on the PETLIBRO website and Amazon. About PETLIBRO Since 2019, PETLIBRO has been dedicated to providing high-quality pet care products that make life easier for pet owners. Their innovative products are designed to strengthen the bond between pet owners and pets, and help them both live happy, fulfilling lives. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613156469/en/ [email protected] Source: PETLIBRO Latest release of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform drives enhancements throughout, resulting in the most complete, end-to-end data ecosystem for the enterprise, driving faster, better, more impactful decisions LONDON & NEW YORK & TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new release of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform from Pyramid Analytics puts powerful analytics into the hands of more people, for more use cases, than ever before. Building on its vision to deliver a no-code/low-code, AI-driven approach to move enterprisesand the users making crucial daily decisionsalong the analytics maturity curve. Key updates make sophisticated processes like business modeling, decision modeling, and various applications of prescriptive analytics more accessible and more useful to both technical and non-technical personnel. Highlights from the Pyramid 2023 release include extensions of both Tabulate and Solve, which provide business modeling and decision modeling, all within the consolidated Pyramid Platform. A robust integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT and DALL-E saves time and sparks creativity by providing generative AI support for spreadsheet formula creation in Tabulate, code snippet creation (including Python, R, SQL, MDX, DAX, and other languages) in the Model app, and graphic design generation in the Present app. And personalization tools like the new Hub feature deliver the tailored analytics experience analysts and business users need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. An established leader in the Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) space, Pyramid was recently named a Visionary in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms report for the companys overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Gartners companion report, the 2023 Critical Capabilities for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms, ranked the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform 1st in its Augmented Consumer and Business Analyst Use Cases. Pyramid was also highly ranked in the two other Use Cases, including a second-highest ranking for the Data Scientist Use Case and fourth-highest ranking for the Analytics Developer Use Case. Download Gartners Magic Quadrant and Critical Capabilities reports. Pyramid Analytics latest releasePyramid 2023features major platform upgrades/enhancements across every part of the platform. This includes over 80+ named new features, more than 75% resulting from customer feedback and collaboration. The newly enhanced Tabulate app brings business modeling into the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. app brings business modeling into the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. Solve is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. Our OpenAI/ChatGPT integration delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organizations own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organizations own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. The new Hub feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. We have once again lowered the technical skills barrier for important data prep and modeling tasks and processesfor instance, the Custom Columns and Virtual Column Calculation features enable users to extend their virtual semantic model quickly and easily and add and edit new columns, all without needing to write custom SQL views. These enhancements and others have improved query performance throughout the platform. Learn more. Schedule a demo of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform Executive quotes: Omri Kohl, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder : Pyramid was recently named a Visionary in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solvefor business modeling and decision modelingbring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making. : Pyramid was recently named a Visionary in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solvefor business modeling and decision modelingbring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making. Avi Perez, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder: With Pyramid 2023 Archimedes, we have achieved our vision of a complete data factory for decisions: an end-to-end data ecosystem for the enterprise, driving faster, better, more impactful decisions. To do so, we added support for the elusive last mile in analytics with business modeling in Tabulate and decision modeling in Solve. To make the platform more useful and user-friendly we again lowered the complexity barrier through another leap in more no-code toolingwith innovations like Explain the Difference and our numerous OpenAI ChatGPT and DALL-E integrations. These major capabilities, together with the other 80+ features, drive more personalization options, improved query performance, and better embedding capabilitiesdelivering the most powerful, comprehensive business and decision intelligence platform available today. About Pyramid Analytics Pyramid Analytics is the next generation of business and decision intelligence. The award-winning Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform empowers people with augmented, automated, and collaborative insights that simplify and guide the use of data in decision-making. The Pyramid Platform operates directly on any data, enabling governed self-service for any person, meeting analytical needs in a no-code environment. It combines data prep, business analytics, and data science into one frictionless platform to empower anyone with intelligent decision-making. This enables a strategic, enterprise-wide approach to business intelligence and analytics, from the simple to the sophisticated. Schedule a demo today. Pyramid Analytics is incorporated in Amsterdam and has regional headquarters in global innovation and business centers, including London, New York City, and Tel Aviv. Our team lives worldwide because geography should not hinder talent and opportunity. Investors include H.I.G. Growth Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Sequoia Capital, and Viola Growth. Learn more at Pyramid Analytics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613528894/en/ Pete Vomocil Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Pyramid Analytics E-Mail: [email protected] Source: Pyramid Analytics Configurable in low-code, latest generative AI capability offers fast, more relevant answers in the Virtual Agent chatbot to help increase productivity without adding complexity Solution builds on strategy to embed generative AI across the Now Platform, following recent partnership with NVIDIA SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the leading digital workflow company making the world work better for everyone, today announced its newest generative AI solution, Now Assist for Virtual Agent, designed to create truly conversational experiences for more intelligent self-service. Now Assist for Virtual Agent builds on ServiceNows strategy to embed generative AI across the Now Platform so customers can easily harness intelligence at scale and simplify and optimize digital workflows, as announced recently at ServiceNows signature Knowledge event. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613524422/en/ A generative AI Genius result can be generated and tuned to directly address a users query through Now Assist for Virtual Agent if the Virtual Agent does not have a topic (Graphic: Business Wire) ServiceNow is leading the intelligence era. Years of AI investment have put us at the center of an undeniable movement, said ServiceNow Chairman and CEO Bill McDermott. Were building generative AI into our platform so customers can maximize their ROI: return on intelligence. This is all about thoughtful, high-trust co-innovation as we find the balance between machine speed and human judgment. Enhanced by our strategic partnerships with NVIDIA and Microsoft, we are engineering smarter, fully automated workflows. We help our customers innovate completely new business models on ServiceNow as the intelligent platform for end-to-end digital transformation. Now Assist for Virtual Agent uses generative AI to deliver more direct, relevant, and conversational responses to questionsand to connect exchanges to digital workflows across the Now Platform. For example, if a user asks Now Assist for Virtual Agent a question, the solution will use generative AI to provide a straightforward answer within the conversation that helps users immediately get the information they needsuch as internal pieces of code for product and engineering teams, product images or videos, links to documents, or summaries of relevant knowledge base articles. Because ServiceNow works across departments and systems, Now Assist for Virtual Agent converses accurately even if the user doesnt know who to ask or where to start, which helps increase productivity, creates higher self-solve rates, and drives faster issue resolution. Now Assist for Virtual Agent is a powerful organic complement to the generative AI capabilities ServiceNow has already started to roll out, said CJ Desai, president and chief operating officer at ServiceNow. By embedding generative AI into the Now Platform, we are empowering our customers to radically improve productivity and realize the true potential of enterprise-grade AI. With Now Assist for Virtual Agent, customers will also be able to: Easily configure intelligent conversational experiences powered by generative AI from Virtual Agent in a low-code, drag-and-drop environment with Virtual Agent Designer Embed direct access to general purpose large language models (LLMs), such as Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service LLM or OpenAI API, allowing end-users to safely supplement general answers as needed without having to scour through multiple knowledge base articles to find the right information Receive direct responses to user questions in real-time conversations, with information formatted to best suit the answer (i.e., text, links, images, videos, relevant portions of knowledge base articles) Achieve a more personalized, relevant, and contextual self-service experience from Virtual Agent Now Assist for Virtual Agent is powered by the recently announced ServiceNow Generative AI Controller, which serves as the foundation for all generative AI functionality on the Now Platform. The Controller allows organizations to easily connect ServiceNow instances to both Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service LLM and OpenAI API and features built-in actions for faster intelligent workflow automation. Now Assist for Virtual Agent also leverages Now Assist for Search, which sits on top of the Controller and works with Now Assist for Virtual Agent to provide connected generative AI experiences across the Now Platform. Because Now Assist for Search pulls information from within a customers environment, customers can trust that robust security layers are applied within the Now Platform so results can be more accurate, helping to reduce the likelihood of error or hallucinations. We are seeing extraordinarily rapid growth in organizations exploring potential use cases for generative AI in the enterprise, said Neil Ward-Dutton, vice president, AI, Automation and Analytics Europe, IDC. Use cases relating to customer and employee experience improvement, together with knowledge management, are among those at the top of the list for those organizations making the earliest moves. Generative AI advances are ushering us towards a future in which AI-powered capabilities are woven into processes, decisions, products, services, and experiences of all kinds. Scaling the power of generative AI across the Now Platform ServiceNow has been investing in AI for years, embedding it into the Now Platform to simplify and optimize digital workflows right out-of-the-box. Other recently announced generative AI innovations from ServiceNow include a partnership with NVIDIA to develop custom LLMs for workflow automation, and additional features that apply generative AI to use cases across IT departments, customer service teams, employees, and developers. Additionally, along with its partner, Hugging Face, and on behalf of the BigCode community, ServiceNow announced the availability of the open-access, open-science, open-governance 15 billion parameter StarCoder LLM for code, enabling responsible innovation at scale with more transparent and accessible generative AI. Availability Now Assist for Virtual Agent and Now Assist for Search are available to a limited set of customers now and are expected to be generally available in ServiceNows Vancouver release, coming in September 2023. Use of Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forwardlooking statements about the expectations, beliefs, plans, and intentions relating to Now Assist for Virtual Agent, a new generative AI solution for the Now Platform. Such statements include statements regarding future product capabilities and offerings and expected benefits to ServiceNow. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, ServiceNows results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements made. ServiceNow undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include: (i) changes in the AI regulatory landscape; (ii) changes to ServiceNows AI strategic partnerships; (iii) delays and unexpected difficulties and expenses in delivering the solution; and (iv) uncertainty as to whether sales will justify the investments in the solution. Further information on factors that could affect ServiceNows financial and other results is included in the filings ServiceNow makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. About ServiceNow ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) makes the world work better for everyone. Our cloud-based platform and solutions help digitize and unify organizations so that they can find smarter, faster, better ways to make work flow. So employees and customers can be more connected, more innovative, and more agile. And we can all create the future we imagine. The world works with ServiceNowTM. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com. 2023 ServiceNow, Inc. All rights reserved. ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company names, product names, and logos may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613524422/en/ Jacqueline Velasco 408.561.1937 [email protected] Source: ServiceNow SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sound Vaccine, Inc., (Sound Vaccine), a leading manufacturer of advanced hearing medical systems and patented hearing healthcare products, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement ("Agreement") with GEM Global Yield LLC SCS ("GGY"), the Luxembourg-based private alternative investment group, to provide Sound Vaccine with a share subscription facility of up to KRW 180,000,000,000 for a 36-month term following June 8, 2023. The share subscription facility will allow Sound Vaccine to draw down funds by issuing ordinary shares to GEM. Sound Vaccine will control the timing and the maximum size of such drawdowns and has no minimum drawdown obligation. Sound Vaccine will issue warrants to GEM to purchase up to 2.7% of the issued ordinary shares of the company. Farazad Investments, a leading advisory services group headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in London advised Sound Vaccine on the transaction. About Sound Vaccine Sound Vaccine, Inc. specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced hearing medical systems and hearing healthcare products patented in the US, Japan, Europe, and many other developed regions. Its flagship innovations are clinically proven by Stanford University School of Medicine. Founded in 2016, Sound Vaccine has emerged as one of the leading names in the hearing industry. A vast multitude of patents has been filed regarding its innovative TSC (Threshold Sound Conditioning) and MDA (Multi-Dimensional Audiometry) technologies. Sound Vaccine developed the world's first non-invasive hearing improvement technology using acoustic signals for each frequency band. Through this verified invention, they revolutionized the hearing industry with a wide range of products catering for not only hearing loss patients but also people with normal hearing and wish to prevent hearing loss and improve their golden ear. "We are thrilled to announce our recent commitment of 180 billion KRW from GEM. This investment not only underscores the tremendous potential of Sound Vaccine but also highlights the confidence and trust that GEM has in our ground-breaking technologies and transformative vision. With this strategic partnership that dramatically increases Sound Vaccines valuation, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth and solidify our position as a pioneering force in the auditory healthcare industry. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that will positively impact the lives of millions worldwide." Said Eunyee Kwak, CEO of Sound Vaccine. About GEM Global Emerging Markets (GEM) is a $3.4 billion, alternative investment group with operations in Paris, New York, and The Bahamas. GEM manages a diverse set of investment vehicles focused on emerging markets and has completed over 580 transactions in 75 countries. Each investment vehicle has a different degree of operational control, risk-adjusted return, and liquidity profile. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613142847/en/ Sound Vaccine: soundvaccine.com, [email protected], +1-661-207-1307 GEM: www.gemny.com, [email protected], +1-242-702-8794 Farazad Investments (Advisors) [email protected] Source: Sound Vaccine, Inc. Vote via VOTACCESS from June 14 (9:00 am) to June 28 (3:00 pm) PARIS & BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: SpineGuard (FR0011464452 ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the placement of bone implants, announces that, due to lack of quorum, its Annual Shareholders meeting convened on June 8, 2023, could not be held. Shareholders are hereby notified that the Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held on second call on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 10:00 am at the offices of the law firm Ashurst Paris, located at 18 square Edouard VII, 75009 Paris. The Shareholders Meeting will be held on the same agenda and with the same conditions of participation as at the time of the first call (see Press Release of April 28, 2023). The lack of quorum did not allow to resolve on both the ordinary and extraordinary resolutions. The shareholders who voted by mail or by Internet at the Shareholders' Meeting first call remain valid for the Shareholders' Meeting on second call. The shareholders of the company who did not cast their vote until now are invited to do so remotely, before the Shareholders Meeting on 2nd call: - e-voting using Votaccess is available and should be prioritized. The secure voting platform Votaccess will reopen on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 9:00 am CEST and will close on Wednesday, June 28, at 3:00 pm CEST. - Alternatively, voting by proxy is also available according to the procedures indicated in the notice of meeting published in the BALO on May 19, 2023 (containing a change to the notice of meeting published on April 28, 2023). The deadline to cast votes by proxy is Monday, June 26, 2023. For all questions regarding voting procedures, please refer to the Investor Relations team by e-mail: [email protected]. About SpineGuard Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices that have been used in over 95,000 surgical procedures worldwide. Twenty-four studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these strong fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard has expanded the scope of its DSG technology in innovative applications such as the smart pedicle screw, the DSG Connect visualization and registration interface, dental implantology and surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. SpineGuard has engaged in multiple ESG initiatives. For further information, visit www.spineguard.com Disclaimer The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613013469/en/ SpineGuard Pierre Jerome CEO & Chairman Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19 [email protected] SpineGuard Anne-Charlotte Millard CFO Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19 [email protected] NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communication Mathilde Bohin / Aurelie Manavarere Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Source: SpineGuard SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More than 125 founders, funders and friends gathered Friday at Sunstone Managements sold out Venture Dynamics Panel & Mixer, part of LA Tech Week. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613714399/en/ Sunstone Management's LA Tech Week Venture Dynamics Panel & Mixer speakers included moderator Edmond Wong (TrustCard), Andrea White-Kjoss (Long Beach Accelerator), James Jones (Bump), and Sophia Zheng (Bludot). (Photo: Business Wire) The venue was Lanea, a cocktail bar and restaurant in Santa Monica. Networking featured signature drinks the Sunstone Sunrise and Founders Fiesta -- and the panel moderated by Edmond Wong offered some great insights, particularly in terms of the value of public-private partnerships in entrepreneurial ventures. Wong is the co-founder and CEO of TrustCard. TrustCard co-hosted the event. He was joined by Andrea White-Kjoss, managing director at the Long Beach Accelerator; James Jones, co-founder and CEO of Bump; and Sophia Zheng, founder and CEO of Bludot. Public-private partnerships, a key to the success of many startups, was discussed at length by the panel. That topic expanded into the partnerships generated by Sunstone with governments, higher education institutions and more. Partnerships are key to the entrepreneurial experience, Sunstone CEO John Keisler said. We believe at Sunstone that we can go farther when we go together, and events like this help make that happen. LA Tech Week 23 included events all over Los Angeles in early June. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) was the lead organizer. The dynamics of public-private partnerships can be a pretty arcane subject and Sunstones event hit just the right tenor, making it fun and providing insights in a relaxed atmosphere, Andrea White-Kjoss said. The Long Beach Accelerator and Sunstone community was out in force with excellent questions, leading to a great discussion of the intersection of public, private, accelerators, and venture capital, as well as the public sector as a customer. For more about early-stage startups, public-private partnerships, and pictures of the Venture Dynamics Panel & Mixer, go to www.sunstoneinvestment.com. About Sunstone Management Sunstone Management is a diversified private capital sponsor firm located in Southern California that invests in diverse early-stage technology entrepreneurs who seek to build great companies. We believe in the aspirational power of the American economy to attract and inspire investors and entrepreneurs from throughout the world. We deliver new and exciting opportunities for economic growth through the creation of innovative public-private partnerships, and our unique experience across government, education, and private sectors. Identified by Financial Times as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies three years in a row. LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Crunchbase | Pitchbook View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613714399/en/ Jennifer Huang Sunstone Management (562) 732-0617 [email protected] Source: Sunstone Management NORTH MANKATO, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Taylor Healthcare announced it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add Mobile Signature Capture to the VAs iMedConsent installation. The VA uses Taylor Healthcares proprietary iMedConsent solution for its surgical informed consent process in more than 140 medical facilities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Adding our Mobile Signature Capture technology to the VAs iMedConsent solution enhances the VAs telehealth strategy, says Scott Fleischman, vice president of federal programs for Taylor Healthcare. VA patients will soon be able to sign surgical consent documents from anywhere using their own mobile devices. Allowing patients to review and sign consent forms while away from the VA facility is a huge win from a patient experience standpoint. The Mobile Signature Capture implementation follows the successful 2022 migration of iMedConsent to the VAs secure enterprise cloud. This latest enhancement will streamline document management for the entire VA health system going forward. The VA processes millions of confidential patient documents each year, notes Fleischman. By providing consent forms and capturing signatures digitally, the VA is able to eliminate those paper documents and increase the efficiency of their new electronic health record. iMedConsent is an informed consent documentation system that digitizes the process of obtaining patient consent prior to surgical procedures. Standardized consent forms describing more than 4,000 treatments in 37 clinical specialties are maintained in the iMedConsent solutions digital library. The procedures and accompanying education, anatomical images and pre and post instructions help standardize the informed consent process. VA physicians simply access the appropriate consent form in iMedConsent, which is reached from the VAs electronic health record (EHR). Physicians are able to customize the consent form as needed for each patient, use that document to describe the procedure to the patient, and obtain their consent. The patient signs the form electronically and the completed document is automatically stored in the VAs EHR. The iMedConsent solution meets the VAs Section 508 requirements and is currently used by VA facilities worldwide, numerous Defense Health Agency facilities and dozens of private hospital systems. About Taylor Healthcare Taylor Healthcare provides innovative document automation and patient engagement solutions that standardize and enhance communications across the continuum of care. They improve patient care by enabling healthcare organizations to engage patients with the right information at the right time. To learn more, visit www.taylor.com/solutions/healthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613712199/en/ Chris Civitarese 347-420-1953 [email protected] Source: Taylor Healthcare Tyvak International, Terran Orbitals subsidiary, supports Polytechnic University of Turin students as they advance popes Spei Satelles space mission to transmit messages of hope BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A satellite created with the help of Terran Orbital Corporations (NYSE: LLAP) Italian subsidiary, Tyvak International, successfully launched Monday, carrying Pope Franciss iconic Statis Orbis coronavirus pandemic prayer heavenward. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613962918/en/ Students from the Polytechnic University of Turin or Politecnico di Torino perform test activities on the on the Spei Satelles papal satellite, as engineers with Tyvak International, a Terran Orbital subsidiary, supervise the students work. (Image Credit: Politecnico di Torino) The Polytechnic University of Turin (PoliTO) CubeSat Team and DIANA Robotics Team designed the 3U CubeSat spacecraft for the papal Spei Satelles or Satellites of Hope space mission, which blasted off Monday from the Vandenberg Air Force in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. A technical team from Tyvak International, Terran Orbitals Turin, Italy subsidiary, proudly supervised and supported the students six-month project to develop the satellite, which will operate from Low Earth Orbit. The Project has been promoted by the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See in unity with the Pope, together with the Italian Space Agency. Spei Satelles contains a nanobook, a 2-millimeter by 2-millimeter, 0.2-millimeter-thick silicon slab fabricated by the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of the National Research Council of Italy. The book contains images and readings associated with Pope Franciss famous March 27, 2020 public prayer. That March night, a solemn, solitary Pope Francis slowly ascended the steps of St. Peters Basilica in the rain before hoisting a cross above his head beneath a white canopy. He encouraged the world to stay strong with a prayer delivered before an empty square that typically draws tens of thousands of people for papal speeches. In the viral speech, the pope called for humanity to unite to fight the pandemic with the strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us hope. Now, the Spei Satelles mission will transmit Pope Franciss messages of hope and unity in 437.5 MHz, a UHF amateur satellite band, during the satellites stay in sun-synchronous orbit 525 kilometers above Earth. Tyvak International includes several PoliTO alumni, who learned how to design, launch and operate nanosatellites in the same CubeSat Team Lab where they recently worked closely with the next generation of spacecraft engineers. Its a huge honor for our company to be part of this historical and inspirational papal space mission, said Fabio Nichele, CEO of Tyvak International. Weve encouraged the passion and dedication of a new generation of space enthusiasts, while spreading a message of unity and hope. We are grateful to the Tyvak International team for their invaluable contribution to the development of Spei Satelles, said Sabrina Corpino, a PoliTO professor and project manager for the Spei Satelles mission. Our students have been supported by incredible engineers, who shared their unique background on small satellites, making this experience a perfect example of a successful collaboration between industry and academia. About Tyvak International Tyvak International is a Terran Orbital subsidiary, an operationally independent unit and a leading small satellite integrator primarily serving the European and International markets Learn more at www.tyvak.eu. About Terran Orbital Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613962918/en/ Dan Axelrod, [email protected] [email protected], 949-656-0037 Source: Terran Orbital University of New Mexico Makes Huge Impact in The Global Scaling Challenge -- Students Helping Real Businesses Scale ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The University of New Mexico's prestigious Anderson School of Management has announced the outstanding medal winners of the highly anticipated 2023 Global Scaling Challenge. This years Challenge brought together 36 university student teams vying for over $35,000 in cash prizes. The theme of the challenge revolved around the critical technology sector of "Aerospace," with a strong focus on real businesses seeking scalable solutions. The firms focused on were Proof Labs, RS21, and IDEAS-TEK. Esteemed judges from various professional backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, company executives, economic development professionals, venture capitalists and industry experts lent their expertise to evaluate the teams' performance in the global events. The winners were: Gold Medal Winning teams University of Denver and Menlo College Silver Medal Winning teams Boston University Questrom School of Business, Johannes Kepler University Linz (2), Stevens Institute of Technology (1) Bronze Medal Winning teams Georgia College and State University, Grenoble Ecole de Management, Stevens Institute of Technology (2), Youngstown State University Special Recognition of Excellence Award SolBridge International School of Business UNM Anderson Professor, Challenge founder and chairperson, Steve Walsh, said The firms founders and executives have stated that they gained valuable insights from the team presentations. These firm founder statements are like the results of the last two years of the challenge where the firms reported adopting strategies from the team and gaining scaling advantage in employees and sales. The Global Scaling Challenge is an unparalleled learning experience immersing students beyond the confines of the classroom and into practical, action-oriented learning opportunities. The Challenge does not adhere to traditional business plan competitions based on hypothetical scenarios. Instead, it challenges students to devise genuine growth strategies for three U.S.-based technology companies, emphasizing the objective of making a tangible impact. The Challenge provides viable strategies to rapidly propel each company's sales from their current levels to an impressive 1,000x within a five-year timeframe. They Can Make a Difference" is the challenge motto. The challenge is real, it is live, and it is virtual. The Global Scaling Challenge regional qualifiers and finals are held synchronously via Zoom, allowing students and universities to participate and compete for the coveted $35,000 in cash prizes, with no entry fees. To sign up a team for the 2024 Global Scaling Challenge please visit our website at https://gsc.mgt.unm.edu FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit https://gsc.mgt.unm.edu to learn about the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and to register teams for next years UNM Anderson Global Scaling Challenge. ABOUT THE GLOBAL SCALING CHALLENGE (GSC) The UNM Anderson School of Management GSC was initiated in 2021. It has quickly found widespread favor internationally in assisting high-tech firms engaged in critical technology industry segments to the US and the world resulting in scaling-up and becoming sustainable. UNM GSC is real, live, and virtual, where this year 36 university teams of more than 160 students and mentors from around the world compete for $35,000 in prizes, and assist projects or minority founded firms or women- led efforts in firms in the Aerospace Sector. It leverages the research of the highly ranked Management of Technology and Technology Entrepreneurship researchers from the Anderson School of Management. To date the firms have used the mentored students and judgers inputs to great advantage. ABOUT THE ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO The University of New Mexico (UNM) was founded in 1889 by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature, is the state's oldest university, its flagship academic institution, and the largest by enrollment, with over 25,400 students in 2021. It is a R1 top tier university by the Carnegie classification of Institutions, a top 100 public university by the US News and World Report, a Hispanic -serving institution by the US Department of Education, and holder of a gold rating as a military- friendly institution. The Anderson School of Management (Anderson), founded in 1947, is the Management School of the University of New Mexico (UNM). Anderson was the first professional school of management established in the state of New Mexico and has an alumni base of over 24,000 graduates. It has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975. UNM was the third university to gain professional AACSB accreditation for both their bachelor's and master's degree programs. In 1974, the school was named for Robert Orville Anderson, a New Mexico oilman and longtime CEO of the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). Please click on our SPONSORS links below to learn more about them. New Space New Mexico in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory, Real Time Solutions, Bernalillo County Commission District 4 Commissioner Walt Benson, New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, Cooper & Company, Cottonwood Technology Fund, ESPALIER, EZJ Online, Grenoble Ecole de Management, IAMOT, Johannes Kepler University, KOB Channel 4, MANCEF, Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Roger Grace Associates, Rowan University, Sandia National Laboratories, Stevens Institute of Technology, UNM Anderson School of Management, UNM COSMIAC View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613103701/en/ Project Contact: Distinguished Professor Steve Walsh ASM-UNM [email protected] 505-681-4835 Media Contact: Roger H. Grace Roger Grace Associates [email protected] 415-559-6510 Source: University of New Mexico GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the worlds largest pure-play contract logistics provider, announced today that it is expanding its relationship with FARFETCH Limited, the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, to support Reeboks omnichannel logistics throughout Europe from two networked warehouses in South Holland. We are proud to expand our relationship with FARFETCH and serve as a strategic logistics partner for Reeboks ecommerce growth across Europe, said Luc Laurijssens, Managing Director, Belgium and the Netherlands, GXO. Weve executed with speed, in a matter of weeks, and were looking forward to deploying automation, as well as our reverse logistics capabilities, to drive efficiency and higher volumes and support FARFETCHs ambitious plans for global growth. GXO met FARFETCHs need for a quick start-up, opening approximately 40,000 square meters of warehouse space within weeks of signing the agreement, and is providing inbound, storage, picking, packing and shipping services for FARFETCHs business-to-business and business-to-customer operations. GXO is also processing and refurbishing returns at the facility. The approximately 500 team members hired to operate the warehouses for FARFETCH represent a vital boost to employment in the region, and later in the year GXO expects to begin adding automation to improve efficiency and increase overall safety even further. GXO is committed to helping customers pursue their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. The FARFETCH sites are fully equipped with energy-saving LED lighting and were built to be operated without fossil fuels there is no natural gas connection, so temperature control is powered by electricity and vehicles, such as material handling equipment are fully electric, using lead-acid and lithium batteries. As a leading global provider of outsourced omnichannel logistics, GXO specializes in providing fast and reliable warehouse solutions for brick-and-mortar, ecommerce and direct-to-consumer companies. The company works with mass-market retailers, pure-play e-tailers, luxury brands, specialty stores and direct-to-consumer manufacturers to deliver a superior consumer experience, helping to build loyalty for our customers brands. Toyota will confront a difficult hurdle Wednesday when the company holds its annual shareholder meeting. According to recent reports, certain pension funds plan to vote against Chairman Akio Toyoda over governance concerns. These investors are also advocating for increased transparency regarding the company's climate lobbying activities. The Japanese auto giant has attracted the attention of activists and green investors in recent years, who say the company has been slow to roll out battery electric vehicles. Now, some investors have taken aim at the independence of its board. two of the largest pension funds, California's CalPERS and CalSTRS, along with New York City's pension system and other asset managers have said they are voting against current chairman and former CEO, Akio Toyoda. Shares of Toyota received a boost Tuesday after the company reviled plans to build new battery technology and EV innovation. The strong financial performance has meant concerns about board independence have largely been shrugged off, said Kazunori Suzuki of Waseda Business School. "The question is, which is better, a company with perfect governance and bad earnings, or one with a governance framework that is imperfect, but has strong earnings?" Toyoda took over as chairman in April after spending over a decade as CEO of the company his grandfather founded and is unlikely to lose his seat. He enjoys strong support from individual investors and the many suppliers and Toyota group companies among its shareholders. Last year he was re-elected to the board with 96% support. Shares of TM are up 5.23% in pre-market trading on Tuesday. By Michael Elkins | [email protected] Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) recently held a technical briefing session, "Toyota Technical Workshop," under the theme "Let's Change the Future of Cars" and announced a variety of new technologies that will support its transformation into a mobility company. Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, explained Toyota's technology strategy and the direction of future car manufacturing. In addition, he spoke on specific and diverse technologies, including concepts under development, which will help achieve the vision and policies that have been communicated so far. Also speaking were Takero Kato, who has been appointed president of the newly established BEV Factory, and Mitsumasa Yamagata, who is scheduled to be appointed president of the Hydrogen Factory to be launched in July. They elaborated on their respective strategies for the battery EV and hydrogen businesses. Paid press release content from Evertise Financial. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Miami, FL, USA, June 13, 2023 Digital Silk, a leading digital web design agency, offers a service that aims to help businesses enhance their online presence through dynamic digital web design. The web design service they offer is designed to help companies stand out in todays competitive digital landscape, where building an impactful online presence is essential for business success. The digital world is continuously evolving, and as such, it is crucial for businesses to ensure they are staying ahead of the curve by updating their online presence and design. With extensive experience in building visually striking websites, Digital Silk leverages its technical expertise and creative skills to create engaging and dynamic web experiences for its clients. Having an online presence in todays business landscape is essential, and a well-designed website is a cornerstone to achieving this, stated Gabriel Shaoolian, the CEO of Digital Silk. Our team has extensive experience and the ability to deliver exceptional websites, which help our clients stand out from the crowd and create a truly engaging online experience for their customers. Digital Silks dynamic web design service allows clients to achieve this by creating truly unique web designs. The process starts with conducting research to gain a deep understanding of the clients business goals, target audience, and specific requirements of the project. Digital Silks team of skilled designers and developers then collaborates to create a stunning and highly functional website tailored to each clients unique needs. The digital web design agency utilizes the latest technologies, including machine learning, to provide businesses with cutting-edge web design solutions that can help them achieve success. Machine learning algorithms are used to analyze user data, predict design trends, and identify user behavior patterns. This information is then used to create a web design that matches customer expectations and provides an intuitive user experience. Machine learning tools provide us with valuable insights that allow us to tailor our web design solutions to the precise needs of our clients, explained Gabriel Shaoolian. By using this technology, we can provide a user-friendly and engaging experience that drives traffic, increases engagement, and ultimately boosts sales. In addition to dynamic web design, Digital Silk provides a range of web development services, including content management system integration, e-commerce solutions, and website maintenance and support. These solutions are created using industry best practices and advanced technologies, tailored to each clients specific needs, and are designed to boost their online presence and help them achieve their business goals. Our range of web development services is designed to provide clients with an all-encompassing online strategy that will help them achieve their business goals, continued Gabriel Shaoolian. We take a comprehensive approach to website development, considering everything from design and functionality to user experience and long-term maintenance and support. Digital Silks dynamic web design services have already proven successful in helping businesses drive engagement and boost sales. Past clients have applauded the agencys technical expertise and creativity. While the internet is filled with many well-designed websites, businesses must understand that a website is more than an online brochure. Instead, a robust online presence through a website can be an excellent tool for driving traffic, generating leads, and increasing revenue. Digital Silk understands this and provides businesses with web design and development services that align with their specific goals and objectives. Digital Silks team has been designing and developing websites for years, delivering successful projects to a range of clients across many industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology. The agencys ability to create exceptional websites that meet the needs of each client is a testament to Digital Silks commitment to producing impressively designed and highly functional websites. Overall, Digital Silks dynamic web design services provide businesses with a competitive edge by creating visually striking and engaging websites that align with their specific goals. The agencys mix of innovative design, advanced technology, and comprehensive web development services ensures businesses are up to date with the latest online trends. Contact: Organization: Digital Silk Name: Gabriel Shaoolian Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 800 856 5417 Website: https://www.digitalsilk.com/ Address: 16901 Collins Ave Miami, FL 33160, United States OTTAWA, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) and the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) have established an expert panel to assess Canadas role in global health and to identify opportunities for Canada to enhance its leadership. There are crucial questions related to Canadas global health footprint: What impact has the pandemic had on Canadas engagement in global health? What are some of the urgent next steps as we emerge from the pandemic, such that Canada can be true to its announced values of equity, human rights, and global citizenship? The expert panel will study the history of Canadas engagement in global health, the recent period including the COVID-19 pandemic, and future opportunities for Canadas to play a leadership role as a middle power. The timing is excellent, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic, for an independent analysis of Canadas position and aspirations in global health, jointly affirmed Dr. Alain Gagnon (President, Royal Society of Canada) and Dr. James (Jay) Cross (President, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences). We are delighted to be undertaking this important work together with a distinguished panel co-chaired by Dr. Tim Evans and Dr. Kelley Lee. Further information on the panel, whose report is anticipated in late 2023, is available here. For additional information, contact Kayla Bimm (CAHS) and Erika Kujawski (RSC). Source: The Royal Society of Canada | La Societe royale du Canada FORT WORTH, TX, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire ADM Endeavors (OTCQB: ADMQ), is pleased to announce that it received two new government contracts. As an approved vendor for the government, the company provides a diverse area of products with logos to multiple government entities. This can include everything from safety t-shirts to caps and work uniforms for state and local agencies to spirit wear and uniforms for public schools. The City of Burleson and City of Frisco have both placed opening uniform orders and will continue placing orders on an as needed basis. The contracts were acquired through ADM Endeavors wholly owned subsidiary Just Right Products, Inc. The company will continue to focus resources on government bids and contracts. Typically, government contracts are stable and well-funded. Given the high level of quality products and service we provide, most of these contracts are renewed, providing ongoing revenues. We have a high number of government projects still to be awarded and anticipate winning many of these bids as well, said ADM Endeavors CEO Marc Johnson. About ADMQ: Since 2010, our wholly owned subsidiary, Just Right Products, Inc., has been consistently increasing sales, with sales topping $5.62 million for the last reported 12 months. The Company sells Anything With A Logo on its website, www.JustRightProducts.com, developing products ranging from unique business cards to coffee cups, T-shirts to boots, with tens of thousands of other unique products from which to select. Just Right Products, Inc. operates a diverse vertical integrated business in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, consisting of a retail sales division, screen print production, embroidery production, digital production, import wholesale sourcing, and uniforms. Forward Looking Statement: This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as strategy, expects, continues, plans, anticipates, believes, would, will, estimates, intends, projects, goals, targets and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions or economic conditions with respect to the retail industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of management, actions of government regulators, vendors, and suppliers, our cash flows and ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe -harbor provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts ADM Endeavors, Inc. | 817.840.6271 | [email protected] Brokers and Analysts: Chesapeake Group | 410-825-3930 | [email protected] Attachment ADMQ ADM Endeavors, Inc. Source: ADM Endeavors, Inc. GRIMSBY, Ontario, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A / ADW.B) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a $275 million Asset Backed Lending credit facility effective June 13, 2023, maturing on June 13, 2027. Led by Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent and co-lead arranger, alongside Royal Bank of Canada, as co-lead arranger, the credit facility replaces the Companys existing credit facility entered into on December 8, 2020. The closing of this facility in this uncertain financial market is a testament to the continued strength and sustainability of our Company, said John Peller, Chief Executive Officer. Moving to an asset backed facility allows us to unlock the value of our assets while driving significant interest savings annually. Andrew Peller Limited anticipates it will use the proceeds from the credit facility to fund its working capital needs, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A / ADW.B) will issue its financial results for the three months and year ended March 31, 2023 on the afternoon of June 14, 2023. A telephone conference call hosted by John Peller, Chief Executive Officer and Paul Dubkowski, Chief Financial Officer will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 10.00 am ET. About Andrew Peller Limited Andrew Peller Limited is one of Canadas leading producers and marketers of quality wines and craft spirits. The Companys awardwinning premium and ultrapremium Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Black Hills Estate, Tinhorn Creek, Gray Monk Estates, Raven Conspiracy and Conviction. Complementing these premium brands are a number of popularly priced varietal offerings, wine based liqueurs, craft ciders, beer and craft spirits. The Company owns and operates 101 wellpositioned independent retail locations in Ontario under The Wine Shop, Wine Country Vintners, and Wine Country Merchants store names. The Company also operates Andrew Peller Import Agency and The Small Winemakers Collection Inc., importers and marketing agents of premium wines from around the world. With a focus on serving the needs of all wine consumers, the Company produces and markets premium personal winemaking products through its whollyowned subsidiary, Global Vintners Inc. (GVI), the recognized leader in personal winemaking products. More information about the Company can be found at ir.andrewpeller.com Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this news release may contain forwardlooking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the safe harbour provision of the Securities Act (Ontario) with respect to Andrew Peller Limited and its subsidiaries. These forwardlooking statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in the Risks and Uncertainties section and elsewhere in the Companys MD&A and other risks detailed from time to time in the publicly filed disclosure documents of Andrew Peller Limited which are available at www.sedar.com. Forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those conclusions, forecasts, or projections anticipated in these forwardlooking statements. The Companys forwardlooking statements are made only as of the date of this news release, and except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For more information, please contact: Paul Dubkowski, CFO and Executive Vice-President, IT (905) 643-4131 Source: Andrew Peller Limited Source: Andrew Peller Limited Shanghai, China, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), organized by Donghao Lansheng(Group)Co. Ltd. from July 6th to 8th, 2023, is set to inaugurate with the insightful theme: 'Intelligent Connectivity: Generating the Future', aiming to explore the development of general artificial intelligence and embrace the values of AI4Good. It seeks to create a favorable innovation ecosystem for the intelligent era. Professionals, including entrepreneurs, scientists, young scholars, entrepreneurs, international organizations, and investors, from around the world will attend, providing a collaborative platform for cooperation and exchange. The main venue will be at the Shanghai World Expo Center, with additional satellite venues in Zhangjiang and Xuhui. The conference will showcase ten highlights: 1. Gathering Experts to Shape a Smart Future Adopting a hybrid structure this year, the conference seamlessly merges offline and online participation avenues. Over 1,400 guests are expected to attend, including Turing Award laureates and Nobel Prize winners. The conference will delve into discussions on hot topics such as large-scale models and AI for Science. 2. Focus on Professional Frontiers, Comprehensive Coverage of Technical Topics WAIC 2023 has carefully structured its three primary topic areas: Technology, Industry, and Humanities. These provide comprehensive coverage of cutting-edge technologies such as large-scale models and generative artificial intelligence. The technology-focused forums account for nearly 40% of the program. This arrangement aims to ensure that participants can explore the latest trends in the field. 3. Assembling the Pioneers of Large-Scale Model Technology, Surfing the Wave of Innovation This year's conference will bring together teams and experts from the field of large-scale models. The conference will delve into the development path of large-scale models and showcase cutting-edge products. The large-scale model teams of leading companies will also make appearances. The conference's content will cover various model categories and demonstrate the diverse ecosystem and empowering effects of large-scale models. 4. Fostering Open Collaboration and Co-creation for a Global AI Event WAIC has established partnerships with international organizations and attracted dozens of international institutions and companies. Among them are the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Metaverse Standards Association. Additionally, the conference will promote the participation of international delegations from countries such as Germany and Singapore. 5. Integration of Industry, Academia, Research, and Application to Accelerate Commercialization of Innovative Achievements With its platform and resource advantages, the conference has bridged the market and society. The conference has collaborated with international universities and gathered research institutions such as the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. It has also brought together dozens of investment institutions and fund companies. Furthermore, the conference has invited representatives from various fields to foster cross-disciplinary integration. 6. Broadening Scale, Showcasing Innovative Exhibits, and Sharing the Technological Feast Across Regions This year, the conference exhibition reverts to an offline format, while also embracing a live online streaming element. Over 400 companies are expected to participate, occupying an area of 50,000 square meters. More than 30 debut products have been confirmed, covering fields such as large-scale models and robotics. Two themed exhibition areas have been introduced: the "Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Achievement Exhibition" and the "Journey towards General Artificial Intelligence" exhibition. 7. Spotlighting Tech Incubation Innovations, Empowering Global Projects with the SAIL Award At this conference, the Lingang Science and Technology Investment Fund and YC Ventures will showcase innovative technology startups. This year, the inaugural Super AI Leader (SAIL) Award has been introduced, with a substantial prize aimed at accelerating the implementation of international innovative projects. These initiatives are designed to provide a platform for startups and showcase the forefront of innovative technologies. 8. Fostering Global Connectivity, Igniting Strategic Business Collaborations Achieving a profound integration of corporate and media resources, this year's conference has partnered with countries like Australia and the United Kingdom to assemble VIP delegations. It also incorporates exclusive industry matchmaking sessions and product unveiling events. Complementary activities such as the "Magic Box Live Room" and "CEO Financial Afternoon Tea" have been created to further activate the conference's resources. These activities promote collective creation and sharing within the industry. 9. Integrating the Journey of Technology, Sharing Digital Experiences The conference has been committed to utilizing artificial intelligence technology. This year's WAIC has deepened the AI technology and expanded the scope of intelligent applications. The conference seamlessly integrates technologies including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This creates a digital news center, immersive experiences, and personalized digital avatars. These innovative digital applications provide participants with new ways of interaction and engagement. 10. Focusing on Talent Ecosystem to Ignite Innovation Power WAIC is committed to building a talent exchange platform to support the development of artificial intelligence. This year's conference focuses on young talent and has planned activities such as the AI Youth Pioneer Forum and Talent Recruitment Fair. Additionally, the conference has organized competitions and events including SAIL Award and World AI Innovation Competition (AIWIN). These events bring together young scholars and teams from around the world. The 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference is about to begin. Adhering to the principle of AI4good and maintain an open attitude to welcome participation from all parties. Visit the official website: https://www.worldaic.com.cn/, as the registration portal is about to open! Maxine Mao Donghao Lansheng (Group) Co. Ltd. media(at)worldaic.com.cn Source: World Artificial Intelligence Conference WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSX: DN) (OTCQB: DLTNF) (Delta 9 or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has secured a purchase order from 1417376 BC Ltd. for 8 of its modular Grow Pods for a cultivation facility in British Columbia. 1417376 BC Ltd. has also entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with the Company whereby Delta 9 will provide services relating to 1417376 BC Ltd.s cannabis production facility, development of standard operating procedures and sanitation programs, consulting on Health Canada licensing, marketing services to develop the 1417376 BC Ltd.s brand, and other services supporting the acquisition of a Health Canada cultivation and processing license. The Company anticipates the value of the purchase order and Strategic Cooperation Agreement will be approximately $750,000. We are delighted to partner with 1417376 BC Ltd. on the development of their facility which will include eight of our "Grow Pod" systems, said John Arbuthnot, Founder and CEO of Delta 9. Our proven platform for Grow Pods and services remains to be one of the best options for cannabis industry entrepreneurs seeking equipment, licensing and support services. The Company's cannabis production methodology is based around a modular, scalable, and stackable production unit called a "Grow Pod", which are based on retrofitted 40-foot shipping containers. 1417376 BC Ltd.s production facility has been designed and retrofitted using this turnkey Grow Pod system. Since 2018 Delta 9 has successfully installed over 250 Grow Pods in third party facilities across Canada and the United States. 1417376 BC Ltd. is a business partnership owned and family operated on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We have plans to service the recreational cannabis market in BC and across Canada, said the 1417376 BC Ltd. management team. We are confident in our ability to produce premium BC grown cannabis products that will delight Canadian consumers. 1417376 BC Ltd. is developing a state-of-the-art 18,000 sq ft micro cultivation facility on a 79-acre parcel of land, in Comox Valley, British Columbia. This retrofit facility houses a micro cultivation license, including eight new grow pod systems, and a proprietary craft growing approach developed by Delta 9. 1417376 BC Ltd.s initial plan is to focus on growing proprietary strains of 20+ THC and expanding its product offering with extracted products in the future. 1417376 BC Ltd. has two more buildings on-site slated for future expansion of 30,000 sq ft to house an additional 100 or more Grow Pods. For more information contact: Investor & Media Contact:Ian Chadsey VP Corporate AffairsMobile: 204-898-7722E-mail: [email protected] About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. The company sells cannabis products through its wholesale and retail sales channels and sells its cannabis grow pods to other businesses. Delta 9's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and operates an 95,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand. Delta 9's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "DN" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "DLTNF". For more information, please visit www.delta9.ca. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Companys future business 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. Forward looking statements in this news release include (i) statements relating to the Companys plans to supply Grow Pods to 1417376 BC Ltd., (ii) the Companys plans to provide services to 1417376 BC Ltd. and (iii) the Companys ability to realize revenue from the sale of Grow Pods and provision of services. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including all risk factors set forth in the annual information form of Delta 9 dated March 30, 2023 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Source: Delta 9 Cannabis An Emerging Markets News Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today we are circling back to one outstanding company and its most recent exciting announcement. Kisses From Italy Inc. (OTCQB: KITL), a publicly listed U.S.-based company, restaurant chain operator, franchisor, and product distributor with locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe, introduced its new restaurant brand name and concept with business partner and celebrity Chef, Scott Conant. When Kisses From Italy teamed up with Conant, expanding and adding additional concepts across different food categories was high on the priority list. Now, that crave-able concept is coming to life with the help of Fransmart, a leader in the global franchise department market and Kisses From Italys current advisor. The fast-casual brand will be called The Ponte San'gwich Shoppe & Italian Deli. The name is derived from a tight-knit Italian community, nicknamed Pontes, who lived in Conants neighborhood where he grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut. The group of people, Conant claims, spent a lot of time with his family and conjured up nostalgia and fond memories of the past. Something that Conant noted, and something extremely important to the success of a restaurant, is the amount of effort put into making the food a follow-up to the dining experience. Conant explained, Impeccable, warm service will be the key differentiator in establishing a loyal following at The Ponte. The Kisses From Italy team and their new partner, celebrity chef Scott Conant, has chosen New York as its launch site. According to the company's co-CEO, Claudio Ferri, the team is currently scoping out store locations in the New York City and Manhattan areas. He claims they are not wasting any time, and are looking to get the process moving quickly. The sandwiches will be the East Coast style of Italian American heroes and what Conants family calls Sangwiches. Conant claims that these Sangwiches have been a staple in his life since childhood and have the title of his ultimate comfort food. Although the full menu has not been released yet, we do know that San'gwich Shoppe and Italian Deli will offer espresso and fresh pastries in the morning, market salads and house-made bread. Also, Conant shared three mouth-watering Sangwiches that he is excited about: Crispy Chicken Cutlet with burrata & broccoli rabe pesto with burrata & broccoli rabe pesto Beef Short Rib with caramelized onions, horseradish & fontina cheese; and with caramelized onions, horseradish & fontina cheese; and Old Country Hero with prosciutto, mortadella, salmi, provolone & italian vinaigrette. In addition, do not be surprised if we see some retail products, with the new brand, hitting the shelves quickly. Kisses From Italy has first hand experience in building a network with retail products bearing the company name are presently in approximately 70 stores in Ontario and Quebec Canada. The group potentially has the reach and capability to introduce some of current and new products into the U.S. market with chef Scott and Fransmart. As we continue to watch Kisses From Italy move forward daily, the company is taking all the necessary steps to open its first location and full franchise rollout. There is much more ahead for this accomplished company, so stay tuned for updates. For more on Kisses From Italy, visit: https://kissesfromitaly.com/ About Kisses from Italy Inc.: Kisses from Italy Inc. is a U.S.-based restaurant chain operator, franchisor, and product distributor with locations in North America and Europe. The Company offers a quick-service menu and a unique take on traditional Italian delicacies with an All-American flair. Kisses from Italy offerings include sandwiches, salads, Italian roasted coffee, coffee-related beverage, and an array of other products. 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/contactus/ 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 previously paid 2,500,000 restricted shares and is under contract to receive an additional 3,000,000 restricted shares and $35,000 by Kisses from Italy, Inc. for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. Please read our full disclaimer. Emerging Markets Consulting, LLCFlorida Office390 N Orange Ave. Suite 2300Orlando, FL 32801E-mail: [email protected]Web: https://emergingmarketsconsulting.com/ Source: Kisses from Italy, Inc. and Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC. Kansas City, Mo., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FairWave Coffee Collective, a collective of specialty coffee brands operating together to elevate quality coffee experiences within communities, announced today the newest member of the collective, Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. Anodyne is the first Milwaukee-based coffee roaster and the tenth overall brand to join the collective. "With more than two decades of experience in the specialty coffee industry, Anodyne is bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the collective," said Joe Marrocco, VP of coffee sourcing and product development. "Milwaukee has a strong sense of community with a vibrant food and beverage scene, and we couldn't be happier to launch in this market with such an incredible partner." With FairWave's support, Anodyne will continue regular cafe operations and provide the same wholesale product offerings that customers are used to. Anodyne's employees will remain in their current positions, and the company will continue to operate locally in Milwaukee. Anodyne's leadership team, Steve Kessler, Nolan Truttschel, Laura Lown, and Stephanie Burton, will serve as FairWave's local Milwaukee ownership group. Matt McClutchy and Lacee Perry, owners of Anodyne, will become partial owners in FairWave through this transition. "As a local brand, we will stay true to our customers while leveraging FairWave's resources," said Steve Kessler from Anodyne. "At the end of the day, we are still Anodyne Roasting Co. with the same great team & coffee." FairWave recently welcomed Minneapolis companies Folly Coffee and Philtera Cold Brewed Coffees to the collective earlier this year. FairWave's mission is to enhance local coffee brands in their respective markets so that the brands truly stay local and remain a part of the communities in which they operate. To learn more about FairWave and Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., visit fairwave.com and anodynecoffee.com. About FairWaveFairWave is a specialty coffee collective that fuels the future of local specialty coffee through superior experiences and a mission to respect every hand in the journey from seed to cup. FairWave brings financial insights, industry best practices, and behind-the-scenes support so that brands can stay invested in their product, experience, and local market. For more information, please visit fairwave.com. About AnodyneFounded in 1999, Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. is a locally owned, small batch roaster proudly working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Anodyne aims to provide an exceptional cup of coffee using just enough technology coupled with the experience of our crew to ensure exact repeatable results and assured satisfaction with every roast, every time. For more information, please visit www.anodynecoffee.com. Attachment Alyssa Hopkins FairWave 8168428111 [email protected] Source: FairWave Mactung is the worlds largest high-grade deposit of the critical mineral tungsten*. Mineral resources total 41.5 Mt Indicated Resource at 0.73% WO3 and 12.2 Mt Inferred Resource at 0.59% WO3. In addition, an Exploration Target is estimated at 2.5 Mt to 3.5 Mt at a grade between 0.4% and 0.6% WO3, within the mining shapes that constrain the Mineral Resource. The resource estimate includes estimates for the critical mineral copper in addition to gold and metallurgical test work is underway to determine recoveries of these by-product metals. Mactung is contiguous with Fireweeds Macmillan Pass zinc-lead-silver project, accessible by the North Canol Road, and provides potential for future project synergies. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIREWEED METALS CORP. (Fireweed or the Company) (TSXV: FWZ; OTCQB: FWEDF) is pleased to announce a new mineral resource estimate for its Mactung Project located in Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada (Map 1), within the Traditional Territories of the Kaska Dena Nation and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, and the Sahtu Settlement Area. CEO Statement Brandon Macdonald, CEO, stated In one year we have gone from signing an initial Letter of Intent to a Definitive Asset Purchase Agreement to the publication of new mineral resource for Mactung. We have taken the historic resource through a process involving relogging, resampling, and a rigorous, modern estimation methodology, and confirmed an impressive and world-class tungsten resource at Mactung*. This not only reaffirms Mactung's unmatched combination of grade and scale but establishes it as a truly strategic critical minerals project for the West with the underground resource alone able to supply much of North Americas expected demand for decades. Fireweed is looking forward to collaborating with federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments to advance Mactung through the permitting and detailed engineering stages of this unique project. Table 1: Mineral Resource Statement(1,2,3,4) for the Mactung Project. Classification Cut-off Tonnage WO3 Contained Grade (tonnes) Grade WO3 WO3 (%) (%) (mtu5) Indicated (underground) 0.50 12,168,000 1.05 12,789,000 Indicated (open pit) 0.25 29,319,000 0.59 17,367,000 Total Indicated (OP+UG) 0.25/0.50 41,487,000 0.73 30,156,000 Inferred(4) (underground) 0.50 2,817,000 0.73 2,066,000 Inferred(4) (open pit) 0.25 9,430,000 0.55 5,139,000 Total Inferred(4) (OP+UG) 0.25/0.50 12,247,000 0.59 7,205,000 For table footnotes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 see page 9. Mineral Resource Estimate The current Mineral Resource at Mactung ranks it the largest high-grade tungsten resource in the world and it is a clear statistical outlier in terms of grade and contained metal*. It is a tungsten skarn deposit associated with Tombstone-Tungsten suite granitic intrusions that are more broadly linked to a variety of gold and tungsten deposits across Yukon-Northwest Territories. The Mactung deposit is sub-divided into an upper and lower zone that both occur at surface and extend to depths of approximately 400 m below surface. A very high-grade portion of the resource was constrained by underground mining volumes at a 0.5% WO3 cut-off grade, within the gently to moderately dipping, roughly tabular, lower zone that is approximately 20-30 m thick, extending for a kilometre in strike and up to 380 m down-dip. In the upper zone, a high-grade open pit resource was constrained by a conceptual pit shell at a 0.25% WO3 cut-off grade. The Mineral Resource estimate considers and employs reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, is applied within classification domains that are continuous, and uses a classification scheme involving a drill spacing that was based on drill-spacing studies. Additional bulk density and assay data were collected during an extensive Fireweed campaign of re-sampling historic drill core in late 2022 and early 2023, and a new geological interpretation of the deposit has been made. These factors have resulted in a robust estimate of the Mineral Inventory at Mactung, providing a solid foundation for future mine development studies. Copper and gold by-product reporting Copper and gold were estimated as by-product metals for underground constrained resources only (Table 2). No metallurgical test work has been conducted to assess the recovery of copper or gold at Mactung. Based on historical production of small quantities of gold and of copper concentrate from the geologically similar Cantung mine, it has been reasonably assumed that gravity separation and a copper circuit could be incorporated into the flowsheet to recover a portion of the gold and copper in the Current Mineral Resource to satisfy the reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. Fireweed and its consultants are currently completing metallurgical test programs to validate the recovery of tungsten and assess the recovery of gold and copper at Mactung. Grades of copper and gold were considered too low to include within the Mineral Resource Statement for open-pit constrained resources. Table 2: Copper and gold by-product metals for underground mineral resources subdivided by geological unit(1,2,3,4) Unit Cut-off WO3 (%) Tonnage (tonnes) Grade WO3 (%) Contained WO3 (mtu5) Copper (%) Contained Copper (lbs) Gold (g/t) Contained Gold (troy oz) Indicated 20 0.50 3,710,000 0.83 3,076,000 0.010 834,000 0.034 4,000 21 0.50 1,845,000 1.21 2,229,000 0.036 1,448,000 0.060 4,000 22 0.50 6,496,000 1.13 7,366,000 0.093 13,261,000 0.107 22,000 23 0.50 55,000 1.28 70,000 0.092 111,000 0.205 0 3D 0.50 62,000 0.78 48,000 0.011 15,000 0.018 0 Total 0.50 12,168,000 1.05 12,789,000 0.058 15,666,000 0.078 30,000 Inferred 21 0.50 932,000 0.83 775,000 0.014 288,000 0.023 1000 22 0.50 638,000 0.66 420,000 0.047 654,000 0.016 0 23 0.50 6,000 0.84 5,000 0.108 14,000 0.068 0 3D 0.50 1,241,000 0.70 866,000 0.009 252,000 0.013 1000 Total 0.50 2,817,000 0.73 2,066,000 0.020 1,208,000 0.017 2,000 For table footnotes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 see page 9. Sensitivity to Cut-Off Grade A range of cut-off grades were applied to the estimate within the mining volumes established for open-pit and underground resources (Tables 4 and 5). Table 3: Sensitivity to Underground Cut-Off Grade (Current Resource Highlighted) (2,4) Underground Cut-off Grade (WO3%) Tonnage (tonnes) WO3 grade(%) Copper grade (%) Gold grade (g/t) Indicated 0.40 12,885,000 1.02 0.074 0.057 0.45 12,548,000 1.03 0.076 0.058 0.50 12,168,000 1.05 0.078 0.058 0.55 11,702,000 1.07 0.080 0.059 0.60 10,979,000 1.11 0.083 0.061 Inferred 0.40 3,231,000 0.70 0.016 0.019 0.45 3,062,000 0.71 0.016 0.019 0.50 2,817,000 0.73 0.017 0.019 0.55 2,521,000 0.76 0.018 0.020 0.60 2,042,000 0.80 0.019 0.020 For table footnotes 2, and 4 see page 9. Table 4: Sensitivity to Open-pit Cut-Off Grade (Current Resource Highlighted) (2,4) Open-pit Cutoff Grade (WO3%) Tonnage (tonnes) WO3 grade (%) Indicated 0.15 36,452,000 0.51 0.20 32,668,000 0.55 0.25 29,319,000 0.59 0.30 26,207,000 0.63 0.35 23,395,000 0.67 Inferred 0.15 11,335,000 0.49 0.20 10,143,000 0.52 0.25 9,430,000 0.55 0.30 8,699,000 0.57 0.35 7,539,000 0.61 For table footnotes 2, and 4 see page 9. Cut-Off Grade and Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction The cut-off grades of 0.5% WO3 for underground mining and 0.25% WO3 for open-pit mining were selected based on a tungsten concentrate price assumption of approximately USD$240/mtu, supported by updated estimates from trading companies that specialize in tungsten, and preliminary estimates of operating costs (Table 5). Reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction of the mineral resources, as required by NI43-101, were demonstrated by developing underground constraining volumes, conceptual pit shells using a Lerchs-Grossman algorithm and input parameters derived from preliminary cost estimates (see Map 2 and Cross-Sections). Only mineral resources above these cut-offs and within the mineral resource-limiting underground constraining volumes and pits are reported; mineralization falling below this cut-off grade or outside the resource-limiting volumes or pits is not reported, irrespective of the grade. Potential underground resources are constrained initially to only the lower zone (2B unit) and a portion of the upper zone (3D unit) below the pit shell leaving a crown pillar. The potential open-pit resource was optimized for only the upper zone (3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G and 3H units). Gold and copper are considered by-products and were not utilized in cut-off grades, pit optimizations, underground constraints, or for establishing reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. Sensitivity to cut-off grade is reported in Tables 3 and 4 above. Table 5: WO3 Cut-off Grade Calculation Assumptions Input Parameters Unit Value Notes OP Mining Cost Resource or Waste US$/tonne mined 3.00 UG Mining Cost Resource US$/tonne mined 38.00 Incl. maintenance and surface Processing Cost US$/tonne milled 32.00 G&A and Site Services Cost US$/tonne milled 20.00 WO3 Recovery % 82 Royalties % 2 Assumes buy-down from 4% Pit Slopes degrees 50 WO3 Concentrate Selling Price US$/mtu con 240.00 Mining dilution % 0 Mining recovery % 100 Assumptions used to derive the cut-off grades and define the resource-limiting pits are estimated in order to meet the NI43-101 requirement for mineral resource estimates to demonstrate reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. Updated Technical Report The details of the updated mineral resource estimate for Mactung will be provided in a Technical Report compliant with NI43-101 to be filed on www.sedar.com in the next 45 days. 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology The mineral resource estimate for Mactung was completed by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., of Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. using commercial mine-modeling and geostatistical software and adhering to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (adopted by CIM council November 29, 2019). The deposit was segregated into multiple estimation domains based on a revised geological model. The lower zone is hosted by Unit 2B (see Cross Sections), and this is subdivided into four spatial zones (20, 21, 22, and 23). The upper zone is hosted by Units 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, and 3H (see Cross Sections). Grades of WO3, copper and gold were estimated using ordinary kriging interpolation of capped composites in multiple estimation passes. Search ellipse orientation and anisotropy were based on structural and geological controls and/or variogram models with first pass major axis search distances generally 100 m, and subsequent pass distances generally 60 m. Mineral Resources are classified under the categories of Measured, Indicated and Inferred according to CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (Adopted by CIM council May 19, 2014). Mineral resource classification for WO3 was based primarily on an analysis of viability and risk, drillhole spacing and on continuity of mineralization. Inferred and Indicated resources were defined as using increasing thresholds of continuity, confidence, and data density. No Measured resources were defined. Final resource classification shells were manually constructed using interpreted solids. Gold and copper are not classified separately and are reported as by-products based on WO3 classification. A full description of the modeling methodologies for each deposit will be included in a Technical Report scheduled for release within 45 days. Mactung Exploration Potential It is estimated that there is the potential for an Exploration Target at Mactung of between 2.5 and 3.5 Mt at a grade of between 0.4 and 0.6% WO3 in addition to the current Mineral Resources disclosed in this news release. The Exploration Target is within the current geological model, supported by drilling and surface mapping. The Exploration Target includes material located beyond the boundaries of the Inferred and Indicated resource classification but is located within the boundaries of the open-pit shell and underground volumes used to constrain the current Mineral Resource. The Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and requires additional drilling to test the geological model, grade continuity, and extent of mineralization. It is uncertain if additional drilling will validate the geological potential or fulfill the mining and economic criteria necessary to establish reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction to lead to the classification of the Exploration Target as Mineral Resources. Data Validation and QA/QC Fireweed and its consultants conducted extensive statistical analyses to assess the quality of the pre-Fireweed legacy drill hole data in preparation for this mineral resource estimate. The recent re-assaying program has generally shown the data to be of good quality, but use of historical data still presents certain risks in mineral resource estimation due to historical drilling, surveying, sampling, and assaying methodologies. Data from a selection of assay intervals were checked from each year of historical drilling against the original assay certificate or logs, representing 6% of all samples, and was found to be free of errors with minor exceptions. Assay standards, blanks and duplicates were monitored in Fireweeds resampling program and were found to be within acceptable levels of precision and accuracy. Surface assay samples were taken by Garth Kirkham in 2022 and confirm the presence of tungsten in the locations tested. The presence of UV-fluorescent scheelite was confirmed visually in outcrop and in core by the use of a blacklight. A subset of historical collar locations were surveyed by Fireweed personnel using differential GPS and historical drillpad locations were further validated against a Digital Elevation Model derived from a 2022 airborne LiDAR survey with good accuracy. Mactung Location & History Mactung straddles the Yukon and Northwest Territories border and is located 13 km north of Fireweeds Macmillan Pass Project camp and the government-maintained Macmillan Pass airstrip (Map 1). It can also be accessed via the North Canol Road about 230 km from the town of Ross River, Yukon. Mactung was discovered and staked in 1962 by an Amax company geologist. Extensive drilling, metallurgical testing, and multiple historical resource estimates were completed over the next twenty years. The property changed ownership several times and was subsequently acquired by North American Tungsten Corporation (NATC) in 1997. In 2007 NATC published updated mineral resources (see Table 2) and in 2009 published a positive feasibility study (available at www.sedar.com under the NATC profile). The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) Executive Council issued its Referral Report and New Recommendation for Project Number 2008-0304 for the Mactung Mine Project in June 2014. Following a recommendation to Decision Bodies that the Project be allowed to proceed to licensing without review, subject to specific terms and conditions, Decision Documents were issued by the Yukon Government and Federal Government on September 3, 2014 and August 1, 2014, respectively. Subsequently, in June 2015, NATC filed for and was granted creditor protection mainly related to operation of their Cantung mine located to the south. The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) purchased the Mactung Project for $4.5 million in 2015, and subsequently obtained a Class 4 Mining Land Use Approval in 2020 for mineral exploration activities in the Yukon. Fireweed recently signed a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement for the Mactung Project with the GNWT (see Fireweed news release dated February 28, 2023 for details). Mactung Geology & Mineralization Mactung is a tungsten skarn deposit located on the eastern margin of the Selwyn basin in the Canadian Cordilleras Tombstone-Tungsten Belt (TTB). The mid-Cretaceous TTB spans Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Territories, and hosts many other significant mineral deposits. The Mactung deposit is associated with Tungsten Suite intrusions that intruded late Precambrian to Palaeozoic age, variably metamorphosed clastic and interbedded carbonate rocks of the Selwyn Basin. The tungsten mineralization at Mactung is comprised mostly of scheelite (CaWO4) and is dominated by calcic mineral assemblages associated with abundant pyrrhotite that developed within permeable limestone units of the Cambrian-Ordovician host rocks near a granite intrusion contact. About Tungsten Tungsten is the hardest metal with the highest melting point, which makes it an important and often essential metal for use in the automotive, technology, energy, military, and manufacturing industries. World tungsten production is dominated by China and there is currently limited Western tungsten production, which has led tungsten to be listed as a critical mineral by many governments, including Canada. The Canadian government has developed several initiatives to support and advance the exploration and mining of critical minerals in Canada, including zinc and tungsten. Sustainability Context Fireweed respectfully acknowledges that the Mactung Project is located within the Traditional Territories of the Kaska Dena Nation and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, and the Sahtu Settlement Area. For the benefit of present and future generations, Fireweed will conduct mineral development activities in a sustainable manner by working collaboratively with Indigenous groups and local communities, establishing a respectful and safe working environment, achieving a high standard of environmental stewardship, and undertaking studies and implementing measures to address local interests and issues. Qualified Person Statement Jack Milton, Ph.D., P.Geo. (BC), Fireweeds VP Geology, and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, approved the technical information in this news release except for information related to the Mactung mineral resource estimates. The re-assaying activities at Mactung carried out by Fireweed were undertaken under the supervision of Jack Milton. Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., of Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. is the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the Mactung mineral resource estimate and directly related information as reported herein. He has read and approved the relevant technical portions of this news release related to the mineral resource estimates for which he is responsible. About Fireweed Metals Corp. (TSXV: FWZ; OTCQB: FWEDF; FSE: 20F): Fireweed is a public mineral exploration company on the leading edge of Critical Minerals project development. Fireweed is well-funded, with a current cash position of over C$30,000,000 and is well-positioned to carry out a large 2023 exploration program. The Company has three projects located in Canada: Macmillan Pass Project (Zinc-Lead-Silver): Fireweed owns 100% of the district-scale 940 km2 Macmillan Pass project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world* where the Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits have current Mineral Resources1 (11.21 Mt Indicated Resource at 6.59% zinc, 2.48% lead, and 21.33 g/t silver; and 39.47 Mt Inferred Resource at 5.84% zinc, 3.14% lead, and 38.15 g/t silver) and a Preliminary Economic Assessment2 (PEA). In addition, Boundary Main, Boundary West, Tom North and End Zone have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes large blocks of adjacent claims with known showings and significant upside exploration potential. Fireweed owns 100% of the district-scale 940 km2 Macmillan Pass project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world* where the Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits have current Mineral Resources1 (11.21 Mt Indicated Resource at 6.59% zinc, 2.48% lead, and 21.33 g/t silver; and 39.47 Mt Inferred Resource at 5.84% zinc, 3.14% lead, and 38.15 g/t silver) and a Preliminary Economic Assessment2 (PEA). In addition, Boundary Main, Boundary West, Tom North and End Zone have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes large blocks of adjacent claims with known showings and significant upside exploration potential. Mactung Project (Tungsten): The Company recently signed a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement and acquired 100% interest in the 37.6 km2 Mactung Project located adjacent to the Macmillan Pass Project. New mineral resources for Mactung described above (41.5 Mt Indicated Resource at 0.73% WO3 and 12.2 Mt Inferred Resource at 0.59% WO3) make it the worlds largest high-grade resource of the critical mineral tungsten*. Located in Canada, it is one of the rare large tungsten resources outside of China. The Company recently signed a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement and acquired 100% interest in the 37.6 km2 Mactung Project located adjacent to the Macmillan Pass Project. New mineral resources for Mactung described above (41.5 Mt Indicated Resource at 0.73% WO3 and 12.2 Mt Inferred Resource at 0.59% WO3) make it the worlds largest high-grade resource of the critical mineral tungsten*. Located in Canada, it is one of the rare large tungsten resources outside of China. Gayna River Project (Zinc-Lead-Gallium-Germanium): Fireweed has 100% of the 128.75 km2 Gayna River project located 180 kilometres north of the Macmillan Pass project. It is host to extensive mineralization including Critical Minerals zinc, gallium and germanium as well as lead and silver, outlined by 28,000 metres of historical drilling and significant upside potential. In Canada, Fireweed (TSXV: FWZ) trades on the TSX Venture Exchange. In the USA, Fireweed (OTCQB: FWEDF) trades on the OTCQB Venture Market (www.otcmarkets.com) and is DTC eligible for enhanced electronic clearing and settlement. In Europe, Fireweed (FSE: 20F) trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Additional information about Fireweed and its projects can be found on the Companys website at FireweedMetals.com and at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF FIREWEED METALS CORP. Brandon Macdonald CEO & Director 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 Statements Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (forward-looking statements). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein, including, without limitation, statements relating to mineral resource estimates and statements relating to deposits and exploration targets, interpretation of drill results, future work plans, world demand and supply of Tungsten, and the potential of the Companys projects, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects, "anticipates, "believes, "intends, "estimates, "potential, "possible, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will, "may, "could, or "should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management and reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to, exploration and development risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Companys operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, First Nations relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and laboratory tests, and one-time events. The Company assumes no obligation to update forwardlooking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, except as required by law. Footnotes and References *: References to relative size and grade of the Mactung mineral resources and Macmillan Pass mineral resources in comparison to other tungsten and zinc deposits elsewhere in the world, respectively, are based on review of the Standard & Poors Global Market Intelligence Capital IQ database. : The Cantung Mine, 175 km southeast of the Mactung deposit, operated intermittently from 1962 to 2015 in the Northwest Territories and occurs in the same geological belt as the Mactung deposit both are skarn deposits associated with Cretaceous age Tungsten Suite intrusions in the Tombstone-Tungsten Belt. During production, the Cantung Mine was the highest-grade tungsten operation in the world, and the largest tungsten mine outside China. See Technical Reports on the Cantung Mine filed by North American Tungsten on www.SEDAR.com for further details. 1: Fireweed Technical Report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Macmillan Pass Zinc-Lead-Silver Project, Watson Lake and Mayo Mining Districts Yukon Territory, Canada filed on www.SEDAR.com on February 23, 2018, and Fireweed News Release dated January 10, 2018. 2: Fireweed Technical Report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report Macmillan Pass Project Yukon Territory Canada filed on www.SEDAR.com on July 9, 2018, and Fireweed News Release dated May 23, 2018. This Technical Report contains a Preliminary Economic Analysis disclosing an economic analysis of mineral resources that is preliminary in nature and does not include any mineral reserves. It is equally emphasized that the mineral resources disclosed within this Technical Report are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Table Footnotes (1) All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) definitions, as required under National Instrument 43-101 (NI43-101). (2) Mineral resources are reported in relation to a conceptual pit shell and underground mining volumes to demonstrate reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, as required under NI43-101; mineralization lying outside of the pit shell or underground volumes is not reported as a mineral resource. Note the conceptual pit shell and underground volumes are used for mineral resource reporting purposes only and is not indicative of the proposed mining method; future mining studies may consider underground mining, open pit mining or a combination of both. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, mining loss and dilution. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely. (3) Open pit (OP) mineral resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.25% WO3. Underground (UG) mineral resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.5% WO3. Cut-off grades are based on a price of US$240 per mtu of WO3 concentrate and a number of operating cost and recovery assumptions (see Table 5). (4) Inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted to the measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. (5) A metric tungsten unit (mtu) is 10 kilograms of tungsten trioxide (WO3). Contact:Brandon Macdonald, CEOPhone: (604) 646-8361 Email: [email protected] Map 1 Macmillan Pass Project and Mactung Project location map, Canada. Map 2 Mactung drilling map showing the vertical projection of open-pit Inferred and Indicated Resources, conceptual pit outline, and location of cross-sections. Cross-section 7,017,645 North showing the extent and continuity of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources constrained by a conceptual open-pit and potential underground mining shapes. Geological units shown for the upper and lower zones. See Map 2 for section lines. Cross-section 441,655 East showing the extent and continuity of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources constrained by a conceptual open-pit and potential underground mining shapes. Geological units shown for the upper and lower zones. See Map 2 for section lines. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/927763bb-9db2-4b0a-8d20-c6ab3ab4577fhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ca89780-d597-47a3-bcd4-3da62b9e0bd9https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21aa94d0-85ff-4077-8ac2-4852a7a87c48https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58fe4c85-71fd-4b79-a4eb-6ff309b3d5a6 Macmillan Pass Project Map 1 Macmillan Pass Project and Mactung Project location map, Canada. Mactung Project Drilling Map 2 Mactung drilling map showing the vertical projection of open-pit Inferred and Indicated Resources, conceptual pit outline, and location of cross-sections. Cross-section 7,017,645 North Cross-section 7,017,645 North showing the extent and continuity of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources constrained by a conceptual open-pit and potential underground mining shapes. Geological units shown for the upper and lower zones. See Map 2 for section lines. Cross-section 441,655 East Cross-section 441,655 East showing the extent and continuity of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources constrained by a conceptual open-pit and potential underground mining shapes. Geological units shown for the upper and lower zones. See Map 2 for section lines. Source: Fireweed Metals Corp. Donor-funded project paves the way for the hospital to house the worlds largest concentration of childhood disability research Toronto, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital celebrates the completion of its historic Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) expansion with the unveiling of its newly constructed, 11,000-square-foot research tower. Through its new facilities, equipment and talent, the BRI is now home to the largest concentration of pediatric disability research in the world. This important milestone will lead to ground-breaking discoveries that will enhance the quality of life for children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences about 400,000 in Canada and millions worldwide. The expansion of the BRIs enterprise will lead to greater impact from our efforts to enable healthier, more inclusive futures for children, youth, and families locally and around the world. We believe it is our mission and responsibility to lead transformative research to understand the diverse experiences of children, youth, and families with neurodevelopmental differences and disabilities and enable them to live their best life as they see it, said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research at Holland Bloorview, director of the BRI, and child neurologist. This space will allow the BRI to expand our youth- and family-partnered research, while also allowing us to push boundaries by developing both personalized interventions and interventions in our public spaces. We see a future where inclusive communities welcome diverse skills and contributions. In addition to the elevated, two-storey Jason Smith Research Tower, the expansion also includes a renovation of the existing 17,000-square-foot research space. A key feature of the new state-of-the-art facilities are eight discovery hubs interdisciplinary shared spaces that support collaborative research in critical areas including data science, developmental diversity and brain development, neuromodulation and rapid prototyping. This new space will drive discoveries that will lead to a more inclusive world for children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences. The COVID-19 pandemic further reinforced just how important it is to remove barriers and advance equity for some of our communitys most vulnerable children and their families, who need our support now more than ever, said Jason Smith, hospital foundation board member, whose generosity and leadership ensured the projects success. The $32-million Grow Holland Bloorview Research fundraising campaign was announced in 2018 and gave many donors, including Smith and his family, a chance to invest in the future of childhood disability research. The campaign, with hospital and foundation board member Neil Selfe as the chair, set the BRI on a trajectory to advance key themes of impact. These include: exploring how to integrate research into frontline care; developing and improving interventions that can promote health and well-being; removing barriers to meaningful inclusion and participation; and understanding developmental diversity by studying the brains, bodies and pathways of children and youth with disabilities. Examples of current studies include: evaluating how wearable exoskeletons powered by robotics can give kids with mobility challenges the chance to stand and walk; supporting independent play in children and youth with limited speech and movement through brain computer interface applications; air travel experiences of children and youth with physical disabilities; and improving the quality of life for autistic children through early intervention programs, tailored interventions across the life span, and wearable technologies. Toronto-based Gow Hastings Architects was awarded the challenge to re-imagine the BRIs space. The research tower and existing facility renovation were designed in consultation with the hospitals clients and families to ensure they are family-friendly and accessible, making participating in important research studies a more inviting experience. To learn more about the Grow Holland Bloorview Research campaign and how the BRI is transforming childhood disability research, visit hollandbloorview.ca/hbresearch. *** The potential to unleash into the world more of the exciting, research-driven discoveries being made right under our roof comes at such a critical time for Canadas children and youth. Lets celebrate this incredible Bloorview Research Institute milestone and continue on our mission to ensure kids and youth with disabilities are not forgotten and have the opportunity to live full, healthy, meaningful lives. - Julia Hanigsberg, president and CEO, Holland Bloorview Holland Bloorview is incredibly thankful for the community that comes together time and time again to support the kids and families we serve. We are so grateful for all the donors who believe in empowering life-changing research through the Grow Holland Bloorview Research campaign and helped make tangible the foundation that will shape the future of pediatric disability research. - Sandra Hawken, president and CEO, Holland Bloorview Foundation My son is so inspired by the care and research that happens at Holland Bloorview that he wants to become a doctor and set his own destiny. As part of a larger study, Rehan volunteered to have a scan on the BRIs research MRI because he wants to contribute to a future where there are no limits to a kids potential. - Arpita Ghosh, parent of nine-year-old client, Rehan, who has cerebral palsy and autism The colourful and elevated two-storey addition immerses scientists, staff and families into the surrounding nature as it suspends over the ravine, offering unique and inspiring perspectives while also raising the profile of the hospital within the community. The renovation unites different research disciplines into one open and accessible work environment, fostering a sense of collaboration and interaction. - Philip Hastings, partner, Gow Hastings Architects -30- About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital believes in creating a world where all youth and children belong. We are the only childrens rehabilitation hospital in Canada focused on combining world-class care, transformational research, and academic leadership in the field of child and youth rehabilitation and disability. We are a top 40 Canadian research hospital that is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Providing both inpatient and outpatient services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in co-creating with clients and families to provide exceptional care and is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in three successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada. Holland Bloorview is a founding member of Kids Health Alliance, a network of partners working to create a high quality, consistent and coordinated approach to pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Together dream big. Together we champion a world of possibility. For more information or to donate, please visit hollandbloorview.ca or connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and the parent-blog BLOOM. Attachment NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howard Jonas, leading a consortium of investors that maintains an economic interest in more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LL), today sent a letter to LL Floorings Board of Directors strongly encouraging the Board to seriously consider the offer made on May 26, 2023 by F9 Investments, LLC and Cabinets to Go, LLC to acquire the company at a price of $5.76 per share as a fair starting point for acquisition discussions. Mr. Jonas urged the Company to constructively engage with the F9 Group and to advance an immediate sale process. The full text of the letter that was sent to LL Floorings Board of Directors on June 13, 2023 follows below: June 13, 2023 Nancy M. TaylorChairperson of the Board of Directors Charles Tyson Chief Executive Officer LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.4901 Bakers Mill LaneRichmond, Virginia 23230 Dear Ms. Taylor and Mr. Tyson: I am writing on behalf of an investment consortium that I lead to strongly encourage the Board of Directors of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. to seriously consider the offer made on May 26, 2023 by F9 Investments, LLC and Cabinets to Go, LLC (collectively, the F9 Group) to acquire the company. The consortium maintains an economic interest in more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LL Flooring through a combination of direct holdings and swaps. We believe the F9 Groups offer of $5.76 per share is a fair starting point for acquisition discussions and that the Board should engage with the F9 Group and immediately enter into a sale process for the company with $5.76 per share as an acceptable floor bid. While we believe there is significant value in LL Floorings underlying net assets (including its strong brand and market position) that is in excess of the current market price, and potentially in excess of the $5.76 per share offer, unfortunately, as evidenced by the companys record of severe underperformance over the last several years, it is apparent that management change would be necessary for stockholders to benefit from that value. While competitors demonstrated strong performance in 2022, LL Flooring lagged considerably, with significant and alarming levels of negative operating cash flow and inventory buildup. First quarter 2023 results were also extremely disappointing, and we are gravely concerned by the significant increase in the companys SG&A as a percentage of net sales. If anything, LL Floorings record of underperformance suggests that failing to sell now could threaten further value erosion for stockholders. In our view, a sale now, at this price or above, whether to the F9 Group or to an alternative bidder, would provide stockholders an attractive opportunity to obtain immediate liquidity at a fair valuation in excess of what LL Flooring, with its management as currently constituted, can be expected to achieve. For these reasons, we strongly encourage you if the Board has not already done so to constructively engage immediately with the F9 Group and to advance an immediate sale process. Sincerely, Howard Jonas cc: Steve Wolosky and Mitchell Raab, Olshan Frome Wolosky, LLP Contact: Mitchell Raab, Esq. Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP [email protected] Source: Howard Jonas, Concerned Shareholder of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. Surveys comprehensive benchmarking data allows law department leaders to better understand current financial and operational performance metrics and identify areas for improvement. Washington, D.C., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) have today announced the release of their industry-leading annual legal benchmarking survey. The fourth report as a result of this partnership found that total legal spend for all companies increased from $2.4 million last year to $3.1 million this year, with the largest increases driven by companies with greater than $20 billion in revenue. Additionally, while more CLOs continue to oversee compliance (either directly or as part of a separate department), privacy was now ranked the most common business function directly overseen by Legal. The executive summary provides high-level survey results on legal department staffing & structure, work allocation, law firm & ALSPs usage, spending, and diversity metrics. The ACC/MLA Law Department Management Benchmarking Report provides critical data law departments need to progress, adapt, and improve efficiencies. said Veta T. Richardson, president & CEO of ACC. To adapt to todays rapidly changing business and legal environment, this report delivers law department leaders with specific, actionable information to identify and implement improvements in every area of the legal department, including work allocation, internal vs. external spend, and so much more. Over the past year, weve seen firsthand how the legal department has continued to grow in prominence and responsibility within many organizations, said Barret Avigdor, Executive Director of In-House Counsel Recruiting and Advisory Services with Major, Lindsey & Africa. This report further illustrates this sentiment and speaks to the increased scope of issues that legal departments tasked with managing, including compliance, risk, and privacy. Privacy Makes Jump in Most Common Business Function Overseen by Legal After a six-point increase since 2022, privacy was ranked the most common business function directly overseen by Legal at 57 percent of respondents, overtaking compliance which traditionally tops the list (56 percent). That said, an additional 19 percent of departments reported that compliance is a separate department that reports to Legal. Therefore, in total, 77 percent of legal departments reported that the CLO ultimately oversees compliance compared to 70 percent that have oversight over privacy. The rise of privacy in the rankings is further evidence of the importance and focus being placed on this business function across small and large companies. Total Legal Spend Increased Total legal spend across participating companies increased from $2.4 million last year to $3.1 million this year. Although this increase occurred across companies of all sizes, the largest increases were driven by companies with greater than $20 billion in revenue. Total Legal spend as a percentage of company revenue also increased to 0.63 percent compared to 0.56 percent last year. However, the total inside/outside spend distribution has remained roughly the same with 53 percent of total spend going to internal costs and 47 percent of total spend being allocated to outside costs. Despite DEI Focus, Legal Departments Report Little Change Approximately three in 10 legal departments reported that they track internal diversity metrics related to the legal departments composition, and 21 percent report tracking diversity metrics with respect to their outside counsel. There has been little movement in these numbers over the past three years, despite the increased attention and desire to establish a more inclusive and equitable environment within the legal profession. Using data from this survey, ACC and MLA offer custom benchmarking reports, providing organizations a true comparison to their peer group based on six criteria. To help put this data into action, MLAs Advisory Services consultants provide customized solutions in organizational and operational design as well as strategic learning development. Companies can also obtain guidance through the ACC partnership with Smarter Law to highlight specific areas and actions legal departments can take to help reduce costs and improve efficiency. Findings are based on responses from 449 legal departments in organizations spanning 24 industries, 20 countries, and all company sizes. The executive summary is available to everyone contains a high-level overview of the survey results and key trends compared to the 2022 edition of the survey. Full survey results - broken down further by company revenue, industry, legal department size, and company type are available for purchase on ACCs website. ### About ACC Research: ACC Research provides data-driven insights through survey reports and white papers as well as benchmarking reports and advisory services to support informed decisions by in-house legal professionals. About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the premier global legal association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations and other organizations through information, education, networking, and advocacy. For more than 40 years, ACC has set the standard for in-house counsel and raised awareness regarding the value of the chief legal officer in the C-suite and boardroom. With more than 45,000 members employed by over 10,000 organizations and spanning 100+ nations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel remains the foundation for ACCs market leadership. For more information, visit www.acc.com and follow ACC on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. About Major, Lindsey & Africa: Major, Lindsey & Africa is the worlds leading legal search firm. The firm, founded in 1982, offers a range of specialized legal recruiting and advisory services to meet the ever-changing needs of law firms and legal departments and to support the career aspirations of talented lawyers and legal and compliance professionals. With more than 25 offices and 200-plus search consultants around the world, Major, Lindsey & Africa uses its market knowledge and experience to partner with organizations to fulfill their legal talent needs and provide solutions to increase team efficiency and effectiveness. Major, Lindsey & Africa is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in talent solutions. To learn more about Major, Lindsey & Africa, visit www.mlaglobal.com and follow MLA on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. MONTREAL, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mdf commerce inc. (TSX: MDF), a SaaS leader in digital commerce technologies, is proud to announce that its software has been recognized as an Acumatica-Certified Application (ACA), meeting the highest standards set for Acumatica integration and functionality. This certification gives both Acumatica customers and prospects confidence that K.ecom, k-ecommerce's integrated ecommerce solution for Acumatica, can meet their needs. The k-ecommerce solution is a highly specialized platform that has been earning the trust of its users for over 20 years in ERP-powered ecommerce. It focuses on B2B and D2C, catering the manufacturing, distribution and wholesale sectors. What sets k-ecommerce apart is its proprietary ERP-sync technology, seamlessly integrating with Acumatica Cloud ERP. It offers a full-service approach, combining software and implementation services, and providing training and post-implementation support. The solution stands out for its flexibility, accommodating complex business rules such as pricing, shipping, and buying, while also supporting punch-out integrations. With k-ecommerce, businesses can rely on a comprehensive and advanced ecommerce solution that combines ERP integration, industry best practices, and a commitment to delivering bespoke solutions for success in the evolving digital marketplace. Customers looking to stay competitive need flexible, responsive technology and resilient systems to thrive and grow, said Christian Lindberg, Vice President of partner solutions at Acumatica. Our ACA label is designed to help customers find those applications that are best capable of delivering. We proudly recognize K.ecom as an Acumatica-Certified Application that masterfully utilizes the Acumatica platform to enable customers to execute their strategies and meet their evolving business needs. To become an Acumatica-Certified Application, K.ecom has demonstrated commitment to quality by passing the Acumatica software test and aligning to future Acumatica roadmap releases. Acumatica has been one of the world's fastest growing Cloud ERP company for eight years. We are proud to support the Acumatica Cloud ERP business by providing the fully integrated ecommerce experience that is key to partners in the channel and end users within the Acumatica ecosystem, said Pascal Cardinal, President of k-ecommerce - powered by mdf commerce. For more information about the K.ecom solution, please visit either www.acumatica.com/acumatica-marketplace/kcentric-technologies-inc-k-ecom or www.k-ecommerce.com/acumatica. About mdf commerce Inc. mdf commerce Inc. (TSX: MDF) enables the flow of commerce by providing a broad set of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions designed to optimize and accelerate commercial interactions between buyers and sellers. Our platforms and services empower businesses around the world, enabling them to generate billions of dollars in transactions on an annual basis. Our eprocurement, ecommerce and emarketplaces solutions are supported by a strong and dedicated team of approximately 650 employees based in Canada, the U.S., Ukraine and China. For more information, please visit mdfcommerce.com, follow us on LinkedIn or call 1-877-677-9088. About Acumatica Acumatica Cloud ERP provides the best business management solution for transforming your company to thrive in the new digital economy. Built on a future-proof platform with open architecture for rapid integrations, scalability, and ease of use, Acumatica delivers unparalleled value to small and midmarket organizations. Connected Business. Delivered. For more information, visit www.acumatica.com. For further information Brigitte Guay, Director - Corporate Communications 1 877 677-9088, ext. 5123 [email protected] Acumatica Media Contact Megan Nielson, Communique PR 206 282-4923, ext. 233 [email protected] ASBURY PARK, N.J., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Payments, a national credit card processing and point of sale disrupter, today announces a donation of over $17,500 in gently used furniture, equipment and supplies to the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses. The donation coincides with preparations for the Chambers annual Oceanfest celebration, the biggest July 4th event held in New Jersey, and will help unite the business community ahead of a busy summer. Working with and learning from the Greater Long Branch Chamber since our founding in 2019 has been instrumental to our companys success, said Green Payments CEO Cliff Green. Both Green Payments and the Chamber share a mission to amplify the power of rising companies. Given our recent growth, it makes sense that we give back in any way that we can to foster local businesses. Over the years, the Chamber has worked intently to develop, encourage, and promote retail, service, hospitality, industrial, educational and tourism-based concerns within Monmouth Countys largest city. The Chamber offers personalized resources, learning and networking events to help build robust and prosperous businesses that fuel the local economy. Green Payments has been a wonderful partner to us over the years, and were so thankful for this donation, said Chamber President, Ed Johnson. A lot of our office furniture and equipment were long overdue for an upgrade, said Chamber Executive Director, Ally Martin. We look forward to utilizing this donation to better serve businesses and entrepreneurs across the community. For more information about Green Payments and their payment processing services, visit greenpayments.io or visit their table at the 2023 Oceanfest event in Long Branch. To learn more about resources and events hosted by the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, head to longbranchchamber.org. About Green PaymentsGreen Payments is a payments technology company delivering innovative software and services to customers nationwide. Green Payments technologies, services and employee expertise enable businesses large and small to operate their businesses more efficiently through a broad range of solutions to minimize overreaching credit card fees for building a healthier economy. Since 2019, Green Payments has established itself as a leader in the payments industry with a focus on customer service at its core, providing 24/7 assistance and continued checkups throughout the length of the contract. Visit greenpayments.io for more information. About Greater Long Branch Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce serves as a resource to local businesses throughout New Jerseys Monmouth County. The Chamber works tirelessly to develop, encourage and promote retail, service, hospitality, industrial, educational and tourism-based concerns under a set of common goals: to promote an innovative environment that boosts a diverse, energetic and dynamic membership and welcomes new entrepreneurs, residents and visitors to the community. Media Contact Melanie du Mont Uproar PR for Green Payments [email protected] 321-236-0102 Source: Green Payment Processing, Corp Design for the planet, people and culture are highlighted in the largest selection of sustainable designs. Walnut Creek, CA, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumens, the premier online design destination for consumers and trade professionals, is excited to announce a major upgrade to its shopping navigation refinements to include sustainability attributes. Now, along with sorting categories or brand assortments by color, feature, size and the like, shoppers may also sort by compliance and sustainability features like FSC Certified, recyclable and more as eco-conscious sourcing emerges as a top priority for architects, designers and consumers. The initial phase of this project includes more than 15,000 products with updated sustainable attributes from more than 175 brands, with more designs and brands to be added over the following months. We are proud to spotlight sustainable design at this crucial time when the eco-footprint of every brand matters so dearly, said Patricia Kittredge, SVP, Growth and Innovation. One of our core values is sustainable beauty, and we have positioned Lumens to lead the conversation in the design space, starting with our new shopping experience and further highlighted in the Sustainability Summit in June. The Sustainability in Design Summit is a virtual event that will take place on June 14 at 10am Pacific. Representatives from FLOS, RBW and Heller will speak on their companies sustainability efforts with an audience Q+A afterwards. The Summit is open to all who wish to attend; design professionals can earn CEU credit. Learn more and save your spot on the Lumens Trade Education hub. In support of the overarching strategic initiative on sustainable beauty, Lumens has launched a content hub that gathers together stories across the design world from designers and brands that exemplify sustainable design methods and philosophies. The hub also includes the definitions for the new sustainable shopping attributes on Lumens.com, which provide the ability to refine the largest assortment of sustainable design products to identify products that will meet project criteria for aesthetics and sustainability. Learn more at The Lumens Guide to Sustainability in Design. With these initiatives in place, Lumens leads the industry as the premier destination for sustainable design products across lighting, furniture and home decor. ### Lumens | Enlightened by Design Lumens is North Americas premier destination for modern lighting, furniture and decor, serving trade and contract professionals as well as consumers. We travel the world to source from 420+ global design brands, curating a product assortment that features iconic designs as well as the latest in contemporary interior decor, including exclusive pieces that cant be found anywhere else. Lumens vision to inspire and connect the world with good design has driven the company to be a leader in innovation, delivering a best-in-class customer experience through our website, brand partnerships, editorial content, and team of design experts and ALA-certified product specialists. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001 and incorporating the heritage of YLighting, Lumens is part of international group Design Holding. www.lumens.com. Design Holding is a leading global high-end design group operating a number of legacy brands in the world of luxury furnishings and lighting, with a European cultural heritage. Driven by a purpose of We design for a beautiful life, the Group designs for the planet, people and culture. Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEON, the highly anticipated on-demand hybrid workspace, has opened its flagship location at 1974 Union Street in the heart of the Cow Hollow neighborhood in San Francisco. After five years of careful planning and dedication, NEON is ready to serve the rapidly growing hybrid workforce, offering a fresh perspective on work, space, and connection. The company's unique proposition promises a unique blend of a coffee shop atmosphere with the functionality of a workspace for the evolving workforce. Hybrid and remote work is not going away, and today there is an enormous gap in the market for on-demand space, said Teddy Kramer, CEO and Founder. Our flagship location is right in the heart of the Cow Hollow neighborhood, and caters to the neighborhood, hosting space for the hybrid workforce while showcasing the vibrant local businesses that make our neighborhoods unique. NEON is founded on the basis that the neighborhood is the new downtown, here to support the new normal that is hybrid work. For just $5 an hour or $25 a day, guests can connect to enterprise grade internet and expect all the amenities required to get work done including free Sightglass coffee, copying, printing, UPS shipping and returns, private phone booths and ample space for interaction. A complimentary concierge service is available to check coats, luggage and receive local food orders for guests. When the sun sets, NEON becomes a space for local gatherings, hosting both public and private events within the community. Free event space is also offered for non-profit organizations and community groups. Members can access NEON today through the app without any contracts, security deposits, or physical keys. NEON operates 7 days a week. NEON's doors at 1974 Union Street are now open to the public. NEON invites everyone to join, explore, and connect with the local community in this vibrant new hub. This launch is more than just the opening of a workspace; it's the birth of a new perspective on work, space, and connections. For more information about NEON, please visit https://www.neon.work/ to sign up for our NEON newsletter, or follow us on Instagram @neonworkspace. About NEON NEON is an on-demand workspace located in the heart of the Cow Hollow neighborhood in San Francisco. Created to fill a gap in the market for a neighborhood work hub, NEON provides the flexibility of a coffee shop with the functionality of a workspace. NEON aims to serve the rapidly growing, hybrid workforce, introducing a new approach to work, space, and connections, while partnering with the local businesses that make the neighborhood unique. Source: NEON Toronto, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TORONTO, June 13, 2022 Pizza Nova presented a cheque of $206,847 to Variety, the Childrens Charity of Ontario, as a result of the companys annual Thats Amore Pizza for Kids Campaign. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the partnership between the two organizations which has resulted in over $2.5m raised to date. We could not be happier with the results, says Domenic Primucci, president of Pizza Nova. Each year, the campaign receives outstanding support from our franchisees, employees and guests. Its a great source of joy for all of us and showcases the extent to which we are all connected, especially through a common care for our youth. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Variety and appreciate all they do. Pizza Nova has shown ongoing dedication and commitment to Variety since 1999, says Karen Stintz, president of Variety. This donation means Variety can help more kids have a chance to play and build life-skills and get the support they need. The partnership began in 1999. Philanthropy and giving back to the community have been core values of Pizza Nova since the pizza restaurant's beginnings in Scarborough, Ontario. This year, the funds raised from the campaign will help support the children of Variety by funding programs and resources to create the right and supportive environment for young children to develop confidence and leadership skills. Through its programs, Variety helps enrich the lives of thousands of children living with physical and mental disabilities by providing an accessible facility at Variety Village, specialized programs, dedicated staff, and a community in which everyone is equal and welcome. We invite you to listen to the recent podcast discussing the long-standing relationship between Pizza Nova and Variety, the childrens Charity of Ontario Pizza Nova: 30 Years of Empowering Kids with Variety - Empowerment | Acast -30- About Variety the Childrens Charity Ontario For 74 years Variety- The Children's Charity of Ontario has made a significant impact on the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families in the greater Toronto area at Variety Village and throughout the province. Varietys specialized programs and services have supported its promise to improve the quality of life and integration into society of all children, regardless of ability. Varietys kids are breaking down societal barriers every single day by showcasing their abilities at Variety Village and in their own communities. Visit www.varietyontario.ca About Pizza Nova Founded in 1963, Pizza Nova is a family-operated business that is committed to sharing the rich taste of Italy with Canadians. Pizza Nova has more than 150 stores and concession locations in Southern Ontario and is inspired by family values such as trust, integrity, and authenticity. They are known for fresh toppings, high-quality ingredients and a wide range of authentic Italian menu items including lasagna, panzerotti, Italian sandwiches, chicken wings, arancini and FOCACCIA BARESE. They also have a line of Primucci branded products featuring Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Homestyle Tomato Sauce, Italian Hot Peppers, Spicy Green Olives, and Sundried Black Olives. Taste the Difference or Learn more at pizzanova.com. For interview opportunities, background video and images: Attachment Mary Moniz Torchia Communications 647 278-0152 [email protected] Dalia Esposito Torchia Communications 514 654-2635 [email protected] Source: Pizza Nova Psychedelics Investor Christian Angermayer, TOMS Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie, Burning Man CEO Marian Goodell, Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, Comedians Eric Andre and Reggie Watts, and Actress Catherine Oxenberg Announced as Featured Speakers Friday Local Day Passes Available Beginning June 13 DENVER, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psychedelic Science 2023, the breakthrough psychedelic conference hosted by Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and organized by Momentum Events, announced it has released the final agenda including additional featured speakers and a new Friday Local Day Pass option for the worlds most compelling conference within the psychedelic ecosystem, taking place June 19-23, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. With an estimated 10,000 attendees, the Psychedelic Science 2023 agenda will feature five days of panels, workshops, and lectures from leaders and visionaries in psychedelic research, education, policy, business, culture, and communities. Conference tracks will be complemented by pre-conference workshops; an exhibit hall; and an interactive installation space featuring artists, musicians, and other vendors from around the world. PS2023 Featured Speakers include: Christian Angermayer - Founder, Apeiron Investment Group, Founder & Chairman of atai Life Sciences Founder, Apeiron Investment Group, Founder & Chairman of atai Life Sciences Blake Mycoskie - American entrepreneur, Founder of Toms Shoes, and Co-founder of Madefor American entrepreneur, Founder of Toms Shoes, and Co-founder of Madefor Marian Goodell - Chief Executive Officer of Burning Man Project Chief Executive Officer of Burning Man Project Andrew Huberman - Neuroscientist and Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the popular Huberman Lab podcast. - Neuroscientist and Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the popular Huberman Lab podcast. Eric Andre - American comedian, actor, host, writer, producer, and musician American comedian, actor, host, writer, producer, and musician Reggie Watts - American comedian, actor, beatboxer, and musician American comedian, actor, beatboxer, and musician Catherine + India Oxenberg - Actress, author, producer, philanthropist and founder of the Catherine Oxenberg Foundation The Psychedelic Science team is also pleased to launch a new local day pass offering specifically for residents of Colorado. Interested individuals will be eligible to purchase a one-day conference registration to attend the conference on Friday, June 23rd. Local day passes will be available beginning Tuesday, June 13th and can be purchased at PsychedelicScience.org. Attendees are encouraged to download the official Psychedelic Science 2023 app, which offers visitors the ability to build their own agenda, connect with fellow attendees, navigate the exhibition hall and find the programming and community events that are most important to them. The app is available for download on the Google Play and iOS app stores. About MAPSFounded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS is sponsoring the most advanced psychedelic therapy research in the world: Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Since its founding, MAPS has raised over $140 million for psychedelic and marijuana research and education and has earned both the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. About Momentum EventsFounded in 2012, Momentum Events proudly serves our clients and produces events that attract the best and brightest minds who come together to share their knowledge, connect with the individuals that matter most and enjoy valuable experiences online or in real life. Whether were developing cutting edge conferences for the markets we serve, or producing a partners next event, Momentum leverages our best in class technology platforms, an assortment of virtual and live event third-party provider relationships, and the meticulous nature of our event planning mindset to deliver true, sustainable value for all stakeholders. www.momentumevents.com CONTACT[email protected] Source: Psychedelic Science 2023 TEL AVIV, Israel, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Continuous website security monitoring platform Reflectiz has released a new case study detailing its successful response to the latest evolution in the long-running saga of Magecart web-skimming and keylogging attacks . It presents a detailed but easily digestible analysis of how cybercriminals launched attacks on global brands using the Shopify platform during Spring 2023, and how Reflectiz discovered them. Large-scale Magento attacks have been reported since 2015 and the fact that theyre still happening is due in part to the popularity of the platform. Some of its attraction lies in its versatility. Developers can easily enhance its functionality with third-party apps , but they also present opportunities to attackers because they can be invisible to traditional embedded security solutions. There are 270,000 Magento-powered sites on the web and between them, they process $155 billion worth of transactions a year, so when the third-parties in question handle credit card payments on such shopping sites, it comes as no surprise that the attackers are so keen to bypass the latest security updates with sophisticated new methods . Reflectiz discovered a novel approach to skimming online shoppers' credit card details earlier in the year when its continuous security monitoring platform detected potentially problematic activity on Shopify websites. The case study walks readers through an attack that used a compromised favicon and fake Shopify stores on its Cloudflare-hosted CDN to trick shoppers into handing over their credit card details. Skimmed information like this frequently ends up for sale on the Dark Web where other criminals use it to defraud the victims. Thousands of them may pursue a compromised retailer through the courts for damages, and the business may also be penalized by the payment card industry for breaching its rules. Reflectizs detailed analysis of its successful response makes for intriguing and reassuring reading. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d6c1ac7-24ff-4e4d-a1fe-6994c86c8497 WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rennova Health, Inc. (OTC: RNVA) is pleased to announce its critical access hospital in Oneida, Tennessee (Scott County Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Big South Fork Medical Center) has received notice from Medicare that it can now be reimbursed using a swing bed payment model. According to the 2020 CMS interpretive guidelines for swing beds in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), a swing-bed is a change in reimbursement status. As a payment model, then, a CAH can use its beds interchangeably for either acute care or post-acute care. The reimbursement swings from billing for acute care services to billing for post-acute skilled nursing services, despite the fact that the patient usually stays in the same bed in the same physical location. A local swing bed program also directly impacts local rural residents. As a patient-centric post-acute care solution, rural patients who find themselves too well to stay in an urban hospital but too sick to go back to their own homes can return to their rural community hospitals for further care. We are delighted to add this swing bed service to our hospital said Seamus Lagan It will allow us to facilitate and get paid for patients that require post-acute care services in our hospital and allow us to further support the local community by receiving local patients who need post-acute care after receiving acute care services in more distant urban hospitals. We expect this service to have an immediate, positive impact on our monthly revenues About Rennova Health, Inc. Rennova Health, Inc. (Rennova, the Company, we, us, its or our) is a provider of health care services. The Company owns one operating hospital in Oneida, Tennessee known as Big South Fork Medical Center, a hospital located in Jamestown, Tennessee that it plans to reopen, and a rural clinic in Kentucky. For more information, please visit www.rennovahealth.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in the Company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Contact:Rennova Health561-855-1626[email protected] Source: Rennova Health, Inc. LONGUEUIL, Quebec, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reunion Gold Corporation (TSXV: RGD; OTCQX: RGDFF) (the Company) held its 2023 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) earlier today. The following individuals were elected to serve on the Company's board of directors: David Fennell, Rick Howes, Elaine Bennett, Pierre Chenard, Richard Cohen, Adrian Fleming, Rejean Gourde, Vijay Kirpalani and Fred Stanford. In addition, shareholders approved the following matters: (i) the re-appointment of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP as auditors; (ii) the continuation of the Companys amended and restated share option plan; (iii) a By-Law including advance notice provisions related to the nomination of directors of the Company; and (iv) a special resolution authorizing an amendment of the articles of the Company to consolidate the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company at a ratio of between three and seven pre-consolidation common shares for every one post-consolidation common share, as and when determined by the board of directors of the Company. Details in respect of such matters were provided in the Company's management information circular dated May 8, 2023. A total of 679,441,307 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 65% of the common shares issued and outstanding as of the record date. Boulanger Project The Company announces that the option agreement between the Company and the titleholder of the Boulanger Project mining concessions was amended to extend the period under which the Company will be entitled to exercise the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Boulanger Project located in French Guiana. Following the decision of the Conseil dEtat in July 2022 to annul the decision of the French government to renew the Boulanger concessions, the titleholder has recently filed new renewal applications. The option agreement will be valid up to 45 days following the renewal of the concessions and the expiry of all recourses seeking annulment of the concessions. There can be no assurance as to if and when the concessions will be renewed. The Company does not intend to conduct any exploration work until the concessions have been renewed. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary statement This news release contains "forwardlooking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the renewal of the Boulanger concessions, the exercise of the option agreement to acquire the Boulanger project, and other statements beliefs, expectations or intentions of the Company. There can be no assurance that the concessions will be renewed, and the Company will exercise the option. Forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs, estimates, and opinions on the date the statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. About Reunion Gold Corporation Reunion Gold Corporation is a leading gold explorer in the Guiana Shield, South America. In 2021 the Company made an exciting new gold discovery at its Oko West project in Guyana, where to date it has outlined continuous gold mineralization at the Kairuni zone over 2,000 meters of strike and to a depth of 600 meters. The mineralization appears to be open-pit amenable with a strong grade profile. In addition to Kairuni, there are several additional priority exploration targets on the Oko West project area that the Company is exploring. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'RGD' and trade on the OTCQX under the symbol 'RGDFF'. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.reuniongold.com ). For further information, please contact: REUNION GOLD CORPORATION Rick Howes, President and CEO, or Doug Flegg, Business Development AdvisorE: [email protected]E: [email protected]Tel: +1 450.677.2585 Source: Reunion Gold Corporation NANJING, China, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosiwit, a leading provider of cleaning cobotics, is thrilled to announce that its complete line-up of innovative cleaning robots will be available in Europe starting in July. As one of the few total solution providers for cleaning cobotics, Rosiwit is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art cleaning solutions to businesses and organizations across the globe. As the development of intelligent cleaning and the marketing insights based, Rosiwit's complete line-up of cleaning cobots is designed to meet the cleaning requirements of almost any commercial environment, from small or limited area like restaurants, hotels and office to large-scale industrial facilities, which can work constantly with AGV connected cooperation. In addition to its range of cleaning cobots, Rosiwit's adaptable Cloud is designed to provide a smart system that is both efficient and enjoyable. The application and smart management background is easy to use and comes with a range of customized modules and functions, allowing users to track or optimize cleaning tasks with ease. Therefore, it is worth mentioning that all the products of Rosiwit are cloud based, that means every relevant cleaning operation and management can be realized remotely. With a range of robots that scrubbing sweping and even self-charging/ drainage and water refilling with the working station to realize around the clock workingflow. Rosiwit offers a comprehensive solution that can streamline cleaning processes and improve overall efficiency. This cutting-edge line-up of cleaning cobotics are designed to make the cleaning experience effortless and enjoyable. "We are excited to bring our innovative and effective cleaning solutions as a working partner to Europe and help businesses and organizations achieve a new level of cleanliness and efficiency." said to the spokesperson of Rosiwit. This profesional intelligent cleaning solution providor's commitment to delivering reliable and effective cleaning solutions, has made it a trusted provider of cleaning cobotics to businesses and organizations worldwide. With its complete line-up products and techonology, Rosiwit is poised to continue leading the way in the cleaning cobotics industry. Rosiwit's cleaning cobots will be available in Europe starting in July, with outdoor and indoor cleaning applicable scenes covered. For more information on Rosiwit's complete line-up of cleaning cobots, please visit the company's website or contact their sales team directly. You can find Rosiwit in LinkedIn [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/892e1570-b256-4542-8820-c8408809b0eb https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7cf720dd-e1f0-46cf-b6f0-a952f4b7b5f8 Washington D.C., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During Black History Month this past February, Macys honored the history, resilience and contributions of Black Americans through Black History. Black Brilliance. As a part of the initiative, the company launched a special monthlong round-up and donation campaign in stores and online to benefit UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and raise scholarship funds for promising students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). A total contribution of over $1.1 million was provided to UNCF. For the second year, UNCF will administer the Macys Brighter Futures Scholarship providing need-based scholarships for Black/African American students attending any accredited, four-year HBCU. Over 140 scholarships of up to $5,000 each will be provided for the academic year 2023-24. The first phase of the program application is now open through July 6, 2023. For additional information and to apply, interested HBCU students should visit: https://opportunities.uncf.org/s/program-landing-page?id=a2i8Y00000AobzqQAB UNCF is grateful for the generous support of Macys, its employees and its customers. ### About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelors degrees, 5% of masters degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. Attachment Roy Betts UNCF 240 703 3384 [email protected] Source: United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF) MANALAPAN, N.J., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Transit, an AI-powered all-in-one auto transportation platform, ended 2022 with a turnover of more than $10M, a 400% increase from 2021. The company, which has been in the market since October 2020, works towards becoming the primary source to ship vehicles in North America while improving the daily life of car haulers, thanks to AI, automation and digital tools. Universal Transit plans to use its capital to scale investment in three major areas: increasing its AI investments, expanding its software and sales teams, and streamlining and optimizing its transportation networks. AI-driven automation As the industry faces increasing demand from online environment and pressure from various economic factors, the need for automation to increase customer satisfaction and improve productivity while reducing costs and saving time is greater than ever. AI-powered automation offers a compelling solution in significant cost savings and efficiency gains, as demonstrated by a recent independent study. In the study, Universal Transits system identified 60% of empty driving behavior, helping carriers to reduce empty truck mileage by up to 50% in its network. Leveraging machine learning and predictive analytics, the company aims to further increase efficiency by ensuring that 89% of trucks in its network carry full loads, as well as achieve up to 20% fuel savings over the next two years. As we continue to grow, with a tenfold increase in successfully transported vehicles over the past year, we understand the significance of offering drivers a comprehensive auto transportation solution that simplifies the vehicle shipping process and maximizes their earnings potential on every trip, said George Milorava, Co-Founder and CEO, Universal Transit. The goal of Universal Transit is to fundamentally change the way how vehicles are booked, priced and shipped. Tweet this Grow its existing team Universal Transit will continue to invest in its software, sales and support teams to provide superior service to its expanding customer base. The company recognizes the importance of strengthening and growing its software and sales teams as it seeks to become the primary source to ship vehicles in North America over the next five years. As part of its strategy, Universal Transit plans to amplify its existing capabilities, expand its technology to meet industry needs, grow its network and broaden its digital integration with shippers, carriers and brokers nationwide, as well as dispatchers worldwide. By investing in an enterprise team, the company aims to increase revenue, gain a competitive advantage, improve customer satisfaction, and gather valuable market research. Reduction of CO2 emissions One of the biggest culprits of CO2 emissions in auto transportation is empty mileage. We aim to have a significant impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions with the streamlining and optimizing of transportation networks, said Anzor Nishnianidze, Co-Founder and CTO, Universal Transit. The companys approach to optimizing transportation networks is centered on its algorithm, which helps it optimize routes, keep trucks full, and minimize empty mileage travel. Furthermore, Universal Transit designed the Electric Car Reimbursement Program for employees as part of its commitment to sustainability. The company plans to offer customers an innovative application with a feature that will calculate, in real time, how many tons of carbon have been saved using Universal Transits service to transport their vehicles. Besides the better visibility and positive impact for shippers, it also will give us the valuable information that we need to use to improve our sustainability efforts, said George Milorava, Co-Founder and CEO, Universal Transit. About Universal Transit From planning to booking and delivery to paying, Universal Transit fully automates and digitizes the vehicle shipping process and makes it faster, smarter and, as a result, much more cost-efficient. Created by George Milorava, Anzor Nishnianidze and Beka Osepaishvili in 2020, Universal Transit utilizes advanced technologies to simplify the car hauling process, assist drivers in managing their business, and maximize their income potential. Visit universaltransit.com to learn more. Beka Natmeladze [email protected] Source: Universal Transit Corp. Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wireless Telecom Group (NYSE American: WTT), announced today that its test and measurement brands Boonton, Holzworth, and Noisecom will showcase industry-leading instruments with the performance and capability necessary for accelerating the development of next-generation wireless systems during IMS 2023 at Booth 1619. Product demonstrations will feature specialized capabilities across amplifier characterization, high-performance RF signal generation, and phase noise analysis. As a test and measurement leader, the company will also host a technical session on RF and microwave power sensor technologies. Boonton will demonstrate fast-switching, low phase noise RF signal generation enabling accurate component characterization and testing of radar and communications systems. The measurement and analysis will be made with Boonton true average RF power sensors operating at the industry-fastest rate of 100,000 measurements per second. Higher-order modulation schemes, like those used in advanced communication systems, utilize signals with high peak-to-average power ratios that can strain amplifier performance. A demonstration will feature the rapid identification of amplifier compression using crest factor measurements and statistical analysis from Boonton peak power sensors. Holzworth will demonstrate broadband, low phase noise signal generation and real-time phase noise analysis, supporting the quick evaluation of a local oscillators performance and symbol error contributions in 5G and Wi-Fi communications systems. As noise floors and sources of RF impairment continue to rise, system performance can decline significantly from the lab to the field. A demonstration will showcase how Noisecom programmable noise generators can produce highly controllable additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) used to analyze system behavior when operating in real-world noise conditions, with results analyzed by industry-leading peak power sensors from Boonton. The IMS MicroApps theater will feature an informative Wireless Telecom Group technical session on Wednesday, June 14 at 9:45 AM Pacific, titled, I Know I Need to Measure RF Power Now What? The seminar will provide practical insight for measuring RF and microwave power, including different sensor technologies and architectures, as well as important sensor considerations to enable modern radar and communications systems. With innovations in amplifier testing, signal generation, and phase noise analysis, Wireless Telecom Group continues to push the limits of T&M technology for next-generation systems to reach peak performance, says Walt Strickler, VP of Engineering and Product Management. We look forward to showcasing our latest products and test and measurement expertise in four in-booth demonstrations and our IMS MicroApp presentation on RF and microwave power measurement devices at this years show. Held in San Diego, California, IMS 2023 is a premiere event for leaders in RF and microwave engineering with exhibition show dates from June 13 to June 15, 2023. About Wireless Telecom Group Wireless Telecom Group, Inc., comprised of Boonton, Holzworth, and Noisecom, is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems, and instruments. Serving the wireless, telecommunication, satellite, military, aerospace, and semiconductor industries, Wireless Telecom Group products enable innovation across a wide range of traditional and emerging wireless technologies. With a unique set of high-performance products including peak power meters, signal generators, phase noise analyzers, signal processing modules, noise sources, and programmable noise generators, Wireless Telecom Group enables the development, testing, and deployment of wireless technologies around the globe. Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.s website address is wirelesstelecomgroup.com. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. Such risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Investor ContactMichael Kandell 25 Eastmans Road Parsippany, NJ 07054 Tel: (973) 386-9696 Fax: (973) 386-9191 Marketing Contact Maria Droge: +1 (973) 386-9696 Wireless Telecom Group Inc. 25 Eastmans Road Parsippany, NJ 07054 Tel: (973) 386-9696 Source: Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. MADISON, Wis., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPS Health Solutions has hired Rochelle Myers as its new Chief Growth Officer, effective June 20. She will lead strategy, business development, government relations, marketing, and new product development in support of the companys mission of making health care easier for the people it serves. Rochelle brings over 20 years of diversified experience to WPS with an exceptional track record of driving growth, WPS President and CEO Wendy Perkins said. We are committed to growth in commercial health insurance and in federal contracting work. Her experience in new product development and innovation will help us expand our offerings and continue to make health care easier for the people we serve. Myers will become a member of the companys Enterprise Leadership Team and report to Perkins. Prior to joining WPS, she served in leadership roles with Accenture, Medica Health Plan, Sanford Health Plan, and as Chief Strategy Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Myers has developed and driven growth strategy for health companies from $25 million to $12 billion in revenue across government markets, commercial markets, and digital health businesses. This is an exciting time to join WPS Health Solutions and be part of a team that will position the company for growth and resilience into the future, Myers said. I have long admired WPS Health Solutions for its history of innovation, strong culture, and community commitment. Myers will be the companys first Chief Growth Officer, partnering with the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors to drive growth, innovation, and new sources of value. About WPS Health SolutionsWisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,600 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com. ### Attachment DeAnne Boegli WPS Health Solutions 608-512-5754 [email protected] Source: WPS Health Solutions RF EDA Solution Accelerates Design of RF Modules, Systems Using Chip-Package-System EDA tools and IPD IP Demonstrated Today Through Thursday at IMS in San Diego SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xpeedic of Cupertino, Calif., unveiled RF EDA Solution 2023 edition today at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) here, showcasing its ability to accelerate the design of highly integrated RF modules and systems using its differentiating chip-package-system EDA tools and mass-production proven Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) IP. The RF Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Solution includes XDS, Xpeedics RF system-level design and simulation platform, IRIS, its on-chip passive modeling and simulation tool, and iModeler, a passive model generation tool. XDS provides schematic design and simulation, post-layout electromagnetic simulation with both method-of-moments (MoM)- and finite-element-method (FEM)-based solver technologies, electro-magnetic (EM) circuit co-simulation and tuning/optimization. In the new 2023 edition, XDS features a new filter synthesis algorithm and supports parametric padstack and permittivity, SNP-based LC matching in Smith Chart, bondwire simulation and hierarchy design for schematic and layout. IRIS has been widely adopted for RFIC designs and certified for advanced process nodes. In the new 2023 edition, IRIS upgrades its accelerated 3D EM solver engine with improved run time and peak memory usage. iModeler now includes built-in MoM cap, MiM cap, inductor and transformer templates, enables parameterized result exploration using built-in templates. Xpeedic at IMSXpeedic will be in Booth #1121 at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. Hours are today from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, from 9:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Thursday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Attendees can stop by the booth to schedule demos or meetings by sending email to [email protected]. Overview of Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) for RF Front-end Applications will be presented by Xpeedic Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the MicroApps Theater in Booth #2447. About XpeedicXpeedic is a leading EDA provider to accelerate designs and simulations of next generation high-frequency, high-speed intelligent electronic products. Powered by its proprietary electromagnetic, circuit, and multi-physics solver technologies, Xpeedic is addressing challenges in designing IC in advanced nodes, 3D-IC with advanced packaging, high-speed digital, and RF systems for the markets including data center, automotive, communication, mobile, and IoT. Founded in 2010, Xpeedic has offices in both U.S. and China. For more information, please www.xpeedic.com. Engage with Xpeedicwww.xpeedic.com Twitter: @xpeedicLinkedIn For more information, contact:Nanette CollinsPublic Relations for Xpeedic[email protected] Source: Xpeedic Technology, Inc. MONTREAL, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yorbeau Resources Inc. (TSX: YRB) (Yorbeau or the Company) announces that the nominees listed in the Companys management proxy circular dated May 12, 2023 were elected as directors of Yorbeau. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors held at the annual general meeting of shareholders on June 13, 2023 in Montreal are set out below. Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld G. Bodnar Jr. 157,659,769 99.84% 258,654 0.16% John Jacobsen 157,908,269 99.99% 10,154 0.01% Henri Gelinas 157,667,273 99.84% 251,150 0.16% Terry Kocisko 157,489,263 99.73% 429,160 0.27% Marcel Lecourt 157,910,823 100.00% 7,600 0.00% Jerome Gendron 157,914,823 100.00% 3,600 0.00% Dany Laflamme 157,914,823 100.00% 3,600 0.00% About Yorbeau Resources Inc. Yorbeau Resources is a Canadian public company (TSX: YRB) involved in gold and base metal exploration in Quebec, Canada. Its properties are in northwestern area of the province containing many significant deposits on the famed Abitibi Greenstone Belt, including major gold mines along the Larder Lake- Cadillac Break and several volcanic centers hosting major copper-zinc-gold deposits. Yorbeau is focusing on its Rouyn Gold and Scott Lake Zinc-Copper projects which have demonstrated the most immediate and substantial prospects for discovery and eventual mine development. While Scott is very favorably located in the Chibougamau mining camp, Rouyn represents a consolidation of several contiguous properties strategically located on the famously productive Cadillac Break in the Rouyn-Noranda Mining Camp. Other holdings of the Company include its interest in the past producing Joutel Gold Mining Camp and the Beschefer Property adjacent to SOQUEMs B-26 deposit in the Selbaie Mine area. For additional information on the Company, consult its website at www.yorbeauresources.com. For further information, please contact: G. Bodnar Jr. President, Chief Financial OfficerYorbeau Resources Inc.[email protected]Tel: 514-384-2202 Toll free in North America: 1-855-384-2202 Source: Yorbeau Resources Inc. Schneider Electric, a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today (June 13) kicked off its largest-ever technology showcase in the Kingdom during the inaugural Saudi Arabia Innovation Summit. The summit welcomed government officials, diplomats and global business leaders in Riyadh to foster critical conversations on sustainability, energy efficiency and technology growth. In his opening remarks, Engineer Ahmed Al Zahrani, Assistant Minister of Development and Excellence at Saudi Arabias Ministry of Energy, said: "In today's dynamic landscape, innovation has transitioned from being a luxury to a necessity. It is through continuous innovation that we can address the complex challenges we face and unlock new opportunities for growth and development." We are guided by five critical innovation pillars a circular carbon economy, conventional power, renewable energy, sustainability, and hydrocarbons, which help us shape a holistic and integrated approach towards innovation and sustainable development, he stated. Ludovic Pouille, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said: France's enduring legacy in electricity and sustainability over two centuries is a testament to our unwavering commitment to a greener future. Saudi Arabia is a beacon of opportunity, where our transformative and collaborative efforts can make a lasting impact." "Schneider Electric is crucial to driving these efforts and the Innovation Summit perfectly aligns with this transformative moment in Saudi Arabia's journey," he noted. The summit not only signifies the growing significance of Saudi Arabia on the global stage but also serves as a steppingstone for Schneider Electric to further expand its investment footprint in the Kingdom and paves the way for even greater contributions in advancing sustainability and technological innovation, he added. Schneider Electrics Global Chairman Jean-Pascal Tricoire said: "Globally and regionally, we are at an infliction point in the current energy transition. At the forefront of impactful transitions in the energy sector is the rise of renewable energy and electricity, revolutionizing both energy supply and demand." This Saudi innovation summit is a platform to showcase our expertise in energy efficiency, data centers, and state-of-the-art software and services. Our capabilities in these areas are poised to contribute significantly to the kingdom's journey towards a sustainable and technologically advanced future for all," stated the top official. "We are committed to supporting the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 as the global and regional energy landscape continues to evolve. Together we can unlock the full potential of Saudi Arabia, harnessing innovation and digital transformation," he added. Schneider Electrics MEA President Walid Sheta said: "Schneider Electric is committed to investing in the future of energy management, and the inaugural Saudi Arabia Innovation Summit marks a strategic milestone. Riyadh, as the next iconic host city, highlights our expansion across the Middle East and Africa." "Building on the success of previous summits held across the globe, this event provides a unique opportunity to showcase our dedication to strategic partnerships with governments and the private sector. By deploying energy-efficient digital technologies, we can effectively combat the climate-and-energy crisis and drive decarbonization. Schneider Electric is embracing a digital and electric world, contributing to the Middle East and Africa's transformation towards a greener and resilient future," he noted. Cluster President (Saudi Arabia and Yemen) Mohammad Shaheen said: "Our debut Saudi innovation summit marks a new milestone in our more-than-four-decade journey in the kingdom. With a steadfast commitment to empowering talent, women and youth, and localizing production, we are proud to say that our products are made in Saudi Arabia." "Having established our presence in Saudi Arabia in 1981, we have fostered strong relationships with over 650 employees, 8,000 customers, and partners who share our passion for sustainability and digitization. The summit is a crucial moment in our collective journey toward enabling the Kingdom to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - ATI AirTest Technologies Inc.(TSXV: AAT) (OTC Pink: AATGF) ("AirTest" the "Company") CEO Ted Konyi is pleased to provide the following update on sales activities. Since the beginning of the year and the addition of Lorne Stewart as President, the Company has focused significant effort on expanding its sales activities. Recently, the Company has added two additional sales agents, Chris Hampson to serve primarily the Ontario market and Todd Points, based in Idaho with a focus on US opportunities. The previously announced initial install at a Toronto based specialty food store has proceeded as expected, proving the capability of the Company's IAQEye" wireless CO2 sensor. Additional installs are anticipated on the back of this success. Financial support for these installs is expected to be provided by both Save On Energy and Enbridge covering 50% of the installed cost and allowing for an excellent return on investment. The Ontario market should yield many additional sales opportunities for the Company. In the last few weeks, site surveys have been completed at a casino location in the GTA and a grocery store in the Vancouver area. The casino operator has over 30 locations across Canada, while the grocery store operations exceed 180 stores, primarily in Western Canada. The Company has also been meeting with Save On Energy and Enbridge to secure further incentives for the installation of the Company's proprietary IAQEye". In the US market, the Company has been supplying a national system integrator with CO2 sensors for refit of Lowe's stores. In addition, parking garage ventilation control systems have seen success on numerous projects and sales of the Company's new unique CO sensor which communicates digitally with all building management systems are also growing rapidly. Lastly, the Company has started to see some international sales activity including sales in the UK. Ted commented further, "Although the most recent financials don't reflect this increased activity, I believe they soon will. In addition, cost cutting measures and increased margins, implemented at the beginning of April, should result in a substantial improvement in profitability for the second quarter. With additional sales initiatives planned for the balance of the year, the Company should show substantial improvement over previous periods. Lorne Stewart has been a breath of fresh air for the Company just as higher energy prices and ESG mandates are creating new demand for the Company's offering." About AirTest: AirTest Technologies is a Green-Tech company specializing in Demand Control Ventilation systems that improve commercial building operating efficiency and generate proven energy savings. The Company has developed new wireless sensors with dynamic real-time communication and control technologies, which builds upon ten years of experience and thousands of installations amongst clients such as Lowe's, Shoppers Drug Mart and Ikea. Airtest solutions provide data on levels of Indoor Air Quality required by Schools, Retail Stores and Offices. For further information, please contact: Mr. Ted Konyi, CEO Phone: (604) 225 2209 Fax: (604) 517 3900 Email: [email protected] Website: www.airtest.com Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are projections of financial performance or future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "estimate" and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and they are subject to risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those concerning the Company's belief in the energy savings that can be achieved through installation of the Company's products and that these installations lead to reduced maintenance, downtime expenses, future cost savings, and improvements in the bottom line. These statements are subject to risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different in future periods from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that may prevent or delay the forward-looking statements from coming to fruition as anticipated include the availability of working capital, risks inherent in product development, as well as market factors that may increase costs or time to market. It is our policy not to update forward-looking statements except to the extent required under applicable securities laws. Further information on the Company is available at www.sedar.com or at the Company's website, www.airtest.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169633 Tallinn, Estonia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Bondstream" is proud to announce its nomination for the esteemed 2023 Go Global Awards, hosted by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. The disruptive Estonian B2B fintech allows for daily reconciliation of investments and associated impact on fees in real-time. Bondstream" fills the gap between CRM systems, excel, and financial software, by managing channel relationships and essential product information for financial product information for financial products include cap stack for listed securities as well as mutual funds. Lisa Short, who was recently appointed Company's advisor, says: Capital markets and the financial services which support them are rapidly increasing into a new ecosystem driven by fintech that connects seamlessly and autonomously the needs of multi-asset offerings, issuers, and investors in a transparent and authenticated way. Being able to meet increased regulatory demands but also have visibility of reconciliation between sales, channel managers and payments as well as automatic document verification all in real time is a game changing solution that Bondstream" has really nailed. The nomination for the Go Global Awards underscores the commitment to excellence, innovation, and fostering international collaboration. As a contender for this prestigious award, Bondstream looks forward to further expanding its global footprint and showcasing its exceptional products and services to a worldwide audience. The Go Global Awards are a prominent international event, judged by government officials from over 28 countries alongside influential industry leaders across a spectrum of industries. The Awards attract companies from around the globe, celebrating their accomplishments and fostering global business connections. The shortlisting process will take place on the 15th of July 2023, and the finalist rounds are scheduled from the 6th to the 8th of November 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island. The event will be hosted by the Secretary of Commerce of Rhode Island, Elizabeth M. Tanner, who will preside over a series of events, including in-person judging, panel discussions, B2B meetings, and a gala dinner to honour the participants. For more information on the Go Global Awards please visit https://www.goglobalawards.org About the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation: The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island - a quasi-public agency responsible for promoting economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating jobs within the state. The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation works closely with public, private, and non-profit partners to meet the needs of businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents, delivering exceptional results and ensuring a prosperous future for the state of Rhode Island. About Bondstream": Bondstream is a proprietary B2B Fintech platform, recognised as the Global 100 award-winning solution, filling the gap between CRM systems, Excel, and finance software. Designed for issuers in the securities market, the cutting-edge technology improves efficiency of cap table management and distribution channel support. With real-time reconciliation of investments and fees, the platform empowers investors and issuers to make informed decisions while ensuring transparency, security, and regulatory compliance. For more information on the award-winning solution and how to improve the efficiency of cap table management and distribution channel support, please contact: [email protected] Contact Details: Rafia Alam Media Relations Tallinn, Estonia [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169081 Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 12, 2023) - Global Girls Initiative, a Tampa-based non-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty, announced its support for a newly implemented law in Florida, HB 389: Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools. This law provides free menstrual hygiene products to students in school districts across the state, marking a crucial stride towards achieving menstrual equality. Aanya Patel of Global Girls Initiative Spearheaded by Florida State Representative Kelly Skidmore (D - Boca Raton), and supported by Global Girls Initiative, the legislation permits the placement of menstrual hygiene products in a range of school facilities such as the nurse's office, health service facilities, and restrooms, and ensures accessibility in wheelchair-friendly facilities, thus endorsing inclusivity. The enactment of HB 389 is set to have a significant impact on over 1.5 million students in Florida's school system, offering them the opportunity to manage their menstrual cycles in a respectful and dignified manner. "Through this legislation we are letting our students know that we take their educational success seriously and will not allow the lack of access to tampons and pads to be an obstacle anymore," reveals Representative Skidmore. The transformative power of this legislation goes beyond ensuring physical comfort. It enhances mental and social health, builds confidence, stimulates involvement in extracurricular activities, and aims to improve class attendance, thus enabling students to maximize their academic capabilities. Founder of Global Girls Initiative, Aanya Patel, a vocal supporter of the bill, remarked, "The benefits of this legislation extend beyond physical health and comfort. It hopes to foster mental and social well-being, instills confidence, encourages participation in extracurricular activities, and aims to boost class attendance, thereby empowering students to reach their full academic potential." Patel added, "I am thrilled that Florida now has a structured solution addressing young menstruators within the school system. No student should miss out on educational opportunities simply because they lack access to a basic hygiene necessity." Further emphasizing the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Patel urged for more discussions and awareness to break down societal stigmas associated with period poverty. Aanya Patel with the menstrual hygiene dispenser About Global Girls Initiative The Global Girls Initiative (GGI) is a Tampa-based non-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty. Founded by Aanya Patel, GGI has donated over 350,000 menstrual hygiene products to students and youth in underserved communities over the past three years. The organization also offers free educational workshops, known as P.A.D.S (Period Awareness with Dignity & Self Esteem), to empower young menstruators. Additionally, GGI has spearheaded the development of cost-effective menstrual hygiene dispensers which can hold any brand and size of pads and tampons. The menstrual hygiene dispensers are installed in various institutions, including Hillsborough County's Title I middle & high schools, the University of Tampa, Johns Hopkins University, and more. Contact Details Contact Person: Aanya Patel Email: [email protected] Website: https://globalgi.org/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169569 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Mink Ventures Corporation (TSXV: MINK) ("MINK" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 1.5% NSR, in the Warren copper nickel project (the "Warren Project") from US Copper Corp. (TSXV: USCU). The Warren Project consists of 14 patented mining claims covering 251 hectares of land, located in Whitesides Township, approximately 35 km west of Timmins, Ontario (see Figure 1). MINK expects that the option will commence at closing, on or around July 4, 2023. To commence the option, MINK must issue to US Copper Corp. 250,000 MINK common shares and 250,000 MINK three-year common share purchase warrants exercisable at a price of $0.25 on closing, and then to maintain and ultimately exercise the option MINK must incur $300,000 in exploration expenditures and issue an additional 800,000 MINK common shares within 21 months from the closing date. The option agreement is subject to a number of terms and conditions typical for a transaction of this nature, including prior TSX Venture Exchange approval. HIGHLIGHTS (see Figure 3): The Warren Project is drill ready. Mink's geologists have completed an in-depth study of all available historical data and recent geophysical survey data. Some limited ground truthing to update GIS data prior to selecting drill targets will occur with a diamond drill program to follow. The Warren Project complements Mink's key Montcalm project due to the distinctly similar, prospective geological environments as well as the presence of significant Cu Ni zones at Warren. Three distinct mineralized copper nickel zones have been identified and are designated Zones A, B, and C, outlined by both surface exploration and diamond drilling, focused mainly on Zones A and B over a strike length of ~600 meters. Historical work in the mid 1950's included two B-Zone bulk samples by Maralgo Mines Ltd. Bulk Sample 1 returned 0.21% Cu, 0.96% Ni, 0.11% Co and 0.10% Zn, and Bulk Sample 2 returned 2.83% Cu, 0.58% Ni, 0.10 Co and 0.13 Zn. A resource* calculation of 385,000 tons of 1% Cu + Ni on the B Zone was outlined by Jade Oil & Gas. They drilled 23 holes to test Zones A and B in the mid 1950's. Highlights include 2.5% Cu+Ni over 7.6 m and 2.8% Cu+Ni over 8.2 meters. * The resource calculation is historical in nature and is not NI43-101 compliant; it is not to be relied upon and is reported as a historical statement only. Geophysical data from magnetics, horizontal loop EM (HLEM) and induced polarization (IP) suggest a potential strike length of A and B Zones of approximately 800 meters. Limited exploration has been conducted on the C Zone other than a historical shaft. A recent (2021) grab sample in the shaft area muck pile by W. Hawkins, P. Eng returned 3.7 ppm Ag, 3940 ppm Cu, 1670 ppm Ni and 223 ppm Co. Geophysical surveys (magnetic, HLEM, and IP) support a potential strike length of C Zone of 1 kilometer. References: Technical Report for Western Troy Capital Resources on the Warren Property (W. Hawkins P. Eng, 2021) and Maxmin, Magnetometer and VLF Surveys Evaluation Report, Whitesides and Massey Twp. Claims (C. Mackenzie Consulting Geologist, 1990) "This strategic acquisition expands our exploration portfolio and discovery opportunity with a very complementary, second gabbro-hosted copper nickel sulphide project which shares a similar geological environment with our flagship Montcalm project. Both projects benefit from cost-effective exploration due to their exceptional access, year-round exploration seasons, and proximity to the Timmins Mining Camp and all the advantages that come along with that," said Natasha Dixon, President and CEO. "Mink is a battery metals exploration company. There is no energy transition without these critical minerals. Exploration companies play a vital role in discovering the mineral deposits needed to establish a resilient Canadian source of these metals and MINK is well positioned to play a role with these very prospective assets," she added. The Warren property is hosted within the Kamiskotia Gabbro Complex (KGC) and it is thought to be broadly equivalent to the Montcalm Gabbro Complex (MGC) but separated by a granitic arch. The MGC hosts the former Montcalm Mine which produced approximately 3.93 million tonnes grading 1.25% Ni, 0.67% Cu and 0.05% Co (OGS, Atkinson, B., 2010) (See Figure 2). Gabbro complexes such as MGC and KGC are known to be prospective for magmatic nickel copper sulphide deposition as demonstrated by the Montcalm Mine located within the MGC. The Warren Project complements Mink's Montcalm property due to the distinctly similar prospective geological environments found in the MGC and the KGC, as well as the presence of significant Cu Ni zones on the Warren Project. As highlighted above, the Warren Project has had a sporadic exploration history since the late 1920's to present day and a number of promising historical mineralized Cu Ni zones were outlined. The majority of the exploration completed to date on the property was completed in an area representing a very minimal portion of the property and completed well over 60 years ago. More recent geophysical surveys from the early 1990's and 2008-2009 outlined a series of untested targets along strike from known mineralization and/or new targets proximal to known mineralization. These targets are particularly evident in the accompanying magnetic and IP compilation map shown in Figure 3. As a result of this geophysical data being available, the Warren Project is drill ready with some minimal ground truthing of grids and occurrences. Qualified Person: Mr. Kevin Filo, P.Geo. (Ontario), is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Filo approved the technical data disclosed in this release. Note: Certain historical information pertaining to a historical resource estimate, is disclosed in this press release. The methods and parameters used to prepare this estimate and the category of the estimate is unknown. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or reserves. About Mink Ventures Corporation: Mink Ventures Corporation (TSXV: MINK) is a Canadian mineral exploration company exploring for battery metals in Ontario, Canada. It has a prospective, nickel copper cobalt exploration portfolio, with its Montcalm project, which covers approximately 40 km2 adjacent to Glencore's former Montcalm Mine with historical production of 3.93 million tonnes of ore grading 1.25% Ni, 0.67% Cu and 0.051% Co (Ontario Geological Survey, Atkinson, 2010), as well as the recent addition of the Warren Project, comprised of 14 patented mining claims covering 251 hectares. These complementary Ni Cu projects have excellent access and infrastructure and are in close proximity to the Timmins Mining Camp. The Company has 14,972,319 shares outstanding. For further information about Mink Ventures Corporation please contact: Natasha Dixon, President & CEO, T: 250-882-5620 E: [email protected] or Kevin Filo, Director, T: 705-266-6818 or visit www.sedar.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking information", including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the option to acquire the Warren Project, the share and warrant issuances and exploration work required to exercise the option, TSX Venture Exchange approval of the option agreement, and the prospectivity of the Warren Project and the Montcalm Project. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of MINK to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of exploration work; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the Warren Project and Montcalm Project; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, or delays in obtaining governmental and stock exchange approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to MINK's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and MINK disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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 ac curacy of this release. Figure 1: Detailed Location Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8332/169738_70475cd764153ac2_001full.jpg Figure 2: Regional Geology Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8332/169738_70475cd764153ac2_002full.jpg Figure 3: Warren Project Compilation Map (Magnetics and IP) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8332/169738_70475cd764153ac2_003full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169738 SC Johnson and Conservation International Bring Visually Stunning Exhibition to MSI to Highlight the Urgent Need for Collective Action to Address This Global Threat Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - An ocean loaded with plastic garbage. Beaches so overwhelmed with waste you can't see a grain of sand. Microplastics in our food and drinks. It is one thing to read about; it's another thing to see in person how pervasive plastic pollution is within the largest ecosystem on our planet: the ocean. On July 1, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) will unveil a powerful, immersive experience The Blue Paradox where visitors can walk beneath the ocean's surface, explore the impact plastic pollution has on this vital natural resource, and discover the meaningful actions needed to stop plastic waste from becoming pollution. Presented by SC Johnson, in partnership with Conservation International,The Blue Paradoxwas initially launched in 2021 as an immersive pop-up experience in London to make the ocean plastic crisis and the collective actions needed to address it relevant and relatable to everyone. The high-demand, sold-out event struck a nerve with Londoners, with 97 percent of attendees saying they planned to change their behavior for good. Inspired by this reaction to the exhibit, SC Johnson partnered with MSI to bring the experience to a world-class museum in the U.S. "We are at an inflection point," said Dr. Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. "Time is running out to turn around the damaging effects of plastic waste pollution. While the challenges we face in stopping this crisis can seem daunting, overcoming them is possible. It starts with raising awareness and inspiring a movement of collective efforts on the tangible things that will make a meaningful difference. Business plays a vital role, and so does government and government regulation, and importantly all of us as individuals. That is why bringing this experience to life is important." The exhibit aims to illuminate a paradox when it comes to plastic use: while the widespread use of plastic in our daily lives has led to considerable advancements in modern society, increased convenience, and reduced reliance on natural resources, it has become one of the most pervasive pollution issues facing our ocean ecosystem and the planet. "We are delighted to work with SC Johnson and Conservation International to bringThe Blue Paradoxto our community, our guests and the broader public," said Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry. "At MSI, we strive to educate and inspire the public, and especially children, to find their inner, inventive genius.The Blue Paradoxoffers another opportunity to empower our guests to seek genius solutions that preserve natural resources for future generations." As a global omnipresent issue, the plastic pollution crisis continues to make headlines. About26 billion poundsof plastic is dumped into the ocean each year. Further, scientists continue to sound the alarm about plastic pollution in the Great Lakes region, estimating22 million poundsof plastic enter the lakes annually. Researchers have even discovered 12 types of microplastics commonly found in bottles and packagingin the lungs of living people, in addition to previous studies that have shown plastic particle pollution inhuman blood. "Billions of people rely on our oceans for food. Nearly a billion people have livelihoods connected to the blue economy. As plastic waste finds its way to the ocean, it impacts all of us and the vast majority of species on our planet," said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. "The Blue Paradoxbrings the ubiquitousness and usefulness of plastic and the permanence and scale of its pollution front-and-center, encouraging visitors and businesses alike to take meaningful action. We're delighted to partner with SC Johnson both for this exhibit and in the ongoing fight for a healthy planet." MSI is one of the largest science museums in the world, where more than 1 million guests experience science and industry in new and surprising ways annually. That made MSI the natural choice forThe Blue Paradoxexperience, as both SC Johnson and MSI are committed to engaging the public, especially the next generation, in the science and innovation needed to stop plastic pollution and in the protection and preservation of the environment. "Awareness about plastic waste is growing, and people are looking for information on how we all can be part of the solution," noted Johnson. "The Blue Paradoxis an opportunity to capture that momentum, engage the next generation, and build on our desire to impact the issue positively." Entrance intoThe Blue Paradoxwill be included in MSI's general admission ticket. Information aboutThe Blue Paradox:blueparadox.com" Media Kit:https://scjohnson.com/mediakit-blueparadox.zip" MSI/Ticketing information:www.msichicago.org Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9488/169468_blueparadoxedit_02.jpg ### Media Contact: SC Johnson Global Corporate Communications [email protected] 262-260-2440 About the Museum of Science and Industry The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences which inspire the inventive genius in everyone. As one of the largest science museums in the world, from groundbreaking and award-winning exhibits to hands-on opportunities, a visit to MSI is guaranteed to connect fun and learning. MSI is committed to offering comprehensive educational programs for students, teachers, and families that make a difference in local communities and contribute to MSI's larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in STEAM science, technology, engineering, art and math. The Museum is grateful for the support of its generous donors and guests, who make its work possible. MSI is also supported in part by the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visitmsichicago.org. About SC Johnson Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible it's our responsibility. A heritage of innovation and bold, transparent decisions is why our high-quality products and iconic brands including OFF!, Raid, Glade, Windex, Scrubbing Bubbles, Ziploc, Mrs. Meyers, method, Autan, Baygon, Mr Muscle, Duck, Lysoformand more are in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide. As a global, purpose-led company, we are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations. That means relentlessly bringing our expertise in science, innovation and partnerships to bear on some of the world's most pressing environmental and health issues like reducing plastic waste and eradicating malaria. Around the world, we use our resources to unlock greater economic and educational opportunities for people and communities where access may be limited, but curiosity and potential are limitless. See how SC Johnson is a Family Company At Work For a Better World by visitingscjohnson.comor joining us onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,Instagram,YouTube, andTikTok. About Conservation International Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go toConservation.orgfor more information, and follow our work onConservation News,Facebook,Twitter,TikTok,InstagramandYouTube. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9488/169468_logo2.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169468 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMKA) (OTCQX: OILSF) ("Saturn" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") to graduate the listing of its common shares (the "Common Shares") to the main board of the TSX. Saturn expects the Common Shares to commence trading under the symbol "SOIL" on the TSX on June 15, 2023 at which time trading on the TSX Venture Exchange will cease. No action is required to be taken by Saturn shareholders. The Company's listed warrants (expiring July 7, 2023 and March 10, 2025, respectively) will also transition to the TSX. "The graduation to the TSX, Canada's most senior stock exchange, is an exciting achievement for our Company," said John Jeffrey, CEO of Saturn. "The hard work of our staff and support of shareholders over the past 24 months has made it possible to rapidly grow into a company that meets the stringent listing requirements of the TSX. We anticipate that trading on the TSX will provide us with additional visibility in the marketplace, provide our shareholders will additional liquidity and allow access to a broader and more diverse range of international and institutional investors." Saturn is further pleased to announce that it has restored over 90% of the estimated 10,000 boe/d (60% oil and NGLs) of production that was curtailed since May 4, 2023 as a result of the wildfires in Alberta. We are relieved to report that all of Saturn's employees and contractors that were displaced by the wildfires have returned to their undamaged homes. Saturn is assessing the potential damage of our wells and infrastructure, and we are currently not aware of any significant impairments. The Company also confirms that 268,333,333 of the Company's listed common share purchase warrants exercisable on a 20:1 basis at $0.16 per share (ticker SOIL.WT) have expired and have ceased trading on the TSX Venture Exchange effective June 5, 2023. As the warrants were listed, amendments to the terms thereof (including any extension or price adjustment) was not permissible within the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange's Corporate Finance Manual. About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. is a growing Canadian energy company focused on generating positive shareholder returns through the continued responsible development of high-quality, light oil weighted assets, supported by an acquisition strategy that targets highly accretive, complementary opportunities. Saturn has assembled an attractive portfolio of free-cash flowing, low-decline operated assets in Southeastern Saskatchewan, West Central Saskatchewan and Central Alberta that provide a deep inventory of long-term economic drilling opportunities across multiple zones. With an unwavering commitment to building an ESG-focused culture, Saturn's goal is to increase reserves, production and cash flows at an attractive return on invested capital. Effective June 15, 2023 Saturn's shares will be listed for trading on the TSX under ticker 'SOIL' and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol 'SMKA'. Further information and a corporate presentation are available on Saturn's website at www.saturnoil.com. Saturn Oil & Gas Investor & Media Contacts: John Jeffrey, MBA - Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 (587) 392-7902 www.saturnoil.com Kevin Smith, MBA - VP Corporate Development Tel: +1 (587) 392-7900 [email protected] Reader Advisory 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 press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169833 Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2023) - Taurus Gold Corp.(CSE: TAUR) (OTCQB: TARGF) ("Taurus" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that it has confirmed the summer exploration plan for the Charlotte Property; and has acquired, through staking, an additional mineral claim (ED F Claim), strategically located on the northwest corner of the Company's existing gold-silver-zinc-lead Flex Zone. The additional claim is strategic in that it will allow the Company to further expand its exploration on the Charlotte property which is host to several known mineralized zones of interest, including the Huestis, Webber, and Flex precious metal vein systems in the southern part of the property and the under-explored porphyry copper mineralization in the northwest. Summer 2023 Work Program: After a comprehensive review of the extensive historical database on its 23 km2 Charlotte property, Management has identified several promising and under-explored areas of interest, which include the Elisa Creek Extension, Discovery Creek, and the GRW zones. The comprehensive 30-day program will include 42 line-km of targeted close spaced magnetometer and VLF ground geophysical surveys, soil sample geochemistry, targeted mapping, and prospecting on the Elisa Creek, Discovery Creek and GRW zones. In addition, the Company will undertake reconnaissance mapping and prospecting and sampling on the newly staked ED F claim, located adjacent to the Company's Flex Zone on its north boundary. Summer Exploration Objectives: Discovery of new epithermal vein sets in under-explored areas of the Charlotte property Determine the linkage between epithermal veins and intrusive hosts in the north part of the property. Investigate surface expression of suspected structural controls on soil anomalism. "We are confident that this program will significantly enhance our understanding of the Property's geological potential and help us prioritize target areas for future drilling campaigns," says Trevor Harding, CEO. "The Company recognizes the importance of employing modern exploration techniques to minimize environmental impact while maximizing the efficiency and accuracy of mineral targeting." Eliza Creek: Located just east of Rockhaven's Klaza property, the Eliza Creek area has substantiated work history including surface trenching and historical drilling in search of porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. The area may host mineralized epithermal veins in a similar setting to the Klaza veins located to the west of the property boundary. Discovery Creek: Located east of Rockhaven's Rusk Zone, the area is underlain by massive andesite to dacite volcanic flows of the Lower Cretaceous Mount Nansen Suite in contact with granodiorite and related intrusive rocks of the co-eval Early Cretaceous Whitehorse Suite. Anomalous soil geochemistry, trenching and historical drilling north of the property boundary in the Discovery Creek area has revealed a NW-SE trending epithermal vein set which may trend southward on to the Charlotte Property. The geology is also similar to the setting at Rockhaven's Rusk zone located approximately 3 km northwest. GRW: The GRW Zone is approximately 2 km east of the Eliza Creek area and bears a strong similarity to the geological setting and represents the same exploration target. Historical soil sampling and trenching has established anomalous and altered bedrock in an area underlain by porphyritic intrusive of the Prospector Mountain suite intruded by granodiorite and related intrusive rocks of the Early Cretaceous Whitehorse Suite. The contact zone between the two units may host previously unrecognised mineralized epithermal veins. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8500/169757_db6b9474748fbbc8_002full.jpg ED F Claim: The newly acquired quartz claim is located directly north of the Flex Zone and is underlain by foliated biotite-hornblende granodiorite of the Early Jurassic Minto Group; the host rock to the past-producing Brown-McDade deposit to the south. The claim sits on the strike extension of the Flex Zone, approximately 185 metres from the northernmost Flex drill hole. The claim also sits within a prominent magnetic low, the same structural setting as the Flex Zone. About the Charlotte Property The road-accessible Charlotte property is located in the highly prospective Dawson Range portion of the Tintina Gold Belt, and 60 km west of Carmacks, Yukon Territory, Canada. The region is characterized by gold-silver-zinc-lead veins and breccia, as well as copper-gold porphyry mineralization. The Charlotte property consists of 140 full or fractional quartz mineral claims and mineral leases that cover an area totalling 2,357.1 hectares (approximately 23 km2). All but two of the mineral claims are contiguous. The Charlotte property is host to several mineralized zones of interest, including the Huestis, Webber, and Flex precious metal vein systems in the southern part of the property and under-explored porphyry copper mineralization in the northwest. Taurus Gold Corp. has a 51% ownership and an option to earn 100% interest in the Charlotte property. The Charlotte property is located in the traditional territory of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation. Other active mineral projects in the Dawson Range area include Rockhaven Resources' Klaza Project, Triumph Gold's Freegold project and Granite Creek Copper's Carmacks project. The Yukon Resource Gateway Program is supporting the building of new roads and facilitating improved access to several mining developments within the Dawson Range area, including Western Copper and Gold's Casino project. Flex Zone - Charlotte Property The Flex Zone on the Charlotte property is located on an all-season access road. Exposed mineralization on surface was completely stripped during the 1990s and reveals a mineralized zone approximately 80 m wide by 350 metres long. The Flex Zone is delineated over a northwest-trending strike length of 550 m and is defined by a network of stacked epithermal gold-silver-zinc-lead quartz veins, which range from 5 cm to 1.1 m in apparent thickness, within precious metal enriched wallrock. The strongest mineralization occurs where northwest trending Flex Zone veins are offset by east to northeast trending faults. These highly mineralized areas tend to repeat at regular intervals and retain their grade, tenor and widths at depth. Mineralization consists of varying amounts of pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, stibnite, boulangerite and sulphosalts, including pyrargyrite. Wallrock silicification at the Flex vein system extends precious metal grade widths up to 7 m. The technical information in this news release has been approved by Ken MacDonald, P. Geo. an independent "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Trevor Harding President and Chief Executive Officer Taurus Gold Corp. Phone: 587-608-5035 #239 9768-170th Street, Edmonton, AB T5T 5L4 Forward-looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein are forward-looking, other than statements of historical fact. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "is expected", or "will continue", 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. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Taurus Gold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. Although Taurus Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Taurus Gold disclaims, except as required by applicable securities laws, any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169757 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 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, announces today, as part of its ongoing cost streamlining process, that the Company has further reduced the cost of running the Company's Canadian operations on a go-forward basis to a total of approximately 60%. Tenet's Management also encourages the Company's shareholders to vote for Management's nominees for election to Tenet's board of directors. In addition, Tenet reminds the Company's shareholders that the deadline to vote is prior to 10:00 am ET on Friday, June 23rd, 2023. Copies of the management information circular, which was filed on SEDAR on May 31, 2023, together with related meeting and proxy materials are available on Tenet's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. For any questions or more information with respect to the Company's Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2003 at 10:00 am ET, please contact TMX Investor Solutions at 1-800-549-6746 toll free in North America or 1-201-806-7301 outside of Canada and the United States, or by email at [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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/169896 An alkaline and filtered water store focused on the quality of the water that you consume ABILENE, Texas, June 13, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) According to AGTC Supply Water Co., the water at Blue Jug Abilene West goes through a detailed cleaning process that starts from taking tap water at our location and first running it through a carbon filtration. Next, the water goes through a 5 micron filter which continues to filter the water and prepares it for the Reverse Osmosis unit. The Reverse Osmosis stage is the final stage of filtration. The water then moves to a cartridge containing ceramic beads infused with calcium sulfite, quartz, tourmaline, zircon, calcite, zeolite and other minerals to reinfuse the water with electrolytes for a better taste. From there it goes to a storage tank, which then takes the water through the final steps of an additional carbon filtration and a UV treatment before it comes out of our fill station inside or at the self-service station located outside the store. To ensure water quality as well as educate those interested in learning more about water quality, we have tested the water in store and sent our samples to an out-of-state, third-party water professional to ensure integrity of our process. We will be testing regularly for Hardness, Calcium, PH, Alkalinity, Iron, Nitrates, Chlorine, TDS (Totally Dissolved Solids), Manganese and Copper. Our Opening day water results are posted on a wall inside the store. Blue Jug Abilene West owner, Waylan Jackson, shares, As the options available for purified and filtered waters have increased, we are seeing a great deal of claims with a limited amount of evidence and a lot of inconsistencies. We believe in a transparency to share the quality of the water we provide with the process, proof and testing to back it up. Blue Jug Abilene West sells alkaline water along with a variety of BPA free water jugs and bottles in various sizes as well as an array of water handling products. Beyond the water, the products, the testing and the vetting, Blue Jug Abilene West is a water store with a goal to educate, empower and provide water for those that expect more from what they drink. Blue Jug Abilene West, 4613 South 14th St., Abilene, Texas 79605-4734. Blue Jug Abilene West will be open six days a week, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit: https://bluejugabilenewest.com/ or email [email protected] Follow on Social: Twitter: @bluejugabilenew https://twitter.com/bluejugabilenew Instagram: @bluejugabilenewest https://www.instagram.com/bluejugabilenewest/ YouTube: @BlueJugAbileneWest https://www.youtube.com/@BlueJugAbileneWest MEDIA CONTACT: Kyle Jackson of AGTC Supply Water Co. +1-325-669-5903 [email protected] MULTIMEDIA: VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/RPcGe0fDjRE Image links for media: [1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/23-0613-s2p-bluewaterjug-300dpi.jpg [2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/23-0613-s2p-bluebanner-300dpi.jpg NEWS SOURCE: AGTC Supply Water Co. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (AGTC Supply Water Co.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/agtc-supply-water-co-a-water-education-and-provision-group-announces-grand-opening-of-blue-jug-abilene-west-an-alkaline-and-filtered-water-store/ Copr. 2023 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 91328SI.04 Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. For reliable and professional plumbing services in Adelaide, Will's Plumbing is Adelaides go to plumbing service to call. No plumbing issue is too big or small for this South Australian-owned and operated business to handle. Wills Plumbing Adelaide is a trusted name when it comes to expert plumbing solutions. As the premier plumber in Adelaide, the company has built its reputation by upholding a strong work ethic. The team at Wills plumbing are skilled in dealing with all aspects of plumbing and take pride in finding solutions for the various jobs that come our way. We tackle projects with unwavering dedication, and strive to provide long-lasting solutions when fixing plumbing issues. The founder of Will's Plumbing Adelaide, Will, is a Master Plumber with over 15 years of experience. His philosophy is to do the job right the first time and he focuses on addressing the root cause rather than offering temporary fixes. This approach guarantees long term results and minimises future disruptions. The company believes in fairness and transparency when it comes to pricing. After assessing the job, the team provides reasonable estimates to ensure customers receive value for money without any hidden costs. With such practices, it is no mystery why this plumbing company has become the go-to choice for residential, strata body corporation, and domestic property maintenance for real estate agents, hotels, shops, and businesses. For more information, visit https://willsplumbingadelaide.com.au/ The range of services Will's Plumbing Adelaide provides covers various plumbing needs. The company can repair leaky taps, especially on a budget and without compromising the quality of work. If the faucets are unfixable or too old, Will's Plumbing Adelaide can install new ones that meet your needs. Blocked drains are easily resolved as the company is equipped with the latest technology, such as hydro-jet and Electric Eel drain machines. Wills Plumbing Adelaide also uses closed-circuit television cameras to pinpoint the source of the blocked drain. Will's Plumbing Adelaide has other plumbing services, such as installing vanity basins that enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the bathroom. It even offers professional toilet services, including installation, repair, and part replacement. The company can maintain or replace water heaters and work with various types. It will recommend the finest systems with the best warranties and install them. In addition to plumbing, Will's Plumbing Adelaide also provides gas-related services. They can install gas stoves, systems, and pipes, add extensions to existing systems, and set up bayonets for heaters and other appliances. These services are why a significant percentage of Wills client base consists of returning customers, and the company is becoming a household brand rather than a run-of-the-mill business. All of these services are also available 24/7 for emergencies. According to Will, homeowners are encouraged to ask questions to understand the work that needs to be carried out and why it is being done. The team also offers tips on how to recognise problems and how to deal with them. At Will's Plumbing Adelaide, we are passionate about creating a plumbing brand that resonates with homeowners. We understand that plumbing issues can be stressful, and our goal is to alleviate that stress by offering reliable, efficient, and top-quality plumbing services in Adelaide that homeowners can trust." Will's Plumbing Adelaide has earned a well-deserved reputation. The companys 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook and reviews from satisfied customers attest to the company's workmanship and services. The Company in a nutshell: Wills Plumbing Adelaide is a South Australian business that offers plumbing and gas-fitting services. The small team employed at the company is trained to handle any situation and has a strong work ethic. Wills Plumbing Adelaide sticks to the idea of doing the job correctly on the first try and dealing with the source of the problem rather than offering short-term solutions. The company believes there is no one size fits all fix and will work hard to give customers the proper attention they need. Wills Plumbing Adelaide offers fair and transparent pricing, so clients will never deal with hidden costs. Contact Info: Name: Shoaib Mughal Email: Send Email Organization: Wills Plumbing Adelaide Address: 16 Bayvue Cres, Ridgehaven SA 5097 Phone: 0484 600 095 Website: https://willsplumbingadelaide.com.au/ Release ID: 89099816 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. There are no direct or secret discussions between Iran and the United States on Iran's nuclear program, said Mohammad Marandi, an advisor to the Iranian nuclear negotiation team, Trend reports. Marandi noted that discussions between Iran and the US are indirectly carried out through third parties, such as Oman and the UN. In other words, Iranian and US officials do not hold meetings in the same room. The advisor added that in discussions, the issue of unblocking Iran's frozen assets in abroad due to the sanctions imposed by the US, as well as the exchange of prisoners, is in the spotlight. It has been confirmed that discussions have been held between Iran and the United States in recent days. However, in what form it was conducted, as well as the details of the issues in focus have not been fully disclosed. In January 2016, JCPOA was launched between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany) in connection with Iran's nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. To preserve the agreements reached as part of the JCPOA, the European signatories of the deal started in January 2019 that a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed. On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it had ceased fulfilling its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories that have not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it will not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal. Iran announced that it will enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and will not mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA on Sept.5. On Nov. 5, 2019, Iran announced that it took the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. On Jan.2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within JCPOA. On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur For the third year in a row, SoCalGas has participated in the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund by donating $1,000,000 to support small businesses and drive positive change in diverse and underserved communities across California LOS ANGELES , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 89 independently owned restaurants across Central and Southern California received $5,000 grants from the California Restaurant Foundation's (CRF) Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. Each restaurant receiving a grant can use the funds for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardship, employee retention bonuses and employee training, allowing California's independent restaurant owners to continue their businesses during challenging times. The $2.1 million fund, supported by SoCalGas with a $1,000,000 donation, and other California utility companies, is the largest to date in terms of overall funding, individual grant sizes and grant utilization. "With the generosity of SoCalGas, the Resilience Fund helped California's independent restaurant community for a third consecutive year," said Alycia Harshfield , Executive Director of CRF. "It's apparent that there is still a significant need for restaurant assistance, as we received 25% more applications this year than last. While these grants will allow local restaurant owners to build more resilient businesses, we also hope to inspire Californians to support their vibrant local restaurant community in any way they can, whether that's through dining, sharing on social media or spreading the word to friends and family." "SoCalGas and the California Restaurant Foundation are truly creating a positive impact on the lives of small business owners, their employees, and the communities these restaurants serve," said Assemblymember Mike Gipson . "Through this fund, SoCalGas is helping our favorite local restaurants be successful now and long into the future." "Local restaurants, the heart and soul of our community, are where friendships are forged, milestones celebrated, and delicious meals enjoyed. I'm pleased to witness the partnership of SoCalGas and the California Restaurant Foundation, extending vital aid to our cherished restaurants, often family-owned enterprises. With this support, we ensure their thriving existence, cultivating an environment where tasty meals and lasting connections flourish," said Thousand Oaks Mayor Kevin McNamee . "Thank you SoCalGas for allowing us to reward our employees who worked through the hardest times with us, and for giving us support in covering our bills. This grant has raised our team's morale and helped us for the best," said Valeria Loera , owner and manager of Lichis Mex LLC in Tujunga . "The grant is going to be used for equipment and maintenance on our storefront. More importantly, this direct support makes our restaurant feel seen and heard, empowering us with financial resources to achieve our goal of serving our customers with high-quality food and service," said Virgie Van Horst of Great Steak Bomb Hoagie in Simi Valley . Of the 89 grant recipients in SoCalGas' service area, 64% of this year's grant winners identify as female and 84% identify as people of color. About 64% of the grant funds will be used for equipment and technology upgrades and around 36% of the $5,000 grants will be put towards unforeseen hardships, employee training, and employee bonuses. To qualify, the restaurants needed to have five units or less, and less than $3 million in revenue. To see the full list of grant recipients, please visit www.restaurantscare.org/resilience. Impressively, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to nearly 1,000 independent restaurants across California over the last three years. The Resilience Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations and individuals who want to invest in California's vibrant restaurant community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at www.restaurantscare.org/resilience. For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation or their Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, please visit www.restaurantscare.org. More media assets can per region be found here . About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF): California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state's economy. The California Restaurant Foundation is a non-profit that empowers and invests in California's restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing a hardship, job and life skills training for 13,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. For more information visit www.calrestfoundation.org. About SoCalGas Headquartered in Los Angeles , SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States . SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment. SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America . In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/89-local-restaurants-receive-assistance-grants-through-restaurants-care-resilience-fund-301849143.html SOURCE Southern California Gas Company Cato quintuples the throughput of the nearest SASE competitor without requiring hardware upgrade; simplifies multicloud deployments with new cloud cross-connect TEL AVIV, Israel , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, provider of the world's leading single-vendor SASE platform, announced today a new SASE throughput record, achieving 5 Gbps on a single encrypted tunnel with all security inspections enabled. Cato is also simplifying multicloud and hybrid cloud networking and security with cloud cross-connect, a high-speed, SLA-backed, direct connection between Cato and nearly any cloud provider worldwide. Both capabilities extend SASE to meet the needs of today's large, cloud-centric enterprises, and both are currently available. "Once again, Cato has set the mark for SASE at scale," says Gur Shatz , Co-Founder, President, and COO of Cato Networks. "Pushing the boundary of SASE throughput worldwide is more than an engineering achievement. It demonstrates how quickly a platform with a cloud-native architecture can make new technology globally available." Cato Set SASE Speed Record at 5 Gbps Throughput As larger enterprises adopt SASE, higher capacity connections are needed for interconnecting data centers and private clouds. Cato meets that need today with industry-leading support for 5 Gbps throughput on a single, encrypted tunnel regardless of security inspections. Previously, Cato supported a maximum of 3 Gbps per tunnel. The improved throughput underscores the benefits of a cloud-native architecture. Cato nearly doubled the performance of the Cato Socket, Cato's edge SD-WAN device, without requiring any hardware changes. This was only possible because Cato runs the compute-intensive operations that normally degrade edge appliance performance packet encryption/decryption, security inspection, and the like in the Cato Single Pass Processing Engine (SPACE) running across Cato PoPs . By improving SPACE, all edges connected to the Cato SASE Cloud gain increased throughput. Replacement of the Cato Socket is not required. By contrast, SASE solutions implemented as virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud or modified web proxies remain limited to under 1 Gbps of throughput for a single tunnel. This limitation forces enterprises to have their edge appliance create and manage multiple tunnels and load-balance their traffic between them. An added layer of complexity and risk that does not exist in Cato's solution. Cross-Connect Enables High-Speed, Multicloud Networking Worldwide Cato is also delivering 5 Gbps connections to other cloud providers. The new Cato cross-connect will improve Cato's existing multicloud support by enabling private, high-speed layer-2 connections between Cato and any other cloud provider connecting to the Equinix Cloud Exchange (ECX) or Digital Reality. Multicloud and hybrid cloud deployments demand reliable, high-throughput connections. The Cato cross-connect meets that need, providing a private, layer-2 connection between a customer's physical and cloud datacenter and Cato for a fixed monthly fee. For additional reliability, a high availability (HA) option is also available. Along with interconnecting their enterprise cloud and non-cloud resources, the Cato cross-connect also enables Cato channel partners to deliver Cato SSE 360 into legacy deployments by establishing a network-to-network interface (NNI) into the Cato SASE Cloud. Enterprises with MPLS or third-party SD-WAN infrastructure can now leverage Cato's SSE capabilities without changing their underlying networks. To learn more about Cato cross-connect and the rest of the Cato SASE Cloud, visit https://www.catonetworks.com CLICK TO TWEET: .@CatoNetworks just broke the SASE speed barrier, delivering 5 GBPS of encrypted traffic with all security inspections enabled. Click here to learn more: https://www.catonetworks.com/?post_type=af-news&p=57928 #SASE #Network #Speed Digital Assets Supporting Resources About Cato Networks Cato provides the world's most robust single-vendor SASE platform, converging Cato SD-WAN and a cloud-native security service edge, Cato SSE 360, into a global cloud service. Cato SASE Cloud optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations everywhere. Using Cato, customers easily replace costly and rigid legacy MPLS with modern network architecture based on SD-WAN, secure and optimize a hybrid workforce working from anywhere, and enable seamless cloud migration. Cato enforces granular access policies, protects users against threats, and prevents sensitive data loss, all easily managed from a single pane of glass. With Cato, businesses are ready for whatever's next. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cato-networks-breaks-sase-speed-barrier-again-with-5-gbps-encrypted-tunnels-to-sites-and-the-cloud-301848590.html SOURCE Cato Networks School safety leader notes Texas becomes fifth state to pass the law AUSTIN, Texas , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTEGIX, the leader in incident response solutions, commended Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature following the signing of Alyssa's Law. The legislation will require Texas public and charter schools to provide all classrooms with silent panic alarm technology. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs school safety legislation, Alyssa's Law "Today, Texas has proven itself to be a nationwide leader in school safety," said CENTEGIX CEO Brent Cobb . "Sadly, recent events have proven what many of us know instinctively: in a crisis, rapid emergency response times save lives, and an effective emergency alert system is crucial to alerting law enforcement as quickly as possible. Thanks to leaders like Governor Abbott , Representative Thierry and Senator Creighton in supporting this important legislation, Texas students, teachers and parents can all rest a little easier." Alyssa's Law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff , a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and has been championed by Alyssa's parents, Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff . Passed unanimously in both the Texas House and Senate, Alyssa's Law garnered support across the political spectrum for its effective, common-sense solution for school safety without imposing an additional financial burden on school districts. CENTEGIX offers its CrisisAlert platform, a rapid incident response solution that protects students and staff members by empowering teachers and staff to immediately get help with a discreet panic button on a wearable badge. CrisisAlert operates via a private network, the ideal solution for schools where gaps in Wi-Fi and poor cellular signals often disrupt connectivity. With built-in location technology and campus-wide notification capabilities, CrisisAlert can simultaneously send a school into lockdown while immediately providing first responders with actionable information enabling them to respond faster in any situation. Exceeding Alyssa's Law requirements, CrisisAlert has already been installed in hundreds of Texas schools and over 6000 sites across the United States , helping bring peace of mind and security to classrooms across the country. Nationwide, CENTEGIX's CrisisAlert platform has successfully delivered more than 100,000 alerts in the 2022/2023 school year. Ninety-eight percent of K-12 alerts were attributed to everyday events, such as a medical emergency or student altercation. To learn more about school safety trends, download CENTEGIX's 2022 Fall School Safety Trends report here . About CENTEGIX: CENTEGIX is the leader in incident response solutions. Our CrisisAlert platform is the fastest and easiest way for staff to get help in any emergency, from the everyday to the extreme. CENTEGIX creates safer spaces by innovating technology to empower and protect people and leaders nationwide trust our safety solutions to provide peace of mind. To learn more about CENTEGIX, visit www.CENTEGIX.com . MEDIA CONTACT Dylan MacInerney (512) 481-2496 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centegix-applauds-texas-after-alyssas-law-officially-enacted-301849998.html SOURCE CENTEGIX Dennis Dobbs to retire after 20 years with the Company JACKSON, Mich., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary Consumers Energy announced today that Dennis Dobbs , vice president of gas engineering and supply will retire after 20 years with the company with Holly Bowers being named vice president of gas engineering and supply, effective June 16 . Bowers will be responsible for overseeing the company's natural gas engineering and supply teams that provide safe, reliable energy service to 1.8 million gas customers. "Holly's expertise within the gas industry and strong commitment to the company's safety, reliability and decarbonization goals will benefit our customers and communities," said Tonya Berry , senior vice president of transformation and engineering. "I wish Dennis the best on his well-deserved retirement and look forward to working alongside Holly as we continue to strengthen our partnership across Operations and Engineering." Holly previously served as the executive director of operations compliance and controls for Consumers Energy. She joined the company in 1998 and has more than 25 years in the company's gas business and has worked in multiple areas ensuring its safety, integrity, reliability, and affordability for our customers. Her work leading our Gas Safety Management System, quality controls, damage prevention and public safety has been critical to our long-term success and the safety of the public and our co-workers. Bowers holds a bachelor's degree in biosystems engineering with an environmental specialization from Michigan State University and a master's degree in business administration from Baker College. She also serves on Michigan State University Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Industry Advisory Board, Michigan 811 Miss Dig Board of Directors and is active in the American Gas Association. CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan -based company that has an electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, as its primary business. It also owns and operates independent power generation businesses. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cms-energy-announces-holly-bowers-as-vice-president-of-gas-engineering-and-supply-301849641.html SOURCE CMS Energy GPU Acceleration Key to Enabling Curvilinear Photomask Features for the Widest Semiconductor Process Windows SAN JOSE, Calif. , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- D2S, a supplier of GPU-accelerated solutions for semiconductor manufacturing, today announced that it has received a milestone order for its 50th GPU-accelerated computational design platform (CDP), a scalable processing solution for simulation-based semiconductor design and manufacturing applications. D2S CDPs are architected to ensure the high speed, accuracy and reliability required for 24x7 cleanroom production environments, and provide a variety of benefits to help customers achieve manufacturing success on their leading-edge photomask and chip designs. Altogether, D2S has incorporated more than 3,000 GPUs into its CDP products, representing a combined total of more than 50,000,000,000,000,000 floating point operations per second (50 PetaFLOPS) of single precision (SP) processing speed. Last month, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang spoke at the ITF World 2023 semiconductor conference in Antwerp, Belgium , where he discussed the importance of accelerated computing and how GPUs are becoming increasingly integral to chip manufacturing. D2S was cited by Huang as an example of a company leveraging NVIDIA GPU accelerated solutions for advanced chip manufacturing(1). GPU Acceleration Revolutionizing Semiconductor Design and Manufacturing Computing applications used in semiconductor design and manufacturing have ever-increasing requirements for speed, accuracy and reliability as the leading-edge nodes fueled by high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (specifically deep learning) enter the 3-nm era and beyond. These applications include inverse lithography technology (ILT) to produce curvilinear shapes on photomasks, mask process correction (MPC) for multi-beam mask writing to process these incredibly complex mask shapes, curvilinear mask and wafer simulation and verification, and deep learning for photomask and semiconductor manufacturing. Curvilinear mask features have been shown not only to print more accurately, but also to print more reliably, which is good for both mask and wafer quality. At the same time, leading-edge mask making is inherently pixel-based from ILT that computes the desired mask shapes in the pixel domain in order to optimize wafer performance, including D2S TrueMask ILT; and multi-beam mask writers that expose the resist on the mask using hundreds of thousands of eBeam pixels in parallel; to mask inspection and metrology systems, which take digitized (pixel-based) pictures to verify and monitor mask quality. The shift to the pixel domain for leading-edge masks naturally leads to the use of GPU-accelerated computing, which excels in pixel-domain computation(2). In addition, GPU-based computing is a foundation for most deep learning computations, which have become important for complex, computation-heavy applications. D2S CDPs combined with D2S GPU-accelerated software solutions enable simulation-based accurate manipulation and analysis, particularly for curvilinear shapes. D2S software applications are based on NVIDIA CUDA, a parallel computing platform and programming model for GPUs. The latest seventh-generation CDP from D2S is powered by NVIDIA Ampere architecture-based A40 GPUs, and achieves more than 1.8 PetaFLOPS (SP) of computing power in a one-rack CDP. According to Aki Fujimura , CEO of D2S, "D2S GPU-accelerated pixel-domain solutions help customers to achieve manufacturing success on their leading-edge mask and chip designs. Curvilinear mask making is now a practical reality thanks in part to GPU acceleration. Now that the mask manufacturing chain is ready for curvy, it's time for the EDA infrastructure to rethink the Manhattan assumption of chip designs. With the power of GPU computing and the ability to manufacture curvy design features, the door is finally open for curvy design tools to enable even better manufacturing-aware designs." Note to Editors Attending DAC 2023 Aki Fujimura is moderating the panel, "Why is Curvy Design an Opportunity Now?," at the 60thDesign Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 1:30-3:00pm PDT at Moscone West, Room 3014 . More information can be found here. References (1) Caulfield, B. (2023, May 16 ). Chip Manufacturing 'Ideal Application' for AI, NVIDIA CEO Says. NVIDIA. https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2023/05/16/itf-world-2023/ (2) Fujimura, A. (2023, January 9 ). Shot Talk: GPUs, Pixels, DL, Curvy Masks & Designs [Video]. eBeam Initiative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=427ZBMsy7JI/ About D2S D2S is a supplier of GPU-accelerated solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. The company provides simulation-based custom solutions to leading equipment partners and D2S TrueMask solutions to photomask and wafer manufacturers. D2S TrueMask solutions use the D2S Computational Design Platform to enable advanced photomask designs using complex rectilinear and curvilinear shapes for superior wafer quality within practical, cost-effective write-times. D2S is the managing sponsor of the eBeam Initiative and a founding member of the Center for Deep Learning in Electronics Manufacturing (CDLe). Headquartered in San Jose, Calif. , the company was founded in 2007. For more information, see: www.design2silicon.com. D2S, the D2S logo and TrueMask are registered trademarks of D2S, Inc. Contact: David Moreno Principal Open Sky Communications Tel: +1.415.519.3915 E-mail: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/d2s-receives-milestone-order-for-50th-gpu-based-computational-design-platform-for-optimizing-semiconductor-manufacturing-301849156.html SOURCE D2S BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. and CLEVELAND , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DealerShop, Inc. and Resilience Capital Partners, a Cleveland -based private equity firm, announced today that it has acquired Jobbers Automotive, a leading full-service supplier of automotive paint, janitorial supplies, body shop equipment, bulk oil, and WeatherTech products serving automotive dealerships and collision centers in Ohio . The acquisition will expand DealerShop's national footprint and product offering for franchised new-vehicle dealerships and independent service centers in North America . "Jobbers Automotive has a long-standing reputation for providing exceptional service and high-quality products to the Ohio market for over 70 years," said Bill Gryzenia , President & CEO of DealerShop. "We are delighted to have the talented and experienced Jobbers Automotive team join the DealerShop family of companies. The acquisition will enable us to provide our customers with a broader range of products and services and leverage the synergies from the consolidated footprint to drive growth and enhance value." CEO of Jobbers Automotive, John Gemperline stated "I am thrilled that Jobbers Automotive joining forces with DealerShop to provide even greater value to our customers and opportunities for our employees. This acquisition marks a new chapter in our company's growth, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together as a team." "We are all very excited about this next chapter of growth for DealerShop. Strategic geographic expansion has been one of our key priorities and we look forward to continuing our robust growth trajectory," said Bassem Mansour , CEO of Resilience Capital Partners. About Jobbers Automotive Jobbers Automotive is a full-service supplier of auto parts, janitorial supplies, equipment, bulk oil, and WeatherTech products. The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio , and has been serving automotive dealerships and collision centers in Ohio for more than 50 years. For more information, please visit https://jobbersauto.com/ and http://www.premierpaint.com/. About DealerShop DealerShop is a part of Leader Auto Resources (LAR) family of companies, the largest sourcing partner for franchised new vehicle dealerships in North America . DealerShop provides a broad range of products and services to dealerships and collision centers, including high-volume and private-label products, direct products and services, equipment for buildout or retrofit of new dealerships and collision centers, and training. The company serves over 2,000 dealerships and 270 collision centers in North America . For more information, please visit www.dealershopusa.com. About Resilience Capital Partners Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio , Resilience invests in niche-oriented manufacturing, value added distribution and business service companies with sustainable market positions. Resilience provides a flexible transaction approach to accommodate the needs of businesses and sellers. Since its founding in 2001, Resilience has raised and advised funds with aggregate capital commitments in excess of $675 million on behalf of its global investor base, which includes pension funds, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, fund of funds, family offices, and high net worth individuals. These funds have been invested in 85 companies under 41 platforms in numerous industries. For more information, please visit www.resiliencecapital.com. CONTACT: Bassam Mansour , [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dealershop-acquires-jobbers-automotive-expanding-national-footprint-and-product-offering-301850123.html SOURCE DealerShop, Inc. Regulated Digital ADRs and Other Tokenized Assets Enable Greater Financial Inclusion and a Borderless Economy NEW YORK , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The INX Digital Company, Inc. (NEO: INXD, INXATS: INX, OTCQB: INXDF) ("INX"), a broker-dealer and inter-dealer broker, announced today a strategic partnership with The Digital Securities Depositary Corporation (DSDC) , a leader in financial infrastructure for the compliant issuance and servicing of tokenized financial assets, that will innovate the issuance of fully regulated digital American depositary receipts (ADRs). The collaboration marks an important milestone in the next chapter of tokenized financial assets, opening up new avenues for traditional asset investment and wealth creation in a Web3 era. "Partnering with DSDC represents a significant step forward in INX's continued mission to transform traditional assets using the power Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in a fully regulated way. Tokenization is already redefining traditional asset functionality and accessibility. It's not just a trend; it's a fundamental shift in how we interact with financial instruments," said Shy Datika , INX's CEO. "Regulated digital ADRs, along with other tokenized assets will unlock new investment opportunities, democratizing access to previously restricted markets, and paving the way for a more inclusive and borderless financial system." By combining DSDC's future institutional-grade market infrastructure powered by KAYLP Technologies DLT with INX's deep experience in the regulated issuance and trading of a variety of digital assets, the two organizations aim to modernize and digitize legacy securities like ADRs - offering investors enhanced opportunities for access and liquidity while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Specifically, the INX.One platform for digital asset issuance, trading and capital raises will soon give investors access to Digital ADRs, along with additional digital assets like tokenized shares, security tokens, digital bonds and more. Additionally, DSDC and the digital ADR will create a new opportunity for international companies, including the UK and those in the EU and beyond to register and list under US regulation. "We are delighted to collaborate with INX to introduce fully regulated digital ADRs. This partnership underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the world of traditional assets by harnessing the power of tokenization and distributed market infrastructure," said Alistair Jones , CEO of the DSDC. "By expanding the options for investors, we aim to unlock new possibilities and create a more inclusive and efficient investment ecosystem." For more information about INX and its novel trading and capital-raising financial instruments for enterprises and companies worldwide, visit https://www.inx.co/. About INX: INX provides a regulated trading platform for digital securities and cryptocurrencies. With the combination of traditional markets expertise and a disruptive fintech approach, INX provides state-of-the-art solutions to modern financial problems. INX is led by an experienced and dedicated team of business, finance, and technology veterans with the shared vision of redefining the world of capital markets via blockchain technology and innovative regulatory approach. About The INX Digital Company, Inc. INX is the holding company for the INX Group, which includes regulated trading platforms for digital securities and cryptocurrencies, combining traditional markets expertise and an innovative fintech approach. The INX Group's vision is to be the preferred global regulated hub for digital assets on the blockchain. The INX Group's overall mission is to bring communities together and empower them with financial innovation. Our journey started with our initial public token offering of the INX Token in which we raised US$84 million . The INX Group is shaping the blockchain asset industry through its willingness to work in a regulated environment with oversight from regulators like the SEC and FINRA. In addition to operating two regulated trading platforms for blockchain assets, INX's interdealer broker, I.L.S. Brokers, plans to offer non-deliverable cryptocurrency forwards to Tier-1 banks in the future. For more information, please visit the INX Group website here. About DSDC DSDC offers distributed market infrastructure delivering more efficient cross-border settlement of securities in digital format; initially Digital Depository Receipts (DDR's). Any regulated financial institution with an existing service required across the lifecycle of DDRs is invited to apply and join DSDC to offer their security services. Thereby DSDC offers existing firms to position their legacy services for the digital future. For more information, visit DSDC's website at www.dsdc.net . About KALYP Technologies KALYP Technologies is a provider of enterprise software in the capital markets. Its distributed ledger-based software establishes smart market infrastructure for regulated financial institutions and enables more efficient processing of securities in digital format. The firm is independently financed and led by a group of securities industry veterans and distributed ledger technology experts with international presence between London and Boston . For more information visit www.kalyp.io. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Other Disclosures This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses 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. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, INX has made certain assumptions, including with respect to, the continuous development of the INX trading platform, the offering of non-deliverable cryptocurrency forwards, and the development of the digital asset industry. Although INX believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to regulatory developments, the state of the digital securities and cryptocurrencies markets, and general economic conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, INX disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise. The NEO Exchange is not responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. 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 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. For further information, contact: The INX Digital Company, Inc. Investor Relations +1 855 657 2314 Email: [email protected] For more information, contact: Liz Whelan [email protected] (312) 315-0160 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dsdc-and-inx-join-forces-to-pave-the-way-for-regulated-digital-american-depositary-receipts-digital-adrs-301849557.html SOURCE The INX Digital Company, Inc. eDreams ODIGEO welcomes Article 10 of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulations and further calls on the EU and member states to strictly enforce the regulation to create a smarter multimodal EU transport ecosystem. As a one-stop shop for travel with 100 million daily user searches, eDreams ODIGEO has the power to significantly impact consumers' transportation choices. If granted the opportunity, the Company could empower users with increased multimodal transportation options, expanding consumer choice and fostering environmentally smart decisions. However, current limitations imposed on independent travel retailers impede this vast transformative potential. The European Commission and member states should strictly enforce Article 10 to enable customers of online travel agents to more easily access rail tickets, allowing them to compare routes and combine a variety of modes of transport. eDreams ODIGEO has proven the potential impact of smart multimodal mobility which provides consumers with greater choice, flexibility and environmentally smart decisions. On routes where rail content is somewhat available, eDreams ODIGEO successfully incorporates rail segments in 25% of bookings. In EU regions lacking open access to train content, this valuable opportunity for consumers and the environment remains untapped. BARCELONA, Spain , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- eDreams ODIGEO, the world's leading travel subscription platform and the world's largest flight retailer outside of China , welcomes the application of Article 10 of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation across the EU. Article 10, which came into force on 07 June 2023 , mandates that dominant or state-owned rail companies must make real-time dynamic travel data and travel information accessible to independent ticket vendors and enable agents to retail these products without unfair restriction or penalty. These regulations will better enable travellers to compare different modes of transport, supporting customer choice and competition, and improving the cost-effectiveness and convenience of travel in the EU. Such is the importance and potential impact of the regulation changes, eDreams ODIGEO further calls on the European Commission and the national enforcement bodies of member states to strictly enforce the new rules for the benefit of EU consumers and the environment. The enforcement of Article 10 of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation will deliver increased choice to consumers while contributing to a better future environment, thus aligning with the mandate and obligations of the European Commission. For more information, click here . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edreams-odigeo-calls-for-transparency-in-the-european-railway-market-to-promote-intermodality-consumer-choice-and-environmentally-smart-travel-301849592.html SOURCE eDreams ODIGEO WESTCHESTER, Ill. , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, June 19 from 2pm-6pm , House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch will welcome the community and local officials to Memorial Park [ 639 N. Wolf Road in Hillside] for his second Annual Juneteenth and Father's Day Celebration. "I am always excited to bring the community together," said Speaker Welch, who serves as the first African-American Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. "We plan to fellowship, celebrate, and honor our path to progress, freedom, and equality. Juneteenth is a reminder for me of how much each of us are still working to build the American Dream. It's an opportunity to celebrate our history and all that African-Americans have fought for and achieved. We are inviting community leaders, local businesses, families and friends, to join us for what is sure to be a fun and action-packed day of celebration." This Juneteenth event will feature over 30 local vendors and community service organizations, live performances by Chicago rising star, Nyla XO, the infamous Jesse White Tumblers, the soul stirring Ayodele Dance and Drum group, the Proviso West High School drumline, and more. In addition to the 7th District Senator and local Mayors, many statewide officials have also RSVP'd their attendance including: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias , State Comptroller Susana Mendoza , State Treasurer Mike Frerichs , and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin . The Speaker's Juneteenth and Father's Day Celebration is free and open to the public. For questions or to find ways to support and join the celebration, email admin @HDemsIL.com or call 708.838.7010. About Democrats for the Illinois House: We are a political organization supporting Democrats for the Illinois House in fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity for all. Under the leadership of House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Democrats for Illinois House (DIH) is dedicated to promoting the excellent work of the caucus, protecting incumbents, winning competitive races, and serving Illinoisans with integrity. The Illinois House Democratic Caucus is one of the most diverse in the nation representing African-American (22), Latinx (11), Asian American (8), Women (42) and LGBTQ+ (2) members. DIH is committed to creating an environment across the state that is inclusive and welcoming to all people. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/house-speaker-to-host-2nd-annual-juneteenth-celebration-301849931.html SOURCE Democrats for the Illinois House SAN FRANCISCO , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Idemitsu Renewables, a leading renewable energy developer, announced today the signing of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sonoma Clean Power Authority, the not-for-profit, community-based electricity provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing clean energy generation and sustainability in the region. Under the terms of the PPA, Idemitsu Renewables will supply Sonoma Clean Power with renewable energy, storage capacity and related attributes from its 84 MWp solar and 38 MW / 152 MWh battery energy storage project ("Azalea"). The Azalea project is located in Kern County and is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2025. The agreement solidifies a commitment to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition towards a cleaner energy future. "We are delighted to partner with Sonoma Clean Power to deliver clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity to the community," said Cary Vandenberg , CEO of Idemitsu Renewables. "This agreement represents a significant step forward in our shared vision of decarbonizing the energy serving Sonoma Clean Power's service territory." Sonoma Clean Power, as a pioneer in the Community Choice Aggregation model, has been at the forefront of championing renewable energy solutions in California . Through this partnership, Sonoma Clean Power will further enhance its renewable energy portfolio, ensuring a diverse and resilient energy supply for its customers. "This project will allow us to continue offering our customers electricity that is more than 50% renewable and competitively priced, while also adding a substantial amount of reliability through battery storage. We are excited to partner with Idemitsu Renewables to utilize more in-state renewable power with fewer greenhouse gas emissions," said Deb Emerson , Managing Director of Power Procurement at Sonoma Clean Power. The new PPA represents a significant addition to Idemitsu Renewables' renewable energy portfolio and further solidifies its position as a leader in sustainable energy solutions. The collaboration between Idemitsu Renewables and Sonoma Clean Power sets an example for other communities and organizations seeking to accelerate their transition to renewable energy sources. About Idemitsu Renewables: Idemitsu Renewables, the U.S. based renewable energy subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd., is a leading solar and energy storage developer and independent power producer. The company acquires, develops, owns, and operates utilityscale solar power generation plants throughout North America and has offices in California and Nevada . Idemitsu Renewables operates utility-scale solar facilities and has an extensive solar and storage pipeline across the nation. Learn more at www.idemitsurenewables.com. About Sonoma Clean Power: Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is the public power provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties, serving about half a million people. In downtown Santa Rosa , SCP operates the only Advanced Energy Center in the United States dedicated to helping customers transition to 100% renewable energy for their homes, businesses, and vehicles. SCP is also the only power provider in California offering 100% renewable electricity twenty-four hours per day, every day of the year. To learn more, visit sonomacleanpower.org or call 1 (855) 202-2139. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idemitsu-renewables-executes-power-purchase-agreement-with-sonoma-clean-power-301849111.html SOURCE Idemitsu Renewables BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Iran is conducting discussions with 3 European countries - the UK, France and Germany within the framework of diplomatic consultations with regional and non-regional countries, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani wrote on Twitter, Trend reports. Bagheri Kani noted that he discussed a number of issues, including mutual concerns, with his British, French and German counterparts in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Recently, discussions have been held between the parties (Iran and the US, Iran and European countries) both directly and indirectly at the initiative of mediators in order to solve the problems related to Iran's nuclear program. In the discussions, Iran is mainly trying to achieve the abolition of sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries, the removal of its funds frozen in foreign countries, and the abolition of the restriction on the export of crude oil. In return, the US and Western countries want Iran not to acquire an atomic bomb, to keep its nuclear program under control, and to reduce the level of uranium enrichment. On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur ROLLER's commitment to innovation and customer success has propelled its rapid expansion and solidified its position as a market leader. MELBOURNE, Australia , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ROLLER, an all-in-one venue management software company for the leisure and attractions industry, is proud to announce its rank of #15 out of 50 finalists on the prestigious 2023 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast Global list, recognizing its remarkable international growth. The AFR Fast Global list identifies and celebrates the fastest-growing Australian companies making a significant impact on the global stage. ROLLER's recognition on this esteemed list underscores its growth trajectory and demonstrates its continued success in expanding its footprint internationally. "We are humbled to be named on the AFR Fast Global list, which is a testament to our team's dedication and the value we deliver to our customers," said Luke Finn , CEO & Founder of ROLLER. "This recognition reinforces our position as a leading force in the leisure and attractions industry, and we are proud of our achievements in expanding our international presence." Finn added that in addition to continuing ROLLER's strong organic growth, he expects the company will also pursue M&A opportunities in the years ahead. "We now have a truly global team and footprint, which is a great foundation to further expand the products and services we can bring to our customers." To support ROLLER's growth and expansion, it recently welcomed Ash Fagura to the company as Chief Operating Officer, based in San Francisco, CA , expanding its leadership team in the US. Joining ROLLER from Databricks (one of the fastest-growing SaaS businesses of all time), where he was Vice President of Customer Success Strategy, Ash previously spent six years at Campaign Monitor, where he helped the company scale from $50M in revenue to over $250M through organic growth and acquisitions. Ash is a seasoned professional and experienced operational leader in the software space, and ROLLER is thrilled to have his experience onboard to further accelerate its growth trajectory. ROLLER's innovative software solutions have transformed how leisure and attractions venues operate, enabling them to streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive revenue growth. With a comprehensive suite of products that includes ticketing, point-of-sale, integrated payments, and more, ROLLER partners with over 1,300 venues in the attractions industry to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. With over 120 team members in Australia , the United States , and the United Kingdom , ROLLER has established a solid global presence, serving clients in over 25 countries. ROLLER's inclusion on this prestigious list demonstrates its consistent growth and commitment to developing innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the industry. About ROLLER ROLLER is the cloud-based venue management platform for the modern attraction, purpose-built to remove friction from the guest experience at every touchpoint. Their all-in-one platform simplifies its customers' business processes, improving efficiency and maximizing revenue. ROLLER's comprehensive solution includes: Online Checkout & Ticketing, Point-of-Sale, Integrated Payments, Memberships, Gift Cards, Waivers, Self-Serve Kiosks, Cashless Wallets, the Guest Experience Score, and more. To learn more, visit roller.software. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roller-recognized-on-the-afr-fast-global-list-for-exceptional-international-growth-301848993.html SOURCE ROLLER Leading Fast Casual Burger Brand Franchise Partners with Franchisee to Debut Five New Stores Across Salt Lake City DENVER , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smashburger, the leading fast-casual restaurant chain renowned for its hand-smashed to order burgers, announced today the signing of a multi-unit development agreement to further expand its footprint in Utah , bringing five new locations to Salt Lake City . Leading the brand's expansion in the market is multi-unit franchisee Michael Walker of Zuvachs, LLC., who acquired two existing Smashburger locations in Salt Lake City through the deal. The announcement builds on the growth momentum that Smashburger has achieved since the beginning of the year, adding 26 locations to its pipeline. "We are extremely proud of the growth that has been accomplished since reigniting our franchise development program towards the end of last year. Franchisees across the country have seen first-hand how strongly our elevated better-burger experience resonates in each of the markets we operate in, and see the promise in our brand's vision," said Toni Bianco , Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Smashburger. "We're looking to partner with experienced operators that are eager to grow, and Michael has proven to fit that classification." Starting his career as a General Manager for SONIC Drive-In and holding managerial titles for other large brands like Burger King, Walker has over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. In November of 2019, Walker and his business partners, Ralph Bohn , Joe Carpenter and Melanie Castillo , formulated Zuvachs, LLC and began their franchising journey. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic they acquired their first Smashburger location in Lehi, Utah and have been seeking growth opportunities with the brand ever since. In addition to the group's portfolio of Smashburger restaurants, Walker and Zuvachs are set to build five Fazoli's locations in Greater Salt Lake City . "From the moment I took my first bite into Smashburger's signature smashed patty, I knew we had found a brand that shared our passion for quality, flavor and innovation. The brand's commitment to using fresh, premium ingredients and their dedication to handcrafting each burger with precision sets them apart in the fast casual industry, said Walker. "Along with craveable menu items, Smashburger continues to show immense growth potential due to the increased consumer demand for a modern customer experience. We are thrilled to be leading the brand's expansion in Salt Lake City !" Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado , Smashburger is a better-burger brand known for its innovative approach to crafting delicious and high-quality burgers. From the way the burgers are cooked, to the unique flavors they offer, Smashburger is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a burger can be. With over 240 locations, across 34 states and seven countries, Smashburger is the quickest fast casual concept to hit the 200-restaurant milestone and has sustained consistent growth due to its ongoing brand innovation which helps drive store profitability and build guest loyalty. This past year, the brand also redefined its portfolio with the launch of a new restaurant design with some locations offering a full-service bar. Additionally, this March, Smashburger unveiled its new Virtual Drive -Thru design and began testing the prototype at its latest location in Houston . An extension of the traditional drive-thru experience, the Virtual Drive-Thru allows customers to seamlessly place an order online or through the Smashburger app, then pull through the designated parking lane where their food will be delivered to the driver by a Smashburger team member. The Virtual Drive-Thru prototype, coupled with the brand's refreshed kitchen design, reinforces the brand's commitment to innovation and staying in lockstep with the increased consumer demand for convenience and accessibility. Smashburger is looking to expand within Southern California , Georgia and the Carolina's, as well as Florida. Smashburger provides franchise operators site selection criteria, construction, decor, as well as opening support. Once open, the Smashburger team provides regular feedback on ways to increase sales, improve operations and monitor guest feedback. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Smashburger, visit https://smashburger.com/franchising/. About Smashburger Smashburger is a leading fast-casual better burger restaurant known for its Certified Angus Beef burgers that are smashed on the grill to sear in the juices and seal in the flavor. In addition to burgers, Smashburger offers grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, turkey and black bean burgers, fresh salads, signature side items such as Brussels sprouts and SmashFries, and hand-spun shakes. Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado , Smashburger is a recognized Stevie American Business Award winner and was ranked as one of Fast Casual's top 25 brands in its 2023 Top 100 Movers & Shakers Award. The brand has more than 240 corporate and franchise restaurants operating in 34 states and seven countries. To learn more, visit smashburgerfranchising.com. Contact: Anna Lake Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smashburger-accelerates-expansion-in-utah-with-multi-unit-development-agreement-301849168.html SOURCE Smashburger BEIJING , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRIOnline: A clean and beautiful world is essential for building a community of all life on Earth. This shared aspiration spans nations and cultures. The Global Development Initiative is actively driving the push towards global green and sustainable development, injecting fresh momentum into the cause. Shaanxi Province is a significant energy hub and a crucial base for China's comprehensive energy security. The province plays a vital role in the transportation of coal, the transmission of power, and the shipping of gas from western China to eastern China , serving as a gateway for the national dual carbon strategy. On June 7, 2023 , over 20 diplomats from 15 countries visited State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Company to witness Shaanxi's efforts in implementing the dual-carbon strategy. Solomon Tesfaye Telila , the Minister of the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China , was invited to deliver a speech on behalf of the diplomats at the meeting. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment and cooperation between China , Ethiopia , and the broader African community, stressing the crucial role it plays in unlocking the full potential of mutually beneficial partnerships. He believed that by collaborating, both countries can lay a strong groundwork for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and improving the lives of people worldwide. The original speech text is as follows: I am honored to stand in front of you and speaks not as an observer but as a witness to the solid cooperation between China and Ethiopia in the energy sector. China and Ethiopia have been engaged in cooperation in the area of energy for several years. Here are some key aspects of their collaboration: Infrastructure Development: China has been involved in the construction of major energy infrastructure projects in Ethiopia , particularly in the hydroelectric sector. Chinese companies have played a significant role in the development of hydroelectric dams, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) transmission line and the Gibe III Dam . These projects aim to increase Ethiopia's power generation capacity and promote renewable energy sources. China has provided financial support and investment for energy projects in Ethiopia . Chinese institutions, such as the Export-Import Bank of China and China Development Bank, have extended loans and credit facilities to Ethiopia for the development of energy infrastructure.. China has facilitated technology transfer and knowledge sharing in the energy sector. This includes providing expertise in hydropower generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Chinese companies have introduced advanced technologies and equipment, helping Ethiopia in enhancing its energy capabilities and improving the efficiency of its power infrastructure. China has supported Ethiopia's efforts to develop renewable energy sources. This includes collaboration in the development of wind farms, such as the Adama Wind Power Project, and the exploration of solar energy projects. China has also provided training and capacity building programs for Ethiopian professionals in the energy sector. This includes technical training on power plant operation, maintenance, and management. These initiatives aim to enhance the skills of Ethiopian personnel and foster self-sufficiency in energy infrastructure development and operation. China has been involved in various electric generation projects in Ethiopia. Here are a few examples of Chinese companies that have been involved in this sector are China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC):CGGC has been involved in several hydroelectric projects in Ethiopia . China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC): CSCEC has been involved in the construction of both hydroelectric and wind power projects, such as the Adama II Wind Power Project. China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd (CET) has been worked on projects to improve the country's power infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of electricity transmission. China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC): CMEC has been involved in the construction of several power plants in Ethiopia , including the Gibe III hydroelectric project. They have also been involved in the development of solar power projects in the country. The work done by the State Grid China so far include but not limited to: 1. The 8 cities 9000 km distribution line and rehabilitation work such as Addis Ababa , Hawassa, Jimma, Bahir Dar , Mekele, Dere Dawa, Adama, Harare totally 19664 km transmission line. 2. Ethio-Kenya, Ethio-Djibouti GERD-Holeta-Addis Ababa Transmission line. A key project for regional integration. 3. Solar projects Infrastructure investment and cooperation between China and Ethiopia and Africa at large is crucial for unlocking the full potential of our win win partnership. By working together, we can build a solid foundation for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and improved livelihoods for our peoples. Let us seize this opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions, forge new partnerships in the post pandemic era that will pave the way for a brighter future. Together, we can create a robust and interconnected Africa that is resilient, prosperous, and fully integrated into the global economy. Thank you. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solomon-tesfaye-telila-minister-of-the-embassy-of-the-federal-democratic-republic-of-ethiopia-in-china-expecting-more-chinese-approaches-in-promoting-global-sustainable-prosperity-and-development-301849329.html SOURCE CRIOnline ST. LOUIS , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) (the "Company" or "we") today announced that it commenced an underwritten public offering of shares of the Company's common stock having an offering price of $112.0 million (the "offering"). The offering is being made as part of our existing "at-the-market" offering program (the "ATM Program"). The Company expects to enter into a terms agreement with Morgan Stanley, as underwriter, forward purchaser and forward seller, with respect to the offering, pursuant to which the underwriter will agree to purchase, and the Company and the forward seller, as applicable, will agree to sell shares of the Company's common stock having an offering price of $112.0 million (or $128.8 million if the underwriter exercises its option in full to purchase additional shares having an offering price of $16.8 million ). The Company also expects to enter into a forward sale transaction under a forward sale agreement with Morgan Stanley, in its capacity as the forward purchaser, relating to shares of the Company's common stock having an offering price of $112.0 million , and agrees to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to enter into an additional forward sale transaction if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares, which additional forward transaction will relate to such number of additional shares. In connection with the execution of the forward sale transaction, the forward seller is expected to borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriter in the offering shares of the Company's common stock having an offering price of $112.0 million . Subject to its right to elect cash or net share settlement, which right is subject to certain conditions, the Company intends to deliver, upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreement(s) on one or more dates specified by the Company, to the forward purchaser the same number of shares of the Company's common stock that Morgan Stanley agrees to purchase from the forward seller in exchange for cash proceeds per share equal to the applicable forward sale price, which will be the public offering price, and will be subject to certain adjustments as provided in the forward sale agreement. The Company will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the forward seller or its affiliates, unless an event occurs that requires the Company to sell common stock to the underwriter. The Company intends to use the net proceeds received upon physical settlement of the forward sale transaction(s) (or from the sale of any shares of common stock sold by the Company to the underwriter in connection with the offering) for general corporate purposes, including to fund the acquisition of MoGas Pipeline Company LLC and related businesses. The terms agreement and the forward sale agreement will be entered into pursuant to the equity distribution agreement, dated as of February 6, 2019 , as modified by a letter agreement dated May 14, 2019 and May 9, 2022 , between the Company and each of the parties thereto. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement (File No. 333-264799) and related prospectus supplement and prospectus, each filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on May 9, 2022 . A pricing supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. Copies of the pricing supplement and accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street , 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Spire The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SR". The Company has three segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream. The Gas Utility segment consists of the regulated natural gas distribution operations of the Company and is the Company's core business segment. The Gas Utility segment is comprised of the operations of Spire Missouri, serving St. Louis , Kansas City , and other areas in Missouri ; Spire Alabama, serving central and northern Alabama ; and the subsidiaries of Spire Energy South, serving the Mobile, Alabama area and south-central Mississippi . The Gas Marketing segment includes Spire Marketing Inc., which provides non-regulated natural gas services throughout the United States . The Midstream segment includes Spire Storage and Spire STL Pipeline, which are subsidiaries engaged in the storage and transportation of natural gas. Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about the terms and size of the offering, the intended use of proceeds from the offering, if any, that represent the Company's expectations and projections for the future. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Although these forward-looking statements are based on good faith beliefs, reasonable assumptions and the Company's best judgment reflecting current information, you should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance or future achievements or events. These factors include weather conditions, economic factors, the competitive environment, governmental and regulatory policy and action, and risks associated with acquisitions and others listed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Unless legally required, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in the Company's expectations or assumptions or otherwise. For further information about the Company's business and financial results, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 6, 2023 , Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investor Contact: Scott W. Dudley Jr . 314-342-0878 [email protected] Media Contact: Jessica B. Willingham 314-342-3300 [email protected]com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spire-announces-proposed-offering-of-common-stock-301850017.html SOURCE Spire Inc. The Carrier's Largest Self-Bag Drop System Launches at Orlando International Airport Photos and video of self-bag drop available HERE MIRAMAR, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Airlines' (NYSE: SAVE) Guests can now breeze through check-in at Orlando International Airport (MCO) with the addition of the airline's award-winning self-bag drop with biometric photo-matching. Spirit today celebrated 30 years of service in Orlando with the official unveiling of 19 newly installed self-bag drop units at MCO. It's the largest set-up of its kind for the carrier at any airport and more than triple the size of Spirit's next largest self-bag drop operation. Self-bag drop allows Guests to check bags directly without working with an agent. Spirit's machines are also equipped with biometric photo-matching capability that compares a scan of government-issued identification with a photo of the Guest for verification. Following an initial testing period at MCO with both manual ID check and biometric opt-in, the solution will eliminate the need to hand government-issued identification to an agent when checking baggage. "We've grown to become largest ultra-low-fare carrier at MCO, and adding this convenient, self-service option is a significant investment that gives our Guests more control over their journey while spending less time in the lobby," said Mike Byrom , Vice President of Airports & Crew Services for Spirit Airlines. "We thank the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority for their partnership as we celebrate 30 years in this community, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide More Go for travelers to enjoy all that Orlando has to offer." Spirit developed the nation's first biometric photo-matching solution for domestic air travel in 2019 with its partner Materna Intelligent Passenger Solutions (IPS) North America. Spirit was also the first to pursue combining it with automated self-bag drop capabilities to reduce interactions and increase efficiency. The system is also operating at Atlanta (ATL), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX), and it was recognized for two prestigious awards: the "2021 Best Airport Innovation" by the APEX/IFSA Awards, and the Skift 2021 IDEA Awards Winner in the Aviation Category that honors the companies, projects and campaigns driving the travel industry forward. Here's how the solution works: Guests start by tagging their own checked bags after checking in at the kiosk and then proceed to the self-bag drops. Guests are advised of the biometric option after scanning their boarding pass at the self-bag drop unit. They may either opt in and continue unassisted or opt out for agent-assisted service. Once the Guest opts in, the unit instructs them to scan their ID on the built-in hardware. The unit compares its scan of the photo on the ID with a facial scan captured by its on-board camera, along with comparing ID information with the Guest's reservation details. None of the data is transmitted to any government agency. A successful match initiates the rest of the bag check-in process. Guests are instructed to place their bags on the conveyor belt attached to the unit, which then scans the bags, weighs them, accepts payment for any additional services, and sends them straight into the airport's checked baggage system without further action from the Guest. Spirit Guests currently check up to 8,000 bags a day on peak days at MCO, each of which represents an agent interaction that can be streamlined. Testing data show the new procedure drops average processing time to just 70 seconds per Guest, reducing time spent at bag check by 30 percent. Additionally, Guests can take advantage of the time savings and reduction in interactions whether they're travelling domestically or internationally. The self-bag drop system uses software capable of analyzing key physical features on more than 50,000 forms of ID from nearly 200 countries that a Guest could potentially use when traveling in the United States . Combined with the units' scanning hardware, the software confirms the authenticity of an ID and rejects fraudulent documents before Guests check their baggage. The self-bag drop system will complement Spirit's large presence in Orlando . The airline currently offers service from MCO to more than 50 destinations, including 11 international destinations. Spirit added service from MCO to ten new destinations in the last two years alone. Orlando is home to one of Spirit's Flight Attendant training centers and one of its operations control centers (OCC), and MCO is home to one of the carrier's largest Pilot and Flight Attendant crew bases. Soar With Us There is no limit to how fast and how far you can grow within Spirit. We're growing and hiring Pilots, Flight Attendants, Aviation Maintenance Technicians and other roles across the company. Visit spirit.com/careers for information. About Spirit Airlines: Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose like bags, seat assignments, refreshments and Wi-Fi something we call A La Smarte. Our Fit Fleet is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the United States . We serve destinations throughout the U.S. , Latin America and the Caribbean , making it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. We are committed to inspiring positive change in the communities where we live and work through the Spirit Charitable Foundation. Come save with us at spirit.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-airlines-celebrates-30-years-in-orlando-with-a-major-investment-to-streamline-the-check-in-experience-301848654.html SOURCE Spirit Airlines, Inc. The company also announced partnerships with a team of professional design and construction contractors Ghafari, Evans General Contractors, Koch Project Solutions for plant construction. PITTSBURGH, Pa. , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 6K Energy, a leader in the sustainable production of engineered materials for lithium-ion batteries, today officially broke ground on the construction of the world's first sustainable multi-chemistry cathode manufacturing plant scheduled to open in Q3, 2024. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee , Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter , 6K CEO Dr. Aaron Bent , and 6K Energy President Sam Trinch were joined by local business and community leaders, construction and supply partners as well as lithium-ion battery industry executives for the event. Governor Bill Lee said, "6K Energy's decision to invest more than $200 million in Jackson is a testament to Tennessee's unmatched business climate, highly skilled workforce and position as a leader in the automotive industry. I thank 6K Energy for creating 230 new jobs to provide greater opportunity to Tennesseans across Madison county ." 6K Energy President Sam Trinch added, "Our PlusCAM facility is the world's most sustainable process that fulfills the need for domestically, sourced low-cost battery material for our nation's critical infrastructure, grid storage, and electric vehicles. Having representatives here at the groundbreaking such as our perspective customers, materials suppliers, design and construction partners as well as Governor Lee and his team of Tennessee state and county officials underscores the importance of delivering low-cost battery materials." The company also announced strategic relationships with global design and construction partners for the construction of their PlusCAM facility: Koch Project Solutions will be responsible for program management of the construction project; Ghafari, a global architect and process design firm with battery material and automotive architectural experience will lead the design efforts; and Evans General Contractors will head up the construction efforts. Earlier this year 6K Energy announced the PlusCAM factory, a full-scale battery material manufacturing plant, scheduled to open in late 2024 with 13K metric tons per annum (tpa) production capacity. The PlusCAM factory will be the world's first UniMelt plasma cathode plant providing low-cost, ultra-sustainable production of battery material for localized supply chains in the US. In addition, the company announced a $50M Department of Energy grant opportunity that will partially fund the $200+ million PlusCAM factory. Notes for Editors 6K press releases are available here: https://www.6kinc.com/about/news/ About 6K With sustainability at its core, 6K has developed UniMelt, a proprietary advanced microwave plasma production system, to transform engineered materials into revolutionary products that advance industries across additive manufacturing, renewable energy, aerospace, consumer electronics, and more. 6K represents 6000 degrees, both the temperature of the operation of UniMelt, the world's only microwave production scale plasma system, and the temperature of the sun's surface. 6K was founded in North Andover, Massachusetts . The 6K Energy division is focused on the production of low-cost, sustainable, and domestically produced battery material accelerating the pace of battery production and adoption of electric vehicles. The 6K Additive division specializes in sustainably sourced, AM metal powders production and reclamation, using a proprietary milling and cleaning process that ensures contamination-free, high-quality powders. For more information, visit www.6Kinc.com and follow @6KInc on Twitter. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tennessee-governor-bill-lee-joins-6k-executives-for-official-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-the-pluscam-battery-material-production-plant-in-jackson-tn-301849832.html SOURCE 6K RIO DE JANEIRO , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vale S.A. ("Vale"), further to the press release issued on June 7, 2023 , announces the Consideration (as defined below) payable in connection with the previously announced offer to purchase (the "Offer") with respect to any and all outstanding 6.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes") issued by its wholly owned subsidiary, Vale Overseas Limited ("Vale Overseas" or the "Offeror"). Issuer Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Principal Amount Outstanding Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page(1) Fixed Spread Repurchase Yield Consideration(2) Vale Overseas 6.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2026 CUSIP: 91911TAP8 ISIN: US91911TAP84 US$745,441,000 3.625% due May 15, 2026 FIT1 +58 bps 4.810 % US$1,041.55 (1) The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Managers (as defined herein) quoted the bid side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security. (2) Per US$1,000 principal amount. The Consideration was calculated using the fixed spread for the 2026 Notes to the yield of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security as of 11:00 a.m. , New York City time, earlier today. All holders of 2026 Notes accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on the 2026 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase from and including the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the Any and All Settlement Date (as defined below). The Offer is made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated June 7, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase") relating to the 2026 Notes and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery"). The Consideration payable per US$1,000 principal amount of 2026 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer has been determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase (the "Consideration") by reference to the fixed spread for the 2026 Notes specified in the table above plus the yield based on the bid-side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury Reference Security specified in the table above at 11:00 a.m. , New York City time, earlier today. Holders of 2026 Notes who (i) validly tender and do not validly withdraw their 2026 Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below), or (ii) deliver a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other required documents pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on or prior to the Expiration Date and that tender their 2026 Notes on or prior to the Guaranteed Delivery Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and whose 2026 Notes are accepted for purchase will be eligible to receive the Consideration. Holders will also receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") on the 2026 Notes accepted for purchase in the Offer from, and including, the last interest payment date for the 2026 Notes up to, but excluding, the Any and All Settlement Date. The Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, today, unless extended (the "Expiration Date"). Payment of the Consideration and Accrued Interest for the 2026 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase is expected to be made, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase, on June 16, 2023 (the "Any and All Settlement Date"). Additional Information Vale has retained BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. to serve as dealer managers ("Dealer Managers") and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as tender and information agent for the Offer ("D.F. King"). The Offer to Purchase and any related supplements are available at the D.F. King website at www.dfking.com/vale. The full details of the Offer, including complete instructions on how to tender Notes (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), are included in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase, including materials incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important information. Requests for the Offer to Purchase and any related supplements may also be directed to D.F. King by telephone at +1 (212) 269-5550 or +1 (800) 591-8263 (US toll free) or in writing at [email protected]. Questions about the Offer may be directed to BMO Capital Markets Corp. by telephone at +1 (212) 702-1840 (collect) or +1 (833) 418-0762 (US toll free), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 723-6106 (collect) or +1 (800) 558-3745 (US toll free), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC by telephone at +1 (212) 834-4045 (collect) or +1 (866) 834-4666 (US toll free) and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 225-5559 (collect) or +1 (833) 498-1660 (US toll free). This news release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Offer is being made only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer to Purchase. The Offer is not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be made by the Dealer Managers on behalf of the Offeror. None of the Offeror, D.F. King, the Dealer Managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Offer. None of the Offeror, D.F. King, the Dealer Managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their affiliates, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Offer other than the information and representations contained in the Offer to Purchase. Gustavo Duarte Pimenta Executive Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations For further information, please contact: [email protected] Ivan Fadel : [email protected] Mariana Rocha : [email protected] Luciana Oliveti : [email protected] Pedro Terra : [email protected] This press release may include statements that present Vale's expectations about future events or results. All statements, when based upon expectations about the future, involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such statements will prove correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) economic, political and social issues in the countries in which we operate, (b) the global economy, (c) commodity prices, (d) financial and capital markets, (e) the mining and metals businesses, which are cyclical in nature, and their dependence upon global industrial production, which is also cyclical, (f) regulation and taxation, (g) operational incidents or accidents, and (h) the high degree of global competition in the markets in which we operate. To obtain further information on factors that may lead to results different from those forecast by Vale, please consult the reports Vale files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Brazilian Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM), and in particular the factors discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Vale's annual report on Form 20-F. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vale-announces-pricing-for-cash-tender-offer-for-notes-due-2026-301849862.html SOURCE Vale S.A. FILE PHOTO: A container ship is shown at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 22, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo By David Shepardson and Lisa Baertlein WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -West Coast port employers and the union representing 22,000 workers have "overcome some sticking points" in tense labor talks that have entered their 13th month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday. Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su is in San Francisco, where negotiations have been taking place, "meeting with all parties encouraging them to reach a resolution," Jean-Pierre said, adding that Su "has invaluable expertise working closely with these parties." Business groups are pressuring U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene and appoint an independent mediator to finalize a contract since West Coast ports are critical to U.S. supply chains. International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) dockworkers at ports from California to Washington state have been working without a contract since July 2022. Unions are pressing for a bigger share of record profits reaped when cargo shipments surged during the pandemic. Contract talks hit a bump on June 1. Since then, the Pacific Maritime Association employers group has criticized the union for worker absences, which PMA said were deliberately slowing West Coast ports. The PMA specifically called out worker shortages in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle this month. A handful of ships had delays at berth at the busiest U.S. container gateway at Los Angeles/Long Beach due to a lack of "lashers" who secure and unlock containers onboard vessels. The unions are not officially striking or slowing work during talks, but one LA union local recently said its members "had taken it upon themselves to voice their displeasure" after feeling snubbed by employers. "This is what (an) impasse in bargaining looks like. Both sides are probably disappointed, upset, frustrated," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. Still, he added, "We've only had a handful of bad days." On Saturday ILWU President Willie Adams reiterated the union's intention of reaching an agreement. If talks fall apart, mediation fails and port operations cease, Biden can invoke federal labor law to force resumption of normal port operations. The last president to do that was George W. Bush, who invoked that federal law in 2002. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington DC and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Cynthia Osterman) FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump throws a Save America cap as he attends a rally in Warren, Michigan, U.S., October 1, 2022. REUTERS/Chery Dieu-Nalio/File Photo By Jack Queen (Reuters) -Donald Trump faces a formidable task defending against charges that he illegally kept top-secret documents upon leaving the White House in 2021, according to legal experts, who say neither the law nor the facts appear to be on his side. The former U.S. president, who is a candidate to run again in the 2024 election, pleaded not guilty in Florida federal court on Tuesday. The 37 counts against him include violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to investigators. National security law experts were struck by the breadth of evidence in the indictment which includes documents, photos, text messages, audio and witness statements. They said this made a strong case for prosecutors allegation that Trump illegally took the documents and then tried to cover it up. The details are pretty shocking in terms of the carelessness with which these documents were handled, and the concerted effort to keep them out of the hands of the FBI, said Elizabeth Goitein, a national security law expert at the Brennan Center for Justice. Trumps lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has called the case a witch hunt orchestrated by political enemies. "There was no crime, except for what the DOJ and FBI have been doing against me for years, he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday in reference to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Trump's greatest peril could lie in the conspiracy to obstruct justice charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Legal experts said the evidence appears to show that Trump was aware he had documents in his possession that were subject to a subpoena but refused to turn them over and encouraged his lawyers to mislead the FBI. "That's about as clear a case of obstruction as you could imagine," said Clark Neily, a legal expert at the conservative Cato Institute. Obstruction of justice is a particularly difficult charge to defend against, attorney Mark MacDougall said. It offends people. Hiding things from a lawful legal process. Most people understand why thats a crime," he said. Legal experts said Trump's alleged years-long effort to conceal documents was likely a major factor in Special Counsel Jack Smith's decision to indict him. 'WORSE THAN THE CRIME' During the investigation, Trump's lawyers told the FBI that they had turned over all classified documents in their possession, which was false. They deny intentionally misleading investigators. "This is a situation where the cover-up is worse than the crime," the Brennan Center's Goitein said. "If he had only been negligent, no charges would have been brought." The conspiracy element makes the obstruction charges far more serious, and all prosecutors must prove is that Trump worked with another person to try to hinder the investigation, regardless of whether they succeeded. Cato's Neily said that based on his reading of the indictment, prosecutors likely have many witnesses who have given them similar accounts of Trump's efforts. Trump has claimed he declassified the documents before taking them. That assertion is undercut by a taped conversation cited in the indictment, which said Trump showed a secret document to several people and said that he could have declassified it as president but did not. But the classification issue will likely end up being irrelevant. Prosecutors charged Trump under the Espionage Act, a World War One-era law that predates classification and criminalizes only the unauthorized retention of national defense information. National defense information does not need to be classified to be covered by that law, national security law experts said. The information need only be useful to the nations adversaries and be closely held by the government. Lets say all of the documents were declassified. The Espionage Act does not care, said Georgetown University law professor Todd Huntley. COULD TRUMP PARDON HIMSELF? However, Trump does have some potentially successful strategies. His lawyers could challenge witness accounts, blame others or argue he was following the advice of his attorneys and did not intend to break the law. If it goes to trial, a Florida jury would hear the case since that is where the special counsel sought the indictment. In the conservative-leaning state, Trump would need only one juror to oppose his conviction for there to be a mistrial. His defense team could also file motions that would delay a trial until after the November 2024 election. Legal experts disagree over whether Trump could pardon himself if he wins. (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Amy Stevens, Cynthia Osterman and Howard Goller) FILE PHOTO: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Moscow, Russia May 25, 2023. Sputnik/Ilya Pitalev/Kremlin via REUTERS (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus would serve as a deterrent against a potential aggressor and that there should be no hesitation in using them if required. His comments were carried by the Belta news agency. Russia will start deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus after special storage facilities are made ready on July 7-8, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 12. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, Iran and the United States are negotiating in Oman to lift sanctions against Tehran, Trend reports. Kanaani noted that Iran welcomes the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman and seeks to advance negotiations on the lifting of sanctions. He confirmed that there has already been an exchange of views between Iran and the United States with the support of Oman, and the dialogue continues. However, Kanaani denied speculation about the possibility of concluding a new interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program. He stressed that the consultations only concern the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that all other information about the negotiations is just media speculation, and he does not confirm the information about the negotiations on the interim agreement. Airplanes of Brazilian airline Azul are seen at the Pampulha airport after the company suspended several flights, amid a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, April 2, 2020. REUTERS/Washington Alves By Gabriel Araujo SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian airline Azul on Tuesday launched exchange offers aimed at pushing forward bonds originally set to mature in 2024 and 2026, the latest move in a broader restructuring plan it expects to remove an overhang on its stock. The exchange offers total $1 billion and follow a deal with aircraft lessors to give them equity and tradeable debt in exchange for lower payments, a deal seen reducing lease payments by a total 5.4 billion reais ($1.11 billion) in the long term. Azul said in a securities filing it would look to exchange 5.875% notes due 2024 and totaling $400 million for newly issued 11.5% notes due 2029, while $600 million in 7.25% notes maturing in 2026 would be exchanged by 10.875% notes due 2030. "Markets were looking a lot at Azul's short term debt, and we are going to get it all out of our way," Azul CEO John Rodgerson told Reuters in light of the announcement. "That's going to give a lot of track for Azul to really take off now." Rodgerson acknowledged the interest paid on the new notes would be higher because of the "complex" global scenario of high rates, but assured the move would be beneficial for both the company and bondholders, with 100% of the notes set to be paid. A group accounting for 65.5% of the 2024 notes and 65.8% of the 2026 bonds already agreed with the exchange offer, Azul added. "We are structuring all of this to solve all the short-term problems we had," Rodgerson said, noting the company believes those issues had been an overhang on its shares and debt until now. Brazil-traded shares in Azul are up roughly 75% so far this year, having closed at 19.21 reais each on Monday, but remain far below their pre-pandemic highs, when they traded above the 60-real mark. Analysts at Bank of America recently upgraded their recommendation on Azul to "Neutral" from "Underperform", citing foreign exchange and oil price tailwinds as well as its restructuring plan. ($1 = 4.8581 reais) (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Steven Grattan and Conor Humphries) By Vitalii Hnidyi NESKUCHNE, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukraine's blue and yellow flag flew over a ruined grocery store and Russian soldiers lay dead in the street of the village of Neskuchne, reached by Reuters journalists on Tuesday in the first independent confirmation of Ukraine's biggest advances for seven months against Russia's invasion. Russia has not acknowledged any Ukrainian gains, and President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that for now he saw no need for a new mobilisation of fighting men to confront the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched last week. "There is no such need today," Putin told a televised meeting of Russian war correspondents and military bloggers when asked about another mobilisation. But he added that it all depended on what Russia wanted to achieve in what it describes as a "special military operation" in Ukraine. More than 15 months since Putin sent troops into Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces are still battling along a 1,000-km (600-mile) front line, though far from the capital Kyiv. Russian forces tried, and failed, to capture Kyiv in the hours and days after the invasion began on Feb. 24 last year. In comments shown on the Russian state TV broadcast, Putin said he faced a question only he could answer - should Russia try to take Kyiv again? Once again on Tuesday Putin threatened to withdraw Russia from the Black Sea grain deal, designed to ease a global food crisis worsened by the invasion, saying the West had cheated Moscow. Russia and Ukraine are both major agricultural exporters. "We are thinking about getting out of this grain deal now," Putin told the meeting. "Unfortunately, we were once again cheated - nothing was done in terms of liberalising the supply of our grain to foreign markets." The deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey will expire on July 17 unless Russia agrees to extend it. UKRAINIAN TROOPS RIDE THROUGH RECAPTURED VILLAGE Not a single resident could be found in Neskuchne, one of a cluster of settlements on the Mokry Yali river that Ukraine says its troops have captured since their counteroffensive began in a steady advance southwards into Russian-held territory. Ukrainian troops rode through the muddy streets on the back of a tank and in a pick-up truck. A warplane flew overhead, firing flares. "Three days ago the Russian forces were still here. We chased them out of Neskuchne. Glory to Ukraine," said Artem, a member of a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, who gave no surname. The mainly one- and two-storey buildings in the village, which had a population of several hundred before the invasion, had nearly all been damaged. The scene was silent, apart for the crump of artillery fire in the distance. Reuters saw at least three dead Russian soldiers lying in the street, including one whose fly-blown body lay by an abandoned Russian military vehicle. Artem said the advancing Ukrainian troops had watched from a drone as comrades initially tried to evacuate him, only to dump him and flee. It was the first independent confirmation of Ukraine's advance in the area, roughly 90 km southwest of the city of Donetsk, one of several axes where it is trying to break through Russian lines. In Washington, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said as he met U.S. President Joe Biden that the military alliance's support to Ukraine was making a difference on the battlefield. "It's still early days, but what we do know is that the more land Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table," Stoltenberg said. EARLY DAYS OF ASSAULT Ukraine had stuck to a defensive posture through seven months of a Russian winter and spring campaign that yielded scant gains. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday night gave an updated casualty count for a Russian missile strike on an apartment building and warehouses in his birthplace of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine - 11 killed and more than 30 injured. Russia, for its part, has had months to prepare several layers of defensive lines, meaning Ukraine's advance so far does not necessarily amount to a breach through the front. After a week of giving little information, Ukraine said on Monday it had retaken seven settlements so far. Troops have advanced up to 6.5 km (4 miles) and seized 90 square km (35 square miles) of ground along a 100-km-long (60-mile-long) stretch of the southern front line, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said. Putin told the televised meeting with war correspondents that Ukraine's counteroffensive had not been successful in any areas, and claimed that Ukrainian casualties had been 10 times higher than Russia's. Leaked U.S. intelligence documents have estimated Russia has suffered losses several times greater than Ukraine's, with the worst casualties coming in recent months. Ukraine does not usually comment on its losses. Putin declined to say whether Moscow would launch a new offensive of its own, saying that Russia's future plans would be decided once the Ukrainian counteroffensive was over. The Russian defence ministry said on Tuesday its forces had fended off Ukrainian attacks near the villages of Makarivka, Rivnopil and Prechystivka. Makarivka is located further south along the river from Neskuchne. Moscow also released video footage of what it said were German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicles captured in battle. Reuters could not immediately verify the location or time of the footage. (Additional reporting by Max Hunder in Kryvyi Rih, Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow and Reuters Bureaux; Writing by Peter Graff, Alex Richardson and Grant McCool; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Mark Heinrich) FILE PHOTO: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a press conference after talks with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra in Beijing, China, May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) -China attaches great importance to the Palestinian issue and will continue to support peace talks, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his visiting Palestinian counterpart in Beijing on Tuesday, offering to contribute "Chinese wisdom." China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, Qin also reportedly told Palestine's Riyad al-Maliki, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Beijing on a three-day state visit in which he hopes to demonstrate that there is Chinese support for a Palestinian state, after failing to meet with American officials while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly last month. During what is Abbas' fifth visit to China, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the Palestinian cause as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern, according to official Palestinian media. China has historically had a good relationship with the Palestinians and since Abbas' last visit in 2017 has consistently talked up its capabilities in mediation, although it had little to show in this regard until it brokered a surprise deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties in March. Chinese envoys occasionally visit Israel and the Palestinian Territories but China has traditionally not played a major role in Middle East conflicts, or diplomacy, despite its reliance on the region for oil. But China looks set to increase its economic presence in the Palestinian territories, with the two countries having reached agreement in principle over four projects that China will fund in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Mohammed Mustafa, economic adviser to President Abbas. "Hopefully the initial signing will take place (on Wednesday) in the presence of the two presidents," Mustafa said on Palestinian television earlier on Tuesday. The projects include a solar power installation, a factory for solar panel production, a steel plant, and road infrastructure development, Mustafa added. President Abbas is scheduled to attend an event at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House on Wednesday, which is often used for such events. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah. Editing by William Maclean and Sharon Singleton) FILE PHOTO: Colombian presidential candidate Oscar Ivan Zuluaga casts his vote during congressional and presidential coalitions elections that will determine which candidates will head to the first round of presidential voting, in Bogota, Colombia March 1 BOGOTA (Reuters) - Former Colombia presidential candidate and minister Oscar Ivan Zuluaga violated the law when he received money from disgraced Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht, the Colombian attorney general's office said on Tuesday. Odebrecht and its parent company agreed in 2016 to pay $3.5 billion to settle bribery-related charges brought by U.S., Brazilian and Swiss regulators. Charges related to the company have been brought against officials across Latin America, including in Colombia. "Given the abundant probative material obtained, an indictment hearing against ex-presidential candidate Oscar Ivan Zuluaga Escobar ... is requested," the prosecutor's office said in a statement, adding it plans to charge him with fraud and illicit enrichment. It was not immediately possible to obtain comment from Zuluaga or Odebrecht. In 2014, Zuluaga met on several occasions with the former head of Odebrecht in Colombia, Eleuberto Antonio Martorelli, the prosecutor said. The two men apparently agreed the Brazilian company would pay for the services of a campaign publicist and Odebrecht transferred $1.61 million to the publicist's account in Panama, the statement said, violating a law that prohibits foreign financing of political parties. "The evidence shows Oscar Ivan Zuluaga knew about the illegal contribution and presented accounting with an omission to the National Electoral Council ... hiding information about the economic collaboration of Odebrecht," the prosecutor's office said. The alleged lies to the council led it to close an investigation into Zuluaga, the statement added. Zuluaga's son David Zuluaga will also be charged with fraud, the prosecutor said. The office also requested a hearing to lay charges against former transport minister Cecilia Elvira Alvarez, for alleged fraud in a construction deal also involving Odebrecht. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Nick Zieminski) FILE PHOTO: Forensic experts and homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), gather to exhume bodies of suspected followers of a Christian cult named as "Good News International Church", who believed they would go to heaven NAIROBI (Reuters) - The death toll from a Kenyan starvation cult crossed 300 on Tuesday after authorities exhumed more bodies in a forest, in one of the worst cult-related tragedies in recent history. Authorities say the dead were members of the Good News International Church, led by Paul Mackenzie, who is accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world. A total of 303 people have now died after 19 bodies were exhumed from mass graves in Shakahola forest in the country's southeast. More than 600 people are still reported missing, regional official Rhoda Onyancha said. Investigators last week expanded their search to cover a wider area in the region to try to account for more victims. Around 65 rescued followers of the self-styled pastor were charged with attempted suicide on Monday after they refused to eat between June 6 and June 10 during their stay at a rescue centre, local media reported. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki expressed concern last month that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food. One of them had died, he said at the time. Mackenzie handed himself over to police in April and was denied bail last month. He has not yet been required to enter a plea. He was arrested on suspicion of the murder of two children by starvation and suffocation earlier this year but was subsequently freed. Relatives of his followers say he then returned to the forest and moved forward his predicted end of the world date from August to April 15. (Reporting by Joseph Akwiri; Writing by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is seen on a pipe at the Chelyabinsk pipe rolling plant in Chelyabinsk, Russia, February 26, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A Dutch intelligence agency tipped off the CIA about an alleged Ukrainian plan in June 2022 to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline, Dutch national broadcaster NOS reported on Tuesday. The NOS report, which was compiled with help from leading German media outlets, did not identify its sources. It said that the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD had warned the CIA of the existence of such a plan, leading to a warning from Washington to Kyiv not to attack the pipeline. Unexplained explosions ruptured both Nord Stream 1 and the newly built Nord Stream 2 pipelines, carrying gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, in September. The blasts occurred in the economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. Both countries said the explosions were deliberate, but have yet to determine who was responsible. Those countries and Germany are investigating. Washington and NATO called the incident "an act of sabotage". Moscow accused investigators of dragging their feet and trying to conceal who was behind the attack. Ukraine denies responsibility. The MIVD could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Conor Humphries) FILE PHOTO: French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna attends a press conference after a ministerial meeting on the Middle East peace process at the federal foreign ministry in Berlin, Germany May 11, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) -France said on Tuesday a Russia-linked misinformation campaign had faked its foreign ministry website, targeted other government websites and usurped several French media as part of broader efforts to smear Ukraine and its Western allies. Western nations have repeatedly accused Russian operatives of using social media and the internet to spread false or misleading information to undermine them, promote Russia or attempt to sway public opinion in their countries against backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. France has in particular called out Russian activities in Africa, saying that Moscow-linked actors have tried to discredit Paris in West Africa, saturating regular media and social media. That has prompted France to launch multi-faceted action to reverse an anti-French narrative that has damaged its influence and interests, including with a unit partly dedicated to spotting and dealing with malicious content. "This campaign is notably based on creating fake internet pages to hack into the identity of national media and government websites, as well as by creating fake accounts on social media networks," Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in a statement - in what was the first time Paris has publicly called out Russian-linked activities on French soil. A domain name close to the foreign ministry's name, a practice known as typosquatting, was used and detected on May 29. While the majority of the content was the same, one article was posted suggesting the French government was preparing to impose a tax to raise funds for military aid to Ukraine against Russia's invasion, French officials said. FRENCH MEDIA WEBSITES USURPED Given the times-consuming procedures to remove such domain names, the website remained online for 15 days before it was taken down, the officials said. They said the misinformation campaign, known as RNN, has been running for more than a year. It originally stemmed from War on Fakes, a multilingual factchecking platform used by Russia to change the narrative in Ukraine, the officials said. The campaign managed to also usurp four mainstream French media websites, including leading national newspapers Le Figaro and Le Monde, publishing 49 fake articles linked to Ukraine's war and its impact, according to the officials. Media in other countries had also been targeted. The campaign had four objectives, they said: creation of websites producing content denigrating Ukrainian officials; usurping the identity of national media and European government websites by typosquatting their domain names; creation of francophone websites with disputed content related to French news; creation of bogus accounts, primarily on Facebook and Twitter, to spread content from the websites created by RNN. Moscow has consistently denied carrying out hacking operations. France's foreign ministry said it could not directly attribute the attacks to Russian authorities, but Colonna said Russian embassies and Russian cultural institutes were involved in the campaign by spreading information from the RNN network. Earlier this week, Swiss authorities said several government websites had been targeted in a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that was claimed by pro-Russian hackers. In May, U.S. authorities said the FBI had sabotaged a suite of malicious software used by elite Russian spies. (Reporting by John Irish; editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich) Ofelia Acevedo, wife of Oswaldo Paya, one of Cuba's best-known dissidents, is comforted by a priest near the tomb of her husband after his burial in Havana July 24, 2012. Paya, leader of the Christian Liberation Movement, died on Sunday in a car crash, go HAVANA (Reuters) - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has found the Cuban government responsible in the deaths of democracy activists Oswaldo Paya and Harold Cepero in a 2012 car accident, saying it had concluded that state agents were involved in the incident. The commission's report, released on Monday, also said the government had violated the two men's rights to life, honour and freedom of expression. It said the commission had "identified sufficient serious evidence to conclude that State agents had been involved in the deaths of Paya and Cepero". Cuba did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on the reports findings. The commission said it had presented the report to the government on May 11 but to date had not received a response. Friends, family and fellow dissidents, as well as international human rights groups, have long accused the Cuban government of causing the crash, a charge it denies. The accident outraged rights groups and democracy activists. Cuba prosecuted and convicted the car's driver, Angel Carromero, for reckless driving and has since considered the case closed. "In particular, the Commission took into consideration Carromero's testimony confirmed by an eyewitness noting that the vehicle had been hit by an official car," the report said. The report says that Cepero and Paya, then among the most important leaders of Cuba's small opposition community, had previously been subjected to violence, harassment, threats and attempted murder ahead of the car crash. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), a group the Cuban government brands an imperialist instrument of the United States. (Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Angus MacSwan) FILE PHOTO: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinian-American Omar Abdalmajeed As'ad, 80, who was found dead after being detained and handcuffed during an Israeli raid, in Jiljilya village in the Isra JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Military Advocate General said on Tuesday that soldiers who left a Palestinian-American man outside overnight after detaining him and who was later found dead will not be criminally prosecuted but will face disciplinary measures. Israeli forces detained 78-year-old Omar As'ad at a makeshift checkpoint in his West Bank hometown of Jiljilya last January. The soldiers left him supine and unresponsive at a construction site, saying they assumed he had fallen asleep. He was later found dead in the early morning with a plastic zip-tie still around one wrist. The military said As'ad had "loudly and persistently" resisted attempts by Israeli soldiers to lead him from his car to the security checkpoint. Due to his refusal to cooperate, the soldiers temporarily gagged him with a strip of cloth and cuffed his hands with a zip tie, it said. Following an initial probe, the military dismissed two officers and reprimanded a battalion commander over As'ad's death, which it said resulted from "a moral failure and poor decision-making". On Tuesday, the army's chief legal body said in a statement its decision was made "following the hearings and after a thorough examination of the investigation materials, which indicated no causal link was found between the errors in the conduct of the soldiers and (As'ad's) death". A Palestinian autopsy found that As'ad, a former Milwaukee, Wisconsin, resident who had a history of heart problems, had suffered cardiac arrest caused by stress. Palestinian officials attributed this to him having been manhandled by the Israeli soldiers. The Military Advocate General said a military medical official found it impossible to determine that As'ad's death was caused specifically by the soldiers' conduct, and that the soldiers could not have been aware of his medical condition. It said the military laments As'ad's death "and works to prevent the recurrence of such incidents". Washington at the time said it was "deeply concerned" and expected "a thorough criminal investigation and full accountability". Palestinian leaders have called for the soldiers involved to be prosecuted in an international court. A report by Israeli rights group Yesh Din based on military data from 2017 to 2021 found that Israeli soldiers were prosecuted in less than 1% of hundreds of complaints filed against them on alleged offences against Palestinians. In rare cases where soldiers were convicted of harming Palestinians, the military courts handed extremely lenient sentences, demonstrating "a reluctance on the part of the military law enforcement system to take appropriate action concerning crimes committed by soldiers against Palestinians," the group said. (Reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta By Ali Sawafta and Raneen Sawafta NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed a Palestinian passerby during a raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday that set off a two-hour gunfight with armed fighters, witnesses and the Palestinian health ministry said. Violence in the West Bank, among territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, has risen sharply during the past year. Israel has intensified its military raids amid a spate of deadly street attacks by Palestinians. Israeli forces surrounded the house of a wanted Palestinian fighter in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, triggering clashes with armed Palestinians, residents said. A 19-year-old man, Faris Hashash, was shot fatally by Israeli forces during the fighting, the health ministry said, and eight more Palestinians were treated for gunshot wounds, including one who was hit in the head, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. A military statement said Israeli forces spotted a gunman while operating in Balata Camp and fired at him. It added that assailants hurled rocks and explosive devices and shot at the forces, who responded with gunfire. "Hits were identified," it said. The military added that it was aware of two minors who were wounded in the fighting, and that it was reviewing the incident. "The military bombed the house, they damaged it," Husam Sallaj, the uncle of the wanted man, Issam Sallaj, told Reuters. He said his nephew was wounded but not captured. The wanted man's brother, Suhaib Sullaj, said an Israeli commander rang to demand that Issam turn himself in. "He said, 'we want to bomb the house. If you don't leave, we will kill you, Issam, your mother and sisters, the entire family.'" The family's house was partly destroyed, its walls charred. Furniture, mattresses and children's toys were seen scattered in one of the rooms. A car parked in one of the narrow, graffiti-covered alleys near the targeted house was torched. Hamas, the Islamist group which governs blockaded Gaza, mourned the 19-year-old but did not claim him as a member. It said in a statement that "the occupation's crimes will not stop ongoing resistance across the homeland". Separately, the Israeli military said it had launched a search in the West Bank for suspects after gunmen in a car opened fire on a civilian vehicle before firing on Israeli forces, lightly wounding four soldiers, the military said. Israel's ambulance service said it treated four people for gunshot and shrapnel wounds and transferred them to hospital. Photos circulating on social media showed a car pocked with bullet holes on the windshield and passenger side's door. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Raneen Sawafta; Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by James Mackenzie, Nick Macfie and Mark Heinrich) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. On June 14, a meeting will be held at the presidential complex in Ankara to discuss the progress of Stockholm in fulfilling the conditions for joining NATO, the Communications Department of the Turkish Presidential Administration wrote on Twitter, Trend reports. The statement indicated that the fourth meeting of the Permanent Joint Mechanism will be organized by Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey Akif Cagatay Kilic. The meeting will be attended by Head of the Office of the NATO Secretary General Stian Jenssen, Deputy Foreign Minister of Sweden Jan Knutsson and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Jukka Salovaara. U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst By Andrea Shalal and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said Ukraine is making progress in its counteroffensive against Russian invaders and predicted NATO leaders will increase military assistance to Kyiv when they meet next month. Stoltenberg made the comments as he met in the Oval Office with President Joe Biden, who said the U.S. commitment to NATO was rock solid. Stoltenberg visited the White House amid questions on whether his term in Brussels will be extended. He is currently scheduled to leave at the end of September after nine years in the post. His visit came as Ukraine attempts to seize back Ukrainian ground taken by the Russians as part of a long-awaited counter-offensive against the invaders. "The support that we are providing together to Ukraine is now making a difference on the battlefield as we speak, because the offensive is launched and Ukrainians are making progress," he said. "It's still early days, but what we do know is that the more land Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table. He said more aid will be pledged at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in mid-July. "That's exactly what we'll do when we meet - all the NATO leaders - at the summit in Vilnius next month, where we (will) agree to sustain and step up our support for Ukraine," he said. Biden, who has sought to keep NATO allies united against Russia since the war broke out in February 2022, said: "God willing well be able to keep this unity up." Many NATO members would like a decision on who will head the alliance when leaders meet in Lithuania. That does not give NATO's 31 nations, spanning from the United States through new member Finland to Turkey, much time to forge the consensus needed to pick a new leader. Stoltenberg did not answer when asked whether his tenure would be extended. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Steve Holland; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Chizu Nomiyama) By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Malaysia said on Tuesday he saw the potential for the United States to expand cooperation with the Southeast Asian country in diversifying supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals. Edgard Kagan, a career diplomat who is currently the senior official for East Asia at the White House National Security Council, told his Senate confirmation hearing that developing new sources for critical minerals to ensure reliable supply chains was a very high priority for the Biden administration. "The importance of working on these arrangements with countries where we have good relationships ... is absolutely critical," he said, adding: "I think that we have real potential to do that in countries like Malaysia." "I would want to work closely with the American private sector, with different parts of the U.S. government, and with the Malaysian government to ensure that we're able to continue expanding the areas of cooperation in this, support development of resources," he said. Kagan said this would be done in partnership with Malaysia "in ways that are sustainable and promote our values," but did not elaborate on exactly what form the cooperation might take. He was responding to a question from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who described Malaysia as being home to the largest rare-earths processing plant outside of China. Van Hollen said recent reports showed Malaysia was also home to deposits of strategic and critical minerals including tin. China is the dominant global producer of rare earths needed to fuel the green revolution of electric cars and wind turbines as well in as defense applications such as missile production. The United States and its allies have been seeking to diversify sources of supply amid mounting strategic competition with Beijing. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths Ltd has facility in Malaysia that it describes as one of the largest and most modern rare earths separation plants in the world. Malaysia's government has raised concerns about radiation levels from the process of cracking and leaching at the plant, but agreed last month to extend its operating license to import and process rare earths until Jan. 1 next year. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; editing by Edward Tobin) FILE PHOTO: Songwriter Lukasz Gottwald (L), better known as Dr. Luke, accept the Songwriter of the Year award from presenters Adam Lambert (not shown) and Kesha (R) at the 28th annual ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Pop Music By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - New York's top state court on Tuesday made it more difficult for music producer Dr. Luke to win his lawsuit claiming pop star Kesha defamed him by falsely accusing him of raping her nearly 20 years ago. The New York Court of Appeals said Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, is a "public figure" and so he must prove that Kesha acted with actual malice in order to prevail in his 2014 defamation lawsuit. The ruling reverses a mid-level appeals court that said Dr. Luke was a private figure subject to a lower burden of proof because he is not a household name. "By 2014, when Gottwald initiated this defamation action, he was, by his own account, a celebrity an acclaimed music producer who had achieved enormous success in a high-profile career," Judge Michael Garcia wrote for the court on Tuesday. The court also said a state judge should have allowed Kesha to file counterclaims against Dr. Luke for emotional distress, punitive damages and legal fees. Lawyers for Kesha, whose full name is Kesha Rose Sebert, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Christine Lepera, a lawyer for Dr. Luke, said she was confident that Kesha's counterclaims would ultimately be rejected. Lepera added: "At trial, Ms. Sebert will be required to defend her harmful and long-standing press campaign against Mr. Gottwald." Kesha sued the producer and Sony Music in 2014 seeking to get out of a multi-album recording deal, and Dr. Luke counter-sued her for defamation. Kesha had a string of hits beginning in 2009 including "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R." Dr. Luke denied Kesha's claim that he had raped her in 2005 and said she had made a series of false statements on social media, in court filings and in text messages to fellow pop star Lady Gaga. A New York state judge ruled against Kesha in 2020 and an appeals court upheld that decision in 2021. But the Court of Appeals on Tuesday largely reversed that ruling and remanded the case so it can proceed to trial. The court also ruled that several of Kesha's allegedly defamatory statements could not form the basis of a lawsuit because they were made during the course of her separate litigation against Dr. Luke. She later dropped her lawsuit, saying she wanted to focus on her music. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lisa Shumaker) FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of CIS Heads of Government meetings, in Sochi, Russia June 9, 2023. Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that any further mobilisation would depend on what Russia wanted to achieve in the war in Ukraine, adding that he faced a question only he could answer - should Russia try to take Kyiv again? More than 15 months since Putin sent troops into Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces are still battling with artillery, tanks and drones along a 1,000-km (600-mile) front line, though well away from the capital Kyiv. Using the word "war" several times, Putin offered a barrage of warnings to the West, suggesting Russia may have to impose a "sanitary zone" in Ukraine to prevent it attacking Russia and saying Moscow was considering ditching the Black Sea grain deal. Russia, he said, had no need for nationwide martial law and would keep responding to breaches of its red lines. Many in the United States, Putin said, did not want World War Three, though Washington gave the impression it was unafraid of escalation. But his most puzzling remark was about Kyiv, which Russian forces tried - and failed - to capture just hours after Putin ordered troops into Ukraine on February 24 last year. "Should we return there or not? Why am I asking such a rhetorical question?" Putin told 18 Russian war correspondents and bloggers in the Kremlin. "Only I can answer this myself," Putin said. His comments on Kyiv - during several hours of answering questions - were shown on Russian state television. Russian troops were beaten back from Kyiv and eventually withdrew to a swathe of land in Ukraine's east and south which Putin has declared is now part of Russia. Ukraine says it will never rest until every Russian soldier is ejected from its land. Putin last September announced what he said was a "partial mobilisation" of 300,000 reservists, triggering an exodus of at least as many Russian men who sought to dodge the draft by leaving for republics of the former Soviet Union. Asked about another call-up by state TV war correspondent Alexander Sladkov, Putin said: "There is no such need today." MOBILISATION? Russia's paramount leader, though, was less than definitive on the topic, saying it depended on what Moscow wanted to achieve and pointing out that some public figures thought Russia needed 1 million or even 2 million additional men in uniform. "It depends on what we want," Putin said. Though Russia now controls about 18% of Ukraine's territory, the war has underscored the fault lines of the once mighty Russian armed forces and the vast human cost of fighting urban battles such as in Bakhmut, a small eastern city one twentieth the area of Kyiv. Putin said the conflict had shown Russia had a lack of high-precision munitions and complex communications equipment. He said Russia had established control over "almost all" of what he casts as "Novorossiya" (New Russia), a Tsarist-era imperial term for a swathe of southern Ukraine which is now used by Russian nationalists. At times using Russian slang, Putin said Russia was not going to change course in Ukraine. Russia's future plans in Ukraine, he said, would be decided once the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which he said began on June 4, was over. Ukraine's offensive has not been successful in any area, Putin said, adding that Ukrainian human losses were 10 times greater than Russia's. Ukraine had lost over 160 of its tanks and 25-30% of the vehicles supplied from abroad, he said, while Russia had lost 54 tanks. Ukraine said it has made gains in the counteroffensive. Reuters could not independently verify statements from either side about the battlefield. Putin further said Ukraine had deliberately hit the Kakhovka hydro-electric dam on June 6 with U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets, a step he said had also hindered Kyiv's counteroffensive efforts. Ukraine says Russia blew up the dam, which Russian forces captured early in the war. Putin said Russia needed to fight enemy agents and improve its defences against attacks deep inside its own territory, but that there was no need to follow Ukraine's example and declare martial law. "There is no reason to introduce some kind of special regime or martial law in the country. There is no need for such a thing today." (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Andrew Osborn, Gareth Jones and Mark Heinrich) FILE PHOTO: Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are escorted by police officers outside the headquarters of the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism in Bucharest (DIICOT) after being detained for 24 hours, in Bucharest, Romania, December BUCHAREST(Reuters) - Romanian prosecutors said on Tuesday that social media influencer Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan and two other suspects were being investigated for human trafficking in continued form, saying it was a more serious crime than separate counts of trafficking. The Tate brothers and two Romanian female suspects are under house arrest pending a criminal investigation for suspected human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, accusations they have denied. Under Romanian legislation, prosecutors have filed charges against the four suspects, but the case is under investigation and has not yet gone to trial. Prosecutors are expected to commit them for trial later in June. The four were held in police custody from Dec. 29 until March 31, when a Bucharest court placed them under house arrest. On Tuesday, Romania's DIICOT anti-organised crime prosecuting unit notified the Tate brothers that the human trafficking charge had changed to trafficking in continued form, a DIICOT spokesperson said. Under Romanian law, trafficking of adults carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. One more victim was added to the case, which started out with six women, the spokesperson said. The Tate brothers' legal team said Tuesday's changes were in the suspects' "legal interest". "The legal framework has been revised and altered to ensure an impartial investigation is upheld," they said in a statement. Also on Tuesday, DIICOT prosecutors said they had opened a separate criminal investigation against a Romanian man close to the Tate brothers on allegations of human trafficking and forming a criminal crime group to sexually exploit seven women. Prosecutors have said Vlad Obuzic, whose social media platforms show pictures of him with the Tate brothers, and two other suspects recruited their alleged victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship or marriage. The victims were then coerced to produce pornographic content for social media sites, with the suspects keeping most of the gains. "To ensure the victims' loyalty and that they will perform only to the benefit of the members of the group, they were forced to tattoo the name or face of the group member exploiting them," prosecutors said in a statement. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Ed Osmond) FILE PHOTO: Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks with servicemen during withdrawal of his forces from Bakhmut and handing over their positions to regular Russian troops, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in an unidenti By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - The head of Russia's powerful mercenary Wagner Group said on Tuesday he was "not sure" if his men would continue to fight in Ukraine amid a bitter standoff with the Defence Ministry after capturing the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. It was unclear how serious Yevgeny Prigozhin was being as his fighters have proved themselves to be among Russia's most effective in Ukraine despite suffering huge losses, while any attempt by him to disengage from the war could be seen as treasonous by officials in Moscow. "Regarding the further work of the Wagner private military company in Ukraine, I am not sure that we will work specifically in Ukraine," Prigozhin said in reply to a Danish media query. Wagner fighters have also fought in Africa and the Middle East, where they still have some contracts. After spearheading the months-long battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut in which tens of thousands perished, Prigozhin last month withdrew his men to rest and regroup. Prigozhin has long been at odds with the Defence Ministry over what he says is everything from its poor leadership and tactics to ammunition shortages. RESISTANCE The ministry said on Saturday that Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, someone whom Prigozhin has repeatedly vilified, had signed an order stipulating that volunteer military units should sign contracts with the ministry before July 1. It cast the move as a step towards greater integration designed to increase the combat potential and effectiveness of such groups within the regular army and spoke of "unified approaches" to military tasks. Prigozhin was quick to say that Wagner would not be signing any contract with the ministry despite it saying that such contracts would give volunteer groups the "necessary legal status" to operate. The ministry has not responded to a request for comment on Prigozhin's refusal to sign up with it. It has also not publicly commented on his scathing criticism of its performance. The Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel on Tuesday broadcast a report saying that three unnamed volunteer brigades and four volunteer units had signed contracts with the ministry. Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev said after the signing ceremony that he was sure other volunteer groups would sign the same contract in the course of the next week. The Defence Ministry said on Monday it had also signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, which has often been called the private army of Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Russia's Chechnya region. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Gareth Jones) Former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, leaves the Manhattan federal court in New York City, U.S. March 30, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -A Bahamas court on Tuesday temporarily barred the country's government from agreeing to let U.S. prosecutors pursue part of their criminal case against Sam Bankman-Fried, the indicted founder of now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Last month, U.S. federal prosecutors in Manhattan said they would drop five charges of foreign bribery, bank fraud and conspiracy against the one-time billionaire if the Caribbean nation did not agree to them. Those charges were not in Bankman-Fried's initial eight-count indictment last December, which focused on the collapse of FTX the previous month, but they were added after his extradition. FTX was based in the Bahamas. The Bahamas Supreme Court said the country's foreign affairs minister and attorney general could not consent to the new charges until Bankman-Fried had a formal chance to object. Justice Loren Klein wrote that issues Bankman-Fried has raised had "a reasonable prospect of success." The decision could prolong uncertainty over whether Bankman-Fried's scheduled Oct. 2 trial will cover all 13 charges he faces. Bankman-Fried, 31, has pleaded not guilty. In papers filed late Monday in Manhattan federal court, Bankman-Fried's lawyers said a sixth charge alleging U.S. campaign finance violations should also be dismissed because the Bahamas did not consent to it. His lawyers want the six charges dismissed, or tried separately from charges of stealing from customers and lying to investors and lenders. "To proceed otherwise would cause significant prejudice to Mr. Bankman-Fried and should not be permitted," the lawyers wrote. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment on Tuesday. An extradition treaty between the United States and the Bahamas says a country must consent before defendants can be tried on charges brought after their extradition. Bankman-Fried has also said some of the original charges rely on a fraud theory known as "right to control" that the U.S. Supreme Court last month declared invalid. Under that theory, a defendant can be convicted for depriving someone of economically valuable information, not just tangible property. Prosecutors have said that theory does not apply in Bankman-Fried's case. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan is expected to hear arguments on Thursday. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) and far-right Vox on Tuesday sealed their first deal to govern in coalition following last month's regional elections, teaming up to run the wealthy Valencia region. The PP and Vox are negotiating the formation of coalition governments in three regions following those elections - a scenario that could be repeated after a national election next month. Polls consistently show the PP winning most votes then but requiring an alliance with Vox to be able to form a government. In Valencia, the two parties reached an agreement in principle that would hand Vox the presidency of the regional parliament, Vox said in a statement. The PP would lead the regional government and also hold the vice presidency. An official for the PP confirmed the agreement. The two parties are still in talks in the regions of Extremadura and Aragon, while they will need Vox to agree to abstain from voting for the PP to form minority governments in Cantabria, Murcia and the Balearic Islands. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a surprise snap election for July 23 after his Socialist party (PSOE) and their junior coalition partners Podemos were routed in the regional and municipal ballots last month. The election is shaping into a binary choice between those opposed to a government that includes the far-right Vox and those who oppose the current coalition with far-left Podemos. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has not ruled out reaching an agreement with Vox to form a national coalition government but has insisted he will try to win a majority. The PP and Vox already govern in coalition since last year in the region of Castilla y Leon. Vox said the agreement in Valencia was reached based on five key principles which included more support for families and defence of traditional national identity. Founded in 2013 by former members of the mainstream conservative PP, Vox is anti-Muslim, anti-feminist, socially conservative, economically liberal, and opposes Spain's political system of devolved government. The PP was ousted from power in a confidence vote in 2018 after Sanchez struck a deal with Podemos and Catalan and Basque nationalist parties. (Reporting by Belen Carreno and Emma Pinedo; writing by Charlie Devereux, Editing by Angus MacSwan) Nothing happens by chance at Vacheron Constantin and its contemporary creativity is often rooted in its rich heritage. The three new models with retrograde displays presented this year at Watches and Wonders are no exception. We take a fascinating deep dive into the Manufactures archives... In the maze of corridors of the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin, whose architecture designed by Bernard Tschumi remains as contemporary and indeed futuristic as ever, the Heritage Department is housed in a discreet little office resembling a window onto the past. Here, all eyes and conversations converge on the same subject: the extraordinary heritage of the worlds oldest watch manufacturer enjoying uninterrupted activity since 1755. Its extraordinarily rich heritage is dotted with creations featuring unbridled boldness on which Vacheron Constantin has put its inimitable stamp by dedicating technique to serving elegance. Within the Heritage Department, the long history of the Manufacture is meticulously documented thanks to old registers, period correspondence on yellowed paper, and timepieces that have been resurrected from oblivion at auction. Two centuries of special displays Special displays first appeared in watchmaking in the 18th century with jumping hours. At Vacheron Constantin, the very first timepiece with jumping hours dates back to the early 19th century, in 1824. It was not until a little over 100 years later that the Maisons creativity was expressed through retrograde displays. In 1927, the Manufacture used them on a superb clock carefully preserved in the Vacheron Constantin collections. Adorned in yellow gold, onyx, rock crystal and lapis lazuli, this one-of-a-kind object created in collaboration with Verger Freres features an Art Deco aesthetic, driven by an eightday movement powering a retrograde hour display on the periphery of its fan-shaped structure. At the time of its introduction, the Roaring Twenties were still in full swing and a daring wind was blowing through the watch industry. In 1930, Vacheron Constantin seized this freedom to create a pocket watch that would serve as the inspiration for many other models over the course of the century, since it perfectly illustrates the range of aesthetic possibilities enabled by special displays. Nicknamed the arms in the air watch, this one-ofkind model also preserved by the Heritage Department features an engraved and enameled gold Chinese magician whose arms point to on demand and at the touch of a 10 oclock pusher the hours and minutes on two graduated arcs positioned on either side of the dial. From Don Pancho to Mercator In 1940, Vacheron Constantin produced a legendary timepiece that has since been nicknamed Don Pancho after the person for whom it was commissioned. It took four years to develop and produce it. In retrospect, this model is one of only three wristwatches known to have been produced before 1940 that combine a minute repeater with calendar indications and a retrograde hand. Aurel Bacs, the renowned Phillips auctioneer who auctioned the timepiece in 2019, was effusive in his praise of the timepiece: "It is a technical feat and a masterpiece of human genius. The combination of a minute repeater and a calendar with retrograde date had never been seen before and it would be nearly 60 years before we saw something similar." The reasons for this temporarily dampened watchmaking creativity was of course World War II, later followed by the 1970s quartz crisis, two dark periods that did not prevent the watch industry from recovering at the end of the 20th century. In the 1990s, as mechanical watchmaking rose from the ashes to collectors delight, we saw a return of the special displays so dear to Vacheron Constantin. The first striking timepiece of this decade was the Mercator watch unveiled in 1994 as two different versions to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of the famous 16th century geographer. The designers of the Manufacture were clearly inspired by 1930s arms in the air watches to offer a double retrograde display of the hours and minutes via compass-shaped hands, positioned in a very original way at 12 oclock. The dial was transformed to provide ample space for expressing artistic crafts. To create these two models, Vacheron Constantin acquired an atlas published in 1587 by Gerard Mercator, the first man to map the world, and reproduced the maps in miniature enamel or engraved on the dials. These two magnificent models perfectly illustrate Vacheron Constantins ability to never sacrifice aesthetics on the altar of technique. Classic with a twist Three years later, in 1997, Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrated its boldness with another choice timepiece. Dubbed Saltarello, this cushion-shaped yellow gold limited edition features a jumping hour and retrograde minute display on a sunburst silver-toned guilloche dial. A watch reflecting the Manufactures signature Classic with a twist approach. Since the turn of the century, Vacheron Constantin has made its mark in the field of retrograde displays on several occasions. Reference 47245 presented in 2000 to mark the brands 245th anniversary featured a retrograde date display coupled with a classic day display appearing on a subdial at 6 oclock. Six years later, Reference 86020 became the first double retrograde day-date wristwatch from Vacheron Constantin. The 260th anniversary watch unveiled in 2015 featured a retrograde date and a split-seconds chronograph with a double retrograde hand. This technical demonstration reflected the purest style of the Manufacture, hovering between creative boldness and watchmaking elegance, precision mechanics and discreet refinement. These characteristics can be found throughout the long history of this centuriesold Maison, whose Heritage Department preserves its most beautiful creations as perpetually inspirational treasures. By Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department amended part of a statement to Congress in which it said Washington would invite Hong Kong's chief executive, who faces U.S. sanctions, to a November summit, after lawmakers urged he be barred from entering the country. The Unites States is set to host this year's gathering in San Francisco of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group, of which Hong Kong is a member economy. But Hong Kong's top official John Lee was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2020 over his role in implementing what Washington deems a "draconian" Hong Kong national security law. A group of lawmakers last week sent a letter to the department urging it to bar Lee from the U.S., citing comments from Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a written response to questions that the U.S. intended to welcome Lee for APEC. "An incorrect version of this answer was inadvertently transmitted to Congress. The Department regrets the error," a State Department spokesperson said. "No decisions about invitations have been made," the official said, adding that the U.S. has made clear APEC participation must be in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations, "including with respect to sanctions". The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday confirmed it had received the corrected response, which said the U.S. "has not made any commitments regarding invitations." The four lawmakers who sent the letter - Republican Senator Marco Rubio, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Representative Chris Smith - said they welcomed further consultation with the department on the issue, but noted the amended language was unclear on the status of any eventual invitation. "Our bipartisan letter clearly stated our posture that inviting Mr. Lee to APEC is a mistake both because he is complicit in human rights abuses and because such invitation recognizes Hong Kong as a separate economy from the PRC (People's Republic of China), when in fact, and according to U.S. law, it is not," they said in a statement on Tuesday. China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the U.S. has a responsibility to "ensure the smooth participation" of all APEC member representatives, and that it believed the U.S. would "deliver on its commitments" (Reporting by Michael Martina; editing by Mark Heinrich) PRAGUE (Reuters) - Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu met the head of the upper house of the Czech parliament on Tuesday as part of a European trip that has angered China. Wu, on a second trip to the central European NATO and European Union member country after a 2021 visit, met Milos Vystrcil, who has been at the forefront of Czech efforts to build closer relationship with Taiwan and visited the island in 2020. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan strongly objects to Chinas sovereignty claims and says only the islands people can decide their future. Taiwan has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican. But there are extensive informal relations, and Central and Eastern European countries have been particularly keen to show support for Taiwan - especially following Russia's invasion of Ukraine - defying Beijing's anger about such contacts and lessening Taiwan's international diplomatic isolation. Wu was also due to speak at a security conference in Prague on Wednesday, immediately after an opening speech by Czech President Petr Pavel. Wu was also due to meet informally for a dinner with the head of the lower house of parliament, Marketa Pekarova-Adamova, on Wednesday, her spokesman said. Two sources briefed on Wu's trip, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak with the media, said Wu was also expected to visit Brussels, headquarters of the European Union. China's Foreign Ministry urged Europe on Friday not to have any official exchanges with Taiwan or support "independence forces" ahead of the trip. The Chinese embassy in Prague did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. The Czech Republic has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but after years of warming up to Beijing, the country's centre-right cabinet in power since 2021 and Pavel who took office in March have been keen on improving ties with Taipei. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Nick Macfie) FILE PHOTO: Firefighters work at a site of a residential house destroyed by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Malokaterynivka, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine May 11, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer (Reuters) - A top Russian officer has been killed in a Ukrainian missile strike during Kyiv's counteroffensive against Russian forces, a Russian-backed official in Ukraine said on Tuesday, offering his condolences. Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in part of the southern Zaporizhzhia region which is under Moscow's control, said Major-General Sergei Goryachev, Chief of Staff of Russia's 35th Army, had been killed on the Zaporizhzhia front on Monday where Ukrainian forces have been retaking some territory. There was no immediate confirmation of the news from the Defence Ministry, which was first reported by "Voenkor Z," a Russian war correspondent and blogger. Rogov, writing on his official channel on the Telegram messaging application, said: "The army has lost one of its brightest and most effective military commanders, who combined the highest professionalism with personal courage. Deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased!" Goryachev, 52, was a highly-decorated officer. During his career, he fought in the Second Chechen War, commanded a tank brigade, oversaw a Russian military base in Tajikistan and led Russian forces in Moldova's breakaway pro-Russian region of Transdniestria. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by William Maclean) FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears with his lawyer Todd Blanche by video conferencing before Justice Juan Merchan during a hearing before his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn s By Andrew Goudsward and Sarah N. Lynch (Reuters) -Donald Trump was accompanied by two of his attorneys on Tuesday when he appeared in a Miami courtroom and pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges. But his defense team is still evolving after at least three key members left in recent weeks. Attorneys Todd Blanche and Chris Kise appeared with the former president during his arraignment, days after two other lawyers who had been helping Trumps defense Jim Trusty and John Rowley resigned in the wake of his indictment. Both Blanche and Kise indicated at the hearing that they would remain on the case permanently. Trump has also sought to add a Florida-based criminal defense lawyer to his team in the days since his indictment, according to sources familiar with the conversations. No one has been publicly named. Lindsey Halligan, a Florida attorney who has primarily handed insurance matters, has also been involved in the case as an attorney for Trump. She did not appear in court Tuesday. Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to criminal charges that he unlawfully kept national security documents when he left office and lied to officials who sought to recover them. He was charged last week. Trump has accused prosecutors of seeking to damage his political prospects. Kise, a former Florida solicitor general who has primarily handled civil cases, was brought on to Trumps team last year after the FBI seized classified documents kept at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. He had been sidelined from the case amid media reports of infighting among the lawyers, and in recent months has been focused on defending Trump and his company in a civil lawsuit brought by the New York attorney general. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, resigned from his position at a top New York law firm to defend Trump in a separate criminal case brought by the Manhattan district attorney over hush money payments to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Trump has struggled in recent weeks to bolster his defense team as the documents investigation intensified. Two attorneys who spoke with Reuters said they turned down requests to represent the former president in the documents case. Trusty and Rowley took the lead in defending Trump in recent months, after his attorney Evan Corcoran recused himself following a federal judges order compelling him to testify before a grand jury hearing evidence the case. Corcoran's testimony and notes, cited by prosecutors in the indictment, are a key part of the government's evidence that Trump tried to obstruct justice. Days before Trump was indicted, Trusty, Rowley and Halligan met with U.S. Justice Department officials in a last-ditch plea to avoid an indictment. The day the indictment was unsealed, the pair abruptly announced their resignation from Trumps legal team. Another lawyer on Trumps team, Tim Parlatore, exited in May, citing disagreements with Boris Epshteyn, a Trump confidante and former corporate lawyer who has been advising the former president on various state and federal investigations. Speaking to CNN, Parlatore said Epshteyn "had really done everything he could to try to block us - to prevent us from doing what we could to defend the president." Trump has struggled to find attorneys to represent him in part because Epshteyn is viewed by many lawyers in Trumps orbit as lacking judgment and expertise, according to a person familiar with the dynamics. Epshteyn referred questions to a spokesperson for Trump. A source close to the Trump legal team praised Epshteyn as "absolutely focused on protecting President Trump from every angle legal, political, and media. Epshteyn had his phone seized by federal investigators last year, and authorities investigating Trumps attempts to hold onto power following the 2020 presidential election have sought information from witnesses about communications with Epshteyn, according to a source familiar with the situation and subpoenas seen by Reuters. Epshteyn is also represented by Blanche, according to four sources, potentially complicating the defense if Epshteyn becomes further entangled in investigations involving Trump. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Additional reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen in Miami and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by David Bario and Alistair Bell) FILE PHOTO: The logo of Tyson Foods is seen in Davos, Switzerland, May 22, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann CHICAGO (Reuters) - Tyson Foods, which is seeking to cut costs, will lay off 228 corporate employees in Illinois who declined to relocate to the meatpacker's Arkansas headquarters, the company confirmed on Tuesday. Tyson said it will eliminate 177 employees from an office in downtown Chicago and 51 employees in suburban Downers Grove, Illinois, starting on July 31, according to the state. The offices had roughly 500 employees overall as of last October, when Tyson announced a decision to consolidate corporate offices. Employees resisted and some have already left for jobs with other companies, as Tyson has grappled with high prices to buy cattle for slaughtering and easing demand for meat from cash-strapped consumers. The 228 being laid off are those remaining with the company until the Chicago and Downers Grove offices close, Tyson said. "Those impacted were due to the consolidation of corporate offices," the company said. Including layoffs at another office in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Tyson will eliminate about 490 corporate employees who opted not to relocate, out of roughly 1,000 workers. Tyson has said moving employees to its Springdale, Arkansas, headquarters will benefit collaboration and decision making. The company separately closed two U.S. chicken plants with almost 1,700 workers this year and said in April it would eliminate about 10% of corporate jobs and 15% of senior leadership roles. As of Oct. 1, Tyson had about 124,000 U.S. employees, including 118,000 working in non-corporate sites like production plants, according to regulatory filings. (Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio) FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during an official welcome ceremony for heads of states and governments of member-states of Russia-Africa Summit in the Black sea resort of Sochi, Russia, October 23, JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for a U.S.-Africa trade summit planned for later this year to be moved from South Africa in response to what they said was the country's "deepening military relationship" with Russia. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, they also suggested South Africa is in danger of losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - Washington's flagship trade programme. South Africa is due to host the AGOA Forum in Johannesburg, a meeting of African leaders and U.S. officials, to discuss the future of the programme, which is slated to expire in 2025. South Africa's exports to the U.S. under AGOA reached nearly $1 billion in the first three months of this year, making it the second-biggest beneficiary of the programme after Nigeria. African nations are seeking to extend AGOA, which grants qualifying countries' exports preferential access to the U.S. "We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africa's damaging support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine," the letter, dated June 9, stated. Referring to the letter, South African foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said on Twitter: "There is no decision by the State Department/White House to move the AGOA Forum from SA." South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry, which manages the country's trade relations with the United States, said it was not planning to respond publicly to the letter. Judd Devermont, a special assistant to President Joe Biden focusing on Africa, said the White House shared Congress's concern over South Africa's "potential security partnership with Russia". However, he declined to say whether the administration was considering a change of venue for the AGOA Forum. "I'm not going to get into the specifics of private conversations with the South Africans, but be sure we are having these conversations," he told an online media briefing. South Africa's government has declared its neutrality in the war in Ukraine, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is participating in an effort by African leaders to mediate in the conflict. However, the lawmakers voiced frustration with South Africa's hosting of joint naval operations with China and Russia in February, and plans to hold a summit of BRICS leaders to which Russian President Vladimir Putin is invited despite being charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The lawmakers also appeared to back up an accusation by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a sanctioned Russian vessel collected weapons at a South African naval base last year. South African officials say they are not aware of such an arms transfer and have launched an independent inquiry into the incident. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Additional reporting by Carien du Plessis; Editing by William Maclean and Sharon Singleton) FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with a displayed Intel logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - A U.S. Patent Office tribunal ruled for Intel Corp on Tuesday on the chipmaking giant's bid to invalidate a patent that represented $1.5 billion of a $2.18 billion verdict it lost to VLSI Technology LLC in 2021. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board invalidated the computer chip-related patent after canceling another VLSI patent that accounted for the remainder of the Texas federal court verdict last month. VLSI can appeal both decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. An Intel spokesperson said the company was pleased with the decisions to invalidate both of VLSI's "low-quality" patents. Representatives for VLSI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VLSI, a patent holding company that has brought several infringement lawsuits against Intel, won a separate verdict worth $949 million against the chipmaker in Texas last year. A jury ruled for Intel in 2021 in another Texas patent case in which VLSI had sought $3.1 billion in damages. The companies agreed to dismiss another VLSI lawsuit in Delaware in December. A trial in a related case is scheduled to begin in Northern California next year. VLSI is owned by investment funds managed by SoftBank Group Corp subsidiary Fortress Investment Group. The patent board proceeding decided on Tuesday was initiated by South Dakota-based Patent Quality Assurance LLC. An attorney for Patent Quality Assurance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The other patent from the $2.18 billion verdict was challenged by a separate entity called OpenSky Industries LLC. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal sanctioned OpenSky last year after finding it tried to extort both Intel and VLSI, but allowed the proceeding to continue with Intel leading it. The case is Patent Quality Assurance LLC v. VLSI Technology LLC, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, No. IPR2021-01229. For PQA and Intel: Benjamin Fernandez of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr; and Bruce Slayden of Slayden Grubert Beard For VLSI: Babak Redjaian of Irell & Manella; and Kenneth Weatherwax of Lowenstein & Weatherwax Read more: USPTO director sanctions patent challenger in $2.1 bln Intel dispute Intel hit with $949 mln U.S. verdict in VLSI computer chip patent trial Intel loses U.S. patent trial, ordered to pay $2.18 billion to VLSI Tech (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington) FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States announced on Tuesday a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine that will include munitions for air defense systems, ammunition and vehicles, the Pentagon said. The latest military aid announcement comes as Ukraine begins its counteroffensive, which has seen some U.S.-provided vehicles lost on the battlefield. This is the 40th aid package being rushed to Ukraine using Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. As a part of the aid package, Ukraine will receive additional ammunition for its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) 155-mm Howitzer ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft systems and anti-tank weapons. In addition, the package includes 15 Bradley fighting vehicles, 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers, secure communications equipment and over 22 million rounds of ammunition for small arms. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. has provided approximately $40 billion in security to Ukraine since February 24, 2022. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot) FILE PHOTO: A view of San Francisco skyline as the city struggles to return to its pre-pandemic downtown occupancy rate, falling behind many other major cities around the country, according to local officials, in California, U.S., February 13, 2023. REUT By Granth Vanaik, Shankar Ramakrishnan and Matt Tracy (Reuters) -The pain is getting deeper for San Francisco as the owners of one of the biggest shopping centers in the city decided to walk away after 20 years, in the face of declining sales, occupancy and foot traffic. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said late on Monday it will transfer its Westfield San Francisco shopping mall to lenders. The announcement followed Park Hotels & Resorts statement last week that it ceased making payments toward a $725 million mortgage linked to its Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55 hotels. Westfield's decision is the latest blow to San Francisco, the once-booming tech hub that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Office buildings lie empty as more people work from home, compounded by major layoffs by large tech companies. The hit coupled with a rising US interest rate environment has made it costlier for companies to refinance their outstanding debt on these buildings, prompting loan payment cancellations or transfers of the properties back to lenders. The potential for difficulties from commercial real estate to flow through to banks is also becoming a bigger worry for investors and regulators. "Westfield's move shows they see risk in the city losing critical mass and is in anticipation of a long period of suffering for downtown San Francisco," said Thomas LaSalvia, Moody's Analytics Head of Commercial Real Estate Economics. "We agree there is trouble ahead but are more optimistic that after a couple of years, occupancy rates and foot traffic will bounce back in a city that is a cultural destination and still has critical mass in high skilled labor working in the life sciences, biotech and tech sector." Warren Wachsberger, CEO of Aecom Capital, a real estate investor, said mall owners like Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield are focusing on their best properties. "The best malls are still doing well... that's why you see the big mall companies shifting their strategy, saying we're going to focus on our best stuff, get rid of our worst stuff," Wachsberger said. Westfield said that foot traffic in the mall decreased to 5.6 million visits last year, from 9.7 million in 2019, a 43% drop at a time when its U.S. Flagship portfolio saw a 98% recovery. Sales declined to $298 million in December 2022 from $455 million in 2019, it added. Occupancy levels have dropped to 55% after popular brands such as apparel retailers Nordstrom and Gap-owned Banana Republic announced store closures. (Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru, Shankar Ramakrishnan in New York, Matt Tracy in Washington DC; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Alexandra Hudson) FILE PHOTO: The Progress Pride flag hangs from the balcony of the White House during a Pride Celebration in the South Lawn, hosted by President Joe Biden, in Washington, U.S., June 10, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three guests at the White House's Pride party on Saturday have been banned from future events after going topless on the South Lawn, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. "The behavior was simply unacceptable. We've been very clear about that. It was unfair to the hundreds of attendees who were there to celebrate their families," Jean-Pierre said. Rose Montoya, a transgender activist, posted video to her Instagram and TikTok accounts showing her with her dress pulled down, covering her naked breasts on the White House lawn during the party, standing next to trans men with their shirts off. "Individuals in the video certainly will not be invited to future events," Jean-Pierre said, adding that the event was intended to celebrate the LGBTQ community and families. Thousands of people were invited to the event. "Going topless in Washington DC is legal," Montoya said in a followup video on TikTok, addressive conservative critics. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Heather Timmons; editing by Jonathan Oatis) According to the Egyptian Constitution, 3 December 2023 is the deadline for opening Egypts presidential elections candidacy, General Coordinator of the National Dialogue Diaa Rashwan said on Sunday. According to the second paragraph of Article 140 of the Constitution, the procedures for electing the president of the republic must commence at least 120 days before the end of the presidential term. Additionally, the announcement of the election results must be made at least 30 days prior to the conclusion of this period. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was elected on 2 April 2018 and his term expires on 2 April 2024, Rashwan said, noting that this means it is crucial that the procedures of the candidacy and the announcement regarding the presidential election dates take place before 3 December. Any timeframe beyond that would be invalid, he said. Rashwan's clarification comes in light of the controversy circulated, especially outside Egypt, alleging that an "early presidential election" would take place. It is not an early election, but a constitutionally mandated process, the dialogues general coordinator observed. For his part, the dialogue's Secretary-General Mahmoud Fawzi said some people think that the term of the presidency ends on 30 June, and this is contrary to the Egyptian constitution. Those who talk about early elections, Rashwan said, do not understand what they are saying and talk about something that is not mentioned in the constitution. The constitution regulates all of this. The world knows only two systems of government: the presidential and the parliamentary. With the parliamentary system, which is based on the majority, early elections can be organized. The presidential system, which Egypt is closer to, does not have early elections. Rather, the take place according to a specific date, Rashwan elaborated. However, the Egyptian constitution allows early presidential elections in only a specific case. According to Article 161, if the House of Representatives withdraws confidence from the president, early presidential elections can be held following the filing of a reasoned motion that is signed by at least the majority of the members of the House of Representatives and upon approval of two- thirds of its members. Search Keywords: Short link: 0000831378 false Q1 2024 0.001 20000000 8000000 8000000 0.001 300000000 100103103 100103103 100103103 0000831378 2023-02-01 2023-04-30 0000831378 form10:MrChenYanghangMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 form10:MrYangFuzhuMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 form10:MrChenYanghangMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 form10:MrYangFuzhuMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 form10:DavidLazarMember us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember form10:PrivateTransactionMember 2021-01-24 2021-01-25 0000831378 us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember form10:PrivateTransactionMember 2022-08-11 2022-08-12 0000831378 us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember form10:PrivateTransactionMember 2021-01-25 0000831378 us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember form10:PrivateTransactionMember 2021-01-24 2021-01-25 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2023-02-01 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2023-02-01 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2023-02-01 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2023-02-01 2023-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2023-01-31 0000831378 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2022-02-01 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2022-02-01 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-02-01 2022-04-30 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2022-02-01 2022-04-30 0000831378 2022-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2022-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2022-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-01-31 0000831378 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2022-01-31 0000831378 2022-02-01 2022-04-30 0000831378 2023-01-31 0000831378 2023-04-30 0000831378 2023-06-13 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares xbrli:pure UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended or TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _________ to _________ Commission File Number. 033-20966 LVPAI GROUP LIMITED (Exact name of registrant issuer as specified in its charter) Nevada 6770 76-0251547 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 50 West Liberty Street , Suite 880 , Reno , Nevada 89501 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) Registrants phone number, including area code ( 646 ) 768-8417 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered None LVPA N/A Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its managements assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes No The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of June 13, 2023, was approximately $802 millions based on a closing price of $8.02 as of such date. Solely for purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by executive officers, directors, and beneficial holders of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock of the registrant as of such date have been excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of June 13, 2023. Class Outstanding at June 13, 2023 Common Stock, $0.001 par value 100,103,103 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Table of Contents PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial statements LVPAI GROUP LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF APRIL 30, 2023 AND JANUARY 31, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) As of April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Audited) ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS $ - $ - LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY Accrued liabilities and other payable 7,420 420 Amount due to the related parties 68,387 64,607 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 75,807 $ 65,027 STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT Preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, April 30, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively 8,000 8,000 Common stock, $ 0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 100,103,103 shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively 100,103 100,103 Additional paid-in capital 19,518,948 19,518,948 Accumulated deficit ( 19,702,858 ) ( 19,692,078 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT ( 75,807 ) ( 65,027 ) TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT $ - $ - See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 AND 2022 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) Three months ended April 30, 2023 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) REVENUES $ - $ - COST OF REVENUES - - GROSS PROFIT - - OPERATING EXPENSES ( 10,780 ) ( 16,663 ) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS ( 10,780 ) ( 16,663 ) Other expense: - - Net loss from operations ( 10,780 ) ( 16,663 ) Income tax expense - Net loss $ ( 10,780 ) $ ( 16,663 ) Other comprehensive income: - Foreign currency translation adjustment - - COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $ ( 10,780 ) $ ( 16,663 ) Net loss per share- Basic and diluted $ ( 0.00 ) $ 0.16 Weighted Average Number of shares outstanding 13,253,788 103,103 See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 AND 2022 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) For the three months ended April 30, 2023 PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL Number of shares Amount Number of shares Amount PAID-IN CAPITAL ACCUMULATED DEFICIT TOTAL EQUITY Balance as of January 31, 2023 (audited) 10,000,000 $ 10,000 103,103 $ 103 $ 19,518,948 $ ( 19,692,078 ) $ ( 65,027 ) Net loss - - - - - ( 10,780 ) ( 10,780 ) Balance as of April 30, 2023 (unaudited) 10,000,000 $ 10,000 103,103 $ 103 $ 19,518,948 $ ( 19,702,858 ) $ ( 75,807 ) For the three months ended April 30, 2022 PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL Number of shares Amount Number of shares Amount PAID-IN CAPITAL ACCUMULATED DEFICIT TOTAL EQUITY Balance as of January 31, 2022 (audited) 10,000,000 $ 10,000 103,103 $ 103 * $ 19,616,948 $ ( 19,655,820 ) $ ( 28,769 ) Net loss - - - - * - ( 16,663 ) ( 16,663 ) Balance as of April 30, 2022 (unaudited) 10,000,000 $ 10,000 103,103 $ 103 * $ 19,616,948 $ ( 19,672,483 ) $ ( 45,432 ) See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 AND 2022 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) Three Months Ended April 30, 2023 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ ( 10,780 ) $ ( 16,663 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities Changes in operating assets and liabilities: - - Accrued liabilities and other payables 7,000 11,350 Net cash used in operating activities ( 3,780 ) ( 5,313 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from related party loans 3,780 5,313 Net cash used in financing activities 3,780 5,313 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents - - Net change in cash and cash equivalents - - Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ - $ - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION Cash paid for income taxes $ - $ - Cash paid for interest paid $ - $ - See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) (Unaudited) NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS BACKGROUND The results for the three months ended April 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. These financial statements and related footnotes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended January 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at April 30, 2023 and for the related periods presented. Lvpai Group Limited , a Nevada corporation (LVPA, the Company, we, us) has been dormant since November 2011. On March 16, 2020, as a result of a custodianship in Clark County, Nevada, Case Number: A-20-809716-B, Custodian Ventures LLC (Custodian) was appointed custodian of the Company. On March 17, 2020, Custodian appointed David Lazar as the Companys Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. On January 25, 2021, as a result of a private transactions, 10,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $ 0.001 par value per share (the Shares) of the Company were transferred from Custodian Ventures, LLC to Yang Fuzhu (the Purchaser). Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible to 200 shares of common stock As a result, the Purchaser became an approximately 86.95 % holder of the voting rights of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company on a fully-diluted basis of the Company, and became the controlling shareholder. The consideration paid for the Shares was $ 250,000 . The source of the cash consideration for the Shares was personal funds of the Purchaser. In connection with the transaction, David Lazar released the Company from $ 65,503 in debt owed to him. On January 25, 2021, David Lazar, serving as a director and an officer, ceased to be the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer, Secretary, and a Director. At the effective date of the transfer, Yang Fuzhu consented to act as the new President, CEO, CFO, Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. On August 12, 2022, as a result of two private transactions, (i) 4,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the Shares) of the Company, were transferred from Yang Fuzhu to Chen Yuanhang and (ii) 1,000,000 Shares were transferred to Frank Chen (together, the Purchasers). As a result, the Purchasers became holders of an aggregate of approximately 43.48% of the voting rights of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company and Yang Fuzhu retained 43.48% of the voting rights of the Company and is no longer the controlling shareholder . The consideration paid for the Shares was $ 172,500 . The source of the cash consideration for the Shares was personal funds of the Purchasers. On August 12, 2022, the existing director and officer resigned immediately. Accordingly, Yang Fuzhu, serving as a director and an officer, ceased to be the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer and Secretary. At the effective date of the transfer, Chen Yuanhang consented to act as the new Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of the Company, and Zhang Wenmin consented to act as the new Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Chen Yuanhang has been our Chief Executive Officer since August 12, 2022. Mr. Yuanhang also serves as our Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer, Secretary and a Director. At the effective date of the transfer, Chen Yuanhang consented to act as the new President, CEO, Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. and Zhang Wenmin consented to act as the new Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Companys accounting year-end is January 31. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) (Unaudited) NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND GOING CONCERN The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described in this note and elsewhere in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Basis of presentation The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) FASB Accounting Standard Codification (the Codification) which is the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. Going concern The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business for the twelve-month period following the date of these financial statements. The Company has incurred operating losses since inception. As of April 30, 2023 the Company had negative retained earnings of 19,702,858 . Because the Company does not expect that existing operational cash flow will be sufficient to fund presently anticipated operations, this raises substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the Company will need to raise additional funds and is currently exploring alternative sources of financing. Prior to August 12, 2022 when a change of control in the Company occurred, the Company had been being funded by Mr. Fuzhu Yang who extended interest-free demand loans to the Company. Historically, the Company has raised capital through private placements, as an interim measure to finance working capital needs and may continue to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or other securities and obtaining some short-term loans. The Company will be required to continue to so until its operations become profitable. Also, the Company has, in the past, paid for consulting services with its common stock to maximize working capital, and intends to continue this practice where feasible. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities, the liability for the excess share issuance, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to income taxes and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable given the quality of information available as of the date of these financial statements. The results of these assumptions provide the basis for making estimates about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) (Unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. On April 30, 2023, and January 31, 2023, the Companys cash equivalents totaled $ 0 and $ 0 , respectively. Revenue recognition On July 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented under ASC 606. As of and for the three months ended April 30, 2023 the financial statements were not impacted due to the application of Topic 606 because the Company had no revenues. Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. FASB ASC 740-10-05, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company assesses the validity of its conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions quarterly to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause it to change its judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax positions sustainability under audit. Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the fair value method following the guidance outlined in Section 718-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for disclosure about Stock-Based Compensation. This section requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award- the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) (Unaudited) Net loss per share Net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period as defined by Financial Accounting Standards, ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per common share (EPS) calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding. Related parties Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence. Recent accounting pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Codification Improvements, which clarifies certain aspects of the new lease standard. The FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases in July 2018. Also in 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method whereby the new lease standard is applied at the adoption date and recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings. The amendments have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new lease standard. We adopted ASC 842 on July 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our financial statements. Stockholders Equity and Accrued Liability Excess Stock Issuance The Company has authorized 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a par value of $ 0.001 . As of April 30, 2023, and January 31, 2023, respectively, there were 100,103,103 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, respectively. As of April 30, 2023, and January 31, 2023, 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock were outstanding respectively, and preferred Series A stock, $ 0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized. LVPAI GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023 (Currency expressed in United States Dollars (US$), except for number of shares) (Unaudited) NOTE 3 - ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLE As of April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Audited) ACCRUED LIABILITIES $ 420 $ 420 OTHER PAYABLE 7,000 - TOTAL ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLE $ 7,420 $ 420 The accrued liabilities included the income tax return fee, FA consulting fee and share agency fee. The other payable included the income tax return fee and FA consulting fee paid by a non-related three party. NOTE 4 - AMOUNT DUE TO THE RELATED PARTIES As of April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Audited) Mr. Yang Fuzhu (Shareholder & former director) $ 24,499 $ 24,499 Mr. Chen Yuanhang (Shareholder & director) 43,888 40,108 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE TO THE RELATED PARTIES $ 68,387 $ 64,607 The amount due is unsecured, interest-free with no fixed payment term, for working capital purpose. Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The information contained in this quarter report on Form 10-Q is intended to update the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023 and presumes that readers have access to, and will have read, the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other information contained in such Form 10-K. The following discussion and analysis also should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The following discussion contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements appear in a number of places in this Report, including, without limitation, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and requirements that are difficult to predict or are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this quarterly report. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We strongly encourage investors to carefully read the factors described in our Form S-1 Amendment No.5, dated May 3, 2019 in the section entitled Risk Factors for a description of certain risks that could, among other things, cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements. We assume no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this transition report on Form10-Q. The following should also be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this report. Results of Operation For the Three months ended April 30, 2023 For the three months periods ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, we realized revenue in amount of $0 and $0, respectively. Result of operation for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, we realized cost of revenue in amount of $0 and $0, respectively. The overall gross profit (or loss) for the Company was $10,780 and $16,663 for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our net loss were $10,780 and $16,663 for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of April 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $0. We have a negative operating cash flows of $3,780 and our working capital has been and will continue to be significant. As a result, we depend substantially on our previous financing activities to provide us with the liquidity and capital resources we need to meet our working capital requirements and to make capital investments in connection with ongoing operations. The Company expects its current capital resources to meet our basic operating requirements for approximately twelve months. Operating Activities For the three months periods ended April 30, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $3,780, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $5,313 for the three months periods ended April 30, 2022. 3 Table of Contents Investing Activities For the three months periods ended April 30, 2023, net cash provided by investing activities was $0, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $0 for the three months periods ended April 30, 2022. Financing Activities For the three months periods ended April 30, 2023 net cash used in financing activities was $3,780. For the three months periods ended April 30, 2022, net cash provided by finance activities was $5,313. Credit Facilities We do not have any credit facilities or other access to bank credit. Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies We currently have a lease agreement in place with respect to office premises in Beijing China to commence our business operations. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our stockholders as of April 30, 2022. Recent accounting pronouncements The Company has reviewed all recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements and do not believe the future adoption of any such pronouncements may be expected to cause a material impact on its financial condition or the results of its operations. 4 Table of Contents Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. As a smaller reporting company as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide information required by this Item. Item 4 Controls and Procedures. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: We carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of April 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the presence of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the companys annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management has identified the following material weaknesses which have caused management to conclude that, as of April 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective: (i) inadequate segregation of duties and effective risk assessment; and (ii) insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of both US GAAP and SEC guidelines. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ending April 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 5 Table of Contents PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings We know of no materials, active or pending legal proceedings against us, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceedings or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any beneficial shareholder are an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to us. Item 1A. Risk Factors. We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds None. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities None. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. Item 5. Other Information. None. 6 Table of Contents ITEM 6. Exhibits * Filed herewith. 7 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Lvpai Group Limited (Name of Registrant) Date: June 13, 2023 By: /s/ Chen Yuanhang Title: Director 8 ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: R2.htm IDEA: R3.htm IDEA: R4.htm IDEA: R5.htm IDEA: R6.htm IDEA: R7.htm IDEA: R8.htm IDEA: R9.htm IDEA: R10.htm IDEA: R11.htm IDEA: R12.htm IDEA: R13.htm IDEA: R14.htm IDEA: R15.htm IDEA: R16.htm IDEA: R17.htm IDEA: lvpa_10q_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of June, 2023 Commission File Number: 001-38049 Azul S.A. (Name of Registrant) Edificio Jatoba, 8th floor, Castelo Branco Office Park Avenida Marcos Penteado de Ulhoa Rodrigues, 939 Tambore, Barueri, Sao Paulo, SP 06460-040, Brazil. +55 (11) 4831 2880 (Address of Principal Executive Office) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F x Form 40-F Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): Yes No x Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): Yes No x June | 2023 Azul Announces Launch of Offers to Exchange Existing Senior Notes for New Senior Secured Second Out Notes Sao Paulo, June 13, 2023 Azul S.A. (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL) (Azul or the Company) announces today that its subsidiary, Azul Investments LLP (the Issuer), has launched: (i) an offer to exchange 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 issued by the Issuer (the Existing 2024 Notes) for 11.500% Senior Secured Second Out Notes due 2029 to be issued by the New Notes Issuer (as defined below) (the New 2029 Notes), and (ii) an offer to exchange 7.250% Senior Notes due 2026 issued by the Issuer (together with the Existing 2024 Notes, the Existing Notes) for 10.875% Senior Secured Second Out Notes due 2030 to be issued by the New Notes Issuer (together with the New 2029 Notes, the New Notes), in each case subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions (the Exchange Offers). The Exchange Offers will be made only to certain eligible holders of Existing Notes. Simultaneously with the Exchange Offers, the Issuer is soliciting consents from eligible holders of the Existing Notes to certain proposed amendments to the terms of the Existing Notes. The purpose of the Exchange Offers is to refinance a portion of the Existing Notes in order to optimize the Companys debt capital structure as part of the execution of the Companys recapitalization strategy. There can be no assurance that the conditions to either or both of the Exchange Offers will be satisfied or waived, or that either or both of the of the Exchange Offers will be consummated. A description of certain terms of the New Notes proposed to be issued in the Exchange Offers and of certain related transaction documents is set out below. Obligors and Status The New Notes will be issued by Azul Secured Finance LLP (the New Notes Issuer), a newly-formed Delaware limited liability partnership that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The New Notes will be guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. (Azul Linhas), IntelAzul S.A. (IntelAzul), ATS Viagens e Turismo Ltda. (Azul Viagens), Azul IP Cayman Holdco Ltd. (IP HoldCo), and Azul IP Cayman Ltd. (IP Co) (together, the Guarantors and, together with the New Notes Issuer, the Obligors). IP HoldCo and IP Co (the IP Parties) will be newly-incorporated exempted companies incorporated in the Cayman Islands in connection with the issuance of the New Notes and the package of Shared Collateral (as defined below). The IP Parties will be structured to be operated as bankruptcy remote special purpose entities and, if the Company or its subsidiaries (other than the IP Parties) were to become bankrupt, the Contributed Intellectual Property (as defined below) is not expected to be treated as property of the bankruptcy estate of the Company or its subsidiaries (other than the IP Parties). The New Notes and the guarantees thereof of the Guarantors will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Obligors existing and future senior unsubordinated obligations (except (i) those obligations preferred by operation of law, including labor and tax claims, (ii) as provided with respect to the Shared Collateral and the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below), and (iii) as provided with respect to the Azul Cargo Collateral and the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement (each as defined below)). The New Notes will constitute New Notes Secured Debt (as defined below) for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, which means that the New Notes will be secured by the Shared Collateral on a second out basis and will have the right to receive payments, including the proceeds of any enforcement of Shared Collateral, on a second out basis after the payment of amounts due and payable in respect of the Secured Lease Obligations, the Convertible Debentures (as defined below), and the Additional First Priority Secured Debt (each as defined below) (the First Priority Secured Debt). In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries will be entitled to incur certain additional indebtedness secured by the Azul Cargo Collateral on a first out basis, subject to the terms of the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement (the Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt), and the New Notes shall have the rights to receive payments from such Azul Cargo Collateral on a second out basis after the payment is respect of the Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt. Maturity Date, Interest, Repurchase, Redemption and Prepayment 1 June | 2023 The New 2029 Notes will mature on May 28, 2029, and the New 2030 Notes will mature on May 28, 2030, in each case unless earlier redeemed or repurchased and cancelled in accordance with their terms. The New 2029 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 11.500% per annum and the New 2030 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 10.875% per annum, in each case payable quarterly on February 28, May 28, August 28 and November 28 of each year, beginning on August 28, 2023. Prior to May 28, 2025, the New Notes Issuer shall have the right to redeem the New 2029 Notes at its option at a make-whole premium, at a specified redemption price. Prior to May 28, 2026, the New Notes Issuer shall have the right to redeem the New 2030 Notes at its option at a make-whole premium, at a specified redemption price. On or after May 28, 2025, the New Notes Issuer shall have the right to redeem the New 2029 Notes at its option without a make-whole premium, at a specified redemption price during the twelve-month period beginning on May 28, 2025, and at par from May 28, 2026 and thereafter. On or after May 28, 2026, the New Notes Issuer shall have the right to redeem the New 2030 Notes at its option without a make-whole premium, at specified redemption prices during the twelve-month periods beginning on May 28, 2026 and 2027, respectively, and at par from May 28, 2028 and thereafter. In addition, the New Notes shall include the right to redeem all of the New Notes for certain tax reasons, and a clean-up call redemption right following acceptance of a tender offer above a certain threshold. The New Notes Issuer shall be required to make an offer to purchase the New Notes upon certain change of control events and in respect of the proceeds of certain recovery and contingent payment events. In addition, the New Notes Issuer shall be required to make an offer to purchase, on a pro rata basis, an amount equal to 19% of the outstanding principal amount of the New 2029 Notes in certain circumstances. Subject to certain exceptions, the New Notes will be subject to mandatory prepayment using the net proceeds of certain issuances of debt by the IP Parties, IntelAzul or Azul Viagens, the net proceeds of collateral sales (in the limited circumstances where such sales may be permitted) and the net proceeds from the sale of pre-paid points purchases above a certain threshold. Secured Obligations Secured by the Shared Collateral The transaction documents to be entered into in connection with the issuance of the New Notes will create a shared collateral structure that will, with effect from the date that the New Notes are issued (the New Notes Closing Date), secure certain existing indebtedness and other obligations of the relevant Obligors and that will be permitted to secure certain future permitted indebtedness incurred by the Obligors. The priority of payments in respect of First Priority Secured Debt and New Notes Secured Debt is determined by the Intercreditor Agreement. First Priority Secured Debt The Company currently expects that, on the New Notes Closing Date, the Shared Collateral will secure approximately US$451 of First Priority Secured Debt, as described below. Convertible Debentures: Approximately R$1,760 million of principal amount of the Companys Convertible Debentures (or approximately US$346 million using an exchange rate of R$5.0804 per US$1.00) that were issued by the Company on October 26, 2020 (the Convertible Debentures). The Convertible Debentures currently mature on October 26, 2025, and the holders of substantially all of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures have agreed to vote in favor of amendments to the Convertible Debentures to, among other things, extend the maturity date to October 26, 2028. Secured Lease Obligations: Approximately US$105 million of deferred lease payment obligations owed to certain of the Companys lessors, the payment of which is scheduled to be concluded by December 1, 2024 (the Secured Lease Obligations). Additional permitted First Priority Secured Debt capacity: In addition to the Convertible Debentures and the Secured Lease Obligations, the terms of the New Notes will provide that, subject to certain conditions, the Obligors shall be entitled to incur additional First Priority Secured Debt that is secured by the Shared Collateral in the aggregate principal amount of up to US$850 million or such greater amount as would not cause a debt service coverage ratio to be lower than 4.00x or for a loan to value ratio (determined based upon periodic appraisals of the TudoAzul business, the Azul Viagens business and the Azul intellectual property and calculated as to First Priority Secured Debt only) to be lower than 62.5% (the Additional First Priority Secured Debt). 2 June | 2023 New Notes Secured Debt The Shared Collateral will secure New Notes secured debt (the New Notes Secured Debt) as described below. New Notes: Up to US$1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of New Notes of the relevant series can be issued pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offers. Therefore, the amount of New Notes Secured Debt to be initially secured by the Shared Collateral will depend on participation levels in the Exchange Offers. Additional permitted New Notes Secured Debt capacity: In addition, the terms of the New Notes will provide that, subject to certain conditions, the Obligors shall be entitled to issue additional New 2029 Notes and any additional New 2030 Notes that is secured by the Shared Collateral in an aggregate principal amount up to any aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes repurchased and cancelled after the final settlement date of the Exchange Offers, subject to a limit of US$850 million (minus the principal amount of the New Notes outstanding on the final settlement date of the Exchange Offers). Secured Obligations Secured by the Azul Cargo Collateral On the New Notes Closing Date, the Azul Cargo Collateral will secure the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers. The Company and its subsidiaries shall be entitled to incur Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt that is secured by certain permitted liens over the Azul Cargo Collateral in an aggregate principal amount of Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt at any time outstanding not to exceed US$800.0 million. Collateral The Collateral securing the New Notes and the guarantees of the Guarantors will generally consist of the Shared Collateral and the Azul Cargo Collateral, each as defined and described below. The following chart describes the structure of the New Notes and provides details of the Collateral: 3 June | 2023 Shared Collateral The transaction documents to be entered into in connection with the issuance of the New Notes will create a shared collateral package (the Shared Collateral) that will secure certain existing indebtedness and other obligations and can secure future permitted First Priority Secured Debt and New Notes Secured Debt. In summary, the Shared Collateral will comprise certain receivables generated by the TudoAzul program (the Companys loyalty program), certain receivables generated by the Azul Viagens business (the Companys travel package business) and certain brands, domain names and certain other intellectual property used by the Azul airline business (excluding Azul Cargo), the TudoAzul program and the Azul Viagens business (the Contributed Intellectual Property). Third-party appraisals have estimated the value of the TudoAzul program, the Azul Viagens business and the Azul airline intellectual property at R$16.2 billion, R$2.4 billion and R$5.0 billion, respectively. The terms of the New Notes require that all cash payments, credit card and debit card receivables under co-branding, partnering or similar agreements entered by TudoAzul or Azul Viagens be paid into collection accounts that form part of the Shared Collateral. The Company is required to ensure that (i) the assigned TudoAzul receivables represent at least 70% of TudoAzuls gross billings, and (ii) the assigned Azul Viagens receivables represent at least 80% of the Azul Viagens gross billings. The liens over the Shared Collateral will be subject to certain post-closing perfection requirements, and the effectiveness of the liens over the assigned TudoAzul agreements and Azul Viagens agreements shall be subject to the consent of relevant counterparties being obtained within a specified period. The Secured Collateral will include collection accounts into which the receivables generated by the TudoAzul program and the Azul Viagens business will be paid. The terms of the New Notes will provide that, until the Obligors incur any additional First Priority Secured Debt after the New Notes Closing Date (the New First Priority Debt Closing Date), unless an event of default has occurred, amounts in the collection accounts will be available for use by Azul without restriction. If and when the New First Priority Debt Closing Date occurs, then amounts deposited into the collection accounts will be retained until the amounts in the collection accounts are sufficient to pay the amount of interest (and, if applicable, principal, premium and other payments) to be paid on the next interest payment date. When that threshold has been reached, unless an event of default has occurred, all amounts in the collection accounts in excess of that threshold will be available for use by Azul without restriction. Azul Cargo Collateral The transaction documents to be entered into in connection with the issuance of the New Notes will also create a package of Azul Cargo collateral (the Azul Cargo Collateral and, together with the Shared Collateral, the Collateral) that will secure the New Notes and any future Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt. In summary, the Azul Cargo Collateral will comprise certain receivables generated by the Azul Cargo business (Azuls cargo transportation services business), and certain brands, domain names and certain other intellectual property used by the Azul Cargo business. Third-party appraisals have estimated the value of the Azul Cargo business at R$6.7 billion. The liens over the Azul Cargo Collateral will be subject to certain post-closing perfection requirements. At any time prior to the occurrence of an event of default, amounts in the Azul Cargo collection account will be available for use by Azul without restriction. The Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement, if and when entered into, shall contain provisions relating to the enforcement of, and application of proceeds in relation to, the Azul Cargo collection account. Contributed Intellectual Property In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offers, Azul and certain subsidiaries will contribute the Contributed Intellectual Property to the IP Parties. The Contributed Intellectual Property will be pledged by IP Co and will form part of the Shared Collateral. IP Co will grant to IP HoldCo an exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to use the Contributed Intellectual Property and, in turn, IP HoldCo will grant to Azul Linhas an exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide sublicense to use the Contributed Intellectual Property. Pursuant to a management agreement, the IP Parties will delegate their respective rights and obligations as licensors under the intellectual property licenses to Azul Linhas. The rights of the IP Parties, Azul and Azul Linhas in certain of the agreements related to this structure (the IP Agreements) will be pledged as part of the Shared Collateral. 4 June | 2023 The intellectual property licenses referred to above will contain non-compete provisions pursuant to which the Company and its subsidiaries shall not be permitted to establish, create or operate any loyalty program or travel package business except for the TudoAzul program or the Azul Viagens business (subject to certain permitted acquisition provisions). Upon the occurrence of certain events of default under debt secured by the Shared Collateral, IP HoldCo may be required to pay to IP Co a quarterly license fee under the relevant intellectual property, and Azul Linhas may be required to pay to IP HoldCo a quarterly license fee under the relevant intellectual property license, in each case in an amount equal to US$50 million per quarter, subject to certain terms and conditions. The right to receive such license fee will be pledged as part of the Secured Collateral. The intellectual property license granted to Azul Linhas in respect of the Azul airline brand is subject to suspension in certain circumstances, including upon the occurrence of events of default under debt secured by the Shared Collateral, and all intellectual property licenses granted under this structure are subject to termination in certain circumstances, including upon the occurrence of events of default under debt secured by the Shared Collateral. In the event that a relevant intellectual property license is terminated following the occurrence of certain termination events, the relevant license provides for the payment by Azul Linhas of liquidated damages in the form of a termination payment equal to the present value of an annual amount of US$200 million from the date of termination through and including the date that is the 20th anniversary of the New Notes Closing Date, discounted to the termination date at a rate of 10% per annum. The right to receive the termination fee will be pledged as part of the Secured Collateral. Certain Covenants under the New Notes In addition to the other provisions described herein, the terms of the New Notes restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to dispose of the Collateral, incur additional indebtedness secured by the Collateral, incur certain liens on the Collateral (other than permitted collateral liens), make certain restricted payments, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, enter into certain business activities, merge or consolidate with another entity or sell, convey, transfer or dispose of assets, amend the organizational documents of the IP Parties and terminate or amend the IP Agreements. The terms of the New Notes will also include covenants relating to the operation of the TudoAzul program and the Azul Viagens business, the maintenance of credit ratings (but not any specific rating), certain restrictions on investments, the appointment of an independent director of each IP Party, financial and other reports to be delivered, the registration of intellectual property and requiring that IntelAzul shall be the sole repository of, and have sole technical control over, the TudoAzul program customer database, among other provisions. Intercreditor Agreement In order for debt and other obligations to be secured by the Shared Collateral, the trustees, agents, other representatives or, if applicable, the creditor thereof shall be required to enter into, on the New Notes Closing Date, an intercreditor, shared collateral and accounts agreement (the Intercreditor Agreement) that will govern the priority of payments as between the secured creditors and the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement will provide for payment waterfalls. In addition, the Intercreditor Agreement will also govern the exercise of remedies in respect of the Secured Collateral. Priority of Payments The Intercreditor Agreement will provide for the priorities of the debt secured by the Shared Collateral to receive payments, including the proceeds of any enforcement of Shared Collateral: First Priority Secured Debt: Debt and other obligations designated as first out secured obligations will be secured by the Shared Collateral on a first out basis pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and will have the right to receive payments, including the proceeds of any enforcement of the Shared Collateral, or any guarantees of any series of debt secured by the Shared Collateral, on a first out basis prior to the payment of amounts due and payable in respect of the New Notes Secured Debt in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. 5 June | 2023 New Notes Secured Debt: The New Notes will be secured by the Shared Collateral on a second out basis pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and will have the right to receive payments, including the proceeds of any enforcement of Shared Collateral, or any guarantees of any series of debt secured by the Shared Collateral, on a second out basis after the payment of amounts due and payable in respect of the First Priority Secured Debt accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. The first out and second out priorities will be provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement because, under Brazilian law, the relevant collateral interests cannot be split out into separate first and second liens on the same asset. Application of Payments The terms of the Intercreditor Agreement will provide for payment waterfalls which direct how the collateral agents must apply the proceeds of amounts paid into the relevant payment accounts that form part of the Shared Collateral, including in the event of the enforcement of the Shared Collateral. The payment waterfalls require the following order of payment: first: amounts due to representatives of debt secured by the Shared Collateral (such as trustees, agents and other representatives), second: amounts to pay interest on First Priority Secured Debt, third: amounts to pay principal on First Priority Secured Debt, fourth: before a remedies direction following an event of default, amounts on any New Notes Secured Debt that benefits from any excess cash flow sweep, fifth: amounts to pay interest on New Notes Secured Debt, sixth: amounts to pay principal on New Notes Secured Debt, seventh: amounts to pay any other obligations under debt secured by the Shared Collateral (in each case, to the extent due and payable). The payment waterfalls that apply after a remedies direction following an event of default provide that the payment of any premium payable on First Priority Secured Debt shall be have priority of payment over any premium payable on New Notes Secured Debt. Exercise of Remedies The Intercreditor Agreement will govern the exercise of remedies and enforcement actions in respect of the Shared Collateral, which includes the action that can be taken in respect of the Shared Collateral after events of default under debt secured by the Shared Collateral. Until all senior secured obligations secured by the Shared Collateral are discharged, the collateral agents shall take instructions only from the Controlling Creditors, which is determined as follows: Other than in respect of certain specified rights referred to below, until the Majority New Notes Collateral Enforcement Date (as defined below) has occurred, the Controlling Creditors will be holders of First Priority Secured Debt that hold 50.1% or more of the aggregate principal amount of all First Priority Secured Debt. Other than in respect of certain specified rights referred to below, after the Majority New Notes Collateral Enforcement Date has occurred, the Controlling Creditors will be holders of the New Notes that hold 50.1% or more of the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes, determined across both series of New Notes for this purpose as one class (the Majority New Noteholders). Notwithstanding the above, in respect of the exercise of certain specified rights, the Controlling Creditors shall be the holders of debt secured by the Shared Collateral (i.e. First Priority Secured Debt and New Notes Secured Debt) that hold 50.1% or more of the aggregate principal amount of all First Priority Secured Debt and New Notes Secured Debt (Majority Total Debtholders). For example, these specified rights exercisable by the Majority Total Debtholders include the right to amend or waive the terms of the IP Agreements (subject to certain exceptions, such as if New Notes Secured Debt is receiving interest on a current basis) and rights to permit the New Notes Issuer and the Guarantors to access or use cash collateral (subject to certain exceptions, such as if the New Notes Secured Debt receives the benefit of any interest, fees or collateral granted to the First Priority Secured Debt). 6 June | 2023 As used above, the Majority New Notes Collateral Enforcement Date is the date that is 180 days after an event of default has occurred under any series of New Notes Secured Debt and all of the obligations under the New Notes Secured Debt are due and payable. However, the occurrence of this date shall be delayed if the collateral agents are exercising remedies in respect of the Shared Collateral or if an insolvency proceeding has commenced. Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement As a condition to the incurrence of Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt, the trustee, as representative of the holders of the New Notes, shall become a party to an intercreditor, shared collateral and accounts agreement in respect of the Azul Cargo Collateral (the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement) with the trustees, agents, other representatives or, if applicable, the creditors, of debt secured by the Azul Cargo Collateral. The Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement will govern the priority of payments as between the secured creditors. In addition, the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement will also govern the exercise of remedies in respect of the Azul Cargo Collateral. Priority of Payments The Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement will provide that the Azul Cargo Collateral shall secure the New Notes and the New Notes Guarantees on a second out basis pursuant to the terms of the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement and shall have the right to receive payments from the Azul Cargo Collateral, including the proceeds of any enforcement of such Azul Cargo Collateral, on a second out basis after any payments from the Azul Cargo Collateral, including the proceeds of any enforcement of such Azul Cargo Collateral, payable in respect of the Azul Cargo Priority Secured Debt in accordance with the terms of the Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement. Exercise of Remedies The Azul Cargo Intercreditor Agreement will govern the exercise of remedies and enforcement actions in respect of the Azul Cargo Collateral, which includes the action that can be taken in respect of the Azul Cargo Collateral after events of default under debt secured by the Azul Cargo Collateral. Important Notes This communication is for information purposes only. This communication is not and shall not constitute (i) an offer to buy, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, the Existing Notes or any other securities, (ii) the solicitation of consents from any holders of the Existing Notes or any other securities, or (iii) an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the New Notes or any other securities. There shall be no offering or sale of the New Notes or other securities, and no solicitation of consents from any holders of the Existing Notes or any other securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful. Any offer or solicitation will only be made pursuant to a separate disclosure or solicitation document and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as permitted under applicable law. The offering of the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The New Notes may not be offered or sold absent registration under, pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The New Notes will be offered for exchange only (i) to qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (ii) outside the United States, to persons other than U.S. persons as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The New Notes have not been and will not be issued or placed, distributed, offered or traded in the Brazilian capital markets. The issuance of the New Notes has not been nor will be registered with the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios) (the CVM). Any public offering or distribution, as defined under Brazilian laws and regulations, of the New Notes in Brazil is not legal without prior registration under Law No. 6,385, dated December 15, 1976, as amended, and CVM Resolution No. 160, dated July 13, 2022, as amended. Documents relating to the offering of the New Notes, as well as information contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Brazil (as the offering of the New Notes is not a public offering of securities in Brazil), nor be used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the New Notes to the public in Brazil. The New Notes will not be offered or sold in Brazil, except in circumstances, which do not constitute a public offering, placement, distribution or negotiation of securities in the Brazilian capital markets regulated by Brazilian legislation. 7 June | 2023 Forward-Looking Statements This communication includes estimates and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. These estimates and forward-looking statements are based mainly on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends that affect or may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity, prospects and the trading price of our securities, including the Existing Notes and the New Notes. Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions in light of information currently available to us, they are subject to many significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 and any other cautionary statements which may be made or referred to in connection with any such estimates and forward-looking statements. In this communication, the words believe, understand, may, will, aim, estimate, continue, anticipate, seek, intend, expect, should, could, forecast and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this communication because of new information, future events or other factors. Our independent public auditors have neither examined nor compiled the forward-looking statements and, accordingly, do not provide any assurance with respect to such statements. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the future events and circumstances discussed in this communication might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance. Because of these uncertainties, you should not make any investment decision based upon these estimates and forward-looking statements. About Azul Azul S.A. (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL), the largest airline in Brazil by number of flight departures and cities served, offers 1,000 daily flights to over 160 destinations. With an operating fleet of over 170 aircraft and more than 13,000 Crewmembers, the Company has a network of 300 non-stop routes as of December 2022. Azul was named by Cirium (leading aviation data analysis company) as the most on-time airline in the world in 2022, being the first Brazilian airline to obtain this honor. In 2020 Azul was awarded best airline in the world by TripAdvisor, first time a Brazilian Flag Carrier earns number one ranking in the Travelers Choice Awards. For more information visit www.voeazul.com.br/ir. Contact: Investor Relations Tel: +55 11 4831 2880 [email protected] Media Relations Tel: +55 11 4831 1245 [email protected] 8 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Date: June 13, 2023 Azul S.A. (b) any civil suit or action brought against the Filer or to which the Filer has been joined as defendant or respondent, in any appropriate court in any place subject to the jurisdiction of any state or of the United States, or of any of its territories or possessions, or of the District of Columbia, where the investigation, proceeding or cause of action arises out of or relates to or concerns (i) any offering made or purported to be made in connection with the securities registered or qualified by the Filer on Form CB on April 14, 2023 or any purchases or sales of any security in connection therewith; (ii) the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises, or any purchases or sales of such securities; (iii) any tender offer for the securities of a Canadian issuer with respect to which filings are made by the Filer with the Commission on Schedule 13E-4F, 14D-1F or 14D-9F; or (iv) the securities in relation to which the Filer acts as trustee pursuant to an exemption under Rule 10a-5 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The Filer stipulates and agrees that any such civil suit or action or administrative proceeding may be commenced by the service of process upon, and that service of an administrative subpoena shall be effected by service upon such agent for service of process, and that service as aforesaid shall be taken and held in all courts and administrative tribunals to be valid and binding as if personal service thereof had been made. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G/A Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. n/a )* Growlife, Inc. (Name of Issuer) Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (Title of Class of Securities) 39985X203 (CUSIP Number) (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: Rule 13d-1(b) Rule 13d-1(c) Rule 13d-1(d) * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP No. 39985X203 1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) Silverback Capital Corporation 82-2335993 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) (b) 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Utah NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 3,662,761 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 3,662,761 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 3,662,761 10 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 9.99%(1)(2) 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) OO FOOTNOTES (1) * Based on 33,001,515 shares outstanding (after conversion to reach 9.99%) on June 1, 2023 (as reported by the OTC Markets Group Inc. on June 12, 2023). (2) See attached note # 1. Item 1. (a) Name of Issuer Growlife, Inc. (b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices 11335 NE 122nd Way, Suite 105 Kirkland, WA 98034 Item 2. (a) Name of Person Filing Silverback Capital Corporation (b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence 614 North Dupont Highway, Suite 210 Dover, Delaware, 19901 (c) Citizenship Delaware (d) Title of Class of Securities Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (e) CUSIP Number 39985X203 Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: (a) Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o). (b) Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c) Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d) Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8). (e) An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) A non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). (k) A group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: Item 4. Ownership. Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1. (a) Amount beneficially owned: (b) Percent of class: 9.99%(1)(2) (c) Number of shares as to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,662,761(2) (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,662,761(2) (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0 Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following o . Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. N/A Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company N/A Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group N/A Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group N/A FOOTNOTES (1) * Based on 33,001,515 shares outstanding (after conversion to reach 9.99%) on June 1, 2023 (as reported by the OTC Markets Group Inc. on June 12, 2023). (2) See attach note # 1. Item 10. Certification By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11. SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Silverback Capital Corporation Date: June 13, 2023 By: /s/ Gillian Gold Name: Gillian Gold Title: Manager Footnotes: WASHINGTON A soldier who was killed serving at a post in the Middle East last month died in a vehicle wreck that also caused another soldier to suffer a permanent disability, the Army said. Spc. Jayson Reed Haven was riding in a Humvee at Camp Buehring in Kuwait on May 25 when it overturned, the service said. He died of his injuries. Haven, 20, was in the Humvee in support of range operations when it flipped over. Haven of Aiken, S.C., had been assigned to Camp Buehring, which is a staging post in northern Kuwait for American troops. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the soldiers use of seat belts, mishap sequence and if speed was a contributing factor, are currently unknown, according to an early Army assessment of the accident called a Preliminary Loss Report. The Army did not specify what injuries or permanent disability the other soldier suffered in the crash. The service said at the time of the accident that Haven was supporting Operation Spartan Shield, a military effort to increase security, build partnerships in the Middle East, and promote regional self-reliance. Camp Buehring was established in 2003 to aid in the U.S. militarys war in Iraq. It occasionally also has been used by allied troops from Kuwait, South Korea and Britain. The Army said an average of nine soldiers are killed each year in government vehicle accidents. The crash in Kuwait was the second government vehicle death of fiscal 2023, the service said. The first occurred in Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania and killed 20-year-old Spc. Mackenzie Shay last October. Havens noncombat death was the second for an American service member in Kuwait in two days. On May 24, Air Force Maj. Stephen Khou died at Camp Arifjan in southeastern Kuwait. Khou, 36, was a cyber operations expert working as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the militarys campaign to fight the Islamic State terrorist group. (Tribune News Service) A search for a missing Fort Jackson soldier who did not return from a training exercise ended Tuesday, according to the U.S. Army. Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras, a drill sergeant candidate who had been missing since Monday, was found, Fort Jackson spokeswoman LA Sully said in a news release. No information about his condition was available. More information is expected to be released in an upcoming news conference. Contreras was reported missing at a Monday night news conference by Brig. Gen. Jason Kelly, Fort Jacksons commanding officer. Kelly said that Contreras was participating with the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy as it conducted routine land navigation training. Contreras is a drill sergeant candidate, according to the Army. The exercise started at about 10 a.m. Monday, according to Kelly. Information about where the exercise was conducted, along with the last place Contreras was seen, was not available. Contreras was supposed to return at 1:30 p.m. but did not show, according to Kelly. Staff Sgt. Contreras did not return at the designated time, Kelly said at the 10 p.m. news conference. Drill sergeant leaders and candidates immediately began a search and alerted the Fort Jackson Emergency Services that we had a missing soldier. Kelly described Contreras as a 40-year-old Hispanic man who was last seen wearing a uniform. Further information about Contreras, including where hes originally from and his service record, were not available. The Army did not say if Contreras was considered lost, or if he chose not to return. There was no word if foul play is suspected in Contreras disappearance. The search was conducted on Fort Jackson grounds, but the area where the training was held was close to the posts perimeter, according to Sully. Along with the Army, Kelly said the Richland County Sheriffs Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the South Carolina Army National Guard are assisting with search. Fort Jackson is the nations largest military basic training base with more than 50,000 recruits assigned there each year. 2023 The State. Visit thestate.com . U.S. military police stationed at Bavarian bases have stepped up weekend patrols at Nuremburgs main train station, one of Germanys most crime-plagued transportation hubs, under a recently announced cooperation agreement with the city. Brig. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, who is responsible for the 50,000 Army personnel and dependents residing in Bavaria, authorized the patrols earlier this year in furtherance of existing joint security arrangements, Nuremberg officials said May 19. A federal inquiry in March revealed that Nuremberg ranked third among German train stations in the number of violent offenses, sexual crimes and property thefts in 2022. Police logged 2,250 crimes committed on or near station grounds last year, including 548 violent crimes, 992 thefts and 40 sexual offenses. Nurembergs main train station is not one of the busiest in Germany. In fact, it doesnt even rank in the top 10 nationwide. But despite its modest size, it has a bigger crime problem than much larger and busier hubs in Hamburg and Hannover, for example, federal statistics show. "The figures for 2022 prompted me to bring everyone together," Mayor Marcus Koenig said in a statement in May. "The top priority is more presence in the main station." Many young people from the largely rural surrounding region come to Nuremberg seeking a change of pace and city nightlife. A large nightclub in the train station itself adds to the attraction on weekends. In January, a group of U.S. service members leaving a nightclub near the train station attacked German officers responding to a heated dispute, according to a police statement. One officer suffered severe bruising that required outpatient hospital treatment. The investigation into the assault remains open, an Army Garrison Bavaria spokesman said June 1. In 2020, a 22-year-old member of the Vilseck-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment bit an officer in the leg and called the law enforcement personnel at the station Nazis, police said. But the increase in weekend patrols at the train station cannot be related to a specific incident, garrison spokesman Franz Zeilmann said June 1. He added that joint patrols with German counterparts are a common occurrence. German police have also long teamed up with U.S. personnel to patrol high-traffic events such as local festivals and the Munich Octoberfest. The garrison did not provide details about how many soldiers will patrol at the train station and how long the measures are expected to be in effect. Along with the weekend military patrols, there are plans to add police, railway security workers and additional cameras, Nuremberg officials said in a statement last month. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN climate change high-level champion for Egypt, trumpeted the ability of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (SAA) to help bridge the financing gap, the biggest challenge to implementing climate adaptation. Moheildin, who is also the UN special envoy on financing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, made his remarks while participating on Monday in a session on the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda during the Bonn Climate Conference in Germany. He emphasized that the SAA, which was launched last year at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, is meant to address challenges facing implementation of adaptation and resilience activities. During the Bonn conference, the Egyptian presidency of COP27, high-level climate champions (HLCs) and the Marrakech Partnership launched six task forces to accelerate the implementation of the agenda by focusing on the areas of food systems, water, human settlements, oceans, infrastructure and finance. Mohieldin noted that the gap in the implementation of adaptation activities is mainly a financing gap that requires mobilizing finance and reducing risks. He pointed out that the contribution of the private sector and businesses is only four percent of the adaptation financing, which is far from the required level. Mohieldin explained that the $100 billion pledged by developed countries at the 2009 Copenhagen Conference to finance climate action annually in developing countries will contribute to bridging the gap by only three percent if met. He stated that efforts to double adaptation financing from its level in 2019 to $20-30 billion annually in 2025 are good but not enough to meet the requirements of developing countries. In order to narrow the gap, the Egyptian presidency of COP27, in cooperation with the UNs regional economic commissions and the HLCs team, have been working to find investable, bankable and implementable projects through the five r egional f orums on c limate f inance. The first edition of the forums discussed about 400 projects, 70 of which focus on adaptation and resilience. Mohieldin stressed that the SAA will effectively contribute to bridging the gap between financing and implementing adaptation projects. He highlighted the importance of scaling the private sector participation in financing and implementing climate action, activating debt reduction mechanisms, debt swaps for investment in nature and climate, voluntary carbon markets, and enhancing the contribution of international financial institutions (IFIs) and multilateral development banks (MDBs) through adopting more effective policies for concessional financing. The session witnessed the participation of Director of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COP27 Presidency Lead Negotiator, Ambassador Mohamed Nasr; HLC for COP28 Razan Al Mubarak; UNFCCC Adaptation Director Youssef Nassef; and the SAAs six task forces leaders. The six task forces will work on rallying non-state actors and governments to implement the SAA, identify partnerships needed to deliver on each target, facillitate discussions to inform the baseline and tracking of progress for each of the target. Their activities will contribute to shaping a common narrative for adaptation system transformation as well as the first SAA Implementation Report. Search Keywords: Short link: KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa A U.S. Army officer has received the services highest noncombat award for heroism after rescuing three people from an Okinawa rip current that killed a well-known Japanese manga artist. Maj. Robert Bourgeau, 50, was awarded the Soldiers Medal on Friday at Kadena for his actions July 4 at Mermaids Grotto, a popular and sometimes treacherous dive spot. The Montana native braved rough surf to rescue a Japanese woman, her 11-year-old daughter and a 39-year-old U.S. soldier. Maj. Gen. Joel JB Vowell, commander of U.S. Army Japan, said he was honored to recognize Bourgeau for his bravery. Vowell gave Bourgeau the medal in front of 300 people at the 248th Army Birthday Ball. His strength and stamina were gone, and he barely made it back to the shore, Vowell said. His actions were the very definition of heroism laying his own life at risk to help others. Kazuki Takahashi, 60, creator of the popular Japanese manga series Yu-Gi-Oh!, attempted to aid Bourgeau in the rescue, unbeknownst to the American, and drowned in the process. His body was recovered two days later off the Okinawa shore. It's a complete honor that my command would think that what I did was worthy of getting this award, Bourgeau said after being pinned at the Rocker Enlisted Club. When I was in the water, I didn't know if I was going to make it out. Bourgeau, then deputy operations officer for the 10th Support Group at Torii Station, left the island after the rescue for U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. His old command invited him back to Okinawa as the birthday balls guest of honor. The Soldiers Medal was established by Congress in 1926 to recognize acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy, according to the Armys website. The act must include personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life. On July 4, Bourgeau, a scuba diving instructor, met a pair of students at around 2 p.m. for a lesson at the popular dive spot, he told Stars and Stripes in October. The conditions were rough, so Bourgeau decided not to dive. He said he spotted a Japanese woman calling for help and pointing toward her daughter and the soldier, who were trapped in a rip current about 100 yards from shore. The outgoing current and incoming 6-foot waves created a whirlpool effect that trapped the snorkelers. Bourgeau rescued the daughter and her mother but was too exhausted to bring in the soldier. With Borgeaus last bit of strength, he reached a ledge and directed the soldier out of the whirlpool and onto the shore. At some point, Takahashi entered the water, Bourgeau said, but he didn't see the Japanese icon during the ordeal. Bourgeau's students caught glimpses of him until he disappeared beneath the waves. Takahashis popularity among manga fans turned the rescue, and his death, into international news. Unfortunately, Mr. Takahashi went in and tried to help the people and he passed away, Bourgeau said Friday. If I had known he was out there, I would have done everything I could to help him go out. WASHINGTON Marine Gen. Eric Smith on Tuesday told senators that Sen. Tommy Tubervilles effort to hold up hundreds of military promotions could undermine national security. It certainly compromises our ability to be most ready, Smith told members of Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on his nomination to become the next commandant of the Marine Corps. Our readiness is national security. The four-star general said the blocked promotions, which include more than 200 military officers, have an impact on readiness, decision making and the effectiveness of the units hindered by the delays. When a three-star general retires there will be a one-star general, a fairly new one, in charge of [a] 48,000-person Marine Expeditionary Force, Smith offered as an example of how the delay can affect readiness. It will have an effect. Tuberville, R-Ala., a member of the committee who was at the hearing, has blocked the Senate for months from making standard voice votes to approve military promotions over his objection to a Pentagon policy that provides travel money to troops for reproductive health care, including abortions. The nominees can be confirmed by the Senate one by one in a process that would consume months of the upper chambers floor time. We live in a dangerous world, Tuberville told Smith. And I would hope some of your colleagues in the Pentagon would catch on to that a little bit and get politics out of this. I mean, politics is detrimental to a lot of things. Its good for some things, some things its not. For the military, its not. Smith fielded other questions during the hearing on an array of issues, such as the services modernization program, a possible lack of amphibious assault ships next year and military recruiting difficulties. I will never be shy about telling you what our young Marines need to have an unfair fight, he said. China is the pacing challenge. Russia is the acute threat. What capabilities do they have and what do we need to thwart them? Smith, 58, was nominated by President Joe Biden last month to be the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps when Gen. David Berger retires next month. Hes been assistant commandant since late 2021. As commandant, Smith would be the services highest-ranking officer and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. To ascend to the post, Smith must be confirmed by the Senate. First, it must be approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Some members on the committee asked Smith about the Navy having enough amphibious warships a question thats swirled in Congress for months since Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro ordered a pause last year on building new ones. Del Toro ordered the pause so a study could determine how many ships are needed as part of the Marines modernization plan, called Force Design 2030. The services 2024 budget aims to retire multiple amphibious warships without replacing them, leaving the Navy with less than 31, which federal law says is the minimum for optimal readiness. Amphibious warships include dock landing vessels and assault ships that can swiftly deliver Marines on land during an assault. Thirty-one, at a minimum, enables us to train and to deploy and to stay deployed, Smith told the committee. He said having enough amphibious ships is critical to success because they also deliver equipment and weeks of necessities, such as food. Those [31 ships] must be at a ready state because Marines are in a ready state, Smith said. Crises never wait for you to finish repairs or finish training before you go. We need those 31 at a minimum. Having enough ships is important for what Smith called organic mobility. That mobility be it KC-130 transport refueler aircraft, CH-53K heavy-haul helicopters and, most importantly, amphibious warships those are all part of the spectrum of organic mobility that enables Marines to be first to fight. We absolutely must have that. Another priority that Smith said he would push as Marine Corps commandant is embracing new technologies and controlling intellectual property rights. One of the keys is 3D printing. When we own the tech data rights to things we procure, [we] can build and print aircraft engines, he said. When you can do that, that is an entire supply chain that is relieved of some stress. And it gets the engine into the hands of the warfighter today, not weeks from now. Smith also said the Marine Corps is making rapid progress with Force Design 2030. But he cautioned, because its a yearslong program, theres some concern about possible funding gaps and not modernizing quickly enough. We are never satisfied. We are Marines, we want to go faster, he said. We dont know when the fight starts, so we must assume it starts when the sun goes down tonight. Smiths remarks came about a week after the Marines issued an update to Force Design 2030, which called for more funding for issues such as infrastructure and base housing. It starts and ends with people, Smith said, noting the Marine Corps continues to do well recruiting as other military services struggle attracting enough troops. The Army has said meeting its goal of 65,000 new recruits this year will be a challenge and the Air Force has said it expects to be about 10% short of its 2023 goal. The Marine Corps met its recruiting challenge last year and they will meet it again this year, Smith said. I think the reason the Marine Corps has met its recruiting objectives is we havent changed. We havent lowered our standards and we wont. Because the combat that comes tomorrow demands those high standards. (Tribune News Service) The Defense Department has awarded San Diegos General Atomics a modified $1.2 billion contract to develop and test an Electronic Aircraft Launch System for a future Ford-class aircraft carrier. The system, nicknamed EMALS, is meant to expand the ability of such carriers to launch all current and future aircraft, whether theyre unmanned aerial vehicles or heavy strike fighters, the Defense Department said. The new EMALS contract will provide the launch system for the USS Doris Miller, a carrier that the Navy is scheduled to start building in 2026. The Navy says it is shifting away from traditional steam catapults to the new electromagnetic system because they can launch a wider range of aircraft, will require less maintenance, and will reduce the fatigue that aircraft experience when launched. The system was introduced on the USS Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class carrier that was commissioned in 2017 and went on its first deployment last year. EMALS also will be used on the carrier USS John F. Kennedy, which will be delivered to the Navy in 2025. Its expected that Ford-class carriers will be stationed in San Diego in the future. The city is currently home to three older, Nimitz-class flattops. This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune. 2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A conservative legal organization is demanding top U.S. Navy officials investigate an active-duty sailor and drag queen whom the service used as a digital ambassador. In a Monday letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and other senior administrators, the nonprofit America First Legal alleged misconduct by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Kelley that included inappropriate political activity, contempt toward superiors and misuse of a service members uniform. Kelley, who performs as a drag queen with the stage name Harpy Daniels, was one of five members of the Navys Digital Ambassador Pilot Program, a recruitment effort between October and March. The letter alleged that Kelley, who identifies as non-binary and is a self-described advocate for the militarys LGBTQ+ community, routinely engaged in partisan activity, behaved in ways that discredit the military, publicly criticized his command, and misused his uniform for personal gain through social media. In order to preserve the Navys reputation, swift action must be taken to restore good order and discipline and to prevent further partisan activity that implies Navy endorsement of particular candidates and causes, Jacob Meckler, the groups legal adviser, said in a Monday news release. America First Legal, based in Washington, D.C., is led by former Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser to President Donald Trump, and Gene Hamilton, counselor to the U.S. Attorney General from 2017 to 2021, according to the groups website. The organization did not immediately respond to an email seeking further comment early Tuesday. Kelley, whose social media profiles are set to private, did not respond to a request for comment via Facebook. The letter included screenshots of Kelleys Harpy Daniels social media pages and alleged that the sailor posted sexually explicit material, politically charged posts and statements of contempt for his superiors. The group alleges that Kelley tweeted in June 2019 that All of 7th Fleet is lazy, according to the letter. Naval Forces Japan on Tuesday confirmed Kelley was previously assigned to 7th Fleet. The following year, according to America First Legal, Kelley accused then-President Trump of being a white supremacist and asked his followers to vote for Democratic candidates. Stars and Stripes could not verify those posts. Naval Forces Japan spokeswoman Cmdr. Katie Cerezo referred all questions to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Navy Office of Information, neither of which immediately responded to requests for comment early Tuesday. Kelley came under fire last month when 14 Republican senators wrote to Del Toro highlighting Kelleys use of TikTok, which was banned on Defense Department devices last year, and questioned whether the Navy should promote influencers who post behaviors or activities many Americans deem inappropriate, according to their May 3 letter. The Pentagon came under fire earlier this year from conservative lawmakers who criticized drag shows on military bases. The Biden administration on June 1 the start of Pride month banned the shows on U.S. bases, resulting in event cancellations. The Navy kicked off its annual Summer Flight Academy this month with 28 students who aim to earn private pilot certificates before the eight-week course concludes, according to a Navy announcement recently. High school juniors and seniors in Navy and Marine Corps Junior ROTC programs were eligible to attend, the service said in a June 7 news release. The $26,000 cost to train each student is borne by the Naval Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Coordination Office under a new STEM initiative. This years students are evenly split between male and female, according to the release. The class includes students with family ties to Japan, Iran, Nigeria, India, Ukraine and the Philippines, some of whom are first-generation Americans. Three students from the Indo-Pacific region are the only overseas students in this years class: Jackson Coberley of Okinawa, Japan, and Keisha Carlos and John Lawrence Austria, both of Dededo, Guam. The primary goal of the flight academy is to expose diverse, young talent to Naval Aviation, and inspire them to join the profession, program manager Lt. Olivia Barrau said in the release. The Navy is coping with a pilot shortage but one much less severe than whats plaguing the Air Force. The Navy had about 1,000 students last fall awaiting the start of flight training due to problems associated with training aircraft and issues left over from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an Aviation Week report Nov. 15. During the flight academy program, students get more than 40 hours experience in the Vulcanair V.10 or the Piper Warrior PA-28, both single engine aircraft commonly used in flight training. That includes 17 hours of planned solo flights and aviation academics, according to the release. In addition to their private pilot licenses, students may earn five college credits upon completing the academy. The program is held at two secondary schools Delaware State University in Dover, Del., and Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C. and at D2 Flight Academy, a flight school in New Bern, N.C. The program at Delaware State University began on June 12 and ends Aug. 3; Elizabeth City State University began June 1 and ends July 31; and D2 started June 5 and concludes July 29. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Monday that a proposed Israeli law dividing Al-Aqsa Mosque could cause untold anger because of the cultural and religious status of the mosque. "Al-Aqsa Mosque has a sanctity and religious [significance] for the Palestinian people and for Arabs and Muslims as [the first direction in which early Muslims prayed] and the site of the Prophet Mohammads journey and ascension to heaven, Shtayyeh said according to WAFA. The prime minister called for an Arab, Islamic and international response that "goes beyond denunciation and condemnation" to end any violation of the holy grounds. Last week, a Knesset member from the ruling right-wing Likud party proposed legislation that would divide the holy grounds into two separate sections between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. The proposed legislation would give Palestinians access to only 30 percent of the religious compound, with the rest being reserved solely for Israeli settlers to pray. The area allotted for the Israeli settlers includes the Dome of the Rock, which was built under the Umayyad caliphate and is one of the oldest surviving Islamic shrines. Under a longstanding status quo that has been in place since 1967, non-Muslims can visit the site at specific times but are not allowed to pray there. However, Israeli settlers and politicians routinely violate the arrangement under heavy police protection. On 4 June, Israeli settlers led by extremist Israeli rabbi and MP Yehuda Glick stormed the compound to pray. Before that, on 21 May, Israel's right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the holy site. Responding to these threats, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned that such an action could trigger a religious war, according to Quds News network. This new amendment would constitute a violation of international law governing occupations, under which the occupier is not allowed to make fundamental changes to occupied territories. Search Keywords: Short link: A helicopter accident on Sunday in northeastern Syria injured 22 U.S. service members, according to U.S. Central Command. The troops suffered injuries of various degrees and were receiving treatment, the command said Monday evening in a statement. Ten were evacuated to higher-care facilities outside the region. On Tuesday, an unspecified number of troops arrived at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, hospital spokesman Marcy Sanchez said. Their conditions had not yet been determined, Sanchez said. No enemy fire was reported and the accidents cause is under investigation, according to the command. The United States has about 900 service members in Syria, part of joint efforts with Kurdish fighters to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State, according to the command. The U.S. also has about 170 contractors in Syria, CENTCOM spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn said in March. A contractor died and at least 23 troops were injured in March by a drone attack on a U.S. base by groups linked to Irans Revolutionary Guard. The U.S. responded with airstrikes on facilities used by the groups. U.S. troops have been in the region since the Islamic State group swept through Iraq and Syria in 2014, taking control of large swaths of territory. U.S. military spouses and other dependents living in Bahrain now can work within the local economy without being forced to give up their status of forces agreement visas, the Navy announced this week. An agreement with Bahrain finalized Sunday also means that U.S. military family members who want to work for a local employer no longer have to leave the country to get a job, then obtain a residence visa and a work permit before moving back, U.S. 5th Fleet said in a statement Monday. Through the pact, local businesses that want to hire a dependent of a U.S. service member or DOD civilian can request a work permit from a Bahraini government agency responsible for reviewing all requests, 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins said. Those dependents would be required to have their pay deposited directly into a local bank account, according to information on the fleets website. They wouldnt pay income taxes to Bahrain but likely would be subject to U.S. tax laws, government officials say. Its unclear how many Americans would take advantage of the change or what jobs might be available to them in the predominantly Arabic-speaking country. U.S. military spouses and family members in Bahrain already may work remotely without giving up their DOD-related visas. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, plays an important role in national security in the Middle East. About 1,200 U.S. military dependents live in Bahrain, roughly half of whom are of employment age, Hawkins said. The change addresses a significant sticking point for many overseas military spouses and dependents who often are forced to choose between their careers and keeping privileges and protections afforded through their DOD-dependent status. For example, military dependents living in Italy must give up their DOD-related visas if they want to work anywhere but on base. And in contrast with Germany and some other countries, Italys interpretation of an agreement related to U.S. military forces in the country bars remote work for an American employer. NSA Bahrain officials say the agreement offers military dependents, such as those employed in fields that arent compatible with remote work, another path to maintaining employment during an overseas assignment. This is about taking care of our families, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. (Tribune News Service) Visits to Saudi Arabia by high-profile U.S. officials are always problematic. The two countries have a love-hate relationship. Politicians and the public criticize the Saudi kingdom's human rights record and repression of women; its unwillingness to increase oil production; its coziness with Russia, China and, now, even with erstwhile enemy Iran. However, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia also need each other for trade and for broader security arrangements in the Middle East, including conflicts in Yemen and Sudan, where they work together to broker cease-fires or deliver humanitarian aid to devastated populations. Also, the Biden administration is coaxing Riyadh fervently to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, following similar Trump-era breakthrough gestures by a small number of other gulf or Muslim nations. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken wrapped up a four-day visit to the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Riyadh last week, which included a midnight meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman, the de facto ruler of the nation, is a ruthless dictator, a bold reformer or both, depending on whom you ask. The 37-year-old prince is largely considered responsible for the brutal killing and dismemberment of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. President Joe Biden once called Salman a pariah and vowed to shun him, a pledge eventually reversed in a famous fist bump between the two last year. Executions of perceived enemies of the kingdom have surged under Salman's rule, human rights activists say, and reports of arbitrary detention and torture of activists, including many women, persist even as he lifted some anachronistic restrictions on women, such as allowing them to drive cars. Despite the litany of Saudi transgressions, the Biden administration is engaging with the kingdom as a way to demonstrate it still has influence in the Middle East at a time many in the region note Washington has been absent in consequential events and decisions and as China and Russia flex their diplomatic and military muscles where the U.S. was once the unrivaled superpower. I would say that my presence here over the last three days is one element to demonstrate that, no, were certainly not leaving, Blinken told the Saudi-based Asharq News network Thursday when asked about the U.S. commitment to the region. Were here to stay. "Day in, day out, we're working with partners throughout the region both to deal with many of the challenges that are real and urgent and acute, but also and this is so important on an affirmative agenda for the future," Blinken added. "We are a partner, and we're here." Blinken, in a separate news conference in Riyadh, said he discussed human rights in his meetings with Salman and other Saudi officials and "made clear that progress on human rights strengthens our relationship." Blinken said he raised specific cases, including those of several U.S. citizens who are imprisoned in the kingdom, but would not say whether he had secured guarantees of their freedom, nor would he enter into any other details. Critics fault the Biden administration for papering over Saudi abuses by failing to more robustly denounce them publicly, which in turn emboldens Salman. "The administration needs to abandon its behind-closed-doors approach to addressing human rights" in Saudi Arabia, said Tess McEnery, who served on Biden's National Security Council until last year and now heads the nongovernmental Project on Middle East Democracy. "There need to be clear public costs to (Salman's) repression. For nearly a year (since the Biden visit), we've seen what a policy of appeasement looks like." The Biden administration sanctioned some members of the Saudi security apparatus for the 2018 murder of Washington Post contributing columnist Khashoggi, but not Salman, whom U.S. intelligence officials believe probably ordered the killing. In Congress, lawmakers have revived legislation that could block arms sales to Saudi Arabia based on its human rights record. Two measures have been proposed that would punish governments for "transnational repression," the illegal pursuit by a country outside of its borders of dissidents or critics, as happened with Khashoggi. It is a tactic also frequently used by Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose government has been accused of hunting down and poisoning opponents in England and elsewhere. While in Saudi Arabia last week, Blinken also came under criticism for praising what he called Saudi progress on its treatment of women, lauding the first female Saudi astronaut to go into space and meeting with eight handpicked Saudi women identified by the State Department as leaders. Blinken's remarks came even as numerous Saudi women are being given decades-long prison sentences for what supporters say are minor offenses, such as failing to wear an abaya on social media or tweeting criticisms of the kingdom. Substantial progress for women "is only a narrative that the Saudi government is selling to the West," Lina AlHathloul, a longtime Saudi activist fighting for women's rights and free speech, said in an interview from Brussels, where she has sought refuge from her government. "It is only window dressing And the government sees a green light to double down on repression." AlHathloul campaigned for years to free her sister Loujain, who was arrested in 2018 for driving. Loujain is out of prison now but banned from traveling or speaking publicly. Though women have been granted the right to drive and some access to elections, Saudi Arabia's so-called guardianship rules remain in place, which restrict many activities such as travel or marriage for women without a male relative's permission. Saudi officials insist they have made significant progress in human rights, but they will only advance on their own terms. "We are always open to having a dialogue with our friends, but we don't respond to pressure," Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said at the Riyadh news conference with Blinken. "When we do anything, we do it in our own interests. And I don't think that anybody believes that pressure is useful or helpful, and therefore that's not something that we are going to even consider." One reason the Biden administration seeks to keep its relationship with Saudi Arabia on a cordial keel is the role the oil-rich kingdom can play in integrating Israel into a region that has long refused to recognize Israel's existence. The Trump administration brokered the Abraham Accords, under which the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain opened diplomatic and economic ties with Israel for the first time. As the powerhouse of the gulf, Saudi Arabia would be a prized addition to the declaration, but it is so far resisting. Saudi officials cite the continued failure to resolve the Palestinian quest for an independent state. They also listed a series of high-stake demands, including U.S. help in developing nuclear power, but U.S. officials see that as an opening gambit. Meanwhile, the current Israeli government is the most right-wing in its history, with possibilities for progress on the Palestinian cause considered nonexistent. In Riyadh last week, Blinken said Saudi-Israeli normalization remained a priority. The Saudi foreign minister countered that while desirable, the goal would remain remote "without finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people a pathway towards a two-state solution, on finding a pathway towards giving the Palestinians dignity and justice." It also would be a bad look for the Saudis to get closer to Israel at a time when deadly clashes and attacks are surging in Israel, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and after several incursions by Israeli police into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, said Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Al Aqsa is the third-holiest site in Islam, located in an area also sacred to Jews. "The Saudis are not in a hurry to normalize," Elgindy said, even as "the Biden administration has prioritized it higher on the list than (an independent state) for the Palestinians, which is now just a talking point." Shira Efron, research director at the U.S.-based Israel Policy Forum, said that while Israel badly wants to enjoy the fruits of normalization, the pieces of the puzzle remain exceedingly complicated, with the U.S. and Israel reluctant to accede to the Saudis' most robust demands. "And if the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were able to agree on what the U.S. will give, would Congress approve?" Efron said, adding that room for negotiation is likely to shrink as the U.S. presidential election gets into full swing. 2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch has released a new video of a United Nations worker abducted 16 months ago in the war-torn country, the SITE Intelligence Group said. The man, who identified himself as Akam Sofyol Anam from the UN Department of Safety and Security in Aden, appealed for his release and warned he and two of his fellow abductees were "seriously ill". In February 2022, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) kidnapped Anam and four others as they returned to the port city of Aden after a field mission. Wearing a blue shirt and glasses and reading from a prepared statement, Anam -- identified by the SITE monitoring service as Bangladeshi -- said his sick colleagues needed urgent hospital treatment. There was no way of knowing who prepared the statement, which appeared to have been recorded on June 3. A previous recording of Anam was released by his captors last September. Yemen's conflict began in 2014 when Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year to prop up the internationally-recognised government. AQAP and militants loyal to the Islamic State group have thrived in the chaos. Formed in a merger of Al-Qaeda's Yemen and Saudi branches, AQAP has carried out attacks on both rebel and government targets in Yemen, as well as foreigners. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed directly or indirectly in Yemen's war. But hostilities have sharply declined since a six-month, UN-brokered truce came into effect in April last year, even after it lapsed in October. Search Keywords: Short link: WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said former President Donald Trumps administration didnt do enough to counter Chinese efforts to boost intelligence-gathering overseas after discovering that Beiijng had been operating a spy facility in Cuba since 2019. Blinken said the incoming Biden administration was briefed in 2021 about Chinese efforts to project and sustain military power at a greater distance, and the U.S. engaged with other governments to blunt Chinas intelligence-gathering push. Although the top U.S. diplomat didnt comment directly on the U.S. response to the Cuba facility, he said efforts in recent years had slowed Chinas ambitions. It was our assessment that despite awareness of the basing efforts and some attempts to address the challenge in the past administration, we werent making enough progress on this issue and we needed a more direct approach, Blinken told reporters Monday at a briefing alongside Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Blinkens remarks came after the U.S. offered conflicting responses to a Wall Street Journal report last week that the Chinese and Cuban governments have secretly agreed to position Chinese spy facilities in Cuba. After initially dismissing the report as not accurate, the White House on Saturday acknowledged the existence of the facilities but called them part of a longstanding Chinese intelligence presence that was expanded in 2019. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman who dismissed the report of a new listening post in Cuba as false said on Monday that we were as forthcoming as we should have been at the time the first stories appeared because the sensitive nature of this information is such that we just simply couldnt go into more detail. He said the intelligence community later agreed to allow him to confirm that the base was established in 2019. The administrations account of the base has led to a welter of accusations and denials. Cuba said there was no such facility, and on Monday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused the U.S. of spreading false information in hopes of causing a rift between sincere friends China and Cuba. On his Truth Social account, Trump blamed Biden for the listening post in Cuba. China just, effectively, took over Cuba, he wrote. Would never have happened under the Trump administration! Cliff Sims, a former deputy director of national intelligence under Trump, also disputed the Biden administration claim. He accused the White House of trying to deflect blame. If such a spy base existed in 19, it would have been discussed at the highest levels, he wrote in a tweet. It didnt & it wasnt. Blinken declined to offer specifics about the Biden administrations strategy to counter China other than to say diplomacy is a key element. Weve engaged governments that are considering hosting PRC bases at high levels, he said, referring to China by its formal name, the Peoples Republic of China. Weve exchanged information with them. Our experts assess that our diplomatic efforts have slowed down this effort. With assistance from Josh Wingrove. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON The United States is sending up to $325 million in additional aid to Ukraine that includes more Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles, the Pentagon announced Tuesday. The military aid also includes Javelin missiles and munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. The aid is the 40th time that the U.S. has provided weapons and equipment through the presidential drawdown authority, which means it will come directly from Pentagon stocks and be sent quickly on an emergency basis. Aid given this way typically means it reaches Ukraine in a matter of weeks. 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 new aid follows news reports that Ukraine has lost more than a dozen Bradley Fighting Vehicles after its troops began a long-anticipated counteroffensive last week against invading Russian forces. The announcement also comes after the Pentagon announced Friday a long-term U.S. arms sale of $2.1 billion focused on air-defense munitions. Including the last two aid packages, the U.S. has provided more than $40 billion to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is traveling to Brussels now with Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to meet with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on June 15 and NATO defense ministers on June 16. The in-person meeting with the defense contact group, a collection of about 50 nations that convenes regularly to decide what equipment Ukrainian troops need to fend off Russian forces, is the 13th since Austin formed the international group in April 2022. The list of weapons and items in the package include: Additional munitions for NASAMS. Stinger anti-aircraft systems. Additional ammunition for HIMARS. 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds. 15 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. 10 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers. Javelin anti-armor systems. Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided missiles. AT-4 anti-armor systems. More than 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades. Demolition munitions for obstacle clearing. Tactical secure communications support equipment. Spare parts and other field equipment. (Tribune News Service) As thrilled as he was to be awarded a Quilt of Valor, Rick Spooner did not feel entitled to any honors, believing his only achievement was getting old. "I don't consider being old the thing I'm most proud of," Spooner, 96, said. "The thing I am most proud of is being a Marine. Everyone can be old if they live long enough, but not everyone can be a Marine." Anyone who knows about Spooner's storied past probably recognizes the place the man known as "The Major" has in Marine Corps lore and why he is a fitting quilt recipient. The Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded more than 348,500 such blankets to service members and veterans with the goal of wrapping them in a healing and comforting embrace. While the foundation honors veterans of various ranks, years of service and specialties, Spooner is a rarity, as he has served in three wars. "It's becoming more and more rare, that's for sure," said Ret. Marine Col. Walt Ford, whose wife, Sharon, made the quilt. "There's not many World War II veterans left, and then three-war Marines are very rare." Then, after he finished his military service, Spooner started serving up Marine Corps history lessons along with steak and ale at the well-known Globe & Laurel Restaurant, now in Stafford, Va. "He's a walking Marine Corps history himself," Ford said. Richard "Rick" Spooner was 17 when he joined the Marines in World War II, with his parents' permission. Less than a year later, he was among the 8,000 Marine infantrymen who landed on Saipan on June 15, 1944. He was captured by Japanese forces but managed to escape, then went on to participate in assaults on Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. Spooner also served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and he retired after 29 years. Even before he left the service, Spooner and his late wife, Gloria, operated the popular Globe & Laurel Restaurant. Initially in Quantico, Va., the business relocated to Triangle after a fire, and into Stafford County when the Triangle property was seized for the expansion of U.S. 1. Spooner retired from the restaurant business in 2020 at the spry age of 93 and said last week he wishes he still worked there. He has had a few strokes and apologizes for his speech, but he talks in a strong voice, and his comments are organized and articulate. Spooner has maintained his connection, with those who served with him, his son also a retired Marine major and others who visited the Globe & Laurel for a bite to eat and a glance at photos of Marines through history. In a 2007 Free LanceStar story about the place, a former policeman and regular customer said he felt like he earned three credits of continuing education by going there for lunch. The walls and tables were decorated with Marine memorabilia including shoulder patches and sidearms, a bugle and drum, canteen, trench knives and sharpshooter badges from the past three centuries. Ford never served with Spooner, but met The Major after Ford retired from the Marines and began editing Leatherneck Magazine. The two have remained friends for more than three decades, and when Ford and his wife were visiting recently from their home in South Carolina, Spooner's daughter, Anna, mentioned that her dad needed a quilt. Spooner lives with her in Triangle. Sharon Ford has made more than 30 Quilts of Valor, and she nominated Spooner through the foundation's website, then completed his blanket in a couple weeks. She typically does not make quilts that specify the recipient's service branch they are more of a general patriotic theme but she went above and beyond on this one. "He's been a special friend of ours," Sharon said. "We highly respect him and all that he stands for." Spooner's quilt includes the Marine Corps memorial, the Constitution, American flag and Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate bridge because he is from San Francisco and his favorite bird, the eagle. Spooner was surprised by the recent presentation and said later that he was pleased, grateful and amazed. He remembers years ago, watching his mother and grandmother quilting, and he recognized even then how much work was involved. The fact that there are quilters across the country "who have done such a wonderful thing for old-timers and veterans like myself" touched Spooner, he said. "We don't expect anything, but when we do get something like this, it's very very meaningful," he said. "I've put it on a bed and am using it and will continue to do so. I'm so proud every time I see it." Often, a local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation gets involved with a presentation, but the Fords went through their home chapter in Rock Hill, S.C. The foundation often crosses state lines to honor servicemembers and veterans, said Madonna Rabatin, who coordinates efforts in the mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia. Fredericksburg does not have a Quilts of Valor chapter, and Rabatin would love to get one organized. The Northern Neck Patriotic Piercers are based in Reedville and the Common Threads of Louisa in that county. More information on state chapters can be found at the foundation's website. Fredericksburg is home to the Virginia Star Quilters, whose members make quilts for several organizations, including the Quilts of Valor. Each quilt must be registered on the foundation website and be recognized as a Quilt of Valor. The Virginia Star Quilters also creates and awards "Honor Quilts" to local recipients. Monthly meetings occur throughout the year, usually on the third Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Lee Hill Community Center. There's an "open sew" the same day, starting at 10 a.m. More information is available on its website. The Virginia chapter of Quilts of Valor awards about 350 quilts per year. The organization never gives a quilt, but awards it as a lifetime achievement, said Harvey Mayhill, an Air Force veteran and area representative for the Quilts of Valor in Rock Hill. While there are not many veterans who have had the same military experience as Spooner, Mayhill said the Quilts of Valor Foundation treats all who have served the same. The understanding is every link in the chain has a purpose and deserves respect, he said. Mayhill likes to put it this way: "For veterans who have been in a war zone, like The Major has, if you've been there, no explanation is necessary," he said. "If you've not been there, no explanation is possible." (c)2023 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.) Visit fredericksburg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lee Kennedy (23) pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage A driver who cut a clamp off his car was frustrated at being told to wait two hours on a hot day to have it removed, a court has heard. Lee Kennedy (23), a carpenter, used his tools to illegally cut the clamp after he returned to find it on his car in a paid parking area. A judge told him he could avoid a criminal record if he paid 100 compensation to the clamping service and another 200 to charity. Kennedy, of Limekiln Avenue, Greenhills, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. Garda Sergeant Derek Spain told Dublin District Court the incident happened at Rathdown Avenue, Terenure, on May 7. Gardai were called to the scene to find that a clamp chain had been cut and it was lying on the ground. Dublin Street Parking Services was working in the area on behalf of Dublin City Council and had put the clamp on a vehicle registered to Kennedy. Gardai went to the accuseds home address and he admitted cutting the clamp from his car. He had no previous convictions and was fully co-operative. Kennedy had not known it was paid parking and was with his girlfriend and a dog, defence solicitor Paddy McGarry said. It was a hot day and he was told it would be two hours before the clamp could be removed, the court heard. He got frustrated and had his carpentry tools with him. Judge Kelly adjourned the case and said she would strike the charge out if Kennedy paid 100 compensation and made a 200 charity donation. Carl Scully (34) struck Anthony Hanney (61) as he crossed the road towards his home with his groceries A man who entered a bus lane before it was permitted, leading to a fatal collision with a pedestrian crossing the road, has been given a suspended sentence for careless driving. Carl Scully (34) was driving in the bus lane in order to take an upcoming turn when he struck Anthony Hanney (61) as he crossed the road towards his home with his groceries. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Hanney, who was killed instantaneously, was a much-loved father and grandfather. He was described by his son as a good and kind-hearted man. Scully, of Glenhill Road, Finglas, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Mr Hanney at Finglas Road on December 12, 2018. He has 15 previous district court convictions from 2009 and 2013. He has two previous road traffic convictions for failing to display tax. In a victim impact statement prepared on behalf of himself and his siblings, Mr Antony Hanney Jr told the court that the loss of their father had a brutal effect on the family, causing catastrophic life changes and leading to mental health issues for the siblings. A once very close family has been ripped apart by this tragedy, said Mr Hanney Jr. He described the horror of having to identify his fathers body and said he has struggled to sleep with that image. It has changed me as a person for the rest of my life, he told the court. He said the family understood the circumstantial and accidental nature of the incident but hoped yesterday was the start of some closure for the family. There are no winners in court today, he said. In sentencing, Judge Pauline Codd noted the emotional and psychological effect on the Hanney family on the sudden loss of their father. She said they had been left to endure shock, grief and trauma. She extended her condolences to the family, whom she said had behaved with stoicism and respect throughout the sentencing. Judge Codd said in cases such as this, the measure of a sentence was not a measure of the value of a deceased person's life, but of the accused person's culpability in the circumstances of the case. She took into account testimonial letters handed into court on Scullys behalf attesting to the toll the incident had on him. She noted medical reports and a psychological report prepared for the court. She said his remorse and stress about causing Mr Hanneys death appeared to be genuine. She noted aggravating factors included driving in the bus lane in advance of exiting at a particular lane. She said he gave as his reason his familiarity with the area and the difficulty of crossing later. The point of impact was five metres from where he could have entered the lane legitimately. She noted that unfortunately Mr Hanney was crossing a busy road in a dangerous place where there was no pedestrian crossing and pedestrians might not be expected. She said the court heard there were pedestrian crossings 300 metres north and 120 metres south of where he was crossing. Judge Codd set a headline sentence of 10 months, noting Scullys guilty plea, his remorse and emotional distress. She noted from the reports before the court that Scully had not coped well with the consequences of his actions and would have to live with his inattention on that morning. She imposed a six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to be of good behaviour and keep the peace for one year. She also imposed an 18-month driving disqualification but noted Scully had already voluntarily taken a decision to stop driving. Additional evidence Garda Paul Doona told Edward Doocey BL, prosecuting, at a previous hearing, that Mr Hanney had been crossing the Finglas Road at the Clearwater Shopping Centre at midday. He was not at a pedestrian crossing. Witnesses described how Mr Hanney, who was carrying a plastic bag and making his way to Finglas village, had crossed the first side of the road, made his way across the grass meridian and crossed the second lane of traffic when he was struck by Scullys car which was in the bus lane. Mr Hanney was hit by the passenger side of the car as Scully attempted to swerve to avoid him. Gda Doona said a forensic collision report showed that Scully, who was intending to take an upcoming filter road to Glenhill estate, was travelling at between 53.3 and 63.8kmh at the time at the point of impact. The speed limit in the area was 60kmh. The garda said that a speed analysis for cameras showed that 330 metres before to the incident, Scully had been travelling at 132kmh but the car had slowed before the incident occurred. There were no marks consistent with emergency braking at the point of collision. The investigation found Scully was not using his phone at the time and was not intoxicated. Scully and others alerted the emergency services after the collision. He remained at the scene. Mr Hanney died instantaneously of multiple catastrophic injuries. Scully told gardai he had been driving the car. He said a person had suddenly skipped out in front of him in the bus lane from nowhere, and he simply could not react in time. He said he was travelling at about 70 km/ph. He said he had just moved into the bus lane as he was taking an upcoming turn. He said it was difficult to get into the correct lane later due to the constant flow of traffic. Mr Doocey said the carelessness arose from Scully travelling at the speed he was in a bus lane. Conor Devally SC, defending, said Scully had been intending to take an upcoming turn and had prematurely gone into the bus lane as experience had shown it was difficult to make the manoeuvre shortly afterwards where it is permitted by the road markings. He said Scully had driven too fast before this event but had slowed before the collision and driven in the bus lane shortly in advance of where he was permitted. He said this was not an excuse but submitted in order to gauge culpability. Counsel said Scully has suffered significant mental health issues, and sadly his relationship has broken down. He maintains strong connections with his family, some of whom wrote to the court. Mr Devally said Scully is currently living between the homes of relatives and is employed. He has given up his driving licence. He offered his profound sympathies to the Hanney family and appreciated a letter a member of the family wrote to him. The case had been adjourned for a number of weeks so a psychiatric report could be completed. Vadim Veste (28) travelled to Ireland just 18 days after being released from prison where he was jailed for the rape of a 14-year-old A man who carried out a shocking, brutal and cowardly sexual assault on a woman walking her dog in a Cork park has been jailed for six years. Vadim Veste (28), of Clancy Street, Fermoy, Co Cork, a dual Moldovan-Romanian national, pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court to aggravated sexual assault of the woman, who is aged in her 50s, at St Colman's Park in Fermoy, Co Cork, on November 7, 2021. At a previous sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, the court heard Veste travelled to Ireland just 18 days after being released from prison where he had served a sentence for the rape of a minor. He served a three-year prison sentence for the rape of the 14-year-old girl who was known to him in Eastern Europe in July 2016. He was released from custody on December 11, 2020, and travelled to Ireland to stay with his mother on December 29. Sentencing Veste yesterday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said it was a shocking, brutal and cowardly sexual assault which was violent, degrading and humiliating and left the woman with nasty injuries. He said the attack had been on an unsuspecting woman and noted Vestes history of serious sexual offending. He said the woman had been out walking her dog on a dark evening around 6pm when she was pulled forcibly to the ground. He said Veste used a hat as a gag to prevent the woman crying out and used his knees to hold her down by her shoulders. He touched her vagina outside of her underwear. It was a terrifying experience, the judge said before he added that the woman was walking alone in a dark and unlit park but it was a park she was familiar with and she felt entirely safe. He said the woman believed she was going to be raped and murdered. The judge commented on the womans bravery in fighting back against Veste, scratching his face and neck, biting and kicking him. She also screamed, which drew the attention of two young Polish men who had been jogging nearby and who came to her assistance. Vadim Veste Mr Justice McDermott noted that Vestes DNA was later found under the womans fingernails. He said he saw photos of what he described as the shocking injuries sustained by the woman and he added the impact of such an attack should never be underestimated. It had a terrible effect on her at the time and subsequently, the judge said, adding that it generated fear not only that evening but also led to a fear that persists. He said it impacted her safety and contentment in doing the most simplest of things like going for a walk with her dog and said it had seeped into her sense of security. The judge said the consideration of CCTV footage from the local area led to the arrest of Veste. He said Veste initially suggested that he had a row with the woman about her dog. Mr Justice McDermott said he had to consider the fact that Veste had a previous conviction for the rape of a 14-year-old. He said the evidence from that conviction was that the relationship had been consensual and that Veste had been six years older than the girl. The rape occurred when he forced the girl to have sex without her consent. Mr Justice McDermott said the aggravating features in the current case included the random and predatory nature of the attack and the fact that the woman was attacked from behind when she was alone in the dark. He set a headline sentence of nine years before he took into account the mitigating features in the case including an expression of remorse from the man. However, the judge said a report from the Probation Service raised a serious concern as he believed it showed a lack of insight and acceptance of what he has done in relation to the sexual element of the offence. The judge said Veste clearly needs to have his offending addressed and said he also seems to have a particular attitude towards women. He sentenced Veste to six years and six months in prison before he suspended the final six months for two years on strict conditions including that he attend for any treatment as deemed appropriate by the Probation Service. Mr Justice McDermott also ordered that the man not approach the victim or her family and ordered that he have no unsupervised access to children. He placed him under a six-year post release supervision order for the protection of society and to prevent future offending. Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information. A good Samaritan pursued the pair and, despite a kick from Jason Finlay (51), was able to tackle him and hold him until gardai arrived A robber who grabbed two trays of Cartier watches worth over 120,000 in an opportunistic theft has been jailed for two years. Jason Finlay (51) pushed his way into the city centre jewellers after a diamond seller had been buzzed in through the security doors. He passed the trays to a second man holding the door open and they fled the shop after the robbery, which lasted just 20 seconds. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a good Samaritan pursued the pair and, despite a kick from Finlay, was able to tackle him and hold him until gardai arrived. Two trays containing 22 watches were recovered under a bush in St Stephens Green and another watch was found in a box on Finlay. One final watch valued at 4,900 was not recovered. Garda Jordan Kennedy said Finlay cooperated with gardai and told them he had a drug debt. Finlay, formerly of Loretto Hall, St Stephens Green, Dublin 2 pleaded guilty to the robbery of 24 Cartier watches at Dawson Jewellers, Dawson Street on November 15, 2022. He has 83 previous convictions. Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Elva Duffy said Finlay had sussed out the shop earlier in the day and sought to see a watch. He had returned later with a second man and took advantage of a moment of distraction to gain entry. He had snatched two trays from a window close to the door, as the second man held the door open. Judge Duffy said there had been a certain level of planning as the men were covered up, but the court accepted Finlay was drunk and made a foolish decision to engage in the robbery. She said the court accepted he caused a certain level of terror, but there were no victim impact reports and it appeared people wished to put it behind them. She noted he had apologised a number of times. She took into account he was taking significant steps to address his addiction issues. Judge Duffy imposed a sentence of three years and suspended the final 12 months. She told Finlay he was being afforded a significant opportunity. Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, said Finlay had been struggling with drug addiction at the time and had run up a large debt which was weighing on his mind. He saw an opportunity and took it. Mr Le Vert said Finlay had been homeless for about 14 years and, tragically, had just received the keys to a flat from the Fr McVerry Trust. He had the keys with him when he committed the robbery. He said that due to Finlays addiction the reality of keeping the flat may not have been sustainable. He said since the offence, Finlay has done very well in custody and is now drug free on methadone. He asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, full admissions and personal circumstances. He said Finlay is apologetic for what he did. The reason Rattigan had been a person of interest is because Carey had mentioned him by name after he was discovered shot Gangland killer Brian Rattigan has been ruled out as a suspect in the gun murder of criminal Gary Carey (41), who died last August, six weeks after being shot multiple times in a hotel car park. Rattigan (43), who arrived back to Dublin on Monday last week on a flight from Spain, agreed to meet investigating detectives from Kilmainham garda station. They have already arrested five people, including the suspected lone gunman, in connection with Careys murder. Brian Rattigan has made a cautioned statement in relation to this matter he was not arrested last week when he presented at the garda station by appointment, a source said. At this stage, gardai are satisfied he is not a suspect and there is no evidence whatsoever to link him to the murder. The reason Rattigan had been previously a person of interest in the murder probe is that gardai became aware Carey had mentioned him by name after he was discovered in a serious condition in the underground car park of the Hilton Hotel in Kilmainham before being rushed to hospital on June 24 last year. Carey died from his injuries at St Jamess Hospital last August 5 and the case has been the subject of a major investigation that is now focusing on associates of Ballyfermot gang boss Derek Dee Dee ODriscoll. Gary Carey Detectives have also identified the alleged gunman a convicted armed robber aged in his early 30s who is from the Ballyfermot area and is currently on remand in jail awaiting trial for serious offences. When the suspected hitman was arrested last month, he smeared himself in his own faeces in a garda station after being brought there from Mountjoy Prison. Meanwhile, Drimnagh man Rattigan has not come to any adverse garda attention since arriving back in the country last week. He arrived in Dublin Airport from Alicante with a male and a female relative and had a black eye. It is understood he told officers he had been in a dispute in Spain. He refused to confirm how long he would be staying in Ireland, only to say, as long it takes to get the business done. In recent months, several high-value drug seizures linked to Rattigans gang have also been made. An anti-gangland operation targeting organised crime, during which a firearm was recovered in Dublin, was also connected to the Rattigan mob. The details of the seizure cannot be outlined as there are currently charges before the courts. Before being released in August 2021, Rattigan had been in custody since 2003 after being charged with the murder of Declan Gavin in 2001, a killing that sparked the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud that claimed 16 lives. Rattigan was later convicted of Gavins murder and while serving that sentence, he was also found guilty of running a drugs operation from Portlaoise Prison. Gardai had seized 1m worth of heroin and linked the drugs to Rattigan. He was later jailed for 17 years. His murder conviction was overturned in 2017 and two years later, he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for manslaughter. Meanwhile, Kilmainham gardai are in the closing stages of the Carey murder investigation, with a number of files being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and an expectation of charges, according to sources. Last Junes fatal attack was the third time Carey had been shot at in 15 months. A man has been charged in court in relation to one of these non-fatal shootings. Attendees from China and the Arab world at the recent Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh explored new avenues for collaboration to unlock the potential of shared business, particularly in air connectivity. Celebrating its 10th year, the conference brought together leading government officials, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors. Establishing stronger air links to foster tourism growth and unlock new opportunities was a hot-button topic at the event, with Air Connectivity Programs (ACP) booth forming part of the Ministry of Tourisms efforts to draw attraction to the high-potential travel and tourism industries in the Kingdom. "In line with Vision 2030 and the ambitions of the National Tourism Strategy, ACP is bridging the stakeholder ecosystem to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination. Chinese visitors will, indeed, play a key role in achieving this ambition, said Ali Rajab CEO of ACP. By ensuring that our customer service and operational readiness meet the high standards that Chinese visitors expect, ACP is creating a seamless travel experience between China and the Kingdom. For these travelers, like all others to Saudi Arabia, we prioritize cultural understanding and the highest levels of quality assurance, he added. Saudi Arabias travel and tourism leaders, including stakeholders such as ACP, are actively working to turn the Kingdom into a sought-after air connectivity destination. In the past year, the Kingdom saw 23 new routes connected to Saudi Arabia from three continents, resulting in an expansion of seat capacity by 700,000. Likewise, several partnerships have been established with government bodies within the Kingdom, as well as international collaborations with both national and foreign airlines to boost air connectivity in Saudi Arabia. As part of these efforts, in 2023, a further 17 new routes will be added, and seat capacity will be expanded to 730,000 for priority markets. Saudi Arabias central geographic location and diversifying economy are expected to attract continued interest from Chinese businesses after the Arab-China Business Conference. The prospect of enhanced air connectivity between the Kingdom and China will be an added advantage for future relations between the two countries. TradeArabia News Service Sudan's army chief is not ready to meet the enemy general he's been at war with for eight weeks, a government official said Tuesday after a regional bloc proposed a face-to-face encounter between the two. At a summit held in Djibouti on Monday, the East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced it would expand the number of countries tasked with resolving the crisis, with Kenya chairing a quartet including Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemeti, have been at war since April 15 after they fell out in a power struggle following a 2021 coup that derailed Sudan's transition to democracy. A draft communique of the IGAD meeting released by the office of Kenyan President William Ruto said the quartet leaders would "arrange (a) face-to-face meeting between (Burhan and Daglo)... in one of the regional capitals." The Sudanese government official, not authorised to speak to the media, told AFP that, "in the current circumstances Burhan will not sit at the same table as Hemeti," who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The two generals early in the war described each other as criminals, and both sides have failed to respect multiple truces. On June 1 the United States imposed sanctions on the two warring groups, but fighting has continued, including in Khartoum on Tuesday where witnesses reported artillery strikes in the north of the capital and its suburbs. More than 1,800 people have been killed since battles began, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). Fighting has forced nearly two million people from their homes, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, the United Nations says. A record 25 million people -- more than half the population -- are in need of aid and protection, according to the UN. Prior to the announcement of the IGAD quartet, the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, had led the regional bloc's committee on Sudan, which did not include Ethiopia. Sudan's foreign ministry said Tuesday that it had reservations about some points in the IGAD statement, and the Sudanese delegation demanded that Kiir stay on as head of the committee. Search Keywords: Short link: The Belfast vigil will take place at City Hall on Wednesday at 5.30pm Natalie McNallys brother has urged the public to attend a Belfast vigil in honour of Chloe Mitchell. The 21-year-olds remains were found at a home in Ballymena on Sunday. Two men, aged 26 and 34, appeared in court charged in connection with the murder and disappearance on Monday. The Belfast vigil will take place at City Hall on Wednesday at 5.30pm. Writing on Twitter, Mr McNally said: I am urging a strong show out at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 5:30 PM, as a vigil for the life of Chloe Mitchell and other victims of gender based violence. This is a scourge we cannot afford just to live with. Stop killing women. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Ms McNally (32), was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in her home in Silverwood Green, Lurgan, a week before Christmas last year. Another vigil has been organised in Ms Mitchells hometown of Ballymena on the same day at 7.30pm. This vigil has been organised by charity Turning Point NI, with permission from the Mitchell family. The memorial service which will take place in King Georges Park in the Harryville area of the town on Wednesday evening. Natalie McNally Chloes brother Philip has requested that anyone wanting to send floral tributes leaves them at the park. "For anyone who wishes to leave flowers for my wee sister Chloe Mitchell can they please leave them at the bottom gate of Harryville Park, he said in a message shared online. Local businesses have rallied round to donate balloons, tea lights and refreshments. Speaking on Facebook, Turning Point NI said: Leaf Designs in Harryville are kindly donating 100 pink balloons and tealights for Wednesday evening. Chloe Mitchell These balloons will have a luggage label on them for you to write your message to Chloe. The balloons and tealights will be available to collect from Leaf designs between 2pm and 5pm. We would like it if these balloons could then be tied to the railings around King Georges Park, where there will be banners in memory of Chloe, that have been kindly donated by Ballyprint.com. The Moat Bar Harryville and Dale Farm have also kindly donated refreshments, which will be available on the evening. In April we revealed exclusive images of 60-year-old Kenny attacking a woman in a flat Cowardly career criminal Jim Kenny, from Ballymena was captured on cctv attacking a woman in home. The 60-year-old thug was convicted last month of battering a woman in her own flat Cowardly woman-beating coke dealer James Kenny got a taste of his own medicine after rival drug dealers gave him a beating, we can reveal. The 60-year-old thug was convicted last month of battering a woman in her own flat during a terrifying exchange after the attack was caught on camera. Kenny was due to be sentenced on Thursday for the attack but the case was adjourned until July 6 in Belfast. Rival dealers gave Jim Kenny a taste of his own medicine last weekend when they turned up at his house and smacked him about a bit, said a source. Cowardly career criminal Jim Kenny, from Ballymena was captured on cctv attacking a woman in home. He lives in Ballykeel and they went round and beat him up badly enough that he had to go to hospital. There wont be too many people who will lose much sleep over Jims busted jaw, even if it was drug-dealing scumbags who gave it to him. Seemingly Kenny was blamed after a couple of drug houses were raided by cops, according to a source. There were a few raids in the area and these loyalist dealers seem to suspect Jim was involved in tipping off the cops, said the source. They think because Jim has been seen doing voluntary work at the church hes desperate to stay out of jail and they put two and two together and think he could be passing information to the drug cops in return for a lighter sentence. Earlier this month we revealed how Kenny has been helping out at a church in a bid to show hes a reformed character. He was pictured sweeping streets and helping at church-run community events in Ballymena. Hes since been pictured cutting down trees for the church despite the fact when he turns up at court he limps in with the aid of a walking stick. We can reveal hes also been teaching sign language classes something he learned himself while in prison. In April we revealed exclusive images of 60-year-old Kenny attacking a woman in a flat in Ballymena. Hes facing going back to prison after he was convicted of two counts of assault as a result of that shameful incident. The distressing video of the attack, which has no sound and lasts just over one minute, shows Kenny repeatedly punching the woman in the face before knocking her to the ground and laying into her in a property in the Co Antrim town. These firearms would have been used by organised crime groups to dominate and intimidate communities A 34-year-old Dutch national has appeared in court in the UK after an AK47-style automatic rifle and handgun as well as 100 rounds of ammunition were seized at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, northern France. Narada Turkson was extradited from the Netherlands to face charges over the attempted importation of the weapons in March 2020. The extradition follows an NCA investigation after the guns and ammo were found by Border Force in a rented Mercedes car driven by Steven Dema (33) from Blackpool. His girlfriend Chelsea Addison (32) from Walsall, was later arrested for her role in organising the smuggling attempt. Investigators believe the couple may have carried out previous runs, importing weapons on behalf of organised crime groups. National Crime Agency officers extradited Narada Turkson back to the UK last week, after a joint operation with Dutch police that saw him arrested in Amsterdam in March. He appeared before Margate Magistrates on 7 June, and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on 10 July. Turkson is accused of supplying the weapons to Dema and Addison, who both received jail sentences of more than 11 years. NCA Branch Commander Mark Howes said: These firearms would have been used by organised crime groups to dominate and intimidate communities, to enforce control over criminal markets like the class A drugs trade. Stopping the supply of firearms is a priority for the NCA, and Im grateful for the support of our Dutch partners in locating and arresting Turkson. The mothers side of my family is Jamaican and dads side is Roscommon. So there was a bit of a mix there was always the Jamaican spice and the Irish food on the table When Nico Reynolds was little, he would watch in fascination as his Jamaican grandmother came to visit and took to her favourite place the family kitchen. Grandmother Mavis would bring a twist of her family heritage to Ireland, building flavour and making the mealtimes of his childhood dance to a Jamaican beat. In doing so, she fuelled young Nicos imagination in the creative possibilities of cooking but he never could have imagined it could be something he would pursue as a career. The mothers side of my family is Jamaican and dads side is Roscommon. So there was a bit of a mix there was always the Jamaican spice and the Irish food on the table. When I was growing up my grandmother would come over and cook the dishes, he says, adding the emphasis would be on flavour rather than the actual dish. It was always my grandmothers cooking that stood out to me. There are two things that make for a good meal and thats anticipation and hunger there was always the anticipation of when Id get to eat my grandmas food again. Nico Reynolds as a child with dad Andrew When his mum Doreen passed away when Nico was just ten, his connection to family and food culture became more important than ever. When my mother died, I always wanted to keep those parts of your heritage that are still there, and make them your own you want to create your own myths and stories in your own life. You can never be able to recreate the meal from your past of nostalgia. But what you can do is make nostalgia for someone else. Its no surprise that as an only child who lost his mother so young, Nico is extremely close to dad Andrew, who hails from Strokestown in Co Roscommon. Hes always been there for me stoic, jolly, always just saw the bright side of everything. He got me where I am today and theres probably no way in the rest of my life Ill be ever able to repay or show enough gratitude towards someone thats done that for me, because it was just the two of us growing up. In the past couple of years, Nicos ability to channel his own family heritage and bring zest to our mealtimes has seen his popularity soar both here and abroad. From lamb koftas to monkfish burgers with dill and caper sour cream, the young chef is bringing energy and imagination to the food we love. This week he returns to the great outdoors with a new series of All Fired Up, the RTE BBQ show that aims to bring life to our summer cooking. I think theres always just that bit of intimidation, he says of cooking outdoors. People are kind of walking around looking at the fire and going, I could never do that. Theres absolutely no reason that Ireland shouldnt have a great barbecue culture. "I mean, weve got everything there weve got some of the freshest seafood and best fish in the world. Weve got some of the best dairy products, some of the best beef. We mightnt have the weather for it, but Im not taking that as an excuse any more. His goal in the show is to make it all a little more user-friendly, he explains. There are tips, tricks and techniques of how to manage a flame, prepare your meats. Weve got some light bites in there. It doesnt always have to be meat. There are some vegetarian options. I always say that anything you can cook inside you can cook outside exactly the same, but just a little bit better. The 34-year-old has an easy on-screen likeability that has fuelled his success, yet it was only very recently that he started to feel confident that this was something he could pursue as a career. I just never saw myself doing it. I just didnt think I had the talent maybe a lack of confidence, he says now. Once I started doing it, youre doing stuff with other people and you get the positive feedback and you have to say to yourself, They keep inviting me back. Its one of those things that your life can go in a completely different direction. Many of his days, the Dubliner says, are spent experimenting with and creating new recipes, then road testing them in the evening in time for dinner. Nico with his Jamaican grandmother Maviswas Its funny in the morning, I actually eat pretty much the same thing every single day because my mind gets quite flighty after about two oclock, so I try to keep the first few hours of my day regimented some fried eggs, sardines and avocado in the morning. Then trying to write a recipe in the afternoon and testing it out at night, so I dont really know what Im going to cook in the mornings. Food has always been one of his great passions, and what was fostered at home grew even further when he went to live and work in the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. He went there for a month, but ended up in South America for six years, working in catering and running a small restaurant. After about three days, there was something in the start of the summer air that said, I think I can do this, he recalls of arriving in the city for the first time. Every single day there was the smell of brown meat in the air, cheap wine and everyone was walking around with beautiful faces on them. I was in my early 20s and thats enough to enchant any young man. Then it was just a moment of starting to find my feet with Jamaican-Irish cooking, with flavours of Latin America. His time there was also spent enjoying his other great love, music, as he became fascinated with different types of Latin beats from tango to salsa to samba. He plays guitar as a hobby and youll rarely find him in the kitchen without music on the go. Does he feel his love for the two feed into each other? Since the dawn of civilisation, its been the cornerstone of a good meal and a feast. Its a primal urge to go back to a good meal, and then someone whips out the guitar, the chairs start to go out in a big circle and everybody starts to sing. The only things that transcend all cultures are music, art and food. You dont have to speak the language. You dont have to say anything. You just have to point at the menu and sit down and rub your belly. All Fired Up returns to RTE One this Thursday at 7pm Nicos recipes Grilled Monkfish Burger with Dill and Caper Sour Cream GRILLED MONKFISH BURGER WITH DILL & CAPER SOUR CREAM Ingredients (serves 4): 4 thick slices of monkfish tail 1 lemon, zest 2 sweet potatoes 1 tbsp olive oil For the dill and caper sour cream: 1 tbsp capers 1-2 tbsp caper juice (from the jar) 200g sour cream 2 tbsp dill, chopped 2 tbsp chives, chopped lemon, juice For the salsa: 1 lime, juice 1 red onion, finely diced 1 green pepper, finely diced Handful of fresh coriander, chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve: 4 brioche buns Handful of rocket leaves Method: 1. Season the monkfish with sea salt, black pepper and lemon zest. 2. Slice up sweet potatoes into thick discs, and discard the ends. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. 3. Light the charcoal in the BBQ and when its at the right temperature (aim for a medium heat), add the sweet potato bites to the middle of the grill. 4. Half the (zested) lemon and use one half to clean the direct side of your grill, where the monkfish will go, while also creating a non-stick surface. Place the other lemon half on the indirect side of your grill. 5. Next, make the dill and caper sour cream. Roughly chop the capers and place into a medium bowl with the caper juice, sour cream, dill and chives. Season with sea salt, black pepper and lemon juice and set aside until needed. 6. For the salsa, place the lime juice, red onion, green pepper and coriander in a bowl and mix together. Season with sea salt and black pepper and set aside until needed. 7. Meanwhile, turn the sweet potatoes over on the grill to cook the other side, and place the monkfish over direct heat for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. After the first turn, season again with salt and pepper, and a squeeze of the charred lemon. 8. To assemble the burgers, toast the buns over direct heat, then slather with the dill and caper sauce. Add the barbecued monkfish, top with a handful of rocket, dollop of salsa and enjoy. Grilled Watermelon with Goat's Cheese GRILLED WATERMELON WITH GOATS CHEESE Ingredients (serves 4): watermelon, peeled and cut into chunky fingers 1 tsp vegetable/sunflower oil 150g soft goats cheese Large handful of basil, roughly chopped Freshly ground black pepper 75g walnuts, roughly chopped 1 tbsp balsamic syrup 1 lime, zest Method: 1. Place the watermelon pieces on metal skewers, or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for a few hours, and rub with a little oil. 2. Light the charcoal in the BBQ, and when its at the right temperature (aim for a medium heat) place a small skillet on the grill and add the walnuts, toasting for about 3-4 minutes until they are fragrant. 3. Mix the goats cheese, basil and plenty of black pepper together in a bowl and set aside until needed. 4. Add the watermelon skewers to the BBQ and cook the watermelon on all sides until golden and charred. This should take about 5-10 minutes, depending on the heat of your BBQ. 5. To serve, place the goats cheese mixture on a plate and top with the watermelon skewers. Drizzle over the balsamic syrup and sprinkle with the toasted walnuts, finishing with some basil leaves and lime zest. Lettuce Cup :amb Koftas with Mint Yogurt LETTUCE CUP LAMB KOFTAS WITH MINT YOGURT Ingredients (serves 4-6): 700g lamb mince (less than 10pc fat) 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 lemon, zest Large handful of flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the mint yogurt: cucumber, roughly peeled and coarsely grated 1 lemon, zest and juice 2 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 tbsp olive oil 200g low-fat Greek yogurt Large handful of mint, roughly chopped Sea salt To serve: 10 little gem lettuce leaves 50g feta Sprinkle of sumac Method: 1. Start by making the mint yogurt. Place the grated cucumber in a sieve and sit it over a bowl. Season with sea salt, mix together and then give a little squeeze so the water starts to come out. Set aside to drain. 2. In a separate bowl, add the garlic with a pinch of salt, lemon zest and a tsp of lemon juice. Combine well and set aside until needed. 3. Next prepare the lamb koftas. Place the mince in a large bowl and add the garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, lemon zest, chopped parsley and a good amount of salt and pepper. Mix together thoroughly with your hands. 4. Using a scales, weigh the mixture into 75g pieces, then shape each one into a kofta and place on a tray. Set aside while you light your barbecue. 5. Set the barbecue up with a direct and indirect side. Place the koftas on the direct heat and cook for 3 minutes on each side, then move to the indirect heat while you finish your mint yogurt. Check the koftas with a meat thermometer they should have an internal temperature of about 70C. 6. To finish making the mint yogurt, pour 2-3 tbsp of oil into the lemon and garlic mix. Add the drained cucumber, yogurt, chopped mint and remainder of the lemon juice. Season well. 7. To serve, lay the lettuce cups on a serving platter and add a little of the mint yogurt to each. Place a lamb kofta into each lettuce cup, then drizzle with a little more yogurt. Garnish with some feta, a few more mint leaves and a sprinkle of sumac. Street 66 had reapplied for their annual outdoor street furniture license which was refused on Friday An online petition has been launched to remove a bike rack installed in a loading bay, also used for outdoor dining, outside a Dublin LGBTQ+ pub. With Dublin Pride set to kick off this month, Siobhan Comny, owner of Street 66 bar on Parliament Street, said she was devastated to learn that Dublin City Council had installed the bike rack directly outside her premises. The loading bay, one of only two on a street which has 19 restaurants, is used for deliveries and outdoor dining. The bar had reapplied in October for their annual outdoor street furniture license for tables and chairs which was refused on Friday. Im devastated, coming up to Pride the streets are going to be very busy so I dont think its really safe to have a bike rack directly outside your front door of a busy premises, the pub owner said. There is no other place where there are bike racks outside your front door and it's in a loading bay where there are massive deliveries coming in in the next few weeks. Dublin LGBTQ bar angered as council put bike rack in former outdoor seating area during Pride month When the streets get really really packed for Pride you wont be able to see the racks. Usually during Pride we get a letter from the Garda station and we are told to take anything that is a hazard off the streets for it to be completely clear. Now these bike racks are stuck outside an LGBTQ bar. Its a trip hazard and it doesnt make sense. Im very upset about the whole thing, said Ms Comny. The online petition, set up on Monday, has reached more than 3,000 signatures calling for Dublin City Council to remove the racks. The pub had been told on Friday evening that their license for outdoor furniture had been refused, after supplying additional architectural drawings to the council in January. We had an outdoor furniture license for the last couple of years and I reapplied as normal in October, said Ms Comny. On Monday morning a bike rack was installed and I have no opportunity to appeal, Ive no explanation. There are about 26 other bike racks on the street and they are mostly not used because the street doesnt have much traffic. To have them on a loading bay where we have extremely busy deliveries for the next two weeks the trucks have to park on the footpath. It seems a bit vindictive to have a bike rack on a loading bay and delivery trucks have to go up on the footpaths, she said. Dublin City council previously removed the bars outdoor tables and chairs in January while their reapplication was being processed and placed planters in the loading bay. My furniture was removed by Dublin City Council at 7 oclock in the morning in January. I had already applied for the renewal of the license and I didnt hear anything, she said. To put a bike rack there instead of even keeping the loading bay there for the delivery drivers, it seems suspicious and a bit weird. Its absolutely ridiculous in the middle of a loading bay, she said. The pub owner said the popular bar has received so much support from other businesses and local residents to have the racks removed. Meanwhile, councillor Claire Byrne said each business has been reapplying for their street furniture license, as everybody has, and have subsequently been refused. Today one of those premises arrived in to see bike parking racks being placed outside their premises where previously they would have had outdoor seating, she told councillors on Monday. Im obviously very pro-bike parking, said the Green Party councillor, however, she said there doesnt seem to be any coherent plan around granting street furniture licenses in the city. Dublin City Council was contacted for comment. Sean Murphy (18) was taken to Tallaght University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead Sean Murphy was well liked in the local area The funeral of a tragic Dublin teenager who died in an electric bike accident will take place on Wednesday. Sean Murphy (18), who was described a cheerful and well-mannered young man, was critically injured when the electric bike he was on crashed into a pillar at Mac Uilliam Heights in Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, around 10.30pm on Wednesday. Emergency services attended the scene and Sean was taken to Tallaght University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. There were no other vehicles involved in the collision. In a death notice published this week, Sean was described as a beloved son and best friend of his mother Margaret and a devoted big brother to his sibling Liam. Sean will be forever loved and very sadly missed by his adoring family, mam, brother, grandparents Jean, Brendan and Aisley, aunties Chloe and Barbara, uncles Jack and Stephen, his heartbroken girlfriend Isobel and family, Margarets partner Craig, cousins, wide circle of friends and neighbours, the notice said. Sean will be reposing at his home on Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm and his funeral mass will take place on Wednesday at St Aidans Church in Brookfield followed by burial in Newlands Cross. A former colleague of Sean paid tribute to him saying he was a joy to work with and always happy and joyful. Another friend described him as such a beautiful boy, so thoughtful cheerful and well mannered and said he would be sorely missed. Speaking during the week, local councillor Mick Duff said he was horrified to learn of the tragic crash. There is shock in the community its appalling, a young lad just out enjoying life. Our thoughts are with his family, he said. I want to send thoughts and condolences to the family of the young lad on behalf of the community, and I sincerely hope and believe that the entire community will stand behind them at this sad time, he said. I also want to appeal to every young person to just be careful on these e-bikes. Some of these bikes can get up to incredible speed. The speed is unregulated. They can creep up at appalling speed. Cllr Duff said the accident emphasises the whole situation around safety when it comes to electric bikes and scooters. This incident shows us just how fragile life is, he added. The independent councillor wants to see an awareness campaign being run regarding these types of transport. We need all e-bike users and scooters to know how to protect themselves. Regulation and training, if it saves one life wouldnt it be worth the effort? Garda Forensic Collision Investigators completed a technical examination of the scene during the week. They appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of Mac Uilliam Heights in Tallaght on Wednesday evening between 10pm and 10.45pm and who may have camera footage, including mobile phone and dash-cam, to make it available to gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. Colm was always a gentleman. Tributes have been flowing in for a Cork teacher who lost his life in a balcony fall last week in Thailand. Colm McCarthy, a resident of Lissadell, Douglas, Cork, passed away on June 9, 2023, in Thailand. Paying tribute, Douglas Hall AFC said : We all have wonderful memories of Colm playing a large part in successful Hall schoolboy and youth teams. We are thinking of you at this difficult time. RIP Colm. Mr McCarthy was an English language teacher at the International Pioneers International School Phutthamonthon on Sai 3 Road in Bangkok, it has been reported. International Pioneers School Locals at the 24-story Fuse Sense Condominium complex, where he is reported to have moved in about a year ago, said that he had a pleasing and smiling disposition while being able to communicate fluently and effortlessly in Thai. A message today for Colm on RIP.ie said that he was a loving father to Finnian and a devoted husband to Wineta. He was the cherished son of Michael and Catherine and a dear brother to Eimear. His family, including brother-in-law Mark Harrington, nephews Michael and Cillian, niece Shona, and friends Tony, aunts, uncles, and other relatives mourn his sudden passing. Douglas crest A traditional Irish phrase, Ar dheis De go raibh a anam expresses the familys sorrow and means May his soul be at Gods right hand. Colms family and loved ones will dearly miss him. In summary, Colm McCarthy passed away unexpectedly while traveling in Thailand. He was a loving father, husband, son, and brother, leaving behind relatives and friends who are deeply saddened by his loss. Further messages on RIP.ie said: My sincerest condolences to the McCarthy family. Colm was always a gentleman. Great memories growing up in Lissadell. May he rest in peace. Another wrote: We're so terribly sorry for your loss and thinking of you all during these heart-breaking times. Rest in peace Colm. So very sorry to you all on the tragic passing of your brother, Dad and son. You are all in our thoughts and we are here for you during this very difficult time. R.I.P Colm x. As part of an investigation into the teachers death, Thai police are reportedly reviewing all the CCTV footage in the building where Colm died whilst interviewing witnesses and the last people Mr McCarthy spoke with before his tragic death. A murder probe was launched after Chloes remains were found by police in Antrim on Sunday evening, after three days of continuous searching. A brother of tragic Chloe Mitchell has led tributes to the 21-year-old describing the public support as absolutely brilliant. A murder probe was launched after Chloes remains were found by police in Antrim on Sunday evening, after three days of continuous searching. And the discovery sent shockwaves through the close-knit Harryville community in Ballymena, where Chloe was known to all. On Tuesday, a kiddies park in the centre of village - where Chloe had played as a youngster - became the focus of a colourful floral accolade. Floral tributes to Chloe Mitchell The previous evening, Chloes brother Phillip erected his own homage to the loving sister he lost in such shocking circumstances, a few days ago. And within hours, dozens of neighbours and friends arrived - many of whom had known the deceased woman personally - to pay their own respects to Chloe and leave flowers. Speaking to the Sunday World, Phillip said: I came here last night and placed a spike in the ground with a card and photograph of Chloe on it. And I also wrote a few words. Chloe Mitchell But within hours, there were hundreds of bunches of flowers also left here. Its lovely. And we want people to come here and see all the tributes for themselves. Obviously, we are still devastated at losing Chloe. But our family cant thank our friends and the Ballymena community enough. Theyve been absolutely brilliant. said Phillip. And he added: We are expecting a large crowd to attend a vigil for Chloe on Wednesday night. Floral tributes to Chloe Mitchell Phillip Mitchell spoke 24 hours after two men were remanded in custody after they were arrested in connection with Chloe Mitchells disappearance in the early hours of last Saturday. 26-year-old Brandon John Rainey was arrested in Lurgan last Thursday. And he appeared by video link at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Monday. The accused of James Street, Ballymena, was charged with murdering Chloe Mitchell between June 2 and June 5. Brandon John Rainey appears charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell And when asked if he understood the charge, he replied Yeah. A barrister for the accused told the court his clients suffered from acute mental health difficulties. The lawyer added that his client denied the allegation against him. Also appearing by video link at the same court was 34-year-old Ryan Johnston Gordon, from Nursery Close, Ballymena. He faces charges of assisting an offender. Floral tributes to Chloe Mitchell Judge Peter King said Rainey appears charged with the most serious offence in the criminal canon. Brandon Rainey was remanded in custody and will appear again on July 6. And Ryan Johnston, for whom no bail was applied, will appear also by video link on Tuesday June 20. A large turnout gathered in Harryville Presbyterian Minister on Sunday evening, where a local Minister led the community in prayer. An even bigger crowd is expected to assemble in the play park at 7.30pm on Wednesday where Chloes family and friends will gather near the home where she was brought up on the Haryvilles Wakehurst estate. Happy Fathers Day. Love ya, Buddy. Will always try be the best one for you. Barry Keoghan has shared a heart-warming snap of himself and his young son, Brando, as the pair prepare to celebrate Fathers Day this Sunday. The Dublin actor posted the snap of himself and the adorable toddler on Instagram in advance of the big day this weekend. Happy Fathers Day. Love ya, Buddy. Will always try be the best one for you, Barry wrote, alongside a love heart emoji and a shamrock. Barry Keoghan and son Brando Barrys little fella looks super cool in a little navy jacket and flat cap, clearly taking after his old man in the style stakes. When the Summerhill thespian became a father late last year with partner, Alyson Sandro, he said it was a love that Ive not felt before. In an interview at the time Barry said: Its indescribable. Its a love Ive not felt before. You can learn from how you were raised. I have the chance to do the things that werent done for me. Baby Brando The former Love/Hate cat-killer star opened up about how important the mum of his little fella is to him. Barry admitted he relies heavily of Alyson to "do a lot" for him. Im not gonna sit here and say Im very independent. I rely on Alyson to do a lot for me, you know, but you build this thing in you without your mother or your father. You have to figure it out yourself. Keoghan described his lack of interest in fame, calling it a world built on artificial things and fake promises and bullsh*t. He also said he doesnt like Hollywood style parties. Barry, Alyson and baby Brando Im not a big fan, yeah. Im trying to find that balance of putting the phone away. Ive seen The Rock do it. Youve got to separate that. Youve got work mode and family time, Barry said. Barry recently pulled out of major blockbuster film, Gladiator, that he was cast in alongside fellow Irish actor Paul Mescal. According to reports, the Dub was not able to fulfil the role due to scheduling conflicts. On top of all that, Barry recently helped launch the launch 200k Coca-Cola Thank You Fund here in Dublin. The aim of the fund is to support programmes that help empower young people across the island of Ireland. Coca-Cola fund launch I launched the 2020 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund just before the pandemic, and it really struck a chord with me; meeting the young people whose lives had been so positively impacted by the programmes delivered as a result of this great support. The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is giving local groups in communities the ability to help vulnerable young people build positive relationships and develop skills that will have a lasting impact on their future and their communities, but also on our environment, and thats something thats important to me. Im a proud example of the impact of local projects and hope that I can help other young people by encouraging community-based programmes to apply for funding, Barry said. The broadcaster has been soaking up the sun in Antibes, France over the past week and has been documenting her trip on Instagram. RTE presenter Sarah McInerney had a hilarious response to getting stung by a jellyfish while on holiday. The broadcaster is taking a break from her RTE Radio 1 show to soak up the sun in Antibes, France and has been documenting her trip on Instagram. Earlier this week, she revealed that she had received a nasty jellyfish sting while having a dip in the sea and her followers flooded her inbox with treatment recommendations. A number of people suggested that Sarah take the plunge and urinate on her forearm as they had seen this done on an episode of Friends. The 1997 episode The One With the Jellyfish sees Monica (Courteney Cox) get stung by the sea creature after the gang headed to the beach for the day. Joey (Matt Le Blanc) remembers a segment in a Discovery Channel documentary that suggested peeing on a jellyfish sting to make the pain go away but Monica soon realises she cant reach her sting. Joey then steps up to the plate but gets stage fright and cant go through with the act, so Chandler (Matthew Perry) is forced to do it instead. And while the famous scene was mentioned to Sarah dozens of times after she was stung, she informed her followers that she did not try the unconventional method out for herself. Thanks to everyone who recommended the Friends method of treating this, she wrote. No I didnt try it. And no, apparently it doesnt work. Sarah also took to her Instagram this week to share a stunning selfie before heading on a night out in Antibes. In the snap, Sarah posed in front of a mirror wearing a matching ruched blue top and skirt. The Galway native flaunted her incredible figure in the gorgeous outfit as her natural curls bounced on top of her shoulders. Captioning the photo, she wrote: After a hard day reading books on the beach, were hitting this beautiful town for some French food and cocktails. After the readmission of Syria to the Arab League and the possible restoration of relations between some Arab countries and Damascus, there have been no further moves towards normalisation, reports Bassel Oudat in Damascus. One month has passed since the Arab League decided to allow Syria to take back its seat at the League and send its officials to the bodys meetings, and some Arab countries have declared their willingness to normalise relations with Damascus. However, despite the four-week gap, there have been no substantive improvements in relations between the other Arab countries and Syria on the political or economic fronts. Possible rapprochements have been rumoured, along with promises to reopen some consulates in Damascus. The decision reached by the Arab foreign ministers to readmit Syria to the Arab League was not unanimous, and it will be difficult to arrive at normal relations between the Arab countries and the Syrian government if core prerequisites are not met. These were decided during meetings in Amman before the recent Arab Summit meeting in Jeddah and include a roadmap to resolve the Syrian crisis with practical and effective steps to move gradually towards a resolution based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254. It is unlikely that the Arab countries will move much further towards normalisation if the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad does not take tangible steps to prove its good faith on this path. The Arab countries are cautious in part because they worry their relations with the West could be affected. The West rejects the notion of normalising relations with the Syrian regime and has imposed harsh sanctions against the regime and its supporters. It has also threatened to impose sanctions on countries that normalise ties with the regime without a quid pro quo, namely that the regime change its position regarding a political solution that is approved by the international community. The first of the warning signs came with the cancellation of an EU-Arab League conference scheduled for 20 June. Germanys Ambassador to Cairo Frank Hartmann said that the gathering was cancelled because Syrias foreign minister would be attending, and Berlin had refused to admit his presence. We still do not see a basis for the Arab countries to normalise relations with the Syrian regime, because no progress has been made regarding UN Resolutions on Syria, improving conditions inside Syria, the return of refugees, and combatting smuggling and drug-trafficking, Hartmann said. In the US, bipartisan draft legislation by Democrat and Republican lawmakers in Congress has prevented the US government from recognising any Syrian government led by Bashar Al-Assad and bolstered Washingtons ability to impose sanctions as a warning to countries that normalise relations with it. The representatives of countries concerned with the Syrian crisis at meetings held by the Syrian Negotiations Commission in Geneva on 4 June, including the US, Turkey, France, Britain, Canada, Switzerland, the EU, the Netherlands and Italy, in addition to Egypt and Qatar, said there needed to be a political transition in Syria, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and advances on the political process under UN auspices. Some media outlets in the US have reported that the sanctions against Syria have not benefited the Syrian people. While the US refuses entry for members of the regime and freezes their bank accounts, these officials do not have bank accounts in the US and do not consider travelling to it. There are now calls to ease the sanctions, at least on humanitarian aid, which may explain why the US is not objecting to the delivery of some aid and humanitarian economic assistance if the regime reverses its refusal of a political solution. All this does not mean Washington is beginning to view Syria as peripheral to its interests, however. The US National Security Council has decided to keep troops in Syria, specifically east of the Euphrates, until further notice, said opposition military figure Ahmed Rahhal. The US presence in Syria is not a matter for discussion or interpretation. To show it means business, the US army shipped an advanced missile system (HIMARS) to the east of the Euphrates, and the Department of Defence and US Central Command transferred other shipments from Jordan to Syria after withdrawing them from Iraq. All these moves confirm that the US is staying in Syria not to fight the Islamic State group (IS) but to impose its presence. Meanwhile, both the Syrian regime and the Arabs are waiting for the other to take further steps. As they do so, the deteriorating security situation continues in Syria, the country remains carved up among different forces, the economy is in freefall, and the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of displaced people and refugees worsens. Returning the Syrian refugees to their homeland will be a challenge for the Syrian state, especially bringing about a political and social reconciliation that builds confidence, said Samir Al-Itta , chair of the Circle of Arab Economists and professor of Political Economy at the University of Paris Sorbonne. This will be difficult while the incumbent regime remains in place without any real change in its structure. Syria must also prove it is moving towards a state of law, and not using laws and decrees as a means of extortion. In return, the US and EU will need to change their positions of blocking reconstruction and settle refugees in countries of asylum. It is certain that there will be revisions of policies towards the region in the coming months, and this will clarify where the US, followed by Europe and Israel, wants to take the region. The US and EU issued sanctions against hundreds of Syrian and non-Syrian figures and officials, as well as Syrian and non-Syrian institutions that help and support the regime, a little more than a decade ago. The sanctions freeze assets, financial transactions, and bank accounts and ban entry, commercial dealings, imports and exports, and the sale of oil, among other things. It will be difficult for the Arabs to bypass the Western sanctions in the absence of progress on the political track. The Arab foreign ministers exerted vigorous diplomatic efforts to bring Syria back to the Arab League as a gesture of goodwill and a first step. Now, everyone is waiting for the regime to reciprocate. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Methane-munching forest soils are coming to the rescue tackling climate change. Scion scientists have embarked on important new research to find out how much methane is being consumed by microorganisms in New Zealand's planted forest soils. Forest soils are good habitats for bacteria that absorb and release methane (CH4) as a source of carbon and energy. By quantifying how much methane is consumed by the bacteria, known as methanotrophs, at field sites, the project will reveal just how important planted forest soils are to New Zealand as part of broader efforts that seek to better understand the country's total net emissions and ways to mitigate climate change. Once complete, the research will provide valuable insights for policy makers examining greenhouse gas emissions as it can be used to paint a more accurate picture of the country's total net carbon budget. Scientist and project lead Kathryn Walker is measuring how fast soil microbes are consuming methane by taking gas samples from field chambers installed in forests. Photo: Supplied. Due to agricultural activity, methane production in New Zealand is disproportionately high on a per capita basis - about six times the global average. Understanding the potential for other land uses, such as forestry, to mitigate these agricultural emissions is critical, says Scion senior scientist Dr Steve A. Wakelin. 'We know that forests are great for storing carbon from carbon dioxide, but this research is helping us learn about forestry's capability to offset methane emissions as well," says Steve. "We believe it is a first step in a future programme of work that will demonstrate how different land uses in New Zealand are all interconnected, and how to manage these holistically for win-win outcomes. He says New Zealand's economy is reliant on the livestock sector for jobs, food and income. Scion's research aims to show how forestry can support the agricultural sector to tackle one of its biggest challenges. 'Scientists are working on breeding lower methane-emitting livestock, using methane vaccines' and inhibitors, and investigating farming system change such as feed and additives. "However, even combined these are unlikely to nudge the needle' enough to meet our emissions reduction targets. As Aotearoa works towards a low-carbon future, this issue is one for us to tackle together. The Ministry for Primary Industries is funding the research, with support from Lincoln University. It follows international studies proving that forest soils create optimal conditions for the methane-absorbing microbes. As methane in the air passes over and diffuses within forest soil, methanotrophs consume the methane. 'We find methanotrophs are abundant in our DNA-based surveys of planted forest soils, says Steve. 'Indeed, based on overseas systems, it turns out that planted forest soils are pretty good habitats for methanotrophs; we just haven't looked at this in New Zealand before. Scion's Microbial Ecology - Soil Systems team is now collecting New Zealand's first field-based measurements of methane flux - how fast the soil microbes are consuming methane. Scientist and project lead Kathryn Walker is measuring how fast soil microbes are consuming methane by taking gas samples from field chambers installed in forests. Photo: Supplied. Researchers have installed methane flux chambers at two field sites near Christchurch: Orton Bradley Park and McLeans Island. At both sites Scion already collects environmental DNA and measures environmental properties; this information will now be integrated with the methane flux data. Chambers have also been installed in Kaingaroa Forest in the central North Island - New Zealand's largest commercial pine plantation. Sampling of these field chambers will reveal how much methane the forest soil microbiome is consuming over an entire year. 'If rates of consumption are high, we need to know as this data will be important for our national carbon budget, says Steve. 'Given the importance of methane as a greenhouse gas for agriculture, it could just be a case of forests to the rescue. Lincoln University's Prof. Tim Clough says the collaborative research with Scion will reveal important data. 'With Scion's expertise in forestry aligned with Lincoln University's facilities for trace-gas sampling and analysis provided through the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Centre, we have a great partnership in place to assess the big opportunity of forest methane consumption. Methane is responsible for about 25 per cent of global warming. What's more, each molecule of methane has about 28 to 35 times greater warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that concentrations of methane in the atmosphere have considerably more potential to alter climate change compared to the same volume of carbon dioxide. 'I could be dead is how a Tauranga resident describes her experience seeking public mental health services while dealing with bipolar disorder. Sarah Clement is one of many locals who attended a public meeting on mental health with National spokesperson for mental health and suicide prevention Matt Doocey and Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell. She says after feeling symptoms of a depressive episode, she phoned her GP for help, and said she 'was worried about where her mental health could end up. 'He didn't seem to take me seriously. I told him I wasn't feeling my best and was worried about where it could go. He wouldn't touch it. I could be dead, says Sarah. When asked if she has faith support would be there for her if she needed it again, Sarah says 'probably not. 'I want it to be easier for people suffering to access services. Now, if you're trying to get into the hospital, it's hard. It feels almost impossible. Sometimes it feels like a roadblock you can be quite ill, but sometimes people don't see it, because you don't look sick. We get sort of forgotten about. Another Tauranga resident attending the meeting says the lack of access to mental health services in Tauranga is 'appalling. 'Because [a family member] has been tipped out of the health system here, we are having to send them to another city to get seen. We are unable to get them any respite in Tauranga city, despite being the fifth biggest city in the country. The person adds they have had to spend over $400 on one weekend alone for her family member to be seen by a professional. National spokesperson for mental health and suicide prevention Matt Doocey. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive. Meanwhile, National spokesperson for mental health and suicide prevention Matt Doocey says the biggest barrier to timely care with mental health services is the "workforce crisis". "People aren't able to access services and are stuck on waiting lists. The biggest change we can make is reducing the number of vacancies," says Doocey. "Mental health has been a poor second cousin to mental health for a long time, even over successive governments. What we know about mental health today is we are about 50 years behind from physical health. "If you think about all the developments and funding which has gone into physical health in the last 50 years, we have a lot to catch up on." National offers dedicated mental health minister Doocey says if National were to be elected, they would introduce New Zealand's first mental health and suicide prevention minister. "Some countries overseas solve this by opening a mental health ministry, but we don't believe there needs to be another government department or ministry. But this stand-alone minister will be able to focus on the issues within the mental health area on a daily basis. "You can imagine the health minister can be quite distracted by physical health issues, so we think by splitting it out, a minister can be focused on the issue day in, and day out." Doocey adds the current Government has also shown New Zealand's mental health crisis is "not just about funding". "If it was [about funding] the $1.9 billion the Government has spent on mental health would have made quite a big difference. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report came out and said despite the $1.9 billion, there has been no material improvement. That shows you can put money into an area, but you need to address the structural issues first. "If there's no workforce in these areas to deliver services, the money isn't going to make a difference." Funding community organisations Doocey says National would also match funding for community services such as MATES in Construction and Mike King's Gumboot Friday. "By resourcing community sector, we can take some of the demand away from the public mental health system. Gumboot Friday currently spends $2.5 million to deliver 19,000 sessions to 12,000 young people. "They have a workforce already, outside of the public mental health workforce ready to go and have the capacity. So this fund would double their ability and allow them to see 24,000 young people over 20,000 sessions." Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall. Photo: Samuel Rillstone/RNZ. Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall says the current Government has "created a mental health service from the ground up since 2017". Government aiming for "better resourced" system "Our health reforms aim to address years of underinvestment and to create a better resourced, more connected health and mental health sector that delivers equitably for all New Zealanders. "It's important to understand that change on this scale takes time, but since 2019 new and enhanced mental health and addiction services have become available in every District of New Zealand and we know Access and Choice is helping tens of thousands of New Zealanders every month. Including specific services for youth. "Budget 2022 also saw investment in Child and adolescent specialist mental health and addiction services of $18.7m over four years. "This will increase the capacity of existing specialist child and adolescent mental health and addiction services to see around 1,300 more children and young people per year by the end of the roll out in 2025/26. Funding will support a mixture of clinical FTE, peer support FTE and cultural support FTE. "The Access and Choice programme supports young people through our integrated primary mental health and addiction services accessed through general practice, MAori, Pacific, and our Youth specific services and has provided more than 844,000 sessions overall to the end of March this year. "One reason for the increased demand for acute services is that before this Government invested in primary mental health and addiction care, there wasn't enough support to stop small issues becoming big problems. "Now, for the first time, there are real services to help prevent more people from falling through the cracks. We've put mental health help at local doctors and schools around the country, as well as universities, online, on the phone and through smart apps. This means more people are being seen and receiving the help they need." A tangihanga is being held in ApAtiki for Steven Taiatini, the president of the Mongrel Mob Barbarians. The 45-year-old died in the town on Friday night. Police have launched a homicide investigation into his death and a number of gang members. ApAtiki's mayor has denied his town is being 'held to ransom by gang members, with escalating tensions leading principals to close their schools as a safety precaution. Several principals have kept the doors to their schools shut after a homicide and two house fires since Friday in ApAtiki. ApAtiki mayor David Moore told the AM Show some of the schools which had closed were situated 'very close to where the tangihanga for Steven Rota Taiatini would be held. "It is literally on the boundary of number of schools; it's a small community, there's family members at every single school ... we all have links to each other. "The schools have made the choice on their own, the ones that have decided to shut, we have to respect that, and those that have decided to stay open, everyone respects that as well." He says the schools in question would assess the situation on a daily basis. 'It was their call to close those, there's a school that thought they should have been open and carried on as normal but if the schools want to stay open we have to respect that and vice versa. 'If they're closing that's their choice, we can't get involved in that side of it. The schools that were open yesterday, large numbers of children were away anyway, so it is probably a good thing for just a few days and then we'll get back to normal as soon as we can." ApAtiki High School is closed for the entire week with principal Terehia Channings posting they've consulted with police, Te WhakatAhea Trust Board, Te RAnanga Nui o WhakatAhea along with other principals of local schools. 'Our board of trustees and the Ministry of Education have supported my decision to close the college for the remainder of the week. Police say they will be providing 24/7 coverage over the coming days to offer reassurance to those in the wider community who may be feeling unsafe. David says he had been working closely with leaders from local iwi WhakatAhea and police over the past few days. He told Morning Report there had been an "influx of people paying their respects from out of town", which he acknowledges is intimidating for some residents. "There is heightened anxiety, there are numbers of gang members from out of town here but ... Mr Taiatini's family are grieving, the whAnau needs their time to go through this process." Photo: Supplied Asked whether enough was being done to keep the peace, given there had been reports of gunshots and arsons in the area over the past few days, Moore says: "I can't deny that's happened." However, police were doing "a very good job" and efforts to keep the situation calm had been going on "behind the scenes" since Friday, he says. "It has heightened everyone's anxiety levels, I guess, and that's rightly so, but the police are doing a very good job and ... we're just doing the best we can." While the area could "always do with more", he says there is a sufficient police presence in the town at present. "We're confident we've got enough there and they will resource us more if we need it." Moore says the media was "hyping-up the rivalry and gang war". "That's not the reality on the ground here." There was a gang element in the town, he says, "but this is a member of our community - obviously they're going to have visitors 'cause of their status in that gang". "We are having an influx of people paying their respects from out of town." Moore says he had attended the tangi himself to pay his respects, along with local iwi leaders and school leaders. "They showed great respect - OK, there was a gang presence there but they welcomed us in and there was nothing but respect for us when we went there, and it goes the other way. "Just because they wear a patch, they are still members of our community and they are people." RNZ and additional reporting from Stuff The new home building rules for Western Bay's two fastest growing towns is back on the agenda with an independent panel appointed. The new housing density rules were introduced to Te Puke and Amokoroa to enable growth and create a wider range of housing options. These changes were initiated through the government's prescribed medium density residential standards (MDRS) that sought to achieve the growth by building up rather than out. Western Bay of Plenty District Council has appointed Commissioner Panel Chair Greg Carlyon, and Commissioners Alan Withy, Lisa Mein and Pia Bennett to hear and provide recommendations on the new housing rules and the supporting rule changes. This new independent panel will hear from up to 60 submitters in September, and make recommendations on our two relevant planning processes known officially as Plan Change 92 Amokoroa and Te Puke Enabling Housing Supply and other supporting matters, and the Notice of Requirement for Active Reserve, Amokoroa. "The panel appointment comes after we've spent considerable time meeting with submitters to better understand their views," says a Western Bay of Plenty Council spokesperson. Council's Environmental Planning Manager Natalie Rutland says that by "taking our time to understand the challenges submitters face, we were able to resolve matters before the independent hearings". 'We've spent a lot of time talking about the wide ranging implications of these new rule changes, and building relationships with submitters so we can understand the issues at hand and get the best outcomes for the community. 'While that approach is more time consuming, we're confident that we'll end up with a more robust plan change because of it. "The government requires us to appoint an independent panel for this planning process." The panel will make recommendations to Council, and Council or the Minister makes the final decision on the rules. "There isn't an appeal process so it's extra important we reach the best outcomes upfront." Housing rule refresher The new housing rules allow more homes to be built in existing residential areas across Te Puke and Amokoroa, where they have access to the existing infrastructure, amenities, and community facilities. When new home designs meet the government's pre-set density standards they do not require a resource consent, although building consents are still required. This enables development of properties to have up to three homes up to three storeys high in existing residential neighbourhoods. "Council's supporting rule changes seek to enable medium density living while maintaining the things about Te Puke and Amokoroa that their communities love, such as their respective small-town charm and a live-work-play vibe." Changes for Amokoroa also include an active reserve, where recreational facilities could be developed beside the planned new school. 'Te Puke and Amokoroa are growing, and it's important we do what we can to ensure that growth happens in a way that's consistent with what the community wants," says Natalie. 'The housing rule changes we introduced last year are an important step on the future growth of these towns - but we'll be having more conversations on this front. 'Your thoughts on how your town should grow and what needs to be protected is important to us, and it's something we expect to delve deeper into in the near future so we can plan for your growth aspirations too. Some developers have already begun to adapt to the new density standards, with several new compliant or generally compliant development applications submitted to Council since August 2022, including large scale development applications in both Te Puke and in Amokoroa. Next steps for new housing rules The process from here will see a hearing date set, and submitters will be invited to present in September. When all of the submissions have been heard the independent panel will release their recommendations for Council to consider. Adoption of the finalised rules won't be before December this year. For more information about the new rules for building homes in Te Puke and Amokoroa go to westernbay.govt.nz/housing-rules and westernbay.govt.nz/district-plan-changes. Housing rules based on the MDRS standards were applied to towns across New Zealand who fit the government's criteria. They must be predominantly urban in character and have a population of at least 10,000 people. Te Puke and Amokoroa are the only towns in the Western Bay of Plenty that fit this brief. Tourists stroll through the streets of the city of Cadiz, one of the 100 most important destinations in Spain. Nuria Agrafojo Cadiz Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Andalucia's Cadiz province is in fashion as a holiday destination and this is not a subjective perception. The fact that one out of every three tourist accommodation projects presented after the coronavirus pandemic is in the province or that most major hotel chains are looking to expand in Cadiz is no coincidence. This is highlighted in one of the most relevant reports on the tourism sector in Spain, the 'map of the social contribution of tourism' prepared by Spain's national tourism alliance Exceltur , in which the main companies in the international tourism sector are represented, and which analyses the weight of the different holiday destinations across the country. It is a report in which Cadiz has taken on a bigger role, rising among the Spanish provinces with the greatest tourist relevance. Four municipalities in the province - Conil, Chiclana, Tarifa and Cadiz - have been included in the latest list of the 100 most important destinations in Spain. The first to appear on the list is Conil , in 48th place, which by the end of 2022 had already reached the figure of 25,264 tourist accommodation places, of which 24.9% were in hotels; 30% in apartments , campsites and rural tourism and 45% in dwellings for tourist use on rental platforms. This activity generated a total of 2,404 jobs last year. The next of the Cadiz municipalities in the ranking is Chiclana , which appears in 53rd place with 22,738 bed places (54.9% in hotels; 6.5% in apartments and 38.6% in dwellings), which generated 4,100 jobs. Behind the town of Chiclana, in 64th place is Tarifa , the most touristy municipality in the Campo de Gibraltar. With 18,701 beds, of which only 19% are in hotels, it generates 2,137 jobs per year. The last of the Cadiz towns to be included in this important 'top 100' is the capital city of the province . With 11,324 beds, 56% of which are tourist accommodation, Cadiz also generates 2,611 jobs. Chiclana, the highest price per room in Cadiz Chiclana has become one of the most expensive tourist towns to spend the summer, not only in the province of Cadiz but in the whole of Spain. According to the data provided by the Exceltur barometer, Chiclana has the most expensive average price per room in the province, at 134.77 euros. Next, Tarifa registered 109.57 euros; and Conil de la Frontera reached 92. This figure also makes Chiclana the fifth most expensive in the whole country. In its 2022 balance sheet, which measures the profitability of Spanish tourist destinations, up to three holiday destinations in the province of Cadiz are included: Chiclana de la Frontera, Tarifa and Conil de la Frontera, which are above the average income per available room (a concept known as RevPAR, in sector terminology) for their segment, which last year stood at 85.1 euros on average in Spain. Exceltur states that the average revenue per room on the Costa de la Luz in Cadiz rose by 15.5%, comparing the figures for this year 2022 with those of 2019 -prior to the pandemic-. In total the four locations offer more than 78,000 accommodation places that generated more than 11,200 jobs throughout the year 2022 related to the tourist sector. In terms of provincial capitals in Spain, Cadiz is in 17th place. The national ranking is headed by Madrid, followed by Barcelona, Benidorm (Alicante), San Bartolome de Tirajana (Gran Canaria), Salou (Tarragona), Adeje (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Calvia (Mallorca), Marbella (Malaga), Arona (Tenerife) and Palma de Mallorca. As for the Andalusian municipalities, in the 'top 100' of the most important in Spain we can find a total of 19 destinations: Marbella, Seville, Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Mijas, Granada, Estepona, Roquetas de Mar, Fuengirola, Conil, Chiclana, Tarifa, Nerja, Mojacar, Cordoba, Almunecar, Vera and Cadiz. Rising occupancy figures This growth in the number of hotel beds available in the province of Cadiz has already been strongly felt in the first quarter of 2023, with an increase in the number of travellers compared to 2022. In the first four months of 2023, the province of Cadiz received 24% more travellers than in 2022. According to the Hotel Tourism Situation Report prepared monthly by Spain's INE national institute of statistics, hotel establishments in the province of Cadiz received 23% more tourists between January and April 2023 than in the same period in 2022, In addition, overnight stays in the first four months of the year also experienced a sharp rise, amounting to 1,564,988 so far in 2023, which is 20.37% more than in the same period of 2022. However, it should be borne in mind that in these first four months of the year the hotel offer in the province amounted to only 31,598 beds, a figure that is increasing as the summer approaches, since many of the hotel establishments close for a large part of the winter. Among the most striking figures are those for the month of April. The province's hotels registered 292,272 tourists during the month this year, compared to 240,758 last year. Two out of every three tourists staying in the province were Spanish. In terms of overnight stays, April 2023 was 110,000 more than April 2022, with 731,380 this year and 621,948 last year. This demand has been reflected in employment and in April this year hotel establishments in the province employed 900 more people than in April last year. Isabel Mendez Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram A yellow risk warning for the entire coastline of the Costa del Sol will activated today, Tuesday. Spain's state meteorological agency (Aemet) has activated the warnings, which will affect the Sol (which includes Malaga city), and Guadalhorce zones. The warnings will be in force from 2pm to midnight, during which time winds from the west and southwest are expected to reach 50 to 60 kilometres per hour (force 7) with waves of 2 to 3 metres high. The forecast for this 13th June predicts partly cloudy skies, with intervals of low clouds and morning mist inland. Winds will be westerly, with strong intervals on the coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures will decrease in inland areas and will remain unchanged in other areas. Malaga city, the capital of the Costa del Sol, will record the highest values: with a maximum of 32C degrees and a minimum of 22 degrees, and the rest of the province will see temperatures close to 30 degrees. In addition to Malaga province, there will also be yellow risk warnings for coastal phenomena in Granada and Almeria from 2pm in the afternoon, with winds from the west and southwest with a speed of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour and force seven, as well as waves of two to three metres in height. Ampliar Yellow risk alerts along the Costa del Sol today (13 June) Aemet As for the rest of the country, Aemet forecasts, a day of partly cloudy skies with intervals of morning low clouds and mist on the Atlantic slope, with probable showers in the eastern half that may be accompanied by thunderstorms in the northeastern mountain ranges. Maximum temperatures will decrease in the eastern interior and central regions, with little change in the rest. Climate change is seriously affecting Nigerian farmers, who are suffering from the double onslaught of floods and droughts, reports Alyaa Abo Shahba from the West African state of Niger On 5 June, the world celebrated World Environment Day, an annual event which emphasises the importance of preserving and protecting the environment from the growing effects of climate change. From the west of the African continent, specifically Niger, Al-Ahram Weekly monitored the suffering of people due its effects, among them increasing floods and droughts. Women and children are suffering in particular, as they are among the most vulnerable groups. 300 Dead and 300,000 Homeless said the news headlines in Niger in October 2022 after floods that have been taking place periodically over the last five years in the country, one of the largest in West Africa but whose territory consists of 80 per cent desert. There are no bodies of water in Niger except the Niger River, whose water level is now so low that it is difficult to navigate. Winter now means floods every year in Niger, with the sky opening its doors and flooding and destroying the homes of hundreds with unprecedented intensity. Even so, according to WaterAid, an international non-profit organisation founded in 1981 as a response to the UN International Contract for Drinking Water and Sanitation, nearly 13 million people now lack clean water in Niger. The country is largely made up of desert, and it is one of the least developed countries in the world. With severe droughts, poor soil conditions and the gradual spread of the desert now increasing as a result of climate change, more than 12.8 million people today lack clean water, or nearly half the population. During the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-9) held in Niamey, Nigers capital, early in March, President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum warned against the growing phenomenon of climate refugees, people who are forced to leave their lands due to climate change and putting additional pressures on neighbouring countries. A World Bank report in 2021 indicated that in the light of the acceleration of the global water crisis as a result of climate change, precipitation fluctuations are expected to be one of the factors contributing to such migration, with women and children being among the most vulnerable groups though the least able to move easily. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also estimates that homeless women are more vulnerable to sexual violence. WOMENS EMPOWERMENT: Women and children are the most vulnerable, especially in Africa, as they lack resources and have limited access to information and movement restrictions, all of which increase the intensity of the impacts of climate change on them, said James Murombedzi, head of the Climate Change Division at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The UN works with governments, ensuring that contributions to adaptation and mitigation serve gender issues and contribute to minimising the impacts on the most vulnerable, he said. Jean-Paul Adam, director of the Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Division at the ECA, told the Weekly that violence resulting from climate change has its harshest impact on women, children not excluded, so one of the major aspects needed to be addressed is looking at climate change from a gender perspective. That means getting to know the impact and its costs. Adam pointed to the need to involve women further in economic activities that could enable them to enhance their ability to withstand climate change, as well as in the agriculture sector, in the latter case giving women further empowerment. As well as directly assisting women in resisting the impacts of climate change, this would also create a significant increase in productivity across the African continent. Greater training and financing of womens economic projects could be a major driver of economic growth across Africa. Adamo Oumarou, chair of the board of Young Volunteers for the Environment, an NGO working on environmental management, sustainable energy solutions and agroecological practices, explained the major problems Nigerien farmers face. The most prominent is the lack of water resources amidst the growing necessity of meeting the populations need for food as numbers increase, he said. This is being exacerbated due to the long and recurrent droughts exacerbated by climate change, in addition to the lack of arable land and already limited access to water. Most of Nigers population live on arable land in the south and west of the country. The countrys economy and its people depend mainly on agriculture, especially on corn crops and raising livestock, Oumarou said. Global warming has increased the challenges farmers face, threatening food security, sustainable development, and economic growth. Temperatures in the Sahel region are increasing 1.5 times faster than in the rest of the world, he added, as a result of climate change, and this is exacerbating already difficult weather conditions and increasing pressures on communities and agricultural resources. The monsoon season in Niger extends from April to September, but the distribution of rain is problematic in terms of location and degree. The monsoon sometimes comes late, as has been the case over recent years, and when it rains, it pours, causing floods and resulting in losses in the agricultural sector. Finding permanent water resources throughout the year is a challenge to agricultural communities in Niger, Oumarou said, as they are forced to find alternative ways to irrigate their lands during the remaining time of the year. Much remains to be done in terms of access to water, even as the country has a large reserve of groundwater. Oumarou said that the agricultural sector in Niger is characterised by small-scale producers, often families with children working on the land. Women and children can be the first victims of the agricultural sectors issues, since as the rain decreases, the men can decide to travel looking for a better future for their families. The women are left at home, sometimes being forced to work in towns as housemaids or engage in small businesses, which is difficult due to a lack of resources. Other women may engage in mendicancy to meet their childrens needs. The absence of the father and the preoccupations of the mother can also affect school-dropout rates and lead to the spread of malnutrition in certain areas. LACK OF WATER: Haruna Abarshi, an expert in agriculture and food security who works for several international programmes in West Africa, defends the interests of livestock breeders in Niger with regard to securing pastoral land, food security, and preserving animal health. He told the Weekly that Nigerien farmers are suffering from a lack of water supplies on land being used for pasture, as this is the poorest among other sectors. This was leading to a decline in the profits generated from agriculture, with this decrease in income affecting all family members, including women and children. Abarshi said that the movement of farmers from one place to another searching for water has put pressure on their ability to provide for their families at the same time. Floods are destroying production systems, and farmers gathering in fertile areas, in some cases overgrazing them, can make things worse by destroying sustainability and increasing climate change. He said that the global carbon market could contribute to improving the agricultural sector in Niger, provided that it employed standards compatible with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDRs) of carbon dioxide and other emissions for Niger and that there was transparency governing the functioning of the market. Mohamedo Seraji Adamo, director of a local institution in Niger specialising in farmers welfare and protecting and preserving the environment, said that the countrys farmers face multiple problems, on top of them climatic risks resulting from large fluctuations in the amount and timing of rainfall. Most of the countrys farmers derive their income from the exploitation of natural resources, but such high fluctuations are leading to highly damaging droughts, he said. He referred to several examples of the sufferings of farmers in Niger because of climate change, such as what happened in 2012 when losses due to drought amounted to more than $70 million, according to the World Bank. Damage caused by floods between 1990 and 2020 is estimated to have affected more than three million people and destroyed around 7,100 local areas as well as more than 255,000 homes. The losses of the agricultural sector amounted to about 205,000 hectares of crops. Higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, extreme climate phenomena, pests, and disease pose enormous challenges to farmers with small properties, resulting in lower crop yields, Adamo said. Disruptions caused by climate change have led to a significant increase in food insecurity, resulting in emigration and displacement from rural areas. Conflicts between rural producers over the management of natural resources and access to them have also grown in number. The disruption of waterways and the lack of availability of water resources, leading to a reduction in crop yields, have resulted in an increase in conflicts over land, as well as disputes related to water resources. Some farmers and herders may be attracted to agricultural practices that destroy the environment, as well as arbitrary logging to meet local energy needs. In Tillaberi in southwest Niger, where people depend on agriculture and raising livestock, herders are trapped between the effects of climate change that dry up pastures and conflicts that prevent them from leaving the area, Adamo said. Such disputes generally take place in winter between livestock owners and farmers in the region, often between farmers, herders, refugees and homeless people. The issue of access to land is also a fundamental one for all agricultural and pastoral communities in Niger, as men are the heads of families and the custodians of inheritance. This exacerbates land insecurity for women and children, with climate change increasing inequality among poor farmers, women, and marginalised communities. WOMEN THE MOST VULNERABLE: Regarding the situation of women in the agricultural sector in Niger, Roqaia Abdou Ghili, a member of an association promoting farmers rights, said that women working in the agricultural sector in Niger usually work on their fathers or husbands land. In some areas, they may be paid workers, but they only benefit from the work until harvesting. Abdou Ghili said that the current legislation in Niger is sufficient to protect womens rights from exposure to violence, whether from a partner or at work. Many women are willing to establish their own projects selling food products, she said, and the state has provided incentives encouraging women to be entrepreneurs in agriculture, with financing available for investment or participation in marketing. But there is still the problem of the constant decrease in water resources, leading to the displacement of people from one place to another. Women are in danger of becoming the weakest link in this situation as it is more difficult for them to move, Ghili said. The solution could lie in enabling Nigerien women to acquire land in larger areas and on building the economic capacities of women, in addition to increasing funding to support their projects. Ngone Diop, director of the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA) in the UN Economic Commission for Africa, which covers 15 countries in West Africa, told the Weekly that women and people with disabilities should be integrated more into civil society by creating platforms expressing their ideas and being organised more fully. This would require greater education and awareness, Diop said, adding that there are several relevant networks and womens councils working locally in Niger, but there is a need for these to be connected more widely. At the same time, they should retain their African identity, she said, so that they can offer meaningful contributions and express African priorities. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Upstate New York is blessed with some of the best freshwater fishing in the northeast, from salmon to walleye, trout to muskie. But the states most popular sport fish is bass, probably because they give the most bang for the buck. You can catch them in rivers, lakes, and ponds, from shore or boat. And you dont need great skill or expensive tackle to land a lunker. Bass season opens June 15 and runs through Nov. 30. Theres also a catch-and-release season from Dec. 1 through June 14. Opening day last year was a momentous one for Albion angler Thomas Russell, who set a state record with a monster Cayuga Lake smallmouth that weighed eight pounds, 5.8 ounces. We asked Russell for a few pointers that will get you in the bass ball park if not the record books. Fishing for early season bass is all about water temperature, Russell says. The magic number to trigger the spawning ritual in bass is about 62 degrees. If the water youre fishing is colder, youll find more pre-spawn bass; post-spawn fish will be your target in warmer water. So depending on where you fish, early season bass can be found at almost any depth, from two feet to 30 feet, Russell says, and in all stages of spawning. Pre-spawn bass prefer less than ten feet of water, holding tight to structure like rocks or logs. Russell recommends swinging swimbaits, ned rigs, tubes, or jerkbaits. Post-spawn bass are less predictable. Post-spawn bass can be the hardest to catch, Russell says. They hold on structures like docks, but they also cruise shallows feeding on sunfish and bluegill. Thomas Russell of Albion set a New York state record for smallmouth bass on opening day last year with this 8-pound, 5.8-ounce smallie he caught on Cayuga Lake, beating the previous state record by almost two ounces. To entice post-spawn bass into striking, Russell recommends tossing a wacky-rigged senko, spybaits, or top-water plugs like Zara spooks, poppers, or buzz baits. But keep an open mind, Russell says, because you can find a group of early-season bass suspended at almost any depth. Upstate boasts some of the best bass water in the country according to Bassmaster Magazine, which in 2022 named six New York lakes among the best in the northeast, including the St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands) (#1), Lake Erie (#3), Lake Champlain (#4), Cayuga Lake (#11), Oneida Lake (#18), and Chautauqua Lake (#25). But Central New Yorkers dont have to travel far to enjoy great bass fishing. The list of accessible lakes in easy reach is long: Oneida, Onondaga, Otisco, Skaneateles, Cazenovia, Little York, Deruyter, and so on. Dont ignore larger rivers systems such as Seneca, Oneida, and Oswego. With all the recent rain, stronger river currents will put fish on the bite. If you catch a largemouth bass at least 20 inches in length, or a smallmouth at least 18 inches long, contact DEC for special recognition through its Angler Achievement Awards program. Last year, 79 bass qualified for the catch and release category, with the longest measuring 22.5 inches. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: Send us your fish pics! We want to see your catch: bass, perch, two-headed gobies, whatever. Just make sure to provide (1) names of anyone in photo (2) their hometowns (3) fish type (4) where caught (5) length and weight if possible (6) bait used. Throw in some colorful details; we all like a good fish story. Tight lines, yall. Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. Porter, N.Y. One person was killed after a plane crashed into trees and a cornfield shortly after taking off Sunday in Upstate New York, state police said. The accident marked the third deadly plane crash in Upstate since late May. Christopher M. Caruana was taking off from Shear Airport shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday when his Harmon Rocket Airplane failed to gain proper altitude, the New York State Police said. The small plane hit trees and powerlines on Braley Road in Porter before crashing into a nearby cornfield, troopers said. Caruana, of Grand Island, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 35 years old. The plane was an experimental model that can be amateur built and modified, a Federal Aviation Administration accident report shows. Witnesses reported seeing a part fall off the plane just before the aircraft crashed into trees, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator told the Buffalo News. Caruana, the pilot, was the only person in the plane at the time of the crash. He ran a crop dusting business, NTSB investigator Aaron McCarter told the Buffalo News. He was a well-seasoned pilot, had over 5,000 hours, McCarter said. He was a commercial pilot, well known and respected by his friends here at the airport. The accident remains under investigation. It comes after two recent fatal Upstate plane crashes. Six days before the Porter crash, two men from Canada pilot Roger Jay Ryall, 52, of Toronto, and passenger David J. Hughes, 52, of British Columbia were killed after the Cirrus SR-22 plane they were in crashed at the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport, Chautauqua County officials said. Two people were killed in Yates, Orleans County on May 28 after the wings came off of the homemade plane they were flying, WGRZ reported. The pilot was Earl Luce Jr., 70, of Brockport. Morris Wortman, 72, of Rochester, was his passenger. READ MORE 1 dead after tour boat capsizes inside Erie Canal water tunnel cave in western NY 4-year-old boy accidentally drowns in North Country pond Earlier this week President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ended a tour that took him to three African states, Angola, Mozambique, and Zambia, where he attended the 22nd Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Governments Summit. It was the first time for an Egyptian president to visit the three countries. The visit aimed to strengthen political and economic relations with Africa at a time when the continent is facing internal challenges, including conflicts and difficult economic conditions, and external challenges due to global climate change and the war in Ukraine. The visit underlined the importance Egypt places on its relations with southern Africa. During the tour, President Al-Sisi held meetings with the leaders of Angola, Zambia, and Mozambique, as well as Kenya and Malawi on the sidelines of the COMESA summit. During his meetings with African leaders, Al-Sisi underlined Egypts keenness to boost bilateral cooperation and maximise coordination and consultation on ways to strengthen joint African action mechanisms to achieve growth and stability and face external challenges. African leaders also focused on ways to enhance economic cooperation, trade relations and the exchange of expertise, though the conflict in Sudan often topped the agenda. Meeting with the President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi, the two leaders agreed to intensify political consultation and coordination on urgent African issues, including developments in conflict hotspots across the continent, and to coordinate their response to the repercussions of global crises impacting African development. Currently, Mozambique is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Ways to resolve the conflict in Sudan were discussed during Al-Sisis meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco. Both leaders stressed that African countries want to see a ceasefire in Sudan. Since fighting erupted in Sudan in mid-April, 200,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Egypt, already home to five million Sudanese refugees. The issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) predictably garnered attention during President Al-Sisis tour, with Lourenco agreeing on the need to reach a legally binding agreement between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia in line with international law and taking the interests of each state into account. Egypt has long highlighted the dangers of GERD and its impacts on Egypt and Sudan in international meetings and forums. Both Khartoum and Cairo have repeatedly voiced concern that Ethiopias unilateral filling of the dam in the absence of a legally binding agreement could dangerously affect the flow of water to downstream countries. Negotiations on the dam ended in 2020, and despite mediation efforts by the United States, the UN and African Union, they have yet to resume. The effects of climate change on the continent were also discussed during the meetings. In October 2022, Egypt announced plans to launch a satellite in partnership with China to monitor the impact of climate change on African countries Africa is estimated to need $3 trillion by 2030 to tackle drought, desertification, and declining agricultural yields. In the last 50 years, drought-related hazards have claimed the lives of over half a million people and led to economic losses of over $70 billion in the region. More than 1,000 flood-related disasters were reported, involving more than 20,000 deaths, in the same period, according to the State of Climate in Africa report issued during COP27. Security cooperation was an important topic of discussion with Filipe Nyusi, president of Mozambique, who stressed the importance of exchanging information to counter terrorism and extremist thinking in Africa. The same issue was tackled with Lourenco, with whom Al-Sisi discussed ways to coordinate efforts to combat terrorism and extremist ideology in Africa. The war in Ukraine and its grave impacts on the continent could not be ignored during the tour. Since war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, African countries have suffered from the shortage and rising price of grains and fuel and the disruption to world trade. Al-Sisis tour came a few weeks after six African countries launched an African initiative to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine crisis in the hope of settling the conflict. Led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the initiative includes Egypt, Comoros, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. The COMESA summit in the Zambian capital Lusaka was attended by 21 African leaders and offered an opportunity to discuss economic relations and bolster cooperation among member states. Last year saw trade between Egypt and other COMESA members reach $5.3 billion, a more than 20 per cent increase. During the summit, the blocs rotating chairmanship was handed over from Egypt to Zambia. Egypt had been the chair of COMESA since 2021, during which time it pushed for regional integration through the development of intra-regional trade and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. AGTECH IRELAND TO FEATURE AT TEAGASC MOOREPARK DAIRY OPEN DAY Teagasc, Enterprise Ireland and AgTech Ireland have agreed to provide a platform for AgTech Ireland member companies at the Teagasc Dairy Open Day in Moorepark on Tuesday, 4th July to showcase technologies which are regarded as being valuable and widely available to farmers by an independent judging panel. A number of member companies will be present at the Open Day on July 4th at the AgTech Ireland stand. Chairman of AgTech Ireland, Padraig Hennessy welcomed the agreement, saying; This is a fantastic initiative, and we look forward to participating in one of the most important days for Irelands dairy sector from both a technical efficiency and sustainability perspective. We are very grateful for the opportunity for some of our member companies to showcase within the AgTech Ireland stand the proven technology solutions they can provide to support farmers in their sustainability journey, he said. We know that, for Irish agriculture to meet its climate and environmental obligations with the necessary urgency, adoption of new farming practices and technologies will be required at scale, and at pace. Teagasc have done an enormous amount of work in that space, with their Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) plan setting out the most impactful measures, and the Signpost Programme supporting farmers in adopting them. AgTech Ireland believe that new technologies in the biotech, genetics, equipment, machinery or data realms will also make a vital impact in supporting farm sustainability, he said. Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy said; This new collaboration at the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for Irish agritech companies to engage with all involved in the dairy farming industry. The development of the Irish agritech industry is a high priority for us in Enterprise Ireland. This event will help both our companies and farmers alike, understand the key technologies that will transition farming and food production to a more sustainable future across the world. Speaking on behalf of Teagasc, Director Professor Frank OMara welcomed the initiative saying; Adoption of agritech at farm level will be an important tool in overcoming the challenges facing the agriculture sector. I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland for facilitating this collaboration with AgTech Ireland which provides a welcome opportunity for farmers to view some of the technologies available today. Padraig Hennessy explained that a number of member companies will be present at the Open Day on the 4th July at the AgTech Ireland stand. Their presence will be conditional on their showcasing only technologies which are regarded as being valuable and widely available to farmers by an independent judging panel. We look forward to meeting with dairy farmers and other stakeholders at the Moorepark Open Day do come and meet us on our AgTech Ireland stand! anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 7,676 Thanked: 17,080 Times View My Garage Re: Bangalore: Traffic violators to get booked under Section 283 of IPC The fine is only Rs 200/-. Unlike the Motor Vehicles Act offences, wherein fines have been hiked by multiple times the IPC fines are yet to be enhanced. I am unable to corroborate the assertion of the Bengaluru police who say the vehicle can be seized under this section. They may coolly seize the erring vehicles but if someone moves the High Court challenging the seizure u/s 283 and demanding compensation, maybe it will be tough for the police to fight back. Quote: IPC Section 283:Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished, with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. Quote: Section 279 of the IPC deals with the offence of rash driving or riding on a public way. According to this section, the minimum punishment for committing such an offence is a fine that is less than one thousand rupees, or imprisonment that is less than six months. The section is bailable and a Magistrate is empowered to give bail to the errant driver.The fine is only Rs 200/-. Unlike the Motor Vehicles Act offences, wherein fines have been hiked by multiple times the IPC fines are yet to be enhanced.I am unable to corroborate the assertion of the Bengaluru police who say the vehicle can be seized under this section. They may coolly seize the erring vehicles but if someone moves the High Court challenging the seizure u/s 283 and demanding compensation, maybe it will be tough for the police to fight back.Section 279 of the IPC is also bailable but has a component to imprison the errant driver for upto six months.The corrupt cops could enhance their demand for bribes to let go the offender. They are armed with the IPC provision too. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 10th June 2023 at 21:02 . Astronomers recently discovered signs that a white dwarf star about 104 lightyears from Earth is slowly crystalizing into a diamond the size of a planet. The finding strengthens existing theories about the ultimate fate of most stars. Data from the European Space Agency's Gaia telescope suggests the white dwarf is gravitationally tied to a system of three stars called HD 190412, making it a quadruple-star system. Observations suggest the core is undergoing crystallization, which may be obscuring its true age. While the other stars in the system might be 7.3 billion years old, the white dwarf could be around 4.2 billion years old. The study, from researchers in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, is available on arXiv, but is not yet peer-reviewed, so readers should take it with a grain of salt for now. White dwarfs are a late stage in the stellar lifecycle, occurring after a star has run out of hydrogen fuel. At that point, in stars with a low-to-moderate amount of mass, fusion reactions shed their outer layers, leaving behind an extremely dense white dwarf that compresses the mass of a star into a volume similar to Earth. Meanwhile, when larger and more massive stars deplete their fuel, their immense weight collapses into black holes. White dwarfs are initially extremely hot from the original core's residual thermal energy, but gradually cool down and crystalize because they no longer have a source of energy. Eventually, they become cold, dark, diamond-like objects called black dwarfs. Scientists theorize this process takes far longer than the 13.8 billion years that have passed since the Big Bang, so no black dwarfs are thought to exist yet. This will be the final state of about 97 percent of the Milky Way galaxy's stars, including the Sun. According to the theory of the heat death of the universe, white dwarfs will be the last stars to shine after other stars and galaxies dissipate. This will lead to a dark age where only black dwarfs and black holes remain. The discovery of a star undergoing crystallization so close to our solar system will help astronomers better understand its course and how common such stars are. It is currently estimated that out of the 100 nearest stars, fewer than 10 are white dwarfs. Masthead: artist's impression of debris orbiting a white dwarf Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation with a focus on trade exchange, investment, security and infrastructure, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said in a statement on Tuesday. During the meeting on Tuesday, El-Sisi highlighted Egypt's eagerness to enhance and intensify bilateral cooperation with Iraq in the political, economic, commercial and cultural fields at the bilateral level as well as trilateral cooperation with Jordan, Fahmy said in the statement. The president also emphasized Egypt's unwavering support for the security and stability of Iraq. For his part, Al-Sudani expressed Iraq's keenness to leverage bilateral cooperation with Egypt. The two leaders agreed on the importance of translating this cooperation into a tangible reality that strengthens their partnership. The Iraqi premier praised Egypt as a role model for preserving stability and advancing economic and social development, while El-Sisi praised Iraq's efforts to support regional stability and security. Al-Sudani called for enhancing Egyptian-Iraqi work to face various challenges and crises, achieve integration in multiple fields and contribute to achieving sustainable development for the two countries. During his visit, the Iraqi premier is heading a delegation that includes the Iraqi ministers of foreign affairs, housing, trade and electricity as well as other officials, including the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and the chairman of the National Investment Commission. This is Al-Sudanis second visit to Egypt since he assumed the post in October 2022. He previously visited Cairo in March, where he agreed with El-Sisi to expedite the implementation of joint Egyptian-Iraqi projects. This visit comes on the heels of an increasing number of high-level Iraqi visits to Cairo. 2nd Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee The second round of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee meeting kicked off following El-Sisi's meeting with the Iraqi PM. Co-Chaired by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and PM Al-Sudani, the second round was attended by a number of Egyptian and Iraqi officials and businessmen. Madbouly and Al-Sudani witnessed the signing of 11 MoUs on cooperation in various fields, including economy, foreign affairs, administrative development, tourism, trade, sports, social solidarity and planning. Ahead of the meeting, Iraq's Minister of Trade Athir Al-Ghurairy affirmed that the two sides look forward to boosting the volume of Egyptian-Iraqi trade in remarks to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). Trade exchange between the two countries is still far below its potential, according to Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat during the preparatory ministerial meetings. Al-Mashat pointed to the energy sector and Egyptian companies participation in infrastructure projects as two areas that are ripe for development. The first round of the committee, held in Baghdad in October 2020, saw the signing of 15 cooperation agreements in various fields, including planning, investment, bourse, maritime transportation and roads and bridges. The agreements also covered water resources and irrigation, housing, environment, justice, health, anti-dumping, consumer protection, industrial cooperation and international fairs. Trilateral cooperation Egypt and Iraq have embarked on a number of joint development projects with Jordan as part of a trilateral mechanism of cooperation. The three countries have held several summits since 2019, the last of which was at the Dead Sea in Jordan last December, to discuss implementing strategic projects. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq have also held a series of periodic meetings to strengthen trilateral cooperation. During his visit to Cairo in March, Al-Sudani agreed with the Egyptian premier to assign the relevant ministers in both governments to work on implementing the signed agreements during the committees second round meeting. Jordan has expressed plans to supply Iraq with electricity in 2023 after the required infrastructure is completed. Egypt, which is nearly 1,300 km from Iraq, also plans to deliver electricity to Iraq via Jordan by linking their power grids. In addition, the three countries said they are also working on setting up an industrial city on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. Also, Jordan and Iraq have been preparing to build an oil pipeline linking the two countries. In June 2022, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Egypt will also benefit from the project. Egypt has a 550 MW power link with Jordan and work is underway to boost its capacity to 2-3 GW in order for it to reach Iraq, Madbouly told Al-Sudani last March. Al-Sudani has previously revealed that there are talks underway to establish a logistical zone on the Iraqi-Jordanian border to facilitate the flow of goods and commodities, saying that Egypt can benefit from this zone by providing Egyptian goods to the Iraqi markets. Search Keywords: Short link: Something to look forward to: The feud between Europe's competition authorities and Google is nearing its conclusion, and Brussels is seemingly preparing a formal antitrust complaint against the US corporation. Google's online advertising empire could be shaken by a huge fine, or even be forced to change its anti-competitive ways. According to people familiar with the matter, the European Union could announce its formal antitrust complaint against Google in the coming days. An official complaint would bring an end to a lengthy investigation by the European Commission (which is part of the executive branch of the European Union) over Mountain View's anti-competitive practices in the online advertising market. Advertising is the main revenue drive for Google. In 2022 alone, online ads accounted for 80 percent of Alphabet's total revenues amounting to $225 billion. In 2020, advertising revenues were $168.6 billion. But Google's most successful business and essentially the only profitable one could be hindering competition, and the EU is finally ready to hold the Mountain View company accountable. Brussels authorities started to look into Google's ad practices in 2021, trying to understand if the company had obstructed competing companies from accessing user data for online advertising. Google's ad service (Google Ads) has long been the main platform for online targeted advertising, selling ad space and providing advertisers and publishers a common ground as well. Google's partnership with Meta/Facebook in the Open Bidding program was originally part of the EU investigation, but it was ditched in 2022. New evidence provided by Portuguese competition authorities was later added to the European investigation. Mountain View's advertising empire is also part of litigation in the UK and US. A formal complaint by the EU could very much put a dent in Google's main business, as fines for antitrust violation can reach as much as 10 percent of a company's overall sales. Monetary fines imposed by Brussels have costed Google more than 8 billion (or $8.6 billion) so far. The European Commission could also force Google to change its business practices and company structure, which could be even more damaging to Alphabet's exclusive cash cow than a financial penalty. Everything will likely be decided soon, perhaps as early as tomorrow. What just happened? GM's self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, has denied that one of its autonomous taxis hampered first responders trying to access the scene of a mass shooting in San Francisco last Friday. The shooting took place shortly after 9 p.m. in the city's Mission District near the intersection of 24th Street and Treat Avenue, and injured nine people in what the police described as a 'targeted and isolated' incident. In the aftermath of the shooting, a Cruise autonomous taxi was seen stranded in the middle of the road, seemingly blocking emergency crews from accessing the crime scene. A video posted on Twitter by @paulvaldezsf seems to show a police officer complaining that the car is "blocking emergency medical and fire." The post has since gone viral on Twitter, garnering over 200,000 views, with hundreds of 'likes' and 'retweets.' Some users replying to the post blamed GM and its autonomous vehicle for blocking first responders from getting to the victims, while others complained about seeing another Cruise vehicle stopping dead in the middle of the road and blocking traffic at another location in San Francisco a few weeks earlier. Fellow Mission friends. Please stay away from 24th/Folsom. Gunshots fired; reckless Cruise cars. pic.twitter.com/fICRtS6e05 Paul Valdez AAAAiAAAA (@paulvaldezsf) June 10, 2023 Cruise, meanwhile, has denied that its stalled car hampered first responders from doing their job. In a statement posted on Twitter, the company expressed solidarity with the victims and said "Our car initially stopped as it was approaching an active emergency scene, then proceeded to perform a U-turn and pull over. Throughout this time, all vehicles, including emergency response vehicles, were able to proceed around our car." Talking to the San Francisco Chronicle, a Cruise spokesperson also claimed that there was a lane of traffic open next to the stalled car, allowing emergency vehicles to pass through. They also clarified that once the company became aware of the situation, an employee arrived within half an hour to move the car. However, by then, the vehicle had been surrounded by police tape. The San Francisco Fire Department did not issue a statement on the incident, but San Francisco police told The Guardian that they are "actively investigating" an incident involving an autonomous vehicle at the crime scene, despite initially refusing to confirm the car's presence at the location. Autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly more common across some parts of the U.S., but many have questioned whether the technology is ready for prime time. Over the years, there have been several reports of stalled cars, fender benders, and even fatal accidents, including the one where an Uber self-driving car killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018. More recently, a self-driving Jaguar I-Pace from Google's Waymo ran over and killed a dog in San Francisco last month, raising more concerns about the safety of autonomous driving technologies. In brief: In addition to warnings about making everyone unemployed and destroying humanity, it seems that artificial intelligence puts those that work with it at risk of developing mental and emotional issues and loneliness that could lead to excessive drinking and insomnia. The new wave of generative AIs' ability to automate work tasks and act as convincing chatbots is well documented and is causing fears over potential mass job losses. Another concern stems from workers interacting more with machines and less with their fellow humans. Researchers from the American Psychological Association wanted to examine the impact AI could have on those who work with it on a daily basis. A generative AI is unlikely to swap stories about drunken weekend shenanigans with you "previously routine activities such as seeking a second opinion on a proposed solution for a client can now be provided instantaneously (and more accurately) by an AI system. Therefore, more frequent interactions with AI may lead employees to feel socially disconnected from others, which should increase feelings of loneliness," reads the study, via the Journal of Applied Psychology. The researchers surveyed 794 workers in the US, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, asking them to record their interactions with AI. After separating them into two groups, one was told to avoid using AI for three days while the other was told to interact with these systems as often as possible. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the group using AI experienced a rise in loneliness and insomnia. The AI users in Taiwan, which comprised 166 engineers from a biomedical company, saw a rise in alcohol consumption after work, along with the same loneliness and insomnia seen in the Indonesian/Malaysian groups. The findings were similar among the US workers. Interestingly, the AI users said they were much more helpful with co-workers and would actively seek them out to see if they could help them with their work. This was likely due the constant use of AI triggering a stronger need to socially connect with other humans. "Humans are social animals, and isolating work with AI systems may have damaging spillover effects into employees' personal lives," lead researcher Pok Man Tang, an assistant professor of management at the University of Georgia, told The Daily Beast. The authors said the study could help influence the development of future AI builds by, for example, giving them human voices to make the systems less robotic. Companies should also limit the amount of time employees spend using AI and place more focus on human interaction, with bots reserved for more monotonous, repetitive, uncreative tasks. "AI will keep expanding so we need to act now to lessen the potentially damaging effects for people who work with these systems," Tang said. The caveats with the study are that it was carried out using a small group of participants, and there may have been other factors influencing people's drinking, sleeping, and loneliness levels. Nevertheless, it's hard to argue against the belief interacting more with machines and less with people could make us feel isolated as human beings. Reddit has recently experienced a down to its platform after several subreddits and Redditors joined hands together for going dark on the platform to protest against the company's latest API changes. The website and app are now back online after several hours of a massive outage on the platform, with users and developers joining hands against the latest policies of the company. The ensuing API changes give app developers for Reddit a massive fee for their continued use of its API, with several apps already shutting down due to significant potential charges. Reddit is Now Back Online After Suffering a Major Outage (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Venturing to Reddit now will give users the content or subreddits they follow on the platform, but this was an entirely different story several hours ago when it suffered from a major outage. This was a result of the recent down of the platform after different subreddits and Redditors decided to make their voices heard and protested against the company. Down Detector received thousands of reports on its platform about the Reddit outage earlier today, and it is not an isolated case as it centers on the boycott on the platform. Different subreddits have already gone dark on their operations, with some pledging as much as 48 hours of inactivity, while other subreddits claim that this will ensure indefinitely until a sound solution is made. Read Also: Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Defends API Changes That Force Many Apps to Shut Down Outage from Outrage: Subreddits Protest on New API The outage is a result of an outrage from users and communities that went together in taking matters into their hands and protesting about the recent API changes on the platform. Still, there are no responses yet from Reddit regarding the issue or if there are revisions to its new API policy which would give fair pricing to developers and apps that use its programming interface. Reddit and its Recent API Changes At first, the new API changes were only charging artificial intelligence from accessing the Reddit archive of human-generated content, with massive amounts asked by the company for gathering from its database. However, this did not last for long as the company introduced its new API policies in April which changed a lot for the platform. This led to the shutdown of many platforms that uses Reddit's API for free after several years of having no charges for their operations. One of the most iconic departures was from Apollo, among the largest apps which use Reddit's API, but this was not the end of the growing list of apps that are now shutting down to avoid massive charges from the company. Reddit's recent outage is a result of the people's protest against the company, alongside subreddits that also disagree with the platform's API changes. While the entirety of the company is now back online, those who have joined the protest are still not going back to the platform until a reasonable solution is offered by the company. Related Article: Reddit Struggles with Outage and Backlash as Subreddits Go Dark in Protest 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. While most of what is happening in a Gigafactory is already previewed via teasers or short cut videos from Tesla, this new Giga Lab is changing the entire experience by showcasing it to visitors on the spot. This new concept store in China can build an electric vehicle for the company in 45 seconds, and this impressive process replicates what is happening in the Giga Shanghai location. Throughout the years, Tesla has committed itself to excellence and quality, claiming that it would not matter if an EV was made in America or China, despite massive doubts about it. Tesla's Giga Lab is a Concept Store that Can Build EVs in 45 Seconds (Photo : Tesla Asia via Twitter) What better way is there to showcase what is inside a Gigafactory to the public without letting them in the actual site? Well, there is a new concept store in Chengdu, China called the "Giga Lab" which showcases this for all interested to learn more. Tesla has recently held the opening ceremony for the concept store last June 10 and has opened its doors to all who want to know the company's processes and production, as done in its Gigafactory. Tesla Asia said that it is still a Tesla Store, meaning that it is open to the public that wants to enter its showroom or buy a car from the company, but this additional treat takes them on a whole new experience. Read Also: Tesla Giga Shanghai EV Production Ramp-Up Shows Price Cuts in China Worked! The first "GIGA LAB" Tesla store held its opening ceremony today. The interior of "GIGA LAB" imitates the Shanghai Gigafactory and shows the manufacturing process of Tesla vehicles. Here, customers can feel the hardcore beauty of Tesla Chengdu, China pic.twitter.com/VlYi9TGr3o Tesla Asia (@Tesla_Asia) June 10, 2023 Giga Lab in China Shows Gigafactory Shanghai's Process The team's tweets showcase more of what is going on inside the Giga Lab, also saying that this concept store "imitates" the process in Gigafactory Shanghai which is in the same country. It is known that Giga Shanghai is one of Tesla's fastest production sites which focuses on its different EVs, particularly the Model Y which is famous in Asia and nearby regions. Tesla's Giga Lab shows a design that is also similar to Gigafactories, showcasing the "hardcore beauty" of what the company offers. Tesla and its Iconic Gigafactories One of the most iconic things about Tesla's production is its Gigafactories, and the company has made it a center for excellence, efficiency, and development of its clean energy cars. Tesla's Giga Shanghai is one of the most important plants in its arsenal, mainly because it will help answer its need to export EVs in the eastern hemisphere, particularly in Asia. Last year saw an upgrade for Gigafactory Shanghai, and this centers on the company's commitment to growing more of what it offers not only for the country but the Asian region. Because of this iconic upgrade, production, and manufacturing is a breeze for Tesla, with the plant already celebrating a significant milestone of delivering its one millionth car made. The Gigafactories of the famed EV company from Elon Musk are all iconic, with as much as five of these massive plants already operational and pivotal to Tesla's development. Its latest opening of the Giga Lab in Asia makes up for a great actual showcase of what happens in a Gigafactory, letting the public see more of how Tesla EVs are made. Related Article: Tesla Plans to Reveal New Gigafactory's Location by End of 2023, Musk Says 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new spacecraft by the name of MANTIS will soon join the James Webb Space Telescope to survey the cosmos and look for exoplanets, one that would deliver more discoveries to the public soon. The University of Colorado was awarded the contract to build this $8.5 million CubeSat that would soon aid JWST in its future operations in space. The massive James Webb telescope will get a small sidekick, with the CubeSats known for their significantly tinier sizes, replicating the dimensions of a microwave oven. MANTIS is an $8.5M CubeSat to Aid NASA's JWST (Photo : University of Colorado/Dana Chafetz) The University of Colorado Boulder has recently announced that its project was selected by NASA and awarded $8.5 million for its development of the CubeSat known as MANTIS. This new spacecraft, the Monitoring Activity from Nearby sTars with uv Imaging and Spectroscopy (MANTIS), will soon join James Webb in its cosmic survey and more. MANTIS is set to "observe the volatile physics of stars burning dozens of light-years from Earth, including as they eject huge bursts of energy in the form of flares," said the release. Briana Indahl and the team over at the University of Colorado Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) are set to start on the project and have it available by 2026. Read Also: NASA James Webb Discovers Faintest Galaxy; How Can It Help Understand Big Bang? James Webb and MANTIS for Space Exploration "We proposed MANTIS as a kind of ultraviolet sidekick that will follow JWST and look wherever it's looking, filling in this important piece of context on the stellar environments in which these planets live," said Kevin France, an associate professor at LASP and part of the MANTIS team. According to Gizmodo, The MANTIS will complement James Webb's survey of an exoplanet, with the toaster oven-sized spacecraft supplementing more information that will aid the JWST in its quest to study exoplanets and more. James Webb's Discovery as a Lone Explorer There may be different satellites that are deployed in different regions of space that bring their discoveries and findings to NASA, but among the most iconic is the James Webb Space Telescope. It saw its first launch towards its resting place in space back on December 24, stowed inside Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket which launched in the French Guiana. Since then, Webb has given the world multiple discoveries and one of the most important images present now is the most detailed and deepest image it snapped of the universe. This image is one of the most important snaps of the telescope in space, giving the world an unparalleled look at the great beyond that was never seen before. For more than a year now, James Webb was a lone explorer who shared different sightings and discoveries with humans from its incredibly powerful cameras. However, that does not mean it is not open for any help, with NASA awarding this contract to bring Webb a sidekick, in the form of a CubeSat that will join it on its space ventures. Related Article: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Stares at Dusty, Starry Bars of Spiral Galaxy 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A startup based in London named Satellite Vu launched a new satellite that is believed as the world's first thermometer in the sky to help tackle climate change's effects on the globe. HotSat-1 will have the resolution to see rooftops and walls while flying to measure heat output. (Photo : Kevin Church, BBC) A novel British satellite designed to map the heat signature of buildings has been launched. World's First Thermometer in the Sky Satellite Vu launched HotSat-1 via SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, devised to have the resolution to measure heat output from any building on the planet. According to a report from Interesting Engineering, the world's first thermometer in the sky will help researchers study the effects of climate change in the world. Chief Executive Officer Anthony Baker stated, "We're introducing the first thermometer in the sky. Satellite Vu is launching a constellation of eight satellites that can measure the heat output from any building on the planet." This flies at an altitude of 500km or 311 miles and will have the resolution to see individual rooftops and walls. HotSat-1 comes with an infrared sensor, developed with funds from the United Kingdom and other European space agencies. Baker added that it is time to stop climate change instantly, hence, why they developed an instrument where researchers can measure the effects to direct people to the worst buildings or the worst leakage of energy or pollution in the sea. UK's Net-Zero Ambition The UK obtains some of the most inefficient housing stock in the continents, with the majority of dwellings constructed prior to 1970. Once these properties are retrofitted, not only it would save householders' fuel costs, but it will also help the country to achieve its ambition of becoming net zero by 2050. While there is grant money to improve its insulation, the council and utilities will be in charge of the challenge of knowing where best to apply it. Satellite Vu can display the worst 20% of buildings quickly and can drive upgrades to the properties as HotSat-1 is equipped to identify structures and open spaces that aggravate the urban heat island effect, such as large car parks. BBC reported that the Satellite Vu plans to fly eight satellites as a constellation of thermometers in the sky, making HotSat-1 the company's first. It has already pre-launch commitments from users who plan to use the thermal data in multiple ways, worth $125 million. This can be done within the United Kingdom and internationally. Also Read: Australian Startup Offering AI-Powered Reforestation Drones Lands $200 Million Deal Only last month when Satellite Vu raised $15.8 million to develop HotSat-1. Based on a report from TechCrunch, the funding round was led by Molten Ventures, with participation from Seraphim Space, Lockheed Martin, A/O Proptech, Earth Sciences Foundation, Ridgeline Ventures, and Stellar Ventures. All of the mentioned investors already contributed to the company's previous projects. UK Space Agency's National Space Innovation Program also granted the company $1.2 million to develop the technology to gather high-definition thermal data directly from space. Related Article: Global Warming Intensifies with Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 'All-time High' - Study Finds 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. India, Nigeria, and Turkey have threatened to shut Twitter down unless the social media company complies with orders to block accounts and remove content. Twitter co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey revealed this during his recent interview with the YouTube channel Breaking Points. (Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) KNUTSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM APRIL 21: In this photo illustration the Twitter logo is seen on a computer screen and mobile cellphone on April 21, 2023 in Knutsford, United Kingdom. Twitter Faces Threats of Platform Ban India, Nigeria, and Turkey threatened Twitter to ban the social media platform for not complying with orders to restrict accounts and removing posts spreading misinformation. In an interview with Breaking Points on Monday, Jack Dorsey discussed different topics, including the ban threats that Twitter gets from various nations, Elon Musk's ownership of the platform, AI regulation, and more. But the interview mainly focused on his concerns regarding the potential ban of his founded platform because of failed compliance with different countries. "India for example, India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmers protest, around particular journalists that were critical of the government," the former Twitter CEO said. Read Also: Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Pay Verified Content Creators for Ads in Replies Twitter in India Business Today reported that Jack Dorsey's interview clip was shared on Twitter by Srinivas BV, National President of the Indian Youth Congress. According to Dorsey, India also threatened Twitter with raids on employees if it did not comply with the requests of the Indian government to take down certain posts during the farmers' protest. In 2021, farmers in India ended a year of protests after winning concessions from the government regarding certain laws related to farming. It was considered one of the biggest demonstrations faced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. At that time, fake news was reportedly spreading on Twitter, which had the potential to inflame the situation further. Rajeev Chandrashekhar, India's federal deputy minister for information technology, said Tuesday that Twitter was in repeated violations of Indian laws and started complying with the country's laws only in June 2022. Chandrashekhar noted that allegations by Dorsey that the company was threatened with a shut down were an "outright lie." He said in a Twitter post that "no one went to jail, nor was Twitter 'shut down," adding that "Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law." Twitter in Other Nations Aside from India, Jack Dorsey also mentioned similar pressure from Turkey and Nigeria's governments that restricted Twitter in their nations at different points over the years before lifting those bans. While the company fought in its courts and often won, Reuters reported that Turkey still continues to threaten the platform with a constant shutdown. Twitter was suspended in Turkey in 2021 after removing a post from former President Muhammadu Buhari that threatened to punish regional secessionists. The platform's ban was lifted in early 2022 after the company agreed to open a local office and other requests made by the government. In the same interview with hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti, Dorsey also described some of the moves made by Twitter owner Elon Musk as "fairly reckless." Business Insider reported that he expressed support to the newly appointed CEO, Linda Yaccarino, as Musk stepped down from his CEO position. "But I do have confidence that he'll figure it out. I do have confidence in his new CEO. I own three percent of this new company, so I'm supportive," Dorsey noted. Related Article: Senators Warn Top Twitter Executives Over Data Security Risks Under Elon Musk's Leadership 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Finding the right web hosting provider is important for HIPAA compliance. It aids organizations in safeguarding themselves from legal problems and costly fines. The best hosting provider enables companies to see the significance of HIPAA amenability. After all, a HIPAA-compliant firm knows that so much is at stake. For instance, HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting showed its importance in 2018. At that time, violations of this rule cost healthcare organizations more than US$28 million, even the biggest health insurance firms in the United States. It was forced to settle a staggering US$16 million after a record-breaking wellness data breach. This article tackles what HIPAA-compliant means and what HIPAA-compliant hosting entails. We will also list the five top HIPAA-compliant hosting providers you may consider. What Is HIPAA-compliant Hosting? Finding a HIPAA-compliant hosting provider is important, considering the significance of protecting patients' private medical records in hospitals. Additionally, discovering the best HIPAA hosting companies can be challenging due to the many services available. The best way to start looking for the service that fits your needs is to know what it is. So, what is HIPAA-compliant hosting? HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability, and Accountability Act passed in 1996. This bill made regulations that ensure the confidentiality of hospital customers' protected health information or PHI. HIPAA legislation resulted in a mandate for healthcare organizations to obey stringent rules in storing, processing, and transmitting ePHI or electronically protected health information. HIPAA compliance includes strict requirements for data access and electronic healthcare transactions. This measure makes affordable and high-quality HIPAA-compliant hosting providers challenging to find. HIPAA-compliant hosting refers to services of companies that adhere to the above mentioned rules. These cloud hosting providers help firms avoid the risk of infringement by making them conscientious with their HIPAA web hosting features. Best HIPAA-compliant Hosting Providers The best HIPAA-compliant WordPress hosting providers limit the access to medical facilities to authorized personnel only. They also uphold policies about access to workstations and electronic media. Moreover, the top-rated hosting providers prevent access to patients' ePHI. They feature administrative, technical, and physical safeguards as well. These HIPAA cloud hosting companies keep records of hardware and software activities. They also have an adequate network security and disaster recovery plan. The following firms are five of the best hosting providers this 2023: 1. Atlantic.Net Atlantic.Net is one of the top-rated hosting providers today. It started its operations in 1994 during the advent of the Internet and long before Amazon and Google's inception. Atlantic.Net is a market-leading, number 1 HIPAA server hosting company. It has state-of-the-art data centers across the United States. Clients can find these hubs in Dallas, Ashburn, New York, San Francisco, and in the company headquarters in Orlando. Atlantic.Net also has data centers in Toronto and London. Being one of the best hosting providers, it has steadily developed its image as an exceptional HIPAA cloud hosting company over the years. Satisfied clients laud Atlantic.Net for delivering high-quality services. This reliable hosting provider simplifies complex technologies. Atlantic.Net offers different HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting services. They include managed hosting, cloud hosting, and private virtualization. Customers can also avail of Atlantic.Net's colocation and dedicated hosting offerings. The following benefits answer why Atlantic.Net is a worthy choice for a HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting provider for healthcare organizations: a. All of HIPAA's technical considerations get addressed Atlantic.Net offers HIPAA hosting solutions that include a 100% uptime guarantee. These offerings include encrypted virtual private networks, VPNs, offsite backups, firewalls, and multifactor authentication. Additionally, Atlantic.Net has other privacy and security features like SSL certificates and SSAE 18 certification. Clients can select either unmanaged or managed hosting solutions. These services, including Windows server, Linux, and FreeBSD, are all supported by the uptime guarantee. b. Secure and climate-controlled facilities Atlantic.Net has state-of-the-art infrastructure. This HITECH, SSAE 18, and HIPAA-compliant web hosting company have multiple direct links to the Internet backbone and constant monitoring. Thus, clients are assured of their data's safety and availability. c. Simple cloud platform Atlantic.Net's developers built their HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting service from the ground up. The cloud solution is straightforward with a user-friendly interface. Clients do not need to maintain spreadsheets to figure out their monthly bills. d. Versatile and customizable Atlantic.Net can help by making customized solutions that fit the clients' business goals. It has a highly available infrastructure that can accommodate projects of any size or scale. As a global cloud services provider, Atlantic.Net's HIPAA server hosting focuses on simplifying the user experience, security, and compliance. Its storage servers, database, and website are available in both dedicated and cloud environments. The latter also underwent independent audit and approval. e. Experienced support team Clients should not worry whether or not they can entrust their data to Atlantic.Net professionals' hands. After all, its team has decades of experience. Unlike its big competitors, Atlantic.Net's award-winning professionals are always reachable via phone. They provide 24/7 support through their international data centers and one located in the company's Orlando headquarters. Atlantic.Net also has these customer service facilities in Ashburn, New York, San Francisco, and Dallas. Atlantic.Net's reliable support team outside the United States is in the Toronto and London offices. f. Reasonable pricing Unlike the other big cloud service companies, Atlantic.Net offers huge savings to customers. This firm provides all-inclusive pricing. Its award-winning service also has a 100% cloud Service-Level Agreement or SLA. This HIPAA cloud hosting company holds two certifications: SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3 Type II. It can ensure security and compliance as it passed an independent audit. Atlantic.Net gives clients a stress-free road to HIPAA compliance. It combines database and web hosting technologies with managed services and top-tier disaster recovery offerings. 2. AWS (Amazon Web Services) Amazon Web Services is among the largest web hosting providers worldwide. This platform is one of the most well-known choices in the market. Amazon Web Services' notable customers include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Philips, and Siemens. Being among the best-rated HIPAA-compliant hosting providers, this company has enticed clients because of the following advantageous features: a. A HIPAA-compliant tool Amazon Web Services signed a Business Associate Agreement or BAA. This feature makes it compliant with HIPAA regulations. This utility-based cloud network's risk management program conforms with NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP, the security standards aligned with HIPAA. Healthcare organizations can use Amazon Web Services' cloud environment in maintaining, storing, and transmitting sensitive PHI. b. Helps healthcare companies meet HIPAA standards Amazon Web Services uses the HITRUST Common Security Framework. In this manner, healthcare providers meet the HITECH and HIPAA benchmarks. The same situation goes for information technology or IT professionals and payers. c. Unparalleled and best-in-class dependability, scalability, and computing resources Amazon Web Services consolidates relevant standards and regulations into one overarching framework. Healthcare organizations can adapt these mechanisms based on their existing systems, size, and other requirements. Collaborating with a managed Amazon Web Services provider in building and deploying cloud instances that meet an organization's needs is recommended because monthly costs are based on used resources. They also do not include much in terms of customer service. 3. Liquid Web Liquid Web is one of the top hosting providers that is HIPAA-compliant. It is a leader in premium dedicated server solutions and fully managed web hosting. Clients praise Liquid Web for having the optimal dedicated servers. They rated this HIPAA-compliant hosting provider high for the following advantages: a. The best dedicated servers Liquid Web has single-tenant servers. They are housed in company-owned and operated data centers. Thus, clients enjoy the highest level of security and performance. Moreover, every server is customizable, whether a client prefers Windows or Linux. The machine is built to order with many different operating systems. Even Liquid Web's base servers have ServerSecure hardening and proactive monitoring. b. 99.999% uptime Clients trust Liquid Web as dependability and uptime are non-negotiable. This HIPAA hosting firm offers an unrivaled hosting experience that is secure, fast, and hassle-free. c. Ultimate business protection Liquid Web features an HA or High Availability Hardware Environment. This solution insulates clients' businesses. Moreover, the HA feature protects Liquid Web clients' revenue and reputation. This best hosting provider adds redundancy to its client's hardware environment. It also assigns a floating Internet Protocol or IP address. Liquid Web integrates a second physical server, a failover mechanism, and data replication to ensure syncing. This way, the second server takes over if a hardware failure happens. d. Continuous web flow Liquid Web understands that servers can malfunction anytime. Its solution ensures continuous traffic, which flows with little interruption. Liquid Web's HA system also makes it possible to conduct zero-downtime upgrades. Liquid Web is also among the best HIPAA WordPress hosting providers as it offers managed solutions. This offering is performance-tuned for WordPress websites. Furthermore, Liquid Web offers clients 24/7 access to its customer service. This top HIPAA-compliant WordPress hosting provider labeled its helpful agents "the Most Helpful Humans in Hosting" with a 59-second support guarantee, 24/7. 4. Rackspace Rackspace is another trusted brand in the web hosting industry. Its humble beginnings commenced in a Texas garage back in 1996. Today, over half of the Fortune 100 companies trust this San Antonio, Texas-based managed services provider. They believe in Rackspace's capability to deliver high-touch support and high-class infrastructure. It offers the following advantages to clients: a. End-to-end HIPAA compliance Rackspace concentrates on dedicated servers and managed clouds from various vendors. Its HIPAA-compliant solutions feature customized build, design, and implementation. The company's professionals regularly review dedicated and cloud environments. This way, clients meet the HIPAA regulations in the best way possible. b. Fully supportive team Rackspace's professionals offer clients guidance throughout the HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting process. They are by their clients' side in customized design, review, and implementation. Rackspace's team also provides comprehensive server, database management, monitoring, and network administration. Clients receive these benefits once the website is up and running. Possible Rackspace customers should know that this top HIPAA-compliant WordPress hosting provider has its signature Fanatical Support. This top-tier customer support comes with around-the-clock monitoring. Rackspace's emphasis is on healthcare compliance. This HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting provider offers a trustworthy cloud hosting service. Rackspace has received an important certification: the HITRUST CSF. This security framework is tailored to compliance-sensitive business organizations. 5. Paubox Paubox is one of the best HIPAA-compliant hosting providers with solutions created exclusively for healthcare. It boasts a satisfied customer base of over 4,000 healthcare groups as of May 2023. Paubox provides personalized email marketing for customers. Happy clients praise this HIPAA cloud hosting firm for the following benefits: a. Secure communication Paubox's platform is dedicated to email security. Its end-to-end protection lets users stop threats on every outgoing email message with automatic encryption. Healthcare organizations can leverage Paubox's application programming interface or API solution for secure business communications. The API lets developer teams integrate HIPAA-compliant email into their third-party or custom applications. b. Time-saving solutions Paubox's Email Suite can save healthcare organizations 20 to 40 hours per week in information technology or IT time. Also, healthcare facilities' IT staff members do not need to manage complicated encryption. The latter is a feature requiring ongoing training and special user actions, and Paubox takes care of that. c. Seamless, all-in-one solution Paubox's Email Suite marks off each category for email security. These classifications include implementation, support, and ease of use. Moreover, Paubox's Email Suite is a standout in the group of HIPAA-compliant email services. It facilitates straightforward and effective integrations. d. High-quality software Paubox has HITRUST CSF-certified software. This application works well with Microsoft Exchange, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365. Furthermore, these features fulfill Paubox's mission to become the market leader in HIPAA-compliant business communications. Paubox is proud of its provision of user experience and easy setup. Its customer support representatives are always prepared to help whenever clients encounter problems. Atlantic.Net, Amazon Web Services, Liquid Web, Rackspace, and Paubox are among the best hosting providers that are HIPAA-compliant. Their dependability and success are evident in their accomplishment of leaving thousands of satisfied clients in the healthcare industry. These cloud hosting providers also deliver customers' peace of mind. Their guaranteed HIPAA compliance helps healthcare organizations avoid costly violation fines. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a significant discovery regarding the early universe, shedding light on a phenomenon known as the "Era of Reionization." New data from the telescope has revealed why the gas between stars and galaxies in the early universe became transparent, despite initially being opaque. The Transformation After Big Bang The research, led by Simon Lilly of ETH Zurich in Switzerland, provides insights into the transformation that occurred in the universe approximately one billion years after the big bang. At that time, the gas in the universe was extremely hot and dense. For hundreds of millions of years, the gas gradually cooled before undergoing a reionization process once again. The new findings suggest that the formation of early stars in galaxies played a significant role in heating and ionizing the gas, ultimately leading to its transparency. Scientists have long sought definitive evidence to explain these transformations, and the James Webb Space Telescope results have finally provided the necessary insights. The telescope not only confirms the presence of transparent regions surrounding galaxies but also measures their sizes. Daichi Kashino of Nagoya University, the lead author of the research team's first paper, explained, "With Webb's data, we are seeing galaxies reionize the gas around them." The transparent gas regions surpass the galaxies' size, resembling a hot air balloon with a small pea suspended within. Analysis of the telescope's data indicates that these relatively diminutive galaxies played a crucial role in driving the reionization process, effectively clearing vast expanses of space surrounding them. As time went on, these transparent "bubbles" expanded and merged, ultimately resulting in the entire universe achieving transparency. Read Also: NASA's Chandra, Webb Create Cosmic Magic With New Stunning Images NASA Webb Data on a Quasar Deliberately focusing on a specific period just before the culmination of the Era of Reionization, the research team employed observations of a quasar - an intensely radiant, active supermassive black hole-to examine the gas situated between the quasar and our telescopes. This investigation was made possible due to data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, with observations from other notable telescopes such as the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and Magellan Telescope in Chile. The team's discoveries not only unveiled the gas' composition and condition but also identified galaxies in close proximity to the line of sight. These galaxies were observed to be encompassed by transparent regions spanning approximately 2 million light-years in radius, indicating their role in clearing the surrounding space during the final stages of the Era of Reionization. This distance is comparable to the gap between our own Milky Way galaxy and its nearest celestial neighbor, Andromeda. Before this breakthrough, researchers lacked definitive evidence to elucidate the underlying cause of reionization. However, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has now provided unparalleled insights into this pivotal era in the universe's history. The telescope's remarkable images also unveiled an immense black hole within the quasar at the field's center, boasting a mass 10 billion times greater than that of the Sun. The research team plans to conduct further investigations in five additional fields, each anchored by a central quasar. Webb's results offer a deeper understanding of the galaxies that existed during the Era of Reionization. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. Related Article: Watery Secret? NASA's James Webb Detects Vapor on Scorching Exoplanet 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Martha Nyanguour didn't have time to bury her husband, son or granddaughter when they were killed by gunfire in September. Instead, the 50-year-old paid her respects by throwing bits of grass over their bodies, grabbed her remaining children and fled. It had taken years for the mother of seven to muster the courage to return to South Sudan and trust its fragile peace deal ending a civil war. But weeks after she arrived in Atar town in Upper Nile state, fighting erupted between militias aligned with government and opposition forces. I thought if there was peace I was supposed to go back to my land, said Nyanguour, seated under a tree in Kowach village in Canal Pigi county where she now lives with thousands of other displaced people, five days' walk through swamp water from her home village. I thought maybe there would be peace in the future, but now, hearing gunshots daily, I think South Sudan will remain in war. In 18 months, South Sudan is supposed to hold its first presidential elections, the culmination of the peace agreement signed nearly five years ago to pull the young nation out of fighting that killed some 400,000 people. While large-scale clashes have subsided, violence in parts of the country persists, killing 2,240 people last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Earlier this month at least 20 people were killed and more than 50 wounded during inter-communal clashes in a United Nations protection camp in the north of the country. Implementation of the peace agreement has been sluggish. The elections, originally scheduled for this year, were postponed until December 2024. Other key elements of the deal have not been implemented, sparking concern that the country could see a return to war instead of a transfer of power. We are going to go for (the) electoral process without meeting the benchmarks that create a conducive environment for the conduct of elections," said Edmund Yakani, executive director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a local advocacy group. The return of the country to violence is more evident than the country staying in stability." A permanent constitution still has not been drafted. A census has not been conducted. Security arrangements, considered the backbone of the agreement, are only partially complete. Some 83,000 soldiers from opposition and government forces are meant to unite in a national army, but so far 55,000 have graduated and are yet to be deployed. Others languish in training centers with poor conditions and little food. Soldiers say many are rarely paid. Locals involved with the security arrangements say there's so little trust that the main parties have held back key fighters, sending less seasoned ones or new recruits. In addition, Joshua Craze, a researcher on South Sudan, says, The peace agreement signed in 2018 has enabled the government to fragment the opposition by encouraging defections and setting commanders against each other, intensifying violent conflict." The opposition accuses the government of lacking political will to hold elections so it can keep plundering the nation's resources, which include oil. They dont have genuine political will to implement the peace agreement because they look at the agreement from the angle that it is crippling their powers, said Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary for the first vice president, head of the main opposition and former rebel leader Riek Machar. South Sudan has billions of dollars in reserves but there is little transparency on where the money goes. The country was voted the second most corrupt in the world last year by Transparency International. The international community is exasperated with South Sudan's lack of progress. At a press conference in May, United Nations representative Nicholas Haysom cautioned that the conditions did not currently exist to hold transparent, free and fair elections. But some diplomats are concerned that another extension to the peace deal would send a negative message to South Sudanese citizens, investors and aid donors. The government says it's serious about the peace process and will hold elections on time. During a conference in May on reconciliation and healing, President Salva Kiir vowed that I will never take South Sudan and its people to war again. The capital, Juba, appears peaceful. Billboards of Kiir and Machar shaking hands above the words peace, unity, reconciliation and development line the streets. Children of the political elites are returning with money and opening trendy restaurants, and construction is booming. But outside the capital is a different reality. The fighting that killed Nyanguour's family last year also sent tens of thousands fleeing, part of the highest displacement levels since the peace agreement was signed, according to a report by a U.N. panel of experts. It said government and opposition forces played facilitating roles in the violence. The conflict in Upper Nile cut off access to healthcare, with some severely wounded people having to travel up to four days by canoe to the closest clinic, aid workers said. The biggest issue was accessibility. It was hard to bring in supplies, said Kudumreng David, a supervisor for the International Medical Corps in Kowach. Food has also become scarce as fighting worsens conditions after years of floods and cuts in food aid. In Kowach, some children rip leaves from trees into a pot for their only meal of the day. Many people outside Juba said they didn't even know elections were set for next year. We heard theres peace but it hasnt reached here, said Roda Awel, a resident of Kowach. People are still afraid." Search Keywords: Short link: NASA has unveiled its latest X-plane, the X-66A, in collaboration with Boeing, as part of the agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. The US Air Force has designated this aircraft, which aims to inform the development of more sustainable single-aisle planes, as the X-66A. Transonic Truss-Braced Wing Concept The X-66A features a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept, characterized by extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts. This innovative design seeks to revolutionize the workhorse of passenger airlines worldwide, the single-aisle aircraft, by making it greener, cleaner, and quieter. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed the agency's commitment to advancing aviation and addressing climate concerns. He stated, "The X-66A will help shape the future of aviation, a new era where aircraft are greener, cleaner, and quieter, and create new possibilities for the flying public and American industry alike." The primary objective of the X-66A is to support the United States in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in aviation, aligning with the goals set forth in the US Aviation Climate Action Plan. The aircraft represents a significant step toward reducing aviation emissions, with the aim of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, highlighted the importance of transformative aircraft concepts to achieve sustainability targets. He explained, "With this experimental aircraft, we're aiming high to demonstrate the kinds of energy-saving, emissions-reducing technologies the aviation industry needs." Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Uncovers Surprising Galactic Discovery in Early Universe X-plane Designation The X-66A has been granted the X-plane designation by the Air Force, which recognizes the aircraft as a research platform for validating revolutionary experimental configurations. While the designation is not intended for full production, it allows for the testing of designs and technologies that can be incorporated into future aircraft models. Boeing's chief technology officer, Todd Citron, expressed his satisfaction with the X-66A's designation, highlighting its potential to revolutionize flight and play a role in reducing carbon emissions in the aerospace industry. By integrating the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration with advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, the X-66A aims to achieve a remarkable 30% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions when compared to existing leading aircraft models. The utilization of single-aisle aircraft in commercial aviation is extensive, leading to a significant contribution to global aviation emissions. The development of sustainable designs and technologies specifically tailored for this aircraft category holds the potential for a profound impact on emission reduction efforts. This latest X-plane continues NASA's rich history with experimental aircraft, dating back to the 1940s. As part of the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, NASA has entered into a Funded Space Act Agreement with Boeing, committing $425 million over seven years. Boeing and its partners will contribute the remaining funding, estimated at approximately $725 million. NASA will also provide technical expertise and access to its facilities to support the project. The X-66A represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of a more sustainable aviation industry. By pushing the boundaries of aircraft design and technology, NASA and Boeing aim to pave the way for a greener and more environmentally friendly future in air travel. Related Article: NASA: Gigantic Asteroid as Huge as 84 Orcas to Pass by Earth on Monday 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Researchers from the University of Sheffield have weighed in on the possibility of achieving human-level intelligence in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. In a paper published in Science Robotics, Professor Tony Prescott and Dr. Stuart Wilson, both from the university's Department of Computer Science, argue that AI systems are unlikely to replicate real brain processing if they remain disembodied. Disembodies AIs AI systems like ChatGPT employ large neural networks to address intricate problems and enhance their precision by learning from errors. Despite exhibiting certain resemblances to the human brain, these models face significant obstacles that prevent them from achieving human-like cognition. A fundamental disparity arises from the fact that real brains are embodied within physical systems, such as the human body, facilitating direct engagement and perception of the environment. In contrast, disembodied AIs lack this connection, resulting in an absence of comprehension or awareness of their surroundings, despite their capacity to discern and produce complex patterns in data. The specific architecture of the human brain, characterized by its organization into multiple subsystems arranged in a distinctive configuration observed across all vertebrate animals, constitutes another significant factor. This architectural feature, essential for biological intelligence, has evolved to surmount challenges, acquire knowledge, and enhance performance over time. Regrettably, the design of AI often overlooks this crucial aspect, neglecting the interplay between evolution and development. The researchers acknowledge progress in developing AI systems for controlling robots, such as the use of recurrent neural network models that improve predictions about future events. While these advancements enhance the adaptability of robot AIs, they still fall short of replicating the integrated cognitive architecture of real brains. Read Also: [VIRAL] AI Husband: US Woman Shocks the Internet After Marrying Robot Created on Replika What's the Key to Human-like Intelligence? Dr. Stuart Wilson, a senior lecturer in computational neuroscience, believes that mimicking the developmental and evolutionary processes of real brains will be crucial for achieving breakthroughs in AI. Efforts focused on understanding how real brains control bodies through the creation of artificial brains for robots have yielded significant advancements in both robotics and neuroscience. According to Professor Tony Prescott, an expert in cognitive robotics, the development of human-like cognition in AI systems is more probable if their designs incorporate architectures that mirror the learning and improvement processes of the human brain. By establishing connections between AI systems and the real world through the utilization of robotics, including sensors like cameras and microphones, as well as actuators such as wheels and grippers, these systems would be capable of perceiving their environment and learning in a manner akin to the human brain. The insights provided by the University of Sheffield researchers shed light on the challenges and potential paths toward achieving human-level intelligence in AI systems. While current AI models show promise in solving complex tasks, the integration of AI with the physical world through robotics and the emulation of the brain's development and evolution processes may hold the key to realizing human-like cognition. Related Article: NVIDIA's New AI Tech Makes NPC Interactions More Natural! Here's What To Know About Avatar Cloud Engine 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new machine learning study has suggested the most effective combinations of drugs to prevent the recurrence of COVID-19 following an initial infection. However, these combinations vary among patients, highlighting the need for personalized approaches. The study led by UC Riverside utilized real-world data obtained from a hospital in China. The researchers discovered that individual characteristics, such as age, weight, and pre-existing conditions, play a crucial role in determining the drug combinations that effectively reduce the rates of COVID-19 recurrence. Data's Origin According to the study, the data's origin in China holds significance for two key reasons. Firstly, while patients in the United States typically receive one or two drugs for COVID-19 treatment, Chinese doctors had the flexibility to prescribe up to eight different drugs during the early stages of the pandemic. This allowed for a more extensive study of various drug combinations. Additionally, COVID-19 patients in China were mandated to undergo post-hospitalization quarantine in government-operated hotels. This measure provided an opportunity for a more systematic assessment of reinfection rates. The study was initiated in April 2020, during the initial stages of the pandemic. While many studies at that time primarily focused on mortality rates, doctors in the vicinity of Hong Kong, specifically in Shenzhen, expressed heightened concern regarding the rates of recurrence due to the relatively lower number of fatalities observed in their area. To their surprise, Jiayu Liao, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of bioengineering, discovered that nearly 30% of patients tested positive again within 28 days after being discharged from the hospital. The study included data from over 400 COVID-19 patients, with an average age of 45. Most individuals had moderate cases of the virus, and the gender distribution was relatively even. Treatment involved various combinations of antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating drugs, like interferon or hydroxychloroquine. The success of different combinations among various demographic groups can be attributed to the virus's behavior. COVID-19 suppresses interferon, a protein produced by cells to impede invading viruses. Read Also: [STUDY] Cats Infected With COVID-19 Have Same Variants as Owner; Human-to-Cat Transmission? Immune-boosting Medications According to Liao's explanation, individuals who had weaker immune systems before contracting COVID-19 needed immune-boosting medications to effectively fight against the virus. Conversely, younger individuals typically exhibit hyperactive immune responses to the infection, which can result in excessive inflammation of tissues and, in severe cases, even mortality. As a result, younger patients necessitate the inclusion of immune suppressants in their treatment regimen. Liao urges reconsidering age and medical conditions when choosing treatments, as current practices often overlook variations as traditional drug trials fail to account for other medical conditions, but the researchers developed a technique to address this by matching individuals virtually. Despite advancements in our understanding of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing mortality, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding treatments and prevention of reinfections. Xinping Cui hopes that the findings of this study will be applied to address issues surrounding recurrence. The study's findings were published in the Journal of Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence. Related Article: FDA's COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Redesign to be Discussed; Here's How to Watch the Meeting 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United Nations Tuesday condemned the use of firearms to quell protests in Senegal, calling for an independent probe and punishment for the perpetrators. The June 1-3 violence was sparked by a two-year sentence on opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko for "corrupting" a young woman, making him ineligible to contest presidential polls next year. Sonko accuses Sall of trying to install a "dictatorship" at the apex of a corrupt elite. Around 23 people died, according to Amnesty figures "including some by gunfire", while the government says 16 people perished in the unrest. "The use of firearms by security forces during protests sets a negative precedent for Senegal," UN rights office spokesman Seif Magango told reporters in Geneva. He noted that Senegal had launched investigations into the incidents but added that the UN rights office wanted a "prompt, independent and thorough" probe and punishment for those responsible "regardless of their status and political affiliation." "We offer our office's assistance in this respect." Sonko, a 48-year-old former tax inspector, has spoken out against debt, poverty, food insecurity, under-funded health and education systems and corruption. He was initially charged with rape but was convicted on a lesser charge of morally "corrupting" a young woman in a case that lasted two years. The UN rights office said "at least" 16 people were killed in last week's violence, while 350 were injured and more than 500 arrested during the three days of protests. "We are also concerned about continuing restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the wake of the protests," Magango said. He highlighted the situation of private broadcaster Walfadjiri TV, which had been covering the protests live, before it "was suspended on June 1 without clear legal justification and remains off air to date". The UN rights office also pointed out that internet services had been restricted between June 1 and 6, ostensibly to stop the "dissemination of hateful and subversive messages". "Internet restrictions must be grounded in unambiguous, publicly available law; must be necessary to achieve a legitimate aim," Magango said. Search Keywords: Short link: "We must step up our fight against child labor, by supporting greater social justice,,," On World Day Against Child Labor, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has called for action to stop children labor. On Monday, as part of the session of the International Labor Conference, the ILO held a high-level panel themed "social justice for all, end child labor. The discussion focuses on the link between social justice and the elimination of child labor. Panelists representing workers, employers and governments stressed the urgency of the fight against child labor and discussed ways to increase social justice. "For the first time in 20 years, child labor is on the rise. 160 million children, almost one-in-10 worldwide, are in child labor," the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo said in a video speech addressed on this occasion. "We must step up our fight against child labor, by supporting greater social justice. If we do this, an end to child labor is not just possible. It is within reach," he added. World Day Against Child Labour is the theme of todays World of Work Show. Watch it anytime here https://t.co/U4G7bIUgLT#ILC2023 #EndChildLabour pic.twitter.com/zYiZe0sPuA International Labour Organization (@ilo) June 12, 2023 According to the ILOs statement published on Monday, the world has made steady progress in reducing child labor since 2000, but in recent years conflict, crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed more families into poverty and forced millions of children into child labor. Economic growth is neither sufficient nor inclusive enough to ease the pressure from too many families and communities, the statement said. Actions to combat child labor include creating and implementing strong legal frameworks based on international labor standards and social dialogue, providing universal access to quality education and social protection, and action to eradicate poverty and inequality. The ILO established the first World Day Against Child Labor in 2002 to draw attention to the grand number of children engaged in child labor. Investigation into security in Nice during the attack: the prosecutor's office for a reclassification as "involuntary homicide" These are the best roads in the Balearic Islands to travel on foot Origin of life: Have you cracked the mother of all questions, Ulrich Schreiber? Kaab bin Zuhair bin Abi Salma. Why did his father forbid him to say poetry? And why did the Prophet shed his blood? We discover the most spectacular houses of Menorca, the chic island of the Mediterranean Brigitte Bardot in difficulty breathing, her husband gives news: "She can no longer stand the heat" Corona balance of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs: Self The traffic business of the weight loss camp: key trainees as publicity gimmicks to star according to the script Good news for Khaddi Sagnia: "Medically she will be good for the World Cup" Moving to Saudi Arabia or returning to their homeland: Zenit may lose Malcolm, Claudinho and Wendel before the start of the RPL The queen stage in the Alps: The Tour de France has been decided A fake smile and feelings of fear and anxiety. Body language expert: Messi is not happy with his move to Inter Miami Truck drivers on the A5: truckers are on strike again in Grafenhausen The world's first 16 MW ultra-large capacity offshore wind turbine is connected to the grid to generate electricity Beijing strengthens the management of housing leases from the owner body It is proposed to require the publicity of fees The "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Development and Growth of the Private Economy" were promulgated China issued a document to promote the development and growth of the private economy and responded to four core concerns French MP: sanctions against Russia have led to a catastrophe in the economy in Europe Putin called the impudence of the failure of Russian conditions in the framework of the grain deal The president of the Eurogroup distances himself from Calvino and avoids supporting Sanchez: "Full respect for the electoral process" National Immigration Administration: Strictly investigate and crack down on organized smuggling out of the country to participate in gambling and fraud Who will win the election? So are the surveys Ukraine announces destruction of 60,<> tons of grain in Russian strike on Odessa and the Kremlin: West ignores Kiev's "terrorism" in Crimea The City Council of Madrid does not authorize the Reggaeton Beach Festival in Villaverde scheduled for this weekend Family of Frenchman detained in Iran for more than nine months calls for release Strike at the JDD: "Vincent Bollore is doing politics, we need a political response" Towards a disqualification of Trump in the presidential election? "We are in a total unprecedented" Three activists arrested for sneaking into Ibiza airport sticking to a private jet and spraying it with paint Activists of Futuro Vegetal spray paint on the megayacht of the Walmart heiress docked in Ibiza WP: U.S. prepares sanctions against Kyrgyzstan to force it to stop trade with Russia The astonishing data of the time trial in which Vingegaard swept Pogacar: "He scored more watts than expected" Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Ukraine has asked Australia about the condition of dozens of retired F-18 fighter jets, the country's ambassador told AFP on Tuesday, eyeing a potential weapons transfer that could significantly boost Kyiv's airpower. Vasyl Myroshnychenko said an initial request had been made about the state of an estimated 41 planes stored at an air base north of Sydney. "There has been a request for information," Myroshnychenko said. "Ukraine is looking at fighter jet capabilities, including this one." Ukraine recently won long-sought White House approval to acquire advanced "fourth generation" US-made aircraft such as the F-16. Although decades old, the F-16 would be a massive upgrade on Ukraine's stock of Soviet-era MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets -- posing a potent threat to Russian air and ground forces. Several Western nations have signalled an interest in supplying Ukraine with F-16s, but Ukraine's interest in Australia's jets is the first time F-18s have been publicly discussed. Mick Ryan, a strategist and retired Australian major general, told AFP that the F-18s could help "level the playing field" against Russia's larger and better-equipped air force -- helping prevent strikes on Ukrainian towns, cities and critical infrastructure. "The key capabilities the Ukrainians would be after would be longer range sensors and longer range weapons than they currently have with MiG-29s," Ryan said. "If they can level the playing field with the Russians in this regard, they can push missile launching aircraft further away from Ukraine and push back ground attack aircraft as well." Ukraine currently has an estimated 82 fighter and attack jets, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance publication. 'Not yet finalised' But any F-18 deal appears some way off, requiring diplomatic and logistical cooperation between Canberra, Washington and Kyiv. It is unclear how many of the F-18s are still operable, although one source familiar with the negotiations put the figure at between 12 and 16 jets. The Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of 71 F-18s was retired between 2019 and 2021 -- making way for state-of-the-art F-35s. Some were sold to Canada, while the 41 under discussion are said to have been optioned by Houston-based RAVN Aerospace. Initial talks have focused on transferring the RAVN-contracted planes to Kyiv, a deal that would require approval by the firm, Ukraine, Australia and the United States. "The specifics of any potential deal are not yet finalised," said Robert Potter, an Australian who frequently visits Kyiv and advises the Ukrainian government. "There are multiple formal approvals required to conclude a procurement of these planes but it is likely an idea whose time has come," he told AFP. Keeping pace While the White House and Ukraine are said to be receptive to the proposal, Australia's government has been more cautious. For Canberra, it would represent a step change in assistance for Ukraine and much deeper involvement in a war taking place half a world away. So far Canberra has pledged about Aus$500 million (US$340 million) in military assistance to Ukraine, including Bushmaster and M113 armoured vehicles, drones and 155-millimetre howitzers. A new package of weapons for Ukraine is expected to be voted on by Australia's cabinet ahead of a July NATO summit in Lithuania. It is likely to include more Bushmasters and Hawkei patrol vehicles, but not F-18s. Ahead of the announcement, the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is coming under increasing pressure from the conservative opposition to do more. In a recent letter to the government, shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie called for the country to "urgently" consider providing Hawkeis, M1 Abrams tanks and F/A-18 Hornets. "Australia's commitments have failed to keep pace with our partners," he warned. "Other non-NATO contributors now increasingly overshadow Australia's support." Search Keywords: Short link: The mayor of the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih said 10 people have died following Russian missile strikes overnight that hit civilian sites including a residential building. Oleksandr Vilkul said 28 other people had been wounded and at least one person was believed to be under the rubble. In an early afternoon update Tuesday, Vilkul wrote on the Telegram app that a dozen injured people had been rushed to city hospitals. The strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-story residential building, which was engulfed in fire, Gov. Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrovsk region wrote on Telegram. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelenskys hometown is the latest bloodshed in Russias war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, as Ukrainian forces are mounting counteroffensive operations using Western-supplied firepower to try to drive out the Russians. Images from the scene relayed by Zelensky on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling the blaze as pockets of fire poked through multiple broken windows of a building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the nearby ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. The aerial assault was the latest barrage of strikes by Russian forces that targeted various parts of Ukraine overnight. Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and the surrounding region was shelled, local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. The shelling wounded two civilians in the town of Shevchenkove, southeast of Kharkiv. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, separately reported early Tuesday that the drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the citys northeast. Neither Terekhov nor Syniehubov referenced any casualties within Kharkiv. The Kyiv military administration reported that the capital came under fire as well on Tuesday, but the incoming missiles were destroyed by air defenses and there were no immediate reports of any casualties there. Air defenses overnight shot down 10 out of 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces, Ukraines General Staff said on its Facebook page. Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine's ground troops said the country's forces were moving forward outside the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks, while Ukrainian troops were conducting defensive operations in the area. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which was largely devastated in the wars longest and bloodiest battle before Moscow's forces took control last month. Also Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry published a video showing what it said was a German-made Leopard 2 tank and U.S.-made Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, the video was shot by Russian soldiers after fierce fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia, and a soldier is seen pointing at the immobilized vehicles. It wasn't immediately possible to verify the videos authenticity. Like the Bakhmut area, battle zones in Zaporizhzhia are one of several places along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line where Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their counteroffensive operations. On Monday, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the country's troops recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) of eastern Ukraine over the past week small successes in the early phases of a counteroffensive. Russian officials didn't confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. The advance amounted to only small bits of territory and underscored the difficulty of the battle ahead for Ukrainian forces, who will have to fight meter by meter to regain the roughly one-fifth of their country under Russian occupation. Search Keywords: Short link: Three Southeastern students are honored by the Suncoast Emmys of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with an Emmy Student Production Award for a television commercial they produced for the Salad Station. The winners, from left, are John Williams of Denham Springs, cinematographer; Jenna-Francis Duvic of Loranger, producer; and Ross Chauvin of Houma, video editor. Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden that Ukraine's offensive to liberate swaths of territory occupied by Russia could force the Kremlin to negotiate. Stoltenberg, who was meeting with Biden in the White House later Tuesday, told CNN that it was "still early days" for the offensive, which he characterized as "difficult." Kyiv's Western-backed army is attempting to assault long-prepared Russian defensive lines stretched across the east and south of war-torn Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion in February 2022, quickly seizing large areas of territory, but meeting fierce -- and growing -- resistance. It remains unclear how much the Ukrainian counteroffensive can achieve in terms of recovering lost lands, which include the entire Crimean peninsula. "They have the right... to liberate their own land," Stoltenberg said. He said that "the more land they gain, the more likely it is that President Putin will understand that he has to sit down at the negotiating table and agree to a just and enduring peace in Ukraine." Referring to the politics around who will replace him after his term as NATO chief ends in October, Stoltenberg said: "I'm absolutely confident that they will find an excellent successor. My focus now is to lead this alliance until my tenure ends, because we are in the middle of a war in Europe." The meeting with Biden was scheduled for Monday but postponed after the US president had to undergo dental work. Preparations are underway for a NATO summit in July in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Search Keywords: Short link: The corporate cop says environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are driving a generational shift in governance and financial reporting, and Australian companies must prepare for looming requirements on how they collect and analyse data. As companies face growing public and investor pressure over their responses to climate change, chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Joe Longo on Monday urged the corporate world to ready itself for major changes to financial reporting and disclosure standards. ASIC chair Joe Longo says ESG issues are driving the biggest changes in financial reporting in a generation. Credit: AFR Amid a boom in green finance, with fund managers around the world keen to spruik their environmental credentials, Longo said ESG was driving the biggest changes to financial reporting and disclosure standards in a generation. This is a transformational issue for global markets, and we need to be ready to meet that change at every step of its development, Longo said in a speech to the Centre for Economic Development of Australia in Canberra. Based on a True Story Binge Lets clear this up: there are killings and there are aspiring podcasters at the centre of Based on a True Story, but its not a Los Angeles transplant of Only Murders in the Building. A comic-thriller both bloody and scathingly satirical about the true crime-industrial complex, the show has none of the giddy joy or daffy camaraderie of Steve Martins hit series. Its about the comic pulsebeat of panic and opportunism, and how satisfying them can open you up to all kinds of unforeseen risks. Kaley Cuoco as Ava, Chris Messina as Nathan in the satiric thriller Based On A True Story. Credit: Peacock It starts with wealth: married couple Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan Bartlett (Chris Messina) see it everywhere, but cant grasp it. Shes a real estate agent trying to graduate from two-bedroom apartments to luxury homes, hes the tennis pro at a privileged country club. Avas pregnant, but their marriage is adrift on wayward hormones and Nathans regrets over a professional tennis career prematurely ended by injury. Her consolation is true-crime podcasts, which Ava devours with forensic dedication. Its also Ava who quickly deduces that Matt Pierce (Tom Bateman), the friendly plumber who Nathan is giving lessons to in exchange for much-needed discounted work, is the Westside Ripper, a stab-happy serial killer whose murders get the lurid Brian De Palma treatment. And with money issues looming, its Ava who convinces Nathan to threaten Matt with exposure if he doesnt agree to be the anonymous subject of a tell-all podcast, a proposition both cuckoo and convincing. They should get in first, Ava theorises, before the girl from Serial turns up! The British countryside. Its all rolling hills, quaint little villages, crocheted teapots and friendly locals, right? Wrong. Here are some stats that will shock and appal you. 80 per cent of all violent murders occur in towns with fewer than 5000 people. Children are six times more likely to be abducted when they live in villages, hamlets and cosy burgs. If you marry a well-liked rural landowner, there is a 1-in-3 chance that they are, in fact, an active sex offender and/or member of a Satanic cult. Think moving to the country sounds pleasant? You havent seen a British crime drama. Credit: Marija Ercegovac At least this is what I have been able to deduce after a week spent trawling through the crime drama section of subscription service Britbox. From Shetland, a show about murders on the Shetland Islands, to Grantchester, where a handsome vicar solves brutal crimes in a village whose population could fit onto a peak hour train, theres just something about these tidy towns and cheery sheep farmers that makes you absolutely convinced theyre keeping a bunch of corpses in a deli fridge under the stairs. Yet we cannot get enough. Ever since Midsomer Murders started supercharging the regional body count a full 23 seasons ago, small-town crime procedural has become one of the UKs premier exports. These days you could probably walk into the ITV studios with a photo of a clifftop village and a bucket of blood and walk out with millions for a six-episode season. The Albanese government will make superannuation funds the primary source of financial advice for fund members the vast majority of Australians whose advice needs are relatively straightforward. In a long-awaited response to the Quality of Advice Review conducted by Allens partner Michelle Levy, Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones told a closed-door meeting of super fund chiefs on Tuesday morning that the government expected super funds to play a greater role. Financial services minister Stephen Jones has confirmed a central role for super funds in the provision of financial advice Credit: Natalie Boog Superannuation funds must play an expanded and more effective role that serves the needs of their members, Jones told the meeting of super fund leaders organised by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). Funds are restricted to giving simple advice where fund members are collectively charged for the provision of the advice, even though most members do not access the advice. The driver of the bus that fatally crashed in the Hunter Valley on Sunday night has been granted bail after a magistrate said the incident was a tragic loss of life. Brett Andrew Button, 58, faced Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday morning and applied for bail after spending the night in custody following the horror crash. The court heard his licence was suspended by police following the crash, and he was prepared to remain in his home overnight, unable to leave unless accompanied by another person. He also offered a $10,000 surety. Button was charged on Monday with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, one for each person killed, and one charge of negligent driving occasioning death encompassing all 10 victims. Big claims Proponents of ventilation make big claims about how effective it is. Victorias (now former) chief health officer Brett Sutton said improving ventilation could have the same effect on the pandemic as increasing booster vaccinations. [Improved ventilation] is one of the key things. I think its probably on a par with increased vaccination, fourth dose and third dose vaccination coverage, Professor Sutton said in August 2022. Credit: Diego Fedele Scientific lobby group OzSages experts have estimated good ventilation can reduce overall transmission by between 50 and 100 per cent. If the effect is that high, we should be able to clearly see it in the data. But the data is not clear at all. An antibody survey run in July and August 2022 found very similar levels of recent infection among children across Australia, ranging from 57 per cent in South Australia to 68 per cent in Victoria. Thats despite Victorias huge investment. Queensland does not require air purifiers in schools, while South Australia initially advised against the devices. In NSW, more than 20,000 air purifiers were deployed to public schools to supplement existing ventilation strategies. There isnt really any data from Australia that I think has a signal for an important effect from the use of air purifiers, Monash University epidemiologist Associate Professor James Trauer told me. Victorian government data, released under freedom of information laws to COSMOS Magazine earlier this year, showed very high levels of infection when students headed back to schools. Between January and April 2022, the department recorded 154,169 cases, a rate of infection almost double that in adults at the time. It seems clear COVID was still able to spread, says Dr Brendan McMullan, chair of the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases Group. And these interventions have a downside as well, whether its making it harder for kids to understand teachers or the cost. Black holes That data has clear limitations. But we shouldnt be relying on it to evaluate a $100m government policy. We should have good evidence. And we dont. COSMOS asked the Victorian state government for a study on the effectiveness of the filters and got nothing back. A spokeswoman simply told me the filters, along with other measures, were critical to keeping our schools safe and open. A 2021 meta review couldnt locate a single study looking at the effect of air purifiers on respiratory infection incidence in any setting. Ventilation advocates point to a retrospective study in Italy suggesting classroom mechanical ventilation cut the rate of COVID-19 infection by 71 per cent. But this study covered just 31 infections in purified classrooms. And, as with all observational studies, we dont know if other factors played a role. Even as Victoria rolled out its air purifiers, it had a report from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute showing transmission was low in schools anyway and was mostly driven by community transmission, suggesting kids were falling sick at home, not at school. Given all that, can we really say spending $100 million to purify air in Victorias classrooms is a good use of money? Can we say spending $10 billion to do the nations schools thats one estimate is worth the cost? Loading Air quality advocates point to the wealth of research showing air purifiers filter out virus-laden aerosols. Therefore, of course they cut transmission, they say. Im cautious about accepting that. The case of masks has shown us the real world is far more complex than the lab. The best evidence we have is inconclusive on whether mask mandates work despite lab evidence showing masks filter out virus-laden aerosols. An Andrews government decision to ditch plans to build a primary school in a booming Melbourne suburb is expected to force hundreds of future students to learn in overcrowded schools each year. Internal planning documents released under freedom-of-information laws reveal Victorias Education Department has forecast enrolment demand will exceed supply at three of four government schools in Truganina, part of Melbournes fastest-growing municipality, following the decision to drop long-held plans for a primary school in the Ellarook housing estate. The site of the proposed Forsyth Creek primary school in Truganina, which the Andrews government is seeking to hand over to the developer. Credit: Scott McNaughton The documents, obtained by Wyndham City councillor Josh Gilligan, reveal the governments abandonment of the Forsyth Creek primary school site will leave Truganina with a deficit of 233 school places once the suburb has been fully developed. The documents also raise questions about the timing of the departments announcement that it will seek to hand over the Forsyth Creek site to the estates developer, revealing the intention had been confirmed by July last year, four months before the state election, but the department waited until March this year to inform the local council. They are suburbs that have been overshadowed by their better-known neighbours in Perth. But for buyers and investors, there are bargains to be found in these hidden pockets. Perths lesser known suburbs. Credit: Composite image Sinagra Homes in the popular northern coastal suburbs of Ocean Reef and Mullaloo command a premium, but residents just inland in the lesser known suburb of Sinagra have the best of both worlds. Voters have cut their support for Labor from 42 to 40 per cent over the past month while cooling on the party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on key benchmarks including leadership, vision and competence. The shift in sentiment has also delivered a small gain to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton when voters are asked about their preferred prime minister, with his support increasing from 20 to 22 per cent. But an exclusive survey shows that Albanese retains a powerful lead as preferred prime minister, favoured by 53 per cent of voters, and Labor is far ahead of the Coalition on core support and its handling of major policies. The research, conducted by Resolve Strategic for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, shows the Coalition primary vote is steady at 30 per cent, the Greens have increased their support slightly to 12 per cent and Pauline Hansons One Nation is also marginally higher at 6 per cent. A helicopter accident in northeastern Syria over the weekend left 22 American service members injured, the U.S. military said Tuesday. The military statement said that the cause of the accident was under investigation and that no enemy fire involved.A helicopter mishap in northeastern Syria resulted in the injuries of various degrees of 22 U.S. service members, US Central Command said. No enemy fire was reported. "The service members are receiving treatment for their injuries and 10 have been evacuated to higher care facilities," Centcom added in a statement. A spokesman for the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment. There are at least 900 U.S. forces in Syria on average, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. U.S. special operations forces also move in and out of the country, but are usually in small teams and are not included in the official count. U.S. forces have been in Syria since 2015 to assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Forces in the fight against the militant Islamic State group. Since the extremist group was defeated in Syria in March 2019, U.S. troops have been trying to prevent any comeback by IS, which swept through Iraq and Syria in 2014, taking control of large swaths of territory. However, IS sleeper cells remain a threat. There are also about 10,000 IS fighters held in detention facilities in Syria and tens of thousands of their family members living in two refugee camps in the country's northeast. Over the past years, U.S. troops have been subjected to attacks carried out by IS members and Iran-backed fighters there. In late March, a drone attack on a U.S. base killed a contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor. In retaliation, U.S. fighter jets struck several locations around the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, which borders Iraq. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the time that the strikes were a response to the drone attack as well as a series of recent attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with Irans Revolutionary Guard. In a related development, Syrian Kurdish-led authorities announced Saturday that hundreds of IS fighters held in prisons around the region will be put on trial after their home countries refused to repatriate them. Search Keywords: Short link: The testimony from readers this week about watching their loved ones die slow deaths from dementia, and from older people fearful of enduring the same fate, has thrown attention on Victorias forthcoming review of its voluntary assisted dying laws. Victorias laws, as the first passed in Australia in the modern era, are among the most conservative in the country and, indeed, globally. Someone wishing to die must be an adult with a life expectancy of less than six months (12 months for someone with a neurodegenerative disease). They are required to gain multiple approvals from suitable practitioners. It is illegal for a doctor to raise the issue, and the patient must be a resident of Victoria for 12 months. Federal laws also prohibit doctors discussing assisted dying with a patient on the phone or by telehealth. The Age has previously called for some of these rules to be changed to make access less challenging. Jack Rolley and his father, a former doctor, now living with dementia. But a particularly challenging issue for state Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas when she undertakes the review into the laws will be the push by some activists to allow dementia patients to be able to access them. Nowhere in Australia is this yet the case, and its rare globally, but reporting in The Age has shown the strong desire for this among many in the community. Others oppose the idea. Its no niche issue. Dementia accounts for almost 10 per cent of all deaths in Australia and is the second leading cause of death after coronary heart disease. If youre a woman aged 75 or more, its the thing youll most likely die of. 2024 Buick Envision First Look Buick today provided a glimpse of the upcoming new 2024 Envision, which introduces a refreshed design inside and out, and will bring Super Cruise to the brand. For the first time, Buick drivers will have the option to experience Super Cruise1, the industrys first true hands-free driver assistance system, compatible on more than 400,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada. The 2024 Envision will implement Buicks new sculptural design language through a Wildcat EV2 inspired exterior featuring Buicks new grille and front fascia that dons the brands new body-mounted emblem on a refreshed hood. The new Envision is the third of five new vehicles Buick is debuting through 2024, continuing the brands momentum that has seen it become the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the U.S., with sales up 76.4% through May 2023. The current Envision is delivering record retail sales over the first half of 2023 and is on track to have its best sales year ever. The updated 2024 model is set to further boost Buicks portfolio, which is quickly becoming one of the freshest vehicle lineups in the industry. Additional vehicle details and more information on the new 2024 Envision will be released later in the year. Buick vehicles offer sculptural designs, refined performance, modern interiors and thoughtful personal technologies. Buicks award-winning customer service and sales experience, along with the Avenir trim, the highest expression of Buick luxury, are attracting new buyers to experience Buicks unique approach to attainable luxury. More information about Buick vehicles is available at buick.com. # # # 1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. 2 The Wildcat EV is a concept vehicle only, not intended for production. Foresight Signs MOU with South Korean Tier One Supplier KONEC for Cooperation in ADAS and Autonomous Driving Solutions SEE ALSO: My Car Does What? Ness Ziona, Israel | June 13, 2023 - Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. an innovator in automotive vision systems, announced today its entry into the growing South Korean automotive market by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation with KONEC Co. Ltd. (KONEC), a leading Tier One automotive supplier. The two companies signed the MOU in order to collaborate on developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions, expanding KONECs product offering to global customers including Hyundai, Tesla and Magna. The collaboration was facilitated by KIM Venturous. Additionally, Foresight showcased its 3D perception solutions at NextRise 2023, Seoul, the largest startup fair in South Korea. Foresight was part of the Israel-South Korea delegation, led by the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, respectively. The Company's cutting-edge solutions generated great interest from South Korean companies who were part of the delegation. "I was impressed with Foresight's multi-spectral vision software solutions introduced for autonomous driving and accident prevention technology," said Kwang Pyo Lee, vice president of KONEC. "As the automotive paradigm shifts, mobility is becoming defined by software-driven electronic devices. Cooperation with Foresight represents a collaboration between Korean hardware technology and Israeli software technology, and we are looking forward to creating value for the future of mobility," Mr. Lee concluded. "We are thrilled by the positive response our technology received in South Korea," said Haim Siboni, CEO of Foresight. "Cooperating with KONEC and entering the South Korean automotive market are significant milestones for Foresight, and we look forward to establishing long-lasting partnerships and contributing to the advancement of automotive vision systems in South Korea." About KONEC KONEC is a technology company that manufactures automobile parts for eco-friendly vehicles using a high-pressure die-casting process. KONEC has established a batch production system for lightweight metal raw materials, molds, castings, processing, and assembly through cooperation among its group affiliates. Major customers include Tesla, Hyundai Motor, and Kia. In addition to the existing business scope of lightweight metal body, chassis, and body parts, KONEC is venturing into new industries in line with the electrification of mobility and software advancements. KONEC has entered the field of information processing technology using cameras, such as developing a license plate recognition system through collaboration with companies that have commercialized semiconductor SoCs and modules for IoT wireless communication. About Foresight Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX) is a technology company developing smart multi-spectral vision software solutions and cellular-based applications. Through the Companys wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd., Foresight Changzhou Automotive Ltd. and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., Foresight develops both in-line-of-sight vision systems and beyond-line-of-sight accident-prevention solutions. Foresights vision solutions include modules of automatic calibration and dense three-dimensional (3D) point cloud that can be applied to different markets such as automotive, defense, autonomous vehicles and heavy industrial equipment. Eye-Net Mobiles cellular-based solution suite provides real-time pre-collision alerts to enhance road safety and situational awareness for all road users in the urban mobility environment by incorporating cutting-edge AI technology and advanced analytics. Jeep Recalls 300,000 Vehicles (2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokees, 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L) Due To Rear Coil Danger June 13, 2023 Auburn Hills MI; AP reported that Stellantis is recalling more than 350,000 Jeeps worldwide because the rear coil springs can fall off while they're being driven. The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs. The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the springs may have been installed incorrectly in production. They can detach from the vehicle while it's moving, increasing the risk of a crash and possibly creating a hazard for other drivers. Vehicles with air suspensions are not affected. Dealers will inspect the springs and replace the assemblies if necessary. Owners are to be notified by letter starting July 28. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics. In announcing the visit, Chinas Foreign Ministry said Beijing was willing to help broker relations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. Calling Abbas an "old and good friend" of the Chinese people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that the Palestinian president would be the first Arab head of state to be hosted by China this year. During his four-day visit, the Palestinian president will meet with Chinese counterpart Xi Jiping, hte Palestinian news agency WAFA said. The President is also set to meet with a number of senior Chinese officials, WAFA added. China-Palestine relations have maintained a good momentum of growth with stronger political mutual trust and deeper friendship between the two peoples, Wang added. In April, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Palestinian counterpart that his country is willing to aid peace negotiations, which have been stalled since 2014. State broadcaster CCTV quoted Gang as saying that "China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the two-state solution, and is willing to play an active role in this regard." Increased Israeli attacks against the Palestinians in the West Bank has resulted in the deadliest period of violence in years in that territory. The visit is seen as a sign of Chinas ongoing effort to increase its influence in the Middle East at a time when the US has refocused its attention on the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine. Abbas's visit comes shortly after China hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in the two restoring diplomatic relations. Search Keywords: Short link: The UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah Al-Marri will represent his country as guest of honour at the 26th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which will be held 14-17 June, according to a diplomatic source who spoke to the Russian Sputnik news agency. The forum will be attended by many foreign participants from over 120 countries, according to a press release issued by Russia's foreign ministry. Participants will discuss key trends and prospects of the Russian and global economy, according to Sputnik. Egypt was guest of honour in the 2022 edition and Qatar in the 2021 edition of the SPIEF. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed in an address his gratitude to all scheduled participants, stressing they have done a lot to overcome the consequences of "illegitimate" sanctions against his country, according to Sputnik. "The theme of this year's Forum, Sovereign Development: the Foundation of a Just World. Let's Unite Our Efforts for the Sake of Future Generations, is extremely important and timely, added Putin. The Russian president also expressed confidence that the forum will contribute to solving global economic challenges and serve as an example of constructive and fruitful dialogue. More than 14,000 participants hailing from 130 countries attended the last edition of SPIEF in 2022, according to Sputnik. This edition saw participants sign 695 agreements with an estimated total value of 5.6 trillion rubles. Search Keywords: Short link: The Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL) Ahmed Abul-Gheit warned on Tuesday against Israeli plans to build thousands of settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling on the US administration to honour its commitment to the two-state solution. "The US administration must take a firm stand against these Israeli plans in defence of the two-state solution promoted by Washington," Abul-Gheit said in a statement published on the ALs website. "Such plans undermine the two-state solution due to the seizing of lands on which the future Palestinian state should be based, " he added. "Building settlements shatters peace. It is not possible to talk about a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis, or about peace in the region, while the Palestinian lands are being gnawed away every day," he exclaimed. In this context, Gamal Rushdi, the spokesman for the secretary-general, said that the Israeli government is seeking an "American green light" to move forward with its plans. "The Netanyahu government refuses to be a partner in a peaceful political process that leads to a comprehensive settlement," the spokesman added quoting Abul-Gheit. "Its first and foremost concern is to satisfy the most extreme right-wing (players) on the domestic political scene, and appease the settlement groups and religious nationalist currents," the spokesman added. Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government passed a new two-year budget, a step that could clear the way for his right-wing coalition to press ahead with its religious, pro-settlement agenda. The United Nations and most of the international community see Israeli settlements, home to 700,000 people in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, as illegal and obstacles to peace. Since the start of the year, at least 157 Palestinians have been killed during Israeli raids into the occupied West Bank, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. Search Keywords: Short link: Iran's nuclear negotiator on Tuesday said he had met with diplomats from three European countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss a number of issues including the country's atomic energy programme. "Following diplomatic consultations with regional and extra-regional parties, we met with our German, French and British counterparts in Abu Dhabi and discussed a range of issues," deputy foreign minister and top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri tweeted. Germany's foreign ministry told AFP the meeting took place on Monday and that discussions broached topics concerning Iran's nuclear programme. State news agency IRNA added that Bagheri was also in Abu Dhabi to discuss with the officials the promotion of bilateral cooperation and to review regional issues. Iran's nuclear programme has long been the subject of scrutiny from Western powers, resulting in sanctions that have hit the country's economy. A landmark deal in 2015, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to guarantee that Tehran could not develop a nuclear weapon -- something it has always denied wanting to do. But the US unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and the reimposition of biting economic sanctions prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On-off negotiations with France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China directly, and the United States indirectly to revive the deal have stalled in the past months. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on Monday said the country has continued indirect negotiations with the United States over the issue. On Sunday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in major state policies, reiterated that the country does not seek to acquire a nuclear weapon, adding that agreements could be reached in certain nuclear fields. During a lengthy telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris and its European partners seek to find a "diplomatic solution" to Tehran's nuclear issue. Search Keywords: Short link: The Daily News will sit down with your top performance player from the Week #7 Batavia Muckdogs games and talk baseball! Keep an eye out for our Week #8 poll, running next week (Tuesday - Friday)! You voted: More than 40,000 people have been evacuated across India and Pakistan as a cyclone approaches their coast, officials said Tuesday, with gales of up to 150 kilometres per hour predicted. The cyclone, named Biparjoy, meaning "disaster" in Bengali, is making its way across the Arabian Sea and is forecast to make landfall as a "very severe cyclonic storm", government weather monitors warned. In Pakistan's southeastern Sindh province, officials said at least 20,000 people had been evacuated from the storm's path, while across the border in India's Gujarat state, authorities said they had also helped a similar number to move. India's Meteorological Department said the storm would hit near the Indian port of Jakhau on Thursday evening with winds surging up to 150 kilometres per hour (93 miles per hour). "Over 20,000 people have been evacuated," said C.C. Patel, the official in charge of relief operations in Gujarat state, adding that more people would be moved throughout Tuesday. Fishing has been suspended along the Gujarat coast where there could be waves of up to three metres (over nine feet), and the Indian Coast Guard on Monday evacuated 50 personnel from an oil drilling ship due to rough conditions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired meetings to review the impending cyclone, calling for officials to "take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated". Authorities in Gujarat have warned as many as 1.6 million people are likely to be affected in their state, and heavy winds and rains ahead of its arrival have already killed three people. Two children were killed when a wall collapsed, and a woman was hit by a falling tree while riding a motorbike. - Shelters in schools - In Pakistan, the deputy commissioner of Badin district said between 22,000 and 23,000 people had been moved from seafront villages. Agha Shahnawaz told AFP that up to 10,000 were now living in 13 camps set up in government schools and colleges across the district. "Initially people were reluctant to leave their places, but we kept pursuing them," Shahnawaz said. Sindh's provincial information minister Sharjeel Memon put the number of evacuees there at 22,400 around midday on Tuesday. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said winds gusting up to 120 km/h were forecast along the coast, with storm surges of up to 3.5 metres predicted. In 2021, the same coast was hit by Cyclone Tauktae, which killed more than 150 people and caused large-scale destruction. Cyclones, the equivalent of hurricanes in the North Atlantic or typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, are a regular and deadly menace on the coast of the northern Indian Ocean where tens of millions of people live. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of climate change. Search Keywords: Short link: Outcast Brands and bbb drinks in UK distribution partnership Outcast Brands, the company behind Blood Monkey Irish Craft Gin and Two Shores Rum, has announced a partnership with bbb drinks for the distribution and brand activation of their premium spirits in the UK market. The partnership marks a significant milestone for Outcast Brands in its distribution strategy across the UK. Meanwhile, bbb drinks has a successful track record in growing premium spirits brands and will aim to elevate the presence of Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rum further. Outcast Brands founder Jason Kidd commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with bbb for our spirits' distribution and brand activation in the UK market. bbb has a stellar reputation for driving the growth of premium spirits brands, and we are confident that their expertise and network will help us bring new and exciting drinks experiences to a wider audience in the UK with Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rums." Phil Harding, bbb founder, added: This partnership has been in the pipeline for a while, so I'm very happy that we have managed to align ourselves and come to a long-term agreement. Blood Monkey and Two Shores are both high quality, innovative brands, just the kind of drinks that we love to see in our portfolio. We're looking forward to introducing these to our customers across the whole of mainland UK over the coming months." 13 June 2023 - Bradley Weir The Edge and Frontier Touring are proud to announce that 15-time GRAMMY winners, FOO FIGHTERS will return to New Zealand this summer - bringing their unrivalled, stadium live show to fans in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in January 2024. 20-Year-Old Killed in North Hollywood Arts District Shooting IDd LOS ANGELESA man shot to death in a parking lot in a drive-by shooting in North Hollywood was publicly identified June 12. Dashaun Berry was 20 years old, according to the coroners office. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Departments (LAPD) North Hollywood Division were called at 1:30 a.m. Saturday to 10923 Magnolia Boulevard, near Vineland Avenue, in a neighborhood bordered by Studio City. Berry was found with gunshot wounds in a parking lot on Cleon Avenue, north of Magnolia, police said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. An LAPD spokesman told City News Service it was a drive-by shooting. Descriptions of a suspect or suspects and vehicle were not available. Anyone with information was asked to contact Valley Bureau Homicide Detectives at 818-374-9550. Anonymous calls may be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. AI for the Win: A Dissenting Perspective Commentary The explosive adoption of the AI language model ChatGPT has been accompanied by a proportionate increase in alarmist assessments of the dangers of artificial intelligence. The alarm is sounding across the political spectrum, from The New York Times to Steve Bannons War Room, with concerns ranging from widespread job losses to more effective disinformation campaigns to facilitating oppression by authoritarian regimes to the very destruction of the human race. These concerns arent shared evenly across the political spectrum. The left primarily focuses on the disinformation angle; the potential for oppression is the rights primary worry. Everyone seems nervous that humanity may have opened a Pandoras box that will ultimately lead to its own annihilation. We agree that ChatGPT-3.5 (and its 4.0 successor) represents a stunning leap forward in AI capabilities, which will certainly result in massive disruptions in ways both imaginable and unimaginable. However, a sober assessment of the state of AI indicates that these technologies are nowhere near the point of achieving human-like general intelligence, much less surpassing it. More importantly, a panicking left should always give pause for reflection on possible opportunities to advance the cause of liberty. The state-of-the-art in AI is machine learning, which has developed sophisticated algorithms for discovering subtle correlations in data. A familiar example is Netflix using its huge database to keep track of what subscribers watch by theme, genre, director, actors, and so forth. Machine learning works by training the machine to predict subscriber movie choices based upon correlations with past viewing behavior of similar subscribers. With tons of data (which Netflix has), the predictions become quite good. Google, Amazon, and Facebook all use this technology to nudge users toward additional content or advertising. As remarkable as ChatGPTs capabilities are, this technology is an application of the same correlation-finding technology used by Netflix and others to predict your buying preferences. Loosely, ChatGPT works by predicting the most likely next word in a chat, word by word, based upon an enormous corpus of text data (including such sources as Wikipedia, a massive number of web pages, books, and other texts). GPT chats are so incredibly convincing precisely because the dataset used to train it was unfathomably large. While this demonstrates the incredible accuracy with which a machine can identify correlations given enough data, it doesnt demonstrate actual intelligence. For example, ChatGPT occasionally hallucinates when its predict-the-next-word algorithm goes off the rails. ChatGPT doesnt know any better. Moreover, it cant distinguish causality from correlation. For example, the data show that ice cream consumption and crime are positively correlated. Yet even a 12-year-old knows that trying to reduce crime by banning ice cream is a silly idea. Relatedly, humans have a remarkable capacity to make decisions in novel circumstancesa phenomenon that computer scientists call one-shot learning. The AI field has made very little progress on this problem. Finally, machines cant, even in principle, grasp the meaning in abstract concepts. For example, a human mathematician understands the Pythagorean theorem not only as a set of formulas and rules but also as a fundamental concept about the relationships between the sides of a right triangle. His insight into the nature of the theorem extends beyond its mere formulaic expression. The remaining issue is the adoption of these technologies for the purpose of political oppression. In his recent speech at The Heritage Foundation, Tucker Carlson noted that were no longer in a world in which everyone wants whats good for the nation but disagrees on how best to get there. Rather, Carlson went on, his political opponents are powerful foes bent on the promotion of ugliness, disorder, and destruction for their own sake. In other words, evil. When asked what has changed the most to affect the lives of everyday Americans, he answered: the centralization and control of information that has left millions of Americans unaware of essential facts about whats happening around them. Many conservatives will agree that this is an accurate summary of the unnerving situation in which we find ourselves. Hence, conservatives are right to be concerned that AI, like everything else, will be ruthlessly turned by the powerful against their political opponents. Yet here we pause. If AI provides such wonderful opportunities to the left, why the panic? And theres panic: Ireland, Australia, and Canada all passed legislation giving their governments essentially carte blanche control over the information viewed by their citizens. The U.S. TikTok bill, if passed, will give the U.S. government similar powers. The color revolution is a method that was honed by national security services to destabilize and replace undesirable foreign governments. The process involves fanning and exploiting existing fears and grievances within the local population through propaganda and disinformation, creating economic instability, and manipulating elections to undermine and ultimately overthrow the existing regime. These techniques have been successfully turned against the U.S. population itself. For example, fear of COVID-19 was amplified by organs of the state and the private members of the information cartel to concentrate power by stripping rights away from a frightened public willing to be denied civil rights. Now, we hear incessantly about the scary dangers of AI accompanied by the familiar proposal to solve the problem by investing the government with more powers of control. Why AI and why now? The answer lies in what the left says it fears: disinformationby which the left means any information that disrupts their narrative (i.e., saying true things). The powerful are precisely afraid of the potential for recent advances in AI to be picked up by dissidents and used against them. To see the problem from their perspective, note that one amazing ChatGPT capability is writing code. We have colleagues who, knowing nothing about the specific programming language, use ChatGPT to write programs that do things such as act as automated teaching assistants. And they implement these programs in a matter of days. Self-writing programs are inherently democratizing. ChatGPT disrupts the need for massive staffs of software engineers to accomplish sophisticated outcomes. This, and technologies like it, have the potential to empower a dissident Army of Davids with the ability to resist and, in time, break the power cartels lock on information. The recently introduced, President Reagan-inspired GIPPR chatbot and the censorship-free TUSK browser are promising developments along these lines. Indeed, their danger to the power monopoly extends beyond information wars since AI can be pitted against AI in an offensive fashion to disrupt other systems of oppression. Summing up, advances in AI are real and will be disruptive. However, we arent on the brink of being surpassed by machines with superhuman general intelligence. What we do have, as dissidents against a brute power monopoly, is a table-turning tool with the potential to even the playing field. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. AI Poses Threat to Democratic Order: President of Germany German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier looks on during a joint news conference with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem, on July 1, 2021. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned about artificial intelligence turning into a threat to democracy, calling for better digital literacy among the public to be able to identify AI-manipulated content. Neither the AI nor the companies operating it are democratically elected, Steinmeier said while delivering his remarks during a recent event in Berlin, according to Bloomberg. Citizens should be better equipped to scrutinize answers provided by AI, and recognize when artificial intelligence technologies have manipulated images or text. This is important since disinformation can now be generated and spread quickly, triggering confusion among the public, the German president noted. While liberal democracies may identify potential dangers of AI, there are authoritarian powers that are seeing these developments in a different light, he stated. Thats all the more reason for us to be clear in our stance. Steinmeier called for societies to develop legal and ethical frameworks to monitor AI. Weve been warned that potentially uncontrollable risks are coming our way And that deserves our attention. The German presidents comments come after Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, which is behind the AI chatbot ChatGPT, admitted back in May that artificial intelligence could pose a threat to democracy. During a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Altman raised concerns that AI could be used to spread misinformation during elections. My worst fears are that wethe field, the technology, the industrycause significant harm to the world. I think that can happen in a lot of different ways, he said. Digital Authoritarianism via AI During the World Movement for Democracys 11th Assembly last year, Eileen Donahoe, a board member for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) pointed out that artificial intelligence has turbo-charged pre-existing forms of repression, providing authoritarian regimes with new social engineering tools necessary to shape the behavior of citizens. Its important to recognize digital authoritarianism as a phenomenon thats about much more than the repressive application of tech, she said. We have to see it as an alternative model of governance thats spreading around the world, competing with democracy. Some experts worry that AI-fueled misinformation could become prevalent in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, with videos, images, and text generated via artificial intelligence used to sway and influence the public. Such misuse of AI is already happening. A Twitter account called DeSantis War Room recently shared a video showing several images of Trump and Fauci, three of which depicted Trump hugging and kissing Fauci on the face with the caption REAL LIFE TRUMP, suggesting a close relationship. However, the three images showing Trump hugging and kissing Fauci were later identified as fake and AI-generated. In a May 3 statement, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) condemned the use of deceptive generative AI content in political campaigns, calling it a troubling challenge to free and fair debate on political ideas. AI Targeted Manipulation In a Jan. 4 Epoch Times commentary, Anders Corr, a principal at Corr Analytics Inc, warned that artificial intelligence is pushing the United States and the world to the cusp of the greatest threat to democracy and human agency. AI-enabled tech will be capable of surveilling, micro-targeting, and influencing democratic populations in ways that were previously impossible through traditional state monitoring and privately-developed social media algorithms, he said. AI will be able to find minimum winning coalitions in n-dimensional political space to determine short- and medium-term political goals, for example, and then influence those populations through AI content production. Artificial intelligence advantages existing power centers, he noted. Since people who are already in power will benefit greatly from AI technologies, this will result in further centralization of power, Corr predicted. As We Dither Over a Public Inquiry, Beijing Continues Its Subterfuge in Canada Commentary Canada is not that big a deal on the world stage. Dont get me wrong, I am a proud, loyal Canadian and love my country. It is just that we dont really matter that much on the global scene. Our economy is the 10th largest in the world, which isnt bad but could be better. When it comes to population we rank 39th. Defence? We come in at 20th out of NATOs 31 members. Meh. Yes, we do have a good reputation around the planetwho doesnt like Canada and Canadiansbut I am not so sure anyone really sees us as a threat or a place worth targeting. Sure, we get our share of Russian trolls and others, but so does anyone. Canadian elections? Why do these matter to anyone (including Canadians: only 62 percent bothered to vote in the last federal election, the fifth lowest in our history as a democracy). In this regard, then, why would anyone seek to undermine our elections? Vote interference is alas very rampant in many nationscandidates not allowed to run, votes stolen or not counted, results altered, etc.but I do not recall ever having to worry about outsiders meddling in ours. Until the Peoples Republic of China decided to throw its hat in the ring (or better put, seek to sway the results in 2019 and 2021 at the very least). Why would the PRC do this? Are we a threat to them? Do they worry about Canadas economic heft? (Fact: Chinas economy is 12 times ours and they send 10 times the value in goods to us than we do to them.) Is our military poised to invade anytime soon? I believe it is clear that the answers to each of these questions is no. The reasons why China took the time to try to sway our vote in the last two federal elections remains thus a mystery. Unless It seems obvious that the rationale behind these efforts is tied to the inability of the PRC leadership to brook any criticism of any kind towards their regime. Whether it is their actions in Xinjiang Province or Tibet or Hong Kong, their harassment of dissidents such as the Falun Gong, their thinly-veiled sabre-rattling against Taiwan, their cozying up to Russia (I could go on but you get the point), any perceived protest in any of these matters elicits an immediate response. Just ask Australia (when the Aussie government asked for a probe into the origins of COVID-19 China responded with trade sanctions). This is why China has circled Canada on its hit list. It had concluded that a continued Liberal minority government was more likely to be in its interests than one from the Conservative side of the House, which it concluded would raise the aforementioned issues. Hence, it used subterfuge to ensure it got the result it wanted. Whether or not it succeededby the way I fail to see why the Trudeau government is so adamant that Chinas interference did NOT affect the election: what is this belief based on?is beside the point. The fact that it did what it did is the key issue here. Whatever happens moving forwardpublic inquiry or no public inquiryit is highly likely that Beijing will keep doing this. To date it appears to have gotten away with it, with only one diplomat having been expelled from Canada. The regime probably thinks, correctly, that this matter will go away as the dog days of summer come around and Canadians spend their time at the cottage or on the beach. If so, why would it not keep these underhanded activities going? Xi Jinping and his minions are like their autocratic buddies all over the world (Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, etc.) Criticize me and my gang and we will imprison/kill you if you are from within, or slap trade sanctions on you if you are from the outside. Furthermore, Canadas Chinese diaspora, many of whom fled here for safety, can expect the pressure to continue. They are the ones who will suffer more so than the average Canadian. What is next? It is hard to say. The debate over the next steps after the inadequate David Johnston report drones on and on. We do not appear to be anywhere near progress on having intelligence used by senior officials to help make better decisions and policies. All the while China sits back and smiles, and thinks of more ways to influence Canada and Canadians to its, and not our, benefit. O Canada! Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced an international conference next week to gather aid pledges for war-ravaged Sudan, where the United Nations says more than half the population urgently needs assistance and protection. Many of them are in Sudan's Darfur region, where attacks against civilians could amount to crimes against humanity, the UN's head of mission said. The pledging conference will be held on June 19, the official Saudi Press Agency said. It cited the foreign ministry and added that the kingdom would jointly lead the meeting with Qatar, Egypt, Germany and the European Union, as well as UN agencies. Saudi Arabia and the United States have been mediating in the eight-week war between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemeti, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. A record 25 million people, more than half the population, are in need of aid and protection, according to the UN, but as of late May, the world body's needs for $2.6 million to address the crisis were only 13 percent funded. Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, electricity is only available for a few hours a week, most hospitals in combat zones are not functioning, and aid facilities have been looted. The country's western Darfur region has also been a centre of the fighting. Darfur governor Mini Minawi, a former rebel leader now close to the army, in early June declared Darfur a "disaster zone" and appealed for help from the international community. In May, the warring sides signed a written agreement for a Saudi and US-brokered week-long ceasefire, later extended by five days, that aimed to provide safe humanitarian corridors. These did not materialise. Sudan's annual rainy season begins in June, and medics have repeatedly warned that it threatens to make parts of country inaccessible, while raising the risks of malaria, cholera and water-borne diseases. More than 1,800 people have been killed since battles began, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). Fighting has forced nearly two million people from their homes, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, the UN says. 'Attacks Against Civilians' On June 1 the United States imposed sanctions on the two warring groups, but fighting has continued, including in Khartoum on Tuesday where witnesses reported artillery strikes in the north of the capital and its suburbs. The head of the UN mission in Sudan, Volker Perthes, on Tuesday said the situation in Darfur "continues to deteriorate", with "an emerging pattern of large-scale targeted attacks against civilians based on their ethnic identities, allegedly committed by Arab militias and some armed men" in RSF uniform. If these reports are verified they "could amount to crimes against humanity", said Perthes. Daglo's RSF are descended from the Janjaweed militias which former strongman Omar al-Bashir unleashed in the region after a rebellion began in 2003. The bloodshed led to international charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Bashir and others. Also Tuesday, a government official said Sudan's army chief is not ready to meet Daglo, after a regional bloc proposed a face-to-face encounter between the two. At a summit held in Djibouti on Monday, the East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced it would expand the number of countries tasked with resolving the crisis, with Kenya chairing a quartet including Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. A draft communique of the IGAD meeting released by the office of Kenyan President William Ruto said the quartet leaders would "arrange (a) face-to-face meeting between (Burhan and Daglo)... in one of the regional capitals." The Sudanese government official, not authorised to speak to the media, told AFP that, "in the current circumstances Burhan will not sit at the same table as Hemeti." Search Keywords: Short link: Public Support for The Voice Continues Steady Decline: Polling Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Garma Festival at Gulkula in East Arnhem, Australia on July 30, 2022 . (Photo by Tamati Smith/Getty Images) Political pressure is growing on the Albanese government over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as polls show public support falling. According to a Resolve Strategic Survey that interviewed 1,606 voters, support for enshrining changing the Australian constitution has fallen to 49 percent, down from 53 percent in May, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. This is the third month in a row of falling support for The Voice, with the No case now leading in the states of Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. The results come after The Australian newspapers Newspoll survey from June 4 showed only 46 percent of voters approve of altering the Constitution, while 43 percent said they would vote no11 percent remain undecided. It comes as scrutiny builds on the prime minister over his handling of The Voice proposal, with Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie asking why the Australian leader did not try to develop a parliamentary consensus or refine the wording. The Voice proposal involves changes to the preamble of the Constitution to include recognition for Indigenous peoples and to also embed an Indigenous advisory body into the Parliament. Hastie said the Labor government only allowed six weeks for public submissions, hearings, and a final report to be completed. The truth is that Labor has stacked the deck for the Yes campaign at every turn. This is not democratic. Nor respectful of the Australian people. It casts a shadow over this whole referendum, Hastie said. If this referendum fails, all the ensuing heartache belongs to the prime minister, Hastie said. He has not drawn the country together, which is the special task expected of a national leader. Opposition Calls for Unity Over Division Hastie also warned of more division from the current proposal. When we consider Labors Voice, we must also balance it against the interests and welfare of every other Australianincluding the many first-generation migrants who have chosen Australia as their home, he told Parliament on May 30. Sadly, I think Labors Voice undermines equality before the lawthat very principle which is the great attraction for many migrants to our ancient land, he said. This Voicewhile well-intentionedwill only entrench division. Hasties comments come after migrants to Australia have voiced their concerns that the Indigenous Voice was communistic, with two expatriates from the former communist state of Albania issuing a stark warning about a contentious proposal to change the Australian Constitution to further entrench Indigenous interests. As soon as we heard from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about The Voice, we got flashbacks to our lives under socialism in our country of origin Albania, said Dr. Zekri Palushi in an interview with The Epoch Times. The class system was implemented in order to incite Albanian citizens to hate and fight against each other, and I must admit that the strategy worked very well for the Albanian Communist Party. Because in this way, they managed to keep the people divided while [the party] worked together further pushing their agenda, he said. Thats why we see The Voice not as a gesture of kindness but as a Marxist movement with specific goals that, if successful, will see the good Aboriginal people become the greatest losers. 500 Groups Back The Voice, Advocates Say Meanwhile, the Yes campaign group, Yes 23, says support continues to grow, with 500 organisations backing The Voice. Yes 23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin said (pdf) on June 13 that it was proof that grassroots momentum was strong. This is about bringing all Australians together. We are building a positive movement that includes people from all walks of life, Parkin said. We continue to hit the phones, streets, and events to encourage more organisations and everyday Australians to get behind this referendum that will deliver practical change for Indigenous people. Daniel Y. Teng contributed to this report. Biden Administration Confirms Chinese Spy Base in Cuba, Shifts Blame to Trump National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House on June 6, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) The White House stated on June 12 that the existence of a Chinese spy base in Cuba isnt a recent development and dates to the time when President Donald Trump was in office. During a press briefing at the White House, John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed that the Biden administration is aware of Chinas intelligence-collecting capabilities in Cuba and is taking them seriously. Were not going to be able to get into too much detail about our own counterintelligence efforts, Kirby said. As weve communicated over the weekend, this is not a new development that Chinas been trying to achieve some intelligence gathering capabilities in Cuba and, frankly, elsewhere in the hemisphere, and that from day one, when we came in, we took this issue seriously. The remarks came after several media outlets reported that Beijing has been operating a spy base in Cuba since 2019. Previously, both the White House and the Pentagon denied claims that China struck a secret agreement with Cuba recently to build a spy base, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The report cited anonymous sources who said Beijing had agreed to pay Cuba billions of dollars for the opportunity to build the spy facility in the United States backyard. Kirby claimed that the report wasnt accurate but didnt elaborate on what was incorrect. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Trump administration hadnt done enough to prevent Chinese ambitions to increase overseas intelligence-gathering. China upgraded its Cuban intelligence collection facilities in 2019, Blinken told reporters on June 12 at a briefing alongside Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. It was our assessment that despite awareness of the basing efforts and some attempts to address the challenge in the past administration, we werent making enough progress on this issue and we needed a more direct approach, Blinken said. And thats exactly what President Biden instructed his team to do to address the challenge. Trump Blames Biden On his Truth Social account, Trump blamed the Biden administration for the spying facility in Cuba. China just, effectively, took over Cuba, he wrote on June 12. Would never have happened under the Trump administration! Read More Former Cuban Military Leader Reveals Inside Story on Castro and Che Guevara John Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence under Trump, denied that there was a Chinese spy facility in Cuba during the Trump administration. Its just absurd, and, just like with the spy balloon situation, youll see Trump administration officials coming out and saying, Its simply not true, he told Fox News on June 12. The strategy for the Biden administration is to deny it until we cant deny it anymore, then find a way to blame the Trump administration for it. When pressed about the assertion that the spy facility existed under the Trump administration, Kirby said: Not an allegation. True. And our assessment is that the previous administration would have had the same access to that intelligence as we did. Confusion Over Spy Base The Biden administration offered conflicting responses to The Wall Street Journal report, causing confusion over the weekend. Kirby said the White House couldnt go into more detail because of the sensitive nature of the information. The original reporting, as we said, was inaccurate. And we did the best we could in the moment to be as forthcoming as we could, he said. Its shameful that somebody, or somebodies, somehow think its okay to put this kind of information in the public bloodstream. The fact that we came out a couple of days later and provided some clarifying information does not mean and should not be taken, as Ive seen in some of the press reporting, as some kind of walk-back. Kirby also said the Biden administration has taken steps to try to mitigate the risks posed by Beijings activities. Were confident that we can continue to protect our nations secrets in this hemisphere and beyond and that we can continue to defend the country appropriately, he said. Biden Not Involved in Trump Indictment, Says White House U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the East Room of the White House in Washington on June 8, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) The White House stated on June 13 that President Joe Biden was not involved in the indictment of his predecessor and chief rival for the presidency in 2024, Donald Trump, challenging critics who claimed the charges were politically motivated. During a press conference, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the president was not involved in, or influenced any, decisions that led to the indictment of the former president. Not at all. He was not involved, she said. The President has been very, very clear. The Department of Justice is independent. He wants to restore the independence of the Department of Justice, and thats what youve seen. That is why we have been very, very consistent. When it comes to criminal cases, we just do not comment. The former president faces 37 felony charges related to his handling of classified government documents. Trump showed up at the federal courthouse in Miami more than an hour before his scheduled 3 p.m. arraignment on Tuesday. The case is the first time a former president of the United States is being accused of breaking federal law. When questioned last week by reporters about whether the Justice Department (DOJ) might indict Trump for political reasons, Biden denied those claims and assured them that he was honest. You notice I have never oncenot one single timesuggested to the Justice Department what they should do or not do, relative to bringing a charge or not bringing a charge. Im honest, he said during a joint press conference on June 8 with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House. White House officials have repeatedly denied claims that the White House and the DOJ worked together on the indictment. Principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told reporters on June 9 that the president, like everyone else, learned about the indictment through the media. Again, were not going to comment on this. I will tell you, though, and confirm, as weve said overnight, that the president, senior staff found out just like everybody else last night. No advance knowledge that this was coming. Found out from news reports, just like everybody else across America, she said. Trump pleaded not guilty in Miami federal court to 37 felony charges related to his handling of classified government documents. One of the saddest days in the history of our country, Trump wrote on Truth Social on June 13 while en route to the federal courthouse. We are a nation in decline!!! Trump and his supporters have denounced the charges as politically motivated, while others see them as proof that no one is above the law. According to the indictment, Trump unlawfully maintained 31 government documents, including several classified as top secret. The documents included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack, according to the indictment. Lawrence Wilson contributed to this report. California Bill Would Allow Sikhs to Ride Motorcycles Without a Helmet A Sikh man rides a motorcycle with the "Sikh Riders of America" group during the 4th of July Parade in Alameda, Calif., on July 4, 2016. (Gabrielle Lurie/AFP via Getty Images) A proposal in California that would allow Sikh motorcyclists who wear headwear such as turbans or patkas to ride without helmets was approved by the state Senate. Senate Bill 847, which would grant an exemption for the religious or cultural headdresses and was authored by Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), was approved on May 31 on a 218 vote. The bill will now be heard in the Assembly. Nearly half of the nations Sikh population, an estimated 211,000 people, live in California, according to a 2021 U.S. Census Bureau report. 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 following the vote. While current state law doesnt intentionally discriminate against Sikhs or any other religions, Dahle said that [certain groups] are limited in how they can express their customs. Dahle told The Epoch Times the idea for the legislation came last year when he was invited to a Sikh communitys annual celebration which hundreds of thousands of Sikhs attended. He decided to formally address the issue after motorcycle riders in the group approached him to express their concerns. Were trying to thread the needle to keep them safe, while at the same time allowing them to practice their customs and beliefs, he said in an interview. The measure could potentially be carried out with pre-registration requirements with the DMV, such as obtaining a special license for such an exemption. If enacted, California would be the first state to grant such a religious exemption, joining the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and India, Dahle says. Several Senate members spoke in support of the bill at the hearing. The population represented by this particular bill is not significant in relation to the population that gets into motorcycle accidents, said Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta). He added that its important for the government to honor personal choice, which includes religious freedom. I think there is a point at which we start to do more than necessary for people that can make decisions on their own behalf, he said. Sen. Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) also supported the bill, saying that individuals should have the right to make their own decisions based on religious beliefs. But some lawmakers expressed safety concerns. I believe in traffic safety and upholding the issue of [people] falling off their motorcycle and having severe head injuries supersede religious freedom, Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) said. Additionally, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who voted no, said peoples safety should take precedence. When it comes to religious exemptions, especially around things like health, safety, civil rights laws, and other really critical public policies, we have to be extremely cautious. The turban is an important part of the Sikh identity, and signifies many virtues, such as humanity, equality, courage, and spirituality. Any law that limits the ability to express ones religion, goes against what this country is all about, Dahle said. Exempting those who wear turbans or patkas from wearing helmets is a simple way to ensure that everyones religious freedoms are protected. California set a precedent in 1992, when it became one of the few states to enforce mandatory helmet use for all motorcycle and motorized bike riders, regardless of age. Cambodia Begins Construction of China-Funded Expressway Linking Vietnam A general view of the Cambodia's 400-megawatt Lower Sesan Two Dam in Stung Treng, Cambodia, on Dec. 17, 2018. (Ly Lay/AFP) Cambodia has begun the construction of its second expressway, funded by a Chinese company, which will link the capital Phnom Penh with Bavet city on the eastern border with Vietnam. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for the Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway on June 7, the second after the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expresswayalso funded by Chinaopened last year. The 84-mile-long expressway is expected to be completed in four years and will cost $1.35 billion. China Road and Bridge Corporation, which funded the project, will operate it for 50 years before transferring it to the Cambodian side. At the ceremony, Hun Sen said the expressway will help increase the investment, trade, tourism, and cross-border transportation between Cambodia and Vietnam while boosting his countrys relations with China. The Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway is another fruit of cooperation between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Cambodian leader was quoted as saying by Chinese state media Xinhua. Hun Sen said a feasibility study is underway for a third expressway that would link Phnom Penh to Siem Reap province, the site of the famous Angkor temples, and extend to Poipet on the western border with Thailand. China is Cambodias biggest investor and closest political partner, whose assistance largely underpins the Southeast Asian nations economy. In February, China offered Cambodia a grant package worth 300 million yuan (about $44 million) to support railway construction following Hun Sens meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Hun Sen said they agreed to expand cooperation in politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people relations. In a joint statement, Beijing pledged to support Cambodia in the preliminary work of railway planning, design, and feasibility studies to promote railway construction in Phnom Penh. Both sides look forward to early railway connection between Cambodia and ChinaLaosThailand railway, the statement reads. It didnt elaborate on the railway projects and the period of construction. Xi pledged to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Cambodia and help in the construction of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, a flagship project under Chinas BRI. Chinas Influence in Cambodia Cambodia is already heavily indebted to China. The country owes $3 billion, or nearly half of its foreign debt, to China, according to multiple sources. In an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA), Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor of politics at the University of New South Wales, outlined the countrys financial burdens: It must pay back Chinese loans, in addition to shelling out maintenance costs for Chinese-financed infrastructure projects. This could result in Cambodias falling into the so-called debt trap, Thayer said. Chinese companies involved in providing infrastructure take possession of the infrastructure. This could hypothetically mean Chinese ownership of Cambodian ports and even airports. On April 19, 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh posted a message on its official Facebook page about Cambodias economic relationship with China. China is Cambodias largest trade partner, but this relationship is heavily skewed in Chinas favor, the embassy wrote. The post included a graph showing that Cambodia imported $5.286 billion worth of goods from China in 2017 while exporting $753 million to China in the same year and that Cambodia enjoyed a trade surplus of about $2.67 billion with the United States in the same year. Frank Fang and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Canada Has Seen Wildfires Like This Before, Says Fire Historian A firefighter directs water on a fire burning on an acreage behind a residential property in Kamloops, B.C., on June 5, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Steve Pynes is a rarityhes the only historian he knows of that is dedicated specifically to the study of fires. And that gives him a unique perspective on Canadas current wildfires. Canada has had fires at both ends burning at the same timethe 1908 fires were just a kind of rolling thunder from Vancouver all the way to Maine. So what were seeing is not unprecedented, Pyne told The Epoch Times. But I do think its historic, he added. He said its historic because the response is much different than in the past. It was a much more local response for one thing, Pyne said. Now its global. I mean, weve got satellite images and aerial views. Weve got media that immediately send [those images] around. People in the past saw fires more as a normal part of life and nature, said Pyne, who is an emeritus professor at Arizona State University. They prepared differently for them and had different ways of fighting fires. Pyne said we can learn a lot about how to deal with fires today by remembering what weve forgotten. Its not something that came out of nowheresuddenly we have climate change, now we have these huge forest fires, Pyne said, referring to many media reports pinning climate change as the main cause of todays fires. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also tweeted on June 7 that Were seeing more and more of these fires because of climate change. Fire is an issue thats always been there. We forgot or didnt know or didnt pay attention, Pyne said. He recalled the so-called Dark Days of smoke that enveloped eastern Canada and New England, particularly the famous Dark Day of May 19, 1780. While many cite climate change as the cause for todays blazes, Pyne says modern forestry and land-use practices have added proverbial fuel to the flame. Lower Tolerance for Fire With more of the land being settled, theres more chance that any given fire will carry greater risk to people than it did in the past. Fires that would have been left to burn in the past are quickly stomped out, Pyne said. The primary approach to fire is to eradicate it with machineryair tankers, helicopters, bulldozers, and more. Yet the natural way of the land is for forests to burn and replenish; have pockets of new-growth and old-growth variety. Those are more resilient forests. Weve found that just taking fire out only makes it worse, Pyne said. He recalled maps he studied from 1912 showing burned areas of Nova Scotia. Over a third of the province was either burned or recovering from burning, he said. This is Nova Scotia a century ago. So weve changed that completely, Pyne said. Weve changed that character. Especially in the backcountry of B.C. and Alberta, he said, theres now little tolerance for fire. Logging and tree-planting for future harvests represent economic interests in these areas, and fire threatens those interests. But the forestry industryalong with mining, agriculture, and other industrieshas made the land more vulnerable to fires in many ways. Tree-planting in the forestry industry generally creates forests that are actually plantations, with less variety of plant life. Pine and spruce are unnaturally dominant, with herbicide and brush saws used to eliminate competing species. Swaths of land have trees that are all the same age. Plantation forests are exceedingly vulnerable [to fire], Pyne said. Its not just climate change. Its changing land-use. Its changing our economy, changing our transport systems, changing how we do logging and agriculture, and how we build our cities. All of these things are now contributing, Pyne said. These are some of the ways humans have increased fire risk, Pyne said, but humans have also forgotten a healthy dose of prevention. Hygiene Against Fire Weve forgotten that towns can burn, Pyne said. In the past, Canadians and Americans used to build towns with that in mind. They engaged in a sort of hygiene against fire. For example, controlled burns around a town would deplete any fuel for an approaching fire. Buildings were hardened by eliminating weak points for embers to catch hold. Fires are like a disease that was eradicated in cities and towns, and people have forgotten to continue preventative hygiene, so the disease is flaring back up, Pyne said. A change in mentality is needed, he added. The fact that hes the only fire historian he knows ofthere are a smattering of books on fires in other parts of the world, he said, but apparently, no one fully dedicated to the studyshows academias lack of interest in the subject. All of the other ancient elementsearth, air, and waterhave academic disciplines devoted to their study, whole departments, and universities, Pyne said. The only fire department at a university is the one that sends emergency vehicles. Fire defines humans in some ways, Pyne said. Its what we do that no other creature does. How did we lose what had been a defining trait of our being? CDC Director Defends Vaccinated People Do Not Carry the Virus Claim Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky testifies to a House committee in Washington on June 13, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) People who were vaccinated against COVID-19 did not get sick or transmit the virus in early 2021, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed on June 13. That was true for the alpha variant at the time, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Capitol Hill in Washington. She was defending her false claim, initially made on MSNBC on March 29, 2021. Vaccinated people do not carry the virus, dont get sick, and that its not just in the clinical trials but its also in real-world data, Walensky said at the time. Data from the clinical trials for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines estimated they were about 95 percent effective against symptomatic infection but did not measure efficacy against transmission. Real-world data showed similar effectiveness against symptomatic infection and some observational data indicated the vaccines could reduce transmission, Walenskys press secretary has pointed out. But the CDC has been unable to provide any evidence showing the vaccines prevented transmission or infection. The agency reported several weeks after Walenskys remarks that some 5,800 people who were vaccinated had become infected, with 74 dying. Pressed on the discrepancy between the data and her statement, Walensky said Tuesday that her claim was generally accurate. Walensky told a Senate panel on May 19, 2021, that people who were vaccinated could get infected but that even if that happened, the people cant give it to anyone else. Walensky said Tuesday the claim was generally true. I couldnt tell you the exact data on the vaccine effectiveness on symptomatic disease and severe disease at the time, she added. What I can tell you is that we generally saw that if you were to get infected after you had been vaccinated, that you were not carrying the virus by transmitting it to somebody else. You could not transmit it to others. But we know thats not accurate, Rep. Jim Jordan said. It was at the time, Walensky said. Why not just be accurate? Why not tell the American people the truth? Jordan wondered. CDC statements have contradicted Walenskys claims. A spokesperson, for instance, told the New York Times just days after Walensky said vaccinated people couldnt get sick or transmit the virus that the CDC was still researching the matter. And when the statement was made in May, the CDC website said vaccines reduced the risk of transmission, as opposed to preventing transmission. Walensky said Tuesday she was speaking in generalities. The CDC reported about two months after Walenskys May remarks that testing of people who became sick during outbreak in Massachusetts showed similar viral loads in the vaccinated and unvaccinated, and that a majority of cases happened in the vaccinated, prompting the agency to adjust its guidance on mask-wearing. Jordan said he saw a connection between the White House minimizing Walenskys opinion and her false statements. During a White House briefing in February 2021, Walensky said that schools could be reopened even without teachers being vaccinated. Then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the following day that Walensky spoke to this in her personal capacity. What happened is you said Im going to be honest. The Biden administration hung you out to dry and then a month later, I better not be totally honest with the American people, so Im going to say vaccinated people do not carry the virus and they dont get sick. and everyone understands like wow, I know someone whose been vaccinated and they got sick afterwards,' Jordan said. Walensky said that she was speaking in her professional capacity whenever she attended press conferences or appeared in front of Congress after she became CDC director in January 2021. When asked why Psaki made that remark, youd have to ask the White House, Walensky said. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 28, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Final Hearing Walensky, 54, is set to step down before the end of the month. The hearing was likely her final appearance before Congress. Walensky said her goal as the CDCs leader has been to convey facts to people on vaccine effectiveness and other matters to end the pandemic, and encouraged parents to take their children to get all of the vaccines recommended by the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including the COVID-19 vaccine. The doctor said that the CDC conveyed updated information as the scientific data evolved. Walensky earned praise from many of the Democrat members of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Her steadfast leadership mobilized the most successful vaccination campaign in our nations history, leading to more than 600 million shots in arms, Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) said. Republicans mostly pressed Walensky on her prior statements, and several said the CDCs actions have contributed to what polling suggests is a decline in trust in the agency. I think its safe to say that your resignation later this month is going to be an important step in returning Americas trust in an organization that you did great damage to, in my opinion, during your tenure, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said. China Has a Serious Youth Unemployment Problem Commentary For years the world stood in awe at the number of science and engineering degrees earned at Chinese universities. Now it seems China cannot find meaningful work for these graduates. Youth unemployment has gone off the charts. Matters are so severe that it threatens the economys growth potential, even the social contract between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese peopleto deliver prosperity in return for the partys ruling monopoly. The situation has reached extremes. In April, the latest month for which data are available, the urban unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 24 rose above 20 percent, exceeding the former high of 19.9 percent in 2022 during the worst of the pandemic lockdowns. The youth unemployment rate now stands at almost four times the nations overall unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. And this ugly reading fails to account for the millions set to graduate from universities and high schools this spring. The measured unemployment rate also understates the pain in another way as well. According to a recent paper by professor Xiaogang Li of Xian Jiaotong University, millions more, fully one-quarter of recent university graduates, work in positions that do not require their degree. He refers to these unfortunates as underemployed. Migrant workers standing near signs advertising their skills as they wait by a street to be hired in Shenyang, in northeastern Chinas Liaoning Province, on Feb. 6, 2023. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas problem is almost entirely self-inflicted or rather inflicted on China by the planners in Beijing. This sort of self-inflicted pain is often the case in centrally planned economies and almost as often the case in market economies when a central authority insists on imposing its latest bright idea. Like the United States, though not in imitation of it, Beijing decided years ago that it needed more college-educated people to create a modern, technologically advanced economy. Unlike the United States, though America seems to be moving in Beijings direction, the authorities in China stressed science and engineering. Now China has a large class of educated people who cannot find a place for their skills and credentials in the economy. Testifying further to the planners errors, Beijing now predicts that at the same time as the economy faces a surplus of the college-educated, it faces a shortage of manufacturing workers. By 2025, Beijings planners admit, some 30 million manufacturing jobs, nearly half the number needed by the sector, will go unfilled. Beijing is well aware of the dangers implicit in a situation. Apart from the serious need for manufacturing workers, it faces a surplus of well-educated and very frustrated people who may feel betrayed by the authorities. Beijing has responded with more plans. Chinas State Council announced in April a 15-point scheme. Among its elements is a major effort at training, or perhaps better stated, retraining the unemployed graduates and expanding state support for what Beijing calls the entrepreneurial ambitions of college graduates. In the immediate emergency, the State Councils plan has further pledged to expand hiring by state-owned enterprises. Had Beijing done more to fulfill another of its ambitions, it might face a less severe problem than it does now. CCP leader Xi Jinping has often cited Beijings desire to move China from its current emphasis on low- and mid-skilled manufacturing toward a more advanced, service-oriented economy. But that ambition was always more rhetorical than real. Indeed, the development of a service economy always conflicted with Xis emphasis on gaining global dominance in certain manufacturing and mining operations. His mining and manufacturing ambitions had directed investment spending at state-owned enterprises and denied credit to consumer-oriented, small- and medium-sized businesses that might naturally have moved in the direction of a service-based economy. China is not alone in this. Much of the developed world emphasizes university and has an excess of graduates who cannot find work consistent with their credentials. But Chinathe quintessential planned economyhas put itself in a more severe situation than most other nations. Had Beijing not built up a massive university system and funneled millions through it, the nation today might have more workers willing to do needed manufacturing jobs. Had Beijing not starved small- and medium-sized businesses for credit to massively pursue its endeavors through politically favored but inflexible state-owned enterprises, it might now have the service economy to which Beijing only ever paid lip service. But that is not what happened, and now Beijing faces a serious and self-inflicted problem of youth unemployment. It has also offered the world an object lesson in the unintended consequences and implicit dangers of authoritative central planning. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Chinas New Cultural Mission Aims to Spread Communist Totalitarianism, Analysts Warn Police officers and security perform crowd control after an official flag raising ceremony next to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Chinese state media recently touted Beijings new cultural mission of creating a modern version of China. However, critics told The Epoch Times that the regime aims to spread the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) ideology to the world. In the June 2 meeting titled Cultural Inheritance and Development, CCP leader Xi Jinping said that Chinese culture and Marxism are highly compatible. He had mentioned this concept during the Partys 20th National Congress meeting last year. Chinese state media Xinhua News touted Xis new cultural mission of a new erain other words, transforming China into a global cultural powerhouse with a modern version of Chinese culture. Critics condemn the campaign, calling it deceiving and saying it ruins Chinas traditional culture and 5,000-year history. However, Chinas traditional culture was already destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of Mao Zedongs era. To secure his power and communism in China, Mao launched a mass anti-cultural political movement in 1966 to wipe out capitalists and traditional elements, including the societal elites and scholars. In the following 10 years, countless artifacts, architecture, and antiques were destroyed, and tens of millions of people were persecuted to death. Critics also say the Chinese regimes mission is to spread communism around the world. False Image of Traditional Culture Xi said Chinese culture and Marxism are highly compatible, and the combination will form a new culture thats unified, organic and viable. However, some China experts disagree. The atheistic core of Marxism stands diametrically opposite of the divinity of traditional Chinese culture, said China affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan. Chinese culture inherited moral values from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, he said, and that 70-plus years of communist rule has destroyed the divinity of Chinese culture and replaced it with the Chinese Communist Partys philosophy of horror and torture, so-called Party culture. Many Chinese have mistaken the horror philosophy adapted by the ruling regime for the traditional Chinese culture, Tang said. The CCP aims to create a false image of traditional culture but, in fact, it is Party culture, in which struggle is the core. Chinese leader Xi Jinping attends the opening of the first session of the 14th National Peoples Congress at The Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 5, 2023. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) A Scam Yuan Hongbing, an Australia-based China expert, called Xis initiative to combine Chinese traditional culture and Marxism a scam, both politically and culturally. He said the CCP carries out cultural genocide against various ethnic groups in China. The first thing the CCP did was to extinguish the soul of Chinese culture, he said. He explained that the New Culture Movement in 1915, a progressive movement that criticized classical Chinese ideas, had a clear goal: to destroy Confucianism. When Xi vowed, A unity of Chinese civilization a strong and unified country is the pillar upon which the well-being of all Chinese people depends, he was really preaching a global expansion of communism, and the target was Taiwan, Yuan said. In the name of the reunification of the motherland, to invade and conquer free Taiwan is a key step in the global expansion of communist totalitarianism. In order to achieve this goal, Xi Jinping implemented the political strategy of the global expansion of communist totalitarianism through his so-called modernizing Chinese culture. Spiritual Slaves In the June 2 meeting, Xi also said the inclusivity of Chinese culture determines the harmonious coexistence of diverse religious beliefs in China and the open-minded and inclusive mentality of China toward various civilizations around the world. Yuan said this is not the case under the CCP. Instead, the CCP is now instilling communism in all religions. The so-called religions in China today are actually spiritual slaves controlled by the CCPs United Front Work Department. They consolidate the CCPs spiritual dictatorship by promoting Party culture under the cloak of religion, he said. Tang concurred with Yuan and said the Chinese religion is a branch of the CCP, a tool of the Partys united front work. In reality, it is to carry out the CCPs tyranny, but with a superficial Chinese civilization, he added. Tang said the CCP has a history of brutally persecuting religious groups. Mao Zedong destroyed Chinese culture through violencethe physical destruction of cultural relics, historic sites, and the human body. And Xi Jinping undermined Chinese culture from withinto hollow out traditional culture. Its covert and deceptive and, thus, far more invasive. Both Mao and Xi strived to consolidate the absolute dominance of Party culture, which will not tolerate any orthodox religion, he said. Yuan stressed that Beijings new cultural mission is the CCPs evil idea to involve all Chinese in its battle against the divinity inherent in traditional Chinese culture. It is the CCPs final struggle as it is on the brink of collapse. Haizhong Ning and Luo Ya contributed to this report. Chinese Donation to Trudeau Foundation Bought No Influence, Says Former CEO The former CEO of the Trudeau Foundation who was at the helm when Chinese regime-backed entities made a donation says the fund could in no way have influenced the Canadian government. The donation bought no influence and we never thought that a $200,000 donation would influence any government, said Morris Rosenberg on June 12 as he testified before the House of Commons public accounts committee. I think theres a very innocent set of explanations for everything that went on in relation to this donation. Focus on the 2016 donation to the foundation resurfaced in late February when the Globe and Mail reported that, according to leaked Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) information, the Chinese regime made a donation to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation in a bid to influence Justin Trudeau who had recently become the leader of the Liberal Party. CSIS reportedly intercepted a 2014 call between a Chinese consulate official in Canada and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) advisor and businessman Zhang Bin about the scheme. Rosenberg, a former senior public servant who headed the foundation from 2014 to 2018, testified before the House ethics committee on May 2 where he downplayed the Chinese links to the donation. This is not a foreign donation, Rosenberg said, referring to the donating entity Millennium Golden Eagle Canada located in Dorval, Quebec. Speaking before the public accounts committee for its study on the Trudeau Foundation, Rosenberg again downplayed the Chinese connection. Conservative MPs have called Millennium Golden Eagle a shell company and Rosenberg said this wasnt the case based on his research. He said that corporate records in Quebec indicate the company is involved in the business of hotels and realty property investments. Records indicate the company employs between 1 and 5 individuals in Quebec and lists the first majority shareholder as Beijing Millennium Golden Eagle International Media Co. The companys address is listed as 4th floor No. 9 in the International Center Building on Shouti St., Haidian District of Beijing, China, postal code 100044. This is exactly the same address as the China Cultural Industry Association (CCIA), a CCP-backed body that Rosenberg described as a soft power organization in his May testimony. Soft power is described as a set of tactics used by states to influence and leverage other countries without resorting to hard power or military force. Zhang Bin is the owner of Millennium in Canada and China and the president of the CCIA. The other businessman tied to the donation, Niu Gensheng, is a CCIA advisor. Their names were used by the foundation in its annual report and in public events instead of the donating entity Millennium or its state-affiliated body the CCIA. Before donating to the Universite de Montreal (UdeM), their names were associated with a $800,000 donation to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Toronto in 2013. Rosenberg also said that the Canadian government apparently was aware of the mens affiliation with the CCIA at the time. He pointed to a letter issued by Canadas ambassador to China, thanking the CCIA for a donation made to the U of T, publicly attributed to Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng. However, he didnt address how this relates to the main concerns over the prospect of intending to influence Justin Trudeau through the Trudeau Foundation, the main source of controversy raised by the opposition. The Epoch Times efforts to reach Zhang or his entities have been to no avail. CCIA Links Rosenberg acknowledged the issue of CCIAs influence but said the donation should be perceived in the context of the time when there was greater openness towards China. Looking back do you think you were just naive, perhaps willfully, willfully blind to this? asked Conservative MP Kelly McCauley. I dont think so, Rosenberg replied. There was a ceremony and it was unusual to have a ceremony, but it was the University of Montreal who wanted to have the ceremony, and we decided that Alexandre Trudeau would be appropriate to be there, he added. It was just a slightly different way of doing things. Alexandre Trudeau, the prime ministers brother, had taken the unique step of signing for that deal. The main reason I signed is that Morris [Rosenberg] asked me to, he said on May 3 before the ethics committee. It was in that capacity as a family member giving the permission to use the name. The prominent role played by Alexandre Trudeau in the donation is something that left some of the foundations board members feeling uneasy, most of whom resigned in April over how a review on the matter would be handled. One of them, Dr. Dyane Adam, told the ethics committee on June 2 that she found it strange Alexandre Trudeau signed that donation, because normallyaccording to the policyit would have been the CFO who should have done that. Lets say it was too close for comfort, in the sense that already we had the name of Trudeau in our foundation, even though its public funds, even though this foundation is not partisan. Alexandre Trudeau, involved in the foundations affairs since its inception, has cast doubt on the reliability of the Globe and Mails reporting that said Beijing sought to give $1 million to the foundation, which turned out to be inaccurate. Most of the money was destined for the UdeM where Pierre Elliott Trudeau studied and taught, to honour his opening of diplomatic relations with Beijing. The deal was for the university to receive $800,000 and the foundation $200,000. Access Conservatives have raised concerns that some of the donors to the Trudeau Foundation also had face time with the prime minister. Were you aware that those donors had attended a cash-for-access Liberal fundraiser? asked Conservative MP Garnett Genuis in the June 12 committee meeting. I had no idea, said Rosenberg. Would it have given you pause if you had known? followed Genuis. Maybe, replied Rosenberg. Zhang and Niu met with cabinet ministers on several occasions. The signing ceremony for the donations took place in June 2016, but the deal had been in the works since 2014. Zhang attended a cash-for-access Liberal fundraiser in May 2016 where Trudeau was the guest of honour. Niu Gensheng met with Trudeau and other ministers during a visit to Canada by the China Entrepreneur Club in October 2016. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly met with Zhang in Beijing in 2018 when she was in charge of the Heritage portfolio, as part of an event organized by the CCIA and the Canada-China Business Council. Trouble at the Foundation The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation was established in the early 2000s to honour the memory of the late prime minister. The federal government provided it with a $125 million endowment to run mentorship and scholarship programs. After the Globe broke its story on the Chinese donation, an internal governance crisis ensued and efforts were made to return the donation. Current chair Edward Johnson said on May 9 the donation had been returned, $140,000 in total, given the last tranche of the $200,000 was never provided. Disagreements between then-CEO Pascale Fournier and some board members on one side and other legacy board members and Trudeau family friends on the other on how to manage a review into the donation, led to the board dissolving in April. Former directors have been testifying before House committee meetings in recent weeks, providing widely divergent accounts of what led to the governance crisis. Dr. Ginger Gibson and Dr. Adam said on June 2 that a motion had been introduced asking Johnson, Bruce McNiven, and Peter Sahlas to recuse themselves from the process given they were with the foundation when the donation was received. Gibson and Adam said the three men refused. Johnson told the public accounts committee that at no point was there a motion for any directors to recuse themselves, nor was there any refusal to do so by any director. Johnson announced an independent review of the donation in mid-April after the dissolution of the board. The private sector in Egypt and Iraq have a great partnership potential to carry out major tasks in various sectors to push economic development in both countries, Prime Minister Mohamed Al-Sudani said on Tuesday. In his opening speech at the Egyptian-Iraqi Business Forum, PM Al-Sudani stressed that there are favourable opportunities for establishing a distinguished partnership between businessmen in the two countries." The Egyptian-Iraqi Business Forum was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly as well as various ministers and private sector representatives from both countries. In his speech at the forum, PM Madbouly said Egypt is keen on enhancing partnership and cooperation between Egyptian and Iraqi public and private companies. A favourable investment atmosphere must be created to allow the private sector to play its role as a key contributor to economic growth and development, Madbouly argued. Iraq: Open for business For his part, PM Al-Sudani said Iraq possesses both the stability and budget to support expansion in various economic activities. He stressed that his government places a premium on creating an investment-friendly environment and maximizing the role of the private sector in his countrys economy. The government has streamlined approvals for many economic activities such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and agricultural projects to facilitate this process, Al-Sudani noted. The Iraqi government also supports farmers by paying prices for crops above global market rates, he said. Iraq is collaborating with Egypt on developing modern irrigation techniques to conserve water and enhance farming productivity, Al-Sudani added. Meanwhile, Iraqs Minister of Trade Athir Al-Ghurairy cited directives from PM Al-Sudani to attract more investments from Egypt into his country. Reconstructing Iraq: An Egyptian role Egypt is ready to play a bigger role in Iraqs reconstruction efforts, stressed Madbouly. Egyptian companies have taken serious steps in implementing exemplary reconstruction and other infrastructure projects in Iraq using our expertise on national and developmental projects, PM Madbouly noted. Al-Sudani said that construction of new cities is a top priority for his government. Public-private partnership will build thousands of new housing units, new factories, and create job opportunities, he argued. Higher targets Speaking at the forum, Egypts Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir stressed that Egypt is keen to increase trade and investment relations with Iraq. A speedy implementation of agreed-upon bilateral agreements between Egypt and Iraq, as well as trilateral agreements between the two countries and Jordan, could strengthen cooperation on the industrial and commercial levels and thus lead to stronger economic development for all sides, Minister Samir argued. The current volume of trade exchange between the two countries, which is estimated at $500 million annually, is but a fraction of what could be reached, Samir said. Egyptian investments in Iraq stands at $200 million while Iraqi investments in Egypt stands at $500 million, he added. There is plenty of room for the two sides to increase the volume of their investments in each others country to push both national economies forward, Samir suggested. The rehabilitation of state-owned factories in Iraq, joint industrial projects, and implementation of the oil-for-reconstruction agreement are among those areas where Egypt can contribute, he concluded. 11 MoUs The Egyptian-Iraqi Business Forum was held under the framework of the second round of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. The two countries signed 11 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields on the sidelines of the committee meetings. These MoUs included agreements on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), administrative development, trade, sports, foreign affairs, social solidarity, planning, and tourism on the sidelines of the second round of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee. Earlier on Tuesday, PM Al-Sudani met with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to discuss developing political, economic and cultural ties on the bilateral level between the two countries as well as on the trilateral level with Jordan. Search Keywords: Short link: Congressional Revelations Put New Focus on Ukraine: A Timeline Commentary Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) recently held a news conference to disclose details contained within an FBI document that alleged millions of dollars paid to members of the Biden family. Furthermore, Greene alleged that the money was paid in order to shut down a Ukrainian prosecutors investigation into Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company where Joe Bidens son Hunter was a board member. Meanwhile, on June 12, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), on the floor of the Senate, said that that the foreign national who allegedly bribed Joe and Hunter Biden allegedly has audio recordings of his conversations with them. According to the information cited by Grassley, there are 17 total recordings that acted as a sort of insurance policy. Grassley was one of the very few individuals who has seen an unredacted version of the FBIs 1023 document and had been repeatedly pushing FBI Director Christopher Wray for transparency. When that didnt work, he spoke on the Senate floor. According to the 1023, the foreign national [Zlochevsky or Pozharskyi] possesses 15 audio recordings of phone calls between him and Hunter Biden and two audio recordings of phone calls between him and then-Vice President Joe Biden. Grassley said the recordings were allegedly kept as a sort of insurance policy for the foreign national in case he got into a tight spot. Then-Vice President Biden was appointed as the Obama administrations point man on Ukraine in February 2014. During the same time as his first visit to the country in April 2014, Burisma announced that the business partner of Hunter Biden, Devon Archer, had joined its board. Hunter Biden himself had also joined Burismas board, but that wasnt announced until May 12, 2014. While Joe Biden was meeting with the new Ukrainian government, Hunter Biden and Archer were meeting with Burisma owner Zlochevsky, along with his close adviser Vadym Pozharskyi and Russian businesswoman Elena Baturina in Italys Lake Como. Notably, Baturina had wired Hunter Bidens firm $3.5 million just two months earlier, according to a Senate investigation. On May 12, the same day that Hunters appointment was formally announced, Pozharskyi sent an email to both Hunter and Archer discussing that April 2014 meeting in Lake Como. We urgently need your advice on how you could use your influence to convey a message or signal to stop what we consider to be politically motivated actions, Pozharskyi told Hunter and Archer. The politically motivated actions were actually ongoing investigations into Burisma and its owner, Zlochevsky, who had been issued an unusually large number of permits to extract oil and gas during his time as Ukraines minister of natural resources. UK authorities had just frozen $23.5 million in assets belonging to Zlochevsky as part of a money-laundering investigation. And at precisely the same time that Hunter Biden joined Burisma, Vitaly Yarema, the Ukrainian prosecutor, opened a formal investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma. Hunter and Archer must have been expecting the email from Pozharskyi because plans to represent Burismas interests in Washington had already begun. On the same day of Pozharskyis email, Heather King, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, sent an email to Hunter and Archer detailing her firms strategy for Burisma. King wrote that she planned to provide legal and political services for Burisma right up to the line at which the law firm would have to disclose its work under federal lobbying laws. King also wrote of plans to meet with State Department officials in order to advocate for Burisma. As it turns out, Burisma had wired $250,000 to Boies Schiller Flexner on May 7, 2014, according to a September 2020 Senate report. As the report notes, this was the earliest known payment from Burisma that was related to Hunter Biden. As all this was going on, two other important events took place. On May 21, a week after Pozharskyis email to Hunter, Joe Biden made a trip to Romania and the island of Cyprusthe first visit by a senior U.S. official in 50 years. We now know that Cyprus is where Burismas headquarters is located. No real explanation has been given for that trip, other than a White House statement that noted Bidens intention to provide strong support to reunify the island. Four days later, on May 25, Petro Poroshenko, a billionaire politician, was elected president of Ukraine. Joe Biden became close with Poroshenko and helped obtain for the country a four-year, $17.5 billion IMF package in March 2015. According to a State Department email sent by George Kent, the deputy chief of mission in Kyiv at the time, Burisma allegedly bribed its way out of the original investigation. Kent stated that he had been told by Ukraines deputy prosecutor general that Burisma had paid a $7 million bribe to Ukraines chief prosecutors office to end the investigation into Zlochevsky. At the time of the alleged bribe payment, Hunter Biden wasaccording to Burisma itselfin charge of the companys legal affairs. The alleged bribe apparently worked. The Ukrainian prosecutors office subsequently sent a letter to its UK counterparts on Christmas Day 2014, stating there was no longer an active case against Zlochevsky. The UK prosecutors released Zlochevskys previously seized funds. Victoria Nuland, the former assistant U.S. secretary of state who helped bring Biden into Ukraines politics, later told congressional investigators that Amos Hochstein, Obamas U.S. special envoy, privately conveyed his concernsalbeit somewhat belatedlyabout Hunters role at Burisma to the elder Biden in October 2015 and then again during a flight to Ukraine on Dec. 7, 2015. Following the alleged bribe in Ukraine and the end of the case in the UK, Yarema suddenly resigned on Feb. 9, 2015. His replacement was Victor Shokin, a former prosecutor who was brought out of retirement and appointed the following day by Poroshenko. Shokin would soon present a major problem for Burisma and its owner Zlochevsky. I mentioned earlier that Zlochevsky, Burismas owner, and his adviser Pozharskyi appear to be interconnected with Elena Baturina. There was that oddly timed meeting at Lake Como in April 2014 that they both either attended or closely overlapped. Further connections between these parties come via a dinner held at Cafe Milano on April 16, 2015. We know from a series of March 2015 emails that Pozharskyi and Elena Baturina both were invited to attend by Hunter Biden, although we dont know exactly why they were in D.C. in the first place. We know that dinner included Joe Biden, who stayed for about 40 minutes. We also know that Baturina, for reasons that remain unknown, sent a series of payments after that dinner, between May 6 and Dec. 8, 2015, to Hunter Bidens firm, Rosemont. Pozharskyi emailed Hunter the following day to thank him for inviting me to DC and giving me an opportunity to meet your father and spend some time together. Meanwhile, Shokin was busy getting his investigation of Burisma up and running. Initially, Shokins appointment was welcomed by U.S. officials, including Nuland, who personally wrote Shokin in June 2015 that we have been impressed with the ambitious reform and anti-corruption agenda of your government. According to Shokin, in July and into August 2015, he began preparing to question Hunter Biden about money laundering activities tracing directly back to Burisma. Notably, these same concerns over money laundering would later be raised by Latvian authorities just as Shokin was being pushed out. Shokin says it was at that point that pressure to stop Burisma activities increased, including a visit from Ukrainian President Poroshenko, who personally asked Shokin to wind down the investigations into Hunter Biden and Burisma; Shokin initially refused. Meanwhile, the pressure on all parties continued to mount. Hunter Biden received another email from Burismas Pozharskyi on Nov. 2, 2015. Obviously worried over the progress that Shokin was making, Pozharskyi demanded that the younger Biden produce deliverables, stating that the ultimate purpose was to close down any cases or pursuits against Burismas owner. He also outlined his concerns over the lack of involvement from top U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Pozharskyi was directly targeting Shokin, who had successfully sought an order from Ukrainian courts to seize Zlochevskys assets. Those assets were eventually physically seized on Feb. 2, 2016, just before Shokin was removed from his position by Poroshenko. It appears that Hunter Biden must have taken Pozharskyi seriously. On the same day that Pozharskyi emailed him about deliverables, Hunter suddenly reached out to Amos Hochstein, Obamas special envoy. Hunter met in-person with Hochstein four days later, on Nov. 6, 2015. Hochstein later reluctantly told congressional investigators that Hunter wanted to know my views on Burisma and Zlochevsky. Burisma also hired Blue Star Strategies at Hunters urging in November 2015, just as he was receiving his instructions from Pozharskyi. Blue Star would later come under federal investigation for its undisclosed lobbying on behalf of Burisma. Although Hunter Biden was moving aggressively, his actions were apparently not direct enough. Less than three weeks after Pozharskyis email, Joe Biden entered the picture, demanding the removal of Shokin on Nov. 22, 2015. After Poroshenko failed to comply with Bidens initial demands, Biden famously leveraged $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer loan guarantees to force Shokins removal. On March 29, 2016, less than seven weeks after the seizure of Zlochevskys assets, Shokin was officially fired. Meanwhile, in October 2014, Ukraine established the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in response to pressure from the International Monetary Fund and with assistance from Joe Biden. The organization was slow to get up and running. But on Jan. 22, 2016, just as Shokin was being forced out, NABU Director Artem Sytnyk announced that NABU was very close to signing a memorandum of cooperation with the FBI. The agreement proceeded rapidly and by Feb. 9, 2016, the FBI had a permanent representative onsite at NABU offices. By the end of June 2016, the FBI had a full office in Ukraines NABU. However, for reasons that remain unclear, NABU repeatedly refused to make the memorandum with the FBI public and went to court in 2018 to prevent its release. On Feb. 18, 2016, one week after the first FBI representative was first installed at NABU, authorities in Latvia flagged a series of suspicious financial transactions linked to Hunter Biden, Devon Archer, and two other individuals involved with Burisma. It was later reported that a series of loan payments totaling about $16.6 million that were routed from companies in Belize and the United Kingdom to Burisma through Ukraines PrivatBank between 2012 and 2015. Latvian officials claimed that a portion of those funds were transferred to the younger Biden, Archer, and the two unnamed individuals, one of whom was a U.S. citizen. Despite requests for assistance, a Latvian official said his government received no criminal evidence from Ukraine and thus took no further action on the investigation. It seems hard to believe that the FBI, with its presence within Ukraines anti-corruption offices, was unaware of these transactions. Conservative House Lawmakers Signal End to Blockade as Talks With McCarthy Continue The U.S. Capitol building is under a haze of smoke caused by the ongoing wildfires in Canada in Washington on the morning of June 8, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Conservatives in the House have agreed to cease their blockade of the House floor as they engage in discussions with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) regarding future spending and a revised power-sharing arrangement. Last week, a group of 11 hardline conservative lawmakers rebelled against McCarthy by voting against a procedural vote concerning gas stovesa bill they supportedin protest of his debt limit deal with President Joe Biden. Consequently, all votes were canceled on Wednesday for the rest of the week. Following discussions with McCarthy on Monday, some conservative lawmakers indicated that the vote impasse had been resolved, allowing the House to proceed while negotiations for further concessions from the speaker continue. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) expressed his inclination to allow the vote to pass, noting that it would be combined with Rep. Andrew Clydes (R-Ga.) resolution to reverse a provision on pistol braces implemented by the Biden administration. Norman said that McCarthy had listened to the concerns of the conservative group and agreed to involve them in future decision-making. However, frustrations over McCarthys debt limit compromise remained. We aired our issues. We want to see this move forward as a body theres a lot of fights down the road that wed rather be on together, Norman said. Further discussions about future spending and appropriations are a work in progress, he noted. Following the meeting, McCarthy stated that there would be no votes on Monday evening, Fox News reported. However, he expressed optimism about the progress made, emphasizing the collective desire to move forward and work together. I thought we had a very productive meeting tonight, he said. I think everybodys attitude in the room was, how do we move forward? How do we move forward to where we were with our strength together? And I think theres a willingness, that doesnt mean its all locked together, it means that we thought that meeting was great weve got a lot more victories for the American people. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) indicated that conservatives would vote in favor of the rules this week as negotiations progress and expressed satisfaction with the recent meeting. However, he said he desired a renegotiation of the power-sharing arrangement established with McCarthy earlier in the year. The power-sharing agreement that we entered into in January with McCarthy it has to be renegotiated, so what happened on this debt ceiling bill never happens again, he said. Gaetz emphasized the need for additional measures to reduce nondefense discretionary spending and return to fiscal 2022 spending levels. Vote Resumes Tuesday Although the conservatives are willing to temporarily suspend their opposition to the procedural vote this week, Gaetz warned that they may resume their actions if a renegotiated power-sharing agreement is not reached. Therell be more votes next week, and more rules, and if theres not a renegotiated power-sharing agreement, then perhaps well be back here next week, Gaetz said. He stressed that their objective is not to obstruct future votes but to capitalize on the current discussions momentum. While the precise details of the agreement are yet to be finalized, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, acknowledged the existence of a framework for an agreement with McCarthy without providing further information. The temporary resolution by conservatives enables the House to proceed with voting Tuesday on several GOP bills that were previously blocked. These bills encompass a range of topics, including Clydes resolution countering the new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule on pistol braces, along with a gas stoves bill and a measure aimed at curbing the administrations regulatory powers. Clydes pistol brace bill was at the center of last weeks upset, with the lawmaker claiming that GOP House leaders warned him that it would be challenging to advance the bill if he voted against a procedural motion on the debt limit bill. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) denied that any such threat was made. The group of conservative lawmakers argues McCarthy made excessive concessions to the Democrats in the debt limit deal, which extended the governments borrowing authority for a longer period than desired by conservatives, didnt implement spending cuts the GOP proposed in April, and left out several partisan Republican policy reforms. They now seek guarantees from McCarthy that he wont repeat such actions during future battles concerning the farm bill and 2024 government spending. Jackson Richman contributed to this report. Creator of Yellow Duck Hopes to Bring Double Luck to Hong Kong: We Need Happiness, We Need to Reconnect After a 10-year hiatus, the giant rubber yellow duck returned to Hong Kong and held its launch ceremony in Victoria Harbour on June 9. It will be exhibited in Victoria Harbour for two consecutive weeks from June 10. Many citizens braved the rain to take photos with the Yellow Duck in Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, creator of the Yellow Duck, hopes that this time he can bring a pair of ducks together to bring double luck to Hong Kong. He also believes that in this era, we need some happiness, we all need to reconnect. Creator: We Need Some Happiness After a 10-year hiatus, the giant rubber Yellow Duck becomes a pair and returns to Hong Kong. Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, creator of the duck, hopes that this time he can bring a pair of ducklings together to bring double luck to Hong Kong. (Gigi Lin/The Epoch Times) Florentijn Hofman said that he hopes bringing a pair of ducks together this time can bring double luck to Hong Kong. He joked that the ducklings took a bath this morning and were shining brightly. He also sighed that since 2013, it has been a wonderful journey. When the organizer invited him this time, he was hesitant at first. Referring to the experience in 2013, he had to think twice about it several times. So as you can see now, I brought two rubber ducks with me. Double duck is double luck. He blessed that people can enjoy this work in the next two weeks and hopes the exhibition brings as much joy as possible. As it did in the past and in a world where we suffered from a pandemic, wars, and a political situation, I think its the right moment to bring back the double luck, said Hofman. Hofman also said in a subsequent interview: We need some happiness, we need to reconnect, we need people to connect. People gather, connect, enjoy good times, and share time. This is the theme of life. Create time and create memories. He continued that two identical giant ducks have no gender and represent equality for all. They are also like mirrors that can make viewers reflect on their hearts. Citizens Cheer up Depressed Hong Kong On June 9, 2023, two yellow ducks officially arrived at Victoria Harbour and met with citizens. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times) The creative brand AllRightsReserved (ARR) host of the exhibition said that the rubber duck has a new companion, returning to Hong Kong in pairs just like the Chinese characters (double happiness) and (friend), symbolizing good things come in pairs and hoping to add double happiness to the city. The founder of AllRightsReserved, SK Lam, said in an interview that everyone is now working hard to live after the epidemic. He hopes that besides memories, the yellow duck can also bring regaining (-double ten) happiness, meaning its 10th anniversary. Ms. Wong, a citizen interviewed, said that the arrival of the yellow duck could cheer up the currently depressed Hong Kong, which is full of unhappiness. She also feels inspired by seeing this yellow duck traveling worldwide. She smiled and said, I hope I can travel like the yellow duck and wander around the world one day! Mr. Liu, a citizen, said that he and his wife started dating in 2013, and their first date was at Victoria Harbour watching the rubber duck exhibition. They plan to visit the little duck again on June 11 and celebrate their 10th anniversary of love together. He joked, This time, the duck brought another duck back; someone said it brought its wife back. I didnt expect that after 10 years, I would bring my wife back to see it. Ms. Li, another citizen, said that when the yellow duck arrived in 2013, she was still in secondary school and once had an exam question about it; one of her classmates answered, This is a collective memory of Hong Kong people; it reminds us of our childhood toy yellow duck. She added, I cant believe that 10 years have passed, and the yellow duck has returned with a companion today! Ten years ago, on June 9, 2013, the yellow duck left Hong Kong, (Tzoi-shu Poon/The Epoch Times) In 2007, the giant rubber duck began to be exhibited worldwide. In 2013, it held an exhibition in Hong Kong called Rubber Duck Project, Hong Kong Tour, which attracted many citizens to watch and became a collective memory of Hong Kong people. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the rubber ducks visit to Hong Kong. The organizer held the Double Ducks exhibition, where two rubber ducks swam together for the first time in Victoria Harbour. The pair of ducks will be stationed on Victoria Harbour, adjacent to Tamar Park and Central and Western District Promenade, and are expected to stay in Victoria Harbour for two weeks. Drag Queen Summer Camp for Kids Comes to Government-Funded Winnipeg Theatre The Manitoba Theatre for Young People hosting a drag camp for children in August 2023 receives funding from all levels of government. The latest among a growing number of drag queen summer camps for kids has been announced at a youth theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The camp is for children aged 13 to 18. Do you love the idea of being a Drag King, Drag Queen, or Drag Thing but dont know where to start? the program description reads. Explore the fun of drag through this week-long introduction to the art form. You will create or refine a drag persona using make up, wigs, and costumes, and then create a lip sync number to debut at the end of the week! Government Support The Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP), which is hosting the camp, receives funding from all levels of government. It received about $830,000 from the Government of Canada for 2021 and 2022 combined, another $513,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, and a recent grant of about $1.3 million from the Manitoba government. It also lists the City of Winnipeg as one of its government partners. Publicly funded drag events for children have received criticism in recent months. Similar drag camps to be hosted in Vancouver this summer by the government-funded Carousel Theatre are for children aged 7 to 17 (held in two separate cohorts for younger children and older children). This is utterly disgusting. Camps indoctrinating kids as young as 7 with gender ideology and sexual confusion are now being promoted and subsidized by all government levels, said Maxime Bernier, Peoples Party of Canada leader, in a March 31 tweet. An all-ages drag show hosted by Bingemans recreation centre in Kitchener, Ontario, on Dec. 1, 2022, was funded in part by the Ontario government. Why is [Premier Doug Ford] using taxpayer dollars to pay adult men dressed as women to perform for children? Drag shows by their nature are not for all ages, MPP Belinda Karahalios said on Twitter ahead of that event, on Nov. 30. The Epoch Times asked the Manitoba Theatre, the Manitoba government, and the Canada Council for the Arts how they respond to criticisms that drag events are not suitable for children, but did not receive a reply as of publication. Canadas Heritage Ministry told The Epoch Times in an April 11 email that it supports the drag camp for children being held in Vancouver. The Department of Canadian Heritage is committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We support inclusive and equitable artistic and cultural experiences for all ages and backgrounds, such as those offered by the Carousel Theatre for Young People, the ministry said. The Government of Canada values 2SLGBTQI+ rights as human rights and upholds the values of diversity and inclusion as key to building a better and more prosperous Canada for everyone. Other childrens drag camps include one in Seattle, to be hosted this summer at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle for children aged 12 to 18. Another was hosted in 2019 by the Havana Theatre in Vancouver, for all ages. All of the events include the children dressing in drag and creating their own drag personas. Youll choose your name, explore hair and makeup techniques, and develop your characters stage presence, says the description for the Seattle event. Children at the Carousel Theatre event will be given drag makeup starter kits and learn to find their alter ego. You might be wondering, is drag for kids? says the theatres website. Drag is for everyone! Drag queen story times for children have met with protests nationwide. Calgary city council passed a bylaw in March aimed at quelling the protests around libraries. Dragon Boat Festival to Be Held for 1st Time in Mount Hope, Orange County A local group that promotes traditional Chinese culture and values will host a Dragon Boat Festival in the Town of Mount Hope on June 18. Organizers said that the event, which coincides with Fathers Day, will offer a fun and unique experience for the whole family. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wu Festival, actually falls on June 22, four days after Fathers Day, this year; the holiday falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. We provide a channel for Orange County residentsincluding Mount Hope, Otisville, and Middletown residentsto come out to meet their neighbors, Mela Wu, president of the Mount Hope Chinese Association, which is hosting the event, told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times. The whole family will have a great time. The event will feature vendors selling food and drinks, jewelry, precious stones, clothing, and health products, as well as educational and nonprofit organizations, and activities for all ages, Wu said. There will be fun games for children, and performances that showcase traditional Chinese music and dances, she said. The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the major Chinese traditional festivals, which include the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, and the Moon Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by holding dragon boat racing, eating zong zi, which is sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, and hanging calamus and wormwood leaves on doors and windows to dispel pestilence. Hongkongers celebrate Dragon Boat Festival at Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong on June 12, 2016. (Bill Cox/The Epoch Times) This event will be somewhat different, Wu said. Although we wont have a dragon boat race on the river, we will have several handmade dragons to race on land, which will be fun. The themes of the festival will be loyalty and health. In ancient China, people commemorated Qu Yuan for his love of his country and his people, she said. Chinese Legend According to one legend, Qu Yuan (340278 B.C.) was a prominent poet and court official of the Chu State of the Warring States Period (476221 B.C.), during which the Qin State was one of the most powerful (there were seven warring states: Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin). Qu Yuan advised his king to unite the Qi State to fend off the Qin, but Qu Yuan was slandered by other officials and accused of treason. The king dismissed Qu Yuans advice and exiled him to a remote rural area. Upon learning that the Qin had conquered his country and captured the king of the Chu, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River (in todays Hunan Province) on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The local people rowed out on the river, trying to save him, but it was too late. They also threw leaf-wrapped rice into the river to feed the fish so that they wouldnt eat Qu Yuans body. Since then, locals in the Miluo River area have followed similar practices to commemorate Qu Yuan on the day that he took his own life. Gradually, rowing boats developed into dragon boat racing, and the leaf-wrapped rice became the sticky rice dumplings traditionally eaten during the festival. Unique Experience Wu encourages anyone who is interested in Chinese culture to come out for what she describes as a unique, moving, and enjoyable experience. They will be inspired by it, she said. A musician plays the pipa, a Chinese musical instrument, at the Chinese New Years celebration in Orange County, New York, on Jan. 29, 2023. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times) Everyone can find something fun to do at the event. People of all ages can participate in the [simulated] dragon boat races. It is truly fun for the whole family. Admission to the event, to be held at Mount Hope Town Park in Otisville, is free. Wu said that her group has successfully organized other events, including Chinese New Year celebrations in January. Our activities have truly brought the community together, and together we are stronger, she said. In addition to its mission to share traditional Chinese culture and values, the association aims to help Chinese Americans to better serve the American community through cultural exchange and social responsibility, according to its website. (Courtesy of Mount Hope Chinese Association) A former congressman from Pennsylvania pled guilty (and was sentenced to 30 months in prison) for stuffing ballot boxes for Democratic Party candidates. Specifically, Congressman Michael J. Myers was caught up in a scheme of bribing local judges in order for them to alter the actual election results for certain Democratic candidates. Federal Agency Extends Stay for More Than 300,000 Immigrants The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend the temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from several countries, according to a statement issued by the agency on June 13. Under President Donald Trumps administration, the DHS ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. But on June 13, those designations were brought back, affecting more than 300,000 people from those countries. Through the extension of Temporary Protected Status, we are able to offer continued safety and protection to current beneficiaries who are nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua who are already present in the United States and cannot return because of the impacts of environmental disasters, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. We will continue to offer support to them through this temporary form of humanitarian relief. The agency, which oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will publish the explanation for procedures, timelines, and eligibility criteria in the Federal Register in the near future. TPS allows people who cant return to their home countries because of natural disasters, armed conflict, or other extraordinary measures to remain in the United States and obtain work permits. Designations typically last six to 18 months but can be renewed indefinitely. Some TPS designations have been in place for decades, but they dont lead to permanent U.S. status. The latest decision by the Biden administration will allow TPS renewals for 239,000 Salvadorans who have resided in the United States since 2001. Some 76,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans that have been in the United States since 1998 are eligible, along with 14,500 Nepalese that have been in the country since 2015. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua living in the U.S. illegally wont be covered by the TPS extension since they arrived after the cutoff dates. Toward the end of 2021, there were some 241,699 Salvadorans, 76,737 Hondurans, 14,556 Nepalis, and 4,250 Nicaraguans who were enrolled in the agency program, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services The Biden administration has added TPS-related designations to a total of 16 countries. In 2022, the White House added protections for individuals from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Liberia, and Ethiopia, for instance. The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict and the extraordinary and temporary conditions engulfing Ethiopia, and DHS is committed to providing temporary protection to those in need, Mayorkas said in a statement announcing the designation for Ethiopia last year. In December 2022, the agency expanded deportation relief for about 250,000 Haitian immigrants who are already in the United States. That occurred months after the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise, leading to significant gang-related violence and instability. Tijuana, Mexico, seen through the U.S. border wall near San Diego on May 31, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Those recent mandates continue the Biden administrations bid to expand TPS since taking office in early 2021, standing in contrast to the Trump administrations moves to end the rule. During his first day as president, Biden asked Congress to pass a measure that would allow TPS recipients to apply for green cards immediately to become lawful permanent residents. If those individuals meet certain standards, they could be granted U.S. citizenship. But Trumps DHS argued that a number of countries dont fall under the TPS rule any longer. In 2018, the administration stated that more than 200,000 people from El Salvador have to leave because roads, schools, hospitals, homes, and infrastructure were repaired since earthquakes hit the country in 2001. Based on careful consideration of available information, the Trump DHS said in a statement at the time, the secretary determined that the original conditions caused by the 2001 earthquakes no longer exist. Thus, under the applicable statute, the current TPS designation must be terminated. In 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled by a 21 margin in favor of the Trump administration to strip the legal immigration status of about 400,000 people. That ruling affected immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan. To be granted TPS, applicants must meet filing deadlines, pay a fee, and prove they have lived in the U.S. continuously since the events that triggered relief from deportation, a Pew Research article reads. They must also meet criminal record requirementsfor example, that they have not been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors while in the U.S.; persecuted others; or engaged in terrorism. The program was authorized in 1990, when then-President George H.W. Bush signed a Congress-passed bill into law. Last month, the Trump-era Title 42 immigration policy expired. The rule had allowed Border Patrol agents to deny illegal immigrants permission to enter the United States in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A case brought by several Republican attorneys general was dismissed days later by the Supreme Court. Those officials had attempted to keep in place Title 42, but the high court ruled that their challenge was moot. Reuters contributed to this report. Future of Bill to Nullify ATF Pistol Brace Rule Is Bleak, Even If It Clears Republican House Officials identified the perpetrator of the March 27 Nashville Covenant School shooting as 28-year-old Audrey Hale on March 28, 2023. (Nashville Police Department) News Analysis A bill to nullify a controversial rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulating pistol stabilizing braces will be debated in the House of Representatives this week. Few believe it has much of a future after that. The House will debate HJ 44, a bill to nullify the pistol brace rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA allows Congress to disapprove rules by passing a bill in both houses and having the President sign it into law. The June 12 vote on HJ 44 by the House Rules Committee was largely symbolic. The bill is expected to fail in the Senate. If it survives there, President Joe Biden has promised to veto the bill. In addition, division between the Republican majority and hardline conservatives had Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) questioning the extent of GOP support. Committee Chair Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told McGovern he could rest easy. A pistol stabilizing brace is seen in this undated photo. (Michael Clements/The Epoch Times) Theres a Democratic Senate and a Democratic President, so I wouldnt worry too much about whats passed into law, Cole said. American Democracys inherently chaotic from time to time, but we usually get to the right place. The vote was party-line 9 to 4, with Democrats voting No. They want the pistol brace rule to remain in effect. They said it would save lives while preserving the Second Amendment. Republicans said the ATF has overstepped its authority, so the rule should be trashed. In a civil but tense exchange, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said that neither the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) nor ATF Director Steve Dettelbach understood the rule. Nadler was testifying before the Rules Committee against the bill. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) attends an election-night gathering at Arte Cafe in New York on Aug. 23, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) During a House Judiciary Committee hearing last April, Dettelbach said that possession of a brace was not a crime under the rule. He said if pistol brace owners removed the brace from their guns, they would comply with the rule. Immediately after that hearing, the ATF released a statement clarifying that possessing an unregistered, functioning pistol brace is a felony. The ATF rule clearly states that the brace must be rendered unusable once removed if the owner doesnt want to register it. Nadler repeated Dettelbachs claim to the Rules Committee. If you have the brace and you dont attach it to a short-barreled gun, its okay, Nadler said. Nadler then read part of the rule to the committee that once the brace was removed, it would have to be altered so it couldnt be reattached. Steven Dettelbach testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 25, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Massie expressed surprise that Nadler, a former Judiciary Committee chair, and ATF director Dettelbach could be mistaken. Neither of you understands this rule, he said. Democrats repeatedly invoked mass shootings in their arguments, including the March 27 shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Nadler claimed the devices increase a weapons lethality by making the gun more accurate. Rep. Mary Scanlon (D-Pa.) disputed Republican claims that the rule was a ban. She said she had seen online videos demonstrating how to use the braces to get around federal law. Scanlon accused the GOP of being controlled by the National Rifle Association, which represents millions of gun-owning Americans. The rule does not prevent veterans with disabilities from using the arm braces how they were originally designed, she said. House Rules Committee member Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said during the panels four-hour Jan. 30 meeting that ending the federal healthcare worker vaccination mandate is part of a bigger discussion that we should have regarding deference to the executive [branch] and to the bureaucratic state. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) The Second Amendment is not a suicide pact. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said more is at stake than a firearm accessory. He said the more significant issue is how laws are written, and that the Executive Branch had overstepped its bounds. All three branches of government have betrayed the trust of voters, according to Roy. He said its time that Congress brought itself and the agencies to heel. Its embarrassing that this body wont do anything to hold the executive to account. It is our duty as Congress to defend the Constitutional separation of powers, Roy said. He said thats why Republicans were pushing the REINS Act of 2023 and the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023. Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) agreed. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks at a House committee hearing on May 18, 2023. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Rule-making is no way to govern, she said. On Jan. 13, the ATF issued criteria to determine if the pistol stabilizing brace converted pistols into short-barreled rifles (SBR), which are regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. Under the NFA, a firearm is considered short-barreled if it has a rifled barrel under 16 inches in length or [is] a smooth-bore firearm with a barrel under 18 inches in length. Gun manufacturers have been offering large pistols built on the AR15 platform. In 2012 companies began selling braces designed to stabilize heavy pistols for a steadier aim by the disabled, elderly, or others who may need assistance. That rule went into effect on Jan. 31. At that time, the ATF set a 120-day amnesty period in which owners of pistols equipped with the devices could register them without paying the $200 NFA tax. The amnesty period expired on May 31. Owners of the devices could be charged with a felony and face up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, or both for each violation. Relatively Few Registered By the June 1 deadline, over 250,000 braces had been registered with the ATF. Estimates on how many gun owners are affected range from 3 million to 40 million. Since then, several lawsuits have been filed, and federal judges have issued injunctions for people covered as parties to the legal actions. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction just before the deadline protecting Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) members and Maxim Defense customers from the rule. Judges also issued injunctions in a lawsuit filed by the Second Amendment Foundation (pdf), and another by Gun Owners of America, the Gun Owners Foundations, and the State of Texas (pdf). According to the FPC website, the court will hear oral arguments in its case, Mock v. Garland, on June 29. FPC did not return a call seeking comment. Judges Issue Injunctions Joining FPC as plaintiffs are Samuel Walley, William Green, and Rainier Arms, LLC. They are suing the ATF, ATF Director Steve Dettelbach, the Department of Justice, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. On its website, Gun Owners of America (GOA) posted statements vowing to fight what the group considers an unconstitutional rule. Gun Owners Foundation officials called on Congress to rein in the ATF. Massie said he expects the rule to be overturned entirely eventually. The congressman added that the rule is an affront to all law-abiding citizens: What theyre offended by is that you can get the governments authorization that what your doing is legal, and then get up one day and youre a felon. Gavin Newsom Poised to Run for President, Timing Unclear California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference after meeting with students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2021. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) California Gov. Gavin Newsom could be setting himself up for a 2024 presidential run, but a bid in this election cycle is far from guaranteed. That was what multiple high-level politicians in California told The Epoch Times. Hes certainly running a shadow campaign right now to be in position, said Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) in an interview with The Epoch Times on June 13. I think theyre just trying to keep the options open for if and when [President Joe] Biden blows up, he continued. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) holds a news conference on HR 1585, a House of Representatives bill known as the Prohibiting Parental Secrecy Policies in Schools Act, in Chico, Calif., on March 15, 2023. (Screenshot via Facebook/Rep. Doug LaMalfa) Newsom pledged he wouldnt contest the 2024 presidential nomination with Biden, according to November 2022 reporting from Politico. That leaves open the possibility of a Newsom run if Biden is out of the picture before November 2024. I dont see when I look at their bench a whole lot of options, LaMalfa added, saying he did not consider Vice President Kamala Harris or Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg particularly viable. LaMalfa said theres speculation that Harris will be pushed out of the vice president slot in the upcoming election, potentially opening up another avenue for Newsom to enter the Oval Office. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to reporters after a swearing-in ceremony for Eric Garcetti as ambassador to India in Washington on March 24, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) LaMalfa said he believes his perspective is similar to that of other political insiders in California. I think everybody believes Newsom is full-court press positioning himself, he told The Epoch Times. LaMalfa certainly sounded similar to California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. How could any Democrat not see that theres a problem with Joe? said Gallagher, who told The Epoch Times in a June 12 interview that Newsom is working overtime to ensure that hes the natural replacement should Biden drop out. He [Newsom] is doing these nationwide campaigns. Hes going to other states. Hes going on Sean Hannity Those are all things that someone running for president does, Gallagher said. Newsom sidestepped Hannitys 2024 questions during his June 12 appearance on the commentators Fox News program. Im not answering, he said when asked about the level of interest in a Newsom 2024 campaign he has gotten. Newsoms high-profile appearance on Fox News comes after he rolled out an ambitious new proposal: a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would expand and standardize gun control nationwide. The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly supportwhile leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting Americas gun-owning tradition, the governor said in a statement outlining the proposal. Newsom has also sparred with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Until just weeks ago, DeSantis was engaged in what some consider his own shadow campaign for 2024. DeSantis formally announced his candidacy for president on Twitter on May 24. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, poses for a photo at a campaign stop in Gilbert, S.C., on June 2, 2023. (Dan M. Berger/The Epoch Times) Gallagher suggested Newsoms farsighted goals have made the here and now a little blurry. People want him to focus on his own state, and we have some really big problems here: homelessness, crime, gun violence, fentanyl thats killing far too many of our citizens every day. And hes more interested in trying to grow his national exposure, he said. Eric Schickler, a University of California at Berkeley political scientist, agreed that homelessness could be costly to Newsom in a national run in an April interview with The Hill. It would be surprising if he were doing nothing to burnish a national campaign, Schickler said in his interview with the publication. Yet, Newsoms repeated victories at the ballot box by landslide margins could argue for his electability, at least on the West Coast. LaMalfa suggested that Newsom stands a chance to win the presidency if Californias track record is something that appeals to U.S. voters. Doubts in Sacramento on 2024 Few would disagree that Newsom has national and specifically presidential ambitions. Yet, others in California politics are more skeptical that Newsom could make his move as soon as this cycle. After all, a Quinnipiac University poll several months ago found that 70 percent of voters in the Golden State oppose a Newsom presidential bid in 2024. It would be very difficult to be governor of California and run for president at the same time, a Republican official in Sacramento told The Epoch Times in a June 9 interview. If he does run, it would be in 28, the official added. The California state capitol building in Sacramento on March 11, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) That would be two years after Newsom leaves the governorship; term limits prevent him from going for a third term. After 2026, Newsom could just campaign full time with his growing war chest, the official said, noting that the governor is adept at picking up the national headlines that keep his name in the news. The official suggested the consensus in Sacramento is that Newsom is playing the long game by waiting a few more years to make his move. Gallagher offered a clashing perspective, suggesting that 2028 could be a little late. I think Newsom sees this time as the most opportune time, while hes just been reelected as governor of California. His popularity is at a peak, at least among Democratic voters, he told The Epoch Times. The Republican official in Sacramento said Californias wildfire season could also conflict with a Newsom presidential campaign while hes still governor. It would be very difficult to be in one of those swing states while towns are getting wiped off the map here, the official said. LaMalfa disagreed. He [Newsom] hasnt paid a price for Californias wildfire season. He hasnt paid a price at all, he told The Epoch Times. LaMalfa argued that Newsom has remained politically impervious to what he sees as the governors failures on forest management. It doesnt seem to matter to anybody, he said. A residence goes up in flames from the Mill Fire in the Lake Shastina subdivision northwest of Weed, Calif., on Sept. 2, 2022. (Hung T. Vu/The Record Searchlight via AP) No Parallel Whatsoever Newsom wouldnt be the first California governor to reach the presidency. Former actor Ronald Reagan reached the White House after leading a very different Golden State from the one that exists today. While the two arent very similar ideologically, they share at least some superficial characteristics. Like Newsom, Reagan made himself a familiar name in the years before his 1980 presidential run. In fact, his 1976 attempt to wrest the Republican nomination from incumbent President Gerald Ford could offer a foretaste of conflict between Newsom and others in his party in this or a coming election cycle. Like Reagan, Newsom is an unusually telegenic politicianout of place in some parts of America, perhaps, but perfect for Hollywoods home state. In addition, both men have won some degree of respect from another former California state executive, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then-California Gov. Schwarzenegger described Reagan as a source of inspiration in a Fox News interview after Reagans death in 2004. President Reagan was one of my idols and I think that I got inspired by him, and you know, I will continue on having the kind of positive attitude that he had, he told Hannity and Alan Colmes in 2004. In a May 2023 interview with Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger suggested that a Newsom run for high office is a no-brainer. I would run things differently [than Newsom], but Im a Republican, so of course I would. I dont criticize him for not doing it my way, he said. Nancy Reagan is escorted by then-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after the ceremonial signing of California Senate Bill 944 and Assembly Bill 1911 honoring President Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on July 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Adam Lau) One man who doesnt buy the Reagan comparison is Craig Shirley, a historian and political consultant. Shirley has written four books about the two-term Republican president. There is no parallel between [Newsom] and Reagan whatsoever, the 1976 challenge of Ford notwithstanding, Shirley told The Epoch Times in a June 7 email. Reagan had deep roots in the GOP, plus crossover appeal among Democrats. Thus the Reagan Democrat. [Newsom] has no crossover appeal whatsoever and only limited appeal in his own party outside of California. There is no such thing as a [Newsom] Republican culturally or otherwise, Shirley added. Shirley said Newsom doesnt strike him as electable, but he had a more positive take on another Democratic hopeful: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. RFK Jr. is filling several interesting lanes; anti-Bidenism in the party, a populist distrust of bigness, and the lasting nostalgia of the Kennedy name, Shirley said. LaMalfa agreed that the son of slain Democratic politician Robert Kennedy would be an interesting 2024 prospect. I dont think their partys even happy about it. Kind of like how Tulsi Gabbard caused them problems a little bit until they squashed her, he added. The Republican official in Sacramento doesnt expect RFK Jr.s candidacy to go far. Once people get educated about what his policy positions are, I think the Democratic electorate is just going to say, Man, youre running in the wrong primary. You will be better off in the Republican primary,' the official told The Epoch Times. Yet, the insider didnt rule out the possibility of a Kennedy victory. If Kennedy caught fire and Biden got sicklike I say, never say never, the official said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits The Faulkner Focus at the Fox News Channel studios in New York on June 2, 2023. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) The Epoch Times reached out to Newsom and other California political insiders, including Schwarzenegger and various Democrats in the state. None of them commented by press time. Former California congressman Devin Nunes and presidential historian Allan Lichtman also declined to comment. Gavin Newsom Tells Sean Hannity That California Has Not Made Progress on Homeless Crisis Homeless Health Care Los Angeles workers distribute items in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles on May 16, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) California Gov. Gavin Newsom admitted that his efforts to curb the states homeless crisis have not progressed during an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, which aired the evening of June 12. Hannity pressed Newsom on his efforts to combat the immense amount of homelessness, among many other issues spreading throughout the state. This state has not made progress in the last two decades as it relates to homelessness because housing costs are too high, our regulatory thickets are too problematic, localism has been too impactfulmeaning people locally are pushing back against new housing starts and construction, Newsom said. Ive been here four years. I cant make up for the fact that in 2005 we had a historic number of homeless under a Republican administration, he added. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces the May budget revision in Sacramento on May 12, 2023. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP) Hannity compared Californias current homeless reports of over 170,000 homeless individuals across the state to Florida, which has a homeless population of roughly 26,000, and asked Newsom why the numbers are so different given the states similar climates. The dynamics are very different, Newsom replied. That said, we own this, Sean. Im not here defending this. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, California comprises 50 percent of the nations unsheltered homeless population. This amounts to 171,521 homeless residents, or one-third of the entire homeless population across the country. Los Angeles is the countrys largest homeless population, and Mayor Karen Bass signed a $13 billion city budget with 10 percent dedicated to addressing the problem in May. Los Angeles is really the epicenter, Bass said in a June 6 interview with PBS. We have over 40,000 people sleeping in tents around the city, and so getting them off the streets immediately, putting them in interim housing, which right now is motels and hotels, addressing why they were unhoused, to begin with, and then moving them on to permanent supportive housing. And we are having challenges doing that. We actually have vacancies in some of our permanent supportive housing. But were dealing with bureaucratic barriers and trying to address those. And those barriers are on a federal level, county and a city level, Bass added. Mayors Seek Help From Governor On May 17, members of the California Big City Mayors coalition met with legislators and Newsom at the state Capitol in Sacramento to request more permanent funding to address the states homelessness and mental health crises, NBC Bay Area reported. They called on the governor to allocate $2 billion annually to the states Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, or HHAP. The coalition of mayors represents Californias 13 most populated cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, and Irvine. The groups chair, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, said the mayors needed continued partnership with state lawmakers to address the problem. We acknowledge that its hard for many Californians to see these results and thats because were simply not keeping pace with the number of people who are becoming newly homeless, Gloria said. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said the issue was both a national one and a personal one. I want to first speak from the perspective of someone who was forced to live in my car, Thao said. The access to safe, permanent, and dignified housing should not be seen as the American dream. It should be seen as a human right. It should be seen as dignified housing. It should be seen as [a] basic necessity. And this is why of course, we are here today. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been working in Egypt since the late 1990s, helping to implement sustainable development and other programmes in close cooperation with the Egyptian Government, as KOICA Egypt Country Director Jinyoung Kim explained in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly. What is KOICAs mission in Egypt? The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is a Korean Government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to implementing grant aid programmes aiming to combat poverty and support sustainable socio-economic growth in developing countries around the world. The KOICA Egypt Office, established in 1998, provides technical education for young people in Egypt, supports the digitisation of government services and systems, and carries out programmes to address gender-based violence and strengthen womens empowerment and to support vulnerable groups. In particular, KOICA has been expanding its cooperation with and resources for Egypt as a priority partner country and exploring opportunities to support its pivotal role in the region. How many projects has KOICA implemented in Egypt since its establishment and what is their estimated cost? KOICA has implemented 15 infrastructure/technical assistance projects in the fields of vocational technical training for young people, government services enhancement, waste management, and the promotion of gender equality. More than 1,850 government officials have participated in capacity building trainings in Korea, including a Masters degree programme. 320 volunteers were dispatched to Egypt to government/public entities such as universities, youth centres, and technical schools, as well as UN partners in the areas of education, ICT, and technical training. Around $74 million had been disbursed up until 2021 to support social and economic development in Egypt. What sectors does KOICA focus on in its projects in Egypt? Egypt has been one of the Korean governments priority partner countries for development cooperation since 2021, and the Korean Government has developed a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Egypt based on consultation with the Egyptian government. The Korean government has supported the socio-economic development of Egypt in line with the Sustainable Development Strategy of Egypts Vision 2030 with the five focus areas of cooperation on transportation, environment and energy, public administration, education, and communication and information technology. The KOICA Egypt Office has developed the Country Plan for Egypt in the framework of the CPS and in line with the Egyptian governments national priorities. KOICAs Egypt Country Plan aims to enhance the capacity for sustainable development and to reduce economic and social inequality in Egypt. It has three pillars that reflect the most relevant agenda in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: employment and youth participation; the digital transition of government services; and the promotion of gender equality and social integration. Combating climate change is another area in which KOICA is keen to contribute its efforts and resources. Under the Country Programme framework, infrastructure and technical assistance projects, capacity building and training programmes for government officials, and the dispatch of experts/volunteers to government/public and UN entities are being carried out in an interlinked way in order to achieve the objectives. The total project budget for the 2023-25 portfolio of infrastructure projects is estimated at approximately $60 million. How do you perceive the digital transformation landscape in Egypt? KOICA perceives the Egyptian governments urge to leverage the digital transformation as a strong enabler to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals and enter into the digital economy. KOICA has been supporting the Digital Egypt Initiative through its support for the digital transformation of government services and digital skills and jobs. What are KOICAs plans for Egypt in 2023? Under the employment and youth participation pillar of the country programme, KOICA is supporting the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in its efforts to reform and advance technological education at the university level in Egypt by supporting the establishment of the Beni Sweif Technological University, the leading technological university in Egypt. KOICA also supported the establishment of the Faculty of ICT and Mechanical Engineering in 2019. Along with a strong focus on university-industrial cooperation, KOICAs assistance with a budget of $8 million has included support for the Faculty of Automobile Engineering and the establishment of the Faculty of Railway Engineering, one of the most needed areas for advanced technological education currently in Egypt. KOICA has also been involved with assisting automotive technical education at the secondary level in cooperation with the PVTD (Productive and Vocational Training Department) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry since the 1990s. The PVTD and KOICA have developed a project with a budget of $10 million that aims to upgrade technical training, especially by introducing a high-tech maintenance curriculum for the environmentally-friendly cars that are rapidly increasing in Egyptian metropolitan areas. The project is expected to launch in 2024. Under the digital transition of government services pillar, KOICA actively utilises Koreas advanced ICT technology and transfers experiences of e-governance systems in Korea to Egypt. The online one-stop service system for patent registration and approval has been completed and is now operating at full swing in cooperation with the Egyptian Patent Office. The system reduces the patent application process by 176 days, and in the inception year of 2022 it carried out 2,048 online patent applications. KOICA is currently developing an extension project on integrated and comprehensive services for intellectual property management with a steering committee under the prime minister. It has also been working with the General Authority of Government Services (GAGS) to introduce an e-procurement system for public procurement with a budget of $8 million. This one-stop system is designed to deal with the whole process of government procurement online from bidding to evaluation and from opening to contract payment. A key feature of the system is to secure the confidentiality of bidding documents until their opening, thus enhancing the transparency and credibility of the governments procurement service. Under the promotion of gender equality and social integration pillar, KOICA is dynamically cooperating with multilateral partners in implementation. Through joint efforts with Egypts National Council for Women, it has been working to eliminate gender-based violence and to economically empower women. It has been collaborating with UN partners such as the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women in hospital response units, universities, and company board rooms in various governorates. Awareness-raising among community members and the private sector and the capacity building of girls and women as agents of change are key elements that make progress possible. In Greater Cairo and on the North Coast, KOICA has been supporting and will extend its support this year to refugees and the host community jointly with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Plan International. Refugees and residents of local communities are expected to be strengthened in their livelihoods and skills and better able to secure essential social and medical services as a result. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Group of Private Schools, Nashville DA File Briefs Supporting Attempts to Halt Release of Covenant Shooters Manifesto Assistant District Attorney Roger Moore and District Attorney Glenn Funk talk during a preliminary hearing for Nashville Police officer Andrew Delke at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, on Jan. 2, 2019. (George Walker IV/The Tennesean/AP) The support for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) to deny public records requests which sought the writings of The Covenant School shooter received new backing Monday, June 12, from Nashvilles District Attorney and a collective group of four private schools in a three-mile radius of Covenant. The District Attorney, along with the group of nearby private schools, argue in support of MNPDs decision to withhold public records in the newly filed amicus briefs. As the public records case has moved through the Davidson County Chancery Court, various parties have joined in support of MNPDs decision to deny public records requests to several parties, which sued the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County following the denials. MNPD also denied requests by The Epoch Times for the same documents. Chancellor IAshea Myles granted the right for Covenant Presbyterian Church, the parents of Covenant school students, as well as the school itself to join the lawsuit as third-party intervenors, a move which is currently the subject of an appeal. Myles issued a ruling on Monday that the case in her court would continue on schedule, despite a request by parties appealing her decision allowing intervenors to pause proceedings as the appeal works its way through the higher court. In court last week, the parents of Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale, Ronald and Norma Hale, addressed the judge through their attorney to let the parties know they plan to hand over the rights to their daughters writings to the children of the Covenant School, i.e. their parents, as they are minors. The Hale family claimed ownership of the writings, which have been in the possession of MNPD since being seized from their home and their daughters car following the March 27 attack. Attorneys representing some parties suing MNPD filed briefs Monday questioning the Hales assertion they became the owners of their daughters writings at the time of her death, as no will for their daughter has been found. Private Schools Decry Security Threat A group of private schools in a three-mile radius of The Covenant School filed a brief Monday in support of MNPD and the intervenors. Franklin Road Academy, Montgomery Bell Academy, Oak Hill School, and St. Paul Christian Academy, through their attorneys, collectively state the attack at Covenant is of utmost concern to their more than 2,500 students and 450 teachers, faculty, and staff. The four private schools included this map, showing the relation of their campuses to The Covenant School. The map was included in their brief showing support for the withholding of records related to the March 27 shooting. [Screenshot by The Epoch Times, Chancery Court of Nashville and Davidson County.] While each school educates and cares for a different subset of Nashvilles school children, all [parties] have an ongoing fundamental interest in school safety and security, they write in their brief. The horrific events at The Covenant School have heightened this interest. Attorneys for the collective of schools state, in their perspective, negative impacts would result from disclosure of the assailants writings, referred to in the media as a manifesto. The premature disclosure of the [MNPD] investigative file will seriously risk the ongoing safety of [our] students and educators and those of all other schools in the Nashville community, they state. The collective goes on to state exemptions to Tennessees Public Records Act for school security which they say precludes public disclosure of parts of the MNPDs investigative file, including Hales writings. They go on to warn of the possibility of copycat assailants and further state disclosure of the open and active investigation files will complicate the ability of Nashvilles schools to develop effective countermeasures for active shooter risks. DA Weighs In Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk requests in his filing for the court to set a hearing on whether or not to accept his motion to file his brief for the courts consideration when deciding the matter. Funk writes that this case in particular implicates victims rights in an important matter that may have profound consequences for the [DA Offices] work. Funks brief is to assert his support for defining the parents of minor Covenant School students, along with the school and church itself, as victims. Children from The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville, Tenn., hold hands as they are taken to a reunification site at the Woodmont Baptist Church after a deadly shooting at their school on March 27, 2023. (Jonathan Mattise/AP Photo) Article One of Tennessees state Constitution has what is colloquially referred to as a victim bill of rights, which entitles victims to be free from intimidation, harassment and abuse along with other rights such as a right to restitution. Funk elaborates on the compensation portion of victims rights, further quoting a 1976 law that makes eligible various compensation to victims of a crime, dependents of the victim, or a relative of the victim. While the Office of the District Attorney General does not represent victims as their lawyerit is committed to protecting the rights of victims and ensuring their voices are heard, Funk wrote. Since learning it was the Petitioners position that parents of Covenant victims, the Covenant School, and Covenant Presbyterian Church are not victims in this case, General Funk believes it is his duty to correct this misstatement of the law. Funk is referring to a reference made by the attorney of one petitioner, not petitioners as a whole, who in a May hearing on whether intervention should be granted, claimed those parties were not victims and thus had no interest in being approved as third-party intervenors. That attorney, who represented a media organization and state senator in his private capacity, is no longer on the case, as he requested to withdraw as counsel for a conflict of interest. The next hearing in the case, the show cause hearing that was originally scheduled to be held last week, is tentatively set for July 12 and July 13, if needed. The enlightening exhibition Guido Reni, currently on view at the Prado Museum, is the first of its kind in Spain. Guido Reni (15751642) was one of the most celebrated painters of 17th-century Italy and was patronized by prominent popes, nobles, and monarchs throughout Europe. Reni, known by the epithet Il Divino (The Divine), is distinguished from his peers by his ability to depict the divine in visual form. His compositions are synonymous with elegance, beauty, and grace. As the Prado Museums digital brochure explains, the perfection of his work was never considered the result of an innate gift, but rather the outcome of his massive effort in the search for perfection, a task in which drawing and coloring had to come together in harmonious symbiosis. The exhibit draws on important loans from international museums and private collections, including major works that are rarely lent. One of the exhibitions exceptional works is Renis celebrated canvas The Union of Drawing and Color, which is part of the Louvres permanent collection, having been acquired by King Louis XIV in 1685. Uniting Color and Design The Union of Drawing and Color, circa 16241625, by Guido Reni. Oil on canvas; 47.4 inches by 47.4 inches. Louvre Museum, Paris. (Courtesy of the Prado Museum) The impetus for this paintings allegorical subject matter can be traced to Renis early artistic education. He was born in Bologna, when it was one of Europes leading artistic centers, and he was guided by the citys prominent Baroque artists Lodovico and Agostino Carracci. The brothers academy emphasized that painters should look to the Renaissance masters Raphael, Correggio, Titian, and Veronese and their more naturalistic style for inspiration. The brothers soundly rejected the contrasting artificial Mannerist aesthetic that was popular at the time. Thus, the academy promoted the congruent uniting of the artistic elements of color and design. During the Renaissance, art theory treatises that expounded compositional rules, specifically for historical paintings with allegorical, religious, literary, or classical themes, were advanced and highly influential. The division over the importance of drawing versus that of color can be traced to the end of the 15th century. In his book Yellow: The History of Color, art historian Michel Pastoureau explains: For the painter, which is fundamental, drawing or color? This question prompted many debates, quarrels, and controversies. Most of the time, drawing prevailed: It is masculine and addresses the mind, whereas color, which submits to it, is feminine and addresses only the senses. In a debate in which many picked sides, the Carracci and later Reni are notable for their promotion of equality for these two fundamental artistic features. In The Union of Drawing and Color, Reni depicts drawing symbolically as a young man on the left of the canvas. The man wears an ochre cloak and holds a pen pressed against a sheet of paper. The allegory of color is portrayed by the young woman on the right. She holds brushes and a palette awash in colorful pigments. The ends of her lilac turban touch the mans cloak. He embraces her and they gaze tenderly into each others eyes. The circular shape of the canvas emphasizes the compositions harmonious theme. A number of copies in a variety of media were made of this celebrated composition and are also held in international collections, attesting to the popularity and influence of Renis painting. In addition to its figurative allusions, The Union of Drawing and Color showcases Renis literal skills as a varied colorist and draftsman of strong lines and modeling. Renis Legacy Artists self-portrait, circa 16021623, by Guido Reni. Oil on canvas; 25.3 inches by 20.4 inches. (Public Domain) The exhibition Guido Reni assembles nearly 80 paintings and drawings by Reni, demonstrating the breadth of his oeuvre, as well as works from other artists to showcase his influential legacy. Many of the Reni works from the Prados permanent collection have been specifically restored for this show. In his lifetime, Reni was seen as the equal of the celebrated Baroque artists Rubens, Caravaggio, and Bernini, but his work fell out of favor in subsequent centuries. The goal of the Prados exhibition is to reestablish the publics understanding and appreciation of his meritorious work. While Reni is remembered today predominately for the purity and classicism of his devotional artworks, there was much more to the artist and man that has fallen by the wayside. Guido Reni rectifies this lapse and returns the artist to his proper place in the art history canon. Guido Reni at the Prado Museum, in Madrid runs until July 9. To find out more, visit MuseoDelPrado.es/en. Hamilton Star Throws Insult at Floridas DeSantis During Tony Awards Gasps followed by laughter and applause became Sundays Tony Awards most highlighted moment after Hamilton star and Florida native Denee Benton referred to Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis as a Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard during her presentation. Benton, 31, made the dig at DeSantis, who has been criticized for his support of HB 1557 titled the Parental Rights in Education bill but dubbed by its critics the Dont Say Gay bill while she was bestowing the Excellence in Theatre Education Award from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Those angered by the bill criticize its elimination of discussion of gender identity in children. Hi, Im Denee Benton, actor and proud CMU alum. And while Im certain that the current grand wizardIm sorry, excuse megovernor of my home state of Florida, Benton quipped, as she referred to DeSantis by the title given to the national leader of the KKK. I am sure that he will be changing the name of this following town immediately. We were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young, enhancing the lives at students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. Because of an ongoing writers strike, presenters made their own speeches. HB 1557, which passed last year, reinforces a parents right to make decisions regarding the care and upbringing of his or her child in the public school setting. According to the Florida Senate home page, the bill means that school districts must adopt procedures for notifying a students parent if there is a change in the students services or monitoring related to the students mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the schools ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student. It also prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through grade three or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students. But those who opposed the bill have expressed their dismay at the terms age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate as vague and leaving that timetable up to interpretation. LGBT advocates say theyre concerned that children of same-sex parents wont be able to take part in school discussions about family. It also again brought attention to the conflicts surrounding some of the Sunshine States policies. A new Advanced Placement course on African American studies, which while including literature, arts, science, politics, and geography, was blocked for advocating for abolishing prisons and including the study of queer theory. At a January press conference in Jacksonville, Florida, DeSantis said: Thats a political agenda. Thats the wrong side of the line for Florida standards. We believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we dont believe they should have an agenda imposed on them when you try to use black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes. The Epoch Times reached out to Gov. DeSantis office regarding the comment made by Benton during Sunday evenings telecast. Disney Controversy DeSantis is also engaged in an ongoing battle with Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney World in Florida. The two have been at odds over HB 1557 and what has been referred to as Disneys woke policies. Disney has been working to make its theme parks more gender-neutral, even eliminating its longstanding greeting welcoming ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and now addresses guests as dreamers of all ages. While Disney has previously said in a statement that HB 1557 never should have passed and the company is working to repeal the law, others have accused the company of being too inclusive and incorporating adult sexualization and homosexuality into their films. Legislation was passed dismantling Disneys special district and its ability to self-govern its Orlando-area theme park. This state is governed by the interests of the people of the state of Florida. It is not based on the demands of California corporate executives, DeSantis said during a press conference about that decision. In response, Disney filed a lawsuit against the Florida state government, alleging it has been unlawfully targeted in retaliation for the company exercising its right to free speech. An age-old debate quietly rumbles on in the hushed corridors of hospitals across the nation. Which qualification is best: MD (doctor of medicine) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine)? A recent study, monumental in its scope, dared to ask this question, delving into more than 300,000 Medicare hospital cases. The verdict was startling: When it comes to the quality and cost of care in a hospital setting, MDs and DOs provide the same value. Unveiling the Intricacies of the Study With support from the National Institute on Aging, a diverse team of researchers from various institutions rolled up their sleeves and joined hands. Their shared mission? To explore the potential ties between a doctors type of medical degree and how it might reflect the quality and cost of care they offer hospitalized patients. Adopting a retrospective observational design, the researchers ventured into the depths of Medicare fee-for-service data. The data were meticulously selected, focusing on a random 20 percent sample of beneficiaries hospitalized with medical conditions from 2016 to 2019. These patients were under the care of hospitalist physicians, either allopathic (MDs) or osteopathic (DOs). The team assessed key indicators of health care outcomes and costs, including 30-day patient mortality, 30-day readmissions, length of stay, and health care spending (Part B spending). These parameters, adjusted for patient and physician characteristics, painted a comprehensive picture of the care delivered by the two types of physicians. The Verdict Dr. Atsushi Miyawaki and his team found that when it comes to caring for patients, the distinction between a doctor having an MD or a DO after his or her name makes very little difference. The teams work highlighted the finding that the adjusted 30-day mortality rates were strikingly similar between the two groupsstanding at 9.4 percent for MDs and 9.5 percent for DOs. Mortality rates reflect the proportion of patients who didnt live past 30 days following their hospital admission. In their extensive analysis, the researchers cast an eye on the rates of 30-day readmission, a key indicator tracking the frequency of patients return to the hospital within a month of their initial departure. They found that MDs and DOs performed equally well, clocking in readmission rates at a strikingly similar 15.7 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively. The uniformity in the quality of care spread beyond mere mortality and readmission figures. Be it an MD or a DO at the helm of a patient care team, the average duration of a hospital stay hovered around the same markabout 4 1/2 days. And as for the bottom linethe impact on health care expenditurethe differences were practically negligible. On average, patients under the care of MDs accounted for a health care expense of $1,004, while the costs of those treated by DOs came in at a dollar less, at $1,003. A Closer Look at MDs and DOs Allopathic medicine, the path of study taken by doctors of medicine (MDs), has its roots in a traditional medical curriculum. The National Cancer Institute defines allopathic medicine as a system in which medical doctors and other health care professionals treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery. Tracing its origin back to the ancient Greeks, this pathway adheres to the Hippocratic Oath, a pledge to do no harm. Osteopathic medicine, the study of which results in a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree, supplements traditional medical education with specialized training in touch-based diagnosis. This manual medicine uses hands-on work to treat various health issues in the joints and tissues. Osteopathic physicians, or DOs, believe theres more to good health than the absence of pain or disease. Their whole-person approach to medicine focuses on prevention, helping promote the bodys natural tendency toward health and self-healing, the American Osteopathic Association states on its website. According to a 2020 census conducted by the Federation of State Medical Boards (pdf), approximately 90 percent of licensed physicians in the United States at that time were MDs, while the remaining 10 percent were DOs. However, the 2022 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report shows that the number of DOs is growing dramatically. In 2022, 7,300 new DOs joined the workforce. Moreover, in the past decade, the number of osteopathic medical school students has grown by 77 percent. Rethinking the Future of Health Care Although often described as two distinct philosophies, modern osteopathic and allopathic medicine have more commonalities than differences, wrote Dr. Charlie M. Wray, a DO, and Dr. J. Bryan Carmody, an MD, in a collaborative editorial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Regardless of the pathway chosen, both MDs and DOs are fully qualified physicians, and both are required to complete a residency in their chosen specialty after graduation. Both have equal opportunities to apply for residencies, and the privileges and scope of care granted to them are the same. And, according to the editorial, both specialties attract academically outstanding students, with average Medical College Admissions Test scores well above the national average. Moreover, according to the authors of the observational study report, the curricula of both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools have evolved to be substantially similar, requiring accreditation from governing bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The professional divide between MDs and DOs is fast narrowing. This parity in performance not only demonstrates the evolving landscape of medical practice in the United States, but also reaffirms the idea that quality patient care isnt determined by the specific medical degree a doctor holds. Ending on a note of unity, Wray told The Epoch Times, Studies like this will continue to solidify the bonds between allopathic and osteopathic physicians while [they] also signal to patients that the care they receive is not dictated by the letters after their doctors name. What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc Hong Kong Unrecognizable 4 Years Post Anti-Extradition Movement, Hongkongers Continue to Fight June 9 marks the fourth anniversary of Hong Kongs anti-extradition movement. Hong Kong, which for a long time being famed as an international metropolis, has changed beyond recognition four years on. Analyst believes that although the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) all-round suppression has silenced Hong Kong, Hong Kong people have a historical heritage of pursuing freedom and will not yield or give up. They are still fighting hard around the world. 4 Years Post Anti-Extradition, Hong Kong Has Changed Beyond Recognition On June 9, 2019, Hong Kong held its first million-person rally in the anti-extradition movement. Soon after that, Hong Kong citizens launched waves of large-scale anti-extradition demonstrations, but they were all dispersed and suppressed by the Hong Kong police. The curtain raiser of the anti-extradition movement was in February 2019, when the Hong Kong government proposed the Amendment Bill to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, allowing Hong Kong criminal suspects to be extradited to the mainland for trial. This move triggered protests by Hong Kong people, which later escalated to five major demands, including the withdrawal of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, withdrawal of the riot name tag, withdrawal of the charges against the demonstrators, prosecution of the police for abuse of power, and the resignation of Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor. But they were all rejected by the Hong Kong government. Four years on, more than 10,000 Hong Kong people were arrested and imprisoned, and nearly 7,000 of them have not yet been brought before the courts. According to figures provided by the Hong Kong police to Radio Free Asia, as of Dec. 31, 2022, the Hong Kong police had arrested a total of 10,279 people, aged between 11 and 87, with 1,754 under 18. They are accused of taking part in crimes including participation in riots, illegal assembly, and the like. Among them, 520 have been prosecuted; 2,928 people have been or are going through judicial proceedings, of which 1,789 will have to bear legal consequences, 57 had their charges withdrawn, 387 people were acquitted after interrogation, and the judicial process for the rest is still in progress. In addition, 25 people were released after being cautioned by the duty superintendent. On June 9, 2019, an anti-extradition parade with a million people packed the entire street in Hong Kong. (Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times) Since 2019, Hong Kong has experienced large-scale mass exodus, and its population has continued to shrink. According to latest figures obtained by Ming Pao from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, there has been a net outflow of 231,500 people in the past three years. Many countries provide immigration channels for Hong Kong people. Radio Free Asia has compiled data and statistics on three popular destinations for Hong Kong people, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Taiwan. In the past three years, these three places have issued a total of some 237,000 visas to Hong Kong people, with the largest number of Hongkongers going to the UK. Over the past four years, the Hong Kongs political spectrum also underwent tremendous changes. Currently, the pro-establishment faction holds 89 of the 90 seats in Hong Kongs Legislative Council, and the democrats are nearly extinct. The democrats also have just 20 percent of the elected seats in the district councils. All these are results of the National Security Law (NSL) implemented by the CCP in June 2020, with a lot of the incumbent lawmakers arrested and sentenced; and the introduction of the Public Offices (Candidacy and Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Ordinance 2021, requiring current district councillors to pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This led to mass resignations of the pro-democracy members who did not want to be deprived of their seats for not taking the oath, or being ruled invalid even after swearing the oath of allegiance. The CCP has also not stopped reducing the expanse for free speech over the same period either. So far, at least eight independent news organizations in Hong Kong have ceased operation. Dr. Lin Bin, a veteran Australian media professional and Doctor of Politics from Hong Kong, told The Epoch Times on the June 9, Hong Kong has now become more like a small fishing village during the Cultural Revolution in mainland China, a lifeless so-called quiet and stable society, and a society claimed to be under the rule of law yet is using this as a guise to practice rule by law to deal with dissidents. A society that only has candidates allowed by the CCP to be elected. By the fourth anniversary of the Anti-Extradition Movement, Hong Kong has changed beyond recognition. It is no longer the Hong Kong that local Hongkongers used to know. It is no longer a diversified international metropolis, no longer a society full of vitality and enthusiasm. Also, not a society under the rule of law where everyone is equal before it, and is no longer a society that allows elections through universal suffrage. Today many Hong Kong people make a mockery of the status as the UK has turned a fishing village into an international metropolis, and the CCP has turned this international metropolis into a stupid (rhymes with fish in Cantonese) village. On June 12, 2019, during the anti-extradition rally, the police used batons and tear gas to drive away unarmed citizens. (AFP) Analysis: Hongkongers Will Not Submit to the CCP Brainwashing the Younger Generations While suppressing the anti-extradition movement of Hong Kong people, the CCP also tried to brainwash Hong Kong children, and the education curriculum for students began to match that of the mainland. PTV News once reported that one of the priorities of primary schools in Hong Kong today when school starts on Sep. 1 is to learn to sing the CCPs national anthem and raise the five-star flag. There is at least one flag-raising ceremony every week as mandatory. The content of the new version textbooks also deliberately downplayed the connection of Hong Kong with the UK and deleted the statement that Hong Kong was once a British colony. Lin said that the CCP is now going to re-educate Hong Kong people, but whether it can strangle the younger generations we need to analyze from different aspects. First, from the Umbrella Movement in 2014 to the anti-extradition movement in 2019, we can conclude in one sentence, Hong Kong people cannot be beaten to death. As the Chinese idiom goes, no prairie fire can kill all the grasses, they shoot again when the spring breeze comes. Lin believes that the uniqueness of Hong Kong people is the accumulated history of Hong Kong. Hong Kong people are basically those who escaped from the CCPs persecution and fled to Hong Kong with their descendants grew up here. As a tradition Hong Kong people not only hate dictatorship, but also do not want to survive under totalitarian rule. Second, the younger generation of Hong Kong people, after experiencing the CCPs suppression of Hong Kong people in 2014 and 2019, are becoming even more hateful toward the CCP. This will continue for one or two generations until the CCP falls. Third, the CCP is currently sending all kinds of people from mainland China to immigrate and live in Hong Kong. Some of them are the children of high-level cadres, and the others are brainwashed compatriots from mainland China. These people are described as the new Hong Kong people. They are exactly like the CCPs migration of Han people to Xinjiang and Tibet. It is an attempt to gradually change the demographic of the population. Lin said that the longer it takes, the more they will become new Hong Kong people and the obedient slaves. But this new blend of locals are no longer analogous to the original Hong Kong natives. This picture shows on June 12, 2019, more than 10,000 Hong Kong citizens went to the Government Headquarters in Admiralty and outside the Legislative Council to petition, urging the government to withdraw the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Ordinance. The police violently suppressed the unarmed demonstrators with undue violence. (Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times) Overseas Hongkongers Relay Glory to Hong Kong Chorus Against Governments Suppression Recently, the Hong Kong Secretary for Justice filed an application for an injunction in the High Court, prohibiting the public from disseminating the anti-extradition movement song Glory to Hong Kong on the Internet or on any platform. In this regard, Hong Kong people in many places around the world called for a broadcast relay of Glory to Hong Kong for a week from June 12, and pointed out that the purpose of the action is to defend the freedom of speech as one basic right. On June 9, Hongkongers organizations overseas issued a joint statement that their people from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, Austria, Australia, and Japan are contacting local radio stations, and hope to broadcast Glory to Hong Kong on airwaves around the world. The promoters also appealed to Hong Kong people all over the world to do the same and contact the hosts of their local radio channels via email, phone calls, and text messages to explain to them the current situation of freedom of speech in Hong Kong being destroyed, and strive to broadcast Glory to Hong Kong on their programs. Lin said, I also played this song repeatedly on radio programs and sang more than ten times during the June 4th event, because Hong Kong people have been forced by the CCP to fight with their backs against the wall, and they must show the CCP that they will remain unbowed. We are all committed to overthrowing the dictatorship. He said, No matter when we will see Hong Kong restored, the people of Hong Kong will never give up and must persist in realizing this day. On Sept. 11, 2019, Hong Kong people sang Glory to Hong Kong at the New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. Participants raised their arms and spread their palms, representing the five major demands. (Huang Xiaoxiang/The Epoch Times) How Can Hong Kong Regain Its Glorious Past? As for whether Hong Kong still has hope for freedom and democracy in the future, Lin said that Hong Kong people now fully realize that only when the CCP falls can Hong Kong regain its former splendor. Lin said that Hong Kong people used the adjective Brave New Hong Kong this year to ridicule Hong Kongs transformation into a dystopian work Brave New World. Brave New World is a dystopian novel written by British writer Aldous Huxley in 1932. The background is 2540 London. It is listed as the Three Dystopian Novels alongside 1984, and We. Dystopia is the opposite of Utopia. There are other Chinese translations such as (evil)topia, and (hostile)topia, all referring to unideal society. On the surface, Hong Kong is now becoming the beautiful city that the CCP wants, a silent society. But in reality, this is never the ideal society to which the public aspires. The current state is completely opposite to the interests of the public. It is only moving toward the dream of realizing the beautiful Hong Kong under the CCP dictatorship. Lin believes that during the anti-extradition era, some young people thought that Hong Kong could be self-governing without the need to overthrow the CCP. By going through the past four years, we all realize Hong Kong itself can achieve self-governance and enjoy true democracy and freedom only by first overthrowing the CCP dictatorship. House Democrat Leader Slams Republicans Defending Trump After Federal Indictment House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), with Vice Chairman Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) (R), speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 6, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) ridiculed his Republican colleagues for defending Donald Trump after the former president was indicted for allegedly mishandling classified documents and obstructing federal officials seeking control of those documents. The house Republican conference is in shambles, Aguilar began a Tuesday press conference. Theyve barely gained control of the floor, and we head into a week and they jump head first into defending the corrupt leader of their party. Aguilar, who serves as the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, made the comment as Trump appeared in a Miami federal court on Tuesday for an arraignment on a 37-count federal indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The indictment against Trump includes 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information, as well as other counts of withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, concealing a document in a federal investigation, conspiring to obstruct justice, scheming to conceal materials, and making false statements. The indictment also alleges Trump showed classified documents to other people on two separate occasions in 2021. Several Republican lawmakers have referred to the indictment as the result of a witch hunt. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has called news of the indictment a dark day for the United States of America and a brazen weaponization of power. Aguilar dismissed Republican criticisms of the process to charge Trump and said the former president will be held to a consistent legal standard and be able to argue in his own defense. While Aguilar said Trump could make his case in a court of law, he knocked Republicans currently defending Trump in the court of public opinion. The allegations are incredibly troubling, and the fact that House Republicans continue to try to come to his rescue just blows our mind, quite honestly, Aguilar said. And it stems from the fact that this is the leader of their party. Theylock, stock, and barrelwill follow what the former president says. Dismisses Biden Bribery Allegations Though Aguilar knocked Republicans supporting Trump and emphasized the serious nature of the criminal allegations during his Tuesday press conference, the prominent Democratic lawmaker defended President Joe Biden against recent bribery allegations. Last month, Oversight Committee chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Senate Budget Committee ranking GOP member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) revealed that the FBI possessed an unclassified document that describes an alleged criminal scheme involving then-vice president Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions. After subpoenas and threats to hold FBI director Chris Wray in contempt of Congress, the FBI granted lawmakers access to the unclassified document. During a speech on the Senate floor on Monday, Grassley reiterated allegations that a foreign national had bribed then-vice president Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Grassley said this foreign national is believed to possess 17 different audio recordings of conversations with Joe and Hunter Biden, which that foreign national may be using as a sort of insurance policy. Im not concerned about any of that, Aguilar said of the bribery allegations. Aguilar said House Democrats will respect the investigative efforts in Congress even when the oversight committee goes down ridiculous rabbit holes. If [Ohio representative] Jim Jordan wants to continue to toyou know, chase rainbowsthats fine. House Democrats are going to focus on policies that are right for the middle class, Aguilar continued. We often use our oversight abilities to hold agencies accountable thats exactly what what we do, but this is theres no theres no truth to this. Aguilar also said he believes average Americans arent concerned about the bribery allegations involving Biden and are instead focused on pocketbook issues. From NTD News. The House Judiciary Committee Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee holds a hearing on The Rise in Organized Retail Crime and the Threat to Public Safety at 2:00 p.m. ET on June 13 to examine the rise in organized retail crime that is causing businesses to close and endangering the public. Attorney General Kris Kobach, Kansas; Lorie Mohs, mother of Blake Mohs, an organized retail crime victim murdered at Home Depot; and John Milhiser, former U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, will testify. House Passes Bill to Create Envoy for Abraham Accords (L-R) The flags of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Bahrain are flown along a road in Netanya, Israel, on Sept. 13, 2020, marking the signing on Sept. 15 of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTONThe House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill on June 13 to create a new envoy position to deal with the Abraham Accordsthe normalization agreements between Israel and, so far, four Mideast and Northern African countries. The Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), passed 41313, meeting the required two-thirds majority needed for passage. Voting against the bill were Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). Eight members did not vote. The Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords is a State Department position, reporting to the Secretary of State. The ambassador-level role would be the primary adviser to, and coordinate efforts across, the United States government relating to expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords. Appointed by the president, the envoy would also need Senate confirmation. The special envoy, according to the bill, would be responsible for encouraging countries without diplomatic relations with Israel to establish formal diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties and seeking to expand and strengthen existing relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries, including those outside the geographic scope of the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau of the Department of State, to ensure that all parties reap tangible security and economic benefits for their citizens. The bill also calls for the envoy to build on existing efforts, including the Negev Forum, to help foster enhanced cooperation between Israel and Muslim-majority countries on shared priorities including as relates to trade, agriculture, and water security. The Negev Forum was founded in March 2022 in Israel and met this past January in Abu Dhabi in trying to further the Abraham Accords and Mideast peace. The Abraham Accords were brokered under the Trump administration in 2020 as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan normalized ties with Israel. It was the first peace agreement between Israel and other countries in 25 years. The name of the accords is based off the Abrahamic faiths of the Middle East and North Africa: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Biden administration has pledged to build off the accords. Moreover, the special envoy would be responsible for providing diplomatic support for Israels integration into cooperative efforts related to regional security and for coordinating lines of effort across the United States Government, including the regional and functional bureaus within the Department of State, and conducting appropriate diplomatic engagement with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders determined appropriate by the Special Envoy in order to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords, according to the bill. Finally, the bill would require the first special envoy, one year after confirmation, to submit an unclassified report to the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees and the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees describing all United States efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, including specific diplomatic engagements and status of efforts with respect to specific countries. Such a report would be required annually thereafter. Foreign policy expert Irina Tsukerman applauded the legislation. It is a belated but welcome positive gesture in support of the Abraham Accords implementation and a sign that Congress is fully committed to supporting and expanding the scope and the scale of this major diplomatic achievement, she told The Epoch Times on June 12. Congressional support and involvement is vital in ensuring the lasting nature of the Abraham Accords; in the past, Congressional support for treaties and major diplomatic achievements was a guarantee of the U.S. buy-in and commitment regardless of the administration in power, underscoring the bipartisan nature of such initiatives and their long-lasting importance for the U.S. interests, in this case in Israels growing relations with its neighbors, normalization with [Middle East and North Africa] countries, and Middle East security, prosperity, peace, and stability, she continued. Nonetheless, said Tsukerman, what ultimately matters is who will be in the special envoy role. We should not also overestimate the importance of any one political position. Any position in the State Department is only as useful as the person filling it and as active as the support the administration gives it to fulfill its functions, she said. Most importantly, the larger policy of the U.S. and its response to regional developments are essential to the success of the Abraham Accords framework. Illinois Becomes 1st State to Punish Public Libraries for Banning Books Illinois has become the first state to penalize public libraries for removing books under a new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 12. The law requires public libraries across Illinois to adhere to Chicago-based American Library Associations (ALA) Bill of Rights in order to remain eligible for state funding. While the ALA standards require libraries to provide materials presenting all points of view on current and historical issues and not to exclude books because of the authors background or views, the Illinois law specifically focuses on just one tenet, which says that library books should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. The stated goal of the law, which takes effect in January 2024, is to encourage libraries to either adopt the ALA standard or develop their own polices that prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources. Young people shouldnt be kept from learning about the realities of our world, Pritzker said at a bill-signing ceremony at a Chicago library, surrounded by a display of titles that have been pulled from school libraries across the United States at the requests of concerned parents, such as All Boys Arent Blue and Gender Queer. All Boys Arent Blue, a memoir-manifesto by LGBT activist George M. Johnson, has been removed from school library shelves in at least 15 states because it dedicates an entire chapter to describe in detail the authors first sexual encounter. Gender Queer by cartoonist Maia Kobabe, which frequently appears on the lists of books challenged by concerned parents, graphically depicts the transgender protagonists sexual fantasies. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read, the art they see, the history they learn, the Democrat governor said. In Illinois, we are showing the nation what it really looks like to stand up for liberty. Divided by Party The bill, backed by Pritzker and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, cleared Illinois Democrat-dominated Legislature in almost strictly party-line votes. Its Democrat proponents claimed that the bill is necessary to counter censorship demands from what they called far-right extremist groups, while Republican opponents denounced the effort as government overreach. I find this a complete assault on local control, state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, a Republican, said in March during a debate. He argued that public libraries are administered by locally elected boards, and that those boards should be left to decide on their own how to serve their communities. These people volunteer as nonpartisan elected local officials, and for the state to tell a local library board, Listen to the professionals, Follow the professionalsI dont understand why we have local elections anymore if a bill like this passes, McLaughlin said. The bills primary sponsor, Democrat state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, dismissed the local control argument as a racist dog whistle. According to Stava-Murray, she filed the legislation after members of right-wing group Proud Boys showed up at school board meetings in Downers Grove, a suburban district she represents, demanding that copies of Gender Queer be removed from libraries. The school board eventually decided to keep those books in circulation. Downers Grove has seen first-hand what some groups will try to do to prevent access to books that contain language or ideals that they disagree with, Stava-Murray said. Librarians and educators are dedicated to their schools and communities and serve out of a love of knowledge, reading and helping people. Its absurd to think that groups would seek to harass them and create animosity in our communities by driving cultural wedges in an effort to divide them. Poor Student Performance The debate over library books comes as K12 students in Illinois continue to underperform, despite the states effort to increase public school funding. According to a report published in February by independent policy research group Wirepoints, based on data from the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 53 schools in Illinois in which not a single student can do grade-level math, and 30 schools in which not a single student can read at grade level. The poor performance doesnt appear to be the result of a lack of funding. One of those schools, Spry Community Links High School in Chicago, spends more than $35,600 a year per student, but none of the 87 students there could read or do math at their grade level, according to Wirepoints. On average, Illinois K12 schools spend $16,277 per student, according to the Education Data Initiative. Thats up from about $13,300 in 2017 before Pritzker took office. IN-DEPTH: Intelligence Analyst Sounds Alarm on CCPs Influence Over WHO Through One Health Ideologies An intelligence analyst is sounding the alarm on the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) military strategy of influencing the World Health Organizations (WHO) policies through One Health ideologies. We are at war with the Chinese Communist Party, Brian OShea told The Epoch Times. Many people dont understand or see this becauseas the Chinese saythe God of War has many faces. In this case, the battlefield isnt men in uniform with artillery, OShea said. The battlefield is all around us, he said. OShea began his career with the Military Intelligence Corps, where he was trained in electronic warfare and various methods of intelligence analyses before he went into tactical military intelligence with the 1st Special Forces Group, then later the 5th Special Forces Group. I learned to spot the patterns and connect the dots, OShea said. Zooming in and zooming out, I looked at whats going on the ground and asked: How does this connect on the national level? How does this connect on an international level? OShea continued to work in intelligence after his 11 years with the special forces, eventually landing in the private sector working in competitive intelligence. Later, he decided that he wanted to offer his skill set to those who might think these services are out of reach, providing investigative aid and education to people who are being surveilled, stalked, or have even received death threats, which is how he met his wife: author and journalist Naomi Wolf. OShea, in addition to being the chief operating officer of Centurion Intelligence Partners, contributes as an investigative journalist to Wolfs Daily Clout platform. Drumbeat at Every Level of Society During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, OShea and Wolf witnessed policies not consistent with science but with authoritarian rule. I remember Naomi saying, Theyre never going to let us out, and I thought, Thats crazy, OShea said. But she was right. Then, as the vaccines emerged, OShea said he began to recognize the methods by which the propaganda fueling them was carried out. At first, I thought it was just strange that there was this push for a vaccine for a virus that even the early statistics showed had a 99-plus percent survival rate, OShea said. It just seemed like one of the programs I would have implemented to propagandize against terrorism. It had this drumbeat at every level of society. The more dots he connected, the more he saw what he believed to be a coordination of efforts. The same people pushing the dangers of the virus were the same people pushing this cure-all vaccine that was supposed to save the world, OShea said. One Healths Mission Creep Through its One Health ideology, the WHO can engineer a level of control over its member nations evocative of the CCPs dominance over its population by modeling and adopting the CCPs ecological civilization policies, OShea said. These policies, like One Health, eventually infiltrate every aspect of life. The WHO defines One Health as an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. The WHO presented a draft of a pandemic treaty in May at the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, where national leaders discussed the treaty and 307 proposed amendments to the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). The treaty described One Health as the interconnection of the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems). It seems reasonable, OShea said, because humans could very well be affected by the sickness of local wildlife. Where it gets dangerous is where One Health started having something called mission creep, OShea said. Mission creep is a military term defined as a mission expanding beyond its scope. Formerly called One Medicine, based on the holistic medical theory originating in the 1930s, One Health was revised to include policies such as regulating how governments spend money and how farmers manage agriculture. A surveillance system is incorporated to guarantee everyone is adhering to these One Health policies, OShea said, creating biosecurity to ensure biodiversity. The word surveillance is found 11 times in the WHOs treaty (pdf) titled Bureaus text of the WHO CA+, such as under Article 4 on page 7, where it states, The Parties shall take prevention and surveillance measures that are consistent with and supportive of effective implantation of the International Health Regulations. There are also guidelines detailed for combating what it calls an infodemic, defined as false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak. It causes confusion and risk-taking behaviors that can harm health, the document states. It also leads to mistrust in health authorities and undermines the public health response. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (C) speaks during a press conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on Dec. 20, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) Zoonotic Spillover and Eminent Domain Where it gets chilling is when it starts blaming humans for the reason for an outbreak, insisting on our actions that need to be changed, OShea said. Among One Healths objectives is the prevention of zoonotic spillover of pathogens from animals to humans, which the WHO maintains is the predominant cause of infectious disease, as well as the primary cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to OShea, the theory of spillover is intrinsic to One Healths increasing authority in the United States because if a virus like SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was created in a lab, then theres no need for One Health and its multitude of regulations to keep humans corralled into designated regions. Changing human behavior to adhere to One Healths blueprint is the ideologys solution to deter spillover. Without respect to the sovereignty of nations, it aims to manage the internal affairs of husbandry, agriculture, where and how people live, and where we do business, OShea said. To me, this sounds like eminent domain. One Healths Sleeper Agents The architecture of One Health has been built into almost every city, county, and state, as well as in academic institutions. OShea made a list on his Substack, which includes a One Health Committee within the Tennessee Department of Health and a North Carolina One Health Collaborative, each promoting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. If theres a pandemic, these institutions, like sleeper agents, will become activated and start following the One Health initiatives, OShea said. Another danger lies in One Healths control over biosafety level 4 laboratories, OShea said. Lets say another pandemic is declared, OShea said. How could we know if its real or not when they control the labs? According to OShea, by 2024, the global hub for information during a declared pandemic will be centralized at Fudan University in Shanghai, which has declared its allegiance to the CCP. Then, the CCP would control all the data, he said. Insidious and Ingenious In July 2020, former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO, only for President Joe Biden to reengage with the organization in one of his first acts in 2021, which held the countrys position as the WHOs top contributor at $109 million in 2022, with China coming in second at $57 million. Frank Gaffney, founder and president of the Center for Security Policy and author of The Indictment: Prosecuting the Chinese Communist Party & Friends for Crimes Against America, China, and the World, told The Epoch Times that the Biden administration had embraced the idea that the WHO ought to be responsible for the public health policy during a declared public health emergency. Gaffney, who also worked in the Reagan administration as the acting assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs, pointed to the 307 proposed amendments to the IHR, as well as a pandemic treaty that would give broad powers over to the WHO during such emergencies. An emergency doesnt have to be a pandemic, either, according to Gaffney. It could be anything that Tedros [WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus] decides is a public health emergency, such as climate change, gun violence, inadequate access to abortion or transgender affirming care, Gaffney said. It can be any number of things that have sweeping public policy implications that would be dictated by an unelected foreign entity. According to Gaffney, though this submission to the WHO is unconstitutional, it meets the CCPs goals to advance global governance, made possible by its ties with the WHO. The World Health Organization, as has become the case with almost every multilateral institution, is a creature of the Chinese Communist Party, Gaffney said. Through its influence on the leadership or its presence in the bureaucracy, Gaffney said, the CCP has the ability to bend these institutions to its will while using it to dismantle the sovereignty of the United States. Its insidious, ingenious, and its, unfortunately, an increasingly effective means of circumventing national governments in favor of the New World Order over which the CCP would be the dominant power, Gaffney said. Gaffney is a part of a new movement called the Sovereignty Coalition, an organization calling for the withdrawal of the United States from the WHO, lest we be forced to submit to its dictates. Americans had a foretaste of what these dictates would look like during the 2020 pandemic, Gaffney said, which Tedros and its top funders like Bill Gates have guaranteed will be followed by another. A handful of pedestrians walk through Times Square as streets remain relatively quiet due to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak in the Manhattan borough of New York City on May 5, 2020. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) I call that pandemic 1.0, Gaffney said. Despite the WHO having nothing but advisory powers of frankly not great value, the medical community in our country basically went along with its narrative. If you didnt like how that China model worked out, then you arent going to like what happens when the WHO has more authority to tell you what to do. Unrestricted Warfare Given the CCPs strategic goal of outright world domination by 2049, among OSheas solutions was the abolition of the CCP, not only for the world but also for Chinese citizens. Theyre the first victims of this totalitarianism under the Chinese Communist Party rule, OShea said. I think we need to be done with them completely. They are not a legitimate ruling government but an international crime syndicate. Freeing the Chinese people from their rule will have a great impact on the security and freedom around the world. The WHOs treaty itself is a weapon of the CCPs arsenal, according to OShea. If you look at the history of how the Chinese Communist Party fights wars, its always asymmetric or coming from a different angle, OShea said. When you look at the Peoples Liberation Armys ideology on war written by two Chinese colonels in 1999 called Unrestricted Warfare, you see that the first rule of war is that there are no rules, and the second is that everything is a battlefield. The treaty is a means to subvert sovereignty through the One Health ideology put into place years in advance, OShea said. What a great way to resolve to conquer people of a nation by having a set of rules already installed in their government that activates automatically when a guy you control at the World Health Organization calls a pandemic that no one can prove or disprove, he said. One Health neither cares for human nor animal health but is instead about the seizing of territory, OShea said. Its the weaponizing of the ecology to control not only people but also land, he said. Another solution OShea offered is to disassemble the monopoly of Health and Human Services (HHS), which OShea called One Healths entry point into the United States. Health and Human Services in this country seems to have more power than Congress and the president, OShea said. They run the NIH, the CDC, and the FDA, and now, through the pandemic, they can reach into our schools because school nurses are beholden to the HHS at a federal level. People Want to be American For OShea, there are several pieces at play on the chessboard that appear to have set up the CCPs checkmate over Americans, moves made with the complicity of the countrys own city, county, and state officials. But at the same time, God is putting us into place to counter these moves through awareness, he said. More people are beginning to see the truth, OShea said, and its gaining momentum, which OShea said he confirmed on a coast-to-coast road trip with Wolf during the pandemic when they spoke with people directly. People have a really bad impression of each other that has been reinforced and twisted by social and legacy media. The majority of people I met, regardless of political affiliation, want safety, freedom, and their religion to remain untouched, OShea said. Though it runs in opposition to the sanitization of humankind under a one-world government as projected by those who espouse the tenets of the CCP and the New World Order, OShea said what he found instead was, at the end of the day, People want to be American. More settlement plans by Benjamin Netanyahus government have ignited the anger of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PA is especially concerned that Israel is planning to reoccupy the West Bank to boost settlements, especially as incursions by the Israeli army into West Bank cities under full PA control are picking up pace. Raids on West Bank cities under PA control, as per the Oslo Peace Accords between the PA and Israel signed in 1993, have been the Israeli armys consistent policy. Israeli soldiers pursue and arrest wanted figures, destroy homes, and put towns under siege for days at a time. On 8 June, a large number of Israeli soldiers raided Ramallah at several entry points, seizing the city centre. They destroyed the home of Islam Al-Farouj, a Palestinian detainee. Palestinian forces and grassroots groups condemned the armys audacity of invading Ramallah, putting it under siege, and terrorising its residents. In response, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh declared: The raid by the Israeli army of Ramallah and demolishing a home in its centre is akin to full reoccupation of the West Bank The incumbent Israeli government has no regard for Palestinian sovereignty. According to the Oslo Accords, the West Bank is divided into Areas A, B and C. The first is under the full control of the PA; the second is under Israeli control; and Area C is under joint control by both sides. Ahmed Awad, a Palestinian political analyst, asserts that Netanyahus government wants to erase all that remains of the Oslo Accord, and has launched a process of full reoccupation of the Palestinian Territories. This demonstrates that the present government wants to scrap the two-state solution. Awad explained to Al-Ahram Weekly that Israels plan is to occupy in actuality all Palestinian cities and decimate the Palestinian people, putting them under siege by increasing barricades and constantly shutting down crossings. It is plotting to weaken the PA and link the latters future with political developments in Israel. He continued, there are massive encroachments by settlements and attempts to hijack the city of Jerusalem from the West Bank, eliminate Palestinian development and construction, and confiscate large amounts of wealth, and to take advantage of the security situation to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. Awad added: According to this scheme of Netanyahus right-wing government, the Palestinans have no hope of creating their own state. Action on the ground proves that Israel wants to impose control across all of the West Bank. He noted that talk of freezing and halting settlement projects is a lie and just a smokescreen for the global community and the US. Israel must be stopped by the force of international law. Israeli reports revealed that Netanyahu decided to postpone settlement plans in the West Bank to avoid the ire of Washington, especially plans that are seen as detrimental to a two-state solution. The Walla news website reported, Netanyahu postponed a meeting on a very sensitive settlement plan in Area E1 in Jerusalem as a result of pressure from US President Joe Bidens administration. The Hebrew website also said that Israeli and US officials said Area E1, located between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement, is a very sensitive area diplomatically and internationally explosive. It further quoted US officials as saying that building an Israeli settlement in the area will block geographical connectivity, making it difficult to create a Palestinian state in the future. The officials added that Bidens administration and the Europeans are worried about the plan by Netanyahus government and called for it to be dropped. The area E1 settlement project was approved before 2000 and covers almost 12,000 dunams (12 sq km), most of which is land that Israel declared state land that was annexed in the 1990s into the sphere of influence of Maale Adumim settlement, which covers some 48,000 dunams (48 sq km). Israel plans to connect Jerusalem with several Israeli settlements by confiscating Palestinian land, which will barricade Jerusalem and create a connected chain of illegal settlements that reach the border with Jordan. Incredibly, Netanyahu argued that settlements in the West Bank are not an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians The recent return of settlers to an evacuated settlement does not violate any obligations to the US administration. Last month, Israeli settlers returned to the Homesh settlement in the north of the West Bank, based on a Knesset law that cancelled the disengagement law resulting in the evacuation of four settlements in 2005. Some 700,000 settlers live in 279 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the UN Human Rights Committee. Since its formation late last year, Netanyahus right-wing coalition has promoted building thousands of new settlement units. The Palestinian presidency described Netanyahus statements as Israels attempt to deceive and mislead international public opinion, asserting that Jerusalem and settlements are key obstacles in reaching peace with Israelis in the region. Spokesman for the Palestinian Presidency Nabil Abu Rudeineh said, The land on which settlements are being built belongs to the Palestinian people. Israels extremist right-wing government led by Netanyahu continues to expand settlements to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Abu Rudeineh argued that the return of settlers to Homesh is an affront to international resolutions, stressing the need to put an end to Israeli actions that are leading the region to more violence and instability. The coalition agreements that formed Netanyahus right-wing government promote settlement building and imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Meanwhile, partners in the incumbent government coalition adamantly reject a two-state solution. In reality, Israel has completely destroyed any possibility of creating a Palestinian state in the future, according to Antwan Shalhat, a political analyst. Shalhat described any Israeli promises not to build settlements as sheer deception. He told the Weekly that the governments settlement plans are a de facto and furtive imposition of Israels sovereignty over the West Bank. He explained that the E1 plan is a serious settlement plot against the Palestinian people. Shalhat added, US pressure on Israel aims to prevent an explosive situation, not to protect the two-state solution. Therefore, the Israeli government will grab any chance to declare sovereignty over the West Bank. He concluded that Washington has no vision for reaching a settlement between the two sides, and Shalhat anticipated that the absence of a political vision will ignite security conditions, and increase clashes between the Palestinians and Israelis. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: IN-DEPTH: Trump Indictment Rests on Untested Legal Theory, Experts Say 'The Espionage Act has never been used to prosecute in this sort of a setting,' says former federal prosecutor Former President Donald Trump visits the Versailles restaurant in the Little Havana neighborhood after being arraigned at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Federal Courthouse in Miami, Fla., on June 13, 2023. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) The indictment of former President Donald Trump for holding military documents and obstructing the government from taking them is built on a novel legal theory that has multiple weaknesses, according to several lawyers and other experts. Trump was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges on June 13 and then laid out some details of his defense in a subsequent speech. Threatening me with 400 years of prison for possessing my own presidential papers, which just about every other president has done, is one of the most outrageous and vicious legal theories ever put forward in an American court of law, Trump said. The case has been portrayed in the media as being about Trumps retention of classified documents from his presidency. However, the charges sidestep that issue and instead use a clause in the Espionage Act that criminalizes a failure to hand over national defense information. The indictment further alleges that Trump and staffer Waltine Nauta hid some documents when the government demanded them through a subpoena. The alleged act violations impose a high burden of proof and raise the question of whether the statute should have been applied to begin with and, if not, whether the underlying investigation should serve as a basis for obstruction charges, some lawyers told The Epoch Times. The key legal issue here is the interplay between the Presidential Records Act and the Espionage Act, said Will Scharf, a former federal prosecutor. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 stipulates that after a president leaves office, the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) takes custody of all of his official records. The law allows former presidents to keep personal documents such as diaries, journals, or other personal notes not used for government business. If a former President or Vice President finds Presidential records among personal materials, he or she is expected to contact NARA in a timely manner to secure the transfer of those Presidential records to NARA, the archives website states. However, the Presidential Records Act isnt a criminal statute. If a former president refuses to turn over some documents or claims documents that are obviously official as personal, the worst he could face is a civil lawsuit. Theres little case law on such matters. In 2012, Judicial Watch tried to force former President Bill Clinton to turn over dozens of interview tapes from his presidency that he had kept. Clinton claimed that the tapes were personal, and the court sided with him. Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an appointee of President Barack Obama, went so far as to argue that the court had no way to second-guess a presidents assertion of what is or isnt personal. Since the President is completely entrusted with the management and even the disposal of Presidential records during his time in office, it would be difficult for this Court to conclude that Congress intended that he would have less authority to do what he pleases with what he considers to be his personal records, Jackson wrote. Trump called the case the crucial legal precedent that allowed him to keep whatever documents he wanted to keep. He noted that the Clinton tapes included conversations on sensitive topics such as trade negotiations and military activities, as well as conversations with foreign leaders.. The case was tried in the District of Columbia and isnt a controlling precedent in Florida, where Trump faces the charges. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now arguing that former presidents can be charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 for possession of documents that they kept from their presidencies. Thats a totally novel legal issue, Scharf said. Its never been tested before. The Espionage Act has never been used to prosecute in this sort of a setting. Some lawyers believe that the Espionage Act cant be used this way because it wasnt meant to be used in such a fashion. Before 1978, former presidents owned all documents from their presidencies, including any national defense information. There has never been any suggestion that their holding on to such documents violated the Espionage Act. Congress has been very, very clear that the act that applies to presidents and former presidents is the Presidential Records Act. The act that applies to everyone else is the Espionage Act, which has different requirements, said Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who represented Trump in another matter. Mike Davis of the conservative Article III Project voiced a similar opinion. Even if [the] President declassifies his presidential records and takes them when he leaves office, he can still get charged under Espionage Act. Promise that theory wont fly with [the] Supreme Court, he wrote in a tweet. Criminal Intent Much of the indictment rests on the allegation that Trump kept national defense documents willfully and with criminal intent. Yet the document falls short of providing evidence for such intent. On May 11, 2022, the DOJ obtained a subpoena compelling Trump to turn over all documents with classification markings, including electronic ones. One of the key claims is that Trump instructed Nauta to move boxes of documents around before his lawyer came to search the boxes for documents in response to the subpoena. Nauta allegedly took 64 boxesthree boxes on May 24, 50 boxes on May 20, and 11 boxes on June 1out of a storage room where Trump had kept items and documents from his presidency and moved them to Trumps residence at the resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Nauta then moved back 30 boxes on June 2, shortly before Trumps then-lawyer, Evan Corcoran, searched the storage room for the subpoenaed documents, according to the indictment, which refers to security camera footage obtained from Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort via a subpoena. The indictment alleges that the boxes were moved to hide responsive documents from Corcoran. It presents a text message in which Nauta said Trump told him to put some boxes in his room. I think he wanted to pick from them, Nauta wrote to an undisclosed member of Trumps family, in a text message. Theres no word of whether Trump, in fact, went through the boxes and, if so, what he was looking for. These boxes were containing all types of personal belongings, many many things, shirts and shoes and everything, Trump said. Moreover, based on the timeline sketched by the indictment, its unclear whether it would have been possible for Trump to review their contents. I hadnt had a chance to go through all the boxes. Its a long, tedious jobtakes a long timewhich I was prepared to do, but I have a very busy life, Trump said. On Aug. 8, 2022, when the FBI raided Trumps Mar-a-Lago home, 102 documents with classified markings were found in the storage room and in Trumps office. Some lawyers have argued that Trump should have challenged the subpoena in court because it was too broad. Its likely that Trump had many documents with classification markings that had been declassified. Reams of such documents are available online. Also, the subpoena mentioned nothing about national defense information, which doesnt need to bear classification markings. The indictment states that Trumps alleged crime of willfully retaining 31 specific documents related to national defense started on Jan. 21, 2021, after he allegedly caused boxes of materials from his presidency to be shipped to Mar-a-Lago. Details about moving the boxes to Mar-a-Lago remain unclear. Newsweek reported that 27 boxes were shipped to Trumps home by accident. Trumps former lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, said the documents were moved by the General Services Administration. The indictment doesnt explain how Trump was supposed to know about these specific documents. It presents no evidence of any criminal intention on Trumps part to take and keep these documents. There are serious, serious legal infirmities in the arguments that theyre using, Scharf said. If the Espionage Act charges wont withstand judicial scrutiny, the additional obstruction charges shouldnt stand on their own, he argued. Theres a longstanding DOJ practice that you dont indict for obstruction, or for really any process-related crime, unless theres underlying criminality, Scharf said. So if the DOJ launches an investigation into something, somebody allegedly obstructs that investigation, but it turns out the investigation itself wasnt well founded, that typically wont result in an indictment. When it comes to investigations involving Trump, however, prosecutors have mainly brought process-crime charges alone, such as in the cases of Trumps former national security adviser, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, and his 2016 presidential campaign adviser George Papadopoulos. I think in this case, especially, youre seeing this weaponization of process crimes that the FBI has begun to use, where they will, under some flimsy or some circumstantial premise, open an investigation on somebody for something and then during the course of that investigation hope that they can bring charges that are process crimes, said former FBI agent and whistleblower Steve Friend. Some commentary on the indictment focused on an audio recording in which Trump talks to a writer and a publisher for Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff. The transcript indicates Trump took out a document that he said was a plan for an attack on Iran prepared by the U.S. military. Trump called the document highly confidential and secret information, and the indictment notes that neither the writer nor the publisher had security clearances. But the charges dont include disclosure of classified information. Theres no indication that the document in question is even among those Trump is charged with illegally retaining. The Clinton Treatment There are indications that Trump expected to be able to deal with the government in a similar way as did Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In a CNN town hall earlier this year, Trump said that based on the Presidential Records Act, he was allowed to negotiate with NARA on what he could and couldnt keep as personal items. NARA has rejected such an interpretation, but Trump was likely referring to the 2012 Clinton case. The indictment also indicates that Trump questioned his lawyers on whether he could handle the subpoena similarly to how Hillary Clinton did in 2015, when her lawyers infamously sorted through her emails from her State Department tenure and had about half of them deleted, claiming that they werent work-related. The FBI later found out thousands of work-related emails were missing from the half handed over by her lawyers. Wouldnt it be better if we just told them we dont have anything here? Trump allegedly asked his lawyers, and recounted the Clinton episode multiple times. Binnall said that those were absolutely valid legal questions for Trump to raise. Youre saying, Well, wait a second. If legally [Clintons lawyers] were able to do this, and it worked, why cant we do it the same way? Prosecutorial Misconduct The latest case against Trump was brought by Jack Smith, a former federal prosecutor who was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland on Nov. 18, 2022. Smith has been criticized by Republicans for allowing his prosecutors to go rogue, both in this case and in his prior role as head of the DOJs Public Integrity Section. Binnall recalled that a decade ago, prosecutors under Smith violated a defendants constitutional rights before a grand jury, leading the court to dismiss charges against the defendant. In the same case, prosecutors seized his clients phone and failed to use a filter team to prevent the investigators from seeing Binnalls privileged communications with his client, he said. In the Trump case, Smith managed to get a judicial order to pierce Trumps client-attorney privilege during the initial grand jury proceedings in Washington before the case was moved to Florida. But that issue could be relitigated, Binnall suggested. I think youre going to see motions to suppress [evidence] based on the violation of attorney-client privilege, he said. Parlatore concurred, telling CBS News that much of the attorney-client communications disclosed in the indictment were legitimate questions from Trump that should never have been disclosed. I think that that did irreparably taint the grand jury proceedings, he said. Parlatore pointed out that the responsible district court judge, Beryl Howell, handed over Corcorans communications with Trump to prosecutors so quickly that it effectively denied Trump the right to appeal that decision and ask the circuit court to put it on hold. I would expect that this would get reversed, he said. Trumps lawyers also may try to remove from trial evidence obtained during the Mar-a-Lago raid on the grounds that the search warrant was overbroad, according to William Shipley, a former federal prosecutor who now represents many people charged in relation to the Jan. 6 Capitol protest and breach. The issue is the failure to describe with particularity the items to be seized, Shipley wrote in a tweet. Losing the raid evidence would seriously undermine or at least delay the case, he said. Suppressing the search stops the case dead in the water, and forces a trip to the Appeals Court for the Govt to defend the search, Shipley wrote in a tweet. Binnall also predicted that there will be attempts to have the case tossed for prosecutorial misconduct. Parlatore told the media that he saw multiple instances of such misconduct when he voluntarily sat down for questioning before a grand jury. One of the prosecutors accused him of refusing to answer a question that pertained to privileged attorney-client conversations, and Parlatore had to remind the jurors that he wasnt refusing but was rather barred by ethical rules from answering, he told CBS News. There also have been reports that prosecutors implied to the attorney for Nauta that his application for judgeship in Washington could be tied to his clients willingness to cooperate. That is another clear example of prosecutorial misconduct, Binnall said, arguing that Garlands appointment of Smith betrayed his bias. Personnel is always policy. Merrick Garland knew exactly what he was getting when he appointed Jack Smith, the special counsel. He appointed a zealot. He appointed a Trump hater. He appointed somebody that he knew was going to stop at nothing to go after and get Trump. The contrast between Smiths aggressive pursuit of the case and the FBIs cautious approach in its investigation of Hillary Clintons emails speaks to unequal application of the law, he said. What we have right here is the very idea that you would always find an excuse to give a pass to people like [President] Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, and always find an excuse to go after Donald Trump, Binnall said. Update: The article was updated with additional information. Journalists Banned From Using Cameras, Cellphones in Courthouse During Trumps Arraignment Former U.S. President Donald Trump is accompanied by members of his legal team, Susan Necheles and Joe Tacopina, as he appears in court for an arraignment on charges stemming from his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, in New York City on April 4, 2023. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Journalists covering former President Donald Trumps upcoming arraignment in Miami are banned from bringing cellphones and other electronic equipment into the courtroom, the chief district judge of the Florida federal court ruled on June 12, shortly after a separate judge ruled that the case will not be televised. The ban covers all news reporters and other members of the media who will be present inside the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami on June 13, Judge Cecilia Altonaga said in her ruling (pdf) on Monday. Trump is expected to appear at the courthouse in downtown Miami at around 3 p.m. to face charges in the federal governments classified document case. According to Altonaga, the U.S. Marshals Service will continue to inspect all cellular phones and other electronic equipment as they are brought into the federal courthouse facilities as directed to protect the Bench, Bar, and public from harm. Anyone violating the ban risks a 30-day prison sentence, a $5,000 fine, and punishment for contempt of court, the judge concluded. Along with cellphones being banned from Trumps arraignment on Tuesday, cameras will also be prohibited from the courtroom after a separate judge ruled on that matter Monday. In a four-page ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman denied a request by a group of local and national news media organizations known collectively as the Press Coalition to allow for a limited number of photographs and video recordings in the courtroom or outside the corridor on the day of Trumps arraignment. Former President Donald Trump arrives at the Miami International Airport on June 12, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Public Interest Unprecedented The news organizationswhich include ABC News, The Associated Press, Bloomberg, CBS News, NBC News, Reuters, The New York Times, and othersalso asked that the recordings of the arraignment taken inside the courtroom be released to the public immediately along with recordings of future proceedings in the case. As the Court is aware, this is the first federal indictment ever brought against a former President of the United States. The American publics interest in this case is beyond exaggeration, the group wrote in their motion (pdf). The unprecedented and historic nature of these proceedings warrants same-day access to these recordings, they wrote. The need for immediate audio recordings is further heightened by the tense political atmospherics of this case. The group went on to claim that a lack of camera presence in the courtroom could lead to wild speculation and conjecture among the general public, noting that the former president has alleged that the entire case against him is a political witch hunt. Because Mr. Trump has alleged that this entire case is an illegitimate witch hunt, the actions of the judiciary, prosecution, and defense will receive exceptional scrutiny, and any informational vacuum will be filled with wild speculation and conjecture. Complete transparencyin the form of swift availability of audio recordingswill both ensure the integrity and legitimacy of the case and keep Americans informed about this critically important matter, the group wrote. This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in a bathroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. (Department of Justice via AP) Trump Indictment Charges However, Goodman ultimately rejected the request, noting that allowing photographs would undermine the massive security arrangements put in place. Additionally, the judge noted that the immediate release of the recordings was also not warranted as Trumps arraignment will be very much a public affair, with a limited amount of ordinary citizens permitted to attend. Goodman added that because there will not be enough in-court seats to accommodate everyone who would like to be present, there will be a live video feed broadcast in a spillover room where reporters can go to provide updates on the court proceedings. Based on these reasons, the Undersigned denies, but without prejudice, the motion, the judge concluded. The Department of Justice indicted Trump last week on 37 counts of federal charges in connection with claims that he allegedly mishandled classified documents. The indictment alleges that the former president willfully retained national defense information, made false statements, and conspired to obstruct justice. He faces a maximum of 400 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Trump, who is currently on the campaign trail after announcing a run for the 2024 presidential election, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to plead not guilty in court on Tuesday. The former president has also vowed not to drop out of the 2024 competition, regardless of whether or not he is found guilty, and polls show that he is still the leading Republican candidate. Labors Attempt to Appease Greens Fall Flat as Greens Cling to Rent Freezes Greens MP Chandler-Mather speaks during the Greens national campaign in Brisbane, Australia, on May 16, 2022. (Dan Peled/Getty Images) The Greens are being chastised for their failure to support one of Labors key legislative policies, the Housing Affordability Future Fund (HAFF), after the government rejected their demand of a country-wide rental freeze, with the Prime Minister calling them difficult. This is despite the announcement the government would make key changes to the bill that would address the concerns raised by the Senate crossbenchers, including dumping the Greens partys major concern over the $500 million ($338 million) cap for earnings distributed to housing. It will now guarantee that a minimum of $500 million per year will be used to generate new housing from 2024-25. Speaking on ABC Radio Breakfast on June 13, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the Greens were being very difficult on this issue. The truth is that the Federal Government has no control over rents, and so the Greens are being quite difficult here, he said. Its in the control of the state and territory governments, and there are eight of them, and each of them will determine their own policies. We want a renters rights accord at the federal level, but that basically requires the state and territory governments to come to an agreement on that. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the Jobs and Skills Summit at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 1, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images) The prime minister explained that although he had secured a verbal agreement at the National Cabinet that the Premiers would talk about the rental situation, each of the eight different states and territories in Australia all had different policies on rental income and that it was not possible to just tick off the Greens policy idea. It seems to me that at this point, Greens are saying, no, we dont want $10 billion; we want more than that, so well vote against the $10 billion. That makes no sense, he said. The truth is that this is a $10 billion fund that will boost housing supply for people in social and affordable housing. It will also boost supply for women and children escaping domestic violence, for veterans, for people in remote communities, and you cant say that you support additional funding for housing and then reject a $10 billion fund thats going to provide just that. The prime minister said that all of the experts the government consulted with have said that the key to solving the crisis is additional supply, and noted that the federal government was already putting $1.6 billion into social housing just in the coming year, and through the National Housing Accord with industry and unions and community housing groups build a million additional houses. The federal government has also created a series of tax incentives in the federal budget to encourage build-to-rent schemes, which is estimated to result in between 150,000 and 250,000 additional dwellings. Additionally, on June 13, Housing Minister Julie Collins announced the government had also amended the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporations (NHFIC) investment liability cap from $5.5 billion to $7.5 billion, which is expected to support around 7,000 more new social and affordable dwellings. Greens Maintain Hardline Stance Greens Housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather has said these changes are not enough. All the government has done here is close a loophole that could have seen no money spent in any given year, he told Sky News Australia. To be frank, they havent addressed the two key concerns the Greens have put forward again and again for eight months, which is firstly more guaranteed funding for public and affordable housing. And a billion dollars on the table to incentivize a national freeze on rent increase. Lets be clear, what the government is proposing is to not spend any money for 12 months times and then only $500 mullion, not index it for six years and not build a single home until 2025. That is not a response to the worst housing crisis this country has faced in generations. (L-R) Greens candidate for the seat of Griffith Max Chandler-Mather, party leader Adam Bandt, Queensland senate candidate Penny Allman-Payne and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters take a selfie during the Greens national campaign launch at Black Hops Brewery in Brisbane, Australia, on May 16, 2022. (Dan Peled/Getty Images) He said that the Greens wanted to keep on negotiating with the government, but they were frustrated the government was not budging on these two key issues. The governments own body has said to tackle the housing crisis, it needs $15 billion of investment in public and affordable housing every year, he said. He said that what the Greens were proposing was not impossible. Many states and territories froze rents during the pandemic, he said, noting that it was done in an emergency situation that Australia faces right now. It is not sustainable in the country to have unlimited rent increases. Greens Should be Disgusted With Themselves: Senator The Greens hardline stance on the HAFF bill has also caused pushback from independent senators who support the bill. Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie, from the Jacqui Lambie Network, has said the only people holding up this bill are the Greens. Australian Senator Jacqui Lambie in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Sept. 9, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Quite frankly, they should be disgusted with themselves, she said. You might want to go and talk to your member while your there, you green machine, because theyre not bloody happy with you either. She called for them to pass the HAFF legislation. Last Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten Says the CCP Tries to Rewrite History Chris Patten spoke on June 8, at a virtual launch of the Chinese translation of his new book 'The Hong Kong Diaries' Chris Patten spoke at the virtual launch of the Chinese translation of his new book "The Hong Kong Diaries" on June 8, 2023. (Screenshot via YouTube/) The Chinese translation of The Hong Kong Diaries authored by the last governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, was recently published in Taiwan. The publisher, Black Body Culture, invited Patten to attend an online sharing session on June 8. During the session, Patten criticized the CCP for being like a 19th-century colonial power and lacking the ability to economically and politically reform. He accused them of distorting history by claiming that Hong Kong was never a British colony. The Hong Kong Diaries is a collection of Pattens diary entries during his tenure as governor from 1992 to 1997. It describes the governance of Hong Kong as a British colony and the events leading up to its sovereignty transfer. In his diary, he recorded negotiations with Chinese representatives and his emotions when leaving Hong Kong in 1997. He was not sure then if Hong Kong could maintain its status as an international city. Patten described in his book that being the Hong Kong governor as one of the most important positions in his career and shared what happened during his term as the governor and to the Hong Kong people. He urged people to continue to express their concerns about Hong Kong and speak up for its citizens for free speech, right of assembly, or the right to choose their own government, as they had in the past. In his book, he describes his tenure as the Governor of Hong Kong as a very important part of his public service career, perhaps the most important position he has ever held in his life. He believes that what happens in Hong Kong in the next few years is of vital importance to all of us, so we must continue to express our concern and voice for Hong Kong, to show that we share the values of the people of Hong Kong in their courageous struggle for freedom and democracy. Patten said at the virtual launch that Taiwan was a free society, and Hong Kong was once the same. He recalled that when he first served as governor of Hong Kong, he felt it was an extraordinary and very different job. He believed that it was very difficult to hand over Hong Kong to the Communist Party of China, that is to give Hong Kong, a free society to a society that is not. When the British government tried to push for democracy in Hong Kong faster, it was opposed by the CCP, as they feared that Hong Kong would become independent like Singapore or Malaysia. Patten admitted that the British were slow in pushing for democratic development in Hong Kong, but they handed over a free and open society to China. Patten pointed out that the CCP promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law that Hong Kongs existing way of life, open society, and high degree of autonomy would be retained for 50 years after 1997, which the then CCP leader Deng Xiaoping called One Country, Two Systems. This slogan is now very familiar in Taiwan because it was originally used to deal with Beijings relationship with Taiwan. He added that there was a difference between the rule of law and rule by law which is what is happening in China. Chris Patten: The CCP Tries to Rewrite History Patten said that the only colonial power today is China, which acts like a 19th-century colonial power in many respects, incapable of economic and political reform. He said that he CCP is trying to tamper with history by claiming that Hong Kong was never a British colony, and was never run by the British colonial empire, and it was an occupied territory. Patten said Hong Kong was occupied by Chinese mainland refugees who fled from Great Famine, Great Leap Forward, and Cultural Revolution. People like Jimmy Lai, who is now imprisoned fled to Hong Kong, a haven and British colony, to escape from the CCP, which was a humiliation for the CCP. Patten said that in the early stage of the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, the CCP largely left Hong Kong on its own, but the situation began to change from 2010 to 2012. The CCP broke its promise and was afraid of losing control over Hong Kong. Sang Pu: Patten, the Best Governor of Hong Kong The guests of the online sharing session include Sang Pu, President of Taiwan Hong Kong Association, Ping Lu, former director of Kwang Hwa Information and Cultural Center, Tristan Y J Liu, President of Taiwan Thinktank, and Lai I-chung, former Vice President at The Taiwan Thinktank. Sang Pu said he was born in Hong Kong and completed his primary and secondary education under the governance of Chris Patten. He praised Patten as the best governor he had ever seen and was moved by the book Hong Kong Diary. Sang Pu asked how much help the UK can provide to Hong Kong and British Hongkongers, given that the British government has already given a helping hand to Hong Kong by extending the BNO visas and other means, and over 100,000 Hongkongers having immigrated to the UK. Patten responded that about 140,000 Hong Kongers have immigrated to the UK in the past one or two years, including teachers, lawyers, former civil servants, and entrepreneurs and they have made great contributions. For example, Pattens alma mater recently hired a new chemistry teacher who is a recent immigrant from Hong Kong to the UK. A few days ago in Oxford, he met a couple from Hong Kong whose son had just graduated from medicine and was applying for a job in the National Health Service, so the UK has benefited greatly from Hong Kong immigrants, who have a lot of talent. Patten revealed that he recently wrote to the British Foreign Secretary asking under what circumstances Britain would directly negotiate with CCP on Jimmy Lais case. Regarding why CCP hates Jimmy Lai so much, Patten believed that Lai was a refugee fleeing CCP who later achieved great success in a free society and another reason is that Lai could have escaped Hong Kong with his money at any time for Britain, United States, or Taiwan, but he chose to stay in Hong Kong. What the Communists hate, probably more than everything else, is people who have the guts to stand up for what they believe in, Patten said. Legal Group Demands Investigation of Navy Drag Queen Digital Ambassador Over Highly Partisan Social Media Posts Members of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon participate in a morning performance at Ground Zero during Fleet Week in Manhattan in New York City on May 25, 2023. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) America First Legal (AFL), a conservative non-profit legal group with ties to former President Donald Trump, is demanding an investigation into highly partisan comments made by a U.S. Navy sailor who had until recently been a digital ambassador for the military service. In a Monday letter (pdf), AFL demanded Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro direct the service to initiate an investigation of Yeoman Second Class Joshua Kelley, a drag-performing sailor who goes by the alter-ego Harpy Daniels. AFL said Kelley appears to have repeatedly violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice by engaging in partisan politics, acting disrespectfully towards his superiors in public forums, bringing discredit upon the military through obscene social media posts, and wearing the uniform under circumstances that imply Navy endorsement of personal views and activity. Department of Defense policy prohibits military members from solicit[ing] votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause whether or not they are in uniform. AFL noted a verified Twitter account affiliated with Kelleys Harpy Daniels alter-ego shared posts on social media advocating for people to vote for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams in Georgia in 2018 and other Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterms. Kelley also retweeted campaign materials by President Joe Bidens 2020 Democratic presidential campaign. In September of 2020, the Harpy Daniels Twitter account retweeted a post accusing Trump of refusing to condemn white supremacy and calling for people to vote this piece of [expletive] out. The Harpy Daniels Twitter account also retweeted a call to criminally charge Trump last year, sharing a message that read charge the [expletive] already. AFL noted political conservatives who had engaged in similar partisan commentary had been discharged from the military. U.S. Marine Sgt. Gary Stein received an other than honorable discharge and lost some of his military benefits after he formed a Facebook group in 2012 called Armed Forces Tea Party and posted a comment: Screw [President Barrack Obama]. I will not follow all orders from him. In addition to Kelleys alleged political commentary, AFLs letter to the Navy also noted disparaging comments Kelley allegedly said about his military leaders. In 2019, the Harpy Daniels Twitter profile tweeted that All of 7th fleet is lazya comment AFL interpreted as a knock on the leadership of Navy Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer and Rear Admiral Ted LeClaire. AFL noted Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was discharged after criticizing military leadership for its handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021; an event in which 13 U.S. troops were killed and 18 more were injured. AFL called for the Department of the Navy to impose a similar disciplinary action against Kelley as it had against Stein and Scheller and said failure to do so will create the appearance that it is sheltering YN2 Kelley not because his actions are appropriate, but rather because his partisan views are the official or unofficial views of the United States Navy itself. Kelley Was Navy Digital Ambassador In addition to Kelleys alleged partisan comments and criticism of military leaders, AFL argued that Kelleys repeated social media posts of himself in uniform alongside photos as his drag alter ego and graphic references he allegedly made about his sexual activity brought discredit to the armed forces and constituted a misuse of his military uniform. AFL raised concern that the Harpy Daniels social media accounts lacked disclaimers that separate the posts from the official views of the Navy. Rather than serving as a cause for disciplinary action, Kelleys social media presence had actually served as a recruiting tool for the Navy. Last month, the Navy revealed that his alter ego had been part of an official Digital Ambassador program, relying on his and other sailors social media clout to attract new recruits. The ambassadorship was a pilot program that last from October 2022 until March 2023. Fourteen Republican U.S. senators sent a letter to Del Toro last month, demanding answers about the pilot digital ambassador program, including whether taxpayer funding went to the program. The Navy has said its digital ambassadors were not compensated for their participation in the program. The Navy has provided few additional details about how the digital ambassador program worked and how it assessed the recruiting performance of its ambassadors. The pilot has concluded; we are evaluating the program and how it will exist in the future, a Navy spokesperson told NTD News last month. NTD News sought to reach out to Kelley for comment on Tuesday but Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok accounts affiliated with the sailor have all been set to private mode. NTD News also reached out to the Navy for comment but did not receive a response by the time this article was published. From NTD News Majority of Canadians Say Ottawa Mishandled Foreign Interference: Poll Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thumbs through the First Report by David Johnston, former special rapporteur on foreign Interference, during a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 23, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) A new Nanos Research poll says the majority of Canadians believe the Liberal government bungled the response to allegations of Chinese interference in the countrys elections. A majority also said Canada should decrease its trade with China. According to the June report commissioned by Bloomberg News, 33 percent of Canadians polled rated the Liberal governments response to foreign interference as very poor, while 22 percent said the response had been poor. In comparison, 2 percent said the government that done a very good job, 12 percent said it had done a good job, and 24 percent said its response had been average. Canadians are clearly ready for a reset on the management of allegations of foreign interference, Chief Data Scientist Nik Nanos told Bloomberg News. The poll, which surveyed 1,096 Canadians from May 31 to June 3, was conducted before news broke on June 9 that then-special rapporteur David Johnston, who was hired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate the issue of foreign interference, had resigned from his position. The former governor general had been heavily criticized by opposition parties for refusing to call for a public inquiry into the interference matter, as well as having personal connections with the prime minister and the Trudeau Foundation. A May 26 poll from Angus Reid found that 52 percent of respondents believed Johnston should have called for a public inquiry, 32 percent thought it was unnecessary, and 16 percent were unsure. The poll also found that 63 percent of Canadians were either not really confident or not confident at all in the federal governments ability to combat foreign election interference. Trade With China The poll found that a majority of Canadians wanted to see the country decrease its future trade relationship with China. A total of 55 percent said the relationship should be decreased, 7 percent said it should be increased, and 26 percent said it should stay the same. In a December 2022 poll, 45 percent said Canada should decrease its future trade relationship with China, 10 percent said it should be increased, and 28 percent said it should stay the same. Nanos told Bloomberg News that the recent poll results show that the Chinese regime is top of mind for Canadians, who are not only souring on the Canada-China relationship, but a majority would like to see less trade with China. The margin of error for this survey is 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. China is currently Canadas second-largest trading partner, importing Canadian goods totaling $28.6 billion in 2022. Canada currently has a $54.9 billion trade deficit with China. Many Student-Loan Borrowers at Risk of Defaulting, Consumer Protection Bureau Warns With student-loan repayments resuming this fall, approximately one in five borrowers have some financial risk factor that may make them fall behind on payments, according to new research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Americans owe $1.77 trillion in federal and private student loan debt as of the first quarter of 2023. Nearly 20 percent of borrowers, about 5.9 million, have two or more risk factors that indicate they will struggle with making their student loan payments according to the June 7 CFPB report. Thats up from the estimated 5.1 million borrowers who were at risk in April 2022. Further, more than one in 13 student-loan borrowers are behind on some other repayment obligations, an increase from before the pandemic. As of March, around 2.5 million people with student debt were delinquent on another one of their loans or payments, the report found. Thats 200,000 more borrowers with a delinquency, compared with last September. The rising delinquencies mean that more borrowers will be at risk of defaulting when payments resume after a three-year pause. These borrowers might be unable to make payments on their student loans if they are already missing payments on their credit cards or auto loans, which research suggests people often prioritize over their student loans, Kentia Elbaum, a spokesperson for the CFPB, told CNBC. The CFPB has tracked the credit health of student borrowers during the pandemic. The bureaus data are based on a sample that represents about 32 million federal student-loan borrowers. Its latest update comes as borrowers await a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether the Biden administration can carry out its one-time debt-relief plan. The court is expected to release its decision by late June or early July. Under the proposal, individual borrowers who made less than $125,000 in either 2020 or 2021 and married couples or heads of households who made less than $250,000 a year could see up to $10,000 of their federal student-loan debt forgiven. If a qualifying borrower also received a federal Pell grant while enrolled in college, the individual is eligible for up to $20,000 of debt forgiveness. Originally, the pause on federal student-loan payments was put in place to help borrowers struggling financially due to the pandemic. However, the bipartisan debt-ceiling deal signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this month includes a provision that prevents the Biden administration from extending the pause on federal student-loan repayments. The repayment date has been extended a total of eight times under both the Biden and Trump administrations. Student-loan interest will resume starting on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October. We will notify borrowers well before payments restart, the Department of Education said in a statement sent to CNN on June 12. The Department of Education has said that it will be in direct communication with borrowers and ramp up its communication with student loan servicers before repayment resumes. Student-loan experts recommend that borrowers reach out to their student-loan servicer with any questions about their loans as soon as possible, especially if they are interested in enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan. Those plans, which set payments based on income and family size, can lower monthly payments but require borrowers to submit some paperwork. Federal student loan borrowers can check the Federal Student Aid website for updates on resuming payments. How is Capitol Hill reacting to Trumps second indictment? Some say it demonstrates holding the most powerful accountable. Others say that the law is not being applied equally. NTDs Melina Wisecup had a reaction from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the Hill. Former President Donald Trump is now in Miami. What can be expected as he faces another historic arraignment Tuesday, and what are his supporters saying? A former assistant U.S. attorney explains to us the severity of Trumps charges. How likely is it that Trump is going to be convicted, and how valid are the charges? Fox News reportedly sent star host Tucker Carlson a cease-and-desist letter over his new Twitter show. Dangerous chemicals may be in the food we give to babies. We hear from a health expert on the food supply for our young ones. Lawmakers, commentators, and others accused the Biden administration of violating the U.S. flag code after an LGBT event on the White House lawn. McCarthy Rips CNN for Hiring Clapper, McCabe in Response to Questions on Trump House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to the press after meeting President Joe Biden to discuss the debt limit at the White House in Washington, on May 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) slammed CNN on June 12 as he was being pressed about the indictment against former President Donald Trump over his handing of classified documents. The idea of equal justice is not playing out here, McCarthy told a group of reporters at Capitol Hill, referring to how Trump and President Joe Biden were treated differently over their retention of government records. Youre with CNN, right? McCarthy asked the reporter questioning him. When the reporter confirmed that she was, McCarthy questioned why the network had hired Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director who was fired in March 2019 after a Justice Department internal review found that he had made an unauthorized disclosure to the news media and lacked candorincluding under oathon multiple occasions. This is a different set of circumstances, the reporter interjected, and asked whether McCarthy was prepared to defend Trump in light of the charges against him, as well as what steps the House would take next. Are you prepared to defend your network, CNN? McCarthy replied. Even though your network can hire Andrew McCabe, who was fired from the FBI for leaking classified documentsdid you remove him from your network? No, you continue to put him on to give judgment against President Trump. You also hire [James] Clapper. The CNN reporter again asked McCarthy what steps the House would take, such as defunding the FBI or the Justice Department. McCarthy appeared to ignore the question, returning instead to CNNs employment of Clapper, the former director of national intelligence who Republicans had previously accused of leaking information to media outlets and then lying about it to Congress. Then Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies during a hearing before the House Select Intelligence Committee on Nov. 17, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Clapper was among the 51 signatories of an open letter that dismissed the New York Posts October 2020 report that exposed the explosive contents of a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden. The letter said that the arrival on the U.S. political scene of emails purportedly belonging to Vice President Bidens son Hunter, much of it related to his time serving on the Board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Subsequent reporting has confirmed that the laptop wasnt part of a Russian disinformation campaign, but had been abandoned at a computer repair shop by its owner. Some of the contents found on the laptop included embarrassing photos of Hunter Biden, including one apparently showing him having passed out while smoking a crack pipe. So your network hires Clapper, who literally lied to the American publicone of 51 other individuals that had briefings, and used it politically, to tell the American public that a laptop was Russia collusion, even though it had all this information about the Biden administration, the speaker said. Are you prepared to get rid of those people from your network? Because my concern as a policymaker is that when you weaponize government, and now youre weaponizing [television] networks, that is wrong, he continued. We will take all of our power to make sure that the legal system in America gets the blinders back on and people are treated fairly. I have a real problem that your network actually pays people who did classified information and then lied to the American public to try to influence a presidential electionand then you put them on your network to give an opinion about a president. CNN didnt immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the stage after delivering remarks the North Carolina Republican Partys annual state convention in Greensboro, N.C., on June 10, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Trump appeared in a Miami courtroom on Tuesday, and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Last week, the Department of Justice indicted Trump on dozens of charges related to allegations of his mishandling classified documents. Trump has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, and recently said he would not drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Shortly after Trump announced he had been indicted, McCarthy said, Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades, McCarthy wrote on Twitter. I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice. House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable. Tom Ozimek and Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Netherlands to Screen Foreign Doctoral Students in Tech Fields, Citing Security Risks A Chinese student is pictured arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on January 11, 2023. (Lin Dan/The Epoch Times) The Netherlands is citing possible security risks as it ponders legislation that would see screening of international students who intend to pursue doctoral studies in technical professions, a spokesperson for the Education Ministry announced on Monday. The move is the most recent step taken by the Dutch government to hinder Chinese entities and students from accessing Dutch technology. According to the ministry, however, the new law would apply to all students coming from outside the European Union, and not just Chinese. Dutch universities are also increasingly reluctant to accept doctoral students with scholarships subsidized by the Chinese government, with knowledge security listed as the main reason, local media reported. In particular, doctoral candidates from Chinas National University of Defense Technology and the so-called Seven Sonsa group of seven universities with strong ties to the Chinese militaryare increasingly being rejected. Probe Into Chinese Doctoral Candidates In April, Dutch Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf announced a probe that would look into the total number of PhD candidates on a China Scholarship Council (CSC) as well as the fields in which they are active in the Netherlands. The investigation should shed more light on the type of contractual conditions under which the doctoral candidates travel to the Netherlands to work, according to Dijkgraaf. Additionally, the minister said he planned to inquire with the umbrella body Universities of The Netherlands (UNL) about the possibility of imposing harsher limits on organizations that offer foreign scholarships. According to Dijkgraaf, all universities are currently conducting risk analyses with respect to knowledge security, which also cover scholarship programs and doctoral candidates receiving financial aid. Approximately 2,000 doctoral candidates are now enrolled in the Netherlands on scholarships provided by the CSC. China has fallen from second to fifth on the list of the most common foreign countries of origin according to the nonprofit Nuffic, which promotes international educational cooperation at Dutch universities. Chinathe Biggest Threat The annual report published in April by the Dutch intelligence agency warned that countries wishing to steal expertise are drawn to the Netherlands, with China recognized as being the biggest threat. China uses both legitimate investments, corporate takeovers and academic cooperation, as well as illegal (digital) espionage, insiders, covert investments, and illegal export. Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and scientists are regularly victims of this, the report reads. Although China is a significant commercial partner for the Netherlands, efforts to acquire Dutch and Western technologies are being driven by Chinas military goals, the document notes. Blocking China From Key Semiconductor Technology In March, the Dutch government agreed to block China from having access to chip manufacturing technology, heating up a longstanding conflict with Beijing over semiconductors. The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, told the Dutch parliament on March 8 that the proposed limitations on CCP access to sensitively designed advanced equipmentwhich uses ultraviolet light to etch circuits on processor chipswas essential on security and human rights grounds. ASML Holdings, which is based in Veldhoven in the Netherlands, is the worlds only producer of equipment that uses extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) to etch microscopically precise circuits onto silicon, allowing them to be packed more closely togetherthus boosting their speed and reducing their power demand. The trade minister did not directly mention China or ASMLarguably Europes most critical tech firm and one of the largest global suppliers of semiconductor equipmentin her letter to parliament. In view of technological developments and geopolitical context, the government has come to the conclusion that it is necessary for (inter)national security to extend the existing export control of specific semiconductor production equipment, wrote Schreinemacher. She said the new measures target only very specific technologies in the semiconductor production cycle on which the Netherlands has a unique and leading position, such as the most advanced Deep Ultra Violet (DUV) immersion lithography and deposition. Semiconductor Security Pact The restrictions came after January talks between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and President Joe Biden on advanced chip technology made by ASML Holdings, as well as other security issues. Tech industry experts say that the lack of access to ASMLs latest advanced manufacturing technology has become a serious handicap in the Chinese communist regimes long-term plans to develop its own state-of-the-art chip industry. Chinese manufacturers are currently only able to produce low-end chips used in vehicles and in common consumer electronics, but not those used in smartphones, servers, and other high-end products. Bryan Jung contributed to this report. How far will Iran go in reaching out to the Arab countries and seeking to reestablish relations, asks Dina Ezzat Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said this week that Tehran is keen on improving relations and expanding cooperation with neighbouring Arab and Muslim countries, including its immediate neighbours in the Gulf. The statement came during Kanaanis weekly press briefing on 12 June. He said that the Iranian government was prioritising diplomatic efforts to improve relations with neighbouring countries. However, in response to a statement from the foreign ministers meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on Sunday that called on Iran to pursue a negotiated settlement for three disputed islands with the UAE (the Greater and Lesser Tunabs and Abu Musa), Kanaani said that Tehran considered these islands to be part of its sovereign territory. Meanwhile, he specifically referred to Tehrans willingness to reciprocate any move on the part of Cairo to upgrade diplomatic representation. His statement on a possible upgrading of relations between Iran and Egypt is the third such statement from an Iranian official over the past two weeks. Tehrans reaching out to its neighbours comes against the backdrop of a major breakthrough in its relations with Riyadh. Last week, Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh after seven years of severed relations between the two leading Gulf countries. The rapprochement was secured during secret talks mediated by Oman, the GCC state with the closest ties to Iran, Russia and China, with the latter officially brokering the deal in Beijing earlier this year. In a statement on the reopening, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli said it was a sign that cooperation was entering a new era. Earlier this month, Tehran had already proposed a new naval scheme for the Gulf that would include Iranian-Saudi cooperation. Commander of Irans Navy Shahram Irani said that his country and Saudi Arabia, possibly along with other Gulf countries, were considering a naval alliance. This might expand to include both Pakistan and India, he said. Iran is moving to reposition itself as a country that is reaching out for cooperation rather than a country that is focused on confrontation, said one Cairo-based European diplomat. This was coming in parallel to Irans slow openness to working with UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to reach a compromise on the monitoring of Irans nuclear programme and its on-going talks with the Western countries despite the failure to relaunch the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action the Iran nuclear agreement) at least for now, he said. This week, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said that cooperation between the nuclear watchdog and Iran was very slow. He said that some progress had been made even if not up to his expectations. French President Emmanuel Macron and Iranian counterpart, President Ebrahim Raisi also had a lengthy telephone call to discuss ways to promote ties. Informed regional diplomatic sources say that Iran has been holding unannounced talks with representatives of some Arab countries in the hope of giving a push to some forms of cooperation and possibly to upgrading diplomatic relations. According to the same sources, the talks are partially taking place in Iraq, which has been acting as a mediator for Iranian-Arab relations, and partially in Oman, which has an established role in promoting engagement over confrontation with Iran. The same sources said that it might be easier for Iran to fully relaunch relations with some Arab countries, including Jordan and Bahrain, than with others, including Egypt. In March this year, Kanaani said that a thaw in relations with Saudi Arabia could help improve Irans relations with Jordan, Bahrain, and Egypt. Amman has an embassy in Tehran. Manama cut relations with Tehran in 2016, along with its closest Gulf ally, Riyadh. Cairo and Tehran have not had full diplomatic relations since 1979, when Iran decided to sever relations with Egypt over Cairos decision to host Irans ousted former Shah and to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Since then, all attempts to re-work relations between Cairo and Tehran have failed, partially due to complicated regional dynamics, including the close alliance between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and partially due to Egypts profound security concerns over Irans possible ulterior political motives, including the traditional concern over the promotion of Islamist rule, always a clear red line for Cairo. However, an informed Egyptian source said that these security concerns have taken a back seat in view of the new approach that Iran is now taking. He said that Iran wants to open up to the region and knows that there is a political price to pay for this, including providing essential security guarantees to Arab capitals including Cairo. The source said that the Egyptian concerns have been subject to direct and indirect consultations, with several Arab mediators involved. He added that also under consultation were opportunities for economic cooperation between Iran and Egypt, especially in collaboration with other countries and possibly Iraq and Jordan. In April, the foreign ministers of Jordan and Iran, Ayman Al-Safadi and Hossein Amir Abdollahian, announced a telephone call to discuss bilateral relations. In March, Abdollahian spoke of work in progress to normalise relations between his country and Bahrain. However, no statements on a possible normalisation of relations were made in Cairo, despite the messages that had come out of Tehran. Egypts top diplomat Sameh Shoukri threw cold water on speculation about an upcoming full diplomatic normalisation with Iran. According to Nevine Mosaad, a professor of political science with expertise on Iran, Egypt is the main target for Irans attempt to improve relations with the Arab countries. Egypt is not just a major country with considerable political weight and a huge market, but it is also a country with no involvement with the Iranian opposition or with any direct alliances against Iran. Egypt categorically declined to play any military role in the war in Yemen, which was no small decision, Mosaad said. Today, with so many countries in the region, including in the Gulf, opening up to Israel, Iran cannot complain about Egyptian-Israeli ties as it did in the late 1970s, Mosaad said. Egypts relations with Israel are a lot more contained than those of some other Arab countries, she added. As a major Sunni Muslim power, Egypt is a country with a specific affinity to the members of the Prophet Mohameds family. Many Iranians, she said, would love to visit their tombs and shrines. Mosaad argued that context is of the essence, whether for Egypt or any of the other Arab countries that Iran is eyeing. The US is less present in the Middle East today, she said, and the GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, will need to manage their relations with Iran in an engaged fashion. This was clear in the case of the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement despite their disagreements on Yemen, for example, she said, adding that a next step could be some moves in relation to other Arab countries where Iran has considerable influence, including Syria and Lebanon. At the same time, Mosaad added, Saudi Arabia is presenting itself as a leading regional player with the capacity to mediate in conflicts. For this to happen, the Saudis need to find a compromise with Iran, especially as Iran is keen to reach out to Arab countries that have been moving towards normalisation with Israel. I think overall there are considerable regional shifts, and there is a new mood in the region that is more tuned towards cooperation than confrontation, Mosaad said. The rapprochement between Turkey and countries it was squabbling with until quite recently is a good example of this new regional dynamic, she added. It is in the interest of Egypt, Mosaad said, to capitalise on this new momentum and to consider the possible gains from full normalisation with Iran as it did with Turkey. With restored relations with the three non-Arab Middle East players, Mosaad argued, Egypt could play an important role in promoting balanced relations between them. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: New Twitter CEO Says Platform Will Be Worlds Most Accurate Real-Time Information Source Linda Yaccarino speaks onstage during Seat At The Table in New York City on March 23, 2022. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The Female Quotient) Twitters new CEO Linda Yaccarino vowed on June 12 that the platform will become the worlds most accurate real-time information source and a global town square for communication as part of its expansion toward Twitter 2.0. Yaccarino, the former head of advertising at NBCUniversal, was named by Elon Musk as the new CEO of Twitter in May and took over from the billionaire a few weeks later on June 6. In a series of posts on Mondayher first since becoming CEOYaccarino said she has been asked repeatedly why she stepped into the new rule at Twitter, which has been the subject of controversy since Musk took over in October last year in a $44 billion deal. Responding to the questioning, Yaccarino credited Musk for knowing that space exploration and electric vehicles needed transformation and acting upon it. Its also becoming clear that the global town square needs transformationto drive civilization forward through the unfiltered exchange of information and open dialogue about the things that matter most to us, she wrote. Have you ever been talking with someone particularly insightful and thought, you should have the freedom to speak your mind? We all should. Enter Twitter 2.0, she continued. Twitter is on a mission to become the worlds most accurate real-time information source and a global town square for communication. Thats not an empty promise. Thats OUR reality. We Need to Think Big Calling Twitter 2.0 a powerful vision, Yaccarino said the platform has the opportunity to reach across aisles, create new partnerships, celebrate new voices, and build something together that can change the world. From what I can tell so far, were built for this, she wrote. The success of Twitter 2.0 is all of our responsibility. We need to think big. We need to transform. We need to do it all together. Yaccarinos comments echo those made by Musk, who has vowed to allow free speech on the platform and condemned conservative censorship but stressed that it will not become a free-for-all hellscape with no consequences. According to Musk, Yaccarino, who also chairs the World Economic Forums task force on the Future of Work, will focus primarily on business operations at Twitter while he will spend his time on product design and new technology as well as his other businesses, Tesla and SpaceX. The former NBCUniversal exec, who has a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, is also widely expected to oversee Twitters ads business which has suffered deep losses since Musk took over last year. However, Musk said in April that the company was roughly breaking even after almost all the advertisers who initially left the platform have returned or suggested they will do so. Despite Musks assurances, The New York Times reported earlier this month that Twitter made $88 million in advertising revenue from April 1 to the first week of May, down 59 percent from the same period last year. Twitter Pulls Out of EU Rules Along with bolstering advertising revenue, Yaccarino will likely face another hefty challenge after Musk pulled the company out of the European Unions voluntary code of practice against disinformation last month. The rules, known as the Digital Services Act, require companies to put in place measures to counter illegal content online, conduct independent audits of their risk management measures, share data with researchers, and allow users new rights to complain to the platform and seek out-of-court settlements. They also state that social media platforms should mitigate against risks such as disinformation or election manipulation, cyber violence against women, or harms to minors online. Twitter first entered into the voluntary EU code of practice in 2018. It is unclear exactly why Twitter left the agreement although the platform, under Musk, has introduced the Community Notes feature which allows Twitter users to collaboratively add context to potentially misleading posts. In a post following Musks move, the blocs internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, suggested that Twitter may still face some legal liabilities, writing, You can run but you cant hide. NY Attorney General Says Lawsuit Against Trump Could Be Delayed New York Attorney General Letitia James said that her lawsuit and other state criminal cases against Donald Trump could be delayed by the Department of Justices prosecution against the former president. The Democrat attorney general, in an interview with Pod Save America, responded to a question about whether the federal case will tie in with Jamess investigation or Manhattan District Attorney Braggs case. Trump was indicted on federal charges in Florida last week for allegedly mishandling classified documents, and he entered a not guilty plea in a Miami courthouse on Tuesday. In all likelihood, I believe that my case as well as DA Bragg and the Georgia case, will unfortunately have to be adjourned pending the outcome of the federal case, James said. So it all depends upon the scheduling of this particular case. I know theres gonna be a flood, a flurry of motions, motion to dismiss, discovery issues, all of that. So it really all depends. Obviously, all of us want to know what Judge [Aileen] Cannon is going to do and whether or not shes going to delay this particular case. James, however, did not provide any other details. The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Justice for comment. But Pete Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, suggested that the federal classified documents case wouldnt disrupt the scheduling of other cases, including the Fulton County one. His research shows that there is no law that gives the federal government the ability to go first, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Trump was previously indicted by Bragg this year on charges that he allegedly falsified business records over payments made during the 2016 election. At the same time, prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are investigating the former president for potential interference in the 2020 election in Georgia, with District Attorney Fani Willis saying that the former president could be indicted in August. Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Miami International Airport in Miami, Fla., on June 12, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Jamess $250 million lawsuit alleges that Trump inflated his assets to secure favorable loans that he shouldnt have been entitled to. Hes scheduled to go on trial in that case in October, while the trial in Braggs case is slated for next March. In the federal case, Trump faces 31 alleged violations of the federal Espionage Act for willful retention of national defense information along with multiple counts of obstruction of justice and false statements. Trump entered a not guilty plea to the 37 charges. Trump has categorically denied wrongdoing, asserting that he is being targeted by a Democrat-led witch hunt amid his 2024 presidential campaign. Early polls show that Trump is far ahead of other GOP presidential candidates so far. Theyre using this because they cant win the election fairly and squarely, Trump told Americano Media on Monday. For the DOJs case, Trump has said hes looking to add to his legal team though no announcements were made Monday. He was expected to be represented at his arraignment by Todd Blanche, an attorney also defending him in the New York case, and Florida lawyer Chris Kise, who joined Trumps stable of attorneys last year. Under the rules of the district, defendants are required to have a local lawyer for an arraignment to proceed. The indictment alleges Trump intentionally retained hundreds of classified documents that he took with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago after leaving office in January 2021. The material he stored, including in a bathroom, ballroom, bedroom, and shower; included material on nuclear programs, defense and weapons capabilities of the U.S. and foreign governments, and a Pentagon attack plan, prosecutors say. Reporters in the Miami courtroom said that special prosecutor Jack Smith was in the courthouse on Tuesday. He was named as the special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland last year following the FBIs raid targeting Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach. Trump, meanwhile, and fellow defendant Walt Nauta were released on their own recognizance by Judge Jonathan Goodman, who oversaw the arraignment. The judge did not issue any restrictions on travel for either Trump or Nauta. Goodman instead issued a limited contact order for both Nautaan aide to Trump who is being charged in the documents caseand Trump. The Associated Press contributed to this report. One in Four Canadians Favour Cut in Foreign Aid: Federal Report The Canadian flag flies near the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a file photo. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Canadians have expressed fairly negative views about foreign aid with a quarter nationwide favouring a cut in funding, according to in-house research by Global Affairs Canada. Survey results reveal some fairly negative views about certain aspects of international aid, said the departments report, titled Canadian Views On International Assistance Tracking Study. Obtained by Blacklocks Reporter, the study noted that most concerns stem from questioning who eventually benefits from the funding. More than half of Canadians say a lot of international aid from Canada ends up in the pockets of corrupt politicians in the developing world (56 percent) and that most international aid does not get to the intended recipients (54 percent), it said. Moreover 41 percent agree [that] most international aid is spent on programs that dont help reduce poverty. Less Confident The findings were based on questionnaires with 3,059 people nationwide. Global Affairs Canada paid $76,670 for the study by Ekos Research Associates. Only nine percent of respondents said they think the world is getting better with all things considered, compared to 76 percent who said otherwise. When asked to what extent various organizations are able to make a difference in reducing poverty in poor countries, the report noted respondents placed more confidence in the private sector. Canadians feel many organizations can make a difference in reducing world poverty but are less confident in the Government of Canadas capacity, researchers wrote. Only 42 percent said the Canadian government made a big difference in reducing global poverty compared to private charities (cited by 54 percent of respondents), the United Nations (60 percent) and private corporations (62 percent), they added. Respondents were also asked if they would feel very guilty if they ignored the needs of poor people in poor countries. Half of them agreed while 22 percent disagreed. Do you think the government should increase or decrease the amount of money it spends on international aid? researchers asked. Only 33 percent favoured more spending. Twenty-five percent preferred funding cuts, the report said. Arent Taking Care of Our Own House Support for cuts varied across provinces from 13 percent in Quebec to 24 percent in Atlantic Canada. Ontario had it at 26 percent, while B.C. garnered 27 percent. Support was highest in Alberta (37 percent) while both Saskatchewan and Manitoba trailed slightly at 32 percent. The study follows 2019 focus group research by Global Affairs that found Canadians were not very keen on foreign aid. We arent taking care of our own house, said one participant who was quoted in the report, titled Qualitative Research On International Assistance, obtained by Blacklocks Reporter. Canada is suffering, another participant said. Id like to know what the governments priorities are. In Budget 2023, the federal government committed to spend $6.8 billion on foreign aid over the next year. The amount does not include extraordinary funding for pandemic relief or Ukraines war effort. Oregon GOP State Senators Continue to Protest Democrat Bills; Boycott Stalls $10.2 Billion K-12 Funding K-12 public school students in Oregon, like those across the United States, continue to deal with the disadvantages that COVID-19 and government response to the pandemic dealt themparticularly in the critical area of in-person instruction. Loss of time inside the classroom has contributed to students falling behind in competency and in meeting standards. Oregon students fell behind, including 61 percent of third graders and 54 percent of seventh graders in the state who dont read at grade level. Meanwhile, a $10.2 billion K-12 education funding bill, which was approved by the Oregon House of Representatives has stalled in the state Senate because Democrats and Republicans in the chamber are at loggerheads. Republicans, the minority party in the Senate, continue a boycott of legislative business that they started six weeks ago. Republican senators say they are boycotting because of overly partisan bills that Democrats have proposed for consideration that add regulations to gun ownership and radically expand access to abortion and gender-affirming care, and include language that doesnt comply with the states required eighth-grade readability standard. Republican senators say they will return to work on June 25the final day of the legislative session. Democrats say that the tasks that need to be done cant be accomplished in one day. The GOP senators are meeting regularly among themselves. Also, in flux because of the boycott are votes on other legislation that appropriates money to fund education programs and initiatives. GOP Has Numbers to Block Legislation Democrats enjoy a trifecta in Oregon state politics, holding the governorship and majorities in both the state House and Senate. However, in the November 2022 elections, Republicans were able to reduce the Democrats numbers advantages and erase their supermajority status in both legislative chambers. As a consequence, unlike when Democrats held the supermajority and could steamroll over Republican objections, they now must work with the GOP to pass bills. If Democrat leaders truly prioritized bipartisan budgets and policy proposals Oregonians desperately need, they would work to resolve this impasse in a bipartisan fashion, said Oregon Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp. Oregon State Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp (R). (Oregon State Legislature) Instead, Democrat leadership is clinging to an unlawful, extreme agenda driven by hyper-partisan special interests that fails to address the needs of our state. Oregonians arent props to be used for political gain only to be discarded the second absolute power is restored. Democrats must end the theatrics so we can deliver bipartisan results for Oregonians. Knopp said that Democrats are trying to advance legislation that is unconstitutional. Impasse Continues GOP legislators are testing the bite of a ballot measure approved by Oregon voters last year that imposes steep penalties for a minority party walking out on legislative business. Under Measure 113, a legislator who has 10 or more unexcused absences in a single legislative session cant run for reelection, nor can the legislator win election in the other legislative chamber. The people of Oregon were clear when they amended our Constitution last fall: walkouts are not an acceptable part of our legislative process, Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner said in a statement released on May 31. It is well past time for Senate Republicans to return to work and earn their taxpayer-funded pay. We have hundreds of bills that have gone through our rigorous committee process. These bills must have an up or down vote on the Senate floor. GOP senators had been threatening to boycott Senate business and deprive the chamber of the 20 seats necessary to vote on proposals, unless changes were made to the legislation. On May 3, the GOP senators made good on their threat when they walked away from the Capitol. While Oregon Senate Republicans harbor a dislike of the Democrats legislative priorities, Minority Leader Knopp appears to bear a specific grudge against Senate President Wagner. Earlier this spring, a day prior to the start of the Oregon Senate boycott, Knopp rose during a session and, after being recognized by Wagner, and said, Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate remove the presiding officer from his duties as Senate president. The motion went nowhere. Knopp has called Wagner untrustworthy. Gov. Tina Kotek, in her first term as governor of Oregon, which followed eight terms in the Oregon House of Representatives and a stretch as Speaker of the House, has played a negotiating role between the Democratic and Republican factions of the Senate. At the end of May, the governor issued a statement on where matters stood in the discussion. In the statement, Kotek referenced House Bill 2002, the legislation that makes changes to abortion and gender affirming treatments. After a week of productive conversations and continued attempts to work with the Senate Republican caucus to revive a number of their priorities, I am disappointed that Senator Knopp has made clear to me that there is no path forward unless House Bill 2002 is substantially amended or dead, Kotek said in a release from her office. It is clear from my conversations that negotiating on House Bill 2002 is not an option. The bill has already passed the House and is scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate, where it has broad support. Today, the Senate Republican walkout is entering its fifth week and is already the longest in Oregon history. There is still a window for Senate Republicans to return to the table and achieve some of their policy goals for the session and deliver for Oregonians, but it is getting more narrow by the hour. More Than 10 Teachers a Month Banned From Profession Child abuse, inappropriate relationships with pupils, and 'misgendering' students among reasons teachers in England have been removed by the regulatory authority. Joshua Sutcliffe, who has been banned from teaching by the UK's Teachers Regulation Authority after refusing to use a pupil's preferred pronouns. Sutcliffe is pictured in London on May 22, 2023. (Christian Concern) More than 10 teachers a month have been struck off in England since the start of the year, including one involved in a transgender row, according to government documents. Joshua Sutcliffe, who refused to use one of his students preferred pronouns, is one of 74 teachers who faced disciplinary action since January, an Epoch Times analysis has found. Of those, 64 were banned from the profession, including Sutcliffe after the Teachers Regulatory Agency (TRA) ruled he had failed to treat the pupilwho identified as a malewith dignity and respect. He is now appealing the decision. A high number of cases involved teachers who communicated sexually with students and others who had inappropriate nonsexual relationships with children they were teaching. Others had been sacked before being barred after being convicted of downloading or accessing indecent images of children. One elderly couplewho were principals at a Lancashire grammar schoolwere banned for life from teaching after failing to report a teacher who abused a pupil. Stephen and Sheila Welsby, aged 78 and 77 respectively, breached safeguarding obligations at St. Annes College Grammar School in Lytham St Annes, the disciplinary panel found. The veteran teachers delayed reporting claims that a pupil was being abused by a teacher. The panel heard how the male teacher told the couple he was in love with the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, and that one day they could be together. The accused teacher was later convicted of sexual offences with the child. The TRA found that the married couples failure to report the abuse to police or the local authority amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. Addicted to Disturbing Images In another shocking case to come before the TRA in May, a PE primary school teacher was banned indefinitely from the profession after a panel was told he had an addiction to indecent images of children. Michael Fogg was given a lifetime ban following the teacher misconduct hearing after he was convicted of making and distributing indecent images of children and possessing an extreme pornographic image. Fogg was a teacher at Deneholm Primary School in Grays at the time of his arrest before being convicted of a series of indecent image charges in February last year. He was sentenced to six months in prisonsuspended for 18 monthsa 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, 150 hours of community service, and a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The panel heard that in November, Fogg wrote a letter in which he expressed remorse and regret for the offences. The letter said: Just to say sorry does not come close to explaining the feeling of remorse and regret I feel and I would do anything to rewind time and take everything back. The misconduct hearing report added that the paedophile had developed an addiction of some kind to the images and that he found sexually enticing images of children aged, it seems, between about seven to 15. The report added: The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding of a conviction of a relevant offence for distributing and making incident photographs or pseudo photographs of a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image [of bestiality]. The report states that Fogg would never be able to teach in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation, or childrens home in England. The Calgary Classical Academys principles will be considered uplifting by those of us who believe education ought to build character and civic responsibility. (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) Deliberate and Calculating Last month, a Bristol teacher who viewed an indecent image of a child on Snapchat was also struck off. William Nunna science teacher at Cotham Schoolreceived the photo from someone he added as a friend on the social media site Reddit. Prohibition documents released last week state that the individual, whom Nunn had never met, offered to share indecent images of children on the disappearing photo app. Nunn later claimed his intention was to entrap the person. However, this explanation was not borne out by his subsequent failure even to try to go on to report the individual to the police, the school, to Snapchat, or any other safeguarding agency, despite the fact he could not have had any doubt that he was under a professional obligation to do so, the report added. He also deleted the app and communications, and it was reported to the panel that he kept changing his story in interviews with both the school and the police. He eventually admitted to the allegations, the documents state. The panel believed that the discussion between Nunn and the individual who offered to send the indecent image was moved to Snapchat to enable their communications to be deleted without a trace, increasing the chances he would not be detected. Nunns actions were deliberate and calculating in this regard, the panel said. Avon and Somerset Police child protection officers visited the school on March 24, 2021, and interviewed Nunn under caution at a police station. They seized several of his devices, and the teacher was suspended from the school the following day. In May 2021, the police told the school they were taking no further action because they could not retrieve the image and there was no other evidence of indecent images on Nunns equipment. Cotham School started its own investigation and dismissed the teacher in July 2021 before referring the matter to the TRA. The report said: The panel was in no doubt that Nunn was deliberately dishonest in interviews in an attempt to cover his tracks. It found that Nunns actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. He was banned from teaching indefinitely with no review period and cannot apply to reenter the profession. Students take a break between classes at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, northwest England, on March 17, 2021. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) Contacted Pupil by Text A head of science was also struck off after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a pupil. The TRA heard that Sean Wardwho worked at a school in East Angliahad made contact with the student, referred to as Pupil A, between June 2018 and December 2019, after obtaining her mobile phone number. He sent her a number of anonymous text messages before she realised it was her teacher. Ward then sent Pupil A his personal email address, through which conversations continued. Disciplinary panel documents state Ward denied that his conduct was of a sexual nature and/or sexually motivated, though he accepted that his conduct involved inappropriate discussions of a sexual nature. The panel also noted that Ward admitted to receiving photographic images of Pupil A which were of a sexual nature, although he denied having viewed them. The report added: The panel considered that Ward knew what the pictures would be before receiving them and that they were of a sexual nature. The panel did not consider there to be any plausible explanation given for receiving these images other than the potential for sexual gratification and, therefore, on the balance of probabilities, this was more likely to be sexually motivated than not. Pupil A, who also gave evidence to the panel, claimed that Ward had contacted her on a blocked number before sending an email asking where do I stand. He then sent a further email stating, I have a son, I need to know what to prepare for him if Im going to prison, please let me know. The panel found that Ward was responsible for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Pupil A that was of a sexual nature or sexually motivated and felt that it did not have any evidence before it which indicated that Mr. Ward had demonstrated sufficient insight into his actions or that gave the panel confidence that he would not repeat such behaviour in the future. He was banned indefinitely from teaching. Students play on a playground at a school in the UK in a file photo. (Danny Lawson/PA) Drinking During School About 10 cases of serious teacher misconduct did not result in bans, including incidents of drinking on the job, watching pornographic material on school devices, and using offensive language to pupils when teaching. Claire Gouldinga primary school teacher at Aldermaston CE Primary School, Berkshirewho drank alcohol whilst in school, was not prohibited from teaching after expressing remorse for her actions. She admitted to drinking alcohol in a coffee cup in school between February and June 2021, and in at least one incident, she left the cup in reach of children. Glowing references about Gouldings character were provided to the panel, which ruled earlier this month that it was not in the public interest to ban her from the profession. In another case, science teacher Mohammed Babor Quibria Hossain was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct after using offensive language to pupils at Sanders Draper School in Hornchurch. The TRA stated that in May last year during a teaching lesson, Hossain behaved in an aggressive manner by shouting at pupils and banging on the table repeatedly before calling one student an absolute nob. Hossain also told a pupil to shut the [expletive] up and sit down before saying, Your parents might beat you up. The TRA ruled: The panel was of the view that, applying the standard of the ordinary intelligent citizen, the recommendation of no prohibition order would be both a proportionate and an appropriate response. Given that the nature and severity of the behaviour were at the less serious end of the possible spectrum and, having considered the mitigating factors that were present, the panel determined that a recommendation for a prohibition order would not be appropriate in this case. The report states that the publication of the TRA findings was sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that are not acceptable. The TRA received 714 reports of misconduct in the 12 months before April 2022, according to its last annual report. Of those, 298 reports were probed and 108 teachers struck offup from 39 the previous year. Peter Menzies: Schoolchildren Shouldnt Be Compelled to Attend Pride Activities Whether they realize it or not, what parents are really afraid of is a state that wants to own their children, writes Peter Menzies. (Stuart Monk/Shutterstock) Commentary The Edmonton teacher who controversially tore a strip off a Muslim student for dodging school Pride celebrations isnt the problem. Shes just the symptom, her words merely the manifestation of growing demands by government that citizens conform to its beliefs and submit their children to its guidance. If you havent heard the recording of the teacher declaring that failure to participate in Pride activities makes a person un-Canadian, you should listen up right here before reading further. The teacher is clearly in an elevated emotional state and deeply offended by what has occurred. While theres no indication the student did anything other than avoid the Pride activities by skipping school, she dresses the student down by noting that Ramadan was recently acknowledged during the schools daily 20-minute assembly and that the student should have reciprocated. If you want to be respected for who you are, if you dont want to suffer prejudice for your religion, your colour of skin, your whatever, then you better give it back to people who are different than you, she says, sounding rational, before concluding, quite implausibly, with: We believe that people can marry whomever they want, that is in the law, and if you dont think that should be the law, you cant be Canadian. It was an extraordinary, authoritarian thing to say, particularly from a teacher. I remember when schools taught that being Canadian meant that if you didnt like a law, you worked to change it (notwithstanding the fact that in this case that would involve getting yourself appointed to the Supreme Court). You were taught to obey the law, of course, but dissentparticularly upon theological groundswas not to be punished and its civil expression was encouraged. But heres the deal. Lots of Canadians, many millions of them, agree with the teacher that everyone should be compelled to view the world the way she sees it and believe in what she believes. Certainly, tolerance of each other and our differences/diversity is vital for social cohesion. But these days, that isnt enough; participation in and agreement with the core values of designated celebrations is mandatory. It isnt just action the teacher is demanding, its belief. Given the ever-growing list of orientations attached to Pride, one would think it possible to fully favour equal rights for gays and lesbians while being more hesitant regarding the need to join the party in celebrating some of the less well-explained Ps (pansexual) and Qs. Or being of the view that while the promotion of patience, kindness, and tolerance is certainly of high importance for all ages, discussions regarding sexuality and who puts what where how and with whom are not appropriate for all ages. Yet many Canadiansand certainly a lot of school trustees and teacherssee those as nothing other than rhetorical excuses for hatred. Theres no doubt many within the 2SLGBTQQIA+ universe are troubled by those who adhere to traditional religious views regarding sexuality and gender identity. And, just like everyone else in this world, they should be free to express their concerns without fear of sanction by the state or its agents. We dont, after all, live in a theocracy. Or do we? Surely none of us gets to demand that other people attend our events or indicate they agree with us about everything. Just as we can respect Ramadan without insisting that all students eschew food and water during school hours, we should be able to note the occasion of Pride activities, Indigenous Peoples Day, Christmas, Dhawali, and Ramadan without imposing their rituals and orthodoxies upon each other. People like New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs should be able to insist that parents of students struggling with their identity be brought into the conversation by educators without being vilified by the prime minister and his cabinet because theres no guarantee all parents would react appropriately to the news. Being human, theres no doubt some would struggle. Its got to be a difficult conversation. But it takes the breath away to imagine how anyone can believe, as Justin Trudeau clearly does, that the same institutiongovernmentthat denied women the vote, created eugenics policies, criminalized homosexuality, imposed Chinese head taxes, race-based internment camps, and the residential school system is so morally superior to the nuclear family that it can usurp it as a protective shell for its members. Indeed, according to the PM, believing in your right as a parent to have an honest relationship with your children is to adopt a far right position akin to white supremacism. If there is a problem with parents who in general love their children with a strength that defies understanding, the state has the power to deal with it. But it is entirely inappropriate and deeply insulting for government at any level to base its policies on the assumption parents are a threat to their children and that the state is not. And that, really, is the problem. Its not the teacher and her overwrought shock that some people actually believe in Islam with as much conviction as she believes in 2SLGBTQQIA+. Although its certainly likely in many cases, I doubt that the main reason most people in some school districts are keeping their kids home from school on Pride days is that they are afraid of the Gs and the Ls and the Bs. Or the Ts. Whether they realize it or not, what they are really afraid of is a state that wants to own their children. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Police Probe Hate-Related Incident After Hong Kong Protesters Allegedly Assaulted by Chinese Students in UK Undated photograph of a police officer taking down notes at the scene of a crime in England. (PA) Hampshire constabulary said they are looking into a report of a hate-related assault following allegations that Hong Kong protesters were attacked near the University of Southampton by Chinese individuals. In a statement emailed to The Epoch Times, the police said a group of people were allegedly confronted and assaulted on Burgess Road in Southampton at around 4:25 p.m. on Sunday. Two people received minor injuries as a result of the assault. We are currently conducting an investigation and carrying out enquiries to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident, the police said. It comes after footage emerged online that appeared to show a group of three, alleged to be Chinese students at the University of Southampton, attacking two people, with one attacker shouting Hong Kong belongs to China. Expatriate association Hongkongers in Britain (HKB) said violence against Hongkongers is de-facto an extrajudicial and extraterritorial punishment on people holding opposing viewpoints of the Chinese authority. The 11-second video was published on Twitter by Li, known as Teacher Li, who gathered a significant following on social media last year for collecting and publishing footage during the widespread protests in China against COVID-19 lockdowns and Communist Party rule. In the description, Li said students from the nearby University of Southampton had attacked a Hong Kong protester and bragged about it on social media. The footage appears to show a young man and a young woman surrounded by a group of people. Two people were shown to have kicked the man, while a third wrestled and pushed both the man and the woman, who managed to push him away. Several others were standing around watching or filming on and off the screen. Expletive-Laden Comments The group were heard hurling abuses during the scuffle, with one person saying Hong Kong [expletive] belongs to China. One person, who was seen kicking the man, also waved a Chinese flag. Li also published two screenshots, allegedly from a group chat on Chinese social media app WeChat. In one of the screenshots, WeChat users made expletive-laden comments after one user posted a photo of a Hong Kong rally with a description saying [expletive] Hong Kong independence activists are gathering in city centre. One user suggested a group of people should surround the rally and sing the national anthem. In another screenshot, a user posted the footage of the alleged assault, followed by violently beating Hong Kong Independence dog, with others cheering the act. Dog used to be an extremely insulting word in China mostly used to dehumanise people. Its usage has been expanded in recent years to describe any group of people with little or no negative connotations. The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify the information. In an email to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for the University of Southampton said the university is aware of the footage and that it would be inappropriate to provide further comment as the matter had been reported to the police. The university condemns violence of any kind and respects everyones right to free speech, the person said. Reacting to the footage on Twitter, Benedict Rogers, co-founder and chief executive of the NGO Hong Kong Watch, said, This appalling [Chinese Communist Party] thuggery against Hongkongers in Southampton marking 612 anniversary is unacceptable and outrageous and cannot be tolerated. On June 12, 2019, Hong Kong police used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters who were demonstrating against a bill on extradition to mainland China. Extrajudicial and Extraterritorial Punishment Simon Cheng, founder and chairman of HKB, said the organisation strongly condemns violence against Hong Kong activists. We are deeply concerned about the incident and wish to express our solidarity with the victims who were subjected to such violence, Cheng said in a message to The Epoch Times. He also said violence on Hong Kong protesters in the UK is de-facto an extrajudicial and extraterritorial punishment on people holding opposing viewpoints of the Chinese authorities, and could be seen as the ripple effect after the imposition of [the National Security Law] in Hong Kong. Stressing that people holding any political views should be able to express their opinions without fear of reprisal or violence, Cheng said the attack is an alarming display of aggression and intolerance and a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the right to protest. He called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident, identify the perpetrators responsible for the assault, and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. He also urged educational institutions to take this incident seriously and address any potential concerns regarding the safety and well-being of students, particularly those who may hold differing political opinions. Police Say Violent Crime on the Rise in Virginia, Most Crimes Committed on Saturday Nights Cars and police gather around Altria Theater, the site of a shooting at the Huguenot High School graduation, in Richmond, Va., on June 6, 2023. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP) A report published on June 9 by the Virginia State Police shows that nearly all types of violent crime are up from the previous year, and more violent crimes occurred on Saturday nights than on any other day of the week. The Crime in Virginia report (pdf), which was compiled by the state police data analysis and reporting team, shows that there were 17,655 violent crimes reported in 2022 compared to 16,823 in 2021, a 5 percent statewide increase. The report divides crimes into two categories: Group A for serious offenses, including violent crimes, and Group B for what are considered less serious crimes, including trespassing, disorderly conduct, and liquor law violations where an arrest has occurred. (Courtesy of Virginia State Police Report 2022) Violent crimes include murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, and aggravated assault. The number of reported murders increased from 562 in 2021 to 621 in 2022, a 10.5 percent increase. The ages of murder victims and perpetrators tended to be younger menmales between the ages of 18 and 34making up a total of 42.7 percent of homicide victims and 52.2 percent of homicide offenders. A little over half52.1 percentof these homicides occurred at a residence, police said. A national study from WalletHub reported that four Virginia citiesRichmond, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolkwere among the top 45 in the United States with the highest homicide rate increase. Theft and Fraud Motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts increased by 21.9 percent compared to 2021. The total value of all motor vehicles stolen in 2022 was $201,069,627, according to the departments calculations. Of all motor vehicles stolen in 2022, 33.9 percent were taken from the victims homes. Like the murders, the majority of auto thefts were carried out by males aged 18 to 34 years. Burglary and attempted burglary increased by 3.8 percent between 2021 and 2022, which is the first time burglaries increased in over 10 years. In 2021, there were 10,464 burglaries and attempted burglaries whereas in 2022 there were 10,860. (Courtesy of Virginia State Police Report 2022) In addition, fraud offenses increased by 9.9 percent compared to 2021 and were committed primarily against senior citizens at a rate of 22.5 percent. Over three-quarters of victims77.8 percentwere individuals, and 13.6 percent were businesses. Firearms were used in 81.6 percent of homicides, 44.6 percent of robberies, and a little over one-third of aggravated assault cases, at 37.5 percent. Hate crimes targeting businesses or religious organizations increased 48 percent compared to 2021, and 64.6 percent of those crimes were racially or ethnically motivated. The Norfolk Police Department found that from Jan. 1 to October 3, 2022, 1,226 incidents of auto theft were reported across the entire city, WTKR reported. However, in that same time frame in 2021, just 719 incidents were reported. The Norfolk police chief said in July 2022 that the department was utilizing cameras to read license plates to mitigate the rise in car theft, 13 News Now reported. In addition, Virginias Attorney General Jason Miyares announced an initiative earlier this year to help reduce violent crimes in some of these jurisdictions. Miyares office is partnering with local elected officials and law enforcement for Operation Ceasefire, an initiative targeting the commonwealths most violent cities with the same approach used in Richmond to address violent criminal activity among serious and repeat offenders. The OAG will also be hiring 23 Group Violence Intervention Coordinators to promote proven group violence intervention strategies, coordinate resources, work with law enforcement, and develop relationships with the community to promote the implementation of evidence-based practices to reduce and prevent, violent gun and gang crimes, the attorney generals office said in a statement. Suspect Arrested in Sexual Battery of Woman Near UC Irvine Irvine Police Department is seeking the public's help on June 13, 2023, to find a man who sexually assaulted a woman in Irvine, Calif., June 10, 2023. (Screenshot via Irvine Police Department) IRVINE, Calif.A 23-year-old Beaumont man was arrested June 14 in the sexual battery of a woman who was attacked from behind and groped in Irvinean assault that was caught on surveillance video. Brandon Dybdahl was arrested just before 8:20 a.m. in Laguna Hills in connection with Saturdays attack, which occurred near Graduate and Scholarship, according to the Irvine Police Department. A white sedan that was also spotted in the surveillance video of the attack was found in his possession when he was arrested, police said. The suspect was being booked on suspicion of sexual battery and false imprisonment. Dybdahl is a transient and was couch surfing with family friends, who were trying to help him out, but did not know about the alleged attack, Sgt. Karie Davies said. Surveillance video released earlier this week by police showed a man wearing a T-shirt and shorts exit a white vehicle and approach a woman from behind as she is crossing a street. The suspect grabs the woman from behind and briefly struggles with her before running off and getting into the car, which police described as a 200612 white Nissan Sentra. Dybdahl also has a warrant for a hit-and-run collision, Davies said. Popcorn and Inspiration: Older films that can speak to us today R | 1h 54min | Drama, Comedy, Satire, Biography | 13 July 2018 (USA) Based in part on the memoir of the same name by John Callahan, writer and director Gus Van Sants sometimes overstylized Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot (On Foot) hits a few narrative bumps on its way to a triumphant third act, making this the filmmakers finest effort since Good Will Hunting in 1997. John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) deals with a physical disability, in Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot. (Amazon Studios) A native of Portland, Oregon, the single-panel cartoonist John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) found his calling late in life and only after becoming a quadriplegic and recovering alcoholic. With two hands clutching a Flair pen, Callahan drew primitive panels that were decidedly conceived and executed in purposefully bad taste. By comparison, Callahans barbed black humor made Gary Larsons Far Side come off looking as tame and safe as Bil Keanes Family Circus. Physically Abled Might Be Offended One panel shows three lawmen in a desert standing over a wheelchair with one speaking the line that also serves as the films title. Other frequent subjects include house pets, religion, and alcoholism, but mostly they were of individuals or groups with physical disabilities. Needless to say, many people, most of whom had no physical disabilities, took great offense at Callahans work. This begs more than a few questions. The first and most obvious: Should the physical condition of an artist have any bearing on how people judge his creations? Is it acceptable for a quadriplegic to make fun of himself and those like him with off-color observational humor? Van Sant doesnt get around to these prickly and subjective issues until the third act, although many panels, some of them animated, are dotted throughout the film. For the first 45 or so minutes, Van Sants movie more resembles a bebop jazz composition, which is aided greatly by an atypical score from composer Danny Elfman. Presented wildly out of sequence, this stretch covers the last few hazy, booze-fueled days prior to the car wreck that changed the 21-year-old Callahans life forever. In the years following the accident, he hit the bottle even harder, eventually bottoming out, before addressing his disease in group therapy. Gus Van Sant directs Dont Worry He Wont Get Far On Foot. (Amazon Studios) Van Sant keeps things interesting during this period by employing some tricked-out visuals, including vertical elliptical screen panning and single passages of dialogue delivered in multiple locations over the space of decades. Stock Characters The weakest link in the narrative is the time spent with the therapy group, which is overpopulated with too-easy stock characters (an overweight girl, the angry veteran, the fey senior guy, and the privileged housewife). The exception here is a slimmed-down and bearded Jonah Hill as Donnie, a wealthy trust fund baby, who hosts the meetings in his house, which could best be described as decorated in Liberace light. Instead of the usual namby-pamby, there-there, treacle coating, Donnie speaks to his AA members (whom he lovingly refers to as piglets) with blunt, face-smacking directness. It is arguably the finest performance of Hills career. One of John Callahans cartoons. (Amazon Studios) Van Sant allows the story to breathe, never relying on the bells and whistles, and lets Phoenix strut his righteous stuff. On Foot has an organic and relaxed (not to be confused with safe) air. For over an hour, we see the story go into the narrative meat grinder and finally get to taste the finished fire-grilled product, along with the peppers, onions, and mozzarella. Make no mistake, the narrative grinder is needed, but for an artist as conflicted, polarizing, and complex as Callahan, the final result demands further attention, and Van Sant ultimately delivers the goods. Enter Love Interest A man never fully at peace with his many demons, Callahan finally finds his calling and a (maybe fictional) romantic connection. Played by Phoenixs off-screen love interest, Rooney Mara, the Swedish therapist-turned-flight-attendant Annu may or may not even be real, but it makes no difference as none of the other characters fit the same bill. Its worth mentioning that Mara also appeared in the below-the-radar Mary Magdalene as the title character alongside Phoenix who portrayed Jesus Christ. Annu (Rooney Mara) and John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix), in Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot. (Amazon Studios) Also worth noting was the heavy protest levied against the production from the New England-based Ruderman Family Foundation, which had major (largely uninformed) issues with Callahan being portrayed by Phoenix rather than a real-life disabled actor. On Foot is the politically correct crowds worst possible nightmare and will send them into a nosedive, tailspin tizzy. A man disowned at birth by his mother drifts into a life of substance abuse and then becomes a quadriplegic, only to make a mockery of acceptable social decorum while finding roaring success as a member of the press within the very bastion of staunch Blue State territory. The irony of this particular situation is thoroughly off the charts. A quadriplegic finds his calling in Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot. (Amazon Studios) You can watch Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot on Vudu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot Director: Gus Van Sant Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black Running Time: 1 hour, 54 minutes MPAA Rating: R Release Date: July 13, 2018 Rating: 4 out of 5 Continuing hostilities between Sudans warring parties reveal the desire of each to vanquish the other before the imposition of another ceasefire. The temporary cessation of hostilities in Sudan had barely expired on Saturday when ferocious battles erupted in the capital Khartoum, with heavy weaponry and shells destroying critical infrastructure and targeting civilians. The brief interlude was the 13th in a protracted series of truces marred by persistent breaches and violations which have prompted US-Saudi mediators to urge the warring parties the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to display genuine commitment to the peace process. The one-day respite, which ignited a glimmer of optimism, had encouraged mediators to pursue a longer cessation of hostilities spanning over two months to try and stem the tide of bloodshed. Hopes that mediation efforts might result in success have been bolstered by the backing of regional and global powers. Meanwhile, the crisis in Sudan and the need to find a resolution loomed large at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit meeting in Djibouti where a mini tripartite summit was convened between President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and President William Ruto of Kenya, underscoring anxieties about developments in Sudan, the spectre of civil war and possible implosion of the country. Such a scenario would have severe consequences not just for neighbouring countries but the entire continent. Participants at the mini summit emphasised the need for concerted efforts to bring about a durable cessation of hostilities, facilitate the opening of humanitarian corridors and promote an all-encompassing dialogue to navigate a path towards resolution of the conflict. Hostilities between the SAF and the RSF are continuing in a tit-for-tat fashion, manifesting the desire of each side to alter the status quo on the ground in its favour before the imposition of any cessation of hostilities. Against this backdrop, a psychological war is raging, as each faction galvanises its supporters and sows the seeds of doubt about the intentions of its opponents. Videos have surfaced of Hussein Al-Amin Jojo, an opposition leader from Chad, claiming to be actively engaged in the combat in central Khartoum alongside the RSF, triggering allegations from the SAF that the RSF is deploying mercenaries from neighbouring African countries to seize control of the capital. Youssef Ezzat, political adviser to the leader of the RSF, denied any association with Jojo, claiming the Chadian opposition had no role in RSF military operations. He refuted allegations levelled by Sudanese military intelligence and Islamist factions, characterising them as feeble and untenable attempts to substantiate accusations against the RSF. Ezzat said the RSF did not lack combatants and did not condone the participation of foreign fighters. He added that the supervision of new recruits to the RSF was entrusted to a brigadier in the Sudanese army. Videos also surfaced purporting to show the killing of an Islamist leader, Mohamed Al-Obaid Moussa, also known as Al-Shishani, in combat with the Sudanese army. Al-Shishani was a close associate of Ali Karti, the head of the Islamist Movement in Sudan, and a former foreign minister in the regime of Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir. The video was cited as evidence of the involvement of Islamists in military operations in Sudan, a claim that army leaders deny. The Islamists have been repeatedly accused of instigating the conflict on the grounds that they stand to lose the most from any prospective peace agreement, reverting to the position they faced following the 2019 revolution that toppled the Al-Bashir regime. The SAF and RSF are dispatching envoys to neighbouring countries to garner support and/or request mediation, perhaps in a bid to avert the punitive effects of US sanctions which are already beginning to bite. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that if the warring parties fail to heed the call to cease hostilities, the US will consider alternative measures to address the situation. The EU has also issued a threat to impose sanctions, although its role has been deemed lacklustre. The EU response so far has been limited to endorsing the US-Saudi mediation initiative, facilitating the repatriation of European nationals and providing some humanitarian aid. The EUs role in intensifying the sanctions against former president Al-Bashir and securing his condemnation, along with other high-ranking officials, by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in the Darfur region, cannot, however, be underestimated as factors that contributed to the weakening of the Al-Bashir regime. There are worries that the conflict will pave the way for international interventions that could be devastating for Sudan. There is also a growing realisation that the situation may need to be addressed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The more the warring factions perpetrate crimes, atrocities and violations, the more they expose themselves to accountability and international sanctions. Violence has continued to escalate in Darfur, claiming the lives of hundreds and injuring many more, and thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. The healthcare system and other services have collapsed, humanitarian organisations have withdrawn, and Al-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, has been left a ghost town. South Kordofan state has witnessed movements by Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement forces led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu, who has taken control of four sites belonging to the SAF, raising fears of the outbreak of another war as major armed movements in the country demand the right to self-rule. Amid the fragmentation, exposing the grievances, bitterness and complexities of the situation afflicting Sudan, the war has also engendered shows of cooperation, solidarity, selflessness and inspiring examples of humanitarianism. Successive governments since Sudans independence in 1956 have been unable to establish a nation-state in which the concept of citizenship takes precedence over ethnic, racial, tribal and regional affiliations. This failure lies at the heart of the deep-seated divisions that continue to plague Sudan, fueling the conflict and impeding prospects of peace and stability. Under the 30-year rule of Al-Bashir, the Sudanese Islamic Front exacerbated underlying imbalances, empowering its supporters within state institutions and establishing militias to fight against opponents in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states. The RSF emerged as the most prominent of these militias which, with the tacit approval of military leaders, gained legitimacy and saw a doubling in their numbers and equipment after the fall of Al-Bashir. The outbreak of the conflict underlines the urgent need for radical solutions to the underlying causes of the many conflicts that have plagued the country for decades, including the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The spread of the conflict to Khartoum is a warning that any failure to address root causes could lead to further fragmentation, chaos and all-out civil war. It can only be avoided by a shift away from narrow personal interests, and a focus on the equal sharing of power, wealth, and privileges. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Quebec Forces Palliative Care Homes to Offer Assisted Suicide Quebec Minister for Health and for Seniors Sonia Belanger during question period at the legislature in Quebec City on March 28, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot) A new Quebec law that mandates palliative care facilities to provide medical assistance in dying has drawn criticism from euthanasia opponents and a palliative care advocate. Bill 11 to expand medical assistance in dying (MAiD) passed in Quebecs national assembly on June 7. In a June 5 post online, Living with Dignity (Vivre Dans La Dignite), a non-profit opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide, decried the bills profoundly unfair treatment of palliative care hospices, particularly those not wishing to offer MAiD. The organization said it was even more deeply disturbed by a late amendment to the bill. Sonia Belanger, minister for health and seniors, added the provision that a hospice cannot refuse to receive a person for the sole reason that the latter has submitted a request for medical assistance in dying and created a deadline of six months for palliative care homes to comply. Although only four palliative care hospices are known to not wish to offer MAiD, the government approach to admission criteria was opposed by the Alliance of Palliative Care Homes of Quebec during public consultations. The bill received near-unanimous support in a free vote, with 103 members in favour, two opposed, and one abstention. Dr. Catherine Ferrier, a board member for Living with Dignity, regretted that so little opposition could be found. It is of course very bad news that the law passed with such a big majority of votes. Politicians in Quebec seem to think that expansion of euthanasia is inevitable and that their role is to make it safe. Its seen as an act of compassion, Ferrier told The Epoch Times via email. But it is never safe and is an act of abandonment of the patient. Alex Schadenberg, founder of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said patients had access to MAiD before the law, and the change only forces palliative care homes to become active participants. Its a serious issue for conscience rights because now every palliative care institution is going to have to offer this, Schadenberg said in an interview. There were a couple of palliative care institutions that were created more recently, meaning after the legalization of euthanasia they were created specifically because they wouldnt offer it and they were trying to provide what we would call a safe space. The law imitates a mandate given to palliative care homes in B.C. in 2017. The policy was resisted by the Delta Hospice Society (DHS), but the province eventually took over the private care home arbitrarily. In an interview, DHS president Angelina Ireland said the values and practice of euthanasia and palliative care are opposed. Palliative care is a 50-year medical discipline that is very clear about what it entails, and it never includes MAiD and never includes euthanasia, and the father of palliative care, Dr. Balfour Mount, is from McGill University. So its very ironic in this moment that Quebec is moving in that direction, Ireland said. This political movement is forcing a coercive makeover of what palliative care is. Theyll scream up and down that its about human rights, but it looks more like a cull to me because weve opened up Pandoras Box. And when they just promised its only a little bit of MAiD, its turned out to be something that every vulnerable Canadian has to be afraid of. Ireland said the precedent in B.C. suggests that those morally opposed to the imposition of euthanasia will exit the profession, but the palliative care facilities will remain. There have been doctors whove walked away from palliative care medicine, doctors and nurses who have just left their careers, because they dont want to have anything to do with it. But the administrators just jumped on board. And, because [the DHS] refused to, they literally took everything from us. McGill University professor of ethics and theology Douglas Farrow decried Bill 11 in a recent Substack post. The law, he said, reeks of the death-fetish into which we too have fallen, just as the German government did in World War II. What better way to erode the distinction between care and killing, indeed to erase it altogether, than to insist that the one is not permitted without the other? Farrow wrote. We will no longer have any ethical conflict over state-sponsored dying, because in the places where death regularly occurs we will have no ethics at all. Other Provisions The legislation withdraws the end-of-life criterion for MAiD and allows persons suffering from a serious and incurable illness leading to incapacity to make an advance request for the procedure. However, it does specify that a mental disorder is not an illness. It also extends the right to die to people who have a severe physical impairment resulting in a significant and persistent disability. Bill 11 facilitates specialized nurse practitioners to administer continuous palliative sedation and medical aid in dying, The bill also allows nurses to establish that a death has occurred and fill out a death certificate. Dr. Francis Evoy testified to a parliamentary commission on April 20 that cases of happy dementia might still be hiding psychological suffering, an interpretation euthanasia opponents wanted to prevent. There is no acceptable framework for the clinical manifestations for receiving MAiD by advance directive. Many issues, including the sedation of individuals with diminished capacity prior to administering MAiDhave been postponed until the practical guide (to implementing the new legislation) is drafted, Living with Dignity stated. We must promote medical assistance in living! Pier Luc Turcotte, an occupational therapist, University of Ottawa assistant professor, and a member of an expert panel examining Bill 11, also warned of the negative consequences in an article published in Le Devoir. The expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with physical disabilities opens the door to major abuses, with very few solid guidelines to prevent them, he wrote. After the bill was tabled on Feb. 16, Turcotte said his expert group met 11 times in five weeks in a hasty debate. Three days before the final report was filed May 16, a dozen groups for the defence of the rights of persons with disabilities arrived to talk to the forum, but none of their concerns or recommendations were incorporated into their report to legislators. Minister Belanger made another amendment to the bill due to media reports of funeral homes renting out rooms to provide MAiD. The amendment expands the locations where MAiD can be provided, but bars the promotion and marketing of MAiD. The bill ensures owners and managers of inns, campgrounds, cottages, and parks who refused to allow MAiD on their property maintain their conscience rights. However, Living with Dignity said expanding MAiD locations trivializes death and those who refuse to allow it could face odious consequences. In February, Quebecs Commission on End-of-Life Care reported the province would have 7 percent of all deaths come from MAiD when the annual tally for the fiscal year was completed. Schadenberg expects expanded access will only increase the total. Why are they so into killing now? he asks. Theyve expanded the law even though they have the most number of euthanasia deaths in the world, percentage-wise. So when you start putting this into perspective, this is a very concerning situation. RCMP Investigating Foreign Interference Targeting MP Michael Chong Conservative MP for Wellington-Halton Hills Michael Chong votes against a motion of privilege on the Intimidation campaign against members of Parliament in the House of Commons, in Ottawa, on May 9, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says his police force has launched an investigation into recent reports of foreign interference targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong. The RCMP has opened an investigation of reported allegations [of] intimidation targeting Honourable Michael Chong and has contacted the Commissioner of Canada Elections regarding other allegations that have come to light, Duheme said while he testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) on June 13. Duheme said the RCMP only found out about the issue through the media and PROC proceedings. The Globe and Mail reported in early May on a 2021 assessment from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) which mentioned the Chinese regime was targeting MPs for their stance on human rights in China. That information was distributed to relevant departments but never briefed to ministers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other ministers and senior officials have said. Former special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston says he examined the intelligence related to the Chong affair in his report tabled on May 23. He wrote that Chinese regime officials had contemplated action directed at both Chinese Canadian MPs and their family members in China, and sought to build profiles on others. Johnston added there is no intelligence indicating that the PRC took steps to threaten his family. There is intelligence indicating they were looking for information. Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn told the committee that the RCMP also reached out to Elections Canada regarding other allegations of foreign interference that have recently come to light, including those from former Conservative party leader Erin OToole and NDP MP Jenny Kwan. RCMP Shut Down Operations at Alleged Chinese Police Stations, House Committee Hears Senior RCMP officials told a House of Commons committee on June 13 that the force has shut down the operations of several locations across Canada that were reported to be secret Chinese police stations. Based on the work thats done, the overt action that the RCMP has taken on the multiple sites, we are comfortable based on the criminal intelligence that we have that the activities in the specific areas have shut down, Acting Commissioner Michael Duheme testified at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) on June 13. Duheme stood by his statements when Conservative MP Michael Cooper questioned their seeming contradiction to the testimony from Jody Thomas, national security and intelligence adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On June 1, Thomas testified at the PROC that the government is aware of activities at two alleged Chinese police stations in Quebec and that work is being done to ensure that they cease to operate. Im comfortable to say at this point in time that [the Chinese police stations] are shut down. Investigations are continuing in these overseas police stations, Duheme said. The two locations suspected of doubling as police stations that Thomas referred to are the Service a la famille chinoise du Grand Montreal (SFCGM) and Centre Sino-Quebec de la Rive-Sud (CSQRS), which are respectively located in Montreal and in Brossard, Quebec. The two organizations, both operated by Brossard City Councillor Xixi Li, have been in function for decades, providing community services to local Chinese immigrants, such as language training programs. RCMP first announced investigations into these two locations in March, saying at the time that they had received at least 15 serious tips about the presumed Chinese police stations. The Sino-Quebec Center in Brossard, Quebec, is seen on March 9, 2023. RCMP says its investigating this organization, along with the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal, which are allegedly clandestine overseas Chinese police service stations. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times) Reports about the two locations in Quebec were the latest in a series of revelations about overseas police outposts operated by at least four local-level police bureaus in China. The public was first made aware of these Chinese police stations by the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders in reports published last year. The NGO, initially studying the Chinese Communist Partys long-arm policing, said some of these overseas police stations were involved in the coercion, harassment, and forced repatriation of Chinese nationals living abroad. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn, who also testified at the PROC on June 13, confirmed that seven, and possibly eight, police stations were operating in Canada. According to Safeguard Defenders reports, there are three locations in Toronto and two in Metro Vancouver suspected of being Chinese police stations. The Epoch Times also reported on Feb. 13 that another location in Richmond, B.C., was listed as an overseas police service centre by a local police bureau in China. Greatest Threat for Democracy Duheme said he recently attended a law enforcement meeting in Australia with nations in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, and that foreign interference was a key topic of their discussion. China represents the greatest threat for democracy in our country, Duheme told the committee. In response to a question from Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull, Duheme said having strong relationships with communities and encouraging the residents to report such activities is key to preventing these secret foreign police stations from re-emerging in Canada in the future. Flynn echoed this, saying that many people have come forward to report their experiences in relation to the Chinese police stations after RCMP officers in uniform conducted open investigations at the locations. We have many individuals that have come forward to us, he said. Part of our plan behind that public visibility in uniforms, in police cars, particularly in provinces where the RCMP is not seen in uniform, was to help build some of that trust and confidence with the community, so that they would feel comfortable coming forward. Noe Chartier contributed to this report. Republican Lawmaker Warns Trump Supporters About Falling Into DOJ Trap Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 8, 2022. (Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images) Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) has issued a warning to conservative Americans about falling for the trap if they choose to protest against former President Donald Trumps latest indictment. Higgins, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, warned Trump supporters that the Department of Justice would like to have J6 again, a reference to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. My fellow conservatives, the DOJ/FBI doesnt expect to imprison Trump, they expect to imprison you. They want J6 again, in Miami and in your city and in mine. They want MAGA conservatives to react to this perimeter probe and in doing so, set yourselves up for targeted persecution and further entrapment, Higgins said in a statement on June 11. They want to intercept a busload of conservatives en route to protest and create conflicts during the stop. They are hoping to provoke conservative Americans. Dont fall for the trap. Maintain your family. Live your life. Live free and pay close attention and make your voice heard, Higgins added. Dont become an incarcerated pawn in the agenda driven DOJ/FBI strategy to oppress conservatives across America. Trump arrived in Miami on June 12, one day before his scheduled appearance in federal court, where he will be arraigned on federal charges. The former president faces a total of 37 felony counts over his handling of documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including violating the federal Espionage Act and other federal statutes for allegedly making false statements, concealing documents, and conspiring to obstruct justice. Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the Georgia state GOP convention at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Ga., on June 10, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) On Sunday, Trump urged his supporters to protest peacefully. Our country is going communist, its going Marxist, its going really bad. The people of our country arent that way, but the people running it are, Trump said during a radio interview. We need strength at this point, and everyones afraid to do anything. Theyre afraid to talk, and they have to go out and they have to protest peacefully. They have to go. Miamis police chief, Manuel Morales, has said his department is taking Trumps arraignment on Tuesday extremely seriously and it can handle a crowd of up to 50,000. President Trump can take care of himself in court, he knows weve got his back. The DOJ knows theyve got nothing on him. Theyre doing this because they want you to let your anger overwhelm your strategic judgment and they expect you to step willingly into their trap, Higgins added. We will fight against this oppression. We are indeed, with every ounce of spirit, fighting against the insidious evil that threatens our beloved Republic, but We the People must fight against oppression legally, peacefully, and within the parameters of our Constitution. The Epoch Times has contacted the DOJ for comment. Polls Before Trumps indictment was unsealed on June 8, a new Gallup poll revealed that more Americans considered themselves to be conservative on social issues since 2012. The poll, which queried 1,011 U.S. adults from May 1 to May 24, found that 38 percent of respondents said they were conservative or very conservative on social issues, up from 33 percent in 2022 and 30 percent in 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage said they were liberal or very liberal on these issues stood at 29 percent, a decrease from 33 percent last year and 34 percent in 2021. Among Republicans, the percentage of respondents that said they were socially conservative increased from 60 percent two years ago to 74 percent this year. The percentage of Independents who said they were socially conservative increased from 26 percent last year to 29 percent this year. Fewer Independents said they were liberal on these issues, dropping to 23 percent from 29 percent in 2022. Greater social conservatism may be fostering an environment more favorable to passing conservative-leaning social legislation, especially in Republican-dominated states, the poll said. Trump continues to lead the GOP pack in the 2024 race for the White House. According to the latest I&I/TIPP poll, which polled 482 likely Republican primary voters from May 31 to June 2, Trump received 55 percent of support, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a distant second with 19 percent of support. Former Vice President Mike Pence finished third with 6 percent of support, followed by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) with 3 percent each. So Trumps edge, when it comes to his own party, again appears insurmountable at this early stage of the nominating process, the poll says. Revolutionary War Generals Statue Removed From Albany, New York City Hall Over Slave Ownership A statue of a Revolutionary War general was removed from City Hall in Albany, New York, on Saturday over his ownership of slaves. City workers removed the statue of Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler before loading it onto a trailer and hauling it to a storage facility. The statues removal fulfilled an executive order that Democratic Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan issued three years earlier. As a Revolutionary War soldier, Schuyler led colonial forces defending against the British Saratoga campaign that sought to control the Hudson River valley. The British campaign was defeated at the Battle of Saratoga, marking the first time continental forces successfully repelled a large-scale British force. Schuyler is also notable as the father-in-law of Alexander Hamilton. He is also the namesake of several locations across New York, including Schuyler County and Fort Schuyler. Schuylers statue had stood in front of City Hall since 1925 and paid tribute to the Albany natives service in the Continental Army, as well as his work in the Albany Common Council, the New York State Senate, and the United States Senate. The Citys decision to place a statute of Maj. Gen. Schuyler in front of City Hall ignored a grim aspect of his life, namely that he was reportedly the largest owner of enslaved people in Albany during his time, Sheehan wrote in her June 11, 2020 order. Sheehans order directed Schuylers statue to be stored until it can be given to a museum accredited by the New York State Department of Education or New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for future display with appropriate historical context. Sheehan tweeted several photos and a video of the statue removal on Saturday. Moving the Schuyler Statue is about realizing that as time marches on, times change, and we need to change and adapt with them. It is not about erasing history it is about placing it in the context based on what we know now and based on what our residents are demanding we know, Sheehan said in one of her Twitter posts. Historial Figures Removed Sheehans original 2020 order to remove the Schuyler statue came amid widespread protests and riots around the country following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody. The demonstrations sparked by Floyds death gave rise to a broader debate over Americas racial history. While some localities handled their statue removals through a formal process, rioters took the issue into their own hands on numerous occasions, pulling monuments down on their own. City workers clean the vandalized John C. Calhoun Monument in Marion Square in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2020. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) While several early statue removal efforts focused on Confederate generals, some efforts focused on monuments to American founding fathers such as Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jeffersonboth of whom owned slaves. In the summer of 2020, a statue of President Ulysses S. Grant was toppled. Grant had owned a slave for a brief period in his life but freed that man by 1859 and went on to lead Union forces against the slave-owning Confederate states during the Civil War. In 2020, rioters in Portland, Oregon, toppled a statue of 16th President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln had owned no slaves and had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves in the Confederate states to be free. Lincoln also advocated for and saw several states ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, prior to his assassination. In June 2020, a group of Republican protesters defended a statue of 26th President Theodore Roosevelt against a removal effort. The statue, which stood in front of the American Museum of Natural History, featured Roosevelt on a horse flanked on one side by a Native American and on the other side by an African man. The American Museum of Natural History said the statue communicates a racial hierarchy that the Museum and members of the public have long found disturbing. The statue was eventually removed from the museums front and relocated to North Dakota. From NTD News. Rio Tinto Deepens Pact With Worlds Biggest Steelmaker A worker monitors molten iron pouring into a furnace at a steel manufacturing plant in Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, on August 15, 2012. (Stringer/Reuters) Iron ore leader Rio Tinto has signed a pact with the worlds biggest steelmaker as investors demand ways to curb the climate impact of the steel and mining industries. Under the memorandum of understanding signed with China Baowu in Shanghai, the two companies pledged to play a leading role in transforming one of the worlds most emissions-intensive products. Rio Tinto chief commercial officer Alf Barrios said the agreement aims to address one of the biggest challenges faced by the industry. That is, developing low-carbon processes for low-to-medium grade iron ores, which account for the vast majority of global iron ore supply. Lower-grade ores produce more emissions when extracted, as they need to be blasted out of more rock and traditionally require extreme heat to be made into steel. The two companies will examine how to make feedstock that would be suitable for lower-carbon processes that consumers demand. In contrast to coal-fired blast furnaces, equipment is being developed to use gas and hydrogen. China Baowu said upgrading the steel industry all the way along the production chain would support the world to address the challenge of climate change. Extending their 50-year relationship, the two companies will share expertise and resources in Australia and China. The Memorandum of Understanding follows trade talks in Beijing last month as the steel giant weighed up sites for an offshore green steel plant. We look forward to progressing this study into the potential of low-carbon iron making in Western Australia as we work to ensure a positive future for Pilbara ores in a green steel world, Rio Tintos iron ore boss Simon Trott said. The steel industry accounts for around 15 to 20 percent of Chinas emissions. GREEN STEEL PRODUCTION CHAIN: * Jointly study opportunities for producing low-carbon iron and pellets in Western Australia * Develop pelletisation technology for Australian-sourced ores to be used as a feedstock for low-carbon processes * Research, build and demonstrate a pilot-scale electric melter at a steel mill in China * Develop Baowus existing HyCROF technology which it says can largely mitigate blast furnace emissions. Russian Missile Attack Kills 11 in Ukrainian Presidents Hometown A rescuer works at the site of a building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on June 13, 2023. (Andrii Dubchak/Reuters) KRYVYI RIH, UkraineEleven people were killed in a Russian missile attack that struck an apartment building and warehouses in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown of Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, local officials claimed. Emergency services said four were killed in the apartment block and seven at the warehouses. A further 25 people were wounded, two of whom suffered severe burns and were in critical condition, the chief doctor of one of Kryvyi Rihs hospitals told reporters. Zelenskyy, who was born in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack. Russia has repeatedly struck cities across Ukraine since the war began in February 2022 but denies targeting civilians. Moscow has also accused Ukraine of cross-border shelling. Senate Republicans Gird to Fight Bidens CDC Pick Dr. Mandy Cohen, COO and chief of staff of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, attends aEHouse Ways and Means Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Nov. 3, 2015. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Six Republican senators led by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) are urging President Joe Biden to not appoint former North Carolina Secretary of Public Health Dr. Mandy Cohen to succeed Rochelle Walensky as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to recent news reports, you intend to appoint Dr. Mandy Cohen as the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We write to express our opposition to Dr. Cohens appointment and to urge you to withdraw your reported selection. Dr. Cohen is unfit for the position, Budd wrote in a June 13 letter to Biden. Joining Budd in signing the letter were Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). Also signing the letter were 22 Republican House members, led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The other House signers included Reps. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and Randy Weber (R-Texas). Throughout her career, Dr. Cohen has politicized science, disregarded civil liberties, and spread misinformation about the efficacy and necessity of COVID vaccinations and the necessity of masks, during her time as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the letter reads. She also has a history of engaging in partisan leftwing politics. As Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Cohen was a proponent of unnecessary, unscientific COVID restrictions on school children, stating in July 2021 that schools with students in K8th grade should require all children and staff to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Schools with students in 9th12th grades should ensure that anyone who isnt fully vaccinated, including students, wear a mask indoors. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) is ceremonially sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris for the 118th Congress in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) The letter signers also pointed to what they described as Cohens highly partisan background. Despite being tasked to serve in a purportedly nonpartisan agency, Dr. Cohen has an extensive history of publicly campaigning for Democrats and supporting radical, left-wing policies. In 2009, she served as the National Outreach Director for the group Doctors for Obama, later known as Doctors for America, a partisan political association that not only campaigned for Obamas presidency but also endorsed an unconstitutional ban on semi-automatic rifles and lobbied to classify climate change as a public health crisis, the signers wrote. She also participated in the misleading White Coat Rally at the White House supporting Obamacare as a tense debate raged and as recently as August of 2022 hosted fundraisers for Democrats running for office. A White House spokesman didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment, but the presidents plan to dispatch Cohen to the CDC has been widely reported. Cohen also didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment on the Budd-led letter opposing her prospective appointment. Senate Democrats asked by The Epoch Times about the prospect of a Cohen appointment either declined to comment or professed not to be familiar with her. The CDC director position is an odd one in the federal lineup of highly visible public figures because, unlike virtually all other major federal agencies, the Senate presently doesnt have a confirmation role. Biden can simply appoint his choice as an executive-level employee while ignoring congressional opposition. But that will change in January 2025 as the 2022 Omnibus Spending Act included a provision requiring a Senate confirmation process. A Cohen appointment wouldnt be a surprise as she worked closely with President White House chief of staff Jeff Zients during the Obama administration when she served as chief operating officer and chief of staff for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). She also served a stint as acting director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight CMS. Whoever Biden ultimately selects to succeed Walensky, that individual will likely be a key adviser as the president decides how his administration should respond to the proposed international agreement that would, according to critics, cede too much control over U.S. public health policy during a future pandemic to the World Health Organization. Epoch Times congressional reporter Jackson Richman contributed to this report. Special Counsels Indictment Raises Questions of Election Interference Special counsel Jack Smith delivers remarks on a recently unsealed indictment against former President Donald Trump at the Justice Department in Washington on on June 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Commentary Donald Trump is right that the special counsels 37-count indictment against him for holding classified documents is federal law enforcements latest effort to interfere in a presidential election, as they did in the last two. But theres something else, too. For the 2016 and 2020 elections, there was alleged evidence of the Democratic Party candidates corruption. The same is so for the upcoming 2024 decision. In every instance, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved to protect the ruling classs preferred candidate by framing Trump. What were watching unfold isnt just the next leg in an election interference operation, but also an eight-year-long coverup of allegedly illicit financial arrangements between senior Democratic officials and the agents of foreign governments. For nearly a decade, Trumps opponents have falsely accused him of being a Russian asset, but it appears that its his rivals who have been compromised by foreign powers. Maybe its a coincidence that the charges against Trump were issued the same day Republican lawmakers disclosed the contents of a DOJ document regarding President Joe Bidens allegedly corrupt relations with a foreign enterprise. According to the report, in 2017, a valued and longtime FBI source reported that as vice president, Biden demanded $5 million from a Ukrainian energy company to shape U.S. policy. The source told the FBI he was approached by a senior executive from Burisma, the Ukrainian firm owned by a former government official that has been the subject of various Ukrainian and international investigations. In the hope of resolving its legal problems, Burisma hired a U.S. lobbying firm and named Hunter Biden to its board, at a salary of more than $50,000 a month. The FBI source reported that the unnamed Burisma executive told him Joe and Hunter Biden wanted $5 million each. The former vice president later boasted to a New York audience that in March 2016, hed threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees from the Ukrainian government unless it fired the prosecutor investigating Burisma. After Trump got word of Bidens speech, he asked the newly elected president of Ukraine to help his attorney general, William Barr, investigate what the Biden family had been up to in Ukraine. The newly disclosed FBI source information suggests that the attorney general, the FBIs ultimate supervisor, buried evidence damaging to Joe Biden. When a former Biden aide filed a whistleblowers complaint that Trump asked the president of Ukraine for help investigating what potentially unlawful acts the Bidens had committed in his country, Democratic Party House members moved to impeach the president. According to the articles of impeachment, hed threatened to withhold U.S. taxpayer resourcesa weapons programif the Ukrainians didnt play ball with an investigation. In other words, Democrats and the media simply hung the precise pattern of Bidens alleged corruption on Trump. Throughout the 2020 campaign, any reports of Biden family corruption were dismissed as Russian disinformation. Under Barr, the FBI set up a task force to block social media and press reports of Hunter Bidens laptop. The American public deserved to know that the device was full of emails and other documents that allegedly gave clear evidence of the Biden familys influence-peddling operation that sold access to foreign governments and enterprises. By concealing it from the electorate, the DOJ perpetrated a fraud against the electorate. The Russian disinformation theme was little more than an updated version of Russia collusion. According to the FBI and other U.S. spy services, the media, and Democratic Party operatives, Moscow was seeding lies about Biden for the same reason it stole Hillary Clintons emailsTrump was Vladimir Putins preferred candidate. In fact, for the 2016 campaign, the FBI alleged that Trump was a Russian agent in order to obtain a foreign intelligence surveillance act warrant to spy on his campaign. They wanted to know whether Trump aides knew of emails hacked from Hillary Clintons unsecure server. The fear presumably was the emails she supposedly deleted from her server might give evidence of possible corrupt financial arrangements with the foreign governments and enterprises that contributed to the Clinton Foundation while she was secretary of state. The Clinton campaign was worried that someone might leak those emails as an October Surprise to derail her candidacy in the closing weeks of the campaign. The report published last month by special counsel John Durham details how the FBI ran a source against the Trump campaign to ask what they knew about Clintons emails, and if they had an October Surprise in store for her. The FBI never believed Trump or any of his aides were Russian agents, it simply needed a cover story to shield Clinton by spying on the GOP nominee. The essence of federal law enforcements coverup operation is easy to understandits a plot line used in scores of detective movies and dime-store novels. A bunch of dirty cops framed a politician to protect his corrupt opponent. The DOJs indictment of Trump fits the pattern of Russia collusion and Russian disinformation. The fact that Trump has been indicted on charges related to holding classified documents suggests that whatever classified documents Biden stored in unsecure facilities in his garage and office may contain damaging information about the arrangements he made as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and then as vice president. With more than a year until the November election, the DOJs dirty work is far from over. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Storms Forecast to Bring Rain, but Also a Risk of Winds, Lightning, as Wildfires Rage Smoke billows upwards from a planned ignition by firefighters tackling the Donnie Creek Complex wildfire south of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada June 3, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service/Handout via REUTERS. Storms across the country could bring much-needed rain, but also the risk of powerful winds and lightning, as Canada experiences its worst wildfire season of the 21st century. Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair announced a grim milestone Monday, saying more than 47,000 square kilometres have burned so far this year, with 431 wildfires currently burning across Canada. Quebecs public security minister said a rainy forecast in that province was bringing hope for progress in the battle against the blazes, as more than 7,200 people remain out of their homes due to wildfires. Francois Bonnardel said rain showers and cooler temperatures should be moving into northwestern Quebec. Bonnardel said the fire effort is being bolstered by the arrival this week of two contingents of American firefighters, with more reinforcements from Spain and Portugal expected to arrive Wednesday. Elsewhere, another storm is forecast to move into northeastern British Columbia where officials describe a volatile and rapidly evolving wildfire situation. Environment Canada said a system could dump up to 25 millimetres of rain over the parched Peace River region, but would likely be followed by thunderstorms and winds gusting to 60 kilometres per hour. Hundreds of people have either been forced from their homes or are under an evacuation alert as the 4,660-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze continues to rage, having grown to be the second largest wildfire ever recorded in the province. The same weather system prompted severe thunderstorm watches for a large part of southeastern B.C., a wind warning for the west side of Vancouver Island and special weather statements for most other central and southern regions. That includes the eastern Vancouver Island area where a small but aggressive fire burns out of control on steep hills above Highway 4, indefinitely closing the only paved link to Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet. In Alberta, a fire continues to threaten the community of Edson, where 8,400 residents remain under an evacuation order issued Friday. A massive fire in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, remains out of control, although officials say the 235-square-kilometre Barrington Lake wildfire is no longer growing. Teams with the provinces Department of Natural Resources will be flying over the fire in southwest Nova Scotia this week and will use infrared scanners to detect areas where firefighters should be dispatched. The department said firefighting teams are on the ground walking through the area, kicking over rocks and examining stumps. Spokesman Dave Steeves said its monotonous work, but its key to avoiding an ongoing threat to the southern part of the province. About 5,000 firefighting personnel from multiple countries have been deployed across Canada to help battle the flames, and hundreds more are expected to arrive from Chile, Costa Rica, Spain and Portugal in the coming days. Israel is facing a problem it is reluctant to acknowledge. Perhaps it does acknowledge it, but it refuses to make it public. In either case, the policies it is pursuing suggest that it is not only not interested in solving the problem but bent on making it worse. The problem is that, even as Israel pushes signing what have been described as peace treaties with some Arab countries, hostility to it is mounting at the grassroots level day by day. The sentiment manifests itself in many ways, from armed conflict to boycotts of and opposition to normalisation. Clearly there is another factor that has a greater impact on Arab public opinion of Israel than peace agreements between governments. That factor is the continued Israeli occupation, Israels flagrantly racist and brutal policies towards civilians in the occupied Arab territories and its moves to annex those territories in violation of all relevant UN resolutions and international laws. The most recent outpouring of grassroots anger at Israel occurred several days ago in Morocco which, according to international surveys, is the least anti-Israel country in the Arab region. Last week, Israel dispatched Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who is of Moroccan origin, to Rabat for a historic visit that was reportedly to pave the way to raising diplomatic relations between the two countries to the ambassador level. As soon as he arrived, he encountered protest demonstrations in which protesters burned Israeli flags and shouted, No to normalisation. Resistance is the solution. Morocco is a free land, Ohana get out! From Rabat to Palestine, the people are one! Perhaps what has contributed most to increasing popular hostility to Israel, including in countries that have signed peace agreements with it, is that the occupations aggressive and belligerent actions and policies are, in fact, in line with the long-established strategy of the Zionist state. That strategy remains unaffected by any agreements with Arab governments and those agreements have done nothing to lead Israel away from those policies towards peace. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Supreme Court Wont Hear Ohios Lawsuit Over Using Pandemic Relief for Tax Cuts U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh listens during the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 4, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) The Supreme Court refused on June 12 to hear Ohios argument that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) unconstitutionally prevents states from using COVID-19-related pandemic relief funding to offset tax cuts. This is the second time this year that the court has turned down a states petition challenging a tax-related provision in ARPA. The $1.7-trillion American Rescue Plan Act, signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021, was a response to the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA provided $195 billion in aid to state governments, along with $130 billion in aid to local governments. Ohio accepted about $5.4 billion. On Jan. 17, the Supreme Court took a pass on an appeal by Missouri challenging a ban on states using federal pandemic-relief funds to offset state revenue reductions, such as those attributed to tax cuts or other policy changes. The new decision is a victory for the Biden administration, which had urged the court to refuse Ohios petition. The case is Ohio v. Yellen, court file 22-880. Janet Yellen was sued in her official capacity as secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The court denied Ohios petition in an unsigned order and did not provide reasons for its decision, which is its usual practice when turning down a case. Justice Brett Kavanaugh voted to hear the case but did not explain why. For the court to hear an appeal, at least four of the nine justices have to vote to grant the petition. Ohio sued in 2021 after 21 attorneys general in other states sent a letter (pdf) to Yellen asking her to clarify that ARPA did not preclude states from using their own discretion as to how to spend the funds. Among the states signing were Georgia, Arizona, West Virginia, Texas, and Florida. Specifically, the officials asked Yellen to take immediate action to confirm that certain provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act do not attempt to strip States of their core sovereign authority to enact and implement basic tax policy. The language in the act could be read to deny States the ability to cut taxes in any manner whatsoevereven if they would have provided such tax relief with or without the prospect of COVID-19 relief funds. Without a more sensible interpretation from your department, this provision would amount to an unprecedented and unconstitutional intrusion on the separate sovereignty of the States through federal usurpation of essentially one half of the States [sic] fiscal ledgers (i.e., the revenue half). Indeed, such federal usurpation of state tax policy would represent the greatest attempted invasion of state sovereignty by Congress in the history of our Republic, the letter stated. The Supreme Court ruling leaves intact a November 2022 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, which held that Ohio failed to establish a justiciable controversy. Justiciability refers to the ability of a court to decide a case according to legal principles. Ohios legal standing to bring the lawsuit was also challenged but the 6th Circuit ruled that regardless of standing, the controversy is moot. The circuit court reversed an earlier permanent injunction issued by a federal district court that barred the Treasury Department from enforcing the offset provision against Ohio. The district court found that the case was not moot even though the Treasury Departments rule implementing the offset provision was so ambiguous that it cast a pall over legislators abilities to contemplate tax changes. Ohio had argued in court papers that part of ARPA violated the U.S. Constitution. Congress enacted the tax mandate provision in ARPA in hopes of pressuring States not to cut taxes, Ohio stated in its petition (pdf) filed with the Supreme Court on March 10. The mandate prohibits States from using Rescue Plan funds to directly or indirectly offset any reduction in [their] net tax revenue caused by a tax cut. Congress has the power under the U.S. Constitutions Spending Clause to offer States federal money with conditions attached, but those conditions must be clear, and the offers must be non-coercive. The tax mandate is unconstitutional both because it is hopelessly ambiguous and because Congress coerced the States into accepting its terms, according to the petition. An official at the Buckeye Institute, a pro-free market think tank based in Columbus, Ohio, said it would continue fighting in the courts. The organization filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case in April. David C. Tryon, Buckeyes director of litigation, said, The federal mandate unlawfully usurps power from the states over their taxing authority. Despite the U.S. Supreme Courts decision not to hear Ohio v. Yellen, there are other opportunities for the high court to reign in this sweeping usurpation of state policymaking power. Justice Kavanaugh signaling that he would have heard the case is important. Justice Kavanaugh and his colleagues will have other opportunities to address the tax mandate, and The Buckeye Institute will be there advocating tirelessly for the proper respect of state taxing authority, Tryon said. The Epoch Times asked the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, for a comment but had not received one at the time of publication. The Epoch Times also reached out for comment to the U.S. Department of Justice, which represented Yellen in the case, but had not received a reply as of press time. Supreme Court Wont Review Decision Banning Confederate Flag License Plates A sample Virginia licence plate containing the logo of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which incorporates the Confederate battle flag, is shown in Richmond, Va. on May 8, 2002. (Wayne Scarberry/Getty Images) The Supreme Court on June 12 decided it wouldnt consider an appeal seeking reinstatement of North Carolinas specialty license plates that display a version of the Confederate battle flag. The case comes in an era in which Confederate symbols, which had previously been viewed as innocent commemorations of the past but are now seen by many as sympathetic to so-called white privilege and the system of slavery the Civil War overthrew, are being removed from the public square. Mississippi removed an inset version of the Confederate flag from its state flag in 2020. Meanwhile, the names of Confederate generals are being stripped from U.S. military installations. Months ago, President Joe Biden signed a bill directing that a marble bust of the late Chief Justice Roger Taney, who authored a pro-slavery Supreme Court opinion that helped to precipitate the Civil War, be removed from the U.S. Capitol building. A statue of Taney was removed from the Maryland General Assembly grounds in Annapolis in 2017 after then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, endorsed the move. The anti-Confederate trend accelerated after an ill-fated, highly publicized rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, in which leftists clashed with neo-Nazis, along with others who attended to protest a proposal to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a nearby park. Biden cited the rally, in which one protester was killed, during his 2020 campaign. In the rallys aftermath, the Black Lives Matter movement grew steadily. It was then embraced by much of the public and corporate America following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody in March 2020, which led to widespread public revulsion and a violent nationwide backlash against police. By one count, nearly 100 Confederate monuments were taken down across the country in 2020 alone. NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at its racing events in 2020. A U.S. and a Confederate flag are seen flying over the infield campground before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on Sept. 6, 2015. (Jonathan Moore/Getty Images) The Supreme Court denied the petition in North Carolina Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc. v. North Carolina Department of Transportation (court file 22-932) in an unsigned order on June 12. No justices dissented. The court didnt explain its decision. The plates bearing the insignia of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), which contains the Confederate flag, had been issued under a state law that allows the issuance of specialty plates to a qualifying civic group that can muster at least 300 applications for the plates. Under North Carolina law, license plates are property of the state. The group described itself in its petition (pdf) as a non-profit organization which exists for the purpose of honoring and remembering the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces of the Confederate States of America. The SCV was not created out of hate and is non-political, so it does not endorse politicians or political parties. The SCV has consistently opposed the use of the Confederate Battle Flag by individuals and organizations pursuing political agendas or seeking to discriminate against individuals or groups. First Amendment The case goes back to January 2021 when the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced it would stop issuing or renewing the plates, which the group said in its petition was the first time any civic organization has received such a letter in the history of the NC specialty plate program. SCV sued in state court, but the case was transferred to a U.S. district court. The group claimed its rights under the First Amendment were violated by the DMV, but the district court dismissed the claim. In December 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit upheld the dismissal but didnt provide reasons for its decision. North Carolina urged the Supreme Court not to take up SCVs appeal. The SCVs First Amendment argument doesnt warrant the courts attention because the court already dealt with the question in Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc. in 2015, the state said in a brief. In that ruling, the court held that specialty license plate designs constitute government speech, and that States are consequently entitle[d] to refuse to issue plates featuring designs that they find offensive. Attorneys for the group provided a statement by R. Kevin Stone, commander of the North Carolina Division of SCV, to The Epoch Times. We feel that we have a strong case, Stone said. We are disappointed the Supreme Court did not grant a review and close the book on this issue, as we have a strong case related to a recent Federal precedent (Boston flag pole case). If government-owned flag poles can be private speech, so can license plates. Stone was referring to the Supreme Courts May 2022 ruling in Shurtleff v. Boston, in which the court held unanimously that Bostons decision to allow national flags and flags about historic events, causes, and organizations to fly outside its city hall while refusing to raise a Christian flag was an unconstitutional example of government censorship. Most importantly, our case differs from the Texas case involving license plates because we have a different law in North Carolina. Our plates were issued by court order and upheld by the NC Court of Appeals in 1999. The NC DMV cannot overturn a court order, Stone said. In 1865, Southern armies surrendered, and after that, there was a long period of reconciliation. Today, the Left wants to relitigate that war. Their message is much bigger than any 2 x 2 symbol on a license plate. Not only does the Left want to eliminate any memory of our Confederate ancestors from the public square, but they will also one day go after Abe Lincoln and George Washington. Today, the Left is removing Confederates; tomorrow, it will be George Washington; the next day, all of Western civilization, Stone said. North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Target Stores in Five States Evacuated After Bomb Threats Target offers candles, photo frames, and lights as part of its LGBT display in a Texas suburb, on May 24, 2023. (Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times) Several Target locations throughout the country were reportedly threatened after receiving bomb threats. Target stores were briefly evacuated in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on June 10, after receiving what local law enforcement described as vague bomb threats, allegedly over the retail chains Pride Month merchandise. Locations in at least five states were also evacuated over the weekend after receiving bomb threats, but no explosives were in any of those locations, The Washington Post reported on June 12. News outlets in Oklahoma, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Louisiana all received emails from unknown individuals threatening to bomb the retailer in those states. The emails accused Target of betraying the LGBT community and named the locations of four stores in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. Vague Bomb Threats Rattle Target Stores Over the Weekend Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR received an email listing seven locations in the region, claiming that two of the locations already had bombs in them and were hidden inside store products. We are going to play a game, the email said, adding, We hid the bombs inside some product items, KFOR reported. The bombs will detonate in several hours, guess which ones have the bombs. Time is ticking, the email read, which ended with the date 4/19/1995, the date of the Oklahoma City bombing. KFOR reported that the same bomb threat was sent to several newsrooms and state lawmakers. Whether its a hoax or not, we have to take it seriously, said Sgt. Rob Robertson of the Oklahoma City Police Department. He said that Target stores in Yukon, Moore, Norman, and Oklahoma City had been notified of the threats. Target released a statement later that evening that all stores in the area had reopened. The safety of our team members and guests is our top priority, said Target, and that law enforcement investigated claims regarding several stores in the Oklahoma City area today and determined these stores are safe. Our stores are currently open and operating regular hours. Police chief Shawn Burke, of South Burlington, Vermont, where one of the stores was located, told The Washington Post, I think it had quite an impact locally It makes people a little bit uneasy to think about whats going on. Were more and more seeing this type of behavior in terms of swatting at schools locally and in terms of stores like Target [nationally], Burke added. Conservatives Continue to Boycott Pro-Gay and Transgender Products Meanwhile, conservatives have been boycotting Target over its pro-LGBT stance for weeks, causing the retailer to lose much revenue. Targets website features Pride Month products, including rainbow shirts for men, pint glasses embellished with Cheers Queers, and a childrens book to teach them preferred pronouns. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year, the company said in a statement, referring to Gay Pride Month in June. The company was earlier forced to remove several items, due to protests, including what were described by conservative activists as tuck-friendly childrens bathing suits that provided extra coverage for transgender individuals who did not undergo a sex change, in order to conceal their genitalia. Target executives were forced to hold an emergency meeting in late May in response to protestors posting videos of themselves attacking Gay Pride Month displays and confronting employees in the stores over pro-LGBT merchandise. The retailer then decided to remove or relocate some of the controversial items to make them less visible in stores. Since then, Target locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah have received bomb threats allegedly from pro-LGBT militants who said they were upset with the removal of the Pride merchandise, The Washington Post reported. Target is one of the many corporate brands that have come under fire for pushing pro-LGBT propaganda due to pressure from activist shareholders who promote the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda. In April, Bud Light beer faced a similar backlash and a massive drop in sales following a boycott over its partnership with transgender personality Dylan Mulvaney. Retailers such as Kohls, Nike, North Face, PetSmart, and Walmart have also faced boycotts for stocking items that push the gay and transgender lifestyle. Thailands PM Frontrunner Faces Election Probe Over Shares in Media Firm Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, waves to the crowd during the general election in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 14, 2023. (Jorge Silva/Reuters) Thailands polling body said Monday that it will investigate if front-running prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat is qualified to run for office, which could derail his plan of forming a new government. The Election Commission said the probe will determine whether Pita ran in last months election despite being aware of his disqualification owing to his ownership of shares in media firm ITV, which violates election rules. ITV ceased operations in 2007, but political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said the company is still actively doing radio broadcasts and advertising, Thai PBS reported. Ruangkrai claimed that Pita owns 42,000 shares in ITV and alleged that Pita failed to include this in his 2019 asset declaration. ITV was said to have generated 20 million baht ($579,165) in revenue last year. Pita, 42-year-old leader of the liberal Move Forward Party, later explained that the shares were part of his late fathers estate, which he had already disclosed to the anti-corruption agency in 2019. I already submitted details about the shares. I saw it with my own eyes, Pita was quoted as saying by Thai PBS. However, the election body said there are sufficient grounds to suspect Pitas eligibility to run for office and his violation of the law. If found guilty, Pita could face disqualification and a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. He will also be banned from participating in politics for 20 years. Chaitawat Tulathon, secretary-general of the Move Forward Party, said the party is confident that the allegations do not have sufficient evidence that will affect Pitas prime ministerial nomination. Pitas Move Forward Party won the most seats in a May 14 election and defeated parties allied with the military, which has ruled Thailand for nearly a decade after its 2014 coup. The party won huge support among the youth by advocating for institutional change, including reducing the armys political role, undoing monopolies, and reviewing a controversial law against insulting the monarchy. Speaking to reporters on May 14, Pita told reporters that his new government will be anti-dictator-backed, military-backed parties, for sure. Its safe to assume that minority government is no longer possible here in Thailand, he added. The party formed an alliance with six smaller parties, but Pitas bid to form a government is expected to face resistance in a conservative-leaning Senate that was appointed under the military. A bicameral vote on a prime minister is expected by August. The conservative United Thai Nation party, which is led by outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired general who led the most recent coup, warned that a change in government could lead to conflict. The decision of the people on May 14 will decide whether Thailand will move forward with stability and unity as it has done in the past eight years, or will be dragged backward into a black hole of conflict and mutiny, the party stated last month. Reuters contributed to this report. The Goal Is to Take Away Private Vehicles: Trump Alumni, Policy Expert Warn of EPA Electric Car Rule Tesla cars are seen parked at the construction site of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, March 20, 2022. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters) Trump administration veterans have questioned the Biden administrations proposed electric car rules, arguing that they could be a pretext for radically slashing private vehicle ownership. Mike McKenna, a deputy assistant to President Donald J. Trump, told a Heritage Foundation panel that the Environmental Protection Agencys April proposal is actually about getting rid of cars in large numbers. He said the United States would need to scale up the mining and processing of minerals at an implausibly rapid clip to adhere to the rules while maintaining anything like its current production and sales figures for automobiles. The EPA projects that under the rules, roughly two-thirds of new light-body vehicles sold in the United States will be electric models by 2032. Were obviously not going to have 42 times the lithium we need in anything remotely like the folks who are talking about this transition intend, McKenna said. The American people dont want this, he added. Steven G. Bradbury, who served as general counsel to the Department of Transportation under Trump, predicted that rules would lead to the Cubanization of the American car fleet, alluding to the prevalence of very old cars in the communist-run Caribbean state. Tourists ride classic convertible cars on the Malecon beside the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba, on Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan,) As the price rises and the selection of the most popular gas-powered vehicles disappears from the dealership, many American families, and particularly the lower- and middle-income American families, and rural Americans, are not going to be buying those new vehicles, he said. Whatever they are, however they look, however they drive, theyre going to be more expensive, fewer choicestheyre not going to buy as many new model vehicles, going forward. EPA assumes the sales will continue to be highthe market demand will be there. Its not realistic. What happens when they dontwhen Americans stop buying as many new-model vehicles? Bradbury added. He warned that less wealthy Americans could be face driving older and older used vehicles. Bradbury noted that his prediction aligns with the findings of one recent survey, which determined that the average age of U.S. automobiles peaked in 2023 at 12.5 years. We will become like Cuba, he said. Rules Could Burden Poor and Minority Communities: Panelists Both McKenna and Bradbury are affiliated with Heritage, which hosted the talk. Donna Jackson of the National Center for Public Policy Research agreed with her co-panelists about the underlying motivations of the proposal. The goal is to take away private vehicles, and if we dont have as many, we dont have to worry about disposal [of batteries], she said. Jackson, who is African-American, said the EPAs move to regulate vehicles is part of a playbook used on black Americans half a century ago. If you dont own any property, then you have to do what the government says to do. They want control. They tried this experiment already in the black community, and it worked. Now theyre coming for you, and you, and you, and thats the primary goal, she said, pointing at individual audience members as she spoke. Jackson argued that a top-down transition to electric vehicles would disproportionately harm black Americans, given their low median income and the high current prices of electric cars. In addition, an outsized percentage of African Americans receive welfare relative to their overall share of the population. Those government subsidies come with asset limits, Jackson said. Such asset limits range in the low thousands of dollarsfigures dwarfed by the costs of new electric cars, which average over $60,000. A Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne electric supercar is displayed in front of an NB 480 electric vehicle power charging station at the Power Electronics booth during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 6, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) In practice, an increasing number of low-income black Americans could find it harder and harder to own vehicles. This is the Biden administrations war on the poor, Jackson said. Bradbury suggested the EPA rules likely costs for poor and minority communities could be the basis for court challenges. Jackson said conservatives should lose what she called their conservatese jargon when communicating those risks to African Americans. At the end of the day, people want to know, Am I going to be able to take my child to the doctors office or not?' she said. Post-Bailout Automakers Seem to Want to Be Regulated Utilities McKenna said big American automakers so far have not expressed much opposition to the proposed changes. He suggested that the companies may view their relationship with the government in less free market terms than some might imagine. The U.S. government bailed out multiple U.S. automakers during the financial crisis of the late 2000s. That set a corporatist precedent. What they seem to want to be is regulated utilities, where the United States governmentthe United States taxpayersguarantee them a certain amount of return in the course of a year, McKenna said. Heritages Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a Trump Transportation Department veteran who moderated the panel, had a pointed question. If automakers are expecting to be bailed out, isnt this a material fact that should be disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission and their shareholders? she asked. EPA keeps a small window, a small aperture in terms of what it analyzes and addresses under these rules, and so theyre not taking into account considerations like thatthe disclosure obligations of companies in public markets, Bradbury said. The new GM logo on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit on March 16, 2021. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters) Bradbury predicted the rules could lead the EPA to push for electricity rationing. Furchtgott-Roth noted the correspondence between that possibility and bills already being consideredfor example, legislation to mandate bidirectional charging in electric vehicles under consideration in Californias state legislature. That means that the state can suck the electricity out of your car engine and use it for its own purposes. She stressed that people have until July 5 to weigh in on the proposed regulations. Guidance on public comments is here. Tories, Bloc Discuss Next Steps on Foreign Interference as NDP Pitches Its Own Idea Two opposition party leaders have now met to discuss the next steps for how the Liberal government should tackle the issue of foreign interference. A spokesman for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed he met Tuesday with Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet. A spokesperson for the Bloc said it was Poilievres office that reached out for the meeting, the details of which have not been divulged. Their meeting comes after former governor general David Johnston informed the prime minister last Friday he was resigning as special rapporteur on the matter, citing a hyper-partisan environment that was eroding trust in the process. Johnston presented a report last month recommending against a public inquiry, citing the difficulty of having one when national security information must be kept secret. He did, however, say a public process of some kind was necessary and had planned to hold a series of hearings over the summer to further investigate what foreign interference looks like. Johnstons resignation followed weeks of intense scrutiny from opposition MPs and calls for him to step aside. During that time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deferred to his special rapporteur on what should be done about allegations that China meddled in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Now the ball is back in the Liberal governments court. Trudeau told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the Bloc has submitted a list of people it thinks could lead an inquiry. Among the names on the list supplied by the Bloc was former Supreme Court of Canada justice Louise Arbour, who was recently tasked with reviewing sexual misconduct in the Canadian military. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trudeau said foreign interference is an issue that must be taken seriously, suggesting that opposition MPs have not done so to date. If we can move past the toxicity and partisanship that has characterized the approach by many parties and actually take this seriously, work together and figure out a way to highlight everything that is being done and what next steps can be taken, itll be a good thing. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he thinks a committee should be struck to decide who could lead a potential inquiry. He added the party has laid out the criteria for who it wants to lead a potential public inquiry. The first requirement is they should be a sitting or retired judge. It should also be someone who hasnt donated to a political party in a number of years, Singh said. He said potential candidates should have no affiliation to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, a scholarship organization named after the prime ministers late father. Johnstons past involvement with the foundation, as well as his relationship with the Trudeau family, became a focal point for the opposition especially for Poilievres Conservatives. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters the government remains open to an inquiry, but it wants to hear from opposition parties on who could lead one, what the timeline should be and how it would deal with secret information. LeBlanc called the Blocs list a positive step forward, saying he hopes that by the end of next week, when Parliament is scheduled to break for summer, the government can announce what that public process will look like. A public inquiry in a highly sensitive protected area of national security is different than another public inquiry, LeBlanc told reporters. The terms of reference are important, the kind of persons or person who would lead such an effort are also very important. Toronto Mayoral Candidates Square Off on Housing Torontos mayoral candidates agreed that housing affordability is probably the biggest issue facing the city. Theyre choosing between living and eating, and thats not right, said Mitzie Hunter, one of six mayoral candidates at a debate put on by the University of Torontos School of Cities. Housing is a human right, said Hunter, a former provincial cabinet minister. Every month folks are holding their breath to see if the check is going to clear the rent, added Brad Bradford, an urban planner and city councillor. Theyre making decisions at the grocery storewhat products can they afford? Theyre making trips to the food bank, he said. But how to make housing affordable is where the candidates part company. While some favour much more government involvement, others believe that is not the best approach. Long-time city councillor and former NDP MP Olivia Chow argued the city needs to jump back into housing in a much bigger way. The city needs to come back to build housing. Because weve been away for too long, over a decade, said Chow. We could do creative things with the communities whether its land trusts or churches or union halls or nonprofit organizations, she said. Later in the debate, she added, One of the fatal flaws in the past 10 years is complete dependence on the private sector. To help pay for it, she pointed to things like land transfer taxes on the wealthy. You know, the $20 million homes that have a private squash court in it. If you can afford to buy it, you can pay a bit more, she said. But several other candidates argued a much broader approach is needed. How many $20 million houses with squash courts exist in Toronto? asked Bradford. Theres a handful, but I dont think its going to fill a billion-dollar budget gap. He argued there are a number of different strategies needed. Its not about building more bureaucracy to build more housing We need to remove barriers, he said. I worked in the chief planners office I saw what wasnt working I saw a culture of endless debate, deferral, delay. Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders said governments role should be mostly shaping the environment to encourage more construction. I want to make sure that I cut that red tape and make sure that we have the navigating system put in place so that these [construction] approvals can be done within a year and not the average of three to five years it is taking right now, he said. I fundamentally disagree with city, or government, building. They continuously get in their own way, said Saunders. He added the biggest problem is a lack of supply of affordable housing, and that the city needs to prepare for some 500,000 more people in the years to come. A lot of this has been because of flawed leadership, people who didnt take the initiative to build and continue to build. There should always be a continuous plan of development in the city of Toronto, said Saunders. Mitzie Hunter said the solutions of the past are not going to be good enough. We are not in the 1990s. We need 2023 solutions to deal with the challenges that we have today, said Hunter. Our city is at a point where it could be a breaking point, she warned, because housing has become unaffordable for many. Hunter said her plan includes a new Toronto Affordable Housing Corporation, along with measures like ending a ban on multi-plex apartments and speeding up building approvals and construction. It is time for a generational change in Toronto, and we can do this. There is a clear choice, she said. City councillor Josh Matlow argued a variety of strategies are needed. He is proposing a new agency called Public Build Toronto to build affordable housing at cost on city land. At the same time, he said the city needs to offer incentives for more private sector investment in affordable housing, and a new deal with the provincial government for more housing. He also wants to see other ideas like home share emphasizedwhere people with existing homes who need more cash would rent out part of their home. We need to be more creative about how were living together in our city because frankly, the more that were able to live together, work together the better off well be. So, theres no one model. Were going to need a number of models to be able to be successful, he said. Ana Bailao, a former city councillor, said partnerships between different sectors of the economy are a big part of the answer. Affordable housing is essential to the well-being of our residents and our communities, she said. We have really interesting partnerships happening now between many of our nonprofit organizations and builders, we need to incentivize that in order to strengthen our nonprofit sector. Our key is to strengthen our nonprofit sector. She also argued pushing out the private sector is not realistic. You will not solve housing in the city without builders at the table. Lets make this clear. We need to build 285,000 units in the city, the city is growing. We need all the partners we can get, she said. The race for mayor is crowded. The University of Toronto said on its website that candidates polling at 7 percent or more between May 1529 were asked to participate. The by-election is set for June 26, and was called after the resignation of former Mayor John Tory. When nominations closed in May, there were 102 people running for mayora new record. Toyota, Kia, Land Rover Included in Recall of 247,000 Vehicles According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly a quarter million Toyota, Kia, and Land Rover vehicles have been recalled over a range of issues, including loss of brake power, malfunctioning taillights, and faulty airbags. The NHTSA has issued recalls for nearly 99,000 Kia Sportage SUVs, over 96,000 2022 through 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid SUVs, nearly 13,000 Land Rover Range Rover, and more than 29,600 2017 through 2020 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The NHTSA also issued a number of recalls for other vehicles, including 8,281 Mercedes-Benz electric sedans for a software error related to loss of propulsion power; 103 Jayco RVs from 2023 due to the possibility of the solar panel detaching from the pop-up roof; five Subaru Ascent SUVs for defective ball joints; 1,008 Bentley Bentayga due to seat latch issue; 719 Chrysler Alfa Romeo due to broken brake disc; and a recall of the 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport due to incorrect wheel assembly. Kia Sportage The recall of the Kia Sportage is because they could lose their power brakes. The issue is that the brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned, causing an internal vacuum leak and increasing the risk of an accident, according to the NHTSA report. Affected vehicles include certain model-year 2023 Sportage SUVs that were manufactured at the brands plant in West Point, Georgia, from Jan. 12, 2022, to Feb. 15, 2023. Kia dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Letters of notification are expected to be mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and ask about brake booster recall number SC272, or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) and learn more. Toyota Corolla Cross SUVs The Toyota Corolla Cross SUVs from model years 2022 and 2023 are being recalled because the instrument panel may have been built without the required perforation, which could result in the passenger airbag not deploying properly. Toyota conducted testing to determine the effect of no perforation in the instrument panel on airbag opening, the company said in a safety report. The results showed that the airbag deployed in a manner that was different than the intended design. It might not properly cushion passengers in an accident. Toyota dealerships will inspect the panel and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel at no cost to owners. Owners may contact Toyota at 800-331-433. Toyotas number for this recall is 23V384. Land Rover Recalls Range Rover SUVs Jaguar Land Rover is recalling model year 2022/2023 Range Rovers as the rear taillight connector may be damaged, which can cause the vehicles exterior lights to fail to illuminate, according to a safety report. This includes the body mounted tail-light, tai-lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Exterior lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the right lights, as necessary, free of charge. Letters of notification are expected to be mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at (800) 637-6837. Land Rovers number for this recall is N784. Land Rover Recalls Discovery SUVs Jaguar Land Rover is recalling certain 2017 to 2020 Discovery SUVs. The UniLatch Keyless Vehicle (KV) entry function may fail to properly latch the rear passenger doors, which can result in the doors opening while driving. This can increase the risk of a vehicle crash or compromise the safety of vehicle occupants, the company said in a safety report. In addition, the instrument cluster open-door warning light may fail to alert the driver of this condition. Dealers will disable the UniLatch Keyless Vehicle entry function, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rovers number for this recall is N798. Trump Lawyer Warns Indictment Is a Turning Point in US History A lawyer for former President Donald Trump told reporters that the federal indictment of her client is akin to what happens under dictatorships as the former commander-in-chief was arraigned in a Miami court on Tuesday. We are at a turning point in our nations history, lawyer Alina Habba, who is representing Trump in another case, told reporters on Tuesday outside the Miami federal courthouse where Trump was arraigned. The targeting prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships like Cuba and Venezuela. It is commonplace there for rival candidates to be prosecuted, persecuted, and put into jail. A federal indictment that was unsealed last week charged Trump with 37 counts stemming from his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Prosecutors said that he refused to turn over classified documents, made false statements, and obstructed justice, among other charges. During Tuesdays arraignment, Trump pleaded not guilty. Alina Habba, a spokeswoman and lawyer for Donald Trump, works toward a media scrum outside the federal courthouse in Miami on June 13, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/Epoch Times) The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods, the indictment said. But Habba, like Trump, argued that the indictment of Trump suggests there is a double standard, as Democrats like President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton never faced such federal scrutiny. None of them were president, who as the head and sole member of the executive branch, has the power to summarily declassify documents, Habba told reporters. The decision to pursue charges against President Trump while turning a blind eye to others is emblematic of the corruption that we have here. Habba also said that the indictment is not about President Donald J. Trump, who is defiant, adding: It is not about the Republican Party, it is not about the 2024 election, Habba added. It is about the destruction of longstanding principles that have set this country apart. Video footage showed Trump riding to court with his son Eric, who accompanied the motorcade from the former presidents Doral resort to the federal courthouse in Miami. The footage also showed Trump walking to a line of SUVs with his son by his side while someone yelled, Lets go Trump! The former president could be seen stopping and waving at supporters, as well as chatting with staff members. Eric Trump appeared to clap his father on the back just before he climbed in a vehicle. Protesters and members of the media gather outside The Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida, June 13, 2023. (REUTERS/Marco Bello) Trump was digitally fingerprinted and had his birthdate and Social Security number taken as part of the booking process Tuesday at the federal courthouse, the U.S. Marshals Service told The Associated Press. The former president will forgo a mugshot because enough photos of him already exist in the system. Trumps 2024 Republican presidential rivals were largely refraining from public campaign events as the political worlds attention shifted to the former presidents appearance in federal court in Miami. Speaking Tuesday morning outside the courthouse where Trump will be arraigned, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated his commitment to pardoning Trump if elected to the White House. The wealthy biotech entrepreneur also announced that hed given every 2024 presidential challenger signed commitment letters asking them to join him in the pledge. Other Republican presidential hopefuls, including Trumps former ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, planned fundraisers and media appearances while forgoing campaign events. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott was heading to Iowa for a town hall event later in the week but had no public events scheduled for Tuesday. A June 13 USA Today 2024 poll shows that Trump has 48 percent support among GOP voters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is No. 2 with 23 percent support, while no other candidate has 5 percent. Trump is also accused in a New York state court of falsifying business records related to payments made during the 2016 campaign. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, saying hes being unfairly targeted by political opponents who want to hurt his campaign. After his court appearance, Trump will return to New Jersey, where hes expected to hold a press event to publicly respond to the charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Trump Pleads Not Guilty in Historic Federal Case Former U.S. president Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks to the Georgia state GOP convention at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Ga., on June 10, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MIAMIFormer President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Miami on June 13 to 37 felony charges related to his handling of classified government documents. One of the saddest days in the history of our country, Trump wrote on Truth Social on June 13 while en route to the federal courthouse. We are a nation in decline!!! Trump and his Republican supporters have decried the charges as politically motivated, while others see them as evidence that no one is above the law. The plea marks the latest step in a years-long legal battle between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the former president, one that now has serious implications for the 2024 presidential race, in which Trump is the leading Republican candidate. Boxes of records are stored in a bathroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. (Department of Justice via AP) The Arraignment Trump arrived at the federal courthouse in Miami more than an hour before his scheduled 3 p.m. arraignment. The case is the first time a former president of the United States has been formally accused of violating federal law. Trump was placed under arrest. Court staff collected his fingerprints electronically. The president wasnt photographed. The booking took about 10 minutes. A crowd of several hundred people, mostly Trump supporters, gathered among the rows of palm trees in the court plaza. A large number of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers were also present. During the arraignment, which lasted about 35 minutes, Trump appeared calm and composed in his trademark blue suit and red tie. Trump appeared before Duty Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, flanked by attorneys Todd Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, and Christopher Kise. A handful of citizen spectators were seated in the courtroom. The gallery was mostly filled with reporters chosen at random from a large number of journalists on site and three sketch artists. The indictment alleges that Trump unlawfully retained 31 government documents, including some classified as top secret. The documents included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack, according to the indictment. The indictment also alleges that Trump showed classified documents to others twice in 2021, a potential violation of the federal Espionage Act. The most serious charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison. When asked to enter a plea, Blanche spoke on behalf of his client: We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty. Trump has steadfastly maintained his innocence, calling the charges a travesty of justice, election interference, and a witch hunt. A man holds a Trump sign outside the federal courthouse in Miami on June 13, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/Epoch Times) Timeline of the Case The case centers on a chain of events that began more than two years ago with a request by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for the return of government records. It eventually led to the execution of a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago, the appointment of a special prosecutor, and the June 8 indictment of the former president. On May 6, 2021, NARA requested records from Trump, believing that a number of government documents were missing. In December 2021, a Trump representative told NARA that about a dozen boxes of presidential records had been located at Mar-a-Lago and that staffers were searching for more. In January 2022, Trumps representatives provided 15 boxes of documents to the NARA. In February 2022, NARA said it had found items marked as classified national security information among the Trump documents. In April 2022, the White House Counsels Office asked that the NARA provide the FBI access to the 15 Mar-a-Lago boxes. The FBI later said that agents found 67 documents marked confidential, 92 marked secret, and 25 marked top secret. Trump, who hadnt conceded the 2020 presidential race, maintained that he had declassified the materials. In June 2022, Trump attorneys provided NARA with another 38 documents with classification markings, including five documents marked confidential, 16 marked secret, and 17 marked top secret. Trumps representatives attested at the time that, following a diligent search, they believed that no other classified materials remained at Mar-a-Lago. In August 2022, FBI agents served a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago in what many describe as a raid on the former presidents home. Agents seized 36 items containing about 100 classified records. The DOJ later asserted that classified materials were likely concealed and removed from a Mar-a-Lago storage room to obstruct the investigation. Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Nov. 15, 2022. The DOJ appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigations against Trump three days later. Trump announced on social media on June 8 that his lawyers had informed him of the indictment against him. Alina Habba, a spokeswoman for Donald Trump, walks toward a media scrum outside the federal courthouse in Miami on June 13, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/Epoch Times) Trump Unfazed Trump returned to the campaign trail two days after announcing the indictment. Addressing supporters in Columbus, Georgia, the former president took the offensive against both the DOJ and President Joe Biden. The ridiculous and baseless indictment by the Biden administrations weaponized Department of Injustice will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country, he told a crowd of about 3,000 people who filled the GOP convention venue to capacity on June 10. Trump and others allege that his indictment was timed to divert attention from an emerging alleged bribery scandal centering on Bideninformation that House Republicans are prying from the FBI. Biden is trying to jail his leading political opponent, just like they do in Stalinist Russia or communist China, Trump told the audience. Trump pointed to the fact that Biden also possessed classified documents from his time as a U.S. senator. Biden didnt have any authority and he had no right to possess those documents, Trump said. Yet nothing happened to Crooked Joe. Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence both voluntarily surrendered classified documents they discovered among their papers to the federal government last year. Politicians React Most Republican politicians view the indictment as a political attack against Trump. It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) wrote on Twitter. Joe Biden has used his Justice Department tonight to indict his top political opponent, Trump. He has trampled the rule of law to benefit himself. He has led the country into profound danger, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote on Twitter. Contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination generally took the same tack, denouncing the DOJ rather than Trump, their political opponent. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis decried the weaponization of federal law enforcement. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said the American people are exhausted by prosecutorial overreach. Only former Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas criticized Trump over the indictment. Christie said in a June 9 interview on Fox News that Trumps wounds were self-inflicted. Thats weight that Donald Trump will have to carry if hes the nominee into a general election in November. And why do we want to take that risk? Christie said. Hutchinson called for Trump to drop out of the presidential contest in a statement on June 8. This reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign. Democrats viewed the indictment as evidence that the U.S. justice system is working. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wrote on Twitter the indictment affirms the rule of law: For four years, he acted like he was above the law. But he should be treated like any other lawbreaker. And today, he has been. The chaos of Trump continues, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) wrote on Twitter. What hes doing to this country, the extremism and danger he and his allies present, has to end. The Road Ahead Trump was released on his own recognizance at the request of the prosecution. Most pretrial release conditions were waived. Goodman imposed an order prohibiting Trump from speaking with any witnesses or victims except through their attorneys. The judge made an exception for witnesses with whom Trump has regular contact, including his co-defendant and employee, Walt Nauta. In those cases, the judge prohibited Trump from discussing the case. Legal experts believe the Trump defense team will attempt to draw out the proceedings for as long as possible. For Trump, the 2024 campaign continues. Even if convicted of the charges, no law prevents him from running for or winning the presidency. After leaving the courthouse, Trumps motorcade stopped at a Cuban restaurant named Versailles, where he met with supporters. Several of the patrons prayed with him. Others sang happy birthday ahead of the former presidents June 14 birthday. Trump told the crowd, Food for everyone. The former president also lamented the state of the nation, saying: We have a country that is in decline, and we cant let that happen. Janice Hisle, Jackson Richman, and Joseph Lord contributed to this report. Singapore hosted the 20th edition of the Shangri-La Security Dialogue, one of the most important security fora in the world today and no less important than the Munich Security Conference, on 2 to 4 June. The dialogue focuses on Asian security and defence questions and is organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. This years dialogue centred on US-Chinese relations and the impact of the increasingly tense relations between the two powers on the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific Region that includes the Indian Ocean. The main guests were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, guest speaker this year, and a host of senior military, defence, and government officials from 54 countries. However, all eyes were on two prominent defence chiefs at the dialogue, namely US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and new Chinese Minister of Defence Li Shangfu. The two men shook hands at a dinner occasion, but they did not hold the bilateral meeting that the US administration had proposed. This was turned down because of US sanctions against Shangfu that date back to 2018 during the previous Trump administration. The reason given by the US at that time was that Shangfu had facilitated the transfer of Russian planes to China. The Chinese made it clear that it would not be advisable to hold a meeting between the top US and Chinese officials while their top-rank military commander remained subject to US sanctions. Prior to the Dialogue, US President Joe Biden had said that his administration was considering lifting the sanctions on Shangfu, but this did not materialise. Last year, Austin had a meeting with former Chinese minister of defence Wei Fenghe in the first such high-level meeting between military leaders from the two sides. However, US-Chinese relations have grown more tense during the last 12 months despite the summit meeting that took place between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last November in Bali, where the two leaders were attending the G20 Summit meeting. The high-profile visit by then speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last August and the meeting in San Francisco between her successor, Kevin McCarthy, and President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen in April this year on a stopover in the US on her way to visit some Latin American countries led to a deterioration in US-Chinese relations. These were also strained by the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon that violated US airspace last December. As a consequence, the US postponed a scheduled visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing in February. In his keynote speech at the dialogue, the Australian Prime Minister reiterated the US positions, stressing that all countries must engage, maintain open dialogue and diplomacy, and follow multilateral rules. He was speaking about China, of course, though without naming it. He added that what he termed diplomatic deep freezes would only give rise to suspicions, saying that for this reason his country was stabilising its relations with China. At the same time, Australian Minister of Defence Richard Marles defended the AUKUS military alliance between Australia, the UK, and the US and tried to depict it as providing balance in the Asia-Pacific region, along with ensuring deterrence and providing pathways to peace. The highlight of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue came in the remarks delivered by the top US and Chinese defence officials. The gap between their positions on the course of relations between the US and China does not look as if it will be narrowing anytime soon. Talking implicitly about China, Austin said there could be no room for bullying or intimidation and that the US was stepping up planning and training with its partners from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. Using an undiplomatic tone, he said that for responsible leaders, the right time to talk is any time. The right time to talk is now. He went on to say that the more we talk, the more we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict. The following day, Shangfu addressed a plenary session of the dialogue and alluded to the US when he said that some countries intervene in the internal and regional affairs of other countries, frequently impose unilateral sanctions, threaten to use force, and launch colour revolutions and proxy wars everywhere. He also criticised the term rules-based international order. The official representatives of countries from the region at the dialogue also voiced their concerns with regard to the competition between the US and China. They emphasised that they do not want to take sides in this for the simple reason that their countries trade with China and some of them also have security agreements with the United States. One of the most interesting topics discussed at the dialogue this year was the military balance between China and the US, with participants at this session agreeing that the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is getting stronger by the day in the context of an ambitious programme of military modernisation in China. Before the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party last year, the Chinese president called for the complete modernisation of Chinas military so that by 2050 the country would have world-class armed forces in other words, a military that is no less powerful than the US one. This sheds light on the remarks made by Austin earlier this year when he said that the efforts of the Pentagon are centred today on being one step ahead of the Chinese armed forces. Similarly, the Commander of the US Command for the Indo-Pacific Region said last April that the PLA was carrying out a military build-up that he characterised as the most comprehensive, largest, and fastest ever seen. This years Shangri-La Security Dialogue did not give rise to an optimistic assessment of the way US-Chinese relations will develop in the months to come, despite Bidens remarks in Hiroshima in Japan last month on the sidelines of the G7 Summit meeting to the effect that US relations with China would see a thaw. The long-postponed visit of Blinken to Beijing has been rescheduled for 18 June. Maybe this was on Bidens mind when he spoke about a thaw in relations with Beijing. If so, from the perspective of the Asian countries that aired their concerns about future US-Chinese relations at this years Shangri-La Security Dialogue, this is good news. * The writer is former assistant foreign minister. Search Keywords: Short link: UK Announces 4.3 Million Pound Investment in Space-Based Solar Power The UK government is planning to invest 4.3 million pounds in the space-based solar power industry that has huge potential to boost the UKs energy security. Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps announced the multimillion-pound government funding on June 13, saying he wants the UK to boldly go where no country has gone beforeboosting our energy security by getting our power directly from space. Space-based solar power systems collect energy from the sun using panels on satellites. The power is then distributed to Earth wirelessly in the form of microwaves to dedicated receiver stations. Four universities and four companies will receive funding from the governments Space Based Solar Power Innovation Competition (pdf). The winning projects include Cambridge University, who will develop ultra-lightweight solar panels for the satellites that can function in the high-radiation conditions of space, and Queen Mary University in London, who are working on a wireless system to enable the solar power collected in space to be transferred to Earth, the government said in a statement. MicroLink Devices UK in South Wales, which was awarded more than 449,000 pounds, aims to develop the next generation of lightweight, flexible solar panels. Another company, Satellite Applications Catapult in Didcot has been given close to 1 million pounds to test the electronic steering and beam quality of its space satellite antenna technology. Were taking a giant leap by backing the development of this exciting technology and putting the UK at the forefront of this rapidly emerging industry as it prepares for launch. By winning this new space race, we can transform the way we power our nation and provide cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy for generations to come, Shapps said. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps leaves Downing Street, London, on Feb. 27, 2023. (James Manning/PA Media) The technology is at the early stage of development, but the government is relying on its success to fulfil its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. Space-based solar power could generate up to 10 gigawatts of electricity per year, according to a 2021 study published by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy. This would cover a quarter of the UKs energy needs by 2050. Space-based solar power has the potential to reduce the dependence of Earth-based solar panels on the suns visibility. At a sufficiently high orbit, sunlight would be available on a continuous basis. Imperial College London will study how solar energy from space could be integrated into the electricity grid, while the University of Bristol will produce a simulation of solar space wireless power transfer capabilities. Global Ambition The UK Space Agency has contributed 1 million pounds to space-based solar power projects, with the rest coming from Shappss department. The space agencys Payload Systems lead Mamatha Maheshwarappa recognised the potential for space-energy sectors collaboration. Space technology and solar energy have a long historythe need to power satellites was a key driver in increasing the efficiency of solar panels which generate electricity for homes and businesses today, Maheshwarappa said in the governments statement. One of the main challenges of space-based solar power, according to the European Space Agency (ESA), is that in order to generate optimal, economically-viable levels of solar power, large structures both on Earth and in space are required. With the dropping launch costs, solar power satellites are becoming more economically competitive, according to the ESA. A single solar power satellite of the planned scale would generate around 2 gigawatts of power, equivalent to a conventional nuclear power station, able to power more than one million homes. It would take more than six million solar panels on Earths surface to generate the same amount, the agency stated. The United States, Japan, and China are also working on space-based solar power projects, with some claiming to have successfully transmitted solar power from space to Earth. Japan is planning to test a space-based solar power project using small satellites in 2025. UK Should Stop Being Driven by White Guilt, Racial Report Author Says British institutions need to stop being driven by so-called white guilt, the author of a government report on race and ethnicity said. Tony Sewell, chair of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, warned against seeing everything through the race lens alone, saying institutions need to consider the complexities of racial disparities. The remarks came days before the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrushs arrival in England, carrying onboard the first of Caribbean migrants who were later called the Windrush generation. Owing to the British Nationality Act 1948, which gave Britains colonial subjects the same citizenship status as those who lived in Britain, many people moved to the UK from the Caribbeans during the next two decades without needing any documents. After British law changed in 1971, the Windrush generation, along with migrants from other former British colonies, were given the right to permanently live in the UK, but poor record-keeping by the Home Office resulted in the so-called Windrush scandal, in which many Windrush immigrants were wrongfully denied access to work, health care, housing, and in some cases, wrongfully deported. Speaking to The Times of London, Sewell, who was born in London to parents who moved from Jamaica in the 195os, said while racism remains a problem, disparities among groups are complex for multiple reasons. Criticising those who attempt to cling to the notion of black as some unifier, he said people have to be willing to unpack the real reasons for disparities instead of seeing everything through the race lens alone. The way to mitigate disparities in schools, isnt unconscious bias training for teachers, Sewell argued. Its how do you support some of those families that are finding it difficult with their children, particularly boys, to engage in the schooling system. He also urged institutions to stop being driven by sentiment, guilt, and lobby groups and put more focus on facts and data. We need to stop being driven by what I call white guilt. I can see it in institutionsoverreach, completely irrational responses, not considering the context and the complexities of issues, he said. Jamaican immigrants welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship HMT Empire Windrush landed them at Tilbury, England, on June 22, 1948. (PA) Sewell, an education consultant who founded the charity Generating Genius, was appointed the chair of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities by Boris Johnson in 2020 to examine inequality in the UK in the wake of global Black Lives Matter protests over the death of George Floyd in the United States. In their report, published in March 2021, the ten-expert-panel led by Sewell concluded that the system in Britain was no longer deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities, and that very few of impediments and disparities were directly related to racism. The report identified family breakdown as one of the main reasons for poor outcomes such as educational failure and crime, and noted other factors, such as geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture, and religion, have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism. It dismissed the notion of white privilege and rejected calls for decolonising the curriculum in schools. It also listed 24 recommendations that the panel believes would improve the lives and experiences of individuals and communities across the UK by building trust between communities and institutions, promoting greater fairness, encouraging agency in individuals, and nurturing social cohesion. The government later accepted all of the committees recommendations, but the report was rejected by Labour, whose shadow equalities minister Taiwo Owatemi said it had failed to acknowledge that structural racism exists. Nottingham University, where Sewell was awarded a PhD degree in Education in 1995, withdrew an offer of an honorary degree in 2022, citing the political controversy around him. US Marines to Integrate Tech, Amphibious Power Against China A U.S. Marine Corps Osprey is about to land next to soldiers from Japan's 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade during an exercise with the U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Gotemba, Japan, on March 15, 2022. (Carl Court/Getty Images) The U.S. Marine Corps is doubling down on integrating advanced technologies into its warfighting concepts to better counter power rivals such as China, according to the highest-ranking Marine officer. As a result, the Marine Corps will need to take on more risk to ensure greater battlefield rewards, according to Gen. David Berger, the commandant of the Marine Corps. Its not necessarily the embracing of new ideas thats hard. Its letting go of the old, Berger said during a June 13 talk with The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. We have to accept risk in certain areas and move very quickly if were going to stay in front. Bergers comments focused on the ongoing implementation of Force Design 2030, a program begun in 2020 with the goal of preparing the Marine Corps for a naval war against major adversaries such as China. Refocusing on Amphibious Warfare Many strategists believe that the world is entering a new era of naval competition between great powers. Any conflict between the United States and China would turn on the ability of either side to control vital sea lanes. This competition is going to go on for a while, and were going to have to figure out a way through it long-term, Berger previously said. Its causing us to approach risk in a different way, managing near-term and long-term. We could pull everything forward and be absolutely 100 percent focused on this week [but] mortgage the future or the inverse and not really be worried about this afternoon and just looking down the road. Chinese naval forces greatly outnumber the U.S. Navy in terms of surface combatants. The United States has nearly 300 warships, though only about a third of that force might be available on any given day, and that third is spread across the entire globe. Only about 60 U.S. warships are deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. A majority of Chinas 350-strong fleet, meanwhile, is stationed within 300 miles of the country. That number rises to more than 600 vessels if the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia forces are counted. Should a war break out in the IndoPacific, that means the United States would be starting at a sizable disadvantage. According to Berger, naval power will only become more vital to ensuring the national interest in the coming decade, and the U.S. Marines will be central to that effort. Submarines, aircraft carriers, amphibious forces. Those three categories are what great naval powers have to have in order to protect their national interests, Berger said. We need to go back to our naval roots and be naval. Not because its our roots, but because thats how were most effective. After 20 years in the Middle East, Berger said, there are difficulties adjusting back to the amphibious operations for which the Marine Corps was created. Nevertheless, he said, acting in close coordination with the Navy and refocusing on amphibious strike power would grant the nation a decided advantage in any conflict. Part of the value of the Marine Corps is its a naval expeditionary force, Berger said. We can fight ashore, but what we do for the nation is really powerful when were teamed with the Navy as a naval expeditionary force. Leveraging New Technologies The Marine Corps is also looking to ensure that new technologies, whether they be space-based targeting systems or autonomous vehicles, are understood at every level of command. Theres a growing acknowledgment that space-based capabilities arent something for someone else to think about, Berger said. Tactical leaders have to understand space-based capabilities. Berger said that the modern militarys reliance on space-based capabilities for intelligence, targeting, logistics, and sustainment require a much deeper understanding than in previous eras. Thats true for understanding potential enemy capabilities too. Chinas communist regime is likely developing cyberweapons capable of hijacking U.S. satellite systems during a war, for example, and is developing a comprehensive arsenal of space and counterspace capabilities. Such capabilities would allow the Chinese Communist Party to target U.S. communications, GPS infrastructures, and missile defense systems. Likewise, Berger speculated that the next generation of warships, those that eventually replace todays aging aircraft carriers, would likely be built for more unmanned systems. Whatever it is, its going to be a lot more unmanned, Berger said. The military is betting big on next-generation technologies, including AI-enabled lethal autonomous systems. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley has said that the worlds most powerful militaries will be predominantly robotic within the next decade, and he means for the United States to be the first across that cybernetic Rubicon. Over the next 10 to 15 years, youll see large portions of advanced countries militaries become robotic, Milley said during a March 31 discussion with Defense One. If you add robotics with artificial intelligence and precision munitions and the ability to see at range, youve got the mix of a real fundamental change. It appears that the U.S. Marines will be well-integrated into that future. GOP Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announces a Freedom of Information Act request at 10:30 a.m. ET on June 13 to uncover communications between the White House, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and special council Jack Smith relating to the indictment of the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump. Vivek Ramaswamy Announces FOIA Request to Expose Merrick Garlands Communications GOP presidential Vivek Ramaswamy announced a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request against the Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland in a bid to obtain communications connected to former President Donald Trumps indictment. The FOIA demand comes ahead of Trumps expected arraignment at a Miami courthouse on a range of charges connected to his alleged mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment that was unsealed last week. Trump is expected to plead not guilty. In a Twitter post that included his request, Ramaswamy is asking for any records held by the DOJ in connection to Trumps indictment. He specifically named Garland and special prosecutor Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump, My campaign just filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) demand to uncover exactly what the White House communicated to Merrick Garland [and] Jack Smith about the unprecedented indictment of a former U.S. President & [Joe] Bidens disfavored opponent in this election, he wrote. Every American deserves to know. I will host a press conference in Miami tomorrow at 10:30am ET to discuss this & another announcement. The businessman-turned-2024 candidate added that if the captured media fails to do its job, real leaders in this country need to step up and do it instead, adding: Im running to win this election & itd be easier for me if Trump were eliminated from running, but that is not the right answer for our nation. America First Always. The request seeks to obtain access to any records belonging to the DOJ, including electronic communications between the DOJ and non-government third-parties. Under a federal statute, federal agencies are mandated to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days. Ramaswamy, who is trailing far behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also announced that if he is elected, he will pardon Trump if hes convicted. Former President Donald Trump arrives at the Miami International Airport on June 12, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Reading that indictment and looking at the selective omissions of both fact and law, Im even more convinced that a pardon is the right answer here, he said during a recent CNN interview, calling Trumps indictment deeply politicized. Trump faces 37 counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, including 31 counts under an Espionage Act statute pertaining to the willful retention of national defense information. The charges also include counts of obstructing justice and making false statements, among other crimes. According to the court papers, Trump is accused of keeping documents related to nuclear weaponry in the United States and the nuclear capabilities of a foreign country, along with documents from White House intelligence briefings, including some that detail the military capabilities of the U.S. and other countries. Prosecutors allege Trump showed off the documents to people who did not have security clearances to review them and later tried to conceal documents from his own lawyers as they sought to comply with federal demands to find and return documents. Trump could face 20 years in prison, if convicted. It came after a Trump representative told the National Archives in December 2021 that presidential records had been found at Mar-a-Lago. In January 2022, the National Archives retrieved 15 boxes of documents from Trumps Florida home, later telling Justice Department officials that they contained a lot of classified material. Neither the indictment itself nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024, legal experts have said. The U.S. Constitution has three requirements for a presidential candidate: they have to be at least 35 or older, have to be born in the United States, and needed to have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. Trump is the first president to face federal charges. Earlier this year, in a separate case in Manhattan, he became the first current or former commander-in-chief to be arrested on charges that he allegedly falsified business records in connection to payments that were made during the 2016 election. In a court appearance, he pleaded not guilty. In social media posts and in a campaign stop over the weekend, Trump railed against the charges and said the DOJ is engaging in election interference to aid President Bidens reelection chances. The former president also suggested there are two standards of justice in the United States, saying that top-level Democrats committed crimes but were never charged. Will Deranged Jack Smith be looking at the thousands of pages of documents that Biden had in Chinatown then, when caught, quickly sent up to Boston? Trump wrote on Tuesday. What about the 1,850 Boxes that Biden is fighting to keep secret. How about Hillarys 33,000 emails that she deleted and acid washed? Will he be looking at the $5,000,000 bribe that was paid to Biden but that the Justice Department is trying to hide? Much more coming on that! We are living in a Third World Country. No Borders, Rigged Elections! The Epoch Times has approached the DOJ for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 5 fathers from literature worth emulating Good fathers are surprisingly absent in great works of literature. It would be easier to compile a list of weak, tyrannical, or simply absent fathers vanishing from the pages of the classics than to compile a list of outstanding examples of paternity. Yet this should not surprise us. The fundamental engine driving all stories is conflict. Tension, opposition, problems, and disorders that characters must overcome form the basis of all that we read. You have no story if you have no conflict. Imagine a tale, for example, wherein the protagonist decides to become president, runs a few ads, gets elected by a landslide, and holds an uneventful eight years in officenot very interesting, is it? Characters must endure the sufferings and tragedies of life and struggle against enemies and obstacles; such a story makes us care, and it is more truthful. Conflict often has its origin in family relationships and dynamics. Social science, psychology, and literature all teach us the same thing: Problems within families and society are greatly reduced when good fathers are in place. On the other hand, when good fathers are scarce, societal and family issues aboundwhich happens to make for great dramaKing Lear, anyone? Hence the number of bad or missing dads in the great books. But, of course, not all fathers in literature are failures. There are many moving examples of fathers who sacrifice themselves for the good of their families and provide us with models of the potential for heroism in paternity. In the words of French poet Charles Peguy, There is only one adventurer in the world, as can be seen very clearly in the modern world, the father of a family. Here are five of those adventurers from great works of literature. Hector From The Iliad Hector Taking Leave of Andromache, 1727, by Jean II Restout. Oil on canvas. (Public Domain) Hector is, in the words of Homer himself, the lone defense of Troy against the attacking Greeks. He leads the Trojans into battle, hardens and tempers their resolve, preserves morale, and kills droves of the enemy in combat. He is also a devoted family man. In fact, his motivation to be a terror on the battlefield is precisely his love for his family. J.R.R. Tolkiens words from The Two Towers could well be placed on the lips of Hector: I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. Here is the famous scene where Hector takes a reprieve from battle to visit his wife and son, for whom he will lay down his life by the end of the poem: She [his wife] joined him now, and following in her steps A servant holding the boy against her breast, In the first flush of life, only a baby, Hectors son, the darling of his eyes and radiant as a star The great man of war breaking into a broad smile, his gaze fixed on his son, in silence Shining Hector reached down for his son. And laughed, [Andromache] laughed as well, and glorious Hector, quickly lifting the helmet from his head, set it down on the ground, fiery in the sunlight, and raising his son he kissed him, tossed him in his arms, lifting a prayer to Zeus and the other deathless gods. So Hector prayed and placed his son in the arms of his loving wife. Raising his son he kissed him, wrote Homer in the Iliad, while taking a reprieve from battle. Hector Bidding Farewell to Andromache and Astyanax, circa 18131816, by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. Oil on canvas. Thorvaldsens Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Public Domain) The Knight From The Canterbury Tales Portrait of a warrior with his squire, who is his son, circa 15011502, by Giorgione. Oil on canvas. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. (Public Domain) Among Chaucers group of pilgrims processing through The Canterbury Tales, there is a knight. Chaucer tells us that he is a noble man, loving chivalrie, Trouthe, honour, fredom, curteisie. His manner is gentle and courteous, though he, like Hector, knows how to fight ferociously for the things he loves, and he has seen service in the wars. Joining him on his journey is his son, the Squire. Hes 20 years old, and like youth throughout history, hes infatuated with the latest fashions. His hair has been curled to fit the style of the time, and he was embroidered like a meadow bright. Short was his gown, the sleeves were long and wide. Moreover, hes girl-obsessed. A lover and lusty bachelor, he loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale he slept as little as a nightingale. Courtly love, too, was in fashion at the time, and the Squire has embraced this idealized form of love completely. The setup for The Canterbury Tales is that each pilgrim will regale his fellow travelers with stories in order to pass the time on the way to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. The Knights Tale is one of those stories, but as former English professor at the U.S. Naval Academy David Allen White has pointed out, the real audience for the Knights story is the Knights own son. It is, in fact, a bit of gentle, fatherly correction. The Knight tells a story about the frivolities and dangers of young, irrational love (or lust) in the tale of Palamon, Arcite, and Emily. It is a stern warning about the wrong form of courtly love and youthful impetuositybut delivered in a gentle, charming way, to his son. Prospero From The Tempest Banished from Milan, Prospero and Miranda sail to the remote island where The Tempest takes place. Prospero and Miranda, 1803, by Henry Thomson. Oil on canvas. Royal Academy of Arts, London. (Public Domain) The central figure of Shakespeares play The Tempest is the magician Prospero, who has been wrongly deprived of his dukedom in Milan and exiled with his baby daughter to a mysterious island. Prospero orchestrates the events of the play as, using his magic and his faithful servant, Ariel, he draws his shipwrecked enemies to the island and to repentance. He also plays matchmaker when he brings the prince, Ferdinand, to his now-grown daughter, Miranda, and tests the young mans quality, chastity, and resolveas a good father shouldbefore giving him Miranda to be his wife. Recounting the tale of his exile in a little boat with few possessions, from Milan, Prospero expresses what all good fathers know. The sight of ones child can provide intense motivation to perform almost superhuman tasks for that childs welfare. Speaking to Miranda, he says: O, a cherubim/ Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile./ Infused with a fortitude from heaven,/ When I have deckd the sea with drops full salt,/ Under my burden groand; which raised in me/ An undergoing stomach, to bear up/ Against what should ensue. Prospero takes heart and regains his strength in this darkest moment of his life due to the presence and love of his little baby girl. And he continues to direct events for her benefit throughout the play: No harm./ I have done nothing but in care of thee,/ Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter. Bob Cratchit From A Christmas Carol Bob Cratchit carrying Tiny Tim on his shoulders. A scene from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, circa 1844. Illustration by Fred Barnard. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images) In Dickenss cherished Christmas story, Bob Cratchit endures long hours as a clerk under a despotic employer (Scrooge) for little payall for the sake of his family. Cratchit represents all those countless fathers throughout history who may never have distinguished themselves by a singular moment of extraordinary heroism or bravery, but rather attained a no less significant, though less noticeable, degree of nobility and sacrifice by persevering through the daily slog. Summer and winter, year after year, these men set their shoulders against the boulder of often inglorious duty simply to support those who depend on them. We might call this ordinary heroism, which every family man can aspire to. In connection with Cratchit, one thinks of Robert Haydens poem Those Winter Sundays: Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather made banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him. [] [Id speak] indifferently to him, who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well. What did I know, what did I know of loves austere and lonely offices? On top of poverty, Cratchitlike so many ordinary fathershas the added burden of family medical difficulties. His son Tiny Tim is ill, but the family doesnt have enough money to properly treat him. In spite of this, Cratchit carries his invalid child on his shoulder and cheers him as best he can. Cratchit possesses a patience and dogged cheerfulness in the face of hardship. And in the end, his patience is rewarded. The Father From The Road The father has only one object that he will pursue even to the point of death: to care for the son. The Robber and His Child, 1832, by Karl Friedrich Lessing. Oil on canvas. Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Public Domain) Cormac McCarthy set his novel The Road against an incredibly bleak, post-apocalyptic background. After a catastrophic event has wiped out civilization as we know it, a father and son make a trek across a wasted, ashen America because the father doesnt think they can survive another winter in the north. They seek some place better. Part of the poignancy of the story, however, is that the father knows on some level that there is nowhere to go, nowhere better. But he struggles to keep hope alive in his boy, his son, the only thing he has left in this bitter world. The few survivors the man and boy encounter along the way are mostly killers who have lost their humanity in their desperation and despair. But the father works hard to instill a moral sense in his son in an age that has abandoned all standards of right and wrong: He tells the boy that they are the good guys who are carrying the fire. The starkness of the backdrop only places the heart of the story in greater relief. The darker the background, the greater the contrast with the light at the storys core, and that light is a father and sons love and sacrifice for one another. The father has only one object that he will pursue even to the point of death: to care for the son. His words to his boy are words that would resonate with any father speaking to his child: You have my whole heart. You always did. Youre the best guy. You always were. The Warrior and His Child, 1832, by Theodor Hildebrandt. Oil on canvas. Old National Gallery, Berlin. (Public Domain) Arun Sao has no idea about entire system of paddy procurement Staff Reporter Raipur, Refuting the claims of the BJP State President that the Central Government pays for the paddy procurement, State Forest and Transport Minister Mohammad Akbar said that BJP State President Arun Sao has no idea about the entire system of paddy procurement, so he repeatedly makes statements that paddy is procured by the Central Government. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Minister Mohammad Akbar highlighted that the paddy procurement as the largest scheme of the Chhattisgarh State Government. He revealed that the State Government borrows an annual loan of 20 to 25 thousand crore specifically for the purchase of paddy. This loan is obtained from banks like NABARD through the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation (Markfed). Its important to note that the Central Government does not provide any assistance, grants, or loans to the Chhattisgarh government for paddy procurement. The loans acquired from banks and NABARD are guaranteed by the State Government. Minister Akbar mentioned that Chhattisgarh is the only state in the country where farmers have been provided a price of Rs 2,500 per quintal for paddy since the formation of the Congress government. Additionally, he informed that under the Nyay Yojana, farmers receive Rs 9,000 per acre in four installments. In the year 2022-23, the farmers selling paddy received a payment of Rs 2,640 per quintal, which includes the amount from the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. To improve the convenience of paddy-producing farmers, the State Government has increased the number of service cooperative societies from 1,333 to 2,058, as informed by Minister Akbar. The payment for the paddy sold by farmers is provided through cooperative societies under the state cooperative department. The registration of farmers selling paddy is done through the Chhattisgarh Integrated Farmers Portal of the State Government and not through any portal of the Central Government. No central government organization is involved in issuing the payment cheques. Minister Akbar stated that the number of registered farmers selling paddy has increased from 16.96 lakh to 29.97 lakh, while the area under paddy cultivation has expanded from 24 lakh hectares to 32 lakh. In the year 2021-22, 92 lakh metric tonne of paddy were procured, followed by 107 lakh metric tonne in 2022-23. The estimated procurement for the year 2023-24 is 125 lakh metric tonnes. Notably, the State Government has decided to increase the paddy procurement from farmers to 20 quintals per acre, which was previously 15 quintals per acre. Regarding the transportation and processing of purchased paddy, Minister Akbar explained that State Government handles the transportation and sends it to rice mills for custom Top of Form milling and the rice received after custom milling is sold to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and also deposited in the Civil Supplies Corporation. The Central Government only pays for rice which the state government deposits to FCI and the civil supplies corporation. Similarly, the principal and interest amount of the loan borrowed by State Government is also paid by State Government itself. Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that in the year 2022- 23, State Government had taken a total loan of Rs 19,209 crore including Rs 8,500 crore from NCDC, Rs 4,000 crore from NABARD, Rs 1500 crore from Indian Bank, Rs 1,110 from Punjab National Bank, Rs 2000 crore from Bank of India and Rs 2,000 crore from Bank of Baroda. 4 IPS officers of CG among 41 empanelled by Centre Staff Reporter Raipur, Four senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of Chhattisgarh cadre are among 41 others of 2004-batch, who have been empanelled for holding the post of Inspector General (IG) or equivalent level post at Centre. According to an order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on Monday, the empanelment of 41 IPS officers of 2004-batch, who can now be posted for top positions in the Central administration by the Centre. Knowledgeable sources pointed out that only those empanelled by the Centre after a detailed review of performance, integrity and other factors are posted in the Central administration from their respective cadres. Four senior IPS officers of Chhattisgarh cadre from 2004-batch figuring in the list include Abhishek Pathak, Dr Sanjeev Shukla, IG CID, Neha Champawat, Special Secretary (Home) and Ajay Yadav. While Pathak is already on Central Deputation as DIG in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Dr Shukla is presently serving as IG CID with Chhattisgarh Police whereas Champawat and Yadav are holding the crucial posts of Special Secretary (Home) and IG (Intelligence) in Chhattisgarh Government, the sources added. AAP Govt acting against Constitution by not furnishing info: Governor Purohit CHANDIGARH, PUNJAB Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday accused the AAP Government of acting against Constitution for not responding to his letters, asserting that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is bound to reply to the Raj Bhawan. Speaking to reporters here, Purohit said the Mann Government has not replied to his letters even after the Supreme Courts directions in this regard. Not even a single reply to my 10 letters has been given, they are acting against Constitution, said Purohit. Referring to the Supreme Court order, the Governor said as per the apex court, the state Government is bound to furnish information as sought by the Governor. You know what the direction of the Supreme Court is. The SC said it is 101 per cent obligatory for the Chief Minister to give a reply to whatever the Governor has asked. It is written in clear words (in the order), asserted Purohit. He recalled that when he had sought information on some issues, the CM had said that his Government was only answerable to 3 crore Punjabis. Alarming spike in crime cases involving juvenile delinquents Staff Reporter Nagpur is currently grappling with an alarming spike in crime cases involving juvenile delinquency, as revealed by the recent data obtained from the city police. Approximately 467 young offenders are actively engaging in criminal activities within the city, primarily involving theft and burglary and even body offences. This concerning trend poses a significant challenge to the law enforcement agencies and for citizens. Between January 2022 and May 2023, a staggering 413 criminal cases were registered against the juvenile offenders. Among these cases, 131 were related to theft. More troubling is the involvement of 141 victims caught in legal conflicts with these young lawbreakers, further highlighting the impact on the community. Further analysis of the data reveals, Zone V of City police stands out as the epicenter of the problem, with 156 children involved in 133 registered cases. Zone IV closely follows behind, with 144 juvenile criminals implicated in 125 crimes. Zone I ranks third, with 61 crimes and 65 identified juvenile offenders. Zone III recorded 55 juvenile offenders involved in 47 crimes, while Zone II had 47 offenders engaged in 47 crimes. Zooming in on specific areas of concern, Nandanavan Police Station emerges as the most problematic, having registered a shocking 39 cases involving 42 young lawbreakers. Kalmana Police Station closely follows with 38 crimes solely involving juvenile offenders. MIDC Police Station also reported a significant number of cases, with 33 instances involving juvenile delinquents. Yashodhara Nagar and Jaripatka Police Stations registered 28 and 35 cases, respectively. Other police stations, including Hudakeshwar, Ajni, Kapil Nagar, Sadar, Pachpaoli, Wathoda, and Imambada, have also been affected by various cases involving juvenile offenders. The gravity of the situation becomes even more visible when examining the specific criminal activities involved. Juveniles were found to be involved in 21 attempted murder cases, posing a serious threat to public safety. Additionally, nine cases involved juveniles in actual murder incidents, reflecting a disturbing escalation in violent behavior. Robbery and burglary emerged as major offences, with 23 and 52 cases registered, respectively. Furthermore, 116 cases of injury were recorded, indicating a concerning level of violence within the juvenile population. Juvenile delinquents were also implicated in 131 cases of theft and 69 cases classified under 'Others'. A retired police official expressed deep concern over the rise in such crime, calling for prompt action from authorities. This is a social problem and all government agencies should work together to address the issue, he said. Africa has always been at the forefront of actions to promote culture and cultural heritage, as the international campaign to save the Nubian Monuments in the 1960s showed, writes Gihane Zaki It is always good to remember that Africa led the first global cultural action to protect the worlds cultural heritage in the last century through the International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the Nubian Monuments that revolutionised the worlds approach to cultural cooperation. In 1954, the decision to build the Aswan High Dam was taken by Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser in order to capture floodwater during the rainy seasons and release it during times of drought. This would guarantee a constant, regulated flow of water that would help farmers to irrigate their crops all year round, as well as generate enormous amounts of electrical power. More than 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity are generated by the dam every year, since it was also built as a hydroelectric dam that would provide electricity in significant amounts. The construction of the High Dam led to the creation of a huge artificial lake, Lake Nasser, stretching over 300 miles of country south of the First Cataract of the Nile. This is an area that is extremely rich in archeological remains, which meant that the construction of the dam was an unprecedent archaeological emergency. Would all these remains be lost under the waters of the new lake? At that time, many people in Egypt, Sudan, and around the world thought that the challenge was very great and that they would have to choose between cultural heritage and economic development, since actions recommended for the salvaging of the monuments would be far greater than anything undertaken before. The challenge was unprecedented, and it arose in a field without a tradition of cooperation. Archaeologists in particular have also traditionally been insular individuals. However, in 1959 the Egyptian and the Sudanese Governments requested the UN cultural agency UNESCO to assist them in protecting and rescuing the endangered monuments and sites. One year later, then UNESCO director-general Vittorino Veronese launched a historic international appeal, inviting both archaeological research and financial contributions, with exactly this in mind. He did so after having engaged in long discussions with unforgettable figures such as Andre Malraux, the then French minister of culture, Tharwat Okasha, the then Egyptian minister of culture, Rene Maheu, director-general of UNESCO from 1961 to 1974, and Christiane Desroches Noblecourt, a French Egyptologist, and her Egyptian interlocutor, secretary-general of antiquities Gamaleddin Mokhtar. It is not easy to choose between the heritage of the past and the present well-being of a people living in need in the shadow of one of historys most splendid legacies. It is not easy to choose between temples and crops, it was said at the time. This was the first time that a UN agency, in this case UNESCO, created right after World War II, was called upon to rescue part of the worlds shared heritage, to preserve something that was in danger of being lost, and to bring to light yet undiscovered archaeological wealth. The appeal resulted in unprecedent international emergency actions on the ground that included the excavation and surveying of hundreds of sites, the recovering of thousands of objects, and the relocation of many important temples to higher ground, among them the Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel and the monuments on the Island of Philae. Although there were technical difficulties and a public lack of interest when the appeal was first launched, along with a weak reaction from individuals and nonchalance on the part of archaeologists who are not accustomed to shifting their leisurely pace of work and rushing to meet a deadline, the campaign was a spectacular worldwide success. It has been recognised as the most successful international appeal carried out by UNESCO for the rescue of the worlds cultural heritage. The name and image of UNESCO are still associated with it in the collective memory of humanity. The success of the campaign also drew global attention to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, popularly known as the World Heritage Convention, which was adopted in November 1972 at the 17th UNESCO General Conference. Cultural struggles and the battle for hearts and minds have always been of great importance in managing the aftermath of armed conflicts and wars. After World War II, one of the tasks of researchers in the domain of culture was to remind contemporary audiences that there were lessons to be learnt from the past. On the African continent, president Nasser decided to create a government portfolio for Culture and National Guidance in 1958 and appointed Tharwat Okasha, a politician but also an incredibly cultured man, to take it. Okasha spoke several languages, allowing him to have extraordinary access to the worlds different cultures. He is considered to be the most prominent minister of culture in Africas modern history and one of the great promoters of culture on the continent. Born in 1921, Okasha grew up in Egypt and travelled quite early to Europe, where he studied in France and received a PhD in literature from the Sorbonne University in Paris in the 1960s. After a brilliant diplomatic career as ambassador of Egypt in Rome and military attache in Paris, he was appointed a minister in one of the first cabinets after the 1952 Revolution in Egypt. During his two ministerial mandates, from 1958 to 1962 and from 1966 to 1970, Okasha created a solid platform of cultural institutions that covered the whole of Egypt. At the same time, he worked on an international level to promote Egyptian culture in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Most of the cultural institutions he founded are still considered to be landmarks, and they include the Supreme Council for Culture and the Arts, the Egyptian Book Organisation, the National Theatre, the network of Cultural Palaces, and most importantly, the Arts Academy in Cairo. The Popular Culture Authority (established in 1945 under the name of the Popular University under the earlier monarchical regime) sought to collect and refine folk heritage and develop folk arts, thus giving birth to the Reda Troup for Folk Dance. Take these stories to earth and give them to the humans; they will be eternally grateful to you, says the sky god Nyame in West African folklore, referring to magical things called stories. The myth of Nyame is testimony of every societys need to craft and share history and stories and to enjoy the richness of culture. Today, the African countries should be inspired by their rich literature and wisdom, using this to engage their young populations and putting them in the drivers seat towards a brighter future instead of wasting time and energy competing on topics that are animated by unhealthy spirits and could overshadow the beautiful days to come. The writer is a member of the House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee, and researcher at the French National Research Centre CNRS-Sorbonne University in Paris. Search Keywords: Short link: Bhilai lad Aman Verma qualifies forIndian Military Academy, Dehradun Staff Reporter BHILAI, The career of a commissioned officer in the defense sector is gaining popularity in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the educational hub of Bhilai. Gone are the days when the youth of Chhattisgarh only aspired to become engineers or doctors, dedicating their time and energy solely to secure admission in these fields in pursuit of working at multinational corporations. Previously, very few youngsters from State considered joining the defense forces, and their contributions were relatively unknown. However, with the presence of the Army and Air Force in the state and the efforts of numerous retired defense officers from Chhattisgarh in raising awareness among the youth, the path less taken has begun to garner more attention. A significant role has been played by numerous senior defense officers hailing from Chhattisgarh and serving with COSA, NCC and Rajya Sainik Boards. These officers have effectively showcased the bright and fulfilling aspects of serving the nation in military uniform. As a result, Chhattisgarh, a relatively young and small state, has successfully contributed substantially to the strength of the armed forces. On average, around eight to ten youth graduate from various academies in State every six months. Aman Verma from Bhilai, the son of an Army veteran, has qualified to join the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, bringing great honour to Chhattisgarh and his parents. Aman successfully cleared the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview in Bhopal, followed by rigorous medical examinations, and achieved a high order of merit, surpassing all obstacles. Growing up in an army environment, Amans father, Rohit Kumar Verma, a retired Subedar, has been a major source of inspiration for his two sons, who have always dreamt of commanding their fathers former unit someday. Amans younger brother, Himanshu, also cleared his SSB for National Defence Academy in July 2020, but was unable to join due to temporary medical unfitness. He aims to join the defense services immediately after completing his ongoing BTech course. Their mother, Asha Verma, is a homemaker. When contacted, Amans parents shared that he has been an exceptional student throughout his academic journey. He cleared UPSC exams in the past and appeared for SSB interviews 16 times before achieving success. Aman never lost hope, and his perseverance and patience remained unwavering. He credits his parents for their unwavering support and patience, as they never pressured him to give up his dream of becoming a defense officer or to settle for any other job to start earning, even after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Aman, a civil engineer by qualification, currently holds a Class 2 Officer position in a Central Government Department. Aman attributes his success in the SSB interview to Commander R K Soni (Retd), who inspired and constantly motivated him to make minor corrections in his future attempts. Commander Soni not only trained Aman for the SSB, but also groomed him to become a good leader. Over the past 15 years, Commander Soni has successfully guided numerous young boys and girls from Chhattisgarh and other states in joining the armed forces. Many of his mentees have already become junior or middle-level commissioned officers. With his passion for training young individuals, Commander Soni aspires to contribute towards seeing a defense officer in every household of Chhattisgarh in the near future. Staff Reporter Expressing great ire over insult to the tri-colour by Congress Party, senior office bearers and members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) burned an effigy of Congress at Malviya Square, on Monday. The protest was staged in response to the inappropriate use of the tricolor in banners and flexes put up by the Congress on arrival of its National General Secretary, Priyanka Vadra in the city. BJYM members alleged that several banners featuring the tricolour depicted upside down and some were even placed under Priyanka Vadras feet. At the rally, flags, which are symbols of Indias pride and dignity, were thrown on the ground like garbage. The act insulted the national symbol and provoked the BJYM to burn effigies of Congress and its leaders. City President of BJP, Prabhat Sahu, condemned the incident as extremely shameful and demanded that the Congress party clarify why such a mistake was made. He stated that if such an incident happened in any other country, it would create an atmosphere of lawlessness throughout the nation. Congress and its leaders should apologize to the citizens for the act. BJYM President, Yogendra Singh expressed his displeasure with the Congress party, stating that they have always been disrespectful to the country. He accused Congress leaders of insulting the country whenever and wherever they get a chance. Even their national leaders go abroad and insult the country. He said on arrival of Priyanka Vadra, Congress Party has put up banners insulting the tricolour all over the city. The flag was placed under her feet and depicted upside down, which was a disrespectful act towards the tri-colour. The flag was thrown on the ground, and people were walking on it. Singh said BJYM will file an FIR against the act and Congress must apologise to the citizens for their wrongdoing. Builder committed suicide due to financial stress: Cops Staff Reporter In the suicide case of builder Abhijeet Bapurao Dhudhane, the investigators are currently focusing on financial burdens as a potential cause for his extreme step. Efforts are underway to recover documents related to Dhudhanes financial situation to shed light on the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident, said a police official. The incident took place on Sunday at the Orbital Empire Phase 3 in Jaitala, an area still under construction with only a few residents. Dhudhane (44), a resident of Tatya Tope Nagar, reportedly jumped off the eighth floor of the building, causing immediate and fatal injuries. According to the police, a resident living on the fourth floor of the building heard a loud thud around 12.30 pm on that fateful day. Alarmed by the sound, she rushed to investigate and was met with a devastating scene. Dhudhane lay injured on the ground, with a carton of milk lying nearby. The resident promptly informed the MIDC police, who swiftly arrived at the scene. In their ongoing investigation, the police have reached out to some of Dhudhanes relatives in an attempt to ascertain the motive behind his drastic action. It has been revealed that Dhudhane had previously attempted to take his own life. Friends and acquaintances of the deceased disclosed that he had been grappling with pancreatic disease for the past three years, which caused irregular sleep patterns and immense stress. While the investigations are still underway, the authorities are looking into the financial aspect of Dhudhanes life as a probable contributing factor. Recovering the relevant financial documents is expected to provide crucial insights into his financial burdens and potential pressures that may have led to this tragic outcome. Fire in Ghaziabad multi-storey building kills two; 9 rescued GHAZIABAD, TWO women, including a senior citizen, were killed in a fire at a multi-storey building here in Uttar Pradesh, while nine others were rescued Monday morning, officials said. All the 11 people, who were trapped in the fire, belonged to the same family. The fire broke out around 5.30 am, they said. One of the deceased was 74-years-old and it is suspected that she died of asphyxiation, while the other, aged around 40, succumbed to burn injuries, a police officer, who oversaw the rescue and relief work, told PTI. Both the women were members of the same family. They were taken to a CHC (community health centre), but did not survive. Their post-mortem reports are awaited, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Loni, Rajneesh Upadhiyai said. The building belongs to a person named Satish Pal and the deceased were his mother and sister. India, UAE target $100 bn non-oil trade by 2030 NEW DELHI, INDIA and the UAE look to more than double non-oil bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. At present, the non-oil bilateral trade stands at USD 48 billion. The new target was agreed upon during the first meeting of the Joint Committee of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement was implemented on May 1 last year. We have mutually agreed that let us now become more ambitious and instead of our earlier target of an overall USD 100 billion bilateral trade by 2030 ... We shall now look at non-petroleum bilateral trade of USD 100 billion by 2030, which means doubling our non-petroleum trade from USD 48 billion today to USD 100 billion in the next seven years, Goyal told reporters after the meeting. sanitary and phyto-sanitary and technical barriers to trade issues; trade remedies; investment facilitation; and economic cooperation. The UAE is a major supplier of crude oil to India. Oil shipments account for a major share of bilateral trade between the countries. He said that businesses from both sides were encouraged to further expand this trade and smooth implementation of the CEPA will help in this. In the meeting, it was also agreed to set up various committees and sub-committees and technical councils with regard to the implementation of various provisions of the trade agreement such as trade in goods; customs facilitation; rules of origin; IPS officer Nitin Agarwal named new BSF chief NEW DELHI, IPS officer Nitin Agarwal has been appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). A 1989 batch Kerala cadre officer, Agarwal has previously served as the Additional Director General, Operations, of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The BSF has been without a full-time chief since the retirement of Pankaj Singh on December 31, 2022. CRPF Director General Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen was holding additional charge as its chief. According to the information available, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Agarwal as the BSF chief on Sunday night. Agarwal will hold the post until he retires from service on July 31, 2026 or further orders. His appointment comes during the ongoing biannual meeting with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Thaosen is currently leading the Indian delegation in the four-day meeting being held in Delhi, while Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan is leading the BGB delegation. Since this meeting will conclude on June 14, Agarwal will assume the responsibilities of the BSF chief thereafter. LATEST PLOY THE latest ploy of Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror groups to use women or girls or juveniles to send across messages, drugs or even weapons may not be much effective since the Indian Intelligence agencies have already got the info about the new planning. But that ploy, nevertheless, will certainly create new problems in Kashmirs social fabric as any action against women or girls or other juveniles would lead much antagonism against the Security Forces and agencies. Indian authorities will have to handle the issue with much care. Besides some dent in social fabric, the new ISI ploy will bring no additional gains to the terror masterminds. For, by now, through years of careful study and counter-action, the Indian agencies have gained enough experience to confront the underground enemy effectively. When the terror masterminds started using the Kashmiri youth for hurling stones at the Security Forces during their anti-terror or combing ops, the Indian authorities started using other methods to overcome that obstacle. Needless to say, a similar approach will help even now in due time. What surprises anybody most is the foolishness of the sponsors of terrorism at least in India. There may not be any single example in the worlds history when terrorists have dethroned a Government and assumed power. The best gain that terrorism can have is of keeping the administration disturbed to whatever extent. When the mighty State gets used to the terror activity, it develops its own systematic response to it and learns to live with the menace with little effect on the overall security scenario. In Kashmir -- or elsewhere in the country -- the administration has found ways and means to respond to terror activity. No matter the level of disturbance, the State machinery keeps working as normally as possible in the given situation. In the long term, terror never succeeds, and starts losing ground slowly, no matter how many resources its sponsors pump in to keep the activity going. This trend will continue even now even if terror masterminds use women or girls or juveniles to transport the intended stuff. In the past thirty-plus years since Pakistan started supporting terrorism actively, it has gained nothing significant to write home about. It has spent mind-boggling resources to keep terrorism going in Kashmir. It has lost countless numbers of its own trained military personnel as well in that effort. And most important, it has lost its prestige in the comity of nations and is called a rogue state by the whole world. It is obvious, thus, that terrorism has not brought any gains to Pakistan, though it keeps itself engaged in sponsoring it all the time -- as a matter of state policy. Of course, this is as per the culture Pakistan has developed over the past 75 years since its formation. That is a culture of uncertainty. That is a culture of investment of resources in wrong practices. That is a culture of hoping stupidly that one day India will break down and break up. Pakistan sponsored terrorism in such a mad hope. In the past thirty-plus years, Pakistan has employed different practices to bring India to grief. Instead, it has seen itself coming to grief as all its efforts failed to make any significant dent on the overall Indian system and scenario. All its tricks have been countered effectively by Indian Security Forces and agencies. The situation has changed for the better after the abrogation of Special Status from Kashmir and carving out two Union Territories out of the erstwhile State. A favourable public opinion also supports the move because the common people have seen the benefits of the steps the Government has taken in diverse fields -- which terror masterminds do not seem to realise. Lightning warning for Nagpur, Wardha, Chanda Staff Reporter Nagpur, Wardha, and Chandrapur residents are advised to take immediate precautions as a lightning warning has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the region. The authorities have urged public to prioritise their safety and remain vigilant during this potentially dangerous weather condition. To ensure maximum safety, the authorities have appealed to citizens to seek shelter indoors. It is crucial to find refuge in a substantial building or a fully enclosed vehicle. Open spaces, high ground, tall isolated trees, and metal objects should be avoided, authorities added. Man held from Pune for issuing death threat to NCP chief Sharad Pawar MUMBAI, A MAN from Pune was arrested for alleged involvement in issuing a death threat to Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, a Mumbai police official said on Monday. Accused Sagar Barve is working in the data feeding and analytics section of a private firm, the official said. The Mumbai Crime Branch, which was probing the case, brought Barve to Mumbai. He was presented in court and has been remanded in police custody till Tuesday, the official said. As per the police, the accused had created two fake social media accounts for sending death threats to the NCP supremo. The NCP, on June 9, claimed 82-year-old Pawar received a message on social media threatening him with a fate similar to anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar, who was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013. Notices to six non-starter companies in MIHAN-SEZ By Ravi Chandpurkar As a major development, the Development Commissioner for Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur - Special Economic Zone (MIHAN-SEZ) Sraman Vasireddy has recently issued show-cause notices to six co-developers for failing to start construction work of their projects within the stipulated timeframe mentioned in the guidelines of SEZ. The six co-developers which have received the show cause notice hold total land covering 266.84 acres. The Letter of Approval (LoA) of the six companies has lapsed more than 10 years ago. The authorities have issued notices to the companies seeking cancellation of their permission to operate in the SEZ as they have failed to meet their obligations. There are total 14 co-developers in MIHAN-SEZ. The Development Commissioner gives LoAs that are essential for the companies to operate in the SEZ. The Development Commissioner of MIHAN-SEZ said that the co-developers have to complete construction of their projects within three years of acquiring the land. The MIHAN-SEZ covers total area of 3,000 acres. The Development Commissioner would use his authority to terminate the Lease Agreement (LOA) of the six companies, if they fail to respond to the show cause notices within 15 days. Yousry Nasrallahs 2004 Bab El Shams (Gate of the Sun) was chosen by the Swiss Locarno Film Festival to be restored as part of its Heritage Online program, a Locarno Pro initiative that gives new life to film heritage. The new 4K version of the film will be presented as part of the official selection of the 76th Locarno Film Festival, which takes place next August. The film follows a Palestinian family who flee the Nakba to a refugee camp in Lebanon. In the beginning was Palestine, reads the synopsis, and the story of Younes began, known as Abou Salem, known as the Man, said to be the father of Ibrahim, fighting the English from the age of 16, still fighting, but retrenched in the Lebanon, illegal in his own country ; the story of Nahila also began, married to him when she was twelve, breast-feeding their first child, born during the villagers exhausting trek towards the North, fleeing their burning homes, Nahila whom he met secretly in a cave in Bab El Shams, in Galilee. Again it is the story of Doctor Khalil , abandoned by his mother in the shambles of the refugee camps, who, in Beirut, rescued Younes in a deep coma, lulling him with the tragic story of his people; and yet again it is that of Shams whom Khalil loved and was executed by his companions in arms. Fifty years of history full of suffering, hope and love. For many reasons, the restoration of Yousry Nasrallahs epic is an exceptional and inspiring event. There is, for example, the unfortunate fate facing hundreds of Arab and Egyptian neglected masterpieces due to the lack of a cinematic heritage restoration and preservation institutional mechanisms in the Arab world. A few months ago, asked about Bab El Shams in the course of a TV interview the Locarno decision had not yet been made Nasrallahs reflexive reaction demonstrated the extent of his preoccupation with it. I am sad! he said They dont screen it any more. We dont know who owns the rights to the films negative. We dont know how to screen it. Restoring a film means bringing it back to life, preserving the story and the art of storytelling. This is why restoring Bab El Shams in particular is a remarkable event. The epic film, which tells the story of half a century of Palestinian history, celebrates the role of storytelling in the survival of identity and memory. The film condenses the history of a people and a land into a script woven from a story within a story, co-written by the director, but also by the iconic Lebanese novelist Elias Khoury, whose eponymous novel it is based on. Lebanese director and writer Mohamed Sweid also contributed to the screenplay. However, the novel is originally the product of hundreds of stories that Khoury collected from witnesses of the Nakba and the Palestinian diaspora, reformulating them into an astonishing literary epic. An epic is a story that straddles generations, and in the Palestinian case, only storytelling can connect the younger generations to the story of the motherland. In its two parts, The Departure and The Return, the film covers a broad historical expanse, from the Nakba to the exodus of Palestinians from Beirut in 1982, its disparate components bound by storytelling most of all. All the main characters of Bab El Shams tell stories, transmitting memories and history through storytelling. The individual oral story is a way to confront the collective story, and the dominance of the official narrative. Through the love that binds Younis and Nahila, and through stories of love, hate, death, loss, return that await all the characters in the film, we realise half a century of a countrys history. We learn it through the experience of a group of people who have experienced it, lived it, remembered it, and desperately wanted others to remember it as they saw it. Bab El Shams validates and acknowledges the kind of oral history that is indispensable to the story of Palestine. There is no doubt that Yousry Nasrallahs epic has greatly influenced the way in which the Arab screen deals with the image of the hero and the cause. In the personal story, there are no angels and demons, only human beings who can reinvent themselves. And that is what Bab El Shams is about. On the other hand, the film is widely seen as one of the most prominent Arab films based on a literary work, which is thought-provoking for a film dauteur filmmaker. Bab El Shams is the fifth feature film directed by Yousry Nasrallah, after four films, three of which he wrote on his own: Summer Thefts (1988), Mercede (1993), and Boys and Girls (1996). Yet the sheer volume of the epic novel, which exceeds 500 pages, and the huge historical stage on which it is played out, makes turning it into a film an arduous process. Nasrallah often spoke of Bab El Shams in the spirit of an auteur, saying that it is not his attempt to film the novel, but rather to express his own journey with the world and the characters of the novel. Nevertheless, the way the world of the novel was transferred into the film privileges the stories owners. The cast includes some of the most prominent Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian actors: Hiam Abbas, Bassel Khayyat, Fadi Abi Samra, Hussein Abou Seada, Fady Abou-Samra, and Darina Al Joundi. Designed by the renowned Egyptian designer Nahed Nasrallah Youssrys sister the costumes match the context, as do the shooting locations in Syria, Lebanon, and France, the dialect, and the use of folk music. Nasrallah managed to create a poetic, violent, and poignant historical epic in a calibre of its own. Produced by Humbert Balsan, Bab El Shams initially premiered Out of Competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: PM chairs meet to review cyclone preparedness NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said rescue teams were ensuring the safe evacuation of people living in vulnerable locations in the path of Cyclone Biparjoy, which is likely to make landfall in Gujarats Kutch. The Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting here to review the preparedness of the Centre as well as the Gujarat Government to deal with the situation arising out of the impending cyclone, which is also expected to impact Pakistan. Our teams are ensuring safe evacuations from vulnerable areas and ensuring maintenance of essential services. Praying for everyones safety and well-being, Modi tweeted after the meeting. According to a statement by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), Modi has directed senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the State Government. He also directed to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health and drinking water, and restore them immediately in the event of any damage caused to them. The Prime Minister further said the safety of animals should be ensured and ordered the setting up of 24x7 control rooms. The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran, Member Secretary of National Disaster Management Authority Kamal Kishore, and IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra among others. During the meeting, the IMD informed that Cyclone Biparjoy was expected to cross Saurashtra and Kutch between Mandvi and Pakistans Karachi near the Jakhau Port of Gujarat by noon of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. Priyanka Gandhi targets Govt on unemployment, scams Staff Reporter Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accuses the State Government of in corruption. The BJP government has only provided 21 Government jobs in the name of employment during its long tenure, she claimed. Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP government by saying that the list of scams in Madhya Pradesh is even longer than the list of abuses Prime Minister Modi had received. There are many scams like Mahakal scam, Vyapam scam, ration scam, e-tender scam and many more, the list of which is so long that it will never end. Earlier, Priyanka kick-started the Congress partys campaign for the ensuing Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh from Jabalpur on Monday by taking part in Narmada puja and aarti. She then paid tributes to the statue of Veerangana Rani Durgavati and addressed the public meeting. People of Sanskardhani were enthusiastic to see and listen to Priyanka. After landing at the helipad made at the Ayurvedic College ground, she directly reached the banks of river Narmada at Gwarighat, where amidst the chants of hymns and Vedic mantras, she performed the Dugdhabhishekh (milk ablution) and offered prayers to Goddess Narmada. Later, addressing a huge gathering at Shaheed Smarak, she issued a guarantee letter from the Congress, promising to provide domestic gas cylinders for Rs 500, implement the old pension scheme, waive farmers loans and provide a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women under the Nari Samman Yojana along with free 100 units of electricity and other major announcements. She accused the Government of exploiting people of the State and manipulating their votes with money power. Priyanka Gandhi said that during the tenure of this Government, which has been ruling the State for 220 months, 225 scams have taken place. The AICC General Secretary said that people of Madhya Pradesh have been deceived for the past 18 years. They are being used. Referring to the broken statues in the Mahakal Temple, she stated that these people have not even spared God. Priyanka reminded the people that Congress had previously formed a government with their support, but through manipulation, betrayal and money, the people from BJP brought down their government and formed their own. Taking a dig at the Modi government, Priyanka Gandhi said that only deception is being played with the public. People have started to realise it now. Just like in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, where the public has ousted the BJP from power, the same will happen in Madhya Pradesh as well. She also said that the people of the country have understood that whether it is a double engine or a triple engine government, it is of no use. Without taking Jyotiraditya Scindias name, Priyanka said that recently, some leaders who were with our party changed their ideology for power and joined the BJP. She also claimed that hatred is being spread instead of brotherhood in the country. Therefore, everyone needs to stay alert. On the occasion, she also signed the guarantee of the gifts that would be given to the public if the Congress comes to power. She referred to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as Ghoshanaveer. While mentioning the recently launched Ladli Bahna Yojana, she said that the State Government initiated it just for the sake of the elections. If they were honest, then they would have implemented it a year ago. She assured the people that if the Congress comes to power, all the promises made to them will be fulfilled, just like the Congress is fulfilling its promises elsewhere. Earlier, MPCC chief and former Chief Minister, Kamal Nath also addressed the public meeting. Controversy has erupted over a new law labelling some popular dog breeds aggressive and banning their ownership in Egypt. Three months have passed since Egyptians followed the news of a Pitbull dogs attack on an individual. The attack necessitated surgical procedures and tragically resulted in his death. To their surprise, dog owners in Egypt were then confronted with a law banning 16 popular breeds in the country, citing their perceived danger to the population. According to legal expert Takieddin Marwan, Law 29/2023 was announced on 29 May, regulating the ownership of dangerous animals. Part 2 of the law lists several dog breeds as hazardous, along with wild and predatory animals, venomous insects, and reptiles. The law gives the owners of these dog breeds one month from the date of the executive regulations to surrender them to the General Authority for Veterinary Services. It also lists other dog breeds, with the owners of these having a one-year deadline to obtain permits effective from the date of issuance of the executive regulations. The banned dog breeds included the Pitbull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Boxer, Husky, Caucasian Shepherd, and Bullmastiff. The list also includes the Doberman, Alaskan Malamute, Great Dane, Akita, American Bully, Alabai, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and Tosa. Its like passing a law prohibiting people from driving cars because of a car accident, Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA) Chair Mona Khalil remarked about the new law. Despite the involvement of animal-welfare associations in some of the laws drafting sessions, we were surprised when it was announced with retroactive enforcement. The owners of animals deemed dangerous by the law will be obliged to transfer them to the General Authority for Veterinary Services, and this was not discussed with the animal advocacy organisations. We were also taken aback by the list of banned breeds, which includes dogs commonly allowed in other countries. Whats more surprising is that a specific colour of a dog breed is prohibited, while ownership of dogs of the same breed but of a different colour is permitted. There are clear discrepancies in the list. For instance, one dog breed is prohibited, but is also listed as permitted under a different name. This indicates a lack of understanding on the part of the drafters of the law regarding dog breeds, their actual traits, and their level of aggression. Mohamed Wafa, a certified dog behaviourist of the Animal Behaviour Society in the US, underlined the importance of licensed dog trainers and genetic experts assessing the aggression level of the breeds listed in the new law. A dog breeds hostility is determined by two key factors, he said. The first is scientific understanding, resulting from years of research in countries such as the UK and Germany to breed and genetically adapt specific breeds for human company. It is critical to distinguish between wild animals and genetically modified varieties that exist now and are meant to be docile and peaceful towards people. For example, one of the restricted breeds, the Husky, is similar to wolves and has been deliberately bred over time to incorporate wolf-like features while remaining domesticated. These dogs have wolf-like endurance, allowing them to drag sleds in snow for great distances despite consuming little food. Despite their difficult working conditions, they do not assault their owners. Numerous genetic changes have been made to harness their strong traits and maintain domesticity, Wafa explained. The other factor is a dogs handling and training, he added. Dogs, like people, can demonstrate negative behaviour when placed in unpleasant circumstances. They require sensitive treatment. Confining a dog in a closed or dark space and exposing it to psychologically damaging training and behaviour can make it trust its owner at the expense of others and can even cause it to distrust people and become violent against them, Wafa said. The incorrect training dogs receive may be the root cause of the majority of the incidents of aggression we hear about, he said. Many people rely on organisations such as the police to teach their dog obedience. Dogs may be taught using the same methods as police dogs trained for attack. As a result, when the dog feels threatened, it may attack others, he added. Dogs that live in families with children should be trained to interact with them and tolerate their noise without becoming agitated, Wafa said. They should be able to interact with others without fear and therefore never attack them. However, this does not exclude a dog from protecting its owner, as this drive is innate in all dogs. Without special training, you can see this in the dogs owned by Bedouin. They help the Bedouin with herding, protecting flocks and protecting the Bedouin at night, Wafa added. Many breeds listed in the new law exhibit high obedience and trainability, such as the Rottweiler, which has a bad reputation, and the Pitbull, which was involved in the recent incident in Egypt. By contrast, some dog breeds are still legally available to own but are more challenging to train, he said. NEED FOR TRAINING: Rasha Sadek, a journalist and the owner of four dogs, two of which belong to now-prohibited breeds, said that dog breeding plays a significant role in determining behaviour. It is possible for a well-treated dog from a prohibited breed to be friendlier than a permitted dog that has been poorly trained, she said. Instead of outlawing specific dog breeds, I hoped that the government would establish clear guidelines for their ownership. For instance, I expected the law to rigorously enforce the requirement of leashing and muzzling certain breeds in public spaces. I had also hoped that the new law would incorporate a strategy for sterilising stray dogs to curb their population and address the issue of dog poisoning and killing as criminal offences, Sadek said. Days after the new law was issued, things escalated for pharmacist Nancy Gerges in the residential complex she lives in. The management of the complex demanded that she get rid of her two dogs, raised for almost 10 years, because they belong to dangerous breeds. I received a notification from the compounds administration giving me a 21-day ultimatum to remove my American Pitbull and German Shepherd dogs following the enactment of the law classifying them as dangerous breeds and prohibiting ownership, Gerges said. I was shocked by this law. My dogs have never harmed anyone in their lives, and I entrusted their training to dog-behaviour professionals. I raised them alongside my own children, so how can the law consider them to be a threat? Gerges is not the only one affected by such procedures. We have received numerous complaints from residents of complexes who have been instructed to remove their dogs, to the extent that we have received more than 350 complaints from just one residential complex, Khalil said. Furthermore, the issue has often proceeded beyond mere warnings, with dog owners threatened with service termination unless they obey and get rid of their dogs. We encourage dog owners to take legal action against harassment by residential complex management, on the grounds that it is not authorised to enforce the law or seize dogs from their owners, Khalil said. Enforcing the law before the issuance of executive regulations is a breach of the law. The executive regulations are still in progress, said Ehab Saber, head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly. Implementation could take up to a year and a half, during which time dog owners can rectify their situations and obtain the necessary licences. The prohibited breeds have been determined by a specialised scientific committee, he said, and the list includes a provision granting the relevant minister the right to amend the list of breeds mentioned in the new law. We still hope to see the law amended before its executive regulations are issued, said Khalil. We have made it a priority to utilise all legal means to combat the provisions in the new law by submitting official complaints to parliament, the prime ministers office, and the Ministry of Agriculture. I have been in contact with a lawyer representing residents from my residential complex, as well as other residential complexes facing the same issue. Together, we will take action against the residential complex administration and appeal against the relevant clauses, Gerges said. The provisions of the new law banning certain breeds and allowing their confiscation, as well as the pre-emptive steps taken by some residential complex administrations, have sparked widespread controversy and a backlash among social media users, including dog owners and animal welfare organisations. We have launched a campaign called Our Dogs Are Not Dangerous in which the owners of the prohibited dogs record videos with their dogs showing that they are not dangerous and that they are a part of the family, Khalil said. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the non-threatening nature of dogs and their importance in society. Animal rights are intertwined with human rights, as we coexist within an interconnected system, and God did not create humans to live in isolation, said Dina Zulfikar, an animal rights activist. There are dogs that are companions to the blind and the deaf. Specific breeds are used to teach children compassion, while others are used to assist patients. Some breeds are used for guarding and protecting homes. It is imperative to establish proper standards and requirements for dog ownership rather than simply ban them. There will be significant economic and social repercussions of the new law. Banning these breeds will result in companies withdrawing the vaccinations and medical treatments previously provided for them. Additionally, many veterinarians and trainers will likely lose their livelihoods due to the decrease in the number of dogs. Moreover, many dog shelters and hosting facilities will likely have to close, she concluded. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Working as an artist for more than 20 years, Aliaa Hashem, a 45-year-old from Cairo, dives deeply into the celebration of womens feelings and emotions through her oil and acrylic paintings. The lines of each do not resemble any other but differ in colour and texture, leaving more room for surprises and the imagination of the viewer. Hashem is co-founder of the art centre K&A, set up in 2010. This was established to help children learn how to draw and how to use their hands to make different kinds of art. However, when the founders discovered that parents wanted to learn too and also wanted to spend some time doing handicraft activities, the K&A Centre started to grow rapidly by offering activities to both parents and children. We started to offer the parents handicraft-related courses such as decoupage, candle-making, fashion design, bags and clothes dyeing, and making accessories. We received a good deal of attention from both parents and children due to their love of art and their passion to follow it, Hashem said. We also hold annual exhibitions for children to display their drawings. They receive certificates of recognition to encourage more children to follow them in their passion and hobby. The centre also assists young artists in creating portfolios that can enable them to pursue artistic careers if they decide to do so as well as to engage with professional artists. Hashem herself is interested in presenting female empowerment through her paintings. As women, we have so many issues in our lives personal, professional and societal. I find that I can reveal complex emotions through depicting facial expressions in my work. I can trace feelings through my brush, using my imagination to embody womens struggles and choices, she explained. Sometimes, my personality or what I have myself gone through is revealed indirectly in my paintings, as my emotions and feelings may be reflected in my drawings even without my knowing it. My paintings act like a reflection of myself, especially if they are portraits. Hashem is influenced by the environment she lives in as an artist. She aims to reflect on the events happening around her in Egyptian society in the work she produces. Because every artist has her own struggle, especially when turning what might have been a hobby into professional work, Hashem is keen to try many different skills to extend her professional profile. After her graduation from the Faculty of Fine Arts Education at Helwan University, she worked in advertising for several years. Although the job was stable with a good income, she decided to quit and follow her passion even if she knew she would need to start from scratch. She fell in love with photography at college and managed to participate in many exhibitions. She has always been a fan of sailing into unchartered territory, and this also caused her to start her own career in art. Though it is challenging to earn a decent income from art in Egypt, especially for young artists just starting out on their careers, Hashem found work with an interior designer creating paintings that would fit client tastes. The art community in Egypt is not always encouraging to the young, however, she said. Nepotism and favouritism are our greatest enemies. Sometimes you might not join a certain exhibition because you are not someones relative. At other times, big names are favoured at the expense of real talents, she observed. But perseverance and diligence have allowed her to participate in more than 20 exhibitions in different parts of Egypt. Hashem received the State Encouragement Award at the First Egypt Salon in March 2016 and has been recently listed on the Middle East Artist List. She has taken part in many exhibitions under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Visual Arts. Being a member of the Visual Arts Syndicate allows artists the opportunity to take part in exhibitions in different part of the country, she said. These exhibitions also become more valuable because critics and reviewers evaluate your work, and you get exposed to professional points of view, she added. For young artists starting out today, the road might be difficult at the start of their careers, but Hashem advises them to work on their skills and develop them carefully. Sometimes, when we try to recruit young artists we find they have few skills as they have not developed what they learned at college, she said. It is not enough to be a graduate in Fine Arts to start working. Young artists must try many different skills, take courses, and work with many professionals to benefit from their expertise. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO Get Rating) in a research report report published on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on ARGO. Compass Point lowered Argo Group International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Monday, March 13th. TheStreet raised Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Raymond James lowered Argo Group International from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. Get Argo Group International alerts: Argo Group International Trading Up 0.0 % Shares of ARGO opened at $29.48 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.72 and a beta of 1.03. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $29.33. Argo Group International has a twelve month low of $19.00 and a twelve month high of $40.59. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($1.11). The firm had revenue of $419.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $461.90 million. Argo Group International had a positive return on equity of 0.06% and a negative net margin of 9.98%. Sell-side analysts predict that Argo Group International will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARGO. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 515.8% during the third quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,324 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,109 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 334.7% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 926 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 713 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 50.0% during the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 148.0% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,793 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 1,070 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Argo Group International during the third quarter valued at about $59,000. 89.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Argo Group International Company Profile (Get Rating) Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. engages in the provision of underwriting property and casualty insurance and reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Operations, International Operations, and Run-off Lines. The U.S. Operations segment include distribution through retail, wholesale, and managing general brokers/agents in the specialty insurance market. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Argo Group International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Argo Group International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC reduced its stake in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Get Rating) by 12.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,624 shares of the companys stock after selling 364 shares during the period. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLCs holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $608,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Davis Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $402,000. Advisor Partners II LLC grew its position in Constellation Brands by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 5,690 shares of the companys stock worth $1,319,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners bought a new stake in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its position in Constellation Brands by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 84,960 shares of the companys stock worth $19,689,000 after acquiring an additional 8,470 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Junto Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,115,000. 84.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. TheStreet lowered Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. UBS Group increased their price target on Constellation Brands from $267.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Constellation Brands from $253.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Constellation Brands from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Constellation Brands from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $256.45. Insider Activity Constellation Brands Stock Up 1.2 % In other news, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $145,294,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,365,715 shares in the company, valued at $752,338,273.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $862,485,140.28. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at $4,579,865,487.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $145,294,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares in the company, valued at $752,338,273.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Corporate insiders own 16.19% of the companys stock. STZ stock opened at $244.44 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $230.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $229.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 1-year low of $208.12 and a 1-year high of $261.32. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 6th. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.02 billion. Constellation Brands had a positive return on equity of 20.48% and a negative net margin of 0.70%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.37 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.66 earnings per share for the current year. Constellation Brands Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 4th were issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. This is a positive change from Constellation Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 3rd. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is -698.03%. Constellation Brands Profile (Get Rating) Constellation Brands, Inc engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of beer, wine, and spirits. It operates through the following segments: Beer, Wine and Spirits, Corporate Operations and Other, and Canopy. The Beer segment includes imported and craft beer brands. The Wine and Spirits segment sells wine brands across all categories-table wine, sparkling wine, and dessert wine-and across all price points. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 10th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.725 per share by the business services provider on Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Broadridge Financial Solutions has increased its dividend payment by an average of 10.0% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 15 consecutive years. Broadridge Financial Solutions has a dividend payout ratio of 38.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Broadridge Financial Solutions to earn $7.52 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.90 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 38.6%. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE BR opened at $154.30 on Tuesday. Broadridge Financial Solutions has a 52-week low of $131.35 and a 52-week high of $183.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 1.35. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $148.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $144.60. The stock has a market cap of $18.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.11 and a beta of 0.99. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The business services provider reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.04. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 9.33% and a return on equity of 40.29%. The company had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.65 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.93 earnings per share. Broadridge Financial Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Broadridge Financial Solutions will post 6.91 EPS for the current year. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Monday, April 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $169.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $161.40. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 6,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.98, for a total transaction of $1,027,962.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 59,916 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,926,285.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, VP Richard John Stingi sold 750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.27, for a total value of $116,452.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $652,444.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 6,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.98, for a total transaction of $1,027,962.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 59,916 shares in the company, valued at $8,926,285.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 27,397 shares of company stock valued at $4,162,229 over the last ninety days. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Neuberger Berman Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.3% during the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 9,227 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,332,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.1% during the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 11,280 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,652,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc lifted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.3% during the first quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 5,530 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $811,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 4.4% during the second quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 3,100 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $442,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 8.9% during the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 1,731 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $271,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. 86.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Broadridge Financial Solutions (Get Rating) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Admiral Group plc (LON:ADM Get Rating) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,201.50 ($27.55). ADM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Numis Securities reaffirmed an add rating and set a GBX 2,575 ($32.22) price objective on shares of Admiral Group in a research report on Friday, February 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating and issued a GBX 1,650 ($20.65) price target on shares of Admiral Group in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating and set a GBX 2,150 ($26.90) price objective on shares of Admiral Group in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Peel Hunt restated a hold rating and set a GBX 2,160 ($27.03) price objective on shares of Admiral Group in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Admiral Group to a hold rating and set a GBX 2,150 ($26.90) target price on the stock. in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Get Admiral Group alerts: Admiral Group Stock Performance LON:ADM opened at GBX 2,189 ($27.39) on Tuesday. Admiral Group has a 12 month low of GBX 1,691.50 ($21.16) and a 12 month high of GBX 2,404.41 ($30.09). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.56, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The firm has a market capitalization of 6.64 billion, a PE ratio of 1,877.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.25. The businesss fifty day moving average price is GBX 2,265.28 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 2,163.98. Insider Transactions at Admiral Group About Admiral Group In related news, insider Milena Mondini de Focatiis sold 24,674 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,262 ($28.30), for a total value of 558,125.88 ($698,355.71). Insiders own 16.54% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Admiral Group plc, a financial services company, provides motor, household, travel, and pet insurance, as well as personal lending products worldwide. It operates through UK Insurance, International Insurance, Admiral Money, and Other segments. The company provides underwriting services, which includes motor, household, pet, and travel insurance, as well as car and home insurance; and provides unsecured personal loans and car finance products primarily in the United Kingdom. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Admiral Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Admiral Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE:PAAS Get Rating) (TSE:PAAS) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $22.00. Several research firms have recently issued reports on PAAS. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Pan American Silver in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating for the company. StockNews.com upgraded Pan American Silver from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday. TD Securities decreased their price objective on Pan American Silver from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Finally, National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform spec overweight rating on shares of Pan American Silver in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. Get Pan American Silver alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pan American Silver Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Pan American Silver by 1,220.0% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,320 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,220 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Pan American Silver by 2,892.0% in the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,496 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,446 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Pan American Silver in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Pacifica Partners Inc. raised its stake in Pan American Silver by 69.2% in the 1st quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 2,343 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 958 shares during the period. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Pan American Silver in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors own 44.11% of the companys stock. Pan American Silver Price Performance Shares of NYSE:PAAS opened at $15.44 on Tuesday. Pan American Silver has a 1-year low of $13.40 and a 1-year high of $22.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 2.30 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $15.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.89. Pan American Silver (NYSE:PAAS Get Rating) (TSE:PAAS) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The basic materials company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $390.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $354.39 million. Pan American Silver had a positive return on equity of 0.23% and a negative net margin of 27.78%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Pan American Silver will post 0.48 earnings per share for the current year. Pan American Silver Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 14th were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 13th. Pan American Silvers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -20.94%. About Pan American Silver (Get Rating) Pan American Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of silver, gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. It holds interests in the La Colorada, Dolores, Huaron, Morococha, Shahuindo, La Arena, Timmins West, Bell Creek, Manantial Espejo, San Vicente, Joaquin, and Cap-Oeste Sur Este mines. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Pan American Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pan American Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The government wants to normalize diplomatic ties with Cuba this year, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told lawmakers Tuesday. Ties were severed under U.S. pressure in 1959. Yun said Seoul is generally keen to "expand the basis for reciprocal cooperation" with Latin American nations and pledged to "pursue the normalization of diplomatic ties with Cuba." Korea, the U.S. and Israel are the only countries that have no official ties with Cuba. But the Obama administration normalized diplomatic ties with Havana in December, raising hopes that Seoul can follow suit. Shares of Core & Main, Inc. (NYSE:CNM Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on the stock from $42.00 to $44.00. The stock traded as high as $28.95 and last traded at $28.74, with a volume of 117162 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $28.23. Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Core & Main from $24.00 to $29.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Core & Main from $33.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Core & Main from $27.00 to $29.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Core & Main from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Core & Main from $31.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $33.70. Get Core & Main alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Core & Main In other Core & Main news, VP John Weldon Stephens sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.03, for a total transaction of $625,750.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,468 shares in the company, valued at approximately $86,804.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Core & Main news, VP John Weldon Stephens sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.03, for a total transaction of $625,750.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $86,804.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen O. Leclair sold 4,288 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.76, for a total transaction of $123,322.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 73,692 shares in the company, valued at $2,119,381.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,905,903 shares of company stock worth $812,231,762 in the last ninety days. 3.49% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Core & Main Core & Main Stock Performance A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Core & Main by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 18,713 shares of the companys stock worth $432,000 after acquiring an additional 403 shares during the period. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. increased its holdings in shares of Core & Main by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. now owns 15,933 shares of the companys stock worth $308,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Core & Main by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 2,701 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 543 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Core & Main by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 18,954 shares of the companys stock worth $366,000 after acquiring an additional 673 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Core & Main by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 19,074 shares of the companys stock worth $425,000 after acquiring an additional 703 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.16% of the companys stock. The firm has a market cap of $7.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.26 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 2.71. The stocks fifty day moving average is $26.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.07. Core & Main (NYSE:CNM Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, June 6th. The company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.60 billion. Core & Main had a net margin of 5.52% and a return on equity of 18.42%. Core & Mains quarterly revenue was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.74 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Core & Main, Inc. will post 1.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Core & Main Company Profile (Get Rating) Core & Main, Inc distributes water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and related services to municipalities, private water companies, and professional contractors in the municipal, non-residential, and residential end markets in the United States. Its products include pipes, valves, hydrants, fittings, and other products and services; storm drainage products, such as corrugated piping systems, retention basins, inline drains, manholes, grates, geosynthetics, and other related products; fire protection products, including fire protection pipes, sprinkler heads and other devices, fire suppression systems, and related accessories, as well as fabrication services; and meter products, such as smart meter products, installation, software and other services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Core & Main Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Core & Main and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shenzhou International Group (OTCMKTS:SHZHY Get Rating) and Albany International (NYSE:AIN Get Rating) are both consumer non-durables companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and profitability. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Shenzhou International Group and Albany Internationals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Shenzhou International Group alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Shenzhou International Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Albany International $1.03 billion 2.76 $95.76 million $3.03 30.26 Albany International has higher revenue and earnings than Shenzhou International Group. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Shenzhou International Group N/A N/A N/A Albany International 8.96% 14.14% 7.38% Insider and Institutional Ownership This table compares Shenzhou International Group and Albany Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 99.9% of Albany International shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Albany International shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Shenzhou International Group and Albany International, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Shenzhou International Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Albany International 0 2 1 0 2.33 Albany International has a consensus price target of $105.33, suggesting a potential upside of 14.88%. Given Albany Internationals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Albany International is more favorable than Shenzhou International Group. Summary Albany International beats Shenzhou International Group on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Shenzhou International Group (Get Rating) Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in manufacturing, processing, and selling knitwear products. It produces and sells sportswear, casual wear, and lingerie wear. The company is also involved in the import and export of commodities; quality check of garments; print and sale of knitwear products; trading and retail businesses; aircraft leasing; and property management and leasing activities. It has operations in Mainland China, European Union, the United States, Japan, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Kowloon, Hong Kong. About Albany International (Get Rating) Albany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the textile and materials processing business. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, towels, nonwovens, building products, tannery, and textiles. This segment offers forming, pressing, and drying fabrics, as well as process belts; and engineered fabrics. The AEC segment 3D-woven and injected composite components for aircraft engines composite airframe and engine components for military and commercial aircraft. It operates in the United States, Switzerland, Brazil, China, France, Mexico, Italy, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1895 and is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire. Receive News & Ratings for Shenzhou International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shenzhou International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DIFTY Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, an increase of 800.0% from the May 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. Stock Down 6.1 % OTCMKTS:DIFTY opened at $23.25 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $24.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $24.61. Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. has a 12 month low of $19.73 and a 12 month high of $28.50. Get Daito Trust Construction Co.Ltd. alerts: Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. Company Profile (Get Rating) Read More Daito Trust Construction Co,Ltd. designs, constructs, and rents apartments, condominiums, and office buildings in Japan. It operates through three segments: Construction, Real Estate, and Finance. The company rental housing and other structure construction; ironwork and construction; whole building leasing, and building management and renovation; tenant guarantor services; advertising; and LP gas supply businesses. Receive News & Ratings for Daito Trust Construction Co.Ltd. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Daito Trust Construction Co.Ltd. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earnest Partners LLC reduced its stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Get Rating) by 21.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 383,947 shares of the companys stock after selling 103,439 shares during the period. Earnest Partners LLC owned approximately 0.66% of Molina Healthcare worth $126,787,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Molina Healthcare in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Molina Healthcare in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. purchased a new stake in Molina Healthcare in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 85.9% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 132 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. purchased a new stake in Molina Healthcare in the 1st quarter valued at about $59,000. 94.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Molina Healthcare Stock Performance NYSE MOH traded up $2.83 on Tuesday, reaching $291.50. The stock had a trading volume of 55,248 shares, compared to its average volume of 499,383. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 1.47. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 12-month low of $249.78 and a 12-month high of $374.00. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $287.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $296.64. The stock has a market cap of $16.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.68. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Molina Healthcare ( NYSE:MOH Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $5.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.13 by $0.68. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 36.20% and a net margin of 2.64%. The company had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.31 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.90 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 20.26 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on Molina Healthcare from $347.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Molina Healthcare from $307.00 to $282.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. StockNews.com raised Molina Healthcare from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, June 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Molina Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $354.00 target price for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Molina Healthcare from $365.00 to $335.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Molina Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $354.75. Molina Healthcare Profile (Get Rating) Molina Healthcare, Inc engages in the provision of health care services. It operates through the following segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company was founded by C. David Molina in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, CA. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MOH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Research analysts at Citigroup started coverage on shares of Ecolab (NYSE:ECL Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The firm set a neutral rating on the basic materials companys stock. Several other analysts have also recently commented on ECL. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $164.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Bank of America cut shares of Ecolab from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their target price for the stock from $170.00 to $162.00 in a research report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Ecolab from $164.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Ecolab from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $176.64. Get Ecolab alerts: Ecolab Stock Performance Ecolab stock traded up $2.44 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $181.47. 962,017 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,103,648. Ecolab has a 52-week low of $131.04 and a 52-week high of $181.73. The stock has a market cap of $51.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firms 50 day moving average is $169.62 and its 200 day moving average is $159.13. Insider Transactions at Ecolab Ecolab ( NYSE:ECL Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The basic materials company reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.47 billion. Ecolab had a net margin of 7.96% and a return on equity of 18.05%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Ecolab will post 4.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, EVP Angela M. Busch sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $525,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,444,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Angela M. Busch sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $525,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,444,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Gail Peterson sold 934 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $163,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,567 shares in the company, valued at $274,225. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 39,482 shares of company stock valued at $6,856,986. Corporate insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Ecolab A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ECL. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,377 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,552,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its stake in Ecolab by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 1,432 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $238,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its stake in Ecolab by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 545 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Country Club Bank GFN lifted its stake in Ecolab by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Country Club Bank GFN now owns 2,170 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $316,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc lifted its stake in Ecolab by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 2,447 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $405,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. 86.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Ecolab Company Profile (Get Rating) Ecolab, Inc engages in the provision of products and services in the field of water, hygiene, and energy. It operates through the following segments: Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Energy & Life Science, and Other. The Global Industrial segment consists of the water, food and beverage, paper, and downstream operating segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ecolab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecolab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Rating) (NYSE:EGO) had its price target reduced by BMO Capital Markets from C$18.00 to C$17.00 in a report issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on ELD. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the stock from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. National Bankshares set a C$17.00 target price on Eldorado Gold and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded Eldorado Gold from a sector perform spec overwgt rating to an outperform spec overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Eldorado Gold Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of ELD stock opened at C$13.23 on Friday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$14.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$12.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.71, a current ratio of 2.92 and a quick ratio of 2.28. Eldorado Gold has a 1-year low of C$6.87 and a 1-year high of C$16.40. The firm has a market cap of C$2.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 132.30, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.34. Eldorado Gold Company Profile Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru gold mines located in western Turkey; 100% interest in Lamaque gold mines located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE:RE Get Rating) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $410.60. A number of brokerages have recently commented on RE. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Everest Re Group from $385.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Everest Re Group from $455.00 to $468.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Everest Re Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Everest Re Group from $435.00 to $445.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Get Everest Re Group alerts: Everest Re Group Stock Performance RE stock opened at $338.68 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $365.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $356.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Everest Re Group has a 12-month low of $244.57 and a 12-month high of $394.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.30 billion, a PE ratio of 20.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.61. Everest Re Group Announces Dividend Everest Re Group ( NYSE:RE Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The insurance provider reported $11.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $12.48 by ($1.17). Everest Re Group had a net margin of 5.34% and a return on equity of 12.98%. The business had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $10.31 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Everest Re Group will post 43.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a $1.65 dividend. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. Everest Re Groups payout ratio is 39.15%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in RE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Everest Re Group by 10.9% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 47,460 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $14,302,000 after purchasing an additional 4,665 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Everest Re Group by 14.5% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,437 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $433,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Everest Re Group by 42.2% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,437 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,639,000 after buying an additional 1,614 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its holdings in Everest Re Group by 6.6% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 5,268 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,588,000 after acquiring an additional 326 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC lifted its position in shares of Everest Re Group by 46.2% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 18,334 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,526,000 after acquiring an additional 5,797 shares in the last quarter. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Everest Re Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Everest Re Group Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of reinsurance and insurance services. It operates through the following segments: Reinsurance, and Insurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including marine, aviation, surety, and accident and health business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Everest Re Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Re Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Impax Asset Management Group plc (LON:IPX Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, May 31st, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of GBX 4.70 ($0.06) per share on Friday, July 21st. This represents a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 15th. The official announcement can be seen at this link. Impax Asset Management Group Price Performance LON:IPX opened at GBX 633 ($7.92) on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.26, a current ratio of 3.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.74. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 769.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 774.45. The firm has a market capitalization of 839.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,665.79, a P/E/G ratio of 5.05 and a beta of 1.46. Impax Asset Management Group has a 12-month low of GBX 483.54 ($6.05) and a 12-month high of GBX 898.50 ($11.24). Get Impax Asset Management Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Impax Asset Management Group In other news, insider Ian Simm bought 2,580 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 620 ($7.76) per share, for a total transaction of 15,996 ($20,015.02). Corporate insiders own 19.02% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth About Impax Asset Management Group Separately, Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,000 ($12.51) price objective on shares of Impax Asset Management Group in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. (Get Rating) Impax Asset Management Group plc is a publicly owned investment manager. Through its subsidiaries, it provides investment services to funds specializing in the environmental markets sector, with a focus on alternative energy, water, and waste sectors, primarily in the United Kingdom. It manages a range of funds and segregated accounts on behalf of institutional and private investors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Impax Asset Management Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Impax Asset Management Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Integer Holdings Co. (NYSE:ITGR Get Rating) Director Jean M. Hobby sold 3,625 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.85, for a total transaction of $303,956.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,126 shares in the company, valued at $765,215.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Integer Trading Up 1.7 % Shares of Integer stock traded up $1.38 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $84.36. 155,927 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 306,640. The stocks fifty day moving average is $80.69 and its 200 day moving average is $75.29. Integer Holdings Co. has a 1 year low of $50.05 and a 1 year high of $86.18. The firm has a market cap of $2.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Get Integer alerts: Integer (NYSE:ITGR Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.05. Integer had a return on equity of 9.54% and a net margin of 4.71%. The company had revenue of $378.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $352.43 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.78 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Integer Holdings Co. will post 4.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Integer Analysts Set New Price Targets Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ITGR. Shell Asset Management Co. lifted its position in Integer by 4.0% during the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 4,521 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $281,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in shares of Integer by 28.5% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 775 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its holdings in shares of Integer by 12.4% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 1,591 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG lifted its holdings in shares of Integer by 0.6% during the third quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 28,783 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,791,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Integer by 2.0% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 9,539 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. 98.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. ITGR has been the topic of several recent research reports. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, April 28th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Integer in a research report on Friday, February 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Integer in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Integer in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. They set a neutral rating and a $86.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on Integer in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $88.00 price objective for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $88.67. Integer Company Profile (Get Rating) Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through Medical and Non-Medical segments. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, urology, and gastroenterology procedures. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Integer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Integer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canaccord Genuity Group started coverage on shares of Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $8.00 price objective on the stock. Several other research firms also recently weighed in on JOBY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Joby Aviation from a hold rating to a sell rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $6.00 to $4.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Joby Aviation from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Joby Aviation has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.50. Get Joby Aviation alerts: Joby Aviation Stock Performance Shares of NYSE JOBY opened at $7.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $4.53 billion, a PE ratio of -13.54 and a beta of 1.58. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.28. Joby Aviation has a fifty-two week low of $3.15 and a fifty-two week high of $7.22. Insider Transactions at Joby Aviation Joby Aviation ( NYSE:JOBY Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.16) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.15) by ($0.01). On average, sell-side analysts predict that Joby Aviation will post -0.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, CEO Joeben Bevirt sold 26,215 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.17, for a total transaction of $109,316.55. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 511,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,131,975.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Joby Aviation news, insider Didier Papadopoulos sold 24,141 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.00, for a total transaction of $144,846.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 106,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at $636,930. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Joeben Bevirt sold 26,215 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.17, for a total value of $109,316.55. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 511,265 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,131,975.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 218,922 shares of company stock valued at $1,132,320. 49.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Joby Aviation A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JOBY. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Joby Aviation by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,722,910 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,731,000 after acquiring an additional 468,437 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Joby Aviation by 37.5% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,752,316 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,840,567 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Joby Aviation by 5.5% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,145,748 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,333,000 after acquiring an additional 268,977 shares in the last quarter. EDBI Pte Ltd lifted its position in shares of Joby Aviation by 0.5% in the third quarter. EDBI Pte Ltd now owns 4,482,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,407,000 after acquiring an additional 22,493 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Joby Aviation by 50.1% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 4,240,736 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,405,000 after acquiring an additional 1,416,314 shares in the last quarter. 29.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Joby Aviation (Get Rating) Joby Aviation, Inc, a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. It intends to build an aerial ridesharing service. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Joby Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Joby Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha pitched the idea of establishing a liaison office between Korea and Cuba during her visit to Havana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. "Kang brought up a subject of opening a liaison office between the two countries as part of efforts to normalize relations with Cuba," said a ministry official. "Cuban officials have not clearly responded to the offer yet." Cuba is emerging blinking into the daylight after decades of a U.S. blockade that prevented Korea from ever establishing diplomatic relations with the island country. Kang was in Cuba for two days to attend a meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. It was only the second visit for a Korean foreign minister to Cuba. Avenir Corp raised its position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL Get Rating) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 83,448 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 701 shares during the quarter. Markel Group comprises approximately 11.0% of Avenir Corps holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Avenir Corps holdings in Markel Group were worth $109,942,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in Markel Group during the first quarter worth approximately $148,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in Markel Group by 11.9% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 628 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $926,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Markel Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $549,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Markel Group by 2.7% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 11,913 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $17,575,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Markel Group by 4.7% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 332 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $490,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. 75.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Markel Group alerts: Markel Group Price Performance MKL stock traded down $5.73 on Monday, reaching $1,336.54. 16,862 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 36,715. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1,339.95 and a 200-day moving average of $1,327.63. Markel Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,064.09 and a twelve month high of $1,458.56. The firm has a market cap of $17.84 billion, a PE ratio of 64.77 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Analyst Ratings Changes Markel Group ( NYSE:MKL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The insurance provider reported $17.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $16.23 by $1.12. Markel Group had a return on equity of 8.13% and a net margin of 2.58%. The firm had revenue of $3.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.38 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 82.38 EPS for the current fiscal year. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Markel Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a 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 $1,516.67. Insider Buying and Selling at Markel Group In other news, Director Lawrence A. Cunningham bought 50 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,336.25 per share, with a total value of $66,812.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $463,678.75. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Morgan E. Housel acquired 19 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $1,330.70 per share, with a total value of $25,283.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 330 shares in the company, valued at $439,131. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Lawrence A. Cunningham acquired 50 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $1,336.25 per share, for a total transaction of $66,812.50. Following the purchase, the director now owns 347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $463,678.75. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have bought 194 shares of company stock valued at $260,642. Insiders own 1.75% of the companys stock. Markel Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Markel Group Inc, a diverse financial holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MKL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Markel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Markel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc. (NYSE:CAF Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,400 shares, an increase of 450.0% from the May 15th total of 800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 27,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CAF. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund by 13.0% during the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,561,663 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $64,776,000 after acquiring an additional 524,982 shares during the period. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 6,611,849 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $90,384,000 after acquiring an additional 144,379 shares during the period. Karpus Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund by 22.4% during the 1st quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 257,981 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,705,000 after acquiring an additional 47,278 shares during the period. Almitas Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $338,000. Finally, Atlas Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $231,000. Get Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund alerts: Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund Price Performance Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $13.05. The company had a trading volume of 21,375 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,143. Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund has a 52 week low of $12.16 and a 52 week high of $17.01. The company has a 50 day moving average of $13.61 and a 200-day moving average of $14.34. About Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc It is co-managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company. The fund invests in the public equity markets of China. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neste Oyj (OTCMKTS:NTOIY Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, a decrease of 96.3% from the May 15th total of 8,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 107,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have weighed in on NTOIY. UBS Group raised shares of Neste Oyj from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Societe Generale raised shares of Neste Oyj from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $56.00. Get Neste Oyj alerts: Neste Oyj Price Performance Shares of NTOIY traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $21.11. 39,775 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 33,380. Neste Oyj has a one year low of $18.70 and a one year high of $26.03. The business has a 50-day moving average of $22.31 and a 200 day moving average of $23.39. Neste Oyj Increases Dividend Neste Oyj Company Profile The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 30th were paid a dividend of $0.2322 per share. This is a boost from Neste Oyjs previous dividend of $0.12. This represents a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 29th. Neste Oyjs dividend payout ratio is 45.88%. (Get Rating) Neste Oyj provides renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in Finland and other Nordic countries, Baltic Rim, other European countries, North and South America, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Renewable Products, Oil Products, Marketing & Services, and Others. The Renewable Products segment produces, markets, and sells renewable diesel, renewable jet fuels and solutions, and renewable solvents, as well as raw material for bioplastics based on its technology to wholesale markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Neste Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neste Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Putnam Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 907,824 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,686,000. Putnam Investments LLC owned about 0.38% of Elevance Health at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ELV. Roundview Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 2.9% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 1,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $912,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health during the first quarter valued at $251,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 0.4% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,870 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,305,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 52.1% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 893 shares of the companys stock valued at $439,000 after buying an additional 306 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 102.9% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 846 shares of the companys stock valued at $416,000 after buying an additional 429 shares during the period. 87.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Elevance Health alerts: Elevance Health Stock Performance NYSE:ELV traded up $2.97 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $473.14. The company had a trading volume of 829,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,136,342. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 1-year low of $438.56 and a 1-year high of $549.52. The firm has a market cap of $112.16 billion, a PE ratio of 18.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.85. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $465.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $480.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.43. Elevance Health Dividend Announcement Elevance Health ( NYSE:ELV Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The company reported $9.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.26 by $0.20. Elevance Health had a return on equity of 20.05% and a net margin of 3.86%. The company had revenue of $41.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $8.25 earnings per share. Elevance Healths revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 32.78 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.48 per share. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. Elevance Healths payout ratio is 23.04%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Elevance Health from $555.00 to $572.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley upgraded Elevance Health from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $500.00 to $571.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. 22nd Century Group reiterated an upgrade rating on shares of Elevance Health in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Elevance Health from $597.00 to $561.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Elevance Health from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $523.00 to $572.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Elevance Health has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $570.60. Insider Transactions at Elevance Health In related news, EVP Gloria M. Mccarthy sold 15,098 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $444.76, for a total transaction of $6,714,986.48. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,435 shares in the company, valued at $22,876,230.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Elevance Health Company Profile (Get Rating) Elevance Health, Inc operates as a health company, which engages in improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Specialty Business, Government Business, CarelonRx, and Other. The Commercial and Specialty Business segment provides insurance products and services such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability and supplemental health insurance. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ELV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Elevance Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elevance Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Range Resources Co. (NYSE:RRC Get Rating) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the twenty-six analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have issued a hold recommendation and twelve have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $32.52. A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. VNET Group reaffirmed an upgrade rating on shares of Range Resources in a report on Friday, May 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Range Resources from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $30.00 to $31.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Range Resources from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Range Resources from $40.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Mizuho raised shares of Range Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $30.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Get Range Resources alerts: Range Resources Stock Down 4.0 % Shares of Range Resources stock opened at $27.35 on Tuesday. Range Resources has a 52-week low of $22.61 and a 52-week high of $36.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $26.96 and a 200 day moving average of $26.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $6.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 2.12. Range Resources Announces Dividend Range Resources ( NYSE:RRC Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $772.38 million. Range Resources had a net margin of 41.18% and a return on equity of 45.55%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 556.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Range Resources will post 2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. Range Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.76%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Dori Ginn sold 32,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $866,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 250,738 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,792,492.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Range Resources news, SVP Dori Ginn sold 32,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total value of $866,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 250,738 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,792,492.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Erin W. Mcdowell sold 36,419 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total value of $997,516.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 98,899 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,708,843.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 385,094 shares of company stock valued at $10,622,125. 1.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Range Resources A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in shares of Range Resources by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 45,351 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $1,378,000 after buying an additional 4,987 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Range Resources by 31.8% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 35,865 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $1,090,000 after buying an additional 8,648 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Range Resources during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new position in shares of Range Resources during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $7,059,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Range Resources by 1,102.7% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 151,710 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $4,609,000 after buying an additional 139,096 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.32% of the companys stock. Range Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) Range Resources Corp. engages in the exploration, development and acquisition of natural gas and oil properties in the Appalachian and Midcontinent regions. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Range Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Range Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. REV Group (NYSE:REVG Get Rating) had its target price upped by Credit Suisse Group from $11.00 to $12.00 in a research report report published on Friday morning, The Fly reports. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on REVG. Robert W. Baird raised REV Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $16.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on REV Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price objective on REV Group from $12.00 to $13.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.70. Get REV Group alerts: REV Group Stock Performance REV Group stock opened at $13.52 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $804.30 million, a P/E ratio of 42.25 and a beta of 1.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $10.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.08. REV Group has a 52 week low of $9.85 and a 52 week high of $16.38. REV Group Dividend Announcement REV Group ( NYSE:REVG Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 8th. The company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.15. REV Group had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 0.76%. The company had revenue of $681.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $580.47 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.14 EPS. REV Groups quarterly revenue was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that REV Group will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.48%. REV Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 62.50%. Institutional Trading of REV Group Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of REV Group by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,301,903 shares of the companys stock worth $44,245,000 after buying an additional 9,814 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its holdings in REV Group by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,094,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,052,000 after purchasing an additional 28,470 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in REV Group by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,830,578 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,938,000 after purchasing an additional 118,449 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in REV Group by 9.1% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,222,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,776,000 after purchasing an additional 186,146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in REV Group by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 917,940 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,300,000 after purchasing an additional 11,697 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.92% of the companys stock. 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. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Get Rating)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Bank of America raised their price target on the stock from $82.00 to $95.00. The company traded as high as $94.71 and last traded at $94.41, with a volume of 1176638 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $93.56. RCL has been the topic of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $78.00 to $88.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Tigress Financial upped their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $80.00 to $102.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $82.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Argus upped their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $88.00 to $92.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $87.79. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Insider Activity In related news, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $2,922,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,766,240. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $2,922,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,766,240. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 318,325 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.97, for a total value of $24,819,800.25. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,167,507 shares in the company, valued at $1,572,460,520.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 729,861 shares of company stock worth $58,020,180 over the last three months. 8.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in RCL. Manchester Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Front Row Advisors LLC increased its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 134.3% in the 1st quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 410 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Prostatis Group LLC bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. 74.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.41. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $66.34. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.71) by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative return on equity of 25.86% and a negative net margin of 9.72%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 172.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($4.57) EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 4.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Royal Caribbean Cruises (Get Rating) Royal Caribbean Group is a cruise company, which engages in the ownership and operation of the following global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The firm also holds interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of SIFCO Industries (NYSE:SIF Get Rating) in a report published on Friday. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock. SIFCO Industries Price Performance SIFCO Industries stock opened at $2.60 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $15.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.56 and a beta of 1.44. The firms fifty day moving average is $2.73 and its 200 day moving average is $2.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. SIFCO Industries has a 52-week low of $1.95 and a 52-week high of $4.05. Get SIFCO Industries alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On SIFCO Industries A hedge fund recently raised its stake in SIFCO Industries stock. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC grew its position in SIFCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE:SIF Get Rating) by 53.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,343 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,674 shares during the quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC owned about 0.65% of SIFCO Industries worth $121,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors own 18.20% of the companys stock. About SIFCO Industries SIFCO Industries, Inc engages in the manufacture of forgings and machined components for the aerospace and energy markets. Its products include OEM and aftermarket components for aircraft and industrial gas turbine engines, steam turbine blades, structural airframe components, aircraft landing gear components, aircraft wheels and brakes, critical rotating components for helicopters, and commercial or industrial products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SIFCO Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SIFCO Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE:GAB Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, May 18th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.15 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, June 23rd. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.60%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. The Gabelli Equity Trust Price Performance Shares of GAB opened at $5.66 on Tuesday. The Gabelli Equity Trust has a twelve month low of $4.84 and a twelve month high of $6.59. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $5.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.67. Get The Gabelli Equity Trust alerts: Institutional Trading of The Gabelli Equity Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of The Gabelli Equity Trust by 46.1% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,573 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 2,073 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in The Gabelli Equity Trust by 28.3% during the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 73,857 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $424,000 after acquiring an additional 16,284 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its position in shares of The Gabelli Equity Trust by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 117,805 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $676,000 after purchasing an additional 21,973 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its stake in The Gabelli Equity Trust by 35.0% during the first quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 72,013 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $413,000 after buying an additional 18,665 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in The Gabelli Equity Trust by 64.2% in the first quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 32,909 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $189,000 after acquiring an additional 12,870 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.58% of the companys stock. The Gabelli Equity Trust Company Profile The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc The fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. It invests in public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It invests in preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities, and warrants and rights. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Equity Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Equity Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Get Rating) by 38.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,416 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 6,760 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $1,851,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in HIG. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 114.5% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 680 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter worth about $54,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 184.7% in the 4th quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 840 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 545 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.93% of the companys stock. Get The Hartford Financial Services Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on HIG shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Citigroup cut their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $92.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. 888 reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Evercore ISI cut their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $78.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $86.15. The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:HIG traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $71.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,405,145 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,016,772. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.24, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.86. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $69.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $73.02. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $60.17 and a fifty-two week high of $79.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The insurance provider reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.68. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.70 billion. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 8.33% and a return on equity of 18.45%. The Hartford Financial Services Groups quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.66 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 7.91 earnings per share for the current year. The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 31st. The Hartford Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.26%. The Hartford Financial Services Group Profile (Get Rating) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marriages in China dropped in 2022 to their lowest since records began, local news outlet Yicai reported Sunday, continuing a steady decline over the past decade although the matrimonial total may have been affected by stringent COVID lockdowns. Just 6.83 million couples completed their marriage registrations last year, data published on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs showed, down about 800,000 from the previous year. The drop in couples tying the knot, which follows pandemic restrictions keeping tens of millions locked in their homes or compounds for weeks last year, comes as authorities deal with a declining birth rate and a falling population. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has today become the darling of all those in the leadership race of the 10th National Assembly, NASS. Aspiring legislative officers and their lobbyists have turned Aso Rock to another Mecca, making unending pilgrimages there to curry the favour of the new deity in the shrine. Under former Rivers States Governor Nyesom Wike and Oyo States Governor Seyi Makinde, the G5 governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have visited Aso Rock. They came lobbying for a contestant. Tinubu (BAT) hosted House of Representatives members and senators at the weekend; where he placed the matter before them. Vice President Kashim Shettima has weighed in, telling the senators and House of Representatives to kowtow to the party and the President on their choice of leadership of the Tenth Assembly. Obviously, the Executive of Tinubu-Shettima is angling to back one candidate and generally dictate the lineup of the next leadership of the Legislature. This ought not to be so. The choice of who leads the National Assembly is none of BATs business. It is not his call. It is not the call of the Executive to say who leads the Legislature. Doing so amounts to a bastardisation of the Constitution and our democracy. One major contestant for Senate President is Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Minister for the Niger Delta and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The man from the South-South is the one the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has anointed and to whom it has micro-zoned the position of Senate President. Accusing the party of failing to create a level playing field, party VIPs have kicked, especially fellow aspirants who are irritated by the micro-zoning to one single individual. Tinubu wants Akpabio as Senate President, and he has not hidden it. By the way, APC that ran a Muslim-Muslim presidential election finally got it right on the matter of reserving the post of Senate President for a Christian. For The Presidency to meddle in the election of officers of the twin arms of the National Assembly defies the Doctrine of the Separation of Powers, enshrined to guarantee the checks and balances germane to the sustenance and survival of democracy and among its three arms. This groundwork for the most disingenuous rape of the Constitution and the Nigerian people is being cooked by the ruling party and Nigerians need to rise and save themselves. The Constitution designates powers for the three arms of our democracy: Legislative powers Executive powers Judicial powers Concerning the Legislature, it says in Section 4(1), The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. In no way is the Legislature subject to the Presidency a.k.a. the Executive. Legislative powers are only subject to the Judiciary, not and never to the Executive. It says in Section 4(8): Save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the exercise of legislative powers by the National Assembly or by a House of Assembly shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts of law and of judicial tribunals established by law, and accordingly, the National Assembly or a House of Assembly shall not enact any law, that ousts or purports to oust the jurisdiction of a court of law or of a judicial tribunal established by law. Constitutionally, what are the role and functions of the NASS? Apart from making laws, the Legislature is vested with the power to carry out oversight on the Executive and all its Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. On a good day, to the Executive, the fear of the Legislature is the beginning of wisdom. But over the years, the power of the Legislature has been emasculated. President Olusegun Obasanjo did it, overreaching himself to determine who climbed to and fell from legislative leadership. Legislative leaders became the rubberstamp for Muhammadu Buhari. It could not have been otherwise with the way they emerged, and Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege scurrying off to see the President in Aso Rock immediately they were elected Senate President and Deputy in 2019. Their inglorious tenure masturbated Buharis excesses and infamy, passing laws most damaging to the countrys socio-economic health, with a N71-trillion debt profile and stupendous corruption. Can we afford that again? If the Legislature must carry out oversight and scrutiny of the Executive, should The Presidency dictate who carries out that function? Can a student pick his own examiner? Which suspect picks his own Judge? Tinubu cannot dictate who will check, restrain and moderate him. Allowing him to do so is dangerous to national health. The country can ill afford a chummy, paddy-paddy relationship between the Legislature and the Executive. As the democratic watchdog, the Legislature must stand aloof, watching, barking and biting with alacrity and objectivity. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Tinubu, whom people know, knows power; and he has shown capacity to exploit power. Having ridden into power on the back of Afenifere in 1999, he turned around to use the power to decimate the organisation. Next, he pocketed the State Legislature as Governor and later as godfather in Lagos. What Jagaban has done in Lagos, no man has done with any state in this country. Tinubu knows, lives, loves and uses power. For him, democracy is a tool to acquire power QED! Lagos is metaphorical of the looming danger of the people losing control of the peoples representatives. Lagos is proof of the dictatorship of someone who knows the meaning of power. Such a personality needs to be checked or this country would have a tyrant and dictator in power. Having handed the power of the President to Tinubu, as well as all the instruments of coercion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, can Nigeria afford to give this man free rein with no one and no institution to check him? The checkmating duty belongs to the Legislature. The Legislature is the only element missing in other forms of government Autocracy, Military or Monarchy. Where a dictator operates as the Executive, the courts will sit as the Judiciary. Only the democratic form of government injects the legislative element through the peoples elected representatives. Thus, the Legislature constitutes a vital component in a democracy. Even its budget and resources are by first-line charge and not subject to executive or judicial monitoring. All this emphasises the need for legislative independence. With a President Tinubu, Nigeria needs an independent Legislature capable of curbing Jagabans well-known tendency to dictatorship. Letting him choose and pocket the next leaders of the National Assembly is dangerous for everybody. (OBOAGWINA IS AN AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST, AND MAY BE REACHED VIA: [email protected] ) Abuja, June 12, 2023Liberian authorities should ensure that journalists are able to cover court cases without fear that they will be forced to expose their sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. In a summons dated May 31, which CPJ reviewed, Judge Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court C in the Liberian capital Monrovia ordered the management and entire staff of the privately owned daily newspaper FrontPageAfrica to appear on Tuesday, June 13, to defend a report about alleged bribery in the countrys judicial system. The court summons is related to a May 19 report that quoted anonymous sources who alleged that US$500,000 was splashed around judicial circles to influence the jury that unanimously acquitted four men charged with trafficking US$100 million of cocaine, according to FrontPage Africa Managing Editor Rodney Sieh and News Editor Lennart Dodoo, who both communicated with CPJ via messaging app. Sieh said his publication stood by the story. The summons said FrontPageAfricas management and all persons acting under the scope and authority of the newspaper must appear before the court that acquitted the four men, explain why they should not be held in criminal contempt, and provide evidence of the bribery. The penalty for contempt of court is at the judges discretion but can include imprisonment or a fine based on the court type, according to Sieh, a revised schedule of court costs, fees, and fines , and Ambrose Nmah, a spokesperson for Liberias judiciary, who spoke to CPJ by phone. Circuit courts, which is the court that summoned the outlets management and staff, can issue up to a $300 fine. In court papers filed on Monday and reviewed by CPJ, FrontPageAfrica said it had not intended to blame, embarrass or denigrate the trial court or Liberias judiciary, and would not publish any story for the purpose of ridiculing, bringing into disrepute or undermining the dignity of this Honorable Court and the Judiciary at large. Liberian authorities should respect journalists sacrosanct duty to protect their sources and withdraw a summons recently issued to FrontPageAfrica employees over the outlets coverage, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in New York. The acquittal of four alleged international drug traffickers is a matter of public interest, and the journalists who have reported critically about the court and have since apologized if they inadvertently caused offense must not become scapegoats. In the drug case, the court also ruled that US$200,000 that the Liberian government seized from the four men must be returned, and hours after the verdict, the four men fled the country and have not been seen or heard from since, according to FrontPageAfrica . The drug case was widely believed to be a slam dunk case as the bust was made in the presence of both U.S. and Liberian drug enforcement authorities, and video evidence was published by the outlet, other international news outlets, and on social media platforms. Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean attempted to rearrest the suspects and launch an appeal, which the Supreme Court rejected, that report said. In those court papers, FrontPageAfricas lawyers said that as Dean and many other Liberians were denouncing the court verdict, the newspapers reporters were informed of the bribes by credible and unimpeachable sources. FrontPageAfrica with all sincerity did not think or believe its May 19 report would be construed as contemptuous, but sincerely apologized to the extent that the publication is construed or may be construed as being contemptuous to the presiding judge, the trial court and the Liberian judiciary as a whole, the document said. Nmah said that the court summons was in line with Liberian laws and that FrontPageAfrica would not be held liable if they proved the facts of their reporting in court. A British man was arrested on Monday while climbing Lotte World Tower, the world's fifth-highest building, without ropes or safety equipment. The man, identified as 24-year-old George King-Thompson, managed to ascend more than halfway up the 123-story skyscraper before being apprehended. In a recent news by kasapafmonline.com, the Accra High Court orders the Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) and the 37 Military Hospital to release an investigation report conducted on the circumstances leading to the death of a 48-year-old man, Solomon Asare Kumah to his family within 10 days. The order culminated from an action of medical negligence which was commenced in 2019 by the family of Solomon Asare-Kumah (the deceased) against the Hospital, a medical doctor- Col/Dr. G. A. O. Appiah, the CDS, and Attorney General. The family is demanding GHc2 million in damages for alleged medical negligence that led to the death of the deceased.Prior to the suit, the family had petitioned the CDS to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding their relatives death but after the investigation, the report was not made available to them. After suing the hospital for damages in the sum of GHc2 million and pending the determination of the substantive matter, the family through Emmanuel Asare-Kumah, filed an application for an order for Discovery on October 21, 2022. In this article, we will examine the legal question as to whether patients have the right to disclosure of their medical records in the case of medical negligence civil litigation and we will also interrogate the legal basis of discovery in medical negligence civil litigation. We would finally look at the medical records of the patient as a weapon for the plaintiff. Medical Records as a Plaintiffs Weapon Medical records are used to track events and transactions between patients and healthcare providers. They offer information on diagnoses, procedures, lab tests, and other services. Medical records help us measure and analyze trends in healthcare use, patient characteristics, and quality of care. Indeed, medical records are patients' strong weapon in medical negligence litigation. This is because, to be able to get legal advice from the lawyer, the lawyers first task is to review the medical records. Also dont forget that medical negligence and malpractice litigation is built around the medical record, which provides the only objective record of the patients condition and the care provided. For the lawyer, the medical records will help to establish specific acts of negligence and the overall quality of the record. Good and strong medical litigation lawsuits are cemented on well-documented, specific acts of negligence. In most cases, however, negligence is inferred from documented and undocumented events. If the patients case depends at least partially on assuming that certain events were not recorded, the lawyer must be able to cast doubt on the credibility of the record. Medical records are also the weapon for a physicians defense. The patient has injuries to show the court; the physician or other medical care practitioner has only the medical records to prove that the injuries were not due to negligence. If the record is incomplete, illegible, or incompetently kept, this is the health care practitioners failure. Although courts and juries usually give a defendant the benefit of the doubt on ambiguous matters, this does not extend to ambiguities created by incompetent recordkeeping. The least credible records are those that are internally inconsistentfor example, the physicians progress notes report that the patient was doing well and improving steadily, but the nurses records indicate that the patient had developed a high fever and appeared to have a major infection. More commonly, the credibility of the records is attacked by demonstrating that it is incomplete. If it is clear that medically important information is missing from the record, then it is easier to convince a jury that the missing information supports the patients claims. They are also the basis of expert opinion that will determine the outcome of the litigation. Discovery: the Essence in Civil Litigation In civil litigation, discovery is the process whereby a party to an action is obliged to disclose to the other party the existence of all documents which are or have been in his possession, custody, or power which are material to the issues in the action. In law, Documents is not restricted to paper writings, but extends to anything upon which evidence or information is recorded. Thus, tape recordings(whether audio or video) and computer disks are disclosable. Documents to be disclosed are those which relate to the matters in question in action. However, the scope of discovery is thus very wide. A case law, Companies Financiere v Peravian Guano Co.(1882) 11 QBD 55, established that documents to be disclosed are those that relate to the subject matter and further went to include those that can indirectly enhance the party (requiring discovery) either to advance his case or to damage that of his opponent. Hence, in the case of alleged medical negligence, medical records and any other medical information that tend to help the plaintiff requiring discovery to either advance his case or damage the case of the defendant (ie. the hospital) is important to that plaintiff. Hence, the plaintiff can apply to the court for notice to produce to enable the hospital to disclose those medical-related documents. Also, these medical-related records are important to the defendant-the hospital. In Ghana for instance, any party may apply at the stage of application of directions for such discovery as is necessary and the court may order the respondent to serve a list of documents in his or her custody or possession on the applicant. The court may order discovery even after the application for direction stage if reasonable cause is shown. Under Order 21 r 6 of the Ghanaian High Court Civil Procedure Rules (CI 47), the court will only order discovery when satisfy that the discovery is necessary to dispose fairly of the cause or matter and will save costs. Disclosure, not Sacrosant However, disclosure of these documents is not sacrosanct. This is because some documents are privileged from production and inspection. For instance, documents protected by legal professional privilege; documents tending to incriminate the person making the disclosure, and documents privileged on the grounds of public policy. For instance, in the Gambia, Section 127(1) (d) of the 1997 Constitution excludes documents from discovery on the grounds of prejudice to National Security. However, when the court gives such an order for discovery and a party fails to comply with an order for the discovery of documents or to produce any document or record for purposes of inspection or fails to comply with the rules, the court may make such orders as it thinks just, including the following: the action may be dismissed, the defence may be struck out and judgment entered accordingly, where the document is favourable to the defaulting party's case, the party may not use the document at the trial, except with the leave of court or where the document is not favourable to the party's case, the party may be committed for contempt. Disclosure: Right to obtain The court may order any party to the suit to make a discovery on oath of the documents, which are or have been in his possession or power, relating to any matter in question in the suit per the rules of the court. The party is also permitted to inspect these medical documents. In the notice to produce, in the Gambia for instance, there is no time stated to produce. However, case law, Dwyer v Collins(1852) Exch 639, explained that a reasonable time should be given. In this case, the Accra High Court orders the Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) and the 37 Military Hospital to release the documents within 10 days. The Plaintiffs Case for Disclosure In this case, the plaintiff sought; an order directed at the 2nd Defendant (CDS) to furnish plaintiff with the final Report of the Board of Inquiry held in respect of the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah and allegations of extortion against the 4th Defendant. Secondly, an order directed at the 3rd Defendant to furnish Plaintiff with the full and complete medical record of Solomon Asare-Kumah (deceased). The Defendants relied on Privileged But responding to the application in an affidavit to the request deposed to by Justice Oteng, a Legal Officer at the Department of Legal Services, Ghana Armed Forces, General Headquarters, on the authority of the 1st to 3rd Defendants/Respondents opposed to the request and said the report is exclusively for internal use. ..The 2nd Respondent is vehemently opposed to the request by the Applicant for the Report/Record of the Board of inquiry, the affidavit in opposition stated. It contends that the Report of the Board of inquiry is a restricted document meant for the exclusive internal use of the Ghana Armed Forces. The defense further contended that the said report is exclusively for internal use. It further stated that the Report of the Board of Inquiry conducted under the auspices of the Ghana Armed Forces is privileged and same cannot be disclosed to the Public even in legal proceedings. That per with the Armed Forces Regulations [Administration] Volume 1 (AFR Vol. 1) (C.I 12), applications for the release of record or report of a Board of an Inquiry requires the express instructions of the 2nd Defendant herein. That pursuant to the AFR. Vol 1, the 2nd Defendant stated that the Report of the Board of Inquiry as requested by the Applicant is confidential and same cannot be released. It further contended that that the discovery of the Report of the Board of Inquiry as prayed is not necessary for a fair and effectual disposal of the instant action and will rather prejudice the trial. It stated further that, the Applicant has not shown any reasonable cause for the discovery of the report of the Board of Inquiry, and that the 3rd Respondent is however not opposed to Plaintiff/Applicants request for the disclosure of the medical records of the deceased in its custody. The Judge thinks the Patients Fundamental Human Right is Paramount For a comprehensive analysis, we will at this point reproduce excerpts of the ruling of the discovery application which forms the crux of this article. Justice Charles Ekow Baiden in his ruling stated as follows: "I take judicial notice and it is so proven that on or around January 2023 a summary report of the Board of Inquiry into the alleged missing baby at the 3rd Defendant/Respondent hospital maternity unit, which the Board of Inquiry was convened by the 3rd Defendant/Respondent was disclosed to an aggrieved couple in that matter. In so doing, I am minded that judicial notice can be taken of facts that are so capable of accurate and ready determination by resorting to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned, as provided for pursuant to Section 9(1) of NRCD 323. According to Brobbey JSC., (as he then was), the learned author of ESSENTIALS OF THE GHANA LAW OF EVIDENCE, IJ judicial notice is not just a form of evidence. It is a form of proof. (Emphasis added). After lengthy experiments with military regimes, we the people of Ghana began a new path towards constitutional supremacy in 1992. The 1992 Constitution we adopted for ourselves embodied principles of accountability and the protection and preservation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. To achieve these solemn goals, the 1992 Constitution vested final judicial power in the Judiciary. Article 125(3) of the 1992 Constitution provides that: The judicial power of Ghana shall be vested in the Judiciary, accordingly, neither the President nor Parliament nor any organ or agency of the President or Parliament shall have or be given final judicial power. (Emphasis added). In furtherance of this, Article 140(1) of the 1992 Constitution vested the High Court with jurisdiction in all matters and in particular, in civil and criminal matters and such original, appellate, and other jurisdiction as conferred by the Constitution or any other law. The combined effect of Articles 33(1) and 140(2) of the 1992 Constitution is that this Court has the responsibility to protect and preserve the natural and inalienable rights fundamental to the well-being of all persons. Article 12(1) of the 1992 Constitution provides that: The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter shall be respected and upheld by the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary and all other organs of government and its agencies and, where applicable by all natural and legal persons in Ghana, and shall be enforceable by the Courts as provided for in this Constitution. (Emphasis added). He further reasoned that the principles of accountability enshrined in the Preamble, Articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution frowns upon the unbridled exercise of such wide discretionary power contained in Article 21.17.1 of AFR (Volume 1) C.I 12 which purports to oust the jurisdiction of the court. Even if, the 1st to 3rd Defendants/Respondents have the discretion to not disclose a Board of Inquiry Report to the Plaintiff/ Applicant, such discretion must be exercised fairly, reasonably, and not arbitrarily or in a biased manner. He also referred to Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution that which abhors discrimination against persons such as the Plaintiff/Applicant herein. Article 17(3) provides that: For the purposes of this article, discriminate means to give different treatment to different versons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description are not made subject or are granted privileges or disadvantages which are not granted to persons of another description. It has not been demonstrated to this Court that there is reasonable justification for treating the Plaintiff/Applicant differently from the manner the couple in Exhibit D and E has been treated. I find that the Plaintiff/Applicant alleges negligence in tort, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and undue influence. The Defendants/Respondents have denied the existence of a contract. If so, the Defendants/Respondents must be made to subiect this dispute to the ordinary rules of negligence in tort, contract, and the remedies available to a party who alleges violation. In so far as the Defendants/Respondents engage in commercial transactions, they must necessarily abide by the rules of engagement including good faith obligations and the duty of care, among others. The 1st to 3rd Defendants/Respondents ought not to be allowed to seek refuge elsewhere. For all the above reasons, I am of the firm view that the Plaintiff/Applicant has shown reasonable cause for this Court to grant the order prayed for as the report relating to the death of the Deceased is necessary to fairly dispose of the matter, pursuant to the overriding objective of Order 1 rule 2 of C.I. 47. The report or record of proceedings of the Board of Inquiry relating to the admission, treatment and death of the Deceased, howsoever described by the Is to 3rd Defendant/Respondents, together with the medical records of the Deceased shall be furnished to the Plaintiff/Applicant within ten (10) days hereof. With the subject matter, the family contends that the hospital and its employees fail to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomons breathing tube under his skin thereby denying oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing stain on his heart and other organs and thus causing his death. Previous Rulings on Patient Medical Records as Human Rights In Elizabeth Vaah v Lister Hospital and Fertility Centre, HRCM 69/10 [2010], a client who was under the care of the defendant hospital sued the hospital, relying on the right to information guaranteed under Article 21(1)(f) of 1992 Constitution of Ghana (the Constitution), when she sought to recover her medical record to clarify the cause of death of her stillborn baby. The applicants case is that her fundamental human rights have been violated by the respondent when the latter refused to release her medical records to her. The respondent argued that it was justified in refusing the applicants request for medical records because by speaking to the press about the circumstances in which she gave birth at the respondent's hospital, she had evinced an intention to abuse the records. It was held that the plaintiff was entitled to a copy of her medical record from Lister Hospital. The legal principle found, in this case, is that a medical facility cannot violate or prevent a patient from accessing their records. Finally, in Jehu Appiah v Nyaho Healthcare Limited [2021],where the plaintiff accused the facility of allegedly damaging her fallopian tube, which nearly led to her death. According to the case, the plaintiff, upon conception utilized antenatal care services at the respondent hospital. But at a point, she claimed she had to undergo life-saving surgery at a different health facility due to the actions and inactions of the Nyaho hospital. After the life-saving surgery, she made a formal complaint to Nyaho Healthcare Limited, after which she was promised investigations into the matter and the results communicated to her. The plaintiff noted that all efforts to compel the respondent hospital to release her medical documents (including scans, tests, diagnosis, and treatment) proved futile. The court held that the complete medical records be released to the patient. Conclusion A party alleging medical negligence has the right to obtain disclosure from the defendants hospital. Though, some documents are privileged from disclosure on public policy grounds. It is also prudent to know that, the fundamental purpose of disclosure is to further the overriding objective by ensuring parties to litigation are on an equal footing. The court would exercise its discretion in favour of the plaintiff if the disclosure will aid the court in dispensing justice and a fair trial. Also, the meaning of documents is not restricted to paper or writing but extends to any form of record-keeping. This includes computer databases, microfilms used to keep records, video and audio tapes, and discs. Hence, in todays medical care industry, where hospitals have adopted electronic record systems, discovery extends to them. Thus, in clinical negligence claims, the most important category of the document to be disclosed is likely to be the claimants medical records. They will provide the most contemporaneous record of the treatment given to a patient and will, in almost all cases, be the basis of expert opinion that will determine the outcome of the litigation. Early and objective scrutiny of medical records can save a lot of time and expense and is necessary to assess the merits, strengths, and weaknesses of any proposed claim from the outset. For the defendant, case laws proved that patients have rights to the medical records and it is also your source of defense in medical negligence civil litigation. Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a (BL) candidate at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, The Gambia, and Daniel Sackey is a Part Two student of the Ghana School of Law, Accra, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected] . The authors have an interest in medico-legal issues and patient rights. The legal article is for academic awareness only. Belarusian man found hanged from tree in Karon PHUKET: Authorities have confirmed that a dead body found hanging from a tree in Karon on Saturday (June 10) was that of Belarusian man. suicidedeathhealthpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 13 June 2023 09:00 AM Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Pol. Lt. Col. Chana Suthimas, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Karon Police Station was notified of the incident around 4:15pm on Saturday before proceeding to the scene. On arrival he and his team found the body hanging from a tree by the Dam at Moo1, Patak Soi 20 in Karon. A forensic physician from Vachira Phuket Hospital examined the mans body and revealed it had been hanging from the tree for at least a day. The medial team then took the body to Vachira Hospital to conduct a more thorough autopsy. The deceased man was confirmed as 26-year-old Belarusian national Alexander Zapronenko who had been staying with a friend in rented accommodation nearby. Police interviewed the 24-year-old friend who revealed that Mr Zapronenko had gone missing for two days. When a local stray dog appeared near the rented accommodation with one of Mr Zapronenkos shoes in his mouth, the friend decided to search in nearby forest areas. It was during this search that he discovered Mr Zapronenkos dead body hanging from the tree before local villagers then informed the police. After further investigation police discovered that Mr Zapronenko had suffered from mental health issues including despression and had been admitted to Vachia Hospital to seek medical help, where he remained for two weeks. He left hospital care on May 30 and it is then that his friend came to stay with him to offer support. Mr Zapronenko had complained of feeling unwell due to diarrhea and sickness and therefore slept often, his friend said. Police recorded the friends account as official evidence and confirmed they have been working with the Belarusian embassy to inform the deceaseds family to arrange transportation of his body back to his homeland. If you or anyone you know is in need of emotional support and counselling, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-113-6789 (English & Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Pita inches closer to PM post BANGKOK: Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrats bid to become prime minister moved a step closer to reality yesterday (June 12) after the chairman of a recent meeting of iTV shareholders said the media company is currently not operating pending a legal case. politics By Bangkok Post Tuesday 13 June 2023 08:56 AM Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat meets supporters in Phuket last week. Photo: Move Forward Party / via Bangkok Post As a result, Mr Pita could be spared from legal wrangles that could lead to him being disqualified as an MP if it is proven that the media company has shut down, reports the Bangkok Post. iTV was back in the spotlight after a video taken during the annual shareholders meeting on Apr 26 contradicted the official minutes. Clips from the footage taken by a shareholder were aired on TV Channel 3 late on Sunday night. In the clip, a shareholder asks: Does iTV still operate media businesses?, to which Executive Director Kim Siritaweechai, who chaired the meeting, replies: As of now, the firm doesnt do anything. It has to wait for a legal case to end. Controversy has swirled around alleged attempts to revive iTV to block Mr Pitas bid to become prime minister through his shareholding in the media company. Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Ittiporn Boonpracong said yesterday the poll agency is already looking into whether Mr Pita violated Section 151 of the organic law on the election of MPs. On Friday, the EC threw out all complaints related to media share ownership against the MFP leader but will instead investigate whether Mr Pita applied to be a list-MP candidate knowing he might not have been eligible. That would be considered a violation of Section 42(3) and Section 151 of the organic law on the election of MPs. If found guilty, Mr Pita faces up to 10 years in prison, along with a fine of between B20,000 and 200,000, and a ban from taking part in elections for up to 20 years. On Sunday, a source said that four recent petitions along with a request to dissolve the MFP have already been dismissed as groundless by the EC while the eight-party coalition led by the MFP goes about forming a new government. Mr Kim, also president and executive director of Intouch Holdings Plc, which is a majority shareholder in iTV, on Monday ordered iTV committee members to launch an investigation into the minutes of the shareholders meeting. MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said the remarks in the video clip contradicted the minutes of the meeting, which he said he suspected may have been falsified. Executives of iTV must provide a clarification, he said, adding that efforts are being made to block the MFPs bid to form a government. Writing on Facebook, MFP MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn said he would step up calls for the broadcaster to make a statement on the matter, having earlier cast doubt on the accuracy of the minutes. iTV must clarify why the minutes of its annual shareholders meeting did not match the answer given by the chairman at the event. Society must ask whether this amounts to falsifying the minutes of the shareholders meeting to persecute another person politically and whether those responsible should face criminal charges, Mr Wiroj wrote. Last week, Mr Pita said he had already transferred the 42,000 shares he inherited from his father, who died in 2006, to relatives to pre-empt any attempt to use them as political ammunition. He said he was confident there was nothing to disqualify him from serving as an MP or becoming prime minister of a coalition government. He said that in its 2018-19 financial statement, iTV was defined as a holding company, but in the two following financial statements, it was labelled a TV organisation. iTV stopped broadcasting in 2007, and its licence was taken over by Thai PBS. The company was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014. However, its business registration remained active because it is still embroiled in a legal dispute with the government over unpaid concession fees. On May 10, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana petitioned the poll agency to investigate. Under the current constitution, individuals with media holdings are barred from running for office. TCEB aids Phuket expo PHUKET: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is in the process of convincing more countries to vote for Phuket in its bid to host Specialised Expo 2028, with the final presentation scheduled to take place next week. By Bangkok Post Tuesday 13 June 2023 10:06 AM Phukets bid for Specialised Expo 2028 is expected to attract 7 million visitors, generating more than B50 billion of economic value. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb Pattanachai Singhavara, director of TCEBs southern region office, said the bureau is confident Phuket will receive a healthy number of votes after conducting intensive campaigns with Thai stakeholders and member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) over the past three years. The Thai delegation will make its final presentation to the BIE member states on June 21 during the organisations 172nd general assembly, reports the Bangkok Post. More than 120 member countries are eligible to cast a vote, with the final result decided on the day of the assembly. In the lead-up to the presentation, Thailand plans to extend its campaign to countries that have no official representatives in Thailand, such as Small Island Developing States located in the Pacific and the Caribbean, as well as some nations in Africa, said Mr Pattanachai. He said Phuket is similar geographically to these island nations and shares similar understandings. Mr Pattanachai said Thailand could then pledge to share knowledge in terms of waste, water and disaster management with these nations, along with potential business opportunities, in exchange for their support in the vote. He said the organisation committee also travelled to many cities in countries that have an influence, in an effort to convince more member states to vote for Phuket. These nations included Malaysia, which has ties to other Muslim countries, and Australia, which has relations with the Pacific states. TCEB reaffirmed earlier Phukets readiness to host the event with China and Belgium, said Mr Pattanachai. In terms of Asia-Pacific, he said he is confident most countries in this region will cast their votes for Phuket because Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asia to host such a large-scale expo. Phukets proposed theme for Specialised Expo 2028, Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity, is expected to attract 7 million visitors, generating more than B50 billion of economic value, said Mr Pattanachai. Four other destinations bidding for the event are Minnesota in the US, Malaga in Spain, the Serbian capital Belgrade, and Argentinas San Carlos de Bariloche. The vote results are scheduled to be released the day of the vote. TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said the organisation plans to strengthen the Mice industry this year, increasing revenue by 5% year-on-year by promoting different types of events across all regions of the country. He said the delay in forming a new government would not affect its operational plans as TCEB reserved a budget for the next fiscal year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will offer refuge from an anticipated heat wave as the summer approaches. According to the city government on Monday, around 4,200 heat wave shelters will be available until Sept. 30. They are air-conditioned libraries and community centers that will be open to anyone for free. Ten of them will be set aside for the homeless and open 24 hours a day. In addition, 64 medical centers and 26 public healthcare centers will also deal with any heat-related emergencies. T'way Air started regular flights to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia on Monday, the first Korean airline to serve the route. The budget carrier celebrated the launch at Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan. A US$8.2-billion merger between U.S. company Bunge Ltd. and Viterra Ltd. will create a global agricultural giant in an industry that has already seen a significant amount of consolidation in recent years. The deal was announced Tuesday by the Missouri-based Bunge which is the worlds largest oilseeds processing company, operating 300 facilities in more than 40 countries worldwide and Viterra, which is owned by Swiss commodities giant Glencore, as well as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and B.C. Investment Management Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, Viterras shareholders will receive 65.6 million Bunge shares, valued at a total of about US$6.2 billion, and about US$2.0 billion in cash. Bunge will also assume US$9.8 billion of Viterra debt. Viterra shareholders will own 30 per cent of the combined company on a fully diluted basis when the deal closes and about 33 per cent after completion of a planned US$2-billion share repurchase plan by Bunge. Viterra, formerly the iconic Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, is a grain-handling business that has more than 80 facilities across the country and exports into more than 70 countries. According to the companies, the merger will bring together Bunge and Viterras complementary asset footprints, augmenting Bunges grain and softseed handling capacity and helping to connect the worlds largest agricultural regions with consumers around the globe. The combination of Bunge and Viterra significantly accelerates Bunges strategy, building on our fundamental purpose to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world, said Greg Heckman, Bunge CEO, in a news release. The merger will offer farmers greater market access for their products, the companies added. This further enables us to offer innovative solutions and open additional pathways for our customers, said Viterra CEO David Mattiske. However, the merger is also part of an ongoing wave of consolidation in the agriculture sector in recent years. Among notable mergers have been German company Bayers 2018 US$66-billion blockbuster deal to acquire Monsanto, as well as the 2018 merger between Agrium Inc. and PotashCorp of Saskatchewan, which created Nutrien Inc., the largest potash producer in the world today. Viterra itself was acquired by Glencore in 2012 for $6.1 billion. Glencore later sold a 40 per cent stake in the company to CPP Investments and a nearly 10 per cent stake to B.C. Investment Management in 2016. On Tuesday, the federal Competition Bureau confirmed it will be reviewing the proposed Viterra-Bunge merger in accordance with the federal Competition Act. The Bureau has a mandate to review mergers to determine whether they are likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition, said spokesman Jayme Albert in an email. Should we determine that the proposed transaction is likely to harm competition, we will take appropriate action. One potential sticking point for regulators could be the fact that Bunge already owns a 25 per cent stake in G3 Global Grain Group, which was once the Canadian Wheat Board. G3 operates grain elevators in many of the same regions as Viterra. Shannon Sereda, director of government relations, policy and markets for the Alberta Wheat Commission, said her organization is monitoring the proposed deal. Our mandate is to support competitive markets for our farmers, so as more details emerge, well of course be looking to study the impacts of the merger, she said in an interview. But its very early days. CPP Investments said Tuesday it expects to receive about a 12 per cent stake in the combined company and US$800 million in cash in exchange for its interest in Viterra. The merger is expected to close in the middle of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by Bunge shareholders. The combined company will be led by Heckman and Bunge chief financial officer John Neppl, while Viterra chief executive David Mattiske will become co-chief operating officer. The board of the combined company is expected to include eight Bunge nominated directors and four nominated by Viterra shareholders after the deal is completed. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2023. SHARE: Nearly 40 per cent of Torontos neighbourhoods are struggling to keep up with demand for housing as the city has reported a five-year net loss of 7,195 units, according to census data from 2016 to 2021. A report from public policy think tank Fraser Institute found that while Torontos core is building at a rapid rate, construction of new housing in many neighbourhoods isnt happening at a pace fast enough to meet demand. Gaps left by apartments being razed or multiple units being converted to single family homes are just two reasons the city now faces a net loss of housing units, says report co-author Josef Filipowicz. Theres a phenomenon playing out here across Canada, said Filipowicz, an independent urban policy specialist, and Toronto is no exception. The report goes on to say the acute shortage of housing, is a problem nationwide with more than 26 per cent of urban neighbourhoods losing more dwellings over the five-year period than theyve added, representing a cumulative net loss of 33,723 dwellings. In some cases, large apartment buildings are making way for even larger buildings not yet constructed. Filipowicz points to the southwest corner of Torontos Yonge and Bloor as such an example. That neighbourhood alone, says Filipowicz, lost more than 700 units but likely to gain more with the new construction. While there has been an overall increase in new residential builds over the five-year period, its happening in selective parts of the country, the report said. More than 54 per cent of the growth in Canadas housing stock between 2016 and 2021 occurred in existing neighbourhoods, rather than on undeveloped land. This process, known as intensification, allows more housing to be built in existing neighbourhoods. Slightly more than half of Canadas recent growth in housing stock occurred through intensification, the report said. A little more than half of this intensification occurred in the fastest-growing five per cent of urban census tracts (neighbourhoods), suggesting a highly uneven pattern of growth in the housing stock. That means the majority of the development occurring in Toronto is in the downtown core and along public transit, especially close to Line 1 around Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, said Filipowicz. As soon as you look outside of the citys core, he said, theres a cliff edge where we see a significant drop of homes being built. Neighbourhoods such as the Annex and Cabbagetown have little intensification, as well as the suburbs such as Etobicoke, Filipowicz said. Part of the reason is restrictive zoning laws which limit the type of housing that can go up in certain neighbourhoods. Known colloquially as the yellowbelt, many neighbourhoods in Toronto only allow for development of single or detached family homes, Filipowicz said. Because of this, cities cant keep up with demand and its important for growth to occur where theres demand. To improve the housing crisis, Canada can boost supply by spreading outward by adding new neighbourhoods at the urban fringe, or intensify, which is the best path forward as urban centres experience the highest levels of demand, the report said. For example, the report points to a ground-level parking lot converted to an apartment building, or a single family home being turned into a triplex. As Canada faces a housing deficit of millions of housing units, adjusting restrictive zoning laws is necessary to improve access to housing in urban areas, said Alex Hemingway, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. When you exclude building more units in certain neighbourhoods you drive up the land prices in the few areas youre able to build apartments in, he said. It also displaces people by dictating where they can live. Not allowing intensification in low density areas is a significant roadblock for high-demand regions to produce enough housing stock for Canadas rapidly growing population, Hemingway added. People lucky enough to afford detached and semi-detached homes shouldnt have veto powers on what type of development can occur in those high-demand areas. SHARE: For Canadians, Tuesday is the last day to shop at Nordstrom as the high-end retailer prepares to shutter its stores across the country for good. Less than a decade after it arrived in Canada, the Seattle-based department store is closing its 13 Nordstrom and bargain Nordstrom Rack locations, and ending operations for its e-commerce website www.nordstrom.ca, resulting in the loss of 2,500 jobs. The site notes that some stores may close earlier, depending on inventory. The chain had struggled with profitability due to its selection of products and the pandemic, said Tamara Szames, executive director and industry adviser of Canadian retail at the NPD Group research firm, a day after Nordstrom announced its exit. You would hear a lot of Canadians saying that the assortment wasnt the same in Canada that it was in the U.S., she said. Nordstrom began to shift its product mix away from some luxury brands around 2018, a sign it was struggling to maintain its original vision and integrity, Szames added. The pandemic introduced more hardship for the retailer as stores saw temporary closures and shoppers were less likely to be in need of the dressy apparel Nordstrom offers, she explained. Nordstroms departure from Canada follows the exit of other large American retailers in recent years, including Sears, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. Heres a timeline of the retailers venture in Canada. 2014: Nordstrom opens its first Canadian store in Calgary Nordstrom opened its first Canadian location also its first ever international one in Calgarys Chinook Centre in 2014, with plans to open GTA stores in 2016 and 2017. After originally saying it would open 15 discount stores in Canada, it put the plans on indefinite hold. Erik Nordstrom, one of the Nordstrom family members behind the retailers first international expansion, explained at the time that the company wanted to have a slow start in order to find its footing and be successful. Were opening one store, he said. I feel good about that decision because we can respond to one store and see what happens. We will open our doors and we will look to respond to customer comments right off the bat. 2016: Nordstrom opens its flagship location at the Eaton Centre In fall 2016, the retailer opened its first GTA location at the Eaton Centre. It covered 220,000 square feet across three floors, a space that had once been home to the failed Eaton department store chain and Sears Canada. It was the fourth Nordstrom store to open in Canada and the second largest, after the Vancouver location. 2018: Nordstrom Rack opens first Canadian location at Vaughan Mills Adding to its six Nordstrom stores in Canada, the company opened its first bargain price location at the Vaughan Mills outlet mall in the spring of 2018. By then, the company had announced plans for five more such stores to open in different locations. About 30 per cent of items at the new store were items that were formerly on display in Nordstrom stores, and the rest came from top brands like Kate Spade and Nike. March 2, 2023: Nordstrom announces plans to close Canadian stores In March, Nordstrom announced it would be shutting down operations at its six Nordstrom and seven Nordstrom Rack stores in Canada. According to chief executive Erik Nordstrom, the decision was the result of regular reviews that challenged the companys longtime plans to build and sustain a long-term business in Canada. He said in a statement that despite the companys best efforts it did not see a realistic path to profitability for the Canadian business. In its fourth-quarter results, Nordstrom had net earnings of $119 (U.S.) million in the period that ended January 28. The year before, that same period saw net earnings of $200 million. March 21, 2023: Nordstrom begins liquidation sales The company has been winding down its Canadian operations under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act, which helps insolvent businesses restructure or end operations in an orderly fashion. As such, it began liquidation sales after it received permission from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice with plans to wrap up in June. For shoppers, the liquidation kicked off to a lacklustre start offering only a five per cent discount storewide and 20 per cent off winter merchandise. May 25, 2023: Nordstrom liquidation sales continue RELATED STORIES Business As Nordstrom exits the Canadian market, here are some of the major retailers that remain and how each is faring By the end of May, liquidation sale prices had improved, but all that was left was a random array of items, including racks themselves, shelves and decor. Among the items seen by the Star were office supplies, jewelry displays and mannequins. May 31, 2023: Nordstrom reports first-quarter 2023 earnings, plans to open more U.S. stores In a news release, the company reported a first-quarter net loss of $205 million. For the companys first quarter ending April 29, 2023, Nordstrom saw its net sales drop by 11.6 per cent compared with the same period the year before, its stock taking a large hit due to its announcement it was winding down Canadian operations. Online sales were also sluggish, with a drop of 17.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2022. In the same news release, the company announced more than 20 new store openings, all of them in the U.S., starting this fall. June 9, 2023: Reports Nordstrom tried to sell single shoes for $5 each After a disappointing start to what many shoppers expected to be a massive sale, Nordstrom made headlines again for what appeared to be a desperate attempt to sell off remaining merchandise. Photos showed individual shoes on sale for $5 (Canadian) each. Great for dogs, the caption on the sale signs read, according to a photo shared by a Reddit user. With files from The Canadian Press and Francine Kopun Read more about: SHARE: Since the early days of Hollywood, there have been romantic comedies about a man and a woman who start off as just friends but end up falling in love. Platonic, the acclaimed Apple TV+ show, turns this formula on its head by centring the story on a pair of (truly) platonic best friends: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, who reunite onscreen for the first time since their 2014 comedy classic Neighbours. In the show, Rogen and Byrne reconnect after a long rift and rebuild a friendship that becomes all-consuming with destabilizing, hilarious results. Byrne was cast first. When showrunners and directors Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco asked who she thought would be a good fit for her best friend, the Australian actor said she instantly suggested Rogen. I think people responded to our Neighbours characters together, and this was a real vehicle for that, said Byrne in an interview. I feel like we have an ease with one another; were not a married couple, were friends, so we could be a little bit meaner to one another. It was really an opportunity to reunite. Rogen who is best-known for his movies about male friendship, from Knocked Up to This Is The End said that exploring the nuances of male-female friendship felt very different and original. The idea that we could have that comedic dynamic where were very brutal and honest with each other and that we don't have this romance to preserve provided us with an opportunity to be very funny with each other in a new way, said Rogen. While predominantly a comedy about friendship, the show also focuses on the challenges of approaching middle age, a subject that, particularly for women, has been historically ignored by Hollywood. Byrne said this theme resonated with her personally. I have a lot of women in my life, who have been in that intensity of raising small children and then coming out of the trenches of that, said Byrne. What youre faced with is, Whats the next chapter? Youre trying to both get back into the workforce and figure out your role in the world. I feel like (the show) dealt with that in a way that was very funny, but also really relatable. As movie stars, Rogen and Byrne are part of the new wave of Hollywood elite moving to streaming services. TV has really changed from when I came into the industry, said Rogen. The perception of it, the people working in it, the resources and creative freedom given to it is nothing compared to how it was when I was first starting out. In many ways, the more culturally relevant media is television, not movies anymore. I think people talk about Succession, Ted Lasso and The Boys more than most movies that come out. Ive just seen it through the show that weve produced, I think The Boys has had a bigger cultural impact than a lot of movies have had over the years. Both actors have a big summer ahead. Byrne will reprise her role as Renai Lambert in Insidious 5, and Byrne and Rogen will reunite for the hotly anticipated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, for which Rogen wrote the screenplay. Rogen, who recently voiced Donkey Kong in the global smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, said he wanted to switch up the recording process for TMNT, so that actors werent in sound booths by themselves. We've done a lot of the recording sessions in big groups, said Rogen. Weve really gone out of our way to lump the performers together so they can play off of each other and speak over one another and try to capture that more live-action energy. I'm really proud of it and I'm really excited for people to see it. SHARE: VANCOUVER - Mounties say a former British Columbia teacher has been charged with an alleged sexual assault of a student at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School in North Vancouver. They say the assault is alleged to have happened while the man taught at the school between 2017 and 2019. The RCMP say he was charged with sexual exploitation and sexual assault on May 2, and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest. They say he was arrested by police in Windsor, Ont., on June 6. Police say they are aware of social media discussions between people who may have been impacted or had knowledge of the incident. They are encouraging anyone with information to reach out to police. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: VANCOUVER - Canada Post has unveiled a stamp depicting First Nations political leader George Manuel, part of a series of three stamps being released to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day this month. Manuel, who died in 1989, was a champion of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and beyond, known for his work as co-founder of the Center for World Indigenous Studies and founding president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. Canada Post says Manuel is being recognized for his efforts to improve the social, economic and political conditions of First Nations people, and contributing to the inclusion of Indigenous and treaty rights in the Constitution. It says Manuel was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. The stamp depicting Manuel, a member of the Shuswap Nation in British Columbia, was unveiled Monday in North Vancouver, at a ceremony attended by his children George Manuel Jr., and Doreen Manuel. A stamp honouring Nellie Cournoyea, a champion of her people in Canadas western Arctic, was unveiled on Sunday, while a third stamp will depict Metis activist Thelma Chalifoux. The stamps will be released on National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: CALGARY - Albertas ethics commissioner says she did a thorough investigation into Tyler Shandros business interests soon after he was first elected as a member of the legislature. Marguerite Trussler testified Tuesday at a Law Society of Alberta hearing looking into complaints that Shandro committed professional misconduct on three separate occasions when he was health minister. She said Shandro, a Calgary lawyer who was defeated in last months provincial election, came to her office within weeks of being elected in 2019 to tell her about his family business, which included a holding company that has a 50 per cent interest in Vital Partners, his wifes health insurance agency. We had a very thorough discussion, she told the online hearing Tuesday. After he left, we did a very thorough investigation. This was a company that provided group packages to benefits for things that arent covered by the Canada Health Act. Trussler said she told Shandro that he must resign as a director in the company, as required under the Conflict of Interest Act, and asked him to put his shares into a blind trust while health minister. In March 2020, she said her office received about 35 emails in one weekend that raised ethical concerns about Shandro as the provincial government had decided to change coverage for seniors under Alberta Blue Cross. Trussler, a lawyer and former judge, said she reviewed the matter again to make sure there was no change in Shandros status and determined he was still not in a conflict of interest with his wifes company. There was no conflict because they didnt sell individual packages to the people who would have been cut off, she told the hearing. There was nothing to investigate at this stage. There was nothing that raised any red flags. Shandro previously told the hearing that there was an escalation of threats against him and his wife beginning in December 2019 through to March 2020. The United Conservative Party government at the time was embroiled in rocky negotiations with health-care unions and the Alberta Medical Association. Shandro said he and his wife, Andrea, received between 900 and 1,000 threats in that period. Andrea Shandro also testified Tuesday and explained what her company does and what she knew about the review by the ethics commissioner. She broke down in tears while talking about how those threats affected her and her family. It was things like, Die, die, die, she said. Terrible things. I hope you and your family all get COVID and you die. She said one person told her to watch her back because they knew where her office was located. Shandro said her husband was working 18 hours a day in Edmonton at the time. I was scared. I didnt know what to do. She said she talked to legislature security, which was also concerned, and they made Calgary police aware of the threats. On March 21, 2020, she said she saw a meme on social media criticizing her husband that said: So every Albertan that I can kick off health care is another client we can sign up for Vital Partners. Were going to be RICH. When her husband looked at the post, she said he recognized its author as a neighbour and told her he was going over to talk to him. Dr. Mukarram Zaidi, a Calgary doctor, previously testified that he went outside his home to meet Shandro and described the minister as being highly upset as he demanded the doctor immediately remove the post because his family was being subjected to death threats. I see Shandro and his wife standing at the sidewalk. He was crying. He was emotionally charged. His wife was holding him, Zaidi said in January. Zaidi said he deleted the post and felt that Shandro was visiting in his capacity with the United Conservative Party government and not as a private citizen. Andrea Shandro told the hearing that she followed her husband to Zaidis house and she was crying and yelling but her husband was not. She said they got security after their family was mobbed at a Canada Day celebration. Neil Lettis, a superintendent with the executive protection unit with the Alberta Sheriffs, confirmed some of those details in his testimony later Tuesday. The hearing was scheduled to continue Wednesday with final arguments from lawyers for Shandro and the law society. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2203. Read more about: SHARE: A team of scientists from McGill University have created a device capable of automatically detecting several diseases in just 13 minutes using ones saliva a finding the authors say could prepare us for the next pandemic. Their paper, recently published in journal Nature Nanotechnology, described how the machine used microfluidics and artificial intelligence to detect COVID-19 and its variants in clinical samples with 95 per cent accuracy. Thats on par with gold standard qPCR tests, but performed in a fraction of the time, said lead author Sara Mahshid, an assistant professor of bioengineering at McGill and Canada research chair in nanobiosensing devices, in an interview with the Star. Our plan was to develop a diagnostic tool that can basically replace PCR as the gold standard technology, and overcome the time consuming, lengthy protocol and complex instrumentation of PCR, Mahshid said. QolorEX detects several diseases in minutes The device, named QolorEX, showed itself capable of sniffing out many, many respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and influenza, Mahshid continued, as well as bacteria including e. coli and MRSA, an antimicrobial-resistant bacterium. Theyre now looking into its use in detecting cancer. About the size of a laptop, Mahshid said, QolorEX is far more portable than a PCR machine. Its also capable of fully automated sample preparation, meaning it doesnt require skilled clinicians to work on patients saliva before testing. Perhaps most importantly, it gets results in minutes three minutes for sample preparation, ten for detection while PCR can take hours. Its targeted for congregate settings (like) remote hospitals, airports, schools, army bases, prisons, she continued remote sites where PCR testing isnt often available, and which might lacked trained health care professionals. How it works To use the device, all an operator needs is to place a saliva sample into QolorEXs microfluidic cartridge and slide it into the machine. The device then prepares the sample by extracting all the RNA and DNA from the saliva and amplifying their levels, according to the paper. Through its interactions with an innovative nanotechnology inside the cartridge, the sample would then turn a different colour depending on what pathogen is present, Mahshid said. This colour is imaged and later processed by the labs AI, which finally sends its results directly to your phone through an app. The lab is now working on the regulatory steps for approval by Health Canada and the FDA: We hope that in two years, we can receive approval for the market, Mahshid said. More testing is needed While outside experts see promise in the study, some say two years for commercialization is being very optimistic. Yingfu Li is a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University and is unaffiliated with the study. While he called the teams creation marvellous, he has questions about its reliability especially as it moves from a laboratory setting to use by the general public. I think it's a great piece of science, Li said. The group combined several concepts together and achieved, I would say, a marvellous detection method that can detect diverse pathogens at excellent sensitivity. However, it still needs to prove its reliability among a large, diverse audience, as well as its functionality outside the lab. For example, QolorEX was only tested on 33 clinical COVID-19 saliva samples. While thats sufficient for a research paper introducing the technology, its far from enough for regulatory approval, Li said. The microfluidic device is great, but at the same time, it can only deal with a relatively small amount of sample, Li continued, with samples just nanolitres in volume. Its possible such small samples could miss pathogens lurking in the saliva he said, reiterating the need for robust clinical trials. QolorEX could be expensive to mass-produce Others, including David Juncker, a professor and chair of biomedical engineering at McGill unaffiliated with the study, added QolorEX might be hard to commercialize due to its complexity. On one hand, it's really impressive because they get the job done, Juncker told the Star. But if we think about commercialization or practical use, it's a complex system if they could simplify it, I think it could have potential. As it is now, the device is likely quite expensive to mass-produce, Juncker said and given its many moving parts, its vulnerable to breaking down. That said, Juncker said the discovery really opened the door to exploring new methods of speeding up biochemical reactions, and that he hopes they make it to commercialization. There's certainly there's not many systems that can do what they can, he said. SHARE: A man who was labelled a baby killer for nearly three decades says hes relieved to be exonerated in the 1996 death of his 17-month-old stepson, after a conviction that relied on the testimony of a disgraced pathologist. The justice system has worked for me at last, Bernard Doyle said in a statement. Doyle, who was found guilty of manslaughter in 1997, said he was dancing with Tyler Cunningham in his arms when he accidentally tripped and fell, dropping his partners son on construction tools that were scattered nearby. Tyler died in hospital soon after. The Ontario Court of Appeal said in a decision published Tuesday it is acquitting Doyle because flawed evidence from then-pathologist Charles Smith convinced the court at the time that Tyler died from acombination of blunt force trauma and shaken baby syndrome, but fresh evidence has discredited those claims. I am very relieved and grateful for what happened, Doyle said, adding that he will never forget Tyler. He was a wonderful boy who had lots of promise. I couldnt help thinking that he was there with me today. Defence lawyer James Lockyer said in an interview on Tuesday even though Doyle has long since served his sentence of nearly four years in prison, it was less the jail, more the labelling of him as a baby killer that has impacted his life. Lockyer said three experts took a fresh look at the case, and all said that Doyles account of his fall with Tyler would fully account for the childs fatal injuries. The Ontario Court of Appeal decision said Doyles guilty verdict was part of a long list of wrongful convictions brought about by Smiths unreliable expert evidence. Smith was widely recognized in Canada as an expert in pediatric forensic pathology during the 1990s. However, a 2005 coroners review found that errors in Smiths work were responsible, in part, for several criminal convictions in the deaths of children. Lockyer said Doyle, who was 23 at the time of Tylers death, now lives in St. Johns,N.L., and is hoping his 11-year-old daughter will be able to live with him. Childrens Aid (Society) in St. Johns will only let him have visiting rights, but wont allow his daughter to live with him because of this conviction. So with this gone, hopefully that will change, he said. Lockyer, who is a lawyer with Innocence Canada, said the group became aware of Doyles case in 2013 and decided to take it on. The group is currently representing nine other Canadians it believes were wrongfully convicted, and two of the cases involve allegations of shaken baby syndrome, he said. In 2007, the court also exonerated William Mullins-Johnson, who was convicted of murdering his niece and spent 12 years in prison, after a review of his case found testimony from Smith was flawed. He also received $4.25 million in compensation. In 2011, the Court of Appeal set aside another mans conviction in the death of his infant son, in part due to Smiths outdated testimony on the shaken baby syndrome This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2023. SHARE: South Korea is seeking diplomatic relations with Cuba. The Caribbean communist country with a population of 11 million is one of only a handful of countries with which Seoul has no diplomatic relations. Cuba has however been an ally of North Korea since 1960. Seoul is pushing for a meeting of the two countries' foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Foreign Minister Park Jin already met Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal on the sidelines of an international conference in Guatemala last month and proposed the resumption of diplomatic relations with Havana. Their meeting lasted for more than an hour. According to a diplomatic source Vidal looked "cautious. But they exchanged candid opinions. The atmosphere was so cordial that she responded positively to Park's request to support South Korea's bid for election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council." MONTREAL - The Montreal Trudeau International Airport is cracking down on picnickers at its plane-spotting park, fearing hungry birds will collide with landing or departing aircraft. Montreals main airport is the only one in Canada with its own observation park, Anne-Sophie Hamel, spokesperson for the airport, said Monday. But Jacques-de-Lesseps Park has become a victim of its popularity, she added. To the dismay of airport authorities and plane-spotting hobbyists, an increasing number of people have started holding picnics at the park, which are strictly prohibited because they can attract birds. With this growing popularity, were noticing some behaviour that could be dangerous for us, Hamel said in an interview. The airport has launched a campaign installing signage and posting on social media explaining how dangerous picnics can be. Special constables with Airport Patrol, who can distribute fines, have also increased surveillance. Not everyone is able to make the link between having food and what we call bird strikes the risk of a collision between an airplane and a bird, she said. Hamel said the risk of bird strikes is serious, explaining that in 2009, a US Airways flight was famously forced to make an emergency landing in New Yorks Hudson River after both of its engines were disabled by bird strikes. The risk from birds is highest during takeoff and landing, Hamel said, which makes the parks location along the runway particularly dangerous for bird strikes. Its really an issue of safety; unfortunately, there have been a number of cases in recent years where there have been impacts between airplanes and birds that have been really tragic and even fatal in some cases, she said. Bird strikes have been linked to several crashes in Canada, including a 2020 collision that killed a member of the Royal Canadian Air Forces Snowbirds demonstration team. In April, a Flair Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was forced to return to the Calgary airport after multiple bird strikes. Hamel said the airport has seen an improvement since the campaign began earlier this spring, but she warned that if the situation worsens, the airport would consider closing the park. If the park eventually becomes a danger, one of the measures that could be put in place to mitigate that risk would be, unfortunately, to close it, she said. At the park on Sunday, some people didnt seem to understand the rule. Jeremy Cameron, who was on a date, said the park is a great spot for a picnic. No one abuses the park, Ive seen people always be respectful here, so I dont see the problem with eating, he said. Theres some trash cans around. I dont see anything on the ground, just some families and couples watching the planes take off. Claude Gravel, who was watching the planes depart, said the rule makes sense. I think its the right thing to do, its a matter of security, he said. Gravel, who said he usually visits the park every other weekend, said that new signs are an improvement over the parks previous signage. Theres too many people coming in the park and leaving their McDonalds bags and stuff, and all this attracts birds a bird sees McDonalds, he goes for it, just like we do, he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: HALIFAX - The ongoing contract negotiations between the Nova Scotia government and physicians are critical to improving the health-care system, the newly installed head of the provinces doctor association said Tuesday. Talks that began last Christmas are moving to a final phase, Dr. Colin Audain said in an interview. The last contract expired March 31. I think we are getting toward the end of that process, but whether thats days or weeks I cant say for sure, said Audain, an anesthesiologist at the Victoria General Hospital and the Halifax Infirmary. Audain wouldnt discuss details but said the new deal should include competitive compensation and address work-life balance critical issues not only for doctor recruitment and retention but also for a province where 145,000 people are without a family doctor. In terms of pay, Audain said doctors in Nova Scotia have traditionally compared themselves to physicians in the other three Atlantic provinces, although he noted they are looking at how their colleagues are paid throughout the country. I dont know what the compensation piece will look like, and yes it is an important part of it, but it cant be the only part of it, otherwise we are not going to be able to achieve what we ultimately want, which is the best care for the people of Nova Scotia, Audain said. The talks, he said, also involve how physicians are paid, adding that an agreement could bring changes to the fee-for-service system. What I can say about the negotiation process this time around is that its very different from anything weve done in the past. He described the talks as an interest-based negotiation as opposed to a more confrontational style of deal making whereby both sides agreed on the pressing issues facing the health system without butting heads. Once (negotiators) agree to a set of core issues, then they work through those issues and try to come up with solutions, said Audain, who added that the last part of the process examines how to pay for any blueprint thats agreed upon. I think that what well see is a much richer kind of deal, not in terms of money but in terms of what it means for the people of Nova Scotia, he said. He credited the province for working to reduce the amount of unwanted paperwork faced by doctors and expressed hope that further inroads could be made through the negotiations. He said the association has identified that about 500,000 hours of unnecessary administrative work is done each year. If we can take some of that off of their plate and free up some time then that is something that will help physicians and their mental well-being. Audain was installed as Doctors Nova Scotias president during the associations annual conference on Saturday for a one-year term that runs until June 2024. The association represents more than 3,500 physicians, including practising and retired doctors, medical students and residents. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: Toronto Public Health issued five conditional passes to restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars and grocery stores on June 9. Coppas Fresh Market at 4750 Dufferin Street received a conditional pass with two major infractions: Fail to collect waste when necessary to maintain sanitary condition Fail to maintain handwashing stations (liquid soap and paper towels) Cora Pizza at 656 Spadina Avenue received a conditional pass with one major infraction: Fail to protect against breeding of pests Drums N Flats at 1980 Avenue Road received a conditional pass with three major infractions: Fail to protect food from contamination or adulteration Refrigerate potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature above 4 C Mechanical equipment not maintained to provide sufficient chemical solution rinse Hot Dog Cart at 5697 Yonge Street received a conditional pass with one major infraction: Fail to provide handwashing stations with adequate supplies (hot and cold water) Papa Ceos at 654 Spadina Avenue received a conditional pass with one major infraction: Fail to protect against breeding of pests A conditional pass is issued when at least one infraction presents a significant health risk, and a closure is ordered when at least one infraction presents an immediate health hazard. Both outcomes trigger an additional inspection within 48 hours. Failure to comply with Torontos DineSafe program can result in fines, court summons and other enforcement action. Miss a DineSafe roundup? Find out which restaurants recently made the list About this story This story was automatically generated using open data from the City of Toronto. The Toronto Star has no role in collecting, reviewing or analyzing this data, and makes no representations or endorsements about any food premises, or the products or services offered by a food premise. Readers should review any municipal disclaimers located at the citys open data portal. SHARE: A North York high school sent students home for the day after it received an online bomb threat, Toronto police said Tuesday. Police were on scene at Georges Vanier Secondary School just before 9:40 a.m. and said the school was in a hold and secure. Police later said the school had been closed for the day. There were no reported injuries but the investigation is ongoing, police said. This is a developing story. MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie SHARE: For 10-year-old Ariel Rahman-Flake, swimming lessons at her school are a highlight of the week. Shes like a fish, said her mom, Mahalia Rahman-Flake, noting the fifth grader has been confidently swimming in the deep end for the last few years. She loves it. She lives for her swim classes. But the swimming programs at Brown Junior Public School, and several other schools, are facing cuts after the Toronto District School Board reduced the number of aquatics instructors, not realizing that would also impact classes a move that has generated backlash from community members. To penalize students for a mistake that the TDSB made is unjust, said Rahman-Flake, who worries that watering down the swim program will hinder students abilities to learn an important life skill. Its been incredible to see kids who were afraid of the water come into their own and be able to swim in the deep end, she said, noting regular swim lessons by dedicated full-time staff are key to helping kids reach those goals. Proposal would stop cuts Trustee Shelley Laskin plans to present a motion she hopes will be a lifeline that keeps current programming afloat. At a committee meeting on Tuesday, she will ask that the TDSB pause the current program reduction from 93 to 80 swim instructors, which affects hundreds of students at eight elementary and 12 high schools. She will also request the reinstatement of six instructors, at a cost of $400,000, to ensure all schools have full programming next year. This really took the community for a loop because we didnt think fully operational pools in schools was up for discussion, said Laskin of Ward 8 (Eglinton-Lawrence and TorontoSt. Pauls). The board did not make a decision to change swim programming that should be a very open and public conversation. If we are maintaining swimming pools in our public schools where they exist, we should be taking advantage of that and teaching the kids to swim. If adopted by the committee, Laskins proposal will be voted on at a board meeting June 22, when trustees approve the budget for next year. In recent weeks, community members from the affected schools, including young children, have made impassioned pleas at TDSB meetings, asking trustees to maintain current levels of programming. Trustee James Li of Ward 13 (Don Valley North) says hes torn on the matter. On the one hand he thinks this is an equity issue, noting there isnt an elementary school north of Highway 401 with a pool. Yet on the other hand, he recognizes this is a terrible situation for those impacted by the move. But I also believe that to make a change, we need to give our communities time to prepare and give them a holistic understanding of what the future looks like, Li said. He also questions spending $400,000 on aquatics instructors when the money could, for instance, be used to hire more special education assistants. Very tough decisions The financial reality is that we are facing a lot of cuts at the board and we are making very tough decisions, he said. In late March, trustees made decisions about school-based staffing levels for next year based on projected enrolment. Although there were 93 swim instructors allocated across the TDSB this year, 80 have worked because some pools have undergone repairs. Staff believed the TDSB could again operate with 80 instructors next year, so trustees approved the reduction from 93 to 80. Afterwards, staff reviewed details of the collective agreement and the status of maintenance projects and realized it wasnt possible to keep current levels of programming. To avoid closures and maintain swim programs at all sites, eight of the TDSBs 26 elementary schools with pools, and 12 of its 39 high schools with pools, will share instructors. That could mean that rather than having weekly swim classes, they will be offered every other week, or schools may have specific blocks of time for programming. Extracurricular activities, such as swim teams, will also likely be impacted. Trustee Dan MacLean, whos the father of two Olympic swimmers, supports the motion to keep current programming, saying its important to maximize pool use to teach life-saving skills. Although there are no schools in his Ward 2 (Etobicoke Centre) with a pool, MacLean says maintaining current programming is important for the TDSB. He notes that many schools with pools dont have much green space around them, or running tracks, because they were designed with the idea that the pool would be used for physical activity. It becomes an incredible waste of an asset that we have in our buildings if were not going to use them, said MacLean, adding its key to teach kids about water safety. The schools that have (pools) are fortunate to have them and I think we should utilize them and students should benefit from the fact that weve got them. Important skills for children At a special finance committee meeting on Monday afternoon, trustees heard delegations from members of the public. One of them read a deputation submitted by former mayor David Crombie, who was the chair of the Toronto Lands Corp. from 2008 to 2020. While chair of the corporation, which manages all of the boards real estate, Crombie formed a working group that brought it together with the TDSB, the city and the province to come up with a plan to keep pools in schools. This process resulted in the arrangement that has made these pools available to TDSB students on a cost-effective basis to the board, while providing access to the broader community as well where possible, according to Crombies statement. Aquatics instruction plays an incredibly important role in teaching our children important life-saving skills that could one day save themselves and others. At the Monday meeting, Sophie Tham, a nine-year-old on the swim team at Brown Junior Public School, urged trustees to maintain programming. When I heard that swimming might be cut, I felt so sad, said the Grade 4 student. I hope you wont cut swimming because everybody likes to swim. Boards must submit a balanced budget, but the TDSB previously was given permission from the province to run a $15.1-million deficit in 2023-24. If trustees approve the current budget options, including the cuts to aquatics instructors, the TDSB will have a $14.9-million deficit. Elementary schools affected are: Hillcrest Community School, Winona Drive Senior Public School, Queen Alexandra Middle School, Market Lane/Downtown Alternative School, Frankland Community School, Earl Beatty Junior and Senior Public School, Earl Grey Senior Public School and Brown Junior Public School. A dozen high schools are also affected. SHARE: Toronto mayoral candidate and controversial conspiracy theorist Christopher Saccoccia, also known as Chris Sky, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with uttering death threats, Toronto police said. In an email, a police spokesperson confirmed that 39-year-old Saccoccia, of Toronto, turned himself in to 53 Division and was arrested. Police charged him with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, but did not specify when or to whom Saccoccia allegedly made the threats. In a video posted to Twitter that appears to show Saccoccia outside of a police building, he shared his plans to turn himself in before asking people to vote for him for mayor. Saccoccia also posted a picture that he said was taken from inside 53 Division. In another Twitter video, Saccoccia blamed the deep state conspiracy as the reason behind his decision to surrender to police. He claimed it would be his 27th arrest and 73rd criminal charge. Saccoccia, who is a noted anti-masker, anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist, has faced previous charges that include uttering threats, assault and flouting COVID restrictions. He once allegedly threatened to shoot Premier Doug Ford and kill all the premiers in Canada, according to court documents. In 2021, he also allegedly threatened to shoot elected officials and was charged with assaulting a police officer. Saccoccia was set to appear in court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, police said. MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie SHARE: Toronto police are searching for a suspect wanted for attempted murder in the citys north end. According to a police press release, officers responded to a call for a person with a gun near Mount Pleasant Road and Eglinton Avenue East, east of Yonge Street, at around 1:50 p.m. on Monday. Police allege a 22-year-old Toronto man met someone in an underground garage and then threatened to harm them and their family. He allegedly fled the area in a car and drove his vehicle at a uniformed police officer. The suspect missed the officer and hit a marked police car and two parked cars, according to the release. The man is wanted for multiple charges including attempted murder, failing to stop for police and uttering threats to cause death. Police describe the male suspect as five-foot-10, 200 pounds, with long dreadlocks, and are asking anyone with information to contact them. MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie SHARE: More than two decades after he was convicted of killing his partners child, a crime he insisted he did not commit, Bernard Doyle has won his battle to clear his name. After a brief hearing on Monday, the Court of Appeal for Ontario acquitted Doyle of manslaughter charges in the 1996 death of a 17-month-old boy. Doyles conviction was based, in part, on the evidence of disgraced pathologist Charles Smith. The case was singled out for re-examination by a government-commissioned review of shaken-baby convictions in Ontario, after questions emerged about the validity of Smiths opinions and a now largely debunked theory that attributed certain injuries to violent shaking. Doyle was alone with the boy in their Cambridge, Ont., apartment when the child suffered his injuries. Doyles lawyer told the appeal court that the man had been dancing with the boy in his arms when he tripped, and the two fell onto roofing equipment that had been left on the floor. Smith and other experts had opined at Doyles original trial that the boys extensive head injuries were likely caused by some combination of shaking and blunt-force trauma. They dismissed the idea that a fall could be to blame, court documents state. A jury convicted Doyle in 1997. He served three and a half years in jail. The appeal court made its decision after reviewing fresh evidence from four experts including a neuropathologist, a biomechanical engineer and two forensic pathologists who agreed that a complex fall could explain the boys injuries, according to court documents. Veteran wrongful convictions lawyer James Lockyer, who represented Doyle in his appeal, described the immense and agonizing guilt Doyle felt after the boys death, but said, There was no offence in this case at all. In a recorded 911 call in the moments after the boys death, Doyle can be heard saying, I fell with him in my arms, Lockyer said. This isnt a man concocting some defence that turns out unbeknownst to anyone that it will ultimately jive with science in the future, decades later, Lockyer said. This is a genuine explanation that fully accounts for the injuries. Crown lawyer Michael Bernstein agreed to admit the fresh expert evidence, but argued that the court should stay the proceeding rather than clear Doyle of the charges. An acquittal would not be an appropriate remedy because of inconsistencies in Doyles account over time, and the fact that none of the new expert reports rule out that the boys injuries could have been caused by inflicted trauma, he said in court. What happened in the apartment remains an important triable, contested issue, Bernstein said. Lockyer acknowledged that during a police interview after the boys death, Doyle appeared to concede that he had been overly aggressive with his dancing, and that there had been no fall. However, Lockyer said this so-called confession was entirely false the result of a serious power imbalance between Doyle and the officers, who were his intellectual superiors. He had every reason to believe they werent going to stop until he gave them what they wanted, Lockyer said. Doyle did not testify at his trial. He told police the boy was a lovely baby who was happy as the day was long, and that he was planning to adopt the boy, according to Lockyers written arguments, filed in court. A neighbour said that Doyle and the child got along like a dream and that Doyle was quite a father figure, the documents state. Before the panel of judges filed into court for Mondays hearing, Doyle lifted the charm on the end of his necklace a silver guitar, containing his fathers ashes to his lips. A lot of the people that (were) really so close to me, a lot of them (are) not with me today. But they believed in me and they did stand by me, he said in an interview after the hearing. This is for them, too. Growing up in Newfoundland, Doyle said he was raised to believe that there was justice for all. That confidence was shattered when he was convicted. I lost everything, said Doyle, who is now 50. He lives back home in Newfoundland, where he is on workers compensation because of a fall he suffered on the job as a roofer. Lockyer has successfully fought to overturn numerous convictions that were based, in some part, on the evidence of Charles Smith. In the late 1990s, when Doyle was convicted, Smith routinely testified in cases where children died under suspicious circumstances. Concerns about his opinions prompted a $10-million public inquiry into pediatric forensic pathology. Neither Smith nor the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy in the case could be reached for comment. One of the experts who submitted fresh evidence that aligned with Doyles complex fall explanation was Ontarios chief forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Pollanen. Pollanen was brought in to restore confidence in the death investigation system following the Smith scandal. In recent years he has been accused of falling into some of the same traps as Smith, including bias toward finding child abuse as the cause of death, but has vehemently denied those allegations. SHARE: Good morning. This is the Tuesday, June 13 edition of First Up, the Stars daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox. Heres the latest on the Supreme Court justice who quit, the man acquitted of manslaughter and TDSBs swimming program. DONT MISS: Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown has retired early, ending a probe into alleged drunk and obnoxious behaviour Russell Brown, 57, continuously denied the allegations about drunk and obnoxious behaviour that prompted a disciplinary probe against him. Now, he has quit marking the first time a Supreme Court judge has quit amid a formal inquiry into alleged improper conduct. The move opens a spot on the Supreme Court, giving the prime minister an opportunity to appoint his sixth judge. Tonda MacCharles reports on Brown and the public complaint against him. Context: Brown was appointed just before the 2015 election by then prime minister Stephen Harper. For the past eight years, he held one of two western seats on the nine-member court. Word from Brown: In a written statement, Brown cited significant strain on him and his family, as well as the lengthy investigations impact on the high courts caseload. Facing accusations that he behaved inappropriately, harassed women and attacked a man at an Arizona resort in January, he said he is innocent, and cited evidence that he said would have cleared his name. He was convicted of killing his partners child more than 20 years ago now hes been acquitted Bernard Doyle acquitted of manslaughter charges in the 1996 death of a 17-month-old boy has won his battle to clear his name, Rachel Mendleson writes. His conviction had been based, in part, on evidence from the disgraced pathologist Charles Smith, and his case was singled out for re-examination by a government-commissioned review of shaken-baby convictions in Ontario. Heres what you need to know about the case and the review. Context: Doyle was home alone with the boy when the child suffered his injuries. His lawyer told the appeal court that the man had been dancing with the boy in his arms when he tripped and the two fell onto roofing equipment that had been left on the floor. Word from the lawyer: The lawyer representing Doyle in his appeal described the immense and agonizing guilt Doyle felt after the boys death, but said, There was no offence in this case at all. Go deeper: The appeal court made its decision after reviewing fresh evidence from four experts who agreed a complex fall could explain the boys injuries, court documents show. TDSB swimming programs are a lifeline for hundreds of students but a board snafu has put them at risk Swimming is the highlight of 10-year-old Ariel Rahman-Flakes week. Shes like a fish, her mom says. But the swimming program at her school and several others are facing cuts after the Toronto District School Board reduced the number of aquatics instructors without realizing it would also affect classes. Today, a trustee plans to present a motion to keep current programming afloat. Isabel Teotonio reports on the financial reality and very tough decisions to come. The aftermath: Community members from the affected schools, including young children, have made impassioned pleas at TDSB meetings, asking trustees to maintain current levels of programming. By the numbers: Trustee Shelley Laskin will propose that TDSB pause the current reduction of swim instructors from 93 to 80, which affects hundreds of students at 20 schools. She will also request the reinstatement of six instructors at a cost of $400,000 to ensure all schools have full programming next year. WHAT ELSE: In his final House speech, Erin OToole warned MPs theyre on a dangerous path of polarization and virtue signalling. A poll shows a front-runner has emerged in the Liberal leadership race. Heres why its a real challenge for the other candidates. With Olivia Chows solid lead, the question for rivals is: whats the next move? Toronto mayoral candidates are attacking Doug Ford. But how far will that take them? Toronto election reality check: Heres how the top mayoral candidates would fix the TTC and what the experts say. Despite downtown construction, Toronto has lost housing units over five years. This report explains how. The disgraced former York Catholic teacher who sent inappropriate texts to students has been found guilty of sexual misconduct. These much-needed housing units are sitting in storage more than two years after they were approved the fight should be a mayoral election issue. With 37 criminal counts, seven deadly sins and plenty of Miami vice, heres what to take away from Donald Trumps indictment. They both hate the West, but they also hate each other. Heres how Iran and the Talibans uneasy partnership works. Tuesday is Nordstroms last day in Canada. This is a timeline of its failed Canadian venture. Apple is finally fixing its ducking autocorrect problem. This is what comes next. GET THIS: Homeless encampments are growing again in Toronto. Heres why and by how much theyve increased in the last year. CLOSE-UP: HAITI: Siblings Mylouise Veillard, left, and Myson were left at an orphanage as young children, as their mother hoped they would have a better life. Approximately 30,000 Haitian children live in private orphanages where reports say forced labour and abuse are rampant. Now officials want to shutter them and reunite families Thank you for reading First Up. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. SHARE: On a summer day in August 1998, the sound of heavy gunfire could be heard non-stop from every suburb in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Pickups full of Taliban fighters entered the capital of the strategic Balkh province in northern Afghanistan. No one in the city knew who would be targeted. Soon the fighters knocked down the gate of the Iranian Consulate and shot nine diplomats and an Iranian journalist, killing all but one, in the basement of the building. Abdulmanan Niazi, a Taliban commander who was known for being anti-Shia, arrived and threw some of the bodies into the well. A bullet hit the leg of one of the diplomats, and he pretended to be dead among the corpses. When the attackers left, the wounded Iranian diplomat, Allah Madad Shahson, fled the city and, after 19 days and 800 kilometres, reached the border of Iran. My leg was bleeding profusely. My colleagues were torn to pieces in front of my eyes, he said. Its an account the Taliban have disputed, insisting the Iranian diplomats were killed before the Taliban entered the city. According to the Human Rights Watch report, Taliban forces carried out a systematic search for male members of the ethnic Hazara, Tajik and Uzbek communities in the city. The Hazaras, a Persian-speaking Shia ethnic group, were particularly targeted. During the house-to-house searches, scores of Hazara men and boys were summarily executed, apparently to ensure that they would be unable to mount any resistance to the Taliban. The outcry in Irans Shia-led government was immediate. Three days of public mourning were declared and a large military exercise began on the border of Afghanistan, though there was no outright fighting. Iran produced a film about the tragedy, Mazar-i-Sharif, and the country continued to support the anti-Taliban Resistance Front, as it had been doing previously, until September 2001. Recently, Iran and the Taliban had seemingly entered a new chapter in their relations. They had two common enemies America, and after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 the Islamic State group. Iran handed over the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban in February, although Iranian officials referred the matter to internal Afghans maintaining that they had little involvement. But on May 18, 25 years after the massacre in Mazar-i-Sharif, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi accused the Taliban of not respecting common water rights between the two countries, leading to a border conflict. The Hirmand Water Treaty, which determines the water quota between Afghanistan and Iran, was signed in 1973. Tehran claims that their share of the water has decreased, while the Taliban claims the river water has decreased overall. Then late last month, videos of rocket shells landing in the border district of Nimroz province of Afghanistan and the city of Zaranj, the capital of the province, were widely published on social media. Two Iranian border guards and a Taliban fighter were killed in the hours-long confrontation. On May 31, the Taliban escalated the fighting by sending a convoy of American-made armoured tanks to Islam Qala in Herat, on the border with Iran. There is also a battle raging on social media. In the latest case, one of the commanders of the Taliban, Abdul Hamid Khurasani, said in a video message that the Taliban fighters will fight Iran with more vehemence than they fought the U.S., and if the leadership of the group allowed, he will also invade Tehran. While Iranians have responded with equal rhetoric on social media, interior minister Ahmad Vahidi called it a brief conflict and was measured in his description. Relations between the Taliban and Tehran are unstable for many reasons Rahmatullah Nabil, the former spy chief of Afghanistan said. Nabil added that considering the problems inside Iran, including unrest over the death of Mahsa Amini and the pressure and sanctions from the West related to the countrys nuclear program, Iran was unlikely to go to war with the Taliban. Nearly nine months after the death of Amini, protests in Sistan and Baluchistan persist, and almost every Friday after prayers, protesters can be heard chanting death of Khamenei, referring to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The relationship between the predominantly Sunni residents of the region and Irans Shiite theocracy has long been fraught. On the other hand, the Iranian government recently increased the number of executions of Baluch protesters, an ethnic minority, further inflaming the people of that region. What experience has shown is that the coalition of different ideologies such as Tehran and the Taliban is not long-lasting, and due to their heterogeneity and vulnerabilities, it is unlikely that they become strategic allies, Nabil told the Star. Irans hosting of Taliban opponents, including some Jihadi commanders, former NATO-trained Afghan security forces, the organized and war-experienced Fatemiyoun Army, and some disaffected Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders is a means of (putting) pressure on the Taliban. For a long time, Iran has supported Shia groups from Iraq to Syria and from Lebanon to Yemen in proxy wars with its regional rival, Saudi Arabia. The Fatemiyoun Army is a Shia militia formed in 2014 to fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and to support the Bashar Assad government. The fighters were recruited from among the Afghanistan refugees and then funded, trained and equipped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran. Hossein Dehbashi, a historian, accused the Iranian government of failing to respond to the border conflict with the Taliban. He believes Irans hatred of the U.S. has caused them to turn their backs on Afghan women, Persian speakers and Shias. Dehbashi believes that relations between Iran and Afghanistan have historically ebbed and flowed based on challenges related to water, refugees, drugs, security, Persian-speakers and Shias, but currently all those challenges are in play at once. For the Taliban, the relationship with the Islamic Republic (of Iran) is more tactical than strategic. It seems that they showed favour to Tehran mostly as a bargaining chip to score points with Europe and America. Iran has been host to millions of Afghan refugees for more than 40 years. The migration began with the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979 and continued with the beginning of inter-group wars between different Jihadi groups and then the first round of Taliban rule in the 90s. Ahmad Farid Tookhy, senior fellow at the Toronto-based Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, believes that Irans response to the Talibans return to power can be characterized as necessary engagement without formal recognition. The authorities in Tehran were chiefly concerned that the withdrawal of international forces and the collapse of the (Afghan) republic would create an environment ripe for the strengthening of IS-K (the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State group) on their eastern borders. Since they consider IS-K a bigger threat than the Taliban, they have decided to engage with the Taliban to counter a common enemy, Tookhy said. Tookhy said that the handover of the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban is part of Irans policy of engagement and it does not signify the formation of an alliance, because ultimately, Iran remains politically and ideologically opposed to the Taliban. Iranian authorities have insisted on the need for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that allows for meaningful participation of all ethnic and religious groups in governing the country. Tookhy said that the Taliban expect Tehran not to support anti-Taliban groups. They would also like to be recognized as Afghanistans legitimate government by Iran at some point down the road. Iran, on the other hand, expects the Taliban to respect their political and economic interests in Afghanistan. In particular, it expects the Taliban not to allow IS-K and other Sunni extremist groups to proliferate on Afghan soil. Iran has always insisted that they expect the Taliban to respect water-sharing agreements between the two countries and encouraged the Taliban to respect the rights of Afghanistans Persian-speaking and Shia groups. According to the latest investigative report of a national Afghan news agency, 80 per cent of senior Taliban officials (ministers, governors) are Pashtuns, and none of the Hazaras (Shias) are part of this structure. It is true that Iran hosts a significant number of Afghan political figures and groups opposed to the Taliban. Iran has developed deep ties with these groups over the past few decades. For a long time, Iran has sought to hedge its options in Afghanistan. Its hosting of these anti-Taliban figures is a product of that history and in line with that hedging policy, Tookhy said. Tehran and the Taliban may not appear to be natural partners; one is a Shia state, the other is a Sunni extremist group, and Tehran has blamed the Taliban for killing its diplomats in Afghanistan in the past. But the two found common ground because of the enemy of my enemy is my friend principle, explained Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre in Washington. They were united in their opposition to the U.S. and its war in Afghanistan. This led to Iran providing sanctuary to some Taliban leaders and some modest forms of military support to Taliban fighters, Kugelman said. Kugelman believes that Iran is hedging, to plan for the possibility down the road of a return to conflict in Afghanistan, especially if the Taliban loses power and there is civil war. Tehran wants to ensure good relations with as many key factions as possible, beyond the Taliban. Naturally, it would support key Shia leaders, but it has cast a wider net than that. The idea is to manage relations with many key Afghan political actors, so that it will continue to have influence and leverage in a potentially post-Taliban Afghanistan, or in an Afghanistan where Taliban power is contested and new power centres emerge. This is long-term planning, given that the Taliban is unlikely to lose power or have its political control come under threat anytime soon. In terms of Iran, its two biggest concerns are that the Taliban target IS-K and that it has more Shias in its administration. Irans not getting what it wants on either front. The Taliban are targeting IS-K in ground operations, but it hasnt weakened the group in a big way. And the Taliban regime continues to not be inclusive, with very few Shias. The relationship between Tehran and the Taliban can best be described as an uneasy partnership, Kugelman said. On the recent border conflict, Kugelman said the Taliban is in a precarious diplomatic position because it hasnt received recognition from any country, which makes it all the more important to maintain good relations with its neighbours. But we have seen rising tensions between the Taliban and its neighbours Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Worsening relations with Iran would mark the third crisis in neighbourhood relations, which is something the Taliban cant afford. Read more about: SHARE: The former president's motorcade entered the courthouse area shortly before 2 p.m., as supporters standing behind police lines shouted, "We Love Trump." The former president's arraignment was held under heavy security, as hundreds of Trump fans gathered outside. Trump had called on his supporters to rally in Miami, raising concerns that the gathering might escalate into violence. But the court proceedings were without incident. Trump made history last week when a federal grand jury indicted him on 37 criminal counts, including 31 counts of "willfully retaining" classified national defense information at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida residence and private club. Former President Donald Trump appeared before a federal magistrate in Miami on Tuesday to plead not guilty to charges that he illegally retained hundreds of classified government security documents after he left the White House and obstructed government efforts to retrieve them. He was then processed before appearing before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman to plead not guilty to all 37 counts. "We most certainly entered a plea of not guilty," Trump attorney Todd Blanche told the judge. The charges are viewed by some experts as the greatest legal peril facing the former president. In the 49-page indictment, Trump is accused of taking hundreds of classified documents from the White House to Mar-a-Lago before he left office in January 2021, following his electoral defeat to President Joe Biden. The documents were among the government's most closely guarded secrets. They contained information about U.S. nuclear programs, the potential vulnerability of the U.S. and its allies to an attack and plans for a possible response, according to the indictment. Their disclosure, the indictment says, could endanger U.S. national security. Each of the 31 counts of "willful retention" of classified national defense information represents a different document that he took from the White House and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Willful retention is deliberately keeping and refusing to turn over documents. The other six charges against Trump are centered on his alleged efforts to conceal his retention of the documents after the FBI and a grand jury demanded their return. According to the indictment, the former president allegedly instructed one of his lawyers to declare that he did not have the documents sought by the grand jury. And when the lawyer suggested a search of Mar-a-Lago, Trump allegedly had the documents moved from a storage room to his residence to avoid detection. Trump, the leading Republican presidential candidate, has reacted defiantly to the indictment, calling it a "vicious persecution" by "the Biden administration's weaponized department of injustice" and vowing to continue campaigning even if he is convicted. "I'll never leave," Trump told Politico in an interview Saturday. He was expected to fly to New Jersey after his arraignment to deliver remarks in his defense and host the first fundraiser of his 2024 presidential campaign. The case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who drew fire for favoring the former president in her rulings in the case last year. Cannon briefly blocked federal investigators from examining the documents seized from Mar-a-Lago last August and appointed a special master to review them. But an appeals court later overturned her ruling, saying she did not have the authority to rule as she did. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) In his first visit to Latin America, Irans hardline president on Monday met with his Venezuelan counterpart and declared that both countries have a common enemy, alluding to the United States, before signing a series of cooperation agreements. President Ebrahim Raisis visit to Venezuela came a year and a day after President Nicolas Maduro visited him in Iran. Both countries are under heavy U.S. economic sanctions. Raisi said the link between the two countries is not normal, but rather a strategic relationship, insisting that their nations have common interests and we have common enemies. They do not want the two countries, Iran and Venezuela, to be independent, Raisi said referring to the U.S. government. His tour of allied nations in Latin America, including Cuba and Nicaragua, comes amid rising tensions with the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. The U.S. has accused Iran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow, while the Kremlin seeks to ensure a steady supply of weapons for its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence officials believe the plant in Russia could start operations early next year, but Iran has said it supplied drones to Russia before the start of the war. The more than dozen agreements signed by officials from the countries Monday include scholarships for Venezuelan students and the importations of cattle to Iran. Maduros visit last year to Iran resulted in agreements to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, the military and the economy. But only a handful of the agreements have materialized. Venezuela and Iran have maintained close relations since the government of the late President Hugo Chavez. Maduro, who became president in 2013 after Chavez death, has promoted trade relations with Iran, China, Russia and Turkey to try to overcome the effects of the economic sanctions. Iran, particularly since 2020, has helped alleviate part of a fuel shortage in Venezuela. We are on the right side of history and together we will be invincible, Maduro said. Read more about: SHARE: MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos president on Tuesday named Alicia Barcena, the countrys current ambassador to Chile, as the next foreign relations secretary, replacing Marcelo Ebrard who resigned to pursue the presidential nomination. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador noted the solid background of the Harvard-educated Barcena, who served for almost 14 years as executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. She has been Mexicos ambassador to Chile since September. Lopez Obrador said it would be at least 10 days before Barcena takes over the new role. Ebrard on Monday resigned his post as the countrys top diplomat to join the primary race for the presidential nomination of Lopez Obradors Morena party in the June 2024 elections. Ebrard is mainly known for leading Mexicos effort to bring gun-trafficking lawsuits against U.S. arms manufacturers and gun stores. Read more about: SHARE: BEIJING (AP) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics and competing for energy resources. In announcing the visit, Chinas Foreign Ministry said China was willing to help broker relations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. The ministry did not say who Abbas would meet in Beijing or give other details of his four-day visit. Increased fighting over the last year between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank has resulted in the deadliest period of violence between the sides in years in that territory. The visit also comes after China hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in the two restoring diplomatic relations. That development was seen as representing a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region. But it remains to be seen how far the reconciliation efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia will progress. The rivalry dates to the 1979 revolution that toppled Irans Western-backed monarchy, and in recent years the two countries have backed rival armed groups and political factions across the region. State broadcaster CCTV quoted Foreign Minister Qin Gang as saying that China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the two-state solution, and is willing to play an active role in this regard. Read more about: SHARE: CESSNOCK, Australia (AP) A bus driver was driving too fast when the vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog in an Australian wine region, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others, police alleged Tuesday. Brett Andrew Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales state, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late Sunday. Button had been in police custody but was released on bail when he appeared in the Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one count of negligent driving. Earlier, acting Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell alleged that Button entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions. Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries, Waddell told reporters. It was Australias most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38. Police said Button underwent mandatory testing for drugs and alcohol Sunday night but no impairment was detected. Prosecutor Courtney Broom argued against Button being released on bail. There are 10 witnesses who gave evidence in relation to the prolonged behavior of Mr. Button and dangerous driving, Broom told the court. There is evidence in the fact sheet that says they (passengers) fastened their seatbelts, Broom added. Defense lawyer Chris OBrien pointed out Buttons clean criminal record and only seven traffic offenses on his 30-year driving record. Magistrate Robyn Richardson said his family ties and bail conditions could reduce his risk of fleeing the country or interfering with witnesses. She also noted a trial was unlikely to be heard before late 2024. His bail conditions include that he does not drive and that he observes an overnight curfew at his Hunter Valley home of Maitland. Button sat with his head bowed throughout the short bail hearing and wept when Richardson noted that he was clearly suffering and said she had concerns about his wellbeing. It is clear to this court he suffers along with the rest of the community, Richardson said. Broom said Button could face further charges in relation to the seriously injured survivors. Of the 25 passengers taken to hospitals, 14 had not been discharged by Tuesday, with two remaining in an intensive care unit in critical but stable condition, Waddell said. The dead and injured were aged from their 20s to their 60s, Waddell said. He declined to comment on media reports that Button told passengers through the buss microphone shortly before the crash, If you think that was fast ... watch this. Waddell also declined to comment on reports that passengers were standing moments before the crash. Linq Buslines, which provides school bus and event charters, owns the bus involved in the crash. Its website says all its buses are equipped with seatbelts. New South Wales law requires bus passengers to use seatbelts if they are available. The tragedy has rekindled public debate but Australias seatbelt laws and whether there should be national rules. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said, while not commenting on Buttons case, bus drivers in that state were legally responsible for ensuring passengers wore seatbelts. Its always the driver of the vehicle whose responsibility it is to ensure that theres enforcement with the law and to reinforce the point, Minns told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said: This is an incident that Im sure every state and territory will learn from. Several of the passengers were from Victoria. Andrews said he was open to a national approach on bus seatbelts, but noted complexities around school, charter and public transport types and difficulty in striking a deal. Sometimes getting a national agreement can add a long period of time to the process of developing rules, Andrews said. Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his government would also consider any recommendations that come from the crash investigation. SHARE: BERLIN (AP) An Austrian man is being held in Afghanistan after he traveled to the country earlier this year, the Austrian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry confirmed in an emailed response to a query about the case that the man went to Afghanistan in May and was arrested there. It noted that Austria has long warned against travel to Afghanistan. It didnt identify the man or give further details, citing data protection issues, but said that it has been actively seeing a solution since it became aware of the arrest and is in regular contact with his family. The Austrian daily Der Standard, which first reported on the case, said the man is a veteran far-right extremist in his 80s and was a co-founder of a minor far-right party that was banned in 1988, the National Democratic Party. It said that he has been in custody for a few weeks, since shortly after a far-right magazine published an article he wrote titled Vacation with the Taliban in which he gave a positive view of life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. According to the report, he is accused of spying and Austrian neo-Nazis made his case public via Telegram channels. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. According to Der Standard, the Austrian whom it identified only as Herbert F. has been a keen traveler to dangerous locations, visiting Afghanistan in the 1980s and, a few years ago, visiting Kurds fighting against the Islamic State group in northern Syria. Read more about: SHARE: AMSTERDAM (AP) An alliance of northern European nations pledged Tuesday to do more to protect critical undersea and offshore infrastructure in the face of shared challenges, including what they alleged was Russian ships conducting mapping that indicated preparations for possible disruption and, at worst, sabotage. The statement was issued after defense ministers from the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a military alliance of northern European nations, met in Amsterdam to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine. Worries that energy and communications infrastructure outside Ukraine might be targeted have soared since an apparent attack on two Baltic Sea gas pipelines in September. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace both declined to comment on reports by Dutch broadcasters NOS and Nieusuur and German media outlets Die Zeit and ARD about the Nord Stream pipelines. The news outlets said the CIA, acting on a tip from the Dutch military intelligence agency, warned Ukraine in June 2022 last year not to sabotage the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany. The media cited unnamed intelligence sources. When weve talked about Nord Stream, weve always said we have to wait for the results of the ongoing investigations, Ollongren told reporters in the Dutch capital. Germany is investigating, Sweden is investigating, Denmark is investigating. We dont have the results in yet. So until then, I will not comment on it. Wallace echoed Ollongren, saying that we dont comment on intelligence matters. Russia has alleged that the U.S. was behind the explosions that damaged the pipelines. The expeditionary force members said in their statement that they decided at the meeting to accelerate cooperation in the JEF in order to detect, deter and respond to threats against our critical undersea and offshore infrastructure, reassure allies and demonstrate collective commitment to the security and stability of Northern Europe; all in full alignment with NATO. The U.K. announced at the meeting that new air defense systems worth 92 million pounds ($116 million) including radars, guns and ammunition, would be bought for Ukraine in coming months to bolster Ukraines ability to protect its critical national infrastructure, civilian population, and front-line personnel. The equipment will be bought using money in the International Fund for Ukraine, and Wallace said the U.K. has contributed an extra 250 million ($315 million). The Joint Expeditionary Force is made up of nine NATO nations and Sweden, which has applied for membership in the alliance but seen its path blocked by members Turkey and Hungary. Wallace said that he hoped that by the end of the year we should have all the JEF nations ... in NATO. The British defense secretary has been mentioned as a possible successor to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who has led the alliance since 2014 and plans to step down when his current term ends at the end of September. Wallace declined to address the speculation. Its for the member states, the leaders of those member states -- 31 member states -- to make that decision, he said Tuesday. And Im sure theres lots of good candidates out there. ___ Corder reported from The Hague. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Read more about: SHARE: LONDON (AP) A knife-wielding assailant stabbed two college students to death in the streets of the English city of Nottingham and then fatally stabbed a middle-aged man, stole his van and ran down three pedestrians in a shocking rampage early Tuesday morning, police said. Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder. The Nottinghamshire Police force said investigators believe the perpetrator acted alone and detectives were working with counterterrorism officers to try to establish a motive. This is a horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people, Chief Constable Kate Meynell said. A man who was among the people struck in the hit-and-run was hospitalized in critical condition. The dead included two 19-year-old students from the University of Nottingham. All of us at Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths of two of our students, Vice Chancellor Shearer West said in a statement. A graduation ball scheduled for Tuesday evening was canceled. Many college students joined a vigil at St. Peters Church, in the city center, late Tuesday to mourn the victims. Some lit candles, while others laid flowers beneath the altar. The knife attack on the students occurred around dawn in an area near student housing a short walk from the universitys Jubilee Campus. A caller reported that two stabbing victims were lying in the street. Police think the attacker then killed a man in his 50s and took his van, Meynell said. His body was found on a different street more than a mile from the first crime scene. About 90 minutes after the initial attack, witnesses were horrified as they watched the van plow into pedestrians and flee. Lynn Haggitt was on her way to work when a white van pulled up beside her at 5:30 a.m. She saw the driver look in his mirror and spot a police car approaching slowly from behind without its emergency lights on. The driver then accelerated and struck a man and woman at a street corner, she said. He went straight into them. He didnt even bother to turn, Haggitt told reporters. The woman went on the curb, the man went up in the air, there was such a bang, I wish I never saw it. Its really shaken me up. The driver then sped through the city center with police on his tail, she added. Haggitt said the wounded man appeared to have a head injury but was helped to his feet. The woman was sitting on the curb and appeared to be OK. A third pedestrian was struck on the same street, police said. Two of the hit-and-run victims had minor injuries, Meynell said. We believe these three incidents are all linked, and we have a man in custody, the police chief said. We are keeping an open mind as we investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents and are working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing to establish the facts, as we would normally do in these types of circumstances. After stopping the van, officers subdued the suspect with a Taser before detaining him. University of Nottingham student Kane Brady said he awoke to loud shouts of armed police and heard what sounded like a gunshot outside. He said he saw officers holding stun guns and a man being dragged out of the van and pinned on the ground. I saw him getting arrested, him trying to resist, Brady told British broadcaster GB News. When they opened the van, I saw a large knife being pulled out and then straight away, thats when police closed off both roads. Photos showed the hood of the van dented and cracks in the windshield. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it a shocking incident and asked that police be given time to investigate the crime. My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, Sunak said. Nottingham is a city of about 350,000 people some 110 miles (175 kilometers) north of London. Images on social media showed police, some with rifles, standing near cordons at several locations in the city center. The citys tram network said it suspended all services. SHARE: KYIV, Ukraine (AP) At least six people were killed when Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack Tuesday in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, regional officials said, as rescuers scrambled to retrieve people believed trapped under the rubble. The strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-story residential building, which was engulfed in fire, Gov. Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrovsk region wrote on Telegram. After initial reports of three dead, Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul wrote on the social media app that the death toll had risen to a least six, and seven people were feared trapped under the rubble. Authorities initially said at least two dozen people were injured. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown is the latest bloodshed in Russias war in Ukraine, now in its 16th month, as Ukrainian forces are mounting counteroffensive operations using Western-supplied firepower to try to drive out the Russians. Images from the scene relayed by Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling the blaze as pockets of fire poked through multiple broken windows of a building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the nearby ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. The aerial assault was the latest barrage of strikes by Russian forces that targeted various parts of Ukraine overnight. Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and the surrounding region was shelled, local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. The shelling wounded two civilians in the town of Shevchenkove, southeast of Kharkiv. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, separately reported early Tuesday that the drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the citys northeast. Neither Terekhov nor Syniehubov referenced any casualties within Kharkiv. The Kyiv military administration reported that the capital came under fire as well on Tuesday, but the incoming missiles were destroyed by air defenses and there were no immediate reports of any casualties there. Ukrainian forces are moving forward outside Bakhmut, the commander of the countrys ground troops said on Tuesday morning. In a Telegram post, Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks near the embattled eastern city, while characterizing Ukrainian operations in the area as defensive. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which Moscow took last month following the wars longest and bloodiest battle. A day earlier, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the countrys troops recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) of eastern Ukraine over the past week small successes in the early phases of a counteroffensive. Russian officials did not confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. The advance amounted to only small bits of territory and underscored the difficulty of the battle ahead for Ukrainian forces, who will have to fight meter by meter to regain the roughly one-fifth of their country under Russian occupation. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Read more about: SHARE: KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The largest nuclear power plant in Europe faces a relatively dangerous situation after a dam burst in Ukraine and as Ukraines military Kyiv launches a counteroffensive to retake ground occupied by Russia, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Tuesday. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, spoke to journalists in Kyiv just before leaving on a trip to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The plant has been in the crossfire repeatedly since Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022 and seized the facility shortly after. Grossi said he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the perils facing the nuclear plant, which grew more serious after the Kakhovka Dam burst last week. The dam, further down the Dnieper River, helped keep water in a reservoir that cools the plants reactors. Ukraine has said Russia blew up the dam, something denied by Moscow, though analysts say the flood likely disrupted Kyivs counteroffensive plans. Grossi said the level of the reservoir that feeds the plant is dropping quite steadily but that it didnt represent an immediate danger. It is a serious situation because you are limited to the water you have there, Grossi said. If there was a break in the gates that contain this water or anything like this, you would really lose all your cooling capacity. Ukraine recently said it hoped to put the last functioning reactor into a cold shutdown. Thats a process in which all control rods are inserted into the reactor core to stop the nuclear fission reaction and generation of heat and pressure. Already, five of the plants six reactors are in a cold shutdown. When asked about Ukraines plans, Grossi noted that Russia controlled the plant and that it represented yet again, another unwanted situation deriving from this anomalous situation. Ukrainian workers still run the plant, though under an armed Russian military presence. The IAEA has a team at the plant, and Grossi said its members would be swapped out during his trip. Asked about the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Grossi said he was very concerned about the plant potentially getting caught again in open warfare. There is active combat. So we are worrying that there could be, I mean, obviously mathematically, the possibilities of a hit, he said. Grossi stressed the IAEA hadnt yet seen any heavy military equipment from the Russians at the plant when asked about Ukrainian fears the plant could be wired with explosives. There shouldnt be any military equipment or artillery or amounts of ammunition, an amount that could compromise the security of the plant, Grossi said. We do not have any indication at this point. But it could not be excluded. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ This version has been corrected to show that Grossis middle name is Mariano, not Moreno. Read more about: SHARE: JERUSALEM (AP) A raid by Israeli security forces into the northern West Bank set off a gunfight with militants that killed a young Palestinian man on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said. Elsewhere in the occupied territory, Israeli medics said that an assailant opened fire, wounding at least four people. The Israeli military stormed into the dense Balata refugee camp near the city of Nablus and surrounded a concrete apartment building, Palestinian residents said. Palestinian militants opened fire and threw explosive devices and stones at the troops. A 19-year-old, Faris al-Hashash, was killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli security forces withdrew from Balata two hours later without making any arrests. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the neighborhood as Israeli military jeeps and bulldozers rumbled away. Wanted Palestinian militant Issam al-Salaj, the presumed target of the raid, crowd-surfed among scores of gunmen, who chanted God is great! and cheered the Israeli militarys alleged failure to arrest him. The Israeli military said it confiscated explosive devices and a handmade weapon from the refugee camp. It opened fire at a gunman fleeing the scene, as well as toward Palestinians trying to attack troops with explosive devices and rocks, the military said. It added that two Palestinian minors were wounded during the raid under circumstances that were being investigated. Also in the northern West Bank, just southwest of the flash point city of Jenin, a drive-by shooting attack targeting an Israeli car moderately wounded at least four people, Israels rescue service said. The assailant fled in a speeding car, setting off a manhunt around the Palestinian town of Yabad, videos showed. The Israeli military did not immediately identify the victims of the attack. Israeli medics said they evacuated all four people to the hospital fully conscious. One of them was a 33-year-old man, medics added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from a Palestinian militant group. Tuesdays incidents were the latest in a surge of violence that has gripped the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem for more than a year. At least 119 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in those areas since the start of 2023, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Nearly half of them were affiliated with militant groups, though the Israeli military says that number is much higher. In that time, Palestinian attacks against Israelis have killed 21 people in Israel and the West Bank. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and Gaza. The Palestinians seek the territories for their hoped-for independent state. Read more about: SHARE: Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev, left, visits the Prudboy military training ground in the Volgograd region of Russia on June 1, 2023. Ukrainian troops are probing Russian defenses as spring gives way to a second summer of fighting, and Kyivs forces are facing an enemy that has made mistakes and suffered setbacks in the 15-month-old war. But analysts say Moscow also has learned from those blunders and improved its weapons and skills. Russia has built heavily fortified defenses along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, honed its electronic weapons to reduce Ukraines edge in combat drones, and turned heavy bombs from its massive Cold-War-era arsenal into precision-guided gliding munitions capable of striking targets without putting its warplanes at risk. The changing Russian tactics along with increased troop numbers and improved weaponry could make it challenging for Ukraine to score any kind of quick decisive victory, threatening to turn it into a long battle of attrition. U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday that while Ukraines military is well-prepared, as time goes on, this will be a back-and-forth fight for a considerable length of time. Most attention last week focused on catastrophic flooding in southern Ukraine caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam that both sides blame on each other. At the same time, however, Ukrainian troops have unleashed a series of attacks in several parts of the front that so far have made only marginal gains against multilayered Russian defenses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Saturday that counteroffensive and defensive actions are underway against Russian forces, asserting that his commanders are in a positive mindset about its success. Ukrainian authorities have stopped short of announcing the start of a full-blown counteroffensive. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it had begun, but that Ukraine failed to make any headway and suffered significant losses. Sir Richard Barrons, a retired general who led the U.K. Joint Forces Command, said the Russian military has built textbook defensive lines and adjusted its tactics following its hasty retreat from wide swaths of the Kharkiv and Kherson regions last fall under the brunt of a swift Ukrainian campaign. He pointed at the improved Russian ability to both counter and use drones and also noted that Moscow has learned to keep key assets like command headquarters and ammunition dumps out of artillery range. And they have sharpened up how they can fire at Ukrainian artillery and tanks when they spot them, he told AP. So if you add all that together, everybody knows this will be a harder fight than for Kherson or Kharkiv in the autumn of last year. People are still using those two successes, and they were successes, as benchmarks, which I think is unfair, unreasonable in the circumstances, he said. Russia has fielded more troops to protect the long front line, even though many of them could be poorly trained, he said. At the start of the war, Russian military convoys stretched for miles to become easy prey for Ukrainian artillery and drones during a failed attempt to capture Kyiv, in what was seen as a major blunder. Ukrainian missiles then sank the Russian cruiser Moskva, the flagship of its Black Sea Fleet, in a major blow to Moscows pride; Kyivs rockets pummeled Russian ammunition depots and command headquarters; and Kremlin forces hastily pulled back from large areas in the east and the south in the fall. Despite those setbacks, Russia dug in to defend broad parts of Ukrainian territory it captured early in the invasion. Last month, it claimed control of the eastern city of Bakhmut after the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Fundamental Russian weaknesses remain. Russian troops continue to suffer from low morale, there are shortages of ammunition, and coordination between units has remained poor. Vicious infighting has erupted between the military brass and the Wagner private military contractor, which has fielded tens of thousands of mercenaries to the battlefield to spearhead the battle for Bakhmut. A major factor still limiting Russias capability has been its decision to keep its air force from forging deep into Ukraine after it suffered heavy losses in the wars initial stages. Its attempts to knock out Ukraines air defenses have failed. Thanks to supplies of Western weaponry, Ukraine now poses an even more formidable challenge to Russian aircraft. Barrons emphasized its essential for military leaders in Kyiv to continue keeping its adversarys warplanes at bay so that the counteroffensive isnt the moment the Russian air force suddenly finds its capability and courage and romps ... all over Ukraine. Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov notes that Moscow has maintained a numerical advantage in troops and weapons, despite any weaknesses. While Russia has increasingly tapped its Cold-War arsenals, deploying tanks dating to the 1950s to replenish its massive, early losses, such old weapons can still perform well, Zhdanov said. It doesnt matter what tanks they have; they have thousands of them, Zhdanov told AP, noting Russia put many of them to use as stationary weapons in their defensive lines, including in the Zaporizhzhia region where they proved effective. He acknowledged Russian success in hitting Ukrainian military depots, relying on Moscows agents and collaborators, but said such losses were tolerable. He also said the Russians increasingly use drones and improved electronic warfare to jam those from Ukraine. Russia has stopped using battalion-sized tactical groups it deployed early in the war and shifted to smaller units, Zhdanov said. While the Russian air force has operated in relatively small numbers, it has modernized its stock of bombs to turn them into gliding weapons that have proven efficient, he said. The 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) bombs adapted with a GPS module can inflict massive damage. The Soviet Union produced those bombs in uncountable numbers, Zhdanov said, adding that the Russians drop up to 50 a day for a major psychological effect. One such bomb accidentally released over the Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine in April blasted a huge crater and slightly injured one person. Russian military bloggers hailed the punch of the gliding bombs and their ability to hit targets up to 70 kilometers (over 43 miles) away. One former military pilot said in his blog that work is under way to convert 1,500-kilogram (3,300-pound) bombs into gliding munitions. These conversions allow the Russian air force to ramp up strikes on Ukrainian forces without risking its warplanes. The Royal United Service Institute, a London-based think-tank that focuses on defense and security issues, listed these gliding bombs along with other improvements in Russian weapons and tactics. Although they only have limited accuracy, the size of these munitions poses a serious threat, RUSI said in a recent report, adding Russia was working to improve their accuracy. Russian engineers have shown prowess in building field fortifications and complex obstacles along the front line, including concrete-reinforced trenches and command bunkers, wire-entanglements, ditches, anti-tank hedgehogs or dragons teeth and complex minefields, the report said. Extensive placement of sophisticated mines for use against tanks and infantry poses a major tactical challenge to Ukrainian offensive operations, the RUSI authors said. Other Russian improvements noted in the report include better thermal camouflage for tanks; nimbler deployment of artillery into multiple positions, including integration with drones to avoid losses; and attacking Ukrainian artillery with loitering munitions drones that hover until they acquire a target. Such responsive Russian fire represents the greatest challenge to Ukrainian offensive operations, the RUSI report said. Improved Russian electronic warfare systems have destroyed about 10,000 Ukrainian drones a month, while they also have been able to intercept and decrypt Ukrainian tactical communications in real time, it added. They also have learned to intercept GPS-guided rockets fired by Western-supplied launchers like the U.S.-made HIMARS, which embarrassed the Russians and inflicted major damage, the report said. Russias military is able to improve and evolve its employment of key systems, RUSI said, but noted it could struggle to respond to similar quick adjustments by Kyiv that could make Moscows units likely to rapidly lose their coordination. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday his country is ready to open a consulate in Shusha, a city that Azerbaijan took from Armenian forces in a war in 2020. Erdogan made the comment during a visit to Azerbaijan at the start of his third term in office following presidential elections last month. We are ready to open our consulate whenever you wish, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as telling Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other officials at the start of bilateral talks. If we can open a consulate in Shusha, this would be a message to the world and especially to Armenia, he said. Shusha, a center of Azeri culture for centuries, came under Armenian control in 1992 in fighting over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Its retaking by Azerbaijans forces in 2020 was of symbolic and strategic importance because it sits high above the regions nearby capital, Stepanakert. Turkey actively supported Azerbaijan in the last conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, in which Azerbaijan regained control of much of the region and Armenian-held surrounding territories. More than 6,000 people were killed in six weeks of fighting. Turkey and Azerbaijan have close ethnic and cultural bonds. It is traditional for newly elected Turkish leaders to visit Azerbaijan following a trip to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the island nations north. Erdogan was in northern Cyprus on Monday. SHARE: PHOENIX (AP) Navajo law enforcement teams made contact with several hundred Native Americans from various tribes who are living on the streets in the metro Phoenix area, after the state cracked down on Medicaid fraud and suspended unlicensed sober living homes, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said Monday. Teams that included Navajo police officers reported making contact with more than 270 Native Americans, the majority of them Navajo, Branch said. Many tribal members accepted offers to stay in motel rooms or other temporary housing for a few days before moving to legitimate facilities, while others agreed to return home to their reservations, Branch said. The teams worked with local police agencies and Community Bridges, Inc., a nonprofit that provides services for people with addictions. Unfortunately, many of our relatives when they came out of these facilities didnt have cell phones, Branch said, adding that Navajo police officers allowed the people they found to use their own cell phones to call their families. While the Navajo law enforcement teams have returned to the reservation for now, the tribe will maintain its presence in Phoenix through an operations center. In response to Arizonas announcement last month it was cutting off Medicaid funding to more than 100 unlicensed and fraudulent sober living homes, most of them in metro Phoenix, the Navajo Nation launched its Operation Rainbow Bridge. The targeted homes are closing, leaving many people who had sought professional help to overcome their addictions with nowhere to live. The Operation Rainbow Bridge toolbox includes a Facebook page and a TikTok account now under construction. Theres also a 211 hotline that the tribe is advertising among its members that allows those affected to find a place to stay and get the services they need. Navajo officials say that in some cases, people who ended up in the homes were picked up in unmarked vans and driven to the Phoenix area from faraway places on the sprawling Navajo Nation that stretches across northern Arizona, and parts of New Mexico and Utah. Its unclear who paid to transport the people to homes. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which oversees the states Medicaid programs, had been paying out money for addiction and other mental health services that state officials say the homes billed for, but never delivered, under the American Indian Health Program. State officials believe the fake homes have defrauded Arizona out of hundreds of millions of its share of federal Medicaid dollars. Arizona authorities so far have seized $75 million and have issued 45 indictments in the investigation that also includes the FBI and the U.S. Attorney Generals Office. Arizona officials have said hundreds of fake sober living homes are believed to be currently operating in the Phoenix area and other parts of the state. SHARE: FORT JOHNSON, La. (AP) A U.S. Army base in western Louisiana was renamed Tuesday to honor Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black hero of World War I who received the Medal of Honor nearly a century later. Fort Johnson had previously been named after a Confederate commander, Leonidas Polk. The renaming is part of the U.S. militarys efforts to address historic racial injustice work that included changing the names of nine Army posts that commemorated Confederate officers. Sgt. William Henry Johnson embodied the warrior spirit, and we are deeply honored to bear his name, Brig. Gen. David Garner, the commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, said in a post on Twitter. While serving on the front lines of France in 1918, Johnson fought off a German night raid near the Argonne Forest, according to the National Museum of the United States Army. Johnson was wounded 21 times while beating back the attacking forces. He also prevented a wounded Black comrade from being taken prisoner when, after running out of grenades and ammunition, he killed two German soldiers with his knife. His frantic attacks broke the German morale and the enemy raiding party retreated, the Army museums biography of Johnson says. He survived the war, and former President Theodore Roosevelt named him one of the five bravest Americans to serve in the conflict. He insisted he was no hero, and the Army biography quotes him as saying, There wasnt anything so fine about it. Just fought for my life. A rabbit would have done that. His brave actions were recognized nearly a century later when he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2015 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. However, Johnsons actions were not recognized by the Army, which denied him a disability allowance and did not award him a Purple Heart. Due to his injuries, he struggled after returning home to Albany, New York, and died of a heart condition in 1929. He was 32 years old. The current process of renaming nine Army posts marks the first time bases will be named after Black soldiers and women. Earlier this month, Fort Bragg in North Carolina became Fort Liberty, and Fort Benning in Georgia was renamed Fort Moore last month. The original naming process involved members of local communities, although Black residents were left out of the conversations. Bases were named after soldiers born or raised nearby, no matter how effectively they performed their duties. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg is widely regarded among historians as a poor leader who did not have the respect of his troops. SHARE: SAN DIEGO (AP) The Biden administration said Tuesday that it will extend legal status by 18 months for more than 300,000 people from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, disappointing some advocates and members of Congress who sought a more generous offer. The extensions provide continued safety and protection for those already legally in the U.S. on Temporary Protected Status, which is due to end soon under Trump-era decisions, said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. While the decision benefits an estimated 334,000 people from the four countries, including 239,000 from El Salvador, some had hoped for a far more sweeping gesture including expanded eligibility for more recent arrivals from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela. U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who strongly pressed the White House for extensions, applauded the step but added it simply does not go far enough and suggested it may have been driven in part by political calculations instead of sound policy rationale and the conditions in each country. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat and House member who was among 116 members of Congress who signed a letter in May seeking an expansion, said the administration has allowed political fear rather than humanitarian concern to drive its decision. The administration has aggressively used TPS, a 1990 law that allows people already in the United States to remain in 18-month increments if the Homeland Security secretary determines that natural disasters or civil strife prevent them from safely returning home. Under Bidens watch, the number of people eligible has soared more than 70% to nearly 1 million people by December, reversing a Trump-era trend, according to an analysis by the Cato Institute, which advocates for more immigration. TPS encompasses 15 countries, including Venezuelan and Ukraine, up from 10. The extensions announced Tuesday will apply to about 239,000 El Salvadorans through March 9, 2025, about 76,000 Hondurans through July 5, 2025, about 14,500 Nepalese through June 24, 2025 and about 4,000 Nicaraguans through July 5, 2025. But TPS beneficiaries from Central America are required to have lived in the United States more than two decades to be eligible, prompting criticism from advocates that the administration failed to consider recent turmoil in countries including Nicaragua, which last year became one of the top sources of migration to the U.S. TPS for El Salvador was granted after an earthquake in the Central American country in 2001 and for Honduras and Nicaragua after a hurricane in 1998. Advocates also pushed to include Guatemala, whose people have never been eligible for TPS. While nothing in Tuesdays announcement precludes the administration from later expanding TPS, immediate prospects appeared dimmer. Its a disappointment, said Berta Sanles, who has lived in the United States without legal status since she arrived from Nicaragua with her husband and 6-year-old daughter more than two decades ago. The Miami resident says shes holding out hope, though. Krish OMara Vignarajah, chief executive of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, said the extensions are welcome relief for hundreds of thousands of people who have found safety in the United States, many of whom have called this country home for decades now. But she also called it a missed opportunity to expand protections to more recent arrivals, whose return to danger would be no less devastating. TPS has been absent from a slew of carrot-and-stick measures that the administration has announced in recent months around the end of pandemic-related asylum restrictions on May 11, known as Title 42. They include parole for up to 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua or Venezuela and, on the flip side, a virtual ban on asylum for those who travel to the U.S. border and enter the country illegally after traveling through another country, like Mexico. ___= Associated Press writers Gisela Salomon in Miami and Stephen Groves in Washington contributed. SHARE: MIAMI (AP) Former President Donald Trump gave a wave and a thumbs-up to crowds outside the federal courthouse in downtown Miami after pleading not guilty to criminal charges. He then headed to a Cuban restaurant where he warmly greeted waiting supporters in a camera-ready scene that resembled a campaign stop, and later he railed against the charges before a friendly crowd of invited guests at a private golf club he owns. In the largely unseen moments Tuesday his attorney entering his plea, Trump sitting grim-faced with arms folded across his chest the gravity of being the first former president charged with a federal crime was apparent. In the seen moments, broadcast around the world in real time, there were a long motorcade, flag-waving supporters and a smaller number of anti-Trump protesters outside the courthouse. Then the former president and 2024 candidate had a detour in mind, to a popular restaurant where he was all smiles, greeted by supporters, prayed over by a rabbi and shadowed by his personal aide, who also has been charged in the case. Then Trump flew on his private jet to New Jersey, where backers welcomed him with rally-like enthusiasm, music and chants for a speech delivered before a clubhouse with columns resembling the White House. The remarks, with live coverage only from his favored cable channel, were rife with errors and falsehoods that went unchallenged in the moment. Trump has long been adroit at creating his own portrait of events, ever mindful of the power of television to shape an impression even as his actions have strained the safeguards of American democracy. The post-court itinerary was an orchestrated effort at counterprogramming as he campaigns again for president and maintains that he has been unfairly targeted by political rivals. The international attention and the screaming crowds were more signs of the extraordinary nature of the days events and the person at the center of it all. A defendant like no other, Trump was the first former president to appear before a federal judge on criminal charges. He also is leading the Republican field for the 2024 presidential nomination, holding his status as frontrunner even as he has faced these and other legal troubles. Hardly any of those gathered in Miami interacted with Trump, if they saw him at all through the window of his SUV. He arrived as part of a motorcade that entered the courthouse garage for his hearing on felony charges. The former president also left in the SUV with the windows rolled up before heading to Versailles, a restaurant, coffee shop and bakery that is a required stop for politicians visiting Miami. There, the crowd serenaded him with the Happy Birthday song, one day before the former presidents 77th birthday. Some birthday! Weve got a government thats out of control, Trump said. Trump has been making frequent stops at local restaurants during his campaign trips, in part to contrast his easy rapport with his supporters with his chief Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Tuesdays stop was different, aimed at showcasing Trumps continued support from GOP voters and signaling that he remains unbowed by the indictments. He then headed to the airport for his flight back to New Jersey. At Bedminster, he called the 37 felony charges against him election interference and yet another attempt to rig and steal an election, repeating false claims about his 2020 loss to Joe Biden. Some of Trumps most high-profile supporters turned out Tuesday. In Miami, failed U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake of Arizona, whom Trump endorsed last year, walked through the crowd. Among those at Bedminster was election conspiracist Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow. Outside the Miami courthouse earlier in the day, security was tight, with police vehicles blocking a palm tree-lined breezeway and public entrance to the building. A helicopter passed overhead at times, and officers circled the perimeter on bicycles. The scene included what is now a staple of a Trump appearance or rally. People selling T-shirts with Trumps face in a mock mugshot, with large letters reading NOT GUILTY, others hawking hats but also, fitting for Miami, mangoes. Some waved Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president. Another man, who opposes Trump, dressed in black-and-white prison stripes and held a sign reading LOCK HIM UP. At times, people shouted past each other, and small groups of pro-Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters squabbled, occasionally yelling obscenities at each other. Domenic Santana, who showed up in the jailhouse uniform complete with handcuffs and a plastic ball and chain, said he wanted to join the circus. Santana came to the U.S. as a child from Cuba and retired in Miami after decades operating an eatery in the New York area. The 61-year-old considers himself a political independent and says his mother and daughter voted for Trump. A fellow New Yorker can spot a rat a mile away, he said. Frankly, he shouldve been locked up ages ago. More typical, among the earliest arrivals outside the courthouse were the father-son duo of Florencio and Kevin Rodriguez, who came to the U.S. 15 years ago as asylum seekers fleeing dictatorship in Cuba. Wearing a shirt that read Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president, the younger Rodriguez, Kevin, said it was possible that Trump was guilty of illegally retaining classified documents. But he questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors lax attitude toward President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both of whom have also been accused of mishandling classified intelligence, though without any intention of hiding their actions. Even if hes guilty, we will still support him, Rodriguez said. Madelin Munilla, 67, who came to Miami as a child when her parents fled Fidel Castros Cuba, carried a sign with a photo of Biden alongside leaders who had their opponents put in jail. This is what they do in Latin America, she said. Others came to counter the Trump supporters. Jack Kaplan, 68, drove two hours from Fort Pierce. Carrying a copy of the indictment affixed to a clipboard and a sign reading Trump is Toast, the retired car dealer said hell celebrate with a $1,400 bottle of Mouton Rothschild red wine if the former president is locked away. Ive already got the bottle sitting in my wine cooler, said Kaplan as a Trump supporter carrying a sign reading Keep America Great walked by. Im going to have a big party. ___ Burnett reported from Chicago. Associated Press reporters Michael Schneider in Orlando, Michael Balsamo in Miami and Jill Colvin in Bedminster, New Jersey, contributed to this report. Read more about: SHARE: What will it take for conservative politicians and big oil bosses to actually acknowledge that the wildfires ravaging our forests are fanned by the carbon emissions that have torqued up the worlds climate? Even as big cities choke on wildfire smoke Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, New York it doesnt seem to register. And neither do the raging fires themselves which this year have already burned off approximately 4.8 million hectares of Canadian forests. Some people have lost their homes, thousands have been evacuated. And fire season is far from over. In his deeply researched and compelling book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, Vancouver-based journalist and author, John Vaillant, makes it clear that these are no ordinary forest fires. They are hotter, faster and longer lasting. They start in the spring, even in normally cool northern parts of the country, because global warming has left forests tinder dry and ready to catch fire whether it be by lightning or a discarded cigarette. Vaillant focuses on the monster fire that destroyed most of Fort McMurray Albertas oilsands hub in May of 2016. Entire neighbourhoods burned to their foundations beneath a towering pyrocumulus cloud typically found over erupting volcanoes. So huge and energetic was this fire-driven weather system that it generated hurricane force winds and lightning that ignited still more fires many miles away. Nearly 100,000 people were forced to flee in what remains the largest, most rapid single-day evacuation in the history of modern fire, Vaillant writes. In Alberta this year weve already lost almost 1.5 million hectares of forest, mostly in the central and northern parts of the province. Thats a record. As I write, Calgary is enveloped in the smell and haze of smoke. And yet, just last week, as people in Eastern Canada and the U.S were tasting and inhaling forest fire smoke from Quebec, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith put on her conspiracy hat and said most of the fires in Alberta were started by arsonists. So, she is bringing in investigators from outside the province to find the culprits. She also dismissed the significance of the wildfires when she said, Alberta has always had forest fires. The phrases climate change or global warming did not cross her lips as she underwent tough questioning on an Edmonton radio talk show. It reminded me of the day former premier Jason Kenney was set to announce the repeal of Albertas carbon tax (approved by the former NDP government) at an Edmonton gas station. But the city was enveloped in so much forest fire smoke the event had to be called off. Kenney didnt mention global warming that day either. Maybe he couldnt see the big picture because the smoke got in his eyes. More likely he refused to see the big picture. Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using the wildfires as a distraction from his other controversies. And yet, the Conservative party has yet to tell us how it would slow the carbon emissions that cause global warming. The fossil fuel industry refuses to acknowledge the big picture as well. Even though Fort McMurray, the hub of Albertas mammoth oilsands operations, was consumed by a raging wildfire, it continues to downplay the effects of global warming caused by the burning of the oil it produces. Our way of life is still too dependent on oil and natural gas for the petroleum industry to be ramped down overnight. But for these politicians and captains of the oil industry even the word transition has become toxic, never mind actually planning for it. Already this year wild fires have destroyed more forests in Canada than ever before. But that doesnt mean next year will be better. It likely wont, nor the year after. If ever there was a time for all political parties and fossil fuel companies to work together to confront this threat to our forests and our overall well-being, this is it. GS Gillian Steward is a Calgary-based writer and freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @GillianSteward Read more about: SHARE: The big number $77,000 the approximate monthly cost to store pieces of 59 modular homes intended for 175 Cummer Ave. in Willowdale as the long-delayed project waits for necessary approvals, according to local councillor Lily Cheng. Way back on March 10, 2021, Toronto city council took some legit action to address the housing crisis, voting to approve a plan to build at least 59 homes in Willowdale at 175 Cummer Avenue. The units were designated as supportive housing for people who might otherwise be sleeping in shelters or in encampments in other words, housing for people desperately in need of housing. The 350-square-foot studio apartments were to be built using a modular process, prefabricated in pieces in a factory and then shipped to the site and assembled. Think of it like a life-size Lego set. Only instead of building some intricate Star Wars spaceship youll accidentally and painfully step on while going to the bathroom at night, this Lego set builds homes people can live in. The process generally means that construction can happen fast. But not, apparently, in Willowdale. More than two years after city council approved the housing plan for the site, these 59 modular homes remain far less than the sum of their parts. Because, absent necessary approvals, theyre still just literally parts. Those parts were, for a time, stacked up in a TTC parking lot outside the Finch subway station. Theyve since been moved to an indoor facility outside Toronto, racking up a monthly storage bill of $77,000, according to Willowdale city councillor Lily Cheng. Its an absurd story of costly government inaction. And it could get worse. Cheng, who was elected last fall on a platform that included opposition to the project, has brought two motions to this weeks meeting of Toronto council, which kicks off tomorrow. One motion would consider pausing the project to explore adding additional parking spaces and redesigning the building to accommodate more trees. The other would just kill plans for modular housing on the site altogether, kicking off a search for a new site where the pieces in storage could finally be assembled. If either motion passes, itll just spell more delay for housing. Lets be clear, though. This is not just a story of one oppositional local councillor. Theres a lot of blame to go around. And, in the context of the mayoral election, it all makes for a damn good question to ask candidates who purport to care about housing. But lets start with the blame. Premier Doug Fords provincial government deserves a significant chunk of it. PC MPP Stan Cho, who represents the area, has been a vocal opponent of the modular development, and his opposition has had an effect. While the citys other modular housing projects were granted Ministers Zoning Orders, or MZOs allowing the city to skip the slow and bureaucratic rezoning process by Fords Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, the Cummer Avenue site has been conspicuously denied the same treatment. City council responded to the lack of an MZO, eventually, by green-lighting a traditional rezoning process, but that process is slow. So lets parcel out some blame for municipal politicians past and present who supported a local zoning regime that makes it virtually impossible to quickly build affordable housing without first asking the provincial government for permission to bypass the local zoning regime. But reserve the brunt of your ire for the local residents associations in Willowdale, who opposed the project every step of the way. They argued the city hadnt consulted with the community (there were four public meetings). They argued the plan would take away from a green space enjoyed by seniors at the adjacent Willowdale Manor Seniors Care Home facility (the site has always been zoned for residential development its not a park). They argued that the project would mean current residents might be sacrificing neighbourhood security. If it must exist at all, they want the project to be restricted to senior citizens. But theyre also concerned that residents wont have easy access to a walkable grocery store. But theyd also like more parking spaces. The Bayview Cummer Neighbourhood Association has packaged a bunch of these kinds of arguments and appealed the rezoning to the Ontario Land Tribunal further gumming up the works with a hearing date set for the end of this month. This is all playing out in the context of a city desperate for more housing projects exactly like this one. Homeless people are dying. Shelters are jam-packed. Council has declared it an emergency. But if a few politicians and residents' associations can put up this many obstacles to a project to build just 59 supportive housing units, how the hell is the city going to ever make a dent in housing the more than 24,000 people on the supportive housing waiting list? Which brings us back to the mayoral race. One important responsibility of the next mayor will be pushing back and pushing back hard against those who oppose housing at every turn. So heres a stock question for all 102 candidates who are running: do you support the Cummer Avenue modular housing project? If theyre really serious about housing, the answer is easy: a simple and unequivocal yes. SHARE: Pierre Poilievre is the proverbial dog who finally caught the car. The Liberal government is back to where it was three months ago before it took the country on a long slow ride to nowhere. Neither side can point to their performance with pride, but now maybe and its still a big maybe instead of the partisan hammer and tong show of the past months, Canadians will finally get the public inquiry into foreign interference in our elections they deserve. It will depend heavily on the Conservative leader deciding to become uncharacteristically statesmanlike and co-operative and it will take the Justin Trudeau government to faithfully engage the other political leaders in finding an eminent Canadian, untainted by even the slightest whiff of bias, to take on the job of leading a public inquiry. If this show of good faith teeters into the partisan ditch again, the Liberals must do what governments are supposed to do and appoint someone themselves who fits the above description. They struck out once, but now get a do-over, ostensibly in a more collaborative atmosphere. David Johnstons resignation as special rapporteur on the question of Chinese interference had the air of inevitability, even as just 24 hours before all parties seemed strapped in for a summer journey of futility as he prepared to hold public hearings. Johnstons career in public service need not be defined by this painful process. Trudeau placed him in a toxic arena without the proper protection and then watched passively as his perceived bias and near-impossible mandate became the story, deflecting any truly substantive probe of the governments action, or lack thereof, on the question of Chinese interference. Johnston also exhibited a naivete that hearkened back to another era in which opposition politicians could step out of attack mode and work for the common good. The Liberals must have known they had given the former governor general a poisoned chalice and Poilievre revelled in the mission as the leading voice in tearing down Trudeaus choice. Many of Johnstons wounds were self-inflicted, but he took on the task out of a sense of duty. His view of public service is when asked, accept. His May 23 verdict that a public inquiry was not needed ultimately sealed his fate, but a lifetime of selfless service cannot so easily be devalued. Now we have a reset. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic Leblanc says a public inquiry was never off the table, ignoring the fact that his government accepted Johnstons recommendation that a public inquiry was indeed off the table. He offered the opposition parties input in choosing the judge to lead the inquiry and help set the terms of reference, in essence daring Poilievre to do something with that car he has been incessantly chasing. It wont be easy. Poilievres default position is to attack and start spewing his verbal bumper stickers. He has lost his favourite pinata. Anyone approached to take on this role, having watched what happened to Johnston, might understandably turn off their phone and hide under the table. But still, early indications are encouraging. Poilievre says he will work with his opposition colleagues to suggest someone to head the inquiry with a track record on non-partisanship and neutrality. He quite reasonably wants this inquiry to be wrapped up before the next election (although that date is uncertain even with the agreement between New Democrats and Liberals) and he vowed to get going on it this week. New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois offered similar assurances of working together, quickly. NDP House Leader Peter Julian says his party wants an inquiry expanded to include Russian and Indian interference and have it report back to Canadians within nine months to build in time for any needed pre-election legislation. Thats a tall order, but with so much time wasted by the Liberals already, the government should be prepared to do whatever is needed to move this along with lightning speed. Maybe we are dipping into the same pool of naivete that Johnston splashed in, but we believe an inquiry can be formed speedily with minimum rancour. We urge all parties to sheath their swords and move quickly. Too much time has been squandered already. SHARE: With less than two weeks until mayoral election day, weve entered the anybody but phase of the campaign. And in this one, that mostly means anybody but Olivia Chow, as the former city councillor and MP looks set to lap the field on her way to a wire-to-wire victory in the race to lead city council. The Stars poll tracker, as of Monday, shows her with a commanding lead, at a recent polling average of 32.2 per cent in a race where no other candidate cracks 15 per cent support. The other candidates apparently see it that way too, and are trying to rally support from all other corners to their side. Former police chief Mark Saunders has revised his main web address to be stopchow.ca where his slogan is Saunders is How You Stop Chow. My colleague Bob Hepburn recently wrote a column saying Ana Bailao may well be the only candidate to pose a serious challenge to front-runner Olivia Chow and saying election day was shaping up to be a showdown between the two women. Over at the National Post, Conrad Black recently authored a column that was headlined Anthony Furey is the only one who can beat Olivia Chow. So that sums up the state of the race two weeks from election day: roughly a third of Toronto voters are planning to vote for Chow. Many of the rest are trying to figure out how to stop her. But on which candidate would be the one to do that, theres absolutely no kind of consensus at all. Which was the state of the race, more or less, one month out from election day. And the state of the race, more or less, two months out from election day. Its the same, but more frantic now. Its also a time when a lot of people start asking, reasonably, if maybe some of the other candidates would drop out and endorse someone else. Its possible, but I dont expect its likely. Primarily because its too late to formally drop out early voting is almost complete, and all the candidates registered now will have their name on the ballot on election day no matter what else happens. But its also hard to see any having enough support that would follow them to another candidate to make a big difference. If Brad Bradford (with a new baby at home and a secure job as a city councillor waiting for him) were to throw his roughly five per cent support to Bailao or Saunders and even in the unlikely event all of his supporters did as he asked those other candidates would look barely more likely to win than they look today. Thats part of the reason I think John Tory remains unlikely to endorse Bailao, who is obviously his heir apparent and the choice of nearly all of the political Team Tory. It would be one thing, for his own legacy and reputation, if his endorsement (despite his earlier vows to stay out of the race) was the decisive turning point that made her mayor. But if it moved her from a distant fourth place to a distant third, that would be a different thing, one less worth spending reputational capital on. Besides, when it comes to candidates dropping out to play monarch-maker, the ideological alignments of likely supporters dont seem to me like theyd line up to make impactful endorsements. Mitzie Hunter might be expected, as a career Liberal, to endorse Bailao. But the campaign shes run seems more likely to be competing for votes with Chow and Josh Matlow, and many of the voters attracted by that campaign might go to those other candidates. Meanwhile, shes also strong in Scarborough as a hometown girl a place which, without her in the race, might default to voting for more conservative, car-friendly candidates like Saunders and Anthony Furey. The supporters of Saunders and Furey are the only ones you could see potentially combining forces to become a legitimate threat by topping 20 per cent in polls combined. Yet the dynamics there seem unlikely. Saunders, as the presumed second-place candidate, wouldnt be the one considering dropping out. And Furey and his voters do not recognize Saunders as their brand of real right-wing populist and given Furey is a political newcomer who can win even by losing by raising his profile as a commentator, and also given that hes the only candidate who has been notably climbing in the polls, I doubt hes going anywhere. But even if that were to happen, then you could see a different kind of anybody but movement arising, in which the voters of Matlow and Chow (and even possibly Hunter) would herd to a progressive candidate to stop the conservatives from winning. In the unlikely event that appeared necessary, it appears probably it would just cement Chows lead. Thats a long way of saying: I dont expect anyone to drop out. Though anythings possible, I guess. What I do expect is that Chow is going to be focusing her significant campaign operation on getting out the voters she has rather than rolling out new, potentially controversial, policy details. Bailao will be doing the same, using her organizational muscle to get out voters (and maybe outperform her polls), while using her fundraising muscle to blanket the airwaves with ads making the case shes the real alternative. Saunders will keep making his increasingly desperate-seeming attacks on Chow (he even shamelessly portrayed a police-involved shooting on the weekend as somehow her fault) to try to make his own case as the anybody that Anybody But Chow voters are looking for. For the rest of them, time is getting short, and the prospects appear ever narrower. They have to think about what they do after an election they appear unlikely to win. Do they try now to set themselves up as an ally or successor to the likely winner? Or burn all the bridges and go wildly on the attack trying to hurt her, setting themselves up as the possible leaders of the opposition? Even as the race isnt decided yet, in the days ahead that what next question may turn out to be the most interesting element to watch. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWA Former Conservative leader Erin OToole took a parting shot Monday at the corrosive way social media is dominating political debate in Canada, warning his fellow lawmakers that this Parliament could mark the start of a national democratic decline. As the partys current leader and prolific social media user Pierre Poilievre listened, OToole said that instead of debating issues of national interest, members of Parliament are instead chasing algorithms down a sinkhole of division and defining their self-worth by how many likes they get online. Performance politics is fuelling polarization, virtue signalling is replacing discussion, OToole said. Were just using this chamber to generate clips, not to start a national debate. His remarks were likely to be his last in the House of Commons; OToole is resigning his seat in the southern Ontario riding of Durham when MPs break for the summer next week. OToole was first elected in a 2012 byelection to replace a former Conservative cabinet minister, whod quit amid a spending scandal. In 2015, he was elevated to the position of Veterans Affairs minister by prime minister Stephen Harper, whose previous pick for the job had poisoned the relationship between his Conservative government and a core constituency. OToole proved be an antidote, given his own years of military service and previous advocacy for veterans issues during his years as a Bay Street lawyer. I travelled to more legions than anyone in Canada at that time. I was yelled at in more legions than anyone in Canada, he joked Monday. But he was only in that post a few months before the 2015 election was called and the Tories went down to defeat. Thus begun OTooles formal quest for the Conservative leadership, with a failed attempt to become the partys interim leader when Harper resigned. In the leadership race of 2017, he ran a middle-of-the-road campaign and ultimately finished third, behind Maxime Bernier and the victor, Andrew Scheer. Following Scheers resignation after the 2019 election, OToole won the 2020 leadership contest by trying courting the partys right wing in a bid to fend off his main challenger, former Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay. Although he railed against social medias influence on politics Monday, OToole once embraced it; for his leadership race, he hired the digital masterminds behind the Canada Proud online community who are often criticized for their hyperbolic approach to help shape his strategy. After he won, he began to pivot towards a more centrist narrative that included taking on positions which infuriated some of the partys most loyal supporters most notably, his embrace of putting a price on carbon as a means to combat climate change. While the party started off the 2021 election campaign in a relatively strong position, the emergence of COVID-19 vaccination mandates as an issue became a subject he couldnt navigate well enough as leader to win, as the Liberals painted his partys refusal to embrace them as being offside with science. His party also fell victim to disinformation and misinformation campaigns during the campaign, now pinpointed by some as being a targeted effort by the Chinese government to keep his party from power. After leading the Conservatives to defeat, he could never regain the confidence of his caucus some members of which, he would later say, had fallen down online rabbit holes of conspiracy theories during the pandemic. He was ultimately toppled as leader in a historic vote by his own MPs. The subsequent race to replace him was won by Poilievre, who paid a warm tribute to him in the House of Commons on Monday. Your nation is deeply grateful and we will always be in your debt, Poilievre said. The two men shook hands and hugged briefly after Poilievres remarks. Under OTooles leadership however, theyd been at odds from time to time, with OToole even removing Poilievre from the high-profile position of finance critic. One point of tension was the style and substance of Poilievres social media content, and the perception by OToole team that Poilievre was flirting too closely with conspiracy theories. Those closer to Poilievre saw OToole as being jealous of Poilievres stratospheric social media reach. OToole warned Monday against conspiracy theories about global organizations like the United Nations going unchecked in mainstream political discourse. In chasing social media highs, he warned, MPs are becoming followers of our followers, when we should be leaders. As members of Parliament, we must always put the country first. We must lead and not just follow. We must strive to inspire and be careful not to incite, he said. We must debate with insightful reason, not just tweet out of frustration. If we do not, decades in the future Canadians will point to this Parliament as the time when our national decline began. OToole announced in March he would not seek re-election, and that he would resign his seat at the end of the current sitting of Parliament. MPs are expected to break for summer in the next two weeks. Read more about: SHARE: Miguel Diaz-Canel and Gustavo Petro in Havana at the end of the third round of peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN; June 9, 2023. Cuba is once again a stage for Colombias pursuit of peace, as President Gustavo Petro shook hands with top National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla commander Antonio Garcia in Havana on June 9. The scene evoked memories of when former President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC commander-in-chief Rodrigo Timochenko Londono shook hands towards the end of their peace negotiations. Both handshakes took place in front of their hosts, a Cuban president. Back then it was Raul Castro and last week it was President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The bilateral, national and temporary cease-fire was announced in the Cuban governments El Laguito mansion, the site of many milestones in the long FARC negotiations. The June 9 Cuba accords lay the groundwork for an initial six-month ceasefire with the ELN and its integration into civil society. The accords are the first substantive sign of progress with the ELN, Colombias last remaining guerrilla group. The talks will resume in Venezuela, where they first began, and mark the end of Havanas role in the peace process, viewed by some as an opportunity for Cubas redemption on the world stage. Petro thanked Cuba for decades of hospitality in Colombias peace process and characterized its inclusion in the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as an act of profound diplomatic injustice. He said that he asked President Joe Biden in a recent meeting to right this wrong. Negotiators for the government and the guerrillas both thanked the Cubans profusely for their role and the high cost it has exacted. The diplomatic hostility that characterized the Ivan Duque administration (2018-2022) led to Havanas reinclusion on that blacklist, which entails sanctions on individuals and countries that have certain business dealings with Cuba. Duque, known for his strident opposition to the FARC agreement, inherited active ELN negotiations from his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos. However, after the guerrilla attack on a Bogota military school in January 2019 that claimed 23 lives, Duque broke off talks. He also ignored previous agreements co-signed by guarantor countries, which stranded the rebel delegation in Cuba. Despite the protections established in the agreements, Cuba refused to extradite them to Colombia. When the Trump administration designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021, just nine days before he left office, it justified its decision on Duques repeated claims about Cuba. The country had dropped off the list in 2015, and Trumps last-minute move reversed efforts by the Obama administration to rebuild ties with its longtime Cold War foe. It also complicated any efforts by the Biden administration to thaw diplomatic relations with Cuba. Humberto de la Calle and Sergio Jaramillo warned about the consequences should the delicate Colombian peace negotiations crumble, and said it could mean the end of any hope for rapprochement with the ELN and for better U.S.-Cuba relations. The two architects of the historic FARC agreement felt compelled to advocate for Cuba, a co-guarantor with Norway of the peace agreement. At a recent meeting of The Elders (an international non-governmental organization of senior statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates), world leaders and former President Santos encouraged President Biden to revoke Cubas designation. Cuba should be applauded for the crucial role it played in helping end decades of conflict and facilitate reconciliation in Colombia, and should not face sanctions for having done so, said Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring the countrys long civil war to an end. Petro quickly chimed in with his support. Petro has restored the Bogota-Havana relationship to its state before Duque, which was a parenthesis in the Colombian diplomatic tradition, says international relations expert Sandra Borda, a professor at the University of the Andes (Colombia). Practically every administration has understood that its very difficult to conduct negotiations with Colombian guerrilla groups without Cubas participation, she said. Colombia is playing a key role in reintegrating Cuba into the international community and repairing relations with Washington. However, despite these efforts, there is little likelihood the U.S. will remove Havana from its blacklist (which includes Syria, Iran, and North Korea) because of the current political climate. The Biden administration will try to move to the political center, which means getting a little tougher on immigration and less flexibility on Cuba, said Borda. Since his inauguration, Petros administration has pivoted Colombian diplomacy toward achieving total peace, a flagship initiative that seeks to decisively implement the FARC agreement, dialogue with the ELN and subjugate criminal groups like the Gulf Clan. The journey of peace with the ELN, which was born more than 50 years ago inspired by the Cuban revolution, must go through Havana, Colombias steadfast partner in its quest for a lasting peace. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition OTTAWAPierre Poilievres Conservatives are pulling further ahead of the governing Liberal party in national voting intentions amid a widespread desire for change across the country, a new poll suggests. The online survey from Abacus Data found the federal Conservatives have climbed to a seven-percentage-point lead over Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals, up from three points one month ago. The poll comes near the end of a raucous session of Parliament this spring that saw weeks of outrage over alleged Chinese political interference and the governments response to it, as well as concerns over how best to help people deal with rising costs and debt. Thirty-five per cent of respondents to the survey said they would vote for Conservative candidates if an election were held tomorrow, up from 33 per cent when Abacus asked that question in May. Meanwhile, 28 per cent of respondents said they would vote Liberal, down two points from last month, and the lowest score in voting intentions on an Abacus poll since August 2015, mere weeks before Trudeaus party surged to power in the general election that year. The NDP had 21 per cent in the latest Abacus poll, up three percentage points, while the far-right Peoples Party and Greens each had four per cent. The survey was conducted with 2,000 adults from June 6 to 11, and Abacus says the margin of error for a comparable random sample of this size is +/- 2.2 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Abacus CEO David Coletto said the poll should worry the government and give Liberals cause to re-evaluate their agenda in power over the summer break, since numbers like this would likely result in a Conservative election victory. Whats more, barely 20 per cent of survey respondents said Trudeau and the Liberals deserve to be re-elected, while more than 80 per cent said it is time for a change in government. How do Canadians feel about Poilievre? But Coletto also noted that 31 per cent of respondents said they dont see a good option for the change in government they want. Combined with rising negative views of Poilievre the poll found 40 per cent of respondents had a negative impression of the Conservative leader, up from 22 per cent in an Abacus survey in March 2022 this suggests a key outstanding question is whether the Conservatives can harness the appetite for change under their current leader, Coletto said. The likely outcome is youre going to have the main leaders being deeply unpopular in large parts of the country. And thats going to make for, I think in some ways, a strange but also unpredictable political environment, he said. Poilievre may be super popular and motivating for Conservatives, but he hasnt yet convinced people that hes a safe alternative to the prime minister a prime minister that most Canadians think shouldnt be prime minister much longer. Why do Liberals support Trudeau? Liberals have downplayed suggestions like that for weeks, arguing Trudeau is still well-placed to preserve their hold on power, and that their parliamentary alliance with the opposition New Democrats could still postpone the next general election for another two years. But some also recognize that the party has faced challenges in recent months. One Liberal MP, who spoke Tuesday on condition they arent named, told the Star it has been a slugfest on Parliament Hill and blamed Poilievre for the oppositions aggressive partisan tone. The MP questioned whether the Conservatives can maintain any momentum theyve garnered in the months since Poilievre was elected leader, though they acknowledged that antipathy toward the government could increase if the economy sputters into recession. Its too early to pay attention to polls, the MP said. Others have bemoaned what they see as an overly-charged partisan environment, especially around the response to intelligence leaks in some media reports about alleged Chinese government interference in Canadian politics. Mark Holland, the government House Leader and MP for Ajax, argued opposition parties have twisted the issue to try and score political points over a sensitive national security matter. This has been too much about politics and not enough about substance, he said Tuesday before the governments cabinet meeting. There seems to be a partisan zeal, particularly in the approach of the Conservatives, and that is unhelpful and I would say inappropriate. Erin OToole, the former Conservative Leader who was turfed by his own MPs last year, lamented the state of political discourse in general in his farewell speech to the Commons on Monday. Performance politics is fuelling polarization, virtue signalling is replacing discussion, OToole said. Were just using this chamber to generate clips, not to start a national debate. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWAThe RCMP revealed Tuesday its investigating foreign interference activities against Conservative MP Michael Chong, and working with Canadas elections watchdog with regards to interference aimed at two other MPs. The revelations came alongside continued political bickering over the governments response to the issue overall, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging his rivals to move past the toxicity and the partisanship to chart a path forward in the wake of last weeks surprise resignation of former governor general David Johnston as the special rapporteur. But the Conservatives seized on testimony before the House of Commons procedure and house affairs committee as new information from the RCMP and the deputy foreign affairs minister highlighted the complexity of how foreign interference intelligence is handled in Canada. The RCMP told the committee that while Beijings targeting of lawmakers is not news, and has been included in reports for years, they only learned the specifics of Chongs case after it came to light in the media in May. That month, The Globe and Mail reported that Chong was pinpointed in 2021 after he led a motion calling Beijings actions against Uyghur Muslims a genocide. How many RCMP investigations are there? Chong later confirmed via his own briefing with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that China was gathering information on him and his family, for potential retaliation. When we were made aware of it, we approached Mr. Chong and began an investigation, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme told the procedure and house affairs committee. A spokesperson for the RCMP told the Star Tuesday that the investigation relates to Chongs public comments about being intimidated, and intimidation is a violation of the Criminal Code. Chong has never fully disclosed the details of the intimidation efforts, and the RCMP said due to privacy and the integrity of the investigation, it can provide no further comment at the moment. Chongs case is one of around 100 investigations into foreign actor activities currently on the go within the RCMP, the committee heard Tuesday. Those include various elements of how foreign interference manifests in Canada, including in the economy and academia. But the cases of two other MPs arent among them, the committee heard. Conservative Leader Erin OToole and NDP MP Jenny Kwan have both publicly disclosed they have been informed by CSIS they are potential targets of Beijing, but the RCMP is assisting the Commissioner of Canada Elections on those files as the concerns fall within the mandate of elections law, Duheme said. The issue of who does what with allegations of foreign interference was also part of Johnstons work as the governments special rapporteur on foreign interference, a post he quit citing the highly partisan atmosphere surrounding his appointment and its conclusions. Among them was the fact a public inquiry could not fully explore the issues because the information needs to stay classified. What did Trudeau know? In reviewing all of the information, Johnston also concluded that neither Trudeau nor his ministers ignored crucial warnings because the existing intelligence wasnt as conclusive as reported or brought to their attention. Opposition parties, however, discounted those conclusions on the basis of Johnstons personal ties with the Trudeau family rendering him unable to be truly objective. But one set of eyes on the July 2021 memo that included information about MPs being potential targets for retaliation by China told MPs Tuesday the document was being widely misunderstood. David Morrison, now the deputy foreign affairs minister, was the national security adviser when the July 2021 briefing was produced, and he told MPs he read it that August. He said the point of such an assessment was to generate broad awareness. When someone like me reads it, we can be quite certain that others already know the information and have taken action on it, or it wouldnt be buried in an assessment report, he said. The system functioned according to the existing protocols at the time, he said, with an example being the defensive briefings given to Chong at the time. Chong has disputed the value of that briefing given he wasnt told of the particulars, and the government has since changed its protocols so that MPs will be notified if they are directly identified in intelligence materials. The Conservatives, however, said Morrisons testimony during question period was further evidence the Liberals sat on information about MPs being targets. It is not a comedy of errors, it is a tragedy of errors with the government, Tory ethics critic Michael Barrett said, repeating his partys call for a public inquiry. The future of all Johnstons suggestions are in doubt given his departure from the post. The government has now asked Opposition parties for ideas as to who could replace him. The Bloc Quebecois has put forward a list of names, which include former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, who also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Canadas former ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques. I think its good that were seeing constructive contributions from various parties right now, Trudeau said on his way into question period Tuesday. Foreign interference is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. If we can move past the toxicity and the partisanship that has characterized the approach by many parties and actually take this seriously, work together and figure out a way to highlight everything that is being done, and what next steps can be taken, it will be a good thing. Read more about: SHARE: The laboratories put the options on the table for the drug traffickers. Its an a la carte menu, similar to that of classic restaurants, which leaves little to the imagination. Oftentimes, the product on offer is usually accompanied by a photograph, the chemical formula and the price. If the substance is banned or regulated, thats not a problem. If the client wants to have a variety of options to make the payment, or needs the merchandise to be delivered immediately, theres also not an issue. These are the typical lists that one would find on Amazon or on any digital commerce platform, says Eric Jardine, chief investigator of the cybercrime unit at Chainanalysis a security company specializing in cryptocurrencies. Several recent studies have exposed how criminal networks for the international trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs operate. This illicit supply chain spans the pharmaceutical industry in China and India, Mexican cartels and end users in the United States. It even reaches unsuspected terrain, such as North Africa, Eastern Europe, or Oceania. Everything is reachable with just a click. Fentanyl is the latest protagonist in the war on drugs in the United States, where, each year, tens of thousands of people die from overdoses. And this time around, its not a battle like the previous ones. Fentanyl is more powerful, cheaper and easier to produce than traditional narcotics, which translates into higher profit margins, as well as an easier process of trafficking the drug in small doses. There are also many recipes that can be used to make it and many of them start with substances that, for the most part, are legal and easy to obtain. These substances are known as precursor chemicals. In Los Angeles, a man injects Narcan into a woman who has overdosed on fentanyl to revive her, on August 25, 2022. Jae C. Hong (AP) Raul Martin del Campo a planning director at Mexicos National Institute of Psychiatry points out that, 10 years ago, we only knew of four different types of fentanyl. Today, there are more than 50 variants on the illegal market that use different precursor chemicals. This has made the battle against drug-trafficking much more complex. Its no longer just about intercepting phone calls, arresting drug lords and confiscating the merchandise. On top of all of this, its now necessary to negotiate with various countries regarding the regulation of commonly-used chemical compounds, while also monitoring how online sales take place before the goods reach the black market. Sometimes, the methods to fly below the authorities radar are crude, but effective. Jardines team easily accessed sites on the so-called deep web a part of the internet that offers greater anonymity to users and cannot be accessed via traditional means where US traffickers offer fentanyl under the nickname China White, as the drug is commonly known on the streets. On one of the webpages, for example, a gram of high quality fentanyl is sold for $100 and can be delivered from the United States to anywhere in the world. If the client purchases 10 grams, theres a 10% discount: he only has to pay $900. Three grams of fentanyl can prove lethal. But the business model is solid. Calculations by US authorities indicate that producing a kilo of fentanyl costs the drug lords around $800 but on the streets, that same amount of drug earns them more than a million dollars. A 'menu' sent to Elliptic investigators, which lists the precursor chemicals for fentanyl, along with their prices. ELLIPTIC The products arent usually promoted with commonly-used names. Instead, vendors utilize scientific formulas and offer different suppliers, especially when it comes to precursor chemicals. The latest Chainalysis study includes a screenshot of a website, where three options are offered to the client, with different origins and degrees of purity, with amounts ranging from one gram to 25 kilos. Wait times are between five days and one week. Buyers who can see reviews of the manufactures that have been posted by other customers can engage in bids to snap up the items. Jardine notes that there are all kinds of online stores that sell these products. Businesses resort to traditional marketing tactics such as search engine optimization (known as SEO) or customer service to clarify doubts. In general and from what we have observed these services arent really trying to hide what theyre selling, the specialist explains. Elliptic another company specializing in cybersecurity and cryptocurrencies has identified more than 90 Chinese pharmaceutical companies that are willing to sell precursor chemicals, including substances that are restricted in other countries (but legal in China). Among them, 17 of these firms sell finished versions of fentanyl without restrictions. During their investigation, Elliptics employees posed as Mexican drug traffickers, so as to be able to deal directly with drug manufacturers. Suppliers were not concerned about what the chemicals were going to be used for some even explained that this or that precursor [chemical] was one of their best sellers and could be used to make fentanyl. Others openly said that they had already sold it to clients in Mexico, read the latest report released by the firm. A web page discovered by Chainalysis offers customers three options, with different origins and levels of purity. Chainalysis Sometimes, transactions are agreed to over email, where details about the products and the cost of shipping are discussed. The possibility of the chemical products being delivered from door-to-door can also be put on the table. Last week, the US Treasury Department blacklisted 17 Chinese citizens and companies, on the grounds that they have provided drug cartels with key inputs, such as pill presses to make contraband pills. In response to Washingtons insistence that the epicenter of the global fentanyl trade is in Asia, Beijing issued a stern statement, emphasizing that the allegations are typical of a plot in the style of Hollywood movies. A knife can be used to cut vegetables or to kill a person. If someone were to attack others with a knife, who is to be held accountable? The one who used the knife, or the one who made it? The answer is clear, said Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China insists that it has made progress in its regulation of the sale of chemicals, but insists that it will not assume responsibility for a problem made in the USA, to use Nings words. The money trail Specialized studies suggest that scenes out of Hollywood in which briefcases full of money are delivered to close deals are becoming less and less common. This is where cryptocurrencies come in. Criminal groups resort to them, because they allow payments to be instantaneous and wired to any part of the world, with no governmental supervision and with pseudonyms replacing real names. In 2022, cryptocurrency transactions associated with illegal and criminal activities exceeded $20 billion up $2 billion from a year earlier according to calculations by Chainalysis. When DEA agents infiltrated the Sinaloa Cartel, they saw that the use of cryptocurrencies made it possible for the drug lords to move millions of dollars, without the money being detected by the financial system. All of these illicit funds could later be easily converted into traditional currencies. Nine out of 10 Chinese labs that sell fentanyl or precursor chemicals accept cryptocurrency payments, according to the Elliptic study. Despite the fact that the use of these platforms is restricted in China, pharmaceutical providers use open portfolios in other countries, or resort to intermediaries to facilitate operations. The company says that Bitcoin is by far the most popular cryptocurrency among the laboratories analyzed, followed by Tether, a cryptocurrency that has gained popularity because it has a fixed exchange rate equivalent to one US dollar. Despite the veil of secrecy around cryptocurrencies, Jardine explains that transactions are traceable. Theres a misconception that theres an inherent privacy to cryptocurrencies, that nobody knows whos behind these operations but this isnt the case, he emphasizes. The specialist says that theres a kind of ledger a record of all transactions in a chain of blocks. The tricky thing is that the payment addresses we see are just a bunch of characters [theyre not identifiable] in the real world. So, theres a degree of anonymity to the whole process. This map designed by Chainalysis shows the global flow of money in cryptocurrency transactions to Chinese chemical laboratories. Chainalysis What cybersecurity companies do is overlay known data from said addresses or digital wallets. This allows them to know more about who is behind the transactions and what the money is being used for. For instance, once the payment references are linked to a specific laboratory, specialized companies can track each of their operations and locate where the money is flowing from, allowing them to identify accounts with similar activity. A handful of users associated with Chinese laboratories have had commercial income flows of more than $38 million over the last four years. The main customers for online stores that sell fentanyl or substances to make synthetic drugs are in North America, the region where consumption is highest. But there are also million-dollar cash flows from Europe, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and Africa, according to the regional breakdown by Chainalysis. The company, however, doesnt have access to the purchase orders and cannot know for sure if all operations are related to the fentanyl trade. Another verification strategy may be to track the purchases of precursor chemicals from laboratories in other countries, or the sales of commonly-used chemical products in the manufacturing of fentanyl. Elliptic, for its part, has detected $27 million in transactions being made to more than 90 Chinese laboratories that have been identified as collaborating with the cartels. Researchers affirm that the cash flow has increased by a rate of 450% year over year a reflection of how the trafficking and consumption of fentanyl has skyrocketed. To put these results in perspective, the company notes that if the $27 million had been allocated solely to the purchase of chemical precursors, it would be enough to produce $54 billion worth of fentanyl pills at the street price. The paradox is that these estimates are possible because the operations are traceable. However, the most staggering calculations dont merely account for the enormous profit margins, but also for the enormous cost in terms of human life. Around 200 people are dying every day from the fentanyl epidemic in the United States, according to official figures. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors began an indefinite sit-in protest at the Karol Bagh Zone Office of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) against the alleged nexus between the building mafia and the civic body officials. For the past five months, AAP councillors have been raising this issue in every meeting with the officials but no action has been taken against it. We have brought up this issue in the presence of both the DC (District Commissioner) and the AC (Assistant Commissioner) but no action has been taken, the AAP said in a statement on Monday. The AAP councillors demanded an investigation into this alleged nexus, and the removal of the local District Commissioner. Advertisement The AAP councillors have alleged that corrupt MCD officials are extorting money from people who are constructing buildings in the area. They claimed this indicates a collusion between the building mafia and the MCD officials. The AAP has also alleged that the building mafia has been harassing the local residents on a daily basis by issuing them notices and causing trouble. The AAP wants to know how many notices were issued by the DC in the past five years and how many were issued in the past five months since they came to power in the MCD. In the past five months, these individuals have issued more notices compared to the last five years. Moreover, during the previous five years, no actions were taken against illegal constructions because the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) was in power in the MCD. They received money from BJP councillors, which is why no action was taken, the statement said. Our demand is for an investigation into the alleged nexus between the building mafia and the MCD officials. The protest will continue until our demands are met, the statement added. Everyone wants to know more about the South Korean actress Park Soo Ryun who tragically died after a fatal accident on June 11. Park Soo Ryun was known for her work in musicals and her appearance in the popular Korean drama series Snowdrop, tragically passed away on June 12. The talented actress, born in 1994, had a promising career in the world of musical theater, having made her debut in Il Tenore. She graced the stage in notable productions such as The Days We Loved and Siddhartha. Park Soo Ryun had been scheduled to perform in Jeju Island, but fate had a different plan. Advertisement In addition to her musical endeavors, Park Soo Ryun gained recognition for her role in the JTBC historical drama Snowdrop, where she shared the screen with renowned artists like BLACKPINKs Jisoo and Jung Hae In. She expressed her admiration for Jung Hae In, sharing a photo with him on Instagram and praising his dedication to the production. Park Soo Ryuns enthusiasm for the drama was evident in the pictures she posted, showcasing her excitement in her characters costume alongside the rest of the cast. Tragedy struck on June 11 when Park Soo Ryun suffered a fatal accident. As per a report from a Korean media source, Park Soo Ryun had an accident while she was on her way back home from work, involving a fall down a flight of stairs. She was found unconscious and subsequently declared brain dead. Despite the devastating news, her family decided to honor her legacy by donating her organs to the hospital. In an interview, Park Soo Ryuns mother shared that although her daughters brain was no longer functioning, her heart remained viable. By donating her heart, the family hoped to give someone else the gift of life, preserving Park Soo Ryuns spirit in a meaningful way. The mortuary has been set up at Suwon Hospitals funeral hall in the Gyeonggi Province Medical Centre. The funeral proceedings began on June 12 at 4 PM KST and will continue until the morning of June 13. Friends, family, and fans will gather to pay their final respects to the beloved actress. K-Pop sensation BTS, known affectionately as the Bangtan boys, witnessed a global celebration on Monday as their dedicated fanbase marked the momentous occasion of their 10-year debut anniversary. Despite the group currently being on a break due to mandatory military service obligations for two members, their devoted fan community, lovingly referred to as ARMY, gathered in various cities, including Seoul, to honor their beloved idols. Enthusiastic fans from India eagerly took to the internet, hoping for a future BTS concert in their country. However, uncertainty looms as the band remains on hiatus until the completion of military service for the two members. Advertisement The rising popularity of BTS in India has led to a surge in sales of Korean merchandise and witnessed the creation of numerous Indian fan pages dedicated to the band. Some of these fan pages have amassed an impressive following of over one lakh, exemplifying the bands immense appeal among the Indian youth. In a delightful encounter at the 64th Grammys in April 2022, AR Rahmans son, AR Ameen, had the pleasure of posing with BTS members and proudly proclaimed himself as part of the ARMY. Consisting of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, BTS showcases their talent as they actively contribute to the creation of their music, whether through songwriting or co-production. Initially recognized as a hip hop group, they have fearlessly embraced a wide array of genres, while their lyrics delve into significant topics such as mental health, the challenges faced by young students, personal growth, loss, the pursuit of self-love, individualism, and the impact of fame and recognition. In a remarkable feat, BTS has solidified their position as the best-selling artist in South Korean history, surpassing a remarkable 40 million album sales according to the Circle Chart. Their unprecedented success extends beyond their homeland, as they became the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out legendary venues like Wembley Stadium and the Rose Bowl during their Love Yourself World Tour in 2019. The global impact of BTS has earned them a spot on prestigious lists such as Times compilation of the 25 most influential people on the internet (20172019) and the 100 most influential people in the world (2019). Snowdrop, a South Korean television series that captivated audiences with its star-studded cast also had Park Soo Ryun apart from other big actors like Jung Hae-in, Jisoo, Yoo In-na, Jang Seung-jo, Yoon Se-ah among others. Aired on JTBC from December 18, 2021, to January 30, 2022 it was one of the hit TV series. The 16-episode historical drama, set in the backdrop of the significant events of 1987 in South Korea, has precisely garnered attention for the tragic death of Park Soo Ryun. She portrayed a university student in the series, and met an untimely demise after a fall from a staircase. News of her passing has left fans and social media users in deep mourning, expressing their heartfelt grief over the loss of the talented actress. Snowdrop delves into the tumultuous period of 1987, which witnessed the June Democracy Movement, a mass protest calling for fair elections in South Korea, as well as the subsequent democratic elections in December that marked the end of the authoritarian Fifth Republic of Korea and the dawn of the democratic Sixth Republic of Korea. Advertisement Taking place in November and December 1987, the story revolves around Lim Soo-ho (Jung Hae-in), a graduate student who is discovered covered in blood by Eun Yeong-ro (Jisoo), a fellow university student. Eun Yeong-ro shelters him from the government in her dorm room, but it is gradually revealed that Lim Soo-ho is not who he claims to be. Against the backdrop of political upheaval, their intertwined tale unfolds, and a romantic relationship develops. Leading the cast is Jung Hae-in, portraying Lim Soo-ho, also known as Lee Tae-san or Lim Soo-hyeok. He embodies a North Korean agent assigned with a mission in South Korea, living undercover as a graduate student pursuing his masters thesis in the Department of Economics at the University of Berlin. The legacy of Snowdrop will forever be remembered, not only for its compelling storyline and talented cast but also as the series that sadly bid farewell to one of its promising stars, Park Soo Ryun. Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced three major disaster management schemes of over Rs 8,000 crore for the country, including expansion and modernization of fire services across States at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore. Amit Shah made the announcement at a meeting of ministers of disaster management of states and Union Territories, called to discuss strengthening the disaster risk reduction system in the country and to make India disaster resilient. Chairing the meeting, he said a Rs 2,500-crore project will be launched to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous metros Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune. Advertisement There will be a Rs 825 crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project for Landslide Mitigation in 17 States and Union Territories, he said. He said that the endeavour should be that not a single persons life is lost due to disaster, and all states have made efforts towards achieving this goal in the last five years. The home minister said discussions at the meeting were essential for formulating and revising policies at the national level. The Centre and the States have achieved many milestones in the last nine years, but there can be no reason for complacency. He said that the nature of the disasters has changed and their frequency and intensity has also increased, and for this reason preparedness to deal with them needs to be sharpened and broadened. Many new disasters are being encountered at various places, he said. Post 2004, he said, after extensive discussions on disaster management at the national level, a collective responsibility and response mechanism was developed at the centre and state level. During the Covid-19 pandemic period, the Centre and the States, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, successfully tackled the worst pandemic of the century. At that difficult time, the Central government, the States and the public set an excellent example to the world of fighting together on every front. The government provided more than 220 crore free Corona vaccines, arranged food for crores of poor people, brought back lakhs of labourers to their hometowns and made arrangements to address their concerns through DBT. He said till a few years back, the approach towards disaster was reactionary and relief-centric. During the last nine years, with collective hard work and dedication, a new approach of early warning system, prevention, mitigation and preparedness-based disaster management has been implemented. He said the Modi Government has set a target of raising around one lakh youth volunteers in 350 high-risk disaster prone districts. Shah said the Centre has made proactive efforts to help the states during the last four years by sending IMCT teams 73 times within a time frame of just 10 days. He said that comparing the nine years from 2005-06 to 2013-14 with 2014-15 to 2022-23, the fund of Rs 35,858 crore allocated to State Disaster Response Forces has almost tripled to Rs 1,04,704 crore. In addition, the release of funds from National Disaster Response Force has increased by nearly three times from Rs 25,000 crores to Rs 77,000 crores. He said that due to proactive approach, Centre and States have increased budgetary provision in the areas of disaster risk reduction and post-disaster relief and rehabilitation. He said that in 2021, the National Disaster Mitigation Fund was constituted under the Central Government with Rs 16,700 crore and under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund Rs 32,000 crore has been kept for mitigation activities. The Home Minister said the National Disaster Management Authority has visited seven power plant sites across the states where nuclear power plants are coming up and strict protocols have been sent to the states for rescuing people in case of any emergency. He told the States ministers to make it their priority and before a nuclear power plant becomes active, they should make all necessary arrangements related to disaster management. Congress on Tuesday once again attacked Centre over the alleged data breach of the Covid vaccine beneficiaries saying the Narendra Modi government does not care about the fundamental right to privacy of people, and national security. Hitting out at the government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, No matter how much an irresponsible Modi government covers up the CoWIN Data Leak, three things are clear publics personal data is not secure. Every Indian knows how in 2017 the Modi government strongly opposed the Supreme Court declaring Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right, Kharge said, adding that even cyber attacks and data leaks have continuously increased in the country. Advertisement Then whether it is the worlds biggest AADHAAR data breach of 2018 or the November 2022 cyber attack on AIIMS. Significantly, the Modi government had told the Supreme Court in September 2018 that AADHAAR data is protected in 13 feet high and five feet thick walls. Cyber attacks have increased many folds during the tenure of Modi government which is beating the drum of Digital India, which are as follows: In 2018, 2.08 lakh, in 2019, 3.94 lakh, in 2020 11.58 lakh, in 2021 14.02 lakh, and in 2022 13.91 lakh as per the government reply in Rajya Sabha on February 2, 2023, he said. The Congress president said, Overall the situation is clear. Neither the Modi government cares about the fundamental right to privacy of 140 crore people, nor does it care about national security. Data Privacy Law has not been made and no National Security Policy has been implemented on Cyber Attacks. Even Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government and said, The data of the entire country (100 crore people) has been stolen and lice are not crawling on the ears of the Modi government. The BJP government engaged in spying on the people of its own country. Between 2018 and 2022, there have been more than 45 lakh cyber attack incidents. The Modi government, which hides its responsibility by saying no data every time, putting the privacy and security of crores of countrymen at risk, is it running the Go Data campaign? The remarks of the Congress leaders comes a day after it was alleged that the data of the Covid vaccine beneficiaries were leaked through Telegram bot. However, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday dubbed the alleged data breach of Covid-19 vaccine beneficiaries mischievous in nature, saying that the CoWIN portal is completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy. The Health Ministry also said that it has requested the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to look into this issue and submit a report, besides initiating an internal exercise to review the existing security measures of CoWIN. The ongoing agitation by farmers in Haryana came to an end today as officials from the administration agreed to pay the minimum support price (MSP) for the sunflower crop. Farmers call off the blockade on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway after reaching an agreement with the administration. Under the agreement, the Haryana government has agreed to pay Rs 6400 as MSP for sunflower seeds. In addition, the government has committed to releasing all arrested farmers and dropping the police cases against them. Advertisement The Haryana government will, however, have the option to pay this amount through compensation for the price difference between the rate of sunflower seeds procurement and MSP. The Haryana government has also agreed to withdraw the cases registered against farmers leaders in due course of time in order to pave the way for their release. With this, the farmers will immediately lift the blockade and the vehicular traffic movement on Delhi-Chandigarh highway will soon be normal. Previously, farmers were selling their sunflower crop in the open market at 4,000 per quintal, receiving an additional 1,000 per quintal as relief from the government. This fixed relief amount is provided when products are sold below the minimum support price. The deadlock, which had persisted since the beginning of the month, was resolved through a meeting between the farmers and local administration officials held earlier today. The Divisional Commissioner, present at the meeting, assured that the government would increase the relief and offer a fair price to the farmers. He urged the farmers to end their protest. The farmers had initiated the protest after the state governments decision not to procure sunflower seeds at the minimum support price. On June 6, farmers associated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) had staged a blockade on National Highway-44 near Shahabad in Kurukshetra district. Police had employed batons and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. Subsequently, nine leaders of the farmers group, including the president, were arrested on various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. In yet another setback to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Santosh Kumar Suman, son of a former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, tendered his resignation from the cabinet on Tuesday. Suman was holding the portfolio of SC/ST welfare minister in the state cabinet. This is the third consecutive blow to the ruling Janata Dal (U) as former Union ministers, Upendra Kushwaha and RCP Singh, have already deserted the party. While Kushwaha has floated a separate party called Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal, Singh has joined the BJP. Advertisement Soon after his resignation, Deputy Chief Minister Tejshwi Prasad Yadav, JDU National President Lallan Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijoy Kumar Chaudhary and senior party leader and Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav rushed to the CMs residence to chalk out a strategy ahead of the Opposition meeting on June 23. Another Dalit leader Chirag Paswan, son of late Ram Vilas Paswan, is also in close proximity to the BJP. Both Kushwaha and Paswan are already maintaining close links with the BJP, said a political observer. Former minister Suman, along with his father Jitan Ram Manjhi, handed over his resignation letter addressed to the CM Nitish Kumar to the state Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijoy Kumar Chaudhary in the morning. Suman is the lone MLC from Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Secular in the Upper House and there are four MLAs of the party. After resigning from the cabinet, Suman told reporters: The existence of my party was under threat. I did this to protect it. He further said that the decision was taken as the Nitish Kumar-led (JDU) was pressuring his party to merge it. Recently, the former CM and patron of HAM Jitan Ram Manjhi, along with party legislators, had met the CM and conveyed that the talks were satisfactory. Earlier, he had claimed that the party would contest five Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. On being asked about the Opposition meeting slated on June 23, Suman said his party HAM (S) has not been invited to it. Meri astitva ko recognise nahi kiya gaya (they have not even recognised the existence of our party). Suman Sarcastically said that lion in the jungle always tries to eat up the deer. Till date, we have somehow managed to save our identity. Reacting on Sumans resignation, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha said: Nitish Government is a sinking ship and everybody, including Kushwaha and RCP Singh, are leaving him and joining BJP. JDU Minister Lesi Singh categorically said that it would have no impact on the government as well as the Mahagathbandhan. Bahut log aayenge aur jaayenge. Abhi Chunao kaa samay hai! (Many will come and some will go. Its election time now). It was CM Nitish Kumar who had offered him (Jitan Ram Manjhi) the coveted post of CM in 2014, Lesi Singh pointed out to reporters. Manjhi, who is the founder of HAM, served as state CM from May 20, 2014 to February 20, 2015. A cabinet meeting slated for Tuesday was postponed due to the resignation of the cabinet minister. HAM (S) will remain with the Mahagathbandhan unless the two leading parties JDU and RJD decide otherwise, Suman said quoting his father. We are committed to our stand that we will be with the grand alliance at any cost. We have all respect for CM Nitish Kumar ji, he told reporters. Prompted by indifference of the Punjab government towards information sought by him through letters, Governor Banwari Lal Purohit, on Tuesday, drew the attention of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to the dereliction of Constitutional duty. In a letter to the state chief minister, the Punjab Governor quoted the Supreme Court order passed on the petition of the state government that reads: It would be necessary to underscore that both the Chief Minister and the Governor are constitutional functionaries who have specified roles and obligations earmarked by the Constitution. Not furnishing the information which was sought by the Governor would be plainly in dereliction of the Constitutional duty which is imposed on the Chief Minister in terms of Article 167 (b), the governor wrote reminding the CM that the information sought through his various letters is yet to be furnished, which, he said, is a dereliction of Constitutional duty as observed by the apex court. Advertisement Earlier on Monday, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit accused the Aam Aadmi Party Government in the state of acting against the Constitution for not responding to his letters, asserting that the CM is bound to reply to the Raj Bhavan. Hours after Purohits remarks, Mann posted a video of the governors address on his Twitter handle to stress that Governor Purohit has stopped referring to the AAP-led state government as my government at the instance of the Opposition party in the House on 3 March. He asked the governor to explain why he had failed to discharge his constitutional duty by not using the word my government during his address. In February, the governor had refused to summon assembly sessions unless the CM gave a reply to his letters on the number of issues including the process of selecting 36 government school principals for a training seminar in Singapore. Later, the AAP Government moved SC after accusing the governor of refusing to summon the Assembly session. Purohit, however, maintained that he has no hesitation to call the AAP-led state government my government. I am the governor. All the orders are issued in my name. Why will I not say so? I have no reservation. Not only once, I say it 50 times, it is my government, he said. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday reviewed the measures being taken by the Centre and the Gujarat administration to deal with cyclone Biparjoy. He held talks with Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel at Bhuj in Gujarat. Cyclone Biparjoy, a very severe cyclonic storm, is expected to cross the Gujarat coast on 15 June. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is in continuous communication with its regional offices in all States of the Western Coast (including Gujarat) with instructions to provide requisite support to the states in their preparedness for the cyclone. So far, no such request has been communicated to the Health Ministry. Advertisement Six multi-disciplinary Central Quick Response Medical Teams [pooled in from Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi; LHMC, New Delhi; Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi; AIIMS (New Delhi); AIIMS (Jodhpur) and AIIMS (Nagpur)] are kept ready to be mobilised in the event of any requirements for the same for providing emergency care and services. Besides, teams from NIMHANS, Bengaluru are also on standby to provide psychosocial care and aid to any affected population. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in all states has been tasked to conduct post-disaster disease surveillance through the state/district surveillance units for timely detection of any disease outbreak of any epidemic-prone diseases in the aftermath of the cyclone. In case of any logistic requirement by the States, M/s HLL Lifecare Ltd. has been tasked with supply of the same. The Union Health Ministry continues to closely monitor the cyclone situation and is taking all necessary measures to be prepared for any health emergencies, an official press release said. Tzipi Livni is back in the limelight. On the public stage, she clarifies, not the political stage, from which she retired four years ago. Last January, she was on her way to a rock concert when she heard Israels Justice Minister Yariv Levin present the now infamous judicial reform, which seeks to weaken checks and balances on the executive branch. She, a lawyer by training who twice held the same portfolio (the last time, under Benjamin Netanyahu), was alarmed. I was shocked. I saw something like this coming, but not quite this, she recalls from her home in Tel Aviv. Since then, she has taken the floor in weekly demonstrations against the reform, increased her appearances on television and written opinion columns in newspapers. Technically, she has done so as an ordinary citizen, but everyone knows that she was the most powerful woman in Israeli politics since the legendary Prime Minister Golda Meir (1969-1974). She has been deputy prime minister, foreign minister and head of the last two negotiating teams with the Palestinians. She now worries that the focus on legal reform will divert attention from other measures of the executive formed by Netanyahus Likud with the ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, the most right-wing in the countrys 75-year history. It is acting against the nature of Israel as a democracy, she says. Livni uses an analogy about driving to illustrate the judicial reform, which the public and diplomatic protests managed to paralyze last March, and which is now being negotiated between the government and the opposition. Electoral victories, such as the one won last December by Likud and its allies, are, she says, like getting a drivers license. They confer the right to take the country according to the direction that you believe is the best, but not to destroy all the road signs nor to break the speed limits. The Netanyahu executive, on the other hand, has decided: no police, no gatekeepers in the government, no judges. No traffic signs. They want to control the entire judicial system to promote an ideology which is against equal rights, against democracy in substance. When talking about democracy, they say: The majority rules. And I answer: Yes, the majority rules, but it needs to preserve minority rights and human and civil rights, she argues. Tzipi Livni, during the interview. Keren Manor Livni rarely smiles and speaks like many Israelis: plainly and bluntly. But she does not want to allude to the opposition leaders who are negotiating a consensual judicial reform under the auspices of President Isaac Herzog. They are, at the moment, her fellow travelers and eventual allies if she returns to politics. Her words show, however, that she is closer to the protesters and to the opposition that distrusts dialogue. Every day there is another step that is changing Israeli democracy. And we cannot turn a blind eye to that while negotiating, she points out before stressing that the opposition should not sit at the negotiating table as a lesser evil, a sort of alternative to the unilateral legislative roller coaster. We have won this battle. Netanyahu knows he cannot move forward with brute force, especially because he really cares about his position in the international community. He remains uninvited to the White House, and Likud is no longer the leading political force in the polls, she points out. In one corner of the room, a shelf with books by Zeev Jabotinsky reveals her pedigree as a revisionist, the wing of Zionism represented by Likud. Almost all of them were my parents books, she says. They were members of the Irgun, the Zionist militia founded by Jabotinsky, which defended the armed hard line against the British Protectorate and the Palestinians. They carried out attacks such as the one that killed 91 people in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. They were married on May 15, 1948, the day after the Jewish state was born and the first Arab-Israeli war began. So, when she criticizes Netanyahu, it is not just because of her political and family background. He is also the person who offered her her first political post. After becoming a lieutenant in the Army, a few enigmatic years in the Mossad and a decade of work as a lawyer, she came within a whisker of the Likud seat in the first election Netanyahu won, in 1996. And the latter reinstated her to oversee the privatization program. Ariel Sharon later became her political mentor. She followed him in 2005, when he split from Likud to form the Kadima party, with the aim of pushing forward legislation on the withdrawal of soldiers and settlers from Gaza. Three years later, as foreign minister, she was in charge of defending Operation Cast Lead to the world. In the offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, more than 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed. When Hamas gets stronger, the moderates get weaker. That was our strategy, and thats why we negotiated peace and, when necessary, fought terrorism, she asserts. A year later, at the height of her popularity, she led Kadima to victory in the elections, but refused to give in to the demands of the ultra-Orthodox parties and fell just short of becoming the second woman to govern Israel. Some thought it showed integrity; others thought it was a huge tactical mistake. Netanyahu, in any case, took advantage of the opportunity, agreed on a coalition and has now been in power, almost without interruption, for 14 years. After the last elections, Livni believes, Netanyahu gave a blank check to his coalition partners out of weakness. They wrote all the crazy ideas [in the government agreement] and hes not even trying to moderate them, she adds. Tzipi Livni holds up the text of Israel's Declaration of Independence during a protest against judicial reform in Tel Aviv last March. Dan Bar Dov The former advocate of an Israel occupying the entire biblical territory has long since become, ideologically, one of the leading advocates of the creation of a Palestinian state. Her perspective is one-sided (I speak of my interest as an Israeli, not of the Palestinians) and pragmatic (the goal is to preserve Israel as a Jewish and democratic state). In fact, she led the last two peace negotiations with the Palestinians: a more serious one in 2007-2008, with Ehud Olmert as prime minister, and a more acrimonious one forced by Barack Obama between 2013 and 2014, with Netanyahu. Livni claims that she agreed to join the government of her then political rival because he handed her the negotiating baton. Now hes doing something completely different. He is not even willing to talk about it [a peace dialogue], she laments after blaming Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the failure of the negotiations. That was when her star began to fade, partly because of the political lurches, partly because of moving in an ideological direction to that of her country, and partly because of the rise of other candidates who appealed to her former voters. Her party, Hatnua, combined forces on the electoral list with Labour. In 2019, on the eve of a predicted electoral thrashing, and on the verge of tears, she announced that she was leaving politics. Even so, she has not thrown in the towel on the so-called two-state solution, advocated by the international community to resolve the Middle East conflict. This is despite voices that consider that the demographics and decades of expansion of Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank prevent the creation of a Palestinian state at this point. I hope its not too late. And if we get to a point where it is too late, well need to think about what we do, she says. Once again, she uses a driving analogy. Her national Waze (the GPS navigation app) is driving towards maintaining Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, with a stop at the peace station to hopefully find a path there. If I arrive and there is no one there [...] I will not change my destination to Greater Israel or anything that is not a democracy. And I will not put obstacles in my way: I will not expand settlements or build new ones. Because its a roadblock in the future, so why do it? My destination is not two states for two peoples. My destination is a Jewish democratic state, and two states for two peoples is along the way. I hope it is still valid. But what I ask those who tell me that maybe its too late and that we have passed the point of no return is: OK, lets think together about the other solution. Because I dont see it. We can think of something different, as long as we dont have something on the table that is not a democracy, or a Jewish state, or that is apartheid, she explains. Livni believes that her country needs to preserve a Jewish demographic majority so that it will not one day have to choose between being Jewish-only or democratic-only. And that inexorably involves separating from the Palestinians as soon as possible. We cannot annex millions of Palestinians and, if we do, we have to give them equal rights. And I am completely against any solution that would make us unequal or undemocratic, she says. Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs Smriti Zubin Irani said that the Modi Government has given 58 per cent more jobs to the youth as compared to the previous government. So far, more than 8.80 lakh jobs have been given to the youth, she claimed. Irani was speaking at a function here on Tuesday to join the PM Narendra Modis programme to distribute appointment letters to about 70,000 newly-recruited employees of government departments. Advertisement The Union Minister said that the officers working in the banking sector should not consider the loan application of their customers as just a piece of paper. For the middle class, getting a loan application approved or rejected is like a dream come true or broken. Irani said it is important to get an opportunity to serve through jobs, it is not important from where to serve. She said in India today, new job opportunities are constantly being created in both private and government sector. A large number of youths are also coming forward for self-employment. Crores of Mudra Yojana, which gives loan from the bank without collateral, she said that the government has given 40 crore loans under the Mudra Yojana out of which 27 crore Mudra loans have been given to women. The Amethi MP said that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the government has spent Rs 4 lakh crore to provide water to the people. Under Stand-Up India, Rs 40,000 crore has been given only to women and scheduled caste people by the Modi government, she said. Irani said that one person getting employment can change the lives of thousands of people. Traffic on Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway 44 continues to be affected on Tuesday with farmers blocking the road at Pipli in Haryanas Kurukshetra over the demand for implementation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 6,400 for sunflower seeds. Speaking to The Statesman, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Haryana president Rattan Mann said the protest will continue till the state government implements the Rs 6,400 MSP for sunflower seeds as announced by the Centre. Farmers are being forced to sell sunflower seeds for Rs 4200 to Rs 4800 in the market even as the MSP for the same is Rs 6,400. The Centre has announced the MSP and its the duty of the state government to implement it. We will continue the protest till the government accepts over demands, he said over the phone from the protest site at Pipli. Advertisement Mann said besides farmers unions in Haryana, the protest is being supported by unions in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. He said the government is yet to respond to their demands and farmers will hold a meeting on Tuesday to decide their future course of action after two rounds of talks with the district administration failed to yield any outcome. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said the issue of MSP for sunflower crops is not only affecting farmers in Haryana but the entire farmer community. We are demanding an MSP law for all crops, as promised by the union government when we withdrew the Kisan Andolan (farmers agitation against the now repealed farm laws), he said. Superintendent of Police (SP), Kurukshetra, SS Bhoria said efforts are being made to persuade the farmers to lift the blockade. He hoped a solution will soon be found. The blockade has been continuing since Monday afternoon causing problems for commuters using the highway. The blockade started after MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao Mahapanchayat, called by the BKU (Charuni), was held at a grain market in Pipli close to national highway-44. Earlier on 6 June, farmers blocked the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway in Kurukshetra to protest against the Haryana governments decision to not buy sunflower seeds at the MSP. The police resorted to using water cannons and lathi-charge to disperse the agitating farmers. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. Tikait had said the government should procure sunflowers on MSP and the farmer leaders arrested in Shahabad should be released. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said some farmer unions and political leaders are defaming the name of farmers by misleading them. Blocking highways is not the solution to everything. In a democracy, we cant hinder anyones freedom. We have done a lot for the farmers. We held positive talks with the farmers. The court order also said that the matter should be resolved amicably. The police followed the courts decision. I urge the farmers that this agitation is not going to help them anyway. The decision would be taken as per the market rate, said the CM while addressing a Press conference. He said the state government will soon take a positive decision for the sunflower farmers after a detailed study about the market rate of the crop. Khattar had also released Rs 29.13 Crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana price difference payment scheme the state government is giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crops sold below MSP. When we procured the Millet on MSP, later it was found that the farmers of other states are also selling their Millet crops in our Mandis. This created an issue of interstate smuggling. Now a similar possibility is arising in the sunflower procurement, so as a precaution, we have announced the interim bharpai, as the market rates keep fluctuating,. At present, the procurement of sunflower is being done at Rs 4800, while Punjab is procuring the same at Rs 4000-4200. So we doubt that Punjab farmers will also procure their crop in our mandis, he added. About 70,000 appointment letters were distributed to newly inducted recruitees under the Rozgar Mela today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conference. Addressing the newly inducted appointees through video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, India today is a stronger, more stable, and more secure country than it was 10 years ago. India today is a symbol of political stability, decisive governance, and forward-looking reforms. The Prime Minister said, Today, the entire world is ready to accompany India on its path of development. The Rozgar Melas, he said, has become a new identity for the NDA and the BJP government. He noted that the state governments ruled by the BJP are also organising Rozgar Melas on a regular basis. He said that the private and public sectors are growing in terms of employment opportunities. Mr Modi said that the confidence of young people has increased with the support of Startup India and Standup India. He added that this is a critical period for those who are taking up the responsibilities of the government. The era of Azadi ka Amrit Kaal has just begun. The Prime Minister said that the new recruits in the government will work towards the objective of making India a developed country within the next 25 years. The previous governments, Prime Minister said, indulged in political corruption and misappropriation of public funds. The NDA Government, he added, is being recognized for its decisive decisions. The employment campaign going on across the country, Mr Modi said, is a testament to transparency and good governance in the country. He said the country has witnessed how family-based political parties have indulged in nepotistic and corrupt practices in the government job selection process. He also said that language should never be a barrier to achieving dreams. The Prime Minister said that regional language entrance exams are providing a new opportunity for the countrys youth to showcase their skills. Advertisement Rozgar Mela takes place at 43 places across the nation. The recruitment process is being carried out across the central government departments as well as the state governments and Union territories supporting the scheme. The new recruitments, selected from all over the country, will join the Government in the following departments: Financial Services Department Postal Services Department School Education Department Higher Education Department Defence Ministry Revenue Department Health and Family Welfare Department Atomic Energy Department Railways Department Audit and Accounts Department ATOM Energy Department Home Affairs Department. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday transferred a sum of more than Rs 6.42 thousand crore in the accounts of farmers of the state under various farmer welfare schemes. At a function held at Mohanpura Baandh in Rajgarh in MP today, Mr Singh and Mr Chouhan transferred Rs 2.12 thousand crore in the accounts of 11 lakh farmers under the CM Farm Loan Interest Waiver Scheme, Rs 2.90 thousand crore in the accounts of 44.49 lakh farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Rs 1.40 thousand crore in the accounts of 70.61 lakh farmers under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Addressing the function, Singh said the farmers are not only providers of food but also the creators of Indias destiny. The Defence Minister lauded the role of farmers in upholding the safety of the country and sacrificing themselves for the nations security. CM Chouhan said the state government would now provide Rs 6000 instead of Rs 4000 per year to farmers under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana. He also announced that women in families that own a tractor would also be eligible under the Laadli Behna Yojana. On Monday evening, a thunderstorm lashed Kolkata bringing temperatures down. And inside the courtroom at Kolkata High Court, a message from the division bench headed by Justice Sivagnaman brought some relief to petitioners seeking an extension of the deadline for filing nomination papers for contesting the upcoming rural elections. Having observed that the time allotted for submitting papers was prima-facie inadequate, the Court asked the West Bengal state election commission (SEC) to consider extending it by a few days. Initially, the Court had suggested that the deadline for filing nominations be extended to June 21, with June 23 being the final day of scrutinizing the documents and June 26 being the final date for withdrawing nominations. Advertisement The Court also asked SEC if the date of the polls could be pushed back from July 8 to July 14 as at least a 21-day window has to be given between the completion of the process of nomination and the polling dates. However, SEC on Monday said that it can only extend the deadline by one day without interrupting the election process. Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, Trinamool MP and Calcutta High Court Advocate who is counsel for the state government in the matter told The Statesman, I cannot comment on this until I present my argument in court in the next hearing in a day or two. However, reportedly, the state government does not have an issue with the original timeframe suggested by the SEC. The Opposition has, however, hit out at the SEC claiming that the narrow timeframe would make it difficult for candidates to file. For those unversed, on June 9, the day after SEC announced the dates for the Panchayat polls, state Opposition leaders Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP and Adhir Ranjan Choudhury of the Congress had filed petitions contesting the timeframe. SEC had said that filing of nomination papers would be from June 9 to June 15 with a gap of one day in between, it being a Sunday and a holiday. While hearing the petitions, the division bench had noted that SECs five-day window for filing nomination papers was inadequate. The Court asked SEC to respond by June 12. Commenting on the significance of Mondays hearing, CPIM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, Many candidates have already filed their nominations. If extensions of deadlines are allowed, it would serve to give more time not just to the Opposition parties but obviously even the ruling party. I think that it is being made out to be an Opposition demand but even the ruling party would benefit as many have not been ready with their papers. Between June 9 and 11, BJP reportedly filed 3,820 nominations, followed by the CPIM which filed 2,952 nominations. Trinamool filed 626 and the Congress 233. For the elections to the Zilla Parishad, the BJP has filed 21 nominations followed by CPIM with 12 nominations while Congress and Trinamul Congress have filed 2 and 1 nomination, respectively. For the Panchayat Samiti elections, the BJP has filed 489 nominations, followed by the CPIM with 413 nominations, Trinamul Congress with 110 nominations, and Congress with 17 nominations. For the Gram Panchayat seat, the BJP has filed 3,320 nominations followed by the CPIM with 2,527 nominations, Trinamul Congress with 515 nominations, Congress with 214 nominations, Forward Bloc with 30 nominations, and others with 162 nominations. There are a total of 68,283 seats at stake, taking the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samity, and Zilla Parishad seats together. There are 38,118 seats in Gram Panchayat and 8,062 seats in Panchayats. There are 793 seats in the Zilla Parishads. The Opposition says that these figures indicate that an extension of the deadline would benefit the ruling party. Clearly it was less prepared than some Opposition parties, quips Chakraborty. The ruling Trinamool points out that the allegations that Opposition parties are not being allowed to file nominations are baseless. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday announced to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek justice for Dalit victim who was allegedly sexually abused by Punjab Cabinet minister Lal Chand Kataruchak. Pointing out that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to register a case against Kataruchak, Sirsa asked how then can it claim that the victim has retracted his statement. The BJP leader said for the last one-and-a-half month, the Punjab Police failed to take action against the Cabinet minister even after direction from National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC). Advertisement He alleged nothing was done since the victim filed a case with NCSC even as he kept hiding in amid death threats from the minister. Sirsa said Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit had categorically stated before the media that Kataruchak had committed a heinous crime, hence Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should remove him. He said that despite this public utterance from the Constitutional head of the state, CM refused to act against the minister. If Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann thinks that he can hoodwink the law of the land and save his minister by threatening the victim and his family and forcibly securing retracting statements, he is mistaken, Sirsa said. We will approach the high court to ensure that not only the victim gets justice but the main culprit Kataruchak and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also gets punishment for saving the skin of a person who has sexually abused a minor on pretext of giving him a government job, he added. The children rescued after the Columbian plane crash in Amazon have said they lost their mother due to injuries within a day of the plane crash. They saw her dying in front of their eyes. The older siblings aged between five and 13 years knew that their mother was dead when she stopped moving but the one-year-old kept crying incessantly unaware of what had happened. General Pedro Sanchez, who led the rescue operation of children revealed that they were found in a small forest clearing, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the crash site. Unfortunately, the rescue teams had unknowingly passed near the children on a couple of occasions, missing them by a mere 20 to 50 meters (66 to 164 feet). Following the crash, it took two weeks for a search team to locate the plane within a dense area of the rainforest. Tragically, the bodies of the three adults on board were recovered, but the whereabouts of the young children remained unknown. Advertisement In a heartfelt attempt to sustain the childrens strength, food boxes were dropped from helicopters into the jungle. At night, planes flew overhead, firing flares to assist the ground search crews. Moreover, the rescuers utilized speakers that transmitted a recorded message from the childrens grandmother, urging them to stay in one place. To aid in the search efforts, Colombias army dispatched 150 soldiers with specially trained dogs. However, their progress was hindered by mist and dense foliage, severely limiting visibility. Numerous volunteers from Indigenous tribes also joined the search, working alongside the military. Luis Acosta, the coordinator of the Indigenous guard involved in the Amazon search, described the discovery of the children as a blend of traditional and modern techniques. He emphasized the collaboration between ancestral wisdom and Western knowledge, including both military tactics and traditional methods. According to officials and relatives, the children sustained themselves by ingesting cassava flour, seeds, and indigenous fruits found in the rainforest. Their resilience and resourcefulness are particularly noteworthy as they are members of the Huitoto Indigenous group. The four Indigenous children, who endured 40 days in the Amazon jungle after the plane crash, have shared limited yet distressing accounts of their ordeal with their family. One of the older siblings, 13-year-old Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, recounted how their mother survived for approximately four days after the crash before succumbing to her injuries. Although further details were not provided by Manuel Ranoque, the father of the two youngest children, it is believed that their mother likely encouraged them to leave the wreckage site in order to survive. The children, accompanied by their mother, were on a journey from the village of Araracuara in the Amazon region to the town of San Jose del Guaviare when the unfortunate plane crash occurred. Due to the gradual and fragmented nature of the emerging details, it may take some time to fully comprehend the extent of the childrens ordeal and the actions they took to survive. After their rescue on Friday, the children were airlifted to Bogota in a helicopter and subsequently transferred to a military hospital. There, they met with President Gustavo Petro, government and military officials, as well as their family members on Saturday, providing an opportunity for support and reunification. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Sunny. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 79F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 62F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. The four indigenous children rescued on Friday in the Colombian jungle have spent the last few days at the Military Hospital in Bogota. The director of the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), Astrid Caceres, said on Blu Radio on Monday that they are recovering and can now eat cassava, as they had requested from the beginning. They are drawing and reading and remain under the care of relatives of their mother who died in the plane crash in the Guaviare region on May 1 and an ICBF representative. Meanwhile, members of the indigenous community have reported that various items helped the children survive for 40 days in the jungle, including two cell phones, a flashlight, a music box and a soda bottle. Four indigenous men who participated in a joint operation with the military were the ones who found Lesly Mucutuy (13), Soleiny Mucutuy (9), Tien Noriel Ronoque Mucutuy (5) and Cristin Neriman Ranoque Mucutuy, who turned one in the jungle. Nicolas Ordonez spotted them among the vegetation after hearing the baby crying. We are family, we were sent by your father, your grandmother, he told them, according to a video circulating on social media. Im hungry, Im very hungry, Lesly replied. A few steps further away, rescuers found Tien lying down and having difficulty walking. My mom died, he told them. Henry Guerrero, in charge of conveying the news to the family, told Caracol Television on Sunday that the siblings used various objects they found in the wreckage after the small aircraft they were traveling in with their mother and two other adults suffered an engine failure and crashed on its way to San Jose del Guaviare. They had some tarpaulin, a towel, two cell phones without battery, a flashlight and an empty soda bottle, which they filled with water from the river. When they crashed, the first thing that came to [Leslys] mind was how to use that to survive, said the indigenous leader. They always stayed near the river to stay hydrated and took advantage of the food that was on the plane. The community explained that the children found one of the emergency supply packages that the military dropped in the area. They also said that they received one of the brochures written in Spanish and Uitoto and that they heard the voice of their grandmother, in a recording played through loudspeakers, asking them to stay still. They had no visible injuries, save for a cut healing on Leslys head. Their clothes were in tatters after so many days enduring the constant rain of the jungle. The childrens maternal grandfather, Narciso Mucutuy, said in information released on Monday by the Ministry of Defense that Lesly took her siblings out of the plane and found clothes in their deceased mothers suitcase. The grandchildren spent the first four days near the plane and ate farina (a cassava flour) that one of the deceased had packed for the trip. Later, after days in which no one showed up, they began to move away from the aircraft: When they saw that four days had passed, they took the trail to the mountains. She [Lesly] said she didnt know where she was going to go. The children walked for days, until exhaustion prevented them from continuing. She could no longer walk, she was already very tired, very tired. So they huddled in one place and sat down. She had the little girl between her legs when they found them, Narciso said. According to the grandfather, the grandchildren were not afraid of the jungle and coped with the rain without trouble. They took twigs, large leaves and took cover underneath, he said. Lesly told her grandfather that they only felt scared when they heard the sound of the helicopters and when they saw the rescuers a few steps away. They thought they were going to be punished for hiding: They never answered, they thought that if they were found they would be beaten. The siblings now want to know what happened to Wilson, a rescue dog that found them and walked with them on several occasions but is now missing. Over the weekend, Lesly and Soleiny delivered some drawings to the commander of the Military Forces, Helder Giraldo, so that Wilson will know, when they find him, that they have been thinking of him all this time. Always blessed, reads a drawing of the dog that also has a flower, a sun and a Colombian flag. Wilson, reads another drawing in which the dog is next to some trees. Drawing made by Soleiny Mucutuy showing the rescue dog Wilson. FUERZAS MILITARES DE COLOMBIA The director of the ICBF said that a member of her organization has been placed in charge of the children while a dispute between the father of the two youngest siblings and the maternal family is resolved. According to this official, the grandparents have asked the ICBF to be present, and the institute is evaluating various options for the siblings once they leave the hospital. The children are going to stay in the best place, somewhere where we can protect them [...] they have our full attention because they represent a very particular story, Caceres said on Blu Radio. We cannot make mistakes in our decision-making. A spokeswoman for the ICBF added on Monday afternoon that the children are doing well. They are in a very good mood, they have been coloring, drawing. They love to talk, they have been interacting with books. They are very willing to be in this hospital environment. The Institute has established a coordination team with the National Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC) so that any measures that are taken are consistent with their culture and ethnicity. Father Alfonso can easily spot the plainclothes police who attend his masses to report on what he preaches to his flock, especially to those critical of the Sandinista regime ruled by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Not only do the spies in his church blatantly take cell-phone photos and videos, they are also well-known to the tight-knit community who view their audacity as shameful. They come into the sanctuary in civilian clothes hoping to see or hear something sinister, but they always leave with their tails between their legs, as the saying goes. Why? Because we always advocate prudence we are not going to be baited into reacting. They try to provoke us to see if they can get a reaction to use against us, said the priest. His name isnt Alfonso he asked EL PAIS to use a pseudonym because his words could land him in prison or sent into exile, like other bishops, parish priests, seminarians and nuns in Nicaragua, a country where religious persecution is such that a profession of faith is akin to confessing a crime. During Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian calendar, the Ortega-Murillo regime banned over 3,000 religious processions in Nicaragua. Despite the threat of jail, many still attended church services. The unwavering faith of those who acted in defiance inspired hope for a brighter future. In Nicaragua, this past month brought echoes of that same defiance as the Sandinista government intensified its campaign against the Catholic Church, an influential social and moral institution in Central America. Father Alfonso says that despite ongoing arrests of priests, a government order to freeze the bank accounts of five of the nine Catholic dioceses, and a money laundering investigation against the Catholic Church, the faithful still continue to attend mass. The parishioners are overwhelmed with sadness and even fear, said Father Alfonso, a priest for 20 years. They ask me, How much can we bear, Father? But I dont doubt our community will remain vigilant. I have seen more people than usual at mass for the last few weeks. The three Sunday masses are always full, and I preside over a very large church, he said. Father Alfonso leads a church on the countrys Pacific coast, and is one of the few clergy who agreed to speak to EL PAIS despite our promises of complete anonymity. The priests are terrified of landing in jail and for good reason the bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Alvarez, and six other priests are currently in prison. Alvarez is serving a 26-year prison sentence for denouncing the governments human rights violations, and a recent report on church persecution in Nicaragua revealed that the Ortega-Murillo regime has forced 41 clergy into exile since 2018. The exiles include papal nuncio Waldemar Stanisaw Sommertag, a bishop, 33 priests, three deacons, and three seminarians. The report by exiled academic Martha Patricia Molina also revealed that 36 nuns have been expelled or had their visa renewals rejected. Ortega and Murillos complete break with the Catholic Church came after Pope Francis called Daniel Ortega unstable and likened the Sandinista government to Nazi Germany, a tone that went far beyond the Vaticans usual diplomatic language. Two days later, Managua suspended diplomatic relations with the Holy See. The friendship between the two states that had lasted for over a century came to an abrupt halt. Ortega curried favor with the Church by criminalizing therapeutic abortion during his return to power in 2006, a move that earned him the Churchs political support for years. But more recently, the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN) harshly criticized the countrys repeated electoral fraud and authoritarian behavior. Numerous bishops and priests have publicly condemned police brutality since 2018 that has caused 350 deaths. Ortega and Murillo have accused the bishops of promoting an attempted coup detat, and their escalating repression is aimed at curtailing freedom of worship in Nicaragua. The government has disrupted the Catholic Church by seizing properties and freezing bank accounts that fund schools and seminaries. A week after the Catholic Church was accused of money laundering because of bags with hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly found on Church premises, Father Alfonso said, Its ridiculous. We live on the offerings of the faithful. We use the money to pay for basic services just like every other household electricity, water, food, and cleaning services. We dont earn a salary; we live honestly from church offerings. EL PAIS has learned that many Catholic activities in other Nicaraguan dioceses have been heavily affected by the frozen bank accounts. There is no money to pay teachers and basic services. Father Alfonso said, We had some emergency funds in bank accounts that are now frozen. My church is quite old and needs repair, like the leaky downspout that was damaged by recent rains. Some parishioners we interviewed in north-central Nicaragua told us that seemingly insignificant incidents are now being persecuted, like some T-shirts with inspirational biblical messages ordered for a recent event. The lettering was in light blue over a white background, the colors of the Nicaraguan flag. Since the flag has been adopted by dissidents as a symbol of protest, the Sandinista regime has made wearing or displaying these colors a criminal offense. Theyll throw you in jail for less than that, said a member of the Blessed Virgin of Cuapa Church. We wont stop preaching the gospel Despite the prevailing fear among the clergy and faithful, Father Alfonso is amazed by their steadfast attendance at mass and other pastoral activities. Their unwavering commitment motivates me to keep preaching the gospel, he said. Even if one day the government says theyre going to close the churches so we can no longer celebrate mass, we will always listen to the people. They need to feel that we are with them, that someone is with them. Some are more fearful than others because of all the threats and persecution, but we keep telling them to be joyful and keep the faith, because the day we lose hope, all is lost. Many Catholics are afraid that their churches will be confiscated, leaving them with no place to worship. EL PAIS interviewed some who expressed displeasure over the failure of Catholic Church leadership in Nicaragua Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes and other CEN bishops to speak out against religious persecution. Father Alfonso disagrees with Cardinal Brenes, but explains that just because some clergy remain silent, we have not forgotten about Monsignor Rolando Alvarez or the suffering of the people. We simply must know how to avoid the charging bull. We pray in private and act cautiously amid our daily suffering, said the parish priest. Everyone in Nicaragua lives this reality, but let me remind you that the Church has been persecuted since day one. Our history is full of martyrs, persecution, blood and tears, but no human power can ever extinguish the Church. I say this with utmost faith. Despite all its faults, the Church will stand steadfast. And so will Nicaragua. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Enter your email address: For employers, please send your adverts and inquiries to ugandanjobline@gmail.com The rising airfares that had set the alarm bells ringing, forcing the civil aviation ministry to intervene, have begun to moderate. The ticket prices have come down by up to 60 per cent on some routes. The civil aviation ministry said the rise in airfares has been mostly seen on select routes that were earlier being serviced by GoFirst. A meeting with the airlines was held on June 5, 2023 where airlines were strictly advised to self-regulate fares on certain select routes that have seen considerable surge pricing of late. A mechanism for ensuring reasonable pricing within the high RBDs (reservation booking designator) will be devised by airlines. This is being monitored by the DGCA, a ministry statement said. As a result of this intervention, prices have seen up to 60 per cent decline. This is being monitored daily by the minister himself. There has been an increase in fares, mostly, for routes that were earlier being serviced by GoFirst. The ministry not only took cognisance of the issue quickly, but also intervened by sending strict advisories to airlines to self-regulate fares. The DGCA is closely monitoring the same. Fares have reduced by up to 60 per cent, and are likely to decline further, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. For instance, the airfare on Delhi-Mumbai route, which stood at over Rs 22,094 on June 5, has come down to Rs 16,290 on June 13, a drop of over 26 per cent. On Delhi-Ahmedabad route, for the same period, a decline of 28 per cent was noticed. A similar decline is witnessed across other routes as per the analysis by the DGCA. As per the government directions, the during any calamity, airlines need to keep a tight check on the pricing of air tickets in view of the humanitarian situation and monitor and control any surge in ticket prices to/from that region. In the case of Odisha tragedy, airlines were advised to provide free carriage (cargo) services to the families of the deceased. The airfares internationally have remained firm on account of various factors like the opening of markets after Covid pandemic and the resultant surge in demand, rise in ATF prices globally, supply chain disruptions on account of both Covid and Ukraine-Russia conflict. The government is however unlikely to cap the airfare as the Indian sector is de-regulated. In a de-regulated environment, introducing fare caps on various sectors will lead to market distortion. The benefits of market competition will not be available to passengers at large, ministry statement said. Globally, most countries have de-regulated their aviation sector, (removing government-imposed entry and price restrictions on airlines). The US deregulated its aviation industry in 1978 and the EU started deregulating its aviation industry in 1987. India deregulated it in 1994. As a result of deregulation, entry into the airlines industry for a potential new airline has become easier, resulting in many new airlines entering the market, thus increasing competition. The direct impact of de-regulation is that a passenger in a lower-income group can afford to travel by air, the ministry said. The mayor of Tijuana (Mexico), Montserrat Caballero, said on Monday that she will temporarily live in the 28th Infantry Battalion military barracks, located south of the city, after having received threats. The local leader has linked such intimidation to the overwhelming results of the public safety work carried out during her administration, such as the seizures of weapons and arrests related to organized crime. Why do I get threats? Because we deliver results, she said at a press conference. Tijuana is one of Mexicos violence hot spots. A border city, it is one of the main drug trafficking routes. It is, therefore, one of the most coveted places for organized crime, and has seen bloody turf wars. In recent years, there has been an increase in both violence and seizures of the new drug dominating the landscape, fentanyl. Tijuana is the third largest seizure point, according to data from the Mexican Navy. Our police have seized more weapons nationwide, more perpetrators of violence, not to mention the thousands of detainees we have. Because of all this, I suffered an attack that did not become serious. The mayor made the decision following recommendations from the National Guard: In practical terms, it was not a decision, because not everyone can go to live in the barracks. It was a suggestion by the National Guard, for my safety. I hope it is temporary. On May 17, one of her bodyguards was shot at while traveling alone in a vehicle. He did not sustain any serious injuries, only minor ones from the shattered glass. The Baja California District Attorneys Office is continuing its investigation into the case. The local leader of this border city has stated that the situation she finds herself in is unusual. [Receiving this type of intimidation] is not normal, it shouldnt be. However, [the decision to move to a barracks] is not to protection a citizen, but to protect the citizen who has seized the most weapons in three administrations, she reiterated. Caballero described the decision as a sacrifice. I have a son, a family, and a commitment to my city. She has defended that, between October and May, her administration secured more than 1,721 weapons, 16,495 cartridges and 1,450 magazines. In addition, it has reckoned with 785 violent offenders, 56 of whom are nationally significant and have been handed over to the authorities. The mayor did not offer comparisons in this regard, but she did state that other crimes have been reduced compared to the previous year, such as business robberies (down 30.86%), robberies with violence (down 17.92%), and vehicle thefts (down 7.5%). The city of Tijuana is the fifth most violent in the world, according to the civic group Citizen Council for Public Safety and Criminal Justice. The latest data from the Secretariat of Public Safety indicates that, between January and April this year, 598 murders were committed, a lower figure than in 2019 (637 murders), the year in which Caballero came to power. The latest figures point to a total of 15,038 crimes, a figure that in this case is higher than in 2019, when it was 13,342. The last two years have been tough for the Indian EdTech sector as it has faced significant losses and funding cuts. Layoffs have continued to haunt the sector. As per media reports, around 10,000 people were laid off from the EdTech segment with at least 22 companies in the sector cutting jobs. According to the Inc42 Edtech Report 2022, Indian EdTech start-ups raised a total of $2.4 billion across 95 deals in 2022, enduring a Y-o-Y decline of 49 per cent and 42 per cent respectively. In the past two years, the EdTech sector has faced significant losses and funding cuts, resulting in layoffs that affected nearly 10,000 employees since 2022. Restoring the sector's strength requires a strategic reevaluation of business models that align with learners' evolving needs. The future is clearly hybrid learning. Moreover, rebuilding trust among employees is crucial for fostering a resilient team and rejuvenating the sector, Aditya Narayan Mishra, director and CEO, CIEL HR, told THE WEEK. He said though the sector is facing multiple challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. With the growing internet adoption in rural areas, EdTech emerges as a powerful tool to reach and equip this audience for a competitive job market. EdTech's pivotal role lies in educating and upskilling India's youth, enabling them to thrive in the dynamic landscape of technology and diverse job roles, added Mishra. A few other experts with whom THE WEEK spoke to feel that the adoption of EdTech was by force during the pandemic. The huge demand resulted in unrealistic valuations for EdTech companies. While the post-pandemic time is yet to stabilise with the hybrid of physical and online learning, e-learning will not see a dip in India in the coming years. The growth in adoption of the internet and the consequent surge in demand for EdTech will provide the much-needed impetus for growth to this sector in a more pragmatic way and the sector is here to stay for a long period. Hiccups around valuation as well as dip in earnings or non-profitability will be rationalised over the stabilisation time, says Subramanyam Sreenivasaiah, CEO at Ascent HR. Some market experts feel that tough times will continue for the sector and it will be a while before it gets revived. One conclusion that can be drawn from the past five years is that building EdTech conglomerates have not brought success, on average, neither for students nor for the EdTech companies themselves. This is surprising and contrary to the overall sentiment as brick and mortar schools and colleges have generated above average returns from their education business. One reason that can be attributed to this dismal situation is that EdTech was more busy with the hardware of the business as compared to the software of imparting and testing skills, remarked Alok Shende of Mumbai-based Ascentius Consulting. Interestingly, EdTech major BYJU'S has been in the limelight for different reasons during this hour of crisis in the sector. The company had reportedly laid off 1,000 employees recently and skipped quarterly interest payments of around $40 million on a $1.2 billion Term Loan B (TLB), currently under litigation. The EdTech firm is also fighting a lawsuit in a Delaware court against US-based investment management firm Redwood which has proposed to take over its US entity, BYJU'S Alpha, after a default earlier this year. The latest court action follows unsuccessful negotiations with lenders to agree on new loan terms. There are also media reports that the legal battle between BYJU'S and its lenders in the US has made the other investor Davidson Kempner Capital Management concerned. Besides, in order to cement its place in the offline education space, BYJU'S will launch the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its test preparatory arm Aakash Education Services Limited by the middle of next year. The move is expected to help in significant capital infusion in the entity. After months of speculations, actress Tamannaah Bhatia has finally confirmed she is dating co-actor Vijay Varma. The duo will soon be seen together in Netflix's Lust Stories 2. Speaking to the Film Companion recently, the actress opened up about her equation with Vijay and how they bonded very organically. It is friendship which is such a crucial part of any equation, It is essentially more like someone you can laugh with and laugh at the loudest volume where you sound like different animals, that is pretty much how it is, she said. She added that he is someone who came to her with all his guards down, making it easier for her to let her guard down. He is someone with who I bonded very organically. He is someone who really came to me with all his guard down, then it became really easy for me to let all my guard down. With high-achieving women, we have this one problem. we think we need to do hard work for everything. You don't have to walk on eggshells. To just be yourself." Calling him her happy place, the actress said he was a person she deeply cared about. Tamannaah said she does not believe one can be attracted to a person just because he or she is a co-star, but admitted that her equation with Vijay changed while working together on the sets of Lust Stories 2. Lust Stories 2 will be helmed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, R. Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma and Sujoy Ghosh. For the second season of the anthology series that revolves around relationships and sexuality, the streaming giant has brought together some much-loved actors including Neena Gupta, Angad Bedi, Kajol, Mrunal Thakur and Tilottama Shome among others. Authorities in Mumbai, on Tuesday, said that rescuers have found the bodies of two of the four boys who went missing in the sea off Mumbai's Juhu Koliwada. The bodies of 16-year-old Dharmesh Valji Faujiya and 15-year-old Shubham Yogesh Bhogniya have been recovered, a civic official said. The two were part of a group of five friends, aged between 12 and 16 years, who ventured into the sea, about half a kilometre from the shore, around 5.30 pm on Monday but could not return. While one of them was rescued, the others were feared drowned. The bodies were taken to Cooper Hospital, where the doctors declared them brought dead. the Mumbai Police, BMC fire brigade with speedboats, along with an Indian Navy chopper searched for the boys till almost midnight. The boys, who lived in a slum area of Vakola, had slipped off for an impromptu half-day picnic to Juhu late on Monday afternoon. Authorities, in light of the landfall of cyclone Biparjoy, on the Gujarat coast on June 15, have issued a warning to residents and fishermen against venturing into the sea. In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, a woman walked into a police station on Monday, carrying a suitcase with her mother's body stuffed into it. The woman confessed to having killed her mother and surrendered at the Mico Layout police station. According to reports, the woman who hails from West Bengal, is a physiotherapist and has been living in Bengaluru with her husband and mother for the past few years. From preliminary investigation, the police said she killed her mother by strangulating her after feeding her 15-20 sleeping pills, Deccan Herald reported. Police also stated that she said she was angered by the frequent fights between her mother and mother-in-law, who also stays with them in an apartment in Bilekahalli. The tragic incident happened after a fight on Monday morning. The accused later stuffed her mother's body in a suitcase, kept a photo of her father along with it and drove to the police station in the evening. BJP government in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, continues to rain cash incentives upon people from different walks of life. On Tuesday, Chouhan hiked the Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi for farmers to Rs 6,000 per year from Rs 4,000. This amount is paid to farmers in the state in addition to the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of Rs 6000 per year, as minimum income support. So now, the farmers in Madhya Pradesh will get Rs 12,000 per year under the Samman Nidhi scheme. The announcement was made at Kisan Kalyan Mahakumbh a convention of farmers organised in Rajgarh in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh. The chief minister also announced a further relaxation in the flagship Laadli Behna scheme, saying that the women from families owing tractors will now be eligible for the Rs 1,000 cash assistance. Earlier, tractors were included in the category of four-wheelers, the ownership of which by their families made women ineligible for the scheme. On the occasion, as much as Rs 6,456 crore were transferred to accounts of farmers under various heads. This included Rs 2,123 crore to 11 lakh defaulter farmers as loan interest waiver, Rs 2,933 crore to 44.49 lakh farmers under the PM Crop Insurance scheme and Rs 1,400 crore to 70.61 lakh farmers under CM Farmers Welfare (Kisan Kalyan) scheme. The union minister and the CM also inaugurated Mohanpura-Kundalia pressurized pipe irrigation system and the Gorakhpura rural group tap water (Nal-Jal) scheme. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister assured that fertilizers were available in sufficient quantity and the government will pay the interest amount for the advance taken by farmers for the purchase of seeds and fertilizers. In the presence of Rajnath Singh, Chouhan said the burden of loan interest put on the heads of the farmers by the previous Congress government has been removed. He also lashed out at the earlier Congress government for depriving people of development. He also interacted with women and reiterated his newer promises on the Laadli Behna scheme. Rajnath Singh appreciated the work done by CM Chouhan in the state, saying that Chouhan was doing charismatic work for peoples welfare like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh applauded the role of farmers in the freedom struggle and in nation building. He said that it was gladdening to see the huge gathering of farmers at the convention. The union minister also highlighted the welfare and developmental works undertaken by the central government under PM Modi including digital India, the tap water scheme, public toilets and roads. He said that Indias global rankings on several fronts have gone up significantly during the past nine years. Meanwhile, ex-chief minister Kamal Nath hit out at Chouhan on the issue of farmers saying that the BJP and Chouhan were the most anti-farmer party and chief minister in the country. Seeing the obvious defeat in the elections, Shivraj ji is making new promises to the farmers, whereas in his 18 years of government, he has done nothing but take anti-farmer steps. The Congress government was waiving the loans of the farmers of the state. Loans of 27 lakh farmers were also waived, but before loans of all the farmers could have been waived off, BJP, the enemy of the farmers, toppled the government and stopped the loan waiver, turning the farmers into defaulters. He further said that as soon as the Congress government is formed, the debt burden on them will end. When there is no debt left, there will be no need to pay the interest. Along with this, fair minimum support prices will be given to the farmers. Due to the wrong policies of the Shivraj government, the farmers of Madhya Pradesh are among the poorest farmers in the country. We will take them on the path of prosperity by giving the right price for the crop, he added. Authorities, on Tuesday, shifted 30,000 people from coastal areas to temporary shelters two days before powerful cyclone Biparjoy's expected landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district. An official said several NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby. Simultaneously, Army authorities have jointly planned relief operations with civil administration and National Disaster Response Force. The Army has kept flood relief columns ready at strategic locations. In a virtual meeting to take stock of the cyclone preparedness, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the Gujarat government to make arrangements for moving people living in sensitive places to safer areas and ensure all necessary services, such as electricity, telecommunication, health and drinking water. The meeting was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, two Union ministers, several Gujarat ministers and MPs, MLAs and officials from eight districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. "We have already started evacuating people residing near the coast who are likely to be affected the most during the landfall. So far, various district administrations have shifted nearly 30,000 people to temporary shelters," said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. The state government is aiming to evacuate people within 10 km of the coast, he said, adding that so far one fatality related to the cyclone has been recorded. Ahmedabad IMD director Manorama Mohanty said the cyclone is likely to cross between Mandvi in Kutch and Karachi in Pakistan near Jakhau port with 125-135 kmph wind speed gusting to 150 kmph on the evening of June 15. A warning has been issued for extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds in coastal parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region, especially in the districts of Kutch, Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka, she said. "After it makes landfall and weakens, the movement of the cyclone is likely to remain north-eastward and it is expected to move towards extreme south Rajasthan. It will bring heavy to very heavy rain in north Gujarat till June 15-17," Mohanty said. Fishing activities have been suspended till June 16, ports are shut and ships are anchored as the sea turned very rough and weather became inclement with extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in the region due to the approaching cyclone. "The sea will remain very rough to high till Jun 14, increasing to high to phenomenal on June 15," Mohanty said. Pandey said the government is constantly working to ensure that there is no loss of life due to the weather phenomenon. He said the rescue operation is being carried out in two phases, with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly. The government said 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on standby in affected districts of Devbhumi Dwarka, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Morbi and Valsad. The Western Railway has so far cancelled 69 trains and decided to short-terminate 32 and short-originate 26 trains as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers as well as train operations. As the sea turned rough, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40km off the Dwarka coast in an overnight operation involving ALH aircraft and ship 'Shoor' amid inclement weather conditions due to the cyclone, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. The Army also rehearsed flood relief columns and kept them ready at strategic locations. "Army authorities have jointly planned relief operations with civil administration as well as NDRF. The interaction has given all agencies involved in disaster management a platform to share their best practices and gain from each other," stated a defence release. Resources have also been made available from neighbouring Rajasthan to ensure that casualties are avoided or remain minimum due to gusty winds and heavy rainfall, it said. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port in Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, have been shifted to safer places, officials said. As the state stepped up relief and rescue operations, CM Patel has appealed to citizens to cooperate with the administration for their own safety and security. In a virtual message, he said the government has planned rescue, relief and rehabilitation with zero casualty approach and appealed to the citizens to follow the instructions of the administration. Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed preparatory measures at Bhuj in Kurch. Apart from him, four Union ministers are fanned out in the districts likely to be impacted by the cyclone to coordinate with the state administration for relief and rescue operations. As hundreds of people are being evacuated from coastal villages in Kutch district, authorities are facing a challenge as many villagers are reluctant to leave their livestock and belongings behind. In Ashirwada village, located 5km away from the coast in Kutch, people agreed to move out only after police and revenue officers held meetings to convince them. "We are shifting people to shelters which can withstand the impact of the cyclone. We are taking care of them by providing them food and other basic things," an official told PTI. People are being evacuated in buses and private vehicles. At least 78 people have been shifted to Jakhau primary school, which is converted into a shelter, from various villages so far. Residents of Mohadi village, located on the coastline, are also evacuated. They are provided shelter in a cement company. Gujarat has begun evacuation from Tuesday in view of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) alert that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy will cross Saurashtra and Kutch near Jakhau Port on Thursday. The latest IMD alert read: "Biparjoy lay centered at 0230 IST of the 13th June, 2023, over Northeast and adjoining Eastcentral Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port." The cyclone will bring with it winds gusting up to 150 kilometres per hour. Gujarat will also witness heavy-to-very heavy rainfall at a few places. Extremely heavy rainfall is predicted in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on Thursday. While storm surge of about 2-3 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas, sea conditions are likely to remain rough-to-very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15. With the landfall expected on Thursday, people residing in villages located within 10km from the coast in the Kutch-Saurashtra districts of Gujarat will be evacuated. Over 7,500 people residing in low-lying areas near the coast have already been shifted to safer places. This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of the ministries, central agencies and the Gujarat government to deal with the situation. The officials have been instructed to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health and drinking water, and that they are restored immediately in the event of damage. Modi also directed to ensure the safety of animals and the 24x7 functioning of control rooms, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. According to Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey, evacuation will be carried out in two phases beginning Tuesday with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved. Priority will be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly, Pandey told reporters. "Some 3,000 people, especially fishermen and labourers working at a port, were shifted in Kandla. Residents of some slums near the sea have also been moved in Mandvi. Around 23,000 people residing in villages within a radius of 10 km from the coast will be moved to (makeshift) shelter homes from Tuesday," Kutch collector Amit Arora said. Evacuation at rigs The Indian Coast Guard said its regional headquarters has undertaken an operation to evacuate personnel from the oil drilling ship 'Key Singapore'. The rig is 25 miles off Devbhumi Dwarka and the evacuation is being done by advanced light helicopter MK III for the rescue ops. Shipping activities at Deendayal Port at Kandla have ceased, resulting in lining up of containers. A warning signal hoisted there. Trains short-terminated The Western Railway on Monday short-terminated more than 50 trains heading to coastal areas of Gujarat in view of 'Biparjoy'. Besides, the North Western Railway (NWR) has also cancelled some train services as the cyclonic storm Biparjoy' is likely to enter southwest Rajasthan on June 16. "Keeping in view the safety and security in view of the cyclonic storm Biparjoy in the Bay of Bengal, train services are being cancelled/partially cancelled by the Railways," the NWR said in a statement. As for Western Railway, it is taking various measures including setting up disaster management rooms, help desks, and keeping relief trains ready. The wind speed is being monitored at five locations in Bhavnagar division, at eight sites in Rajkot and at three spots in Ahmedabad division on an hourly basis and station masters have been instructed to regulate or stop trains when the wind velocity exceeds 50 kmph, as per the release. According to IMD, 'Biparjoy' is likely to make landfall near the Jakhau port in Kutch district on Thursday afternoon as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour. "As many as 56 trains heading to Gandhidham, Veraval, Okha, Porbandar in coastal Gujarat have been short-terminated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surendranagar. Around 95 trains are being proposed for cancellation between June 13 to June 15," the release said. Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, GRSE chairman and managing Director Commodore P.R. Hari IN (Retd) and senior officials from the Navy and GRSE were present on the occasion. GRSE is building eight ASWSWCs and four SVLs for the Navy and the ships are at various stages of completion. INS Anjadip was the third vessel of this series and INS Sanshodhak is the fourth and last in the series of SVLs being built by GRSE. Keel for the seventh ASWSWC was also laid on Tuesday. ASWSWCs require less draft and can operate close to the coast, searching for underwater threats and neutralizing enemy assets such as midget submarines and mines. Equipped with advanced sonar and armed with the latest weaponry, such as lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets, these warships will pack a tremendous punch, once they become operational, GRSE said in a statement. INS Anjadip has been named after an island close to Indias western coast that is now part of naval base INS Kadamba. The island had put up strong resistance in 1961 when India took back Goa from the Portuguese. The island also has a memorial for the Indian marines who were martyred there. According to GRSE, INS Anjadip is the reincarnation of a soviet era ASW Ship of the Indian Navy which was decommissioned in December 2003. Sanshodhak is a Hindi word which means discoverer or investigator. This is an apt name for the SVL that will be carrying out hydrographic surveys to chart the ocean floor and provide valuable information on our seas and oceans for defence purposes, said the shipyard. Hailing the partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipbuilding, Vice Admiral R.B. Pandit said the collaboration is a befitting example of a Public-Private partnership which is a desired framework for the indigenous warship construction capabilities. This successful model will be closely watched and I am sure it would set the path for similar future collaborations in warship construction in our country, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Commodore P.R. Hari said: The ASW Shallow watercraft project has eight ships, and the Survey Vessel Large Project four ships. We launched the first SVL on the 5th of December 2021 and thereafter we have been launching a ship every six month with the last ship being launched today. As far as the ASW Shallow watercraft project is concerned, we launched the first ship on 20th of December 2022, and are churning out a ship every three months and we intend maintaining this tempo. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy will cause extensive damage during its landfall. It will impact the Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most. The IMD, which issued an orange alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, said on Tuesday that the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm has weakened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS). The tweet by IMD read: "Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: Orange Message. VSCS BIPARJOY at 0830IST of today about 280km SW of Devbhumi Dwarka, 300km WSW of Porbandar, 310km SW of Jakhau Port, 330km SW of Naliya. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) AROUND evening of 15th June as VSCS." Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: Orange Message. VSCS BIPARJOY at 0830IST of today about 280km SW of Devbhumi Dwarka, 300km WSW of Porbandar, 310km SW of Jakhau Port, 330km SW of Naliya. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) AROUND evening of 15th June as VSCS. pic.twitter.com/Zg3DRnFOJg India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 13, 2023 The cyclone is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch coasts near Jakhau Port on Thursday evening with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. "Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference. He said the cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts. "Usually these areas do not receive such massive rainfall. Therefore, it can lead to flooding in low-lying areas," he said. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. The Met expert has also forecast winds gusting up to 145 kilometres to batter these districts. "Tidal waves reaching heights of up to six metres could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. Evacuation measures have been recommended, and authorities are taking prompt action," Mohapatra said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting to review the preparedness for Cyclone Biparjoy. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and MPS from eight districts which could be impacted by the cyclone participated in the meeting virtually, reported ANI. Evacuation in progress A fisherman colony wears a deserted look ahead of the landfall of Biparjoy cyclone, at Jakhau port in Kutch district | PTI With the landfall expected on Thursday, people residing in villages located within 10km from the coast in the Kutch-Saurashtra districts of Gujarat will be evacuated. Over 7,500 people residing in low-lying areas near the coast have already been shifted to safer places. According to Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey, evacuation will be carried out in two phases beginning Tuesday with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved. Priority will be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly, Pandey told reporters. "Some 3,000 people, especially fishermen and labourers working at a port, were shifted in Kandla. Residents of some slums near the sea have also been moved in Mandvi. Around 23,000 people residing in villages within a radius of 10 km from the coast will be moved to (makeshift) shelter homes from Tuesday," Kutch collector Amit Arora said. The Indian Coast Guard evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the impending cyclone Biparjoy' in the region, the maritime agency said on Tuesday. India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," it said in a release. Govt issues guidelines Gujarat government on Tuesday issued guidelines, even as the NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on standby. The district control room number will be 1077 while the state control room number is 1070. People have been advised to keep themselves updated through news on radio and television. People, especially in Porbandar, Dwarka, Jamnagar and Kutch, have been asked to use battery-operated radios. For those dialing from landlines, the control room numbers will have to be prefixed with the telephone codes of the respective districts. Evacuation is on in coastal districts of Saurashtra region. People in cyclone-prone areas had already been requested to relocate to safer places. The saltpan workers, too, have been asked to relocate, and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea, and anchor their boats in safe places. The state government has urged the people to store water, food and medicines for children and elderly for seven days. The government has requested the people to stay calm and refrain from spreading rumours. (With inputs from Nandini Oza) Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's claim that India threatened to "shut down offices" in the country and raided employees' homes after the platform refused to restrict accounts covering farmers' protests and those critical of the government has sparked controversy. It was during an interview to the YouTube channel Breaking Points on Monday that Dorsey made the claim: "India for example, India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmers' protest, around particular journalists that were critical of the government. It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India,' which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees,' which they did; 'we will shut down your offices if you don't follow suit.' And this is India, a democratic country." Dorsey, who quit his Twitter CEO role in 2021, a year before it was purchased by billionaire Elon Musk in 2022, was referring to the year-long protest organised by farmers over the now-repealed farm laws. The stir was called off in late 2021 after the Centre granted concessions regarding certain laws. Besides India, Dorsey also mentioned pressure from governments in Turkey and Nigeria. Both the countries had restricted Twitter before lifting the bans. "Turkey is very similar (to India), like we had so many requests from Turkey. We fought Turkey in their courts and often won, but they threatened to shut us down constantly," he said. Dorsey also added that the situation in Nigeria was such that Twitter could not even put its employees on the ground in the country out of fear of what the government might do to them. However, the Centre rubbished Dorsey's comment calling it 'outright lies'. A statement by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Dorsey's statement was "perhaps an attempt to brush out that very dubious period of Twitter's history." "Twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of Indian law. As a matter of fact, they were in non-compliance with the law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied. No one went to jail nor was Twitter "shut down". Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law," the statement added. The Union Minister added that Twitter under Dorsey had "a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India when they did it themselves when a similar event took place in the USA". Chandrasekhar added that the government's focus was only on compliance of Indian law. Silence. This is the code that the Ukrainian government and armed forces have been following since June, when the first stages of the counteroffensive were initiated. Two videos distributed by the Ministry of Defense eloquently reinforce the point: in the first one, released last week, soldiers from several military units look to the camera and ask, via a hand gesture, that people remain quiet and not give away any information about military operation. The second, from Sunday, shows the general in charge of the intelligence services, Kyrylo Budanov, staring at the camera for 30 seconds, without saying a word, with a superimposed slogan: Plans love silence. In the face of Kyivs information blackout although the Ukrainian authorities have reported the liberation of several villages, especially in the Donetsk region the media and defense analysts depend on Russian military sources. Ukrainian society has abided by the law of silence because the future of the country is at stake in the counteroffensive. It is not only the military and the Ministry of Defense that have stopped transmitting information. Ukrainian national media, academics and defense analysts have also chosen to avoid assessing the evolution on the frontlines. Until a few weeks ago, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers offered daily videos and commentary on the war on social networks. This too has been put to an end. More information Five maps explaining the possible staging points for Ukrainian counteroffensive International media and military analysts now rely on Russian sources of information at the front, particularly the Telegram accounts of commanders, pro-Russian analysis groups like Rybar, RusVesna or Grey Zone, Russian frontline journalists like Sasha Kots or Semion Pegov, and more controversial figures like Igor Girkin (a pro-Russian militia commander during the Donbas conflict who was convicted in absentia in the Netherlands for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17) or the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Both Ukrainian citizens and international observers have details of Kyivs advances on the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia fronts through these sources. Ukrainian patriots paying attention to Russian junk media This has worked to the Kremlins advantage, says Mikhail Samus, director of the defense think tank New Geopolitics: In modern warfare, mastering information is a key element and the Russians are being very efficient. Through them we know that Leopard tanks have been destroyed. We havent said anything. Samus warns that Russian propaganda essentially serves up lies for example, giving a supposedly exaggerated number of Leopards eliminated on the battlefield but adds the key to getting the message across is for there to be some element of truth to it. Media access to the front lines, to report on these issues and counter such propaganda, has been severely limited since the beginning of the war, especially on the Russian side. As of this year, the Ukrainian General Staff has introduced even more red tape for journalists. What is certain is that via Russian information, the world knows that the armored vehicles provided to Ukraine by its NATO allies are already being deployed on the front lines. John Helin, an analyst at the Finnish Black Bird Group, confirms the Russian dominance in reporting on the war: Defense analysts are relying heavily on this because they report on the evolution of the fighting, unlike Ukrainian sources. I think it is counterproductive for Ukraines interests, and the fact that they are remaining silent gives Russia an advantage in the information world. Helin adds that even Ukrainian media accounts are using Russian sources for the first time. Its a simple rule: when you opt for silence, the audience starts listening to your enemy. We already have this problem. Even Ukrainian patriots are starting to pay attention to Russian junk media, says Viktor Tregubov, a Ukrainian Army captain and communications expert. Courtesy of Russian sources, the Ukrainian and international public is also aware of the advances being made by Ukrainian forces in Zaporizhzhia and the brigades involved. Russian observers have announced the liberation of villages in the border areas of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, even before the Ukrainian Armed Forces have. Girkin announced on Saturday that Neskuchne was in Ukrainian hands, a day before Kyiv issued an official statement. In other municipalities, such as Blahodatne or Makariivka, the same pattern has been followed. Rus Vesna reported on Monday that a Russian counteroffensive had been launched against Makariivka, even specifying the units involved. Olha Husieva, an academic at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, Germany, noted that she and her colleagues also rely on Russian sources: The Ukrainian side has agreed to pay this price, to cede control of the story to Russia, in exchange for tactical benefits on the battlefield. Husieva sees an obvious change in information strategy on the part of Kyiv, because until now it had always tried to direct media attention to its advantage; for example, in 2022, when it sent signals that a major attack was being prepared in Kherson while secretly preparing to liberate Kharkiv. Now what we have is an information blackout, Husieva says, because there are many plans underway to feel out Russian defenses and the presence of outside observers can be an advantage for the enemy. According to the expert, the Ukrainian General Staff has learned from the experience of the battle of Bakhmut, when the press had greater direct access to Ukrainian positions and instantly reported advances and setbacks. They have learned that if they do not have a secured position, it is better not to rely on the media. Helin points out it inevitable that the international community wants up-to-date information partly because of the billions of dollars donated to Ukraine in military aid and defends unofficial Russian military sources as legitimate, noting that in many cases they are opposing voices to those of the Russian Defense Ministry: Russian sources are absolutely valid, although they must be critically analyzed by the media. Information on troop movements and which units are fighting are crucial to build a larger mosaic. And while they are often propaganda, they also report on the concerns of Russian troops and mistakes made. Helin, for example, was able to identify from Russian images that three of the six Leopards carrying anti-mine equipment supplied by Finland to Ukraine were destroyed in a single battle in Zaporizhzhia. The Finnish analyst agrees that the campaign of silence in Ukraine has clearly been a success, especially among the civilian population, which does not provide any information as to what is happening. This is especially evident in the shelling of cities, where it is strictly forbidden to take pictures of explosions or any aerial objects. On social networks, it is common for Ukrainian users to report people who share images to the intelligence services, even if they do not pose any risk of identifying targets or weapons. Ukrainian military personnel training on Leopard 2 tanks on May 14, 2023. Serhii Mykhalchuk (Global Images Ukraine / Getty) Any army in the world stops reporting when there are military operations underway Samus backs the strategy of the Ukrainian authorities, because the lives of soldiers and the very existence of Ukraine are at stake: Any army in the world stops reporting when there are military operations underway, especially if they are offensive. Any information can be used to locate your units; that is why, if anything is reported, it is about events that are two or three days old. The director of New Geopolitics points out the same information policy was followed in the November counteroffensive that liberated the western part of Kherson province. The Ukrainian High Command for the Southern Front, which includes Kherson, has been the most restrictive toward the work of journalists. Last week, the enormous limitations imposed by the army in the south on covering the flooding of the Dnipro River caused by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam provoked numerous complaints from the media. Ukraine has denounced that the dam was blown up by Russian forces, a position backed by its European allies. Despite this, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on June 6 on social media that he was furious that the international media had also reported the Russian version of events that the infrastructure had been sabotaged by Ukraine, or that it had collapsed after months under artillery fire. Kuleba was outraged that the press was putting facts and propaganda on the same level. Kulebas words contrast with the fact the minister is aware of the difficulties the press has in obtaining first-hand information. A resident of Berislav, a village five kilometers (3.1 miles) from the dam, contacted the EL PAIS special correspondent on June 6, inviting him to visit the municipality to offer evidence of Russian responsibility for the catastrophe. The interview could not take place because the army prevented the journalist from going within 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of Berislav, citing security reasons on the river. Samus, Helin and Ukrainian government sources all concur on one issue: that as Ukrainian troops advance and consolidate the counteroffensive, some of these restrictions will be lifted. I believe that they cannot maintain this strategy for more than two weeks, says Husieva. Otherwise, they will lose control of the war narrative. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday attached the property of Ayaz Akbar, jailed leader of the Hurriyat Conference, in Srinagar. The attachment was carried out on the basis of an order passed by the NIA court in Delhi on May 31. Akbar was a confidant of the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani and acted as a spokesman of Hurriyat(G)Hurriyat's Geelani factionfor many years. The attaching of the Hurriyat leaders property comes a day after the NIA attached 17 properties of businessman Zahoor Watali in Handwara Kupwara on charges of terror funding. The NIA has launched a crackdown against terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370 and many people have been arrested and their properties have been attached. Senior separatist and JKLF leader Yasin Malik was awarded life sentence in May last year, in a terror funding case. Malik is also facing trial in the killing of four IAF men in Srinagar in 1990 and the kidnapping of Rubiya Sayeed, the daughter of then home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in 1989. Even as the fire engulfing the Satpura Bhawan the second most important government offices complex after the state secretariat in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal was finally controlled after 20 hours, politics kept on raging over the issue. Opposition Congress is alleging that the fire incident could be a conspiracy to destroy the evidence of corruption. Former chief minister and state Congress president Kamal Nath asked whether the fire started by itself or was started deliberately. Nath demanded a probe by an independent agency and later in the day, the Congress demanded a judicial probe into the incident in a press conference by media department chief K.K. Mishra. Mishra raised several questions regarding the incident pointing out that there have been previous incidents of fire in crucial government departments just before or after Assembly polls. He made a major allegation that among the documents destroyed were those related to scams in the health department that were allegedly undertaken during the Covid-19 period to collect funds to pay back to a Union minister who had given a loan of Rs 1,250 crores to pull down the Kamal Nath government in the state. He asked whether the fire at Satpura Bhawan was sponsored, planned and human-made so that evidence of the mega corruption and scams could be destroyed. He said that the governor should fix the accountability of the officials in this case and order a judicial probe. Mishra also questioned the atmanirbhar (self-reliant) status of Madhya Pradesh when the army had to be called to douse the fire in one of the most crucial government offices in the state capital. Questions over fire safety arrangements The incident has also raised serious questions over the fire safety arrangements in the crucial government buildings in the state capital, as it took as many as 20 hours to completely douse the fire and that too with the help of the army. There are reports that the internal fire safety arrangements in the sixth floor of Satpura Bhawan failed to work and the building layout made it difficult for the fire tenders to reach the spot. The only fortunate thing was that all people from the building could be evacuated before the fire took a massive form, thus preventing loss of life and limb. The MP Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the incident and questioned the failure of the Bhopal Municipal Commission (BMC) fire team in controlling the fire in time. Quoting reports, MPHRC chairman Manohar Mamtani and member Rajiv Tandon said that the reason for this failure was untrained fire fighters and inadequate and outdated equipment. About 80 per cent of the fire fighters of the BMC are daily wagers with no practical training. In this view, the human rights panel served notices on Bhopal Collector Ashish Singh and Municipal Commissioner K.V.S. Choudhary, seeking report and reply following a probe within three weeks. There are reports that 12,000-16,000 files of important documents of the health department and the tribal area development programmes (TADP) directorate were burnt down in the fire that engulfed the top four floors of Satpura Bhawan. Among the documents are those related to inquiry into complaints of health department officials/employees registered with economic offences wing and Lokayukta. Infrastructure and accessories worth crores of rupees at the sixth floor office of health department were burnt down. The office had been recently renovated at a cost of Rs 10 crore. As the fire kept raging for hours, the basic structure of the 40-year-old government building is likely to have weakened drastically. Home minister Narottam Mishra sought to downplay the documents destruction saying that in the digital age, it is possible to recreate the documents and also the digital versions are available. As for Congress allegations, he said that the opposition party never comes forth to help but only looks for opportunities to politicize even such serious incidents. The fire had started at the TADP office on the third floor around 4.00pm on Monday apparently due to a short circuit and took the fourth, fifth and sixth floors housing health directorate office in its ambit by late evening. The fire kept raging throughout the night despite efforts by fire tenders of various departments and agencies like the CISF and army. The fire could be finally controlled by 7.00 am on Tuesday. However, it was rekindled at around 9.30 on the sixth floor and could be controlled only by noon. The four member probe team constituted by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the spot for investigation. Aditional Chief Secretary, Home, Rajesh Rajora, Principal Secretaries of Urban Administration and Public Works Department Neeraj Mandloi and Sukhbir Singh respectively, and Additional Director General (Fire) Ashutosh Rai are the members of the team. Rajora said that technical teams were looking into various points and the probe report will be made public in three days. Home minister Mishra also said that the report by the committee will be available in three days. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at 20 locations linked to Tamil Nadu Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthil Balaji, including his official residence on Greenways Road, Chennai and his office at the State Secretariat. The searches are being conducted in relation to a money laundering case registered against the minister allegedly for committing a job recruitment scam while he was transport minister in erstwhile Jayalalithaa government, between 2011 and 2015. The searches are taking place at 20 locations in Chennai, Erode, Karur and Coimbatore. ED is also conducting searches at the residence of his brother Ashok Kumar in Chennai, located near Senthil Balajis official residence, and at his ancestral house at Rameswarampatti in Karur. The ED had earlier sent summons to Balaji and his brother which was quashed by the Madras High Court in September 2022. But on May 16, 2023, a Supreme Court bench comprising of justices V. Ramasubramanian and Krishna Murari allowed appeals against the Madras High Court order. The Supreme Court also directed the ED to continue its probe into the charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The apex court also granted the state police two months to complete the investigation and submit its final report. The Crime Branch had earlier registered three FIRs and three chargesheets regarding the job recruitment scam of which one FIR was compromised. The cases were registered during the previous Edappadi K.Palaniswami government. On Tuesday, as the ED reached the residence of Balaji, the minister who was out for his morning walk informed the media that he will cooperate with the investigation. I was on a morning walk with friends. As soon as I was notified about the searches, I immediately took a taxi and rushed to my house. I do not know what the ED is actually looking for in my house. But I will cooperate with the investigation. Be it ED or the Income Tax, I will fully cooperate with them, Balaji told presspersons. Officials from the Indian Bank and also three ED officers searched Balajis chamber in the State Secretariat for over three hours. Highly placed sources in the ED told THE WEEK that they have stumbled upon evidence that links Balaji to the job scam and money laundering. Last month, Income Tax sleuths searched the houses and premises of Senthil Balajis brother Ashok and his relatives for nine days continuously. Searches were conducted at 40 places linked to Balaji and his associates then. The 47-year-old Senthil Balaji is one of the youngest ministers in the DMK cabinet. Considered to be a key face of Stalin's government, Balaji enjoys huge clout in West Tamil Nadu and is most popular among the masses in his home turf Karur. Balaji is the minister in charge of Coimbatore, a district where DMK doesn't have even a single legislator. It is political vendetta, it is against the democratic practices. The ED is not even allowing the advocates to meet Balaji since morning, DMK organising secretary R.S. Bharathi informed the media. Apparently, Balaji has emerged powerful in the West, particularly in Coimbatore, Pollachi and his home turf Karur which could spoil the prospects of BJP and its ally AIADMK. Two militants have been killed in an encounter at Dobnar, Machal near the line of control in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir police said on Tuesday. The police said the militants were killed in a joint operation by the police and the army. Two(02) #terrorists have been # neautralised in a joint operation of Army and Kupwara Police at Dobnar, Machal area of LoC# Kupwara district. Search still continues, police tweeted. -- This is a developing story As all the main opposition parties head to Patna for the unity conclave on June 23, K. Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS party is trying to carve its independent identity. The party is on an expansion mode ever since it changed the name Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi to reflect its national aspirations. The party has already made inroads into Maharashtra, set up a party unit in Madhya Pradesh with the inclusion of several activists, while in Haryana, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni has been roped in to lead its expansion in the state. The mainstay of BRS national outreach is engaging with the farmers in different states by showcasing its Telangana model of governance. The state government provides Rs 10,000 per acre per year as subsidy, a life cover of Rs 5 lakh, 24-hour electricity supply, and has set up clusters every 5,000 acres where government officials discuss issues of farmers and address their grievances. Despite its several welfare schemes, Telangana is a revenue-surplus state. The party is also showcasing that its government provides Dalits Rs 10 lakh to start self-employment. Sources said BRS is expanding its reach in states where farmers are a potent electoral constituency as they constitute over 50 per cent of the population of the country which is sufficient to win elections. This explains its initial forays into Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. The party is in talks with leaders in other states in the Hindi heartland to expand its reach. While other parties are focusing on welfare schemes for women and youth, BRS has picked up a specific group to start with. The party may announce a major guarantee for farmers in terms of free power and water ahead of the 2024 elections, sources said. Ab ki baar Kisan Sarkar is BRS slogan. As part of its expansion plans, the BRS is also opening party offices in these states and has arranged vehicles for campaigns. It is also setting up smaller panels in villages dedicated to different social groups like women, youth, Dalits, OBCs, tribals, farmers, minority communities, students, and retired personnel. The party aims to equip its offices with modern technology and would provide each village committee leadership with gadgets to expand its social media network. The party also aims to run langar (community kitchen) at its main offices which will provide free food to around 600 people, including cadre. In Madhya Pradesh, which goes to the election later this year, BRS roped in key social activist Anand Rai, who was instrumental in exposing the Vyapam scam. "Tribal rights organisation Jai Adivasi Yuvashakti Sangathan (JAYS) also declared its support to the party," BRS said in a statement last week. In May, BRS held a two-day training camp for its cadre in Nanded, Maharashtra, where newly enrolled members from all 288 assembly constituencies participated. Telangana chief minister had hinted that new leadership would be groomed in 45,000 villages and 5,000 odd municipal wards in Maharashtra. BRS is in the process of setting up party offices in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Marathwada. After Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the BRS will train its focus on Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, sources said. The BRS has positioned itself as ideologically opposed to the BJP, which is also trying hard to gain foothold in Telangana which will go to polls later this year. The expansion plans of the BRS could upset parties opposed to the BJP as the party is drawing its new members from them. The big test for the party will come when these states go to the polls. The jury is still out. NASA scientists propose microbial life may exist in Moon's dark craters Studies have provided compelling evidence for the survival of microorganisms in extreme environments Human presence on the Moon could introduce and support microbial growth In a groundbreaking revelation, NASA scientists suggest that the Moon, long considered a lifeless celestial body, may harbor microbial life in its dark craters located at the lunar south pole. Prabal Saxena, a planetary researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, has presented compelling evidence indicating that certain areas on airless bodies, including the Moon, could offer potentially habitable environments for microbial organisms. Saxena and his team have identified the permanently shadowed craters at the lunar south pole as the most promising sites for microbial life. These regions remain untouched by the sun's harmful radiation, creating a protective haven for extreme microbes to survive. Notably, recent studies have shown that various microorganisms have demonstrated remarkable resilience to harsh lunar-like conditions, further fueling the plausibility of microbial existence. While the origin of these lunar microbes is still uncertain, Saxena ponders the possibility that they may have originated from Earth and survived the journey to the Moon. The upcoming Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for late 2025, aims to return humans to the lunar surface after over half a century. With 13 potential landing sites near the lunar south pole under consideration, NASA scientists are keen to investigate the presence of microbial life during this historic mission. Although the possibility of discovering extraterrestrial life originating from Earth may seem disappointing, scientists argue that it should not deter the ongoing search for life beyond our planet. Uncovering the ability of microorganisms to survive in the lunar environment would have far-reaching implications and deepen our understanding of the potential for life in extreme conditions. Prabal Saxena, renowned for his work on identifying potential habitats for alien life beyond our solar system, has redirected his focus towards our own Moon. By investigating the lunar south pole's unique characteristics, including the presence of ice within craters that could serve as a resource for future space missions, Saxena and his team aim to unravel the mysteries of potential microbial life. Recent studies have provided compelling evidence for the survival of microorganisms in extreme environments. For instance, the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans survived for a year on the exterior of the International Space Station, while the resilient tardigrades have endured exposure to the harsh conditions of outer space. Saxena's team is currently working to identify the specific organisms most suited to thrive in the lunar south pole's shadowed craters. Even if microbial life does not currently exist on the Moon, the prospect of human exploration and colonization increases the likelihood of introducing microorganisms to its surface. Saxena and his team propose that if their hypothesis holds true, these introduced microbes could not only survive but also potentially grow and thrive in the protected and secluded environment of the Moon's permanently shadowed craters. As NASA prepares for the ambitious Artemis missions, the potential discovery of microbial life on the Moon's south pole holds great significance for future space exploration and our understanding of the origins and survivability of life in the universe. A regional governor says at least three people were killed and 25 wounded after missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. A five-storey building got destroyed. According to initial reports, three of its residents died. Twenty-five people were injured, Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said on Telegram. There are still people under the rubble. Serhiy Lysak, head of the regional administration, said the strike hit a five-story residential building early Tuesday and the area was engulfed in fire. He said in a Telegram post that rescue operations were ongoing. According to Lysak, three of the Kh-101/555 cruise missiles were shot down. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose home town is Kryvyi Rih, said the rescue operation was continuing in the city and added that Russia was continuing its war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. In the meantime, Kyiv and the north-eastern city of Kharkiv also came under missile and drone attack. All enemy targets in the airspace around Kyiv were detected and successfully destroyed, Kyivs city military administration said. According to initial reports, a utility company in the Kyivskyi district, as well as a warehouse in Saltivskyi district got damaged. A fire broke out as a result of the explosion on the latter, Kharkiv's mayor Ihor Terekhov told the Guardian. Ukraine, on Sunday, reclaimed three villages after a week of launching a counter-offensive. Air raid sirens were sounded in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the neighbouring Donetsk and Poltava regions. "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ The Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:13 In the depths of Colombia's Guaviare jungle of the Amazon Forest danger lurks amidst the lush foliage, predators abound, the weather is inclement and hostile, it is a place that would exasperate the best trained men. There, swallowed into its belly of wilderness, four small children were at the mercy of the mighty forces of nature's untamed savagery. It was an image that just could not leave the mind of Brigadier General Pedro Sanchez Suarez, commander of Colombia's Joint Special Operations Command in charge of the search for the children lost after surviving a light plane crash in the jungle that killed their mother. For the 35 days of the search, Sanchez held his son closer than ever when he kissed him good night, aware that he was tucking him into a comfortable bed, under a secure roof, without rain and protected from all dangers. In those moments, he told Colombia's Caracol Network, his thoughts transported him to the jungle, dark, difficult, full of danger, full of adverse conditions, rain, bad weather, "these four children trying to survive". He said that as a human being beneath that uniform, as a father, he felt these children as his own. What is more, he said most of his men out in the jungle, searching for them, had also made that emotional bond. The lost children were becoming Colombia's children. The unwavering determination sense of duty are still etched in the general's face as he describes how his men embarked on a restless, treacherous mission to find the lost children. The search was arduous; each passing day gnawed at the fragile thread of hope that Sanchez said filled all with the fear of not finding the children before the jungle consumed their lives. But if these children had guardian angels, they came in the form of tough, resilient military men and indigenous scouts who were willing to defy the hostile wilderness to rescue them. With them, General Sanchez stood as a beacon of strength and determination. The children were found and rescued 40 days after the tragic plane crash. It was faith, and hope, said Sanchez, that got them through, and it was love that made it possible. That is a human love for children that they did not know. A love that transcended dangers and united strangers in a common purpose. It was a love that carved the jungle into sections of a spider net to find the children and defy the odds. It was a human commitment, the commitment of men who are or would-be fathers, searching for the children that had become every child in Colombia, the first and the last, and all the children that would ever be. A nation was transformed, and so were the men. It is clear it was a commitment that extended far beyond their military duties. In the poetry of life, for General Sanchez, and for his counterpart, General Jhor William Cotua, commander of the Colombian Special Forces, that commitment will extend for the rest of their lives. They have been named godparents to the two youngest children. In Latin American culture, the godfather or "padrino" holds great significance in the life of children and carries various responsibilities and traditions. It is a lifelong role akin to a second parent, stepping in throughout life with spiritual, moral and emotional guidance. It is a special familial bond that begins at baptism. On the plane from the jungle base to the capital, Bogota, where the children were for medical care and follow-up after the rescue, the children's father Manuel Roanoque was speaking with General Sanchez, who was asking his thoughts on their performance during the successful rescue. Then, in a moment, Roanoque turned to the tough general and said, "General I want you to be the godfather of the girl, the youngest one." Sanchez tells the story with a beaming face; he touches his heart, and he appears to be fighting a knot in his throat. "For me it is an honor," he told Caracol. It was a tender moment, a poignant bond forged amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the children's 40-day ordeal. Sanchez shared the story of his own family, how they have just one son, a 9-year-old, and how his wife and he had spoken often of adopting another child. "I told my wife that it is now reality, that we will have a daughter," he said in a voice overwhelmed by emotion. "She will have a different last name but that does not matter." He said he told his son they now had in the family a new baby to take care of. "We will, dad," he said his son responded. In that fleeting instant, the general was enveloped in a profound sense of humanity, as if the daunting rescue effort, the hope, the faith, and love he felt converged upon his being. The innocence and vulnerability of his godchild-to-be touching his heart in a way he couldn't explain. It was a sacred juncture. Then Sanchez became the general again, "It is normal for victory to have thousands of parents, but defeat is an orphan. The reality is that it was the indigenous workers that found the children." The two gallant generals, the men of honor and valor, however, will take the rescued souls as spiritual children and will protect, guide, and nurture them as if they were their own flesh and blood. Yet that special bond is already there. It was in looking into the pupils of their eyes, said Sanchez, that he simply understood that it is possible to achieve what one wants when one has faith and hope... and love. Former President Donald Trump will appear before the federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday to face charges in the classified documents case. This will be Trump's second courtroom appearance this year, the first in April in a New York courthouse on charges of falsifying business records. Trump, who is the Presidential candidate for 2024, landed in Miami on Monday on his private plane from a resort at Bedminister in New Jersey, where he had been staying. Though Trump has been charged with 37 counts of unauthorised retention of national security information, the court hearing will clarify the charges. Trump has already made it clear that he would plead not guilty to the charges. The GOP front-runner is also expected to address his followers after he flies back to Bedminster after the indictment. The case pertains to Trump illegally storing dozens of highly-sensitive documents at his Florida resort, refusing to return them to the FBI and National Archives. His courtroom appearance is likely to witness protests by his supporters with many tagging the probe by "special counsel Jack Smith, as an act of war." While the former president is expected to surrender to U.S. marshals at local time 3 pm, here is what to expect from his courtroom appearance. Unlikely to be handcuffed Though criminal defendants are often handcuffed and photographed for a mug shot, it is unlikely that Trump will be subjected to the same, since the main purpose of the same is identification. Trump, already the most popular face in the US, wouldn't require it. In April, during the first indictment at NewYork, Trump was fingerprinted but not handcuffed or photographed. In Miami too, he will likely be fingerprinted as it is standard practice for processing federal criminal defendants. However, there is still ambiguity on whether or not Trump's DNA profiling will be carried out. Who will oversee the hearing Though there is not yet clear who will oversee the hearing, Trumps case has been assigned to Judge Aileen M. Cannon. Judge Cannon had earlier handled a lawsuit filed by Trump against challenging the FBIs court-authorised search of his Florida estate. Judge Cannon, appointed by Trump, had sprung a surprise when she granted Trumps request for an independent special master to review the documents. The process had reportedly slowed down the probe and raised brows about the judge's impartiality. Her interventions even resulted in a conservative appeals court rebuking her. Usually, such hearings are overseen by a magistrate judge and on Tuesday it could be Bruce Reinhard, the magistrate who signed the search warrant for Mar-a-Lago. Can the public watch the indictment The indictment will not be televised as cameras are prohibited in the building. Besides, Cecilia Altonaga, chief judge for the Southern District of Florida, has banned media from bringing phones and other electronic equipment into the courthouse. The public too is unlikely to see Trump appearing before the court as the building is connected by underground tunnels, making it easier for Trump to evade the public. Will Trump take a plea deal Donald Trump has already told the media that he will not take a plea deal unless. Stating that he would not be convicted, Trump said he did not anticipate taking a plea deal, though he left open the possibility of doing so "where they pay me some damages." Two human rights groups-- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have scheduled a private screening of a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi on June 20. The screening will take place two days before PM Modi's state visit to the US, and policy-makers, journalists and analysts have been invited to it. The documentary questions the Indian prime minister's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Modi is set to reach the US on a state visit on June 21. The prime minister has visited the US multiple times in his tenure, but, this will be the first time it will be classified as a state visit. Modi will be in the US from 21 to 24. State visits are officially described as 'visit of (name of the state) rather than 'visit of (name of the leader) since they are visits to foreign countries led by a head of state/government, acting in their sovereign capacity. In the US, state visits occur only at the invitation of the president, acting in their capacity as the head of state. State visits usually comprise a number of elaborate ceremonies. In the US these ceremonies include greeting the visiting head of state at the tarmac or a flight line ceremony, a 21-gun salute White House arrival ceremony, a White House dinner, an exchange of diplomatic gifts, an invitation to stay at the Blair House (the US Presidents guesthouse across the Pennsylvania Avenue) and flag street lining. Modi's state visit is of great significance as it marks his first visit to the US since President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extended the invitation. The prime minister will be hosted for a state dinner by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on June 22. About three days before Modi's arrival, on June 18, Indian Americans across the country have announced plans for a 'India Unity Day' march to be held in 20 major cities including Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. On June 21, a cultural event has been planned at Lafayette Square Park, which is situated right in front of the White House. The event will highlight India's growth and development in the past nine years. On June 21, the prime minister is expected to lead International Yoga Day celebrations in New York, in front of the UN building. On June 22, several thousand Indian Americans are expected to gather on the South Lawns of the White House, where Modi will be welcomed by President Biden and the First Lady with a 21-gun salute. The moment is bound to be historic as this is the first time a country-specific diaspora has been invited to the White House in such large numbers. On the evening of June 22, the Biden family will host Modi for a state dinner, which will be held in a tent. On June 23, lunch will be held at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department. It will be hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and the Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Modi's state visit illustrates India's close friendship with the US. The visit is also an important one as it precedes India's hosting of the G20 Summit in September. During his trip, PM Modi will be addressing a joint session of the Congress. The prime minister will also address diaspora leaders from across the country on June 23. High-tech defence manufacturing, sustainability and climate change will be topics of discussion during Modi's visit. The visit is expected to elevate bilateral ties between India and the US. There could also be collaboration in computing and cybersecurity. Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed International migration has taken center stage in the policy debate in Latin America and the Caribbean. Virtually all countries of the region are participants in migration cycles, be they countries of origin, destination, return or transit. According to United Nations estimates, in 2020, 43 million of the regions inhabitants were living outside their country of birth, accounting for 15% of the global migrant population. The United States remains the leading migratory destination, although several countries of South America have attracted large numbers of migrants, particularly Venezuelan nationals. The Coordination Plataform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), estimates that there are 6 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the region, living primarily in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Brazil. Migratory movements across the region reflect both push and pull factors. Push factors include the structural lack of opportunities for decent work and economic crises, environmental disasters and the effects of climate change, humanitarian crises, and, increasingly, the rise in insecurity and all forms of violence. Pull factors include greater employment opportunities, education, better salaries and family reunification. While Latin America and the Caribbean has traditionally been a region of migration, the salient feature of the current panorama is the intensification and increasing complexity of migration. Today, international migration is ever more marked by irregular flows and may involve economic migrants, environmental migrants, forced or involuntary migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, irregular migrants, trafficked persons, victims of trafficking and stranded migrants, and unaccompanied children and adolescents, among others. The common thread in these mixed migration flows is the vulnerability of many of the persons concerned. More information To effectively manage migration go bigger The difficulties faced by migrants on the move have reached unacceptable levels that appeal to our conscience. Transit to the United States is typified by migrant caravans and unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents in Central America and Mexico, and there has been a sharp increase in migration flows through the Darien Gap, one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world: 2022 saw around 250,000 irregular entries through the area, almost double the 2021 figure. There are also a number of routes in South America, such as the Colchane border crossing on the Chilean-Bolivian altiplano, which claim human lives. Scores of lives were lost in the recent fire at a migrant center in Ciudad Juarez. Migration is a development and rights issue which demands a response grounded in a comprehensive approach to sustainable development and the obligation of States to protect human dignity, regardless of gender, age, origin, ethnicity or migration status. The approach at ECLAC is one framed by migration governance that is profoundly people-centric and empowers countries to make appropriate decisions that do not compromise the dignity of migrants, recognizing their contributions to sustainable development. The contributions of migrants are manifold. Many of the countries of the region with the highest rates of immigration have aging populations, which points to the need to incorporate a working-age population, particularly in light of the labor shortages becoming apparent in some sectors, such as agriculture, care and services. ECLAC studies have also shown that migrants contribute significantly to economic growth and cultural diversity. In all countries, remittances are an important component of household income and help to alleviate poverty. The World Bank estimates that remittance inflows to Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $142 billion in 2022, which represents 20% or more of GDP for countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua. It cannot be overlooked that during the pandemic, the regions migrant population played a key role, performing front-line jobs in transport, health services and care. However, lack of access to decent work, social protection, health, education and housing for many migrants, who are one of the most vulnerable population groups in the region, is cause for concern. Regularization processes must be streamlined to allow migrants access to employment and to social services. Fighting xenophobia and discrimination against migrant populations is also a must. A multilateral response to the challenges of migration is needed. In 2018, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, a framework for improving international cooperation on all aspects of migration, was adopted under the auspices of the United Nations. The Global Compact indicates that migration is safe, orderly and secure when it occurs in compliance with the laws and regulations governing the exit from, entry into, return to, and stay in states, and with states obligations under international law to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of migrants, recognizing and mitigating the risks associated with human movements. On 25 March, in the Santo Domingo Declaration adopted at the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, the countries of the region reiterated their commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration, with full respect for the human rights of migrants. ECLAC firmly believes that migration should be an informed and free choice, and not a necessity imposed by deprivation and suffering. This is why a regional approach to the management of migration is needed, establishing shared responsibilities among states and taking into account the entire migration cycle. States are also encouraged to update their migration laws to ensure that they adequately respond to the new challenges. Most importantly, what is required is the promotion of productive, inclusive and sustainable development, with more and better jobs and opportunities in countries of origin. ECLAC therefore promotes growth, employment generation and improved well-being through productive development policies that boost economic sectors and steer development patterns towards more knowledge-intensive sectors, with higher rates of growth in demand and employment, for the benefit of both migrant and non-migrant populations. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs is Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Authorities in Pakistan's Sindh province have enlisted the help of the Army and Navy as they stepped up the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents living near the coastline as Cyclone Biparjoy moved closer to the country's commercial hub, Karachi. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) latest advisory, Biparjoy which has been downgraded from extremely severe cyclonic storm to very severe cyclonic storm moved further north-northwestward during the last 12 hours. It now lies near latitude 20.7N and longitude 67.1E at a distance of about 470km south of Karachi and 460km south of Thatta. The PMD stated that maximum sustained surface winds are 140-150 km/hour gusts 170 km/hour around the system centre, and sea conditions are phenomenal around the system centre with a maximum wave height of 30 feet. Under the existing upper-level steering winds, the cyclone is most likely to track further northward until the morning of June 14, then recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and India's Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon/evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with packing winds of 100-120Km/hour. Large-scale evacuations have been ordered by the southern Sindh government. Sindh's Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah told the media that an emergency had been declared and the Army and Navy drafted in to help relocate more than 80,000 people at risk. We will not request people but demand them to evacuate, he told reporters, adding that the order was being issued through social media, mosques and radio stations. The Chief Minister said that large-scale evaluations are already being carried out in Thatta, Keti Bundar, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar and UmerKot districts areas likely to face the brunt of the Cyclone Biparjoy, which means disaster or calamity in the Bengali language. The help of the Army and Navy has been enlisted to move people to safer places in government schools and offices and other temporary shelters until this crisis is over, Murad said. Residents living near and around the Seaview beach in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi have also been told to voluntarily evacuate their homes in view of the threat posed by the cyclone which is expected to make a landfall near the Keti Bandar coastal area in the province. The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) issued a notice on Monday to residents of the homes and apartments near and adjoining areas of Seaview Beach and Darakshan to voluntarily evacuate their homes and move inland in Karachi to safer places till the situation gets better. The DHA said the precautionary measure is necessary due to the threat of flooding, heavy rains and severe winds caused by the cyclone. The PMD said that the cyclone might cause havoc in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Residents in many parts of Karachi posted on social media that they could already see the effects of Cyclone Biparjoy over the city with gusty winds. Television channels showed visuals of families moving on roads through various means with their belongings in Badin and Sujawal after evacuating their villages. We are expecting the high-intensity winds, heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms and high tides to damage vulnerable structures so we have started taking precautions and are evacuating the people at least 10 kilometres away from coastal areas, Jahanzaib Khan a director of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar held an emergency meeting last night regarding the preparations made in Badin ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy hitting the coastal areas. Military officials and heads of civil institutions, including Sindh Rangers Director General and Hyderabad GOC, participated in the meeting. The persons concerned briefed the corps commander on the preparations, who expressed satisfaction with the timely arrangements. "All resources will be used to deal with potential threats," the corps commander directed the officials, adding that Pakistan Army troops have already reached various places in case rescue efforts are needed. "Under no circumstances will the people be left alone," he said. Instructions have been issued to all garrisons of the Pakistan Army regarding public assistance and rescue missions on an emergency basis. Fresh troops of the Pakistan Army have been dispatched from Hyderabad, Badin, and Malir cantonments to help the civil administration. The troops will assist the administration in evacuating vulnerable populations from the coastal belt. Around 90,000 citizens from the coastal areas of Thatta, Sajawal, and Badin have to be shifted to safer places. Moreover, all garrisons of Karachi Corps have been readied for all kinds of relief activities and management of affected people. Climate Minister Sherry Rehman took to Twitter to urge citizens to take the advisories issued by authorities seriously. #BiparjoyCyclone is real. Without panicking, people need to take @pdmasindhpk and @PDMABalochistan advisories seriously for the coastal areas, she said. So far, it has reduced intensity only for the Balochistan side [I am] told but it is highly unpredictable so please do not take it casually. It is varying in intensity but caution is crucial, especially near the Sindh coast. Karachi will likely face urban flooding given the scale and intensity of winds. Precautionary evacuations in Seaview areas have begun. We will keep you updated, she said. China on Tuesday slammed the United States for imposing export restrictions on companies training Chinese pilots. Beijing slammed the restrictions and urged the Biden administration to stop abusing export control measures. China criticised sanctions on companies believed to be involved in training Chinese military pilots and aiding weapons development. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Washington to stop abusing export control measures to hobble Chinese companies. According to reports, the US added 43 entities to an export control list for training Chinese military pilots and other activities that threaten US national security. The list includes both Chinese and foreign companies. The United States has repeatedly overstretched the concept of national security, abused state power, unwarrantedly suppressed Chinese companies, and wantonly disrupted the international economic order and trade rules, Wang said at a daily briefing in Beijing. It has reached a level of unscrupulous hysteria. China demands that the US immediately correct its wrong practice of politicising, instrumentalising, and weaponising economic, trade, and sci-tech issues with a pretext of human rights or military-related issues, Wang said. Companies on the list are restricted from receiving US exports for activities deemed contrary to US interest, the South China Morning Post reported. Among those listed were Frontier Services Group Ltd, a security and aviation company previously run by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, and Test Flying Academy of South Africa, a flight school under scrutiny by British authorities for hiring retired British military pilots to train Chinese fliers. In addition to recruiting Western pilots to train Peoples Liberation Army pilots on Western aircraft manoeuvres, companies were added to the list for acquiring US-origin items in support of Chinas military modernisation, including hypersonic weapons development and hypersonic flight modelling, the Commerce Department release said. The companies are barred from receiving US exports for activities deemed contrary to US national interest. Other companies were sanctioned for aiding development of China's hypersonic weapons and the modernization of its army, the Commerce Department said. Two companies--Beijing Ryan Wende Science and Technology Co. Ltd and Xinjiang Kehua Hechang Biological Science and Technology Co. Ltd -- were added for allegedly supplying items that helped the Chinese government monitor Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The US has imposed several rounds of sanctions and import curbs over the past three years on companies believed to be aiding Beijing's crackdown on ethnic minorities in its western Xinjiang region. While the two countries spar over national security and human rights issues, they are also working to keep lines of communication open to avoid an accidental conflict. According to SCMP, Nine Chinese and Pakistani companies were included in the list for contributing to Pakistans ballistic missile programme and other weapons contributions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Beijing later this week, in a visit previously postponed due to an alleged Chinese spy balloon that traveled across US territory in February. (With PTI inputs.) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 13: In a remarkable recognition of their exemplary achievements, Vinay Addagiri, Co-Founder and Director & Suresh Nagala, Co-Founder and Vice-President at Aertsen Living were conferred with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 award by Telangana Government and Vande Bharath Trust. The duo has added yet another noteworthy achievement to their list of successes. This recent milestone follows their prestigious acknowledgement with the "Pride of Hyderabad' award, showcasing their continued dedication and accomplishments. Mr. Vinay Addagiri & Mr. Suresh Nagala were presented with the award by the respected Jagan Mohan Rao, chairman of Telangana State Technology Services, Dr. Ramesh Eppallapalli, Chairman of Vandhe Bhrat Trust, and Dr. Ramesh Martha, Liason Officer, NIMS at an event held at The Address Convention, Narsingi. However, their success in part is due to the efforts made by The Government of Telangana. The Government of Telangana has played a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for young talent to pursue entrepreneurship within the state. Recognizing the importance of nurturing innovation and job creation, the government has implemented several initiatives and policies to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs. Telangana's remarkable achievements on the global stage have served as a powerful inspiration for "Aertsen Living," propelling them to reach impressive heights in their own endeavours. The state has gained international recognition for its strides in various sectors, particularly technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The government's proactive policies and initiatives aimed at promoting startups and fostering innovation have resulted in a thriving startup ecosystem within the state. Witnessing the successes of Telangana-based startups and entrepreneurs, who have achieved significant milestones on the global stage, has instilled a deep sense of ambition and determination in "Aertsen Living." They are driven to emulate such triumphs. Benefiting from the supportive environment, robust infrastructure, and abundant opportunities provided by Telangana, "Aertsen Living" aspires to make its mark and contribute to the state's rich legacy of excellence in the international arena. The company expresses profound gratitude for the inspiration and support they have received, vowing to remain dedicated to achieving remarkable feats while actively contributing to Telangana's global reputation. Coming back to the award, the Vandhe Bharat Bheeshma Vashista Puraskar is an accolade, honouring outstanding achievements by exceptional people in various domains. Vinay Addagiri & Suresh Nagala were honoured with the award for their innovative contribution and success in home interior solutions and modular furniture. Addressing this award Mr. Suresh Nagala said, As an architect and designer, I am committed to creating innovative and sustainable solutions that make a positive impact on people's lives. This award will serve as a source of inspiration for me to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in my field. Furthermore, through their years of diligent effort and a unique combination of creativity, quality, and functionality, Vinay Addagiri and Suresh Nagala have redefined the benchmarks for luxury home interiors in Telangana. Their unwavering dedication to excellence and meticulous attention to detail have positioned them as a formidable presence in the field of interior design. Consequently, Aertsen Living has emerged as one of the rapidly expanding entities in Telangana, showcasing its groundbreaking approach to the artistry of home interiors. But it is important to mention the contributions from Mr. Manidhar Anumula, Co-Founder and Director at Aertsen Living, as he has been instrumental in shaping the remarkable growth path of the company while empowering young entrepreneurs on their entrepreneurial journeys. With his invaluable mentorship and guidance, Aertsen has experienced unprecedented success, emerging as a prominent market leader and garnering recognition from industry experts. Mr. Manidhar's strategic acumen and profound knowledge of the market have played a pivotal role in steering the company through various challenges and swiftly capitalizing on opportunities, imbuing the organization with agility and confidence. His unwavering commitment has fostered an environment of innovation and excellence, propelling Aertsen to new heights of success. Moreover, the creative minds behind Aertsen Living Vinay Addagiri & Suresh Nagala possess a combination of skills and expertise that has propelled the company to new heights. Their passion for interior design, coupled with their thorough understanding of the domain has been instrumental in shaping the company's roadmap to success. In many ways, this was destined to happen, as the duo spent their formative years tirelessly learning from the best while honing themselves to do what it takes to be at the top. Even though Aertsen Living is in its juvenile phase, there is no doubt this flood of recognition by the Telangana government and other prominent names in the country is a testament to their outstanding work and remarkable contributions to the industry, Indian households, and the country's economy. Through their relentless pursuit of excellence, they are well on their way to achieving greatness and transforming every Indian home into a beautiful and sustainable retreat. Marking the beginnings of something special, Aertsen Living was birthed in the humblest of fashion. A small-time furniture-importing business based out of Vijayawada in 2014 was the blueprint for the flourishing home interior brand Aertsen Living has matured into today. Enamoured by the eyeful beauty of the designs, the depth of craftsmanship and the solidarity of the quality in the products of a European Kitchen brand sourced from the Netherlands, filled Mr. Manidhar Anumula with the need to introduce such products to the Indian market. Thus, he teamed up with Mr. Vinay Addagiri in 2018 to acquire franchise rights and instigate a higher standard of luxury furniture in Indian homes. Skipping sometime in the future, Mr. Suresh Nagala joined the duo to evolve the business into an End-to-End home interior solution provider. A year later in November 2019, Aertsen Living owned by the Nirmaan Group was established and by the time July 2020 rolled out Aertsen Living officially came into existence. Later that year in September, Aertsen Living launched Chryso, Jade, Brilliant, Coral and Sapphire finishes under the Hi-Living series. But this wasnt the end of achievements in the year, in October Aertsen Living launched its first Experience Centre, followed by expanding its team and delivering its first full-fledged project. Akin to the previous year, 2021 also saw a number of achievements kick-starting the year, Aertsen Living started operations in Vijayawada and Guntur, May of the same year marked the 25th finished project with the team expanded to 35 members, just the next month Aertsen Living expanded its offering to economy range as Easy Care Series. Soon afterwards, Aertsen established its own modular manufacturing unit in Hyderabad and to end 2021 in the best way possible, Aertsen Living delivered its 75th finished project while expanding the team to 60. As of now, Aertsen operates in over 7 cities in Andhra Pradesh and in the entire Telangana state with 500+ finished projects and 100+ employees. As the state, country, and the world inch closer to a better future, Vinay Addagiri & Suresh Nagala are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of beautiful, sustainable, and functional homes. While also acting as an inspiration and reminder for entrepreneurs everywhere of the powers of passion and dedication to work. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR MUMBAI, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the World No Tobacco Day' 23, medical experts shared their views at an ET Edge panel discussion on how science-backed policymaking is the way to achieve public health goals. India has been progressive with numerous specialised policies being adopted in the past. While battling the pandemic, Indian leaders devised an independent strategy customized for the population. In fact, India became a case study for the world on digital public health systems. Further, the Union Health Ministry launched a 60-day pan India campaign on the theme 'tobacco-free youth' to support young smoker quit. However, India still has 1 in every 4 adults consuming tobacco. It would need a middle path with safer alternatives to have a realistic impact towards tobacco control. With the second largest tobacco using population in the world, India witnesses over a million tobacco related deaths every year in the country. The healthcare expenditure associated leads to a loss of productivity and costs as much as 1% of the country's GDP. Customized policies backed by science needs to come to the fore to realize a public health opportunity. During a discussion at an ET Edge event, Dr. Kiran Melkote, an orthopedic surgeon based in Delhi, and member of AHRER (Association for Harm Reduction, Education and Research), said, "On an average it takes smokers thirty attempts to quit, and the large majority never manages to do so as the likelihood of quitting decreases with each attempt. The inclusion of Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) is a step in the right direction, however, we need to keep progressing on such policies. Lastly, while drafting laws there must be a representation of tobacco users to understand their fears and take their aspirations into account which is lacking at the moment." In a lancet article by two former WHO officials, Prof. Robert Beaglehole and Prof. Ruth Bonita, conveyed that WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) does not prohibit reduced risk approaches to treating tobacco dependence, including the use of novel nicotine alternatives. The FCTC Conference of Parties has encouraged governments to regulate these alternatives as appropriate to their national laws and public health objectives. Recently, Britain has announced that it is encouraging smokers to swap cigarettes for safer alternatives. Under the scheme, almost one in five smokers will get a starter kit along with support to help quit smoking, UK's Department of Health (DoH) said. Sweden is emerging as a leading country on its way to achieve a smoke free status. They achieved this through a tailored approach leading to the smoking rate falling from 15% to 5.6% in just 15 years. The Swedish model combines recommendations in the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, but it also accepts safer alternatives. Similarly, Japan has seen a 25% reduction in tobacco consumption ever since the Japanese government regulated safer alternatives in 2016. This trend is true for developing countries as well. A study under Thailand's house standing committee on public health suggests that the government should adopt a policy of Tobacco Cessation and revisit relevant laws towards safer alternatives. Egyptian experts associated with the government have voiced their opinion about novel nicotine options being a viable path for policy makers to adopt. Sharing his perspective on the benefits of switching to less harmful alternatives, Prof Dr. Nimesh G Desai, Senior Consultant in Psychiatry, and former Director IHBAS, said, "In the last 30-40 years, there have been progressive policies and programs for tobacco control by the Government. Habits related to alcohol and tobacco can be defined as bio-behavioural disorders which unfortunately also bring significant social and moral dimensions. For solutions where we have equivocal evidence, regulation is a much better approach than an outright ban." Since tobacco cannot be taken out of the population mix, it becomes pivotal to explore and adopt non-combustible safer alternatives that remove tar from tobacco. Adult smokers of varied degree need a diversified approach to help them quit. A good and progressive public policy must allow customers to obtain innovative solutions based on informed choices. To help the Indian adult smokers, policy makers could explore tobacco risk reduction as a national health intervention. Science & evidence of cessation, nicotine replacement therapies & introduction of reduced harm, safer alternatives are innovative means that could help. Countries across the globe are adopting progressive policies. In order not to miss this opportunity, India needs to revisit present regulations and embrace science-backed policymaking for public health. Studies have established how prohibition on reduced-risk products has the ill-effect of increased tobacco usage. Hence, a middle path involving a reduced risk approach will benefit millions of legal age smokers who struggle to quit and help reduce the public health burden of the Government. About ET Edge: ET Edge is an initiative founded to empower multiple industries and segments by sharing critical business knowledge through strategic conferences and summits. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR CHANDIGARH, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chandigarh University (CU) chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu announced that the Chandigarh University will offer every kind of help to the 700 Indian students who have fallen prey to fake college admission offer letters by the fraudulent consultants if they are deported from Canada. Sandhu said this during the varsity's annual convocation that was held on Friday at the campus premises. "Our government is working closely with their counterparts in Canada to resolve the issue which we are hopeful will happen soon," he said while talking to the media. Left in the lurch, 700-odd Indian students, mostly from Punjab, are facing deportation from Canada after the authorities in the country found their admission offer letters to be fake. Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "The university will provide every possible help to these students if they are deported. We will give them admission and enroll them in the same batches. Their credit score mapping will be carried out properly so that the credits earned by them in their previous institutions are not wasted. Bridge courses will also be offered to them if any gap is found during the credit score mapping. The university will make sure that they do not face any loss." Sandhu also said that if these students are deported, later the university will also assist them in pursuing their study abroad dreams in legitimate ways. "We understand the situation they are facing right now in the foreign country. We can feel their pain and stand with their families back in India," said Satnam Singh Sandhu, adding that the university is also exploring starting a helpline number for the affected students and their families. Meanwhile, more than 1400 students were awarded undergraduate and postgraduate, and Ph.D. degrees during the annual convocation held at CU on Friday. The convocation ceremony was attended by former president of India Ram Nath Kovind as chief guest. About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. Website: https://www.cuchd.in/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2098836/SatnamSinghSandhu.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday hit back at Congress leader K C Venugopal for his attack on the Centre over rising airfares, saying he was "cherry-picking" facts while forgetting the "step-brotherly" treatment given to civil aviation during the UPA rule. Venugopal had on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Centre over rising airfares, alleging that the government has been incapable of preventing "predatory behaviour" on part of airlines and has "facilitated a loot at the hands of crony airport operators". Venugopal and Scindia have been engaging in a verbal duel on Twitter over the state of the aviation sector. Venugopal in a tweet Sunday said hard facts and everyday suffering of the middle class cannot be wished away by distorting figures and misrepresenting the actual facts on the ground. Hitting back at Venugopal, Scindia said, "@kcvenugopalmp Ji continues to cherry-pick facts, and forgets the step-brotherly treatment given to civil aviation during the UPA Govt rule." "FYI, here's what a hands-on approach looks like: there has been an increase in fares, mostly, for routes that were earlier being serviced by GoFirst. The Ministry not only took cognisance of the issue quickly, but also intervened by sending strict advisories to airlines to self-regulate fares. The DGCA is closely monitoring the same. Fares have reduced by up to 60%, and are likely to decline further," the minister said in a long Twitter post. Scindia said that he expected Venugopal, as a lawyer, to be more diligent. According to the NCLT moratorium order, airport slots granted to the airline have been frozen and cannot be reallocated, he said. However, 68 additional routes have been allocated to airlines to serve these routes, Scindia said. "On airlines' capacity - the fleet size has risen by 75% since 2014 (From 400 to 700 planes). Most domestic airlines have a healthy order-book, and they are taking up international operations to increase their share," Scindia said. The civil aviation minister said airport fees and charges constitute only around 7 per cent of the total expenses for the airline, and thus, have miniscule impact on the overall air fares. "Besides, had expected you to know that airport-related tariffs are decided by an independent regulatory body (AERA), and not the government," he said, slamming Venugopal. There has been a considerable decline after the ministry stepped in, he said, citing data. "It's unfortunate, but an expected INC practice to sit back and aim to skew public perception to suit your self-serving political agenda," Scindia, who is a former Congress leader, said. "In that case, here is the UPA's track record. Pls answer - a. Why was NER not a priority for the UPA Govt? Not a single airport existed in Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim till 2018. Today, NER has 17 airports, up from 9 airports, and are connected under the UDAN scheme," he said. Why did three airlines Kingfisher, Air Deccan and Paramount Airways go bust during the rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Scindia asked. "Today, apart from Akasa, and Fly91 that is also gearing up to fly by this winter, 4 regional airlines have taken birth under the UDAN scheme (STAR AIR, INDIAONE AIR, FLYBIG and AIR TAXI)," he said on Twitter. Air India was driven to the ground, a complete disaster by the UPA government, due to corruption and bad decision making, he alleged. "Daily losses amounted to Rs 20 crore; annually- Rs 7200 crore. Why was taxpayers' money squandered away for fulfilling the UPA govt's needs?" Scindia said. The same airline today has placed the largest order of 470 planes in the history of global civil aviation, he pointed out and asked would this have ever been possible without disinvestment and saving crores of taxpayers money annually. This is the true picture of the sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. Islamabad, Jun 12 (PTI) Pakistan's efforts to unlock access to the already agreed USD 6.5 billion loan package with IMF is in a quagmire after the cash-strapped country unveiled a subsidy and development-packed budget of Rs 14.46 trillion which experts say will do little to allay the concerns of the global lender. The Pakistan government on Friday unveiled a Rs 14.4 trillion budget for 2023-24 as it battled to fend off a looming default due to shrinking foreign reserves. The government claims to have shared the budget with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The budget needs to satisfy the IMF to secure the release of more bailout money for the cash-strapped Pakistan. Dawn reported from Washington that the budget will do little to allay the IMF's concerns and makes it more difficult for Pakistan to complete the pending ninth and 10th reviews of the current bailout package. Since 1958, Pakistan has signed 22 IMF programmes but failed to complete all, barring the 2013-16 facility, thanks to nearly 18 waivers from the global lender. Islamabad signed the current 36-month USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility in July 2019, which, on request of the then-finance minister, Miftah Ismail, was extended by the IMF by nine months to June 30, 2023, and its size increased to USD 6.5 billion. Over the past almost four years, the programme has been derailed at least four times, including on two occasions during the tenure of the current coalition government, and the failure to complete it will further widen the trust deficit between the country and the financial world. The paper reported that a Washington-based economist Uzair Younus shared this view which is backed by many in the US capital about how the budget impacts Pakistans chances of receiving the remaining two tranches from the IMF and of getting a new assistance package. Even those in the IMF and the World Bank share these sentiments, although no official is willing to offer on-the-record comments because of the sensitivity of the issue, the paper reported. Economic stability is linked to political stability, said an official when asked if the 2023-24 budget allays IMFs concerns about the Pakistani economy. Forget about the two tranches. Focus on long-term reforms that can get you future (IMF) programmes, said another. They need to stop experimenting and (start working to) bring stability. The sources who spoke to Dawn explained that the current government completes its tenure in about 60 days and then there will be a new, interim government for 90 days. If a financial institution, such as the IMF, enters into a programme with Pakistan, it will require at least a years guarantee to implement the reforms the two sides agree on. How can a government that is there for 60 to 90 days give this guarantee? one source asked. Thats why, the sources explained, the IMF, or any other lending agency, would not enter into a long-term programme with Pakistan without a stable government. The sources described the 53 per cent higher expenditure, as explained in Pakistans federal budget presented last week, as very large. The deficit is rising, the economy in a state of shock, one source said. A source explained that to curb the balance-of-payments problems, Pakistan took some draconian measures, which are having a negative impact on the growth. So, the question is, how will Pakistan achieve 3.5 per cent growth, as the budget suggests? A former IMF official claimed that the current budget is eye-wash before elections. They will bring a mini-budget soon after the elections. Another source claimed that the government was not even certain about the next elections. If they are going to elections, how will they maintain budget discipline? How do we have guarantees that you will implement the pledges you make? the source asked. There is no development growth in this budget to get the economy back on track. There are no structural reforms that the IMF asked for. Another source explained that Pakistans current programme with the IMF expires on June 30. So, the IMF board has less than 20 days to meet and decide how and when to release the remaining funds to Pakistan. The member countries on the IMF board require the Funds staff to give them enough time to consult their capitals before agreeing or disagreeing with the proposals sent by the country seeking assistance. According to the source, by the time this entire process was complete, Pakistan could hardly have a week or so to implement the reforms it suggested for getting the tranches. How will Pakistan do that? the source asked. The IMF rules require that the documents for consideration must be circulated among the board members two weeks before the meeting. How would this requirement be met? Pakistan, currently in the throes of a major political as well as economic crisis, is grappling with high external debt, a weak local currency and dwindling foreign exchange reserves. The World Bank, its latest Global Economic Prospects report, has projected Pakistan's economy to grow by two per cent in the next fiscal, lower than the 3.5 per cent target set by the country's top economic body, saying the lasting effects of the August 2022 floods, along with policy uncertainty and limited foreign exchange resources have depressed activity in the country. Dubai, Jun 13 (PTI) The landmark UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is paying off on every economic front, with the benefits of its integration far broader than just trade, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said on Tuesday. India and the UAE inked CEPA on February 18 last year to boost trade ties following a virtual summit between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. India has been given certain duty concessions on the import of gold from the UAE under the CEPA. The agreement was officially implemented on May 1 last year. "Indian business owners have been spurred to pursue new opportunities in the UAE since the deal was signed, with 11,000 new companies registering with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in 2022, bringing the total to more than 83,000," Al Zeyoudi wrote in the Dubai-based Gulf News newspaper. There is little question that the CEPA will come to be regarded as a significant milestone in the history of the UAE," he wrote. Specifically, it was the nations first bilateral deal as part of its new national strategy to reimagine the economy as an open global hub for trade, talent, technology and targeted investment, he wrote in the column. "The benefits of greater UAE-India integration have been far broader than just trade," he emphasised. Earlier this week, Al Zeyoudi, held a bilateral meeting with Piyush Goyal, the Commerce and Industry Minister in New Delhi, to celebrate the first year of CEPA. "By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade and opening government procurement to each others private sector, the UAE-India CEPA carried the potential to more than double the value of bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030," he explained. "There are already signals that the numbers will go higher still," he said. "When we launched the CEPA, we anticipated that the deal would add 1.7 per cent - or USD 8.9 billion -- to the UAEs GDP and increase exports by 1.5 per cent. We are on course to surpass those numbers," he wrote. "Initial figures show that, for the first 12 months of the CEPA, the value of non-oil trade reached USD 50.5 billion, an increase of 5.8 per cent on the corresponding period a year earlier," he added. India and the UAE are looking at ways to increase trade in value-added gold and gold products, Goyal said on Monday. The UAE is a major destination for India's gems and jewellery. The UAE accounts for about 15 per cent of India's exports from this sector. The overall gross exports of gems and jewellery dipped to USD 37.5 billion in 2022-23 against USD 39.33 billion in 2021-22, according to the data of the gems and jewellery export promotion council. Mumbai, Jun 13 (PTI) Besides being BAFTA Breakthrough India alumni, what is common among director Arati Kadav, and music composers Alokananda Dasgupta and Karthikeya Murthy? It's music maestro A R Rahman. At a media roundtable with BAFTA and Netflix representatives on Tuesday, Kadav, Dasgupta and Murthy said through the BAFTA Breakthrough India programme, the trio were able to connect with Rahman, which was a dream come true for them. Recently, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the third edition of its Breakthrough Initiative in India. This flagship-new talent initiative is part of BAFTA's year-round work to support new talent, operating alongside their Awards ceremonies worldwide. Kadav, director of the acclaimed sci-fi film "Cargo", said through the programme, she had "one of the best meetings" with Rahman, who is former BAFTA Breakthrough India Ambassador. "He is a huge fan of science fiction and interactive storytelling. We had a long meeting where we were watching VR videos. We were like just two kids in a candy store. It was so good to see that excitement (in Rahman), to keep that alive in spite of having worked so much. I hope we collaborate soon," she said. Murthy, known for his score in the 2019 Tamil film "K.D.", described the illustrious composer as a "great mentor". "(Earlier) I was part of one of the shows that he was judging. He remembered me only by the song name. At last, BAFTA made it happen. The meeting that happened with him through BAFTA opened my eyes to music that is outside films. He has told me (about) so many opportunities," he added. Dasgupta, whose music credits include web series such as "Sacred Games" and "Jubilee", recalled meeting Rahman by chance in the US when she was serving as a guest lecturer at New York University through BAFTA. "I was guest lecturing at New York University and Rahman sir wrote about my 'Sacred Games' music on Twitter. All my life I've been trying to meet him and I thought it would never happen. But it was a chance meeting in the snow. It was very magical where we just spoke of work..." the music director added. 'BAFTA Breakthrough India' is the international version of the highly successful Breakthrough Initiative, which has been running in the UK since 2013, China since 2019 and has launched in the USA this year, supporting over 130 emerging talents to date. Not just Rahman, Dasgupta said she was also able to connect with "Fleabag" star and creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge for a conversation after which she felt like they were long-time friends. "One of the things that made me get through when life was tough was 'Fleabag'. I spoke to Phoebe Waller-Bridge and it was just amazing. Just chatting... We just spoke like we have been friends forever... "BAFTA Breakthrough for me is just another step to the other side. That was reassuring not just professionally but also personally because I cannot omit life from art at all. To hear them speak about their life was such a gift," she said. Filmmaker Prateek Vats ("Eeb Allay Ooo!"), performer Sumukhi Suresh ("Comedy Premium League"), Monika Shergill, VP- Content, Netflix, and Tim Hunter, Director- New Talent, BAFTA were also part of the panel. Vats said talking to screenwriter Paul Laverty, best known for his screenplays for films directed by veteran filmmaker Ken Loach, "Sherlock" co-creator and actor Mark Gatiss, and Oscar winning-director Asif Kapadia of "Amy" fame gave him "more perspective". "It's a huge thing for me as someone who has just started working. It's so easy to lose focus. You make all your currency by doing experimental work and suddenly you are expected to do a different kind of work. That's the consolidation everybody expects. Just to talk to a man who is making films after film, one is 88 (Loach), one is 75 (Laverty)... That's the focus, the long haul," he said. Suresh, who also moderated the session, said BAFTA Breakthrough India happened to her right after she started her own venture, Motormouth, which was mainly to get writers together to create shows and movies. "(The BAFTA initiative) It is about two things: international exposure and meeting producers and writers which really helps you. You see that everybody is going through the same thing," she said. But something "very tangible" happened for her through the programme, she added. "I have been writing a show for the longest time - it's a mix of immigration, comedy and spy universe. I genuinely don't want to take a name because I'm superstitious but I'm close to delivering my final episode to them to see if it can happen. "I don't know if it will happen or not, but to reach a certain point, that you've arrived there, you have given that faith... That's a lot to do with BAFTA and the writing workshop I did with Netflix during the pandemic," Suresh added. Asked what would be Netflix's role nurturing talent from BAFTA Breakthrough India, Shergill said everyone who is part of the programme should feel they can come and pitch their work to the streamer. "They can share about what they want to do. How we select that work and make them part of the project is a function of many things. We work with different kinds of creators. We (Netflix) are a platform that is open to all talent. "Anyone who has been through the BAFTA Breakthrough programme, we also have an emotional connection at some level (with them). We being a part of this journey many of them have their work on Netflix. You all should at any time feel free to reach out with your next work," the top executive said. As the idea of 'breakthrough' could mean many different things, Hunter said it was hard to pinpoint one particular quality they seek in a potential candidate, who can be part of the programme through an application process. "We look for people who will benefit from the programme. Somebody who makes a very compelling case about why they had a breakthrough last year," he added. India was a perfect fit for the BAFTA Breakthrough programme because of its "diverse pool of talent", said Hunter. As part of BAFTA Breakthrough India, a jury of British and Indian industry experts select up to 10 Breakthrough talents from across India to take part in the year-long mentoring and guidance programme. Mumbai, Jun 13 (PTI) Streaming platform Apple TV+ is coming up "Careme", a French drama series featuring the thrilling story of the world's first celebrity chef Antonin Careme, who rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon's Europe. Consisting of eight episodes, the series stars Cesar Award winner Benjamin Voisin -- known for "Lost Illusions" and "Summer of 85" -- in the title role of the chef. "While he dreams only of becoming the most famous chef in the world, his talent and ambitions attract the attention of renowned and powerful politicians, who use him as a spy for France," the streamer said about "Careme" in a press release. The upcoming show is inspired by the book "Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Careme - The First Celebrity Chef" penned by multi-award-winning historian and actor Ian Kelly. "Careme" is created by Kelly and lead writer Davide Serino with acclaimed filmmaker Martin Bourboulon serving as lead director on the series. It is executive produced by Vanessa van Zuylen with VVZ Production and Dominique Farrugia with Banijay's Shine Fiction for Apple TV+. Cesar Award nominee Jeremie Renier (political genius Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord) and Cesar Award winner Lyna Khoudri (Henriette, Careme's lover and most dangerous threat) also round out the cast of the series. "Careme" joins other French programming content from Apple TV+, that includes "Liaison", a contemporary starring Cesar Award winner Vincent Cassel and BAFTA Award winner Eva Green, and multilingual French-Japanese drama "Drops of God", inspired by the bestselling manga (Japanese comic book) from award-winning Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto, starring Fleur Geffrier and Tomohisa Yamashita. Donald Trump arrived in Florida on Monday ahead of a history-making federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Departments efforts to get them back. Trumps Tuesday afternoon appearance in Miami will mark his second time since April facing a judge on criminal charges. But unlike a New York case some legal analysts derided as relatively trivial, the Justice Departments first prosecution of a former president concerns conduct that prosecutors say jeopardized national security, with Espionage Act charges carrying the prospect of a significant prison sentence. Ahead of his court date, he and his allies have been escalating efforts to undermine the criminal case against him and drum up protests. Hes ratcheted up the rhetoric against the Justice Department special counsel who filed the case, calling Jack Smith deranged as he repeated without any evidence his claims that he was the target of a political persecution. And even as his supporters accuse the Justice Department of being weaponized against him, he vowed Monday to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate President Joe Biden and his family if Trump is elected to a second term. Trump landed in Miami around 3 p.m. Monday and got into a waiting SUV. He was expected to huddle with advisers before his court appearance, as he looks to line up additional lawyers following the departure before his indictment last week of two attorneys who had handled the defense for months. Hes encouraged supporters to join a planned protest at the Miami courthouse Tuesday, where he will face the charges and surrender to authorities. We need strength in our country now, Trump said Sunday, speaking to longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone in an interview on WABC Radio. And they have to go out and they have to protest peacefully. They have to go out. Look, our country has to protest. We have plenty to protest. Weve lost everything, he went on. He also said there were no circumstances whatsoever under which he would leave the 2024 race, where hes been dominating the Republican primary. Other Trump supporters have rallied to his defense with similar language, including Kari Lake, the unsuccessful Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arizona who pointedly said over the weekend that if prosecutors want to get to President Trump, theyre going to have to go through me, and 75 million Americans just like me. And most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. Trumps calls for protest echoed exhortations he made ahead of a New York court appearance in April, where he faces charges arising from hush money payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign, though he complained that those who showed up to protest then were so far away that nobody knew about em, And just like in that case, he plans to address supporters in a Tuesday evening speech hours after his court date. After his court appearance, he will return to New Jersey, where hes scheduled a press event to publicly respond to the charges. Hell also be holding a private fundraiser. Trump supporters were also planning to load buses to head to Miami from other parts of Florida, raising concerns for law enforcement officials who are preparing for the potential of unrest around the courthouse. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said the city would be ready, and police chief Manuel A. Morales said downtown could see anywhere from a few thousand up to 50,000 protesters. He said the city would be diverting traffic and possibly blocking streets depending on crowd size. Make no mistake about it, Morales said. We are taking this event extremely serious. We know there is a potential of things taking a turn for the worse but thats not the Miami way. The Justice Department unsealed Friday an indictment charging Trump with 37 felony counts, 31 relating to the willful retention of national defense information. Other charges include conspiracy to commit obstruction and false statements. The indictment alleges Trump intentionally retained hundreds of classified documents that he took with him from the White House to his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, after leaving the White House in January 2021. The material he stored, including in a bathroom, ballroom, bedroom and shower, included material on nuclear programs, defense and weapons capabilities of the U.S. and foreign governments and a Pentagon attack plan, the indictment says. The information, if exposed, could have put at risk members of the military, confidential human sources and intelligence collection methods, prosecutors said. Beyond that, prosecutors say, he sought to obstruct government efforts to recover the documents, including by directing personal aide Walt Nauta who was charged alongside Trump to move boxes to conceal them and also suggesting to his own lawyer that he hide or destroy documents sought by a Justice Department subpoena. Some fellow Republicans have sought to press the case that Trump is being treated unfairly, citing the Justice Departments decision in 2016 to not charge Democrat Hillary Clinton for her handling of classified information through a private email server she relied on as secretary of state. But those arguments overlook that FBI investigators did not find any evidence that Clinton or her aides had willfully broken laws regarding classified information or had obstructed the investigation. New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, speaking Sunday on CBS News, said there was a huge difference between the two investigations but that it has to be explained to the American people. The Justice Department earlier this month informed former Vice President Mike Pence that it would not bring charges over the presence of classified documents in his Indiana home. A separate Justice Department special counsel investigation into the discovery of classified records at a home and office of President Joe Biden continues, though as in the Clinton case, no evidence of obstruction or intentional law-breaking has surfaced. Trumps own former attorney general, William Barr, offered a grim assessment of Trumps predicament, saying on Fox News that Trump had no right to hold onto such sensitive records. If even half of it is true, Barr said of the allegations, then hes toast. I mean, its a pretty its a very detailed indictment, and its very, very damning. And this idea of presenting Trump as a victim here a victim of a witch hunt is ridiculous. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Washington, Jun 13 (PTI) There is tremendous excitement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit here which will highlight many elements in the US-India strategic relationship, a top US presidential aide has said. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a state visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22. There's tremendous enthusiasm and excitement about the upcoming visit. Large numbers of stakeholders in the US-India relationship are all coming to Washington to celebrate the importance of our ties and take necessary steps to take the bilateral relationship even further, Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, told PTI in an interview on Monday. On Monday Campbell, 65, joined National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for a trip to India to hold the next round of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The path-breaking ICET that ropes in technology as a key strategic element to the India-US relationship was launched by Sullivan and his Indian counterpart National Security Advisor Ajit Doval early this year. A group of American CEOs are also travelling to New Delhi to participate in the talks. The two sides are expected to be discussing a range of issues associated with enhanced American investment in critical Indian industries and technologies. I can say after spending substantial time with the president and all the key players, there really is a rare sense of anticipation for what we believe will be a historic visit," Campbell said in response to a question. As the Biden administration plans to throw an unprecedented red-carpet welcome to the Prime Minister, it has organised a series of events every day next week in the American Capital, which will celebrate the various aspects of this relationship. I would just underscore this is not simply the State Dinner. This is a weeklong celebration and that will highlight many elements in the US-India relationship, Campbell said. Every single day next week, there will be something about the people-to-people ties, education, and technology that will be on full display, both for the Indian people, the American people and the world. For instance, US India Business Council on June 20 and 21 is hosting the inaugural INDUS X conference at the US Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the US Department of Defence and Indias Ministry of Defence and industry partners like General Atomics. Responding to a question, Campbell said that he expects many deliverables at the end of the visit but did not give any indication of the specificities. We will have many deliverables: the major investment deals in India, some agreements in defence technology, said the top presidential aide. Campbell for the past three decades has been one of the biggest advocates of the India-US relationship. As a senior diplomat in the State Department during the Obama Administration, he was instrumental in launching the Quad dialogue, which has now taken the shape of regular meetings at the leadership level. Meanwhile, a senior administration official told PTI that one of the reasons that Sullivan is going to India this week is just to ensure that all the appropriate and necessary steps have been taken to have a series of deliverables that will be substantial and will indicate that the Biden Administration wants to take India's relationship forward. According to the senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the two leaders are expected to discuss a host of issues. There will inevitably be discussions about political and security issues in the Indo-Pacific. I believe those will be of critical importance. Obviously, the United States and India are closely aligned when it comes to thinking about challenges to peace and stability, ideas for stabilising some of the challenging arenas in the Indo-Pacific, the official said. There will be discussions and some of these might be challenging (like) the issues in Ukraine, the official said, adding that there will also be discussions on India hosting the G-20 Summit in September this year. We will talk about climate change, about the role that India can play in securing supply chains, the official said. Familiar with the planning of the historic trip, the senior administration official said that they expect those discussions to be intimate, candid, forthright, and in almost all cases, productive. The US and India don't agree on everything. But we agree on most things. And those areas where we are where we do have differences, we're able to discuss them in a responsible and effective way. So, I think that the conversations will likely be quite deep and sustained. And again, I think this is what is necessary in the current phase of our bilateral relationship, said the official. Kyiv, Jun 13 (AP) The mayor of the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih said 10 people have died following Russian missile strikes overnight that hit civilian sites including a residential building. Oleksandr Vilkul said 28 other people had been wounded and at least one person was believed to be under the rubble. In an early afternoon update Tuesday, Vilkul wrote on the Telegram app that a dozen injured people had been rushed to city hospitals. (AP) GRS Kyiv, Jun 13 (AP) Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in a central Ukrainian city overnight, killing at least 10 people, regional officials said Tuesday as rescuers searched for at least one person still believed to be trapped under the rubble. Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said that the death toll had risen to at least 10. He said that one person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble and 28 were wounded. The strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-story residential building, which was engulfed in fire, Gov. Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrovsk region wrote on Telegram. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown is the latest bloodshed in Russia's war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, as Ukrainian forces are mounting counteroffensive operations using Western-supplied firepower to try to drive out the Russians. Images from the scene relayed by Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel showed firefighters battling the blaze as pockets of fire poked through multiple broken windows of a building. Charred and damaged vehicles littered the nearby ground. More terrorist missiles, he wrote. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. The aerial assault was the latest barrage of strikes by Russian forces that targeted various parts of Ukraine overnight. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and the surrounding region was shelled, local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. The shelling wounded two civilians in the town of Shevchenkove, southeast of Kharkiv. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, separately reported early Tuesday that the drone strike damaged a utilities business and a warehouse in the city's northeast. Neither Terekhov nor Syniehubov referenced any casualties within Kharkiv. The Kyiv military administration reported that the capital came under fire as well on Tuesday, but the incoming missiles were destroyed by air defenses and there were no immediate reports of any casualties there. Air defences overnight shot down 10 out of 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces, Ukraine's General Staff said on its Facebook page. Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine's ground troops said the country's forces were moving forward outside the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that Russian forces are losing positions on the flanks, while Ukrainian troops were conducting defensive operations in the area. For weeks, Ukrainian officials have been reporting small gains west of Bakhmut, which was largely devastated in the war's longest and bloodiest battle before Moscow's forces took control last month. Over the last day in Ukrainian-held areas of Donetsk, nearly a dozen frontline towns and villages came under increased shelling as Ukrainian troops pushed forward, Zelenskyy's office said. Also Tuesday, the Russian Defence Ministry published a video showing what it said was a German-made Leopard 2 tank and US-made Bradley fighting vehicle captured from Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, the video was shot by Russian soldiers after fierce fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia, and a soldier is seen pointing at the immobilised vehicles. It wasn't immediately possible to verify the video's authenticity. Like the Bakhmut area, battle zones in Zaporizhzhia are one of several places along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line where Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their counteroffensive operations. Vladimir Rogov, an official with the Moscow-appointed administration for parts of Zaporizhzhia that Russia controls, alleged that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, and told state news agency RIA-Novosti that Ukrainian forces continue to suffer colossal losses when they make new attempts to advance. He did not elaborate, and his claims could not be immediately verified. On Monday, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said the country's troops recaptured a total of seven villages spanning 90 square kilometres of eastern Ukraine over the past week small successes in the early phases of a counteroffensive. Russian officials didn't confirm those Ukrainian gains, which were impossible to verify and could be reversed in the to-and-fro of war. The advance amounted to only small bits of territory and underscored the difficulty of the battle ahead for Ukrainian forces, who will have to fight metre by metre to regain the roughly one-fifth of their country under Russian occupation. (AP) GRS Kathmandu, Jun 13 (PTI) Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel was on Tuesday admitted to a hospital here after he complained of chest pain. Paudel, 78, was admitted to the Bansbari-based Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre at 11am, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported, citing the president's office. "Nothing serious has happened to the President. He has gone to the hospital for regular tests," Niraj Bam, Paudels personal physician, was quoted as saying by the paper. He is currently receiving treatment in the VIP section of the hospital. In early April, Paudel had been admitted to Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital twice after experiencing abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Paudel was airlifted to India on April 19 for treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. He returned to Nepal after his health improved following his successful treatment for a chest-related ailment at the AIIMS. Doctors involved in Paudel's treatment had advised him to rest for a few more weeks. Paudel of the Nepali Congress was elected as the president of Nepal in March. Toronto, Jun 13 (PTI) The Canadian government is developing a process to ensure that a large number of Indian students facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters will get an opportunity to prove that they were taken advantage of, immigration minister Sean Fraser has said. The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, face deportation from Canada after the authorities here found their admission offer letters to educational institutions fake. The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada. Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser asserted that the "innocent students, who are the victims of fraud", would be allowed to "prove that they were taken advantage of." The government will provide an "appropriate remedy" for them, he said while noting that many students were "dealing with serious mental health concerns with the uncertainty they are struggling with." "We'll put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them," Fraser said in response to a question by Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. The minister, however, reiterated that the fraudsters or those complicit in fraudulent schemes would bear the consequences of not following Canada's laws. India has repeatedly been urging Canadian authorities to be fair and take a humanitarian approach since the students were allegedly victims of some agents. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has taken up the issue with Canadian authorities. "If there were people, who misled them (the students), the culpable parties should be acted upon. It is unfair to punish a student who undertook education in good faith," he said in New Delhi. "We are in touch with Canada on the issue," he said. Some Indian students in Canada facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters have received "stay orders" from Canadian authorities, government sources said in New Delhi on Sunday. The sources also said that the actual number of Indian students facing deportation from Canada is much less than 700. Last week, a Canadian parliamentary committee voted unanimously to urge the border services agency to stop the deportation of Indian students who were duped by unscrupulous education consultants in India to enter the country with fraudulent college admission letters. Kwan, who tabled the motion, said on Monday that "international students who have been defrauded by crooked consultants should not be punished with deportation and inadmissibility based on misrepresentation". Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to a question by Indian-origin MP Jagmeet Singh on the fate of the Indian students, said, "We are deeply aware of cases of international students facing removal orders over fraudulent college acceptance letters." "To be clear, our focus is on identifying the culprits, not penalising the victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situations and present evidence to support their cases," he said. Moscow, Jun 13 (AP) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that he wouldn't hesitate to order the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons that are set to be deployed to Belarus if his country faces an aggression. Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the planned deployment of short-range nuclear weapons to Moscow's neighbour and ally Belarus in a move widely seen as a warning to the West as it stepped up military support for Ukraine. Putin has emphasised that Russia will retain control of them, but Lukashenko's statement contradicted that. "God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons today, but there would be no hesitation if we face an aggression, Lukashenko, known for his blustery statements, said in comments released by his office. Russian officials had no immediate comment on Lukashenko's remarks. Lukashenko emphasised that it was he who had asked Putin to deploy Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus. He argued that the move was necessary to deter a potential aggression. I believe no one would be willing to fight a country that has those weapons," Lukashenko said. "Those are weapons of deterrence. Putin said during Friday's meeting with Lukashenko that work on building facilities for the nuclear weapons will be completed by July 7-8, and they will be moved to Belarusian territory quickly after that. Lukashenko said on Tuesday that everything is ready for the Russian nuclear weapons' deployment, adding that it could take just a few days for us to get what we had asked for and even a bit more. Tactical nuclear weapons are intended to destroy enemy troops and weapons on the battlefield. They have a relatively short range and a much lower yield than nuclear warheads fitted to intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of obliterating whole cities. Lukashenko said that Belarus doesn't need Russia's strategic nuclear weapons to be deployed to its territory. Am I going to fight America? No, he said. The Belarusian leader added, however, that Belarus was readying facilities for intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles as well, just in case. Along with Ukraine and Kazakhstan, Belarus hosted a significant share of Soviet nuclear arsenals when they were all part of the Soviet Union. Those weapons were withdrawn to Russia after the 1991 Soviet collapse under a deal sponsored by the US. Russia didn't say how many of its tactical nuclear weapons would be sent to Belarus. The US government believes Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, which include bombs that can be carried by aircraft, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery rounds. Russia used Belarus' territory to send its troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has kept forces and weapons on the territory of its ally. Lukashenko said Tuesday that Belarus would bolster production of unguided rockets for multiple rocket launchers Lukashenko, who has been in power for 29 years, has relied on Russia's political and economic support to survive months of protests, mass arrests and Western sanctions following an election in 2020 that kept him in power but was widely seen at home and abroad as rigged. (AP) FZH Beirut, Jun 13 (AP) A British court has ordered a London-based company that delivered the ammonium nitrate that exploded in 2020 at Beirut's port to pay compensation to some families of the hundreds of victims, Beirut's Bar Association said Tuesday. The verdict in the High Court of Justice on Monday came four months after the court ruled that London-registered chemical trading firm Savaro Ltd. is liable to the victims for the devastating blast. Hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers that had been improperly stored in the port for years, exploded on August 4, 2020 killing nearly 220 people, injuring over 6,000 others and causing damage in the city worth billions of dollars. Savaro Ltd. is suspected of having chartered the shipment of the ammonium nitrate in 2013 that ended up in Beirut. In Lebanon, documents show a handful of senior political, judicial and security officials were aware of the chemicals in the port for years, but did not take decisive action to get rid of it. The case in Britain was put forward by the Beirut Bar Association because Savaro Ltd. is based there. According to the prosecution office at the Beirut Bar Association, the British court ordered payment of 100,000 British pounds (USD 125,900) for each of three plaintiffs whose family members were killed in the blast because of the emotional damage that resulted from their deaths. The court also ordered the payment of more than 500,000 British pounds (USD 629,700) for an injured plaintiff as compensation for emotional and physical damage and to cover medical expenses. The ruling in London is an unusual judicial success for the victims' families, members of whom have advocated for an unimpeded national investigation. Some have opted to file lawsuits abroad. The work of Judge Tarek Bitar, who has been leading the investigation into the blast in Lebanon, has been blocked since December 2021 pending a Court of Cassation ruling after three former Cabinet ministers filed legal challenges against him. The court is the highest in the land. "After almost three years from the catastrophe, it's the first time that there is a judicial decision regarding both liability and damages, Camille Abousleiman, one of the lawyers involved in the British case, told The Associated Press. This also comes at a time when the Lebanese investigation is blocked, perhaps permanently, so it gives a measure of comfort to the victims. It's a first positive step in a long process for justice and closure for the injured and the relatives of the deceased victims, Abousleiman said. The Beirut Bar Association, along with four victims' families, filed a lawsuit against Savaro Ltd. in August 2021 after UK authorities blocked the firm's attempts to dissolve the company. It remains unclear who the owner of Savaro Ltd. is. The listed owners are agents from a corporate services firm, investigative journalists from Lebanese and international outlets have reported. The High Court of Justice in June 2022 ordered the company to reveal its true owners, but the firm has not done so. (AP) GRS Amsterdam, Jun 13 (AP) An alliance of northern European nations pledged Tuesday to do more to protect critical undersea and offshore infrastructure in the face of shared challenges, including what they alleged was Russian ships conducting mapping that indicated preparations for possible disruption and, at worst, sabotage. The statement was issued after defence ministers from the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a military alliance of northern European nations, met in Amsterdam to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine. Worries that energy and communications infrastructure outside Ukraine might be targeted have soared since an apparent attack on two Baltic Sea gas pipelines in September. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace both declined to comment on reports by Dutch broadcasters NOS and Nieusuur and German media outlets Die Zeit and ARD about the Nord Stream pipelines. The news outlets said the CIA, acting on a tip from the Dutch military intelligence agency, warned Ukraine in June 2022 last year not to sabotage the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany. The media cited unnamed intelligence sources. When we've talked about Nord Stream, we've always said we have to wait for the results of the ongoing investigations," Ollongren told reporters in the Dutch capital. "Germany is investigating, Sweden is investigating, Denmark is investigating. We don't have the results in yet. So until then, I will not comment on it. Wallace echoed Ollongren, saying that we don't comment on intelligence matters." Russia has alleged that the U.S. was behind the explosions that damaged the pipelines. The expeditionary force members said in their statement that they decided at the meeting to accelerate cooperation in the JEF in order to detect, deter and respond to threats against our critical undersea and offshore infrastructure, reassure allies and demonstrate collective commitment to the security and stability of Northern Europe; all in full alignment with NATO. The U.K. announced at the meeting that new air defense systems worth 92 million pounds ($116 million) including radars, guns and ammunition, would be bought for Ukraine in coming months to bolster Ukraine's ability to protect its critical national infrastructure, civilian population, and front-line personnel. The equipment will be bought using money in the International Fund for Ukraine, and Wallace said the U.K. has contributed an extra 250 million ($315 million). The Joint Expeditionary Force is made up of nine NATO nations and Sweden, which has applied for membership in the alliance but seen its path blocked by members Turkey and Hungary. Wallace said that he hoped that by the end of the year we should have all the JEF nations ... in NATO. The British defense secretary has been mentioned as a possible successor to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who has led the alliance since 2014 and plans to step down when his current term ends at the end of September. Wallace declined to address the speculation. It's for the member states, the leaders of those member states -- 31 member states -- to make that decision," he said Tuesday. "And I'm sure there's lots of good candidates out there. (AP) VM Sambalpur (Odisha), Jun 12 (PTI) To encourage and mentor innovative start-ups, Sambalpur University has set up an incubation centre, on the premises of the institution on Monday. The Sambalpur University Start-up Forum was inaugurated by the vice-chairperson of the Higher Education Council, Ashok Das through video conferencing. Vice-chancellor Bidhu Bhusan Mishra, registrar, Nruparaj Sahu and PG Council chairman, Sanjukta Das besides other senior teachers of the institution were present during the inauguration. The incubation centre, which will be looked after by the teachers of different departments of the varsity. The primary goal of the incubation centre is to provide support to the entrepreneurs, especially the student entrepreneurs in every possible way and guide them at every step in their journey of entrepreneurship. The centre will offer a range of facilities including mentoring, networking opportunities with investors, training on business-related topics as well as workspace, etc. The incubation centre will also help in connecting entrepreneurs with different industries so that they can learn. It will continue to help the students till their start-ups take off and attain sustainability. "Aspirants can approach us with their ideas for start-ups. We will help them with guidance and infrastructure to carry forward their ideas and turn them into a reality," said vice-chancellor Bidhu Bhusan Mishra. In addition to the incubation centre, a new building for the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) centre of the varsity was also inaugurated by the vice-chairperson of the Higher Education Council on Monday. While the building has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore, different instruments worth Rs 4.5 crore will be purchased for the CIF centre, sources said. "The CIF centre will help in boosting the research and science activities in the region. It will house sophisticated instruments for different science disciplines. The main objective of the centre is to strengthen the technological infrastructure to carry out advanced research in various science disciplines under one roof. The building is ready now. The instruments will be procured shortly. The centre will be made operational within 3 to 4 months," said the vice-chancellor. Migrants congregate on the banks of the Rio Grande at the U.S. border with Mexico, Dec. 20, 2022, where members of the Texas National Guard cordoned off a gap in the U.S. border wall. The Biden administration has stopped taking mobile app appointments to admit asylum-seekers at a Texas border crossing that connects to a notoriously dangerous Mexican city after advocates warned U.S. authorities that migrants were being targeted there for extortion. U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave no explanation for its decision to stop scheduling new appointments via the CBP One app for the crossing in Laredo, Texas. Several asylum-seekers told The Associated Press that Mexican officials in Nuevo Laredo, across the border from Laredo, Texas, had threatened to hold them and make them miss their scheduled asylum appointments unless they paid them. Humanitarian groups in Laredo say they had recently warned CBP of the problems and that certain groups were controlling access to the international crossing on the Mexican side. Migrant advocates say the situation in Nuevo Laredo, which is plagued by cartel fighting and other problems, casts doubt on the administrations argument that Mexico is a safe place for the record number of people fleeing violence in Central America and elsewhere. Rafael Alvarez, 29, who fled Venezuela, said that after he landed in Nuevo Laredo in early June, Mexican immigration authorities at the airport seized his travel documents, including a printout of the email confirming his CBP One appointment, and demanded he pay 1,000 Mexican pesos, about $57. He was held with other migrants. They would tell us covertly, Youre going to put the money in this envelope and pass it to us, Alvarez said, recalling what officials told him and other migrants. The officials, he said, threatened to hold them so they would have their appointments canceled. Alvarez, whose appointment was the next day, said he refused to pay and was eventually released, but five Russians who were held with him paid a total of 5,000 pesos, about $290. They initially were asked to fork over double that amount, but they told officials they did not have that much, he said. Alvarez said other Venezuelan friends who flew to Nuevo Laredo in late May also paid to have their documents returned. Thousands of asylum-seekers are stuck in Mexican border towns, waiting until they can get an appointment to seek refuge in the United States after being blocked during the Covid-19 pandemic by a public health restriction called Title 42 that was lifted last month. Though the government opened some new avenues for immigration, the fate of many people is largely left to the CBP One app that is used for scheduling an appointment at a port of entry. The government said it would continue to open 1,250 appointments daily by reallocating the slots for Laredo to the seven other crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border. It vowed to honor online appointments issued for the Laredo crossing before the June 3 change. The government schedules appointments two weeks out. CBP gives priority to people with an app appointment, though people can try to be admitted by going in person without one. Anyone who has an acute medical condition or is under an immediate threat of kidnapping or death also can ask to be admitted in person. Laredo was among the least busy crossings for asylum appointments, seeing only a fraction of appointments compared to San Diego and Brownsville. There have been widespread complaints by migrants about being forced to pay bribes to Mexicos immigration sector, where corruption is deeply ingrained, and at times working directly with smugglers. Earlier this month, the Mexican newspaper El Universal published video it obtained that was taken through a bus window, showing a federal agent taking bills from migrants and stuffing them in his pocket as he checked passports in the Pacific coast state of Jalisco. The agency said it had suspended two of its agents there and that it does not tolerate the rights of migrants being violated. The newspaper also obtained government documents through a freedom of information request that showed the agency had opened 119 investigations against agents between 2017 and 2023 for misconduct. Rebecca Solloa of Catholic Charities in Laredo said her organization and others met with CBP officials in person and on Zoom to warn them that migrants have told them that groups in Nuevo Laredo control the bridge and extort migrants there but she did not know who they are. She said CBP obviously received some sort of intel, or descriptions, or information from migrants coming through (about) what has happened to them. Im kind of glad they did, she said, adding that the governments actions might have come because this is happening way too much here at this border. It was unclear if the problem was isolated to Nuevo Laredo and if so, why. Narsher Nunez, 29, flew to Nuevo Laredo in early June with her 6-month-old son, husband and adult nephew after securing an appointment in Mexico City through the app. She said she and her family were extorted at the airport. The Venezuelan woman said Mexican officials took their documents and demanded they pay 1,500 pesos, or $86, to get them back. They were held for hours with a group of Chinese migrants, she said. Her husband said one official told them: If I have a good heart, Ill send you to Guatemala. But if you catch me in a bad mood, Ill send you to Venezuela. Eventually they paid and were released, she said. The next day, Nunez and her family went to their appointment and were admitted to the United States. All the immigrants who were caught there, they took money from us, said Nunez, who is staying with her family for now at a shelter in Laredo. The Department of Homeland Security said in an email to the AP that CBP One has been instrumental in creating a more efficient and orderly system at the border while cutting out unscrupulous smugglers who profit from vulnerable migrants. Neither the U.S. nor the Mexican governments addressed questions from the AP regarding the reports of migrants who use the app being extorted. The app was criticized for technological problems when it started Jan. 12. The government has made improvements in recent weeks, but demand has far outstripped supply, prompting many to consider crossing the border illegally or giving up. The administration has said anyone who does not use legal channels will be deported back to their homeland and face being barred from be able to seek asylum in the U.S. for five years. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Bareilly (UP), Jun 12 (PTI) A woman was killed and four people, including a newlywed couple, were injured in a road accident on the Bareilly-Nainital highway here on Monday, police said. Ramesh Kumar (25), a resident of a village in Bhuta police station area, was returning with his family from Uttarakhands Haldwani after his marriage when suddenly a woman came in front of their car near the Bhojipura police station, SHO Ajay Pal Singh said. Ramesh's brother-in-law Avaneesh who was driving the car lost control of the vehicle and it rammed into a roadways bus after hitting the woman, he said. The woman died on the spot due to a head injury, the SHO said. The police admitted all four occupants of the car to a hospital for treatment. Avneeshs condition is said to be critical, he said. Indore, Jun 13 (PTI) There has been a 75 per cent rise in the number of places using solar panels to generate electricity in the western part of Madhya Pradesh over a period of one year, an official from a power distribution company said on Tuesday. Electricity was being generated from solar panels at 4,900 places in 15 districts of western Madhya Pradesh in May-June last year, while this number has now increased to 8,550, the spokesperson of Madhya Pradesh western Region Power Distribution Company said. At present, solar panels have been installed at 8,550 places, which include hospitals, government offices and other premises, besides residences, he said. Solar panels of total 110 MW are installed at these locations, from which electricity worth at least Rs 5 crore is being generated every month this summer. The panels are installed on the rooftops of buildings at most places, the official said. Of these, solar panels of 59 MW capacity have been installed in the premises of low-tension consumers of electricity, while solar panels of 51 MW have been installed for high-tension consumers, he said. Indore has emerged on top in terms of generating solar power in western Madhya Pradesh, where green energy is being produced in this way in at least 5,100 places, the official said. Notably, the state government is working on a plan to develop Indore as a "solar city". The official further said that due to the "net metering system" of generating electricity from solar panels and sending it to the grid, the monthly electricity bill of the concerned consumers has reduced by 30 to 60 per cent. The state government gives subsidies to the consumers for installing solar panels on their rooftops and they also get loans from banks to install the equipment, he said. Kolkata, June 13 (PTI) Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the requisition and deployment of central forces for the July 8 West Bengal panchayat polls but refused to consider the plea for extending the time for filing of nominations and left it to the discretion of State Election Commission. A division bench of the Calcutta High Court presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam directed the SEC to requisition central forces to work in tandem with the state police for the three-tier rural poll. The court made it clear that the prayer for an extension of time for filing of nominations, the last date of which is June 15, cannot be considered. The bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, said the discretion to extend the time for filing nominations lies entirely with the SEC and that it is competent to take a decision on the matter. The bench directed that in the first instance, the requisition and deployment of central forces be done in areas and districts that have been declared sensitive by the poll panel. "Thereafter, the SEC shall review the assessment plan submitted by the state and wherever there is inadequacy of state police force, in all such areas, the SEC shall requisition the deployment of paramilitary forces," it said. The State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha said he is yet to receive a copy of the order. "We will study and inform you when we receive the order. We have taken action on incidents of vandalism. No district has been declared as sensitive," he told reporters. The court's order evoked mixed responses, with the opposition BJP, Congress and CPI(M) welcoming it but expressing scepticism on the impartiality of the SEC), accusing it of acting as a "frontal organisation" of the ruling TMC. The TMC did not comment on the court's order but expressed confidence in securing victory, citing the success of the 2013 panchayat polls when too central forces were deployed. The state's three-tier panchayat election encompassing a significant electorate of approximately 5.67 crores, will exercise their franchise to choose representatives for nearly 74,000 seats in zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats. Reacting to the court order, TMC MP Santanu Sen said "We have nothing to say about the court order. But we want to tell the opposition parties that they have nothing to rejoice as the TMC is all set to win the elections based on its developmental work in the last twelve years." He cited the instance of the 2013 panchayat poll and subsequent electoral wins in which TMC emerged victorious despite the deployment of central forces. In the 2013 panchayat polls the TMC, then in power for two years, won over 85 per cent of the seats despite heavy deployment of central forces. Meanwhile, the SEC held an all-party meeting on Tuesday evening regarding panchayat elections and discussed the law and order situation. The Calcutta High Court order was passed during the meeting and dominated discussions. Senior state minister Aroop Biswas, who represented TMC at the meeting, accused the opposition of trying to "flare up" violence to disturb the law and order situation of the state. "We want peaceful elections, but the opposition parties are deliberately flaring up violence in the state. Regarding the deployment of the central forces, it is for the SEC to comment," he said. Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP state spokesperson, said, "We are happy with the court order. But we are apprehensive whether the SEC will allow proper deployment (of central forces). It is the SEC and the state police that will work on deploying central forces." Senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya emphasised the need for extending the deadline for filing nominations citing the overwhelming number of seats to cover in just seven days. "The SEC should not behave as if it is only TMC that is contesting the elections. The SEC must create a level playing field for all parties," he said. Similar concerns were echoed by CPI (M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty, who urged the SEC to behave as a constitutional body and questioned the feasibility of filling the remaining nomination seats in such a short period. In the rural polls held five years ago, the TMC won 90 per cent of the panchayat seats and all 22 zilla parishads. However, these elections were marred by widespread violence and malpractices and the opposition parties alleged that they were prevented from filing nominations in a number of seats across the state. Incidents of clashes have been reported in various parts of the state for the past few days as miscreants allegedly attacked opposition candidates when they were on their way to file nomination papers for the panchayat polls. Kolkata, Jun 13 (PTI) West Bengals State Election Commission (SEC) will hold a meeting on Tuesday to hear demands and grievances of all political parties on the July 8 panchayat elections and discuss the law and order situation, a senior official of the poll body said. The meeting will be chaired by SEC Rajiva Sinha. "All parties have been invited to the meeting. There will be discussions on the law and order situation. We will also listen to their grievances and suggestions," the official said. The BJP asserted that the all-party meeting would bear no fruit, while the CPI(M) questioned the "purpose" of calling it when there are only two days left for filing nominations. West Bengal has been witnessing a series of clashes and ransacking of party offices. Opposition parties alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress workers were not allowing their candidates to file nominations. "The all-party meeting is called before the dates of the election are decided. The SEC will have to face tough questions as the Commission is not prepared to hold the elections. Mr Sinha has become the SEC to spoil the entire poll process," senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty told PTI. The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, welcomed the move of the SEC. "I do not see there is any problem. As they (opposition parties) are seeing defeat in the election, they are giving these lame excuses. They do not have candidates to fight the election," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told PTI. The SEC has directed all district magistrates and superintendents of police to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC within a one-kilometre radius of all nomination centres. New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) The Congress Tuesday demanded answers from the Modi government after ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed the platform was threatened it would be shut down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government during the farmers' protest. The Centre has, however, rubbished the charges, saying Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "The Modi Government forced Twitter to shut down accounts of Farmers and Farmer's movement, shut down accounts of journalists critical of Government, or Twitter and its employees would be raided". "This is what Twitter Co Founder and Ex CEO Jack Dorsey admits in a TV interview. Will Modi Government answer," he asked. He also shared clips from a TV interview in which Dorsey levelled the allegations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too took to Twitter, saying, "During the farmers agitation the cowardly BJP government threatened to shut down Twitter & raid the homes of their employees." Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, made the sensational allegation in an interview with the YouTube news show Breaking Points on Monday. He claimed that the Indian government "pressured" the company with threats of a shutdown and raids on employees if it did not comply with requests to take down posts and restrict accounts that were critical of the government over the protest by farmers against new laws in 2020 and 2021. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did; And this is India, a democratic country," he said talking about pressure Twitter under him faced from the Indian government. Rubbishing the claims, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "@twitter under Dorsey and his team were in repeated and continuous violations of India law. As a matter of fact they were in non-compliance with law repeatedly from 2020 to 2022 and it was only June 2022 when they finally complied". New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) The Centre has asked its employees to take a short duration 'Y-Break - Yoga at office chair' to de-stress, refresh and refocus. In an order, the personnel ministry has asked all central government ministries/departments to adopt and promote this new Yoga protocol for the people at workplace. "Y-Break at workplace was introduced by the Ministry of AYUSH with an aim to get de-stressed, refreshed and re-focused at the workplace. The feedback of the protocol has been very encouraging. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of AYUSH has added new features for the officials, who owing to their busy schedule, cannot go out and practice Yoga," it said. The officials can now benefit themselves while sitting in their office chair by practicing a short duration Yoga protocol namely "Y-Break@workplace yoga" at chair to refresh, de-stress and refocus, said the order dated June 12. In order to spread awareness about the "Y-Break@workplace - yoga at chair", all ministries/departments of the Government of India are requested for wide dissemination amongst their employees, including those of attached and subordinate under their control, it added. The order also mentions the Youtube link of the protocol https://youtu.be/1qQQ3yUjnyM, https://youtu.be/2zBEUqc7nCc, https://youtu.be/aqYJR8HnSJI, https://youtu.be/I8YBnxWjHbg, and also the Yoga portal https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/Y-Break/. Yoga Break (Y-Break) protocol is devised with an aim to help professionals to destress, refresh and re-focus, according to the AYUSH ministry. It consists of a few light practices that can be done by taking a few minutes break from work. The protocol comprises few simple Yoga practices which include 'asanas' (postures), 'pranayama' (breathing techniques) and 'dhyana' (meditation), the ministry mentioned. "It has been carefully developed by eminent experts and a tested protocol. In this line, we have prepared and launched Y-Break at workplace," read the details available on the AYUSH ministry's website, which also has four videos of "Yoga at Chair", "Yoga for Workaholics 1", "Yoga for Workaholics 2" and "Yoga Break". New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) After the Union health ministry dismissed reports of a data breach on the CoWIN platform, cyber security firm CloudSEK has said that threat actors do not have access to the entire portal nor the backend database. "Based on matching fields from Telegram data and previously reported incidents affecting health workers of a region, we assume the information was scraped through these compromised credentials," CloudSEK said in a report on Monday after an independent analysis. On March 13, a threat actor on a Russian cybercrime forum advertised for compromised access on the CoWIN portal of Tamil Nadu region, it said. After an analysis, CloudSEK said, it was discovered the breach was that of a health worker and not really of the infrastructure. The content displayed on the screenshot matches with the Telegram bot mentioned in the media as follows -- name of the individual, mobile number, identity proof, identification number and number of doses completed. "Furthermore, there are numerous healthcare worker credentials accessible on the dark web for the CoWIN portal. However, this issue primarily stems from the inadequate endpoint security measures implemented for healthcare workers, rather than any inherent weaknesses in CoWIN's infrastructure security," the report said. Asserting that the CoWIN portal was completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy, the Union health ministry on Monday dismissed as "mischievous" the claims of a data breach on the platform and said the matter had been reviewed by the country's nodal cyber security agency CERT-In. In a statement, the ministry also said that an internal exercise had been initiated to review the existing security measures. "With reference to some alleged CoWIN data breaches reported on social media... the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) immediately responded and it does not appear that the CoWin app or database has been directly breached," said Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar. In its statement, the health ministry said there was no basis for the reports alleging the breach of data from the CoWIN portal, a repository of all data of all those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country. "It is clarified that all such reports are without any basis and mischievous. The Co-WIN portal of the health ministry is completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy," it had said. CERT-In, in its initial report, has pointed out that the backend database for the Telegram bot was not directly accessing the APIs of the CoWIN database, according to the statement. New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the 'Rozgar Mela' events, saying this "entire tamasha" is giving the identity of "job destroyers" to the BJP which is now resorting to "desperate gimmicks" to manage the headlines. The Opposition party's attack came after Modi addressed the newly-recruited government employees after distributing appointment letters to over 70,000 people. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter, "Let us be absolutely clear. The Rozgar Mela does not mean NEW jobs. What it is doing instead is making the personalisation of governance complete. People are getting government jobs presumably against already sanctioned posts and after going through a recruitment process that has existed for years." Now the prime minister, who has "totally and completely failed" to create jobs in the last nine years, is making it appear as if some special favour is being bestowed by him and him alone on those getting the government and other public sector jobs, Ramesh said hitting out at Modi. "I know of a few in leading educational institutions who were told that their appointment letters, which they would have got in the normal course, would be handed over as part of self-styled Vishwaguru's tamasha," he said. "This entire Tamasha is certainly giving an identity to the BJP as he claimsthe identity of job destroyersnow resorting to desperate gimmicks to manage the headlines," Ramesh said in his tweet. In his remarks, Modi said the 'Rozgar Mela' has become the new identity of the BJP and NDA governments. The prime minister hit out at "dynastic" political parties for promoting "nepotism and corruption" in recruitment to government jobs, and said while such parties "looted" youth with their "rate cards" for various posts, his government is working to "safeguard" their bright future. Kurukshetra, Jun 13 (PTI) Farmers protesting over the MSP for sunflower seeds at Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra on Tuesday called off their stir after talks with the district administration here, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said. The protesting farmers have been assured of appropriate price for sunflower crop, Kurukshetra's Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma said. The farmers had blocked the National Highway-44 near Pipli, which connects Delhi with Chandigarh, and some other routes since Monday afternoon after holding a mahapanchayat on the issue. Shimla, Jun 13 (PTI) A British national on a motorbike tour to the tribal Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh was killed when his vehicle slipped into a 500-metre deep gorge near Kashang Nallah on Tuesday, police said. The deceased tourist, identified as James Verat, was one of the eight bikers, all of them foreigners, who were on their way from Kalpa to Nako in Kinnaur, they added. A joint team of the local police and a quick response team recovered Verat's body from the gorge, the police said. The body has been handed over to his brother after the post-mortem, they added. A large number of bikers, both from Indian and abroad, visit Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts of the hill state every year for biking and adventure tourism. The tribal areas offer tough terrain with scenic beauty. The key moment in the investigation into classified papers held by Donald Trump happened last March, a year after the probe began. That was when a Washington judge ordered one of the former presidents legal advisors, Evan Corcoran, 58, to testify. What the lawyer shared turned out to be pure gold for the team headed by special counsel Jack Smith. Three months later, Corcorans revelations are among the most damaging pieces of evidence in the indictment against Trump. The lawyer now a witness promises to play a key role in the case against the former president, who faces 37 felony counts, 31 relating to the willful retention of national defense information, while other charges include conspiracy to commit obstruction and providing false statements. Corcorans testimony came about in an unusual way. While attorney-client privilege is sacrosanct under the U.S. legal system, it can be pierced on the basis of the crime-fraud exception. This is applied in cases where it is suspected that a lawyers legal services were rendered in the commission of a crime or to conceal one. Washington Judge Beryl Howell granted that exception in March after determining that the Department of Justice had met the threshold for the crime-fraud exception. The move was made despite numerous efforts by Trumps legal team to prevent it. Unlike Trumps personal aide Walt Nauta, who is accused of conspiring with the former president to hide the boxes of top secret papers at Mar-a-Lago, Corcoran is not facing any charges. Indeed, the indictment says that Trump and Nauta went to lengths to ensure the lawyer who remains on Trumps legal team did not know that all the documents illegally withheld at his Florida mansion had not been returned. In 2022, Trump who is notorious for going through lawyers was looking for an attorney to help him address the National Archives, which had been demanding since 2021 that he return all classified documents he took from the White House after leaving office on January 20 of that year. More than a hundred boxes of those papers would be stored on a ballroom stage, before being moved to a bathroom and then to Trumps business center and storage room. In January 2022, Trump returned 15 boxes containing 197 classified documents, but he still had around 100 more in Mar-a-Lago. One of Trumps favorite legal advisors, Boris Epshteyn who is on probation after being arrested in a bar fight recommended that Trump hire Corcoran. The former president offered him the job without investigating further. Matthew Evan Corcoran a man described by those who know him as methodical comes from a family with deep Republican roots. His father, Thomas Corcoran, was a four-term congressman of the Republican Party in Illinois. After starting his career in the judiciary, Evan Corcoran became an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington in the 1990s and then moved to the private sector in 2000. He made his debut as Trumps legal advisor in 2021, when he defended Steve Bannon Trumps former political strategist against contempt charges for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the special House committee investigating the Capitol siege. In that trial, Bannon lost the case and was found guilty. When he was thrown into the center of Trumps universe at Mar-a-Lago, Corcoran took meticulous notes, which he recorded on his cell phone and then transcribed on paper. This is a common measure used by U.S. lawyers, both for work purposes and as a form of legal protection, if called on to discuss what was said with a client. Corcorans notes were a gold mine for Smiths team. The 49-page indictment includes numerous statements and recollections from Corcoran, who is identified as Attorney 1 in the document. On May 11, 2022, a grand jury ordered Trump to turn over all classified documents that he had kept after leaving the White House. On May 23, the former president met with Corcoran and another lawyer to discuss the order. Trump claimed to the Department of Justice and FBI that he was an open book. But according to Attorney 1, the real estate magnate was hesitant to hand over the documents. I dont want anybody looking through my boxes, I really dont, I dont want you looking through my boxes, he said as memorialized in the notes. He also asked: What happens if we just dont respond at all or dont play ball with them? Wouldnt it be better if we just told them we dont have anything here? and Isnt it better if there are no documents? In that same conversation, Trump claimed that the lawyer for Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival in the 2016 elections, deleted 30,000 emails from her account. He was great. She didnt get in any trouble because he said that he was the one who deleted them, Trump said, according to the indictment. The lawyers testimony indicates that, as a result of that conversation, he agreed to go to Mar-a-Lago on June 2 to examine the boxes, locate the classified documents and return them. But before he arrived, Nauta had arranged for 64 boxes to be moved to another part of the residence, on Trumps orders. No one notified the lawyer of the existence of this additional material. Corcoran was able to examine about 30 boxes and found 38 classified documents, which he placed in a folder. When he finished, Trump asked him if he had found anything bad. While he was discussing with the former president how to get the folder to the National Archives, Trump made a plucking motion. He made a funny motion as though well okay why dont you take them with you to your hotel room and if theres anything really bad in there, like, you know, pluck it out. And that was the motion that he made. He didnt say that, said Corcoran. The next day, another lawyer from Trumps team, after consulting with Corcoran, confirmed that there were no more classified documents in Trumps possession. Two months later, in August, FBI agents backed by a search warrant entered Mar-a-Lago. They seized dozens of boxes containing 102 classified documents and national secrets: from information on U.S. nuclear weapons to military plans. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested three men in connection with an alleged attempt to murder of a police informer in southeast Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area, officials said on Tuesday. Brothers Shafiq Ali Sanfui and Afsar had allegedly conspired to kill the police informer and they hired Arif for the task and offered him Rs 3 lakh for it, the officials said. Sanfui had enmity with the police informer as the victim had provided information about his involvement in illegal ganja trade to the police, they said. Based on secret inputs and technical surveillance, Arif (23), who shot at the informer, alleged conspirator Shafiq (30) and Tarun (23), who provided pistol to execute the crime, were arrested, police said. They said Rs 1 lakh was given to Arif as advance to execute the task, which has been recovered. On June 3, two motorcycle-borne men fired several rounds at the police informer, who was also riding a motorcycle, in the Madanpur Khadar area of Kalindi Kunj, police said, adding he sustained bullet injuries on his left knee. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said based on secret information, accused Arif was nabbed from his girlfriend's house in Sangam Vihar and two automatic pistols along with 14 live cartridges were recovered from him. Arif disclosed about his involvement in the case and said Sanfui and his brother Afsar were in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, he said. "Our team got a tip-off that Shafiq Sanfui was coming to Delhi to meet his advocate and was subsequently apprehended from IGI airport. At his instance, an automatic pistol along with three live cartridges was recovered from his house here," Yadav said. Efforts are on to nab the remaining accused in the case, police said. Jaipur, Jun 13 (PTI) An IAS and IPS officers among five people were suspended on Tuesday for allegedly thrashing a hotel staff in Rajasthan's Ajmer district, officials said. Those suspended have been identified as Ajmer Development Authority Commissioner Giridhar, Officer on Special Duty (Gangapur city police) Sushil Kumar Bishnoi, Patwari Narendra Singh Dahiya, constable Mukesh Kumar and LDC Hanuman Prasad Chaudhary, they said. The case investigation has been handed over to ADG vigilance. The incident came to the fore after a video surfaced on social media where some people were seen thrashing employees of a hotel. The alleged incident happened on the night of June 11, following which case investigation was handed over to a senior police official. The hotel management, in its complaint, alleged that an IPS officer along with three-four policemen had manhandled its staff late Monday night. A case has been registered against five unidentified people at the Gegal police station of the district for assaulting hotel staff. "We have handed over the case investigation to ADG Vigilance," DGP Umesh Mishra said. The Rajput community has given a memorandum to Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) chairman Dharmendra Rathore on Tuesday, demanding action against the police personnel in the case. OSD Bishnoi, who is an accused in the matter, said that the hotel employees have made false allegations. On being informed about the fight, the police team went to the spot and persuaded them to pacify the matter. According to an order of Ajmer SP Chuna Ram Jat, ASI Ruparam, Constable Gautam and Constable Mukesh have been sent to police lines. A departmental inquiry has been ordered against them. Kanpur (UP), Jun 13 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Ishtiyaq Solanki, who owns a tannery and is the uncle of jailed Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, in connection with an extortion case on Tuesday, a police officer said. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) of Kanpur Anand Prakash Tiwari said Ishtiyaq Solanki was arrested from the Jajmau area when he was trying to flee from the city. A case of extortion was registered based on a complaint by Nasim Arif, a resident of Kanghi-Mohal in Bajaria, lodged at the Jajmau police station on May 9 against Ishtiyaq Solanki, Adil Rasheed, Shakil Beg and another person, the police officer said. Nasim Arif alleged that Ishtiyaq Solanki and his aides demanded that he hand over a plot of land to them and also gave him death threat. Irfan Solanki, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Sisamau in Kanpur, has been in prison since December 2, when he along with his younger brother Rizwan Solanki surrendered before the police after being booked for rioting and arson in a land dispute case. As many as 10 FIRs have been registered against the MLA in a span of less than six months. He faces a total of 18 cases now. Kolkata, Jun 13 (PTI) Observing that a Look Out Circular (LOC) restricts a person's free movement and the right to travel, the Calcutta High Court has said it should be issued only in exceptional circumstances. LOCs are issued where it is apprehended that the persons concerned might not return from abroad to India, the high court said. Quashing an LOC issued against a couple who had been deboarded from a flight to the United Kingdom on account of it, Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya said these have an inexplicably long shelf-life. "Look Out Circulars which have the effect of restricting a person's free movement and the right to travel should only be issued in exceptional circumstances," the court observed. Justice Bhattacharya also observed that banks have been given untrammelled powers to issue, use and exploit the lock-in power of an LOC without sufficient recourse being provided in law to the person at the receiving end of it." The court noted that as per Official Memoranda (OM), an LOC is supposed to remain in force until and unless a deletion request is received by the Bureau of Immigration from the originator and that no LOC will be deleted automatically. It said although there is a provision that the originating agency has to review the LOC on a quarterly or annual basis and submit proposals for its deletion, this is "sadly" found to be absent in most cases. "This spells dangerous repercussions on the persons right to freely move across and beyond the country and remain mobile," the court observed. The petitioners had obtained loans from a consortium of 11 banks for the expansion of businesses. It was noted by the court that the petitioners have settled the claims of all the banks except the bank on whose behest the LOC was issued and two other banks. The petitioners stated that they have also given a proposal to the other two banks for a one-time settlement which is under consideration. They had moved the high court seeking permission to travel to the United Kingdom on account of the academic compulsions of their son, claiming that they were deboarded from an aircraft. They also prayed for quashing of the LOC after coming to know later that they were not allowed to fly because of it. Passing judgement on the petition on June 9, Justice Bhattacharya said that the bank, in this case a PSU, cannot have any continuing reason to interfere with the petitioners travel outside the country. The court directed that the bank and the other respondents, including the immigration authority, will not continue to give any further effect to the LOC preventing the petitioners from travelling outside India. The court noted that as per Official Memoranda (OM), an LOC is supposed to remain in force until and unless a deletion request is received by the Bureau of Immigration from the originator and that no LOC will be deleted automatically. The court said that LOCs cause "immediate and irrevocable violation of a persons fundamental right of movement." Maintaining that there is "something draconian and uncivilised" in a person being deboarded from an aircraft without being informed of the reason for such, the court said, "This is against the principles of natural justice and fair play in action where the fundamental right to travel and the right to life is inexorably compromised and with impunity." The court observed that the extreme repercussions of issuing an LOC must hence be regulated to give it form and certainty and not be made the norm for recovery of outstanding payments to the bank. "Isolated and few-and-far between cases of persons fleeing the country cannot become the uniform rationale for issuing LOCs left, right and centre," Justice Bhattacharya said. Thiruvananthapuram, June 13 (PTI) CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim on Tuesday wrote a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to take "immediate and decisive action" to investigate the alleged data breach on CoWIN platform and said it was "deeply distressing" that this data is reportedly being shared on social media platforms. Raising concerns over the reported leak of personal data, Rahim asked the union minister to take action in order to protect the interests of citizens and to uphold the principles of privacy and security. "It is deeply distressing to learn that this data is reportedly being shared on social media platforms," he said. In a letter, Rahim said it was not an isolated incident, as health information and data kept by central government institutions and agencies are regularly facing cyber security attacks and data leaks. "I appeal to you to take immediate and decisive action to investigate this data breach and ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to prevent further instances of unauthorised access and data leaks," he said. Asserting that the CoWIN portal was completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy, the government has dismissed as "mischievous" the claims of data breach on the platform and said the matter has been reviewed by the country's nodal cyber security agency CERT-In. Rahim said ransomware attacks on the servers of AIIMS and cyber attacks on various hospitals in India were serious issues and the Indian healthcare sector has been experiencing an increase in cyberattacks over the past couple of years. "Data published by cyber security think tank Cyber Peace Foundation and Autobot Infosec Private Ltd shows that the healthcare industry in India has faced 1.9 million cyberattacks in 2022 till November 28," he claimed in his letter. The Left leader said the union minister's timely intervention will not only protect the interests of citizens but also "uphold the principles of privacy and security" that are crucial for our nation's progress. Chennai, Jun 13 (PTI) City-based lawyer-activist Lalitha Natarajan has been awarded the 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour, the US Consulate here said on Tuesday. US Consul General Judith Ravin presented the award to Natarajan at a recent ceremony held at the Consulate General here. A release from the US Consulate said the Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated, non-monetary award established by the Secretary of Labour in 2008 that honours extraordinary contributions to combat child labour. "The Iqbal Masih Award honours its namesake a Pakistani child sold into slavery as a carpet weaver at age 4 who escaped his captors at 10. Iqbal Masih became an outspoken public advocate against child exploitation for which he received numerous human rights awards until he was tragically killed in 1995 at the age of 12. The award commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor that is observed on June 12 every year to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour," it added. The release further said Natarajan has worked throughout her career as a lawyer and activist to apply rights-based approaches to child labour. "As a leader in the fight to end exploitative child labour in southern India, she identifies child victims of trafficking, specifically bonded labour, assisting in their re-integration into society. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee (North Zone), under the Department of Social Defense, Government of Tamil Nadu, she ensures victims receive compensation under the Child Labor Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). Besides working on child labour issues, Lalitha Natarajan also provides legal and counseling support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse," it said. Judith Ravin was quoted as saying that the battle against bonded labour is a high priority for the US government and the American people. She also hailed Natarajan as a "true champion." Natarajan said,"I feel honoured to receive the prestigious Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour from the US Department of Labour. This award will further motivate me to work for the cause of children." Noida, Jun 13 (PTI) Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said he would take up the issue of Greater Noida farmers' land compensation in Parliament on a priority basis. Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, was speaking after he participated in a farmers' protest against the Greater Noida Authority, demanding hiked compensation for their land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government in the past. The AAP leader also accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of ignoring farmers while helping the Adani Group. "What sort of rules do you have? You have acquired land of all villages as per old rules and are providing compensation as per new rules, doling out two times the compensation instead of four times the circle rate," Singh said. He said there was a "legitimate" need for parity in the law for land acquisition and compensation for it. "It is expected that Parliament would sit from July 20. I am promising you that if parliament functions, because sometimes it gets adjourned due to fight with the BJP, then the first issue to be raised in the country's Parliament would be your issue," the AAP leader said. He said it was "unacceptable that airports, seaports, coal mines, gas and electricity, steel, cement, rail and whole of India has been given to Adani". "From sky to abyss, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji has given entire country to Adani. But when farmers ask for compensation, Yogi ji (UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) and Modi ji say they don't have money. The BJP is looting our money and filling coffers of its friends. Account of every pie should be taken from them," Singh alleged. Meanwhile, Chandra Shekhar Aazad, the chief of Dalit rights group Bhim Army, also met with the protesting farmers in Greater Noida on Tuesday. After the meeting, Aazad demanded that the farmers who have been arrested during this protest be released, else an indefinite protest would be launched against the government. "Joined the protest demonstration of the farmers going on for the last 50 days on the Greater Noida Authority, shared their pain and sorrow," he tweeted in Hindi. "Sending 33 farmers to jail reflects the dictatorship and anti-farmer mentality of the government. Our demand from the administration is to unconditionally release all the farmers lodged in the jail and fulfill their demands, otherwise after seven days there will be an indefinite protest," the Bhim Army chief said. On Monday, farmer leader and Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait also met with the protesting farmers in Greater Noida and extended support to their cause. Gonda (UP), Jun 13 (PTI) Two teenager boys drowned while bathing in a river in this Uttar Pradesh district on Tuesday, police said. Additional Superintendent of Police Shivraj Prajapati said Amit Singh (18) and Abhay Tiwari (17), residents of Bhaduva Tarhar village here, had gone to the riverbank along with their buffaloes. After leaving the buffaloes to graze, the duo entered the river for bathing and drowned when they slipped into deep water, Prajapati said. Local residents rescued the youths from the river and took them to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead, the ASP said. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem, he added. New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Two minor boys were allegedly sexually assaulted by a juvenile here while his two accomplices recorded the act on video, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on the night of June 10 in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar when the 12-year-old victim and his friend, aged 10 years, were out feeding stray dogs near the Peer Baba Mazar, they said. One of the victims parents lodged a police complaint on Monday, based on which the three accused were apprehended, a senior officer said. The accused, all locals, took the victims to an isolated spot in a park where one of them sexually assaulted the duo while the two others recorded the incident on video, the complainant alleged. Counselling and medical examination of both victims were conducted at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, he said. A case was registered under sections 377 (unnatural offences) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences Act, the officer said. "Based on the investigation, all the three accused juveniles have been apprehended in the case and will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board as per law," he added. Jalna (Maha), Jun 13 (PTI) Anti-superstition activists have succeeded in settling a dispute by convincing a family in Maharashtra's Jalna district that black magic' is a myth and they should not harbour suspicion towards their neighbours.
Members of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) (Maharashtra Superstition Eradication Committee) visited Dehed village in Bhokardan tehsil on Monday and spoke to the family, said an activist.
Madhukar Gaikwad, secretary of the MANS Jalna unit, said they learnt that a family in Dehed had claimed that their neighbours had performed black magic on them.
Members of the family often fell sick, their cow had stopped giving milk, and when they consulted a local godman', he told them that their neighbours were responsible for these things, Gaikwad said. The family began to blame the neighbours who, fed up of the accusations of black magic, approached police and sent a copy of the complaint to the MANS, he said. "We contacted investigating officer Akhtar Shaikh. With the help of police, the MANS conducted counselling sessions with the family. The family was convinced (that there is no such thing as black magic). We also held a meeting with the villagers to make them aware of the dangers of irrational beliefs and their impact on individuals and society," Gaikwad added. During the meeting, MANS activist Shankar Barde also demonstrated how the charlatans who claim to possess divine powers perform various tricks to earn people's trust and exploit them, he said. KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 22:00 | World, Japan, All The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- PM Kishida to decide snap election timing by assessing circumstances TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that he will decide when to dissolve the House of Representatives after assessing "various circumstances," amid growing speculation that he will call a snap election soon. Kishida also said at a press conference that the role of his government is to "address challenges that have been postponed so far." ---------- Japan's lower house passes contentious LGBT understanding bill TOKYO - Japan's more powerful lower house passed a contentious bill on Tuesday to promote understanding of sexual minorities, paving the way for enacting the legislation by the end of the current parliamentary session through next week. The bill is aimed primarily at banning unjust discrimination against people based on sexual orientation as Japan lags behind the other Group of Seven advanced nations in terms of legal protections for sexual minorities. ---------- Japan adopts space security policy, vows to expand defense use TOKYO - Japan on Tuesday adopted its first space security blueprint with the aim of better utilizing the frontier for defense purposes over the next 10 years, in response to the rising military use of outer space by China and Russia. In the roadmap, drawn up based on the National Security Strategy updated in December 2022, the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also committed to advancing Japanese defense projects by making use of private-sector space technologies. ---------- S. Korea begins briefings to ease anxiety over Fukushima water SEOUL - South Korea's fisheries ministry held the first of a series of nationwide briefings for the public Tuesday to explain seafood safety amid Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry said Monday the briefings will continue until late June to provide scientific information on the treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi plant that Japan plans to start discharging in the summer. ---------- Blinken says China upgraded Cuba intelligence facilities in 2019 WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that China upgraded its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. Blinken, speaking at a press conference, said that upon the formation of President Joe Biden's administration in January 2021, some officials were briefed on a number of "sensitive efforts" by China to expand its overseas logistics to enable it to "project and sustain military power at the greater distance." ---------- Man arrested after Nagasaki A-bomb park paper cranes found burned NAGASAKI - A Nagasaki prefectural government official was arrested Tuesday after paper cranes symbolizing peace were found burned at a Nagasaki park commemorating the victims of the atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in 1945. A man passing by the Nagasaki Peace Park reported to firefighters around 6:20 a.m. that a large number of origami cranes were on fire. The 23-year-old man, arrested on the spot on suspicion of property damage, has admitted to using a lighter to set fire to the paper cranes, police said. ---------- Japan aims to raise female exec ratio to 30% in listed firms by 2030 TOKYO - A Japanese government council approved on Tuesday a women's empowerment policy featuring the goal of raising the ratio of female board members to more than 30 percent by 2030 at companies listed on the top-tier Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The policy also lays out that the companies to appoint at least one female board member by 2025 as a starter. The move comes as companies in the country lag behind the United States and European countries in promoting women to managerial positions. ---------- Football: Kumagai, Hasegawa headline Nadeshiko Japan World Cup squad TOKYO - Defensive linchpin Saki Kumagai is set to captain Nadeshiko Japan at her fourth Women's World Cup after being named Tuesday in head coach Futoshi Ikeda's squad for the tournament kicking off next month in Australia and New Zealand. The AS Roma defender-midfielder headlines a 23-woman squad with several overseas-based footballers, including Manchester City playmaker Yui Hasegawa and Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano. ---------- Video: OpenAI CEO talks AI chatbot with Japanese students Westerly, RI (02891) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Speaking on the Senate floor Monday, Senator Chuck Grassley revealed new information regarding an alleged criminal bribery scheme involving Joe Biden and a foreign national connected to Ukrainian energy giant Burisma. According to Grassley, the FBIs FD-1023 form, which was discussed in a briefing with congressional lawmakers, contains a redacted reference suggesting that the Burisma executive had 17 audio recordings of conversations with both Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Grassley accused the FBI of failing to comply with a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee and demanded transparency in making the document public. The FD-1023 form, dated June 30, 2020, stems from an FBI interview with a highly credible confidential source who provided details about multiple meetings and conversations with a top Burisma executive dating back to 2015. Grassley noted that the form indicates the Burisma executive possesses fifteen audio recordings of phone calls with Hunter Biden and two audio recordings of phone calls with then-Vice President Joe Biden. These recordings were allegedly kept as an insurance policy by the executive in case of a crisis. Furthermore, Grassley highlighted that the FD-1023 form also suggests that Joe Biden may have been involved in Burisma employing Hunter Biden. The senator called for an investigation into the actions of the Justice Department and the FBI, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. Last month, the FBI brought the FD-1023 document to Capitol Hill after being subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee. While the committee members were given the opportunity to view the form in a secure setting, it remains in the FBIs possession. Grassley, along with Committee Chairman James Comer, had already seen the document prior to the FBIs sharing it with Congress. The form allegedly contains discussions between the Burisma executive and a confidential human source about seeking advice on gaining U.S. oil rights and engaging with a U.S. oil company. Hunter Bidens role on the board of Burisma was also discussed, with the executive referring to him as dumb. According to sources familiar with the document, the Burisma executive explained that payments to the Bidens were necessary due to an ongoing investigation by Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin into Burisma. The confidential source reportedly suggested paying the Bidens $50,000 each, but the executive clarified that the amount was $5 million for each Biden. These payments were described as a potential retainer intended to address various issues, including the investigation led by Shokin. The document also references the Big Guy, believed to be a reference to Joe Biden, although the Burisma executive reportedly stated that he did not pay the Big Guy directly. The identity of the executive remains redacted, but sources familiar with the matter suggest that the individual holds a significant position within Burisma. It is important to note that President Biden has consistently denied any involvement in his sons business dealings and has asserted that he has never discussed them with him. Hunter Biden is currently under investigation for his tax affairs, which began in 2018. The White House has declined to comment further on these recent allegations, referring to Joe Bidens previous statement dismissing them as a bunch of malarkey. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Former President Trump pleaded not guilty at a Miami federal courthouse Tuesday to 37 federal felony counts related to his alleged refusal to hand over classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump made his first appearance in court for the case in Miami on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. He was indicted last week on the 37 counts by Special Counsel Jack Smith. The FBI seized 102 documents from Trump with classification markings in August. Trumps aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta was also arrested, fingerprinted and processed. The criminal charges in the Justice Departments classified documents case escalates the legal jeopardy surrounding the 2024 GOP front-runner. Trump is facing 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defense information and that he concealed documents in violation of witness-tampering laws in the Justice Departments probe into the materials. His close aide, Walt Nauta, was also charged in the indictment, unsealed Friday, which alleges the two men engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct the federal investigation. Nauta also will be appearing in court. Trump left his Doral resort in his motorcade Tuesday along with Nauta, who was traveling in a separate vehicle. As he got in his vehicle, a bystander asked Trump how he was feeling. Trump said great and waved. As former president Trump arrived at the Miami Federal Courthouse, a commotion broke out between law enforcement and a protestor dressed in a prison garb. On his social media, Trump posted before heading to court that it was ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!! (YWN World Headquarters NYC) There is a known problem with Teslas that every model is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi, which grants unrestricted access to anything on the internet. While those who pay an extra fee for what is called premium connectivity can get Wi-Fi access at any time, even those who do not purchase this service are able to connect to Wi-Fi from any hotspot, which gives them unrestricted internet access that is unfilterable. Some, more upscale models come equipped with a screen both in the front and back of the car. The screen in back, which is meant for child passengers, can be locked by the parents, but there currently is no way to disable the screen in the front. One Lakewood resident, Yisroel D. Bender, took action by contacting Tesla several weeks ago about this issue and has been working with them to find a viable solution that will enable frum Yidden to drive without inherent ruchnius challenges. When he first called Tesla, Yisroel was told that a solution may be possible if enough people call them and express interest. He explained that it is not at all farfetched to think that they can easily come up with a solution, as they have done so for numerous other requests when the demand is high. Representatives of Tesla openly told him on the phone that if enough people call with this request, it is very likely that the pressure will lead to an outcome of something being worked out. The representatives said that, in the past, Tesla has changed things like the design of the car and the software after people called in. Furthermore, the recently changed the font to a larger size to accommodate older drivers who were having a hard time reading it after numerous calls with this request. Tesla already has a feature known as pin to drive. When this feature is activated, the car cannot be driven until a pin is punched in. It would not be too difficult for a similar feature to be installed for internet usage, which would make it impossible to use the internet unless a pin is entered. The pin could be made by someone else and be left unknown to the driver, which would, in effect, disable the internet and remove the problem altogether. Yisroel is asking Tesla owners to call them at 1-877-798-3752. After dialing this number, press option 5, and then dial extension 10007. The caller will then have to identify himself as a Tesla owner and provide his name, email odometer reading and Tesla nickname (if applicable). He can then request that the pin lock feature be added for the web browser. The call will only take a couple of minutes and, hopefully, will bear results. The Tesla representatives reached on the phone were extremely positive about this idea and have said that this is a good way to going about getting this done. The public awareness campaign was started just a few weeks ago and the Tesla representatives are telling callers that they have already received many calls. Yisroel has continued to be in contact with Tesla, and is being told that they are impressed with the number of callers and how important this issue is to the Jewish community. They say that the more calls they receive, the better chance they will accommodate the request. If anyone has any other questions, they can call Yisroel D. Bender at 908-783-4220. Additionally, anyone who calls Tesla is asked to be in contact with him and let him know that they called so that he can keep a rough count of how many people have called them. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden administration to punish South Africa for its alleged support for Russias invasion of Ukraine by relocating an important trade meeting to another country, according to a letter published Tuesday in The New York Times. The lawmakers said South Africas aid for Russia, including allegedly supplying Moscow with weapons, called into question its eligibility to receive trade benefits from the U.S. under a law that improved U.S. market access to qualifying sub-Saharan African countries. The letter, dated June 9, was sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. South African foreign ministry spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement that the letter had been noted but South Africa still enjoys the support of the U.S. government for its hosting of the African Growth and Opportunity Act meeting. South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries the act, which allows sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market provided they meet certain conditions. South Africas exports to the U.S. through AGOA were estimated at $3 billion last year. The U.S. is South Africas second-biggest trade partner behind China. Moving Novembers meeting to another country would send a clear and important message that the United States continues to stand with Ukraine and will not accept our trading partners provision of aid to Russias ongoing and brutal invasion, the letter from the U.S. lawmakers said. It was signed by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Republican Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The U.S. considers South Africa an important political and economic partner even though the country especially its ruling African National Congress party has historic ties with Russia dating back to the days of the Soviet Union. Because of that, South Africas government says it has adopted a non-aligned stance on the war in Ukraine. But while the U.S. largely accepts that position, it has viewed some of South Africas recent actions as not being neutral but actively favoring Russia in the war. The U.S. concerns burst into the public sphere last month when U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety held a news conference in the South African capital of Pretoria and accused the country of providing arms to Russia in a cargo ship that made a secret visit to South Africas main naval base in December. South Africa has denied the allegation but is investigating the visit of the Russian-flagged Lady R ship, which is under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting weapons for the Russian government. The lawmakers said there was U.S. intelligence that indicated South Africa had covertly supplied Russia with weapons on the Lady R. In their letter, they also referred to the visit of a Russian military plane, also under U.S. sanctions, to a South African airbase in April, and South Africas decision to host Russian and Chinese warships for naval drills in February that coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africas damaging support for Russias invasion of Ukraine and possible violation of U.S. sanctions law, said the lawmakers letter. South Africa was also working to facilitate the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit of emerging economies in Johannesburg in August, the U.S. lawmakers said, despite Putin being indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine. A senior official in South Africas ruling party said recently it would welcome a visit by Putin. South Africas largest opposition party said it viewed the U.S. lawmakers letter as an indication that Washingtons patience with South Africa over its Russia relationship was fast diminishing. The Biden administration has not spoken of any sanctions or punishment against South Africa, but analysts have mentioned the trade law as a means by which the country might be punished. Any restriction of South Africas trade with the U.S. would be deeply damaging to Africas most developed country, which is wrestling with a stagnant economy, huge unemployment and an energy crisis. On Monday, the spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said any talk of formal sanctions for South Africa over Russia was reckless and purely alarmist. (AP) Former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot revealed on Sunday evening that in 2015, Israel was asked to carry out an attack against ISIS. Speaking at an event at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Eisenkot said that the campaign against ISIS was intensive and in more than one country with results in some places beyond the imagination in the type of missions and attacks that were carried out. Some of the missions went under the radar. Eisnekott elaborated that there arent many countries in the world that know how to identify targets the size of a podium and aim a missile at a target within a 1,000-kilometer radius of Israel. Our enemies saw it, the Russians saw it, and the Americans saw it. Those who know best how extensively the IDF operated throughout the Middle East are ISIS members because they paid the price of hundreds of dead and wounded and they knew who knew how to carry out these operations. The IDF managed the campaign Military Intelligence, the Air Force, special units, and foreign relations. In 2018, The New York Times revealed the close security cooperation between Israel and Egypt in the latters battle against ISIS activities in the Sinai. According to the report, the IDF carried out over 100 strikes against ISIS targets in Egyptian territory. The report revealed that Israeli military assistance to Egypt began immediately after the downing of a Russian plane by ISIS above the Sinai Peninsula in 2015, which killed all 224 passengers and crew on board. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzchak Kroizer on Monday filed a complaint with the Jerusalem Police against former prime minister Ehud Barak on suspicion of sedition and incitement. Kroizer stated: I have now filed a complaint with the Lev HaBira Police Department in Jerusalem against the failed former prime minister Ehud Barak following his words of defamation, incitement, and calls for a civil rebellionI hope the police will summon him for an investigation and deal with these harsh words with severity. On Sunday, Likud MK Nissim Vaturi said that in other countries, Barak would be a candidate for hanging. But Israel is a democratic country so he should go to prison for at least 20 years. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An official at the Israeli embassy in Paris worked to torpedo the visit of Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, who participated in the OECD conference in Paris last week, Channel 12 News reported on Monday evening. According to senior members of the Jewish community in Paris, an official at the embassy urged other employees to demonstrate against Smotrich and actively demanded that officials heading the largest Jewish organizations in France refrain from meeting with him. The acting ambassador did not greet Smotrich at the airport and a representative of the embassy arrived at the last minute in an Uber for a memorial service for those killed in the the Hypercacher attack in 2015. Following the report, Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman, the chairman of the Constitution Committee, called on Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to investigate. This evening a news item was published on Channel 12 that revealed that the acting ambassador and employees of the embassy in France actively acted against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during his visit to the country, Rothman wrote. According to the report, the ambassador and other employees contacted officials in the Jewish community in the country and worked to prevent meetings between them and the Finance Minister. As is well known, the role of Israeli embassies in the world is to act professionally, non-politically, and with statesmanship. The conduct that emerges from the said report is severe and unprecedented and undermines the very justification for the activity of the embassy and the entire foreign service. There should be no tolerance for an unprecedented situation in which embassy employees are acting in a distinctly political manner while harming the government of Israel and its position in France and the world. Furthermore, it seems that the described conduct fits the parameters of an offense of misuse of a governmental position as defined in section 280 of the Penal Law, 1977-7737, and even a breach of trust as defined in section 284 of the law, and requires the launching of a criminal investigation, and at the very least a disciplinary one. I request that you immediately summon the ambassador back to Israel, and act to remove any person in the embassy in France who acted contrary to his legal duty. MK Ohad Tal from Smotrichs party also appealed to Foreign Minister Cohen: Such conduct is a breach of trust of the position and toward the State of Israel, contradicts every obligation required by the ethical code for a civil servant [as attached in the appendix] and is an outrageous incident that cannot be ignored. Therefore, I appeal to you to review the details of the case and examine the continuation of the term of the acting Israeli ambassador in Paris and order his immediate suspension as well as the implementation of severe measures against anyone found to be involved in this unprecedented incident. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 18:18 | All, World U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that China upgraded its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. Blinken, speaking at a press conference, said that upon the formation of President Joe Biden's administration in January 2021, some officials were briefed on a number of "sensitive efforts" by China to expand its overseas logistics to enable it to "project and sustain military power at the greater distance." Blinken revealed that China was considering various sites around the world for such an expansion, including intelligence-gathering facilities in Cuba. His remarks came after The Wall Street Journal reported last week that China had secretly struck a deal with Cuba to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island, citing U.S. officials. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin sharply reacted to Blinken's remarks, saying at a press conference on Tuesday that Beijing hopes the United States will "stop spreading rumors and smearing" the Asian country. Wang also blamed Washington for its own track record of spying, urging the United States to "stop indiscriminately eavesdropping and stealing secrets from other countries." The Wall Street Journal report was initially described as inaccurate by the White House, but a Biden administration official explained Saturday that China has been spying from Cuba for some time, rather than it being a recent development. Blinken said the United States has had "high-level" engagements with countries that are considering hosting Chinese facilities and that Washington's diplomatic efforts have "slowed down" attempts by Beijing to increase its presence overseas. "We remain confident that we are able to meet all of our security commitments both at home and in the region," he said following a meeting with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Washington. On Monday, China again flatly rejected the allegations that it is conducting espionage operations in Cuba. "What is true can never be false, and what is false can never be true," Wang said at a press briefing. The report and Blinken's remarks about China come at a delicate time as he is planning to visit Beijing as early as this weekend for talks with senior officials while bilateral relations remain soured. The top U.S. diplomat had initially planned to visit Beijing in early February in a bid to improve ties following an in-person meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November in Indonesia. But the trip was abruptly put off after Washington detected what it called a Chinese spy balloon traveling over sensitive areas of the continental United States, fueling tensions between the countries. If the trip goes ahead, it will be the first visit to China by a ministerial-level official from Washington since the start of Biden's administration. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on Monday that the United States has conveyed its concern about China to Cuba. and he does not expect Blinken's planned trip to Beijing to be affected by media reports about the allegations. "As we communicated over the weekend, this is not a new development that...China has been trying to achieve some intelligence gathering capabilities in Cuba and frankly elsewhere in the hemisphere," Kirby said. "We're confident that we can continue to protect our nation's secrets in this hemisphere and beyond." Kirby added that "nothing's changed about the fact that we understand the bilateral relationship with China is tense right now. And nothing's changed about the fact that the president wants to keep the lines of communication open" with Beijing. Left-wing media personality Eldad Yaniv revealed on Monday evening that senior police officers briefed journalists and heads of the left-wing protests during the investigations of alleged criminal offenses of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Speaking on Channel 14s The Patriots, Yaniv, who is a lawyer by profession, said. We were briefedin real timewe were regularly briefed by the senior investigators of the Israel Police. We were informed in real-time what the cases consist of and who is going to shut down state witnesses. Not only journalists were briefed but also prominent activists of left-wing protests. They wanted to recruit us to make a political change here in the country. It served my purposes because I believed what they were telling me was true. I had been fighting corruption since 2010, and if the most senior investigators in the Israel Police describe cases that exist against Netanyahu, about receipts, invoices, and about regulatory bias in the billionsI believe those things. When sub-superintendents of the police brief me, I believe it I think you would believe it too. Yaniv added that in the future he will reveal the identity of those who briefed him: I will reveal the names faster than you thinkI will not only expose them Ill also make sure that no one can deny it. It should be noted that since defamatory laws in Israel are extremely strict, it is rare for someone, especially a public figure, to make false accusations. On Tuesday, Yaniv told Galey Yisrael: Im not naive, Ive been fighting corruption since 2010. Its clear to me that at the time those alleged officials used meI believed what they told me. I led protests against Netanyahu, I filed petitions with the Supreme Court. In some cases, they briefed me even before an investigation was launched. Of course, you believe these people, just as you would believe senior Shin Bet or Mossad officials if they briefed you. The report caused a storm on social media networks. Likud MK Moshe Saada (who in the past, served as the deputy head of the Police Internal Investigations Department) told Channel 14 following the report: Unfortunately, this isnt surprising. I was inside the system, and I saw the desire and motivation to overthrow Netanyahu at any cost. And when we received intelligence information about criminal offenses committed by police officers in the Netanyahu cases we were prevented from investigating them. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Arabella Kushner, the daughter of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, celebrated her bas-mitzvah over the weekend. Arabellas grandfather, Donald Trump, threw Arabella a pre-Bas-Mitvah dinner several weeks ago. Thank you, Dad and Melania, for throwing Arabella the sweetest birthday dinner at Mar-a-Logo a few weeks ago in advance of her Bat Mitzvah, Ivanka Trump wrote. It was very special. We love you both so much! The Kushners sponsored the kiddush at the Young Israel shul in Surfside this past Shabbos in honor of Arabellas bas mitzvah. Ivanka wrote about the bas-mitzvah: With an abundance of love and immense pride, Jared and I celebrated our daughter Arabellas Bat Mitzvah this past weekend. We reflect on the weekend with full hearts and an abundance of joy and gratitude. From her commitment to feeding hungry families through the Jewish Community Service Kosher Food Bank to supporting children with special needs through her work volunteering with the Friendship Circle and Whispering Manes, Arabellas giving heart and commitment to making a positive impact embodies the spirit of this special milestone. We couldnt be prouder of the extraordinary young woman she has become. Her kindness, creativity, humor, empathy and passion have filled our lives with so much joy and inspiration. May her Bat Mitzvah be the beginning of a beautiful and fulfilling chapter in her life. With an abundance of love and immense pride, Jared and I celebrated our daughter Arabellas Bat Mitzvah this past weekend, Ivanka Trump wrote on Instagram Tuesday morning. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An Israeli man and three IDF soldiers were moderately wounded in a drive-by shooting attack on Tuesday afternoon. Terrorists opened fire at a civilian vehicle between Mevo Dotan and Hermesh in northern Shomron. While escaping the scene, the terrorists fired at an IDF vehicle, injuring three soldiers. IDF forces launched a manhunt and set up roadblocks in the area. The Israeli civilian, a man in his 30s, managed to continue driving to the Reihan Crossing, where he was treated for gunshot wounds and evacuated to Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Hadera in moderate condition. Two of the soldiers were evacuated to Hillel Yaffe in moderate condition and the other soldier was evacuated by MDA helicopter to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, also in moderate condition. The head of the Shomron Regional Council Yossi Dagan attacked the government with unprecedented ferocity following the attack: This serious incident, with many of the casualties occurring at an intersection near the intersection where Meir Tamari was murdered about two weeks ago. We have been begging for years and certainly, after the attack, we begged, we cried out to stop risking our lives, to close the Hermesh checkpoint, to close the Mevo Dotan checkpoint. Whoever made the unfortunate decision to reopen the checkpoint at the entrance to Hermesh after the end of shiva is risking the lives of our residents. I demand from this government, give us answers. Why are you abandoning us, the residents of Shomron? This neglect will not stop with us because the wave of terror is coming from the whole area of northern Shomron. - pic.twitter.com/DapEyX0A96 news (@1717Bazz) June 13, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Former US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has announced his endorsement of former US President Donald Trump. Friedman, who served as Trumps Ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2021, expressed his admiration for Trumps Middle East policies and their successful implementation. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Friedman wrote, I was privileged to have worked with President Trump and his team in setting and implementing his Middle East policies and I am very proud of our historic achievements. I believe that it is in Americas best interests to strongly support Israel. No president has more strongly supported Israel than President Donald J. Trump, and I endorse him for President of the United States. During his tenure as Ambassador, Friedman played a key role in numerous pro-Israel actions undertaken by the Trump Administration. Notable among these were the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. These moves received significant international attention and were hailed by Trumps supporters as bold and unprecedented steps in strengthening US-Israel relations. The endorsement from Friedman carries substantial weight, given his close association with Trumps Middle East policies and his first-hand experience in their execution. Friedmans support could potentially influence voters who prioritize strong US-Israel ties and view Trumps approach as beneficial for American interests. Meanwhile, former US Attorney General Bill Barr made headlines on Fox News Sunday when he discussed the legal troubles Trump currently faces. Barr stated that if even half of the material in Trumps indictment is true, the former president is toast. Barr further labeled the details of the indictment as very damning. While Barr had defended Trump in the past, he emphasized the severity of the charges against him this time, dismissing the notion of Trump being a victim in this case. He was totally wrong that he had the right to have those documents. Those documents are among the most sensitive secrets the country has, continued the former Attorney General, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Adding to the mounting criticisms, former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who is also vying for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, expressed her concerns about Trumps behavior. Haley referred to the charges against Trump and labeled his actions as incredibly reckless if proven true. Her comments highlight the divisions within the Republican Party regarding Trumps legal battles and their potential impact on his political future. Trump, currently in Miami, is set to appear in federal court later today. In a speech delivered in Georgia on Saturday, Trump strongly denounced the indictment against him, dismissing it as ridiculous and baseless. The former president continues to project an image of resilience and defiance, rallying his supporters as he faces a challenging legal battle. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Ocado shares rose as analysts saw improvement in its fortunes. BNP Paribas Exane told its clients the FTSE 100 online supermarkets outlook and market sentiment are much better aligned. The broker, which also said Ocado has taken a firmer grip on managing its spending and operating costs, raised its rating to neutral and increased the target price by 3 per cent to 365p. Shares, which at one point were up as much as 10 per cent, closed 3.6 per cent, or 14p higher, at 400.6p. We do though believe that having struggled post the pandemic to grow volume and excess capacity, Ocado is entering a more settled phase, the broker added. New rating: BNP Paribas Exane said Ocado has taken a firmer grip on managing its spending and operating costs Ocado was among the lockdown winners, with its share price hitting a record 2895p in September 2020. But it has seemingly been in freefall for the past two years, falling as low as 343p last week. BNP insisted Ocado still has much to prove and warned the outlook for online grocery remains challenging to predict. The group narrowly escaped being booted out of the FTSE 100 index in the latest reshuffle. The FTSE 100 rose 0.1 per cent, or 8.33 points, to 7570.69 and the FTSE 250 gained 0.5 per cent, or 99.15 points, to 19190.81. Oil prices slid more than 4pc towards $72 a barrel amid fresh fears over the global economy. Oil major BP dropped 1.3 per cent, or 6.3p, to 462.6p and Shell lost 0.7 per cent, or 16.5p, to 2278p. In the FTSE 250, Tullow Oil slipped 2.7 per cent, or 0.7p, to 25.02p and Harbour Energy fell 2.2 per cent, or 5.6p, to 245.4p. Crest Nicholson led a rally among housebuilders after UBS raised its rating to neutral from sell and lifted the target price to 245p from 210p. Stock Watch - Futura Medical Shares in Futura Medical soared after US regulators approved the over-the-counter sale of its gel that treats erectile dysfunction. The pharma companys MED3000 product can work within ten minutes and is available to buy without prescription, offering an alternative to oral medications such as Viagra. It is already sold in the UK in Boots stores under the brand name Eroxon. The product is also available in Belgium. Shares surged 12.4 per cent, or 5.3p, to 48.2p. The investment bank said house prices have held up better than feared alongside an increase in demand. Shares added 2.2 per cent, or 5p, to 234p. But Thungela Resources sank into the red after the firm, which was spun off from the blue-chip mining giant Anglo American (down 1.7 per cent, or 40.5p, to 2416.5p) in 2021, warned of a sharp fall in coal prices and ongoing issues with South Africas state-owned operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). The groups profits have been affected by weaker demand from China alongside softer gas and coal prices. Shares fell 1.4 per cent, or 8.6p, to 589.4p. Croda International shares rose as the stock clawed back some of the losses made after last weeks profit warning. On Friday, the chemicals group said its profits for the year to the end of May were likely to be between 370million and 400million, short of the 440million expected by analysts. That sent shares down more than 12 per cent. But the stock recovered slightly yesterday, rising 3.2 per cent, or 168p, to 5442p. Travel stocks were in demand as Carnival enjoyed upgrades from analysts at Bank of America and JP Morgan. The brokers said there were few signs of slowing momentum at the international cruise line business. Shares soared 12.7 per cent, or 115.1p, to 1024.5p. Wizz Air added 4.3 per cent, or 117p, to 2842p after JP Morgan raised its target price to 4050p from 3750p, and holiday group Tui gained 3.6 per cent, or 20p, to 571.5p. There was less to cheer for the real estate sector, however, as Goldman Sachs issued a bleak outlook on the Central London office market. The broker lowered its ratings on property investment and development company companies Segro to neutral from buy and Great Portland Estates to sell from neutral. Shares in Segro fell 2.7 per cent, or 21.2p, to 779.4p and Great Portland Estates slid 2.4 per cent, or 11.6p, to 472.4p. Glencore has swooped on a Canadian rivals coal business in another twist to one of the sectors biggest takeover battles in decades. The FTSE 100 mining giant said it has offered to buy Teck Resourcess coal arm for cash in a move that would see it combine the business with its own coal operations. Glencore would then spin out the merged entity into a separate company within two years of the deal closing. Tecks coal arm makes coking coal used in steelmaking, while Glencores controversial thermal coal business is considered one of the worlds dirtiest fossil fuels. Glencore has been battling to buy the whole of Teck, with boss Gary Nagle having previously said buying the coal arm alone would be a distant second to a full-blown takeover. Dirty: Glencores controversial thermal coal business - which includes mines in Australia (pictured) - is considered one of the worlds dirtiest fossil fuels Teck, whose operations also include copper and zinc mines, said it was engaging with Glencores latest move but stressed it was just one of a number of proposals under consideration. Glencore previously offered to buy the entire firm for 18.3billion in a cash-and-share deal which valued the coal arm at 6.5billion. Its advances have been repeatedly rebuffed by Tecks managers, who previously branded the takeover proposal as a non-starter. But Glencore has been steadily ratcheting up the pressure, having threatened to mount a hostile takeover by taking its proposal directly to investors. Tecks leadership originally planned to split its own business in two, focusing on coal and metal mining respectively. But they U-turned in April when it failed to win support from investors, strengthening Glencores hand. Reports also emerged last month that Glencore could sweeten its bid for the entire firm in a bid to get a deal over the line. But it faces several hurdles in its pursuit of Teck, which has sparked opposition from the Canadian government and the mining industry. Any takeover would come under heavy scrutiny from officials in Ottawa, who can block deals, and recently clamped down hard on foreign investment in the mineral industry. Glencore also faces Norman Keevil, 84, a Canadian magnate whose shares in Teck give him an effective veto on any takeover. His vociferous rejection of the bid irked some investors and he has since softened his tone. Glencores plans to demerge its coal business come amid mounting criticism of the firms strategy to cut back its greenhouse gas emissions. Theres a merry-go-round of coal assets in the industry as companies dont want to be left holding what is seen as a dirty fuel, said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould. Spaceport Cornwalls departing boss has blasted sexist behaviour in the male-dominated sector. Melissa Quinn, who oversaw the first ever space launch from UK soil in January, which ended in failure when the Virgin Orbit rocket suffered what was described as an anomaly, is leaving after nearly ten years at the firm. Revealing that from time to time the job got ugly, she said: I just felt like I didnt have a lot of support to maintain my own level of security and safety for my family as well. So for me, it was more of a personal decision to step out of the limelight in Cornwall. Quinn who has been appointed general manager of US-based space data and tracking company Seradata added: It is a very male-dominated industry. Failed launch: Melissa Quinn (pictured), oversaw the first ever space launch from UK soil in January, which ended in failure when the Virgin Orbit rocket suffered an 'anomaly' 'I could write a book about some of the ridiculous stuff that has been said to me. It has been important to me that I didnt just sit back and be quiet that I added to the conversation. But also that I held them to account when they were blatantly being quite sexist. She said she would often confront the behaviour and call it out. Unless we do that, they continue to get away with it, she said. Quinn said she had a difficult time following the failed Virgin launch. A lot of people wanted to point fingers and it is easy to point the finger at the person who was running it, she said. But I feel that unfortunately these days with social media, things can spread like wildfire very quickly, can be very personal and they are kind of left unchecked. At the end of the day, there is a human at the end of everything and it hurts, of course it hurts. It got to the point where I just thought for my own family and for me it was time I took a bit of time out of that spotlight. Ministers will not intervene to rescue Revoluts faltering application for a UK banking licence, the Mail has been told. The payments app has been hailed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as a shining example of Britains world-beating fintech sector. But more than three months after declaring an announcement on its banking licence was imminent, it looks no closer to being achieved. And a well-placed government source told the Mail: Not everybody who applies for the licence gets one. Ministers have no role. Revoluts application for a banking licence is being scrutinised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) an arm of the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Delays: Revolut, founded by Nik Storonsky (pictured with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt). is still waiting for a UK banking licence, three months after being told a decision was 'imminent' At the same time, Hunt has made no secret of his admiration for the firm and its founder Nik Storonsky, who was pictured alongside him at an event earlier this year. The Chancellor said last month that while regulators must remain independent it was important for them to understand their wider responsibilities for economic growth. That will be enshrined in law when the Financial Services and Markets Bill takes effect, expected within weeks. It will impose a duty on regulators to have regard to the UKs growth and international competitiveness, and report regularly on how well they are achieving that. But the Mail has been told that Revolut is not being seen in the Government as a test case for that obligation. If regulators decide they do not want to grant the firm a licence, they are likely to advise it to withdraw its application. But Revolut could decide to press ahead and, if refused, appeal the decision. The firm was bullish back in March when it said it believed a UK banking licence would be granted imminently. Those comments came as it published delayed annual results for 2021, showing a first-ever profit of 26million and revenues tripling to 636million. But things began to unravel quickly. Auditor BDO said 477million of revenues three-quarters of the total could not be verified and may have been misstated. The fallout from that revelation then appeared to have caused a split, with Revolut hitting out at misreporting of the auditors opinion, only for the Financial Times to report that some independent board members viewed that as an overreaction. Then in April, funds giant Schroders cut the valuation of its stake in Revolut from 10.1million to 5.4million, implying the company was worth about 14billion, just over half its previous valuation of around 26billion. Meanwhile, the Telegraph reported that the PRA had told the Treasury in March that it planned to reject Revoluts application but that the notice was not served and there were subsequently urgent behind-the-scenes talks to try to rescue it. The drawn-out application was all becoming too much for 38-year-old Storonsky, who told the Times last month that it was a long and tiring process while railing against tax and red tape and saying his company would never consider floating in London. And in a pot shot at regulators, he said: You wait for emails or letters for months. This is not the business environment to operate in the modern world. In another blow, Revoluts finance chief Mikko Salovaara quit for personal reasons. Martin Gilbert, the City grandee who is Revoluts chairman, was due to meet the PRA last week to try to resolve the impasse over its application. A Revolut spokesman said: We do not comment on ongoing licence applications. Take-off: Heathrow said airline traffic figures up 26% for May Heathrow passenger numbers were boosted last month by three bank holiday weekends. The airport has revealed numbers jumped by a quarter with particularly strong demand for flights between the UK and US. Bosses told investors yesterday that 6.7m passengers used the airport in May, as it benefited from the extra bank holiday weekend for the Kings coronation. Heathrow said traffic was 25.9 per cent higher than in May last year. It said 1.6m passengers flew across the Atlantic to North America, with the airport running 248 daily flights to the US. Flight numbers to the US have grown as American airlines have switched routes towards the UK and away from European and East Asian markets, which have been slower to recover after the impact of the pandemic. Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye hailed the performance of flights to the US as he shrugged off the impact of eight days of strikes on the busiest days in May. British Gas parent company Centrica expects to post 'significantly higher' profits from its UK retail division for the first half of this year. Centrica told investors on Tuesday that the business has been boosted by regulatory changes that enable energy suppliers to be reimbursed some costs from selling to customers at capped prices. The Government's Energy Price Guarantee limits a typical annual household energy bill to 2,500, but this will drop to 2,074 from the beginning of July due to slumping wholesale costs for gas. Outlook: British Gas's parent company Centrica anticipates its full-year adjusted earnings per share will be towards the top end of analyst expectations Centrica said the opening five months of 2023 were 'strong overall', thanks to an impressive result from its energy marketing and trading arm, and 'good' availability from its nuclear and gas production and storage assets. As a consequence, it anticipates full-year adjusted earnings per share will be towards the top end of analyst expectations of 16.5p to 24.7p. However, it cautioned that 'uncertainties remain' for the remainder of the trading period, including the impacts of weather, commodity prices, the economic environment and government policy. The company's trading update came ahead of Centrica's annual general meeting in Leeds on Tuesday, where investors voted to approve the 4.5million pay proposed for chief executive Chris O'Shea. Controversy has erupted over the compensation package, which contains bonuses of 3.7million, due to the rise in fuel poverty across the UK caused by skyrocketing household energy bills. Unite the union had urged shareholders to reject it, with general secretary Sharon Graham saying the 'obscene bonus is just one glaring example of the epidemic of profiteering afflicting the country'. Centrica's profits tripled to a record 3.3billion in 2022 as gas and electricity prices soared in the aftermath of loosening Covid-related restrictions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Prices were further pushed up by the UK's low gas storage capacity levels, poorer-than-forecast wind and solar power generation levels in 2021, and greater gas demand from Asia and South America. O'Shea's bonus also comes against the backdrop of an Ofgem probe into British Gas hiring third-party contractors who broke into vulnerable people's homes to forcibly install pre-payment meters. The regulator has subsequently introduced a new code of practice that requires suppliers and contractors to refrain from compulsory installations for the 'highest risk' groups, such as the over-85s and homes containing residents with terminal illnesses. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The owner of British Gas is doing little to endear itself to the UK's hard-pressed households, even if shareholders will be pleased, as it guides for profit at the top end of expectations.' He added: 'Unlike some utility suppliers, Centrica has been spared much pain during the energy crisis because it benefited from its wholesale business.' Centrica shares were flat at 118p just before 4pm early Tuesday afternoon, yet their value has expanded by around 51 per cent over the past 12 months. KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 18:57 | World, All, Japan South Korea's fisheries ministry held the first of a series of nationwide briefings for the public Tuesday to explain seafood safety amid Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry said Monday the briefings will continue until late June to provide scientific information on the treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi plant that Japan plans to start discharging in the summer. The first event was held in the southern port city of Busan with about 40 people -- all working in the local fisheries industry -- in attendance, a ministry official said. Song Sang Keun, the vice fisheries minister, said Monday, "(The ministry) plans to meet face-to-face with the public, especially those working in the fisheries industry, to explain how safe our marine products are, based on scientific and objective facts." "There is no way that inappropriate marine products will get to the table of our people," Song added. He also emphasized that the ministry wants to prevent seafood consumption from slowing down due to incorrect information about the treated water. Prime Minister Han Duck Soo said during a parliamentary session on Monday that the government may have to take legal action in cases in which the fisheries industry is negatively affected by the spread of false information about the safety of seafood. Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party have accused the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol of misleading the public about the impact of the treated water on health and the ocean environment. South Korea sent a delegation of experts to Japan last month to assess the safety of the planned release of the treated water. The experts observed the water treatment system at the Fukushima plant and confirmed other equipment. The delegation will release the outcome of its inspection after the International Atomic Energy Agency issues a report about its review of the water release process, which is expected by the end of June, the head of the delegation suggested after its inspection was completed in late May. Since the nuclear crisis, triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan in March 2011, a vast amount of water contaminated in the process of cooling melted reactor fuel has accumulated at the plant, mixing with rain and groundwater. The plan to release the treated water has met strong opposition from local fishermen, as well as South Korea and some other neighbors. Taiwan's nuclear energy authority said in a statement Monday that the island's inspection team arrived in Japan and will stay until Saturday to observe the facilities and operations of an advanced liquid processing system capable of removing radionuclides other than tritium in water. Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu said during a regular press briefing Tuesday the government has called on Japan to fulfill its obligation to provide information openly and transparently to enable scientific inspection. About 1.33 million tons of treated water was stored on the plant's premises as of late April, approaching the total capacity of 1.37 million tons, according to the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. Related coverage: South Korean experts to continue analysis on Fukushima water discharge South Korean experts begin 2-day inspection of Fukushima nuclear plant It's little more than a buckled and corroded shell. But it happens to be the shell of a rare Ferrari, so that means this wreck is expected to sell for more than 1.2million. Also thrown in is an engine though that comes from another car. The wreck is being described, with a touch of understatement, as an 'intriguing restoration project' for a car enthusiast. The 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider caught fire after a crash while racing nearly 60 years ago. There are no wheels or interior and little trace of its red paint. It could do 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and boasted a top speed of 146mph. The car was used in track races in Europe including in the Imola Grand Prix, in Italy, the year it was made. It's little more than a buckled and corroded shell. But it happens to be the shell of a rare Ferrari, so that means this wreck is expected to sell for more than 1.2million The 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider caught fire after a crash while racing nearly 60 years ago. There are no wheels or interior and little trace of its red paint Also thrown in is an engine though that comes from another car. The wreck is being described, with a touch of understatement, as an 'intriguing restoration project' for a car enthusiast In 1958 it was exported to the United States, taking part in races there and changing hands several times. In 1963 its owner according to the listing from RM Sotheby's, a classic car seller that's part owned by Sotheby's 'replaced the original engine with an American V-8, a common practice at that time'. The listing adds: 'At some point over the following two years the Mondial was crashed and suffered fire damage.' The listing says the shell changed hands several times, 'preserved in its race-damaged condition'. It is among 20 Ferraris for sale in RM Sotheby's Lost and Found collection. Rob Myers, RM Sotheby's CEO, said: 'While a select group of Ferrari collectors knew about the existence of these extraordinary cars, the rest of the world remained unaware. 'This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire these iconic Ferraris.' The estimate on the 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider is up to 1.27million ($1.6million) when the auction takes place in August in Monterey, California. Avanos Medical, Inc., a medical technology company, focuses on delivering medical device solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It offers a portfolio of chronic care products that include digestive health products, such as Mic-Key enteral feeding tubes, Corpak patient feeding solutions, and NeoMed neonatal and pediatric feeding solutions; and respiratory health products, such as closed airway suction systems and other airway management devices under the Ballard, Microcuff, and Endoclear brands. The company also provides a portfolio of non-opioid pain solutions, including acute pain products, such as On-Q and ambIT surgical pain pumps, Game Ready cold, and compression therapy systems; and interventional pain solutions, which offers minimally invasive pain-relieving therapies, such as Coolief pain relief therapy and OrthogenRx's knee osteoarthritis pain relief injection products. It markets its products directly to hospitals and other healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, and other end-user customers, as well as through third-party wholesale distributors. The company was formerly known as Halyard Health, Inc. and changed its name to Avanos Medical, Inc. in June 2018. Avanos Medical, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Belden Inc. provides portfolio of signal transmission solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Solutions and Industrial Automation Solutions. The Enterprise Solutions segment offers copper cable and connectivity solutions, fiber cable and connectivity solutions, interconnect panels, racks and enclosures, and signal extension and matrix switching systems for use in applications, such as local area networks, data centers, access control, 5G, fiber, and home and building automation. It also provides power, cooling, and airflow management products for mission-critical data center operations; and end-to-end fiber and copper network systems. This segment serves commercial real estate, hospitality, healthcare, education, financial, government, and broadband and wireless service providers, as well as end-markets, including sport venues, stadiums, data centers, military installations, and academia. The Industrial Automation Solutions segment offers infrastructure components and on-machine connectivity systems; and industrial Ethernet switches, network management software, routers, firewalls, gateways, input/output (I/O) connectors/systems, industrial Ethernet cables, optical fiber industrial Ethernet cables, Fieldbus cables, IP and networking cables, I/O modules, distribution boxes, and customer specific wiring solutions. This segment provides its products for use in applications comprising network and fieldbus infrastructure; sensor and actuator connectivity; and power, control, and data transmission; and supplies heat-shrinkable tubing and wire management products to protect and organize wire and cable assemblies. It serves distributors, original equipment manufacturers, installers, and end-users. The company was formerly known as Belden CDT Inc. and changed its name to Belden Inc. in May 2007. Belden Inc. was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Altria Group, Inc. is a US-based tobacco company and one of the Big-3 tobacco companies internationally. The company was formerly known as Phillip Morris International but emerged with its new name in 2003. The rebranding was intended to help the company improve its image while it shifted away from the smokeable tobacco segments of the business. It is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500. The company was a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for many years but fell from that position due to declining tobacco sales and the divestiture of businesses. The company operates through a network of subsidiaries that include Phillip Morris USA. Phillip Morris USA is the core segment of business and includes the Marlboro line of cigarette brands. German immigrant Phillip Morris originally founded Phillip Morris in London in 1822. In 1844 the company began making its first line of machine-rolled cigarettes called English Ovals. The English Ovals remained in production in limited quantities until 2017. By 1902 the company had moved to New York City, where it was incorporated. Operations continued uninterrupted until 1919, when it changed ownership, and then, in 1929, manufacturing operations were moved to Richmond, Virginia and closer to the tobacco fields. Philip Morris made headlines again in 1933 when it integrated its manufacturing operations. This was done more than 30 years ahead of federal regulations and a ground-breaking move for the industry and America. After another multi-decade run of uninterrupted operations, the company began a series of acquisitions that included Miller Brewing, Kraft Foods and General Mills. Those acquisitions led to eventual mergers and spin-offs that resulted in SABMiller and Kraft General Mills. Altria Group operates through a network of subsidiaries manufacturing and selling smokeable, smokeless and oral tobacco products. Subsidiaries include but not are limited to Philip Morris USA, John Middleton Inc. and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. Brands include Marlboro, Marlboro Lights, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Sky and Husky. The company's principal customers are wholesalers and large retailers. The company maintains a number of strategic partnerships as part of its efforts to shift away from smokeable tobacco. These include a 35% stake in JUUL smokeless tobacco products, a 45% stake in Canadian integrated cannabis company Cronos Group and a near-10% stake in ABInbev. These partnerships are intended to capitalize on smokeless tobacco and the legalization of cannabis at the US federal level. Altria brought in more than $21 billion in 2021. The company employs more than 6,000 people and has paid more than $6.5 billion in cumulative dividends. The companys operations help support more than 1,200 US farmers and are sold in over 300,000 US retail establishments. Altria continues to be a leader in workforce quality and has received numerous awards, including a spot on the National Business Consortiums Best of the Best List for 2022. ConocoPhillips is a US-based muti-national energy company. ConocoPhillips is a diversified and integrated energy company with operations in all energy industry segments. In 2021, it was ranked the 8th largest petroleum company by market cap and was #156 on the Forbes Fortune 500 list. Regarding the global economy, it is the worlds 574th largest business, with operations in 13 countries. It is one of 5 remaining companies from Standard Oils split up and is the result of decades of mergers and acquisitions. The companys earliest origins are in 1875 with the birth of Continental Oil and Transportation Company, Conoco. The company grew quickly with the industrial revolution and the widening usage of Kerosene, among other petroleum products, for heating and lighting. By 1885 it had become part of the Standard Oil family of companies, a time in which it also saw explosive growth. Assets related to the original Conoco were sold to oil exploration leader E.W. Marland and were later remerged following Standards demise. By 1929, the company was an independent and fully integrated energy company specializing in crude and derivative products. Phillips Petroleum Company was founded in 1917 as an oil exploration company that quickly expanded into diversified operations. The company hit the big times upon the discovery of natural gas in the Texas panhandle and it saw explosive growth in the war and post-war periods of the early and mid-20th century. Today, ConocoPhillips explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen across a diversified portfolio of assets. The company also transports and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas liquids and their derivative products through a global network of distributors. The companys operations span the conventional and tight oil markets, including shale gas, heavy oil, oil sands and other petroleum-related businesses. As of late 2022, the company had more than 6.1 billion barrels of proven oil and oil-equivalent reserves and was producing 1.731 million barrels of crude and equivalents per day. Roughly 50% of operations are centered in the crude oil market while less than 40% are natural gas, with the remainder made up of LNG and bitumen (asphalt). The company's portfolio includes conventional, unconventional plays in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Assets are primarily located in Alaska (about 33% of US production), Eagle Ford, the Permian Basin, the Bakken, the Gulf of Mexico and the Anadarko Basin. Revenue topped $45.8 billion in 2021 and the company employs about 9,900 worldwide. Exploratory operations are underway in Columbia and Chile where the opportunity for both scale and flexibility is present. ConocoPhillips was the first major oil company to adopt the Paris Climate Accord and pledge to achieve net-zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2050. Areas of focus include increasing operational efficiencies, supporting the reduction of end-use pollutants and advancing low-carbon alternatives, including hydrogen production and fuel cells. Exxon Mobil Corporation is the largest direct descendent of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil and one of the worlds largest companies. Its earliest roots lie with Vacuum Oil which got its start in the 1860s. Vacuum Oils primary product was kerosene, an important advancement for heating and lighting in rural America. Vacuum Oil was later merged with Standard Oil of New Jersey which was the parent operation of the Standard Oil empire prior to its breakup. Standard Oil of New Jersey would merge with other independent operators over the next few years until settling on the brand Exxon for most of its operations. Meanwhile, Standard Oil of New York was operating under much the same impetus, merging and growing, until it became known as Mobil. Then, in 1999, the two giants became one with a merger of equals that on paper had Exxon buying Mobil. Now, the combined company operates under the Exxon, Mobil, and Esso brands as an international vertically integrated energy and petrochemical business. Today, the company explores and produces crude oil and natural gas and their derivative products globally. As of 2022, it was ranked 6th on Forbes Fortune 500 list and 12th on the Global 500 list but it has held positions from #1 to #10 over the years. In terms of its operations, it is the worlds second-largest oil refiner and the largest refiner outside of China. In terms of reserves, ExxonMobil claimed about 18.5 million barrels of oil and oil equivalents at the end of 2021 and was ranked 15th globally. ExxonMobil operates through three segments that are the Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces oil and oil equivalents and represents roughly 70% of the income. The Downstream segment gathers, receives, stores, transports and refines oil and equivalents and their derivatives. The Downstream segment also markets and delivers fuel products to consumers and businesses. The Chemicals segment produces the full range of petrochemicals including plastics, resins and synthetic rubber. ExxonMobil is committed to advancing sustainable and carbon-free energy solutions. The company is targeting 2050 for net-zero emissions and its 2030 interim targets are in alignment with the Paris Accord, the EU's Global Methane Pledge, and US Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan. The companys plans include investing $15 billion into reducing greenhouse emissions by 2028. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Exchanges, Fixed Income and Data Services, and Mortgage Technology. The company operates regulated marketplaces for listing, trading, and clearing an array of derivatives contracts and financial securities, such as commodities, interest rates, foreign exchange, and equities, as well as corporate and exchange-traded funds; and trading venues, including regulated exchanges and clearing houses. It also offers energy, agricultural and metals, and financial futures and options; and cash equities and equity options, and over-the-counter and other markets, as well as listings and data and connectivity services. In addition, the company provides fixed income data and analytic, fixed income execution, CDS clearing, and other multi-asset class data and network services. Further, it offers proprietary and comprehensive mortgage origination platform, which serves residential mortgage loans; closing solutions that provides customers connectivity to the mortgage supply chain and facilitates the secure exchange of information; data and analytics services; and Data as a Service for lenders to access data and origination information. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 14:55 | All, Japan A Nagasaki prefectural government official was arrested Tuesday after paper cranes symbolizing peace were found burned at a Nagasaki park commemorating the victims of the atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in 1945. A man passing by the Nagasaki Peace Park reported to firefighters around 6:20 a.m. that a large number of origami cranes were on fire. The 23-year-old man, arrested on the spot on suspicion of property damage, has admitted to using a lighter to set fire to the paper cranes, police said. The prefectural official has been undergoing treatment for illness, and the police are investigating his motive and other details. Visitors to the site sometimes donate paper cranes in groups of a thousand to pray for peace, following a tradition in Japan that making a thousand folded paper cranes makes wishes come true such as recovery from illness or success in school sporting events. No one was injured in the incident near a memorial made from a wall of the former Urakami Cathedral destroyed in the bombing, but a stand for offering flowers and other items was left damaged, according to the police and the firefighters. The story of Sadako Sasaki, a Hiroshima atomic bombing survivor who died aged 12 of leukemia after folding the paper cranes in a bid to wish for recovery, has since made them an anti-nuclear symbol. KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 13:53 | All, Japan Japan on Tuesday adopted its first space security blueprint with the aim of better utilizing the frontier for defense purposes over the next 10 years, in response to the rising military use of outer space by China and Russia. In the roadmap, drawn up based on the National Security Strategy updated in December 2022, the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also committed to advancing Japanese defense projects by making use of private-sector space technologies. The main pillar of the blueprint is a plan for strengthening information-gathering systems to enhance the effectiveness of counterstrike, or enemy base strike, capabilities, which Japan pledged late last year to acquire while maintaining its war-renouncing Constitution. The roadmap was endorsed as Beijing continues to push ahead with its own space development projects, fanning speculations that competition between China and the United States in the domain will intensify. Russia has also been expanding its military-related space capabilities. But the Japanese government's apparent attempt to accelerate the integration of the country's defense and civilian sectors may provoke a backlash from opposition parties, which have sought to criticize a series of relatively hawkish security policies hammered out by Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. During a government meeting on Tuesday, Kishida said, "For the sake of national security, we will dramatically scale up the use of space systems and ensure the safe and stable utilization of the domain." The blueprint says that the development of space sector technologies has "direct implications concerning military advantage," citing as an example the use of data from U.S. and European commercial satellites to assist Ukraine in military operations in its defensive war against Russia, which invaded the country 16 months ago. The government has also expressed its fears about the "rapid expansion of threats" from some countries, such as China, that have been significantly beefing up their information-gathering systems in space, as well as developing capabilities for attacking satellites. Concerning its own counterstrike capabilities, Japan promises to increase the speed of information transmission by combining multiple small satellites and improve its visual data interpretation technologies by using artificial intelligence. The blueprint, meanwhile, says Japan will step up cooperation with the United States and its allies to defend satellites while emphasizing that the Self-Defense Forces can disrupt the command and information communication systems of other nations. The government also vowed to bolster collaboration between the Defense Ministry and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in a bid to provide support to private companies engaged in critical space technology development, the blueprint says. By attempting to stimulate private-sector-led development in space, the government will aim to reduce costs in the face of budget constraints, it adds. KYODO NEWS - Jun 13, 2023 - 11:20 | All, Feature For the past several years, a 98-year-old former Japanese soldier who was interned in a Siberian labor camp at the end of World War II has been recounting his experiences to schoolchildren to encourage them to value peace. "I hope you will carry the future with you so peace will endure for a long time to come," Masaru Nishikura, of Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, told a group of visiting junior high school students last month at the Memoril Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. The around 40 third-year students from Toin Daiichi Junior High School in Toin, Mie Prefecture listened quietly as the usually mild-mannered Nishikura spoke with controlled passion for about an hour. "All of you who will become adults and maybe have your own families one day, please make sure your children and grandchildren never have to endure hardships like I did." The eldest son in a farming family in Niigata Prefecture, Nishikura went on active duty in the Imperial Japanese Army in January 1945. He was stationed near the border of what is now North Korea and Russia when Japan surrendered in WWII and was interned by the Soviet Union in a labor camp in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur region of Siberia. Close to 600,000 Japanese soldiers are believed to have been held in Soviet labor camps in the wake of Japan's defeat in the war. They were interned for up to 11 years, with about 55,000 dying as a result of the work they were forced to do, the severe living conditions and malnutrition. In the talk, which took place on his birthday, Nishikura spoke of a time when a pickaxe he was using bounced off the frozen earth during winter construction to try to bury water pipes. "I won't forget that even in death. It was brutal," he told the audience. He also remembered that, dogged by hunger, he picked up a "frozen potato" from a road one day only to discover it was actually horse dung when he later thawed it out. One middle school student asked what he did in his free time. "I had about one day off a week to do laundry," he replied. "We weren't allowed to go outside and meet ordinary citizens. There was nothing fun about it." After listening to Nishikura, Riona Ito, 15, said, "It was the first time I learned about the hardships of internment. When I return home, I want to tell my family about Mr. Nishikura's experiences." Nishikura was repatriated in July 1948. Initially, he refrained from talking about his experiences because "it was something that I dared not speak about," he told Kyodo News in a phone interview. But Nishikura, who worked at an insurance company as a pension consultant for about three decades, was encouraged by a customer to give a speech about his internment experience when he was considering retirement. After he was approached by the Memorial Museum, which organizes storytelling by war survivors for schools that wish to hear them, he began to tell his story in August 2017 at the age of 92. Nishikura also conducts virtual talks from home and has appeared online at five schools, such as Okinawa Prefecture Yokatsu High School in Uruma, Okinawa. He finds the dialogue stimulating, saying, "There are many teachers and students eager to learn." He smiled for commemorative photos with the Toin Daiichi Junior High School students after wrapping up his talk. As a birthday gift, the museum's curator presented Nishikura with a flower bouquet and messages written on special Japanese paper. "I want to keep talking about this as long as they continue to ask me," Nishikura said. This aerial photo taken on Feb. 9, 2023 shows a group of desert elephants walking at the Hoanib River drainage in northern Namibia. Desert elephants from the arid lands of Kunene Region in northern Namibia are battling for their survival as a combination of human-caused mortality, which accounts for over half of the adult deaths, and a distressing lack of successful calf survival plunges their population into a critical state.(Xinhua/Chen Cheng) WINDHOEK, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Desert elephants from the arid lands of Kunene Region in northern Namibia are battling for their survival as a combination of human-caused mortality, which accounts for over half of the adult deaths, and a distressing lack of successful calf survival plunges their population into a critical state. A recent study by Desert Elephant Conservation reveals the hardships these majestic creatures endure in their struggle for survival in the Hoarusib, Hoanib and Uniab River drainages. According to researchers Laura Brown and Rob Ramey, livestock grazing and intolerance by some pastoralists have contributed to the decline. "The Hoarusib is a different situation due to the fact that livestock grazing overlaps most of the elephants' range. Until the recent incorporation of conservancies, many people along the upper Hoarusib River were not vested in conservation," the report said. "Hence, elephants would be found dead downriver with bullets in them (from being shot in the gut so they would die elsewhere). An ongoing concern has been a minority of intolerant pastoralists and others not vested in conservation or tourism activities," it added. Human intervention has a profound impact on the elephant population, leading to increased adult mortality, disruption of the natural reproductive cycle, and prevention of population recovery. It also exacerbates high calf mortality rates with over half of the newborns perishing within their first year. Calf mortality in elephants is influenced by variable climates leading to droughts and food scarcity, the need for newborn calves to keep up with the constantly moving herd, and the challenges faced by young mothers lacking experience in calf-rearing, all of which contribute to higher calf mortality rates, the researchers said. Prolonged droughts in the northern Namib Desert exacerbate food scarcity and hardship for the elephants, especially in the Hoarusib and Hoanib subpopulations. The Namib desert experiences periodic drought due to its highly variable long-term climate, the researchers said, adding that while elephants are relatively resilient to droughts compared to other species due to their intelligence and adaptability in finding vegetation, it still affects their reproductive success and calf survival. In the past, desert elephants had more freedom to migrate and access seasonal vegetation. However, the small elephant population, especially adult females with important knowledge, combined with habitat loss from human interference and the establishment of permanent settlements, has restricted their movement. Consequently, elephants have adapted by avoiding humans during the day, drinking at night, and resorting to crop-raiding under cover of darkness during droughts, the researchers said. The dwindling number of breeding-age bulls is also posing a significant conservation challenge, with the researchers stating that if these bulls die prematurely or fall victim to poaching, reproduction could cease. Furthermore, the risk of inbreeding increases with such a limited gene pool, while the issue is compounded by the fact that no male elephants from the highlands or Etosha National Park have migrated to the Hoarusib and Hoanib regions since 2009. Namibia released an updated elephant management plan in 2021, which includes a moratorium on hunting desert elephants and declaring problem animals for destruction in the three northernmost rivers (Hoarusib, Hoanib, and Uniab) of the desert due to their critically low numbers, including accurately counted and individually identified breeding-aged bulls. This photo taken on Feb. 8, 2023 shows two desert elephants walking at the Hoanib River drainage in northern Namibia. Desert elephants from the arid lands of Kunene Region in northern Namibia are battling for their survival as a combination of human-caused mortality, which accounts for over half of the adult deaths, and a distressing lack of successful calf survival plunges their population into a critical state.(Xinhua/Chen Cheng) This photo taken on Feb. 8, 2023 shows a desert elephant walking at the Hoanib River drainage in northern Namibia. Desert elephants from the arid lands of Kunene Region in northern Namibia are battling for their survival as a combination of human-caused mortality, which accounts for over half of the adult deaths, and a distressing lack of successful calf survival plunges their population into a critical state.(Xinhua/Chen Cheng) [June 13, 2023] Certuity Appoints Mariia Eroshin as Managing Director, Family Office, Foundations and Endowments Tweet Certuity, an independent multi-family office that provides a holistic approach to wealth management, legacy planning and family office services, announced today the appointment of Mariia Eroshin, CFA, CPA, CFP, MBA as Managing Director, Family Office, Foundations and Endowments. Ms. Eroshin brings more than 20 years of experience working with ultra-high-net-worth families, foundations, endowments and family offices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005035/en/ Mariia Eroshin, Certuity (Photo: Business Wire) Prior to joining Certuity, Ms. Eroshin held multiple leadership roles in family offices, including CEO, CFO, Head of Family Office, Director of Investment Research and Senior Portfolio Manager. In her family office roles, she oversaw leading teams, investments, clients, family office operations, finance and accounting, technology, venture capital, private equity, real estate, family business consulting, trust and estate, tax, and philanthropy. Additionally, Ms. Eroshin has experience in multi-family wealth management, as well as foundations and endowments, providing investment management and serving as CIO. "I am excited to join a firm that is deeply committed to providing a world-class, institutional family office and wealth management offering," Ms. Eroshin said. "Certuity is a client-centric, tech-forward-thinking firm that is continuously evolving, innovating and making a meaningful impact on the lives of the families we serve. It is an honor to be part of this team." "Mariia's extensive experience working with ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices aligns with our core offering and expands our network of supporting additional families," said Rich Bursek, President & Partner of Certuity. "Mariia shares our values and commitment to provide clients with a holistic, personalized and tailored experience based on the individual needs and circumstances of each family. We are thrilled to welcome her." Ms. Eroshin previously served as Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor at UBS Financial Services, where she created and led an ultra-high-net-worth family offices and foundations practice. Prior to UBS, she served as Director and Private Banker at Citi Private Bank, leading an ultra-high-net-worth team in wealth management, private banking, investments, philanthropy, wealth strategy and trust planning. Ms. Eroshin also served as Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor, and previously Senior Portfolio Manager, at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. She began her career at Ernst & Young, specializing in private equity, venture capital and hedge fund audit and valuation in the Global Asset Management Group. Ms. Eroshin earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude and is the first female to receive the prestigious Palmer Scholar recognition. She also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, a Bachelor of Accounting in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ms. Eroshin holds the Series 7, 66 & SIE licenses and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP). About Certuity Certuity provides a holistic approach to wealth management, legacy planning and family office services. Certuity's independent structure, objective platform and underlying fiduciary duty differentiate it from a majority of traditional wealth management firms. Certuity and its advisors have been recognized in Barron's Top U.S. Advisors Ranked by State 2014-2023 and America's Top 100 Independent Advisors 2016-2019, Forbes' Top Women Advisors 2020-2021 and Best-in-State Advisors 2020-2023 lists, The Financial Times Top 300 Financial Advisors 2015-2020, Financial Advisors Magazine's Top 50 Fastest-Growing Firms 2013 & 2019 and RIA Ranking 2019-2022, and the Los Angeles Business Journal's Banking and Finance Visionaries 2021-2023. Certuity has offices in New York City, North Palm Beach, San Francisco, Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica. Learn more at www.Certuity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005035/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] EOS, Tecomet, Inc., Precision ADM, and OIC Partner to Provide End-To-End Solution for Medical Device Additive Manufacturing Tweet New alliance enables medical device OEMs a complete range of services to efficiently commercialize new, additively manufactured products to market CHICAGO, Ill, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Four leading companies in the medical device manufacturing industry, EOS, Tecomet, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre (OIC) and Precision ADM announced a collaborative partnership offering an end-to-end solution for medical device additive manufacturing (AM). The partnership includes a full range of services including front-end engineering and design services, 510k approval pathways, device and machine validation, pre-clinical testing, and commercialization. The adoption of AM in the medical device market is rapidly increasing due to the proven patient benefits, and the uncertainty in global supply chains where industrial 3D printing has proven to be more robust. With this new partnership, a complete end-to-end solution is provided to customers starting from product design and process development over large-scale manufacturing all the way to testing, validation and FDA submission. The advantage for medical OEMs is a significant reduction in product development lead-time, and a reduced time to market and overall risk, while leveraging the most recent manufacturing innovations. Key to this partnership are the strengths and industry knowledge of each organization which delivers a seamless, turnkey solution for medical device AM. Specifically, EOS is the global technology leader in both metal and polymer AM, while Tecomet specializes in the precision manufacturing of medical devices and components. OIC provides accredited medical device testing and contract clinical research services to the orthopedic industry. Precision ADM provides comprehensive engineering and AM contract services to the medical device industry. The cohesive team enables medical device manufacturers to compress their time-to-market. "Scaling AM medical device production requires a complete understanding of the process chain which goes beyond just printing and includes design, post-processing, testing, sterilization, and packaging among other steps," said Dr. Gregory Hayes, EOS SVP of Applied Engineering. "Our partnership with Tecomet, OIC and Precision ADM will yield unparalleled additive manufacturing expertise to help medical device manufacturers navigate the complexities of the regulatory environment while delivering high-quality, reliable products." Through its innovative technologies such as high-productivity, multi-laser platforms like the EOS M 300-4 , to industry-first support free solutions like the recently launched Smart Fusion software, EOS is a pioneer and leading innovator of AM to medical markets. EOS also engineers and produces an extensive portfolio of standard and customized materials designed for medical applications. "The partnership with EOS, Precision ADM, and Orthopaedic Innovation Centre aligns with our steadfast approach to provide full spectrum, scalable manufacturing solutions to the medical device market," said Andreas Weller, CEO of Tecomet. "Combining the latest additive manufacturing technologies with our precision manufacturing expertise is a further commitment to this growing technology. Our global customers are consistently looking for ways to get their products to market faster, this partnership paired with our exceptional quality systems will offer a unique and comprehensive solution to the industry." "We are thrilled to work with advanced manufacturing powerhouses EOS, Tecomet, and Precision ADM to provide end-to-end medical device production to leading OEMs," added Trevor Gascoyne, CEO of OIC. "Our renowned testing capabilities and clinical research services will streamline clinical implementation and commercialization efforts unlike any other partnership in the industry." "By partnering with EOS and Tecomet, we can offer a complete suite of engineering, AM, and machining solutions that will help our customers bring their products to market faster," said Martin Petrak, CEO of Precision ADM. "From materials options to lattice structures, our engineering, testing, and manufacturing services, combined with the expertise of EOS and Tecomet, will ensure that our customers have access to the best possible solution for their needs." Representatives will be on-hand and available to discuss the partnership at the Orthopaedic Manufacturing & Technology Exposition and Conference ( OMTEC ), June 13-15, in Chicago, Illinois. About Precision ADM, Inc. Precision ADM is a global engineering and manufacturing solutions provider that uses Additive Manufacturing, also known as 3D Printing, as a core technology, complimented by multi-axis machining to manufacture high value components and devices for the medical, aerospace, energy, and industrial sectors. Precision ADM has created a comprehensive Advanced Digital Manufacturing process which includes Design Support, Engineering, Manufacturing and Finishing. Precision ADM possesses ISO 13485:2016, AS9100 Rev D, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. About OIC Established in Winnipeg, Canada in 2010, the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre consists of a diverse team of surgeons, scientists, engineers, and technologists, offering a unique combination of accredited testing capabilities and clinical expertise to the medical device industry. OIC services include standardized and custom device testing, material analytics, clinical research, and device failure analyses. OIC holds ISO 9001 certification and ISO 17025 accreditation on an ever-growing list of test methods. About Tecomet Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts with over 16 facilities worldwide across 3 continents and 5 countries, Tecomet is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of orthopedic, robotic assisted, and minimally invasive surgical products. Tecomet provides a full range of metal and material conversion technologies, for long-term implants and instrument solutions, including forging, casting, precision-machining, and other value-add services. Tecomet is also a leading manufacturer of precision components to the aerospace & defense industry, producing products used in aircraft engines, missile & satellite propulsion systems, vision systems, and infrared applications. Tecomet meets the requirements of ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR, ISO 13485, and for decades has been a steadfast partner of quality to its customers. For more information contact 978-642-2400 or visit www.tecomet.com . About EOS EOS provides responsible manufacturing solutions via industrial 3D printing technology to manufacturers around the world. Connecting high quality production efficiency with its pioneering innovation and sustainable practices, the independent company formed in 1989 will shape the future of manufacturing. Powered by its platform-driven digital value network of machines and a holistic portfolio of services, materials and processes, EOS is deeply committed to fulfilling its customers' needs and acting responsibly for our planet. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eos-tecomet-inc-precision-adm-and-oic-partner-to-provide-end-to-end-solution-for-medical-device-additive-manufacturing-301849645.html SOURCE PADM Medical Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] ExaGrid Wins 2 Industry Awards at the Storage Awards 2023 Tweet ExaGrid, the industry's only Tiered Backup Storage solution, today announced that the company was honored with two industry awards, including Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year and Immutable Storage Company of the Year, announced at the 20th annual Storage Magazine Storage Awards ceremony, "The Storries XX," held in London on June 8, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ Photo courtesy of the Storage Awards. Winners are determined by public vote. This year's awards mark the sixth year of wins for ExaGrid at "The Storries" and the third consecutive year that ExaGrid has won the Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year award. ExaGrid continues to gain recognition for its Tiered Backup Storage appliances, winning five awards so far in 2023, including: Storage Awards "The Storries XX" - Enterprise Backup Hardware Vendor of the Year Storage Awards "The Storries XX" - Immutable Storage Company of the Year Network Computing Awards - Bench Tested Product of the Year - Hardware Category Network Computing Awards - Company of the Year Network Computing Awards - Storage Product of the Year About ExaGrid ExaGrid provides Tiered Backup Storage with a unique disk-cache Landing Zone, long-term retention repository, and scale-out architecture. ExaGrid's Landing Zone provides for the fastest backups, restores, and instant VM recoveries. The Repository Tier offers the lowest cost for long-term retention. ExaGrid's scale-out architecture includes full appliances and ensures a fixed-length backup window as data grows, eliminating expensive forklift upgrades and product obsolescence. ExaGrid offers the only two-tiered backup storage approach with a non-network-facing tier, delayed deletes, and immutable objects to recover from ransomware attacks. ExaGrid has physical sales and pre-sales systems engineers in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, Chile, CIS, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nordics, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and other regions. Visit us at exagrid.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. See what our customers have to say about their own ExaGrid experiences and learn why they now spend significantly less time on backup storage in our customer success stories. ExaGrid is proud of our +81 NPS score! ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613885507/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Fairbanks Morse Defense Contracts with Oceus to Co-Develop Remote Connect Portable 5G Network for Maritime Defense Tweet Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), an Arcline Investment Management portfolio company, signed a three-year agreement with Oceus to co-develop and deploy Remote ConnectTM, a reliable, secure, portable 5G Broadband Kit to provide maritime defense customers with instant remote connectivity for any device. The technology provides crews with 5G communications access in some of the world's most remote locations and in areas with extreme interference, ensuring they maintain mission-critical communications while performing essential ship repairs. Oceus empowers governments and enterprises with intelligent, private 5G communications for critical operations in challenging environments. The patented technology intelligently optimizesfor peak performance and eliminates the complexities of deploying and managing private 5G networks. "Remote Connect will amplify our FM OnBoard technology, allowing technicians who are working in the engine room and other lower decks to have the same reliable connectivity that is available topside. This means they can work with FMD's remote technicians to monitor assets, detect anomalies, and troubleshoot issues from anywhere in the world without losing their connection," said Keith Haasl, FMD Vice President of Fairbanks Morse Technology. "This technology showcases FMD's ongoing commitment to support maritime defense with the best-in-class marine technologies, and we're looking forward to working with Oceus to identify the many opportunities for this technology." The Remote Connect portable 5G Broadband Kit comes in a ruggedized, lightweight case, making it easy to transport. It is instantly deployable from land or sea through a single push-button startup. The battery-powered system will provide over eight hours of active use. When launched, users will have Wi-Fi access through a secure 5G cellular modem and gateway within minutes. "Secure, reliable connectivity is essential for the Navy as the fleet grows and its demand for transmitting data expands," said Paul McQuillan, Oceus Chief of Growth and Strategy Officer. "FMD has a strong network throughout the Navy, Military Sealift Command, and the Coast Guard, which makes them an ideal collaborator to help us expand this technology for mission-critical maritime defense." Prior to this agreement, Oceus worked with FMD through the FM Defense Accelerator to refine the portable 5G Broadband Kit technology and explore various naval applications. Access images here. About Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) builds, maintains, and services the most trusted naval power and propulsion systems on the planet. For more than 100 years, FMD has been a principal supplier of a growing array of leading marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. FMD stands ready to rapidly support the systems that power military fleets without compromising safety or quality. In times of peace and war, the experienced engineers, sailors, and technicians of FMD demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mission and vision of critical global naval operations wherever and whenever needed. FMD is a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management. To learn more, visit www.FairbanksMorseDefense.com. About Oceus Oceus is a global technology innovator providing 5G network solutions to government and enterprise customers. We deliver extensive broadband connectivity with dedicated and dynamic spectrum, massive MIMO, and network slicing in deployable, enterprise, and cloud-based solutions that solve unique communication and data challenges in a wide range of public and private networks. Our edge computing capabilities provide low latency, ultra-high reliability, and enhanced security for wireless IoT devices and applications. The Oceus Intelligent Controller provides software-defined network orchestration using AI/ML to automate the management of 5G enterprise systems and applications. Oceus is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, with OCEUS Technologies, our R&D Lab in Plano, Texas, and our Integration and Operations Center in The Colony, Texas. Learn more at oceus.io View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613784403/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Fortune Media and Great Place To Work Name Arrive Logistics to 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas AUSTIN, Texas, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have honored Arrive Logistics as one of this year's Best Workplaces in Texas. This is Arrive's first time being named to this prestigious list, coming in at No. 18. To be selected, Arrive Logistics surpassed rigorous benchmarks and has established itself as one of the best companies to work for headquartered in Texas. To determine the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List, Great Place To Work surveyed more than 100,000 employees at eligible companies. Via the Trust Index Survey, employees shared honest feedback about their experience by responding to 60 statements about the employee experience and answering two open-ended questions. "Our employees' experience is the highest priority for us, and we are grateful to each of our team members who put in the effort each day to deliver results for each other and our transportation partners," Chief People Officer Jonathan Schoonmaker said. "This relentless effort is what has lifted Arrive to be the amazing place it is and we're thrilled to celebrate our team who earned this incredible honor." The Best Workplaces in Texas list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier. To be eligible for the list, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified, have at least 10 U.S. employees, and be headquartered in Texas. "Congratulations to the Best Workplaces in Texas," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "These are companies that understand how putting people first drives performance, productivity and innovation essntials in this economy." "Fortune congratulates the Best Workplaces in Texas," says Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell. "They are leading their industries in employee satisfaction, a critical metric for success in a period of economic uncertainty." About Arrive Logistics Arrive Logistics is a leading multimodal transportation and technology company delivering unparalleled service and custom strategic solutions. With over 1,700 employees, 6,000 customers, and 70,000 carriers in its network, Arrive is one of the largest firms in the freight brokerage industry, with $2.35 billion in 2022 revenue. The company has been recognized as a top workplace by Inc., Great Places to Work, The Austin American-Statesman and The Chicago Tribune. Learn more at www.arrivelogistics.com and explore career opportunities at www.arrivelogistics.com/careers. At Arrive, "We Deliver, So You Can." About the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas Great Place To Work selected the Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List by surveying companies employing 7.5 million people in the U.S. with 1.3 million survey responses received. Of those, more than 100,000 responses were received from employees at companies who were eligible for the 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Texas List, and this list is based on their feedback. To be eligible, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified, have at least 10 U.S. employees, and be headquartered in Texas. Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place to Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more. About Fortune The Fortune mission is to change the world by making business better. We achieve that by providing trusted information, telling great stories, and building world-class communities. We measure performance by rigorous benchmarks. And we hold companies accountable. Our goal is to make Fortune a force for good through its second century and beyond. For more information, visit www.fortune.com. Contact: Nicole Paleologus Phone: 215-478-4815 Email: [email protected]com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortune-media-and-great-place-to-work-name-arrive-logistics-to-2023-fortune-best-workplaces-in-texas-301849446.html SOURCE Arrive Logistics [June 12, 2023] Electronic Caregiver, Inc. Opens $95 Million Series A Preferred Financing to Fuel Expansion and Innovation in TeleCare Services Tweet LAS CRUCES, N.M., June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic Caregiver, Inc., a pioneering provider of advanced TeleCare services and the renowned Addison Virtual Caregiver technologies, is thrilled to announce the opening of a new Series A Preferred financing. The $95 million financing will be offered to select institutional investment funds and large, existing strategic technology partners of Electronic Caregiver, Inc. CMD Global Partners is representing Electronic Caregiver in the placement. "We are delighted to embark on this exciting new chapter for Electronic Caregiver..." CEO Anthony Dohrmann This round of financing will be used to drive increased marketing, sales, and expansion efforts for Electronic Caregiver's virtual patient care, caregiving technologies, and services. With a strong focus on improving treatment adherence, health outcomes, and extending the functional lifespan, Electronic Caregiver aims to transform the way individuals receive care and support, empowering them to live healthier, more independent lives with an overall higher state of wellness. "We conducted extensive interviews and due diligence with several top investment banking firms and John and his team at CMD Global were the clear choice to be our investment banking advisors for this round," said Joseph Baffoe, President of Electronic Caregiver. Electronic Caregiver's suite of innovative solutions is designed to address the evolving needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike. The company's flagship product, the Addison Virtual Caregiver, combines cutting-edge, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and connected devices with personalized remote care to deliver an unparalleled level of support and assistance. Addison Virtual Caregiver acts as a reliable care companion, ensuring medication adherence, offering vital health reminders and measurements, performing automated assessments, providing access to emergency assistance, and delivering comprehensive health education, all from the comfort of one's home. Powered by ADDI, an innovative PaaS, the entire Addison solution has been certified in a "Well Architected Review" by AWS, with technologies that incorporate machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, compuer vision, edge computing, and an array of integrated care services. "We are delighted to embark on this exciting new chapter for Electronic Caregiver with the support of our Series A Preferred financing," said Anthony Dohrmann, the visionary leader behind Electronic Caregiver. "This funding will enable us to enhance our marketing and sales efforts and drive continued product differentiation and enhancements, while reaching even more individuals in need of advanced TeleCare services. By expanding our footprint and driving innovation, we aim to revolutionize the way patients are cared for, bringing unprecedented convenience, independence, and peace of mind to individuals and their loved ones." This funding allows Electronic Caregiver to amplify its marketing initiatives, strengthen its sales infrastructure, and accelerate its research and development efforts. The company's dedicated team of experts will work tirelessly to bring its transformative technologies and services to a broader audience, forging more strategic partnerships with key players in the healthcare and technology sectors. "We are delighted to be working with such a high-quality, innovative company as the Electronic Caregiver. The proceeds from this round will help Electronic Caregiver rapidly exploit their first mover advantage across multiple markets and provide reliable and engaging service to their customers," said John Adams, Managing Director CMD Global. Electronic Caregiver's commitment to leveraging technology to improve and extend patient care has already garnered recognition and trust from many healthcare providers and caregivers nationwide, resulting in improved management of chronic conditions, lower hospital readmissions and countless life-saves. This financing will help empower more individuals to take control of their health and well-being during a time of rising demand for care, coinciding with an increasing shortage of available doctors. A significant percentage of doctors are working at or past the average age of retirement. About Electronic Caregiver, Inc.: Electronic Caregiver, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced TeleCare services and the renowned Addison Virtual Caregiver technologies. The company is dedicated to enhancing patient care and extending functional lifespan through innovative solutions that improve treatment adherence and health outcomes. By leveraging artificial intelligence and personalized care, Electronic Caregiver is revolutionizing the way individuals receive support, empowering them to live healthier, more independent lives. Electronic Caregiver, Inc. has collaborated extensively with Amazon, Intel, and Lenovo Group, LTD. Electronic Caregiver, Inc. has achieved over $100M in prior funding since being founded in 2009. electroniccaregiver.com About CMD Global, LLC: CMD Global, LLC, is an independent, boutique investment bank that typically works for publicly traded and privately owned companies, PE firms, and SPAC management teams who seek to leverage the breadth of their relationships, depth of their industry knowledge, and global reach of their firm. That has resulted in CMD Global, LLC, serving as exclusive advisor on M&A, Capital Raising and Restructuring assignments with transaction values as small as $40-50 million, as well as on several deals valued at over $5 billion. cmdglobal.com Information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell shares or securities in the Company or any related or associated company. Any such offer or solicitation will be made only by means of the Company's confidential offering memorandum and in accordance with the terms of all applicable securities and other laws. None of the information or analyses presented are intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. Accordingly, this document does not constitute investment advice or counsel or solicitation for investment in any security. This document does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer for sale or subscription of, or any invitation to offer to buy or subscribe for, any securities, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in any connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. The Company expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from: (i) reliance on any information contained herein, (ii) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (iii) any action resulting therefrom. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electronic-caregiver-inc-opens-95-million-series-a-preferred-financing-to-fuel-expansion-and-innovation-in-telecare-services-301848586.html SOURCE Electronic Caregiver [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 12, 2023] Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector Predicted to Reach at a Highest CAGR of 10.2% from 2023-2030, Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Size, Share, Demand, Outlook and Competitive Landscape Tweet New York, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delvens has published a latest market research report on Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Mining (Device, Technology), By Mine Category (Metals, Coal, Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa and South America). The global Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector report is prepared in collaboration with the leading industry experts and dedicated research analyst team to provide an enterprise with in-depth market insights and help them to take crucial business decisions. This report covers current market trends, opportunities, challenges, and detailed competitive analysis of the industry players in the market. The global Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector size of 5,266.91 million USD in 2022 is projected to reach a CAGR of 10.2% from 2023-2030. The Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector report provides a detailed analysis of the global market size, regional and country-level market size, segment growth, market share, competitive landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunity analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, and technological innovations. Major Players Covered in this Report are: Hexagon Mining, Caterpillar, Becker Mining Systems, AMTIL, LSM, Torsa Request For Free Sample Report: https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/collision-avoidance-system-market-in-mining-sector-trends-forecast-till-2030 Hexagon is a leading company to provide equipment for the mining industry. Hexagon work for multiple industries and operation they owned a subsidiary company that worked for the mining industry. They more focus on organic growth using fixed exchange rates and acquisitions. They widely spread their business geographically, with a broad customer base within numerous market segments. Torsa not only providing own product they are also provided an on-demand product in collaboration with clients. The customized products allow the customer to make their composition and collaborative work culture for the customer and the company. Develop products through analysis of need, by various concepts, development of hardware (electronics and enclosures), software, and firmware until reaching a final prototype. Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector is segmented into various segments such as mining, mine category, and region: On the basis of Mining, the market is segmented into Device Tags Antennas Camera Technology Global Positioning System (GPS) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Ultrasonic On the basis of the Mine Category, the market is segmented into Metals Coals Others On the basis of Geography, the market is segmented into North America United States Canada Mexico Europe Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of Asia-Pacific Middle East and Africa UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa South America Brazil Chile Argentina Rest of South America Americas to Dominate the Market South African mines were quick to take up this solution and apply it to their particular challenges. It quickly became clear that customers were looking for more functionality and not just in terms of protection for pedestrians, but also ways of preventing collisions between vehicles. 47 percent of mines surveyed expected to either invest in the technology for the first time or invest more in the next two years. 40% of respondents had stated they were expecting to invest in the technology in the following two years. Overall, collision avoidance ranked top of 13 different technologies examined with another safety solution, fatigue detection, being identified by 45% of mines as expecting To Grow Your Business Revenue, Make an Inquiry Before Buying at: https://www.delvens.com/Inquire-before-buying/collision-avoidance-system-market-in-mining-sector-trends-forecast-till-2030 Over the next three decades, demand for critical minerals is expected to skyrocket. According to the International Energy Agency, annual demand for critical minerals from clean energy technologies will exceed $400 billion by 2050, which is equivalent to the current coal market's annual revenues. The industry's inability to meet demand could have serious consequences for the costand, ultimately, the paceof global adoption and implementation of energy transition technologies. The raw materials are the most expensive component of an EV battery. The supply and price of input battery metals will have the greatest impact on whether EVs can compete with and eventually replace traditional internal-combustion vehicles. There is no doubt that the nex generation of advanced technologies, such as collision avoidance systems, has the potential to significantly move us closer to zero harm. Analytics, when combined with the right data, can help businesses go beyond a simple analysis of past events to identify potential future scenarios that increase the likelihood of an incident occurring. These predictive models can aid in the prevention of safety incidents. According to the study, vehicle interactions account for 35% of mining fatalities in Australia, with pedestrians and vehicles accounting for 53%. Over 40% of serious injuries (fatalities and permanent disabilities) in the mining industry in the United States are caused by accidents classified as' struck-by or caught-in machinery and powered haulage equipment. As evidence, more than half of the mines are either planning to deploy or have already deployed CAS. Most have seen a significant decrease in collision-related deaths and injuries. While CAS systems may be viewed as the "silver bullet" for preventing fatal collisions, any collision avoidance technology must be viewed as part of a coordinated risk management solution across the modern mine-site. Read More: https://www.delvens.com/report/collision-avoidance-system-market-in-mining-sector-trends-forecast-till-2030 CAS must be at the forefront of our minds because it plays a critical role in today's increased safety concerns, the need for greater sustainability, and the fact that we must decarbonize as a society both domestically and globally. 90% of leaders polled expect sales revenue to increase in the coming year, with growth ranging from 20% to 50% for one quarter. Growth is primarily driven by strong market demand as a result of urbanisation, with productivity-led growth also reported and enabled by increased technological investment. It is worth noting that commodity prices are not the primary driver of growth, implying that there are numerous new collaborative opportunities fuelling the expansion of mining industry. Companies are collaborating to address some of the most important challenges and opportunities in mining, such as decarbonisation and automation, while miners are still adjusting to the rapid pace of technological advancement. Direct Purchase of Collision Avoidance System Market in Mining Sector Research Report at: https://www.delvens.com/checkout/collision-avoidance-system-market-in-mining-sector-trends-forecast-till-2030 Browse More Reports: Fibre Optic Cables Market 2.5D & 3D Semiconductor Packaging Market Automated Passenger Counting and Information System Market Laterally Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor (LDMOS) Transistors Market EHV AC and HVDC in XLPE Onshore Land Cables and Accessories Market Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) Market Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Market About Delvens Delvens is a strategic advisory and consulting company headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company holds expertise in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Delvens qualitative and quantitative data is highly utilized by each level from niche to major markets, serving more than 1K prominent companies by assuring to provide information on the country, regional, and global business environment. We have a database for more than 45 industries in more than 115+ major countries globally. We use AI and machine learning to make existing offerings quicker and cheaper, as well as to offer new services which couldnt have been dreamt of a few years ago. From creating concepts to implementing them, we have the best-proven strategies that will help the organization and are assisting the organization to overcome the prevailing challenges and recognize recent opportunities before their competitors. We are capable of providing tailor-made research services keeping because of your specific requirements. We assure to provide the best possible services for all our clients. Our analysts are available for your assistance and will perfectly understand your needs and demand. Delvens database assists clients by providing in-depth information on crucial business decisions. Delvens offers significant facts and figures across various industries namely Healthcare, IT & Telecom, Chemicals & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods & Services, and Food & Beverages. Our company provides an exhaustive and comprehensive understanding of the business environment. To find out more, visit https://www.delvens.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact Us: Varsha Chaudhari Delvens Private Limited Unit No. 2126, Tower B, 21st Floor Alphathum, Sector 90 Noida 201305, IN D: +44 20 8638 5055 | C: +91 9561827515 | P: +0120 4569 248 [email protected] | [email protected] Website: https://www.delvens.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 12, 2023] EY Announces Michael Lombardo of GlideFast Consulting as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 New England Award Winner Tweet Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Michael Lombardo, CEO of GlideFast Consulting was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 New England Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Michael was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612555601/en/ Michael Lombardo, Entrepreneur Of the Year New England (Photo: Business Wire) "I am truly humbled to have been named the New England EY Entrepreneur of the Year! This award is not my award. Instead, this is a result of an amazing group of people getting together and working incredibly hard to build a special company," said Michael Lombardo, CEO of GlideFast Consulting. For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries - all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a New England award winner, Michael is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur O The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks James Park of Fitbit Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In New England, sponsors also include Cresa Global, Inc., Woodruff Sawyer & Company, and DLA Piper, LLP. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. About GlideFast Consulting, A Division of Apex Systems GlideFast Consulting is an Elite ServiceNow Partner that specializes in delivering exceptional solutions on the ServiceNow platform. We pride ourselves on offering industry-leading services, unparalleled expertise, and a track record of positive customer reviews. Our extensive experience in ServiceNow, combined with our unwavering commitment to customer success, sets us apart from our competitors and enables us to deliver successful outcomes for every client. Whether it's our deep platform knowledge, process-driven standardization, or innovative approach, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible experience. Visit us at www.glidefast.com. About ASGN Incorporated ASGN Incorporated (NYSE: ASGN) is a leading provider of IT services and solutions, including technology and creative digital marketing, across the commercial and government sectors. ASGN helps corporate enterprises and government organizations develop, implement and operate critical IT and business solutions through its integrated offering of professional staffing and IT consulting. For more information, please visit asgn.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612555601/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] TIANJIN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China has over the past few years stepped up efforts to breathe new life into long-established brands, preserving and improving traditional techniques, improving online and offline integration, and strengthening brand protection. Time-honored brands, or "laozihao" in Chinese, is a coveted title given to brands with a long history. There are a total of 1,128 existing time-honored brands recognized by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). Tianjin alone is home to 66 such brands recognized by the MOC. Huo Shulin inks a painting at a store of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin, June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Huo Shulin (R) and his wife Wang Dan paint at a store of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin, June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Huo Shulin cleans the frames at a store of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin, June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ran) The Yangliuqing woodblock painting was one of the most popular forms of New Year decorations in China, which flourished in Tianjin and the surrounding areas during a period between the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Huo Shulin, 42, is the seventh-generation inheritor of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings. He began to learn the art from his father Huo Qingyou, a national-level inheritor, when he was ten years old. Over the years, he has collected ancient paintings and set up a museum of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings. Nowadays, Huo Shulin and his wife Wang Dan, who is also an inheritor, combine the elements of Yangliuqing New Year Paintings with modern culture, and design products deeply loved by young people. Wei Bowen makes a kite framework at his studio in north China's Tianjin, June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Wei Bowen makes a kite framework at his studio in north China's Tianjin, June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Kite-making has been a traditional Chinese folk handicraft in north China. Tianjin Kite Wei was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Wei Bowen, 29, is the fifth-generation inheritor of Kite Wei. After graduating from university, he returned to his hometown to make kites with his father Wei Guoqiu, the fourth-generation inheritor of Kite Wei. In recent years, he has added fashion elements to kite designs. To pass on this skill, Wei Bowen has gone to the campus to promote the knowledge on kite-making. Wang Hongde (2nd L) explains the history of handmade fried dough twists in north China's Tianjin, June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Wang Hongde (R) instructs his apprentice Zhao Baoyang in making fried dough twists in north China's Tianjin, June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Mahua, or fried dough twist, is a traditional Tianjin snack. Among various brands, Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua is the most famous and one of the oldest, and is named after the original location of its former 18th street shop. Wang Hongde, 57, is the production workshop director of Tianjin Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua. In 2014, the craft was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage. In the 1980s, Wang came to study how to make Mahua with elder masters after he graduated from high school. Wang Hongde can make a giant Mahua weighing 50kg. Zhao Baoyang, 32, one of the best apprentices of him, has become the deputy director of the Mahua production workshop where more young people learn the production skills of the traditional hand-made Mahua. Produced by Xinhua Global Service [June 12, 2023] Liquid Motors Announces Executive Succession Plan CARMEL, Ind., June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquid Motors ("the Company") Founder and President Michael Daseke announces his retirement, effective June 30th, 2023. Kelly McAllister, VP of Digital Strategy for the America's Group, has been selected to succeed Daseke as president on July 1st as part of the company's planned leadership succession. Liquid Motors was founded in 2006 by Daseke and has become a highly respected industry leader in providing Internet marketing solutions, software, and services for automotive dealers to utilize a variety of online channels. "After 17 years at the helm of Liquid Motors, I have decided to pursue new entrepreneurial challenges," said Daseke. "I am excited Kelly McAllister will be taking over the reins. As a customer, Kelly has vast experience leveraging Liquid Motors' soluions, and his strategic skills help auctions become efficient in selling vehicles through online channels." McAllister adds, "I am thrilled to join the Liquid Motors team and bring my customer-centric focus to the company. My practical knowledge of digital remarketing, the listing process, and selling vehicles through online channels will strengthen Liquid Motors and benefit the independent auction community." McAllister's most recent post was VP of Digital Strategy at America's Group, where he helped the company boost its online sales by more than 3800 percent during his tenure. McAllister has extensive industry experience in digital strategy, establishing digital sales programs, and working with dealerships and commercial sellers. Paul Evans, Chief Operating Officer of America's Group, stated, "We thank Michael for his stewardship and dedication to the company. Going forward, I have every confidence in Kelly's digital remarketing knowledge and outstanding leadership. Liquid Motors will continue to play an important role in the automotive ecosystem for years to come." About Liquid Motors Liquid Motors Inc., ("the Company") offers the automotive industry comprehensive Internet marketing solutions designed to maximize lead generation. For automotive dealers, the company provides a variety of software and services that create competitive advantages by generating and capturing more cost-effective Internet leads by utilizing a variety of online channels. Based in Dallas, Texas, Liquid Motors strives to bring innovative technology to all segments of the automotive industry. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liquid-motors-announces-executive-succession-plan-301848774.html SOURCE Liquid Motors [June 12, 2023] Airbus Ventures Invests in Singapore-based Deeptech Startup Zero-Error Systems Tweet Airbus Ventures announces its investment in Zero-Error Systems (ZES), specializing in high reliability semiconductor solutions for space and power management applications. With participation from the Dart Family Office and Airbus Ventures, among others, this oversubscribed USD $7.5M Series A funding round will expand the company's global sales and marketing efforts, as well as accelerate its product roadmap journey, meeting the growing demand for radiation protection, power reliability, and data integrity solutions specifically designed for Low Earth Orbit satellites, deep space rovers and landers, and a wide array of power management application needs on Earth. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612005148/en/ Dr. Joseph Chang (middle) poses alongside Dr. Shu Wei (right) and Dr. Chong Kwen Siong (left). - Source: Lester Kok/NTU In recent years, there has been a notable increase in companies developing application-rich satellites and high precision space robots for lunar and Mars missions. While software and algorithms play a crucial role in driving intelligence, hardware and seiconductor innovations are equally important in supporting the high processing power required, ensuring reliability in extreme environments, and enabling higher power density in energy-constrained satellites, while prolonging their lifespan in space. "Many aerospace companies rely on Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) semiconductor devices for their satellite electronics systems, which are not designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space," explains Dr. Shu Wei, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of ZES. "Our capabilities address essential power reliability and data integrity concerns by safeguarding COTS semiconductor devices from malfunctions with our patented radiation hardening technologies." A university spin-off from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, ZES was founded in 2019 by experienced semiconductor industry veterans and integrated circuit design experts with deep understanding of semiconductor device characteristics, their behavior in various radiation scenarios, and the essential radiation-hardened mechanisms required to protect semiconductors' physical integrity. "ZES takes pride in being a pioneering Asian semiconductor startup to develop radiation-hardened semiconductor solutions. By bridging the space and semiconductor industries, ZES plays a strategic role in Singapore's tech landscape," explains Khor Hwai Lin, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at ZES. "As part of ZES' new growth plan, our team now plans to elevate its engineering capacity by recruiting additional electronics engineers specializing in space and various power management applications." This latest financing will also support the company's R&D activities in Singapore, while facilitating customer design-in activities globally. About ZES A university spin-off from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Zero-Error Systems (ZES) provides high-reliability semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and reliability testing services that enable higher functionality, lower cost, longer lifetime and higher power efficiency for space, and various power management applications. About Airbus Ventures Headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in Toulouse and Tokyo, Airbus Ventures is a fast-moving, early-stage venture capital company that independently funds and supports startups set to shift both the aerospace industry and our planetary system to a sustainable future. Airbus Ventures has helped aspiring innovators reach new dimensions of achievement since 2015. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612005148/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 12, 2023] Ataccama Welcomes Stuart Rofe as Regional VP, Australia and New Zealand Tweet Company expands senior leadership team after five years of continuous growth in region SYDNEY, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ataccama, a leading unified data management platform provider, announced today that it has welcomed Stuart Rofe to the company as Regional VP, Australia and New Zealand. Stuart will lead efforts to refine the Company's business strategy, bolster customer success and continue to drive growth in the region. Stuart's joining Ataccama comes at an exciting time for the Company, its customers and the broader data management market in Australia and New Zealand. Organisations in the region have realised the importance of managing data to accelerate growth and gain a competitive advantage. At a time when many data quality, data governance and master data management providers are reducing staff, Ataccama has chosen to invest in the region to ensure a high level of service to its customers and meet growing demand. "Companies in Australia and New Zealand are highly data-driven," states Sarka Klofacova, CEO APAC at Ataccama. "The market has made tremendous advancements in the past few years alone, and we are seeing our customers do incredible things with their datawhether it's investing in the latest AI-powered technologies, protecting PII data, ensuring governance or increasing efficiency with automation. The Ataccama offering is an excellent fit for what the market demands, and we are thrilled to have an experienced executive like Stuart leading the team that brings these benefits to our clients." "I have admired Ataccama as a competitor in the past, and I am excited to start playing n integral role in its success," says Rofe. "I look forward to partnering with our customers to build their competitive advantage, enabling them to do amazing things with high quality, governed data." Prior to joining Ataccama, Stuart served the ANZ region as Regional VP at TIBCO Software. He has also held held senior Sales and Management roles at major IT organisations such as IBM, Pitney Bowes and Oracle, and in total has over 25 years working in the IT industry. He has a history of success across roles in Finance, Operations, Marketing, Direct and Indirect Sales. "With broad working experience and a value-based selling approach, Stuart has a strong understanding of what it takes to ensure customer success," Klofacova adds. "His leadership of our teams in Australia and New Zealand means that our local customers and partners will be even better served, and that we will be well-positioned to grow our business and increase our footprint in the region." About Ataccama Ataccama enables enterprise data democratization with Ataccama ONE, a unified platform for automated data quality, MDM, and metadata management across cloud and hybrid environments. We enable business and data teams to collaborate on creating high-quality, reusable data products and massively scale data-driven innovation while maintaining data accuracy, control, and governance. Learn more at www.ataccama.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099539/Ataccama_Stuart_Rofe.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1938513/ataccama_full_horizontal_100__1_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ataccama-welcomes-stuart-rofe-as-regional-vp-australia-and-new-zealand-301848824.html SOURCE Ataccama [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 12, 2023] Fueling Startup Success: Taiwan Startup Stadium's Annual Term Sheet Bootcamp Empowers Startups with Investor Insights and Real-Life Simulations Tweet TAIPEI, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan Startup Stadium (TSS) successfully hosted the annual Term Sheet Bootcamp from May 18th to 19th at the GlobalTown Business Center in Taipei. Building on its remarkable success in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam over the past five years, this two-day fundraising training program, led by experienced venture capitalists, aimed to empower entrepreneurs with fundraising knowledge and skills necessary to foster the growth of their startups. This year's Term Sheet Bootcamp welcomed 28 companies and over 45 attendees, including aspiring founders and seasoned startups alike. Throughout the intensive two-day event, participants had the unique opportunity to engage with distnguished investors from JAFCO, BE Health Ventures, ORION Venture Partners, and Mesh Ventures. These investors not only shared their expertise and insights but also provided valuable feedback and guidance to ambitious entrepreneurs during one-on-one office hours. The highlight of the event was the immersive role-playing sessions led by Kurt Chen, Managing Partner at ORION Venture Partners, and Arthur Chen, Managing Partner at BE Health Venture. Participants were divided into groups to engage in real-life simulations. They were given a chance to replicate authentic term sheet negotiations, and enjoy some energizing exchanges. This dynamic format enabled participants to gain practical insights, refine their negotiation skills, and experience the perspective of venture capitalists. As Arthur remarked, "During the role-playing process, participants come to realize that negotiating a term sheet is about building strong relationships with VCs. Negotiation is not merely a transaction, but rather a collaborative discussion on how both parties can grow together." Attendees left the event equipped with practical knowledge, valuable connections, and new friendships, ready to take their ventures to new heights. Taiwan Startup Stadium's commitment to empowering startups and fostering an ecosystem of innovation was once again highlighted through the resounding success of the Term Sheet Bootcamp. Stay updated on future events like this by following Taiwan Startup Stadium's Facebook page! View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/fueling-startup-success-taiwan-startup-stadiums-annual-term-sheet-bootcamp-empowers-startups-with-investor-insights-and-real-life-simulations-301848620.html SOURCE Taiwan Startup Stadium [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 12, 2023] Emphasys Is Now an SAP Gold Partner Tweet SYDNEY, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emphasys announced today that it has achieved SAP gold partner status in the SAP PartnerEdge program. This is a clear indication of the high level of quality Emphasys provides to businesses using SAP solutions. "Achieving SAP Gold Partner status in the SAP PartnerEdge program exemplifies Emphasys' commitment to excellence. This not only recognizes our past efforts but motivates future innovation. It's an affirmation of our promise to deliver transformative, quality solutions to our clients using SAP S/4HANA." Glynn Williams Managing Director, Emphasys. Emphasys achieved SAP gold partner status as a result of positive customer references, its unique offerings for SAP solutions, and its ongoing commitment to achieving SAP certifications. Emphasys takes immense pride in offering: Certified SAP consultants across disciplines. A team of SAP consultants each with a minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience. An unwavering internal commitment to quality, upheld by their quality management system and ISO 9001 certification. Proprietary tools and resources developed in-house for optimum efficiency. A robust global network of partners. About Emphasys Emphasys (www.emphasys.com.au) is an Australian SAP gold partner dedicated to empowering clients with innovative and transformative SAP solutions that drive business growth and success across a wide range of industries. As an ISO 9001 quality certified provider of SAP solutions, Emphasys specializes in delivering tailored and customized SAP S/4HANA services that cater to the unique needs of each customer. Emphasys' deep understanding of SAP and Integration, combined with their commitment to providing real value to our customers, ensures the delivery of efficient and effective solutions, that simplify complexities and allow their clients to focus on their core business. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/emphasys-is-now-an-sap-gold-partner-301848960.html SOURCE EMPHASYS Pty Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Concordia launches an initiative to establish innovative partnerships in Africa Tweet Concordia President Graham Carr announced the launch of the Concordia Africa Initiative on June 12 at the annual Conference of Montreal, part of the International Economic Forum of the Americas. The initiative seeks to establish relationships and learn from Africa through unique collaborations that focus on youth employability and entrepreneurship. Of all the world's continents, Africa has the youngest population, with more than 60 per cent aged 25 or younger. By 2030, it is estimated that young Afrcans will constitute 42 per cent of global youth, figures that hold tremendous potential and challenges for the continent and the world's economic growth and development. "Concordia has placed Africa at the heart of its international relations because of the endless opportunities for innovative collaborations, as well as the chance to learn from the people and institutions across the length and breadth of this dynamic continent," Carr explains. "Like Africa, Concordia is young, diverse and brimming with talent who will have a profound and exciting impact on the world." A three-pronged approach The Concordia Africa Initiative is divided into three streams, each with a specific focus and set of activities: AFRISE focuses on supporting young African entrepreneurs and providing them with a range of dedicated activities such as mentorship and business incubation, as well as access to networks of experienced business leaders. FutureWise centres on collaborating with African institutions on adopting programming to reduce the gap between graduation and employment rates in Africa through cooperative education, applied research and online learning. A scholarly collaborations stream will promote the exchange of scholars, artists and students between Africa and Concordia, as well as fostering the development of new research and scholarship. A promising start To date, the initiative has made promising headway in forming a robust foundation for success. Earlier this year through AFRISE, 30 young African entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of 400 to participate in a four-week mentorship and leadership development accelerator. The university invited the top five entrepreneurs to Montreal to make important connections for the next phase of their project. "AFRISE gave me the opportunity to connect with founders from other parts of Africa, and that made me appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit that resonates within us as one," says Olalekan Salami, CEO and founder of OneID. "Africa is on an exponential rise and the youths are contributing largely to it. It was a great time to exchange ideas and experiences and support one another." FutureWise has initiated its five-year plan by partnering with the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie and the University of Lagos. Together, they engaged with hundreds of recent African graduates, as well as employers, foundations and universities, to get a comprehensive picture of the gaps that exist between graduation and employment rates in Africa. Scholarly collaborations are currently in the development stage. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612519878/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] REWARD TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT CAPABILITIES AND CONTENT TO VISA CARDHOLDERS ACROSS EUROPE IN EXPANSION OF EXISTING PARTNERSHIP Tweet Reward, a global leader in customer Engagement and Benefits programmes, has partnered with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, to provide capabilities and content in support of Visa issuer loyalty programmes across Europe . . Reward's Customer Engagement Platform and Global Merchant Marketplace will be leveraged by Visa, providing cutting edge loyalty and rewards propositions to more than 550 issuers. Rewards Capabilities and Content play an important role in Visa's customer engagement strategy across three continents, with Reward providing global, regional, and local propositions using their 'Home & Away' X-border technology. First scheduled launch is a direct to customer proposition in support of the Olympic & Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, with Visa providing customers with a rich, omni-channel reward experience, with content and offers relevant to Visa cardholders 2024, with Visa providing customers with a rich, omni-channel reward experience, with content and offers relevant to Visa cardholders The programme is one of many to emerge from this strategic partnership between Reward and Visa, supporting Reward's strategic goal of giving 2bn to customers in rewards by 2025 LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reward, a global leader in Customer Engagement and Benefits programmes, is today announcing news of a strategic partnership with Visa, with Reward selected as preferred partner to provide capabilities and content in support of Visa issuer loyalty programmes across Europe. The frst planned delivery under the new partnership has been announced as a direct to customer proposition providing rewards relevant to Visa cardholders during the Olympic & Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Reward's technology platform will be aggregating content from multiple sources, including the extensive network of global and local retailers utilising their ground-breaking 'Home & Away' X-border reward technology. In addition, both Visa-owned, and third-party content is to be presented through a single customer facing Rewards hub. Gavin Dein, founder and CEO of Reward says: "Our mission is to make everyday spending more rewarding and this partnership with Visa Europe, supports us in continuing to do exactly that. In delivering the content and capabilities that underpin Visa loyalty programmes, we hope to provide exceptional experiences for millions of Visa and Visa Issuer customers across Europe. "These successful collaborations are being scaled across the globe with similar propositions launching in APAC and CEMEA as well as Europe." Dan Truscott, Head of Loyalty Solutions at Visa: "Our Loyalty Solutions programme offers a seamless and flexible digital experience that adds value for consumers, participating businesses and issuers and is easily adaptable to each of our bank partners' loyalty strategies. We are delighted to build on our existing partnership with Reward and look forward to our work together on issuer loyalty programmes across Europe." About Reward Founded in 2001, Reward is a global Customer Engagement Platform for the world's leading banks. Our mission is to make everyday spending more rewarding. Operating in 20 countries with over 300 merchants, Reward provides end to end Customer Engagement programmes for Visa, Mastercard and American Express and leading banks in Europe, CEMEA and Asia Pacific. The Company's cloud-hosted, API-based platform is provided on full or modular basis to both challenger and traditional financial institutions, driving increased NPS, customer loyalty and retention. Reward's give-to-get permission-based model unlocks the power of consumer data to create actionable Insight for merchants whilst enabling consumers to monetise their data without selling their identity all behind the secure privacy firewall of their bank's loyalty programme. Reward believes you can do good and do good business. As a purpose-driven business, in the last 5 years Reward has given back over GBP 1 billion in rewards to customers and has set a new target of giving back GBP 2 billion in rewards to customers by 2025. This is made possible through the multi-award-winning customer engagement platform it operates across 3 continents. For more information, please visit www.rewardinsight.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099143/Reward_Visa.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/reward-to-provide-customer-engagement-capabilities-and-content-to-visa-cardholders-across-europe-in-expansion-of-existing-partnership-301848553.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Tech Mahindra and Espressive Partner to Provide Automated and Cost-Effective Digital Workplace Assistance Tweet Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions, today announced a partnership with Espressive, a pioneer in automating digital workplace assistance. The partnership will offer both their customers autonomous and cost-effective work environment assistance through Espressive Barista, an AI-based virtual support agent (VSA). Together, Tech Mahindra and Espressive will enable organizations that are looking to outsource and automate service desk requests to drive productivity and enhance the employee experience. Espressive will combine its no-code platform with Tech Mahindra's innovative technology stack to support near-instant automation and resolution of employee requests, such as resetting passwords, accessing DocuSign, connecting to virtual private networks, and more. The platform's advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP), Natural Language Understanding (NLU), and machine learning capabilities will ensure responses are highly personalized to reassure employees that their requests have been fully understood and resolved in real time. Birendra Sen, Business Head, Business Process Services, Tech Mahindra, said, "Enterprises are increasingly looking at automation in response to increased customer demand in a digital first world. An intelligent virtual agent is one such capability that is gaining a lot of attention. Our partnership with Espressive gives us an AI-based VSA that will help our customers significantly reduce the time taken to process customer requests. Tasks that previously took hours can now be completed in real time. This allows employees to focus on higher-skilled roles and technologies, thereby improving MTTR (mean time to recovery, mean time to restore)." The ticket deflection rate of Espressive Barista coupled with Tech Mahindra's innovative and user-centric digital experiences will enable customers to increase cometence through automation and remain ahead of the curve in the services market. The partnership will also help their customers with employee retention while gaining service management efficiencies. Pat Calhoun, Founder and CEO, Espressive, said, "Gone are the days of building virtual support agents in-house. Espressive and Tech Mahindra allow CIOs and IT leaders to develop a dynamic digital workplace with a purpose built virtual agent that delivers the highest deflection rates in the industry, while enabling their teams to focus on outcomes. Our proprietary and domain-specific Large Language Model (LLM) has been trained on over 4 billion phrases across 15 enterprise departments and can operate in over 100 languages." The partnership with Espressive is in line with Tech Mahindra's NXT.NOW framework, which aims to enhance 'Human Centric Experience,' with a focus on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enable digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of the customer. About Espressive Espressive, the pioneer in automating digital workplace assistance and a 2022 Forrester New Wave Leader, redefines how employees get help by delivering exceptional employee experiences. Espressive Barista, the company's innovative virtual support agent (VSA) platform, takes on the role of the service agent, bringing the best of human experience with the best of artificial intelligence. Leveraging a proprietary and domain-specific large language model (LLM), the Employee Language Cloud, as well as integration with generalized LLMs like ChatGPT, Barista automates resolution of employee questions, issues, and requests with personalized experiences that result in employee adoption of 80 to 85% and reduced help desk call volume of 50% to 70%. By adding integration to generalized LLMs in a safe and secure way, autonomous resolution rates will increase, further driving down the costs of employee service management. Espressive is backed by Insight Partners, General Catalyst, and Wing Venture Capital, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Visit www.espressive.com for more information. About Tech Mahindra Tech Mahindra offers innovative and customer-centric digital experiences, enabling enterprises, associates and the society to Rise for a more equal world, future readiness, and value creation. It is a USD 6.5+ billion organization with 152,000+ professionals across 90 countries helping 1290+ global customers, including Fortune 500 companies. It is focused on leveraging next-generation technologies including 5G, Metaverse, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and more, to enable end-to-end digital transformation for global customers. It is the only Indian company in the world to receive the HRH The Prince of Wales' Terra Carta Seal for its commitment to creating a sustainable future. It is the fastest growing brand globally in 'brand value rank' and amongst the top 7 IT brands globally in brand strength with AA+ rating. With the NXT.NOW framework, Tech Mahindra aims to enhance 'Human Centric Experience' for its ecosystem and drive collaborative disruption with synergies arising from a robust portfolio of companies. Tech Mahindra aims at delivering tomorrow's experiences today and believes that the 'Future is Now'. Tech Mahindra is the part of the Mahindra Group, founded in 1945, one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world's largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate. The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise. Connect with us on www.techmahindra.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613473586/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Valo Therapeutics and Texcell Announce Research Collaboration to Evaluate Immune Responses to PeptiCRAd-1 in Phase I Clinical Study Tweet HELSINKI, Finland and EVRY, France, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valo Therapeutics Oy (ValoTx), the developer of novel, adaptable immunotherapies for cancer, announces a collaboration with global contract research organization, Texcell, to investigate immune responses to PeptiCRAd-1 in its Phase 1 clinical study. ValoTxs PeptiCRAd-1 combines the power of a tumor-specific adenovirus (expressing immune-stimulatory molecules CD40L and OX40L) with immunogenic tumor peptides derived from NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 proteins thereby generating tumor-specific, cytotoxic T-cells that will attack and kill cancer cells. The previously announced Germany based open-label, non-randomized, multi-center study of up to 15 patients will explore the safety and immunological mechanism of action of PeptiCRAd-1 plus checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) pembrolizumab in multiple cancer types, as well as to obtain early information on the clinical activity of this combination therapy. The collaboration with Texcell will provide insights on PeptiCRAd-1s ability to modulate immune responses and the mechanism of action of VALO-D102. Dr. Sari Pesonen, CSO at ValoTx, commented, We are delighted to establish this collaboration with Texcell. The study is a great opportunity to maximize the anti-tumor potential of our oncolytic adenovirus VALO-D102 by directing the immune responses towards tumor specific antigens, driving enhanced tumor-specific T-cell responses in cancer patients. This collaboration should give us valuable information about the immunological mechanism of action of PeptiCRAd-1, as we reinvent immunotherapy to make it more powerful. Dr. Francois Nicolas, CBO at Texcell, commented, We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Valo Therapeutics. With more than 30 years of expertise in immunology, we are confident that we will deliver high quality services demonstrating the efficacy of ValoTxs state-of-the-art therapeutic solutions. This collaboration is a step forwar for both of our companies, for the medical industry and for cancer patients. Clinical trial registry: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05492682 About ValoTx Valo Therapeutics Oy (Helsinki) is an immunotherapy company developing antigen-coated oncolytic viruses as therapeutic vaccines against cancer. The ValoTx lead platform, PeptiCRAd (Peptide-coated Conditionally Replicating Adenovirus), was developed out of the laboratory of Professor Vincenzo Cerullo at the University of Helsinki. It turns oncolytic adenoviruses into powerful activators of systemic anti-tumor cytotoxic T-cell immunity without the need to generate and manufacture multiple genetically modified viruses. PeptiCRAd-1 is the companys lead product made up of its virus VALO-D102 coated with MAGE-A3 and NY-ESO-1 peptides. The company is also developing other neoantigen strategies. Watch our film explaining the PeptiCRAd technology . For more information see our website and follow us on LinkedIn . About Texcell Texcell is a global contract research organization that provides viral clearance, cell banking, biosafety testing, in vivo testing immunoprofiling services to biotherapeutic and medical device manufacturers in full compliance with GLP and GMP standards. Founded in 1987 as a service laboratory within the renowned Pasteur Institute in Paris, today Texcell Group is a global CRO with offices and laboratories in France, US, Germany, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Supporting products safety journey from preclinical to clinical through commercialization, our capabilities including in-house in vivo, in vitro, toxicology, immunotoxicity, and immunogenicity testing, as well as cGMP cell banking and preparation of fully characterized virus stocks. Since the Coronavirus pandemic, Texcell has strengthened its activities to face the growing demand for tests related to Covid19, like hydro-alcoholic gels testing, drug candidate testing, patient serum testing, device testing etc. As part of our continuous improvement plan, we are developing new innovative tests and new protocols, in particular in molecular biology and in immunology. Our committed team is proud to support research that will continue to improve the quality of life for individuals around the world. Contacts Valo Therapeutics Oy Matthew Vaughan Email: [email protected] Scius Communications (for ValoTx) Katja Stout +44 778 943 5990 [email protected] Daniel Gooch +44 774 787 5479 [email protected] Texcell SA Francois Nicolas Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Synechron Named Among the Best Workplaces 2023 in the Netherlands Tweet AMSTERDAM and LONDON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synechron, a leading global digital transformation consulting firm, today announced that it has been ranked in the 10th position on the list of Best Workplaces in 2023 in the Netherlands. This list is based on the Great Places To Work survey. Great Place To Work the Netherlands explores and recognizes the amount of trust, pride and camaraderie within organizations, based on direct employees' feedback. The highest scoring companies have been acknowledged with the 'Best Workplace' title. The forty highest scoring organizations, out of the 187 participating, have been recognized as Best Workplace organizations. Of note, this is the sixth time Synechron has been among the top Best Workplace organizations. The company has won multiple Best Place To Work Awards since 2017. Based upon the Culture Audit evaluated by Great Place To Work, Synechron Netherlands scores high on: T rust, including the company culture of growing together through Meaningful Values including the company culture of growing together through Effective Leadership which includes various leadership trainings to ensure everyone is on the same page and an onboarding bootcamp which includes various leadership trainings to ensure everyone is on the same page and an onboarding bootcamp An Innovative Culture and inclusive innovation which lies at the heart of Synechron's DNA and inclusive innovation which lies at the heart of Synechron's DNA Maximizing Everyone's Potential which enables employees, from the very start, to be guided toward fulfilling their full, individual potential Eveline van Raaij, Director of Synechron Netherlands said on winning this designation, "We are truly honored to be included among the elite list of Best Workplaces in 2023 in the Netherlands. Our placement at the 10th place is testament to the high-quality workplace that our valued employees experience and create together every day. At Synechron, we are continuously evaluating and developing new ways to grow together and provide an excellent work culture and environment across many facets of our dedcated employees' work lives, and beyond." Rene Brouwers, CEO of Great Place to Work the Netherlands said,"The forty Best Workplaces of 2023 have created an organizational culture in which psychological safety is number one. An important theme regarding actual themes such as cultures of fear, transgressive behavior, and burnouts. Our list is based on feedback from all employees through the Trust Index employee survey. These forty organizations can rightly be proud of this award, and it promises to be a very good starting point for even more success. This year we presented the Awards during Walk Your Talk, an inspiring and activating tour through Utrecht, to walk together for a positive workplace For All. Because it is time for every employer to have a safe work culture as priority number 1. The forty Best Workplaces are leaders in this and show how it can be done." About Synechron: At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron's progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Consulting, Digital, Cloud & DevOps, Data, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,000+, and has 40 offices in 17 countries within key global markets. For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community. About Great Place To Work For more than 35 years Great Place To Work has helped organizations to increase trust on the work floor: the most fundamental aspect of every successful company. The Trust Index survey gives insight into the perception of employees, the way people work together and the leadership within a company. Based on these insights, Great Place To Work gives advice on how to build a strong(er) organizational culture. The international organization works with companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in 60 countries worldwide. On a yearly basis, 10.000 companies, representing approximately 12 million employees, take part in the Trust Index survey. This makes the survey the largest of its kind. For more information, go to www.greatplacetowork.nl. For more information about Synechron, please contact: Rashmi Joshi Synechron [email protected] Or SEC Newgate UK: Andrew Adie / Sophie Morello / Matthew Redley [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/synechron-named-among-the-best-workplaces-2023-in-the-netherlands-301849033.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of senior cadres of the Workers' Party of Brazil (PT) in Beijing on Tuesday. The delegation was led by Henrique Fontana, general secretary of PT. The two sides said that they will implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen inter-party exchanges and cooperation, promote strategic mutual trust and international coordination, and push forward the development of China-Brazil relations, as well as relations between China and Latin American countries. [June 13, 2023] Humi Launches Benefits Plus to Streamline the Benefits Administration Experience for Employers, Employees, and HR Teams Tweet Humi, Canada's leading best-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform, today introduced Benefits Plus, a dedicated service and connected experience that combines Humi's HR software and benefits service to provide HR teams with a digital and seamless benefits administration experience. This centralized system for employers and their employees will save organizations time and money, reduce user error, and relieve the stress of the administrative burden. Humi's Benefits service connects HR teams to licensed advisors who will provide the best possible benefits plan for organizations, and onboarding services for administrators and employees while ensuring exceptional customer service. Moreover, through Humi's marketplace, employers are able to give employees access to preferred, exclusive pricing for additional health, legal, and financial providers. Benefits Plus elevates the Humi Benefits experience by alleviating benefits administration tasks. Benefits Plus saves time, reduces error, and lightens the administrative load as updates to employee benefits information only need to be input once in te Humi platform, and then the changes are updated for them with their plan provider. "When building software, we're always thinking of how we can give employers back time to focus on taking care of their people," says Kevin Kliman, CEO of Humi. "With Benefits Plus, you only have to update information in one place. If you make a change in the Humi platform by 3 PM ET, it'll be processed in your carrier portal that very same day - this is a benefits administration service that isn't offered anywhere else in Canada." As one of Canada's fastest-growing, carrier-agnostic brokerages with a combined 97 years of experience providing best-in-class advisory services, Humi's Benefits team is made up of 15 licensed insurance advisors and benefits administration experts who are equipped to navigate industry-specific regulations. Working with 20+ insurers and more than 800 clients to date, the Benefits Team ensures clients of any size have access to the benefits plan that works best for them and their employees, alongside faster quotes and some of the best rates in the market. "I'm excited for this unified approach to HR and benefits - administrators no longer need to duplicate their work and employees now have the ability to be more autonomous in requesting changes on their own", says Stefani Milenkovski, Director of Benefits Experience at Humi. "Benefits Plus helps to give plan admins their time back by reducing double data input," adds Lauren Kadet, Director of Benefits Portfolios at Humi. "It's our way of offering efficiency and support while being an extension of your team." About Humi Humi is the leading best-in-one people solution for Canadian businesses. Serving companies nationwide, Humi supports and enables employers to take better care of their most important asset: their people. Before Humi, there was no truly unified solution that tied together all of the intricacies of employment for Canadian businesses. To learn more about Humi, visit www.humi.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613721125/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Belgium's Keytrade Bank Selects Infosys Finacle Suite for Core Banking Transformation Tweet BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), and Keytrade Bank, the first online bank in Belgium and part of Credit Mutuel Arkea, one of France's largest banking groups, today announced the bank's decision to select Infosys Finacle as the preferred partner for the modernization of its core banking system. The Infosys Finacle suite will replace Keytrade Bank's legacy platform and help the bank leapfrog its digital maturity, enabling it to innovate, operate, and engage with customers better. This collaboration will streamline the bank's core banking ecosystem to enable greater efficiency, faster time to market for products, and state-of-the-art technology architecture, and ensure best experience for its customers. The bank will subscribe to the Infosys Finacle suite in a software-as-a-service (SaaS) mode on the Microsoft Azure public cloud. Highlights With the Finacle Core Banking Solution, Keytrade Bank will benefit from a secure, scalable, and composable solution to help speed up innovation and time to market for new initiatives Keytrade Bank will be able to easily and independently compose and push a range of banking products to the market Modernization will help the bank to significantly optimize operational efficiency by enhancing digitization and automation The bank can also leverage Finacle's extensive open application programming interface (API) repository on cloud, acquiring the agility to integrate with ecosystem partners easily and seamlessly The SaaS deployment will ensure higher availability and resilience powering the bank's core business and driving growth Sanat Rao, Chief Business Officer & Global Head, Infosys Finacle, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with Keytrade Bank in their digital transformation journey and look forward to its success. With Finacle, Keytrade Bank has a core banking solution that has proven itself around the world for accelerating innovation, driving automation and operational excellence, and helping deepen customer engagements. This collaboration marks yet another milestone in our expanding presence in span >Europe and underlines our commitment to helping European banks stay ahead in the digital age." Thierry Ternier, CEO, Keytrade Bank, said, "As the sponsor of the project, I am a strong believer in the program because it will strengthen the foundations of our company and make us future-proof to tackle the challenges of a fast-moving environment. Our ultimate goal is to create value and satisfaction for our customers and employees. I am convinced that this program will be a major enabler in reaching those strategic goals. We have chosen Infosys Finacle as our partner for the program because of their worldwide expertise, implementation plan, and price offering." About Infosys Finacle Finacle is an industry leader in digital banking solutions. We are a unit of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned product subsidiary of Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY). We partner with emerging and established financial institutions to help inspire better banking. Our cloud-native solution suite and SaaS services help banks engage, innovate, operate, and transform better to scale digital transformation with confidence. Finacle solutions address the core banking, lending, digital engagement, payments, cash management, wealth management, treasury, analytics, AI, and blockchain requirements of financial institutions. Today, banks in over 100 countries rely on Finacle to help more than a billion people and millions of businesses to save, pay, borrow, and invest better. For more information, visit www.finacle.com. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India and the US, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/belgiums-keytrade-bank-selects-infosys-finacle-suite-for-core-banking-transformation-301849347.html SOURCE Infosys Finacle [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] ManTech Wins $133 Million Navy Contract to Advance Naval Air Warfare Systems HERNDON, Va., June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ManTech has been awarded a $133 million recompete contract to provide Intelligent Systems Engineering (ISE) and Automation, Analytics and AI (A3) to the U.S. Navys Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). Under this single award IDIQ, ManTech will support Naval and Joint Warfighting Capability assessments with ISE Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to enhance warfighting analytic efforts for the NAVAIR Program Executive Offices (PEOs), the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). For nearly half a century, ManTech has excelled in delivering sophisticated technology solutions that give our Navy warfighters the edge in combat, said David Hathaway, Executive Vice President and General Manager of ManTechs Defense Sector. Powered by AI, our high-end engineering and analytics will find and fix gaps, and continuously test systems end-to-end to help ensure mission success. About ManTech ManTech provides mission-focused technology solutions and services for U.S. federal government agencies. In business more than 54 years, we excel in full-spectrum cyber, data collection & analytics, enterprise IT, systems engineering and software application development solutions that support national and homeland security. Additional information on ManTech can be found at www.mantech.com . Media Contact: Jim Crawford ManTech Executive Director, External Communications (M) 571.446.7550 [email protected] NAVAIR Public Release 2023-446 Distribution Statement A - "Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49af853a-f2f5-4cb5-9bd0-6b3ac5be9539 [June 13, 2023] Powercast and Powermat partner to create first one-stop-shop wireless powerhouse to deliver power ranging from SmartInductive to RF up to 120ft Tweet Leverages Powermat's high-power, short-range SmartInductive technology and Powercast's low-power, long-range RF technology and engineering/productization expertise to create one destination for all things wireless power PITTSBURGH and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of the world's pioneers of wireless power technology, Powercast with its long-range over-the-air RF (radio-frequency) technology, and Powermat with its SmartInductive hybrid inductive/resonance technology, are partnering to create one team that can implement both short and long-range wireless power designs optimized for each customer's application. Additionally, the partnership will leverage Powercast's engineering and productization services to support customers as needed from proof of concept to prototyping to production. Both companies' wireless power technologies enable more convenient, sustainable, environmentally-friendly, untethered devices that cut the cords, and use rechargeable batteries or no batteries at all to eliminate battery e-waste and battery replacement hassles. The two companies share a vision of a world where power is ubiquitous, wire-free, and seamlessly accessible. Powercast (booth #840) and Powermat (booth #805) will discuss their partnership and the world of wireless power at Sensors Converge in Santa Clara, CA, June 20 22, 2023. "The convenience of a one-stop-wireless-power-shop has not existed before," said Charles Goetz, CEO of Powercast. "First, since our partnership covers the entire spectrum of wireless power, customers can ditch researching solutions themselves and relax knowing we'll recommend the best fit for them. Second, whether you're a start-up or Fortune 500, our productization team can help reduce costs and speed time to market." "Our IP licensing business model has been successful as our technology is embedded in 800 million smartphones and charging surfaces in 8 million cars, and in 40 million devices like robots, e-bikes, and oT and medical devices," said Kfir Abuhatzira, Powermat's CEO. "But we are excited to be able to expand our services by partnering with Powercast whose dedicated design, engineering and manufacturing division can help customers wanting productization support." The Powermat and Powercast partnership covers entire spectrum of wireless power: Both companies' transmitters (Tx) send energy to receivers (Rx) that convert it into power, but they differ in strength and transfer distance so fit different applications. Powermat's SmartInductive Tx and Rx must closely align (within 8 inches), but can transfer large amounts of power (5 to 600 Watts). Powercast's RF Tx and Rx can transfer power over distance (up to 120 feet), but deliver lower power levels ranging from 100s of milliwatts to single digit microwatts depending on distance. Powermat's high-power SmartInductive hybrid inductive/resonance technology enables scalable wireless power applications capable of penetrating eight inches of wall and windows, and is offered in reference design platforms ranging from 5-Watt consumer grade applications to 600-Watt industrial grade applications like telecom, robotics, micro-mobility, medical devices, and more. Powercast's RF technology is designed for low-power consumer and industrial devices that need freedom of placement, and often operate in hard-to-reach places such as IoT sensor networks where wiring and battery replacement would be difficult. RF also enables one-to-many charging, meaning one Tx can charge many enabled devices in its charging zone. Additional device examples include home automation sensor networks, TV remotes, electric toothbrushes, headphones and smart watches. About Powercast Powercast is the established leader in RF wireless power-over-distance solutions. Since its founding in 2003, Powercast has led the industry in RF wireless power innovations that meet FCC and other global standards. Powercast's technologies eliminate or reduce the need for wires and batteries, working at distances of 120 feet. The company's collaborative approach and expertise in all aspects of product design, from vision through prototyping and commercialization, has resulted in dozens of applications, extensive commercial success in both industrial and consumer applications, and over 10 million units shipped. With more than 100 customers and partner companies globally, Powercast leads the RF wireless power market with 91 early and fundamental patents worldwide and 21 patents pending. www.powercastco.com About Powermat Technologies: Powermat Technologies provides advanced Qi-certified and proprietary wireless power solutions for IoT, telecom (5G), automotive, robotics, consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial applications. Powermat wireless power solutions and IP licensing programs enable global businesses to incorporate advanced wireless power into their products and customize solutions for unique use cases. Global market leaders including Samsung, General Motors, Flex, Harman International, Pivotal Commware, and Kyocera have adopted Powermat wireless power solutions. Over 800 million smartphones, 40 million embedded accessories, and 8 million cars worldwide have Powermat solutions inside. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/powercast-and-powermat-partner-to-create-first-one-stop-shop-wireless-powerhouse-to-deliver-power-ranging-from-smartinductive-to-rf-up-to-120ft-301849000.html SOURCE Powercast [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Madhive, a Leading CTV Advertising Software Platform, Announces a $300 Million Investment from Goldman Sachs Asset Management Tweet Madhive, a leading advertising software platform engineered for modern TV advertising, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management ("Goldman Sachs") for a $300 million investment in the company. Goldman Sachs' significant equity investment comes as Madhive's connected TV ("CTV") advertising software platform is leading the TV industry's expansion from linear TV advertising into streaming, primarily through its large local broadcaster clients including FOX, Scripps, and TEGNA, among others. The partnership with Goldman Sachs will enable Madhive to further accelerate the growth and adoption of its CTV platform, most notably within the local advertising market, as well as expand new channels such as national / direct-to-consumer advertisers and retail media networks, who are looking to modernize and scale their CTV offerings. Madhive was founded in 2016 with the original mission of transforming the $360 billion digital TV advertising industry. Co-founders, Adam Helfgott and Tom Bollich, serial entrepreneurs from outside the ad-tech space, saw a more efficient and streamlined way to build for the nascent CTV industry across both the supply and demand side. "Since inception, Madhive has been on a mission to modernize and simplify the ad-tech ecosystem. We purpose-built the Madhive platform in anticipation of the growth of streaming TV - investing in engineering, technology, and infrastructure," said Adam Helfgott, Founder & CEO of Madhive. "Our growth stems from collaborating with partners to solve a host of their unique requirements. Through our fully end-to-end tech stack for TV advertising, media sellers and advertisers have the flexibility and tools to reach streaming audiences efficiently at scale." Madhive's full-stack programmatic platform powers hundreds of millions of dollars in media across 20,000+ daily campaigns. The self-service platform is completely configurable and has tools for planning, targeting, activating, and measuring programmatic TV campaigns. "Madhive believes in extensive collaboration to move the industry forward, and we are excited to partner with Goldman Sachs to fuel our next chpter of growth," said Spencer Potts, President of Madhive. Upon closing of the transaction, Adam Helfgott will transition to Strategic Advisor and Chairman of the Board and Spencer Potts will transition to CEO of Madhive. "We have been deeply impressed with Madhive's growth and success in the local CTV advertising market within just seven years since its inception," said Leonard Seevers, a Partner and Co-Head of Technology, Media and Telecom investments in the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs. "We are incredibly excited to partner with the Madhive team to drive long-term growth and value creation together." "We believe Madhive's purpose-built, end-to-end CTV platform which enables hyper-local precision targeting at national scale is truly differentiated within the ad-tech ecosystem," added Joon Park, a Managing Director in the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs. "We see tremendous growth ahead in the company's existing and adjacent markets and look forward to supporting Madhive to further accelerate the company's journey." As one of the world's largest alternative investment managers with over $445 billion of assets, Goldman Sachs has developed an extensive investment track record across the marketing and advertising technology space with select recent investments including iSpot.tv, HUMAN, GumGum and Innovid, among others. The Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs has invested over $90 billion of equity capital in over 900 companies globally since its inception in 1986. Madhive is headquartered in New York and has approximately 200 employees, with headcount expected to increase by 20% in 2023, at a time when many tech companies are downsizing. Most recently, Madhive hired the former Google and Pinterest executive, Jon Kaplan, as Chief Revenue Officer. Kaplan has extensive expertise in building and scaling large enterprises in the digital advertising and technology categories. This year, Madhive also hired the former Roku and Hulu executive, Kristin Wnuk, as SVP of Sales and the former Affirm and Capital One Software executive, Darien Ford, as Chief Technology Officer. Latham & Watkins is serving as legal counsel to Madhive. Weil, Gotshal & Manges is serving as legal counsel to Goldman Sachs. About Madhive Madhive is the leading technology company engineered for modern TV advertising. Through its self-service platform, Madhive modernizes legacy systems, enabling advertisers to seamlessly automate the ad buying process into one operating system. This allows advertisers to plan, target, activate, and measure their campaigns with greater simplicity, accountability, reach, and control. Powered by an industry-leading bidder and device graph that processes 260 billion available ad opportunities per day, Madhive delivers precise, brand-safe audience connections efficiently at scale. The company is trusted by the leading local content owners, creators, and distributors, including FOX, Scripps and TEGNA, as well as national agencies and brands, powering more than a quarter billion dollars in media in media across 20,000+ daily campaigns. To learn more, visit madhive.com. About Goldman Sachs Asset Management 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 world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market-overseeing more than $2.6 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2023. 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. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613417018/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] COSRX Achieves Remarkable Milestone: Surpassing 2 Billion Views on TikTok Tweet LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- COSRX, the leading skincare brand trusted by derms worldwide, proudly announces a significant milestone its social media platform. The viral hashtag, #COSRX, has surpassed an impressive two billion cumulative views on TikTok, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that promises even greater accomplishments ahead. As a brand that values simplicity, functionality, and effective skincare solutions, COSRX has garnered immense popularity among consumers around the globe. Through its commitment to addressing specific skincare concerns and providing affordable yet reliable products, COSRX has solidified its position as a globally recognized skincare brand. To expand its reach and engage with a wider audience, COSRX ventured into the dynamic world of TikTok. By leveraging the platform's vast user base and engaging content creation capabilities, COSRX has successfully captured the attention of global consumers. The astounding achievement of surpassing two billion views on TikTok is a testament to COSRX's rising influence and resonance with its audience. "We sincerely appreciate our customers who enthusiastically create and share videos that showcase our products in action, demonstrating their remarkable benefits and showcasing inspiring before-and-after transformations," said a spokesperson for COSRX. "Influencers like @caressmd have emphasized the strengthening of the skin barrier and the effective hydration benefits of the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, leading to its viral success within the TikTok community." "By harnessing the features of TikTok and leveraging its ever-growing popularity, we have successfully promoted our brand, engaged with our target audience, and laid the foundation for sustainable growth. It's truly gratifying to see our viral hashtag, #COSRX, surpass an impressive two billion cumulative views on TikTok, reflecting the immense reach and impact of our brand within the TikTok community," a spokesperson added. One of COSRX's standout successes on TikTok is its Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, which garnered widespread attention and became a viral sensation. The essence's unique texture and remarkable efficacy have been portrayed candidly and innovatively through captivating TikTok videos. Leveraging the power of this platform, COSRX has successfully organized three TikTok challenges centered around the Snail Essence, including #SlapSnail, #SnailDanceChallenge, and #SnailDuoShot. These campaigns, spanning 3 seasons, received global participation from renowned influencers like Dr. Shah, Hyram, Caress and Lexi Rivera. These challenges played a pivotal role in catapulting the essence to widespread popularity, resulting in sold-out stocks across stores worldwide. Continuing its successful TikTok campaigns, COSRX organized consecutive #LayYourSPF challenges in Southeast Asia from April 14th to May 7th. The campaign in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam under the hashtag #COSRX gained tremendous attention, accumulating 1.9 billion views and experiencing a significant 21% increase in engagement. After going viral on TikTok, COSRX's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence quickly rose to the top of Amazon's best sellers list in Beauty and Personal Care. The Snail Essence has enjoyed remarkable success, captivating skincare enthusiasts worldwide and consistently securing the number one spot in Amazon's US Beauty & Personal Care category. The strong demand even led to temporary supply shortages, highlighting the product's must-have status. With its ongoing high rankings and positive customer reviews on Amazon, the Snail Essence proves to be an essential skincare item. Additionally, the Advanced Snail line became a brand millionaire seller, with a cumulative sales record of 6 million units (as of May, 2023), thanks to the TikTok challenge craze. Its unprecedented popularity and sales achievement solidify its position as a game-changing skincare brand. "The TikTok challenges have been an incredible opportunity for our customers to share their genuine experiences and creative content," expressed a spokesperson for COSRX. "We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm shown by the TikTok community, which has undoubtedly contributed to the widespread popularity of our Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. We hope to witness the same level of excitement and creativity with our newly launched innovative products on TikTok." With its exponential increase in brand exposure, COSRX is positioned for continued growth and innovation in the skincare industry. As the brand continues to revolutionize skincare routines, it invites TikTok users to embark on a journey of self-care and discover the transformative power of COSRX products. About COSRX With its powerful yet affordable skincare solutions, COSRX has quickly become one of America's favorite skincare brands. Using a minimal number of highly effective natural extracts in concentrated doses, COSRX products deliver visible results by treating skin with only the essentials it needs and nothing it doesn't. Find its best-selling skincare solutions at retailers nationwide, including Amazon, ULTA, JCPenney, Target and Dermstore. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosrx/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cosrx_official COSRX Official Website: https://www.cosrx.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cosrx-achieves-remarkable-milestone-surpassing-2-billion-views-on-tiktok-301848263.html SOURCE COSRX [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Barracuda wins in the 2023 Cloud Security Awards Tweet Awards recognize Barracuda CloudGen Firewall and Barracuda Email Protection as outstanding cloud security solutions CAMPBELL, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Barracuda Networks, Inc., a trusted partner and leading provider for cloud-first security solutions today announced it has been selected as a winner by the Cloud Security Awards 2023 judges in two categories: Best Firewall Security Solution and Best Security Solution for Email /Communication Systems. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall was recognized in the Best Firewall Security Solution category, and judges said it takes cloud security to the next level, calling it "where cutting-edge technology meets peace of mind." Barracuda Email Protection was honored in the Best Security Solution for Email/Communication Systems category. Lead Judge Jason Fored said, "Their proactive approach to email security ensures that organizations are equipped to combat emerging threats effectively." "I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt cngratulations to our remarkable team for their outstanding achievements in winning both the Best Firewall Security Solution and Best Security Solution for Email /Communication Systems," said CTO Fleming Shi. "This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that safeguard our clients' critical information and protect them from ever-evolving cyberthreats." For the complete list of finalists and winners, please visit: https://www.cloud-awards.com/2023-cloud-security-awards-finalists/. Resources: Read the blog: http://cuda.co/blg061323csa About Barracuda At Barracuda we strive to make the world a safer place. We believe every business deserves access to cloud-first, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. We protect email, networks, data, and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt with our customers' journey. More than 200,000 organizations worldwide trust Barracuda to protect them in ways they may not even know they are at risk so they can focus on taking their business to the next level. For more information, visit?barracuda.com.? Barracuda Networks, Barracuda and the Barracuda Networks logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Barracuda Networks, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Contact? Anne Campbell Barracuda Networks, Inc. 978-328-1642 [email protected]? View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barracuda-wins-in-the-2023-cloud-security-awards-301849338.html SOURCE Barracuda Networks, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Chorus Intelligence establishes Strategic Partnerships with several Chiefs of Police Associations Tweet VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chorus Intelligence (Chorus), a trusted supplier of data cleansing, analysis, search and entity enrichment software to law enforcement agencies, is delighted to announce its new partnerships with the following State Associations of Chief of Police (SACOP) members - New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. These strategic partnerships were cultivated after Chorus proved its digital intelligence platform was a pivotal tool Each of these Associations has a core desire to help their respective law enforcement agencies gain access to the best software tools available. These strategic partnerships were cultivated after Chorus proved its digital intelligence platform was a pivotal tool that will streamline investigations and empower users across multiple roles to help solve more crime. The Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS), hosted in AWS Government, supports agencies in reengineering their digital investigations, providing them with the tools to confidently collect, combine, and onnect data to turn it into intelligence and evidence while remaining CJIS compliant. Clients can be on-boarded to the software in a matter of days to release immediate benefits. For the first time, analysts, investigators, and front-line officers are empowered to conduct end-to-end digital investigations and easily collaborate with other departments and agencies from the platform. The intuitive, self-serve tools can be used by all to combine analytical data with open-source intelligence and internal data, to easily identify patterns, spot connections, and answer key investigative questions. Neil Chivers, CEO of Chorus Intelligence, said "I am delighted that my team have established key strategic partnerships with a number of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) members. Chivers continued, "Our mission is to create the best digital investigation and intelligence platform in the world and we are fully committed to put our capabilities in the hands of as many law enforcement investigators as possible. These partnerships ensure that our message, software and best practices are communicated effectively." Pete Peters, Retired Police Chief and, current, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association (WCPA), said "The WCPA is pleased to lead our state in the area of law enforcement technology and innovation. We assist our member chiefs and their agencies across our state in the protection of their communities and the combating and solution of crime, for that reason we are pleased to be a new partner of Chorus Intelligence, who's incredible tools and resources help us meet that important mission." Mitchell Sklar, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), said "The NJSACOP has worked with Neil Chivers for over 6 years. When he moved to Chorus Intelligence it was without hesitation that our strategic partnership was established. Sklar continued, "Chorus Intelligence and their software, the Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS) is a game changer for making digital investigations more efficient and effective. Their staff are passionate about helping our members lead the charge against the crimes that blight our communities. The CIS is a true force multiplier that delivers rapid benefits out of the gate." About Chorus Intelligence Chorus Intelligence, founded in 2011, Chorus is used by most agencies in the UK and many North American agencies. Be empowered at every stage of an investigation to confidently turn data into intelligence and evidence. chorusintel.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chorus-intelligence-establishes-strategic-partnerships-with-several-chiefs-of-police-associations-301848844.html SOURCE Chorus Intelligence - North America [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Gigamon Equips Mobile Network Operators with Deep Observability to Fast-Track Transition from 4G to 5G Tweet Gigamon, the leading deep observability company, today announced significant advances in equipping global Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) around the world with the deep observability they require to fast-track 5G deployments alongside existing 4G production networks. Over the last year, Gigamon increased the number of customers utilizing the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline for 5G core services with 43 MNOs in production, deployment or trials alongside widespread 4G core services, all driven by a series of innovations for converged 4G/5G cores, including bringing deep observability to encrypted 5G core traffic. MNO network traffic has doubled in the last two years, estimated to grow 24 percent annually over the next five years according to the 2022 Ericsson Mobility Report. While hundreds of billions of dollars have been invested on the new 5G spectrum and underlying infrastructure, most subscriber traffic still traverses 4G core networks - even when 5G radio capacity is utilized. Increasingly, the focus of MNOs is to adopt converged cores to serve both 4G and 5G subscribers as they advance transition efforts. Gigamon serves as foundational technology to a growing number of 5G core deployments, delivering a broad range of advanced product features and capabilities. Delivering Converged 4G/5G Core Efficiency Gigamon has developed, delivered, and hardened MNO core feature sets for sampling, load-balancing, and forward-listing at a subscriber level, as well as network-aware filtering based on business context like phone model, cell tower, voice vs. data, over-the-top applications, QoS priority, and more. The Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline efficiently and effectively correlates control plane traffic with user plane traffic across 4G and 5G networks utilizing the same underlying monitoring infrastructure. This optimization reduces unified correlation across a converged core, reducing load on downstream tools while maintaining depth of insight and consistent quality of telemetry in accordance with required service levels. "Mobile operators of all sizes are under increasing pressure to innovate with 5G while continuing to support the vast volumes of 4G traffic running across their networks," said Shane Buckley, president, and CEO of Gigamon. "We're fully committed to developing critical capabilities in close partnership with our MNO customers to provide deep observability into all mobile traffic, with operational and economic efficiency, whether 4G or 5G, even when encrypted." Bringing Deep Observability to Encrypted 5G Core Traffic Data encryption was designed into 5G networks by 3GPP architects for nearly every interface, including the new service-based interfaces (SBIs) that handle all crucial 5G control plane traffic. Acquiring deep observability into this control plane traffic helps to assure network performance and deliver a superior user experience, revealing many critical insights otherwise hidden by encryption. Gigamon has solved this problem through validated integrations with major 5G providers including Ericsson and Nokia, combined with innovations in container visibility, smart network interface cards, and service meshes. Carriers running encrypted Ericsson 5G cores, for example, are achieving clear-text visibility via Gigamon for monitoring purposes across all traffic. Gigamon provides similar capabilities to a growing number of MNO customers operating private 5G networks that also implement encryption. "For Communications Service Providers who are building out their 5G core, Gigamon employs next-generation technology to ensure modern 5G networks deliver the appropriate quality of experience and remain secure at scale, while keeping security and performance monitoring costs in check," said James Crawshaw, principal analyst for Telco IT & Operations at Omdia. 5G Momentum According to the GSMA, the momentum behind 5G is building across more than 70 countries and nearly 200 operators, it now covers half of global markets and almost one third of the world's population. This unprecedented growth represents the fastest generational roll-out for the mobile industry when compared to 3G and 4G. Having deep observability into 5G network traffic will be critical to the continued success of MNOs as they accelerate their transition from 4G to 5G. About Gigamon Gigamon offers a deep observability pipeline that efficiently delivers network-derived intelligence to cloud, security, and observability tools. This helps eliminate security blind spots and reduce tool costs, enabling you to better secure and manage your hybrid cloud infrastructure. Gigamon serves more than 4,000 customers worldwide, including over 80 percent of Fortune 100 enterprises, 9 of the 10 largest mobile network providers, and hundreds of governments and educational organizations worldwide. To learn more, please visit gigamon.com. 2023 Gigamon. All rights reserved. Gigamon and the Gigamon logo are trademarks of Gigamon in the United States and/or other countries. Gigamon trademarks can be found at www.gigamon.com/legal-trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005023/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Leading organizations join forces with Crossbeam to form the Ecosystem-Led Growth Alliance and set a common standard for modern company growth Tweet Go-to-market leaders from over 40 companies unite around a common mission of leveraging partner ecosystems to drive efficient growth in the face of new market realities SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A diverse group of over 40 companies have joined forces to announce the formation of the Ecosystem-Led Growth Alliance (ELG Alliance). Ecosystem-Led Growth (ELG) is a new way for companies to achieve efficient and scalable growth by leveraging their partner ecosystems, and the ELG Alliance will increase awareness and buy-in for ecosystem-led motions among executives, C-Suite members, and company Boards. Founding ELG Alliance members include Clari, Crossbeam, G2, Gainsight, Gong, Impartner, Klaviyo, Pavilion, Procore, Salesloft, and Stripe. The ELG Alliance formation announcement was made by Crossbeam CEO Bob Moore in San Diego at Crossbeam's annual industry conference, Supernode. According to the May 2023 Pavilion Pulse Survey, only 27% of go-to-market revenue leaders are meeting or exceeding their targets. Against the backdrop of the current macroeconomic climate and the diminishing effectiveness of traditional channels such as outbound, online ads, and third-party data, leveraging the unique nature of ecosystems offers a distinctive competitive advantage and path to revenue growth that is efficient, proprietary, and scalable. "In a recent call with 25 early startup CEOs who represent $500M+ in funding and $100M+ in ARR, the question they're all asking themselves is about new paths to market that are cheaper and more effective than traditional direct sales," said Sam Jacobs, CEO of Pavilion. "The answer that keeps coming up is partnership ecosystems. Ecosystems represent a win-win for everyone involved and the ELG Alliance is a way to codify that impct in a meaningful way. We are excited to be at the forefront of this effort." "At Clari, we believe in a future that allows all revenue-critical employees to be empowered to collaborate around revenue to drive more efficiency, growth, and profitability," said R.J. Filipski, Global VP Business Development and Ecosystems of Clari. "That's a big reason why we're including Clari's Revenue Platform in the ELG Alliance. Ecosystems, not companies alone, create efficient growth and we're thrilled to be a founding partner in this critical movement and moment." Ecosystem-Led Growth is a go-to-market approach that encompasses multi-way engagement with every indirect touchpoint a prospect or customer utilizes throughout their buying journey. It starts with reimagining the process of partner teams comparing data using archaic and flawed spreadsheet sharing methods, to a more secure, managed, scalable process for surfacing revenue opportunities based on actual data and taking action on those results. According to Crossbeam's 2023 State of the Partner Ecosystem Report, ELG deals are 53% more likely to close, they close 46% faster, and are 58% less likely to churn. "Ecosystem-Led Growth is becoming the new standard for how companies drive efficient and scalable growth," said Bob Moore, CEO and Co-Founder of Crossbeam. "Today's announcement of the ELG Alliance is a profoundly important step in the journey. It unites all go-to-market leaders around a common mission of making ELG the mainstream standard for modern company growth." Crossbeam and the ELG Alliance members are excited to collaborate and shape the future of ecosystems and partnerships as established go-to-market levers. This effort includes reach and involvement not just by partnership leaders, but also by marketing, sales, finance, and customer success executives, and ultimately CEOs. To learn more about the Ecosystem-Led Growth Alliance and a full list of its members, please visit elgalliance.com . About Crossbeam: Crossbeam is the largest and most powerful partner ecosystem platform, trusted by over 15,000 companies to facilitate the creation, closure, and growth of sales deals through strategic partnerships. Sign up for free today by visiting https://www.crossbeam.com . Media Contact: Amanda Groves Senior Director of Product Marketing Crossbeam View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-organizations-join-forces-with-crossbeam-to-form-the-ecosystem-led-growth-alliance-and-set-a-common-standard-for-modern-company-growth-301849551.html SOURCE Crossbeam [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] DHAKA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday approved a 400 million U.S. dollars loan to support Bangladesh's economic recovery. This loan is ADB's second subprogram of the Sustainable Economic Recovery Program launched in October 2021 to support economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Manila-based lender said in a statement. "This subprogram enables Bangladesh to enhance revenues, promote efficiency and transparency in public spending and public procurement, deepen the reforms of state-owned enterprises, and help small businesses and microentrepreneurs to access low-interest affordable credits from the banking sector," said Aminur Rahman, ADB Principal Public Management Economist for South Asia. "The subprogram, with a strong focus on gender, climate change, and digitization, enables the government to strengthen its efforts to support income generation for the poor and vulnerable." The program will enhance income tax collection through the adoption of the new Income Tax Act, reduce tax loopholes, strengthen compliance and enforcement measures, and broaden the country's tax net, said the bank. The new package supports the launch by the Bangladesh Bank of innovative financing services through commercial banks to provide low-cost microcredit using digital channels and e-wallets, said the bank. [June 13, 2023] EY Announces Shirl Penney of Dynasty Financial Partners as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award Winner Tweet Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Shirl Penney, President and CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Shirl Penney was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. "I am very humbled and honored to be named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida. I would like to thank EY, the sponsors, and the judges for running an excellent regional process. I also want to congratulate all the finalists and winners in Florida and across the country," commented Mr. Penney. "I look forward to meeting them at nationals later in the year, where I am excited to represent Florida. Lastly, I want to thank everyone for supporting Dynasty Financial Partners, who make this recognition possible. To our investors, our resource partners, our amazing clients, the Tampa/St. Pete community, our spectacular team at Dynasty, and my friends and family, Thank You! We are so blessed at Dynasty to live our American Dream by helping others live theirs!" For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries - all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a Florida award winner, Shirl Penney is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, sponsors also include platinum sponsors: Cresa & DLA iper. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. About Dynasty Dynasty is a provider of technology-enabled wealth management solutions and business services for financial advisory firms primarily focused on serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Dynasty provides access to a comprehensive platform of software and technology tools, business services and holistic investment management capabilities through an open-architecture platform delivered via a suite of proprietary and third-party technologies. Dynasty's technology, tools and services provide advisory firms the supported independence to launch their business, scale their operations and grow their firms - both organically and inorganically - while also allowing them to be more focused on and better equipped to serve their clients. For more than a decade, Dynasty has championed the benefits of independent wealth management for high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients and has contributed to the movement of assets from traditional brokerage channels to the independent channels of wealth management. As Dynasty is becoming a recognized industry leader, Dynasty has differentiated itself by developing competitive strengths, including a deep understanding of and strong relationship with its clients, a comprehensive offering of services and technology-enabled solutions, the ability to leverage its size and breadth to invest, the flexibility and seamlessness enabled by a modular technology solution, the entrepreneurial culture and experienced and committed management team. Dynasty is committed to continually growing its business by facilitating existing advisory firm clients' growth, onboarding new clients, increasing the clients' use of its broader capabilities, launching additional solutions and carrying out complementary acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.dynastyfinancialpartners.com. Also visit Dynasty on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynasty-financial-partners Twitter: @DynastyFP Youtube: http://bit.ly/1MKXhC8 ? This list was published on April 28th, 2023 by Ernst & Young. These entrepreneurs were selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. There was no compensation provided to be considered for this award. The regional winners were announced on June 8th. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613044224/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. (GTII) and AI Commerce Holdings, LLC execute a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding in connection with the possible acquisition of AI Commerce Group, LLC by GTII Tweet New York, NY, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ( GTII : OTCQB) Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. ( GTII or The Company), www.gtii-us.com , announced today that it has signed a non-binding and preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AI Commerce Holdings, LLC, (AI Holdings) a private company based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to commence the mutual due diligence process with the objective of negotiating a definitive agreement for the purchase of AI Commerce Group, LLC (AI Group) by GTII. AI Group is in the business of acquiring online brands and businesses that need additional resources and knowledge to get to the next level of sales and revenue. AI Group uses technology and artificial intelligence to improve efficiencies at all stages of the direct-to-retail business. It provides brands and businesses with the technical help and expertise they need to reach their full potential. By collaborating with entrepreneurs to bring to market products that not only serve consumers but also contribute to the betterment of society, AI Group uses the scale of its operations to negotiate superior dels with suppliers, thus providing cost savings it can pass on to consumers. The AI Group team is comprised of seasoned veterans in e-commerce, sourcing, logistics, digital marketing, and banking. About GTII: GTII is a publicly traded Company incorporated in the state of Nevada, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies. Visit GTII here https://gtii-us.com/ Please follow our Company at: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GTII About AI Commerce Group, LLC: AI Commerce Group, LLC (AI Group) is a private company based in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the business of acquiring online brands and businesses. Please follow AI Group at: www.aicommercegroup.com Harbor Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Companys most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. Words such as estimate, project, predict, will, would, should, could, may, might, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, expect, aim, goal, target, objective, likely or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of this press release. Unless legally required, we undertake no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. 511 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800 New York, NY 10011 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Health Canal Launches The Blood Heroes Contest with Up To $2000 In Prize Money Tweet GROVE CITY, Ohio, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Canal has announced launching an inspirational blood donation contest with up to $2000 in rewards. The Blood Heroes Contest aims to raise awareness on the issue of blood donation and encourage more people to donate blood by sharing inspirational blood donation stories. The Blood Heroes Contest will take place from June 10th to June 30th. Applicants from all countries are welcome to share their memorable blood donation experiences. Two winners in "The Best Story" and "The All-Time Blood Donor" categories will be announced on July 5th, each taking home a prize money reward of $1000. You can learn more about the contest here: https://www.healthcanal.com/health/join-blood-heroes-contest-to-inspire-non-donor . The stories will then be shared widely across social media to help raise awareness of the need for annual blood donations. According to The Red Cross, only about 6.8 million people give blood annually in the US. Thisfigure represents less than 2.5% of the total American population. It is also a drop in the bucket, considering that 115 million Americans are eligible for blood donations. The situation is worse worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization, only 120 million people give blood worldwide. This is less than 1% of the global population. Nearly half of international blood donations come from high-income countries, accounting for less than 16% of the worldwide population. Health Canal sees this global blood shortage as a significant risk to health and wellness. It is confident that its Blood Heroes Contest will inspire more eligible donors worldwide to give blood regularly. Erik Pham, the Founder of Health Canal, notes that "The Blood Heroes Contest allows individuals to share their powerful narratives of blood donation. Each blood donation story has the potential to inspire and shed light on the profound difference we can make in someone's life. With this competition, we hope to ignite a ripple effect of compassion and drive an increase in blood donations, ultimately saving more lives." Donating blood is an act of profound compassion that can make the difference between life and death. Join the Health Canal's Blood Heroes Contest today and inspire millions to give blood and save lives yearly. Apply here: Blood Heroes Application Form . About Health Canal Health Canal is an online health-related news, information, and research resource. Our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of relevant health topics anyone can access and understand. We strive to make reliable healthcare information accessible by providing evidence-based content from experts in their fields. For more information, visit our website at www.healthcanal.com . Press Contact Erik Pham Founder of Health Canal [email protected]com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/health-canal-launches-the-blood-heroes-contest-with-up-to-2000-in-prize-money-301849007.html SOURCE Health Canal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] New survey data reveals homeowners and renters are ready for expert video consultations and support Tweet IrisCX, the smart video platform for virtual product selection, DIY setup, and support today announced the results of a survey that confirms the virtual customer support revolution with a human touch is here. The survey of 1,000 American adults was conducted by Propeller Research in April 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613305017/en/ "Every American has experienced a home-related issue and needs expert help. Yet, the experts they hire are still using antiquated processes," said Guillermo Salazar, co-founder and CEO of IrisCX. "Nearly seven in 10 participants noted that they specifically contacted an in-person contractor for support, but what 73% really want is an expert consultation with the convenience of digital. The future is smart video consultation solutions with home product and service experts." People inherently trust experts, and they rely on those experts to validate their product and service selection decisions: 85% said talking to an expert makes them feel more confident 84% are more likely to make a purchasing decision stemming from expert advice 81% feel influenced by speaking to home experts Consumers' preferred way of receiving information and service is shifting. As the world continues to become more digital, people expect to do things virtually, including getting quotes for home product purchases, maintenance and improvement. Virtual experiences allow consumers to get answers from experts in real time without having to make arrangements to meet someone in person. Increasingly, digital natives especially want instant access to experts versus waiting for days or weeks for an in-home visit. In fact, 63% said they have had to miss work or rearrange their schedule to accommodate an in-person contractor visit. And, 68% expect their hom-related issue to be fixed in three hours or less. The most demanding groups were Gen Z and Millennials who were born digital. More than 15% of them expect an issue to be resolved within an hour. Gen Z also wants to avoid unnecessary time away from work because they believe they are more dispensable than people from older generations because members of Gen Z have less work experience and expertise. When it comes to purchases and projects around the home, the most successful companies will offer a virtual consultation and service option that provides expert assistance and the convenience of digital technologies. Seven in 10 respondents are interested in using virtual assistant technology to help with building, renovation and maintenance projects, and 61% are using technology to solve home-related problems. "Seeing is believing, and consumers often have a hard time seeing," said Sam Maglio, professor of consumer psychology at the University of Toronto. "They can't envision how something will look in their home until it gets there. They struggle to translate verbal descriptions into a clear mental image. Immersive video takes out all the guesswork. It leaves consumers with a concrete sense of where things stand and what to do next." The top two perceived benefits of virtual assistants are higher efficiency and greater accessibility. Perhaps that's why 68% said they would at least double their DIY home projects if there was a virtual platform to streamline the process. This is true across generations, but 55% of those over 65 noted their DIY projects would largely stay the same. "People want the personalization and expertise that comes from a human-to-human interaction when they are making decisions for their home, particularly complex decisions they might have to live with for a while," said Salazar. "At the same time, they want the convenience that comes from digital interaction. Technologies such as video, AI, augmented reality and machine learning can provide consumers with hyperpersonalized recommendations and support when coupled with the knowledge of a product or service expert. In fact, people with such experiences tend to buy more and keep their product rather than return it. They also become loyal to brands that provide this type of interaction." Follow us Twitter: @iriscxglobal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iriscx/ About IrisCX IrisCX is a leading SaaS company that is focused on providing personalized visual customer experiences for consumers to make product purchasing decisions, assemble products in their home and receive customer support. IrisCX's smart video technology connects consumers anywhere to real-time expert help instead of waiting for in-person sales or technical assistance. Brands experience increased customer loyalty, reduced cost of customer and technical support, and a decrease in product returns. Powered by computer vision, conversational intelligence and machine learning, IrisCX can provide both step-by-step instructions for self-guided use, and live sessions with company experts. Founded in 2018, IrisCX is headquartered in Calgary and privately held, with operations across Canada. For more information, please visit https://iriscx.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613305017/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Loc Performance and Milrem Robotics Collaborate on Bid for US Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-L) Program Tweet PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Loc Performance ("Loc"), a leading provider of military vehicle systems, and Milrem Robotics ("Milrem"), the leading European developer of robotics and autonomous systems, have joined together to create a world class offering for the United States Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-L) Prototype program. The collaboration between Loc and Milrem brings together the specialized strength and expertise of each company to create a ground-breaking modular-base Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), which the team has called the WarLoc. The WarLoc's design is based on Milrem Robotics' Type-X, the most advanced RCV of its kind. The Type-X is the first RCV conceived for unmanned operations, instead of a manned vehicle converted for remote operations. It was developed to navigate the battlefield autonomously, with a human-in-the-loop control system and artificial intelligence (AI) as an integral part of the operating algorithm. "WarLoc benefits from the experience gained from thorough tests of the Type-X that have demonstrated its superior capabilities and the continuous development of the subsystems and components in the Type-X family," said Guy C. Enderle, Director of US Operation at Milrem Robotics. "This helps to ensure reduced life cycle costs on the fleet level, high commonality, and optimal performance." Building off lessons learned from the Type-X platform, WarLoc is safe, reliable and easy to learn, utilizing intuitive and logical controls. The WarLoc was designed and built with amphibious capabilities for high mobility in any terrain: soft soil, snow, or desert. Various payloads have been integrated with the Modular Base Platform (MBP) to provide a variety o overmatching firepower options and tactical advantages to mechanized units. The payoff is fast penetration of enemy defensive positions with minimal risk to ground troops. Milrem Robotics has ten years of experience with robotics and autonomous systems, and its intelligent unmanned systems are operating in 16 countries, including 8 members of NATO: USA, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and United Kingdom. Milrem Robotics is the only RCV developer with vehicles currently operating in combat. WarLoc's sister vehicles are supporting Ukraine today. "After 50 years of providing successful vehicle upgrade solutions as a military supplier, Loc is ready and excited to enter the vehicle market," said Jason Atkinson, Loc's President & CEO. "Witnessing the challenges the military has faced introducing new technology for the War Fighter, the Loc team is positioned to ensure the military receives a best-cost solution that meets the needs of our brave men and women of the armed forces." Loc's unique business model has enabled significant year-over-year market growth. For the past two decades, Loc has focused on expanding and maturing its design and manufacturing presence, while maintaining an efficient and cost effective corporate structure, making insourcing of offshore technology feasible. Currently, Loc operates four facilities covering 1,779,000 square feet of floor space, with three facilities located in Michigan and one in Ohio. Loc's portfolio includes the design and manufacturing of complex critical items that are necessary to produce the RCV-L platform. Specifically, Loc's core products include mechanical systems, track systems, large fabricated structures (armor steel and/or aluminum), armor kits and hardware vehicle integration for the U.S. Army's portfolio of ground combat vehicle systems. A video of the capabilities of the Type-X can be found here: https://youtu.be/WwTlp998RaE About Loc Performance Loc Performance, headquartered in Plymouth, MI, provides track systems, mechanical systems, armor products, fabricated structures, and rubberized products for military, agricultural, and construction applications. With proven capabilities in product design and development through production, Loc offers comprehensive solutions and exceptional customer service to produce the highest quality products at competitive pricing. Loc has over 1,750,000 square feet of manufacturing space with facilities in Plymouth, Lansing, and Lapeer, Michigan, and St. Marys, Ohio with more than 980 total employees. Learn more at www.locperformance.com. About Milrem Robotics Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US. The company is known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and the MIFIK autonomy kit. Milrem Robotics is the leader of the iMUGS consortium in charge of developing a European standardized unmanned ground system funded by the European Commission's European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loc-performance-and-milrem-robotics-collaborate-on-bid-for-us-armys-robotic-combat-vehicle-light-rcv-l-program-301849711.html SOURCE Loc Performance Products [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Align Voted Best Cloud Services Provider by both Hedgeweek and Private Equity Wire Tweet Align, the premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions and Managed IT Services, announces today that it has been awarded Best Cloud Services Provider in the 2023 Hedgeweek's Hedge Fund Emerging Manager US Awards and the Private Equity Wire's 2023 Emerging Manager Awards. Both awards are earned from online voting in which financial services professionals are invited to nominate the "best in class" providers in a variety of categories. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613276986/en/ Vinod Paul, Chief Operating Officer of Award-Winning Align Managed Services (Photo: Business Wire) As a managed service provider, offering top-of-the-line cloud services is imperative - especially today, when businesses rely so heavily on cloud-based applications. The Align IT Suite, Align's complete Managed Services platform, is built on the foundation of the Microsoft public cloud, offering flexible, secure, compliant managed services for clients, particularly those in the alternative investment industry. "We are honored to be recognized by both Hedgeweek and Private Equity Wire," says Vinod Paul, Chief Operating Officer of Align Managed Services. "The past several years has put an emphasis on service providers as we've all had to rise to the challenge of adjusting to meet the new set of needs and secuity risks introduced by the major shift in the workforce. We were proactive in this adjustment; and built our cornerstone managed IT offering, the Align IT Suite, in the Microsoft public cloud to provide clients with scalable, flexible IT solutions. It is always appreciated to be recognized for our commitment to providing the best-in-class solutions to our clients, even more so to be recognized for our outstanding performance as a cloud provider in two separate awards within the same year. We are very proud of this achievement." This double recognition only further cements Align's reputation in the industry. Align was the first Managed Services Provider to offer a fully Public Cloud based platform focused on the Alternative Financial Services industry. As a Tier 1 Microsoft Azure cloud services provider focused entirely on the alternative investment industry, Align enhanced this offering by also delivering cybersecurity solutions designed for the Registered Investment Advisors and ALT's community. Align spearheaded the adoption of public cloud computing as the optimal foundation from which a modern fund manager's IT environment should be designed. Leading firms around the world trust Align with their managed IT. Align's clients are primarily within the financial services industry, and the largest technological challenges they face surround the regulatory requirements and the changing cybersecurity threat landscape. These changes both in the financial sector and throughout businesses have created an entirely new set of consideration for clients; from annual proposed SEC changes in regulations to the shift in the workforce from largely in-person to more hybrid or remote work. "Our award-winning solution makes managing IT and meeting the demands of security and compliance easy," says Vinod Paul, Chief Operating Officer of Align. "Our services offer firms the assurance, dependability, and resiliency that is required to thrive in today's changing IT landscape. With Align Managed Services, clients can leverage solutions designed to reduce operational costs, accelerate workflows, mitigate risk, and strengthen and streamline the numerous controls designed to meet both the current and ever-evolving regulatory compliance requirements and the prevailing due diligence expectations." Align's unwavering commitment to improving our Managed IT Solutions directly impacts the success of its clients - because once a firm can meet certain regulations with ease, its business begins to thrive. "Alongside our double recognition in cloud computing, we have taken strides to enhance our longstanding Managed Detection and Response (MDR) platform, Align Guardian, powered by Adlumin, within the last year. We have also begun to leverage AI support services and launched an "out of the box" onboarding experience through automation and AI that allows our clients to fully deploy its solution in 30 minutes," says Chris Zadrima, Managing Director, Align Managed Services. "From fundamental support functions to Cybersecurity, we have incorporated automated SOAR (Security Orchestration, automation, and response) functionality. We are extremely proud of the accomplishments our teams have made-this award demonstrates our commitment to continuously striving to enhance our offering." To learn more about Align, go to www.align.com and follow Align on LinkedIn and at @AlignITAdvisor on Twitter. About Align Align is a premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions. For over 35 years, leading firms worldwide have relied on Align to guide them through IT challenges, delivering complete, secure solutions for business change and growth. Align is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has offices in New York City, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Arizona, New Jersey, and Virginia. Learn more at www.align.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613276986/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Turnbridge Equities and Manekin Raise $275 million for Development of National Capital Business Park, including $110 million of Joint Venture Equity from Qatar Investment Authority and PCCP, and $165 million of Construction Financing from Apollo Tweet Turnbridge Equities ("Turnbridge"), a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm, announced today that Turnbridge and its co-development partner, Manekin LLC, one of the capital region's leading real estate development firms (collectively, the "Developer"), completed the capitalization of Phase I of the National Capital Business Park ("NCBP") in the Washington, DC metro area. The transaction included approximately $275 million of construction financing and joint venture equity for the recapitalization and development of Phase I of NCBP, consisting of five Class A industrial warehouse buildings totaling 1.3 million square feet. The $165 million construction loan was provided by a fund managed by an affiliate of Apollo Global Management and a joint venture of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and PCCP, LLC are partnering with Turnbridge and Manekin to provide approximately $110 million of equity to the project. Phase I of National Capital Business Park consists of five Class A industrial warehouse buildings that will range in size from approximately 160,000 square feet to 360,000 square feet across 94 acres. Strategically located immediately east of Washington, DC, in Prince George's County Maryland, NCBP provides businesses with access to the third largest and most affluent combined statistical area in the United States with approximately 10 million residents, a major seaport, the distribution corridors of I-95, I-70, I-83, 50/301, and I-81, as well as adjacency to the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495). NCBP is unique in offering tenants all of the features and amenities of a spacious, modern, Class A logistics park along with the immediate proximity to the DC-metro area's strong demographics and consumer base. "Best in class, institutional investors QIA and PCCP's investment into National Capital Business Park illustrates the attractiveness of the project's design and location in one of the most infill industrial markets in the country with low vacancy, strong demand and exceptionally high barriers to entry," commented Turnbridge Managing Principal, Ryan Nelson. "We believe a partnership with QIA and PCCP, and financing from Apollo will set National Capital Business Park up for continued development as the premier industrial park in the Mid-Atlantic," added Manekin Chief Operating Officer, Cole Schnorf. Illustrating NCBP's attractive value proposition, Ferguson Enterprises, North America's leading HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression supplier selected NCBP for one of Ferguson's Market Distribution Centers, a 358,400 square foot facility designed to provide its stores and customers within the Washington, DC, metro market same day or next day product deliveries within a 100-mile radius. Additionally, Phase I of NCBP includes four speculative buildings ranging in size from 160,000 square feet to 310,000 square feet, each with at least 1/1,000 auto parking, one dock door per approximately 5,000 square feet of warehouse space, and at least one trailer drop per dock door with 180-foot to 190-foot truck courts. All of the buildings at NCBP are designed with solar panels on their rooftops, which will generate approximately 11.3 MW of electricity, enough to power over 1,100 homes with clean energy, at the completion of Phase I. At full build-out, NCBP will include up to 3.5 million square feet of Class A industrial space serving an abundance of users, includin distribution, logistics, light manufacturing, and storage and cold storage. NCBP will also include the development of an adjacent 20-acre multi-purpose park for the community and the on-site preservation of nearly 200 acres of stream valley and forest. "The quality, location, and scale of National Capital Business Park are unparalleled, as evidenced by Ferguson's commitment to the project, and we're excited to have great partners and lender for the development of the park," added Turnbridge Managing Director, Jason Davis. Sitework is underway and vertical construction on Phase I begins this summer, with deliveries in early-2024. Phase I is being leased by Jeff Ludwig of NAI Michael, and more information can be found at www.nationalcapitalbusinesspark.com. A Cushman & Wakefield Equity, Debt & Structured Finance team of John Alascio, TJ Sullivan, Meredith Donovan and Mitch Rothstein represented the Developer in the transaction. A team of Jim Carpenter, Jon Carpenter, Graham Savage and Dawes Milchling from C&W's Industrial Advisory Group also advised the partnership. "National Capital Business Park will undoubtedly go down as one of the highest profile and unique industrial development deals capitalized in the unprecedently challenging capital markets environment of 2023," said Alascio. "The impressive, institutional capital stack we have assembled for this best-in-class development speaks to the quality of the Turnbridge and Manekin teams and the project they have assembled here. This project is the perfect case study of the market today - competitive, sophisticated capital stepping up for infill projects and top sponsors." Rendered images can be found here About Turnbridge Equities: Founded in 2015 by Andrew Joblon, Turnbridge Equities is a vertically integrated SEC-registered real estate investment and development firm with a demonstrated track record of success across a wide range of asset classes and markets. Since inception, Turnbridge has invested or managed over $3.3 billion of capital across two managed funds and multiple co-investment vehicles. The firm pursues uniquely diversified investment strategies and a highly selective market entry process that creates long-term value for investors, occupants, and end users. Turnbridge is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Austin, and Miami. To learn more, please visit www.turnbridgeeq.com. Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any interests in any Turnbridge projects. About Manekin LLC: Manekin LLC is a privately held real estate development and investment company. Founded in Baltimore by brothers Harold and Bernard Manekin in 1946 and now headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Manekin's goal is to create significant value for investors through a combination of strategic acquisition, development, capitalization, repositioning, and management of commercial real estate assets. Manekin is an experienced provider of services that are focused upon maximizing real estate asset value for our partners and co-investors. About PCCP: PCCP, LLC is a real estate finance and investment management firm focused on commercial real estate debt and equity investments. PCCP has $21.8 billion in assets under management on behalf of institutional investors. With offices in New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, PCCP has a 25-year track record of providing real estate owners and investors with a broad range of funding options to meet capital requirements. PCCP underwrites the entire capital stack to exploit inefficiencies in the market and provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns. Since its inception in 1998, PCCP has managed, raised or invested over $37.3 billion of capital through a series of investment vehicles including private equity funds, separate accounts and joint ventures. PCCP continues to seek investment opportunities with experienced operators seeking fast and reliable capital. Learn more about PCCP at www.pccpllc.com. About Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. QIA was established in 2005 to protect and grow Qatar's financial assets and to diversify the economy.? As a sovereign wealth fund, QIA's purpose is to generate returns for its future stakeholders. QIA aims for all of its investments to have a positive impact. ?Diversification is key to QIA's approach, and its investments span many different markets, asset classes, sectors and geographies. QIA partners with leading institutions around the world to seek out global growth opportunities that will create value for the State and future generations.?? View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613572456/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Gridware Raises $10.5 Million to Improve Grid Reliability Nationwide Tweet WALNUT CREEK, Calif., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gridware today announced it has raised $10.5 million in a seed extension funding round led by Fifty Years and Lowercarbon Capital. This funding allows Gridware to continue to empower utilities to rapidly improve their reliability and wildfire mitigation efforts using its technology that is quickly and affordably implemented onto existing assets. This extension was supported by participation from nearly all of Gridware's initial seed round investors including True Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Wireframe Ventures, Rebel Fund and AI Sprouts as well as joined by new investors including TRAC, Kindergarten Ventures, Hawktail, and Convective Capital. This extends Gridware's funding to $18.8 million. "Over the last couple years, Gridware has shown they can prevent forest fires, make the grid more resilient and save utilities money," said Seth Bannon, Founding Partner at Fifty Years. "This is personal for us. Not long ago the San Francisco sky was orange due to forest fires and we've now seen the same thing happen in NYC. Gridware is helping ensure that never happens again." Since its initial funding Gridware has deployed its technology across five states, observed over one million collective hours of field data and added 20 more people to its team. This round of funding will fuel this growth while providing additional support to Gridware's utility customers looking to improve their operatons. This includes increasing visibility on aging infrastructure while improving overall reliability for utility customers by reducing outage time and identifying wildfire risks before they ignite. "Power lines can be a lifeline in a heatwave or the spark that sets off a wildfire. The difference is Gridware," said Chris Sacca, Co-founder of Lowercarbon Capital. These advancements in technology come at a critical point in time. The Department of Energy estimates that unforeseen outages cost the U.S. economy $150 billion annuallyi modernization being key to minimizing the impact. The extent of wildfires has grown tenfoldii in the past three decades with their severity not far behind. Now is the time to make changes to reduce environmental impacts on the grid. Additionally, Gridware recently secured a multi-million-dollar venture debt facility from J.P. Morgan to support operations and expansion. "J.P. Morgan is proud to provide financing that helps support the long-term stability of the grid," said Julia Grinshpun, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Green Economy Banking. "Our work with Gridware is helping to accelerate their vital technology, reduce outages and protect our communities." Gridware is grateful for the support of our investor network and excited to continue working with utilities to address the challenges facing the grid today. To learn more about Gridware, how it benefits utilities or to be a part of its continued growth, visit gridware.io. ABOUT GRIDWARE Gridware's technology platform provides real-time monitoring of existing grid assets that allows utilities to enhance reliability, improve resilience and reduce wildfire risk. Founded in 2020 and supported by over $18.8 million in seed funding, Gridware is well on its way to achieving its vision of protecting the grid today while building the grid of tomorrow. Learn more about Gridware at gridware.io and follow @GridwareInc. i U.S. Department of Energy Announces $48 Million to Improve Reliability and Resiliency of America's Power Grid. (n.d.). Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-announces-48-million-improve-reliability-and-resiliency-americas ii Climate Change Indicators: Wildfires | US EPA. (2023, March 21). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-wildfires View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gridware-raises-10-5-million-to-improve-grid-reliability-nationwide-301848356.html SOURCE Gridware Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Maximus Names Lei Cai as Vice President, Enterprise Project Management Office for Maximus Canada Tweet Maximus, a leading employer and provider of government services worldwide, announced today that Lei Cai has joined the organization as Vice President, Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) & Business Services in Canada. With over 15 years of experience delivering large-scale, multiyear, multimillion-dollar projects, Cai is a seasoned Canadian project management executive with a record of improving government services for the citizen. She brings exceptional skills in executing digital transformations that drive business value for the public and private sectors. "Lei's project management expertise will be a tremendous advantage for our organization," said Christian Gingras, Managing Director for Maximus in Canada. "The jurisdictions we serve demand accountability for public projects, and she will apply the rigor and methodology required to deliver them successfully. With a disciplined aproach, she will marshal Maximus teams and technology solutions to enhance our project delivery." Cai was specifically selected for her ability to focus the organization. She will be responsible for evolving Maximus' capabilities to deliver large and complex projects as the company moves to a more national posture with a heavy focus on growth. While overseeing best practices in the project management lifecycle, Cai will also provide executive leadership for Maximus business services, including business reporting, communications, procurement, and vendor management. "I am thrilled to join Maximus at this exciting time, and to bring my unique set of accomplishments across a range of industries, including health, justice, and energy," Cai said. "I look forward to focusing my passion for aligning and mobilizing people to deliver citizen-centric experiences to Canadians." About Maximus As a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe, Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613279721/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Winners Announced for the 2023 Global Scaling Challenge Competition The University of New Mexico's prestigious Anderson School of Management has announced the outstanding medal winners of the highly anticipated 2023 Global Scaling Challenge. This year's Challenge brought together 36 university student teams vying for over $35,000 in cash prizes. The theme of the challenge revolved around the critical technology sector of "Aerospace," with a strong focus on real businesses seeking scalable solutions. The firms focused on were Proof Labs, RS21, and IDEAS-TEK. Esteemed judges from various professional backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, company executives, economic development professionals, venture capitalists and industry experts lent their expertise to evaluate the teams' performance in the global events. The winners were: Gold Medal Winning teams - University of Denver and Menlo College Silver Medal Winning teams - Boston University Questrom School of Business, Johannes Kepler University Linz (2), Stevens Institute of Technology (1) Bronze Medal Winning teams - Georgia College and State University, Grenoble Ecole de Management, Stevens Institute of Technology (2), Youngstown State University Special Recognition of Excellence Award - SolBridge International School of Business UNM Anderson Professor, Challenge founder and chairperson, Steve Walsh, said "The firm's founders and executives have stated that they gained valuable insights from the team presentations. These firm founder statements are like the results of the last two years of the challenge where the firms reported adopting strategies from the team and gaining scaling advantage in employees and sales." The Global Scaling Challenge is an unparalleled learning experience immersing students beyond the confines of the classroom and into practical, action-oriented learning opportunities. The Challenge does not adhere to traditional business plan competitions based on hypothetical scenarios. Instead, it challenges students to devise genuine growth strategies for three U.S.-based technology companies, emphasizing the objective of making a tangible impact. The Challenge provides viable strategies to rapidly propel each company's sales from their current levels to an impressive 1,000x within a five-year timeframe. "They Can Make a Difference" is the challenge motto. The challenge is real, it is live, and it is virtual. The Global Scaling Challenge regional qualifiers and finals are held synchronously via Zoom, allowing students and universities to participate and compete for the coveted $35,000 in cash prizes, with no entry fees. To sign up a team for the 2024 Global Scaling Challenge please visit our website at https://gsc.mgt.unm.edu FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit https://gsc.mgt.unm.edu to learn about the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and to register teams for next year's UNM Anderson Global Scaling Challenge. ABOUT THE GLOBAL SCALING CHALLENGE (GSC) The UNM Anderson School of Management GSC was initiated in 2021. It has quickly found widespread favor internationally in assisting high-tech firms engaged in critical technology industry segments to the US and the world resulting in scaling-up and becoming sustainable. UNM GSC is real, live, and virtual, where this year 36 university teams of more than 160 students and mentors from around the world compete for $35,000 in prizes, and assist projects or minority founded firms or women- led efforts in firms in the Aerospace Sector. It leverages the research of the highly ranked Management of Technology and Technology Entrepreneurship researchers from the Anderson School of Management. To date the firms have used the mentored students and judgers inputs to great advantage. ABOUT THE ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO The University of New Mexico (UNM) was founded in 1889 by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature, is the state's oldest university, its flagship academic institution, and the largest by enrollment, with over 25,400 students in 2021. It is a R1 top tier university by the Carnegie classification of Institutions, a top 100 public university by the US News and World Report, a Hispanic -serving institution by the US Department of Education, and holder of a gold rating as a military- friendly institution. The Anderson School of Management (Anderson), founded in 1947, is the Management School of the University of New Mexico (UNM). Anderson was the first professional school of management established in the state of New Mexico and has an alumni base of over 24,000 graduates. It has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975. UNM was the third university to gain professional AACSB accreditation for both their bachelor's and master's degree programs. In 1974, the school was named for Robert Orville Anderson, a New Mexico oilman and longtime CEO of the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). Please click on our SPONSORS' links below to learn more about them. New Space New Mexico in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory, Real Time Solutions, Bernalillo County Commission District 4 Commissioner Walt Benson, New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, Cooper & Company, Cottonwood Technology Fund, ESPALIER, EZJ Online, Grenoble Ecole de Management, IAMOT, Johannes Kepler University, KOB Channel 4, MANCEF, Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Roger Grace Associates, Rowan University, Sandia National Laboratories, Stevens Institute of Technology, UNM Anderson School of Management, UNM COSMIAC View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613103701/en/ People visit a panda-themed interactive zone at the 32nd Doha International Book Fair in Doha, Qatar, June 12, 2023. A total of 500 publishers from about 37 countries are participating in this year's Doha International Book Fair which runs until June 21, according to the state Qatar News Agency. (Photo by Wang Qiang/Xinhua) DOHA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A panda-themed interactive zone set up as part of the 32nd Doha International Book Fair that opened on Monday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center attracted crowds of visitors, especially families with children. "Our facility is primarily designed for families with young children. Therefore, we have arranged painting activities and multimedia interactive experiences to help them learn about pandas," a staff member at the interactive zone, who only identified himself as Awad, told Xinhua. Two giant pandas, three-year-old female Si Hai and four-year-old male Jing Jing, arrived in Doha in October last year under the first giant panda cooperation program between China and the Middle East region. Born in a panda base in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the two pandas are now living in the Panda House at Al Khor Park, 35 km away from the Qatari capital. A parent who brought his three-year-old child to the panda-themed interactive zone expressed his surprise at the establishment of the zone at the book fair compound. "I didn't expect the book fair to have such an area. It's perfect for young children. We are planning to visit the Panda House to see the giant pandas personally this weekend," said the father who identified himself as Saeed. A total of 500 publishers from about 37 countries are participating in this year's Doha International Book Fair which runs until June 21, according to the state Qatar News Agency. [June 13, 2023] Gretel Now Available in AWS Marketplace Tweet Gretel, a leading multimodal synthetic data generation platform, is now available to purchase in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS). As businesses move quickly to incorporate large language models (LLMs) into their services and scale generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the demand for data that is safe, accurate, and timely has never been higher. Enterprises are constantly challenged to get and allow access to data because of security and privacy risks. In addition to security and privacy concerns, oftentimes data may be in short supply, have massive class imbalances, or may not be available at all. Using Gretel's synthetic data generation platform, enterprises can generate synthetic data at scale and on-demand to solve these blockers to innovation. Gretel is designed to allow businesses to fine-tune custom AI models using high-quality synthetic versions of their proprietary data that are shareable, secure, and accurate. Enterprises in healthcare, finance, insurance, and other industries are using Gretel's synthetic data to: Mitigate privacy and security risks by replacing raw production data for testing Augment limited data supplies and balance biased datasets Simulateedge cases and black swan events that can't be replicated in the real world Support best practices in data governance, ethics and fairness Comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other privacy regulations "The data is accurate, customizable and includes mathematical guarantees of privacy, so you can confidently share and build with it without putting your customers' personal information at risk. We're excited to make these developer tools available in AWS Marketplace and to help enterprises everywhere scale AI responsibly." AWS customers can now draw down on existing AWS credits and commitments to use Gretel's entire suite of generative AI products, including APIs to create synthetic data for text, tabular, time series, and image data. You can find Gretel in AWS Marketplace here. About Gretel Gretel is a generative AI platform for creating synthetic text, tabular, time series and image data that includes tunable privacy and accuracy settings. Developers use Gretel to create artificial, privacy-enhanced versions of their sensitive data and to quickly generate new labeled samples to augment limited machine learning training datasets, all on-demand. Learn more at www.gretel.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230612035256/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Government of Canada Invests in Energy-Modelling Tools to Support Emissions Reductions OTTAWA, ON, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ - As Canada advances to a sustainable and prosperous net-zero future by 2050, the federal government is supporting tools for science-based decision-making. Energy modelling will support reducing emissions and the fight against climate change by analyzing the most cost-effective ways to achieve net zero. Investing in modelling helps map out the pathways to achieve net-zero, including the potential roles for existing and emerging energy technologies. Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced a combined total investment of over $960,000 for three energy-modelling projects with leading organizations across Canada. Energy models are an important tool in planning the pathways to net zero as they use data and software to demonstrate potential outcomes related to changes in the energy system. Together, these projects provide greater insights to inform the future of Canada's action on clean energy markets, technologies and policies. These projects include: $372,573 to Institut de l'energie Trottier at Polytechnique Montreal, Quebec , to develop a net-zero energy-modelling platform and an online data visualization dashboard. The interactive dashboard will allow users to explore how various factors could impact Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. to Institut de l'energie at Polytechnique Montreal, , to develop a net-zero energy-modelling platform and an online data visualization dashboard. The interactive dashboard will allow users to explore how various factors could impact greenhouse gas emissions. $360,000 to Navius Research LLC , in Vancouver, British Columbia , to provide publicly available modelling data on Canada's net-zero energy future by integrating two energy models. This integration results in an interactive and accessible dashboard, which users can use to explore the impacts of different pathways to a cleaner electricity system. to , in , to provide publicly available modelling data on net-zero energy future by integrating two energy models. This integration results in an interactive and accessible dashboard, which users can use to explore the impacts of different pathways to a cleaner electricity system. $230,000 to The Pembina Institute , in Calgary, Alberta , in collaboration with Energy Innovation, to update the Energy Policy Simulator , which is informed by comprehensive technical stakeholder consultation and available online. The update will better reflect the range of potential technology pathways and the documentation of future modelling needs and opportunities. Funded through Natural Resources Canada's Energy Innovation Program (EIP), these tools take into account data such as energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and projected power capacity to guide the transformation of our complex energy systems to provide evidence-based insights. Collectively, the projects will significantly expand the evidence base for net-zero pathways in Canada, generating hundreds of unique pathways to achieve Canada's international commitments while creating good jobs and low-carbon industries. The Government of Canada will continue to support innovative projects and technologies that support a strong and prosperous economy as we advance toward net zero by 2050. Quotes "The Government of Canada is supporting innovative energy-modelling tools to map out the pathways to a sustainable and prosperous low-carbon future. Today, we announced support for three leading Canadian organizations that have developed interactive energy-modelling tools. We are pleased to support Canadians in using the latest science and evidence to identify the clean economic opportunities associated with net zero." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Natural Resources Minister of Natural Resources "Charting Canada's path to net zero emissions by 2050 requires a solid, evidence-based understanding of many complementary pathways and policy options. More data-driven modelling can only help us as Canadians choose the most efficient, affordable and effective trajectories to a cleaner future." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change "The IET is honoured to contribute, along with a few other organizations, to the production of evidence-based insights. The magnitude and the complexity of realizing net zero call for concerted and strategic efforts. These must rest on solid and rich analyses all along Canada energy systems' transformation. I'm convinced that the tools we are delivering are essential elements to the decision-making process and will help realize Natural Resources Canada's vision" Louis Beaumier Executive Director, Institut de l'energie Trottier at Polytechnique Montreal "There are many pathways Canada can take toward decarbonization and many uncertainties in how our net-zero future will unfold. With this in mind, the Canada Energy Dashboard provides a data-rich interactive tool for anyone to explore possibilities for Canada's low-carbon electricity system and the wider economy. We look forward to building on it and seeing how people use it for research, policy and decision-making in general." Brianne Riehl Senior Project Manager, Navius Research Inc. "Having open-source data-informed tools is critical for ensuring transparency and credibility in Canada's new energy economy. These tools allow a wide range of stakeholders to collaborate across sectors, leading to better informed decision-making for the future of Canada's energy sector." Chris Severson-Baker Executive Director, The Pembina Institute Related Information Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan ) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [June 13, 2023] Eviden launches "AIsaac Cyber Mesh", strengthened by AWS, for reinforced cyber resilience Tweet ANAHEIM, Calif. and PARIS, June 13, 2023 /CNW/ -- Eviden, an Atos business, a leader in digital, cloud, big data and security, today announces AIsaac Cyber Mesh, a next generation of cybersecurity detection and response, reinforced by Amazon Web Services (AWS) Security Data Lake and powered by generative AI technologies. AIsaac Cyber Mesh offers an advanced end-to-end detection, response, and recovery solution, built on a cybersecurity mesh-enabled architecture1 using generative AI and predictive analytics. Combined with Amazon Security Lake, which centralizes data from multiple sources including on-premises and custom sources, AIsaac Cyber Mesh enables businesses to have a more complete understanding of the scope and impact of security incidents. This powerful use of Eviden's AI-powered cyber mesh on top of AWS services enables faster and more accurate alert detection that increases rapid response times and reinforces cyber resilience across enterprise digital estates. AIsaac Cyber Mesh leverages Eviden's proven, award-winning Managed Detection & Response (MDR) service capability and includes AWS services that drive the creation and use of generative AI, such as Amazon Bedrock. This solution is part of AWS' new Strategic Partner Security Initiative, which aims to develop end-to-end security solutions and managed services jointly with global systems integrators (GSIs) that are members of the AWS Partner Network, by leveraging their capabilities, scale and deep security knowledge. Key benefits of AIsaac Cyber Mesh: Anticipate and neutralize threats : Predict and identify potential threats before they occur using hyper-threat intelligence customized to each business environment with industry specific AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) models for fine-grained threat anticipation. : Predict and identify potential threats before they occur using hyper-threat intelligence customized to each business environment with industry specific AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) models for fine-grained threat anticipation. Enhance cyber resilience: Businesses can reduce downtime even in the most aggressive attack scenarios by rapidly recovering business-critical systems and data. Businesses can reduce downtime even in the most aggressive attack scenarios by rapidly recovering business-critical systems and data. Effectively manage exposure : Identify and fix exposures across a digital estate before attackers can exploit them. Assist with maintaining reulatory compliance by pinpointing and mitigating vulnerabilities. : Identify and fix exposures across a digital estate before attackers can exploit them. Assist with maintaining reulatory compliance by pinpointing and mitigating vulnerabilities. Automate cognitive response: Mitigates breaches despite the most complex attacks by containing threats and automating responses using sophisticated algorithms that complement human responders. Mitigates breaches despite the most complex attacks by containing threats and automating responses using sophisticated algorithms that complement human responders. Transition from mess to mesh : Use mesh architecture to leverage security features and data from existing security product investments to amplify outcomes and benefits. : Use mesh architecture to leverage security features and data from existing security product investments to amplify outcomes and benefits. Visualize business risks : Organizations can gain insight into their security posture with business context and identify and prioritize potential risks. : Organizations can gain insight into their security posture with business context and identify and prioritize potential risks. Access to cutting-edge innovation: The Cyber Mesh will enable customers to access the potential of Eviden's ongoing proprietary innovation streams, while also leveraging pioneering startups in its renowned accelerator program, Scaler, so that they may benefit from the most advanced cybersecurity solutions of today and tomorrow. Jean-Philippe Poirault , CEO Big Data and Security, Eviden, Atos Group said "As businesses' digital estates become increasingly complex, the risk of cyber threats, and effective anticipation and management of these, becomes more and more challenging. We are delighted to bring together the expertise and capabilities of AWS and Eviden with AIsaac Cyber Mesh - a purpose-built, end-to-end cyber resilience solution that offers businesses a cohesive way to manage, detect and recover from security threats and cyber-attacks." Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Sales, EMEA, AWS said "With the rapid evolution of technology, companies should have an end-to-end cybersecurity strategy that enables them to innovate confidently. Reinforced by Amazon Security Lake and Eviden's Gen AI services, AIsaac will handle detection, investigation, and responses to cyber threats so companies can focus on achieving their business objectives." A Leader in European Managed Security Services (MSS) 2, Eviden is a digital services powerhouse with 6,500 dedicated security experts and 16 next-generation global Security Operations Centers (SOC) operating 24/7/365, as well as its award-winning AI cybersecurity mesh platform AIsaac Cyber Mesh. AWS and Eviden have a long and successful history. Atos has been collaborating with AWS since 2013 to bring together market-leading technologies for cloud deployments. Atos was named AWS Global Systems Integrator (GSI) Partner of the Year EMEA in 2022. Through the Atos Group, Eviden has more than 3,400 active AWS certifications, 16 AWS competencies (including Level 1 Managed Security Service Provider) and more than 50 joint customer launches. Eviden has been a launch partner for several security programs from AWS, including the Amazon Security Lake and AWS KMS External Key Store (XKS). AIsaac Cyber Mesh will be available from the end of H2. For more information https://page.eviden.com/aisaac-cyber-mesh About Eviden3 Eviden designs the scope composed of Atos' digital, cloud, big data and security business lines. It will be a global leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation. As a next generation digital business with worldwide leading positions in digital, cloud, data, advanced computing and security, it brings deep expertise for all industries in more than 53 countries. By uniting unique high-end technologies across the full digital continuum with 57,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of technologies for enterprises and public authorities, helping them to build their digital future. Eviden is an Atos Group business with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion. About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 110,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. 1 Cybersecurity mesh, or cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA), is a collaborative ecosystem of tools and controls to secure a modern, distributed enterprise. Access full description by Gartner here. 2 Report: "IDC MarketScape: European Managed Security Services 2022 Vendor Assessment" (document #EUR146178820, January 2022) 3Eviden business is operated through the following brands: Alia Consulting, AppCentrica, ATHEA, Atos Syntel, Bull, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, digital.security, Eagle Creek, EcoAct, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, IDnomic, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Miner & Kasch, Motiv, Nimbix, Processia, Profit4SF, science+computing, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion, zData Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden SAS, 2023. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eviden-launches-aisaac-cyber-mesh-strengthened-by-aws-for-reinforced-cyber-resilience-301849930.html SOURCE Atos [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Pyramid Analytics Solves the Last Mile of Analytics, Bringing New Prescriptive Analytics, Business Modeling, Optimization, and OpenAI Integration to Its Business and Decision Intelligence Platform A new release of the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform from Pyramid Analytics puts powerful analytics into the hands of more people, for more use cases, than ever before. Building on its vision to deliver a no-code/low-code, AI-driven approach to move enterprises-and the users making crucial daily decisions-along the analytics maturity curve. Key updates make sophisticated processes like business modeling, decision modeling, and various applications of prescriptive analytics more accessible and more useful to both technical and non-technical personnel. Highlights from the Pyramid 2023 release include extensions of both Tabulate and Solve, which provide business modeling and decision modeling, all within the consolidated Pyramid Platform. A robust integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT and DALL-E saves time and sparks creativity by providing generative AI support for spreadsheet formula creation in Tabulate, code snippet creation (including Python, R, SQL, MDX, DAX, and other languages) in the Model app, and graphic design generation in the Present app. And personalization tools like the new Hub feature deliver the tailored analytics experience analysts and business users need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. An established leader in the Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) space, Pyramid was recently named a "Visionary" in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms report for the company's overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Gartner's companion report, the 2023 Critical Capabilities for Analytics and Business Intelligence (ABI) Platforms, ranked the Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform 1st in its Augmented Consumer and Business Analyst Use Cases. Pyramid was also highly ranked in the two other Use Cases, including a second-highest ranking for the Data Scientist Use Case and fourth-highest ranking for the Analytics Developer Use Case. Download Gartner's Magic Quadrant and Critical Capabilities reports. Pyramid Analytics' latest release-Pyramid 2023-features major platform upgrades/enhancements across every part of the platform. This includes over 80+ named new features, more than 75% resulting from customer feedback and collaboration. The newly enhanced Tabulate app brings business modeling nto the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. app brings business modeling nto the Pyramid Platform. Through its familiar spreadsheet interface, Tabulate enables users to explore business scenarios, build forecasts, analyze financial and operational data, and explore business outcomes, all without the need to export static data to a siloed tool. Learn more. Solve is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. is a powerful engine that generates prescriptive and optimization solutions based on user-designed decision models, built through a no-code/low-code paradigm in Tabulate. With Solve, Pyramid users can answer "what should I do?" questions and test "what-if?" scenarios quickly and easily. No other solution delivers such robust and user-friendly prescriptive analytics capabilities right within the platform. Learn more. Our OpenAI/ChatGPT integration delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organization's own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. delivers powerful generative AI to extend various capabilities within Pyramid. Using plain language, users can generate spreadsheet formulas, queries, machine learning code, and even designs for data visualizations, all using your organization's own database schema and tables. This unique integration boosts productivity, generates fresh ideas, and quickly lowers the skills bar to enable faster, lower-risk processes throughout the platform. Learn more. The new Hub feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. feature enables analysts and business users to add their favorite Pyramid content as tiles on their landing page, providing the personalized analytics experience they need to drive adoption, improve satisfaction, and increase productivity for better, faster decision-making. Hub is also available to all Pyramid Embed customers. Learn more. Learn more. We have once again lowered the technical skills barrier for important data prep and modeling tasks and processes-for instance, the Custom Columns and Virtual Column Calculation features enable users to extend their virtual semantic model quickly and easily and add and edit new columns, all without needing to write custom SQL views. These enhancements and others have improved query performance throughout the platform. Learn more. Executive quotes: Omri Kohl, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder : "Pyramid was recently named a 'Visionary' in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solve-for business modeling and decision modeling-bring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams' analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making." : "Pyramid was recently named a 'Visionary' in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms report. This massive movement across the quadrant is no accident: it's the result of our mission and commitment to deliver a comprehensive decision intelligence platform that helps people solve real business problems using all their data. And we have significantly furthered that mission with Pyramid 2023. Our enhancements to Tabulate and Solve-for business modeling and decision modeling-bring both predictive and prescriptive analytics into our platform; our integration with OpenAI harnesses generative AI to boost productivity and creativity and raise your teams' analytic skills instantly; and our personalization tools like Hub provide a customized experience to increase efficiency and adoption. We can't wait for you to see how our end-to-end platform can revolutionize business decision-making." Avi Perez, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder: "With Pyramid 2023 'Archimedes', we have achieved our vision of a complete data factory for decisions: an end-to-end data ecosystem for the enterprise, driving faster, better, more impactful decisions. To do so, we added support for the elusive 'last mile' in analytics with business modeling in Tabulate and decision modeling in Solve. To make the platform more useful and user-friendly we again lowered the complexity barrier through another leap in more no-code tooling-with innovations like 'Explain the Difference' and our numerous OpenAI ChatGPT and DALL-E integrations. These major capabilities, together with the other 80+ features, drive more personalization options, improved query performance, and better embedding capabilities-delivering the most powerful, comprehensive business and decision intelligence platform available today." About Pyramid Analytics Pyramid Analytics is the next generation of business and decision intelligence. The award-winning Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform empowers people with augmented, automated, and collaborative insights that simplify and guide the use of data in decision-making. The Pyramid Platform operates directly on any data, enabling governed self-service for any person, meeting analytical needs in a no-code environment. It combines data prep, business analytics, and data science into one frictionless platform to empower anyone with intelligent decision-making. This enables a strategic, enterprise-wide approach to business intelligence and analytics, from the simple to the sophisticated. Schedule a demo today. Pyramid Analytics is incorporated in Amsterdam and has regional headquarters in global innovation and business centers, including London, New York City, and Tel Aviv. Our team lives worldwide because geography should not hinder talent and opportunity. Investors include H.I.G. Growth Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Sequoia Capital, and Viola Growth. Learn more at Pyramid Analytics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613528894/en/ [June 13, 2023] GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $3 MILLION EXPANSION OF MANHATTAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION IN NEW YORK CITY Tweet $2.2 Million in State Funding Supports Expansion of Headquarters and 100 New Jobs Strengthens New York City as Hub for Technology and Innovation NEW YORK, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation, a global communications solution provider for businesses worldwide, is investing $3 million to extensively renovate its 55 Water Street headquarters in New York City. As part of its growth plans, MetTel has committed to creating at least 100 new full-time jobs in software development and professional services while retaining 180 full-time jobs, supported by up to $2.2 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development. ESD was joined by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to mark the milestone with a ribbon cutting at MetTel's 55 Water Street headquarters. "New York City stands as a beacon of innovation where creativity flourishes and the entrepreneurial spirit thrives," Governor Hochul said. "The expansion of MetTel serves as a testament to the region's stature as a dynamic tech hub, reaffirming our position at the forefront of innovation, growth, and job creation." Founded in New York City in 1996, Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation (MetTel) has helped businesses and government organizations boost enterprise productivity, reduce costs and simplify operations through automation. These renovations will transform the headquarters into a cutting-edge workspace that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation. The company maintains significant operations in New Jersey, Utah, and Rhode Island which were also considered for this expansion project, in addition to a proposed new location in Florida. MetTel was assisted by K&L Gates LLP and Colliers with site selection, negotiations and incentives for the project. Mayor Eric Adams said, "MetTel is a true New York City company - born and raised here - and I am so thrilled they are staying here. This public-private partnership is creating the jobs of tomorrow, unlocking technology that will help millions of New Yorkers, and supporting the entire city's recovery by hiring an additional 100 employees. Our administration is revitalizing commercial corridors, filling vacant storefronts, and investing in key growth industries and we have regained 99 percent of jobs lost during the pandemic, because New York City is the place to build your economic future." Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "ESD is proud to support the expansion of MetTel, a shining example of a company grown in the heart of New York City's vibrant tech sector. Our city's dynamic environment and access to top-tier talent have propelled MetTel's growth and innovation. This expansion demonstrates the power of New York City as a catalyst for success in the tech industry and we are thrilled that MetTel will continue to grow its legacy in the Empire State." New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer said, "This is a win for New York City, and New York State, and an outstanding example of government creating the conditions for the private sector to thrive. I look forward to MetTel adding 100 jobs to the city's economy and to continued growth of the company and the greater telecommunications industry in New York." New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, "We are thrilled to have worked alongside our partners at Empire State Development to provide the resources that MetTel needed to not only stay in New York City but double down by hiring an additional 100 full-time jobs. A true NYC-founded organization, MetTel's decision to invest in New York City for the long-term serves as an example of the confidence and strength the business community feels in the Adams Administration. New York City continues to foster these high-wage, high-growth sectors, and NYCEDC remains deeply committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy throughout the five boroughs." MetTel CEO Marshall Aronow said, "MetTel is excited to renew its commitment to the city that has been instrumental in our success. New York City has always been a driving force of innovation and resilience, and we are proud to be part of its thriving business community. With our continued presence in the heart of Manhattan, we look forward to fostering stronger partnerships and delivering even greater value to our clients." Additionally, the NYCEDC Business Development team worked alongside MetTel and ESD throughout two years of ongoing conversations to ensure that this expansion occurred in NYC. Currently, MetTel is working with NYCEDC on bolstering workforce development related activities and strengthening their role within the Lower Manhattan business community. New York State's strategic investments have cultivated an ecosystem of innovation and growth, nurturing the tech industry in every corner of the state. These targeted investments are instrumental in propelling New York City's growth as a world-class tech hub, serving as a catalyst for job creation and a hotbed for groundbreaking innovations that spur economic progress at both local and global scales. With its global reputation, access to capital, and dynamic ecosystem, New York City has become a magnet for startups and established tech companies, resulting in a robust and resilient tech sector. By supporting this vibrant ecosystem, New York State is driving economic prosperity and solidifying its position as a leader in the digital era. Media Contacts: Mike Azzi MetTel [email protected] 347-420-0957 Emily Mijatovic Empire State Development [email protected] 212-803-3692 Jeff Holmes NYCEDC [email protected] 646-531-6092 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-hochul-announces-3-million-expansion-of-manhattan-telecommunications-corporation-in-new-york-city-301849987.html SOURCE MetTel [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] EY Announces Richard Weissman of The Learning Experience as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award Winner Tweet Weissman donates $50,000 on behalf of all Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida finalists DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Richard Weissman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of The Learning Experience (TLE) was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Weissman was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. "I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award winner," said Weissman. "This recognition is for the entire TLE family, and it reflects the commitment and dedication of our people, the power of our brand, and our unique approach to early childhood educationall of which positively impact the children in our care, the families we serve, and the communities in which we operate." The Learning Experience is one of the most trusted brands in the childcare industry with more than 350 centers across the U.S. and U.K. providing the highest quality of care and early education to more than 44,000 children from six weeks to six years old. Founded by Weissman and his family, The Learning Experience's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, their families, and the communities it serves. The Learning Experience's continuous dedication to providing best-in-class childcare and early education has garnered many accolades over the years, including its recent recognition as the No. 1 childcare franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 education franchise by Franchise Business Review. In addition to his work, Weissman is also a longtime board member of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and has led many fundraising events, both personally and through The Learning Experience, that have collectively raised more than $5 million for Make-A-Wish. As Weissman accepted his Entrepreneur Of The Year award, he also pledged to donate 50 thousand dollars on behalf of the 22 Florida finalists to Make-A-Wish. "I firmly believe that in order to receive we must give back to our communities, and I feel an immense amount of gratitude that I am fortunate enough to do so through philanthropic efforts both personally and professionally. This foundational belief has not only positively impacted my success but also the success of The Learning Experience," said Wissman. For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a Florida award winner, Weissman is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, regional platinum sponsors include Cresa and DLA Piper. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ey-announces-richard-weissman-of-the-learning-experience-as-an-entrepreneur-of-the-year-2023-florida-award-winner-301850068.html SOURCE The Learning Experience [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Illinois' Carl Sandburg College Selects YuJa Enterprise Video Platform to Serve Two Campuses Tweet Carl Sandburg College, a community college with its main campus in Galesburg and a second campus in Carthage, Illinois, has selected the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform to serve as its video content creation and management system. The Video Platform will provide the institution with robust learning tools that facilitate the creation of engaging multimedia content. In addition, the Video Platform will enable the institution to enhance teaching and learning with capabilities like lecture capture, auto captioning, video quizzing, and through embedding videos directly into Open LMS, a Moodle-based learning management system platform provider. Other built-in tools within YuJa, such as automated production, processing, publishing and managing of video content, all help streamline workflows and enable course designers and instructors to create engaging learning experiences. "YuJa provides bot a comprehensive and rich set of ed-tech tools to serve institutions of all sizes," said Nathan Arora, Chief Business Officer at YuJa, Inc. "We're excited to welcome another Midwestern institution to the fold." ABOUT CARL SANDBURG COLLEGE Carl Sandburg College is dedicated to serving the educational needs of western and central Illinois. The college's main campus is in Galesburg and a second campus is located in Carthage. The institution has served the area for more than 50 years with accreditation approved by The Higher Learning Commission. Individual and community improvement through education is the goal of Sandburg, and the institution strives to give individuals the ability to think critically, to realize their human potential and to become a constructive force in their environment. The mission of Carl Sandburg College is to provide all students with opportunities for success. ABOUT YUJA, INC. YuJa is a leader in ed-tech solutions. Our platforms provide organizations of all sizes with the tools to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve learning enterprises within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California, and Canadian offices in Toronto. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613569259/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Trina Solar Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development in its 2022 Report Tweet CHANGZHOU, China, June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar Co., Ltd., a global leader in smart solar energy solutions for a net-zero emission future, has summarized its continuous efforts to pursue sustainable development of the energy industry, and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in its 2022 Sustainability report released recently. Trina Solar's greenhouse gas emissions intensity per megawatt of cell output was 23.76 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e/MW), and for module products the figure was 9.2 tCO2e/MW. This represents a 51% and 62% reduction from the 2020 baseline respectively, according to the report. Trina Solar is one of the 2022 Top 50 Forbes China Sustainable Development Industrial Enterprises, and recipient of the 2022 Ernst & Young Sustainability Excellence Award. The company, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), launched the Clean Energy for Earth global initiative, calling on governments, companies and communities to work together to contribute to a net-zero emissions future. Thanks to its successes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Trina Solar is the only PV company to receive the WWF's Climate Solvr Award. Since its establishment in 1997, Trina Solar has undertaken a range of initiatives to promote the global energy transition. The company works closely with key stakeholders to ensure a consistent supply of solar energy products, and provides training to developing countries their endeavor to renewable energy. Gao Jifan, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, said: "We believe in taking practical action to fulfil our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which means working closely with our global stakeholders to add impetus to the clean energy movement." Trina Solar is aiming to achieve 100% renewable energy use in manufacturing and operations by 2030. Gao noted that Trina Solar cares deeply about bringing solar energy to regions across the globe, providing as much support as it can to give back to local communities. "Trina Solar will remain committed to engaging in inclusive cooperation with our stakeholders, contributing to global efforts towards energy conservation, emission reduction and sustainable development," said Gao. Trina Solar has brought clean energy to more than 150 countries, reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the planting of 10.3 billion stems of trees. For more information, please visit www.trinasolar.com. Download 2022 Trina Solar Sustainability Report via the link below: https://www.trinasolar.com/en-glb/our-company/sustainability-downloads View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/trina-solar-reaffirms-commitment-to-sustainable-development-in-its-2022-report-301849498.html SOURCE Trina Solar Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] CommerceWest Bank Recognized in the Annual List of the Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks Tweet CW Bancorp (OTCQX: CWBK), the parent company of CommerceWest Bank, was ranked #11 in the annual published list by American Banker for The Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks under $2 billion in assets, surpassing the 2021 ranking of #25. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613138405/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) The list was led by companies with strong profitability metrics, minimal credit losses and ample levels of low-cost deposits. The median return on average equity (ROAE) for the 200 banks in 2022 was 14.16%, according to data compiled by Capital Performance Group. That far exceeded the median for all 438 U.S. banks and thrifts in this peer group - 11.67%. Mr. Ivo Tjan, CEO commented, "We are honored to make the list again in 2022 and even more proud to go from #25 in 2021 to #11 in 2022 on the leaderboard. The strength of our business model and fortress balance sheet will allow us to continue to support the entrepreneurs and business community in California as a trusted partner. We have an amazingly talented group of CW Bankers who make it happen every day for our clients." About CW Bancorp CW ancorp is the parent company of CommerceWest Bank ("Bank"). The Bank is determined to redefine banking for small and medium sized businesses by delivering on customized products and services. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Irvine, California, the Bank serves businesses throughout the state of California with our digital banking platform. By employing a strategically selected team of experienced professionals, we will provide flexibility, create a complete, safe and sound banking experience for each client. We provide a wide range of commercial banking services, including remote deposit solution, NetBanker online banking, mobile banking, lines of credit, M&A / working capital loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans and treasury management services. Mission Statement: CommerceWest Bank will create a complete banking experience for each client, catering to businesses and their specific banking needs, while accommodating our clients and providing them high-quality, low stress and personally tailored banking and financial services. Please visit www.cwbk.com to learn more about the bank. "BANK ON THE DIFFERENCE" View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613138405/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 13, 2023] Mary Kay Awarded Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award for South Region by Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Tweet Mary Kay Inc., a decades-long corporate advocate of women's education and entrepreneurship, was honored with the Corporate Volunteer of the Year award by Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship South Region. The award was presented at the South Region Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge finals on June 3, in Dallas, Texas, and recognizes the years-long partnership, Mary Kay employees' continued dedication and service to NFTE students, and corporate financial support of impactful programs such as World Series of Innovation (WSI) and Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges (RYEC). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613499884/en/ Winners and judges of the South Region Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) "Volunteering with NFTE marries two of Mary Kay's core values - giving back and entrepreneurship," said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer for Mary Kay Inc. "Through the World Series of Innovation Challenge - Innovation Days and Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, our employees have the privilege of working with brilliant young minds who are actively shaping a brighter tomorrow through their innovative ideas, critical thinking skills, and pioneering their own businesses. Their tenacity and ambition remind me so much of our founder, Mary Kay Ash, and we are honored to partner with NFTE and receive this award" Annually, NFTE reaches more than 40,000 youth worldwide, with 3,860 students submitting ideas for the 2022 WSI challenges. More than 485 students participated in the Mary Kay-sponsored challenge and 23 corporate employee volunteers gave generously of their time to mentor students through virtual Innovation Days. "We could not do what we do without the support of our NFTE community and corporate partners like Mary Kay," said Trish McKeel, Regional Director, NFTE South. "Thank you for providing enriching experiences for our students and helping them maximize their future potential. It is because of their generosity of time, energy, and expertise that our students continue to thrive in the NFTE curriculum." NFTE is a global educational non-profit focused on bringing the power of entrepreneurship to low-income communities. Since its founding more than 35 years ago, NFTE has trained thousands of teachers and educated well over a million young people worldwide. About Mary Kay Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women's lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613499884/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- On identifying who is hindering their strive for better lives, the Xinjiang locals have more say. Reyla Qahar, a worker at Kuche Pomegranate Seed Clothing Co., Ltd, aspires to improve her life through hard work. Unfortunately, U.S. sanctions in recent years on the region's cotton industry have disrupted her plan. The U.S. bans plunged the clothing company into difficulty. They "had an adverse impact on our company," Qahar said. Ridiculously, the damaging sanctions have been imposed by Washington in the name of promoting human rights in Xinjiang. As Qahar has pointed out, it is Washington itself that is "violating our human rights and undermining our happy life." Stories similar to Qahar's are not uncommon in Xinjiang as Washington has lengthened its sanction list to target more Xinjiang-related companies beyond the cotton industry. The businesses are groundlessly accused of using either "forced labour" or materials produced by "forced labour" in Xinjiang. On Friday, under the same pretext, Washington added two more Chinese companies, one printer maker and one chemicals company, to its hit list. The actions taken by Washington are based on flagrant lies, rather than factual evidence. The allegation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang is completely contrary to reality. In Xinjiang, the rights and interests at work of the people of all ethnic groups are effectively protected. Washington's sanctions are by no means an effort to protect human rights. Instead, the ulterior motive for the sanctions is to defame China, undermine prosperity and stability in Xinjiang, and stifle China's development to serve the United States' hegemonic interests. Washington is adept at pursuing its self-interests by imposing sanctions against others, often under the guise of high-sounding excuses. It is no doubt the "sanctions lord." According to a report of The Washington Post, the U.S. Treasury Department estimated in late 2021 that it had sanctions on 9,421 organizations and individuals, a roughly 900 percent increase over the past 20 years. In 2022, the Treasury Department added 2,549 new designations. The bulk of those sanctions has been imposed in the name of protecting human rights, yet they have only caused humanitarian disasters in numerous regions and countries. For years, Washington has consistently imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on Syria, exacerbating the Middle Eastern country's economic crisis and devastating the livelihoods of its people. In February, Washington's sanctions directly impeded the rescue efforts in the first 72 hours in Syria after a deadly earthquake. Xinjiang presents another case. Last June, Washington signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which brazenly presumes that all goods from Xinjiang have been tainted by "forced labor" and stipulates that the goods will be banned from exporting to the United States unless importers can prove otherwise. The legislation is a clear form of intimidation. Any company that hires people from Xinjiang may fall prey to the act. Rather than combatting "forced labor," the law actually engenders "forced unemployment" and "forced poverty." Furthermore, it has also attempted to kick Xinjiang out of the global industrial and supply chains, a de facto "forced decoupling" from China that will disrupt international economic and trade orders. Washington has been violating human rights under the pretext of protecting human rights, flouting rules while purporting to uphold them, and breaking laws while pretending to safeguard them. Such moves go against the trend of the times and are ultimately destined to fail. [June 13, 2023] Vestas achieves 1 GW milestone of wind turbines installed in Japan Tweet SINGAPORE, June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestas has achieved 1 GW of installed wind turbine capacity in Japan. Vestas started its business in Japan as Micon A/S* in 1991. Our first turbine in Japan was one M300-100KW installed in the Mattou Wind Farm in Ishikawa prefecture in 1993. Since then, we have continued to expand our footprint, reaching 1,145 MW (1.1 GW) of turbines installed as of May 24, 2023. Also in Japan, we provide services to a total of 794 MW. Our service technicians stationed at 15 site offices support the efficient operations of turbines in all over Japan. In addition, there are a total of 460 MW currently under construction, and we will provide operation and maintenance services for many of them once they become operational. Netoshi Kuriyama, Representative Director and Country Manager of Vestas Japan, said, "We are very pleased to have achieved the 1 GW milestone of installed wind turbine capacity in Japan. We would like to thank our customers for their appreciation of our products and services and for continuing choosing us as their partner for their wind energy projects. The introduction o wind energy has been accelerating for the aim of realizing decarbonized society. In 2022, Vestas installed 231 MW of onshore and 84 MW of offshore wind turbines in Japan. We remain committed to the Japanese market and will actively contribute to achieve Japan's decarbonization target through collaboration with our stakeholders, including customers, partners, governments, and local communities." *Micon A/S was merged with Vestas in 2004. For media inquiries, please contact: Megumi Sakuma Marketing & Communications Manager, Japan Vestas Japan Co., Ltd. [email protected] Tel: +81 90 6723 5325 About Vestas Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service onshore and offshore wind turbines across the globe, and with more than 164 GW of wind turbines in 87 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled more than 144 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas' more than 28,000 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future. For updated Vestas photographs and videos, please visit our media images page on: https://www.vestas.com/en/media/images. We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com following us on our social media channels: www.twitter.com/vestas www.linkedin.com/company/vestas www.facebook.com/vestas www.instagram.com/vestas www.youtube.com/vestas View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/vestas-achieves-1-gw-milestone-of-wind-turbines-installed-in-japan-301849192.html SOURCE Vestas Asia Pacific [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A power move letter that's making news across the metro right now . . . Here's the main point of her argument . . . "I am writing because of numerous reports that suggest you are going to soon pardon former Kansas City Detective Eric DeValkenaere. I am writing to request that you do not pardon him. "DeValkenaere was fairly convicted and sentenced under Missouri law to Involuntary Manslaughter of Cameron Lamb and Armed Criminal Action. Your pardon now would preempt Attorney General Baileys defense of this conviction and subvert the rule of law. The appellate process has not yet concluded. I am aware that you have been lobbied to pardon this officer, even before his trial. I imagine you might view a pardon as a way to support police. But I expect this extreme action for the only KCPD officer convicted of fatally shooting a black man will ignite distrust, protests, and public safety concerns for citizens and for police. "The most significant threat to public safety will not come from community protests. Perhaps the greater long-term harm will be an erosion of our public safety system as fair and just." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Letter from Jackson County Prosecutor - A June 13 letter from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker says she has learned that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is considering pardoning a former Kansas City police officer. Local MSM News . . . Jackson County prosecutor warns governor against pardoning KCPD officer who killed Cameron Lamb Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is expected to issue a pardon for Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City Police officer to be convicted for fatally shooting a Black man. DeValkenaere was convicted in November 2021. Prosecutor asks Missouri Gov. not to pardon ex-KCPD detective Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asks Missouri Governor Mike Parson to not pardon ex-Kansas City Police detective Eric DeValkenaere. Jean Peters Baker to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson: 'Don't pardon' former KCPD detective convicted of involuntary manslaughter DeValkenaere, a now-former KCPD detective, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in death of Cameron Lamb Developing . . . As we noted this morning . . . Kansas City crime continues to ramp up amid the unofficial start to Summer. In this post we share a bevy of crime reporting from the metro to NYC . . . All connected to this increasingly violent place we call home. Check TKC news gathering . . . Judge sentences Kansas City man to four years of prison for involvement in $1.1 million insurance fraud case A Kansas City, Mo., man will spend the next four years in federal prison after being sentenced in a $1.1 million insurance fraud conspiracy scheme. Michael Stuart Smith will also have to pay nearly $41,000 in restitution to victims. The scheme involved making false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents. 'My best friend': Sister mourns man shot and killed Friday by Kansas City police officer Eboney Allmon knows her son will be processing trauma for years after he saw his uncle and a family friend fatally shot by a Kansas City police officer while he was riding in the friend's car Friday. Allmon rushed to the scene after she heard her brother might have been hurt in the shooting. Man files lawsuit alleging he was slammed to ground in 2021 by KCK officer A man alleges in a lawsuit he was slammed into the ground by a Kansas City, Kansas, officer at a hotel in 2021. City of Leawood and two police officers dropped from lawsuit alleging excessive force The City of Leawood and two of its police officers have been removed from a lawsuit that alleged police used excessive force against a woman seeking treatment at a local hospital. Muriel Martin, 76, of Kansas City, filed a federal lawsuit on May 19 in the U.S. Court for the District of Kansas. Missouri Case Illustrates the Reality of Juror Regret in Capital Cases and the Danger of the Death Penalty's Finality Amherst professor Austin Sarat comments on the recent execution of Michael Tisius by the state of Missouri, despite a request by several of the jurors who sentenced him to death in 2010 that his sentence be commuted to life without parole. New Kansas law meant to target human smuggling raises questions, concerns WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - On July 1, Kansas will have two new crimes in the law meant to target human smuggling, one of which is a source of concern for immigration advocates and members of the Latino community. That concern is about the consequences of the law on people or families who provide support or resources to people who are undocumented. One Last Job? 60-Somethings With Mob Ties Charged in Jewel Heists Four older men with extensive criminal records, including killings and a jailbreak, were charged this week in two brazen armed robberies in Manhattan. When four men were charged this week in the brazen armed robberies of two Manhattan jewelers, their ages suggested it might not be their first encounter with the criminal justice system. Developing . . . This morning Mel & Angela from the Brazzers crew seem to be at a coffee shop of some sort in their latest "scene" and inspire us to check pop culture, community news and top headlines yet again. Check TKC news gathering . . . Urban Selections Offered The seven candidates vying to represent Kansas City's urban core With several conservative-leaning City Council members ineligible for reelection, Mayor Lucas said the new council could be the most progressive in history. Golden Ghetto Booze Run Redux Liquor store on Shawnee Mission Parkway burglarized overnight Shawnee Police say they arrested two suspects and are looking for two additional suspects in connection with the burglary. Slice Of Life Double Take Arkansas man charged with attempted first-degree murder following stabbing at Shawnee liquor store Amanjit Singh is accused of stabbing a woman inside a liquor in the 6600 block of Nieman Road. At Loss For Words 'We're still here': East High School will offer Cherokee this fall to help keep the language alive Many Indigenous languages are at risk of dying out after centuries of forced assimilation. A cohort of administrators at Kansas City Public Schools and members of the KC Indian Center are trying to change that by bringing the Cherokee language to East High School. Hotel, Motel Debated Airbnb owners are suing Kansas City to block restrictions on short-term rentals The Kansas City Council passed stricter rules on short-term rentals last month to crack down on unlicensed Airbnbs. The rules include prohibiting some Airbnbs in residentially zoned neighborhoods. Glam Series Apt Comparison "Show is basically Br**zers but on HBO Max": Lily-Rose Depp Says Jocelyn is a "Born and Bred Performer" Who Expresses With Provocative Dresses as 'The Idol' Gets Blasted for Useless Vulgarity - FandomWire Lily-Rose Depp came forward to defend her role as Jocelyn as netizens continue to rage against the controversial nature of Sam Levinson's The Idol GOP Broadcasts Complaints Did Joe Biden sell out America? 4 things to know about Democrats' claims The House Oversight Committee has been looking into possible influence peddling by President Biden and his family. We are looking for the facts. Democrats are distorting them. Chance For MAGA Trump drew one of his favorite judges. Here's how she could help his case. Judge Aileen Cannon has broad power to control the direction - and the pace - of the classified documents case. Republican Response Haley says Trump 'incredibly reckless' if charges in indictment are true Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Monday that form er President Trump was "incredibly reckless" if the federal charges lodged against him in an indictment over his handling of classified documents turn out to be true. Haley also criticized the FBI and the Department of Justice, joining other Republicans defending Trump who argue... European War Make Or Break The Ukraine offensive: What will win it or lose it? "Don't call it a counter-offensive," say the Ukrainians. "This is our offensive, it's our chance to finally drive out the Russian army from our land." Alright, but what will it take to actually succeed? First off, let's not get distracted by the recent hard-fought but tiny territorial gains Ukraine has been making as it retakes obscure, half-abandoned villages in the eastern Donetsk and south-eastern Zaporizhzhia regions. South Of Border Equity?!? Mexico City mayor to step down to pursue historic bid for presidency MEXICO CITY - Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that she will step down this Friday to pursue the ruling party's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, bidding to become Mexico's first female leader. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) on Sunday agreed it would announce the winner of its internal selection process on September 6. Shocking Display Downplayed Trans model bares her BREASTS on White House South Lawn Rose Montoya, 27, a transgender model and actress, raised eyebrows by baring her breasts on the White House lawn on Saturday at an event to celebrate Pride. Team Sport Double Take Fans turn out for Chiefs Night at Kauffman For this Royals game, there was a whole lot more red in the crowd and it wasn't in support of the Cincinnati Reds... Forecast Today . . . FOX4 Forecast: A terrific Tuesday! What a beautiful day on tap in the City of Fountains! We are expecting abundant sunshine with highs in the lower 80s. Tiwa Savage - Pick Up is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. A major grocery chain across the GTA will not see thousands of its employees strike after the union representing them and Metro reached a tentative agreement. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. 'Standing In the Shadows,' 'It All Comes Down To This' and 'Murder at an Irish Bakery' recommended by Glenn Perrett BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government has doubled down on its efforts to sanction Chinese companies, basing its actions on groundless accusations of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and completely ignoring the welfare of the people in the region. Under the pretext of "human rights abuses," the United States added two more Chinese companies to its sanction list last week. Previously, the list had included multiple Chinese firms. The U.S. move of economic coercion is aimed at destabilizing Xinjiang by depriving people of all ethnic groups in the region of their rights to work and development, in an attempt to cause unemployment, poverty and social unrest, and even the resurgence of terrorism. It exposes the U.S. attempts to use Xinjiang to contain China's development. The United States does not genuinely care about human rights at all. Rather, human rights allegations are part of its toolbox to justify interfering in other countries' internal affairs. It has been trying every type of vile method, including fabricating lies such as forced labor to smear Xinjiang and imposing sanctions against local companies, thereby sabotaging the region's hard-won good circumstances. The Australian Alert Service, a weekly publication of the Australian Citizens Party, published in 2021 an eight-article series, disclosing with details how some Western countries, including the United States, have supported Xinjiang separatist and terrorist activities for geopolitical purposes. For example, the U.S.-based National Endowment for Democracy has funneled millions of dollars since 2004 to so-called "East Turkistan" forces including the so-called "World Uyghur Congress," leading to rapid spread of extremist ideologies in Xinjiang and the inflow of terrorists. Instead of "protecting human rights," the U.S. sanctions are actually abusing human rights, and such moves are thoroughly hypocritical. China regards the rights to subsistence and development as the primary and basic human rights, and believes that living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right. People of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang have bid farewell to absolute poverty and are enjoying a moderately prosperous life in all respects. To see is to believe. Recently, a 34-member delegation of diplomats and officials from the Arab League and its Secretariat visited Xinjiang and they were impressed by the region's development and the lives of local people. Other delegations to the region in recent years shared the same impressions, in contrast to the negative reports found in Western media and lies of some politicians. Xinjiang has entered its best period in history with social harmony and stability, and a happy, peaceful life for local people. Over the past 60-plus years, the region's average life expectancy has increased from 30 to 74.7 years. Human rights within the region are well protected and developed. This is the truth of Xinjiang. If only certain American politicians could visit Xinjiang like their foreign peers, they would become ashamed of their own ignorance and stubbornness. But perhaps they do not want to visit the region, because they do not want their lies to be shattered by the hard facts. What is certain is that the U.S. sanctions against Xinjiang enterprises will fail to achieve its goal of creating turmoil in the region, while the U.S. attempt to contain China's development is doomed to fall short. A Saudi Arabian minister said Saudi Arabia is ready to further expand cooperation with China across such sectors as industry and mining. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The Prime Minister says that the offer by the U.S. to assist the region and this country in by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The periodically repeated U.S. debt crisis severely dented its image as world superpower, prompting a question that whether the hegemony of U.S. dollar overrides global stability, an Egyptian economist has said. "The U.S. debt ceiling crisis is a result of a political impasse between Democrats and Republicans to reach a deal," said Adel Mahmoud, chairman of Cairo Forum for Economic Researches. In January, the U.S. government hit its debt ceiling of 31.4 trillion U.S. dollars. Since then, the U.S. Department of the Treasury had been warning about the X-date, which is the day when the U.S. government can't afford its bills anymore. "The ceiling puts a big burden on the U.S. administration domestically and abroad as reflecting a political standoff and the inability of the world's largest economy to pay its debts," Mahmoud told Xinhua. If the U.S. government lags to pay its dues, it eventually wouldn't be able to pay other expenditures like social security, healthcare, and salaries of public employees, he said. The U.S. Congress has approved a bill to raise America's debt ceiling after the Senate's passage on June 1, the 103rd time since 1945. However, Mahmoud believes this crisis is set to happen again since the U.S. government has been living beyond its means and relying on borrowing to make ends meet. "Putting the financial policymaking in the hands of polarized politicians not only harms America, but also sounds alarm bells about the U.S. shaking position in maintaining the global economic stability," he said. Instead of resolving the debt problem itself, the United States has been exporting its domestic crisis to other countries by taking advantage of dollar dominance, according to the expert. "Dollar hegemony hinders the functioning of global financial markets and will worsen the world economic slowdown driven by Washington's uncertainty of repaying its debts," he added. He explained that the United States used to be considered a safe haven of assets, but the partisan debate among U.S. politicians and lawmakers will raise risk aversion sentiment among investors, who think the U.S. can not host risk-free assets anymore. Investors are looking for new alternatives other than the U.S. currency and market, and shifting to other currencies would be a way out to prevent a new global economic crisis, he added. Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). The United States has not recorded any signs that would indicate the practical implementation of Vladimir Putin's and Alexander Lukashenko's claimed plans to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. This was stated on Monday by White House national security coordinator, John Kirby, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports. "We havent seen any indication that movement of nuclear weapons is imminent or happening," said Kirby. Also, he emphasized that the American side has seen no indication of anything that would force the country to change its own posture with respect to nuclear readiness or capabilities. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on May 25, the Russian and Belarusian defense ministers signed off an agreement on the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. On the same day, Lukashenko announced that Russia had already begun to transfer its nuclear weapons to Belarus. Last week, at a meeting with Lukashenko in Sochi, Putin said that tactical nuclear weapons would be delivered to Belarus after July 7-8. Moscow has recently been working to ensure its long-term and high-volume supply of unmanned aerial vehicles from Iran. The UK Ministry of Defense said this in a new intelligence update published on Twitter, according to Ukrinform. "In recent months, Russia has highly likely worked to ensure its long-term, high-volume supply of one-way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA-UAVs). By supplying these weapons, Iran continues to breach UN Security Council Resolution 2231," the report said. According to the ministry, Russia has likely moved from receiving small deliveries of Iranian OWA-UAVs by air transport, to larger consignments by ship from Iran via the Caspian Sea. According to British intelligence, this "International North-South Transit Corridor" has assumed much more importance since the invasion. It allows Russia to access Asian markets - including arms transfers - in ways it hopes are less vulnerable to international sanctions. Russia is also working to start domestic production of OWA-UAVs, almost certainly with Iranian assistance. "Russia is highly likely investing in OWA-UAVs because it provides Russia with a relatively cheap long-range strike capability at a time when it has expended a large proportion of its cruise missile stocks in Ukraine," the UK Ministry of Defense said. On June 13, during another missile attack on Ukraine, the enemy launched 14 cruise missiles, and 11 of them were intercepted by air defense forces. One attack drone was also destroyed. Ukrainian pilots can start training for the F-16 as early as this summer. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said this in an interview with Reuters, according to Ukrinform. Ukrainian pilots can start training to fly U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets as early as this summer, the minister said. It is noted that the Netherlands previously stated they intend to start training Ukrainian pilots "as soon as possible", but stopped short of announcing the date for the training start. This summer is our ambition. And we will see if it is realistic, Ollongren said, commenting on the long-awaited start of the training program. She also said the goal would be to have the curriculum fully rolled out within six months. Denmark, which has the necessary flight simulators, is seen as a likely location to host the training. As Ukrinform reported earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Thursday that Denmark and the Netherlands, in cooperation with the USA, would in a few weeks start developing a base for comprehensive training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other fourth-generation warplanes. Photo: Jeffrey Groeneweg/AFP/Getty Images Ukraine has filed a request with Australia as to the current condition of 41 decommissioned F-18 fighter jets. This was stated by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, who gave a comment to AFP, Ukrinform reports citing The Defense Post. The Ukrainian diplomat noted that an initial inquiry had been made about the condition of approximately 41 aircraft stored at an air base north of Sydney. "There has been a request for information. Ukraine is looking at fighter jet capabilities, including this one," Myroshnychenko said. As reported earlier, Australia, the U.S., and Ukraine are discussing the possibility of transferring to Kyiv 41 F/A-18 Hornets of the Royal Australian Air Force. European Union member states are exploring opportunities for using the Bilche-Volitsko-Uherske underground gas storage facility in Ukraine for their needs this winter, weighing all the risks associated with the Russian war. This was reported by Bloomberg, Ukrinform saw. Located 100 km from the border, the facility can store four times more gas than the largest such storage in Germany. The Ukrainian site is connected to EU networks thanks to the fact that Ukraine has transported Russian energy for decades. European officials are now assessing the risks of using this and other facilities scattered across Ukraine that can store gas when demand and prices for gas rise sharply next winter. Today, storage facilities in the EU are more than 70% full. Ukrainian storage facilities can help balance supply and demand in the second half of the summer 2023, given their excellent connection to EU gas markets, believes Germanys RWE AG, which has already used Ukrainian gas storage facilities. Gas storage in Ukraine must be justified by appropriate prices. The EU is also likely to have to intervene to protect Ukraine from potential war-related losses, the publication notes. The country's gas storages, located in relative safety 2 km underground, have a capacity of more than 30 billion cubic meters. Their operator, Ukrtransgaz, offers a third of these capacities, which covers approximately 10% of the EU demand as of Q4 2022. Negotiations on the deal are ongoing. For its part, Ukrtransgaz is working on implementing service guarantees to reduce war-related risks as it seeks to become Europes "energy bank," according to the company's comments to Bloomberg. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the drafting of a UN General Assembly resolution on the creation of a special international tribunal to try the Russian military and political leadership for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by the head of state, Ukrinform reports, citing the presidential press service. Zelensky said that Russian occupation forces in Ukraine resorted to the most severe forms of aggression, including illegal annexation of territories, murder, torture, rape of civilians, genocide, destruction of civilian infrastructure, etc. "The tribunal is necessary to punish the aggressor who started an unprovoked war against our country and thus restore justice," he said. According to him, if Russia is not punished for the crime of aggression, the global security architecture will be destroyed and no country will feel protected anymore. Zelensky also ordered the drafting of a UN General Assembly resolution on the need to establish a special international tribunal that would be coordinated with the position of Ukraine's partners. The participants in the meeting also made a decision to analyze the mechanism of the tribunal's establishment through the signing of an international agreement by a number of partner countries. At the same time, the remaining states will have the opportunity to support the tribunal's activities and recognize its decisions without being founders. Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Smyrnov, in turn, said that the brutality of this war on the part of the Russian leadership and military is beyond all acceptable limits. "This is the largest war in Europe since the Second World War, and the international community's response to it should be corresponding," he said. Ukraine and its partners are promoting the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute the Russian leadership for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The creation of such a tribunal was supported by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and individual states. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba discussed President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Ana Gervasi. I spoke with my Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi about Zelenskys Peace Formula and invited Jordan to participate in its implementation. We also discussed next steps in developing mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, Kuleba posted on Twitter. I spoke with my Peruvian counterpart Ana Gervasi. I am grateful to Peru for taking the principled stance that the war must end immediately with Russia withdrawing its troops from Ukraine. I invited Peru to join Zelenskys Peace Formula and efforts to hold Russia accountable, Ukraines top diplomat wrote. As reported, the President of Ukraine presented a 10-point Ukrainian Peace Formula addressing the G20 Summit participants in November 2022. During his speech at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May, Zelensky suggested holding an international Ukrainian Peace Formula summit in July. The Government of Latvia has decided to allocate about EUR 430,000 as humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help eliminate the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. That's according to the news site LSM, Ukrinform reports. Funding for humanitarian aid will be allocated from the state contingency budget. The total estimated costs for the recovery of material resources are expected to be EUR 433,119 next year, while transport costs are provisionally estimated at EUR 20,000 this year. Electricity generators, compressors, pumping stations, life jackets, sleeping bags, pipes, motor pumps, diving gloves, boots, quad bikes, and other equipment are to be sent to Ukraine. Humanitarian aid will be granted from the State Fire and Rescue Service, while blankets and rubber boots will be provided from the state's material reserves. On June 9, the Latvian government agreed to allocate EUR 200,000 to aid Ukraine to address the ecological and humanitarian crisis. Early on June 6, the Russian army blew up the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. In the Kherson region, rescue operations and measures to evacuate the population from flooded areas are underway. The situation is particularly difficult in the temporarily occupied territories. Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine's hydropower generating company, said that the plant had been destroyed and cannot be restored. Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service Mozambique's ambassador to China Maria Gustava said she was impressed by the development of southwest China's Tibet, after making her first visit to the autonomous region. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A China-funded school for male students is seen in the West Bank city of Ramallah on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China-funded projects have positively facilitated the daily life of Palestinians in the densely-populated West Bank city of Ramallah, according to Palestinian officials and locals. In 2018, the Ramallah municipality established a massive China-funded ring road to ease traffic woes in the territory. "The project, funded with over 8 million U.S. dollars, is going to pave nine roads over 7.5 km in length," said Odai al-Hindi, director of the projects department in Ramallah, adding "the construction took about 14 months." Life has been made easier in this area as people can move freely, al-Hindi said, adding that this project is a medium-term solution to the city's growing traffic problem until a larger road network plan is put into action, which requires Israeli permits. Ramallah, a city of 19 square km and home to a population of almost 70,000, is the political and economic hub for the Palestinian Authority. "In the past, we had to spend more than 45 minutes to go to hospital if there is no traffic jam, but now we can reach there in five minutes only," Ahmed Ghabatra, a local resident, told Xinhua. China also funded a school for male students in Ein Mesbah town in Ramallah in 2021. Ein Mesbah, one of the most densely-populated towns, had no school for males, forcing them to walk for tens of km to reach the nearest school in the neighboring town. "The school was modern, as it is equipped with smart classrooms and laboratories, integrated sound systems, smart lighting systems, and energy-saving solar energy units," al-Hindi said, adding that all facilities are accessible for people with disabilities. The school teaches students from the fifth grade till high school, who can enjoy a healthy school environment that stimulates creativity, said Mohammed Rabea, secretary of the school's director. "This school is a nucleus for spreading knowledge among the students who live in this area, as it is considered a real increase in the educational process in the Palestinian society, which is keen on knowledge and learning," Rabea added. Ghabatra, al-Hindi, and Rabea expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and people for funding the ring road and the school that would bring long-term benefits. Vehicles run on a China-funded ring road in the West Bank city of Ramallah on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Strengthening Ethical Standards: Philippines Launches Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability Manila (Philippines), 30 May 2023 - The Philippine legal community took a significant step towards establishing high ethical standards with the launch of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) on April 13, 2023. Supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), this launch signifies a crucial milestone in building trust within the profession. The CPRA serves as the definitive Code of Conduct for lawyers, providing a robust framework deeply rooted in ethical values and integrity. Its comprehensive provisions reflect the shared commitment of legal practitioners to upholding the highest professional standards, thereby reaffirming confidence in the justice system. The collaboration between the Philippines and UNODC, the Guardian of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Secretariat of the Conference of States Parties, ensured the alignment of the CPRA with the core principles outlined in Article 11 of the UNCAC. This article focuses on preventing corruption in the judiciary and promoting integrity within the judicial system, underscoring the code's relevance and importance. During the launch event, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the pivotal role of the CPRA within the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. The code sets forth a clear path for legal professionals, guiding them with unwavering integrity in their roles. The launch event witnessed the presence of notable attendees, including Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, and esteemed Supreme Court Justice En Banc. Together with Chief Justice Gesmundo, they signed the Manifesto of Ethical Commitment, demonstrating their unified dedication to upholding the principles enshrined in the CPRA. Panel discussions held during the launch explored pertinent topics, including the future of law practice in the ASEAN region, the role of academia in cultivating ethical lawyers, and the impact of technology on the legal profession. These engaging discussions provided a platform for participants to delve into the implications and challenges associated with the CPRA, fostering collaborative efforts to elevate ethical standards across the legal fraternity. The event gathered approximately 300 attendees, predominantly comprising lawyers from the judiciary, prosecution, and the national government. This assembly exemplified the collective commitment to upholding the principles of the CPRA and advancing ethical standards within the legal profession. The presence of such a significant number of legal professionals underscored the importance attached to this occasion, as stakeholders from various sectors united in fostering a culture of integrity and professionalism. With the launch of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, the Philippine legal community embarks on a transformative journey towards a strengthened ethical framework. This significant step aims to restore trust in the justice system and nurture a culture of unwavering integrity among legal practitioners, laying a solid foundation for a just and ethical legal landscape. A video recording of this event can be found on YouTube here. This event was conducted as part of a package of activities funded by the Kingdom of Denmark. Other Useful Links: A summary of a consultation with the Supreme Court in the Philippines held in Manila in December 2022 can be found here. A description of an offshore financial investigations training held in the Philippines in November 2022 can be found here. Mexico City, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jun, 2023 ) :Mexico's foreign minister and the capital city's mayor both resigned Monday to focus on running for president next year, with the ruling leftist party favored to win. The minister, Marcelo Ebrard, and Mexico City's Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced within minutes of each other that they were stepping down as they seek to become the Morena party's candidate to succeed President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the June 2024 vote. Sheinbaum, 60 and of Bulgarian and Lithuanian descent, said she wants to be "the first woman in the history of Mexico to lead the fates of the nation." Her resignation takes effect Friday. Ebrard said last week he would be leaving the foreign ministry and made it official Monday in a meeting with the president. "Starting today, I will dedicate myself to another very important task," said 63-year-old Ebrard, referring to the work of pushing on with Lopez Obrador's leftist policies. Other hopefuls to be the Morena candidate include Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez. The presidential, congressional and gubernatorial voting is scheduled for June of next year. The Morena party is scheduled to choose its candidate through a national poll over the course of several days in late August and early September. Sheinbaum has been mayor of Mexico's sprawling capital since 2018. If she wins, she would become the first woman to govern the country with Latin America's second largest economy, after that of Brazil. Of the Morena hopefuls for president, Sheinbaum is seen as the one closest to Lopez Obrador, whose party is favored to hold on to the presidency for another six-year term, no matter who the candidate ends up being, according to polling. Mexican presidents can serve only one term. "The early polls that have been carried out put us in first place and I am sure it will stay this way," Sheinbaum said Monday. (@FahadShabbir) Gravelines, France, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jun, 2023 ) :Some 200 migrants cast shadows in the evening sunshine across the dunes of Gravelines Beach in northern France, anticipating a police chase as they attempt to cross the waters before them to England. At least 7,610 people have been detected in small boats off Britain's coast so far this year, according to UK government figures, amid a political push to stop the flow. For three weeks a "strong northeast wind" has halted Channel crossings, along with the activity of smugglers who negotiate the voyage, according to a French police source, who asked not to be named. The fragile boats, overloaded with migrants, can't withstand the strong swells and currents. But now, the wind has died down and the weather is ideal. In nearby camps, the flux of new arrivals has grown and the smugglers are determined to move quickly, the police source said. Dozens of officers are staked out between the dark alleys, the camp, and the beach, in a game of cat-and-mouse along the coastline that offers many hiding places. The journey across the Channel waters can be deadly. Since the shipwreck that saw 27 die in November 2021, surveillance of crossings has been reinforced. But the number of those desperate enough to make the journey continues to climb, with a record 46,000 landings in England in 2022 and 8,000 rescued in French waters. - 'They know we're here' - Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the purchase of more barges to house asylum-seekers, as backlogs in processing their applications has put the government under pressure on where to accommodate them in the interim. The country also signed a new multi-million-euro partnership with France to prevent small boats crossings in the first place. The red sun glows over the glassy waters, and only the seagulls and the hum of a nearby nuclear power plant disturb the silence. The CRS, a special mobile French police force, patrol the forested coastline where smugglers tend to hide their equipment. "They know we're here, it won't go through tonight," said one officer. Fifteen silhouettes suddenly emerge from the dunes, dressed in black and walking calmly -- accomplices of the smugglers who perform a well-rehearsed dance of scouting and retreating to evade law enforcement. Once the officers appear to have left, dozens more silhouettes appear on the beach, appearing more nervous. Around 80 migrants, mainly young men, run toward the power station to hide. They're followed by two more groups, some men carrying life jackets, others parts of the very boats they intend to sail, with some children stumbling alongside. A group of women, couples, children, and the elderly position themselves in the center. - 'We'll try again' - An hour later, without a sound, they begin their descent to the water carrying on their shoulders two "small boats", partially inflated. Families run into the sea, children in their arms. Two police vans sweep across the beach, interrupting the effort. Mothers stop, seemingly lost, with some continuing their futile mission to the water while others turn around for the dunes in confusion. Police don't arrest them, but rather turn them inland. One woman throws her life jacket to the ground in rage. Others, who say they come from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, or Vietnam, look defeated. They're ready to do anything to get to England, despite the perilous voyage and its high price tag of 2,500 to 3,000 Euros, they said. The money is entrusted to a third party and paid out once the migrants reach Britain. "I already tried four times," said one young Afghan. "We'll try again." CIA had warned Ukraine against sabotaging the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines after obtaining information about a Ukrainian plan to destroy part of the pipeline system, Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th June, 2023) CIA had warned Ukraine against sabotaging the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines after obtaining information about a Ukrainian plan to destroy part of the pipeline system, Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter. In June 2022, Dutch military intelligence officials notified the CIA that a Ukrainian sabotage team was seeking a yacht on the Baltic coastline to be used by a team of divers to plant explosives along the pipelines, the report said. The tip prompted the CIA to deliver a message to Ukraine warning against the sabotage, the report said. The message was delivered despite doubts the CIA had about Ukraine's ability to carry out such an attack, which involved planting explosives deep underwater, the report added. The Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines were built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. The pipelines were incapacitated by explosive devices in September 2022. US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has detailed the US government's involvement in planning and carrying out the attack on the pipelines based on information from a government source. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th June, 2023) The Pentagon on Tuesday unveiled a set of recommendations to speed up foreign military sales to allies and partners. "Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved a tasking memo from the Department of Defense (DoD) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Tiger Team that highlights six key FMS pressure points and directs implementation of recommendations to improve and accelerate the Department's institutional processes to execute FMS cases," the statement said. The recommendations the DoD agreed to implement include improving the department's understanding of ally and partner requirements, enabling efficient reviews for release of technology and providing allies and partner nations relevant priority capabilities. Other measures will be geared toward accelerating acquisition and contracting support, expanding Defense Industrial Base (DIB) capacity and ensuring broad US government support. In the first instance, the DoD is looking for accelerated discussions with friendly nations on military sales requirements and the establishment of a Defense Security Cooperation Service to work with Defense Attache Service. Seeking to reduce barriers, the DoD also intends to review and update relevant tech export policies for allies. The department will also establish contract award standards and metrics in a bid to bolster acquisition and contracting. Additionally, the DoD seeks to reduce production timelines notably by incorporating partner requirements, multi-year contracts and enhanced use of the Special Defense Acquisition Fund, the statement continued. The DoD will also work with the Department of State, Congress, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvements in foreign military sales processes, the statement said. Made of senior military officials, the Tiger Team task force was established by the Pentagon in August 2022. Its goal is to examine the inefficiencies of US weapons sales to friendly nations and speed up the processes amid heightened tensions in the world, notably with Russia and China. Manuel and Maria have been incredible champions for access and mobility in San Antonio and the impact of their work is evident through the many stories of students, university and community members whose lives were changed by the Berriozabals. I am thrilled that we will now be recognizing their legacy together, said UTSA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy. This new position will bring greater opportunities to the student population they have dedicated their lives to helping, and will further create a pipeline of talented STEM professionals. UTSA is planning to hire a new faculty position in mathematics to fill the Manuel P. Berriozabal, Ph.D. and Maria Antonietta Berriozabal Endowed Chair by Fall 2023. The Berriozabals met in 1972 and married three years later. The Berriozabals met on the first day of spring in 1972 when Manuel was visiting San Antonio from New Orleans to obtain a professorship at UTSA. His good friend and Jesuit priest Edmundo Rodriguez invited him to a community meeting organized by Archbishop Patrick Flores. Maria was invited by her Pastor Fr. Larry Matula. The meeting broke out into focus groups and Manuel and Maria found themselves in a discussion about the Mexicano community and their needs. By the time he left town to return to New Orleans just a few days later, they both knew they would spend the rest of their lives together. They were married three years later on August 5, 1975. That meeting was the gift of our lives. In addition, It was in that tiny focus group that we both learned that our community and their welfare was significant to both of us, said Maria. Manuel was born in San Antonio and raised in Independence, Missouri. His father was an immigrant from Durango, Mexico, and from a young age, he and Manuels mother impressed upon him the importance of learning and receiving an education. As a child, he loved math and was especially encouraged and inspired by one of his seventh grade teachers who always made sure he knew he could be successful. Manuel studied mathematics in college, earning a Bachelor of Science from Rockhurst College, a Master of Science from the University of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles. After teaching at noteworthy universities including Loyola Marymount, UCLA, Tulane and the University of New Orleans, the UTSA College of Sciences welcomed him as a professor of mathematics. After just three years, Manuel founded the Dr. Manuel P. Berriozabal Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP), which the university recently named in his honor. His goal was to help Hispanic middle and high school students gain access to education and opportunities in STEM fields and create pathways for them to receive a postsecondary education. He served as the PREP director for 25 years. Approaching its 45th year, PREP has expanded to 125 Texas school districts and has 50,000 alumni in Texas. The program became so well regarded that universities across the country have adopted the model and it now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states. A proud daughter of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States during the Mexican Revolution of 1910, Maria Antonietta Berriozabal has been contributing to the community of San Antonio for over 60 years. In 1981, she became the first Latina elected to the San Antonio City Council. Serving with distinction as a strong, outspoken and independent official, Maria spoke out for investments in the people and neighborhoods of San Antonio; in support of rights of women, the LGBT community, and people of color; and for protecting the regions water, air and land from toxins and depletion. Maria was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 1981. In 1991, she ran for mayor of San Antonio and was narrowly defeated. Her impressive race was a first in a major city of the United States, gaining national attention for Marias unique platform of investment in human capital. Following her mayoral campaign, she was awarded a fellowship at Harvard Universitys Institute of Politics, where she shared the story of her campaign with students as an example of public service that represents the ideals of democracy. Maria has been a founder and co-founder of Latina womens organizations locally and nationally, and is a pioneer in organizing people at the grassroots level. Her work on numerous boards and commissions has taken her throughout the United States and abroad. Today, Maria continues to lend support to grassroots organizations and individuals that promote social and environmental justice. In her book Maria, Daughter of Immigrants, Maria chronicles her lifes journey, intersecting the personal, spiritual and political and grounding it in the story of her ancestors and immigrant parents. The book was published in the fall of 2012. Like Manuel, Maria believes deeply in encouraging young people to receive their education and make a difference in the world. She received her own bachelors degree in political science from UTSA in 1979 and was named the UTSA Alumnus of the Year in 1982. Maria used her political platform to collaborate with UTSA students, faculty, administrators and elected officials to make the university more accessible. She organized a cadre of community leaders, Juntos for UTSA, that worked to improve university recruitment and retention and provide services for inner-city students. During her tenure in office, she appointed Manuel to the Higher Education Sub-committee of Mayor Henry Cisneros Target 90: Goals for San Antonio initiative, which led Manuel to include a recommendation for the construction of the UTSA Downtown Campus in the sub-committees final report. This was one of the earliest collaborations by community and university leaders that would eventually lead to the opening of the UTSA Downtown Campus in 1997. Manuel and Marias countless contributions over the years have been invaluable to our city and university, said UTSA Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Karl Miller Lugo. Their undeniable commitment to advancing underserved communities, encouraging diversity in STEM and creating equitable access to higher education has changed the lives of countless individuals across San Antonio, the state of Texas and beyond. Their work represents a special form of philanthropy one that connects people, inspires communities and creates a lasting impact on future generations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R) speaks at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, June 12, 2023. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed support for establishing an AI watchdog body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency. (Xinhua/Xie E) UNITED NATIONS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed support for establishing an AI watchdog body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency. "It's my intention to create a high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence to seriously prepare the different kinds of initiatives that we will be able to take ... I would be favorable to the idea that we could have an artificial intelligence, an agency, which I would say is inspired by what the International Agency of Atomic Energy is today," the top UN official said at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York. Guterres stressed the need to address the significant harm caused by digital platforms filled with misinformation alongside the concerns over advancements in artificial intelligence, proposing an international code of conduct as a solution. While acknowledging that the alarm bells over AI were "deafening," the UN chief emphasized that they should not divert attention from the existing damage inflicted by digital technology. "They must not distract us from the damage digital technology is already doing to our world," he said. Guterres highlighted the grave global harm caused by the proliferation of hate and lies in the digital space, noting that "the proliferation of hate and lies in the digital space is causing grave global harm now." He further underscored that "it is fueling conflict, death and destruction now. It is threatening democracy and human rights now." Looking ahead, Guterres revealed that a United Nations Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms was being developed in preparation for the UN's upcoming "Summit of the Future" scheduled for next year. The secretary-general put forth several proposals, including calling for a commitment by governments, tech companies and other stakeholders to refrain from using, supporting, or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose; the consistent application of policies and resources by digital platforms around the world, to eliminate double standards that allow hate speech and disinformation to flourish in some languages and countries; a commitment from digital platforms to make sure all products take account of safety, privacy and transparency. "Advertisers -- who are deeply implicated in monetizing and spreading damaging content -- should take responsibility for the impact of their spending," Guterres noted. The UN chief further stressed that "disinformation and hate should not generate maximum exposure and massive profits." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, June 12, 2023. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed support for establishing an AI watchdog body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency. (Xinhua/Xie E) PAGE NOT FOUND The page or file you were looking for may have been moved or is not available because of : an out-of date bookmark , or , or a search engine which needs to be updated, or which needs to be updated, or a mistyped address. Try a search Found a broken link? UTSA Faculty, staff and students: Please submit a ticket to ServiceNow. or please send an email to techcafe@utsa.edu and let us know the address of the page and we'll fix it. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Visit our home page The UTSA home page is a great place to start looking for information on the Web. From there you can find people, departments, programs, on-campus activities, publications and much more. Thank you for visiting The University of Texas at San Antonio! Latest developments: French President Emmanuel Macron pledges continued deliveries of ammunition, weapons and armed vehicles in the coming weeks, saying France wants Ukraines counteroffensive to be as successful as possible. Russia-installed official says the death toll in Russia-controlled areas following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine increases to 17. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the Western military alliance's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia "is now making a difference on the battlefield" with the start of Kyiv's counteroffensive. "The offensive is launched, and the Ukrainians are making progress, making advances," Stoltenberg said as he met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House. "It's still early days, but what we do know is that the more land the Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table," Stoltenberg said, "and also the more likely it will be that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin at some stage will understand that he will never win this war of aggression on the battlefield." Biden agreed that NATO's continuing support for Ukraine is making a difference, saying, "NATO allies have never been more united, and we both worked like hell to make sure that happened, and so far, so good. Putin is making a mistake." Stoltenberg offered his assessment of the now nearly 16-month Russian assault on Ukraine. "I think you also have to realize that Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on Ukraine, but also on our core values, and on free people everywhere," he said. "And therefore, President Putin must not win this war, because that will not only be a tragedy for Ukrainians, but also make the world more dangerous." "It will send a message to authoritarian leaders all over the world, also in China, that when they use military force, they get what they want," the NATO chief said. "And we will then become more vulnerable. So, it's [in] our security interest to support Ukraine." Ukraine said Monday it had recaptured seven villages since launching the counteroffensive last week with the aim of reclaiming areas occupied by Russian forces. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that Ukraine will "continue to have success in what they're trying to achieve, which is to take back the land that's been seized from them by Russia." Blinken told reporters the United States will "continue to maximize our support to Ukraine now" and provide enduring support to help Ukraine deter Russia from invading again in the future. "It's very important to note that, in terms of what President Putin was trying to achieve in Ukraine, it's already been a strategic failure, because the objective that Putin had that he stated himself was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, and to absorb Ukraine, in one fashion or another, into Russia. That has failed, and it cannot succeed," Blinken said. Deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih Ukrainian officials said Tuesday a Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured 25 others. Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said Russia destroyed a five-story residential building in the attack and that rescuers were searching through the rubble. Kryvyi Rih is the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted on Telegram, "Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people." "Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch," Zelenskyy said. The attack on Kryvyi Rih was part of a wider aerial assault by Russia that also targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the city of Kharkiv. Ukraine's military said it shot down 10 of 14 cruise missiles launched by Russia, as well as one of four Iranian-made drones used by Russian forces. Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday its forces captured several German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicles during fighting in southern Ukraine. Russia called the hardware "our trophies" and said they were captured in the Zaporizhzhia area after Ukrainian crews fled. Black Sea grain deal Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia is thinking about withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal under which tons of Ukrainian grain have been shipped to other European countries and impoverished nations in Africa. Putin said that Moscow had been "cheated" over implementation of the parts of the deal that concerned its own exports. Putin told pro-Kremlin war correspondents that the accord was intended to help "friendly" countries in Africa and Latin America. But he said Europe has turned out to be the largest importer of Ukrainian grain and that this was providing a key source of foreign currency to Kyiv. Putin said he plans to discuss the future of the grain deal with some African leaders who were expected to visit Russia. Putin said Moscow is ready to supply grain for free to the world's poorest countries. The deal was brokered last July by the United Nations and Turkey and extended since then, allowing for the safe export of grain from several Ukrainian ports past Russian warships on the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Putin suggested that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect Russian territory on the border with Ukraine, where villages have come under attack. Putin said Ukrainian forces had suffered "catastrophic" losses in their new counteroffensive. He said that Ukraine lost 160 tanks and more than 360 other armored vehicles, while Russia lost only 54 tanks since Kyiv began the new assault in recent days. His claims could not be immediately verified. Putin said he wasn't contemplating a new mobilization of troops but didn't rule it out. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The United States may not be resilient enough to fend off and survive Chinese attacks on its critical infrastructure should the present great power competition between Washington and Beijing evolve into an actual conflict, according to a top U.S. cyber official. U.S. officials have ramped up efforts to bolster cybersecurity for the countrys electric grid and water systems much of them run by private companies since Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, but the head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned Monday that more precautions need to be taken in case China decides to strike. "In the event of a conflict, China will almost certainly use aggressive cyber operations to go after our critical infrastructure, to include pipelines and rail lines to delay military deployment and to induce societal panic," CISA Director Jen Easterly told an audience at the Aspen Institute in Washington. "Given the formidable nature of the threat from Chinese state actors, given the size of their capability, given how much resources and effort they're putting into it, it's going to be very, very difficult for us to prevent disruptions from happening," she said. And what worries her just as much as the cyberattacks themselves is the ability of Americans to repair any damage while also being able to demonstrate the strength to carry on. "We as an American people need to understand not just cyber resilience, but the imperative of operational resilience and the importance of societal resilience," Easterly said. I worry, frankly, that we've lost a bit of societal resilience." This is not the first time that key U.S. officials have warned about Chinas ability to inflict considerable damage using cyberattacks. Most of the warnings have centered on scenarios in which China tries to take Taiwan by force. If the Chinese have a plan to invade Taiwan in 2027, I would expect they have a cyber plan to go along with that, a senior defense official told reporters this past April. Other U.S. officials have warned that China could use a series of cyberattacks against Taiwan and the U.S. as part of an opening blow aimed at minimizing Washingtons ability to help fend off the incursion. China rejected the U.S. assertions. "We have always firmly opposed and cracked down on all forms of cyber hacking in accordance with the law, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA in an emailed statement. "The allegation by the U.S. side that the Chinese government is 'supporting hacking' is completely distorting the truth," Liu added, accusing the U.S. itself of engaging in "large-scale, organized and indiscriminate cyber theft and monitoring of foreign governments, enterprises, and individuals." Easterly has also warned that Beijing will likely seek to create "panic and chaos" in cyberspace ahead of any move on Taiwan. And just last month, CISA, along with partner agencies in Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, warned of activity by a Chinese threat actor known as Volt Typhoon, which had been targeting networks linked to U.S. critical infrastructure. On Monday, however, Easterly said recent incidents like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack and the scare from Chinas high altitude spy balloon have given her cause for concern beyond a scenario involving Taiwan. "We need to be prepared to be able to respond, recover, learn from disruptions and to be able to move forward in a way that we can continue to operate our critical services and our networks and our businesses even under the threat of Chinese state actors who want to hold that critical infrastructure at risk," she said. To improve American resilience, Easterly said CISA could soon launch a "Shields Up" awareness campaign focused on China, similar to the one it launched following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The ongoing campaign encourages private companies to take additional security precautions to protect against potential cyberattacks by Russia itself or by criminal hackers working on Moscow's behalf. YUMAI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Located at the southern foot of the Himalayas, Yumai once had a population of three -- Zhoigar, her sister Yangzom and their father Sangye Quba, who was the former township head and passed away in 2001. Taking her father's walking stick, Zhoigar followed in her father's footsteps and patrolled the border. Her father instilled in her the attitude that "protecting the land beneath your feet is to protect your country," and so Zhoigar braved wind and snow, and persisted in her career. Before Sangye Quba's death, he expressed his belief that the authority would develop Yumai well. Since 2018, Yumai has embarked on the construction of a prosperous border township with steel-framed houses, drainage, schools, and parks popping up one after another. In 2019, a reconstruction project of the 50-kilometer paved road connecting Yumai to a neighboring township was completed, ending the trouble of being snowbound every year. Additionally, the State Grid extended a 10-kilovolt power transmission line to Yumai, providing stable and secure electricity. Nowadays, Sangye Quba's wish has been fulfilled. The once three-person township is home to over 200 people and oversees two villages. In 2022, the per capita annual income in Yumai reached nearly 44,000 yuan (about 6,142.8 U.S. dollars) with a per capita residential area of 40 square meters. This photo taken on June 11, 2023 shows houses at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on June 10, 2023 shows houses at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Yangzom walks out of the cabin to milk at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Zhoigar (L) and Yangzom talk with people in a street at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Zhoigar makes butter at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) A staff member registers express parcels at a post office in Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) A staff member of the State Grid helps a customer pay electricity bill at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This aerial photo taken on June 10, 2023 shows Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Yangzom milks at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This aerial photo taken on June 11, 2023 shows Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) A child is pictured at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Zhoigar recalls her father at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) People buy fruit and vegetable at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Yangzom milks at Yumai Township in Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Produced by Xinhua Global Service Cambodia has thrown a diplomatic wrench in ASEAN plans for joint military drills in the contested South China Sea, in the latest test of Prime Minister Hun Sen's balancing act between the regional bloc and Beijing. Indonesia's military commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, announced on Thursday that his regional counterparts had agreed on first-ever joint military drills in September. Margono said the drills would focus on strengthening "ASEAN centrality," while an Indonesian military spokesman cited the "high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia," according to Reuters. The proposed military exercises would not include combat operations, according to Indonesia. But General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, released a statement soon after saying that Cambodia had yet to agree to the drills. Vong Pisen said Indonesia's military chief had raised the idea as the rotating chair of the bloc, but Cambodia and "several other countries" which were not named did not respond. He added that a joint statement from the 20th ASEAN Commander-in-Chief Meeting, held in Bali last week, "did not mention ASEAN joint military exercises in the South China Sea." He said Cambodia's military had now formed a working group to study the proposal and would ultimately request a decision from the Ministry of Defense. Cambodia's Defense Ministry Spokesperson General Chhum Socheat told VOA Khmer on Friday that the military has not yet confirmed its position on what he called Indonesia's "request." He also claimed that all nine ASEAN members, apart from Indonesia, had yet to respond. VOA Khmer reached out to the embassies of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in Phnom Penh for comment but did not receive any responses as of Monday morning. Experts told VOA Khmer the exercises are likely to upset Beijing, which has aggressively staked its claims in the South China Sea. The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, told VOA on Monday evening that while he wasn't aware of the specifics of the ASEAN exercises, "China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conductive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party." On May 27, Beijing announced plans for joint military exercises with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, but left details unspecified. The exercise "will serve as a stabilizer for regional security," Zhuo Hua, an international affairs expert at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy of Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times. Area of rising tension The South China Sea, rich in natural resources including gas and oil, is a flashpoint of rising tensions between China and the United States. China's claims are contested by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, a self-governing island China claims as its own territory. All but Taiwan are members of ASEAN, and each has its own claims to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The apparent dispute or at least miscommunication over the joint drills would not be Cambodia's first time breaking from the ASEAN majority on issues related to the South China Sea. ASEAN failed to reach a consensus on maritime disputes in the sea in 2016 after Cambodia blocked mention of a ruling by an international court in The Hague against Beijing. That move and others have fueled the perception that Phnom Penh is representing the interests of Beijing in regional matters, as ties between the governments have grown increasingly cozy over the past decade, and Cambodia has increasingly leaned on China for economic support. Vann Bunna, a researcher at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, told VOA Khmer that the stakes of its pending decision were clear. The military exercises could damage China-ASEAN relations and increase tension in the South China Sea, he said. "But if we look in the interests of ASEAN, we see that if the military drills were held by ASEAN, it would strengthen the military cooperation between the 10 countries in response to any issue," Vann Bunna said. Additionally, the joint activities would signal that ASEAN is its own force in the region, separate from either superpower, he added. Seng Sary, a political analyst and research fellow in social and political sciences at Australia's University of Melbourne, told VOA Khmer on Saturday that Cambodia should carefully consider its options, as its decision would likely be seen as an indicator of its global allegiances. "Importantly, in the event that Cambodia refuses to participate in military exercises in the ASEAN region, Cambodia itself will put the international community in doubt about Cambodia's bias to China," he said. "At the same time, Cambodia should consider and examine whether Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN, will drag Cambodia into the South China Sea dispute between China and Indonesia." Blood banks in Cameroon are usually close to empty due to widely held taboos against blood donation. Officials in the central African country are trying to convince people to move past those beliefs amid an increased demand for blood and blood products in hospitals and on the front lines where soldiers are fighting separatists and Islamist militants. The effort comes ahead of World Blood Donor Day, observed on June 14. Illustrating the shortages is the story of a woman who told nurses at the Yaounde military hospital that she has not found anyone to donate blood to save the life of her two-year-old son. Hospital workers said the 34-year-old fruit seller's blood was infected and that it could not be transfused to her son. Medical staff members have requested blood from government hospitals to save the child's life, the hospital said, adding that the blood bank at the military hospital is empty. Celestin Ayangma, head of the laboratory that is in charge of the hospital's blood bank, said that since January of this year, the Yaounde military hospital had been able to provide only six of the 20 units of blood it needs every day. Ayangma added that patients eventually die if they do not have relatives, friends or other donors to give the blood that the patients need. By midday on Tuesday, the baby was still waiting for blood. Cameroons public health ministry reported that in 2022, hospitals in the country were able to collect a little more than 120,000 pints of blood from voluntary donors, family members and friends of sick patients. But each year, Cameroon needs at least 600,000 pints of blood for both private and government-owned hospitals. The government says blood donation needs in Cameroon are increasing due to the separatist conflict in the country's western regions and fighting with Boko Haram militants on the northern border with Nigeria. This year, government officials, health workers and aid agencies took to the streets ahead of World Blood Donor Day, trying to convince people to donate blood and save lives. Ruth Abeng of the Cameroon Medical Council, an association of Cameroonian doctors, took part in the campaign. She sayid there are very few voluntary blood donors in Cameroon as some people are compelled to donate blood only when they see their sick relatives and friends in need of blood and dying. She said it is disheartening to see patients dying because some of their relatives believe that a blood donation is mystical. Some Cameroonians believe that if they give blood, the recipient will receive any good luck and success theyve had in life. Others say God will punish them if they donate blood to an evil person. The government says such beliefs are unfounded and people should not be afraid to donate blood. The Ministry of Health also says donated blood is not sold as some people erroneously believe. Blood that is donated is stored in banks and transfused to people in need, the government says. Hospitals say patients pay a fee of about $50 for the hospital to test donated blood and make sure it is safe to use. The government gives donors about $10 in a bid to encourage more donations. Cameroon says it expects to raise about 20,000 pints of blood by June 14. Hospitals say the amount will not be enough to meet the country's needs but that it will reduce suffering and prevent some people from dying. It has been only a few weeks since Thailands historic elections, which saw opposition parties win a decisive victory, but already questions are being raised about whether the winners will ever have an opportunity to govern the country. For many Thais, the elections were seen as a gateway into a new political era and an end to several years of instability marked by military rule, civil unrest and economic downturns. Millions picked the orange-clad Move Forward Party, headed by Pita Limjaroenrat, to lead the next government. Outpolling all other parties with 151 of the 500 seats of parliament's lower house, the party then formed a coalition with seven other opposition parties, including previous winners Pheu Thai, to reach a total of 312 seats. But to form a government it must command a majority of seats in the lower house plus the 250-seat Senate, whose members are appointed by the military. The party is still waiting to see whether it will be backed by enough senators to give it the required total of 376 seats. Napon Jatusripitak is a political scientist at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, a Southeast Asia research group based in Singapore. He said Pita and his Move Forward Party face several challenges in addition to the need for support from the Senate. These include ongoing attempts to undermine Pitas eligibility as a prime ministerial candidate via referee institutions [and] an uneasy coalition with the Pheu Thai Party, which stands to gain if Pita is disqualified, Napon said. There is also concern that the proposed coalition could fall apart under the Move Forward Partys leadership. "These obstacles suggest that the Move Forward Partys path to forming a government will be extremely challenging and uncertain, he told VOA. Party politics The Pheu Thai Party was the pre-election favorite but placed second with 141 seats. The party is seen as more appealing to conservatives and military loyalists in the Senate. But deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai recently said abandoning the coalition would be a last resort. In May, the Move Forward Party signed a joint memorandum of understanding with its seven partners, outlining a 23-point agenda. Some of the key points included military reforms and an end to conscription. But missing in the joint agreement is an amendment to Thailands lese majeste law, which prohibits criticism of the monarchy. The law is outlined in Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code and carries lengthy prison sentences for violations. Amending it was a major campaign pledge of the Move Forward Party. The coalition parties have not been able to agree on an amendment. Undeterred, Pita has said he is confident an application for the amendment will be submitted at the appropriate time. The obstacles Pita and his party are facing highlight the countrys ongoing struggle to move away from a hybrid military regime that is still committed to protecting vested interests in the conservative status quo, said Napon, the political scientist. Pita probe Another setback for the Harvard University-educated Pita is that the Election Commission of Thailand has launched an investigation into whether he knew he may have not been eligible to run as an MP in the elections. Under election rules, a candidate is prohibited from being an owner or shareholder of a media company. Pita, 42, said he had shares in the Independent Television, or iTV, station, which were inherited from his father, but have since been transferred from his ownership. The issue appears to hinge in party on whether iTV should still be considered a media company after its TV concession was terminated in 2007. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, senior fellow of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, said the Move Forward Partys chances of leading the next government hang in the balance. Thailand's powers that be appear unwilling to let both Pita and Move Forward take power because of their serious reform proposals on the military and monarchy, he told VOA. When the people's will, as expressed in the May 14 election, is being stymied and subverted like this, the political situation will be unstable with potential turmoil ahead. In 2020 and 2021, Thailand was rocked with anti-government protests demanding reform of the monarchy, led mainly by youths. Clashes with police were common, with hundreds arrested. Matthew Wheeler, Southeast Asia senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, an independent organization that monitors conflict worldwide, said Thailand could see demonstrations once more if the election winners are unable to lead a government. Street protests are likely; theyre a standard part of the repertoire of political action in Thailand, Wheeler told VOA in an email exchange. How big and protracted protests may be depends in part on which parties end up in government and what penalties are handed down to [Move Forward Party] and its executives. He added that authorities may prefer to let protests run their course, given their success in containing and outlasting the protests in 2020-21. Thailands electoral officials have until July 13 to certify at least 95% of the MPs who were elected and officially announce the results. Until then, it is unlikely the Senate will decide whom to back. Thailands new Cabinet is expected to be in place by August, when it will vote for the next prime minister. Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who in prose both dense and brittle took readers from the southern Appalachians to the desert Southwest in such novels as The Road, Blood Meridian and All the Pretty Horses, died Tuesday. He was 89. McCarthy died of natural causes in Santa Fe, New Mexico, publisher Alfred A. Knopf said. McCarthy, raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, was compared to William Faulkner for his Old Testament style and rural settings. McCarthys themes, like Faulkners, often were bleak and violent and dramatized how the past overwhelmed the present. Across stark and forbidding landscapes and rundown border communities, he placed drifters, thieves, prostitutes and old, broken men, all unable to escape fates determined for them well before they were born. McCarthys own story was one of belated, and continuing, achievement and popularity. Little known to the public at age 60, he would become one of the countrys most honored and successful writers despite rarely talking to the press. He broke through commercially in 1992 with All the Pretty Horses and over the next 15 years won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer, was a guest on Oprah Winfreys show and saw his novel No Country for Old Men adapted by the Coen brothers into an Oscar-winning movie. The Road, his stark tale of a father and son who roam a ravaged post-apocalyptic landscape, brought him his widest audience and highest acclaim. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and was selected by Winfrey for her book club. In his Winfrey interview, McCarthy said that while typically he didnt know what generates the ideas for his books, he could trace The Road to a trip he took with his young son to El Paso, Texas, early in the decade. Standing out of the window of a hotel in the middle of the night as his son slept nearby, he started to imagine what El Paso might look like 50 or 100 years in the future. I just had this image of these fires up on the hill ... and I thought a lot about my little boy, he said. He told Winfrey he didnt care how many people read The Road. You would like for the people that would appreciate the book to read it. But, as far as many, many people reading it, so what? he said. McCarthy dedicated the book to his son, John Francis, and said having a child as an older man forces the world on you, and I think its a good thing. In 2022, Knopf made the startling announcement that it would release McCarthys first work in more than 15 years, a pair of connected novels he had referred to in the past: The Passenger and Stella Maris, narratives on a pair of mutually obsessed siblings and the legacy of their father, a physicist who had worked on atomic technology. Stella Maris was notable, in part, because it centered on a female character, an acknowledged weakness of McCarthys. I dont pretend to understand women, he told Winfrey. His first novel, The Orchard Keeper written in Chicago while he was working as an auto mechanic was published by Random House in 1965. His editor was Albert Erskine, Faulkners longtime editor. Other novels include Outer Dark, published in 1968; Child of God in 1973; and Suttree in 1979. The violent Blood Meridian, about a group of bounty hunters along the Texas-Mexico border murdering Indians for their scalps, was published in 1985. His Border Trilogy books were set in the Southwest along the border with Mexico: All the Pretty Horses (1992) a National Book Award winner that was turned into a feature film The Crossing (1994) and Cities of the Plain (1998). McCarthy said he was always lucky. He recalled living in a shack in Tennessee and running out of toothpaste, then going out and finding a toothpaste sample in the mailbox. Thats the way my life has been. Just when things were really, really bleak, something would happen, said McCarthy, who won a MacArthur Fellowship one of the so-called genius grants in 1981. McCarthy attended the University of Tennessee for a year before joining the Air Force in 1953. He returned to the school from 1957 to 1959 but left before graduating. As an adult, he lived around the Great Smoky Mountains before moving West in the late 1970s, eventually settling in Santa Fe. The death toll from a Kenyan starvation cult crossed 300 on Tuesday after authorities exhumed more bodies in a forest, in one of the worst cult-related tragedies in recent history. Authorities say the dead were members of the Good News International Church, led by Paul Mackenzie, who is accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world. A total of 303 people have now died after 19 bodies were exhumed from mass graves in Shakahola forest in the country's southeast. More than 600 people are still reported missing, regional official Rhoda Onyancha said. Investigators last week expanded their search to cover a wider area in the region to try to account for more victims. Around 65 rescued followers of the self-styled pastor were charged with attempted suicide on Monday after they refused to eat between June 6 and June 10 during their stay at a rescue center, local media reported. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki expressed concern last month that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food. One of them had died, he said at the time. Mackenzie handed himself over to police in April and was denied bail last month. He has not yet been required to enter a plea. He was arrested on suspicion of the murder of two children by starvation and suffocation earlier this year but was subsequently freed. Relatives of his followers say he then returned to the forest and moved forward his predicted end of the world date from August to April 15. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for an end to what it calls a rising trend of enforced disappearances in the country. The Ethiopian government has yet to respond to the commissions report, which says at least 12 people have been arrested or abducted under unclear circumstances. In a report released June 5, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said the enforced disappearances have happened across Amhara and Oromia regions, as well as in the capital, Addis Ababa. Imad Abdulfetah, regional director for the commission, said the disappearances seem to be related to the war in the northern Tigray region, which ended last year following an African Union-brokered peace deal, and ethnic conflicts elsewhere. Primarily, these became more common in the aftermath of the conflicts in the country, Abdulfetah said. These incidents are connected to the conflict in one way or the other. So, this one year or a half at most not more than two years since this became widespread. The commissions report says victims of enforced disappearances include members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, as well as opposition political parties. The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), an opposition political party, said four of its members have gone missing over the past few years. Party chief Merara Gudina said attempts to locate them have failed. It looks to me like the government has decided to rule by force, Gudina said. And we have been meeting and talking with government officials, but they have not taken any meaningful steps. The OFCs secretary-general, Tiruneh Gamta, said the party has confirmed the death of Melesse Chala, a local-level party official who was missing for more than two years. A person who had closed his eyes, and prepared his dead body, has informed us, Gamta said. So, even though the government has not publicly announced this, we have heard from others. Such actions hurt the democratic process and push people to take up arms instead, said Merera. If the government is narrowing and stifling the political playground, those who have the capacity and the force will think, Let me go into the forest and try my luck instead of being imprisoned and wasting away. Victims of these enforced disappearances sometimes show up weeks or months later, still alive, but in locations far from where they were last seen, and often in poor physical condition, according to the report. The government-established commission said it is investigating allegations that some of the victims were tortured. The Rights Commission has called for the Ethiopian government to adopt and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in order to ensure the protection of civilians. Eritrea has rejoined the East African bloc, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), nearly 16 years after the politically isolated state pulled out of the body, Information Minister Yemane Meskel said Monday. "Eritrea resumed its activity in IGAD and took its seat" at a summit organized by the seven-nation bloc in Djibouti on Monday, Meskel said on Twitter. He said the country was ready to work toward "peace, stability and regional integration." The authoritarian state suspended its IGAD membership in 2007 following a string of disagreements, including over the bloc's decision to ask Kenya to oversee the resolution of a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea broke away from Ethiopia in 1993 and fought a two-year border war with its neighbor that poisoned relations until a peace agreement in 2018. Following the rapprochement with Addis Ababa, Eritrean troops supported Ethiopian forces during the federal government's war against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and have been accused by the United States and rights groups of some of the conflict's worst atrocities. That war ended with a peace deal signed in November last year that called for the withdrawal of foreign forces, but Asmara was not a party to the agreement and its troops continue to be present in bordering areas of Tigray, according to residents who have accused the soldiers of murder, rape and looting. 'North Korea of Africa' Monday's announcement comes after Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki told reporters during a visit to Kenya in February that his country would rejoin IGAD "with the idea of revitalizing this regional organization." Isaias, 77, did not attend Monday's summit in Djibouti, sending Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab to the meeting instead. Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of IGAD, hailed Eritrea's return to the bloc, saying in an official statement: "Let me take this opportunity to welcome back the State of Eritrea to the IGAD family." Dubbed the "North Korea" of Africa, Eritrea was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 after sending troops into Tigray. In a rare news conference in Kenya earlier this year, Isaias dismissed accusations of severe rights abuses by Eritrean troops in Tigray as "fantasy." Human Rights Watch in February called for fresh sanctions against Eritrea, accusing it of rounding up thousands of people, including minors, for mandatory military service, during the Tigray war. The country sits near the bottom of global rankings for press freedom, as well as human rights, civil liberties and economic development. South Korea has charged a former Samsung executive accused of stealing company secrets worth hundreds of millions of dollars to set up a copycat chip factory in China, prosecutors told AFP on Tuesday. Semiconductors have become a flashpoint issue between the United States and China, which are locked in a fierce battle over access to chip-making technology and supplies. South Korean prosecutors said the 65-year-old former Samsung employee allegedly stole the company's factory blueprints and clean-room designs from 2018 and 2019. The Suwon district prosecutor's office said the suspect unsuccessfully tried to set up a copycat production facility in the Chinese city of Xian where Samsung already has a chip factory. The man, who has not been identified and is in detention pending trial, stole material that is classified by South Korea as a "national core technology" -- a category of tech that could potentially harm national security and the economy if disclosed overseas. Prosecutors said he had been in custody for some time and was formally charged on Monday. They described him as a "top expert in semiconductor manufacturing", who had worked in the industry for decades. South Korean authorities said the information allegedly targeted in the theft would have been worth at least $236 million to Samsung. "It is a serious crime that can have a tremendous negative impact on our economic security by shaking the foundation of the domestic semiconductor industry at a time when competition for chip production is intensifying every day," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday. "The semiconductor industry accounted for 16.5% of South Korea's total exports in 2022... and is a national security asset." Six other people who worked with the executive have been charged over suspected involvement in the theft. Samsung declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Tuesday. Chip war Samsung Electronics is one of the world's largest producers of chips and smartphones, and its parent group's turnover is equivalent to about one-fifth of South Korea's GDP. Like many of the world's biggest chip makers, a large portion of its production is based in China. Chips are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, and China the world's second-largest economy relies on a steady supply of chips made by foreign firms for its huge electronics manufacturing industry. The United States imposed a series of export controls last year to prevent China from acquiring the most advanced chips that could be used in cutting-edge weapons and frontier tech such as artificial intelligence. The Netherlands and Japan followed this year with restrictions of their own, without naming China. But the curbs have infuriated Beijing, which has accused Washington of "technological terrorism." China last month said U.S. chip giant Micron had failed a national security review, and told operators of "critical information infrastructure" to stop buying its products. Analysts have described that move as retaliation for the U.S. semiconductor curbs. "Amid intensifying semiconductor competition between the U.S. and China, South Korea is in a difficult situation as it has to side with its security ally U.S. while it obviously cannot ignore Beijing and its influence," Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University, told AFP. "Samsung Electronics should pay more attention to technology and information security. China is trying to catch up." The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in a central Ukrainian city overnight, killing at least 10 people. The United States announces new military aid package for Ukraine. U.S. demonstrators protest the transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. The United Nations expects close to one million people to flee Sudan by October, most of them to neighboring countries like the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. But most of those nations have their own problems with people displaced by conflict who face food insecurity and instability. Henry Wilkins reports from Borota, Chad, on what Sudanese refugees will face in their host communities. China has sent nine medical teams with a total of 111 personnel to Timor-Leste as the country suffers a serious shortage of medical resources. Claudia, a cardiologist who studied twice in China, has spoken highly of the Chinese medical teams' dedication to her country. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service Kosovo's prime minister on Tuesday presented a plan to defuse tensions in its Serb-majority north that would include fresh local elections and cuts in special police, bowing to pressure from key Western supporters of its independence. Kosovo police meanwhile said they arrested a Serb identified by Pristina as an organizer of attacks on NATO peacekeepers who deployed in the north last month amid violent Serb unrest over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in their area. During the operation to arrest Milun Milenkovic, three Kosovo Albanian policemen were slightly injured, Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said on his Facebook page. Some 30 peacekeepers and 52 Serbs were injured in the clashes late last month after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following a local election in which turnout was just 3.5% after Serbs who form a majority in the region boycotted the vote. The United States and European Union have called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to withdraw the mayors, remove special police used to install them and uphold a 2013 deal for an association of autonomous Serb municipalities in the region. Kurti said that "violent (Serb) groups have been withdrawn from Kosovo territory (and therefore) the presence of Kosovo police troops in three municipal buildings will be downsized." The government of the Republic of Kosovo will coordinate with all the actors and announce early elections in four municipalities in the north," Kurti told a press conference after meeting ambassadors of the United States, Italy, France, Germany and Britain, known as the Quint group. He said he had presented his plan to EU and U.S. envoys and called for a follow-up meeting between Serbian and Kosovo officials in Brussels, where the EU is based. Kurti said nothing about setting up the association of Serb municipalities which would ensure greater autonomy for the Serb majority area. He has been loath to implement the accord, citing fears that it would spur the region to seek to rejoin Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic urged Kosovo last week to grant more autonomy to Serbs before organizing a new vote. Kosovo declared internationally recognized independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after an uprising by the 90% ethnic Albanian majority against repressive Serbian rule. NATO bombing drove out Serbian security forces but Belgrade continues to regard Kosovo only as its southern province. U.S. President Joe Biden met with outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on Tuesday as jockeying to secure Stoltenbergs successor intensifies. The meeting was originally set for Monday but was postponed after Biden underwent a root canal procedure. While the White House says the official agenda for the meeting is to discuss the alliances upcoming July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the issue of who will be next at NATOs helm during this difficult period in its 74-year history will no doubt be front and center, as the alliance faces Russias ongoing war in Ukraine. Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, is the longest running NATO chief in a generation and has had his tenure extended three times since taking the job in 2014. In February, his spokesperson said he will leave office when his current term ends in October. Stoltenberg is widely credited for managing rocky transatlantic relations between former U.S. President Donald Trump and European allies over defense spending; the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in August 2021; and overseeing the alliances response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine. His preference about his successor carries weight and Biden is expected to consult with him. A lot of people will look to him to say, Who do you think is the best to follow up your leadership? said Andrew Hyde, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, to VOA. Whoever succeeds Stoltenberg will face the daunting challenge of shepherding the security of 1 billion people in 31 countries and growing. He or she must manage the tough balancing act of supporting Ukraine militarily while preventing the conflict from bleeding into the territory of a NATO member, which would trigger the alliances Article 5 principle of collective defense and potentially lead to World War III. Selections done through consensus A U.S. general is traditionally the Supreme Allied Commander Europe but the post of NATO chief has always been assumed by a European, even though theres nothing in the organizations charter that requires it. Theres no formal process to pick a new leader, and candidates dont announce that theyre running for the post. Selection is done through consensus, achieved mostly through quiet and informal diplomatic channels. As the biggest donor, the U.S. plays a key role the reason why two contenders have paid a visit to the Oval Office recently. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Biden at the White House last Monday. She is seen as a front-runner; however, her candidacy would mean a third successive secretary-general from a Nordic country. Another potential hurdle is that Denmark has long failed to meet the 2% minimum requirement in defense spending for member states. In December, her government launched a plan to meet NATOs target by 2030, and recently ramped up military aid to Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Washington days after Frederiksen, with a broad agenda that includes lobbying for his defense secretary, Ben Wallace. Britain, supplier of more military assistance to Ukraine than any country after the United States, has clout. And as one of the first defense ministers to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, Wallace is well-known among the alliance. However, out of 13 chiefs in NATOs history, three were British. Biden was non-committal when asked whether it was time for another one. Maybe. That remains to be seen, he said during a joint news conference with Sunak Thursday. All who have filled the post since 1952 were male. Several women likely candidates There is a sense that its time the alliance selects a female leader, Hyde said. With the Russian war raging, there's also a feeling it should be somebody from Eastern Europe, he added. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and her Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Simonyte meet both requirements. However, some observers argue that a leader from one of the Baltic countries, which are usually hawkish on Russia, could be perceived as a provocation by Moscow. Slovakias President Zuzana Caputova and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of Germany have been floated as potential candidates. So has Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, although her Ukrainian heritage may prove to be a complication. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also has been mentioned as a contender. And theres always the possibility that the allies might prevail on Stoltenberg to extend his tenure yet again. The issue of who is the next NATO secretary-general is expected to be settled by July, when the groups leaders meet in Vilnius. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Across the United States this past weekend, demonstrators protested the transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to territories occupied by Russia. VOA Correspondent Natasha Mozgovaya reports from Seattle. Rwandan refugees and asylum-seekers in Malawi say they fear being deported or losing their right to stay in the country, following steps by the government to apprehend refugees wanted in their home countries on various charges. Malawis government said last week it has received a request from Rwanda to help track down 55 so-called warlords who are hiding in Malawi. Rwandan refugees say officials need to verify the allegations before acting. The Rwandan refugees expressed their fears in a statement following the deportation Monday of a Rwandan genocide suspect, Vincent Ngendahimana Kanyoni, who was indicted in 2019. In a statement, a refugee group called the Concerned Rwandan Refugees said Malawi should be cautious with requests from the Rwandan government. The group said Rwanda might be playing what it called the genocide card to target political opponents in exile. Odette Narikundo, a representative of Rwandan refugees in Malawi, told VOA she believes Kanyonis deportation was based on wrong information. She said the suspect never worked as a soldier in Rwanda and never had any military training there. Narikundo said she doubts Rwandas claim that so many former Rwandan generals are hiding in Malawi. She said that if the generals were hiding, they would not have been at Dzaleka refugee camp. She wondered why Malawi was acting in such a way. Narikundo said she believes that Rwanda is using genocide-related accusations to target political opponents living abroad. She said many Rwandan refugees fear being picked up and deported without even being taken to court to defend themselves, as was the case with Kanyoni. Now, she said, people are living in fear. Because he didnt go to court before being deported, she called Malawis actions kidnapping. Narikundo said Malawi should verify any information from Rwanda with the group known as the Government of Rwandans in Exile, based in France, before rushing to take any action. Patrick Botha, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Homeland Security in Malawi, told VOA that Malawi is a sovereign state doing everything according to its laws. But we have a working relationship with different countries especially our neighbors [and] that includes Rwanda, Burundi, just as we do with Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, Botha said. In terms of security, we work hand in hand with these governments. Botha, however, declined to take more questions, citing the sensitivity around the issue. Thats all I can say on the matter, he said. The other issues concerning this are very sensitive, many security issues, so its not right for me to go into those details. Michael Kaiyatsa, executive director for the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation in Malawi, shares the concerns of the Rwandan refugees. Because the way the government is doing it, it means even genuine refugees stand a risk of being deported like that, Kaiyatsa said. They will not have an opportunity to defend themselves. You know, police or immigration [officers] cannot make that determination, they are not a court themselves. Last month, Malawi started revoking the citizenship of refugees and asylum-seekers whom officials say obtained their status fraudulently. Some 400 people, mainly from Burundi and Rwanda, have had their Malawian citizenship revoked and plans are under way to deport them. The U.S. military said Monday a "helicopter mishap" in northeastern Syria injured 22 service members. U.S. Central Command said in a statement there was no enemy fire reported and the cause of the incident was under investigation. It said 10 of those injured were taken for treatment at higher-care facilities outside of the region overseen by CENTCOM, which stretches from Egypt to Kazakhstan. The United States has about 900 troops in Syria as part of a mission to advise and assist partners in the fight against the Islamic State group. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press The World Health Organization warns the catastrophic destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine June 6 risks unleashing an epidemic of physical and mental health problems. So far there have been no reports of disease outbreaks, but we remain prepared to scale up our support as needed, said Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine. In view of the looming disaster, Habicht left his base in Kyiv for Istanbul, where he arrived early Tuesday morning to meet with donors to drum up support for an anticipated large-scale, life-saving operation in Kherson and surrounding communities. According to Ukrainian authorities, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has flooded large swathes of agricultural land, fully or partially submerged at least 80 towns and villages in the Kherson region and uprooted an estimated 17,000 people in the government-controlled areas. The situation continues to evolve, said Habicht, but the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam has resulted in severe flooding, displacing communities, and posing significant risks to public health. Our primary concern at this moment is the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, including cholera and typhoid, as well as rodent-borne diseases. He said a WHO team, which has been on the ground since day one, was closely monitoring the health situation in coordination with local authorities and providing support where needed. He noted that cholera kits, which the WHO provided to Kherson and neighboring oblasts as preventive measures last year, now can be deployed to control isolated cases of disease if they occur in the hopes of preventing this deadly disease from escalating. He said urgent measures were being taken to address critical public health issues. These include efforts to raise community awareness about water-borne diseases, the issuance of water safety messages, and providing informational material on acute intestinal infections and preventive measures. Habicht said there was particular concern about the toll on the mental health of the population resulting from this latest incident, as well as cumulative previous disasters experienced by Ukrainians since Russia invaded the country February 24, 2022. We have had attacks to civilian infrastructure in October. We went through a dark and cold winter. We have lost one of the symbolic dams on the river. That means that the stress that the population goes through is growing, he said. What we are talking about is millions of people who need mental health support, he said. So that is why we are in the field. We have trained tens of thousands of health workers to provide mental health care to people at the primary health level. He said other priority matters of concern include the potential release of hazardous chemicals into the water, which could have severe impacts for years to come. He said the risks posed by thousands of landmines planted in the area cannot be underestimated. He warned those lethal weapons would become particularly dangerous when water levels go down in the next seven to 10 days and become dislodged. He noted that the mine maps will not be available to ensure that the coast of the river is clean making it more likely that more civilians will be killed and maimed by the weapons. While efforts are underway to provide people in the fragile region with the support they need, Habicht said humanitarian workers are unable to access the territories temporarily occupied by the Russians. We are asking for security guarantees to go to the occupied territories to do the needs assessment and to save lives. We have asked constantly for access to the occupied territories by the Russian Federation, he said. Until now, we have not received the security guarantees to ensure that we can go to the occupied territories and support millions of civilians and Ukrainians living there. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced an international conference next week to gather aid pledges for war-ravaged Sudan, where the United Nations says more than half the population urgently needs assistance and protection. Many of them are in Sudan's Darfur region, where attacks against civilians could amount to crimes against humanity, the U.N.'s head of mission said. The pledging conference will be held on June 19, the official Saudi Press Agency said. It cited the Foreign Ministry and added that the kingdom would jointly lead the meeting with Qatar, Egypt, Germany and the European Union, as well as U.N. agencies. Saudi Arabia and the United States have been mediating in the eight-week war between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. A record 25 million people, more than half the population, are in need of aid and protection, according to the U.N., but as of late May, the world body's needs for $2.6 million to address the crisis were only 13% funded. Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, electricity is only available for a few hours a week, most hospitals in combat zones are not functioning, and aid facilities have been looted. The country's western Darfur region has also been a center of the fighting. Darfur Governor Mini Minawi, a former rebel leader now close to the army, in early June declared Darfur a "disaster zone" and appealed for help from the international community. In May, the warring sides signed a written agreement for a Saudi and U.S.-brokered weeklong cease-fire, later extended by five days, that aimed to provide safe humanitarian corridors. These did not materialize. Sudan's annual rainy season begins in June, and medics have repeatedly warned that it threatens to make parts of the country inaccessible, while raising the risks of malaria, cholera and waterborne diseases. More than 1,800 people have been killed since battles began, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). Fighting has forced nearly 2 million people from their homes, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, the U.N. says. The head of the U.N. mission in Sudan, Volker Perthes, on Tuesday said the situation in Darfur "continues to deteriorate," with "an emerging pattern of large-scale targeted attacks against civilians based on their ethnic identities, allegedly committed by Arab militias and some armed men" in RSF uniforms. If these reports are verified, they "could amount to crimes against humanity," Perthes said. Also Tuesday, a government official said Sudan's army chief is not ready to meet Dagalo, after a regional bloc proposed a face-to-face encounter between the two. At a summit held in Djibouti on Monday, the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development announced it would expand the number of countries tasked with resolving the crisis, with Kenya chairing a quartet including Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. Latest developments: French President Emmanuel Macron pledges continued deliveries of ammunition, weapons and armed vehicles in the coming weeks, saying France wants Ukraines counteroffensive to be as successful as possible. U.S. President Joe Biden to host NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House after talks delayed by a day for Biden dental procedure. Russia-installed official says the death toll in Russia-controlled areas following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine rose to 17. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday a Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured 25 others. Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said Russia destroyed a five-story residential building in the attack and that rescuers were searching through the rubble. Kryvyi Rih is the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted on Telegram, Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people. Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch, Zelenskyy said. The attack on Kryvyi Rih was part of a wider aerial assault by Russia that also targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the city of Kharkiv. Ukraines military said it shot down 10 of 14 cruise missiles launched by Russia, as well as one of four Iranian-made drones used by Russian forces. Russias defense ministry said Tuesday its forces captured several German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicles during fighting in southern Ukraine. Russia called the hardware our trophies and said they were captured in the Zaporizhzhia area after Ukrainian crews fled. Ukrainian counteroffensive Ukraine said Monday it had recaptured seven villages since launching the counteroffensive last week with the aim of reclaiming areas occupied by Russian forces. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence Monday that Ukraine will continue to have success in what theyre trying to achieve, which is to take back the land thats been seized from them by Russia. Blinken told reporters the United States will continue to maximize our support to Ukraine now and also provide enduring support to help Ukraine deter Russia from invading again in the future. Its very important to note that, in terms of what President Putin was trying to achieve in Ukraine, its already been a strategic failure, because the objective that Putin had that he stated himself was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, and to absorb Ukraine, in one fashion or another, into Russia. That has failed and it cannot succeed, Blinken said. Zaporizhzhia nuclear power The United Nations atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is expected to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant this week to assess risks from the decrease of water levels at the Kakhovka reservoir. Grossi tweeted Monday that he was on his way to Ukraine to meet with Zelenskyy and discuss assistance following what he called the catastrophic flooding that followed the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine last week. The Kakhovka reservoir has lost nearly three-quarters of its volume of water, but it has not impacted the plant's cooling ponds, Ukrainian Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets said Monday. Ukrainian nuclear authorities said the water at the plant's cooling ponds remains stable and high enough because the ponds are separate from the reservoir and can be refilled by wells in the area. The water in the pond evaporates slowly, they said, because the reactors are not producing power. In Kherson, the United Nations is coordinating relief efforts for the Kakhovka disaster by delivering water, food and hygiene items to almost 180,000 people. Since the day of the disaster, the U.N. has distributed more than 800,000 liters of bottled water and 70,000 monthly rations of ready-to-eat food, U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Dujarric told reporters Monday, adding that the U.N. has also provided information to 100,000 people in the area about risks regarding mine contamination. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. JOHANNESBURG South Africa's ruling African National Congress party expelled its former secretary-general on Monday for misconduct and other breaches of party rules while he also faces charges of corruption in a criminal case. The once-influential Ace Magashule is on trial over the alleged misappropriation of money from a government contract worth more than $13 million when he was the premier of the Free State province before his rise to the top administrative position in the ANC. Magashule was suspended as secretary-general in 2021 after he was charged with multiple counts of corruption, money laundering and fraud. He was suspended in line with the ANC's "step-aside" policy, which requires those in leadership positions to step down from their roles while facing criminal charges. Magashule refused to step down and even issued a letter stating he was suspending South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, from his duties. His defiance and refusal to apologize for the letter led to him being charged with misconduct by the ANC's disciplinary committee. Magashule was found guilty of four breaches of party rules by the National Disciplinary Committee and given seven days to respond to the findings, the ANC said. He didn't respond, the party said. "Consequently, the NDC confirmed the expulsion of comrade Ace Magashule from the ANC as a final sanction," the party said in a statement Monday. Magashule is seen as close to Ramaphosa's political rival, former President Jacob Zuma, but his suspension led to him being sidelined from the ANC's conference in December, when Ramaphosa was reelected as party leader. Magashule, 63, faces criminal charges for allegedly personally benefiting from money meant to be used to remove asbestos from the homes of people in the Free State province where he was the premier from 2009 to 2018. His co-accused in the case include businessmen with close links to the ANC and former officials of the Free State provincial government, which he led at the time. Last month, Magashule had an appeal seeking the charges against him to be dismissed by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal. Zuma is also facing major corruption charges linked to an arms deal signed by the South African government in 1999 worth more than $1 billion. The charges relate to a time before Zuma was president, but while he was a politician on the rise within the ANC. The cases against Zuma and Magashule are seen as being at the forefront of Ramaphosa's drive to root out corruption in the ruling party and government in Africa's most industrialized economy, with the graft alleged to have become widespread during Zuma's presidency from 2009 to 2018. However, Ramaphosa has been implicated in his own scandal after being accused of breaching foreign currency regulations and failing to disclose the theft of a large amount of cash in U.S. dollars that was being kept at his ranch. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden Administration to punish South Africa for what they call its support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine by relocating an important trade meeting to another country, according to a letter published Tuesday in The New York Times. The lawmakers also said that South Africa's aid" for Russia, including allegedly supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, calls into question its eligibility to receive trade benefits from the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. South African Foreign Ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said Tuesday in a statement that the U.S. lawmakers letter had been noted but South Africa still enjoys the support of the U.S. government for its hosting of the AGOA meeting. South Africa's exports to the U.S. through AGOA were estimated at $3 billion last year. The U.S. is South Africa's second-biggest trade partner behind China. Moving November's AGOA meeting to another country would send a clear and important message that the United States continues to stand with Ukraine and will not accept our trading partners provision of aid to Russias ongoing and brutal invasion, the letter from lawmakers said. It said that despite the South African government's claim that it was neutral in the war in Ukraine, it had deepened its military relationship with Russia over the past year. The letter was dated June 9 and sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. It was signed by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Republican Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. AGOA is legislation passed by Congress that allows Sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for their exports provided they meet certain conditions. South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries. The U.S. considers South Africa an important political and economic partner even though the country especially its ruling African National Congress party has historic ties with Russia dating back to the days of the Soviet Union. Because of that, South Africa's government says it has adopted a non-aligned stance on the war in Ukraine. But while the U.S. largely accepts that position, it has viewed some of South Africa's recent actions as not being neutral but actively favoring Russia in the war. The U.S. concerns burst into the public sphere last month when U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety held a news conference in the South African capital of Pretoria and accused the country of providing arms to Russia in a cargo ship that made a secret visit to South Africa's main naval base in December. South Africa has denied the allegation but is investigating the visit of the Russian-flagged Lady R ship, which is under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting weapons for the Russian government. The lawmakers said there was U.S. intelligence that indicated South Africa had covertly supplied Russia with weapons on the Lady R. In their letter, they also referred to the visit of a Russian military plane, also under U.S. sanctions, to a South African airbase in April, and South Africa's decision to host Russian and Chinese warships for naval drills in February that coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africas damaging support for Russias invasion of Ukraine and possible violation of U.S. sanctions law, said the lawmakers' letter. South Africa was also working to facilitate the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit of emerging economies in Johannesburg in August, the U.S. lawmakers said, despite Putin being indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine. A senior official in South Africa's ruling party said recently it would welcome a visit by Putin. The Biden Administration has not spoken of any sanctions or punishment against South Africa, but AGOA has been mentioned by analysts in South Africa as a means by which the country might be punished. Any restriction of South Africa's trade with the U.S. would be deeply damaging to Africa's most developed country, which is wrestling with a stagnant economy, huge unemployment and an energy crisis. South Africas largest opposition party said it viewed the lawmakers' letter as an indication that Washington's patience with South Africa over its Russia relationship was fast diminishing. On Monday, the spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said any talk of formal sanctions for South Africa over Russia was reckless and purely alarmist. ___ Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this report. BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China is aiming to establish a quality and balanced basic public education system by 2027, according to a new set of guidelines jointly released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council. By 2035 China aims to become one of the world's leading countries in terms of the quality and equity of compulsory education services, the document says. In the coming years the authorities will work to close the education gap between developed and less-developed regions, with a focus on school facilities, and will continue to spend resources on less-developed regions in central and western China, according to the document. The education gap between urban and rural areas, among different schools and different groups of residents will also be addressed. Priority will be given to rural schools. The relevant authorities will work to ensure that all rural children of school age receive compulsory education, while more information technology will be introduced to improve the quality of education of rural schools. Headmasters and teachers will be encouraged to work at rural schools and those operating in inferior conditions. Policies and measures will be adopted to help children of migrant workers to attend schools where their parents work. The authorities will also provide better education services for orphans, children without support and care, children who are left behind in rural areas and those in difficult situations. More resources will also go to schools in regions with large ethnic minority populations to improve the quality of education there. The document pledges that the government will continue to increase the budget for education, particularly compulsory education. One on One with Joe Korkowski, is heard Saturdays on KXRA-1490AM / 100.3fm/105.7fm (@7:40am) and KXRA-92.3FM (@7:00am), as well as each Sunday morning on KXRZ Z99.3fm (@10:15am). The interview is also re-broadcast on Monday mornings on KX92 at 10:00am and on Z99 at 9:10am. St. Paul, Minnesota Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill to provide $841 million in federal CARES Act funding to Minnesotas cities, counties, and towns, and make new investments in the people of Minnesota. Cities would receive $350 million in aid, counties would receive $467 million, and towns would receive $24 million. These resources are needed by our local units of governments and the people they serve, which include small businesses, workers, families, senior citizens, veterans, law enforcement, first responders, people with disabilities, and others who need our help, said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), the bills chief author. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has left no stone unturned in harming our health, economy, and way of life. This legislation helps cover the huge cost of providing local services that have saved lives and are allowing Minnesota to safely and gradually reopen. In addition to direct aid to local governments, the bill includes $30 million in one-time grants to help cities, counties, and towns that are COVID-19 hotspots. In general, the federal dollars can be used for items that are a direct response to COVID-19, but cannot be used to cover a decline in revenue for a city, town or county. Counties are required to use at least 10 percent of their funding for a) emergency financial assistance for individuals (including help with overdue rent), and b) economic support for businesses (including assistance to those that closed voluntarily because of COVID). The legislation specifies that cities and towns must spend all of their aid by Nov. 15, 2020. Unexpended amounts must be sent to the home counties of these cities and towns. Counties must spend all their money by Dec. 1, 2020 and return unexpended funds to the Dept. of Revenue. SF 47 also includes critically needed investments in Minnesota and Minnesotans. These include the following: $21 million for increased compensation for personal care assistants (PCAs) One-time assistance for low-income families in the Minnesota Family Investment Program More than $38 million for continuity of service in Direct Care & Treatment programs. Funding in for child care assistance necessary to bring MN into federal compliance $18.5 million for overtime staffing for correctional officers Nearly $9 million to reimburse counties for federal funding that was rejected regarding care provided by counties at institutions for mental illness. Nearly $29 million to help the Leech Lake and White Earth bands repay overpayments they received from the federal government under Medical Assistance (MA) $6 million for the Minnesota Zoo $3.1 million to BCA to test and manage sexual assault examination kits, eliminate backlog $4.1 million for suicide prevention and housing assistance for veterans Our local governments have responded to COVID-19, keeping Minnesotans safe. This federal funding will help ensure they can continue to provide the services Minnesotans expect and deserve as we continue to contend with the pandemic and its impacts, said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. In addition to funding local governments, this bill includes temporary increases in wages for personal care assistants who care for vulnerable Minnesotans, will help prevent veteran suicides and homelessness, ensures untested rape kits get tested, and ensures we comply with federal law so we can access additional federal resources for child care. We cant do half the job and call it done. Our communities, our state, and Minnesotans need these investments in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. We have to move quickly and deliver for Minnesotans, and we hope Senate Republicans will join us. The legislation now goes back to the Senate, which can concur with the House amendments or refuse to accept the House changes and send the bill to a conference committee. This article was written on June 10. At that time, the only information available came from Russia and allied headquarters. Ukraine had imposed a total embargo on its counter-offensive. We should therefore have waited before publishing this text. However, we felt that if Ukraine had been able to break through Russias first line of defense, even if it hadnt managed to get into the breach, it would have let us know. We are therefore publishing this analysis. In six days, from June 4 to 10, 2023, the Ukrainian army launched its counter-offensive and suffered a terrible defeat. During the summer, Russian forces built two defense lines in the part of Novorossia they liberated and in the Donbass. They prevent the passage of all armored vehicles. Ukrainian forces have chosen a dozen points of attack to retake "enemy-occupied" territory. Their armored vehicles were unable to get through the first line of Russian defenses and piled up in front of it, where they were destroyed one by one by Russian artillery and suicide drones. At the same time, the Russian army targeted missiles at command centers and arsenals inside Ukrainian territory and destroyed them. The Ukrainian air defense system was destroyed by hypersonic missiles as soon as it was installed. In its absence, the Ukrainians were unable to carry out the maneuvers planned by Nato. Russia did not use any of its new weapons, apart from its NATO weapons jamming system and some of its hypersonic missiles. The border is now a long graveyard of tanks and men. Airports are full of smoking Mig-29 and F-16 wrecks. The staffs of the United States, the Atlantic Alliance and Ukraine are passing the buck for this historic disaster. Hundreds of thousands of human lives and 500 billion dollars have been wasted for nothing. Western weapons, which shook the world in the 90s, are now worthless compared to the Russian arsenal of today. Strength has changed sides. Two conclusions can already be drawn: Do not confuse the Ukrainian army with the "integral nationalists" While there is no longer a Ukrainian army capable of high-intensity warfare, there are still the forces of the "integral nationalists" (sometimes called "Banderists" or "Ukrainian-Nazis"). But they are only trained for low-intensity warfare. Its leaders went to fight in Chechnya in the late 90s on behalf of the CIA and NATO secret services, and sometimes in Syria in the 2020s. They are trained in targeted assassinations, sabotage and civilian massacres. Nothing more. They succeeded 1. In sabotaging the Russian-German-French-Dutch Nord Stream gas pipeline, plunging Germany and then the European Union into recession on September 26, 2022. 2. In sabotaging the Kerch Strait bridge (known as the "Crimean Bridge"), on October 8, 2022. 3. In attacking the Kremlin with drones, May 3, 2023 4. In using drones to attack the Ivan Kurs, the intelligence vessel defending the Turkish Stream gas pipeline in the Black Sea, on May 26, 2023. 5. In sabotaging the Kakhovka dam to split Novorossia in two, on June 6, 2023. 6. In sabotaging the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline to destroy the Russian mineral fertilizer industry, on June 7, 2023. Just as in the two World Wars and the Cold War, they proved their terrorist capabilities, but played no decisive role on the battlefield. Now more than ever, we need to distinguish between Ukrainians who thought they were defending their people, and the "integral nationalists" [1], who dont care about their compatriots and have been trying for a century to eradicate Russians and their culture. The Ukraine we knew is dead Until now, Ukraine has been above all a power of communication. Kiev succeeded in making people believe that the 2014 coup detat that overthrew a democratically elected president in favor of integral nationalists was a revolution. Likewise, it has managed to make people forget the way it crushed its citizens in the Donbass, refusing to give them access to public services, to pay civil servants salaries and pensions to the elderly and, ultimately, bombing its cities. Finally, it succeeded in convincing Westerners that Ukraine was a homogenous country with a single population living a common history. As in most wars, there is also a "civil war" aspect [2]. Today, everyone can see that, contrary to what was claimed, Vladimir Putins analysis was not a reconstruction of history, but a factual truth. The people of Donbass are profoundly Russian. The people of Novorossia (including Crimea) are of Russian culture, albeit with a different history (they have never known serfdom). Ukraine has never existed as an independent state in history, apart from one decade, during the periods 1917-22 and 1941-45, and three other decades, since 1991. During these three experiences, Kiev never stopped purging its people and massacring its citizens when the full nationalists were in power (1917-22 with Simon Petliura, 1941-45 with Stepan Bandera, and 2014-22 with Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelensky). In total, over the course of a century, the "integral nationalists" - as they call themselves - have murdered more than 3 million of their compatriots. During the First World War, the people of Novorossia had already risen up around the anarchist Nestor Makhno; during the Second World War, the people of Donbass and Novorossia rose up as Soviets; while this time, they are fighting against the "integral nationalists" in Kiev with Russian forces. The only way to stop these massacres is to separate the "integral nationalists" from the population of Russian culture they want to kill [3]. Since Nato staged a coup in 2014 and put them in power, theres no other way but to note the countrys current division and leave them in power in Kiev. It is the Ukrainians, and they alone, who will have to overthrow them. Current military operations have already done so. The part of the country liberated by the Russians voted in a referendum to join the Federation. However, last years Russian advance was halted by President Vladimir Putin as part of negotiations with Ukraine, conducted first in Belarus, then in Turkey. Odessa is still Ukrainian in law, even though it is culturally Russian. Transnistria is still Moldavian, even though it is culturally Russian. The war is technically over. No offensive can alter the current borders. Admittedly, the fighting may drag on and a peace treaty is a long way off, but the die is cast. There is still a problem in Ukraine and Moldavia: Odessa and Transnistria are still not Russian. Above all, there remains a fundamental problem: in violation of their oral and written commitments, the members of the Atlantic Alliance have stockpiled US weapons on Russias borders, jeopardizing its security. This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2020 shows a Kenya Airways plane arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Fred Mutune) Kenya Airways and Emirates said Monday they had signed an interline partnership that will offer increased travel options for customers between Africa and the Middle East. NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways and Emirates said Monday they had signed an interline partnership that will offer increased travel options for customers between Africa and the Middle East. The deal will allow customers of both airlines access to new destinations on the two airlines' networks within a single itinerary. Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer at Kenya Airways, said the partnership will provide the ideal gateway for their customers as the airline seeks to increase connectivity between Africa and the Middle East through Emirates' hub in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "Partnerships like these are key in aviation as they take advantage of mutual scale and efficiencies to provide customers with more seamless travel options," Thairu said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Under the deal, Emirates customers will now be able to fly to 28 destinations on the Kenya Airways network using Nairobi as the gateway, such as Nampula, Bangui, Bujumbura, Kigali, Dzaoudzi, Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Zanzibar, among many other regional points. The deal also enables Emirates passengers traveling via Dubai to book a single ticket itinerary from or to Mombasa, one of the most popular leisure destinations in Kenya. A worker is seen near a Kenya Airways passenger aircraft branded with images of rhinos in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 25, 2021. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua) Similarly, Kenya Airways passengers traveling from Nairobi and Mombasa will now be able to access the Emirates' network and seamlessly connect through Dubai to 23 destinations across West and South Asia, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East such as Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Ahmedabad, Beirut, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Seoul among others. Adnan Kazim, chief commercial officer of Emirates Airlines, said this new interline agreement will enhance connectivity for Emirates' customers and provide them with more travel choices across the continent. "We look forward to deepening our relationship with Kenya Airways, offering greater network opportunities and improving connections for both of our customers," Kazim added. The interline deal came after Kenya Airways launched direct flights between Mombasa and Dubai which offers customers four weekly flights. Photo: ATAS Sometimes it feels like Hollywood is run by a bunch of kids dumping all their action figures in the same sandbox. This weeks biggest movie pairs the Flash with an earlier generations Batman. Last weeks teased a literal toy crossover in its end credits. The week before that, we got an army of Spider-Men. But, these feats of IP mixing, though ambitious, dont serve any higher purpose beyond corporate synergy. To find a crossover event for a good cause, you must go back to the prehistoric past of 1990, when Bugs Bunny, Garfield, the Smurfs, Slimer, and other childhood faves set aside their fierce ratings rivalry in favor of a common goal: relentlessly shaming one casual teenage pothead out of his very minor drug habit. Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue was a half-hour animated drug-awareness special that aired simultaneously on all four major TV networks a first for any scripted program. It was not, to be clear, the first cartoon crossover or even the first time competing animation houses had allowed their flagship creations to hobnob: Three years earlier, the Flintstones met the Jetsons, and Robert Zemeckis negotiated a dueling-piano duet for Daffy and Donald in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? But in assembling representatives from no fewer than ten different running Saturday morning cartoons, owned by several different companies, Cartoon All-Stars was a major event a supposed TV Land ceasefire drawn in the name of public service. Thats how the special was billed anyway. It had a stamp of official approval from President George H.W. Bush and the First Lady, Barbara, who would later appear in a stilted introduction for the specials VHS release. Furthering the projects prestigious bona fides was an original song, Wonderful Ways to Say No, from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the Broadway composer-songwriter duo who won an Oscar for The Little Mermaid about one month before Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue aired. Headlines touted the short as a rare case of network cooperation and an important educational tool in the fight to keep Americas youth off the pipe, bottle, and needle. The behind-the-scenes story of how this dubiously altruistic enterprise came together has to be more interesting than the story Cartoon All-Stars actually tells. The special follows Michael, a 14-year-old kid from a suburban family so prototypically all-American it could only have been conceived in the 1950s or in Ronald Reagans 1980s. In the opening scene, Michael steals from his little sisters piggybank to buy marijuana, which he keeps squirreled away in a tin under his bed. His addiction takes the form of a sentient cloud of smoke voiced, no kidding, by George C. Scott. To save the kid from his vices, popular cartoon characters come nightmarishly crawling out of pictures and possessing the inanimate bodies of licensed plush toys. Overseas animation house Wang Film Productions committed to a truncated six-week timeline, and with all due respect to the surely exhausted animators who broke their backs making that deadline, it shows: Cartoon All-Stars looks pretty crummy though not, honestly, much worse than the majority of the regular shows from which it borrows its cast. That all of these cartoon ringers could seamlessly occupy the same universe without any stylistic clashing probably says something about the unremarkable visual uniformity of the Saturday morning programming from that era. Really, though, the specials true failure is in the message-delivery department; as anti-drug propaganda, its terminally dorky, an after-school special in cautionary nature if not particular time slot. Kids who grew up in the early 90s, when American classrooms became battle grounds for hearts and minds in the War on Drugs, will recognize the scare tactics: As Michaels animated buddies strongly imply, weed will lead to the harder stuff its that old gateway drug line of reasoning, this time delivered through the famous voice-actor pipes of Lorenzo Music, Jim Cummings, Frank Welker, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., and more. (Not among the more: Mel Blanc, who died shortly before the production, making Cartoon All-Stars the first time Bugs and Daffy were voiced by someone else.) Encouraging children not to get high (not yet, at least) is a noble pursuit, of course, but as with a lot of drug education in the States, Cartoon All-Stars hinges on admonishment without specifics. A funhouse ride through Michaels brain promises untold damage in the vaguest terms. (Actually, this is just one artists conception, clarifies Muppet Baby Gonzo, heading off any medical questions at the pass.) A Ghost of Christmas Futurestyle vision of Michael doesnt specify which substances, exactly, turned him into a ghoulish shriveled husk. The one harder drug that even gets name-checked is crack, which Michael declines to smoke even under peer pressure from his friends. Is this teen really at risk or is he just taking a few light puffs to unwind in the evening? The thing about kids is that theyre pretty good at smelling bullshit. They can often tell when theyre being lied or pandered to. Would Bugs Bunny be caught dead getting with George Bushs agenda? And are we really supposed to buy that famous party animal Michelangelo of the Ninja Turtles, a surprise guest not included on the poster, had never sampled the sticky icky? (Garfield, to be fair, seems like more of a beer guy. No wonder he hates Mondays and loves the certified hangover cure that is lasagna.) Meanwhile, any kids who werent turned off by a bunch of their favorite characters acting like D.A.R.E. representatives might have gotten the wrong idea entirely: Maybe if you start smoking grass, youll see all of your favorite cartoon characters in real life, too. In a sense, Cartoon All-Stars flips the strategy of those widely condemned Joe Camel ads, appealing to a young demographic via cartoon mascots, here discouraging rather than encouraging bad habits. Again, a virtuous mission, but also pretty rich, given who footed the bill: The special was financed by McDonalds, famous pushers of a highly addictive, highly unhealthy product. The fast-food corporation heavily promoted Cartoon All-Stars, though the commercials downplayed the anti-drug angle and played up the opportunity to see Alvin and the Chipmunks join forces with Winnie the Pooh. Maybe that was a smart ploy: If youre going to lure a bunch of adolescent couch potatoes into sitting still for a lecture, best to emphasize the sugar helping that medicine go down. But then, its debatable whether Cartoon All-Stars was ever really, at bottom line, about the message. Holding hands and sharing the airwaves wasnt just a noble act of public service by the executives at NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox. Like any crossover, it also promoted all participating parties. DuckTales fans could become Muppet Babies watchers overnight, and vice versa. It was a win-win for all involved and in that way, a preview of the corporate-synergy bargaining that led, say, Sony and Disney to reach an agreement about Spider-Man appearing alongside the Avengers. Maybe every generation gets the Reefer Madness they deserve. Older millennials got theirs in the form of an animated intervention that doubled as a test balloon for treating all available IP like draft picks for an all-star game. Whether or not the special really kept any kids off drugs, it presaged a different kind of addiction: the 21st-century craving for a dopamine hit that only ALF threatening to eat Garfield can provide. Arizona Recognizes Assyrian New Year Phoenix -- There are more than an estimated 400,000 Assyrians living in the U.S. today and a growing number live in or are moving to Arizona. It's an ancient culture speaking an ancient language, and the local Assyrian community is making sure their ancient traditions are kept alive. Ninorta Kasso is part of the Assyrian community in Arizona. She said, "If you don't know an Assyrian, you really don't know about the history of the people or their culture." Assyrian roots date back thousands of years to, "Biblical times, Mesopotamia, Babylon-that region. So those are the Assyrians," Kasso explains. The Assyrians are the indigenous people of certain regions of what is now modern-day Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. There is no current country named Assyria, but Kasso says they hold tight their connections to the land, and she's even done a birthright trip. Today more than 25,000 Assyrians all Arizona home and they work to keep their customs and traditions alive. Kasso said, "the biggest one is the Assyrian New Year." Recently Kasso headed up an effort to get the Assyrian New Year recognized in Arizona on April 1st thought the celebration typically lasts for 12 days. She and others recruited Arizona State Representative Judy Schwiebert to help. "Frankly I've lived in the Valley my whole life, but I never knew about the Assyrian American culture," Rep. Schwiebert said. Schwiebert sponsored the resolution and was able to get both state Democrats and Republicans to sign off. She said, "This is a non-partisan thing. To really help celebrate our constituents." On March 20th the House passed the resolution and ten days later the Senate. The community celebrated Assyrian New Year 6773 on April 1st, 2023. It's a moment Kasso and fellow Assyrians won't forget. "The feeling that recognition of who the Assyrians are and the celebration of the Assyrian New Year, it was just amazing," she explained. Kasso hopes this resolution will help other Assyrians living in Arizona feel seen and know this is a state that celebrates who they are. She said, "We are extremely resilient. We are a resilient group of people." In the future Kasso would like the state to recognize the Assyrian Genocide by the Ottomans in the Middle East. That took place from 1914 to 1923 when more than 300,000 Assyrians were killed. For now, she's hoping the community will continue to grow in the state she now calls her home. This aerial photo shows the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Tourists take photos in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) A tourist takes photos in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) This photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) This aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) A tourist watches a music show in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) Tourists visit the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) A tourist watches a tea art show in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Tourists visit the Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Tourists visit the the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) This stitched aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) This aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) A tourist visits the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Europe, China and North America are all struggling with heat waves but in contrast to the consensus of the 2015 Paris climate accord, the world is deeply divided on how to confront climate change. MORE COVERAGE Among that number are suicides, teenage runaways or people suffering from dementia, but a large proportion of them are what the Japanese call jouhatsu, or evaporated people. And they often hire a yonige-ya (fly-by-night shop) to help them pack up their lives and disappear. Id heard about these companies, but as Id never interviewed anyone involved with them, I wondered if they were real, because they seemed like fiction, says Adelstein, who is on the Zoom call from Paris while on a tour for his new book, Tokyo Detective. But then Shoko found this woman, Saita San (Miho Saita), who ran her own company. Once she came on board we realised it was legit and also how surprisingly easy it was to vanish and become someone else in Japan. About 20 years ago Saita escaped a violent marriage by disappearing and starting a new life. She decided to establish her own yonige-ya, assisting people who were in abusive relationships, bad marriages or massive debt (often to loan companies associated with the yakuza). Japan is a high-pressure cooker, and if you dont give people some out from a bad situation, theyre either going to kill themselves or find a way to escape, says Adelstein. Where I worked at the newspaper (Yomiuri Shimbun, from 1993 to 2005), we had a thing called bonenkai, which translates as forget the year party. It was always a drunken brawl where we all did and said terrible things. Investigative journalist Jake Adelsteins 2009 memoir Tokyo Vice has been adapted into a TV series. Credit: Then the next day no one said anything, as if it never happened. So evaporating is like one big bonenkai. Its basically saying Im gone, Im forgotten. In some ways, Japanese society is set up to assist with the vanishing process, from the countrys strong privacy laws to the lack of reliance on photo ID. In the US you really need photo ID, says Plambeck. But thats not the case in Japan. I found out from multiple sources that you can walk into the so-called slums of Tokyo or Osaka and find people willing to sell their koseki, which is an identity paper with no photo ID, for the equivalent of $US3000. That was pretty shocking to hear. Throughout the podcast the team dug into different aspects of the evaporated, such as the best-selling manuals on how to vanish and start a new life, and the unsolved 2018 disappearance of Frenchwoman Tiphaine Veron in the popular Japanese tourist spot Nikko. They even attended a three-day course at a detective school in Sapporo to learn the methods gumshoes use to track people down. But what about the fate of Morimoto, the missing accountant? Adelstein and Plambeck tried every way imaginable to find him. They visited his old place of work, talked to other clients, combed through his social media, and even joined a website for sugar daddies where hed registered. Nothing. We were in the final month of making the podcast and I didnt have high hopes of ever finding him, says Plambeck. We didnt know how we were going to wrap things up. Reading between the lines, it sounded to me like hed inherited a terrible client or two at his old company who were involved in criminal activity, says Adelstein. He knew it was illegal, he didnt want to do it and he wanted out. That would be a huge motivating factor for him wanting to disappear. Its like Tom Cruise in The Firm, where he realises hes working for the bad guys and hes becoming a bad guy, so he decides to run away. Loading The two of them were literally on their way to Morimotos parents house to knock on their door as a last resort when Adelstein got a message from him, finally responding to one of their many attempts to get in touch. Under the pretence that Adelstein needed more accounting work done, Morimoto agreed to meet for dinner. While avoiding the elephant in the room why and how he disappeared he told Adelstein and Plambeck he now worked as a corporate planner for an environmentally conscious fruit company, and that he left his former firm when one of his co-workers died of a perforated ulcer due to all the stress. But eventually, Adelstein knew hed have to confront him. He organised another meeting at a bar and finally revealed to Morimoto the true reason for tracking him down was not to ask about doing his taxes, but to talk to him about his disappearance for the podcast. Morimoto got up, politely thanked him for the drink and walked out of the bar. Adelstein never heard from him again. This time, hed evaporated for good. KABUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police arrested 20 people on charge of involvement in criminal activities in eight of Afghanistan's 34 provinces on Monday, said a statement of the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs released here Tuesday. The arrested people were involved in illegal activities such as robbery, mobile snatching, forgery, theft, drug smuggling and creating law and order problems in the country, the statement said, adding that further investigations are underway. In a similar crackdown, police arrested 40 alleged criminals in Kabul, Kunduz, Kunar, Herat, Badghis, Kandahar, Faryab, Takhar, Uruzgan and Farah provinces last week. The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on criminal elements elsewhere in Afghanistan to ensure law and order in the war-torn country. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has in parliament accused Victorian Liberal senator David Van of harassing and sexually assaulting her. The allegation was made by Thorpe soon after question time on Wednesday as Van made a speech accusing the Labor Party of disgraceful behaviour in its handling of the Brittany Higgins sexual assault allegations. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe during Senate question time on Wednesday. Credit: Mick Tsikas / AAP Even yesterday and today the muck that has been thrown from that side [Labor] to this side [Liberal] at senators Cash and Reynolds is really just not on and makes a mockery of your words, he said. As parliamentarians, we need to be focused on setting the standards. As Van speaks, Thorpe can be heard interjecting and calling out the word perpetrator and You can talk! You can talk! You know what you were doing around this time, you know what you were doing around this time dont you Van? You got away with a lot. Senate deputy president Andrew McLachlan repeatedly attempted to stop Thorpe from interjecting. Then the former Greens senator rose on a point of order and said: Im feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence. Victorian Liberal senator David Van in the Senate on Wednesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen McLachlan replied: Thats inappropriate and I have to ask you to withdraw that. Thorpe said: I cant because this person harassed me, sexually assaulted me and the prime minister had to remove him from his office [relocate offices within parliament]. And to have him talking about this today is an absolute disgrace, on the whole party. As Thorpe sat down, McLachlan said he would have to refer her comments to the Senate President Sue Lines. Van then rose to his feet and said: I utterly reject that statement, that disgusting statement, outright. It is just a lie and I reject it. I withdraw the word lie. It is just not true. Watch footage of the exchange here. Cristina Corales sold her home in Sydney and poured her money and time into saving street dogs in Peru, but she suffered a tragic end when a blind dog she was walking disturbed a bees nest and she was stung to death. Her family paid tribute to her inspirational volunteer work, which meant caring for and rehoming hundreds of street dogs in her dog-rescue centre in Puerto Maldonado since 2010. She took in more than 20 homeless dogs at a time to provide them with shelter. Cristina Corales has been remembered for her inspirational work. Corales was out walking the dogs last Wednesday when her family believes they disturbed a bees nest. The swarm attacked the 78-year-old, leaving her with more than 100 stings on her face alone. She died at 6am on June 9, about 36 hours after the attack. She was not thought to be allergic to bees. The blind dog Jairo was also stung to death, while the other dogs escaped. People in the small town where Corales ran the Peru Street Dogs sanctuary have been holding vigils for the much-loved Australian. The Department of Defence is shaping up as the likely owner of one of Western Australias biggest-ever white elephant projects: the 500-bed, $400 million Bullsbrook quarantine facility. A Commonwealth Department of Finance spokeswoman confirmed it was considering defence as the likely operator of the Centre for National Resilience facility when the WA governments operational responsibilities expired in October this year. The Bullsbrook quarantine facility has sat empty since its completion in September 2022. Credit: Multiplex The Commonwealth is considering its own potential uses, for instance by the Department of Defence, the spokeswoman said. Any future arrangement with the Department of Defence would facilitate Defence use while maintaining reserve capability for resilience uses if required, i.e., for quarantine or natural disaster accommodation. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Andrew Wu discuss the Bombers, who are in the eight where no one expected them to be and playing seriously good footy. Peter Wright is back, a huge in for the second half of the year, and they look even stronger with him in the side. They have some issues, but they defend well. In fact, the Blues and Bombers have flipped circumstances in 2022 and 2023. Essendon have Collingwood in round 23 this year. Like Carlton before them, could the Bombers place in the eight hinge on getting a result against the Pies in the final round? Meanwhile, Carltons slump continues, but there is debate among the panel about just how disappointing the loss to Essendon was on Sunday night. How much is anxiety playing into their performances? Is next season salvageable, if not this year? Melbourne have struggled in recent Queens Birthday clashes. But in the first Kings Birthday match, they accounted for Collingwood. The Demons did a number on Collingwoods ball movement, were much better in the contest and were set up well behind the ball. It felt like a five-goal win with a four-point margin. But inefficiency gave the Pies a chance. How important was the victory for Melbourne? Do Collingwood have any reason to panic? Will the teams meet again in the finals? The predictable hue and cry no more politicians! usually thwarts such attempts. Just as important an impediment is section 24 of the Constitution. It is the so-called nexus provision, which requires that the number of MPs shall be, as nearly as practicable, twice the number of senators. Therefore, any increase to the size of the House of Representatives requires a proportionate increase in the size of the Senate. Don Farrell is probably the shrewdest person in cabinet. A wily old fox like him does nothing without a reason. Farrells reference has been interpreted as laying the early groundwork for an increase in the size of the House of Representatives. Various Labor figures have told this masthead that the idea is under active consideration. The Australia Institute, among others, has made submissions to the inquiry recommending a one-third increase, to 234. After each federal election, the committee conducts a review into how it was run, in particular the performance of the Australian Electoral Commission. The responsible minister (the special minister of state) may also refer additional matters to the review. In the reference after last years election, the minister, Senator Farrell, requested the committee advise on proportional representation of the states and territories in the parliament, in the context of the democratic principle of one vote one value. Its report is due later this year. The joint standing committee on electoral matters is one of the least-publicised, but most important, groups within the parliament. Its task is to keep the electoral system under review and up to scratch. The last time the size of the Parliament was increased was 1983. The number of MPs had been 120 since 1948; the Hawke government increased it to 148. In the 40-odd years between 1948 and 1984, the electoral roll had more than doubled, from 4.8 million to 9.9 million. Because of section 24, it was also necessary to increase the size of the Senate from 10 for each state to 12. The governments only objective had been to increase the number of seats in the House. Enlarging the senate was an unwelcome but constitutionally unavoidable by-product. But it had profoundly important, and apparently unforeseen, consequences. The increase in the size of the Senate not only meant, at a half-Senate election, reducing the quota for election (from 16.7 per cent to 14.3 per cent). It also meant changing from an odd to an even number from five to six the number of senators to be elected. This had the result of making it extremely difficult for a major party to win a Senate majority. When there were five senators elected from each state, the odds were that the victorious party at the general election would win three out of five, at least in most states. But when the number elected is six, the party winning the general election was very unlikely to win more than three out of six the fourth quota is just too high (57.1 per cent) Since, unlike the Speaker, the President of the Senate does not have a casting vote, winning half the positions in every state and territory is not enough for control. Hawke failed to appreciate this. In the years since, a government has only once won more than three seats at a half-Senate election. In Queensland in 2004, the Coalition parties, running separate tickets and attracting different preference flows, won four out of the six seats: three Liberals (of whom I was one) and one National (Barnaby Joyce). That gave the Howard government control of the Senate. The last senator elected the man who handed Howard his majority was the Liberal Russell Trood. The years 2004-2007 were the last time any government controlled the Senate in its own right. (Troods political career was short, honourable and classy. He only served one term. Before his election, he had been a professor of international relations at Griffith University. He earned a second footnote in history by being the only member of Howards backbench to speak up in the party room to warn against the Iraq war. What would those international relations professors know?) Warsaw: The Chinese government has attempted to shut down an upcoming art exhibition featuring artworks by Australian human rights defender Badiucao that depict President Xi Jinping devouring a child. The show, due to open on Friday at the Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art in Warsaw, Poland, focuses on Xis support for Russian leader Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the partnership the pair declared on the eve of the attack. Chinese-Australian artist Badiucao is preparing for an exhibition at the Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art in Warsaw. Credit: Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art China has since attempted to play peacemaker in the conflict, but it has not condemned Russias invasion, nor called for Putin to withdraw his invading army as part of its proposal for peace. Chinas embassy representative in Poland, Yao Dongye, visited the Warsaw museum last week, and the venue released a statement saying the embassy had tried to have the show stopped. The light aircraft issued a mayday alert due to engine failure during the journey over the Amazon rainforest in the southern Caqueta department, the civil aviation authority said in a statement at the time. A soldier stands in front of the wreckage of the Cessna C206 that crashed in the jungle of Solano in the Caqueta state of Colombia. Credit: AP The bodies of the three adults were found in wreckage by military searchers, including the pilot of the Avianline Charter commercial flight, two weeks after the crash. One report suggested the children had been sitting at the back of the plane, which endured less damage in the crash. With the four children unaccounted for, a mass search was launched, before the discovery of personal belongings, a feeding bottle, used nappies, half-eaten pieces of fruit and footprints in areas close to the crash site, maintaining hopes that they would be found alive. Since their rescue, the children have claimed their mother, Magdalena Mucutui Valencia, in fact survived for four days after the May 1 crash. The father of two of the youngest children, Manuel Ranoque, told local reporters the childrens mother would have told the children to go away and leave the wreckage site to survive. A feeding bottle found during the search for the four children lost in the Amazon. Credit: Colombian army The search in virgin jungle terrain We are looking for them. Dont move any further, stay near a stream or ravine. Make noise. Make smoke. We are going to save them. We are close by. Your grandmother Fatima and family are looking for you. The text was printed on thousands of bright pink leaflets in Spanish and in the childrens indigenous language, Uitoto, dropped and distributed by rescue teams in the search area. In total, 10,000 leaflets were dropped in the dense forest from helicopters at low altitude, along with 100 survival kits containing food, flares, water and whistles. Helicopter speakers also blared voice messages recorded by their grandmother to reassure the children that a search rescue operation was under way. Search operations intensified about three weeks after the crash when the military discovered an improvised shelter-like structure held together by hair elastics, with shoes and scissors also found in the vicinity. More than 160 soldiers were involved in the search, which military forces said could canvas an area of about 323 square kilometres, or 80 per cent of the area of Bogota, a city of 8 million people. Confusion over the search emerged when President Petro on May 18 claimed in a statement on Twitter that the children had been found. After arduous searching by our military, we have found alive the four children who went missing after a plane crash in Guaviare. A joy for the country, Petro said in the now-deleted tweet. He later issued an apology, retracting the statement and saying that the military and indigenous communities were continuing their tireless search to give the country the news it is waiting for. How they survived After first surviving the deadly crash that killed their mother, the children faced harrowing conditions in some of the thickest and most untouched rainforest terrain in the ancient Amazon jungle. Jaguars, snakes and mosquitos all inhabit the area, while much of the flora, seeds and fruits are deadly. Indigenous elders said the jungle was in harvest, adding that the children would have also faced intense rainstorms. The children are members of the Huitoto ethnic group, meaning they were better equipped than most to navigate and survive the dangerous conditions. Speaking to Colombian media, the childrens aunt said the family often played a survival game together growing up. When we played, we set up like little camps, Damarys Mucutuy said. She said 13-year-old Lesly knew what fruits she cant eat because there are many poisonous fruits in the forest. And she knew how to take care of a baby. Indigenous expert Alex Rufino told BBC Mundo the children were in a very dark, very dense jungle, where the largest trees in the region are. It is an area that has not been explored. The towns are small, and they are next to the river, not in the jungle, he said. The childrens maternal grandmother, Fatima Valencia, told Agence France-Presse that the eldest child, Lesly, had a warrior-like nature and always took care of her younger siblings, while their grandfather said the nine- and four-year-old brothers were very skilled at walking through the forest terrain. The rescue Almost two weeks ago, Colombian General Pedro Sanchez said his forces had a 100 per cent expectation of finding them alive. One of the four brothers is taken on a stretcher from a military aircraft that helped in the rescue. Credit: AP The commander of the Joint Command of Special Operations said some soldiers had walked more than 1600 kilometres during the search, which he said was far more challenging than searching for a needle in a haystack. Its like finding a tiny flea in a huge rug that moves in unpredictable directions ... the children are on the move, he said at the time. Colombias President, Gustavo Petro, greets a nurse tending to one of the four children at a military hospital in Bogota, Colombia. Credit: Colombian Presidential Press Office When further footprints, likely to belong to 13-year-old Lesly, were discovered at the start of the month, just over three kilometres north-west of the crash site, hopes were raised again. Colombias military heralded the discovery of the children on Friday, releasing photos of a group of soldiers with the four children in the middle of the jungle. Emotional scenes broadcast on Colombian television showed Colombian Air Force soldiers giving medical attention inside a plane to the surviving children during their air transfer to Bogota, where they are now in hospital reunited with family. Im hungry and my mum is dead are among the first things the children said to rescuers, local media reported. Manuel Ranoque, father of the two youngest indigenous children who survived. Credit: AP President Petro and first lady Veronica Alcocer visited the children at the central military hospital in Bogota on Saturday, giving them gifts and meeting their relatives and doctors. Manuel Ranoque, the father of the one-year-old and four-year-old siblings, said their survival was a miracle of God. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday met with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, with both sides pledging to enhance cooperation. Li noted that in March this year, the two countries' leaders made the important political decision to establish diplomatic relations, turning over a new page in bilateral ties. He said China greatly appreciates the firm commitment Honduras has made to abide by the one-China principle, and its choice to stand on the right side of history. "China is willing to work with Honduras to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state to promote the vibrant development of cooperation in various fields," Li said. He said that China and Honduras are new friends and partners, and they should be good friends and partners that value mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. China staunchly supports Honduras in safeguarding its independence, and is willing to strengthen coordination with Honduras in multilateral affairs, Li added. He urged the two countries to make efforts to advance rapid and steady progress in pragmatic cooperation, and to conduct people-to-people exchanges actively. He said China is ready to tap further into trade potential, accelerate the synergizing of follow-up matters concerning imports of specialty products from Honduras, kick off the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, carry out investment and financing cooperation in a prudent manner, and accelerate the construction of projects to improve people's well-being. China hopes Honduras will provide a favorable and facilitating environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and establish businesses in the country, Li noted. Castro said that Honduras attaches great importance to relations with China, and it adheres to the one-China principle. The Honduran side is ready to work with China to promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance cooperation in such areas as agriculture, poverty reduction and infrastructure construction to bring bilateral ties onto a steady and sound track and to bring more benefits to the two peoples. The WCO and HUFS launched the first Small Island Economies (SIEs) Scholarship Programme on Monday, 5th June 2023. This initiative, financially supported by CCF-Korea, aims to enhance the capabilities of young and promising Customs officers from SIEs. The programme is specifically designed to benefit ten Customs officers from SIEs, spanning a period of twelve weeks. During this time, participants will delve into theoretical frameworks and engage in cross-cultural learning experiences. At the opening ceremony, participants were warmly welcomed by Dr. Taeil KANG, Director of the Capacity Building Directorate at the WCO, Dr. Jeong-Woon Park, President of HUFS, and Ms. Hee Min, Head of the International Cooperation Division of the Korea Customs Service. All the speakers encouraged the passionate participants seeking to expand their knowledge and practical skills in the field of Customs to actively engage in discussions and debates. They expressed their full support for the scholarship programme. The curriculum of the program offers a wide range of courses that cover practical information and theoretical frameworks. It includes core courses taught by experienced academic faculty, practical courses provided by the Korean Customs Service through lectures and workshops, as well as sessions conducted by the WCO experts that focus on WCO tools and instruments for SIEs. Prominent domain experts, professors, and WCO staff are invited to deliver these topics. The WCO has developed the Guidance for Customs Administrations in Small Island Economies to address their unique challenges and harness their immense trade potential. This comprehensive guide, approved during the 137th Session of the WCO Council, outlines measures to enhance risk management, trade facilitation, security, and revenue collection. The Scholarship Programme was established within this context. The following countries are participating in the SIEs scholarship programme: Dominican Republic, Fiji, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. The WCO plans to continue providing this programme for officials from SIEs Member administrations. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. As part of the its multi-year strategic Mercator collaboration with Namibia Revenue Authority (NamRA) under the framework of the United Kingdoms His Majestys Revenue & Customs (HMRC) funded Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, the WCO conducted an in-country AEO technical assistance mission from 8 to 11 May 2023. The objective is to support NamRA with the expansion of its current Preferred Trader Programme, which is similar to an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Compliance Programme, to other economic operators in the international supply chain beyond importers and exporters. Moreover, as per its Annual Performance Plan, NamRA aims to establish a full AEO Programme in line with the WCO SAFE Framework on Standards, which would also require safety and security criteria to be adhered to. The Namibian initiative is noteworthy also in a regional context considering that Southern African Customs Union (SACU) has recently signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement to recognize AEOs across the region. The WCO team comprised of two WCO experts from Turkey and South Africa. Together with representatives from different NamRA units such as the Trade Facilitation Division, Risk Management, Post Clearance Audit, Registration and Licensing, and Communications, the team zoomed in on the desired expansion of the current Preferred Trader Programme and the possible validation techniques for different types of economic operators as well as related business models, and cooperation and harmonization with partner governmental agencies on AEO validations. Furthermore, recognizing that clear and known benefits are key to successful AEO programmes as a partnership between the private sector and Customs, the deliberations also focused on possible additional benefits for the Preferred Trader and the future AEO Programme respectively, as well as an outreach and communication plan. The mission included a visit to the premises of the only certified Preferred Trader of NamRA. The company expressed its excitement and willingness to join a pilot programme with its supply chain for the transition from Preferred Trader to full AEO implementation. The deliberations and recommendations were concluded in an Action Plan. The WCO looks forward to its continued partnership with NamRA under the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme for quicker, easier and less costly cross-border trade for sustainable development and economic growth. WCO capacity building and technical assistance is provided, among others, on the Time Release Study on the port of Walvis Bay, Customs Valuation, and Coordinated Border Management. For more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here. For more information on WCO capacity building, please, contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org. The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with GIZ and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), held a basic national training workshop on rules of origin in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 May to 02 June 2023, with the participation of Customs officials from different units and border stations within the Customs Services department, other Government agencies and private sector stakeholders. The workshop was organized under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), The objective of the workshop was to assist KRA and stakeholders in enhancing their knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin and contribute to the seamless implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and relevant Free trade agreements (FTAs). The training workshop was held in parallel with the training of trainers for the Kenya School of Revenue Administration. In his opening remarks during the joint opening session for the two workshops, Dr Bernard Baimwera, Dean of Studies, Kenya School of Revenue Administration, representing the Commissioner of Customs, thanked the WCO and the EU for their support in building capacity on rules of origin and stressed that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is based on rules of origin and the free movement of goods on the continent and that trade facilitation will help Africa rise. He also added that the partnership with the WCO benefits the national Customs Administration, the country as well as the sustainable development of the African continent. The Trade Policy Advisor, Ms Brenda Nyambura, in her opening remarks, stated that the Federal Republic of German through GIZ is committed to supporting the government of Kenya and has a specific AfCFTA Support Programme for Kenya. The programme focuses on strengthening the capacity of government ministries and agencies and the private sector in various fields including rules of origin in alignment with other donors such as the current partnership with WCO under the EU- WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme. She further thanked the WCO for the support provided for the training workshop. During the workshop participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, and the establishment of efficient origin management. Further, the WCO facilitators presented the Revenue Package initiatives, including the Guidelines on Origin Certification, Preferential Origin Verification and Advance Rulings, which have been designed to assist WCO Members in bringing the provisions in Free Trade Agreements into the application. Participants presented the challenges in implementing trade agreements and AfCFTA implementation status. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern such as certification, verification and administrative cooperation. The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with GIZ and KRA on enhancing Customs officials and stakeholders knowledge of rules of origin through capacity building for efficient implementation of free trade agreements. For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org This aerial photo taken on June 13, 2023 shows a view of Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) This aerial photo taken on June 13, 2023 shows people visiting a flower field in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) People rest at a beverage shop in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) People visit a flower field in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 13, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) A woman livestreams at a flower field in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 13, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) A worker of a homestay prepares a paddle board for a customer in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) People rest at a coastal coffee shop in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) The owner of a coffee shop makes coffee for customers in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) Tourists disembark from a ship after offshore sightseeing in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING FRIENDLY TIES Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE AS POLITICAL FOUNDATION Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. ENHANCING COOPERATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China has released guidelines on promoting the integration of industry and education in the vocational education sector, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The country will build and cultivate more than 10,000 enterprises focused on the integration of industry and education. It will also ensure that industrial needs are better integrated into the process of personnel training, said the guidelines jointly released by the NDRC and seven other departments on Tuesday. It will give priority to the development of innovative industries including advanced manufacturing, new energy, new materials, biotechnology and artificial intelligence, the document said. By 2025, there will be about 50 national pilot cities focused on the integration of industry and education, according to the document. The integration between industry and education in the vocational education sector plays an important role in building a modern industrial system and supporting Chinese modernization with the high-quality development of the population, NDRC noted. READING, Pa. Members of Reading City Council said they stand strongly behind the police department in response to controversy that has arisen in the aftermath of the June 3 arrest of a protestor at a Pride flag-raising at city hall. Chief of Police Richard Tornielli took an opportunity Monday night at council's Committee of the Whole meeting to express what he said the police have experienced since the event. "Our police department has been flooded with thousands and thousands of phone calls to the point that last Tuesday, we saw 700 phone calls during the daytime hours," Tornielli said. "They have inundated our communication center," he said, "and it has, to some degree, impacted public safety because our call takers have been fielding these calls all day long, all hours of the day." Tornielli said the calls began to taper off towards the end of last week, but have once again begun to ramp up as a result of different media outlets picking up on the story. "The thing that is troubling beyond the fact that it potentially has impacted public safety is that many of these calls are harassing," he explained. "The language involved in some of these phone calls is utterly disgusting." "Even worse is that the phone calls include threats of violence to police officers and to their family members, including publishing personal information of police officers and their family members online," Tornielli said. He said that 99.9% of the phone calls are coming from outside the county and the state. "This is completely unacceptable," Tornielli added. "Our folks go out there every day, and they do a difficult job, and they have to make decisions that many people don't even want to think about making." 2:14 Charges dropped for man arrested for disorderly conduct at Reading Pride flag-raising After reviewing videos of the incident, the Berks County District Attorney's Office said charges of disorderly conduct against Damon Atkins have been withdrawn. "But then to be subjected on this on top of it," he continued, "it's just extremely inappropriate, and there's been a silence from folks in our community who are leaders and who can influence individuals to condemn that behavior as wholly inappropriate." Reading police handcuffed and arrested Damon Atkins at the flag-raising after he began quoting scripture in an elevated voice from across the street from city hall. Last Wednesday, the Berks County District Attorney's Office announced the disorderly conduct against Atkins had been withdrawn after reviewing videos of the incident. Council President Donna Reed said she was sorry for what the police have had to endure. "I believe in freedom of speech, but there are parameters of decency and civility," Reed said. "I am never quite sure how people think they are making a point when they are showing their bias or natures, as they think they're making a point." Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz said Reading has become a target. "I do believe that because we're receiving so many things from outside the community, I think this is broader, and Reading is just becoming the target," Goodman-Hinnershitz said. "And I have to tell you, I've been receiving personal text messages things about my personal life that I was surprised people knew about," she said. "This goes beyond just what the initial rally was about, and they're widening their scope that we need to be prepared to look at what tools are available to us to take action." "I'm going to ask council president what we might want to do as the body to take action," Goodman-Hinnershitz added. Reed responded, saying, "Well, from my standpoint, I would like to think that everyone who has served or is serving or will ever serve on this body stands firmly behind our police department." "We know how strongly dedicated you are to the city, and we want no harm whatsoever to come to our police officers, to their families or to anyone involved in city government," Reed said. "I believe some of these emails that we have seen have thrown a wide net over all of us in every capacity here within the city," she continued. "I've been really concerned about the safety of folks here and all, and I know you, you all have as well. As a body, I would hope we all stand firmly in our commitment to all of you (members of the police department)." Councilman Chris Daubert said he wanted to publicly thank the police department. "We certainly support our officers, and it's really concerning when I hear of actual threats being made," Daubert said. "We pride ourselves on being a diverse community in every possible way, and I know our police department supports that." "So, as you support the diversity our community exhibits, we support your actions to help us live in a peaceful way and all of us celebrating our differences and enjoying the complements we can all bring to each other," he added. READING, Pa. Reading City Council members on Monday night heard Reading Chief of Police Richard Tornielli address concerns over two incidents of gun violence on Saturday and Sunday. Shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, police responded to a shooting at a house party in the city's Oakbrook neighborhood. An 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound was transported to Reading Hospital, where he later died. Late Sunday night, a 15-year-old and 22-year-old were both shot after what appeared to be a fight between the two. Both are currently listed in serious condition, Tornielli said. "At this time, these two incidents do not appear to be connected at all, as there's no connection between the victims or anything involving those two incidents," Tornielli said. "But again, they're concerning," he added. "They're concerning because we have a number of young individuals who are both the potential actors and the victims of these shootings." "And these are things that we're seeing frequently," Tornielli continued. "We're seeing younger and younger individuals involved in crimes of violence here in the city. And we're seeing more and more of these disputes, whether it be domestic or just simply arguments on the street turning towards gun violence." Tornielli reminded council that the police cannot predict when or where folks on the street are going to start arguing with each other and then use guns to resolve the disputes. "We play a small part in the violence reduction and prevention here in the city," Tornielli said. "But we can't be the only answer to these problems. We need the community to step up. We need organizations who have stated that they're here to prevent violence, to assist in violence prevention, to step up and do those things. This isn't something we can police our way out of." Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz said the chief made a good point. "You can't arrest your way out of certain things," she said. "You can respond and do an excellent job of the investigation part. I really believe as a city we need to revisit the money that we've invested in our youth violence prevention initiatives." Councilwoman Melissa Ventura said people in the community want more police presence, but said she understands the city does not have the resources for that. "There are organizations out there I'm not going to name them who are heavy on the streets and in the schools," Ventura said. "There are the nonprofit organizations that are out there trying to make a difference or making a difference." Ventura said she had previously requested that council meet with the organizations, but it was never scheduled. Council President Donna Reed suggested such a meeting take place on July 6 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. "It's an opportunity, I think, to get both the council body and these organizations on the same page about expectations," Reed said. READING, Pa. Reading City Council voted Monday night to table a proposed ordinance to allocate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Reading Redevelopment Authority to be used for the acquisition, remediation and disposition of blighted properties in the city. The proposed ordinance states that the authority has a plan to address blighted properties with an annual goal of fifty such properties per year, as funding allows. Councilwoman Melissa Ventura said she would like to see a plan presented by the redevelopment authority. Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz raised concerns with the proposal. "When I look at this on the surface, I completely support it with needing more details," Goodman-Hinnershitz said. "But then it also runs counter to the fact that the redevelopment authority owns blighted properties that they're putting up for auction." "So, I'm trying to figure out a continuity of how the decision-making is occurring," she said. "I think the only answers are going to really come from talking with the authority." Councilman Chris Miller said he has mixed feelings regarding the plan. "On the one hand, this is so important," Miller said. "We've talked about this and talked about it and talked about it. I just don't want to see it be slowed down." "It's probably one of the biggest priorities that the city needs to address not the biggest, one of the biggest," he said. "But I do understand that with more information and more clarity, the more comfortable it is to move forward with something." Council President Donna Reed asked the administration to invite members from the authority to address council on Tuesday, June 20, and then the ordinance could be voted on the following Monday. "We want to keep the conversation moving," Reed said. "Blight is clearly a huge issue in the city, and it will be interesting to see how the redevelopment authority is working with their properties." During public comment, Rev. Evelyn Morrison spoke against the proposed ordinance. "My concern is that the Reading Redevelopment Authority should be brought back under the city so that we could be able to direct it properly," Morrison said. "Now, the members of the board are people who have vested interests in what happens with blighted property and with the land development bank, and I think that's a conflict of interest." "I'm saying to you, we're spending too much money looking at these properties that redevelopment wants to purchase when they haven't been good stewards over the properties that they did have that they auctioned them out," Morrison added. "They never refer people to community and economic development for the grants that they need to help fix up their houses and provide decent and safe housing for the public," she said. Two Lehigh Valley companies are among the several in Pennsylvania named on Inc. magazine's best workplaces for 2023. myHr Partner, a human resources outsourcing firm based in the Allentown area, and BSI Corporate Benefits, an employee benefits consulting firm based in the Bethlehem area, made the magazine's national list. Inc.'s list includes 591 American companies that "get how happiness drives employee productivity." There are 18 from Pennsylvania, including the two Lehigh Valley companies, as well as Boyertown area's ClimeCo and Monroe County's HiringThing. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Allentown Planning Commission recommended a land development plan for an affordable housing project Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. The proposal, offered for 38-40 S. Eighth St., calls for the demolition of an existing parish house of the current Life Church campus and construction of a 59,107 square-foot, four-story, 52-unit building. It would be known as Walnut Square Apartments. Officials representing the applicant said the application had changed the proposal previously offered which stipulated a five-story, 64-unit affordable housing project geared to senior citizens. The operator will be Cortex Residential. "We've worked closely with the developer as they acquired the property. They scaled it back a little bit from 64 to 52 units," Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said. The applicant said Tuesday afternoon parking will be handled at the Walnut Street Garage with 38 total spaces. The cost of parking may or may not be included in the rent with units being subsidized and will be offered to tenants who are not being subsidized. There will be a short-term loading and unloading zone in the building's front. Chairman Christian Brown suggested "warmer colors" would enhance the facility's appearance. The commission also granted two waivers requested governing slope and plan requirements involving the project. In other business, the commission tabled a plan from applicant Gary Newman and Blackstone Structures for a 66-foot five-story, mixed-use building with market-rate housing with four stories and 19,000 square-feet of retail on the first floor at 926-930 Hamilton St. The proposal calls also for the demolition of levels one and two of the existing three-story structure at 926 Hamilton St. where Kruper Brothers Appliances operated until 2019. The other lot contains a four-story building which will be retained due to historical relevance and connection to General Harry C. Trexler. The commission later approved another Newman proposal calling for the construction of an eight-story, mixed-use multi-family building at 826-828 Turner St.. The building, to be known as The Swans and offered by developer Blackstone Structures, would house 142 residential units with onsite and offsite parking and retail space. In connection with the project, a three-story house at 828-830 Turner St. would be razed. The plan before the commission did not change the building's footprint or apartments previously approved, but increased the number of units, changed the project's aesthetics to include brick and granite, and altered the building's entrance from Turner Street to Chestnut Street. In other news, planners recommended an adaptive use request to add five dwelling units to an apartment building. The property, located at 418 N. Franklin St., is owned by developer Nat Hyman and has currently 16 units. Tuerk says more apartment units are needed in the city. "People want to be here and the city itself and the region just hasn't built housing to accommodate the demand," Tuerk said. "If you don't meet the demand then prices go up." "We have some familiar names here on Hamilton and Street and in Allentown but these are some new names," Tuerk said. "It shows that there's real interest from across the United States in developing in Allentown." Protesters hurl stones at Israeli military vehicles during clashes following an Israeli army raid at the Balata refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on June 13, 2023. A Palestinian was killed and eight others injured on Tuesday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fares Hashash, 19, died in the clash after being shot by Israeli soldiers at the Balata refugee camp, the ministry said in a press statement. The eight injured Palestinians were moved to the hospital in Nablus for urgent medical treatment and two of them were in serious condition, it added. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian was killed and eight others injured on Tuesday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fares Hashash, 19, died in the clash after being shot by Israeli soldiers at the Balata refugee camp close to the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the ministry said in a press statement The eight injured Palestinians were moved to the hospital in Nablus for urgent medical treatment and two of them were in serious condition, it added. Palestinian eyewitnesses and security sources said fierce clashes broke out in the refugee camp after an Israeli army force stormed the camp and raided several homes looking for Palestinians wanted by Israeli forces. Palestinian gunmen opened fire and dozens of young men threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired back, killing Hashash and wounding eight others, they added. Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that its force stormed the refugee camp to arrest Palestinians involved in attacks against Israel, adding the soldiers were attacked by Palestinian gunmen and pelted with stones. No injuries were reported among the soldiers, according to the statement. The clashes in the northern West Bank cities came amid growing tension between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since early January. Since then, more than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers, while 19 Israelis were killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians, according to official Palestinian and Israeli figures. People inspect a destroyed vehicle following an Israeli army raid at the Balata refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on June 13, 2023. A Palestinian was killed and eight others injured on Tuesday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fares Hashash, 19, died in the clash after being shot by Israeli soldiers at the Balata refugee camp, the ministry said in a press statement. The eight injured Palestinians were moved to the hospital in Nablus for urgent medical treatment and two of them were in serious condition, it added. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli army raid at the Balata refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on June 13, 2023. A Palestinian was killed and eight others injured on Tuesday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fares Hashash, 19, died in the clash after being shot by Israeli soldiers at the Balata refugee camp, the ministry said in a press statement. The eight injured Palestinians were moved to the hospital in Nablus for urgent medical treatment and two of them were in serious condition, it added. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People inspect a destroyed vehicle following an Israeli army raid at the Balata refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on June 13, 2023. A Palestinian was killed and eight others injured on Tuesday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fares Hashash, 19, died in the clash after being shot by Israeli soldiers at the Balata refugee camp, the ministry said in a press statement. The eight injured Palestinians were moved to the hospital in Nablus for urgent medical treatment and two of them were in serious condition, it added. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Dunkin' is pouring a large cup of financial cheer to help sick children. The company presented a check for $30,000 to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital Tuesday. It was one of several hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware that got money from Dunkin'. The money comes from Dunkin's Iced Coffee Day nationwide fundraiser, which was in May. The fundraiser was done through the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A well-known Lehigh Valley resident has been appointed to the Allentown Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk announced Monday the appointment of Alan Jennings to the position. Jennings, a city resident for more than 40 years, "brings a wealth of expertise and a distinguished history of community leadership to his new role," according to a news release from the city. He previously served as Executive Director of Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (now known as Community Action Lehigh Valley). "Alan Jennings is an innovator, an entrepreneur and a fighter. His extensive experience in fighting poverty, combined with his unwavering dedication to public service and responsible stewardship of community resources, positions him as a valuable asset to the RACAs mission of promoting quality housing and its role in fostering a thriving community, Tuerk said. He has hounded multiple mayors to get more aggressive in developing a better housing stock as a means of building a better community; and he is right, Mayor Tuerk continued. We are glad to have him on our side, and I will look to his leadership in improving our city. With Alans appointment to RACA, my administration reaffirms our commitment to revitalizing our city and fostering a vibrant future for all residents." The Allentown Redevelopment Authority was created on January 17, 1956 with the mission to promote redevelopment and maintain social infrastructure and healthy community housing within the city limits. RACA works closely with the city to define areas and properties that are problematic and in need of sound redesign, repurposing or redevelopment for public convenience, economic and community welfare. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Monday is Women's Veterans Day, and a local group is recognizing female veterans for their service. The Lehigh Valley Women Veterans group celebrated the day by holding a special event at Moravian University in Bethlehem. It marked the 75th anniversary of when President Harry Truman signed legislation allowing women to join the U.S. armed forces during peacetime. A female brigadier general delivered Monday's keynote address. PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - The Warren County Prosecutor is warning people of the perils of swimming across the Delaware River. His message comes after the drowning of a Phillipsburg man, who he says was attempting to do just that on Sunday. Jim Pfeiffer says the man, who was in his early 40's, entered the river fully clothed, which likely only added to a dangerous situation by weighing him down. Pfeiffer says the victim had hopes of making it from the New Jersey side of the river to the banks in Pennsylvania; however, he only made it halfway across before he had to call for help. Pfeiffer says it was an afternoon swimming with friends that turned into a nightmare when a man dared to cross the Delaware River. "He got a little bit more than halfway across the river, and he's calling out for help," explained Pfeiffer. It was not an organized swim but a spur-of-the-moment decision. "He just decided that he was going to attempt to swim across from the New Jersey side to the Pennsylvania side," he said. Pfeiffer says 911 was immediately called, and professionals from Phillipsburg, Easton and Pennsylvania Water Rescue combed the waters looking for the man. Civilians also helped. "Ultimately, a body was discovered by a private boater, who had also joined in the search," stated Pfeiffer. The victim did not appear to have drugs or alcohol in his system when he submerged and did not return to the surface, according to the prosecutor. "It's just an unfortunate situation that many people believe that they can swim across the river, but the Delaware River is a very dangerous river," said Pfeiffer. "There's a lot of currents, undertows, etc. People always underestimate the river." Pfeiffer says it's also unfortunate because it's the first drowning he's aware of in that part of the river this year, and it's likely not as dangerous as it will become, due to the lack of rain we've seen. "I would suspect based upon what we've had in the past, you know, that we could expect somewhere in the range of three to five drownings this summer," he told 69 News. "A lot of that will be driven by the weather. The warmer the weather, the more swimmers that come out to these recreation areas." Is it illegal to try what the victim did? Pfeiffer says it is not but is it highly dangerous because the river is changing all the time. If you want to swim in the Delaware, Pfeiffer says only go to spots with supervision and those marked specifically for swimming. The Phillipsburg Police Department is leading the investigation. EASTON, Pa. - Investigators are digging into the past of a western Pennsylvania nursing home worker, who's now facing two counts of homicide and one count of attempted murder. One retired detective says aspects of that case are ominously similar to that of Charles Cullen, the nurse known for terrorizing eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. It wasn't illness or age. Investigators say it was Heather Pressdee who killed two patients and tried to wipe out another at a Butler County nursing home. "Instead of caring for them, she intentionally and maliciously injected them with insulin to kill them," Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a Twitter video. This case is particularly disturbing to Tim Braun, who is now retired in South Carolina. He's one of the detectives credited with getting the Lehigh Valley's most notorious serial killer, Charles Cullen, behind bars. The nurse admitted to murdering 29 patients and is suspected of killing hundreds of others in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It's all featured in a documentary and a film on Netflix. Braun, who continues to consult law enforcement agencies on similar cases, pieced through Presdee's criminal complaint. "It's filled with red flags," said Braun. Cullen worked at 11 facilities in 16 years. An affidavit shows Presdee worked at 11 within four and a half, all in western PA. Investigators say again and again, she was disciplined for abusive behavior, then resigned or was fired. "I strongly believe there are more victims, and I do believe other people around her suspected or knew what she may have been up to also, and that needs to be explored further," said Braun. The PA Attorney General's Office is now investigating, so it said it couldn't do an interview, just yet. Documents show it was victims' families that brought the case to police's attention. Braun says all too often, workplaces stay silent, in fear of it damaging their reputations. "From your experience with Cullen, a lot of the facilities in our area were more concerned with money and power, and you think that might be a theme that's repeating itself here with her case?" 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori asked Braun. "It does seem that way. The pattern is eerily similar," said Braun. "Because her license appears to have been still active at the time of her arrest, it might indicate that she was not reported to the nursing board." Facilities accredited with what's called the Joint Commission are required to report "sentinel events." Those result in a patient's death or harm. 69 News reached out to Gov. Josh Shapiro's Office about potential measures to stop bad seed caregivers from moving place to place but did not hear back. In New Jersey, the Cullen Law now allows employers to give honest, negative references that reveal negligence and incompetence. "You can write all the laws you want. People have to follow or not follow them," said Braun. Braun is doing his part to protect vulnerable victims by planning presentations to teach law enforcement and health care and nursing home workers what to look for. The goal is to prevent criminal caregivers from killing. "Hopefully, there aren't too many," said Braun. PHILADELPHIA - Emergency crews recovered the body of the truck driver Monday at the scene of the bridge collapse on I-95 in Philadelphia. The tractor-trailer he was driving held thousands of gallons of gasoline that caught fire when he crashed Sunday. Crews are beginning to clear away debris from the scene, and PennDOT Secretary Mike Caroll said they're also beginning to learn what caused the crash that brought it down Sunday. "The tractor-trailer was trying to navigate the curve, lost control of the vehicle, landed on its side, and ruptured the tank and ignited the fire," said Caroll. That fire was so hot it melted metal, causing the bridge to collapse under its own weight. "The bridge was structurally sound. It's a 10- or 12-year-old bridge. The bridge was just fine before the accident," said Caroll. Now it's in ruins, and the bridge in the southbound lanes will have to come down, too. "The inspection of the southbound bridge indicated it's compromised as a result of the fire. The I-beams are incapable of supporting the traffic, so that structure has to be removed," said Caroll. Several federal officials made sure Pennsylvanians know they're not alone in solving this problem, including Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The entire region affected by this will have the full support of the United States Department of Transportation for as long as it takes to get that restored to normal," said Buttigieg. "I think the clear message from us is any federal resources that are necessary will be made available," said Bhatt. The only person killed in the crash was the driver of the tractor-trailer. Congressman Brandon Boyle said, as crews work to reopen the bridge, it's important to remember this wasn't the worst-case scenario. "We should recognize, on the most basic human level, this could have been much, much worse in terms of loss of life," said Rep. Boyle. Caroll said he believes the demolition process should take until the end of the week to complete. PHNOM PENH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Tuesday that the kingdom will amend its election law to ban any politicians who do not vote from standing for elections. Hun Sen said in a speech during a get-together with nearly 20,000 garment factory workers in the Cambodian capital that if politicians do not cast their ballots on the general election day, they would have no right to stand for any level of election. He said it is common people's right to decide whether to go to polls, but for politicians, they must vote, or their right to stand as a candidate in any elections will be revoked. Cambodia is scheduled to hold a general election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23, 2023, the National Election Committee (NEC) said, adding that more than 9.7 million Cambodians have registered to cast their ballots. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China's top anti-graft official Li Xi met with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing on Tuesday. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), said China-Honduras cooperation has achieved fruitful early results since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than two month ago, which fully proves that the decision is right and benefits the two countries and peoples. China is willing to strengthen the exchange of governance experience with Honduras, including in anti-corruption and other fields, strengthen international cooperation on anti-corruption, and push for new achievements in bilateral relations, Li said. Castro said it is a matter of historic significance for Honduras to recognize the one-China principle and establish diplomatic relations with China on this basis. Speaking highly of China's anti-corruption philosophy and achievements, Castro said Honduras is willing to learn from China's relevant experience. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) A tourist visits a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Tourists visit a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Tourists visit an exhibition at a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Tourist select souvenir at a cafe of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Tourists select souvenir at a cafe of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) Tourist rest at a cafe of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) A tourist visits a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) Tourists visit a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) People enjoy a concert in celebration of the second anniversary of the opening of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) This photo shows the scenery seen from a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 12, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) This photo shows a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) This photo shows an exterior view of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 12, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) This photo shows an exterior view of a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Tourists visit a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) A tourist visits a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin) Tourists visit a museum displaying the history of Palace Museum antiques moved there during World War II in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. The museum is located in a former foreign firm, where nearly 4,000 cases of antiques were stored during wartime. The items from the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were moved to Chongqing in late 1930s when Japanese troops invaded Beijing. During the Japanese bombing of Chongqing in the following years, the foreign firm placed a Swedish flag on the roof, which protected the building from being targeted. After the war ended in 1945, the antiques were returned to Beijing. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Beck Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 12,196 shares of the aircraft producers stock, valued at approximately $2,323,000. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Boeing during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $135,429,000. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its holdings in shares of Boeing by 13,008.8% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 686,246 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $130,646,000 after purchasing an additional 681,011 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Boeing by 1.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,200,241 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $5,472,845,000 after acquiring an additional 670,698 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in shares of Boeing by 125.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,139,143 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $218,147,000 after acquiring an additional 632,913 shares during the period. Finally, Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its position in shares of Boeing by 76.2% in the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 966,019 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $116,968,000 after buying an additional 417,920 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.07% of the companys stock. Get Boeing alerts: Insider Activity at Boeing In other Boeing news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total value of $84,196.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,181 shares in the company, valued at $3,511,109.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Boeing Trading Down 0.2 % BA stock traded down $0.55 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $221.01. 1,970,531 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,875,844. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $206.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $202.93. The Boeing Company has a 12-month low of $113.02 and a 12-month high of $223.91. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The firm had revenue of $17.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.56 billion. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($2.75) EPS. On average, analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -0.73 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on BA shares. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Boeing from $230.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on Boeing from $200.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Monday, April 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Boeing from $261.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $225.00 price objective on Boeing in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $221.60. Boeing Profile (Get Rating) The Boeing Co is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space, and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes (BCA), Defense, Space and Security (BDS), Global Services (BGS), and Boeing Capital (BCC). The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moore Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 23,720 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $487,000. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 55.5% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 83,326 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,711,000 after acquiring an additional 29,727 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 70.3% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 30,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $629,000 after acquiring an additional 12,642 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 31.0% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 275,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,794,000 after acquiring an additional 65,000 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,506,000. Finally, Parker Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,364,000. Get Invesco Senior Loan ETF alerts: Invesco Senior Loan ETF Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of BKLN traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $20.88. 4,061,169 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,051,090. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a 52-week low of $20.06 and a 52-week high of $21.49. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $20.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $20.86. Invesco Senior Loan ETF Profile The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKLN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec purchased a new stake in shares of Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 3,989,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $125,356,000. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec owned approximately 0.25% of Brookfield at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new position in Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new position in Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.90% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield alerts: Brookfield Stock Performance Shares of Brookfield stock opened at $32.35 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $52.98 billion, a PE ratio of 80.03 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The business has a 50 day moving average of $31.56. Brookfield Co. has a one year low of $28.25 and a one year high of $54.08. Brookfield Dividend Announcement Brookfield ( NYSE:BN Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Brookfield had a return on equity of 1.40% and a net margin of 0.87%. The firm had revenue of $23.30 billion during the quarter. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. Brookfields dividend payout ratio is currently 70.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Brookfield from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Brookfield from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $41.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, March 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $51.00. Insider Buying and Selling In other Brookfield news, Director Multi-Strategy Mast Brookfield sold 24,744 shares of Brookfield stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.96, for a total transaction of $295,938.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 21,104,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $252,414,879.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 11.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Brookfield Company Profile (Get Rating) Brookfield Corp. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following business segments: Renewable Power and Transition, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Real Estate, and Credit and Insurance Solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE Get Rating) in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock. Ampio Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 10.1 % AMPE stock opened at $0.26 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $0.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.28. Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a 52-week low of $0.18 and a 52-week high of $3.45. The firm has a market cap of $3.94 million, a P/E ratio of -0.14 and a beta of 1.48. Get Ampio Pharmaceuticals alerts: Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The specialty pharmaceutical company reported ($0.26) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Ampio Pharmaceuticals Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AMPE. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,996,074 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,578,000 after acquiring an additional 61,269 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,307,338 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,375,000 after buying an additional 77,822 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,430,770 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,612,000 after purchasing an additional 66,375 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 998.6% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,035,413 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock worth $342,000 after purchasing an additional 1,850,138 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals during the first quarter worth $168,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.82% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc operates as a biopharmaceutical company. The firm engages in the development of therapies to treat prevalent inflammatory conditions. Its product pipeline includes new uses for approved drugs and new molecular entities for important therapeutic areas, including metabolic disease, eye disease, kidney disease, inflammation and sexual dysfunction and CNS disease. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ampio Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ampio Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD Get Rating) and Vista Gold (NYSE:VGZ Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings. Profitability This table compares Barrick Gold and Vista Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Barrick Gold alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barrick Gold 1.06% 3.46% 2.39% Vista Gold N/A -61.80% -56.74% Risk & Volatility Barrick Gold has a beta of 0.34, meaning that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vista Gold has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barrick Gold 0 2 6 0 2.75 Vista Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00 This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Barrick Gold and Vista Gold, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Barrick Gold presently has a consensus price target of $22.43, suggesting a potential upside of 33.43%. Vista Gold has a consensus price target of $2.25, suggesting a potential upside of 322.06%. Given Vista Golds stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Vista Gold is more favorable than Barrick Gold. Institutional and Insider Ownership 56.8% of Barrick Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.9% of Vista Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Barrick Gold shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.4% of Vista Gold shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Barrick Gold and Vista Golds gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barrick Gold $10.80 billion 2.73 $432.00 million $0.06 280.17 Vista Gold N/A N/A -$4.93 million ($0.06) -8.89 Barrick Gold has higher revenue and earnings than Vista Gold. Vista Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Barrick Gold, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Barrick Gold beats Vista Gold on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Barrick Gold (Get Rating) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Nevada Gold Mines is the worlds largest gold mining complex. Barrick owns and operates six Tier One gold mines: Cortez, Carlin and Turquoise Ridge in Nevada, Loulo-Gounkoto in Mali, Kibali in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. It has gold and copper mines and projects in 13 countries in North and South America, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Saudi Arabia. Barricks diversified portfolio spans the worlds most prolific gold districts and is focused on high-margin, long life assets. About Vista Gold (Get Rating) Vista Gold Corp. engages in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects. It focuses on Mt. Todd in Northern Territory, Australia project. The company was founded on November 28, 1983 and is headquartered in Littleton, CO. Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avenir Corp lessened its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 789,994 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 5,132 shares during the period. Bank of America makes up 2.6% of Avenir Corps portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Avenir Corps holdings in Bank of America were worth $26,165,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Bank of America by 70.5% in the 3rd quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 91,399 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,760,000 after buying an additional 37,794 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 18.8% in the 3rd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 221,443 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,690,000 after purchasing an additional 35,107 shares during the last quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America in the 4th quarter worth about $641,000. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 82,856 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,744,000 after purchasing an additional 5,432 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America in the 4th quarter worth about $207,000. Institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BAC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $41.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Odeon Capital Group lowered shares of Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $35.20 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.77. Bank of America Trading Down 0.5 % Bank of America stock traded down $0.14 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $29.13. 41,011,438 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 53,406,320. The firm has a market capitalization of $232.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.75, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.37. The firms 50 day moving average is $28.49 and its 200-day moving average is $31.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $26.32 and a fifty-two week high of $38.60. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.28 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.80 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is 26.43%. About Bank of America (Get Rating) Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Beck Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,405 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,747,000. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Elevance Health in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Elevance Health in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. 87.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Elevance Health alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Elevance Health news, EVP Gloria M. Mccarthy sold 15,098 shares of Elevance Health stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $444.76, for a total transaction of $6,714,986.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 51,435 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,876,230.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Elevance Health Trading Down 0.2 % NYSE:ELV traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $472.17. 288,029 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,128,193. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 12-month low of $438.56 and a 12-month high of $549.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firms fifty day moving average is $465.14 and its 200-day moving average is $480.16. Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The company reported $9.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.26 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $41.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.93 billion. Elevance Health had a net margin of 3.86% and a return on equity of 20.05%. The companys revenue was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $8.25 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 32.78 EPS for the current year. Elevance Health Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a $1.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.25%. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio is currently 23.04%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on ELV shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised Elevance Health from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $523.00 to $572.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Elevance Health from $577.00 to $564.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Elevance Health in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Elevance Health from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $500.00 to $571.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on Elevance Health from $610.00 to $580.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $570.60. Elevance Health Profile (Get Rating) Elevance Health, Inc operates as a health company, which engages in improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Specialty Business, Government Business, CarelonRx, and Other. The Commercial and Specialty Business segment provides insurance products and services such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability and supplemental health insurance. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Elevance Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elevance Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berkley W R Corp raised its stake in Leo Holdings Corp. II (NYSE:LHC Get Rating) by 218.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,097,357 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 753,278 shares during the quarter. Leo Holdings Corp. II comprises approximately 0.6% of Berkley W R Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Berkley W R Corp owned approximately 2.34% of Leo Holdings Corp. II worth $11,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LHC. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Leo Holdings Corp. II by 187.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 143,710 shares of the companys stock worth $1,411,000 after buying an additional 93,710 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in Leo Holdings Corp. II during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,211,000. Centiva Capital LP boosted its stake in Leo Holdings Corp. II by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 56,036 shares of the companys stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 3,991 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in Leo Holdings Corp. II by 316.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Capital Management L.P. now owns 52,112 shares of the companys stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 39,612 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Saba Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in Leo Holdings Corp. II by 44.4% during the 3rd quarter. Saba Capital Management L.P. now owns 894,847 shares of the companys stock worth $8,913,000 after acquiring an additional 275,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.34% of the companys stock. Get Leo Holdings Corp. II alerts: Leo Holdings Corp. II Stock Down 0.3 % Leo Holdings Corp. II stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.60. 303 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,298. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.35. Leo Holdings Corp. II has a 52 week low of $9.82 and a 52 week high of $10.97. Leo Holdings Corp. II Company Profile Leo Holdings Corp. II does not have significant operations. The company focuses on effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Leo Holdings Corp. II was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Nassau, the Bahamas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Leo Holdings Corp. II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leo Holdings Corp. II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (NYSE:BLW Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, June 1st, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of 0.098 per share by the investment management company on Friday, June 30th. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust has increased its dividend by an average of 1.6% per year over the last three years. Get BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust alerts: BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE BLW traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $12.84. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,229 shares, compared to its average volume of 77,671. BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust has a 1-year low of $11.76 and a 1-year high of $14.13. The firms fifty day moving average price is $12.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.12. Institutional Inflows and Outflows BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust Company Profile Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 191,918 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,752,000 after purchasing an additional 39,105 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 184,656 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,648,000 after purchasing an additional 7,801 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 8.5% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 99,330 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,257,000 after purchasing an additional 7,782 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 83,939 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 4,645 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 52.6% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 68,128 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $977,000 after purchasing an additional 23,474 shares during the last quarter. (Get Rating) BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income securities of the United States. It invests in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in investment grade corporate bonds, mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, US Government and agency securities, and senior, secured floating rate loans. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boyd Gaming Co. (NYSE:BYD Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the fifteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $75.92. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on BYD shares. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Boyd Gaming from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $76.00 to $78.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $80.00 to $84.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Boyd Gaming in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Get Boyd Gaming alerts: Boyd Gaming Trading Up 1.4 % BYD opened at $69.37 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.78. The firms 50 day moving average is $66.82 and its 200-day moving average is $62.81. Boyd Gaming has a 52-week low of $46.10 and a 52-week high of $71.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. Boyd Gaming Announces Dividend Boyd Gaming ( NYSE:BYD Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.20. Boyd Gaming had a net margin of 18.48% and a return on equity of 43.15%. The business had revenue of $963.97 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $889.59 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Boyd Gaming will post 6.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, July 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Boyd Gamings dividend payout ratio is currently 10.08%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boyd Gaming A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BYD. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Boyd Gaming by 4.1% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,030,684 shares of the companys stock worth $594,039,000 after acquiring an additional 359,698 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Boyd Gaming by 2.6% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,760,064 shares of the companys stock worth $497,575,000 after acquiring an additional 198,916 shares in the last quarter. HG Vora Capital Management LLC raised its position in Boyd Gaming by 5.3% in the third quarter. HG Vora Capital Management LLC now owns 5,000,000 shares of the companys stock worth $238,250,000 after acquiring an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC raised its position in Boyd Gaming by 63.4% in the first quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 2,629,438 shares of the companys stock worth $172,965,000 after acquiring an additional 1,020,515 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Boyd Gaming by 45.2% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,382,418 shares of the companys stock worth $156,715,000 after acquiring an additional 741,156 shares in the last quarter. 68.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Boyd Gaming Company Profile (Get Rating) Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It operates through three segments: Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, and Midwest & South. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Boyd Gaming Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boyd Gaming and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and economic and trade cooperation between the two sides in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo scheduled from June 29 to July 2 in the central Chinese city of Changsha will help advance high-quality economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, building on current achievements, officials said Tuesday. China is Africa's largest trading partner and its fourth-biggest source of investment, Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei told a press conference. Over the years, cooperation between the two sides has extended from trade and construction to emerging areas like digital infrastructure, green development, aviation, and space exploration, Li said. The expo, held every other year in Hunan Province, is a significant economic and trade platform under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework. So far, 53 African countries, eight international organizations, and over 1,500 centrally-administered state-owned enterprises, business associations, and financial institutions have applied to attend the event. APPEALING EXPO This year's event is expected to be more influential than previous ones as it will cover more topics, said Shen Yumou, head of the Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce. For the first time in the expo's history, forums and seminars will be held on traditional Chinese medicine cooperation, women's dialogues, and professional education. The event will be bustling with participants, said Shen. The number of exhibitors alone is up by 55 percent from the last expo to 1,350. The main venue will open its doors to the public from July 1 to 2, while a myriad of African products will be available for sale at secondary locations. Shen noted that the 100,000-square-meter main venue would house more exhibits than previous events. Also debuting this year are two achievements exhibitions, one for China-Africa high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the other for women's innovations and entrepreneurship from both sides. Potential deals and other cooperation projects under discussion at the expo reached 10.7 billion U.S. dollars so far, Shen added. COMMON DEVELOPMENT The expo will help foster consensus and enhance confidence for development on both sides, said Jiang Wei, an official with the Ministry of Commerce. It will give play to local governments and enterprises in promoting cooperation. A series of measures will also be unveiled at the expo to guide future moves on implementing the nine programs on China-Africa cooperation proposed at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November 2021, said Jiang. The nine programs have each yielded fruitful results, said Li. Under the trade promotion program, for example, 21 African countries have each received zero-tariff treatment for 98 percent of their exports to China. Under the capacity building program, 14 Chinese vocational colleges have established partnerships with 13 African counterparts, while Chinese projects in Africa created 300,000 jobs for the local people in 2022, according to Li. Official data showed that bilateral trade between China and Africa stood at 282 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, with export to Africa growing 11.2 percent year on year to 164.5 billion dollars and import up by 11 percent to 117.5 billion dollars. In the first four months, China's new direct investment in Africa reached 1.38 billion dollars, up 24 percent year on year. Brandywine Trust Co. lowered its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 117,869 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 484 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories comprises approximately 3.9% of Brandywine Trust Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Brandywine Trust Co.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $12,941,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Elequin Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Finally, CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 283.3% during the 4th quarter. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. now owns 391 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.93% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Several brokerages have issued reports on ABT. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.26. Shares of NYSE:ABT traded up $0.26 on Tuesday, reaching $101.66. 849,046 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,023,536. The firm has a market capitalization of $176.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.83, a PEG ratio of 4.56 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $93.25 and a fifty-two week high of $115.69. The businesss 50-day moving average is $106.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The firms revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.73 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.01%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 62.01%. Abbott Laboratories Profile (Get Rating) Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products. It operates through the following business segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment refers to the international sales of a line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of BrightSphere Investment Group (NYSE:BSIG Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on BSIG. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of BrightSphere Investment Group from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, April 14th. TheStreet lowered shares of BrightSphere Investment Group from a c rating to a d+ rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Get BrightSphere Investment Group alerts: BrightSphere Investment Group Stock Performance BSIG opened at $22.36 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $22.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.43. BrightSphere Investment Group has a 52 week low of $14.73 and a 52 week high of $26.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $927.05 million, a PE ratio of 10.70 and a beta of 1.53. BrightSphere Investment Group Dividend Announcement BrightSphere Investment Group ( NYSE:BSIG Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.01). BrightSphere Investment Group had a negative return on equity of 179.03% and a net margin of 22.38%. The business had revenue of $91.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $93.20 million. Equities analysts forecast that BrightSphere Investment Group will post 1.69 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be given a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. BrightSphere Investment Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 1.91%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BrightSphere Investment Group Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in BrightSphere Investment Group by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 12,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 407 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in BrightSphere Investment Group by 12.4% in the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 4,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its position in BrightSphere Investment Group by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 63,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,551,000 after acquiring an additional 744 shares in the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its position in BrightSphere Investment Group by 18.5% in the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 6,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $96,000 after acquiring an additional 1,004 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aurora Investment Counsel lifted its position in BrightSphere Investment Group by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 64,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $958,000 after acquiring an additional 1,016 shares in the last quarter. About BrightSphere Investment Group (Get Rating) BrightSphere Investment Group, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of asset management services. It operates through the Quant and Solutions segment. The Quant and Solutions segment involves leveraging data and technology in a computational, factor-based investment process across a range of asset classes and geographies, including Global, non-U.S., emerging markets, and managed volatility equities, as well as multi-asset products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BrightSphere Investment Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BrightSphere Investment Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Rating) had its target price trimmed by Wedbush from $42.00 to $37.00 in a research report released on Friday, The Fly reports. Several other analysts have also weighed in on EAT. Bank of America upped their price objective on Brinker International from $29.00 to $33.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Brinker International from $40.00 to $38.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Brinker International from $48.00 to $45.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Northcoast Research started coverage on Brinker International in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Brinker International from $43.00 to $42.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.70. Get Brinker International alerts: Brinker International Stock Performance NYSE:EAT opened at $37.82 on Friday. Brinker International has a 1 year low of $21.47 and a 1 year high of $42.12. The stock has a market cap of $1.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.39, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 2.37. The business has a fifty day moving average of $38.16 and a 200-day moving average of $37.16. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International Brinker International ( NYSE:EAT Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.06. Brinker International had a negative return on equity of 44.32% and a net margin of 2.17%. The company had revenue of $1.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.92 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Brinker International will post 2.79 EPS for the current year. Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Brinker International in the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in Brinker International by 81.3% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 990 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in Brinker International in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its position in Brinker International by 276.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 1,175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MADDEN SECURITIES Corp acquired a new position in Brinker International in the 4th quarter worth about $64,000. About Brinker International (Get Rating) Brinker International, Inc engages in owning, developing, and franchising Chilis Grill and Bar and Maggianos Little Italy restaurant brands. It operates through the following segments: Chilis, and Maggianos. The Chilis segment includes the results of company-owned Chilis restaurants in the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd. (NYSE:BNRE Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, May 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of 0.07 per share on Friday, June 30th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Brookfield Reinsurance Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of BNRE opened at $32.47 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 0.26. Brookfield Reinsurance has a 52-week low of $28.30 and a 52-week high of $54.13. The company has a market capitalization of $339.31 million, a P/E ratio of 79.20 and a beta of 1.47. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $31.88. Get Brookfield Reinsurance alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Reinsurance Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Brookfield Reinsurance by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,965 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,000 after acquiring an additional 347 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN purchased a new position in Brookfield Reinsurance in the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. UBS Group AG purchased a new position in Brookfield Reinsurance in the 4th quarter worth about $76,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield Reinsurance during the 4th quarter valued at about $76,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Brookfield Reinsurance by 68.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 18,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $621,000 after buying an additional 7,669 shares during the period. 39.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Brookfield Reinsurance Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides annuity-based reinsurance products to insurance and reinsurance companies in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Direct Insurance, Reinsurance, and Pension Risk Transfer (PRT). The Direct Insurance segment offers a range of insurance products and services including life insurance, annuities, property and casualty insurance, health insurance, credit insurance, and pension products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Reinsurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Reinsurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWB Get Rating) by 24.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 115,108 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 22,779 shares during the quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 ETF were worth $24,233,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF by 9.4% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 32,609 shares of the companys stock worth $8,155,000 after acquiring an additional 2,805 shares during the last quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF by 161.7% in the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 15,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,946,000 after acquiring an additional 9,750 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $238,000. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc CA lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF by 13.5% in the 1st quarter. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc CA now owns 10,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,504,000 after acquiring an additional 1,190 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 ETF by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 2,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $562,000 after acquiring an additional 523 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Russell 1000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 ETF Stock Performance Shares of IWB traded up $2.17 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $237.52. The stock had a trading volume of 749,135 shares, compared to its average volume of 708,551. The companys 50-day moving average is $227.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $221.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.02 billion, a PE ratio of 17.92 and a beta of 1.01. iShares Russell 1000 ETF has a 12 month low of $192.01 and a 12 month high of $238.76. About iShares Russell 1000 ETF iShares Russell 1000 ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 1,000 largest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWB Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CMC Markets (LON:CMCX Get Rating)s stock had its sell rating reaffirmed by equities research analysts at Shore Capital in a research note issued on Tuesday, Digital Look reports. Separately, Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and set a GBX 190 ($2.38) price target on shares of CMC Markets in a research note on Tuesday. Get CMC Markets alerts: CMC Markets Stock Down 3.2 % CMCX stock traded down GBX 5.35 ($0.07) during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching GBX 164.25 ($2.06). The company had a trading volume of 277,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 215,870. CMC Markets has a 1 year low of GBX 156.02 ($1.95) and a 1 year high of GBX 317 ($3.97). The company has a current ratio of 2.57, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.86. The company has a market capitalization of 459.61 million, a P/E ratio of 660.00 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 177.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 213.05. Insiders Place Their Bets CMC Markets Company Profile In related news, insider Euan Marshall purchased 164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 182 ($2.28) per share, for a total transaction of 298.48 ($373.47). In other CMC Markets news, insider Euan Marshall acquired 164 shares of CMC Markets stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 182 ($2.28) per share, with a total value of 298.48 ($373.47). Also, insider David Fineberg acquired 180 shares of CMC Markets stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 169 ($2.11) per share, with a total value of 304.20 ($380.63). Insiders have purchased 512 shares of company stock worth $90,172 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 64.83% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) CMC Markets plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online retail financial services to retail, professional, stockbroking, and institutional clients in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and internationally. The company offers its clients with the ability to trade contracts for difference and financial spread betting on a range of underlying shares, including indices, foreign currencies, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares and ETFs, and treasuries through its trading platform. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CMC Markets Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMC Markets and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizen Watch (OTCMKTS:CHCLY Get Rating) and Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG Get Rating) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation. Dividends Citizen Watch pays an annual dividend of $77.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 264.4%. Signet Jewelers pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Citizen Watch pays out 24.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Signet Jewelers pays out 9.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Signet Jewelers has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Get Citizen Watch alerts: Valuation & Earnings This table compares Citizen Watch and Signet Jewelers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Citizen Watch N/A N/A N/A $319.05 0.09 Signet Jewelers $7.84 billion 0.34 $376.70 million $9.99 5.87 Profitability Signet Jewelers has higher revenue and earnings than Citizen Watch. Citizen Watch is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Signet Jewelers, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Citizen Watch and Signet Jewelers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Citizen Watch N/A N/A N/A Signet Jewelers 7.27% 40.57% 9.43% Institutional and Insider Ownership 97.9% of Signet Jewelers shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Signet Jewelers shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings for Citizen Watch and Signet Jewelers, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Citizen Watch 0 0 0 0 N/A Signet Jewelers 0 3 1 0 2.25 Signet Jewelers has a consensus price target of $83.40, indicating a potential upside of 42.22%. Given Signet Jewelers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Signet Jewelers is more favorable than Citizen Watch. Summary Signet Jewelers beats Citizen Watch on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Citizen Watch (Get Rating) Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of watches, machine tools, and electronic devices. It operates through the following segments: Watches, Machine Tools, Devices and Components, Electronic Products, and Others. The Watches segment provides watches and quartz movement services. The Machine Tools segment manufactures numerical control automatic lathes. The Devices and Components segment offers light-emitting diode, automotive parts, quartz crystals, micro display devices, and switches. The Electronic Products segment offers calculators, printers, and healthcare equipment. The Others segment manufactures jewelry. The company was founded on May 28, 1930 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. About Signet Jewelers (Get Rating) Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile. This segment also engages in jewelry subscription business. The International segment operates stores in shopping malls and off-mall locations primarily under the H.Samuel and Ernest Jones brands in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands. The Other segment is involved in the purchase and conversion of rough diamonds to polished stones, as well as the provision of diamond polishing services. Signet Jewelers Limited is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Citizen Watch Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizen Watch and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Css LLC Il reduced its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating) by 21.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,075 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 8,500 shares during the period. Css LLC Ils holdings in Chevron were worth $5,578,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P raised its position in shares of Chevron by 85.1% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 159,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $25,908,000 after purchasing an additional 73,141 shares during the period. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC grew its holdings in Chevron by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,335 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,155,000 after buying an additional 1,476 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC grew its holdings in Chevron by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 40,538 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,598,000 after buying an additional 1,813 shares during the last quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Chevron by 43.5% in the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,837 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $950,000 after buying an additional 1,770 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 13.8% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,068,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $336,830,000 after buying an additional 250,840 shares during the last quarter. 69.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Price Performance Chevron stock traded down $1.47 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $157.39. 7,159,608 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,206,948. The businesss 50-day moving average is $161.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $167.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $298.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.17. Chevron Co. has a 12 month low of $132.54 and a 12 month high of $189.68. Chevron Dividend Announcement Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.41 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $50.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $49.49 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 23.15% and a net margin of 14.74%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.36 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Chevron Co. will post 14.23 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.84%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.61%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on CVX shares. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of Chevron from $193.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Chevron from $192.00 to $198.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 24th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Chevron from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $195.00 to $200.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $212.00 to $208.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $192.11. About Chevron (Get Rating) Chevron Corp. engages in the provision of administrative, financial management, and technology support for energy and chemical operations. It operates through the Upstream and Downstream segments. The Upstream segment consists of the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas, the liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas, the transporting of crude oil by major international oil export pipelines, the processing, transporting, storage, and marketing of natural gas, and a gas-to-liquids plant. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CTT Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $7.28 and last traded at $7.28, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $7.28. CTT Correios De Portugal Stock Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $7.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.65. About CTT Correios De Portugal (Get Rating) CTT Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Davide Campari-Milano (OTCMKTS:DVDCF Get Rating) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.94 and last traded at $13.94, with a volume of 226 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $13.05. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on DVDCF. Barclays lifted their price target on Davide Campari-Milano to 10.70 ($11.51) in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Davide Campari-Milano to 13.00 ($13.98) in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on shares of Davide Campari-Milano to 12.50 ($13.44) in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.75. Get Davide Campari-Milano alerts: Davide Campari-Milano Price Performance The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $12.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.68. Davide Campari-Milano Company Profile Davide Campari-Milano NV is a holding company, which engages in the production and distribution of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The firm operates through its geographic segments: the Americas; Southern Europe; Middle East and Africa; Northern, Central and Eastern Europe; Asia-Pacific. Its product offerings include aperitifs, vodka, whisky, tequila, rum, gin, liqueurs, and sparkling and still wines under internation brands which include Campari, Aperol, Sky Vodka, Wild Turkey, Appleton Estate, Grand Marnier, and Wray and Nephew. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Davide Campari-Milano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Davide Campari-Milano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ISTANBUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye increases the capacity of domestic trains to meet the growing demands in the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday in June, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure announced on Tuesday. Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement, "Additional high-speed train services will be introduced, and more carriages will be added to regional trains." The extra high-speed train services will be operated on the Ankara-Istanbul, Konya-Istanbul, and Ankara-Sivas lines. Uraloglu noted that a total of 24,472 seats will be increased, and the tickets would be on sale as of Wednesday. This year's Eid al-Adha holiday, starting from June 24, was extended to nine days, instead of the traditional four days in Turkiye, which is expected to give a boost to domestic tourism. Deutsche Borse AG (OTCMKTS:DBOEY Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,700 shares, a decline of 94.7% from the May 15th total of 32,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 145,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Deutsche Borse Stock Performance Deutsche Borse stock traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $17.98. 823,517 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 135,342. Deutsche Borse has a 1 year low of $15.22 and a 1 year high of $20.61. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $18.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $18.22. Get Deutsche Borse alerts: Deutsche Borse (OTCMKTS:DBOEY Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter. Deutsche Borse had a return on equity of 18.58% and a net margin of 28.08%. On average, research analysts forecast that Deutsche Borse will post 1.06 EPS for the current fiscal year. Deutsche Borse Increases Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were given a $0.2568 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.34%. This is a positive change from Deutsche Borses previous dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. Deutsche Borses dividend payout ratio is presently 28.41%. Several research firms recently commented on DBOEY. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Deutsche Borse from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Deutsche Borse to 204.10 ($219.46) in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Credit Suisse Group raised shares of Deutsche Borse from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Deutsche Borse in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Deutsche Borse currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $191.87. About Deutsche Borse (Get Rating) Deutsche Borse AG engages in the provision of information technology services and market data distribution. It operates through the following segments: Eurex, EEX, Xetra, 360T, Clearstream, IFS, GSF, Qontigo and Data. The Eurex segment includes electronic trading of European derivatives, commodities, and foreign exchange. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Borse Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Borse and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp acquired a new stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,839 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $236,000. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SCHW. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 32,224.4% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 225,994,826 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $18,816,289,000 after purchasing an additional 225,295,680 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 107.1% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 16,784,516 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,399,817,000 after acquiring an additional 8,680,289 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 124,437,061 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,943,291,000 after acquiring an additional 2,589,952 shares in the last quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP bought a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $134,974,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 38.2% in the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,356,279 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $445,964,000 after acquiring an additional 1,480,868 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.49% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SCHW has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Bank of America cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $53.00 to $51.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Raymond James upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $63.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Redburn Partners cut Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.04. Charles Schwab Stock Down 1.9 % SCHW stock opened at $53.98 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.50 billion, a PE ratio of 14.75, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.88. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $51.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.05. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $5.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. The firms revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is presently 27.32%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Mark A. Goldfarb acquired 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $58.37 per share, with a total value of $233,480.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 27,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,576,982.29. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Mark A. Goldfarb acquired 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $58.37 per share, with a total value of $233,480.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 27,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,576,982.29. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at $3,093,761,349.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have acquired 16,000 shares of company stock valued at $883,760. 6.60% of the stock is owned by insiders. Charles Schwab Profile (Get Rating) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG Get Rating) fell 3.9% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $7.65 and last traded at $7.65. 36,806 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 87,305 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.96. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on GBTG. Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $9.00 target price on shares of Global Business Travel Group in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Global Business Travel Group from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Global Business Travel Group from $6.50 to $7.50 in a research report on Sunday, March 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $8.68. Get Global Business Travel Group alerts: Global Business Travel Group Stock Down 1.9 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 1.64. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $6.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.58. Insider Transactions at Global Business Travel Group Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, CEO Paul G. Abbott bought 8,147 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $6.25 per share, for a total transaction of $50,918.75. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,537,225 shares in the company, valued at $15,857,656.25. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . 5.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. bought a new position in Global Business Travel Group in the 1st quarter worth about $170,437,000. Dendur Capital LP raised its holdings in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 42.7% in the 4th quarter. Dendur Capital LP now owns 1,734,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,710,000 after acquiring an additional 518,900 shares in the last quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $7,656,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $6,173,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,127,000. Institutional investors own 15.91% of the companys stock. About Global Business Travel Group (Get Rating) Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States of America and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guardian Capital Advisors LP lessened its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating) by 4.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 73,340 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 3,530 shares during the period. Chevron accounts for approximately 1.5% of Guardian Capital Advisors LPs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Guardian Capital Advisors LPs holdings in Chevron were worth $12,987,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 92,113 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $16,533,000 after buying an additional 1,453 shares during the period. M&R Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Chevron by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,580 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,361,000 after buying an additional 674 shares during the period. Albion Financial Group UT raised its holdings in Chevron by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 17,553 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,151,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 19,920 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,575,000 after buying an additional 965 shares during the period. Finally, Resources Investment Advisors LLC. raised its holdings in Chevron by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. now owns 39,324 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $7,058,000 after buying an additional 1,284 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.37% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Stock Down 0.9 % CVX stock traded down $1.47 during trading on Monday, hitting $157.39. 7,159,608 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,206,948. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $161.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $167.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $298.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.50, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.17. Chevron Co. has a 52-week low of $132.54 and a 52-week high of $189.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron Announces Dividend Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.41 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $50.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $49.49 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 23.15% and a net margin of 14.74%. The firms revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.36 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Chevron Co. will post 14.23 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be paid a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is currently 32.61%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have weighed in on CVX. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Chevron from $192.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. UBS Group began coverage on Chevron in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $212.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Chevron from $193.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Scotiabank raised Chevron from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $195.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised Chevron from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $165.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $192.11. Chevron Company Profile (Get Rating) Chevron Corp. engages in the provision of administrative, financial management, and technology support for energy and chemical operations. It operates through the Upstream and Downstream segments. The Upstream segment consists of the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas, the liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas, the transporting of crude oil by major international oil export pipelines, the processing, transporting, storage, and marketing of natural gas, and a gas-to-liquids plant. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY Get Rating) shares traded down 1.7% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $4.55 and last traded at $4.58. 1,020,412 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 4,139,563 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.66. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Harmony Gold Mining in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Investec downgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Harmony Gold Mining has an average rating of Hold. Get Harmony Gold Mining alerts: Harmony Gold Mining Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $4.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.94. Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining Harmony Gold Mining Company Profile Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 50.0% during the 4th quarter. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 45,000 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $153,000 after buying an additional 15,000 shares during the period. OLD Mission Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $553,000. Arlington Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $585,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $306,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $97,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 36.50% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of gold. The company also explores for uranium, silver, copper, and molybdenum deposits. It has eight underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin; an open-pit mine on the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt; and various surface source operations in South Africa. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Harmony Gold Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harmony Gold Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heron Financial Group LLC lifted its position in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Get Rating) by 2.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,179 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Heron Financial Group LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,079,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PG. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 224,570,227 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,351,991,000 after purchasing an additional 2,197,165 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 161,904,833 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,440,487,000 after purchasing an additional 1,811,085 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 431.3% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 1,542,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $194,779,000 after purchasing an additional 1,252,400 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 139.3% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,718,903 shares of the companys stock valued at $260,517,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000,548 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 109.6% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,855,919 shares of the companys stock valued at $234,310,000 after purchasing an additional 970,614 shares during the period. 62.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Trading Down 0.8 % Shares of PG traded down $1.15 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $145.41. The stock had a trading volume of 5,354,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,453,130. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52-week low of $122.18 and a 52-week high of $158.11. The businesss fifty day moving average is $151.24 and its 200 day moving average is $147.40. The firm has a market cap of $342.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.33, a P/E/G ratio of 4.07 and a beta of 0.41. Procter & Gamble Increases Dividend Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.05. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.69% and a return on equity of 32.18%. The firm had revenue of $20.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.33 earnings per share. Procter & Gambles quarterly revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 5.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st were issued a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 20th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.59%. This is a positive change from Procter & Gambles previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is currently 65.51%. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 4,852 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.47, for a total transaction of $754,340.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 7,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,240,184.19. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 4,852 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.47, for a total transaction of $754,340.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 7,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,240,184.19. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total transaction of $4,836,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,562,484.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 95,093 shares of company stock valued at $14,821,930. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Sunday, April 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Procter & Gamble from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $161.50. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Get Rating) Procter & Gamble Co engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through the following segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers hair, skin, and personal care. The Grooming segment consists of shave care like female and male blades and razors, pre and post shave products, and appliances. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HSBC downgraded shares of Shop Apotheke Europe (OTCMKTS:SAEYY Get Rating) from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Credit Suisse Group lowered shares of Shop Apotheke Europe from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Shop Apotheke Europe from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Get Shop Apotheke Europe alerts: Shop Apotheke Europe Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS SAEYY opened at $8.61 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $10.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.61. Shop Apotheke Europe has a 52-week low of $3.82 and a 52-week high of $10.55. Shop Apotheke Europe Company Profile Shop Apotheke Europe N.V. owns and operates online pharmacies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. It provides prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and pharmacy-related beauty and personal care products, as well as food supplements. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Sevenum, the Netherlands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Shop Apotheke Europe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shop Apotheke Europe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spheria Emerging Companies Limited (ASX:SEC Get Rating) insider Christopher (Chris) Meyer purchased 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was purchased at an average price of A$1.83 ($1.24) per share, for a total transaction of A$36,600.00 ($24,729.73). Christopher (Chris) Meyer also recently made the following trade(s): Get Spheria Emerging Companies alerts: On Wednesday, June 7th, Christopher (Chris) Meyer bought 4,633 shares of Spheria Emerging Companies stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$1.84 ($1.24) per share, for a total transaction of A$8,501.56 ($5,744.29). Spheria Emerging Companies Price Performance Spheria Emerging Companies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a Interim dividend, which was paid on Sunday, May 7th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, May 7th were issued a $0.022 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 19th. Spheria Emerging Companies Company Profile Spheria Emerging Companies Limited operates as an investment company in Australia. It provides investors with access to a managed portfolio of Australian small-cap securities, as well as New Zealand small and micro-cap companies portfolio. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Sydney, Australia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Spheria Emerging Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spheria Emerging Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prime Medicine, Inc. (NYSE:PRME Get Rating) major shareholder 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 16,031 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.98, for a total transaction of $240,144.38. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Major shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv also recently made the following trade(s): Get Prime Medicine alerts: On Friday, June 9th, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 15,672 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.48, for a total transaction of $226,930.56. On Monday, June 5th, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 22,434 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.70, for a total transaction of $374,647.80. On Wednesday, May 31st, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 16,633 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.65, for a total transaction of $227,040.45. On Friday, May 26th, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 12,602 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.70, for a total value of $172,647.40. On Wednesday, May 24th, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 7,900 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.66, for a total value of $107,914.00. On Monday, May 22nd, 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 87,922 shares of Prime Medicine stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.13, for a total value of $1,242,337.86. Prime Medicine Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of PRME stock traded up $0.07 on Tuesday, reaching $14.78. The company had a trading volume of 350,523 shares, compared to its average volume of 217,338. Prime Medicine, Inc. has a 12 month low of $11.07 and a 12 month high of $21.73. Analysts Set New Price Targets Prime Medicine Company Profile Separately, StockNews.com raised Prime Medicine to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. (Get Rating) Prime Medicine Inc is a biotechnology company committed to delivering a new class of differentiated one-time curative genetic therapies. Prime Medicine Inc is based in CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Prime Medicine Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prime Medicine and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IPG Investment Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Rating) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,789 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 250 shares during the period. IPG Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $528,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 326,822,162 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,144,788,000 after purchasing an additional 3,920,830 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 20.9% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 105,621,983 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,248,626,000 after buying an additional 18,252,701 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 67,816,895 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,795,394,000 after buying an additional 729,359 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Capital LLC lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 25,041,576 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,007,172,000 after acquiring an additional 416,171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,774,927 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $940,377,000 after acquiring an additional 579,206 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.24% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets WFC has been the topic of a number of research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $46.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Friday, April 14th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.97. Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Shares of WFC stock traded down $0.30 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $41.83. 19,433,431 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 23,148,953. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $48.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.99, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.12. The firms 50 day moving average price is $39.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.93% and a return on equity of 10.07%. The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.06 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.88 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.79 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 5th were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is 34.38%. Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Get Rating) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TOKYO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese government report said on Tuesday that the public and private sectors should join forces and make tourism a profit-making industry in the country, stressing the need to pursue high value-added tourism. The government approved this year's white paper on tourism at the day's cabinet meeting. The report said that spending across Japan by tourists, both domestic and overseas, has been recovering from a slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, amounting to 18.7 trillion yen (134 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022. Meanwhile, the report also showed that Japan's tourism gross domestic product ratio, or the ratio of the tourism industry's added value amount to the overall economy, stood at 2.0 percent in 2019, far below the average of 4.0 percent for the Group of Seven countries excluding Japan. The annual government report said the 2019 data show that the value added to the economy by a worker in the tourism industry was about 4.9 million yen, while the value added by an average worker in any other sector was about 8 million yen. The report noted efforts should be made to make the industry sustainable, pointing out that the key to revitalizing regional economies and creating jobs lies in tourism. Heron Financial Group LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV Get Rating) by 33.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 94,521 shares of the companys stock after selling 46,481 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF makes up 4.0% of Heron Financial Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Heron Financial Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $6,030,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 15.1% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 115,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,339,000 after buying an additional 15,175 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 135.0% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 109,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,939,000 after buying an additional 62,690 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 105,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,685,000 after buying an additional 1,980 shares in the last quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $1,002,000. Finally, Glovista Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $6,649,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of EFAV traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $67.38. 278,003 shares of the stock traded hands. The company has a market cap of $7.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.01 and a beta of 0.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is $69.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.68. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF has a 52-week low of $64.68 and a 52-week high of $76.51. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Profile The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of developed-market equities, ex-US and Canada, selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio subject to constraints including sector exposure. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFAV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kovack Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY Get Rating) by 20.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 371,400 shares of the energy companys stock after buying an additional 62,200 shares during the quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. owned 0.34% of VAALCO Energy worth $1,694,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of EGY. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in VAALCO Energy by 66.0% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 23,576 shares of the energy companys stock worth $154,000 after buying an additional 9,376 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in VAALCO Energy by 1,189.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 154,276 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 142,310 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in VAALCO Energy by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 721,459 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $4,711,000 after purchasing an additional 95,474 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in VAALCO Energy by 68.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 69,286 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $452,000 after purchasing an additional 28,038 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. bought a new position in VAALCO Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $944,000. Institutional investors own 31.61% of the companys stock. Get VAALCO Energy alerts: VAALCO Energy Price Performance EGY traded up $0.19 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $4.11. 395,703 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,428,005. The companys 50-day moving average is $4.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.44. The company has a market cap of $438.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.38 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. VAALCO Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $3.51 and a 12-month high of $8.66. VAALCO Energy Increases Dividend VAALCO Energy ( NYSE:EGY Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The energy company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.42). VAALCO Energy had a return on equity of 28.65% and a net margin of 11.80%. The company had revenue of $80.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $140.29 million. Research analysts forecast that VAALCO Energy, Inc. will post 0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th will be issued a $0.063 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.13%. This is a boost from VAALCO Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. VAALCO Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.64%. Insider Buying and Selling at VAALCO Energy In other news, CEO George W.M. Maxwell acquired 10,000 shares of VAALCO Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $3.70 per share, for a total transaction of $37,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 143,840 shares of the companys stock, valued at $532,208. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have acquired a total of 25,764 shares of company stock valued at $96,519 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In EGY has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded VAALCO Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 27th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on VAALCO Energy in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of VAALCO Energy in a research report on Monday, March 6th. About VAALCO Energy (Get Rating) VAALCO Energy, Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil. It operates through the following segments: Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Gabon Segment focuses on the Offshore Gabon-Etame Marin Permit operation. The Equatorial Guinea segment deals with the Equatorial Guinea-Block P operation. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EGY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for VAALCO Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VAALCO Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Macquarie Bank Limited (ASX:MBLPD Get Rating) declared a interim dividend on Tuesday, June 13th, MarketIndexAU reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 6th will be given a dividend of 1.523 per share on Wednesday, September 6th. This represents a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 21st. This is a boost from Macquarie Banks previous interim dividend of $1.41. Macquarie Bank Stock Performance About Macquarie Bank (Get Rating) Macquarie Bank Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various commercial banking and retail financial services. It offers personal banking, wealth management, business banking, and vehicle finance products and services to retail clients, advisers, brokers, and business clients. The company also offers corporate and structured finance, transaction accounts, home loans, credit cards, online banking, asset financing, and leasing services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Macquarie Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Macquarie Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSEARCA:EPOL Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 191,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,962,000. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC owned 1.49% of iShares MSCI Poland ETF as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. GFS Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $824,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 292.0% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,128 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 3,075 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 74.2% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 45,394 shares of the companys stock worth $863,000 after acquiring an additional 19,333 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $679,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $409,000. Get iShares MSCI Poland ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Poland ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA EPOL traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $18.35. 27,027 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 310,074. iShares MSCI Poland ETF has a twelve month low of $10.45 and a twelve month high of $18.84. The company has a market cap of $215.61 million, a PE ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.24. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $17.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.28. iShares MSCI Poland ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Poland IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of the broader Polish equity market. EPOL was launched on May 25, 2010 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EPOL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSEARCA:EPOL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Poland ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Poland ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 (NYSEARCA:SPXU Get Rating)s stock price were down 1.9% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $11.28 and last traded at $11.34. Approximately 4,829,247 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 26,626,906 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.56. ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 Stock Performance The businesss fifty day moving average price is $13.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.42. Get ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 during the 1st quarter worth approximately $137,000. Sentinus LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,824,000. Two Sigma Securities LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 during the 1st quarter worth approximately $606,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 by 19,735.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 53,159 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $717,000 after acquiring an additional 52,891 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Partners Group Inc raised its stake in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Financial Partners Group Inc now owns 28,230 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $381,000 after acquiring an additional 1,621 shares during the period. About ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 The Fund seeks daily investment results that correspond to triple the inverse of the daily performance of the Index. The Fund invests in derivatives that it believes should have similar daily return characteristics as triple the inverse of the daily performance of the Index. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sendas Distribuidora (NYSE:ASAI Get Rating) is one of 53 public companies in the Grocery stores industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Sendas Distribuidora to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk. Dividends Sendas Distribuidora pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Sendas Distribuidora pays out 10.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery stores companies pay a dividend yield of 3.5% and pay out 57.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Get Sendas Distribuidora alerts: Volatility & Risk Sendas Distribuidora has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its stock price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sendas Distribuidoras competitors have a beta of 0.47, indicating that their average stock price is 53% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sendas Distribuidora 0 1 0 0 2.00 Sendas Distribuidora Competitors 1091 2668 2850 113 2.30 This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. As a group, Grocery stores companies have a potential upside of 19.11%. Given Sendas Distribuidoras competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Sendas Distribuidora has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sendas Distribuidora $10.56 billion $236.31 million 17.95 Sendas Distribuidora Competitors $28.97 billion $638.55 million 218.70 Sendas Distribuidoras competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Sendas Distribuidora. Sendas Distribuidora is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Insider & Institutional Ownership 4.5% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 46.8% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 21.7% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sendas Distribuidora 1.86% 29.13% 2.88% Sendas Distribuidora Competitors 1.51% 14.94% 4.23% Summary Sendas Distribuidora competitors beat Sendas Distribuidora on 11 of the 15 factors compared. Sendas Distribuidora Company Profile (Get Rating) Sendas Distribuidora S.A. engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. The company serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals. It sells its products through brick-and-mortar stores, as well as through telesales. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for Sendas Distribuidora Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sendas Distribuidora and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SES AI Co. (NYSE:SES Get Rating) insider Hong Gan sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.91, for a total transaction of $95,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 451,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $861,931.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. SES AI Price Performance SES traded up $0.12 on Monday, hitting $2.11. The company had a trading volume of 943,880 shares, compared to its average volume of 616,677. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $738.52 million, a P/E ratio of -16.23 and a beta of 2.26. SES AI Co. has a 52-week low of $1.33 and a 52-week high of $6.42. Get SES AI alerts: SES AI (NYSE:SES Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter. Equities research analysts expect that SES AI Co. will post -0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional Trading of SES AI Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of SES AI from $7.00 to $4.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Wolfe Research cut shares of SES AI from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $4.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday. A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SES. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of SES AI in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in SES AI in the first quarter worth about $35,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of SES AI during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. purchased a new position in shares of SES AI during the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, CTC Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of SES AI in the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors own 27.39% of the companys stock. About SES AI (Get Rating) SES AI Corporation engages in the development and production of high-performance Lithium-metal rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for SES AI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SES AI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HUATF Get Rating) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,170,800 shares, a drop of 54.4% from the May 15th total of 4,764,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. Huatai Securities Price Performance OTCMKTS HUATF remained flat at 1.25 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is 1.25. Huatai Securities has a 1-year low of 1.12 and a 1-year high of 1.25. Get Huatai Securities alerts: Huatai Securities Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Stories Huatai Securities Co, Ltd., a security company, provides financial services in Mainland China and internationally. The company buys and sells stocks, funds, bonds, futures, and options on behalf of clients; and provides various financial products and asset allocation, margin financing, securities lending, securities-backed lending, and margin securities lending services. Receive News & Ratings for Huatai Securities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huatai Securities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PURE Bioscience, Inc. (OTCMKTS:PURE Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a decline of 93.1% from the May 15th total of 5,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 41,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. PURE Bioscience Trading Up 8.5 % PURE traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $0.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 42,286 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,936. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $0.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.12. PURE Bioscience has a 12 month low of $0.07 and a 12 month high of $0.24. The stock has a market cap of $15.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.50 and a beta of 0.19. Get PURE Bioscience alerts: PURE Bioscience (OTCMKTS:PURE Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 17th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter. PURE Bioscience had a negative return on equity of 142.15% and a negative net margin of 228.72%. The business had revenue of $0.40 million during the quarter. PURE Bioscience Company Profile PURE Bioscience, Inc develops and commercializes antimicrobial products that provide solutions to the health and environmental challenges of pathogen and hygienic control in the United States and internationally. The company manufactures and distributes silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC), a non-toxic antimicrobial agent, which offers residual protection, as well as formulates with other compounds. Read More Receive News & Ratings for PURE Bioscience Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PURE Bioscience and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) has earned an average rating of Hold from the sixteen research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $44.71. A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LUV shares. Melius lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $39.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $64.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Barclays lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $42.00 to $38.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Southwest Airlines In other Southwest Airlines news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $789,248.34. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Stock Performance Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LUV. CoreCap Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC lifted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 247.5% in the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 702 shares of the airlines stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, First Community Trust NA purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.71% of the companys stock. Southwest Airlines stock opened at $31.46 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $30.51 and its 200 day simple moving average is $33.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.72 billion, a PE ratio of 31.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.14. Southwest Airlines has a 1-year low of $28.40 and a 1-year high of $41.76. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $5.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.73 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.99% and a net margin of 2.65%. The businesss revenue was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.32) EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Southwest Airlines will post 2.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 21st will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 20th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.29%. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is currently 72.00%. About Southwest Airlines (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. Recommended 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. NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian authorities Tuesday said at least 8,000 people have been evacuated from the Gujarat coast and shifted to safer locations in anticipation of cyclonic storm Biparjoy. The evacuations have been undertaken from areas within 10 km of the coast in the Kutch and Saurashtra districts of Gujarat. "Until now, 8000 people have been evacuated and moved to safer locations in Kutch," India's federal health minister Mansukh Mandviya told media, adding that 150,000 to 200,000 small and big animals have been moved to higher places. Mandviya is in Gujarat's Kutch to monitor the preparedness to tackle cyclone Biparjoy. According to him, all agencies from federal to local government - Indian Air Force, navy, coast guard and disaster management authorities - were working together to minimize the impact of the cyclone. "Activities at the country's largest port in Kandla have been suspended and the laborers working there have been evacuated. All the ships in Kandla port and Saurashtra coastline have been anchored to prevent them from being caught in the cyclone," he said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review official preparedness for cyclone Biparjoy. India Meteorological Department (IMD) said very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy over the northeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea have intensified, and it is likely to make landfall between Kutch and Pakistan's Karachi on Thursday. IMD has already issued a warning for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. According to IMD, Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagarh and Rajkot are likely to be affected by the cyclone with heavy rainfall and high wind speed, which may go up to 150 kmph from Tuesday to Thursday. IMD said total destruction of thatched houses, extensive damage to mud houses and some damage to permanent houses is expected. Heavy winds are likely to bend or uproot power and communication poles, it said. IMD has also anticipated damages to roads and disruption of railways, in addition to widespread damage to standing crops and orchards. Fishermen have been asked to suspend fishing activities and not to venture into the sea. In view of the cyclone, Indian Railways Tuesday announced it has short-terminated or canceled 79 trains as a precautionary measure in the cyclone-prone areas of Gujarat. Star Group, L.P. (NYSE:SGU Get Rating) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $15.15 and last traded at $15.15, with a volume of 22063 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.94. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Star Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Get Star Group alerts: Star Group Stock Up 1.3 % The businesss 50 day moving average price is $13.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $538.98 million, a PE ratio of 149.41 and a beta of 0.49. Star Group Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Star Group The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, April 24th were given a dividend of $0.1625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 21st. This represents a $0.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.29%. This is a boost from Star Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Star Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 650.07%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. UBS Group AG boosted its position in Star Group by 50.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,584 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 2,216 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of Star Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $97,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Star Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $105,000. Legal & General Group Plc raised its holdings in shares of Star Group by 365.5% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 12,312 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $113,000 after purchasing an additional 9,667 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada acquired a new stake in shares of Star Group in the 1st quarter valued at $115,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 28.25% of the companys stock. About Star Group (Get Rating) Star Group, L.P. sells home heating and air conditioning products and services to residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers in the United States. It also sells diesel fuel, gasoline, and home heating oil on a delivery only basis, as well as provide plumbing services; and installs maintains, and repairs heating and air conditioning equipment. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Star Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Star Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL Get Rating) in a report released on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. GHL has been the topic of several other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. TheStreet lowered Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, JMP Securities lowered Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.38. Get Greenhill & Co. Inc. alerts: Greenhill & Co., Inc. Price Performance Shares of NYSE:GHL opened at $14.61 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $267.56 million, a P/E ratio of -21.48 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $5.64 and a 52 week high of $14.97. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.44. Greenhill & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($1.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Greenhill & Co., Inc. had a negative return on equity of 13.14% and a negative net margin of 3.02%. The company had revenue of $49.68 million during the quarter. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 6th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.74%. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -58.82%. Institutional Trading of Greenhill & Co., Inc. Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Barclays PLC lifted its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 139.0% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,456 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 2,010 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 69.0% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,859 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,576 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 58.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,855 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $122,000 after acquiring an additional 2,886 shares in the last quarter. 74.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Greenhill & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Get Rating) Greenhill & Co, Inc is an independent investment bank, which engages in the provision of financial and strategic advice. It specializes in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, and capital raising. The company was founded by Robert F. Greenhill in 1996 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investment analysts at Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG Get Rating) in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage set a neutral rating on the stock. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on SG. Cowen cut their price target on shares of Sweetgreen from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Sweetgreen from $11.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on Sweetgreen from $10.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.67. Get Sweetgreen alerts: Sweetgreen Stock Up 2.4 % Shares of NYSE:SG traded up $0.25 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.72. 1,543,650 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,662,446. Sweetgreen has a fifty-two week low of $6.10 and a fifty-two week high of $21.66. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.14. The firm has a market cap of $1.19 billion, a PE ratio of -7.00 and a beta of 1.64. Insider Transactions at Sweetgreen Sweetgreen ( NYSE:SG Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.29) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.36) by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $125.06 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.57 million. Sweetgreen had a negative net margin of 34.58% and a negative return on equity of 28.08%. As a group, analysts forecast that Sweetgreen will post -0.99 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, insider Nathaniel Ru sold 50,000 shares of Sweetgreen stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.43, for a total transaction of $471,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 2,121,899 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,009,507.57. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider James Mcphail sold 6,326 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.46, for a total transaction of $59,843.96. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 142,107 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,344,332.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Nathaniel Ru sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.43, for a total value of $471,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 2,121,899 shares in the company, valued at $20,009,507.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 73,293 shares of company stock valued at $692,707. 22.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Sweetgreen Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baillie Gifford & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 146.1% during the 4th quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 5,291,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,350,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141,070 shares during the last quarter. Solas Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $12,352,000. First Manhattan CO. LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 421.6% during the 1st quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 1,262,265 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,896,000 after purchasing an additional 1,020,265 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 1,009.4% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,009,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,653,000 after purchasing an additional 918,656 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen during the 1st quarter valued at $5,568,000. Institutional investors own 84.30% of the companys stock. Sweetgreen Company Profile (Get Rating) Sweetgreen, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and operates fast-casual restaurants serving healthy foods prepared from seasonal and organic ingredients. The company also accepts orders through its online and mobile ordering platforms, as well as sells gift cards that can be redeemed in its restaurants. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sweetgreen Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sweetgreen and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC trimmed its stake in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Get Rating) by 1.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 36,527 shares of the companys stock after selling 621 shares during the quarter. Coca-Cola accounts for 1.3% of Lumature Wealth Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Lumature Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $2,323,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Salem Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Salem Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,359 shares of the companys stock valued at $244,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Kessler Investment Group LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Kessler Investment Group LLC now owns 2,679 shares of the companys stock valued at $170,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 16,604 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,056,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Bellwether Advisors LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 32.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bellwether Advisors LLC now owns 698 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 28,494 shares of the companys stock worth $1,597,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. 68.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Coca-Cola Stock Down 0.4 % NYSE:KO traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $60.21. The company had a trading volume of 14,175,994 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,359,562. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $62.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The Coca-Cola Company has a 1 year low of $54.01 and a 1 year high of $65.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $260.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.41, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.55. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.78 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 42.96% and a net margin of 22.69%. The companys revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 15th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is currently 80.70%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on KO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Coca-Cola from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Coca-Cola from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, HSBC lowered their price target on Coca-Cola from $77.00 to $74.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.67. Insider Activity at Coca-Cola In other news, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total transaction of $46,535.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,264,372. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total transaction of $46,535.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,264,372. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 150,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total value of $9,649,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,468,984.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 420,786 shares of company stock valued at $26,886,224 over the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. Coca-Cola Profile (Get Rating) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The North West Company Inc. (OTCMKTS:NNWWF Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 47,900 shares, an increase of 409.6% from the May 15th total of 9,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 479.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NNWWF. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on North West from C$38.00 to C$36.00 in a research note on Monday. TD Securities upped their target price on North West from C$39.00 to C$41.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on North West from C$41.00 to C$39.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, CIBC increased their price objective on North West from C$37.00 to C$39.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Get North West alerts: North West Stock Down 1.8 % OTCMKTS NNWWF traded down $0.47 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $25.41. The stock had a trading volume of 100 shares, compared to its average volume of 914. The firms 50 day moving average is $28.16 and its 200 day moving average is $27.15. North West has a twelve month low of $23.25 and a twelve month high of $29.45. About North West The North West Company Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in northern Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The company's Canadian operations comprise 118 Northern stores, which offers food, financial services, and general merchandise; 5 NorthMart stores that provides fresh foods, apparel, and health products and services; 26 Quickstop convenience stores that provides ready-to-eat foods, and fuel and related services; 5 Giant Tiger junior discount stores, which offers family fashion, household products, and food; 2 Valu Lots discount center and direct-to-customer food distribution outlet; 1 solo market, a store in remote market; 3 Pharmacy and Convenience stores; and 1 North West Company motorsports dealership offering sales, service, parts and accessories for Ski-doo, Honda, Can-am and other premier brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for North West Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North West and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utah Retirement Systems cut its stake in shares of Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Get Rating) by 0.8% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 11,665 shares of the companys stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Utah Retirement Systems holdings in Burlington Stores were worth $2,365,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BURL. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in Burlington Stores by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,222,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores during the 1st quarter worth $246,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores during the 1st quarter worth $751,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Burlington Stores by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 1,538 shares of the companys stock worth $280,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its stake in shares of Burlington Stores by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Get Burlington Stores alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on BURL shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Burlington Stores from $214.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on Burlington Stores from $205.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Burlington Stores from $245.00 to $214.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Burlington Stores from $219.00 to $233.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Burlington Stores from $275.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $222.76. Insider Transactions at Burlington Stores Burlington Stores Price Performance In other news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 47,153 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.46, for a total transaction of $9,876,667.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 55,173 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,556,536.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In related news, Director William P. Mcnamara sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.26, for a total value of $106,130.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 8,154 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,730,768.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 47,153 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.46, for a total value of $9,876,667.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 55,173 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,556,536.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders. BURL stock traded up $7.60 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $153.11. 1,495,407 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,043,141. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The company has a market capitalization of $9.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.10. Burlington Stores, Inc. has a 52-week low of $106.47 and a 52-week high of $239.94. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $175.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $199.42. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 25th. The company reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.93 by ($0.09). Burlington Stores had a return on equity of 41.79% and a net margin of 2.77%. The business had revenue of $2.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.54 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Burlington Stores, Inc. will post 5.86 earnings per share for the current year. Burlington Stores Profile (Get Rating) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded apparel products in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BURL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. Commitment to Promoting Friendly Ties Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. One-China Principle as Political Foundation Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. Enhancing Cooperation Across the Spectrum During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] (Source: Xinhua) YANGON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar exported more than 117,201 tons of green grams in the first two months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday. From April 1 to June 2 this year, the country earned over 76.639 million U.S. dollars from the exports of green grams, the ministry's figures showed. Myanmar's total exports of beans and pulses, including green grams, during the period reached over 310,573 tons, its figures showed. "Green grams were mostly exported to China," U Soe Win Maung, advisor of Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association, told Xinhua. They were also exported to Vietnam and a number of European countries, he added. Green grams and black grams are the most commonly cultivated beans and pulses in Myanmar, accounting for around 60 to 70 percent of the total production of beans and pulses in the country, he said. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, Myanmar exported more than 1.91 million tons of beans and pulses including over 691,399 tons of green grams, the ministry's figures showed. Beans and pulses are Myanmar's second-most cultivated crops after rice, accounting for 33 percent of the country's total agricultural production. Weather Alert The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Massac County in southern Illinois... Pulaski County in southern Illinois... Central Ballard County in western Kentucky... Graves County in western Kentucky... McCracken County in western Kentucky... * Until 500 PM CDT. * At 1230 PM CDT, emergency management reported flash flooding across the warned area. Many roads remain closed and some water rescues continue. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Emergency management reported. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Paducah, Metropolis, La Center, Lone Oak, Reidland, Brookport, Mounds, Barlow, Mound City, Karnak, Barkley Regional Airport, West Paducah, New Columbia, Lynnville, Ullin, Kevil, Joppa, Olmsted, Water Valley and New Grand Chain. After coordinating with Emergency Management officials, this Flash Flood Warning will replace the Flash Flood Emergency in effect for Pulaski, Ballard and McCracken counties. While considerable flooding issues persist, rains have let up and there has been some improvement in overall conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. && FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED; FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE ...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR WEST PADUCAH... The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... McCracken County in western Kentucky... * Until 100 PM CDT. * At 825 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain in Western McCracken County. Between 4 and 6 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for West Paducah. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Law enforcement reported. IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Paducah, Lone Oak, Reidland, West Paducah and Barkley Regional Airport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. && FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED; FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Massac County in southern Illinois... Graves County in western Kentucky... McCracken County in western Kentucky... * Until 100 PM CDT. * At 701 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Paducah, Metropolis, Lone Oak, Reidland, Brookport, Barkley Regional Airport, West Paducah, Lynnville, New Columbia, Kevil, Joppa, Water Valley, and Symsonia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- India's Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced new schemes worth more than 80 billion Indian rupees (972 million U.S. dollars) in a bid to strengthen disaster management system in the country. The minister announced the new schemes at a meeting with officials in charge of disaster management from different states in New Delhi. The three major schemes include projects to expand and modernize fire services in states and to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous cities including Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, and a national landslide risk mitigation project for various regions in the South Asian country. "The nature of disasters has changed, their frequency and intensity have also increased, that's why we have to sharpen and widen our preparations," Shah said at the meeting. People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People take part in a long table event at Prague Castle in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 12, 2023. A roughly 400-meter-long table in the shape of a heart was set up around St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle on Monday. Prague's residents and visitors were welcomed to join the event with their own dishes and share with others. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) UPS workers: tell us what you want to fight for! Contact the WSWS by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous. UPS hub in Manhattan With a strike authorization vote finally underway, a mood of determination, but also frustration and deep distrust of the Teamsters bureaucracy, is taking hold among 340,000 UPS workers across the United States. Workers are determined to win back decades of pro-company concessions, dramatic improvements to their working conditions, wages and hours and an end to management harassment. But the Teamsters apparatus under General President Sean OBrien, a career official being falsely recast as a rank-and-file militant, is preparing a pro-company sellout behind closed doors. This is shown by the vote itself, which is being organized hastily and is far behind schedule. This is designed to deliberately suppress voter turnout in order to prevent the strike authorization vote from becoming a rallying point for the rank and file. Teams from the WSWS spoke with workers over the weekend at facilities in New York City, as well as the massive Worldport air freight hub in Louisville, Kentucky. They distributed copies of last weeks WSWS statement, UPS workers: Form rank-and-file committees independent of the Teamsters bureaucracy to defeat the upcoming sellout, fight for a national strike! which was received with great interest. One worker in New York City initially refused to take a leaflet, but came back soon after. I thought you were with the union. That is why I didnt take the leaflet or talk to you, he said. I never heard about the strike authorization vote from a union official. It was other drivers who told me. Significantly, Local 804 in New York City initially tried to limit the strike vote to last Thursday and Friday only, but was compelled to issue an extension. Many workers in both New York and Louisville learned about the strike vote for the first time from the WSWS campaign team. I didnt even know that was something which workers had the right to vote on, one Louisville part-timer said. A New York driver said, I dont know what to tell you. I dont know what is going on here. I dont know when the strike authorization vote is. I am a full-time driver with 36 years, and the company has always treated us badly. This is a company which makes over $100 billion a year. Look how hard we work, and we get nothing. We worked through the pandemic and got nothing. We got no hazard pay or anything. A lot of workers caught COVID, got sick and died. I got COVID, and a lot of people got it. A lot of people died. I worked every day, and got nothing for it. The government doesnt give us anything. The government doesnt care about us. Several workers spoke about the conditions last week when air quality in New York City reached a hazardous level due to wildfires in Canada. Look at the Canadian fire smoke. The city was filled with a lot of smoke. You couldnt see, but we worked. I dont know how many workers passed out or got sick from this because I am an indoor driver, and I dont see the outside drivers very much. Another worker said that the only instructions that they had gotten from management when the city was blanketed with smoke were commonplaces, like Work at your own pace and Wear a mask if you want to. Masks were not provided. Workers were expected to perform as usual. A full-time driver with five years said, I just got a text today that said the vote would go on until Tuesday. I think the problems are that we got no hazard pay for working during the pandemic, and the 22.4 drivers [also known as hybrid drivers, who split their time between driving delivery trucks and working in the warehouse] who were brought in with the last contract. As an air driver, my top pay is almost $10 an hour less than the top pay of a regular driver. Another worker said, Personal Vehicle Drivers are a problem. I dont know the number of them here, but they drive their own cars just like Amazon, and they do our work. The contract should not allow this. Although little is known about the content of the current contract talks, unconfirmed rumors are swirling on social media that UPS is demanding a significant expansion of PVDs. A driver who has been a longtime contact said Saturday, I have been getting your material for a while, and we do need a Rank-and-File Committee. The shop steward here is giving the company everything. We lose every grievance. At both New York and Louisville, some workers reported being forced to work split shifts, in flagrant violation of the current contract. The Teamsters have done nothing to oppose this, which has become a regular practice by management. Wed be doing like 4:30 to 8:30 in the morning, go home and then come back 4:30 to 8:30 in the evening, one second-tier hybrid driver told a New York rally in April. Well be getting like a lot of guys who are getting four or five hours of sleep. On Saturday, a number of 22.4 drivers told the WSWS they had worked split shifts at the 43rd Street hub. UPS workers leaving during shift change at the Worldport air hub in Louisville, Kentucky Mechanics in Louisville told the WSWS the split shift system is widely used there as well. UPS will deny that this takes place, but it does, one worker said. It has become particularly widespread during the pandemic, he explained, because of sharp increases in package volumes caused by a shift towards online shopping, which has also produced record profits for the logistics company. Its not unusual for us to have to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week, another mechanic said. That was 18 hours in the last contract. While drivers, mechanics and other job classifications are being worked to the bone, part-time workers loading and sorting packages have so few hours that it is impossible to make ends meet. They always cut hours from January to March after the holidays, but now a lot of us are still only getting three hours a day, one worker said, But the workload stays the same. And if youre on your way to punch out and some line is short staffed, they can grab you to work on that line and you cant refuse. We will typically get about 3.5 hours a day, and Sunday is our longest day in a week, Noah, a part-timer, said. We will usually never get more than six hours. Thats hard to pay the bills with. My partner works here too, and between the two of us, thats basically one full time job. Noah Management harassment has gotten worse as the July 31 deadline approaches, he continued. In particular people are angry about the fact that they have gotten rid of the Friday shifts at the two-day air hub. Thats affected about half the people in my area. I think theyre trying to get people to leave entirely so that they arent around to vote on the contract. When asked about a recent video by a Local 89 official on the elimination of Friday shifts, who blandly declared that management had the right to change its business model, and that there was little the Teamsters union could do, Noah responded, That just makes it so they feel that they can change whatever they want. They cant whip us around like that out of nowhere. Asked his thoughts about the OBrien administration, he said, I mean, Im not mad at them, but we could get much better communication. Most of what I know is because Im on social media groups where other workers from across the country report whats going on. But there have been no updates. They were giving us some details during the supplemental talks, but its just been getting less and less the closer we get to July 31. Many operations workers at Worldport are also concerned about the shuttle service which takes workers from the parking lot to their work locations on the massive site. This shuttle can take upwards of a half hour to ride, all of which is unpaid time, and the shuttle is frequently late. However, workers are still punished if they are late clocking in by even a single minute due to the lateness of the shuttle. Many workers want to see a more reliable shuttle system so that they are no longer docked for being late. Jarrad, a worker with 20 years, only secured a full time position two years ago at Worldport. Sixty percent of the 11,000 employees hereincluding supervisory staffare part timers. So its extremely hard to get full-time work here, he said. This is the way its always been. Nothings changed for the better, contract after contract. I was willing to give Sean OBrien the benefit of the doubt because after [previous president] James Hoffa Jr. there really needed to be some kind of change for the better. But the more I find out about OBrien, the more I think theyre dealing different cards out of the same deck. Ron, a mechanics at Worldport, is a veteran of the last national strike in 1997. He said he voted for that strike because the Teamsters administration under Ron Carey claimed they were fighting for full employment, but that strike turned out very differently from what they had been promised. Now, he and his coworkers have little faith in the Teamsters. He says he has learned about the history of OBrien through the WSWS, especially his numerous visits last year at the White House. I am willing to go on strike if I know exactly what I am striking for, he said. But weve told them what our demands are months ago, and weve heard nothing since. They told everybody to sign up for this new Teamsters app where we would supposedly be given regular updates. But that thing hasnt been updated in a month and a half. Its gone dark. Jerry Jerry, another mechanic and veteran of the 1997 strike, said: Im all for authorizing a strike but theyre not telling us what wed be striking for. Theyre talking about issues that should have been resolved 20 years ago, like air conditioning in the trucks and the tiers. You never see anybody from the union. I havent seen the business agent in months. When he was the president of the local, I never saw [General Secretary Treasurer Fred] Zuckerman except a couple times, when they had candy-coated tours of the facilities. You never see any of them. They are basically telling the mechanics to make chicken salad out of chicken s***. Theyre not giving us the materials we need. They rejected a request for metal shipments the other day. UPS made $100 billion in revenue last year, $15.6 billion in profits and were not even getting a sniff of that. And they have all of these handshake agreements with the company over stuff that should have been dealt with years ago. With this strike vote, which is being held extremely late, we dont even know what wed be striking for. They tell us nothing. But the company already knows what theyre gonna do. I barely even know anything about Sean OBrien. If you ask anyone else youd probably get a similar response. Thats how far they are from us. Were only dimly aware of who they even are. He stressed, however, that a strike would only have an impact to the extent that it found broad support. If the pilots [who are in a different union] support our strike, that makes all the difference. That will hurt UPS, he said. Officials from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are terrified that rank-and-file workers are speaking out and discussing collective action to defend their wages and working conditions. On Monday, June 12, an ILWU local union president at the Port of San Diego went so far as to threaten the job and livelihood of any longshore worker who spoke to World Socialist Web Site reporters about the issues in their struggle. For nearly a year, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the Biden administration and the ILWU bureaucracy have kept over 22,000 West Coast dockworkers on the job without a contract or even a strike authorization vote. Tensions on the docks are beginning to boil over. Since June 2, major job actions by dockworkers have slowed, or in some cases, closed terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Tacoma, Oakland and Seattle. As reported by the World Socialist Web Site, these job actions were taken by rank-and-file workers after learning that the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) was proposing a $1.56 pay increase across all three tiers: A, B and casual. In an attempt to break through the information blackout that has been imposed by the ILWU, PMA and the White House since the onset of negotiations more than a year ago, on Monday WSWS reporters distributed dozens of leaflets and spoke to longshoremen on the public sidewalk outside ILWU Local 29 dispatch in National City, California, where the Port of San Diego is located. The leaflets included copies of a WSWS article warning that the same major business groups that demanded that the Biden administration outlaw a strike by railroad workers last year and impose a pro-company contract on them were calling on Biden to do the same thing to dockworkers. After about 30 minutes of discussions with dockworkers, WSWS reporters were confronted by ILWU Local 29 President Raymond Leyba. In the video below, Leyba is seen in a yellow vest holding a leaflet and demanding to know who the WSWS reporters were. After they identified themselves and said they were there to gather interviews from dockworkers, Leyba replied, You are not interviewing anyone out of this local. The only one you are allowed to interview is me, I am the president, and I dont interview. WSWS reporters stood their ground and asserted their right to interview workers and for workers to express themselves without harassment. Leyba, who has been an official in the local since 2007, responded by threatening to retaliate against any dockworker who spoke with the WSWS. You may have a right, but if they talk to you, I have a right to not give them any work [emphasis added], Leyba declared. Immediately afterwards, Leyba addressed a group of casual dockworkers waiting in the parking lot, demanding they turn over the WSWS leaflets to him. This attack on democratic rights shows just how far the ILWU has degenerated. One of the key demands won in the historic West Coast Longshoremen Strike of 1934 was an end to the shape up system, by which the company controlled hiring and blacklisted left-wing and militant workers. As a result of the strike workers won union hiring halls, which gave the ILWU some control over jobs and hiring. Instead of company goons threatening to deprive workers of their livelihoods if they expose and fight the miserable conditions they face, the port and ship owners rely on ILWU functionaries like Lebya to blacklist workers who exercise their First Amendment rights. At their meeting in Luxembourg last week, EU interior ministers effectively abandoned the right of asylum for refugees. According to its member states, refugees are to be interned in detention camps at the EUs external borders in the future, their asylum applications to be decided in a fast-track procedure and then deported to almost any third country. The legal foundations for the Asylum Procedure Regulation and the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation negotiated in Luxembourg were drafted under the current Swedish Council Presidency but were essentially pushed forward by the German government. On Twitter, German Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser (Social Democratic Party, SPD), described the agreement reached as a historic successfor the European Union, for a new immigration policy based on solidarity and for the protection of human rights. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green Party), who worked intensively on the drafting of the legislation and now claims that the status quo will improve for many refugees, sounded the same note. The opposite is the case. The agreements reached express the spirit of far-right and racist parties and further expand Fortress Europe. Swedish immigration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard is implementing almost word-for-word the anti-refugee demands of the far-right Sweden Democrats, on whose votes Ulf Kristerssons minority government relies. The German government has also adopted the demands of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), despite all the lofty words about human rights. Stirring up anti-refugee sentiments and employing the boat is full rhetoric, Berlin refers to empty budgets and overstretched cities and municipalities. The hypocrisy of the German government in particular is breathtaking. Baerbock declared that the agreement was years overdue, that it prevented conditions at the EUs external borders like those in Moria. The completely overcrowded Moria refugee camp on the Greek Aegean island of Lesbos, where refugees were held for months under appalling conditions, burnt down in 2020 and is a symbol of the European Unions inhumane refugee policies. In the future, there will be many Morias at the EUs external borders. The new Asylum Procedures Regulation stipulates that EU member states must carry out asylum checks at the external borders. Only refugees from countries with a recognition rate of at least 20 percent throughout the EU will be given the chance of lodging a claim under regular asylum procedures. For all others, there will be fast-track procedures that are to be completed within twelve weeks. During this time, refugees will be interned in detention camps. Even families with children will not be spared internment; only unaccompanied minors seeking protection are exempt. The refugee organisation Pro Asyl rightly points out that this will massively extend the detention period of refugees at the EU external border, which could last up to four months. Moreover, there will be no fair asylum process. Since refugees in detention centres at the external borders are legally considered as not having entered the EU, standards that have applied so far no longer apply. In addition, access for refugee aid workers and lawyers in the detention camps will be severely restricted. The EU wants to set up at least 30,000 detention places at the external borders, so that with a procedure lasting four months, up to 120,000 refugees per year could be turned away in a fast-track process. These people would then be threatened with up to 18 months detention pending deportation, so that they could be interned for up to two years simply because they fled wars, misery and hardship out of desperation. Countries of origin with a recognition rate below 20 per cent already include Russia, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Bangladesh and others. And even refugees from Syria and Afghanistan are threatened with fast-track procedures, for example, if they arrive without a valid passport and are accused of deliberately throwing it away. On the other hand, the Mediterranean states of Greece, Italy and Spain have had it written into their regulations that refugees who enter via so-called safe third countries will also be transferred onto the fast-track procedures. In the case of Greece, this applies to all refugees, as the Greek government has designated Turkey as a safe third country. Since the deportation of rejected refugees does not seem effective enough to the European governments, the standards of protection will also be massively lowered. According to the EU interior ministers, agreements are to be concluded soon with third countries that undertake to take in refugees who are not welcome in the EU. To this end, the definition of safe third countries will be expanded enormously. In future, it should also suffice for a deportation if only parts of a state are designated as safe. It will also include states that have not ratified the Geneva Refugee Convention. The only condition for deportation to these third countries is that the refugees must have a connection to that state. What is so deceitful about this is that each EU member state conducting the asylum procedure can decide for itself which connection is considered sufficient. Even a transit on the escape route can be defined as a connection. This opens the door to arbitrary deportations from Greece to Turkey, from Spain to Morocco or from Italy to Tunisia. The regulation on asylum and migration management also facilitates such arbitrary deportations. It is to the detriment of the refugees. The agreement reached is intended to replace the Dublin Regulation, which has failed in practice, and to tighten it massively. According to the Dublin Regulation, the member state in which first entry occurred is responsible for conducting the asylum process and accommodation of refugees. However, the repatriation of asylum seekers to countries of first entry has regularly failed because they refused to take them back or the courts prohibited repatriations because the asylum seekers were threatened with inhumane living conditions in countries like Greece and Bulgaria. Unaccompanied minors are also excluded from the Dublin Regulation. Therefore, there will now be compulsory readmission, repatriation will also be extended to minors and legal protectionsi.e., the possibility to have a deportation reviewed in courtwill be drastically restricted. This will also massively increase the pressure on the EU border states to get rid of refugees as quickly as possible, using any means. The newly introduced solidarity mechanism leaves the possibility open for EU member states to buy their way out of taking in refugees. The interior ministers have cynically set the price per refugee at 20,000 euros. This sum can be offset against border security measures. The cost of Polish or German border police officers deployed for the EU refugee agency Frontex in Bulgaria can be claimed here, as can financial aid for the erection of walls and fences and payments to third countries that support the EU in warding off refugees. Refugees who are to be distributed throughout the EU via the solidarity mechanism can also be offset against people who are to be returned to the country of first entry. In this way, instead of taking refugees from Greece, the German government can forego an equal number of transfers back to that country. The Luxembourg interior ministers conference passed its resolutions with a qualified majority. Opposition came only from the right. Poland and Hungary voted against; Malta, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic abstained. Polish Interior Minister Bartosz Grodecki declared that his country would not abide by absurd regulations. The Czech government also made it clear after the meeting that it did not want to participate in the negotiated solidarity mechanism. Nevertheless, the EU Commissioner for Migration and Asylum, Ylva Johansson, declared the agreement a historic event. In fact, it is historic only in the sense that the European Union is abandoning the Geneva Refugee Convention and significantly increasing the misery of refugees at the EUs external borders and on the escape routes. In future, there will be many Morias, with the difference being that the refugees will be forcibly interned in slum camps and even children will not be spared. The conditions in these camps can already be seen in the so-called Closed Controlled Access Centres on the Greek Aegean islands. With EU funds, the Greek government has built high-security prisons for refugees there, without access to adequate medical care or legal counselling. The supply of food is often completely inadequate. The deputy chairperson of Medecins Sans Frontieres in Germany, Parnian Parvanta, said the decision of the EU interior ministers would have catastrophic consequences for people in need of protection. Prison-like camps as on the Greek islands will become the standard on European soil. There will also be more brutal pushbacks, i.e., the forcible rejection of refugees without an asylum hearing. To escape the fast-track procedures in detention camps, refugees will be forced to undertake riskier and more expensive escape routes. With the ink not yet dry on the decisions of the interior ministers, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was already putting them into practice. Together with the neofascist Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Premier Mark Rutte, she travelled to Tunisia on Sunday to pay her respects to President Kais Saied. The EU Parliament had recently reprimanded Saied for his authoritarian style of government. He has ruled by presidential decrees since his coup in July 2021, and more than 20 politicians and journalists are in prison. Now the delegation offered him over a billion euros to block refugees from leaving the country and, if they make it anyway, to take them back and imprison them. Brussels wants to transfer 100 million to him for sealing off the borders and repatriating migrants. 150 million is to flow to Tunis as budget support and another 900 million euros as a macroeconomic financial injection. Italy wants to add another 700 million if Tunisia reaches an agreement with the IMF. Saied, who provoked violent riots against refugees with a racist diatribe in February and fueled the wave of refugees53,800 migrants coming from Tunisia have already been registered in Italy this yearis now being paid to take back and imprison people who fled his dictatorship and racism. From Tunisia, von der Leyen, Meloni and Rutte travelled on to civil war-beset Libya to make a similar deal with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who is accused of vote buying and money laundering and controls only part of the country. Last Sunday the management of the Alton Estate at Up-Cot in Maskeliya, in the central plantation district of Sri Lanka, made a failed attempt to disrupt the petition campaign carried out by the Plantation Workers Action Committee (PWAC) for the defence of the estates witch-hunted workers. A victimised Alton Estate worker and her child outside her home. The petition, addressed to the attorney general, demands the immediate withdrawal of the trumped-up charges against 22 workers and two youth in the estate, which is managed by the Hayleys Groups Horana plantation company. The PWAC has launched a campaign, with the support of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka and the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), to mobilise the support of workers in Sri Lanka and elsewhere to defeat the charges against these workers. As part of the campaign, an online petition has been launched and printed copies are being circulated among workers to collect their signatures. The campaign is winning enthusiastic support from workers in Sri Lanka and internationally. Last Sunday, while several members of the PWAC and the SEP were collecting signatures from Alton Estate workers, they were approached by Sandanan Sanmuganadan, who works in the estate dispensary and has a close relationship with management. He held a copy of a recent WSWS article on the Alton witch hunt, which had been distributed among workers. Sanmuganadan said the estate management and the police blamed him for allowing the campaign. The management said that the petition campaign affects the companys tea sales in the international tea market and it will affect the workers also severely. So, we are facing troubles. Therefore, I request you to stop your campaign in the estate, he said. Sanmuganadan claimed there were lies in the article, but when challenged by PWAC/SEP campaigners he failed to point out anything. PWAC/SEP members refused to heed his threatening request to stop and continued their campaign. Sanmuganadans remarks that the campaign affects the companys tea sales and the workers were aimed at intimidating workers. But his attempt failed. More than 25 workers signed the petition in support of the PWAC/SEP campaign. Sanmuganadan is an agent of the estate management and the police, providing them with information regarding the activities of workers, the PWAC and the SEP in the estate. After PWAC and SEP members returned from the Alton Estate, Sanmuganadan visited the house of the mother-in-law of A. Parimaladevi, a PWAC member and a SEP candidate for Maskeliya Pradeseeya Sabha in the local government elections, which were to be held last March but were postponed indefinitely by the government. Accompanied by four other individuals, Sanmuganadan warned residents not to participate in SEP meetings and other activities. When SEP member K. Kandeepan asked about the visit, Sanmuganadan denied it, but admitted that he was a member of a police vigilante committee in the Alton Estate and that police officials come to meet him frequently. The PWAC and SEP warn workers at the Alton Estate that they must beware of this management-police agent. We call on them to take steps to form their own action committees to fight the management-government attacks and to organise their defence against vigilante committees. At the same time, we emphasise that the PWAC and SEP are not intimidated by these agents. We will continue and strengthen the defence campaign for the witch-hunted workers and the struggle to defend the social and democratic rights of plantation workers. The day after these incidents, a police officer from the criminal investigation division of the Maskeliya police called on this writer, asking whether I visited the Alton Estate and whether the SEP was going to hold a meeting there. When asked why he was inquiring and how he knew about visits to the Alton Estate, the officer said he knew from police patrolling the estate. After the Alton workers wage struggle in February-March 2021 demanding a 1,000-rupee ($US3.40) daily wage, police patrolling of the estate has intensified to gather information on workers activities. The witch hunt against the Alton Estate workers is a combined conspiracy of the Horana plantation company, the police and the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the main plantation trade union. A worker signs a PWAC petition during the campaign at Alton Estate. Some 500 Alton Estate workers commenced a strike on February 2, 2021, demanding a 1,000-rupee daily wage. They joined hundreds of thousands of plantation workers in a national strike called by the CWC on February 5 over the same demand. The Alton Estate workers continued the strike until March 26 in protest against management harassment and provocations. Twenty-two workers and two youth were arrested on bogus charges that they had physically assaulted the estate manager and assistant manager and damaged the managers house during a protest on February 17. Without any investigation, 34 workers, including the 22 arrested, were sacked. The CWC collaborated in this witch hunt, providing the names of the workers allegedly involved in the February 17 incident. Later, the arrested workers were bailed out on harsh conditions and the court case has dragged on for more than two years. However, the attorney generals department and the police have failed to produce any charges against the accused workers in the Hatton magistrates court. The next hearing is scheduled for June 21. The SEP and PWAC alone are fighting continuously to defend these workers, demanding their unconditional reinstatement with due compensation for the suffering they have gone through for more than two years. The witch hunt against the Alton Estate workers is part of a broader attack on plantation workers and the working class as a whole. In June 2021, five workers at the Velioya Estate in Hatton were arrested after a protest demanding government-allocated food relief during a COVID-19 lockdown. On September 29, 2021, police arrested 11 workers at the Katukelle Estate who struck in protest against the victimisation of P. Ponnirselvi, a female worker, by the estate management. All the plantation unions, including the CWC, National Union of Workers and Up Country People Front, have refused to defend these workers. On March 29 this year, the Wickremesinghe government deployed thousands of armed soldiers and police to break strike action by Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation (CPC) workers against privatisation, and 20 workers, including union leaders, were placed on compulsory leave. This witch hunt also continues. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has ordered a police investigation into taking legal action against the workers under essential services regulations, which ban industrial action in several public sector enterprises. None of the unions, including those functioning in the CPC and the plantations, have taken any action against these repressive moves against petroleum workers. Amid increasing government repression, the regional plantation companies have intensified their attacks on estate workers. Daily targets for plucking tea leaves have been increased to unbearable levelsfrom 18 to 20 kilograms or from 16 to 18 kilograms. If workers are unable to reach the target, they lose half their daily wage. At the same time, regional plantation companies have stepped up the introduction of a productivity-based revenue share system. Workers are allocated plots of land with about 1,500 tea bushes. They are responsible for maintaining and harvesting the bushes while the company supplies fertiliser and agrochemicals. Workers are paid after deducting the cost of those inputs and a share for the company. A workers whole family has to shed sweat and blood in this system, for the profits of the companies. Under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-dictated austerity program, the Wickremesinghe government has decided to restructure 430 state enterprises, including 21 regional plantation companies. This will heavily impact on more than 600,000 workers, including some 150,000 estate workers and their families. The estate workers are one of the most oppressed and lowest-paid sections of the working class. They will face more attacks under the estate restructuring, including job losses, wage cuts and more brutal working conditions. To fight these attacks, workers need grassroot organisations, i.e., their own action committees, independent from the trade union bureaucracy, to unify with their class brothers and sisters elsewhere in the country and internationally who face similar attacks. At the same time, the PWAC and the SEP appeal to workers in Sri Lanka and internationally to support the campaign to defend the witch-hunted Alton workers by signing the PWAC online petition and sending your protest statements to the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka: Attorney General Mr. Sanjay Rajaratnam No. 159 , Hulftsdorp,Colombo 12 Email: administration@attorneygeneral.gov.lk Secretary, Ministry of Public Security Mr. P.V. Gunatillake Email: civilsecurity@defence.lk Inspector General of Police Mr. C. D. Wickramaratne Email: telligp@police.lk Send copies to the SLPAC: Email: plantationacsl@gmail.com On Tuesday, for the first time in US history, a former president will be arraigned in court for violating federal criminal law. The decision to indict Donald Trump reflects profound divisions within the ruling class and accelerates a crisis that will rattle the foundations of the American political establishment in the coming weeks and months. There is no lack of political and constitutional reasons for prosecuting Trump. In his four years as president, he ran roughshod over the populations most basic democratic rights. He led an attempt to overthrow the Constitution and establish a dictatorship on January 6, 2021. He launched a Hitlerian initiative to separate immigrant children from their parents. He encouraged fascist supporters to stand by in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election in order to intimidate voters. He pardoned war criminals, declared that torture works, and threatened to blow up Iranian cultural sites in violation of international law and the Nuremberg Principles. However, the Democratic Party-led prosecution of Donald Trump addresses none of these crimes. While Trump and his main co-conspirators have never been punished for their attacks on the rights of the population, the Justice Departments indictment of Trump focuses solely on his transgressions against the national security apparatus. The indictment centers on Trumps retention of state secrets relating to US imperialisms plans for war. Among the documents that the indictment states Trump kept after leaving office are those detailing the nuclear capabilities of the US and its enemies as well as attack plans against various countries and contingencies for war. The state guards such documents as top secret because the population cannot be allowed to know about them. To safeguard its secret war plans, the Biden administrations indictment relies for statutory authority almost entirely on the Espionage Act of 1917. Nothing progressive can come from prosecuting Trump based on the Espionage Act. For over a century, the Espionage Act has served as the sharpest legal implement in the toolshed of state reaction, used for the purpose of suppressing opposition to imperialist war. The Espionage Act, which was based explicitly on the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798, arose in the bloody adolescence of American imperialism, when it confronted the outbreak of the First World War and the Russian Revolution. President Woodrow Wilson first demanded the passage of such a law in his December 7, 1915 State of the Union address, when the United States remained formally neutral in the imperialist maelstrom into which it was being drawn. Denouncing those who have poured the poison of disloyalty into the very arteries of our national life, Wilson demanded Congress enact such laws at the earliest possible moment to do nothing less than save the honor and self-respect of the nation. Referring to the growth of strikes and the increasing popularity of socialism, especially among immigrant workers, he said, Such creatures of passion, disloyalty and anarchy must be crushed out. The hand of our power should close over them at once. Wilsons speech set the tone for the debates surrounding the two most important and interrelated pieces of congressional actions of 1917: the declaration of war against Germany and the Espionage Act. In his formal address to Congress asking for a declaration of war, Wilson blamed German intrigue for internal dissent: From the very outset of the present war it has filled our unsuspecting communities and even our offices of government with spies and set criminal intrigues everywhere afoot against our national unity of counsel, our peace within and without, our industries and our commerce. He again demanded swift passage of a bill to safeguard the states war plans and crush dissent. Such a bill was introduced in early April, passed the House by a 261-109 vote on May 4, passed the Senate by an 80-8 vote on May 14, and was signed into law by Wilson on June 15. The debates and passage of the Espionage Act coincided with the rapidly developing revolutionary changes taking place in Russia. In February, the revolutionary upheaval of the Russian workers and peasants forced the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, and a bourgeois provisional government was established in its stead. In April, simultaneous to the introduction of the Espionage Act in the House, Lenin returned to Russia. In mid-April, anti-war sentiment among Russian toilers exploded when a secret letter pledging continued support for the war, written to the allies by the provisional governments foreign minister, Pavel Miliukov, was leaked to the public. Washington followed these developments with the most intense concern and attention and enacted the Espionage Act to protect the state from the threat of revolution and to eliminate obstacles to waging imperialist war. Since becoming law, the Espionage Act has served as the statutory foundation for the massive national security apparatus that both parties have constructed over the last century. In his book Secrecy, former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote that with the passage of the act, The modern age began. He continued: Three new institutions had entered American life: Conspiracy, Loyalty, Secrecy. Each had antecedents, but now there was a difference. Each had become institutional; bureaucracies were established to attend to each. In time there would be a Federal Bureau of Investigation to keep track of conspiracy at home, a Central Intelligence Agency to keep tabs abroad, an espionage statute and loyalty boards to root out disloyalty or subversion. And all of this would be maintained, and the national security would be secured, through elaborate regimes of secrecy. Over the course of the 20th century, the Espionage Act has been utilized by Republican and Democratic administrations to carry out some of its most atrocious crimes. Among the Wilson administrations first targets was Eugene V. Debs, the revolutionary leader of the Socialist Party. Debs was arrested and convicted for violating the Espionage Act after delivering an anti-imperialist speech in Canton, Ohio, in which he attacked the war and the capitalist class. Every solitary one of these aristocratic conspirators and would-be murderers claims to be an arch-patriot, Debs declared. Every one of them insists that the war is being waged to make the world safe for democracy. What humbug! What rot! What false pretense! Debs ran for president in 1920 from prison and won almost a million votes. Others were jailed for speaking out against World War One, including Emma Goldman, Kate Richards OHare, Charles Schenk and Jacob Abrams. Thousands of immigrants were arrested and deported for their political views in a series of raids which Wilsons attorney general, A. Mitchell Palmer, justified in part under the Espionage Act. During the Second World War, after Franklin Delano Roosevelts Attorney General Francis Biddle had convicted 18 members of the Socialist Workers Party under the Smith Act for opposing the war, Biddle used the Espionage Act to bar the SWP from distributing its publication, The Militant, through the mail. In the years following the Second World War, the Espionage Act served as the pseudo-legal backbone for the anti-communist witch-hunts of the 1950s, including most notoriously the murder of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg on June 19, 1953 on trumped-up charges that they conspired to conduct atomic espionage for the Soviet Union. The government decided to charge the Rosenbergs under the Espionage Act rather than the Atomic Secrets Act because the former carried a death penalty while the latter did not. In 1971, the Nixon administration charged Daniel Ellsberg with violating the Espionage Act after the former RAND employee provided the New York Times and Washington Post with the Pentagon Papers, which detailed the war plans and crimes of US imperialism in Southeast Asia. Though presidential administrations of the 20th century were hesitant to use the Espionage Act too often, any restraint was abandoned by Barack Obama, whose Justice Department prosecuted more people under the Espionage Act than all previous presidents combined. The Obama administration prosecutions focused solely on stopping leaks of military documents to the press. Those prosecuted by Obama included Jeffrey Alexander Sterling, a former CIA officer who revealed to New York Times journalist James Risen details of covert CIA spying on Iran; Thomas Drake, a former National Security Agency official who attempted to blow the whistle on NSA spying to the Baltimore Sun; Chelsea Manning, who provided information about US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan to WikiLeaks; John Kiriakou, who leaked information about the illegal torture of detainees; Edward Snowden, who provided journalists with a mass of documents showing the NSA was engaged in massive illegal surveillance against the worlds population; and Daniel Hale, who leaked internal military documents about the Pentagons drone assassination program. The decision to prosecute Trump under the Espionage Act comes as the Biden administration continues to fight to extradite WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange from Belmarsh prison in London where he has been locked in a cell for four years. Prior to his confinement in Belmarsh, Assange was forced to take refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he was effectively detained for seven years. Assanges crime is that he published evidence of massive war crimes conducted by American imperialism and its allies. He faces a potential 170-year prison sentence under Espionage Act charges. Trump is no victim of the state. He is the former commander in chief of the US military and a fascistic conspirator. But the prosecution of Donald Trump under the Espionage Act can produce no progressive outcome. This is precisely why the Democratic Party has selected the Espionage Act as its legal vehicle for attempting to remove Trump from the political arena, and it is in line with its strategy for opposing Trump on the basis of right-wing foreign policy considerations ever since he took office in 2017. Trump is the leading Republican candidate for president, and the prospect of his return to office is a very real and dangerous one. But the ruling class knows that the war which the US and NATO are escalating against Russia will unleash profound opposition, and they are preparing their mechanisms to suppress and illegalize anti-war sentiment and crush strikes that threaten production. The Espionage Act will no doubt be used for this purpose. To generate support for its war, the ruling class is appealing to an extremely reactionary layer of the upper-middle class. The method of the working class for opposing Trump is entirely different from the method of sex scandals and anti-Russia hysteria. Immense social struggles are on the horizon as workers confront the social and economic costs of the escalating war. Armed with a socialist political perspective independent of both the Democrats and Republicans, the working class has the power to stop both fascist dictatorship and imperialist war. Last week city officials in Davenport, Iowa announced that the bodies of three missing men had been found buried underneath the rubble of the collapsed apartment building at 324 Main Street. Since the building collapsed on May 28, 42-year-old Branden Colvin, 51-year-old Ryan Hitchcock and 60-year-old Daniel Prien had been missing. It took nine days, until June 5, to sort through the wreckage and find the three men. The victims leave behind many family members and friends who have been devastated by their losses. On the same day that his body was recovered, Branden Colvins son graduated high school. At the graduation ceremony an empty seat was saved in the audience for the father, in honor of his memory. Since the collapse, Davenport residents have been protesting against the city government both for its response to the disaster, and for allowing residents to continue living in the building when it was known to be structurally unsafe. In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, the city was prepared to move forward with demolishing what remained of the structure, before all the bodies of the victims had been recovered. Neighbors and survivors have banded together to support one another in powerful acts of solidarity. It was public demonstrations at the site of the disaster that pressured local officials to pause the demolition plans and allow recovery operations to continue until all the missing were found. The demolition efforts are now moving forward after the last victims have been located. Residents are demanding justice, and for those responsible for the collapse to be tried on criminal charges. The city council has been working overtime on behalf of the buildings owner to cover up their mutual responsibility. There have been many calls from Davenport residents for the aldermen to step down. The Mayor of Davenport, Mike Matson, gave his State of the City address today, in which he focused his remarks on promoting new infrastructure projects. Speaking of the collapse, the mayor could only offer residents gallons of crocodile tears. In the hour-long speech Matson said nothing about an investigation into the collapse or charges against the buildings owner, or if resources will be provided to the buildings former residents, many of whom have been made homeless. It has now also become known that both the city and the buildings owner, Andrew Wold, disregarded repeated safety warnings that the building was structurally unsound. Davenports chief building inspector has already resigned. As recently as May 1, Trishna Pradhan, the inspector, completed an evaluation and signed off on the building as secure. A police officer sits parked at the site of a building collapse at the start of demolition, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. [AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall] Wold, it has been revealed, had likely been aware that there were serious problems with the buildings integrity for years, even before he owned it. In 2020, Alliance Contracting LLC, a construction company owned by Wold, was hired by the buildings previous owner to make repairs to the building. In June 2021 Wold bought the building. Since then, safety concerns by different inspectors and professionals were repeatedly raised, but no action was taken by Wold or city officials to close the building or to warn residents of the danger. In light of this information, Davenports residents have been outraged by the negligence and are demanding Wold and complicit city officials be brought to justice. At a city council meeting on Wednesday residents came demanding answers for the collapse and for those responsible to be held accountable. They have been greeted with total indifference by the citys elected officials, who are clearly making attempts to cover up both Wolds responsibility and their own. So far, Wold has only been fined $300 for his violations of safety measures. When confronted by angry residents, city council members have blamed a glitch in the citys computer that had incorrectly listed the building as passed the inspection, when it had in fact failed. Wold is a major landlord and investor in the area, with several different companies and buildings under his ownership. He is also highly politically connected. Wolds attorney, who was the registered agent on the collapsed building, is Robert H Gallagher, the father of Robert S. Gallagher, who is the mayor of neighboring Bettendorf. At the city hall meetings, residents have openly called for the sitting council members to be removed. This was met by open hostility from the aldermen. One resident asked his alderperson, Maria Dickman, to resign. She responded coldly, saying only, OK. Other residents expressed frustration that she could be seen snickering at residents comments throughout the meeting. We got yall in. We can get yall out, said Mike Collier, the cousin of Branden Colvin, one of the victims. Outside the hity hall residents can be seen regularly demanding murder charges against Wold and the others responsible. Blood is on your hands, read one sign held by a protester. One of the survivors of the building collapse, Lisa Brooks, has been among those leading the protests. Iowas Governor Kim Reynolds appeared at the site of the collapse on June 5. Garbed in a yellow vest and hard hat, the purpose of her visit was to feign concern and to pose for photos. Her only response to the situation has been to request that the White House provide reimbursement funds for the cost of rescue teams and demolishing what remains of the structure. So far three lawsuits have been filed against Andrew Wold. One of them is by two survivors of the collapse, Quanishia White-Cotton Berry and Lexus Berry. Quanishia, known lovingly by friends and family as Peach, had been trapped underneath the rubble for six hours before being found. In order to save her life, rescuers had to amputate her leg to free her from the wreckage. Despite the tragedy, Peach remains in good spirits, telling reporters, Im looking forward to healing and getting good treatment, good care. Im already seeing myself walking again. I dont feel stopped by any means. The suit filed by the couple names both the city and Wold as responsible for the collapse. The 80-page document cites several past inspections that stated the building was not compliant with building codes and that these complaints were known. The family wants the owners of the building, the engineers, the contractors and other responsible parties held responsible for this tragic, and 100 percent preventable event, said an attorney for the Berrys. On Friday another building near the site of the collapsed apartments was evacuated. City engineers have been carrying out assessments of other buildings to find other potential dangers. Known as the Executive Square Building, five apartments in the building were ordered evacuated because of areas of structural concern. City officials reported that due to the demolition work in bringing down the remains of the collapsed structure, the Executive Square Building requires additional structural reinforcement. Out of an abundance of caution the building would be entirely evacuated, the city said in a statement. The building collapse has revealed the utter corruption of the state and local governments under capitalism. The Quad Cities area is home to several billion-dollar corporations including John Deere, Tyson, and Arconic. Despite the billions in profit they produce for these companies, the workers of Davenport cannot even be sure that their homes will not collapse in on them. There are ample funds available to provide housing to all those affected by the collapse and to carry out proper inspection and repair of all workers homes. Workers have every right to demand both justice against Wold, and that billions of dollars be appropriated to secure and improve the safety of their neighborhoods. Emboldened and encouraged by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continuous attacks on immigrants, abortion rights, LGBTQ people and socialists, this past Saturday afternoon, roughly 15 Nazis waved flags and signs featuring swastikas, antisemitic caricatures and images in support of DeSantis outside Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Video taken of the incident by a passerby shows the Nazis cursing and threatening visitors at the park. In the video, one Nazi is heard yelling, Go back to Mexico, while another is seen holding a red placard with DeSantis face in the middle. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, the Nazis protested for about two hours and left without any arrests or physical altercations. Several of them have been identified by antifascist researchers and the Anti-Defamation League. One of the Nazis, known as Grandfather88 on social media, was identified as US military veteran David Howard Wynder. Wynder and a few others held a similar demonstration at the same location outside Disney World on May 7, 2022. Texas Observer investigative correspondent Steven Monacelli tweeted that one of the neo-Nazis outside of Disney appeared to be Ronald Murray Junior. Monacelli previously observed Murray Jr. at multiple anti-LGBTQ protests in Texas. Antifascist researchers Miami Against Fascism identified another Nazi, who was observed wearing a Totenkopf skull shirt, as Jason Brown. Brown is a member of Goyim Defense League and is a former New Jersey corrections officer. He was one of three Nazis who was charged last year for participating in an assault on a Jewish Florida college student. After that assault last year, which provoked widespread outrage, several prominent Florida politicians, such as Republican Senator Rick Scott, denounced the Nazis and their violence. DeSantis, however, eyeing a presidential primary campaign against Donald Trump and seeking to appeal to sections of the ruling class as a more competent fascist leader, refused to denounce the assault when asked by reporters. Instead, DeSantis angrily accused the media and his political opponents of trying to smear me as if I had something to do with it. As of this writing, DeSantis, currently second in the Republican presidential primary polling to recently indicted ex-President Donald Trump, has refused to denounce the Nazi presence outside Disney World or renounce their support of him. This is a testament to the ongoing and open embrace of fascist ideology within the American ruling class as a whole. Without this support, the Nazis, with only microscopic numbers, would evaporate. The embrace of fascistic politics by DeSantis and the Republican majority backing him has led to a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents in Florida, according to research by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In a report issued by the organization in March of this year, it found that antisemitic incidents in Florida increased by 42 percent compared to 2021, an all-time high and more than double the number of incidents recorded by the ADL in 2020. ADL research recorded 269 incidents in Florida last year, which includes vandalism, harassment and assault. The only states with more incidents than Florida, home to over 657,000 Jewish people (third most in the US), were New York (580), California (518) and New Jersey (408). Nearly every single incident documented by the ADL was attributed to right-wing extremist and white supremacist groups, such as Donald Trumps army, the Proud Boys. That Nazis have decided to protest outside Disney World is not an accident. DeSantis has frequently attacked the Disney corporation for being woke, especially after the company released a statement last year in opposition to HB-1557, commonly referred to as the Dont Say Gay bill. In response to Disneys opposition, DeSantis revoked a special tax district that had been created to benefit the corporation. In the last few months, Disney and DeSantis have traded lawsuits, and last month, Disney CEO Robert Iger revealed that the company was ceasing construction of an office complex in Orlando which Disney claims would have provided 2,000 jobs. The Nazi protest outside of Disney World was one of three antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ neo-Nazi demonstrations held in central Florida this past weekend, according to the ADL. In Lakeland, Florida, fewer than 10 members of the National Socialist Movement held a demonstration after the Polk County commissioners board rejected a proclamation to celebrate Pride month. While Nazis and fascists continue to be increasingly embraced and accepted by the Republican Party, it must be stated that the fight to eradicate fascism cannot be carried out by the Democratic Party. In addition to funding pro-Trump MAGA candidates, following the January 6 coup, the Democratic Party, led by President Joe Biden, has done everything in its power to strengthen the Republican Party, mainly by refusing to hold Trump and his cabal of co-conspirators accountable for their failed coup. Exposing as phony their pretext to defend the democratic rights of workers in Ukraine or anywhere else, the Democratic Party, going back to the Obama administration, has spearheaded the embrace and arming of neo-Nazi elements in Ukraine as part of its anti-Russia strategy, culminating in the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia. Leading Democratic politicians, such as California Representative Adam Schiff, embraced members of the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion at Congress last year. And last August at the Department of Defense-sponsored Warrior Games held in Disney World, Democratic Party supporter and comedian Jon Stewart presented a member of the Azov Battalion with an award for his spirit and determination. The defense of democratic rights can only be achieved through the mass independent and revolutionary struggle of the working class for socialism in opposition to the capitalist system. Postal workers have continued to write-in from across the UK, exposing punishing revisions to terms and conditions being imposed by Royal Mail with the complicity of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) leadership. Postal workers are demanding action against CWU leaders Dave Ward and Andy Furey for pulling the ballot of 115,000 members for a second time on their sell-out deal. They are desperate to avoid a No vote by tens of thousands of Royal Mail workers furious over the CWUs surrender document. Many of the write-ins are from Scotland following WSWS reporting the walk-out at a delivery office in Glasgow last month which the CWU isolated and blacked-out from the membership even as a scabbing operation was organised. The Glasgow G1 delivery office On June 9, the CWU issued a cursory update on its continued discussions with Royal Mail stating that, We hope to share full and final details next week and will be communicating as extensively as possible at that point. No further statement has been issued by CWU head office as of writing. *** Glasgow: A message to Ward and Furey. GET the vote out now... nobody trusts your insidious behaviour. Its become apparent that you are not the people we thought you were! Nothing has changed in our workplace, its only got worse. And still dependent on agency workers when Royal Mail staff need the hours. The situation is a national disgrace! Stirling: We balloted for a no strings pay deal, yet Ward and Fury accept an all-inclusive deal, including their RED FLAGS! Flexi hours, late starts/ends and sick pay change. What have we been on strike for? Why would they agree to that? INCENTIVES? Ayrshire: When my husband first started with Parcelforce over 15 years ago his shift started at 6.30am, quiet morning roads allowed him to get up at 5.30 leave the house at 6am. He finished just after 5 and was home for 6pm. Now with forced time changes he gets up at 6.30, leaves at 7am, hits rush hour traffic and starts his shift at half past 8. Hes now expected to finish after 7pm and gets home just after 8pm. He eats his dinner separately from the family (reheated), has a shower and usually falls asleep in the chair before going to bed an hour later. The children and grandchildren dont see him through the week anymore and I feel I've lost my husband. Wheres the work life balance in that? He's exhausted by the extra workload and time changes. Do Fury and Ward have wives and family who would accept this? But then for the lifestyle over 100k per annum would provide, maybe I would feel the sweetener of the deal. Dundee: Put in unagreed revisions, handed out 3 EVR'S [early voluntary redundancy]. Now operating with 10 bodies down every day. USO failing, tracked and specials priority. One younger colleague in tears as totally overwhelmed. Disgrace of a company now. Union leaders should hang their heads in shame and resign. Perth: Im led to believe my last post was scoffed at, said to be a rant and not factual by some quarters in Parcelforce, Perth. Well, Ive got nothing to gain by lying. So not a toxic workplace? funny that when one of our drivers was ready to walk out yesterday morning because of the behaviour of a certain employee. Failed items, just because its only a few routes that fail doesn't make it OK. Also working over your time and through your meal relief doesn't make the workloads workable. Also its been said that everyone gets equal treatment. Well for years a certain few get preferential bonuses which has been discussed for ages and recently has escalated. This causes animosity. Also maybe you forgot but we're still in a dispute and thats now on two fronts. Plus who agreed to the revisions? The CWU rep, so you can stamp your feet and throw as many of your toys out the pram as you want. The stuff Ive mentioned here is just a fraction of what goes on and things like this don't make for a great working environment, do they? Swindon, Wiltshire: Royal Mail management are doing exactly what they want. Theyve changed all our frames while we are out on delivery, adding anywhere between 100-200 extra delivery calls, and the CWU are just standing by letting them do this!! The union have sold us out. We dont hear anything from them!! Our walks were already unmanageable but now its a joke!! Staff are being called into meetings demanding they go faster, dont take breaks and run around, and the union are nowhere to be seen. West Midlands: I work for Parcelforce and after 15 years of loyal service I have now been given 30 days notice of depot revisions. Basically my overtime will be more or less halved. So much for a pay rise. I will be taking a 10% pay cut and then told I can work overtime to make it up. London: Baulch, (CWU Outdoor Secretary) Ward and Furey should all resign with immediate effect. They are all a disgrace to the valuable members. All this fight to the death b******s is completely s***t. I like how this vote yes in the package didn't mention sick pay when it's clearly known they don't value employees, only their fat wallets. It's blatantly obvious they've got a golden handshake and are trying to convince us. Kidderminster: I was a postie for 25 years. Ive just taken medical retirement as I couldn't carry on with increased workload. Was told to make sure tracked items werent left, take letters for a ride, bring back what I couldnt do. That put me in an awkward position as it meant I could be accused of wilful delay. Looking at the deal it means an average full-time postie on, lets say 25k a year so, forget first 2% you've had that last year, 6% this year is 1.500, next year a further 500 +500 lump sum minus tax, so back to 2k minus, 18 strike days. So it all the changes and new routes and conditions are worth 300 over 3 years. Glad I got out, wish all you guys and girls all the best. I loved my job. Sad to go but wasnt going to let Simon Thompson and this company cripple me or kill me. Doncaster, South Yorkshire: Staff in my delivery office are stretched to breaking point. We currently have 50% of duties uncovered, which we are being asked to lapse in addition to our own post rounds. A lot of the time, especially on busier days, this is not a manageable workload, and the delivery of letters is being sacrificed for more profitable tracked items and parcels. Morale in our delivery office is exceptionally low, as we try to our best against these impossible workloads. In fairness our line manager has asked for the recruitment of additional staff, which has been flat out refused. Royal Mail cannot meet their USO targets at current staff levels, and the recruitment of staff is needed ASAP. West Yorkshire: CWU have sold us down the river... all the postal workers I know want a no vote. We want the company to go into administration so it can become a public company again. I cannot bear the workloads placed on me. The walks are too big to finish and we have to take lapsing out with us from a different walk. Parcels were to be delivered first and door to doors, mail came last. Goole: It is quite obvious that the CWU leadership are selling us down the river to save their own skins. They are deliberately holding off on the vote until it is too late if the vote was a NO to take strike action under the current remit. They are waiting until we would have to vote again for strike action. It has become a game of attrition by Ward and Furey and they, along with all the executives who voted to recommend this deal should be gone, one way or another, either by resigning or being voted out. This is not a deal we want or what they even told us to go on strike for. It has now turned into just an exercise in saving their own skins. No MOST IMPORTANT video meeting of all time for weeks. They are an embarrassment. LONDON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people were killed in the city center of Nottingham, central England, local police said on Tuesday. Two people were found dead in Ilkeston Road on early Tuesday morning, and another man was later found dead in Magdala Road, the police said in a statement. In another incident in Milton Street, a van attempted to run over three people. They are currently being treated in hospital. "We believe these three incidents are all linked, and we have a man in custody," Chief Constable Kate Meynell said. "This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened." Multiple roads were closed in Nottingham on Tuesday morning and all tram services have been suspended. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to be with you today. At the WTO, we consider the FAO to be an essential partner in our work on fisheries as well as food security. Thank you for the invitation to speak to you. As our Chair described, one of the biggest achievements of MC12 was the conclusion of the binding Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the first WTO Agreement with environmental sustainability at its core. This accomplishment has greatly energized our Members and has given them great confidence in multilateralism. And it has encouraged them to do more. But the adoption of the Agreement did not bring an end to the WTO's work on fisheries. To the contrary, now that the Agreement is concluded, WTO Members are engaged in three parallel processes to carry the work forward. First is accepting the new Agreement. To deliver its benefits for the ocean, the Agreement must enter into force, which requires two-thirds of WTO Members to deposit their instruments of acceptance with the WTO. Our goal is to see entry into force by MC13, scheduled for the end of February in Abu Dhabi. We have received nine instruments from nine Members who have already completed their domestic processes and submitted their instruments of acceptance: Switzerland, Singapore, Seychelles, United States, the UAE, Iceland, Canada, the EU, and Nigeria that brings us to almost one third of the required number. Many other Members are well advanced in their acceptance processes, and we expect more deposits shortly. My plea to all of you is to say yes to this Agreement so that it can start delivering its benefits for ocean sustainability as soon as possible. Translating this agreement into meaningful action is squarely in your hands. It is obvious here that agreement is important for coastal countries who rely on a vibrant fishing industry, whether large or small. And it is important for landlocked countries as well because they need a sustainable source of fish protein. Our Secretariat can provide assistance regarding the process and the simple document required. I urge you to take rapid action, for the sake of the fish and those who depend on it for their livelihoods. The second effort underway relates to how the WTO will assist developing and least developed Members in implementing the new disciplines. In this regard, the Agreement provides for the establishment of a dedicated funding mechanism, in partnership with the FAO, to support implementation of the Agreement by such Members, once they have formally ratified the Agreement. The Fund is up and running, and we have already started to receive donations, with Japan, Germany and Canada being the first, and several others in the pipeline. This action demonstrates to developing and least-developed Members that they will receive the assistance they need to implement the Agreement they will not be left behind. The final of the three strands of ongoing work on fisheries is continuing negotiations to resolve the outstanding issues that could not be agreed at MC12, which include disciplining subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, along with appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed Members. Delegations in Geneva are already actively working on this second wave. In fact, a fish negotiating week is taking place in Geneva as I speak, with lots of energy and determination to conclude the second wave of negotiations by MC13. McLaren boss Andrea Stella says team papaya heads to Canada this week on "the right trajectory" overall despite its recent struggles. McLaren only has three points to show in F1's Constructors' standings for its efforts across the last three races, the result of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's double top-ten finish in Monaco. Last time out in Spain, Norris qualified an impressive third, but a contact on the opening lap with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton forced the Briton into the pits for a front wing change, a setback that led to a lowly P17 finish for the Briton while Piastri concluded his race well outside of the top-ten. "We came away from Spain with a less than satisfactory result," commented Stella in McLaren's Canadian Grand Prix preview. "We were of course very happy to start the race with both cars in the top 10 after a positive qualifying session. "The race proved to be more difficult in terms of pace and due to Lando's incident at Turn 1. We take the learning onboard and we go again." Read also: Stella says McLaren will attempt to make the most of its trip to Montreal this week although the Italian hinted at another challenging race weekend for the Woking-based outfit. "Canada is a track that many drivers enjoy," he added. "It's another challenging circuit, fast-flowing but with low-speed corners and loads of braking and traction. "We're on the right trajectory as a team for the long-term foundation and we know results will start to come to us once we improve the car. "In the meantime, we'll try and extract the most from the next GP in Canada." Before traveling to Canada, Norris and Piastri both spent time at Woking preparing for next weekend's round of racing at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. "With a week off from racing following a double-header, I've been back at the MTC with my engineers in preparation for this weekend," said Norris. "Circuit Gilles-Villenueve can be challenging with its heavy-braking chicanes, but it can also be a lot of fun to race. I'm excited for it, and hopefully we can score some points." The Canadian Grand Prix will mark Piastri's first experience of racing in Montreal. "I've been preparing for the weekend with my engineers, so I feel ready to make my debut at Circuit Gilles-Villenueve," said the Aussie. "Spain was bittersweet for the team. Sunday proved difficult but we had some positives to take away from Saturday's qualifying session. "There's a lot more to achieve this season and we're working really hard to improve our race pace. We'll give it our all in Canada and look to have a positive race weekend." Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter The 4-Day Workweek Is Coming Thanks to AI, According to Experts Thapana Onphalai / Getty Images/iStockphoto Every once in a while, employees and business owners in the U.S. ponder a 4-day workweek. According to a recent survey from Payscale, 10% of workplaces in the U.S. currently offer a 4-day workweek, which is listed among other employee benefits. See: 5 Ways To Use AI To Generate Passive Income Find: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch Other countries are ahead of the U.S. in implementing the strategy, designed to increase worker productivity while improving work-life balance. CNBC reported that dozens of countries including Japan, Belgium, and South Africa implemented 4-day workweek trials between 2015 and 2022. Recently, Microsoft and Panasonic rolled out 4-day workweeks in Japan between 2019 and 2022. A new note from ESG strategists for investment bank Jefferies predicts that generative artificial intelligence will play a role in the success of 4-day workweeks in the U.S. In fact, it could necessitate 4-day workweeks as human employees will need an extra day to decompress and reconnect with human friends and family, away from technology. AI will make workers much more efficient, leading to a broader acceptance of four-day work weeks, Jefferies global department head, Aniket Shah, wrote in the note. Other experts and researchers agree that AI will change the workforce. An April study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University suggested that AI could improve worker productivity by 14%. Goldman Sachs wrote that 25% of all tasks today could be automated in the future with the help of AI. Meanwhile, AI could boost the global GDP by 7%, per Goldman Sachs. Take Our Poll: Do You Think AI Will Replace Your Job? For human workers, enhanced productivity enabled by AI could lead to a 4-day workweek of reduced hours. Just as employers have saved money with work-from-home and hybrid office models to save money, its possible that employers could reduce overhead costs with a four-day workweek by reducing energy costs and other daily expenses. Four day workweeks could also improve retention, which will reduce hiring and onboarding costs in the long term. A 4-day workweek wouldnt necessarily mean a decrease in employee pay. In most trials, employees earned 100% of their salary while their working hours fell by 20%. Among 900 employees who shifted to a 4-day workweek in a study across the U.S. and Ireland, 13% said that no amount of money could convince them to return to the 5-day grind, while 42% said they would need up to 50% more money to work five days a week. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 4-Day Workweek Is Coming Thanks to AI, According to Experts Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Ansell's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions 50% of the business is held by the top 21 shareholders Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock A look at the shareholders of Ansell Limited (ASX:ANN) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 52% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Ansell. Check out our latest analysis for Ansell What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Ansell? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. Ansell already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Ansell, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Ansell is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is Orbis Investment Management Limited, with ownership of 17%. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 7.1% and 5.1% of the stock. A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 21 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Insider Ownership Of Ansell While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Ansell Limited. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around AU$22m worth of shares (at current prices). It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 46% stake in Ansell. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Ansell has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Kameleon007 / iStock.com If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds President Joe Bidens federal student loan forgiveness plan an unlikely scenario, according to legal experts borrowers in some states might have to pay state income taxes on the amount forgiven. See: All of the States That Will Pay Off Your Student Loans Find: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch Its hard to nail down how many states could tax loan forgiveness. After the plan was announced last August, numerous media and tax sites speculated on which states might impose taxes, although there was no consensus on how many. Forbes recently cited an August 2022 Tax Foundation analysis saying that 13 states have the potential to tax forgiven student debt: Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. But most reports including the Tax Foundations say that seven states are most likely to tax student loan forgiveness: Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Theres even uncertainty about that, however. As GOBankingRates reported last November, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that Californians receiving federal student loan forgiveness would not have to pay state taxes on the amount that is forgiven under Bidens plan. Arkansas officials also have denied plans to tax forgiveness. Take Our Poll: Are You Concerned About the Safety of Your Money in Your Bank Accounts? One reason there isnt much clarity on state tax implications is that the loan forgiveness program is still up in the air. Until it is given the legal thumbs up, many states are taking a wait-and-see approach. Heres a look at the seven states that could impose a tax on cancelled student debt, according to a 2022 report from NBC News. Arkansas The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said last September that it would be inaccurate to report student loan forgiveness will be taxable there because its legislative session was not yet complete, NBC News reported. The average student loan debt in Arkansas is $34,000, according to the Education Data Initiative. California A 2022 calculation by The Los Angeles Times found that a single taxpayer earning the median annual income of about $64,000 in Los Angeles County could get an $800 tax bill for $10,000 in loan forgiveness, and a roughly $1,600 bill if they have $20,000 in loans canceled, NBC News reported. However, some California legislators have promised to exempt student debt forgiveness from being taxed. The average student loan debt in California is $34,000. Indiana As of last fall, Indiana announced that it will tax people who accept the debt cancellation. A spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Revenue confirmed to NBC News that its residents will owe up to $323 for $10,000 in student loan forgiveness and $646 for $20,000 in student loan forgiveness. The average student loan debt in Indiana is $33,000. Minnesota As of October 2022, Minnesota had not updated its tax laws to conform with the new federal regulations tied to student debt relief, NBC News reported. At the time, Minnesota news station KMSP-TV estimated that an individual who has $10,000 in loans forgiven would get a state income tax bill of at least $535. The average student loan debt in Minnesota is $34,000. Mississippi Last September, Mississippi Today reported that state residents who were eligible for up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness could see $500 in additional taxes if they accept loan forgiveness. Those who are eligible for up to $20,000 in debt relief could owe as much as $1,000. The average student loan debt in Mississippi is $37,000 North Carolina On Sept. 14, 2022, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called on state lawmakers to waive the tax, saying that legislative leaders need to find a solution that treats student loan forgiveness the same way they handled the PPP loan forgiveness that many of them received. The average student loan debt in North Carolina is $38,000. Wisconsin Similar to Minnesota, Wisconsin as of last fall had not updated its tax laws to conform with new federal regulations tied to student debt relief. The average student loan debt in Wisconsin is $32,000. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 States That Could Tax Your Student Loan Forgiveness Win McNamee - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Nikki Haley is officially running for president. With the news of her 2024 presidential campaign, many are curious about the man who could hypothetically become America's first First Gentleman. Who is Nikki Haley's husband, Michael Haley? SAUL LOEB - Getty Images Here are six things to know about Michael "Bill" Haley. 1. He was born in Ohio and adopted at age 3. Nikki writes in her memoir, "His biological father was an alcoholic who had trouble with the law. His family lived in a house in Ohio with no electricity and no running water. When Bill was three, he and his four siblings were removed from their home by the state. The weekend before his biological mother was going to regain custody of the kids, she got in a car accident and suffered a brain injury. She was no longer able to care for the kids, so Bill and his two sisters were put in foster care in one home, and his older brother and sister went to different homes nearby." So at age 3, Michael and his four siblings entered foster care, and at age 4, Michael and his younger sister, Lee Anne, were adopted by Bill and Carole Haley. Bill was the manager of a steel mill and Carole was a school teacher. "The Haleys had never been told that there were more than two children to be adopted," Nikki writes. So, Michael wouldn't track down all his siblings for over fifteen years. When he was in high school, his parents retired, and they moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Hilton Head, South Carolina. In 1988, he graduated from Hilton Head Preparatory School. 2. He met Nikki at Clemson University. Nikki and Michael met when she was a freshman at Clemson University in 1989, and he was attending nearby Anderson University. Though Michaelwhom Nikki calls Billhad a girlfriend when they first met, they soon began dating. They married at St. Andrew By-the-Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head in 1996; their wedding had to be postponed because of Hurricane Fran. They also had a Sikh ceremony, but Nikki converted to Michael's faith. Story continues 3. He was deployed to Afghanistan during Nikki's tenure as Governor of South Carolina. Michael is a captain in South Carolina's National Guard. His military career began in 2006, and in 2012, he was deployed to Afghanistans Helmand Province. "This deployment is the reason I joined the National Guard," Michael said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The only thing that gives me pause is the yearlong deployment away from family. But in the end, I can't help but to think giving one year along with my fellow soldiers, as many have done before me, to secure a life of freedom for my family is well worth all that comes with it." "Our time has come," Nikki said in a statement. "Our family could not be more proud of Michael and every man and woman who puts on a uniform." Thank you to all of our veterans including my husband, Michael and my brother, Mitti Randhawa for their sacrifice for our country. We are the land of the free because of the brave. May God continue to bless and keep all of you safe. #HappyVeteransDay @fgosc @MittiRandhawa pic.twitter.com/DnfFODlc8u Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 11, 2019 4. He's the family cook. As Nikki wrote in Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story, her 2012 memoir, "To this day, if my husband, Michael, didn't cook, my family would never have a home-cooked meal." Michael and Nikki have two children, Rena and Nalin. Rena got engaged in July 2022, and Michael posted on his Instagram, "Love these two!! Celebration Time!!" 5. He still goes by FGOSC, First Gentleman of South Carolina, on his Instagram account. He often shares family snaps: 6. He will deploy to Africa and miss much of his wife's 2024 presidential campaign. Michael Haley will soon begin a yearlong deployment with the South Carolina Army National Guard to Africa, according to the Associated Press. "Our family, like every military family, is ready to make personal sacrifices when our loved one answers the call," Nikki Haley said in a statement. "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." You Might Also Like Image Credit: Boone County Sheriffs Department All Elite Wrestling producer BJ Whitmer has been fired by the company after he was arrested last week on charges of domestic violence. Whitmer was arrested on the evening of June 4 by the Boone County Sheriffs Department in Boone County, Kentucky. According to the records, Whitmer was charged with strangulation in the first degree and burgalry in the second degree. A bond of $25,000 was set, and Whitmer was released on June 12, 2023. In a statement issued to Fightful (who first reported on the news), All Elite Wrestling confirmed the news, and said that Whitmer had been terminated following his arrest, and that the company reached out to offer support for those who may have been affected by his behavior. B.J. Whitmer has been terminated following his arrest on domestic violence charges, said AEW in its statement. While talent and staff are ultimately responsible for their own personal actions, this behavior is intolerable within AEW. AEW has reached out to offer support to those impacted by his behavior. Prior to his role as producer at All Elite Wrestling, Whitmer was an in-ring competitor, best known for his time at Ring of Honor, where he was a four-time Tag Team Champion. The post BJ Whitmer Fired By AEW After Arrest For Domestic Violence appeared first on Wrestlezone. Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times via Getty A week after Proud Boys and other far-right figures descended on a California school board, parents in another district that has become a battleground in the culture wars fear violence could again unfold at a meeting set for Tuesday evening. I think that a bunch of outside instigators can show up. I think a bunch of inside instigators can show up, said Christine Massa, a mother of three in Riverside County. They tend to be violent. They tend to be nonsensical, to get in your face and scream. They tend to not want to have a seat on the table, they want to stand on the table. Massa opposes the conservative bent of the Temecula Valley school board, recently evidenced by president Joseph Komrosky describing Harvey Milk, Californias first openly gay politician, as a pedophile during a debate about social studies curriculum. The board voted 3-2 to reject an elementary school social studies book that includes Milk, who was murdered in 1978 and is revered as a gay rights iconand it was slammed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and is being investigated by state Attorney General Rob Bonta. If the board does not approve a textbook, teachers will have no curriculum next year, which may break California law. In a tweet following the vote, Newsom called Komrosky an ignorant person and told him to stay tuned. Harvey Milk Bettmann/Getty California is closely watching the actions of malicious actors seeking to ban books, whitewash history, and demonize the LGBTQ+ community in Temecula and across the state, Newsom said in a statement last week, If the law is violated, there will be repercussions. The agenda of Tuesdays meeting includes a non-public session at which the board will conduct a performance review of Dr. Jodi McClay, the current superintendent. The next agenda item is interim superintendent. Some parents are worried the board plans to fire McClay and possibly also Francisco Arce, assistant superintendent of human resources development for the district. Story continues Thats a disaster for the district because she is the only thing holding that cabinet together, says Jeff Pack, an ex-journalist and father of five who founded One Temecula Valley PAC last year to combat political and religious extremist views. He fears the board will not stop there. Then they are going to start attacking teachers. Im told there is a list of teachers they want to fire, he continued. PAC members spent Monday collecting signatures to recall three right-wing board members at a local library, ending the day with 243, far more than the 90 required to initiate recall proceedings. Pack told The Daily Beast that he is very worried about this week because of the outside influence that he saw at the Glendale Unified School District, where dueling protests turned into a brawl and three people were arrested outside a meeting to vote on recognizing Pride Month. At least one far-right activist who took part in protests last week in Glendale has announced his intention to travel to Temecula: Bryce Henson, who runs an Instagram called Southern California Parent Advocates, with the stated mission of whose mission is exposing, challenging, and resisting CRT, radical gender ideology, and vaccine/mask tyranny in So Cal schools. Tensions have skyrocketed in Temecula, which is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, since a new slate of conservative school board candidates won a majority in November 2022, local parents say. Joseph Komrosky Temecula Valley School Board The three right-wing candidates, Komrosky, Jennifer Wiersma, and Danny Gonzalez, were supported by the Inland Empire Family PAC, a conservative political action committee that works to stop the indoctrination of our children by placing candidates on school boards who will fight for Christian and Conservative values, according to its website. The candidates were also supported by some prominent evangelical Christian pastors, including Tim Thompson of 412 Church Temecula Valley, who held a rally for candidates at his church. (Thompson, a politically active conservative, hosted Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene at a service in 2021.) Since it took control of the board in December 2022, the conservative majority has passed a series of controversial changes to school curriculum. At their first meeting that month Komrosky, Gonzalez, and Wiersma passed a resolution banning the teaching of critical race theory, (CRT) a term for a college-level theory taught at some law schools. It is not taught in Temecula schools, but some conservatives use CRT as a catch-all term for K-12 curriculum addressing slavery and race. While the move got Komrosky and Wiersma air-time on Fox and Friends, it did not go down well with high-school students in the district, who organized two walk-outs over the resolution, according to the Press Enterprise. The school board then spent $15,000 to have a critical race theory consultant give seminars to teachers in the district. In March, the school board held a five-hour CRT panel discussion that descended into chaos after a Black man was removed by security after speaking against the ban, and a white woman in the crowd allegedly told him to get out of the country. It was pretty widely heated, and pretty widely dangerous. There were plenty of people who came out of the woodwork, including some who dont live in Temecula, Massa, who attended the meeting, said. [The board] tried to create an echo chamber, and it backfired on them. Massa and Pack are both worried the upcoming school board meeting will be just as heated, if not worse, especially given rumors circulating online that far-right activists are traveling to Temecula. Pack believes that if the board votes to fire the superintendent, things could get ugly. Our best guess is thats when all hell will break loose, Pack continued, We are going to try and organize people as safely as possible. I dont know what else we can do. 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 conservative Koch Network has released a series of digital ads arguing that former President Donald Trump cannot win back the White House in 2024, even as most establishment Republicans have backed Trump as he heads to federal court in Miami Tuesday. The ads argue that if Trump becomes the Republican nominee, President Joe Biden will not only win reelection, but the Democrats will keep the Senate and take back the House of Representatives. Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC that spent $78.5 million during the 2022 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org, and is largely backed by the Charles Koch-chaired Koch Industries and the Koch-backed Stand Together Chamber of Commerce, shared three new spots with CNBC. The first, just 15 seconds long, is called Only Way, and notes that 60% of voters dont want to be president. The only way Biden wins is if we nominate Trump again, the spot concludes. The American people are ready to move on. The second 15-second spot, called No Thanks, starts off with a nod that says, Trump did a lot of good things as president, but quickly adds, but this time Trump cant win. Swing voters say no, the ad continues, repeating the 60% of Americans dont want him, comment, and ending with the statement, We need new leadership. The third clip, Bidens Secret Weapon, labels a Trump nomination as the current presidents ticket to reelection and warns that then Biden wins the White House and gets the House and Senate, too. The withering ads are debuting in key early primary and caucus states Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Nevada, Americans for Prosperity Action told CNBC, as the president faces arraignment Tuesday in the federal case over his hoarding of classified and top secret military documents that he took from the White House to his Mar A Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Story continues Trump has vociferously maintained that he did nothing wrong despite the voluminous evidence in the indictment released Friday, which included a transcript of a tape wherein he acknowledged that a document he was showing to ghostwriters for his former chief of staff was secret and he could no longer declassify it. Trump is set to appear at in court at 2 p.m. before District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, who he appointed and who ruled in his favor last year in a dispute over whether an outside special council could be appointed to review the classified documents the FBI seized at Mar A Lago. Her ruling was overturned by a federal appeals panel Tuesday morning, the former president railed over the case on his social media platform, Truth Social, reposting stories about Hillary Clintons emails and Bidens son, Hunter, and calling Jack Smith, the special council who brought the case to the grand jury, a thug, a radical right lunatic and Trump Hater, and accused him of planting information in the boxes taken from his estate. Also Read: Morning Joe Drags Kevin McCarthys Dumbest Defense of Trump Storing Docs in a Bathroom: Like Fighting With an Idiot (Video) Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose searing novel No Country for Old Men served as the foundation for the Coen brothers 2007 film that earned Oscars for best picture, supporting actor, directing and adapted screenplay, has died. He was 89. McCarthy died Tuesday of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his publisher, Knopf, announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Known for his crisp prose, foreboding view of humanity, uncompromising approach to death and violence and rebellion against quote marks and semicolons McCarthy was celebrated as one of the leading American authors of his time. He is the great pessimist of American literature, using his dervish sentences to illuminate a world in which almost everything (including punctuation) has already come to dust, Tim Adams wrote in a 2009 profile for The Guardian. He once argued that he could see no point at all in literature that did not dwell on death. His touchstones are Dostoevsky and Melville; he hasnt much time for Henry James. His morbid visions, however, are so elemental in their telling that they have long won over those who have staked out more nuanced territory. McCarthy also was known for his sweeping Border Trilogy comprised of 1992s All the Pretty Horses, 1994s The Crossing and 1998s Cities of the Plain and his post-apocalyptic tragedy The Road, published in 2006. All the Pretty Horses was employed for a 2000 film that was directed by Billy Bob Thornton and starred Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz, and The Road became a 2009 release starring Viggo Mortensen. And his third novel, 1973s Child of God, was used for a 2013 feature helmed by James Franco and starring Tim Blake Nelson. Story continues The Counselor (2013), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Cruz, Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz, represented McCarthys first original screenplay for the big screen. He also adapted his play The Sunset Limited for a 2011 HBO telefilm starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. McCarthy received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2007 for The Road, a haunting book about the journey of a father and his son through a desolate world. Usually reluctant to promote his work, the author agreed to sit with Oprah Winfrey for the only on-camera interview of his career after she put the spotlight on The Road during one of her monthly book club segments. Well, I dont think [promotion is] good for your head, McCarthy told Winfrey. If you spend a lot of time thinking about how to write a book, you shouldnt be talking about it, you probably should be doing it. Thats my feeling. McCarthy went on to describe his distinctive writing style. Simple, declarative sentences, he said. I believe in periods, capitals and the occasional comma. Thats it. On rare occasions, McCarthy would acquiesce to a colon. Semicolons were a waste, in his opinion, and he never felt the need to use quote marks when his characters spoke. A McCarthy passage typically resembled this excerpt from 2005s No Country for Old Men featuring one of his more infamous characters: the ruthless hitman Anton Chigurh, played by Bardem in the movie. He ran cold water over his wrists until they stopped bleeding and he tore strips from a hand towel with his teeth and wrapped his wrists and went back into the office. He sat on the desk and fastened the toweling with tape from a dispenser, studying the dead man gaping up from the floor. When he was done he got the deputys wallet out of his pocket and took the money and put it in the pocket of his shirt and dropped the wallet to the floor. Then he picked up his air tank and the stun gun and walked out the door and got into the deputys car and started the engine and backed around and pulled out and headed up the road. On the interstate he picked out a late model Ford sedan with a single driver and turned on the lights and hit the siren briefly. The car pulled onto the shoulder. Chigurh pulled in behind him and shut off the engine and slung the tank across his shoulder and stepped out. The man was watching him in the rearview mirror as he walked up. Whats the problem, officer? he said. Sir would you mind stepping out of the vehicle? The man opened the door and stepped out. Whats this about? he said. Would you step away from the vehicle please. The man stepped away from the vehicle. Chigurh could see the doubt come into his eyes at this bloodstained figure before him but it came too late. He placed his hand on the mans head like a faith healer. The pneumatic hiss and click of the plunger sounded like a door closing. The man slid soundlessly to the ground, a round hole in his forehead from which the blood bubbled and ran down into his eyes carrying with it his slowly uncoupling world visible to see. Chigurh wiped his hand with his handkerchief. I just didnt want you to get blood on the car, he said. Bardem won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his chilling portrayal of Chigurh, and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen shared the awards for directing, adapted screenplay and (with Scott Rudin) best picture. The writing trophy was fitting as McCarthy had originally conceived No Country for Old Men as a screenplay, he told The Wall Street Journal in 2009. But there was little interest in his original version. In fact, they said, That will never work. Years later I got it out and turned it into a novel. Didnt take long, he said. I was at the Academy Awards with the Coens. They had a table full of awards before the evening was over, sitting there like beer cans. One of the first awards that they got was for best screenplay, and Ethan came back and he said to me, Well, I didnt do anything, but Im keeping it.' He was born Charles McCarthy on July 20, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island. His father, Joseph, an attorney, secured a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority and moved the family to Knoxville. Dads middle name was Charles and he was nicknamed Cormac, its Gaelic equivalent, by his Irish aunts. His son adopted that for his pen name. The oldest of six children, McCarthy was raised in relative prosperity in a house surrounded by lush wooded acres and staffed by servants. We were considered rich because all the people around us were living in one- or two-room shacks, he told The New York Times in 1992. Amid a proper Roman Catholic upbringing that included an education at St. Marys School and Knoxville Catholic High School, McCarthy was a bit of a rebel. I felt early on I wasnt going to be a respectable citizen, he said. I hated school from the day I set foot in it. McCarthy attended the University of Tennessee from 1951-52 before dropping out to join the Air Force. His four years of service included a tour of duty in Alaska, and to combat tedium, he read a great deal and fell in love with literature. In 1957, McCarthy gave the University of Tennessee another shot and had two stories published in The Phoenix, the student literary magazine, but he dropped out before earning a degree. Moving to Chicago, he earned a living working in an auto parts warehouse. He returned to Tennessee in 1961, then spent time in Wyoming; Asheville, North Carolina; and New Orleans as he finished up his first novel, The Orchard Keeper. Knowing little about the book business, McCarthy sent a blind submission to Random House, the only publishing name he recognized. Albert Erskine, William Faulkners last editor, saw potential in McCarthys writing and took him on. (They would work together until Erskines retirement in 1987.) Published in 1965, The Orchard Keeper had themes that are familiar to McCarthys fans. Set in a remote rural area of Tennessee, the story begins with a murder before going on to tell the relationship between the bootlegger who committed the crime and the dead mans son, who doesnt know his new friend killed his father. Though honored with the William Faulkner Foundation Award for notable first novel, The Orchard Keeper sold only a few thousand copies. McCarthys next four novels 1968s Outer Dark, Child of God, 1979s Suttree and 1985s Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West also failed to catch on with the general public. Wide success finally came in 1992 with the publication of his sixth novel, All the Pretty Horses. More upbeat and optimistic than his previous efforts, it followed the adventures of a young Texan who travels by horseback to Mexico with his friend. It has been described as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer on horseback. (In the mid-1970s, the author had settled in El Paso, and many of his later novels were set in West Texas.) Cormac McCarthy must be acknowledged as a talent equal to William Faulkner, the Times wrote in its Pretty Horses review. But whatever he may owe to Faulkners style, his substance could not be more different. Faulkners work is all about human history and all takes place in mental spaces, while in Mr. McCarthys work human thought and activity seem almost completely inconsequential when projected upon the vast alien landscapes where they occur. Human behavior may achieve its own integrity its John Gradys conscientious striving for this quality that makes him Mr. McCarthys most appealing character but it generally seems to have little effect. Its unusual for a writer to adopt such a disinterested posture toward human beings, but Mr. McCarthy, like John Grady, seems to hold a higher opinion of horses. With All the Pretty Horses, McCarthy finally had a best-seller, and along with that came awards from the National Book Foundation and the National Book Critics Circle. Cormac McCarthy changed the course of literature, Penguin Random House CEO Nihar Malaviya said in a statement. For 60 years, he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his craft and to exploring the infinite possibilities and power of the written word. Millions of readers around the world embraced his characters, his mythic themes and the intimate emotional truths he laid bare on every page in brilliant novels that will remain both timely and timeless for generations to come. His final two novels, The Passenger and Stella Maris, were published last year. Survivors include his sons, Cullen and John; brother Dennis; sisters Barbara Ann and Maryellen; and grandchildren Elena and Dayton. He often credited John as his inspiration for The Road. A lot of the lines that are in there are verbatim conversations my son John and I had. I mean just that when I say that hes the co-author of the book, McCarthy said during his Wall Street Journal interview. A lot of the things that the kid [in the book] says are things that John said. John said, Papa, what would you do if I died? I said, Id want to die, too, and he said, So you could be with me? I said, Yes, so I could be with you. Just a conversation that two guys would have. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump surrendered himself to U.S. marshals at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in downtown Miami on Tuesday afternoon, where he and valet/alleged co-conspirator Walt Nauta were arrested, arraigned and officially charged with 37 felony counts related to Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office in January 2021. The historic arraignment marks the first time a former U.S. president has been indicted on federal charges. Trump pleaded not guilty. More from TVLine Though Trump was printed and processed, no mugshot was taken, as he is easily identifiable (via CNN). In the federal indictment voted by a grand jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida and unsealed on June 9, the Justice Department alleged that Trump kept classified documents in scores of boxes stored at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach including in a bathroom. Said documents allegedly contained information about U.S. defense and weapons capabilities, retaliation scenarios in the event of an attack from Iran, and other highly sensitive topics. The indictment also alleged that the former president endeavored to obstruct the FBI and grand jury investigations and conceal retention of classified documents, and that he showed classified documents to others who lacked a security clearance. What follows now will be a months-long process during which the government will reveal its evidence through the discovery process, and pretrial motions will be filed and argued (per the New York Times). En route to the federal courthouse on Tuesday, Trump posted several messages to his Truth Social account, including one that decried, ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!! Story continues Just two months ago, of course, Trump surrendered himself to the Manhattan DAs office for an entirely different arraignment, where he was charged with 34 felony counts stemming from hush money payments made to women with whom he allegedly had sexual encounters. There, Trump also pleaded not guilty. Trumps April 2023 indictment and arrest were historic in their own right, as no other U.S. president, sitting or former, had ever been charged with a crime. Trump, who served as the countrys 45th President from 2017-2021, has been pursuing a second White House bid since November. Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Click here to read the full article. Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, MJ Gleeson's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions A total of 10 investors have a majority stake in the company with 53% ownership Insiders have been buying lately To get a sense of who is truly in control of MJ Gleeson plc (LON:GLE), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 76% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of MJ Gleeson. See our latest analysis for MJ Gleeson What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About MJ Gleeson? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in MJ Gleeson. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of MJ Gleeson, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in MJ Gleeson. Our data shows that Harwood Capital LLP is the largest shareholder with 11% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.1% and 6.2%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. We did some more digging and found that 10 of the top shareholders account for roughly 53% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of MJ Gleeson The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in MJ Gleeson plc. It has a market capitalization of just UK240m, and insiders have UK11m worth of shares, in their own names. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 16% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for MJ Gleeson you should know about. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The post Ezra Miller Makes Appearance at The Flash Premiere, Does Not Address Recent Behavior appeared first on Consequence. Ezra Miller walked the red carpet at the premiere of The Flash on Monday in Los Angeles, marking their first public appearance since a series of incidents nearly upended the films release. (Miller is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.) Last year, Miller was arrested on three separate occasions: the actor was charged with disorderly conduct for behavior at a Hawaii karaoke bar (for which they paid a $500 fine); with second-degree assault for an incident at a womans home in Hawaii; and with felony burglary for allegedly breaking into a home in Vermont (Miller ultimately struck a deal to plead guilty to lesser charges). Miller was also accused of grooming underaged children and wearing body armor and carrying a gun at all times. Some of the actors alleged sexual partners have compared them to a cult leader. In August, Miller announced that they had begun ongoing treatment for complex mental health issues, and had remained out of the public spotlight until Mondays premiere of The Flash. Miller walked the red carpet and briefly spoke prior to the films screening, where they thanked Warner Bros. executives for your grace and discernment and care in the context of my life. And in bringing this moment to fruition. The actor made no specific mention of their recent behavior, nor issued any sort of apology. As of now, Miller is not expected to make any more public appearances in support of The Flash, which hits theaters this Friday (June 16th). Read our review of the film here. Ezra Miller thanks #TheFlash director Andy and Barbaras Muschietti, the Warner Bros. brass and DC co-chairs Peter Safran and James Gunn for their grace and discernment and care and the cast pic.twitter.com/82vNFjioQ4 Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) June 13, 2023 Ezra Miller Makes Appearance at The Flash Premiere, Does Not Address Recent Behavior Scoop Harrison Story continues Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. (Everett Collection / Getty Images) Is It OK to Punch a Nazi? begged a New York Times headline in January 2017. Its the new national debate, Salon claimed. Richard Spencer, a well-known neo-Nazi far-right leader, had just been punched in the face during an interview in the swirl of Washington, D.C., protests and celebrations following the inauguration of Donald Trump, and the discourse was raging on social media. Assault and violence is wrong, many argued, but are there exceptions when confronted by the presence of someone whose ideals historically embody that much evil? Punch a Nazi memes ran rampant arguably the most shared featured a famous image of cinematic swashbuckler Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) towering over a Nazi soldier, fist raised, about to clock the daylights out of him, in 1989s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones became the meme of choice in the "Punch a Nazi" discourse. (Image via imgflip.com) What would Indiana Jones do? academics pondered. We now have a definitive answer from the man in the fedora himself. Hed push [other people] out of the way to get in the first punch, Ford told us during an interview for his fifth and final film in the franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, where he was joined by director James Mangold. As well he should, Ford adds, making no secret of his own feelings of IRL Nazi-slugging. I asked Harrison Ford how ultimate Nazi puncher Indiana Jones would feel about the debate over punching Nazis in real life today. Hed push 'em out of the way to get in the first punch. As well he should." pic.twitter.com/rg1L2aFrpi Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) June 13, 2023 The archeologist otherwise known as Dr. Henry Jones became one of the most celebrated action heroes of all time with the launch of 1984s Steven Spielberg-directed, George Lucas-produced Raiders of the Lost Ark, followed by 1984s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and 1989s Last Crusade. Set in the years leading up to World War II, Jones often squared off against Nazi soldiers through his early adventures, particularly in Raiders and Last Crusade (the latter of which featured one of Indys most famous quips: Nazis, I hate these guys.) Story continues When Ford returned for 2008s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the action was moved from the 1930s to 1957, where Indy made Soviet Communists see red instead. In Dial of Destiny, though, Indy is back doing what he does best whooping fascist foes as he sets out to foil a nefarious plot by former Nazi scientist (Mads Mikkelsen) hired by NASA in the space race to put a man on the moon in 1969. Mikkelsens Jurgen Voller is based on Wernher von Braun, who developed rocket technology for Adolf Hitlers Nazi Germany before he was hired by the U.S. Army, Disney and NASA. That was a black-and-white world, Ford says of the rise of the Nazi party. This evil presented itself to the world. Its incalculable that this vision of evil not be confronted. To see a threat of it in 1969, to know that Wernher von Braun was a Nazi and worked for America on the space program after all we knew about his history and who he associated with. I mean, these are shades of gray in a world we'd thought was black and white. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens June 30. Watch the trailer: Scenic view of sea and mountains against clear blue sky,Aqaba,Jordan Odds are, you probably havent considered Jordan as a vacation destination. Despite being home to one of the modern wonders of the world (that would be the stone city of Petra), the country often gets passed over by American travelers trained to follow the London/Paris/Rome circuit. But good news: If youre interested in non-European travel, Jordan is an excellent place to start. (And not just because most major American hubs offer direct flights!) From climate to food to a culture with roots running back to BC, theres no end to what youre able to explore with just a bit of curiosity and planning. If youre ready to experience Middle Eastern hospitality for yourself, heres just a small sampling of the adventures that await. Take in the View A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on Since Queen Alia International Airport is Jordans main international airport, chances are Amman will be the first stop on your visit. History usually gets first billing, for good reasonAmman is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. However, to get a sense of how the old world and modernity sit side-by-side, its worth visiting Amman Citadel . After youve snapped shots of ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods (which includes the Temple of Hercules), take a moment to appreciate the view, which vividly demonstrates how the old and new come together in Jordans largest city. Appreciate the Local Color A post shared by Underground Amman Street Art Tour (@undergroundamman) A photo posted by on Maybe you came to Jordan to soak in its history. Awesometheres a lot of it! But its worth remembering that youre not just in an open-air museum. To get a better sense of Ammans modern side, join up with an Underground Amman walking tour. Led by Alaeddin Rahmeh, a Palestinian refugee, hip-hop dance champion, and genuinely cool guy, your stroll will lead you through both the streets of Amman and through underground culture as depicted through the citys murals. Not only is the outing rich for Instagram fodder, but learning how local artists are reacting to political, ecological, and social issues will genuinely help shape your impressions of the country and culture. Story continues Eat Your Face Off A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on Jordanian food is objectively delicious. Falafel, shawarma, fresh juice, sugary cups of black tea, hummus, and mouttabal (smoked eggplant)just know that if you feel like Martin Short in Only Murders in the Building, yelling about his love of dips, youre not alone. However, what can be surprising is how much prep can go into these deceptively simple dishes. To get a full sense of the love that Jordanians put into their food, book a session at Beit Sitti . The cooking academy is run by three sisters, determined to make sure that both their grandmothers house and recipes live on. Which means from the eye-watering work of chopping onions to the joy of sitting down to a lunch you made yourself, youre an active participant in the countrys cultural heritage. See a Wonder of the World A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on If you have been considering a visit to Jordan, chances are Petra is the reason why. While it came to international public attention in 1989 (with a little help from everyones favorite archeologist turned adventurer ), the stone city of Petra is estimated to be 2000 years old. Located a little over a mile from the visitors center, The Treasury (a.k.a. the place everyone snaps a photo of) is an ornate tribute to the power of the ancient civilization. (It also looks stunning during their night events .) However, dont stop exploring there. The UNESCO world heritage site is a jaw-dropping 102 square miles. Which means its worth planning at least three to five hours to explore the areas numerous former dwellings and temples. Its a dusty workout, so take a break to shop the local spice markets, or grab a drink at numerous tea houses. Visit the Desert A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on Jordan is an arid, desert climateso visiting Wadi Rum to see the vast expanse of sand made famous by Lawrence of Arabia (and more recently The Rise of Skywalker) is a requirement. Plan your visit around one of the areas famous bubble tents like Wadi Rum UFO , which offers up the opportunity to get in touch with nature without sacrificing comforts like soft beds and daily showers. From there its an opportunity to choose your own adventure. Hike, snap photos, hop on a hot air balloon for stunning sunrise views, or link up with the local tour operator who will be happy to take you on a 4x4 along their coaster-like sand dunes, and enjoy the local scenery by camel. Take Local Transportation A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on Speaking of camels, rumors of abuse are strong enough to suggest that you should avoid camel and donkey rides at Petra. (Besidesits much better to see it by foot, when you can stop to examine anything that catches your interest.) But if you are interested in getting up close and personal with camels, which locals call ships of the desert, its worth doing your homework to find an ethical tour operator. Responsible Travel is a great place to start, as well as Tripadvisor s user-generated reviews. The travel company Jordan Tracks also has an ethical charter, supporting not only the animals, but the local community at large. Float Away A post shared by Laura Studarus (@laura_studarus) A photo posted by on You cannot fully understand the experience of floating in the Dead Sea until you try it yourself. The lake is eight times saltier than any ocean, making it the ultimate, otherworldly bathing experience. (Just make sure you dont have any cutsyou will feel it!) For the full effect, spend fifteen minutes floating, hit the shore to cover yourself with mud (another Dead Sea beauty trick) and let it dry, and then go for a rinse and one more soak. If youre staying at the Kempinski Hotel , their private beach also features an attendant who will offer you a vigorous post-float salt scrub. Take them up on it for the ultimate post-swim glow. (Just dont forget to tip.) Stay Somewhere Eco Friendly A post shared by Feynan Ecolodge (@feynanecolodge) A photo posted by on The trio also smiled for an epic group shot with dozens of other royal guests at Al Husseiniya Palace Royal Hashemite Court Kate Middleton, Prince William and Princess Beatrice know how to make an entrance! On Sunday, the Royal Hashemite Court released new photos from Crown Prince Husseins recent royal wedding to Princess Rajwa on June 1. The images give a fresh glimpse of the royal arrivals for the dinner and evening banquet at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman and follow the epic group photo published last week. The wide shot was taken at the banquet and uniquely united many of the worlds royals in one frame. While the Prince and Princess of Wales walked in sync in the latest photo, Princess Beatrice, 34, was photographed solo. While Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusons eldest daughter attended the wedding with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, he was also missing from the group picture. He wasnt the only absentee related to royalty, however; Princess Tsuguko of Takamado and Princess Euphelma of Bhutan were not included either. RELATED: Kate Middleton and Prince William Join Royals from Around the World in Epic Group Photo Can You Spot Them? Royal Hashemite Court Kate Middleton and Prince William The new pictures of the royal arrivals offer a closer look at their evening finery, including Princess Kates glittering pink gown. After sporting a similar shade for the wedding ceremony earlier in the day in a dress with long sleeves and floral embroidery by Elie Saab, Kate changed into a sparkling number by Jenny Packham. She completed her evening look with her debut in the Greville Chandelier earrings, which previously were worn by Queen Elizabeth, and a tiara first. Although the Princess of Wales sported one of her go-to tiaras, the diamond and pearl Queen Marys Lovers Knot, it marked the first time that Kate has worn a tiara outside the U.K. Royal Hashemite Court Princess Beatrice After Princess Beatrice wore a blue gown to the ceremony earlier in the day, the newly released image of the royal gives a better look at her second look of the night a blush gown with gold embellishment by Reem Acra and her second-ever tiara wear. Story continues Beatrice sparkled in the York tiara for the first time at Crown Prince Husseins wedding, sentimentally wearing the headpiece her mother got married wearing in 1986. The Duchess of York, popularly known as Fergie, spoke about what the fashion statement meant to her on the latest episode of her new podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah and revealed that her daughter put the topper on herself! Balkis Press/ABACA/Shutterstock The first hairdresser she went to, she put the tiara on thinking she'd watched too much Disney. Right at the front! Fergie said with a laugh on the show last week. But anyway, Beatrice then did it and put it on herself. But she did look incredible, I was very, very proud of her. Princess Beatrice and Edo also attended the royal wedding on June 1 with a sweet secret! Though Buckingham Palace had yet to make an announcement, Beatrice's sister Princess Eugenie had already welcomed her second son. On June 5, the palace announced that Eugenie gave birth to a baby boy named Ernest George Ronnie, on May 30. Eugenies family of three became four with the new addition, as she and her husband Jack Brooksbank are already parents to a 2-year-old son named August. RELATED: Every Time Kate Middleton Has Worn a Tiara See the Photos! Royal Hashemite Court/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Over the weekend, the new bundle of joy was officially added to the line of succession on the royal family's website. Baby Ernest was born 13th in line to the British throne, directly behind big brother August. Ernest is also the first of Queen Elizabeth's great-grandchildren to be born following her death in September. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Jo Hale/WireImage; Princess Eugenie Instagram On Tea Talks, Fergie revealed that Eugenie and Jack made her cry when they told her they were using Ronnie as a middle name for their new baby in honor of his great-grandfather. The Duchess father, Ronald Ferguson, died in 2003 and was the longtime polo manager for Prince Philip and King Charles. Hes done very, very well. He's called Ernest George Ronnie. He's Ernest because George III's middle name was Ernest and also because it's a fabulous name," Fergie said of her new grandson. And then George after Jack's father and Ronald Ronnie after my father, which was really touched. When Jack and Eugenie told me, it was so moving that they put my dad in there. It was very kind, I thought, made me cry, of course." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Put people first, champion walkability on Treasure Coast The Treasure Coast has a unique opportunity to create walkable cities and neighborhoods as it grows. Before writing this, I walked four hours in Alicante, Spain. I traveled on a boardwalk that extends miles along the coast and connects towns. Then, I strolled on another tree-shaded trail to eat at a restaurant. An additional bicycle and electric scooter path is next to the two car lanes. As the years go by, residents notice fewer cars. Why? Because locals can enjoy comfortable walks and alternative forms of transportation. Our Florida culture fits right in with the preferred choice of golf carts, bicycles, e-bikes and walking. Instead of building more roads and prioritizing cars over people, we can create a walkable Treasure Coast. We can add more shade trees, benches and places to rest. Towns dont squeeze gated communities next to each other, but instead have plazas, cafes, bakeries and parks in-between. Communities can create wide paths to encourage more pedestrians. Our cities can add more signage and lower speed limits, then increase speed bumps in tight areas to protect people. The fresh air is excellent for our health and minimizes traffic. If fewer people drive, public transportation is sustainable (for 70 cents, I can visit Spanish towns 30 minutes away by taking buses that comes every 15 minutes). Walkability creates a better community and a better society. But it can only happen if we put people first and champion walkability. John Paul Hernandez, Port St. Lucie Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gets tops marks for being the most walkable city in the U.S. ICYMI -- more of your letters: Not racist to return paddle, prayer; Trump & DeSantis; debt issue; Reagan legacy Sticker shock: Homeowners insurance got you down in Vero Beach, elsewhere? Paying attention to the rest of your bill? Dark clouds loom over insurance in the Sunshine State Thanks to Laurence Reisman for his column on Florida auto insurance. We had two vehicles, and when the rates for both went up to $2,873, we decided to downsize to one car. Well, we thought the new rate was supposed to be $1,833, which the isurance company billed me in April. What a surprise when in May, it sent me new bill for $2,265 for one car! Story continues I checked a few other auto insurer sites, but it was not worth changing for the $100 difference. Now we get notice that our homeowners insurance company will no longer insure houses more than five years old. I cannot imagine what the rates will be trying to find new insurer. Thanks again for a great column. Elaine Pianka, Palm Bay Here's another reason why insurance so costly In response to the recent column on automobile insurance, I'd like to add one more factor that has led to these high rates: The state agency that is supposed to regulate the insurance industry is a captive of the insurance industry itself.The various insurance "reform" bills that have become law (except for the most recent) all benefited the industry and not you and me as policy holders.This isn't an unusual situation. Florida Power & Light Co. has much more power than the state Public Service Commission. These industries also are politically active, supporting candidates for office who are sympathetic to them.This domination by regulated industries over the state agencies charged with regulating them is true in many states. Mark Weinberg, Fort Pierce Florida Governor Ron Desantis, center, is presented "The Sword of Liberty" by Moms for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice, left, Tina Descovich, second from the right, and executive director of program outreach Marie Rogerson, far right, during the first Moms for Liberty National Summit on Thursday, July 15, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. The convention continues through Sunday, July 17th with conservative speakers and strategy sessions for members. Satire: School parents demand end to childrens exposure to DeSantis Citing serious emotional, intellectual and spiritual harm, Florida parents today petitioned school boards across the state to ban any mention of Ron DeSantis in books, social media and video. Our children come home traumatized at the very mention of his name, the parents emphasized. These bright youngsters have no idea how The Bathroom Nazi, as they call him, can pretend to be such an expert on everything from Black history to medical care for transgender children, be wrong on all of it, and still enjoy the adoration of their grandparents in The Villages. The petitioners included parents of gay and transgender children, parents of children of color and others simply concerned that their children not be taught that history is something a politician is allowed to just make up as he goes along. Ive tried to teach my children the difference between fiction and non-fiction literature, but Ron DeSantis has made that all but impossible, stated one exasperated parent. Another stated, when Jesus said, As you do to the least of us, you do to me, I dont think he was talking about all his billionaire mega-donors. Reaction was swift from Moms for Incivility, among the governors staunchest supporters. How dare this tiny, vocal interest group attempt to subvert the will of our tiny, vocal interest group? they stated. When reached for comment on the effort to remove him from all school libraries and curriculums, Gov. DeSantis stated: I have a nice bonfire planned for all the banned books currently taking valuable storage space away from my campaign literature. My pledge to destroy leftism begins in the time-honored way, with my friends The Moms given the honor of lighting the first match. Stephen Osiecki, Vero Beach DeSantis' 'war on woke' shows ugly side In response to a recent letter, I have a few comments and questions: Who are "those" calling for a Disney movie featuring a gay student to be shown in fifth-grade classrooms? Who is presenting children with the "theory" there are more than two genders? What behavior is an attack on religion, home, family and American culture? Who is "demanding" books featuring sex, gender "theories," etc., be placed in elementary school libraries? My logic is different than the writer of the aforementioned letter. Her statements seem to echo those of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who continues to vilify Disney in his politically motivated fake war on woke. In my opinion, his statements contain homophobia, transphobia and general nastiness. If there are people of "religion" upset by the world changing to accommodate and accept all genders, perhaps they need to pray to their particular God for the ability to love and accept all humans, not just the ones they deem appropriate. We are at a crossroad in our country. Do we really want to dictate behaviors to others? Do we want to continue to cast others asunder because we don't understand their sexuality? Is there no empathy or sympathy available? Finally, book banning and burning was a part and parcel, along with the annihilation of a large portion of Europe's Jewish population, of the Nazi regime's path to ultimate power. More intelligent and more accepting minds put a stop to their bigotry then; how sad we see the ugly head of hatred again. Sharon E. Garland, Hobe Sound Stop leftist push, let people live their lives When will the leftists give up? We don't want it, we don't like it, we will ignore it. Leave us alone. If we want electric cars, we will look into it. If we want transgenders, we will look into it. Leftists can't force us to do what they want; we are intelligent humans just trying to get by day by day in an atmosphere of forced leftism. The leftists will lose; let it go. We, the people, will live our lives the way we want, not the way they want. Our vote will win. Stop pushing the left's ideas on us. We know what is best. The media must tell the truth, open the gates and let all the people know what is going on in our great country. The time has come to tell the truth. Barbara Bischoff, Vero Beach This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Lefties try; students, DeSantis bad mix; car insurance zany | Letters When Mrs. Davis director and executive producer Owen Harris read the pilot script for the Peacock limited series, he had one response. I sent an email straight back to my agent saying, What the fk have I just read? Harris tells Gold Derby in our Making of Mrs. Davis video roundtable exclusive interview. And then I quickly followed it up with, But I love it. Its amazing. We have to do this. And I think that sort of everyone had a similar reaction. Co-created by Damon Lindelof and Tara Hernandez, Mrs. Davis is a show that defies easy classification. Broadly, its about a nun named Simone (Betty Gilpin) who is tasked by an artificial intelligence program called Mrs. Davis to find and destroy the Holy Grail (yes, the actual Holy Grail) in exchange for the elimination of Mrs. Davis itself. The twisty conceit which includes Simones magician father (David Arquette), her wannabe rodeo cowboy ex-boyfriend (Jake McDorman), and her husband, Jesus Christ (yes, the son of God is an actual character in Mrs. Davis and played by Andy McQueen) all but invites a blending of genres and tones few shows dare to attempt. More from GoldDerby SEEMrs. Davis Emmy FYC red carpet interviews with Betty Gilpin, Andy McQueen, Jake McDorman and more [WATCH] One of my early references was Monty Python, Harris says. I felt it was channeling something like a piece of social commentary, but wrapped up in this wonderful sort of unbridled silliness, but smart and sharp and insightful. And then you sort of sit down and think, What does a show like this look like? And then you realize that you need to involve people that are far smarter at figuring that out than you are. Story continues Among those who helped Harris, Lindelof and Hernandez bring Mrs. Davis to life are production designer Emma Fairley, costume designer Susie Coulthard (a frequent collaborator with Harris), cinematographer Joe Anderson, composer Jeff Russo and fellow director and executive producer Alethea Jones. I was in Vancouver, shooting something else at the time. And I was really busy. And my managers were like, You should take a look at this script. Because they knew that I was really looking for bonkers stuff, Jones says. I read it and I remember putting the script down and just walking into my husbands office and being like, I dont know what I just read. And he assumed thats a bad thing. But then I started trying to explain it I just remember it was really exciting to me. I directed three episodes, and started bringing in some Indiana Jones stuff, which was just what episode four was there was so much homage to Indiana Jones for me and that was just such a fun sandpit for me to play in because thats what I grew up watching. To get the opportunity to do that was a highlight of my career. SEEBetty Gilpin interview: Mrs. Davis In interviews since the show debuted earlier this year, everyone involved has praised Gilpin for her performance. Mrs. Davis marks the first time the three-time Emmy Award nominee has been the lead of a series, and her performance runs the full gamut of emotions. This job asks 100 percent of me and I immediately was like, Ive been waiting my whole life for this, Gilpin said during the shows red carpet premiere in April. She is brilliant. She makes me a better director, Jones says of the star. I dont know if I make her a better actor. But she certainly put me in my best game. Shes so emotionally available. And its not like she can fake cry at the drop of a hat. She is just able to click into a moment and access the emotional vulnerability in that moment so quickly and so readily. I think the greatest compliment I can give her is I cant actually imagine what Mrs. Davis would be like without Betty Gilpin, Harris adds. Anderson, who shot multiple episodes of the show including the pilot and the finale compares Gilpin to Buster Keaton. Fairley and Coulthard say they thought of Katharine Hepburn. Shes so great, Fairley says. Not many people can pull that kind of thing off, you know? All episodes of Mrs. Davis are streaming on Peacock. PREDICT the 2023 Emmy nominees through July 12 Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why? SIGN UP for Gold Derbys free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Englands Manchester City quintet are due to arrive at St Georges Park on Tuesday evening after days celebrating their treble triumph. Gareth Southgates men are preparing for Fridays Euro 2024 qualifier in Malta and the Old Trafford encounter with North Macedonia on Monday. The exact availability of Citys players for the doubleheader is unclear given their celebrations following Saturdays Champions League triumph in Turkey only ended after Mondays rain-soaked parade. Jack Grealish was at the heart of the revelry and is due at St Georges Park to link up with England on Tuesday night, as are Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Kalvin Phillips. Declan Rice was also given extra time after captaining West Ham to Europa Conference League glory last week and linked up with the squad on Monday morning. The 24-year-old midfielder was part of a 19-man training group on Tuesday morning, as was uncapped Crystal Palace talent Eberechi Eze. Eberechi Eze was part of a 19-man training group on Tuesday (John Walton/PA) England Under-21 international Levi Colwill was also involved in the session. The defender has joined Southgates squad for training this week following the withdrawal of injured Brighton team-mate Lewis Dunk. Jude Bellingham watched the start from the sidelines at St Georges Park. The 19-year-old, who is set to join Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, has been ruled out of the Malta and North Macedonia matches through injury. However, Bellingham headed to St Georges Park to continue his rehabilitation from a knee issue. Iconic synth manufacturer Moog has been acquired by super conglomerate inMusic, joining other brands snatched up by the company like Alesis, Akai, M-Audio and, well, a bunch more. In a statement, Moog president Joe Richardson says the acquisition could help the company overcome ongoing challenges, citing global distribution supply chain concerns. To that end, chip shortages and various supply chain issues have plagued the company since early Covid, leading to stark price increases for some of its flagship instruments, as originally reported by Synth Anatomy and others. Moog has managed to stay an independent brand for decades, since the 1960s, so this is something of a shock for the synthesizer world. Moog says itll still be developing synthesizers at its Asheville, North Carolina headquarters but makes no mention about the manufacturing process. To this day, many of the iconic instruments under the companys umbrella are manufactured in the USA, so well keep an eye on if that changes. Alesis, also owned by inMusic, designs its products in America but manufactures them in China. WASHINGTON The Ukrainian offensive against Russian-occupied parts of the east and south has shown early signs of success, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said late Monday. Ukrainian soldiers are "gaining ground," Stoltenberg told USA TODAY, retaking seven small towns and villages from Russian troops. His comments are among the first on the record by a western leader on the initial success of Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian leaders have also announced similar gains. "We need to be prepared that this offensive will be bloody and and difficult," Stoltenberg said. "The Russians have had time to build they're quite heavy defensive lines, and to breach them is a demanding task." Though too soon to predict the outcome against Russia's dug-in defenses, the early battles may suggest that the tens of billions invested by the U.S.-led coalition in equipping and training Ukrainian forces with western weapons and how to use them is paying off. Russian President Vladimir Putin still claims his forces have the upper hand, saying late last week that "the Ukrainian troops havent achieved their stated tasks in a single area of fighting. But a day after hailing the retaking of three Donetsk province villages, the Ukrainian military said its forces added another small victory Monday by capturing the village of Storozhov in the same eastern region, providing momentum to the initial phase of the countrys long-awaited counteroffensive. The national flag is flying over Storozhov again, and it will be the same with every settlement until we liberate all Ukrainian land, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote in a Telegram app posting with a photo of seven soldiers in front of a hollowed-out building. For NATO allies, Ukrainian success on the battlefield will be critical to sustaining public support needed to ensure the steady flow of military aid that Stoltenberg said is vital. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference after the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, June 1, 2023. NATO on Thursday ramped up pressure on member nation Turkey to drop its objections to Sweden's membership as the military organization seeks to deal with the issue by the time U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts meet next month. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) ORG XMIT: XSG101 The Pentagon has supplied Ukraine with hundreds of armored personnel carriers, mine-resistant armored trucks, and Humvees for the offensive. Germany has provided modern Leopard tanks, and Great Britain has begun supplying long-range aircraft-launched missiles to strike deep behind Russian lines. Story continues For months, U.S. and NATO troops have been training Ukrainian forces in combining artillery fire to cover the troops in armored vehicles and on foot who will assault Russian fortifications. Russian troops have spent considerable time digging trenches and erecting obstacles along a 600-mile front to stymie Ukrainian tanks and armored personnel carriers, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Russian forces also have aimed artillery ground at the flat, open ground that Ukrainian troops must cross to reach the defenses. Russia's stoutest defense is the province of Zaporizhzhya, where some of the heaviest initial fighting has taken place. Ukraine can threaten Russia's main supply lines by cutting through this thicket. Stoltenberg noted that Russian troops have been poorly led, equipped and supplied. "But what we have seen is that Ukrainians have the courage, the determination to liberate land...and push back the Russians," Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg is visiting NATO nations ahead of the alliance's July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. He is currently in Washington, where he plans to meet with President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The NATO chief's meeting with Biden was delayed by a day after the U.S. president had to receive an unexpected root canal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NATO chief: Ukraine 'gaining ground' against Russia in counteroffensive Nazi Hunters The new Nazi Hunters trailer has been released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Shortly after the end of the Second World War: In 1945 and 1946, the men of the British War Crimes Investigation Unit drove through northern Germany on the hunt for Nazi criminals. One of them is Captain Anton Walter Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Anton Walter Freud fled to London with his family from the Nazis in 1938. Now an intelligence officer, hes back to track down killers on Allied wanted lists: hitmen in pinstripes, brutal SS henchmen, and ruthless doctors who conducted medical experiments even on children, reads the films official synopsis. The soldiers who witnessed the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp months earlier are not squeamish about it. 24-year-old Freud is a free spirit known for his unorthodox methods. He knows how to make war criminals talk. So he comes across a crime that has hardly been known before, the murder of 20 children in Hamburg in the last days of the war. Check out the Nazi Hunters trailer (watch more trailers here): The movie is directed by Raymond Ley from a script he wrote alongside Hannah Ley. It is produced by Michael Kloft and stars Franz Hartwig, Robin Sondermann, Konstantin Lindhorst, Patrick Guldenberg, Peter Sikorski, Nils Hohenhovel, Thomas Arnnold, and Hannah Ley. The post Nazi Hunters Trailer Previews World War II Drama appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. FILE - Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gestures during a press conference in Algiers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is starting Tuesday June 14, 2023 a three-day state visit to Russia meant to strengthen relations of "friendship and cooperation" at the invitation of Vladimir Putin, according to a statement from Algerian authorities. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Tuesday is starting a three-day state visit to Russia meant to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, authorities said Tuesday. The Algerian presidency said in a statement that Tebboune will attend an economic forum to be held this week in the city of St. Petersburg. Putin's invitation had been conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his visit to Algiers in May last year with the aim of developing bilateral military, economic and humanitarian ties, and in other areas. Police continued to investigate after an employee was attacked and injured at Heywood Hospital Monday night. According to police, they responded to a report of an assault with a dangerous weapon at the hospital at around 8 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered that a nurse had been stabbed by a patient. The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester and treated for a laceration. The victims condition was unknown. The suspect was identified as David Nichols, 76, of Greenville, New Hampshire. He was arrested at the hospital and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and attempting to commit a crime (murder), according to police. Officials did not release a motive for the attack. Nichols was held on $10,000 cash bail and was scheduled to appear in Gardner District Court on Tuesday. Roz Penney, CEO of Heywood Healthcare, said the safety of staff and patients was the hospital's utmost priority, and that Heywood officials were partnering with local law enforcement to enhance physical security in the Emergency Department. "Violence against caregivers is not acceptable," Penney said. "In addition to the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy, expanded screening protocols are being assessed to ensure the safety of our caregivers and patients." Penney praised Heywood's staff for their response to the incident. "Last night they demonstrated teamwork, compassion, cohesiveness, and dedication to each other and to our community," she said. "Our primary responsibility as leaders is to take care of our staff, and we do not take this responsibility lightly." On their Facebook page, the Hubbardston Professional Firefighters Local 4957 said their thoughts were with their brothers and sisters who work in the Heywood Hospital Emergency Room. "We hope for a speedy recovery for the nurse," the post read. "Violence against caregivers is a widespread problem and should not be tolerated in any circumstance." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts: Nurse stabbed by patient Bellingham REI employees voted on Friday, June 9, in an overwhelming majority (40-12), to form a union and join UFCW Local 3000. The stores employees announced on May 1 that the workers filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), citing the need for reliable scheduling and fair treatment as the main reasons for unionization. I feel over the moon, said Bellingham REI sales specialist Johnny Cook, in a release announcing the vote. This process has brought me closer to my coworkers, its given me a sense of pride and joy in the way that I work, and it is just so exciting to me to see everyone hugging each other and everyone celebrating. I feel like as a workforce were going to be stronger together. In an email to The Bellingham Herald on Friday, REI Co-op said that while the results would not be final until the election is certified, REI is committed to the right of every eligible employee to vote for or against union representation. We look forward to engaging in good faith negotiations with the employees elected representative once the results are certified. Together, as always, well continue to focus on serving the outdoor communities in Maple Grove and Bellingham, REI Co-op said. Bellingham REI sales specialist Phoebe Aguiar said in the release that the vote was affirming. Also, to actually see REI act in good faith during the vote count and do some things that I agree with and that we were nervous about also just means this was the right thing to do, Aguiar said. This process works, it worked for us, and we made it work it wasnt unstressful, but overall it was positive. Im excited to see what we can do as a collective to bring dignity and power back to our workplace. Bellingham is the first REI location in Washington state to unionize. The REI in Maple Grove, Minnesota also voted to unionize on Friday, making Bellingham and Maple Grove the seventh and eighth REI stores to organize in just more than one year. REI workers in New York City, Berkeley, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, and Durham have all previously voted to unionize. Story continues UFCW Local 3000 represents more than 50,000 employees working in retail, grocery, healthcare, cannabis, food processing and other industries across Washington, Northeast Oregon, and Northern Idaho. UFCW Local 3000 is a member of UFCW International, representing more than 1 million workers in North America. The Bellingham REI is located at 400 36th St. Salt Bae is no longer the viral phenomenon that he once was. And that, unfortunately, isnt good for business. The New York City burger restaurant run by the internet sensation (real name: Nusret Gokce) has closed, Eater NY reported on Monday. The creatively named Salt Bae Burger shuttered earlier this month, and while a sign on the door says its moving to a new location, its actually just Salt Baes preexisting steakhouse, Nusr-Et Steakhouse. (A spokesperson for the brand told Eater that the steakhouse will serve the burger chains menu.) More from Robb Report The closure of Salt Bae Burger follows the restaurants tenuous run in the city over the past three years. It opened near Union Square Park just a month before the pandemic began, serving items like a Wagyu beef burger wrapped in gold foil, $99 golden milkshakes, and a vegetarian ladies burger that was free for women. While Salt Bae himself may have been beloved by the internet, Gothamist called the butchers burger joint the worst restaurant in NYC. Salt Bae Burger was a follow-up to Nusr-Et Steakhouse, which first hit the city in 2018. It now has two locations in Manhattan and more than 20 spots across the globe. In 2019, the restaurants parent company, Nusr-Et, faced lawsuits alleging a range of offenses, from wage theft to sexual harassment. But the groups CFO dismissed those complaints in 2020, saying there was no problem whatsoever at Nusr-Et restaurants. Now, if diners want a taste of Salt Bae Burger, theyll have to travel all the way to Dubai, where theres the only existing location of the restaurant (a Los Angeles outpost was in the works but never opened, Eater noted). And while the burger joints stint in the U.S. has come to an end, its a good five years after we predicted that Salt Bae would disappear from the restaurant scene. Story continues In that sense, it seems like the real-life meme has created strong enough of a brand to carry him through the volatile restaurant scene, as long as he stays away from trying to make one of New Yorks best burgers. The city already has plenty that fit the bill. Culinary Masters 2023 Dont miss the food event of the year. Register for Robb Reports Culinary Masters now. Or, for more information on Robb Report experiences, visit RR1. 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. Former President Donald Trump leaves his Trump National Doral resort on Monday, June 13, in Doral, Florida. Former President Donald Trump leaves his Trump National Doral resort on Monday, June 13, in Doral, Florida. Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities in Miami on Tuesday, marking the second time he was arrested on criminal charges in as many months this time on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Trumps criminal cases constitute a series of firsts for a former president. He became the first former president (and presidential candidate) to be indicted in a criminal investigation when he was arrested in New York City over hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in April. On Tuesday, he made history again as the first former president to face federal charges. The arrest also comes about a month after a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming journalist E. Jean Carroll, and as he is being investigated for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and his attempt to overturn Georgias 2020 election results. Trumps arrest Tuesday hinges on a 37-count indictment that follows a probe into classified documents that he kept at his Mar-a-Lago home. Some of his charges include conspiracy to obstruct justice, willful retention of national defense information and making false statements. The indictment alleges that Trump illegally kept documents that could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods. Trumps first arrest in April followed an indictment accusing him of paying Daniels $130,000 in hush money. The former reality TV star, who did not have a mug shot taken during his arrest, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts. That case is set to go to trial in March 2024. Ahead of his previous arrest, Trump encouraged his followers to Protest, Take Our Nation Back in posts on his social media platform, Truth Social. He received a modest turnout at the New York City courthouse where he surrendered. Story continues With the news of his latest arraignment, Trump has once again called for protests. However, this time, Trump-loving politicians have increasingly brought warlike rhetoric into play. We have now reached a war phase, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) tweeted Friday. Eye for an eye. The former president arrived in Florida Monday before turning himself in. We know there is a potential of things taking a turn for the worst, but thats not the Miami way, Miami police Chief Manny Morales told reporters Monday. We are prepared. We have experience in handling large demonstrations. This is the city of Miami. A perp walk, the infamous occasion where authorities lead a defendant into the courthouse or police station, has not been expected in a case of this status, but Trumps entrance was a spectacle nonetheless. Take a look at the latest photos below. A courtroom sketch shows Trump as he appears on a federal indictment at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse, alongside his aide Walt Nauta and attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in Miami. A courtroom sketch shows Trump as he appears on a federal indictment at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse, alongside his aide Walt Nauta and attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in Miami. Trump waves as he makes a visit to the Cuban restaurant Versailles after he appeared for his arraignment in Miami. Trump waves as he makes a visit to the Cuban restaurant Versailles after he appeared for his arraignment in Miami. Trump gives a thumbs up as he departs the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. federal courthouse. Trump gives a thumbs up as he departs the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. federal courthouse. The motorcade carrying former President Donald Trump arrives at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse on June 13 in Miami. The motorcade carrying former President Donald Trump arrives at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse on June 13 in Miami. Trump is making a federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back. Trump is making a federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back. The motorcade carrying Trump arrives at the courthouse, June 13. The motorcade carrying Trump arrives at the courthouse, June 13. Trump's motorcade is seen June 13 in Miami. Trump's motorcade is seen June 13 in Miami. Trump leaves his Trump National Doral resort June 13 in Doral, Florida. Trump leaves his Trump National Doral resort June 13 in Doral, Florida. Supporter Joe Compono holds a cutout of Trump outside the federal courthouse where Trump was scheduled to be arraigned later in the day, on June 13 in Miami. Supporter Joe Compono holds a cutout of Trump outside the federal courthouse where Trump was scheduled to be arraigned later in the day, on June 13 in Miami. Nabine Seiler holds a sign that reads Nabine Seiler holds a sign that reads "Finally Trump Arrested Again" outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. A pro-Trump and an anti-Trump demonstrator argue near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. A pro-Trump and an anti-Trump demonstrator argue near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. An anti-Trump demonstrator in front of the Miami courthouse holds a sign reading, An anti-Trump demonstrator in front of the Miami courthouse holds a sign reading, "Trump Indictment Celebration Tour: Manhattan, Miami, Next...?" Onlookers gather outside the courthouse on June 13. Onlookers gather outside the courthouse on June 13. Demonstrators for and against Trump gather outside the courthouse. One holds a sign that reads Demonstrators for and against Trump gather outside the courthouse. One holds a sign that reads "Lock Him Up." Gregg Donovan waits outside the Miami courthouse, wearing a hat that reads Gregg Donovan waits outside the Miami courthouse, wearing a hat that reads "We Love Trump!" A man holds a sign outside the courthouse reading A man holds a sign outside the courthouse reading "Orange Is the New Trump." Trump supporters pray outside the federal courthouse. Trump supporters pray outside the federal courthouse. Authorities patrol outside the courthouse after Trump's arrival. Authorities patrol outside the courthouse after Trump's arrival. A police officer and a police dog are seen next to a sign reading A police officer and a police dog are seen next to a sign reading "Fuck the Communist-Controlled News Media." Officers removed the sign from a post near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse on the morning of June 13. Journalists line up to be admitted inside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. Journalists line up to be admitted inside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse. Related... Go Southwest, it's your birthday! Stephen M Keller/Courtesy of Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines is turning 52 this weekend, and the carrier is celebrating by offering a huge fare sale and daily prize giveaways. To start, the airline is giving travelers the chance to save a whopping 40 percent off base fares if they book by 11:59 p.m. PT on June 15, Southwest shared with Travel + Leisure. The sale applies to trips between Aug. 15 and Dec. 14. (It excludes blackout dates from Nov. 16 through Nov. 27.) To book, travelers must use the promo code 40OFF. Southwest's destinations include international getaways like Aruba; Belize; Cancun, Mexico; Havana, Cuba; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Turks and Caicos. (A September trip from New York City to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for example, is as low as $335 round trip.) Travelers can also opt for popular U.S. cities serviced by the carrier like Austin, Nashville, Denver, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. (An October trip from Los Angeles to Nashville is as low as $99 each way.) In addition to the sale, Southwest Airlines is giving away prizes each day leading up to its official birthday on June 18, which the airline has dubbed Wanna Get Away Day. Travelers can snag everything from round-trip air travel for two to a Companion Pass. To enter to win a prize, travelers can fill out a sweepstakes form at wannagetaway.com before 11:59 p.m. CT on June 18. Those participating must be Rapid Rewards members. In true Southwest style, were celebrating with Heart all week long with one of the largest sales of the year, week-long sweepstakes, and more fun opportunities leading up to our 52nd birthday and our established national day, 'Wanna Get Away Day,' on June 18, Jonathan Clarkson, the vice president of marketing at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement shared with T+L. And to take the party to the skies, Southwest Airlines will offer all customers 21 and older flying with them on June 18 one free premium drink onboard. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling Tony Khan is clarifying rumors of a brand split in All Elite Wrestling heading into AEW Collision this Saturday night. All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan was a recent guest on Barstool Rasslin to discuss a wide variety of subjects. When asked about a potential brand split between Dynamite and Collision, Khan clarifies that no hard lines are drawn between the two shows, but some people will be featured more on one show than the other. What a great question, Tony Khan began. Well, to elaborate on that and answer your great question, I am going to feature certain talent on certain shows, but I havent drawn any hard lines or locked us into any kind of a split of a roster. I think people are going to be featured on certain shows, but I also think that gives us a great opportunity to showcase certain wrestlers on both Dynamite and Collision at certain times and certain stories that can cross the shows. I think the champions of AEW will be the champions on every show. And frankly, every promotion in the world. Were not shy about the AEW wrestlers going out and taking on the top stars, top competition from other companies. A great example, and probably the best example, is AEW x New Japan Pro-Wrestling Forbidden Door, and youll see a lot of the top stars from AEW taking on great stars from New Japan, and we regularly take on great wrestlers from all over the world. And I think our champions will defend those titles outside AEW, but certainly, across all of AEWs content, all of our shows, and thats one of the really exciting allures to our shows, I think, and certainly the roster we have is so strong. I believe we had so many great wrestlers; its impossible to showcase them all in three hours of television. Now, its a much better opportunity with five hours of television, and across five hours of television, we can really utilize the roster much more frequently and utilize our great wrestlers more than theyve ever been utilized before. So Im pretty excited. Story continues READ MORE: Tony Khan On CM Punks AEW Return: I Expect A Very Positive Reaction What do you make of Tony Khans comments? Are you happy All Elite Wrestling isnt doing a hard split with its roster? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Rasslin with a link back to this article for the transcription. The post Tony Khan Has Not Drawn Any Hard Lines On A Potential AEW Brand Split appeared first on Wrestlezone. UPDATED with family statement: Treat Williams, the versatile and prolific actor best known for playing Dr. Andy Brown on Greg Berlantis Everwood during a nearly half-century career, died this afternoon. Williams was killed in a motorcycle accident in Dorset, VT. He was 71. Williams family issued a statement to Deadline, which reads in part, Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers. Read the full statement below. More from Deadline RELATED: Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Jacob Gribble, the fire chief for Dorset, told People that the accident happened around 5 p.m. ET and involved Williams motorcycle and a single car, the driver of which apparently didnt see Williams. He was the only person hurt in the crash. A helicopter was called to airlift him to a hospital. Williams played the kindhearted lead on the WBs Everwood for four seasons from 2002-06, a role that seemed to fit the actor perfectly. Williams received two SAG Award nominations for his work on the show. The series never was a ratings blockbuster, but it helped launch the careers of Chris Pratt, Emily VanCamp and Gregory Smith. RELATED: Gregory Smith, Sarah Drew React To Everwood Co-Star Treat Williams Death: A Wonderful Man And A Brilliant Actor Williams was well-seasoned by the time the show came around: His first big break came when he auditioned for a road company for Grease. Story continues I came back and they put me on Broadway as the understudy to four of the male leads, including John Travolta and Jeff Conaway, Williams told Vermont magazine. I covered Teen Angel, Doody, Danny Zuko, and Roger. Within two weeks, I was on Broadway performing. It was a baptism by fire, but it was great. He ultimately would appear in a half-dozen Broadway shows from 1974-2001, including Follies, Love Letters and the 1981 production of The Pirates of Penzance. RELATED: Emily VanCamp Pays Tribute To Everwood Co-Star Treat Williams He made his film debut in the 1975 thriller Deadly Hero. The following year he played a supporting role in Richard Lesters The Ritz and also appeared in John Sturges The Eagle Has Landed. His big-screen breakthrough came in 1979, when he starred as George Berger in Milos Formans Hair, based on the 1967 Broadway musical. Williams was nominated for a Golden Globe for that film. The actors many other big-screen credits include Steven Spielbergs 1941 (1979), Sidney Lumets Prince of the City (1981), Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Dead Heat (1988), Things to Do in Denver When Youre Dead (1995) and Deep Rising (1998). RELATED: Treat Williams Final Role Playing Bill Paley In Ryan Murphys Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans Williams posted online often about life in Vermont, sharing photos on social media of his farm and appreciation for country life. His final tweet came less than an hour before his death. Ive always had an enormous love for Vermont, both in winter and summer. There was something incredibly special about it to me, and the people here are incredibly honest, real, and good-humored, he told an interviewer in 2022. Theres also always something new to discover somewhere on a dirt road that youve never traveled on before. Every day I wake up so grateful to see the view that I see out of my window and to be living up here. On TV, Williams career stretched back 40 years to a starring role in the 1983 telefilm Dempsey, about the former heavyweight champ to whom the actor bore more than a passing resemblance. He followed up with two more TV movies: A Streetcar Named Desire (1984), in which he played Stanley Kowalski, and J. Edgar Hoover (1987), playing the titular G-man. Dozens more TV movies followed, including the 1996 The Late Shift, which earned him an Emmy nomination for playing former uber agent Michael Ovitz, as well as the sitcom Good Advice with Shelley Long, which ran on CBS for two seasons from 1993-94, leading to Everwood. More recently Williams appeared in a six-episode arc on Blue Bloods as Lenny Ross, in the Hallmark Channels Chesapeake Shores from 2016-22 and in the HBO limited series We Own This City. He will soon be seen in Ryan Murphys FX anthology series Feud: Capotes Women, in which he plays former CBS head and media tycoon Bill Paley. Williams is survived by his wife, actress Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gille and Ellie. A Statement on the Passing of Treat Williams It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident. As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him. We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers. The Williams Family Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Two children suffered burn-like injuries after acid was poured on three slides at a Massachusetts playground, authorities said. Fire and police departments in Longmeadow, just south of Springfield, are searching for suspects after authorities responded to a call Sunday at 9:40 a.m. local time for a suspicious substance found on the slides at Bliss Park Playground, the Longmeadow Fire Department said in a news release Monday. At the same time, Longmeadow EMS crews responded to a report of two children suffering burn-like injuries after leaving the park. Firefighters determined the material on the slides was "acidic in nature." The hazmat team determined that the chemical poured on the slides was muriatic acid, the fire department said. The (Massachusetts) State Police crime lab gathered several items of evidence, the fire department said in the news release. Additional evidence was gathered and has been sent to the crime lab for forensic analysis and fingerprinting. Multiple agencies including the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection assisted in the investigation. Texas fish kill: Thousands of dead fish washed ashore beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast. Heres why. Perpetrators broke into a room through ventilation shaft to get the chemicals, authorities say The fire department said the perpetrators climbed two fences and used a ventilation shaft to break into a room in the basement of a pool building, where the chemicals were stored to operate the pool. "The pool chemicals had been stored properly in a secured area," the fire department said. Fire department officials said they suspect the perpetrators may have suffered acid burns to their hands or arms and their clothing may have indications of being degraded from contact with the acid. Longmeadow officials hired a contractor to clean the playground and the status of the playground will be determined after its cleaned, the fire department said. Story continues The playground area is fenced off, but the rest of the park is open, the fire department said. The fire department requested anyone with information contact Longmeadow police. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Acid poured on slides at Longmeadow, Massachusetts playground; 2 hurt A tour boat capsized inside an Erie Canal water cave near Niagara in upstate New York on Monday morning, leaving one person dead and 11 others injured File: Shutterstock A tour boat capsized inside an Erie Canal water cave on Monday morning in upstate New York near Niagara Falls, leaving one person dead and 11 others injured. The boat, which toured the underground water caves along the Erie Canal in Lockport, New York, contained 29 passengers, mostly comprised of hospitality workers from nearby Niagara. Andrea Czopp, chief operating officer at the area's tourism bureau Destination Niagara USA, told the Associated Press the workers were on the Lockport Cave Tour boat ride as part of a "familiarization tour." Related: 10 Dead, 25 Injured After Bus Carrying Wedding Guests in Australian Wine Region Rolls Over The incident occurred near the end of the roughly 300-foot tour route, throwing the passengers several feet into the water. While the identity of the deceased was not immediately released, Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano confirmed the fatality during a news conference per The Buffalo News. We did have one fatality in the incident," he said. "It is believed for a time that he was initially stuck underneath the capsized boat, and it did take some time to get him recovered and back to a safe location." According to Quagliano, 11 more people were treated for "minor injuries" at a local hospital. Officials confirmed that the wife of the deceased passenger was also on the boat and was injured in the incident, according to The Buffalo News. Related: Man Drowns on Honeymoon as Couple's Belongings 'Stolen' During Rescue: 'Absolutely Devastating' "The name of the deceased passenger is being withheld until notification can be made to the family," added the Lockport Police Department in a press release. 'An investigation of the incident is still ongoing at this time." Story continues During Monday's conference, Lockport Police Chief Steve Abbott added that the boat has a maximum capacity of 40 passengers and was "specially built for that attraction." "It was built inside that cave," he explained. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a statement to The Buffalo News, Czopp said, "Situations like this happen all over the world. Tragic accidents happen. Being an internationally recognized destination, this does sometimes pick up and spread farther and wider across the media than it would maybe somewhere else." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Wes Anderson will keep working with Bill Murray in wake of misconduct claims: 'He's really part of my family' Bill Murray might not appear in Wes Anderson's latest film, Asteroid City, but their working relationship is still going strong. In a new IndieWire interview, the filmmaker said that he intends to keep working with Murray, a longtime collaborator, amid recent allegations of sexual harassment and other inappropriate on-set behavior leveled against the actor. Anderson added that he considers Murray to be "part of my family." "My experience with Bill is so extensive," the director said. "Bill was such a great supporter of me from the very beginning. I don't want to speak about somebody else's experience, but he's really part of my family. You know, he's my daughter's godfather. In fact, he actually baptized her. He's the one who splashed the water." Last year, Searchlight Pictures suspended production on the film Being Mortal after an alleged incident involving Murray and another cast member. The movie written, directed, and produced by Aziz Ansari has yet to resume production. Murray addressed the allegations for the first time back in April, but did not elaborate what transpired. Bill Murray and Wes Anderson at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 George Pimentel/WireImage Bill Murray and Wes Anderson at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 "I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn't taken that way," Murray told CNBC. "The company, the movie studio, wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it, and so they stopped the production." According to a Puck report, Murray was alleged to have straddled and kissed (while masked due to COVID-19 protocols) a younger female production staffer on set. The woman was allegedly "horrified" at the incident and filed a complaint. In the past year, fellow actors Geena Davis and Seth Green have also accused Murray of bad behavior on set. Davis said Murray harassed her while making the 1990 film Quick Change, and Green said Murray dropped him in a trash can backstage at Saturday Night Live when he was 9. Story continues Murray is one of Anderson's most frequent cast members, having appeared in nine of his 12 feature films. The duo last worked together on the 2021 movie The French Dispatch, and Murray was originally intended to appear in Asteroid City as well. "Bill was supposed to be in the movie," Anderson told IndieWire. "He was supposed to play the motel manager who Steve Carell plays, and Bill got COVID four days before he was supposed to start shooting. He was in Ireland and in the case of our movie, we had schedules of so many people that are all puzzled around. The people who Bill was supposed to play scenes with were going to be gone by the time he cleared the COVID protocols and stuff. And in fact, he was quite sick. So Bill missed his part and Steve Carell came in quite suddenly. He was great, I loved having him. I met him, he arrived, and we were immediately shooting." Anderson reunited with Murray when the film wrapped. "When Bill got better, he came to Spain [where Asteroid shot]," Anderson said. "We finished the movie, and Bill and I got in a car and drove to France. It was a great way to finish but it was the first time I hadn't had him in a movie in a long time." Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: (Bloomberg) -- Advanced Micro Devices Inc. showcased its upcoming line of artificial intelligence processors, aiming to help data centers handle a crush of AI traffic and challenge Nvidia Corp.s dominance in the burgeoning market. Most Read from Bloomberg The companys Instinct MI300 series will include an accelerator that can speed processing for generative AI the technology used by ChatGPT and other chatbots AMD said during a presentation in San Francisco on Tuesday. The product, called MI300X, is part of a lineup that was unveiled at the CES conference in January. Like much of the chip industry, AMD is racing to meet booming demand for AI computing. Popular services that rely on large language models algorithms that crunch massive amounts of data in order to answer queries and generate images are pushing data centers to the limit. And so far, Nvidia has had an edge in supplying the technology needed to handle these workloads. We are still very, very early in the life cycle of AI, AMD Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su said at the event. The total addressable market for data center AI accelerators will rise fivefold to more than $150 billion in 2027, she said. Its going to be a lot. Still, the presentation failed to dazzle investors, who already have sky-high expectations for AI growth. They had bid up AMD shares 99% this year through Mondays close, but the stock drifted down more than 3% during Tuesdays event. Executives from Amazon.com Inc.s AWS and Meta Platforms Inc. joined Su on stage to talk about using new AMD processors in their data centers. The chipmaker also announced the general availability of the latest version of its Epyc server processors and a new variant called Bergamo that is aimed at cloud computing uses. The MI300X accelerator is based on AMDs CDNA 3 technology and uses as much as 192 gigabytes of memory to handle workloads for large language models and generative AI, the Santa Clara, California-based company said. Key customers will start sampling the technology in the third quarter, with full production starting in the fourth, AMD said. Another model, the Instinct MI300A, is going out to customers now. (Updates with production plans in ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer In August 2022 I tested and reviewed Zhiyuns Weebill 3 DSLR and mirrorless camera stabilizer and was impressed enough to give it 4.5 stars. 2023 sees the release of the Weebill 3S. The fact that this incarnation isnt called the Weebill 4 might lead you to think that theres not much difference between the 3S and its predecessor. Indeed the differences between the 3 and the 3S may be relatively subtle but they are still welcome upgrades and improvements on last years model as well explain. Like Australias smallest bird (the Weebill), the aptly named Weebill 3S has a compact profile. In fact, at a net weight of 1.05 kg/2.33 lbs, its even lighter than the 1.13kg/2.49 lbs of 2022s Weebill 3. Despite its smaller stature, its motors are powerful enough to enable your mirrorless or DSLR cameras to perform a range of smoothly cinematic moves (as youll see if you scroll down to watch this reviews supporting video). Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer Zhiyun Weebill 3S: Specifications Product Size (W*D*H): 305*210*72.5 (mm) Weight: 1.05Kg/2.33lbs Tilting range: 310 Rolling range: 340 Panning range: 360 Battery Runtime: 11.5 hours LED: 2600k-5500K, CRI: 90+ Zhiyun Weebill 3S: Key Features One of the chores faced when using a gimbal is getting your camera balanced in the tilt, pan, and roll axes. An unbalanced camera makes the stabilizers motors work harder, leading to a shorter life span for the device. The performance of an unbalanced gimbal will also be adversely affected, leading to shot-ruining shakes. Fortunately, the Weebill 3S is relatively quick and easy to balance thanks to the adjustable and lockable sliders. You sometimes have to put a bit of pressure on the roll, tilt, and pan arms to move them into a balanced position but once youve got the balance right you can unclip the camera via the quick-release plate, transport the gimbal and camera to your shooting location and then re-attach the pre-balanced camera via the quick release plate in seconds so that you can start shooting quickly. Story continues The Weebill 3S Combo kit ships with a backpack that stores the locked and folded gimbal in the top section and your camera and other accessories in the bottom. This makes the Weebill 3S relatively quick and easy to transport and deploy. Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer A welcome new key feature is the ability to trigger the attached cameras shutter button via Bluetooth (if your camera supports Bluetooth that is!). You can make the camera start recording by pressing the red Record button on the gimbal. This saves you the hassle and inconvenience of attaching the camera to the gimbal via cables (which could hamper its performance). The Sling Mode 2.0 on the Weebill 3 has been upgraded to Sling Mode 2.5. Like the old sling handle, the new sling enables to sweep the camera along a few inches from the ground. However, the new sling can also be rotated the run parallel with the main grip, in effect giving you a two-handed grip that provides more control when maneuvering a heavy payload. The quick-release plate can be redeployed so that you can quickly switch between landscape and portrait-oriented compositions. Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer The Weebill 3S also features a built-in dual-color Fill light. This LED emits up to 1000 lumens to illuminate closer subjects such as talking heads. Magnetic clip-on filters enable you to change the color temperature of the LED. A dial on the gimbals handle also functions as a button. You can turn on the lamp with a press and then rotate the dial to adjust its brightness. Zhiyun Weebill 3S: Build & Handling Zhiyun doesnt mention the maximum payload in their Weebill 3S specifications, but their website does have a comprehensive list of compatible cameras and lens combinations. Youll then need to click on the Weebill 3S thumbnail. With a weight of only 1.05Kg the Weebill 3S is not too heavy to hold, even with the additional 1.42 kg payload that we used in our test. The adjustable wrist support acts like a lever and really does make it easier to carry the gimbal one-handed while reducing fatigue during a long or complex camera move. Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer At the base of the gimbal is a little plate that you can use to attach the optional sling grip and wrist support. Initially, this plate rattled and wobbled a little but the problem was solved by a few twists of an Allen key to tighten two fixtures. The upgraded Sling Mode 2.5 grip can be re-configured to act as a second support handle, providing a two-handed grip. You can adjust the length of the sling to make it easier to hold during a shoot and easier to stow in its bag. Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer Zhiyun Weebill 3S: Performance Initially, I tested the Weebill 3S with a Canon 650D DSLR carrying an L-series 24-70mm lens. This payload weighed in at 1.48 kg. After balancing the camera we were pleased to see that there was no sign of vibration or shake and the stabilizer performed any move we made nicely and smoothly. For our location test shoot, we used a payload of a Sony A7 III mirrorless camera sporting a Tamron 28-77mm lens. Again this similar payload was carried smoothly and effectively by the Weebill 3S with no signs of strain on the motors. We tried out a range of shooting modes that were easy to access by tapping on the Mode button. The relevant mode appeared on the gimbals 0.96-inch non-touch Single-color screen. In F (Follow mode) the Weebill 3S would pan and tilt to follow the movement of our arm. In PF (Pan Follow) mode the gimbal would pan but not tilt up or down. Using Lock mode we were able to keep a subject in the same part of the frame when tracking left or right or craning up and down. Check out our supporting video to see the various modes in action. The joystick on the gimbal was also very effective at enabling us to pan and tilt as smoothly as we could if we were using a heavy-duty tripods fluid head. The supplied mini tripod legs enable us to shoot with a small footprint. The Combo kits backpack makes it easier to carry all your gear to a location (rather than lugging a heavy gimbal carry case and separate camera bag). Zhiyun Weebill 3S gimbal stabilizer We also liked the fact that the adjustment wheel on the front of the gimbal could be customized via the menu button and the OLED screen. We set the wheel to control the tilt axis so we could fine-tune our shots starting positions. We were then able to film some background video clips during a graduation ceremony. The portability of the Weebill 3S meant that we could quickly move between a range of locations at the venue and capture professional camera moves without the need for a heavy-duty tripod. Zhiyun Weebill 3S: Verdict We loved the Weebill 3 when it was released last year and the lighter but equally powerful Weevil 3S gives us even more to love thanks to some nice evolutionary touches. The upgraded sling-grip 2.5 can be rotated alongside the grip handle to enable a two-handed grip which is useful for managing heavier payloads. It also carried a DSLR and mirrorless camera with ease, making it an attractive purchase for videographers who need to shoot on the move without cluttering up a location with a heavy tripod (plus its harder work to lug a tripod around, especially if youre shooting an event with multiple locations such as a graduation or a wedding). Read more: find out more about the best gimbals for mirrorless and SLR camera users, or to up your phone photography game, find out more about the best smartphone gimbals. An armed man suspected of stealing a car in Washington State on Monday lead to a police chase that ended with patrol vehicles catching on fire. The incident began Monday when police said a man used a gun to steal a car at a Tacoma-area park. Officers chased the suspect on to Interstate 5 in Tacoma and followed the vehicle across several cities before the pursuit ended with cars in flames, according to the Pierce County Sheriffs Office. Deputies used the owners Air Tag product from Apple to track the vehicle at a Federal Way shopping complex, nearly 15 miles north of the location where it was reported stolen. When officers arrived at the shopping complex, the carjacker ran over spike strips while driving, losing the rear tire, according to the sheriff's office. Officers chased the suspect for several miles before the pursuit went onto the freeway where a deputy caused the suspects car to crash. The driver suspect ran away leaving behind a female passenger as the vehicle caught fire before officers quickly apprehended the male suspect. Other car theft: Pregnant Illinois woman run over as she tried to rescue toddler from car thieves Deputies rescued the woman before the car became fully engulfed, the office wrote in a press release. The fire spread to two nearby patrol cars through the dry grass between them. Officers extinguished one of the patrol cars and fire officials cleared the other two vehicles of flames. No deputies were injured. The incident resulted in the blocking of all southbound I-5 lanes until two lanes resumed around 1:40 p.m. All lanes were reopened shortly before 3 p.m. Australia jacking: Nick Kyrgios out of French Open with foot injury after alleged carjacking at gunpoint Both suspects were hospitalized for injuries received during the crash, according to the statement. The vehicle's owners identified the carjacker to officers and he was expected to be booked after he is medically cleared, police said. Washington ranks third in the nation for the number of vehicles stolen last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureaus 2022 Vehicle Theft Trend Report. The report published in March said 46,939 vehicles were stolen in the state last year out of a little over a million nationwide. Washingtons rate falls behind California and Texas which are the two most-populous U.S. states. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Washington carjacking ends with I-5 shut down in police chase, fire A recent recall on products containing frozen organic strawberries sold at Costco has expanded to additional SKUs sold at Walmart and HEB stores across the U.S. In response to an ongoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation after Wawona Frozen Foods, Inc. announced a voluntary recall earlier this week, Willamette Valley Fruit Co. has initiated its own voluntary recall of select packages of frozen fruit that contains strawberries. The additional recalled products extend to Walmarts Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit, and Great Value Antioxidant Blend which were distributed to select stores across 32 states from January 24, 2023 through June 8, 2023. Click here for a full list of recalled product codes and retailer location by state. The initial recall that included Wawona products from Costco in five states has since expanded to include Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend, which were distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Colorado, Texas, California and Arizona from October 3, 2022, and June 8, 2023. The new recall on Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio products were distributed to HEB stores in Texas from July 18th, 2022, to June 8, 2023, the FDA stated. Click here for the full FDA recall details that includes product codes, expiration dates, photos and other pertinent consumer information. As previously reported, the Wawona Frozen Foods recall includes year-old, 4-pound packages of Wawona Frozen Foods Organic DayBreak Blend that were distributed from April 15, 2022, to June 26, 2022. "The DayBreak Blend includes organic frozen strawberries grown in Mexico which may have the potential to be contaminated with Hepatitis A," a recall notice posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website stated. The impacted products were sent to Costco locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Washington. Wawona Frozen Foods said the recall was issued "out of an abundance of caution" and that there have been no reported illnesses as of time of publication. Story continues PHOTO: Wawona Frozen Foods is voluntarily recalling year-old packages of its Organic DayBreak Blend distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Washington from April 15, 2022 to June 26, 2022. (Wawona via FDA) "While the Organic DayBreak Blend was distributed to Costco stores last year, they have 'Use By' dates of 09/23/2023, 09/29/2023, 09/30/2023 and 10/18/2023 therefore consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled blend, not to consume it and either discard the product or return it to the store for a refund," the recall notice stated. The products are no longer available in store for purchase and any Organic DayBreak Blend products currently on shelves with different lot codes or purchase dates are not subject to this recall. "Wawona Frozen Foods is fully cooperating with federal health officials as well as Costco to ensure consumers are alerted about the recalled Organic DayBreak Blend distributed by Wawona Frozen Foods last year," the recall notice stated. Click here for full product images and lot code information. Hepatitis A is "a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Hepatitis A is very contagious," the CDC states. "It is spread when someone unknowingly ingests the virus -- even in microscopic amounts -- through close personal contact with an infected person or through eating contaminated food or drink." The hepatitis A virus can remain active in frozen foods. According to the CDC, people who contract hepatitis A "may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage." "In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death; this is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease," the CDC states. Symptoms of hepatitis A can include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain and yellowing of the skin known as jaundice, and can last up to two months, according to the agency. "The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated," the CDC states. An earlier version of this story was initially published on June 13, 2023. Frozen strawberries recalled for hepatitis A concerns extend to additional retailers originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com The unexpected death of U.S. Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie is putting a spotlight on a pregnancy complication that disproportionally impacts Black women. Bowie, 32, was found dead last month in her home near Orlando, Florida. At the time of her death, Bowie was around eight months pregnant and was in labor, according to an autopsy report released this week by the office of the medical examiner in Orlando. The autopsy report, obtained by ABC News, ruled that Bowie's death was "natural," noting that possible complications included respiratory distress and eclampsia. Bowie, whose only medical condition listed on the autopsy is bipolar disorder, had no drugs or alcohol in her system, according to the report. PHOTO: Tori Bowie gestures after receiving the gold medal she won in the women's 100m final during the World Athletics Championships in London, Aug. 7, 2017. (Alastair Grant/AP, FILE) Eclampsia is a medical emergency that happens when a pregnant woman with preeclampsia develops seizures, which can lead to coma or death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While eclampsia is more rare, preeclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure and kidney damage during pregnancy, is common, affecting as many as 1 in 25 pregnancies in the U.S., according to the CDC. As a Black woman, Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist, was among the population most affected by preeclampsia, data shows. MORE: Maternal mortality rates increased in 2021, highest in Black women According to the Preeclampsia Foundation a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, the rate of preeclampsia is 60% higher among Black women than white women, and Black women are more likely to develop severe preeclampsia. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also lists being Black as among the "moderate risk" factors for preeclampsia, a condition for which the exact cause is not known. Bowie's race also put her in the highest risk category for death due to pregnancy-related complications. In the U.S., Black women and Native American women are two to three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the CDC. Across all races, the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 700 women dying each year as a result of complications due to pregnancy. Story continues Kimberly Holland, Bowie's longtime agent, told ABC News that she spoke with Bowie just a few weeks before her death. She said the track star did not mention any difficulties with her pregnancy. "She was filled with so much joy. She was so happy. It was one of our best conversations in a long time," said Holland, the founder of Icon Management, later adding, "She never complained about any discomfort or that she was having any problems. She was getting prepared to have the baby in a couple of weeks." PHOTO: Tori Bowie of the United States competes in the Women's 100m heats during day two of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images, FILE) Holland said she wants Bowie to be remembered not just for her success on the track field, but with a call for change when it comes to maternal care in the U.S. "It's just unfortunate that someone has to pass before we highlight it. It's like we're always working in the rear instead of being proactive," Holland said. "So, if this can help someone else in some kind of way, by changing some laws or bringing more attention to Black women that experience these types of complications, then I want to do that, because I know if Tori were here and she can help someone in any way, she definitely would." What women need to know Preeclampsia happens when a pregnant woman who previously had normal blood pressure develops high blood pressure with protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy, according to the CDC. Women who have underlying high blood pressure before pregnancy, known as chronic hypertension, can also develop this condition. In more rare instances, preeclampsia can develop in the postpartum period up to 6 weeks after birth. Some health conditions can also increase the risk of developing preeclampsia, including some autoimmune disorders, diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, sickle cell disease and kidney disorders. MORE: Pregnancy blood pressure screening draft recommendations expanded for 1st time Signs of preeclampsia include new or worsening headaches, vision changes, swelling in the face, hands or feet, sudden weight gain and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. In some cases, women have no symptoms of preeclampsia, according to the CDC, which stresses that is why women need to regularly see a health care provider during pregnancy. Black women are less likely to receive adequate medical care, research shows, which is why increased access to medical care is one step in the right direction toward addressing these disparities. In addition to getting regular routine prenatal care, it's important to take all medications prescribed by a doctor during pregnancy, especially medications that treat high blood pressure. A heart-healthy lifestyle that reduces the risks of any cardiovascular condition prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy can also help. If someone is at higher risk of preeclampsia, the U.S. Preventive Services Task force recommends taking daily low-dose aspirin after 12-weeks gestation during pregnancy to help prevent preeclampsia. Talk to your doctor about whether this might be the right option for you. Importantly, a woman should talk to her doctor about any risk factors or new or worsening symptoms during pregnancy, and should not start or stop any medications without consulting a doctor first. ABC News' Dr. Jade Cobern and Dr. Shiela Beroukhim, members of the ABC News Medical Unit, contributed to this report. US Olympian dies from pregnancy complication that disproportionately impacts Black women originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Gabriel Fox, a third-grader at Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School, was selected to represent Wisconsin as one of the 55 U.S. state and territory winners in the 2023 Doodle for Google competition. His artwork, titled "You Are Always Happy When You Eat Tacos," was chosen out of thousands of submissions. A 9-year-old Wisconsin boy could have his artwork displayed on Google's homepage, receive a big scholarship and get a tech package for his school if he wins this year's Doodle for Google competition. You could help him become a finalist. Here's how the annual contest works. Kindergarten through 12th-grade students create and submit their own versions of Google's logo inspired by that particular year's theme, according to a news release. There are five grade categories: kindergarten through third grade, fourth and fifth grades, sixth and seventh grades, eighth and ninth grades, and 10th and 12th grades. The theme for 2023, the 15th annual competition, is "I am grateful for ...". Gabriel Fox, a third-grader at Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School in Kenosha County, was selected to represent Wisconsin as one of 55 state and territory winners. His artwork, titled "You Are Always Happy When You Eat Tacos," was chosen out of thousands of submissions. "I made my doodle because I'm thankful for my dad, and he likes tacos," Fox told the Journal Sentinel. With colored pencils, he made the "G" and parts of other letters that make up the word "Google" into tacos. Three tacos also float above the word, including a larger one with a smiley face that hovers over the two "O"s. "They're my dad's favorite food and I'm grateful for him," Fox said. "It's amazing," said Pamela Sorensen, talented and gifted coordinator for the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District. "He's only in third grade. And it's very creative and colorful, and adheres to the theme just beautifully. He did awesome." Trevor-Wilmot is a "small, rural" school with an enrollment of about 450, according to Sorensen. Sorensen encouraged Fox and other students who are also "strong in the arts and creativity areas" to enter this year's Doodle for Google competition. It was the first time her students applied, she said. Story continues "The more opportunities students have, the more opportunities they have to refine their artistic talents, and hopefully, they get inspired to pursue more artistic and creative opportunities," Sorensen said. "I know it's something that (Gabriel) enjoys. And so, I like to highlight a student's passion as well. And I know that he was passionate in the arts, and whenever I can get students engaged and excited about learning, I think that's important." More: Sculpture Milwaukee announces artists for 2023 outdoor public art exhibit More: Modern art prints discovered in donation to Habitat for Humanity's Franklin restore sold for $88,000. Here's why. How Fox found out he was the Wisconsin winner, what he was awarded Earlier this week, Fox said his teacher told him and his fellow third-graders to go to one of the school's gymnasiums, where the principal would be. "Our teacher said it could be a good or bad situation," Fox said. "But I'm pretty sure that she already knew it was a good situation." What they were walking into was actually a surprise assembly, set up by Google, to announce and celebrate Fox's achievement. Fox's parents, younger brother and grandparents, as well as a Google representative and professional photographer, were also in attendance. After the school's two third-grade classes arrived, Sorensen made the announcement and Fox's artwork was unveiled. "I just thought it was unbelievable," Fox said. "I was in disbelief and just so proud of him, and excited," Sorensen said. "I don't even know how to put it in words. Just very delighted for him and his family. He deserves it, he worked hard. And, just so proud." Google awarded Fox a new Chromebook, a shirt with his artwork on it, a pencil case and a journal, he said. Fox and his classmates were also granted an extra recess that day. "His classmates were super-excited for him," said Pangkong, Gabriel's mother. "They were patting (him) on the back, they were screaming, they were so excited." After school, the Fox family continued the celebration, with a Taco Bell dinner and a cake that looked like a taco. "We were really excited, and just really proud," Pangkong said. "And, we're hoping that this kind of encourages him to do some new things." Sorensen hopes that Fox's success in the contest inspires more of the school's students to enter next year. A certificate Gabriel Fox, a third grader at Trevor-Wilmot, was given for representing Wisconsin as one of the 55 U.S. state and territory winners in the 2023 Doodle for Google competition. How to vote The public determines the five national finalists (one from each grade group) by voting for their favorite at doodles.google.com/d4g/. Voting runs until 1:59 a.m. Central on May 25. In late May, Google will announce five national finalists, one of whom will be named the national winner, a news release said. Fox said his friends and classmates told him they're going to vote for him and "try to convince" their siblings to as well. More: Milwaukee Public Museum plans gallery in new building on world landscapes, cultures (and with the rattlesnake button) More: Bader Philanthropies gift of $4.4 million will support Milwaukee Art Museum's European collection and exhibits What the national winner will be awarded The national winner's doodle will be featured on the Google homepage for a day. The winner will also be awarded a $30,000 college scholarship, the news release said. The winner's school will receive a $50,000 tech package for the "establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program." "It's really cool Gabriel could win something for himself, but I think even more importantly, he could win something to help the school," Pangkong said. "I would rather have that," Gabriel said. "To help the school." Sorensen said she is "so grateful" that Google offers this competition to students, and wishes additional corporations would provide students with "more opportunities in the creative and artistic realms." "I really am so thankful to Google for sponsoring this kind of activity and the wonderful prizes that go along with it," Sorensen said. "It's a very generous effort on behalf of them." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Doodle for Google competition 2023: Gabriel Fox representing Wisconsin Note: This post contains mentions of abuse, grooming, and suicidal thoughts. While certain values passed along by your parents may still be meaningful to you, you could have ended up rejecting other things they preached that now feel flawed. Jackie discusses growth in a "Basketball Wives" episode Shed Media US / Via giphy.com I recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share the things their parents taught them to believe or value that they now disregard. Here are some of the eye-opening responses people wrote: 1. "My mom always told me to put others first and always give them the best. I still believe in this to an extent, but early in my adulthood I realized that I can only put others first and give them the best when I have already taken care of my own needs. I cant be giving to the point where I leave myself at a deficit. Its not selfish to take care of myself, its necessary for my own mental and physical well-being. Beyond my own basic needs I am happy to give what I can, but never more. Giving more of myself than I am really capable of doesnt do anybody any good." strangerthanitseems 2. "Going to church on Sundays, which was my stepmother's mandate. It's something she grew up with and passed it on to me, as well as her own children. Personally, I never cared for church (at least her church); at the same time, I don't believe you have to attend church (or any religious institution) on a regular basis to be a good person." Anonymous, 53, New York, NY Jupiterimages / Getty Images 3. "Forgiveness...My parents were steadfast that you 'have to' forgive people, not for them but for yourself. As I've gotten older, I realize that's complete bullshit. Sometimes, people don't deserve your forgiveness, and more often than not, it doesn't hinder my life in any way to not grant forgiveness to those people. In a Fiona Apple interview, she said something along the lines of, rather than forgiving people, you should just accept them and move on. Accepting means that if someone isn't earning your forgiveness or isn't showing you that they're trying to change, then you don't need to give them any forgiveness. You should accept them for who they are and decide whether you want to keep them in your life. I like that much more. I've accepted that certain people are terrible, and I've cut them out. They don't need my forgiveness, just like I don't need to give it to them." Anonymous, 35, Austin, Texas Story continues 4. "'Blood is thicker than water' and 'familial love is unconditional.' That was usually in the context of how I was still obligated to love my father even after he beat and berated me. I no longer believe in blood bonds or unconditional love love and respect have to be mutual. I refuse to love someone who intentionally hurts me to make themselves feel bigger." Hazel, 21, Minnesota 5. "'Hard work pays off!' and 'You can do anything you put your mind to.' Working hard will kill you and have you being a pack mule for billionaires. Life is about working smarter!!! And being efficient not doing all this grueling work and getting bloody knuckles and having nothing to show for it." lexiveronicaj Jirapong Manustrong / Getty Images/iStockphoto 6. "'Dont be so sensitive.' My parents valued 'toughness.' I think they believed sensitivity equals weakness. They feared us being vulnerable and someone taking advantage of us. It taught me to be hard and cold and show no sympathy or empathy. I was mean and didnt like it. As I was exposed to more as an adult, I realized that being sensitive is normal being a hardass is not. Now that my parents are older, I think theyve learned they didnt like being that way either. They are much more receptive to emotions and listening. Just wish it had happened sooner." lexitini8586 Dean Mitchell / Getty Images 7. "'Its always cheaper to do it yourself.' My parents are amazing people and have always worked extremely hard. They DIYd every house project, car fix, etc. Unfortunately, I watched them piss away a lot of time and money over the years trying to do things themselves. There were a lot of fights over project redos and fixes. There is a fine line to tread. Ive learned to be realistic about my limitations and to evaluate projects in a way that takes into account my time, longevity, materials, what it will cost if I make a mistake, etc." chelynwei 8. "Do what makes you money, not what you love." hayleynovember 9. "'College will be your only open door to the good life.' Not exactly true. I tried the college thing, and it was NOT for me. Could I be making more money? Sure, and even the college graduates reading this are agreeing with me, LOL. But I'm just fine right now. I have a 401k, savings, great credit, a home, car paid off...not too shabby for someone with no degree. My husband is the same no degree, and he's doing fine. We're not drowning in debt, nor do we owe hundreds of thousands in student loans. College is NOT the end-all, folks. Trade schools, getting in with a good company and working up those all still exist, and people still make good livings from them." morgan_le_slay Corey Jenkins / Getty Images/Image Source 10. "That you have to stick with a job forever. I had a job in my 20s that made me borderline suicidal, so I just up and quit one day. No notice...just sent an email and left the office forever. I called my parents to tell them, and my dad said, 'But you signed a contract. You made a commitment.' Yes, but I didnt sign on for the level of abuse I suffered. My parents said essentially the same thing when I left my first husband after I found out hed been sleeping with my 'friend' for the entirety of our four-year marriage. Yes, I made commitments to that job and that man. But I didnt sign on for emotional, mental, and sometimes physical abuse. Im allowed to care for myself and ensure my safety above all else." micahdr 11. "'Women are responsible for their own orgasms.' Sorry, Mom...so sorry. " anewfan2018 12. "To save all money and NEVER spend...vacations and any luxury are a waste of time. Mom recently passed away. My parents have a lot of savings, but she never got to enjoy life. I don't go too wild with spending, but life is short. Treat yourself." Anonymous, 40, White Plains, NY Kar-tr / Getty Images/iStockphoto 13. "Prejudice. They were against mixed race relationships, and they always talked poorly about people of other races. They claimed they weren't 'racist,' just 'prejudiced.' Whatever, it's the same thing. I've worked in the medical field for my entire adult life, and I've worked alongside so many people from so many different places and cultures. That completely changed the thinking that I was raised with. And, of course, they considered themselves good Christians." Jennifer, 45, New Hampshire 14. "Purity culture. 'Dressing modestly' and heteronormative ideas on sexual expression and acceptance. My brain and body are still unpacking internalized ideas in therapy from the long-term effects, but coming out as queer and wearing clothes I love that embrace my body are some of the best things Ive ever done for myself!" hannahbennett3 Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images 15. "Not talking about your emotions. And strict monogamy and that marriage is for life. Ive always been emotionally open, and I knew I was polyamorous (even if I didnt know the term) when I was a child. My parents are and have always been emotionally stunted and closed off, and they have a miserable marriage. They cannot turn off the judgment that I speak openly about my emotions and that Im in a loving, thriving, healthy, wonderful polyamorous marriage (nine years so far and thriving!). To this day they say its wrong and not a real marriage. Yeah, how successful and happy are you two and your marriage?" rollerskates 16. "Stay loyal and work hard for a company, and they will take care of you." jeremyo811 17. "'Kill them with kindness.' Why be kind to someone who is cruel to you? I was a doormat for far too long because of this." tvanepps Liubomyr Vorona / Getty Images/iStockphoto 18. "'Ignore bullies turn the other cheek.' Imagine a parent in 2023 telling their child to just let the bullies treat them like shit and don't raise their voice about it; don't make waves. Unreal." J.H., 36, California Fly View Productions / Getty Images 19. "My grandmother raised me from birth, and she always taught me the importance of keeping it classy and acting like a lady, even in difficult situations that may require unladylike actions. I threw that out the window years ago because I learned that its OK to act unladylike when the situation calls for it: two weeks ago I was accused of something I didnt do because a member of management lied to senior management about me. 15 years of knowing senior level, and they clearly believed this young manager over me. Last week I quit. I explained my reasons for leaving via email, addressed it to senior executives, and ccd the manager who was gossiping about me. If Grandma were still alive, she wouldve given me an earful about respect for others. Unfortunately, this was a situation that didnt deserve my respect because they clearly didnt respect me." DJ, 50, Chicago 20. "I grew up poor, and my parents raised me with the mindset, 'You get a stable job, and you work that job until you die.' When I was 1618, I had an abusive boss, and my mother would tell me, 'At least you have a job.' At 24, I graduated college, then found a 'stable dream job' that worked me to death. After 15 years, I finally took a year off for my mental health. My siblings told me how incredibly brave (or stupid) that was, and that's when I realized we all had that mindset. I've worked really hard to break it and take each job as it comes, reassuring myself I can find something else if this one is unhealthy." Anonymous, 48, Phoenix Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images 21. "That a womans purpose was to serve a man." Anonymous, 34, Pennsylvania 22. "My mom was extremely proud of being a virgin when she married my father and shamed me for not being abstinent as a teen (17). My mother also cheated on my dad and kept the baby, but shes less proud of that. Im not going to shame my kids for wanting to be active, and I will teach them all about safe sex so they wont have to rely on Plan B or sneak around." Anonymous, 29, Florida 23. "That merit/talent/skill is always the most important factor in career advancement. Nepotism, budget constraints, changes in management, office politics and more can all override any demonstrated merit/talent/skill and affect your career path." Steve, 58, Ohio Mixetto / Getty Images 24. "My mum used to say on the school run every morning, 'Be nice and kind to everyone'. Now I do think it is still important to be nice and kind to everyone, apart from if they are not nice and kind to you. Now, in adulthood, I struggle to say what is truly on my mind or how I am feeling due to the fact that I don't want to upset someone else, even if they have really upset me." Anonymous, 23, Staffordshire, England, UK 25. "My parents are traditionalists, and theyve always told us to respect authority and our elders and never question them. I grew up thinking adults knew everything, and I should always accept what they say and tell me without question. When I felt that what they said didnt make any sense, I never argued. How naive and stupid I was, and it wasnt until I left uni and actually started a full-time job did I learn that adults don't know jack shit. I have two kids now, and I always tell them to question everything, that respect is not an entitlement because of your age, but adults also need to earn respect from the younger generation." Anonymous, 46, Australia Lwa / Getty Images 26. "You only have kids to help with chores or raising other children. I refuse to treat my son as a servant for my responsibilities. Yes, he does his own chores like keep his room clean and help around the house, but nothing to the extent of what my parents forced me to do. My parents had me cooking, cleaning, and being responsible for my younger siblings. I moved out the same day my mother told me she only had me to be her slave and take care of the things she didn't want to." Anonymous, 30, Indiana Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot 27. "Not to live with a partner before marriage. Not only do I completely disagree, I actually find it necessary to live with a potential spouse before marriage so you know their true habits and if you are compatible in a shared space." Anonymous, 27, USA 28. "Respectability politics. My parents were a product of their time. While they taught me to love my kinky hair and dark skin as an African American, they discouraged certain aspects of our culture that they saw as a hindrance to being respected in mainstream society. They emphasized speaking 'proper English' and thought AAVE was ignorant. They taught me not to talk loudly and thought Black communities would garner more respect if the boys didn't sag their pants and the girls didn't have brightly colored hair and long nails. To be fair, they grew up in the '60s and '70s, following leaders like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, who, rightfully at the time, emphasized looking put together, 'sounding intelligent,' and being disciplined as a way to highlight how despicable the physical and societal violence was against Black people." "We had to PROVE that we were dignified (and therefore worthy of respect) by assimilating to whiteness. Today, the social and political dialogue in the US has progressed in a way that allows my generation to celebrate our cultural differences from mainstream, white society. We can accept our culture for what it is creativity and adaptiveness that are part of out heritage and legacy as African Americans. I have a master's degree, am bilingual, have traveled the world, and have a professional job in my chosen field, AND it's OK for me to blast hip-hop music and rock bright red hair extensions and blinged out fake nails. Young adults today are allowed to acknowledge the fact that people deserve respect simply because they are human." Anonymous, 29, Los Angeles, CA, US 29. "So there was this little thing in my church. JOY, J-O-Y. Jesus, others, yourself. Seems cute and a way to teach kids how to be kind, but I still struggle with boundaries. They told us that everyone else comes before you, and that will make you happy. We were taught to never think of ourselves, which kind of just feels like a weird sort of grooming now that Ive written it down. Like, never say no to your pastor because he knows whats best, fighting for what you believe hurts Jesus heart because youre being selfish, and standing up for yourself is being selfish and bratty." Anonymous, 26, Phoenix, AZ 30. "That I should be endlessly grateful to them for my life and every single thing in it. When I was 16 I had worked hard, saved my money, and paid for my cheerleading 100% myself that year. I was so proud and thought my dad would be too. When I told him, he pointed at the light overhead and asked if I thought power was free. He then proceeded to mock me in a high-pitched voice, saying, 'Oh, but I paid for my pompoms, Daddy. I don't know who buys all this food and puts a roof over my head, but don't worry about the pompoms, Daddy.' I felt so low and in that moment realized that nothing was going to be good enough ... ever. He basically thought I owed him a life debt. Children do not owe their parents for providing the basic necessities of food, shelter, and clothing. Now, I'm just grateful he isn't a part of my life." Bridgette W., 36, Las Vegas, NV Tetra Images / Getty Images/Tetra images RF 31. "My parents expected me to have children, have a family. I decided at age 19 I did not want kids and even informed men with whom I had a serious relationship about this decision. I'm now age 66 and childless. No regrets." Janine, 66, Bay City, Michigan Piksel / Getty Images/iStockphoto What things did you parents try to instill in you that you disregard as an adult? Let me know in the comments below. Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Booking the trip of a lifetime just got more affordable, thanks to the strategic alliance between American Airlines and Qatar Airways. To celebrate the partnership anniversary between the two airlines, American and Qatarthe leading carrier in the Middle Eastare offering discounted flights out of New York City for a limited time, when booking before June 20, 2023. Travelers can score flights for as low as $945 from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Qatar's headquarters in Doha, as well as international destinations such as Tanzania, the Maldives, Jordan, or India. Discounted flights are good for travel booked between July 01, 2023 and March 31, 2024, excluding a blackout period from Dec. 01, 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024. All fares are roundtrip, per person, and include all applicable taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges. Qatar Airways and American Airlines recently expanded their strategic alliance to offer customers more options and a seamless travel experience. The two airlines now provide access from North America to 36 countries spanning across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caucuses. "Our global partnerships expand upon Americans comprehensive network, providing access to numerous destinations for our customers who are ready to travel around the world," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a statement last year. "Were excited to deepen our strategic alliance with Qatar Airways alongside the launch of our new service between New York and Doha, giving Americans customers more choices and convenient access to the Middle East and beyond." Head over to Qatar Airways to check out the deals. The Big Idea: Walk Softly After what seems like an eternity of extremes, with lockdown sweatpants and hoodies at one end of the spectrum and celebratory Were back, baby! eveningwear at the other, it feels like mens style is finally settling into the 2020s. At the fashion shows earlier in the year, most brands presented collections that were grounded in modern menswear staples, with designs that felt sleek, sophisticated, and the opposite of shouty. Now, well-cut jackets, full-length coats, finely tailored overshirts, and butter-soft leather blousons are the cornerstones of 2023s wardrobe, care of brands such as the Row, Hermes, Alexander McQueen, and Zegna. Saint Laurents SS23 collection, which was unveiled in July last year during a show in Moroccos Agafay desert, hinged on classically proportioned tailoring and a restrained mix of shirt-and-trouser pairings in cream, brown, and black. Its as though mens fashion has taken a Valium and is getting back to dressing us for real life. In fact, the catwalks were noticeably lacking in loungewear this season; there wasnt a drawstring waist to be seen. Instead, real pants are back: pleated, elegantly fitted, and often finished with generous cuffs. Logos are gone. Now, its all about the simple pleasures of subtle clothesthe reassuring softness of a silk-blend sweater or the delicate lines of a pair of hand-stitched loafers. Moreover, this renewed focus on craft is meeting a sense of confidence in the work of designers such as Norbert Stumpfl at Brioni, Cornelianis Paul Surridge, and Rhuigi Villasenor at Bally, as well as this years chosen One to Watch, Maximilian Davis at Ferragamo. Fabrics eschew bold patterns for fine textures, colors are muted, and silhouettes are generous. Theres increased intention to create clothes to last in the world of independent brands, too, with companies such as Stoffa, in New York, or Londons Whitcomb & Shaftesbury building businesses that aim to minimize waste, encourage thoughtful shopping, and look after their people. Story continues Click here to read the full article. What does this mean for your own wardrobe, then? If the past half decade has been characterized by contrastsfrom bold formalwear to low-key streetwear, or from statement styling to a desire for cozy comfortwere now seeing an unabashed return to quality, with superior materials and refinement coming to the fore. So put your faith in timeless choices and lean into the assurance it brings: A classically tailored overcoat, a lightweight cashmere knit, some serious sunglasses, and a handsome leather weekender are all you need to carry you through the year and beyond. Today, the finest menswear is quietly speaking volumes. President Joe Biden met Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House and reiterated that the alliance is united in defending Ukraine for as long as it takes to fight off Russian forces. But neither offered clarity about the unsettled question of who will lead the alliance after Stoltenberg departs later this year. We've strengthened NATO's eastern flank, made it clear we'll defend every inch of NATO territory. I say it again: The commitment of the United States to NATO's Article 5 is rock solid, Biden said, a reference to the charters fundamental provision under which an attack on one member nation is considered an attack against all. The meeting, initially scheduled for Monday but then postponed following the presidents last-minute root canal, comes roughly a month ahead of NATOs annual summit, which is being held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ostensibly, it served as a routine visit to talk through the issues related to the ongoing war in Ukraine that are likely to dominate the July meetings. Before his meeting with Biden, Stoltenberg stood alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he teased a robust new package of defense and political aid for Ukraine that would be unveiled at the Vilnius summit. Blinken later announced a $325 million tranche, which includes more munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, artillery rounds and other equipment. The United States is partnering with over 50 nations to lead efforts in support of Ukraines self-defense against Russian aggression, Blinken said in a statement. Later, after joining Biden in the Oval Office, Stoltenberg said that Ukrainian forces "are making progress with their just launched counter-offensive. "The more land the Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table," he said. Stoltenberg emphasized the consistent and shared view within NATO that Russias 16-month-long war was a fight "against free people everywhere," arguing that the repercussions of any victory for Moscow would be to make the world "more dangerous" by emboldening other countries "including China." Story continues The alliance, Stoltenberg said, will agree to sustain and step up the support for Ukraine, which includes a stronger commitment to increase defense spending. He also defended Europes contribution to Kyiv, and said European allies are also doing their part, with tens of billions of economic military support. Those comments papered over somewhat the very real differences within NATO concerning the pace and nature of defense aid being delivered, Ukraines request for security guarantees against Russia and its bid for NATO membership. And they distracted from the matter of Stoltenbergs eventual successor, which is becoming a major focus for the alliance behind the scenes. In European capitals, where buzz is building around several successor candidates, officials have been anxiously awaiting some sort of signal from the White House about who Biden was likely to support. Known for being a slow and deliberate decision-maker, the president met last week with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who many European diplomats believe to be on a short list of potential secretary general candidates and with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. But Biden has offered few clues afterward about his thinking. After speaking to the press for only a few minutes each, neither he nor Stoltenberg responded to shouted questions as aides shuffled reporters out of the Oval Office. During a press conference last Thursday with Sunak, he was about his thoughts on the prime ministers preferred candidate, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. Biden only offered he wasnt ruling that possibility out, stating blandly that the decision requires a broader consensus thats yet to come into focus. Stoltenberg, whos led NATO for nine years after extending his initial four-year term three times, appears set to return to his native Norway in October. The Ukraine war, which has unified the alliance I have no other plans than to end my tenure, he said during an interview Monday with PBS NewsHour, saying he was confident that the groups 31 members will eventually agree on a successor. I think the good thing for everyone is now to have another person at the helm of the alliance. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, has also refused to provide any clarity about the presidents thinking on the matter. He demurred when asked Monday if Biden had any criteria for a new secretary general, such as the person being or having been a head of state or coming from a nation thats already meeting the benchmark of spending 2 percent of its GDP on defense. It has to be somebody that the whole alliance can get behind and can be a transformative leader, he said in response to multiple questions on the subject. Under NATOs charter, electing a secretary general requires the support of all 31 member nations. Thats no easy feat in a diverse alliance. And while the job is likely to go to a European, the U.S., given its outsized role in funding the organization and determining its course, has often had more sway when it comes to blessing a candidate and rallying other nations behind them. Christian Siriano is approaching his 15-year anniversary; he plans to have a big show in celebration this September, so for the resort season, he kept the lineup a little tighter. Currently three of Sirianos works are on display at Kensington Palaces Crown to Couture show of royal and red carpet looks in London. A trip to see the exhibit, as well as a consecutive trip to Ireland, formed the basis for his latest collection. More from WWD The whole collection comes from there with its idea of regality, but still lady; beautiful and elegant, with a little bit of Audrey Hepburn and vintage, he said. British lady, but fabulous. The result included a selection of jewel toned (dark blue, emerald), elegant, body hugging yet modest gowns a nice nod to Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales; Irish countryside floral (tailoring and fitted frocks) and abstract striped motifs (easy crepe layers), and oversize pearlescent buttons on ladylike, yet ultra playful, little black looks. Our suits are doing really, really well, Siriano said, adding his sleeveless tuxedo gown was designed to riff on the almost militant, British structure, with his signature romanticism a la its elongated, frothy train. Although a majority of the collection was rendered in black and white, its voluminous shapes, feathered accents and flirty, feminine elan upheld Sirianos signature playful glamour. Were launching at the same time my new furniture collection, so there are a lot of pieces that show how the furniture can come to life, he added, pointing out two black-and-white ensembles: an hourglass blazer with oversize evening pant and elegant gown with poufed, off-the-shoulder sleeves. Both looks, as well as his new couch (as seen in the look book), riffed on the Dorchester Hotels damask curtains. Story continues With 15 years under his belt, Siriano knows his customer is coming to him, time and time again, for his fabulous event and event dressing. So the idea of giving customers more mileage out of the expensive purchases, became another strongpoint of resort. In event dressing, this cape was paired with a modern skirt, but it could also go over a Little Black Dress, he said of a pale green statement cape. Same with this its an interchangeable cocktail dress, he said of a handful of strong, sculptural minis (and a statement semi-sheer corset number) with button-off black chiffon underskirts. The idea further extended into mix and match little knit tops with bouncy jacquard and frothy tulle ball skirts. Its not in a gimmicky way, but its in the practicality of your clothes in eveningwear, which should be able to do more than one wear. I hate that people say, Oh, you spent six grand on a dress, but like youre never going to wear it again. I dont like that, I want you to be able to have a life of these clothes, so hopefully people will try that more and more. I think its a cool way to approach it. Launch Gallery: Christian Siriano Resort 2024 Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Americans should prepare for cyber sabotage from Chinese hackers, US official warns By Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese hackers are all but certain to disrupt American critical infrastructure, such as pipelines and railways, in the event of a conflict with the United States, a senior U.S. cybersecurity official said Monday. In comments made during an appearance at the Aspen Institute in Washington, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly said Beijing was making major investments in the capability to sabotage U.S. infrastructure. "This, I think, is the real threat that we need to be prepared for, and to focus on, and to build resilience against," she told her audience. She cautioned that Americans needed to be prepared for the likelihood that Beijing's hackers would dodge their defenses and cause damage in the physical world. "Given the formidable nature of the threat from Chinese state actors, given the size of their capability, given how much resources and effort they're putting into it, it's going to be very, very difficult for us to prevent disruptions from happening," she said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request seeking a reaction to the warning. Easterly's comments followed a question about an alleged Chinese hacking group known as Volt Typhoon, which U.S. officials and cybersecurity companies accused of positioning itself to carry out destructive cyberattacks in the event of a conflict. Her comments expanded on a warning issued earlier this year by the U.S. intelligence community, which said in its annual threat assessment that Beijing "certainly would consider undertaking aggressive cyber operations against U.S. homeland critical infrastructure" and military targets should Chinese decisionmakers believe a major fight with the United States were imminent. (Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Bill Berkrot) "Pages of history" features excerpts from The News Journal archives including the Wilmington Morning News and the Evening Journal. June 11, 1973, Evening Journal City shopping mall contract canceled The contract calling for development of a giant retail shopping center in downtown Wilmington was canceled today and city planners went back to the drawing boards. Mayor Thomas C. Maloney called an emergency meeting on Downtown Wilmington, Inc., this morning, and disclosed afterward that the agency had voted to cancel the four-year-old contract with Pan American Development Corp. He saidPan American had been unable to deliver on its proposals to develop the southern section of the Wilmington Civic Center as a regional shopping center. Front page of the Evening Journal from June 11, 1973. Periodically, representatives of Pan American and of Downtown Wilmington had issued statements claiming major tenants had been lined up for the two department stores supposed to have been the keystones of the center. Downtown Wilmington was handed the job of developing the commercial section of the Civic Center. It is a joint venture of the city and the Greater Wilmington Development Council. Maloney said he still is confident that the area, bounded by 4th, King, 8th, and Walnut streets, can be developed. June 13, 2016, The News Journal 50 massacred in Orlando; Rehoboth LGBTQ community holds vigil for victims Hours after a gunman killed 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, members of Delawares LGBTQ community gathered in Rehoboth Beach to grieve, pray and share their love. About a hundred people comforted one another during an evening vigil hosted by CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, a nonprofit gay and lesbian community service organization on Baltimore Avenue. Front page of The News Journal from June 13, 2016. Some struggled to understand how, in 2016, people in the LGBTQ community could be gunned down in a club many frequent to celebrate their sexuality. In addition to the dead, another 53 were wounded in the attack at Pulse Orlando. Story continues The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The shooter, who was killed by police, has been identified as Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida. June 14, 1967, Evening Journal Certain approval seen on Marshall for Supreme Court President Johnsons appointment of Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court the first Black so named appears certain to be confirmed when the Senate gets to it. Front page of the Evening Journal from June 14, 1967. Johnsons announcement yesterday that he is nominating Marshall, 58, to succeed retiring Associate Justice Tom C. Clark surprised neither the solicitor generals critics nor his supporters. Civil rights leaders around the nation today generally applauded the appointment and praised Johnson for making it. June 15, 1940, Wilmington Morning News French retreat; Nazis expect collapse The main armies of France fell back June 14 far below abandoned, German-invaded Paris in a retreat that may be their last movement of the war. Other forces far to the east were declared to have thrown back, with tremendous losses, a German head-on attack against the Maginot Line. Front page of the Wilmington Morning News from June 15, 1940. All but broken under the mightiest assault ever thrown against men, the Poilus who fought the main battle of France counter-attacked with a desperate fury as they retired under the Nazi pressure. Paris, from which the government long since had fled, was gone occupied by Germans and ringed by their armored units and infantrymen. Tours, the new emergency seat of the ministers from which Premier Reynaud sent a last appeal to President Roosevelt last night for American aid, was being abandoned for yet another refuge presumably the far southern seaport of Bordeaux. June 16, 2003, The News Journal Todays teens speak their own language IM By the end of this week, most students in Delaware will be done with school for the summer. But theyre not saying, See you in September as they leave their classrooms. Theyre saying, IM me. IM may not yet be a certified English verb, but its common parlance among tech-savvy kids. The letters stand for Instant Message, and they refer to the ever-increasing use of internet access to send messages that pop up immediately on another users computer screen, cell phone or other device. Front page of The News Journal from June 16, 2003. Studies show that far more kids than adults use the IM technology, and that has parents trying to catch up, teachers trying to reign in IM lingo, and schools upgrading networks and policies. America Online, the nations largest internet service, claims to have 195 million subscribers to its Instant Messenger service. Though the online service cant verify the identities of those who responded to a recent online survey, 70% who said they were 12 to 17 used IM, and 83% who said they were 18 to 19 used the technology. IM slang terms include brb for be right back, cul8r for see you later, jk for just kidding, g2g for got to go, pos for parent over shoulder and ttyl for talk to you later. Sometimes IM slang shows up in school assignments, said Cary Brandenberger, who teaches English and was Howard High School of Technologys Teacher of the Year. Recently, when I have students write out short answers, they will start using those types of abbreviations, she said. Ill ask them, What do you mean? Thats not a word. And theyre like, Youre so old. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: City mall canceled, Nazis invade Paris: News Journal archives, June 11 A fireworks display with an app, on a smartphone and wired headphones A huge fireworks display is offering synchronized audio via mobile phones for the first time and I think it's an idea that will go off. Wireless audio straight to your best headphones at large-scale events? That is lit in fact, I think it'll blow up. OK, now the puns are out of my system, the details: it's being billed as a world-first and it's happening at the Danang International Fireworks Festival in Vietnam, thanks to Cinewav, Sun Group and Global 2000. There's nothing quite like a good fireworks display (getting out of an evening, sharing drinks, the 'ooh's and 'ah's as the action gets underway). And, after a three-year hiatus, the 2023 Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2023) in Vietnam is back. But this year, Global 2000 International (which runs the show) turned to Cinewav to provide high-quality synchronized audio via mobile phones and it's the first time this has ever been done an international fireworks festival. It was launched (sorry again) at the official opening ceremony on June 2, where locals and tourists across Da Nang, Vietnams fifth most populated city, could listen to a clear soundtrack using their smartphone in perfect sync with the fireworks themselves. For each scheduled fireworks event, visitors can download the Cinewav app (billed as 'Event audio in your pocket') to their smartphone from Apple, Google Play, or the Huawei AppGallery, get the audio ticket free of charge, and press Play and remember to bring their best earbuds or best over-ear headphones. The festival theme for 2023 is Light Up a Borderless World with fireworks from the very best in the pyrotechnics outfits in the world, including a local Vietnamese team and seven international teams. Andrew Howard, director at Australian specialists Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics, said: We have designed and programmed every single pyrotechnic effect to launch and burst in perfect time with the music soundtrack". That's great, but there are displays that do this without offering the audio wirelessly through headphones. Why is this better? Story continues Howard explains: "Traditionally, event sites have a large-scale audio distribution system installed in main audience areas but not in all spectator vantage points. Our fireworks displays can (now) be designed to be viewed by spectators spread over several kilometres of an event site or city, not just the front row of seats. This technology gives the power of music to the people to ensure they can hear the music soundtrack." There's the rub: you can see fireworks from miles away, but the soundtrack (if you can hear it at all) will arrive on delay, because science has taught us that the speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound in air. Having the audio through your headphones means physical distance is no longer an issue and you don't even need to deal with crowds if you're not feeling up to it. The idea of bringing your earbuds or cans to a live show is also most pertinent here because you might deploy noise cancellation to dull the loud booms and pops (especially if you're taking children and their delicate ears to an event), and better hear the soothing musical accompaniment. For that, you'll need some of the best noise-cancelling headphones or best noise-cancelling earbuds. Analysis: big events are the perfect opportunity for audio sharing but this may be better than Auracast Two people enjoying a fireworks display At first glance, this seems the perfect use case for Auracast, the new audio sharing feature rolling out with Bluetooth 5.2 and Bluetooth LE Audio. Once the necessary hardware becomes ubiquitous in our 'buds, events such as this might utilise Auracast. That said, attendees would still need to be within Bluetooth range of the broadcast and using Bluetooth headphones, unlike the wired EarPods (which I still think are better than any AirPods) showcased on Cinewav's poster above. So is Cinewav offering something even better? Quite possibly, depending on the event. To clarify, the main issue with using Auracast right now is that listeners wishing to use it need newer headphones featuring a Bluetooth 5.2 chipset to get onboard (using Auracast does not require the source device your headphones are normally paired to probably your smartphone). However, Cinewav's solution only requires an app on your phone, a ticket, and some kind of headphones. Cinewav says its scalable audio solution for outdoor cinema or events is different in that it uses no streaming or broadcasting. Users only need the Cinewav app and their earbuds and event holders only need the Cinewav player on a laptop. Given the continued cost of living crisis, not having to install heavy, expensive sound systems, and traditional speakers to run an event might help keep ticket prices affordable. Now in its 11th edition, Danang International Fireworks Festival runs from June 2 to July 8, 2023. Oh, and if you want tips on how to photograph fireworks with your phone, we've got you covered. Also, did you know that if you say "Alexa, help my cat relax" your smart device can play soothing music specifically composed for your pets during fireworks? Every day is a learning day. Rich Polk - Getty Images Country music star Garth Brooks is opening a new bar in Nashville, Tennessee this summer: and he wants to make it clear that everybody is welcome, regardless of how they identify. Unless, that is, they're an asshole. During a recent Billboard Country Live panel, Brooks made a tacit reference to the recent transphobic backlash against Bud Light. After the beer brand featured transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a digital marketing campaign, it became a scapegoat in online culture wars, with conservatives loudly asserting their boycott of the product. This controversy surrounding the brand has led some venues to stop distributing Bud Light in a bid to appease angry customers. But unlike other bar owners on Nashville's Broadwayincluding fellow musicians Kid Rock and John Rich, who have both stopped selling the beerBrooks is not caving to that pressure with his new establishment, which he has named Friends in Low Places. It is his hope, he explained, that Friends in Low Places will be a safe and welcoming space where everybody respects each other. And anybody who disagrees? They're an "asshole." "I want it to be a place you feel safe in," he said. "I want it to be a place where you feel like there are manners and people like one another. And yes, were going to serve every brand of beer. We just are. Its not our decision to make. Our thing is this: if you [are let] into this house, love one another." "If youre an asshole," he added, "there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway." You Might Also Like Late-in-life college grads include, clockwise from top left, Nancy Power Hodous, 102; Sam Kaplan, 72; Janice Hall, 81; and Lew Griffith, 99. (Illustration by Quinn Lemmers/Yahoo; photos courtesy Zane State College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Cockrell Schoo, Bethel University) After walking the stage in their caps and gowns to receive college diplomas for the first time, some seasoned scholars have been proving that the pursuit of dreams is not something bound by age. That includes Sam Kaplan, 72, who achieved his lifelong dream of being a college graduate just before his teenage grandson graduated from high school this year. "I look at myself differently now," he tells Yahoo Life. Kaplan, one of seven siblings, who has five kids and 15 grandchildren, had always struggled with being accepted by peers due to a stutter that he was able to drop in his 30s, around the same time he began writing short stories as a form of escape. In May, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia Gwinnett College in Georgia with a degree in cinema and media arts as his 99-year-old mother cheered him on from the audience, going viral in the process. Four years ago, after hearing a commercial for the college course on the radio, Kaplan says he made a "spur of the moment decision" to register for classes. Now, over half a century since graduating high school in 1969, he is embracing a new future. Sam Kaplan, 72, and his 99-year-old mother at his graduation. (Credit: Georgia Gwinnett College) I sacrificed to take my kids to private schools that were an hour away. I would go there and back every day for several years to make sure they had a great education, he shares. So, as my son has told me, now its my turn to achieve my dreams. 'They think of me as a caveman' Janice Hall, an 81-year-old stroke survivor and two-time cancer survivor, earned her bachelors degree in organizational management from Minnesota's Bethel University, over 50 years after first attending college. She tried completing her degree several times over the years, but only recently felt that she was able to finish. "I had time on my hands," the retired human resources professional tells Yahoo Life. I had a very good career over those years of working. Nobody ever asked me for a degree in terms of the things that I did, career-wise, so I just continued to work and do what I knew best, and succeeded in that. But it was always in the back of my mind to finish [college]. And now, I did. Story continues Hall, who has three children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, advises future scholars with similar college dreams that there is always hope whenever things seem challenging. If the will is there, the way will be made," she says. Janice Hall, 81, walking to accept her college degree at Bethel University, which was decades in the making. (Photo: Peter Ringenberg for Bethel University) Those sentiments are shared by Lew Griffith, a 99-year-old retired U.S. military engineer and pilot who earned a Bronze Star for his engineering work in the 1960s. Though he earned his engineering degree, among others, Griffith was never able to complete his graduation ceremonies after being interrupted three times to serve in World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. That changed this year, when a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering, where he studied, invited him to walk onstage to accept his diploma in his cap and gown. At 99, Lew Griffith finally walked the stage to accept his college diploma after being interrupted three times to serve in World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. (Credit: University of Texas Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering) I was very gratified to see the student body express, with a standing ovation, that they appreciated their veterans, he tells Yahoo Life of the support he received from younger grads. It represented a bond between the old guys and new guys. Part of that bond is finding humor in their generational differences. They think of me as a caveman, he jokes. Meanwhile, in Zanesville, Ohio, 102-year-old Nancy Power Hodous earned an associates degree in public service from Zane State College, made possible by Trilogy Health Service's Live a Dream program, which financially supports seniors in achieving their goals. Its never too late to follow your heart, she said in a statement through a representative at Oaks of Bethesda, a retirement community where she lives. Hodous achieved the degree through a culmination of online business, arts and poetry courses including auditing a class at Harvard University. If its something you can do, go ahead and do it! she told local news station WBNS. Nancy Power Hodous, 102, receiving an honorary associates degree from Zane State College after finally completing her college courses. (Credit: Trilogy Health Services) Hall will go back to school in August to focus on a masters degree in ministry, though she isnt exactly looking to go back to work post-graduation. At this age, I certainly dont plan to do another career, but Im glad that I did this now," she says. "Its come closer to match what I promised myself. As for Kaplan, he says "taking risks" later in life is scary, but sometimes "its something you have to do." Im 72, but I think I still have about 30 good years left, I hope I do anyway, and I certainly dont want to sit around and do nothing," he says. "This whole thing has caused a great change in my life." Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. Hundreds of homes and apartments that promise to be at market rate will soon be developed in Caldwell, after the City Council unanimously approved the housing projects. The housing proposals total 551 new homes and came from two developers, one who has plans for single-family homes and townhouses and the other for apartment units. (This project) provides needed housing, said Justin Fishburn, a local developer who proposed the apartment complex. It does not create additional sprawl and it helps preserve the agriculture and water in our rural areas. Lavender Crossing adds market rate apartments Local mother-and-son developers, Gennie and Justin Fishburn, plan to build 272 apartments in south Caldwell near Laster Lane and Interstate 84. Their apartment project, called Lavender Crossing, includes 12 apartment buildings with 24 apartment units in each. It also includes a clubhouse, community kitchen and lounge and a gym. Lavender Crossing is surrounded by recent residential development, including Alante Homes, which includes 419 patio homes and townhouses. Elizabeth Koeckeritz, an attorney with Givens Pursely who represented the Fishburns, said Lavender Crossing would fit in with Caldwells growth plan and with the development in the area. It really does help this middle-market niche and it does add additional housing to Caldwell, which as you know is rapidly growing and developing, Koeckeritz said during the meeting. The Fishburns plan to rent the apartments at market rate. According to Zumper.com, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Caldwell is $1,075. Lavender Crossing includes six one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units in each of the 12 buildings. A rendering of one of the 12 buildings that would make up the Lavender Crossing. The apartment project adds 272 apartments to the city of Caldwell. Justin Fishburn said Caldwell needs more mid-level housing. He told the council he spoke with Joey Palmer, Vallivue School District director of federal and state programs, who said the district has lost qualified teachers in recent years because they cant afford or find local housing. Story continues Lavender Crossing will fulfill the need for situations such as this, Fishburn said. The Fishburns will donate money to the district, but even so, Palmer wrote a letter to the council opposing the development. Adding the Lavender Crossing subdivision without a bond approved by the community will only continue to make the effort to provide our students a quality education even more challenging, Palmer wrote. His letter was authored before the Vallivue bond passed in Tuesdays election. Fishburn said he plans to donate money to the district to help build a school, but the application did not say how much the donation is. Traverse Creek adds townhouses, patio and single-family homes Corey Barton, local Idaho developer, will build 279 homes to the northwest corner of Marble Front and Wells roads in east Caldwell. The project, called Traverse Creek, includes 148 single-family homes, 14 townhouses and 117 patio homes, which are single-level homes attached by patio. The project would be on 84.5 acres, which has a creek and the Noble Drain running through it. Bonnie Layton, a senior planner with NV5, represented Barton in the meeting. She said Traverse Creek would be close to Caldwells North Ranch Business Park, 115-acre mixed-used development with office, retail and industrial spaces, built by Tommy Ahlquist, the CEO of local development company Ball Ventures Ahlquist. Traverse Creek, along with Lavender Crossing, hope to be homes for people who work in the area, many of whom have been priced out of larger homes in Caldwell. This makes it an easy commute. People could even walk to work, Layton told the council. Barton expects to build the subdivision in six phases, with the first phase planned to start next summer. The Department of Labor said there are almost 1,300 jobs available within the city of Caldwell, Layton said. We need those rooftops to help complement and have a place for those employees to live. Avimor is back on the Eagle City Council agenda. Homeowners try to block decision Bench townhomes, North End booze and pho, Meridian drive-thru soda. All coming near you If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Hollywood hairstylist Chris Appleton tends to the starry manes of Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and more and you can expect hell be taming their tresses this summer with the newest version of Color Wows best-selling hair spray. More from The Hollywood Reporter The Connecticut-based haircare company has debuted an extra-strength formula of Dream Coat ($32), a moisturizing anti-frizz treatment that uses waterproofing technology [to block] out humidity and prevent smooth, straight styles from reverting back to naturally curly or frizzy texture. Appleton has said he goes through more than 100 bottles of the original product ($28), which he uses to create his signature silky and smooth look that sparked the glass hair trend. The new extra strength, ultra-lightweight version promises to maintain glossy results through three to four shampoos, and its specially formulated for wavy/curly and dry hair (but also works on all textures and types). The British-born, Los Angeles-based hairstylist also regularly uses Dyson hair tools, and Color Wows heat-activated formula helps to protect the hair against damage from high temperatures. Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment Appleton joined the Connecticut-based haircare company as creative director in 2017 and launches his first product, the Money Masque with the brand in 2021. The brand is known for its products that are safe to use on color-treated hair, and all of its cruelty-free and vegan products are made without sulfates, parabens, alcohol and gluten. Color Wow is also a favorite among other starry hairstylists including Kendall Dorsey (a Color Wow ambassador who has used the brand on clients like Rihanna, Lizzo, Yara Shahidi, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj and others), Bradley Leake (who works with Ariana Madix) and more. Story continues Shop Color Wows new Extra Strength Dream Coat anti-frizz hair treatment at Amazon here. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON, D.C. Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted June 2 through June 8. Along with roll call votes, the House also passed these measures by voice vote: the National Senior Investor Initiative Act (H.R. 2593), to create an interdivisional taskforce at the Securities and Exchange Commission for senior investors; a bill (H.R. 2608), to specify the periods for which financial statements are required to be provided by an emerging growth company; and a bill (H.R. 2610), to permit securities issuers to file draft registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential review. House House Vote 1:OFFERINGS OF COMPANY STOCK: The House has passed the Encouraging Public Offerings Act (H.R. 2793), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to expand the ability of companies issuing stock to the public to use streamlined regulatory procedures. Wagner said: "This bill will make listing on exchanges more attractive, strengthening our financial markets and providing Main Street investors with more opportunities to grow their nest eggs." The vote, on June 5, was 384 yeas to 13 nays.YEAS: Jim Jordan R-OH (4th), Bob Latta R-OH (5th) U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio 5th District) House Vote 2:COMPANY INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS OF STOCK: The House has passed the Middle Market IPO Cost Act (H.R. 2812), sponsored by Rep. James A. Himes, D-Conn., to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to report to Congress on the costs for small and mid-sized companies of initial public offerings (IPOs) and ways to potentially reduce those costs. Himes said the companies usually pay IPO underwriters a fee of 7% of the money raised in the IPO despite falling costs for technologies used in IPOs, and "I strongly believe that this remarkably stable 7% gross spread is fair subject for scrutiny." The vote, on June 5, was 390 yeas to 10 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th) Senate Senate Vote 1:ENERGY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of David Crane to be the Energy Department's under secretary for infrastructure. Crane was the CEO of NRG, a large electric power generation company, for 12 years; more recently, he has been a board member of several renewable energy and steel companies. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Crane "has a wealth of knowledge from the private sector as a former CEO of a leading energy company and is one of America's leading voices in the fight for clean energy." An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said "Crane's nomination is bad news for Kentucky, for coal country, and for any American who enjoys making their own choices about which cars to drive, which products to consume, and how to earn a living." The vote, on June 7, was 56 yeas to 43 nays.YEAS: Sherrod Brown D-OHNAYS: J.D. Vance R-OH Story continues U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) Senate Vote 2:SMALL BUSINESS OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be the Small Business Administration deputy administrator. Syed was an official in various business and economy roles in the Obama administration and is currently the CEO of Lumiata, a healthcare artificial intelligence company. A supporter, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said Syed "has experience working directly with small business owners and has led efforts to drive economic growth at the local, state, and federal levels." An opponent, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said: "Based on our experience with Mr. Syed over the past 2 years while his nomination has been under consideration, he has resisted full transparency at every turn." The vote, on June 8, was 54 yeas to 42 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OHNAYS: Vance R-OH Senate Vote 3:FEDERAL CLAIMS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Milly R. Silfen to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a 15-year term. Silfen has been a solicitor attorney in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office since 2013, when she left a private practice law firm. A supporter, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Silfen's "extensive experience at all levels of the federal judicial system, along with her commitment to public service." The vote, on June 8, was 55 yeas to 39 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OHNAYS: Vance R-OH This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Here's how area members of Congress voted June 2-8 Hoda Kotb has opened up about her fears of ageing and missing out on parenting milestones as she raises her two daughters: Haley Joy, six, and Hope Catherine, four. The 58-year-old NBC anchor discussed her anxieties about getting older during a recent episode of Bethenny Frankels Just B podcast. While speaking to the entrepreneur and former Real Housewives of New York City star, Kotb detailed her approach to parenting as an older mother to young girls. I do have it sometimes, Kotb said, when asked by Frankel if she has anxiety about ageing. My dad died when he was 54, 55. I always think that the foundation he laid down was good for me. It helped me in my life. Kotb was a junior in college at Virginia Tech when her late father, Abdel Kotb, died of a heart attack in 1986 at age 51. The Emmy-winning journalist became a first-time mother in 2017 when she adopted her eldest daughter Haley with ex Joel Schiffman. However, Kotb admitted that she sometimes does the math when thinking about being present for her daughters getting married or having children of their own. I look at my mom, whos 86, and I think to myself, OK, whats the difference here between me and her? 30 years. OK, thats kind of good, Kotb said. So I add 30 to Haley and I add 30 to Hope. And I think to myself, wont that be spectacular? I can do that. The Today host added, Wouldnt that be amazing? Do I get to see them get married? Maybe. That would be really good. Or do I get to see them have a child? Maybe. That would be really good. While Hoda Kotb admitted that she sometimes has anxiety about watching her daughters grow up, she ultimately decided to not look at the future in a negative way. Rather, she explained how she chooses to focus on how special it would be to witness her daughters milestones. I think about it, but I dont think about it on the end of, Oh, no, I wont be able to I would be delighted if all those things were possible, and I think that would be special, she said. Story continues Kotb then recalled writing her mothers age minus her age on the glass in the shower one day. And I looked at the number and I was like, she shared, clapping her hands. What if you get that many years? Thats more than I got with my dad. Meanwhile, Frankel, 52, opened up about her anxieties of getting older and missing out on moments with her 13-year-old daughter, Bryn. The Skinny Girl founder shared that its her daughter who tends to do the math on their age gap. I watch her make the connection and then I watch her get distracted because its anxiety for her, Frankel told Kotb. Were very close. It just keeps getting better, its so beautiful. Elsewhere during the podcast, Hoda Kotb detailed the moment she learned she was going to become a mother for the first time. In the episode, the Today star shared the text she received from someone named Ashley at the adoption agency after her daughter Haley was born. The mother of two said that, after she saw the adoption agents number displayed on her phone, she took out a yellow pad of paper and wrote the time, 11:55. This is the moment everything changes, Kotb recalled thinking. I knew it. And I took a deep breath and dialed the number, and I said, Ashley? and she said two words to me. She said, Shes here. I dont know what birth feels like, and I bet it was amazing, but this was really close, she added. Hoda Kotb adopted her second child, Hope Catherine, in April 2019. Earlier this year, Hope experienced health complications that caused her to spend time at the hospital. Upon returning to the Today show after a two-week absence, Kotb revealed that her then-three-year-old had been in the hospitals intensive care unit. My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week, Kotb told Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. Im so grateful shes home. She is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. Im just so happy. The journalist then expressed her gratitude for all those who helped her daughter and provided support for her family during the scary experience. You know what I realised too, Savannah? Its like, when your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who helped you out, she said. So Im grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell, who were amazing and the nurses. And Im grateful for my family and Im grateful to friends like you who were there every single day. So I want to say thank you for that. I love you. Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. After looking atno exaggeration80 different apartments, I walked in here and saw the high ceilings and big windows and knew it was the dream apartment, says Sarp Kerem Yavuz. Hes standing in the middle of his decadent but practical living room, smiling like a cat that got a great deal on a canary. Today's Top Deals The actual cat is somewhere nearby. Yavuz, best known (and frequently exhibited) as an art photographer working with Polaroids, lives alone in the sense that he doesnt have human roommates, but he does have the stray he adopted and brought back from Turkey. They share the uptown space, which doubles a home and a studio and triples as a conversation piece. Its a cleverly constructed one-bedroom full of adjustable surfaces and wheeled furniture that can be pushed to the corners when company comes by. The art doesnt roll. The art is the stable thing around which Yavuz has built a life. The first rule is the art goes up first, everything else follows, he says. I collect a lot, I also make a lot of art, I swap with artists friends, and whenever ive been in a fair thats been good for me, I pay it forward and buy something from that fairits good art karma. Yavuz gave SPY a tour of his home and the things keeps inside of it. Lazzoni Sofa Lazzoni Sofa Buy Now Price: $6,045.00 Buy Now The couch is actually a result of my friendship with the owners of this Turkish decor brand Lazzoni. I reached out to them looking to collaborate on an exhibition years ago, I wanted to put one of their sofas in the exhibition space. The timing didnt work out, but we both decided to get one of each others pieces afterwards anyway. Arhaus Ottoman Arhaus Ottoman Buy Now Price: $Prices Vary Buy Now Story continues Ive loved Arhaus for many years. I got my first adult piece of furniture from them years ago. I used to go to their place behind Restoration Hardware and see their stuff. Theyve since shut down during the pandemic, but I love this ottoman they made. I wanted a statement piece, and something that had Turkish influences, but that wouldnt pull from the art on the walls. Polaroid Printer Lab Polaroid Printer Lab Buy Now Price: $119.99 $99.99 Buy Now The Polaroid Lab is their second iteration of the Instant Lab project. The idea was to create a mechanism that could print polaroid images from their phones. I love it. I try to condense digital images into polaroid form to create that fantastical narrative. My latest body of work, Polaroids from the Ottoman Empire, is entirely AI-generated. The photos give the appearance of a fictional journey. We want to believe polaroids as documents depicting the truth. The show of these images will be at PALO Gallery on Bond Street starting June 16th. As far as Im aware, theyre the worlds first AI-generated polaroids. Rolling Storage Cart Rolling Storage Cart Buy Now Price: $59.99 Buy Now This cart was such a find. I really needed something practical and mobile that would allow me to make my lego pieces since theres so many different colors and shapes. Its fun when youre a kid and sifting through bricks to find the right one, but when youre producing art from it, having a system to stay organized is a game changer. I can wheel this into a closet when I have company, and then bring it out to work. Most of my work has Ottoman Empire or orientalist influences. I do various forms of photography, but since 2017, Ive been making Turkish tile patterns by converting them into pixel art, and then build them from Lego bricks. Bottle Lamp Kit Bottle Lamp Kit Buy Now On Amazon Price: $10.95 Buy Now I host art salons at my apartment once a month with friends. It usually starts out relatively reasonable and then turns quite rowdy by three a.m. Sometimes people bring in strange liquor bottles, and this one intrigued me. Its a sake bottle. I stripped away the label and found these kits on amazon that were build your own lamp kits that I used to make it. Polaroid Art Series Polaroid Art Series Buy Now Price: $Prices Vary Buy Now These were digitally shotin personas an extension of photographs taken in Turkish baths around the world. Theyre real, if such a distinction can be made. Some of them are on display at Zero Bond as part of a residency with Apostrophe Gallery. Adjustable Table Hack Adjustable Table Hack Buy Now Price: $59.99 Buy Now The table was twice the width that it was and was made of two planks of sturdy wood. I think it was an IKEA dining room table. My problem was that it was taking up too much room in the living room. I also had these barstools I never use. I thought I would use the stools as the legs and just one of the planks and make my own table thats height adjustableits invaluable for an artist. Home Cat Door Home Cat Door Buy Now On Amazon Price: $29.99 $15.98 Buy Now The cat door is from a pet shop a block away from my house and I have a crush on the guy who works there. I bought it from him in person so I had an excuse to see him again. The important thing for me was to find a way to hide the cats litter and offer her some privacy. By putting it in the cupboard, Im able to minimize the mess. Theres a little motion sensor light in there too for her. Soho Home Cat Bowls Soho Home Cat Bowls Buy Now Price: $80.00 $68.00 Buy Now I have this collection of bowls and plates from Soho Home. Im always looking for chic cat bowls. Theyre always made with gimmicky things like mice or whiskers on them, but I wanted the cat to have an elevated dining experience, one that also matches the rest of the apartment. Neon Art Neon Art I had this body of work produced with neon and I really wanted to bring one with me to New York. I was fairly sure that if I shipped it, it would arrive in pieces. I dismantled it, and wrapped each neon tube in towels and used a hard shell suitcase as the method of transport. There was a lot of wishing and prayer involved in putting this into the cargo hold of a plane. I still cant believe it survived a 12 hour flight. Its from a body of work called Curse of the Forever Sultan, criticizing the totalitarian state of Turkey, and was the first series that got me into trouble. After the show ended, the government raided my gallery. Its a badge of honor and pride that theyre aware theyre being criticized. More Top Deals from SPY Best of SPY Click here to read the full article. racism sign Residents in various Kentucky neighborhoods have reported seeing flyers believed to be left by Ku Klux Klan members. The sheets were found over the weekend and claim to be from the Trinity White Knights branch of the organization. The KKK, as the group is more commonly known, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate gang that primarily targets individuals of color. One flyer read, Neighborhood watch. YOU CAN SLEEP SOUND TONIGHT. THE KLAN IS AWAKE! Are you having problems in your neighborhood? Report crime and drug dealers. Another said, Bring GOD back in our schools. End all forms of CRT. Demolish the idea [of] turning our young men into queers. Parents take control of our schools. Remove all filth from school libraries. Two gender policies. End the presence of men in the girls room. ENOUGH is ENOUGH. Parents, take your stand. Join the Klan. If you ever needed more proof who the Republican Party has become then look no further than these KKK flyers from Kentucky. The talkIing points are literally the same. Identical word for word. pic.twitter.com/9GiRb0gi1m LeftwardSwing (@LeftwardSwing) June 12, 2023 According to an article shared today (June 12) by the Lexington Herald-Leader, local police confirmed some of the KKK flyer sightings in areas of Kentucky. Mt. Sterling authorities said the messages were left on vehicles yesterday (June 11) morning. More were discovered in a Holly Hills subdivision and along Pines on Main. Authorities are now investigating the incident. Montgomery County Judge-Executive Chris Haddix shared that he also received the letters. Haddix asserted, Any group thats founded on hate, we obviously denounce that. The MSPD added, We have copies of the flyers, so feel free to throw yours in the trash, where they belong. The MSPD and city of Mt. Sterling does not tolerate any kind of hate or bigotry in our community. Meanwhile, on social media, social justice activist and influencer Tizzy posted a video on Friday (June 9) of an incident in Corbin, Kentucky allegedly involving the Klan. In the clip, a Pride protest organizer clashed with a white man who reportedly pulled a KKK membership card from his wallet. The altercation went from verbal to physical, and the hate-spewing individual pulled out a gun. Tizzy claimed police intervened but walked him back over to his pickup truck, then handed him his gun back, and they sent him on his merry way. See what others are saying below. This Is Happening In Corbin, Kentucky. The KKK Has Cards Now. https://t.co/OE8BaxfkTq BlackMountain (@DBlack_Mountain) June 10, 2023 Hi! This is an ad promoting the Ku Klux Klan that's circulating in Paris, Kentucky When you see these arguments being made on Twitter it's safe to assume they are a KKK supporter pic.twitter.com/m2LBLTXQFu ProLib | Resist Fascists (@prolibshow) June 12, 2023 Trending Stories Policymakers are breathing down Sheins neckand not just in the United States. On Wednesday, Place Publique, a French center-left political party led by European parliamentarian Raphael Glucksmann, kicked off a campaign lambasting the Chinese e-tailer for wielding overconsumption, particularly of fossil-fuel-based materials such as polyester, as a weapon of mass climate destruction. More from Sourcing Journal In a petition that amassed more than 31,100 signatures by Monday, Stop Shein urged French economic minister Bruno Le Maire to brandish a legislative and regulatory shield against the type of cultural obsolescence promoted by purveyors of ultra-fast, super-cheap clothing like Shein, which it blames for driving harmful working conditions and environmental destruction. Like the anonymously backed Shut Down Shein coalition, which has been lobbying with vitriolic gusto against the Nanjing-founded phenom in Washington, D.C., Place Publique takes aim at the companys alleged use of forced Uyghur laborsomething that it has repeatedly deniedand its canny use of social media and the influencer economy to whip up frenzied demand for its $9 crop tops and $15 dresses. Shein adds more than 6,000 new items to its website every day, it said, creating a hell of Shein where workers, mostly in Guangdong, though there are plans to expand production to Brazil and purportedly Mexico, are forced to toil at an infernal pace without rights or contracts. The campaign wants Le Maire to block or delist any website or brand that goes above a threshold of 1,000. It referred to the Singapore-headquartered firm as a symbol of fast fashion that marks the culmination of [a] delirious race for the lowest production costs. Story continues While the European Parliaments recently passed corporate social responsibility due-diligence directive could rein in Sheins destructive power, France could take the lead instead of waiting for its implementation, Stop Shein said. It is the responsibility of the executive and legislators to make impossible such a business model based on the abolition of social rights and the destruction of the environment, the campaign added. The time for grand speeches not followed by effects on the burning planet or respect for human dignity is over. #StopSHEIN Vous etes plus de 30 000 a avoir signe notre petition pour demander a @BrunoLeMaire dagir contre SHEIN et les ravages de la fast fashion. Merci ! Nous vous tiendrons tres bientot informes de la suite de notre combat. Vous pouvez amplifier nos demandes en Place publique (@placepublique_) June 12, 2023 Over on Capitol Hill, the desire to regulate Shein continues apace. Writing to his colleagues on Thursday, Republican Senator Marco Rubio said that action is still needed to ensure that the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) is fully implemented and enforced and that Sheins trade tricks are neutralized. The Florida lawmaker underscored the Amazon-toppling apps profligacy, saying that its able to offer such an array of products at rock-bottom prices not because of any particular competitive advantage, but because it steals intellectual property, infringes copyrights, exploits U.S. trade law and uses fabric linked to Uyghur slave labor. Rubio pointed to tests that found traces of cotton from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in some of its products. Shein has been able to evade scrutiny and punishment, he said, because it ships small packages in volumes that fall under customs de minimis requirement. Sheins exploitation of de minimis entry prevents scrutiny under UFLPA, cheats taxpayers of customs revenue, and undercuts American competitors that play by the rule, he said. Beijing has denounced allegations that it is coercing Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities into low-wage work as part of a broader cultural and religious crackdown as a myth. Rubio said that the Romwe owner is aware of its toxic reputation, which is why it has been on a charm offensive ahead of a potential IPO, partnering with Queen of Raw to use its deadstock fabrics and pledging millions of dollars to factory improvements and investments in childcare and housing. Shein, meanwhile, has hired lobbyists from the firms Akin Gump and Hobart Hallaway & Quayle to protect its tax and trade loopholes, he said. Shortly before the Christian Siriano collaborators entry into Brazil, the local government quietly dropped a measure to end tax exemptions for orders up to 250 Brazilian Real, or less than $52. Shein is even touting its own third-party analyses, which found that only some of its cotton comes from Xinjiang, Rubio said, referring to thousands of tests by supply chain tracing firm Oritain, as reported by Politico last week, that found that nearly 98 percent of its cotton did not hail from Xinjiang. This study amounts to an admission of guilt, yet incredibly, Shein presents it as evidence of good corporate citizenship. Responding to both Stop Shein and Rubios assertions, a Shein spokesperson told Sourcing Journal that the company takes visibility across its supply chain seriously and that it is committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws in the markets in which it operates. We have zero tolerance for forced labor and have implemented a robust system to support UFLPA compliance, the representative added. Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organizations core conventions. We have no manufacturers in the Xinjiang region. Nevertheless, the questions from Congress keep coming. In May, Representatives Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, its Democratic ranking member, sent a letter to the worlds most Googled fashion company to ask about its supposed use of the de minimis provision to sidestep the UFLPA. The same month, nearly two dozen members of the House of Representatives wrote to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to ask it to stall any potential Shein IPO until the company can prove that it isnt harboring forced Uyghur labor. Earlier this year, three Republican and Democratic Senators wrote to Shein CEO Sky (formerly Chris) Xu to express their concern over its reported links to exploited workers in Xinjiang. Xinjiangs cotton lint production provides for over 85 percent of Chinas total cotton production and 20 percent of global output, they wrote. Considering Sheins large, decentralized network of suppliers, we are concerned that cotton fibers harvested in Xinjiang with forced labor may have entered Sheins supply chains. On Friday, the interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force, led by the Department of Homeland Security, added two China-based companiesXinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., which trades in industrial chemicals, and Ninestar Corporation, a laser printer manufacturerto the UFLPA Entity List, barring their goods from entering the United States. Representative Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey and Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, chairs of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China, called the move a step in the right direction but said that an expanded Entity List is only one part of the laws enforcement as goods with ties to Uyghur forced labor, including garments from Shein and its rival Temu, continue to infiltrate American borders. Temu did not respond to a request for comment. We will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection toward the goal of stopping imports of forced labor-made goods, they said, using an acronym for the Peoples Republic of China. American consumers should not be unwittingly subsidizing the PRCs genocide in the XUAR. Click here to read the full article. First Pick Blueberry Farms stands Monday, June 12, 2023, in West Olive. A pair of migrant workers have sued a west Michigan farm in federal court for alleged labor trafficking violations, including being forced to work long hours without breaks, accept unfair wages and share a three-bedroom house between 30 workers, under threat of legal repercussions if they complained about their situation. In the lawsuit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Feliciano Velasco Rojas and Luiz Guzman Rojas contend they were brought to First Pick Farms against their will in July 2017, having previously worked at a farm in North Carolina. First Pick Farms is in West Olive, a small community about 30 miles west of Grand Rapids. Specifically, the complaint alleges violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. Velasco Rojas and Guzman Rojas were migrant farm workers from Mexico, and had legally entered the U.S. through work visas, per the complaint. The pair are being represented by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Farmworker Justice and Farmworker Legal Services. Messages sent to a pair of executives at First Pick Farms were not returned as of writing. According to its website, First Pick Farms focuses on sustainable farming. The workers are seeking damages, both financial and legal, against the farm through the Trafficking Victim Protection Reauthorization Act, which allows victims of trafficking, including labor trafficking, to sue their traffickers for civil monetary penalties. In the complaint, the workers contend that First Pick Farms worked with Antonio Sanchez, a field supervisor who recruited and employed migrant workers to staff the farms during blueberry picking season, which normally is during the summer months. The lawsuit states Sanchez was the one who coordinated the harsh working and living conditions for the workers, and the farm operators knew of his conduct while it happened. Story continues In the middle of a July 2017 night, Sanchez told the pair, and others at the North Carolina farm, they'd be leaving for Michigan, according to the lawsuit. The filing says the group was photographed and later given false identification, after being rounded up on vans for the journey. Once they arrived in west Michigan, the group had to contend with harsh working conditions and undesirable living quarters, according to the lawsuit. More: Michigan strawberry season is here: Tips, where to find U-pick farms Legal action: Troy court worker who claimed judge was bully, abusive accepts $100K secret settlement Upon Plaintiffs arrival in Michigan, Defendants compelled Plaintiffs to work in grueling conditions picking blueberries as many as twelve hours per day without breaks, seven days per week and to live in employer-provided substandard housing," the lawsuit states. Workers stayed in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Wyoming, a suburb of Grand Rapids, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit states that two female workers shared one bedroom, while the other 28 people had to spread through the rest of the home. The house was unfurnished, per the complaint, and its kitchen was too small to adequately serve the 30 people who lived there. The false identification information was used by First Pick Farms' human resources division to fill out paperwork, the lawsuit claims. Those who had information rejected were sent back to Sanchez, who then provided them with different falsified information, so they could work at the farm, the suit claims. Administrative staff at the farm reviewed and approved the paperwork, per the complaint. The lawsuit alleges workers were paid unfairly, and hours were not accurately tracked. Production standards were also enforced against workers, who were given picking quotas, per the lawsuit. Guzman Rojas claims in the lawsuit he was also forced to drive workers between the farm and the home, despite not having a legal driver's license. As a driver, Guzman Rojas wasn't compensated for transportation costs, the complaint states. Guzman Rojas and Velasco Rojas were allowed to return to North Carolina at the conclusion of blueberry picking season in September 2017. The lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo. In a statement, an attorney representing Guzman Rojas and Velasco Rojas said migrant workers are often unfairly subjected to untenable working conditions. As we continually see, farmworkers are not safe from exploitation even when they follow all established legal protocol, said Dorian Slaybod, a staff attorney with Farmworker Legal Services. A lack of oversight allows bad actors to take advantage of workers and encourages employers to ignore civil and human rights violations. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo. Become a subscriber today. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lawsuit against Michigan blueberry farm alleges labor trafficking violations Suki Waterhouse and Camilla Morrone | Dimitrios Kambouris A Chanel-curated celebration always includes a whos-who roomful of stars. On Monday night, the fashion house hosted its annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at legendary New York City restaurant Balthazar, where famous faces including Tracee Ellis Ross, Sofia Coppola, Iman, Katie Holmes, and Harpers Bazaar editor in chief Samira Nasr gathered to toast the select cohort of all-female artists who donated original works to be presented as prizes to the festivals winning filmmakers this year. Curator Racquel Chevremont brought together an impactful group of artists that included Ana Benaroya, Beverly Fishman, Christie Neptune, Lisa Lebofsky, Natia Lemay, Patricia Encarnacion, Renee Cox, Sheree Hovsepian, Shinique Smith, and Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz. Dimitrios Kambouris Dimitrios Kambouris Dimitrios Kambouris The evenings eclectic crowd reflected the exciting state of the creative industry. New York mainstays such as Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Jemima Kirke mingled over martinis, while newer industry faces like City on Fires Chase Sui Wonders, The Bears Ayo Edebiri, and The Summer I Turned Prettys Lola Tung also made stylish appearances. Actresses Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone from Daisy Jones & The Six enjoyed a mini reunion at the event, as well. Guests showed off their spins on Chanel ensembles that perfectly embodied their individual personalities, with C-logo denim, tweed tube tops, and deliciously oversize suits all on display. Dimitrios Kambouris Dimitrios Kambouris Dimitrios Kambouris Chanels annual dinner exemplifies the brands ongoing support of cinema and the arts, and its commitment to a creative future. The fashion house highlights the current and next generations of women in film, in pursuit of its mission to support artists in their quest for innovation and personal expression. You Might Also Like Bickerstaff, ADC Boutique Advertising Agency of the Year Several things make Bickerstaff.938 (and Bickerstaff.555 for that matter) a little unusual as an advertising agency. Its name changes from day to the next, and its logo looks like a child's drawing. It's also operating from country that's facing a horrendous military invasion. Yet this creative team was named Boutique Advertising Agency of the Year at ADC Annual Awards in New York thanks to its distinct and mysterious tourism branding for Ukraine's Khortytsia Island. We asked founder and creative director Ilia Anufrienko who Bickerstaff.595 is and how it's become a "galactic agency" despite its relatively small size. We find out what inspires him, how the team has managed to keep going... and what on Earth the ever-changing numbers mean at the end of the agency's name (see our pick of the best print adverts for more advertising inspiration). Bickerstaff, ADC Boutique Advertising Agency of the Year What's Bickerstaff's story? And what's with the numbers? The story of Bickerstaff.938 is all about contradictions the most incredible thing in the world. Good advertising is always built on the truth, but who is your audience? What is their truth? Who is right the wolf who wants to hunt down the poor rabbit, or the clever and agile rabbit who wants to outsmart the predator that can survive only by eating meat? Bickerstaff is about the truth, the conflict, and how they can create positive changes in our society. What good will the final idea bring to the world? In our opinion, there is no such truth that lasts a lifetime, because having one would imply that people don't change. The numbers are here to show that Bikerstaff today and Bikerstaff yesterday are two different agencies, and we take pride in that. We explore the contradictions in life, we experiment by creating communication solutions - we don't know what we'll be doing tomorrow. How big is the team and where's everyone based? Our team consists of the most talented Ukrainian people. Its a small group of 22 bright individuals. We have strategists, creatives, designers, and managers, just like a traditional agency, but with one unique feature we don't have middle-level positions. Well, technically, according to the common rankings, we have, but overall our people are either senior professionals or juniors at the very beginning of their career. We either hire the best or those who haven't had the chance to learn how to create "conventional" advertising. Story continues As a joke, we like to call ourselves a galactic agency because during this year we've become physically detached from any specific location. Part of our team is in Portugal, where we opened a second office that we are gradually developing. Some team members are in Poland, Germany, Georgia and the UK. However, the majority, of course, is currently in Ukraine. Bickerstaff, ADC Boutique Advertising Agency of the Year How has the invasion of Ukraine affected the agency's ability to work? At the very beginning, we were left without clients because the entire commercial sector in Ukraine put their campaigns on halt. The market came to a standstill, and there was a lack of understanding about what to talk about and how to make it profitable. However, after a few months, when it became clear that the Russian invasion would be prolonged and the economy needed to move on during wartime conditions, we started communicating with our clients and offered them support pro bono. We launched several highly impactful campaigns for Ukraine, which served as a catalyst for other brands to re-engage in communication and initiate meaningful conversations. As a result, we retained all of our existing clients and gained many new ones, not only from Ukraine but also from the USA, the UK, and Poland. Bickerstaff, ADC Boutique Advertising Agency of the Year What does it mean to be named the ADC Annual Awards' Boutique Advertising Agency of the year? Festivals are a truly remarkable phenomenon. While we appreciate the recognition and the accolades that we receive, they are merely a result of our commitment to delivering exceptional work. Nevertheless, we are particularly proud of this award, especially considering that ADC NYC is the first festival to establish itself as a landmark of quality for an entire industry. However, our philosophy revolves around the belief that past achievements are just that things of the past. We have witnessed numerous instances where agencies with impressive reputations produced lacklustre work. To prevent falling into that trap, we refrain from becoming impersonal production factories and remain highly selective in choosing our clients. While we celebrate our current accomplishments, we don't dwell on them for too long. As someone wise once said, "You are only as good as your most recent work." This quote encapsulates our approach to constantly striving for excellence and pushing ourselves to deliver innovative and impactful campaigns. Tell us about the Khortytsia Island branding, which had already won Cannes Lions, D&AD and Epica Awards Khortytsia is a well-known symbol of Ukrainian heritage, deeply rooted in our nation's history. However, its significance was mostly limited to the Cossacks, and there was little widespread knowledge of it. When we had the opportunity to visit the island, we experienced a profound sense of its vitality. It's difficult to put into words, but we felt it first-hand, and everyone who was present on the island could feel it too. You can sense its life force, its rhythm, its vibrant energy. That's why we made a deliberate choice not to simply talk about the island, but to inspire others to personally explore it, uncover its hidden mysteries, and truly immerse themselves in its essence. How do you approach a campaign like this to reach such an original solution? In practical terms, our approach is quite straightforward: we begin by seeking insights, delving into a product, and forming a strategy. Next, we embark on a quest for an intriguing idea that aligns with this strategy, and ultimately, we put it into action. Perhaps what sets us apart in generating high-quality ideas is the presence of fear. We genuinely fear falling into repetition. Ageing occurs when one knows everything, can predict tomorrow, and falls into rigid routines. However, we approach our work as researchers. Hence, each brief, even if it appears similar to countless others we've encountered, feels new to us. We embrace experimentation, reinvent our methods, and strive to approach things uniquely. You might pose a valid question: why reinvent the wheel every time when it already exists and functions effectively? Nonetheless, we believe that people seek our services precisely because they desire to outpace others. To achieve that, we must discover fresh approaches to age-old problems. How was the campaign received in Ukraine? The project received a highly positive response in Ukraine. People who visited the island emphasized the indescribable sensation that can only be felt while being there, even though it was hard to articulate. Those who hadn't been to the island expressed their fascination and motivation to discover more about its unique identity, an ignited desire to explore and learn about it. It's difficult for me to abstract and look at this project through the eyes of the international community to understand what exactly attracted them to this project. Nevertheless, I prefer to believe that they sensed the essence, vitality, and passion behind this project. As a small agency, we personally immerse ourselves in every project we undertake, living and breathing it. Consequently, we naturally aspire to see our emotional investment in this project strike a chord with the international audience. Thinking about setting out on your own? See the advice we received on how to start a creative agency. Police Lt. Col. Gyula Desko poses for a photo with Rambo, a German Shepherd, who was injured in Ukraine's embattled Kharkiv region and was later adopted by the Budapest Police's dog squad, in Budapest Hungary. June 6, 2023. Rambo is now training with the Budapest Police in neighboring Hungary, and setting an example that dogs and people, can do great things despite their disabilities. Three-year-old Rambo accompanied Ukrainian soldiers on the front line in Ukraine's Kharkiv region when a rocket attack sent shrapnel into his head, blowing away pieces of skull, damaging his jaw and severely mangling his right ear. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky) BUDAPEST, Hungary After a rocket attack in eastern Ukraine, half of Rambos face was mangled and bloody. Shrapnel had ravaged the right side of his head, and it was uncertain if he would survive. The 3-year-old German shepherd, who had accompanied Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of the war, underwent emergency surgery that saved his life. Now, Rambo is training with the Budapest police department in neighboring Hungary and serving as a reminder that dogs and people with disabilities can do great things. Recovered from his brush with death in northeastern Ukraines Kharkiv province, Rambo is learning how to interact with children, older adults and disabled people at police demonstrations and rehabilitation institutions, according to Lt. Col. Maria Stein with the Budapest Metropolitan Police. Demonstrating the tasks performed by canine units is part of the departments crime prevention program, with a goal of teaching young people to be more tolerant and to respect one anothers differences, Stein said. Nowadays, unfortunately, it happens that children mock each other because they wear glasses, because they have braces, because their ears look funny or whatever because theyre different, she said. With Rambo, we might be able to sensitize these children a little and show them that, yes, he is injured, hes different, but he can do the same things as other dogs. " Rambo to serve young people after near death experience Rambo, a German Shepherd, who was injured in Ukraine's embattled Kharkiv region and was later adopted by the Budapest Police's dog squad identifies a drug sample, in Budapest Hungary. June 6, 2023. Rambo is now training with the Budapest Police in neighboring Hungary, and setting an example that dogs and people, can do great things despite their disabilities. Three-year-old Rambo accompanied Ukrainian soldiers on the front line in Ukraine's Kharkiv region when a rocket attack sent shrapnel into his head, blowing away pieces of skull, damaging his jaw and severely mangling his right ear. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky) Rambos journey to police service didnt come easy. Last year, shrapnel from the rocket attack, which also injured some Ukrainian soldiers, blew away pieces of skull, damaging his jaw and severely mangling his right ear. After his initial surgery, Rambo was taken to safety in western Ukraine. Violetta Kovacs, head of a Hungarian organization dedicated to rescuing German shepherds, soon collected him and brought him to a rehabilitation center near Budapest. The dog needed immediate help, Kovacs, head of the German Shepherd Breed Rescue Foundation, said. We had to operate again here in Hungary because several of his teeth were causing him great pain because of the injury, which required immediate intervention. Story continues Rambo spent eight months at the center, where his jaw was reconstructed, his right ear amputated and several teeth removed. He underwent training to be socialized with other dogs, Kovacs said, but his fondness for children was clear from the start. Gyula Desko, a lieutenant colonel with the Budapest Metropolitan Police, then adopted Rambo, providing him with further training and a home. He called Rambo a very friendly, good-natured dog who is making good progress in his training and whose survival was a miracle. Working with him requires more patience and more attention, as we do not know what kind of mental problems his head injury caused him, Desko said, but Rambo is so open with people and accepts them, despite his injuries and the shock that befell him. Its those qualities, Desko said, that the police force hopes will inspire those who meet Rambo to open themselves to kindness and acceptance. As a police dog, one can see through him that you can live a full life even when injured, and can be a useful member of society and do very diverse things, Desko said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rambo, German shepherd injured in war in Ukraine, Hungary police dog Courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Forty sites representing African American history will be receiving funding for their protection and preservation thanks to $3.8 million in grants from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. The grants were announced today and timed in recognition of Juneteenth (June 19). Recipients of this years grants focus on conserving Black modernist sites and preserving Historically Black Colleges and Universities, among other efforts. The Action Fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that celebrated its fifth anniversary at the end of 2022, has raised more than $95 million to date and is the largest resource dedicated to preserving African American historic places. With amounts ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, Action Fund grants support preservation efforts across four categories: building capital, increasing organizational capacity, project planning and development, and programming and education. The history embodied in these places is emblematic of generational aspirations for freedom, the pursuit of education, a need for beauty and architecture, and joys of social life and community bonds, says Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and senior vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Thats why the Action Fund believes all Americans must see themselves and our shared history in this years grantee list if we are to create a culturally conscious nation. Courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Eight grantees on this year's list represent a new focus on conserving modernist structures designed by Black architects. This initiative, Conserving Black Modernism, is led by the Action Fund with support from The Getty Foundation, and includes grant recipients such as: the the Charles McAfee Pool House in Wichita, Kansas with its distinctive modular shade structures; the Spanish Rancho- and Japanese-influenced Carson City Hall in Carson, California, featuring nautical-inspired forms; and Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with its dramatic clerestory walls composed of colorful staggered glass panels. Other modernist structures that will receive funding also have significant ties to African American history and historical figuresincluding the Watts Happening Cultural Center in the Watts neighborhood of South Los Angeles; Richmonds Fourth Baptist Churchs educational wing designed by Ethel Bailey Furman, the earliest known Black woman architect in Virginia; and Charlottes First Baptist, designed by Harvey Gantt, the first Black mayor of Charlotte and the first African American student admitted to Clemson University. Our understanding of modernism in the United States will remain incomplete until we recognize the extraordinary contributions of Black architects and designers, whose buildings speak to the experience of Black communities in this era, says Joan Weinstein, director of the Getty Foundation. These grants will preserve important sites, deliver training to the people who care for them, and reveal new stories for all of us about the talents and resiliency of Black architects in twentieth-century America. Courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Preserving HBCUs is another 2023 Action Fund priority: As part of its HBCU Cultural Heritage Stewardship Initiative, the Action Fund has awarded nearly $700,000 in funding to six HBCUs. Those recipients include Alabamas Talladega College, which was founded by two formerly enslaved men and will be preserving historic buildings dating from 1869 like the colleges Slavery Library and the original home of the nationally recognized Amistad murals painted by noted artist Hale Woodruff. New Orleans' Dillard University, with its classically designed brick buildings dating from 1935 and mature live oaks, will also receive funding for its campus preservation efforts. Additionally, Alabama's Tuskegee University, founded in 1881 under the leadership of Dr. Booker T. Washington, will develop a plan to create preservation strategies that address the effects of climate change on its historic resources. Other HBCUs to receive funding are Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina; Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; and Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas. The complete list of 2023 Action Fund grantees is a rich African American history lesson unto itself, celebrating Black achievements in art, business, craftsmanship, culture, design, education, and Civil Rights, among other endeavors. For example, in Idlewild, Michigan, for example, Hotel Casa Blanca played a significant role in the towns role as the premier recreational retreat from the urban city life for middle-class African Americans during the era of Jim Crow. Its capital project grant will help secure its structural integrity and anchor the economic redevelopment of Idlewild. In New Orleans, the Dew Drop Inn was known as the souths swankiest night spot in the mid-1900s and acted as a symbol of the enterprising spirit of Black business; its grant will help create a new immersive exhibition on its history. Grants supporting projects designed by Black architects and at HBCUs will better acknowledge the power and creativity of those who have shaped and stewarded spaces and experiences that build more just communities, says Justin Garrett Moore, program officer for the Humanities in Place program at the Mellon Foundation. By elevating these places through much-needed organizational capacity, technical assistance, capital funding, and programming, these projects will help tell a fuller American story. The Action Fund also encourages the public to learn more about these historic sites and consider donating to their specific needs. Learn more at savingplaces.org/actionfund. You Might Also Like Grab your besties and your passports: Here's how to spend three rose days with the girls on the French Riviera. Andranede Barry/Courtesy of ChAteau de Saint-Martin Ive been a devoted Francophile since I conjugated my first verb in high school and have been traveling to lHexagone ever since. But its my last 20 summers spent in a sunny village on the Cote dAzur that have solidified an appreciation for rose-all-day fun with friends. Oui, traffic has worsened over the decades, and the cost of the almond croissants at my favorite boulangerie has gone up, but one thing has remained a constant when the mercury rises on this fabled stretch of Mediterranean coastline, the regions favorite summertime elixir, rose, flows more freely with good friends at your side. With neighboring Provence AOCs supplying around five percent of the worlds rose wine from villages where grapevines seem to outnumber residents, there is plenty of "pink drink" (and Instagrammable scenery) to go around. So, grab your besties and your passports. Here's how to spend three rose days with the girls on the French Riviera. Palomba Robert/Courtesy of Chateau de CrAmat Day 1: Nice Youve landed at Nice Cote dAzur Airport and freshened up at the hotel time to head straight to the vines, which arent as far as you think. One of Frances oldest and smallest AOCs, Bellet, covers around 1,600 acres with only about 125 planted with vines at 300 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Hemmed into the hills surrounding the city, a handful of family-run wineries are just the place to dip your pedicured toes into rose tasting. Bellets oldest winery, Chateau de Bellet, is an excellent place to start, and the tasting room is inside a 19th-century chapel. Grab a tax or rideshare from the hotel, or let an expert do the planning (and driving) and book a three-hour Bellet winery tour with French Riviera Wine Tours whose guide will pick you up and drop you off in Nice. If your jet lag prefers to be salved on a sunny beach, beeline it to Castel Plage on Nices famous Baie des Anges, where you can reserve a lounge chair for the day, feast on fresh fish and oysters, and choose from a menu of more than a dozen Cote de Provence roses that will chill within reach. Story continues End the evening at one of Nices many wine bars, such as one-year-young La Treille, tucked onto Rue Saint-Augustin in Nices buzzing old town. Or dress up and head to Seen, located on the 6th floor of the citys newest luxury hotel, Anatara. Day 2: Chateau de St Martin HerveFABRE-Photographies/Courtesy of ChAteau de Saint-Martin 1.25 hours from Nice Road trip west on the easy-to-navigate A8 motorway (FYI: its a toll road, and credit cards are accepted) to Chateau de St. Martin, a family-run winery since 1740. With wine production that is more than 50 percent rose, youve come to the right place. Belly up to the barrel tables or L-shaped wooden bar where the English-speaking staff happily pour cru classe rose. Plan to stay the night at the winerys homey 18th-century bastide turned five-room B&B, with rooms trimmed in antique furniture and floral wall covering. Guest can lounge by the pool during the hot Provencal summers with a bottle of chilled and easy-drinking Grand Reserve rose. Or, if sightseeing versus sunbathing is more your style, the 12th-century LAbbaye du Thoronet is a picturesque diversion, just a half-hour from the winery. If you arrive early on a Tuesday morning, the Provencal village of Lorgues holds one of the best and largest farmers markets in the area. Be sure to book a table and splurge on dinner at Bruno, aka Chez Bruno, known for its truffle-centric menus, and just 10 minutes from the bastide. In the morning, your hosts will invite you to tuck into the fresh bread and jam, buttery croissants, and coffee inside the family dining room. Marc Rabaux @StudioBaAlt/Courtesy of ChAteau des Demoiselles Day 3: Chateau de Valmer 2.5 hours from Nice Todays drive will get a little twisty and take more than an hour, so stretch your legs about halfway in the hilltop village of Grimaud where flower-box-filled streets and medieval castle remnants are Instagram-worthy. Once at Chateau de Valmer, its all about the wine and sea. Not only does the 42-room hotel have its own sandy beach a quarter-mile stroll away, but its also minutes from some of the regions best-known names in rose such as Chateau Minuty (no appointment necessary) or Domaine de la Croix, the largest of the Cotes de Provence wineries. The idyllic Saint-Tropez peninsula can be toured on your own, or put the fun in funky with a vineyard tour in vintage Citroen 2CV cars. Prefer something mellower? How about a between-the-vines yoga session with your besties? An elegant-but-easy lunch with the gal pals doesnt get better than a table on the oak-tree-shaded terrace of La Verdoyante, a place Ive been coming to since 2006. Youll be warmly welcomed by the same husband-and-wife team and served thoughtfully prepared Provencal meals and local rose in a setting surrounded by cru classe vines. Cap off your getaway with a road trip (just six miles) into the sherbet-hued village of Saint-Tropez, where you and the girls can shop the large market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, pick up matching pairs of Tropezienne sandals, fitted to your feet while you wait, and sip rose at Senequier on the yacht-encrusted port, an enviable people-watching perch since 1930. Kimberley Lovato is a freelance journalist and Francophile who writes from California and Sainte-Maxime, France. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Two weeks after Target removed some of its Pride merchandise such as tuck-friendly construction and extra crotch coverage swimwear from stores due to threats to employees, the retailer faced vague bomb threats Saturday afternoon in its Oklahoma City area stores. Stores in Yukon, Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City were temporarily evacuated, but have since reopened. More from WWD Sgt. Rob Robertson of the Oklahoma City Police Department told The Oklahoman, Whether its a hoax or not we have to take it seriously. Asked for comment Monday, a Target spokesperson said, The safety of our team members and guests is our top priority. Law enforcement investigated these claims and determined our stores are safe. Our stores are currently open and operating regular hours. Target executives did not acknowledge whether the company has or will take greater security measures and offer additional training to employees, due to the controversy caused by the Pride merchandise. There also was no response whether Target will alter or remove any of its Pride offerings, as a result of the incidents in Oklahoma. Target has had to deal with other bomb threats and store evacuations in Utah, Ohio and Pennsylvania in recent weeks. Police in those states are reportedly investigating those threats, after they were notified by local media outlets that had received e-mails that allegedly referenced Targets decision to remove or relocate Pride-related merchandise. As the culture wars go on, brands and corporations are increasingly consumed with how, if at all, to address or support widely debated issues such as gender identity, sexual orientation, race and more. In recent months, gender-affirming care for minor has been a hot-button topic, as 16 states have enacted bans or reductions on some elements of that care. Story continues Like other major retailers such as Macys, Target offers Pride items and is committed to the LGBTQ community. The Minnesota-based big-box store has been involved with Pride Month for more than a decade. This years range is said to be 2,000 items spanning clothing, books, home and music. In honor of Pride month, which supports LGBTQ rights, Target introduced swimwear that promoted tuck-friendly construction and extra crotch coverage. In the wake of the backlash, chief executive officer Brian Cornell publicly stood by the campaign at first, but the retailer removed the controversial LGBTQ brand Abprallen swimwear in late May. While speaking on Fortunes Leadership Next podcast last month, Cornell spoke of the importance of Targets DE&I and said, When we think about purpose at Target, its really about helping all the families, and that all word is really important, he said. He said, I think those are just good business decisions, and its the right thing for society, and its the great thing for our brand. The things weve done from a DE&I [diversity, equity and inclusion] standpoint, its adding value, he said. Its helping us drive sales, its building greater engagement with both our teams and our guests, and those are just the right things for our business today. After making the decision to remove a few Pride styles, Target said, Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride month and throughout the year. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. The premise of the Fox unscripted series Stars on Mars is pretty out of this world: a dozen celebrities land on Pretend Mars, where they have to live together in a tiny space station and complete missions to avoid elimination. "During their stay, they will be faced with authentic conditions that simulate life on Mars, and they must use their brains and brawnor maybe just their stellar social skillsto outlast the competition and claim the title of brightest star in the galaxy," the show synopsis reads. The celebrity cast includes Ariel Winter, Tom Schwartz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (who got eliminated in Week 1), Tallulah Willis, Marshawn Lynch, Tinashe and more. Beaming in from "Mission Control" is host William Shatner. Related: Here Is Every Celeb Who's Competing in Stars on Mars So far, the series is every bit as weird and wonderful as you'd imagine. But it doesn't actually take place in space (insurance costs, ya know?). Let's find out where the stars are actually stationed. Related: Tallulah Willis Is Still Unpacking Mom Demi Moore's Relationship With Ashton Kutcher Where is Stars on Mars filmed? Despite the catchy name, the series is not filmed on the fourth planet from the sun. Instead, production took the series down to South Australia, where they were able to approximate what life on Mars might look and feel like. Specifically, the show is shot in a desert called Coober Pedy. (That's also where Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was filmed, so the setting might feel familiar to fans of the movie.) Unsurprisingly, Coober Pedy isn't known for being an easy place to inhabit. Half the population lives in underground homes, which are designed to stand up against the extreme heat and cold that the area experiences. And while the town describes itself as the "opal capital of the world," that title comes at a price; mining, which can be extremely dangerous, is one of the region's top options for work. Story continues In an interview with Space.com, celebrity contestant Richard Sherman recalls flying 30 hours to Adelaide, Australia, and then to Coober Pedy on a two-hour flight the next day to shoot the show. "It was a shock initially," he said, "but the missions were pretty fun." Next, Read Our Stars on Mars Premiere Recap The Ukrainian Bradley crews and commanders mostly operated according to the doctrine they were taught. The Ukrainian officer tasked with sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles on the breaching mission south of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast last week faced a horrible decision. Does he leave his marooned troops to fend for themselves or risk more lives and equipment to try to rescue them? https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1667152804719337475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1667152804719337475%7Ctwgr%5Edd321816729e23b6f5f05618b1f32c231cab0dd6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Frussia-has-destroyed-its-first-ukrainian-bradley-fighting-vehicles What we know from a limited amount of widely disseminated imagery is that a platoon of four U.S.-donated Bradleys had apparently already been damaged or destroyed, along with a Leopard-2 tank and two demining vehicles, in a well-prepared Russian minefield. You can read more about that in our initial coverage of the incident here. It was the first confirmed damage to Bradleys during this conflict. And it happened during one of the most dangerous and complex maneuvers possible a breaching operation. Making matters worse, it was conducted without air support and questionable suppressive artillery fire. How the U.S. Army defines breaching operations. (Armor and Mechanized Infantry Company Team manual chart) In addition to some of their vehicles running over mines and in some cases apparently being hit by anti-tank guided missiles, the troops inside were on the receiving end of overwhelming Russian direct and indirect fire from both sides. This is according to an analysis conducted at the behest of The War Zone of that imagery by an expert with years of armor operations and Bradley tactics experience. Since our initial story came out, and additional imagery emerged of the incident, the armor expert told us that from what he observed, it looks like a third platoon of Bradleys attempted to come to the rescue. The first, he thought made it through the area before the second got bogged down and attacked. But as the company commander would have been taught during intensive training at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, sending another platoon of four Bradleys into that killzone would have violated basic doctrine for such operations, the expert told The War Zone. Story continues You can see in this video below that's apparently just what happened - four additional Bradleys were damaged or destroyed after arriving at the same location, seemingly to help rescue the stranded group. https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1667190618248847360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1667190618248847360%7Ctwgr%5Edd321816729e23b6f5f05618b1f32c231cab0dd6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Frussia-has-destroyed-its-first-ukrainian-bradley-fighting-vehicles If it puts at risk your soldiers and your equipment - the resources available for future action - then you would not assume the risks and we already saw that the risks were high, said the official, speaking anonymously to discuss operational details. We saw that they could not accomplish their mission. And to put more people out there at a high-level risk would not be worth the costs. But that doesnt take into account the human factor in the heat of battle, the official said. The other aspect too is you never want to leave someone behind, said the official. This is one of those universal battlefield dynamics that has never changed from the start of warfare when we started killing each other. Asked what he would do if he were in charge of the operation, the official said his first instinct would be to make a similar decision. Initially, when I hear the screaming going on and the request for help, to provide assistance and recover potential casualties and equipment, my first reaction would be to send them in, said the official. But after a minute or two and thinking logically about it, I would have concluded that the risks were too high. https://twitter.com/war_noir/status/1667186109674135555 From looking at the available images and video, the expert concluded that the second platoons advance likely ground to a halt after the lead breaching vehicle either struck a mine or suffered a mechanical problem. But contrary to some commentary, the expert said that it appears under the circumstances the Ukrainians performed as well as could be expected and as close to established doctrine as possible. Images emerging from the main portion of this engagement - showing four damaged or destroyed Bradleys, one damaged Leopard-2 tank and two damaged demining vehicles - showed that the Ukrainians were following doctrine when they entered the killzone, the expert told us. An annotated view of the damaged Bradleys and other vehicles. (Warrior DV Telegram channel) Did they execute the breach operation according to doctrine based upon what I saw and the resources they had on hand? I would presumably say yes, he said. Because they were falling behind a breach vehicle. They had a tank that was right behind it for protection and they had infantry support right behind covering sectors of fire. The expert told us his impression was further reinforced by the actions seen in a video apparently taken from the viewpoint of a Bradley firing its 25mm Bushmaster main gun. It fires four or five rounds of suppressive fire at a treeline in the distance, then pauses as another Bradley quickly passes by, apparently withdrawing from the killzone. The firing Bradley then resumes hitting Russians as a second retreating Bradley comes into view. At about the 12-second mark, there is a bright flash followed by the second Bradley coming to a halt, apparently it hit a mine, the expert said. Ukrainian troops are then seen being shielded by the stricken Bradley. They release at least one smoke grenade to screen their activities while the still-operable Bradley continues scanning the treeline for Russian threats. A second video clip shows the Ukrainian troops climbing aboard the operable Bradley. https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1667336834119086081 Another video purports to show Ukrainian soldiers after their Bradley was hit by anti-tank guided missiles and a landmine. https://twitter.com/Mosesphotoworx/status/1668374503540375553 While what happened after the video ends is unknown, the expert said those troops showed they used what they were taught about combined arms maneuver. These guys are now withdrawn from the breach site to suppressive fire and you're seeing the crews act, reacting correctly, the expert said. The dismounted troops tossing the smoke grenade and the operable Bradley crew using its advanced optics to scan for threats shows these guys were well-trained, the expert said. Still, it appears that the Russians got close to the vehicles. What happened to them remains unknown. https://twitter.com/MapsUkraine/status/1667269724734906370 Aside from there being limited visual information about this particular incident and no official comment, this is not an omen for the outcome of Ukraines counteroffensive, the official told us. During preparation for such situations at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, U.S. troops using U.S. equipment typically fail in their first crack at these high-risk operations, the official said. You get jacked up all the time, said the official, adding that about 90% of breaches that we do for the first time [in training] are failures. Given that and the limited amount of information available about this incident - either in terms of visual confirmation or official comment - the expert says no real conclusions can be drawn about what this incident portends for the future of Ukraines counteroffensive. But it certainly shouldn't be used as a clarion call to end shipments of Bradleys - the U.S. has donated 109 M2A2-ODS Bradley variants and four B-FIST variants - to Ukraine, he said. Give these guys a chance, he said. Their cherry got popped. They are actually fighting real Russians instead of fake Russians that we trained against. According to its latest tabulation, the Oryx open source intelligence group says that Ukraine so far has lost 16 Bradley M2A2 ODS-SAs - five destroyed, and 11 damaged and abandoned. The group only counts those vehicles for which is has visual confirmation, so the real numbers could be higher. But it appears the Pentagon doesn't see this incident or other Bradley losses as a reason to tighten supplies. According to Voice of America, the Pentagon will announce a new aid package that will include an unspecified number of Bradleys, as well as Stryker Armored Vehicles, to replace those lost on the battlefield. While the U.S. donated 90 Strykers, Oryx has yet to list any as damaged or destroyed. https://twitter.com/CarlaBabbVOA/status/1668336289178083328 There is no doubt that we will see more donated weapons damaged or destroyed on the battlefield, such is the nature of war. Whether Ukrainians learned lessons from this incident is something we will be watching for as the counteroffensive continues. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com By Paul Lienert and Joseph White DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors has signaled in a series of recent announcements on plant retoolings that it plans to keep its largest and most profitable combustion trucks and SUVs in production longer than expected - another 10 to 12 years, according to analysts and suppliers. This should enable the automaker to reap tens of billions of dollars in additional profit, according to Reuters estimates, before it shifts completely to zero-emission electric vehicles in 2035. GM in November 2021 said it would switch to an all-electric fleet by 2035. It never said when exactly it would stop producing gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs, though suppliers and analysts expected it would be well before 2035. The longer timeline for churning out combustion trucks and SUVs, and the potential to harvest $50 billion or more in profit over that period, is the real news behind GM's announcements this past week that it will spend nearly $3 billion to retool and upgrade several North American plants. Details on the timing and potential profit have not previously been disclosed. GM told Reuters on Monday that it does not comment on future product plans. The U.S. automaker over the past week announced investments in five plants in the United States and Canada, without providing details on products or timing, other than to say the plants will continue to build full-size internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The GM plants include two in Flint, Michigan, and one plant each in Arlington, Texas; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Oshawa, Ontario. GM's strong signal that it intends to keep full-size ICE vehicles in production for years to come, as one executive said last week, should be well-received by investors and the United Auto Workers. GM and the union will begin negotiating a new multi-year labor agreement this summer. The future of combustion vehicle-related jobs is a central concern for the union. GM executives have made it clear that ICE vehicles will play a critical role in the company's portfolio for the foreseeable future. In April, Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson told investors: We're strategically transitioning the business, while at the same time leveraging our important ICE portfolio with new and refreshed products, driving continued robust demand for our vehicles. GM executives also have acknowledged it could be years before the company's new EVs begin to attract enough customers to match the profit from petroleum-fueled Chevrolet Silverado pickups and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. PROJECTED PROFIT Ford Motor faces a similar situation. CEO Jim Farley in May said the company's electric vehicles may not reach cost parity with Ford's combustion vehicles until the second and third generations of EVs arrive between 2025 and 2030, and has indicated Ford's combustion trucks could remain in production well beyond then. In the meantime, profit from ICE vehicles continues to roll in. Last year, GMs average per-vehicle earnings before interest and taxes on all of its trucks and SUVs was $10,678, as calculated by Benchmark auto analyst Michael Ward, based on GMs SEC filings. Using that metric, GM stands to earn up to $7.5 billion a year in pretax profit on its full-size combustion trucks and SUVs, based on AutoForecast Solutions estimates for production at the Flint, Fort Wayne, Arlington and Oshawa plants through 2035. The Arlington plant, which is now scheduled to build GMs full-size combustion SUVs like the Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon through 2034, is the most profitable auto plant in the world, according to Ward. Arlington produced 345,000 units in 2022, and by our estimate generated about $25 billion in revenue and $4 billion in EBIT or about 30% of total company EBIT, Ward told Reuters. Flint and Oshawa are expected to build a combined 360,000 heavy-duty pickups a year through 2035, according to AutoForecast Solutions (AFS). Using GMs EBIT data as calculated by Ward and Benchmark, those two plants could generate $3.8 billion a year in pretax profit. GM does not disclose its wholesale prices to dealers or its gross margins. A 2024 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Ultimate retails for up to $107,000 and more, while a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV V-Series can fetch $160,000 or more, according to GM dealers internet ads. Suppliers have been told that GM plans to begin production of its redesigned Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups in mid-2027 in Flint, with the updated Silverado HD going into Oshawa at the same time. GM plans to run its heavy-duty combustion pickups at both plants until 2035, according to AFS, which provides data and analysis to vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. GM scrapped an earlier plan to build electric versions of its heavy-duty pickups, according to AFS. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to launch the next-generation Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL at Arlington in early 2028, AFS said. The automaker will gradually reduce annual production of its big SUVs in Arlington as it begins to introduce new electric companions, starting around mid-decade. By 2030, AFS forecasts Arlington production could drop to around 200,000 vehicles, which could still produce at least $2 billion in pretax earnings. (Reporting by Paul Lienert and Joe White in Detroit; Editing by Matthew Lewis) A police officer drove away after a deputy pulled him over and accused him of speeding, body camera footage shows. A deputy with the Seminole County Sheriffs Office pulled a marked Orlando Police Department SUV over after seeing it traveling 80 mph in a 45-mph zone in Oviedo at around 12:!5 p.m. June 6, according to a report from the sheriffs office. The officer, later identified as Alexander Michael Shaouni, can be seen getting out of his vehicle and confronting the deputy in body camera footage released by the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. Im going into work, my man, he can be heard saying in the video. Why are you trying to pull me over as Im going into work? The deputy then asks him for his drivers license. Shaouni says, No, gets back in his vehicle and turns on his emergency lights before driving away Shaouni was later arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence, reckless driving and fleeing a police officer, according to the report. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Orlando police department said that Shaouni had been relieved of duty pending investigations by the Seminole County Sheriffs Office and the Orlando Police Department internal affairs division. Shaounis bond was set at $9,000, according to the sheriffs report. Deputy told friend accused of performing sex acts with child to run, Florida cops say Deputy accused of driving boat under influence in deadly Mothers Day crash in Georgia Police officer drove drunk to pick daughter up at elementary school, Florida cops say Illinois became the first state in the nation to prohibit book bans Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced, as states across the country continue to challenge and axe literature from public schools and libraries. Pritzker signed a bill into law on Monday to prohibit libraries from banning books, saying its the only one of its kind in the country. Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes banned books, not democracies, Pritzker, a Democrat, said at a bill signing ceremony at a Chicago library. We refuse to let a vitriolic strain of White nationalism coursing through our country determine whose histories are told, not in Illinois. The measure, which takes effect January 1, says public libraries must adopt the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights or their own statement prohibiting book banning to be eligible for state money. The associations Library Bill of Rights states that reading materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. The signing comes amid record book challenges, laws and policies to limit books available in public schools and libraries. In March, the library association said there were 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, marking the highest number of attempted book bans since the association began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. A record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship, the association said, noting that of those books, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. An April report from free speech organization PEN America found book bans rose during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year. Almost a third of the bans were the result of newly enacted state laws, according to the report, which found bans were most prevalent in five states: Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah and South Carolina. Story continues Pritzker and nine other governors sent a letter last month to textbook publishers urging them consider the negative impacts of book banning, according to a copy of the letter shared with CNN. Last week, President Joe Biden announced he plans to appoint a new federal coordinator to address the increase in book bans. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who led support for the new state law, on Monday recognized the librarians who advocated for it. The concept of banning books contradicts the very essence of what our country stands for. It also defies what education is all about: teaching our children to think for themselves, Giannoulias said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Aditya Kalra and Kanishka Singh NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -India threatened to shut down Twitter in the country unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, its co-founder Jack Dorsey said, a charge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government called a "lie". Dorsey, who quit as CEO in 2021, said on Monday that the Indian government had also threatened Twitter with raids on its staff if it did not comply with requests to take down certain posts. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did ... And this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said in an interview with YouTube news show Breaking Points. Dorsey cited no documentary evidence on YouTube and Reuters could not independently establish his specific claims. Dorsey could not be reached for further comment. India's Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a top ranking official in Modi's government, called Dorsey's assertions an "outright lie". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shut down'. Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law," Chandrasekhar said in a post on Twitter. He did not elaborate further. Twitter, which was bought by Elon Musk in a $44 billion deal last year, did not respond to a request for comment on Dorsey's allegations or the Indian government's response. Chandrasekhar said Twitter under Dorsey and his team "were in repeated n (and) continuous violations of India law," adding that at the time Twitter "had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India". Without naming Musk, the minister said that Twitter had been in compliance since June 2022. Dorsey's comments again put the spotlight on the struggles faced by foreign technology giants operating under Modi, whose government has often criticized Google, Facebook and Twitter for not doing enough to tackle what it calls fake or "anti-India" content on their platforms, or for not complying with rules. Story continues The former Twitter CEO's comments drew widespread attention in the Indian media and among politicians, as it is unusual for global business leaders or firms to publicly criticise Modi's government. Last year, Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi said in a court filing that India's financial crime agency threatened its executives with "physical violence" and coercion, an allegation which the agency denied. Following the YouTube interview, several top Indian officials criticized Dorsey's remarks and Twitter's past handling of misinformation. But some opposition lawmakers accused the government of muzzling the voices of farmers during the 2020-2021 protest, one of the severest challenges Modi has faced. Modi's government eventually gave in and repealed the laws, which the protesters said were anti-farmer. It has maintained it ordered content take downs at the time to deter the spread of misinformation. "It shows that everyone who dares to show the smallest bit of courage will be suppressed," said Supriya Shrinate, a spokesperson for the main opposition Congress party. The Modi administration has consistently denied suggestions by its critics that it has clamped down on free speech. Twitter's public spat with the government during 2021 saw Modi's administration seeking an "emergency blocking" of the "provocative" Twitter hashtag "#ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide" and dozens of accounts. Twitter initially complied with the requests but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification", leading to threats of legal consequences. In subsequent weeks, police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to the tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated media, a classification used by the company on "deceptively altered or fabricated" content. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. Without sharing specifics, Dorsey also said in his YouTube interview that many Indian content take down requests during the farmer protests were "around particular journalists that were critical of the government". (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, Shilpa Jamkhandikar in Mumbai and Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alexander Smith) Hardline conservatives have agreed to end their blockade of the House floor while they continue discussions with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy about future spending decisions and a new power-sharing agreement, according to multiple members leaving the speakers office. Conservatives who had voted against a procedural vote in retaliation for how GOP leadership handled the debt ceiling deal now say they are willing to support the procedural vote, after they received new commitments from McCarthy about how the California Republican plans to operate going forward, though they said the exact details are still being worked out and did not say whether they would ever be made public or put into a written statement. I think youre gonna see an agreement to move forward in the next day or two on moving the legislation we wanted to move last week, said Rep. Bob Good, a Virginia Republican who has repeatedly criticized McCarthy. Rep. Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican, said of the nearly hourlong meeting in McCarthys office: We aired our issues. We want to see this move forward as a body. Norman said one of the things McCarthy agreed to was to involve conservatives more directly in future decision making. A group of hardline conservatives have held up legislative action in the GOP-led House for nearly a week in protest of the deal McCarthy struck with President Joe Biden to raise the nations borrowing limit last month. Conservatives wanted the debt ceiling deal to cut more federal spending than it did, and several far-right members of McCarthys conference accused him of reneging on commitments he made to them in private in order to win the speakership in January. McCarthy told the hardliners Monday that he wouldnt have cut the debt ceiling deal had he known it would divide us, according to a GOP source familiar with the meeting. But McCarthy knew at the time that not all his members were going to be on board with the deal, with many of them publicly expressing their concerns with the direction of the talks. Story continues One of the concessions McCarthy agreed to as part of Mondays developments was an ironclad commitment to bring a pistol brace bill from GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia to the floor. Leadership has agreed to incorporate the bill, which would block a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule on pistol braces, into an upcoming procedural vote. That vote, which is slated for Tuesday, will now combine a rule for the pistol brace bill with a rule for a gas stoves bill as well as a bill to rein in the administrations regulatory powers. GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida said, The power-sharing agreement that we entered into in January with McCarthy it has to be renegotiated, so what happened on this debt ceiling bill never happens again. Specifically, Gaetz said the hardliners want more tools to put more downward pressure on spending, and want a return to fiscal 2022 spending levels. House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger announced Monday night that her panel will take up spending bills that would roll back funding to the levels demanded by the hardliners, a move that could ease tensions between the group and McCarthy while generating backlash from the White House and Senate Democrats. Gaetz said that while theyre willing to end their stand against the procedural vote this week, he warned that theyre willing to oppose future procedural votes if they dont get their way. If theres not a renegotiated power sharing agreement then perhaps well be here next week, he said. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania confirmed theyve reached a framework for moving forward but did not provide details. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, leaving McCarthys office, said they have a path forward now but said there will be no votes in the House tonight, as they had previously planned. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Manu Raju contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MIAMI The veteran trial lawyer who did all the talking for the Justice Department at former President Donald Trumps historic arraignment Tuesday has a history of prosecuting prominent political figures. But he hasnt always prevailed. David Harbach served as a top federal prosecutor in the 2012 case against former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and the 2014 case against former Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-Va.). Harbach came up short in the Edwards case before a jury, and although Harbach won a conviction of McDonnell at trial, the Supreme Court ultimately overturned it. Harbach played a key role in both politically-sensitive prosecutions while working as an attorney in DOJs Public Integrity Section. He worked there and later at the Kosovo war-crimes court with Jack Smith, who was named by Attorney General Merrick Garland last November as a special counsel to oversee investigations focused on Trump. Smith was also in the courtroom gallery Tuesday, but did not sit at the counsel table or address the court. Instead, Harbach addressed the magistrate judge who presided over the hearing. Harbach is a Harvard Law School graduate and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Virginia. He also did a stint as special counsel to another Trump nemesis, former FBI Director James Comey. Harbach joined the Los Angeles-based law firm OMelveny in November 2021 as a partner practicing white-collar defense and handling corporate investigations. A spokesperson for Smith had no immediate comment Tuesday on when Harbach returned to government service or began working in the special counsels office. Edwards was indicted in 2011 on charges that he participated in the acceptance of illegal campaign contributions from a wealthy donor that were directed to a woman hed secretly had an affair with and impregnated while he was a Democratic presidential candidate in the 2008 race and while his wife was dying of cancer. Story continues He had to keep it quiet. If the affair went public, it would destroy any chance he had to be president, and he knew it, Harbach said in the governments opening statement. Edwards did what the evidence will show he always did Deny, deceive and manipulate. Edwards had previously confessed to the affair, but his attorneys vigorously contested the notion that the payments amounted to campaign contributions. The defenses stance created a legal showdown with strong parallels to the one that led to Trumps first indictment earlier this year on state charges over his involvement in payments during the 2016 presidential campaign to a porn star he allegedly had an affair with, Stormy Daniels. A jury in Greensboro, N.C. heard the case against Edwards in 2012. The jury acquitted the former senator on one count and failed to reach a verdict on the other five counts, although the large majority of jurors opposed convicting him on anything. The Justice Department quickly opted not to retry the case. McDonnell and his wife went to trial in 2014 on corruption charges related to their receipt of gifts from a businessman and campaign donor promoting a potential drug made from tobacco. This is bribery, Harbach said to jurors in the prosecutions closing statement. This is corruption. The real thing. Dont let it stand. Dont let this stand. Jurors convicted the ex-governor on all 11 corruption counts; Maureen McDonnell was found guilty of eight corruption counts as well as an obstruction of justice charge. They were both acquitted on charges of lying on loan documents. A judge sentenced the former governor to two years in prison. However, Harbachs victory in the McDonnell trial was short-lived. In 2015, the Supreme Court issued an unusual stay sparing the ex-governor from having to report to prison. The following year, the justices unanimously overturned the guilty verdicts in the case, ruling that some of the favors the former governor allegedly did for the businessman could not be the basis for a corruption prosecution. The Justice Department ultimately dropped the cases against both McDonnells. Virtual charter schools that teach reading and math, along with topics like Hindu scripture, Catholic ideology or Satanic ideals, may be in Oklahoma's future. In other words, a recent decision by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board could be a boon not only to Catholics but also for Hindus, Satanists, non-Christian groups and other Christian groups, as well as anti-religious organizations. That's the way Hindu leader Rajan Zed said he views the state board's recent decision to establish St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a school run by the Catholic Church in Oklahoma that would receive taxpayer funding. The school would be the first taxpayer-funded religious school in the U.S. "Although we do belong to a different religion, we welcome it because we think think that religion is highly important and beneficial to the overall wellbeing of the nation and society and Oklahoma as a whole region," Zed, president of the Nevada-based Universal Society of Hinduism, said Monday. "It's money well spent as long as all religions are represented." Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivers the invocation at the start of a session of the Oklahoma Senate as Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, looks on in 2018. More: Public or private? Charter law question at the center of Oklahoma Catholic school debate Co-founder of The Satatic Temple responds to Oklahoma religious charter school approval with interest in creating school In recent days, Zed and Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple, each expressed interest in applying to start a virtual charter school. Zed said he reached out to the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for an application form, and a board employee sent him a link with information on Monday. Greaves took to social media to share his interest in starting a virtual Satanist school. The Satanic Temple, based in Salem, Massachusetts, is the self-described primary religious Satanic organization in the world with congregations around the world and numerous public campaigns designed to preserve and advance secularism and individual liberties. Story continues "We'll consider opening an alternative school if the courts uphold a flagrantly self-serving & uneducated, utterly unqualified & ignorant school board's vote to overturn the constitution," Greaves tweeted. More: National spotlight falls on Oklahoma board that approved country's first publicly funded religious school. What we know about the board. Zed said he is seriously considering applying to start a virtual charter school because the "door is now opened" for Hindu organizations like his, as well as Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i Faith, Buddhist, Sikhs and other non-Christian religious groups, to do to the same as the Roman Catholic Church. He said other Christian denominations might follow suit. As for a virtual Hindu charter school, should one be approved, Zed said students would be taught typical school topics but also Hindu scripture and values based on those scriptures such as the value of harmony. He said they also would be taught about the multiple deities of Hinduism, which he described as representatives of Brahman, the "supreme Godhead or ultimate reality." Religious charter school funded by taxpayers is a bad idea, Oklahoma rabbi says Rabbi Abby Jacobson, president of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, said she isn't so sure non-Christian groups would gain approval for virtual charter schools as Christian organizations. "I am not optimistic that the proponents of religious charter schools have those religions in mind when they thought about this process," she said Monday. Jacobson, spiritual leader of Emanuel Synagogue, said she thinks allowing a religious school funded by taxpayer dollars is bad idea, no matter which religion is responsible for it. "This is not a decision that is made to keep our students safe, happy or healthy," she said of the recent approval of the Catholic virtual charter school. "I think this is a decision made to attempt to proselytize to students and their families by offering them what looks like better than standard public education, but comes with a religious veilance to it. Taking public money to do it makes me worry that they are actually using it as a recruitment tool or an outreach tool to bring more children and families into their religion and school time is not an appropriate time for that." More: Rabbi: Oklahoma parents are desperate. Religious charter schools arent the answer. A history of recent religious matters in Oklahoma Both Zed and The Satanic Temple have previously weighed in on religious matters in Oklahoma. In 2018, Zed made history by delivering the first Hindu prayer ever given before the Oklahoma Senate. The Hindu statesman appeared before the Senate dressed in saffron, the most sacred color in Hinduism, under the sponsorship of then-state Sen. Stephanie Bice, who is currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also gave Hindu invocations at the Grady County Commission meeting, Oklahoma County Commission meeting, Enid City Council and Claremore City Council during the same visit to Oklahoma. More: Public or private? Charter law question at the center of Oklahoma Catholic school debate In 2021, he publicly discussed his hope of displaying a 10-foot-tall monument showcasing various Hindu deities at the state Capitol for the Hindu festival Diwali after the American Nativity Scene and the Thomas More Society were allowed to place a Nativity scene in the government building. "Hindus welcomed the idea of demonstration of religion at public places as long as it permitted the exhibits of diverse religions and denominations practiced in Oklahoma and the nation and the expression of non-believers," Zed said at the time. The Satanic Temple (then known as the Satanic Temple of New York) caused a furor in 2014, when it unveiled designs for a statue of Satan as Baphomet a goat-headed demon with horns, wings and a long beard to be placed alongside the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of Oklahomas Capitol. The group withdrew its request in 2015 after the Ten Commandments monument was removed from state Capitol grounds because the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Hindu, Satanic Temple express interest in Oklahoma religious schools African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Reginald Jackson announces a boycott of Coca-Cola Co. products outside the Georgia Capitol on March 25, 2021 in Atlanta. The Supreme Court decision ordering Alabama to redraw its congressional maps is a surprise victory for Black and Latino voters across the country who say legislatures in a number of Republican-controlled states have drawn districts in a way that dilutes their political strength. | Jeff Amy, File, Associated Press The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Black voters who brought a congressional redistricting case on Thursday with a 5-4 ruling. The court found a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act in an Alabama congressional map with one majority Black seat out of seven districts in a state where more than one in four residents is Black, The Associated Press reported. What does the ruling mean for Alabama? With the ruling, new maps can be drawn that could allow Democratic-leaning Black voters to elect their preferred candidates in two more congressional districts, per AP. Prior to the ruling, the court had signaled it was suspicious of some sections of the Voting Rights Act, and that there were concerns the courts precedents improperly required legislatures to prioritize race over traditional redistricting techniques, according to The Washington Post. We see no reason to disturb the District Courts careful factual findings, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the ruling, per the Post. Why did Alabama redraw congressional districts? Every 10 years, states will redraw district boundaries of their congressional districts to reflect new population counts from the census, as explained by CNN. During the 2020 census, a voting map was redrawn by Republican lawmakers in Alabama, leaving only 1 majority Black congressional district out of 7 in a state where the percentage of Black voters was 26%, The New York Times reported. Theres a possibility the decision could impact other Southern states notably Louisiana and Georgia, may also have to redraw their maps to bolster Black voting power, per the Times. Given this courts recent record on the Voting Rights Act, this is welcome and surprising, UCLA law professor Richard Hasen told NPR. MIAMI Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal criminal charges that he hoarded classified military secrets at his estate in Mar-a-Lago and hindered the governments attempts to get the documents back. Your honor, we most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche told the federal magistrate judge who presided over Trumps 48-minute arraignment. After the hearing, Trump was released on his own recognizance. Prosecutors did not ask for any significant pretrial conditions, such as restrictions on his travel or the surrender of his passport. The magistrate judge, Jonathan Goodman, did order Trump not to discuss the case with potential witnesses outside the presence of his lawyers. Trump faces 37 felony charges: 31 counts of willful retention of national security records and six counts for allegedly obstructing the federal effort to recover those documents. It is the first time in American history that a former president has been indicted by the government he once led. Trump, who wore a blue suit and red tie, remained stoic throughout the proceeding, largely keeping his gaze fixed toward the front of the courtroom and his arms folded. He did not speak to the magistrate judge. Only about 10 members of the public were granted access to the proceeding, with most of the courtrooms seats occupied by members of the media and Trumps Secret Service detail. The session began with a bout of eerie silence, as Trump and the lawyers awaited the start of the proceeding. Trump was flanked on his left by Christopher Kise, the prominent Florida-based lawyer he tapped to join his legal team last year, and on his right by Blanche, a New York white-collar defense attorney who joined Trump's team in April. Next to Blanche was Trumps longtime valet and now-codefendant, Walt Nauta, who was seated next to his own attorney, Stanley Woodward . The prosecution table included attorneys David Harbach, a veteran Justice Department lawyer and longtime ally of special counsel Jack Smith, as well as counterintelligence chief Jay Bratt and his deputy Julie Edelstein. Story continues For Trump, the arraignment was the latest inflection point in his growing legal troubles. Just 10 weeks ago, Manhattan prosecutors charged Trump with 34 felonies under New York law for allegedly falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to a porn star. Trump now faces parallel criminal prosecutions not to mention two other ongoing criminal probes into his role in 2020 election interference as he mounts his bid to regain the White House in 2024. If found guilty in the documents case, Trump could face a lengthy prison term. Shortly after Trump arrived at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. federal courthouse here on Tuesday afternoon, authorities booked Trump and Nauta as criminal defendants. Nauta is accused of conspiring with Trump to obstruct the grand jury investigation into his alleged retention of highly classified military secrets. Nauta faces six felony counts. He did not enter a plea on Tuesday because he had not yet retained local counsel, and he was released on his own recognizance. For most of the arraignment, Goodman and the lawyers discussed whether Trump should be subject to a so-called no-contact order restricting his communications with witnesses in the case. Judges routinely impose such orders on defendants awaiting trial, but prosecutors did not seek a no-contact order for Trump. Trumps team vigorously opposed the idea, noting that Nauta and some witnesses work at Mar-a-Lago and need to communicate regularly with Trump. Goodman initially indicated he was inclined to impose a no-contact order, but after back-and-forth with both sides, Goodman dialed back that proposal, and simply ordered Trump not to discuss the case outside the presence of counsel with a list of witnesses that prosecutors will submit to the court. No future court dates were set for Trump, and Goodman noted at the end of the hearing that his brief involvement with the case was likely over. The case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who ruled favorably for him during an earlier phase of the documents investigation. The arraignment will trigger a lengthy pretrial process as prosecutors and Trumps lawyers attempt to hammer out agreements on evidence in the case and schedule a trial. In the hours leading up to Trumps arrival, a familiar tension was in the air on a hot, humid day in Miami. Security forces and police ramped up patrols around the courthouse and warned against street clashes and other potential dangers. The charged atmosphere was reminiscent of Trumps first arraignment at a courthouse in lower Manhattan in April. Reporters and interested members of the public began lining up at the Miami courthouse on Monday night hoping for a seat in the small courtroom where Trumps arraignment would occur. The court set up extra overflow rooms and adopted new, one-day restrictions on journalists carrying electronics. No cameras are allowed inside. Trump has spent the days since last weeks indictment assailing the Justice Department and seeking, despite the evidence arrayed against him, to cast the prosecution as politically motivated. He has lobbed particularly pointed invective at Smith, who is leading the investigation. That continued Tuesday, with Trump suggesting on social media also without evidence that investigators planted evidence in his home, a case he and his lawyers have notably refused to make in a courtroom. They taint everything that they touch, including our country, which is rapidly going to HELL! Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday morning. Trumps odyssey through the legal system is only beginning. The New York hush money case is slated for trial in March 2024, and prosecutors are nearing charging decisions in their investigations into Trump's attempts to subvert the 2020 election. And even as Trumps arraignment was wrapping up on Tuesday, a federal judge in New York ruled that E. Jean Carroll can expand her pending defamation lawsuit against him. (Carroll has already won a civil verdict against Trump for sexual abuse and a separate defamation claim.) In the classified documents case, Smith has said he hopes to pursue a speedy trial, but the complexity of the evidence involved much of which remains classified may lengthen the time it takes to resolve pretrial matters. Among the issues still in flux: Trumps own legal team. While he was accompanied Tuesday by Blanche and Kise, hes been actively looking for additional attorneys since the core of his team handling the documents case resigned. Tim Parlatore quit the team last month amid internal dispute, and two other lawyers John Rowley and Jim Trusty resigned around the time of Trumps indictment. Outside the courthouse, the tension and theatricality built slowly throughout the day. Armed security personnel were visible all around the courthouse. There were several hundred protesters at the courthouse when Trump arrived, many expressing their support for the former president. Trump supporters wore shirts backing Trump, saying that he will "give you a war you can't believe" or "stomp my flag and I'll stomp your face." There were also people carrying signs reading "lock him up" and "Orange is the new Trump," a reference to the Netflix show and memoir about a woman who goes to federal prison. At one point, a man draped in an American flag carried a large stick with a pigs head impaled on it. Throughout the day, people drove past the courthouse honking horns. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with many shouting we want Trump when the former presidents motorcade arrived at the courthouse. A Trump impersonator showed up, as did a man in an Uncle Sam getup who rode around on a hover board, singing remade lyrics to Elton John's hit "Rocketman" saying that Biden is a "puppet man." Josh Gerstein and Andrew Atterbury reported from Miami. Kyle Cheney reported from Washington, D.C. Meridith McGraw contributed to this report. Apple App Store Says Damus Has 2 Weeks to Cut Bitcoin Tipping or Get Booted Decentralized social networking app Damus was today warned by Apples App Store that it has fourteen days to bring its tipping feature into compliance or it will face removal from the app store, according to a tweet by Damus on Tuesday. Damuss tipping functionknown as "zaps"lets users send Bitcoin to their favorite content creators via the blockchains second-layer Lightning Network, but the feature appears to have fallen foul of Apples terms by not using the tech giants in-app purchase mechanism. Apple has given Damus until June 27 to bring its app into compliance or it will be removed from the store. Damus will be removed from the app store in 14 days, apple says zaps are not allowed on their platform because they *could* be used by content creators to sell digital content. This is right before were about to give our talk at the oslo freedom forum on how decentralized social pic.twitter.com/uAK1U0UBet Damus (@damusapp) June 13, 2023 Damus described the move as pretty sus given the timing: right before the team appears at Oslos Freedom Forum to talk about how Bitcoin and decentralized social media can help bring about financial freedom. "They are trying to make the argument that since zaps potentially enable content creators to sell digital content with Lightning, this would be against their guidelines," Damus developer William Casarin told Decrypt. "This threatens any app on the app store that interacts with Lightning in any way. He further explained that while Damus was not explicitly enabling the sale of digital content through Bitcoin, todays clampdown on peer-to-peer payments means that any app that allows users to post lightning invoices may suffer from the same line of reasoning." Apples 30% slice on NFTs This isnt the first time that Apples app store has found itself at loggerheads for control over emerging technology. At the end of 2022, the iPhone maker began charging its standard 30% commission on in-app NFT sales, a move which industry Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney at the time called grotesquely overpriced. Apples hefty cut once again made headlines this year. This time in connection with OpenAIs famous ChatGPT chatbot. The machine learners progenitors opted to remain compliant with the App Stores terms, opting for the in-house in-app purchase mechanism rather than setting up a separate subscription site. OpenAI may not mind playing ball, but federal law appears to partially be in Apple critics favor. Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple over its 30% tax back in 2020. Recently, the U.S. federal appeals court ruled that while Apple breached Californias Unfair Competition Law by forbidding alternative payment methods, it did not break U.S. antitrust laws. Both parties last week asked the court to reconsider its ruling. Staff from an aquarium were searching an Oregon bay for fish and invertebrates when they spotted something in the water. There, along the sandy floor of Yaquina Bay, sat a sunflower sea star, considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Oregon Coast Aquarium said in a June 8 news release. We have to document this, aquarist Tiffany Rudek said, according to the release, while putting the star in a bucket. Hearts soared, the aquarium said. Then, just moments later, another aquarist beside Rudek pointed a neoprene-gloved finger at a second many-armed star just below the waters surface, the aquarium said. The group continued searching the sandy channel and finding more and more of the species, with each find being met with cheers, according to the aquarium. By the end of their search, they had found 25 sunflower sea stars, the aquarium said. To come across not one, but 25 sunflower stars? Rudek said. Its incredible. Its unprecedented. I am so excited about what this could mean for the species. Outbreak decimates population Sunflower sea stars, native to the northeast Pacific Ocean, are considered a keystone species, the aquarium said. As voracious predators, the species is crucial to keeping urchin populations in check, preventing them from destroying kelp forests that serve as vital nursery habitat for marine life, according to the aquarium. The species, however, was decimated by an outbreak of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome (SSWS) that hit the Pacific Coast between 2013 and 2017, the aquarium said. While similar outbreaks have happened in decades past, none had impacted the species on such a massive scale, the aquarium said. The disease claimed 90% of the sunflower sea star population, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates, according to the aquarium. Glimmer of hope Aquarist Tiffany Rudek takes measurements at Yaquina Bay. The aquarium said Rudek has been working to create an effective treatment for sea stars impacted by stress, injury, or diseaseincluding those suffering with SSWS symptoms. Story continues The first sunflower sea star staff found measured just 3 inches across with 12 arms working in concert, pulling its sinewy yet boneless body over the ocean floor with surprising speed, the aquarium said. While this one was still small, when fully grown a sunflower star can reach up to four feet across and have as many as 26 arms, the aquarium said. The largest staff found measured 6 inches across, the aquarium said. It may have been the adult that spawned the smaller nearby sea stars. The large number of juvenile sunflower stars may be a precursor of the species recovery, though only time will tell, the aquarium said. It is a find, nonetheless, that offers a glimmer of hope for the species, according to the aquarium. Yaquina Bay is about 100 miles northwest of Eugene. Huge brilliant creature found on California beach likely died of old age. See photos Male seadragon makes history at CA aquarium with arrival of more than 70 newborns Pregnant male seadragon makes history at CA aquarium. An extremely rare occurrence Two people watch the sunset over the Great Salt Lake from Ladyfinger Point on Antelope Island on Monday, June 5, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The endless winter storms that draped Utahs watersheds in a canopy of white, breaking records, collapsing roofs and burying recreation sites also slightly dampened some of the concern Utah residents have over the Great Salt Lake. A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows that 74% of Utah residents remain concerned over the fate of the saline lake, while 27% are less concerned or not concerned at all. Dan Jones & Associates conducted the survey of 798 registered Utah voters May 22 to June 1. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points. That percentage of concern has dropped since last year, when the lake was struggling with historically low levels. At that time, 80% of residents voiced their concern over the lake, which is the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere. Incoming Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed said the numbers are not surprising. I think theres a tendency when we have a good water year for people to think that the problems are solved. Unfortunately on the Great Salt Lake, that one good water year was preceded by many, many bad water years, and so we got ourselves into something of a deficit with the Great Salt Lake, Steed said. We need to be mindful of that. In order to get out of that deficit, it is going to take more than one good year, so its not time for us to give up on water conservation. Related Water levels at the Antelope Island marina are pictured as the Great Salt Lake experiences record low water levels on Friday, July 22, 2022, and after a record snowpack year on Monday, June 5, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Related This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org. While a water supply outlook report released this week by the Natural Resources Conservation Services Utah Snow Survey noted the lake has risen by five feet, Steed says it still has a long way to go and those numbers largely reflect the south arm of the lake, which is at an elevation of 4,194 feet. Story continues Were not seeing that level of increase in the north arm, so that is something we have to watch, too. Rising lake levels have prompted the return of some of the larger sailboats to the the Great Salt Lake Marina this week, but Steed also cautioned that may not be a luxury that endures for long. Were not very many feet away from actually having to remove those boats again. I dont want to be a glass half full kind of guy. I think that we have a lot of cause to celebrate, but we should not let up on our concern. The larger sailboats were returned to the marina after they were forced to leave last year because lake levels plunged to the lowest they have been in 175 years of recorded history. The other thing is that level is not high enough that it creates a buffer for dry years that we know are going to come, he said. With drought years, we would expect that to shrink. ... Sitting at the level it is right now, its not quite high enough to feel super confident that it wont shrink quickly and put us back into a crisis situation. Lawmakers have been galvanized into action to help the Great Salt Lake and boost water conservation efforts, spending millions over the last two years, including the establishment of a $40 million Great Salt Lake trust and changing the law that allows holders of water rights to lease their water on behalf of the lake without fear of losing that right. Related Water levels are pictured in Buffalo Bay, looking at Antelope Island, as the Great Salt Lake experiences record low water levels on Friday, July 22, 2022, and after a record snowpack year on Monday, June 5, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Optimism and challenges Steed, who was picked by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox as the lakes new commissioner, is awaiting confirmation by the Senate, possibly as early as next week. It is a role he welcomes, coming from the natural resources world where he remains executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University. He also served as executive director of Utah Department of Natural Resources and as acting director for U.S. Bureau of Land Management. I think that we really can make a positive influence or a positive impact on the Great Salt Lake, and I think that should give us all a sense of optimism that if we do things right, that we can actually keep the lake and achieve healthy levels that benefits both wildlife that rely on the lake but also benefits us by having a healthier air shed, Steed said. As he has stressed, however, the challenges are far from over. One can only look to the impacts from other saline lakes that have been reduced to dust or are well on their way, including Irans Lake Urmia or the notorious Owens Lake in California. It took 20 years and $2.5 billion to mitigate the pollution from Owens Lake, which at one point was the nations most prolific spot for generating harmful PM10 pollution. Related Its a lesson to pay attention to, Steed cautioned. Theres big consequences for allowing that ecological collapse. So the good news is, I think, that we have options ahead of us, and we have the opportunity to prevent that. The bad news is we know what it looks like when it goes wrong. We know what failure looks like. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said that he and Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta met with more than 12 migrants, who were transported from Texas to New Mexico before being flown by private chartered jet to Sacramento and dumped on the doorstep of a local church without any advance warning. Web3 infrastructure company Arianee is busy equipping brands like Lacoste and Panerai with the ability to create a better NFT. "At the heart of what we do, lies a better NFT," Arianee CEO, Pierre Nicolas Hurstel, told Decrypt at NFC Lisbon. "We've taken the standard of ERC-721 and we've super packed it with six smart contracts on top. Allowing anyone, any brand, any developer to create an NFT that is natively dynamic and CRM [Customer Relationship Management] ready." Arianee is a white-label solution that lets brands create NFTs without too much technical difficulty. Dynamic NFTs can change over time as a result of a membership reward or a real-world event, for example. This "time stamping feature" can be accessed with "simple APIs" that are recognizable to both the Web2 and Web3 audience, said Hurstel. Issuers can then directly message owners of their NFTs to inform them of news about the collection or an upcoming drop. "For example, I have the Genius NFT from Moncler because I went to the Genius launch in London," he told Decrypt. "Yesterday, I received in my wallet a notification with a token-gated link giving me access within 72 hours to the next drop of their Genius collection with Fragment." Dynamic NFTs open the door to issuers being able to interact with their collectors in a new way. Either through an evolving NFT or in-wallet notifications. When it comes to Customer Relationship Management [CRM], Arianee gives functionality to NFT issuers that will allow users to hide information about their NFT. An example the Arianee CEO gave Decrypt was being able to hide that he owns an expensive physical watchas this could be a security risk. Giving the users the ability to hide the content of an NFT boosts privacy for users in an ultra-transparent space. Hurstel explained that CRM in Web3 could mean that companies will analyze people's wallets before bombarding them with spam, emphasizing this would be even worse than Web2's cookie system. "We have a list of features like that, I could continue because it's pretty rich. You could make your NFT non-transferrable and make it soulbound," the Arianee CEO told Decrypt. "All of these features are natively integrated within this protocol." Soulbound is a unique, non-transferable variety of NFT that can also be used to share key credentials or other achievements linked to a persons career. Last year, Arianee minted 1.5 million NFTs and distributed them to more than 50 different brands, Hurstel claims. These NFTs ranged from digital passports to dynamic membership cards to digital collectibles. "Really what we are looking at doing is onboarding the next million people," Hurstel said. "Allowing hundreds of brands to distribute millions of NFTs as their new consumer engagement tool." Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Barbat mort la Toroc, in Dej FOTO Un apel la 112 a anuntat in urma cu putin timp, in jurul orei 18:30, ca o persoana este inconstienta, in zona Parcului Balnear Toroc Dej. Din primele informatii, este vorba despre un barbat care juca fotbal la terenul sintetic de la Parcul Balnear Toroc Dej. Momentan nu se cunosc imprejurarile in care i s-a facut rau si [citeste mai departe] Poland to challenge EU climate laws before top court Poland will try to overturn the EUs combustion engine phaseout and other climate laws with an appeal before the blocs top court, Climate Minister Anna Moskwa said, according to Politico. In spring, the bloc passed a law effectively banning the sale of new cars powered by fossil fuels from 2035, despite opposition from Warsaw. Moskwa told Polands Radio [] The post Poland to challenge EU climate laws before top court appeared first on Stiri online, ultimele stiri, presa online, ziar online - Sursazilei.ro . Citeste articolul mai departe pe sursazilei.ro Sursa articol si foto: sursazilei.ro Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Germanys government will Thursday unveil its first China strategy as part of an effort to ramp up pressure on companies to de-risk and reduce dependencies on Beijing, according to Politico. The strategy, which is planned to be adopted by Cabinet and presented to the public on Thursday, is eagerly - Poland expects the European Union to help it fund measures to strengthen its eastern border, a deputy minister said on Thursday, after Warsaw announced a tightening of security due to concerns over the presence of the Wagner group in Belarus, according to Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putins - Senior US and European Union officials will gather over the weekend with diplomats from several countries in the so-called global south in an effort to engage key nations that have remained mostly neutral in the face of Russias war in Ukraine, according to Bloomberg. The meeting, which will take place - The European Central Bank is set to raise interest rates to their highest level in over 20 years on Thursday, even though the eurozone has slipped into recession, according to Politico. Analysts and investors bet that policymakers will deliver another 0.25 percentage point hike, taking the key deposit - An estimated 500,000 people marched through downtown Warsaw Sunday afternoon in a huge rally against the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, held on the 34th anniversary of the breakthrough election that effectively ended communist rule in Poland, according to Politico. The march was called by Donald - U.S tech giant Meta has been hit with a record E1.2 billion fine for not complying with the EUs privacy rulebook, according to Politico. The Irish Data Protection Commission announced on Monday that Meta violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it shuttled troves of personal data - Presedintele Turciei, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a anuntat marti o crestere salariala de 45% pentru sute de mii de angajati din sectorul public, semn ca isi da seama de cursa electorala extrem de stransa care il asteapta duminica, relateaza Politico. Decizia priveste peste 700.000 de lucratori din sectorul - France will support Spains request for EU emergency funds to help farmers hit by extreme drought, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau said Thursday, according to Politico. Paris will show solidarity in the European institutions so that Spain can access elements of budgetary response to the crisis it AMSTERDAM, June 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autel Energy is today announcing an official partnership with Orange Charging, a leading Dutch-based EV charging solutions provider. With this partnership, Autel and Orange Charging can serve a larger number of companies to meet electric vehicle charging demand in the Netherlands and Belgium. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613919470/en/ Autel Energy signs new partnership deal with Orange Charging in The Netherlands (Photo: Business Wire) Ting Cai, CEO of Autel Europe, is very pleased with the deal with Orange Charging. "Together with Orange Charging, we can serve the Benelux market perfectly. In both the Netherlands and Belgium, they have offices with training facilities for installers. In addition, they have a strong sales organization and a large network with customers in various industries. We can't wait to see what Orange Charging can do with our MaxiChargers, and what we can do together to create a greener future for the world." Jasper Boogert, General Manager, says: "At Orange Charging we strive to facilitate the transition to electric driving for every company. Autel enriches our range of electric charging solutions with an extensive range of fast, reliable and convenient chargers." Autel has utilized its previous 19 years of automotive aftermarket expertise to create the world's foremost EV chargers. With a rich history of extensive testing procedures and strong knowledge of automobiles, Autel manufactures high-quality electric vehicle chargers with a focus on reliability, design, convenience, and intelligence. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613919470/en/ Contacts Jiaqi Liu Jiaqi.liu@autel.com Our wonderful capital is home to a stellar selection of architectural wonders. Continuing our new series, we explore the fascinating stories and key facts about these remarkable structures. Here we put the spotlight on St Stephens Basilica, Szent Istvan Bazilika to Hungarians. What is St Stephens Basilica? Its dome dominating the skyline of downtown Pest, the grand Catholic basilica is dedicated to the first king of Hungary, Szent Istvan or Saint Stephen. Crowned in 1000, St Stephen is considered the founder of the nation and responsible for making it a Christian state. His right hand, or Holy Dexter, is kept in the Basilica and taken out once a year as part of the procession to mark 20 August, St Stephens Day, a national holiday in the Hungarian calendar. The basilica serves as the principal place of worship for Catholics and continues to attract countless visitors thanks to its striking beauty and cultural significance. Its also the grand showcase for events of great national importance, most notably funerals of notable Hungarians and major presentations. Equal with the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Basilica is one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest at 96 metres. This is no coincidence, for both were planned to mark the millennial celebration of Hungarians settling in this part of the Carpathian basin, marked during the seminal year of 1896. Why was St Stephens Basilica created? The construction of St Stephens Basilica was driven by a desire to honour Hungarys first king, Stephen, Istvan to Hungarians. He was canonised in 1083, and his right hand is preserved as a holy relic here. The basilicas dedication to King Stephen symbolises Hungary's strong Christian heritage. According to legend, his right hand was miraculously preserved after his death, and it is believed that it possesses healing powers. When was St Stephens Basilica built? Construction of the basilica began in 1851 and took over half a century to complete. The initial plans were designed by Jozsef Hild, a prominent Hungarian architect, but he passed away before seeing the project through. Miklos Ybl, another renowned architect also known for building the Opera House, then took over and introduced a Neo-Classical style, incorporating elements of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The basilica was eventually consecrated in 1906. Where is St Stephens Basilica? Located in the heart of Budapest, St Stephen's Basilica lends its name to the showcase square it towers over, Szent Istvan ter. Its prominent downtown location makes it a key landmark and its graceful presence can be seen from various vantage points across the city, not least from the Buda side. Walking up Zrinyi utca from the Gresham Palace by the river is one of Budapests great urban experiences, as the basilica looms into view at the end of your field of vision. The square is also the backdrop for one of the citys main Christmas markets during December, as well as a major outdoor film festival. What else should I know about St Stephens Basilica? The basilica is steeped in myth and intrigue. Its original architect, Jozsef Hild, lived in very modest circumstances and died of pneumonia in March 1867. A year later, the dome of the basilica he had been working on for the previous 16 years collapsed. When Miklos Ybl then took over the project, he had to demolish what had gone before and start from a clean slate. As he had done for his other constructions, Ybl brought in sculptor Leo Fessler to work on the intricate decorative elements. A perfectionist, Fessler undertook the commission but was never satisfied, and died in abject poverty in Ujpest in 1893, only a week before his 53rd birthday. On a brighter note, todays visitors can access the dome by taking an elevator of climbing 364 stairs for outstanding panoramic views from the top. The basilica also hosts regular concerts, and is known for the quality of its acoustics Miklos Ybl, as mentioned, also designed the Opera House. To sum up, why visit St Stephens Basilica? As you explore Budapest as a first-time visitor or long-term expat, youll constantly come across St Stephens Basilica, its dome providing a captivating backdrop to many memorable moments. You can also enjoy a concert here in sumptuous surroundings, or join a guided tour in English as a group numbering from two to 15 people, or 16 to 40. Words by Peterjon Cresswell Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com The defence ministry said it is moving organisational units of its leadership to the former building of the Military History Museum in the Castle District. Its statement noted that the first independent defence ministry, set up in 1867, had been placed in the Castle, an iconic site of Hungarian history, culture, and politics. The collections of the Military History Museum will be moved to the Balna building on the Pest side as well as to Szekesfehervar, in central Hungary, while the military history archives will stay in the same building with the ministry, the statement said. Industrial technology company Rolls-Royce is investing 6.9 billion forints (EUR 18.6m) in a research and development project in Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said. Rolls-Royce will plan the equipment for the future of transportation at its base in Budapest, including parts for hybrid and electric aircraft and systems based on high-speed generators, Szijjarto said. The state is providing support of around 1.7 billion forints for the investment, which will create 20 jobs for engineers, he added. British companies have invested around 6 billion forints in Hungary and provided jobs for over 50,000 people, he noted. Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Authorities will start evacuating people from villages located within 10km from the coast in the Kutch-Saurashtra districts of Gujarat from Tuesday as powerful Cyclone 'Biparjoy' in the Arabian Sea appears set to hit the western state on June 15, the IMD said on Monday. Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of the approaching cyclone, which is likely to make landfall near the Jakhau port in the Kutch district on Thursday afternoon with winds gusting up to 150 kilometres per hour, in the coastal districts through evacuation of people and suspension of activities in port areas, the officials said. Around 7,500 people residing in low-lying areas near the coast have already been shifted to safer places in the state, they said. cre Trending Stories PM Reviews Situation In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed officials to ensure the safe evacuation of people living in vulnerable locations in the path of the cyclone. The PM chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of the Centre as well as the Gujarat government to deal with the situation. Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey told reporters in Ahmedabad that the state government was constantly working to ensure there was no loss of life. A dozen teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements made for accommodation, food and medicines of evacuated people, he said. Army, Navy & Coast Guard On Stand-By Besides, the Army, the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard have been kept on stand-by with the ICG undertaking evacuation of 50 personnel from oil drilling ship 'Key Singapore' off the coast near Dwarka. Pandey said evacuation will be carried out in two phases beginning Tuesday with people residing 0 to 5 km from the seashore to be shifted first. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places and priority will be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly, said the senior bureaucrat. The ICG said its regional headquarters has undertaken an operation to evacuate personnel from the oil drilling ship 'Key Singapore'. "The rig is 25 miles off Devbhumi Dwarka into an open sea amidst very rough sea conditions and inclement weather due to approaching extremely severe cyclone 'Biparjoy'. ICG has pressed into service its advanced light helicopter MK III for the rescue ops and 50 personnel are being evacuated to Okha," it said in a statement. Shipping activities at the country's largest public sector port at Kandla were shut following the cyclone warning and around 3,000 people, including workers there, were shifted to safer places, district administration officials said. Hundreds of trucks piled up due to the suspension of work at the Deendayal Port at Kandla in the Kutch district in view of the approaching cyclone and warning signal hoisted there, they said. "The port has been shut in view of signal 10 warning and all the boats, crafts and barges are tied up properly at the identified area and 24x7 control rooms set up. All workers and fishermen in low-lying areas have been evacuated," Deendayal Port Authority spokesperson Om Prakash Dadlani said. Thousands Moved To Safer Areas Thousands of people residing in low-lying areas near the Arabian Sea coast have been shifted to safer places in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Porbandar, and preparations have been made to evacuate thousands more from Tuesday, the officials said. Around 7,500 people have been shifted to safer places. More than 3,000 people were evacuated from 31 villages in Porbandar, while in Devbhumi Dwarka, another 1,500 shifted to safer places, they said. "Some 3,000 people, especially fishermen and labourers working at a port, were shifted in Kandla. Residents of some slums near the sea have also been moved in Mandvi. Around 23,000 people residing in villages within a radius of 10 km from the coast will be moved to (makeshift) shelter homes from Tuesday," Kutch collector Amit Arora said. In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the cyclone moved north northwards with a speed of seven kmph and lay centered around 310 km southwest of Porbandar, 340 km south-southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 410 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port, 430 km south-southwest of Naliya and 580 km south of Karachi (Pakistan). "It is very likely to move nearly northwards till the 14th morning then move north-northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Kutch) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau port around noon of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph," the IMD said. Fishermen Warned Not To Venture Into Sea Warning signals have been hoisted at ports and fishermen advised not to venture into the Arabian Sea. Fishermen out at the sea have been advised to return to the coast. The Centre has directed the state government to regulate onshore and offshore activities and mobilise evacuation from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch districts, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Morbi. Heavy Rainfall Warning Issued The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar on June 15. A few places in other districts of the Saurashtra region close to the coast will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, it said. The IMD has said storm surge of about 2-3 metre above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of some districts during the time of landfall, and wind speed may reach up to 190 kmph in the sea. The met department has warned of wind speed of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15 when the cyclone is expected to make landfall. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said. In view of the impending cyclone, the NDRF has deployed two additional teams in Mumbai as a precautionary measure, an official said on Monday. The NDRF teams, in addition to three already deployed in the metropolis, have been stationed at Andheri and Kanjurmarg areas in the western and eastern suburbs, respectively, he said. New Delhi: Former President Donald Trump has been arrested at the federal courthouse in Miami, CNN reported. Trump will soon be arraigned on charges in connection to mishandling classified documents. Trump was arrested after surrendering to federal authorities at the Miami courthouse, NBC News reported. After his arrival, Trump was quickly processed and is scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge at 3 pm ET. During the proceedings in the court on Tuesday, Deputy marshals booked the former US President and took electronic copies of his fingerprints. The officials were not expected to take a mugshot of the former US President considering his recognizability, as per the CNN report. Trump's aide and co-defendant Walt Nauta has also been arrested, fingerprinted and processed. The criminal charges in the US Justice Department's classified documents case escalate the legal jeopardy surrounding the Republican Party front-runner for the 2024 Presidential elections, CNN reported further. Former US President Donald Trump is facing 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defence information and that he concealed documents violating witness-tampering laws in the US Justice Department's investigation into the materials. Trump's close aide Walt Nauta has also been charged in the indictment which alleges the two men were involved in a conspiracy to hinder the federal probe. Nauta will also be appearing in court, according to CNN report. cre Trending Stories Former US President Donald Trump left his resort in his motorcade Tuesday along with Nauta who was travelling in a separate vehicle. Prior to heading to court, Trump on his social media wrote, that it was "ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!," CNN reported. Tuesday's hearing will operate as both an "initial appearance" and as a so-called arraignment, the report said. The lawyers of Trump and Nauta will enter appearances in court on their behalf. During the hearing, the magistrate judge will discuss the bond package that will enable the defendants to remain out of detention while they await trial. As per the news report, they might need to notify the court's probation office before visiting a certain location. Prosecutors might request the court to place restrictions on Trump and Nauta barring their communications with witnesses. The fire that broke out at Satpura Bhawan in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal has been brought under control, informed officials on Tuesday morning. A massive fire broke out at Satpura Bhawan in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal on Monday afternoon. Bhopal District Collector Ashish Singh said that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Army came together to douse the fire. "The fire has been brought under control. All agencies including CISF, Army came together to douse the fire and it has been controlled," said the District Collector. Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayan Chari Mishra said that primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it. "The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need (for IAF helicopters). Primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it," said Harinarayan Chari Mishra. cre Trending Stories Initially, the fire incident occurred on the third floor of the building and later it spread up to the sixth floor of the building on Monday. On getting the information about the incident fire tenders rushed to the spot and started extinguishing the fire. Earlier on Monday, calling it an unfortunate incident, Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Prabhuram Chaudhary said that an inquiry will be conducted into the incident. "It is an unfortunate incident. The administration is engaged in dousing the fire. CM also spoke with PM and all efforts are being made. A high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident," he said. On getting the information about the incident, fire tenders rushed to the spot and started extinguishing the fire. CM Chouhan talked with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and sought help from the Air Force to douse the fire. He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, informed him about the incident and sought necessary help. On the directions of the Defence Minister, IAF's AN 32 and Mi-15 aircraft were sent to Bhopal for the dousing operation. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a phone call and informed him about the fire incident. He apprised PM Modi of the efforts of the State Government in dousing the fire and the help received from various departments of the Central Government. PM Modi assured the Chief Minister of all possible help from the Centre. Besides, the CM announced a committee to find out the preliminary causes of the fire. The committee includes Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home Rajesh Rajoura, Principal Secretary (PS) Urban Neeraj Mandloi, Principal Secretary (PS) PWD (Public works Department) Sukhbir Singh and Additional Director General of Police (ADG) fire. After finding the preliminary cause in the investigation, the committee will hand over the report to CM Chouhan. Avolon says $4 trln needed to transform global jet fleet A Delta Airlines flight descends through stormy clouds in California By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) -Global aviation needs $4 trillion over the next 20 years to fund new commercial deliveries and transform the world's fleet to reduce emissions, leasing firm Avolon said on Tuesday. Airlines and leasing companies will take delivery of 44,300 commercial passenger aircraft by 2042, of which approximately half will be for replacement and half for growth, the world's third-largest aircraft lessor said. The world's commercial passenger aircraft fleet is set to nearly double to 46,880 aircraft by 2042, the Dublin-based firm predicted. Its new report comes ahead of the June 19-25 Paris Airshow where aerospace companies will highlight plans to reach an industry-wide target of net zero emissions by 2050, while wrestling with short-term supply chain problems. To reach the net zero goal, the industry needs to decouple its environmental impact from rising travel demand, which is expected to grow at 3.5% compared with GDP growth of 2.5%, Avolon said. Environmental critics say such rapid growth of commercial aviation is at odds with its objectives to curb emissions. Avolon has said the focus should be on increasing the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). "A growing industry will attract the capital required to drive aviations sustainability transition," it said. Growth will be dominated by narrow-body jets including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. Europe's Airbus will maintain leadership of the narrow-body market with its 53% share of the fleet rising to 58% by 2042, Avolon predicted. Boeing will maintain leadership of the widebody market with a 59% share. It also predicted a renaissance for the smaller turboprop, and that it could play a part in the shift to greener aviation. The age of existing turbprops means more of them will be delivered in the coming years as replacements than regional jets - "a reversal of the trend over the past 25 years that could invite new entrants with innovative designs," Avolon said. China is developing a new turboprop but Brazil's Embraer has put plans for its own new model on hold. The roughly 50-70-seat turboprop market is dominated by French-Italian ATR. Airbus is meanwhile working on a 100-seat hydrogen-powered plane that it says will be ready for regional service in 2035. Separately in March, Universal Hydrogen staged the first test flight of an ATR powered partly by an electric engine running on a hydrogen fuel cell. "I think everyone accepts that green technology will start there and migrate to the bigger-gauge aircraft," Avolon Chief Executive Andy Cronin said, referring to the turboprop segment. Radical technological change will be less marked in the market for large narrow- or wide-body jets, he said. "It's not going to be the game-changer that drives emissions: (that) is large-scale production of SAF." (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Conor Humphries and Barbara Lewis) New Delhi: Hollywood actor Tenoch Huerta has denied the sexual assault allegations made against him by activist Elena Rios. Taking to Instagram on Sunday Rios posted allegations against Huerta of emotional and sexual abuse, as per Deadline, a US-based media outlet. She said in Spanish, "It's very difficult to speak about emotional abuse and abuse by a sexual predator who is loved by the world for playing a character in a movie like Tenoch Huerta. He appears charming, which is a characteristic of a narcissict and a good deal of victimization." Reacting to the allegations, Huerta shared a note on his Instagram stories on Monday which reads, "A false and completely unsubstantiated accusation about me has spread like wildfire--and I cannot let it go unchallenged any longer." cre Trending Stories He explained that he and Elena dated for several months about a year ago and that "it was entirely consensual at all time," adding there are other witnesses who can attest to that, reported Deadline. Throughout the relationship, he said, "It was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship. After it ended, however, Elena began to misrepresent our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends." Huerta continued, "As a result, a few months ago, I engaged a legal team to commence the appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations that can cause great prejudice and damage. Although I am by no means perfect, I know that these allegations are simply untrue. And while I will always work to improve myself, I need to contest claims that are both false and offensive," as per Deadline. Taking to Twitter, Rios explained her delay in denouncing him. She wrote, "Why am I late in talking about it? Because I have my process. Why didn't I report? Because I was afraid that this would happen: people who refuse to believe that a SUPER HERO is an abuser, manipulator and sexual predator." Rios added, "Yes, you Tenoch Huerta abuse because you know you have power," as per Deadline. A week after the US Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume filed several motions in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday in opposition to the lawsuit. "The SECs request for a temporary restraining order should be denied for several reasons, but the most important is this: there is no risk to BAMs customer assets," Binance attorney Daniel W. Nelson said in a motion signed by multiple lawyers for the exchange. "Indeed, there is no emergency here at all, other than the one manufactured by the SEC for its own purposes, when the alleged securities law violations, according to the SEC, have been going on publicly and openly for years." Last week, the SEC filed 13 charges against Binance, Binance.US, and Binance founder and CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, claiming Zhao broke US securities rules, including operating unregistered exchanges, broker-dealers, and clearing agencies, misrepresenting trading controls and oversight on the Binance.US platform, and engaging in the unregistered offer and sale of securities. The SEC also alleges that Zhao and Binance engaged in an extensive "web of deception," including conflicts of interest, lack of disclosure, and calculated evasion of the law. As alleged, Zhao and Binance misled investors about their risk controls and corrupted trading volumes while actively concealing who was operating the platform, the manipulative trading of its affiliated market maker, and even where and with whom investor funds and crypto assets were custodied," SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in a statement. "They attempted to evade U.S. securities laws by announcing sham controls that they disregarded behind the scenes so that they could keep high-value U.S. customers on their platforms." Across more than 20 motions and declarations filed with the court, lawyers for Binance questioned the timing of the SEC's charges, which coincided with a lawsuit targeting Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency in the United States. Binance's legal team says a fundamental securities question the SEC skipped is the due process implications of whether this action was appropriately authorized by the Commission because Chairman Gensler had personal interactions with Zhao and Binance during the time in question. "[The SEC] alleges that Binance.com has been operating unlawfully since its launch in 2017, including the early years when the SEC says it openly had U.S. users," Nelson said, asking why the agency would let these platforms (Binance and Binance.US) grow to their current size if they were always illegal. "The SEC has eschewed rulemaking in favor of ad-hoc enforcement in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act," the attorneys said. In the documents, Binance's attorneys say Binance has been engaging with the SEC since 2021. Still, it wasn't until February 2023 they learned that they were potential targets of an investigation related to the Binance.US exchange. "This court should not permit the SEC to inflict harm in the United States and worldwide by enacting the drastic relief sought by the SEC on an incomplete record and expedited schedule," they said. By Clara Denina and Simon Jessop LONDON (Reuters) - BlackRock on Tuesday launched the "Brown to Green Materials Fund" targeting undervalued carbon-intensive companies that produce the raw materials and products driving the energy transition. Investors are increasingly focused on what actions companies in industries such as metals and mining, cement, and construction, are taking to decarbonise, as the sectors produce over 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Growing demand for lithium, copper and other metals critical to the green energy transition is poised to benefit the earnings growth of companies throughout the supply chain from mine to end-product, should the adoption of lower carbon technologies exceed expectations, BlackRock said. Those companies that produce the materials and have a quality plan to decarbonise - and their suppliers - should re-rate as their margins get a boost and sustainability risks decrease, it said. The fund manager screened index provider MSCI's All-Country World Index for the world's highest emitting companies that are likely to see rising demand as a result of the transition over the next 10-20 years, selecting those with the technology and finances to implement changes in a realistic timeframe, said Evy Hambro, BlackRock's global head of Thematic and Sector Investing. "This broad materials universe is trading at such (a) large discount relative to the broader market and growth opportunity," based on how they have historically been viewed, he told Reuters. "Once people understand that these businesses are becoming increasingly green in their production processes, it is likely that the discount that is applied to them is going to reduce." (Editing by David Evans) Insiders who bought AU$1.7m worth of KGL Resources Limited's (ASX:KGL) stock at an average buy price of AU$0.12 over the last year may be disappointed by the recent 13% decrease in the stock. Insiders invest with the hopes of seeing their money grow in value over time. However, as a result of recent losses, their initial investment is now only worth AU$1.4m, which is not what they expected. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. View our latest analysis for KGL Resources The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At KGL Resources In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Executive Chairman Denis Wood bought AU$1.6m worth of shares at a price of AU$0.12 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being AU$0.10). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. KGL Resources insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. KGL Resources Insiders Bought Stock Recently Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider buying at KGL Resources. Overall, two insiders shelled out AU$1.7m for shares in the company -- and none sold. This is a positive in our book as it implies some confidence. Insider Ownership Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 11% of KGL Resources shares, worth about AU$6.4m, according to our data. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing! So What Does This Data Suggest About KGL Resources Insiders? The recent insider purchases are heartening. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. However, we note that the company didn't make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. On this analysis the only slight negative we see is the fairly low (overall) insider ownership; their transactions suggest that they are quite positive on KGL Resources stock. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. At Simply Wall St, we've found that KGL Resources has 6 warning signs (2 are significant!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The Caldwell Police Department arrested a man Monday afternoon after he hid inside the Walmart on Ustick Road, forcing the stores evacuation for roughly three hours. At 1:20 p.m. police said they were called to a dispute between two parties known to each other near the 4900 block of Pioneer Avenue, which is less than a mile away from the Walmart Neighborhood Market, according to a Facebook post from the department. Police said that when they arrived, one of the men involved later identified as 34-year-old Cody Burnett had left after allegedly vandalizing the other partys home. The person who reported the dispute told police that the man was previously convicted of a felony and was armed, the post said. At around 2 p.m., a Walmart employee called the police to report a suspicious man in the restroom. Once police responded to the area, they were able to identify him as Burnett. Police evacuated the store, located at 622 East Ustick Road in Caldwell, and asked the public to please avoid the area. Caldwell Police Department spokesperson Char Jackson told the Idaho Statesman by email that no one was injured and everyone was able to get out of the store safely. Pioneer Federal Credit Union helped provide shelter. We appreciate the employees at Walmart who were quick to notice something was wrong and called us, the department said in a news release. This information was crucial to keep employees, customers, and the community safe. Police said a crisis negotiation team made up of members of the Caldwell Police Department, Nampa Police Department and the Ada County Sheriffs Office was at the scene. After a lengthy negotiation, Burnett agreed to surrender and officers arrested him without incident at 5:00 p.m., according to the news release. Burnett was booked in the Canyon County jail on suspicion of grand theft by possession of stolen gun, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting or obstructing an office and disorderly conduct. Carrier Global Corporation's (NYSE:CARR) dividend will be increasing from last year's payment of the same period to $0.185 on 10th of August. This makes the dividend yield about the same as the industry average at 1.6%. View our latest analysis for Carrier Global Carrier Global's Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage Unless the payments are sustainable, the dividend yield doesn't mean too much. However, Carrier Global's earnings easily cover the dividend. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business. Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 5.5% over the next year. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 22% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward. Carrier Global Doesn't Have A Long Payment History The company has maintained a consistent dividend for a few years now, but we would like to see a longer track record before relying on it. The dividend has gone from an annual total of $0.32 in 2020 to the most recent total annual payment of $0.74. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 32% a year over that time. The dividend has been growing rapidly, however with such a short payment history we can't know for sure if payment can continue to grow over the long term, so caution may be warranted. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow The company's investors will be pleased to have been receiving dividend income for some time. Carrier Global has seen EPS rising for the last three years, at 13% per annum. Carrier Global definitely has the potential to grow its dividend in the future with earnings on an uptrend and a low payout ratio. Carrier Global Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock Overall, we think this could be an attractive income stock, and it is only getting better by paying a higher dividend this year. The company is easily earning enough to cover its dividend payments and it is great to see that these earnings are being translated into cash flow. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock. Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. As an example, we've identified 3 warning signs for Carrier Global that you should be aware of before investing. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here CBI admits less than a third of members backed turnaround plan Nearly 70pc of CBI's eligible members boycotted the confidence vote proposed by CBI chief Rain Newton-Smith - Elliott Franks Less than one third of the Confederation of British Industrys members supported saving the lobbying group, bosses have admitted. Rain Newton-Smith, the organisations new director general, told MPs on Tuesday that around 1,200 members were eligible to vote on plans to save the business and reform it at last weeks meeting. However, only 371 votes were cast. While 345 were in support, the fresh figures on membership raise doubts over the groups claims to represent British business. Hundreds of major companies including Tesco and Rolls-Royce chose to boycott the meeting, while the likes of John Lewis, Aviva and NatWest have all quit in the wake of a damaging sexual misconduct scandal. Businesses were asked to decide whether they had confidence in the CBI last week. Officials had warned ahead of the vote that the organisation faced likely insolvency unless its plans for reform won support. The CBI claimed it received a strong mandate from its members or 93pc support. However, MPs questioned whether the group could still credibly claim to be the voice of business at a hearing of the House of Commons business and trade committee. Ms Newton Smith has refused to disclose how many members have quit as a result of the scandal. In one exchange, Ms Newton-Smith said the CBI had lost a few members only to be interrupted by Anthony Mangnall, a Tory member of the panel. He said: Im sorry to interrupt but it is not a few businesses. It is some of the leading industries in this country, its some of the leading supermarkets when we are at a point where we are worrying about food prices you have got these supermarkets stepping away. Later he added: You are saying to us you have 1,200 members. Well, I dont know what that means in terms of what it was in previous years and what the impact of this scandal is. Ms Newton-Smith told MPs: I am not going to give a number of the total members we have lost. What I do think is really important is to talk about the members we represent now. And 1,200 businesses around the UK is a really strong mandate. It is something that I think policymakers on both sides of the House should be listening to. She said the CBI had the economic credentials and a huge amount of expertise, adding: We have been able to be that voice of business and I would say to policymakers, we have a huge range of businesses behind us. Her remarks come as the CBI remains frozen out by the Government and the Labour party, ahead of a potential general election next year. Politicians and businesses have suspended engagement with the CBI after reports of sexual misconduct at the organisation, including two alleged rapes. Some major companies including Heathrow, Drax, IHG Hotels & Resorts and BP have joined a rival business council set up by the British 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. Unfortunately for some shareholders, the Classita Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CLASSITA) share price has dived 34% in the last thirty days, prolonging recent pain. For any long-term shareholders, the last month ends a year to forget by locking in a 72% share price decline. In spite of the heavy fall in price, Classita Holdings Berhad may still be sending very bearish signals at the moment with a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 26.2x, since almost half of all companies in Malaysia have P/E ratios under 13x and even P/E's lower than 8x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be quite high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. For example, consider that Classita Holdings Berhad's financial performance has been pretty ordinary lately as earnings growth is non-existent. One possibility is that the P/E is high because investors think the benign earnings growth will improve to outperform the broader market in the near future. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price. View our latest analysis for Classita Holdings Berhad Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on Classita Holdings Berhad will help you shine a light on its historical performance. How Is Classita Holdings Berhad's Growth Trending? Classita Holdings Berhad's P/E ratio would be typical for a company that's expected to deliver very strong growth, and importantly, perform much better than the market. Taking a look back first, we see that there was hardly any earnings per share growth to speak of for the company over the past year. That's essentially a continuation of what we've seen over the last three years, as its EPS growth has been virtually non-existent for that entire period. Accordingly, shareholders probably wouldn't have been satisfied with the complete absence of medium-term growth. This is in contrast to the rest of the market, which is expected to grow by 11% over the next year, materially higher than the company's recent medium-term annualised growth rates. With this information, we find it concerning that Classita Holdings Berhad is trading at a P/E higher than the market. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly limited recent growth rates and are hoping for a turnaround in the company's business prospects. There's a good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/E falls to levels more in line with recent growth rates. The Bottom Line On Classita Holdings Berhad's P/E Classita Holdings Berhad's shares may have retreated, but its P/E is still flying high. While the price-to-earnings ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of earnings expectations. Our examination of Classita Holdings Berhad revealed its three-year earnings trends aren't impacting its high P/E anywhere near as much as we would have predicted, given they look worse than current market expectations. When we see weak earnings with slower than market growth, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the high P/E lower. If recent medium-term earnings trends continue, it will place shareholders' investments at significant risk and potential investors in danger of paying an excessive premium. You should always think about risks. Case in point, we've spotted 6 warning signs for Classita Holdings Berhad you should be aware of, and 3 of them don't sit too well with us. It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a low P/E). Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Jardine Cycle & Carriage fair value estimate is S$26.69 Current share price of S$32.98 suggests Jardine Cycle & Carriage is potentially 24% overvalued Our fair value estimate is 26% lower than Jardine Cycle & Carriage's analyst price target of US$36.06 Does the June share price for Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited (SGX:C07) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. Check out our latest analysis for Jardine Cycle & Carriage Crunching The Numbers We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.08b US$938.3m US$783.3m US$697.1m US$647.5m US$619.0m US$603.6m US$596.6m US$595.3m US$597.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -11.01% Est @ -7.12% Est @ -4.40% Est @ -2.49% Est @ -1.15% Est @ -0.22% Est @ 0.43% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.7% US$989 US$780 US$594 US$482 US$408 US$356 US$317 US$285 US$260 US$238 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$4.7b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = US$598m (1 + 2.0%) (9.7% 2.0%) = US$7.9b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$7.9b ( 1 + 9.7%)10= US$3.1b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$7.9b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of S$33.0, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Jardine Cycle & Carriage as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.296. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Jardine Cycle & Carriage Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Industrials market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Singaporean market. Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Singaporean market. Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Jardine Cycle & Carriage, there are three pertinent aspects you should look at: Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Jardine Cycle & Carriage that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does C07's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the SGX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here (Bloomberg) -- An end to remote work at Indias largest software firm had an unintended causality more female employees decided not to return to the office than male peers. Most Read from Bloomberg Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. saw higher attrition among women when it called employees back to work after the pandemic. Thats unusual for the IT giant, where female attrition has historically been either lower or similar to their male counterparts. I would think working from home during the pandemic reset the domestic arrangements for some women, keeping them from returning to office, Chief Human Resources Officer of TCS Milind Lakkad said in the companys annual report last week. It is a setback to our efforts to promote gender diversity, but we are doubling down on it. The flexibility to work remotely in recent years has helped companies attract and retain talent, particularly women, as they found it easier to juggle office and home duties in a hybrid environment. The shift now is making them drop out of the workforce, worsening an already low participation in workforce. At 24%, Indias female labor force participation is much lower than 61% in China, according to World Bank data. Thats a risk for economic growth in the worlds most-populous nation, where women comprise about half of the citizens. Women make up about 36% of TCS employees, and the company is trying to increase their representation, including in leadership roles, Lakkad said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Key Insights B+S Banksysteme's estimated fair value is 2.09 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity B+S Banksysteme's 1.71 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate B+S Banksysteme's peers are currently trading at a premium of 86% on average Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of B+S Banksysteme Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:DTD2) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for B+S Banksysteme Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.20m 200.0k 800.0k 900.0k 1.00m 1.07m 1.12m 1.16m 1.19m 1.21m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.85% Est @ 4.87% Est @ 3.48% Est @ 2.51% Est @ 1.83% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.3% 1.1 0.2 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 6.3m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.3%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = 1.2m (1 + 0.2%) (8.3% 0.2%) = 15m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 15m ( 1 + 8.3%)10= 6.7m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 13m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 1.7, the company appears about fair value at a 18% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at B+S Banksysteme as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.365. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for B+S Banksysteme Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat No apparent threats visible for DTD2. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For B+S Banksysteme, we've put together three additional factors you should look at: Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for B+S Banksysteme (1 is potentially serious!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does DTD2's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Key Insights The projected fair value for Success Transformer Corporation Berhad is RM0.72 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity With RM0.64 share price, Success Transformer Corporation Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Success Transformer Corporation Berhad's peers are currently trading at a premium of 242% on average Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Success Transformer Corporation Berhad (KLSE:SUCCESS) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Success Transformer Corporation Berhad What's The Estimated Valuation? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM20.8m RM19.2m RM18.4m RM18.0m RM18.0m RM18.1m RM18.4m RM18.9m RM19.4m RM19.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -12.52% Est @ -7.70% Est @ -4.32% Est @ -1.95% Est @ -0.29% Est @ 0.86% Est @ 1.68% Est @ 2.24% Est @ 2.64% Est @ 2.92% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 13% RM18.4 RM15.0 RM12.7 RM11.0 RM9.7 RM8.6 RM7.8 RM7.0 RM6.4 RM5.8 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM102m The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 13%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM20m (1 + 3.6%) (13% 3.6%) = RM215m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM215m ( 1 + 13%)10= RM63m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM165m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.6, the company appears about fair value at a 11% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Success Transformer Corporation Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.195. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Success Transformer Corporation Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Electrical industry. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electrical market. Opportunity Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine SUCCESS' earnings prospects. Threat No apparent threats visible for SUCCESS. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Success Transformer Corporation Berhad, we've put together three fundamental items you should further research: Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Success Transformer Corporation Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Carmine Di Sibio - News Scan EYs global boss is set to leave the firm after his plan to split its consulting and accountancy arms fell apart. Carmine Di Sibio, global chief executive of the Big Four firm, told partners on Tuesday that he plans to retire next summer, despite receiving an extension last year to remain in the position until June 2025. It comes after EY scrapped its historic break-up plan, codenamed Project Everest, in April after months of internal disagreement and opposition from US bosses. Last month, the companys senior leadership shelved a vote on the proposal following a rift between EYs US partners about how much of the tax division would be kept inside the auditing business. The now-defunct plan, which was masterminded by Di Sibio, cost the firm more than $600m (476m) and led to bitter infighting. On Tuesday, Mr Di Sibio told EY partners in a webcast that he planned to leave next year having reached the EY mandatory retirement age. He added: My tenure as CEO has been exciting, humbling and challenging but most of all, it was filled with joy and warmth because of the friendship and grace all of you have extended to me. I am proud of the bold vision we set out in Project Everest. The courage that we displayed set the entire sector on a new course that will only become apparent in the years to come. We challenged the status quo, we asked tough questions, and we were bold in our ambitions. Actions such as these will make us a better organization in the long term. Now it is time to usher in a new generation of leaders. The doomed project would have seen EY publicly list its advisory division or sell a partial stake in the 312,000-strong firm in a move that would have resulted in bumper payouts for partners, similar to Goldman Sachs flotation in 1999 and Accentures in 2001. EY proposed the split amid severe pressure from regulators worldwide over concerns about conflicts of interest at the Big Four firms. Since scrapping the break-up plan, EY has told its UK staff to brace for a fresh cost-cutting drive. US partners were told that the firm will need to cut costs by $500m following the deals collapse. 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. 'Failed miserably': Two lawyers who used ChatGPT in a federal court filing that cited 'bogus' cases are now facing serious punishment. Here are some big risks of using AI in the workplace 'Failed miserably': Two lawyers who used ChatGPT in a federal court filing that cited 'bogus' cases are now facing serious punishment. Here are some big risks of using AI in the workplace U.S. lawyers Peter LoDuca and Steven A. Schwartz are facing potentially serious consequences after an artificial intelligence tool was used to perform research for a case that turned out to be bogus. A court filing in a lawsuit against Colombian airline Avianca included references to past cases that, as it turns out, didnt exist. District Judge P. Kevin Castel identified the citations as fabrications and demanded an explanation. Don't miss It emerged that Schwartz had used OpenAIs platform ChatGPT to search for legal precedents to support the case of the pairs client against the airline. Schwartz admitted in a court appearance June 8 he had failed miserably to do follow-up research to ensure the citations in the court filing were correct. I did not comprehend that ChatGPT could fabricate cases, he said. LoDuca said he trusted Schwartz and didnt closely review the filing. It never dawned on me that this was a bogus case, he said. The incident highlights the risks of AI that may become more apparent as these tools begin seeing further use across workplaces. Here are some of the top AI risks professionals should be aware of. 1. Risk to data privacy and security AI tools like ChatGPT have been trained on extensive amounts of data. In order to keep learning, these tools need more and more data to train on, some of which can be derived from the inputs of its users. This means professionals who use AI tools may be at risk of exposing sensitive company data, private information, regulated content or data that could breach a non-disclosure agreement to whoever runs these AI programs. Its one of the reasons Apple, for example, has restricted its employees from using ChatGPT and other AI tools such as GitHub Copilot, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing an internal document. ChatGPT was created by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, and Microsoft owns AI-based coding program GitHub Copilot. Read more: 3 big mistakes people make with cash back credit cards that cost them every time they swipe 2. Potential for bias in AI decision making Its possible for human biases to be baked into AI models, especially if the underlying training data is biased. These tools were created by humans, after all. One example of this came to light in 2018 when Reuters revealed that Amazon had [scrapped a secret AI recruiting tool[(https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-jobs-automation-insight-idUSKCN1MK08G) that was found to be biased heavily in favor of hiring men over women to fill tech jobs. The companys AI model was apparently trained to vet applicants based on patterns in resumes submitted to the company over a decade-long period. Most resumes came from men a reflection of the male-dominated tech industry which led to Amazons system teaching itself male candidates were preferable. There have been a number of instances of human bias on display in AI, and with that in mind professionals should be cautious about using AI platforms that are not transparent about where the training data was sourced from or how the models are structured. 3. Hallucinations problem Large Language Models, the breakthrough technology powering AI platforms like ChatGPT, are designed to predict the next word or phrase after a series of words in context. These systems, however, are typically geared toward mimicking natural language and are not necessarily designed to be accurate, which at times has resulted in questionable content. Just ask our two lawyer friends at the beginning of this article. This issue is so common that AI researchers have even coined a term for it: AI hallucinations. The problem has also created legal trouble for OpenAI. The firm was hit with a defamation lawsuit from a Georgia radio host who says the ChatGPT platform [falsely claimed he embezzled money[(https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/openai-hit-with-first-defamation-suit-over-chatgpt-hallucination). What to read next Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how Macro guru: The US government may 'restrict your right' to pull money out of banks as panic escalates here's what he likes for protection This woman says she won the lottery but doesn't want to share the winnings with her husband. Here are the first 3 things you should do when you get a massive windfall This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. WESTBURY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2023 / FAVO Capital Inc. (OTC Pink:FAVO) Favo Capital, Inc., Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Press release picture FAVO Capital, Inc today announced the addition of Glen Steward and Bilal Adam to its Corporate Advisory Board. We are pleased to welcome Glen Steward and Bilal Adam as our first two additions to our newly created Advisory Board," said Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital, Inc. Glen Steward is a highly accomplished professional with over 23 years of experience in the financial industry. As the Founder, Director, and Chief Investment Officer of Stewards Financial Custodians (South Africa) and Stewards International Ltd. (Mauritius). Glen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the investment landscape. Furthermore, Glen's strategic mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and risk management acumen have been instrumental in establishing effective corporate financial strategies and driving strategic development initiatives. Mr. Steward's impressive career also includes serving as a Director and Board Member for esteemed organizations such as Foundation Fund Managers (Pty) Ltd. Glen has also played key roles in driving success and strategic decision-making at Secure Clear Trade Finance (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa) since 2016, as Director and Board Member and Stewards Investment Capital Ltd. (Mauritius) as Chairman. Glen Steward, stated. "I am delighted to be joining FAVO's Advisory Board and I look forward to bringing my experience, my guidance and my international contacts to assist FAVO in pursuing their mission statement." Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital, Inc added, "Glen brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources. His talents will be instrumental in helping FAVO accelerate our business across all platforms. I am extremely excited to work with Glen as we grow our shareholder and investor base globally." Bilal Adam brings a remarkable track record in the financial services industry. Mr. Adams has over 15 years of experience in investment management and banking, spanning London, Johannesburg, and Mauritius. As the President of the South African Chamber of Commerce of Mauritius, Bilal has been a driving force in fostering commercial relations across various sectors, including Financial Management Services, Banking, Travel, Retail, Property, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, and Professional Services. Mr. Adam has held prominent positions at renowned institutions such as Investec, and AfrAsia Capital Management. He is a Chartered Accountant and is currently the CEO of Stewards Investment Capital successfully providing investment management services to family offices and institutional investors, covering a wide range of asset classes such as Equity, Fixed Income, and Alternative Assets. Under his leadership, the company expanded its operations to include market-making and liquidity provision in specialized niche markets. Bilal Adam stated, "I am ecstatic to be joining FAVO's Advisory Board and working with their exciting team of entrepreneurs. I'm looking forward to bringing my finance, investment and operational skills to the table and contributing to FAVO's future growth." Shaun Quin, President of FAVO Capital, Inc., said, "Bilal is a phenomenal addition to our Advisory Board as he has built a stellar reputation on a global scale. Both Glen and Bilal's experience and leadership will be instrumental in helping FAVO reach its goals and objectives and we are honored to have them as part of our Advisory Board." 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, PTY ("SIC"): STEWARDS INVESTMENT CAPITAL, PTY, forms part of the Stewards affiliation of financial services companies established two decades ago. SIC provides investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors across multiple asset classes and acts as a market makers and liquidity provider in specialized niche markets. SIC holds a Global Business License and an Investment Advisor (unrestricted) License from the Mauritius Financials Services Commission. www.stewardsinvestment.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/760940/FAVO-Capital-Inc-Announces-the-First-Two-Additions-to-Its-Newly-Created-Corporate-Advisory-Board (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Trade Commission sued Microsoft Corp. in federal court Monday to block the company from closing its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. Most Read from Bloomberg In a filing in California federal court, the FTC sought a court order blocking the transaction from going through before the deals July 18 deadline, asking for the agencys in-house court to have a chance to review. Microsoft shares closed 1.6% higher at $331.85 while Activision Blizzard ended 0.8% lower at $79.77. We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a statement. We believe accelerating the legal process in the U.S. will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market. The $69 billion deal has faced tough antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic. Microsoft, which makes the Xbox console, won approval in the European Union, but the UKs Competition and Markets Authority in April ruled against the takeover, saying Activision titles like Call of Duty would bolster Microsofts edge over rivals in the small but growing cloud-gaming market. Microsoft is appealing the CMA decision, which is globally binding. Microsofts Smith met with with UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this month to discuss the deal. When the CMA vetoed the deal in April, Smith said he was very disappointed with the decision, which he said had shaken peoples confidence in technology in the UK. The FTC first sued to block the deal in December in its in-house court, arguing the acquisition would harm competition in the US video game market. That FTC complaint doesnt prevent Microsoft from closing the deal, leading to the FTCs move to ask a federal judge to block the transaction. The agencys trial is set to begin Aug. 2, but isnt likely to produce a decision till the end of the year. (Updates with details on filing throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But that doesn't mean long term investors can avoid big losses. Zooming in on an example, the The Gym Group plc (LON:GYM) share price dropped 65% in the last half decade. That's an unpleasant experience for long term holders. And it's not just long term holders hurting, because the stock is down 50% in the last year. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 24% in the last 90 days. It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that. View our latest analysis for Gym Group Gym Group wasn't profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we'll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth. In the last half decade, Gym Group saw its revenue increase by 4.4% per year. That's far from impressive given all the money it is losing. It's likely this weak growth has contributed to an annualised return of 11% for the last five years. We want to see an acceleration of revenue growth (or profits) before showing much interest in this one. However, it's possible too many in the market will ignore it, and there may be an opportunity if it starts to recover down the track. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 4.6% in the last year, Gym Group shareholders lost 50%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 11% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. Investors who like to make money usually check up on insider purchases, such as the price paid, and total amount bought. You can find out about the insider purchases of Gym Group by clicking this link. Gym Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here IRVING, Texas, June 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HighGround Restoration Group, Inc., a portfolio company of Trivest Partners LP ("Trivest") and prominent leader in the water damage restoration industry, announces the expansion of its family of brands with the successful acquisition of Allklean ("Allklean" or the "Company") (https://callallklean.com/). Headquartered in Post Falls, ID, Allklean offers a comprehensive range of services, including water damage restoration and carpet cleaning, to residential customers in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Boasting 22 years of service in the Greater Spokane, WA, and Coeur d'Alene, ID region, Allklean has earned an outstanding reputation as a top-tier provider of emergency restoration services. It perfectly embodies HighGround's dedication to delivering exceptional service while nurturing a team of highly skilled professionals. Led by founders Kevin and Lisa Bunce, the company has achieved rapid growth and a strong market presence by focusing on delivering a great experience for the customer, investing in top-quality training for their team, and fostering a culture that promotes excellence. "With a focus on superior customer service and execution, Allklean is a perfect fit for our growing family of best-in-market restoration brands. We are excited about the partnership with Kevin and Lisa and look forward to supporting and serving this team for continued growth and long-term success in its local market," stated Ben Balsley, HighGrounds CEO. "As we got to know the HighGround team to consider a strategic partnership, it was important for us to preserve our brand, our people, and our culture here in the community," said Kevin and Lisa Bunce. "We have absolute confidence in HighGround due to their integrity, proven track record and dedication to their brands and the people that run them. Finding a partner that aligns with your core values is rare in todays market and we could not be more excited to be leading the industry and our community as part of the HighGround team." Through this acquisition HighGround maintains its commitment to preserving the brand identity and legacy of Allklean, while helping accelerate growth through invested capital and national scale capabilities. Allklean's established network and customer base provide HighGround with an extended reach into new markets and add presence in the Pacific Northwest. By combining the strengths and capabilities of HighGround and Allklean, the company is well-positioned to meet the evolving market needs and set new benchmarks for excellence in the industry. "We are pleased to partner with Allklean. They are a leader in terms of delivering outstanding restoration services to residential customers in Idaho and Washington. Allklean is an excellent fit with the existing HighGround family of brands and provides an attractive opportunity to extend our platforms presence in the Northwest," said Reid Callaway, Principal with Trivest. With the addition of Allklean to its portfolio, the HighGround family of brands expands to include an impressive lineup of companies. Joining Dry Force, Cleanup & Total Restoration (CTR), Power Dry, More Floods, Dririte, Northeast Power Dry, Same Day Restoration, PureDry, and PureClean, Allklean further strengthens HighGround's presence in the restoration industry. These brands collectively cover every region of the United States, reflecting HighGround's commitment to serving clients nationwide. HighGround remains actively engaged in seeking additional brands and partnering with founders who share its core values of prioritizing people, delivering exceptional service, and fostering sustainable growth. For more information or to explore opportunities of joining the HighGround family of brands, please contact us at information@highgroundnow.com or visit www.highgroundnow.com. About HighGround: No ones ever prepared for the chaos that comes with water, mold, fire, or smoke damage. And some contractors only make it worse. The property owner needs help from someone who knows what theyre doing and who genuinely cares. And thats why our family of brands come to work every day. HighGround brands help customers who have suffered water or fire damage by providing 24/7/365 drying and clean up services coupled with reconstruction contracting, all while engaging with the customers insurance company to ensure seamless claims processing. Our brands have developed a robust referral program with residential and commercial partners by offering services such as hosted education and training, reporting and analytics, and competitive incentive compensation. This comprehensive approach allows HighGround to stay top of mind with these key referral relationships. About Trivest: Trivest Partners, with offices in Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Toronto, is a private investment firm that focuses exclusively on the support and growth of founder-led and family-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, in both control and non-control transactions. Since its founding in 1981, Trivest has completed more than 500 investments, totaling nearly $8 billion in value. The firm has roughly $5 billion in assets under management, with a growing team of over 70 professionals. Learn more at www.trivest.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613005048/en/ Contacts Brian McNeal Email: brian.mcneal@highgroundnow.com (Bloomberg) -- The Indian government fired back at Twitter Inc.s former chief executive officer after he said authorities had threatened to shut down the service in the country or raid the homes of its staff unless Twitter removed certain politically-sensitive posts. Most Read from Bloomberg This is an outright lie, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Indias minister of state for Electronics and Information Technology, said in a post on Twitter. He added no one went to jail, nor was Twitter shutdown. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of the social media giant who quit as CEO in 2021, said in an interview with the YouTube news channel Breaking Points that authorities threatened to shut down Twitter if it didnt comply with demands to block accounts critical of the governments handling of farmer protests. And this is India, a democratic country, Dorsey said, in a wide-ranging discussion about the political pressures at the company, now owned by Elon Musk. The San Francisco-based company fought back against government requests to remove sensitive posts about farmer protests, arguing that such actions would violate the open and free exchange of information. Ultimately, the company reversed course and agreed to suspend more than 500 accounts and block access to hundreds more in India in 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration did implement severe restrictions on Twitter and other social media companies over what content could be showed in the country. Indias penalties for failing to comply with government orders for removal include potential jail terms. Chandrasekhar accused Twitter of violating Indian laws until June 2022 and misusing its power as a platform to selectively de-amplify and de-platform people both in India and abroad, he told reporters. India Asks Twitter to Block Posts Critical of Virus Handling Early this year, Modis administration raided the BBCs office in New Delhi and Mumbai weeks after the British broadcaster aired a documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots and Modis alleged role in the violence in his home state. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Indias government is investigating reports that a health ministry portal containing personal data from anyone in the country who received a Covid-19 vaccination was breached. Most Read from Bloomberg Across Twitter, users have posted screenshots of a bot using Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, to pull individual data from mobile phone numbers entered into the portal. Among the personal details revealed were a persons social security and passport numbers, as well as their date of birth. The leak could potentially affect more than a billion Indian citizens who were administered at least one vaccine dose. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Indias minister of state for Electronics and Information Technology, said on Twitter that while the bot was throwing up details from the CoWIN vaccine portal, it doesnt appear to be a direct breach. Indias Health Ministry in a statement on Monday said that the reports were without any basis and mischievous in nature, adding that the portal was completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy. Telegram said they had taken down the bot. Telegram moderators routinely take down any private data shared without consent, and this has also been done in the case of this bot, the spokesperson said on Monday. This isnt the first time the portal has been hacked. In January last year, news reports said data belonging to some 20,000 people had been leaked onto online marketplace forums, which the government denied. Divyanshu Jindal, a New Delhi-based researcher looking at geopolitics and technology, said the timing of the incident was significant with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to travel to the US for an official state visit this month. The India-US tech partnership is a point of focus for the upcoming visit, and the India stack is something that has been widely praised for showcasing Indias digital capabilities, he said, referring to the infrastructure designed to bring the entire population into the digital age. (Updates with expert comment from seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey addresses students during a town hall at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi India says Dorsey claim it threatened Twitter shutdown a 'lie' FILE PHOTO: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey addresses students during a town hall at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi By Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Aditya Kalra and Kanishka Singh NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -India threatened to shut down Twitter in the country unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, its co-founder Jack Dorsey said, a charge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government called a "lie". Dorsey, who quit as CEO in 2021, said on Monday that the Indian government had also threatened Twitter with raids on its staff if it did not comply with requests to take down certain posts. "It manifested in ways such as: 'We will shut Twitter down in India', which is a very large market for us; 'we will raid the homes of your employees', which they did ... And this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said in an interview with YouTube news show Breaking Points. Dorsey cited no documentary evidence on YouTube and Reuters could not independently establish his specific claims. Dorsey could not be reached for further comment. India's Deputy Minister for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a top ranking official in Modi's government, called Dorsey's assertions an "outright lie". "No one went to jail nor was Twitter 'shut down'. Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law," Chandrasekhar said in a post on Twitter. He did not elaborate further. Twitter, which was bought by Elon Musk in a $44 billion deal last year, did not respond to a request for comment on Dorsey's allegations or the Indian government's response. Chandrasekhar said Twitter under Dorsey and his team "were in repeated n (and) continuous violations of India law," adding that at the time Twitter "had a problem removing misinformation from the platform in India". Without naming Musk, the minister said that Twitter had been in compliance since June 2022. Dorsey's comments again put the spotlight on the struggles faced by foreign technology giants operating under Modi, whose government has often criticized Google, Facebook and Twitter for not doing enough to tackle what it calls fake or "anti-India" content on their platforms, or for not complying with rules. The former Twitter CEO's comments drew widespread attention in the Indian media and among politicians, as it is unusual for global business leaders or firms to publicly criticise Modi's government. Last year, Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi said in a court filing that India's financial crime agency threatened its executives with "physical violence" and coercion, an allegation which the agency denied. Following the YouTube interview, several top Indian officials criticized Dorsey's remarks and Twitter's past handling of misinformation. But some opposition lawmakers accused the government of muzzling the voices of farmers during the 2020-2021 protest, one of the severest challenges Modi has faced. Modi's government eventually gave in and repealed the laws, which the protesters said were anti-farmer. It has maintained it ordered content take downs at the time to deter the spread of misinformation. "It shows that everyone who dares to show the smallest bit of courage will be suppressed," said Supriya Shrinate, a spokesperson for the main opposition Congress party. The Modi administration has consistently denied suggestions by its critics that it has clamped down on free speech. Twitter's public spat with the government during 2021 saw Modi's administration seeking an "emergency blocking" of the "provocative" Twitter hashtag "#ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide" and dozens of accounts. Twitter initially complied with the requests but later restored most of the accounts, citing "insufficient justification", leading to threats of legal consequences. In subsequent weeks, police visited a Twitter office as part of another probe linked to the tagging of some ruling party posts as manipulated media, a classification used by the company on "deceptively altered or fabricated" content. Twitter at the time said it was worried about staff safety. Without sharing specifics, Dorsey also said in his YouTube interview that many Indian content take down requests during the farmer protests were "around particular journalists that were critical of the government". (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, Shilpa Jamkhandikar in Mumbai and Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alexander Smith) Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies Adecoagro's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions The top 4 shareholders own 53% of the company Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock If you want to know who really controls Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 47% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Adecoagro, beginning with the chart below. See our latest analysis for Adecoagro What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Adecoagro? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Adecoagro. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Adecoagro, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. It looks like hedge funds own 23% of Adecoagro shares. That's interesting, because hedge funds can be quite active and activist. Many look for medium term catalysts that will drive the share price higher. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Qatar Holding LLC with 15% of shares outstanding. PGGM is the second largest shareholder owning 14% of common stock, and Route One Investment Company, L.P. holds about 12% of the company stock. On looking further, we found that 53% of the shares are owned by the top 4 shareholders. In other words, these shareholders have a meaningful say in the decisions of the company. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of Adecoagro The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our data cannot confirm that board members are holding shares personally. It is unusual not to have at least some personal holdings by board members, so our data might be flawed. A good next step would be to check how much the CEO is paid. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 15% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Private Equity Ownership With a stake of 15%, private equity firms could influence the Adecoagro board. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Adecoagro (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here While Colliers International Group Inc. (TSE:CIGI) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 13% in the last quarter. But that shouldn't obscure the pleasing returns achieved by shareholders over the last three years. After all, the share price is up a market-beating 65% in that time. Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. Check out our latest analysis for Colliers International Group To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During three years of share price growth, Colliers International Group moved from a loss to profitability. So we would expect a higher share price over the period. You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. A Different Perspective Investors in Colliers International Group had a tough year, with a total loss of 0.9% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 1.2%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 7%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Colliers International Group (1 doesn't sit too well with us) that you should be aware of. Colliers International Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Johnston & Murphy has added two new executives to its leadership team. According to the Genesco-owned brand, the company has tapped Connie Cartmill as VP of stores and Steve Prince as VP of business operations. More from Footwear News The company said in a release that Cartmill will lead the retail operations and customer experience teams, handling Johnston & Murphys 159 retail stores and customer service operations. Prince will lead efforts across the brands distribution channels to scale infrastructure, enhance business processes, improve customer fulfillment, and drive critical distribution and technology initiatives, the company said. Danny Ewoldsen, president of Johnston & Murphy said in a statement that he is thrilled to welcome Connie and Steve to the team. I look forward to working with them both as we continue to reposition and reimagine our business and build on Johnston & Murphys strategic momentum and continued success, Ewoldsen said. Cartmill joins the company from Janie & Jack, a premium childrens brand based in San Francisco, where she led stores and operations since October 2021. Prior to Janie & Jack, Cartmill held senior roles at Lucky Brand Jeans and Liz Claiborne Canada, among others. Meanwhile, Prince comes to Johnston & Murphy with an impressive track record of senior operational roles including nearly 20 years with New Balance, most recently serving as the companys senior director of North American business operations. In addition, he held senior positions at Rockport and consulted for Hanes Brands. A Johnston & Murphy retail location. Courtesy of Genesco These new hires come after Genesco CEO Mimi Vaughn said last month that Johnston & Murphy saw another quarter of record sales in the first quarter. Overall, though, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, Genesco reported net sales declined 7 percent to $483 million, compared to $521 million in the same time last year. The Nashville-based footwear company noted that this sales decrease was driven by a 13 percent drop in store sales at Journeys Group, decreased wholesale sales and foreign exchange pressure. These losses were partially offset by a 5 percent increase in e-commerce sales and strong store performance at Schuh, up 6 percent, and Johnston & Murphy, up 16 percent, the company said. Best of Footwear News Kairan Quazi, 14, is the newest team member of SpaceX: 'Nobody winced at my age' Kairan Quazi, 14, before he is slated to graduate from Santa Clara University's School of Engineering on Saturday June 17, 2023. The teen recently accepted a job with SpaceX. Kairan Quazi skipped elementary school and was the youngest artificial intelligence fellow at a Fortune 100 company global research organization. At 14 years old, he is set to graduate this week from Santa Clara University's School of Engineering. Soon he'll be the newest team member of SpaceX. "Next stop...SpaceX!!!," Quazi posted on Instagram alongside an excerpt of an email from the spacecraft manufacturer company offering him the job. "I accepted a position as Software Engineer at one of the coolest companies on the planet! Thank you everyone for continuing to follow my crazy journey!" While some may be shocked at his many accomplishments as a teenager, Kairan does not let a number impact his success. "I can't believe so many people would want me to be graduating middle school right now," Kairan told USA TODAY Tuesday. "It feels cruel to infantilize my intellectual and emotional needs and demand that I be trapped in a linear environment where the only metric is age." Kairan wants to 'be part of something bigger' The Bay Area teen prodigy, who received his high school diploma from the state of California at age 10, said he accepted the offer letter in late April and will begin work for Starlink the satellite internet team at SpaceX next month. "They (SpaceX) have been really accommodating of my schedule," Kairan said. "I was elated and surprised by how quickly they made the decision. The SpaceX opportunity resonates with my deep desire to be part of something bigger." SpaceX could not immediately be reached by USA TODAY Tuesday, but the teen said he went through 10 rounds of interviews with the Elon Musk-led company before being hired. Now he plans to move with his mother to Redmond, Washington, for the job. SpaceX Starship SpaceX Starship, larger and more powerful than Artemis SLS, explodes on first launch attempt 3 job offers and 95 rejections Kairan, who lives in Pleasanton, California, said he applied for 98 jobs. Three offered him one. He picked SpaceX to work for because the company did not use his age as a proxy for maturity. "The rejections would come literally within hours of the recruiters seeing me on the Zoom interviews so I never even got to meet the hiring managers at these 95 companies. All three offers were from companies where the leadership values matched the talent acquisition process. Nobody winced at my age." Kairan Quazi, 14, is slated to graduate from Santa Clara University's School of Engineering on Saturday June. The teen recently accepted a job with SpaceX. Kairan said he chose SpaceX because he's "excited by the challenge of applying multidisciplinary skills toward expanding communication capabilities across the globe." "They draw people who are similarly driven by radical innovation and collaborative impact. SpaceX has something like a 0.2% acceptance rate for applicants. So the fact that their hiring managers believe I have the potential to be among the top engineers in the country is humbling." Under Washington state labor laws, SpaceX does not need special permission to hire the teen because he meets the minimum legal age to work. Elon Musk and brain chips Elon Musk's Neuralink has FDA approval to put chips in humans' brains. Here's what's next. 'My soul was slowly dying' Kairan's mother, Jullia Quazi, said she and her husband are beyond proud. "We are elated that he ended up with SpaceX," she told USA TODAY. "We know their hiring bar is set really high. Once again, he proved us wrong." When asked about skipping most of primary school, the teen joshed about its simplicity. "My soul was slowly dying in elementary school," the teen quipped. "I finished third grade though, barely." Here's how his educational path went instead: 2018: Started college at age 9. 2019: Got high school equivalency diploma from the state of California at age 10. (Also started a co-op internship at Intel Labs where he was the first undergrad and youngest ever AI Fellow at Intel Labs.) 2020: Received Associate of Science degree in Mathematics at age 11. 2022: Interned at a cyber intelligence startup. 2023: Slated to graduate Saturday from college. He hasn't met Elon Musk yet Kiaran's hobbies include gaming, reading and traveling (he said he's been as far away from home as Malaysia). In his online bio, the teen describes his personality as "fun, fearless, and driven by an intense intellectual curiosity." "I haven't met Elon yet but I think his hiring philosophy is infused in the entire talent acquisition process," the teen told USA TODAY when asked if he had spoken to SpaceX's CEO. Kairan will graduate from college on Saturday with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meet Kairan Quazi, the newest engineer at SpaceX. He's 14. Key Insights The projected fair value for Keypath Education International is AU$0.58 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Keypath Education International's AU$0.29 share price signals that it might be 49% undervalued The US$1.63 analyst price target for KED is 180% more than our estimate of fair value How far off is Keypath Education International, Inc. (ASX:KED) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Keypath Education International The Calculation We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) -US$23.9m -US$14.4m -US$7.27m US$1.60m US$2.77m US$4.19m US$5.73m US$7.24m US$8.62m US$9.81m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ 72.89% Est @ 51.61% Est @ 36.72% Est @ 26.29% Est @ 18.99% Est @ 13.88% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.0% -US$22.4 -US$12.6 -US$5.9 US$1.2 US$2.0 US$2.8 US$3.6 US$4.2 US$4.7 US$5.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = -US$17m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = US$9.8m (1 + 2.0%) (7.0% 2.0%) = US$199m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$199m ( 1 + 7.0%)10= US$102m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$84m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$0.3, the company appears quite good value at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Keypath Education International as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.845. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Keypath Education International Strength Currently debt free. Weakness Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Forecast to reduce losses next year. Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Has less than 3 years of cash runway based on current free cash flow. Not expected to become profitable over the next 3 years. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Keypath Education International, there are three essential aspects you should consider: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Keypath Education International (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does KED's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ASX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Latin Metals Inc. Highlights Include up to 5.9% Copper Figure 1: Results of previous soil / talus sampling (left) and rock chip sampling results(right) at the Tillo project, Peru. Figure 2: Quartz monzonite porphyry with potassic alteration and multiple quartz veinlets (B veins) cutting earlier epidote veinlets, and all cross cut by later specularite-quartz veinlet. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latin Metals Inc. (Latin Metals or the Company) - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) a leading mineral exploration company in South America, announces that it has received positive results from rock sampling completed at the 100%-owned Tillo Copper Project (Tillo or the Project) in Peru. The project is prospective for copper porphyry deposits, as demonstrated by previous soil and talus sampling which delineated an anomalous area of 2,500m x 1,000m (previous news release, January 30, 2023). Positive results from 140 rock samples add a great deal of confidence in this priority area. Tillo Project Highlights Priority Geochemical Target: Soil and talus sampling completed earlier this year defined an area of 2.5km by 1.0km area of consistent geochemical anomalism. Rock Sampling Support: Results of rock sampling within the anomalous area provide good support for the target ( Figure 1 ). Of 140 samples collected, 24 samples (17%) grade more than 0.2% copper, with a maximum grade of 5.9% copper and 421 ppm molybdenum. The Right Rocks: Mapping has delineated a quartz monzonite porphyry rock unit with potassic alteration and multiple generations of veining ( Figure 2 ). Planned Exploration: Detailed mapping will continue within the anomalous area to outline vein density and vector towards potential centers of mineralization. A hyperspectral study will be carried out and used to help prioritize targets within the extensive geochemical anomaly. Latin Metals strategy to acquire grassroots properties by staking continues to pay off as we continue to delineate areas of significant copper mineralization at surface. Since first staking projects in Peru, the Company has successfully delineated copper mineralization at Lacsha, which is now fully drill permitted and ready for drill testing. At the Auquis project, porphyry-style and skarn mineralization has been delineated with exploration and drill permitting ongoing. With these two successes in hand, it is great that we now have a third copper project on which to focus, stated Keith Henderson, Latin Metals CEO. At Tillo we are encouraged by the extent of geochemical anomalies, by copper mineralization in rocks, by the identification of intrusive rocks with multiple generations of veining, and by the potential to generate quality drill targets; all of which features should be attractive to potential future exploration partners." Figure 1 Figure 1: Results of previous soil / talus sampling (left) and rock chip sampling results(right) at the Tillo project, Peru. Figure 2 Figure 2: Quartz monzonite porphyry with potassic alteration and multiple quartz veinlets (B veins) cutting earlier epidote veinlets, and all cross cut by later specularite-quartz veinlet. About Latin Metals Latin Metals is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring a diversified portfolio of assets in South America. Operating under a Prospect Generator model, the Company aims to acquire exploration properties at a minimal cost, conduct cost-effective exploration to establish drill targets, and secure joint venture partners for funding advanced exploration. Shareholders benefit from exposure to the upside potential of significant discoveries without the dilution associated with funding high-risk drill-based exploration. QA/QC The work program at Tillo was designed and supervised by Eduardo Leon, the Company's Exploration Manager, who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. Rock chip samples were collected in a radius of 1m average, sample location was recorded, and the sample was security sealed and shipped to the Bureau Veritas laboratory in Lima. Samples used for the results described herein are prepared and analyzed by multi-element analysis using an inductively coupled mass spectrometer in compliance with industry standards. Qualified Person Keith J. Henderson, P.Geo., is the Company's qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release. He has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Henderson is not independent of the Company, as he is an employee of the Company and holds securities of the Company. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of LATIN METALS INC. Keith Henderson President & CEO For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's web site ( www.latin-metals.com ) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Suite 890 - 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 Phone: 604-638-3456 E-mail: info@latin-metals.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news 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, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the negotiation of the Option Agreements and exercise of the Option for the Properties, the anticipated content, commencement, timing and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Properties and otherwise, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, and the Company's expectation that it will be able to enter into agreements to acquire interests in additional mineral properties, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves on the Properties, 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", "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, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Companys Argentine projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Company projects, and the Companys 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 Properties, including the geological mapping, prospecting and sampling programs being proposed for the Properties (the "Programs"), actual results of exploration activities, including the Programs, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, 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, any current or future property acquisitions, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, 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 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. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35f802d1-af6b-4093-87bf-f0b5013032d7 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/afe47f5d-6931-463e-b11a-b986b22cfe2b Key Insights Hosen Group's estimated fair value is S$0.042 based on Dividend Discount Model Hosen Group's S$0.05 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Hosen Group's peers are currently trading at a discount of 51% on average Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Hosen Group Ltd. (Catalist:5EV) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. View our latest analysis for Hosen Group The Method As Hosen Group operates in the consumer retailing sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.0%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.7%. Relative to the current share price of S$0.05, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = S$0.002 / (6.7% 2.0%) = S$0.04 dcf The Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Hosen Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Hosen Group Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Consumer Retailing market. Current share price is above our estimate of fair value. Opportunity 5EV's financial characteristics indicate limited near-term opportunities for shareholders. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine 5EV's earnings prospects. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Hosen Group, we've compiled three pertinent items you should explore: Risks: For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Hosen Group (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here andresr / Getty Images The first year running your own small business, for those who have never done it before, is a massive departure from working a 9-to-5 position. $10,000 Quarter: This 1999 Georgia Coin Is Worth Big Money Because of an Error And More: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch Small business owners are faced with challenges and risks theyve never had to anticipate, but they can survive and thrive in year one and beyond if they plan accordingly. GOBankingRates spoke to three successful small business owners about their tips for surviving your first year as an entrepreneur. Here are the practical, and creative, tips they recommend any small business owner implement now. Pay Attention To Numbers Bill Nishanian, the owner of Nash Painting, said numbers are everything in a small business. Aside from having a goal and a budget and tracking expenses, Nishanian recommends business owners equip themselves with these essentials. Create a one, three and five-year plan. These plans should chart the salaries youll need to fuel your business growth dont be afraid to invest in other people! and reverse engineer the revenue, marketing and metrics needed to achieve these goals. Make sure you have access to cash. Nishanian recommends setting up an SBA line of credit for access to cash. Youll only pay interest on the amount you need to borrow. Once you have a top-to-bottom plan, business owners can make adjustments to stay on track and meet or exceed their goals. Nishanian recommends making your key performance indicators exact to the smallest measurement you can. Know how much revenue you need by year, quarter, month, week, day, hour and transaction, said Nishanian. If your measurements are in large increments and you miss, the impact will be large. If you measure small and miss, youll miss small, and it will be much easier to adjust your plan. Learn More: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on Autopay Have a Cash Flow Forecast Like Nishanian, Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office, said small business owners should always know their numbers. Having a cash flow forecast means business owners know how much money they have right now and how much they will have a year from now while focusing on a quarter at a time. Barnes recommends managing in 13-week periods and constantly updating this forecast. If possible, update the cash flow forecast weekly, and daily, in a working copy. Business owners who find they are short on funds or spending more than they had forecasted will need to ensure they can still meet their fixed costs, especially for payroll. Once you have an idea of your cash flow, you can better budget your expenses, said Barnes. Its highly recommended to also put together an annual budget and run budget to actual reports monthly. Make sure your financials are always up to date and you are reviewing your results monthly, ideally by the 15th of the following month. Set Realistic Expectations Margo Perkins, the founder of Margo Paige, launched her business with a product based on large events three months before the COVID-19 pandemic. What helped her in surviving her first year as a small business owner was setting realistic expectations. By setting realistic expectations youll understand the first year is the most challenging and it will take time to gain traction. You have to be prepared for unforeseen obstacles, setbacks and continue to maintain a long-term perspective, said Perkins. Focus on Your Vision Focusing on your vision, Perkins said, will keep you passionate about the business and help you stay resilient with any challenges which may arise. Business owners who have clarity on their vision will be able to better guide decisions, goals and keep their values in place. Dont Let the Little Things Work You Up Its easy for anyone, especially a small business owner, to have a bad day and think about throwing in the towel on their startup. However, having this thought every time something doesnt work out or go according to plan wont make it easy to manage your own stress. Barnes recommendation is to try only to get worked up if something is still going to be an issue a month from now. You will have challenging times, but power through them and focus on the longer term. Dont spend too much time focusing on the smaller issues and the details that arent going to move the needle. Its more important for you to stay at a high level and do what you are best at. Take Care of Yourself Self-care is key for small business owners and taking care of yourself matters to keep from experiencing burnout. Perkins recommends prioritizing self-care by maintaining a healthy work-life balance, getting enough rest, eating well and engaging in activities that recharge you. Remember your well-being directly impacts the success of your business, said Perkins. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Successful Small Business Owner: How To Survive Your First Year Machupicchu is the backdrop of the colossal battle in Transformers: "Rise of the Beasts" LIMA, Peru, June 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The premiere of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has been a success. The mega-production shot in Peru includes the most beautiful and ancient landscapes of the Cusco (Machupicchu) and San Martin (Tarapoto) regions. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the film, confessed: "I've always wanted to go to Machupicchu. It was one of the biggest desires in life and the great thing about Transformers is that it enables you to go to these wonderful places. The Peruvian culture and the jungle are incredible." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230611591218/en/ Transformers scenario: "The Rise of the Beasts" (Photo: Business Wire) Peru's welcome during the shoot, in the midst of the pandemic, was appreciated by director Steven Caple Jr, who chose Cusco to introduce the Maximals, a new race of robots: "Peru is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the team and the people are wonderful. Viewers will enjoy the culture, the history. Go there, shoot there, but also be present and enjoy the moment, it's one of the most magical places in the world." Dominique Fishback highlighted the energy and mysticism of Cusco: "A shaman came to bless the land. It was an incredible experience." Anthony Ramos added: "Peru is the protagonist of the movie, the festival, the people, their costumes, art, you just feel it," referring to the Inti Raymi festival recreated in the film, featuring 800 extras. For the first time in the saga, a robot will speak Quechua, Peru's main native language: "It's my favorite part of the movie, we'd never had a Transformer speaking in a language other than English. We wanted to respect the native culture and their heritage. One of the messages of the film is for Optimus to trust people and this scene shows that connection," says Di Bonaventura. During interviews with a PROMPERU team that traveled to New York, the actors and directors received panels with Cusquenian designs and Peruvian silver chains with the Autobots logo. The audiovisual production was supported by PROMPERU, through FilmInPeru, offering an unforgettable experience. Peru is an ideal shooting destination because of its amazing culture, infrastructure, connectivity and countless sites to tell all kinds of stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230611591218/en/ Contacts filminperu@promperu.gob.pe When close to half the companies in Malaysia have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") below 13x, you may consider Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (KLSE:MGRC) as a stock to avoid entirely with its 76.7x P/E ratio. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's so lofty. Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad hasn't been tracking well recently as its declining earnings compare poorly to other companies, which have seen some growth on average. One possibility is that the P/E is high because investors think this poor earnings performance will turn the corner. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason. View our latest analysis for Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report on Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad. Is There Enough Growth For Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad? There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the market for P/E ratios like Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad's to be considered reasonable. Taking a look back first, the company's earnings per share growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 32%. This means it has also seen a slide in earnings over the longer-term as EPS is down 97% in total over the last three years. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been undesirable for the company. Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 522% during the coming year according to the sole analyst following the company. That's shaping up to be materially higher than the 11% growth forecast for the broader market. With this information, we can see why Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad is trading at such a high P/E compared to the market. It seems most investors are expecting this strong future growth and are willing to pay more for the stock. The Bottom Line On Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad's P/E Using the price-to-earnings ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects. We've established that Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad maintains its high P/E on the strength of its forecast growth being higher than the wider market, as expected. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/E as they are quite confident future earnings aren't under threat. Unless these conditions change, they will continue to provide strong support to the share price. It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 5 warning signs with Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (at least 2 which don't sit too well with us), and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with a strong growth track record, trading on a low P/E. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Microsoft is facing another hurdle in closing a $70 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard: a new FTC lawsuit Microsoft is facing a new lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission to put a stop to its nearly $70 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard. SOPA/Getty Images The FTC just filed a new lawsuit to seek to stop Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard. Terms of the Microsoft-Activision tie-up call for the deal to be closed by July 18, the AP reports. Microsoft has been trying to win the OK from global regulators for the nearly $70 billion purchase. Microsoft's nearly $70 billion deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard could be stopped in its tracks after a US federal regulator sued Monday to stop the tie-up. A contract between Microsoft and Activision requires the deal to close by July 18, but the latest action by the Federal Trade Commission seeks to stop Microsoft's purchase of the company that's behind hit franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. The FTC already took Microsoft to court to block the merger, but that matter was to be heard by the US agency's in-house judge in a trial set to start on Aug. 2. That administrative process doesn't actually preclude the parties from closing the deal. This suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, seeks to stop the deal from closing. For its part, Microsoft maker of the Xbox game system has been struggling to win worldwide approval for the deal with just over a month before the deadline to close it. "We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court," Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice chair and president, said in a statement Monday. "We believe accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market." The all-cash deal announced in January 2022 has been scrutinized by regulators around the world over fears that it would give Microsoft and its Xbox console control of Activision's hit franchises and give it an unfair boost in the emerging business of cloud-based game subscriptions. It could be the priciest tech industry merger in history. Fierce opposition has been driven by rival Sony, which makes the PlayStation gaming system. Microsoft sought to counter the resistance by striking a deal with Nintendo to license Activision titles like Call of Duty for 10 years and offering the same to Sony if the deal went ahead. European regulators representing the 27-nation bloc approved the deal last month on condition that Microsoft make some promises meant to boost competition in the cloud-based gaming market. A number of other countries, including China, Japan, Brazil and South Korea, have also approved it. But the blockbuster deal has remained in jeopardy because of the surprise April decision by the UK's Competition and Markets Authorityy and the ongoing case in the US. Microsoft in late May filed an appeal of the British regulator's decision and has also voiced strong public opposition directed at top government officials. US-based consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, an opponent of the deal, welcomed the FTC's move Monday. "Although the agency has already used its authority to block the merger through administrative proceedings, Microsoft is pushing to culminate the purchase of Activision before the agency can finish its process," said a statement from Public Citizen's competition policy advocate Matt Kent. "By filing in federal court to enjoin the transaction, the FTC is showing that it won't back down in the face of Microsoft's escalatory tactics." Read the original article on Business Insider How Much Energy Does Bitcoin Really Use? Less Than You Might Think Crypto intelligence firm Coin Metrics released a report on Tuesday outlining how Bitcoins energy usage can be measured by scanning the blockchain for clueslinking activity on the network to specific, high-powered machines. For years, Bitcoins electricity usage has been a contentious topic, as critics point to the energy-intensive nature of validating transactions on proof-of-work networks. By continuously crunching complex calculations in hopes of solving Bitcoins next block, thousands of machines make guesses on networks like Bitcoin in hopes of a reward. As government organizations such as the White House put pressure on digital asset mining firms, mainly through its proposed 30% excise tax, the report aims to establish a more accurate approach to determining Bitcoin miners overall power consumption and builds on the methodologies of studies conducted by other institutions in the past. The Hard Truth About Bitcoin's Energy Consumption Obviously, there's this massive debate about energy consumption, the reports lead author Karim Helmy told Decrypt in an interview. But one of the studys other main motivations is capturing network-wide statistics that serve as a really good reference value for how competitive miners machines are, he said. By taking a closer look at data included in miners constant stream of guesses, researchers at Coin Metrics say they can better deduce Bitcoin's overall electricity consumption, matching up the fingerprints of each guess with the unique profile produced by certain machines. Referred to as ASICs, these power-hungry machines are designed largely around making as many guesses to solve Bitcoins next block as quickly as possible. The study looked at 11 different ASICs across four manufacturers, including models released as early as 2016 to as recently as last year. Cambridge Will Start Tracking Ethereum Energy Data Along With Bitcoin Attaching network activity to specific machines leads to less room for overestimating Bitcoins energy usage because models can take into account the efficiency of each ASIC, the report states. Previous attempts at assessing Bitcoins power draw missed a critical element that can only be attained with this type of ASIC-level data: hardware efficiency, the report states. As the mining industry has evolved, ASICs have become substantially more efficient, generating more hashes per second and per unit of power drawn. The Coin Metrics report found that Bitcoins power draw has historically been less than other studies that didnt include ASIC-level data, specifically those conducted by the University of Cambridge and the Digiconomist. This breakdown is interesting on its own, but its also a useful stepping stone. By combining these figures with the manufacturer-provided specs for hashrate and power draw, we can get way more accurate estimates for energy consumption that are robust to fluctuations in BTC price pic.twitter.com/bRpq3hs8Df karim helmy (@karimhelpme) June 13, 2023 For example, Coin Metrics estimate for miners power consumption this past May is 16% lower than the University of Cambridges Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, which the report acknowledges is the industrys current gold standard. While Coin Metrics argues its model is more accurate than Cambridges representation, which received pushback from within the digital assets industry after its release, Coin Metrics still commended the universitys researchers for their work. The figures produced by Cambridge were groundbreaking, and the methodology presented in this report is at its core a refinement of this existing work, the report states. Aside from producing accurate energy statistics, the report also seeks to capture data for miners to compare how their rigs stack up against the competition in terms of efficiency, Helmy explained. If you're a miner, one of the key components on all of the models on your forecasted future profitability is a network-wide efficiency estimate, he said. You want to know where your fleet sits relative to other miners. Using the data, the firms report also paints a picture of which ASICs have grown in popularity over time, along with those that have fallen by the wayside. This is helpful from a security perspective, Helmy said, because tracking the dominance of hardware manufacturers can help identify potential points of centralization. In addition to network-wide efficiency metrics, Coin Metrics was also able to produce estimates for e-waste, accounting for how often each ASIC needs to be replaced. We can also use the difference between the peaks and valleys in each models hashrate to get an idea of how much hardware has been discarded (e-waste). Its a rougher estimate than what we have for power draw, but its way better than whats currently out there *cough cough* pic.twitter.com/JNYJ91m3SM karim helmy (@karimhelpme) June 13, 2023 Whether its miners energy use or the associated e-waste that firms produce, the environmental impact of crypto has come under heightened scrutiny within the past year. That's been true at the White House and in art installations like Benjamin Von Wongs Skull of Satoshi. But breakthroughs, such as Coin Metrics new method, could lead to greater nuance in debates surrounding Bitcoins energy use and open the door to more robust, data-based discussions with info gleaned from the networks blockchain. There wouldn't be many who think Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd.'s (KLSE:MUHIBAH) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.5x is worth a mention when the median P/S for the Construction industry in Malaysia is similar at about 0.8x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S. View our latest analysis for Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd What Does Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's P/S Mean For Shareholders? Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd hasn't been tracking well recently as its declining revenue compares poorly to other companies, which have seen some growth in their revenues on average. Perhaps the market is expecting its poor revenue performance to improve, keeping the P/S from dropping. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price. Keen to find out how analysts think Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start. Do Revenue Forecasts Match The P/S Ratio? Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's P/S ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver moderate growth, and importantly, perform in line with the industry. Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 3.7% decrease to the company's top line. As a result, revenue from three years ago have also fallen 42% overall. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing revenue over that time. Shifting to the future, estimates from the two analysts covering the company suggest revenue should grow by 24% over the next year. With the industry predicted to deliver 30% growth, the company is positioned for a weaker revenue result. With this in mind, we find it intriguing that Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's P/S is closely matching its industry peers. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly limited growth expectations and are willing to pay up for exposure to the stock. Maintaining these prices will be difficult to achieve as this level of revenue growth is likely to weigh down the shares eventually. The Key Takeaway It's argued the price-to-sales ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator. When you consider that Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's revenue growth estimates are fairly muted compared to the broader industry, it's easy to see why we consider it unexpected to be trading at its current P/S ratio. At present, we aren't confident in the P/S as the predicted future revenues aren't likely to support a more positive sentiment for long. Circumstances like this present a risk to current and prospective investors who may see share prices fall if the low revenue growth impacts the sentiment. Many other vital risk factors can be found on the company's balance sheet. Our free balance sheet analysis for Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd with six simple checks will allow you to discover any risks that could be an issue. Of course, profitable companies with a history of great earnings growth are generally safer bets. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have reasonable P/E ratios and have grown earnings strongly. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply don't succeed. For example the Blue Label Telecoms Limited (JSE:BLU) share price dropped 65% over five years. That's not a lot of fun for true believers. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 30% in the last year. Furthermore, it's down 16% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that. View our latest analysis for Blue Label Telecoms In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During five years of share price growth, Blue Label Telecoms moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. It could be that the revenue decline of 9.6% per year is viewed as evidence that Blue Label Telecoms is shrinking. This has probably encouraged some shareholders to sell down the stock. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Take a more thorough look at Blue Label Telecoms' financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 8.2% in the last year, Blue Label Telecoms shareholders lost 30%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 11% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Blue Label Telecoms better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Blue Label Telecoms (of which 2 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. We will like Blue Label Telecoms better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on South African exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Pentagon Just Announced A New $2.1 Billion Arms Package For Ukraine Here Are 2 Big Defense Stocks Poised To Pop. Is It Time To Buy In? The U.S. Department of Defense announced a new $2.1 billion security assistance package for Ukraine. The package includes funding for additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems, HAWK air defense systems and missiles, Puma unmanned aerial systems, laser-guided rocket system munitions, 105 mm and 203 mm artillery rounds as well as support for training and maintenance. The new funding is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This USAI package illustrates the continued commitment to both Ukraines critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraines armed forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term, the Pentagon said in a statement. Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, the Biden administration has provided more than $39.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Developments along geopolitical conflicts often generate increased interest in the defense sector. Heres a look at two defense contractors that stand to benefit from Bidens new military aid package Wall Street also sees upside in this duo. Don't miss: Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) Bloomberg reports that one of the components of the package is the Patriot Advanced Capability Missile-3 (PAC-3) made by Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin has a long track record of doing business with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal government agencies. Out of the $66 billion of net sales the company generated in 2022, $48.5 billion or 73% came from the U.S. government. Known for its F-35 fighter jets, the company has four operating segments: aeronautics, missiles and fire control, rotary and mission systems and space. As youd expect from the current geopolitical landscape, the defense contractors business is doing well. In the first quarter of 2023, Lockheed Martin generated $15.1 billion in net sales, $1.7 billion in net earnings and $1.3 billion in free cash flow. It also returned $1.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks during the quarter. At the current share price, the company offers an annual dividend yield of 2.6%. Citi analyst Jason Gursky has a Buy rating on Lockheed Martin and a price target of $579, implying a potential upside of 26%. Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX) The new weapons package also includes the Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM-T) manufactured by Raytheon, according to Bloomberg. Raytheon is another heavyweight player in aerospace and defense. In 2022, it brought in $67 billion in sales, up 4% from 2021. Business continues to grow in 2023. According to its latest earnings report, Raytheon generated $17.2 billion in sales in the first quarter, representing a 10% increase year over year. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.22, up 6% from the year-ago period. Like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon is a dividend-paying company. With a quarterly payout of 59 cents per share, the stock offers an annual yield of 2.4%. Baird analyst Peter Arment has an Outperform rating on Raytheon and a price target of $115 around 16% above where the stock currently sits. Raytheon has been paying cash dividends every year since 1936. But aerospace and defense isnt the only place investors can find dividend opportunities. For instance, passive income investors have long been attracted to residential real estate because of its potential for providing consistent rental income and building long-term wealth. Whether its war or peace, people will always need a place to live, and a growing number of people are now renting instead of buying. These days, there also are options to invest in rental properties with as little as $100. Read next: Photo: Kyiv, Ukraine February 20, 2023 U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a joint news briefing, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Courtesy of photowalking on Shutterstock. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article Pentagon Just Announced A New $2.1 Billion Arms Package For Ukraine Here Are 2 Big Defense Stocks Poised To Pop. Is It Time To Buy In? originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A nurse holds vials of AstraZeneca vaccine - AP Photo/Manu Fernandez Britain risks missing out on billions of pounds of pharmaceutical investment because bosses are struggling with red tape and a sky-high NHS levy, an industry group has warned. Drug company chiefs said the UK had tremendous potential to become a world leader in making medicines and vaccines, but was losing ground to other countries which are actively courting new investment. The Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership (MMIP) said the UKs position as a manufacturing leader was on the wane, with a policy shake-up required to unlock 15bn worth of investment in new vaccine and drug factories in Britain over the next ten years. It comes months after AstraZeneca said tax policies in Britain had forced it to choose Ireland over the UK for its new 320m factory. Chief executive Pascal Soriot said it had become very unattractive for companies to invest and operate in the UK. Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer of AstraZeneca Plc - Simon Dawson/Bloomberg MMIP said there were significant concerns across the industry around the commercial environment in the UK, specifically around the NHS levy which it said was charged at an unsustainable level. The Government is currently in negotiations with the industry over a planned further rise in the NHS sales levy, which is designed to protect the health service from rising prices. The levy which is based around how much the NHSs branded medicine bill rises is expected to hit 3.3bn this year, compared to 563m in 2021. This is because healthcare costs have risen in the past two years, although pharma chiefs say this has been driven by Covid-19. MMIP said the UK needed to establish a positive global reputation for a pro-innovation commercial environment by changing the NHS levy and adopting a more streamlined process to get medicines to patients. The group said Britain could make it easier for drug makers by agreeing new deals with countries to mutually recognise regulatory approval, allowing companies to avoid going through multiple processes. Brian Henry, chairman of MMIP, said: The UKs life sciences sector has tremendous potential to drive significant growth. But it is not enough to discover the medicines and vaccines of the future here, if companies then make them at scale elsewhere. He said that policy changes would spur companies to choose the UK when deciding where to place their next manufacturing facility. A sustained effort is needed to capitalise on the UKs traditional strength in early-stage science and translate it into medicines manufacturing success with all the jobs, investment and long-term growth that comes with it. 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. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a bold plan for the country to become a global epicenter for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry. As part of this blueprint, the UK government plans to launch major AI scholarships and invest over $100 million in an AI Taskforce. A mix of research, education, and international collaboration is at the heart of this vision, a potentially seminal moment for the UK's tech landscape. Sunak said he recognized the concerns that many hold regarding AI technology. After all, its not every day that a group of recognized scientists says the world may come to an end. To address this, Sunak emphasized his commitment to pioneering safety research within the UK's borders, balancing his excitement about the future with a recognition of the risks that it may bring. I get people are worried about AI. Thats why we are going to do cutting edge safety research here in the UK, Sunak said in the announcement. The idea is to ensure that wherever and whenever AI is put to use in the UK it is done safely and responsibly. One aspect of the government's plan that has sparked interest is its collaboration with AI behemoths: Google's DeepMind (Bard, PaLM-2), OpenAI (ChatGPT, GPT-4), and Anthropic (Claude AI, Constitutional AI). These companies have committed to giving the UK government early or priority access to their AI models for research and safety purposes. The nature of this collaboration, however, has raised some eyebrows. With 100 million for our AI Taskforce, we are dedicating more funding to AI safety than any other country in the world. Well also work with @DeepMind, @OpenAI and @Anthropic who will give us early or priority access to models for research and safety purposes. pic.twitter.com/SKypEisfXX Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 12, 2023 The potential dangers of excessive government supervision of AI models are becoming apparent. For one, biases inherent in these AI models could potentially become institutionalized. Moreover, the power dynamics between AI companies and governments are a cause for concern. A delicate balance of power and a keen eye for bias is required to prevent the development of models that are politically aligned instead of just politically correct. More complex questions, such as those that are political or philosophical in nature, can have several answers, explains the tech-oriented outlet TechTarget, AI defaults to its training answer, causing bias since there may be other answers. The UK Government's investment will be focused on two AI fellowships dedicated to solving pressing problems in crop supply and healthcare through technology. "These new fellowships, along with all our work on AI so far, will help build a brighter future for you and your families," said Sunak, emphasizing the human-centered approach to AI in the UK. Prime Minister Sunaks commitment to AI safety was echoed in his speech at the London Tech Week conference, where he assured the audience that the UK would become the geographical hub of global AI safety regulation. An AI Safety Summit is already in the works, he said, an event likened to the COP Climate conferences. However, the government's new-found enthusiasm for AI safety marks a noticeable shift from its previous stance. Until recently, the government's white paper reflected a pro-innovation approach to AI regulation that played down safety concerns. This sudden change of tune, following meetings with AI industry bigwigs, has raised questions about the government's susceptibility to industry influence. Parallel to these developments, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is on an international tour, aiming to strengthen ties with regulators from around the globe. This has also sparked a debate about his interest in leading the regulatory efforts around the worldwhile at the same time threatening to leave jurisdictions that want to regulate the industry. excited to visit israel, jordan, qatar, the uae, india, and south korea this week! Sam Altman (@sama) June 4, 2023 A diverse discourse involving independent researchers, civil society groups, and vulnerable communities is essential for a well-rounded perspective on AI safety. After all, while these "AI Titans" hold the keys to the future, it's every day people who will live in it. Russia revives oil exports to North Korea as US sounds alarm on more arms sales for Ukraine war North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on April 25, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters Russia has revived its oil trade with long-time ally North Korea as the Kremlin's war on Ukraine drags on. Russia has exported 67,000 barrels of oil to North Korea since December, a UN report said. North Korea has been accused of sending Russia weapons for its war in Ukraine. Russia has revived its oil trade with long-time ally North Korea as the Kremlin's war on Ukraine drags on. Shipments of refined petroleum products were halted in October 2020, but a United Nations report found that they restarted in December and have continued this year, totaling about 67,000 barrels, according to Bloomberg. The report comes amid other signs that the two heavily sanctioned regimes are deepening their cooperation. US officials have suspected Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Russia, and on Monday the State Department said the US is concerned North Korea is planning to send more weapons. A State Department spokesperson told Reuters that the US had confirmed North Korea delivered weapons, including rockets and missiles, to the Russia's Wagner mercenary group in November. In March, the US sanctioned a Slovakian man who was suspected to trying to sell North Korean weapons and munitions to Russia for its war on Ukraine. On Monday, North Korean Leader Kim Jung Un reiterated support for Moscow and indicated he would be "holding hands firmly with the Russian president," Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang has dismissed allegations of providing weapons to Russia, but North Korea's stockpile, which includes 21,600 Soviet-era artillery pieces, is compatible. By selling to Russia, it would also provide the country with needed revenue, Bloomberg said. The UN has banned North Korea from selling arms, though it has reportedly provided weapons to Iran, Syria, and Uganda. UN sanctions also limit its oil imports to 500,000 barrels a year, something Pyongyang has found ways around as well. Meanwhile, sanctions are taking a toll on Russian energy profits last month's oil and gas revenue missed expectations by 30.6 billion rubles. In the face of this, the country has begun selling foreign currency from its wealth fund. Read the original article on Business Insider Asda (top) and Sainsbury's are pictured outside adjacent branches of their stores in Stockport, northern Englan - Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images Sainsburys and Asda have been rebuked for blocking rival supermarkets from opening near their branches in what the competition regulator said was unlawful activity that would not be tolerated. The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) found both Sainsburys and Asda had breached rules around land deals multiple times between 2011 and 2019. These breaches included the supermarkets placing restrictions on land they owned to prevent rival stores from opening there, or stopping landlords from signing deals that would allow rivals to open in the same block as an existing supermarket. David Stewart, executive director of markets and mergers at the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA), said: Restrictions of this nature are against the law, cause real harm to shoppers and will not be tolerated. This is particularly important at a time when many families are struggling to pay their weekly grocery bills. He said it was critical that shoppers be able to visit multiple different stores to find the best deals, something which was being hampered by major retailers. The CMA said Sainsburys had agreed to remove these restrictions in its land deals, and was in the middle of stripping them out of nine agreements. A spokesman for Sainsburys said the breaches amounted to less than 1pc of its land agreements to which the order applied. They added: These are minor, unintentional technical breaches and did not impact our ability or that of our competitors to operate or compete in any way. We have cooperated fully with the CMA throughout this process and we are now resolving these issues, as well as taking steps to make sure this does not happen again. Asda has already removed the restrictions, and said it had worked collaboratively with the CMA during the process. A spokesman said: We have reviewed details of over 1,600 property related transactions which identified 14 issues. All of these relate to legacy transactions that occurred between 2011 and 2019, when Asda was under different ownership, and involve technical errors in documentation that have all been resolved. The CMA has previously singled out Tesco for preventing landlords from letting property to other supermarkets, which the grocer agreed to address in 2020. The latest clampdown by the regulator comes months after the UK head of Aldi Giles Hurley told the Telegraph that the German discounter was at risk of missing its expansion targets in Britain because of efforts to sabotage openings by rivals. Mr Hurley suggested the objections were cynically motivated by a desire to prevent customers from switching to Aldi. Figures compiled by the Grocer in December suggested that just under 40 Aldi stores had either been blocked or were on hold because of rivals lodging objections or legal challenges. The claims have been refuted by Aldis rivals. Tesco, for example, said it does not oppose the vast majority of planning applications submitted by its competitors and only objects where there are material planning considerations, not because of a potential loss of trade. 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. For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But in any portfolio, there will be mixed results between individual stocks. So we wouldn't blame long term Australian Vintage Ltd (ASX:AVG) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 30% over a half decade. And it's not just long term holders hurting, because the stock is down 29% in the last year. Furthermore, it's down 15% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. See our latest analysis for Australian Vintage To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the unfortunate half decade during which the share price slipped, Australian Vintage actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 22% per year. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. Because of the sharp contrast between the EPS growth rate and the share price growth, we're inclined to look to other metrics to understand the changing market sentiment around the stock. The steady dividend doesn't really explain why the share price is down. While it's not completely obvious why the share price is down, a closer look at the company's history might help explain it. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We know that Australian Vintage has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Australian Vintage, it has a TSR of -4.0% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Investors in Australian Vintage had a tough year, with a total loss of 25% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 6.6%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 0.8% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Even so, be aware that Australian Vintage is showing 4 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those is significant... If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here When it comes to investing, there are some useful financial metrics that can warn us when a business is potentially in trouble. Typically, we'll see the trend of both return on capital employed (ROCE) declining and this usually coincides with a decreasing amount of capital employed. This combination can tell you that not only is the company investing less, it's earning less on what it does invest. And from a first read, things don't look too good at Sin Heng Heavy Machinery (SGX:BKA), so let's see why. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. The formula for this calculation on Sin Heng Heavy Machinery is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.026 = S$3.1m (S$126m - S$7.7m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022). So, Sin Heng Heavy Machinery has an ROCE of 2.6%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Trade Distributors industry average of 8.0%. View our latest analysis for Sin Heng Heavy Machinery roce Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Sin Heng Heavy Machinery's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you're interested in investigating Sin Heng Heavy Machinery's past further, check out this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. What Can We Tell From Sin Heng Heavy Machinery's ROCE Trend? The trend of returns that Sin Heng Heavy Machinery is generating are raising some concerns. To be more specific, today's ROCE was 4.1% five years ago but has since fallen to 2.6%. On top of that, the business is utilizing 25% less capital within its operations. The combination of lower ROCE and less capital employed can indicate that a business is likely to be facing some competitive headwinds or seeing an erosion to its moat. Typically businesses that exhibit these characteristics aren't the ones that tend to multiply over the long term, because statistically speaking, they've already gone through the growth phase of their life cycle. On a side note, Sin Heng Heavy Machinery has done well to pay down its current liabilities to 6.1% of total assets. That could partly explain why the ROCE has dropped. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE. The Key Takeaway In short, lower returns and decreasing amounts capital employed in the business doesn't fill us with confidence. Investors must expect better things on the horizon though because the stock has risen 23% in the last five years. Either way, we aren't huge fans of the current trends and so with that we think you might find better investments elsewhere. One more thing to note, we've identified 3 warning signs with Sin Heng Heavy Machinery and understanding these should be part of your investment process. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Police divers in Spain have begun searching a harbour for the body of missing X Factor star Levi Davis. Mossos dEsquadra, the regional force in Catalonia, released a video of its officers searching the port of Barcelona near to where Mr Davis vanished last October. They are also combing the Llobregat Delta wetland zones near the Catalan capital for the former Bath Rugby player. A spokesman for the Mossos dEsquadra said: A search is taking place for the man last seen on October 29 in Barcelona port and the Llobregat Delta. Its being conducted by the Mossos Maritime Police and the Aquatic Unit. Its an underwater search with the Maritime Police in the boats and the divers involved belonging to the aquatic unit. The search is taking place because of the possibility this person could have fallen into the water, from information received following his disappearance, around the time he was last seen. A local investigating judge is understood to have authorised the searches. They come shortly after Mr Davis family revealed last month that police had told them they feared he had drowned. Levi Davis mother has previously asked people and the press to refrain from printing conspiracy theories (ITV) Mr Davis, who appeared on the Celebrity X-Factor in 2019, was last seen in The Old Irish Pub in Barcelona on 29 October 2022, having left the UK for Ibiza after suffering an injury. Around the time he disappeared, four members of cruise liner MSC Bellissima said they had spotted a man in the water as the ship was docking in Barcelona. The men said he was wearing the same light-coloured top as Mr Davis and was shouting for help in English. A lifebuoy was thrown to him and a rescue operation was mounted. It lasted a day before being called off after it was confirmed that no one was missing from the cruise liner and no one had been reported missing in port waters or in the sea off Barcelona. The mystery surrounding his disappearance has prompted wild conspiracy theories, something his family have pleaded with people and the press not to share. In a statement released in March, his family said gang involvement was not being considered or investigated at this time. They spoke after Catalan police reportedly said there were disturbing issues with no logical explanation to his disappearance, and a specialist crime unit was said to be taking over the probe. I Spent Less Than $5K on My Wedding: Heres My Budget Breakdown Halfpoint / Getty Images/iStockphoto How much does the average wedding cost in 2023? While the answer to this question ultimately depends on costs related to the number of guests in attendance, the weddings location, day of the week and seasonality of food served and flowers displayed, survey findings from Zola estimate $29,000 as the average wedding expenses for couples getting married. However, it is possible to spend much less than $29,000 when tying the knot. GOBankingRates spoke to two couples who were able to say I do for under $5,000 in total wedding costs. Heres a look at their respective wedding budget breakdowns. See: 8 Luxury Beauty Products That Are Way Cheaper at Costco More: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch I Bought My Wedding Dress on Poshmark for $18! Lifestyle blogger Gennifer Rose enjoyed an elopement wedding to her husband at San Francisco City Hall. The couple chose to get married at city hall for two reasons. The first was it was a gorgeous venue and the second was it cost around $200 for the license and ceremony. I did a lot of research on beautiful city halls in California because I knew I wanted an elopement wedding with our families and close friends, said Rose. I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible. Rose was able to purchase her wedding dress on Poshmark for $18 and bought her daughters flower girl dress for $14 from Poshmark. A friend did Roses makeup and she paid full price for her updo hairstyle at a local San Francisco hair studio. For flowers, Rose paid for the bouquet, a flower crown for her daughter and for her husbands boutonniere. The wedding photos were complementary and shot by another close friend. My best friend was the photographer and she photographed our wedding as a gift to us, said Rose. Im a Financial Advisor Who Works With Wealthy Families: These Are the Best Ways To Transfer Wealth We Spent Approximately $825 on Our Wedding Elizabeth Raley, owner of Elope to Savannah, married her husband, Douglas Morse, at Pulaski Square in Savannah, Georgia, in 2018. The couple spent approximately $825 on their wedding because they chose to elope. One of the biggest savings the couple enjoyed was getting the venue for free. In Savannah, if you are eloping in one of the downtown squares, you dont have to pay for anything since you have no guests or set-up, said Raley. Both the officiant and photographer were also free with both being friends of the couple Raley said they gave the officiant a token gift, which cost about $100. Their wedding photographer was a friend and only needed for an hour to take photos. For flowers, Raley said she spent $150 from the wholesaler for what she personally considered was an extravagant bouquet. Her dress was $100 and her husbands jacket was $75. Both spent $100 total on their shoes. Their rings totaled $400. Dinner was free and a gift from their friends. Our friends surprised us and called the restaurant when we announced everything on Facebook during dinner and took care of our bill, said Raley. If we had to pay for dinner, a photographer and an officiant, it would have added $520 to our total making it $1,345. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Spent Less Than $5K on My Wedding: Heres My Budget Breakdown The sweetgreen x Lukes Lobster Roll Salad, a Love Letter to the City, Is Now Available for a Limited Time LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale, announced its partnership with Lukes Lobster, the family-owned Maine seafood business founded by third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden. Together, the two sustainably-minded brands are rolling out the Lukes Lobster Roll Salad exclusively available at sweetgreens Boston restaurants, celebrating 10 years since the fast-casual chain entered the market and paying homage to the New England summertime staple. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613359183/en/ The sweetgreen x Lukes Lobster Roll Salad, a love letter to the city, is now available for a limited time. (Graphic: Business Wire) With this partnership, sweetgreen and Lukes Lobster join forces in an effort to make a positive impact by supporting the fishermen who locally catch the fresh lobster off the shores of Maine. The bowl launch marks sweetgreens third seafood collaboration as part of the brands ongoing commitment to positively impacting coastal communities. "Having met Luke during our time in college where we first shared our passion for bettering the food system, this is a partnership that feels very close to home for us," said Nicolas Jammet, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of sweetgreen. "In our ongoing mission to make an impact in the communities we serve, we are excited to be working with Lukes Lobster, a company that shares our ethos of sustainably sourced food, to bring this exclusive bowl to the residents of Boston." Inspired by the iconic East Coast lobster roll, the salad features succulent pieces of Lukes Lobster knuckle and claw meat sustainably and locally caught by fishermen off the shores of Maine. The simple base allows the lobster meat to shine, as it is paired with chopped romaine lettuce, spring mix, new buttery focaccia croutons, shredded cabbage, raw carrots, basil and lemon, and is topped with sweetgreen's green goddess ranch dressing. Launching just in time for summer, this delicious new offering is the perfect lunchtime pick-me-up or dinner option on those hot summer nights. "This collaboration has been years in the making, and I'm thrilled to partner with sweetgreen to bring attention to the hardworking men and women of the Maine lobster fishery," said Luke Holden, Founder and CEO of Luke's Lobster. "I love that sweetgreen chose to use the fresh lobster meat that we work hard to source, cook and serve at our shacks every day, including here in Boston, and combine it with fresh ingredients in their signature salad bowls." To welcome the limited-time offering to the menu, sweetgreen will host a launch day party at sweetgreens original Boston location in Back Bay at 659 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 starting at 11am, just steps away from Lukes Lobster, to surprise and delight old and new customers. Guests can enjoy limited edition sweetgreen x Lukes Lobster swag, a chance to score merch from sweetgreens latest Farmers Market merch collection, indulge in sweet treats from Iggys, and sip on Spindrift samples. The Lukes Lobster bowl will be available to order in restaurants and via sweetgreens app or website for pickup. For more information follow sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @sweetgreen. About sweetgreen: Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) passionately believes that real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone. Every day their team members create plant-forward, seasonal, and earth-friendly meals from fresh ingredients and produce that prioritizes organic, regenerative, and local sourcing. Sweetgreen strongly believes in harnessing the power of technology to enhance the customer experience to meet their customers where they are. Sweetgreens strong food ethos and investment in local communities have enabled them to grow into a national brand with a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. To learn more about sweetgreen and its menu, visit www.sweetgreen.com. Follow sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @sweetgreen. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230613359183/en/ Contacts sweetgreen Contact, Media: Jenny Seltzer press@sweetgreen.com sweetgreen Contact, Investor Relations: Rebecca Nounou ir@sweetgreen.com Taiwan Mobile in Early Talks on Possible Investment in Local Crypto Platform (Bloomberg) -- Telecommunications company Taiwan Mobile Co. is exploring opportunities for collaboration with local crypto platforms, including potentially investing in one of the businesses. Most Read from Bloomberg The government-licensed wireless service provider is in early-stage talks with crypto firms about strategic partnerships, according to three people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Taipei-based XREX Inc., which describes itself as a blockchain-enabled financial institution, is among the companies in the conversations, the people said. No decisions have been made and a deal may not materialize, the people added. Taiwan Mobile said its open to any potential opportunities but didnt comment further. XREXs co-founder Wayne Huang declined to say whether his firm is in discussions with the islands second-largest telecom company. Huang said he expects larger institutions to enter the web3 sector as the latter matures and regulatory clarity emerges, adding that XREX looks forward to partnering with telecom enterprises to drive adoption. Synergies Synergies are high because such institutions own a sizable, already-KYCed user base, while XREX offers domain expertise in blockchain and cybersecurity, he said, using the acronym for know-your-customer rules. The nebulous term web3 refers to a vision of a decentralized internet built around blockchains, cryptos underlying technology. Taiwan Mobile may be exploring the possibility of entering the fintech business, like what the Japanese telcos have been doing, said Marvin Lo, a senior industry analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. The digital-asset industry is trying to recover from a $1.5 trillion market rout last year that sparked a series of high-profile bankruptcies, including the implosion of the FTX exchange. Crypto businesses shed thousands of jobs and venture capital funding dried up in the wake of the turmoil. The US subsequently cracked down on crypto but other jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Dubai are trying to create regulatory frameworks that can protect customers while attracting investment from digital-asset businesses. Taiwan in March appointed the Financial Supervisory Commission as the chief regulator for virtual-asset service providers. The commission is set to introduce detailed guidelines by the end of September. Read more: Taiwan Set to Name Financial Watchdog as Main Crypto Regulator Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Tesla and Apple aren't the only stocks on a sizzling run check out airline stocks Tesla stock (TSLA) and Apple stock (AAPL) aren't the only big names lighting up the market right now get a look at the take-off in shares of the major airlines as the summer travel season heats up. Delta Air Lines stock (DAL) closed in on its 13th straight day of gains on Tuesday, rising above 2% in midday trading. The stock has climbed more than 23% in the past month, according to Yahoo Finance data. United Airlines (UAL) is the second top performer in the last month, up 17%. JetBlue (JBLU) and American Airlines (AAL) are up roughly 15% in the past month. Southwest (LUV) is tailing behind in the airline rally with a still respectable one-month gain of 12%. There are likely two factors behind the airline stock propulsion. First, is the raw demand to travel at the moment which appears to have been strong for Memorial Day weekend and now into July 4. MADRID, SPAIN - 2023/06/10: An Airbus A319 of Iberia comercial flight flies over the skyscrapers of Madrid's skyline, known as the "Four Towers Business Area", after departing from Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport. (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images) "I was just looking at some July 4 data," Marriott International (MAR) CEO Anthony Capuano told Yahoo Finance Live (video above) in an interview last week. "Revenue per available room is up about 10%. Forward bookings through the end of the year look particularly strong." The bullish outlook was echoed by Marriott's long-time rival, Hilton (HLT). "Demand is strong across the board, I don't care where you are in the world," Hilton CFO Kevin Jacobs said on Yahoo Finance Live. "We don't have months and months of visibility in our business, but from what we can see it's going to be another strong summer." Flight searches are up 25% overall for June through August compared to the same time last year, per data from travel booking portal Expedia (EXPE). Interest is up by triple digits for more expensive trips to international destinations across Europe and Asia. The aforementioned American Airlines recently lifted its second quarter outlook, citing continued strong demand and lower fuel costs. "We're seeing a ton of demand," Expedia CEO Peter Kern told Yahoo Finance. A business jet is refuelled using Jet A fuel at the Henderson Executive Airport during the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. October 21, 2019. REUTERS/David Becker The second factor at play is the plunge in jet fuel prices. Jet fuel prices have dropped about 38% since mid-January, according to IATA data. "Airline financial performance in 2023 is beating expectations," Willie Walsh, IATAs director general, said in a statement. "Stronger profitability is supported by several positive developments. China lifted COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the year than anticipated. Cargo revenues remain above pre-pandemic levels even though volumes have not. And, on the cost side, there is some relief. Jet fuel prices, although still high, have moderated over the first half of the year." To that end, the IATA updated its 2023 industry-wide net profit outlook this month to $9.8 billion versus its $4.7 billion forecast in December. Coupled with strong demand signals, Wall Street seems to be betting on strong profits for the airlines in the third quarter. And potentially, strong holiday travel outlooks. As for Apple and Tesla...shares are up 7% and 53%, respectively in the last month. Not too shabby, either. Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on the banking crisis? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance ULEZ Up to 13,000 drivers on the Ulez and Congestion Charge databases have been warned that their data was stolen by Russian hackers in a cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL). A cybercrime gang called Clop targeted the capitals train and bus operator last week as part of a wider raid that saw hundreds of thousands of Britons personal information stolen. British Airways, another of the companies affected, told all of its 34,000 staff that their details had been stolen, while the BBC wrote to all employees to say they were caught up in a significant global issue. UK authorities are on high alert to see if any of the compromised data, which includes bank details, National Insurance numbers and addresses, is sold on the dark web as the gangs ransom deadline approaches tomorrow. TfL is writing to 13,000 drivers whose details were stored by a contractor responsible for the controversial ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez), the London Congestion Charge zone and parking offences. A spokesman said: Like other companies in the UK, one of our contractors recently suffered a data breach. The issue has been fixed and the IT systems have been secured. The Ulez regime was introduced by Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, with drivers charged 12.50 a day if their vehicles do not meet emissions standards. The zone currently covers the area inside the north and south circulars but is being expanded to all London boroughs in August. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has been informed of the attack at TfL. Government statistics say cyber attacks affected 40pc of all UK businesses last year, costing them an average of 19,400. The cost of a data breach starts at around 11,000 for small businesses, according to insurer Hiscox, ranging up to millions of pounds in ransom payouts and cleanup costs for larger organisations. GCHQs security arm, the National Cyber Security Centre, has been contacting affected British companies to ensure they secure their servers against hackers, industry sources said. Some said the official warning came early enough for them to close a loophole exploited by the Russians. TfLs warning to staff comes after Ofcom admitted on Monday it was also a target of the Russian gang, known as Clop. Around 400 of Ofcoms 1,200 staff had their payroll information stolen, while confidential data on regulated companies was also accessed by the hackers, the regulator said. Clop is a prolific cyber gang whose members have been involved in cyber crime for around a decade, according to experts at cyber security company Secureworks. In previous attacks the Russia-based gang, which uses the dark web to extort its victims, has targeted global companies including Hitachi, the Federal Reserve Bank of New Zealand, US-based Community Health Systems, and Swiss pharmaceutical giant Galderma. Clop targeted a payroll management company called Zellis at the end of May, stealing data from eight of its UK customers including British Airways, the BBC, Aer Lingus and Boots. Hackers targeted a vulnerability in MOVEit, data management software used by Zellis. A list of affected companies has been circulated on social media. A Zellis spokesman said last week that it had notified the ICO and the National Cyber Security Centre, as well as Irelands Data Protection Commission. Hacked companies can be fined up to 4pc of annual turnover under data protection laws, meaning Zellis faces a potential penalty of 7m. Hedge fund giant Man Group, which is named in one list of MOVEit users seen by The Telegraph, declined to comment. Other organisations, including Ofcom, were directly targeted by the Clop gang separately from the Zellis breach. A ransom deadline imposed by Clop expires tomorrow. In a note posted to the dark web the gang urged hacked companies to contact them to negotiate a ransom. Failure to pay the ransom typically costing millions or tens of millions of pounds would usually trigger the hackers to post sensitive stolen data on the dark web. A previous version of this story wrongly said that 13,000 TfL staff were being contacted by the transport authority, based on an incorrect response from TfLs press office. TfL has apologised for the misunderstanding. 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 worst result, after buying shares in a company (assuming no leverage), would be if you lose all the money you put in. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. To wit, the ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) share price has flown 137% in the last three years. How nice for those who held the stock! So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. Check out our latest analysis for ConocoPhillips To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During three years of share price growth, ConocoPhillips achieved compound earnings per share growth of 58% per year. The average annual share price increase of 33% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. We'd venture the lowish P/E ratio of 7.88 also reflects the negative sentiment around the stock. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of ConocoPhillips, it has a TSR of 167% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective ConocoPhillips shareholders are down 3.1% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 16%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 13%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for ConocoPhillips (of which 1 makes us a bit uncomfortable!) you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Ava Labs CEO Emin Gun Sirer will urge U.S. regulators and policymakers to provide sensible laws and regulations to lay the ground for the responsible growth of blockchain technologies. Sirer, who led the development of the Avalanche protocol, is set to deliver testimony before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday along with Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Coy Garrison of the law firm Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, and Thomas Sexton III, President and CEO of NFA News. According to Sirer, his goal is to advocate for the need for free, safe, and responsible blockchain innovation in the U.S., as well as the technical and scientific merits of these systems. My written testimony for the House Financial Services Committee hearing on blockchains and the future of digital assets is now public. You can read it to preview what Ill say and live stream the hearing at 2 p.m. ET tomorrow here:https://t.co/bv2pWTwCVT https://t.co/dtRlBmuN4F Emin Gun Sirer (@el33th4xor) June 12, 2023 One aspect he is going to touch on specifically is the tokenization, or digital representation, of real-world assets. Tokenization was not created to evade laws. It is the natural product of blockchain technology and an improvement that blockchains offer over traditional systems, just like computer databases were an improvement over paper filing cabinets, Sirer wrote in his speech. "Blockchain builders did not set out to develop the technology to evade laws and rules." Crucially, said the CEO, the technology solves a key "challenge" in the realm of computer science in achieving consensus among a diverse and widespread set of computers. While it may appear obscure at first glance, this is a crucial building block for solving complex problems that traditional internet systems struggle to address, such as creating digitally unique assets, tracking their ownership, and safely executing business and other processes, reads Sirers testimony. The Turkish-American computer scientist, also known as the co-developer of a Bitcoin scaling solution dubbed Bitcoin-NG, argues that distributed networks are more resilient, secure, auditable, and available for builders. Blockchains are key in a 'digitally-native world', says Sirer Sirers testimony comes in the wake of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) last week delivering enforcement actions against crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase. In its lawsuit against Binance, the regulator, for example, not only alleges the company was offering unregistered securities, but also clearly points to those assets it considers securities. These include the likes of Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC), and Cardano (ADA), as well as Binances BNB token, the exchange's stablecoin, BUSD, Filecoin (FIL), Cosmos (ATOM), The Sandbox (SAND), Decentraland (MANA), Algorand (ALGO), Axie Infinity (AXS), and COTI (COTI). Solana, Cardano, Polygon Push Back Against SEC 'Security' Label Sirer, however, argues that the ability to leverage distributed or decentralized networks is a desirable goal for many reasons that have nothing to do with securities laws, financial services regulation, or the laws and rules governing other areas of commerce, recreation, and communications. He also roped in the rise of artificial intelligence, adding that blockchains will be crucial as the world hurdles towards "a more digitally-native world." Toyota Motor Corp. has announced plans to roll out a new line of solid-state batteries that will give its electric vehicles (EVs) a longer range and trim production costs. The June 13 news, which comes a day before the Japanese automakers annual shareholders meeting, introduces several technologies that aim to boost EV performance and sales. The companycriticized for moving slowly to launch battery-powered carssaid it expects to sell 1.5 million EVs annually by 2026. Read more The promise of updated technology and a renewed commitment to the energy transition sent the price of Toyota stock up as much as 6.5%. Despite this positive announcement, the automaker is expected to face increased scrutiny from investors at the annual meeting, including a shareholder proposal for a company-wide audit to see how its climate-related lobbying aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Toyotas board of directors advised shareholders to vote against that proposal. Quotable: Toyotas climate goals One of our goals is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, aiming to reduce average CO2 emissions for vehicles we sell worldwide by 50% or more by 2035 compared to 2019. Taking into account local conditions, we will harness the variety of electric vehicle options we have, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), to steadily promote global decarbonization. Akio Toyoda, Toyota president, in a letter to shareholders ahead of the annual meeting What technological improvements did Toyota announce? Batteries: The biggest story out of Toyotas announcement is the introduction of solid-state batteries. A potentially revolutionary technology, these batteries are energy-dense, reducing costs for the consumer by lasting longer than earlier versions. The company aims to sell vehicles with solid-state batteries by 2027 or 2028. In the meantime, Toyota plans to roll out a range of lithium-ion phosphate batteries by 2026 that can shrink production costs by 20% and increase driving range by 40%. Hydrogen: The company is going all in on hydrogen as an energy source, launching a new division that will spearhead integration of the technology and enshrine Toyotas commitment to a hydrogen society. Hydrogen power is still prohibitively expensive, so the units main goals are to establish relationships with corporate partners and invest in research and development. Assembly lines: Toyota announced it would start using Giga casting, a new form of assembly-line automation that was introduced to the market by rival EV maker Tesla. It replaces the traditional method of building separate components on a conveyor belt with a technology that propels the entire car, shaped out of aluminum, through the assembly line. This change could cut factory investment by half, Toyota estimates. Related stories: One in seven cars sold globally now is an EV Toyota has been accidentally sharing personal data for millions of Japanese users over the last decade The US is reducing tax credits for foreign-made EV models More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Safer tanker is seen on Monday, June 12, 2023, off the coast of Yemen. Safer has posed an environmental threat since 2015, as it decayed and threatened to spill its contents of 1.14 million barrels into the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. In May, the United Nations announced that the first step of the ship's salvage process had begun, with the arrival of a ship that would remove atmospheric oxygen from the ship's oil chambers. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) CAIRO (AP) The United Nations has secured insurance coverage to start a ship-to-ship transfer of 1.1 million barrels of crude from a rusting tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen oil that could cause a major environmental disaster. The United Nations Development Program described the insurance as a pivotal milestone in a yearslong effort to evacuate the cargo of the FSO Safer, which is at risk of rupture or exploding. The U.N. agency has been trying to start a salvage operation to avert what it says could amount to one of the worlds largest, man-made disasters in history. It secured tens of millions of dollars in pledges for the operation, which started late in May with experts pumping inert gas to remove atmospheric oxygen from the oil chambers of the vessel. Insurance became a critical element of enabling this salvage operation to proceed. Without it, the mission could not go forward, said Achim Steiner, a UNDP administrator. Transferring the stored oil is expected to start later this month, according to David Gressly, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. After completing the transfer of oil, Safer would eventually be towed away and scrapped, he has said. Work is progressing well, Gressly told the Yemen International Forum on Monday at The Hague. The U.K.-based insurance broker Howden group, which was appointed by the UNDP to identify the insurable risks and arrange coverage, said Monday it secured successful binding of insurance coverage that enables the UN to proceed with FSO Safer Ship-to-Ship transfer. The first phase of the salvage operation would see oil being transferred from the Safer to the Nautica, a super tanker the U.N. purchased for the operation. In the second phase, the U.N. will facilitate the installation of a replacement storage vessel, according to a deal the U.N. struck with the Houthi rebels, who control the area where the tanker is moored. The tanker was built in Japan in 1980, and the Yemeni government purchased it in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of oil pumped from fields in the eastern province of Marib. Yemen, the Arab world's most impoverished country, has been engulfed by civil war since 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The following year, a Saudi-led coalition entered the war to fight the Houthis and try to restore the internationally recognized government to power. The Safer is 360 meters (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks. The vessel is moored 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of Yemens strategic port of Hodeida. The tanker has not been maintained since 2015, and in recent years, seawater entered its engine compartment, causing damage to pipes and increasing the risk of sinking. Experts have said maintenance is no longer possible because the damage to the ship is irreversible. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases has leaked out, prompting the U.N. to warn that tanker could release four times more oil than the notorious Exxon Valdez disaster did, off Alaska in 1989. Vodacom Group Limited (JSE:VOD) is reducing its dividend from last year's comparable payment to ZAR3.30 on the 26th of June. The dividend yield of 5.7% is still a nice boost to shareholder returns, despite the cut. See our latest analysis for Vodacom Group Vodacom Group's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. Before this announcement, Vodacom Group was paying out 71% of earnings, but a comparatively small 62% of free cash flows. This leaves plenty of cash for reinvestment into the business. The next year is set to see EPS grow by 12.9%. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 68%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend. Dividend Volatility The company has a long dividend track record, but it doesn't look great with cuts in the past. Since 2013, the annual payment back then was ZAR8.05, compared to the most recent full-year payment of ZAR6.70. This works out to be a decline of approximately 1.8% per year over that time. Generally, we don't like to see a dividend that has been declining over time as this can degrade shareholders' returns and indicate that the company may be running into problems. The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. Unfortunately, Vodacom Group's earnings per share has been essentially flat over the past five years, which means the dividend may not be increased each year. An additional note is that the company has been raising capital by issuing stock equal to 14% of shares outstanding in the last 12 months. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective. In Summary Overall, it's not great to see that the dividend has been cut, but this might be explained by the payments being a bit high previously. In the past, the payments have been unstable, but over the short term the dividend could be reliable, with the company generating enough cash to cover it. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income. Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've picked out 2 warning signs for Vodacom Group that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Warpaint London PLC (LON:W7L) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 11% in the last month. But that doesn't undermine the rather lovely longer-term return, if you measure over the last three years. In fact, the share price is up a full 248% compared to three years ago. To some, the recent share price pullback wouldn't be surprising after such a good run. The thing to consider is whether the underlying business is doing well enough to support the current price. So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. View our latest analysis for Warpaint London While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During three years of share price growth, Warpaint London achieved compound earnings per share growth of 66% per year. The average annual share price increase of 52% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We know that Warpaint London has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? This free interactive report on Warpaint London's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Warpaint London, it has a TSR of 292% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's good to see that Warpaint London has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 103% in the last twelve months. That's including the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 4% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Warpaint London (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Ivory Coast National Assembly leader begins Vietnam visit today Adama Bictogo, president of the National Assembly of Ivory Coast, is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on June 13 for an official four-day visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vuong Dinh Hue. Adama Bictogo, president of the National Assembly of Ivory Coast. Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com? So should RMA Global (ASX:RMY) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves. View our latest analysis for RMA Global When Might RMA Global Run Out Of Money? A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. When RMA Global last reported its balance sheet in December 2022, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$5.8m. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$4.6m. That means it had a cash runway of around 15 months as of December 2022. Importantly, the one analyst we see covering the stock thinks that RMA Global will reach cashflow breakeven in around 18 months. That means it doesn't have a great deal of breathing room, but it shouldn't really need more cash, considering that cash burn should be continually reducing. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time. How Well Is RMA Global Growing? It was fairly positive to see that RMA Global reduced its cash burn by 28% during the last year. And considering that its operating revenue gained 24% during that period, that's great to see. We think it is growing rather well, upon reflection. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years. How Hard Would It Be For RMA Global To Raise More Cash For Growth? RMA Global seems to be in a fairly good position, in terms of cash burn, but we still think it's worthwhile considering how easily it could raise more money if it wanted to. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. RMA Global's cash burn of AU$4.6m is about 9.9% of its AU$46m market capitalisation. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan. How Risky Is RMA Global's Cash Burn Situation? As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about RMA Global's cash burn. In particular, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. On this analysis its cash runway was its weakest feature, but we are not concerned about it. It's clearly very positive to see that at least one analyst is forecasting the company will break even fairly soon. Looking at all the measures in this article, together, we're not worried about its rate of cash burn; the company seems well on top of its medium-term spending needs. Taking an in-depth view of risks, we've identified 3 warning signs for RMA Global that you should be aware of before investing. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Baron Funds, an investment management firm, released its "Baron Durable Advantage Fund" first quarter 2023 investor letter, a copy of which can be downloaded here. The Baron Durable Advantage Fund gained 16.0% during the first quarter, compared favorably to its S&P 500 benchmark which earned a 7.5% return for the same period. Spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to know more about their top bets for 2023. In its Q1 2023 investor letter, Baron Durable Advantage Fund mentioned Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1899, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) is a Toronto, Canada-based investment management company with a $13.7 billion market capitalization. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) delivered a 16.29% return since the beginning of the year, while its 1-month returns are up by 6.76%. The stock closed at $32.71 per share on June 12, 2023. Here is what Baron Durable Advantage Fund has to say about Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) in its Q1 2023 investor letter: "We also took advantage of fund flows to increase 17 of our holdings. We reduced three positions and sold Brookfield Asset Management (BAM), the spun-off, pure asset-manager subsidiary of Brookfield Corporation, as we saw a better risk-reward in owning the parent company, to which we added." photo by Business-laptop-campaign-creators on Unsplash Our calculations show that Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) was not able to secure a spot on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) was in 25 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2023, compared to 28 funds in the previous quarter. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) delivered a 5.31% return in the past 3 months. On April this year, we also shared another hedge funds views on Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2023 page. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Baron Funds, an investment management firm, released its "Baron Durable Advantage Fund" first quarter 2023 investor letter, a copy of which can be downloaded here. The Baron Durable Advantage Fund gained 16.0% during the first quarter, compared favorably to its S&P 500 benchmark which earned a 7.5% return for the same period. Spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to know more about their top bets for 2023. In its Q1 2023 investor letter, Baron Durable Advantage Fund mentioned Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1987, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is a Hsinchu, Taiwan-based semiconductor company with a $559.6 billion market capitalization. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) delivered a 44.77% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are up by 23.68%. The stock closed at $107.06 per share on June 12, 2023. Here is what Baron Durable Advantage Fund has to say about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in its Q1 2023 investor letter: "We have admired Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) for years and believe that short-term, industry-wide cyclical pressure has provided an attractive entry point for long-term investors. Morris Chang founded TSMC in 1987 as the world's first dedicated semiconductor foundry. Until then, semiconductor chips were always designed and manufactured by the same company. TSMC introduced a groundbreaking new business model in which TSMC acted purely as a contract manufacturer. This business model proved to be highly successful. TSMC maintained a single-minded focus on improving its manufacturing process technology and enabled the emergence of innovative fabless companies, including NVIDIA, Apple, and Qualcomm, who became its key customers. While many other foundry competitors emerged over the years, TSMC has outcompeted them with superior execution, operating efficiency, high-quality customer service, and the benefits of economies of scale. Today, TSMC controls approximately 60% of the total semiconductor foundry market and has a near-monopoly in manufacturing the world's most advanced chips. TSMC enjoys high barriers to entry given the ever-increasing cost and technological complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, while customer relationships are becoming increasingly sticky. We believe TSMC will sustain strong double-digit earnings growth for years to come, with continued market share gains driven by its superior technology, reliability, and customer service. We expect TSMC to continue to benefit from the virtuous cycle of its scale advantage - higher profits leading to higher R&D and capex investments, allowing for further technological differentiation, resulting in more profits. We expect TSMC will remain a key enabler of future technological innovation, including AI and High Performance Computing, and a major beneficiary of the increasing pervasiveness of chips, including in electric vehicles and IoT." Semiconductor, Technology, Component Photo by Jonas Svidras Unsplash Our calculations show that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) ranks 19th on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) was in 102 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2023, compared to 86 funds in the previous quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) delivered a 20.78% return in the past 3 months. On April this year, we also shared another hedge funds views on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2023 page. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. BEIJING, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 8 to 11, 2023, the international top medical aesthetic event IMCAS was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand. Wingderm Electro-optics Ltd. (Wingderm) is once again present as a sponsor and exhibitor of IMCAS. Wingderm is showcasing a wide range of devices, including Mesoskin, a highly efficient skincare device, Lasermach, a diode laser hair removal device, Renuva, Medical Non-ablative Fractional Laser Systems, and Cryoshot, a skin cooling device that can be used in conjunction with laser devices. Once the product was presented, it quickly attracted the attention of many doctors, beauticians and distributors in the industry. The booth of Wingderm was crowded, and the staff gave a detailed introduction to the technology, safety and effectiveness of the products. Krystian.Szuba, General Manager of Cryomed & Ebos group, exclusive distributor of Wingderm in Australia, said: "We are glad to cooperate with Wingderm because Wingderm can provide us with high quality products and professional services." Carol Ren/ Vice President Wingderm Vice President Carol Ren said: "As a member of China's medical aesthetics device industry, Wingderm is pleased to participate in this international event of the medical aesthetics industry held by IMCAS in Thailand to show the world our cutting-edge products and technologies. During the exhibition, we conducted in-depth exchanges with customers on products and services and reached a number of cooperation programs. These achievements will also lay a solid foundation for Wingderm's future development. With the continuous development of the medical aesthetic device industry, the industry value chain is also constantly upgrading. Wingderm is gradually transforming from a device manufacturer to an overall solution provider in medical aesthetic device industry to meet the all-round needs of partners. Also we provide more personalized services for partners and even end consumers with the help of our self-developed Wingcloud platform." About Wingderm Founded in 2016, with a strong technical foundation and high-end talent base, Wingderm has successively launched a number of intelligent optoelectronic medical aesthetics equipment. Our devices are adopted by thousands of medical aesthetics institutions in China, and Wingderm have established a number of sales channels around the world. At present, our company has more than 30 stable distributors in the world, and the globally sold devices has exceeded 10,000 units, and the equipment has been verified by more than 100 million people. In order to ensure that the products can legally enter the global market, Wingderm products have been certified by the US FDA, the EU CE, the UK, Brazil, Israel, Australia, Russia and other countries. We always insist on providing efficient intelligent medical equipment service solutions for global customers, combined with the self-built Wingcloud platform, aiming to guide continuous service improvement and business model innovation, and provide safer and more efficient medical equipment digital management solutions for distributors and equipment users, which has been promoted and verified in more than a dozen countries. For more information please visit:https://www.wingderm.com/ Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wingderm-once-again-participated-in-the-international-top-medical-aesthetics-event-imcas-301848879.html SOURCE Wingderm Electro-optics Ltd. Local school divisions are working hard to fill staff vacancies before the new school year starts in early August, but Spotsylvania County has the most work to do. Of the five school divisions in Planning District 16, Spotsylvania has the most vacancies to fill. According to a summary that was provided by the human resources department to the School Board last week, the division has 227 licensed teaching positions to fill, as well as 123 classified positions which include support staff and non-instructional positions and 40 transportation positions. The total number of vacancies as of June 8 was 390, or 12% of all positions, up from 9% in July 2022. In a June 9 division-wide message, Superintendent Mark Taylor told the school community that positions are available for anyone with a bachelors degree and a heart for kids. During a special School Board meeting held on June 8, board member Nicole Cole asked Taylor if the division has a plan for filling the vacancies. At what point is it an issue in regards to being able to open certain schools, if there are high levels of vacancies in certain schools? Cole asked. In response, Taylor said he appreciated Coles concern but that it is gratuitously inflammatory to talk about not being able to open certain schools. Recruitment is still active, he said. The HR team is working overtime. We are doing everything we can to recruit and fill positions. The School Board at its regular meeting on Monday evening will consider a proposal to temporarily reclassify up to 30 full-time teaching positions so they can be filled by paraprofessionals serving as interim teachers. Interim teachers must have, at a minimum, an associates degree or 60 college credits, be enrolled in an educator preparation program and have the equivalent of one year of successful experience working with students, according to the agenda for Mondays meeting. In March, the School Board approved two new hiring-related resolutions, one authorizing the superintendent to hire non-contracted employees and the other authorizing the board chair to approve licensed hires. Both resolutions waive the requirement that the full board vote on all hires and have the stated intent of expediting the hiring process in the extremely competitive labor market. Stafford County school division spokesman Hunter Berry said this week that the division has about 130 licensed teaching positions open about 5% of all licensed positions. We have already filled two-thirds of our open licensed positions (195 positions filled) for the 20232024 school year with inspiring new staff who chose Stafford schools and we look forward to filling the rest, Berry wrote in an email to the Free LanceStar. The vacant positions include 15 K5 classroom teachers, two grades 612 math teachers and 43 special education teachers. According to the Virginia Department of Education, special education, elementary classroom and middle school math teaching positions are among the most difficult to staff, and there is a critical shortage of teachers with endorsements in those areas. Spotsylvania County Public Schools but did not provide a breakdown of the teaching vacancies. King George County has 62 total positions to fill, spokeswoman Amanda Higgins said last week about 8% of all division positions. The vacancies include five elementary classroom teachers, two math teachers and 12 special education teachers. Fredericksburg City Public Schools has 26 positions to fill for the upcoming school year about 4% of all positions. Vacancies include eight elementary classroom teachers, two math teachers and six special education teachers. Caroline County has 35 unfilled positions, including four elementary classroom teachers, two middle school math teachers and five special education teachers. Voters in Fredericksburg, southern Stafford County and a small portion of Spotsylvania County can cast a ballot in the Republican primary election for House of Delegates District 65. The district is considered competitive by the Virginia Public Access Project and includes all of Fredericksburg; three precincts from the Courtland District in Spotsylvania; all precincts from Staffords George Washington District; one precinct from the Hartwood District; and four from the Falmouth District. Two candidates are competing for the Republican nomination: Lee Peters III, a captain in the Stafford County Sheriffs Office and 12-year veteran of the Marine Corps, and Michael Kasey, who works as vice president of the Fredericksburg-based company Housing Opportunities Made Economical. Peters is endorsed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Delegate Tara Durant who is a candidate for the 27th Virginia Senate District. According to his website, petersforvirginia.com, Peterss top issues are education, law and order, mental health, and jobs and the economy. On education, Peterss top priorities are to (ensure) Fredericksburg families are empowered in making the best decisions for their child, and that our public schools have the resources to all equip students with a world-class education. He would advocate to boost investment in law enforcement, support Youngkins behavioral health care initiative to address a mental health crisis among youth, reduce taxes and support small businesses. Kasey, who is blind and lost his sight in his 30s, has spent decades advocating for the disability community before the General Assembly, according to his website, kaseyfordelegate.com. His top three issues are improving the economy by eliminating taxes on income and gas, improving education by supporting school choice and supporting the Second Amendment by removing restrictions on gun ownership. In-person early primary voting closes June 17 at 5 p.m., and election day is June 20. The winner of the primary will face pastor and former delegate Joshua Cole, a Democrat, in the November general election. In the 10 weeks of April, May and early June more than $9 million poured into state Senate primary races and more than $2 million to several smaller House of Delegates contests. In many of these races the sharply partisan splits in newly redrawn General Assembly districts on both the Democratic and Republican side mean the June 20 vote will almost certainly determine who be representing voters in the 2023 session. The donations show some big players the Clean Virginia political action committee and its Dominion Energy nemesis, for instance staking big money on races. And in some races former Del. Lashrecse Aird versus state Senator Joe Morrissey, D-Petersburg in Senate District 13, or state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, versus former state Sen. Glen Sturtevant and Tina Ramirez in Senate District 12 - contributions to candidates suggest who the parties establishments favor. Aird, who has won endorsements from all the state Senates women members as well as other Democratic leaders, including U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as well as Reps. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th; Bobby Scott, D-3rd; and Abigail Spanberger, D-7th; was the biggest money-raiser. She took in $814,613 during the April 1-June 8 reporting period, according to her campaign finance filing with the state Department of Elections. Her opponent, Morrissey, received $97,595. Her biggest donor was Clean Virginia, which gave $125,000 during the period, with an additional $35,000 from Sonija Smith, wife of Clean Virginia founder Michael Bills. Morrisseys big donor was Dominion, which gave a total of $75,000 during the period. Aird outspent Morrissey, as well a cash outlay of $714,819, backstopped by the $417,088 of donated goods and services which are also counted as contributions, compared with Morrisseys $409,829. And for the final few days of campaign, Aird had some $100,822 of cash on hand as of June 8, compared with $7,473 for Morrissey. In the Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights district where incumbent Chase is facing two challengers, Ramirez raised the most money during the period, while Sturtevant had major donations for GOP heavyweights. Sturtevant, a lawyer who served one term in the Senate from 2016 to 2020, received $25,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee - which seeks to elect Republicans to down-ballot state offices - and $12,500 from GOPAC. He also won support from two lobbying heavyweights: Dominion gave $25,000 and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, $20,000. In all, Ramirez raised $218,291, with her biggest donation coming from a southern California retiree named Guy Young, who gave $8,052. Ramirez edged Sturtevants fundraising total of $203,923, but he outspent her, $310,780 to $295,730. Chase was the leader in small donations of less than $100, which some political scientists read as an indicator of grassroots support. A total of 272 people gave a total of $15,282. Chase trailed both, raising $99,777 and tapping her accumulated donations to spend $199,244. Another million-dollar fundraising race is a challenge of the generations in the Democratic primary in Senate District 11. State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, a member of the General Assembly since 1992, faces Del. Sally Hudson D-Charlottesville a delegate since 2020. Hudson, a University of Virginia economics professor who was a key House advocate for the Democratic minoritys campaign to shift Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed $1 billion of tax cuts to boost state support for K-12 schools, had the fundraising lead. Deeds, whos been leading General Assembly efforts to reform Virginias troubled mental health system, outspent her slightly in this fiercely fought primary contest. She raised $599,152, with big donors including Sonija Smith, who gave $100,000 and musician Dave Matthews, who gave $10,000. Deeds raised $516,322, including $15,000 from former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corns political action committee and $10,000 from writer John Grisham, with another $10,000 from Senate Democratic Caucus chair Mamie Locke, D-Hampton. Deeds spent $727,772 to Hudsons $723,424. In the one Senate primary contest that features two incumbents paired by redistricting, Senate president pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, outraised state Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake but his spending in this Hampton Roads district has dwarfed hers. Lucas' $500,590 of contributions includes $150,000 from Dominion and $100,000 from her Lucas Hospitality business services firm, while Dominion gave the biggest chunk of the $426,730 Spruill received, donating $100,000. Spruill spent just under $1.04 million during the period, to Lucas $391,850. Fremont First United Methodist Church will be hosting a free movie night at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at John C. Fremont Park, Eighth and Broad streets, in Fremont. The movie Rons Gone Wrong (PG) will be shown. Popcorn and water will be provided while supplies last. Everyone is welcome to attend. Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Carrier Enforcement Division conducted surprise commercial vehicle inspections Tuesday in Washington County. Tuesdays inspections were performed on a roving basis around Washington County. During the special enforcement effort, the Metropolitan Aggressive and Prevention Selective (MAPS) Team conducted 18 vehicle inspections. Troopers discovered 52 violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and state law. Troopers placed eight vehicles out of service (not allowed to return to the road). Vehicles are placed out of service for a variety of reasons relating to bad brakes or tires, or other problems that pose immediate safety risks. Two drivers were placed out of service. The surprise inspections focus on commercial vehicles that might not travel outside the city or pass-through weigh stations as part of their regular routes. The MAPS Team is funded largely by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Troopers check for compliance with federal safety regulations and enforce laws pertaining to weight, size, registration, dyed fuels, and permits associated with commercial vehicles. The MAPS Team was implemented in 1998 and consists of troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division. Congressman Floods staff to host mobile office hours The Office of Congressman Mike Flood recently announced that district staff will host mobile office hours in Fremont from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, 128 E. Sixth St. During the office hours, district office team members will be available to assist with challenges regarding federal agencies, military academy nominations, scheduling requests and any other needs constituents might encounter. Congressman Flood maintains permanent offices in Lincoln and in Washington, D.C., Location and contact information for the permanent offices can be found at flood.house.gov. Anyone with questions may contact Kim Kwapnioski at 202-834-2780, or if you are unable to meet on these dates, you can set up an appointment. Fremont councilmen to speak at meeting WinItBack Patriots will be meeting on Thursday, June 15, at Milady Coffeehouse Event Center-East Wing, Sixth Street and Park Avenue, in Fremont. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. (Arrive early if you wish to order a sandwich or beverage). Those attending should enter through the south (back) door. Fremont City Councilmen Paul Von Behren from Ward 1 and Glen Ellis from Ward 2 will speak at the meeting about issues facing Fremont. They also will answer questions from the public. All are welcome. WinItBacks mission is to advance and defend God-given liberty by promoting Constitutionally limited government, free markets and fiscal responsibility. Like-minded people or the curious are encouraged to check out the group. For more information, call Doug Wittmann at 402-317-1270. Church plans free movie night Fremont First United Methodist Church will be hosting a free movie night at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at John C. Fremont Park, Eighth and Broad streets, in Fremont. The movie Rons Gone Wrong (PG) will be shown. Popcorn and water will be provided while supplies last. Everyone is welcome to attend. Congressman Floods staff to host mobile office hours The Office of Congressman Mike Flood recently announced that district staff will host mobile office hours in Fremont from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, 128 E. Sixth St. During the office hours, district office team members will be available to assist with challenges regarding federal agencies, military academy nominations, scheduling requests and any other needs constituents might encounter. Congressman Flood maintains permanent offices in Lincoln and in Washington, D.C., Location and contact information for the permanent offices can be found at flood.house.gov. Anyone with questions may contact Kim Kwapnioski at 202-834-2780, or if you are unable to meet on these dates, you can set up an appointment. Often the only material things that remain from an existence wiped out in the Holocaust, hundreds of priceless silver pieces are on track to be returned to descendants of the original Jewish owners lost to Hitlers Third Reich. The man controlling the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive as it cruised from Columbus to Fremont on Sunday, June 11, took a few minutes during a stop in Columbus to speak with the Tribune about the historic train and its symbolism and meaning to eager fans along the tracks. Union Pacifics Ed Dickens Jr., the manager of the Big Boy 4014 and senior engineer on the locomotives operating crew, said he is blessed and thankful to be able to take part in the trains journey from Wyoming to Omaha, where it will be parked for the duration of the College World Series. Dickens also said the Big Boy commemorative round trip from Wyoming to Omaha and back was due in large part to the entire Union Pacific company, from dispatchers who work rail lines every day to the executives in offices across the nation as well as the engineers and support staff on trains and along every route the company owns. As the massive locomotive sat in both Columbus and Fremont, Dickens looked out from a window in the main cab of the steam behemoth and exchanged words with excited onlookers, smiled copiously and waved to those in the crowd. QUESTION: Workers are busy around the engine doing tasks and work; what are they doing? DICKENS: We are servicing the locomotive. That is what the railroad did back when this technology reigned supreme on the Union Pacific railroad. (It was done) about every 60 or 80 miles in the old days. They had a little bit better grease than we have today. The stream locomotive has a lot of logistics, a lot of fuel, a lot of water, maintenance not so much adjustments, but inspections. When you look at all the moving parts on a locomotive like this there are a lot of nuts and bolts and a lot of safety wires. There is just a lot to this complex mechanism. QUESTION: Can you describe the Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive for readers? DICKENS: This locomotive is 610 tons. Just to give some perspective the locomotive that you see behind us, the locomotive back there, it weighs one-third of what this does. This locomotive weighs three times that monster back there. It is also 7,000 horsepower, 17 feet tall and the engine and (cab) are 135 feet long. That locomotive, along with our conventional locomotives, are about 74 feet long. QUESTION: Why were the Big Boy model locomotives built? DICKENS: These locomotives were very purpose-built to solve a problem the railroad had. Railroads are always looking for the latest and most efficient technology. Back in the 1930s and moving into the 1940s, the railroads were at capacity at various parts of the railroad. They could not build more track, and they had to get a bigger locomotive that could physically carry more tonnage. The Big Boy was the solution to that problem. QUESTION: There are thousands of excited onlookers here, what does it mean to be a part of this journey? DICKENS: It is such a privilege for all of us. As you look out in the crowd, you can see so many people look at the smiling faces. They really enjoy the ambience of the steam locomotive. The whistle, everything you are experiencing, they are experiencing it on a different level the sights, the sounds, the smells. You can feel this thing rolling into town. It is a real privilege for all of us, we have great support back at our headquarters in Omaha. We are the folks that are on the locomotive, and we get a lot of smiles, a lot of thanks and a lot of waves. But the credit goes to all of the men and the women of Union Pacific who are standing behind us, making it happen. QUESTION: The excitement in the crowd is very evident, with toddlers, teens, adults and elderly present to see the train. What does that excitement mean to you? DICKENS: It really is fascinating. This is the machine that kinds of bridges all the generations. It brings people together. It unites people. We are united in a happy cause. The cause of celebrating history. The cause of celebrating the Union Pacific and this big, massive locomotive. It is so neat to see when the older generation is bringing their grandchildren down. They could not wait. I bet they were all excited when they got up this morning, because they were going to take their children and grandchildren to see something they remember from when they were kids. Photos: Union Pacific 'Big Boy' 4014 steam locomotive visits region Big Boy 22 big boy steam locomotive train 18 big boy 9 big boy 7 big boy 36 big boy 369 Big Boy 3 big boy 14 big boy 19 big boy 13 big boy 10 big boy 4 big boy 11 big boy 5 Big Boy 12 Four years after he absconded from state custody while attending a church service in Lincoln, a former Nebraska inmate is back in custody, according to authorities. Antonio Collier, 36, had been considered an escapee since May 19, 2019, when he failed to return to the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln after getting permission to attend church, authorities said in a news release. Police in Roseville, Michigan, arrested Collier on Sunday and took him to the Macomb County jail, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in the news release. Upon his return to Nebraska, Collier will resume the four- to five-year sentence he started on April 3, 2018, for a burglary conviction out of Douglas County. And the 36-year-old will be prosecuted for departure from state custody. Prosecutors in Lancaster County charged Collier in June 2019 with escape, a class 3 felony. In court records, investigators with the corrections department said Collier had an hour pass to attend services at Our Savior's Lutheran Church that Sunday afternoon. An hour after his pass expired, the 36-year-old called the community corrections facility and reported he was running late due to car problems, Correctional Services Investigator Ross Bartlett said in the probable cause statement for a warrant for Collier's arrest. Staff at the facility told Collier he needed to return to the facility as soon as possible, Bartlett said. But he never showed, prompting a Lancaster County judge to sign a warrant for his arrest June 5, 2019. Inmates at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln are allowed to work and go to school or religious services with prior approval and supervision. Photos: 2015 Tecumseh State Prison riot 010922-owh-new-prisons5 (copy) 010922-owh-new-prisons14.JPG (web) (copy) 20191113_new_prisonriot 20181127_new_prisonriot 010922-owh-new-prisons6 Tecumseh tour (copy) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host a Juneteenth concert in a celebration of community, culture and music, the White House announced. Get that and more trending news from today here. A Cripple Creek detective accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an alleged victim in a sex trafficking case pleaded guilty Monday to public indecency, a petty offense, and attempt to influence a public servant, a felony. "I misrepresented information to Chief Bright (Cripple Creek's police chief) to not lose my position with the Police Department," Alexander Kenoyer, 36, told Teller County Judge Scott Sells. In exchange for the guilty plea, which was part of a plea deal, prosecutors dismissed two charges of sexual conduct by a peace officer. Kenoyer also told the judge he had sex with the victim while on duty. As part of the plea agreement, Kenoyer accepted two years of probation and the possibility of up to 60 days in jail; however, Sells said he could decide to give Kenoyer no jail time at sentencing. Sells will also decide whether Kenoyer's probation will be supervised or unsupervised. According to the affidavit, Kenoyer's relationship with the victim began over text message in 2021 and the two first met to have sex at a local hotel in November of that year. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The affidavit states that sexually explicit text messages between the two were intertwined with the woman occasionally asking about her case and for legal advice. Texts also revealed alleged sexual contact between the two in Kenoyer's office at the Cripple Creek police station and in his police vehicle. The relationship ended when Kenoyer refused to leave his wife. A short time later, the Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation launched a probe into his misconduct. The woman told detectives that she "had been 'coerced and blackmailed' by Kenoyer into writing a letter to Chief Bright stating they 'supposedly didn't have any sex,'" according to the affidavit. The victim, who no longer lives in Colorado, appeared virtually Monday via Webex but chose not to speak to the court. Kenoyer is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 14. The city of Colorado Springs will defend the city attorney and real estate services manager in a federal civil eminent domain case. The City Council agreed informally on Monday to represent City Attorney Wynetta Massey and Real Estate Services Manager Darlene Kennedy in a pro se lawsuit Francisco Serna and Ajhalei Snoddy filed March 22. Serna and Snoddy, who previously owned the property at 3740 Colorado Ave., allege Colorado Springs did not comply with federal law and misrepresented funding sources for a regional revamp of West Colorado Avenue when the city acquired their property for the project through eminent domain in 2017. The council agreed to represent Massey and Kennedy as required by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, according to a May 26 memo from the City Attorney's Office and the Civil Action Investigation Committee to the City Council. Both women "were acting in the course and scope of their employment and not in a willful and wanton manner," the memo states. The city and El Paso County employee Dennis Barron, who identifies himself in court documents as a project manager for the Westside Avenue Action Plan project, are also named in the suit. The city and the county declined to comment on the pending litigation Monday. Among their allegations, Serna and Snoddy claim the city did not provide them "basic acquisition rights such as lawful appraisal" for its base offer for the property, that the city didn't notify them of the June 13, 2017, City Council meeting during which the council authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire the property, and that the city asked for court orders that prevented the plaintiffs from submitting evidence at a valuation trial last month. Serna and Snoddy claim in their suit since the West Colorado Avenue project received federal funds the city was required to comply, but did not, with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, including providing them a comparable dwelling. "For many reasons, the city disputes plaintiffs' claim to benefits under the (Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act)," the memo states. Those reasons are not listed in the memo. The suit claims Massey, as the city attorney, "was personally involved in the deprivation of (Serna and Snoddy's) constitutional rights to due process and just compensation." When Serna and Snoddy contacted Massey regarding federal funding in the project, the plaintiffs claim Massey "threat(ened) to inflict harm through legal fees if (they) pursued (their) federal rights in 'any forum, in any jurisdiction.'" Serna and Snoddy reference an Oct. 25, 2021, email between Assistant City Attorney Anne Turner and Serna, included in court documents. "The claim that the city failed to provide you with benefits under the (Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act) to which you were entitled is frivolous," Turner wrote. "Please be advised that if you persist in asserting such an argument in any forum, in any jurisdiction, the city may seek a judgement against you for its attorney fees and costs in having to defend against it." Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. In that email, Turner said the court found Colorado Springs "had satisfied its burden to prove that the preconditions to filing the eminent domain action had been satisfied" during the immediate possession hearing on Oct. 20, 2017. Turner also said "any purported failure of the city to provide relocation benefits" under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act "is not a basis for dismissal of the eminent domain action now, nor would it have been at the initiation of this case" because it is not an element that warrants dismissal of an eminent domain action. Turner disputed in the email Serna's claim, which he also made in the lawsuit, that he resided at the property before the city acquired it. Turner wrote in the email if Serna had been living at the property he wouldn't have been eligible for benefits through the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act because the occupancy would have been "unlawful." The city notified Serna in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 the property was unlawful to occupy because it "did not meet minimum housing standards," Turner wrote. Serna and Snoddy claim in their suit the email response, which they attribute as Massey responding through Turner, was "callous." "Making threats and demanding an illegal donation through our consent to a 'rule and order' without disclosure paperwork of our right to a just compensation determination is callous disregard for our statutory and constitutional rights rights to due process and just compensation," the lawsuit states. Serna and Snoddy allege Kennedy, as real estate services manager, did not disclose that federal funding was being used for the project. They also claim Kennedy is responsible for the city's failure to comply with its Procedure Manual for the Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property Interests at the June 13, 2017, City Council meeting by "having a non-qualifying project manager solicit use" of eminent domain powers; "misrepresenting" that Serna and Snoddy had received notice of that meeting; and "engaging in emails" with them that "misrepresented (their) rights to a federally compliant acquisition procedure." Serna and Snoddy further claim the city did not review the property appraisal it offered them, as required by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Acquisition Policies Act. Among other claims, Serna and Snoddy allege court orders granted to the city during eminent domain proceedings, prohibiting them from referencing that federal law at a valuation hearing last month, violated their "due process rights and rights to just compensation." Serna and Snoddy seek an injunction from the court that would require the city to restart acquisition negotiations for their property pursuant to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Acquisition Policies Act; a declaration that the city's manual for acquiring and selling property violated their rights to a review appraisal; and reimbursement for $25,125 in attorney's fees. The El Paso County Redistricting Commission launched its public input process Monday night during a contentious first redistricting meeting, where residents and commissioners rallied concern over the importance of certain communities of interest, including military bases and communities of color in southeast Colorado Springs. The meeting, held in Monument in District 1, was the first of five meetings to be held in each current commissioner district. The redistricting commission, consisting of the current five members of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, has until Sept. 30 to redraw their constituent districts. Under House Bill 21-1047, passed in 2021, counties cannot see more than 5% deviation between their most and least populous districts . The bill also encourages, as much as possible, preserving "communities of interest such as urban, rural or trade areas, or other factors like education, environment or water needs to ensure "fair and effective representation." According to El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker, each new district should have a population of roughly 146,550 based on 2020 U.S. Census data. "Certain types of communities of interest mean more to some people and other types of communities of interest mean more to other people," Commissioner Stan VanderWerf told residents. "We all have to recognize as a community that ... it's impossible to fully meet keeping every community of interest together." Schleiker presented the commission with the results of five map redraws, serving as starting points, requested at an introductory meeting in May. Map A showed regulated populations with "minimal changes" in election cycles and Map B showed a minimum amount of voter precincts moved between districts. Both would move Fort Carson from District 4 to District 3. Map C kept Security-Widefield, Hanover and Fountain together as communities of interest. Map D kept the west side of Interstate 25 together as a community of interest with special wildland urban interface needs, thus splitting Monument into two districts. Map E moved the Air Force Academy to District 3 and overpopulated Districts 3 and 5 to accommodate for expected booming growth in the eastern portions of the county. Because commissioners representing Districts 2, 3 and 4 are elected on presidential cycles and residents of 1 and 5 elected on gubernatorial cycles, moving voting precincts between districts to achieve equal populations could create "super-voters" who vote again in 2024 or disenfranchise "starved voters" until 2026. While all maps were within the 5% population deviation requirement, Maps C and E pushed closest with both over 4.8%. Of all the maps, Maps D and E created the highest numbers of both super- and starved voters - at least 17,300 and 10,000, respectively - and were both the least politically competitive, based on results of the 2020 presidential election and 2022 gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, Colorado Secretary of State and El Paso County Sheriff races. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Residents spoke in favor of keeping Monument together rather than splitting it along Interstate 25, harkening to the belief that Monument residents have more in common, regardless of their side of the interstate, with each other than those in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs has a different school district, different utility providers and different local economy, Monument resident James Howell said. While the meeting was held in District 1, most concern raised by residents surrounded the current division of southeast Colorado Springs into three districts - a decision, they said, that largely dilutes the vote of people of color. "I encourage you to take a look at those districts, those precincts, that have the highest proportion of black and Latino voters that are contiguous," said John Mikos, a Monument resident and former El Paso County Democratic Party chair. "Why (is) the southeast so consistently being disenfranchised?" a District 5, and former southeast Colorado Springs, resident asked. "The compassionate and close knit community of the southeast also happens to be predominantly people of color. Why are they not one of your communities of interest?" District 4 Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez then noted that he had requested Map C, which kept the county's southeast municipalities together, and that he would be open to keeping more of those neighborhoods in one district. "I've demonstrated an openness to that happening," Gonzalez said in a raised voice, adding: "Somebody said Hispanics can't get elected and we're disenfranchised. I'm Hispanic, the first one elected (as a commissioner). We can do it." Ahead of the next redistricting meeting on June 21, the commission directed county staff to nix Maps D and E from consideration due to the exceptionally large number of disenfranchised voters, Commissioner Cami Bremer said, and rework Maps A and B to follow the same criteria but keep Fort Carson in District 4. Staff was also charged with creating a new map that would keep more of the eastern plains together and consolidate more of southeast Colorado Springs, defined at the meeting as including Harrison School District 2 and Eastborough area, in one district. Click or tap here for the presentation slides detailing the five discussed maps. Click or tap here for more information on the county Redistricting Commission, how to create and submit redistricting map proposals and further resources. The Gazette first reported in April that a proposed, multibillion-dollar state mandate to cut energy use at thousands of Colorado buildings, including many offices and apartments, has drawn an outcry from affected property owners. Among the many concerns they raised was the unprecedented speed with which the state government wanted to proceed toward implementation making it all but impossible for stakeholders to have input in the process. On Thursday, The Gazette reported those property owners have been granted a little more time including a new public hearing date in August to make their case before the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission but its not much of a reprieve. The process is still rushed. It remains, as we pointed out here in April, an agenda that is being pushed at a breakneck pace. It is in fact a reckless pace, considering the state seeks nothing less than to re-engineer Colorados commercial buildings mandating a dizzying array of vague, cost-prohibitive and ultimately unworkable green-energy regulations. One upshot would be the forced and controversial electrification of buildings to wean them from natural gas. Thats regardless of an inadequate electrical grid to handle the extra power load that would result, as well as the lack of technology to feasibly heat buildings on electricity alone in Colorados winters. The proposed rule was the result of legislation signed into law two years ago by Gov. Jared Polis as part of his Greenhouse Gas Reduction Roadmap. It applies to more than 8,000 buildings in the state with more than 50,000 square feet of floor space and requires reductions in energy use of 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030 below 2021 levels. The Air Quality Control Commission is charged with imposing the rule and conducting the hearings to field challenges. Among other concerns raised is the pending mandate essentially seeks to set new efficiency standards for consumer appliances already subject to federal regulation. It would amount to setting an unlawful efficiency standard zero emissions for existing gas appliances under the U.S. Energy Policy and Conservation Act and would force the removal of those appliances. Its worth noting a federal court ruled in April that a Berkeley, Calif., ordinance banning the connection of natural gas lines to new construction violated that same federal law. Critics also charge the commissions latest reiteration of the rule that will be on the table in the August hearing includes even more stringent provisions. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Two associations representing apartment owners have been leading the resistance to the new rule. Some of the other concerns theyve raised include that the state has failed to evaluate the adverse impacts the rule will have on citizens and businesses in Colorado; has vastly understated the costs; has overstated savings benefits, and has not based its evaluation on facts and conditions unique to Colorado. So, heres the question we raised in April and ask again now: Why the rush? If a key sector of Colorados economy must radically reinvent some of its infrastructure at budget-busting expense which ultimately will be borne by the whole economy the entire process needs to slow down. At the least, the state should be working together with stakeholders to nail down exactly what the toll will be and whether changes need to be made to the rules specific mandates as well as to the timeline for implementing them. Better still, the legislature and governor might want to consider whether the whole undertaking is worth it in the first place. During August 1990 I completed Air Force ROTC at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) and pinned on second lieutenant bars before reporting (during May 1991) for Undergraduate Missile Training (UMT) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After four months of UMT we graduated as missile launch officers and reported to our active-duty assignments/bases. While serving at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota as a missile launch officer, I was assigned to the 321st Strategic Missile Wing, where 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) bolstered American nuclear deterrence. It turned out my first missile combat crew commander was a woman. At the time women serving as missileers was a relatively new occurrence. In fact, during March 1989, when I was completing ROTC at UMD, we visited the U.S. Air Force Academy (AFA) in Colorado Springs and the Academy still displayed its Bring Me Men sign. Over a decade later, when retired Air Force Colonel and A-10 Warthog pilot Kim Campbell (call sign KC or Killer Chick) graduated from the Air Force Academy (in 2001) 16% of her classmates were female, but the sign was still there. In 2003, the academy finally took down its Bring Me Men sign and replaced it with a gender-inclusive motto: Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence In All We Do. Although the process is ongoing, our armed forces started becoming more gender- and race-inclusive decades earlier. However, after the draft ended in 1973 diversity, equity and inclusion became even more vital for military readiness. During the Reagan administration, in the early 1980s, the Armys inability to recruit even marginally qualified soldiers led to such a manpower shortage that only four out of ten active-duty Army divisions were rated capable of deploying overseas in the event of a Soviet attack on NATO, explained award winning reporter/author James Kitfield, in a May 30, 2023, Defense One article (MAGA Republicans Are Dismantling Ronald Reagans Legacy). Then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Edward Shy Meyer was forced to publicly acknowledge that the U.S. Army was a hollow force, Kitfield added. To pull out of its chronic manpower shortages, the U.S. military leaned heavily into attracting minorities and women into the uniformed ranks. The Pentagon targeted both groups in recruiting and in higher admissions to the service academies and ROTC programs. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Racial-, ethnic-, and gender-sensitivity training programs were established, and affirmative action was used as a tool to level promotion rates for minority officers what today would be called diversity and equity initiatives, Kitfield said. The result is a uniformed military that today is more diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender than any in U.S. history. The Army has a great saying: Diversity is the Force. Equity is the Goal. Inclusion is the Way. On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order declaring (in part), Our diversity is one of our countrys greatest strengths. Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the first Black Air Force Academy superintendent, said a lack of diversity will weaken us. However, there are those today who prefer to drag our military into the mud with their never-ending culture wars and partisan accusations of wokeism. They point to some of the armed services branches not meeting their recruiting goals recently, which has happened multiple time in the past (during 2005 and 2019, for example) and is currently being negatively impacted by a growing economy and hot job market. The unemployment rate has been under 4 percent for 16 months in a row and over 3 million jobs have been created just during the previous 28 months. To the naysayers I say, simply, youre misguided. Diversity, equity and inclusion benefit everyone. And the transformation of our armed forces to an increasingly diverse all-volunteer force stretching from the Reagan administration to the Biden administration and beyond has made our military stronger. President Joe Biden spoke to the 2023 graduating class at the Air Force Academy on June 1st. He spoke about the war in Ukraine, climate change and the nations competition with China. The American people supporting Ukraine will not waiver. We always stand up for democracies always, he said to cheers from the audience. The graduating class, which marks the 75th anniversary of women serving in the force, is one of the most diverse ever with the highest ever percentage of women and minorities in any academy class, Biden said. Thats why were strong. Thats why were who we are. Thats why well never give up. David Lien (of Colorado Springs) is a former Air Force missile launch officer and the author of six books, including Age-Old Quests II: Hunting, Climbing & Trekking. Use some common sense I cannot believe all the time-wasting fits over keeping Space Force in Colorado Springs or moving it to Alabama. Are you serious? With all the military infrastructure already in place right here, what the heck is the question? I dont care whether President Donald Trump threw a political temper tantrum as he was leaving office or not. Come on, people. Grow up and use some common sense. We just got through a ridiculous battle over raising our debt ceiling which we already cant afford... and you still want to spend a huge amount of money unnecessarily to make a really stupid political move? You decision-makers are supposed to do just that make decisions... not sit on a fence. Billie Nigro Colorado Springs Best kept under wraps Regarding the whistleblower who claims that the U.S. government is holding onto evidence of aliens I think theres a pretty good chance that there is some boring, terrestrial explanation for anything he has seen or heard evidence of, but assuming not its probably best that its kept under wraps. Because they probably wouldnt be Star Trek aliens that are within a couple centuries of us technologically, and they could very easily be millions or even billions of years older than we are. And if they are such massive leaps and bounds ahead of us, wed probably just be ants in the playground of giants to them, and at any point they could eminent domain the earth to build a highway through our solar system or accidentally exterminate us because of a clerical error. Not a comforting thought and frankly, I think ignorance would be bliss if there really were any aliens. Dominic Cingoranelli Black Forest Reparations will divide us The disadvantages suffered by the Black/African American Community, because of institutionalized discrimination, need to be addressed, but reparations are not the appropriate vehicle. It is just another form of welfare or socialistic transfer of wealth, and it will generate more backlash than those Affirmative Action programs which were not based upon merit. Quotas and Affirmative Action programs which were not based upon merit are a type of reverse discrimination which hurts other minority groups which are not automatically included in them, too. All who work and/or own businesses, and who pay taxes, will have to pay for these reparations. This includes Black/African Americans, Asian Americans, Indigenous Americans, Hispanic Americans and every other minority which has suffered discrimination. If reparations are based upon slavery, then just how Black does one have to be to qualify? Will those whose ancestors were freed Black Slaves, who also owned black slaves, also qualify? Many Black/African Americans in this country were never enslaved in this country; many came here to escape from the countries which enslaved them. They did not go back to their DNA countries whose citizens would probably rather be here than there. Any politician who votes in favor of reparations, and whose constituency is not majority Black is likely to lose in the next election. Reparation will only benefit one segment of our society and they will further divide us. There are better choices to make. For many reasons, this is one of the worst. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Harvey A. Epstein Monument Wasting time on a dog squeaky toy The article in the June 9 Gazette regarding Jack Daniels Distillery suing a toy maker for its somewhat look-alike booze bottle dog chew toy was hilarious. What I find amusing are two things. Firstly, the argument by the Jack Daniels attorneys that it misleads customers is really a slam against the folks who consume Jack Daniels beverages. Secondly, why is the SCOTUS wasting time addressing an issue between a pedestrian multi-million-dollar adult beverage company and a much smaller company about a dog squeaky toy? Denny Modlin Colorado Springs Fireworks impact veterans If you are thinking of setting off fireworks at your house this summer, please give some consideration for the combat veterans that live within earshot of your house. The pops and booms can cause severe distress due to the horrible memories they can trigger. Havent they been through enough? This summer, lets be kind to each other. Mark Lambuth Colorado Springs Thankful for balanced article Thank you for publishing Ruben Navarrettes article Pride Month should be about love and acceptance, not division June 10. It was a balanced view, written well which I appreciated and know others do too. So as Ruben quoted and encouraged, Lets chill out, America and be kinder to one another. Not just for one month but all year long. And while Im at it, a shout-out to all the organizers, supporters and participants in our local PRIDE festivities. Gayle Rappold Colorado Springs The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Monday released its review of the 2023 legislative session, and while they raised concerns about the deterioration of Colorado's economic competitiveness, "the number of bills that made their way to Gov. Jared Polis desk that significantly bother business leaders were surprisingly few." "We are seeing a direct correlation of the deterioration of Colorados economic competitiveness based on laws and regulations that continue to be adopted by state leaders and the competitiveness data and surveys weve conducted," Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman said. "The outcome of this legislative session required a great deal of work and collaboration to ensure that Colorados business climate did not further deteriorate. The chamber cheered the defeat of measures such as the Fair Workweek bill (House Bill 1118), which backers said would lead to more predictive scheduling and fairer work hours but that businesses said would have led to fewer available jobs for workers, lower pay, and less flexibility and would have driven businesses out of the state. "The restrictive scheduling bill was one of the worst bills for business weve seen from the legislature in years, and that was reflected by the significant backlash from business owners across the state," Furman said. HB 1118 died on an 8-2 vote in its first committee hearing, with four Democrats voting it down along with the four Republicans on the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. Bills the chamber supported included those boosting worker pipeline programs, such as House Bill 1246, which requires the community college system to administer an "in-demand short-term credentials program" in early childhood education, law enforcement, fire and forestry and construction; as well as creating two new short-term degree nursing programs at community or technical colleges. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The group also supported Senate Bill 205, which creates a scholarship program for Colorado high school graduates that prioritizes awards for students pursuing high-priority postsecondary degrees, certificates, and registered apprenticeships. Both measures are needed to "upskill workers," particularly as the state has experienced a 10% drop just since 2019 in the number of high school graduates seeking any kind of advanced degree or certificate, the chamber said in its report. While the chamber supported the need for more housing, particularly for workers, it was less than enthused about Polis' signature housing proposal, SB 213, which died on the session's last day. Chamber officials said their members pointed out the bill failed to reform construction-defects law "that continues to make it easy for condominium owners associations to sue builders and, in doing so, scares most builders away from putting up condos." The chamber opposed both the rent control legislation in HB 1115 and the proposal creating a right of first refusal for local governments, allowing them to purchase older apartment buildings for affordable housing, in HB 1190. The group also cited its work with lawmakers and other business groups "to transform potentially seismic bills into ones that are likely to have much smaller impacts on businesses operational abilities," such as the POWR Act (SB 172), which redefines harassment in Colorados anti-discrimination laws, removing "severe or pervasive" from the definitions of a discriminatory or unfair workplace practice. The chamber said in its report the law is unlikely to result in a "floodgate" of lawsuits. Colorado's Libertarian Party has agreed with state Republicans to stay out of competitive races in next year's election where a right-leaning, third-party candidate could be a spoiler, the chairs of both parties announced Tuesday. Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams said the agreement he negotiated with Hannah Goodman, his Libertarian counterpart, will boost the chances of Republicans winning crucial 2024 legislative and congressional races. Williams said in a statement that he hopes the unprecedented move will "ensure that these races are not spoiled by a third-party candidate so that together we can break the stranglehold radical Democrats have over our state." Said Goodman, in a letter addressed to Williams released by the Colorado GOP: "We would prefer to work with you, and not against you, to support the Colorado that your voters believe they are supporting. We are committed to working with you to end their one-party rule here in Colorado." Williams told Colorado Politics that the agreement will only affect what he described as competitive races, where a Libertarian candidate's votes might make a difference. Republicans in Colorado have long complained that Libertarian nominees siphon off votes from GOP candidates, sometimes allowing Democratic nominees to win with a plurality. Libertarians, however, have also long maintained that their candidates aren't spoilers and caution Republicans against counting on the votes their nominees receive. The Libertarian Party is the largest of Colorado's officially recognized minor political parties, with 39,830 active, registered members as of June 1. Although the party's members account for just 1% of the state's 3.8 million registered, its nominees routinely garner 2-3% of the vote, enough to swing the results in tight races. Williams cited Democrat Yadira Caraveo's 0.7 percentage point win last year over Republican Barb Kirkmeyer in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District, where Libertarian nominee Richard Ward took nearly 4% of the vote far more than Caraveo's razor-thin margin. Democrats swept the ballot in Colorado last year, winning every statewide race and five of the eight congressional seats while increasing the party's majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. "We must seek new opportunities to build coalitions that will help restore balance back to Colorado, and this new partnership is a critical first step if we are going to win in 2024," Williams said. In the letter, Goodman outlined the agreement, which requires that Republican nominees pass a loosely defined test involving a commitment to "liberty." "We are calling upon the Republican Party to take our goals and objectives into serious consideration and run strong liberty minded, anti-establishment candidates going forward," Goodman wrote. "If the Republican Party runs candidates who support individual liberties, we will not run competing candidates in those races." Added Goodman: "Furthermore, we reserve the right to run our candidates if you choose not to put forth strong liberty candidates." Williams acknowledged that Republicans can't count on the Libertarians standing down in targeted races if the party nominates just anyone. "They are not looking for the perfect candidate, but they are making clear that our party needs more nominees who will fight for limited-government in Denver and Washington D.C.," he said in an email to supporters. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. He elaborated on how possible scenarios might play out in a text message to Colorado Politics. "At a minimum, the Libertarians will make it known to Colorado Republicans if a primary candidate is acceptable or not," Williams said. "For example, if Joe ODea runs in CD8, they will object and make it known that they prefer their own nominee in the general election." O'Dea, the GOP's unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate nominee, has been floated as a potential challenger to Caraveo, though he doesn't live in the district. In last year's election, numerous leading Republicans, including former state Rep. Ron Hanks, who lost the primary to O'Dea, withheld their support from the Republican nominee over his positions on abortion and other issues. Williams told Colorado Politics that he forwarded the agreement to the National Republican Congressional Committee and minority leaders in the state House and Senate. He added that the state GOP "will also act as a liaison" with the groups to "express the Libertarian Partys thoughts on the field of candidates. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who routinely describes himself as small-l libertarian-leaning, mocked the announcement in a Twitter post. "And if you run more pro-liberty candidates who support a womans right to choose, the freedom to marry who you love, reducing the income tax, private property rights to build housing on your own land, and legal cannabis and psilocybin small businesses then maybe you can start calling your nominees Democrats," Polis wrote. And if you run more pro-liberty candidates who support a womans right to choose, the freedom to marry who you love, reducing the income tax, private property rights to build housing on your own land, and legal Cannabis and Psilocybin small businesses then maybe you can start https://t.co/gfIk4xYoj8 Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) June 13, 2023 Dick Wadhams, a Republican poltiical consultant and former state GOP chairman, told Colorado Politics he applauded Williams for having the discussion but was skeptical about any long-term benefits the agreement might yield. "The Libertarian chairwoman said they will not oppose Republicans who support individual liberties, but that's a pretty broad definition," Wadhams said. "You never know where they're going to come down on any issues. They're all over the map on various issues." Wadhams added that Williams might not be the best arbiter of what constitutes a good Republican who deserves a shot without a third-party spoiler. "After watching Williams attack people like Congressman Doug Lamborn and former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers in the last couple weeks, count me as somewhat leery about him deciding on his own that a Republican candidate does not support individual liberties," Wadhams said. "It's nice he's spending time on this, but it doesn't go to what really ails the Colorado Republican Party, which is Donald Trump and people who refuse to acknowledge the cold hard reality that Donald Trump has defined the last four election cycles in Colorado for Colorado Republicans." Colorado Democrat Party Chairman Shad Murib dismissed the pact between his Republican and Libertarian counterparts in a text message to Colorado Politics. "The Colorado Republican Partys problem is not Libertarians spoiling elections for them their problem is that their platform is opposed by the vast majority of Colorado voters," Murib said. "If their path to victory is to embrace folks who are even more extreme than them, Id remind them that two wrongs dont make a right." In a pair of rulings addressing out-of-court statements from child victims, the Colorado Supreme Court on Monday made it easier for prosecutors to introduce hearsay evidence against defendants accused of sexually assaulting minors. Out-of-court testimony aimed at proving the truth is generally inadmissible at trial, as defendants cannot cross-examine the witness in front of jurors. However, Colorado law permits hearsay in instances where a child witness is testifying about a sex offense. Unlike other states, which have a specific age cutoff for hearsay testimony, Colorado law pegs the threshold to whatever age is written in the "subject of the action." But what does that mean? The court determined that prosecutors may use out-of-court testimony from older child victims, even if the defendant is accused of assaulting the victim when they were younger than the age cutoff. Colorado's law allowing for child hearsay ensures prosecutors can have the evidence they need in sex crimes, but also protects criminal defendants against out-of-court testimony they cannot challenge. A further goal of the law is to avoid retraumatizing younger victims by sparing them the ordeal of having to answer questions in front of a jury. Two men, Dennis R. Chirinos-Raudales and Jose Leonel Orellana-Leon, were both convicted of sexual assault on a child in Denver and Boulder County, respectively. Both men's victims reported their abuse at age 15, and forensic interviewers spoke to each one. Colorado law deems sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust the specific crime at issue a class 4 felony. But it becomes a more serious offense if the victim is under 15. At Chirinos-Raudales and Orellana-Leon's trials, the prosecution played videos of the victims' forensic interviews in lieu of the children's in-court testimony. On appeal, the men challenged that evidence. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The defendants pointed to Colorado's child hearsay law that indexes the cutoff age to the number listed in the "subject of the action." Because they were sentenced more severely for assaulting a child under 15, their victims' interviews recorded at age 15 did not make the cutoff for use at trial, they argued. The Colorado Criminal Defense Bar weighed in on their behalf, contending that even if the video evidence were barred, the prosecution would "merely have to prove its case like any other without the use of inadmissible hearsay and by submitting it to cross-examination." The government countered that the defendants were charged with sexually assaulting a child, meaning someone under 18. The provision enhancing their sentences if their victims were younger than 15 was not the "subject of the action." By choosing the lower age as the cutoff for hearsay, it could become harder to secure more serious sentences for offenses against younger children. "I think we are also likely to get some cases where the prosecution makes the decision not to charge the sentence enhancers so they can get in this evidence," warned Senior Assistant Attorney General Brock J. Swanson during oral arguments. "And were doing it for procedural reasons rather than for the defendants actual, substantive guilt." Alternatively, the government suggested that when multiple age cutoffs are listed, every age is fair game. "Its maximalist, right?" said Justice William W. Hood III. "You look at any opportunity to admit child hearsay under the statute and you go to the highest age." While the Supreme Court did not explicitly endorse the "maximalist" position, it ultimately agreed the victims in Chirinos-Raudales and Orellana-Leon's cases were allowed to testify out of court. Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright, in the June 12 opinion, explained the men were charged with sexual assault on a child, which was the real "subject of the action." Without that charge, "there would be no judicial proceeding," he wrote. Therefore, the higher age cutoff of 18 applied. The cases are Chirinos-Raudales v. People and Orellana-Leon v. People. Democrat Obi Ezeadi, a member of the Westminster City Council, on Tuesday announced that he's formally launching a campaign for the open Senate District 19 currently represented by term-limited state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat. Ezeadi, the 38-year-old son of Nigerian immigrants and only the second Black councilor elected in the suburban city's history, said he's running to "elevate all the voices" in the northwest metro district. "As a first-generation American, I firmly believe that leadership and greatness have no bounds, and it is crucial for the Colorado Democratic Party to have representatives with diverse lived experiences who understand the struggles of all constituents. I am running to champion your freedoms the freedom to receive a quality education, the freedom to love, and the freedom to ensure your voice matters," Ezeadi said in a statement. While there is still a lot of work to be done in Westminster, and Im hungry to do it, Im looking forward to expanding my reach to encompass all of District 19. That way, I can help even more residents to achieve the access, resources, and engagement that they deserve from their elected officials." The Democratic-leaning district covers parts of Arvada and Westminster. Zenzinger won reelection in 2020 under the district's old boundaries by a wide margin, defeating Republican Lynn Gerber by nearly 20 percentage points. According to the state's independent redistricting commission, the district's current electorate leans toward Democratic candidates by a 9.2 percentage point margin. Ezeadi is so far the only candidate who has declared for the seat. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. In an interview, he cited his background growing up in poverty and going on to start numerous business and said his experience including a stint earlier this year working as Zenzinger's intern on the Joint Budget Committee have prepared him for the job at the State Capitol. "I think I can lend my voice in conversation, build a broad coalition and bridge the divisions, so we can actually start solving problems again," Ezeadi said. "Socio-economic disparities I think that's a unifying issue of our times," Ezeadi said, adding that he plans to focus his campaign on "pocketbook issues" and education. Earlier this year, he formed BIPAC, a political action committee dedicated to helping elect minority candidates across Colorado, starting in this year's municipal and school board elections, he said. "That's important to me because of what I experienced in my city council campaign the odds are stacked against Black and Brown people, so I wanted to try to level the playing field, try to be that helping hand, that bank for Black and Brown people across the state to run for office," he said. His early endorsers all Democrats include Jefferson County Commissioner Andy Kerr, state Rep. Brianna Titone of Arvada, Senate President Pro Tem James Coleman of Denver and state Sens. Faith Water of Westminster, Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge, Lisa Cutter of Evergreen and Janet Buckner of Aurora. Ezeadi and his wife, Megan, live in Westminster with their young daughter Grace, who attends elementary school in Arvada. A busy Colorado Springs intersection could get even busier with a mix of new residential and commercial projects envisioned in the area. McDonalds plans to build an approximately 4,600-square-foot, dual lane drive-thru restaurant as part of the Willowind commercial and retail development northwest of Marksheffel and Barnes roads on the Springs east side, according to a proposal submitted to city government officials. McDonalds would join a 7-Eleven convenience store that opened 11 years ago at Willowind and a multitenant retail building completed on the property in 2007, El Paso County land records show. The fast-food giant didnt immediately respond to a Gazette email seeking more information; a project timetable and whether the restaurant would be corporately owned or operated by a franchisee were unknown. McDonalds is seeking city approval of a development plan for the restaurant, which spells out project details such as its size, access and landscaping. McDonalds wouldnt be the only new business at Willowind; a proposal submitted to city government officials shows Texas-based Champion Xpress Carwash plans to build a 4,350-square-foot building south of the restaurant. It would be the first Champion Xpress in the Pikes Peak region; the chain has locations in Alamosa, Canon City, Delta, Grand Junction and Pueblo, along with facilities in Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico and Texas, its website shows. Champion Xpress also is seeking city approval of a development plan for its project. Doubletree Ventures, an Arizona-based real estate development company, bought the nearly 10-acre Willowind project for $3.9 million in December 2021, El Paso County land records show. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. A half-dozen parcels at Willowind remain vacant and are being developed by Doubletree, including the McDonalds and Champions Xpress sites. The company didnt develop the multitenant retail building, but purchased it along with the sites vacant parcels. The 7-Eleven property is owned separately. Brian Zurek, Doubletrees managing partner, said he couldnt comment about plans for the McDonalds and Champions Express projects. In general, however, he said the Willowind site was attractive to Doubletree because of its location on Colorado Springs fast-growing east side. Its a high-growth corridor, Zurek said. Marksheffel Road is getting expanded or is planned to be expanded into a four-lane from a two-lane. Theres a tremendous amount of growth to the east in Banning Lewis Ranch. Good access, high visibility. Marksheffel, a major north-sound roadway on the Springs east side, is slated to be widened after voters in November approved an extension of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority sales tax. That tax funds a variety of road projects in the area. In addition to the Willowind development, Texas-based DHI Residential, an affiliate of the national D.R. Horton homebuilding company, has submitted a proposal to city officials that envisions a 299-unit apartment complex and 156 townhomes on nearly 36 acres southeast of Marksheffel and Barnes. The apartment complex would contain a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with amenities that include a clubhouse, pool, dog park and garages, according to the DHI Residential proposal submitted to the city. Officials with D.R. Horton didnt respond to a Gazette email seeking more information. In September 2020, Patricia Ruiz Roe was killed when her home in Gypsum exploded because of a gas leak. Roe, 49, left behind two young children. The leak was caused by Black Hills Energy incorrectly marking a gas pipeline, resulting in the pipeline being ruptured during a drilling operation, according to the Colorado Gas Pipeline Safety Program. Black Hills Energy then failed to advise residents to evacuate, the program found. In response to Black Hills Energy's deadly actions, the program issued the company a verbal warning. Though the Gas Pipeline Safety Program is supposed to inspect operators and enforce compliance of safety requirements, this kind of nonaction toward safety violations is commonplace, according to a recently released audit. From 2017 to 2022, 94% of the 5,643 safety noncompliances identified by the program received no enforcement actions, the audit found. This included accidents that caused at least two deaths, over a dozen injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. When verbal warnings were given, the program did not always follow up to ensure the safety issues were fixed. Nearly 2,500 instances of safety noncompliance during the five-year period were repeat instances from 14 operators, but the program didn't issue the operators any compliance actions. The top offenders were Xcel Energy (1,078 instances), Colorado Natural Gas (566) and Black Hills Energy (197). "When operators are noncompliant and the program doesn't enforce safety requirements, the noncompliance can continue," said Legislative Audit Manager Jenny Page during a presentation. "When enforcement is lacking, there's also a risk of these safety accidents." Penalties for safety violations are even more rare than written enforcement actions. The program assessed only 23 penalties for the 5,643 safety noncompliance incidents from 2017 to 2022. The 23 penalties should have totaled over $10.9 million based on the assessments, but the program collected only four, totaling $208,530, the audit found. If the program followed federal and state laws regarding penalties, it would have collected between $2.4 million and $689 million from 2020 to 2022, depending on the duration of continued noncompliance. Instead, the program collected only $5,000 in penalties during these years, the audit found. "The program's failure to penalize the worst offenders demonstrates it isn't enforcing safety requirements effectively," said Audit Supervisor Cariann Ryan. "They assess penalties to small, private operators for paperwork issues, while assessing only a written warning to Xcel in 2017 for not monitoring pipelines for leaks and not taking prompt action to correct deficiencies." In addition, the audit found that the program did not inspect operators or have records of inspections within the required one- to five-year time frames, did not meet federal inspection metrics, and had missing or incomplete inspection records. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. From 2017 to 2022, the program failed to complete on time 100% of emergency plan procedure inspections, 88% of implementation of transmission integrity management program inspections, 88% of field observation of emergency response inspections, 86% of implementation of distribution integrity management program inspections and 77% of field inspections. Of the program's 15 inspectors, 13 lacked required training and supervision, the audit found. Three inspectors also had conflicts of interest, inspecting companies they recently worked for immediately after being hired to the Gas Pipeline Safety Program. The audit made 39 recommendations for the Gas Pipeline Safety Program to address the findings. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which administers the program, agreed to 38 of the recommendations and partially agreed to one. "We have a phenomenal team of inspectors; I have a lot of faith in them. They take their job really seriously," said Rebecca White, director of the Public Utilities Commission. Some of the major recommendations ask the Public Utilities Commission to establish documentation practices for the program, track compliance actions and penalties, request more inspectors as needed, develop an objective process to assess and collect penalties, develop procedures for compliance follow-ups, and incorporate a risk assessment into inspection scheduling. Each of those recommendations must be implemented between January and June 2024. The recommendation the Public Utilities Commission only partially agreed to asked it to develop processes to monitor and track gas pipeline safety accident information from the National Response Center, and to review potential gas pipeline accidents reported by the Colorado news media to identify accidents that have not been reported to the program. The commission agreed to track such incidents, but declined to investigate them, saying they are out of the commission's jurisdiction. The audit was requested by the Legislature, with the findings reported to the Legislative Audit Committee. During the committee meeting, lawmakers asked questions about the report but rarely commented on the findings. Sen. Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, was the only lawmaker to raise concerns about the recommended changes to the program, questioning whether it would increase penalties charged to gas companies. "At the end of the day, we need safety, but we also need these operators to stay in business," Pelton said, adding that costs of penalties are "dollars coming out of these companies' pockets, which, in turn, is coming out of our taxpayers' pockets. They don't just absorb that cost, it's passed on." However, lawmakers largely seemed to agree with the audit's recommendations, emphasizing the need to follow state and federal laws, and keep Colorado's gas pipelines safe. "We're watching what you all are doing and I need to impress on you all how important it is that we maintain the highest standard of safety," said Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. "These are things that we can do. ... The guidelines are there. It just has to be followed and it has to be implemented and there has to be some accountability." A Gilpin County judge who ejected the defendant's family and other observers from his courtroom and told them to watch the livestream from elsewhere in the courthouse violated the defendant's constitutional right to a public trial, Colorado's second-highest court ruled last week. Michelle Re Nae Bialas was on trial for the second time when some jurors reported hearing talk among the spectators about Bialas' previous trial. Although the comments about Bialas' first trial appeared to come from the alleged victim's family, not Bialas', District Court Judge Todd L. Vriesman kicked everyone out, saying he was "not going to sit around" to determine who was at fault. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals criticized Vriesman's handling of the situation. "The threat of disruption here did not come from Bialass family, and thus there was no reason for their exclusion," wrote Judge Ted C. Tow III in the panel's June 8 opinion. "This action exceeded what was necessary to insulate the jury from improper statements." Because violating a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial requires reversal of her convictions, the panel ordered a new trial for Bialas. The appeals court previously reversed Bialas' convictions after her first trial in 2017, finding a different judge improperly limited the defense's questioning of jurors. Tow also authored the opinion that granted Bialas a second trial, which was the subject of her latest appeal. A spokesperson for District Attorney Alexis King did not immediately say whether her office would try to prosecute Bialas for the third time in six years. Case: People v. Bialas Decided: June 8, 2023 Jurisdiction: Gilpin County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Ted C. Tow III (author) David Furman Sueanna P. Johnson Background: 'The law is the law': Conifer students experience real appellate cases, quiz judges Prosecutors charged Bialas with assaulting her ex-boyfriend and violating a protection order, also known as a restraining order. During her second trial in 2021, public health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission were still in place, requiring spectators to disperse throughout the courtroom. Another room in the courthouse had a live video feed of the trial. During Bialas' testimony, Vriesman received a note from the jury, saying some spectators were discussing "the history of the case and we could hear them." Vriesman questioned jurors individually, who told him they had overheard about Bialas' previous conviction. The comments apparently came from the victim's family members. Although the parties had agreed beforehand that the families for Bialas and the victim would be in the courtroom, rather than the remote viewing room, Vriesman ejected all members of the public, telling them to watch the remainder of the trial on livestream. "It is my province to govern what (is) happening here in the courtroom and something has happened, which is not proper," he said. "Im not going to sit around and try and determine who is at fault for making comments." The defense objected, claiming Vriesman was effectively closing his courtroom to the public in violation of the Sixth Amendment guarantee of a public trial. The prosecution acknowledged it had no issue with Bialas' family being allowed to stay. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "I am not going to take sides as to who it is or what spectators get special preference," Vriesman responded in shutting down the request. After jurors found Bialas guilty for a second time, she appealed. The right to a public trial, she pointed out, ensures that judges and prosecutors treat the accused fairly, and it also discourages perjury. The Court of Appeals panel held oral arguments in May at Conifer High School as part of its "Courts in the Community" program, and Bialas' attorney used the event itself as proof of a public trial's importance. "This court wouldn't be here today actually, physically in this high school if we didn't intuitively understand there is a difference between in-person attendance and online observation," argued public defender Meredith K. Rose. "And that is what is at stake here." The government countered that Vreisman was responding to a disruption and had wide latitude to mange his courtroom. "If one person disrupts the courtroom," Tow interjected, "does that give the judge license to exclude every single person without any individualized inquiry as to who was disrupting?" Ultimately, the panel agreed Vriesman partially closed his courtroom by relegating spectators to the livestream area. Tow cited other courts across the country that have reached similar conclusions, including a decision from the San Francisco-based federal appeals court finding audio-only streaming during COVID-19 failed to ensure the protections of the public trial guarantee. "While there may have been an overriding interest in excluding the misbehaving spectators," wrote Tow, "the broad concern that any member of the public might make inappropriate comments cannot justify a closure because it would essentially allow a court to exclude the public as 'a matter of course'." Directly after oral arguments to the high school students, Rose acknowledged she was glad the Court of Appeals had chosen her client's case to hear at its Courts in the Community event. "It would be hard for the Court of Appeals to go back and say there really isnt a difference between being in person and being on a livestream when we came here for a reason today," she said. The case is People v. Bialas. Photo: The Canadian Press The proliferation of hate and lies on digital platforms and the threat that artificial intelligence can become an uncontrolled monster demand coordinated global action starting with a code of conduct for governments, tech companies and advertisers that promotes truth and protects human rights, the U.N. chief said Monday. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board in a few days, and an advisory board on artificial intelligence in September to prepare initiatives that the U.N. can take. He said he would react favorably to a new U.N. agency on artificial intelligence and suggested as a model the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is knowledge-based and has some regulatory powers. Guterres told a news conference he plans to consult widely on the just released principles for the U.N. Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, which he will issue before next years U.N. Summit of the Future. He expressed hope that the code will be widely supported, but when asked whether governments and tech companies are willing to take steps to make digital space safer, he replied, Thats the question I ask myself. We are dealing with a business that generates massive profits, and we are dealing also in some situations with governments that do not entirely respect human rights, so this is a constant battle and in this constant battle, we must mobilize all those that are committed to information integrity in digital platforms, he said. Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, agreed that while it's a positive step that the U.N. is calling for international solutions to this global problem, its code of conduct won't likely be sufficient to stop the torrent of false and hateful information online. The fact of the matter is that voluntary codes, including the companies' own terms of service on these issues, have failed to rein them in, Beirich said. The problem for the U.N. is they can't do what it seems is going to have to be done to deal with this problem, which is basically legislation. Guterres said there are many initiatives underway, including a law and code of conduct in the European Union for its 27 member nations and a U.K. summit on AI safety in the autumn. Other governments also are looking into forms of regulation. But he said there is a view that regulation isnt easy because things are moving very quickly, and that therefore a global approach is needed. Guterres said a key problem is that the tech company business model prioritizes engagement over privacy, truth and human rights. He said tech companies need to understand that massive profits cannot be created at the expense of a model of engagement that goes before any other consideration." The U.N. chief said the code of conduct will not be a solution, but it will be global" and it will enable governments, tech companies, advertisers and others to commit to what needs to be done in order to guarantee or at least to seriously promote information integrity in digital platforms. The principles Guterres laid out for the code of conduct include commitments to refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose. For governments, it seeks commitments not to respond to misinformation, disinformation and hate speech by blocking legitimate comment, shutting down the internet or banning platforms or media outlets and to guarantee protections for journalists and independent media. For companies that control digital platforms, it seeks a pledge to be transparent about their algorithms, advertising and how they deal with misinformation, disinformation and hate speech and to eliminate double standards that allow hate speech and disinformation to flourish in some languages and countries while they are prevented more effectively in others. Tech companies are also urged to give people a greater choice over the content that they see, and how their data is used. Guterres said a commitment sought from digital platforms includes "urgent and immediate measures to ensure that all AI applications are safe, secure, responsible and ethical, and comply with human rights obligations. He said the United Nations will try to be in the center of all the networks and movements that will be created to deal with AI technology as it develops. But he said this wont be easy because governments and international organizations havent invested sufficiently in recent decades in personnel who have the necessary scientific and technical knowledge. It also requires the commitment of the platforms themselves, and of the AI creators themselves," Guterres said, but we will do our best to be a platform where everybody can be together in order to make this agenda advance positively. Severe thunderstorms rolled into the Pikes Peak region Monday, bringing heavy rain, flooding and hail to Colorado Springs and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued a constant stream of advisories today, including an earlier tornado warning for southeast El Paso County. A flood warning is currently in effect for El Paso County. Flooding has shut down multiple roads throughout the city and the Colorado Springs police department is on accident alert. The weather service reports that widespread, heavy rainfall has impacted rivers and creeks in both Teller and El Paso counties, and continuing rain for the next 24 hours will continue to causes elevated water levels and possible flooding. The weather service says particular areas of concern include the Monument and Fountain creeks "where homeless communities are at notable risk." Have weather photos you'd like to share? Send them to [email protected] Here are the latest weather updates: 7:47 p.m. Heavy rains have forced an emergency closure of the right lane of northbound Interstate 25, just north of exit 132. The Colorado Department of Transportation said that heavy rains caused erosion and slope damage in the area, which is part of the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project. The mile-long lane closure will be in effect until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; CDOT says daytime traffic backups and delays are expected. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, including U.S. 85/87. 5:50 p.m. update: Current advisory: A flood warning is in effect until 10:15 p.m. for Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, Peterson and Schriver Space Force Base, Fort Carson, Cimarron Hills and Falcon. Record rainfall - The Colorado Springs airport received 3.97 inches of rain through 4 p.m. Monday. The previous record precipitation for June 12 was .69 inches, set in 1989. The two-day rainfall total for Colorado Springs is 5.44 inches, which breaks the previous 2-day total of 5.36 inches, set on Sept. 14-15 in 2011. See more rainfall totals here. 4 p.m. update The El Paso County Department of Public Works has listed the following road closures in the county: Peyton Highway (half mile south of County Line) Galley Road and Peterson Garret Road between E. Blaney and Good Fortune) Judge Orr from Curtis to Elbert Elbert (1 mile north of Murphy) Security and Main Street Widefield and Fontaine Sunny Slope (half mile east of Blaney Road) Bradley Road under Academy Boulevard Also: Fort Carson's Gate 4 is closed due to flooding. Milton E. Proby near the airport has reopened. 2:45 p.m. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reports vehicles are stranded in moving water, and posted a video of partially submerged cars in southeast Colorado Springs near Hancock and Clarendon. #ColoradoSpringsFire. Colorado Springs has Flooding on roadways in areas. vehicles are stranded In moving water. A vehicle can be swept away into faster moving drainages in 6 inches of water. Stay dry and please dont walk or drive across any roadways covered in water. pic.twitter.com/NwAepAapt1 CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) June 12, 2023 2:25 p.m. update Several flights are delayed in and out of Colorado Springs Airport. Click or tap here for the latest flight schedules. 2:20 p.m. update The Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base has implemented an early release for personnel. Due to extensive flooding, multiple gates are closed, as well as the fitness and aquatics center. 1:45 p.m. update Traffic: Marksheffel is closed between Barnes and North Carefree because of flooding. Drivers are reminded not to drive through water-covered roads. The Colorado Springs Police Department is also on accident alert. The Colorado Springs Airport is also reporting that there are road closures surrounding the airport. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reports that one of those roads is Milton E. Proby. The airport has also urged travelers to check the status of their flights. Hancock Expressway is closed at Chelton Road; Main Street and Security Boulevard are also closed, according to Mountain Metro. Sign Up for Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Weather advisories: A tornado warning is in effect for southeast El Paso County. The area is south of Fountain and includes Hanover. A flash flood warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. for northeastern El Paso County; areas affected include Calhan, Ramah and Peyton. A flood watch is in effect until midnight for Colorado Springs A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for El Paso County until 7 p.m. 1:15 p.m. update: The warning was issued shortly after 1:15 p.m. and includes areas stretching from The Broadmoor in the southwest part of the city to Fountain, Security and Widefield along with parts near to the Falcon. Parts further in northeast El Paso County were in a flood warning issued shortly after 10:30 a.m. It was is in effect until 2 p.m. for Peyton and areas around Falcon. Flash Flood Warning including Peyton CO until 2:00 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/33zWngcckJ NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) June 12, 2023 Several areas in and around Colorado Springs remain in a flash flood watch after heavy rain Sunday and an overnight downpour. Also, several severe thunderstorm watches and warnings are in effect in the Pikes Peak region all the way south to parts of New Mexico. Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Security CO and Falcon CO until 1:30 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/QkWbteJ2K6 NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) June 12, 2023 8:30 a.m. update: Police were on accident alert after midnight and after heavy rain caused reported street flooding in the southwest part of the city, according to a tweet from Colorado Springs police. The water flows from the rain sweeping into Fountain Creek has washed away part of the foundation of the new Fountain Creek Regional Trail bridge, which was just finished in 2021. Now the bridge appears to be severely compromised. pic.twitter.com/7yBmkvKJTg Jon Mitchell (@byJonMitchell) June 12, 2023 Shortly before 12:30 a.m., CSPD Communications reported on Twitter that westbound Star Ranch Road was closed at Colorado 115 because of flooding. Around 2 a.m., CSPD tweeted that the the road had reopened. Around 1:30 a.m., the Colorado Springs Fire Department reported on Twitter that crews were responding to a swift water rescue at East Platte Avenue and Hathaway Drive. Firefighters said they assisted one person who was under a bridge; the person was not injured. Affected areas for the flash flood warning include southeast Colorado Springs, Fountain and Security. The flood warning was in effect until 8:30 a.m. while the flash flood watch remains in place. Large hail, damaging wind gusts and torrential rainfall are the main risks Monday, the Weather Service says. An isolated tornado risk will also be possible. Flash flooding on area burn scars and areas that have seen recent heavy rainfall is possible. Colorado Springs had 1.47 inches of rain Sunday, according to th Weather Service. It's been a soggy June in the city and region, with 2.69 inches of rain this month at the official measuring location at Colorado Springs Airport and measurable precipitation eight of 11 days. The city's average June rain total is 0.87 of an inch. A flash flood watch will remain in effect into the evening for the Pikes Peak region, including Teller County, Colorado Springs, Monument Ridge and Rampart Range. The flood watch, for some areas, remains in effect until Wednesday, according to the Weather Service. The chance of heavy rain around Colorado Springs remains high throughout the day and night. A special weather statement has been issued for Security CO, Fountain CO and Wigwam CO until 9:00 AM MDT pic.twitter.com/3F7G61OqAx NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) June 12, 2023 New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible around Colorado Springs, the Weather Service says. Expect a high temperature near 65. Rain is possible each day throughout the week around Colorado Springs. No one was injured but several buildings appeared heavily burned at an Albany plant nursery after, bystanders said, a fire spread from a pile of plant debris to a house and sheds. Shaun Stark said he saw fire spread Monday afternoon, June 12 from pine needles to plastic planters, then to a residence at U & D Trucking & Nursery, 3435 Kathryn Ave. in Albany. A man and woman were inside the house when it caught fire, Stark said. He said he ran through the door and started yelling. "I was like, 'Get out! Your house is burning down!'" Stark said. Someone called 911 just after 2 p.m. to report a house fire. Flames and smoke were pouring from an about 900-square foot house and at least two other buildings about 15 minutes later. Albany Fire Department classified the blaze as a first-alarm structure fire, responding with an engine from each of the department's four stations and a ladder truck. More than 20 firefighters responded. Lebanon Fire District sent an ambulance to stand by in Albany for emergency calls while Albany's firefighters were at the nursery fire, in line with the agreements between departments to provide aid. An Albany fire spokesperson at the scene said no injuries were reported. Emergency responders were still at the fire by about 5 p.m. "We're getting a few restarts. We'll be out there as long as we keep getting those," Albany Fire spokesperson Sandy Roberts said at deadline. The agency was unable to say how many people were in the house or how the fire started. A deputy fire marshal was investigating the fire's cause, Roberts said. Firefighters in three layers of firefighting equipment, each hauling about 80 pounds of gear, were working hard in early afternoon heat as it reached 87 degrees, Roberts said. "The fire was hard on our people, but we had no injuries," Roberts said. One greenhouse was lost and three other structures damaged, she added. "There is significant damage to the house," Roberts said. Roberts said the department offers free fire safety checks to ensure Albany buildings have defensible space between structure and vegetation. The stalled-out Oregon Legislature prompted by a Republican walkout in the Senate has local social service agencies on edge about funding for this coming fiscal year. Leaders of local support agencies recently warned Corvallis officials about hard times coming if state politicians cant work a deal. Its likely to mean more people on the streets and more tents in parks, at least in the near term, they say. Legislation anticipated to support homeless services and housing crisis solutions among other bills have failed to advance following a walkout by Oregon Senate Republicans that has put the Legislative session on pause indefinitely. Compromises at the national level on the federal debt ceiling add to the problem, according to Pegge McGuire, Community Services Consortium executive director. Almost all of our federal funding has been cut significantly, and the vast majority of that is housing-related, McGuire said at a Corvallis City Council meeting June 5. So, its also rental assistance funding, utility bill payment assistance. Our clients are going to be demanding funds that we just dont have. With pandemic-era funding dried up, Community Services Consortium is down to half the budget it had in 2020, McGuire said, adding most of that money is passed through to such local partners as Unity Shelter, which operates several homeless shelter programs in Corvallis. McGuire said whatever city resources are available for social assistance would be important in light of the financial crunch on local providers. We are just not going to have funds to help, she said. The effects of reduced services are expected to hit Unity Shelter in the next week, Executive Director Shawn Collins said in an interview. He gave similar testimony to McGuires at the council meeting, noting the bulk of Unity Shelter funding in recent years state and federal grants filters down from Community Services Consortium. If we were to continue to operate at our current level, we would be out of money effectively by the end of July, Collins said. We need to make substantial changes in operations and expenses. That means slashing monthly costs by around half, Collins said, to stretch what Unity Shelter has reserved until September in hopes funding will eventually come through. But its not clear to Collins what the real timeline for funds might be or even how much will be approved. Focused on emergency shelter and transitional housing, Unity Shelter operations include The Mens Shelter, SafePlace, Room at the Inn and Third Street Commons. Staffing and operational changes are coming to all the programs. To stay afloat, Collins said hes forced to lay off staff members and reduce shelter capacity. While the hygiene center at The Mens Shelter will stay open, the actual shelter program will be combined with the all-women shelter Room at the Inn, though men and women will have separate spaces. Its definitely going to be painful, Collins said, adding Room at the Inn will have to close during the daytime and change its meal schedule under the staffing cuts. The sudden, dramatic changes signal instability to the homeless community relying on local social services providers. Collins acknowledged that with fewer services and staff, it is likely more people will fall through the cracks and go unaided. Collins said the board's and leadership team's decision to make cuts was made with heavy hearts knowing the impact they would have on people, both those they serve and those who keep Unity Shelter going. This is not a simple decision for us, he said. Its really a matter of trying to change operations so that we can protect the most vulnerable people for as long as possible. Experts, volunteers, policymakers and those on the streets tend to agree that homelessness numbers are rising in the mid-Willamette Valley. Attempts to count homeless populations likely miss the mark due to factors including volunteer availability and reluctance to be documented. Recent counts showed 347 people without housing in Benton County, 143 of them living unsheltered. The vast majority were from Corvallis. Linn County saw 413 without housing, 235 with no shelter, mostly congregated in Albany. Senate Republicans have indicated they could return to the Legislative session to approve certain bipartisan bills and budgets, but Democrats have said time is fleeting to pass budgets, and a special session may be necessary to ensure all funding is approved. Photo: The Canadian Press Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed into law a bill that he says will make Illinois the first state in the nation to outlaw book bans. Illinois public libraries that restrict or ban materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval will be ineligible for state funding as of Jan. 1, 2024, when the new law goes into effect. We are not saying that every book should be in every single library, said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian and was the driving force behind the legislation. What this law does is it says, lets trust our experience and education of our librarians to decide what books should be in circulation. The new law comes into play as states across the U.S. push to remove certain books in schools and libraries, especially those about LGBTQ+ themes and by people of color. The American Library Association in March announced that attempts to censor books in schools and public libraries reached a 20-year high in 2022 twice as many as 2021, the previous record. Illinois legislation responds to disturbing circumstances of censorship and an environment of suspicion, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation. To be eligible for state funds, Illinois public libraries must adopt the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights, which holds that materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation, or subscribe to a similar pledge. Downers Grove Democrat Rep. Anne Stava-Murray sponsored the legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives after a school board in her district was subject to pressure to ban certain content from school libraries. While its true that kids need guidance, and that some ideas can be objectionable, trying to weaponize local government to force one-size-fits-all standards onto the entire community for reasons of bigotry, or as a substitute for active and involved parenting, is wrong," Stava-Murray said Monday at the bill's signing, which took place at a childrens library in downtown Chicago. Despite Giannoulias' assertion that this should not be a Democrat or Republican issue, lawmakers' approval of the bill splintered across party lines, with Republicans in opposition. I support local control, said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, a Republican who voted against the measure, in an emailed statement. "Our caucus does not believe in banning books, but we do believe that the content of books should be considered in their placement on the shelves. DES MOINES So many people knew something wasnt right at the 116-year-old Davenport apartment building. The structural engineer who documented the shaky wall. The head of a masonry company who wouldnt let his workers onto the site. The city inspector who threatened to close some units. A downtown official who called 911 and asked firefighters to take a look. And tenants who told of cracks in their floors and walls. But no one ordered residents out, and it was only when a section of the six-story brick, steel and concrete building tumbled to the ground on the afternoon of May 28 that everyone seemed to connect the dots. Three men were dead, about 50 tenants were left homeless without their possessions and the city was faced with one of its taller buildings at risk of crumbling in the heart of its downtown. Asked days after the collapse why residents hadnt been warned, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said, I dont know that anyone can anticipate a building collapsing. Tenants have begun filing lawsuits over the collapse, and they argue no one should be surprised by what happened. The owner of this building was aware, the city of Davenport was aware, the engineering companies and construction people were aware. This was a completely preventable tragedy, said lawyer Andrew M. Stroth, who is part of a team who filed one of the first lawsuits on behalf of tenants Lexus Berry and Peach Berry, whose leg was amputated when she was trapped in rubble. The lawsuit says that perhaps worst of all is that they did nothing to warn the tenants at The Davenport that the intended comfort of their own homes was, in reality, hanging by a proverbial thread. A request for an interview with Matson went unanswered. Some tenants certainly had concerns. Shauna Dixon recalled issues around the wall of her apartment, which was on the side of the building that ultimately collapsed. The wall was bowing, the window frame was pulling away from the wall and the floor was uneven. She messaged her leasing agent, questioning if the wall was safe as far as structure? Just asking because the floor and wall is really soft. I dont want to fall out the side of the building one day, a remark followed by the rolling on the floor laughing emoji. Messages from the leasing agent and management office said maintenance would be sent to address the issues. Dixon said there was no progress over weeks. Dixon was told she could pull up her carpet and, when she did, she found very big cracks in the cement and a crumbling foundation, which concerned her the most. I had brought that to their attention to the management office and nothing came from it. They more or less just didnt care, Dixon said in an interview. Dixon asked to break her lease or be transferred to another apartment building. Management moved her to a building across the street, and within a couple of weeks she would step outside and be face-to-face with the rubble of her former apartment, where some of her belongings remained. It was gut-wrenching, she said. My jaw dropped, and I just I cried instantly. My body was literally shaking. Trent Fuessel, 21, and his 20-year-old girlfriend, Aurea Monet, moved out of apartment 311 the apartment above Dixons on May 20 because they were concerned for their safety. They had detailed the reasons why in an email to Village Property Management, saying they would be breaking their lease and leaving. The response on May 4 was there are no structural deficiencies within the building, a screenshot of the email shows. We have had the building approved by a structural engineer. Personally I feel blessed that we were able to get out of there, and I also feel really, really angry that it wasnt taken seriously, Fuessel said. It almost just seemed like a disregard for human life for a petty $750 a month. Village Property Management did not return requests for comment. City officials had known about crumbling bricks and bulging walls at The Davenport since at least 2021 and threatened to close some units unless owner Andrew Wold made repairs, but documents show the owner initially appeared to take no action. In February 2023, utility MidAmerican Energy also told the city about deteriorating brick on the buildings west wall and said its workers would stay away from the site until dangerous conditions were fixed. Soon after, Wold hired Select Structural Engineering to make an emergency inspection and recommend needed work. In a report dated Feb. 8, Engineer David Valliere noted an area of brick cracked and crumbling that needed repairs but determined it was not an imminent threat to the building or its residents. In a report later in February, Valliere described a large void space where brick had collapsed within the wall, putting pressure on the facade. 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, the report states. And in a report dated May 24, four days before the collapse, Valliere referred to several problems, including large patches of bricks that appear ready to fall imminently, which may create a safety hazard to cars or passersby. The engineer recommended techniques to stabilize the building with a steel column and other supports, but the reports tone wasnt overly alarming. The company on Thursday said it had no comment. Robert Lampe, executive director of Iowas engineering licensing board, also declined to comment about the company or the engineers involvement, pointing to the states regulation that all complaint or investigative files related to licensee discipline are privileged and confidential. In the days before the collapse, no one seemed more concerned than Ryan Shaffer, a masonry company co-owner who said the building owner asked him for a quote on the building. Shaffer said Wold rejected the quote as too costly, in part because Shaffer had estimated the need to spend about $50,000 on shoring and supporting the building. Without those protections, Shaffer told the Quad-City Times, he wouldnt let his workers on the site. Shaffer was left shaken by what he saw and said that on Friday, only two days before the collapse, he told workers at the building, Get away. Youre going to die. Shaffer didnt return a message left by The Associated Press. That comment about the potentially dangerous structure filtered up the next day to Tony Behncke, operations director for the Downtown Davenport Partnership, part of the Chamber of Commerce focused on the downtowns appearance. Behncke received a call Saturday, the day before the collapse, from a worker cleaning up trash in an alley beside the building who said Shaffer had warned him about the danger. Behncke called 911 and passed along the concern to a dispatcher, prompting a visit by firefighters that lasted only minutes and didnt result in any action. City officials didnt respond to messages seeking details about the firefighters trip to the building. Its very strange and sad that it happened at all, Behncke told the AP. Its a very sad situation and I feel horrible about it. Days after the collapse, Rich Oswald, the citys director of development and neighborhood services, confirmed the citys chief building official, Trishna Pradhan, resigned. Oswald didnt accuse Pradhan of any culpability in the collapse but said her decision followed an administrative error that wrongly categorized an inspection of the building. Oswald said Pradhan resigned because of the magnitude of the situation and the error that was made. Pradhan didnt respond to calls and text messages to a listed number. Reporters have repeatedly asked city officials why they didnt demand that tenants leave The Davenport or at least warn them of concerns. They have expressed their sorrow for victims and promised to examine their inspection process, but they also have repeated that a certified engineer vouched that the building was safe, so the city had no reason to think it wasnt. Thats their professional career to make those decisions, Oswald said. So, an engineers report, stamped by that engineer is a qualified report. They have state licensing. Thats their job. Less than 48 hours after the partial collapse, the city fined Wold $300 for failing to maintain his building in a sound, sanitary or safe condition. Wold declined to appear in court Friday to enter a plea and the judge denied lawyers appearing on his behalf, according to court documents. He will not appear at a rescheduled hearing either, his lawyers say in a court document, and will accept a judgment against him entered by default. Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. A Mitchell County man, Nathan Gilmore of St. Ansgar, accused of first-degree murder is asking the court to suppress evidence his attorney says was acquired illegally. According to court filings, a human skull was found at the Cedar River Greenbelt Trail Park near Mitchell on Feb. 4, 2022. A body was later located nearby on April 5, 2022, and identified as Angela Bradbury, 29, of Mason City. Numerous interviews were conducted with Bradbury's family, friends and acquaintances prior to a March 30 meeting between investigators in Des Moines. Gilmore was allegedly not mentioned in the interviews or meeting. During the meeting between investigators, officials from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Intelligence Center used specialized software from FOG Data Science to analyze electronic device "signatures" in the area of the park where Bradbury's remains were located. Once a personal device is located, the software allows law enforcement to build a detailed map of the time and locations where a particular device has been over the last two years. The software allowed investigators to narrow their focus to devices of six persons, one of whom was Gilmore. Gilmore's attorneys argue no warrant or judicial oversight was obtained by the state before obtaining the data. The motion states without the FOG data, Gilmore would never have been targeted by law enforcement. At least 12 search warrants were drafted and executed on Gilmore after the FOG data was collected. Gilmore's attorney's argue those warrants and the evidence collected during the execution of those warrants were obtained illegally. A suppression hearing has been scheduled for June 23. Gilmore is said to have picked up Bradbury in Cerro Gordo County near the correctional facility April 6, 2021, and drove her to a home in Mason City. Bradbury later voluntarily left with Gilmore to travel to St. Ansgar where Gilmore lived. Bradbury was not heard from again. A forensic review of Gilmore's phone turned up disturbing messages in which Gilmore vaguely describe details of a stabbing death. Another search turned up a drawing of what appeared to be a satanic goat head, along with a series of numbers. The drawing had blood droplets on it, and the numbers corresponded with the date Bradbury went missing, as well as the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Green Belt trail. Former Britt Police Chief Mark Anderson's attorney responded to the Globe Gazette's inquiry after Anderson was fired by the city council last week. The statement from Madison Fiedler-Carlson reads: "During (Thursday) evenings closed session, the Britt City Council confronted Police Chief Mark Anderson with concerns about incidents that they had known about for months and, in some cases, even years. Although no one had thought it necessary to reprimand Mark about the incidents at the time, he directly addressed the Councils stated concerns last night. The Council then voted unanimously to fire Mark. "The timing is extraordinarily suspicious. The Council fired Mark just three days after the City filed its Answer to Marks lawsuit alleging that Mayor (Ryan) Arndorfer and others violated his civil rights by sexually harassing and retaliating against him. The termination appears to be shameless additional retaliation. "Citizens are entitled to expect better from public officials who are tasked with using our tax dollars wisely and for legitimate purposes. No one should have to endure a work environment where they are sexually propositioned and asked for nude photographs or where they are punished for reporting it. "Mark is devastated at the loss of his job as Police Chief, but he has received enormous support from the citizens of Britt. Although he never wanted to be in this position, he is more determined than ever to see this through." Jaki K. Samuelson, attorney for the City of Britt, also released a statement to the Globe Gazette. "The City of Britt terminated Chief Anderson's employment on June 8, 2023, due to performance issues unrelated to his pending litigation against the city." Arndorfer's attorney has not responded to multiple phone messages. Anderson sued the city and the mayor for sexual discrimination and retaliation May 12. Anderson filed complaints with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Dec. 2, 2021. The ICRC issued a right to sue letter Feb. 21, and Anderson filed suit May 12. The lawsuit claims after Anderson was hired in September 2017, he was added to a group chat that included Arndorfer and former Councilman Chad Luecht, who according to council minutes resigned in April. The petition states all involved are homosexual, and Anderson was using the group as support because he was going through a divorce. The petition claims that in late 2017 and early 2018, Luecht and Andorfer began treating Anderson differently, sending him inappropriate and sexually graphic messages via the text group and Snapchat. Anderson allegedly told them he was not comfortable with the messages, but they did not stop. On Jan. 13, 2020, Anderson told City Administrator Deb Sawyer about the group chat and what was going on. She then told Luecht to stop, which he did, but Arndorfer allegedly did not stop sending inappropriate messages via Snapchat after Sawyer told him to stop as well. Anderson allegedly received another explicit message July 1, 2021. He did not respond to Arndorfers message. Later in July, Anderson received a 1.5% pay raise, while other members of the department received 6% raises. The petition alleges two violations of the Iowa Civil Rights Act for discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation and one violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act for retaliation. A trial scheduling conference is scheduled for July 7. The city of Danville has been approved for $79 million in state funding for road improvement projects over the coming decade. The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board voted to approve statewide SMART SCALE recommendations, which included Danvilles projects, during its meeting May 24, said city engineer and assistant public works director Brian Dunevant. No city money will go toward any of the four projects, Dunevant said. All project funding was included in the project applications, he said. No city funds were obligated. The city submitted applications for the projects to the Virginia Department of Transportation last August. Dunevant said he expects engineering to start in late 2025 or early 2026, with construction completed on all of them by the early 2030s. Traffic lanes will be restricted during construction so that the work can be done safely and efficiently, he said. The planned projects include pedestrian improvements, including sidewalks, along Piedmont Drive from Lowes Drive to Mount Cross Road as well as Mount Cross Road from north of the Piedmont Drive and Mount Cross Road intersection to Piedmont Drive, Dunevant said. It also includes crosswalks at the Mount Cross Road and Piedmont Drive intersection, he said. That project is expected include a total of about a mile of new sidewalks and crosswalks and cost about $6.6 million. Improvements to Piney Forest Road would include a raised median, with intermittent left turn lanes, from Nor-Dan Drive to Beavers Mill Road/Wendell Scott Drive. That project would cover almost a mile and cost about $22 million. Also, about 1.2 miles of sidewalks, crosswalks and median and crossover improvements are planned along Riverside Drive from Arnett Boulevard to Main Street and from Audubon Drive to Arnett Boulevard. Total costs for those two projects are estimated to be about $50 million. The city pursued the Piney Forest Road and Riverside Drive projects following safety studies initiated by the Danville Metropolitan Planning Organization and supported by VDOT, the city of Danville and Pittsylvania County, Dunevant said. Danville had previously applied for funding for the Riverside and Piedmont drive projects, but those proposals did not score high enough to receive SMART SCALE money, he said. SMART SCALE scoring is based on an objective, outcome-based process, Dunevant said. Projects are required to meet one or more of Virginias transportation needs as identified in Virginias Transportation Plan. VTrans. SMART SCALE is about picking the right transportation projects for funding and ensuring the best use of limited tax dollars, according to the VDOT website. Photo: Jon Manchester B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives website. A B.C. nurse found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient has been barred from practicing for five years. The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives released the decision suspending Port Albernis Aaron Forrester on June 9. The college said it took action to address practice issues happening between November 2019 and May 2020 when Forrester violated professional boundaries with a vulnerable psychiatric patient, and engaged in sexual misconduct with that same patient between December 2019 and April 2020. The panel decision said Forrester provided direct nursing care to the patient between November 2019 and March 2020, and continued to engage in sexual misconduct with the patient in the community until late April 2020 while the patient was repeatedly re-admitted to hospital on voluntary and involuntary bases. The college said Forrester voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to a condition on practice, including cancellation of registration and a prohibition on reapplying for five years. Should he reapply in the future, Forrester will need to meet the registration committee's requirements of fitness, competence and good character. The college is one of 18 regulatory bodies empowered under the Health Professions Act to regulate health professions in B.C. It regulates the practice of four distinct professions: nursing, practical nursing, psychiatric nursing and midwifery. Similar legislation in other self-regulated areas such as the legal and notary public professions also allows citizens to know about discipline issues in the public interest. The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public, the decision said. A 17-year-old was shot multiple times late Monday night in Danville, authorities report. It was shortly after 10 p.m. when officers responded to the 400 block of Memorial Drive and stopped a gold Infiniti that had been spotted leaving the area of Washington Street and First Street at a high rate of speed, authorities wrote in the news release. The 17-year-old victim was inside the vehicle heading to the hospital. I dont have any additional information at this time other than whats in the news release, police spokesperson Matt Bell told the Register & Bee when asked how many people were in the Infinity. Police immediately began life saving measures until the Danville Life Saving Crew arrived, the news release stated. He was later airlifted to another medical facility. Police believe the shooting happened in the area of Washington and First streets. Officers discovered multiple shell casings there. Police continue to pursue all leads, the release stated. Authorities provided no details on a possible suspect. The name of the 17-year-old is being withheld due to his age. He was in critical condition as of Tuesday morning. A recent increase in gun violence prompted the Danville Police Department to launch Operation Blitz last month. The department conducted the five-day operation May 22-26. It resulted in 31 charges, 25 arrests and seizure of 11 firearms, as well as 244 grams of cocaine, 262 grams of methamphetamine, 72 grams of fentanyl and 4.7 pounds of marijuana. Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Danville Police Department by calling patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4; investigations at 434-799-6508 option 1, and option 1 again; 911; or Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000. In addition, residents may approach any officer they see, use social media, email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use the crime tips app CARE. GREENSBORO A Guilford County Superior Court judge agreed Monday to lift a five-year-old gag order on city council members that prevented them from commenting on police bodycam footage from a 2016 arrest. Its been nearly seven years since the four men were arrested after they reportedly were kicked out of a McGee Street bar. Zared Jones of Greensboro had alleged that Greensboro police officers harassed him and his friends during the incident, escalating tension and leading to their arrests in September 2016. A 1-minute, 45-second video of the arrests posted on YouTube gained public attention in 2017. Court documents indicate there are about four hours of police bodycam footage from the incident. Various groups, including the City of Greensboro, petitioned the Guilford County Superior Court for permission to release the bodycam footage. Such a petition is required under state law. The citys petition, however, did not include allowing the public to see the video. City Attorney Chuck Watts said Tuesday that the City Council would have to request this in a new petition if it wants it publicly released. In her 2018 order, Superior Court Judge Susan Bray who has since retired from the bench gave permission for the City Council, along with the citys Police Community Review Board and two of those arrested in the incident to review the bodycam footage. However, she also issued a gag order preventing them from publicly discussing it. Violation of the order carried up to a $500 fine and up to 30 days in prison, Bray ruled. The city appealed the gag order up to the state Supreme Court, which found Bray had abused her discretion in the matter. The matter was reheard by Judge Vance Bradford Long in Superior Court on Monday. Mayor Nancy Vaughan said she watched the video years ago and that she didnt think Jones had a case. As far as publicly releasing it, Vaughan expressed concerns that other people shown in the video may not want it released. I am all for transparency and releasing videos, she said, but we also have to balance peoples right to privacy. Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson said she hasnt watched the video. However, she said she will ask that the city file a petition to make them public. I think people have a right to see it, she said. Part of their tax money is paying for the cameras. DANVILLE, Va. A new documentary from a Pittsylvania County man focuses on the tenacity and heroism of Danvilles civil rights protestors during Bloody Monday 60 years ago this month. Titled The Movement, the film includes interviews with demonstrators who lived in Danville and participated in protests during the citys civil rights movement during 1963. Hurt resident Jonathan Parker, with Parker Productions, executive produced the film with his wife, Rebecca, and directed it. Parker and Karice Luck-Brimmer, the documentarys historical consultant, wanted to tell a story of Bloody Monday that went beyond what had been covered in the past. It was important not to rehash the same thing that people had heard about Bloody Monday, Parker said during an interview at Links Coffee House Cafe on Thursday morning. Parker said 17 people who lived through that period were interviewed for the film, including Apostle Lawrence Campbell Sr., City Councilman Sherman Saunders, Carolyn Wilson, Dorothy Batson and others. Campbell, local civil rights leader, died in March at 93. Danville Police Department Chief Scott Booth, who apologized in person to Campbell in 2018 for the brutality committed by the department toward protestors on June 10, 1963, is also interviewed in the documentary. The documentarys production gave those interviewed an opportunity to share an expanded story of their experiences, Luck-Brimmer said. Theyve never had a chance to tell their stories on a broader scale like this, she said. Luck-Brimmer, a genealogist and historian, is a program coordinator in the Office of Education and Community Initiatives for Virginia Humanities. She helps navigate the story from a historical perspective. For the past couple of years, Ive been engulfed in the civil rights movement, she said. Ive always been into history.... but I never did a deep-dive into the civil rights history, other than collecting others oral histories who had been part of the movement. 60 years ago As for what happened 60 years ago on June 10, 1963, about 50 civil rights marchers had gathered outside Danvilles jail that night to hold a prayer vigil for those who had been arrested during protests earlier in the day. Deputized city workers, police officers and state troopers carrying high-pressure fire hoses and nightsticks injured about 47 black demonstrators, turning the event into a pivotal moment for Danvilles civil rights movement. The incident was a culmination of frustration and protests resulting from institutional discrimination against Blacks in Danville and across the South. In the months leading up to Bloody Monday, several civil rights protests happened in Danville. Court documents point to demonstrations that occurred on May 31 and on at least six days in June and four days in July, the Danville Register & Bee reported in June 2003, for its series on the 40th anniversary of Bloody Monday. On June 5, 1963, 100 demonstrators marched, sang and chanted, staging sit-ins on sidewalks and in the offices of Danville Mayor Julian Stinson and City Manager T.E. Temple. Protestors, including Campbell, were arrested and their numbers had grown to 250 by that night. Court documents stated they threw bricks and bottles at buildings and police officers, but protestors have said the claims are not true. In response to the unrest, Danville Corporation Court Judge Archibald M. Aiken issued an anti-demonstration injunction June 6. That injunction was still in effect June 10, when about 50 protestors gathered outside the city jail. They went there to pray for those in jail from protests earlier that day, Campbell, who had been jailed that day and released that evening, told the Danville Register & Bee during an interview for the newspapers 50th anniversary series on Bloody Monday. Campbell was not one of those protestors gathered outside the jail. Before the protestors marched from Bibleway Church on Grant Street to the jail, leaders instructed them not to carry sharp objects, Campbell said 10 years ago. White deputized city garbage collectors, state troopers and police officers beat the protestors with billy clubs and sprayed them with water hoses, Campbell said. His wife Gloria, who wore a dress, was among those injured. When I saw my wife, that dress had been beaten halfway off, recalled Campbell, who was at the church that night. Periodically, she still has the pain from that beating that she received, Campbell added. Never forgotten Parker intends for his documentary to not only show the courage and conviction of the demonstrators, but to make sure that history is not forgotten. The seed was planted for Parkers project when he read a 2020 news article on race relations in Danville in The Washington Post, following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25 that year. Parker remembers reading about a George Washington High School student who had organized a peaceful protest in Danville following Floyds killing. She said that she had not heard of Bloody Monday until a couple of months prior, Parker said. It dawned on me that the story is getting lost. Parker, who grew up in Pittsylvania County, first found out about Bloody Monday while reporting on it for the Chatham Star-Tribune 10 years ago. He started working on The Movement project in spring 2022, taking five or six months to prepare and figure out who to talk to for it. It was kind of a trust-building exercise at first, Parker said. Filming took place the following October and November, with 15 full days of filming done over those two months, he said. For the project, Parker had approached Luck-Brimmer about being a consultant on the film. She was hesitant at first. My concern is people whitewashing the story, Luck-Brimmer said. But, when I met Jonathan, I was impressed. She wanted to make sure Parker had Campbells OK for the documentary, which he already did. Luck-Brimmer had worked with the late Emma Edmunds, who died in February 2020 and had researched Bloody Monday. The two women did work at Virginia Humanities and Edmunds completed an exhibit that detailed 1963 in Danville and is now at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. They knew part of the story of Bloody Monday hadnt been told and they needed to continue telling it, Luck-Brimmer said. So when Jonathan Parker reached out to me, after a little hesitancy, I went full force with it, she said. The exhibit was helpful as a navigation point for the documentary, but the film is separate from Edmunds project, Parker said. Images The documentary includes photos from Bloody Monday, including one of Batson being dragged by Danville police after being beaten. It ... tells the story of those heroes and those sheroes that have long been left out, said Luck-Brimmer, who grew up in the Camp Grove area in Danville. It was important for me to have the story told at this time because there were people that I knew of, personally, that were on the arrest reports that marched, protested and did all of those things and their stories hadnt been told. In addition, Parker and Wilson, Batson and John Pinchback, who is also interviewed in the film, took an Amtrak ride to Washington, D.C., to record at the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall, where the three reflect on attending the March on Washington in August 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous I Have a Dream speech there at the time. The scenes were filmed in April. The Danville Historical Society provided Parker access to its archives. You start to get an idea of the weight of the story, Parker said. King visited Danville four times in 1963. The demonstrators fought for what they believed in and refused to stop even in the face of arrests and beatings, he said. It was to make their community and the world around them better for their children and grandchildren, Parker pointed out. Previously, I just wasnt aware of just how difficult it was, the constant degradation that was in their face every day, he added. He ended up with 5 1/2 hours of interview footage before trimming everything down to an 80-minute documentary. Besides being a spotlight on Bloody Monday, the film is also sort of a re-assessment of Danville racial past, present and future, he said. Its a little bit of a reflection piece, as well what happened then, whats happening now, whats changed and what still needs to change, Parker said. There will be a free screening of The Movement at 6 p.m., June 30 at Bibleway Cathedral with a question-and-answer session to follow. Parker said he and his wife would like to see the documentary viewed by a wider audience. Installation began Monday on 13 outdoor restaurant patios in what Downtown Greensboro Inc. has called its biggest project to date. These patios are being installed right in the street in front of participating restaurants. The project is an extension of the temporary patio program that Downtown Greensboro adopted in 2020 as a way to help restaurants weather the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing was mandated for dining rooms, making it difficult for many restaurants to bring in adequate revenue. At the time, Downtown Greensboro Inc. worked with the city to allow patio seating in select parking spaces in the street. Downtown Greensboro then put out a call for restaurants that would be interested in having such a patio. A handful of restaurants received temporary patios that occupied one or two parking spaces outside their doors, and those restaurants are now receiving permanent replacement patios this week. Installation began this week with a patio for Lewis & Elm, and the remaining patios are expected to be installed by Friday, said Rob Overman, the director of strategic initiatives for Downtown Greensboro. Other businesses in the patio program include Crafted: The Art of the Taco, Natty Greenes, Little Brother Brewing, Cheesecakes by Alex and more. Downtown Greensboro had previously said that the project is costing $430,700, with $288,140 covered by Downtown Greensboro and $142,700 covered by the city of Greensboro. But you can probably tack another $10K onto that now, Overman said. The replacement patios consist of a platform and three walls, with the platform raising the area to the level of the sidewalk and the fourth side opening onto the sidewalk. Each patio measures 6 by 18 feet designed to take up exactly one parking space. These are modular patios that literally click together, Overman said. Each patio can seat as many as 16 people, four each at four tables, he said. Some restaurants have chosen a double patio that can potentially seat twice as many people. The patios have a steel frame with decorative wood panels. A single patio weighs 1,200 pounds and can withstand the impact of a car traveling at 30 mph, Overman said. He added that in some cases, planter boxes are being installed to give added buffers. The patios are designed to last, Overman said, noting that they come with a 15-year warranty. They also are designed to be more aesthetically pleasing. Zack Matheny, Downtown Greensboro, Inc.s CEO and President, said in a statement, The Jersey walls we have been looking at for the past three years were only supposed to stick around for a few months. We believed at the time that they were a temporary solution to help our smaller restaurants expand to the outdoors during the pandemic. What weve learned in the last three years is that our community craves outdoor dining, so these patios will satisfy that hunger and be more aesthetic in the center city. Jake Assaf, the managing partner of Lewis & Elm, said his restaurant came into the patio program late because the restaurant didnt open until 2021, but that having a patio has been a significant benefit. Its kind of the nature of a wine bar. If its nice out, people want to sit out and enjoy a glass of prosecco, he said. Our (temporary patio) was holding up all right, but we were ready to get something more permanent and something that looks more inviting. Im looking forward to having these, and I think the public is going to like them, too. Its a win for everybody, he said. Now that Lewis & Elms patio is installed, Assaf said, he plans to bling it out with lights and greenery. Alex Amoroso, the owner of Cheesecakes by Alex, originally signed up for a temporary patio in 2020 and then changed his mind. At the time, I was concerned about having enough parking during COVID, he said. But he knows full well the benefits of having patio seating. From 2002 to 2019, he had patio space on the side of his building space he lost because of the deteriorating condition of the building next door. So hes looking forward to having patio seating once again. When you can have music, people sitting outside, it just adds to the atmosphere, he said. It adds to the whole downtown feel. Overman said that though only the 13 restaurants previously enrolled in Downtown Greensboros patio program were able to get the permanent replacements, that could change in time. We certainly anticipate that, as other restaurants see these installed, there is likely to be more interest, he said. If there is available funding, we would love to see this expand. You can do better than Trump, GOP Rational conservatives in our nation have a big problem: that crazy criminal with the orange hair, and the growing number of indictments! His blue-collar base appears to become ever more enamored of him, even as the indictments multiply. Its a classic Catch-22 of dementia! Even though they long ago abandoned the liberal libations of the News & Record, I will nevertheless make an appeal to their better nature. Dear folks, Trump is a liar and a crook, and has never served your best interests. He talks (yells) a good game, but has no follow-through. Its time for you folks to wake up, take an extra-strong laxative, and flush Trump out of your systems! You have a dozen or more excellent candidates for 2024, candidates who can win. Pick one and dont look back. Bob Gaines Greensboro What we invest in In 1953, Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, who as former supreme allied commander knew something about the military, had this to say: Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. ... Is there no other way the world may live? In 2023, Republicans of today (visualize Ike rolling in his grave) contrived a debt-ceiling crisis as one more way to rob money from Americans in need as it increases spending for guns, warships and rockets. How does this keep happening? They say, Follow the money. Last year lobbyists promoting guns, warships and rockets (823 of them, compared to 535 members of Congress) spent $125 million to influence legislators (source: Open Secrets). I couldnt find data on how much is spent on lobbying for hungry and cold people, but I suspect its somewhat less. This $125 million (typical for a year) might explain why spending on guns, warships and rockets is designated nondiscretionary. Its considered obligatory. It is sacrosanct. But spending on good things for people is discretionary. That is, optional. So, if spending on guns, warships and rockets is not at Congresss discretion, is it Congresss indiscretion? Is there no other way the world may live? Kim Carlyle Greensboro The law is clear It may be impossible, but if we can look at any topic without viewing it through a political lens, we should at least try on this one. The law and government rules and regulations are very clear. The possession of classified documents outside of a designated secure area is illegal, plain and simple. Any rank-and-file employee or service member would be in jail and most likely serving prison time for violating any laws and procedures related to the handling of classified documents. Jim Galler Stokesdale Two tragedies I recently read your article concerning the shooting of multiple Black people at a grocery store in Buffalo about how young Black people in that town are still having trouble with the incident, and how they are scared to go out because of what happened. Those feelings are certainly understandable, considering what this criminal did, and the fact he was targeting Blacks. I know we are all glad this prejudiced criminal is in prison for life where he belongs. Personally, I would have preferred a death sentence this is one of those extreme situations in which the death penalty is appropriate. So, considering the timing of this article, will we soon be seeing a similar-type story on how Christian kids in Nashville are dealing with what happened there? Will we read about the plight of the kids going to Christian schools being scared to go to school? It was a very similar situation: a prejudiced criminal targeted a specific group of people. Then of course we can expect to see the same type of coverage? Fred Pearlman Greensboro One-sided Once again, the Sunday opinion page of this rag holds true to tradition (June 11). Such one-sided tripe from the left, slamming anything conservative. Any semblance of an even-handed, fair approach of reporting in this paper is a charade, despite the editors protestations to me on occasion. Scratch the surface of just about any progressive, and you will most likely find an authoritarian. Tom Ozment Jamestown ARLEE Cars on U.S Highway 93 normally zip through Arlee at about 70 mph, but on Tuesday morning, some slowed down and offered supportive honks as about 100 community members, all dressed in red, marched along the busy road, demanding justice for Indigenous people. Women in ribbon skirts pushed strollers with young children, grandparents held hands with their grandchildren, teens walked and talked together, and symbolic red dresses hung from tree branches and bridges, billowing in the wind. Tuesday marked the first of four walks centered on Mika Westwolf, a 22-year-old woman who was hit and killed while walking along Highway 93. Westwolf was walking home near Arlee on March 31 when a Cadillac Escalade traveling north on the highway struck and killed her, according to Montana Highway Patrol. Westwolf, who was Blackfeet, Navajo, Cree and Klamath, was declared dead at the scene. The disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people is a nationwide crisis, and experts say Montana is an epicenter. While Native Americans account for 6.7% of Montanas population, they account for, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases. A 2016 National Institute of Justice report found that more than 4 in 5 Native men and women have experienced violence in their lifetime. Westwolfs family partnered with others to bring attention to similar cases. Sonia SpottedBlanket Duran, 39, was hit and killed while walking along Highway 10 and Roller Coaster Road outside Missoula on April 13. Aiden Finley, 20, was hit and killed while walking along the highway in Pablo in 2018, and Maureena Twoteeth, 31, was hit and killed while walking along the highway in St. Ignatius in 2022. Highways are often the only continuous roads through reservations in Montana. And in rural places, where public transit is nonexistent and hitchhiking can be seen as dangerous, its not uncommon for people to walk along the shoulders of busy highways. But Highway 93, which stretches from Idaho through western Montana and Missoula to the Canadian border, is particularly dangerous. From 2021 to 2023, 239 crashes have occurred along the highway where it intersects with I-90 in Missoula to mile marker 30. For 17-year-old Alizyia Huff, and for many participants, the walk was personal. When she was a freshman in high school, Alizyia and three of her friends were hit by a driver when crossing the street on the Flathead Reservation. We looked both ways, and then everything was a blur, she said. Alizyia suffered full-body whiplash after the accident and went to physical therapy for months to heal. Were lucky shes still here, said her mother, Elena Huff. Alizyia shook her head: Its like, if youre not white, you dont get justice. Deep in the community Dozens of people who attended the walk knew someone who had gone missing or been killed, and many said these cases never saw justice. Eric Peak said his brother, Lenny, was killed six years ago, and there still havent been charges in his case. A lot of young lives are lost, he said. There are murders and nothing is being done to solve them. Its sad. Something has to be done. Joslyn and Kristen Twoteeth walked together holding a sign that on one side read Mika and on the other, Mena. Mena was my sister, said Kristen. She was in a hit-and-run in Mission, and there were no arrests." Its white privilege, Joslyn, Kristens cousin, chimed in. My brother went to prison for 35 years for a hit-and-run, but white drivers get to walk free. Joslyn sighed as cars flew past. I just really hope this helps, she said. Call to action Prior to the walk, Carissa Heavy Runner, Westwolfs mother, and George Heavy Runner, Westwolfs grandfather, addressed the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council over Zoom. Carissa invited council members to join the walk on Tuesday and subsequent walks happening Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. George urged the council to take action. Its time to take this movement to another level, he said. We need the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to have a field hearing here. We need more coordination among state, federal and tribal law enforcement. Erica Shelby, Westwolf's family's legal advocate, told the council that she and the family have seen a disturbing pattern of abuse from several agencies involved in the investigation. Theres no coordination, she later elaborated. Theres no cooperation with the family. There arent basic investigation features, and in place of that, its victim-blaming and gaslighting. CSKT Chairman Tom McDonald said he and the council would take the suggestions into consideration, and later that day, council members were granted two free hours each day to attend the awareness walks later this week. Hate crime Montana Highway Patrol, the investigating agency in Westwolfs case, has confirmed that a 28-year-old woman named Sunny White is being investigated as a suspect. Whites children are named Aryan and Nation, which the Montana Human Rights Network said clearly indicate (Whites) support for white nationalist ideals. The investigation into Westwolf's case is ongoing. Lake County Attorney James Lapotka on Tuesday said he received a preliminary report from Montana Highway Patrol but still needs more information before decisions can be made regarding criminal charges. So far, there is no indication that this was an intentional act or hate crime," he wrote in an email to Lee Montana newspapers. For a crime to be classified as a hate crime, Lapotka said the state needs to prove that the act was committed because of race, religion, creed or national origin of the victim. "There is no indication this was a deliberate act, and therefore, no indication it was done deliberately and because of the race of the victim," he wrote. Erica Shelby, Westwolfs familys legal advocate, said she was shocked by Lapotkas statement. Im flabbergasted, she said. What I don't understand is all we've heard from Lapotka is how he won't and can't make any determinations until he gets the whole report. So why is he already determining that it was unintentional without the final report?" The kids names are Aryan and Nation White, said Peak, a community member who attended the walk. I mean, come on people, we all know what that means. About three miles from the Arlee Community Center where they started, participants circled around a white cross decorated with a dozen bouquets and two stuffed animal bunnies just off the highway where Westwolf was killed. Rose Gurule, Westwolfs aunt, stared at the cross as cars blew by. We called this protest, Justice to be Seen, she said. But justice isnt even being sought. Its not pursued. We need support, even just empathy and understanding. We are constantly dehumanized, and that needs to change. More #MikaMatters awareness walks: Wednesday, June 14: Leave from the scenic turnout at the top of Ravalli Hill at 9 a.m. for a walk, prayer and meal. Thursday, June 15: Leave from the Salish Kootenai College gym parking lot at 9 a.m. for a walk, prayer and meal. Friday, June 16: Leave from the Safeway in Polson at 9 a.m. for a walk, prayer and meal. For more information, visit MikaMatters.com. Kurt Steele, the controversial supervisor of the Flathead National Forest, will move to a new job at the U.S. Forest Service's Region 1 in Missoula. Steele has overseen the 2.4-million-acre Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana since January 2020. He previously worked as deputy supervisor of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in northern Idaho. His move to the regional office was first reported Friday by the Flathead Beacon. Dan Hottle, the Region 1 public affairs officer, told the publication that Steele will be a deputy director in a role that involves environmental planning. The Forest Service doesn't discuss personnel matters, Hottle said, characterizing the transition as a "lateral move" to a job opportunity that the agency offered Steele. It's not clear who will take over as supervisor of the Flathead National Forest, or when Steele will begin his regional role. Steele drew criticism over his handling of special-use permits and recreation development aimed at serving an American public that overwhelmingly flocked to outdoor recreation after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The Swan View Coalition and leading grizzly bear biologist Chris Servheen are among those who expressed concern that Steele fast-tracked projects at the expense of environmental and wildlife protections. The Flathead National Forest is home to critical habitat for grizzlies, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. At a December meeting of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's subcommittee for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, Steele said, "We are definitely seeing that increased (recreation) use, and with that increased use how do you keep up with demand from the public?" But no project created as much of a firestorm as a deeply unpopular proposal from Utah ski corporation POWDR to drastically expand Holland Lake Lodge near Condon. The Forest Service's handling of the proposal put Steele's leadership under a microscope. Last fall, Steele admitted the agency erred in vetting the proposal and announcing it to the public. In March, The Center for Biological Diversity, Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Save Holland Lake threatened to sue the Forest Service after Steele said that POWDR would be granted a special-use permit for Holland Lake Lodge if the company simply shows it's capable of running the business. But federal law requires the Forest Service to consider public interest when deciding whether to grant POWDR a special-use permit, the groups stated, citing federal law stating that the agency must deny the proposal if it finds that "the proposed use would not be in the public interest." In May, two attorneys opposed to the lodge proposal (which was rejected but will likely be reintroduced) called for the Forest Service to remove Steele as the decision-maker on anything related to Holland Lake Lodge. The attorneys cited internal emails obtained through public records requests in which Steele admitted he was biased toward POWDR's proposal. A sponsorship misstep at a political event last weekend tipped Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen's hand on a possible run for the state's eastern congressional district. Political observers have been watching for Republican Congressman Matt Rosendale to launch a bid to unseat Montana's Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in 2024. That would make the state's recently drawn eastern congressional district an open field and, after Rosendale's 35-point win over a second-place Independent candidate in 2022, the GOP's district to lose. A slideshow at the Montana GOP convention in Missoula displayed financial sponsors of the event to the audience. Among them were Gov. Greg Gianforte and first lady Susan Gianforte, as well Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and his wife, Christie. The Montana Office of Public Instruction, overseen by Arntzen, was also listed during the slideshow as a sponsor of the event. A spokesperson for the state Republicans said use of the logo was accidental, and a spokesperson for OPI said the agency "did not provide the logo, authorize the use of the logo, or sponsor any political activity. Our logo is on our public website, and we cannot control who chooses to use it." The OPI spokesperson also directed any further questions about the sponsorship to Sam Rubino, a political strategist for Arntzen. Asked Tuesday why the agency would direct questions about the sponsorship to a political strategist, Rubino said Tuesday the convention was a political event and unrelated to business at OPI, "and Elsie is always sure to make political and official business separate." The Montana State News Bureau asked Rubino if Arntzen is planning a bid for the eastern congressional district, or any other office, to which Rubino emailed the following statement: "As the Superintendent remains focused on finishing her final term, she is committed to ensuring there are strong conservatives working for Montanans," Rubino wrote. "Should the Eastern congressional seat become open, Superintendent Arntzen would take a very serious look at throwing her name in the ring. As an Eastern Montana native who spent a combined 30 years teaching students in Billings and standing up for Montana families, Elsie is dedicated to preserving the legacy of strong traditional conservative Montana values." Rubino provided a copy of the check Arntzen wrote out to the Montana Republican Party for $2,500 from her and her husband's account on May 8. Arntzen represented Billings in the state Legislature from 2005 to 2016, when she was first elected state Superintendent of Public Instruction. She reclaimed the post in 2020, overcoming Democrat Melissa Romano in both contests. Arntzen would make the second Republican candidate floated for Rosendale's seat on the condition he steps into the ring with Tester in 2024 a rematch from 2018. In March, Republican Public Service Commissioner Randy Pinocci told the Montana Free Press he would seek to replace Rosendale if he challenges Tester. That revelation emerged when Pinocci sued the Montana Department of Transportation, alleging the department was targeting his supporters when it told landowners in Valley County to remove Pinocci's 2022 campaign signs from their own property after the election was over. The agency has administrative authority over political signs on private property, and has imposed a 14-day limit on such signage after the relevant election. Pinocci's lawsuit argues "for sale" signs have no time limit, making the restriction on political language a violation of political speech. Language in the public filing included paraphrased statements those self-proclaimed supporters urging Pinocci to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Freshman Republican Representative Tanner Smith on Tuesday declared his candidacy for governor, the first of any party to announce a challenge to presumptive incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte. "Our state has a rich heritage of hard work, self-reliance, and respect for our natural wonders," Smith said in a press release Tuesday. "I am determined to preserve and restore these values, ensuring a brighter future for every Montanan." Smith represented House District 11, covering the Lakeside area near Flathead Lake, in the 2023 Legislature, and was most vocal about his opposition to marijuana legalization. None of his four bills passed through the Legislature, but Smith was not shy about speaking out in debates in the House of Representatives. Born and raised in Stevensville, Smith owns Tanner J. Smith Construction and serves as a trustee for the Somers Lakeside School District. On his campaign website, Smith said he is running for governor "because I firmly believe in the power of Montana values and our way of life." The statement did not address what spurred him to make a bid for governor after Gianforte's first term. Smith did not return a call seeking additional comment on Tuesday. A primary with the sitting governor could amount to a David-versus-Goliath contest. Following two terms in the U.S. House, Gianforte's 2020 campaign piled up more votes than any other gubernatorial candidate in Montana history. In an email to the Montana State News Bureau on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Gianforte's office declined to confirm whether the governor will seek re-election. "Serving Montanans is the honor of the governor's life," press secretary Kaitlin Price said. "There is plenty of time to talk about 2024 and the governor remains focused on advancing his pro-family, pro-jobs agenda." Photo: Environment Canada Yellow shows area of thunderstorm watch. UPDATE: 9:10 p.m. Environment Canada has ended a severe thunderstorm watch that was in place Tuesday for several parts of the Southern Interior, including the Fraser Canyon, the South Thompson, Nicola and the Okanagan. However, a special weather statement remains in effect for these regions. A cold front moving across British Columbia will continue to produce rain and thunderstorms tonight and Wednesday, Environment Canada said. Gusty winds will develop with the passage of the cold front. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Boundary, West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake, West Columbia and Arrow Lakes. ORIGINAL: 10:24 a.m. More unsettled weather has prompted Environment Canada to re-issue a severe thunderstorm warning for most of the Southern Interior Tuesday. "Rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms expected by late this afternoon," states a statement from Environment Canada. The forecast is calling for between 15 and 25 mm of rain and wind gusts up to 60 km/h. Stronger wind gusts, and locally higher rainfall amounts are possible in thunderstorms. A cold front will sweep across British Columbia today. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop through the day, followed by gusty winds with the passage of the cold front. An upper-level disturbance is expected to develop Tuesday night and bring rain and a risk of thunderstorms from Fernie to Osoyoos in the south and Vernon and the Shuswap in the north. Gusty winds are likely to continue for the Central Interior and the North and South Thompson regions. "Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles," says Environment Canada. A special weather statement remains in place for the Trans Canada Highway, from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions. Teck Resources' coal mines in British Columbia are dumping selenium into Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River. Excess selenium in water produces deformities and death in fish and is a human health concern. Cutthroat below one mine are missing gill covers and numbers have dropped 90%. Koocanusa burbot are almost gone. Trophy rainbows seldom make it over 5 pounds. Mountain whitefish in the river have decreased 50%. Federal, Montana and tribal representatives worked for five years to customize selenium standards for the Kootenai drainage, meeting over 40 times with nine public meetings. The standards were accepted by the Montana Board of Environmental Review and EPA. Four of nine fish species sampled in Koocanusa exceed these selenium limits. Some politicians now claim that selenium limits were set too fast, and the science is incomplete. Mostly it appears they chose to not attend the meetings. Teck has drawn repeated Canadian pollution fines. The Chinese government owns 10% of Teck and a Chinese official was appointed to Tecks board. Most of Tecks mined coal is shipped to Asia, particularly China. Now, Lincoln County commissioners and some Montana legislators want to allow more selenium from this Canadian mine into Montana waters. The Montana Board of Environmental Review, newly appointed by Gov. Gianforte, asked EPA to relax selenium standards, astoundingly by using a letter drafted for them by Teck. Sen. Tester got Canada to consider this transboundary pollution, but Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau declined a Joint Border Review Committee to do that. Lake Koocanusa, the Kootenai River and their fish are important natural resources in Lincoln County and are vital to Lincoln Countys economy and lifestyle. Just as important, the Montana Constitution guarantees citizens the right to a clean and healthful environment. Lincoln County deserves no less. Who are these Montana politicians really working for? DECATUR With temperatures in the low 70s, and before the expected days of extra heat arrive, Tuesday was a good day to have an air conditioner installed. Decatur resident Purlie Savage, 72, has rented a small, but warm, house near the center of the city for 14 years. I am excited to get an air conditioner in here to get rid of the heat, she said. We had a good winter, so I know its going to be extra hot this summer. Ameren Illinois donated 500 energy-efficiency air conditioning units to community action agencies across the state. The community advocacy agency, Empowerment Opportunity Center, received 100 units for its clients in Decatur. Air Conditioning distributions To register for the Empowerment Opportunity Center Air Conditioning donations, call (217) 428-2193 after 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 14. Savage was the first resident to receive a 6,000 BTU window unit. Before the air conditioner was installed, Savage simply opened the windows to cool her two-bedroom home. When its hot like this, theres no wind blowing, she said. But you have the A/C, you can turn it on cool and its going to get cold. According to Karla Jordan, EOC energy services director, those who will be receiving a window unit will retrieve and install the air conditioner themselves. But thats not a deterrent for them, she said. We give them tips and tools on how to install it themselves. They usually bring someone with them that can carry it for them. The EOC provides information on how to install the unit to be energy efficient and safe. According to the EOC recommendations, priority is given to low-income families, veterans, elderly, physically disabled and households with small children. Ameren Illinois assisted with providing the program to the EOC. Other local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program agencies partnered with the company. This is one of the best programs in our community right now for our seniors and disabled clients, Jordan said. Its a no-brainer for us. Whenever they need us to partner with something, its always for the good of our community. Darrin Wood & Son Heating and Cooling installed Savages air conditioner. She had the unit centrally located in a living room window. Its got the perfect square spot, she said. History photos: Past winters in Decatur 1981 1985 1986 1986 1986 1986 1987 1983 1981 1987 1983 1984 1984 1985 1987 1990 1981 1987 1982 1982 1983 1987 1987 1987 1941 1927 1961 1980 Undated 1929 1958 1981 1951 012216-dec-gal-snow6 012216-dec-gal-snow13 012216-dec-gal-snow12 012216-dec-gal-snow11 012216-dec-gal-snow10 012216-dec-gal-snow14 DECATUR Cooperation among police agencies and the use of shared technology have led to the capture of two people authorities say are responsible for thefts in Walmart parking lots in two states. According to Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel, his department received reports during the past few weeks from women, all more than 50 years old, who said they had been approached at both Decatur Walmart locations by a man asking for directions to a hospital. Soon after the interaction, the victims discovered their wallets, or items in their wallets, missing, such as money, IDs and credit/debit cards, he stated in a press release. The women then learned their cards had been used to make several thousands of dollars worth of purchases and to withdraw money from their bank accounts. The local police were contacted last week by two Iowa police agencies with information about similar reports. One of those agencies had a suspect vehicle description, Brandel said. The Iowa agencies have the same Flock license plate reading system used in Decatur, which indicated their suspect vehicle was in Decatur. A search of the system by Decatur police turned up images of the vehicle near a Walmart in Jacksonville, where another similar theft occurred. Brandel said the the Flock system used in Champaign captured an image of the vehicle there and information about the crimes the vehicle was linked to was shared with the Champaign Police Department. The vehicle was later found at a Champaign hotel and, with the assistance of Champaign police, Decatur detectives executed search warrants. Evidence of the crimes was located in the hotel rooms and the suspects were arrested, Brandel stated. A man, age 36, and a woman, age 29, were taken into custody on preliminary charges of money laundering, burglary and aggravated identification theft. They are being held in the Macon County Jail on $150,000 and $40,000 bond, respectively. Preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorney's office. There would surely have been more victims and the suspects may have escaped justice, Brandel said, if not for the cooperation among the agencies. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about these crimes are encouraged to call 217-424-2734. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park Officials hope to have "a solid recommendation" for the board to consider by its next scheduled meeting on June 27. The district pledged to share information as it became available and to schedule a community forum to share its recommendation with Dennis families. The first day of the 2023-24 school year is Aug. 14. With 532 students at Dennis, options for placing them elsewhere are limited. Buildings the district owns include Stevenson School, leased to the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education for alternative education programs Futures Unlimited and Milligan Academy. Garfield Learning Academy, in South Shores, is the district's own alternative education program. Harris School is the site for the Social-Emotional Learning Program and the Macon-Piatt Special Education District offices. The district also owns the former location of the Decatur Area Technical Academy on Eldorado Street and is using parts of it. The district temporarily closed the two campuses May 31, a day after the classes ended for the school year, after receiving an engineer's report that showed structural issues. A week later officials announced the buildings will be closed until further notice pending a second opinion. That second opinion, provided by Klinger & Associates, based in Quincy, indicated at the Mosaic campus that the original staircase spanning all floors on the north side of the building needs to be fully repaired or replaced. The structural report recommends no access to areas below, above, or adjacent to the stairs until repair or replacement is completed. At the Kaleidoscope campus the structural report recommends partial demolition and replacement of the original 1913 three-story building, and no access to the original building as well as the adjacent two-story addition until repair or replacement is completed. "These reports have been reviewed by administration as well as the DPS Board of Education. The next steps include working with DPS Buildings & Grounds staff, as well as BLDD Architects, to review the recommendations, cost estimates, timeline, and feasibility of repair and/or replacement options for the two Dennis campuses. As this work has just begun, we do not currently have a timeline for when these reviews will be completed," the news release said. A Dennis page is posted on the district website with the most recent health, life, safety reports for both buildings, a timeline of events leading to this point, a summary of the structural engineering reports, and answers to frequently asked questions. Dennis staff had concerns which they brought up in one of the regularly scheduled meetings that Clark and her staff hold with all the buildings' staffs, Clark said, and one of the teachers told her that when the band practiced, her classroom shook. That was one reason for asking for a structural engineer to examine the buildings. We just felt the best thing to do was get in contact with a structural engineer and have them look at the buildings as a whole, Clark said. This process began in mid to late April. DECATUR The Mobile Museum of Tolerance will be in Decatur next week as part of the community's Juneteenth activities. It will be open noon to 5 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the African-American Cultural and Genealogical Society and Museum, 235 W. Eldorado St. The Mobile Museum will also be at Decatur Memorial Hospital from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, and noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 21-22. The Mobile Museum of Tolerance uses technology and interactive lessons to teach tolerance in schools and communities throughout Illinois. Community members can stop by any time during the times of operation and will have the option to watch videos on Anne Frank, Civil Rights, Ordinary People, and Modern Antisemitism. Each video is 7-10 minutes long. The first of its kind in the United States, the museum is a free traveling mobile education center. This event is supported by Decatur Memorial Hospital and The Community Foundation of Macon County. The history and significance of Juneteenth What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth commemorates the 1865 delivery of General Order #3 Chattel slavery in all states wasnt abolished until the end of 1865 Juneteenth celebrations originated in Galveston, Texas, starting in 1866 The first land to commemorate and celebrate the event was purchased in 1872 and is now a public park South Dakota was the last state to make Juneteenth a legal holiday Juneteenth has been celebrated in Mexico for more than 150 years The last enslaved people in the US werent adopted as citizens until 1885 Festivities became more commercialized in the 1920s during the Great Migration Juneteenth officially became a Texas state holiday in 1980 Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 DECATUR Rahiam A. Shabazz is either a ruthless home invader and armed robber who terrorized a Decatur family or someone caught up in offenses committed by others who doesnt deserve the barrage of felony charges leveled against him, according to arguments made by attorneys in the case. A jury began the process of wading through the evidence Tuesday in a Macon County Circuit Court trial against the 23-year-old defendant that is expected to take all week. Shabazz is pleading not guilty to nine charges including home invasion, armed robbery, armed violence and aggravated battery. With extra penalty add-ons for the use of weapons in the crimes, Shabazz faces the prospect of spending most of the rest of his life in prison if convicted. Special Prosecutor Kate Kurtz said the charges all date to Nov. 20, 2018, and involved armed raids by Shabazz and accomplices on three Decatur homes within minutes of each other. She told the jury that Shabazz and his friends were looking for guns and valuables and had pistol-whipped and beaten several victims before targeting a house in the 400 block of North 33rd Street. Here, Kurtz said, they clubbed to the floor a grandfather who tried to resist them before turning their attention to the victims 6-year-old grandson. (The grandfather) sees his grandson walking into the living room at gunpoint, pushed over the edge of the couch and a gun is put into his grandsons mouth with the words Where is it? Or I will shoot him, Kurtz added. The prosecutor told the jurors that none of the victims were able to identify which of the suspects did this, and none of them were able to identify Shabazz as being among the thugs who robbed them. But Decatur police, already investigating the earlier home invasions and swarming into the area in response to a 911 call, had the 33rd Street house surrounded and confronted and chased down the robbers as they fled. Kurtz said Shabazz had been tracked by a police canine and was found hiding under a vehicle in a driveway a short distance from the crime scene. Cash, a gun and several spare magazines stolen from the home were found nearby. The prosecutors said other guns stolen during the night of crime were found tossed in several yards as the robbers fled, and one of those weapons had Shabazzs fingerprint and DNA on it. Ladies and gentlemen, Rahiam Shabazz and his friends, what they did on November 20, 2018, forever changed the lives of multiple families, Kurtz told the jury. But also in Illinois it is called home invasion, armed robbery, armed violence and aggravated battery. Defense attorney Susan Moorehead told the jurors they will be confronted by lots of evidence and prosecution claims, but they are the ones to decide just how many of the charges have been proved against her client. What I am asking you to do is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, she said. I am asking you to consider exactly what this defendant did and what crimes, if any, he may have committed and not simply shrug your shoulders and say Oh, he was there with that gun, he must have done it. Of the other defendants in the case, Byron D. Theus, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated kidnapping and a charge of home invasion in August and was sentenced to 33 years in prison. And in October Dondrion L. Austin, 23, also received a 33-year sentence after admitting charges of home invasion and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Another man charged in connection with the crimes, Raymond D. Graham, 27, was sent to prison for six years in April of 2021 after pleading guilty to a charge of home invasion. And a fifth defendant, Mikhail D. Gordon, 21, is due in court Thursday for a status hearing on charges including home invasion, armed robbery, armed violence and aggravated battery. The Shabazz trial continues. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Abundant sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High around 105F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 77F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. A proposal to put a paintball business near Lee Highway faces neighborhood opposition but comes up for review at Tuesdays meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors. This proposed zoning request near Abingdon, Virginia, did not meet the approval of the Washington County Planning Commission at a meeting held last month. Yet the paintball proposal is still on the agenda to be heard as part of a series of public hearings at Tuesdays board meeting. The site extends just over two acres, said Stephen Richardson, the zoning administrator for Washington County. There would be teams firing paintballs at each other, Richardson said. That area, along Route 11, there is a lot of commercial uses, Richardson said. It is very mixed use. The business would appeal to youth, said Aaron Miller, representing the paintball organization. We want to design it just like Call of Duty, Miller said. Its very good for the economy Its just kind of shooting each other. Safety equipment would be for sale or rent, Miller said. Weve got your full protective masks Were not designed for any of us to get hurt. Its just to have some fun. The business would only be operated during daylight hours, Miller said. John Salyer, a resident speaking about his nearby property, said the paintball business could depreciate his $350,000 property. Patricia Arnold, another resident whose property adjoins the field, told the planning commission that she was concerned that some paintballs can travel 189 miles an hour. Arnold said her dogs could be hurt if a paintball hits them. Commissioner Dulcie Mumpower praised the plan but said it could infringe on neighboring residents. The commission voted 4-1 to deny the zoning request. Photo: The Canadian Press Meta's logo can be seen on a sign at the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Nov. 9, 2022. Meta has started blocking news for some Canadians on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a Liberal government bill that is currently being studied in the Senate.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Godofredo A. Vasquez Some French-language media organizations and smaller local media outlets say they are being targeted by Meta after the digital giant restricted access to their content on Facebook as part of its fight against the Liberal government's online-news bill. Chris Dell, news editor of ChrisD.ca, a Winnipeg-based digital news outfit, said some readers informed him Monday that they are no longer able to access content the outlet had posted on Facebook. "It appears Meta is blocking some of our content, but not all of it," Dell said in a statement on Tuesday. He said it's unfortunate that these measures are being taken in response to the proposed online news legislation, which would require tech giants to pay publishers for linking to or otherwise repurposing news content online. "As a small local news outlet, the majority of our traffic comes from Facebook and Google. My hope is that an amicable agreement can be reached between Silicon Valley and Ottawa that doesn't leave publishers caught in the middle," Dell said. Sebastien Menard, editor-in-chief of Le Journal de Quebec, said its news is also being blocked from readers who view its stories on Facebook. That also applies to news shared by fellow Quebecor-own properties Le Journal de Montreal and TVA Nouvelles. "We launched ourselves a campaign inviting our readers to come directly to our website instead of waiting for news to come to them through Facebook," Menard said to The Canadian Press on Tuesday. "When your social networks let you down regarding information, come on our news website." Meta is running a test for the majority of the month that will temporarily block news content for up to five per cent of its Canadian users on Facebook and Instagram. It said the test began last week, but publishers began to take notice on Monday. The company said it is working toward an "effective product solution to end news availability in Canada" so as to comply with the proposed online news legislation, known as Bill C-18, if it becomes law. Paul Deegan, president and CEO of News Media Canada, said removing reliable news sources from their platforms is an abuse of Meta's dominant position in the marketplace. "Meta has just exponentially increased opportunities for bad actors, including hostile foreign governments, to sow the seeds of misinformation and disinformation, which will ultimately undo the platform, erode its own shareholder value and undermine social cohesion," Deegan said in a statement Tuesday. "Democratic governments, regulators, enforcement agencies, publishers, advertisers and those around the world who value a free and plural press should be very alarmed." On Tuesday, a Senate committee finished its clause-by-clause consideration of the bill after a single two-hour meeting, passing about 12 amendments, the majority of which the government agrees with. The bill is expected to go to third reading in the Senate this week. The Liberal government has expressed its desire to have the bill become law before parliamentarians break for the summer. When Mary Stickler got off the phone with her daughter last spring, she had no idea that it would be the final time, to date, that she would hear from her. Maggie Stickler, who contacted her mother or one of her four brothers almost every single day, had called on Saturday, April 16, 2022 the day before Easter Sunday. She said, Ill talk to you again tomorrow, said Mary, 60. And while Maggie did send a text to the family group chat on Easter, she never made the promised phone call. We never heard from her again, Mary said. Margaret Ann Maggie Stickler, 21, and from the Roanoke area, was last seen in Richmond on April 17, 2022. Police said Maggies boyfriend, Mitchell Cooper, was one of the last people to see her alive. Cooper told police that he saw Maggie leave the Richmond Motel on Chamberlayne Avenue. Maggie was also spotted in the Gilpin Court neighborhood in Jackson Ward on or around that same day, police added. After that, the trail goes cold. Mary and her son, Ethan Stickler, 24, knew almost immediately that something was wrong. As their attempts to contact Maggie went unanswered, they began reaching out to friends and acquaintances. It soon became clear that nobody had heard from her. It was uncharacteristic, Mary said, for Maggie to completely cut off all contact. Even when she knew I was going to be mad, she would usually tell me stuff, Mary said, adding that her daughter almost always texted her back despite whatever might be going on in her life. Maggie, who struggled with drug addiction, was in Richmond to attend a rehab program. In January 2021, she overdosed on Xanax and nearly died. After that and other incidents, Mary told her daughter that she needed to get help. I said, You cant come home, youve got to go to rehab, she recounted. With her moms support, Maggie began exploring recovery programs around Virginia. After completing a program in Salem, close to her mothers home, she was advised by counselors to stay in a sober living facility. Mary said the idea was for her daughter to continue her treatment in a new place so that she that she could avoid past pitfalls as she worked on her sobriety. That brought her to Richmond. But the program did not work out. Mary found another one and, although it was better, Maggies old patterns of behavior soon resurfaced, she said. She was hurting a lot more than we could tell Mary said her daughters drug use began as early as high school. She believes Maggie, who showed signs of depression in her teen years, was deeply affected by the passing of her father, Ben Stickler, who died of cancer when Maggie was only 14. After her dad died, thats when she really started to change, she said, but she did a good job hiding a lot of things. She wasnt someone who liked to talk about how she was feeling. She kept a lot of it in. In the year since the disappearance, Marys attorney has retained Ken Mosley, a private investigator and consultant based in Richmond. Mosley, a Richmond-area native, spent 30 years working as a senior special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In the course of his three decades with the ATF, he arrested firearms traffickers, arsonists and cigarette traffickers from 13 different countries. He was at the Pentagon for the 9/11 terrorist attack investigations; was in Waco, Texas during the siege on the Branch Davidian compound; and worked on the D.C. sniper case. After his retirement, Mosley decided to apply his extensive experience to a new line of work; he opened a private investigation firm, The 2963 Group, Inc., in 2019. Our goal is to bring Maggie home. Thats it, Mosley said of his involvement in the case. Mosley and his team of investigators work closely with the Richmond Police Department, whose investigation is ongoing. They share information, leads and possible evidence. Mosleys advantage, he said, is that, unlike police detectives who are burdened by numerous cases, he can afford to be more selective and devote the bulk of his time, energy and resources to specific cases like Maggies. Mosley stressed that he is conducting the investigation with a sense of urgency, leaving no stone unturned. In addition to her former home at Eco Flats, Mosley has checked the medical examiners office, hospitals, motels, shelters, churches, parks, public transit stations and vehicles, public buildings such as libraries, rehab meetings and businesses that she frequented and other places he heard she has stayed before, such as the Interstate 95 overpass near Chamberlayne Avenue, Brooklyn Park and wooded areas around Richmond. He tracks her phone records, bank accounts, social media accounts and health insurance use. He has surveilled neighborhoods in which she was known to spend time, and has shown her photo to hundreds of people. We have been reactive as well as proactive, Mosley said. We have gone to untold places trying to find her. We have exhausted every lead possible, but were still not quitting. A host of unanswered questions Mosley has a handful of theories, but says he is not ruling anything out. Police have a host of unanswered questions. Why, last June, did a man named Michael Schutrumpf, who was arrested in Henrico County for assault and possession of drug paraphernalia, have Maggies Social Security card? When questioned about Maggies disappearance, police said Schutrumpf made comments that they found concerning; police added that Cooper and Schutrumpf are acquaintances. And why did Maggies cell phone ping near Louisville, Kentucky, in the week following her disappearance? Richmond police Detective Clarence Key said that Cooper is a person of interest in the case, and described him as hesitant to cooperate with the investigation. Coopers attorney could not be reached for comment. Schutrumpf has since died of a drug overdose, according to police. Key encouraged anyone with information to come forward. You might think it is something small or insignificant, he said, but that information could be the thing that brings closure to this case and helps us find Maggie. He said his heart goes out to Maggies mother and the entire Stickler family. In sharing Maggies story with the media, Mosley hopes to get as many eyes on this as humanly possible. The more people that are looking for Maggie, he said, the better. Please think of it as this is not just some girl on drugs, this is somebodys daughter with a promising future. And we want to get her back so she can continue on with her life and put her family at peace. Editors note: The investigation into the disappearance of Maggie Stickler is ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Detective Clarence Key at (804) 646-6764 or Ken Mosley at (804) 640-9260. BETHLEHEM The Bethlehem Ruritan Club recently awarded $6,000 scholarship assistance to students from the Bethlehem Fire District. Students from both Alexander Central High School and Alexander Early College received scholarships this year. Each year the club recognizes one of the students as the recipient of the Tommy Hefner Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is provided in memory of the late Tommy Hefner, an active Ruritan member and community businessman. This year the Bethlehem Ruritan Club awarded the Tommy Hefner Scholarship to Ashley Merritt. Ashley is the daughter of Gary and Chin Merritt. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she plans to major in nursing with a minor in Spanish. She plans to be a medical nurse missionary in a poor Spanish-speaking area. Mason James, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyndon James Jr., and a student at Alexander Early College, is the recipient of the Ruritan Trades Scholarship sponsored partially by local businesses. He plans to attend Haywood Community College in a field of either welding, forestry or electrical. His goal is to work with the North Carolina Forest Service. Jackson Reid was presented the Ruritan Foundation Scholarship at a recent Bethlehem Ruritan meeting. The 2022 Hefner Award recipient, Reid attends Gardner Webb University. Other recipients include: Alyssa Ferrese, daughter of David and Charissa Ferrese, plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue a degree in political science. Her career goal is to be a lawyer and judge. Macie Greene, daughter of Kenneth and Jackie Greene, plans to seek an elementary education degree at Western Carolina University. Her career goal is to become an elementary teacher. Sarah Hollar, daughter of Brian and Heather Hollar, plans to attend Campbell University where she plans to major in biology. Her career goal is to become a dermatologist and cancer surgeon. Reece Sharpe, daughter of Eric and Melissa Sharpe, plans to attend Appalachian State University where she will major in math education. Her career goal is to become a math teacher. Makenah Melvin, the daughter of Candie Gurganious and John Dancy, plans to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University to major in nursing. She wants to become a neonatal nurse. Madalyn Motley, daughter of Shane and Michelle Motley, plans to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she plans to major in computer science. Her career goal is to work in IT for a local company. Jordyn Evans, daughter of Jennifer Evans, plans to attend East Carolina university to major in biology. Her goal is to work in the medical field. The Bethlehem Ruritan Club appreciates the support of local businesses, industries, and individuals in making fundraising activities successful. A special thank you goes to those businesses and individual who provide yearly legacy gifts to the scholarship program. Students who are residents of the Bethlehem Fire District, graduating from Alexander Central High School or Alexander Early College, and entering their first year of college are invited to apply for Ruritan scholarships. MT. PLEASANT One part of the mission of the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society is to preserve artifacts relating to the history of this region and to make them available to the public. The ECHS Museum features more than two dozen rooms, each with a unique theme relating to an aspect of Cabarrus County history. One of those rooms, The Military Annex will be updated this year and the society needs help from the public, especially veterans, to achieve that goal. The museum seeks to display world history at a local level by representing local citizens who served after 1946, including in any of the following: Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, Panama, Beirut, Grenada, Bosnia, the Cold War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terrorism. Artifacts relating to this era will be used to improve and refresh The Military Annex display. Says ECHS president Nick Luciano, The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society is honored to have the opportunity to share the stories of brave Americans who are real-life heroes. When we share their history, we preserve their legacy. In sharing their legacy, real heroes never die. The museum cannot accept loans of historical artifacts, only donations. The donation policy is available on the ECHS website (echsmuseum.org) under the Resources tab or by calling the museum office. Financial donations toward the update of this room are also appreciated. Housed on the campus of the former Mt. Pleasant Collegiate Institute and its predecessors, Western Carolina Male Academy and North Carolina College, the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society is a non-profit organization committed to restoring and preserving the rich history of eastern Cabarrus County. A world class stunt show will be in downtown Concord tonight and weve got other business and news to share with you today in the Friday Five. Naver subsidiary Naver Cloud and Finnish telecommunications vendor Nokia have signed a memorandum of understanding to scale digital practices in the Southeast Asia region through joint go-to-market initiatives, incubating start-up businesses on Naver Cloud, and brand-building programs. The memorandum will see Nokia and Naver Cloud assist telcos to digitally transform with their IP Routing and Data Centre Switching network infrastructure and Cloud Platform respectively. They will encourage local telcos to execute sovereign cloud approach, searching and involving local managed service providers (MSPs) in the Southeast region, and developing a partner benefit program to accelerate the Naver Cloud business. Both companies will also work together to develop and accelerate the cloud market in the region. Nokias industry-leading solutions and our cloud expertise will together transform the DNA of the various industry verticals in the region, which will allow digital enterprises to scale quickly and cost-effectively. This will act as a catalyst for the regions economic growth, said Naver Cloud CEO APAC business development Weongi Park. We are thrilled to collaborate with Naver Cloud to bolster the cloud innovation, which will empower digital businesses to leverage the latest technologies to gain new capabilities to grow their revenue and delight their users, said Nokia Asia Pacific vice president IP business Kent Wong. In what could be a setback for Australia's plan to acquire American Virginia-class submarines, a US government audit has found a shortage of staff and work efficiency estimates will set back the building of new submarines by two years longer than reported in 2022. The report from the Government Audit Office said: "Performance on VCS [Virginia-0class submarines] construction continues to degrade. The program now estimates construction of each Block V submarine will take an average of over two years longer than reported last year. The delays are due to problems meeting original staffing and work efficiency estimates. Block V is the most recent version of the nuclear-powered, attack submarines capable of performing multiple missions and including enhanced undersea acoustic improvements. "Due to delays, program officials are developing a new, more realistic schedule for Block V. They said that they expect to complete this process in early 2023," the audit, the 21st annual review of the Department of Defence's weapon system acquisition, said. "Program officials stated that the shipbuilders do not have sufficient workforce to complete VCS while also constructing the Columbia-class submarines and overhauling several Los Angeles-class submarines. They noted VCS construction is about 25% below staffing needs as of September 2022." Australia announcedin September 2021 to buy two or three nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines from the US by the early part of the 2023s and then build 10 or 12 submarines along with the UK, with the latter to form the bulk of the country's submarine fleet. The Virginia-class submarines are needed to fill the void between the retiring of the Collins class submarines and the arrival of the new fleet, with the latter expected to be delivered only in the 2050s or even later. But the US has been barely able to provide VCS submarines to meet its own needs. It needs new boats in order that it can sell second-hand boats to Austraila. Additionally, the price of these defence assets may increase, according to the audit report. It said: "In an effort to improve VCS construction, shipbuilders are outsourcing certain work that they would have otherwise completed in their shipyards, noted program officials. The officials told us that the shipbuilders implemented these changes due to shipbuilders workforce constraints and the limited physical capacity of some facilities. "The same factors that delayed the schedule also contributed to cost increases. While the fixed price incentive contract set target and ceiling prices for each submarine, program officials reported that the VCS shipbuilders have not met the work efficiency and material cost estimates that informed the target pricing. "Consequently, the Navy plans to request more funds to complete Block V, as its prior budget requests covered the target prices, but not up to the ceiling prices." In an introduction to the audit, the GAO said: "The Department of Defence continues to face challenges quickly developing innovative new weapons. These challenges persist even with recent reforms to its acquisition process intended to help deliver systems to the warfighter in a timelier manner." COMPANY NEWS: Check Point Software Technologies, a leading provider of cyber security solutions globally, has been named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Email Security, Q2 2023 report. In its inaugural debut in the Forrester Wave, Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration secured a position as a leader. Business email compromise (BEC) schemes are rising in prevalence and damage. According to the FBI, BEC scams have cost organisations around the world over US$43 billion. Further, BEC 3.0 scams, which leverage legitimate services, are rising in popularity, requiring a more effective approach to email security. With organisations facing an average of 1,248 cyber-attacks per week, it is crucial for companies to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cyber security solutions to prevent increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. The Forrester Wave report states that since Check Point acquired CAPES vendor Avanan in 2021, it has "focused on integrating email security into its platform, leveraging its native ThreatCloud threat intelligence capabilities to deliver Phishing360 protection across endpoints, browsers, and SaaS applications" providing companies with a comprehensive email security suite. We believe Check Point's position as a leader in the Forrester Wave is attributed to its capabilities, strategy, and customer feedback. The report notes that Check Point is currently the sole enterprise email security vendor offering an in-line CAPES (cloud-native, API-enabled email security) deployment option that works with both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Check Point is also noted as one of the only vendors providing full protection for communication and collaboration applications like Teams, SharePoint, Slack, and Dropbox. Key features of Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration are: Cloud-first, AI-first technology: Check Point harnesses the power its patented API-enabled deployments to safeguard against ransomware, account takeover, BEC, and supply chain attacks. Comprehensive collaboration protection: Harmony Email & Collaboration ensures end-to-end security for all communication channels, securing Slack, Teams, Google Drive, OneDrive, and leading file-sharing apps. AI-powered threat intelligence: Harmony Email & Collaboration integrates with Check Point ThreatCloud AI, the world's largest threat intelligence database, analysing billions of websites and files. It performs millions of file emulations and receives updates on millions of malicious indicators daily, offering real-time protection. "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition," said Check Point vice president of email security Gil Friedrich. "We're especially proud to earn the highest score possible in the innovation criterion. We've been at the forefront of transforming cloud email security to the API-based approach, which has since become the industry standard for securing Microsoft 365 and Gmail. With our product vision, continuous innovation, and unique prevention-first approach, we believe we will continue to define and lead this market. It's truly gratifying to see that our vision aligns with Forrester's market analysis, reaffirming for us our position as a market leader." Check Point acquired Avanan in 2021, integrating their industry-leading email security solution into the Harmony product suite. The Check Point Harmony pillar is powered by ThreatCloud AI to deliver dynamic protection, swiftly responding to newly emerging threats and strengthening the security stack of organisations in real-time. To read more about today's announcement and receive a complimentary copy of The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Email Security 2023 visit https://pages.checkpoint.com/forrester-wave-for-enterprise-email-security-2023.html. For more information about Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration and its advanced email security solutions, please visit https://www.checkpoint.com/harmony/email-security/email-office/ . Follow Check Point Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies About Check Point Software Technologies Check Point Software Technologies is a leading provider of cyber security solutions to corporate enterprises and governments globally. Check Point Infinity's portfolio of solutions protects enterprises and public organisations from 5th generation cyber-attacks with an industry leading catch rate of malware, ransomware and other threats. Infinity comprises three core pillars delivering uncompromised security and generation V threat prevention across enterprise environments: Check Point Harmony, for remote users; Check Point CloudGuard, to automatically secure clouds; and Check Point Quantum, to protect network perimeters and data centres, all controlled by the industry's most comprehensive, intuitive unified security management; Check Point Horizon, a prevention-first security operations suite. Check Point protects over 100,000 organisations of all sizes. COMPANY NEWS: In response to growing use of generative AI tools, Darktrace today announces the launch of new risk and compliance models to help its 8,400 customers around the world address the increasing risk of IP loss and data leakage. These new risk and compliance models for Darktrace Detect and Respond make it easier for customers to put guardrails in place to monitor, and when necessary, respond to activity and connections to generative AI and large language model (LLM) tools. This comes as Darktraces AI observed 74% of active customer deployments have employees using generative AI tools in the workplace. In one instance, in May 2023 Darktrace detected and prevented an upload of over 1GB of data to a generative AI tool at one of its customers. New generative AI tools promise increases in productivity and new ways of augmenting human creativity. CISOs must balance the desire to embrace these innovations to boost productivity while managing risk. Government agencies including the UKs National Cyber Security Centre have already issued guidance about the need to manage risk when using generative AI tools and other LLMs in the workplace. In addition, regulators in a variety of jurisdictions (including the UK, EU, and US) and in various sectors are expected to lay out guidance to companies on how to make the most of AI without exacerbating its potential dangers. "Since generative AI tools like ChatGPT have gone mainstream, our company is increasingly aware of how companies are being impacted. First and foremost, we are focused on the attack vector and how well prepared we are to respond to potential threats. Equally as important is data privacy, and we are hearing stories in the news about potential data protection and data loss, said REIT vice president and head of information technology Orion Office Allan Jacobson. Businesses need a combination of technology and clear guardrails to take advantage of the benefits while managing the potential risks. At London Tech Week, Darktrace CEO Poppy Gustafsson will be interviewed by Snyk CEO Guy Podjarny in a fireside chat on Securing Our Future by Uplifting the Human, where theyll discuss how can we future-proof organisations against cyber compromise and prepare teams to fend off unpredictable threats. Commenting ahead of London Tech Week, Gustafsson said: CISOs across the world are trying to understand how they should manage the risks and opportunities presented by publicly available AI tools in a world where public sentiment flits from euphoria to terror. Sentiment aside, the AI genie is not going back in the bottle and AI tools are rapidly becoming part of our day-to-day lives, much in the same way as the internet or social media. Each enterprise will determine their own appetite for the opportunities versus the risk. Darktrace is in the business of providing security personalised to an organisation, and it is no surprise we are already seeing the early signs of CISOs leveraging our technology to enforce their specific compliance policies. At Darktrace, we have long believed that AI is one of the most exciting technological opportunities of our time. With todays announcement, we are providing our customers with the ability to quickly understand and control the use of these AI tools within their organisations. But it is not just the good guys watching these innovations with interest - AI is also a powerful tool to create even more nuanced and effective cyber-attacks. Society should be able to take advantage of these incredible new tools for good, but also be equipped to stay one step ahead of attackers in the emerging age of defensive AI tools versus offensive AI attacks. To complement its core Self-Learning AI for attack prevention, threat detection, autonomous response, and policy enforcement, the Darktrace Cyber AI Research Centre continually develops new AI models, including its own proprietary large language models, to help customers prepare for and fight back against increasingly sophisticated threats. These models are used across the products in Darktraces Cyber AI Loop. Recent advances in generative AI and LLMs are an important addition to the growing arsenal of AI techniques that will transform cyber security. But they are not one-size-fits-all and must be applied with guardrails to the right use cases and challenges, said Darktrace chief technology officer Jack Stockdale. Over the last decade, the Darktrace Cyber AI Research Centre has championed the responsible development and deployment of a variety of different AI techniques, including our unique Self-Learning AI and proprietary large language models. Were excited to continue putting the latest innovations in the hands of our customers globally so that they can protect themselves against the cyber disruptions that continue to create chaos around the world. About Darktrace Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, delivers complete AI-powered solutions in its mission to free the world of cyber disruption. Breakthrough innovations from the Darktrace Cyber AI Research Centre in Cambridge, UK and its R&D centre in The Hague, Netherlands have resulted in over 135 patent applications filed and significant research published to contribute to the cyber security community. Darktraces technology continuously learns and updates its knowledge of 'you' for an organisation and applies that understanding to achieve an optimal state of cyber security. It is delivering the first ever Cyber AI Loop, fuelling a continuous end-to-end security capability that can autonomously prevent, detect, and respond to novel, in-progress threats in real time. Darktrace employs over 2,200 people around the world and protects over 8,400 organisations globally from advanced cyber-threats. It was named one of Time magazines Most Influential Companies in 2021. As its name suggests, Blockdaemon is in the blockchain infrastructure business. Vranjes' career included stints at Alphawest (which was acquired by Optus shortly after he joined), Cisco and AWS before he joined Blockdaemon in early 2022. "Amazon is a pretty tough environment, always looking to scale further and constantly impress customers," he told iTWire, whereas Cisco teaches you how to lead. His role at Blockdaemon is similar to his role as APJ senior manager of business development at Cisco, he said, in that it involves selling to the same sort of people. Blockdaemon started by selling blockchain nodes as a service, and is now almost the largest provider in the space. It currently supports more than 60 protocols, and has built its own management and issuance stack. In recent years it moved into a second line of business: staking. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin rely on 'proof of work' to verify transactions, while others such as Ethereum instead use 'proof of stake' whereby holders put some of their cryptocurrency on the line to show good faith when they attest to or create a new block. Verification is rewarded with cryptocurrency under both proof of work and proof of stake. Cryptocurrency holders typically become part of staking pools run by cryptocurrency exchanges or other operators as opposed to operating as independent stakers. One reason for this is that the more an operator stakes, the more likely it is to be chosen to validate a new block, putting individuals at a disadvantage unless they are remarkably crypto-wealthy. One of the downsides of staking is that if the operator fails to meet performance requirements or if it validates bad or fraudulent transactions then some or all of the coins staked may be rendered valueless, a process known as 'slashing'. Blockdaemon is the largest institutional provider to the staking market, Vranjes said. Blockdaemon Stake is fully underwritten against slashing, making it more attractive to financial institutions compared with operators that lack such backing. Clients include custodial services, financial institutions and other parts of the financial services sector: "we sit behind the majority of these companies, and we build the infrastructure." "Our job is to the the adult in the room" when dealing with such clients, said Vranjes, in part because it is the only staking provider that is fully audited and its clients appreciate these compliance measures. Blockdaemon has begun integrating its staking platform with systems operated by Australia-based institutional digital asset trading and custody specialist Zerocap. Key management is the third leg of Blockdaemon's business. Its key management team came into the company as part of its mid-2022 acquisition of Sepior. It has been together since 2008 and is comprised of PhDs and patent holders, and is "the best team available," according to Vranjes. Blockdaemon's key management SDK is used by various industries, largely crypto natives and financial institutions, but also including automotive, and interestingly, luxury watches, he said. It is "the most granular key management service on the market," and is capable of handling 12,000 transactions per second. Banks are used to being custodians, he explained, so Blockdaemon's digital asset wallet is designed to allow keys to exist wherever the customer wants them, yet provides proof that Blockdaemon does not hold any of the keys. The wallet is the only product of its kind that gives institutions full control over their keys, he claimed. Blockdaemon has been through multiple successful funding rounds. The series C round that closed in January 2022 valued the company at US$3.25 billion, and in April 2022 it attracted Telstra Ventures, Citi Ventures, Salesforce Ventures and Invicta Growth as new investors after expanding into the APAC and EMEA markets. Blockdaemon CEO Konstantin Richter insists on working on a project with potential investors before they put money into the company, Vranjes explained, and one of those projects became Blockdaemon's institutional wallet. "We're really excited about this wallet," he said. "This is not for crypto people," but rather a means for banks and similar institutions to hold Bitcoin and Etherium on behalf of their customers. It is a "long-term hold wallet" that replaces the concept of a bunker for physical assets such as cash and gold. In addition to its investment, Telstra Ventures has provided Blockdaemon with useful local introductions and access to events, he said. "The majority of what we do is white label," he noted, with customers such as Revolut and PayPal. White labeled blockdaemon infrastructure accounts for more than 80 percent of Blockdaemon's business. Other customers include BTC Markets, Swyftx, Astar Network, canvas.co and Plaid. In all, the company has more than 350 customers around the world, including some of the biggest projects and players, he said. Large traditional companies including some of the biggest names in financial services are genuinely interested in what Blockdaemon can offer. While Blockdaemon has no visibility of what its customers are actually doing with the services they buy, it knows that serious players buy high-end, high-uptime nodes. While Korea, Japan and Singapore are the company's largest markets in the region, Indonesia and Thailand are also important, and he has noticed "a real flight to quality" in these countries. Blockdaemon does not play in the price-sensitive end of the market, he pointed out. "Australia is important to us... [with] over a dozen customers already" and more in the pipeline, including some that are not crypto-native. He expects Australia to shift from secondary to primary status sometime in the next year. What will help is a clearer regulatory framework in Australia. Even if "the government doesn't get it completely right the first time, that's better than nothing." "Talent wise, Australia is doing very well," especially among Blockdaemon's customers, he observed, but the lack of a regulatory framework hampers some of the projects. "We have a lot of flexibility and control, and infrastructure in Australia is at the planning stage." Blockdaemon operates its own hardware and data centres because blockchain applications require optimised environments, and it also gives customers the choice of using any of 11 cloud platforms including AWS and Azure. This approach provides network and geographical isolation, and helps "scale blockchain projects." A Clemmons lawyer is among two North Carolina attorneys who have pleaded guilty in federal court in Milwaukee to charges that they created a sham political action committee. Nathanael Nate Pendley, 60, and Jack Daly, 51, of Moore County pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and lying to the Federal Election Commission in U.S. District Court, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Milwaukee said in a statement. Pendley referred questions about his case to his attorney, Solomon Wisenberg of Washington, D.C. Mr. Pendley pled guilty on June 12, 2023, to a one-count (of conspiracy) in the Eastern District of Wisconsin and accepts full responsibility for his actions as detailed in the information and plea agreement, Wisenberg said. Unfortunately, the press release issued by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin goes well beyond what Mr. Pendley plead guilty to. According to court documents, Pendley and Daly formed a political action committee in 2017 that they said was designed to convince former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to run for U.S. Senate. The committee raised more than $1.6 million from donors, but most of the money was spent to personally benefit Daly and Pendley rather than to persuade Clarke to run, the documents say. The men continued to solicit donations after they learned that Clarke had publicly announced he wouldnt run for Senate and had characterized the committee as a scam, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Daly and Pendley also submitted false information to the Federal Election Commission, including a form that identified a committee intern as the treasurer even though Daly and Pendley knew the intern didnt have any responsibilities as treasurer, according to court documents. Pendley has run into controversy and other legal troubles during his career and his law license is currently suspended, meaning he is not able to practice law in North Carolina, according to the N.C. State Bar website. The State Bar suspended Pendleys law license for five years in December 2010 for failure to communicate with his clients and failing to handle his clients matters, according to a state bar order in his case. In March 2006, Pendley was suspended from practicing law for two years. The State Bar found that Pendley didnt file a timely response to a State Bar letter of notice and notice of fee dispute petition. Pendley also failed to promptly return a clients file. In 2000, Pendley helped recruit a homeless man named Kenneth Campbell to run against State Auditor Ralph Campbell. State officials kicked Kenneth Campbell off the ballot because he wasnt a registered voter. In 1995, Pendley was acquitted on an animal-cruelty charge in Forsyth County after he castrated his dog to make him less aggressive. A year later, Pendley lost in the Republican primary for a seat on the N.C. Supreme Court. Pendley and Daly are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21. Photo: The Canadian Press Nathan Chasing Horse sits in court in Las Vegas, on Monday, April 3, 2023. The Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service near Calgary has laid more charges against "Dances With Wolves" actor Nathan Chasing Horse. He already faces several sexual-abuse related charges in Nevada, as well as one in British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Ty O'Neil Police in Alberta have issued warrants for Nathan Chasing Horse, a former actor in the movie Dances With Wolves," for nine charges including sexual exploitation, sexual assault and sexual interference of a person under 16 years old. Tsuutina Police Service say the investigation has spanned several years with one of the offences dating back to 2005. The actor has been in jail in Las Vegas since his arrest in January in southern Nevada, where he is charged with 18 felonies, including sexual assault of a minor, child abuse and kidnapping. Court documents say he was the leader of a cult-like group called The Circle. Documents allege he used his position to gain the trust of Indigenous families and their children. He is also facing criminal charges in Montana and British Columbia. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System wants to start two new programs focused on students who are at the most risk of not graduating from high school. One program, tentatively called Restore, Reset and Restart, would give students suspended from school a chance to go to the Fulton YMCA for the duration of their suspension and get instruction as well as mental health support before going back to their home schools. The second program, to be called the Pathway Promise Program, would provide schooling from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Career Center, for students who may have dropped out and are a few credits shy of graduating or those at risk of dropping out because of something that may have happened in their lives to disrupt their education, such as a pregnancy or the need to work to support their family. The school district had such a program Forsyth Academy of Continuing Education or FACE for a few years before disbanding it prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs will be for the 2023-24 school year, pending approval of the school board, which is expected to vote on them on June 13. District leaders gave the board an overview of the programs at a workshop on the districts new code of conduct on Tuesday. The Restore, Reset and Restart program would be available for a maximum of 50 students in grades 6-12 who have been given out-of-school suspension as a disciplinary action. Through 165 days of this school year, out-of-school suspensions have resulted in more than 24,000 days of lost instruction time. In the proposed format, students would get school help from two teachers on site. Well work with them from the standpoint of why they are out of school and suspended, said Fredericca Stokes, the assistant superintendent of student services. Theyre not in the community. Theyre in a safe environment. The Fulton YMCA has three classrooms and two offices available for the school district to use at no cost. The school district will use $600,000 from a pot of money from the state for at-risk students to pay for staffing and other associated costs. As it was presented Tuesday, the district does not plan to provide transportation to the school. However, several board members questioned whether it would be a success without it. When you look at this group of kids, this is going to be an issue, said board member Robert Barr. Superintendent Tricia McManus said the district will figure it out. Youve given us a charge, she said. School leaders will select the suspended students who they think will benefit from the program, Stokes said. Other school districts in Durham and Guilford counties have similar programs, she said. The Pathway Promise Program would be for students who, for a variety of reasons, are struggling in a traditional school setting. These students are very bright but life happens or they dont do well in large environments, Stokes said. The program would cap at 50 students for the first year. The staff would include six teachers, including an exceptional childrens teacher and a career and technical education teacher, as well as a school counselor and two assistant principals. It would be at the Career Center with classwork on Monday-Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. Fridays would be set aside for enrichment including college tours, job shadowing and speakers. Transportation would be provided for this program. Some school board members said they are concerned that they wouldnt find the staff for the program, considering the existing teaching shortage at its traditional schools. McManus said the district could reach out specifically to retired teachers. These two programs to me seem very hopeful, that were taking some steps in the right direction to address children that have the most needs, Barr said. We have a gay kid in the fam. Cousin, niece, son, in-law, their name and exact relationship doesnt matter. Well keep that close because its their life to live however and with whomever they choose. Heres the important part: Theyve moved away and wont be coming back. And its because of incidents like one Saturday morning in which protestors who said they were Proud Boys appeared in Winston-Salem to protest a gay-friendly Pride brunch and seemed to witnesses to be attempting to provoke confrontation. They were aggressive, said one witness who asked not to be named out of fear for her safety. Everybody was terrified. A lot of the Proud Boys wore masks and sunglasses. Some of them had on full tactical gear. The Proud Boys came to town not for the first time for Pride Month. Its not a good look. Stoking fear The Triad is attracting attention during Pride Month for all the wrong reasons. A partial list, far from comprehensive, includes: the City of Winston-Salems self-inflicted PR wound over a Pride logo that was abruptly pulled offline on June 1; an uneasy confrontation last week in Greensboro over the firing of a city firefighter who, despite warnings, used his social media to bash transgender people; the vandalism early Friday of a Pride banner outside Winston-Salem City Hall; and the theft of rainbow Pride flag from a church in Mount Airy over the weekend. The incident Saturday outside the Radar Brewing Company is more disturbing. The brewery was hosting a Pride Brunch featuring drag acts. A few minutes before it started, the drag brunch took a potentially ominous turn when a handful of masked Proud Boys showed up. A witness said Sunday this group came from the Cape Fear region, a Proud Boys affiliate carrying a chapter flag and everything. Theyd come to provoke, the man said, but were largely ignored as organizers advised a turn-the-other-cheek posture. A single Winston-Salem police cruiser came by, said a witness worried about her familys safety. (The Proud Boys) seem to monitor this stuff closely. Theyre all over social media, she said. That officer, she said, sort of laid out the rules, explained where the protesters could stand and left. This past Saturday a group of people arrived at our taproom to protest a private, ticketed event that featured a series of drag performances, wrote Eric Peck, one of Radars owners, in a text message. Police were contacted and dispatched to monitor the situation, and in the end the event was able to continue as planned. Our goal is, and always has been, to provide our guests with the best customer experience possible. Assembling to exercise First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly is one thing. Its precious and worth fighting for. Using it to intimidate or provoke violent confrontation is another thing entirely. A second wave of protestors showed up, bringing the total of Proud Boys to more than a dozen. Their tactical gear, partially hidden faces and comments made directly to people who had come for the show eerily reminiscent of Klan demonstrations from days gone by added to the tension. Another witness, Marlowe Omilian, who took photos, wrote in an email that comments directed at her was a cause for concern and that a protestors major gripe seemed to be that the Pride brunch was not strictly for people over 18. Police remained in the area, witnesses said, and returned a while later this time in larger, more conspicuous numbers. A few young girls were really upset and started to yell back but not much more than that, a witness said. I think one of the Proud Boys must have said something the cops didnt like because they moved it along after that. A spokesman for the Winston-Salem Police Department said Sunday that a watch commander did not leave any notes about it for the next shift. But thats not unusual. No arrests typically mean no incident, no problem and no paperwork. Nothing to see here. Move along. Dog whistle approval The appearance of a right-wingers with a documented history of violence does the date Jan. 6 ring any bells? coupled with incidents elsewhere makes it clear trouble might be brewing. Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Airy reported over the weekend that someone had made off with a Pride flag from outside their church. Someone stole our flag last night, but love prevails, the church posted on Facebook Sunday. Everyone is welcome! Its not a direct line of cause and effect, but surely recent moves by some in political leadership have signaled that acts of intolerance are OK. More than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed in state houses across the country this year. The N.C. Republican Party voted behind closed doors Saturday to censure U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in part for being one of a bipartisan group who worked to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified legal protections for same-sex and interracial couples. (Tillis also worked on modest, bipartisan gun-safety laws and has espoused compromise on immigration. Common sense and bipartisanship apparently are no longer welcome in the Big Tent.) Were aware of the climate, said Mayor Allen Joines early Monday morning, adding that he hadnt yet heard about the incident at the brewery. Well be keeping an eye out at our Pride parade here in a couple weeks to keep everyone safe. Still, with the prevailing winds and steady accumulation of incidents, its hard to argue with someones decision to move far from North Carolina and stay away. I really hate to hear that, said one witness in a frank exchange. Im not surprised. Id like to think Winston-Salem is a safe haven but one of these days, Im afraid somebody will go too far. Hate will not win For several years now, Ive tried to convince myself that the hateful rhetoric directed against the LGBTQ+ community by national figures intent on gaining political power or monetary support wouldnt really impact me personally. Recent events have proved me wrong. The anti-Pride vandalism that occurred at Winston-Salem City Hall was repeated last night when someone stole a pride sign from my front yard. Now is the time for good people who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community to stand up and say enough is enough. I am not arguing that those with strongly held religious beliefs be required to go against those beliefs but that they merely find in their hearts compassion and empathy for people who want to live their lives free from fear. Scapegoating a group of people for political gain has a long history of dire consequences. Do we want to look back after another Holocaust and ask ourselves when we could have intervened to turn the tide? Now is the time to make it clear to our elected leaders that hate will not win our support, that they will not advance their political fortunes by fearmongering and scapegoating, and that we are not the kind of people who can be persuaded to turn against our neighbors. Cyndy Lively Winston Salem JFKs tax cuts Although I am conservative, I enjoy reading Byron Williams columns. They are usually well-written and thought-provoking. However I was disappointed in his June 11 column The GOP appropriates JFK based on trickle-down myth. Was JFK guilty of being a closet supply-sider? According to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the economy in 1962 was bleak. Unemployment was high and the stock market had not recovered, so JFK decided in 1963 on a bold economic plan. Stating that the absence of recession is not tantamount to economic growth he proposed to cut the top income tax rate from 91% to 65% and the bottom rate from 20% to 14%. He argued that a rising tide lifts all boats. How are these demand-side and not supply-side cuts? Demand-side cuts can spur economic activity, but supply-side cuts spur savings and capital investment, and both sides are necessary for a healthy economy. Progressives seem to dwell on demand economics and dismiss supply-side considerations, yet when we demand more than the economy can produce, prices go up, as we have seen this year. Would Kennedy be a Republican today? I doubt it. But he clearly understood that negative high marginal taxes have a negative impact on a healthy economy. Chuck Robinson Lewisville As he wants it Dont think for a minute that this isnt playing out exactly as Donald Trump envisioned. Deliberate stalling, hiding, denying the existence of classified documents. Thumbing his nose at the Justice Departments efforts to retrieve them. Practically begging for the indictments to be handed down. Now he can play the victim once again to his MAGA supporters, securing their indignation and leading their shouts of injustice like a crazed choir director. Just like he did in 2020. He began planting the seeds of mistrust in the electoral system long before the first vote was cast, claiming that the only way he could lose the election was if it was stolen from him. MAGA Republicans, heed the adage. He fooled you once, shame on him. If he fools you again, shame on you. Terry Wooding Winston-Salem Warning! On Saturday at the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro, the voters of North Carolina were once again reminded of the far rights control of the state party. According to numerous news sources (including several articles in the Journal on June 11) they voted to censure U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. Why? Because he was not far enough to the right to satisfy the conventions delegates. I dont know how the delegates are selected; however, it is clear that it is based, in part, upon their avid support for Trumpian/DeSantis extremist political perspectives and/or wacko behavior. To say that Sen. Tillis is not far enough to the right is a warning to all the rest of the voting citizens of our state that does not bode well for the 2024 elections. The vote by the delegates is reflective of one of two factors: Either the vast majority of the North Carolina Republican Party members are far-right extremists or the Silent RINOS (my term) dont have the backbone to stand up to the extremist takeover of their party. Silent RINOS are sitting back and hoping it all goes away instead of fighting back to regain control of their party and return to a degree of sensible policies that the Republican Party once stood for (whether you agree or not). Again: WARNING! David Botchin Winston-Salem Gal Gadot hopes that "Heart of Stone" launches a new female action hero. The 38-year-old actress stars as agent Rachel Stone in the Netflix spy thriller and hopes that the character can match the legacy of male spy heroes such as James Bond, Jason Bourne and Ethan Hunt from "Mission: Impossible." Gadot told Empire magazine: "I realized that there was an audience for a female action protagonist. I grew up watching Bond and "Mission" and Bourne. I wanted to create a really strong, female-driven action movie that is for everybody." An early image from the film, set for release in August, shows Gadot's character skipping across an exploding blimp, but the "Wonder Woman" actress says the scene was actually toned down. "The scene was even crazier, at a higher altitude, and we got into the science of it and dialed it down so that a human could do it," she said. "That was something I wanted to really make sure we nailed. That could be done by people." An error on a petition seeking to repeal a law granting tax credits to individuals who donate to private school scholarships has been corrected, the coalition behind the effort said. In a news release Tuesday, Support Our Schools Nebraska said the Nebraska Secretary of State's office mistakenly labeled the signature-gathering sheets "Initiative Petition" rather than "Referendum Petition." The error was corrected as soon as it was discovered, a spokeswoman with the secretary of state's office said, and new petitions were provided to Support Our Schools Nebraska on Monday. The secretary of state will still accept valid signatures added to the wrongly labeled petitions June 12 and before, said communications specialist Jackie Ourada, while all signatures from June 13 onward will need to be on the corrected petitions. Jenni Benson, the president of the Nebraska State Education Association, the statewide teachers' union, said the mix-up on the petition proofs would not negatively affect the signature-gathering effort. "It's just a hiccup," Benson said in a news release. "The new petitions are already being printed and we'll be distributing them yet (Tuesday)." While both the initiative and referendum process require a certain number of valid signatures to put a measure before voters, there are different requirements and outcomes for both. An initiative petition requires the signatures of 7% of all registered voters in the state, including 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraska's 93 counties in order to add or change a law for the entire state. A referendum petition is used to repeal a law recently passed by the Legislature and requires the signatures of 5% of all registered voters. Referendum circulators, such as Support Our Schools Nebraska, must also get the signatures of 5% of voters in 38 counties. If Support Our Schools Nebraska's petition achieves those thresholds, the measure to repeal LB753 will go before voters in the November 2024 general election. The bill introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn will allow individuals and entities to receive tax credits by donating to scholarship funds for students across the state. In each of the first two years the law is in place, a total of $25 million in tax credits will be available to donors, while that cap could increase to as much as $100 million by year 10. Supporters of the bill said the tax credit will help create opportunities for youth to obtain financial help to attend private or parochial schools who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend one. Opponents, which include teachers' unions, school boards, education policy organizations, and advocates for students with disabilities, argue the tax credits will divert public funds to private schools. Support Our Schools Nebraska, the coalition behind the referendum, announced the effort to repeal LB753 on May 31, the day after Gov. Jim Pillen signed it into law. The petition drive started June 6. Benson said Support Our Schools Nebraska's goal was to collect 90,000 signatures in 90 days. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 Officials who oversee Wyuka Cemetery asked the City Council on Monday to approve a series of zone changes that will allow them to build an all-inclusive playground as part of its efforts to upgrade and restore Lincolns oldest park. Greg Osborn, Wyuka facilities director, said during planning of the restoration, they discovered zoning issues on three lots near the southwest corner of North 35th and Q streets near the new Gatehouse Row affordable housing project. Wyuka is asking the lots a little more than 21,000 square feet be rezoned from residential to public use. The playground is among four elements of the restoration project, Osborn said. The others include improvements to a pond, restoring the original park area and installing the restored mural that adorned the front of Pershing Auditorium for 65 years. Wyuka, which encompasses about 100 acres between O and Vine streets and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was established by the state as a public charitable organization in 1869. The trustees are appointed by the governor. Last year, the Legislature gave the cemetery $1.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to refurbish the pond. Osborn said they hope to start work on that in mid-September. Fundraising is already underway for the playground and restoration of the park with new landscaping, a bike trail connection and picnic equipment. Those plans were already in the works when the trustees began talking to the small, dedicated group that saved the 38-by-140-foot mural with 763,000 tiles depicting 38 figures in an array of sporting, theater and dance events. The city plans to demolish the auditorium and had no plans to keep the mural until arts advocate Liz Shea McCoy and several others raised $850,000 in four months to remove and store the tiles. The group is now working to raise $3.1 million to restore and reinstall it in Wyuka. Osborn said they hope work on the mural can begin sometime next summer, after the pond is refurbished. It will be a huge project. But it will be awesome, he said. Wyuka educates thousands of visitors a year, not only about Wyuka but about the history of Nebraska because theres seven or eight governors buried there, and lots of actors and things like that. That makes Wyuka a perfect place for the mural, he said. It will be a huge plus for Wyuka and Lincoln." Photos: Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural-trapeze artists Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural Pershing Center mural-musicians Pay rates for Nebraska's state court interpreters will increase by 30% next month, but the move by the Judicial Branch wasn't enough to avoid a protest over pay. By Tuesday, the courts were aware of 18 out of 206 state-registered interpreters who said they would no longer take assignments over the pay issue. State Court Administrator Corey Steele said: "Nebraska Trial Courts are continuing to operate as normal," with the help of interpreter coordinators on staff and by making use of remote and telephonic interpreter services on those cases where they aren't able to get an in-person interpreter. The walkout comes several weeks after Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed a pay increase for court interpreters that was proposed in the state's two-year budget. State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln attempted to override that veto but failed to get enough support from other lawmakers. Kelly Varguez, a court-certified Spanish interpreter, said no end date for the protest has been set. But a lack of available interpreters could mean delays in court services, an increased reliance on video interpreters and extra money spent extending some cases. According to a news release from Interpreter Advocacy Nebraska, the hourly rates for the state's court interpreters haven't been changed since 2004, despite numerous attempts to raise them. The current rate is $50 an hour for certified interpreters and $35 an hour for registered and noncertified interpreters, with a two-hour minimum. The interpreters' latest requested increase was $85 an hour for certified interpreters and $60 an hour for noncertified interpreters, with a 3% automatic yearly increase. Varguez said Nebraska's court interpreters serve the roughly 5% of the state's residents for which English is not their first language, amounting to about 96,000 people. That population has the right to have an interpreter present if they appear in court. "We, as court interpreters, exist to make access to justice a reality," Varguez said. This year, Dungan proposed a bill that would appropriate about $1.2 million in the budget to cover rate increases for court interpreters. After debate in the state's Appropriations Committee, the funding was lowered to about $400,000, and was then eliminated entirely through Pillen's veto. In his veto announcement, Pillen said he believed the Nebraska Supreme Court had enough funding already to cover rate increases and other needs. An official with Pillen's office noted that the court's current general fund has about $58.8 million, a majority of which will carry over into the next fiscal year. "Our interpretation of events is that there's money there," Varguez said. In his unsuccessful bid to override Pillen's veto, Dungan said a shortage of court interpreters in Nebraska has reached a crisis level. Varguez said Nebraska hasn't added a new certified interpreter in about seven years. When an interpreter isn't available, the court dates are typically delayed until an interpreter is free. During a criminal trial, Dungan said that means the defendant is kept in jail, something he contended costs the state more money than the proposed rate increases. "Our interpreters do some of the most difficult and necessary work in our courts and deserve to be paid accordingly," Dungan said Monday. Steele on Monday called interpreters' roles vital to the courts and probation and said he was disappointed by the veto and the response that the courts needed to find the money in their budget. When he started nine years ago, the interpreter budget was $500,000. "This year we will have over $2 million," Steele said. "And we haven't received any new funding. So we've had to adjust to account for the money." Following the veto, Steele started reviewing the Judicial Branch's entire budget to look for savings or cuts to fund an ongoing increase for interpreter rates. He said he found about $300,000, and last week, got approval from the Supreme Court to modify the fee schedule. Starting July 1, sign language and certified deaf interpreters will go from $50 to $75 an hour; certified and provisionally certified language interpreters will go from $50 to $65 an hour; and registered language interpreters from $35 to $45 an hour. In a memo emailed to the state's court interpreters Friday, Steele said: "This rate increase may not be currently what interpreters are asking for and it will come at a cost to the Judicial Branch, but it is a step in the right direction." He said he would continue to work to get additional funding from the Legislature in the next fiscal year. "There is much more work to be done, but I believe these rate increases are a good first step to recognize the value interpreters bring every day when you step into the Nebraska courts and probation offices," he said. Steele said Monday the memo must not have been well received, because a number of interpreters started canceling scheduled interpretation across the state and his office got several emails from people saying they no longer were willing to accept court appointments. He said he didn't know yet what the impact will be. Varguez said the offer to increase interpreter rates wasn't accepted because it was only about half of what was requested, and gave higher increases to some interpreters over others. As of Monday, she said administrators hadn't made any new offers, but they have removed interpreters who are participating in the walkout from the state's roster of available interpreters. Varguez called this retaliatory and noted that the roster isn't just used as a resource for state courts, but it's also used by private attorneys and other consumers in need of interpreters. Removing names from the list hinders those interpreters' ability to get work, she said. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again. 2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members. 3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules. 4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates. 5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer. Vote View Results Xi, Xiomara Castro chart course for China-Honduras ties at historic meeting Xinhua) 08:25, June 13, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, pledging to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples. "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future," Xi said. COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING FRIENDLY TIES Noting Castro as the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi said her visit has "opened a new chapter in the annals of China-Honduras relationship." Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year. Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development." According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties, said Song Junying, head of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE AS POLITICAL FOUNDATION Regarding the deepening of political mutual trust, Xi said the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it. For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi. Xi also voiced China's staunch support for Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs, Xi said. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, Xi added. Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that adhering to the one-China principle has proved to be the right choice in keeping with the general interests of the world and the trend of the times, and boosting the development of China-Honduras ties will also have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations. ENHANCING COOPERATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM During the talks, Xi stressed that the two sides should synergize strategies, building multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line. Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, adding that the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges. Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities, and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Experts have noted that despite their difference in size, the economies of China and Honduras are highly complementary. The two countries' cooperation in various fields thus enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. "Cooperation with China in various fields will help facilitate post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development for Honduras, and successful cooperation between China and Honduras can also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era," Song Junying said. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2023. Xi held talks with Castro, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Art Institute of Chicago and School of the Art Institute of Chicago employees rally outside the museum to draw attention to the fact that they've been in contract negotiations for nearly a year on March 30, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) Jordan Parshall first got involved in political activism in his early teens growing up in Minnesota. In 2012, a proposed constitutional amendment would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman in the state. Parshall, who had realized he was gay, felt compelled to volunteer for the vote no campaign, which ultimately prevailed. Advertisement I wanted what my parents had. My parents were happily married, said Parshall, who now works for Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago and as an organizer for the baristas union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1220. I wanted to get married, and when I was growing up I couldnt do that. And so that kind of activated the spark for me. Parshalls foray into political activism exposed him to unions, he said; neither of his parents belonged to one. When he moved to Chicago and started working for Intelligentsia, Parshall helped lead the charge to organize his co-workers. Intelligentsia baristas in Chicago voted to unionize last summer and secured their first union contract in December, which included paid meal breaks, raises and additional vacation. Advertisement If you grew up queer somewhere that its not accepted, you have to learn to stick up for yourself, Parshall said. Thats true for a lot of my queer co-workers. Theres just more of a willingness to speak up for yourself and defend yourself, and you know, advocate for changes if youre working under unfair conditions. Jordan Parshall in front of Intelligentsias cafe in the Monadnock Building where he is a shift lead on Aug. 8, 2022. (Raquel Zaldivar/Chicago Tribune) The last two years have seen a wave of union filings emerge from Chicagos coffeehouses and university halls, from its cannabis dispensaries to the steps of its vaunted museums. As of the end of last year, union filings in the Chicago area were up more than 17% over the prior year. Nationally, union campaigns have taken root at retail giants including Starbucks, REI, Apple and Trader Joes, as well as among graduate students at top U.S. universities and cultural workers at museums. Many of the new faces on picket lines and sitting across bargaining tables are relatively young, and many of them are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. People who are in the queer community are very comfortable in organizing spaces, said Tat Scott, 28, who works as an internship coordinator at the School of the Art Institute, where staff unionized in January 2022. Were used to advocating for ourselves, advocating for each other in this case for our colleagues, said Scott, who is bisexual and a member of the bargaining committee for school staff, which is in negotiations with school management over their first union contract. Queer people have always fought for liberation, said Hunter Augustyniak, a barista and shift lead at Metropolis Coffee Co., where staff voted to unionize this spring. We have always fought for each other and making sure that each other is safe, they said, referencing mutual aid efforts during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the face of governmental neglect, as well as more recent community efforts to curb the spread of Mpox. Augustyniak, 23, said coffeehouses in particular, which are brewing a significant amount of union activity nationwide, are known to be very queer spaces to work. Augustyniak said their job at Metropolis is their first at which they have felt comfortable telling co-workers they are transgender. Advertisement Cat Robbins writes Honk For Workers Rights on a piece of cardboard during a Starbucks barista union strike on June 9, 2023, in Chicago. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) Chicagos union coffeehouses now include cafes run by Intelligentsia Coffee and Colectivo Coffee, where baristas are represented by the IBEW, and La Colombe, where staff are unionized with the United Food and Commercial Workers. Last year, close to 14% of new union filings in the Chicago area came out of Starbucks cafes. The Starbucks union drive is one of the queerest union campaigns Ive ever seen, said Jerame Davis, executive director of Pride at Work, a national AFL-CIO constituency group for LGBTQ+ workers. Starbucks has long presented itself as a progressive and pro-LGBTQ company, which some baristas said is what attracted them to work for the coffee giant in the first place. I wanted to work for a company where I felt like I was safe, said Shep Searl, who is nonbinary and has worked for Starbucks for close to seven years. Searl, who is on medical leave for chronic illness, usually works at a cafe in Edgewater that was among the first Starbucks in Chicago to unionize last spring. In the beginning of their Starbucks career, Searl said, the company mostly lived up to its reputation of being a supportive employer for queer people. Searl said their store manager looked out for queer baristas he would stand up for employees when they were misgendered by customers, for instance, and was supportive when Searl changed their name. Advertisement That changed, Searl said, after baristas at the cafe filed for a union election early last year. Shep Searl, union organizer, participates in a barista union strike on June 9, 2023, at the Starbucks location at Clark Street and Ridge Avenue in Chicago. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) In the months between the stores union filing and their election in May, Searl said Starbucks managers engaged in a campaign to discourage baristas from voting yes to form a union. (Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull said company leaders regularly visit stores in the lead-up to union elections to help ensure compliance with the complex patchwork of U.S. labor law and to share factual information, including voting logistics with partners.) Starbucks offers a range of gender affirming health care options such as coverage for gender confirmation surgeries and hormone replacement therapy to employees who work an average of at least 20 hours a week for six months, according to the company. Searl says their manager told them that if they unionized, they might lose access to those benefits as well as tuition reimbursement they used to attend Arizona State University for free, another Starbucks benefit. If you go with the union, they might not be able to protect you like we do. So if you choose the union, you know, you might lose your school. You might lose the potential to get your top surgery, Searl said, recounting their conversation. And I remember that being one of the kind of repeated threats that was held over my head as well as the heads of a lot of the other trans people in our union. It was one of the first tools that was used, and it was so shocking to me because my manager had always been a very strong ally, they said. Advertisement Messages sent to Searls manager were returned by Starbucks, which denies it has ever taken away or threatened to take away trans health benefits from union baristas. Starbucks baristas organize a union strike on June 9, 2023, at the location at Clark Street and Ridge Avenue in Chicago. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) All partners enrolled in Starbucks health benefits have access to industry-leading gender-affirming care benefits regardless of organizing activity or representation status, Trull said, adding that company policies strictly prohibit any retaliatory or threatening behavior directed toward partners who are interested in a union, including the making of threats or promises. Over the course of the national union campaign, Starbucks has been found in violation of a range of labor laws by administrative law judges for the National Labor Relations Board. In Chicago, a decision last month found the company had illegally threatened baristas with the loss of benefits at two city stores, though neither is the store where Searl works. Starbucks has appealed that decision, Trull said. A complaint issued by local labor board officials in New York alleges a manager at an Ithaca cafe threatened the loss of transgender health benefits if workers unionized; Starbucks also denies that allegation, which awaits a decision from a labor board judge, Trull said. Staff members at Howard Brown Health, a federally qualified health center that specializes in serving LGBTQ patients throughout Chicago, unionized last August. Workers there walked off the job amid layoffs at the health center in January, and have alleged the layoffs were illegal in a filing with the NLRB, which remains under investigation. Howard Brown maintains that the workforce reduction of about 16% did not violate labor law, said associate communications director Wren OKelley. Howard Brown workers raised concerns about what they described as understaffing and high turnover at the organization that affects patient care. Advertisement Olivia Prager, who works with patients with HIV and AIDS at Howard Brown, said that since unionizing, staff have gained the ability to push back against changes they disagree with at work. In the past, we just had no protection, said Prager, who is a member of the staff bargaining committee. Howard Brown Health staffer and union bargaining committee member Olivia Prager said since unionizing, staff have gained the ability to push back against changes they disagree with at work. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Bridget Gordon, a diabetes care coordinator at Howard Browns Uptown clinic, said she is concerned about threats to facilities that offer gender-affirming care. In Chicago, Lurie Childrens Hospital increased security and moved a transgender youth support group to virtual meetings after being targeted online last year. Gordon said she believes clinics that offer gender-affirming care will soon need security infrastructure to a similar extent as abortion clinics. Staff at Howard Brown has been sounding the alarm over that for a while, and so far its fallen on deaf ears, said Gordon, 40, who is also a member of the staff bargaining committee. OKelley said there was very much a robust effort to address security concerns related to such threats, pointing to actions the clinic has taken such as taking down the photographs of providers of gender-affirming care from its website, as well as more stringent security in place at clinics that offer such services, especially those that serve minors. OKelley acknowledged that restructuring at the organization in the aftermath of layoffs may have led to temporary reductions in services but said the organization has since come back strong. Howard Brown is scheduling more appointments than it was last fall, OKelley said. We have done a lot to make sure that were not losing patients from our care, that people arent losing access, and that in the care that were offering, that were doing a better job of it, she said. Advertisement Gordon, who is transgender, said she first wanted to work at Howard Brown because she believed the clinic saves lives. She still believes deeply in its stated mission, she said. Its because of that belief that she got involved in organizing, she said, because somewhere along the line the people who are making the decisions stopped caring. Davis, of Pride at Work, said queer people watching anti-LGBTQ bills wind their way through legislatures in states such as Texas and Florida understand that their legal protections can be taken away at the drop of the hat. Labor unions have not always prioritized LGBTQ-specific issues, such as access to gender-affirming health care, Davis said. He said he has heard stories of LGBTQ issues being traded away during bargaining because they werent considered high priority. Some unions with significant numbers of socially conservative members may feel they need to make compromises to appease their membership, Davis said, who may want the union to focus only on bread and butter issues: wages, benefits and working conditions. But the landscape is shifting, Davis said Pride at Work is getting more inquiries about contract language related to issues such as health care, discrimination and bathroom access as unions tackle those issues, some of them for the first time. And though unions have not always prioritized LGBTQ issues, the gay labor movement stretches back decades, said Gerry Scoppettuolo, an instructor of labor and U.S. history at Cambridge College in Boston. Scoppettuolo pointed to the alliance formed by the gay and labor communities in the Bay Area during the 1970s when the Teamsters were on strike against Coors beer distributors. Gay bars in San Francisco boycotted Coors, and unions pledged to include gay and lesbian protections in their contracts, Scoppettuolo said. Advertisement That unity between the Teamsters union and the gay community signified the beginning of a movement, and it just grew from there, Scoppettuolo said. Queer labor organizers today might see unionizing, and ultimately a union contract, as a way to lock in legal protections for themselves, Davis said. Queer people see that proposition very clearly, he said. That proposition resonates at Berlin, a mainstay of Northalsted nightlife that has long been a magnet for alternative queer communities in Chicago, where staff voted to unionize in April. Chelle Crotinger, a member of Berlin's security staff, said that to them, unionizing is about creating a legacy at a time when homophobia and transphobia are being enshrined into law. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) In addition to concerns about wages, sick time and working conditions, club employees pointed to safety concerns in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ, anti-trans and anti-drag legislation, rhetoric and violence. A lot of the big things that we are fighting for for our union are safety measures, said Leo Sampson, who works as a social media manager for Berlin and also performs drag at the club. Workers are seeking changes related to training and equipment for security as well as proper staffing levels, he said. Chelle Crotinger, a member of the clubs security staff, said that to them, unionizing is about creating a legacy at Berlin at a time when homophobia and transphobia are being enshrined into law. Advertisement To be able to create governmental protections and spaces and legacies that extend beyond us is one of the most important things that I think we can be doing right now, Crotinger said. tasoglin@chicagotribune.com BELOIT COLLEGEBELOIT Adrianna Terrell of Kenosha, a second year student at Beloit College majoring in Dance and Business Economics, was awarded the George and Joyce Kammerer Outstanding Choreography Award for 2023. Her name will be engraved on a plaque in the campus Neese Theater. Adrianna was also named to the Spring 2023 Deans List with a 4.0 GPA for the semester. MCNEESE STATE LAKE CHARLES, La. Joshua Leslie of Kenosha has been named to the Presidents honor list for the spring 2023 academic semester at McNeese State University. To be selected, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average. PENNSYLVANIA WESTERNCALIFORNIA, Pa. Graysen MacGregor of Kenosha has been named to the 2023 spring semester academic deans list at Pennsylvania Western University. Students must earn a minimum semester grade point average of 3.4. MIAMI UNIVERSITYOXFORD, Ohio Tyler Andrews, of Salem, has been named to the academic deans list at Miami University for the 2023 spring semester. Andrews is earning a bachelor of science in business in marketing and business economics. BENEDICTINE COLLEGEATCHISON, Kan. Vincent Maurer of Pleasant Prairie was recently named to the academic deans list for the spring semester at Benedictine College. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for selection. LAKELAND UNIVERSITYPLYMOUTH, Wis. Haylee Dodd, a freshman from Kenosha, was among the students named to the Lakeland University deans list for academic achievement for the 2023 spring semester. Undergraduate students must complete at least 12 graded semester hours and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average. Dodd, the daughter of Donald and Jennifer Dodd, is majoring in Sport Management. FLAGLER COLLEGEST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. From a class of more than 450 seniors, Class of 2023 senior Kennedy Millin-Muff of Kenosha was among a select group of students to be nominated as a featured graduate in the Colleges annual #FCGradStories. The series highlights the impact Millin-Muff and fellow exceptional Saints made during their time at Flagler, and the impact theyre prepared to make in this next chapter of life. GEORGIA SOUTHERNSTATESBORO, Ga. Haley Riordan of Bristol has been named to the 2023 spring academic deans honor list at Georgia Southern University. To be eligible, a studnt must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours. UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPIUNIVERSITY, Miss. Lauralei Palmer of Kenosha was named to the University of Mississippis spring 2023 honor roll lists. Palmer, majoring in English, was named to the Chancellors Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00. ST. AMBROSEDAVENPORT, Iowa Jared Leoris of Kenosha graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from St. Ambrose University during the May 20 commencement ceremonies at The Vibrant Arena at The MARK. WISCONSIN LUTHERAN MILWAUKEE Two Kenosha County area students graduated in May from Wisconsin Lutheran College. Shahbeg Singh, of Kenosha, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Singh is a graduate of Indian Trail Academy. Caelab Caretta, of Burlington, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Caretta is a graduate of Burlington High School. CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY CEDARVILLE, Ohio Three Kenosha County area students graduated from Cedarville University in the spring with undergraduate degrees: Ethan Swanson of Kenosha; McKinley Boyle of Twin Lakes; and Erica Saunders of Union Grove. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA TUSCALOOSA, Ala. The following Kenosha County area students have been named to academic honors for the fall 2022 semester at the University of Alabama. Named to the Presidents List (4.0 grade point average) were Katherine Riese of Kenosha, Katherine Hamm of Pleasant Prairie, and Jacob Follis of Burlington. Named to the deans list (3.5 or above grade point average) were Danielle Schlink of Kenosha, Ella Schamber of Burlington, Evyn Jensen of Trevor, and Shane Vacala of Twin Lakes. MINNESOTA-DULUTH DULUTH, Minn. Tyler Bellmore of Kenosha, a junior studying chemical engineering, and Ethan Ivan of Twin Lakes, a freshman studying pre-physical education and pre-public health, have been named to the 2023 spring academic deans list at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.50 grade point average or higher). UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE DUBUQUE, Iowa Jasani Williams of Kenosha, Mason Cummings of Silver Lake, and Dylan Anderson of Twin Lakes have been named to the 2023 spring semester academic deans list at the University of Dubuque. To be selected, students must have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above with at least 12 letter grade credits. QUINCY UNIVERSITY QUINCY, Ill. Jordan Heeter of Kenosha graduated on May 13 during commencement ceremonies at Quincy University. Heeter received both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology. Private well owners and environmentalists are requesting the Environmental Protection Agency take action on agriculture-driven nitrate pollution in southeast Minnesotas drinking water. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA can use emergency powers if pollution poses an imminent and substantial threat to groundwater. Our strong position is Minnesotans shouldnt have to worry about whats in their water, said Carly Griffith, water program director with the Minnesota Center Environmental Advocacy, the lead organization on the petition. We have a lot of data that shows the extent of this problem, not just in the past 10 years, but in the past 30 to 40 years. A similar petition filed in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, in 2014 also requested EPA action on nitrates. The federal agency did not make a decision, but the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2018 implemented more stringent manure application rules in 15 counties, including Kewaunee. More comprehensive efforts to regulate nitrate contamination statewide were paused in 2021. The recent Minnesota petition argues state actions are geographically limited or voluntary, often leaving private well owners underprotected. They have all the responsibilities and none of the protections. Theyre not required to test, theyre not required to treat. That doesnt mean they dont have water quality problems, said Paul Wotzka with the Minnesota Well Owners Organization, which co-signed the petition. A joint statement between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Agriculture and Department of Health cited the states Groundwater Protection Rule and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan as efforts to address pollution. While progress has been made, more work is required by state agencies, local governments, industry, farmers, and homeowners to protect our waters, especially as we continue to adapt to our changing climate, said the statement. The EPA has not made a decision on the petition. EPA is currently reviewing the petition and will evaluate next steps, said an EPA spokesperson. Nitrate dangers Nitrate is one of the most common groundwater contaminants in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where aquifers provide drinking water to between 66% and 75% of the population. When over the federal health safety standard of 10 parts per million, nitrate in drinking water has been tied to health impacts for infants and adults. Agriculture accounts for 70% of nitrate in Minnesota waters according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and 90% of nitrate in Wisconsins groundwater according to the Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Committee. Agriculture as we know it is just a leaky system when it comes to nitrogen, so its very difficult to try to control, said Sara Walling, water and agriculture director with Clean Wisconsin. Nitrogen from fertilizer and manure, often used on row crops such as corn, can convert into nitrate and run off into surface waters or leech into groundwater when not used by plants. Best management practices aim to reduce runoff by fine tuning the rate, timing and placement of nitrogen application. But weather can complicate calculations. There have been years where we apply nitrogen at the right time, ideal best-management timing, and then we get dumped with seven inches of rain, said Fabian Fernandez, University of Minnesota professor with the universitys Department of Soil, Water and Climate. That huge rain event, or series of rain events one after the other, in a way erased everything you tried to do right. The eight Minnesota counties named in the petition, including Winona and Houston, are sensitive to groundwater contamination due to karst, a porous geography of springs, sinkholes and shallow bedrock. Minnesota counties in petition The petition requests EPA action in the southeast Minnesota karst counties of: Dodge Fillmore Goodhue Houston Mower Olmsted Wabasha Winona We live in a very fragile, sensitive landscape, and on my farm, surface water does not leave the farm on the surface. It goes into rocky ravines and immediately reaches the groundwater. said Jeff Broberg, a retired geologist with the Minnesota Well Owners Organization who lives in Winona County. Data from the Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Well Owners Association all found private wells tested above the nitrate health standard across southeast Minnesota. Across 13 townships in Winona County, more than 19% of private wells 2016 tested above the EPA health standard. Contamination of private wells is a regional trend. The 2022 Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council report to the state legislature cited data from 2014 to 2022 that estimated over 13% of private wells in both Chippewa and Dunn counties, and over 11% of private wells in La Crosse County, test over the health standard for nitrate. The report also singled out Chippewa County, where nitrate levels rose significantly between 1985 and 2016 in nearly 40% of private wells tested. Municipal vs. private The Minnesota Department of Health requires community water sources to regularly test for nitrates and provides technical support to help find solutions when nitrate reaches certain levels. The city of Utica in Winona County is exploring options after detecting rising nitrate levels in a well since the late 1970s. The city of Lewiston, also in Winona County, drilled a new well in 2014 in response to elevated nitrate levels. You can go anywhere in the state of Minnesota and take a drink from a public water supply, and be confident the water youre drinking is safe, said Tannie Eshenaur, water policy manager with the Department of Health. Unlike community-serving wells, there is no testing or treatment requirement in Minnesota or Wisconsin for private wells. You are your own water supply authority when you buy a rural property, said Wotzka. Both the Minnesota Department of Health and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommend regular nitrate testing in private wells. The state health department started requiring nitrate testing and regulating construction of new wells after the 1974 well code. These wells are less likely to be contaminated, said Broberg, and make up an estimated 40% of Winona County wells. At Brobergs well, nitrate tests have hit 20 parts per million, twice the legal health limit. Drilling a new well to reach a deeper, less contaminated aquifer, could cost nearly $50,000. More affordable options include buying bottled water or installing a reverse osmosis system to filter out nitrate. Minnesotas first program to provide monetary aid to private well owners came in 2021, coordinated by the Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District. In Wisconsin, private well owners who meet income eligibility standards can apply for the Well Compensation Program for $16,000 to replace a well. Addressing the source Several Minnesota state agencies regulate, promote and incentivize nitrogen management policies to protect drinking water. The Department of Agricultures 2019 Groundwater Protection Rule prohibits fertilizer use in fall and on frozen soil over most of southeast Minnesota due to karst. Through the rule, the department provides a list of best nitrogen application practices in communities with elevated nitrate levels in groundwater, such as recommended rates and setbacks. The department also develops alternative management strategies including planting cover crops such as alfalfa, retiring crop land and adopting precision agriculture techniques. We get a lot of input from those landowners about what those practices could be, what type of outreach is effective, how we best create funding or incentive to support those practices. We hope the adoption is high because weve engaged people along in the process, said Margaret Wagner with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division. If practices are not voluntarily adopted on most cropland after a review period of at least three growing season, the department can use regulatory authority to mitigate pollution. The departments regulatory authority under the rule is bound to Drinking Water Supply Management Areas, districts of varying sizes around public wells. At the township level in Minnesota, the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan promotes best nitrogen practices. Adoption of the practices is voluntary. While conservation practices developed, promoted and incentivized by state agencies are known to reduce nitrate runoff, the practices can take years or even decades to reverse groundwater nitrate contamination trends. We dont want people to be exposed above that 10 milligram per liter level for days to weeks. While we collaborate very carefully with our sister water agencies, like Pollution Control, Ag (and the) Board of Water and Soil Resources, the timeline for them to address nitrate is going to be decades or longer, said Eshenaur. If I have contaminated drinking water at my home, my timeline for making a decision is today, said Broberg. EPA petition The petition requests a series of actions from the EPA, from increased well testing to pausing feedlot expansions to mandating fertilizer and manure application changes. Under this petition, you can address aquifer-scale contamination that provides water both for private well owners and public water systems, said Griffith. The EPA did use its authority in 2014 to mandate Washington state dairy farms provide clean water to communities polluted by nitrates and review nitrogen management strategies. Though the EPA took no action on a petition similar to the Minnesota complaint in 2014 in Kewaunee County, in 2018 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources implemented more stringent manure applications in 15 counties including Kewaunee. About a third of Wisconsins agricultural land run by large livestock farms is covered by nutrient management plants that include guidelines for nitrogen use. There are a number of things in place, but as you can imagine with just CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) and 30% give or take of the agricultural land, its not going to be ubiquitous enough to tackle the problem, said Walling. Editor's note: this article was updated to correct the name of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Elder Abuse Awareness Walk organizers are asking the community to join in solidarity with older adults in La Crosse County during a special Elder Abuse Awareness Walk on June 15. The walk begins at Riverside Park band shell in downtown La Crosse at 10 a.m. At least one in 10 older adults have experienced some form of elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging, yet only 1 in 14 cases are reported to the authorities. The Elder Abuse Awareness Walk is an opportunity to raise awareness about elder abuse, said Zach Trebelhorn of the ADRC of La Crosse County. It is our hope that by raising awareness we can remove stigma and prevent it from happening. The event is open, free to all, and will begin with a short presentation by local and state officials. Participants are asked to wear purple. Registration is encouraged but not required. To register and learn more, call the ADRC at 608-785-5700. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which seeks to raise awareness of elder abuse and neglect and build support for the rights of older adults. Around 10,700 reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of Wisconsinites aged 60 and older were received by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Adult Protective Services Office in 2021 alone. Ageism and social isolation are contributing factors to the problem, Trebelhorn said. The ADRC works to help older adults remain independent and connected to their communities. Learn more at lacrossecounty.org/adrc. Guided cave tours at Mississippi Valley Conservancys Kickapoo Caverns nature preserve will be offered to share information about the beneficial role of bats and the importance of protecting their native habitats. Kickapoo Caverns, an 83-acre nature preserve near Wauzeka, includes one of Wisconsins longest cavern systems that serves as hibernation site for several bat species. Due to declining bat populations in North America in recent years, scientists have conducted research and helped to create public awareness of bats, their beneficial role in ecosystems around the world, and what can be done to protect them, according to a press release from the group. Of particular concern is white-nose syndrome, a debilitating fungal infection that disrupts the hibernation of bats. Cave tour participants will have the opportunity to learn more about bats and what can be done to protect them. If you go WHAT: Bat Ecology Cave Tours WHEN: Saturday, July 22; 4 small group tours from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: Kickapoo Caverns Nature Preserve, 54850 Rhein Hollow Road, Wauzeka COST: Free REGISTER:: www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events INFO: Contact Sarah Bratnober at sarah@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or 608-784-3606 ext. 8. Many supporters have made it possible for the conservancy to protect the property and to guide visitors through the its limestone cave. Home to four bat species, the cave includes underground pools, a 40-foot-high cathedral-like chamber, and stalactites. As winter home to several threatened bat species, the cave is available for tours only during a short period each summer when the bats are away from the cave. A recent upgrade to the property was conversion of the small building at the entrance of the cave to house an interpretive display from which visitors can learn more about the cave and its winged inhabitants. The display was created with support from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, the Crawford County Community Fund, and the DNRs Wisconsin Bat Program. For protection of the cave and the safety of attendees, the tours will be limited in size and duration. Registration is now offered on a first-come, first-served basis on the Conservancy website. The tours are part of the Conservancys 2023 Linked to the Land series of outdoor events. Getting to the cave requires a 20-30 minute-long uphill hike that can be challenging on a hot summer day. Agility and stamina are also required for the cave tours that involve steep stairways and some passages with low overhead. The minimum age for cave tours is 7 years old. Jonathan Eig, a writer who has become one of the most accomplished biographers in the country, in his Chicago home office on May 16, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) The air-conditioned tour bus with tinted windows stopped outside Bright Star Baptist Church in Bronzeville and out came several dozen congregants from the Anshe Emet Synagogue of Lakeview. They moved slowly up the sidewalk and concrete steps of the church. Before anyone reached the doors, welcomes erupted, like the clamor from a surprise party. I assume youre here for Jonathan Eig? a Bright Star parishioner asked. Thats right, and all this, a grinning elderly woman said, waving at the growing line queuing up behind her to get in, is what you would call the Jonathan Eig Fan Club. Advertisement They laughed. You would also call this a decent part of the congregation at Eigs synagogue. They came here the other day because the North Side resident and acclaimed biographer was about to publish King: A Life, the first major biography of Martin Luther King Jr. in 40 years. Bright Star and Anshe Emet have had a kind of sister-congregation relationship for a decade. It also makes sense to honor a Baptist minister in a Baptist church. Plus, congregations coming together, one Black, one white, to discuss King is like a manifestation of King America in harmony. The point is lost on nobody. But its another King, one with claws who posed a serious threat to white supremacy, thats here. Advertisement The King who was a person, not a stamp, or statue, or national holiday. That King is present. The ceiling of the church was low, and rows of long banquet tables covered in blue tablecloths filled the room. Soon every chair was taken. Two members of the new cross-congregation book club offered thoughts on King. A Bright Star congregant noted King was depressed: That stood out. I experienced depression. An Anshe Emet congregant said one of Eigs sentences resonated: King has become so hallowed hes hollow. Then Rabbi Michael Siegel, soberly, pointed out that though Mayor Brandon Johnson was inaugurated that day, Chicago is at a low ebb ... Yet in this church, I feel a lot of hope. Then Pastor Chris Harris, jocular and warm, looked out on the crowd and said: This is the brightest, and the lightest, my church has ever looked. More laughter, and then attention swung to Eig, the trim, serious, Paul Shaffer-looking guy waiting between them. [ Vintage Chicago Tribune: Martin Luther King Jr. leads the first significant freedom movement in the North ] Harris: It took a lot of courage for you, as a white man, to write anything about a Black man that is less than positive. The Black community, he said, has long grown used to white writers tearing down the image of King or discrediting his greatness. But thats not this, Harris said. This is six years of reporting, interviewing and reframing greatness. Eig nodded, staring downward. King does not take that subtitle, A Life, lightly. It offers what many of Eigs biographies have offered: An American mythology Muhammad Ali, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Al Capone stripped of its bloodless granite image, though not importance. Yet history is often a mountain range, scalable yet unmovable. Several years ago, Eig watched the 2013 Jackie Robinson docudrama 42 and groaned as it repeated a folk tale: During a Robinson road trip to Cincinnati, Red fans booed until a white Brooklyn Dodger, Pee Wee Reese, left his position at shortstop and put an arm around Robinson, silencing the stadium. Its an image chiseled into monuments, repeated in books and even a documentary from Ken Burns, Eigs friend. But I proved pretty conclusively it didnt happen, Eig said earlier that day, before the Bronzeville event. In this job, some stories are embellished so long, theyre cemented. Advertisement King required another level of rethinking. To publish a new biography in 2023 a book being hailed as the best, most complete biography of the civil rights leader, and one already dug into The New York Times Bestseller list meant scraping decades of barnacles off the hull of King until you can say, Lets look at this again, Eig said. The truth is, we havent seen him in a while. Not since we put up a 30-foot-tall monument in D.C. Not since we created a national holiday. Its gotten hard to see him as a person. Some of the people I talked with felt this was intentional. The government needed to strip away what made King so radical until he became a safe figure, the kind we can all hold hands and sing about. People I interviewed who knew him were mad about this. And with a lot of good reason. You know, when J. Edgar Hoover got the phone call about King being shot, before King was even dead, Hoover said: I hope the bastard doesnt die, because then theyll turn him into a martyr. In a way, a national holiday allows the government to control the image of what King actually stood for, softening it. After six years of digging and documenting, the result is a biography of King that removed the godliness for something more profound and meaningful. The significance of the book is that it takes us beyond hagiographical treatments of King to a serious consideration of the mans frailties, doubts and vulnerabilities, said Lewis V. Baldwin, a King biographer and professor emeritus of religious studies at Vanderbilt University. Eig accomplishes this without calling into question Dr. Kings important contributions and place in history. It is a portrait of an activist who did not like confrontation, a guy who bit his nails, tried to kill himself (twice) as an adolescent and gave up a white girlfriend as a pragmatic necessity for a career in the Baptist church. Its also a profile of a man whose righteousness, calm and conservative style, as Hoover understood, made him palpable, and therefore a true threat to American leaders not eager to live up to American ideals. I feel like Jonathan was able to show this person was even more special than we know because he was not a god, said Shannon Luder-Manuel, a sensitivity reader hired by Eigs publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, to study the manuscript and its treatment of Black history. Im mixed race, which factors into my viewpoint, but you walk away from the book understanding King had his faults and that didnt negate everything he did. Indeed, last month, when Eig spoke to a history class at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School in Kenwood, the students asked what others have: Why was the FBI so obsessed with King? Was it hard as a white guy to research this? But then one student, Eig recalled, she asked point-blank: How do we know you havent made all this stuff up? Which, fundamentally, may be the smartest question. Advertisement Jonathan Eig works from a small thin office in the back of his apartment in Lakeview, which he shares with his wife, Jennifer Tescher, founder of the nonprofit Financial Health Network, and their three children (one of whom had been mentored by Eig in the Big Brother program and later became part of the family when his mother died). It was a laundry room until recently. There are framed black-and-white portraits of some of his subjects, but also Miles Davis, Bob Dylan. There are Mold-a-Rama busts of King on his desk and a stack of new thank-you cards and a pile of King stamps and a flood of paperwork. At one end of the room is a wall of books on whatever he happens to be writing about; when he moves on to the next subject, a new library of books is shuffled in. During the years of writing and researching King, books and papers spilled out of the shelves and were stacked in tall traffic cones around his chair, requiring navigation. His papers, he said, caught the eye of the archivists at Northwestern University (hes a graduate of its Medill journalism school), and since hes always concerned about the chance of a burst pipe or something destroying research, hes been eager to see it go. For the first year he worked on King, he did nothing but travel the country and interview sources Kings family, friends and colleagues who were alive, and getting old. He needed them now. This was pre-pandemic. He met with a whos who of the civil rights 60s and beyond: Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, Harry Belafonte, Juanita Abernathy, John Lewis, Louis Farrakhan, Mavis Staples. He tracked down Kings childhood friends and Kings barber. Among the first interviews was comedian Dick Gregory, who looked square at Eig and wondered, rhetorically: Did Eig even know King was real? That someone so pure of heart and dedicated passed through this world? What makes King different from Jesus? Gregory asked. Jesus is hearsay. Dont mean it didnt happen, but theres film of King. Cant nobody change nothing. In time, Eig built what he calls a community of academics and firsthand witnesses to King; from many, he sought a kind of blessing and goodwill to even work on the book. I thought the idea for the book was solid, if only because there hadnt been a major one in decades, said Peniel Joseph, author of several books on King, Malcolm X and the history of the Black Power movement, as well as the founder of Centers for the Study of Race and Democracy at both University of Texas and Tufts University. There had been so much fresh information on King since then good and bad. Something more complex felt overdue because the King we knew was starting to feel a little dated. But many of those Eig approached initially assumed he was there for the scandals and questionable characteristics the King of plagiarism charges and womanizing, the King who spoke about power but, afraid of scaring off allies, avoiding saying Black Power. I would say to them, You knew King, but we dont know him anymore because we have turned into this saintly, passive figure, Eig recalled. I would say that I wanted to write something that both restored his humanity and reminded people of how radical he really was. And everyone I said that to would reply, If thats what youre doing, then Ill help. Advertisement When Eig notes the strange absence of a new MLK biography in 40 years, he means a single, self-contained focus on a full life, from birth to death. David Garrows Bearing the Cross, which won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for biography is centered on his civil rights years; Taylor Branchs 2,900-page trilogy, America in the King Years, which won the 1989 Pulitzer for history, was the far more expansive story of the period itself. Biography, Eig said, is a weird medium. Lots of academics dont really like it they see it as artsy, ephemeral. And for a generalist like me, a book on someone like King sounds daunting. Youre interpreting a life. That needs analysis and psychology, so by definition, a biography is a failure. I cant tell you what was going on in his head. I dont know what his life really was. I have breadcrumbs left behind to assemble his portrait. Eig, 59, talks like he writes, in tidy, direct paragraphs that dont veer much from his point. He grew up in the Hudson River Valley, outside New York City. On a wall in his office is a picture of his grandfather at work as the foreman of a New York City bra company. His father was a bookkeeper who worked at the kitchen table; his mother ran a parenting program in schools. Eig went to work initially for newspapers and magazines, angling upward: the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Dallas Morning News, Chicago magazine, the Chicago bureau of the Wall Street Journal. He came to Chicago when his wife took a job here. He began his first book, on Lou Gehrig, with the assumption that if I wanted to stay in newspapers, which I did, thered always be those jobs to go back to. He stayed in the land of biography. The Gehrig book (now being developed by Lorne Michaels production company as an Apple+ series) led to Jackie Robinson; his book on Capone (shaped out of thousands of pages of investigative material found in Nebraska) led to Eigs wife suggesting he try something less masculine, which became The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex. For the most part, if there is a uniting theme here, he said, its that each is about rebels. Even Gehrig, timid and insecure, when he got sick (with ALS, ending his life at 37), he had to step up at a time when people didnt speak publicly of illness. The pill was created by a scientist at Harvard denied tenure, who worked out of his garage. I dont know why I am drawn to this type of person. Im the oldest child in my family, the most conformist guy, a rule follower attracted to people who shake things up. Until King, Eigs best-known work was 2017s sprawling Ali: A Life, the research for which inspired Ken Burns to make his own documentary on Ali, and established Eig as a confident, thorough master of the thoughtful, sensitive historical reevaluation. He says Alis family was hard to deal with, and navigating through the politics of the family and three of Alis wives (a fourth had already died), became messy but also the most fun I have had working on a book. With Ali, he learned to love interviews. The Gehrig book was written using around 30 interviews. Ali came partly out of 500 conversations. Advertisement "King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig (May 16, 2023). (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) King, which Eig gravitated to while researching Alis meetings with the civil rights leader, required around 200 interviews. Rabbi Siegel describes Eig as classic mensch, the sort who is intensely conscious of how important another persons ideas might be. So as he wrote King, Eig turned to War and Peace for insight on power. He modeled his I Have a Dream chapter on the work of novelist Don DeLillo (who gave his blessing to Eig); he studied thrillers to quicken the pace during Kings murder. To capture Kings tone of spiritual reckoning, he adopted the cadence, repetition and drama of preachers. But where King veers from mere biography to literary landmark is in the use of fresh materials, papers, letters, most seen here for the first time. Eig draws from an unpublished memoir by Kings father; tapes made by Coretta Scott King for a biography; unreleased FBI files; notes from collaborators who worked with King on his books; new telephone transcripts. He gained access to archives gathered by an official Southern Christian Leadership Conference historian who traveled with King; it had never been opened. Biographer David Garrow who shared his own archive with Eig said the big leap forward here is in the richness of Eigs depiction of Kings early years. Some of the arguments about King that Eigs book tackles how much of a democratic socialist he actually was, how critical of Malcolm X he could be have been debated for decades. By the early 1990s, partly because of (the landmark PBS series) Eyes on the Prize, so many historians and journalists turned to civil rights history that people like John Lewis would have more people angling to interview them than they could count, Garrow recalled. But at least on the question of Malcolm X, Eig has broken ground. For generations, theres been a broad teaching among historians and students that King and Malcolm X stood at polar ends of the civil rights movement King the nonviolent mollifier, Malcolm the provocateur who demanded equality by any means necessary. Much of the evidence for this came from a 1965 interview King gave Alex Haley for Playboy: King accuses Malcolm of fiery, demagogic oratory. (Malcolm X, for his part, portrayed King as a modern Uncle Tom.) Going through transcripts of the interview in Haleys papers at Duke University, Eig figured out that Haley who was working then on Malcolm Xs autobiography, and has since been accused often of fudging facts shifted around quotations. Kings use of fiery, demagogic oratory was a more general response to extremists. Haley assigned this phrase (and others) to Kings quotation about Malcolm X, significantly downplaying just how open King actually was about Malcolm X, admitting that he didnt want to come off as if I think I have the only truth, the only way. Advertisement Eig, uncertain what he had, called scholars. I had been pushing as had others against that conventional narrative of the King-Malcolm relationship for a long time, Peniel Joseph said. But heres concrete evidence that led to a constrained vision of history. I think itll open the way they are taught. King and Malcolm were dual sides of the same coin, not diametrically opposed. It may take time for the public to understand, but because of Jonathan, that process is underway. That night in Bronzeville, Eig smiled and cringed and burst a few bubbles. Heads shook, sometimes out of frustration at what had long been assumed, sometimes out of simple amazement. Pastor Chris Harris leaned over to Eig: Is it true, he asked, that during the I Have a Dream speech, Mahalia Jackson felt King losing the crowd and urged King to Tell them about the dream! The story is a cornerstone in Black mythology. Sadly, Eig said, its not true. Groans throughout the church. Eig, while researching the speech, got ahold of a recording that Motown was making from the stage; the order of her words and his words dont jibe. But the speech itself, Eig pointed out, that hard to argue nugget of American history, rewind it back five minutes and King, in the same speech, urges reparations and calls out police brutality. Advertisement The people who were running the cameras and editing that footage probably believed they were sending a message of harmony, Eig said, but as a result, they skewed our understanding. And about Kings time in Chicago, when he marched against segregation in housing and education, and was met with some of the ugliest racist episodes of the decade, North or South: The understanding is Kings time in Chicago was a bust. And it didnt go well, Eig told me earlier. Advisors advised him against going. He was up against forces he hadnt dealt with. Chicago was not open to change. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 In the 1960s, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spent much time visiting and at one point renting a home in Chicago to help with open housing initiatives and the civil rights movement in the city. Here, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta pose with neighborhood children in their new apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin in Chicago on Jan. 26, 1966. (Tom Kinahan / Chicago Tribune) But he didnt come here and just get defeated. He offered Chicago concrete solutions that might have made a difference to how this city operates. They were rejected. He did not have a good relationship with Mayor Daley. You can hear recordings. Daley would call President Johnson: He wasnt open to King, he viewed King as a threat to LBJ. At the end of the Bright Star evening, Pastor Harris urged togetherness, then added: It wasnt enough. An event like this, about King: Let me be honest. This is safe. He said the assembled continue to take credit for what folks did five decades ago. He asked them, instead, to keep the old frames and put new pictures of us marching in it. Then Harris turned in his seat: How would Eig challenge them now? The author looked uncomfortable. He noted that he wasnt just inaugurated mayor of Chicago. Much laughter. Instead, he would tell a short story: King, NAACP leader Roy Wilkins and other civil rights leaders were meeting at the White House, talking to John F. Kennedy, who thought the upcoming March on Washington was a mistake. The president asked them why you people cant encourage Black parents to bring up their children better why cant you people be like other ethnic minorities? Finally, Wilkins turned to Kennedy and replied: Mr. President, we are doing our part. You do yours. Advertisement cborrelli@chicagotribune.com After hours of negotiations behind closed doors, Republicans on the Legislature's budget committee put off any vote Tuesday on whether to slash the University of Wisconsin System's budget by $32 million in an attempt to gut funding for diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming. The cuts, proposed by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, had been expected to be taken up by the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee as part of its deliberations over the 2023-25 state budget. But by the time committee convened late Tuesday night, it had taken System funding off the agenda. If ultimately approved, the cuts would come as 10 of the System's universities are projected to fall a combined $60 million short of the money they say they need to continue current spending. They wouldn't force the System to specifically eliminate DEI, but would largely erase any benefit the System might see from increased in-state undergraduate tuition, which is expected to bring in an additional $38 million. Jenny Toftness, chief of staff for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, confirmed the proposed cuts, first reported by the Associated Press, to the Wisconsin State Journal earlier Tuesday. Vos said he estimated the cost to cut all DEI funding would be $32 million. Vos had called on the System to cut all DEI positions last month, claiming the offices have contributed to racial divides. System spokesperson Mark Pitsch declined to comment, saying the System would wait to see what the committee does. The stated purpose of the Systems DEI offices is to improve the human condition for all, especially those of diverse racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientations, gender identity/expressions, ages, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs or political ideologies. System President Jay Rothman had announced plans to ban the use of diversity questions in written job applications in May following Vos' comments about DEI offices. In the announcement, Rothman said the intent was to eliminate "political litmus tests" and was an effort to double down on diversity efforts by encouraging political diversity among faculty. A new diversity chief, who is tasked with overseeing DEI across the System, started Monday. The fight over DEI follows upheaval over free speech and diversity on System campuses. The Systems free speech survey, conducted last fall, showed the majority of students feel university officials should disinvite speakers thought to be offensive in at least some circumstances and that conservative students are more likely to hide their opinions in class than their peers of other political leanings. The survey also found that most students felt instructors worked to promote discussion in the classroom. The System had requested a $435.9 million boost in the upcoming two-year state budget, including $28 million that would come from the states general fund in the first year and $77 million in the second year. Gov. Tony Evers' budget proposal included an additional $305.9 million for the System, which officials warned would leave the door open to increases in tuition for in-state undergraduate students. If approved, the proposed GOP cuts would eliminate the $8.25 million bump the state Legislature gave the System in the 2021 budget cycle and dig into a portion of the $58 million boost the System received in the 2019 budget. Evers slammed the planned cuts in a statement, saying it was clear that Republicans "have no real or meaningful solutions" to solving the state's workforce issues. "Make no mistake, Speaker Vos and Republicans short-sighted move to gut our UW System by tens of millions of dollars is about one thing Republicans decadelong war on higher education institutions in our state." Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said in a statement that the state's universities cannot be expected to remain competitive with out-of-state schools without proper funding. There is no logic to Robin Vos decision to cut $32 million from (the) UW System's funding," she said. "Targeting UW for DEI positions and initiatives is offensive and will have far-reaching and detrimental effects for our state." Wisconsin's public technical colleges are slated to receive a proposed $9.4 million boost over the next two years, despite also having diversity goals such as facilitating discussions to dismantle systemic racism and evaluating whether its policies and practices promote equity. Photos: UW-Madison's 170th commencement Fave 5: State government reporter Mitchell Schmidt's most memorable stories of 2022 With nearly 300 stories over the last 12 months, it's difficult to find five articles that I'd put at the top of the list. From Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings to a high-stakes gubernatorial election, there was certainly no shortage of news this past year. Here are a few articles that stood out to me in 2022. I hope youve enjoyed reading these stories as much as Ive enjoyed writing them. French Neo-Nazis Smuggle Weapons Back from Ukraine June 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The problem of Western neo-Nazis that have flocked to Ukraine, and have begun showing up back in their home countries, is covered at some length in RT on June 10 in A Petri Dish for Fascism: How Ukraine Has Become a Magnet for Western Neo-Nazis. It opens with the April 22, 2023 arrests of two French neo-Nazis, Guillaume Andreoni and Alan Vineron, as they arrived from Ukraine at Bercy bus station in Paris. They were arrested and convicted, not for their activities in Ukraine, but for attempting to smuggle weapons and munitions into France. Mediapart reports that Frances General Directorate for Internal Security had the two on their radar screen, but it was only a random check at Customs that resulted in their detention. RT writes that Andreoni, known by his military callsign Bones, is linked to the group known as Zouaves Paris (ZVP). ZVP has had dealings with the infamous Azov Regiment from no later than 2019, when the head of ZVP, Marc de Cacqueray-Valmenier, visited Azov training camps. ZVP has since been banned in France, evidently for their involvement in attacking demonstrators who had tried to disrupt one of Eric Zemmours campaign rallies. RT comments: The ban did not particularly affect the neo-Nazis. Zouaves Paris supporters from the Ouest Casual Telegram channel are still singing the praises of Ukrainian fighters and are using Nazi symbols and phrases alluding to various far-right movements in France and Germany. In their posts, they refer to Russian troops as the Asian hordes of Soviet imperialism that have once again taken over Europe, and to Chechen units as Putins Muslim dogs. They use similar duplicate channels to raise funds for the needs of militants and collaborate with neo-Nazis from other countries. Alan Vineron was in the French Chasseurs Alpins elite military unit before being dismissed when his neo-Nazi views came to light in media. Earlier this year, in Ukraine, he posted a photo on TrackANaziMerc Telegram, wrote RT, showing three Russian soldiers shot in the head. The image shows that the soldiers were unarmed and killed at close range. After the photos of the execution began circulating online, Russias Investigative Committee announced that it would examine the crimes of French mercenaries against Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine. The feature story also covered cases of similar neo-Nazis from Italy, Norway and the United States. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2023 In the Shadow of War, Walk in the Footsteps of Cusa June 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)As of this past weekends June 10 symposium, The World Needs JFKs Vision of Peace! the International Schiller Institute conference process has now provided the cultural vantage point and placement for a dialogue between real Western civilization, represented by President John F. Kennedys American University Peace Speech, and the new direction of the Global Majority, as expressed in the Feb. 4, 2022, China-Russia Joint Statement on International Relations Entering a New Era. With Air Defender 23, the largest military maneuver in the history of the NATO Alliance, as the backdrop, the necessary higher ground deliberations must begin in earnest. This week, for example, the second meeting of the newly-formed Schiller Institute International Peace Coalition will convene. On July 8-9, the Schiller Institute will hold an international conference in Europe. And in the period between now and July 4, the task of LaRouche co-thinkers in the United States is to find the JFK Republicans, JFK Democrats. and JFK Independents who will listen to and spread that American University speech throughout this nation. Interventionists must challenge all candidates running for the Presidency, and any elective office, to stand up, be a profile in courage, and endorse the JFK peace initiative outlook as the policy the U.S. should immediately follow with respect to Ukraine. (Now may, in a real sense, be the first time that the Peace Speech would and could be heard by the majority of the American people. At the time, in 1963, it was essentially suppressed.) It was a year ago, July 3, 2022, that Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and leader of the Schiller Institute, presented a revolutionary proposal for the immediate re-organization of the international monetary and economic system, to be led by a collaboration among Russia, China, India, and the United States with other nations. It was referred to as a New Bretton Woods system. It provoked discussion of various of Lyndon LaRouches economics works, particularly his Trade Without Currency. Reflect on what has happened, for example with the BRICS nations, over this past year. In less than a year, the Taliban have virtually wiped out the opium production in Afghanistan. (How might the Helga Zepp-LaRouche proposal, Operation Ibn Sina, be used in this new context?) This shows how fast the world can be changed by those with the determination and foresight to do so. It is useful to remember the words of journalist Patrick Lawrence, writing in February 2022, about the Russia-China Feb. 4 Memorandum. It is always difficult to understand the present as history for the simple reason that we are living it and cannot see it historically without great effort. But we are living through a passage of the 21st century whose long-term significance is hard to overstate. The future is arriving, to put the point another way. Who would have guessed it would come to us by way of the ongoing morass in Ukraine.... The Belt and Road Initiative, the BRICS process, the de-dollarization assault on the international financial mafia and their International Assassination Bureau, presage A global order most of humanity has awaited throughout the postwar decadesall seven of them. This is immensely positive. Instead of destruction, peace proposals, as in JFKs September 1963 UN proposal for a joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. mission to the Moon, and as in Schiller Institute proposals such as the post-Afghanistan war proposal Operation Ibn Sina, must pioneer the deployment of new technologies and new physical principles in a creative war against the common aims of mankind, to eliminate poverty, famine, disease, and war itself. This means a reversal of the de-industrialization of Germany; this means a crash program for the production of modular nuclear power plants involving China, Russia, the United States and several other nations; this means an investment in hard and soft infrastructure, worldwide; this means an educational approach which, using the work of the great Ukrainian/Russian Vladimir Vernadsky, and his American counterpart Lyndon LaRouche, prepares humanity for Earths next fifty years. Instead of merely using the popular, but erroneous approach of mobilizing mass support to end the war, which will not work, the worlds leadership is to be challenged from the top down, through the actions of handfuls of international citizens, to accept the intellectual responsibility to give birth to an entirely new world strategic and development architecture, or be incinerated. The Schiller Institute, through the insights of its founder, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, composed Ten Principles to provoke that discussion: The new paradigm which will be characteristic of the new epoch, and towards which the new global security and development architecture must be directed, therefore, must eliminate the concept of oligarchism for good, and proceed to organize the political order in such a way, that the true character of humanity as the creative species can be realized. Therefore, I suggest that the following principles must be discussed and if agreed upon be realized.... Since she made that proposal last year, those who have responded have been drawn into a process that is clearly portrayed in Platos Socratic drama, Symposium. Zepp-LaRouche has been, in real time, using the method expressed in the late economist and statesman Lyndon LaRouches writings, such as History As Science and Politics As Art, to introduce the Classical form of diplomacy used by Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa to successfully convene the 1439 Council of Florence. Let it be remembered that Cusa also wrote at that time, in order to assist the deliberations of the discussants involved in that Council, the founding document of modern European science, On Learned Ignorance finished in February 1440. The Council lasted through 1441, and despite setbacks of varying degrees of severity, created the basis for the greatest explosion of human creativity in recorded history, the Renaissance. It now falls to us, to this generation to whom the torch has been passed, to walk in the shadow of Platos and Cusas Great Symposium. On this road less traveled humanity will find, not merely survival, but itself. Let the higher peace discussions now begin. People in central Venezuela are losing electricity service regularly. The lack of power means Venezuelans cannot cool their homes during a heat wave. Lack of electricity also means that factories, homes and basic service providers, or utilities, have no power. Citizens, engineers, and researchers say electricity producing stations are failing to provide enough electricity when hydroelectric dams have low water levels. "It is inhumane that in a city like this they cut our power during the hottest hours," said 42-year-old Mariana Barboza in Maracaibo, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius. Reuters news service says long power cuts had been avoided in recent years because demand has dropped sharply. Also, President Nicolas Maduros government has aimed to improve power lines. But outages have returned. Now, they are affecting the capital Caracas, which had not experienced them too often in the past. People from Caracas said the cuts last for at least four hours a day. Maduro said recently that Venezuelas average temperature rose four degrees Celsius this year. During part of the year, electricity-producing dams have reduced water flow while demand for electricity to cool homes increases. This has led to reports of a public water supply that is not always available, and unstable electricity at factories and oil operations. There have also been times when telecommunications services are unavailable. The city of Maracaibo is the capital of Zulia, a state in the west of the country. Reuters reported that some public hospitals in the state were told to begin operating their own power stations. That is because the local government cannot secure dependable power. A person with knowledge of the plan spoke to the news agency. Venezuelas information ministry and state power company Corpoelec did not answer requests for comment by Reuters. No water, no power Venezuelas main power supply comes from the Guri Dam in the south of the country. But the dam produces less electricity when water levels are low before the rainy season. In 2019, Venezuelas power transport system collapsed. It left almost the whole country without electricity for four days. The government has made improvements to the power transportation lines since then to avoid a similar crisis. But researchers say that even some of the recently built fuel-powered plants are out of service because of a lack of fuel, delayed repairs, and lack of replacement parts. That leaves the power system at risk of outages whenever demand is above the 12,000 Megawatts (MW) usually produced by the Guri Dam. In May, independent estimates showed that the daily demand for electricity reached almost 13,000 Megawatts. However, that number is down from the 19,000 Megawatts that used to be needed 10 years ago. "Even being robust, the Guri also gets tired," said engineer Isnaldo Jimenez from the Association of Electricians and Mechanics in Carabobo state. He was talking about the high demand for electricity from the dam when other plants cannot provide enough power. State oil company PDVSA is struggling to meet the countrys fuel needs for electricity production and gasoline stations. The company also faces restrictions from the U.S. government. But even with more fuel, plants would not operate up to their abilities because the electricity system needs $15 billion in development to overcome central problems, said Juan Carlos Rodriguez. He is with the business advice company JCR Engineers. The systems lack of dependability has not stopped the government from increasing electricity costs for buyers. "We cannot catch a breath," said 62-year-old vegetable seller Augusto Gonzalez in Maracaibo. "I arrive in my shop every day to try to sell something, but if power was cut in the middle of the night, we lose our produce." Im Gregory Stachel. Mariela Nava, Tibisay Romero and Vivian Sequera reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story utilities n. a company (such as an electric company) that provides a public service and must follow special rules made by the government inhumane adj. not kind or gentle to people or animals outage n. a period of time when there is no electricity in a building or area unstable adj. unpredictable, likely to change at any time dam n. a structure that is built across a river or stream to stop water from flowing robust adj. strongly formed or built ___________________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Treat Williams attends the premiere of P12 Films' 'The Great Alaskan Race' at ArcLight Hollywood on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) DORSET, Vt. Actor Treat Williams, whose nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series Everwood and the movie Hair, died Monday after a motorcycle crash in Vermont, state police said. He was 71. Shortly before 5 p.m., a Honda SUV was turning left into a parking lot when it collided with Williams motorcycle in the town of Dorset, according to a statement from Vermont State Police. Advertisement Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead, according to the statement. Williams was wearing a helmet, police said. Advertisement The SUVs driver received minor injuries and wasnt hospitalized. He had signaled the turn and wasnt immediately detained although the crash investigation continued, police said. Williams, whose full name was Richard Treat Williams, lived in Manchester Center in southern Vermont, police said. His agent, Barry McPherson, also confirmed the actors death. Im just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented, McPherson told People magazine. He was an actors actor, McPherson said. Filmmakers loved him. Hes been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s. The Connecticut-born Williams made his movie debut in 1975 as a police officer in the movie Deadly Hero and went on to appear in more than 120 TV and film roles, including the movies The Eagle Has Landed, Prince of the City and Once Upon a Time in America. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as hippie leader George Berger in the 1979 movie version of the hit musical Hair. He appeared in dozens of television shows but was perhaps best known for his starring role from 2002 to 2006 in Everwood as Dr. Andrew Brown, a widowed brain surgeon from Manhattan who moves with his two children to the Colorado mountain town of that name. Advertisement Williams also had a recurring role as Lenny Ross on the TV show Blue Bloods. Williams stage appearances included Broadway shows, including Grease and Pirates of Penzance. Colleagues and friends praised Williams as kind, generous and creative. Treat and I spent months in Rome filming Once Upon a Time in America, actor James Woods tweeted. It can be pretty lonely on the road during a long shoot, but his resilient good cheer and sense of humor was a Godsend. I really loved him and am devastated that hes gone. Working with Treat Williams in Mamets Speed the Plow at Williamstown in 91 was the start of great friendship, tweeted writer, director and producer Justine Williams. Damn it, damn it. Treat, you were the best. Love you. Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man, actor Wendell Pierce tweeted. In a short period of time, he quickly befriended me & his adventurous spirit was infectious. We worked on just 1 film together but occasionally connected over the years. Kind and generous with advice and support. RIP. The operator of Japans damaged Fukushima nuclear center has begun testing a process to release treated wastewater into the sea. Tests began Monday as workers examined processing equipment at the newly-completed seaside pumping center, said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO). The water release is necessary to move forward with cleanup efforts at the Fukushima center. Three reactors there suffered meltdowns after a 2011 earthquake and huge ocean waves destroyed the plants cooling systems. The disaster forced 160,000 people to flee nearby areas poisoned by radioactive material. The water has already gone through a process designed to remove harmful materials. This is why the government describes it as treated and not radioactive. But experts say it is impossible to remove all the radioactivity. TEPCO and government officials say tritium a radioactive form of hydrogen is the only substance that cannot be removed from the water. They say tritium is not considered harmful in small amounts. Equipment will first mix the treated water with large amounts of seawater. The mixture will then enter an undersea passage, called a tunnel, to be released into the Pacific Ocean about 1 kilometer from the coast. The testing by TEPCO is expected to last about two weeks. After that, the pumping operation will need to be examined by the countrys Nuclear Regulation Authority. Those required tests are likely to begin in early July. Japan's government announced plans in April 2021 to slowly release the treated water, which it says meets safe levels. But the plan to release water into the sea has faced strong protests from local fishing communities. They are worried about safety and fear the plan will hurt seafood businesses. Nearby nations including South Korea, China and Pacific Island nations have also raised safety concerns. Japans government has set up a financial assistance program to help affected fishing communities. Fishing officials again voiced their opposition to the plan during a weekend visit to the area by Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. Tetsu Nozaki is head of a local fishing organization. He told Nishimura that local fishermen still stand by their opposition. He added, however, that his group supports progress in the plant's decommissioning and hopes to continue negotiations with the government. Currently though, he admitted the two sides remain wide apart. In South Korea, fishermen protested the plan Monday in front of the countrys National Assembly in Seoul. Japanese officials say the treated water will be released into the ocean over many years, making it harmless to people and sea life. Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency during the process. This aimed to gain credibility with the public and ensure that safety measures meet international requirements. Im Anna Mateo. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story decommission v. to take equipment or weapons out of use credibility n. the fact that someone can be believed or trusted ____________________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. NEW YORK Images of smoke obscuring the New York skyline and the Washington Monument this week have given the world a new picture of the perils of wildfire, far from where blazes regularly turn skies into hazardous haze. A third day of unhealthy air from Canadian wildfires may have been an unnerving novelty for millions of people on the U.S. East Coast, but it was a reminder of conditions routinely troubling the country's West and a wake-up call about the future, scientists say. "This is kind of an astounding event" but likely to become more common amid global warming, said Justin Mankin, a Dartmouth College geography professor and climate scientist. "This is something that we, as the eastern side of the country, need to take quite seriously." Millions of residents could see that for themselves Thursday. The conditions sent asthma sufferers to hospitals, delayed flights, postponed ballgames and even pushed back a White House Pride Month celebration. The fires sent plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe and parked clumps of air rated unhealthy or worse over the heavily populated Eastern Seaboard. At points this week, air quality in places including New York, the nation's most populous city, nearly hit the top of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air-pollution scale. Local officials urged people to stay indoors as much as possible and wear face masks when they venture out. Such conditions are nothing new indeed, increasingly frequent on the U.S. West Coast, where residents were buying masks and air filters even before the COVID-19 pandemic and are accustomed to checking air quality daily in summer. Since 2017, California has seen eight of its 10 largest wildfires and six of the most destructive. The hazardous air has sometimes forced children, older adults and people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to stay indoors for weeks at a time. Officials have opened smoke shelters for people who are homeless or who might not have access to clean indoor air. "The West has always burned, as has Canada, but what's important now is that we're getting these massive amounts of smoke in a very populated region, so many, many people are getting affected," said Loretta Mickley, the co-leader of Harvard University's Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group. Fueled by an unusually dry and warm period in spring, the Canadian fire season that is just getting started could well become the worst on record. More than 400 blazes burned Thursday. Over a third are in Quebec, where Public Safety Minister Francois Bonnardel said no rain is expected until next week and temperatures are predicted to rise. He said there have been no reports of injuries, deaths or home damage so far from the fires, but it remained unclear Thursday when more than 12,000 evacuees from various communities would be able to return. Manon Cyr, mayor of the evacuated town of Chibougamau, said she advised residents to be "Zen and patient. That's the most important." She noted the real solution will be a good dose of rain. In neighboring Ontario, a haze hung over Toronto, Canada's most populous city, where many school recess breaks, day care center activities and outdoor recreation programs were canceled or moved inside. U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that hundreds of American firefighters and support personnel have been in Canada since May, and he'd offered Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "any additional help Canada needs to rapidly accelerate the effort to put out these fires." The two spoke Wednesday. Wildfires aren't the only air-quality problems that beset major population centers around the globe. Chemically, wildfire smoke can be more toxic than typical urban pollution, but with an asterisk: With smog, "the problem is you're in it all the time," says Jonathan Deason, an environmental and energy management professor George Washington University. In New York City, Health Department spokesperson Pedro Frisneda said emergency rooms saw a "higher than usual" number of asthma-related visits from the blanket of smoke, estimating patients were in the "low hundreds." The city public school system the nation's largest said Friday's classes would be conducted remotely. Motorists even got a break Thursday and Friday from having to move their cars for street cleaning. In Washington, a big Pride Month celebration on the White House's South Lawn was moved from Thursday to Saturday, and a Washington Nationals-Arizona Diamondbacks game was postponed. Local officials closed public parks and suspended some road work. Philadelphia ended trash collection ended early, for the sake of sanitation employees. Bridgeport, Connecticut's largest city, opened spaces usually used as hot-weather cooling centers so that residents could escape the unhealthy air. A Chris Stapleton concert at a Syracuse amphitheater was pushed back, fireworks were canceled at Niagara Falls and racing was canceled at New York's Belmont Park two days before the famed Belmont Stakes. It wasn't yet clear whether the Triple Crown race itself might be affected; Gov. Kathy Hochul said that would depend on the air quality at the track Saturday. US cities with the dirtiest air U.S. cities with the dirtiest air #45. Joplin, Missouri (tie) #45. Payson, Arizona (tie) #45. Portland-South Portland, Maine (tie) #45. Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, California (tie) #45. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California (tie) #42. Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama (tie) #42. Kalispell, Montana (tie) #42. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (tie) #36. Bishop, California (tie) #36. Boulder, Colorado (tie) #36. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas (tie) #36. Monroe, Michigan (tie) #36. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California (tie) #36. Stockton-Lodi, California (tie) #32. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan (tie) #32. Gillette, Wyoming (tie) #32. Laredo, Texas (tie) #32. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California (tie) #29. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana (tie) #29. Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas (tie) #29. Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona (tie) #28. Duluth, Minnesota-Wisconsin #27. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California #22. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (tie) #22. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (tie) #22. Merced, California (tie) #22. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin (tie) #22. Ponce, Puerto Rico (tie) #21. Modesto, California #20. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio #18. Nogales, Arizona (tie) #18. San Diego-Carlsbad, California (tie) #17. El Paso, Texas #13. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois (tie) #13. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado (tie) #13. St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois (tie) #13. Yuma, Arizona (tie) #10. Albuquerque, New Mexico (tie) #10. Madera, California (tie) #10. Rapid City, South Dakota (tie) #8. Fresno, California (tie) #8. Tucson, Arizona (tie) #7. El Centro, California #5. Visalia-Porterville, California (tie) #4. Hanford-Corcoran, California #3. Las Cruces, New Mexico #2. Bakersfield, California #1. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona US cities with the dirtiest air #50. Sandpoint, Idaho #49. Deming, New Mexico #48. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota #47. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California #46. Joplin, Missouri #45. Chico, California #44. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania #43. Salt Lake City, Utah #42. Pahrump, Nevada #41. Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington #40. Pocatello, Idaho #39. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio #38. Kalispell, Montana #37. Boise, Idaho #36. Watertown, South Dakota #35. Bishop, California #34. Wichita, Kansas #33. Reno, Nevada #32. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan #31. St. Joseph, Missouri #30. Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona #29. St. Louis, Missouri #28. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas #27. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California #26. Stockton-Lodi, California #25. Gillette, Wyoming #24. Kansas City, Missouri #23. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa #22. Cincinnati, Ohio #21. Modesto, California #20. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada #19. Laramie, Wyoming #18. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado #17. Yuma, Arizona #16. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois #15. Rapid City, South Dakota #14. San Diego-Carlsbad, California #13. Madera, California #12. Fresno, California #11. Nogales, Arizona #10. Bakersfield, California #9. Las Cruces, New Mexico #8. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California #7. El Paso, Texas #6. Visalia-Porterville, California #5. Albuquerque, New Mexico #4. El Centro, California #3. Tucson, Arizona #2. Hanford-Corcoran, California #1. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona If I had to pick a day of the week for a chaseable thunderstorm to occur it is probably no surprise that I would pick Saturday. Its the weekend and I dont have to explain to my bosses that this set of clouds is worth the four hour drive to see. However, if the storms occur right in my backyard on the weekend, all the better. That is what happened on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. Its typical during the approach to summer that thunderstorms can occur almost daily in the central plains. There is usually enough moisture for cloud formation toward the late afternoon and all it takes is a lingering surface boundary or just enough lift to form thunderstorms. Due to the lack of upper level winds, most of these thunderstorms are classified as pulse storms. These types of thunderstorms are usually short lived, 30-60 minutes and usually non-severe. The key to a thunderstorm lasting for hours or becoming severe is wind shear. The upper level winds help push the top of the storm away from the updraft and the rainy downdraft falls away from it. In pulse storms, there is little wind shear present and so the rain falls back down through the updraft, essentially suffocating the storm. The lack of wind shear also means these storms are moving slowly, so they can pose a localized flooding risk if they drop enough rain. Another type of thunderstorm common during the summer is multi-cell storms. These are groups of severe or non-severe cells in different stages of development. These usually favor a line of thunderstorms, depending upon the wind shear. My backyard storm spotting started on Friday, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., had issued a marginal risk for severe storms across a corridor of central Nebraska. This is a one out of five risk, but dont turn your nose up at the forecast, even sub-severe thunderstorms can pose a risk if you are caught outside. I check the weather radar daily and always poke my head outside to see what the clouds are doing. I especially do this around 4-5 p.m., as this is the peak heating time during the day and often when summer thunderstorms fire. I managed some perfect timing on Friday when I poked my head outside just before 5 p.m. Some weak thunderstorms had initiated to the west of Odessa and were meandering their way to the east. The storms were nothing to write home about but other factors caused me to rush back inside and grab my camera. The late afternoon sunlight struck the top of the storms in such a way to create crepuscular rays. Crepuscular rays, also called sun rays and sunbeams, are created when sunlight shines through gaps in clouds and continues through an atmosphere that contains dust or haze. This dust or haze scatters some of the bright light that can be seen against the darker cloud and/or darker blue sky background. Needless to say, these rays are highly photogenic and I never pass up an opportunity to photograph them. What was interesting about the view on Friday was that there were rays shining over the tops of the clouds, while sunlight was being scattered by the clouds on their way to the ground, creating more rays on the horizon. The Friday storms would go on to congeal into a complex that brought torrential rainfall for areas around Grand Island and south to Hastings and Blue Hill. If Fridays rays were all I saw over the weekend, I would have been happy. But the photogenic moments were only a warm-up for what occurred on Saturday. There was a marginal risk for thunderstorms again issued for Saturday, but the local area was on the extreme northern boundary, with most of the risk area reaching into north central Kansas. Storms were set to fire in the late afternoon and merge into a complex as they moved south. By 6 p.m., scattered storms were moving northwest to southeast on radar near Odessa and I stepped carefully into a nearby soybean field to maximize the contrast between the white and dark clouds over the vibrant green of the field. One storm was even showing a small roll cloud feature near the surface. As I watched for a few minutes, I could tell better pictures were to be had if I moved east toward Kearney. I threw the camera in the car and noted on radar that the edge of the developing line of storms would pass over Riverdale. As I drove east the edge of the shelf cloud was clearly visible and I decided to jog north to get a contrasting view of the storm moving into clear air. I should have thought about it more because I was driving past Cottonmill Park and the abundance of trees was blocking my eastern view. I finally cleared the trees and found the first east-west running road I could pull off on. I was slightly behind the pace now and the shelf cloud was out running me. I drove through a dip in the road and then crested a hill. The view in the valley ahead of me literally made me say Whoa! Just ahead was a concentrated area of gray, rainy downdraft that stood in marked contrast to the dark clouds behind it and the bright green crops in the fields. The area just to my north was covered by the Whales Mouth. Basically, the whales mouth region can appear just after the first gust front of a storm passes over, when the sky is briefly full of agitated, sometimes wavy clouds that show the turbulent wave-like motions behind the gust front. The term is storm chaser slang used to aptly describe different features of storms and you do feel a bit like Jonah standing in its wake. The entire scene caused me to slam on my breaks and slide to a muddy stop on the side of the road. As I was furiously shooting pictures of the scene, the sky had one more surprise in store for me. Additional storms were to the west of me blocking most of the sunlight, but not all of it. Only a few beams managed to reach through and what they caused was nothing short of stunning. As though a spotlight was being cast from the top rafters of a theater onto a dark stage, the beam of sunlight interacted with the rain to create a rainbow, but only within the sun beam. Rainbows are formed when light from the sun is scattered by water droplets through a process called refraction. Refraction occurs when the light from the sun changes direction when passing through a medium denser than air, such as a raindrop. Eventually, another beam poked its way through the clouds higher up, illuminating another piece of the rainbow. As though it were a connect-the-dots in the sky, you could trace out where the full rainbow would be if the area was subjected to full sunlight. The scene only lasted for a minute or so, but that made it all the more special. That is a feature of cloudscape photography I admire, you will never see the same scene twice. After a few more moments I got back in the car and jogged south. The darkening area of the Whales Mouth was to my south and through the trees that lined the road I was reminded of the scene from Twister where Bill Paxtons character says, Its gonna show its ugly face right over that hill. Fortunately for Kearney, the outflow dominant storm held little danger of tornadoes, but I still grabbed a shot looking out the windshield of my car, humored that I seem to be, at least visually, replaying a scene from a movie that fascinated a storm obsessed younger me. I continued as far south as the railroad tracks, where I stopped to grab more photos of the departing Whales Mouth area. The turbulent blues playing with the grays made for a striking scene. There was one more photogenic moment, as I headed back west toward Odessa, a rough line of storms was on its way and I could tell a concentrated area of downdraft was going to fall at home. I pulled into my driveway only a few minutes ahead of the rain, I ran back into the field where I started and did my best to get photos of the wall of rain that was only a quarter mile away. The falling rain eventually drove me inside. Later in the evening, just before 8 p.m., I checked the radar again to see a storm complex moving into Phelps County. When I walked outside I could see the western most edge of a shelf cloud just ahead of the storm. A tail of inflow seemed to be feeding into a kink in the line and it almost looked like a short lived wall cloud. However, the whole feature seemed outflow dominant; still the cut off from clear air and the rain curtains was striking. I never tire of looking at the sky, even on marginal days Mother Nature still can deliver some stunning cloudscapes. All you have to do is be willing to observe it. A 17-year-old man has been arrested for shooting a replica gun at the Queen as she rode past crowds on horseback. Marcus Serjeant pointed a pistol directly at the Queen as she turned down Horseguards Parade for the start of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. He fired six blank cartridges before being overcome by a Guardsman and police. The shots, which came just before 1100BST, startled the Queens horse, but she was able to bring it back under control within a few seconds. The Queen had left Buckingham Palace 15 minutes earlier. She had rode down the Mall and was turning into a crowded Horseguards Parade when the incident occurred. The monarch looked shaken by the episode, but soon recovered her composure. She comforted her 19-year-old horse, Burmese, which she has ridden in birthday parades since 1969. The procession continued as planned, and afterwards the Queen returned to Buckingham Palace by the same route, under the close watch of security services. This is not the first time a member of the royal family has faced danger from within a crowd of spectators. Seven years ago, a few yards down the Mall, Princess Anne was attacked by a gunman. Half a mile away in 1936 King Edward VIII faced a man with a loaded revolver. And Queen Victoria was also shot at by a man with a gun in the Mall. Security will take on an increasing importance as next months wedding between Prince Charles and Diana Spencer approaches. Courtesy BBC News In context Marcus Simon Serjeant was jailed for five years under the 1842 Treason Act, a law not used since 1966. The former air cadet, from Folkestone, Kent, was found guilty of wilfully discharging at the person of Her Majesty the Queen a blank cartridge pistol, with intent to alarm her. The court was told that Serjeant had at one stage planned to kill the Queen, but had failed to obtain a suitable lethal weapon. I wanted to be famous, he said later. I wanted to be a somebody. He served more than three years in jail, before being released in October 1984. The driver of a bus was charged yesterday after the vehicle carrying wedding guests rolled over on a foggy night in Australias wine country, killing 10 people and injuring 25 in the nations most deadly road accident in almost 30 years, police said. Brett Button has been in custody since the accident Sunday night and will appear in court on Tuesday on multiple charges of dangerous and negligent driving, a police statement said. It was Australias most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38. Sundays crash happened just after 11:30 p.m. in foggy conditions at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive in the town of Greta in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales state north of Sydney. The guests had attended a wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery and were heading to their accommodations in the town of Singleton, Chapman said. One guest told Seven News it had been a nice day and a fairytale wedding. A motorist who drove past the crash scene, identified by Australian Broadcasting Corp. only as Alison, said the fog was so heavy she could not make out the colors of the flashing lights of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. The fog was terrible, she told the ABC. You could barely see in front of you. Of the 25 people injured, one was in critical condition and several others remained in hospitals, the state government said. The conditions of the others were described as stable. Police had said 18 passengers escaped injury. But they later said there were only 36 people on the bus: the 10 dead, the 25 injured and the driver. The 18 were the least seriously injured among the passengers taken to hospitals. Police Commissioner Karen Webb said investigators have not yet determined what caused the bus to roll on its side. The cause may not be known for some time. It will require scientific examination, Webb told reporters. Whether passengers were wearing seatbelts also will come under scrutiny, Webb said. Chapman said rescuers smashed the front window to remove people from the wrecked bus. Linq Buslines, which provides school bus and event charters, owned the bus involved in the crash, media reported. Its website says all its buses are equipped with seatbelts. MDT/AP The neighborhood and auxiliary facilities of the Coloane shipyard should be developed in a supplementary fashion, the head of a local group and lawmaker has told a local newspaper. This kind of development will help attract people residing in Coloane and other districts in Macau to visit the recently refurbished location, Nick Lei, executive director of Macau United Citizens Association and lawmaker, said in an interview with local media outlet Macao Daily News. He believes that his suggestions will help improve visitors experience at the location, which will eventually promote better local locations with historic and cultural values as community resources. Ultimately, it will empower the implementation of the 1+4 development strategy, he added. It has been proposed by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) that special markets would be held at the Coloane shipyard on weekends from the end of June. Despite supporting the proposal, Lei additionally suggests that IC install sufficient cooling equipment at the location to cope with the intensifying heat as summer approaches. Furthermore, as summer also means irregular and sometimes heavy rainfalls, contingencies must be made in case there are strong winds and heavy rainfall. He pointed out that should weather preparations be inadequate, people will feel less keen to visit the location, which in the end will discourage stall tenants from operating there. In addition, pedestrian facilities from the location to the closest parking lots should also be refined. Lei even suggested that shuttle bus services be provided during market periods to move people between the location and parking lots. Another tactic to draw people to the location is the resumption of the intra-city marine tour from A-Ma Temple to Coloane Pier and back. The pier is a stones throw away from the shipyard, which Lei considers very appealing to visitors setting off from Macau Peninsula. AL The Food and Beverage (F&B) industry is happy with the new measures launched by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) which aim to ensure that establishments enforce good food safety practices systematically, said a representative from the sector interviewed by the media on the sidelines of the 2023 World Food Safety Day and Food Safety Industry Exchange Conference event, held yesterday at the Macau Tower. Questioned by the media on the topic, Wu Tat Chong, representing the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau ZAPE, said that the idea of having a secret customer system, in which unidentified inspectors from IAM will visit stores regularly as a consumer to report on the practices of handling the food and beverage items, is good for the industry, he said, noting that with a good reputation comes more business. Wu also noted that the industry has been paying a lot more attention to matters related to food safety especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that several good practices regarding cleanliness and disinfection have persisted after the pandemic, improving the image of the establishments. Questioned also on the practice of the broad disclosure of the name of the food establishments involved in cases of food poisoning, the same representative said that it would potentially contribute to extra care regarding food safety practices. Another representative of the industry, Lam Wai Ong, the head of the Macau Bakery, Food and Souvenir Business Association (Ou Mun Peng Sek Sao Son Ip Seong Wui) said that there are several practices currently in force that must be addressed, noting as an example the use of scissors holding pieces of jerky and other dried meat items being very popular at tourist landmarks. Lam said that this practice is dangerous and may cause severe harm to people, especially when the streets are crowded. He suggested the industry enforce cleaner and more appropriate practices including sample size packaging distribution of the products, instead of the current practice in which sellers just take samples from the items on display for sale. During the seminar session held earlier on the current situation of the F&B industry in Macau, a representative from the IAMs Department of Food Safety, Lei Sok In, noted that in Macau there are currently 8,096 F&B-related licensed stores and venues. This includes not only F&B establishments but also food processing venues (276) and other food retailers (988), which includes supermarkets, fruit stalls, convenience stores, and wholesale venues. Lei also noted that the current number of take-away establishments (including bakeries, sushi shops, snack shops, and Char Siu meats stalls) have reached a total of 3,625. The seminar and sharing sessions included over 150 representatives of the sector. In the opening speech, O Lam, vice president of the IAM, highlighted the end of the pandemic and the return of visitors to Macau as a turning point for the industry that has been struggling over the pandemic times. She noted further that now that tourists are back in large scale it is necessary to pay special attention to food safety, and that the Bureau will continue to work to guarantee the good name of Macau as a gourmet capital. The Philippines most active volcano was spewing lava down its slopes yesterday, prompting officials to warn tens of thousands of villagers to be prepared to flee from their homes if the gentle eruption turns into a violent and life-threatening explosion. More than 13,000 people have left the mostly poor farming communities within a 6-kilometer radius of Mayon Volcanos crater in mandatory evacuations since volcanic activity increased last week. But an unspecified number of residents remain within the permanent danger zone below Mayon, an area long declared off-limits to people but where generations have lived and farmed because they have nowhere else to go. With the volcano beginning to expel lava Sunday night, the high-risk zone around Mayon may be expanded should the eruption turn violent, said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Bacolcol said if that happens, people in any expanded danger zone should be prepared to evacuate to emergency shelters. What we are seeing now is an effusive eruption, Bacolcol told The Associated Press. We are looking at this on a day-to-day basis. From a distance, Associated Press journalists watched lava flow down the volcanos southeastern gullies for hours Sunday night. People hurriedly stepped out of restaurants and bars in a seaside promenade of Legazpi, the capital of northeastern Albay province about 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) from Mayon, many of them snapping pictures of the volcano thats a popular tourist draw known for its picturesque conical shape. Mayons renewed restiveness has also struck fear and brought new suffering. Marilyn Miranda said she, her daughter and 75-year-old mother, who recently suffered a stroke, fled their home in a village within the danger zone in Guinobatan town on Thursday and sought shelter at a sweltering high school turned into an evacuation center. Her nephew returns to their home each day, as do other men in their impoverished rural neighborhood to guard their houses and farm animals, she said. From the overcrowded evacuation center, they were terrified to see the bright red-orange lava streaks gushing down Mayons slope on Sunday night. We had this feeling that our end is near, Miranda told the AP, breaking into tears. Mayons new eruption was one of back-to-back tragedies that struck Amelia Morales and her family in recent days. Her husband died of an aneurism and other illnesses on Friday and she had to hold his funeral wake in a crowded emergency shelter in Guinobatan because she and her neighbors had been ordered to stay away from their community near Mayon. I need help to bury my husband because we dont have any money left, Morales, 63, said as she sat near her husbands white wooden coffin under a flimsy open tent in a corner of the evacuation center. I cannot do anything but cry. With its peak often shrouded by the wisps of passing clouds, the 2,462-meter volcano appeared calm yesterday. Bacolcol said red-hot lava was continuing to flow down its slopes but could not easily be seen by people under the bright sun. The volcano had been raised to alert level three on a five-step warning system Thursday, meaning the volcano was in a state of high unrest and a hazardous eruption is possible in weeks or days. With lava flowing down from the volcano gently, Bacolcol said the alert level would stay at three but it could be moved up higher if the eruption suddenly turns perilous. The highest alert, level five, would mean a violent and life-threatening eruption is underway with ash plumes shooting into the sky and superheated pyroclastic streams endangering more communities at Mayons lush foothills. Mayon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. It last erupted violently in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers. In 1814, Mayons eruption buried entire villages and reportedly left more than 1,000 people dead. The archipelago is lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms a year and is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the rim of seismic faults where most of the worlds earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo north of Manila blew its top in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds. JIM GOMEZ & AARON FAVILA, LEGAZPI, MDT/AP Five students were rushed to area hospitals Tuesday afternoon after a bus rolled over on the Dan Ryan Expressway near Guaranteed Rate Field. The single vehicle rollover crash happened around 2:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes at 35th Street, according to Illinois State Police. Advertisement The students, all teenagers had minor injuries, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt said. Three were taken to University of Chicago Medical Center while the other two were taken to Comer Childrens Hospital. Merritt said only five students were believed to be on the bus at the time. The bus driver refused treatment. No other injuries were reported. Advertisement Two lanes of the northbound interstate are closed currently. State police said no other information was available at this time. The Judiciary Police are reminding members of the public to be constantly vigilant against fraudulent lucky draw winner announcements. People are strongly advised to keep their credit card or bank details, as well as one-time passwords, secure. The police disclosed that recently, a multitude of similar reports of such scams have been received. Victims were contacted by their friends over instant messenger and asked for their phone numbers to participate in lucky draws. Afterwards, they were asked to surrender their credit card details and a subsequent one-time password. They then would discover that they were locked out of their social media accounts, and that their credit cards had been charged. Related The intimate, funny-sad musical Kimberly Akimbo nudged aside splashier rivals yesterday [Macau time] to win the musical crown at the Tony Awards on a night when Broadway flexed its creative muscle amid the Hollywood writers strike and made history with laurels for nonbinary actors J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell. Kimberly Akimbo, with songs by Jeanine Tesori and a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, follows a teen with a rare genetic disorder that gives her a life expectancy of 16 navigating a dysfunctional family and a high school romance. Victoria Clark, as the lead in the show, added a second Tony to her trophy case, having previously won one in 2005 for The Light in the Piazza. Producer David Stone credited the musicals writers for penning a magic trick, calling Kimberly Akimbo a musical comedy about the fragility of life, so healing and so profound and joyous that is almost impossible. The musical took home a leading five awards, including best book and score. Earlier, Tony Awards history was made when Newell and Ghee became the first nonbinary people to win Tonys for acting. Last year, composer and writer Toby Marlow of Six became the first nonbinary Tony winner. Thank you for the humanity. Thank you for my incredible company who raised me up every single day, said leading actor in a musical winner Ghee, who stars in Some Like It Hot, the adaptation of the classic cross-dressing comedy film. The soulful Ghee stunned audiences with their voice and dance skills, playing a musician on the run from gangsters who tries on a dress and is transformed. Newell, who plays Lulu an independent, dont-need-no-man whiskey distiller in Shucked has been blowing audiences away with their signature number, Independently Owned. They won for best featured actor in a musical. Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts. And to anyone that thinks that they cant do it, Im going to look you dead in your face that you can do anything you put your mind to, Newell said to an ovation. Tom Stoppards Leopoldstadt, which explores Jewish identity with an intergenerational story, won best play, also earning wins for director Patrick Marber, featured actor Brandon Uranowitz and Brigitte Reiffenstuels costumes. The British-Czech playwright, who now has five best play Tony Awards, joked he won his first in 1968 and noted that playwrights were getting progressively devalued in the food chain despite being the sharp ends of the inverted pyramid. Second-time Tony Awards host Ariana DeBose opened a blank script backstage before dancing and leaping her way to open the main show with a hectic opening number that gave a jolt of electricity to what is usually an upbeat, safe and chummy night. The writers strike left the storied awards show honoring the best of musical theater and plays without a script. Before the pre-show began, DeBose revealed to the audience the only words that would be seen on the teleprompter: Please wrap up. Later in the evening, virtually out of breath after her wordless opening performance, she thanked the labor organizers for allowing a compromise. Im live and unscripted. Youre welcome, she said. So to anyone who may have thought that last year was a bit unhinged, to them, I say, Darlings, buckle up. Winners demonstrated their support for the striking writers either at the podium or on the red carpet with pins. Miriam Silverman, who won the Tony for best featured actress in a play for The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window, ended her speech with: My parents raised me to believe in the power of labor and workers being compensated and treated fairly. We stand with the WGA in solidarity! Jodie Comer, the three-time Emmy nominated star of Killing Eve won leading actress in a play for her Broadway debut, the one-woman play Prima Facie, which illustrates how current laws fail terribly when it comes to sexual assault cases. Sean Hayes won lead actor in a play for Good Night, Oscar, which dramatizes a long nights journey into the scarred psyche of pianist Oscar Levant, now obscure but once a TV star. This has got to be the first time an Oscar won a Tony, Hayes cracked. Suzan-Lori Parks Topdog/Underdog, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about sibling rivalry, inequality and societys false promises, won the Tony for best play revival. She thanked director Kenny Leon and stars Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: They showed up to be large in a world that often does not much want the likes of us living at all. Bonnie Milligan, who won for best featured actress in a musical for Kimberly Akimbo, also had a message to the audience: I want to tell everybody that doesnt maybe look like what the world is telling you what you should look like whether youre not pretty enough, youre not fit enough, your identity is not right, who you love isnt right that doesnt matter. Cause just guess what? she continued, brandishing her award. Its right, and you belong. Many of the technical awards for things like costumes, sound, lighting and scenic design were handed out at a breakneck pace during a pre-show hosted by Skylar Astin and Julianne Hough, allowing winners plenty of airtime for acceptance speeches but little humor. The pre-show telecast on Pluto featured some awkwardly composed shots and some presenters slipped up on certain words. The tempo was so rapid, it ended more than 10 minutes before the main CBS broadcast was slated to start. John Kander, the 96-year-old composer behind such landmark shows as Chicago, Cabaret and The Scottsboro Boys, was honored with a special lifetime award. He thanked his parents; his husband, Albert Stephenson; and music, which has stayed my friend through my entire life and has promised to stick with me until the end. Jennifer Grey handed her father, Cabaret star Joel Grey, the other lifetime achievement Tony. Being recognized by the theater community is such a gift because its always been, next to my children, my greatest, most enduring love, the actor said. Echoing the theme of antisemitism, Parade a doomed musical love story set against the real backdrop of a murder and lynching in pre-World War I Georgia that won Tonys as a new musical in 1999 won for best musical revival, with Michael Arden winning for best musical director. Parade tells the story of a life that was cut short at the hands of the belief that one group of people is more valuable than another and that they might be more deserving of justice, Arden said. This is a belief that is the core of antisemitism, white supremacy, homophobia and transphobia and intolerance of any kind. We must come together. We must battle this. The telecast featured performances from all the nominated musicals and Will Swenson starring on Broadway in a Neil Diamond musical led the audience in a vigorous rendition of Sweet Caroline. Lea Michele of Glee and now Funny Girl fame also performed a soaring version of Dont Rain on My Parade. It all took place at the United Palace Theatre, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan a new venue for the ceremony, many miles from Times Square and the theater district. Thank you all for coming uptown. Never in my wildest dreams, truly, Lin-Manuel Miranda joked onstage. He, of course, wrote the musical In the Heights, set in Washington Heights. MARK KENNEDY, NEW YORK, MDT/AP U.N. cultural and scientific agency UNESCO announced yesterday that the United States plans to rejoin and pay more than $600 million in back dues after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organizations move to include Palestine as a member. U.S. officials say the decision to return was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma submitted a letter last week to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay formalizing the plan to rejoin. Applause rang out in the solemn UNESCO auditorium as Azoulay announced the plan to ambassadors at a special meeting yesterday, and delegate after delegate stood up to welcome the news and the new influx of money. The return of the U.S., once the agencys biggest funder, is expected to face a vote by its 193 member states next month, according to a UNESCO diplomat. The decision is a big financial boost to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known for its World Heritage program as well as projects to fight climate change and teach girls to read. The U.S. and Israel stopped funding UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011, and both countries lost their voting rights in 2013. The Trump administration decided in 2017 to withdraw from the agency altogether the following year, citing anti-Israel bias and management problems. In his letter last week, Verma noted efforts by UNESCO toward management reform, and decreasing politicized debate, especially on Middle East issues. A delegation from Washington came to Paris last week to hand-deliver the letter, obtained by the AP. Since her election in 2017, Azoulay has worked to address the reasons the U.S. left, through budget reforms and building consensus among Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli diplomats around sensitive UNESCO resolutions. The U.S. decision to come back is the result of five years of work, during which we calmed tensions, notably on the Middle East, improved our response to contemporary challenges, resumed major initiatives on the ground and modernized the functioning of the organization, Azoulay told The Associated Press. She met with Democrats and Republicans in Washington to explain those efforts, according to a UNESCO diplomat. Thanks to those bipartisan negotiations, UNESCO diplomats expressed confidence that the U.S. decision to return is for the long term, regardless of who wins next years presidential election. The diplomats were not authorized to be publicly named discussing the behind-the-scenes work that led to the U.S. decision. Under the plan, the U.S. government would pay its 2023 dues plus $10 million in bonus contributions this year earmarked for Holocaust education, preserving cultural heritage in Ukraine, journalist safety, and science and technology education in Africa, Vermas letter says. The Biden administration has already requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is paid off. That makes up a big chunk of UNESCOs $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding. Undersecretary of State for Management John Bass said in March that the U.S. absence from UNESCO has strengthened China, and undercuts our ability to be as effective in promoting our vision of a free world. He said UNESCO is key in setting and shaping standards for technology and science teaching around the world, so if were really serious about the digital-age competition with China we cant afford to be absent any longer. The U.S. absence plunged the agency into financial uncertainty. UNESCO diplomats described belt-squeezing across agency programs and aggressive efforts by Azoulay to boost voluntary financing from other countries to fill gaps. One diplomat expressed hope that the return of the U.S. would bring more ambition, and more serenity and energize programs to regulate artificial intelligence, educate girls in Afghanistan and chronicle victims of slavery in the Caribbean. The diplomat said that the agency would also welcome Israel back if it wanted to rejoin. The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003. ANGELA CHARLTON, PARIS, MDT/AP MOUNT HOREB | CARENCE GONSTEAD'S LEGACY Clarence Gonstead was a Mount Horeb-based chiropractor who quickly became known around the world in the mid20th century for his technique. And now the building that houses his Mount Horeb chiropractic clinic has become part of the National and State Register of Historic Places. The Gonstead Clinic of Chiropractic is internationally renowned not only for Gonstead's specific style in adjusting his patients but also for its mid-century modern architecture, said Thomas Potisk. Potisk was president of the clinic's nonprofit arm, C.S. Gonstead Chiropractic Foundation from 2014-2016, and serves as the clinic's unofficial historian, taking visitors on tours of the clinic at 1505 Springdale St. Potisk also practices the Gonstead method of chiropractic, which he said differs from other types of chiropractic in that it is more than just a quick fix to someone's ailment. A Gonstead chiropractor examines a patient's spinal misalignments, nerve dysfunction and other issues, Potisk said. Gonstead was born in 1889 to Norwegian immigrants and raised on a small farm near the Mount Horeb clinic, Potisk said. He was known to have natural mechanical skills from a young age, Potisk said, fixing tractors, cars and other farm machinery. But at age 19, Gonstead developed a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis that left him bedridden. After seeing doctor after doctor, Gonstead was treated by a chiropractor, whose adjustments helped alleviate his suffering. This motivated Gonstead to pursue a career in chiropractic. He enrolled at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated in 1923. Potisk said Gonstad came back to Mount Horeb and worked at the clinic until his death in 1978. Having found a way to combine mechanical skills with spinal biomechanics, which is what made Gonstead so famous in the chiropractic community and among patients, Potisk said Gonstead would often be seen adjusting patients from sunrise until beyond sunset. "An eight-hour day is half of a Norwegian work day," Potisk said Gonstead would famously remark. Historic clinic Gonstead had the Mount Horeb clinic built in 1964. Renovations to preserve the building's original mid-century modern aesthetic began in 1978 and are ongoing in 2023. The clinic, Potisk said, was designed by a student of famous Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright. That student is John Steinmann, who according to the Wisconsin Historical Society designed St. John's Lutheran Church in Evansville, which is also on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Potisk said it was a "long and arduous" five-year process to get the 29,000 square-foot clinic on both the National and State Register of Historic places, but worth it in the end. "We saw this building and the importance that happened here, not only for the patients that got better here but for the profession," Potisk said. "It was close to being torn down around the 1990s, and people were wondering what we should do with it. Some chiropractors, one a student of Gonstead, pooled some money together and they were able to buy this clinic. That's how the foundation got started." A walk into the clinic features a spacious waiting room where Gonstead and his team of up to four chiropractors would serve the thousands of patients a day, many from outside the U.S., who would line up out the door just to be seen and treated at the clinic. The clinic now has two practicing chiropractors, according to its website. In 1966, Gonstead built a 40,000-square-foot hotel for the droves of visiting patients, which the clinic uses to this day but has been reduced to 20,000 square feet as a Walgreens store replaced half the space in 1995, Potisk said. In the center of the waiting room is a fountain with art that adorns the walls as part of the original 1964 aesthetic, Potisk said. The waiting room also features several sleek and practical leather chairs. The clinic has 12 treatment or adjusting rooms with all the original treatment furniture, a large convention room and six classrooms in the basement where Gonstead would teach chiropractors from around the world about his technique. A garage houses Gonstead's 1974 Cadillac, which he would use to transport international patients to and from the clinic. There's also Gonstead's office, which itself has a mid-century modern look with three chairs of a mustard yellow color and a couch with a mixture of burnt oranges and mustard yellows. His credentials hang on the office's walls. "We knew we had to preserve this," Potisk said. A Janesville man who is a convicted felon has been charged in a shots fired incident last month in Fitchburg, Fitchburg police reported. Fitchburg police responded to gunshots in the 2000 block of Pike Drive early on May 7, and determined that an argument escalated into a physical fight that ended in gunshots, Lt. Edward Hartwick said in a statement. Responding officers found five shell casings in the area where the fight had occurred. No injuries or property damage were reported, Hartwick said. Larry A. Burrell, 42, was charged Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court with first-degree recklessly endangering safety and felon in possession of a firearm, Hartwick said. Burrell was arrested by Fitchburg police in Fitchburg on May 22 for violating his extended supervision from a conviction related to a 2019 arrest, Hartwick said. Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms. The striking exterior design of the $160.5 million Wisconsin History Center coming to the top of State Street is meant to evoke inspiration, curiosity and wonder, and its enticing interior a journey of discovery. The Wisconsin Historical Society on Tuesday unveiled more detailed concepts for the exterior and first-ever images for the interior of the five-story, 100,000-square-foot History Center that will provide unprecedented access to the state's vast collection while sharing regional stories in the context of American history. The History Center, which will rise on the site of the former, undersized museum site at 30 N. Carroll St. and adjacent properties at 20 and 22 N. Carroll St., will feature a facade with rotated top floors to offer differing views and interpretations from various vantage points. Inside, a glassy, transparent lobby will feature an expansive wooden staircase echoing an ancient dugout canoe, inspired by the regions long history of water travel and the recent recovery of two Native American dugout canoes from Lake Mendota. It will lead to a cafe, community gallery and temporary gallery that can host national-caliber shows, and exhibit spaces featuring interpretative, interactive and multimedia presentations. A fifth floor will feature event space and a terrace overlooking the Capitol. The design intends for the large lobby, retail store, cafe and community gallery to be inviting and free of charge, the concept to create "Wisconsin's living room." "It's not just a place of exhibits and objects," said Christian verland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO for the Wisconsin Historical Society. "It's a place for people to connect to history." All-star team The center is a collaboration of some of the nations top architects, exhibit designers, curators and historians along with community voices and extensive consultations with the regions Native Nations, verland said. This will be a welcoming, vibrant place for the community to gather, engage, reflect and share in our history. The collaboration involves Ralph Appelbaum Associates based in New York City, known globally for its work on cultural attractions including the American Museum of Natural Historys new Gilder Center in New York City and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.; the SmithGroup of Washington, D.C.; and Continuum Architects + Planners of Milwaukee. It is rare to have such an unbelievably large collection to work with, including a substantial selection of music, oral histories, photographs and film that will allow visitors to make personal connections to shared stories, said Patrick Swindell, principal and creative director for Ralph Appelbaum Associates. The location at the top of State Street on Capitol Square demands special attention and presents opportunities, said architect Monteil Crawley, a principal of SmithGroup. "Given its significance, it was crucial to design the building in a way that engages the public realm," Crawley said. "The ground floor will be transparent, creating a space that warmly welcomes everyone from Wisconsin, no matter who you are, into the History Center. It's a place where people can gather, connect and feel inspired." The center is expected to welcome more than 200,000 guests annually and double the number of students served to 60,000. Points of view Unlike a government or office building, the exterior and interior of the History Center are intended to complement one another, which is possible because the partners have been collaborating from the start. The site, a crossroads, offers a different perspective depending on how the building is approached or what else might be going on in the area, from the frequent demonstrations around Capitol Square to the Dane County Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, said Chris Wood, vice president and cultural studio leader for SmithGroup. "There's this great nexus around the Capitol, but particularly on this corner," he said. While the Capitol is a magnet, the top of the History Center would be offset in a design meant to acknowledge the rest of the state, including the Indigenous people who first called Wisconsin home, Wood said. The exterior features weathered zinc, a warm material intended to feel welcoming, and stainless steel that speaks to industry and technology, he said. The society owns a zinc mine in Mineral Point, and the stainless steel is also the story of iron ore shipped from Superior to mills, verland said. Meanwhile, the site's tight urban space "offers unique opportunities for creative storytelling, immersive experiences, and urban integration," Crawley said. "A vertical museum allows for an unforgettable and dynamic visitor experience not traditionally had in museums," he said. "As visitors move vertically through the History Center, they will enjoy changing vistas and perspectives, providing a fresh and captivating view of the exhibits and the surrounding urban landscape." A journey Touches in the interior celebrate the state's craft culture from First Nations craft to brewing, Wood said. "If we go through the spaces, the whole building is the History Center," Swindell said. "It's not confined to the permanent gallery spaces." The first floor features a large, open lobby with space for public programming, a retail store and areas to serve students and community groups. That will lead to an expansive wooden staircase offering commanding views of the Capitol and serving as a gathering space for additional programming with an adjoining cafe. The lobby will feature large, special objects, such as the ultralight plane used to re-teach endangered whooping cranes their migratory paths, Swindell said. The second floor will house a rotating "community gallery," also visible from the front door, that will provide a platform for local history organizations and other groups from across the state to share their stories. "The whole idea is to have this as kind of an open space where people can come in and actually use it," verland said. The second floor will also feature an 8,000-square-foot revolving gallery that can be divided but is large enough to bring blockbuster exhibits to Wisconsin, which could range from the costumes of Disney to the National Archives exhibit of the Civil War, which includes a display of the Emancipation Proclamation. "This is an international standard exhibit space," verland said. Permanent galleries The third floor will be home to two permanent galleries. The first gallery will be a celebration of Wisconsins identity in American culture, featuring beloved objects such as a vintage 1969 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and items from the societys film, television, music and media collections. "If we're successful, people who go through that exhibit will never think of Wisconsin as a flyover state again, whether they're tourists or residents," verland said. The second gallery will be an interactive exploration of American experiences, including the history of democracy in the state, examples of engaged citizenship and experiences of the regions Sovereign Nations. Integrated into the gallery will be opportunities to explore genealogical records from the societys extensive archives as well as a forum for exercising civic engagement. The fourth floor will feature an immersive gallery meant to evoke the feeling of being outdoors among Wisconsins vast and varied landscapes. Through one-of-a-kind items from the societys world-class agricultural collection, to interactive exhibits that place visitors among shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, guests will explore the relationships Wisconsinites have forged with the natural world over thousands of years. "We're using multimedia quite a bit throughout the experience," Swindell said. The design, however, intentionally blurs the boundaries between the third and fourth floors so the galleries spill out into the connecting spaces. Most dramatically, both floors are connected through a large, glass-enclosed exhibit of Wisconsin stories and objects. An open staircase also connects the two floors. Two adjoining terraces on the fourth floor overlook Capitol Square and Lake Mendota. The fifth floor offers striking event spaces designed to host a variety of public and private gatherings and connects to a rooftop terrace. Breaking ground Earlier this month, the Legislature's budget-writing committee signed off on Gov. Tony Evers' proposal to set aside $160.5 million to create the History Center. The historical society, established in 1846, has one of the nation's largest collections of North American historical assets and operates 12 museums and sites. But its flagship museum has been housed in the undersized, 42,000-square-foot former Wolff Kubly hardware store since the mid-1980s. That building closed in December in anticipation of the project and the society has temporary space at the U.S. Bank building on Capitol Square. The society has scheduled a groundbreaking and start of construction on the new facility in the first quarter of 2024 with exhibit installation in the summer of 2026 and a grand opening in the first quarter of 2027. Photos: Documenting the shipwrecks of Wisconsin Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwrecks Shipwreck Research 07-07272021160451 Clarence Gonstead was a Mount Horeb-based chiropractor who quickly became known around the world in the mid-20th century for his technique. And now the building that houses his Mount Horeb chiropractic clinic has become part of the National and State Register of Historic Places. The Gonstead Clinic of Chiropractic is internationally renowned not only for Gonstead's specific style in adjusting his patients but also for its mid-century modern architecture, said Thomas Potisk. Potisk was president of the clinics nonprofit arm, C.S. Gonstead Chiropractic Foundation from 2014-2016, and serves as the clinics unofficial historian, taking visitors on tours of the clinic at 1505 Springdale St. Potisk also practices the Gonstead method of chiropractic, which he said differs from other types of chiropractic in that it is more than just a quick fix to someones ailment. A Gonstead chiropractor examines a patients spinal misalignments, nerve dysfunction and other issues, Potisk said. Gonstead was born in 1889 to Norwegian immigrants and raised on a small farm near the Mount Horeb clinic, Potisk said. He was known to have natural mechanical skills from a young age, Potisk said, fixing tractors, cars and other farm machinery. But at age 19, Gonstead developed a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis that left him bedridden. After seeing doctor after doctor, Gonstead was treated by a chiropractor, whose adjustments helped alleviate his suffering. This motivated Gonstead to pursue a career in chiropractic. He enrolled at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated in 1923. Potisk said Gonstad came back to Mount Horeb and worked at the clinic until his death in 1978. Having found a way to combine mechanical skills with spinal biomechanics, which is what made Gonstead so famous in the chiropractic community and among patients, Potisk said Gonstead would often be seen adjusting patients from sunrise until beyond sunset. An eight-hour day is half of a Norwegian work day, Potisk said Gonstead would famously remark. Historic clinic Gonstead had the Mount Horeb clinic built in 1964. Renovations to preserve the buildings original mid-century modern aesthetic began in 1978 and are ongoing in 2023. The clinic, Potisk said, was designed by a student of famous Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright. That student is John Steinmann, who according to the Wisconsin Historical Society designed St. Johns Lutheran Church in Evansville, which is also on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Potisk said it was a long and arduous five-year process to get the 29,000 square-foot clinic on both the National and State Register of Historic places, but worth it in the end. We saw this building and the importance that happened here, not only for the patients that got better here but for the profession, Potisk said. It was close to being torn down around the 1990s, and people were wondering what we should do with it. Some chiropractors, one a student of Gonstead, pooled some money together and they were able to buy this clinic. That's how the foundation got started." A walk into the clinic features a spacious waiting room where Gonstead and his team of up to four chiropractors would serve the thousands of patients a day, many from outside the U.S., who would line up out the door just to be seen and treated at the clinic. The clinic now has two practicing chiropractors, according to its website. In 1966, Gonstead built a 40,000-square-foot hotel for the droves of visiting patients, which the clinic uses to this day but has been reduced to 20,000 square feet as a Walgreens store replaced half the space in 1995, Potisk said. In the center of the waiting room is a fountain with art that adorns the walls as part of the original 1964 aesthetic, Potisk said. The waiting room also features several sleek and practical leather chairs. The clinic has 12 treatment or adjusting rooms with all the original treatment furniture, a large convention room and six classrooms in the basement where Gonstead would teach chiropractors from around the world about his technique. A garage houses Gonstead's 1974 Cadillac, which he would use to transport international patients to and from the clinic. Theres also Gonstead's office, which itself has a mid-century modern look with three chairs of a mustard yellow color and a couch with a mixture of burnt oranges and mustard yellows. His credentials hang on the offices walls. "We knew we had to preserve this," Potisk said. Photos: See more of Dane Buy Local's Black-owned businesseses bus tour Black-owned businesses tour Black-owned businesses tour Black-owned businesses tour Black-owned businesses tour Black-owned businesses tour Black-owned businesses tour To some its a dream job: getting paid to taste cheese and pizza. And since the part-time job posting went viral, the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison has had about 135 people apply for five positions. Not that its not a good job or anything, but I think sometimes people see us as fanciful. Its just eating cheese, said Brandon Prochaska, the centers sensory coordinator. But when people see us operate, theyre kind of impressed with how intensive it is, how quickly we can evaluate things, he said. Dream Job? Here's Your Chance To Get Hired As A Professional Cheese Tasterhttps://t.co/V5JpZixjOO#cheesetaster #dreamjob NDTV Food (@NDTVFood) June 12, 2023 The tasters consider 15 to 20 attributes of a pizza, he said. Not just whether it tastes good or bad, but everything from its appearance to how it stretches, flows and blisters. Sometimes theyll evaluate two pizzas at a time, one thats cooling down and another right out of the oven, Prochaska said. The center is looking to boost its pool of about 15 dairy testers, who get paid $15 per hour for a gig thats usually about seven hours a week, he said. The testers could also possibly evaluate butter, milk, cheese powder and yogurt, Prochaska said. We pretty much cover just about any dairy product, he said. Ice cream tends to be the exception because UW-Madisons food science department has expertise in that area. The application period opened June 2 and closes June 21. After that, the center will conduct interviews. The posting says the center is looking for people passionate about all types of foods, but especially cheese, pizza and other dairy products. I will only accept this post if my official title is Cheese Taster Laureate. https://t.co/B6EGrlfUdL Scott Eberhardy (@scotteber) June 10, 2023 New hires will be trained to describe appearance, texture, taste and aroma for research and product development purposes, the post says. Panelists should expect to be tasting up to 24 cheese samples and 12 pizzas a week along with other foods, the ad says. Tasters need to be available for up to three sessions a week with each session lasting about three hours. Mark Johnson, a senior scientist at the center, said tasters spit out the cheese products after sampling them. You have to cleanse a palate basically between samples and if you swallow it, youre going to maybe regurgitate a little bit of that, plus you get full, he said. Also, some of the samples simply arent that good, Johnson said. He compared the tasting job to a cheese contest where the judges always spit out their samples without eating them. Shelby Anderson, a spokesperson for the center, said so far the posting has gotten attention from at least 15 media markets, including Tampa, Florida; Chicago; Cleveland; and one in India. CNN and NBC have also covered it. Prochaska said some of the tasters are students who graduate, and some are external people who leave for one reason or another. The position has been posted three times before, but this is the first time there has been this level of interest, he said. Prochaska said new hires arent expected to be expert tasters or have had previous experience. They just need the right level of interest, the right attitude and availability, he said. The center trains the tasters and gives them the skills they need. There are specialized scales and terminology that we use that people probably havent been exposed to before, but they learn all of that as they go along, he said. The training phase generally lasts about three months, Prochaska said. He loves training people to be tasters and also works as a tester himself. To get paid to taste stuff, to me thats the dream job, he said. Things that taste as delicious as cheese and pizza its hard to turn that down. Take a look at 'Immersive Van Gogh' WASHINGTON China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, part of a global effort by Beijing to upgrade its intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to a Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S. intelligence community has been aware of China's spying from Cuba and a larger effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe for some time. The Biden administration has stepped up efforts to thwart the Chinese push to expand its spying operations and believes it has made some progress through diplomacy and other unspecified action, according to the official, who was familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter. The existence of the Chinese spy base was confirmed after The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China and Cuba had reached an agreement in principle to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island. The Journal reported that China planned to pay a cash-strapped Cuba billions of dollars as part of the negotiations. The White House and Cuban officials, however, called the report inaccurate. "I've seen that press report, it's not accurate," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an MSNBC interview on Thursday. "What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China's influence activities around the world; certainly in this hemisphere and in this region, we're watching this very, very closely." The U.S. intelligence community had determined that Chinese spying from Cuba has been an "ongoing" matter and is "not a new development," the administration official said. President Joe Biden's national security team was briefed by the intelligence community soon after he took office in January 2021 about a number of sensitive Chinese efforts around the globe where Beijing was weighing expanding logistics, basing and collection infrastructure as part of the People's Liberation Army's attempt to further its influence, the official said. Chinese officials looked at sites that spanned the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. The effort included looking at existing collection facilities in Cuba, and China conducted an upgrade of its spying operation on the island in 2019, the official said. Tensions between the U.S. and China have been fraught throughout Biden's term. The relationship may have hit a nadir last year after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to democratically governed Taiwan. That visit, the first by a sitting House speaker since Newt Gingrich in 1997, led China, which claims the island as its territory, to launch military exercises around Taiwan. U.S.-China relations became further strained early this year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had crossed the United States. Beijing also was angered by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's stopover in the U.S. last month that included an encounter with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The speaker hosted the Taiwanese leader at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in southern California. Q: Why are the sewer manholes in the tire tracks instead of in the middle of the road? A: Great question! I agree, it is disappointing when a sewer manhole lands in a wheel path because it happens from time to time, said Joshua Baird, public works director for the city of Twin Falls. There are several things that are at play that dont allow for an optimal sewer manhole placement from time to time. First, parcels of land come in varying shapes and sizes, so when development occurs, it may not be feasible to avoid a manhole in a wheel path because of the constraints imposed by the shape, size, and contours of the property as well as right-of-way requirement and building setbacks. Also, Idaho code requires a minimum separation of potable water lines and non-potable lines (sewer lines in our case). In some situations, that means you cannot easily place a sewer line (and corresponding manholes) in a different location without also placing the waterline in a different location. After utilities are put in the ground, it is very expensive to modify or change them, which is why we spend so much time on the front end through engineering design to make sure it works as well as possible, Baird said. He said, Also, roadways are not always straight lines, they move and curve. However, a typical sewer line does not veer as much. A sewer line is typically designed to be a straight line between manholes. As such, either through a curve, the addition or dropping of a lane (think of two way-left turn lanes that start and stop, right turn and left turn lanes at intersections, etc.), the roadway can easily change alignment through painted striping, but it is less easy to move the sewer line. In other situations, a roadway is not fully built out and while the current road may have the sewer manholes in wheel paths, once the entire road is built, that may go away, said Baird. He said Yet another issue that prohibits sewer lines from being in an optimal location is the existence of other utilities, already in the ground and preventing sewer lines from being placed in a location which could avoid them being in the wheel path. As roads expand and change, to allow for additional lanes, are expanded due to development, pavement striping may also change which sometimes means a sewer line that was not in the wheel path previously, is now in a wheel path. Hopefully this helps clarify some of the situations that can cause a less than optimal design, Baird said. Graduates clap for the first-ever Colibri Fellowship class on May 26, 2023. The fellowship is an eight-month program providing Department of Justice accreditation through the Immigrant Justice Leadership Academy at The Resurrection Project. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) For as long as she can remember, Martha Armenta felt invisible in the only country she knew as home. She grew up in Little Village, where her parents settled after moving to Chicago from Sinaloa, Mexico, escaping poverty and violence, she said. When she learned in high school she was in the U.S. without legal permission, she acknowledged that the dreams her parents sacrificed for were going to be harder to achieve. Still, she persisted. She managed to go to college working three jobs to pay for it, and in 2012, with the help of community service workers, she obtained DACA the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Advertisement And in April, Armenta also finally became a permanent resident with the help of a U.S. Department of Justice accredited representative, who, like an attorney, can represent immigrants in applying for benefits and in some administrative proceedings. Now shes paying it forward. Advertisement On May 26, Armenta was one of the 21 fellows from 20 not-for-profit organizations across Illinois to get DOJ accreditation through the Colibri Fellowship, the first of its kind professional fellowship by The Resurrection Project, for individuals seeking partial or full DOJ accreditation to legally represent immigrants as non-attorneys. Martha Armenta speaks at a retreat for Colibri fellows at Legal Aid Chicago on Feb. 24, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) With the city facing an influx of migrants, the goal of the fellowship is to equip bilingual and bicultural community workers as accredited, nonllegal representatives in immigration cases to strengthen the capacity of community-based legal aid organizations. From January through March, there were more than 400 legal screenings of asylum-seekers in a program established by the Department of Human Services of Illinois, said Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice at Chicagos Resurrection Project, and not enough attorneys available to help them file their cases. According to Rendon, the number of those potentially in need of legal services would likely surpass existing nonprofit legal capacity. About 145 non-lawyers work in the nearly 70 organizations as accredited representatives who are approved by the Department of Justice. And only 16 representatives, however, have full accreditation allowing them to represent clients in immigration court. The fellowship would also open the legal profession to Black, brown and immigrant communities, according to the program. Illinois is home to 425,000 immigrants without permanent legal status, according to a research study by Rob Paral and Associates. That is not counting the new arrivals in the last few months, accounting for more than 10,000 asylum-seekers, according to city officials. Ashley Santos, center, a paralegal with Northern Illinois Justice for Out Neighbors, looks at her certificate at the graduation event for the first-ever class of the Colibri Fellowship, an eight-month fellowship providing DOJ accreditation through the Immigrant Justice Leadership Academy at The Resurrection Project on May 26, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) Attorneys and others interviewed for Parals report suggest that 10% of 360,000 immigrants are eligible for status via asylum, the Violence Against Women Act, or another channel but do not have access to legal representation. Also, the majority of detained immigrants about 79 % do not have legal representation, according to the report. Now, with the thousands of Venezuelans that arrived, the number is greater, said Rendon. Advertisement So even though Illinois has expanded its support for not-for-profit organizations to provide immigration services or outreach through several programs, including the Illinois Access to Justice program, funded by the state and The New Americans Initiative, it is not enough to meet the extreme need, Rendon said. Most of the recent graduates of the Colibri fellowship are immigrants themselves, such as Armenta, or children of immigrants. They said they want to be a part of the movement to encourage immigrants living in the state without authorization, to seek help from an accredited DOJ representative to find out possible ways to legalize their status. David Flores is the son of immigrant parents. He lives in Joliet and is a member of the Spanish Community Center. He said the fellowship means that he will be able to serve as a beacon of hope for his family and some neighbors. Though he was born in this country, his parents and older brother emigrated from Mexico City. Growing up, he was not aware that his parents did not have the same rights that he did and some of his cousins had DACA, he said. Having status, but knowing that I wasnt able to help them or protect them, frustrated me, he said. David Flores listens in with other Colibri fellows while attending a retreat at Legal Aid Chicago on Feb. 24, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Thats what inspired him to work with communities and connect them to resources. Advertisement As a DOJ-accredited representative, Flores will be able to help explore relief options for immigrants in his family and the community. He will also help to file the forms, find financial help and represent them in court when needed. Rendon hopes that the new fellows can take on some of the asylum cases that are yet to be filed by the thousands of migrants who have arrived in Chicago. More specifically, she hopes that it can speed up the process for the asylum-seekers currently in shelters to apply for a work permit that can ease their way into settling in the city and state. According to Legal Aid Chicago, those who have filed for asylum can apply for a work authorization as they await a decision on their case, but they must wait 150 days until after submitting the asylum application. For Armenta, who oversees the legal clinic for Enlace Chicago, a not-for-profit organization in Little Village that provides several services for the immigrant community, the DOJ accreditation signifies that she accomplished the goal her parents had when they brought her to this country. Shes decided to dedicate her life to helping other migrants, who much like her family, did not have access, knowledge or the money to apply for the reliefs available to them to legalize their status in the country. larodriguez@chicagotribune.com Forty licensed recruitment agencies with overseas job offers totaling 11,750 took part in a mega job fair held at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) main office in Mandaluyong City in conjunction with Mondays observance of the 125th Philippine Independence Day. DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara said the recruiters screened the applicants based on their skills and work experience. Ang hinahanap ng mga private recruitment agencies at manning agencies ay yung mga matched ang skills at experience dun sa requirements ng mga employers nila na nasa overseas, Alcantara said. So if they see you as the closest match, they will set an appointment for your interview, or they will give you a slot or date so that you can complete the requirements. If that is the case, you are probably matched with the vacancy they are looking for), he added. A total of 32 private recruitment agencies and eight manning agencies took part in the job fair. These agencies seek nurses, welders, construction workers, waiter/waitresses, baristas, warehouse supervisors, food servers, chefs, accountants and seafarers. There are 17 countries of destination for interested Filipino workers which include Guam, Maldives, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Bahrain, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Czechia Republic, Macau and the United States of America. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Former Senator and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Rodolfo Biazon Sr., who was diagnosed with lung cancer in July last year, passed away on Monday morning, his family said. He was 88. Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon confirmed the passing of his father, who has been confined at the Asian Hospital since May 21 due to pneumonia. He was intubated from May 23 until June 3. Thank you so much for all the prayers. It was truly worth it. Papa fought a long and exhausting battle. Its time to get rest Papa! We love you so dearly! Thanks for bringing honor to the Biazon family. We are proud of you! said the mayor. Former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon He said his late father courageously fought his last battle like a Marine would, but it is the Lords will which prevails. According to Mayor Biazon, his father underwent appropriate cancer treatment in July last year. However, the elder Biazon caught pneumonia twice this year, and the second was more serious than the first which had further weakened his lungs, Mayor Biazon said. The late Pong Biazon was a senator from 1992 to 1995. He was elected again in 1998 and served in the Senate until 2010. Before joining the Senate, he was the Armed Forces chief during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino. Born on April 14, 1935 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Biazon took up mechanical engineering at FEATI University before he entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1957. He also served the following posts: Superintendent of PMA in 1986-87, Commandant of the Philippine Marines in 1987-89, Commanding General of the NCR Defense Command in 1988-90, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff in 1990-91. He was also a congressman of the lone district of Muntinlupa, was reelected in 2013, and retired from politics in 2016. Senators mourned Biazons death on Independence Day, which his son said was perfectly fitting for a soldier who dedicated his life and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy, (and) has been set free from the pains of this world. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said necrological rites for Biazon were set in the Senate on June 19, Monday at 10 a.m. He described the day Biazon died as a bittersweet Independence Day. He noted that Biazon was one of the staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that Filipinos enjoy today. It was a gift to have been a novice senator during a time when Senator Biazon was still in office. I had the great fortune of learning from him and being inspired by his uncompromising public servicenot just as a veteran legislator but also as a veteran military man, having been the chief of staff of the Armed Forces. He brought that same military discipline and commitment to his work in the Senate, and to every aspect of his life as a public servant, he said. I am grateful for the time that we spent in the Senate together, and I am glad we had one last chance to reconnect with him last November when he attended the Senate reunion, Zubiri said. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he worked with Biazon at the Commission on Appointments (CA) in the 14th Congress. I was the first party-list representative to join the CA representing the opposition then and it was Senator Pong who showed me the tricks of the trade and ways to become a more effective CA member. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said Biazons unwavering commitment to the nations security and welfare will forever be remembered. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he had the chance to work with Biazon during the 13th and 14th Congress while his mother, former first lady and senator Loi Ejercito Estrada was his contemporary in the 12th and 13th Congress. We witnessed firsthand his unparalleled passion for public service and unwavering advocacy for low-cost housing and increased benefits for our soldiers. His wisdom, experience, and exemplary work ethic were always evident, making him an invaluable asset to our institution and a true inspiration to us all, Estrada said. He noted that Biazons legacy will forever be remembered, and his contributions to the nation will continue to shape the future for generations to come. As we mourn the loss of a great leader and statesman, let us also celebrate his remarkable life and the countless lives he touched, Estrada said. Senator Francis Escudero lauded the decorated military general for serving the Philippines impeccably all throughout his more than five decades in government service. Escudero said he and Biazon became colleagues in the upper chamber during the latters last remaining three years from 2007 to 2010. The Bicolano senator was then serving his first six-year term in the Senate. Considered a military hero and a defender of democracy, Biazon quelled several coup attempts against the Aquino government. Senator Risa Hontiveros said the death of Biazon on this Independence Day is a reminder of his formidable, lifelong fight for the motherland. Indeed, much can be said about all that he has done for the Filipino people, from his time as a Philippine Marine to his years in Congress, but what remained true all throughout was his unwavering love for the Philippines. Long before she met him in person, Hontiveros remembered she read about Biazon in a 1981 Who magazine feature about his being a Marine commander in Davao. I remember being taken by his critical mind and his respect for human rights, qualities essential for an officer and a gentleman, Hontiveros said. Years later, the opposition senator said she finally met him at the EDSA Shrine just when EDSA Dos was unfolding. It was unforgettable not only because he had a crushing handshake, but also because it was the start of the many struggles we fought together, she said. A true patriot, Biazon always answered the call of duty even when he was no longer in office, Hontiveros said. When the Duterte administration could not express a clear stance vis-a-vis Chinas incursions in the West Philippine Sea, she pointed out that Biazon did not hold back from calling on top officials to take a united position against China. Time and again, when he saw that our nation was in peril, he stepped out from his private life and gave us public servants clarity and a sense of direction, she said. Senator Grace Poe said the country lost an exemplary soldier and lawmaker. She said his valuable work in fortifying the military institution and in lawmaking will not be forgotten. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said a patriot has fallen. In his lifetime, Sen Pong Biazon always stood, and fought, for what is right for our country. He fought a good fight. Like an old soldier, General Biazon will never die, he will just fade away, Drilon said. In a statement, the Department of National Defense praised Biazons patriotism, integrity, and commitment to protecting the countrys interests and democracy. Senator Biazons illustrious career spanned his active service in the military as an officer in the Philippine Marine Corps, and later entering public service as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the statement read. Throughout his decades-long service to the Filipino nation, Senator Biazon embodied patriotism, integrity, and commitment to the protection of the countrys freedom and its democratic institutions, it added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines remembered Biazons pivotal role as a former leader in defending the countrys democracy. His commitment to public service extended into his political career, serving as a senator who championed key legislation that advocated for the welfare of our countrymen, AFP said in a statement. His leadership and integrity will continue to inspire future generations of servicemen and public servants, the AFP added. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday joined the millions of Filipinos who gave their final salute to Biazon. A brave soul has been summoned back to Gods army on a day that we Filipinos associate with bravery. That is a fitting tribute to Pong Biazon by the Almighty, telling us to emulate the great Filipino that he was, Romualdez said. The House leader learned of Biazons passing Monday morning while participating in an activity in Caloocan City to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence Day. Biazon was a model citizen. He lost his father at 7 years old and was forced to work to provide for himself and his siblings at such a young age. Poverty did not faze him; with sheer determination, he put himself through school to gain the education that he needed to be somebody. In the end, he became somebody that would look up to, Romualdez said. A Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1961 graduate, Biazon climbed the ranks of the AFP to become its 21st Chief of Staff three decades later. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The United States reaffirmed its longstanding alliance with the Philippines and assured Manila it will continue to partner with the country as it sent well wishes for its celebration of the 125th Independence Day on Monday. The US, through Secretary of State Antony Blinken, congratulated Filipinos in celebrating Independence Day on June 12. In a statement, the top American diplomat reiterated his countrys intention to keep working with the Philippines to confront challenges together. We have accomplished much together, and I am confident we will continue to collaboratively confront the most pressing regional and global challenges, Blinken said. He also stressed that the US cherishes its longstanding alliance with the Philippines. Today, I want to reaffirm the longstanding US-Philippines Alliance and celebrate our strong people-to-people ties, acknowledging the shared sacrifices that form the foundation of our Alliance, Blinken said. The United States cherishes the partnerships we have developed across so many fields, including fostering inclusive and broad-based prosperity, investing in the clean energy transition, upholding international peace and stability, and so much more, he added. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has urged Filipinos to cherish the qualities exemplified by Filipino ancestors to achieve Philippine independence. RITES AT KAWIT. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin raises the flag at the Aguinaldo Shrine in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite. With Bersamin are Kawit Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla, and 7th District Rep. Crispin Diego Remulla. Norman Cruz In his message for the 125th Independence Day, Manalo honored the sacrifices of Filipino ancestors, saying: The hard-fought freedom by our forebears has not only shaped our nations history but also continues to shape its future. As we celebrate Kalayaan 2023, let us look to the future while cherishing the exceptional qualities that our ancestors exemplified and that continue to define the Filipino spirit today courage, resilience, compassion, and a deep love of country, the countrys top diplomat said. Manalo said the Department of Foreign Affairs pays tribute to the countrys rich and proud history by drawing wisdom from its lessons which guide the departments steadfast commitment to an independent foreign policy that navigates the complexities of time. He also said that the theme of Kalayaan 2023: Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan is magnified by the intertwining of the DFAs history with that of the Republic. As one of the first agencies established just eleven days after the declaration of Philippine Independence, our work has remained constant and unwavering, he said. The Foreign Affairs chief said: Kalayaan (Freedom) is a core tenet of the agencys mission, embodying the essence of an independent foreign policy and our unwavering commitment to advancing freedom, not only within our country but also in the international community. Kinabukasan (Future), he said, symbolizes DFAs dedication to building a prosperous, peaceful, and equitable future for every Filipino. As the Philippines stands on the cusp of attaining middle power status and becoming the worlds 16th largest economy by 2040, our international engagements and partnerships play a vital role in realizing these ambitions while ensuring concrete benefits for our people, Manalo said. Kasaysayan (History), he said, beckons them to look back to a time 125 years ago when the countrys foremost diplomatic objective was to attain international recognition for the Philippines as the first Asian republic. From that pivotal moment, the Republic of the Philippines has steadfastly upheld the principles of decolonization, human rights, and equality. These fundamental principles have shaped our legacy as a champion of the rules-based order and multilateralism, a leading voice in promoting safe and orderly migration, and a vigorous proponent of climate action, he said. The DFA chief also stressed that under the Marcos administration, the objective is to not merely restore pre-pandemic circumstances, but to forge ahead and make our nation better prepared to confront the challenges and demands of the 21st century. He said beyond the pandemic, the DFA seeks to elevate the vibrancy of the Philippines to unprecedented heights. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Philippines is beautiful. Theres just absolutely no denying it! The culture is rich, the natural sights are wonderful, the towns and cities are mesmerizing, and the warmth of the people is unparalleled. Filipinos already know that, but whats even better is the droves of foreign nationals and content creators who are discovering it for themselves. In fact, some foreigners love it so much that they want to document everything amazing they see while theyre here in the Philippines. Some cant even get enough of it that they end up moving here for good. For these creators on YouTube, making content on the good things they find in the country isnt so much an attempt to play to a proud Filipino audience. Its more a celebration of wide-eyed wonder at how the Philippines can be so enchantingand sharing it with the rest of the world! Here are five foreign YouTubers who sincerely love the Philippineson and off YouTube: A Syrian-born Filipino naturalized citizen, Basel Manadilwho goes by The Hungry Syrian Wanderer and styles himself as an Adopted Son of the Philippinesgained a massive following for his videos about Filipino food and culture. He has been praised for his positive and respectful portrayal of the Philippines and Filipinos, finding time to document the details of daily life in the country. Jake Taylor is an American YouTuber who married a Filipina and moved to the Philippines. One of his biggest claims to fame is his ability to speak in Tagalog and Ilocano, using his knowledge of the native languages to create funny and heartwarming videosespecially of delicious Filipino food, which he really cant get enough of. Kyle Jennerman is a popular Canadian YouTuber who is currently in the final stages of earning his naturalized Filipino citizenship. His popular YouTube channel shows him exploring the Philippines in informative and entertaining videos that pay homage and respect to locals, especially indigenous peoples, becoming well-known enough to even score a TV commercial with a local brand. Finn Snow is an Icelandic travel vlogger who has fallen so in love with the Philippines that he decided to move here. Hes currently documenting his process of building a house in Dauin, Dumaguete on his YouTube channel. Snows videos highlight local practices and sights, promoting the country mostly to international viewers. Carson Moody, who goes by Bisayang Hilaw on YouTube, is an American YouTuber who has lived in the Philippines for several years. He has a popular YouTube channel where he shares his experiences of living in the Philippines in honest and insightful videos (some of which help out many Filipinos in rural areas financially). He has become a popular voice for foreign viewers who are interested in learning more about the Philippines, and a positive force for the locals he meets. So the next time youre looking for something thatll make you proud to be a Filipino, go check these YouTube creators out and see the beautiful country through their wonder-filled eyes. You may even find something new and amazing about the Philippines you havent discovered yet. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Heres what happened locally on June 13 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: Prompt efficient and diligent work by Resident State Engineer B.S. Parris and his corps of workmen restored the broken down Smith River highway bridge two miles south of Martinsville on the North Carolina road to traffic at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening less than forty-eight hours after the heavily loaded truck smashed through and was found hanging precariously through a hole fifteen to eighteen feet in length and extending the entire width of the bridge, near its north end. 75 years ago: Graveside reburial services will be held in Oakwood cemetery at 11 a.m. Saturday for the 2nd Lieut. Thomas Martin Ford Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Ford, Thomas Heights. Lieutenant Ford was killed in a plane explosion while serving with the United States Air Force. His death came on March 12, 1944, at Elbene in North Africa. His body was first buried at Casablanca in North Africa. 50 years ago: A quota on the amount of gasoline it will receive from its bulk distributor has been placed on the Henry County school system. School Supt. Branch K. Rives told the school board Thursday that Texaco, which supplies the countys fleet of school buses, would allocate 35,278 gallons to the school system during the month of June. 25 years ago: Mother Nature smiled Saturday on about 3,000 souls who drank, danced and otherwise dismissed dire weather forecasts to attend the states premier beach music festival. All we need is sand, said sunglassed Ricky Edwards of Stuart, over the toe-tapping, shag-inspired strains of The Embers, one of five bands to emit steady sound over the sweating, dancing throng at the Wayside Park amphitheater Saturday. Beach balls bounced over their bodies. Beer spilled on their chests. Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least six days before an event. Items are only guaranteed to publish once prior to the event. To guarantee placement in the paper on a particular day, organizations can purchase an ad by calling 315-720-9694. Email all items to news@mcdowellnews.com. TODAY U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards mobile office, the Carolina Cruiser, will be at 198 S. Main St., Marion, today from 9:30-11:30 a.m. His staff will be parked outside with the Carolina Cruiser ready to meet with constituents and assist with casework. The public can stop by to share their thoughts on issues that matter to them or ask for assistance with federal agencies. The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive today from 12:30-5 p.m. at the Marion Community Building, 191 N. Main St., Marion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will offer a class called Coasters Plus! with Lisa Hines as the instructor. The class will be taught Wednesday, June 14, from 5-8 p.m. The cost is $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers, plus a $25 supply fee. Do you want to make your own coaster set that matches your decor while learning about acrylic pour painting? Learn how at this class. The minimum number for students is two and the maximum is 10. To register, visit Arrowhead Gallery, 78C Catawba Ave., Old Fort, or call 828-668-1100. THURSDAY, JUNE 15 The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will offer a class called Let the Sunshine In with Diane Enger as the instructor. The class will be held Thursday, June 15, from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $35 for AGS members, $45 for nonmembers, plus a $15 material fee which includes glass, prepared glass components, chain, hangers and firing. In this class, the students will be using transparent glass to create a 4 x 12-inch decorative glass hanging. They will create a design using circles and transfer this to a base piece of glass. There will be some glass cutting involved. Minimum of three students, maximum of six students. To register, visit Arrowhead Gallery, 78C Catawba Ave., Old Fort, or call 828-668-1100. FRIDAY, JUNE 16 Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical Jr. opens this weekend. McDowell Children's Theatre presents Matilda The Musical Jr. in the Greenlee Theatre at McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA). Located at 50 S Main St. Marion. Performances will take place Friday, June 16; Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 and Friday, June 23; Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. Friday and Saturday shows will start at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Certified American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL) services will be provided at the June 23 performance of Matilda. The musical is Rated PG for thematic elements, exaggerated bullying and some language. Tickets are $12 with a $2 discount for students and seniors. SATURDAY, JUNE 17 The Summer THRIVE Series, sponsored by the McDowell County Health Coalition, will be this Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Marion Community Building Park (191 N. Main. Marion). McDowell 4-H will be featuring a nature scavenger Hunt, veggie tasting, and kid friendly crafts. For more information, contact Mcdowellcountyhealthcoalition@gmail.com or call 828-659-5289. TUESDAY, JUNE 20 The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will offer a class about making a personalized key chain with instructor Lisa Hines. The class will be taught Tuesday, June 20, from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $10 for AGS members, $20 for nonmembers, plus a $15 supply fee. Would you like to make a personalized key chain/ luggage tag for yourself or as a gift for someone else? Join Hines as she helps instruct and supplies everything needed to make this fun personalized item. To register, visit Arrowhead Gallery, 78C Catawba Ave., Old Fort, or call 828-668-1100. TUESDAY, JUNE 27 MATCH and Marion East Community Forum will host a Community Health and Resource Fair at the Marion Tailgate Market on Tuesday, June 27, from 3-6 p.m. The first 100 guests will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used at the Farmers Market. In addition to the Market Vendors, over 30 community organizations will be present. Free hot dog dinner and cleaning supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 828-659-5289. TUESDAY, JULY 4 Marion's Independence Day Celebration is Tuesday, July 4. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. A special spot will be reserved at the beginning of the parade for Anything That Rolls." Skaters, bicycles and skateboards are welcome and are not required to pre register. Parade marshals will be McDowell County veterans. Fox and Company will perform at 6:30 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes. Fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 652-2215. Last month, a Marion man was charged by police officers with a variety of drug-related offenses. On Friday, May 19, officers with the Marion Police Department responded to 100 Seagle St. in Marion due to information being received that Marcus Pendley, 33, was at the location. Officers were attempting to locate Pendley, who had active warrants for his arrest for failing to appear for court, according to a news release. Pendley was in a separate structure on the property, and placed under arrest without incident. While being searched, a pistol was found in his waistband along with $2,860 in cash. There was a bag found with Pendley that contained other narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia, which has been submitted to the North Carolina State Crime Lab for analysis. Sgt. Matt Huggins arrested and charged Pendley with the following: One count trafficking in amphetamine One count trafficking in opium or heroin One count possession of methamphetamine One count felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance One count possession of stolen firearm One count possession of firearm by felon One count simple possession of Schedule III controlled substance One count possession of drug paraphernalia Pendley was placed in the custody of the McDowell County Jail under a $230,000 bond, according to the news release. Fifteen students from around the western North Carolina region were given scholarships at a ceremony held at Mission Hospital. McDowell High School graduates Cortnee Tate and Justis Ledbetter were two of the recipients, according to a news release. Mission Health is proud to give the Kesha Young Scholarship as just one of the many ways we are supporting the education of our future caregivers, said Chad Patrick, CEO of Mission Hospital. The scholarship is in its 26th year and is named in honor of Kesha Young, a 22-year-old biracial woman who was born with mental and physical disabilities and underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital. Kesha died just months before she was scheduled to earn her high school diploma. Despite being in constant pain and confined to a wheelchair, Kesha was described by her adoptive parents as embodying the characteristics that are vital to how health care team members engage with patients, families and visitors, with a strong spirit, warm smile and positive encouragement, according to the news release. The board of trustees of McDowell Technical Community College, on recommendation from the MTCC Foundations board of directors, has named the main training room in the colleges Smith Building in honor of the NAACP McDowell County Chapter. At a recent installation ceremony, Ray McKesson, chapter president, and members of the chapters executive board unveiled a wall plaque dedicating the large conference room in the chapters honor. In announcing the dedication and naming, MTCC President Dr. Brian S. Merritt praised the NAACP for their leadership and support of the college, particularly with regard to the chapters support of student scholarships. Thanks to gifts of over $28,000 from our friends at the NAACP, the college just awarded the first scholarship from the NAACP Endowed Scholarship Fund this past fall, said Merritt. It is a legacy that will impact generations to come. The chapter continues to do ongoing fundraising for the endowed scholarship fund and accepts donations from members and friends who share the groups mission to increase access to higher education and improve socioeconomic mobility for unserved and underserved populations within the county. Gloria Boyce: A fundraising leader Gloria Boyce is the perfect example of a local NAACP chapter member who has a quiet passion for higher education and is a fundraising leader for the endowed scholarship fund but with a twist. Gloria is one of those folks who works quietly behind the scenes, helping wherever shes needed, but rarely gets the recognition she deserves for her efforts, said McKesson, the chapter president. She also coordinates the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfasts which are sponsored by Mount Zion AME Zion Church, as well as many chapter activities. Boyce has been a member of the local NAACP chapter for many years, both when it was first chartered, and when it was reconstituted a few years ago after a period of inactivity. She is proud of the work the group has done, not only with regard to education, but also such things as helping people register to vote and encouraging people to participate in the elections process. In February, the group held a Black History Month program at McDowell Tech aimed at increasing awareness of black history among young people in the county. To increase participation among this age group, the planning committee for the program, of which she is a member, filled the program with singing, dancing and skits mediums that hold greater sway with young folks than lectures, discussions and such. When the group started fundraising for the NAACP scholarship at McDowell Tech about five years ago, Boyce quickly got involved. I saw a need to be more involved in the community and making our community a better place to live, she said. I am a big fan of providing educational opportunities for our young people, and I feel that its something we need to stress more. Our first big fundraisers were our pancake breakfasts at FATZ, when it was still open, she said. From there, the group has looked to other avenues for fundraising, including direct donation efforts by many local members and friends from out-of-state. Who is Gloria Boyce? Boyce grew up in Marion and attended Mountain View, but graduated from Marion High School. She has two degrees from McDowell Tech, one in secretarial science and an associate degree in business administration. From there, she received her bachelors degree in business administration from Gardner Webb University. She worked at Drexel Heritage for 32 years until their closing. After that, she worked for seven years at Broughton State Mental Hospital, where she retired in 2014. At each place, she worked mostly in human resources, payroll administration and professional services-psychology and social work (Broughton). In addition to her work with the NAACP, Boyce has been a lifelong member of Mount Zion AME Zion Church and is active in her church. She has also been involved with West Marion Community Forum, a group that promotes people getting together for projects that benefit the greater community. She is a proud contributor to the Old Fort mural project that honored a local civil rights pioneer, Albert Joyner. I like to recognize people in the community who are good examples to our young people, said Boyce. Her greatest joy? Boyce has been married to Larry Boyce for 56 years, and the couple has three children: Trina, Eric and Marques Boyce. She also has a stepson, Derraine Henry, and four grandchildren. Larry worked for Air Preheater for 19 years, before retiring from Baxter with 25 years of service. Watching her kids grow up, get a good education and become active, productive members of society may be her greatest joy. Marques served 22 years in the Air Force, got his bachelors and masters degrees and is now a certified public accountant (CPA) with State Employees Credit Union in Raleigh. Trina also served in the Air Force and Navy before going back to school at Vanderbilt University to get her masters degree in nurse practitioner studies. She practices and lives in Charlotte. Eric worked for the National Park Service at Cumberland Island, Ga., served as chief of police at UNC-Asheville for 11 years and is now police chief at UNC-Greensboro. He also has his bachelors and masters degree. Glorias advice to young folks Glorias got a simple, straightforward piece of advice to young people for achieving success: work hard, be honest, get a good education, pursue your dreams and never give up. Education is at the core of her advice. It worked well for her, her children and it will work for others, she said. McDowell Tech is fortunate to have friends like Ray McKesson, Gloria Boyce and other members of the NAACP McDowell County Chapter, said Merritt. Their tireless passion for education and improving the quality of life for people in McDowell County is evident from their ongoing support of scholarships for students at the college. We hope the NAACP Training Room in our Smith Building will be a lasting legacy that honors the vision, selfless dedication and hard work of NAACP members that will allow others to access higher education and achieve success and socioeconomic mobility for generations to come. Eritrea has rejoined the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), almost 16 years after withdrawing from it, announced Information Minister Yeman Meskel. Eritrea has resumed its activities within IGAD and its seat at the seven-country organizations Summit in Djibouti, said the Eritrean minister. He emphasized that the country was ready to work towards peace, stability and regional integration. Eritrea boycotted the regional bloc where it was an original member in 2007 citing bias. It was protesting an IGAD report linking it with extremist groups in Somalia. It suspended its membership of IGAD that year following a string of disagreements, including over the blocs decision to ask Kenya to oversee the resolution of a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. On a visit to Kenya early this year President Isaias said his country has no question about whether to return to Igad. At that time, he declared that, it is an obligation in the name of the people of the Horn of Africa and we have a responsibility to revitalize IGAD. We have to create an institution that is functional and result-oriented. Supporters of former President Donald Trump, drive near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse on June 13, 2023, in Miami. (Wilfredo Lee/AP) Donald Trump is set to make his first court appearance Tuesday in a historic criminal case accusing the former president of hoarding top secret government documents. Trump approached his arraignment with characteristic bravado, insisting as he has through years of legal woes that he has done nothing wrong and was being persecuted for political purposes. But the gravity of the moment was unmistakable as he answers to 37 felony counts that accuse him of willfully retaining classified records that prosecutors say could have jeopardized national security if exposed, then trying to hide them from investigators who demanded them back. [ What to expect when Donald Trump is charged in the documents case on Tuesday ] Watch live from outside the Miami courthouse below: King Mohammed VI affirmed that what todays world is witnessing is not so much a clash of civilizations but rather a clash of ignorances and that interfaith dialogue, meaningful coexistence, understanding and cooperation for the accomplishment of humanitarian goals would be key levers to build on in order to spare humanity the evils of strife, affliction and suffering. What our world is witnessing today is not so much a clash of civilizations as a clash of ignorances, the King said in a message he addressed this Tuesday to the participants in the International Parliamentary Conference on Dialogue of Religions Lets Cooperate for a Common Future, held in Marrakesh June 13 15. In this message that was read out by Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, the King stressed that the accomplishment of these humanitarian goals cannot be achieved unless we put words into action, show a keenness to revisit the concept of interfaith dialogue and achieve a quantum leap in collective awareness of the importance of dialogue and coexistence, and of the perils represented by persistent reclusiveness, fanaticism and introversion. The Sovereign expressed hope that the Marrakesh Conference, which is bringing together for the first time, parliamentarians, a large number of religious leaders, distinguished scholars, experts and researchers from all corners of the world, will come up with a rational and convincing response to the drifts towards intolerance, hatred, contempt for religions, and the treatment of people based on their faith, ethnicity or the color of their skin. I am sure your diverse political, intellectual and religious backgrounds constitute a key element for the fulfilment of this ambition. Whereas the parliamentarians participating in this conference are empowered to pass legislation that facilitates dialogue and staves off discourses of introversion and fanaticism, religious leaders and institutions, for their part, have a mission of guidance and awareness-raising; they can summon their spiritual authority to groom and guide, and to warn against perilous inclinations that ruin coexistence and fruitful interfaith dialogue, the King stated further in his message that was read out by speaker of the House of Representatives. The Sovereign warned that fearing a given religion or, to put it more correctly, prompting feelings of fear of that religion leads to hatred for the manifestations of that faith and for the civilization associated with it. This, then, leads to incitement against that religion, to discrimination and to acts of violence. Unfortunately, he deplored, many influential media organizations simply encourage, in their editorial line, a spiral of fanaticism and counter fanaticism. The King expressed hope that this conference will lead to action plans and that the three components represented there will play decisive roles in their implementation, at the level of each country as well as on a global scale. In this regard, the Sovereign emphasized the need to set a joint mechanism, to be coordinated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, whose mission would be to make interfaith dialogue a common, lofty goal for the entire international community. That goal should be defended in international forums and considered one of the key principles of democratic governance in parliamentary practice, as well as an indicator of respect for pluralism and cultural diversity, the king insisted, pointing out that since the very basis of coexistence is for religion to serve as a bulwark against extremism and not a vehicle for it the enforcement of this principle, together with due respect for other faiths, require pedagogical and educational efforts by schools, universities, the media, religious institutions and responsible public debate platforms. Expressing hope that the conferences declaration will include practical suggestions to achieve this objective, the King underlined the devastating consequences of disrespect and contempt for religions, the scale of the internal and transnational disasters they may cause, and their human and material cost to international stability, which is a prerequisite for institutional and democratic development, and for progress and prosperity. King Mohammed VI recalled all the efforts made by Morocco and its Kings to enhance the spirit of brotherhood, coexistence, cooperation and cohesion between all Moroccans Jews and Muslims alike one of the main pillars of Moroccan civilization, and explained how the urban fabric of Moroccan cities is replete with signs that are of great significance, with mosques, synagogues and churches standing not far from one another, attesting to the spiritual, human and cultural values inherent in Moroccan society, and to the importance of the tolerance underpinning it. Although Islam is the religion of the state, the Kingdoms Constitution stipulates that the state guarantees the free exercise of religious practices for all citizens. As I have always affirmed, in my capacity as King of Morocco and Commander of the Faithful, I am entrusted with ensuring the free practice of religious rites as well as the protection of Moroccan Jews and Christians from other countries, who live in Morocco. The Sovereign then stressed the importance he grants to coexistence and dialogue and his commitment to moderation and tolerance, and to the rejection of all forms of prejudice, hatred and extremism, underlining the accomplishments made by Morocco to foster the values of moderation, tolerance and coexistence, including the management of the religious domain and the performance of the institutions created for this purpose, including the ones provided for in the Constitution, and in particular the Higher Ulema Council the only institution qualified to issue fatwas, the aim being to prevent any deviation from the purpose of fatwas. The King also referred to the Mohammedia League of Ulema one of the main partners in the organization of this conference the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Murshidin and Murshidats, and the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, which brings together and coordinates the efforts of African Muslim scholars in order to shed light on and promote these values, saying this is in keeping with his commitment to the duty of solidarity and spiritual cooperation with our brothers and sisters in other African countries. We should keep in mind that if we manage to foster constructive interfaith, intercultural dialogue, we will be providing answers to many of the dilemmas and challenges threatening the future of coexistence and of our planet. All of us are in the same boat, facing a common destiny. As we rise to challenges, we must ponder on the world we will be bequeathing to the coming generations. This is as much the responsibility of parliaments, religious institutions and intellectual elites, as it is the duty of governments, civil society, and the media, the King insisted. King Mohammed VI pointed out that public opinion is misled into believing that what is unfolding is a clash of religions or civilizations. In fact, and as I stressed more than twenty years ago, at the opening of the 107th Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, what our world is witnessing today is not so much a clash of civilizations as a clash of ignorances. It is, indeed, regrettable that we keep hearing about acts of violence, persecution, and killing motivated by religious and sectarian beliefs, or cultural affiliation. It is also distressing to note that hostility to religions has become a favored subject used by some, as part of their outbidding electoral tactics, King Mohammed VI stated. 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell Reports Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101079 Scientists have now made substantial progress in predicting the path that COVID-19 will take in patients, finding sets of biological features that are associated with the course and severity of COVID-19. The findings were recently published in Cell Reports Medicine by researchers from Drexel University's College of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Yale, and other institutions nationwide. Researchers followed the participants540 adult COVID-19 patients from 20 hospitals nationwidefor up to 28 days after they entered the hospital. The team's data collection included 14 unique lab tests using nasal swabs, blood, plasma, and serum samples. Through the data collection, the team found five categories of paths that COVID-19 cases take, ranging from mild to severe cases that end in death. The findings should help clinical teams understand which COVID-19 patients are at higher risk of death and likely require swift and aggressive care to meet unique individual needs. "Thanks to the massive data analysis in this study, researchers now know factors at both the cellular and molecular levelthat are associated with severe COVID-19 disease and death," said study co-author Charles Cairns, MD, the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean, and senior vice president of medical affairs at the College of Medicine. "These factors that predict more severe diseasehigher viral load and higher inflammatory pathways in the airwayappear in patients fairly quicklywithin three days after admission to the hospital." The team looked at more than 15,000 blood and nasal samples for factors like possible indications of muscle damage, increases in white blood cells, changes in cells that line airways, and other factors that indicate increased inflammation and lower immunity, and less anti-viral response to fight the disease. "What's interesting is the association of delayed clearance of viral loadless ability to rid the body of the virusdespite having working antibodies, with death from COVID-19," said co-author Elias El Haddad, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Medicine. "Of course, we know COVID-19 vaccines work, but they're not the only factor at play in determining the path of disease. Different antibody response, among other factors, appears to play a noteworthy role." The findings are the latest data coming from the IMmunoPhenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort, or IMPACC, a national study that collected data from COVID-19 patients going back to the early days of the pandemic in 2020. This systems approach to data collectionanalyzing the interplay of a broad range of factors that influence the diseaseshould inform research to come on other pandemics. The authors note that future studies would benefit from data on pregnant women and children, two populations not included in this research. Although participant recruitment occurred before COVID-19 vaccines became available and before delta and omicron became the prevailing variants in the United States, the authors maintain that the insights learned from patients can inform standard practice for treating current patients for COVID-19. Despite the benefits of vaccines, antiviral medication, and public health measures, COVID-19 still circulates worldwide, but at lower numbers than earlier in the pandemic. The World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus placed the death toll to "at least 20 million (worldwide)" but said the pandemic "has been on a downward trend," as immunity increases and deaths decrease with increasing vaccination and infections. The U.S. Federal Government's COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11. Now manufacturers of vaccines, tests and the antiviral drug Paxlovid, as well as insurance companies, are authorized to set prices after the current stockpile of free supplies is distributed. More than 65 million individuals worldwideincluding about one in 10 people with a previous omicron infectionare estimated to have chronic symptoms that last for months or a year following a previous COVID-19 infection, a diagnosis known as "long COVID." Being unvaccinated raises the long-COVID risk to nearly one in five people, according to a BMJ study published last month. In 2022, Cairns and El Haddad, among many others from this research group, published a separate multi-center study in eBioMedicine that shared some characteristics linked with more severe COVID cases. 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 It's been almost four years since the coronavirus was discovered, and new developments and questions continue to unravel across the globe. The virus is now on its 16th omicron subvariant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Subvariants are mutations in the virus's genetic make-up. As of June 9, XBB.1.5 is the most dominant one circulating in the country at roughly 40%, the CDC's variant tracker estimation shows. A new variation, however, is on the rise. The Bee asked California infectious disease experts questions about the state of coronavirus today. Here's what we learned: What is the subvariant of concern? On the West Coast, omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is still dominant, but there's a new contender. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor and doctor specializing in infectious disease at the University of California, San Francisco said that XBB.1.5 is the one that's been around during the winter surge, but it's losing ground to a subvariant known as Arcturus, or XBB.1.16. He said it's rising steeply, from accounting for 2% of cases in early April to about 15% by May in the country. In the California region, 17.4% of cases are from XBB.1.16 as of early June. What are the symptoms of Arcturus? The symptoms are similar to previous omicron cases, experts say. This includes sore throat, nasal congestion and headache, Chin-Hong said. Some patients may also have runny nose, sneezing, cough, tiredness and body aches, said Dr. John Belko, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Kaiser Permanente Roseville. Symptoms that appear to stand out in these cases, however, are fever and pink eye, particularly in children. But these symptoms aren't new to COVID, nor does the subvariant appear to be associated with severe disease, Belko said. "Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID has been known to cause eye pain, itching, burning and conjunctivitis," Belkos said. "It has also been isolated in tears and the higher the concentration of the virus in tears is associated with more severe symptoms." Chin-Hong added that while some people may have more serious symptoms due to being older or immunocompromised and not up-to-date with vaccines, some people might not have any symptoms. How does COVID cause pink eye? Pink eye is when the thin layer of the cells covering your eyes is inflamed. This happens when there's an infection, exposure to chemicals or allergens, Belkos said. "We know that cells in the conjunctiva have ACE2 receptors on themwhich are the bindings sites for the spike protein on COVID," he said. Is the COVID pink eye different from non-COVID pink eye? Belkos said the symptoms are much like regular pink eye and will usually resolve in a week. There is no specific treatment for pink eye, he said, but if you do get it, avoid rubbing your eyes as this can cause further damage to and can possibly spread the virus to others. You should also wash your hands frequently and consider using artificial tears or cold compresses if you are experiencing discomfort. Are cases going to surge this summer? With more travel and as immunity wanes, COVID cases may rise in the summer. "We're already seeing that happening in wastewater in New York..." Chin-Hong said, adding that wastewater testing is usually an early warning sign. CBS reported on June 2 that high concentrations of COVID were detected in all 14 New York City wastewater treatment plants. "We have the ability to change the end of the story," he said, "by having, particularly, the vulnerable populations get up-to-date on their interventions." 2023 The Sacramento Bee. 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: Kendrick Davis is a health sciences associate clinical professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at UC Riverside. Credit: Stan Lim, UC Riverside. Most of us now use emoji to convey feelings or thoughts, a practice that has become ubiquitous along with the use of smartphones. Could such emoji have use in medical communication? Yes, according to three researchers, including Kendrick A. Davis of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, who argue in an invited commentary that the use of emoji in health care communication presents many advantages, including their universal appeal and accessibility to diverse populations. The commentary, titled "Interpreting Emoji: A Language for Enhancing Communication in Health Care," published today in JAMA Network Open, advances a strong case for the use of emoji to improve communication between patients and physicians. "By promoting more effective communication between patients and care providers, as well as between clinicians themselves, a universal emoji-based language system with a common agreement of meanings can be developed," the researchers write. Davis, a health sciences associate clinical professor of psychiatry and neuroscience, has been designing an emoji-based measurement system for the past two and a half years and has a study, approved by the UCR Institutional Review Board, that uses emoji to measure mental health in college students. "Emoji have universal appeal," Davis said. "Their use can bypass levels of education, language, and age. They open a bridge for communication." Davis explained that most communication in the medical field is not purely linguistic and usually involves surveys or questionnaires. But that is where breakdowns occur. "Surveys are usually circulated to patients in a variety of different stages of their care. But many surveys are wrought with language that can introduce a barrier," he said. "This is where emoji, which are friendly and universally utilized, come into play by replacing survey language that can be hard for some patients to understand." Davis' co-authors on the commentary are emoji research pioneer Dr. Shuhan He of Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts and Jennifer 8. Lee of Emojination and Unicode Consortium in California. They note that "to establish a standardized set of medically relevant emoji, it is crucial for medical societies and relevant organizations to not only endorse individual emoji but also come together to agree on a comprehensive set of symbols that are universally recognized and understood." The trio note in their commentary that effective communication is essential for successful treatment and care, but certain health situations, such as stroke, brain injury, or vocal impairments, can create substantial barriers. "This barrier could be difficulty speaking while being mechanically ventilated," Davis said. "A patient could also simply not be able to speak while receiving clinical care. Emoji can be helpful in such situations with the patient simply pointing to an emoji on a scale to indicate how they feel. Emoji can also be useful in countries where illiteracy is high." According to Davis, the length of medical surveys and their low response rates are major obstacles to data collection. "Emoji addresses both these issues," he said. "With emoji you can greatly condense the questionnaire sent out to patients. Hopefully, this appeals to patients, leading to an increase in response rates. I have designed more than 500 surveys and questionnaires for the UCR School of Medicine in the past 10 years. I have found people don't respond well to surveys. No one wants to answer pages and pages of questions, no matter how they are incentivized. With emoji, you can condense the content and quickly get to the point of the most pressing issues and questions." A quantitative researcher, Davis acknowledged that qualitative methods are also useful. "We, who are quantitatively biased, inevitably miss some information," he said. "We need a qualitative lens. I am looking to partner with researchers who would like to work with us and are qualitatively heavy in their methodology." Despite the popularity of emoji, Davis believes a large population worldwide is not aware of their power. "They can feel cartoonish," he said. "We hope our commentary will bring more legitimacy to the understanding that there is a future for emoji beyond their cartoon-like illustration. Emoji have a lot of power because they are so readily used in communication and exclude only few populations, such as the visually impaired. If the use of emoji is meaningful in communication with doctors and patients, it's probably meaningful in communication in other spaces where services and products are delivered to people." Davis is passionate about the UCR School of Medicine addressing the shortage of primary care doctors in Inland Southern California, a geographically large, ethnically diverse, and rapidly growing region of 4.64 million people. The region is medically underserved with only 41 primary care physicians, or PCPs, for every 100,000 people as compared to the recommended ratio of 6080 PCPs per 100,000 according to the California Health Care Foundation. "Almost 40% of Americans are on Medicare and Medicaid, which are strained and service primarily the poor," he said. "It is PCPs who service these Americans, which means it is the impoverished population that receives the bulk of primary care. But if Medicare and Medicaid are strained to even provide care, they have few resources for data collection and reporting. That's what we are trying to address." More information: Interpreting Emoji: A Language for Enhancing Communication in Health Care, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.18073 Journal information: JAMA Network 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: Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium that usually attacks the lungs but can target any part of the body. Credit: CDC on Unsplash European researchers are tackling the world's most lethal infectious disease as part of efforts to end it by 2035. Dr. Cristina Vilaplana is a medical doctor passionate about helping patients with tuberculosis (TB). Her research could make a difference to a lot of people. Each year globally, around 10 million adults and children fall ill with TB and 1.6 million people die. This makes it the world's leading infectious-disease killer. While countries with high TB rates include China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines, Europe also still faces the disease. "You might think TB is eradicated in Europe, but this is not the case," said Vilaplana, who works at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, or IGTP, in Barcelona, Spain. She points to a persistence of high numbers of TB in small pocketsmostly socially deprived communitiesacross the continent. Although the disease was temporarily knocked off the top spot by COVID-19, lockdowns and disruptions during the pandemic meant that fewer people were diagnosed and treated for TB than usual, storing up trouble. In March this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that TB deaths in the European region increased in 2021 compared with 2020. This is the first time in 20 years TB cases have been on the rise, prompting concerns about the feasibility of a goal to end the disease by 2035. Lasting damage Like COVID-19, TB is spread through the air from one person to another. People infected with the tuberculosis bacteria can remain symptom-free. Once the disease takes hold, however, the patient suffers both from the damage caused by the bacteria itself and from the inflammation that results as the body fights back. Currently, about half of all tuberculosis patients are left with permanent damage. This means that, even when cured of the bacterial infection, they may still have a lasting effect that leaves them struggling to breathe when carrying out daily activities such as walking. "Patients are cured but don't feel better," Vilaplana said. "I want them to feel better." The insight led her to test some existing, common anti-inflammatory medications in mice with TB. When the mice were given ibuprofen or aspirin, their lungs suffered less damage. As a result, the EU-funded SMA-TB project led by Vilaplana is investigating whether these widely available and relatively safe drugs could potentially also help patients with TB recover more fully from the disease. The project, which began in January 2020, runs through June 2024. It will feed data from the TB patients into a medical algorithm with the aim of predicting the course of the disease and identifying those people who will respond best to anti-inflammatory drugs. This will help doctors come up with more personalized options for patients to recover better. Urine, breath tests Across Europe, researchers are exploring new ways to tackle the disease. "TB is far from eradicated," said Dr. Jose Dominguez, a tuberculosis researcher who is also based at the IGTP and leads another EU-funded project called INNOVA4TB. Combining expertise from 16 research institutions in six countries, the initiative is seeking simpler ways of diagnosing TB and groundbreaking treatments for it. The project started in January 2019 and runs through June 2024. One strand being investigated is finding new biomarkersa biological indicator of the body's internal condition such as blood pressure or cholesterol levelsto make diagnosis quicker, cheaper and more accessible. For example, the researchers have discovered tell-tale molecules in urine that are not only able to diagnose the illness but can potentially flag when a person is moving from a sleeping, or "latent," infection to an active one. This is important because, while people in the transition stage to active TB may not yet have symptoms, they can still be contagious and spread the disease to family and friends. "If you can identify patients who will suffer from tuberculosis, you could treat them with drugs and avoid progression," said Dominguez. Work is also underway on ways to diagnose TB simply by testing a person's breath. These two diagnostic approaches have several advantages over the existing sputum test, which requires patients to cough up mucus from the lungs. For one, they will be less unpleasant for people, especially children, who struggle with the sputum test. The new tests will also be easy to conduct outside a hospital setting and the results will be available quicklyelements that could be useful in poorer countries and rural regions. Resistant strains A worrying development has been the emergence of drug-resistant TB, especially in countries like Moldova and Ukraine. First-line antibiotics don't work in such cases and the drugs given to patients instead can have serious side effects. Moreover, it can take 18 months fully to treat drug-resistant forms of the disease. "Imagine taking pills for one and a half years," said Dominguez. "It is not easy for patients to follow this treatment." A team of INNOVA4TB researchers is developing and evaluating a test that can tell whether a person is infected with drug-resistant TB within three hours, allowing doctors to start treatment immediately. Evaluations of the test in different locations are due to start soon in both Europe and India. Another team is using DNA sequencing to identify and monitor drug-resistant TB strains in Ukraine and Moldova. This will help ensure that treatments offered are the most effective available. New drugs, deliveries On the treatment front, the researchers have honed in on the marine environment as a rich source of potential new antimicrobial agents and are working to isolate new strains of Actinobacteria from the Black Sea with a view to developing new treatment options. The project is also exploring new ways of delivering drugs deeper into the lungs. Traditionally this goal has been challenging because the lungs' natural defense mechanisms work to remove or inactivate anything that appears foreign. Nanoparticles are emerging as a good vehicle for drug delivery and this area has interesting potential, according to Dominguez. He said such future treatments could perhaps be delivered via a spray directly to the lungs. "The project is trying to help both European citizens and worldwide TB patients," said Dominguez. 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: Up to 80 percent of familiar medications like antibiotics and painkillers used in France are produced abroad, especially in China. France will bring home production of around 50 crucial medications for which it currently depends on imports, President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday, hoping to battle shortages of items like antibiotics and paracetamol. Of the initial slate of drugs with a "clear dependence on imports from outside the EU", 25 "will have their production re-shored or significantly increased... in the coming weeks," Macron said during a visit to a pharmaceuticals factory in southern France. The announcement comes after a March survey by pollsters BVA found 37 percent of people had already run into shortages at the pharmacy. Up to 80 percent of familiar medications like antibiotics and painkillers used in France are produced abroad, especially in China. Some of the drugs are still made in France, but at volumes that fail to match demand. Over the winter, Europe faced shortages of key antibiotic amoxicillin and other medications as surging illnesses particularly among children have increased demand for the drugs. Under Macron's plan, public money to the tune of 160 million euros ($173 million) will go to support eight of the new projects, including for amoxycillinproduced by British pharma giant GSK in northwestern Franceas well as anesthetics, painkillers and cancer drugs. Companies would be able to apply for a share of a further 50 million euros in funding, Macron said. The 50 drugs flagged by Macron are among a list of 450 drawn up by the health ministry for which "we must absolutely secure our supply chains, either by completely re-shoring or diversifying (supply) and continuing to innovate," the president said. Tuesday's pharma announcements mark the first step in a week dedicated to industrial projects, which Macron hopes will move public attention on from the battles over his widely-disliked pension reform. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Immigrants migrating to the U.S. face all kinds of hurdles, but after arriving stateside, the hardships continue, which can result in additional psychological distress, according to new research from Rice University. "Cuento de nunca acabar (never-ending story): Compounding trauma and mental health among undocumented Latinx immigrants" appears in a recent edition of the Journal of Traumatic Stress. The study was conducted among 253 Latino immigrants living without documentation along the U.S.-Mexico border. Luz Garcini, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice, faculty at the Center for U.S. and Mexico at the Baker Institute and the study's lead author, said that research examining the effects of distressing events in the lives of these immigrants often focuses on assessing post-traumatic stress disorder or general psychological distress prior to living in the U.S. However, she said more attention must be paid to their post-migration lives, and that was the motivation for this work. "Simply focusing on pre-migration trauma may cloud our understanding of how trauma impacts mental health across all stages of migration," she said. "In this particular study, we really tried to understand how the different individual traumatic events influenced symptoms of anxiety and depression among undocumented immigrants, and how the events and symptoms persisted after migration." For the study, the researchers conducted in-depth clinical interviews with the participants. On average, the respondents had experienced four different types of traumatic events. Among the most frequent were crime, death of a loved one, and victimization due to their unauthorized status in the U.S. Garcini, and her fellow authors found that bodily abuse/beatings, poor health without access to medical care, sexual humiliation and/or lack of food or water were the most relevant experiences explaining severe anxiety and depression post-migration. Garcini stated that many of the struggles these immigrants face after arriving in the U.S. stem from their lack of documentation. "In most situations, they are fearful of asking for help because it would mean being discovered and forced to leave the U.S.," Garcini said. The researchers said that a variety of different approaches should be considered when assessing immigration-related trauma, including identifying barriers and facilitators to access to treatment for immigrants' specific forms of anxiety and depression in a culturally informed manner. They also wrote that immigration reform that opens paths for authorized migration could decrease the risk of trauma exposure. More information: Cynthia M Navarro Flores et al, Cuento de nunca acabar [neverending story]: Compounding trauma and mental health among undocumented Latinx immigrants, Journal of Traumatic Stress (2023). DOI: 10.1002/jts.22929 Journal information: Journal of Traumatic Stress 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 A groundbreaking machine-learning study has unmasked the best drug combinations to prevent COVID-19 from coming back after an initial infection. It turns out these combos are not the same for every patient. Using real-world data from a hospital in China, the UC Riverside-led study found that individual characteristics, including age, weight, and additional illness determine which drug combinations most effectively reduce recurrence rates. This finding has been published in the journal Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence. That the data came from China is significant for two reasons. First, when patients are treated for COVID-19 in the U.S, it is normally with one or two drugs. Early in the pandemic, doctors in China could prescribe as many as eight different drugs, enabling analysis of more drug combinations. Second, COVID-19 patients in China must quarantine in a government-run hotel after being discharged from the hospital, which allows researchers to learn about reinfection rates in a more systematic way. "That makes this study unique and interesting. You can't get this kind of data anywhere else in the world," said Xinping Cui, UCR statistics professor and study author. The study project began in April 2020, about a month into the pandemic. At the time, most studies were focused on death rates. However, doctors in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, were more concerned about recurrence rates because fewer people there were dying. "Surprisingly, nearly 30% of patients became positive again within 28 days of being released from the hospital," said Jiayu Liao, associate professor of bioengineering and study co-author. Data for more than 400 COVID patients was included in the study. Their average age was 45, most were infected with moderate cases of the virus, and the group was evenly divided by gender. Most were treated with one of various combinations of an antiviral, an anti-inflammatory, and an immune-modulating drug, such as interferon or hydroxychloroquine. That various demographic groups had better success with different combinations can be traced to the way the virus operates. "COVID-19 suppresses interferon, a protein cells make to inhibit invading viruses. With defenses lowered, COVID can replicate until the immune system explodes in the body, and destroys tissues," explained Liao. People who had weaker immune systems prior to COVID infection required an immune-boosting drug to fight the infection effectively. Younger peoples' immune systems become overactive with infection, which can lead to excessive tissue inflammation and even death. To prevent this, younger people require an immune suppressant as part of their treatment. "When we get treatment for diseases, many doctors tend to offer one solution for people 18 and up. We should now reconsider age differences, as well as other disease conditions, such as diabetes and obesity," Liao said. Most of the time, when conducting drug efficacy tests, scientists design a clinical trial in which people having the same disease and baseline characteristics are randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups. But that approach does not consider other medical conditions that may affect how the drug worksor doesn't workfor specific sub-groups. Because this study utilized real-world data, the researchers had to adjust for factors that could affect the outcomes they observed. For example, if a certain drug combination was given mostly to older people and proved ineffective, it would not be clear whether the drug is to blame or the person's age. "For this study, we pioneered a technique to attack the challenge of confounding factors by virtually matching people with similar characteristics who were undergoing different treatment combinations," Cui said. "In this way, we could generalize the efficacy of treatment combinations in different subgroups." While COVID-19 is better understood today, and vaccines have greatly reduced death rates, there remains much to be learned about treatments and preventing reinfections. "Now that recurrence is more of a concern, I hope people can use these results," Cui said. Machine learning has been used in many areas related to COVID, such as disease diagnosis, vaccine development and drug design, in addition to this new analysis of multi-drug combinations. Liao believes the technology will have an even bigger role to play going forward. "In medicine, machine learning and artificial intelligence have not yet had as much impact as I believe they will in the future," Liao said. "This project is a great example of how we can move toward truly personalized medicine." More information: Song Zhai et al, Learning from real world data about combinatorial treatment selection for COVID-19, Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence (2023). DOI: 10.3389/frai.2023.1123285 Journal information: Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence 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 Many people envision mental health counselors as professionals who sit in an office helping clients work through trauma and emotional difficulties. But many counseling students are pursuing civic engagement as part of their training. Two articles in Counseling Education and Supervision highlight pilot programs aimed at training counselors on how to get involved in antiracism and community support efforts. The articles appear as part of a special issue that offers ideas on how counseling educators and supervisors can add multicultural training, advocacy and social justice curriculum to counselor training programs. The pilot programs center on the notion of healing entire communities, rather than just individuals, and of breaking down racist systems. These approaches also look to identify and utilize the strengths and resilience of oppressed groups. Antiracism Internship: Applying the ecological social justice school counseling theory In one program, school counseling interns learned antiracist activism by addressing health risks in schools. This initiative relied on the ecological social justice school counseling (ESJSC) theory, which focuses on addressing systemic racism that affects students' personal and academic lives. Kaprea F. Johnson, a professor at The Ohio State University, served as lead author on the article. By applying ESJSC to their work, the internsworking at different elementary, middle and high schoolstook such actions as developing assessment tools to better identify students facing food and housing insecurity, as well as physical and mental health problems. One intern and her supervisor reported they helped an emancipated student apply for government assistance so she could focus on graduating. Another intern developed a resource and information packet to give to families based on the students' needs. The interns "reported that the use of the ESJSC theory helped them to see students holistically" and "as much more than just students, but as individuals with complex stories, backgrounds and experiences," Johnson and colleagues wrote. The Social Justice Consultation Corps: An interdisciplinary training initiative An initiative called the Social Justice Consultation Corps (SJCC) at the University of Florida (UF) involved recruiting counselors-in-training to help racial-minority and LGBTQ+ student organizations working toward social justice. The trainees provided emotional support for the groups and helped them deal with intergroup conflicts that might have impeded their work. The trainees reported they made valuable connections and bolstered their clinical skills. "Consultants were somewhat surprised to realize their role was not to restructure or solve a problem within a student organization, but more so to facilitate organizational and interpersonal healing," the authors wrote. The SJCC program could serve as a model for training in social justice work, according to authors Hannah Bayne, who until recently was a faculty member at UF and is now at Virginia Tech; UF doctoral student Jeanette Mejia; and Della V. Mosely, a psychologist and activist in Durham, North Carolina. Both articles are published in the journal Counselor Education and Supervision. More information: Kaprea F. Johnson et al, Antiracism internship: Applying the ecological social justice school counseling theory, Counselor Education and Supervision (2022). DOI: 10.1002/ceas.12253 Hannah B. Bayne et al, The Social Justice Consultation Corps: An interdisciplinary training initiative, Counselor Education and Supervision (2022). DOI: 10.1002/ceas.12256 Provided by American Counseling Association This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Research led by the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, has looked into mortality estimates due to various causes when accounting for smoking status. In the paper "Updating the Know Your Chances Website to Include Smoking Status as a Risk Factor for Mortality Estimates," published in JAMA Network Open, the researchers assessed the weight and significance of smoking status, currently missing from the Know Your Chances interactive risk charts on the National Cancer Institute website. Using data from the National Cancer Institute's Know Your Chances website, the researchers found that the chance of death due to causes like heart disease, lung cancer, and all causes combined can be altered dramatically by smoking status. Data on risk in the Know Your Chances charts does not differentiate by smoking status but offers general mortality risk across populations. The study findings suggest that mortality estimates are too low for smokers and too high for non-smokers. To make intelligent decisions about avoiding death, people need reliable information about the threats, the risks and some context as to how they should be compared. Often information on mortality is presented by age, sex, and race but rarely accounts for smoking status, a significant risk factor for many causes of death. To find the influence of smoking, the researchers pooled previously published data from five U.S. cohorts with 421,378 men and 532,651 women aged 55 or older. For smoking-related causes of death, the general population mortality estimates were found to consistently underestimate the risk for smokers and overestimate mortality for non-smokers and former smokers. The authors give an example of a 60-year-old white male with a general population average death risk over ten years by any cause of 14.5%. If that individual were a lifelong non-smoker, the adjusted risk would be just 9.7%. A former smoker does slightly better than the general population average at 13.2%, which is good news for folks who have quit successfully, as the alternative is much worse. If the 60-year-old white male is a smoker, the risk jumps to 27.3%, nearly twice the general population average and almost three times the risk compared to a never-smoker. Similar patterns were discovered across age, sex, and race. For lifelong non-smoking women, the ten-year risk of breast cancer mortality was slightly above all other causes after ages 30-35. For women who smoke, lung cancer and coronary heart disease took over as the leading causes of death. According to the CDC, around 11.5% of Americans currently smoke cigarettes. That this small percentage of the population can so dramatically affect the statistical mortality risk rate, effectively obscuring accurate risk rates from 88.5% of the population, is alarming. The study findings could affect how research resource allocators choose which diseases to target or policymakers' attempts to fund solutions to the biggest threats to human health. Avoiding mortality on a daily basis seems an easy enough task, but in the end, death will get everyone. The current study reminds us that it is not so much the thing at the end that gets us, but the daily behaviors that lead to a more likely end, and depending on our choices, a much shorter or longer life. More information: Steven Woloshin et al, Updating the Know Your Chances Website to Include Smoking Status as a Risk Factor for Mortality Estimates, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.17351 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 2023 Science X Network Soldiers with the 28th Mechanized Brigade, positioned several miles south of Bakhmut, Ukraine, fire a rocket-propelled grenade toward Russian positions on June 10, 2023. In fierce battles along the front line this past week, Ukraines push to reclaim lost territory is taking shape. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) After months of speculation about when Ukraines long-anticipated counteroffensive will begin, we now have an answer: right now. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops, many of them trained at military bases in Europe and outfitted with heavy Western armor, are now launching simultaneous operations at several points along the 600-mile-long front line in the countrys east and south. Counteroffensive and defensive actions are taking place in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed during a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last weekend. At what stage, I will not say in detail. How well those operations are going is difficult to say in the fog of war, when conflicting information causes one to doom-spiral for accuracy. Success, or the lack thereof, depends on whom you ask. The Ukrainians have claimed successes in four small villages in the Donetsk region; whereas, the Russians are triumphantly touting their stiff resistance and publishing photos of destroyed German tanks. The United Kingdoms Defense Ministry, which publishes daily assessments of the fighting, wrote on Saturday that Ukrainian performance has been uneven depending on which area of the front is being examined. The only thing that is certain in these early days is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milleys observation last week: This will be a back-and-forth fight for a considerable length of time. Advertisement Everything else is a mystery. This includes what success actually looks like. Even on this fundamental question, the answer depends on who is being asked. For the Ukrainians, success is straightforward: complete, total military victory over the aggressors. This translates into every Russian boot off every square inch of Ukrainian land, including areas of the country like Crimea that Russian forces have controlled for nearly a decade. Zelenskyy has been unequivocal on this point. Whereas Kyiv may have been willing to discuss Russias territorial claims, however unjustified they were, at the beginning of the war, the Ukrainian governments position has hardened considerably as the fighting has gone on. Look no further than Zelenskyys 10-point peace proposal, which equates to a list of surrender terms for Moscow. Ukraines partners in the West, however, likely have a different definition of what success entails. Kyiv may be aiming for the sky, but countries that have been backfilling Ukraines war effort with tens of billions of dollars in defensive equipment view those aims as pie-in-the-sky ambitions that are nice to think about but difficult to realize practically. While President Joe Biden remains publicly effusive to the Ukrainians and deferential to Kyivs wants and desires, U.S. officials are nevertheless highly skeptical the Ukrainians can reclaim all of their land and deal Russia an unequivocal military defeat. This has less to do with the Ukrainian armys talent and capability the Ukrainians have defied the expectations of pretty much every military analyst on the planet and more about Russian President Vladimir Putins willingness to keep pouring men and resources into the war. Advertisement For Ukraine, victory on the battlefield is the only acceptable outcome; for Putin, defeat is not an option. The result of this equation is a long war that could drag on for years. Which leads to yet another question: Are the U.S. and its NATO allies prepared to maintain the present rate of military assistance to Kyiv for years on end? The U.S. alone has provided about $40 billion in military aid to Kyiv, or an average of $2.5 billion every month, since the first Russian missiles slammed into Ukrainian targets about 16 months ago. The pace of assistance has stretched the U.S. defense industrial complex and has reduced the U.S. militarys own stocks, so much so that the Pentagon has asked Congress to appropriate more than $30 billion to refill its munitions stockpile. It will take five years for the U.S. to replace its arsenal of Javelin anti-tank missiles and 13 years to replace all the Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Is the Biden administration, and any subsequent administration, able to keep this up for years and years? And if the answer is yes, then what other national defense priorities will Washington de-emphasize? To date, there is little evidence U.S. officials have pondered these questions, let alone debated them. Speaking of queries, heres another one: What if Ukraines counteroffensive does make significant headway and the Russians are forced to withdraw from some of the territory they now control? How could this possibly be a bad thing? Well, because nobody can be absolutely certain how Putin would react. Actions have consequences foreseen and unforeseen. We may all like to think Putin would hear the news, finally conclude that his entire war effort was a self-inflicted wound of epic proportions and give the order to withdraw to save himself from further embarrassment. But thats the absolute best-case scenario, and policymakers cant afford to base their plans on rosy assumptions. Its more likely Putin would double down on his pursuit to maintain whatever land his forces control and, over time, attempt to reclaim the territory that was lost. Nothing in Putins disposition over the previous 16 months points to a man who will back down when confronted with the prospect of defeat. If anything, the opposite has occurred: Putin has mobilized hundreds of thousands of additional men and ordered the systematic bombardment of Ukraines power sources, and he was perhaps culpable in the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. For those in the middle of it, the counteroffensive will be hell on earth. For those of us trying to make sense of it, clear-cut answers are in short supply. Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Advertisement Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@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: Patient transfer decision-making framework. Credit: Journal of General Internal Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08237-w During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers were frequently called upon to make decisions about whether to accept patient transfers from other hospitals, often due to a lack of beds, staff or the need for more specialized care. These decisions would potentially prove to be the difference between life and death. While existing guidelines for health care workers provide recommendations for how to allocate scarce resources in the hospital such as ventilators, recommendations for making decisions about transferring patients between hospitals were lacking. A study from the University of Michigan Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine examined the factors that went into this decision-makingand the moral distress that often resulted from it. Via interviews with 21 physicians, nurses, and staff at hospitals across Michigan, the researchers, led by Emily Harlan, M.D., of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Andrew Shuman, M.D., of the Department of Otolaryngology in Head and Neck Surgery, identified three categories of factors that affected decisions to accept transfer patients: decision-maker, environmental and patient. Decision-maker factors included the professional background of the person responsible for transfer choices. For example, physicians involved in transfer decisions were administrators who considered overall hospital capacity before deciding. Additionally, nurses were involved in triaging patients, information gathering and often responsible for discouraging family-initiated transfer requests. Environmental factors included whether the receiving hospital was experiencing resource strain, for example, lacking space, staffing for beds, or equipment. Those interviewed revealed that many hospitals had to change their transfer processes, creating centralized transfer centers, or initiating remote support via telephone to create virtual intensive care units. Finally, patient factors, such as severity of illness, the need for specialty care, and the likelihood of survival with escalated care played a significant role in decisions around who was transferred. Close to 86% of those surveyed expressed moral distress, mostly related to denying patient transfers when there was no hospital capacity or to choosing which patient to accept from a long list of transfer requests. Moral distress is an important problem to address given the health care workforce is already facing high rates of burnout and staff shortages. Given the impact on patients and clinicians, the authors suggest that guidelines be created to support decision-making about transfers and resource allocation, and that collaborative transfer teams be set up to potentially reduce the burden of decision-making and improve the patient transfer process. The paper is published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. More information: Emily A. Harlan et al, Inter-hospital Transfer Decision-making During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study, Journal of General Internal Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08237-w Journal information: Journal of General Internal 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: Sunil Ahuja, Muthu Manoharan et al. describe immune resilience to explain why some people, regardless of age, have impact immune systems and reduced inflammation while others do not. The blue-clad spheres are T-cells. The lower sphere is COVID-19 featuring its characteristic red spike proteins. Credit: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, working with collaborators in five countries, have revealed that the capacity to resist or recover from infections and other sources of inflammatory stresscalled "immune resilience"differs widely among individuals. The researchers developed a unique set of metrics to quantify the level of immune resilience. This will aid in decisions for health care and help researchers understand differences in life span and health outcomes in persons of similar ages. These findings were published in Nature Communications. Although age plays an important role in the body's response to infectious and other inflammatory stressors, some persons preserve and/or restore optimal immune resilience regardless of age, noted first and senior author Sunil K. Ahuja, MD, professor at UT Health Science Center San Antonio with a specialty in infectious diseases. He is director of the Veterans Administration (VA) Center for Personalized Medicine, a national center within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. "Immune resilience is the capacity to maintain good immune function, called immunocompetence, and minimize inflammation while experiencing inflammatory stressors," said Weijing He, MD, co-author and senior research scientist at the VA Center for Personalized Medicine and Foundation for Advancing Veterans' Health Research. "We found that during aging and when experiencing inflammatory stress, some persons resist degradation of immune resilience." The laboratory tests developed to assess levels of immune resilience were evaluated in nearly 50,000 persons of differing ages and types of challenges to their immune systems. This evaluation demonstrated that individuals with optimal levels of immune resilience were more likely to: Live longer. Resist HIV and influenza infections. Resist AIDS. Resist recurrence of skin cancer after kidney transplant. Survive COVID-19 infection. Survive sepsis. The researchers measured immune resilience in two ways: By measuring the balance between CD8 + and CD4 + T-cells, which are types of white blood cells. T-cells fight infections, but an imbalance in their levels occurs in many infectious and autoimmune diseases. The balance between CD8 + and CD4 + T-cells, divided into four distinct categories called immune health grades, was measured in varied infection cohorts and across the age spectrum. and CD4 T-cells, which are types of white blood cells. T-cells fight infections, but an imbalance in their levels occurs in many infectious and autoimmune diseases. The balance between CD8 and CD4 T-cells, divided into four distinct categories called immune health grades, was measured in varied infection cohorts and across the age spectrum. By measuring the expression levels of genes linked with immunocompetence and a greater chance of survival versus those linked with inflammation and a higher risk of death. The gene expression markers signifying high immunocompetence and low inflammation were identified with the immune health grade tracking optimal immune resilience. "Many people think of inflammation alone when considering disease outcomes," explained co-author Grace C. Lee, PharmD, Ph.D., research investigator at the VA Center for Personalized Medicine and assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. "However, the concept of immune resilience captures levels of immunocompetence and inflammation together." 'A step forward' The study introduces the novel concept of immune resilience, which looks at the balance between immunocompetence and inflammation as a critical contributor to health outcomes, regardless of age. "This is an advantage and a step forward because by looking beyond inflammation, we may uncover new prevention and treatment strategies for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS and cancers," Lee said. Framingham analysis Muthu Saravanan Manoharan, MS, co-author and senior research scientist at the VA Center for Personalized Medicine and UT Health Science Center San Antonio, noted that the study team divided participants from the Framingham Heart Study into four groups based on the gene expression markers of immune resilience. "Participants with optimal immune resilience, defined by gene expression markers signifying high immunocompetence and low inflammation, lived longer after controlling for the effects of age and sex," Manoharan said. "Participants with metrics signifying low immunocompetence-high inflammation died sooner, whereas those with a combination of high immunocompetence-high inflammation, or low immunocompetence-low inflammation, had life spans that fell in between." Influenza The study team also examined gene expression markers of immune resilience in a population of healthy college students and individuals in the community, all under age 50, who had blood drawn before the influenza season started. On the day of the first symptoms, most participants, including those with optimal immune resilience before the flu-like illness, had gene expression profiles indicating low immunocompetence and high inflammation, which is noted in persons with shorter life spans. Many people restored their initial level of immune resilience during recovery; however, even some of those who had optimal immune resilience before influenza infection failed to do so. "Six months after their flu, some people continued to have gene expression signatures of poor immune health," noted Nathan Harper, MS, co-author and senior biostatistician at the VA Center for Personalized Medicine and Foundation for Advancing Veterans' Health Research. "This is rather striking, because it means that inflammatory stressors like influenza can degrade a vulnerable person's immune health long term." Sex workers The study examined female sex workers from Kenya. During a long-term study, the immune health grades of those with unprotected sex decreased. "Most of the HIV acquisition occurred in women who had lower immune health grades," said Lyle R. McKinnon, Ph.D., co-author and associate professor in the Max Rady College of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, at the University of Manitoba, Canada. "With guidance and tools for safe sex practices, women with a lower frequency of unprotected sex over a 10-year time frame had restored optimal immune resilience, suggesting that removal of an immunological stressor could lead to the restoration of a healthier immune status." HIV-AIDS In one of the cohorts, the authors observed a rare ability to maintain a high level of immunocompetence with a low level of inflammation despite chronic inflammatory stress, termed elite immune health status. "Interestingly, we found that some younger adults preserved optimal immune resilience markers despite HIV infection," said Jason F. Okulicz, MD, U.S. Air Force infectious disease physician and senior member of the study team. "The preservation of these markers associated with resistance to developing AIDS and a low level of HIV in the blood. Remarkably, we found that after starting antiviral therapy early, some HIV-positive persons manifested markers of optimal immune resilience typically observed in younger adults without HIV infection." COVID-19 The association between immune resilience and the response to infection was noted during other infections. About 80% of individuals had poor immune health grades at presentation with acute COVID-19, and their immune grade predicted mortality, regardless of age. "Even among patients with serious community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis, those who had higher levels of gene expression markers of immune resilience at admission to the intensive care unit were more likely to survive," noted co-author Justin Meunier, BS, research scientist at the VA Center for Personalized Medicine. Kidney transplant recipients Immune resilience was also measured in kidney transplant recipients, who have a 100-fold excess risk of developing skin cancer. Each of the participants had developed this cancer once after transplant. "We explored the risk of getting a second cancer, dependent on immune health grades at the time each participant had the first cancer," said Matthew J. Bottomley, MD, DPhil, academic clinical lecturer in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford. "We found that, if someone had optimal immune resilience at the time of the first cancer, they resisted getting their second cancer." In collaboration with investigators from Sardinia, the authors examined blood immune cell profiles of nearly 4,000 otherwise healthy individuals. "We found that irrespective of age, persons with poor immune resilience had immune cell profiles reflecting increased immune activation," noted co-author Edoardo Fiorillo, Ph.D., of the Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Council of Research, Lanusei, Italy. "Interestingly, we observed that nonhuman primates with poor immune resilience also manifested similar immune cell profiles." Females show greater immune resilience One consistent finding throughout the populations studied was that age was not the single determinant factor in a person's response to inflammatory stress. Some younger persons with poor immune resilience had the same signatures and immune health grades commonly seen in older persons. This finding suggests that the ability to restore and maintain immunocompetence at younger ages may be linked to life span. Another factor noted across the populations and species was that higher levels of optimal immune resilience were observed more often in females than males. Genetic studies in humans and evaluation of mice with a genetic basis to have lower immune resilience suggest that immune resilience may be calibrated by variations in genes. Notably, mice with lower immune resilience were most susceptible to severe Ebola infection. Understanding risks Public health ramifications of immune checkups could be significant, Ahuja said. He noted that assessment of immune health grades estimated by CD8+ and CD4+ counts is a simple way to monitor immune resilience. These assessments have utility for understanding who might be at greater risk for developing diseases that affect the immune system, how individuals are responding to treatment, and whether, as well as to what extent, they will recover. More information: Sunil Ahuja, Immune resilience despite inflammatory stress promotes longevity and favorable health outcomes including resistance to infection, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38238-6. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38238-6 Journal information: Nature Communications 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 VLA1553 vaccine candidate for chikungunya disease was generally well tolerated and produced an immune response in 99% (263/266) of participants, according to a phase 3 randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet. Because the study, VLA1553-301, was not conducted in regions where chikungunya is endemic, researchers were unable to investigate whether the vaccine protects against subsequent disease. Instead, the study tested for an immune response at levels that are thought to protect against the disease if infected with the virus. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is endemic in some regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It causes a fever in patients roughly four to eight days after they have been bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and severe muscle and joint pain. The joint pain is often debilitating and usually lasts for a few days but may be prolonged, lasting for weeks, months or even years. Serious disease and death is rare, but older people and newborn babies are most at risk. Currently, there are no approved vaccines to prevent the disease caused by CHIKV infection nor are there effective antiviral treatments for the disease. Lead author of the study, Dr. Martina Schneider, Clinical Strategy Manager at Valneva, says, "This could be the first chikungunya vaccine available for people living in endemic regions, as well as for travelers to endemic areas or areas at risk for an upcoming outbreak. Our promising results showed good persistence of antibody levels after vaccination, which is important considering that chikungunya outbreaks may recur suddenly. As age is a risk factor for severity and mortality of chikungunya disease, the strong immune response observed in older participants might be particularly beneficial." Study author Katrin Dubischar, Program Director, Chikungunya Vaccine at Valneva says, "At present, there is no dedicated treatment or vaccine available against chikungunya, which is a debilitating disease whose symptoms can persist on a long-term basis. Moreover, it is currently regarded as one of the viruses most likely to spread globally, and studies have shown that climate change is driving the spread of the mosquitoes that carry it into new areas of the world. Therefore, having an effective vaccine is important for preparedness for future outbreaks." The study enrolled 4,115 healthy adults across 43 study sites in the United States. Of those, 3,082 participants were given one dose of VLA1553 (via an injection in the arm), and 1,033 were given a placebo. All participants were included in the safety analysis but the immune response was only tested in a subgroup of 362 participants (266 given the vaccine and 96 given the placebo). Participants had their immune responses assessed one week, 28 days, three months, and six months after their vaccination. They also recorded adverse events in an electronic diary for 11 days after vaccination. Those who did experience adverse events within 21 days of vaccination (e.g. fever and joint pain, back pain, neurological symptoms, heart problems, rash, or swelling) were monitored more closely. After a single vaccination, VLA1553 induced antibody levels at a level that is considered to protect against disease among 99% (263/266) of participants. There was no difference in immune response according to age. VLA1553 was generally well tolerated across all age groups with most adverse events being mild or moderate. In those given the vaccine, the most common adverse events were headaches (experienced in 32% of vaccinated participants), fatigue (29%), muscle pain (24%), joint pain (18%), and pain at the injection site (13%). After six months, there were more adverse events recorded for those given VLA1553 than those given placebo. Overall, 51% (1,575/3,082) of participants who were given VLA1553 and 31% (322/1,033) of those who received the placebo experienced at least one AE that was considered related to the vaccination. The safety profile in older adults was similar to that of adults. Serious adverse events were reported in 2% (46/3,082) of participants exposed to VLA1553 and 1% of participants in the placebo arm (8/1,033). Two of these were classified as related to the vaccine. One was a case of mild muscle pain in a woman with a medical history of fibromyalgia, and the other was a fever, which resulted in hospitalization. Neither of these cases resulted in death. The rate of observed miscarriages in the population given VLA1553 was slightly higher than expected in the general population (23% versus around 11-16%). However, this could be due to natural variation in the small sample size. Two of the three miscarriages among women given VLA1553 were explained by genetic disorder or the participants' history of miscarriage. In the remaining case, no reason could be identified and the authors note further monitoring will be needed as the vaccine candidate is rolled out. Commenting on the safety outcomes of the study, Dr. Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Chief Medical Officer at Valneva, says, "An independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) evaluated safety data during the study and did not identify any safety concerns after evaluating all reported adverse events. The two related serious adverse events reported during the study both recovered fully and were reviewed by the DSMB who did not raise concerns or consider that there were serious risks caused by the vaccination in general." The authors note some limitations of their study. The study did not take place in an endemic region, so participants' pre-existing immunity to the chikungunya virus is unknown, as is the safety of the vaccine in this population. In addition, the vaccine is made from a weakened version of the live virus, so is likely to be unsuitable for people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. They also acknowledge that to be highly effective in controlling endemic disease, a chikungunya vaccine will also need to be administered to children. To determine safety and efficacy in this age group, there is a study in adolescents in endemic areas of Brazil currently ongoing. Writing in a linked Comment, Dr. Kathryn Stephenson, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, said, "the positive results of this trial are very good news for CHIKV pandemic preparedness. CHIKV and other arboviral infections continue to be global threats, spurred on by the expansion of mosquito habitats because of climate change and globalization of trade and travel. Further studies of VLA1553 in endemic regions and expanded populations, such as an ongoing trial in adolescents in Brazil (NCT04650399), will be critical to affirming VLA1553's value for CHIKV prevention, as will be real-world effectiveness studies in the context of actual CHIKV outbreaks." More information: Safety and immunogenicity of a single-shot live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine: a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, The Lancet (2023). www.thelancet.com/journals/lan (23)00641-4/fulltext Journal information: The Lancet 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: Despite a record-setting number of overdose deaths nationwide in 2022, a new study from Oregon Health & Science University finds that only one in four adolescent residential treatment centers nationwide provides buprenorphine, a proven medication to treat opioid use disorder. "It's hard to imagine getting adolescents with opioid use disorder off fentanyl without buprenorphine," says co-author Todd Korthuis, M.D., M.P.H., head of addiction medicine at OHSU. Credit: Oregon Health & Science University New research reveals that only one in four adolescent residential treatment centers across the United States provides a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, despite an ever-rising number of overdose deaths among young people nationwide resulting from a surge of illicit fentanyl. The study, led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, was published today, June 13, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers say the lack of buprenorphine in adolescent residential treatment centers undercuts U.S. efforts to alleviate an overdose epidemic that claimed more than 109,000 lives in 2022, according to predicted provisional statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recognizing the particular vulnerability of young people, especially as fentanyl now contaminates other illicit substances, OHSU researchers set out to determine how many adolescent treatment centers in the U.S. were providing buprenorphine to treat addiction. "These residential treatment centers see some of the most vulnerable adolescents in our communities," said lead author Caroline King, M.D., Ph.D., who conducted the research as a medical student at OHSU and is now an emergency medicine resident in the Yale School of Medicine. "But they don't offer the standard of care for these kids. With rising fentanyl-related overdoses among adolescents, we really need these centers to provide the best care." The surge in illegal fentanyl is reaching young people nationwide and in the Pacific Northwest, dramatically increasing the number of overdose deaths in recent years, according to data from the CDC. Buprenorphine is one of three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid dependence. It normalizes brain function by acting on the same target in the brain as prescription opioids, heroin or fentanylall highly addictive substances. "It's the one medication that's approved for use in adolescents, and it's underused in facilities taking care of kids with the most severe opioid use disorder," said co-author Todd Korthuis, M.D., M.P.H., head of addiction medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. "It's hard to imagine getting adolescents with opioid use disorder off fentanyl without buprenorphine." Although buprenorphine is not approved in the U.S. for people younger than 16, there is no evidence to suggest major safety concerns for use at younger ages. The American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends that buprenorphine be considered for treatment of opioid use disorder in younger people. Korthuis acknowledged that some treatment providers have resisted using buprenorphine even with adult patients, claiming it's replacing one drug for another. "It's a big issue," he said. "But it's something that we can change by supporting these treatment centers with education and technical assistance about buprenorphine, advocating for better funding to staff these centers, and by letting the public know that buprenorphine is necessary treatment in healing brains." Results of the new study suggest that most adolescent residential treatment centers could benefit from such support. King and three other OHSU medical students conducted the study by cataloging treatment centers that serve adolescents in the U.S., primarily through a database maintained by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA. They identified 354 residential treatment centers nationally, but fewer than half of them served adolescents. Researchers posed as the aunt or uncle of a 16-year-old seeking treatment after a recent non-fatal fentanyl overdose. Between October and December of last year, they began making calls. After connecting with 160 residential treatment facilities serving adolescents nationwide, the researchers found: 39 offered buprenorphine, including through partnership with outside prescribing clinicians. Only 12 of those offered it to adolescents younger than 16. Among the other 121 facilities that did not offer buprenorphine or weren't sure, 57 indicated adolescents prescribed buprenorphine by their own clinician could stay on it at least temporarily, although some stated they would discontinue it before discharge. 27 residential treatment centers required adolescents to be off buprenorphine at admissionmeaning these "abstinence-only" centers actually refuse to admit adolescents receiving proven medication-assisted therapy. In sum, only one of four adolescent residential treatment centers offered buprenorphine at alland even fewer offered buprenorphine for ongoing treatment. "The average parent would need to call nine facilities on the SAMHSA list to find one that offered buprenorphine," the authors write. "To find one for an adolescent under 16, they would need to call 29 facilities." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Shutterstock/Aleksandr Yu Almost two-thirds (62%) of people aged 1530 in the U.K. who have never used e-cigarettes may be susceptible to taking up vaping in the future, according to results of an international survey by The George Institute for Global Health. The research findings were published June 13 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Results from an online survey of 4,007 people internationally identified exposure to e-cigarette advertising as having the second greatest effect on susceptibility, after current or past tobacco use, while perceived harmfulness reduced the likelihood of susceptibility. Prof Simone Pettigrew, lead author and program director of health promotion and behavior change at The George Institute said, "These findings suggest that an overwhelming number of young people may be at risk of e-cigarette use in the U.K. and in other countries. While some types of promotion of these products is prohibited, advertising on posters, billboards, and buses is still prevalent in the U.K. A complete ban on e-cigarette advertising should be considered, as it is clearly influencing young people's attitudes towards these addictive and potentially harmful products." Results from 333 people surveyed in the U.K. who had never used e-cigarettes before showed that 55% were curious about them, 50% would use them if offered by a friend, and 41% had intentions to use them in the next year. Researchers also found that almost two-thirds (63%) of U.K. respondents had seen e-cigarette advertising, a far higher number than in China (51%), India (47%) and Australia (30%) where the study also took place. U.K. respondents were less likely to believe that e-cigarettes are addictive (74%) or harmful (67%), compared to those in Australia (87% and 83%, respectively), where susceptibility was lowest (54%). The U.K. e-cigarette industry generated an estimated revenue of 1.3 billion in 2021. Young people make up a considerable portion of consumers, with around 11% of those aged 1634approximately 1.6 million individualsusing e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Young people are also more likely to be exposed to unregulated e-cigarette promotion on social media, via advertisements that are in breach of the U.K. advertising code. Dr. Ana-Catarina Pinho-Gomes, honorary research fellow at The George Institute said, "Many young people worldwide are trialing e-cigarettes despite the unknown health effects of their long-term use. Harmful chemicals in unregistered products are a major concern, as is the often unlabeled amount of nicotine, which is highly addictive. To discourage further uptake of e-cigarettes among young people who have never smoked, the government needs to do more to educate on their negative effects." More information: Simone Pettigrew et al, Short report: Factors contributing to young people's susceptibility to e-cigarettes in four countries, Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109944 Journal information: Drug and Alcohol Dependence DAVAO CITY - Nine Filipino fishermen were missing and another died after their boat was battered by huge waves before dawn Thursday off the ... WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Some might think masturbation is all about self-pleasure, but scientists now claim its far more significant than that. Their new findings suggest it could serve an important role in evolution. An ancient trait in primates, masturbation at least for the males of the species increases their reproductive success while also helping them avoid catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs), investigators from University College London discovered by using a huge set of data on primate masturbation. Information came from nearly 400 sources, including 246 published academic papers, as well as 150 questionnaires and personal communications from primatologists and zookeepers. The investigators used this data to track masturbation habits among primates, to better understand it. They discovered that masturbation has a long evolutionary history in primates. It was even most likely present in the ancestor that all monkeys and apes, including humans, share. The research team came up with several ideas for why evolution would involve something that seems as non-functional as masturbation. They proposed that masturbation helps with successful fertilization, increasing arousal before sex, which could be helpful for low-ranking males who might be interrupted quickly. The study authors also suggested that masturbation with ejaculation could help shed substandard semen, leaving the better swimmers for when they actually have something to fertilize. The researchers found support for this hypothesis, showing that male masturbation evolved along with mating systems where there were multiple males and a lot of competition. The authors also proposed that male masturbation could reduce the chances of contracting an STI by cleansing the urethra with ejaculate. The team also discovered evidence supporting this idea. What they didnt find was much evidence on the significance of female masturbation, because there are simply fewer reports describing it. The study was published June 6 in the Proceedings of The Royal Society B journal. Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood, sexual behavior and represent a significant advance in our understanding of the functions of masturbation, said Dr. Matilda Brindle, of UCL's department of anthropology. The fact that autosexual behavior may serve an adaptive function, is ubiquitous throughout the primate order, and is practiced by captive and wild-living members of both sexes, demonstrates that masturbation is part of a repertoire of healthy sexual behaviors, Brindle said in a university news release. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on sexual health. SOURCE: University College London, news release, June 6, 2023 TUESDAY, June 6, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Could breastfeeding lay the groundwork for good grades in high school? That's what the findings of a new British study suggest, although the differences were small between those who were breastfed and those who weren't when it came to standardized test scores and grades. "Breastfeeding promotes the development of the brain, which may account for better school performance," said lead researcher Dr. Renee Pereyra-Elias, from the national perinatal epidemiology unit in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. "Although we see that those children breastfed for longer do better than those children who were not breastfed at all, however, and this is something important, the difference between those who were breastfed for long and those who are not is not massive," he said. Pereyra-Elias added that this study can't prove that breastfeeding causes students to do better in school, only that there appears to be an association. "When possible, and when women decide to breastfeed, it should be supported because it could maybe increase the marks of the child a little bit, but it has a lot of other benefits as well," he said. "But if the women cannot breastfeed they should not be worried that their children are going to do worse in school, because these differences are very modest." For the study, Pereyra-Elias and his colleagues collected data on nearly 5,000 children born in the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2002 who were part of the Millennium Cohort Study. The children were followed up at ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17 and 22. The researchers linked these data to the National Pupil Dataset, which keeps records of students enrolled in English public schools. Specifically, the research team looked at the correlation between performance on standardized tests in English and mathematics at age 16 and the length of time the child was breastfed. About 33% of the participants were never breastfed, and the remainder were breastfed for different periods. Only about 10% were breastfed for at least 12 months, the findings showed. Only 19% of children who were breastfed for at least 12 months failed their English test, compared with 42% of those who were never breastfed, the researchers found. Also, 29% of those who were breastfed for at least 12 months passed with an A or an A+, compared with 10% who had not been breastfed. In math, 24% of children who were breastfed for at least 12 months failed their test, compared with 42% of those who were never breastfed. And 31% of those who had been breastfed for at least 12 months passed with an A or A+, compared with 11% among non-breastfed children, Pereyra-Elias said. Overall, after taking factors such as the parent's income and education into account, the researchers found that the children who had been breastfed for at least a year were 39% more likely to pass both exams with high marks and 25% less likely to fail the English exam. The report was published online June 5 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. One expert thinks the findings, although modest, are another reason why breastfeeding is so important in the development of the body and mind of infants. "Breastfeeding has been shown to have several benefits for families and children," said Dr. Adi Katz, director of gynecology at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Whenever possible, parents should be encouraged to breastfeed and provided resources to do so, such as breastfeeding classes, lactation consultants, breast pumps and lactation rooms." More information For more on the benefits of breastfeeding, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SOURCES: Renee Pereyra-Elias, MD, national perinatal epidemiology unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Adi Katz, MD, director, gynecology, Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Archives of Disease in Childhood, June 5, 2023, online THURSDAY, June 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- After three hours of surgery on Wednesday, Pope Francis was recovering at Gemelli hospital in Rome on Thursday. Pope Francis had a hernia in his abdominal wall repaired, along with the removal of scar tissue in his intestine that had created a partial blockage and was causing him pain, the Associated Press reported. Doctors placed a prosthetic mesh in his abdominal wall to repair the hernia, which had not yet led to protrusion of the intestine through the tear. They did not find other pathologies. The tissue that was removed was benign, the AP reported. It appears they operated on him in a timely fashion, with no compromise to his intestine, Dr. Walter Longo, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, told the AP. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, director of abdominal and endocrine sciences at Gemelli, called the surgery successful. Alfieri had performed the popes 2021 colon surgery, the AP reported. Pope Francis was awake and joking after the latest procedure, the Vatican said in a statement released Thursday. The 86-year-old pontiff is expected to be in the hospital for several days and has canceled all papal audiences through June 18, the Vatican noted. The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery, the Vatican said. He is then expected to get back to work with a busy summer that includes a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31, the AP reported. Pope Francis may take longer to recover from the surgery because it was longer at three hours than a typical 60- to 90-minute hernia operation, the AP reported. Alfieri said scar tissue was completely removed. Although Pope Francis has previously said he hadnt responded well to general anesthetic used to remove 13 inches of his large intestine in 2021, Alfieri said the pope had no adverse reactions to the anesthesia then or during this latest surgery. Clearly, no one likes to be operated on and put to sleep because the moment were put under, we lose consciousness, he told an evening news conference at the hospital with the Vatican spokesman by his side, the AP reported. But there was no physiological problem two years ago or today. His likely greatest issue after surgery will be managing pain, Dr. Manish Chand, a professor of surgery at University College London who specializes in colon procedures, told the AP. In the first six weeks after this type of surgery, youre at risk of getting a recurrence again, Chand said. Abdominal surgery can also affect lung function, Dr. Robin Phillips, an emeritus professor of colon surgery at Imperial College London, told the AP. Pope Francis had part of one lung removed when he was young and was recently treated for bronchitis. I suspect they are doing it now because they are worried it might become more complicated and result in an emergency operation, which would carry an even bigger risk..., Phillips said. More information The American Society of Anesthesiologists has more on hernia surgery. SOURCES: The Vatican, news release, June 8, 2023; Associated Press If hand-waving and hot air could run windmills, Kendall Cottons latest editorial would power Montana for a month. (Towards a new green coalition, June 5.) Without evidence, with a mere wave of his hand, he asserts that there is a schism in the environmental movement over a proper response to the ecological crisis. While its good that he acknowledges that there is a crisis, he offers no actual solutions. Indeed, he proposes that the very economic system that caused the crisis should be relied upon to resolve it. Free-market advocates have long pointed to research showing that countries with a low burden of regulations and sound rule of law also have the cleanest environments. Which advocates say this? Peer-reviewed science journals? Nobel laureate economists? His barber? Which countries? He doesnt say. Teachable moment about media literacy: When you hear a quote allegedly from some unspecified person or group without attribution, you cannot trust that it isnt fabricated. Theres no way to verify its accuracy. Economic freedom establishes the conditions for innovations to emerge that improve our living standards and allow us to use the earths finite resources more responsibly and efficiently. Buttes Berkeley Pit alone demonstrates that the free-market fails at preventing environmental degradation. Water in the pit must be pumped and treated in perpetuity. Maximizing profit is the prime directive of most corporations. Externalizing costs, that is forcing the public to pay them, is a fruitful way of doing so. An externality is a cost borne by someone else, not those profiting from an activity. Most environmental problems are externalities. To name just a depressing few, think lung disease from Libbys asbestos mining; Urban smog and teepee burners; Innumerable Montana mining disasters; the Big Holes crashing trout population. Exxons own research since the 1960s showed that burning oil will do great damage to the climate. Yet they chose to bury their results and sow the seeds of doubt that global warming is human caused. Theres some good old American innovation for you! Projected population decline threatens to reduce global living standards because less people means less capacity for innovation. Any biologist will tell you the obvious: a growing population of any animal requires ever more resources. For humans that means more energy use, more mining, more manufacturing, more agriculture. There are limits to how many people our earth can support. If thats not obvious, imagine an absurd future with a population of one person per square yard. Clearly thats impossible: the limit is, of course, far lower. He advocates for an economy that requires endless growth taking us beyond any threshold. Remove permitting red tape for critical energy projects and restore the rights of property owners to build denser, more affordable starter homes. Cottons one accurate editorial (Time for action on housing affordability, Jan. 16) pointed out that zoning regulations prevent denser housing from being built. Removing those specific regulations is good, but extrapolating to claim that regulation on energy projects is bad is another assertion without evidence. He seems to imply that all regulations are bad. What is Cottons intention here? It appears that he wants to return to the bad-old-days when the Copper Kings had unrestricted license to destroy whatever was necessary for profit. He wants us to believe that the free-market can magically solve all problems. He waves his hands and presents so many arguments without evidence that he undermines his own credibility. And if Kendall Cotton, a true believer in market ideology, is unable to muster any genuine evidence for this free-market folly, perhaps that itself is evidence that the free-market is inherently ecologically destructive. Department of Homeland Security police walk around the Ferguson U.S. Courthouse on June 12, 2023, in anticipation of the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The country is living through history with the first-ever federal indictment of a former president. A grand jury of Miami residents charged Donald Trump with 37 federal counts, ranging from the willful retention of national defense information to obstruction of justice. Given the unprecedented situation the nation is witnessing, it only reinforces why we must cover it in the right way. At its core, what the federal indictment shows is that a former president thought he was above the law. Recorded conversations between Trump and his lawyers reveal that he knowingly kept classified information and failed to turn it over when asked. The indictment sends a message to the country that no one even the former president can escape justice and accountability. Advertisement What happens next is arguably more important, though. Now that Trump has been arraigned at a federal courthouse in Miami and pleaded not guilty, the federal judge overseeing the case, Aileen Cannon, will begin the trial process in which witnesses will be brought in front of a jury of ordinary citizens. Lawyers for Trump and the special counsels team will present their evidence. Witnesses will be cross-examined. And jurors will ultimately determine whether Trump is guilty. [ Editorial: Republicans and Trump supporters, face reality for the sake of the nation ] Under current rules, however, Americans will not be able to see this process unfold. Federal officials remain very resistant to allowing cameras inside courtrooms. And, even when cameras have been permitted, it has been for narrowly specific purposes, such as investitures, naturalization or other ceremonial proceedings. Advertisement Those opposed to cameras in the courtroom believe allowing them could make lawyers more nervous or sway jurors. While such an argument is legitimate, this case is different. If we care about showing the world that we are a nation where no one is above the law, then there must be an exception for the trial of the United States v. Donald J. Trump. Televising and livestreaming Trumps trial will send a strong message that our justice system still works, that not even former presidents can skirt our laws. And even more important? Putting cameras in the courtroom could spur an entire generation of young people to pay attention and become more active participants in our democracy. Lest we forget, last year, the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial was televised and livestreamed, and the number of people who watched it was jaw-dropping. On YouTube alone, the trial amassed nearly 84 million hours watched, with 3.5 million peak viewers at one point. More people tuned into that trial than any other livestream happening on YouTube at the time. In short, people tuned in and more young people talked about that trial than I couldve ever imagined. Certainly, the Depp-Heard trial is different from Trumps trial they are big-name actors and celebrities. But because the court proceedings were televised and livestreamed, young people, who otherwise would have not watched a trial, tuned in and paid attention. Not only will the same happen for Trumps case, but also, doing so is far more important for our democracy and shaping a civically engaged generation. [ Clarence Page: Trumps in trouble, and the lame excuses are flying ] Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > For one, young people are on social media more than any other generation, with more than 95% of us using at least one social media platform. Permitting cameras in the courtroom will reach millions of young people. And when young people see Trump a former president and the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination they will see a legal system that is doing exactly what it was meant to do. Just like the jurors inside the courtroom, young people will hear the evidence, they will see Trump take the stand and they will discuss it with their peers. [ Clarence Page: Could Johnny Depps win against Amber Heard deal a blow to free speech? ] In addition, allowing cameras in the courtroom for U.S. v. Trump and, hopefully, one day in other federal court cases too could mark an important step to restoring trust in our courts. To date, nearly half of young people say they have little confidence in our justice system, according to a national poll released by Harvard Universitys Institute of Politics. That number increased especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, but the lack of trust also is a result of there being little transparency in courtrooms. Although livestreaming the Trump trial wont completely repair the damage to peoples perception of our legal system, it will demonstrate to young people that even people with tremendous wealth, privilege and power cant run away from justice and accountability. In the coming days, weeks and months, there will be a lot of talk about Trumps indictment. Those on the right are shouting that its a witch hunt, that Democrats are out to get the former president. But at a time when facts mean less and less to an increasing number of Americans, allowing the entire country to see the truth come out in the courtroom is not only necessary but also needed. Allowing Americans to directly view the proceedings of this case would not only send a strong message about the rule of law, but it also could spark the type of change and civic awareness that our country so desperately needs. Advertisement For the good of our country and future generations, allow cameras to be in the courtroom for the United States v. Donald J. Trump. Victor Shi, a student at the University of California at Los Angeles, co-hosts the iGen Politics podcast. He is also a strategy director for Voters of Tomorrow. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. History: CouponFollow, founded in 2010, is one of the oldest coupon sites in existence and has saved consumers over $600 million. It was created out of founder and CEO Marc Mezzaccas desire to organize and simplify the process of sharing coupon codes, which was a popular trend on Twitter and Facebook. He wanted something that would sort through the coupon codes being shared to help shoppers save the most money. Ratings and How It Works: Cently is considered the best Chrome extension for saving money, according to its 200,000+ users. It has a high 4.9-star rating on the Chrome Web Store, which is uncommon for Chrome coupon extensions, and users consistently mention how the extension always saves them money. One reviewer even said Cently saved them $50 while shopping when other extensions could only save $30. It automatically helps test and apply the best discount available at checkout for top stores, like Walmart, Costco, Kohls and Target, so shoppers dont have to hassle with manually copying and pasting dozens of different codes to get the best deal. In addition to the savings, you can also earn up to 40% cash back on qualifying purchases at thousands of online stores. Overall, by using Cently, you can automatically save an average of $15 per purchase in coupons, plus cash back at checkout. Advertisement Cently also ensures that youll get the best price when shopping on Amazon. It has a track record of saving Amazon shoppers an average of 20%. The extension automatically lets you know when you shop if you can get the same product at a better price from an alternative, reputable Amazon seller. Overall, Cently stands out with its ease of use and transparency around your potential savings and cash-back earnings. Rewards: CouponFollow processes Member rewards monthly to PayPal. You must have a personal PayPal account connected to your CouponFollow account to receive rewards. Five local volunteers were recently recognized by the state for their outstanding volunteer service. The 2023 North Carolina Governors Volunteer Service Awards ceremony for Burke County took place May 23 in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church of Morganton. The Volunteer Burke organization coordinates the awards. Members solicit nominations from the community each year for local volunteers who have gone above and beyond in serving others. The group chooses the 10 top nominations submitted and forwards them to the governors office for consideration. The Governors Volunteer Service Awards is sponsored by the governor of North Carolina and the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, said Paige Pitts, Volunteer Burke coordinator. It honors that true spirit of volunteerism, recognizing individuals and groups that make a significant contribution through volunteer service. The five award winners this year are Dave Tubergen, Ashlyn Robinson, Erin Kiser, John Flood and Dr. Jennifer McGrady. John Flood Amy Kincaid, program supervisor of the Burke County Guardian ad Litem program, introduced award winner John Flood, a volunteer with the program that provides advocates for abused and neglected children navigating the court system. Kincaid was Floods nominator. He has been a Guardian ad Litem since 2018. John has advocated for 12 children over the last four years and maintains the case until the child receives permanence, Kincaid said. He has had children reunified with their parents, as well as through adoption. She described how Flood lobbied the state when grant funding for much-needed positions within in the program, including one in Burke County, ran out. He wrote letters to the legislators and made lots of phone calls to our local senate and refused to not be heard on the seriousness of what this would do to the child advocacy program, Kincaid said. John not only helped save the Burke County position, but 40 other positions at risk throughout the state. Because of John Flood, Burke Countys position became permanent. Another permanent position was also added. Flood received a certificate of appreciation and a Star Award from the Guardian ad Litem program for his exceptional service in North Carolina Judicial District 25. Erin Kiser Kincaid also introduced Erin Kiser, who won the award for her work with REASON (Reduce Euthanasia and Spay or Neuter), a local organization that facilitates spay and neuter operations for pets if the owners cannot afford the procedures. Kiser has volunteered with REASON for the past six years and was nominated by other members. She is involved in every aspect of REASON, serving on committees, working on client registrations, (arranging) transport, taking calls, reviewing and managing finances and grants, attending and speaking at county commissioner meetings on behalf of REASON, fundraising and training new volunteers, Kincaid said. Erin takes on the tough job of dealing with difficult situations and sometimes difficult clients. She remains calm and leads with integrity, honest compassion and humility. Her demeanor keeps everyone centered and reassured as they move forward during challenging circumstances. She shared how Kiser updated the organizations application and registration process to facilitate more operations. Under Erins leadership, REASON has gone from assisting a monthly average of 30-35 pets to over 60 pets per month in the last few months, Kincaid said. Dr. Jennifer McGrady Megan Parillo, volunteer services coordinator for the Amorem hospice agency, introduced award winner Dr. Jennifer McGrady, a veterinarian with Burke County Animal Services. Dr. Jenny, as she is referred to by her friends at Animal Services, has not only dedicated her life to helping animals, but has poured that passion into helping homeless and unwanted animals in the very communities she grew up in, Parillo said. She said McGradys efforts helped 462 animals just this past year. These efforts include assistance and medical needs, placement for adoption, fostering, transporting animals to other rescue groups, education and advocacy, Parillo said. She volunteers her time to help with spaying and neutering and shelter pets on her day off. She also volunteers to come in and clean kennels and perform exams. She is a wonderful foster volunteer. She opens her clinic to animals for a change of scenery, or her home for some relaxation time, until they find their forever home. McGrady helped Animal Services film promotional videos educating the public about responsible pet ownership and assisted pets with medical issues at the Pet Palooza Festival. She has also volunteered her time at three rabies clinics in the past year, where 174 animals benefited from rabies vaccines, Parillo said. In addition to her work with Animal Services, McGrady serves on the Burke County Animal Advisory Board and is an honorary member of the Animal Services Foundation Inc. Ashlyn Robinson Parillo also spoke about award winner Ashlyn Robinson, who has served for the past three years as a Volunteen with the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, which takes care of special needs individuals. She volunteers as an office assistant, helps with resident events and collects needed items for residents, such as personal care products. Once the summer Volunteen program ended, Ashlyn continued to volunteer, going above and beyond to support the residents and staff at the center, Parillo said. While volunteering on campus, Ashlyn noticed how hard the staff work to brighten up the days of the residents. She was so touched by this that she wanted to do something to brighten the staffs day. She decided to craft hope jars for them. In Ashlyns spare time at home, she created hope jars for every cottage break room, Parillo said. In the hope jar, she put handwritten slips of paper that said inspirational sayings, like Every moment is a fresh beginning, The best is yet to be and You are braver than you believe. When the hope jars were delivered to the cottages, the staff were excited and eagerly grabbed a message to read. They got big smiles on their faces and shared their sayings and encouragements with one another. Ashlyn Robinson has continued to serve above and beyond her commitment to the Volunteen program. She is a compassionate young lady who has continued to make a difference in the lives of the residents and staff at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. Dave Tubergen Dave Tubergen, who volunteers with the Disabled American Veterans Morganton Chapter No. 43, the American Red Cross Burke County Disaster Action Team and Amorem, received a prestigious Medallion Award for his service endeavors. The governor only awards 20 medallions across the state per year. Brownie Rochefort, executive director of the Burke Literacy Council, described Tubergens volunteer efforts. David is a real lifelong volunteer, Rochefort said. Hes been doing it for over 26 years in different areas. This last year, he volunteered approximately 1,400 hours. Tubergen, who is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was nominated by his fellow DAV members. He has served in a variety of leadership posts within the organization, including post commander. He was the commander during the COVID time, Rochefort said. During this time when all of us were hiding, David was out there getting more members, and they grew membership during COVID. He raised funds to have the parking lot at the DAV headquarters paved so it would be easier for wheelchair-bound members to traverse. He also is a veterans service officer who helps local veterans apply for their benefits and follows up with their applications to make sure they are processed correctly. Tubergen is well-known by many for providing valuable transportation services to local veterans who are homebound and have no other way of traveling to their doctors appointments. Not only does he take them around town, he goes all the way to Asheville to the veterans hospital, and doesnt charge anything, Rochefort said. He also serves on a committee that helps to plan the Burke County Memorial and Veterans Day services. The Burke County Disaster Action Team of the American Red Cross, of which Tubergen is a member, won a NC Governors Volunteer Service Award last year for its outstanding work helping people recover from disasters. He responds at all times of the day and night, meets with the families and issues vouchers for hotels if they need it (or) a check for some food or other necessities these families might need, Rochefort said. She said in addition to serving on the DAT, Tubergen also gives presentations on safety issues and disaster preparedness to local schools on behalf of the Red Cross. In his work with Amorem, he visits with veteran patients to help lift their spirits. Hes a much welcome visitor when he comes to see his friends and offer them support, Rochefort said. To learn more about the North Carolina Governors Volunteer Service Awards program, visit nc.gov and search Governors Volunteer Service Awards. To learn more about Volunteer Burke, visit the Volunteer Burke Facebook page. The Biden administrations foreign policy has undermined Americas power and prestige across the globe. Beginning with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, which resulted into the seizure of power by the Taliban, the Biden administration has signaled its determination to withdraw from several critical regions of the world, especially South Asia and the Middle East. Even before its hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Biden administration had undermined Americas century-old alliance with Saudi Arabia by threatening to make the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, a pariah for his involvement in the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Then came the confrontation with the Israeli government because of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus close friendship with Donald Trump. While the administration alienated Americas traditional allies in the Middle East, it embarked on a campaign to appease a terrorist state, namely the Islamic regime in Iran. The Biden White House has consistently ignored the struggle of millions of Iranians to rid themselves of the Islamic regime, which has tortured, raped and murdered tens of thousands of its own citizens, most recently to suppress the popular movement that spread across the country under the slogan of Women, Life, Freedom. Despite declarations of sympathy for the Iranian people, the Biden administration has not moved a finger to provide any real support to the Iranian people in their struggle to create a democratic system in their country. Instead, it has tried to appease a regime, which has called for the destruction of the state of Israel, has supported terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas, and more recently has provided Putin with advanced weaponry, including weaponized drones, in his war against Ukraine. The Biden administration walks in lockstep with European countries, such as England, France and Germany, which claim to stand for freedom and democracy, but in the case of Iran and other Middle Eastern dictatorships are busy signing lucrative contracts to maximize the profits of their companies and corporations. As the United States withdrew from the Middle East, China stepped in to fill the gap left behind by the Biden administration. The best example is Chinas recent diplomatic coup in negotiating a peace agreement between the two regional rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, which until recently viewed the United States as its principal protector, is becoming ever closer to China. The American foreign policy of retreat projected weakness and sent the wrong signal to Putin, who brazenly invaded a sovereign country, Ukraine, convinced that the Biden administration, just like the Obama White House in the case of the Russian invasion of Crimea, would ignore aggression against a sovereign country by Russian forces. The heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people, along with mass demonstrations across Europe demanding a strong response to Russian aggression, forced the hand of the United States and its European allies, resulting into military support for the Zelensky government in Kiev. As an observer who has been equally critical of both Democrats and Republicans in many foreign policy issues, I have to confess that I have rarely seen a weaker and more disjointed foreign policy approach than the one implemented by the Biden administration. Advancing a U.S. foreign policy that advocates a strong American presence in critical regions of the world through a close alliance with our traditional partners will minimize the possibility of U.S. military intervention in the future, and it will significantly reduce the likelihood of conflict erupting in various corners of the world because of intervention by China and Russia, such as what we see now in the cases of Taiwan and Ukraine. DEAR READERS: There have been many television ads about a campaign dubbed Tear the Paper Ceiling a campaign with the goal of moving beyond the invisible barrier that comes at every turn for workers without a bachelors degree. There are even resources including a Tear the Paper Ceiling Hiring Playbook for Employers to help businesses get started with skills-based hiring practices. But what about job seekers? How can they find job openings that are focusing on skills-based hiring? The good news is that showcasing skills and keeping them fresh have never been more important: LinkedIns March 2022 report A Skills-First Blueprint for Better Job Outcomes shows that 40% of hirers now use skills data when hiring on LinkedIn, up 20% compared to the year before. And in 2021 alone, LinkedIn helped 400K+ companies make a skill-based hire. LinkedIn believes so strongly in the importance of skills-based hiring that it introduced new data and tools in March 2022 to help companies take a skills-first approach to talent development, along with features that empower members to take their careers into their own hands. As LinkedIn career expert Andrew McCaskill a Black man who grew up on a dirt road in Mississippi says, Its not lost on me that 61% of Black workers and 66% of rural workers have in-demand skills but not bachelors degrees. Hiring based on skills actually democratizes opportunity and access to financial advancement in a revolutionary way. McCaskill also gives a shout-out to Opportunity@Work, an organization whose mission is to rewire the labor market so that all STARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) can work, learn and earn to their full potential. Heres what you can do: Research companies and industries known for adopting skills-based hiring practices. These organizations typically recognize the value of an employee's skills, regardless of their formal education, explains Anthony Allen, vice president of recruiting for Supply Chain Talent Advisors. Sectors such as technology, manufacturing and health care are increasingly implementing skills-based hiring, so focus your job search in these areas. Use job-search engines and platforms that allow you to filter job openings based on skills and abilities rather than educational requirements. Some job-search engines, like LinkedIn and Indeed, enable users to search for positions using keywords or skills, making it easier to find opportunities that prioritize abilities over degrees, Allen says. LinkedIn, for example, now includes skills match insight on nearly every job posting so job seekers can see a list of skills needed for that particular role and how those skills match up with the ones they have on their profile. When you see a skill you already have, you can add it directly. And when you do, we recommend you tag skills to relevant experiences, education or certifications on your profile, according to Tomer Cohen, chief product officer at LinkedIn. This context helps hirers quickly and easily understand where and how you applied those skills. Build a skills-focused resume. Highlight your relevant work experience, certifications and accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise in a particular area, Allen advises. When listing your education, focus on courses and programs that showcase your skills, even if they are from nontraditional educational sources, such as online courses or vocational training. To showcase your skills, start with listing the top five skills that are most relevant for your job or the job you want, and think broadly about skills you may have gained through other work experience, extracurricular activities or volunteer work, McCaskill suggests. Showcase your skills through projects and portfolios. Allen says providing tangible examples of your work can be particularly useful for job seekers in fields like graphic design, software development or writing. Prepare for skills-based interviews. Some companies that prioritize skills-based hiring may conduct interviews that focus on your abilities rather than your educational background, explains Allen, who suggests familiarizing yourself with common skills-based interview questions and making sure youre prepared to share examples of how youve applied your skills in real-world situations. Vanessa Martinez was finishing preparations for her daughter's second birthday in September 2021 when her ex-boyfriend broke into her Mesa, Arizona, condo and shot her in the head as she frantically tried to shield their three young children. Doctors had to remove a third of her skull, but Martinez survived. She left the hospital facing a fight for custody of her kids, who'd been placed in state care after the attack. She needed a new place to live after much of the house was damaged in a standoff between police and her shooter. Her 4-year-old son needed trauma counseling. Arizona has a state safety net local victim compensation programs for victims of violent attacks like Martinez. But she was denied help because she was behind on about $900 in court fines from unrelated incidents, including one dating back nearly a decade. Program officials told Martinez she could reapply if she got current with a payment plan, but every dollar she made was needed for things like finding a place to live, work scrubs for her home-care job, after-school day care and the list grows. Across the country, victims like Martinez are using their stories to advocate for changes to state victim compensation programs, where thousands of crime survivors turn for help with medical bills, relocation, funerals or other expenses. The programs disburse millions of dollars each year, but The Associated Press found racial inequities and other barriers in how claims are denied in many states. Crime survivors have organized rallies, testified at legislatures and met with dozens of lawmakers with much success. Legislatures in more than half of U.S. states have passed measures to improve their programs in recent years. The changes vary widely: A victim's criminal history is no longer an automatic disqualifier in Illinois. The time limit to apply for help was increased from three to seven years in California. In Michigan, the cap on aid will nearly double to $45,000 this year and more people like caretakers of victims will be eligible for survivor benefits. States have cut back on their denials to families based on the behavior of homicide victims and loosened requirements that crime victims must have cooperated with or reported the crime to police. In Ohio, denials are no longer automatic for crime victims who have felony convictions or for surviving family if a murder victim had drugs in their system. Those reasons were used to deny help for a handful of victims in the 2019 mass shooting at a Dayton bar where nine people were killed and 17 others were wounded. Dion Green was at the bar that night with his father, Derrick Fudge, who was killed. Green helped fight for the changes to Ohio's program after being denied help because his father had an almost 10-year-old felony conviction. "I told them that I miss my father everyday, but the survivors, the people left here, are the ones still moving through their pain," Green said. Changes have incrementally rolled through states over decades as more is learned about victimization. Mental health treatment wasn't a commonly covered expense when the programs started in the 1960s and 1970s, but now is widely covered. Pennsylvania passed a law to allow eligible victims access to counseling whether or not the program determined the victim contributed to their own victimization. Sometimes, however, change runs up against institutional inertia. Nevada doesn't require sexual assault victims to go to police as long as they report the crime to nurses or other health professionals. But a 2021 federal audit found 175 claims from those victims had been denied over a five-year period because of missing or incomplete police reports. Nevada retrained staff after the audit, and revised the denials notifications sent to victims. Program officials confirmed that as of early 2023, none of those denied claims had been reopened. They declined an interview request from the AP. "The consensus has been that the potential re-traumatization to victims of sexual assault is too great of a risk in contacting victims regarding their claims," program spokeswoman, Karla Delgado wrote in an emailed response. In Ohio, Green recently helped a woman who had lost her children's father to gun violence start the compensation process by contacting a county representative. The woman was initially turned away because the victim had a previous felony record. Green helped her inform the official of the 2021 law change. "It's the awareness part. People inside and outside the program need to know," Green said. Christelle Perez sought an immediate attitude shift among staff when she took over as chief of the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Bureau in May 2021. She wanted to stop decades of autopilot denials from holding up recently passed reforms. "There was this culture of, 'How can we deny a claim?' because that's what the staff were instructed to do," Perez said. "I met with the staff and I told them that we are a service organization and it is our job to serve." A similar mission realignment happened when New York's program changed from a five-member board that made inconsistent and sometimes subjective decisions to a division where staff received uniform training on how to decide claims. Elizabeth Cronin took over as executive director of the division in 2013 a few years after the shift and has pushed to make sure the program operates equitably. "My top priority was to identify marginalized communities, underserved communities and spend more time out in the community to find out what we aren't seeing and why we aren't seeing it," Cronin said. Lenore Anderson, president and co-founder of the Alliance for Safety and Justice, which organizes victims to advocate for criminal justice reforms, has pushed program administrators for years to shift their focus from eligibility requirements to victim needs. "It feels so obvious that the very least we can do when someone is hurt by crime and violence is ask, 'What do you need?' And the fact that that is completely counter to how these bureaucratic systems operate is shocking," she said. Anderson said she's seen signs of change at the federal level, where the Justice Department's U.S. Office for Victims of Crime provides state programs with matching dollars that are tied to some regulations and a set of suggested guidelines. In a 2021 memo to state programs, the office encouraged states to add exceptions to police cooperation requirements. Some victims advocates want the federal office to mandate changes to all programs as a condition for receiving federal funds to address the piecemeal map of state programs that dole out inconsistent decisions. The office is in the process of overhauling compensation guidelines for the first time since 2001, with an "emphasis on equity and addressing programmatic barriers," according to an emailed statement from the department. But it's unclear how much of that new guidance will be mandatory. Green, part of an advocates committee giving input on those changes, said he's pushed the agency not only to take down existing barriers but mandate that states increase public awareness of their compensation programs. At the state level, hundreds of advocacy organizations are working for reforms, and with more than 100,000 members, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice is one of the largest. Bernice "Tammi" Ringo is one of those members. After a lifetime living around Detroit, Ringo had plans to move to Alabama with her 23-year-old son Natalian to get him away from the crime she had feared most of his life. Those plans were shattered in 2019, when Natalian was fatally shot while sitting in his parked car in an enclave of Detroit. Ringo applied for funeral and counseling aid. She was denied because the program said she could rely on life insurance instead. She appealed, and while the program overturned its initial decision, it denied her again, saying her son had committed misconduct related to his own murder. The state commission provided no details, Ringo said, and Highland Park police were little help. Overwhelmed with grief, Ringo, 64, later spoke before the Michigan Legislature about the trauma of being told her son had somehow caused his murder. "They put me through more hell," she said of the program denial. "I'm heavily involved because I couldn't leave and go to Alabama and take my son with me and just start a new life." After she and other victims testified, Michigan lawmakers passed legislation, set to go into effect in August, that makes numerous changes, including increasing money available to victims, eliminating police reporting deadlines and increasing eligibility. Data are not available for the handful of states that passed recent sweeping reforms. But New Jersey, which overhauled its program rules in 2020, saw an immediate change. In 2018 and 2019, Black victims accounted for about 44% of applications but received nearly 60% of the denials, according to data obtained by the AP. After the overhaul, that disparity dwindled, and by 2021 it had disappeared. Martinez hopes that speaking at rallies supporting a bill that would fund a pilot trauma-recovery center in Arizona will lead to more people getting help. The model moves money to victims faster and has fewer restrictions, like those that disqualified Martinez. "I didn't really get any time to heal even emotionally from what happened," Martinez said. "But I really feel like this is my life's mission to get this changed." Cities with the fastest 'time-to-crime' rates for firearms Cities with the fastest 'time-to-crime' rates for firearms #40. New York City #39. Baltimore #38. San Jose, California #37. San Diego #36. Los Angeles #35. San Bernardino, California #34. Jacksonville, Florida #33. Tampa, Florida #32. Chattanooga, Tennessee #31. Wichita, Kansas #30. Tulsa, Oklahoma #29. Winston-Salem, North Carolina #28. New Orleans #27. Orlando, Florida #26. Chicago #25. Dayton, Ohio #24. Cincinnati #23. Miami #22. Indianapolis #21. Charlotte, North Carolina #20. Baton Rouge, Louisiana #19. Louisville, Kentucky #18. Las Vegas #17. Columbus, Ohio #16. Dallas #15. San Antonio #14. Philadelphia #13. Houston #12. Cleveland #11. Huntsville, Alabama #10. Mobile, Alabama #9. Milwaukee #8. Atlanta #7. Shreveport, Louisiana #6. Memphis, Tennessee #5. St. Louis #4. Phoenix #3. Columbia, South Carolina #2. Detroit #1. Richmond, Virginia CHICAGO Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Monday that he says will make Illinois the first state in the nation to outlaw book bans. Illinois public libraries that restrict or ban materials because of "partisan or doctrinal" disapproval will be ineligible for state funding as of Jan. 1, when the new law goes into effect. "We are not saying that every book should be in every single library," said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian and was the driving force behind the legislation. "What this law does is it says, let's trust our experience and education of our librarians to decide what books should be in circulation." The new law comes into play as states across the U.S. push to remove certain books in schools and libraries, especially those about LGBTQ+ themes and by people of color. The American Library Association in March announced that attempts to censor books in schools and public libraries reached a 20-year high in 2022 twice as many as 2021, the previous record. "Illinois legislation responds to disturbing circumstances of censorship and an environment of suspicion," said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation. To be eligible for state funds, Illinois public libraries must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which holds that "materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," or subscribe to a similar pledge. Downers Grove Democrat Rep. Anne Stava-Murray sponsored the legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives after a school board in her district was subject to pressure to ban certain content from school libraries. "While it's true that kids need guidance, and that some ideas can be objectionable, trying to weaponize local government to force one-size-fits-all standards onto the entire community for reasons of bigotry, or as a substitute for active and involved parenting, is wrong," Stava-Murray said Monday at the bill's signing, which took place at a children's library in downtown Chicago. Despite Giannoulias' assertion that "this should not be a Democrat or Republican issue," lawmakers' approval of the bill splintered across party lines, with Republicans in opposition. "I support local control," said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, a Republican who voted against the measure, in an emailed statement. "Our caucus does not believe in banning books, but we do believe that the content of books should be considered in their placement on the shelves." Unauthorized use of personal data by organizations could result in arrest and prosecution, the Data Protection Commission has warned. Ms. Immaculate Kassait, the Commissioner of the Office of Data Protection Commission (ODPC), has issued the warning to organizations that misuse individuals personal data for their own gains, emphasizing that such actions constitute a breach of the Data Protection Act of 2019. She said offenders could face severe consequences, including a fine of up to Sh5 million, imprisonment for six months, or both. Ms. Kassait made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by Ms. Rose Mosero, Deputy Data Commissioner-In-Charge of Enforcement and Compliance, during a sensitization forum on the Data Privacy and Protection Act 2019 in Kirinyaga County. Kassait stressed the importance of obtaining consent from individuals before their personal data is utilized by any organization, individual, or group within or outside Kenya. Furthermore, she emphasized that those who handle personal data must be registered with the Commission. She appealed to county commissioners and other law enforcement officers to assist her office in identifying individuals or organizations breaching the Act so the office could take action. The categories allowed to manage personal information should be registered with ODPC; they are data controllers and data processors, she said. She said that since the Commission was established in November 2020, they have received more than 2,800 claims from people who feel their data was wrongfully handled. Kirinyaga County Commissioner, Mr. Tobiko Nayioma, further warned the public to be aware of what they post on social media platforms because, in social media, information is treated as if subjects have consented. He said some social media information was sensitive but the public was not taking it seriously since even international organizations may use it for bad intentions. Members of the public lamented that betting companies and financial apps were abusing their Data Protection Act rights since they received messages from these organizations even when they did not sign any documents with them. At the same time, the public were advised to report any organization misusing their information, even religious ones, since the government will not act where there is no complainant. Religious leaders said that they should be given an exemption on the registration fee since some of their groups were too small to raise the Sh. 4,000 annual fee. Currently, the officers from the Data Commission are conducting sensitization forums in different parts of the country. A joint team of investigators from the Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau and the Operations branch on Sunday successfully rescued two women who had been abducted a week prior. The women, Erica Gachoka (26), daughter of media personality Ciku Muiruri, and her friend Shanice Agose (27), had gone missing on June 4 after attending a house party in Nairobis Westlands area. Following the party, Erica and Shanice used the Bolt taxi application to request a ride to Kilimani. However, when the ride arrived on Rhapta Road in Westlands and they entered the vehicle, the driver threatened them with a hammer and sped off towards Thika. Also Check Out Ciku Muiruris Grown-Up Daughter Stuns in Figure-Hugging Outfits (PHOTOS) Investigations were promptly launched into the abduction, and the detectives tracked the suspects who operated in various locations, including Nairobi, Thika, Ruiru, and Witeithie in Kiambu County. The abductors had demanded a ransom of Sh250,000 from each victim for their release. On Sunday, the officers conducted a raid on a house in Thikas Ngoigwa area, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Timothy Kiragu (34) and Samuel Kipkurui (33). After a brief interrogation, the duo provided information leading the detectives to Gatukuyu in Mangu, Kiambu County, where Erica and Shanice were rescued. During the operation, assorted crude weapons and counterfeit motor-vehicle number plates were seized from the suspects. Meanwhile, the victims, visibly weak and shaken, were found locked up in a one-roomed house. They have since been reunited with their families. Dj Brownskin(born Michael Macharia Njiiri) on Monday denied charges related to the death of his wife, Sharon Njeri Mwangi, who died by suicide on July 29, 2022. The DJ filmed a video of his wife taking poison at their home in Kariobangi South, Buruburu sub-county, Nairobi. The video was leaked online in April of this year, opening a can of worms for the entertainer. In a heart-wrenching video tape released by a popular blogger on April 1, 9 months after Njeris remains had been buried, her last moments were filmed by the DJ as she emptied a poisonous substance into a cup and ingested without hesitation. She then slumped on a couch and called her two children to inform them of her impending death, the DCI said in a statement. According to the DCI, DJ Brwonskin sent the video to his other girlfriend living abroad. A little over a week ago, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested DJ Brownskin after he defied police summons to record a statement over his wifes death. DJ Brownskin appeared before Milimani chief magistrate Lukas Onyina, and was charged with aiding suicide contrary to section 225 (b) of the penal code. The DJ faced an additional charge of failing to use all reasonable means to prevent his wife from taking her own life, despite being aware of her intentions to do so. DJ Brownskin faces a third count of evidence tampering, where it is alleged that knowing that his mobile phone with SIM card number 07**** which was in his possession might be required in evidence in a judicial proceeding, he willfully removed it with intent to prevent being used in evidence. The court entered a not-guilty plea and detained DJ Brownskin until June 15, 2023, when the magistrate will give a determination on his bail/bond application. The African Centre for Corrective & Preventive Action (ACCPA) has filed a lawsuit against the American multinational corporation, Johnson & Johnson, regarding the sale of talc-based baby powder to Kenyans. The rights group claims that while the product has been banned in certain countries such as the European Union and India, it is still being sold in Kenya. In the petition focused on safeguarding consumer rights, the group alleges that Johnson & Johnson Services Inc utilizes benzene and talc in their baby powder products. The group claims that benzene and talc cause cancer in humans and that talc is contaminated by asbestos, a carcinogenic substance, causing exceedingly harm to its users. There is scientific proof that benzene should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, and drug products because of its unacceptable toxicity and deleterious environmental effect; In the context, the usage and sale of the Johnson & Johnson baby powder has been banned in the European Union, India and a number of African Countries including Tanzania, Zimbabwe and the Republic of Congo, the group says. The African Centre for Corrective & Preventive Action filed the suit at the High Court in Milimani Nairobi on Monday. The group is seeking temporary orders to prevent J&J from further manufacturing, selling, importing, and distributing the Johnson & Johnson Baby powder in the Kenyan market. It also wants permission to file a class-action lawsuit by inviting other individuals to join the court proceedings. There is sufficient evidence that Johnson & Johnson Services Inc and Johnson & Johnson (K) Ltd are aware of the severe and fatal results of their products. But they have ignored the fact and still continue manufacturing and selling these products to the masses including Kenyan citizens despite having compensated claimants in the United States of America by the Johnson & Johnson Services Inc, reads the lawsuit. However in a statement to Nairobi Wire, Johnson & Johnson stated that their baby powder is safe, denying the allegations that it contains any carcinogenic agents, in particular Benzene as alleged in the lawsuit. Johnsons Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos or benzene, and does not cause cancer. We stand firmly behind the safety of the product which is backed by decades of independent scientific testing by medical experts around the world. There are no sound scientific studies that support these claims, and we will vigorously defend the safety of our products in the courtroom, a company spokesperson stated. While acknowledging that talc is an ingredient in J&Js Baby Powder, the company stated that theirs is safe and does not cause cancer. They added that talc is a common ingredient in many everyday products including food like rice. Johnson & Johnson further denied allegations that their Talc-based powder has been banned in several countries as claimed by the petitioners. They however acknowledged bans in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, expressing disappointment. We are disappointed in the actions recently taken in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. While we will voluntarily follow the directive on talc-based Johnsons Baby Powder, we do not believe the science supports a ban of these products. On the claims that the company is aware of severe safety issues attributed to this product, J&J called this offensive, stating that their rigorous testing support the position that talc is safe. The accusation that our company would knowingly make or sell a product that was not safe for consumers is not only false, but offensive. We only use ingredients that are deemed safe to use by the latest science. Explaining why the company settled in the US over a similar matter, Johnson & Johnson stated that settlements are common in the US, and are not necessarily an admission of guilt or liability, but rather a way of resolving litigation without a court judgment. ACCPA has also sued the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and the Kenya Pharmacy & Poisons Board. The case is currently awaiting hearing directions. This article has been updated with a statement from Johnson & Johnson. Family-owned and operated Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room Napa, located at 1400 First St. at the corner of First and Franklin, aims to be exactly what the name implies: a pairing of some of the worlds best-known and most respected jewelry collections with well-respected Napa Valley wines. 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 wines are produced by Steve Padis, who with his wife Judy, opened the first Padis Jewelry in 1974 and who began Padis Vineyards in 2007. The atmosphere at Padis is purposely non-traditional, starting with how jewelry is offered, said Alexis Padis, their daughter. We wanted to get away from pushy salespeople in suits with classical music playing and aim to create a more relaxed, friendly environment. Want a glass of wine while you shop? We can do that, said Padis, who joined the family business in 2011 and opened the downtown Napa store with her husband, Andrew, in 2020. My dad got his start as a street artist stringing beads in Berkeley in the 70s, so we wanted the store to reflect those same roots and also showcase our evolution to fine jewelry and engagement rings. Tacori, a popular fine jewelry and engagement ring company, is offered at Padis. They also carry Forevermark, a diamond brand that prides itself on guaranteeing that all their diamonds are responsibly sourced with strict supply chain controls from mine to finger, as Padis explained it. Breitling, Swiss timepieces, and extensive custom collections and pieces designed by the Padis family are also showcased at the store. As Padis explained, Our focus is selection and providing great value. None of our team is on commission and we are here to help guide you to find that special piece. The Padis wines are poured in a separate section of the store in a comfortable family-room atmosphere. When he decided to start producing his own wines, Steve Padis said he realized that the most important ingredient in making truly great wine was the right winemaker. He had established a close relationship with Robert Foley, who began his career in Napa Valley in 1977. Foley, known for labels such as Pride Mountain Vineyards, Switchback Ridge, Paloma and Robert Foley Vineyards, has been the Padis winemaker for over 10 years. Padis is known for their Cabernet and Chardonnay wines, but also for two unique blends, Steve Padis explained. One is 70% Syrah and 30% Cab called Dazzle the other is a reverse of that 70% Cab and 30% Syrah, called Sintilation. Both names are nods to the jewelry background of the family. All their reds are estate-grown in the Oak Knoll District. They also produce an oak barrel Chardonnay from the Carneros region. Blending jewelry and wines may sound like an odd marriage at first glance, but it came together almost by accident. Andrew and I live in Napa, said Alexis Padis. One day, in the heart of COVID shutdowns, we walked from our house to Fieldwork to grab beers to go, and recognized how even during 2020, downtown has a special buzz going for it. We spoke to a few friends, and were fortunate to know John and Michelle Truchard, who had the former location of (former) Empire nightclub available for lease. The space is vast and at the time, a bit dark, but in fact became exactly what they were looking for the chance to showcase jewelry in one section and wine in the other. Today, that spot is home. That Padis is passionately involved with both jewelry and wine is somewhat ironic, and certainly wasnt how she expected her life to turn out. Im one of four kids and we were often dragged into the jewelry store on holidays and school breaks by my parents, who were building the business from the ground up at the time, she said. Needless to say, it was the last place any of us wanted to be as kids and teenagers. Padis swore that when she grew up, she would never go into the business. After getting her undergraduate degree, she worked in consulting and later pursued her MBA, with plans to work in consulting-focused entrepreneurial management. It looked like her break from jewelry was complete. Until it wasnt. I had decided to make a career move, and at the same time my parents were truly in need for help at the store. I agreed to work there for a while, but only for a limited time. Initially, I had minimal customer contact because I wasnt technically ready to work the diamond counter. Too outgoing to just watch while other employees helped clients, one day Padis just decided to go for it. One of my first customers was a couple shopping for wedding and engagement rings. Once they made a selection, he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. All three of us started crying, said Padis. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to stay in jewelry. That was also the beginning of what turned out to be a long relationship with that couple. I went to their wedding, and later, their baby shower, she said. Ive developed numerous multi-generational relationships as a direct result of being in this business. We get to help celebrate lifes most extraordinary milestones with the treasures of mother nature. Its the happiest job I know of and love every day of it. Her now love of wine followed a similar trajectory. My parents have always been passionate about wine and took many, many weekend trips to Napa, she said. When their kids were born, they brought them along. We didnt enjoy the Napa trips at all. This was pre-iPads, and there wasnt much for us to do. I wasnt a fan of coming here until I turned 21, she said with a laugh. She said opening a Padis Jewelry store Upvalley was an easy decision on numerous levels; it was in fact her mother Judys dream. But after seven years in St. Helena, Alexis Padis thought it was time to move to downtown Napa. The move has been a dream come true for us. We love our life Napa, and look forward to raising our family here. Alexis and Andrew married in February here are now expecting their first child later this year. Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room is truly a multi-generational family affair. Photos: Go inside Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room in downtown Napa Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 5 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 7 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 1 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 2 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 6 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 3 Padis Jewelry and Tasting Room 4 Updated at 5:10 p.m. Monday A Lake County man who died in a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in rural Napa County was a firefighter who had served with Cal Fire for two decades, the state fire protection agency has confirmed. Ronnie Boyd Jr., 51, of Clearlake died in the wreck north of Pope Valley while off duty, according to Jason Clay, spokesperson for Cal Fires Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. 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. Boyd joined the firefighting agency in 2003 with Sonoma-Lake-Napa, later becoming a fire apparatus engineer. After a term as a limited-term fire captain in the Shasta-Trinity Unit, he was promoted in 2016 to a permanent captains position in the Humboldt-Del Norte Unit on the North Coast, a post he held until his death, Clay said in an email Monday afternoon. Boyd died after the 2015 Harley-Davidson he was riding ran off the 7800 block of Butts Canyon Road and into a creek bed. His wife, 52-year-old Dena Boyd, was riding with him and was critically injured in the wreck, the California Highway Patrol reported earlier Monday. Dena Boyd was airlifted to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the highway patrols Golden Gate Division air services. The couple were heading north on Butts Canyon Road on their motorbike north of James Creek when it left the east edge of the pavement, went down a hillside and overturned, according to CHP. First responders found the wreck about 50 feet down from the roadway in a dry creek bed, the Golden Gate Division reported. CHP and American Medical Response rescue staff worked to hoist Dena Boyd from the creek bed, and she was flown by air ambulance to the Santa Rosa hospital, where CHP Golden Gate said she was in critical condition. Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, June 11, 2023 Valley Oak High Schools 2023 graduation ceremony started with June gloom and raindrops but ended with a jubilant sun and caps in the air. The continuation school celebrated its 96 graduates at Memorial Stadium on Monday before more than 200 parents, siblings, friends and teachers. We did it, said Associate Student Body President Perla Jimenez Arana. Many, many posters later, but we did it. The mood was triumphant throughout, with Valley Oak Principal Maria Cisneros reminding students that the next stage for you is blank so write your masterpiece. Being a continuation school, Valley Oak is for students who need a different environment a different pace and process to finish their high school education. Many of you joined us because life got in the way of school, Cisneros said, expressing how proud she was of each and every graduate for persevering despite academic hurdles, difficult family or financial situations, and the struggles of being in high school during a global pandemic. Through hard work and the support of the Mighty Acorn community, each student present is now more than qualified to stand atop the graduation stage, she said. "Valley Oak reminds students that they are smart enough and strong enough to tackle any challenge," said Cisneros. Student speaker Kaitlyn Surratt echoed those sentiments, saying we had a lot of downfalls, but now we have a lot of uprises, praising the tenacity and dedication of each of her fellow graduates. Valley Oak saved my life, she continued, recounting how the teachers and programs at Valley Oak helped turn her floundering academic career into a straight A transcript. The community granted her the confidence to embrace and love herself, said Surratt, as well as the courage to speak at the graduation. Its your life, and you create it your way, she said. Josue Barragan was slightly less optimistic about graduating, merely shaking his hand side to side when asked how he was feeling. The world outside the classrooms seems intimidating, and he is committed to continuing his education at Napa Valley College. Im probably going to do welding, he said, smiling despite the nerves. Students from Valley Oak wishing to pursue a college education must first attend two years at a community college, making Napa Valley College a popular destination. Karina Barajas said she was apprehensive and nervous about graduating, but is excited to be studying business and entrepreneurship there with many of her fellow grads. Nick Murphy has decided the college route isnt for him. He stood out from the mass of white graduation sashes with a deep blue one, the words U.S. Navy emblazoned in gold. He said he chose the Navy so that I could do something with my life and just get out of Napa. Hes grateful for Valley Oak helping him be able to graduate, and in particular is thankful for the economics and Senior Success courses he took. You learn about managing funds and learn about actual life instead of just academics, he said. The results are in: As California endured its three driest years on record, urban water users made a significant effort to conserve, but fell far short of Gov. Gavin Newsoms request to reduce water use by 15%. 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. Between July 2021, when Newsom first called on water users to voluntarily cut back, and March of this year, when he rescinded that request amid a drenching winter, statewide savings were 7%, or about half of what was requested. That amounts to about 9 fewer gallons per person per day, a Los Angeles Times analysis has found. The findings varied considerably by region and by water district, with the North Coast and Bay Area saving the most water 14% and 12%, respectively against the baseline year of 2020. The inland Tulare Lake and Colorado River regions saved the least, 4% and 2%, respectively. (The analysis did not include agricultural water use.) State officials say the numbers belie the long-term conservation efforts Californians have made in recent decades, including significant savings during the 2012-16 drought, which ended only a few years before Newsoms request. But they also acknowledged that there is considerable room for improvement. Residential statewide use was, on average, about 85 gallons per person per day. For comparison, Californians would have used 79 gallons per day if they had cut their use by 15%. Absolutely we can do better than that, said Charlotte Ely, conservation supervisor with the State Water Resources Control Board. In July 2021, California was about two years into what was quickly becoming one of its most devastating droughts. Fifty of the 58 counties were under a drought state of emergency when Newsom stood in front of a dwindling Lopez Lake in San Luis Obispo County and called on residents to reduce their water use by 15%. Newsom rescinded the call on March 24 of this year after back-to-back atmospheric rivers refilled reservoirs and dropped record and near-record snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, significantly easing drought conditions statewide. But many experts were critical of Newsoms voluntary stance throughout the drought, arguing that he should have made cuts mandatory, like his predecessor, Jerry Brown, who ordered a 25% reduction during the 2012-16 drought. Residents reached just shy of that goal, reducing water use by 24.5%. The Newsom administration said it was more focused on targeted drought responses based on local conditions, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that cannot account for past investments in conservation or major water use drivers such as climate. Seven percent is still an impressive number given that it happened in less than two years, and that its on top of the water savings that the state has maintained since the last drought, Ely said. And so I think what we see over the last decade is really a conservation success story. But some experts say the results are evidence that more could have been done. The numbers are disappointing, given theyre just under half of what was asked for, said Heather Cooley, director of research at the Pacific Institute, a water think tank. A 2022 report from the institute found that Californians could reduce their water use by 30% to 48% by adopting a host of existing technologies, efficiency standards and low-water use landscaping. Indoor use could be as low as 25 to 35 gallons per person per day, Cooley said. She attributed the states overall lackluster response to the governors voluntary call, and said the messaging was inconsistent and often opaque about the severity of the situation. I think that it was potentially a recipe for disaster, Cooley said. If it had been another dry winter, we would have really wished we had gone to mandatory (restrictions) last year, because it would help us conserve the limited water that we had, and would make it stretch that much further. Still, the effort appeared to work better in some areas than others. The South Coast region, which includes Los Angeles and half the states population, cut water use by 6%, or about 7 fewer gallons per person per day, the analysis found. In June 2022, as the drought deepened, the regions massive water wholesaler, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, ordered unprecedented restrictions for areas dependent on the State Water Project, a vast network of canals and pipelines that delivers water from Northern California to farmlands and cities to the south. The order was largely a response to slashed allocations from the state, and included a 35% reduction in water use for nearly 7 million people in parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. The communities were able to cut their water use enough to stretch the available water supplies for nine months, until restrictions were lifted in March, said Brad Coffey, manager of MWDs Water Resource Management group. But while the region succeeded in stretching scarce supplies, Coffey noted that operating under emergency restrictions is considered a last resort and not a sign of success. We have been working for years to prepare for a changed climate, but these changes are coming even sooner than predicted, and we must move fast to adapt, he said. The agency is working toward more sustained reductions in water use through investments in new infrastructure and local supplies, and is encouraging more water-efficient landscapes, irrigation systems and indoor plumbing and appliances, he said. In response to the MWDs order, one of its largest customers, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, opted to place its entire service area of about 4 million people under two-day-a-week watering limits in an effort to stay at or below a volumetric allocation during the drought. The effort was successful, according to the DWP. LADWP, through the tireless efforts of our customers and staff, was able to stay below the MWD volumetric allocation every month it was in place from June 2022 through March 2023, spokesperson Mia Rose-Wong said in an email. However, the DWP did not come close to the 15% reduction requested by Newsom, with cumulative savings of 5%, or 5 gallons per person per day, the analysis found. Rose-Wong said customers have made aggressive efforts toward efficiency over the last three decades, so it is getting progressively harder for our customers to reduce daily gallons per person. Yet, were proud of our customers response in diligently maintaining their water-efficient habits, as water use has dropped by over 30% in the past 15 years, Rose-Wong said. She added that the DWP uses a 12-month rolling average to track its savings in order to account for changes in population and weather throughout the year. Los Angeles 12-month rolling average for residential, commercial and industrial users went from 113 gallons per person per day in July 2021 to below 105 gallons in March. For comparison, the same 12-month rolling average was 126 gallons statewide, she said. Not all of the Los Angeles area was as successful, however. El Segundo used 25% more water between July 2021 and March, more than any other district in the state. City officials said the high consumption was largely due to a massive sewage spill at the Hyperion sewage treatment plant in 2021. The spill resulted in the loss of production of recycled water, which had to be replaced with potable water for several months. The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District on the North Coast was technically the top-performing district in the state, reducing its water use by 41%. However general manager John Friedenbach said the numbers were somewhat skewed because its largest water user, an electricity plant, went offline in 2022. The rest of the districts savings was pretty average, he said. The next biggest saver in the state, the city of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, saw a 35% reduction. Healdsburg has long been touted as an example of efficient water savings, achieving significant reductions through household water use caps, a recycled water hauling program, a near-total ban on outdoor irrigation and other conservation efforts. But while the wet winter offered California a much-needed reprieve, experts and officials said now is not the time for residents to ease up. While bouts of extreme precipitation are becoming more frequent, the region will continue to grow hotter and drier overall because of climate change. People might be wondering why we should be worrying about saving when Tulare Lake has re-formed, and I think its really just being aware that we are facing these long-term challenges, said Ely, of the state water board. She noted that hotter and drier conditions could diminish 10% of existing water supplies by 2040. And so all of the water-saving habits that we have cultivated over the last decade are going to continue to serve us in the face of long-term aridification, she said. The state is working to roll out its new Making Conservation a California Way of Life framework, Ely said, which will establish unique goals for its more than 400 urban water retail suppliers and help drive long-term savings across the state, among other efforts. The state Legislature is also weighing two bills that could lead to more savings, including one prohibiting the use of potable water on some decorative grasses, and another that would require nonresidential projects to transition to low-water and local native plants. But California is also facing significant cuts from one of its water lifelines, the shrinking Colorado River, in the years ahead. Cooley, of the Pacific Institute, said those cuts, along with projections for more arid conditions, mean maintaining efficiency and an ethos of conservation are critically important for California and the West. We need to still be pushing toward efficiency so that we make the best use of the resources that we now have, she said, and to start preparing for the next drought, which could be just around the corner. It's World Water Day. These 27 images show the global challenges squeezing supply. World's water in focus as clean supplies squeezed It's one of the world's most vital resources. In Paraguay, a man displaced by a rising river hauls heavy buckets of it to his temporary home. In the Philippines, a girl uses a manual pump to get just enough to wash. In Venezuela's neighborhoods, it's collected in wells to flow into hundreds of homes. Water is the lifeblood of every community around the world. But a sustainable, clean supply for drinking, hygiene and farming is not guaranteed for hundreds of millions of people, according to United Nations figures. From droughts stifling once-reliant sources to destructive downpours and floods, what the world does about its water woes is the central question at the U.N.'s three-day water conference that begins Wednesday. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of World Water Day, it's the first dedicated U.N. conference on water in nearly 50 years. Climate change, pollution and waste have compounded water concerns by squeezing the Earth's resources. Some supplies have dwindled from lack of rain, with dry spells often lasting months if not years in some places. Others have had essential supplies contaminated by chemicals or toxins from human activity. A punishing winter drought in southern Europe left reservoirs so dry that officials are moving fish for their survival. Kenya's dry weather and a lack of infrastructure means many people gather water at local hubs to collect enough. Peru's water workers must treat water contaminated by waste from abandoned mines, bacteria and garbage. In Haiti, where running water is unavailable in some homes, people, including children, fill large jugs in dwindling ravines. Some countries exposed to too much or too little water have already found ways to keep water flowing in the needed amounts. In the Netherlands, where about a third of the country is below sea level, wind pumps prevent regions from being flooded. Delegates attending the conference in New York will agree on an agenda on Friday aimed at advancing toward a goal of having readily available, sustainably managed water and sanitation for everyone across the globe. This time last year, there was excitement and possibility over how to spend a record $97.5 billion budget surplus, a shocking figure coming at the end of a bruising COVID-19 pandemic. But this year, excitement has turned into a fight over what not to cut as the state stares down a $31.5 billion budget gap. 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. How did this budget whiplash happen? To understand how the state could, in one year, have a revenue swing of about $128.5 billion requires a look at how the state raises money for the general fund the big pot of money that funds most state programs and a few other complicated aspects of how California juggles competing budget requirements. Where does all of California's general fund revenue come from? California collects taxes to fund state programs. The kinds of taxes the state relies on to fill its coffers has changed over time, and that has increased revenue volatility. The state's major revenue sources have shifted from retail sales and use taxes making up the bulk of major revenue to personal income taxes. Here is a breakdown of some of the major revenue sources: Personal income tax California has a progressive income tax, where the state's top earners pay at a higher rate and provide a bulk of that tax revenue. Over the years, income taxes have become the largest major source of general fund money. Capital gains money made from investments such as stocks is also taxed, but that stream of revenue is highly volatile. We'll talk more about that in a moment. Corporate tax There is a flat 8.84% tax on the gross taxable income of businesses and corporations doing business in California, excluding some types of business such as sole proprietors and partnerships. Other rates apply to certain types of businesses, such as financial institutions. Starting in the 2021 tax year, Californians who are shareholders of S Corps. or who have business partnerships could pay into a newly created tax, which effectively allows them to get income tax credits. This has shuffled what could have been income tax revenue into corporate tax revenue as far as the state is concerned, while allowing those individuals to get around federal deduction limits on state and local taxes passed in the Trump administration. Retail sales and use tax This tax covers the purchase of most physical merchandise including vehicles regardless of whether the merchandise was bought at a physical store in California or an out-of-state retailer. While the current statewide sales and use tax rate is 7.25%, that rate can be higher depending on additional taxes levied by cities and counties. Of all the major revenue sources, this one continues to shrink over time. How much of the personal income tax comes from the stock market? When Gov. Gavin Newsom was asked to explain how the state has a record surplus one year and has to make budget cuts the next, he answered "progressive taxation." He was referring to the way California's tax law is structured so that wealthy residents pay far more than anybody else. In fact, the top 1% of income earners paid nearly half of all personal income taxes in 2021, according to the governor's recent budget proposal. And the state relies heavily on capital gains the profit a person gets when they sell stock for a higher price than they bought it for of those wealthy folks more than ever. In 2021, a record-setting year for the stock market, capital gains accounted for 11.3% of personal income in the state. That's good when the financial markets are doing well, but shocks to the income of this relatively small group of taxpayers can have a significant impact on the state's revenue. One year is a surplus, the next is a deficit In putting together a budget, legislators pay attention to the end-of-the-year balance the difference between expenses and available tax revenue and the previous year's ending cash on hand. The state has a budget surplus when the difference is positive and a deficit when it's negative. That number is usually a big number, but small relative to the overall budget. But that all changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, as emergency expenses soared along with tax revenue and federal assistance. The average ending balance from 2006 through the 2019-20 fiscal year was a surplus of about $2.8 billion; for 2020 through 2022-23 it was more than $37.5 billion. Why did we get checks one year and cuts the next? The Gann Limit In 1979, voters approved a limit on how much money the state can spend each year beyond how much is in its bank account. Proposition 4 created the state's spending limit, sometimes called the "Gann Limit," which says that if the state's tax revenues increase too quickly for two consecutive years, the government has to either change tax rates, reduce spending or give taxpayers a rebate. The check-cutting isn't triggered often, but it was the reason thousands of California families making as much as $75,000 a year got Golden State Stimulus checks in 2022 so that the state wouldn't exceed the Gann Limit in 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years. Proposition 98 Since voters enacted Proposition 98 in 1988, the state is required to fund K-14 education at a minimum level based on which of two tests is higher about 40% of general fund revenue for the year, or the previous year's Prop. 98 funding, adjusted for student attendance and the per capita income of Californians. How much general fund revenue needs to be spent is based on how much money school districts receive from local property taxes: More property tax revenue means less general fund money is required to provide the minimum level of funding. What does this mean in the context of revenue volatility? It means each year, some portion of the general fund will have to go toward making up what local property taxes can't provide for school funding. And that amount is tied to other complex factors that can make budget planning difficult and lock out a chunk of revenue from being spent on other priorities, including plugging budget holes. And the formula for determining the minimum level of K-14 education funding keeps changing as new requirements are added. For example, voters passed Proposition 28 last year, which guarantees an additional 1% of what Prop. 98 provides toward arts and music education. That's estimated to be an additional $941 million in this year's budget. Ways to help stabilize revenue There are a few ideas floating around to help stabilize general fund revenue through new taxes, or the modification of existing tax relief. "Split roll" Proposition 13, approved by voters in 1978, established rules on how and when residential, commercial and industrial property can be assessed to determine how much in taxes is owed to local governments. Prior to this, local property taxes paid a larger share of K-14 education, but after the passage of Prop. 13, it fell on the state to offset spending, particularly after Prop. 98 was approved by voters 10 years later. While property values across the state have been climbing for decades, local governments don't capture that value through taxation for homeowners who sit on their property. If you bought a home in 1990 and never left, you are paying property taxes based on the assessed value that year even if the house is worth, say, three times as much today. One solution to relieving the funding pressure put on the state's general fund to pay for K-14 education is by assessing taxes on most commercial and industrial properties based on market value, essentially removing the tax relief Prop. 13 offers them. This is called "split roll" and a recent attempt to have voters pass this lost by 3 percentage points in 2020. If it passed at the time, large commercial and industrial entities could have provided an estimated $6.5 billion to $11 billion a year for local governments and school districts, a boon that surely could offset Prop. 98 spending from the general fund. Service taxes In 2016, then-State Controller Betty Yee published a comprehensive report exploring alternative tax reforms to generate new income. One proposal called for expanding the state's sales and use tax to include services, such as going to the doctor, using an accountant's services, or getting your hair done. Since more and more of the economy relies on services, the current sales tax regime was seen as outdated. This was proposed by then-state Sen. Robert Hertzberg, and it could have generated an estimated $10 billion a year in additional revenue. It didn't pass, but Hertzberg continued to push the issue for years, albeit in different ways. Ultimately, none of the proposals panned out. Changing spending habits Due to how volatile revenue has become, how the state spends money has also changed in two important ways. One is a focus on one-time spending obligations instead of multiyear spending on state programs. This was a tactic used during the last budget negotiations, where the state was flush with cash. Another approach is the state's rainy day fund, basically a voter-approved savings account the state is required to invest in each year to weather an economic downturn when it inevitably happens. This became popular after the Great Recession saw deep program cuts when the state was facing down deep deficits. Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, June 11, 2023 Tony Biagi appointed as new To Kalon Vineyard Company winemaker Tony Biagi, a fifth generation Northern Californian, is the new winemaker at To Kalon Vineyard Company, the company announced in a statement. He will be replacing the inaugural winemaker Andy Erikson. Crafting wines from the legendary To Kalon Vineyard is an honor for any winemaker, Biagi said, and I am inspired to work with the engaging, driven and passionate To Kalon Vineyard Company team to capture the essence of To Kalon Vineyard. After graduating from UC Davis Viticulture & Enology program, Biagi went on to work at numerous wineries, including PlumpJack Estate, CADE Estate, Duckhorn Vineyards, Sinegal Estate Winery and Hourglass Winery. At To Kalon Vineyard Company he will manage all winemaking programs for the vineyard's three Napa Valley red wines and will consult on production decisions such as pruning strategy. Biagi will continue to create wines for his personal label, Patria, and will retain his position as winemaker at Hourglass Winery and others throughout the valley. To Kalon Vineyards, created by H.W. Crabb in the 1860s, is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in Oakville. Visit tokalonvineyardcompany.com for more information. Napa Valley College Student awarded agricultural scholarship A Napa Valley College student Daniela Ceja was recently awarded the 2023 Volker Eisele Memorial Scholarship, the Jack L. Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund announced in a statement. She will receive $1,000 to further her studies in Environmental and Conservational Science. Ceja is the second recipient of this award, which was created by the Jack L. Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund (JLD Ag Fund) and the Napa Valley College Foundation in 2022. Born and raised in Napa, Ceja said in the release that It is truly an honor to be recognized for my passion and dedication to preserving Napas agriculture, and that the scholarship provides validation as well as financial assistance. She chose to pursue environmental conservation after being influenced by her late father, himself a careful steward of the land, and Eric McKee, education program manager at the Napa Resource Conservation District, who visited her high school biology class and gave a lecture on conservation. Ceja now volunteers with the district over the summer. The Volker Eisele Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the local vintner and long-time Napa conservation advocate of the same name. It is annually awarded to a Napa Valley College student focusing on agricultural studies, and is an extension of their annual scholarship program supporting Napa County high school students who wish to pursue agricultural studies in college. The JLD Ag Fund was established in 2003 and works to preserve the agricultural lands and heritage of Napa County. It is run by a volunteer board of directors. The NVC Foundation was created in 1968 and serves to improve the equipment, programs and standards of education at Napa Valley College. For more information visit jldagfund.org and napavalleycollegefoundation.org. Ink Grade Estate Vineyard certified biodynamic Ink Grade Estate Vineyard, a portfolio vineyard of Demeine Estates, has been certified biodynamic, the company said in a statement. At 750 acres, it is the largest Demeter Certified Biodynamic ranch within Napa Valley. Ink Grade has been farming biodynamically since 2019. Its Howell Mountain wines are characterized by the intensity and grace of the mountains volcanic soil and celebrate the deep connection between winemaking and nature, as stated in a press release. We are proud of this recognition of our commitment to biodynamic farming, which connects us closer to our land and reveals that the vines and the people who tend to them are part of an integrated ecosystem, said Carlton McCoy, Jr., co-founder of Demeine Estates. We are showing that it is possible to farm responsibly at scale as we help shape the future, sustainable legacy of the Napa Valley. Evrett Lunquist, director of certification for Demeter USA, stated in the press release that This work at Ink Grade is a win for consumers, farmers and the Earth. Biodynamic farming reduces toxins in the environment, improves water retention, the vitality of grapes, and the local wine terroir. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Ink Grades leadership in biodynamic farming, said Philana Bouvier, president of Demeine Estates, a family-owned importer, marketer and producer of luxury wines. For more information, visit inkgrade.com or demeineestates.com. John Anthony Family of Wines CFO retires Jim Collins is retiring as the Chief Financial Officer of John Anthony Family of Wines, the company announced. He will remain in his position until a successor is found, after which he will transition to the Companys Board of Advisors. Collins, a native of the Napa Valley, has held executive positions in the wine industry since 2002 and has worked with John Anthony Family of Wines since 2015. Since that time he has helped grow the John Anthony portfolio of wines by tenfold, according to a press release. Jims 30-plus years as a beverage alcohol executive has made him a fabulous resource on our executive team, said John Anthony Truchard, CEO and founder of John Anthony Family of Wines. Im thankful that Jim has agreed to join our Board of Advisors after completing the transition of his successor, so that the company will continue to benefit from his expertise. The John Anthony Family of Wines portfolio includes John Anthony Vineyards, Weather Wines, Serial Wines and JaM Cellars. John Anthony Vineyards focuses on exclusive wines from small vineyards in Oak Knoll District, Carneros and Coombsville, all of which are available in downtown Napa at their tasting lounge. Azur Wines to open tasting room in downtown Napa Azur Wines will open a tasting lounge in downtown Napa in July, owner Elan Fayard announced. Managed by Stephanie Perez, this contemporary establishment aims to cater to locals, tourists and guests with a selection of wine flights, wines by the glass, and bottle service. Located at 1014 Clinton St., the Azur Lounge promises an eclectic experience, the press release stated. Small bites will be offered to pair perfectly with the wines and champagnes available. Beyond its regular services, the lounge plans to offer a special, curated speakeasy experience for high-end clientele seeking a more personal and exclusive tasting affair. Operating hours for the Azur Lounge will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Specific opening dates, upcoming events, and details about the grand opening will be announced in the near future. THE Rose Competition announces winners Judges at the 10th annual THE Rose Competition, held in Fort Lauderdale and hosted by the American Fine Wine Competition, chose 2022 JOLO Pink from JOLO Winery & Vineyards in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina as the winner. Three runner-up Best of Show Dry Roses were also acknowledged: the 2022 Rose of Grenache from Clif Family Winery of Napa Valley; Breaux Vineyards' 2022 Cellar Selections from Purcelville, Virginia; and the 2021 Rose from Effingham Manor in Nokesville, Virginia. In the Sparkling Rose category, the top accolade was awarded to the 2019 Brut Rose from Domaine Carneros by Taittinger, Carneros. This $45 sparkling wine also emerged victorious in last year's competition. The runner-up in this category was another offering from Domaine Carneros, the NV Cuvee de la Pompadour. Long-standing judge Daisy Penzo, in the press release, voiced her pleasure at returning to judge the competition, noting the winning wine's origin from a non-traditional wine-making region as a testament to the category's versatility. Another judge, Sunny Fraser, compared the surprise win from North Carolina to the infamous Judgment of Paris. THE Rose Competition 2023 received 160 entries in total. The panel of esteemed judges awarded 23 Double Gold Medals, 34 Gold Medals, and 66 Silver Medals. Bob Ecker, a wine writer and photographer based in Northern California, founded THE Rose Competition in 2013. It was the first competition exclusively for rose wines in the United States. In 2018, Ecker partnered with Shari Gherman, president of the American Fine Wine Competition, to bring the event to the East Coast. Under Gherman's expert guidance, the American Fine Wine Competition has recognized America's finest wines for the past sixteen years. Since its foundation, the AFWC has raised more than $1.25 million for charity. This story has been modified since the original posting to clarify the name of To Kalon Vineyard Company. Fiat continues to bring back forgotten names. After the Topolino, the Italian brand is set to unveil the new Fiat 600, and its official video has been released, Kolesa.ru reported. The first generation Fiat 600 is a small and cheap rear-engine passenger car that replaced the aforementioned Topolino in 1955 and became the ideological inspiration for the Soviet ZAZ-965. Despite its modest dimensionsless than 3.3m long, 2m wheelbase, it was positioned as a fairly practical and versatile car. And in 1966, Fiat launched the voluminous Fiat 600 Multipla for those who wanted even more space for passengers and cargo. There is still no official technical information about the new Fiat 600, but it is generally an open secret. It has long been known that the new Italian SUV will share the French CMP platform with a whole galaxy of colleagues from the Stellantis corporation, but its closest relative and neighbor is the new Jeep Avenger on the assembly line of the Fiat assembly plant in the Polish city of Tychy. Power options are likely to be the same as the Jeep. Its base version is electric, with a single motor on the front axle (156 hp, 260 Nm) and a 54 kWh battery that will last around 400 km WLTP cycle on a full charge. In a number of markets, the Fiat 600 will certainly be offered with a 1.2 PureTech petrol "turbo engine" (100 hp, 205 Nm) paired with a 6-speed "mechanics." Whether the Fiat 600 will have the all-wheel drive version promised to Jeep is still unknown. Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church, with its distinctive crenelated tower at the corner of York Street and North Avenue, will soon end ties with the Methodist denomination. (Graydon Megan/Pioneer Press) More than three years after The United Methodist Church announced it would split over long-standing disagreements regarding LGBTQ inclusion, three Chicago-area churches are preparing to finalize their disaffiliation by the end of this month. Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church in Elmhurst, First United Methodist Church Plano and La Luz de Cristo United Methodist Church in Elgin will join thousands of congregations nationwide splitting from the denomination following decades of rising tensions between progressive congregations that flouted church bylaws banning same-sex marriage and clergy and their more traditionalist counterparts. Advertisement In addition to the three suburban churches, five other churches in northern Illinois were also approved for disaffiliation by the conference at its annual session June 6, said the Rev. Victoria Rebeck, director of communications for the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. The split came out of the denominations 2019 General Conference in response to a decadeslong conflict over the role and status of LGBTQ people in the denomination. At this time, the UMC Book of Discipline, which contains the denominations policies and procedures, prohibited the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals and disallows clergy from conducting marriages of same-sex couples. Churches are also prohibited from hosting such marriages. Advertisement [ United Methodist churches that oppose gay marriage and clergy will break away, form new religious group: We came to an impasse that cant be bridged ] While that may seem to many a conservative position, Rebeck said that prohibition may not be conservative enough for some United Methodist church communities. There are places in the United Methodist Church where church (regional bodies) have ordained gay folks and where pastors have conducted marriages and blessed civil unions, Rebeck said. I cant speak for conservative churches that want to leave. My sense is that at least among some of them theyre frustrated that these laws are not being enforced in a consistent way. The 2019 separation plan called for the creation of a traditionalist Methodist denomination that will be separate from the United Methodist Church. The new denomination would continue to practice the ban on same-sex marriage and clergy, while the United Methodist Church will explore expanding its laws to allow for more inclusion. In the past, clergy have faced discipline for performing same-sex marriages or identifying as LGBTQ, but many churches have disregarded the laws for years. Outside of the eight in northern Illinois, an additional 31 churches statewide have disaffiliated in the last two years, according to Paul Black, director of communications of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, which represents United Methodist congregations in Downstate Illinois. The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has scheduled a special session on Dec. 2, which could result in more churches aiming to disaffiliate before the end of the year, Black said. The provision for disaffiliation expires Dec. 31 and is not expected to be renewed or extended. A March report based on data from the United Methodist Churchs finance and administration council reported nearly 2,000 churches nationally had disaffiliated as of the end of 2022, or nearly 7 % of total U.S. churches in the denomination. The overwhelming number of churches were located in the South and Southwest, the report said. Jane Ahrens, chair of the Faith Evangelical Church Council in Elmhurst, declined to comment on specific causes for the anticipated split. Advertisement In an email, Ahrens said church officials expect to provide a news release after the disaffiliation becomes official at the end of the month. Disaffiliation is a legal process with the Northern Illinois Conference, Ahrens said in her email. We are still involved in this process and will not be able to make a statement until after July 1, 2023. Signage welcomes worshippers to Elmhursts Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church. (Graydon Megan/Pioneer Press) The Rev. Joseph Johnson, the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst, emphasized he was not associated with Faith Evangelical and could not comment on their reasons for leaving. But he noted that the prohibition against gays goes back to 1972. There are many of us in the (United Methodist) Church who feel this (prohibition) is not a fair representation of the Scriptures or our traditions as United Methodists and have been advocating for change, Johnson said. First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst set out this sign after the vote at the United Methodist Churchs General Conference in February 2019 to maintain bans against gay marriage and gay clergy. (Kimberly Fornek / Pioneer Press) (Some churches) are wanting to maintain the prohibition and, as I understand it, do not want to be with those of us who want a more open interpretation of Scripture and of our traditions. Johnson acknowledged the prospect of loosening United Methodist rules on some issues of human sexuality concerns more conservative Methodists. For his part, Johnson said, Id like to see the church live in more ambiguity. Advertisement The United Methodist Church churches in Plano and Elgin did not respond to phone messages and emails seeking comment. Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. The Supreme Assembly of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party of Armenia is calling for pan-Armenian mobilization. This is noted in the statement issued by the 26th Supreme Assembly of ARF Armenia. The statement reads as follows, in particular: "The Armenian people and the Armenian statehood are facing the gravest existential threat. Azerbaijan's continued aggression will lead to a new genocide and the de-Armenianization of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], will call into question the future of Armenia's statehood. The Supreme Assembly of ARF Armenia is calling for PAN-ARMENIAN MOBILIZATION at this crucial moment. ARTSAK'S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION IS NOT SUBJECT TO BARGAINING There is an alternative to the defeatism and powerlessness imposed by the [incumbent Armenian] authorities. With the reaffirmation of national solidarity and pan-Armenian potential, we can and must: Restore the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity, Restore the country's security system, to increase the country's defense capability and the combat readiness of the Armenian Army with national awareness of the nation-army, Effectively use international law and international platforms, combine the geopolitical interests being pursued in the region, the support of Armenia's strategic allies and diplomatic resources to protect and advance the strategic interests of Armenia and the Armenian people, In the context of international law, expose and condemn Azerbaijan's crimes against humanity and specifically the Armenian people, Stop foreign-born plans that destroy our national identity, to establish real democracy, public solidarity and justice in the country, Strengthen the capabilities of Armenia through the combination of pan-Armenian forces, creating a strong and competitive state, which will preventwith uncompromising resistancethe annexation of Artsakh, the de-Armenianization of Artsakh, and the pan-Turkish plans forcing vital concessions on Armenia, pursued by the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem. It goes without saying that the prerequisite for facing the above-mentioned challenges and making a breakthrough in the existing situation is the formation of a national government and the construction of a new quality state. My assumption is that they had a guest these days, in particular, you all already learned that the president of Turkey is visiting Azerbaijan; therefore, in my opinion, the minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan could not be absent from Baku during those days. Arman Yeghoyan, an MP of the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, stated this in an interview with reporters in the NA Tuesday, referring to the fact that the other day the Armenian foreign ministry announced that the meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan planned in Washington was postponed at the request of Azerbaijan. "My logical conclusion is that," Yeghoyan said. Asked whether Azerbaijan has something to agree with Turkish president Erdogan, the MP responded: "One can agree over the phone, too; we live in the 21st century." And as for when the new meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs will take place in the coming days, Yeghoyan said: "I can't say that. Such matters are not resolved in days, they are resolved in weeks." Lawyer Karen Alaverdyan was not only abused by the police at the central police department of Yerevan, but was also detained. Alaverdyan said this to a press conference Tuesday. He said that on June 7, he and his client participated in a court session scheduled for a criminal case at the Kentron seat of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Court, during which a conversation arose between his client and his friend about issues of friendship, which, according to the lawyer, cannot contain elements of a crime. "The court session was postponed due to the non-appearance of the witnesses. After the session, my client and I were calmly walking on the sidewalk in front of the court when 20-30 policemen and patrolmen from different departments approached us. Showing an unprofessional approach, they could not explain for a long time the purpose of approaching (). Finally, I understood that the police were inviting my client to the police station. I demanded the factual and legal basis of the actions performed by him and which officer we will deal with; but it was not possible to find out all that. Then my client expressed his desire to go to the police station and requested that I, as a lawyer, follow him in order to show legal support. He sat in the car of patrol officers without coercion. It is noteworthy that the operation was carried out by patrols with video cameras attached to them, and everything should be recorded. After 5 minutes, I appeared before the police station, stated the purpose of my visit, presented the certificate, etc.," Alaverdyan said. According to the lawyer, artificial obstacles were created before him in the aforesaid police department for 5-10 minutes in every way to get to his client. "After a long struggle, I managed to climb up to him. From outside, I heard my client's screams and demands not to hit him. First, two police officers tried to prevent me from opening the office door. I overcame their obstacles, opened the door, and found my client lying on the ground, handcuffed from behind, and 5-6 police officers hitting him at the same time. I approached my client, lifted him from the ground, tried to stop, stood with my hands on him. I urged them not to engage in dialogue with my client because the level of their approach and conversation was similar to a street fight. At my request, the police left the room, so that the judicial officer could stay," the lawyer said. Alaverdyan noted that after a short time the aforementioned violence was repeated. "I was smoking a cigarette for a moment. Very suddenly the mentioned police officer started shouting at my client, and immediately the door opened again, and the same group entered the office, taking me aside. After I was taken out of the office, they made aggressive demands to leave the police building. I objected in every way, tried to return to my client, unnecessary physical force was suddenly applied to me. I have not committed any illegal act on the basis of which I would be detained. Unnecessary physical force was applied to me without any basis, I was detained, handcuffed, and special measures were applied. I was subjected to all possible violations related to the detention process. There was a lack of reasonable doubt, the fleeing part is mentioned. What kind of escape can we talk about if I was trying to return to my client in every way, the detention protocol was drawn up 50 minutes after I was taken into custody, in the case when there were many employees at the investigative body, and there was no objective reason for the detention protocol to be so long? I was not given a copy of the detention [protocol], the president of the Chamber of Advocates [of Armenia] was not informed about my detention, etc.," the lawyer said. Alaverdyan noted that the investigator made a decision to release him after the maximum of 6 hours of detention. Within the Armenia-Argentina Friendship Group of the National Assembly of the RA, we had a meeting with the parliamentary delegation comprised of the members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina. Nonpartisan Taguhi Tovmasyan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the Republic of National Assembly (RA NA), noted this on Facebook. We touched upon the humanitarian problems created as a result of the Azerbaijani encroachments against the sovereign territory of Armenia, the complete [Azerbaijani] blockade of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)]. During the meeting, we emphasized that Azerbaijan ignores the requirements and exhortations of the international community and the international organizations. The Chairman of the Friendship Group Argentina-Armenia of the Senate of Argentina Guillermo Andrada, in his turn noted that Armenia is experiencing difficult times, and they will present accurate information on the current situation to their country and the international community, Tovmasyan added. For a long time, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has been spreading daily fake news about ceasefire violations by the Defense Army of Nagorno-Karabakh in the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia noted this in a statement it released Tuesday. The statement continues as follows: It is noteworthy that in the information materials published by the Russian peacekeepers, ceasefire violations only by Azerbaijan were recorded. Taking into account the already well established experience of Azerbaijan to provide "informational support" before carrying out the next acts of use of force and to artificially ascribe responsibility for future actions to the other party from the outset, the Republic of Armenia has serious concerns that the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, despite all its own obligations, is preparing the ground for another aggressive actions and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. We call on the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation to strictly follow the observance of the ceasefire regime and investigate all the incidents voiced by Azerbaijan, publicly presenting the entire situation on the ground. At the same time, the Republic of Armenia reiterates its position on the necessity to send an international fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, which can also provide reliable and unbiased information both about the situation in the line of contact between the sides and about the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, the latter resulting from Azerbaijans disruption of the functioning of the Lachin corridor through setting up an illegal checkpoint in violation of the regime established under November 9, 2020 Statement, blocking natural gas and electricity supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh as well as targeting by the Azerbaijani servicemen of citizens carrying out agricultural works and their machinery. The Republic of Armenia is convinced that addressing the issues of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of an international mechanism through the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue is urgent and should not be delayed, and calls on the international community to support this process. Armenia has a sovereign territory where Armenias laws apply. If at some point Armenia believes that it should outsource any of its functions to the bodies of another country, it is an internal matter of Armenia. But at the moment there is no concrete decision, nothing discussed. Alen Simonyan, speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia told this to reporters Tuesday, in terms of whether the road connecting Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan should be controlled by Armenian, not Russian forces. "If Azerbaijan wants the Russian side to control the entry, then Armenia may also want some representation of a third country to control [it] because the opening of the borders, de-blockade is a mutual process. If an Azerbaijani should come, go to Nakhichevan through the territory of Armenia, it means that the resident of Armenia can also go to Russia or any other country through the territory of Azerbaijan; the conditions should be the same," said Simonyan. He added that the Armenian side will decide what kind of control will be in relation to the Armenian territory. As for the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, according to the Armenian NA speaker, "practically all points are violated to some extent." Armenia is in favor of unblocking all roads in the region. Alen Simonyan, speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia told about this to reporters Tuesday. According to him, the differences on this matter are technical. "There is a general perception. In my understanding, its about movement within a state. The main red line in Azerbaijan's position [in this regard] is that it does not move from its country to a third country after going from Baku to Nakhichevan. That, in their opinion, implies that there should be a simplified version. Also, whenever we go down to Meghri from Yerevan through the territory of Nakhichevan. Our disposition is that we are in favor of unblocking all roads," Simonyan said. "If we are talking about peace, then setting harsh preconditions, living forever in the logic of not reducing tension... If we are going to live in a state of war, that road, whatever it is, will be pointless. It would be good for the Azerbaijani side to understand all this," he said. Simonyan expressed a belief that Azerbaijan wants to get as much as possible out of the situationand this is understandable. "They probably don't want to repeat the mistakes we had in the early 1990s. At the same time, I think that they are making their own mistakes and not taking many things into account; but history will show that," said the Armenian NA speaker.